Enter the Harlequin - Let the game begin

It was blood bath. Arrows flew into the mob with deadly accuracy and Balars axe sliced through flesh and bone as men tried and failed to get within a swords swing of Majvoc. At the rear of the room Luna released a barrage of spells designed to deter and terrify their drunken assailants. Tiella was fending off two men with her dagger and would have been overwhelmed if they had not been well into their cups. As it was she was able to duck and stab out with her dagger as they clumsily swiped at her with their blades, getting in each others way for the most part. An arrow took one of them in the chest and Tiella seized the opportunity to lash out at the other with her blade. He stumbled back clutching his face with a blood soaked hand.

Suddenly the outer door slammed open and an acrid stench filled the room. A beastile roar sounded from darkness without and then another. The fighting trailed off as a tall figure stepped into the doorway, shrouded in a cloak of patchwork red and green diamonds. As he stepped into the room the fire light and candles flickered and shifted to an ethereal blue and then a sickly green. Shadows played against the walls and the air grew cold.

The tall stranger began to clap slowly as he walked towards the centre of the room and then with a bark of cruel laughter he threw back his cloak.

"Oh my dear Balar, you always did know how to throw a great party."

"Harlequin." Balar growled in recognition, "You son of a bitch, did you cause this?"

"How dare you." he answered in mock surprise, "Oh who am I kidding, yes yes it was all me. A nudge here a push there and pouch of gold for dear old Borrs. Borrs?...Borrs where are you my dear. Ah here you are."

The drunken mercenary was crouched in the corner and at the mention of his name had tried to crawl under a table. There was a flicked of movement and Harlequin was suddenly stood over the man. He reached down and pulled the mercenary to his feet.

"There there Borrs you did well." He gave the man a pat on the head.

"Did well?" Tiella snarled, "I'll bloody kill him."

"Oh no need for that," Harlequin smiled and the diamond pattern that adorned his face and clothing shifted from green and red to black and white, his eyes flashed with eldritch power as he turned and thrust his hand into the mercenaries chest. There was a wet sucking sound as he plucked out the mans still beating heart and brought it to his lips. His tongue flicked out and spat to one side as the corpse fell to the ground at his feet. He then threw the heart to Luna who stepped aside in disgust.

There were five of the drunken louts left now and they were all edging towards the door.

"Oh please be my guest." Harlequin said as he motioned for them to leave. Then didn't need telling twice as to a man they bolted into the night. There came sudden screams without and another ear splitting roar.

"What is out there?" Majvoc asked.

"Oh some friends of mine." replied Harlequin, suddenly taking an interest in the thief. There was another flicker of movement and he was standing next to Majvoc. His diamond patterns had shifted once more to gold and silver. His eyes shone now with a golden light as he reached forward and plucked a coin from behind the mans ear.

"He was trying to steal from you Balar. Shall I take his hands?" He began to roll the coin between his fingers, "Hands are very useful." he mused then giggled to himself.

OOC : And away we go :)