Walking back into the kitchen and seeing the strong hold Drulia already has over the others girls in the kitchen Dayn nods in approval in the pan weilding girl's direction.
Listening to Samaritha's quip Dayn smiles easily and replies "Yes, well, if there's one thing an Elf's long life teaches one is that we never know what the Gods have in store for us around the next corner."
Stopping once again in area where he talk speak privately with the two he says in a lowered voice "And I must say, I'm very impressed with you two. You've already earned your bonus' as far as I'm concerned, so keep up the good work and I'll see to it that you loyalty, hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed. In fact, I'm going to go speak to Laur or Saul about it right now."
Nodding towards the back door he continues "That there's locked now again, and I'm not expecting anyone else to be coming back that way. So if anyone seems to be trying to, one of you come find Saul, Laur or myself, or some of the guards, as quick as you can. I'll be back soon, so keep that food coming and you'll hardly even notice I'm gone."
And with that, unless he is stopped, he moves back into the main room, looking for one of the partners, preferably Saul.
"We're done here. No hard feelings, Brad. See you gentlemen around." With a jaunty salute, he takes his leave, heading for the front doors.
"Bye, Ol. I'll see the elf gets your message."
Braddon's voice betrays no affection whatsoever. As Oliver leaves, he turns to Tendal."Apparently Saul's elf has been interfering with Shorafa's children." Braddon shrugs. "Aren't they all whores?"
Even as you glance through the staff break room, you can hear the sound of footsteps on the stairs, and shortly thereafter, Saul, closely followed by Bojasc, emerges on his way back to the casino floor. Saul looks a bit anxious but nods to you to join him as he goes. "One of Shorafa's people was seen coming in the front doors," he explains as he leads you back out into the crowd. "We've been trying to lay eyes on him. He wasn't upstairs." He looks around the floor nervously. "The other lads were to check the guest rooms."
"Honestly, I have no idea." Tendal says, frowning, "That elf has been an inconvenience ever since he arrived at the inn. I am certain that he is simply sticking his nose where it doesn't belong, like the bumpkin that he is."
"As you properly received the message from Shorafa, I suggest that you go and pass it to Saul, let him deal with the elf. I plan on returning to the floor to keep an eye out for anything untoward." and with that, Tendal turns and walks back down the hallway towards the casino. As he approaches the doorway, Tendal places index finger and thumb over his eyes and mutters, "Conspectu." igniting his eyes with a dim blue glow.
[ooc]Tendal is going to do another scan of the room, looking for concentrations of magic.
Dayn nods and falls in step with the short human "Alright, what's his name, and what's he look like? I'll go check by the guest rooms. Oh, and all seems clear out back by the way. Both your cooks left, but I got a couple girls to cover things, one that half-elf you were suspicious about, and they seem to be doing a damn fine job of things, all things considered." As he walks away towards the guests he turns back over his shoulder with a grin "Oh, and by the way, I promised all the kitchen girls they'd get a bonus for working under these conditions. You can take it out of the cook's pay."
Saul doesn't look overly pleased by Dayn's initiative. "Those cooks do jobs for Zincher; I'll have to pay them anyway or bring down more on my head than I can deal with right now. But I suppose I could prorate their wages based on the hours they actually worked," he relents, "and split the rest among the girls who stayed. Oliver Bott's his name, a blond-haired tiefling and ex-sailor; bit of a dandy. Remember, we don't want any trouble if we can avoid it." He glances around the room, seemingly reassured by the lack of any sign of panic or disturbance. "I owe the dealers a break; it's in Liry's contract. I'm going to cue Madame Barrabio that it's time to perform."
As Daynadrian approaches the dark guest wing, he sees Tendal coming out and moving in the opposite direction, staring intently into the crowd with a look of concentration, his eyes moving slowly across the room. One of the Hellknights is visible to his elven senses through the dim antechamber in the entrance to the hallway leading to the bedrooms.
As Tendal departs, Braddon mutters mostly to Malkith, "That elf? I've only seen... oh, THAT elf. There aren't others?"
He shrugs and looks over towards the room that Oliver Bott emerged from.
"What's taking that girl so long? The clothes came off fast enough."
He grins at Malkith. "Maybe I should help her?"
Something draws his eye behind Malkith. "Maybe you should help her. Here's THAT elf."
Braddon moves just inside the entrance and addresses Daynadrian quietly as he arrives. "Are there any other elves working for Saul? Only I've got a message for him from Shorafa. Apparently, that elf has been interfering with Shorafa's children. Do you have any idea what that means? It doesn't sound good. And if it continues she's gonna get his son, I think. At least, that's what the tiefling said. He was very pleasant about it. The same way worms are pleasant in mud."
Malkith follows Braddon's gaze to the door, "Passed out drunk. She's likely to cause a scene out on the floor or drag more men back here anyhow. Better off to leave her be." he shrugs, "I'll let Saul know. He can charge her in the morning for use of the room."
He follows the half-elf to meet Daynadrian. He watches as Tendal scans the casino room before disappearing through the doorway, but address the elf. "You have news? We're not going to be doing a very good job of watching for trouble if we're all huddled back here by the guest rooms."
Saul, followed as always by Bojasc, crosses to the room reserved for the night's entertainment and knocks politely before being admitted. After a few moments, he re-emerges and climbs onto the dais at the center of the room. Clearing his throat, he gestures theatrically with his good hand to attract attention. "Friends and honored guests!" he begins, his voice raised above the clamor. "I hope you've been enjoying your night in Cheliax, but now we have an even bigger treat for you. Straight from the opera stages of Egorian, and from devilishly intimate private entertainments of the House of Thrune, Madame Thuvalia Barabbio has been whisked as if on bat wings with a hint of sulfur to regale you with an authentic Chelish aria, the Inheritor's Lament. Gaming will pause for just a few moments as you are carried away to the the very seat of Hell on Golarion, and the cashiers' cage will reopen after Madame Barabbio's performance. I give you Thuvalia Barabbio!"
As soon as Saul begins his speech, Liry finishes the last spin of her wheel and sets the birdcage-like contraption back over Dungo at its center. "Watch it, lads," she warns the surrounding crowd. "He'll snap a finger right off. There'll be more ghoulette when the caterwauling's done." She heads to the bar, like many of the dealers when they've wrapped up their last round; others file out into the courtyard to get some fresh air and stretch their legs. The sour women behind the cashiers' counter disappear into a back room, while the workload of the tiefling waitstaff and the bartender only increase, with no gambling to distract the clientele from food and drink. Most of the casino's patrons stay near the tables, showing only minimal interest in the promised entertainment and holding their places for when the games recommence.
Saul climbs down from the dais and is only partially successful in initiating a round of rather tepid applause to accompany Thuvalia's entrance. She is dressed as a warrior, wearing what appears to be an actual chain shirt with a long scabbard hanging from her belt; a winged eye is painted on the front of her armor in yellow. If she notices the distinct lack of enthusiasm in the room, she does not betray it. Already in character, she stalks across the room, a tragic look of destiny on her face, her eyes fixed in the middle distance. Mounting the dais, she breaks into song. Somewhat to the surprise of anyone who heard her shrieking at the workers earlier in the day, her voice is quite good. The song seems to be sung from the perspective of the nascent goddess Iomedae at the dawn of the Age of Lost Omens, mourning the death of her mentor Aroden. It is plaintive and, like most Chelish arias, a little histrionic. Even some of the Hellknights stop moving through the room and stand still to watch her performance.
One, however, keeps patroling. He is passing directly behind the dais, when he suddenly steps up behind the actress and seizes hold of her, drawing from the scabbard at his hip in one swift stroke a blade that is emphatically not wooden. Her song is cut off in a shriek of terror. "Anyone comes near me or fights back," he shouts in a thick Varisian accent, "she dies! Give us your valuables!" As if only waiting for his signal, one of the other Hellknights rips an ornate necklace off the woman he is standing beside; the other two draw saps and demand jewelry and valuables from those they threaten.
Phillip's idle wandering pauses as Saul and then the diva draw his attention with word and song. The aria in question is not one that he knows, but the voice that gives it flight is passable enough. It is at that time that Phil notices Sarien nearby, and he is just about to call out to him when the situation escalates...
Knowledge (Local):
Malkith listens to Saul give his introduction of the Chelaxian singer before turning back to the conversation at hand. The song that follows drifts into the background of his consciousness until it breaks off into a blood-curdling scream. Turning to see what is happening, Malkith curses in his native tongue, "Gure belarriak harpy baten melodia."
In the common language he says, "I guess we're going to earn our pay tonight," and then to Daynadrian, "Get to the kitchen, we don't want them escaping out the back."
With a calm sense of urgency, Malkith walks out from the behind the bar. He proceeds directly towards the dais, calling out to the Hellknight there, "Zer da etenik honen esanahia?Beraz, inozoak izango litzateke beraiek gaitzetsi inozoak, hala nola, ekintza jakin azpimarratzen dut."
Braddon enters the room and starts appropriating valuables from the guests while working his way towards the nearest Hellknight. He tries to keep his face turned away from the other Hellknights, particularly the leader on the dais, hoping they are more concerned with the clientele than each other.
Braddon moves purposefully into the room, turning away from the dais and brutally yanking a necklace off a woman's throat. It looks like the kind of cheap trinket sailors pick up in foreign bazaars for a few coppers to bring home to their sisters, but it's the thought that counts.
Neither immediately threatened nor having an obvious advantage at the moment, Sarien blends in with the crowd and waits to see what will happen.
The Hellknight on the dais raises his sword to Thuvalia's throat, an obvious threat to the performer's life if anyone gets too close. "Do exactly as you're told, and you'll live to sing another day, she-devil -- as long as no one entertains the idea of being a hero. Azkar!" he calls to his compatriots. "Hartu zer egin ahal izango dituzu, eta egin ditzagun dira desagertu!"
The other Hellknights raise their saps on their chosen targets. "Easier for both of us you give me the rings," one of them grins at the woman he's threatening. "I have to pull them off without your help, it's quicker to use my knife and take the fingers, too." Tendal can see through the crowd that the terrified-looking woman he's menacing is Desiree Krump.
Back in the guest wing, Daynadrian can't see any of what's going on -- but he hears the sudden disturbance, Thuvalia's scream, and raised voices.
Larur Felden appears in the doorway leading to the cashiers' cage. He looks panicked as his eyes search the room, but if he says anything, his ruined voice doesn't carry across the crowd.
Frowning at the affront of the violent interjection of the 'hellknights' as well as mind racing to the potential implications, Phillip looks first to himself. Seeing the half-orc's loom behind him, he declines the invitation to be between a rock and a hard place and withdraws to a place he might more readily watch proceedings a moment...
Stealth:
Taking advantage of the distraction and his handy lack of height, Phil quietly slips behind the copper brazier full of burning coals and crouches down a little. He is intensely aware of the heat radiating from the brazier, which threatens to singe his moustache, but at least he is out of the crossfire.
Gord and his partner, being linear thinkers, follow the last orders they were given, which were to close the doors in case of trouble. With an effort, they push the large paneled doors shut, then stand blinking in front of them, looking around for someone to give them further instructions.
Makith curses in Varisian before saying in Taldane, "I guess we're going to earn our pay tonight," and then to Daynadrian, "Get to the kitchen, we don't want them escaping out the back." With a calm sense of urgency, Malkith walks out from the behind the bar. He proceeds directly towards the dais, calling out to the Hellknight there, "Zer da etenik honen esanahia? Beraz, inozoak izango litzateke beraiek gaitzetsi inozoak, hala nola, ekintza jakin azpimarratzen dut."
The main Hellknight turns his weapon at the woman's throat so that the blade catches the light. "Ziren inguruan aktibatuta bidegurutzean, Vili? Ardura zaitez zeure karabana, edo deabrua Emakume odol zure esku dago."
Liry comes running around the corner from the bar. She skids to a stop when she sees the drama unfolding, but her eyes dart to the ghoulette table and her decapitated partner and meal-ticket.
The clientele has been slow to react, distracted and alcohol-numbed as they are; some of the ghoulette crowd seem to have been under the impression that the interruption was all part of Thuvalia's performance. Reality eventually sinks in, however, and most of the crowd that doesn't find itself near a faux Hellknight starts to panic and break for the doors. Finding them closed and behind a wall of bewildered half-orc, the wave doubles back into the room, desperate for another mode of egress. Some run toward the bar; others push through the swinging doors to the kitchens.
The well-heeled crowd which finds itself the bandits' target is divided between outrage and fear. Krump the tanner's hand moves toward his sword, but Desiree wails "Galen, no!" as she strips the rings off her fingers to hand to the robber. The threatened women near the other Hellknights likewise cooperate. Braddon finds himself offered several cheap trinkets.
Bradden distractedly takes the items thrust at him, but is more focused on peeking to see what the other Hellknights are doing. He works his way along the edge of the crowd toward the dais, half-heartedly looting as he goes.
Ah. Finally, the threat is revealed. Tendal thinks as he watches the sprawling madness.
Hemmed in by the crowd, Tendal looks around for any opportunity to get a better vantage and respond to the threat. His eyes quickly settle on the nearby gaming tab, and he hops up onto its surface, scattering a few chips and markers as he walks across its velveted surface. Seeing a clear angle on the nearest Hellknight, he focuses his will and sends his cane flashing across the intervening distance like a missile.
Hemmed in by the crowd, Tendal takes the direct approach, stepping up onto the gaming table, which creaks and groans in protest, and striding across its baize-covered surface. Spying open floor ahead, he picks up speed and launches himself over the head of an astonished sailor, who ducks at the very last minute to avoid being clipped by fine-tooled boots. As his heels touch the carpeted floor, he releases his cane, which flashes across the room toward the Hellknight and his hostage. "Zer demontre...?" the man spits, as he ducks out of the way of the missile, which snaps back to Tendal's hand as if yanked by an invisible string. Most notable perhaps, to those paying attention, is what does not happen: The Hellknight makes no move to carry out his threat against Thuvalia.
Braddon distractedly collects cheap jewelry as he edges nearer the dais. The Hellknights on the opposite side of the room seem to be dealing in much better goods, having taken advantage of their assignments to pinpoint the most lucrative targets.
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Something draws his eye behind Malkith. "Maybe you should help her. Here's THAT elf."Braddon moves just inside the entrance and addresses Daynadrian quietly as he arrives. "Are there any other elves working for Saul? Only I've got a message for him from Shorafa. Apparently, that elf has been interfering with Shorafa's children. Do you have any idea what that means? It doesn't sound good. And if it continues she's gonna get his son, I think. At least, that's what the tiefling said. He was very pleasant about it. The same way worms are pleasant in mud."
EARLIER:
Dayn listens to the somewhat confusing tale from Braddon, but seems to get it's gist and answers "Yes, that was likely me. I had hired some street rats to be my lookouts tonight. I had no idea they were Shorafa's. Seems I'll be needing to have a little conversation with her sometime soon."Then, frowning, he seems to think of something "This messenger, he wasn't a large or bulky man? More likely of average height and slim build? Nicely dressed, or at least wearing expensive shoes?"
Upon hearing that this messenger, 'Oliver' does indeed fit that description he nods his head "I believe I'll need to be having a little talk with his Olver as well then."
He then fills his two fellow security guards in on the situation in the kitchen "There was some minor trouble, both the cooks up and left and the kitchen girls decided it was time to take a break, all except Samaritha that is. But all's in order now, I but the Scare into them and promoted Samaritha and another girl to run things. They seem to have all well in hand."
He then indicates to the others his intention to check on the 'drunk' girl, suspicious that it may be another one of Shorafa's ploys. Moving into the room he determines as best he can that the girl, the very young girl, does indeed seem to be genuinely intoxicated. Possibly even drugged. "Yes, I Really need to have a little discussion with this Oliver. Taking advantage of a girl this young is just too much, even for Riddleport." he mutters to himself.
Concerned that even this may be some attempt of Shorafa's to cause slander or implication of sordid goings on at the Golden Goblin, Dayn firmly closes the door, trying to see if either of the keys he has will lock it. While doing this, he hears the end Saul's introduction and the beginning of Thurvia's aria and starts heading back towards the main room.
NOW:
Just before he arrives all hell seems to break loose. Hurrying the last few steps, he pauses at the door, observing all that is going on. Instinctively slipping into the shadows, he draws his bow and nocks an arrow, getting a bead on on the Hellnight holding the singer hostage. Moving as unobtrusively as he can, he ends up near Liry. Once in position, the ranger takes aim to get a straight shot at the kidnapper.
Stealth:
MA: move to I-20
As Malkith begins moving towards he leader of the theives and speaking with them in their tongue Dayn has a flash of furious thought 'Has he been in league with them all along??'. Then, when the fool of a fop precipitates things with an attack as ill-aimed as his intentions on one of the Hellknights, Dayn curses the dandy, mentally promising him a kick in the teeth. The perceptive Elf does catch something interesting though as the bandit fails to make good on his threat to cut the singer's throat. Peering closely again, trying to sniff out what's really going on, Dayn holds his breath, lines up his shot, and finally looses at his target.
Sense Motive on Hellknight leader (and Thuvalia or the relationship between them if possible):
SA: Bow shot at Hellknight in O-13:
Damage:
Neither the key to Dayn's own bedroom nor the one to the back door will turn the lock. He has just thought of the key ring Saul carries at his belt and resolved to go retrieve the right one to secure the girl safely behind the door when Thuvalia Barabbio's singing suddenly cuts off in a terrified shriek. Hurrying down the hall, he pauses in the shadows of the room with Desna's statue in the middle to take stock and decide his next move. Taking advantage of the hubbub in the room, Dayn draws his bow and arrow and slinks along the wall to duck into the gents' privy. Partially concealing himself behind the swinging door, he watches events unfold, waiting for a chance at a clean shot.
By the time Braddon has made it past the frilly woman, removing her amulet as he does, Malkith is between him and the Hellknight Leader. Grumbling for a clear run, Braddon is even more put out when Tendal lands in front of him. Braddon draws his sword, winks at Tendal, and hisses just loud enough for Malkith to hear "Lemme charge him."
Sarien continues to delay, waiting for an opportunity to act or get away.
The main Hellknight looks into the crowd to see where the flying cane originated and suddenly seems to notice Braddon drawing his sword. "Itxaron! Nor zara ...?" He glances to his companions on the other side of the room, seeming to perform a quick headcount, then glares back at Bradddon. "If you want your blood on her hands," he growls threateningly, dragging the singer down the steps and toward his fellows, "then by all means come closer! Gure denbora motza da!" he urges the other Hellknights. "Nire atzera babesten!"
The other Hellknights pocket the last of their takings and produce daggers from within their boots, which they hold ready to throw, their eyes on their leader and his hostage. The women they've been looting shriek with terror at the nearness of the blades.
As the hostage scene escalates and the thieves attempt to escape, Dayn holds his breath, lines up his shot, and finally looses at his target.
SA: Bow shot at Hellknight in O-13:
Damage:
"Wait on me, but try and take him alive," Malkith mutters to Braddon before continuing to advance on the leader.
"Hau da nire karabana da, une honetan," he barks at the Hellknight, "Eta horrek esan nahi du emakume hau nire babesean." As he finishes his statement, Malkith reaches out to the woman.
"Vardo là nơi tôn nghiêm của bạn." he says solemnly. Instead of grabbing for her, he merely touches the woman on the arm.
Daynadrian looses his arrow, which finds its mark in the man's upper arm where he is reaching around to hold Thuvalia. She screams in terror and squeezes her eyes shut as the missile comes zooming so near her face. The gaze of the other Hellknights snaps to the elf, but he is too far for their daggers to reach.
With the attention of the nearest Hellknight focused on the other side of the room, the dwarf Larur Felden begins to skirt his way along the outer wall of the room toward the front doors.
Given little reason to risk his own skin, Phillip keeps out of the way... though his eyes are open perhaps for a cache of chips idly left that might be easily lifted...
Perception:
Phillip can spy what look to be some scattered chips at the abandoned golem table near the cashiers' area , although the real treasure trove seems to be at the two high-roller tables the Hellknights are targeting. He sees stacks of chips at several places on those two tables, lying forgotten as the drama unfolds so near, but their owners are still standing over them, albeit distracted by the robbers.
At the closed doors, the two half-orcs scan the room for Saul, wondering what to do next. The other half-orc shrugs at Gord.
"Wait on me, but try and take him alive," Malkith mutters to Braddon before continuing to advance on the leader. "Hau da nire karabana da, une honetan," he barks at the Hellknight, "Eta horrek esan nahi du emakume hau nire babesean." As he finishes his statement, Malkith reaches out to the woman. "Vardo là nơi tôn nghiêm của bạn." he says solemnly. Instead of grabbing for her, he merely touches the woman on the arm.
As Malkith reaches toward their hostage, the nearest Hellknight takes a risky shot, throwing his dagger. The blade almost cuts the ear off a patron at the intervening table but completely misses Malkith, skidding past him on the floor until it snags in the carpet behind him. "Volo, utzi bere, eta atera dezagun hemen!" he cries urgently.
As the missiles start to fly, Liry also takes advantage of the situation to duck her head and run for her ghoulette table, but she is unable to push through the crowd to reach it. "Dungo's in there!" she explains to Tendal, a worried look on her face. "If he gets the chance, he'll ... bite."
The exchange of canes and arrows and daggers has pushed the crowd over the edge into panic. Now that the Hellknights are no longer threatening them directly, the well-heeled crowd by the golem tables makes a break for the doors, which they are disgruntled to find closed and guarded by a quarter-ton of half-orc. As for the crowd around the ghoulette table, Liry's concern is scarcely given voice before they act to bring her fears into reality; with a cacophonous collective cry, they also decide the time is ripe to make their escape, either toward the bar or the front doors, and the table is capsized. The breathless cackle of glee from the vicinity of the floor announces Dungo's protective cover has been knocked off. To the north, Covey Smith, the bartender, has drawn his belaying pin and is trying to coordinate a semi-organized evacuation, helping people over the bar and pointing them down the corrider to the back door.
As Malkith casts his spell, drawing the attention and ire of the Hellknights, Braddon seizes the opportunity to spin past the fleeing patrons . He looks as if he's dragging his bastard sword behind him, but his turn brings it up into both hands and he drives the heavy blade forward at the lead Hellknight, hoping to bring him down before the captive is harmed.
While Tendal is distracted by Liry's importunity, Braddon seizes his opportunity to wheel around and bring his oversized blade to bear on the hostage-taker. The exposed chest of the "Hellknight" armor affords no protection as the tip of Braddon's sword finds the edge of the worked leather and penetrates the Varisian's flesh, deflecting a little off a rib before lacerating internal organs. The man somehow stays on his feet, however, releasing Thuvalia wordlessly as he staggers back toward his companions , sliding off the swordblade and clutching at his wound to try to stanch the bleeding.
As Braddon thrusts past her with the sword, Thuvalia screams, a long, shrill shriek. As the wounded Hellknight releases her, she looks over her shoulder and screams again at the sight of the bloody gash. Stumbling toward Malkith, she falls into his arms, her knees giving way, and holds on tightly, shuddering in fear as she leans into him for support.
With a snarled oath in his native tongue, the Hellknight who stole Desiree's jewelry drops his sap and reaches into his pocket for a small item which he then throws down on the floor in front of him. As it hits the carpet, a thick yellow smoke pours up , accompanied by an acrid smell, hampering the view of anyone trying to see through it.
The southernmost Hellknight retreats toward his fellows and disappears behind the concealing cloud.
Phillip continues to do what he thinks most prudent - keeping out of the line of fire. He has no vested interest to risk here... bar the chip worth 10 gold burning a hole in his pocket.
Brow furrowed and frowning at the chaos, Tendal spots the two orcs standing near the door. Spying an open route, he pushes between two elderly gentlemen, vaults over the bounder table, How appropriate. and as he lands he points at the two Hellknights with his cane as he intones:
"Aspergine Multiplorum Hutesium!" causing a blast of multi-colored light shoots from the end of his cane towards the Hellknights.
The panicking citizens caught in the spray of Tendal's spell immediately fall limply to the floor.
Tendal retcon: Spying an open route, Tendal pushes between two elderly gentlemen, vaults over the bounder table, How appropriate. He finds himself elbow-to-elbow with a man who looks vaguely familiar. Ah, yes, he was at the Publican House this morning. From his new position, he has a clear view of the two Hellknights cowering behind the cloud of smoke, although the intervening crowd and distance leave them too far to attack with his cane.
Daynadrian's line of sight is effectively blocked by the smoke pellet. Leaving his doorway, he sidesteps quickly to get a better angle on the action, nocking an arrow on his bowstring as he moves. He catches a glimpse of the badly-wounded hostage-taker from behind the concealing smoke, but not enough to take a clear shot. Instead, he settles for loosing his arrow at the Hellknight who threw the dagger at Malkith, although the Harrower and his armful of hysterical Chelish actress block the easiest portions of his target. Unable to aim for the exposed torso, the elf nevertheless manages to catch the business portion of his missile in the meat of the bandit's left arm.
Larur Felden manages to work his way farther along the wall but can't make it all the way to the door due to the press of the crowd. He squeezes behind the brazier on the southern side of the doors and waves wildly but unavailingly to get the half-orcs' attention before he lets out a shrill whistle from between his teeth. "Open the doors," he rasps desperately, "before there's a riot!"
The half-orcs shrug and comply, tugging the heavy doors open again.
Phil feels relatively safe ensconced as he is in his place of hiding, and does not feel the need to leave it unless prompted by threat or opportunity. He regards the dwarf's desperate tone with a quizzical look, as he had not felt that the press of the crowd had become o'er tiresome...
Sense Motive:
The Hellknight Daynadrian nicked with an arrow withdraws into Thuvalia's erstwhile dressing room and waits just inside the door. "Bizkortu! Ke ez duela betirako iraungo!" he calls to the other two still outside.
Malkith tries unsuccessfully to detach Thuvalia's clutching hands.
Liry gives a cry of dismay as her ghoulette contraption tips over. "Dungo, damn it! You bite anyone, and it's no dead rats for a week!"[/b] Ducking her head, she slips into the crowd around the crashed table, her eyes on the floor, looking to retrieve her partner.
Seeing the front doors open, the crowd surges for the exit, pushing their way past Gord and his friend and anyone else who stands in their way. The nearest the doors are quick to be through and away, but those who have more floor to cross begin to form a bottleneck at the door. Phillip finds himself swiftly penned in and newly worried about his proximity to the searing brazier.
Braddon charges around the smokescreen, swinging enthusiastically at the first Hellknight he can see.
Reacting to the sudden press as the doors are opened, Phillip realises the precariousness and risk of flame induced pain and seeks to limit his exposure. Calling upon the luck of his blood, he tries to hug the wall and worm his way into a hollow that would give succor from the crush. After all safeguarding his skin was his primal concern, escape or opportunity could always follow.
Phillip extricates himself from a hiding place that was getting a little too warm and tries to stay out from under the feet of the panicking crowd.
Braddon rounds the obscuring cloud to find that the injured Hellknight is just out of reach, sheltered behind his unfortunate ally who dropped the smoke pellet. His sword finds the cut-out torso of the leather armor just as congenial as before; when this bandit slides off the blade, it is into a limp heap on the floor.
The lead Hellknight takes no time to eulogize his fallen companion, staggering back through the door as quickly as possible. "Itxi atea!" he commands. "Bere balentriak abestiak abestu egingo dugu."
As soon as he is through the door, the Hellknight waiting at the threshold slams it shut.
Thuvalia maintains her hold on Malkith, leaning so much of her weight against him that she manages to drag him a few stumbling steps toward the bar. "I feel so faint," she murmurs. "I must sit down... perhaps just a swallow of something...."
The acrid, yellow smoke begins to clear.
"You know, I don't believe that there is a way out of that room. We have them trapped!"
Tendal pushes free of the crowd and dashes across the now empty casino floor, his feet thumping on the carpeted floorboards.