Group role-play: Drosta's dilemma

Aessenna | Vylena | Jordekk | Tyrek | Aessenna | Snermak

Aessenna
Aessenna lifted her ear from the wall, where she had been listening to her "companions" speaking of the dilemma of rooting out the Grolims after Drosta's life. She didn't trust them quite yet. She especially didn't trust Tyrek, being a Grolim himself. She quickly opened and closed the door silently, leaving the run down inn.
Aessenna made a few stops on the way to the Yar Nadrak Temple. A couple hours later, carrying a map of the temple and garbed in a Grolim's robe and mask. The temple loomed up ahead on the road. She knew a good costume had much more to do with a person's composure than the outfit, so she slowly shuffled towards the dark opening to the temple as if she had no urging business.
Once inside, she drew up her mental image of the map of the temple and started heading towards the high-ranking official's offices. She garnered only a few glances from apprentices. The majority of the priests were gathered probably sacrificing some poor Thulls. Aessenna was a professional, she left nothing to chance. She came upon the high priests office and picked the lock with ease. She quickly closed and locked the door behind her.
It took Aessenna the better part of an hour to find the right papers, but sure enough she finally found a list of all Grolim emissaries sent from the emperor, Kal Zakath. She scanned the list of names, but disappointingly found Tyrek's name was among them. She did not, however find Merin's name on the list. She smiled in anticipation. There weren't too many names, but enough to keep them all busy tonight. She committed the list to memory and left the papers there. She rearranged everything to it's original position, the high priest wouldn't even be able to tell someone had been in here.
Aessenna left the temple without any trouble and tossed her disguise in the back of an alley. She needed to find Tyrek. She returned to the inn where they had had the meeting earlier. By this time it was well into the night and the others had retired into their separate rooms. They were planning on getting the list later that night. Little did they know that she already had it.

Tyrek woke with my dagger at his throat.
"Quiet now, little one, I said with a grin. Wouldn't want to wake the others would we?" Aessenna asked mockingly. Aessenna saw him tense and pressed her dagger deeper into his throat drawing a drop of blood.
"Ah ah, I can kill faster than you can think. So don't try it." She warned.
"Who are you and what do you want?" asked Tyrek.
"I'm sent here by Drosta to help solve some Grolim infestation problems." She said with a grin.
"But I'm following orders from Drosta as well! We're on the same side." He sputtered.
"Funny, but it seems your name isn't on the list of official Grolim emissaries from Kal Torak." I said.
"That can't be right, I'm on Drosta's side. I am loyal to our king!" he said in panic. He saw death in her eyes.
Aessenna withdrew her dagger and smiled. "I had to make sure you really were on our side. You can't always trust paperwork. Now get dressed and help me find our first target. Round everyone up if you must." she said calmly.
Tyrek rubbed his throat and sat up. "Did you have to be so damn rough?"
Aessenna smiled as if explaining something to a child, "I find it's always answers more heartfelt when a person lies on the cusp of life and death. I life to experience that same thing. I suppose you could say I'm generous. Now let's get everyone together so you can get started on this list."
"Let me see it first," Tyrek demanded.
"Afraid I can't do that because it's up here," she said tapping her forehead.
"What? What if you forget or mix up a name?" he asked in surprise.
"Not to worry, little one, I've a good memory." Aessenna said grinning. She listed off the names on the list for Tyrek. "Now you guys take care of them, and I'll take care of Merin. He's mine."
Merin was a Murgo Grolim with a particularly nasty penchant for abusing women. Aessenna had met him briefly when she was young and travelling with her father. Merin had been one of the few men whom her father dealt with that hadn't been taken care of. It was time to settle accounts.

Merin had an inn near the palace of Yar Nadrak that he stayed in whenever he was on official business. The inn was the nicest in Yar Nadrak and so wasn't the most accessible place in the world, but it posed little trouble for Aessenna. She came in through a second story window and found Merin's room in short order. The sun was just beginning to lighten the horizon with hints of dawn. The room was extravagant and Merin slept a foot deep in a down filled mattress in the centre of the room. You could hear the sounds from the kitchen beginning to fill the air and aromas of breakfast drifted under the cracks of the doors. Aessenna waited.

Merin woke and sat up rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Shock registered in his eyes as he saw a dark shadow shift in the corner of his room. He began to focus his mind and point his hand at the intruder. Aessenna leapt into a controlled roll across the floor and shot a dagger at Merin's hand. The Grolim cried out and lost his concentration when the dagger nailed his hand to the wall. A smear of dark red blood marred the creamy white walls. Merin raised his other hand trying to concentrate through the pain and another dagger knifed through his palm. Merin nearly passed out from the pain.
"Who are you?" Merin rasped. His voice was deep and harsh.
"Why sweet little, Aessenna. Don't you remember me Merin? I certainly remember you and your wandering hands. I was little then, but as you can see I'm all grown up." Aessenna said smiling grimly.
"DIE," Merin screamed focusing his will into one last effort to kill his assassin.
Another dagger ripped a jagged gash across the Grolim's stomach. She had meant for the cut to be sloppy. Merin slumped over, his eyes glazing over with pain. He had nearly passed out. Aessenna slowly rose and glared down at the dying grolim who had molested her as a child.
"I shall do for you what you would never do for me. I will show you mercy. Come, I've a cure for your misery." Aessenna whispered and blood sprayed across the pristine white sheets. The white faded from around Aessenna's vision. It always faded after killing.

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Vylena
Deep with in the temple of Torak in Yar Nadrak, Snermak awoke to a hooded figure leaning over him with a knife. “Your going to have to kill me, becauthe I won't tell you anything! I will not tell you that my companionth are at the tavern! Oh damn! Well I'm not going to kill you, but thanks for trying to be noble. Now let's get out of here! Oh thank Torak you came to save me, Vylena. Cut me free and I get us out of here.”
Vylena grabbed a piece of cloth and gagged Snermak. “Sorry Snermak, but I move faster, and quieter, alone.”

Jordekk and Aessenna sat at the table chatting together keeping one eye on Tyrek. Tyrek cleared his throat.
“Where is Vylena? She asked us here, but still isn't here.”
“What gives? She'll be here,” replied Jordekk.
Just then Vylena walked it to the room followed by Snermak.
“I thtill don't underthtand why you didn't untie me thooner!” said Snermak.
“Have a seat! Well, gentlemen and lady, I've called this meeting because where not getting very far with this current problem. We need to work together and come up with a plan. Now let's start by introducing each other! Jordekk you start,” invited Vylena.
“Okay, my name's Jordekk Nadrak's best swordsman!”
“My name's not important. What is important is my abilities as a Master thief,” the woman drawled.
“I'm Tyrek Grolim Priest of Torak. I'm working for Vylena no one else!”
“My name is Thnermak, and I'm Nadrak'th betht Mathter of Dithguithe!” Everyone started laughing at Snermak's outrages lisp!
“Enough I'm Vylena Drosta's personal Dancer. Now that that's done let's come up with a plan!”

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Jordekk
"Let's come up with a plan!" she said. Vylena, taking charge as usual. Still sets my teeth on edge hear a woman giving orders, but if there's one woman I can accept if from, it's Vylena.
"So," I said, "two of us have already thinned out the Grolim ranks a bit." Snermak and Aessenna had already gone ahead and taken out a Grolim apiece. Made sense to me. To them it was personal. Then again, I've always noted that getting personal rarely gives you a return at the end. Sure, it can feel good putting your sword in the belly of someone you don't like. But rarely are you paid to do that. You can't profit by paying yourself, can you?
I looked at Snermak. He seemed a little worse for wear, but Vylena had dragged him out of his tight situation. Aessenna, on the other hand, had a bit of an aura about her. She was as pleased as an alley cat with a fresh caught mouse in her paws. Then again, the aura might have been the ale. Sometimes it's like that. You just have keep one eye closed and the aura goes away eventually.
"The way I see it," I said, "we've still got four Grolims left to be rid of." I looked at the list that Snermak had jotted down. I listed them off "Tenthak, Krathdek, Tongrak, and Arkthel."
"Snermak, you were going after the others when you were caught?" I asked.
"Yeth," he replied, "I thought that when I thaw them grouped it might be a way to finith the problem." The kid had guts, I thought. Going after a group might be the best way, but I guess he forgot the first rule. Numbers, like profits, better be on your side.
"I know these four," said Tyrek. "Their rites of sacrifice are almost always done together. Snermak must have found them on the way to perform their duty."
"Perhaps that is the best time then, to come at them when they are together," I said, "maybe with a little distraction, we can catch them with their guard down."
"That may be more difficult than you think," said Tyrek. "Each one of them has some skill at Sorcery. Rarely will you find them out in the open without defensive spells up."
Aessenna leaned forward, bringing her face into the light. "I've got an idea that may work, but I'm going to need your help, Tyrek. He and I will come up with the distraction, and that should allow the rest of you to get in close and finish the job."
Vylena looked at Aessenna. "Wait a minute," she said, "won't Tyrek be recognized?"
Aessenna laughed. "Not if he's invisible. I've got a couple of potions that will keep the Grolims from seeing what we're going to do."
I nodded. Getting in close was the best way for someone like myself. Bows and sorcery may work for some, but I've always relied on my two good swords. I let the others continue talking, as my head really still hadn't cleared enough. I left the table and sat on the bed, intending to put my whetstone to work. Swords have a way of rusting a bit, and I knew I'd need them in working order tomorrow.
Strange though, as I got down to working one of my blades. I couldn't help but feel Tyrek's eyes on me, every time I slid the whetstone down the blade. Shrugging that feeling off, I listened while the others continued making plans into the night.

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Tyrek
Aessenna pulled me into the corner of the room. I could hear Jordekk's whetstone on his blade. The scraping noise annoyed me. I tried to give him a hint by looking at him with an annoyed expression, but he didn't seem to notice.
As soon as Aessenna opened her mouth I started to speak. "Potions of invisibility? Are you out of your mind? If it were that easy then you could just walk up to a Grolim and slit his throat! Being invisible would be like carrying a banner."
She replied, "A Grolim shouldn't be able to see me, invisibility or not. I just didn't want to explain the entire plan to everyone."
I replied more softly, "Alright. Fine. So what is the plan?"
She explained her idea. Invisibility, surprise, range. I liked her idea. She wanted me to make a set of crossbows invisible. We'd hide and shoot a few bolts at the Grolims. The bolts couldn't penetrate shields, but they'd create chaos.
While they looked for archers, Jordekk, Snermak, Vylena, and Aessenna would casually stab them in the back and walk away, one per Grolim. I decided it was an excellent plan- especially since I wouldn't be doing the stabbing.
We went to lay in wait along the path to the temple. It was late already, probably two or three in the morning. For cover, Snermak set up a wooden table and Aessenna placed random bits of jewellery on it. Jordekk and I just sat on a bench and waited
People began to show up. Nadrak tradesman carried loads of groceries, weapons, household goods, and trinkets like ours. The sun had not yet risen. Vylena and Aessenna seemed to be doing a good job selling. Jordekk, Snermek, and I rolled dice across the street. I'd taken Jordekk and Snermak for a few pieces of gold. Jordekk got very red every time he lost, but Snermak didn't seem to mind and kept on betting high. Snermak had just laid down three gold pieces when our targets showed up.
Jordekk mumbled, "Get ready." I looked across the street and met Aessenna's gaze. Under my breath I mumbled, "Invisibilityforgetfulness". No one here would remember our faces
Tongrak was first in line. As he walked into range I pulled my crossbow out from under my robe, aimed for his head, and looked once more at Aessenna. She was ready also. She nodded and I released my bolt.
I was very satisfied to see the bolt go through his neck. He'd forgotten to protect himself. Lazy idiot. I hoped the others were good with their daggers. I spoke a prayer to Torak for their safety as I made myself completely invisible. I saw Krathdek's eyes widen as Tongrak fell. He was frozen. Then Aessenna's bolt bounced off his head. He turned white then and annihilated a random woman with a burst of fire.
No one seemed to have noticed Aessenna or I. People were screaming and running from Krathdek, Tenthak, and Arkthel. Arkthel had summoned some sort of huge shadowy demon- creature. Jordekk drew his blade ran at the Grolims. I blinded Arkthel with a quick spell. His beast swept through the stands of fruit, overturning tables and trampling wares.
Without guidance it rampaged about creating more chaos than we'd hoped for. Tenthak and Krathdel were watching the shadow-beast. Neither of them saw Jordekk running towards them. So I reloaded my crossbow and pointed it at Jordekk's head. He was a difficult target, dashing quickly towards the Grolims. I started to fire but held back. No, I would wait until he killed his man. Maybe I wouldn't kill him at all. I gave in and shot at Tenthak.
I'd always hated him anyway.

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Aessenna
Tongrak lay bleeding in the street, a crossbow bolt protruding grotesquely from his forehead. A blinded Arkthel finally got his horse under control and proceeded to dispel the blindness spell upon him. He turned back towards the square and regained control of his shadow beast. Arkthel's demon beast was cleaving through the crowds indiscriminately and gouts of blood sprayed all over the square. Jordekk was running at Tenthak and Krathdek with his blades drawn. Vylena stayed hidden with snermak in the mouth of the alley waiting for an opportunity to take down one of the Grolims. I couldn't believe Jordekk was simply running up to the two Grolims. I watched as Jordekk smoothly gutted Tongrak before he knew what hit him. I winced as the shadow beast sent Jordekk flying through the air to land near where Snermak and Vylena were hiding.
"Well, two down I suppose." I muttered quietly.
Arkthel was just returning to the square, he was motioning sharply for his beast to finish off Jordekk. I cursed. Nothing was ever easy. I sent a dagger into the eye of Arkthel's horse. The beast screamed, rearing and sent Arkthel flying before galloping off in a mad panic. Krathdek, seeing the others being slaughtered, waved his hands and released his will and disappeared. I quickly leapt towards where I saw Arkthel fall and came face to face with his demon beast. I instinctively dove to the side narrowly dodging the thing's claws which would have sliced me into three different parts. I rolled back into a crouch several feet from the beast.
"You're an ugly damn thing aren't you?" I said.
The beast towered over me standing at six feet tall. It's flesh was almost insubstantial and flickered grey and black. Three huge claws protruded from each arm and blood smeared all down the length of them. Those claws were all too substantial. I knew I didn't stand a chance against this thing. I need to take out Arkthel and hope this monstrosity would be dismissed.
A quick glance told me that Vylena and Snermak were tending to Jordekk, and Arkthel stood slightly behind his creature. Tyrek was nowhere to be found.
Arkthel looked at me with a glare that said 'death', and I looked right back. He grinned knowing that his shadow beast could tear me limb from limb. I didn't wait for his command to his shadow beast; I dove directly ahead into a headlong roll through the beast's legs. A bright burst of pain erupted along my left side. I ignored it. I came up from my roll with my dagger speeding towards Arkthel, only he wasn't where he was supposed to be.
"Die" Arkthel said laughing three feet back from where he had been only a split second ago. It had been an illusion. I knew death, in the form of three bloody claws, was only moments away.
Then the oddest thing happened. I was flying foward through the air from some strange sort of explosion from behind me. But there was no heat. It felt like pure force pushing me forward. I got up and brushed myself off. Arkthel was lying on the ground convulsing in pain. Then I saw Tyrek and I knew what happened. Tyrek had somehow countered Arkthel's summoning of the shadow beast, and the resulting explosion of force had sent me flying. Tyrek stood there grinning. Arkthel was almost unconscious with the pain of having his enchantment disrupted.
Arkthel suddenly sprang up and shot a lightning bolt at Tyrek and I, I sprang off to the side, and Tyrek simply stood there and absorbed the blast. Blood sprayed the streets as Vylena slammed her dagger into the base of his skull and ripped it back out harshly.
I picked myself back up again muttering how much easier it was to kill Grolims in their sleep. I gently touched my left side where the beast had clipped me when I dove under it. Luckily it was just a scratch.
"Drosta had better be paying well for this," I muttered irritably. I got like this anytime things didn't go according to plan. "Anyways, is everyone alright?"
"It looks like Jordekk is going to make it, but he needs to be taken care of," Vylena said.
"Thankth for volunteering," Snermak said grinning. Vylena muttered something under her breath, but nodded in agreement.
"Ok. Tyrek and Snermak we have to get on the trail of Krathdek before he gets too far away. Tyrek you lead since none of the rest of us will be able to see him. Let's go." I said as we all started off after Tyrek.
"We'll meet back at the inn," I said to Vylena as we started down an alley after the last Grolim.

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Snermak
It was just the three of us now, Tyrek, myself, and Aessenna, against the one Grolim. Only Tyrek could see him, but we hoped that would change. Secretly I was very, very much hoping that I would be the one to slide my blade into his ribcage - same place, every time - since I had screwed up severely the first time. This time it was personal. We continued along the dark alley, following Tyrek, until we came to an intersection of sorts. The alley continued, but a smaller one went off to the right. Tyrek simply pointed right and we were off. At the next corner, we turned, and Tyrek looked confused for a moment. I was about to ask why when...
THUMP!! I heard a loud sound and saw Aessena fall over. Confused, I looked to Tyrek confusedly.
"He's leapt on her!” he said, eyes widening. I could see a dagger, unprotected by the Grolim's invisibility spell, moving slowly towards Aessenna's heart. Well, the Grolim had made his first mistake.
Then we made ours. I slammed my dagger into the Grolim - only to meet air, finding my dagger lodged in Aessenna's leg. I grimaced, and wrapped it quickly in a piece of cloth I had torn from my pant.
That's when the flame hit. I felt an intense, burning pain. I screamed out, wanting ever so badly to die. I was thrown back... And the pain stopped. Whenever I tried to come back... It was there again. The Grolim's dagger appeared behind Tyrek. It simply bounced off his protective spells, and I had an idea. I still had a flask of purple icewine left over from my trip to Tol Honeth. I threw it at where I thought the Grolim had to be. It shattered, covering him with purple wine. A mass of purple was moving towards me. I felt the pain... I stabbed for the heart, just as I saw Aessenna slipping a dagger into the Grolim's spine.
A strange thing happened. Apparently, the Grolim's shield was only made for one attacker at a time. A sort of light-green energy appeared around him, translucent, and began concentrating at the two points where our daggers had hit. Then there was a loud "POP" and the shield vanished. Two daggers met Grolim flesh.
One severed his central nervous cord, paralysing his lungs. The other entered his heart. We returned to the Inn, tired, and the three of us proceeded to bed. We slept. We would celebrate, or whatnot, in the morning.

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