[Game Thread] Chapter 4: Tainted Sands

[Fil kearney]

Some five miles outside Daskaran central, heading towards Flamekeep by way of lightning rail was the recently reopened Orien transit center… The light rail has been in competition with the boating unions that dominate the inner sea and river routes near Thronehold. [DM reference pending]
The three lightning coaches present were humming unheard beneath the throng of workers loading supplies to be distributed throughout Aundair, and beyond to Thrane and even Breland.

A cold, sharp day in late autumn.. The morning frost had already been greeting residents of the region as they awoke for the past week. Winter was right around the corner. The sky was typically overcast and quite stormy this season.. Even moreso with the disruptive magicks of the mournland interfering with normal storm systems… but today was particularly cloudy, as though a spring storm was rolling in from the south. Not typical for this season at all… even less typical was how the clouds were descending at a rather high speed… a keen observer would say that it's more akin to massive bonfire, or a thrown smokestick-- set straight for the transit center.

By the time the flaming corpse of the Turquoise Sonia was recognizable by the naked eye, it was dangerously close… The hull was teeming with various creatures on all sides as the inferno outpaced the smokey clouds clinging greasily to the smoldering ironwood and floatstone frame during the freefall straight for the Daskaran Transit Center.

Warnings to move the lightning carts out of the station were lost in the shrieking and panicked shouts of the multitude of workers pushing commerce… not that it mattered. It would take too long to fire up, calibrate, and wrangle the elementals into alignment to escape the impending destruction. Running was the only option for anyone able.
The Sonia first plowed into the High Tower, previously a lookout post back before the Last War… a historical landmark knocked over like building blocks beneath the fury of a raging child.

Next, the ship splintered and carpet-bombed the entire railway yard, takkng the three lightning coaches with her-- the elementals bound within joined new-found freedom with the elder elemental who Ash has called friend for years… the lightning discharges and fiery timber mixed, releasing sparks of plasma across the canopies an dboarding aprons adorning the various tracks, spreading the flaming wreckage throughout the facility like an out of control brushfire, threatening the nearby industrial complexes, and urban offices.

Creatures were shed from the Sonia as though the ship were some massive paint brush, flicking color across a torched canvas: demons and crewmembers alike flung into the void, unsaved by the small militia of Dragonhawk marines. Nearl all the travelling adventurers had means of their own flight, accompanied by the Divas carrying the ship officers, and the crew that had escaped out the Aviary aboard emergency crash ships.. But not many within the wreckage were visibly present.
"We have to rescue any survivors!"
Ash shouted to anyone willing to join her-- The swarm of demons have dispersed: many died on impact, but some remaining have spread out to continue their rampage across the cityscape, most quickly moving beyond visibility through all the haze and smoke. Ash drew her sword in case any were still lurking nearby amongst the debris.
"Bring us down as close as the hawks will all, Fox!"
With a nod and command, they began descending into the wreckage, searching for anyone that may still live….


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OOC: you don't have to participate in a rescue operation, but I can't imagine any of you wouldn't. Use whatever skills you feel is necessary, with whatever penalties you feel would fit however deeply into the wreckage you are willing to venture.

Kinda like a makeshift skill challenge using 3.5 mechanics to search and rescue as many as possible..

[zarzak]

Celestine growled at the sight before him - the Sonia in flames, demons everywhere, people dying. Knowing he wasn't the best at search and rescue, Celestine did the next best thing.

Hellfire erupted from Celestine's palms, blasting away debris which clearly had no bodies under it, trying to work a path into the wreckage. Celestine slowly worked his way into the flaming wreckage, seemingly impervious to the heat.

As he goes in and the heat intensifies, Celestine summons a giant storm of sleet (Sleet Storm spell) above the raging inferno, which takes the bite off some of the heat. Celestine makes sure to place it high enough as to not hamper the search efforts ...

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Celestine currently has resistance to fire 20. He can pop up a planar bubble if necessary to further block out the harmful effects of the wreckage to protect himself or others. He also has several healing spells available if necessary.

Rolls

More Rolls

Search: 23
Spot: 16
Listen: 26

[Surreal]

Sul had to take a moment to reassemble his faculties. As he was essentially part of the ship at the moment of impact, the flood of sensation (if one could call it that) upon hitting the buildings, then ground, then subsequent explosions, was somewhat overwhelming. As his focus came back into alignment, he found himself floating among the wreckage, the flames licking ineffectively at his ghostly form.

Scanning the mindscape painted a sombre picture. The fall had killed most of the remaining crew still on board, though a few still survived. More of the demons remained however, and they were doing their best to escape the flames. Some continued their attacks, and others still stopped to devour and defile the flesh of the fallen crew. The sight of it sickened him, and Sul felt a dark cloud of anger come over his eyes. Focusing his rage on the nearest injured demon, Sul simply wrapped a piece of broken hull around it and lobbed it into the fire, letting the flames slowly consume it. The demon shrieked in pain as the flames burned away its flesh. As it struggled, Sul clamped the metal tighter and tighter, squeezing where flesh had burned away, until the twitching ceased and the roar of fire drowned out the screams of pain. The remaining demons turned and ran. There were far less dangerous targets out there in the unprotected city.

A blast of energy snaps Sul back to attention, and he notices Celestine plowing back into the ship, blasting away the debris, Recognizing that he is attempting to clear his way to any survivors, Sul focuses his mindsight again and begins redirecting Celestine towards any life signs that he can sense. He calls out to any crew and rescue workers that can hear him as well. Amidst the flames and wreckage, for all they know his is just a voice hidden within the smoke.

rolls
search 34, spot 36, listen 11
though with mindsight I think most of these would be moot

[Surreal]

Joe impatiently swats at a medic trying to tend to his wounds. "Blast it boy, I'll be fine, tend to the others""

"Sir, you have multiple lacerations to your...

"Bah, you have good hands, don't waste them on an old man when they need you down there" as he shoves the medic towards another team who are desperately trying to stabilize the critically wounded. The young medic leaves without much argument; he didn`t have the time to argue with an old man.

Joe tries to stand up, but a staggering pain drops him back down. His right leg was broken, possibly in two places, and his arm was dislocated as well. The arm was easy enough to fix (albeit painfully), but his leg would have to wait. A nearby piece of broken plank served as an adequate cane however, and he was able to pull himself back up and slowly survey the surroundings. Amidst the furor of people and noise however, he could barely pick out anything familiar, except for one...

"Joe!..."

"Thank the gods Derringer, you're alive!"

"I tried to save them Joe, I tried..." sobbed the young man as he limped towards Joe, finally collapsing against the old man. Joe winced in pain, but held the boy up. The boy too was heavily injured, and bleeding profusely from his head. Joe set him down and tore off some of his own bandages and wrapped them around Derringer's head.

"I tried Joe, but I couldn't... I couldn't...

"Take it easy lad, you're ok..."

"I couldn't save them Joe"

"save who?"

(ref post #135) "Kelris. Bren was already dead by the time I got there, but I managed to fight off the demon and fled with Kelris, but... but..." as he stutters and begins to cry again.

"shh shh, it's okay Derringer..."

"No it's not okay Joe. I dropped her. I couldn't hold on long enough..." as he choked out the words between tears. The hull tore open and we fell out. I had the lifering and I caught her arm, but I couldn't hold on... there was so much smoke, and fire...

Joe coddles the young man, trying to calm him down. "There was nothing you could do Derry, you did your best..." It was then that Joe noticed the smell. There was so much smoke in the air that he only just noticed it, but it was unmistakable. Touching Derringer's arm, he could feel the scarred texture of skin and flesh that had burned away. He could feel the weak pulse within the arm, getting weaker as he moved towards the end. He didn't need to go any further to know what had happened.

"... I tried to hold on Joe. I didn't let go... I didn't let go..."

There was nothing he could say. No words that would make it any easier to bare. Joe simply held the young Derringer, gently rocking to soothe him until he passed out. His wounds were grave, enough so that he might not awaken. In a way, it would almost be more merciful. The young man had endured more in those few moments than anyone should in a lifetime; Joe had survived the war, and knew full well the tragedies of those who survived. The boy just wanted to do the right thing. Were this a kind world, he would be a hero.

... were this a kind world...

[DaveTheMagicWease]

As the ship lunged through the air, a burning trail in its wake, Gwyn ducked and weaved around the falling debris. Amid the chaos the form of a falling crewman hurtled past - too late did Gwyn stick out an arm to try and catch the doomed soul, and he could afford no more attempts at rescue as a hunk of fallign wreckage slammed into his back and nearly knocked him clean out of the sky. From that point on he was forced to use blasts of silver fire simply to forge a path for himself out of the wreckage.

He watched the ship plough into the ground from above, landmarks that had stood since before he was born, and that he had assumed would stand long after his death, were obliterated in the inferno. The pristine white marble of the tower reduced to smouldering rubble.

The tearing and ripping of metal and stone was terrible, perhaps it was a blessing that it blocked out the screams, for worse still was the silence that followed the impact. Fires could be seen burning throughout the rubble, but the cries of the wounded that one would expect were eerily lacking - it seemed that few of the victims of the tragedy would be requiring a healer, but rather, an undertaker.

Stunned and shell-shocked it was a few moments before Gwyn did anything other than mutely stare at the carnage. When he did rouse himself it was to whisper a quick prayer for the dead.

The time to grieve will come later.

With that thought he spurred himself into action, flying low over the wreckage, dampening down the fires, moving wreckage aside, and searching for anyone that might yet be saved.

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OOC: Once I level him up I plan on adding Greater Mage Hand and Slow Burn to his spell list (and Quick Burn as well - it fits thematically imo). So he will use those to move wreckage and lessen flames. If he finds anyone, just enough heal checks and/or cure spells to keep them alive and then move onto the next.

Mostly though, he'll leave the actual searching to people capable of rolling a perception skill, and will focus on patching up anyone the rest of them find.

[Fil kearney]

Gwynn finds following Celestine's path of clensing to be quite easy.. For every survivor that sul leads the duo to, the telepath misses the corpses of five more.. Both gwynn ad Celestine have a close relationship with the effects of exposure to deadly heat, and it is... saddening... to see such fates fall upon good people.

The eruption of blizzard across the core of fire releases an anguished cry of pain and rage that nearly stuns the observing ghost... The inferno sheltering the Sonia's liberated elemental is dampened considerably. Without a stable anchor, the elder spirit's presence as been greatl compromised-- though the Sonia has been destroyed, Ash's bond to the livin fire remains--
"NO!!!! AARRRGGHH!!!!"

The red headed captain falls to the ground clutching her head in response to the elemental's pain. as her first mate attempts to aid her,
"Iris! Ash needs help! Iris! IRIS!... Iris?"

[zarzak]

Celestine quickly realizes what is happening, and roars out his anger. "To save lives must I harm another!? Only demons could cause something this foul to happen ... !" By this point the group is nearing the core of the ship. Celestine's only consolation, besides the steady trickle of survivors, is that his hellfire blasts, though they melt away the debris, cause small side fires. Harmless, but hopefully somewhat of a help to the beleaguered elemental.

---

Although Kimoko survived, she hasn't been helping with the rescue efforts. Instead, the succubi has been trying to tend to the wounded. "Mortals are such delicate things ..." she muses, as she tries to stabilize the badly mauled leg of a sailor. "The slightest of tribulations crushes them ... but there is something noble about how they fight on."
To the succubi's relief, for once she found no pleasure in the destruction wrought by demons.

[Surreal]

The amount of deaths within the ship and around the crash site was staggering, and Sul felt his mind being pulled in all directions at once. It took all his concentration to keep directing the rescuers to the survivors, but the wails of the dead and dying were overwhelming him.

Ages ago, he would possess mortals and commit suicide in a twisted attempt at ending his own unlife. Each death then only fueled and twisted him to try time and time again. Things were different now though; his mind had been reformed. Hearing all the cries now was staggering, and he could feel them pulling him back into the dark recesses of his mind he had long forgotten about. Something was stirring... and he liked it.

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As Celestine made his way through the wreckage, he chanced upon the ghost. Sul's telepathic voice continued to echo, giving instructions and directions to the nearest survivors, but his ethereal form hung limply, almost catatonic, drifting back and forth as if dancing within the flame. Stranger yet, Sul's own form seemed to cast a shadow across the fire, but this shadow did not move. It bore a stark contrast to the weaving form above.

Celestine tried calling to his friend, but there was no response, just the continued disembodied drone of where to find survivors. Another nearby explosion drew Celestine's attention away. Sul seemed engrossed in the rescue efforts; they would have to reconvene later.

[zarzak]

Celestine frowned. Something about Sul was disturbing ... more so than usual at least. The druid had no time to ponder the issue though, as more immediate concerns quickly called for his attention. Celestine was nearing the center of the raging inferno that was the Sonia. The survivors were becoming fewer here, and he felt the heat start to break through even his considerable defenses. In the distance he senses what used to be Sir Pounce, now his bonded air elemental ... thing ... trying to push the flames away from the wreckage via his wind-based abilities. "I don't know how many more we'll find!" the bear roared out to no one in particular.

[Fil kearney]

As the wood burns, it becomes difficult to tell where the wreckage of the Sonia ends, and the demolished station begins. The heroes continue to pick their way through the mess, and the bodies keep appearing... over 50 so far burnt or crushed by the accident.

The survivors that fled the station have began to return to lend aid, along with the local militia that has mobilized against the possible attack on the city

Sul continues to guide through the debris, feeling faint lives flickering out in his altered state-- soon the souls of the dead begin sprouting in the spirit world, freed of mortality again.
Confusion, fear and pain pulse through the region, causing Sul to contort empathically. The shadow writhes and whips about like a snake pinned to the ground, lashing at the newly manifested souls beyond the sight of those not gifted.

The Sonia's elemental finds solace from the wreckage in a nearby passenger's lounge-- the structure's integrity broken, it will simply burn to the ground and eventually extinguish itself... buying the elder elemental and it's allies time to reassess their situation-- but the lightning rail elementals have no such plans... freed from confinement, they disperse, leaving the scene swiftly lest they become imprisoned again.

"What in hells happened?"
The gruff voice belongs to a tall man flanked by the local militia. With a flick of the wrist, the assembled defenders began fanning out, some lending aid in uncovering and organizing bodies, others setting up a defensive perimeter... intended as much to keep others out as to keep the wounded survivors in.
"Gather the living; take them into custody-- be careful with 'em! Many are barely alive as it is!"
Snapping to a nearby officer,
"Organize the volunteers! get a water brigade to isolate the fires and let em burn!"
The man looks about the ruin, scowl set on his face as though he were assessing a battlefield.

[Surreal]

The arrival of the militia men helped bring Sul back into focus, partly because of the influx of fresh living minds within proximity, but mostly because of their leader. There was an uncanny sharpness to his mind that seemed to bring clarity to the mindscape around him. Joe had a similar effect though not as strong, and after the crash he was not within range or possibly dead.

With the militia now aiding the crash victims, Sul renews his coordination efforts stronger than before, though remaining in mental contact with so many men is taxing his already beleaguered mind. While most of the men follow the orders, only too eager to help, some of the more experienced look to their leader first for confirmation. Their leader nods, but Sul can sense him beginning to wonder where the voice is coming from.

[DaveTheMagicWease]

Gwyn passed his hands across the fallen man lying before him, but his efforts were in vain. He had lost count of how many lives he had saved that day, but it was dwarfed by the number of corpses he had passed by in the process. By now he was numb from the experience, floating between the bodies whilst on autopilot.

He caught sight of Sul's drifting form out of the corner of his eye, the sight of his 'shadow' stopped him in his tracks - something about it looked wrong, worse than that something about it looked familiar to Gwyn.

He didn't have time to stop and think about it though as the familiar cries of an officer echoed across the desolation.

"Gather the living, take them into custody"

Now Gwyn was in his element - he turned to the newly arrived officer, his inquisitor's robes easily visible in spite of the singing caused by the fires.

"Custody? These people are injured and unless they are lying in the middle of these flames your men will not move them until they have been properly attended to, do you understand me soldier?"

[Fil kearney]

Dropping immediately to one knee, the Captain giving orders silenced himself reflexively; Gwynn had rank here, and no one could question that.
"Lord, I was unaware Inquisitors had already arrived! Naturally, we will begin transporting the prisoners at your--"
Gwynn was already losing his patience with the mundane soldier,

"By what logic do you believe anyone here is-- ah. of course."
Gwynn realizes the basis of the assumption as a demon flits back into view above the skyline, tearing... something... to shreds.
With an irritated gesture, brilliant fire erupts from the divine sorceror's outstretched hand. The distant explosion drowns out the screeches from the creature as the flame consumes it.
"Despite the evil brought by this vessel, the crew was in no way affiliated with it. Aid in their recovery, and then transport them to..."

The career officer looked obviously uncomfortable as he tried to find a way to directly contradict a highly influencial member of the church without risking his soul... or at least his pension.
"Umm. Lord, my apologies-- but the Lord Magistrate has dictated that everyone aboard is to be arrested and prepared for inquisition as an act of war directly against the flame itself. I assumed your presence here was to expediate that edict, and prevent any undue resistance. I am unable to..."

Gwynn cut him off with a wave of the hand. The soldier was incapable of conceiving that Gwynn was actually aboard, and quite frankly, the contradiction in official orders versus blind faith would cause the man undue stress. [insert DM note] Best to leave his assumptions in place.
Unfortunately, the Magistrate technically has jurisdiction in town, despite any overriding cause Gwynn may be acting upon.. which is technically none at all. At least, not yet. The circumstance surrounding the past week deserve greater attention than given, but it is still technically gwynn's hunch without official support.
Although understandable, this layer of bureacracy was inconvenient, if not outright detrimental to what may be a delicate timeline.

Celestine tromps back into view, delicately carrying the crushed body of the little girl who was a Priest of the Sacred Flame... Gwynn had never met her, but it was nearly impossible for someone so young to be indoctrined. Of course he had heard of her. "Daughter of the Flame" she had been called. She was expected to achieve great things after completing her obligatory pilgramage.

"None are left."
Celestine announces, confirmed by Sul's mental echo.

Not much beyond the core crew remained alive. The fire brigade have isolated the building where the fire elemental had sought shelter, and beyond the divas, none of the survivors were in any condition to do anything.
Soldiers were having difficulties with the dragonhawks, but the original orders still stood: the divas were not permitted to remount.

The uncomfortable tension in the air grew as more soldiers refused to meet Gwynn's glare,
"Sir, I am not permitted to let any of them free."

[zarzak]

Celestine's features changed to the usual seemingly-angelic features he kept up - his wings seemed to shimmer a brilliant white as his features shifted. [[OOC: Just using Hat 'o' Disguise]]

He still carried the girl, but the image was now much more pleasing to the eye than that of a giant werebear carrying the child. The angelic Celestine looked to Gwynn, raising an eyebrow.

"Is there a problem here? Perhaps we didn't slaughter enough demons to satisfy these men here?"

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OOC:
Roll: Know (Religion): 18

To see how much Celestine knows about the religion, and how they would react if he really played up his celestial ties (planar bubble and all).

[Surreal]

Sensing the captain's conflicted status, Sul posed a simple question to Gwyn:

"If the captain were incapacitated, would the soldiers take orders from you?"