Kalyx feigns thinking, tapping one spindly finger to the side of her temple.
"The guy in charge knows smuggler fulfill a valuable service in securing goods and harder to obtain materials. It is not about race per se....more of strength. Normally I charge extra given the lengths to secure the products, but for you...a fellow connoisseur I'll sell at market price."
She ends her sentence revealing smile full of rotting teeth.
"You've got yourself a deal, girl! Though I'd recommend taking that money to a dentist. Can't get the most out of your pesh chew with choppers like those, plus a winning smile's got a lot of other benefits."
She gives Kalyx a wink and opens her purse and provides the cash.
A thunderous pound, three times in succession, trembles the earth itself. And as the smugglers look on towards the center area, it seems clear to you that you all have been summoned to return.
Kardswann smiles as you re-enter his view, his large arms holding a battleax that could easily be mistaken for scythe with the size of its back edge. He leans in and announces in a thunderous bass voice.
"I have decided how you can prove your loyalty and worth!"
Wings momentarily blot out the sun as a harpie circles around, a glint of stell falling in the air, and a small, dingy dagger falls into the center of the arena. The harpie with dark purple plumage lands next to Kardswann, leaning against his large form affectionately.
"You all will slaughter each other until one remains. They may have the honor of joining us here with all privileges it entails. "
His eyes glint with glee as he waves one hand in the air.
"May the strongest survive..." he says, a form of encouragement for the lambs at the slaughter.
Zoisa's jaw drops when Kardswann explains the game to them, then looks to the others with a concerned look on her face.
"Tell me we're not considering this. We're a team! I like all you guys! Not to mention even I think this is a stupid hiring method!" she whispers to the rest of the group.
Arian snorts loudly. "Seriously? You think a hardened mercenary company is going to come here just to murder each other and get nothing from it? Try again. We'll fight, but I'm not going to stab the people who watch my back in the middle of knife-in-the-back-town. Put one of your own boys on the line."
"Or better bring your sorry ass here! Oh wait. Master chicken wouldn´t do so!"
Zoisa listens to her companions stand up to Kardswann and then looks up to the big man with a grin.
"This is a test, isn't it?" Zoisa calls up to him.
"What good are hired swords if they will stab each other in the back with a rusty knife the minute the offer's presented? And why get only one treacherous sword-arm with great strength, when you can get a gang of them that you know have a bit more integrity than that? We're stronger together than any one of us could ever be alone, and if you want us, you get all of us, or none of us at all! So which is it, o cunning and mighty Kardswann?!"
Kardswann grins as he hears your protests against his generous offer. From his mighty throne, he lifts a dirty sack and shakes it in the air. The unmistakable sound of gold clinking against each other can be heard in every corner of the battle market.
"Then it is time to put this battle stage to use! Honored guests!" he roars, and everyone you can see in the vicinity perks up and looks to the master of Kelmarane.
"I off you 500 gold pieces for each of the stranger's corpses!"
There is a moment of silence before all hell breaks loose.
Kardswann grins as he hears your protests against his generous offer. From his mighty throne, he lifts a dirty sack and shakes it in the air. The unmistakable sound of gold clinking against each other can be heard in every corner of the battle market.
"Then it is time to put this battle stage to use! Honored guests!" he roars, and everyone you can see in the vicinity perks up and looks to the master of Kelmarane.
"I off you 500 gold pieces for each of the stranger's corpses!"
There is a moment of silence before all hell breaks loose.
Faffnyr quickly casts Bless.
Zoisa gives a confident look to Kardswann.
"Respect, large one. If you're determined to go to an early grave, that can easily be arranged."
Then she speaks a few arcane words and disappears!
Arian hefts her polearm menacingly, waving it in a large arc and preparing to cut down anyone who gets too close.
While most of the denizens of the battle market immediately jump to their feet, no one actually rushes the stage. Each one is cautious, wary of you as much of each other.
However, big thudding footstep sound as a large bugbear reaches the edge of the arena and yells out.
"Hurvank the Strangler is here!"
He holds no weapon, but towers over you all as a large creature.
Zoisa slips up to the newcomer to flank him, and then makes a swing with her scimitar, the invisibility breaking and making her seem to appear out of nowhere.
"And Zoisa the Magnificent is HERE!" she crows.
Her swing goes wide, however, undercutting her dramatic entrance.
Arian wastes no time in bringing her polearm to bear!
... also to no avail.
Quickly casting divine favor, Faffnyr prepares for the battle.
Josria quickly cast a spell sending an acid arrow at Hurvank, hoping it would do some damage.
"Nice one, Josie!" Zoisa quips.
Zoisa and Arian both go for physical attacks, but each bounce off the tough ogre skin without finding purchase.
Faffnyr readies the party up with a bit of divine favor to push the odds in their favor.
Josria's acid arrow flies through the and easily finds the massive ogre who winces as the corrosive substance begins to work at its skin.
Hurvank the Strangler moves to attack the gnome, choosing her over the wild fighting style of Arian.
"I will pop you small creature!" he roars ferociously.
Moving in to aid the others Faffnyr slashes at the enemy.
Arian continues to take advantage of her reach, giving her the opportunity to strike at the ogre at the same distance that it strikes back.
Hurvank's punch sends Zoisa spinning, but rights herself quickly.
"That's a mean right hook, ya got there, big man!"
She steps back and summons her magic shield to protect herself.
Unfortunately, her brain being shaken up by that punch addles her casting, and the spell fizzles out. Zoisa swears very loudly in response.
Josria sent another acidic arrow flying at the large Hurvank.
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Round 2
Faffnyr moves in and delivers a quick strike against the orge, its ichor like blood spilling from the wound. As it turns to face her, Arian delivers a follow up strike that ellicits more pain from the monstrous humanoid. Zoisa tries to keep her magic in play but the blow from before has dazed her too much and she loses the magic. Josria prepares another spell attack, and given the ogre's massive size has little trouble hitting it instead of her allies. The acid burns into his skin as he grows more and more furious.
He reaches for Faffnyr to attack.
Josria realizing that they need some backup, summons a golden scaled viper right behind the hulking ogre! The viper rears up and hisses as it readies to strike Hurvank!
Scuttling away from Hurvank, Zoisa attempts to cast her spell again, this time with more success.
Keeping up the pressure, and using the flanking viper, Faffnyr attacks again.
It took a bit but Faffnyr is able to return the attack she just received with a mighty swing of her scimitar Hurvank falls to one knee, breathing heavily.
"That bounty is ours!"
The bugbears you saw drinking at the bar have joined the frey, having finished their drinks and fetched their weapons. They number 3 and immediately split up, one going for Faffnyr, Zoisa, and Josria.
"Can't catch what you can't see!" Zoisa says as she starts casting another spell.
The spell fizzles again, prompting another swear from Zoisa.
Arian moves to support Zoisa, using the reach of her pole arm to good advantage.
Faffnyr attacks again.
Josria steps back and unleashes a raging inferno from her claw tips, while the angelic snake charges at the nearest bugbear and smites the enemy with its celestial fangs.
Arian makes her way to help the panicking gnome and manages to land a nicely sized cut down the bugbear's back. Her second strike is blocked though as the bugbear turn's to face her and black the swing with his morningstar.
Faffnyr lands her attack on the bugbear trying to find a hole in her defense, a quick blow across the head but not enough to down him.
Josria unleashes a torrent of fire and the bugbear that thought her easy prey soon becomes a screaming pile of ash on the floor. Her viper zips over to help Faffnyr and lands a sizable bite on the bugbear's ankle eliciting a snarl of anger.
One bugbear makes a savage swing at Arian.
The other attempt to cave Faffnyr's skull in.
All of you hear excited battle yells as 4 gnolls dressed in roughshod armor and carrying chipped weapons appear at one entrance
They approach from the side with Arian and Zoisa.
Arian shrugs off the bugbear's strike and keeps her polearm at the ready in case of advancing gnolls, even as she jabs at the bugbear once more.
Feeling the pain Faffnyr nearly collapses, but takes a 5foot step back and quickly heals herself.