"I wouldn't mind ... But we better write a dam watertight contract - and specify how many games we are in..."
"I wouldn't mind ... But we better write a dam watertight contract - and specify how many games we are in..."
"Good point. lets definitely add that."
A runner? What runner? Sparel turns and tries to command some nearby random guy, who promptly turns, spits on the ground at Sparel's rudeness and walks away.
"What an insolent creature! No respect for its betters! Imp-excrement!" Lu glares after the random guy - gravely insulted by the fact that he didn't jump to serve them. Her knuckles turned to white as her grip on the hilt of her sword hardened, but she resisted the urge to jump to bloodshed. They had just established that they would have some on their terms - it was the wrong moment to jump ahead."Noh, I zink we have to walk down ourselves! *Sigh*"
"That was an unnecessary response."
Spare looks quizzically at the man. His look is cold and calculating, though not really offended. He's in a strange land with strange customs after all. Perhaps it was some strange compliment, though he doubted it. Perhaps I should vaporize him to establish dominance with the others. perhaps not. It's probably not worth trouble with the locals. We do need to establish good relations.
Sparel look away from the man and around the room. Surely there is a servant or official he could send a message with to the local magistrate. If not he'll simply head down to talk to the Kitsune and see if there's anyone of authority there to speak to.
Sparels gaze finds the little Mephit
"I need you to find someone who will deliver this while we go talk to the Kitsune for possible sponsorship. You can read the letter if you like so you know who it might need to go to."The letter spells out what we're offering to do and the criteria of our agreement in as diplomatic language as possible. Also, it promises to be a very impressive show worthy of bard song for centuries to come.
"I cant wait to get started in these arena fights. Its been too long since ive gotten to fight" says Praetorius with smile on his face that is reminiscent of a man about to eat a feast.
Keiko sits in her cell, feeling a slight sting as her wounds finish mending themselves. She rolls a shoulder, resulting in some popping sounds. I wish I could have killed that damn thing... I might have to come back here later to do that. In the meantime, I ought to be looking for a way out of here... Keiko sets about once more examining her cell for any flaw she might exploit, any hole a smaller creature could fit through (As she could turn into a Small animal). In her boredom (assuming she finds no means of exit), she turns into a bird for a bit, flapping around the cell, and then settles into the form of a young Shrine Maiden and sits down to plot future escapades.
The mephit shrugs at Sparel's request and points out across the stage, to a large box intended for very special observers. "You want to sponsor a fighter, you go talk to the Lord of the Arena. City is not one big entity, will be difficult to find one of the Lord's servants here other than a guard. Guard's job not to deliver messages. Servants of lords other than the Arena Lord not going to deliver him messages."
"You can just go down to the dungeons if talking to the cat-person is what you want."
And indeed, below Keiko finds no way to escape her cell as a Small creature. Maybe with teleportation or by being much smaller, she could escape through a set of crevices...
The mephit shrugs at Sparel's request and points out across the stage, to a large box intended for very special observers. "You want to sponsor a fighter, you go talk to the Lord of the Arena. City is not one big entity, will be difficult to find one of the Lord's servants here other than a guard. Guard's job not to deliver messages. Servants of lords other than the Arena Lord not going to deliver him messages."
"You can just go down to the dungeons if talking to the cat-person is what you want."
And indeed, below Keiko finds no way to escape her cell as a Small creature. Maybe with teleportation or by being much smaller, she could escape through a set of crevices...
"Gotta love lawful immortal societies." Sparel mumbles to himself.
Sparel will walk to the lord of the arena (LOTA) as he thinks to his friends, [i]"Please stand behind me and look intimidating."
I assume i'm stopped by some sort of servant or guard just short of the LOTA.
"I have an offer to make his..." Sparel realizes he's not sure what the correct title is and settles on "...Lordship."
Keiko assumes the shapes of various Small animals - A snake, a large rodent, and so on - in attempts to squeeze through. Eventually she grows tired of this and returns to sitting in shrine-maiden-form, just thinking and waiting.
"'Look intimidating'? Lu thinks back as they walk towards the special box. "I can do zat..." Bit harder in this fragile form, but eh.
"Ill try but outsiders seem to be much less afraid of vampires that are only 6ft 6"
"Don't worry. We are just ze right height to turn zeir knees and heirlooms into fine dust." Lu chuckled, despite the fact that she was a feet shorter then Prae.
The Lord of the Arena is quite a sight to see. Clad in what appears to be (but must obviously not be, due to the efreeti's hot body) glittering gold full plate armor, he sits on a throne fifteen feet above the ground level. Two massive horns curl skyward from either side of his head, and what visible skin he has glows with veins of what appears to be magma. Massively muscular, he chuckles occasionally at the current fight happening in the arena (an underwater fight between a school of merfolk and a massive shark apparently made of shadows).
The chamber that the Lord sits in is just as opulent as his wear, which includes pendants and amulets, bracelets and anklets, all made of mithril and diamond. His chamber is an arched dome with a massive magical screen on one side that reveals the arena from, apparently, whatever angle the Lord deems fit. Several efreeti guards float in the air directly above each of two ten-foot-high doors on either side, and it is these guards who move to stop the pirates as they enter.
Intrigued by Sparel's offer, the floating guard gets the attention of the Lord, who takes two cries of, "My Lord!" to direct his attention away from the magical screen.
He looks down at the pirate party, his eyes flashing entirely red. Power and heat radiate from him, and his voice vibrates with weight when he speaks. "What would you have from me, mortals?"
"Snotty critter! I have shown more then one Devil back home the misguided folly of dividing between mortals and 'immortals'. But they do beg so poetically pathetic in the end ..." Lu's thoughts drip across the telepathic bond like acid, but her expression remains calmly neutral. There was no sense in provoking this creature - not yet - while it was still useful to them!
Spare stands in ever the majestic pose with his companions striking equally statuesque visions just to each side of him.
"My companions and I wish to challenge your arena. We will provide you with a show such as you've not seen in centuries. Our terms are simple. My group (indicating his companions with a gesture) plus one of the current gladiators of our choosing versus whatever you want to throw at us. One grand battle, the specifics of which are for you to decide, winner take all. If your combatants win you have three new and very impressive gladiators, though clearly if this comes to pass not as impressive as we may have believed. (Spare smirks) If we win then we all go free, including the yet-to-be-named gladiator. Also, we want unlimited access to purchase what we wish from the city for as long and as often as we wish to be consumers. Oh, (Sparel adds almost as an after thought) and any spoils taken during combat, naturally. What say you?"
"And what reason," booms the Lord, "Do I have for giving you what you want? This is highly suspicious to me - very few ever request to be taken captive and placed in highly dangerous situations, after all." He smiles, revealing too many sharp and immaculately white teeth. "Especially given that you are very likely altogether too weak to challenge even my weakest warriors."
He leans forward on his knees, craning his neck to get a little bit closer to the characters. "And who is this gladiator you wish to fight alongside? One of your friends, taken when he wandered too far into a forbidden zone?"
"Ze kitty-kat. I always wanted a kitty-kat, but mother said she was allergic. Now I have ze chance to get one. So I shall have it." Lu leans in and meets the Lord's smile with a somewhat deranged one of her own. After a short tense moment she leans back again and chuckles, jabbing a pointed finger at the closest of the Lord's guards. "I could ... carve up one or two of your grunts, if it would make you feel more comfortable about ze spectacle, yes?"
"I need a powerful scroll and I don't feel like going to the ends of the bloody multiverse to 'prove my worth' in order to be deemed worthy enough to buy the damned thing. The cities political machinations are daunting. We agreed that we'd rather take the direct route through the fighting pit. in regard to our fighting skills, well, looks can be deceiving. Either my companion can provide a small demonstration on your guards. ... "
Sparel looks around a moment and points at one casually as he leans over to Lu and says calmly, "Perhaps start with that one."
Then back to the Lord " ...or you can take your chances. We're bargaining and I wouldn't want to play our hand in it's entirety just yet. The mystery is part of the fun is it not? And finally the gladiator. I assure you none of them know us. We've simply been watching and there is one that intrigues us. Besides, it'll add to the excitement of the crowd to have a wild card. Your announcer would have all kinds of material with which to whip the crowd into a frenzy."
Slight pause then Sparel continues, "As mentioned we're the direct type. I wouldn't want to waste your time or ours. Are you intrigued by the offer or should we prepare for our bloody trek across the multiverse to prove our worth to some government functionary? Personally, i'd rather prove myself in the pit than be some lackeys errand boy."
"Zat one? But he looks so whimsy. I don't zink he'll put up any fight ..." Lu protests with a bloothirsty grin.
"Zat one? But he looks so whimsy. I don't zink he'll put up any fight ..." Lu protests with a bloothirsty grin.
"Dealers choice then. " Sparel says offhandedly.
"Radazik," says the Lord of the Arena, offhandedly. He waves at one of his guards, who stands to attention with his scimitar. "Kill this one." he explains, pointing at Lucrecia.
"Sir!" says the efreeti, before drawing a massive, scalding-hot falchion and charging Lucrecia.
Lu is caught off-guard despite her bravado and is slashed over her shoulder with the scalding blade. Blood drips down into her mithral armor and the wound is seared.
"Ooh! Fighting dirty! Zis was such a long time ago ... Let's try zat again yes?"
Lu gives the guard a quick salute with her sword and quickly jabs forward, assuming a defensive stance. With a nonchalant glance at her wound Lu waves her free hand invitingly at the guard, daring him to take another shot!
Beaufort returns to Trisiphione later in the evening after having completed his investigations. They meet near the outskirts of town, near where Beaufort landed the gyrocopter.
"So, it seems this place was attacked a few days ago. A ship packed with ghouls and zombies landed on the shore and spilled out its cargo, killing a few dozen before some visiting pirates and the town's guards destroyed the ship and its denizens. Ghoul fever was a concern, and a few more townsfolk were lost." Beaufort strokes his chin thoughtfully. "Apparently this wasn't the first attack. There have been two or three more on other small towns around the Shackles. Always apparently-sunken ships and full of aquatic undead. So far, suicide missions."
"It might be a good idea for me to fly back to the Good Intentions and get Belor and Vimes in on this. What do you think our next move should be, though?" He looks to Tris for guidance, fingering his massive double hackbut nervously. "I'd thought I'd had enough of undead." he sighs.
Initiative
Sparel stays wary and watches his surroundings, but otherwise gives Lu the floor. She should be able to wipe the floor with this guy easily enough. He'll jump in if she seems to be having trouble.
Inititive
Praetorius pulls out his greatsword readying an attack if anyone else approaches him or sparel.
A bored necromancer or someone with a chip on their shoulders in regard to the pirates? Hmm. One of the captains should undoubtedly hear this. They *should* have an easier time figuring this out. Pity the handsome one left ... *sigh* Tris nods and listens to Beauforts report, silently. Had these events occurred back home, she might have been worried. Now, she couldn't help but wonder if it was their problem really. Might be, people could be unwilling to leave their homes if they are at risk. If we put it to an end, recruiting a crew with high morale would be so much easier. And, whomever does this must possess significant power. Power that could be useful in my hands ...
"We should ... inform the Captain." Tris paused and looked back at the city. After simply staring into the distance for a while, she continued with a chuckle. Already fed up with the undead Beaufort? "He will have to decide if we are to deal with the *other* undead menace. I shall approach our crew prospects and gauge their willingness to enlist."
The efreeti laughs as he bats aside Lu's ineffectual swipe with her rapier. "I will enjoy destroying someone so beautiful and fragile in form." he snarls as he swings again with his falchion.
Frustrated as he clangs against Lucrecia's impenetrable guard (how could such a small creature parry his blows so easily!) he unleashes a pair of fire rays from his eyes at Lucrecia.
Both of them miss, as the nimble swashbuckler sidesteps and ducks past them both.
Initiative:
Lucrecia - 25
Sparel - 24
Efreeti - 17
Praetorius - 14
"Ooh, compliments! Why zank you..!"
Lu dashes up closer to the Efreeti and unleashes a flurry of swift strikes - two solid hits and a third that just manages to slip by the guards guard. The dull adamantine tip of Wither sinks into the red flesh, drawing blood and leaving acid in its wake.
"... but Radazik, you are too slow! Step up - FASTER!"
Sparel watches on with interest confident he already knows the outcome.
The efreeti shifts backwards, just out of Lucrecia's reach and unleashes four rays of fire this time - two from his eyes and two from outstretched fingers. There is a look of desperation in his eyes.
Despite his attempt at increased firepower, not one of the four rays hits. Lu dodges and weaves back and forth, even interposing her blade in the way of one of the rays.
Initiative:
Lucrecia - 25
Sparel - 24
Efreeti - 17
Praetorius - 14
Sparel continues to look smug. It comes very naturally.
"Zis was step *back* Radazik..."
Lu taunts and follows the Efreeti. She couldn't help but saviour the look on his face - there was something special about outsiders and their sudden insight in their own mortality! Almost tasting the sweetness of victory, she switched to a more aggressive stance as the last of the four streaks of fire soared above her guard.
"... but still..."
Swiftly Wither darted forward and the now crimson blade buried itself in the stomach of the guard. The corrosive edge sizzled at it raced trough the flesh, stopping only when the hilt slammed into the skin.
"... to slow!"
Lu quickly twisted her rapier and pulled it free, only to ram it back into a spot a few inches higher. The eyes of the creature glazed over and she grinned in triumph. A gentle nudge from her free hand sent it toppling over backwards, freeing her blade as it did.
( )
( )
With a flick of her wrist she sent the majority of the blood clinging to her sword to the ground and walked around the fallen warrior, planting a boot on his chest as she reached it. Gently she placed the tip of her rapier where she suspected the heart lurked, drawing a small tickle of blood. Quizzically, she looked up to the Lord of the Arena and asked.
"So, do you want to keep zis ..." she gestured with her free hand towards the downed man. "... or should I take care of it?"
Sparel also turns to the Lord of the Arena,
"Are you not entertained?" Sparel says placidly.
A bored necromancer or someone with a chip on their shoulders in regard to the pirates? Hmm. One of the captains should undoubtedly hear this. They *should* have an easier time figuring this out. Pity the handsome one left ... *sigh* Tris nods and listens to Beauforts report, silently. Had these events occurred back home, she might have been worried. Now, she couldn't help but wonder if it was their problem really. Might be, people could be unwilling to leave their homes if they are at risk. If we put it to an end, recruiting a crew with high morale would be so much easier. And, whomever does this must possess significant power. Power that could be useful in my hands ...
"We should ... inform the Captain." Tris paused and looked back at the city. After simply staring into the distance for a while, she continued with a chuckle. Already fed up with the undead Beaufort? "He will have to decide if we are to deal with the *other* undead menace. I shall approach our crew prospects and gauge their willingness to enlist."
Beaufort begins to prepare the gyrocopter for flight. "Alright, Tris. I'll go talk to Belor about this. I'll be back in a day or two. Good luck, yeah? Find somebody to send us if you need anything."
He gets into the drivers' seat of the gyrocopter and pulls a few levers, and straps himself in. "You mind turning it around and pushing it until the rotors get up to speed? I know you're strong enough."
The efreeti Radazik is easily vanquished in just a few seconds by Lucrecia, which prompts the Lord of the Arena to chuckle a little bit. "I had no idea that my guards were so inadequate." he grumbles, before motioning a thumbs-down and allowing Lucrecia to finish off his guard. "Let that be a warning to the rest of you. Keep your skills sharp and know your place or you join Radazik." he says to the rest of his guards before leaning forward again to face the party.
"Let's say I did allow you to join the arena under those circumstances. You would only fight once? Would you prefer to fight to the death or to an objective?"
"And if you lose... I get to keep you, yes?"
"Let's say I did allow you to join the arena under those circumstances. You would only fight once? Would you prefer to fight to the death or to an objective?"
"And if you lose... I get to keep you, yes?"
"We fight once for this arrangement. If we fight again we negotiate as free men and women. Though, I might be open to it depending on what you offer for a rematch."
Sparel considers the other questions a moment before continuing.
"The death or objective." Sparel says as a question to himself."I do prefer the direct route of 'to the death,' but an objective could be fun. It reeks of trickery, but could be fun." Pausing for consideration. "I have no problem leaving that decision to you. Though if my companions have a preference I defer to that."
At the last question sparel simply says, "That is the agreement."
"You are most gracious my Lord"
Lu bows gracefully to the noble Efreeti and smiles. With her feet she pokes the downed but unfinished guard and raises an eyebrow at Sparel.
"Could you heal zis? His Lord didn't need him anymore - and he can't swab the decks if he bleeds out, noh?"
I rather die then serve, but I doubt he would let something as simple as death prevent him from collecting his debt ... Either one shall do for me! Lu sends across the mental network. With a grimace she conjures a red handkerchief from her pocket and starts cleaning her blade. Bleh. And 'people' eat this?!
With a sour look Tris crossed her arms and glared at the pilot. When he didn't relent (probably because he might actually *need* a little boost to get up!) she sighed and did as he asked. So much for secrets ... With another grimace she heaved and dragged the flying machine around, then shifted to pushing it. When the damned thing was finally in the air and flying away, Tris spent a good five minutes just standing and watching it go. Well, it is quite fascinating. I'll give it that! Then, she turned her back and walked back towards the port, using a Prestidigitation spell to clean up her messy dress and hair. Once back, she headed for the tavern to see if she couldn't gather a bit more information on the crew.
"You are most gracious my Lord"
Lu bows gracefully to the noble Efreeti and smiles. With her feet she pokes the downed but unfinished guard and raises an eyebrow at Sparel.
"Could you heal zis? His Lord didn't need him anymore - and he can't swab the decks if he bleeds out, noh?"
I rather die then serve, but I doubt he would let something as simple as death prevent him from collecting his debt ... Either one shall do for me! Lu sends across the mental network. With a grimace she conjures a red handkerchief from her pocket and starts cleaning her blade. Bleh. And 'people' eat this?!
Sparel responds "Outsiders can be tricky to bring back once they pass. Their bodies and spirits work differently than Primes."
"Speaking out loud"
Mental communication
Simply thinking
"Ahh. I see now. to the victor the spoils. "
Sparel channels a minor healing spell and touches the fallen outsider.
The Lord if the Arena looks a little bit confused at Lucrecia's different interpretation of his command, but then smiles, revealing his wide and sharp teeth. "Ah yes. You're claiming the loot from your victory, I see. I'm sure you'll find Radazik a puny, if order-following guardsman."
Sparel's hand burns from touching the efreeti, and his healing spell isn't powerful enough to wake the thing up. The burn stings, but the efreeti is stabilized and won't quite die.
The Lord of the Arena contemplates for a few moments. "I'll have you put up in some small rooms while we ready the Arena for your battle. Who is your fourth? I can have them moved so that you can strategize."
"And I will have Radazik banished from this Plane. It may get him out of my sight a little bit faster."
Below, in the dungeons, an efreeti guard (or four) come to fetch Keiko. "Seems some people want to risk their life for you," your jailer says. "You're being moved to different accommodations. You'll be entering in another battle soon, too."
With that, they bring you upstairs, out of the dungeons, to another room with much more sumptuous arrangements. Cushy couches, mahogany tables, a large window with a view of the Arena...this is a very nice viewing lounge, presumably for wealthy Arena patrons. A chest, large and bound in steel, sits in the center of the room.
The efreet toss you into the room and lock the door behind you. "Stay here until your patrons get here." they command.
Inside the chest, you find all of your belongings.
"My lord!" Lu bows again. "May I ask to borrow a holding cell for said 'loot' while we compete? Should we fail, he would be yours to deal with again by extension - should we succeed, I rather not go chasing it..."
The Lord of the Arena contemplates for a few moments. "I'll have you put up in some small rooms while we ready the Arena for your battle. Who is your fourth? I can have them moved so that you can strategize."
"the Kitsune."
Spared says flatly.
"I take it you agree then? Shall I write up something official or is verbal sufficient as we have many witnesses? If we win we show how formidable we are. I suspect keeping us in your good graces is sufficient encouragement to keep to the agreement, but I'm happy to write it out as needed. Also, how long do you need to prepare the arena? We can wait until tomorrow if you need. "
Keiko rushes over to the chest and quickly begins donning her gear. She lets out a sigh of relief as her Major Ring of Fire Resistance slides onto one of her (still small human) fingers. No more burning. No burning. Once fully decked out once more, she looks around her new accomodations with an approving nod. Much more befitting the likes of me.
Keiko walks over to gaze out at the arena. Idly she shifts back into Nogitsune-form and traces a claw lightly along the glass as she looks out, contemplating her next move.
"Very agreeable. Thank you for your business. Your new servant shall be transported to your room as soon as I am done with him." says the Lord, looking critically at his failed guard. "Men, escort the gladiators to their quarters."
Eight efreeti janissaries emerge from... you're not quite sure. But they emerge, and they escort you out of the throne room. As large stone double doors close behind you, you hear the sound of powerful magic and the efreeti guard, Radazik, yelling.
The janissaries lead you down several hallways, up some stairs, and to a simple stone portal, a rune on its front. One of the guards touches his badge of office to the rune, and the stone door rolls to the side.
Inside is an elegantly appointed viewing room, an open and empty chest, and a fox-headed humanoid tracing a claw along a large window that dominates the far wall. The view of the arena is boring - it's lit with soft gray lighting and consists of a simple tiled grey stone floor. It appears that when not in use, the arena isn't much of anything.
The janissaries push the three of you into the room and close the door behind you.