Geoffrey's Finest (Inactive)

Game Master CampinCarl9127


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Bjorkus misses a third time to the nimble archer, but he remains determined and gets in one lass swing before the chariot gets up to speed. This one connects beautifully, cleanly decapitating the man. Gabriel takes his lance and leaps headfirst down towards the mouth of the dust digger, burying the obsidian deep into the creature. With one last ear-rending cry it shivers and stops moving.

Kienyach grabs the driver from the chariot next to him, cracking ribs with one punch and then smashing the man's head into the wooden vehicle, ending his life. Edward moves over to help Bjorkus and the other slaves take care of the large chariot crew, breathing heavily and whipping his longsword around. The blade chops deeply, although the man still stands. The slaves begin to get themselves together, two of them injuring the driver, one of them with a morningstar blow to the head. Another finishes off the lancer Edward injured with a stab through the chest.

The driver of the large chariot ruthlessly cuts down another slave with his longsword, breathing heavily but shifting between targets quickly. The lancer kills the other slave in front of the driver with a thrust, then steps over to stand side by side with his comrade. The driver on the small chariot leaps off, drawing his longsword and thrusting it into Bjorkus's leg with a grunt.

Init Order
Bjorkus
Edward
Kienyach
Gabriel
Slaves
Enemy

Battle Tracking:

Crowd Attitude towards Slaves
Friendly The crowd is beginning to be swayed toward one side in the fray. Audience members cheer when that side achieves some impressive feat in the combat, and their reaction grants a +1 morale bonus on all attack rolls, combat maneuver checks, ability checks, skill checks, and saving throws for their chosen side. This is a mind-affecting effect.

Rallying Cry (Round 5)
Edward and all allies within 30 feet who can see or hear the knight gain a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and saving throws against fear effects.

Entangled
The character is ensnared. Being entangled impedes movement, but does not entirely prevent it unless the bonds are anchored to an immobile object or tethered by an opposing force. An entangled creature moves at half speed, cannot run or charge, and takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and a –4 penalty to Dexterity. An entangled character who attempts to cast a spell must make a concentration check (DC 15 + spell level) or lose the spell.

The dust digger takes up a 15 by 15 foot square and has 10 foot reach.

Dice:

Bjorkus;Gabriel Checks: 1d20 ⇒ 181d20 ⇒ 8
Kienyach Attacks: 1d20 ⇒ 191d20 ⇒ 12
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 101d8 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Kienyach Check: 1d20 ⇒ 12
Edward vs L1: 1d20 ⇒ 15
Damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
S10/13 vs D: 1d20 ⇒ 131d20 ⇒ 20
Confirm: 1d20 ⇒ 17
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 32d8 + 4 ⇒ (6, 4) + 4 = 14
S15 vs L1: 1d20 ⇒ 16
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Check: 1d20 ⇒ 5
S4 vs Driver: 1d20 ⇒ 5
D vs S10: 1d20 ⇒ 7
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
L2 vs S13: 1d20 ⇒ 10
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
D vs Bjorkus: 1d20 ⇒ 15
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
D/Lancer Checks: 1d20 ⇒ 91d20 ⇒ 5

DM Only:

Bjorkus - 26 damage
Gabriel - 28 damage, 2 con damage
Edward - 41 damage, grappled
Kienyach - 29 damage, entangled
S1 - dead
S2 - dead, swallowed
S3 - 7 damage, grappled
S4 - composite Longbow
S5 - dead
S6 - dead
S7 - dead
S8 - dead
S9 - dead
S10 - dead
S11 - dead
S12 - 9 damage, grappled
S13 -
S14 - dead
S15 -
S16 - dead
SC1 -
D - dead
A - dead
SC2 -
D -
A - dead
LC - 1 horse dead
D - 17 damage
L1 - dead
L2 -
DD - dead


Rilka Bluff: 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (14) + 7 + (2) = 23
Halfling SM: 1d20 ⇒ 6

The halfling gives a gasp at the claim of blood magic. "A defiler! He crime against nature!" He laughs, shaking his head. "No, we no liberate all slaves. Just halflings, halflings better. We protect you from blood magic."


Male Tiefling Paladin 7 Tiefling, Init +0, Hp: 67/67, AC: 21/Touch: 10/ Flatfooted: 21, Resist 5: Fire, Electricity; Fort: 11/Ref: 6/ Will: 9, CMD: 21, Perception +0 (+2); Loh 6/10 day, Smite 2/3 day, Shatter 0/1 day

Gabriel rips the lance from the dead abomination and turns to watch as Edward rushes toward the mercs or slavers or whatever the hell they were to help the slaves against them. He charges the one that attack Bjorkus, hoping to take him down and keep Bjorkus in the condition he was in. Out of all of them the bull was definitely the healthiest right now, and Gabriel ascribed it to the mans almost terrifying ability to accept blows and deal them back. He yells as he charges, trying to let the slaves and the enemy know that more help was coming with the monster dead!

Attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18 4 str + 5 bab + 1 morale + 2 charge (I wish Edwards rally and the crowd attitude stacked. XD
Damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15


Male Grizzly Bear 3 | HP: 30/30 l AC: 19 /T: 12/FF: 17 l Fort: +4, Ref: +5, W: +4 l Init: +2 l Per: +5; Low-light vision; Scent l Movement: 40

Bjorkus growls at the warrior foolish enough to come after him. Further proving his disdain for the man, the bull steps around on his flank, daring the swordsman to strike at him again.

Moving around provoking.

Edit: Potentially not depending on if Gabe drops him here.


Sorry Bjorkus, you go first in initiative. He missed anyways.

Bjorkus begins to circle around and gets swung at by the driver, but the blade goes wide. Gabriel comes out from the behind the hulking bull with lance raised, burying it into the driver's shoulder and making the man grunt in pain and surprise as he falls to the ground and begins bleeding out. Kienyach begins to spring over from the opposite side of the Colosseum, but is currently too far to help. Edward stops his rallying cry, but suddenly his blade appears to swing faster and harder. It splits the driver from shoulder to navel, nearly making two halves drop to the ground.

The two remaining chariot men throw down their weapons, yelling "I yield!" The crowd cheers on the victory of the slaves as some go to collect their bets, but there's a great deal of booing for the surrendering men. After a moment Targ stands, speaking to the crowd in a magically augmented voice. "What should we do with the surrendering cowards?!" The crowd roars for their death, and giving a satisfied and twisted smile Targ gives a thumb down to the slaves still left standing in the arena, clearly telling them to execute the surrendering men. The men look scared, but don't move or go for their weapons.

Dice:

AoO vs Bjorkus: 1d20 ⇒ 4
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Edward vs D: 1d20 ⇒ 19
Confirm: 1d20 ⇒ 12
Damage: 2d8 + 20 ⇒ (3, 2) + 20 = 25
Check: 1d20 ⇒ 3


Male Grizzly Bear 3 | HP: 30/30 l AC: 19 /T: 12/FF: 17 l Fort: +4, Ref: +5, W: +4 l Init: +2 l Per: +5; Low-light vision; Scent l Movement: 40

With the battle’s end, Bjorkus’s fury rapidly bleeds away and the bull sags under the weight of his wounds until he notes that many of the others were worse off. For their benefit, he holds his head high as if the ragged wound in his meaty thigh and the arrow, snapped off at the fletching, in his shoulder were nothing. He snorts as he picks up his abandoned polearm (dropped during his last minute gambit) and lumbers toward the yielding slaves.

Bjorkus is considering trying to change the crowd’s mind as an act of defiance against Targ. Does that seem viable and would it help build his image in the public eye?


Bjorkus and Gabriel look at the surrounding crowd, Targ, the party, and their fellow slaves. Edward is kneeling with a hand pressed against his side, blood seeping between his fingers as he shakes his head at the two, and he mouths Defy him. But a few feet away Kienyach stands wearily with bruised knuckles, giving a nod to execute the men.


Male Tiefling Paladin 7 Tiefling, Init +0, Hp: 67/67, AC: 21/Touch: 10/ Flatfooted: 21, Resist 5: Fire, Electricity; Fort: 11/Ref: 6/ Will: 9, CMD: 21, Perception +0 (+2); Loh 6/10 day, Smite 2/3 day, Shatter 0/1 day

Gabriel knew what he was going to do the moment Targ gave the order. Rather then everyone else getting punished, Gabriel shakes his head at Kien and the others and moves to stand in front of the two yielding warriors, leveling his lance not at the warriors but at the other slaves. He whispers to them all, "Be better then what they want you to be. Don't do anything. I'll take the blame and the punishment."

Then, loud enough for the crowd to hear, he says aloud, "There will be no more bloodshed so long as I stand!" He eyes the soldiers behind him to see if they'd tattle on him, then raises his lance and looks to the other slaves, trying to meet each of them in their eyes. "They fought well and they earned their right to live!" He calls to the crowd.


Male Grizzly Bear 3 | HP: 30/30 l AC: 19 /T: 12/FF: 17 l Fort: +4, Ref: +5, W: +4 l Init: +2 l Per: +5; Low-light vision; Scent l Movement: 40

‘Ares’ slowly finishes closing the distance on the surrendering men. He pounds his chest and salutes the crowd several times, waiting until he felt like every pair of eyes in the enormous arena was on him. With the haft of his poleaxe gripped in one hand, the bull holds his other up to shield his vision from the sun as he surveys the crowd. They were cheering their approval, excited by the blood and death Targ had given them. They were blinded by it – by Targ’s distraction.

He grips the haft of his weapon with his other hand but doesn’t raise it to strike and then ignores Gabe's idealistic blathering and tries to reach the crowd at a level he understands.

”These sods lost but they fought bravely ‘till the very end. Killin’ ‘em now would be a waste. All men die but these two (?) shouldn’t. Not here. Not now. Let ‘em live to fight and die another day”, he roars back to the crowd.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

"Would you have us be your champions or your butchers?" he adds in challenge.

Hopefully plus some kind of circumstance bonus.

He glowers at the paladin with a look that says - shut the hell up.


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Gabriel makes his decision quickly, but while whispering Bjorkus makes up his mind and speaks. Afterwards Gabriel adds his own piece of mind, supporting Bjorkus's defiance.

The roar of the crowd dies down to a dull roar as confusion and indecision sweeps through them. Kien whispers a colorful harsh curse, moving towards the most eastern gate and standing just off to the side of it. Edward looks relieved, giving them an approving nod. Acera remains seated with a hand over her mouth, but her eyebrows raise slightly at the defiance. Targ stands with arms folded as his face flips from amazement to anger. And not just a mild anger, he looks absolutely furious, not entertained even in the slightest. He looks like he's about to speak when an isolated voice calls up from the crowd, "Ares the honorable!" Targ whips around as he tries to find the source of the voice, but loses it as the crowd begins to take up the cheer. "Ares the honorable, Ares the honorable, Ares the honorable!" The crowd stands, slowly but surely turning to their side.

Targ does not look even slightly amused or swayed, his anger only seems to grow. He grips the massive bastard sword on his back and takes one step forward, but when pauses and looks down. Acera is standing with a hand on his elbow, looking up at the giant of a man. He leans down to eye level with her, and after a moment stands back up. The cheering of the crowd hasn't dulled yet, and while he still looks furious he doesn't look like he's going to kill something personally anymore. Slowly, grudgingly, he raises his hand. His large callused fingers curl together one by one to show a sideways thumb, then he slowly brings it up. The crowd roars it's approval, continuing the chant of "Ares the honorable!"[/b] as the living slaves are rushed off of the battlefield.

Targ storms out shortly after with his entourage following him. The fat announcer stands with a look a little more concerned than his normal jolly look, speaking over the roar of the crowd. "That will be the last fight for today, come back tomorrow for more!"

More to come, but feel free to post until I get it up.


Male Grizzly Bear 3 | HP: 30/30 l AC: 19 /T: 12/FF: 17 l Fort: +4, Ref: +5, W: +4 l Init: +2 l Per: +5; Low-light vision; Scent l Movement: 40

Ignoring Targ’s murderous glare up above and Gabriel below him, Bjorkus salutes the crowd again. The bull flashes the dark elf a glance as he makes himself scarce but tries to keep the attention on himself. Better they don’t think the others are involved quite yet. If Targ brings the hammer down, I don’t them getting roped up with me. He tries to study the faces of the survivors before they’re escorted out. Those were faces that would remember him – potential allies for whatever comes next.

”For Akropash! For her people!” he roars in reply.


Skills:
Appraise +21, Bluff/Diplomacy +16, Fly +15, Know(Arcana/planes) +21, Know(other) +11, Perception +2, Sense Motive +0, Spellcraft +27
Defenses:
AC 11/11/10 HP 68/68 / F +6 R +5 W +9 (+2 vs. Enchantments) / Init. +2
Spells:
DC = 17 + lvl. (+2 if transmutation) (+1 if on Druid list)

That WITCH!

Targ might be the voice of the problem in this hellhole, but Acera was his megaphone. She kept him from overplaying his hand. That was - Dalton hoped - the ploy Bjorkus had intended. And a damned good one too.

Yet, as a merchant, Dalton had a way of knowing if customers were leaning towards buying something; Acera seemed to have the knack with crowds and revolts. He didn't buy for a moment the story of her being the lesser in this partnership - no, she was the power behind the husk that was Targ.

"Well, I have to go reign the big bull in. To repay your hospitality, good sir, do let me offer you one of my wares when we convene later. Erm ... where have the little ones wandered off to?.."


Gahiji stands with a few grunts, then turns to smile at Dalton. "I will send a slave to get you this evening. For now I have some matters to attend to."

You guys won't be bothered until the evening time so you have about 3 or 4 hours to do whatever you want. I'll post tonight.


Male Dwarf Paladin (Stonelord) 11 l HP: 105/105 (127/127) l Init: +1 l AC: 30 (44 v giants) [T: 12 (14); FF: 27; CMD: 29/33(43)] l Fort: +13 (+15), Ref: +7, W: +9 (+11) (All saves increase by +5 for p, sp, and spls) l DR: 5 (Adamantine) l Per: -1

I wanted to get better housing for us. Is three or four hours sufficient? I have no idea what the housing market is in Akropash.


More than enough time. What do you have in mind? Ninnec will be a big help here.


Male Dwarf Paladin (Stonelord) 11 l HP: 105/105 (127/127) l Init: +1 l AC: 30 (44 v giants) [T: 12 (14); FF: 27; CMD: 29/33(43)] l Fort: +13 (+15), Ref: +7, W: +9 (+11) (All saves increase by +5 for p, sp, and spls) l DR: 5 (Adamantine) l Per: -1

1. Respectable Villa
2. Vaguely defensible
3. Private
4. Access to the tunnels (the sellers need not know this, Ymir (my earth elemental) can be our inside man on this one. As a dwarf and elemental, I'm sure we can open up a passage.


Skills:
Appraise +21, Bluff/Diplomacy +16, Fly +15, Know(Arcana/planes) +21, Know(other) +11, Perception +2, Sense Motive +0, Spellcraft +27
Defenses:
AC 11/11/10 HP 68/68 / F +6 R +5 W +9 (+2 vs. Enchantments) / Init. +2
Spells:
DC = 17 + lvl. (+2 if transmutation) (+1 if on Druid list)

Assuming Bjorkus is released:

"Ares! So much talk - you'd think I had you there to do theater. Let's get you washed down and fed."

Dalton did a brief glance about for Rilka. Well, I'm not going to make a scene with the star of the day next to me. She's found her way back once before, so she can do it again.

Once they begin walking for a spell, Dalton leans up towards Bjorkus and whispers "Nice work out there, but I won't be able to keep my ruse up for much longer. One of the merchants was getting a bit nosy, and to put him off, I agreed to come to his fest tonight. He's going to send someone, but I don't like the feel of it. Worse, I don't like the feeling of that witch - you had the crowd at Targ until she stopped him."


Male Grizzly Bear 3 | HP: 30/30 l AC: 19 /T: 12/FF: 17 l Fort: +4, Ref: +5, W: +4 l Init: +2 l Per: +5; Low-light vision; Scent l Movement: 40

‘Ares’ struts like a bull on top of the world, pausing on occasion to mutter at his ‘master’.

”She pulled Gabe and me aside after the first fight. There’s shit goin’ down. We need to get someplace private and talk”, he rumbles in a low tone.

Assuming we get back to our rooms at the inn.

”Targ’s a puppet, I’m sure of it. That girl’s hand is so far up his ass, I wouldn’t be surprised if she can move his eyes. While Gabe and I were pulled aside, I managed to rub her the wrong way and she started on about their relationship. She said somethin’ that really got me thinkin’ - Targ claims to own every slave in the city. You think the owners know that or she’s plannin’ somethin’?”

”Worse, she knew who Gabe and I were. Who we really are.”


Male Dwarf Paladin (Stonelord) 11 l HP: 105/105 (127/127) l Init: +1 l AC: 30 (44 v giants) [T: 12 (14); FF: 27; CMD: 29/33(43)] l Fort: +13 (+15), Ref: +7, W: +9 (+11) (All saves increase by +5 for p, sp, and spls) l DR: 5 (Adamantine) l Per: -1

Assuming Toramin is there, he could be house-hunting.

"It's in their book of laws. Moreover, the only thing that distinguishes between slave and free is the brand. Not to put too fine a point on it: the elite of this city consider everyone either a slave or a potential slave.

I do not know who puppet-ting whom -- if anyone -- but it would be dangerous to assume this was not some partnership, where both are threats."


Male Grizzly Bear 3 | HP: 30/30 l AC: 19 /T: 12/FF: 17 l Fort: +4, Ref: +5, W: +4 l Init: +2 l Per: +5; Low-light vision; Scent l Movement: 40

Bjorkus shakes his shaggy horned head.

"The b~~&# was clear about it. Even if a slave is freed by his master, he's still owned by Targ. Is that in your little book?" the bull says with a jab at the law book Toramin had been studying.


Male Dwarf Paladin (Stonelord) 11 l HP: 105/105 (127/127) l Init: +1 l AC: 30 (44 v giants) [T: 12 (14); FF: 27; CMD: 29/33(43)] l Fort: +13 (+15), Ref: +7, W: +9 (+11) (All saves increase by +5 for p, sp, and spls) l DR: 5 (Adamantine) l Per: -1

Is it?


Any master may release a slave from his own power, but only Targ may make them no longer a slave.


Male Dwarf Paladin (Stonelord) 11 l HP: 105/105 (127/127) l Init: +1 l AC: 30 (44 v giants) [T: 12 (14); FF: 27; CMD: 29/33(43)] l Fort: +13 (+15), Ref: +7, W: +9 (+11) (All saves increase by +5 for p, sp, and spls) l DR: 5 (Adamantine) l Per: -1

"Yes, yes it is in my little book."


Male Grizzly Bear 3 | HP: 30/30 l AC: 19 /T: 12/FF: 17 l Fort: +4, Ref: +5, W: +4 l Init: +2 l Per: +5; Low-light vision; Scent l Movement: 40

Bjorkus chuckles darkly. "So even the masters are slaves."


Male Dwarf Paladin (Stonelord) 11 l HP: 105/105 (127/127) l Init: +1 l AC: 30 (44 v giants) [T: 12 (14); FF: 27; CMD: 29/33(43)] l Fort: +13 (+15), Ref: +7, W: +9 (+11) (All saves increase by +5 for p, sp, and spls) l DR: 5 (Adamantine) l Per: -1

"Potentially, depending on the whims of those with greater power."


Male Grizzly Bear 3 | HP: 30/30 l AC: 19 /T: 12/FF: 17 l Fort: +4, Ref: +5, W: +4 l Init: +2 l Per: +5; Low-light vision; Scent l Movement: 40

"There's gotta be a way we can use that. I don't care how whipped these folks are. Nobody goes through their day happy that someone's got their balls in a vice."

"The brand doesn't mean nothin'. Everyone's a slave here."


Male Dwarf Paladin (Stonelord) 11 l HP: 105/105 (127/127) l Init: +1 l AC: 30 (44 v giants) [T: 12 (14); FF: 27; CMD: 29/33(43)] l Fort: +13 (+15), Ref: +7, W: +9 (+11) (All saves increase by +5 for p, sp, and spls) l DR: 5 (Adamantine) l Per: -1

"Indeed. Slavery itself is a lie. No person can own another. I've made some headway to see if this truth can be taught in Akropash."


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After about an hour Ninnec returns to Toramin to show him to three prospective houses. They each have their own advantages and disadvantages, but only at one does Ymir think an underground tunnel is a possibility. It's close enough to northeastern wall that you could tunnel right out of the city and there's already an old basement.

The building in question is a small manse that is available to rent. A very proper looking tiefling in matriculate silks owns the building and tells Toramin of the benefits. "There are two fireplaces, a cooling bath to bring down the temperature, very well made (superior) locks on all of the doors, two large bedrooms and four small bedrooms in addition to the living space, party room, kitchen, and garden. During your stay you would have four of my slaves at your disposal that are each experienced in keeping the house running in good condition as well as catering to other needs, such as cooking, dressing, carrying messages, and any other business that you may need. They are also very discreet and never question any reasonable demand. The charge is 35 gold per day, but I can add pleasure slaves for 5gp per slave. Are you interested?"


Gabriel:

Once everybody is healed (this time one of the masked healers has a scroll that cures your con damage), the slaves are rushed out back to their holding pens. Gabriel is grabbed by two of the slavers and is dragged to a small, dark room where he gets one of the most violent thrashes of his life. He's beaten and kicked until he spits blood and whipped until his back is raw, and the entire time the words "You do not defy Targ!" is screamed into his ears. Nothing Gabriel says does anything to change the abuse, and eventually he passes out from the pain.

Gabriel awakes to the feeling of cold, damp stone underneath him and pressure on his abdomen. When he tries to sit up to look the mat of scabs that have become his back split with searing pain, and he feels two strong hands help him to lay back down. He hears Edward's concerned, but relieved voice. "Thank the gods you woke up. You barely have any skin on your back and you have at least two broken ribs. I did my best, I think I got the ribs back in place, but I can only do so much without any more supplies." His head falls. "This is my fault. I told you to defy him. I fear this is only the beginning, Targ's anger is a terrible thing to rouse."


Male Dwarf Paladin (Stonelord) 11 l HP: 105/105 (127/127) l Init: +1 l AC: 30 (44 v giants) [T: 12 (14); FF: 27; CMD: 29/33(43)] l Fort: +13 (+15), Ref: +7, W: +9 (+11) (All saves increase by +5 for p, sp, and spls) l DR: 5 (Adamantine) l Per: -1

"Yes. This is exactly what we require. Draw up the paperwork. The gold will be provided. Though we need no other slaves. Master Dalton is particular about his household."

I'm writing a letter to Alia the Wise. Will post it soon.


The tiefling smiles. "We are in business than. Do you have any estimation of the duration of your stay? It is not required, but I like to have an idea of how long my properties will be occupied."


Male Dwarf Paladin (Stonelord) 11 l HP: 105/105 (127/127) l Init: +1 l AC: 30 (44 v giants) [T: 12 (14); FF: 27; CMD: 29/33(43)] l Fort: +13 (+15), Ref: +7, W: +9 (+11) (All saves increase by +5 for p, sp, and spls) l DR: 5 (Adamantine) l Per: -1

"Until the master's business is concluded. Expect a lucrative length."


Male Tiefling Paladin 7 Tiefling, Init +0, Hp: 67/67, AC: 21/Touch: 10/ Flatfooted: 21, Resist 5: Fire, Electricity; Fort: 11/Ref: 6/ Will: 9, CMD: 21, Perception +0 (+2); Loh 6/10 day, Smite 2/3 day, Shatter 0/1 day

Omen:
Gabriel does not say any specific words through out the torture, although he was definitely not immune to the pain, and probably ended up screaming his throat raw by the end of it. It was one of the most painful experiences of his life and in the end when he passes out, unconsciousness was a sweet release from the moment at hand.

It was only interrupted by him waking, however many minutes or hours later. Judging from the scabs on his back it was the latter but he tries to sit up anyway, tries to ignore the pain. Then he feels hands pushing him back down, gently, and he knew that he was not going to suffer more torture at this point. The voice peaked his interest however with Edwards words. With a throat raw from his experience and a voice rasping with pain that really didn't compare to whatever was wrong with his back, Gabriel says, "In your lands, what happens when someone challenge's your honor?"

Gabriel's expression was hard, though his eyes were filled with silent amusement. Edward reminded him so much of his mentor, but Gabe had never seen Geoffrey with such doubt or carrying onto such foolish lengths to take responsibility for others actions. Perhaps that was the point though, he briefly wondered. He had never -seen- it. Well, Gabriel wasn't going to let his friend bare that sort of burden.

Gabriel looks around to see if they were in a private place, and if they were he uses a little of his power to try and heal the injuries on his back. He avoids the ribs for the moment, knowing full well he wasn't experienced enough to handle them, and he doesn't heal himself fully either lest he get caught. He does enough to dull the pain so that he can sit up without crying out.

Gabriel manages to push himself to a sitting position and then looks to Edward, curiously. "I thank you for helping me, but it was my choice and it is my job. You asked me to do nothing I wasn't going to do anyway. If you insist on trying to take the burden of that choice, the guilt of my pain, upon yourself I will do whatever it is they do in your homeland when someone impugn's your honor... or I'll hit you. Whichever is less violent. How are your injuries? How are the others?"


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Male Dwarf Paladin (Stonelord) 11 l HP: 105/105 (127/127) l Init: +1 l AC: 30 (44 v giants) [T: 12 (14); FF: 27; CMD: 29/33(43)] l Fort: +13 (+15), Ref: +7, W: +9 (+11) (All saves increase by +5 for p, sp, and spls) l DR: 5 (Adamantine) l Per: -1

When they were leaving the games, Toramin will slip a not to Lindale. "Please deliver this to the dancer as soon as you possibly can. Do not be seen."

Letter to Alia, the Wise:

Honored Elder,

There is a great possibility for menntun* in Akropash. I have been able to persuade the Irisvari persvek wer inik of the necessity of providing education and basic services to the people of Akropash. It is my belief that the troubles here are best resolved when the people choose a better future over a worse one. We seek to educate and cultivate knew leaders and thinkers within Akropash so that they might -- in turn -- educate and uplift their fellows. I thought that -- perhaps -- you might see value in this project and would be interested in investing resources and building a relationship with the Irisvari persvek wer inik. Given the sensitivity of this information I will not be committing any more details to the page. Please contact me, if you wish to pursue this option. I will continue to be on the look out for what I believe to be your interests.

As always Viska þín heiðrar mig.

*The dwarven philosophical concept of growth and self-cultivation that Alia and Toramin discussed previously. (Toramin peppered the missives with allusions to things she would recognize in order to help establish identity.)

Dwarven:
Your wisdom honors me. (Traditional, blessing, when speaking to the Voices of Stone and other rarified elders.

You said, they had a relationship score. Let's see if Toramin can improve it.


Gabe:

Edward looks back up at Gabriel with a small smile. "We duel. I don't think you're quite in the shape to do that." He shakes his head. "I've kept what honor I can, but I understand that I need to set aside some of my traditions in order to survive." He looks out of the dark holding pen. "We were healed, but there was no food or water provided tonight. Many will be dehydrated and weak by the morning, especially after sweating so much out in the sun." He leans against the wall, running a hand through his limp hair. "We can't go on like this. We can't just lie down and let him use us until our luck runs out or he gets tired of us."

Lindale gets the note to Naome without any difficulties (unless Lindale himself decides to do something with it). Toramin, I have acknowledged your sending of the letter and there will not be a response the same night you send it. I'm not saying if there will be a response or not, but I'm saying that I have acknowledged the letter and that nothing happens this night.


Male Dwarf Paladin (Stonelord) 11 l HP: 105/105 (127/127) l Init: +1 l AC: 30 (44 v giants) [T: 12 (14); FF: 27; CMD: 29/33(43)] l Fort: +13 (+15), Ref: +7, W: +9 (+11) (All saves increase by +5 for p, sp, and spls) l DR: 5 (Adamantine) l Per: -1

Thanks for the heads up. I didn't expect there to be an immediate response, but I appreciate knowing that you the DM read it even if a 400+ dark elf might not have yet had a chance to read it. :-)


Male Tiefling Paladin 7 Tiefling, Init +0, Hp: 67/67, AC: 21/Touch: 10/ Flatfooted: 21, Resist 5: Fire, Electricity; Fort: 11/Ref: 6/ Will: 9, CMD: 21, Perception +0 (+2); Loh 6/10 day, Smite 2/3 day, Shatter 0/1 day

Omen:
Gabriel smiles back, a little more brightly, and takes a deep breath. The effort of doing so really hurt, but he didn't let that stop him from savoring the act. He avoided breathing through his nose, a skill he had learned since first being enslaved in the desert, but he could almost taste the air with how bad it was getting. "Do your traditions really ask you to take the blame for another's decision? Would you really go up to another knight who did his duty and tell him you're sorry for the pain he suffered doing it?"

Gabriel's expression screwed up a little as he thought of that and he shook his head slowly. "I would think that would only be an insult. I may not be from your lands, but I have my duty and my honor to uphold, even here. For another to try and take that responsibility from me by carrying the blame..." He reaches out and pats the man on the arm, albeit weakly thanks to his own state, and he says with a small smile, "If I am mistaken, I am sorry. I mean no insult. I would rather you simply understand that... its my job." He shrugs his shoulders a little, then glances out to the holding pen. "If the poor conditions persists, we'll ask the masked men for aid. Carefully. I do not know who they are but the fact that they were unaware of the Death Worm or the poison it had suggests they are outside Targ's normal retinue. Perhaps as healers they will be sympathetic and if they are part of something local, maybe they know away to slip supplies in. Perhaps even during the games tomorrow, while they heal us."

Gabriel grimaces again as he takes another deep breath."The important thing now is to focus on the good that happened today, not the bad that came with it. If you can, when speaking to the others, try and do that. Targ was defied, Targ can be defied, and one of our own is being cheered by all. Not for bloodshed either... but for acting honorable. Spread that. Let them smile tonight. Let them all cheer, however silently, for Ares the Honorable, who stalled the shedding of blood in a blood game and defied the savagery forced upon us."


Gabe:

Edward takes his own deep breath. "I suppose you're too stubborn to have not done it anyways." He gives a small chuckle, looking over at Gabriel. "If we can get in touch with them I think that's a good idea, they seem..." The creak of a door opening silences Edward as he cranes his neck around. The door bangs shut, then a torch is lit and footsteps are heard coming down the hall. They end in front of Gabriel and Edward's pen, and standing there are four slavers in leather armor carrying weapons and whips. Two are nagaji's, one is human, and the other is a tiefling. "Up. Both of you." Once both men are standing they open the doors and shove them out, two slavers in front and two in back.

Both of them are brought to a cold bath where they are ordered to strip and scrub. "You'll be in front of prestigious masters. Clean yourselves up." The water is cold and seems used, and there is only a half a bar of soap and two tough horse hair brushes. The slavers watch them clean and bark at them for missing any spots, particularly at Gabriel who has limited range of movement right now. After a moment of watching Gabriel struggle to bend over and reach around Edward silently steps over, helping him get the harder to reach spots before just as silently stepping away.

Once cleaned Gabriel and Edward are both given somewhat nicer clothes, like what a farmer would wear if he knew the mayor was coming to visit him. Then they're marched outside into the dusk with their four man escort.

Everybody is done with their business and back at the inn when a well dressed half-elf slave enters, scanning the room until his gaze falls on Dalton. He quietly steps over, giving a polite and formal bow. "Greetings master. I am here on behalf of my master Gahiji to tell you that he is prepared for your arrival and to escort you there. We can leave whenever you are ready, but my master recommends leaving within the half hour so you may arrive in time for supper."


Male Dwarf Paladin (Stonelord) 11 l HP: 105/105 (127/127) l Init: +1 l AC: 30 (44 v giants) [T: 12 (14); FF: 27; CMD: 29/33(43)] l Fort: +13 (+15), Ref: +7, W: +9 (+11) (All saves increase by +5 for p, sp, and spls) l DR: 5 (Adamantine) l Per: -1

The inn or or fancy new villa?


Male Grizzly Bear 3 | HP: 30/30 l AC: 19 /T: 12/FF: 17 l Fort: +4, Ref: +5, W: +4 l Init: +2 l Per: +5; Low-light vision; Scent l Movement: 40

Before the servant arrives.

”With what’s been happenin’ you can’t go to this dinner alone. Take me with you. Say you’re bringin’ me along to show me off or somethin’. If this is fool is as close to Targ and his witch as you think, there’s a good chance he’s up to somethin’ too.”

”And we gotta find a way to get Gabe outta there. The boy’s strong but that life’s gunna tear him up.”

***

When the servant arrives.

Bjorkus snorts and studies the messenger but otherwise remains silent.

Anything to be gleaned via SM?: 10 + 11 = 21


The inn. I'll be detailing out the interior of the villa later.


Male Tiefling Paladin 7 Tiefling, Init +0, Hp: 67/67, AC: 21/Touch: 10/ Flatfooted: 21, Resist 5: Fire, Electricity; Fort: 11/Ref: 6/ Will: 9, CMD: 21, Perception +0 (+2); Loh 6/10 day, Smite 2/3 day, Shatter 0/1 day

Omen:
Gabe didn't have as much trouble as the others thought. Edward helped with the worst spot, but otherwise Gabes tail was able to clean the majority of his back and legs. People seemed to forget, and he was just fine with that, that he even had one. But in this instance he did not want to dally and earn another lashing, not so soon after the last.

Looking at himself and his companion, Gabriel guessed that Edward was used to finer. The man comported himself as a knight would in his lands and those were usually well respected and of higher station. Perhaps it was different, but even in slavery Edward held himself regally. Gabe felt... strange in finer clothing. It wasn't just the time spent as a slave. The fact was that Gabe had never been very wealthy. As a child he had been an indentured servant and while it hadn't been as bad as here, he really was a slave back then too. And as he grew, he found himself in the position of a squire and a paladin in training, which is normally a very humbling task that requires you to wear something simple, but clean.

The clothes he was wearing were uncomfortable for Gabe, but he did his best to hide it. His tail still twitched nervously. He had never been called to wear anything so fine and he wasn't certain at all why he was. Still... only four guards. He tries not to glance at Edward, wondering if the man was thinking of the same thing he was, wondering if they should even try. Even if escape was possible, it took them out of reach of those who needed it. Then again, Edward had a family. If one of them were to get free, Gabe knew it would be his friend. He still had work to do after all. And of course he guessed Edward was thinking the same thing.

His tail twitched more nervously and with it his sole pointed ear did as well, though he was missing a small piece of that ear now thanks to the brutal fighting. All of his scars itched in the fine clothes as he was lead by the four guards, but he kept his silence.


Skills:
Appraise +21, Bluff/Diplomacy +16, Fly +15, Know(Arcana/planes) +21, Know(other) +11, Perception +2, Sense Motive +0, Spellcraft +27
Defenses:
AC 11/11/10 HP 68/68 / F +6 R +5 W +9 (+2 vs. Enchantments) / Init. +2
Spells:
DC = 17 + lvl. (+2 if transmutation) (+1 if on Druid list)

Dalton gives an appreciative nod towards Toramin as they enter the house. "Yes, this will do nicely." 35 gold per night is theft... that Heff better have pockets as deep as his lies.

"There's no doubt of the power in their connection. Yet I doubt the relation of these slavers to him," replied the transmuter to Bjorkus. "Like you said, nobody likes being under someone else's thumb all the time. And I don't think the slavers could be assuaged as easily as the crowd was with a simple turn of a thumb. Ha!" Dalton couldn't help but suppress a laugh at their gullibility, yet it was sadly apparent to him they simply didn't know any better - he was the top of everything all their lives. "Either way, we will need to make a move before long. Each day here is risky. And expensive."


Male Grizzly Bear 3 | HP: 30/30 l AC: 19 /T: 12/FF: 17 l Fort: +4, Ref: +5, W: +4 l Init: +2 l Per: +5; Low-light vision; Scent l Movement: 40

Was Dalton going to take Bjorkus up on his suggestion?


Sense Motive on polite slave DC 20:
He appears to like his servitude, being in one of the best positions a slave can be in.

Dalton wrote:
35 gold per night is theft...

Surprisingly enough that's actually a very standard price according to RAW if you look up the lodging rules.


Skills:
Appraise +21, Bluff/Diplomacy +16, Fly +15, Know(Arcana/planes) +21, Know(other) +11, Perception +2, Sense Motive +0, Spellcraft +27
Defenses:
AC 11/11/10 HP 68/68 / F +6 R +5 W +9 (+2 vs. Enchantments) / Init. +2
Spells:
DC = 17 + lvl. (+2 if transmutation) (+1 if on Druid list)

It is, but for a place like this? And yes, Bjorkus.


F AKA Chibi Kerchiechoo Halfling Invstgtr 11 | HP: 63/63 | Init: +6 | AC: 26 [T: 19; FF: 20; CMD: 25] | Fort: +8, Ref: +18, W: +13 (+2 agnst fear) | Per: +10
Spoiler:
IP: 5/9 | Luck 4/4|Grit 1

Rilka raises her eyebrows. ”You can protect me from his magic?” she asks surprised. ”Why me? What’re the terms?”

I’m double checking my gear list.


Male Grizzly Bear 3 | HP: 30/30 l AC: 19 /T: 12/FF: 17 l Fort: +4, Ref: +5, W: +4 l Init: +2 l Per: +5; Low-light vision; Scent l Movement: 40

‘Ares’ stands at attention, his loincloth freshened, his horned polished and his fur clean and oiled. The hide along his massive brawny frame was sporting a half dozen new scars from the day’s bouts but it only served to enhance his fierce appearance. He snorts and gives his ‘master’ a nod.

I think we’re ready for this dinner.


~Rilka~

The halfling gives another sharp toothed smile at her. "You halfling, you sister of us. We free you, you come live with tribe. Or go elsewhere, free halfling is free.


F AKA Chibi Kerchiechoo Halfling Invstgtr 11 | HP: 63/63 | Init: +6 | AC: 26 [T: 19; FF: 20; CMD: 25] | Fort: +8, Ref: +18, W: +13 (+2 agnst fear) | Per: +10
Spoiler:
IP: 5/9 | Luck 4/4|Grit 1

Rilka looks doubtful. ”He found me using magic when I ran away before. As I said, I learned not to do that again.” The halfling thinks, This is a surprise. Could be trouble...or an opportunity. Need to talk to the others.

After looking over her shoulder, she throws a hint of eagerness into her voice, ”What would you need me to do? Can we meet again?”

I didn’t know about any blood magic spell. I used that term because it sounded ominous and (somewhat) vague.

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