"If the city is in danger from this evil force, then my sword will be at your service. If this horde is not stop here, it might spread to other cities. I will do my best to protect this innocents" replied Stephan as he bows to Ezran and Jett.

Stephan looked around before continuing.

"I might be able to have an audience with the Empress. I do not usually play on titles and nobility but I don't see any other choice. I am the son of Duke Albreckt from the kingdom of Jaysirr, which makes me a marquis by blood. It might be enough to have an audience."

Lowac continues to sit in silence with a disturbed expression on his face, as if he wants to speak aloud but cannot find the word, or perhaps none hear them for the words are in his head.  A fire seems to ignite in his eyes as Alexia speaks of necromancy.  Whatever tortured thoughts pass through Lowac's mind, no words come forth to express them.  The ebony mastiff cocks it head looking at Lowac then suddenly raises it's ears and turn quickly to look at the doorway where the group entered.

"What shall we do then?" asked Raknesh.
As he already expressed his commitment, he didn't answer to Jett's question.

"Does any of you have some connection to the palace that would help us to get to the empress more quickly than the normal bureaucratic option would?"

Ezran shakes her head. I fear that I have no other connections than those found in trading. I doubt that my wares are fine enough for the empress. It would appear that this noble fellow would be our best chance. Still, I suggest we all go, just in case we run into trouble. I hear that corruption is not uncommon among the empress's servants.

She turns toward Stephan. Would you be willing to help us then? Your bloodline is our best hope.


Alexia: You think and find that all your knowledge only brings up recent rumors of these people. Historically they have no precedence.

"If we turn a blind eye to this menace, many innocents will die. I cannot allow this. If we are ready, I suggest we make haste. The longer we take, the harder it will get." said Stephan. The young man seemed prepared and there his eyes had the spark of excitement in them.

You head to the palace, which takes over an hour. It was just fortunate that you were close to it in the first place in this massive city. The palace towers rise high into the sky in a splendid array of finery and ancient architecture. The palace itself is walled with a massive structure some 80 feet high and the only entrances are guarded heavily. You arrive at the main entrance, which is where a true noble would show themselves. The guards eye this strange group with curiosity but do not turn you away yet. What business do you have in the palace of the empress? One asks a bit boredly, clearly he has been through this routine many times. He directs his attention mostly at Stephan.


 As the pair begin to talk, the rest of you can't help but notice something of a commotion at a storefront a ways down the street. For those of you who investigate, you see to your horror, a child biting into an older boy who looks to be around 12. He screams as the younger lad buries his teeth into his side and latches on like a hungry animal. Blood runs down the older boy's body and it looks as if the young child is trying to rip out part of the boy's side with his teeth. Meanwhile, bystanders are attempting to remove the child and help the screaming lad who is pummeling his attacker with his fists to no avail. The scene is certainly disturbing enough but for some reason it fills you with the utmost dread and fear...

Lowac: pm

"Good day to you. I am Marquis Stephan Albreckt, son of Duke Albreckt from the kingdom of Jaysirr. I seek an audience with the Empress for matters of the utmost urgency." said Stephan in his best diplomatic voice. Remembering his old teachings, he takes off his gauntlet to show his ring to the guard. He also takes out a parchment and hands it to the man.

"These are my travelling companions. One can never be to careful on the roads these days."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:47, Sat 20 Mar 2010.

Quickly, as the situation needed an immediate intervention or the boy would end badly -or even fatally - wounded,  Raknesh summoned a dart of pure energy, a pale blue  and send it flying toward the small child.

Knowing it might cause the child to lose consciousness for a long period, he charged the dart with more power, as the 'demon child' looked quite resilient and the boy was in dire danger.

He will then move toward the scene to get a better look, the tale about cannibalism he just recently heard echoing in his mind.

Stephan,  The guard looks extremely impressed with your words and with a quick bow, he motions for you to follow him. Before you can however, you are distracted by Raknesh's actions as the boy immediately drops after being struck by his dart of energy. The attacked boy clutches his side, crying in pain. It would seem that a few pieces of flesh are missing. Everyone rushes to the pair and drags the small boy off, finding ropes to tie him with. The guard swears too as he sees the scene and strides forward, cursing. This is getting ridiculous! Are we going to have to start caging all the children and animals? He says in overwhelmed exasperation. He turns to Raknesh and Stephan. Thank you kind sir for you assistance. If he had the boy for a few moments longer who knows what would have happened. He then turns to Stephan again. I don't know what you are about sir with the empress, but I hope you can help figure out how to stop this madness. You both notice that Ezran and Jett look pale and shaken at this scene.

Raknesh is relieved that the boy wasn't hurt too badly.

He will, if allowed, take a look at the smaller boy, even if he is not good at healing, some features might be noticeable.

"Do you mean this kind of thing already happened to others children?  When?"
he asks the guard, with a worried look toward Ezran and Jett

"I wish I was a bringer of good news. Unfortunatly, I fear my presence hear might be related to what we have seen. Shall we go?" replied Stephan, noticing Ezran and Jett's expression.

Putting a hand on the guard's shoulder, he whispers " If I were you, I'd spent some time with your family, I foresee some troubles."

The guard looks a bit surprised at Raknesh's question, as if it were something that he should know. You must be new in town good fellow. For the last few weeks there have been several such attacks made by animals and small children. The animals who attack are usually of the gentlest nature. We've had to put several down already. As for the children, well, we have had to resort to other measures. Thus far there has been no loss of life, but it has come close. The poor things have no memory of what they were doing after they snap out of whatever it is they are in. Our mages have been studying the situation and have no idea what is going on. He then turns to Stephan. So, good sir, if you think you have any answers for the empress as to what is causing this chaos, I am quite sure she will be happy to see you. He gestures with an arm and begins to lead everyone quickly through the palace gates. At Stephan's suggestion of spending time with his family, he gives a grim nod. Aye, that is a good idea. But I admit I do fear my own children these days... He shakes his head.

"I haven't paid attention to those kind of rumors, I must admit." confessed Raknesh, a little ashamed of his lack of information.
"This is most certainly linked to your information" he added to their new friends.

"I think meeting with the empress won't be as troublesome as we thought, thanks the Ligth". he commented as the guard lead them to the main room.

You find yourselves in an audience chamber where you are made to wait until at long last someone bids you enter the throne room. You are all surprised at how easily this went, which either means that Stephan is very convincing or that the situation is desperate enough that they will jump at the chance for any answers. Perhaps it is some combination of both. Jett and Ezran look around them in amazement, taking in their surroundings as they are very impressive. On the throne sits the empress, a handsome woman in her early forties, though her face looks tired and careworn. She turns and gives you all a nod of acknowledgment. I do not care for ceremony or pretty words this day. There is much too much to worry about in my kingdom for petty formalities. So please, plainly and bluntly, tell me what it is you wish to see me about for I have little time for wasting and there is much I need to address. Her tone is polite and business like, though there is a weary tone in her voice that makes you think she has something troubling her.

'a most interesting meeting. I never thought I would meet the empress of these lands...'

"Your highness, I believe you will find the tale of those two youth most interesting, especially with the current trouble with the children in the city.  I shall let them speak, for first hand testimony is always more precise."

Stephan was always impressed by the throne room. It usually commanded respect and awe and this one was no exception. Despite the Empress's words, Stephan did a slight bow before talking.

"As you whish your highness. Plainly and bluntly: there is a horde of flesh eating cannibals marching upon Halidar. Ezran and Jett beside me have witnessed them first hand. According to them, they are moke akin to walking corpses and they possess enough intelligence to ambush and capture people."

The empress listens to your words and Jett and Ezran come forward and once again tell of their experience. She remains calm as they speak, but her eyes look worried. At last she responds. It would seem that we have a nightmare coming to our gates. I will send out a scouting party to see how far off they are and I would be most grateful if you would be among them. You have served my city well and we could do with loyal men and women. What say you? Will you help us fight this madness?

'Being on the empress good side most certainly would interest my people and anyway those things can't be allowed to continue to cause pain to children. '

"Your Highness, had you not proposed it, I would have asked it myself.  After the horrid scene I had to witness, I couldn't stand idly, like nothing happened.  You can count on my support, as small as it might be."

Says Raknesh fiercely.

"I cannot turn a blind eye to this blight. My sword is yours for this threat." said the paladin as he bows to the empress.

The empress smiles, a look of gratitude on her careworn face and she gives a nod. I shall not forget your kindness you four. You will be rewarded later. The gratitude of an empress is no small thing after all. I would ask that you leave as soon as you can and that you meet with my captain of the guard for instructions. I will inform him of your situation. In the meantime, is there anything that you require for your mission?

"A map of the area would be useful Your Highness and maybe some rations in case we need to stay out a couple of days."

"Also, if you have some trained pigeon or anything like that. We might need to send information quickly, and they would do it well."  Adds Raknesh.

"Good horses too, even if we probably won't use them much once we get close to the location."


OOC: are we only two now?
This message was last edited by the player at 18:44, Mon 03 May 2010.

The empress nods in agreement. It shall be done. I suggest you leave soon. My captain will make sure that the things you ask for are ready. Would you be able to go within the hour?

As she says these words you notice that Ezran looks quite frightened looking, though she's trying to hide it. Still, there is a firm resolution about her face that shows she is determined in her quest. No doubt it can't be easy to face such a terrifying enemy again. As you are preparing to leave, a tall lanky fellow enters in noiselessly by a side entrance. The empress greets him warmly. From the looks of him he is a half elf with dark hair and green eyes. His face is hard and chiseled, but not unkind. Somehow you feel a bit safer knowing you will be working with him. He eyes you with a polite curiosity and introduces himself. I am Loden. I hear you are going to be joining me on this hunt for these creatures. I trust you are all able, but please do not feel you must do this thing if you have any doubts about it. You can't help but wonder how he found out so quickly about these creatures. The empress must have some direct way of communicating with the man that you can't help but be curious about.

ooc: Yes, you are only 2 for this thread. I plan to merge you with the other ones soon though.

"I am a traveller by nature, and haven't much to take care of in the city before I can leave.  Let me send a message to the place I'm staying, with some money to ensure I still have the room and my belongings when we come back.

Once it is done, I am ready to go : I always carry what I really need."

'She certainly wants us gone quickly, I wonder if she knows, or fears, more than we suppose.  I did not see anything, any kind of signal or use of spell to communicate with the man, this is most interesting.'

Raknesh holds out his hand and adds

"It will be a pleasure working with you, even if it is under such dreadful circumstances. Be assured my mind is completely focused on our task."

Raknesh: The empress nods at your request but waves it away with a flick of her hand. No need to bother good sir. I will have someone take your things here and hold them for you until your return. You will also have a place to stay here for as long as you wish. Just let one of my  men know where you are staying please and it will be done immediately. She gives a kind smile.

Loden seems pleased by your answer and gives an approving nod. Let us be off then. I will meet you at the palace gates within the hour. Let me know if you require anything for the journy. Food and supplies are things you need not be concerned with. We will take care of it for you. Should you need anything else do not hesitate to ask.

ooc: Anyone going to do anything more here? I'm going to move to another chapter for you so you can finish up here if you want and then move on to the next one.