Temperance, 96 Letum 1999 GR [continued]
Sunday, 42 Autumn
Colours 204 LE
As Jiroichi bundles as many of the eggs into his bag as he can,
the rest of the party head up to the roof of the poorhouse. Clara
gets there first, in time to see the Ripper accelerating away down
the southern arm of the poorhouse and leaping. It makes the hundred
foot jump to the nearby building with ease.
Alarius takes to the air, grabs Gazahi and launches himself off
in pursuit. Although Gazahi can fly himself, he does not possess
Alarius's impressive turn of speed. However, Alarius's actions leave
all the non-flyers standing ontop of Gravegrind watching an increasing
number of Black Watchmen begin to fill the courtyard below.
They need to act fast. The five members who remain, head back into
Gravegrind and head down the stairs. As the Black Watch come in
the front, they go out the back and lurk in the shadows and the
ever-present mist. Clara uses her powers to create the illusion
of something dark and terrible emerging from the bell tower of the
temple of Karatath and in the confusion the rest of the party disappear
down a side streets. The party's tracker now attempt to locate the
Ripper.
In the air, Alarius is amazed by the speed of the Ripper. Even
running over the rooftops and having to make sharp turns, it is
still beginning to outdistance him. He gains altitude to keep it
in sight. And then he dives. The destructive payload in this arms
known as Gazahi draws both his adamantine swords and hungers for
the creatures blood.
Alarius swoops down and releases Gazahi who stabs the creature
in the leg before rolling to a stop. Gazahi impacts against the
side of a buildings, while the Ripper is brought down and skids
off the edge of a roof and falls into a alleyway. Alarius draws
his bow and peppers it with arrows, but it is moving so quickly
that nothing seems to stick.
Gazahi jumps down and engages it in mêlée. Neither
he nor Alarius are particularly effective against it, but they work
feverishly to keep the Ripper from fleeing, to allow time for the
big guns to arrive. And in time they do. The arrival of Revda, Lycaon
and the others put the fight beyond doubt. The Ripper is a tough
opponent and lasts a surprisingly long time. Gazahi is almost killed
but the creature is brought low and decapitated.
Jirokichi harvests the remaining eggs from the creature's pouch
as the party take stock of the situation. The Black Watch are minutes
behind them (if that). Their work in Irongate is done. They may
not have the Ripper, but they have the next best thing. In the party
Alarius, Gazahi and Clara have the power of flight and Lycaon can
levitate at will. Between them they are able to rise high into the
surrounding smog and flee from Irongate unnoticed. The corpse of
the Ripper is left for the Black Watch.
Within two hours the party are back in the safe house where they
met Cornelius, on the first sub level of the Undercity. They are
met by the one-horned minotaur, who duly summons Cornelius. It is
not much longer before the wizened old enigma in the frock coat
and tails has arrived, and the party is ensconced in the blisteringly
well-heated front room of the safe house.
Cornelius commends the party for their diligence and their initiative.
The eggs are potentially more valuable than the creature that laid
them. A large barrel of the things is given to the minotaur to be
taken to safety (Revda made sure than Jirokichi handed them all
over). Then there is the matter of a reward.
Jirokichi says that he would like to an item that allows him to
heal himself, or regenerate his wounds like many of the other party
members. He feels a little vulnerable. Cornelius smiles and suggests
that something can be found.
The Scribe merely wants resources to begin the job of repairing
Mourngrim Manor. He missed his meeting with the surveyor, Ponkins,
yesterday. He is keen to get matters moving. He is convinced that
the state of he inhabitants of the castle is connected with the
building's physical condition. Cornelius nods.
Alarius wants the Gift of Ysberyl! Or at least he wants Cornelius
to find out all he can about it. Alarius thinks that he is the obvious
choice to carry on from where the Grey Minstrel left off. Cornelius
has on heard of the Gift, but his employer is not without substantial
resources. He will see what he can do.
Clara is indecisive. Part of her wants to find a way to speak to
her father, or to leave the shackles of this world and return to
Arvandor. However, knowing what she now knows, she is spitting with
hatred against Eligos. She wants vengeance against him. Can Cornelius
help with that?
Lycaon is uncertain what boon he would like. He asks for more time
to consider his options. There is something preying on his mind,
something he needs to find out first. Cornelius agrees.
Finally, Revda. He does not have to thing about what he wants.
He wants a spell of resurrection and someone capable of casting
it, if it is beyond the Scribe. He wants his zombified wife, Tallia,
brought back to the land of the living. He wants a proper spell,
no backfires and no funny business. Cornelius agrees.
Once the party have said their pieces, Cornelius advises that they
keep a low profile for a week or so. The Black Watch will undoubtedly
know of, of guess, their involvement of some of the things that
happened in Irongate. He suggests that they take some time to themselves
and enjoy their holidays. In three days it is the Day of Leavening,
and then the entire month of Carnivale beckons. Glorious will be
the two thousandth anniversary of the ascent of the witch queen!
The End of The
Ripper Strikes!
The Adventures of the Tharkis Seven continue in
Tapestry
The Ripper Strikes
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