Pariah, The StormCrow, 4 Redoubt Buccaneers arrive, following Maximilian.

Ashe, the studious Stormward paralegal, 2 Kennex corsairs arrive, following Octavia.

It's early evening here at Darkwater Reach, the sun is setting rather beautifully outside the eastern windows of the Captain's Ward Room. With the stresses of the siege reaching their tipping point, Count Max Darkwater thought it would be a keen idea to have some people over for a nice evening of drinks and relaxing.

The atmosphere is pretty chill, no business, no war, just..friends and decent company. Or at the very least, tolerable company.

It's true that Max thought some guests coming over would be a fantastic idea. On the other hand, Max ALSO thought Parachute Pants would come back in vogue. He stands at the head of the table, a glass in one hand, as we start en media res. "So I tell the woman 'No, But I can be if you give me the wig!"
%Cue Laughter, and then he slumps back down in his chair. "I tell you - those were the days. Before title and land... "

Ulfric made his way inside as quietly a man of his size could very well do. Which was not much, but his imposing visage was hardly anything compared to the weight of presence the rest of the lords tonight had brought. He greeted each guest with a nod rather than interrupting, a smile on his face and his hands crossed at his waist.

Edward reclines in a chair with his legs stretched out and glass in hand, resting in his lap. He laughs with the story and then takes a drink from his glass before he shifts to draw his legs in and lean up some as others gather, those who are late or have not presented themselves filtering in.

Attending the low-key gathering as a resident simply means heading up a flight of stairs and entering the Ward Room which she does with fabulous aplomb in cloudy silks and unbound hair. Carita took a glass of rum for herself, a place at the table, and she is laughing at the end of the story being told, "Count Darkwater, that was awful..."

It was like it usually was for Mika, she shakes her head but smiles at Max from her spot against the wall off to his left. She sighs and shakes her head but the smile is still on her face. When Ulfric attempts to be friendly she nods right back at the man. She motions to Carita when she says it was awful and nods her head in agreement. Otherwise, she does her best to go unnoticed.

Octavia is sitting in front of a board of stones, all set up for the game, with a glass of Kennex vodka in her hand and a "Come try it" look in her eye. Maybe one of the guests will give it a try, maybe even manage to be a challenge for her. If not, she can continue listening to Max's awful stories.

Almost sneaking in behind the much larger Ulfric, Seva slipped into the room. She seems to eye the seats for a long moment, almost nervously, before taking one herself. She rests both hands politely in her lap and waits.

Darrow steps in, a brooding expression on his stern features. An obligate invitation, likely, and not one to bring a sense of cheer to the social proceedings, but not without a sense of decorum, at least, which might otherwise be lacking in the Darkwater household. A sea-green gaze passes the large, swiveled mirror before he steps to the large table, nodding briskly to Ford, Maximilian, and the others.

Maximilian chuckles as he gets a glass of rum from a passing server. "Life was simpler, before you know... All of the things this city brings. Not the least of which is perspectve. I cannot say I would trade the perspective for ignorance again, but ignorance, like that ladies charms, were bliss. Tell me, Mikani! Tell us a story of simpler times." The count totally puts the spotlight on someone else now.

One of the servers who has been wandering the room returned from down stairs looking...near panicked. Her eyes wide and doe-like. She swallows hard and makes her way to Max, "My lord.." she murmurs, almost too embarrased to even say the words, "There's a problem..." She holds out a piece of parchment to him.

Dire news indeed. The small note reads:

DARKWATER SPIRITS STORES
- Lenosian Wine - Acceptable stock
- Northern Whiskey - Acceptable stock
- Kennex Vodka - Untouched
Darkwater Rum - Seven Barrels left

The servant dips her head, giving Max plenty of time to read the note, "What do we do?"

Maximilian takes the message with due concern - one hand stroking down his chin. "Rum runs low. Expected in a time of shortage. Send a runner to the Black Mountain Warehouse, fetch 1 one of the barrels there. It will get us through the night, and within a week, the Rising Smoke will be in port with a fresh supply." he says to the servant. The rums not gone. It's just down to a 3 day supply.

"You've got to be joking..." Mika crosses her arms over her chest and looks around at the various people in the room. She makes a very unlady like groan that was at least acceptable in the sense that she wasn't noble at all, let alone a lady. "There have been no such thing as simpler times for me Count." Then the servant with the parchment shows up and she tilts her head just to the side. "Something I can help with?" When he explains run is running low she nods her head in understanding.

Ford GM Roll checked dontlook(5) + nothinghere(4) at difficulty 30, rolling 26 higher.

Carita checked perception at difficulty 10, rolling 7 higher.

Mikani checked perception at difficulty 10, rolling 18 higher.

Octavia checked perception at difficulty 10, rolling 15 higher.

Edward checked perception at difficulty 10, rolling 7 higher.

Maximilian checked perception at difficulty 10, rolling 9 higher.

Ulfric checked perception at difficulty 10, rolling 1 lower.

Seva checked perception at difficulty 10, rolling 3 lower.

Darrow checked perception at difficulty 10, rolling 0 higher.

"Hmm." Edward while listening is glancing at the scenery and then he furrows his brow and says, "Red sky at night." the warning sound for any sailor regarding trouble on the horizon. Then he looks around the room as he shifts, moving to stand on his feet.

Maximilian pauses a moment, turning to look across his shoulder, to the sun in the bay. Sunset in the Ward Room is a show to behold, one of the high points of living in this building. "Sailors delight." Completes Maximilian - but his tone suggests it's not a true representation of his concern.

Octavia has begun moving stones around the board herself, since nobody seems to want to risk it for a biscuit (or anything for that matter). The mention of the rum being low doesn't draw her notice, but a quick look out the window draws a frown to her face. "It's getting dark earlier than it should... and faster. Something's wrong."

Mika gets distracted before Max can reply and heads over to the window. She pushes open the window, if it is not open already, and considers something. "Yeah... She's not wrong. Something is up." She looks to Max. "It's too early to be this dark."

Ulfric takes a glance toward each person in kind, stomping over to the window to take a look for himself. "Sun doesn't move that fast normally, I take it?" He asks as he points to the sky beyond. "... That a tell of something?"

"Ulfric." Says Maximilian. "House guard to alert. Have a detatchment check the cliffwall. Everyone else, remain calm and let us examine the situation."

Carita sips at her drink, casting her eyes in the direction of the beautiful sunset beyond the windows. "In flames, the sky seems. Although, yes, earlier than usual." She glances over the room, "It seemed odd to me.

Seva is still looking down and listening when the note appears. She glances up briefly at the rum related words and seems to take brief note of the time. It's not until everyone brings up the red sky and early darkness that it appears to click. "Strange. We should all be on gaurd." The princess moves to stand as well, fidgeting.

Ulfric's eyes immediately hit Maximilian as he stands at attention. "Right away, my liege." He moves to the door, sword in hand as he disappears passed the door-frame, shouting orders down the halls.

Darrow "The siege has you spooked." Darrow states to Octavia and Mikani. He himself, stoic, sits at the table and pours himself a glass of rum. The now-precious rum. Which he, typically, doesn't touch much aside from a spare drink or two, absent of concern but dour nonetheless.

Mika pushes herself away from the wall and heads over to Max. "You sure know how to keep your home interesting Darkwater." She lays a friendly hand on his shoulder before she goes over to Edward and stands at his left side, her face shifting so that anyone around him knows she means business. She was guarding the Lord of her House.

Octavia motions to the corsairs that she left near the door, then towards herself, glaring in Darrow's direction. "Less strange things happened when bringers burst into the Cathedral of the Gods," the judge replies bluntly. "It's not being spooked, it's being vigilant."

Maximilian checked perception + occult at difficulty 20, rolling 10 higher.

Mikani checked intellect + occult at difficulty 15, rolling 51 higher.

Seva checked intellect + occult at difficulty 20, rolling 18 higher.

Carita appears about as unconcerned as Darrow at this moment, as panic has never served anyone well, but calmness has. She toasts in the direction of the Lachrymose Lament, drinks up, and listening to the others. "Bring me the sunset in a cup, reckon the rum and drink it up-"

The sudden alertness of Max's reaction to the sun setting...quickly has the server at his side nearly vibrating. She must be new. Though, she has reason to show concern.

Octavia was right. It was getting far too dark, far too fast. In fact, the darkness was encroaching, pushing in on The Reach like it's got naughty plans for it.

Soon it's so dark outside, one would think that someone had put Aeterna outside of the windows. Pure, pitch black.

Ford GM Roll checked shhh(4) + bedtime(5) at difficulty 30, rolling 5 higher.

Maximilian moves closer to Carita, but not interacting with her - rather, standing near the lady of his house shoudl he be required to bleed. It's a house law that a man of the house can only bleed if there's a woman present and you can bleed on her. It's an arcane law. The sound of alaricite leaving the sheathe can be heard as Max unlimbers the brutal murderblade he wears at his side. "I just wanted a drink with friends, Carita. Why is this so complex?"

Edward looks at Mika as she comes to stand next to where he remains standing and then he gives a nod to her. He crosses his arms after setting his glass down and finds something to lean on while he watches the others, gauging reactions and remaining calm.

Darrow responds to Octavia, slowly draining some of the rum from his glass. "The Sentinel bids us be vigilant, yes. Not stand at every moment with our eyes peeled against flitting shadows. We all know it is dark outside. It is dark everywhere. If it encroaches, it comes." He looks to the pitch blackness that then descends, blotting out the view. Droll, he rectifies. "I suppose it came."

Seva shifts uncomfortably, suddenly regretting that she had neither armor or a weapon. Damn Ford, telling her not to carry that sword. She slides closer to Ulfric for safety.

Ulfric leans back through the door, sword in hand as his eyes sweep over each person in kind. Eventually landing on Count Maximilian, he moves to his side as swiftly as he can. "I've put the guards to alert and sent the men out." He brushes a hand through his ginger beard. "What do you suspect, my liege?"

Carita lifts her eyes, toward the Count Darkwater. Shifting slightly in her chair so that any blood spray or spatter will not fall on her face or hair. Dresses can be replaced, having blood on your face gives you nightmares for weeks. "Because we're doomed to suffer through a dearth of drink and tolerable company, my liege."

That's about when all the servants milling around fall to the floor. Like someone had simply switched them off. Anything they were carrying falls to the floor with a terrible clatter, even the poor trembling nervous servant takes a header, crumpling to the floor. One of them falls into the door to the Captain's Ward Room, knocking it open as they make their trip to the deck.

Here's where shit gets real weird. The dark from outside? It's pushing in down the hall. A wall of void slowly making it's way down the hall and stopping precisely at the threshold of the Ward Room. No further.

Octavia checked composure at difficulty 10, rolling 19 higher.

Maximilian checked composure + leadership at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Seva checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 5 lower.

Carita checked composure at difficulty 10, rolling 13 higher.

Darrow checked composure at difficulty 10, rolling 7 higher.

Ulfric checked composure at difficulty 10, rolling 2 higher.

Max turns to the outside veranda doors, with one kick, pushing them open such that they rattle back and several of the pains shatter own onto the tile. "Back onto the Veranda. Away from -that-." Says Maximilian, as he gestures to ulfric. "Protect Lady Carita." he says before he, alaricite at hand, moves to interpose himself with the darkness. "This. Is. My. House!" he bellows into the darkness. "You were not invited! You probably drank my fucking rum!"

Mikani checked composure at difficulty 10, rolling 4 higher.

Mika shrugs to Max. "Everything is complex anymore. I thought things were complex before but this is just weird." She remains near Edward, keeping the man protected while she is there and able. She looks at the servants as they fall to the floor and then she watches as the darkness begins to push its way in. "Oh, not this shit again."

Edward checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 6 higher.

Octavia is still calm as the night itself, turning quietly around to look at the darkness coming down the hall. Just because she called her corsairs to her side doesn't mean that she's not unflappable - it just means she doesn't fancy getting stabbed. She motions to her guards to stand in front and beside her, since she wouldn't want to have to draw her only weapon and mess her hair all up. "Do your servants forget how to walk, Max?" she quips. "It's the lack of rum, isn't it?"

Edward blinks watching the void as it creeps up the hallway from where he stands and then he turns to back towards the veranda. Not giving second thought to Max's orders. He shifts so it is easier for Mikani to stay between him and the hallway, though he checks to make sure he won't back up over anyone in the process of moving, "Well how about that...," he says puzzled, confused even, and with a hint of uncertainty in his tone.

Ulfric's eyes fall upon the encroaching void. That tug of fear pulls at the back of his throat, but he swallows it down with a grunt just as quickly as it comes. Looking back to Maximilian, he gives his lord a nod. "My pleasure." He plants his heels in front of Lady Cartia, holding his sword forward, eyes peeled for any who would share him from his task.

The small Princess inhales sharply and tries to not look at the darkness. It's not an easy task. She starts to tremble slightly and walks over to Cartia and Ulfric and Max, with white knuckled hands clenched in fear. "Count." Seva whispers. "What's going on?"

Darrow looks to the wall of dark. He frowns. He places the glass on the table top. He stands. He glowers at the dark.

Ford GM Roll checked theydrank(5) + alltherum(4) at difficulty 35, rolling 6 higher.

"Again," Carita repeats, mildly, as she sets down her emptied glass and glances aside to anyone that will answer the query. "This is happened before. What was it last time, if I might ask...?" She asks, peering around the meat wall that is Ulfric. "You are such a dear, Master Ravenhelm, standing directly in the way of the dangerous shadows."

Carita checked willpower + survival at difficulty 40, rolling 24 lower.

Ulfric checked willpower + survival at difficulty 40, rolling 19 lower.

Edward checked willpower + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 5 lower.

Darrow checked willpower + survival at difficulty 40, rolling 29 lower.

Maximilian checked willpower + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 24 higher.

Mikani checked willpower + survival at difficulty 40, rolling 33 lower.

Seva checked willpower + survival at difficulty 40, rolling 17 lower.

Octavia checked willpower + survival at difficulty 40, rolling 20 lower.

Mika sighs and as Edward shifts she puts herself between Edward and the darkness, dagger coming out as she moves. "Really, this magical darkness stuff is sort of cool and all but also really annoying. Expect something to attack from it. Possibly something big and ugly." She watches the darkness cautiously as it rolls in.

The entire party feels rigid. Every muscle in their body tenses and tightens, bringing everyone collectively to their knees. Save for the movement of their eyes, utterly paralyzed. Well, except for Max. Max, while still being compelled to sit on his knees on his floor is fighting it it -very- well, something inside him knows that he can still speak, while everyone else has no function other than their eye pieces.

When everyone is knelt on the floor, six figures step through...

6 Thrax Guards arrives, following Dagon.

Maximilian does the unexpected - he allows himself to follow the compulsion, though with him in control and not the mysterious force. He looks back, seeing where the others are in flickering lamplight... and then counts the attackers. When the tip of his blade touchs the ground, when the enemy comes the closest - thats when he strikes. Leaping forward, unscathed. Shaken, but unafraid. Angry. Rage blossoms in Maximilians heart. His home is invaded for the second time. His friends are in danger a second time. His sanctum defiled. The Count is going to have to have -so much- sex up here to rechristen it.

Through the dark, six men and women step through and move about the room. Their swords drawn as a precaution, they watch the house guests, but mostly focus on Max. Anyone who served in the Thirteen Hammers operation would recognize their style of dress as Gyre men. But these were no shavs. Good money paid of for those arms and armor. This was a strike team.

Once the Gyre Team Six was in place. One last man stepped through the void. A tall man, wearing a long black leather Admiral's coat. Entirely black. He was also sporting a rather flash Hitler Youth haircut and a pair of circular glasses. His hands are steepled in front of him, forearms resting on his hips as he walks in with a grace of someone refined, an educated man.

Drawing in a deep breath he comes to a stop in front of Max and kneels to his level, "Maximilian Darkwater." He says in a voice so...noble and proper. "Fittingly, you're a difficult man to reach in your....Reach."

Maximilian checked command + leadership at difficulty 15, rolling 21 higher.

The count of Darkwater is never speachless. AS the people filter into the room, Maximilian slides to the floor. "You know." Says Max, keeping his tone light - his words and will firm and focused. He projects a certain control, like a captain in the storm, keeping his bearing and demenour one the others can have faith in. "It you wanted an invitation to the party, you only had to -ask-."

Seva checked willpower + survival at difficulty 30, rolling 20 lower.

Ulfric checked willpower + survival at difficulty 30, rolling 10 higher.

Octavia checked willpower + survival at difficulty 30, rolling 10 lower.

Dagon checked willpower + survival at difficulty 30, rolling 5 higher.

Mika slowly falls to her knees, a pissed look crossing her face as she unwillingly finds herself on the ground and suddenly nothing else is working. The horror of her situation is painted in her eyes even though her face will not move from its pissed off position. With her body having tensed the dagger in her hand is clenched there tightly, no doubt she is cursing inwardly at the fact she has it in her hand and cannot use it. Her eyes look between their 'guests' and Max.

Carita is compelled by unseen forces to the floor. Tensed as tugged harp-strings, heart hammering with anger-fear-rage-fear, as she is brought to her knees. As a supplicant in prayer. Her sea-blue eyes dart about, limited in their field of view because she cannot otherwise move nor speak. Eventually she simply flits her eyes down and seethes in frozen silence.

Already terrified, it's almost too easy for whatever magic this is to force Seva to the floor. Her long black hair shades her face as she kneels, covering the mixture of anger and fear that contorts her pretty face.

The man shakes his head, "No no, dinner parties are...wearisome." He rises to his feet, "Though I do suppose, if we're going to be doing this, I should introduce myself, as I already know you. Oh so well. I am Solomon Stane. I am something of a retrieval specialist for the One True King. I'm sure you've heard of him, hm?"

Through sheer force of will, Dagon and Ulfric manage to brute force their way into speaking again, they regain control of their vocal abilites.

Dagon has a look of determination on his face as he struggles against the foul magic. His faith would see him through this, he repeated a litany of strength in his mind and leveled his gaze upon the gyre strike force. "Why...are....you...doing this?" He struggles with the words but refuses to submit.

Ulfric feels his breath catch in his throat time and time again, trying desperately to twitch or pull at every muscle he could still remember he had. Nothing seemed to work for the longest time, but he still kept pressing forward. Eventually, there was a wave of relief as he felt his lips finally part. "Cheap tricks!" He'd yell. "Come at us on equal ground you damn magicians!"

Octavia is forced to the floor, unable to move, and is absolutely furious about it. That time Dagon tried to pay for her drink involved significantly less shade than she's casting on whatever the fuck those things are that are holding them to the floor.

"Stain." Says Maximilian, thoughtfully. "How convenient your name and your eventual state of being are in allignment. Some might call that provadence." Says Maximilian - his voice still firm, still confident. "Come on, Stain... If your man was the one true king.. he'd have -so many- more Vassals right now."

Forced to the floor Edward grunts before even that ability is taken from him. His eyes move wildly about the room and panic sets in when the men appear. He would do things. many things but his body resists the urge to do them, no matter the force he exerts upon his own limbs. There on his knees he is helpless and the fear in his eyes shows he knows it.

Solomon snaps his head in the direction of both Dagon and Ulfric as they speak up, he laughs, "How interesting! This little.. trick always leaves one able to speak, I was so grateful it was Max, but you two as well? You'll have to tell me how you managed it." But Stane's gaze returns to Max, "It's about quality, Max, not quantity." He then nods to Gyre Team Six, who go about ransacking the joint, "Where is it?"

Darrow sinks to his knees, still remaining starkly tall even so. He sits mute, and resolute. Honestly - his expression doesn't change much for being frozen.

"It's already already in the Royal Vaults." Says Max, exhaling... "So you may as well go pull this trick on the Iron Guard, Soloman Stain. AS for the Prince and my goodman Ravenshelm... you will find the Men of Thrax have always been a breed apart from the Marin."

Dagon wishes he could turn his head to face his friend Max. He would have smiled at what he said, even in such a situation as this.

Mika didn't need the ability to speak or even to have her face frozen in its pissed off position. Her eyes alone shot daggers of absolute hate at the men there. No doubt if she were free of whatever the fuck magical bullshit had ahold of them she would be trying to plunge the dagger in her hands into one of their chests. The heat of rage radiated off her and it was likely anyone with any empathetic capabilities could feel it.

Ulfric stiffens his upper lip. "That's fancy code from built tougher than these shit parlor tricks." He huffs, his face twitching as he still forced any part of him he possibly could to move at least an inch. "And my liege certainly better off than any of you who needs to hold him down through this trickery."

Carita checked perception + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 24 higher.

Carita can feel the heat of Mika's rage and would roast marshmallows with it. Mm, toasty.

If looks could kill... between Mika and Octavia, Stane would be a bonfire right now. The worst part is that since she can't speak, the Kennex woman has all of this time to come up with ways to verbally eviscerate the supernatural shitbird in front of them. It's going to be an interesting time when she can move her mouth again.

Solomon clicks his tongue, whatever Max had said not enough to keep him occupied. He looks to Ulfric and squints his right eye, then nods to one of his boys. The burly man in the lovely evil armor steps up and clocks Ulfric right in the nose.

With a sigh, almost an apology back to Max, "No, it's not in the Royal Vaults." Stane straightens again and moves through the room, looking upon everyone there with some scrutiny, appraisal.

Ford GM Roll checked yagot(4) + mouthyson(3) at difficulty 20, rolling 10 higher.

Punched in the nose.

Ulfric takes minor damage.

Octavia checked willpower + survival at difficulty 25, rolling 4 lower.

Carita checked willpower + survival at difficulty 25, rolling 13 lower.

Whatever fear that had made her shake before was overrode by anger at the sight of her friend being harmed. The danger had frightened her then the treatment of her fellow guests had upset her and this? Broke the last straw. There was hate burning in her eyes and she sorely wished she could move.

Seva checked willpower + survival at difficulty 25, rolling 14 lower.

Mika continues to sit there glaring hate daggers.

Can't blame a man for trying. "Hey Stain. You remember Krakensmaw? Your one true kings fortress? I pissed from the tallest tower, I shat in the main bedroom - I fornicated atop his banners. One. True. King? Phah!" He declares, seeing his guardsman attacked. "I am the destroyer of Krakensmaw and his entire shity little fleet. Come back here and fight like a proper warrior!"

Maximilian said that.

Mikani checked willpower + brawl at difficulty 25, rolling 16 lower.

Carita remains frozen, remains speechless, remains looking down. It's a good opportunity to listen.

Ulfric grunted as his words got socked right back through his mouth, his head craned back a bit further now thanks to that. He felt a trickle of blood starting to make way down his face. His tongue swept it up as it reached his lips, staring back at his assaulter with... a small smile. "Good arm on you, son."

Maximilian checked willpower + leadership at difficulty 30, rolling 4 lower.

Edward breathes a little heavily and then he pauses in it as he blinks and then he starts to make eye motions. Perhaps wanting attention or perhaps just going mad with fear.

As Stain moves through the room, while his men are trashing the join, searching. He stops, in front of Carita. Solomon's eyes narrow and he kneels, putting his fingers under her chin and lifting her head to meet her eyes. When they do, they widen slightly, and a small smile peels across his face, "You've turned out wonderfully, my dear." Then Max said something about shitting on a bed, that earns a laugh and some more of his attention, "I've never been to Krakensmaw. Heard it was nice though, before the sacking." Another sigh, "Now Max, I know you're a hard man, and you want me to hit you. But I'd like for you to tell me where it is, you know what, or I'm going to start dismantling your friends. While you watch."

Yeah. That didn't go as planned. Max lifts one brow. "I told you. THe spoils of Krakensmaw are in the royal vaults. Go talk to Victus and Dawn, if you can pry his cock out of her long enough to get a word in edge wise."

Octavia finally gets control of her jaw, working it back and forth, and then asking in a very level, deliberate tone, "Why are you here? Why aren't you doing something useful, like scouring the city for whatever enchanted dildo you lost and then returning to the Depths so that you can fuck fish, or however the Marins get their jollies these days?"

Dagon raises his voice as loud as it can go. "You are a coward! Start with me you filthy swine." He struggles against the magics as hard as he may.

Stain gives Max a look with a lowered brow like, 'sheesh, the mouth on that one.' But Octavia is paid no more mind. He waggles his finger in front of Max, "That's not what I mean."

Her eyes dialate - depthless black pupil swallowing the cold blue of her irisises. Carita is far too still to give Solomon any kind of expression beyond that.

Maximilian checked willpower + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 12 higher.

Ulfric has rolled a critical success!
Ulfric checked willpower + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 24 higher.

Mikani checked willpower + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 6 lower.

Carita checked willpower + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 5 lower.

Seva tried to clear the profanities and threatens from her head and focus. There had to be a way to get out of this. To move! To do anything but be a useless damsel in distress. Seva inhales sharply and tries to move any part of her body that she can. Starting with fingers and going from there.

Seva checked willpower + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Octavia checked willpower + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 13 higher.

Dagon has rolled a critical success!
Dagon checked willpower + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 69 higher.

Darrow checked willpower + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

Edward checked willpower + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Finally, one of Stane's men shakes his head. Solomon tightens his jaw and sighs through his nose, pat patting Max on the cheek. "That's unfortunate. Seems my information was...incorrect. Until next time Max my boy..." Turning on his heel, as Solomon makes his way back to the void, everyone seems to have raged out of their magical restraints...

Octavia wields shined steel hairpins.

Ulfric checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 3 higher.

Dagon checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 38 higher.

Nearly inside the void, Ulfric blasts through whatever mystic force was keeping everyone restrained. Hurtling forward, he draws his blade from it's sheathe and in a single fluid motion, strikes the very tip of his blade across Solomon's back, while not an incredible wound, it's enough to make him stop and turn around. A look of utter disbelief on his face just as Dagon appears from nowhere, lurching out of his knealing position to drive his own sword into Solomon's side. The blade penetrates far enough that Solomon stumbles back, using a force of air to push Dagon away as he clutches his side, disappearing into the darkness. The moment he's emerged in black, it recedes down the hall in the blink of an eye.

That just leaves the rest of Max's guests with 6 well trained soldiers...

Maximilian checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 4 higher.

Edward checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 2 higher.

Carita checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 5 higher.

Ulfric checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 11 higher.

Dagon checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 10 higher.

Seva checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 11 higher.

Octavia checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 10 higher.

Dagon checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 7 higher.

Mikani checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 4 higher.

Maximilian checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 13 higher.

Darrow checked luck at difficulty 5, rolling 5 higher.

Max comes to his feet, the blade is already in his hand. It's like a rising tide, the way he comes up to his full height, the black ombra cloak flowing down his back and fury rattling through his bones. Stalking forward now he picks up a salad plate full of - well - salad - and then slams it with a backhanded blow, edge side on, into the neck of one of the cultists... It's deliberate and malicious, intended to hurt.

Then - Maximilian is chasint after Stain. "Ulfric, Darrow! Handle this!"

Ulfric stands in total relief after his mystical bounds are broken, the tip of his blade riddled with the blood of their captor. He never felt so satisfied in his life.

But now was not the time to dally on pleasure. His smile turned to grimace, blade held firmly in hand as he turned to face the strike team. "As you wish, my liege." He barked back, his face sporting a crimson streak from his nose to his chin.

Ulfric checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 14 higher.

Ulfric lets out a loud cry as he strikes forward, he remembered that man. The one that socked him good. Well, he was going to sock him extra good for that one. Swinging his blade forward, he moved to slash straight across, aiming to give the man much less of a nose than he was left with when he came in.

Seva checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 10, rolling 7 higher.

Octavia checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 10, rolling 4 lower.

Dagon firmly believes these men had the chance to turn away from their ways. Even if they were following orders they deserved to be put to the sword. "How dare you all raise your hand against the Lord of this House!" He moves quickly but deliberately towards one of the guards to the Southeast. Flourishing his blade and spinning on his heel to deliver more force to his blow.

Dagon checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 38 higher.

Seva For once in her life, Seva steps up to try and defend her friends. As the spell or magic dissipates she launches herself up and at the table. Her small hands scramble to find something sharp. A knife, meant to cut meat, now is clutched in her hand to cut a cultist. She targets the one that had taken the Count's salad plate to the neck and tries to drive the knife into a wedge in the man's armor.

To her credit, Octavia has a brilliant idea for a sneak attack. One of the assailants is near where she's knelt, and a hairpin to the knee would be effective (and probably hilarious). Problem is that the woman is a bookworm, not a warrior. She misjudges the swing, and misses quite completely.

Carita checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 10, rolling 3 higher.

Carita is up and onto her feet when the moment to move presents itself, she flees, and ducks behind the Darkwater Desk. A pale hand appears over it, blindly groping the surface of the desk until she gets into contact with a decently sized object - a heavy paperweight of a rum cask. She throws this, and the arc of the paperweight is directed generally westward. But she isn't looking to see if it connects.

Mikani checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 20, rolling 23 higher.

Darrow wields a deadly flail with three spiked steel teardrops.

Edward checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 6 higher.

When Mika jukes one way Edward goes the other. Sweeping up a table knife he slides up next to the man standing over the Chief Magistrate and slides it in between the ribs. The blade finding the opening between armor and pit where nothing is there to protect.

Darrow has rolled a critical success!
Darrow checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 35, rolling 113 higher.

Pissed off Mika was now pissed off and free of the magical cage that had enslaved the ex-thrall. Like fuck was she not moving across the room to the nearest target to sink the wavy blade in her hand into the asshole. Whether or not it was this person or another that was responsible for claiming possession of her ability to do anything but sit there like a drooling vegetable didn't matter. No, all that mattered was that this person was with the person who did it and as the blade in her hand was driven up towards their gut, there was no mercy. She put her rage into the strike and was pleased when she felt the pop of flesh ripping and the warm blood oozing down over her fingers.

Darrow stands like a specter, silently, as the warped hold upon his body weakens. His face is grim, and fell to behold. The command from Max needs left little be said, and the sound of his leather gloves tightening around the haft of his three-teared flail is the only sound he makes. That is, until the wet thud of metal against meat strikes out, the end result of his two-handed strike against the two furthest into the room, and the two...unluckiest to be near him. Splinters fly from the wall, the floor, as the three heads of the flail strike and score them as collateral in their brutal flagellation of the two Gyre men.

Within seconds, The Ward Room is fucking pandemonium. One of the ELITE STRIKE TEAM is stunned as a salad plate crashes into his face, then almost immediately after that Princess Seva drives a steak knife up under his armor stabbing into his under arm.

Ulfric manages to bring his sword to bear, dislodging one of these Gyre loyalists noses from their faces. The man keels backwards in horrible screams as he drops his weapon and reaches for his gushing face hole.

As Octavia tries to cleverly jab a man in the knee...and her hairpins only make it as far as Max's nice carpet, Edward leaps in, dashing his blade across the black steel armor of the invader, sending sparks outwards. Lucky for Octavia the invader turns his attention entirely to Edward..

Mika manages to slip her little blade up into her target's armor, sneaking it between the plates to release some of that excess lifeblood the man had been building up.

And then theres Darrow. The man who just kind of ghosted out of nowhere sends his flail on two opponents, when those steel teardrops connect they lift the men off the ground and send them crashing into Max's bookcases, the other goes headfirst over Max's desk.

Ford GM Roll checked trustme(4) + theseguysarepro(4) at difficulty 25, rolling 14 higher.

Ford GM Roll checked trustme(4) + theseguysarepro(4) at difficulty 25, rolling 19 higher.

Ford GM Roll checked trustme(4) + theseguysarepro(4) at difficulty 25, rolling 7 higher.

Ford GM Roll checked trustme(4) + theseguysarepro(4) at difficulty 25, rolling 21 higher.

Ford GM Roll checked trustme(4) + theseguysarepro(4) at difficulty 25, rolling 18 higher.

North, the man Seva stabbed brings his hand down, backhanding her down to the ground.

And because I missed it, Dagon, with a lovely spin sets his sword to Southeast hard enough to set him back a few feet, severely denting his armor enough that it's putting an unpleasant pressure on his chest. He comes down on Dagon with all the ferocity that he brought on him, slashing down at him.

With a growl, the man that Mika stabbed growled, turning his hip and bringing his elbow against her head.

Backhanded

Seva takes moderate damage.

Downward Swung backhandef

Dagon takes serious damage.

Seva checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 10, rolling 11 higher.

Maximilian checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 10, rolling 29 higher.

Edward checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

Dagon checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 44 higher.

Ulfric checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 10 higher.

Octavia checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 10, rolling 4 lower.

6 Thrax Guards have been dismissed.

Darrow checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 29 higher.

Elbowed!

Mikani takes minor damage.

Mikani checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 30 higher.

Maximilian checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 24 higher.

Darrow eventually stops beating the black-clad man to the south. Seemingly the purpose was accomplished.

Maximilian has his sword out - and Stain has escaped into his darkness. "I'm starting to think that man has commitment issues." He mutters as he turns to slam his blade - brutal alaricite - into the nearest man. There's no finess. No gratiutous brutality and no tagline. Just slaughter. "Keep the last one alive. I want interrogation material."

Seva is backhanded hard enough that there is an audible crack. The man's gauntlet leaves a cut in it's wake and manages to knock her to the floor. Everything seems to be spinning as she tries to swing at him again, this time reaching around behind his leg to slash at his calf.

Mission accomplished. The man that stands over the Magistrate is now looking at Edward. And when he turns to regard him, Edward attempts to just level that knife right into his eye. One of the more vulnerable points on a person...and the most likely to give Edward delicious delicious screams.

Dagon steps to the side of his opponents wild swing and steps in quickly. His blade slides down the base of his weapon, his footwork is sure and swift as he steps into his guard and wedges his blade between his armor and gorget, hping he might find purchase in the flesh beneath.

Ulfric seeing that vengeance has been done, sweeps his eyes back over the rest of the Ward Room. Spotting the unfortunate Seva having been slapped to the ground, he roars in anger. With blade held forward, he charges like an angry bull, blade held forward like the horn he intended to cleave straight through that bastard.

Poor South. By the time Darrow actually finished hitting the man, he was nothing but paint on the floor, with some ruined metal mixed in.

Southeast met a similar fate, though, not nearly as gruesome. The Duke pushed his blade past the steel armor and continued onwards until Southeast simply stopped being.

Octavia swings at the man nearest to her, and once again completely misses it, so the magistrate tries a different tactic - becoming less of a burden to those fighting. Under the table she goes, where she's at least somewhat safe, and anyone who strays too close to the table might get a hairpin angrily gestured in their direction.

There is a grunt as Mika is elbowed but that does not stop her from ripping the blade out of her assailant's chest and moving to slash it back at the individual's gut again. She was still livid, still enraged to the point of thoughtlessly attacking and the pain of the elbow only drove her forward that much more dangerously. Angry Mika is angry.

The Captain's Ward was nothing but a deafening barrage of clanging steel and shouting men. When two of their brethren fall to their enemies blades, they start to move in towards each other, putting themselves at a better defensive position, but it was starting to look like even these men knew it wasn't looking good for them. North takes another swing at Max as he backs up, East was having a hard time keeping that Mikani from chilling the fuck out with her tiny little knife he was doing anything possible to get her away from him while trying to move back to his comrades. West is locked up with Edward, the rest using him as a beacon a rally point. As such he uses his hilt to shove Edward off, giving him room to breathe. Southwest? He's unconscious, and currently in Max's Romance novels section of his bookshelf.

Ford GM Roll checked maydaymayday(5) at difficulty 5, rolling 44 higher.

Ford GM Roll checked maydaymayday(5) at difficulty 5, rolling 30 higher.

Maximilian checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 31 higher.

Octavia checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 10, rolling 2 higher.

Darrow has rolled a critical success!
Darrow checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 93 higher.

Edward checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 5 lower.

Ulfric checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 22 higher.

Seva checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 10, rolling 6 higher.

Mikani checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 44 higher.

Dagon checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 38 higher.

From underneath the table, Octavia spots a moment of weakness on East as he backs away from Mikani. Lashing out from under the table, this time she connects, driving her hairpin into the calf and hopefully slowing him down.

6 Thrax Guards have been dismissed.

Dagon wastes no time in finding his next foe, unfortunately for the cultist he was clearly out to finish the job. Dagon feints, and performs a vicious vertical slash.

Then the man comes back at Max - apparently mad that the count sworded (Technical term) him as hard as he was sworded. Setting his posture and stance, Max blocks the incoming blows, parrying them before he slips forward, into the other mans guard. A knee to the groin, then a pommel to the jaw staggers and slows the attacker, spinning him to face Seva, his guard down.

Ulfric drives his blade straight through the gut of the would-be nose puncher that scuffed up his face something fierce earlier. "I've got a good arm too, boy." He spat, twisting the blade through the gut and wrenching it free once again. He turns toward the rest as it seems the night is finally winding away.

Well West was busy with Edward, who flails at him for purchase with the knife as he is shoved back and then the Lord's eyes widen as the brittle 'tchink' is made. The snapping of the blade of the knife on the swordsman's armor. "Shit..," he grouses as he shifts his stance to avoidance now instead of combat.

Seva scrambles to her feet as the man diverts his attention towards Max. She staggers, looking for an open while her attacker is facing away. It comes. Max manages to spin the man and Seva, slams the knife into the space where the helmet and chest piece meet. It cuts through throat and upwards.

Oh no, Mika's target was not going anywhere. She saw to that as she grabbed the dagger and ripped it across his throat, a spray of blood spraying out as the pressure of the slit artery bursts forward. For the time she doesn't even realize Octavia has helped, she is blind to her rage. As her dagger swept across their neck she let out an angry battle cry and then looks up to see who else there is to slay... no one... So she doesn't stop, she follows her victim to the ground and starts driving her dagger over and over and over into the man, a bloody mess pooling around her and the body. She let's slip an endless stream of profanity as she rages at the corpse.

ignoring the second fallen man to the southwest, Darrow switches to his shorter blade, stepping over Octavia like a wraith. As the Magistrate finally slips her needle into the enemy's shin, Darrow shoves with a mailled shoulder, aiding the man to his knees. Then, with palm-on-pommel, he drives his broadsword down in a wedge at the man's clavicle, slipping into the apex of the lung and killing the man with a rending gasp of wet air. He speaks, finally, his pale-blue eyes hollow as he looks over the corpses, searching for more blood, disappointed at the end. "Magistrate. Your vigilance was warranted." He extends a gloved hand to Octavia to help her up.

The calamity had finished. Six dead men lay in Max's -destroyed- office(one snoozing with some serious wounds). While the damage to the drinks party was minimal, it's safe to say their night was ruined.

Certainly leaving more questions than answers, the group stands in silence a moment, covered in blood, even you Octavia, you got blood on your clothes. The one bright note of the evening was that Solomon Stane did not get what he wanted, but other than that, they're left with cuts and scrapes, and a busted up office.

The gang may also notice that out the windows, the sun is -actually- setting. For real this time.