hm... I .... will agree. My master after all raised me to protect those who need help and offer when ever its needed. I will accept the offer and do my best
"Yeah, all sounds good to me.
She nods at them all being at agreement.
"As I said, I will send word to Three Rings Tavern and you should all have a line of credit when you get back from your mission. Now...as I have nothing further to add than to stress the return of Verik, Welcome to the guard." she offers out her hand for everyone to shake before leaving. Once this done she sits back down to get back to her paper work, sighing deeply.
Getting directions to both the tavern and the butcher's shop from the guards at the citadel as necessary, Tapestry suggests that they head to the tavern first (just to introduce themselves to Theandra Darklight, claim rooms, and dump any spare gear) then head to the shop without delay.
Wise plan. Lead on.
"Sounds good. I could use drink."
Making your way through the city you enter Five Corners and find the place to be relatively less chaotic and the tavern is pointed out with the hanging poster of three rings.
Inside the tavern you see a attractive young woman working the bar, mostly cleaning the glasses during this time of day with very few people. Seeing you all enter she smiles and then places down the glass she was working on.
"New customers? Welcome ta the Three Rings Tavern. What can I get ya?" she asks politely as she looks over the group up and down and gives a wink to everyone and leans on the bar.
'Field Marshal Croft sent us,' replies Tapestry as she pulls down the hood of her cloak and returns the lady's smile, 'I take it you're the Theandra Darklight she told us about when she recommended your establishment? I'm known as Tapestry, and my friends are Masters Krenn, Althon, Aventi, and Curnach,' She gestures to each of her companions as she makes the introductions. 'If it's not too much of an imposition, we'd like some rooms... although I'm sure we'll get to the drinking once we're settled in!'
Tapestry gasps at Krenn's words,
'Never before have I heard a dwarf offer such sacrifice! I, for one, would not wish to argue with you, Master Weststone, after such an utterance!' she winks at Theandra and adds, 'It seems the refreshments will have to wait for now - but rest assured, we will be back after we've worked up a hardy thirst!'
Assuming they get the rooms, Tapestry will dump her extra gear (like spare armour) and get ready to go and find the A.W.O.L. guards.
She tilts her head to the side as she's told about Croft sending you.
"Really? I havn't heard anything. Anyway...it's 5 Silver for a room each. Once I hear word from one of the guards I can either give you back your money and put it on your credit or you can have all the credit. Croft is often sending me big, strong people like you along..." as she drifts off she looks over at Althon for a minute.
At Tapestry's words of him being a dwarf she smirks in the direct of Krenn.
"Well...I do have a fine Dwarven Stout layin' about. Bit too much for some people but I like somethin' hard an firm." she gives Krenn a wink as she says this, pointing to one of the kegs labled "Dwarven Stout, Matured" and then turns back to Tapestry. "Oh I'm sure ya'll be back Darlin. Most men and even women usually are." she blows a kiss in Tapestry's direction.
Tapestry tosses Theandra a gold piece for the room, and a smile for the kiss. Once everyone's settled and dumped spare stuff, she'll ask the Theandra,
'Do you, perchance, know anything of a man called "Verik Vancaskerkin"? Mayhap he's one of the big, strong, lads Croft has sent your way? Also, on a completely unrelated note, have you heard of an abandoned butcher's shop up in Northgate called "All the World's Meat"? I'm sure we could see our way clear to rewarding any helpful information with gold or trade... maybe Master Krenn could be pursuaded to show you some of his dwarven crafts..?' ;)
Tapestry tosses Theandra a gold piece for the room, and a smile for the kiss. Once everyone's settled and dumped spare stuff, she'll ask the Theandra,
'Do you, perchance, know anything of a man called "Verik Vancaskerkin"? Mayhap he's one of the big, strong, lads Croft has sent your way? Also, on a completely unrelated note, have you heard of an abandoned butcher's shop up in Northgate called "All the World's Meat"? I'm sure we could see our way clear to rewarding any helpful information with gold or trade... maybe Master Krenn could be pursuaded to show you some of his dwarven crafts..?' ;)
"A gold peice? Why, thank ye, Tapestry." she smirks and gives a wink.
As you pose the questions she nods.
"I know him. He used ta come 'ere but stopped recently. He had a wonderful body, sweet smile and as he looked at you, it was as if his peircing glare could enter your soul." she shook her head after saying this and smirked "I managed ta get him to talk. He came from Riddleport and he went up quickly in the ranks, havin' friends in high places. I never got their names though." as she says this she notices the quite young man of the group that she hadn't noticed before. "Who's your quiet little friend? He looks upset."
At the suggestion about dwarven crafts she laughs and looks at your shield.
"Well...that is what The Savoured Sting wants of us, right? I do know of the place. It was abandoned after the owner was imprisioned for dodging taxes and then died later inside." she looks causiously for a moment around and then leans over, not caring about her cleavledge being revealed and made more obvious. "Word is, the shop 'as been opened by a group called the Cow Hammer Boys and they give out free meat ta those suffering with the chaos in town. I also hear they're hiring mercenaries. If ya want to apply for work tell the man at the counter "the night's special cuts" and he should let ya'll in to discuss payment, but that's all I know after my usual...information gathering." she gives a wink, hinting towards what she means.
Avanti keep watching how others are talking, while himself staying behind. Not the ladies man with no additional charisma for this, he just introduces himself and keep quiet.
As Theandra asks for payment, Avanti will pay it and move to his room to mediate and focus for next day. During his time, he will focus to scrolls of his master. Founding something new and interesting theories of damage for cannonballs and magics, he notices how his master had wrote interesting way of nullifying the damage. Training till late night, he gets tired and fall asleep, dreaming even in his dream of training
Tapestry thanks their hostess for the information, and in regards to...
"Who's your quiet little friend? He looks upset."
... she responds,
'Who, Curnach? Oh, don't mind him... he always looks like that. He doesn't like to be touched, so he doesn't know what he's missing... although you may have better luck with him than I...' she offers Theandra a conspiritorial wink, and joins Krenn in awaiting everyone so that they can get going.
Doubtful... Curnach mutters, turning to leave.
Ah, I will just then visit my room and leave my papers there. Found something interesting and taking one last look until coming back
That said he will quickly move to his room, unpack everything, confirm his shurikens plus fit the gauntlets to his hands. Taking a last look at 4th page of his master papers, he descend back to downstairs. Ok. I am ready to move out with you
Doubtful...
'Ah well,' Tapestry shrugs and lets slip an exaggerated sigh, 'then I guess it's all down to Aventi... either that or our druid loves the animals a little too much...' She does, however, accompany her teasing with offering Curnach her most winning smile ;).
Althon finally enters the tavern, after tending to his mount longer than should be allowed, just in time to hear Krenn's question. "Kicking in the door sounds clever enough for me." he says with good spirited chuckle
'Ah, but the whole "kicking in the door" routine would invalidate all that lovely information Mistress Theandra offered us!' suggests Tapestry, 'We're after Verik, after all, and we have no reason to believe he'll just be awaiting us behind the first door we find. I suggest we pose as mercenaries looking for work, using the phrase Theandra gave us ("the night's special cuts"), and at least wait until we can identify Verik before proceeding to the kicking phase. You never know, we may even be able to persuade him to come along quietly... I do have my charms, after all, and if he doesn't warm to me, there's always Curnach...'
As you approch the street you see it off in the distance. There is a small bundle of people entering and leaving the store. They rush off with the meat down the street and as you approch the smell of raw meet is strong. There is one man outside, keeping guard and a eye on anyone nearby whilst another is tending the shopping floor.
These guards look more like hired thugs like those of Lamm's rarther than respectable men of the law. He eyes you all suspeciously as you approch, raising a eyebrow and looking back at the people who were inside. Another family left, but appeared to leave with no meat and you see a smirk on his face as they leave.
Heading in (with a brief smile to the man on the door) Tapestry will approach the man on the counter,
'We've come about the night's special cuts,' she says, indicating Team Neutral behind her.
Althon stands quietly behind Tapestry, watching for any signs of trouble...
You notice that just before Tapesty spoke the guards all seem to act suspeciously, moving their hands to their weapons in a obvious threatening manner, yet as she said this, the tension dies and they all relax instantly. A wheezy member of these men whose chainmail doesn't quite fit his ample frame gives a nod towards the tall man with busy eyebrows that merge into one just above his large flat nose and with that nod, the door is closed to give them all a bit more privacy. The one who gave the nod leans over the counter with a smirk.
"So, What does a pretty woman like you and this armed group of, outcasts want? Who would you like us to take care of? Fifty gold for each body. We give them a good beating, don't we boys?" he gives a wide smirk and the other s in the room laugh and those in the back, looking over the area where the meat is passed through laugh too, joining in the subtle joke. "I don't know why you all do this yourself. You all look like you could handle yourselves." as he says this he especially focuses on Krenn and Althon with suspecion and fear.
with bushy eyebrows that merge into one just above his
large flat nose) and Malder (a wheezy man whose chainmail
doesn’t quite fit his ample frame).
'You think I'm pretty?' Tapestry feigns a blush as she bats her eyelids at the man, 'You, sir, are a flatterer! As for the fifty gold... well, I'm sure we can negotiate a price for me to take care of your bodies...' she gently trails her fingertips down the curve of the man's jaw for a moment, before appearing to recall why she's there; straightening a little she gestures towards her companions, and continues, '... but time enough for such pleasantries later. You're right to think that my lads here tend to hand out the beatings, rather than pay for others to give them - we were led to understand that you gentlemen were in a similar trade, and thought we'd pay our respects instead of just barging in on your turf.'
Allowing her gaze to drift across her companions, Tapestry settles on Aventi, and her smile widens,
'I will admit to an alterior motive though,' she adds, 'some braggart in a tavern across town was boasting that some fellow named... what was it now?.. "Verik"... yes, I think that was it - a Riddleport native as I understand - that this Verik was some sort of legend in a fist-fight. Now, my lad Aventi here... well, he gets these ideas... likes to imagine he's the best there is... you know the type... but we thought it'd be good sport to come and see if this Verik is all he was cracked up to be, and whether we could arrange a match between him and Aventi: some friendly amusement for a purse of a few coins?'
"You came here for a fist fight?" he grinned and looked to the bigger man. "My boss don't get into fist fights, but my friend over here will. Hey, Jole!" he called back and this large man, looks like a half-orc dressed in a bloody butchery Apron. He cracks his neckles and then growls looking down at the group. He was over 6ft tall and looks pretty nasty.
The other men seem to laugh and back away from the group. The half-orc takes off his apron and throws it aside and leering at the group in anticipation. The wheezy man snickers now.
"The boss don't take visitors. Now after Jole turns your friend into a bloody stain leave us alone."
Curnach lays a hand upon Aventi's shoulder as he speaks.
I think our man here may yet surprise you.
The young street urchin mutters something else as he makes a gesture with his hand.
Curnach casts Guidance on Aventi.
"The boss don't take visitors. Now after Jole turns your friend into a bloody stain leave us alone."
'Verik is your boss then?' asks Tapestry, still smiling, 'In that case I can see why he'd be happy to let someone else fight his battles for him... and to make his decisions for him too, it seems... although it's always disappointing when the man fails to live up to the hype...' she sighs a little, then shrugs and adds, '... But fine then, Aventi versus your boss's little girlfriend here - what's the wager? I assume you'll at least put your money where your mouth is - or are you as timid as your boss seems to be?'
Aventi looks at the big... guy and then to Tapestry. Muttering to himself and looking at the sky Ivory, please, give me patience.
Falling to a tantra, a voice raises from Aventi´s lips as he begin to mutter the words of ancient rhymes. In a swift movement, he burst to move speed and lands next to Joly.
Faster than eye, Aventi grabs the half-orc to deadly chocking lock, muttering the words with a slithering voice, Snake...bite
Combat maneuver:Grapple
He grunts and attempts to break out of the grapple:
And he successfully breaks it, looking pissed off and ready to throw a punch.
Damage:
The brute half-orc bursted out from Aventi´s grab, but only fueling his determination.
Spinning faster on his legs, Aventi begin his whirling defense [Taking Defensive Action: +2 AC] and prepares an attack against any incoming attack
The brute half-orc bursted out from Aventi´s grab, but only fueling his determination.
Spinning faster on his legs, Aventi begin his whirling defense [Taking Defensive Action: +2 AC] and prepares an attack against any incoming attack
"The 'ell you dancing for?" he seems to be confused by your movements and then throws a punch towards you:
and completely misses as Aventi's fancy footwork make him hard to hit and the poor Half-orc doesn't seem to understand this and roars in frustration. To him it's like trying to catch air and the guards around you all seem tense.
The three of you notice that the guards are getting a little worried. They seem to be inching their fingers towards their weapons or those behind the counter reaching for something else. They havn't noticed you seeing them yet.
'What's the wager?' repeats Tapestry, 'Aventi can't be expected to take this seriously until we have the details settled, even if your man did go off a little prematurely...'
The leader seems to panic a bit when you say this.
"Ain't no wager. Jole will win." his confidence in his friend appears to be visably dropping however.
'No wager?' Tapestry looks taken aback, 'So... your girl Jole there is just attacking Aventi unprovoked... surely that's not the sort of thing you'd want to do to a group of fellow heavily armed mercenaries like us... I mean, you don't even have a dwarf with you (you amateurs) - why would you provoke us like that?'
Readied strike:
Fist
Damage non-lethal
As the half-orc fist meets empty air, Aventi stops whirling and watches for a half-orc, but when the leader speaks of Jole´s chances of winning, Aventi releases a fast series of strikes toward the already ugly half-orc, brutally smashing his nose.
Flurry of Blows 1st
Damage non-lethal
Flurry of Blows 2nd
Damage non-lethal
After the flurry of blows the half-orc appears completely stunned on his feet and for a moment he's still, looking like he's about to fight back, but then he just tips and folls to the floor unconcious. At this everyone's jaws drop through the floor at this amazing display of punches which knocked the half-orc flat to the floor.
"But...But-Jole's the toughest there is..." he seems completely stunned and shocked at this revelation and the words from Tapestry don't seem to effect him as he just looks down at their friend being knocked out cold on the floor.
If its not too late, Krenn will back up Tapestry's words with a huff of posture and a bit of a squint.
Intimidation 1d20+4
The man doesn't seem to take much intimidating and he's visably scared of you, but as he looks about that fear becomes rage.
"G-Get them lads!" he shouts as the men go to draw their weapons.Group Initiative:
Curnach Daveck:
Althon Skyven:
Aventi D'Gaudon:
Tapestry:
Krenn Whetstone:
Guards:
Order:
Aventi D'Gaudon
Tapestry
Krenn Whetstone
Guards
Curnach Daveck
Althon Skyven