It looked worse than the rumors.
The gray, weather-beaten wood of the town walls gave the town a defeated appearance. The surrounding farming villages, and the few weary folk in them had looked much the same way, but that was expected. Redwall had once been a major stop for caravans travelling between Sal Kavun and the elves and dwarves to the north. That was common knowledge. The rumors of Redwall's decline, though, were considered to either be gross slander or greatly exaggerated. The rumors turned out to be understating things. The guards at the gate sneered at any who entered. The people in town seemed to be hunched by the weariness, the sheer bleakness that seemed to radiate from every street and alley.
Those that weren't looked like they were on the hunt. Looking for some one to rob, or kill, or worse. Most of those seemed to hang around the few taverns and inns that lined the main way that lead from the town gates to the blackened walls of the keep in the center of town. Whether by luck, design, or foreknowledge, you have arrived at a small inn called the Sleeping Leopard.
The Sleeping Leopard's main floor is dominated by the common room. At the back stands a bar and shelves that are on the verge becoming bare of liquor. The weary barkeep gives you a nod as you walk in. He calls out for one of the two young women to serve the new guest. A door to the kitchen lies to the left of the bar and a staircase sits to the right. Several stools line the bar, and a half-dozen tables are scattered throughout the room. A small fire crackles in the hearth to the left, with a sleeping snow-leopard curled up in front of it. Three dirty men in ragged clothes sit at a table on the right side of the room. They have a good view of it especially the front door, the stairs, and the leopard. they give anyone who comes in with a hard glare.
As you take a seat, a brown-haired serving girl walks up with a pleasant smile.
"Welcome traveler! What can I be gettin' for ye."
The road has been taxing on Malcom and he is exhausted, dirty and has been surviving on a small diet of bread and cheese while traveling. A good nights sleep in a bed would be a huge comfort to camping outdoors every night.
"Preparations for a room would be nice. I plan on staying the night. I'd like to start with a hearty meal and a beer first though. A hot bath would be nice too if its available."
:)
Gurni settled heavily into his seat, smiling back at the glares sent his way by the group of three in the corner. Once or twice he met their glances with a invitingly-raised eyebrow.
Bah. No brawling before I've finished me first brew...
At the serving girl's query, he answered "A mug of your finest, dearie, and be quick about it. If you have nothing fine, something cold will do."
He leaned back, wondering for not the first time what this whole gathering was about. Hell of a gloomy town for a party. I've seen whipped dogs that look more friendly.
The quiet man sat in the corner shrouded in shadow with the hood of his thick cloak pulled low over his eyes, the steam from his untouched cup of tea floating towards the ceiling. He looks up noting each patron as the enter the bar.
The road has been taxing on Malcom and he is exhausted, dirty and has been surviving on a small diet of bread and cheese while traveling. A good nights sleep in a bed would be a huge comfort to camping outdoors every night.
"Preparations for a room would be nice. I plan on staying the night. I'd like to start with a hearty meal and a beer first though. A hot bath would be nice too if its available."
The girl disappears into the kitchen and comes carrying a steaming bowl of stew and passes the bar to grab a tankard of beer and talk to the barkeep about a bath. The smells of venison and rich hearty vegetables entices you as barmaid sets the bowl before you. The beer though, doesn't seem to be nearly as appetizing.
"Lemme know if ye be needin' anything."
Gurni settled heavily into his seat, smiling back at the glares sent his way by the group of three in the corner. Once or twice he met their glances with a invitingly-raised eyebrow.
Bah. No brawling before I've finished me first brew...
At the serving girl's query, he answered "A mug of your finest, dearie, and be quick about it. If you have nothing fine, something cold will do."
He leaned back, wondering for not the first time what this whole gathering was about. Hell of a gloomy town for a party. I've seen whipped dogs that look more friendly.
Another serving girl comes out of the kitchen. She looks about and the surprise is apparent on her face. This one wears a similar outfit to her counterpart, a rough skirt, a loose shirt, and an apron. From the flush in her cheeks it is clear that she was the one cooking. She gets Gurni's order and comes back with a tankard of dwarven stout.
"Anything else ye be wantin'?" she asks before going off and getting Kyle his tea and asking him the same.
The three men leer at the two girls make the rounds. When one asks if any of you would like anything else, it is always followed by a chorus of lewd and sometimes threatening remarks.
"I want ye to show some skin!"
"Maybe ye'd like ta enjoy a ride."
"I'd like to see you beside me!"
Hood up and face down he makes his way over to the table. All but his rough white beard is concealed by shadow. He drags the chair out letting it scrape across the wooden floor and sits down with a heavy thud and a sigh. Pondering for a moment he responds to the servers question, "Nothing for me, thanks."
The warmth of the fire was a welcome relief from the cold outside, but the company was something he could do without.
A young traveller arrives and seeks out a table near the fire. With a smile at the young maid he places an order. Some warm wine, bread and cheese. Settling in comfortable he raises his glass to the burly hunter in greeting.
|
"Just leave me alone, Lobo." Ray pleads with the supernatural wolf.
"But Ray is not safe yet." Lobo Gris replies.
"The town is right there! I'll be fine. Go."
With a worried whine, Lobo Gris fades away into mist and Ray sighs in relief. The wolf unnerved him, made him anxious. Sore from riding that mage's horse of Saren's, Ray was grateful to see even the weary-looking town before him. Pulling his sleeve down on his right arm, Ray quickly finds a place called the Sleeping Leopard and finds a seat as close to the fire as he dares. He hadn't expected to see such a large cat. He orders some stew and ale and settles in to enjoy the fire's warmth.
The girl disappears into the kitchen and comes carrying a steaming bowl of stew and passes the bar to grab a tankard of beer and talk to the barkeep about a bath. The smells of venison and rich hearty vegetables entices you as barmaid sets the bowl before you. The beer though, doesn't seem to be nearly as appetizing.
"Lemme know if ye be needin' anything."
Malcom doesn't like the comments he's hearing from the 3 strangers. That is no way to treat people in his opinion. This is an unfamiliar place however, so he keeps his mouth shut. It wouldn't feel right to to intervene. He has no interest in drawing any attention to himself.
Malcom reaches into his coin pouch and pulls out a single Gold Piece and hands it to the server.
"I'm afraid I only have gold."
Malcom hands the Gold Piece to the server.
"Keep a little extra for yourself."
A young traveller arrives and seeks out a table near the fire. With a smile at the young maid he places an order. Some warm wine, bread and cheese. Settling in comfortable he raises his glass to the burly hunter in greeting.
Goodwin's spirits raise a bit seeing the kid enter.
"At last a friendly face"
Goodwin responds with a rough grunt and nod of his head. The kid was alright he could handle himself and that was a rare trait in these parts.
Goodwin's eye now turned to the leopard.
Shael still didn't know how she got past the gate guards, perhaps they were more concerned with checking the poor merchant's wears that was ahead of her and a strange woman with nothing to 'confiscate' was beneath there notice. As she quietly clooped her way down the dark streets, she made sure to keep a hand on her purse and watched the thugs and thieves that prowled Redwall. It disgusted her that they could move about without so much as a challenge from the guard.
This place is worse then the rumors said, it's a perfect place to start planning my revenge. As long as I don't find a knife in the dark... As she moved along the street she peered into any nearby shadow, thankfully no shadow could stop her infernal vision, instead those who thought they could hide in the darkness were outlined and easily seen by her. As burdensome as it was to be a tiefling, it did have its perks when it came to avoiding muggers.
Just when she thought she was doing alright she noticed that she had gained some unwanted attention by a group of strongarms in a nearby alley. They weren't moving very fast, standing at the end of their turf in the alley, so she knew she could give them the slip easily enough. Quickly choosing the closest building to duck into she found herself, in a not so graceful fashion, quickly passing through the doors of what appear to be an inn or a bar perhaps.
She took in the scene quickly noting what few details she could in the brief time she had on entering. Several patrons, some nastier looking then the strongarms she was avoiding, a large cat and some serving girls. She kept her face neutral as she realized her hood had fell away in her quick flight, it didn't really matter though as her features were hard to cover up either way. She gave the three nasty looking men at the corner table a hard look before closing the common room door behind her and finding a place to lean against the wall. Should have took the thugs... She kept her tail wrapped around her waist and out of sight, this whole scene was going to end bad enough anyways without adding more fuel to the fire...
The strange girl who had quickly slipped into the Snow Leopard is by far the strangest thing you have seen in a long time. She moved with a predator-like grace and was standing against the wall next to the front door, eyeing the other patrons warily. She sported hooves, curved ram-like horns, coarse black hair, violet eyes and an unnaturally tall.
For those closest to the door she smelled of hot leather and it looked like the tips of her hair were burning. She is armed with a longsword, a crossbow and not much else other then her strange features.
You knew she was too relaxed for some reason... Shes got a dagger hidden up her sleeve.
When the horned woman revealed herself, Kyle almost jumped out of his seat and drew steel. Seeing no one else having an overt problem with it, he sat back down. Reaching into his cloak he pulls out a long stemmed pipe and a bag of tobacco. He fills his pipe, and lights it with a match, before meticulously cleaning up and putting everything in its precise location. He leans back in his chair, feet on the table and pretends he isn't watching the Demon-girl very closely.
Seeing the the room freeze up in response to the stunning arrival of Shael, Longthorn decides to approach the otherworldy female.
"No need to stand by the wall, lady. There is a comfortable seat right here near the fire. Make yourself at home. Surely you understand the reaction of the patrons to see a woman with such unexpected...features. I admit to sharing some of that alarm, but would not want to make hasty judgement based on appearances....though you are attractive...I can't deny that. I am Longthorn. Can I offer you a drink?... "
A tall, handsome, young man with shoulder-length dark hair, brown skin and blue eyes. He is dressed for the road with a tailored, ermine-lined cloak draped over oiled leather and well worn boots. Strapped onto a baldrick -shining - is an unusual star-shaped circle of blades - a starknife. A morningstar is strapped to his belt. Close by his table are his steel shield, simple quarterstaff and sling sack. Hanging from his neck is a white amulet carved intricately into the shape of a butterfly.
Seeing the tiefling girl stride boldly into the tavern, Gurni snickers to himself.
Finally, something odder than me. Can't imagine she will go over well in this town. He turns toward the three surly townsfolk to await the inevitable explosion....
Malcom barley pays any attention to the hype surrounding the Demon Woman. He rubs his eyes from time to time with a clear indication shown on his face of how tired he is. He also periodically looks on the ground beside him to make sure nobody has snatched his backpack. The Greatsword that is strung across the back of his chair has been carefully placed in an upright position for quick access. Though, there would probably be no room to swing such a massive sword indoors anyway...
Malcom eats his stew slowly and sips from his tankard between mouthfuls while he waits for the server to come and tell him his room and bath are ready.
::I cannot sugar coat the misery you will face, as bigots and societies weak bring their misfortune down on those they can. You sadly are an easy target my dear...:: That was what sprang to mind every time she entered a place where Normies frequented. She eyed the man who had sprang to his feet and barely resisted the urge to draw her weapon in response. When he sat down she focused on the handsome fellow approaching and was taken aback momentarily by his words before she snapped to her senses. Setting her hooves firmly on the wood floor she gave a barely a perceivable nod towards the three surely men in the corner as she remained leaning against the wall.
She looks Longthorn in the eyes as she whispers. "Not everyone shares your views but... Thank you... I am fine right here. Best you head back to your seat before they get ugly and lump you in with the daemon..." She looks back towards the four men in the room who were giving her the most negative vibes. The three nasty looking ones and the one who had jumped up, she couldn't afford to turn her back on them or not have a clear exit.
You knew she was too relaxed for some reason... Shes got a dagger hidden up her sleeve and she had been about to draw it just a moment ago.
About that time, the three men in the corner finish talking among themselves and get up from the table in the corner. They make their way over to where Shael is standing. One of them blocks the door while the others try, and fail, to act nonchalant. there is an obvious hunger in their eyes as the one by the door starts to talk.
"Well, well, well. We sure don't get many of your kind out here."
He leans in close and the smell of whiskey is almost overpowering.
"Perhaps ye can help me an' me boys out. We're a li'l strapped fer cash, an' I can't help notin' that ye got some right fine gear on ye."
His hand brushes Shael's cloak aside revealing more of the gear and clothing underneath. A thick tongue runs over his lips.
"Whaddya say, sweet cheeks?"
His buddies guffaw and his face is split by a yellow-toothed smile.
I understand, my lady....at least as much as a man can try to understand the predicament of one as exceptional as you.
Longthorn continues to speak, his voice rising in crescendo and directing itself around the room and to the men in the corner.
It is good that we are in a town of free folk. Here we see many unusual people from all walks of life coming here to do business and go their way in peace. A familiar face is as likely mean harm you in this town as does the face of a stranger. Here we judge others based on their character and their deeds...not on mere appearance....isn't that right gentlemen?
As he turns to see the affect of his grandiloquent speech on the room, he just notices that the ruffians are already surrounding the tiefling woman and panting all over her!
The barkeep groans and the two serving girls look terrified as the men start surrounding the newcomer. The sleeping snow-leopard wakes up and looks very alert, despite just being in a deep sleep a moment ago. It looks at one of the serving girls, the second one, as if waaiting for her to say something.
...
...
Shael didn't remain still as the pretty boy walked a few steps and tried to appeal to peoples good sides with his words. Hard to do that when no one in this land gave a damn what you thought, especially the three stooges that rose with a drunken grace and quickly cut off her means of escape. She stood her ground rigidly and rose to her full height, trying to tower over the drunken thugs that accosted her.
She glared icily as the man spoke and his fellow thugs guffawed at her predicament. With few options left she gives the man a smile, one that never touches her eyes though and its easy to tell that she isn't about to hand over her gear. Still smiling coldly, she leans forward a hairsbreadth from the mans lips and reachs down in an intimate manner. Except the drunken thug's eyes widen suddenly as the feel of hot steel pressing against his inner thigh gives him a moment of clarity.
With her yes glowing baleful she speaks in a cold, matter-of-fact voice as she tried to intimidate the drunken thug. "Call me sweet cheeks again and I will cut off your precious gibblets and ram them down your throat pig."
The man who spoke backs off. His pudgy hand moves from where he held Shael's cloak back to the dagger at his side and his face drains a little of it's color.
The thug right next to him, a lean lanky man with a bit of a stoop, snickers.
"Heh heh, 'Shanks got skeered by uh li'l girlie."
The behind him, a hunched wretch with a big beak of a nose and heavy brow that makes his small eyes seem even smaller, just glares at Shael as he moves for the club at his side.
"Hope ye ain't to attached to yer dignity girly. I heard about what they do in Sal Kavun to slaves like yer gonna be."
The first thug recovers from the shock and glares at the second thug then at Shael.
"Yeah, but I'm thinkin' this one needs to learn a lesson first."
He lunges forward and tries to grab Shael and pin her arms to her side. The other two let out shouts of glee as they draw clubs. The fat man manages to wrap his arms around her, but screams in pain as his skin begins to blister and his clothes start to smoke.
Order:
Thug 1
Shael/Thug 2
Thug 3
Come on men! Show some respect for those gibblets of yours and go back to your drinks in peace....no one wants to see them. Really. Be good lads. Its not worth it. Go back to your seats...drinks on me!
Lucky draws his morning star.
Just as the fat thug lunges for Shael, the barkeep shouts out,
"No fighting! NO FIGHTING!" He starts to call to the two serving girls, but stops as he hears the man's blood-curdling screams.
With a sigh, more content than exasperated, Gurni pushes back from the table and strolls around the back.
Judging by the looks of some in this bar, I'm not the only one objects to this foolery....but it looks like the little horned lady might be able to care for herself...
Sheal's eyes brighten until they are twin points of light as she is stuck in the shadow of the pudgy man. As she focused her energies, trying to fight off her attacker, the man starts to scream. The smell of leather, burning flesh and clothing permeate the air as she smiles beneath the burning fat of the pudgy man. "Sell me to Sal Kavun?! Burn in hell you Pigs! I will ruin you so that a woman will never want you!" With that she twisted and coiled in the man's pudgy grasp, as the pains of his burns affected him she brought her head back and cracked him in the nose with one of her horns...
Breaking free of the pudgy man she uses what little time she has to try and cast a spell. She knew she may be slitting her own throat but it was the quickest way to end this with minimal blood shed.
Lucky steps up to assist the tiefling. His morningstar held out.
Goodwin turns his head, still masked for the most part by his dark green hood, to look at the conflict developing in front of him
Not in town but five minutes and this is what happens...
Goodwin will stand from his seat (assuming we are allowed to move about at this point, if not I will wait for my turn to do so)
"This is not my fight" Malcom thinks to himself, and continues eating his stew.
Vicious little thing isn't she? Going right for the jewels.
Init =
|
|
Ray's eyes narrow as he notices the drunk men approach the horned woman. He grabs his quarterstaff when he sees one move her cloak. It wasn't any of his business though. Then he hears the conversation and sees one grab her. That was not going to fly.
"Leave her alone." He growls as he stands, gripping the staff in both hands.
No need to hurt these boys TOO much. Just teach 'em a little respect...
Kyle's calm demeanor as he watches the proceedings, give no indication of his internal turmoil.
Well this got interesting quick. Went from 3 on 1, all the way to 3 on 5. While I don't like their attitude, by the gods the wench is a demon... Then again, some say the same about the Drow, and yet I would not be living if not for a Drow... Bah I don't need to get involved, the others have it, besides there is no profit, and much to lose if I am recognized.
ROUND 1:
Malcom*
Kyle*
Leopard
Shalyna
Thug 1
Shael
Valyana
Gurni
Thug 3
Lucky
Thug 2
Goodwin*
Ray
* Not acting.
Shael Roll Off:
Valyana:
Shalyna:
Leopard:
Barkeep:
Roll Off
Gurni:
Valyana:
---
To speed things along, I'll be making any AO rolls that you might have, along with any checks and saves. My goal is to get through a round of combat a day. Don't sweat too much over initiative order. I'll change your action if needed.
=>Malcom
Kyle
Leopard
Shalyna
Thug 1
Shael
Valyana
Gurni
Thug 3
Barkeep
Lucky
Thug 2 1/4
Goodwin
Ray
Thug 1 HP: 1/10
Thug 2 HP: 10/10 unconscious, blinded, and stunned for 3
Thug 3 HP: 6/10
Thug 1
CM Trip:
Shael AoO:
Attack:
Crit Confirm:
Damage:
Thug 3 AoO:
Attack:
Thug 1 AoO:
Attack:
Damage:
Shael Concentration DC 14:
Will Saves Thugs 2&3:
3:
2:
Thug 3:
Attack:
Lucky:
Attack:
Ray:
Attack:
Damage:
Kyle and Malcom and Goodwin all turn an eye to the fight to make sure they don't get involved. The snow-leopard stalks forward and snarls a warning. Shalyna rushes to the kitchen door and yanks it open. Then all hell breaks loose.
Shael manages to squirm loose of the fat thugs grasp and starts grabbing components to cast a spell but has to stop as the man who had grabbed her tries to knock her prone. Her dagger digs deep, but she falls down anyway. He draws a club from his belt.
"I'm gonna beat ye within an inch o' yer life fer that!" He growls.
Shael tries stand, and almost gets laid out by the lanky man next to the one bleeding badly out of his shoulder. She grabs the components for a spell and starts to speak very fast and low. The first thug swings at her and just barely glances Shael's shoulder. It still stung and would probably bruise, but it didn't break Shael's concentration and a blast of color envelops the hawk-nosed man and the lanky fellow that missed her while she was standing. The spell almost gets Malcom who flinches a bit as the blast stops short. A thump signals the fall of the hawk-nosed man. The lanky man is still up though, and no longer smiling.
Meanwhile, across the room, Valyana runs around the bar taking car to avoid the stools. She shouts something in a language none of you know, but Goodwin can see the big cat by his table tense, ready to pounce. Gurni stands up and walks around the table, only to be stopped short by the blast of color that knocked one thug out.
The other thug, the lanky one, starts to swing at Shael, but sees Lucky going for his morningstar. He steps up within reach and brings his club down in a great swing that would have connected with his skull, if Lucky hadn't shuffled to the side at the last moment and avoided the blow entirely. In return he brings his morningstar swinging in, only to have the blow turned away by the boiled leather under his dirty, sweat-stained shirt.
The barkeep moves out in front of the snow-leopard and shouts over the din of combat at the three still sitting down, "Ye three move yer arses and STOP THE DAMN FIGHT BEFORE THEY WRECK ME INN!" he turns his head and shouts back at the two girls, "Hurry up and grab them shillelaghs!"
Ray moves in behind the lanky rogue and brings his quarterstaff down on the man's head causing him to howl in pain. Something in the back of his head snickers and whispers, A wolf would be handy, no?
Realizing that this man's business is at stake Goodwin decides to get himself involved, after all if the man loses his business to these thugs while he stood by and did nothing that would be abandoning what he stood for. Goodwin draws his longsword and point sit at the thugs.
In his rough voice he calls out to the thugs "You men are outnumbered, walk away now and this is over with, Stay and fight and I will make you wish the goblins of the Iron pines had disemboweled you and used your intestines to jump rope"
After speaking Goodwin pauses to wonder if goblins do indeed use intestines to jump rope.
You have played your hand foolishly, men. Look at the cards stacked against you. You are wasting your time and risking your gonads for nothing. And creating a mess for this establishment too.
Walk away now if you value whatever dignity you had before this ridiculous altercation.
but it didn't break Shael's concentration and a blast of color envelops the hawk-nosed man and the lanky fellow that missed her while she was standing. The spell almost gets Malcom who flinches a bit as the blast stops short.
Malcom glanced up just in time to see the blast of color racing toward him and nearly consuming him.
"She's using magic in a place like this?" They're going to want to kill her for sure." He thinks to himslef.
From a sitting position Malcom shifts his over in his chair to watch the fight. He grips the hilt of the large sword strung across the back of his chair, ready to strike if need be.
Shael is now the focus of Malcom's attention.
The fat thug laughs at Goodwin and Lucky.
"Outnumbered? HA! Yer in the Bloody Pikes' territory now. There ain't a thing that can save ye from our wrath."
The multifaceted scattering of light blinked out inched in front of Gurni's face.
"Balls, lass! Watch it..." Well know, if you hadn't woken up the whole town to your presence, you sure have now, devil girl. It was apparent these boys weren't going to back down without a few knocks in the head. He grinned. All the better.
He moved forward, circling behind one of the two thugs that remained standing and brought his sap down in a wide arc towards the top of the thug's head.
Okay post as you can. Don't worry about editing your actions to fit. I'll do that if necessary. talking is a free action, so you can do that at any time, but try and keep it down to something that could reasonably be said in less than 20 seconds. any thing over is going to cost you your at least a move action.
I'll post everything after everybody's posted.
Malcom <=
Kyle
Leopard *
Shalyna *
Thug 1 *
Shael
Valyana *
Gurni <=
Thug 3 *
Barkeep *
Lucky
Thug 2 1/4 *
Goodwin
Ray
<= gone
* NPC