The Cracking Ice - Chapter 1

Ana bowed her head at Kyron for helping her down, making sure to stay near Tipolei

Kyron smiled a bit back but then had to balance when Tipolei landed and the ground shook a bit.

Many of the people step back with a gasp as Tipolei emerges, but they don't get any more aggressive.

"No, don't do that," says Ben frowning. "They might think we're from Chi-Town, and have come to build a "friendly" outpost here. Don't even imply the Coalition, they aren't exactly bringers of serenity." Be surveys the crowd more fully, and puts his hands in the air. "I'm coming down, and will speak to you all, unarmed. Is there someone here I can speak to? My name is Ben Volent, and I've been sent here from Castle Refuge."

Kyron whispers to Sir Volent,"They were directing us to the saloon."

Volent can summon his armor as a free action. You don't need to make that faster.

Yes, the salon door is large enough for you, probably even Kai.

"Indeed." Ben says flatly. "I guess I missed that with out well-armed greeting." Ben makes his way into the saloon. "Thank you," he says to the crowd.

Kyron moves to the saloon and holds the door for Ana but ends up holding it for any in the group then heads in himself.

Looking around and taking in the nature of the saloon and its patrons as well as staff.

Ana smiles at Kyron, miming a thank you. She didn't know what else to do as she followed everyone else.

Tipolei follows Ana, trying not to break anything once inside...

Takes out a little pad and writes Cartouche on it then draws a line North of it with the miles he sensed to the Ley Line. Drawing a zig zag line West to East to represent the unusual Ley Line he sensed. Writing intermittent under the zig zag Ley Line for Castle Refuge records.

Entering the saloon through swinging double doors, you see that it's made from rough cut wood logs, notched on the end and assembled with golden brown plasticrete in the gaps to protect against the elements. It looks rustic, old-timey, save for the inhabitants.

An old man in cracked and dented power armor stands front and center against the bar. His gigantic maul gives you the immediate indication that he must be the mayor, Justice Hammer. This is also backed up by the way the five others are half turned toward him. They are all mercenary types, wearing scrap armor and weapons. They're all suffering from obvious injuries of some sort, including a bloody rag tied off on the knee-stump of one woman's left leg. Despite their rough appearance, you get that they're experienced veterans, hard chargers and kickers of butt. At least, until their last encounter.

Justice Hammer steps forward, his left hand choked up on his maul, his right hand proffered forward.

"Welcome to Cartouche. I'm Justice Hammer, these folk behind me are my Coffin Nails." His voice is rough and deep, but his age, which is over 80, shows in his wrinkled face and speech mannerisms. It takes a man of strength to wear armor of that sort and wield a weapon as heavy as his maul, but his better days are clearly long in the past.

Kyron is surprised to see such a man of advanced years in power armor.

"That is one hell of a weapon sir." Kyron says looking at the impressive maul.

"Im Kyron, nice to meet you. We heard you might need some help." he shakes the mans hand.

Chay entered with the rest of the crew, subconsciously tugging his kerchief a little higher on his face. Wary but not feeling particularly threatened by the battered bunch before them, he listened to the old Justice speak.

Justice shakes each of your hands, least those as willing, and hears your names. In turn, he introduces you to his team, the so called Coffin Nails. "This here is "High Noon" Graves, Amanda "Singer" Douglas, Bully Welch, Charlotte "Shooter" Owens, and Danny "Doom" Lawrence."

He takes in your motley crew, and says, "Well, ain't you a bunch of something. I'm sure you know your business, but some folk around here have had misunderstanding with colorful characters. Still, you do right by us, and it will be reciprocated proper. Now, have a sit if it pleases you, and I'll do the same. I'll do my best to tell the story of why we sent for some help."

Tipolei sits on the floor so nobody has to look up to speak to him..."Me be Tipolei. You look strong, but you be wounded. What is stronger that wounded you ?", looking at the short man on the right, "You smell like magic. Maybe you have more knowledge on enemy? "

"Tipolei here is real good at picking up scents the rest of us would miss. Thank you for the invitation."

Kyron pulls a chair over to sit beside Tipolei so he doesn't feel alone sitting on the floor.

He listens for the story of the demons that Ben had told them about.