(Too) Good Omens - IC - The Match!

[Leriel]

Dragon, 9th

Taverns are crowded places, frequented by people of every race and nation ... but when they just speak about prophecies, even the beer cannot help against boredom.

But wait ... What is that piece of paper hanging on the door?

"The Sabre Red challenge the Prophecies, our team of Blood Bowl, tomorrow, Dragon, 10th! Admission is free for those who awaits their prophecy!"

For all PCs in the city... in all the taverns were hung warnings like this. Feel free to ask for additional information in the tavern...

And if you do not know Blood Bowl...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kXQJA3NtU8

I am part of the ongoing tournament on the forum :)

[The_Shaman]

A tall, somewhat lanky snakeman with dark green scales eyes the leaflet while drinking a mug of very watered-down beer - sadly, actual water is not served anywhere, and any you can find around is not really good for drinking. "A bowl of blood challenge? Curious, must be like those aaroka ritual battles. I wonder who they might be sacrificing... hopefully not one of those attending. I had not thought these locals the type for such religious observances," he says, not a trace of disapproval evident in his accented voice. "Admission free for all those who await their prophecy. Somewhat ominous, yes. I am afraid I might be right."

[Metroid33]

The day was nice, the sun's glow warming to it's very touch, what a nice day. A "young" man by Ifrit standards, walked around slowly returning to the inn of the burned corpse. Lifting up a freshly filled water skin from his days in the desert, he touched it with his hands as they emanated a red glow, boiling the water within to purify it. Taking a sip he thinks to himself Nothing I can do about the pieces of soil but besides that it's pretty good.

As the Ifrit walked in to the Inn he noticed a red flier hanging on the wall, Hmm, I wonder what this is. Either a game from around here, or some gruesome ritual, taking a moment to study it closer Either one would be fun. A slight grin crossed his face as he thought that.

Rubbing his hand through his hair a small flame flew into the air, he then walked to the bartender to ask more about this event.

[Leriel]

Place: Tavern of the Reeling Rat - Lao's place :smallsmile:

Poldus, the bartender (an overweight bald man), put a small, dead mouse in one mug of beer and hands it to a grunting half orc.

Then he speaks to Lao:

"Lass, what are ya mumblin'? Ritual? B'bowl is our favorite sport... teams muss take the ball a' end of field an' score touchdown! Sabres ar' a strong team, win last tournament! They beat Stinky Feets!"

The half orc drinks his beer in one gulp, burps and adds:
"Ya! Sabres strong, me fan o' Fancy Lads, they stronger!"

From a corner of the tavern, a man is writing something on a big blackboard on the wall:
"Bah! A match versus the Prophecies... Sabres will win. No one will bet against them!"

Poldus bursts into laughter:
"Aye! Me offer my best beer - a live rat dipped in! - to who dares to bet! Captain Fredo D. Stefani is super!"

Then adds:
"Man, if I just have money to see the match..."

The door of the tavern opens and a gnome jumps in:
"Men! A murder! Someone shot Fredo!"

The man near the blackboard jumps up:
"Who wants to bet on Prophecies winning?!"

[Leriel]

Place: Tavern of the Burning Corpse - Shefri's place

The bartender and owner of the Burning Corpse is a tall, slender female elf called Jaikine. She likes to speak about her past - she come from a place called Athas, she visited a city called Sigil (where she had a lot of fun and adventures) and decided to retire and open this tavern.

"Blood Bowl? I know little about it... it's a cruel game... but if you like gladiators matches, you will enjoy it. There are teams of several races, this city has their team, called "the prophecies"..."
Jaikine shakes her head.
"Half orcs, skaven, tiefling... they love this game. Players must bring a ball to the end of their opposite zone. They can bash and hurt their opponents to take the ball."
Jaikine smiles... "Some elves players are very handsome, in fact..."

A female half-elf singer, that every night performs at the tavern, plays a strange music on her guitar and sings in a language that Shefri does not know.
(She's a good singer, but a sad one... she always sing about far and lost places, like the "evening shores" or the "fields of Gaothdobhair"...)
Then she says: "They are handsome, but mad. Mad, like the ones who are looking for Fredo D. Stefani for an autograph. There are a lot of them in the Fountain square."

Jaikine sighs. She starts speaking, but she's interrupted by a man entering the tavern:
"Someone shot Fredo! Maybe he's dead!"

[The_Shaman]

Lao

Lao tilts his head slightly, trying to follow the bartender. "A sport? Sooo... why is it called bloodbowl? Do the teams have to spill their blood or something like that?"

He listens to the other patrons arguing. Apparently this was some sort of betting occasion, but here it seemed most things were. It seems a bit crass to him, truth be told, but he does not see a particular need to offend the natives. He has been taught to be polite, after all - it is a part of the overall attitude a gentleman has to affect, even one in a less than ideal situation.

He turns swiftly - a lot faster than one would expect and seems to tower over the gnome. "Who is this Fredo?"

[Leriel]

Place: Tavern of the Reeling Rat - Lao's place

The gnome gasps in surprise, then look at this ssstrange sssnake patron. He gives Lao a look that means "if you don't stand beer, why do you drink so much?"
(Surprisingly, Lao manages to get the meaning, even if the gnome did not say a word! And this in a fraction of a second!)

Then the gnome spits on the ground, turns again to Lao and says:
"How can you not know him? Fredo D. Stefani - captain and blitzer of Red Sabres! He found an omen gem and went to town with his team! He was at Fountain Square, greeting fans, and someone shot him!"

[The_Shaman]

Lao

The Ophiduan looks at the odd gnome without blinking - well, he looks at the gnome that was shouting just now, all gnomes are odd - and waits for him to calm down a bit. The little meaty thing makes his show, acting like there are no other Fredos here, or at least none worth mentioning. He was just told of this D'Stefani, and now this little gnome comes in bearing news of him? A while ago, he'd say it was fate. Now, he thinks it could also be suspicious, too. A sad tale, to not be able to trust one's own destiny.

Well, if you can't trust someone, might as well keep an eye on him. "Ah, I imagine the guards have gotten everyone out of there, then. Did you see it?"

[Leriel]

Place: Tavern of the Reeling Rat - Lao's place

The gnome replies to Lao:
"Sure I did! I was at the place, picking pock... picking a good place to see him, I mean! Then a scream! Everyone crazy! I managed to see Fredo on the ground, an arrow or a bolt hit him! Then guards say go away... and I'm here!"

Poldus just finished to clean a mug with a really dirty rag. He put the mug on the table with a "bump!" and intervenes:
"Holy ****! Whos the **** that shoot at Fredo? Hope they get him and **** his ***! Hope Black Orchy get the ****!"

The half orc that drank the mouse-filled-beer spits on the ground and asks to the gnome:
"Dinkum! Fredo strong as orc! See him dead? Me no belive you!"

The gnome replies: "Grinner, ya fool! Fredo fell! They want him dead! Well... maybe he's not dead..."

The man in the corner join the discussion: "Let's go and see by ourselves! I don't trust Dinkum, he always wins his bets! He's a liar!" Then he leaves the corner to reach the door of the tavern.

[TheTick]

Place: Tavern of the Burning Corpse - Shefri's place

"Someone shot Fredo! Maybe he's dead!"

Amateurs. "He *may be* dead? Did you check instead of running in here to gossip? *Maybe* you should be fetching a healer, neh?" Victor's curiosity will get the better of him, and he will go outside to see what's going on.

[Metroid33]

"wait whos fredo?" shefri says quickly standing up to get closer to the man.

[Leriel]

Place: Tavern of the Poetic Demon - Victor's Place

Aehm... Victor... you're in a different tavern... :smallredface:

Nevertheless...

The Tavern of the Poetic Demon is the resting place preferred by guards and soldiers. It's a clean place, and customers are nice (only guards who enjoy laughing are customers).

Victor heard about the Blood Bowl thing as Shefri and Lao, but he already knew something about the Red Sabre coming in town, thanks to the gossip of the soldiers.

Nevertheless, on Dragon, 9th few guards were in the tavern - all are busy with preparation of escorting the caravan for the voyage to the cave of the gem, or patrolling the city. So the man suddenly jumping in with the news about Fredo was a real surprise - and Victor jumped out as he told :smallsmile:

[Leriel]

Place: Tavern of the Burning Corpse - Shefri's place

The man is really troubled and excited.
"Fredo D. Stefani, the captain and blitzer of Red Sabres! I was at the Fountain Square, and I heard a scream... someone shoot an arrow at him!"

Some customers in the tavern jumps up and start speaking loud.
Someone is going out of the tavern!

Jaikine whispers something, but you cannot understand what.

[Leriel]

Place: Near Fountain Square (for who want to see what happened) :smallsmile:

Obviously the guards told everyone to go away, to go home... but after some minutes of panic, small groups of curious people are still nearby the place.

Groups of guards are looking at the streets - it's evening, the sun is going down...
The guards look tired and nervous - this shooting happened in the worst possible moment. When the solstice approaches, there are always many visitors in town - lot of trouble. Also they have to prepare for escorting the caravan...

[Metroid33]

"Can you to me to him?"

[The_Shaman]

Lao

The ophiduan puts the rest of the beer in a cheap small wooden mug that he owns, and heads out to see if there is anything interesting at this place. Normally, he wouldn't care that much for this, but through this strange coincidence fate seems to want him to check it out. Fine, fine, he thought. He takes some time to prepare the sutra of focus before he heads out, cutting a curious sight through the streets of the city.

He leaves the mug near one of the more talented buskers in the city on the way to the plaza. Approaching a random stranger, he nods at him. "I am Lao. I heard a man called Fredo, a player, was shot today. Is this true?"

[Leriel]

Place: Tavern of the Burning Corpse - Shefri's place

The man mumbles something... then a man of athletic build, with bare chest, speaks to Shefri: "Follow me, I'm going there!"
A dark-haired women is already with him. Shefri cannot help but recognize her - she's a pretty lady [DM note: think at her as a top model - she's really pretty! :smallwink:]. Shefri saw her every late evening, dressed with expensive dresses, going out of the tavern. It's somewhat early today - in fact she's wearing a simple robe (and she's witout make-up :smalltongue:). She looks really worried.
Nevertheless... the three of you are on your way to the Fountain Square!

[Leriel]

Place: Near Fountain Square (Lao's position)
The man replies to Lao:
"Yes, mister... Lao! You're right! I wanna find the **** who did it... before Black Orchid does! The ba****d does not deserve mercy!"
While you are speaking, you manage to reach Fountain Square.

[Leriel]

Place: Fountain Square

All of you (Lao, Shefri, Victor and Nathor) - you reached Fountain Square. There are less guards and people than you expected. You can see some men dressed in a strange way - with some strange helmets and a strange light armor. Some of them looks sad, others angry. Also you see some men and women dressed with robes, in circle, debating, and you hear someone wailing from the center of the circle. There is also a man shouting at a guard (the guard has an expensive armor).

"So it is true" says the lady from the Burning Corpse Tavern, near Shefri. "This is truly horrible... Hans, please, let's go away from this place".

The man with the bare chest makes a slight bow and reply:
"Sure, madam." Then they go away.

[TheTick]

Victor asks anyone who can hear him, "Who are the robed people? Are the armored ones friends of the victim?" After getting an answer, he will try and get to where he can see the 'maybe dead' guy.

[Leriel]

An halfling, who's trying to find a better place to see, turns to Victor:
"Are you a fool? The robed ones are master healers - seems they cannot take off the bolt from Fredo! And the armored ones..." - the halfling cannot stop a quick laugh - "they are his fellows team mates! These are their uniforms, the protection they put in order to play. BB is not for gals..."

[TheTick]

Victor sneers. "The only fool here is a halfling who levies insults. Get away from me before I finish deciding whether to electrocute you or freeze you to death."

[Leriel]

The halfling mutters something and moves away, always trying to scamper near the circle of the healers. In the meantime, Victor manages to get a little closer. There is someone screaming and cursing the gods... then you hear some arcane mumbling and the loud voice stops. Then the guards start trying to open a way among the crowd. Someone is shouting: "They are gonna to take Fredo away!"

[TheTick]

Victor watches the halfling scamper off, tempted to try and use spark to make some article of clothing catch fire...but seeing all the guards around he decides to save that bit of fun for another time.

He will try and get to where they are carrying Fredo, casting Detect Magic so he can try to figure out what kind of spell, if any, is affecting the bolt.

[Leriel]

PM to TheTick!

[The_Shaman]

Lao

The Ophidual looks at the small gnome quizzically on the way to the fountain. "Black Orchid, who is that?"

At the fountain, he observes quietly, seemingly not caring much for the spectacle. He tries to make sense of the various people and uniforms there. Recognizing them (or not), he then moves closer to the man arguing with the guard, trying to get an idea of what this seems to be about and see anything particular about the two men.

[Leriel]

For Lao:
The one speaking about Black Orchid was a man, not a gnome :smallsmile: BTW he explains to Lao that "Black Orchid" is a sort of masked heroine who punish evil-doers :smallsmile:

According to the comments of an halfling, speaking with a dark-tanned human, here there are guards, players of this strange game (dressed with strange uniforms), and people like you - here to find out what's happening.

Lao manages to catch some sentences between the screaming man and the guard.
The guard seems to be a sergeant or an official - while the man (that the guard called "Mr. Aedilred") is the responsible, owner or something similar of the team called "Red Sabres". He's mad with the guards, since they weren't able to protect Fredo D. Stefani from the shot.

[Metroid33]

Shefri

Taking in the scene Shefri searches for someone to ask some questions to unsure who these people are. "Who are all these people?" he asks the nearest person to him.

[TheTick]

Victor concentrates on the bolt, and promptly doubles over. He's never encountered a spell that powerful. He stumbles away, not caring who he brushes past.

[Leriel]

@Shefri:
The nearest person to Shefri is a really young men (almost a teenager) that was still looking at the lady that just went out from the scene.
He realized that Shefri was speaking to him:
"Uh... Sorry sir... These people? They are the Red Sabres... see the symbol on their helmets? Fredo's team. Fredo, the one who was shoot, you know... They are trying to cure him, seems that that arrow don't want to get out!"

[Leriel]

@The Tick:
Victor stumbles on a snake-man with dark green scales, that's looking at the scene [I randomly rolled :smallwink:]

[Leriel]

@PhilMeyer:
The fellow guard, called Barrett, looks tired. He's happy to see Nathor.
"Hi Nathor! Good to see ya. So far we just need to keep people off the zone... They seem hyenas... that poor Fredo get shoot and everyone wants to see!
Sgt. Scott - he's there, he's arguing with the boss of the team - sent someone to the Divinator's Boulevard. Seems that the sniper shoot from there.
What else... Right: this Fredo is Fredo D. Stefani, captain of Red Sabres, BB champions... I know, I know that you don't approve... That Fredo found a gem and his boss wanted the whole team there... business! Bah! And that poor one got shoot!"

[TheTick]

Victor manages to straighten himself up, concentration on his spell gone. Looking up, he sees that he nearly bowled over some scaly guy. Hope it's not one of the angry ones. "Sorry about that, friend, lost my footing there."

[PhilMeyer]

"I was under the impression that bodily injury was the point of the exhibition." Nathor says, mostly to himself.

He then starts scanning the crowd, keeping an eye out for anything the requires his assistance.

[Leriel]

@Phil:
Nathor spots Victor - he's speaking with a snake-man.

[The_Shaman]

Lao

The spectacle of the angry man and the guard leaves him somewhat frustrated, but apparently this was the course he is to take. One associated with prophecy had been attacked, and he should take interest. He intercedes in their debate by standing nearby for a while, taller than both, before nodding and speaking with an accented common. "Greetings, Lawgiver and Bereaved one. I am Lao Taidim, once of Vahrast and Ulum-Kaar. If I may be allowed to help, I could check this place for more that could help the investigation? I am not unskilled.

If he has their approval, he will busy himself with investgating for anything the guards may have missed.

Perception roll: [roll0]

[Leriel]

The guard and the man stops speaking - then the guard tells Lao:
"Sure Mr. Lao - whatever you want. Stay away from Fredo, ok?"
Then he goes on speaking with the man.

DM note: As soon as Lao start looking around, Victor jumps back and stumbles on him. See his post.

[PhilMeyer]

Nathor is surprised to see the scrappy young sorcerer in the crowd, but as he does not look to be in any danger, he just makes note of it.

[Metroid33]

Acknowledging what the (man or boy not sure which to go with) said, Shefri "filed" it away in his head. Hoping to gain some more information from someone who wasn't gaping at a beautiful women, he finds the nearest group of guards that looked confident about what is going on.

OOC: by nearest group of guards I'm mainly referring to Nathor and his friend.

[TheTick]

Victor spots Nathor and walks over. "Ho, Nathor. Just to let you know, there's a powerful necromantic effect on that arrow in Fredo. May want to warn any wizards that are going to examine it. Wouldn't want those spellbook-humping collegiate panty-waists dying of fright."

[PhilMeyer]

The guardsman frowns. "Necromancy, on top of all else." He shakes his head. "Thank you for bringing me this information." He starts walking over to the sergeant and healers, gesturing for Victor to follow.

To those tending to the fallen captain, Nathor says. "This lad has detected some foul magic on the arrow. I was not sure if you were already aware."

[Leriel]

@Shefri: Good catch. Seeing a guard and a man with dark complexion making their way undisturbed to the healers, Shefri manages to reach them - while hearing the young man saying something like "and who's that?".

Starting from here, I assume that the 4 of you are near and able to hear.

In the meantime, one of the healers replies to Nathor:
"Thanks for the advice, guard. Your friend is right - this is the reason of us waiting to move Fredo away. In order to cure captain Fredo, we need to remove the arrow - but this could kill him..."

The healer is interrupted by the scream of the crowd - there is a foul beast near the fountain!

People are trying to move away from the fountain - but this means to go in the direction of the healers and the guards, that are struggling to keep the healers safe...

You four can see a man that climbed on the fountain - and a humanoid covered in chains, moving from the fountain directed to the crowd.

The man on the fountain shouts:
"The vile Fredo deserved it! And this is just the beginning of the end! All hail to the apocalypse!"

[Metroid33]

OOC:Do we roll initiative rolls now? if so then i will expand on this post if not then i will expand in a different way.

[The_Shaman]

Lao

The ophidual continued his investigation until the new commotion. He notices some new sort looking at the scene and talking about necromancy. Alarming, but magic isn't in his area of knowledge anyway. The mess that comes later is even more distressing. He examines the lunatic and the chained figure warily, and moves in to defuse the situation, hoping that a calm and certain tone may carry the day."

"Excuse me, good man, but you are speaking absurdities. Please elaborate your claims. What was your grievance with that Bloodbowl practitioner?"

[Leriel]

@Metroid33: One post each for roleplaying and declaring what you want to do, with the initiative roll at the end :smallsmile:
We're not in combat yet - but thanks for the reminder of initiative :smallwink:

EDIT: Ninjed by Lao - Lao, please add an initiative roll.

I'll post my reply as soon as the others state their actions :smallwink:

[The_Shaman]

((There is a problem with adding a roll in an existing post, so I'll put it here, just in case Lao's incredible diplomatic skills do not defuse the situation :smallwink: ) ))

Initiative roll: [roll0]

[TheTick]

Victor sighs and will move to stay just behind and to one side of Lao. "Nathor, might need you over here!" If Lao's diplomacy doesn't work, Victor will cast Mage Armor on himself in the first combat round.

[roll0]

[Metroid33]

Looking up at the figure on the fountain he checks the area and tries to figure out what that "thing" was.
Perception:[roll0]
Knowledge (Arcana)[roll1] (Planes) [roll2]
Initiative: [roll3]
crap nat. 1

[PhilMeyer]

Nathor moves to put himself between the crowd and the two seemingly hostile individuals. His polearm drawn and ready, he shouts a warning.

"Halt!"


Init: [roll0]

[Leriel]

The man on the fountain looks at Lao and shouts:
"How do you dare to speak, you foolish and foul creature, born from a snake!
You're no better than that man - hail to the hand who put an end to his misery!
Since he deserves to die - he's a sinner! Him, you, all of you!
Hail to the Nine Hells!
Since there is no sin without punishment - and you'll be punished!
So says the last prophecy - so says the last prophet!
My great lord, punish them!"

You can see that some chains (that cover the creature's body) seem to be alive - they move as snake, coming in your direction...

(all of you, declare your action...)

[TheTick]

Great. A nutcase. Victor casts Mage Armor on himself, as mentioned, and will try to keep just a few steps behind Nathor and the other guards.

[PhilMeyer]

OOC

I'm sort of inclined to ready an action and make them come to us, but don't want to waste my turn if Lao or someone else plans on jumping into melee. So Shaman, let me know.

[Metroid33]

"well there goes any chance for a peaceful solution" Shefri muttered to himself, then to the mass of guards and people who looked ready to fight, he yelled "That thing is a Kyton, it heals quick and we need a silver weapon to kill it." After saying this Shefri pulled out his kopesh, then raised his left hand and pointed it at the Kyton. From his finger flew two bright blue balls of flame straight at it.

The balls of flame is a magic missile changed to the fire element (if it can be I'm not totally sure) by my Bloodline Arcana.
Damage:[roll0]
Spells Known
0 level :Ray of Frost, Detect Magic, Arcane Mark, Dancing Lights, Read Magic, Mage Hand, Acid Splash
1st level:Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Touch of Combustion

Can cast 6 level 1 spells today witha saving throw of 15 on ones that there is a saving throw.

[Leriel]

@Shefri: Sorry but Magic Missile is a force effect (not energy), so you cannot change its type. For roleplaying purpose, it seems to be a bolt of fire (but inflict force damage).

Please also make a caster level check (1d20 + caster level).

[Metroid33]

Caster level check: [roll0]

[Leriel]

@Lao: You have to declare an action - then I'll start resolving actions in (already rolled) initiative order :smallwink:

[The_Shaman]

"Indeed, this would mark this man as a diabolist. Most distressing. He must be made to see reason, or answer the gods," Lao said, in a seemingly serene matter, as he brought to bear a large, crescent sword and attacked a small bell to a tassel on the handle. "May Shesha guard the righteous, and punish the wicked. So let it be."
He will ready his sword and if I have it, draw a dose of silversheen.

[PhilMeyer]

"Stay back!" Nathor yells to the crowd.

"A Kyton you say?" He is unfamiliar with this manner of creature.

The guardsman keeps his polearm steady, ready to strike at the creature's legs. If he can't kill it, at least maybe he can disable it.


Moving to get between it and where it is headed.
Readying a Trip maneuver triggered on the condition of either of the two comes in range (reach 10ft).
Trip Attack: 1d20+11
Feel free to roll it for me.
Going to use combat expertise, giving me a +1 AC afterwards. With the trait it doesn't decrease my attack roll.

Note: With a reach weapon, I get an OA if he moves adjacent to me. If my first trip failed, my OA will be another trip.

[Leriel]

OK in this order...
- Nathor puts himself between the kyton and the crowd, action ready
- Lao draws his weapon and put the silversheen on it
- Victor casts Mage Armor
- Shefri casts Magic Missile

The kyton moves near Lao - he's about 9 fts from him. He says, with a deep voice:
"Don't stay between me and my prey - unless you want to share the doom of the gem-bearer..."
He stops speaking as soon as the magic missile from Shefri hits him. He looks in the direction of the ifrit and he looks at him with a piercing gaze...
(Shefri, Will save please..)

In the meantime the cultist goes on speaking:
"Yes! All the gem-bearers are sinners! They should have refused the gem! And now they will DIE! This is my bidding, the bidding of the Gem-Crushers [he rises a book] and lord Zaibach will obey me!"
Then he begins to laugh maniacally...

[Metroid33]

Will Save: [roll0]

[Leriel]

@Shefri: you're very lucky :smallwink:

Ok, new round. We'll keep the same initiative rolls. Please note that the kyton (aka "lord Zaibach") retarded its action. Declare and roll :smalltongue:

[TheTick]

Gem-bearer, Victor thinks, is...it talking about me? He sneers, and tries to move so he can cast Color Spray on the Kyton, and if possible, the cultist, without getting Nathor and the others.

[roll0]
My AC is 18 for the next 3 hours.

[PhilMeyer]

The monster does not try and move to the crowd, so Nathor moves up to try and take it down.

He attempts to use the hooked back of his fauchard to yank the creature by the legs.


Trip: [roll0]
No OA provoked from Improved Trip feat.

[Leriel]

@Nathor: this was close!

Nathor moves his weapon in a graceful arc, aiming at the legs of the creature, that dodges the blade with a swift lateral jump. Now the kyton and Nathor are dangerously close - just the length ot the polearm divides them.

The face of Lord Zaibach seems to smile, then he looks astonished at the weapon of the half-elf and speaks to Nathor with his deep voice...
"Where did you get that green steel, elf? Which hlaja'at lord rewarded you with it?"

[The_Shaman]

Lao

The Ophiduan regards the devil with some dislike. "We will speak later," he says in a low, level voice, then moves quickly to the side of the devil, instead. He cicles it for a few steps, then rushes with startling speed towards the cultist, sheathing his sword as he does, leaping at the fountain near the man. "You are behaving unreasonably. You must stop," he says, then lunges towards the man - but instead of punching he goes for a hold. "Shai hlal laim!"


Move action - Lao moves a bit to the side, so he has a clear view of the cultist, then moves toward him, using high jump as part of the move. Considering Lao's acrobatics score and the bonus he gets from having a higher than 30 ft move speed, success against DC 13 or lower (12 is for 3 feet jump) should be automatic.
Standard action: initiate grapple. Hope for a good one here, folks, this guy looks like a caster.[roll0]

[Leriel]

The kyton is still looking at the fauchard of Nathor when you start your move. Seeing you stepping aside, the creature's chains moves as for their own will - one of them hit you as you're running away (8 hp damage). But your move is successfully - you jump on the cultist and manage to grab him!
Both of you finish in the clean water of the fountain with a splash!

And while all the eyes are pointed to the fountain... Victor casts his spell!

The creature closes his eyes and utters some words... then it shakes its head. It seems that he managed to overcome the power of Victor's spell.

Now the next move is Shefri's :smalltongue:

[Metroid33]

Lifting his hand again Shefri this time points at the man on the fountain, "Maybe defeating him will cause this devil to leave our plane" he thought to himself. From his finger another to balls of force flew at the man.

Damage: [roll0]

[Leriel]

Ok, next round... with a small surprise :smallbiggrin:
Shefri sees that the magic missiles hit the cultist... and a dim light surrounds the man's body.
(Lao can see that, also).
Lao hears the cultist gasping for air and uttering a word... then Lao sees a bright light from the glove on the left hand of the mad man. The cultist clenched his fist... and suddenly the water of the fountain erupts in a large water column... that speaks!
"What is thy bidding, oh Shrouded One?"

Everyone can hear the kyton hissing: "Wenger, you liar and thief..."

All of you, declare your actions please :smalltongue:

[Metroid33]

Knowledge checks on this water thingy
Planes[roll0]
Arcana[roll1]
will make another post once I know what that is if I can.

[TheTick]

Another enemy? Is that a water elemental? Victor decides to switch tactics, and begins casting his next spell, to summon a Celestial Eagle.

Casting Summon Monster I, to have the Celestial Eagle appear as near as I can to the cultist at the beginning of my next turn. Knowledge: Arcana check below to see if I know anything about what the cultist just did. Spellcraft check in case that's more appropriate.

[roll0]
[roll1]

[Leriel]

@Shefri and Victor: yes, this is a Water Elemental... a large one, also speaking common!

@Victor: you manage to summon the creature where you wish.
It seems that the cultist managed to summon the elemental even if grabbed by the snake-man (you're too far for getting the details...)

[PhilMeyer]

"Where did you get that green steel, elf? Which hlaja'at lord rewarded you with it?"

"Surrender peacefully, and we can talk all about it."

The creature seems overly interested in the blade... Maybe this strange weapon can injure it?

Nathor makes a powerful lunge towards the enemy. He tries to slash at its neck.


Power Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

[TheTick]

The casting time on Summon Monster is 1 round, so whenever my Eagle can attack, it will do so:

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]

I think that would be the beginning of my next turn.

[Leriel]

The kyton manages to deflect with his chains the attack of Nathor.
Then he turns to the half-elf (he was looking at the cultist) and speaks with a joyful voice:
"Asking for surrender and attacking while I'm not looking... No wonder that the dukes of Baator gave you such reward! Well done, brother!"
He smiles...
"Now it's my turn..."

Four chains (he has reach) hits Nathor - no wait, he manages to avoid one of them...
The razor-edged chains slash the half-elf for 23 damages...

[PhilMeyer]

The chains rip skin from flesh, and Nathor struggles to remain upright through the pain. To buy time, he tries engaging the creature.

"You clearly have the upper hand here, demon. Though what is it you hope to gain?" He asks.

"Why would you serve the likes of him?" He gestures at Wenger.

[Leriel]

"Devil, not demon, elf!" he roars. He turns to the elemental:

"Creature of water! He's not the Shrouded One!"

Then Lord Zaibach turns to Nathor again. He looks annoyed:

"I have to serve it... I was summoned by a wizard called the Shrouded One... just to see him overwhelmed by a mob of stupid cultists."

He shakes his head.

"The summoner destroyed most of them, before disappearing - but this mo**n survived and managed to take control... He wants me to kill all gem-bearers."

He shrugs.

"It's really a pleasure enjoy pain, your pain... it's the only nice thing since I am with... that one!"

Note: Shefri, please declare your action (you're still at the end of round 2). The conversation above it's at the beginning of Round 3 (everyone declare his action, please).

[The_Shaman]

Lao

Lao was quite unhappy with how things were turning out - not only had the man fallen in the water with him, but he just happened to have something to call for a watery ally. Then again, the Kyton had suggested a way out - and as the saying goes, sometimes the gifts of the enlightened fall in the strangest possible manner. "You have heard him, he's an imposter. Please refrain from interfering with due authority." he said to whoever it was that creature is, and tried to sink the man's head underwater so he wouldn't be able to disagree - and would be a lot more preoccupied with other things. "Do not resist or things will go badly for you," he tells the man and plunges him underwater.

Okay, let's continue down the path of "not kill b****y idiot."
Standard action: grapple check to pin down: vs his CMD; according to http://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemastering/combat#TOC-Grapple I apparently get a +5 bonus if he hadn't broken the grapple in the previous round - lmk if it applies.
Other actions - maneuver so he's between me and the elemental.[/COLOR]


""Behave or I'll crush your bones," he snarls at the man, fangs at the ready as he tightens his grip. "Rope, please," he says to the other people, in between controlling the thrashing maniac.

[TheTick]

Victor commands the Eagle to continue attacking the now-pinned enemy.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]

To the devil, he says "Lord Zaibach, can we disrupt his hold over you? Will you return to your home plane? If not and we free you, will you stop trying to kill us?"


To either answer my own question or determine if it's lying to me about it. :smallbiggrin: I will hold my actions for this round until after I get an answer one way or another.

[Metroid33]

"Kyton if he" Points up at the cultist guy"is controling you then would you really wish to fight us if he didn't force you?" After saying this Shefri mutters to himself and then a sheen of force passed over him.

Casts mage armor in this short break of combat while I talk to the Kyton.

[Leriel]

The kyton inspires, like enjoying some smell, then the starts to laugh quietly:
"Fear... it's nice to face such a bold group of opponents..." he laughs again.

"So what do you want, a bargain? Sure, I enjoy this kind of things... That Wenger is a nuisance, but a pact is a pact - I cannot kill him. Let's suppose that you manage to overcome the magic of the trinkets he stole from the Shrouded One... letting me free. What do you expect, brave and bold mortals?"

[TheTick]

Victor smiles grimly. "There's no fear involved - but I don't see any reason to die to you today. As for what *I* want, just return to your home plane and leave us as we are now. You may take whatever items Wenger stole."

Pausing here to see if anyone else has anything to add.

[PhilMeyer]

"As this one says. I do not fear death, but have no wish to meet my end when there is no gain from it. Let us put an end to your master, and this insanity can come to a close."

Nathor's voice quivers in pain at some points, though he does his best to not let it show.

OOC
Going to wait for a response from the Kyton. If it seems like it won't attack me when I leave its threatened area, will go try and kill the summoner.

[Leriel]

OOC - It seems that Lao is the only one not wanting to kill the cultist. So, before posting a reply from the kyton, I'll wait for his post.

[The_Shaman]

Lao

The water spirit seemed to be passive, which Lao interprets as tacit approval, or at least confusion. Good, he thinks, getting to the task at hand - subduing the cultist. Now, the man had already surprised him by doing something like that, so a more thorough binding might be required. Sadly, he doesn't have a rope...

Oh wait. Oh no... Well, what the heck. Yes, he does have something vaguely rope-like he can use to tie someone up - the sash he uses to fasten his own clothing and to store various small items. He quickly unfastens it and takes it up with one hand. Well, he thinks as he wrestles the man to the bottom of the pond, duty may have its prize, but it certainly has its price.

Grapple check to tie up the cultist with Lao's sash: [roll0] vs CMD, possibly with the +5 from him not succeeding in the last round.
If it succeeds, Lao will try to pick him up and jump out of the fountain, towards the nearest law enforcement official. I'm not sure how much this guy he weighs with wet clothes, but Lao should be in medium load at most :D .

((I am pretty sure the sash is not required to hold Lao's clothes, but feel free to elaborate))

[Leriel]

Lord Zaibach speaks again:
"So we have a deal. You'll put an end to the life of the cultist and I'll take his body with me. I'll leave the city and kill no one."
Then he takes a chain and he hurts himself - he looks somewhat excited.
Spilling some blood, he goes on: "I'll consider the pact sealed as soon as you kill him!"

In the meantime, Lao managed to get out from the fountain, taking the bound cultist with him. He can see Nathor approaching - he's a guard and he could be the right one to handle this mad man.

But after a few steps Lao hears the words of the half elf... putting an end? Do they really want to kill the cultist?

Lao stops for a moment....

...and the eagle *finally* manages to hit!

The huge bird tears the upper part of the chest of the cultist with its talons - also breaking a golden chain from Wenger's neck.

A sphere gets loose from the chain and hit the ground...

BOOOOOOM!

An explosion... a huge, searing explosion of flame detonates with a low roar.

The eagle shrieks and disappears - you get a glimpse of it, burned by the flames, its wings almost incinerated.

The fountain is badly damaged by the explosion.

The water elemental rumbles!

The cultist seems to be just slightly bruised!

And... Lao, Reflex saving throw please :smallsmile:

[The_Shaman]

Darned bird-brained bird... hey, what are the rules on profanity in this thread :smallbiggrin:.

Lao

Lao drags the bound cultist towards the guardsman, when he hears the strange devil-thing's offer. To be honest, he intended to just deliver the man to whatever fate he'd get, but if that's what he'd get anyway, and they'd remove the evil one from the city without more fighting, it sounds reasonable. If they could trust it, at least.

"Can this one be trusted," he asks the strange man, who told him what the creature is.

That is when the strange bird - it was called by magic, he remembers - that has been trying to harass the cultist for a while shrieks and starts clawing... breaking something... and an instinct tells him to make sure this is not good. On instinct, he draws back, trying to interpose the cultist's body in front of himself

Reflex Save: [roll0]w. evasion, plus any bonuses Lao can get for using the cultist as cover :smallbiggrin:

((presuming he makes it)) "This is starting to become troublesome," the singed ophiduan states in a voice a bit lower than usual. "Law Officer, what are the laws on summoning fell creatures, endangering people, and whatever else this man did?"

[Leriel]

Sorry, Lao, 7 is not enough :smallfrown: even with a +3 bonus from Cultist Cover...

20 damages (that's bringing you to -8... it's really a shame!)

But Lao was able to make his speech before the explosion :smallwink:

[Metroid33]

"The Kyton is a devil, lawful by nature, he'll respect the deal." (said right before the explosion) "Oh crap, does anyone now any healing magic!? Or at least get one of those uber-healers back over here!" After yelling this Shefri runs closer to the cultist so that he is in range for his fire ray. Lifting up his left hand he creates a small circle of runes in ignan, then with his right Shefri forces fire energy through the circle, creating a ray of fire heading straight at the cultist.

Uses Ray of fire spell-like ability.
Attack:
Damage:[ROLL]126+1

[Metroid33]

Whoops on the damage roll
Damage again:[roll0]

[Leriel]

@Shefri: this is a really good description of the ray of fire! Congratulations, bonus XP!

The scorching ray fully engulf the cultist... but he seems not damaged! Wenger makes a short cry, then he begins to laugh as a maniac!

@Lao - check if you are stable or loosing HP, please :smalleek:

@Victor and Nathor - declare your actions!

[TheTick]

Victor runs over to Lao, uncorking a potion of Cure Light Wounds as he goes. He looks up at the cultist. "Fire may not affect you, but if I can't find an element that can, I'll be happy to claw out your throat."

[roll0]

[PhilMeyer]

A deal made with a devil. Not sure how I am going to explain that to my superiors.

Such thoughts do not delay him long, he has had enough of this cultist and is ready to lay him low.

He takes his polearm and swings it at the bound lunatic in a wide chopping motion.


Power Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Will use combat expertise again to gain +1 AC.

[Leriel]

Power Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Will use combat expertise again to gain +1 AC.


OOC - I don't want to be boring, but can you please explain me the +8 and +9?

I assumed
to hit: +3 BAB +4 STR +1 mastercraft weapon -1 Power attack =+7
to damage: +4 STR +3 Power attack =+7.

I think it could be great to clarify this boring calculation issues, so in future I can concentrate on story :smallwink:

Nevertheless the action goes on - I will not allow a calculation to stop it now :smallbiggrin:

[Leriel]

The cultist looks at Victor with despise, then he speaks again:

"Lord Zaibach, you tanar'ri!" and he spit on the ground.

"Elemental, k..." Wenger cannot go on - the enraged elemental unleashes its fury on his summoner!

And as a lightning, all of you can see the fauchard of Nathor cutting in two the body of the mad cultist!

[The_Shaman]

Lao

The prone, severely scorched snakeman seems to start to heal soon after the potion is poured in his throat, and his body shivers several times. Scales and skin burnt to embers sheds, and new ones start forming so quickly that it is visible... and to some of the more squeamish, a bit disgusting. Then again, the more squamish ones probably did not enjoy the recent sights anyway.

[TheTick]

"If there are any who can heal, this scaly one will need more healing." Victor is impressed at Nathor's strike. Good guy to have around.

Looking at the Kyton, Victor quips, "Let me know if you need a sack to carry that guy away."

[Leriel]

Nathor feels strange about the strike - it was a good one, but he did not expect such an end for the cultist!

In the meantime, the kyton gets close to the elemental:
"The liar is dead, you can return to your home."

Then he turns to Victor:
"No sack for this corpse - it does not deserve it!"

Lord Zaibach meticulously removes the circlet, the necklace, the bracelets, the glove, the rings... well, everything from the body of the dead cultist (putting them in a small bag), leaving it naked.
It drops Lao's sash to the ground.
Then two chains wrap a part of Wenger's corpse each - and they pull them up, over his head, as a macabre trophy.
Lord Zaibach looks at something near the fountain and he picks it.

"A green gem with a rune... does it means that I am a gem-bearer, too?"
Then he walks away, laughing.

@all - you can see and hear the crowd shouting in joy - they looks really more relaxed now!
And you can see the young men that spoke with Shefri that's bringing one of the healer near you!

[PhilMeyer]

It takes a moment for Nathor to realize what has happened. He intended to kill the lunatic, but did not expect the blade to pass through with such little resistance. A gruesome fate, though perhaps not undeserved.

Striking down a bound human is not something he feels good about. Still, the fool was by no means harmless. Even to the end he was instructing his summoned minion to attack.

Now to confirm that the devil holds up his end of the bargain. Nathor does his best to look threatening, but not hostile, while the monster collects the items from the corpse.

While the crowd celebrates, Nathor follows the creature from about 20 paces back. He intends to verify that it has left the city, at the very least.

[Leriel]

Nathor has little problems following the kyton - it proudly walks in the direction of the main gate, and screams of horror of scared people follows its path. Its presence it's enough to make people run away.
Nevertheless he just looks like... like someone having fun at the mall.

A couple of times he looks back - it's obvious that he saw Nathor.
"Do you need to speak with me, mortal?" he says, just with curiosity.

OOC: it takes about 20 minutes to exit the city, so Nathor is currently excluded from the next events (if he wants to be sure that the kyton is out of the city).
Also: Phil, if you want to speak with him a little, you can send me a PM.

[Metroid33]

Shefri looks up at the cloudless sky, wondering why the cultist hated the gem bearers so much. Reaching into the pack that hangs at his side to make sure his gem is still there. Pulling his hand out he brushes back his hair, a small flame flying into the air. Putting his kopesh back into it's sheath. Shefri moves to the fellow warriors that fought, taking a mental note to give the town guards a little less respect given the fact that they did almost nothing.

Standing near the group on the ground. "So then who wants to go get a drink after he's all healed up?" Indicating the snakeman on the ground.

[TheTick]

Victor grins. "If you're buying."

[Metroid33]

"fine First round for us only." Indicating the small little group. Probably the cheapest stuff I can get He thought to himself.

[Leriel]

One of the healer, almost forced to hurry by the young man (the one that spoke with Shefri after looking at the pretty lady), reaches the three of you.
Panting, he says to the young one:
"M.J., stop pulling me so hard!"
He looks at Shefri, Victor and Lao for a moment, then he kneels and starts casting a spell on the snake-man, who open his eyes (OOC - at +7 HP :smallwink:)
"Are you injured, too?" he asks while standing up again.
M.J. (OOC - finally he has a name!) starts to speak, but he's interrupted by an angry voice - Sgt. Scott (OOC - the guard that was arguing with the other man) is coming near you, shouting:
"Barret, makes that crowd go home! Nathor, you ****, where the **** are you? And who are you? (looking at Victor anf Shefri) And why are you here, M.J.?"
It seems that he has no more voice to go on shouting, luckily :smallwink:

[The_Shaman]

Lao

He slowly rises, first to a sitting, then to a standing position, flexing his arms and feet. "Thank you for the help. It is welcome," he says to the healers politely, with a formal nod, almost a bow. When things as strange as this happen to you, and you almost die and then are brought back to life, that's undeniably fate. Very well, he thinks, let's follow this thread and see where it leads.

The ophiduan looks around with narrowed eyes, doing his best to ignore the law officer's unseemly shouting, and then speaks. "I don't see the ones who were causing the disturbance. What happened?"

[Metroid33]

"the cultist was killed naught but a minute ago, the water elemental left at it's own free will, and then the Kyton took the body and all the magic items and left," Counting off on his fingers to make sure he got everything. Then he turns to the guard to answer him "My name is Shefri Albadwin" Reaching his hand up shefri does a customary greeting of his people, touching his fingers to his forhead and then his mouth, "A pleasure to meet you sir...?

[Leriel]

The robed cleric touches the guard officer, that seems to calm down.
"Scott - it's Sgt. Scott for you".
Then he looks around with a stern gaze, and speaks to Victor:
"I already saw you at the Poetic Demon with Nathor. Are you a gem bearer?"
He turns to Lao.
"And you... you were asking me something... Mr. Tao... no, Mr. Lao..."
He sighs.
"And finally you, M.J. - four troublemakers... It seems that you drove away that foul creature, so I'll close an eye... but don't"
He's interrupted by one of the guards:
"Sgt. Scott! They found him!"

[TheTick]

"Yeah, I have a gem. Gotta see what it's all about." Victor gave the guard a dismissive wave.

[Metroid33]

"how are we trouble makers? Sgt. Scott. and who was it you were looking for?"

[Leriel]

Sgt. Scott looks Shefri and points a finger to him:
"Gem. Bearers. Every year you come in this city - every year a new problem. Mad cultist, brawls, monsters... Every. Single. Year."
Then he turns to the guard:
"What happened, McKenzie?"
The guard looks excited and points to his back:
"They found the sniper who shot Fredo! They're taking him here - he's all tied and they found a flower near him, a black orchid!"
M.J. suddenly dashes toward the direction indicated by the guard:
"I want to see the ****!"
Sgt. Scott shouts:
"Keep the crowd away! I don't want a lynching!"

[Metroid33]

"Hey M.J. get back here, seeing the person won't change anything, and Sgt. do you need a hand keeping the crowd back?"

[Leriel]

Sgt. Scott raises his eyes to the sky.
"Yes, Shefri Albadwin, I need all the possible help - the crowd was still shocked by the devil sight - and now they surely want to wreak their emotion on the sniper!
That criminal must be punished for what he did, but he did not deserve to be executed here... like that cultist!
And M.J. is like his father... not listening AT ANYONE!"
Sgt. Scott ends his words shouting at M.J. :smallsmile:

[The_Shaman]

Lao

"I am Lao," the reptilian-looking humanoid replies with a nod to the ifrit, clasping his hands together in greeting. Afterwards, he calmly and methodically cleans himself up, and takes up the damaged clothing. "So it is with possessions. It seems it is our fate to meet thus - perhaps we can see what else it has in store for us, no?"

"I was asking what the punishment for the man's crimes was - if it were death, and that could avoid a devil on the loose, I expected that it could solve our problems. I understand that eventually happened." he says to the sergeant in his usual level tone. If he is annoyed at being called a troublemaker, he makes no mention of it.

As the commotion builds up again, he does not seem to hurry, yet is somehow able to keep up just fine. "This person - how are they sure it's the shooter?"

[Leriel]

Sgt. Scott replies to Lao, looking him interested:
"They are not. They cannot say that he's the sniper... this is a good reason to stop this madness!"

[Metroid33]

Shefri pushes his way through the crowd towards the "sniper." When he got closer he tried to push back the people and then moved to check the man for any magic on him.

Just realized I didn't need the rolls , if I was wrong about that then I'll re roll.

[Leriel]

Sgt. Scott tries to put the guards in a defensive stand, to prevent the crowd getting too much closer to the "sniper".
He shouts:
"We are not sure that this moron is the sniper! Stop that!"
But the guards that found him are of another opinion:
"Sgt. Scott! We found him, tied, with a black orchid on him - it's the signature of Black Orchid! She catched him!"
And he's going to give a kick to the prisoner - a big man, indeed, when another guard stop him:
"Let's do as Sgt. Scott says! He's right!"
Shefri manages to get closer (OOC - no magic detected on the tied man), just to see M.J. moving fast to reach the "criminal". But the guards still behaving as ordered from Sgt. Scott manage to block the young man.
The guards seem to have the upper hand... when everyone hear:
"42! 23! GO!"
Then a group of Red Sabres' player overrun the guards!
M.J. manages to reach the tied one...
"Let's see the face of this b***!" ...and he removes a hood from the head of the prisoner, ready to punch him...
"Brother? "Big" Ben? YOU?"
M.J. turns and shout at the crowd:
"Stop it! It can be him! It's my brother, "Big" Ben! He cannot be the sniper - all of you knows that his aim is AWFUL!"

[The_Shaman]

Lao

The snakeman looks at this man, and his eyes narrow. "Who is this man?" he asks the nearby people. It appears there has been a misunderstanding - or a rather ironic twist of fate. He is more inclined to believe the latter. Fate could be nasty like that.

[Leriel]

The crowd start speaking - there is a lot of noise, and Lao gets something like "It's Ben! I cannot believe!" or "I know him, I cannot believe!".

In the meantime, the men that overrun the guards nod to Lao and ask:
"Yeah, what are you saying, young man? Who's that "Big" Ben?"

Some men (well, two men, a gnome and an halfling) get close to M.J., saying "Don't worry M.J., we are on your side! Your brother cannot be the sniper!"

Sighing, M.J. starts to explain:
"You of Red Sabres - and Lao, if I am right - this is my brother, Bernard, called "Big" Ben. He's the thrower in Prophecies. He's strong and his "Hailmary" pass are wonderful, but his aim is awful..."
The gnome interrupts M.J.:
"Yep! Ben can launch the ball everywhere - but never on the hands of a catcher!" The halfling smiles and starts to laugh slowly.

M.J. goes on:
"He cannot be the sniper. He cannot hit a can with a stone at 10 feet... Right, brotha?"

M.J. turns to his brother, then realizes that he's still uncounscious and tries to wake him: "Ben... BEN!"

"Big" Ben opens his eyes...
"Yes... let me kiss you, you pretty one... ARGH! M.J.! YOU? Where's the lady? And why I am tied?"

[TheTick]

Victor frowns and scratches his head at the latest developments. "A sniper with access to magics as powerful as what was on that bolt would never be caught and tied like this. Could've teleported away, or gone invisible, or flown off. I wager this one is laid out for you to catch, to delay you in finding the real culprit."

[The_Shaman]

Lao

The high snakeman studies the curiously large human, before adding. "Was this officer patrolling a certain location? Perhaps this "lady" wanted him out of the way. Who were you expecting, officer?"

[Leriel]

"Big" Ben replies to Lao:
"Officer? Sorry pal, I'm no officer - I'm a blood bowl player, and proud of it!"
He adds:
"Someone free me, please!"
M.J. starts removing the ropes, and "Big" Ben adds:
"Why am I here? I had a date with this bootylicious lady... I was going to kiss her... then everything went black!"

[The_Shaman]

Lao

The foreigner looks at the man with some confusion. "Erm... "boutilicious?" I am afraid I do not really follow. Could you be a bit more descriptive?"

Must be some slang, he thinks. Something about boots?

[Leriel]

"Big" Ben scratches his head (now he has his hands free).
"Sorry snake-pal... that gal has a wonderful... let's say... B side!" He laughs.
"You should have see her - a dark haired beauty... He asked me to come with her a couple of days ago... ad this must have been the GREAT day, she said! So we went to that roof... she started leaving her mantle... she started hugging me... then, black!" he sighs.

[TheTick]

Victor rubs his temples and sighs at the athlete's description. "Did she have any other prominent features? Where did you meet this woman?"

[Metroid33]

"Asking for other features in this case is probably pointless, if she's as hot as he said then I doubt he noticed anything else." Taking a moment to look around at the crowd Shefri then proceeded to ask the crowd. "Has anyone heard of this Black Orchid? Or knows more about her? If so please come forward now." Thinking back to himself Shefri remembers a BEAUTIFUL woman escorting him here.

[Leriel]

"Everyone knows Black Orchid!" - says M.J. - "she's the defender of the poor... When guards cannot get the burglars, she's the one who put things right! Her symbol is a blossom of a black orchid, like this!" M.J. takes the blossom found by the guards.
"Wait - this is a fake..."
M.J. comes near Shefri, with the blossom in his hand.
"See? It's a painted one... not a real black orchid... and the smell is strange..."

In the meantime, "Big" Ben get closer and speaks:
"This lad" (pointing to Victor) "is right, I remember more than her bottom! We met for the first time a couple of days ago, and she asked me to escort her for some shopping!"
Then he speaks to Shefri:
"My eyes are not good, but my nose... it is! I remember the smell of that lady! I never met a girl with such smell! And... You know? The smell is the same of that flower!"
Sgt. Scott managed to get closer:
"I trust you, Ben".
Then he adds, speaking to Victor, Shefri and Lao:
"The father of Ben and M.J. was an half-orc, and Ben has the same nose of his dad - they can recognize smells like dogs!"
He waits for some laughing, then he goes on, shouting at the crowd:
"See? All that chatting about Black Orchid... How many times I say that there's no such heroine? Do you think that she could do such a bad mistake, binding Ben instead of the real sniper?"

In the meantime, the healers managed to get a stretcher. One of them says to Sgt. Scott:
"We are ready to bring Fredo away, he will not die today... Tomorrow we'll be able to rid of that cursed arrow!"
Sgt. Scott replies to the healer:
"I'll come with you and with Mr. Aeldired. The Red Sabres will come with us."
Then he says to guard McKenzie:
"Stay here and assist those... detectives - I cannot. And if you see Nathor, say him that I want him tomorrow at the briefing!"

Then he leaves with the healers and the Red Sabres.

Just Shefri, Victor, Lao, M.J., "Big" Ben, McKenzie, the healer who cured Lao, a gnome, an halfling and a couple of other friends of M.J. are still there.

[The_Shaman]

Lao

"Ah, her buttocks. I am afraid I do not pay that much attention to most. She must appear very alluring." The high snakeman leans in to smell the flower, the nasal cavities on his face dilating ever so slightly as he inhales, then tries to remember if he's smelled something like that before.

He looks around, at the gathered company. "I am yet not aware of the intricacies of the city life. This Black Orchid is supposedly an... adventurer of sorts, yes? Does anyone know where she can be found or how she can be called?"

Perception roll: [roll0]

[TheTick]

"Sounds like some kind of do-gooder - but was this even the REAL 'Black Orchid', if this flower's a fake? Actually, does anyone know what kind of flower it is, if not a black orchid?"

[Leriel]

Guard McKenzie waits a little, then speaks slowly:
"Well, Sgt. Scott and other guards always say that there is no such a "Black Orchid"... But I think that M.J. is right... I already saw a similar flower..."
McKenzie tries to remove some paint from the flower - it's a white and pink blossom, under the paint.
"Josef, do you know what's this?" he says to the healer, who replies:
"This is an orchid - a white one, the most common, even if it's difficult to find this in our city. And I agree - Black Orchid is not a lie. I was lucky to cure some poor lads who said that there were helped by a dark-dressed one, with long hair, and I saw flowers like this: dark violet flowers. Real black orchids... So I took a look in the library and spoke with some flower merchants. Black orchids cannot grow here... just in distant lands, more warmer."
"You know?" - he goes on - "this is a bad joke played by the sniper... this is not something done by Black Orchid!"

@Lao: he never smelled something similar... but he remembers that M.J. looked at a dark haired woman, with a hue similar to this blossom.

[Metroid33]

Shefri leans over to take whiff of his own, tring to see if recognized the scent.

[Leriel]

Shefri cannot be sure, but the smell makes him think again at the pretty dark-haired lady of the tavern, that came with him...

[Metroid33]

"Has anyone here been staying at the tavern of the burning corpse? The smell of that orchid reminds me of a woman who goes there often," Then Shefri looks at M.J. to say something to him, "Remember that woman that your were staring at when I asked you what was going on?"

[Leriel]

M.J. nods:
"I remember her! Let's go to that tavern - so far it seems the only clue we can follow! Do you agree?"
His brother nods. Joseph and McKenzie also agree.
If Lao and Victor also agree, we'll move there :smallwink:

[Metroid33]

"Well then lets go."

[TheTick]

"They still have ale there, yes? I'm in."

[PhilMeyer]

Nathor sees Victor and some others from the square on their way to the tavern, and follows behind them. He's still injured and shaken from his encounter with the chain devil.

He hurries his step such that he enters just behind the group. He'd like nothing more than to find a bed and fall into blissful sleep. But the half-elf is still confused by the events of the square, and cannot rest until he's gotten to the bottom of it all.

I can see the healers later. So long as that was the last devil I fight today.

"Victor! Lo!" He calls. "Were you all able to find the attempted slayer?"

[The_Shaman]

Lao

"Yes, it may be a good idea to smell that black-haired woman." Lao nods at Shefri. "She may give us a hint to this mystery. She was with you, you say? Where did you last leave her?"

It was surprising how such a supposedly alluring woman could be so easily misplaced. The fire-kin was apparently easily distracted.

[Metroid33]

"She wandered off after she saw the incident, also she was accompanied by some man.

[TheTick]

"Victor! Lo!" He calls. "Were you all able to find the attempted slayer?"

"Well, not exactly...there was a 'suspect', but he was framed. Apparently there's some kind of do-gooder, the 'Black Orchid' who someone ALSO tried to implicate, but the flower (her calling card) is a fake. We're going to the Tavern of the Burning Corpse to check for a lady there who might be associated with this flower. I hope their drink is more appetizing than the name suggests."

Think I have all that right...anyone can correct me if need be.

[Leriel]

@Victor: Everything is right :smallsmile:

McKenzie informs Nathor about Sgt. Scott wanting to see him...

Then you all arrive to the tavern (it's a good tavern with good drinks, after all :smallwink:)
You enter and you see Jaikine, the owner, laughing with a customer. Foxglove, the bard, is playing some tune on her guitar. There are a couple of customers at some tables.
Shefri can see the man with bare chest that went with him and the lady.

Jaikine sees the group:
"By the heat of Athas! Welcome, welcome all! Come and take some drinks!"

[Metroid33]

"If you guys want to have a drink or two then go ahead, but that man is the man with the woman," pointing to the bare chested man. "I'm going to talkwith him first."

[TheTick]

Victor grabs a drink from the bar, and wanders over to Shefri to listen to the conversation.

[Leriel]

Any moves from Lao or Nathor?

[The_Shaman]

Lao

Lao follows Victor and Shefri. He stays a while back so as not to impose at the conversation, but pays attention to what is being said and done at the table. He also discretely sniffs the air to see if he recognizes that scent around here.

[Leriel]

@Lao: You are not able to recognize the smell - there are too much smells in the tavern (food, drinks, and so).

@Shefri: Ok, your turn to address the bare chested man :smallsmile:

[Metroid33]

"Excuse me sir but could I trouble you for a moment? Do you remember me from earlier, you and your lady friend guided me to the square." Shefri then started to pull out a chair, assuming he was aloud to sit.

[Leriel]

The man nods at Shefri, then he looks around... Victor, Lao, two guards...
"I do remember you, young one. How can I help you? Did something happen at Fountain Square? I see that some guards just entered in the tavern..."
He looks a little nervous.

[Metroid33]

"Well I'm looking for that woman you were with I'd like to thank her for the guidance." As Shefri sits he tries to discreetly tell the others to back off a little bit.

Diplomacy:[roll0]
Slight of Hand:[roll1] for the gesture.
and I'm not sure if I showed roll diplomacy or bluff for this so heres a bluff
Bluff:[roll2]

[Leriel]

@Shefri: good rolls! :smallsmile:

The man looks more relaxed, now. He replies:
"Madame Grey is resting - seeing what happened at the square was a shock for her". He shakes his head.
"But at this time, usually she went down, so I can bring her to -"
He's interrupted by a female voice, belonging to the gorgeous women with black hairs, who just entered the common room:
"What's happening, Hans? Why are you still there? And who's that young man?"
She gets closer. Her dress are wonderful and expensive, she wears a necklace and other jewels, and she has an heavy make-up.
"Oh, I remember you... My Hans bring you with us, to that... place" she says to Shefri, closing her eyes at the end of her speech.

@all of you - perception checks, please, in OOC if you prefer :smallsmile:

[Leriel]

Lady Grey speaks again to Shefri, blinking her eyes a couple of times:
"I'm sure you don't mind if I ask.. do you already finish your conversation with Hans? It's time for him to be my escort, I have an important dinner to attend..."
She covers her smiling mouth with her left hand. Her nails are carefully lacquered with black nail varnish.

In the meantime, Nathor sees that "Big" Ben looks at her, with a strange epression.

[The_Shaman]

Lao

Lao observes the apparently quite attractive woman and her companion as they interact with the flameblood, dispassionately looking on for a while. At some point, he whispers off the corner of his mouth. "Could you introduce us" to the ifrit, quietly enough that hopefuly only the ifrit hears him.

[Metroid33]

"Actually it was you who I wished to speak to. I thank you for guiding me to the square" Shefri stands up and bows slightly to her to help express his gratitude, "Yet I'm sorry to say that I'm here about something related to that incident, we found this," Shefri motions for whoever has the flower to come forward. "with the sniper, and it smells like you.

Diplomacy Check:[roll0] for what I say next.

"Now I don't believe this was your fault, I saw how you reacted at the square. I just wish to talk with you and figure out what's going on."

[Leriel]

Lady Grey looks silently at Shefri for a couple of seconds, then she see Lao going forward with the blossom.
She looks quite disgusted at the sight of the serpent-man, that she says to Shefri:
"A flower! So you just wanted to say that I smell like a flower. Thank you, young one." She smiles.
"And about your thanks... you should thank my good Hans for guiding us to the square. He's born here and he knows the city, while I'm not - I'm staying here for little time."

[The_Shaman]

Lao

Lao steps forward, somewhat frustrated that his appearance is not up to par (what with the recent incident in the fountain), and bows slightly before the lady. "It is an honor to be of service, madam," he says as he gives her the flower, calculating his position to be close enough to get a better sense of her smell.

[TheTick]

Victor snorts, then coughs to cover it. He will wait a bit longer to see what happens.

[Metroid33]

"Miss I was not doing that to compliment you, all of these people think that you are somehow connected to the incident at the square, we just need a few answers from you, please."

Diplomacy:[roll0]

[Leriel]

Lady Grey looks to Shefri and spoke with calm:
"Connected to the incident. You see that I have the scent of a black flower, and this makes me guilty? You saw me, young one... I was speaking with Hans when this... thing happened. I could not believe that such a crime could be real, so I asked Hans to escort me."
Hans nods.
"I had to prepare myself for the evening. I still had to decide which dress would be the most appropriate... I still was in my room when everything happened. I went in my room after lunch... and never left it."
Lady Grey looks at the people in the room, with a cold smile.

Then something really unexpect happens... Foxglove, the bard, plays a loud accord at her guitar, and sings:
"This is nooooooooooooot true... You were not in your room, my lady... Someone wanted to bring you floweeeeeeers... and your room was empty..."

A deep silence follows her words...

[TheTick]

The sound of cracking knuckles fills the silence. Victor steps forward, next to 'Lady Grey'. "Wrong answer, miss. Tell the truth. Now."

[roll0]

If she attempts to leave without satisfactorily answering Shefri's questions, Victor will use Shocking Grasp.

[Leriel]

@TheTick: good move - I was not expecting a physical reaction from a sorcerer :smallwink:

Victor's move seems to have unlocked the empasse.
* Hans starts to jumps up, but M.J. is behind him and he's keeping him down.
* Also, "Big" Ben moves forward saying "You were with me this afternoon, Lady... your face was different, but I cannot forget your smell..."
* Even Jaikine gets closer. You see for the first time how high is her... and she looks really angry. She start speaking to all of you, her arms crossed: "I will not tolerate violence in MY tavern. Lady Meredith Grey... if this is your real name... there are two guards here. And I trust Foxglove as myself. So... Please tell the truth..."

[Leriel]

Lady Grey looks at Jaikine, angry.
"My name is Lady Meredith Grey, as I told you when I arrived here, elf!"
Then she looks around.
"Well. It seems that you already uttered your judgment. It will be a foolish thing not to tell you the truth... about Fredo, that traitor!"
She tries to calm down...
"There are no Red Sabres here? No? What a pity... they know me. With a different hair colour, right... but they will recognize the former girlfriend of Fredo... who abandoned me, saying that he would prefer playing that marrying me!"
She looks really angry now...
"He deserved it! I bought the arrow of infinite pain from a necromancer... He will suffer as he made me suffer! HE DESERVES IT!"
"And you all... Leave me alone. I will spoke just with a judge."

[Metroid33]

Leaning over to the guard Shefri says "I think we should send a messenger to the healers telling them exactly what the bolt is." Shefri then slips to the side to wait and see what happens.

[TheTick]

Victor laughs in spite of himself. "A scorned woman?" For a long moment, the sorcerer considers passing 'judgement' himself, but sighs and says, "Nathor, guards, get this woman out of here. Jaikine, I need a drink." Too much excitement for one day.

[Leriel]

M.J. moves away from Hans, who reach Lady Grey.
"I will be with you a last time. But I despise what you did", he says.
McKenzie got the hint from Shefri and he spoke to someone in the tavern, who went out. The he moves near the woman:
"Madam, follow me."
Jaikine brings some drinks to Victor and his friends, then she asks Foxglove to sing something... but the bard exits from the common room, going up the stairs.

[The_Shaman]

Lao

"She smells of flowers," the snakeman muses. "But there is a story that some of the sweetest smelling flowers grow with roots placed on old bones and grime. An interesting riddle, life."

He leans against a wall, nodding to the others. "I will see to this. You, wait for a while. Perhaps we are fated to meet again."

((OOC: Lao will accompany the guards to their precinct, in case the woman tries to escape or something else noteworthy happens.))

[Leriel]

M.J. and his brother "Big" Ben are really happy. They offer a lot of drinks to Shefri and Victor.
Jaikine goes upstair to close the room of Lady Grey (saying that probably the guards will send someone to check it, and she does not want trouble).
Then she speaks to Victor (and she does not care about other people listening):
"Why don't you stay here this night? In my room, I mean..." she smiles.
(OOC: she's a pretty elf BTW :smallwink:)

"I was born in a place called Athas, ruled by The Dragon... and I feel something of it in you..." she says pointing a finger at Victor.

[Metroid33]

At this point Shefri has had but a few drinks, and not yet intoxicated. "Jaikine perhaps one more drink when ever you want to send it my way, then please don't give me anymore no matter what I say" After saying this shefri reaches into his pouch to pay what ever it costs, hoping that some one will offer to pay for him.

[TheTick]

Victor just nods and allows himself to be led along.

[Leriel]

Jaikine nods at Shefri and says "No need to pay this evening... I'll offer it..."

Shefri spends a nice night, drinking, flirting with some girl and singing songs with the blood bowl brothers. After some more drinks, he does not feel so good...
Then he has some confusing images of someone (Foxglove?) taking him to his chamber and leaving him alone.

Victor spends a really hot night :smalltongue: I'll leave the details to your imagination :smallbiggrin:. Nevertheless, TheTick can PM me if Victor wanted to make some chatting with Jaikine.

About Lao - do you plan to return to your tavern (the Reeling Rat), after finishing your stuff with the guards? Or do you want to return to the Burning Corpse (the one you just left with the guards)?

About Nathor - let me know your moves.

[PhilMeyer]

Nathor will return to the garrison, giving his report to the sergeant if he's there. If not he'll see whatever healers the town watch has in employment. Then head to bed.

[Leriel]

Nathor manages to find an healer (all your wounds are healed), then he scampers in Sgt. Scott.
"Nathor!" he says.
"I understand that that devil was a menace, but I don't like what you did at that cultist. The snake-man was subduing him... you could have done the same, without killing him."
"I don't know how do you feel... I hope you want to reflect on this. You are free for the next days, until you're required for escorting the caravan for the travel to the cave of the gem. Go to bed now."

[The_Shaman]

Lao

Some time later, Lao returns to the Burning Corpse tavern and looks around to find the company he came with. If there is a sign for him that he should travel with them - and it seems that there is - he may as well get to know just who they are.

He gets a warm drink and spends some time near the fireplace before going to the table. "Today was an interesting day. Who are you, exactly?"

[PhilMeyer]

Nathor stands at attention and takes the sergeant's criticism without comment. He is not asked for a justification for his decision, and so offers none.

As he drifts off to sleep, he thinks of whatever he will do during his time off. Once or twice, the face of Lady Grey invades his dreams.

[TheTick]

Victor stumbles downstairs late in the morning, in search of food. After eating, he decides to see what Nathor is up to.

[Metroid33]

Shefri wakes up a bit on the late side of the morning and finds himself alone, despite what the alcohol might have made him think. He pulls on his armor and wanders down the stairs, hoping to find that Jaikine has made a breakfast for the patrons.

[Leriel]

For simplicity, we'll restart from the morning after the party :smallsmile:
@Lao: I'll state that you returned at the tavern of the Burning Corpse on the morning.
Lao, Shefri and Victor meets together during breakfast. Shefri has a bad headache.
Forgive me Lao - I'll state your question as "Yesterday was an interesting day. Who are you, exactly?"

In the common room, there are also a smiling Jaikine and a silent Foxglove.

(Nathor, tell me if you reach the fellowship :smallwink:)

[Metroid33]

Taking several moments to gather his thoughts Shefri responds to the snakemans question. "I am Shefri albadwin..... from the desert of Sind. Glad to meet yooooouuu... I can't recall a name although I did have quite a few drinks last night." Shefri chuckles at these last words and scratches the back of his head, letting a large grin escape his mouth. He then looks over to Jaikine and says, "Jaikine I thought I said not to let me have anymore drinks. It wasn't for the money, It was to spare me this terrible headache." Shefri then leans over what the table and plops his head down keeping it angled toward the serpent person, waiting for his response.

[The_Shaman]

Lao

The snakeman nods calmly, sipping some milk from a mug. "I am Lao Taidim, born in Vahrast," he introduces himself, then comments "And yes, you did. So, what brings you here?"

[Metroid33]

Shefri's hand falls to the pouch on his hip. He opens it up and takes out the lapis Lazuli that he had discovered several months back. This is why I came here, an appraiser told me about the prophecies here in the city so I figured I'd come and see what mine was.

[TheTick]

"The name's Victor White. I came from here and there - been travelling so long I don't rightly have a place I call home."

[Metroid33]

Shefri quickly looks at Victor and says "I'm with you there, I out lived my human parents, they both had a little bit or Efreeti blood in um and they made me. It's been 22 years since they passed away. Stupid freaking sandstorm.

[The_Shaman]

Lao

The snakeman nods, eyes narrowing at the sight of the crystal. "Ah, one of those things. One of them brought me here as well.They seem to matter a lot here. I'm not quite sure on the details, though. Any luck understanding what they are about?" he asks the Ifrit, nodding slightly when he mentions his lost parents.

"Are you here for one of those gems, too?" he asks Victor.

[TheTick]

"Yes, curious about it as much as anything."

[PhilMeyer]

Nathor spends the first few hours of his day off just sleeping in. He doesn't get the chance very often. He wakes about mid-morning, the busy sounds of the barracks forcing him out of his dreams.

He dons civilian clothes. His blue guardsman armor may attract attention. After his encounter with the chain devil, Nathor has little interest in being pulled into any civil dispute so soon.

After some internal debate, he does bring along his fauchard. He straps it securely to his back. The strange weapon of green metal has drawn some covetous glances from some of the other guardsman, and best not take chances. He trusts most of his brothers in arms, but why take a chance?

The devil assumed the blade was given by a 'Hlaj'at Lord', or a 'Duke of Baator'. Were these one in the same? The blade was awarded to Nathor for bravery in his defeat of an umber hulk. But of its true origin, he knows little.

Grabbing some dried meat and bread from the barrack's pantry, he heads out into the city.

[Leriel]

Foxglove is drinking some water - she gets near the table of Lao, Shefri and Victor to take some bread (since Jaikine put a lot of it on their table).

She speaks to Shefri:
"I beg your pardon, Efrit. Jaikine left the common room yesterday night with your friend... and I didn't see that you reached your beer limit. Usually I am her deputy for this kind of things..." She smiles a little.

"And forgive me - so all of you found a shard, don't you? Uhm... So you're brave enough to want to know your fate..." she pauses a little.

"Well, today is Dragon, 10th. On Silvernight - that's in 6 days - the Gem of Omen will arise, providing a prophecy to all who bear a shard like yours."

"The Gem lays in the Cave of Omens, a place hidden in the forest. So there is a caravan, lead by clerics by powerful magic, that leaves from this city by Dragon, 14th. You should join it if you want to discover a little of your future."

"I found such a shard a couple of years ago - that's how I met Jaikine. But I don't want to know my future..."

[The_Shaman]

Lao

The wanderer looks at Foxglove with some curiosity, raising his angular head from the mug with milk. "Pardon my question, but why wouldn't you want to know a bit more about your fate? It will happen to you anyway, maybe the prophecy will help you meet it prepared."

(Was Foxglove the barmaid?)

[Leriel]

OOC - Foxglove is a female half-elf bard, who every night plays songs in the tavern. She's a good singer, but a sad one... she always sing about far and lost places, like the "evening shores" or the "fields of Gaothdobhair"...

She's the one who sang the song stating that Lady Grey was not in her room yesterday afternoon.

Foxglove replies to Lao:
"If you know that someone you love is going to die, and you cannot prevent it, and whatever you will do will not change this... No, I prefer not to know my future..."

EDIT: While Foxglove speaks, a barmaid comes to serve some water - and she blinks at Shefri. Then she goes away with a little laugh.

@Shefri: You remember the face of the bairmaid, but you cannot remember nothing more about her... :smallbiggrin:

[The_Shaman]

Lao

The snakeman makes a slight grimace with his head, which makes him appear even more alien for a moment. "Prophecies were - are - something quite important in my hometown. I had been involved with some. They are seldom definite, or clear. Sometimes they guide you, but sometimes they warn you... perhaps even deceive you. That fire that the stranger brings in your house may mean she wishes you harm - or would shield you from it. Sometimes, the tree is no tree at all. I would suggest that you see it, as it may help you know yourself, but the choice is yours. If there is, indeed, a choice."

A curious elf-blood, that. "If I may ask, miss, how did you come to this town? You surely have many stories to tell."

[Leriel]

Foxglove looks away... she looks far with her mind.
"I come from far and away, Inis Oithir gave me birth. Or so they told me... my parents. The ones who took care of me. But they were just humans..."
"I traveled a lot, you're right, snake man.
I saw creatures stranger that you.
I crossed the forest of Dún Lúiche, where the forgotten elves sleep.
I wandered in the desert of Thothia, where the red sands covers the sad pharaos.
I reached the mountains of Wolf's Tooth, where I met the one that I love.
And we found that gem, that cursed one... since it was on the way to this city that I lost her.
I lost her, and she's no more. The Shadow Ones were not strong as her, but their poison killed her, and she's no more.
I reached this city as she wanted, but she's no more.
The elf of Athas, Jaikine... she's the only one who does not judge. Since I'm not an half elf, as I pretend... I'm an half fey."
Foxglove looks at Lao, tears on her sad face.

[The_Shaman]

Lao

Lao's expression seems hard to read - for those used to talking with humans, at least - as he nods. His nostrils narrow slightly and his voice seems just as even as before. "I had heard that the fey were beings from beyond the ends of the firmament, aspects of the primal chaos, and can take physical forms only with great difficulty - and often to feed from the dreams and desires of mortals. I had not believed them able to sire progeny - or bear one.

It is a difficult fate to bear, and a strong one," he adds after another sip. "I thank you for your story. Would you like a cup of tea?"

((Lao brings his own tea, actually, so if they don't offer tea here he'll just ask for some hot water. Good stories should be told over a cup, and it's a bit early for alcohol))

[Leriel]

Foxglove nods and accepts the tea.
"Fey, the little people, the Seelie Court and the Unseelie Court... call them as you wish, oh snake man."
She dries her tears and smiles a little.

"I wish you luck for your omens... a blessing like one from a Shee."

[Metroid33]

"I decided to come here because I have nothing better to do. Thought I might check out the cave, see my destiny, maybe it'll give me something to do with my life." Shefri then plopped his head on the ground again. Stupid hangover. He thought to himself.

[Leriel]

While Lao, Victor, Shefri and Foxglove are speaking and finishing their breakfast, a man enters in the tavern. He takes some tea and he spokes to Jaikine:
"It seems that they managed to take off the arrow from Fredo... they disintegrated it or something similar. But today Fredo will not play versus the Prophecies... he still feels bad."

Jaikine nods - she's not paying too much attention to the patron. She keeps looking at Foxglove, with a seriuos face.

[Leriel]

OOC - this is a good time for Nathor to enter the tavern, if he planned to do it :smallwink:

Otherwise, the rest of the morning will pass without special events.

Is some of you planning to go and see the Blood Bowl match in the afternoon?

[Metroid33]

OOC-I think Shefri will go how much are tickets?

[Leriel]

OOC - Free admittance, but you have to pay for pop-corn and Orka-Cola :smallwink:

[PhilMeyer]

After a morning of idle wandering, Nathor finds himself back in the tavern. Being off-duty, he may even treat himself to a midday drink...

[TheTick]

Victor finds himself curious about the Blood Bowl, and might just check it out...

[Metroid33]

Shefri decides to go to the blood bowl match then spend the next couple of days exploring the city,

OOC: I wish to have him in the streets when Ren and Felgor arrive in the city.

[The_Shaman]

Lao

Lao would much rather spend some time in the tavern, talking to the fae-blooded bard about some of the places she'd been. "And may the high among the Nagini ward your path from evil, too, wherever it may wind," he replies solemnly.

He listens to the newcomer half-heartedly. The events of the last day were perhaps an omen that he should pay attention to this strange blood cup spectacle. It sounded barbaric, but the locals were quite enthused by it. He wondered if there would indeed be any sacrifices. Sacrifices tended to make people quite enthusiastic.

[Leriel]

OK, Nathor arrives in the tavern and he finds Victor, Lao and Shefri speaking about going to see the Blood Bowl match :smallwink:

[Leriel]

Ok, in the afternoon Lao, Shefri and Victor go to see the match.

Even without Fredo, the Red Sabres manages to win easily versus the Prophecies - btw, they're a pro team, while the Prophecies are just a rookie team.

One of the most spectacular event is the catcher od Red Sabres intercepting an "hail mary pass" done by "Big" Ben! The poor thrower were shocked for the rest of the match...

At the end of the match, no sacrifices, but lot of beer offered by the Red Sabres' owner (Mr. Aedilred).

[Leriel]

The following days pass without major events (again, if you want to do some particular action, just tell me).

On Dragon, 12th, Fredo comes to the Burning Corpse tavern. He thanks Lao, Victor and Shefri for their help in framing her ex-girlfriend and he gives them some gifts (some items he used to wear during the matches):
- a magic ring
- a magic amulet
- a pair of magic boots
plus 500 MO to each of them.

On the night between Dragon, 13th and 14th there is a great party on the streets of the city, since on Dragon, 14th all the gem bearers will have to gather outside the city and join the caravan for the Cave of Omens!

Feel free to describe what you want to do :smallbiggrin: I think that Shefri is going to make fireworks :smallwink:

[TheTick]

Victor is curious about the magic items - can he or Shefri identify them?

[Metroid33]

Shefri casts detect magic.

[Leriel]

Both Shefri and Victor have detect magic, so you are able to identify them:
- the ring is a ring of protection +1
- the amulet is an amulet of natural armor +1
- the boots are daredevil boots .

[TheTick]

OOC - Victor would take the Ring of Protection, as he already has a Natural Armor bonus from another source.

[Metroid33]

OOC: I will take the amulet if no one objects.

[The_Shaman]

Lao is somewhat confused by the lack of sacrifices, though he imagines the beer acts as a substitute of sorts. It is good to know the locals have adopted symbolism as an obvious example of civilization.

Lao has Natural armor and would likely get barkskin instead of slow fall as his quingong swap, so he doesn't need the amulet much. Ring of protection seems nice, but if you're claiming it the daredevil boots are fine. Remember to drop a mage armor his way, though ;) . Just to be clear, are those (http://www.pathfindersrd.com/magic-items/wondrous-items/wondrous-items/a-b/daredevil-softpaws)the boots in question?

[TheTick]

I was hoping that as a more martially oriented character, the boots might be of some use to you. I will definitely be free with the Mage Armor in return.

[Leriel]

Just to be clear, are those (http://www.pathfindersrd.com/magic-items/wondrous-items/wondrous-items/a-b/daredevil-softpaws)the boots in question?

Daredevil Boots

Price 1,400 gp; Aura faint enchantment; CL 3rd; Weight 1 lb.

This pair of magical boots shimmers in vibrant shades of blazing red and burning orange when they are held up to the light. These boots allow the wearer to gain extra maneuverability while moving through hazardous areas. As a free action, the wearer can click her heels together to grant herself a +5 competence bonus on Acrobatics checks made to move through threatened squares or to move through an enemy's space without provoking attacks of opportunity for up to 10 rounds per day. The rounds do not need to be consecutive. Furthermore, anytime the wearer of the boots successfully moves though the space of an enemy without provoking an attack of opportunity, she gains a +1 bonus on attack rolls against that enemy until the end of her turn.

Construction Requirements

Cost 700 gp

Craft Wondrous Item, cat's grace

[Leriel]

Ping - don't want it to be deleted!