>>78278
And ridder is basically the title "Knight" in dutch. Though I'm not sure if that was meant any more than the obvious Rider.

Ridder 2009/11/17(Tue)17:18 No. 78291 ID: fb5d8e
File 125850713418.png - (83.18KB , 700x700 , c2-28.png )

I run through the blazing streets yelling frantically.

"Is anyone there?! Is anyone still alive? Anyone?!"

A weakened voice responds from nearby.

"H-here! Over here! Help!"
"Where are you?!"
"The second floor! Please help me!"

>>78291
ITS A TRAP!

>>78291
"Jump down! I will catch you!"

>>78294
This is a good plan.

>>78293
This is ridiculous. Why would somebody remain in a burning building on the off-chance that there would be some do-gooder to thwart?

>>78299
Because nobody would ever expect it. It's brilliant!

Ridder 2009/11/17(Tue)17:36 No. 78303 ID: fb5d8e
File 12585081676.png - (55.57KB , 700x700 , c2-29.png )

"Jump down! I will catch you!"

I stretched out my arms and step forward. The flames coming from the house begins to bite at my skin but I endure it.

Suddenly a cry pierces through the smoke.

"SIR RIDDE..!"

It's Timotei.

tie rope to rock, throw rock, get man to tie rope to somehthing, he climbs down.

>>78303
Don't get look away, you don't want to screw up the catch.

>>78303
Tell the man to hurry! You cannot abandon the innocent citizen, even for your own ward! Further, he could hold valuable information. He knew the risks when he got into this, just hope he's capable enough to fend for himself long enough for you to save this person, then rush to his aid!

Remember your priorities!

Give a quick glance in Timotei's direction, but keep your focus on the heavy load dropping four meters into your lap.

Ridder 2009/11/17(Tue)17:44 No. 78309 ID: fb5d8e
File 125850866058.png - (123.21KB , 700x700 , c2-30.png )

I keep my mind on the victim. Timotei should be able to fend for himself for now.. I hope.

"Hurry up..! Umf!"
"Oof!"

>>78309
Smother them in your cloak and then find Timotei.

hug stranded guy, read paladin.

>>78309
Get you and the survivor out of the direct flames, find your young ward.

>>78309
Okay make sure she's not on fire then hurry to Tim!

smother to drive off flames, run for thy sidekick

Ridder 2009/11/17(Tue)17:56 No. 78319 ID: fb5d8e
File 12585093669.png - (73.92KB , 700x700 , c2-31.png )

I immediately smother the survivor with my cloak. This way he will also be protected from other flames and smoke.
As soon as I get back on my feet I turn around to look for Timotei.
He stands nearby, shivering and unresponsive to the flames approaching him.

"Timotei! Answer me!"
"Ngghh.."

>>78319
"By the cracking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes."

Ready yourself, the source of all this evil is nearby.

>>78319
He's overwhelmed! Help him focus, quickly!

>>78319
Grab him, move him from flames.

DANGER! DANGER!

Closely examine the person you have just rescued!

Ridder 2009/11/17(Tue)18:05 No. 78329 ID: fb5d8e
File 125850993886.png - (74.96KB , 700x700 , c2-32.png )

I pull Timotei to the middle of the street. For now the flames won't reach us, as long as the buildings don't collapse around us.

"Timotei! Pull yourself together! Focus!"
"He was here! He walked here! It's too intense!"

we really need a evil block for him.

tell him to stand by you and kill what ever he sees, other than what you tell him isn't an enemy (like the guy you saved).

Ready thy blade/spear

>>78329
"Timotei, look at me! We need to get out of here before the fire kills us. Now move those feet, paladin!"

>>78329
He really needs some training to turn down his sensing until he focuses on it. He's a liability to himself here, you gotta get him out.

Closely examine the person you have just rescued!

>>78330
>>78332
1. Get a bucket
2. Find the pope
3. Ask to have bucket blessed

Ridder 2009/11/17(Tue)18:17 No. 78342 ID: fb5d8e
File 125851063757.png - (164.73KB , 700x700 , c2-33.png )

"Timotei, look at me! We need to get out of here before the fire kills us. Now move those feet, paladin!"

With flames at my back, one hand on the paladin and a survivor in my cloak, I lead the way through burning streets into the open fields.
Behind us the flames intensify. The rumble of collapsing buildings follows.

Closely examine the person you have rescued.

>>78342
Well, shit. At least you saved someone? Who did you save anyway?

Ridder 2009/11/17(Tue)18:24 No. 78349 ID: fb5d8e
File 125851107660.png - (111.83KB , 700x700 , c2-34.png )

I raise my cloak to look at the person I just rescued.
It appears to be a young woman of a race I am not familiar with. She looks in shock, but otherwise uninjured.

>>78349
Ask if she's alright.

>>78349
She looks fine. Now check on Timotei.

Ridder 2009/11/17(Tue)18:30 No. 78354 ID: fb5d8e
File 125851143490.png - (115.88KB , 700x700 , c2-35.png )

"Are you alright?"
"Heh, I don't know: Do you mean compared to usual, or compared to being burned alive?"

She's fine.

>>78354
Alright, check young ward.

heading back to the cave is likely a bad idea...

He's BEEN here... but the plan was for him to be in the city...

So he's obviously not on the way back (We just walked the trail)... so he's somewhere else.

recouperate.

Oh god. Poor Ridder. He now has two teenage charges of opposite genders.

Ridder 2009/11/17(Tue)18:39 No. 78362 ID: fb5d8e
File 125851195577.png - (109.85KB , 700x700 , c2-36.png )

Timotei is unconscious. His expression is peaceful. The strain must have been too much.
Physically he looks to be fine.
If necessary I can carry him, but not for great distances.

I recollect my thoughts.

The boss is more than I expected. Once again arrogance got the best of me. How I could have thought to defeat a man of such strength by simply walking through the front door is beyond me now.
There is obviously no way I can deal with someone who can set an entire city ablaze and disappear again. Not as a lone vagrant wanderer.

Don't jump to conclusions. You don't know if he set it ablaze, somebody set it ablaze against him, or it had nothing to do with it. Weren't you just trying to get to know him anyway?

Delicately get information from the girl about what happened.

Are you certain a single man could do this? Perhaps he did have a party but that is unknown to us. I am aware coincidence is hardly possible in this case but we must remain skeptical to avoid further arrogance-filled actions. Arabella was not aware of the evil inside of her, what if it is the same with this man? That a shadow or curse is tailing him?

>>78362
You're going to need some backup. Do you know how to contact anyone else who was loyal to the late Lord Malto that you could call upon? And try to find out if the poor girl knows anything. You may have just gained another charge to look after...

>>78362
Ask the girl how the fire started.

Make your egress from the town. Carry the boy. The girl can walk, so she shall do so. You may save more, lord willing, once these two are safe.

Ridder 2009/11/17(Tue)19:00 No. 78370 ID: fb5d8e
File 125851322752.png - (105.68KB , 700x700 , c2-37.png )

That the man might not have been alone is exactly what I meant: That would mean he has an army.
I have no means of contacting others who are still loyal to Lord Malto.. and even if I did, I have no reason to assume that they would join me in this campaign.
I need to find another way of forming an army to oppose this rising evil.

"Girl, how did the fires get started?"
"I dunno. I was just looking around that house and then suddenly everything went up in flames. My name is Sticks, by the way. Thank you for saving me."

We need to learn more about what we're up against before we can know how to stop it.

Ask her if she knows anyone who can take care of her?

>>78370
>I was just looking around that house and then suddenly everything went up in flames.

she's a thief. Punish her!(with lawful hot dickings)

>>78370
If your name has any clout at all, it would be wise to get those who would also fight for what is right. You have a banner, you just need people to rally behind it. To your knowledge, this man burned an innocent town. You're gonna need all the help you can find. You may wish to pass on information to Commander Salamander, at least to let them know just how dangerous this man really is.

Ridder 2009/11/17(Tue)19:17 No. 78379 ID: fb5d8e
File 125851425468.png - (80.19KB , 700x700 , c2-38.png )

That's true. A banner and a name is half an army already: First come the loyalty, then come the heads.
But I need a fixed place to put it. A base of operations. The only dedication found in a moving army is that towards home.

I feel nothing towards contacting Commander Salamander again. I believe if this man is such a destructive force than the commander was well aware of that. The number of weapons stored in that tower did nothing but suggest she is little different when moved to action.

"Do you have anyone to take care of you?"
"Uh? No, I'm a.. a traveller."
"You are a thief. That is why you were in that house."
"..Welp, you found me out. But that doesn't matter now, since all the valuables have been burned.. No, not even that! The owners have been burned to. You know, I steal from the rich, but I would never hurt someone. Not like this.."

>>78379
A theif's skills are many and varied, and she may help to defeat this manifold threat. Take her on along with the Paladin, after having him check evil.

She's right. You have far more important things to worry about. In either case, the lawmen whose jurisdiction this falls under are presently being roasted.

"I intend to bring justice to those responsible. Will you help me?"

>>78379
She may be useful, and it's not like she really has anywhere to go. Maybe your influence can steer her right. As for a base, I have no idea. But referring to the Commander, I was more thinking of telling Lina what's going on. She seemed quite taken with you, and may want to help.

Adopt her, lead her away from her life of crime.

>>78379
You have to go back to Coriander's tower, if only to try to convince Lina to join up with you.
She likes you, Ridder, you can't ignore that.

Ridder 2009/11/17(Tue)19:38 No. 78392 ID: fb5d8e
File 125851551950.png - (38.18KB , 700x700 , c2-39.png )

Lina.. You're right, I can't ignore her. I will return to the tower to speak to her, but only once I have established a proper base. I need to get a hold in the area now I still can.

The girl next to me looks up with great hope in her eyes. It feels as if she is anticipating my question.

"I intend to bring justice to those responsible. Will you help me?"
"I thought you'd never ask. I can't just let something like this slide. Besides.. I owe you."



[b]"

>>78392
... you know, she's not really very good looking.

At first i thought it was a snarky little girl... now i noticed dem tits. I guess she's a particularly short dwarf, or a gnome or halfling.

Perhaps you should walk around the town, see if anybody else managed to escape.

>>78392
She owes you nothing, you were doing the right thing. It's just a shame you weren't able to help any more than just her...

It's important that we find out for sure who did it. Or at least, find out the name of the master of the dungeon so we can tell people who we're fighting against.

Ask her about the dungeon you found. Maybe she's heard of it.

Check for additional survivors, perhaps?

Ridder 2009/11/17(Tue)19:59 No. 78409 ID: fb5d8e
File 125851675357.png - (82.59KB , 700x700 , c2-40.png )

"You owe me nothing. I was merely doing the right thing."

She looks away, silenced.
I carry Timotei back into the city.

The fire has died out having burned all of its fuel. Buildings lie collapsed in the streets.
I call out but find no answer.
It aches my heart to know that anyone I might have been able to save would not have made it when their houses collapsed on top of them.

Only one building remains. The church stands steadfast in the middle of the townsquare. Its insides are completely torched, yet its robust outer frame remains as a memorial to its builders unwavering faith.

Would it be against your code to sift through the rubble for coins?

>>78409
Perhaps you could use the church as a temporary base of operations.
It might need some repairing, though, to keep out the elements. And make sure it won't collapse.

>>78409
What god is that a church of? Because that may very well be a good base (assuming it's not too sacrilegious). From beneath the ashes of tyranny, justice shall arise, guided by the gods themselves. If anything, the standing building is a sign.

Ridder 2009/11/17(Tue)20:28 No. 78438 ID: fb5d8e
File 125851851789.png - (67.49KB , 700x700 , c2-41.png )

Sifting through the rubble for useful remains can always be done later. I don't like it, but it is unavoidable during times of war.
I am not a religious man and I am unable to identify the charred illustrations and shattered stained glass.
The interior has been burned to the ground.

>>78438
Who is the lord of this town anyway - do you know?

Yell out a hello for people taking shelter here, then examine the thing on the altar. If its dead, everyone else that took shelter in here probably also died of smoke poisoning.

>>78438
The priest was burned alive where he stood? How is that possible? Inspect the body.

Ridder 2009/11/17(Tue)20:50 No. 78451 ID: fb5d8e
File 125851985129.png - (47.33KB , 700x700 , c2-42.png )

I call out again.
There is no response.
The lone figure in this church is standing at the alter, apparently burned where he stood. For that to happen the flames must have come in a flash.
I will investigate closer.

The body and altar look wet somehow, despite the charring around it.
I move the body to take a closer look.. and it suddenly bursts back into flame.

>>78451
That's... disconcerting. Could this have been the source of the blaze?

>>78451
I'm going out on a limb here, but I'm gonna guess this is a temple to the Sun god.

See if you can rouse Timotei.

>>78451
hmmm investigate further... examine the book likely on lectern.

>>78451
This was not simply the work of an army setting the city to torch and sword. Something is VERY wrong here. Try not to get burned alive.

Rouse Timotei and ask him about the teachings of the Sun God, and if this relates to some prophecy.

Ridder 2009/11/17(Tue)21:03 No. 78463 ID: fb5d8e
File 12585206239.png - (41.47KB , 700x700 , c2-43.png )

I prefer to look into this myself before waking up Timotei. He needs the rest.

There is no book on the pedestal, only half a globe. A steady flame comes through a small hole in the top.
Despite the fire coming out, the globe itself is cool to the touch. It's a polished copper like the two bowls on each side of the altar.

>>78463
Hmmm...

Look into the flame directly.

Look for seams or compartments built in the pedestal itself, or near it.

>>78463
It's probably connected to some sort of tube running through the altar. Why I have no idea.

>>78463
Perhaps the corpse and globe here was the inferno's source? The local dampness could have been early attempts at containment before it grew out of control?

Are there any marking on the globe itself... don't fool with it too much. This blaze could have been triggered as some kind of divine judgment for ritual impropriety on the crispy fellow beside you.

Ridder 2009/11/17(Tue)21:14 No. 78470 ID: fb5d8e
File 125852125277.png - (42.45KB , 700x700 , c2-44.png )

I touch the altar for any hidden seams or compartments. My finger finds a thin line and I follow it.
With a smothered clunk the half globe turns out to be a full globe as I accidentally pull it out of the altar.

>>78463
What if stopping the flame -say by collapsing on top of it after having a heart attack- caused the fire? Like, it had nowhere to vent the flame and overloaded?

This could be an accident.

>>78470
...huh. Whaddyaknow. Be careful with that, examine it and the hole where it was once situated. CAREFULLY.

I'm guessing this is a sun god artifact that goes crazy in the presence of great evil and unleashes great amounts of flame?

Could also be that he threw himself on the altar to stop it somehow.

Is there any liquid in the bowls?

>>78470
So it some kind of ball of everlasting flame here, any controls, patterns, buttons or knobs on the thing?

Seems like we've found the source.

Ridder 2009/11/17(Tue)21:22 No. 78480 ID: fb5d8e
File 125852176869.png - (42.32KB , 700x700 , c2-45.png )

I found it highly unlikely for the source of this devastating fire to be inside the only building that is still standing.

The altar has a simple shape-fitting dent where the globe can go.
Neither of the bowls seem to have any liquid in them, but circular stains indicate that they may have had liquid in them at some point.

Ridder 2009/11/17(Tue)21:40 No. 78490 ID: fb5d8e
File 12585228342.png - (42.32KB , 700x700 , c2-46.png )

A fire that burns even when wet..
A fire that ends when choked but rises again when stirred..
Liquids in a temple to the sungod..
I don't know what I can make of this.

Well, I'm stumped.
I think it's time to wake up Timmy and ask him how this is supposed to work.

>>78490
Rocket Launcher!

But seriously, only thing I can think of is maybe the liquid is flammable. Maybe it would become 'holier' is you used the orb on the braziers, get the rightous flames going again. Because I'm trying to reach for symbolism, and I'm stumped.

...maybe ask the thief what she knows about this church, if anything. ...and find out what race she is. She is way too stacked to be a child.

>>78490
>A fire that burns even when wet..
>Liquids in a temple to the sungod..
It's just oil, Ridder. Or possibly a flammable waxy resin. How do you think he can be wet and burning at the same time?
Anyway start bringing this place back to order! Relight the braziers, clean up the ashen piles as best as you can, remove the worn tapestries (to be replaced later) and mount your damn standard behind the podium already!

Ridder 2009/11/17(Tue)22:00 No. 78514 ID: fb5d8e
File 125852399490.png - (51.17KB , 700x700 , c2-47.png )

Oil! Of course.
You were going on about magic and divine retribution so much that I forgot all about such mundane means of fire. The priest must have been been handling it when the fire struck and somehow covered himself with oil.

Setting my spear with the banner on the altar seems like a great idea. It is centered and symbolizes a bright future for my army.

I have wrapped the charred body in my cloak. It was the only way to douse its flames.
I will find a suitable place to bury it later.

I pour some oil into the braziers to light them.

>>78517
It was symbolic! Of being in a PUZZLE GAME.

Perhaps bring the girl with you, in case there is a lock or something. Plus, to keep an eye on her.

Ridder 2009/11/17(Tue)22:19 No. 78536 ID: fb5d8e
File 125852517679.png - (58.70KB , 700x700 , c2-49.png )

I call for Sticks to come down the stairs with me. She gladly obliges.

The cold narrow staircase leads down into a hallway with two other doors.

>>78536
Open the single door first.

End of Chapter 2 Ridder 2009/11/17(Tue)22:26 No. 78542 ID: fb5d8e
File 125852556255.png - (38.22KB , 700x700 , c2-50.png )

What could this place be?
A crypt? Secret passages?
It may open up a whole new range of oppertunities for establishing a base.. or it may prove a whole new series of danger.