Cherry chuckles and says, "I doubt they are going to have people wearing those silly costumes all the time. This is just a special event to promote the opening. We're only pretending to be infernal ladies of the evening." She glances over at one of the well-endowed waitresses who is doting on a customer with a winning streak and says, "Mostly."
At Orendel's response Dougal opens his mouth and closes it without speaking. Cocking his head to the side and staring at him for a moment, "I am sure the details on how you are legally dead are fascinating. They usually are."
"Huh, go figure. I walk into a den of gamblers and find a bunch of folks looking for honest work. Gambling luck aside, I'd say Abadar smiles on me today." Silvio's spirits seem to have rebalanced to normal again.
Silvio chimes in with his thoughts on Orendel's story. "A legally dead soldier of Molthune? A few weeks ago, I'd have connected you to the Riddleport Gendarmes. If you're an army man, you'd do well there. Lots of mercenary sorts, but you can find a properly disciplined unit or two if you try hard enough. But I've lost my sway there. Anyway, you're gonna have to tell your tale. It's not every day I get to talk to a dead man."
Realizing he's talked himself into a corner a bit, Orendel's countenance falls.
"I was in a battle in the Fangwood, the standard bearer for my unit. We were ambushed by Nirmathi guerillas while on the march. It was...it was a massacre. I barely escaped with my life. No doubt my name's on the list of casualties. If I were to return to Canorate now, all that would await me is court martial as a deserter and a hangman's noose."
He indicates the tattered red cloth tied to his poleaxe.
"I still have our banner...well, what's left of it anyway. I couldn't just let it drop in the dirt and let those bastards take it. I'm sorry, I'm sorry CAN WE TALK ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE, PLEASE?!" he says, trying avoid losing it.
"Maybe you should leave your pole arm at the door," says Cherry. "Honestly I'm surprised the bouncers didn't take it. Usually you can only get a weapon into this kind of place by smuggling it. Where did you hide it?" She cracks a smile to show that she's teasing.
"I leaned on it when I walked in, maybe they thought I needed to walk or something," Orendel snaps.
Appearance // Current Mood: Strong Buzz //
Sliding down the table Sin placed herself directly next to Dougal, "Well I'm happy someone appreciates me." she says, taking another sip of her cocktail. Hearing Cherry's words the priest turns her attention to her and the former poleman."Well I'm gad it's just all a joke. Toying with devils is not something fun to be doing. Also I have to say Mr. Orendel, Milani smiles fondly on your unwillingness to let your banner go. Resist and fight." The small priest accents her final words with an oh-so-confident nod. Waving down another devil tailed server, Sin orders another cocktail, sipping the last of her glass down. "Could I offer a drink to any of you, these are really good.." she says with a large grin, the booze getting to her.
The games continue, and the coin flows and it seems that everyone is more or less having a good time. You occasionally hear the knocking over stools, usually quickly followed by the sound of someone being tossed out the gambling hall.
Honestly, not the worst night you've all spent in Riddleport. But then....
There is thunderous sound behind you all in the center of the room, and as you all look reflexively you see a robed man with stupid looking beard holding aloft a scroll which bursts into flames. Those of you with Arcane training or knowledge may be able to tell what it was exactly but you are all about to feel the effects!
Everyone roll a DC 14 Wisdom Save. On a failure, you are blinded for rounds.
Immediately afterwards, those of you who can see, find six people standing menacingly with weapons drawn.
"All right! Drop to the ground and don't do anything stupid and we might let you live!" shouts the woman with a melodic voice.
Cherry falls over backward in her chair. "Ahh! I can't see!"
Appearance // Current Mood: Eager //
BOOM! Just like that the night took a turn. Sin turns to see the scroll burn up, doing her best to identify the spell cast. Resisting the effects the young priest drops under the table. Hearing the woman's demands the girl feels her heart begin to race. Preying to Milani that she is quick enough, Sin tries to use the crowd and the tables to sneak to the nearest robed figure. Though in her inebriated state, the girl makes quite a bit of noise in the process.
Dougal's eyes widen at Orendel's words Well I did not expect that. "Calm yourself. Please know that I meant no offence. If you do not want to answer any questions you do not have to. I feel bad now. If you want to ask me anything I promise I will answer."
Offering Sin a broad, if slightly forced, smile when she relocates to his side, "I can always appreciate people. But I am abstaining from the drink tonight." Watching her for a moment as Sin moves on to another drink. Opening his mouth and slamming it shut as he turns to the noise.
Making a grab at Sin but missing, "Dammit!" Standing up from his chair and moving so that he is in view of the thieves before kneeling down. Thank Cayden I have that dagger in my boot. Please let it not come to that.
Raising his voice so the thieves can hear him, "Are you sure you want to do this. This room is full of people who are here to have a good time and there are only six of you. Six versus a room of people you just pissed off." Trying no to flinch when his voice cracks a little.
Appearance // Current Mood: Scared // Status: Blinded 5/5rnd, AC: 8,
BOOM! Just like that the night took a turn. Sin turns to see the scroll burn up, doing her best to identify the spell cast. As she focused in on the scroll, her vision began to darken until it was gone completely. The priest stumbles a bit, dropping to the ground and clutching her face in her hands.
The creature cannot see. It takes a –2 penalty to Armor Class, loses its Dexterity bonus to AC (if any), and takes a –4 penalty on most Strength- and Dexterity-based skill checks and on opposed Perception skill checks. All checks and activities that rely on vision (such as reading and Perception checks based on sight) automatically fail. All opponents are considered to have total concealment (50% miss chance) against the blinded character. Blind creatures must make a DC 10 Acrobatics skill check to move faster than half speed. Creatures that fail this check fall prone. Characters who remain blinded for a long time grow accustomed to these drawbacks and can overcome some of them.
Caught by surprise, Silvio finds cover, his hand moving instinctively to his Book to use as a weapon. He looks around for allies, thinking he could coordinate an attack with them. He checks on the bouncers. He also looks to his neighbors - some of them, including Orendel, were fighters after all. But he winces when Dougal calls out to try to negotiate, drawing unwanted attention to their table. Pretty sure they thought of the risks before deciding to rob this casino, he thinks. Instead, he speaks words to organize the group. "If you can see, get ready to fight. Now's our chance to earn our jobs, and the boss's gratitude."
Orendel happens to blink at the right time to miss the blinding flash and upon hearing the threat to the patrons, he leaps to his feet and grips his poleaxe with both hands.
"STAND DOWN!" he barks. "If you want to rob this place, you'll have to go through me!"
Syeira ducks down behind the gambling table, furiously rubbing her smarting eyes. Sweet Song of the Spheres, that hurt! Luckily for the witch, her vision rights itself in short order, and she is relieved to see that her guard of sorts is similarly unimpaired. "Not all of us are here seeking employment, and I'm almost certain that fighting qualifies as 'something stupid'," she points out. "Then again, that woman made no promises that cooperating would keep us alive, so fighting it is. I would suggest taking out the berobed one first, and I'll see what can be done to thin out their numbers," she advises, pulling out a fistful of rose petals from the soft leather pouch at her belt.
Initiative Order:Angvar, Orendell, Thieves, Thuvalia, Sindorah, Dougal, Syeira, Silvio, Gold Goblin Bouncers
[b]Blind timer: 4 rounds left
Two out of four guards were able to save their sight, but the room descends into chaos as half the room complies with the demands of the robbers, and the other half start panicking.
Silvio and Syeira both recognize the spell as Pyrotechnics which caused the blinding light.
Angvar, the magic user, beings to stride up when Orendell's voice barks through the chaos and draws his attention.
"Leave the guards, take care of him first." he orders to the four henchfolk, who were about to attack the two remaining guards.
Orendel begins striding towards the mage.
"I don't know about the rest of you lot, but I'm not going to let an amateur with a spell-stick spoil my evening! Take heart! I've fought greenwood bandits more professional than this lot!" he says, turning his polearm about in his hands and unwinding the banner wrapped around it. Then he swings it to the side and lets the red cloth unfurl dramatically.
"Let's to it pell-mell, and send these dogs TO FRY IN HELL!" he shouts as he dashes towards the ringleader.
Current effective Orendel AC: 15
Orendell surges forward, none of the thieves able to react in time and only stops as his weapon slams into Angvar, sending him flying back, and onto the floor before Thuvalia.
He doesn't appear to be moving.
"A-Angvar...?" Thuvalia kneels before him and touchs one hand to his face. Her head snaps up as she begins shouting orders.
"Triple the pay for that man's head!" she screams pointing at Orendell. She then hefts Angvar onto her back and moves to the door. She turns back and stares into Orendel eyes and sof t melody slips past her lips, a sorrowful one.
Two thieves think it better to try and escape, but the other two in their greed approach Orendel in hopes of claiming the bounty.
Orendel, dazed or not, is able to fend off most of the attacks but a well-placed sap hits him hard in the side of the head.
Everyone but Orendel is up!
Appearance // Current Mood: Scared // Status: Blinded 4/5rnd, AC: 8
Sin begins to hear Orendel charge in to battle, but can't seem to make out exactly what happens. Fear wracks the small priest as she claws out into the darkness. Her hands make contact with Dougal as she pulls herself to him, "I can't see! Please help!" The young girl pleads, fear building in her now worthless eyes.
Flinching when he feels fingers wrap around him. "Sin calm down. Your sight will come back."
We have pissed them off and they may come over here. Dammit and they both are blind. Twisting to look for Cherry, "Cherry you good over there?"
Mumbling to Sin, "Ok love we are going to move over to Cherry."
Assuming Sin lets him Dougal would slowly move the two of them over next to Cherry and keep his place. Looking back out among the violence surrounding that stupidly brave not so dead man.
"Can't see anything," mumbles Cherry in reply to Dougal. "Haven't been stabbed yet, so I'm fine so far."
Silvio feels both shocked and impressed as Orendel stands up and dares the attackers to face him. It occurs to Silvio that he should've done the same. "Too bad for you that man's not alone. Time for you thieves to face Abadar's justice!"
Silvio will charge an enemy, hopefully Thuvalia, and whack her with an iron-bound tome. He aims to capture her alive to face justice.
Her eyes focused on the two men attacking Orendel, Syeira begins to hum the melody of an old Varisian lullaby while her fingers smooth over the velvety rose petals in her hand, as if infusing them with mystical power.
Orendel gets a bit of a sadistic smirk on his face as he knocks Angvar back. He hadn't felt this alive in a while. The moment is lost when he gets clunked in the side of the head. He grunts in pain and turns to the man who did it with an icy stare.
The icy stare quickly melts into a hazy look, as Orendel staggers a bit.
Flinching at the blow to Orendel and watching the next reckless man to rush out there I certainly hope the do not expect that of me. I would be a liability and they would be alone and blind.
Without many options, Sindorah and Cherry stay out of the way and bide their time as Dougal stays in place to defend them should any violence move their way. The blindness has not left them yet, and whether it will before the fight ends remains to be seen.
Syeira calmly begins to cast a spell, but for the moment, must focus all her power into her preparations. There's something old, and chilling about the magic she uses, but there's definitely power there, and anyone taking notice can start to feel it.
Thankfully, Orendel does not have to stand alone, and Silvio surges forward with the same manic pace before slamming the spine of his bound book into Thuvalia. The damage is substantial, almost sending Thuvalia into the same unconscious descent as her husband, but she stands, and not even the threat of the intimidating Silvio stops her retreat.
The two remaining Gold Goblin guards see the man who drew the attackers off them and rush to his aid. No way in hell they were going to let him keel over while they could stand. Both rush to attack one thief, hoping to bring him down quickly.
One guard misses, slamming his short sword into the wooden floor, but the second manages to pierce thief clean through sending him to the floor, bleeding.
Angvar stirs, but does not waken.
Orendel, suddenly in the middle of things doesn't realize as a strange melody grips his mind through his ears. While not completely defenseless, he can't form coherent enough thoughts to order himself to move
The last thief, thick in the frey decides its better not to be greedy and looks around desperately. He spots many blinded patrons and charges for Dougal, thinking of knocking him down and taking one of the two woman hostage to ensure and escape.
Thuvalia looks around, looks at Silvio, and then to her slowing dying husband. She decides to risk a chance. She makes a full retreat. If you can hit her Silvio, she goes down, along with her husband. If you miss, she gets away with her husband, out of the Gold Goblin.
Appearance // Current Mood: Scared // HP: 9/9
Spells: 1st - 5/5 // Active Performance: none (11/11)
Buffs: 0 // Debuffs: Blinded 3/5 rnd, no armor AC=8 //
Sin Could hear the thief coming at them and refused to just be a damsel in distress. She did her best to aim herself toward the attacker, but knew she did not need to be terrible accurate for her spell of choice. "Shield your eyes a moment" she whispered to Dougal as a quick warning, "Milani let them witness our light!" the priest let the magic build in her hands before releasing a blinding flash of light in what she believed to be the attackers direction. She hoped he was far enough away as she was in no position to be casting defensively.
School evocation [light]; Level bard 0, druid 0, magus 0, sorcerer/wizard 0
CASTING
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V
EFFECT
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Effect burst of light
Duration instantaneous
Saving Throw Fortitude negates; Spell Resistance yes
DESCRIPTION
This cantrip creates a burst of light. If you cause the light to burst in front of a single creature, that creature is dazzled for 1 minute unless it makes a successful Fortitude save. Sightless creatures, as well as creatures already dazzled, are not affected by flare.
"Oh no you don't, missy." Seeing the robber woman attempt an escape, Silvio takes another swing.
; .
If Thuvalia escapes his attack, Silvio wants to move and cast Daze to try and stop her, if possible. At the very least, he wants to see where they're fleeing to.
Cherry remains hunkered under the table, hands wrapped over her head and neck.
Orendel winces at the sudden bright light cast by Sin.
The spell complete, Syeira's haunting melody comes to an abrupt end. As the petals begin to fall, one by one slowly drifting toward the ground, the witch draws the first and last fingers of her free hand over the lids of her eyes before pointing those same fingers at the thief who moved against Dougal. "Tu adorm!"
-----
Slamming his eyes closed She gets me killed and I will haunt her! Opening his eyes a heartbeat later and rushing at the would be thief.
Deeply regretting his foolish belief that the people running this event could keep thieves out so he left most of his things at home. Slashing out a dagger and minimal confidence.
Silvio's opportunistic attack unfortunately catches only the edge of Thuvalia's clothing as she darts out of the Gold Goblin with her love.
=====================
Sindorah releases a blinding light, hoping to catch the thief unawares.
And so it does, the thief curses as he is dazzled by the spell.
Dougal rushes forward seizing the opportunity and places his dagger squarely into a vulnerable part of the thief's armor. Its an odd, unforgettable sensation of sinking a blade of steel in a person's flesh. And the howl of pain he's roaring in your ear will make sure you don't forget it for a long, long time.
Syeira's spell finished preparing, she launches it at the last remaining thief an almost imperceptible wave of mental force pushing against the thief's consciousness trying to drown out his thoughts.
And like a wilting flower, the painful yelling of the thief stops abruptly as he slumps over onto Dougal.
Silvio pursues the fleeing couple and as he exits the door, he is surprised by the two thieves that had left had actually positioned themselves on either side of the door ready to surprise anyone who followed their boss out!
With two solid thunks of thick saps knocking you on the head, Silvio falls unconscious outside the Gold Goblin, his last sight, seeing Thuvalia with her husband, and the two thieves fleeing.
Caught unawares by the door guards, Silvio stumbles back into the casino, barely conscious. "Ow, what hit me?" he says, heading back to the others. His head was ringing, and it would take a while to feel better. "Ugh, Syeira, are . . . you okay? I'm . . . I'm here to protect . . ." Silvio stumbles toward Syeira but instead runs into the dice table where they were playing. "I just need a . . . little break." Silvio sits down on the ground, using the table to keep himself propped up.
Stepping back with his hands up and a horrified look on his face. There is just a hint of cooling blood on his fingers. Oh my god! Oh wow.
Taking steps backwards and bumping into the table before crouching down. Sucking in a deep breath before scrambling back to the man and pulling the blade out why mumbling to himself, "Please don't be dead. His fingers shimmer as he watches the blood stop flowing. Oh $hit! Did I just?
Orendel shakes his head to clear it as he sees the would-be thieves retreating.
"Did we...did we win?"
Cherry blinks her eyes several times and finally says, "Thank the gods, it's going away. I can see again." She crawls out from under the table, bumps her head, lets out a simple 'ouch,' then finally stands up. She tugs her demicorset up and adjusts her skirt and says, "And I didn't even get molested! I'd call that a victory."
Orendel gives a disgusted snort.
"If that happens THAT often, I'm sorry. Someone does that to you again, let me know and I'll backhand 'em for you...unless you wanna backhand 'em yourself. That...that works too," he says, blushing a bit awkwardly.
"Not often when I'm behind the bar," says Cherry off-handedly. "Blind in the middle of a melee, though? Perfect opportunity for Mr. Wandering Fingers. Fortunately it seems people were too busy with all the fighting and the shouting and the whatnot." She grins. "People especially seem keen to touch my tail without asking. Fascinates 'em too much. It's kinda annoying but I usually let it slide as long as they don't take it as an opener to something else."
Syeira's triumphant smirk falters at seeing her guardian - for lack of a better term - stumble in from the back alley looking out of sorts. "Easy, easy," she says, reaching out to steady Silvio and guide him towards a chair. When he elects to take a seat on the floor instead, Syeira releases her hold of him and fetches his cup of water instead. "Not to worry; those bumbling fools never laid a hand on me. I'm more concerned about what happened to you. Here, drink."
Once she is certain that Silvio isn't in danger of succumbing to any wounds, her attention moves back to the would-be thief and the other men who stepped in to stop the heist. "If anyone is looking to make a good impression on the boss, now would be the time. That sleeping spell won't hold forever. Would someone bind the thief before he wakes and tries to escape again?"
Appearance // Current Mood: hopeful // HP: 9/9
Spells: 1st - 5/5 // Active Performance: none (11/11)
Buffs: 0 // Debuffs: no armor AC=11 //
After a short moment the priest's vision returned to her. Pulling herself up she made her way to the fallen man's side across from Dougal, and began to pray. "Oh heavenly Rose, let this man breath still, let my words be your vessel to mend his broken body." And so on. Her hands began to glow golden as she prepared to cast cure light wounds in the even the stabilization was successful, otherwise, her prayer shifts to asking for the man to pass on in peace.
Jostled from his thoughts when Sin joins him at the side of the man he may or may not have killed. The normally vast and colorful world is so very narrow. "Thank you Sindorah."
Silvio decides he needs to get out of his state of stupor. He prays that Abadar restore him to health.
Suddenly he feels much more like himself. "That's better."
-Posted with Wayfinder
As the danger seems to be dying down, the once fearful crowd begins to grow angry. Several even start approaching the man that Sindorah is healing, who is very much still alive. Though if the crowd has their way with him, not for long. After all, crime in Riddleport while usually all business, can sometimes get personal.
But before the crowd can finish what Dougal started, Saul Vancaskerkin is back. He quickly explains to the crowd, who is now demanding refunds (probably to make up for their current losses) that he will let everyone cash out at 110% of their current chip value. And while this doesn't sit well with most, its probably the best most are going to get so with that most if not all the crowd departs, a couple of larger folks hauling the now bound and gagged thief off to the law. Unfortunately for Saul, it seems a lot of the newer staff was scared off as well and so not many bodies remain when the crowd clears.
However, he has had a word with you mentioning something about a reward and possible opportunities if you'd be willing to stay around for drinks. On him, of course.
Not bothering to get off of his knees while half listening to the roar of the furious crowd. That man is gonna die for this. which is normal but there is blood on Dougal's hands. He just sits there staring at it not really paying any attention to anything else.
Orendel takes a seat as they wait for Saul.
"Well. It looks like my luck might finally be turning around. Won at the table AND it looks like some positions just opened up. It's like they say: Aim high, plan well, and strike while the iron is hot. For unprepared metal shatters under the hammer's blow."
He rubs his temples a bit to clear his aching head.
"Shouldn't have lost my helmet on my way through Varisia."
"If things are looking up like you say, you can always get a new one. Or just a leather cap in the meantime, maybe," says Cherry.
She takes a chair and leans over to pat Dougal on the back. "Hey. Hey, you aren't the first guy to shank someone in self-defense, and you won't be the last. You'll get through it. C'mon, lemme buy you a drink."