The Scarlet Tankard
Quevin, Coria
Spring
Day 1
Evening
Whether this had been a test or not to determine if their group would work well together as a team, the perverted intent of the ruffians had brought out the best ... and the worst ... of the newly formed group of adventurers ...
Amariel waited for no man to come to her rescue … for she was not a helpless damsel in distress ... as she sprang into action by first stomping on the miscreant's right foot as hard as she could with her boot ... while placing her right foot behind his left and simultaneously thrusting the flat side of her scimitar against his chest.

They fell in a heap with the elven knight astride her attacker with her knee in his stomach and the blade of her scimitar pressed against his throat as she defiantly looked him in the eyes while stating:

"You Lose!"
She did not have time to determine if her assailant was a fool or worse? He fumbled for his weapon and sneered at the knight as he tried to unseat her with his weapon.

Amariel gave him no quarter as her blade sang a song of vengeance as it bit into his flesh, slicing his throat and vocal cords almost simultaneously, as his life escaped his body almost immediately.

The elven knight sought to spy out the whereabouts of the four suspects, but pandemonium had erupted in a seemingly simultaneous eruption throughout the tavern.

Revlan had jumped on top of the table after throwing the contents of his tankard in the face of the man who had grabbed the arm of the cleric Peryl.

Calling them "stupid Sigies" and chastising them for not offering their courtesy of buying the ladies a drink, the Pick Cidal grabbed Qempar's two unattended tankards and began swinging them round about as he defiantly goaded any would be attackers to try their best to disarm him.

The Slaa'kar Ranger named Qempar snarled at the intruders as he withdrew his sword and set his gaze upon the attacker who had Peryl by her arm. He was ready to literally disarm (as in dismember) the foolish one who sought to harm their healer!

Vord did not hesitate as he fluidly grabbed his chair to disarm one of the attackers as his subdued blood lust suddenly sprang to the forefront of his consciousness.

The two grappled momentarily, but the suddenness of Vord's action left the assailant with the jagged markings of his talons. Struggling was useless as the man sought to kill Vord, but he was the instant victim and would have fallen to the floor, had Vord not held his lifeless body as a meat shield.

Pandemonium had erupted and from every direction the patrons of The Scarlet Tankard had begun swinging fists, weapons and broken furniture at no one in particular. It seemed that many of the clients of the tavern had been spoiling for a good fight and an excuse for spilling blood and lives this night.

Peryl was shocked by the scene and taken unawares by the intrusion of the attacker who had grabbed her arm. Amariel had been a quick study on how to dispatch an attacker and Peryl tried to trip her assailant as best she could.

However, a blood curdling scream from her assailant could be heard above the din as the wolf named Smoke sank its jaws into the leg of the man holding Peryl as the druid Willow had bid her wolf companion to do.

Other men were rushing to the aid of the ruffians and Willow was there to meet them as she stepped in front of Peryl and dared the new combatants to draw near if they dared.

Peryl managed to pull her mace free and did her best to look menacing, but in reality she was shocked by the senseless violence breaking out upon every hand. She stood her ground as Qempar dispatched the arm of the man who had mere moments before pulled Peryl from her chair.

Qempar stood in front of Peryl and shielded her from both attackers and bloody view, while Smoke growled and took a position to guard the cleric from any attack from behind.

Amariel and Willow joined forces and cut a bloody swathe through the fiercest of new ruffians, then held their ground and slowly positioned themselves at a vantage point nearer the table where Revlan and Vord were standing guard against any and all other unwelcome guests of the tavern.

Bloodshed gave way to pushing and shoving as the clients of the tavern either collapsed from exhaustion or too much drink. It was then that Revlan called out to his companions:

"Where did they go?"
Revlan jumped down from the table and hurried off through the debris of broken tables and chairs and contorted bodies who were for the most part groaning from the pain and agony of a good fight.

Vord was at his heels, making sure that the impulsive Pick was not ambushed in his haste to locate the four suspects who had taken advantage of the mayhem to disappear from the immediate premises.

Qempar was close behind with Peryl in tow, as Amariel and Willow guarded their departing companions with stern looks and weapons at the ready. Smoke followed at the side of Willow and none of the adventurers were accosted as things began to settle down and patrons began buying one another drinks and slapping each other on the back.

The dead and wounded were being removed as though it were but a part of the nightly routine. The Scarlet Tankard was fitly named.

Revlan made his way around the far end of the bar and peered into the kitchen, but a nearby door caught his eye as he threw all caution to the wind and opened it.

Stairs led down to the cellar below, but Revlan peered cautiously from the top of the stairs, waiting for his companions to catch up with him.

Vord did not hesitate to take the lead, welcoming the descent down the stairs as if he were back in the familiar haunts of his native domain.

The others followed one by one and soon found themselves in a large food storage area. Their eyes slowly adjusted to the dim torch light while they quickly surveyed their surroundings.

Smoke let out a snarl as Revlan and Vord both noticed a crate slowly move backwards against a far wall, before a tell tale human left hand disappeared from view, behind the crate that was now flush with the far wall.

Smoke menacing growl had a different note in it. In a fight he was silent but Willow knew he was giving a warning. She looked up and around her expecting to see someone about to attack, but all she saw was a hand pulling back in behind crates that seemed fo her to be stacked against a solid wall. If it was solid that could not be. Common sense told her there waas some sort of openingg in the wall. the thing she did not know is why that would be inportant to the group since she had been late for the meeting.

Willow looked around again but the battle had almost come to a close. So she asked. "Are we interested in the fact that someone smoved behind the crate over there and then pulled them back against the wall?" Willow pointed to whwere she had seen the hand disappear.

"Oh, by the way my, name is Willow and I was sent her to join you. I was just a bit late, trouble on the trail. This is Smoke my companion.

"Now if we want to catch up with those miscreats we had better get moving and find out where they went."

the druid introduced herself as one of their companions.
'as i excpected, as no druid leaves the forest without reason' thought Qempar 'was kinda hoping she wasnt though, ill have to keep a good eye on clucky when i go to pick her up from my camp later, dont want her to be wolf chow.'

Qempar moves along the wall keeping an eye out for ambush,sword still in hand from the brawl upstairs.

(if possible Qempar will knock out the first theif he encounters, or atleast try to keep him alive long enough for questioning,if there are no enemies he will inspect the crate)

Time started to catch back up for Peryl, although her heart was still pounding in her chest, she became more focused on her surroundings. The brawl began to dissipate and Peryl found herself following the group through the kitchen, "Is everyone OK?" she asked as she made her way down a dimly lit flight of stairs and into the dank cellar.
Once underground, Peryl began to re-assemble herself, glancing at her companions, and the the newcomer. Willow fought alongside the newly formed group, and Peryl was grateful for the help. Willow turned to the companions, "Oh, by the way my, name is Willow and I was sent her to join you. I was just a bit late, trouble on the trail. This is Smoke my companion..." Peryl smiled at Willow, she had the smell of the woods on her, and Peryl immediately liked her, the Wolf on the other hand made the hair on her neck stand up.

"Um... Revlan... what are you looking at? What are we doing down here?" she stammered, oblivious to the mysterious moving crates. "Did anyone see where those four cloaked humans went? I think we lost them." Peryl subconsciously gravitated near Amariel as she spoke to no one in particular. She eyed Rvlan and Vord as they both seemed to have focused on something across the room. Their focus alerted Peryl, as she stepped behind Amariel (her elven shield), she moved her hand to the mace hanging at her hip. "What is it?" she asked, ready for action.

Slicking his filthy Waithur hair back with his bloodstained hands, Vord breaths deeply, feeling the cool, subterranian air fill his lungs. Memories of the tunnels of his home rushed through the Ungoulid's mind, another Kord jumping at his shadow at the end of a tunnel, fearing, but not knowing that his demise approached, one silent footfall after another.
Then Peryl's stammering brought him back to the torchlight and crate.
"There is a man who, it seems, would rather not be seen behind that crate." Vord murmured softly as he brushed the hilts of his knives before reaching accross his back and unslinging his crossbow, suppressing the thrill of energy that surged within him, allowing his senses to impose upon him.

OOC: As he loads the crossbow Vord will examine the walls and surrounds (using his knowledge of subterranian habitats if appropriate) afterwards he will cover Quempar with his crossbow.

"Yes, I saw where at least one went.The one attacked to the handd I saw disappearing behind that stack of crates over there against the wall."

Putting action to words Willow moced over to the stacked crates and told Smoke to guard. Willow reached out and tried to dislodges the top crate, to see if she could see anyhting. However she kept alert for any ambush that there quesrry might be preparing for them. Ambushes she knew about many forest animals had ways in and out of their dens so they could run or waylay those that entered. She had not had much experience with the human animals but figured the same survival instincts might work for them as well.

"I could use some help with theses crates."

Revlan had tracked down their marks to the cellar with little to no effort. Or so he assumed; especially with the odd moving of a crate at the far wall, and the hand that left with it. If that wasn't one of the suspicious Sigies they'd been watching before the.... incident.... upstairs, than Revlan wasn't sure he'd want to know what was going on behind the crate, especially given some of the... acts... that could occur in such an unusual local.

But given he did not hear the tell-tale giggle or sighs of lover's trying not to be exposed, as he'd stumbled upon one too many cousins in the past, Revlan figured it wouldn't hurt to check.

Vord had tailed him from their table, and Revlan began a sidelong glance to confirm the man had also witnessed the hand just to be reminded of the horrendous height difference between the two. Frustrated, he let out a brief sigh before beginning to stride forward, after all Vord was huge; who'd mess with that guy?

But as he advanced Revlan clued into the presence of the wolf as it growled and froze in his tracks; the hustle and bustle upstairs had afforded him no time to register a wolf indoors.

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The night was warm as Revlan skulked the woods in search of his prize, a fine piece of redwood. It would make for the most splendid carving, one that would surely impress Lana, the light of his world. The only problem was he'd spent so much time trying to find the tree during the day that he'd forgotten to bring his axe.

Not wanting to double-back across half the ham to retrieve his, Revlan borrowed his cousin Marlin's and sauntered off into the forest, content to go about his business.

However, the young Shadelin hadn't really considered the difficulty in retracing his steps in the evening light, and managed to get himself, unwittingly, lost.

Despite this Revlan marched ever forward, in search of the means to make his beloved a gift. He simply needed to secure the wood and give it to Marlin, upon doing which the two of them would laugh and drink as his cousin whittled the piece down into the shape of Lana's favourite flower with a true craftsman's expertise. Revlan was surely lucky to have such a dear friend to help him so.

As he moved towards his destination, Revlan began to hear rustling around him, accompanied by low growls. Trying not to pay it any mind the Cidal moved on, slinging the axe over his shoulder, just in case. Passing into a clearing that he couldn't recall, Revlan realized his error and turned to find two wolves exiting the bushes before him, and could hear a third to his left; it seemed he was in trouble now.

Wishing to Sheilin for protection, Revlan gripped the axe tight as hungry eyes watched his every movement.... As the first one leaped, Revlan swung...

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Conversation and movement snapped Revlan back out of his memory, and he shook his head to clear his thoughts. Gee, now they'll talk. Hmmph....

The Cidal looked about the room and accessed the action of the others, feeling a tad confused.

"I could use some help with theses crates."
Revlan merely shrugged "Aye, I'm coming."

He thought that his companions were being a bit too cautious as he crossed the cellar to the crates and began to push. It wasn't like a horrible monster was gonna leap out and eat them.

Peryl's eyes adjusted quickly to the dim light, The random crates and barrels some of which were covered in thick dust framed the walls of the room, Peryl stepped into the center of the room when Willow's words gabbed her attention "I could use some help with these crates". Peryl moved towards where Willow was heading...

The elf listened to the sounds arround them, their footfalls became louder than the receeding noises of the destruction left in their wake. Soundlessly she was assessing the damage, as she covered the rear while following her new companions down the stairs.

Nodding towards the Drow she decided she would not yet reveal her name to the companions, for they all seemed content to discuss the obviousness of the box moving. The woman quickly scanned the rest of the room using her infravision to search the room to ensure there were no others lurking in wait while everyone else focused on the box that had moved.

Weapon always at the ready, Amariel moved towards the boxes looking for a switch or a lever in case the box needed a special panel touched for it to move but always alert to the possible dangers in their surroundings. The young elf had done a quick scan high and low, and near the other boxes for somebody lurking but came up empty as she agreed to assist the other companions attempt to follow their suspects.

Willow slung her bow and set to work to help with the fraes. lifting the upper ones down that she could handle herslef or aiding others is they were too heavey. Smoke continued to show interest in the area trying to paw away at the boces that covered up where the teail of smells he was hunting.

Once the boxes are clear she will unslung her bow and wait. She figurred thedwarf's eyes were best suit for this darkness though if there was some light she should be able to see better than the humans did in the dark or dime light. Not that she was use to traveling in basements but she was used to the dark dens and lairs of the various forest animals enought that she did not feel that uncomfortable about going into this underground area.

The Scarlet Tankard Storage Area
Quevin, Coria
Spring
Day 1
Evening
As the adventurers moved towards the crates at the far end of the wall, each in his or her own way noticed that a variety of food stuffs had been pillaged.

There was no evidence of any traps or any type of ambushments. It was now quite evident that the six adventurers and the wolf were the only living beings roaming around the storage area.

The crates and wall were carefully examined, but again, no trace of physical or magical traps were detected. It had only been the keen eyes of those who saw the hand disappear behind the crate that pointed to any direction of a fleeing foe.

That and the nose of Smoke. He obeyed Willow, but impatiently pawed at the area in front of the crates, where Willow had boldly spoken to help her move them out of the way.

Revlan had been excited, surveying the area and bounding forward, that is until the sight of Smoke sent him into a momentary trip down memory lane, that he did not look forward to reliving anytime soon!

Thankfully, the sound of Willow's voice asking for help to remove the crates brought him back to the safety of his fellow adventurers and their immediate quest to find the four mysterious humans.

He did his part as did Peryl, in response to the request for help, gravitating towards Willow and thankful that Amariel was close enough behind her to protect the healer from any unexpected danger.

Content that no danger was lurking about, the elf knight gracefully moved to the crates to help her companions discover what was on the other side of the wall.

There was only so much room for moving crates, so Vord chose to cover his companions, especially Qempar, with his loaded crossbow. Nothing seemed to be amiss on this side of the wall, other than the various food stuffs that had been hastily pillaged mere minutes before the adventurers had descended into the storage area beneath The Scarlet Tankard.

Qempar stood ready with his sword drawn, anticipating someone or something to leap out and attack the group, once the crates were fully removed.

Impetuously, it was Revlan who first stuck his head into the gaping maw of the hole in the wall behind the crate. Just in time he noticed two small humans with sacks on their backs disappear around a bend in a deceptively large cavernous tunnel.

The last figure stopped momentarily to glare back at the inquisitive Revlan, making the impetuous one draw back involuntarily and exclaim:

"They are getting away with sacks on their backs!"

It was the smell that asssailed her nostrils first. the smell of earth and stone and something else she could not quite discern yet . Willow let her eye adjust to whatever light was available in the daekened tunnel. Once the crates wer moved one of the partye stepped in and called back to the rest of them. "They are getting away with sacks on their backs" Willow took up her sword since bows were not of great use in twisty tunnels. If she discover she had the range to shoot then she would change weaposns for her preferred bow.

"They are getting away with sacks on their backs!"
Revlan gave a quick glimspe back over his shoulder at his companions.

"Well come on," He snorted "we can't lose them now!"

Without much further thought the Cidal was through the opening and darting off in the direction of the men he'd seen, not even taking the time to draw forth a weapon.

There was a task at hand; don't lose them.

Revlan figured he could do that easy enough, even with the dim light of the odd caverous tunnel.

Peryl moved closer to the crates in question, her almond shaped eyes quickly adjusting to the dim light. She had learned a simple light prayer and even used it on occasion..but it had been a while since she had meditated on it and the words and intonations were foggy in her mind. "I.. I used to know a simple blessing that would help brighten things down here..." she quietly stammered..." I just cant remember the last line... huh I guess it wasn't so simp..." Her quiet musings were cut off with the abrupt shout from Revlan, "they are getting away with sacks on thier backs!" Her focus snapped to the cidal peering behind the the crates... he shot back over his shoulder, ""Well come on, we can't lose them now!" and shot into the shadows. Peryl looked at her companions with a blank stare, and then back to the tunnel entrance again... "c'mon Willow!" and ducked behind the crates. "Revlan... wait up!" she screaled as she funbled for her mace. The cidal was quickly darting down the tunnel, Peryl could hear the sound of her companions behind her, but could not tell if they were close on her heels. Peryl tried to keep up with the intrepid Revlan, while simultaniously working her way through the light spell in her mind. "Oh give us light Lysora.. to brighten the darkest day, fill the shadows with... no no... Revlan!!! Slow down!" Fill the shadows with radiance... to show us all the way!" With that the small rose shaped pendant began to glow, giving off enough light to see a few meters in either direction. Peryl second guessed if the light was helping, or hurting her vision, as she could probably see better with out it. "Revlan!" she called again as she rounded a bend in the tunnel.. "Wait!"

Amariel decided her task during this mission would be to protect the healer from danger. The woman stayed behind Peryl in the procession smiling towards their destination, she would be a woman of few words. Calmly she followed the rest of the group down the tunnel keeping her senses about her. Occasionally looking over her should to see if they were being followed.