Hmmm... Chef thinks This might be the sign of a protection racket? Chef buys one week of lodging and some rations before heading back to the others.
Hey there, Rubin, Kraull. I found a place for us to meet and sleep. Plus there seems to be some kind of protection racket going on with the merchants if I am not mistaken
Well all right then, thanks for the information. The rates seem quite reasonable. I'll take one of those jasmine candles. Maybe it will help cover up the stench of rat poop in whatever back-alley hostel room I find.
Rubin listens to Chef's story. That's not the impression I got. Then again, the locals are probably afraid to say anything. Let's take a look at this flea-ridden dump you've found.
I can try making something that wiull get rid of vermin in our beds.
Kraull seems satisfied enough by Chef's choice of accommodations, perhaps happy that he didn't have to sleep in a stable or the hard floor of an alcohol scented backroom.
"You know, I could start a fight with someone and we can see who comes out to break it up. At least get a feel for law enforcement or the lack of it in town. I'm gettin' antsy waiting."
Sounds good. Just try not to hurt anyone too bad. We don't want to get on the wrong side of the law or of the Authority.
Rubin spends a restful and relatively itch-free night thanks to Chef's potion.
You probably want to be careful you don't lose your job when you do that.
"Don't worry, I'll find someone that deserves it." Kraull reassures with little conviction in his voice.
Want backup?
This should be entertaining. Rubin follows Kraull nonchalantly at a distance.
"Yeah, that's cool. I'll probably need one of those healing things if I find someone worth fighting." Kraull replies affirmatively.
Chef hands over an extract of CMW to Kraull
Kraull heads out to find some of the local thuggery drunkards. He spots a person whose passed out in the alleyway. Kraull passes picking a fight with an obvious pansy and continues along. He finds a pair of guys, carrying an ale each just heading down the street. They have muscles, and you would surmise them to be day laborers or work in the industrial districts.
The man in the dark green shirt bumps into Kraull, doesn’t say a word and keeps going.
Chef follows casually
Kraull spins around and points an accusitive finger at the man who bumped him, "Hey dummy, watch the hell where you're going!"
The two men stop and turn around as Kraull speaks up. The man in the green shirt walks up to Kraull and actually looks the half-orc in the eye.
What’d you say? You wanna fight boy?, as his buddy in a blue shirt walks up and stands next to his buddy.
Kraull cracks his neck in response, "Looks like I'm going to have to show you little morons some respect. Who wants to kiss the ground first?" He looks back and forth from blue to green as he readies himself for an attack.
The man in the blue shirt just laugh at Kraull. They both put their fists up, readying to brawl.
Green/Blue: done
Kraull: go
Chef: ?
Kraull assumes a very defensive posture as the two raise their fists to fight. They work good as a pair, much as if they work together at work. They flank Kraull, hoping to distract the big man.
The man in the blue shirts takes a wild haymaker swing, which Kraull easily ducks. This though leaves him wide open as the man punches Kraull square in the kidney region. It appears the man knows how to find a soft spot on Kraull’s muscular body and has some knowledge of hand-to-hand combat.
Chef does a little rah rah thing from the sidelines Go get them, Kraull.
Hmmm...should I stay in the shadows, or lose any chance at stealth and help Kraull out?
Rubin cringes as Kraull takes a vicious blow to the abdomen. He steps out into the open and belts out an inspiring limerick.
One man against two,
It's unfair, that's true
But only when
A man's a man
Not half an orc, like you!
"Bah, pathetic effort." Kraull says dismissively, "Looks like you're kissing the floor first though." With that, the half-orc attempts to kick out the legs of the man who hit him, then moves out of the flank.
"Go ahead. Stand up. I dare ya."
The man in the green shirt hits the ground with a *thud*. He has moments to reflect as Kraullkicks the man hard. He bruises a few ribs in the process. The man smiles, actually enjoying the fight. Your are unsure if he’s drunk or crazy...or a little of both.
Both men continue to fight, working as a team. The two men continue to pound on the burly half orc. The first punch in the other kidney, causing a shock to Kraull’s system. The prone man kicks at Kraull, and much to his surprise hits Kraull in the back of the leg. Despite dodging and weaving Kraull’s leg starts to swell up as he gets bombarded.
Kraull: go
Chef: go?
Rubin: go? (IC)
As both men continue to pound on him, Kraull momentarily pauses to consider the wisdom of this current course of action, but in the heat of the moment that thought is quickly lost. He opts instead to try to drop the guy still standing.
With both men on the ground now, Kraull moves 5 feet in a manner to move out of their flank while still threatening them both.
"Ya dummies gonna recognize your superior or do I have to knock out a few teeth too?"
The man standing tall gives Kraull a snicker, but that fades quick as Kraull slams his meaty fist into his gut, doubling him over and than adds insult to the injury as Kraull easily throws him to the ground. The pain doesn’t last long as Kraull steps on the man’s chest. Bones snap under his foot, puncturing a lung on the process. The man takes a few gasps of air, before shuddering to a stop.
The man still on the ground, his eyes bug out at the sight. He crawls backward, clearly done with the fight. He doesn’t want to end up like his buddy.
You..you..MONSTER! Was killing Fred really necessary?! Please let me go
"Hey, you guys attacked me. I was just defending myself." Kraull replies matter-of-factly as he backs away from the remaining guy, "You threw the first punch, remember? I got witnesses."
Uh oh! Uh-oh!
Chef runs forwards. Hey! enough beatings! Chef pulls an extract of CLW and hopes he is able to save the man
Chef runs up and unstoppers the extract he made. He lifts the man’s head, but sees the man has ceased breathing. There was nothing that could be done. Kraull doesn’t know his own strength at times.
Oh dear, now what have we got ourselves into?
As Rubin sees Chef vainly attempt to revive the fallen man, he is overwhelmed with remorse for being complicit in an unnecessary death.
I'm just as responsible for this as Kraull. I won't let him rot away in a cell. We'll complete our mission one way or another.
You..you’ll pay for this. I’m gonna tell my boss. He’ll get you green bastard. And your so called “witnesses”.
He leaves, backing no up slowly. He bumps into the edge of a building, and than runs off.
This....does not bode well, we have screwed the pooch on our first day
Kraull scoffs at the man's threats and just waves him off. After he is out of earshot, "Hey, didn't mean to kill the guy. On the other hand, at least I brought the guys we need to talk to us. I'll hold on to the healing thing for awhile in case the law comes by. Looking injured will help smooth things over."
Well if you say so
I guess we'll just wait around and see what happens now. Maybe this will speed up our mission, or maybe we'll all get sent to the gallows.
sigh...How depressing, the loss of a (mostly) innocent life at our hands. And Kraull's attitude is too cavalier for my liking. Looks like I'm in for yet another ethical dilemma.
"Yeah, so do we leave the body here, hide it here, or should I go turn myself in? Maybe take it to a temple at least, I don't need no undead guy coming after me later."
We better alert the authorities, since they'll soon know anyway. If therse guys really were part of the local gang, maybe the law can afford us some protection from their vengeance. Not too likely, but I don't see any real good alternatives here.
Rubin nudges the corpse with his toe, vainly hoping for some sign of life.
Um, weren't we trying to infiltrate? If we smooshed one of their people then we are SOL
"Whatever's clever. I'm sure old Rubin here can use that tongue of his to turn this lemon into lemonade. Ya know, misunderstanding...blah, blah, we can work for you...blah...blah...blah."
That might work. Just make sure you're there behind me to stomp them to death if it doesn't.
Time seems to drag on...relentlessly. Seconds feel like hours. A minute passes, and no sign of the watch. You notice a group of torches coming your way. It isn’t the watch, just a group of people wanting to see where they are going.
I think there is probably not going to be a report of this, how about we amscray to a temple?
You three head out, and if the watch ever shows it’s after you are long gone. You sleep, Kraull can still hear the cracking of the man’s ribs and the last breaths he took occasionally Ashe drifts into slumber. The next couple of days go by, uneventful. Kraull has to throw a couple people out of the bar, Rubin makes 15 silver in tips over the couple days.
Chef, has a more eventful day. The second day he heads in early to work as usual, and the owner/host of the inn looks to be very panicked.
By the god’s, at least you are here. My usual master chef, Antonio is nowhere to be found and I have VERY IMPORTANT guests coming tonight to dine. The place is shut down, to ensure privacy and security. You are the new head chef. The ingredients and menu are in the kitchen, go to work. You fail, you’re fired. No pressure
No pressure he says, I bet he has never even made cabbage soup. Chef grumbles inwardly and hurries over to the kitchen.
Chef looks over the menu and puffs as he starts making the soup
The soup is a fabulous fish chowder and garlic croutons. The seasoning is perfect.
Main course is a hearty fare of steak with mushrooms and onions and crispy potatoes.
Ooh La la! final course is a flaky apple pie with rum sauce and whipped cream on top. Plus coffee.
Chef gets to work fervorously in the kitchen. Veggies get chopped, meat gets prepped, cooking begins. The fish chowder is amazingly rich, and the dockside fresh fish helps bring out the salty notes in the garlic croutons. The host gives him a thumbs up as the guests seem pleased as well.
The main dish is just as good, the steak perfectly cooked. Resting a few minutes before being properly sliced. The onions have a subtle herb flavor, as the crispy potatoes are not overly cooked...something inexperienced chefs commonly do.
The host pops his head back in, You pull the last dish off young man and there’s both a raise and a 10 gold piece tip waiting for you afterwards
Chef gets to work on the dessert. It’s a culinary confectionary masterpiece. The crust flakes apart, as even Chef is surprised it stayed together during the baking of it it is that flaky. The apples, are tipsy in rum, but not drunk on it. The cream is stiff, with a cute little peak on top. Chef sends the final plate of deliciousness out to the guests. A few moments later, Chef even takes a swig of rum after all is said and done.
Chef, given time to breathe, decides to poke his head out of the kitchen to see who the “VERY IMPORTANT” guests are.
The first one he sees is a very rotund man, about 5’6” tall. He is dressed very nicely, and you can see that he is taking his first bite of the apple pie.
The second is partly obscured by the host, but once the host moves Chef can get a perfect view of the other guest.
Much to his shock, and horror it is the bodyguard of Marcelo. The same Marcelo you just killed a month prior to arriving here to take down the head boss. You can only presume the “rotund man”, is none other but the leader of The Authority.
Ohhh Ffffffffffff!!!! Chef panics and hopes he isn't called out to be congratulated. Fluttering around the kitchen, he wonders where Kraull and Rubin is and wonders if he can bluff exhaustion
Kraull shrugs at the news, "Well, we can run or we can fight. I don't think there's a middle ground here. No way any disguise is going to work on me."
Rubin hams it up at the tavern night after night, trying to get his mind off the possibility of sudden and fatal retribution by the dead man's allies.
As Chef tells him what transpired that evening:
Are you sure the fat guy is the head boss? If he liked your meal and he comes back, then we'd have a perfect and easy opportunity to poison him.
Chef panicks and sees a back door out of the restaurant. Before he can even think about it, the host pops back in.
I don’t know what you did young man, but they LOVE it. Every dish, every bite. You get a 1 gold piece raise my man, and the 10 gold I promised you earlier. They want to meet you. Clean yourself up, I expect you out here in under a minute. Hurry up!
chef nervously doffs his apron and straightens his shirt, tossing on a chef coat and strides out into the main eatery, trying to look non chalant.