Umber Terra: A Shattered Realm

[STDM Grizzly Ad]

"P-papers please?" The gate guardian stammers keeping an eye on Ina in obvious intimidation.

[Wolfykins]

Ina noted the man's fear and sighed.
"This is why I don't come to cities much," she muttered. She launched up into the air and flew up high, until she found the thermals, adjusted her wings to be dihedral. She settled into this low-energy soar and slowly circled above her friends, keeping an eye on them, ready to dive at a moment's notice if she needed to help them.

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Burt pulls out the paperwork he was given by the bar keep and offers it up.

[STDM Grizzly Ad]

"Oh, I see. A delivery for the Brown Bear pub then? Right. You know where you're going? I don't recognize you so I'd guess not. Just follow this road here, up three blocks and take a right. Make your way toward the mining district and you'll see it there. Should be busy this time a day. Hard to miss." He gestures along the road and steps out of your way, handing the bill of sale back to Burt.

[Darius Vibrtrar]

"Thank you"

Burt nods to his Takeji and they begin to push again making their way to their delivery point.

[STDM Grizzly Ad]

As you make your way into the mining district you see a thick layer of dirt on the roads; evedince of the many carts of ore and stone that are hauled out of the mountain. You hear a loud and raucous croud. You follow the sound to a corner pub. A sign hangs from the corner to be seen from either direction, it depicts a large grizzly bear profile guzzling a heady mug of beer. The words Brown Bear Pub are inlaid into the steel beam above a set of double doors. As you enter, the smell of sweat, dirt, and cheap ale fills your nostrils. The patrons all seem to be stout built workers, soiled from hard labor, as if they had come straight here after work without bothering to bathe. Along one wall is a long bar. Opposite the bar you see a caged ring that reaches to the ceiling. Immediately surrounding the ring are benches with no tables. The space between the ring and bar however is filled with small hexagonal iron tables. The majority of the patrons line the bar and ring areas with only a slim few sitting at the tables. Pressing your way through the croud to the ring you see men exchanging paper bills and shouting names as two men, locked inside the cage, charge at one another. Blow after blow is exchanged until the larger of the two is able to lift his challenger into the air, slamming him into the floor with a loud crash. A few seconds pass and the smaller man is unable to get back to his feet. A bell rings and the fight is declared over. The victor thrusts both fists into the air and both men leave the ring bloodied and bruised. The population of the bar, and the city really, is mostly human with reasonable minorities of Mintauran and various reptilian races. The occasional Shook or Brixxii can be seen, but are scarce.

[paladin_artea]

"Hmm...perhapsss one of you had better presssent the bill of sssale to the owner. Thisss placcce doesssn't look too healthy for anyone," Ssithiss recommended to his Mintauran companions.

[Wolfykins]

Ina spiraled downward to land on the roof of the tavern. She perched above the door and held still, listening. Static unmoving on her still feathers, she resembled an oversized gargoyle, just as she had in Donovan's Falls.

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Burt moves through, looking for the person in charge. He looks at the fighting pit for a few moments, thinking...

200 could become 2000 in a single night... with the right fighter....

... he shook it off and continued to look for the owner that wanted these goods.

[STDM Grizzly Ad]

Burt notices a tall blonde woman, in a man's suit of clothes, talking to the bartender behind the bar. As her conversation ends she walks out from behind the bar and moves toward a door in the back. She walks with an air of confidence and she seems to be the only clean thing in the pub. Her path leads her right by you.

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Burt takes a step forward, to put him in her line of sight and her walking path. He snorts as he speaks.

"-Snort- Excuse me miss. Are you the owner of the establishment. We have... a delivery for the Brown Bear Pub in Markham."

He holds up the delivery sheet to indicate hes on the up and up.

[STDM Grizzly Ad]

"Well, you're in the right place, but you're late. I see that boss of yours finally replaced his last shiftless crew, but you still couldn't manage to be on time." She sighs an exasperated sigh and says "Fine, let's have a look at what you've got."

Just as she starts toward the door a booming voice comes from within the cage and the crowd quiets slightly. Some of the shorter men stand to get a better view. "AND NOW, WHAT YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FORrrr. PLEASE WELCOME TO THE RING, THE REIGNING CHAMPION, THE ONE THE ONLY, KARrrrTHAXxxx The BONE-KNAPPERrrrrr."

The crowd goes wild with applause as a blue scaled Drakokin male enters the ring wearing iron gladiatorial armor. He thrusts his fists into the air and circles the ring, causing a second wave of uproar.

Spoiler: Reference

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[Darius Vibrtrar]

Burt nods and begins to follow her when he sees the Draco-kin, Something inside of him churns, spurring him to leap into the ring, but he resists.... this is not the time yet. He continues to follow the woman outside.

"Apologies for the lateness, We'll work on that. So whats the deal with big blue?"

[STDM Grizzly Ad]

The four of you head outside to the wagon. "Oh, you mean Karthax? Yeah, he claims to be the grandson of one of the ancients. Believes himself to be indestructible." She chuckles "I can't speak for that, but he's been undefeated for over a year now, so he's great for business." She begins looking over the goods. "Some hotshot has come up from the lowcountry to challenge him tonight. Units are flying. Business is good." She looks back over the bill. "Well, looks like it's all here. But... where are your horses?"

She heads back inside to get payment and you hear the din rise and fall again and the announcer though muffled can still be heard in the street "... first time at the Bear... welcome... rrrrRRRReggie the Rockbreaker rrrrRRRINGHOoooRNnnnn....."

Spoiler: If you go back inside

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Looking toward the ring, you see a large grey skinned Mintauran with the head of a rhino. He is wearing only a pair of durable shorts. His muscles strain against his thick hide. He stands opposite of Karthax awaiting the bell

[paladin_artea]

"A blood sssport...how dissstasssteful," Ssithiss whispered to himself as he reentered the pub, "Ssstill we're going to be here for a while. Might assss well at leassst get sssomething to eat." he sat down at a chair near the entrance to keep his companions in view before asking about a meal.

[STDM Grizzly Ad]

Once Ssithiss has chosen a table, a young human waitress with long brown hair in braids down either shoulder walked up to him. "M'names Penny, what can I get ya?"

The announcer barks "Get her bets in lads. Betting is sealed with the opening bell."

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Burt Chuckled.

"You are talking to one of them. "

He looked back inside, the dull roar of gambling calling out to him. The call of backing a brethren.

"Hey... Ina.... You seeing this inside?"

[EdgeGrinder]

Reginald sat in his corner, flexing his fists and muscles, ready to charge. He glared at his opponent and stomped his foot. "I am going to rock you and then break you!" Reginald bellowed.

[Wolfykins]

"No, why? What? Are we leaving or are you staying for a while? Because I might fly off to find some food if you're going to be a while."

[Darius Vibrtrar]

"Theres a pit fight in here.... a very strong looking Tauran is challanging a Dracko-kin champion.... I am thinking of staying a bit. You want in on the action? otherwise, good luck hunting"

Burt waited for Ina's response before waiting on the owner.

[Wolfykins]

"No, that's alright. Have fun, I guess?" Ina's cheek feathers fluffed, giving her a faintly bemused expression.
She launched off the rooftop and flew towards the woods to look for food.

[STDM Grizzly Ad]

The tall blonde returns to Burt, lingering in the doorway, "Here you are" she said, handing him a sealed envelope. "Payment in full. And tell Tonic that one more late delivery and I'll have to take my business elsewhere." She returns to the office through the door to the left of the bar.

Ina flies over the forest. The trees here are small, their growth stunted by high mountain winds. It doesn't take long for her to find signs of life. The first thing she flies over is a large quill bear feasting on blackberries. Soon after she sees a small flock of sheep bounding around the rocky clearings.

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Burt nods, and counts the payment as he goes over to the betting hecklers.

"What are the Odds you lot have on this fight?"

[STDM Grizzly Ad]

"Eh? You must be new in town. Five to one in favor of the champion to win. You want in? Lay your stake." The short man barks quickly, taking money and stamping tickets from the few last minute bets being placed.

[paladin_artea]

”Hmmm...the venisssson sssteak sssoundsss mossst appealing. Yesss that would do mossst nicccly.” Ssithiss ordered, ”Wonder if there isss a physssicccian nearby for thessse fightersss?” he asked

[STDM Grizzly Ad]

"Great choice missah, how'd you like it cooked? Anythin ta drink?" She looks over at the ring with Ssithiss' question. "yehnot onna premises, if that's what y'mean. Most these beefs just patch 'emselves up. Somens got better stichin than the docta what works uptown. And the champion, well 'e 'assn' gotta scar on 'im an been doing this longer an I've been 'ere. Inn'E magnificent?" She snaps to as if out of a daydream "Oh yeah, yer ordah?"

[Darius Vibrtrar]

Burt thought about things for a moment before putting away the payment and pulling deep from his own belongings.

"-Snort- 200 on the Challenger."

He moves to get a good seat to watch the bloodsport.

[Wolfykins]

Ina sighed. Something dangerous, or something owned by someone else? Ina wasn't terribly enthused about her options so far. She made note of where the quill bear was and flew deeper into the woods, looking for other options.

Spoiler: Perception if needed

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(1d20)[1] + (1d6)[5]

Spoiler: explosion contingency

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(5d20)[17][6][15][3][15](56)
(6d6)[1][5][2][5][4][5](22)

[paladin_artea]

"Rare isss fine thank you. Jusst enough for it to look brown on the outsssside," Ssithiss replied, specifying his order, "Ah. Good to know. My ssservicccesss won't be required then." He looked at Penny quizzically, "You...find the champion...attractive?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

[STDM Grizzly Ad]

The short man takes Burts bet and his expression shows momentary surprise "You know something I don't son?" He hands Burt a stamped card, validating his wager.

Ina flies on further but doesn't see much more than a few squirrels.

Penny records Ssithiss' order on a small pad, but she blushes at his inquiry "Well, uh, he's... well he's just wondr'us. So strong an' capable. Ne'er seen im lose an I seen im a right many times. They say 'e's a direct descendant of one'a da seven they do."