Chapter Six: The Muster of Caltlikrath

You could try?

Just to recap everybody's current status:

Domarc and Mordred are trying to leave Hazard. They are magically disguised and carrying a small wooden case of gifts they received from the office of the Hierophant.

Felor, Leth, and Zangua are standing outside the Randy Pike Inn with two 6PC members who are trying to lure them to a secondary location to parley with their "teacher."

It's mid-morning on a slightly overcast autumn day.

I was more asking CancerMan if we should proceed without the others or wait for them.

The warrior twitches. Rumio holds up a hand and throws him a quick glance. "I--I'm afraid you misunderstand me. You must come with me now, or the opportunity will be lost. Please?"

A bead of sweat rolls down his forehead.

"Well...I will fail in the task I set out to accomplish, to broker the meeting my teacher asked for, and the chance to correct many harmful misunderstandings that have arisen will be lost."

While Rumio answers, the warrior takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly through his nose, his eyes staring straight ahead, at nothing.

There are a few people walking around nearby, but nobody seems to be paying much attention to you. There's no sign of Domarc or Mordred.

Rumio takes a deep breath. The warrior rolls his head from side to side and groans. "We only just learned of your return to Hazard," Rumio says through gritted teeth. "We came as swiftly as we could. Even now my teacher waits. We know you will not tarry here long. You have done much in the name of your friend Edvers Kells and his daughter, but you know not why he chose to serve the Six-Pronged Crown, nor why he betrayed it." He looks straight at Leth. There are tears in his eyes. "Your arrow pierced the heart of my friend and brother. But I would choose peace with you over vengeance, as would my teacher. Please, come and talk, before more lives are lost."

Rumio seems anxious and impatient, but he hasn't shown any signs of aggression; he's not in a combat-ready stance and has made no subtle moves toward his weapon.

"My teacher can answer for these things far better than I can," Rumio says.

~meanwhile~

Domarc and Mordred wind their way through the northeast quadrant of Hazard.

They pass a troupe of professional mourners sitting in a small public garden in their black skirts and veils, sharing a bowl of figs and having a quiet but evidently amusing discussion. They must be either just finished with a job or waiting to begin one.

The sandstone and the chalk have arranged themselves into a sign that Marn used to refer to as Fjorgyn's way of telling you that you were asking the wrong question, casting auguries about wolves when there are snakes in the sheep's pen, or something to that effect.

Even so, the ambiguity itself was some sign that no imminent death trap lay ahead.

I'm gonna need a final answer on whether you guys are going with the 6PC or not. You can, if you want, further subdivide the party and leave one or two of you at the inn while the rest go off for the meeting.

Let's say 3 hours, give or take?

In response to Zangua's words, the warrior throws his head back and lets out an incoherent yell skyward. The color drains from Rumio's face and he takes a step backwards. "ENOUGH," the warrior yells, lowering his head.

For a fleeting moment, the warrior's appearance is strangely altered. It is almost as if his skin turns to paper, his clothing and eyes crudely painted on, like a straw-stuffed doll. Then his body bursts open.

Rumio staggers back, stumbling, as the warrior stretches out his wings, snapping the twine that held them pinned diagonally to his back where, seconds before, the battle axe had been strapped. His glossy white scales shine with an almost opalescent sheen as passers-by and inn patrons scream at the sudden transformation. The creature opens his mouth and lets out a piercing, bloodcurdling shriek, revealing knife-sharp teeth.

"No, no!" Rumio moans, weeping. His hand falls to the short sword on his belt, but he does not draw it. The dragonborn warrior advances on Zangua, staring at him with pink reptilian eyes.

Felor and Zangua, roll for initiative.

Edit: Leth too, if you're around!

Domarc and Mordred press on to the nearest city gate. The wide avenue leading out of Hazard is lined with peddlers, vendors, guides, and porters, looking to make some coin off of the people coming and going.

Domarc and Mordred, make a Perception roll.

~meanwhile~

"More time! I needed more time!" Rumio howls as the dragonborn charges.

Edit: The dragonborn strikes at Zangua with hands formed into rigid claws, attacking with rapid and disciplined blows.

Edit 2: Zangua takes one hard hit to the chest that knocks him backwards. He catches himself and stays upright, but only just barely.

Felor and Zangua, you're up. Until he starts posting again, Leth will take cover by some trees near the inn and attack with arrows at the end of the round.