To Scorn the Gods- Episode 9-1: Shattered Lives

(11:20:31 PM) Haisen: The months pass, life goes on.
(11:20:32 PM) Haisen: Aelitethe gains a large following throughout the city, and eventually performing within the tavern isn't viable anymore. She actually gets a stage in the town square! A great deal of attention is on her... Yet, she and Belle are both entirely able to hide their magical abilities.
(11:21:02 PM) Haisen: Belle continues to spend her time wherever Aelitethe is, acting as something between a bodyguard and a stalker, though one Aelitethe doesn't mind.
(11:21:58 PM) Haisen: Kineth, having taken an interest in the craft of alchemy, learns it in addition to smithing, alongside Saken, though their focuses are somewhat different.
(11:25:52 PM) Haisen: Artemis has a great deal of free time to do what he wishes with, as his training with Killis is inconsistent at best. He spends much of his time watching over Saken, making sure the younger boy doesn't manage to get in trouble.
(11:26:56 PM) Haisen: Tilia spends a lot of time with Aelitethe and Belle, being her normal cheerful self even when studying. Usually when she's not doing that, she can be found at the tavern.
(11:29:53 PM) Haisen: Ulyssa has the most interesting life of all. Many of her nights are spent on missions to spy on and sabotage the church. She builds quite a network among the hidden underworld of the city, built from those of both Killis and Annalotte. Though her work is not pretty, she excels at it, hardening herself to the actions of herself and her partners in crime by keeping her eyes set on the future.
(11:30:58 PM) Haisen: The entire group sometimes plays a part in the work against the church, when given information by Killis on where and how to strike against them. However, for three months, all that happens is, frankly, rather minor.
(11:31:50 PM) Haisen: ...However, the end of those three months is marked by darkness in all of their lives.
(11:33:16 PM) Haisen: Ulyssa is captured on one of her missions, and brought to the jail. Haisen takes special interest in her, somehow knowing of her connections with the others... And then... He has his way with her.
(11:35:29 PM) Haisen: Ulyssa spends a week of misery and terror in the prison, subjected to all perversions and cruelties the priest can inflict upon her. Those few with knowledge of what is happening are forced to ignore it, powerless to stop him. If they speak, they will be decried as heretics, assumed to be wrong for the accusation. Everything will be hidden. They can do nothing.
(11:38:42 PM) Haisen: Eventually, when Haisen has extracted the last he can from her, he slices her throat, rendering her mute, before healing the wound shut so she won't bleed out. "...Go. Go back to your friends, and try, oh try to tell them how their days are numbered~ Try to escape, if you think you can. You may take your possessions with you... As little as they might help."
(11:38:56 PM) Haisen: He undoes her restraints, and opens the door for her to leave.
(11:44:00 PM) Ulyssa: Yes. Rather interesting indeed. Er. Hem. Let us attempt to...well, make Ulyssa less dead than she feels. Her first steps are slow and shaky, almost expecting him to simply subdue her again, but she immediately does nothing but sprint to her stuff and then away as fast as she possibly can. Direction doesn't even matter, she just needs to get the hell out of there!
(11:45:10 PM) Haisen: Killis stops her on her way out! "Take this, show them." He slips her a note.
(11:47:42 PM) Haisen: He then walks away as if nothing happened, though he's soon stopped by another paladin. "You. Why were you consorting with that girl?" Killis doesn't skip a beat. "I've used her as a messenger before, and thought to pass along another message while she was here. Surely there's no problem with that?" The other paladin seems to drop it.
(11:49:38 PM) Ulyssa: She nearly runs straight past him, but...well, accepts the note without a word (ha). She continues along now, attempting to be unassuming as well as she can considering the presence of another paladin. She'll eventually read this note, as she goes to...wherever Kineth is likely to be. That would be a good place to be.
(11:50:43 PM) Haisen: The note reads simply. "Haisen knows everything. Go east, and underground. Find the dwarves, and then the gnomes."
(11:51:08 PM) Haisen: Kineth is likely to be... At home!
(11:51:29 PM) Ulyssa: Then she's likely to be going there!
(11:53:08 PM) Haisen: When Ulyssa arrives home, the door is locked! In her panic, she knocks rather than getting out the key. The door is unlocked after only a few seconds, and opens to reveal Saken. "U-Ulyssa! Where have you been?!"
(11:56:48 PM) Kineth: Kineth rushes out a few moments later as he hears Saken mention Ulyssa, stopping as he sees her. "Ulyssa! What happened?! Are you alright?!" He actually looks visibly worried as he asks her these questions.
(11:59:38 PM) Ulyssa: Wouldn't it be nice to actually say something here? Or to, you know, explain herself? Oop. She barely opens her mouth, as if she was going to start saying something, before the grimness of the situation resumes full force. In lieu of explaining anything, she shows him the note, waiting for him to finish reading before continuing to look for Kineth--or simply letting him have the note,
(11:59:38 PM) Ulyssa: finally being reduced to tears on seeing Kineth alright. She runs up to him for a hug, one she would really like to give. And she definitely needs one too, by the looks of things!
(12:01:04 AM) Haisen: "W-what's this?" Saken asks as she gives him the note. He reads it quickly. "...No. Oh no no no! We need to get out of here!" He looks around frantically, before simply shouting. "ARTEMIS!  Artemis, come  here quickly!"
(12:01:19 AM) Ulyssa: She would sob, but that requires, you know, sound!
(12:01:45 AM) Kineth: Kineth's eyes widen as he reads the note, taking a deep breath, before going to hug Ulyssa tight, though not too tight.
(12:02:13 AM) Artemis-XE: Artemis, hearing Saken call, rushes to the front door quickly! "What, what happened?!"
(12:03:11 AM) Haisen: "Ulyssa came back! S-she had a note... It's Haisen. He knows about us! We... We need to find Aelitethe and Tilia, fast!"
(12:03:35 AM) Haisen: Aelitethe should have a performance at the main square right now, and Tilia is probably in the tavern
(12:04:32 AM) Artemis-XE: "He KNOWS?! There isn't any time to waste, we need to find the others, fast!"
(12:06:38 AM) Haisen: "I... I'll go find Aelitethe. You get Tilia. Ulyssa, Kineth, go straight to the eastern gate! We'll meet in Whitecroft!" ...Well, at least he's not just cowering.
(12:08:19 AM) Artemis-XE: Artemis leaves for the tavern, posthaste!
(12:08:29 AM) Ulyssa: Ulyssa isn't about to get them. She is done. She would rather cry uncontrollably in Kineth's arms at the moment! She seems fine with moving while like this though, so it could be worse.
(12:08:54 AM) Haisen: ...He does look terrified, however. More than that, even. There's almost a despair in his eyes, that Artemis and Kineth might see before he's gone.
(12:10:53 AM) Kineth: Kineth hugs Ulyssa close as he just tries to make a mad dash for the eastern gate, Ulyssa in his arms! At least... As fast as he can move with her like this, anyways.
(12:11:17 AM) Haisen: When Artemis arrives at the tavern, Tilia is very easy to spot! ...She's dancing on a table in the center of the room, to the whistling of other patrons.
(12:12:53 AM) Artemis-XE: Artemis isnt going to waste time here, and just pulls Tillia along with him towards the eastern gate.
(12:13:35 AM) Haisen: "Who-oa! You're energetic today, aren't you Arty?" She doesn't resist, fortunately
(12:14:21 AM) Ulyssa: Should just bring him to a medium load!
(12:15:23 AM) Artemis-XE: ...unexpected reaction, but whatever, he thinks. "There's no time. We're headed to the eastern gates of town to meet the others in Whitecroft. HE KNOWS!" He says in a hushed tone.
(12:16:13 AM) Haisen: "...He?" She blinks. "...Haisen?!"
(12:16:39 AM) Artemis-XE: "Yes. Haisen knows everything." Still hushed.
(12:19:53 AM) Haisen: Tilia's eyes widen, and she is instantly silent. She picks up her pace, to the degree that she's practically trying to drag Arty behind her
(12:51:04 AM) MotherCeres is now known as Aelitethe
(12:54:10 AM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe is in the main square, in the middle of singing one of her songs, in particular this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDBQbWTESMM
(12:54:35 AM) Aelitethe: She is, at the moment, unaware of the predicament the group is in.
(12:55:37 AM) Haisen: Saken arrives in the main square, panting as he's been running as fast as he can. There's a huge crowd surrounding Aelitethe's stage as she sings. Belle is standing just in front of the stage, waiting to stop anyone who tries to get up with lethal force. ...Well, a dagger, anyway, but it's enough of a deterrent so far.
(12:58:29 AM) Haisen: "Aelitethe! AELITETHE!" Saken shouts as loudly as he can from the edge of the crowd, but he can't be heard over its noise and her singing. All he gets is irritated looks and angry demands to be quiet.
(12:59:37 AM) Aelitethe: Well, either way, Aelitethe was about to finish, as her song wasn't particularly long.
(1:00:02 AM) Aelitethe: She's not done yet, though.
(1:00:37 AM) Haisen: He stands there panting, trying to think of something... And then, he steels himself. A chant, a gesture, and suddenly , an image appears! Sparkling letters appear in the air in above the crowd, where Aelitethe and Belle can read them. "HAISEN KNOWS"
(1:01:32 AM) Haisen: Belle looks up, and widens her eyes. ...She then shifts into a wolf and howls, before rushing into the crowd, clearing the way for Aelitethe!
(1:02:54 AM) Aelitethe: Upon seeing the words, Aelitethe figuratively jaw drops, immediately stops singing, and looks down to eye Saken at the edge of the crowd. She then attempts to follow Belle as fast as she can. She knows that remaining is dangerous. "Sorry! Have to run!"
(1:04:37 AM) Haisen: The crowd is in a panic now, most of them running away. Saken beckons to follow as he runs toward the square's eastern exit!
(1:06:41 AM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe is pitter-pattering as fast as her legs can take her, following Saken and Belle. "Damnit..."
(1:08:52 AM) Haisen: ...Paladins are already coming. If you glance behind them, you'll see them coming from the west, and in front of you there are two standing in the way. ...Except Belle is having none of that, and simply throws them to the side before they can even react. This isn't good though!
(1:09:51 AM) Haisen: Kineth! You and Ulyssa have just reached the eastern gate, and three paladins stand in your way from leaving. ...They don't look like they're about to let you pass
(1:12:19 AM) Kineth: Kineth... has no goddamn time for this. He goes to let go of Ulyssa, before swiftly drawing his greatsword.
(1:18:48 AM) Ulyssa: Ulyssa...on being let go, realizes her current situation. Despite everything...well, nothing is any good if she's dead! Despite not exactly being in the best condition to fight, she's going to try! Even if she does terribly, the least she could do is...well, die! And that...doesn't even feel like a really negative thing right now!
(1:24:56 AM) Haisen: The first of the paladins charges forward, eliminating all doubt of hostility! Kineth gets a nasty cut on the cheek, not far from his eye, even as he tries to dodge
(1:27:14 AM) Haisen: The second paladin... Tries to do the same! Really, he does. Instead, he just gets a glancing blow on your armor and bounces off
(1:27:28 AM) Haisen: Unfortunately for them, Kineth is NOT IN A MOOD TO PUT UP WITH THIS
(1:28:42 AM) Kineth: Kineth lets out an irritated grunt, responding with a vicious yell and a brutal swing of his Greatsword at the Paladin who struck him, before going to rain hell on the other two as well! (Rage -> Power Attack at P1 -> Great Cleave the other two jerks upon successful hit. :v)
(1:29:11 AM) Haisen: The last of the jerks is still at the gate, not close enough to hit!
(1:37:41 AM) Haisen: Kineth swings wildly with his greatsword, missing the first paladin twice. ...Yet, he can't let Ulyssa down. Roaring like a great beast, he slashes widely as he charges right through the two paladins near him, knocking them to the side before rushing and tearing into the one at the gate
(1:38:00 AM) Haisen: None of them are dead, but they're definitely hurt! MAYBE ULYSSA CAN FIX THIS
(1:44:10 AM) Ulyssa: Ulyssa is fully aware of how bad she is at finishing people off, but...well, no one is going to touch Kineth if she can help it! Even if it gives them free attempts to stab her, she's going to get in their way and threaten death on them. And then stab/slash them for good measure.
(1:49:54 AM) Haisen: The paladins act in unison, attempting to slash Ulyssa! ...They are very unsuccessful. Somehow, the way they almost fall to the ground with their swords clashing into each other leaves them completely out of the way of Ulyssa's own slash! Really too bad
(1:50:45 AM) Ulyssa: Well, good luck if they want to get to Kineth now! Even if that failed, they're not getting him without MORE SLASHING!
(1:52:06 AM) Haisen: The third paladin who's right next to Kineth tries desperately to fight back, slashing wildly! Kineth is hit by one of these desperate attacks, putting a gash down his arm
(1:55:37 AM) Haisen: The two paladins next to Ulyssa try once more to do a crossing slash on her, but she ducks underneath and dashes past, both swords outsretched! As soon as she's on the other side, she spins, slicing across their backs again! Both simply collapse to the ground
(1:56:25 AM) Haisen: The last one, facing Kineth, finally turns to run, but that doesn't stop him being lifted into the air and THROWN by Kineth's weapon cutting halfway through him from the bottom. It's a good bet that he didn't survive that
(1:56:57 AM) Kineth: And not a single shit was given. Moving on
(1:57:18 AM) Artemis-XE left the room (quit: Read error: Connection reset by peer).
(1:57:22 AM) XephyrEnigma [~MobileXep@Rizon-76C5DD72.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com] entered the room.
(1:57:29 AM) Ulyssa: Ulyssa's on her feet now, and she is DASHING MADLY.
(1:57:57 AM) Haisen: The two run through the gate, and on toward Whitecroft...
(1:58:23 AM) XephyrEnigma is now known as Artemis-XE
(2:04:55 AM) Haisen: Tilia and Artemis are doing... Well, it's not so much that they're doing the same. Or even better. It's more that they now realize they have a huge chunk of the city to go through, with a large number of paladins to the east of them. In the direction they were supposed to go.
(2:05:27 AM) Haisen: This could potentially be a problem
(2:07:20 AM) Haisen: Tilia is... A great deal more savvy than her drunken state would suggest. "We should leave through the south entrance."
(2:08:09 AM) Artemis-XE: "Sounds like a plan." He instantly cuts to the right, heading South now.
(2:09:24 AM) Haisen: Well, it looks like you have to deal with a lot less now! ...Except it looks like two paladins saw you, and are now following
(2:10:10 AM) Haisen: The two continue running, however. It's not like the paladins are catching up!
(2:10:16 AM) Haisen: ...Until they see one still at the gate
(2:13:36 AM) Artemis-XE left the room (quit: Read error: Connection reset by peer).
(2:13:36 AM) XephyrEnigma [~MobileXep@Rizon-76C5DD72.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com] entered the room.
(2:13:49 AM) XephyrEnigma is now known as Artemis-XE
(2:22:23 AM) Haisen: ...And, the paladin at the gate sees them, charging at Tilia! ...Why do these guys recognize you?!
(2:24:33 AM) Haisen: Tilia tries to block, but her reflexes are too numbed by alcohol! The blade cuts into her shoulder, and she cries out.
(2:30:02 AM) Haisen: "...Okay. Let's see how you like this!" Suddenly, her just-drawn staff crackles with electricity, and she spins it, trying to hit the paladin who just attacked her! He manages to dodge as he spins it downward, but the second time around, she twirls and catches his breastplate! Electricity courses through him
(2:33:21 AM) Artemis-XE: Artemis, like he said, has zero time for anyone's shit right now. He says a chant, turns around, and blasts the two oncoming paladins with an array of colors! [Cast Color Spray on P2, P3]
(2:38:34 AM) Haisen: The paladins are charging in as Arty chants the spell! One of them trips and falls on his face, dazed, while the other keeps going on. ...But then Tilia suddenly does a high kick to his head without even turning to face him, and he falls backward, also looking dazed!
(2:42:22 AM) Haisen: The first paladin barely has recovered from the electricity, and sort of stumbles back before making a quick prayer.  A magical barrier appears around him.
(2:44:12 AM) Haisen: Tilia laughs. "Hahaha... He thinks that he can get 'protection' from me?" She holds her staff threateningly, a wicked look on her face. "I'll show him how wrong he is!" Electricity crackles through it again,  and she VICIOUSLY smashes into him with both ends, sending him to the ground. He convulses for barely two seconds, before ceasing to move altogether.
(2:45:18 AM) XephyrEnigma [~MobileXep@Rizon-76C5DD72.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com] entered the room.
(2:45:18 AM) Artemis-XE left the room (quit: Read error: Connection reset by peer).
(2:45:48 AM) XephyrEnigma is now known as Artemis-XE
(2:46:56 AM) Artemis-XE: Artemis says another chant, and blasts a paladin with a debilitating ray! [Cast Ray of Enfeeblement on P2]
(2:50:33 AM) Haisen: The paladin had just been rising from his daze! ...And then he falls down again, barely able to even breathe under the weight of his armor. Well.
(2:53:23 AM) Haisen: Tilia whirls, rushing toward the other paladin who just got up and SMASHING the left side of his neck with her staff, even as Artemis' blade goes toward the other side. She then casually walks over to the other paladin, grinds her foot into his throat, and THRUSTS her staff through his eye.
(2:53:38 AM) Haisen: After pulling it out, she turns to Artemis smiling. "...Well, shall we move on~?"
(2:54:16 AM) Artemis-XE: "Yes, let's." He lets out a smirk in return.
(2:56:23 AM) Haisen: The two walk out the southern gate and turn left, to make their way towards Whitecroft