Convergence Manifesto - IC

[Majin]

Episode 1 - Fired & Forgotten

Our story begins in the city of Sharn, whose towers reach heavenwards as if to touch the moons scattered about the daytime sky. A network of bridges, walkways, and elevators present a maze in every direction, each bustling with cosmopolitan citizens. Above the city, the shining Skyway district eclipses the sun. Below, the poor and needy pace the slums for their next meal. In the district of Upper Dura, toward the reaches of Sharn’s mile-high towers, a crowd of would-be heroes has gathered…



"Welcome to a tradition as old as Sharn itself." The elf man waves his cloak with practiced flair.

"... a competition of guts and skill to test the mettle of the heroes of the Clifftop Adventurers’ Guild and the cowards from Deathsgate."
The rival crowd returns the insult with theatrical boos and hisses. The announcer bows and then picks up a bucket brimming with tokens. He moves down the line of assembled would-be adventurers, handing them out one by one.

The announcer bows and then picks up a bucket brimming with tokens. He moves down the line of assembled would-be adventurers, handing them out one by one. The item is a Feather Fall Talisman, older version of the more popular Feather Token. The big difference being, instead of automatically triggering, the owner has to manually activate it to slow their fall. Though most people prefer the newer ones due to the added safety, these older tokens are still in use, especially by individuals to whom safety isn't the main concern.

"Challengers! Introduce yourselves!" The elf's voice is booming, magically enhanced to reach everyone in the gathered crowd. When playing Sharn Chicken, the results do tend to be interesting, however well the competitors manage.

[Archemist]

"Challengers! Introduce yourselves!" The elf's voice is booming, magically enhanced to reach everyone in the gathered crowd. When playing Sharn Chicken, the results do tend to be interesting, however well the competitors manage.

The half-elf steps forward, her slight smile becoming a more serious tight expression as she senses more eyes on her. She knew her chain armor covered her Mark, and that if they'd noticed it the Deathsgate bunch, tough though they might look, would show a bit more worry and less smirking. Bonvica speaks with confidence:

"You may not know me, but you will after today. I am Bonvica Siannodel, of Valenar, of a line from Xen'drik, here to bring honor to my family and my Guild."

Her tall frame is strong, and she carries a double-bladed sword that looks old but sturdy and well cared for. It looks like it is older than she is. She has dark hair and piercing green eyes. On her sleeve is an emblem of a red dragon on a cloud, and you may recognize it as Dol Arrah. She doesn't seem like much of a churchgoing sort, though. She looks willful and ready to throw caution to the wind. And herself, too, apparently.

[Holy-hunter]

Arkthos gulped, standing next to the half elf he felt that the expectation was that he go next. ’bloody eager impatient elves.’ he thought to himself with a grumble as he cautiously shuffled forwards. His pale blue eyes flickered back to Bonvica, a faint glower glowing in them.

”I am Arkthos Ironfist of clan Heavybelly.” the small dwarf says loudly. His deep voice solid and proud, making up for his stature. The wind rustled through his messy blonde hair and tugged on his solid full beard. The sunlight reflecting hues of red in it.

He wore well kept chainmail and carried two throwing axes on his side. The fine hilt of a broad short sword protruded over his right shoulder, disappearing down between his back and bag. His gauntlets appeared as the focus of his armour. Being of quality craftsmanship they were well used but even more well looked after.

All too eagerly one of those gauntlets wrapped around the token as Arkthos snatched it and clung to it tightly. While most dwarves were not fond of heights, Arkthos really didn’t like them.

[Donan]

To follow is Toyrc, the Gnoll stepping forward in chain mail armour and sweeping their rivals with a grunt of dismissal. The armour and the axe and shield she carries are well made but dented and worn from regular use and combat. Twisting tattoos cover her bare arms and her face and are likely elsewhere on her body too, runes that both signify her duties and allow her to channel her training and the flicker of demonic in her soul.

She folds her arms, giving another huff as she takes one of the offered tokens and showing rather less eagerness then Bonvica. "Toryc Vult, Znir. Here to be foolish with the rest of you."

[TheNotoriousSMP]

Compared to Toryc the next figure to step forward is much shorter, the gnoll towering over Prit's more slight form. "Prit is the name, remember it well! Before too long you'll be able to recognize my grand creations by sight!" Not lacking in confidence, and no stranger to foolishness, Prit is quick to snatch up one of the talisman's, taking a moment to examine it's construction before turning his attention back to the world around him, eager to get started. "Now, let's show that lot from Deathsgate what it means to be a Clifftop Guild member!"

[moonfly7]

The man after Prit is only slightly taller than the goblin, and certainly Dirtier. He catches his token with finesse you wouldn't expect from a man who looks so old and decrepit, and then bites it like one would silver or gold you were testing for value.

"Magic Hands Jimmy's my name, and this aint 'bout to be the stupidest worm soil I've ever done. Let's quit yappin and start risking our necks!" He says, taking a swig from the dubiously stained flask from his hip and then giving a grin of suprisingly well cared for shining white teeth.

[Majin]

Bonvica's confident introduction was received with cheers from the gathered crowd, especially from the other guild members, although there are some jeers mixed in. Clearly each guild has their supporters, and they were proclaiming their allegiance. Rivalry between Deathsgate and Clifftop has been going on for a quite a while, and it hasn't always taken such an amicable form as this one. But today at least there'd be no fighting, merely a competition.

Arkthos was met with similar reaction, with one humorous audience member clapping a hand on his belly and laughing. One guild member seemed to notice his hesitation, and gave an assuring nod and a wink. Many had faced a similar trial when they joined, and knew that it took a lot of nerves to jump, even if you did have a magic item that should shave you from being flattened.

Toyrc got some hesitant looks as she stepped forward. Gnolls weren't an uncommon sight, but they did have a fierce reputation, and perhaps some people didn't know how to react to one joining a famous guild. Her comment seemed to release some tension, people bursting into laughter and cheers.

The guild's members were especially appreciative of Prit's boasting, and their whooping drowned out the sneers from Deathsgate. "Go Prit!" could even be heard from the crowd.

Jimmy got even more dubious looks than Toyrc, at least from the crowd. He certainly looked more like a beggar than an aspiring adventurer, but since nobody had tried to remove him, people did accept him as a competitor. His quip provoked good-natured laughs that turned into excited cheers. "Don't die on the way down, old man!" Someone joked. "Show the kids how it's done!" another shouted. "Seems... Foolish..." The last words were whisper, sounding like they came from next to him, but if Jimmy turned around, there was no one there.



The announcer clapped along with everyone else, then turned to the other competitors, seeming to reluctantly shrug before continuing. It was abundantly clear which guild he supported. "And their challengers, representing the Deathsgate Guild..."

A halfling dressed in a patterned poncho, with dinosaur feathers woven into her hair, stepped forward to snatch the token. "Ferrin!" she shouted, then pointed at the Clifftop initiates. "I will show why Deathsgate is the top guild in Sharn!" Her tone was angry, almost accusing.

Next, a figure clad in gold and black robes pulled the hood down, showing herself to be an elf with a stylized skull painted on her face. "Aena Thennas.", she simply said, taking the token and then looking down into the sprawling city.

The last Deathsgate initiate, a tall half-orc in a well-used mail stepped forward. He calmly collected his token, then hoisted his fist up in the sky. "Gor'aashta! I shall bring honor to my new comrades!" he bellowed, the Deathsgate supporters roaring with him.



As the introductions complete, the elf announcer walks to the edge, then spins around to face the crowd. "Now that we know our valiant competitors, we can proceed! The rules are simple: the last one to activate their token, that falls the farthest, wins! No flying under your own power either! The prize? Honor and glory!" The crowd roared, excited for the spectacle. The elf grinned, then spun around again, pointing down to the sight of weaving bridges, towers and sky coaches moving around. The fall wasn't a short one, and the drop wasn't clear either. It'd take more than just guts to win this race. "Let's play Sharn Chicken. JUMP!"

Spoiler: Sharn Chicken

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At the end of each round of falling, every character must make a Wisdom saving throw. If they fail, their nerve breaks and they activate the token, dropping out of the race. No need to roll initiative, just post in whatever order.

As the competitors jump and start falling, they notice that in Sharn not only the streets are busy. A flock of dirty pigeons were startled by the commotion, and it seems they're about to collide with the falling humanoids!

Spoiler: Pigeons

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To avoid the collision with the pigeons, you must make Dexterity (Acrobatics) or Wisdom (Animal Handling) check, to either avoid or scare off the pigeons from your path. You can also offer an alternative solution.

[Holy-hunter]

Arkthos knew if he didn’t move now, he might not be able to move at all. If he stopped to think, his thoughts would betray him. That might explain why he did what he did next.

Without a though, with an empty head, in a surge of action, he did what he knew best, what he was familiar to him. Arkthos let out a sudden deep powerful battle cry and charged the tall half-orc.
He barreled into the opposing guild member. Hopefully catching him by surprise.

[spolier=roll]
Intimidation (1d20+1)[18]
Athletics(1d20+5)[12]
[/spoiler]

Arkthos would go tumbling off the bridge after that, with or without the half orc. If he took Gor'aashta with him, the small dwarf would hold him before him like a shield as they both plummeted through the doves, otherwise commanding the birds to clear as his roar from before carried on till he had no breath left.

[spolier=further roll]
Animal handling (1d20+3)[5]
Action surge to pin/restrain
Athletics(1d20+5)[25]
Will (1d20+1)[16]
[/spoiler]

[Archemist]

Bonvica excitedly leaps but then her eyes widen on seeing the pigeons and she attempts to quickly twist out of their way.

Spoiler: Rolling first so as to describe better what happens

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Acrobatics: (1d20+3)[12] and Wisdom save: (1d20+0)[3].

Edited to add: siiiigh. But shouldn't a low Wisdom save make you WANT to keep falling?

[moonfly7]

Magic Hands Jimmy Leaps from the edge cackling madly, casting light on himself so that the others can see the crazy old man and his ridiculous dirty beared falling spread eagle at the flock of pidgeons below. Unbeknownst to the young whippersnappers, Jimmy's eyes are already calculating angles and trajectories for his time practiced

Spoiler: Rolls

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Acrobatics Check: (1d20+5)[8]
Wisdom Save: (1d20+3)[17]

[TheNotoriousSMP]

No stranger to throwing himself into danger (admittedly in this case the throwing is a bit more literal than usual), Prit leaps off the edge with an ancient Goblin battle cry. "BANZAAAIII!" He calls out, an unnervingly wide grin on his face as he begins to descend...

Spoiler: WIS Save

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(1d20+2)[18]

Spoiler: Animal Handling Check

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(1d20+4)[8]

Seeing the incoming vermin, Prit licks his lips for a moment before attempting to wave them out of the way with flailing arms, his sharp teeth still bared in a downward direction...

[Donan]

As the others ran and jumped before her, Toryc snarled at Ferrin, rising to the challenge the Halfling had thrown down. She ran forward after them, leaping from the edge and starting to plummet. The encroaching pigeons received no mercy from her and had another warning growl directed at them as she fell, fingers holding tight to the token.

Spoiler: Rolls

Show

Wisdom save: (1d20+3)[19]
Animal Handling: (1d20+1)[11]

[Majin]

The birds prove to be a tough obstacle. They seem too dumb to dodge the incoming humanoids, even when snarled at viciously. Most jumpers collide with them, gaining the unfortunate knowledge what a Sharn pigeon tastes like uncooked. In Jimmy's case it might be harder to say who was dirtier though...

Only Bonvica, Arkthos and the elf from Deathsgate avoided them. Unfortunately in Bonvica's case, perhaps the surprise caused her to activate the talisman too early, and she starts to gently float down. Arkthos was doing well with his improvised shield. Gor'aashta bellowed in fury, but the dwarf had gotten a good grip on him. Unable to concentrate on dodging, Gor'aashta gets pelted by pigeons, feathers flying about. Arkthos could suddenly feel his "shield" jerk up, the orc having activated his talisman, falling out of the race as well.

"..Aaand two are out! Looks like Deatshgaters do have their uses after all!" the announcer bellows, laughing uproariously with the crowd. The sight of the new guild members getting tangled up with the birds seemed amusing to them at least. And as they fall, more people seem to take notice of the plummeting adventurers. Some cheer, some look a little horrified, and some don't even take notice. People falling in Sharn isn't that uncommon sight after all, and for some it was just a way of getting around.

After the pigeons, the path seems clearer, though of course everyone still needs to be mindful of the architecture, and to be ready to activate their talisman at a moment's notice. Suddenly prospective Clifftop members could notice a piece of paper fluttering among them, bearing of Kundarak, the banking house. It was a lottery ticket!

Spoiler: Round 2

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Everyone except Arkthos will suffer disadvantage on their next Constitution save in the race.

To catch the lottery ticket, make Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check to catch, the DC is 12. The PC with a highest result catches it! Again, you may try alternative method.

And again, please make another Wisdom saving throw to keep falling.

[Donan]

Food was food. Toryc spat out a mouthful of feathers after devouring the pigeon that had unwisely chosen to fly at her face. One down and three to go including herself, though she kept an eye out for their competition in case they tried any tricks.

The fluttering piece of paper drew her eye and she made a swipe at it, partly out of instinct as she continued to plummet.

Spoiler

Show

Sleight of hand: (1d20)[11]
Wisdom save: (1d20+3)[20]

[moonfly7]

Jimmy swallows the bird bones and all with a whoop and a grin, he's had worse in the Marches, that there pidgeon was like a proper homecooked Meal!

As he shakes the effects of the impact off, his eyes alight on a piece of paper, and then continue to completely disregard it. Why should Jimmy care about floating number paper? Figures the city slickers would get their pants in a yank over something stupid when there's glory to be won.

Spoiler: Dice Roll

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Wisdom Save:[roll]1d20+3[/roll]

Jimmy cackles and angles downward, aiming to accelerate his free fall, turn this game of chicken into a race! All the while his borderlane manic laughter fills the streets of Sharn as they plummet.

[Holy-hunter]

The rushing wind stretched the skin on his face and pulled his beard in all directions. Arkthos saw the half-elf before him suddenly slow at the same time he noticed the fluttering paper. Maybe it was because sympathy, or perhaps he just thought it the best odds and better his team than the enemy. Without thought or the time to contemplate the reason why, he plummeted into the back of Bonvica and pushed her towards the ticket.

He had little chance of grabbing it anyway. At her slower speed and with his aid it should be an easy task.

He continued to fall. Fighting the wind he pulled up his shield to, well shield him from the onrushing wind. He focused on that.
“Holddddddd” he told himself with a growl lost to the wind, eyes fixed on the solid metal before him.

His plan was a simple one albeit a bit late. Don’t be first.
The laughing maniac that slowly over took him made this possible. When he had seen Jimmy activate his token then Arkthos would activate his a split second later.
Simple in theory.

[hider=rolls]
Athletics(1d20+5)[23]
Will (1d20+1)[14]
[/roll]

[TheNotoriousSMP]

Prit cackles gleefully as he descends on the pigeons, catching one in his mouth and regretting it after a few bites make his stomach turn. Oh well, if he was the sort of goblin to regret then he probably wouldn't be free-falling through Sharn!

He does attempt to make a grab for the ticket as he goes past it, never one to give up a chance to fill his pocket with coin if he can help it...

Spoiler: Wisdom Save

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1d20+2

Spoiler: Sleight of Hand

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1d20+2

[Majin]

The sounds from the crowd on the starting platform fade away as the city rushes by the plummeting adventurers. The pigeons seemed to be the most unlucky here, several of them ending up as snacks for the opportunistic initiates. And speaking of opportunity, Prit manages to deftly catch the flickering ticket. It's not going to make the goblin rich, but it'll still earn him a nice (4d10)[23] gp if he goes to cash it out at a Kundarak bank.

The adventurers have made quite a way through the Sharn, and the street seems to be coming closer, fast! They've made their way from Upper Dura, leaving behind the colorful, and if not rich, at least very comfortably wealthy district behind. Right now they're falling through Middle Dura, worksmen coming and going. Lower Dura was just ahead, and the difference was clear. The buildings were much older and in poorer condition, people hurrying by faster. This really was like a snap tour of Dura, although it would be hard to focus on the sights while in free fall. A crowd of people had gathered to watch you, and seemed to be cheering, though it was hard to make out any words.

The adventurers weren't in the clear just yet. A pair of magewrights had chosen just this moment to be levitate a large glass pane between two towers. The method saved time, but in Sharn, even the sky was full of hazards, in this case falling people. The magewrights seem to be completely oblivious to you as well! Well, heroes in the stories always crashed through windows, so the adventurers could just think of this as practice for their future career.

Spoiler: Final Round

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To dodge the glass, make either Dexterity (Acrobatics) check to dodge the glass, or Constitution (Athletics) to endure the impact, or suggest your own solution.
Remember that if you collided with the pigeons, you have a disadvantage on a Con check.

And then also make a final Wis saving throw.

The elf from Deathsgate seems to have had enough of falling, and activates her talisman before she'd have a chance to collide with the glass. The halfling continues to plummet though, shouting "Deathsgateeee!" She might have been to too excited however, and missed a skycoach also crossing the gap. She managed to mostly dodge it, but collided with a pallet, sending vegetables flying down. "My cabbages!" the unfortunate merchant shouted.

[TheNotoriousSMP]

"Ya-hoo-hoo-hoo-hooey!" Prit shouts as his mad descent continues, before he sees the pane of glass and does his best to maneuver, or float, or even swim, out of the way...

Wis Save: (1d20+2)[20]
Dex (Acrobatics): (1d20+2)[13]

[moonfly7]

Jimmy quickly attempts an air roll to the side while reaching for a falling cabbage, lining up his shot at the last remaining Deathsgate competitor, eyes squinted in concentration.

Spoiler: rolls

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Wisdom save:(1d20+3)[21]
Acrobatics check: (1d20+3)[13]
Sleight of hand:(1d20+3)[15]
Cabbage attack:(1d20-1)[11]

[Donan]

The Gnoll's eyes focus on the plummeting Halfing and the last of their rivals still with a chance in this challenge. She might not have been the most keen at the start, but she was in this now and she didn't intend to lose without a fight.

And no one ever called Gnolls overly kind.

Propelling herself towards Ferrin, Toryc snaked out a hand and seized the Halfing. Pulling her closer she offered a feral grin to her captive before hurling her towards the very centre of the glass, a clawed foot impacting her to push her that way with even more speed.

Tucking her arms and legs in to lessen her mass, she pushed to the side, attempting to avoid the pane and any ensuring shards of glass from a Halfing sized impact.

Spoiler

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Acrobatics Advantage (1d20)[12] (1d20)[16]
Wisdom save: (1d20+3)[4]

[Holy-hunter]

Arkthos felt a pang of nostalgia and a strange distant familiarity as he heard the mans cry and plummeted past his lost vegetables. No time to think.
There was glass before him. ‘By Urgoth’s beard’ he mumbled to himself. Unable to manoeuvre in the air he simply lined his body up behind his shield and trusted in his armour. Bracing for impact.

Spoiler: rolls

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Constitution (1d20+4)[13]
Wis (1d20+1)[4]
[/roll]

At the last moment he decides against it and activates his token. It was just too much.

[Majin]

Ferrin was too distracted by the cabbages, especially since one was flying back at her from an unexpected angle, to put up a proper resistance against the gnoll. "Let go!" the halfling screamed furiously, trying to furiously claw at Toyrc. Before she could reach anything, Ferrin was tossed at the quickly approaching glass. The pane shattered, the crackling sound accompanied by the distraught cries of the magewrights. Both guilds might have some compensations to take care of after... Even if it technically was Ferrin who shattered the glass. The haflling didn't seem too badly hurt, managing to continue cursing in her own tongue and activating her talisman right after going through the glass. Rest of the Clifftop group passed through the falling shards without trouble though, the anguished cries of the two magewrights soon behind them.

The race was over though, with Jimmy and Prit landing practically simultaneously. Toyrc may have activated her talisman too hastily after her victory over the halfling, but wasn't too far behind. They were soon joined by Arkthos and Ferrin, the dwarf clutching his shield and the halfling still cursing. Aena, the Deathsgate elf landed gracefully, followed by Bonvica and Gor'aashta, who'd both had plenty of time to prepare for a landing.

The newest members of Clifftop Adventurers Guild were quickly surrounded by their new colleagues, who congratulated them, patted them on backs and promised to buy them drinks at the Drunken Dragon. Deathsgaters gave unflattering looks to the group, especially to Arkthos and Toyrc, who'd dealt a blow to guild's pride. Still, even the other guildmembers praised their new comrades, promising they'd have a chance to get back at 'those cheaters in Clifftop'. Just taking the reckless challenge was considered proof of courage. Some threw pieces of cabbage at the other guild, but senior members from both were making sure things didn't get too rowdy.

Ferrin didn't pay much heed to her guildmates, her furious eyes fixed on the new Clifftop members. She was covered in glass shards, her exotic feathers crumpled and snapped, and there were some shallow cuts on her, though she seemed to ignore them. "You... cheated! I'll get you for that, gnoll! I'll cut you up and feed you to my Clawfoot!" she snarled and hissed, her hand going to her to the hilt of her sword, but the half-orc put a calming hand on her shoulder. "Peace, Ferrin. The competition's over. We'll have a chance to prove our worth another day." He nodded at Arkthos, some feathers still clinging to him. "Another day." It sounded somewhat ominous.

You had been told to stay where you landed, but it seemed you had at least a moment to bask in the glory of victory... Or taunt the losers.

[moonfly7]

Magic Hands Jimmy takes out his hip flask, and take a long draw of the noxious smelling brew inside, he wipes his mouth with the back of his hand and then offers the flask to Pritt, who had landed near him.

"I think we both deserve some fine swamp hootch after an ordeal like that. Care for a Swig in victory?"

[TheNotoriousSMP]

The moment Prit's foot hit the ground he let out a whoop, accepting the coming adulation from his fellow guild members. If nothing else this victory would be great for his work as a tinker...His thoughts were interrupted by Magic's offer of hooch. "Yes, thank you," and with that he took a good swig, only coughing a little as it went down his throat like fire, especially after that pigeon.

Spotting the angry halfling out of the corner of his eye, Prit decided that he was magnanimous enough to be the bigger man...Even if he was the smallest person there technically. "Want those cuts looked at?" He asked, holding up one of the salves of healing magic he'd prepared earlier. Technically it had been meant for if any of his fellow guild members had ended this competition worse for the wear, but since it looked like none of them had so much as a bruise he could afford to let Deathsgate have this small mercy.

[Archemist]

There is a small hail of cabbages that weren’t in the weather forecast and then a moment later, Bonvica alights gracefully. “Nobody told me there’d be birds,” she shudders, “Why does it always have to be birds?” she asks, rhetorically, in a jovial tone.

She isn’t wounded but for her pride, and if anything she's relieved that her training as a young scion of the House Lyrandar was so ingrained that she basically activated Feather Fall as a reflex - she’s pretty sure she could do it in her sleep.

[Majin]

"I don't need help from Clifftop!" Ferrin hisses and spits on the ground. The Gor'ashtaa sighs and Aena just shrugs.

[TheNotoriousSMP]

Prit shrugs at the vitriolic response. "Well, I tried," he replies before turning back to his celebrating companions.

"Yes, who would have ever expected there to be birds in the sky of all places!" The goblin jokes to Bonvica before ducking out of the way of a falling cabbage.

[Holy-hunter]

Arkthos gladly reacquaints himself with the ground and whispers his appreciation of it before taking to mending the wind damage done to his beard.
”Well let’s not do that again!” he says with a gruff grumble.
”Now, time for a drink! Where’s that damn pig o’ mine got to.”
He looks around, no one is sure if he’s looking for a pig or a tavern.

[Donan]

Toryc shifted her attention to Ferrin, considering the angry Halfling and giving a shake of her head after the Deathgate members calm her down. At least enough that weapons aren't drawn.

"There are no rules in a conflict. It's an important lesson to learn."

So saying she returned her attention to her own guildmates, letting out a whoop of a cry in congratulation and clapping Jimmy and Prit on their backs. "How do we celebrate our success in this foolishness?" She asked, glancing Bonvica's way as the Half Elf landed.