"Isn't none of your business. Get gone so we don't have ta make you gone." They begin advancing, starting to swing their saps.
The two thugs exchange a look, then shrug. "Job's a job." They charge!
Initiative!
Round 1:
25 Kurvast
17 Karos
11 Quinton
7 Hagrym
4 Rekgar, Thugs and Unknown
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"Ah, a challenge is it! What fun. Reminds me of the time I had to face this horde of orcs that wanted to make their way through a mountain pass. I'm sure this will go just as well!"
The Taldan knight assumes a ready stance and waits for them to approach. As one nears, he whips his sword from his sheath and in a single movement sweeps it across the alley at the nearest attacker.
Karos fires, his shot hitting the first thug in the chest and sending a spray of blood to the sky as the thug falls! Hagrym charges the next one, who is cut viciously and stumbles a few feet to fall as Quinton finishes him! From atop a nearby shack you hear the woman from the alley's curse, then the sound of her hitting the ground and taking off into the maze of alleys and streets beyond.
Each of the now unconscious thugs has a potion of cure light wounds, a tanglefoot bag and 23 gold on them. A few moments after the thugs are stabilized and the fight is over, the female halfling creeps out cautiously. Seeing as the fight is over, she whistles in a high pitched whistle and several halflings and human children come out of the woodwork, literally. The halfling woman nods at you. "You're friends of the burnt one, I take it. That woman was not; I'm Naleth Hundredfingers. Tell Torch this: "The Red Mantis are searching Eto for a scarred man." You have my thanks for taking these mongrels down. I think the woman will flee now, she's a spy for the Mantis."
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Sir Quinton starts to speak and then stops suddenly. He starts again and stops once more. Finally, on his third attempt, he gets the words out.
"Red Mantises? That's ... worrisome. They're fearsome assassins, and not anything we should mess with. I don't know if we should try to question these two, or are better off to simply take our leave of them as quickly as possible and let Torch know of the threat. He did say to resolve of any loose ends, though."
The knight pulls at his mustache nervously as he considers, looking around at his companions.
Naleth nods. "We'll see to them." She says with a note of finality.
Leaving Beggar's Alley behind, you head back to the White Uraeus as night falls over the desert town. Once again the half-orc meets you and escorts you in to see Torch. He's lounging in a bath tub, soaking up to his chin in it with his eyes closed. He looks at peace, though his eyes open as you enter.
"My, my. Look who's returned. Have you performed my tasks?" he says in his mocking voice.
Torch nods slowly. "Of course, I always honor my deals. First the information and items I requested, then the payment." He nods to the half-orc who steps forward to take the rod if offered.
Torch mulls over the information for a moment before again nodding to the half-orc who hands you a scroll case. Inside are several parchments. One is a map of Osirion, clearly marking Eto and an unnamed site to the north. The second map has a much smaller scale and marks the route between Eto and the mystery location. The last sheet has a charcoal drawing that depicts two large rock outcroppings connected by a smooth wall with a single gate. It is entitled “Seeker’s Folly” and signed “V.L.”
Once the PCs have had an opportunity to review the papers, Torch explains, “Those will take you where you want to go. Deviate from the path only if you know what you’re doing. Otherwise, stick to the landmarks.” He pauses to consider another thought. “Normally this is where I would say ‘pleasure doing business with you.’ However,” he adds with a grisly grin, “I’m going to throw you something extra for free—just because I’m such a caring individual. You’re not the only ones who know about that site. I hear a group of foreigners set out from Totra not too long ago and are after the same prize. Sounds like there’s no time to waste.”
Alright cats and kittens, the gameplay thread for Part 2 is up!
Kurvast, go ahead and roll your day job check here and proceed to the next round!