1 Templar Knight guards, Sir Daniel the Beardless, a somewhat hapless Templar, Nina arrive, following Hamish.

1 Templar Knight guards have been dismissed.

Greguin, an organized priest, 3 Templar Knight guards, Binky, an asshole crow arrive, following Aureth.

There aren't a lot of Eurusi refugees coming to Arx, at least not in comparison to those flooding into Setarco and other cities in the east of the Lyceum. Still, a few hundred have made their way to the smelly jewel of Arvum. As ships bring them in different groups have stepped up to assist in getting the refugees settled somewhere in the city. Given the dubious handling of the rush of prodigals a couple of years back when the Lodge was threatened there's a real desire to help newcomers integrate, especially as there may be some resentment toward people who have names that sound like or faces that look like those in the ships coming toward Sungreet. The faith has stepped up already, but for the latest arrivals, coming in on a couple of Islander ships named The Spiked Urchin and the somewhat more old school Donrai's Prow, Hamish has volunttered 'her Harlequins' to assist the newcomers with clothes, food and other necessities while also pairing them up with some people who are willing to assist those in need with someplace to live until they figure out their place in the world.

The shrine of the lost has been chosen, as the shrine of the Queen is kinda dark and dreary for this sort of thing. Also, spiders might woog out the newcomers. Hamish is leading some harlequins in dropping of boxes of food and blankets to be distributed. A trickle of refugees are making their way into the shrine.

Ramsay, the dynamic Direhorn arrives, following Swift.

Aureth has made a public appearance as part of this, for all that it is clearly Hamish's party and he permits the Archlector to lead the charge (so to speak). Simply clad in white and silver, his hair bound in a loose queue at the nape of his neck, he could be any priest helping with the Harlequins' refugee efforts but for the lurking templars whose job it is to follow him around.

Korka was certainly not here to help hand things out, but has found herself pulled into service piling blankets to one side so that they can be more easily distributed to those that come in. She looks a little annoyed, but she's still folding and stacking off to one side.

In her aspect as a Bard, Nina has been working hard to reach out to refugees, and try to cheer them up when possible too. Today that requires a little manual labor, but she doesn't mind so much. Right now she is carrying a box of breads, and hopefully later she might be able to play a little tune. She is wearing her spider necklace, which she got as a Harlequin gift, to show she's working with them even though she is not a member. They are a group she has been quite curious about and it seems reasonable to do a good deed or two in their name.

Rukhnis slips quietly into the shrine along with the trickle of worn-looking refugees, appearing rather as if she could be one of them if she weren't dressed like a rather solemn Arvani instead. It's possible she was supposed to be here earlier, as she has an air of breathless haste about and her and casts an apologetic look around at those here before her. Looking uncertain where anyone might want her to be, she takes up a post near the front of the shrine and begins to exchange quiet greetings with her fellow Eurusi coming in.

A fan of Hamish and the Harlequins, desirous - as well - to assist the Eurusian refugees with making their way into the city and finding homes, Sister Dianna Godsworn has volunteered to assist. Shielded from the chill of autumn by her gold-brushed bear fur coat (that shields, beneath, what might be certain mirrored armor - as evidenced by her glittering mirrorsilver-and-stygian boots), the Third Reflection joins Hamish and the others at the Shrine to the Lost with a happy twinkle in her eyes and a warm smile upon her lips. Gods know she's happy to see Hamish, Nina and Father Aureth; she even greets Korka with warm fondness. What /might/ be somewhat queer is the priestess' glaive latched to her back, even if its mirrorsilver blade is covered with a dark leather sack. Caution, precaution and care come with this Lycene Mirrormasks - and it is likely that her charm and warmth provide a perfect balance for the danger she may pose... to certain /potential/ threats.

Swift had offered to bring in some supplies for the new arrivals and has even brought a few hired hands to help with distribution. Directing a couple of men to stack up some crates of fresh autumn fruits and vegetables from the Oathlands, she makes sure to be on hand to offer assistance to any that may be ill or in need of medical assistance after a long journey. There's herbs and poultices, and as the wageon is cleared out a canopy is put up on top of it to give people a place to sit and recoup around a brazier.

Modi arrives early as he could. Though the older man may not be dressed like a prodigal, swathed in umbra and jewelery, he's here on account of sympathy nonetheless. The empathy for the newly arrived in the strange place, something he knew well-enough. He keeps a satchel and sling hung just over his shoulder, prepped with some basic necessities. Some wool blankets, some spare snacks in the form of lemon bars and peanut cookies, and a bandage or two. It's not much, but it's something. When he arrives, he keeps his presence toward the back of the group. Partly observing where he might best be used before jumping into the fray.

After some consideration Hamish has things set up so people can go from one station to another to collect things, but leaves it casual so anyone can assist anyone they'd like. Harlequins are too new a discipleship to be particularly rigid. Hamish greets everyone who comes to help, offering an appreciative nod when the legate (and person who had his job before him) shows up. "Just find someone to help and do what you can. I don't really have to tell any of you that these people are coming from rough conditions." He glances toward Swift, giving the woman the slightest of nods, then says, "So be patient and avoid the temptation to be overly gregarious with people who might be reticent. I don't suppose anyone speaks Eurusi, just in case?"

"Alas, I barely speak Arvani," Aureth says. It's not true (he speaks Arvani just fine), but it's the kind of dad joke he makes kind of inevitably.

Dianna checked charm + empathy at difficulty 30, rolling 30 higher.

"Ahh. Gods, I wish I did," Dianna replies to Hamish gently, looking from one to another of those already residents of Arx. She chuckles softly at Aureth, her amber eyes twinkling merrily. "Father Aureth, if you 'barely speak Arvani,' I should consider myself quite the linguist - to be able to so easily interpret your meanings," she teases, then turns her gaze warmly to a refugee making their way near. The woman is nearly intoxicating in her warmth and charm, speaking with her smiles and twinkling gaze what she may never be able to speak in words, blessing those who come to her with gentility, bestowing blankets and food where she may.

Rukhnis looks away from giving some minor greeting or advice in a quiet tone to a middle-aged woman with a young child tow and replies to Hamish's question, "I have been working with a great number of refugees in these last few weeks, and Eurusi is my native tongue. So if there is need to relay any particular message to them, I can do so if no one else can." Pausing a moment, she adds, "I have a place where some of them may be able to stay as well."

Nina has a dagger by her side as well. She's not very good at using it, but having one is a little better than nothing... just in case... She's not making a big deal of it, though, but she seems like a generally carefree person. "Sorry, I do not. I wonder if I should learn a new language some time..."

Korka's reception of Dianna is less kind and more suspicious, "...are you expecting trouble here, Sister Dianna?" She asks, looking at the weapon, "I'm not sure you'll put these people at ease looking like that," she doesn't seem too bothered by it, though, instead thoughtfully watching the ones that Dianna does interact with and their reactions, as well as any that might be giving her side eye.

"Not I. Only Arvani." Modi speaks in a heavy Northern accent, the sling around his shoulder tightening a bit. "But I know fear well. Quiet voices, patience, gentleness..." He recites it as much for himself as anyone else, his green eyes flicking around the Shrine. "I see a lot of history. A lot of terrible things."

Swift looks up with a smile, "I do! I've had some dealings with Eurusi merchants in the past, it seemed prudent to learn the tongue.. just in case." She turns back tot he person requesting help with a toothache and hands them a small pouch with strict instructions to not have more than three a day and to rub the gumline with a tablespoon of whiskey until the pain recedes. Wiping her hands clean, she shrugs, "I can help interpret for anyone that needs it."

"Nonsense," Dianna purrs to Korka, the priestess' smile ever warm and gentle. "I'm quite sure these people are used to those around them with more openly-brandished weaponry than mine is. Besides," she turns her amber gaze to meet Korka's eyes, her voice lowering privately, "I'm sure you know as well as I what dangers may present themselves...."

All told there are about three dozen of the refugees, a pretty decent number. They are clearly nervous and the sight of so many people with weapons, from Dianna to the good number of Templars, only makes them moreso. But having Rukhnis there, treated as an equal by the others (hey, no nobles here!) and able to speak with them in their language, along with Swift, put some at ease. When a few people from Candace's bakery show up with hot bread and stew, and some sweets for the younger guests, it goes a long way to comforting the others. People start to move in groups to those offering help, either getting some of the fresh food and drink, going over to collect the essentials for later or having their new living situations explained to them. To Rukhnis Hamish says, "I'm glad to hear that. I wish I'd had the foresight to go buy myself a house like Blessed Etienne. As it is if I wanted to bring people into my home it would be in a wardrobe or perhaps under my bed."

Sir Daniel the Beardless, a somewhat hapless Templar have been dismissed.

Nina either didn't hear anything about danger, or is pretending she didn't. But she is also on the other side of the room right now, unwrapping some blankets which are tied with a hemp knot, and handing them out in careful fashion. Once that is done, she gets to settle into a corner and pulls out her lute. A little background music might also go some way to calming people, as music itself is a kind of universal language.

It's only in this glance back in Hamish's direction that Rukhnis first seems to pay much mind to her fellow helpers at this event, and her dark gaze travels briefly across the scattered faces of the Arxians amidst the small and slowly swelling tide of foreigners. A few of them seem familiar to her -- her eyes even narrow consideringly at Modi before shifting her gaze along -- but on the whole she seems to find the other Eurusi more familiar than anyone, even though she hasn't met them either. Crowd duly inspected, she goes back to offering what seem to be quiet directions and advice to the refugees, with some clearly sympathetic words and empathetic glances thrown in, and the occasional lightly reassuring touch of upon an arm or shoulder.

Aureth moves from one station to the next, wafting along with a nod to this person or that as he looks for ways to make himself more useful. He tilts a crooked smile at Dianna, and says, "Sister, my thanks. I am certain I have no comment on your cleverness as a linguist. For these are all sojourners here, we make them welcome in the spirit of Gild..."

After awhile of watching, Modi sets out into action. His work is more indivdual to individual than with the group. He speaks to refugees on level, calm and quietly. His hand dips into his satchel every now and then to provide supplies as needed. Blanket, food, medicine. Or just a snack. The prodigal keeps a warm smile on his face for every refugee he passes. He looks for those on the fringes and seemingly alone before any else, engaging the ones who appear to have no one else at their side.

Dianna checked perception + investigation at difficulty 30, rolling 10 higher.

It may be that Sister Dianna is assisting those who make their way to her, her charming smile warm and welcoming - as much as her beauty is inviting; but she watches keenly, flickering her gaze from person-to-person and those beyond in search of... ...abnormalities? The priestess maintains her sweet demeanor, but those familiar with her (and those keen enough to note her intent gaze) may realize that the Mirrormask is at least as watchful as every Templar here in this Shrine.

Despite the clear compassion with which she regards each man, woman, and child who enters the shrine, Rukhnis, like Dianna, is also subjecting everyone to a close scrutiny as she greets them, her eyes seeming to note each detail of face and form, and her close attention to their words seeming attuned to every nuance of their speech. It's hard to say what she might be looking for, or if she's merely attempting to gauge their condition and their needs, but she's definitely acutely alert even as she speaks to them with calm and soothing kindness.

Rukhnis checked perception + empathy at difficulty 30, rolling 132 higher. Rukhnis rolled a critical!

Korka watches the volunteers as much as she does the refugees, conjuring up a smile that somehow manages not to be as sarcastic as usual while she's giving out bundles, "Welcome to Arx" she says with each one. "Welcome to Arx. Welcome to Arx." another blanket and pile of clothes, "Welcome to Arx."

Swift checked perception + streetwise at difficulty 30, rolling 3 higher.

A woman with a child approach Rukhnis and speak with her in Eurusi, the child very excited at just about every strange sight he's never seen, the woman wary about the city entirely. She asks what the experience of living in Arx will be like, and if they might not be better off taking another boat to points south, where many of their fellows have gone.

A pair of young men approach Modi, gawping at how nicely the man is dressed. One of them, speaking in accented Arvani, asks, "Are you one of the lords of the houses? Which are you?" He squints and then asks, "Lord Vellynosa?" The other one snorts at his friend's question and gives Modi a look like damn what a rube right?

When they realize she speaks Eurusi a handful of children drag their father over to speak with Swift. He looks more than a little frustrated by this and when he gets to her he speaks perfect Arvani asking, "Do you know where they will have us living?"

A young woman with a battered lute sits off to the side and plays, singing a song only Swift and Rukhnis understand. It's a sad one about loves lost at sea. She mostly sits there and waits.

For the most part none of them approach those dressed in vestments, either assuming them to be in charge or a little intimidtating.

Nina sees another person pull out a lute. She does not want to interrupt this. So she takes a moment to listen, then she walks over to sit next to the woman. Nina doesn't know the words of the song that she's playing. But she's good at harmonizing, and decides to perhaps build a bridge by playing along a little herself. There's always the possibility that this is an unwanted interruption, but she'll do her best anyway.

Nina checked charm + performance at difficulty 30, rolling 17 higher.

Korka checked perception + investigation at difficulty 15, rolling 46 higher.

Dianna checked charm + empathy at difficulty 35, rolling 17 higher.

The question draws a quick, gruff laugh from Modi. The Northman shakes his head. "No my friend, no Lord. Far from it. Just a newcomer like you who was blessed with exceptional luck." Reaching into his satchel of many goods, he pulls free two lemon bars. One for the rube, and one for the smart friend. "Do well and you may be wearing clothes like this as well. No matter how many look you down, just keep going." He moves on, chatting up with a single soul sat on the pews. Then onto a trio. While he's not packing too many blankets or too many bandages, he certainly has many, /many/ sweets to pass about with abandon.

Turning a smile towards the father as he's dragged over by his children, Swift offers, "Most here will likely be housed in the Lowers if they stay in the city. Those that join Houses and swear fealty will be provided quarters with those they've sworn to." She glances at the children and smiles again, "If you are concerned, go seek out the Murder of Crows in the Lowers. Ask for Mayir or Magpie, tell them Swift sent you. We'll be more than happy to help you get started. If you've a trade skill you will quickly become very popular." She offers sweets to the children and a small pouch of silver to their father with a smile, "And please, if anyone is feeling poorly, send them my way."

The priestess smiles warmly at an elder Eurusi couple who look particularly down-and-out, making her way over to them with a pair of blankets and a sack of food. "It's awfully cold, isn't it?" Dianna asks in a consoling, tender voice, proffering the blankets. Though her speech is not understood, the Mirrormask's demeanor is gradually accepted - as are her offerings. Respectfully, Dianna bows her head to the couple, the warmth of her smile responded to in a flickering smile of trust from, first, the woman and then her husband. "Blessings to you both," Dianna warmly purrs, then moves back to one of the stations to help with more.

Modi checked charm + empathy at difficulty 30, rolling 6 higher.

To the woman and child Rukhnis goes off into an explanation of what life is like in Arx, complete with perils, pitfalls, and the potential for a prosperous existence, and supplements this with an account of life not in the South but in the North, which she speaks of as a place where some of their own countrymen have gone to settle as part of one of the houses there. From the way she looks up at the sky and makes vaguely critical gestures it might be the case that she's also taking the time to deplore the weather but is attempting to make it sound like something one can get used to after a while. At the end she motions them with a wave and a small bow over to one of the stacks of blankets, as it seems to be that the general conclusion they've reached is that life in Arvum is too damn cold but one has to just grit one's teeth and get through it by partial hibernation.

Then someone else catches Rukhnis's eye -- a woman off by herself, looking around the crowd. The physician makes her way over to this person she's deemed of interest, and speaks to her quietly.

Rukhnis says in Eurusi, "A good morning to you, sayyida. Be welcome to Arx, and at peace. Is there anything I can help you with?"

Without the linguistic background to be of more immediate empathetic aid, Aureth is largely sticking to practical, workaday tasks. He hands out folded blankets, and then moves over to murmur with a couple of disciples about finding more snacks and tea to generally be reassuring with. It is DEFINITELY too damn cold here, especially compared with the Dune Kingdoms generally.

Korka is handing out blanket pile after blanket pile and that smile of hers doesn't reach her eyes. She's clearly bored, paying more attention to the room at large when something catches her eye. She pauses, then shoves the blanket at the next person, not bothering to welcome them to Arx as she moves around the table and through the crowd, reaching out to grab the arm of a refugee and relieve them of the purse they just took off a Harlequin, "You're lucky this isn't my job," she tells the skinny young man, turning to say something to the Harlequin when she stops again, releasing the young man and shoving a couple of people out of the way like she saw something...then she stops a few steps out, looking around every which way.

Dianna checked intellect + empathy at difficulty 30, rolling 17 higher.

The priestess steps with a linen sack of various foods and sundries to a young couple with a small child tucked into the man's arms and smiles, proffering it with another smile. "For you," she warmly offers, looking to them and finds the gesture is accepted. Over and again, Dianna offers such sacks to those who move forward, clearly without the means to find such simple means of tending to themselves.

The Harlequin saved by Korka stares at his purse, then at the person he was helping. The young man gives a big smile like, oh no, I don't know the rules of your country, is this not okay? Then he's shoved backward and he works to disappear into the crowd while the Harlequin stomps after him, more than a little perturbed.

The woman Rukhnis approached, older and wearing a veil that covers her hair and drapes around her neck, looks up when Rukhnis approaches. She glances side to side, obviously uncertain, then after giving Rukhnis a real grandmother-style size up, says something quietly to her.

A little boy goes running up to Aureth and stares at the white robes, then up at the legate himself. He takes the boiled sugar treat he was handed on entering out of his mouth and says in heavily accented Arvani, "You are very clean!"

Aureth folds himself down into a kneeling crouch so that he can get a better look at the boy that has approached him, regarding him gravely, with pale eyes thoughtful. "I try to be," he says. "Priests who smell bad tend to be less comforting. Do you want a blanket for yourself?"

Nina seems to be doing well enough at playing, so she keeps up with that. The people around could use a little cheering up, right? But she doesn't notice if anything else is amiss, as focused as she is on this particular task. She looks up for a second and smiles at the interaction between the priest and the boy.

Modi checked perception + streetwise at difficulty 40, rolling 19 higher.

Aureth checked perception + empathy at difficulty 45, rolling 7 higher.

Rukhnis checked perception + empathy at difficulty 45, rolling 1 lower.

Korka checked perception + investigation at difficulty 40, rolling 20 higher.

Dianna checked perception + investigation at difficulty 40, rolling 23 lower.

Nina checked perception + empathy at difficulty 45, rolling 8 lower.

Dianna checked mana + theology at difficulty 45, rolling 17 higher.

Modi's starting to get comfortable mingling with the crowd. After putting a few at ease here and there, he's starting to be a bit more forward. Show a bit more personality. He talks in quick words with several people he passes by. He asks a few what they may need, while asking others if they have questions. Soon enough he's kneeling down in a group of refugees. Handing out bars of sweets like they were... well, candy. "Life in the Compact has a newcomer is difficult, as it's difficult for many people already in the Compact to simply live. But their ire isn't going to last. You have yourselves, your families, and a width of ambition before you." He goes on, speaking of trials in integrating with the Compact.

Swift checked perception + streetwise at difficulty 40, rolling 12 higher.

Rukhnis gives the older woman she's speaking with a physician's-eye size up in return, keen yet somehow kind at the same time, but whatever the woman says to her provokes a look of mild concern, and a probing question back in their shared language.

Dianna checked composure + performance at difficulty 20, rolling 12 higher.

Yes, the Mirrormask /does/, every once in a while, check the polished mirrorsilver discs on her hip-high boots, but the priestess is so deft at flicking her gaze down to her shoes that she simply seems to be lowering her gaze coyly as she smiles sweetly down and glances back up. She finds another pair of blankets and doles them out to a pair of young women, then steps back and glances flirtatiously from boots back up to someone just beyond.

Korka is not being subtle now, pushing people out of the way and frantically looking around, clearly searching for something or someone.

For the most part the crowd moves along and things go swimmingly. Thanks to the presence of people like Modi, Nina, Dianna and Rukhnis people are growing less suspicious. As more and more people have had their fill of soup, bread and cider the atmosphere turns convivial, the Eurusi with their shared experience and then toward the Arvani for the help they're offering.

The boy considers Aureth's answer and starts to ask a question, but before he can say anything a man steps out of the crowd and calls out to him, "Saqir!" He runs over, saying in a chastizing tone, "Saqir, you leave that poor man alone." He gives Aureth an apologetic look.

The flicker of his gaze rising from the boy's features, to the approaching parent figure, Aureth's brow cinches faintly. He says, "Really, he's not bothering me at all." He starts to rise, wincing a little as his knees complain of their deep bend. His pale eye flickers back to the youth, and he says, "Were you asking something, son?"

Rukhnis gives a small grave nod to the woman as they talk, but her gaze has begun to flicker about the area at the same time. Perhaps she's searching for someone in particular, perhaps not, but the look in her eyes has become both sharper and more worried. Then that man comes out of the crowd calling out to Saqir and the older woman exclaims something to her, and the physician whirls in that direction. "That man!" she exclaims urgently, as loudly as her low, rough voice can carry, and pointing for emphasis. "He has come among these refugees yet is not one of them!"

Drawn towards a group of younger folk, Swift offers a friendly smile and engages them in Eurusi. She asks if everyone is doing well after the long trip, offers fresh fruits and bread to the hungry, a nice peppermint tea for someone feeling a bit queasy. Asking their ideas for what they want to see happen now that they've arrived. Engaging them in casual conversation to see where their interests and skills lie. Offering the occasional referral for those interested in the trades, giving another the name of a Whisper when she expresses interest in learning social arts. Relating some stories of her own time as a Thrall to help ease them into the explanations of society in Arvum.

Nina is watching Aureth interact with the child as she plays, thoughtful in her expression. But then she sees that Korka appears to be on a mission, of sorts, and that turns her attention elsewhere. Not enough to disrupt her playing... necessarily, as she tries not to miss a note, but she looks for a good way to sort of... play down, and play out, in case there is a problem. Ending the phrase of her tune politely, she smiles at the woman she was accompanying, and touches her once on the hand, before putting her instrument down for a bit.

When someone calls out, Korka looks over and sees the man standing by the Legate. She judges the distance between them and considering all the people just points and shouts, "AURETH! HE HAS A KNIFE!"

Dianna checked command + propaganda at difficulty 40, rolling 7 higher.

Modi was all smiles, up until the very moment that man called out. His eyes dart and in the same moment he's on his feet. Quickly weaving through the crowd in an effort to get that much closer to the commotion. There's already cries and yelling sounding out, which only seems to confirm the suspicion written across his face. "Stay back, stay back. The Templars will handle this, stay back!" He outstretches his arms, providing what little barrier he can between the rest of the crowd and the epicenter of noise.

It's not as if Dianna quite notices anything unusual - in fact, she absolutely does /not/ note anything at all - but, when Korka mentions that the man near Aureth has a knife, the priestess reaches to her back immediately and retrieves her glaive, unsheathing it in a singular motion and raising her voice a pitch louder, remaining, somehow, calm: "Perhaps we ought to move away, dear people...?"

Dianna wields a diamondplate glaive set with mirrorsilver and sapphires.

Indeed, Korka is correct, he does have a knife. The boy looks toward the man with no recognition on his face just as the man, expression twisting with rage and hatred, cries out something in Eurusi and, a knife in his hand where there was not one before, does his best to drive it into Aureth's side. The Templars, the three assigned to Aureth and the two assigned to Hamish, have swords out at the shout but it's not until they see the knife that they realize what's happening and move in.

The sudden appearance of so many weapons have everyone else pushing back. Those who see the assassin cry out, but those who don't are horrified at what seems to be Arvani getting aggressive.

Dianna checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 27 higher.

Aureth checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 20 lower.

Dianna checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 30, rolling 18 higher.

Rukhnis holds her arms up in hopes of garnering some additional attention and, with a small gesture at Dianna, says something that might be a Eurusi translation of her suggestion to move away, followed by an additional rush of words projected to the crowd and hopefully heard in the midst of the excitement.

25 inflicted and Aureth is unharmed.

The priestess is there on the spot, not a sound made from Dianna's lips as she whips her glaive around in a beautiful display of flickering mirrorsilver slicing at the assassin who attacks Father Aureth.

Aureth does have a templar escort whose job it is to handle things like this. They've been hyped up and staring at refugees. Aureth, being as invincible as he believes himself to be, is not a very well-behaved protectee and is beyond spear's reach of any of them at this moment, because when your bodyguards are underfoot it's hard to personably hand blankets to children. They start to move when Korka sounds the warning, but it's Aureth whose reflexes must truly be tested here.

He has a knife? Aureth's brow wrinkles deeper. His glance flicks between the boy, and his potential assailant. It's 1012, everybody has a knife. "But it's _holy ground_," he says in protest, right as the strike comes for him. As defenses go, this may lack finesse.

Rukhnis says in Eurusi, ""Please, everyone, move away. There is a man here pretending to be one of you, but who is here as an agent to cause trouble and sow discord. No one of these Arvani is trying to hurt you now, I swear it upon the souls of my ancestors. But you must move clear.""

Nina had just been considering how cute and charming the interaction with the boy was, and then suddenly things turn south very fast! She goes pale and puts a hand to her face, leanign back away even as Dianna springs into action. A knife is deadly, and she'd rather let someone who is much stronger with a blade go in fast than worry about hurting herself with it! She does try to do one thing... which is, in the midst of all the people here and there and around, it would be very important to make sure there's no panic, or things getting out of hand. So she turns to the refugees closest to her, and shakes her head. "Everyone... please stay calm... And let's not get in their way!" She may not speak their language, but maybe her hand gestures and soothing voice will be enough.

Nina checked composure + empathy at difficulty 30, rolling 16 higher.

Rukhnis checked command + leadership at difficulty 15, rolling 22 higher.

Modi checked composure + empathy at difficulty 30, rolling 28 higher.

Oh Gods, it's all going wrong now. Modi's brow twitches, though he doesn't break composure just yet. Reluctantly, he turns away from the action to address the crowd. "Everyone, please, remain where you are. For your own safety. The Legate is being attacked." He speaks calm and concisely as he can, though loud enough that he can be heard over the clash happening somewhere behind him.

3 inflicted and Aureth is harmed for minor damage.

While everyone is rushing towards the assailant or helping with the crowd, Korka is assessing the exits, where people are, and where people are going. She shoulders her way through the crowd towards one of them, moving to stand nearby and reaching up to pull one of her hairpins from her hair, which sends dark waves tumbling down around her shoulder, "Move!" she barks at the people who might not even understand what she's saying, but probably get the implication that she wants the way cleared.

While most are focused on separating the crowd from the fight, Swift is taking the shortest route to try and reach the Archlector. Oh she's not dumb enough to step into that fight, Gods no. But she has a whole satchel full of poultices and bandages and it seems to be a good thing she does!

The refugees stare at the violence taking place, then stare at the people helpfully trying to keep them from panicking. Which is good, because it means they aren't panicking, though boy they all look like they really want to panic. Panic so much.

The boy scrambles out of the way, eyes wide as saucers.

Korka's shouts get people away from the exits, which is good since the templars, deciding others have this well in hand, start grabbing their assigned clergy and pulling them toward the now unblocked exit.

Dianna's swing of her glaive cuts a wide arc and thanks to the force it picks up by being spun around it knocks the would-be assassin clear off his feet. He lands hard several feet back. He turns a look on her, eyes wide with anger, though when he sees Aureth being pulled away by his bodyguards the man holds up his knife, gives Dianna a brief nod, then slams it into his own chest.

Aureth's templars are as appalled by this happenstance as would be any other bodyguards in this situation. They close upon him immediately, forming heavily armored ranks, checking him for injuries while he tries to make himself heard above the chaos. "I'm fine, I'm fine-- the blade didn't get through--"
"Clear the Legate!"
"Get Father Aureth out of here--"
"Back to the Rectory, the Grandmaster will have a report--"
Whatever Aureth's putative authority, it is clear that in some circumstances regarding his personal safety, he doesn't _get_ to make those distinctions. He's rapidly being hauled off and out of public whether he likes it or not.

Dianna checked composure + investigation at difficulty 40, rolling 8 lower.

Rukhnis lets out a quietly appalled grunt as watches, eyes wide, as the thwarted assassin plunges his blade into his own breast rather than his original target. She bolts over to the fallen man and drops to her knees beside him as if hoping for some chance of saving his life -- though perhaps not from entirely compassionate motives, in this particular person's case.

"NO!" Dianna shouts sharply as the assassin stabs HIMSELF in the chest, having worked so very hard to keep him alive for Korka and the Master of Questions. She rushes at him and jerks the knife from the man's chest, glancing back to Rukhnis and calling helplessly, "Help! Save him, quickly!!"

With the assassin having turned the knife on himself, the Legate out, Modi shifts gears. His words come in a string of either 'remain calm' or 'everything is fine'. Ensuring (and hoping beyond hope) that everything being FINE will be a clear enough. There may be a man bleeding on the floor. There may be a lot of people with swords shouting. But everything is FINE, will remain FINE, and be all FINE for the forseeable future.

Dianna checked intellect + medicine at difficulty 30, rolling 8 higher.

Seeing Aureth dragged off by the Templars and out of immediate danger, Swift bites down on her lower lip and glances back in time to see the man stab himself. Letting out a ripe curse worthy of any Isles sailor, she turns and dashes off towards the man. "Don't touch him yet! It might be poisoned!!"

Rukhnis checked intellect + medicine at difficulty 30, rolling 15 higher.

Dianna checked composure + performance at difficulty 30, rolling 1 lower.

Lycene, though she may be, Dianna's first thought is NOT of herself - despite rumors and everything. She pulls the blade from the assassin's chest and whines, her eyes squinting narrowly as she checks the man and bites her lips firmly, a miserable look upon her face. She lifts her gaze up to the ceiling and silently begs - perhaps forgiveness, perhaps for the man's return to this life, perhaps... many, many things of Aion and the gods. All that is certain is of this glaivedancer-Mirrormask-priestess is that she is incredibly, incredibly unhappy with this result.

Ramsay, the dynamic Direhorn leaves, following Swift.

Rukhnis makes another echoing grunt as Dianna pulls the blade from his chest -- but rather than spurting a fountain of blood as one might expect, the man's newly extinguished corpse already seems to be exuding the putrescence of someone dead for days in the summer heat. "Spirits' breath," the physician breathes out, leaning back with a still more appalled expression as she looks on with a fascinated queasiness than seems to have more to do with the unnaturalness of the body's decomposition rather than the noxious sight and smell itself.

Indeed, rather than blood there is a weeping of black fluid as the man seems to rot away. His eyes roll back in his head, turning black and sinking into his skull. His flesh pulls tight against his bones, tearing here and there, more of the black ichor oozing out. When whatever horrifying alchemy finishes its job there's little enough of the man beyond bones of gristle to actually recognize as having been human. The knife in Dianna's hand corrodes as she holds it, the steel losing its shine and becoming pockmarked and brittle before her eyes.

Nina isn't interfering with the situation at hand, looking very worried for Aureth right now and what's happening around, but trying not to add to general panic. Other than trying to be helpful in soothing people's mood she's not a healer. But then something strange happens... And then she looks with a more thoughtful expression at it, her brow knitting. Not a natural death.

Nina checked perception + occult at difficulty 30, rolling 3 higher.

Korka makes sure Aureth and crew get out unmolested and then since the assassin seems to be dead, just stays where she is, glaring just a bit out at anyone that even looks like they want to try to leave. They might be would-be assassins too and she is not about to let them escape.

Modi checked perception + occult at difficulty 30, rolling 42 higher.

Dianna checked composure + performance at difficulty 30, rolling 5 lower.

Dianna checked perception + theology at difficulty 30, rolling 2 lower.

Rukhnis checked perception + theology at difficulty 30, rolling 30 higher.

Modi's head turns on a swivel when the man before them starts... outright disintigrating. Both brows raise as his emerald eyes go wide. "By the God's..." For the time being, running interference with the crowd has lost his attention. The prodigal quickly moves to the edge of the body. Careful not to steep himself into any of the foul ichor surrounding it. He looks closely with a scrutinizing gaze, mumbling something just under his breath.

Shuddering at the odd ...heat? Cold? Whatever it is about this blade, its manner is distinctly /unpleasant/ to the touch - even despite her stygian-coated snakeskin gloves. "...Gods," she mutters, wincing and dropping the blade with a clatter upon the floor. Truly, the priestess is affected by this horrid, horrid blade; she stares at it in horror, her mind simply not able to grasp its nature.

Dianna checked charm + performance at difficulty 30, rolling 20 higher.

Though not looking at Dianna, Rukhnis's words seem directed at the priestess beside her as she says very softly, "When he sprang at the legate, he shouted out... 'For Nothing'." The recollection of this appears not only to disturb her further but also kindles a wrathful smoulder at the back of her gaze, and she scowls at the corpse as it rots away to ichorous ooze and gristle. But then that angry expression fades -- or at least subsides into a background simmering -- and her eyes take on a distant expression as she seems to simply stare through rather than at the assassin's remains for a time. She's silent for several moments, and then her stillness is broken by a shudder and a grimace of pure revulsion.

Dianna checked composure + performance at difficulty 40, rolling 5 lower.

The Harlequins are helping the refugees out, the disciples looking way out of their depth but knowing that once someone attempts to assassinate a legate the charity event is over. Anyway, both the legate and the archlector are gone, so there's no one to tell them not to usher everyone out. Fortunately most of the refugees got help before things went crazy, and as people gather outside those who volunteered to house refugees are still stepping forward to do so, despite current events.

Nina walks a bit closer now to the melting body. The look she gives it is... quite stern, though ultimately not very scary. "What rubbish! Did he just use some power just to... die more effectively?" she asks, as if she were scolding the man for being foolish. He obviously cannot react to this scolding. Then she notices that Dianna seems to be recoiling from the knife, so... perhaps the power is on the blade itself. Her gaze softens again suddenly as she looks at the priestess. "Is that weapon dangerous? I mean, more so than any other weapon."

Modi's arm raises to cover the lower half of his face, like he'd just inhaled something toxic. He takes a frightened step back, a shudder running up his spine and then riding the wave back down again. "Abyssal. Foul, Abyssal toxins. Can't decipher what is and isn't magic, but all of it... It's all tainted." Careful steps are made all around the body. He was unwilling to get within a few inches of /any/ of it. "Something on the blade, like the woman from earlier spoke of. Poison from their world. Destroying all it touches. Black and death, nothing left." There's a look of concern toward Dianna now. "Are you harmed? Does your palm sting?"

There are, beyond all places holy to this priestess, two shrines in this city that she holds most dear - and this is one of them. Her gaze lowers to rest upon the decrepit body of the man and Dianna becomes deeply serene and serious, making a prayer, first, to Aion, asking for forgiveness at the violence of this holy place. Her sober, warm voice rolls forth with a deep and profoundly-felt prayer to the Queen of Endings that she might take back whatever soul encompassed this body, then thanks to Gloria for her blessings upon Dianna's blade, to Gild for the safe passage of these refugees into Arx, a thanks - humble and gentle - to Skald for his gift of freedom before Dianna lifts her voice to each and every god of the Pantheon, her voice becoming more intoxicatingly smooth as she lifts her voice in prayer. The priestess' manner is profoundly gentle and full of peace, extending outward to those left here - a remarkable change in her demeanor from the dangerous glaivedancer of moments before.

It is only when she is finished with her prayer that Rukhnis' words words break Dianna's composure; the priestess' lips curve downward bitterly as she winces and murmurs with deep pain, ".../No/...."

As the refugees are ushered out, Korka's sharp green eyes watch most of them just in case another one flicks out a knife and tries to stab someone. When it seems like the exit will be mostly harmless, she moves from where she was standing over towards the body or what's left of it, wrinkling her nose, "Abyssal?" She repeats Modi, voice sour, "Well. That's more in my wheelhouse than a pickpocket."

Dianna lifts her stygian-coated gloves to Modi, her expression still pained - but it is clear from her gloves that she remains protected. "No... I am ...unharmed." She glances between Modi, Korka and Rukhnis, startled and uncertain. "I... If you wish, Inquisitor... I will carry the blade... back to the Master of Questions... for his. ...." Dianna's voice simply trails off, affected by the bulk of this madness.