Curse of the Crimson Throne: IC

[Bhaakon]

Korman belated drops to a knee himself, bowing his head as the Queen addresses the group. When she's done, he raises his gaze and responds.

"Aye, your Majesty, I'm always on the lookout for steady work in a good cause. I can't speak for the others here, but I'm willing to help clean up your city."

"Not that it needs much cleaning, that is...er...it's a nice city, but we could always work to make it better."

[Karl Prosek]

Dan straightens out of his bow as the Queen addresses them directly. He hadn't dared to correct Sabine when she'd added his father's last name to his, although in the Shoanti tradition he had no surname until he earned one. "I have dedicated myself to that very goal, your Majesty. Though my work to close down shiver parlors probably isn't the kind of thing you're talking about. What would you have me do?"

[NobodyMuch]

His right hand slips into his pocket, holding onto the deck of cards. "Sure am, your Highness. We stand for Korvosa, and we do so gladly." Secretly, Iacomo is certain that the sorts of troubles that the Queen sees and the ones that they'll actually fix are more than a little different. He doesn't figure that the view from her fortress castle is too accurate.

[Mathemagics]

Queen Ileosa nods, accepting the general attitude of consent.

"Then, if you are willing, I would ask you to report to Field Marshal Kroft at Citadel Volshyenek. The city guard is stretched perilously thin with the recent unrest, and I understand she is in deed of individuals such as yourselves who can assist without being part of the military system..."

Her gaze lingers for a moment, just long enough to make you feel uncomfortable and that she might know just a little more about your recent activities than you'd prefer... Or maybe that's just paranoia...

"In any case, your reward for the return of the brooch."

The Queen makes a motion and Sabine steps forward to move a small silver chest from the side of the throne to a spot on the floor a few feet away from you. She carefully lifts away the lid, revealing the contents nestled within a red velvet interior. No less than a dozen gold ingots, each stamped with the royal seal of Korvosa, rest inside the ornate box.

"Each bar is worth 100 gold pieces, and can be exchanged for such at any registered bank or money lender. It is my thanks to you, who brought some small measure of happiness to me amidst my sorrow. But, if you will excuse me, I must now retire to my quarters; my grief has drained me and I require rest."

Without further discussion, Ileosa rises from her seat and exits the room, attended by the servant. Another servant materializes from whatever mythical hiding place servants occupy when unneeded and lifts up the chest to carry it for you, at least to the front doors of the palace. Sabine leads you back outside to the courtyard at the top of the stairs from the main gate. The chest is deposited on the flagstones as the porter retreats back inside the castle.

"Will you be needing that escort, or shall I assume you can make your own way to the citadel?"

[Bhaakon]

"No, Ma'am, we can make it well enough." Korman replies, eying the chest.

1,200 gold, and I bet that coffer's worth a few more besides. Imagine what I could buy with just a cut of that. His thoughts flit back to a certain bit of statuary currently on deposit in a neighborhood pawn shop.

[Madcrafter]

"I would hope we wouldn't need an escort to walk the streets." Diancan comments without sarcasm, to no-one in particular. He swoops down and retrieves the weighty reward, though why the porter couldn't have just handed it to them, he didn't know.

Carrying the box reminds him of the events of last night though. "Oh, we should also go get..." He glances at Sabine, "...That other box that we left behind last night.

[Karl Prosek]

Dan nods at Korman. "No, ma'am. We should be able to make it there fine." It didn't escape him that Sabine had asked without asking if they really intended to go to the citadel. He briefly wonders if she'd meant it that way and decides that it had probably been a hint that if they took the Queen's money and didn't show up they would have to watch out for the city watch.

[NobodyMuch]

Iacomo doesn't need to tell the hired muscle anything; the others have already made that point clear. He waits until they're clear of the castle with no armed, interested ears around, and lays out what he thinks they should do.

"So. We've a load of coin and another task at hand. The city certainly seems to have calmed down enough, so splitting up ought to be safe. As safe as it ever is in the city, at least. I'm sure we've all errands we can see to with that much ridge in our pocket."

" Diancan's right about the other box, though. Need to see to a proper bit of ceremonials for poor Zellara's remains. Cremation'll probably be for the best, given what's left. Once we're done with our various sundries, we meet up for her send off and head to the citadel to get started on the next bit of custodial work. Thoughts?."

[Bhaakon]

Korman nods his head in general agreement with the gunslinger's suggestions.

"Aye, we've all got a few trinkets to purchase. I know I've got my eye on something special. That said, if we're to be working as a group from here on out, perhaps we should pool our resources for certain pricier items we could all benefit from?"

"I'm thinking of curatives and the like. I'd hate to have to charge a dying man for dipping into my own personal stock, and some things are cheaper when bought in bulk."

[Mathemagics]

Having agreed to split off to run their own errands (considering their recently-acquired windfall), the party members head off to take care of their various businesses, agreeing to meet back up at Gaedran's former hideout in several hours time to retrieve Zellara's remains. This arrangement proves to be just slightly awkward when everyone apparently decides to go visit the same Abadar-sponsored moneychanger at the same time to cash in their share of the gold bars... but after that everyone heads on his own, really.

Eventually everyone manages to make their way back to the old fishery by the river and after a bit of furtive skulking confirms that the building is still unoccupied. Luckily the contents of Gaedran's room appear to be undisturbed from the last time the place was raided (by yourselves of course). After collecting the box with Zellara's severed head, it doesn't take too very long to make your way to the temple of Pharasma, where the priests agree to put the remains to rest. They charge no fee, considering that ensuring everyone's physical remains receive a proper repose following their death is one of their primary tenants.

And of course from there it's another short hike across the city to Volshyenek Citadel. By the time you reach the gates of the small fortress, it's already late afternoon. The citadel seems to be operating on a skeleton crew at the moment; only a few guards can be seen stationed at the more important posts. Likely the majority are stuck patrolling about the city trying to keep the fragile order in one piece. (That or drinking away their sorrows if Grau was any evidence...)

That said, there is still a pair of guards stationed at the front gate.

[Karl Prosek]

No longer possessing an item presumably stolen from royalty, Dan is noticeably more chipper about approaching authority figures. He strides right up to the guards on duty and gestures to himself and his companions. "By order of the Queen, we are to report to Field Marshal Kroft at Citadel Volshyenek. Please have someone come down to escort us to her."

[Bhaakon]

Korman is content to follow Dan's lead. He stands back and wait for their escort or directions, diligently scrubbing at his new breastplate with his filthy handkerchief.

I'll keep this one shiny, I swear it. Not like that damnable chain mail I caught lockjaw from. He silently promises, though the dingy cloth he's wiping with actually dulls the shining steel with a trail of sooty swirls wherever it passes.

[Mathemagics]

The guard nods to Kurdan.

"Aye, you're expected sir. If you'll follow me, I'll take you to see Field Marshal Kroft right away."

The guard turns and begins to walk away, leaving his comrade looking a bit anxious. (Hard to blame him really; being a guard is scary enough with all the recent unrest, but being the only guard at a post even more so.) Following your escort, you're led across the yard and through a door into the inner keep, up a flight of stairs, and along a series of hallways until arriving at a door which the guard knocks on, prompting a reply from within.

"Enter."

The guard opens the door and motions the party inside before leaving to return to his post at the front gate. As you enter the office, an attractive woman with dark hair looks up from a table of papers; from her uniform (but mostly the fact that she's the only person in the Field Marshal's office), you guess that this must be Field Marshal Kroft.

She blinks wearily once or twice before recognition seems to connect in her mind, causing her to shake her head slightly as if clearing it.

"Ah, you must be the agents sent from the castle, yes? I am Field Marshal Cressida Kroft. Please have a seat."

She points at a number of chairs pushed against one wall, indicating they should be pulled up to the large table dominating the center of the room. She then returns to her own seat, having stood up earlier to make her introduction.

"I apologize in advance if I come across as cross or curt, comes with not sleeping in over three days. Only thing keeping me on my feet is the constant attention of the Abadaran cleric we keep on retention and his spells."

Kroft gives a shrug and pushes the reports she had been reading off to the side, clearing a small space in front of her amidst the mound of paperwork.

"Well then, the report I received from the palace didn't say much... beyond the fact that they were sending a group of "adventurers" who were responsible for the return of the Queen's ring... or necklace... or something like that. But the amount of work we're facing in this recent crisis is... frankly insane, and I appreciate every bit of help I can get."

[Madcrafter]

No point in dallying then; if she really hadn't slept in three days (and Diancan could believe it), they'd best get on with things.
"So then, what job do you need us to do?" Hopefully something interesting. They'd better not get stuck out there guarding the gate.

[NobodyMuch]

The 'slinger has been quiet while they reassembled and were shown inside. He's itching to get to work. As to his own appearance... the musket slung over the Varisian's back couldn't be more different than it'd been earlier than just that day. Whereas before it's condition could be charitably described as visibly ramshackle at best, it positively gleamed now. The wooden stock had been replaced or re-sanded, its flintlock refurbished and its barrel polished. There, down one side of the long gun's barrel were etched the Varisian words ' Justice Speaks With Heaven's Thunder '; and along the other side of the barrel the words 'Andrenatti ARMS 000001' are likewise engraved down its length. He's had a chance to change clothes, to boot, more flashy colors.

Pulling up a chair and turning it around, Iacomo leans into the reversed bit of furniture and deploys a wolfish grin," We're here to help, ma'am. Point us at a problem, and we'll have it cleaned up right quick."

[Karl Prosek]

Dan pulls a chair up to the table as ordered and nods at the Field Marshal's and his companions' comments. "We're here to help, ma'am. Just point us at what you need and we'll get it done."

[Mathemagics]

"Glad to hear it, I won't waste any time getting to the point then. The recent unrest is already taxing the city guard; you saw what it was like on the way in here I'm sure. We're on a skeleton crew. And now to make matters worse, I have to worry about my own men deserting and going rogue. Now, in some cases I can understand this; they're simply more worried about their own families and friends than they are the city as a whole. It's not admirable, but it's also hard to blame them."

Kroft takes a deep breath, leaning back in her chair wearily.

"On the other hand, some of them are just deserting to join in the looting or otherwise look out only for themselves. One of these men in particular is Verik Vancaskerkin, who has not only deserted himself but managed to convince a small group of four other guards to join him. You have to understand that desertion is much worse than a simple loss of men, it's like a sickness that keeps spreading. And I can't spare the time or resource to have Vancaskerkin and his crew brought in, not to mention the complications that could arise from sending former comrades after him. That's why I need an outside party, namely yourselves."

Straightening up and turning her attention momentarily towards the mounds of paperwork, Kroft fishes about through the reports for a few seconds until she excavates the target of her search. Skimming the contents quickly, she nods and returns her focus to the briefing once more.

"My reports indicate that Verik and his men have holed up in an abandoned butcher shop in Northgate, place called 'All the World's Meat'. I need you to go there, check the place out, and take care of them. Try to avoid unnecessary killing if you can, but if they force your hand it's their own fault. As for Verik himself, I'd really rather prefer it if you can take him back here alive for questioning, but if that proves impossible it's better if he's dead than running about free. Do this for me, and you men will have a thousand gold to spend."

Kroft trails into silence for a few seconds with an expression on her face that suggests she forgot something. Eventually realization dawns.

"Oh! Sorry, whole not sleeping for three days, almost forgot. Verik's only worth half the reward if he's a corpse. I really do want him brought in alive if at all possible... though I suppose you could maim him a bit... Anyway, any questions?"

[Bhaakon]

"Desertion for profit, you say? And in a time of war? Field Marshal, you can bet that we'll clean this one up for you. I can't imagine a more foul betrayal!" Korman bubbles over with anger.

Men like these give us conscientious deserters a bad name! His fist tightens on his new hammer, eager to test it out. He can already picture the cold steel flatting this Vancaskerkin's face. I hope they don't surrender.

[Karl Prosek]

Dan nods. "We'll do our best to bring him in alive, ma'am. Best for the rest of your men and the rest of the city to see him tried and hanged properly."

[NobodyMuch]

Iacomo scratches his chin as he thinks a bit. Another group of people the world'll be better off without, and another person who wants them brought in alive. The gunslinger can't figure it out, this softness, but he supposes he'll listen this time. More money to fund the War.

"I'm guessing its a bit too much to hope we've got floor plans for the World Of Meat, but do we have anyone who's been inside it we can get a word with? Knowing how many doors are where, and maybe getting a bit of a sketch'll help us more than a lil' bit," the Varisian ventures.

[Mathemagics]

Kroft shifts her focus towards Iacomo and frowns, not at the gunslinger himself, but rather at the situation raised by his question.

"Unfortunately, no we don't have anything like that. To be perfectly honest, we don't even know exactly where in Northgate this place is located. We only found out Vancaskerkin was hiding out there from an anonymous tip, and with how short on manpower we are right now, we haven't been able to investigate further.

You'll be the first we send in to deal with this, which is also why I'm willing to give you a free hand in how you handle things. If you want my advice though, try the locals. Northgaters can be a bit tight-tipped, but you may be able to get some information out of them."

[Bhaakon]

Kroft was being a polite with her new civilian contractors, but Korman new an order when he heard one. They had their mission, and as much information as the city guard had. There was nothing left to do but get to work.

"We know you're spread thin, ma'am, so we'll not be taking any more of your time. You can rest assured that this little problem is as good as solved."

Unless one of the others stops him, he turns to leave.

[Madcrafter]

Diancan gives a curt nod to the Field Marshal, and follows Korman out.

[Karl Prosek]

Dan purses his lips. "My parents have a pub up that way. Maybe they've done business there before." He shrugs. "Can't hurt to ask on the way, at least." The big man nods at the Field Marshal. "We'll take care of it, ma'am. You can count on us."

[Mathemagics]

The Field Marshal nods and gives the group a tired smile.

"Then I won't take anymore of your time. Don't worry, I'm sure you can handle this, you look like the types who know how to get things done."

The meeting concluded, you make your way back out of the citadel. (Though to be more correct, you wander around in the labyrinthine hallways for five minutes until running into someone who actually knows the way out.) Eventually, you make it back out to the front gate and retake to the city streets once more.

[Bhaakon]

"Knew the way the whole time." Korman gripes once they're out on the street. "That guardsman took us the long way round to try and confuse us, to keep the layout secret, but I know my way was shortest."

"Dan said his folks might know something. Seems like a decent enough starting point." He looks to Dan for a direction of travel.

[Karl Prosek]

Dan grins at Korman. "Back to the bar it is, then!"

[Mathemagics]

Later...

You eventually reach the family bar once again. It seems that while things are still quite tense about the city, Kurdan's parents have decided to open the bar up again for now. A few patrons are sitting about and things are relatively calm when the group arrives. Kurdan's dad is working from behind the bar and greets you as you enter.

[Karl Prosek]

Dan grins at his father as he leads even more potential customers into the pub. "Hi, dad. These are more of my friends." He introduces everyone who hadn't accompanied him last night. The big man moves around the counter to get mugs for himself and the rest of the party. "We were wondering if you'd ever gotten meat from 'All the World's Meat' up in Northpoint. Sounds like they went out of business. Ring any bells?"

[Mathemagics]

"Hmm... sounds familiar... think I used to buy from there about a year or so ago, before old man Grout went and got himself thrown in jail for tax evasion of course. Don't think anyone's set up shop there since though."

The conversation seems to catch the interest of one of the guy sitting at the bar, as he shuffles a bit closer and leans in.

"Ey, you askin' about that old butcher shop a few blocks over, yeah? Heard the guys who set up there in the last few days have been giving out free food to people, ya know."

[NobodyMuch]

Tax evasion. A whole new genera of criminals to punish unfolds behind the eyes of Iacomo (luckily, adventuring proceeds are tax-free in his own mind), reinforcing his belief that Korvosa needs some serious Cleaning Up. If even the craftspeople and the artisans are criminals, who's left that isn't?


" Well, this makes things a bit more complicated. If they're doing good by the people, we really can't be too careful bringing 'em in alive." Iacomo muses, at the interjection by the listener. "Unless they're handing out, you know, year old spoiled meat. That's back to less complicated."

[Bhaakon]

The dwarf wags his head in agreement. "Aye. Buying off the neighborhood, sounds like. They'll have eyes, and ears, and allies on every corner in this district. If we're lucky, we won't run into a mob on the way out." The dwarf ruminates.

"This may call for some finesse, some subtlety, some, well, some of what I don't got." He huffs, but then his face brightens again. Now wait a minute. Wait a minute. If this place has been shuttered for a year, then they can't be giving away the leftover inventory. They must be buying the food somewhere else and shipping it in. Maybe we can hitch a ride on one of those shipments.

[Madcrafter]

Diancan glances at Dan's father and the other patron, not sure of how much of their mission they should really be letting on in such a public place. Most of it had already been revealed however, so they might as well continue and hope no one bothered to tell Vancaskerkin. The deserters must be expecting someone to come after them eventually anyways.

"Short term allies perhaps, but I wouldn't think eyes and ears. They've only been here a short while. And I doubt people would be so quick to support them if they knew them to be deserters, free meat or not. This city is none to friendly with most of it's rulebreakers." Diancan gives a pained grin.

"Sneaking in on a shipment may not even be necessary. It might be possible to just walk right in and see what's going on. If it's only a few blocks, one of us could go over and reconnoitre right now."

[Karl Prosek]

Dan nods at Diancan. "Scouting shouldn't be too hard. Just walk in, get some free food, look around, maybe ask a few questions if they seem friendly enough, and walk out. I could do it. I don't have the build for sneaking, anyway." The big man grinned. "Going in armed wouldn't even raise that many red flags, what with the riots. Lots of people going around armed today. As long as we look a little down at the heels we should fit right in."

[NobodyMuch]

"Not a bad idea at all... though if they make you, you need to get out fast." Iacomo has taken this chance to sneak in a snack, munching on a piece of toasted bread. "We'll see what the rooftops around the place are like. I might be able to get a good angle through some windows. Give you some cover."

[Bhaakon]

"Good enough plan for me." Rumbles Korman. "Now let's put it to work. Plenty of guardsmen saw us at the Citadel, and this Verik character might still have some friends among them. The sooner we act, the less likely he'll know who we work for."

[Karl Prosek]

Dan nods at Korman and smiles. "Let's go get some free lunch, then."

[NobodyMuch]

And they're off to the races.

Out into the street goes Iacomo, headed for the rooftops once more. He follows the group from above, whistling as he goes. Ducking behind cornices and hiding behind shacks, he keeps a low profile despite his high elevation. Once they get to the occupied meatshop, he orbits it, casing the joint thoroughly. The gunslinger gets a fix on the windows, whether they're open, and the doors in and out of the place.

If there are good windows that let him see into the building ( a front shop window would be the best, he muses ), he takes up position so he can see in through that. If good windows are lacking, he sets up on the rooftop facing the front door that the scouts will be going in through. Waiting, he primes his revamped musket.

[Madcrafter]

Oh so everyone was going? Diancan had figured a single scout would be a little less conspicuous, but after a second of confusion when everyone gets ready to head out, he rises too and follows. So much for cooling his heels in the inn. He gives a nod to Dan's dad as he heads out.

[[He'll idle inconspicuously across the street while Dan and Korman go in. And as crazy dangerous as it would be in real life, he'll keep his crossbow loaded under his jacket just in case.]]

[Mathemagics]

A few blocks of travel brings the slightly scattered members of the group to the old butchery. A small sign hangs over the front door depicting a fat and smiling cow, so you feel pretty confident you got the right address. Nobody seems to be hanging around outside the building and the lower floor has a distinct lack of windows to peer through (then again, it was probably built with the intention that people would rather not see the gory work of slaughtering animals). The second story is a little more helpful, and Iacomo can catch glimpses of a couple men occasionally through the windows.

Those on the streets peer through the front shop windows. The display counter shows signs of fresh blood while flies circle lazily in the air above, indicating there has indeed been meat on display recently, though none remains now. As they're investigating, a random passerby in the street happens to notice their interest in the butcher shop and wanders over.

"Oh, you boys hear about the free meat as well? Yeah should've gotten here earlier; they always run out by noon. Still though, it's real considerate of those Cow Hammer Boys, giving out free food to the families that wouldn't be able to afford to eat otherwise during these rough times."

[Bhaakon]

"Oh, that's too bad. You hear that, Dan? Told you to rouse yourself dawn." The dwarf barks, his eyes twinkling. "Well, wouldn't hurt to ask. See if they've got a bone or two left for soup, or maybe what time they'll have more tomorrow. Maybe they could use some help with the shop, eh? I'm strong of back and passable with a knife."

Korman continues forward, opening the door of the butcher shop (or knocking, if it's locked). "Anyone here?"

[Karl Prosek]

Dan plays along, clearly enjoying the banter. "You know that dwarven whiskey puts me right out. I don't even know why I drink that stuff; I never remember the night when I've been drinking it, anyway." The big Shoanti nods at the door. "I'm starvin', though. Anything'd be better than nothin'."

[Mathemagics]

The door proves locked. Several seconds of solid knocking and hammering on it eventually brings a large man from inside the shop. From the frown on his face and the way he carries himself, it's clear that he wasn't expecting people to try bothering him at this time of day and isn't at all pleased at having to interrupt whatever he was doing to come out front. Unlocking the door, he pulls it open a foot or so, just enough to stick his face in the door and glower at Korman and Dan.

"We already ran outta the free meat hours ago. Shove off and come back in the morning!"

[Karl Prosek]

Dan puts on his most earnest, hangdog look. "Sorry, mister. We're just real hungry. D'you have even a hank of bone with some meat left on it? We could make soup."

[NobodyMuch]

Parked at his vantage point facing the front door, Iacomo is content to sit and wait. He's already got a few plans laid out in the event that Things Get Interesting before they're meant to, but that's in the future. For the moment he sits, he waits, and he breaths.

Patience is important, he repeats to himself. Patience is important.

[Mathemagics]

The large man's bushy unibrow contorts in anger at the continued insistence of those at the front door.

"I already told ya, there ain't nothing left! Now shove off before I have to beat some sense into ya!"

His right hand drifting to the hilt of a sword strapped at his side, the man moves to slam the door shut in Dan's face with his left.

[Karl Prosek]

Dan puts his boot in the doorway. His very large, armored boot. "Hey. Hey now. Look. No need for that." He gestures at the man's sword. "I'll tell you the truth. I need work." The big Shoanti gestures at himself- his used armor, his makeshift weapon, his well used cloak. He looked like a down on his luck mercenary.

"The people who told me about the meat told me the men here look like the type who might be able to employ somebody who knows their way around a fight. And I do. So sure, I came for the free food- always good, that- but I also came to see if your people were looking for more head knockers. 'cause that's something I can do, and I'd much rather earn my way than ask for handouts. You understand. I just need a chance. Just give me a shot."

[Mathemagics]

"Well then they was either lying or stupid. I've known my mates for a good long times, and I trust them. But I don't know you, and I don't trust ya either. And besides that, we don't need anyone to knock heads around neither; we're running a very respectable volunteer operation here."


Sense Motive
It's almost painful to everyone present how obvious the lie about the "respectable volunteer operation" is... Clearly nobody ever taught this guy a thing on subtlety or how to give an evasive answer that didn't involve threats with physical violence...

[Bhaakon]

Quickly growing impatient with the lack of progress with the feckless doorman, Korman hits upon a cunning plan. Well, a plan. OK, perhaps just a desperate ploy.

Regardless of the quality of his inspiration, he reaches for belt and shakes his still-fairly-plump coin purse, eliciting the beautiful ringing of gold coins knocking together.

He makes an exaggerated look around and leans in more closely. "Look, my friend here's being a little too subtle, and maybe signals got crossed. We're here to buy some meat, you ken? That is, this is a business transaction." He winks, still fondling his money.

[Mathemagics]

The man's eyes linger on the purse for a moment before he slowly looks up (well... slightly less down) at the dwarf. Fixing Korman with a long look, he relaxes his stance ever so slightly.

"Wait here. I'll have to check in the back."

Pushing the door closed and locking it, he lumbers off into the back of the shop.


While it's a bit difficult for Korman to gauge the man's reaction, Dan realizes from his tone that what the guy was really saying could roughly be summed up as "Stand around for a bit while I get my friends to come and back me up.". It's safe to say that you'll have some company in the very near future if you continue to wait around.

[Madcrafter]

Diancan hurries over from the other side of the road.

"Well, doesn't look like you got in. That guy was just a tough though. Is he going to fetch the brains, or should we return tomorrow?"

[Bhaakon]

"He's going to fetch someone, and I don't see any reason to return. Let's take him and whoever he brings, then charge in through the door and take the rest." Korman argues, reaching for his hammer and bottle of mutagen. "Let's be honest here, I'm not the guile type--unless you consider 'burn it down and catch them as they flee' a workable plan--and we're never going to talk our way in, so we might as well just overpower them."

[Karl Prosek]

Dan sighs and nods at Korman. "Since that's the case, we could just go in now." He gestures at the door and readies to kick it down. "On three?"

A couple of Aid Anothers could be helpful here. Dan and Korman have the same Strength mod, so either could be primary.

I saw your OOC post re: not kicking the door down, but Dan will have to have it explained to him.

[NobodyMuch]

"Hssst," the entirely stereotypical sneaky noise comes from above as Iacomo crouches at the edge of the building. "Don't go in yet. Let them come out. No cover out here for them. "

Having said that, he double checks his range to the front door. Presumably, he's within short range for his musket (unless the street they are currently on is a very wide one indeed!). Provided that's the case, he hunkers down and waits to take his shot. If its longer than that, he quickly descends from the shingles to ground level, hiding himself behind a derelict barrel.

[Madcrafter]

"I agree, let them come out here. At the very least, they might open the door again so you don't have to kick it in. There's probably a back door somewhere too if this one doesn't pan out." With that, Diancan moves over along the wall of the butcher's shop and leans casually against it, not too far from the door.

[Karl Prosek]

Having had the tactical advantages pointed out to him, Dan waits placidly for the beefy man to come back with his friends. He grins at Korman. "We're all gonna be surprised if he comes back with a side of beef for sale, aren't we?"

[Mathemagics]

A minute or two passes in silence before the sound of the inner door opening announces the return of the guard to the front storeroom. Closing the inside door behind him, he lumbers forward and unlocks the front shop door, abruptly swinging it open. Without ceremony, he motions those waiting to follow him inside, frowning all the while.


Perhaps it's due to his general paranoia, but Korman manages to catch the sound of movement from a nearby alleyway. Watching from the corner of his eye, he spots a large man carefully watching the group, probably waiting for them to go inside the butcher shop.

[Bhaakon]

"About time." Korman fumes at the man. "I thought my beard would go gray." He turns towards the door to enter.

"You going to invite your friend in the alley along, as well?" He asks offhandedly.

[Karl Prosek]

Dan nods and smiles amiably at the man as the big Shoanti moves to follow Korman. "Yeah, why not invite your friend in, too? He might get assaulted by imps, standing around in alleys like that. It's not safe out on the streets alone these days."

[NobodyMuch]

Iacomo stays low, moving along the front edge of the roof and placing himself across from the upper windows he'd spied people through earlier. His current plan is to wait until he hears things getting exciting on the first floor, and then opening fire on the presumably hostile ex-guards in the upper stories. He should be able to keep them occupied, he thinks to himself.

[Madcrafter]

Diancan frowns concernedly as the others step inside, but stays where he is. Wouldn't want to give up the game yet. Hopefully they won't lock the door.

[Mathemagics]

Once Korman and Dan are inside the butcher shop and the dwarf calls out his hiding accomplice, the ex-guardsman (codename "Eyebrows") shoots a vicious glare at the pair. Taking a step back, he opens the door to the back of the shop, allowing a third man, just as large and angry-looking, into the room. At the same time, the little bell hanging over the front door jingles and the watcher from the alleyway enters. A cruel smile spreads over Eyebrows features as his hand drops to the hilt of the sword at his side.

"Right then. Here's how this is gonna go. First, you're gonna hand over any weapons and anything valuable you're carrying. Then, me and my pals here will rough ya up a bit. And then, when we've finished having our fun, we'll let ya limp on home."

Knuckles are cracked all around as the men close in around the pair...


Eyebrows is making an intimidate check to demoralize, receiving successful aid another bonuses from his friends...

Korman is demoralized and shaken for 2 rounds. Dan is similarly shaken for 1 round.

At this point, people basically have just enough time to do one quick thing before the guards commence the pummeling.

[Karl Prosek]

"Well, that's rude. Cayden preaches that businessmen be polite to their customers. Or..." Dan makes an exaggerated gesture of surprise, trying to cover his dismay at the sudden but totally expected situation. "... are you not real butchers!? My goodness!" The big priest reaches out to the accidental god, calling for his judgment on these men.

Channel 1d6/2 damage + Nauseated, 30' radius burst centered on Dan, Selective Channel to exclude Korman and 1 other teammate within 30'. DC 15 Will save to negate Nauseated condition but save will not reduce damage.

[NobodyMuch]

Iacomo drops to one knee, bringing his refurbished weapon's stock to his shoulder. He lines up the shot, closing one eye as he aim through the window of the second floor at one of the 'targets' he'd seen earlier. And after one last check that his target looks like he could be one of the hostiles they're after, he says to himself,"Boom."

With that last squeeze of pressure on the trigger his gun echoes his sentiment in spades.

[Bhaakon]

Korman tries to smile broadly at the ex-guards, but it comes off a bit lame. Sometimes its just hard to be cavalier in the face of beating. Still, there were certain forms to follow, even if your knees were a bit wobbly.

"Eh, I think I'll be keeping the weapons." He spits out, fighting to keep his voice steady. "But maybe a quick nip before the action." He yanks out a hip flask and thumbs loose the stopped, shuddering as the putrid concoction burns its way down his gullet. Really should get a fresh sample of ogre bile, he says to himself.

At least the rancidity didn't impact the effect. He breaks out all over with callouses and motley scales, his arms and legs bulging with a burst of alchemical power. And the headache. Always the headache.

Drink mutagen

[Madcrafter]

This looked like it was going well. Or not, as Diancan watched the man from the alley walk by and in the door. As it closed behind him, Diancan stepped over and tried to open it discretely to see what was going on inside.

Then the gun went off. Diancan jumped at the sudden noise, and the door flew open instead.

That is, presuming it isn't locked again.

[Mathemagics]

A lot happens in the space of the next few seconds. As Dan unleashes a wave of divine inebriation, two of the three renegade guardsmen double over in pain. Eyebrows looks sick for a moment but seems to recover somewhat as he looks around in confusion at his comrades.

"Oi! Malder, Parns! What'd he do to-"

His confusion is cut short by the roar of the gun. The man blocking the front door, the one called Parns, lets out a weak whimpering gasp as a crimson stain begins to spread across his chest. As he collapses to the floor Eyebrows draws his sword, just in time to catch sight of Korman's transformation.

Given everything that's happened so far, his reaction is surprisingly collected. Realizing his remaining ally is at least momentarily incapacitated, he takes a up readied stance.

"Karralo! Get yer carcass up here! We got ourselves some bounty hunters or something, sent by the Guard!"


And time for initiative rolls!
Korman- 17
Diancan- 25
Iacomo- 14
Dan- 2

Enemies- 13

Everyone but Dan will get to act first, then enemies, then the whole party.

And at this point, Dan's shaken condition has worn off. Korman has 1 round remaining on his.

[Bhaakon]

Korman (20/20 HP, 18 AC)

Korman swears loudly as Iacomo's long gun barks, and not just because he and Dan were stuck in a tight spot. The dull ache behind his eyes from the mutagen and his anger at the gunslinger for shooting first are almost enough to make him forget just

"We're supposed to take them alive." He growls as he charges Eyebrows, leading with a balled fist in a chemical-scarred work glove.

Unarmed strike on Eyebrows

[roll0] includes -2 for shaken condition.
[roll1] nonlethal damage

[Madcrafter]

"Y'hear that? Alive." Diancan yells up to the rooftop across the way, before stepping into the doorway and striking at the nearest renegade guard.

He'll try to block the door to stop any from getting away, and hit one of the non-downed ones if they're in range.
[roll0]
[roll1]

EDIT: Oh yeah, using the staff. Not that the 6 hits anyways I don't think.

[NobodyMuch]

Up on the rooftop, Iacomo considers reloading but decides against it. Too likely that the shot will fall out the barrel in what happens next. Having accomplished that thought, he carefully slings his rifle and looks down the side of the building. With a slide down the shingles, a bounce off a shop awning, and a precarious hop off its edge, he finds solid ground underneath his feet once more.

Back on street level, he retorts,"Alive if possible. You lot were outnumbered, and now you're not. You're welcome! Now toss your weapons down if you don't want to join your friend in the beyond," he grates, menacing the surviving thugs.


Move Action: Taking ten on the acrobatics to get down from the rooftop; if not allowed: Acrobatics: [roll0].
Standard Action: Intimidate: [roll1]

[Mathemagics]

Diancan swings at the overweight guard (now dubbed Wheezy) as he dry heaves. The swing goes wide, however, when Wheezy suddenly lurches forward slightly to wretch.

Korman's first connects with Eyebrow's chin, producing an audible crack. From the way he feels bones shifting under his fist, Korman is pretty sure he just broke the man's jaw. Maybe it's the pain, or the anger at being struck by the currently mutant dwarf, but Eyebrows ignores Iacomo's threat. His companion nearby, however, is not having such a great day.

Spitting blood, Eyebrows focuses his fury on the dwarf in front of him.

"You buncha freaks! I'll chop ya to pieces and feed ya to the dogs!"

Is what he tries to say, without the proper use of his jaw it comes out more as a series of muffled grunts. His attack is as inept as his attempt to speak, and Korman easily dodges.

Meanwhile, Wheezy finally manages to recover a little bit after emptying the contents of his stomach of the floor. Shaking from a combination of fear and illness, he feebly draws his sword only to be hit over the back of the head with Diancan's quarterstaff.

The door to the backrooms flies open as a fourth renegade guard enters the room. Presumably, this is the guy called Karralo who Eyebrows was shouting for earlier, but with his nervous and hesitating expression, he instantly gets mentally filed under "Jitters". It takes him a moment to register exactly what is going on in the chaos of the front room, but he finally manages to raise a crossbow and (after aiming it back and forth at several targets in indecision) fires it at Dan. The cleric is just barely able to raise his shield in time to block the shot.


And now everyone gets to go before enemies take another turn.

[Bhaakon]

Korman (20/20 HP, 18 AC)

"Can't hear you there, marble mouth." Korman laughs, regaining his confidence as Eyebrows swings wildly. The dwarf waves his gnarled fists around in a high guard, a crude imitation of the technique used by more practiced boxers, but it's a front. Once he's close enough, he sends a steel-toed boot straight for the doorman's nethers.

"This ain't no Margrave of Kingsmelon rules," he explains, with just a hint of apology in his tone.

Another unarmed strike on eyebrows

[roll0]
[roll1]

[NobodyMuch]

" I said drop the weapon!", Iacomo shouts again, though this time the menace in his voice is replaced with the menace of him reloading the musket which had just put a hole clear through their companion. Having done that, he moves right up next to the window, closing the range but staying outside.

[Karl Prosek]

Dan moves to put down Wheezy, drawing his mace and swinging to smack the man to ground.

Attack: [roll0]
Dmg: [roll1]

...well, so much for that.

[Madcrafter]

Diancan swipes again at Wheezy, while continuing to stand in the doorway.[roll0]
[roll1]

[Mathemagics]

Eyebrows' eyes roll back in his head as Korman's cheap shot connects with his special place. With a pained groan, the man drops to the floor at the dwarf's feet. Meanwhile, Wheezy somehow manages to avoid both Dan and Diancan's attacks, despite his condition. Then with a sudden burst of agility completely unlike his previously pathetic self, he lashes out with his own sword, digging a deep gash into Diancan's shoulder.


That's 8 damage for Diancan. Ow.


The crossbow-wielding guard watches in near-panic as Eyebrows drops to the floor and Wheezy is surrounded by a pair of opponents. Fumbling with his weapon, he manages to load another bolt and shakily aims it at Korman. The shot is good enough, and hits the dwarf, but doesn't have the force needed to punch through the tough hide armor. Seeing that the attack does nothing to inconvenience Korman, the ex-guard looks about ready to wet himself.

[Karl Prosek]

Dan turns and smashes at the suddenly acrobatic pseudo-butcher again.

Attack: [roll0]
Dmg: [roll1]

[Bhaakon]

Korman gives the corssbowman a nice big smile, flashing a set of crooked yellow chompers generously mixed with a number of disturbingly feral fangs. Another side-effect of his mutagen. Made it tough to carry on a conversation without lisping, but useful for unnerving the odd weak-bladdered highwayman.

The dwarf clasps both fists over his head, forming one big hammer of gnarled flesh to bludgeon the crossbowman, and leaps at him.

unarmed attack on crossbowman, preferably via a charge:

[roll0] if charge is possible, add another +2
[roll1]

[NobodyMuch]

"Right, that's it," is Iacomo's thoughts on Duncan getting shishkebobbed. His shining firearm is laid across the lintel of the shattered front window, its maw aimed straight at Wheezy. The shattering noise that follows is all too familiar to his fellows as another lead ball lunges at the ex-guard.


Attacking with the musket as standard action.
Using a cartridge to reload as a move action.
Attack vs Touch AC: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

[Madcrafter]

Diancan gives a gasp of pain and stumbles backwards a step, holding his staff in one hand to try and ward off any more sword strikes.
5ft. step back, taking full defence. Won't bother attacking with a -4 bonus.

[Mathemagics]

Wheezy manages to deflect Dan's blow, but only just. Nevertheless, it buys Diancan the time he needs to back off out of the man's reach. Korman lands a solid blow to Jitters, momentarily stunning the panciked ex-guard while Iacomo's shot connects with Wheezy in the leg. Wheezy gives a cry of pain before trying to chase after Diancan. Luckily for the wizard, however, Dan is ready and brings down the morningstar with a resounding crack against the back of Wheezy's head, causing him to crumple to the floor with a loud groan.


Dan's AoO rolled a natural 20, which then confirmed with a roll of 15+2. Damage was a roll of 6 and 4, plus 4 for his strength modifier twice.


Seeing his allies either unconscious or dying on the floor around him, Jitters proves himself the most sensible of the bunch and drops his crossbow in surrender. Raising his hands, he falls to the floor in front of Korman plaintively.

"P-Please, oh gods don't kill me! I'm sorry! I didn't know they was gonna do it! I didn't want in on it, but I was afraid of what they'd do to me if I said no! Ohgods ohgods ohgodsohgods... please don't!"


And that concludes this combat.

[Bhaakon]

Korman grins wide at Jitters, once more revealing his more-than-dwarven teeth. "We're not going to kill you, friend. Kroft was very clear on wanting you back alive. But she didn't say anything about what condition she wanted you in. No, that was left up to our, what do you call it...discretion."

"I don't know about my friends here, but my discretion is leaning towards 'bloody pulp' at the moment, but I might decide that there're more important people to bloody my fists against if you can point the way to them." To accentuate the point, he begins popping the knuckles on his right hand, one at a time.

[Madcrafter]

"No need for theatrics, just looking at you is enough." For all they knew, their main target might be fleeing out the back at this very moment. Diancan grunts at Jitters "Where's Vancaskerkin?"

"I have rope. If they're still alive." he adds, as an afterthought, casting his eyes across the downed guards.

[Mathemagics]

"Uh....Uhp... Up..."

The man's mouth opens and closes like a fish trying to breath air as he tries to force the words out, all the while eyes locked on Korman's fists in horrified fascination.

"Upstairs!"

He finally manages, nodding his head vigorously. Suddenly regaining the ability to talk, he swallows hard and decides that saying as much as he can might just be the best way to avoid a furious beating.

"Upstairs! Verik's room is upstairs! Please, please don't kill me, I-I didn't know it would get this out of hand!"

Meanwhile, a quick survey of the of the other three renegades confirms that the one shot through the chest is certainly deceased. Eyebrows looks to be unconscious with a broken jaw and will probably be out cold for a while longer. Wheezy took a nasty blow to the back of the head, and is currently out as well, but it's difficult to tell if he'll wake up again--head trauma and all.

[Karl Prosek]

"How many more of you are there?" Dan goes over to Eyebrows and rifles the man's pockets to try to find the key to the front door. "And dump all your weapons. We'll tie you up nice and cozy, you agree to be here when we get back, and we won't have to break anybody's ankles. Sound good?"

[Mathemagics]

The man nods his head vigorously. Any more force and his head seems likely to go flying off. As he complies with Dan's orders, he glances towards the half-open door into the backrooms.

"There's nobody else. It was just us five. Verik's the only one left."

[Karl Prosek]

Dan nods, taking the thug's words as gospel. "We'll just tie you to something heavy, then, and go talk to your friend Verik. What's your name, by the way?"

If the man tells Dan his name, add:

"Don't make me regret not breaking your ankles, [name]. You're not here when we get back, we'll come find you. Better yet, we'll let your friends know it was you who gave them up. Got it?" Dan smiles affably at the man. "Just sit here and wait for us to come back with Verik."

[Mathemagics]

"K-K-K-Karralo!"

After Dan's follow-up comment, Karralo shakes his head back and forth, very adamantly affirming how he feels about his prospects should he try pulling a runner.

"I-I'll stay right here, no problems! Quiet as a mouse! Heh heh!"

He tries to laugh nervously, probably on the brink of hysteria at the moment with how worked up he is. But he complies readily enough and doesn't seem likely to be going anywhere for the moment. Eyebrows is still out cold and easily tied up as well. Considering his disposition, the legs get some attention as well so he can't try making a break for it himself.

[NobodyMuch]

"Wait a tick..." Iacomo says, having let himself in, reloading while the others interrogate and secure the still-living. "Didn't know what would get out of hand? Handing meat out? What else were you lot getting up to?"

[Mathemagics]

Karralo's face turns a sort of sickly pale white at the question.

"I-I-I didn't- I mean we- I- that is-"

He continues to stammer on until he finds something he feels a bit more certain about.

"It wasn't my idea! I didn't want anything to do with it I swear! Gods help me, I told them it weren't right doing it but they went ahead anyway!"


He'll be needing a bit more persuasion, either an intimidate or diplomacy should do it.

[NobodyMuch]

Iacomo sighs. Hard way it is, then. The loaded musket's barrel gets aimed at that portion of a man's anatomy he would least like to have shot with a gun, resting on the prisoner's leg to lend a real physical presence to the immediate destruction about to be visited on him. "What wasn't your idea? Talk, before my finger gets twitchy."



Taking 10 on the intimidate if its good enough at 14 to get it done.

Otherwise, [roll0] plus whatever situational bonuses I get for pressing a loaded firearm into his groin.

.... I hate d20s. I just hate them.

[Mathemagics]

A frightened squeak, not very unlike a small rodent's, escapes Karralo's mouth as he stares in horrified shock at the implement which threatens to increase the global eunuch population by 1.

"W-Well um... ya ya see... Some of the other guys got this idea that we could be making some money on the side... Giving out free meat all charitable-like might be nice but it don't exactly pay well ya know? So-So Baldrago there- " he motions with a nod of his head towards Eyebrows "-he gets this idea, that we kinda 'take care' of people for some of the locals. Like say someone gets a bit out of line or makes a problem of themselves. Then well maybe then someone pays us a bit of gold and we make sure that person gets the message and isn't a problem no more. C-Course nobody told Verik about it. He was pretty insistent on the volunteer charity bit and all; everyone figured he wouldn't want in on roughing people up for a bit of pocket money."

He swallows hard and ever so gently tries to alter his sitting posture so that the gun barrel isn't pointed directly at his unprotected lower region.

"Well and then that wasn't so bad, until some of the people got the message a bit too hard and uh well they definitely wasn't ever gonna be a problem again. Heh. Heh. And um well... it was when we were trying to figure out what to do with the bodies that Parns had himself a bit of an idea. He used to be a butcher himself ya know, before we all joined up at the Guard. And um... well um... he-he said that we was already giving out all this free meat... and nobody would notice... if um... uh... if we..."

His eyes dart frantically about the room, his expression clearly conveying the thought 'please don't make me say it out loud'.

[Bhaakon]

"Your saying that Vancaskarkin lead you lot to quit the guard and took up here out of the kindness of his heart?" Korman says to the man, giving him a furrowed-brow glare as skeptical as it was contemptuous. Ye Gods, how many people did they make into cannibals? Maybe we should kill him now, so those poor people will never have to know.

He shakes his head, setting the idea aside for a moment. "He abandoned his post at an hour of need, took up with a pack of murderers and worse, and you expect me to buy that he's a saint?"

[Karl Prosek]

Dan's face goes a little green at the idea of people unwittingly eating long pork. "Your old friends in the guard are going to have a field day with you all," he mutters. The big Shoanti shakes his head and stays quiet as Korman continues questioning the man.

[Mathemagics]

"I-If If Verik had some other plan he never told it to us! All he did was go on about how the Guard didn't really care about the common man, cause if they did they'd worry about things like the shortage of food with all the riots of late! And that's when he said if the city weren't going to do something about it we should. The rest of us just went along with it cause we was fed up with the Guard, but Verik was pretty keen on it!"

[Karl Prosek]

"This Verik guy sounds like a decent sort. I don't think he's going to be any happier with this than we are. Let's go let him in on the secret." Dan looks positively gleeful at telling their boss what his idiot underlings were up to.

[Bhaakon]

"Aye, we'll tell him." Korman agrees. "Once we've gagged this rat. Don't want him gnawing off an arm to slip his bindings."

Upstairs to Verik, then.

[Madcrafter]

"Hah! Well, I can stay here and watch him for a minute. It shouldn't take all of us to get Vancaskerkin, especially if he comes peacefully." Diancan goes to shut and lock the door, then sits down next to it, rubbing his shoulder. He would try to figure out how they could carry the bodies.

"Does this place have a wagon or the like we could use?"

[NobodyMuch]

Iacomo slings his gun on his shoulder and heads for the stairs up. When he gets to the bottom of the staircase, he shouts," We're coming upstairs. Have your hands up, and we won't have to blow a hole in your head when we see you."

"Fair warning, right?," he says to the others with a hard to read expression on his face.

[Karl Prosek]

Dan nods. "Though if he hasn't heard all the yelling and stomping around down here, the man's deaf. I'm not sure I can thump a deaf man dedicated to feeding the poor over the head." The big Shoanti grins. "Good thing that's probably not what's waiting for us up there." With that, he starts up the stairs.

[Mathemagics]

With the survivors of the skirmish dealt with for the time being, the group is free to explore the rest of the building and track down Vancaskerkin. Through the back door is a hallway, largely void of anything interesting save a staircase leading up. A pair of large double doors on double hinges sit at the far end of the hall, likely leading to the messier part of the butcher shop while a regular door occupies a place nearby on the left. A quick glance inside reveals a number of cuts of meat hanging on hooks, and identifies it as the meat locker.

Up the stairs is what looks to be a break room slash common bed room. A number of bedrolls are laid out in random places on the floor, along with a handful of packs. A rickety table and chairs sit nearby with a deck of old cards scattered across the surface. At the opposite end of the room is yet another door. Since this spot is decidedly void of any rogue Veriks, it's probably a safe assumption that he's inside this other one.

[Karl Prosek]

"Verik? We've got something potentially upsetting to tell you about your friends downstairs. You might want to sit down. Probably should, in fact, just so nobody surprises my friend with the blunderbuss here. You know how easily those things go off." Dan goes to push the door open, wanting to be the first one in.

[Bhaakon]

Korman follows Dan, fists balled and eager to smash in Verik's nose. Something about the mutagen just made the dwarf want to hit things, and hitting them with his fists instead of his hammer seemed to make that little part of his brain even happier.

"Or play it stubborn, and we'll come to make you listen. Doesn't make much difference to me." Growls the dwarf.

[Mathemagics]

An arrow slams into the door frame, inches from Dan's head, as he enters the room. Standing on the opposite side of the office behind a desk is the man assumed to be Vancaskerkin, still wearing his old City Guard uniform despite having abandoned the force; a longbow is held in his hands with a fresh arrow already fitted and aimed towards the large cleric.

"That one was a warning, now just back off! I know why you're here, sent from the Guard to bring me in, right?! Well I'll tell you right now I have no intentions to just go back and let that totalitarian regime have their way!"

Noting the presence of the dwarf behind Dan, Verik edges slightly towards a half-open window leading out onto a neighboring rooftop.

"You know they only care about the rich, the nobles and the merchants! But during these times it's the Common Man who suffers! If me and my friends don't watch out for them, who will?! Since when was trying to do a good deed a crime?!"

From his tone, it's painfully (and a bit pitifully) obvious that he means every single word. This man is hopelessly idealistic and self-deluded...

[Karl Prosek]

At the first arrow, Dan lifts his heavy oaken shield and peeks out just enough to see the archer. "Verik, you sound like a good guy. But Karralo downstairs told us Baldrago's been taking money from certain local organizations to get rid of their competitors and he's been mixing in their, uh, meat, with whatever donations you've been getting. Baldrago's been feeding the poor people out there, um, other people. You can ask Karralo. Just put down the bow and come talk to him."

"I applaud you wanting to help people. I can even put you in touch with some people who'd be happy to help you. Not enough people try to help their neighbors around here. Hells, it's what I try to do myself. It's just that your current crew didn't have the same good intentions you did. Come on, Verik. I know you were just trying to help people. Don't have this end here. Your friends are going to jail, but I think we can keep you out if you surrender now and throw yourself on the Marshal's mercy."

Diplomacy check: [roll0]

...well, crap.

Dan's preparing another hangover channel in case Verik starts to draw the bow to shoot.

[Mathemagics]

"Ha! You expect me to believe an outrageous lie like that! I was in the Guard, I know how they work! There won't be any 'mercy' if I surrender, only a quick trip to the hangman's noose! Why should I even listen to anything you say when you slander my friends anyway?!"

[Bhaakon]

"There, now. Can't be said we didn't give talking a chance," Korman bellows as he sprints across the room at Verik, head low and arms wide in preparation to wrap the ex-guardsman up in a running tackle.

Grapple attempt! I assume that he's close enough to try, since were indoors. Hope I'm right.

[roll0]

[Karl Prosek]

Dan didn't even have time to respond before Korman ran at Verik. Hoping to help, the cleric channeled the feeling of having had 1- or 10- too many the night before.

Negative energy variant channel again, exclude Korman and whichever other PC is standing closest to Dan. DC 15 Will save for Verik.

[Mathemagics]

An arrow whizzes through the air, striking Korman solidly in the shoulder as he closes in towards Verik, but the implacable dwarf charges on, tackling the renegade guardsman and locking his arms around him.


Korman takes 10 damage. Korman is now grappling Verik.


As the dwarf grabs hold of Verik, Dan's tapping into the divine hangover begins to take effect, causing the man to turn a sickly pale color. Despite his struggles, Verik is unable to escape Korman's grip.

"Let me go! You realize the Guard is just using you!? Just like they use all of us commoners! They'll throw you away and move on to the next minion as soon as they're done exploiting you!"

[Karl Prosek]

Dan runs to help Korman subdue Verik, dropping his shield and mace on the way. "Verik, just come downstairs and talk to your people. Don't make us kill you."

Dan will Aid Another on Korman's grapple check. [roll0]

...I'm starting to think somebody has hacked GitP's dice server to spike my dice. It's not even just this game Ugh. :P

[Bhaakon]

"Or I'll just drag you down..oof...don't matter much to me either way!" The dwarf growls as he struggles with Verik, angling for a headbutt.

Grapple check: [roll0]
NL damage: [roll1]

[Mathemagics]

Korman and Verik continue struggling, the dwarf unable to manage a knockout but the man equally unable to escape the grapple. After 30 seconds or so, however, Verik's protests and resistance begins to wane, his energy being steadily sapped from his failed attempts to free himself. Breathing heavily, he slumps over just a bit, though continuing to mutter feebly.

"You... idiots..."

[Karl Prosek]

Dan had somehow managed to get himself tangled in his shield strap and had been fighting the big hunk of polished oak for the past few seconds. He looks up at Verik's comment. "Uh. Okay, then. Let's go talk to your friends. I'm just going to hold your weapons for a few minutes, to make sure this stays nice and friendly."

If Verik continues to not resist, Dan will disarm him before leading him downstairs to talk to his minions. Dan will re-arm himself with his dropped morningstar and shield before going downstairs.

[Bhaakon]

'Idiot? I'm not the one sitting upstairs practicing my revolutionary slogans while his buddies feed long pork to the neighborhood." Korman mutters right back as he helps Dan haul Verik back downstairs to hear it from the horse's as...er, mouth.

[Mathemagics]

Verik remains sullenly silent as he's dragged downstairs. He occasionally tries to resist a bit, but it's all halfhearted and more for the show of things than any real effort to escape. When he's brought down to the front room where his surviving compatriots are tied up and waiting, his gaze moves hesitatingly towards Karralo. The other man refuses to meet his gaze, instead deciding there's some tiling on the floor in need of intent inspection, though the guilty look on his face is pretty telling in itself.

After several moments of uncomfortable silence, Karralo snaps.

"I'm sorry Verik! I didn't know it would go this far! I really didn't!"

"Then, what they said is true? You guys were..."

Karralo can't bring himself to answer verbally and merely nods. At the confirmation, Verik visibly slumps in his restraints as he loses any will to continue trying to resist. Shaking his head as he stares at the floor, he speaks with a defeated tone in his voice.

"I really wanted to help them. Nobody worries about the poor or the unfortunate, especially in times like these. Everything just went wrong..."

[Karl Prosek]

Dan sighs and nods. "I believe you, Verik. I'll speak for you at least that far. There are damn few enough people in this city trying to help those of us who aren't rich or noble." He pats the man on the shoulder. "I don't know that will help you with the desertion charge, but I can at least say you didn't know what these idiots were doing."

[Madcrafter]

Diancan gets up from his seat by the door when Verik and escort return, and gently prods prods the two living but unconscious guardsmen to see if they've woken up yet.
"Everything just went wrong...""Isn't that the truth!" he exclaims brightly. "Though given you started with desertion, I can't say it's too surprising you kept down the wrong path."
"I don't know that will help you with the desertion charge, but I can at least say you didn't know what these idiots were doing.""The law's the law, and old Verik here knows he's done wrong. Though maybe you should have kept a closer watch on your friends here."He claps the man affably on the shoulder.

"How do you want to get these ones back to the keep? I don't fancy lugging them through the streets."

[Karl Prosek]

Dan looks at Diancan and grunts. "I hadn't thought about that. How do you think we should take them in?"

[Bhaakon]

"Probably should have bolted, then." Korman replies, "You'll not help anyone from a cell, or a noose."

The dwarf can't help but feel some sympathy from the man, whose story wasn't so terribly different from his own, but it was too late to simply let the man go now. Not after his disgusting 'firends' had seen him in custody. Maybe if he tries to escape, I won't try so hard to catch him again.

[Karl Prosek]

Dan frowns and looks toward the back of the building. "Unless one of you have rope or manacles on you, we might want to look around to see if we can find something to keep these guys restrained on the way to the Watch." He glances over at the unconscious cannibal entrepreneurs. "And maybe see if they've got a cart in back. I can go look if somebody else wants to stay with Verik and Karralo."

[Bhaakon]

"Aye, I'll watch them." Korman replies, grinning and cracking his knuckles. He sets up camp in front of the door leading out to the street.