Viva le Resistance! IC

[Amnestic]

The back-room of Heyen's Magic Knick-Knack Emporium is deceptively spacious. The stone floors are fairly clean, the walls bare and a single window looks out into a back-alley. The majority of the light is cast by a single lantern sat on a table in the centre of the room, surrounded by chairs on one side, with a singular chair on the other. In this singular chair sits a man – a human by the looks of him – who refers to himself as Sparrow's Eye. He's fairly short from what you can tell, grizzled looks, short brown/greying hair and a certain grace to his movements which shows he's a fair bit more trained than the complaining about his old back lets on. He's clad in old, scratched leather armour covered mostly by a dark coat. “So this is it.” He says, eyeing the group up. “I was expecting one more but...not important. We've had our eyes on you – all of you – for a while. The Resistance thinks you would be a great asset to our cause. Numbers are thin and we lose more and more every day; skilled people like yourself are a rarity and one we wish to have on our side.”

“The job – the first job – we want you to do is simple to understand, but difficult to execute. This...” Sparrow's Eye tugs a piece of paper from his pocket and pushes it across the table, revealing a small hand-drawn portrait of an elven man, “is Lieutenant Thenius. He'll be visiting the city in two days to help bolster morale among the Tenitians and see General Entae. He's a personal friend of both the General and the Emperor of Tenit, as well as something of a War Hero. We want you to kill him.”

He lets the words hang in the air for a moment before continuing. “He'll be staying here for two weeks at the Drakin Building in the Business District. Information on the layout of the building is spotty at best. We know there's two floors, likely a cellar somewhere too. We got an agent inside but he wasn't seen again; he might be locked up or dead. We don't know. "

"What we do know is that there is roof access from the adjacent buildings and one front door which is staffed by three guards at any one time. The roof access is probably locked, so you'll need to find a way to get through that if you choose that route. I wish we had more to offer you, but the entire building is almost a fortress in and of itself. No information comes out.” He pauses again, taking a deep puff off a pipe he's been cradling in his left hand.

“You will be paid for your services of course. Two hundred gold pieces now if you accept, another thousand when you're done and an additional five hundred if you can find our agent. Each.” He tugs a jingling brown bag from his coat and places it on the table.

He leans back in his chair, seemingly done with his long-winded explanation. “Questions?”

[Yuki Akuma]

At the news that she's been watched for 'a while', the human-looking woman with the yellow eyes looks vaguely uncomfortable. "I've been in the city for two weeks..." she mumbles. She speaks Common with a bit of an accent, but it's hard to place - northery, for sure, but it's not an accent anyone this far south has likely heard before.

At the news that they're expected to kill, she looks up sharply. "...What has this 'Lieutenant'," she doesn't recognise the word, "done to warrant his death?"

[Amnestic]

Sparrow's Eye smirks a little, though he tries to cover it up by putting the pipe to his mouth. "Not many people enter the city without someone hearing about it. You were first noticed by a street rat...Fish, I think, and we had our eyes on you soon after. They make their living spotting interesting people, so they develop quite an eye for it."

He coughs a little, grumbles a little about how he's not as young as he used to be, and continues. "As for Lieutenant Thenius, his campaign has been long and bloody. Soldier for 32 years, he attained 'war hero' status when he singlehandedly hunted down and purged an entire village that had been harbouring two people plotting to kill the Emperor of Tenit - killed 'em all, men, women, children. I'd say child murder is reason enough, but consider that if he doesn't die - and die soon - he could live to commit another such atrocity and likely will if he gets his way here in Fariness."

[Kurai]

"A war hero, eh?" says the young man on the right with an amused tone, lounging in his chair and somehow making it look elegant. "I hope our dear citiziens know the truth and don't believe that ludicrousness. Otherwise, give me an evening and he'll be either the next six-headed monster of Tenit or the king's personal court fool in all of Fariness." He winks at his employer with a half-grin, then throws one arm over the back of his own chair.
"Other than that, I guess what we would be useful is information, lots of it. But two bottles of good wine or beer, a few patriotic songs and we'll have those guards singing like the southern nightingale."
Jasper smiles into the round, regarding his new comrades with mischief glittering in his slanted eyes.
"So what will it be? Up or down? I'd be one for a flashy entrance, but I admit not everyone shares my taste in tactics."

[Vladislav]

The day didn't start well for Razd Vatriss. In the morning, he arrived to his studio to find a closure notice, with a Tenitian goverment seal. It continued even worse, when his fat red-faced landlord flatly refused to reimburse him on the rent based on this technical issue.

On the way back, as he was contemplating his future plans, if any, he was handed the scroll. Resistance? Armed struggle? Normally, he wouldn't consider such things; he intended to throw the paper in the nearest trashcan, but was interrupted by a marching platoon of Tenitian soldiers. One of them pushed a local women out of the way rather rudely. Razd shook his head and made it to Heyen's. What did he have to lose?

Having heard Sparrow's offer (if it could be called such), he swallowed his spit. A child-killer. A mass-murederer. He had to be taken down. But am I the right man for the job? he wondered to himself. On a more practical note, he didn't know much about killing, but morale was his forte. He gathered his thoughts to formulate a question.

Is this lieutenant going to leave this fortress of a building at any time, or is he going to stay there the whole two weeks? Wouldn't be much of a morale bolster if it was the latter.

[Doggie_arf]

A dark scowl on his face, Laron sits in his chair somewhat uncomfortably as he listens to the older man's words. So, he'd been watched by the Resistance, probably for quite some time before the messenger had approached him. The message had been puzzling even then, especially coming from a (seemingly) drunk person he'd been forced to evict from the tavern. The words of this Sparrow's Eye had cleared up quite a bit about what was required. Why they'd selected him was another question entirely. Not that it really matters. It's something to do, and something that'll help you take down a few of those bastards. And this Lieutenant sounds like a real winner. Some of the old anger threatens to rise to the surface at the thought of the foreign officer's atrocities, and Laron tamps it down, forcing himself to pay attention to the conversation.

"I'd agree with that," he adds, concurring with the athletic man (a dancer?) who had spoken earlier. "He'd have to show up if he wants to motivate the Tenitian soldiers. It might be easier to kill him when he's travelling to their barracks, rather than breaking into that building."

[Savannah]

The elf woman had slipped into the meeting after everyone else, and took a seat near the back of the room. Hearing that they were to kill someone, she shivered and glanced up for the first time, looking to see if anyone else had the same reaction. At the news that he was a child murderer, however, her expression changed from hesitation to anger.

She seems content to listen to the others planning, although she nods in agreement to the idea of attacking the lieutenant outside of the fortress.

[Amnestic]

"If you can find him out and about, excellent." He seems a little enthused that you've started planning things out, if only because it means you'll likely take the job, though also a touch disappointed since it might mean the loss of their agent; for the moment at least.

"But as to his schedule...we don't know anything concrete. All we do know I've already told you. We do know that some of the Drakin's guards like to drink at a little hole nearby called...I think it's the Sea Serpent's Breath. You might be able to get something out of them. Heyen can give you directions outside. The Lieutenant will still likely have an escort of some size even outside, though it will probably be less than the men inside the Drakin."

[Yuki Akuma]

The almost-human woman's grip tightened on her staff as she listened. She looks down, mostly, eyes narrow. "...I don't like this..." But she doesn't appear to be rejecting the offer.

[Doggie_arf]

The Sea Serpent's Breath, hmm. Heard of it before, but it's not a place I'd visit with all those Tenitians around........

"Might be a good idea to pay that tavern a visit, then. Is there anything we'd should know about the place?" As he asks that question, Laron tries to recall what he has heard about the Sea Serpent's Breath and its patrons.

Knowledge (local) - [roll0]

[Kurai]

"Ah, the Sea Serpent's Breath! Fabulous little place, a little dingy, but there's wonderful wine. I'm not choosy, though." It didn't matter that he had actually never heard of that place, but that was beside the point. Jasper turned to some of his new comrades and eyes them up and down with a big, closed-lipped smile. He wondered if they were up the task, up to the exhilaration and joy of battle, the tiny subtle nuances of investigation that was right in his field of expertise. It was hard to tell here in the half-light of the tiny room and without many words from the others.

"So, there's two days to gamble away. I don't know if your content to sit around on your iron butts, but this is a nice chance for me to beat some Tetians and against odds, too. Save a helpless man locked in a impregnable fortress and kill their dreadful leader out in the open? Ah, that's my style!"

Looking at Sparrow's Eye, he slapped a hearty hand on the table edge. "Count me in, my dear fellow, you found the right man for this job! Do not worry at all, if your agent is still alive, there is no reason why I wouldn't be able to rescue him out of that hellhole." Overconfidence was probably Jasper's middle name, but one they had forgotten to tell him when he was old enough to know.

[Doggie_arf]

Dicefail FTL. Rerolling that check. (Please work........)

Knowledge (local) - [roll0]

(Okay, the dice appear to hate me today. :smallannoyed:

Should I try a link to an external diceroll website, or do you want to roll it on my behalf?

Alternatively, I could drop the check, and just listen to what the rest have to say........)

[Yuki Akuma]

Don't preview posts with rolls in them.

[roll0]

There. There's your knowledge check.

The dice don't hate you, you're just doing it wrong. :smalltongue:

Kitsu smiles slightly at Jasper. "...Confidence. That's good. At least one of us has confidence in this."

Hey. Girl. You don't have to do this, you know? This isn't your fight. You could just walk away. No one will judge you, comes the ethereal voice of Kitsu's spirit guide, Endemal. Not that anyone else can hear him.

The woman shakes her head. I know. And then, after a deep breath, she speaks. "...My name is Kitsu. Just Kitsu. I haven't earned a deed-name yet..." There's a pause. "I am a shaman to my people. I commune with the spirits of the land, and they lend me their aid in the form of... I think the Common is 'spells'? Not many. Not yet. My spirit guide is not yet... particularly capable at bargaining for aid. But I'll do what I can."

Oy.

[Vladislav]

Razd scratched his head. Sea Serpent's Breath, name rings a bell....

Knowledge (Local) [roll0]

[Amnestic]

"The Resistance-" He pauses, "I thank you for your help. Make no mistake, we only wish to see Fariness returned to its rightful rulers."


Knowledge Checks!
Laron remembers little about the Sea Serpent's Breath. It had a dwarf for a bartender and a steady, but slim, customer base. A small establishment, mostly serves the lower-paid staff of the Business District.

Razd notes quite a bit more. The bartender - Kigan - was an old fighter back in the day and still bears the scars of a fight with the Sea Serpent he named his bar after. He bought the Sea Serpent's Breath 20-or-so years ago with his adventuring spoils and retired, living out the rest of his days breaking up barfights and brewing some really quite exquisite ale. Kigan likely still has a fair bit of gold and magic items, though the chances of him storing them in an easily accessible place are low. He's retired, not senile :smallwink:

The backrooms entertain gambling with cards and dice (50gp entry fee), but the more...adult vices are strictly forbidden. Kigan's not averse to them per se, but he doesn't want that sort of stuff brought into his bar. The bar itself makes a steady profit, and has seen a positive return on Kigan's investment since he first purchased it. Though small and steady, its special brews are still praised around the Business District and beyond. The primary reason that the more "expensive" customers aren't entertained there is perception; The Sea Serpent's Breath is socially 'beneath' the more rich of the city despite the quality drinks on offer.

While Laron could only point the group in the general direction of the Sea Serpent's Breath, Razd is more than capable of leading the group straight there.

[Doggie_arf]

Well, that explains a lot. Thanks for the help about the rolls. :smallredface:

Gotta finish this post before I zonk out for the night........

"No problem," Laron half mutters the reply, his mind more focused on the issue at hand.

He can't recall much about the tavern, save that it's run by some old dwarf in the cheaper parts of the Business District. A couple of the others seem to recognize the name - they might know more about the Sea Serpent's Breath. At least, he hopes that the dancer does - he's not sure about the elf, the shaman (?) seems rather uncertain around the city, and he doesn't know how much bite the other man actually has to back up his bark.

"Any idea how we should 'visit' this tavern? 'Might not be a good idea for everyone to just barge in - too obvious, too much attention."

[Kurai]

"Ah, a Shaman, really? What a pleasure to meet you, Madame Kitsu. I would stand up and bow, but I fear I might hit my head on the ceiling. No offence, Sir Resistance Leader," Jasper said in his usual light-hearted and jovial tone, then winked at both of them.

"As for the tavern, why slink around like scaredy-cats? I vote you come in teams of two, leaving me to join the guards and throw a round or two in their god-forsaken leaders name." He gazed into faces that seemed to be slightly sceptical of his plan. "It's gonna get them drunk fast. They'll be like putty in our hands," he elaborated. Alcohol and guards, what could possibly go wrong with that combo?

Then, while opening his mouth, a thought seemed to strike him and the copper-haired man held up one single digit. "Actually, before we go on with discussing the battle plan... I, Jasper Haligon, the renowned Fox of Fariness, swashbuckler and duellist extraordinaire, need to know who my comrades in arms are. Wouldn't want to go into battle unprepared, would we?" He smiled foxy and there was no doubt how he had earned such a nickname.

While waiting for their answers, Jasper mused about the Tenitians in the city and their recent behavior. There had to be a soft spot or two he could use in a conversation...

Knowledge (local) 1d20+5
Let's see if it works beside the edit.. uhm, no. See OOC Thread for my roll. *takes note not to do this again this way*

[Vladislav]

Responding to the overconfident self-proclaimed duelist, Razd says, I am Razd Vatriss, a dance teacher. Well, I was, until they closed me down. It's stupid, really. Why would dancing bother them so much? Anyway, let's all pay a visit to that establishment and see what gives. Teams of two? Fine.

[Amnestic]

So I totally had a post. Guess which forum ate it? That's right. This one :smallsigh:

Sparrow's Eye sighed a little. "Sadly this behaviour seems typical of Tenit as of late; it seems they are intent to step their boots harder upon Fariness' peop-" He stops as his ears perk up, before standing up and checking outside the window, peering up and down the road. Jasper, Amira and Kitsu hear numerous boots marching together outside and you all hear the front door of the shop bang open. "Damn. Out of time. I was hoping we'd get a bit longer." He moves to the back of the room where a second door leads into the alley. "You have to leave. Now. If they find you here, they'll arrest or kill you. I'll keep delay them if they make it past Heyen. Go left, straight down to the end and then turn right. You should avoid the soldiers. Go, go!" He tugs the door open and urges you out.

[Savannah]

The elf woman had just opened her mouth to introduce herself when she heard the footsteps. Hurrying out the door with the others, she whispers "I'm Amira. Wizard."

[Doggie_arf]

Laron curses softly as he hears the warning to escape. Pushing back his chair, he rushes toward the door, quickly scanning the back alley before running in the given direction, matching his pace with the others. As he runs, he quickly completes the interrupted introductions.

"Laron Kelden. I was with the Fariness militia before, and lucky to survive."

With that, he focuses on running and watching out for any approaching Tenitian soldiers.

(Y'know, I had this post in one form or another for the past 12 hours, but never got around to finishing it before the pursuit.

Anyway, I'm not supposed to preview posts with rolls in them, right? Gotta get this one right, then.)

Perception (scanning the streets ahead) - [roll0]
Stealth (Move Silently, untrained, if needed) - [roll1]

[Yuki Akuma]

Kitsu looks somewhat shocked. Bootsteps? Warriors? She was certain a Shaman should be able to take on a few warriors, but...

The girl follows the rest, seeming to almost shrink as she moves - and then it becomes quite clear that she is, in fact, shrinking. And growing fur. Her clothes vanish as her body takes on a more... animalistic shape. And she turns into a fox. A white fox, oddly enough.

Well, foxes are sneakier...

[Kurai]

"Soldiers? I can take on a dozen! Let's show these guys what we're mad-..." Jasper was interrupted when the whole room rushed past him to the door, leaving him standing there for a second, flabbergasted. "Oh, come on! We're running now?"
Sighing, he danced a step forward, snatched up the forgotten money bag from the table and grinned at an alarmed Sparrow's Eye. "For our expenses, right? Tata!"

With that he hurried after his new comrades, almost stumbling over the little white fox right behind the troop. "Lookit that, if I wouldn't call that a sign of luck!" The swashbuckler laughed out loud, trying to catch up with the rest. There were quite enough soldiers to deal with in the near future, he guessed.
"So, where exactly are we running to?" he asked between gasps for breath.

[Vladislav]

Running from the heavy boot of the law? Ah, that made a lot more sense than plotting to kill a high-ranking officer. Soon, we'll be caught, hanged, and the world will make total sense again. At least Razd had the sense to keep this pessimistic outlook to himself. Down to the end and right, down to the end and right, one two three, down to the end and right - he repeated to himself rhytmically, to choreograph away any thoughts of what will happen to Sparrow now... he said he will "delay" them... wonder at what cost... no, don't think about that, down to the end and right, down to the end and right.

When they put some distance between the pursuit and themselves, he took a deep breath. Don't know about you, but I need a drink.

[Amnestic]

The group exits from the alley together onto a bustling city street. Scanning the people around you, the only Tenitians you can see are far off to the left and appear to be on their normal patrol route; they do not appear to be a part of the group you are "tactically relocating away from". The street itself is about 20-25 feet across and represents a smaller tributary street between the Noble District and the Commercial District. It has less traffic compared to the larger streets, but at this point a throng of people are heading home or heading out on the town for the evening leading it to be quite packed with people walking in both directions.

Turning to the left would lead you deeper into the Noble District, while turning to the right would lead you to the Commercial District - mostly markets, inns, taverns, smaller shops like Heyen's own. The Business District lies adjacent to both to the north, dealing primarily with bigger business dealings that involve shipping manifests, treaties, contracts and the like.

I'll have a rudimentary city-map done in the future - probably Wednesday. Likely in done MS Paint because...well, that's what I have, and I'm not nearly practised enough with any other programs to do it to any sort of skill level. It'll be basic, but it should give people a better understanding of the layout of the city, or so I hope. I'll drop it in the first post of the OOC thread for easy access once it's done.

[Yuki Akuma]

The white fox trots along after the humanoids - although actually it looks as though it could run faster than they could, so maybe it's just keeping pace with them. Once they exit the alleyway, the fox looks for a handy surface at around eye-level to the humanoids, and... speaks!

"I think it would be best if I pretend to be someone's pet while in this form... arctic foxes aren't common here." You know, in case anyone missed this was the woman who seems to have vanished. "Miss... Amira, was it? Am I right in thinking that Shamans of your sort often keep pets?"

[Kurai]

With a large grin that spoke of possible trouble, Jasper bowed down a bit, placing his hands on his knees and looking at the speaking fox. "Heh, I could use one of you. Or maybe a bear... or a mountain lion. Boy, I'd be the life of the festivities with a talking animal. At least, even more than I am now!"

Standing back up and jiggling the bag he had snatched, the copper-head glanced at the rest of them. "A drink sounds about right, but first we should take care of this. Wouldn't do us any good if we divided stacks of money between suspicious Tenitian guards. Afterwards... I'd say we hit the Sea Serpent's Breath, the sooner we get some good information, the better we are off." His grin turned evil when ideas filled his head. I can't wait for a try to wrap these guards around my fingers.

[Doggie_arf]

The talking fox startles Laron, and he stares blankly at the transformed shaman for a few seconds before recovering himself. See something new every day........must be some form of magic. Don't think I'll understand it. The jingling sound from the coin purse draws his attention back to Jasper and the conversation. At least someone remembered the money in all that mess.

"We shouldn't split that right here - it might be too obvious in such a public place. Maybe we should find a more quiet place to do so, and to plan our visit to that tavern." As he finishes saying this, Laron briefly looks back towards the arctic fox and the alley they'd just left, and shakes his head, sighing.

"I think I'll need a stiff drink too, after all this is done........"

[Vladislav]

I have a place not far from here. Razd suddenly remembers. And it's safe behind a Tenician seal, oh, the irony. We can divide the money there, maybe even use it to stash our belongings.

[Savannah]

Amira nods at the fox's question and smiles slightly. She reaches out hesitantly, wanting to know if the fox's fur is as soft as it looks, but unsure if she will tolerate being petted.

[Yuki Akuma]

The fox doesn't react at all to the elf's hand. Her fur is, indeed, very soft. After a moment's consideration, the fox attempts to hop up onto Savannah's shoulder. "Good. I can stay in this form without suspicion, then."

[Kurai]

"Well then," Jasper said offhandedly, slapping a friendly hand on the dancer's shoulder. "Razd, right? Lead the way to your humble abode. Time is precious and I have a date with a few drinks in the tavern."

[Vladislav]

Sure thing. It's on the river's edge in the Entertainment District. The entire way, Razd leads the group while mumbling something to himself and from time to time, performing something that looks like steps from a modern dance. Very modern.

Assuming everyone wants to follow and no misadventures happen on the way He lets them into a small studio next to a bakery. A Tenetian seal on the door proclaims ballroom dancing to be illegal and the enemy of public order.

You can leave your stuff here, I keep some of mine in the closet. He shows off his extensive weapons collection, including a rolled-up whip, a sword, a longspear and a few javelins. Oh, and my apologies, but please don't walk across the dancefloor in street shoes, if you don't mind. Either take them off, or walk around.

[Amnestic]

Your group is allowed a short respite inside the dance studio and the money is soon split between you; 1200gp in all, 240gp each. As you are preparing to head out for the nebulous and much-desired drink, the front doors slam open. Turning, you see a group of four figures stride in. Three humans, headed up by tall green-skinned fellow, a half-orc by the looks of him. The Half-Orc stops a distance away from you, and his cohorts fan out line up alongside him. Looking really quite relaxed, the Half-Orc takes a long, drawn out look around the hall, before resting his gaze upon the group. He whistles, almost mockingly.

"Nice place you've got here. Roomy, good view, decent neighbourhood. It even comes with its own seal of Tenit's finest." He's well spoken for a typical Half-Orc. His colleagues...do not seem to share the same intellect, practically exhuding an aura of "bottom of the barrel" with their dull looks and intellect-free guffaws.

"It'd be a shame if something were to happen to a fine establishment such as this. Of course, the Crimson Kukris could help you to avoid any mishaps or sudden reports to the Tenit soldiers concerning this place. For a price, of course." He smirks. Anyone with half a brain - that is, everyone in the room except for the three humans behind the green skinned giant - can see where he's going with this. "I shall make this simple: You pay us one hundred of Fariness' finest gold pieces every week, and you get the protection of the finest thieves guild in town. A bargain when you consider how nice this place really is. Take your time, I know you'll make the right decision."

[Vladislav]

Razd shakes his head at the half-orc's foolishness. He grabs his longspear, not to attack, but to ... dance?! Firmly planting the shaft on the floor, he moves around it in quick steps of a wardance he was taught in the forests by his uncle's farm.

Inspire courage, everyone feel strong all of the sudden, +2 to attacks and damage (Song of the Heart)

Hit the road, orc
and don't come back no more no more no more
Hit the roard, orc
and don't you come back no more, he sings

[Kurai]

Jasper couldn't help but laugh out loud, once the new arrival had finished his speech. And he had really believed the thieves guilds to be smart in this town! While Razd began dancing, the swashbuckler's big mouth was once again quicker than his brain, but his quick thinking certainly didn't stay behind and made more words up as he went along. Heck, the song Razd was singing worked perfectly well as a background noise for his grand rebuttal and filled him with grandeur.

"Oh please, did you just hear yourself speak? Say, did you even stop to think before you came up here all puffed up and confident like you're the only rooster in the yard?" He snorted, lazily crossing his arms and tilting his hips, hiding that way how his left hand dangled dangerously close to his rapier's hilt. "What? You want to tip of the Tenitians that a tenant has gone into his house to get his stuff? Why, let me come with you, that's going to be a good one. 'Hey guys, we found a citizen entering his old house! Go ahead and throw him in the dungeon!' You have me shivering in my boots."

Obviously, Jasper was having a field day, being not even close to finished.
"One of you bright heads should have read the sign on the door downstairs. As in 'closed'. Closed like in 'is getting no money for the time being'. Sure, you could go ahead and threaten a poor, jobless dancer," at this he points to the dancing man, "getting the last two gold pieces on his body so you can buy yourself a round or two of bad beer. No, wait, you know what? I just donate them to you myself. I'll even put a few silver pieces on top, as you clearly need them. If all of your attempts at getting protection money work this way, I can anticipate a few pretty cold winter months coming along for your guild this year!"

Lazily waving his left hand in the direction of the large man he had come to known as Laron, Jasper send the half-orc a half-pitying, half-amused smirk, before placing his last cherry on top. "But why don't you talk all of that over with my dear friend over here, the Tenitian war veteran?" the copper-haired man lied so smoothly and confidently, he imagined he might even sell a mother her own child. Hell, and if it all erupted into violence... that was another kind of fun he liked almost as much as pulling someone's leg!


Alright, two rolls *crosses her fingers*:
Knowledge(local) on the Crimson Kukris:
[roll0]
and one Bluff roll for the incredible fish stories Jasper just made up:
[roll1]

[Yuki Akuma]

The fox, still perched on Amira's shoulder, lowers her ears, raises her hackles, and gives a low growl.

Foxes can sound rather... disturbing. You expect them to sound like dogs, and sometimes they do, but this growl sounds somewhat unearthly.

[Savannah]

Amira shrinks to the back of the room when the orcs arrive, trying to keep out of sight behind the others.

[Doggie_arf]

Laron glances towards Jasper briefly, giving the foppish swashbuckler and his story the baleful glare that it probably deserves. He doesn't say anything to spoil the tall tale, however. Best to show a unified front before these "Crimson Kukris", although he'd definitely have words with him once this is done, oh, yes........

"I'd say that you........gentlemen don't know what you're dealing with," he says softly, shifting his stance to loosen the wicked looking flail at his belt. "Perhaps we can fix that........"

He glares quietly at the half-orc and his posse, blood and threat in his gaze, even as he focuses the anger within, ready to unleash it at a moment's notice.

Relevant checks:
Intimidate (on the leader) - [roll0]
Knowledge (local, on the Crimson Kukris) - [roll1]

Also, Laron is ready to activate Ferocity (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20070228a) should everything go pear shaped.

(Hey, he's playing along with Jasper's actions. I didn't say Laron had to be *good* at it........)

[Amnestic]

He takes a moment to observe the odd dancing/singing man, not really understanding what he was up to, before turning to the loud-mouthed pretty-boy. "Ho-ho! A war veteran eh? You guys might actually pose a challenge." The Half-Orc was clearly not intimidated by Jasper's boast. "And maybe you don't have money right now, but you've got stuff. Stuff means money if you know the right people. Get your blades out boys, looks like we'll be getting some exercise today after all." And with that said, the Crimson Kukris draw their weapons - Kukris, unsurprisingly enough.

Jasper's Knowledge Check:
The Crimson Kukris are a relatively new thieves guild in town, having sprung up not long before the Tenitians invaded. They're headed by Sir Roger Glen, an ex-Paladin turned thief. Truth be told, the Tenitian invasion has been quite good to them. Their black market has been booming and the Tenit soldiers have less interest in arresting thieves in Fariness as long as they stay out of each other's ways.

That said, they're still fairly small, and their reputation as thieves/thugs is really not that impressive. They're mostly made up of the thieves that weren't capable of making it in the other thieves guilds. The Half-Orc in front of you is likely Kundrox, one of Glen's lieutenants. An up-and-comer in the Kukris, some people whisper that Kundrox is looking to make Glen's position his own, though Kundrox himself has shown nothing but loyalty towards Glen.

Laron's Knowledge Check:
The Crimson Kukris are a rag-tag sort of bunch, decidedly unimpressive when compared to the other thieves guilds. They mostly deal in protection rackets, smuggling and black market sales. Their actually thievery, assassination and political maneuvering is decidedly subpar leading some in the other thieves guilds (like the Shadowed Hands) to refer to the Crimson Kukris as a "thugs guild" instead. Their leader, Sir Roger Glen, used to be a prominent figure in the Church of the White Light before suddenly resigning from his position and turning to thievery. No one's quite sure why, but word on the street is that it involved bloodshed of another church member.

Battlemap:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/Amnestic/DnD%20Stuff/DancefloorRound1.png

Legends (though I'm sure it's quite clear)
CKB: Crimson Kukri Boss (Half-Orc)
CK1, CK2, CK3: Crimson Kukri Mooks.
J: Jasper
L: Laron
R: Razd
A/K: Amira and Kitsu, since Kitsu is still perched on Amira's shoulder.




"The time for talk is over. Crimson Kukris, attack!"

[Doggie_arf]

Conflict was no longer avoidable. Best to resolve it before anyone might take notice. Now -

Laron suddenly tenses and dashes forward, closing with the Kukris almost immediately after the half-orc has finished speaking. Pulling the heavy flail free from his belt with a savage tug, he swings it in a low arc at the enemy leader, attempting to sweep out his legs from under him with pure, hysterical strength.


HP: 14/14
AC: 16 (+2 from Ferocity)

Swift/Immediate: Activate Ferocity (20 Str, 18 Dex, 6/6 rounds left).
Move: L15-K10 (assuming each square is 5 ft. Laron has a 40ft. move speed, thanks to Fast Movement).
Free (as part of move): Draw Heavy Flail.
Standard: Attempt Trip Attack using Heavy Flail on CKB @ K9.

- Melee Touch Attack to initiate Trip: [roll0] (+1 BAB, +5 Str, +2 from Razd's IC/SotH, -1 Power Attack)
- If successful, Trip Check: [roll1] (+5 Str, +4 Imp. Trip)
- If the CKB is tripped, I'll make an additional roll for the Improved Trip follow-up attack.

[Kurai]

Good gods, Kukris for the Crimson Kukris... I feel like I'm in a bad play.
Not one to be left behind, Jasper pushes his boot heels into the ground and charges forward after Laron. With a fluid movement, his already in-place hand snatches the rapier and draws it, while his speed propelles him forward and into the enemy territory.
"Hi honey," Jasper sing-songs to his targeted ruffian with a wink and thrusts his blade forward in the same breath the second he reaches the man.



HP: 9
AC: 17 (-2 for Charge until end of round)

Movement: From J16 to J9 with Charge
Free: Draw rapier
Standard: Attack on CK1

Attack roll: [roll0] (+6 Total Attack Bonus, +2 Charge, +2 Razd's Song)
And in case I hit, damage roll: [roll1] (+2 Charge, +2 Razd's Song)

[Doggie_arf]

Laron's two-handed swing scythes out the half-orc's legs from beneath him. As momentum carries the heavy weapon backwards and away, he pivots, following the movement to drive it back up and around into the now-prone leader.

All right, here it comes.

Imp. Trip follow up attack: [roll0] (same modifiers as before, CKB is now prone [-4 to melee AC])
Damage: [roll1] (+7 from 1 1/2x Str mod rounded down, +2 from Razd's song, +2 from Power Attack [-1/+2, of course])

[Savannah]

Amira closes her eyes for a moment, mentally going over her spells, before grimacing and pulling out her bow. She glances at the fox on her shoulder and whispers "I can't shoot with you up there."

[Yuki Akuma]

The fox glances at Amira, then hops off her shoulder down to the floor. She then promptly growls at the thugs again! The fox fixes her eyes on the leader, and makes an odd whistling sound while extending her claws and walking forwards... Suddenly, the thug is assaulted by intense cold!

Move to K-13.

Casting Winter Chill on CKB. DC 15 Fortitude save or take [roll0] cold damage and become fatigued.

[Amnestic]

I wasn't sure if Amira wanted to act again, but I assumed she would once Kitsu had hopped down. Hope that's okay :smallredface:

Laron's assault knocks the Half-Orc leader clear to the floor. His follow up attack is just as devestating, leaving him bleeding profusely and mumbling feebly for anyone to help him. Kitsu's spell grants him the chill touch of the grave, and finishes him off, his body falling still and lifeless. Jasper runs past the two into one of the humans, still staring at their fallen leader dumbfounded. It had all happened so fast they really weren't sure what to think. He doesn't have much time to think however, as an arrow from Amira strikes him in the shoulder swiftly followed by Jasper's sword piercing his leg. He falls to the floor, clutching his wounds and moaning from his injuries.

"Boss! Hral!" One of the two standing Crimson Kukris shouts, raising his weapon above his head and, with a mighty yell, dashes at Laron, slashing at him with his namesake weapon but finds the target is too nimble for the poor thief and the attacks either bounce off his armour or are easily dodged. The other is more hesitant, at first moving forward to attack, but stops, rethinks his movement and turns to run, dropping a few caltrops from a small bag at his belt as he does so.

Battlemap after Enemy Movements:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/Amnestic/DnD%20Stuff/DancefloorRound2.png

Legend:
Square with lots of grey dots- Caltrops, watch out!
CKB with red cross- Half-Orc's corpse. Difficult terrain.
CK1 with red line- Crimson Kukri bleeding out on the floor. Difficult terrain.
CK2- Crimson Kukri trying to run away.
CK3- Attacking Laron, but not hitting him.

Razd/Vlad, you're up :smallwink:

[Vladislav]

Get him before he's out the door! Razd shouts, but the escaping Kukri is too far away for the dancer to follow his own advice. Instead, he lowers his spear,firmly grasps it in two hands, and charges the one who foolishly remained behind. If I down this one, he figures, my allies will have an easier time catching up to the other one.

Move to M11, longspear charge attack vs. CK3 [roll0] dmg [roll1], morale and charge bonuses included. -2 AC until my next action

[Doggie_arf]

Laron has already started chasing the fleeing thug even before Razd has finished speaking, ignoring the other one as he steps over the corpse of their leader. As before, he attempts to knock his opponent down with a brutal swipe to the knees, grunting from the effort of his assault.


HP: 14/14
AC: 16 (+2 from Ferocity)
Status: Ferocity (20 Str, 18 Dex, 5/6 rounds left)

Move: K10-K5 (Attempt accelerated Tumble (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/skills/tumble.htm) ([roll0]) - if it fails, I provoke AOO(s) from CK3 at L9 before my movement concludes).

Assuming no interruptions:
Standard: Attempt Trip Attack using Heavy Flail on CK2 @ L4.

- Melee Touch Attack to initiate Trip: [roll1] (-1/+2 Power Attack, same bonuses as before)
- If successful, Trip Check: [roll2] (same bonuses as before)

Assuming I do get to connect, a follow up attack will be forthcoming. Unless that mook I ignored does something else first........

[Kurai]

Jasper grinned and turned to the side, the wounded man forgotten on the floor. A knocked down enemy simply was no challenge and thus no fun. Now his mind concentrated on the last one standing that Laron's run had left so wonderfully free to Jasper's attack. A quick step later with one hand on his hip and the other pointing the rapier at the desperate Crimson Kukri, the swashbuckler executed a swift stab at his opponent.


All right. I assume that Amira's delayed action is over and that whatever happens, Laron won't occupy K8 anymore. In case I'm mistaken, just place me on K10 or K9.

Five foot step: On K8 (CK3 should be flanked then, if I read the rules correctly)
Standard: Attack on CK3

Attack roll: [roll0] (+6 TAB, +2 flanking)
Damage roll: [roll1]

[Yuki Akuma]

The fox has realised that the enemies are on the run now, so she sits down in place and watches. Not moving to do anything - because her companions seem to have it all under control.

Can I ready an action to move and cast Cure Minor Wounds if any of our guys happen to drop somehow?

[Doggie_arf]

His face locked in a ghastly, snarling rictus of effort, Laron forces his weapon around from its low arc, driving the flail-head towards the back of the now-prone thug with as much strength as he can muster.


Imp. Trip follow up attack: [roll0] (same modifiers as before on prone CK2)
Damage: [roll1] (-1/+2 Power Attack, same modifiers as before.)

[Savannah]

Oh, whoops, somehow I missed that bit about Amira still being able to act....Honestly, she's not likely to carry a strung bow to what she thinks is just a meeting, so I'm fine with her needing the extra time to string it and get everything ready.

Amira looks up from fumbling with her bow and arrow and sees all the enemies engaged. She hesitates, then raises her bow and shoots, trying to avoid her allies.

5' step to L 17. I don't think anyone is between me and the enemies, there, but if so, she'll move somewhere else. Shooting at CK3.

Attack [roll0] (includes -4 for shooting into melee)
Damage [roll1]

[Amnestic]

The last remaining Crimson Kukri to stand his ground manages to dodge under Razd's spear and takes the time to slash at the hulking form of Laron dashing past him. The kukri finds itself going wide once more however, and doesn't leave a single scratch at him. All he can do is watch as Laron's heavy flail trips and smashes down on his fleeing ally, splintering his spine and killing him instantly. Lacking any sort of time to react, an arrow flashes past his ear very nearly skewering his head, and he turns just in time to recieve a yet further stab to his hand, forcing him to drop his weapon.

Clutching his bleeding hand and looking at his fallen comrades, he falls to his knees, head bowed. "I...I give! Please don't kill me! Please! I've got two sisters I need to support for! I...I can't leave them! I didn't want to steal from people, I just needed the money and Hral told me it'd be a good way to make some easy gold!" Tears stream down the mans face as he does the only thing he can think to do: Beg. "Look, I'll give you everything I've got, just...please don't kill me." With his uninjured hand he pulls a bag from his pocket and tosses it towards Jasper, the jingling coins inside ringing out around the dance hall.

The battle is pretty much over at this point, the boss and the fleeing Crimson Kukri are both dead, Jasper incapacitated one who is still bleeding out (-2 HP now, and dropping) and the other clearly has no intention of fighting anymore. It seems I might have to tune the encounters up a bit! :smalltongue:

The gold bag has 12gp, 7sp and 2cp inside it. Further details of spoils shall be given depending on whether you think desecrating corpses is okay whether you decide to loot your fallen foes.

[Yuki Akuma]

The fox stands back up from her sitting position, and slowly makes her way to the downed Kukris. Noticing that one of them is still alive - if just barely - she walks over to his prone form and places a paw on his chest.

There's a faint glow...

Casting Cure Minor Wounds. Because Kitsu is Good-aligned.

[Vladislav]

Razd walks around his fallen enemies, tapping his spear on the floor rhytmically.


I just needed the money

In that case, I suggest the position of an apprentice baker, right next door. If you want to make a good impression on your job interview, remove your armor and weapons, they'll make a nice addition to my collection.

Also, I'm sure we were all summarily impressed by the plight of your sisters. And if we ever see you associated with the Kukris, someone will pay your sisters a visit.

Razd actually will never do such a thing, in fact, he finds the very thought of harming a women abhorrent. If relevent, Deception [roll0]

[Kurai]

Jasper tsks and drags the tip of his weapon across the dead leader's clothes, cleaning the red fluid at the least dirty spot. He raises an eyebrow at the small money bag and then almost lazily kicks it back to the shivering man.
"I don't take pittance from thieves. And killing cowards is beneath me. Go away and try to take that job, join the Tentitians or stay being a thief, I don't care. But if I ever see you in another group interested in my demise, be ready to meet your maker," he says in an unusual frosty voice, putting away the blade.
With that the man is longer of concern to the swashbuckler and the old, cheerful aura is back around him. Sitting down on his haunches, Jasper picks at the fallen half-orc and searches his pockets for some 'war-spoils'.


And just for the heck of it, considering that the lad is scared out of his wits and Jasper takes his words seriously for once:
Intimidate [roll0]

[Savannah]

Amira shivers and lets the others take care of the talking, trying not to look at the dead men.

[Amnestic]

He spends a few moments hastily removing his leather armour and other equipment before gathering up the coinbag Jasper had told him to take and runs out, screaming "thank you"s and "I'm sorry"s the whole time. He is clearly visibly shaken by the percieved threat to his sisters. At this point he'd likely have believed anything you'd told him.

On the Half-Orc, Jasper finds him wielding a fairly fancy kukri, clearly of superior design to the ones his colleagues were holding - its blade was sharp and its body balanced. He's wearing a suit of (now damaged and bloody) studded leather. In his pockets is a bag of gold (26gp, 2sp), a bag of caltrops, some rudimentary thieves tools (lockpicks, a small bottle of acid for melting locks, small hammer, saw etc.) and two vials of green liquid.

[Kurai]

Jasper takes a look at the fancy kukri and weighs it in his hand, liking the design. It would probably make a good addition to his small weaponry, so he slips it into the sheath at the small of his back, exchanging it for the dagger and hiding that one in the length of his boot.
He also takes the thief tools for himself, stashing it into the sack he carries around on his belt. Then, standing back up, he holds the money bag in one hand, the two vials in the other. Taking a look in Laron's direction, he lets loose a whistle.
"A bit more power there and we'd have fine ground thug dust on the floor, man. You're one of the more blunt ones, aren't ya?" he jokes lightly, turning to the two women.
"So, one of you interested in these little festival drinks here? I prefer not to drink stuff that looks like it's made from squeezed out frogs. Anyone want some shiny coin with it?"

[Yuki Akuma]

Once she's sure the bleeding man has stabilised, Kitsu takes a few steps away from him and sits back on the ground. She yawns slightly, stretching in a rather catlike manner - but then, foxes do that. She looks at the spoils of 'war', and seems to frown a little bit in disapproval - although it's hard to tell, considering she's, you know, a fox.

She exhales slowly, and then fixes her eyes on those vials of green liquid.

Casting Detect Magic. Are the vials magical? Or the kukri for that matter?

[Amnestic]

Kitsu can't see any sort of magical aura around the kukri, however there is a faint aura around the two vials.

[Yuki Akuma]

Kitsu concentrates, trying to determine what sort of magic it is she's detecting.

Spellcraft! [roll0]

Edit: Well that's a failure.

"The green liquid is magical. I would advise against drinking it."

[Doggie_arf]

Damn, that was bad........ Laron shudders as the adrenalin leaves his system, leaving him staggering and retching for a few moments. Exhibiting such strength evidently takes a lot out of the former soldier.

In between catching his breath, he mutters "I always had some problems controlling myself while fighting........" He appears to be staring quietly at the dead thug near his feet, lost in contemplation.

[Vladislav]

Razd disappears into a sideroom for a moment, and returns with a bucket and a mop. Don't want no bloodstains here, better get it off before it seeps into the floorboards, he mutters. Seeing the bodies are already being checked for their possessions, he adds, I'd like the bag of caltrops, if you don't mind, I think I can put it to use.

He tries to ignore the fact that someone was just killed in his dance studio for as long as possible.

[Savannah]

Amira sits down heavily and wraps her arms around her knees, wanting nothing to do with the search of the bodies.

[Doggie_arf]

The thief's face looked remarkably blank and young in death. Laron was no stranger to death, having seen - and contributed - his own fair share during the invasion of the city. Somehow, this death in Razd's clean studio bothered him more than those of the soldiers of both armies.

"It doesn't matter now," he rationalizes. "He was trying to kill you, and now he's dead." From the sound of it, he's only partially convinced by his own words, but it seems to be sufficient to get Laron moving.

"It's strange that a thieves' guild like the Kukris would attack a place under the Tenitian seal," he says as he methodically searches the thug's pockets, trying to ignore his own shakiness and the corpse's sightless stare as he does so. "Perhaps someone put them up to the task." Not that I'm certain; the Kukris never had a reputation for smartness........

[Kurai]

"When thieves smell money, their brain freezes over. The seal was probably a 'come take me' invitation to them," Jasper replies to Jaron's musings. He leaves the caltrops behind for Razd, then sends the green vials an qualmish look that screams 'Yuck', storing them into the money bag instead.
"Considering the fact that you're an itty-bitty fox right now, dear Kitsu, I'll guess Amira won't mind handling this stuff for the moment."
Moving over to the cowering lady, the corpses and healing man forgotten behind him, the flamboyant man raises a copper eyebrow in wonder at Amira's posture and uneasy expression.
"Hey, pretty lady, why the long face? That your first fight?" He dangles the small bag on the string in front of her eyes, waving it a tiny bit from side to side with a grin.
"Take a look at this instead, looks like there are some magic toys in here if the pet is right." He hoped it would distract her sufficiently, there was no way he would hold hands and pet backs if she started to cry or something. At least, as long as he didn't get something out of it.

[Doggie_arf]

"Probably showing off to their boss, then," Laron replies quietly as he piles the salvageable items to one side of the body, cleaning his weapon with some oil from his pack and part of the dead thief's cloak. And look where that got them........

"We'll need to hide the bodies. Too many questions will be asked if the Tenitians find them here."

[Yuki Akuma]

Kitsu twitches a little bit at Jasper's mention of 'pet'.

Pet?! Who does he think he is?

It's just a cover...

[Savannah]

Amira glances up at Jasper and takes the bag automatically. "The stories....They never mention..." she gestures towards the bodies.

[Kurai]

"Heh. Stories. Trust me, 90 % of what people say is either rubbish, exaggerated or just the half-truth. I'm just clever enough to use it to my advantage. You just learned life lesson number one to trust only that which you've seen with your own eyes or experienced yourself," Jasper replies in an even voice.
He takes a look at the dead as if seeing and contemplating them for the first time, then simply shrugs.
"If you ask me, and I'm sure you would have, I'd take those corpses and dump them exactly where the Tenitians are. It might keep them occupied for a while. And the Crimson Kukris as well."

[Doggie_arf]

"It'd need to be somewhere nearby. Far too obvious if we need to carry those around for long."

[Vladislav]

Razd takes a break for a moment from squeezing a bloody mop into a bucket to say, We can dump them into the river when it gets dark. He peers outside. Like, now.

[Doggie_arf]

"I'll need something to wrap the bodies, then. And something heavy too, to make sure they sink. That's if no one has any better ideas."

As Laron says this, he slowly rises to his feet and walks over to where the last thief had just escaped from, taking a moment to peer outside before closing the front doors.

"Should do it quick, too. We've probably attracted too much attention as it is."

(Checking outside to ensure that nothing is amiss.)

Perception: [roll0]

[Amnestic]

A few people are walking past, as expected for the district. None are paying any particular attention to the dance studio, wrapped up in their own lives as they are. If anyone's interested in you, you can't see them.

[Doggie_arf]

"Hmph. No one seems to have noticed," Laron mutters, shutting the front doors. "Probably be best if we don't carry them out the front door all the same; I hope this place has another exit."

As he finishes speaking, the former soldier's gaze falls on the unconscious Kukri for the first time. He frowns, contemplating the still-living thief for a moment.

"........I don't suppose we could leave him in an alley somewhere? Make it look like he was mugged or something."

[Amnestic]

Quite suddenly, you can all hear a crowd bustling outside; loud giggly voices, cheers, laughter and the rumble of feet on the move. Razd recalls that today is the opening day of a new play, Faith Eternal. It's been the talk of the theatre-going public for the last few weeks. Word has it that it was comissioned by Prince Fer and Princes Fera themselves, and as such the Tenitians have a certain amount of interest in it as well. They wouldn't dare interrupt the showing for fears of provoking a riot, but they are posting extra guards to keep an eye out for the two.

Needless to say, it's a popular spot and it's likely that patrols will be lessened, guards will be less attentive towards those who aren't the royal family and that people in general will be more wrapped up in their own business. With a bit of cleaning up, it's all too possible that you could carry the unconscious Hral and leave him in an alleyway with no more explanation that that he partied a bit too hard should any guards question you.

You don't need to of course. You could slit his neck and dump him in the river if you wanted to (though I get the feeling Kitsu and Amira might object :smalltongue:). Was just posting to stave off boredom pointing out one possible avenue. Could just tie him up and leave him in the dance hall while you go out drinking if you wanted until he wakes up, or leave him in the alleyway.

As for side/back doors, there's a balcony which looks over the river and the rest of the city southwards beyond, as well as two small alleyways down both sides, however they both lead either straight to the river or back onto the main street. No side paths I'm afraid, unless you feel like a little breaking and entering :smallwink:

[Doggie_arf]

The sudden cheering and running surprises Laron, and he peers out the doorway at the street beyond.

"What the heck is going on out there," he mutters, staring at the jubilant crowd.

[Vladislav]

A new play opens. Supposed to be a big deal. Razd intended to go himself, but realizes now is probably not the time. We could use the distraction. Lets dump the bodies from the balcony, and drop the unconscious guy in some alley. We've wasted enough time on those thugs, let's not forget our actual business.

[Amnestic]

The bodies are dumped unceremoniously, their splashes dimmed by the sounds of cheering and laughter from the streets. The unconscious Crimson Kukri - Hral - is left down a nearby alley, his wounds being sufficiently bound that he won't blow open. It doesn't take long, about fifteen minutes in total. That done you are without disturbances once more and may proceed with your "actual business" at your leisure.

Final Spoils:
3 (three) suits of leather armour, one bloodied, one bloodied and damaged.
1 (one) suit of studded leather armour, bloodied and damage.
4 (four) kukris, like new, one is of particularly impressive make.
43gp, 5sp, 9cp.

I'll assume that besides the impressively made kukri that Jasper took, the rest of the stuff will be stored here until you get around to selling it, and the gold would be divvied up between you.

[Kurai]

"I really hope the Hral thing doesn't come back to bite us in the ass. Together with a dozen more or so of his kind," Jasper mumbles during the disposal, doing his very best to do as little as possible and not getting his clothes dirty during it either.
Let's hope that imbecile of a thief learned his lesson..

"Sooo, everyone, ready to drink some Tenitian guards under the table? Or would you rather go take a look at that supposed house fortress while the play and the drunken idiots roaming the street are distracting every sane guard in the city?"

[Savannah]

Amira looks up, hesitates, then says "We can go to the tavern any time. The distraction is now."

[Doggie_arf]

Laron walks back from the balcony, having just slipped the half-orc's corpse over the edge and into the river below.

"Now would be a good time," he agrees. "Besides, I think I'll need a drink."

[Savannah]

Amira looks around, takes a deep breath, and blurts out all at once "But they'll be at the tavern any time; if we want to study the fortress without being spotted, the distraction of the play means that a lot of people will be wandering around and we can blend in with them and not get spotted."

[Kurai]

"See? Girl can take a hint if I throw one," Jasper throws in with a little pride for himself and the mage, then pats Amira on the shoulder as if saying 'good girl'.

[Yuki Akuma]

Kitsu looks up at Amira and Jasper for a while. She doesn't say anything, though. "...So. Shall we go see this fortress?"

[Amnestic]

Okay, fortress it is. Maybe this time I'll get it right? :smallredface:

With your decision made, your gear stowed and slung and the fight with the Crimson Kukris swiftly becoming a memory, the party leaves the now suspect safety of Razd's dance hall to investigate the Drakin Building. The cobblestone streets are full with people of all kinds. Despite the Tenitian occupation, Fariness' nightlife still appears to be in full swing. Along the way a few drunken souls wander into your path, proposition all of you but wander - or rather, stumble - off before any of you can give a response.

The Drakin Building is about 30 minutes walk away, and you arrive in good time. The street Drakin is on is less crowded, the majority of people having gone home already; but there's still a fair few milling about. The building itself is two stories in total and outside is a single Tenitian guard sat on the steps; a small pastry in one hand and a pipe in the other. Beside him is a small mug. He appears to be on watch, but not taking his assignment terribly seriously.

[Yuki Akuma]

Kitsu is somewhat disturbed at being propositioned in fox form, but shakes it off.

"...Alas, I haven't made any bargains for spells that could be helpful in this situation. Tomorrow I could call on a spell to let me climb the outer walls, but now..."

[Doggie_arf]

Laron shrugs away from the latest drunken reveler, muttering some threats under his breath as the booze-soaked man staggers off into the night. Catching himself, he focuses on what the others are saying.

"Even if you did that, you'd still need some way to enter the building........" He looks around at the Drakin building and its surroundings for a while, to get an idea of what the area is like. "If you could bring a rope along, the rest of us could follow once you reach the top."

He doesn't really look at Kitsu as he says this - evidently, the former militia-man is still not quite comfortable with our resident talking fox.

[Amnestic]

The Drakin Building is one of many along the path, all fairly similar to one another. It's a two story building with a flat roof - which should provide access to the rest of the building if Sparrow's Eye information was accurate. Two small gardens of flowers surround the raised steps to the front door. The building itself is made from a grey-brown stone* with a pair of large windows for each floor. Though difficult to tell, it looks like it stretches back a fair distance. Between the buildings is a small alley about 5' wide, though all you can see down the side is darkness. This might provide decent concealment from inquisitive (human) eyes if utilised at night, though Sparrow's Eye did note that there wasn't a back door that he knew of.

Both buildings on either side look similar to the Drakin Building with minor architectural differences here and there. These buildings are "mirrored" on the opposite side of the street. Unsurprisingly, the Business District isn't much for originality in their design on the outside, though the insides may be another matter. Only Drakin has a guard attached to it, the rest seemingly trusting that people don't care much to break in, or possibly having their guards stationed inside.

Any more information you want? I'm happy to provide, just tell me what you're looking for :smalltongue:

*Limestone

[Vladislav]

That guard doesn't seem to be paying much attention. Could be just the first layer of security though. Wonder what more they have inside. Let me take a look in that alley...

Razd takes a quick trip through one of the 5' alleys, keeping an eye for any side entrances, windows, fire escape ladders, etc. As he walks, he sways from side to side slightly. If stopped or accosted by anyone, he'll pretend to be a drunken reveler, speaking in a stuttering voice.

[Kurai]

Jasper, not one to stand around uselessly for long, turns to the group and makes a few steps backwards in the direction of the Drakin building.
"Well, it seems like we won't have a great chance to storm the pretty house today. In that case I'll go and have a little friendly chat with our guard over there while Razd takes a look and before we go and down drinks in the tavern." That way, he could also distract the guard from Razd's snooping.

Turning around without waiting for encouragement (or refusal, but why would he expect refusal? His plans were fool-proof!), he saunters over to the stairs with his hands in his pockets and a sour look on his face. Once he catches the guard's attention, Jasper nods his head in a short greeting.

"A salute to our Emperor's man of duty. Thank the Gods there's at least one sane head in all this Fariness madness around me... if I hear one more citizen toasting that cowardly fraud royality that hides like the rats, I think I'll have to throw up." He shudders for effect, coming to a stop and gauging the guard's reaction.



Bluff roll: [roll0]
Sense motive roll: [roll1]

[Amnestic]

Gonna have to start reusing text colours soon. Oh noes! :smalltongue:

Razd won't find much down the alley, it ends in a dead end with a few piles of assorted rubbish (mostly paper, a few bits of food, torn clothing etc.) One of the walls on the Drakin building looks a little different, almost like a different material was used in the construction, but it's difficult to pick out and it's not a very big spot anyway. It might just be a trick of the (vary scarce) light. Other than that, the alley doesn't have any other features aside from a few rats scurrying in the darkness.

The guard looks a little taken aback by the strange loud man approaching him out of no where, but shrugs. "Aye, the men are worthless. Some nice women though, and the views are nice enough. Better than my home village anyway. Still, wish I was doing something rather than stuck here. You know my friends just left me here on guard duty? They're off to see that new play - Faith...something or other. You ever worked with two people who are kind of into each other but haven't yet bothered to say anything? And then I get stuck with their crap while they're off having fun!" He was rambling a bit now, evidently this had been playing on his mind for a while and Jasper seemed like as good as any person to rant at.

"I mean come on! I wouldn't mind so much if they actually got it all out in the open but no, they have to do this little song and dance number playing coy. Meanwhile I get stuck doing their duties while they're off not being romantically involved. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for 'em and all, but I just wish I didn't get left behind picking up the pieces. Doesn't help that I haven't found one girl here who'll even look at me." He stops, takes a long puff on his pipe and a longer swig of his mug, which Jasper can smell - even from the short distance away - is something potently alcoholic. He takes a glance around and notices Laron and Amira (and Kitsu, though as a small fox he takes less notice of her) standing a ways off, raising an eyebrow towards them. Turning back to Jasper, he asks "What'd you say your name was again?"

[Savannah]

Amira cuddles Kitsu, trying to pretend she's just a girl out with her pet. She looks down at her feet, stealing glances at the building and the ones alongside it when she can, looking for anything of note.

Perception [roll0]

[Amnestic]

In the top left window, Amira can see what appears to be two shirtless men going back and forth past the window. It's difficult to make out what exactly they're doing since they keep flashing in and out of sight; the window's not very big to begin with and they're moving quite fast. Judging by the occasional objects in view, it's possible they might be sparring with one another, but it's tough to say.

[Vladislav]

A trick of light, eh? We'll see about that. Taking a good look around to make sure no one can see him from the street, Razd quickly casts Dancing Lights to better illuminate the suspect spot.

[Kurai]

"Geez, brother, I feel for you," says the redhead with a sympathetic sigh and a clap on the man's shoulder. "Went through the same thing with my sister and a good friend... honestly, sometimes I believe they just like dancing around each other much more than actually trying their hand at dating. Some trouble that is."

Taking a set on a lower step, Jasper places one hand on his knee and stretches the other out on the street. He gives the guard a loopsided smile and holds the other hand out to him. "Mind if I take a seat for a moment? Oh, and I'm Karl, by the way. Man, if I had a nice bottle I'd share it with you, just to get our mind off that annoying Fariness feast going on around here."

Making a show of looking the other man up and down, Jasper draws together his eyebrows with a frown. "Say, why don't you go out for a drink, too? I mean, there has to be someone to dump your duties on. I heard the Sea Serpent's Breath has some really sweet beverages, heck, I'd even buy you a drink. To our shared fate of being stuck with the weird friends." While talking, Jasper pointedly ignores his comrades standing somewhere at the other side of the street as if he had never seen them before, knowing he'd just get the guy suspicious if he did take a longer peek.


Don't know if I have to do another Deception roll, but I'll make one just in case:
[roll0]

[Amnestic]

Razd's spell brightens the area, and he notices that, yes, the rock is indeed of a different colour around a certain area; itself about 4' tall by 3' across, though there isn't anything else remarkable that Razd can see even with his Dancing Light source.

At the request for a seat, the guard motions his consent. "Fino." He replies, indicating his own name. He seems to have lost interest in Laron, Amira (and Kitsu, of course!) as quickly as he gained interest. "If I could get outta this, I would. I'm covering for the other two as it is, and the Captain would have my head - literally - if he knew I'd left this place unguarded. If you want to buy me a drink though, Suls and Lex are off duty and should be down at the Sea Serpent's Breath. Probably still in uniform. Tell them Fino wants them to bring a few drinks back with them and he'll pay 'em when they get back. Something which'll make me forget about the fact that I'm still alone out here."

[Doggie_arf]

Laron idly watches as Jasper walks over to the guard, doing what he does best. Can't say as I like the man and his manners, but he knows how to talk, and that's useful.

He unslings the waterskin from his belt, and hefts it in his hand for a moment before taking a long swig, wishing that it was actual beer or wine rather than lukewarm water. I'll get some at the Serpent later.

As he drinks, attempting to blend in with the rest of the revelry by way of having a drink in hand, Laron quietly observes the Drakin building and its surroundings, trying to see if there was anything he'd missed about the building earlier - things like sentries and guard dogs, for instance.

(So........is there an outer cordon wall surrounding the building? Or is the Drakin building just one solid block, with flower boxes as the "front gardens"?)

Perception (checking for more details): [roll0]
Deception (untrained, pretending to be a slightly tipsy reveler enjoying the ambience): [roll1]

[Amnestic]

They're basically small flower boxes, about 1' wide by 4' long, on either side of the stairs leading up to the door. It's the token 'nicer aesthetic' choice without spending too much on real estate space.

Laron can't see any more sentries (besides the aforementioned two in the top-left window which Amira had also seen, that is) and there doesn't seem to be any outward sign of a guard dog in sight, though it's possible that they have one kept inside as some shops do. The roof appears to be entirely clear from this angle, with no one up there either.

[Vladislav]

Razd returns to the street. He makes a mental note to report his findings to the group later, but for now, he doesn't come closer than ten paces to anyone he knows, idly rehearsing dance steps, and listening to Jasper's antics with half-ear.

Since there's not much to do, he also sneaks a look at the building from time to time, and tries to find any significance in the different-colored stone.
Perception [roll0], Knowledge (Architecture and Engineering) untrained [roll1]

[Kurai]

"You know what, my friend?" Jasper replies with a smile, slapping a hand on his knee. "If we can't drink in the Serpent, we'll drink here, on my pay. At least a round or two. Suls and... Lex, right?... can help me carry the booze."
Jumping on both feet, he makes a show of looking into a small purse at his side, counting something under his breath. "I got here three gold pieces... no, four, five, six...", the redhead grimaces, "oh boy, don't tell me there are more than you three, otherwise my purse is going to be flat pretty soon. But, hey, it's for a good cause, right?"
Jasper winks at his new-found 'friend', then glances innocently at the house. "All right, for how many to I have to pay?... Oh, your captain's not here, right? Wouldn't want to get you in trouble for this, Fino," he adds with a compassionate grimace, then rubs two of the said coins between his fingers as if just waiting for the go to get them something nice to drink. And silently congratulating himself for another shameless, wonderful pulling of a leg.



Let's see if pride comes before the fall...
Deception: [roll0]

[Doggie_arf]

Huh. I should ask him to get me a pint, too........

Watching Jasper dangle drinking money in front of the guard was making Laron thirsty - and not for the not-booze inside his 'skin. He takes another swig anyway, trying not to grimace at the staleness.

Can't wait to head to the Serpent.

[Yuki Akuma]

Kitsu mostly stays still and tries to act the part of "good little pet". Her tail even wags! If one didn't know better, they might think the fox enjoyed being hugged. But that's preposterous.

She does steal a glance towards the building now and then, though - specifically to the guard, just in case something happens.

[Amnestic]

"Captain's inside, eating dinner and entertaining his 'guest' for the evening." Fino spits into one of the flowers. "Problem is, he could pop out any time to check up on me, which is why I can't leave. Doesn't care if I drink a little, just as long as I'm still out here. You'd think these flowers are more important than I am!" He sighs and looks up at the sky. "Thanks for this Karl. S'good to know some people out here are actually decent."

[Kurai]

Jasper laughs out loud for a second. "So 'guests' is what they call it these days, eh? Ah, Fino, we good Tenitians stick together. Most of us anyway." He points to the guard with a smile as if they share a new secret, almost ready to go. But if he could wiggle out a few last information...

"All right, but the more we are, the merrier. So for how many of your friends in there will I get another pint?" He winks, then holds up his full hand with a grin. "Don't worry, that one's on me. Spending my Pa's money is one thing I'm quite good at."


I'm not even sure if I even need to make bluff rolls at this point anymore..
but here's one anyway. This'll be the last post before Jasper takes off, so that we get things going a bit, since the others are all waiting :smallsmile:
Deception: [roll0]

[Amnestic]

"Only Suls and Lex will be there tonight, there will probably be some others from different units and detachments, but I wouldn't know them if they hit me. Ask Kigan, he'll know where they are."

[Kurai]

Gods, that man is really slow on the uptake. But that's just my luck.
"In that case, I'll see you later. I hope your fellows in there won't get envious of the fine stuff I'm getting."
Holding a hand up in goodbye, Jasper walked past his companions while whistling a merry tune, turning around the next corner away from Fino's eyes and then leaning against the wall while waiting for the rest of the troupe.

[Doggie_arf]

Laron notices Jasper walk away, but he doesn't follow immediately, leaning against the nearest building and taking regular swigs of his not-beer. He lets most of the liquid trickle past his mouth and onto the ground - from a distance, it would appear as though he's a rather messy drinker. Not to mention the fact that the water is *really* stale.

After a couple of minutes, the ex-militiaman ambles off, trying to act more drunk than he actually is (which is not at all). He has almost "staggered" to Jasper's location when he belatedly realizes that he'd just followed him almost directly there. Cursing himself silently for his foolishness, he continues moving nevertheless, realizing that stopping suddenly would look even more obvious.

Moving up to Jasper, Laron grimaces as he upends his waterskin, emptying the remaining stale water out, good riddance to it all.

"Remind me to get some actual booze before I try that again. Worst drink I've ever tasted."

In case it's needed:
Deception (untrained, acting drunk to casual observers): [roll0]

[Amnestic]

The party reconvenes around the corner, sharing any information they might have gleaned from their hangabout the Drakin building; Razd passes on his information about the weird wall area, Jasper his conversation with Fino, Laron, Amira and Kitsu what they viewed from the outside. You head to the Sea Serpent's Breath and find yourself there in about 10-15 minutes.

There's a moderately large group of soldiers in the seating area outside the tavern, but they're uninterested in their surroundings. They're still in their guard uniforms - armour and weapons and all, but they're also quite clearly off duty what with the drunken revelry they're sporting. It's likely that the uniforms are either kept on out of pure laziness or to intimidate drinks out of the owner; though from what you've heard, it's unlikely that Kigan would give two shakes of his beard about them. This street is slightly more packed than the one outside the Drakin Building owing to more places for late-night visits. You stop a short ways away, no doubt to sort out groups for entering.

[Doggie_arf]

The Sea Serpent's Breath was performing a roaring trade in drinks and barsnacks this night, with a fair party of Tenitian guards sitting round the outside, swapping tall tales and gulping down the beer served by the old dwarf who ran the place. Just like the company used to do at the Maiden's Chance - all our coins on booze and boasts, if we weren't stuck on extra duties with our pay docked........

Laron realizes that his fists are clenched tight and shaking within his gauntlets, and he forces himself to relax, trying to divert his mind away from those past memories.

"Might be a good idea if you went in first," the former militia-man says to Jasper, as soon as he's regained some control over his emotions. "With the guards all listening to you talk, they'll pay less attention to the rest of us."

And I'll get a chance to enjoy that beer. Gods, I need a drink........

[Savannah]

Amira shivers at the thought of going into the crowded tavern. She stands near the back of the group, trying not to attract attention.

"Do you want down?" she whispers to Kitsu.

[Vladislav]

Seeing the group's indecision, Razd extends his hand to Amira. May I have the pleasure of your company?

If Amira doesn't respond in the positive
Maybe its for the best. Pretend we don't know each other... He'll enter and sit at the bar

[Savannah]

Amira's eyes go wide. "I, um, I-I suppose so."

She hesitates, unsure of what to do with the fox in her arms.

[Kurai]

"Talk? Oh, talk I can, don't worry about that, my big shouldered friend," Jasper replies to Laron with his lips almost stretching from one ear to the other. He looks downright devious as his now slitted eyes study the rugged soldiers drinking the night away beneath the stars.

"And by the way... whatever you hear tonight coming from my corner: Just play along with it. I might have an idea or two. Might have to make you all Tenitians while doing so."
With that he glances back at his comrades, oozing the kind of confidence that is both disconcerting and uplifting. But then from one second to the other he is back in the persona he dubbed 'Karl', striding along easily toward the tables and looking to all the world like a random merchant's kid, someone whose frame only holds glances for a moment or two before they deem him unimportant.
I strike like a merciless snake, but I wait and watch like the clever fox. Here it goes.

"Hey guys, anyone here called Lex and Suls?", he shouts into the half-drunken ruckus, trying to find the owners of the names.

[Yuki Akuma]

The fox in Amira's arms looks up at her quizically, but then nods her head lightly and hops down to the floor. Pets can follow at their masters' heels, after all...

[Doggie_arf]

Jasper's reply does not make Laron feel very confident, but he merely nods in acknowledgment.

As they enter, he trails along a few steps behind. While the foppish swashbuckler yells for the men he's looking for, the former soldier moves closer to the counter, looking for an empty spot where he can hail the bartender.

[Amnestic]

The inside of the tavern is pretty packed, with soldiers, shop-keepers, hunters, adventurers...the list goes on. There are a couple of seats and tables free though, likely lightened slightly by the group of soldiers outside saving space and perhaps turning some away. Kigan is at the bar serving drinks, and two bar wenches are moving around the room passing out a few drinks as well as collecting a few food orders. The Sea Serpent's Breath doesn't have much of a menu (or much of a chef for that matter) but it's hearty food, and cheap to boot. Above the bar is a list of three rules in imposing font: No weapons. No magic. No trouble. Below it, written in a scratchy scrawl is written No groping the wenches.

A couple of soldiers look up at Jasper's call before pointing out the aforementioned two soldiers. They're sat together at a little table in the corner, a rudimentary pack of playing cards between them. They draw a few cards, talk, draw a few more, then often burst out laughing, take a drink and poke a few stray cards across the table.

There's a free spot at the far end of the bar for Laron to sit, and Kigan will reach him surprisingly quickly. Say what you like about the dwarf's appearance (scruffy at best), he knew how to move fast and efficiently.

There's a few small tables about the place still free, giving Razd, Amira and Kitsu a place to sit; four chairs, giving Kitsu the opportunity for a raised seat should she desire it, though she could remain at floor level with little concern for drunken revellers stepping on her.

[Yuki Akuma]

The whiteness of the fox's fur is likely to draw a bit of attention. Not too much - magical pets are rare, but not entirely unheard of. Besides, some people know what arctic foxes are. The fox trots along beside the elven woman, until they reach the table, at which point she crawls under the table and curls up.

Her ears don't fold down, however, remaining alert.

[Kurai]

Jasper wanders over and grabs a free chair on the way, dragging it near the table and plopping down on it in reverse with a charming smile once he's at his destination.
"Hey there. Fino sends me over here with his greetings and a wish for some good and preferably high proof liquor. You know, the kind that makes an evening guarding the door much nicer."
Glancing from man to man, he tries to gauge the amount of inebration and general atmosphere around the table while he places his elbows on the back of his chair.


Sense Motive: [roll0]

[Amnestic]

A wench wanders up to Razd, Amira and Kitsu and in a clearly faked sing-song voice asks them what they want anything to eat or drink - including offering some raw meat/water for Kitsu. Evidently they've entertained 'Familiars' before.

The two Tenitians stop their game with Jasper's loud (isn't he always?) arrival. They don't appear to be that drunk...yet. Their mugs are half-empty, but it seems it's their first.
"Fino, eh?" The one on the left replies. "I dunno..."
"Does sound like Fino, fobbing off a whiskey run on some guy he just met. Lazy and stupid, that's Fino. S'no wonder he always gets stuck on the door." The one on the right interjects.
"True, true." He turns towards Jasper. "Tell you what, stranger, you sit here and play a few hands with us and then we'll talk about..." He makes no secret of rolling his eyes. "Fino. I'm Sully - Suls, and this is Alexander - Lex. Take a seat, we'll deal you in. Tenit's Riverboat is the name of the game."

Suls deals out two cards to each person, and the game begins.

I think drawing up actual card game rules to play over the internet is a bit excessive. As such, it'll be done simply: I'll roll 2d20s to represent Suls and Lex. Kurai, if you could roll an opposing d20 to represent Jasper's hand...and the highest roll 'wins'. Yeah, it's not too interesting and complex, but dealing with cards over the 'net seems a bit taxing.

Suls:[roll0]
Lex:[roll1]

I should note that you could voluntarily 'lose' if you want. Pot is a minimum of 10cp per hand, s'up to you.

[Doggie_arf]

Hm. They're taking a table. Ah well - might look odd if I join them now. I get my beer faster this way, too.

Laron moves toward the empty seat, easing himself onto the stool. Not wishing to reveal his share of the money from Sparrow's Eye, he fishes out a coin or two from his own pouch for payment.

As soon as the old bartender reaches him, he briefly reveals the coin. "One tankard, please."

[Vladislav]

You have a very nice place. Always this many Tenitians here? Anyway, a tankard of ale, please, and for the lady .... Razd looks at Amira expectantly.

[Kurai]

If possible, I'd like Jasper to either play unfair in a way that has him loosing at the right spots (it's a psychology thing, if he tends to loose, people might underestimate him more easily, lowering their guard around him) or not care about winning at all. What are they playing with? Copper pieces?

"Oh, a card game! Boy, do I love cardgames... count me in. The name's Karl," the copper-haired man introduces himself, turning his chair the right way around. "I already told Fino that I couldn't stand the Fariness celebration out there... I was lucky to meet fellow Tenitians in this gods-damned city."
Taking a bunch of cards in one hand, he waves over one of the bar wenches with the free one.
"Bring us some good, potent stuff over here," he shouts to her. To the guys he adds with a grin, "Don't worry, it's on my tab. Got me some secret coin from my Pa for it, but don't tell anyone or he'll have my head." He winks, then glances down at his cards with furrowed brows as if trying to decide what to do with what was obviously a bad hand. Then he adds his appropriate share of money to the table.

Once the tankards have been brought over, Jasper laughs and jokes with the two guards, hiding how utterly boring the card game is to him and listening in to their comments and conversations. He tries to keep their cups full and often makes a show of gulping down his own drink, but hiding the fact that he never actually drinks anything, instead letting the fluid run back into the cup from his mouth. While playing, he keeps an eye on his fellow players, trying to judge when the right time to strike comes and if they suspect anything fishy.


I'll forego a Sense Motive check, as I think that anyone can gauge if someone's drunk or not. If there's one needed, I'll go and make one in the OOC.
Deception [roll0]
Cards [roll1]

[Savannah]

"Wine, please."

Amira looks around, her curiosity starting to overcome her shyness.

[Amnestic]

"S'a bit of a slow night actually," The waitress replies before jotting down the order on small wax tablet. "Wine? Alright, whatever you want, sugar." She says, giving a wink to Amira before bustling off to fetch the drinks. She's back rather quickly, carrying the drinks along with a small bowl of water for Kitsu. "You need anything else, just call for Cassie." It's difficult to tell how sincere and how faked-for-tips she's being. Kitsu notices (though Razd and Amira don't seem to share her perception) that a group in the back corner of the tavern - shielded handily from the light - appears to be looking in their direction. There's four of them sat in a small booth, all fairly heavy set but its difficult to tell much else about them with the current lighting conditions and the bustle of the tavern around you.

Kigan has the tankard in front of Laron within moments, almost magically fast in fact. Before Laron can answer, Kigan's already gone away again down the bar, like a dwarf possessed.

Jasper/'Karl' loses the first hand quite handily, and the guards appear to be loosening up as their mugs empty, refill and empty once more. Out of practise Karl? Don't worry, we'll go easy on you next round." Suls laughs as he deals the next set out. Lex laughs too, though Jasper notices he isn't so interested in 'playing easy'. Suls seems oblivious to this, his mind on his own cards and his drink.


Suls: [roll0]
Lex: [roll1]

Yes, you're playing with (primarily) copper pieces. It can be assumed that you converted a few gold coins with them into their copper/silver equivalents if you don't have the change. You lost 12cp that hand. ;p Drinks bills (assuming you end up paying!) will be addressed when you leave.

[Kurai]

"Looks like the gods of cards ain't in my favor today," Jasper states with a frown, gazing down on his next set. No wonder, 'cause I don't give a rat's ass about them. How can anyone get addicted to this? he thinks, amused at himself. During his criminal years, he had often come in contact with games of chance, but beside learning the rules and cheating the players of their money for the local crime lords, the swashbuckler had never dabbled much in them besides for work.
Placing more money into the middle, Jasper gestures for another refill, then slowly gazes at both guards, one after the other, out of the corners of his eyes. Finding what he sees sufficient, he saggs a bit on his stool while shuffling his hand between his fingers.
Time to strike.
"It's a good thing we can still laugh and have fun, my friends. With all the bad news coming from Tenit..." He sighs, shaking his head. "Let's hope and pray that our Emperor survives the illness, otherwise all hell might break lose in the streets."


Deception: [roll0]

[Doggie_arf]

The tankard lands sloshing in from of the former militiaman within seconds, and the old dwarf is travelling back down the bar again, prepping a few more for some beer-soaked customers on the other end.

"Busy night, " he mutters, lifting his mug of house pour and staring at its contents for a moment, before taking a swallow.Ah, now that's more like it.

Taking another pull on his drink, Laron slowly swivels his chair around, until he sits sideways to the bar, one arm resting on the counter while the other holds beer in hand. As he drinks, he scans the room, trying to see what the others are doing from behind his mug.

He still has a bit more money ready to hand - a second helping wouldn't hurt.

[Yuki Akuma]

Kitsu isn't about to turn down food! Although when she spots that group in the far corner, she's distracted from all thoughts of meat - instead, the fox hops to her feet, and makes her way over to the corner. Taking a semi-random path, of course, sniffing at the ground and trying to act as much like a fox as possible.

Of course, she's good at acting like a fox.

[roll0] (+10 from Alternate Form, +2 from my Charisma.)

[Amnestic]

As Kitsu moves across the room, she can feel the gazes of the group in the shadows following her, the fur on the back of her neck prickling slightly. They don't move, but they're clearly watching her. If they're talking, Kitsu can't hear it. As she approaches, two of the four get up from their seats and begin walking directly towards her.

There's a slight crowd milling about, but Laron spots the two men get up from their seats. Oddly, they almost seem to be covered in shadows even after they get to their feet. They're at the far end of the room, Jasper and the two Tenit guards are closer to the middle - almost directly across from Laron, with Razd and Amira's table being several feet away, closest to the door.

Suls grimaces. "Me mom got hit with the plague...sickness...whatever. Got the letter telling me just after I got stationed here. She passed on a few days later. Don't like it, seems...unnatural. I hear the Capital's been hit especially hard by it. Almost makes me glad I'm down here. You got any family back home Karl? Maybe a girl?"

[Kurai]

"Darn, man, that's harsh. Got me a sister in the Capital... married, with a brat. They're fine right now, but with the plague spreading and the Emperor sick..." He makes a show of drinking from his cup, grimacing afterwards.
"I overheard a pair of merchants talking today. Said the resistance has their fingers in this, with you guards having caught one of them like a rat. How's it? Can't you get him to talk? Wring him out? If there's a chance to keep my sister from getting ill and thousands of others... can't you do something?"
Jasper looks at them with wide, helpful and innocent eyes, to all the world like a worried brother pleading to the higher authority he believes in.
Come on, buddies, give me a hint... the captured one is alive, isn't he?


Deception roll: [roll0]

And, as the two men are strolling nearby, a roll to see if Jasper picks up on them.
Perception: [roll1]

Looks like he won't even see the club coming even if it hit him straight in the face.. *facepalm*

[Savannah]

Amira sips her drink, keeping her head down and her ears open.

Perception [roll0]

OOC: I'm working on the assumption that only Laron noticed anything unusual about the men Kitsu was interested in....

[Yuki Akuma]

Kitsu stops moving as the people she was stalking begin to stalk her! Her head tilts slightly to one side, and she regards them - with surprising intelligence, for an animal.

Well, familiars are smart too...

[Amnestic]

Amira sees the man approaching Kitsu, but all too late it seems. Suls just manages to mention that "Yeah, we got some guy trussed up, he ain't going anywhere until the Lieutenant talks to hi-," before the man leaps at Kitsu, attempting to grab her. The small fox dodges out of the way and the man goes careening into a table, flipping it over (along with food and drink) before rolling into Jasper's check, bumping into it with...well, the force of a man who took a wild leap forward.

In a second, he's on his feet and begins muttering what sounds distinctly like spell-components under his breath (though only Jasper is close enough to hear). Suls and Lex are on their feet, drawing their swords (they're clearly quite inebriated, it'd be a surprise if they managed to hit anyone other than themselves). Some of the patrons who got bowled over are getting to their feet, grasping at mugs or chairs as improvised weapons to exact their revenge on the man. Kigan is on the top of the bar now, shouting for people to calm down but it seems no one can hear him over the rising tensions.

The three other shadowed figures (all four are still covered in shadow, even though one is quite clearly in the light) have gotten to their feet and are drawing weapons or uttering small chants of their own. Outside you can hear yells, the scrape of chair legs on stone and the clinking of metal as multiple soldiers get to their feet.

If the party wishes to act, they have a small window of "stalemate" in which to do so. A full on bar brawl (complete with magic and weapons it seems) is due any moment.

What horrors does the Drakin Building and Lieutenant Thenius truly hold? Who are these mysterious shadowed figures cloaked in darkness? Will our merry band of Resistance fighters make it out unscathed? Tune in next time! Same Amn time, same Amn channel!

...also I wrote Fino in the last post I made when I meant to write Suls. *cough* Whoops! Those Tenitians all look the same to me anyway.

[Savannah]

Amira gives a startled jump, again mentally cursing for preparing her usual (i.e. not combat oriented) spells. She stands up and takes a step towards Kitsu, before hesitating and waiting to see what the others in her group do.

[Doggie_arf]

Laron is halfway through his beer when he spots the men rising from the corner table. Was it a trick of the light, or were the shadows wrapping around them? They don't look drunk, and they don't look like they're headed for the privy. This could be troubl-

One of the shady men misses his dive for Kitsu, crashing noisily into a series of tables instead of the arctic fox that was his original target. Several people draw weapons and heft tankards in response to having their drinking disturbed - an all-out brawl seems unavoidable.

"Damn. Can't even finish one drink in peace........", he mutters, setting his own mug on the counter as the unknown person gets back on his feet, the shadows hiding his features even more obvious than before. Somehow, the ex-soldier didn't think the man or his companions were after the fox for her hide.

Tossing his chair back, he charges forward at the other man, aiming to take him down before he does anything else funny.

Not sure what actions I'm allowed to take during this time, so........

[Kurai]

For the fraction of a second when Jasper saw the man mumble and 'cast', as he guessed, his mind did the equivalent of a kitten turning its head curiously to the side. Then it grinned manically and Jasper, like the good little puppy he was, followed its call.
In reality, he took one glance at the stranger and found himself with a chair in his hand the next second.
Oh goody, he thought, I wanted to do that since I was a little kid!
With a hefty turn, he threw the chair in a nice arc towards the table-tumbler in a hope to disrupt his concentration, watched it fly with an interested fascination and then opened his mouth wide to shout incredulously:
"Thief! He stole me money! Get him!"
And then proceeded to watch the chaos unfurl, one hand lightly on his rapier's handle.

[Yuki Akuma]

Kitsu freezes as the man leaps at her, then leaps out of the way at the last moment, watching him careen off into the tables with mild amusement. But then she snarls... and lets out a loud cry.

"YYYAAAEEEERRGHHH!" she cries, in an unearthly, almost human-sounding scream.

It's a perfectly normal fox noise. Fox cries are creepy.

[Amnestic]

Jaspers table slams into the back of the shadowed man who turns in annoyance to the new threat only to have Laron slam into his back, tossing him into the booth where Suls, Lex and Jasper were sat a moment ago. His spell has quite cleanly fizzled and fallen away. Two more are still muttering to themselves, while the last is approaching, sword drawn. Some patrons are sat watching in amusement, others are moving away from the action and yet more are fleeing towards the doors, only to find themselves blocked by two Tenitian guards wielding Halberds.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/Amnestic/DnD%20Stuff/bar1.png

Key:-

Sh1->4: Shadowy figures. Sh1 has been hit by a chair and tackled. He's on his feet and his stance is hostile. Sh2 is moving 'south' with a shortsword in hand. Sh3+4 are preparing spells.
TG1+TG2: Tenitian Guards. Armed with Halberds. Likely non-hostile towards the party...for the moment?

In addition due to the chairs, debris and general chaos in the room, all movement inside the bar is difficult terrain and costs twice to move through as normal. Booths no longer exist.

Area outside the bar the bar hasn't been detailed.

Turn Order:
1) Jasper, Razd, Amira
2) Enemies/Misc NPCs
3) Kitsu, Laron
4) GO TO 1.

[Kurai]

Seeing one of the shadowy man now savely in Laron's grip, Jasper handily rolls over the table inbetween cards and drinks, flashing Sals and Lex a cheeky grin, before taking another leap to the floor.
During flight, he rips the rapier out of its sheath and flourishes it at the shadow man endangering the little fox, as well as the two opponents out of reach further down. His other hand is held behind his back and in the air, looking for all the world like a dashing, heroic duellist.
"No pelts for you today, scoundrel! Take a step back or feel my mighty sword bite your evil skin!"
Everyone that knew him could guess that he was having entirely too much fun putting on a show.


Move Action to B5, by tumbling with a roll over the table in A6.
Tumble: [roll0]
In case the tumble isn't really necessary, go and use it as part of the 'impromptu show' Jasper is putting up for the patrons.

[Amnestic]

Sat in his chair, Razd casually leans back, lute in hand and begins strumming a merry tune, his voice carrying over the melody. He is the picture of relaxation despite all the activity around him, and for a moment people look in his direction, before returning their minds to the task at hand.

The two shadowed figures are the very back finish their chanting and with grand gestures conclude their spell. With a rush of shadowed energy, two skeletons form from the darkness, their feet bones forming first, then up through their legs and the rest of them until they stand tall, their sole equipment being swords they clutch in their bony talons. With movements only accompanied by the clink-clink of their bones, they move across the bar and lash out at a patron and one of the serving girls. The swords cut deep, and they fall moments later, bleeding on the cold stone floor.

Kigan leaps from his position on the bar, a huge battleaxe materialising out of seemingly thin air which he brings down upon the skeleton who attacked his serving girl, shattering it in a single strike. The bar erupts in a flurry of movement as every single patron begins moving towards the exit in a huge throng, attempting to flee. The doors burst open and they begin spilling out onto the streets, eager to get away from the shadows.

The two summoners then turn to where Kitsu, Laron, Jasper are stood and unleash two more spells. Jasper is the first to be hit and the spell takes more than a little wind out of him; were it not for Razd's bolstering melody he might find himself fleeing in terror (Hah! As if the great Jasper Haligon the Fox would ever run in fear!). The second spell slams into Laron's chest, the bolt of force tearing at him. The onslaught does not stop as one of the shadowed figures approaches Jasper and lashes out with his sword, catching him quite cleanly in the chest and drawing a fair bit of blood.

The last shadow grabs at Laron, attempting to grapple with him, but fails and recieves a strike back for his troubles. Suls and Lex lash out at their foe but miss, their alcohol clearly impeding their progress. The two Tenitian guards make their way forwards, but struggle through the debris and make little progress.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/Amnestic/DnD%20Stuff/bar2.png

Razd will expend a use of his Bardic Music to activate Inspire Courage, granting all his allies a +2 to hit/damage rolls with their weapons, and a bonus versus fear effects.
Jasper is Shaken for one round, and takes 5 (five) damage from the sword slash.
Laron takes 5 (five) Force damage. Laron gets an attack of opportunity against Sh1. I already rolled for the hit (which you succeeded with), so beyond that it's up to you.

Figures marked with a red O are Incapacitated and bleeding out.

Don't think I've forgotten anything, next time I'll try to get all my rolls in one post instead of three. x_x

[Yuki Akuma]

Skeletons appear. Two bodies fall. The fox stares for a moment, and then rushes off towards the closest fallen body, desperate to reach it in time. The fox doesn't pay any heed to its surroundings, leaving itself wide open.

On reaching the crumpled form of the patron, the fox yips something, and places a paw at the wound caused by the sword blow - there's a faint greenish glow and a very slight chill...

Moving to E6 - taking the AoO from Sh2 - and casting Cure Minor Wounds on the Patron in F5.

[Savannah]

Amira frowns in concentration and begins casting her own spell. A few seconds later, a stone wall springs up between the two casters and the rest of the tavern.

Silent image of a 10' high wall fills C3 - H3.
Will DC 15 to disbelieve if interacted with.

[Doggie_arf]

Laron crashes meteorically into the shady figure, disrupting his spell and leaving both of them stunned for a moment. Unfortunately, the man's companions are quick to aid him, sending a bolt of force tearing into the ex-soldier's body.

Snarling from the pain, he is barely able to react as his opponent flails at his shoulder, fingers skittering off tunic and armor in a futile attempt to grab his shoulder. In retaliation, he tears the flail from his belt and swings it at the shadow man, aiming to fell him with a swift blow to the knees.

The heavy weapon swings around in a whistling arc, its upwards-and-outwards motion hinting at the possibility of a second, deadlier attack........

HP: 9/14
AC: 16 (Touch 14/Flat-footed 12) (+2 Ferocity)

Swift/Immediate: If Ferocity wasn't active earlier, it definitely is now (20 Str, 18 Dex, 6/6 rounds left. 2nd use of the day.)
Move: Draw weapon.
Standard: Attempt Trip Attack using Heavy Flail on Sh1 @ B6.
- Melee Touch Attack to initiate Trip: [roll0] (+2 IC from Razd, +5 Str, +1 BAB, NO Power Attack).
- Trip Check if successful: [roll1] (Str +5, Imp Trip +4).

If Sh1 is tripped:
Imp. Trip Follow-up Attack: [roll2] (Same bonuses).
Damage if successful: [roll3] (+7 from 1 1/2x Str mod, +2 IC from Razd).

(Well, it'd take me a move action to get my weapon into position, as Laron lacks Quick Draw [which means he'd fail horribly at Iaijutsu duels, but that's beside the point]. Hence, he probably doesn't have the ability to counter-maul the guy........at least not immediately.

Hmm, I wonder if it'll be worth it to get Laron to do all this with his bare hands........)

[Kurai]

"Tch," Jasper makes, slightly enraged at the cut on his chest, but the sight of his own blood shakes him. He doesn't stop to wonder at this, having been in enough duels at this point, but he takes a step to the right anyway to keep the guy from following the little one.
Retaliating, Jasper swings his weapon in a twisted arc, before quickly stabbing at his opponent seemingly out of nowhere.
Ohh, you will hurt for this.


HP: 4/9

Five-foot step: C5
Move Action: Feint [roll0] (-2 for shaken)
Standard Action: [roll1] (-2 for shaken)
Damage: [roll2]

[Amnestic]

The patron gasps a watery gasp, blood bubbling around the sides of his lips as his injuries are healed and he is saved from imminent death - for the moment at least. The skeleton looks at the patron, then at Kitsu, then at the patron, then back to Kitsu once more before moving towards the small fox, intent on lashing out with his blade. He is interrupted, temporarily by a crossbow bolt to the head, knocking his skull clean from the stump that is its spine. Behind the bar, one of the serving girls is clutching a crossbow in her hands, a determined look on her face.

Despite the loss of his head, the skeleton seems undeterred and proceeds regardless, slicing at the small creature. Whether it be his own uncoordinated slowness, the loss of its head or simply the speed and agility of the small creature in front of him, Kitsu effortlessly avoids the slice.

Neither Laron's nor Jasper's attacks penetrate the defenses of the shadow figures, and a deep, guttural almost unholy laughter is heard - the first real sounds they have made besides the spell chants. The one with the sword attacks Jasper again, catching under his guard and doing yet more damage. The other - seeing the two Tenitian guards - attempts to launch a spell at them. Laron seizes this opportunity and lashes out with his flail, tearing into the guy and doing not an inconsiderable amount of damage. Despite being on his last legs, the shadow casts his spell and a blinding flash of colour bursts from his hands, knocking out both the Tenitians.

Amira's wall rises from from the ground placing itself squarely in front of the two shades at the back. They split, attempting to dart around it. One makes his way round on the left in time to launch the same spell which afflicted Jasper, at Lex. He clearly doesn't have as stout a heart as Jasper, and immediately begins gibbering like a man gone mad and sprints for the exit, abandoning his weapon along the way.

The other shade rounds the other side of the wall, just in time to see Kigan finish tending to the wounded girl, throw her over his shoulders and make a grand leap behind the bar, before setting her down again. Despite his age, the dwarf clearly was quite spry.

Among all the chaos and the spells flying left and right, Razd has not moved from his chair, still strumming his lute and singing his song as serene as ever, his enchanted song still providing a bolstering effect to his allies.

*phew!* That was wordy. Now on to the crunchiness


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/Amnestic/DnD%20Stuff/bar3.png
Laron and Jasper both missed with their attacks.
Sh1 5' steps down one space and casts Colour Spray on the two Tenitian Guards who have moved towards him. They are both disabled as a 1HD creature would be having failed their Will save. Sh1 also recieved an AoO from Laron which I took the liberty of rolling to save time. He took 11 damage, however he still managed to get his spell off despite the interruption. He's also very, very injured to the extent a light breeze would probably knock him out.
Amira's wall stands tall at C3->H3. She has had her token replaced with something more befitting her character, but I forgot to recolour her label to indicate her as a PC. I apologise, and have fixed it for the next map.
Sh3 cast Cause Fear on Lex.
The Skeleton took a crossbow bolt to the head and slashed at Kitsu, but missed.
Sh2 slashed at Jasper and hits for 3 (three) damage, bringing his HP total to a worrying 1.
Razd is still singing his Inspire Courage song.
Kigan stabilised his serving girl and carried her behind the bar.

Tenitian guards marked with the grey X's are knocked out by the Colour Spray.
Patron+Wench marked with red O's and green around their squares are incapacitated, but stable.

Fingers crossed for better rolls this next turn guys :smallbiggrin:

[Yuki Akuma]

The fox effortlessly dodges the slashing blade, glancing towards the other afflicted innocent - but seeing the dwarf grab her, she decides to actually contribute to the battle instead. The fox hunkers down, letting out a low growl, while tracing an odd pattern in the dust of the floor with one claw...

The fox begins to glow, faintly, and the air around her gets somewhat colder.

Casting Summon Nature's Ally I to summon a wolf. As it has a casting time of one round, it'll appear right before my next turn... hope I don't get hit!

Spellcraft to cast defensively: [roll0], DC 16.

[Kurai]

The next blow has Jasper clutching his bleeding chest for a moment, letting out a deep breath of air with the movement. Slightly hunched down, he glares at the shadow man with affront.
A mere shadowed thug beating him, him, to the ground like a mere, useless bystander? No, that wouldn't do. Not at all.
A man like me steps forward, not back. A man like me will die on his feet, not his knees. A man like me is meant for grander things!
Clutching the handle of his weapon tighter, the copper-haired man feels the faintness of his last attack leave him, replaced with the confidence in his own ability. He swings his blade with grandeur, the thin blade gleaming distractingly in the tavern's flickering light.
"Hah!" It was now or never!


I forgot Razd's musing last time! Duh.

Move Action: Feint [roll0]
Standard Action: Attack! [roll1] (+2 song)
Damage: [roll2] (+2 song)

[Doggie_arf]

Laron's low strike misses as the shady man dances out of range, hands moving as he prepares the gestures for a spell. The former militiaman takes the opportunity to strike a cleaner blow to his temporarily distracted opponent, his weapon colliding with a sickening crunch. Despite the crippling attack, the beshadowed figure pulls his spell off, halting the advancing Tenitian guards in their tracks with a blast of scintillating colors.

Growling in frustration, Laron reverses the motion of his swing by sheer force of effort, tendons and muscles straining as he attempts to finish the enemy off quickly. If the man's companions were to get past Jasper and Kitsu, they'd all be in trouble........

HP: 9/14
AC: 16 (Touch 14/Flat-footed 12) (+2 Ferocity)
Status: Ferocity (20 Str, 18 Dex, 5/6 rounds left.)

Standard: Attack on Sh1 at B7 (still within range of Laron at C6).
- Attack Roll: [roll0] (same bonuses, no Power Attack).
- Damage (if successful): [roll1] (same bonuses, no Power Attack).

If he succeeds in downing his opponent, Laron will move/5 ft. step (doesn't really matter) up to B5 to back up the ailing Jasper.

[Savannah]

Amira takes a step back and draws her bow. She frowns in concentration and the wall moves and grows, sliding and shifting to block off the caster once more.

5' step to B10. Move action to draw bow. Standard action to concentrate on the spell; moving/shaping wall to E1-E2-E3-F3-G3-H4-I4-J4. I think that's legal, as I've got up to 5 10' cubes to work with. If not, let me know and I'll redo it.

[Amnestic]

The skeleton crumbles to dust in front of Kitsu, the magics holding it together burned out and dissipating in a puff of bonedust. Her wolf appears where the skeleton once stood, white fur matching her own. It growls, ready to attack at her mistress' command.

Amira's wall morphs and shapes silently, reforming to wrap around one of the shades and close him off from his allies and enemies. The shade, seeing little he could do from his trapped position behind the bar, darts to the back wall and unleashes a bolt of force against Kigan, in the hopes of doing...well, anything really. It seems more like an act of desperation than anything else. Evidently they were recieving more than they bargained for.

This notion is only reinforced when Laron's crushing attack slams down upon the shadowy figure closest to the door. Rather than falling to the floor in a crumpled heap as one might expect, he instead explodes in a gust of shadow and smoke, leaving no body, just whatever items and clothing he was carrying and a small charred mark on the ground where he had once stood. His boots are smoking slightly, still stood up as if he had never left them.

Jasper, though clearly injured, manages to lash out at his assailant and get in a fairly decent hit against him. Just as the shade is about to retaliate, a bellow of "KARL!" from across the room signifies that Suls has managed to clarify his vision enough to notice his new found friend is in trouble - and that his comrade in arms has run off leaving him behind. His weapon forgotten, Suls leaps at the shade and grabs at him, engaging him in hand to hand combat quite successfully and forcing him to engage in a test of strength with the trained soldier.

The final shade in the room hops back a step before unleashing a spell against Laron, who shrugs off most of the effects. He is not completely immune however, and finds himself a touch shaken by it.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/Amnestic/DnD%20Stuff/bar4.png


Rocks fall Laron hits, Sh1 dies.
Jasper hits, Sh2 is somewhat injured. Suls grappled Sh2 (though Sh2 still missed with his attack either way) and they are now grappling together in the same square. I'm not sure how to make this clear on MapTools itself, so you'll have to make do with just Sh2 there and the knowledge that he's currently being grappled by Suls.
Sh3 casts Cause Fear on Laron but he made his save. Still Shaken for 1 round though.
Sh4 cast Magic Missile on Kigan, who is still tending to his serving girl.
Amira's wall was reshapen.
Kitsu's wolf is now summoned and ready to act.
Razd maintains his song, and I am starting to get concerned that he's not coming back even after my 'incredible' summary of the events so far :smallfrown:

[Yuki Akuma]

Kitsu yips and barks at the wolf briefly, before moving towards the bar - the wolf, meanwhile, races in the opposite direction, jumping at one of the shadowy figures with its teeth bared, a fierce snarl escaping its jaws... before they try to clamp down on the shadowy being and drag him to the floor.

Meanwhile, Kistu fixes the shadowy being who attacked Kigan in her eyes, and gives a low growl. The air gets a few degrees colder...

Directing the wolf to move to B3 and attack Sh3.

Attack! [roll0]
Damage! [roll1]

If it hit, free trip attempt!

[roll2]

Meanwhile, Kitsu moves to H5 and targets Sh4 with Winter's Chilld. Fort save DC 15 or take [roll3] cold damage and become fatigued.

[Kurai]

"Good thinking, Suls!" Jasper bellows, his trademark smirk once again in place despite the fact that he's still clutching a hand to his bleeding chest. Realizing his opportunity, he stabs at the grappling shadow, tasting the revenge on his tongue.
And that's for ruining my good shirt!


With the wolf in B3, SH2 should be flanked, right?

In case the Shadow loses his dexterity bonus to armor due to his scuffle with Suls, ignore the Move Action.

Move Action: Feint [roll0]
Standard Action: Attack [roll1] (+2 song, +2 flanked)
Damage: [roll2]

[Doggie_arf]

Laron blinks in surprise as the stricken shade seemingly explodes in a rapidly dissipating cloud of smoke, leaving a crumpled pile of clothes and weapons behind. He looks around quickly for a moment as if expecting his erstwhile opponent (or its corpse) to reappear, a prickling feeling of dread rising that was so at odds with his heightened adrenaline rush.

Literally rising, as the ex-soldier realizes that the terror was unnatural! Focusing himself, he shakes off and buries most of the induced fright, before turning towards its most probable source - the shady man's companion, who has backed towards the wall after casting his spell.

Kitsu's summoned wolf flashes past, aiming for a tackling bite on the beleaguered spellcaster - seeing an opportunity, Laron rushes up, resisting the residual echoes of fear as he launches his own attack at the man's head.

HP: 9/14
AC: 16 (Touch 14/Flat-footed 12) (+2 Ferocity)
Status: Ferocity (20 Str, 18 Dex, 4/6 rounds left.), Shaken (-2 attack, saves, skill & ability checks).

Move: A3. Shouldn't provoke from Sh2 at C4, thanks to Suls's grapple.
Standard: Attack on Sh3 at B2.
- Attack Roll: [roll0] (Same bonuses, no PA, -2 from Shaken).
- Damage (if successful): [roll1] (Same bonuses, no PA).

[Jarian]

Razd sets his mandolin down on the table, regarding the chaotic mess with a critical eye. "That is not going on my tab..." he murmurs under his breath.

He stands, and promptly slips in a puddle of ale. He gives the dropped mug a stern glare after righting himself, then picks his way more cautiously toward the illusory wall, stopping to balance one-handed against another table as he slips a javelin free from its holster across his back.

Drop mandolin on the table in C-11, curse about the terrain to self while trying to figure out what to do for ten minutes move to E-9, draw javelin.

Inspire Courage lingers for another five rounds.

[Savannah]

Amira continues to frown slightly as she keeps the wall in place.

[Amnestic]

The shade shrugs off the cold from Kitsu's spell as if it were nothing at all. Being assault through the wall confuses him slightly, but it stands up to his scrutiny. He stands steadfast and readies himself for when the wall comes crashing down and he joins the battle once more. Kitsu's wolf is no more lucky than her mistress, her attacks going wide and leaving the shade untouched. Her attack done, the magic compelling the wolf to remain fades and the wolf along with it, dissipating away until just the echo of her howl remains as a memory.

Laron's attack, on the other hand, finds its mark, almost taking him down right there. The shade perseveres through what must be a great deal of pain and the explosive death of his comrade in arms. With a leap backwards and a hastened word he launches a thin ray of cold blue light from his fingertips at Laron, striking him head on.

Jasper's hit finds a gap in his grappling, distracted opponent's defences. Such a distraction doesn't last long however, as he pulls himself free of the inebriated Suls' hold and dashes towards Kitsu.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/Amnestic/DnD%20Stuff/bar5.png

Kitsu's spell is shrugged off.
Wolfy misses, spell expires ;<
Laron hits, deals damage.
Sh3 deals 1 (one) cold damage to Laron with his ray.
Jasper hits, deals damage.
Sh2 frees himself from Suls' grapple and moves towards Kitsu.


Not much else to say really I don't think.

[Kurai]

Quick as a flash, Jasper stabs at the retreating creature, not wanting to have it run away just like this.
"Get back over here, you darned coward!"


AoO:
Attack: [roll0] (+2 song)
Damage: [roll1] (+2 song)

[Amnestic]

Jasper's stab very nearly hits the retreating foe, but an opportunistic slip on the ale-soaked floor forces him under the attack and allows him his flight from The Fox and his taunts.

[Kurai]

Annoyed at the struck of luck the shadow had, as well as being ignored, Jasper sets his mind with a huff and decides to make his way after the creature. Pushing stairs and left-over things out of the way to his opponent, he curses and stops to shake his foot and get rid of splintered wood that got stuck on his pant leg.

What a great day. My favorite shirt is ruined and I'm bleeding my way all over the stone floor. But fate won't scorn me so easily, ooooh no. Every lesser man maybe, but not me!
Such and similar thoughts course through his mind until he finally reaches the shadow, simply stabbing at him with much less flourish and instead a healthy amount of frustration.


Move Action: Scrambling his way to F4
Standard Action: Attack [roll0] (song +2, 5 rounds left)
Damage: [roll1] (song +2)

[Jarian]

"Blast it all, stay still for one bloody second!" Razd curses under his breath, shifting the javelin to his left hand while he draws his whip in his right. He takes a step toward the nearby melee, then lashes out with his whip, an attention-grabbing crack! filling the air.

Shift javelin to offhand, draw whip, 5-ft to F-8, Leading the Attack on Sh2.

[roll0] for [roll1] nonlethal slashing damage. If it hits, all allies get +4 on their attack rolls against Sh2 for one round.

[Savannah]

Amira continues to concentrate.

OOC: Sorry, I figure she's best off keeping one enemy pinned down, as she's got him now....

[Yuki Akuma]

We're out of spells, girl.

I know! Still got teeth, haven't we?

Suddenly, the little fox lunges at the nearby shadowy figure... Teeth bare. Rawr!

Bite the shadow!

Attack! [roll0] (Assuming the +2 is still active from the song...)
Damage! [roll1]

[Amnestic]

Despite Jasper and Razd's frustrations (or perhaps because of them) their attacks go wide. Their attacks do provide sufficient distraction for Kitsu's bite, which digs deep into the shade's arm. With a grunt of pain the shade flails and dislodges the small blur of white fur, before lunging at it with the intent to grab her. Too quick for him however, Kitsu dashes under his guard and finds the shade's throat, tearing at it. Where flesh and blood should be, Kitsu finds only smoke and shadow. Just as with the first, the shade vanishes leaving nothing but his items; the shortsword which had done such damage to Jasper clattering loudly against the floor.

Such a shadowy explosion is followed soon after. Laron's flail slams into the side of his foe's skull and the shadow disappears in the third puff of smoke, shadow and fire. He stands atop a table, triumphant over his vanquished foe's belongings.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/Amnestic/DnD%20Stuff/bar6.png

I DM action'd Laron to move it along, though the result is hardly anything to wag your finger at ;p

Sh2+Sh3 are now deaded, leaving just Sh4 behind the wall of Amira's and...yeah. That's pretty much it. Next round! :P

[Savannah]

"Do you want me to take the wall down now?"

[Jarian]

"Release the wall if you like. I have an idea."

Razd's going to try to use Suggestion on the remaining shadowy figure to try to get some answers. No promises it'll work, though. If someone has a better idea, feel free.

[Savannah]

Amira nods and waits for everyone to get ready. Once they're prepared to block the shadowy figure if he tries to run, she closes her eyes for a moment, and the wall slowly sinks into the floor.

For the shadowy guy's benefit, she's actually using a last round of the spell to make the wall disappear, then releasing the spell.

[Jarian]

Razd moves closer to the remaining shadowy figure, smiling brightly.

"I suggest we step outside, friend; these others look none too friendly toward you just now. I'll even help you take care of them if you want to come back after a quick chat!"

CL check for Suggestion: [roll0] DC 8

Suggestion for the remaining shadowy figure to step outside and have a chat with Razd. Potentially very reasonable due to Razd offering to help deal with the others after the chat; take 10 on Deception if necessary for the bluff.

[Kurai]

Jasper scowls at the remaining sword on the round, puffing out air and blowing at a few strands having loosened themselves from his ponytail. Finding them sticking to the sweat on his forehead, he scowls even deeper.
"Bah," he murmurs, "wounded by a stupid bundle of smoke. Go to hell with my blessing, you blackened gas of an ogre."

Never the less, he adjusts his grip on the rapier and turns to the remaining shadow, waiting to jump in if Razd's idea won't work. His left hand is still on the tatters of his shirt, though he feels that the blood has already started to dry.
'I'll even help you take care of them'... ashes and fire, I wouldn't believe that if I were piss-drunk. Let's hope those creatures are as stupid as they look. he thinks with a mental shake of his head.


Having never done so before in my life.. I believe I should be able to delay my actions. In case the shadow keeps attacking or tries to flee, I'll make my move.

[Yuki Akuma]

The fox tears out the smoke-thing's throat... and once she reaches the floor, she begins hacking and spitting with disgust.

Ewwww.

[Amnestic]

The shade drops his guard as Razd's Suggestion takes effect and, with slightly loping steps, he acquiesces immediately. "Yes I...I think that may be best." He replies. The voice is strange, almost like it echoes against itself. Unnatural in nature, and yet still recognizably human. The shade moves outside almost oblivious to the chaos around him (tripping over one of the tables along the way) before standing by the door, waiting on Razd.

Kigan takes a deep breath as he oversees the carnage that is the remnants of his bar. "Phew! That brings me back. Anyone in need of immediate assistance?" He hops over the bar and begins righting tables. The injured serving girl appears to have been sufficiently healed by Kigan and has risen to her feet as well. "Gotta say strangers, mighty good of you to help as you did. You come back any time and drinks will be on the house. If there's anything left of these idiots, you're welcome to it." Suls has picked himself up from the floor, along with the two no-longer-disabled Tenitian guards who are now talking amongst themselves in hushed whispers. Amira can't pick out much, though she does notice the words "Captain", "Black Claw" and "trouble".

The battle is (for the moment) over.

Should the party decide to retrieve the shades belongings they will find two Scrolls (a rudimentary glance can tell that they are different), a set of Studded Leather armour, a well-crafted silver shortsword inset with a large blood-red crystal, and 32 platinum, 46 gold, 15 silver and 6 copper.

...not really sure what the rules are for identifying augment crystals. Gonna assume it's the same as any other magic item unless anyone can point to something which I've missed which says otherwise.

Think that's all for the moment. Dungeon Master-man, awayyyyyyyyyy~

[Kurai]

"I'd exchange the offer of drinks glady for some stitching up," Jasper replies half-jokingly, seemingly starting to get back to his old self. He takes the blood-sticky hand away from his chest, then wips back the hair in his eyes with the back of his forearm.

Then he makes a show of taking a closer look at his ruined clothes, trying to see if the leather parts of his outfit are so destroyed that he has to wear the left-over studded armor in exchange.

[Savannah]

Amira wraps her arms around herself and looks away from the mess, shivering slightly.

[Amnestic]

One of the serving girls (Cassie, for those keeping track) approaches Jasper with a small potion and a couple of rolls of bandages. She was apparently used to doing such things, it coming with the job. His armour could probably stand up to a few more fights yet without issue, though the blood could probably do with being cleaned off.

The other girl - the one who had been injured during the fight - walks past the Tenitians (giving them a subtle dirty look as she did so) over to Amira, "I just wanted to say thanks for your help. I might not've made it if it hadn't been for all of you. Can I get you anything?" Her eyes and expression are of genuine gratitude as well as a sympathetic look; she seems to have noticed Amira's aversion to the scene of the trashed bar. Kigan is tending to the injured patron, attempting to revive him.

There's Cure Light Wounds potions (one per person, 1d8+1 healing) on offer to anyone who desires it, on the house :P

And yes, Kigan the dwarven ex-adventurer is in Plum-pink and the second serving girl (who I'm going to call Jenna from now on) is DeepSkyBlue. Take that gender stereotypes!

[Savannah]

Amira blushes and looks down at her feet. She shyly shakes her head, indicating that she doesn't need anything.

[Yuki Akuma]

Kitsu walks on over to Amira... and promptly nuzzles at her leg. Nuzzle nuzzle.

Either she's trying to comfort her or she's playing the part of the pet again.

[Savannah]

Amira bends down and picks Kitsu up, cuddling her tightly for a moment before seeming to remember that the fox might not like such things and has the fangs to back that dislike up....

[Doggie_arf]

Laron remains standing on the table for a few more moments, staring down bemusedly at the jumbled pile of clothes that used to be his opponent. Realizing he still has his weapon out, he bends over to wipe the flail on the dead person's cloak........and nearly tumbles off as the after-effects of his adrenaline rush slam into his system. Good thing I only had the half-mug of beer, or I'd probably be sick until tomorrow afternoon.

Steadying himself as he climbs down to the ground, the former soldier surveys the wreckage of the Sea Serpent's Breath, shaking his head at the chaotic mess. This is going to draw a lot of attention to us. Just what we needed........

Stepping carefully, he walks - slowly - towards the others, to check if everyone is alright.

[Jarian]

Razd follows his new best friend outside.

"Wow, talk about crazy, huh? I thought they were going to kill us for a second there! So, what was all that about anyway?"

[Kurai]

Jasper loosens the straps of his leather armor with a grimace until he can shake out of it, placing it on a table and leaving the serving maid to her work on his damaged skin, while he downs the potion in one go.

"Ugh," he pulls a face, glancing at the empty vial in his hand as if it was vile. "And I thought my ma's herb tea was disgusting. Well, as long as it does the deed..."
And it does. He can feel himself strengthening again as the potion burns through his system, with the warmth of brandy, but without the following side-effects.

He smacks his lips once, then grins down at Cassie with a charming, sassy grin. "I'd rather have my 'potion' of healing in the form of a pretty girl all the time. I'm sure you won't make me want to wash my mouth with a drink."


Potion healing time! [roll0]

[Amnestic]

That? We needed the familiar. Such creatures are of interest to our master. We think they can be used for...for..." The shade stop, clutching at his forehead for a moment almost in pain "We hope to access an old magic artifact hidden beneath the city, the master believes that familiars are necessary for doing so."

Jenna, seeing Amira blush and turn away, seems to decide not to push the matter further. She picks her way over the the rubble over to Laron, before offering assistance in the form of medical supplies and more booze, as well as thank him for his part in the battle.

Cassie blushes at Jasper's advances, before lowering her head and trotting off to help clean up. Kigan wanders past carrying a table over his head. "Don't be getting any ideas there, young master. You may have saved my bar but I won't have you breaking that young girl's heart, you hear? She's a flower on the inside."

[Jarian]

"Fascinating! Say, would this artifact be the sort to help you and me take care of those louts inside, or is it more the type to... summon your dark god of doom and gloom and..." Razd wiggles his about in a vaguely spooky gesture. "...that sort of thing?"

[Amnestic]

The shade laughs. It's deep and guttural, and decidedly unnerving. "God? We haven't need of any god. The master is all we need. All we want. All we are. The artifact is just the next step in the master's plans."

[Kurai]

"Ah, a flower at heart, a flower at sight," Jasper jokes, but decides to let it pass. Then, in a rare moment of contemplation, his easy smile turns into a blank look.

"I have the feeling I forgot something." Then with a look to the door, it hits him, his mouth forming an O.
"The shadow! Right. I knew there was something."
With that he walks outside, his curiosity piqued.

[Yuki Akuma]

Kitsu does not seem to mind the hug - possibly she's just still playing the part of the beloved pet. THere's bound to be a pay off for this later...

Her ears are pricked, though, pointed in the direction of the door!

[Doggie_arf]

Laron takes one of the proffered potions, grimacing at the bitter aftertaste. Bitter, but effective, as he feels the bruises from the earlier magical assault begin to fade almost immediately. You're up and moving, at least. Not like those........people who attacked a moment ago.

Seeing the bartender trot past with a table over his head, he walks over to one of the overturned benches and picks it up - carefully, of course; he still feels a bit shaky and weak after the earlier fight.

"Here, let me help with clearing up. Least we can do after such a mess."

I'll take up the Cure Light Wounds offer, then.

Cured Hit Points: [roll0]

Brings me to 13 HP. One night of rest, and I'll be good as new. :smallwink:

[Savannah]

Amira, not wanting to look at the mess and noting the angle of Kitsu's ears, takes a shaky breath and says, to no one in particular, "I'm going for a walk."

She heads out the door.

[Jarian]

Razd shoots a glance at the opening door, then clasps a hand to the shadowy man's shoulder and spins him around, starting the pair off on a walk. He shoots a quick what-do-you-think-you're-doing-this-guy-was-trying-to-kill-us glare over his shoulder, then pastes a grin on his face and continues his conversation.

"Sounds like a man I could follow," he says, nodding enthusiastically. "What's a fellow got to do to join up with you folk? This place could use some leadership if you ask me."

[Amnestic]

"Join us? Only those who are deemed worthy by the master and are willing to give up everything can join us. The master...the master will take back the city. The master will expel those who desecrate our lands." The shade turns along with Razd, almost completely oblivious to everything in the world that wasn't the conversation.

------------------

"Ah, much obliged my good man. Many thanks again for your help in taking down these ruffians. I saw you with your flail out there, pretty impressive. You fellows adventurers?" Kigan's eyes glaze over a little as he seems to be remembering days gone by. "Used to be much the same myself, though I trust more in my axe than that flail you got there. Ah...takes me back to when we were cleansing the Tomb of Icaria. Was almost as much of a mess as this place is!"

------------------

"Ah! Karl!" Suls jogs (stumbling a little) to follow Jasper and Amira out of the tavern. "Who's this lovely, a lady friend of yours?" He does a little eyebrow wiggle at Jasper before continuing. "Just wanted to say thanks for your help. Our Captain will probably want to talk to you and your..." He eyes Amira up and down, "'friends' tomorrow. If it's not too much trouble, could you swing by the Drakin Building at some point? Probably best if you go to him rather than make him go to you if you know what I mean. There should be at least one face you recognise at the door, just drop my name if there isn't and mention tonights events and that should get you in fine. Best turn up early though, we've got a high-profile visitor turning up in a couple of days."

[Kurai]

"Oh, yes, Suls, she's a..." Jasper's grin turns downright predatory, while he offhandedly lays an arm around Amira's shoulder, never looking away from the guard, "friend."

With that ambiguous reply he switches the topic, nodding at the other man. "It would be a pleasure to stop by. To met the captain himself, it's an honor. Hey, and if you're going back now... be a sport and bring Fino a bottle to drink and slap Lex on the back of his head. You know." He winks as if the conversation is over, then, still holding Amira around the shoulders, stirs them both in the direction Razd went, but keeping a reasonable distance to him and the shadow (which had nothing to do with Razd's glare. No. Not at all).

Once they are far enough away from Suls, the swashbuckler lets out a deep sigh. "Boy, if every Tenitian is like those guards, I seriously wonder how they managed to take over a whole city. Let's hope Laron catches up soon, it's not like we're getting paid for the clean-up."

[Doggie_arf]

"Bit hard to call us adventurers," Laron replies to the bartender as he rights a slightly dented table. "Haven't visited all those places, despite what some of my friends would say." He frowns at a stool, broken into two at the seat, before tossing both pieces into a similar pile of unsalvageable furniture in one corner. "Myself, I was just having a drink before those........men decided to attack."

Not even sure that they were men. The way they disappeared........not natural at all. Picking up the shortsword from amongst the wreckage, he frowns slightly at the crimson jewel on the hilt. Should pass this to the elf - maybe she'd know if it does anything special.

The former soldier straightens up, surveying the bar, which now looks a fair bit neater than it was after the earlier brawl. Seeing Amira and Jasper leaving, he turns towards Kigan. "Guess I should catch up with the rest - hopefully, there won't be any more trouble today."

[Yuki Akuma]

As Jasper puts his arm around Amira, the little fox in the elf's arms gives a low growl. At least this vocalisation sounds like a dog and not some sort of unearthly monster!

[Savannah]

Amira smiles slightly, but shushes Kitsu. Having Jasper put his arm around her is infinitely better than Suls looking at her...

[Jarian]

"Now that's leadership! Give your followers what they want, but demand obedience! Rule with an iron fist of fairness! Say, I can't help but notice that you didn't mention how one would actually go about joining... secret ritual? Slip the door guard a few silver? Prove yourself in a contest of might and will (not that half the sops in this city are worth a lick at either)? Hmm?"

[Kurai]

Jasper snorted slightly amused, looking down at the bristling fox.
"Hey pet, I'm helping your 'owner' out of a clinch. Don't look at me like I'm the villain."

Releasing the smaller grey elf, Jasper turned around, walking backwards with his hands in his pockets and nodding his head at Laron. The big man seemed to be catching up to them. The swashbuckler prayed the evening would end soon, as he was beginning to get bored and tired, but also wanted to share his news about tomorrow's visit to everyone at once. He hated needing to repeat himself.

[Yuki Akuma]

The fox seems to calm down a little, but she's still giving Jasper a Look.

She might be getting a little too into the 'familiar' role.

[Amnestic]

Kigan's grateful for Laron's help, and the bar is almost entirely straightened out in short order. "Good of you to help out with the cleaning up too. Wherever you fellows are heading, good luck to you. The Sea Serpent's Breath will always welcome you with a hot meal, a cold drink and a willing ear. Best hurry out or your friends'll leave you behind - and keep that prettyboy on a tight leash, he'll cause trouble if you let him."

--------------------------------------------------

"You have to meet the master, who will then deem you worthy. You will offer up a part of yourself to the master who will in turn grant you powers with which to better serve. You...may prove worthy in power, but the master will deem you worthy in mind."

You know, this Suggestion is totally taking all the mystery I'd hoped to build around these guys. :P

[Savannah]

Amira follows close to Jasper, keeping alert for signs of danger.

Perception [roll0]

[Doggie_arf]

"Yes, I'll watch him." We've enough problems already as it is. "And thanks for the offer. Another time, perhaps." With that, Laron turns towards the door, picking up the pile containing the vanished shade's belongings (with the silver blade bundled inside) on the way out. "I'll pass these on to my friends, then - maybe they'd know more about what we were fighting."

Must be something inhuman, the ex-soldier thinks, as he lengthens his stride to catch up with the rest of the party, nodding back to Jasper as he closes - he had better not cause any problems, now. Falling in about a pace behind Razd and his (literally) "captive" audience, he frowns as the surviving shade's words reach his ears. Something no longer human, then. And this 'Master' of thiers........

As he walks along listening to their former enemy's words, Laron's eyes scan the surrounding roads and alleys. There could be more of those shadows out there, waiting to rescue their comrade........

Perception: [roll0]

[Kurai]

Jasper, in his oblivious mind and armor of self-important arrogance, doesn't even think about checking for threats and unknown occurences. But even he isn't so thick-headed to fail and see that his comrades are quite alarmed and watchful.

Blushing very slightly in the darkness at his less-than-grand moment, he gets himself on track to search as well, one ear still trained on the conversation in front of him.


Perception: [roll0]

[Amnestic]

"So...if we have to meet him, how would we go about doing that?" inquires Razd, still 'happily' chatting with the shade as the party came up the rear. "You wish to meet the master? You may do so. At next new moon, he will show himself to new followers at Black Moon Temple."

Well no one suggested questions so...I suggested one to myself. I can do that! ;p Black Moon Temple is, as the name implies, in the temple district. The next new moon is in five days.

[Kurai]

Jasper gets tired pretty quickly by the constant awareness and shadow-glimpsing (both kinds), so her yawns loudly and folds his hands behind his head.

"All right, so what are we going to do with shadow buddy over there once he's done blabbering? I suspect we're not going to send him on his way with a clap to the back and a warm handshake." He purses his lips. "Actually, I don't even care if we did that. I have some great news for tomorrow, so I hope we're done here soon. There's a bed calling my name really loudly."

[Doggie_arf]

Studying their "prisoner" for a while, Laron briefly considers the notion of silencing the shady man, before rejecting the idea. The earlier incident with the young thugs still weighs down on the former soldier's mind, and he is in no real mood for further violence this night.

"Let him go. We can't keep him, and we have better things to do than killing cultists that cross our path."

[Yuki Akuma]

The fox speaks! Hey, high level familiars can do that. Maybe. "Let him go. If he remembers this he'll be thankful we didn't kill him when we had him at our mercy. If he doesn't remember, nothing gets back to us."

[Savannah]

Amira nods in agreement with Kitsu's statement.

[Amnestic]

With a pat on the back and a wave goodbye, the shade wanders off alone down a dark alleyway, his body seemingly merging with the shadows until he is entirely invisible to you. With him gone, the party is free to return 'home' to Razd's dance studio and considering how the day has gone, it seems like the best move to make.

The studio is warm when you return, almost...welcoming despite the bloodshed which had occured here not more than a few hours ago. There are a few (enough for one each, lucky you!) small rooms in the back which could be turned into makeshift bedrooms, and a fairly small pantry with cooking supplies for the basest of meals, along with a small kitchen with which to do so. It's barely workable, but it is workable nonetheless.

In light of Jarian's internet problems, I'm going to move the game along to help prevent stagnation. Since she said she still had questions for Shadowman, I'll allow those to be asked retroactively once she gets back, but for now we're going to move on.

[Savannah]

On the way back to the dance studio, Amira shares what she knows from recognizing what the shadowy figures are.

[Doggie_arf]

Walking into the studio, Laron attempts not to look at the center of the studio, even though the floor had been cleaned up hours ago. Turning towards the others, he asks "So, what are our plans going to be like for tomorrow? Somebody mentioned having a spell to help climb up the walls."

[Yuki Akuma]

Kitsu shakes her head. "With a little more practice I may be able to cast it, but..." the fox looks embarrassed, if a fox can even look that way.

[Kurai]

"Actually, I don't believe we have to climb any walls if we can just use the door." Waiting a moment for it to sink in, he spreads his arms in a showman fashion and smiles brightly. "We have a special inventation for tomorrow to the Drakin house. Now how's that for a change? Oh, and the Resistance guy is alive, by the way," he adds as if in afterthought. Jasper seems to be the only one in the group who has no qualms whatsoever to step across the floor, once blood-covered or not.

[Savannah]

Amira smiles at the news, but almost immediately frowns, thinking. "I-If we go in, what are we doing? Looking? Rescuing?"

[Doggie_arf]

"Hm. Useful, that." The ex-soldier sounds rather impressed - it was an unexpected bit of good news.

"The walls might still come into play. Don't think they'll allow us to walk out their front door with their captive in tow."

[Yuki Akuma]

The fox hops down from Amira's shoulder... And then begins to grow, fur vanishing, to be replaced by clothing and armour... She becomes human again - or at least as close as someone with animal eyes can get - and stretches expansively.

There's a disturbingly loud crack from one of her forearms, but she ignores it...

"I think Jasper has proved to us that he can think quickly on his feet. Of course, anyone who feels comfortable with their stealth skills should likely remain inconspicious..."

[Kurai]

Jasper snorts at that, raising his chin haughtily. "As if someone like me needs to proof anything... from big fox to little fox, I'm a natural." Then his expression turns into a naughty leer. "And on the topic of little foxes... I do prefer pretty women to pretty pets." He grins a bit, then destroys the look with a sudden, unexpected yawn.

"All right, our date tomorrow? Is tomorrow. As in, things won't run away from us if we get a bit off shut-eye." He scratches his cheek in an offhand way, his normally sharp eyes slightly distracted. "We'll get the resistance member out one way or the other, even if we have to dabble in a few explosives... the only problem is that it could ruin a nice chance to slip that Lieutnant whatshisface a pretty little dagger in his kidney while shaking his hand. And then there's that secret shadow-temple thingmajig on top of it, which, by the way, I'm not getting paid for."

[Savannah]

Amira nods in agreement when sleeping is mentioned, fingering her spellbook.

[Doggie_arf]

Laron averts his gaze as the shaman changes shape, evidently somewhat disturbed by Kitsu's transformation. Stone walls out of nowhere and people changing into animals, the ex-soldier muses to himself. Sure is hard to get used to magic.

"Those cultists aren't part of the task we were given - I don't think we should worry about them for now. As for the rest - " here, Laron breaks off as he, too, begins to yawn. " - we can discuss this further tomorrow. Best to get some sleep while we can."

And hopefully, Jasper won't trip over his feet and get us into trouble. Last thing I want is for half of Tenit's armies to be after our skins........

[Yuki Akuma]

The night - apparently - passes uneventfully. Kitsu is up at the crack of dawn, of course - sleeping any longer is a sign of laziness.

The shaman is currently sat cross-legged in the middle of the dance floor, her staff held out before her. Her eyes are... glowing purple, although they're also closed so it's difficult to tell. She's absolutely stock still...

[Doggie_arf]

Laron walks slowly out of his room, looking a little bit bleary around the eyes - it seems that he hadn't really slept that well the previous night.

"Damn. Hate those memories," he mutters to himself, not really noticing the trancing shaman (or anyone else who's awake). Realizing that he hadn't refilled his waterskin, he hunts around the studio for a pitcher or bucket of water. Could do with a shave, a drink, and a bit of washing up.

[Kurai]

Jasper follows after the big man when a few minutes have gone by. He yawns deeply, scratching his head and disturbing his already unruly red mane even more.
"Darn those two gals... pushing me over in the middle of the night just because I inched a bit too close." Spotting the fox girl in the middle of the room, he comes to a stop. "Speak of the devil," he deadpans, then resumes walking. Just like Laron, he longs for a chance to wash himself, then combs his hair with a healthy amount of vanity until it shines like one flowing waterfall of glittering, wavy copper.

[Yuki Akuma]

Kitsu... speaks! Her voice has an odd sort of double-image quality to it. Although both are definitely Kitsu's voice, which is... odd. "Spirits of wood, stone and water. Spirits of humans, dwarves and elves. Spirits of the City. Heed us."

Welp.

[Savannah]

After waking from her trance, Amira spent the rest of the night in meditation in her room.

(She'll be out a bit later, as she's prepping spells in her room.)

[Kurai]

Sitting lazily to the side after finishing his morning routine and watching Kitsu with a raised eyebrow, he turns to Laron once the man comes back.
"Honestly, I don't get this magic stuff. I mean, sure, it's handy here and there, but all this tedious sitting around in the mornings and once you shot your powder? Poof, you're a sitting duck. But then a weapon in comparison... maybe a little rustical and with a few less sparkle effects, but always at hand. And even if you lose it, your own body is still a remarkable weapon, especially if you are as talented and handsome as I am."

Jasper says the last words in such an offhand way, it is clear he sees himself as such a pinnacle of the male population that it has become a matter of normalcy to him. While the hubris was eyeroll-worthy, one had to admit his deep conviction was kind of impressive. There are few who can pull off such a feat with a straight face.

[Doggie_arf]

Laron walks back into the room, grimacing as he fingers a spot where he'd cut himself shaving.

"Magic has its uses, but I'd agree that some of it is really strange. People turning into animals, stuff out of thin air........that takes some time getting used to."

He looks sideways at Jasper for a moment, before adding "Please stick with your weapon - the way you talk, you'll need it for sure."

[Savannah]

Amira comes out of her bedroom, carrying a large book. "Um, I, um, we are planning on going to the fort, right? Do you think there will be much fighting?" She looks rather worried by the prospect.

[Kurai]

Jasper throws a deadpan look into Laron's direction, then turns to Amira and shrugs slightly.
"We have to decide on what we actually plan to do. I say we go inside, make nice with the guards and the captain, and if there's a chance to get the captured man out of there, we'll take it. It might make things in the future a bit difficult, like killing that high ranked buddy, and we sure can't show our heads out in the open for a while. So I wouldn't preclude a fight."

Suddenly, he purses his lips and a dark glimmer enters his eyes. "Actually... we, pardon, I could make them believe that I'm a high ranking official spy here to check up on the captive. Then, if we manage to get time alone with him, you could 'betray' me, bombing your way out of the house and leaving me behind with a bruise or two. That way, we might keep our connections if I can manage to convince them I was deceived." The idea of someone hurting his handsome face didn't sit well with him, but the very thought of misleading a whole garnison of Tenetians had his blood running faster through his veins. Now that was a challenge!

[Savannah]

Amira nods and returns to her room. She emerges some time later, the book nowhere in sight.

[Yuki Akuma]

Kitsu has been quite silent all this time - after calling out to the spirits verbally, most of the exchange seems to be taking place somewhat less audibly. After a while, the deal is made, and Kitsu blinks her eyes - and they stop glowing. She looks somewhat unfocused for a moment before shaking it off.

[Amnestic]

The party leaves the dance studio to unusually rainy weather beating down upon the streets. Already a few buildings show signs of preparing for the possibility of floods. The streets are slick and flow with both clear and grime water, washing this way and that before forming into ever growing puddles. People huddle under their cloaks and the loud laughter and of the streets the night before seem to have disappeared down the river.

The guard at the door of the Drakin Building is in a surly mood, as expected for someone standing guard in fairly heavy armour in the pouring rain. With a grunt and an annoyed nod, he opens the door and allows you to get out of the rain. The inside of the building is almost entirely wooden - at least in appearance. A long thin corridor stretches in front of you (about 30'-40'). There are two doors almost immediately on your left and right, and down the corridor you can see a more open area on the right along with some stairs and another door on the left. From the door on the right comes Suls, dressed up in his armour.

"Karl! You made it, early too. Excellent. Shame about the weather eh?" He grins, giving the party a look over at your sodden forms. "Nice of you all to come. The Captain's juust through this door here; no, no, let me go first, I'll introduce you." With a proud swagger (and a leery glance at Amira as he walks past her) he opens the door on the left side of the hallway and steps in, beckoning for the group to follow. Inside is a fairly small office. A middle-aged man sits behind a wooden desk piled high with papers. "The civilians from the incident last night sir." Karl says matter of factly. A short "Thank you, Corporal. Dismissed." sends him out of the room and the door closes behind you, leaving you alone with the Captain and his furrowed brow.

"You engaged the BMS's - the Black Moon Shades - at the Sea Serpent's Breath late last night. Three were killed during the engagement, but by all accounts there were four at the scene. A fourth which -" He tugs a paper from the pile and glances over it, before spinning it and pushing it to the far side of the desk. "- eyewitness reports state left with you, before disappearing down an alleyway shortly thereafter." His next statement was clearly not a request:

"You are going to tell me what you talked about."

[Savannah]

Amira hangs to the back of the group during the walk and keeps her head down as she goes into the building. She shivers almost imperceptibly at Suls' look.

OOC: Yuki, I'm assuming I'm holding Kitsu in fox form at the moment (keeping her under my cloak during the walk to keep the rain off of her), unless you have other plans.

[Yuki Akuma]

Kitsu is currently foxy, and hiding under Amira's cloak to stay out of the rain. The rain is confusing her. She's used to snow!

She seems to be growing quite attached to the elf, really.

[Doggie_arf]

Laron stands back a little bit, letting Jasper start the talking - after all, it was "Karl" who had received the invitation to the Drakin building. Staring around at nothing in particular, he resists the urge to finger the weapon at his belt.* Better not cause a scene - he can manage that easily enough without your help........

No prizes for guessing who that "he" is.

(*: That assumes that they let us in with our weapons. If not, refluff as "resists the urge to reach for a weapon that wasn't there.")

[Kurai]

A friendly, jovial smile stretches across Jasper's face as he says, "Of course, sir, of course. If you excuse, I would like to add something beforehand."

Suddenly, his lax manner bleeds from his body, he stands more straight and his face is the very epitome of gravity. His mouth is stretched in a displeased manner as he puts the palms of his hands against the captain's desk.

"I am bitterly disappointed, Captain. I travel all the way from Tenit on the Emperor's orders and what do I find? Disorder. Negligence. Soldiers that spend their nights drunk in taverns, telling any two-bit stranger secret information like random bar talk if offered enough hard liquor." His voice grows more stern and angry as he speaks. "And the Emperor wonders why our enemies, the erstwhile rulers of Fariness, are still hidden away like mouses in their holes? What do you expect me to tell him when I get back about all the soldiers he sent, hm? What you did with all the money he spends on you? If you can explain that to me, I'm very willing to tell you what we found out about the Black Moon Shades, Captain."


Dear gods, we're all dead *prays*
Deception: [roll0]
And for the heck of it:
Intimidate: [roll1]

[Amnestic]

The Captain remains stoic throughout Jasper's little tirade, his face unflinching at being lectured by the young rogue, even the mention of being at the Emperor's orders fail to raise an eyebrow. After Jasper finishes, a long silence fills the air. The Captain sits quietly in his chair, eyes locked on Jasper's own, hands clasped in front of his face in thought. Finally he speaks in a measured tone, leaning back in his chair as he does so. "If you are here on the His Highness' orders, you should have no trouble displaying the letter adorned with his Royal Seal attesting to this."

I hadn't really planned on statting this guy out. Best go do that now I guess.

[Yuki Akuma]

The little fox gives a little foxy sigh. This won't end well.

[Doggie_arf]

Laron manages to keep his face impassive and his hands by his sides somehow, thank the gods. He wasn't sure what would happen if he lost it right now, except that it'd probably involve him attempting to exact terrible injury on Jasper. Not necessarily with a weapon.

The ex-soldier definitely didn't have any Royal Seal to show the Captain - unless someone else had such a letter (for whatever reason), things were going to get pretty messy........

[Kurai]

Surprisingly, Jasper keeps his cool. Actually... he starts laughing. Honestly, unbelievable amused laughter bubbles from his lips.

"Dear gods, do you know who I am?" Then he shakes his head, still quite amused and adds as if talking to himself, "No, of course not, I wouldn't be doing my job right if you did."

Jasper's hands leave the table and he folds his arms, looking at the captain with intense, ice-blue eyes. He can only keep his pulse from racing just so, but the adrenaline is like the finest wine for him. Keep your cool, guys. It's not over yet. This was his way of living, one step away from the edge, the knife, the noose, dangling one foot over the abyss and then taking it back with only inches to spare. There was nothing better to really feel alive. And if there was one person who could pull it off... well, they didn't call him the Fox for nothing!

"Good man, I am the Emperor's personal master of espionage. I visit and infiltrate places where they check every orifice the sun not only doesn't shine, but that you probably never heard of. And you expect me to carry around an official seal that basically screams spy and Tenitian at the top of its lungs?" He scoffs, shaking his head slightly. "My work may be dangerous, but I'm not suicidal. So let me get this straight: I will uncover the secret hideout of the former king and queen with or without your help, but frankly, after seeing your 'troops', I think I'm better off with my own company. And once this job is finished, maybe I will tell my master he should rather invest his money in hired swords than a bunch of badly trained guards."


>.<
My goodness, the tension is killing me here. This was my first and my last crazy, narcisstic deception-specialized character. I'm honestly scared how these rolls turn out...

Deception: [roll0]
Intimidate: [roll1]

[Amnestic]

At the mention that Jasper is the personal spy for the Emperor, the Captain immediately stood to attention, saluting and looking visibly flustered. "My lord! I had no idea. I...I am sorry for any inconveniences I have visited upon you. Please, you must allow me to make good on my apology, you must stay here tonight; you and your...companions. We will treat you like the nobility that you are, true respite from the backwater taverns of Fariness. My soldiers may be incompetent at everything else, but they are well trained at treating their betters as they should." He doesn't for one moment let the salute or his posture slouch, despite the sudden jump from his chair.

[Yuki Akuma]

The fox almost sounds like it's choking for a second, before it coughs and seems to dislodge whatever was bothering it!

[Savannah]

Amira starts breathing again.

[Doggie_arf]

........Or I guess that works too.

Some of the tension drains from Laron at the Captain's flustered reaction - he had to admit, somewhat grudgingly, that Jasper's silver tongue was getting them places.

He still doesn't relax completely, though - it wasn't as if they had the run of the place yet........

[Kurai]

While the Inner Jasper does some mental flips of victory and some mad cackling, the Outer man places his hands together behind his back and nods at the Captain with an earnest, small movement that basically says 'I see you are finally reasonable'.

"Please, Captain, stand at ease. And no lord title, I am simply the Emperor's trusty servant, just as you are," he says humbly. "Though I won't hesitate to take you up on your offer for the night, if my companions don't object. I have not yet begun my search, so it won't hurt if I stay here tonight."

He lowers his face in thought, then adds. "Actually, I think you might be my best lead for the search, now that I think about it. You are in posession of a Resistance member," the redhead says as if it is a normal statement, "so I guess you undoubtedly have questioned him already? In case he wasn't willing to speak, I have my own... methods." There is a slightly disturbing smile on his face as he mentions that.

A feather to the sole of the feet? Atrocious, I tell you. Reminds me of that big thug caught by my former gang... who needs bloodshed if grown men succumb to the power of the tickle?

[Amnestic]

"You are well informed. No less from the Emperor's vanguard. We do indeed have a prisoner from the so-called 'Resistance'. He has told us little even with the use of enhanced interrogation techniques, but perhaps you will have more luck." The Captain scribbles a few notes on a piece of paper before folding them up and walking and popping his head around the door in the right of the room. He mumbles a few words, hands the papers off to someone out of sight and turns back to the group. "Little bit of clerical filing to be done whenever anyone interacts with the prisoners, just to keep a record. Now, shall we go?"

And with that, he leads you back into the hallway and down to the small open area with the stairs at the back of the building. Having done so, he moves the rug in the centre of the area aside to reveal a trap door, which he promptly opens (not locked) and descends down. A cellar is carved clean out of the stone here, rough walls and rougher torches lining the sides. You can clearly see small water flows coming down the walls, seeping from the rain above. "Our armoury and food storage." The Captain states, gesturing to a door on the right. "Nothing special, but more than enough mundane equipment to keep a full regiment fed and equipped for weeks without resupply." As you reach the end of the tunnel, it splits in two directions. Down both lengths are rows of cells, grimy and poorly lit.

A single guard sits between the two on a chair, cradling his halberd and looking distinctly bored. "Private Tagar! Stand at attention!" The Captain snaps as he approaches. Private Tagar practically leaps out of his skin at the sudden noise and is on his feet in a moment, hand rigid in a salute. "Status on Prisoner #627."
"Quiet as always, Cap'n. Narry a mouse's peep out of 'im. Last cell on your right."
"Good. As you were, Private." With that, the soldier sits back down and returns to his own thoughts, heart clearly battering a hole through his chest at this point. The Captain leads you down the right block of cells to the very end. On your way you pass by a cell holding a single female prisoner dressed in rags. She's laid on her side facing away from you and appears to be sleeping, though by the way her body barely moves she could be dead for all you can tell.

At the final cell which the Captain points you towards, a man sits against the back wall, arms resting by his side. He raises his head as you approach, his face grimy with dirt and his jet black hair a mess. You can see scars lining his uncovered arms and legs and the places which are not scarred are a patchwork quilt of purple, blue and black bruises. His voice is raspy and forced as he speaks, but he's clearly putting on a brave face as he utters "Another session already? I think you might be falling for me, Captain." The Captain doesn't reply directly, but simply turns to Jasper, "He's all yours."

A map of the prison area as revealed to you thus far. I'm not sure my description has done it justice, so this is to assist you in your, and my, visualising of the area. Enjoy.

You can find the map here. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/Amnestic/DnD%20Stuff/Dungeon1.png)

I forgot to note it on the map, but the Resistance Prisoner is in the top right hand cell, while the female prisoner who may or may not be deceased is contained on the left side, third from the top.

[Savannah]

Amira has kept quiet during the walk, but she keeps alert, trying to memorize the layout and anything of importance that she sees along the way. In the prison, she frowns slightly at the prisoners' condition, but waits for Jasper's next move.

[Kurai]

Jasper walks thoughtfully up and down before the prisoner, lips pursed and hands still folded behind his back. Then he stops suddenly, making sure his back was right in front of the captain, so the man couldn't take a look at his face.

"Well, well, well... still feisty, prisoner? What do you expect? A group of resistance fighters heroically popping up out of nowhere do drag you ass back outside?" He chuckles lightly, but his face shows a cheeky smile and he winks meaningfully at the prisoner. Then, steeling his face again, he abruptly turns and walks to the side.

Jasper nods at the woman held not far from here. "And what's with her? Is she useful?" he asks with a hint of boredom and with his head tilted in the captain's direction as if waiting for his answer.


Yeaaaah, I'm stalling, I know. But I think I finally have a plan how to go on from here.

[Amnestic]

"Prisoner #601? She went nuts on one of the soldiers a few weeks ago. She's either in the Resistance or unstable; either way we're not letting her out. She's not said a word since she was locked up, and doesn't move whenever she knows anyone's looking at her."

[Yuki Akuma]

Kitsu peeks over Amira's shoulder at Prisoner #601. She then squirms out of the elf's arms, hops over her shoulder, and trots over to the woman's ceel to peer inside.

She wonders if she could fit through the bars...

[Amnestic]

The bars on the cells are indeed wide enough for Kitsu to squeeze through while in her Fox form, though the Captain may take notice. A flash of clean, bright white doesn't exactly blend with the grime and dark rock of the chambers or the cold metal of the cell bars.

[Yuki Akuma]

Kitsu hmmms a little bit, nosing one of the bars idly for no particular reason. Yep, she can fit through there. But instead, she just elects to bark at the prisoner. Perhaps trying to get a reaction?

Fox barks, it turns out, sound basically the same as small dogs or wolves barking. Funny, that.

[Kurai]

"Then she is of no concern." Jasper giggled madly inside. A official, high-ranking Tenit spy... actually, the most high-ranking. It was a dream role come true. Now they needed a bit space...

Turning to the captain, squares his shoulders and appears to be all business.
"I will go to work now. That will be all for now, captain." He doesn't look away, it is obvious this is a dismissal.

[Amnestic]

Prisoner #601 fails to respond to the bark in any meaningful way, though Kitsu could swear that she saw her give a little jump at the noise, and it is now clear that she is breathing - albeit in a very subdued manner. For the moment however, she remains steadfast in her position on the ground facing away from the small fox creature.

Upon the bark and sudden noise, the Captain turns his head to eye Kitsu, before looking at Amira. "Please keep your pet under control ma'am. I'd hate for the Prisoner to get a hold of her. No telling what she would do."

The Captain hesitates at the dismissal - clearly not standard protocol to leave outsiders alone with a prisoner, but he acquiesces with a salute and walks off. He mumbles a few words to Private Tagar before heading upstairs. Far down the hall you can hear the sound of the trap door opening and shutting, signifying that the Captain has indeed left you.