Nils's page

Out of curiosity anyone still reading this?

OOC: Seems things kinda ground to a halt, are you still out there Onyx?

Any change?

Move the wolf's remains out of sight into a shallow grave (unless it still lives in which case tend to its wounds after all Nils doesn't have an animal companion yet).

"Thank you!" Nils nods back as he wonders where what else is lurking out here.

Nils looks a little lost gazing down at the wolf he gradually takes in what is being said and then frowns.
"I bet you it was them," he openly mutters as he finally understands what Burrloft has just said.
"Well I have had better days admittedly," he grimaces in response.

Marissa misses with her attack, the wolf able to dodge out of the way with ease. Nils is able to get to his feet, but when he does, the wolf takes a snap at his legs, but misses horribly.

1d20+3=4, 1d6+1=6

Goodness I just cannot roll at all lately. Is standing up and drawing your weapon your full action Nils?

If he can Nils will make an attack with his kukri against the wolf: 1d20+3: 15+3 for total of 18 to hit the wolf if it does it does 2pts of damage

Nils tries to defends himself with his kukri and try to roll to his feet before the wolf rushes him.

Wasn't sure if Marissa had gone yet but post this just in case I missed it

The wolf chomps at the thrown rabbit, the loud crunch of breaking bones can be heard clearly. The wolf stops for a moment, enjoying the taste of the meat. It shakes its head side to side, then dropping the rabbit, looking not satisfied with it. It then turns its attention towards Nils, moving forward to lunge at what it seems to think is good prey.

1d20+3=4, 1d6+1=4
The wolf, still maddened by its bloodlust, misses horrible.
Feona is up.

"Bad, bad, bad dog!" Nils berates the wolf severely.

Ah, you're right. I'm sorry, I looked at it yesterday then forgot about it this morning.

The wolf continues to snarl, lowering down out of the way of the attack.
Nils is up, and is currently prone on the ground.

Already posted Nils was going to throw the rabbit's carcass to the wolf thinking that would resolve the situation

Carefully Nils reaches for and then throws the rabbits' carcass to the wolf taking care that it doesn't land anywhere near any of his comrades.

Do I need to make a check for that? If its wild empathy thats a 1d20+1 for a total of 13 although that takes a full minute to use and all Nils is doing is throwing the wolf its meal so it runs off without continuing this fight

Initiative: 1d20+3:4+3 for Total of 7 and Nils action in the first round is to pick up and throw the rabbits' carcase at the wolf thinking it would grab that and run rather than fight a group of heavily armed adventurers' well that was the idea anyway!

Burrloft is not terribly strong, but will try to aid Feona in getting Nils down. Together we might weigh as much as 1/3 of a human!

"When they said too much pride will take a fall, I didn't know they meant upwards!"Nils groans.

If you want to free yourself from the trap, you'll need an escape artist check please. Or, you could have retrieved your weapon and spent a standard action to cut yourself free.

Escape Artist: Rolled a 9+3 for a total of 12

Nils tries to free himself albeit clumsily and probably painful to watch too!

Nils:

** spoiler omitted **
While his ability to track in the forest is minimal, Nils is able to lead the group through the forest with the help of the map, though he tends to lead the group through the long ways.
While Nils is following the trail, a trap suddenly springs. A rope is caught around his ankle, and Nils is hoisted into the air next to a large tree.
Nils takes 1d3=2 of nonlethal damage.

"Wonderful start to the day!" Nils mutters in disgust as he slowly and surely frees himself from the trap hawling himself upright so he can cut the rope and then drop back to the ground trying to avoid hurting himself any further.

"Watch yourselves there's bound to be more, maybe even whoever laid these," Nils adds.

The map up there shows the locations where the items are at, and you can make a survival check to find your way there.

Survival check, Roll 1d20+9:4+9 for Total of 13

Nils has serious problems tracking in the forest especially as he's a desert ranger...
"I'd say check out any stone circles in the area, but I'm not an expert on this area," Nils shrugs.

"Does anyone know exactly how to get to this Willowroot fellow's place? Krane said something about living in a forest. Did he mention which one?"

Which skill would be appropriate to find this Willowroot's home?

"Well I suspect the good doctor wouldn't have been so interested in Willowroot if he wasn't living near enough for us to locate and return so he can recreate his forgotten masterpiece, so its this forest and its more a matter of figuring out where a druid would live, anyone know anything about this place?" Nils replies wrily wondering what the Black Banner would be seeking out first.

Marissa looks wistfully down at her muddy boots and travel stained cloak. It would have been nice to take a bath and sleep in a real bed, but this was too interesting to pass up. She refills her waterskin and surreptitiously swipes several small bits of food to store in her sack. Tossing the sack over her shoulder she falls into line with the others. So where do we begin? I'm not very familiar with the land around here.

OOC: I've been without internet all week sadly. I finally found a spot with wireless. I'll be back to posting regularly on Monday.

"Good question, I figure we go explore and I'll try and track down where our nefarious rivals have gone so we have a better idea of where to look or not look depending on what they've run into out here since that hobgoblin is hardly the only one around here,"Nils nods back.

Burrloft shrugs "Well, I think that his shrouding would be interesting to learn and could be quite artistic and have some historical merrit. I really would like to learn the process, but I mostly just wanted to wipe that smug, supersillious look off of his pompus face."

"Yes I couldn't help wondering why they chose the tactic they did, I mean surely they understand whats to make us go back if we have no real reason to do so?" Nils agrees.

From Nils's point of view if he did go back it would probably only be to kill the sheriff and if really aggravated to burn the rest of the good doctor's collection in front of him but that might be a little too chaotic an outlook!

"He probably upended a candle on top of it himself jumping to get away from the hurlyburly and sought to blame someone else for his foppish clumsiness." muses Burrloft. "I'm ready as well. Let us leave this dreary little snare of ineptitude."

"You know that druid he was talking about might be able to teach you what you want to know after all somebody had to have trained that fool back there," Nils mentions to Burrloft.

"One of those damned mercs, I guess," Feona shrugs, sighing loudly. "I sure am glad to be out of there."

Then she looks up at Nils with all seriousness and says, "You know, what's to stop us from heading out and going where we want to? Say to hell with this hole and keep going never to return?"
She shrugs again. "I'm just saying..."

"Personally if it was just that dagger, I'd even consider it. But I not only want to make sure those mercenaries pay for what they did, if that friend of the doctor is for real however they would be a good contact and failing that these items he wants us to find might actually be worth taking a good look at before we decide whether to actually bother going back at all,"Nils whispers back.

Sorry it took me so long, had a busy weekend.

Ostler gives Nils a weak smile, then quickly ducks away to avoid any confrontation. Once everyone is ready, they can meet outside. Outside, things are fairly peaceful and quiet. Because of Doctor Krane not having his shrouds, the tents that were there previously are not set up.

"So did anyone actually find out who burned the good doctor's shroud? Nils asks as he exits the inn.

Burrloft bows to the Cleric of Desna "Miss Moongazer, again, most profound thanks for being willing to involve yourself in the plight of strangers. If She of the Spheres graced us with one of her flock, then we are well blessed, indeed." He calls over to the innkeeper "Sir, our visit here was entierly unsatisfactory, but it is not a reflection of you, your fare, or your fine staff. I wish your business all the best, as it need good luck to overcome the local impedments."

"Yes what he said, shame your sheriff is an idiot but what can you do? After all its probable he just doesn't like adventurers' or caravan guards... not sure which actually apply but I guess we'll find out..." Nils nods in agreement.

Marissa Moongazer wrote:

Turning to Feona, Marissa says, "It doesn't seem right what's happening. I'd like to help you. Desna brought me here for a reason I believe. The rest of my road will still be there tomorrow after all."

"Well, Desna must be trying to teach me a lesson in patience," Feona says with a grin. "All the same, it will be good to have one of her own with us on this...this...whatever you want to call it trip."

"Ditto," Nils nods back in agreement.

"Then let's just get the hell out of this place!" Feona says, throwing up her arms, finally unable to remain quiet any longer. "Let's just go find these items, bring 'em back, and forget all about this one-horse, piss ant town."

She looks for Sara to pay her for her (and Marissa's) breakfast, and then says, "When we leavin'? I can be ready in about ten minutes."

Nils blinks.

"I think the horse part is an exaggeration," Nils mutters.

Krane looks utterly confused at his words, "Proof? What sort of proof are you looking for? I will try to do my best. And my antics?! What are you talking about?! I have done nothing! It was MY property that was destroyed in the fight!"

"Not by US and unless you were blind we were attacked at our table your artefact was destroyed by others present so blaming us for your oversight doesn't help!" Nils points out.

"That won't be a problem, it might be for her but hey lets see if they can save your bacon!" Nils quips back his gaze very level.

You do realise as so far presented Nils will kill this sheriff and very likely all of his deputies even if he does relinquish that dagger if they (PCs) are successful? His antics are neither lawful nor good and Nils may not be lawful but he does have an outlook that doesn't tolerate that kind of behaviour... perhaps he should consider alcoholism?

Doctor Krane listens to Marissa words, nodding as she tells a convincing story, "I will consider it, but that is all I can say for the moment. Everything depends on if you retrieve the items I seek."

The sheriff clenches his jaw, waving at the gnome to take his seat, "You are all lucky I am giving you this chance to pay for the mess that has already been created. I am well aware you were not responsible for starting the altercation, but I know that you all except for her," he motions to Marissa, "participated. The Black Banner Company was given the same deal as you all were, so when you go out, be aware of your surroundings. I do not want to arrest you, but I will if it comes to that."

Nils laughs.

"Sorry, couldn't resist that, that was very amusing,"Nils coughs to regain his composure.
"I assume they're out there now?" he asks the sheriff directly his eyes glittering as the smile on his face doesn't reach his eyes.
"You should have said that off the bat, I'd collect his trinkets for the chance of a little payback, do you want me to return them alive or for decent burial?" he asks the sheriff.

Any attempt on sense motive will reveal Nils has been saying the truth pretty much throughout this conversation

"Hmm you," Nils points at the doctor.
"We'll need something as some form of proof to this druid friend or whoever they are to avoid any confusion over this in return I'll promise not to destroy those relics in front of you and this entire establishment just to get across just how much I truly despise your antics," Nils explains.

"You are trying my patience miss," the sheriff growls, "One more word out of you and I am going to place you under arrest right now. Like I just mentioned, the others will be held responsible as well if the items are not brought back here to Doctor Krane."

"Actually he," Nils points to the good doctor.

"Will do as he is told, in return for these items he wants, he'll in an act of good faith provide our acquaintance here with the training he needs to understand the process his life's work is concerned with. That doesn't mean he can't keep a few secrets only he WILL honour this agreement in return for accomplishing this task of his," Nils glares at the doctor before returning his attention to the sheriff.

"Your threat mean nothing to me, be grateful my tolerance has extended thus far, your friends loss had nothing to do with us and had you the simple courtesy of manners to ask for our help before betraying the laws you claim to uphold this would have not turned out the way it has," Nils coldly tells the sheriff.

The sheriff looks to Feona, "That will be discussed shortly."

Nils frowns at the sheriff when he says that.

Going for a sense motive Roll 1d20+2: 10+1 for Total of 11

"Strange, why did I hear a "but" just then..." Nils whispers quietly as he passes Burrloft.

Did the sheriff take the gnome into custody? Onyx's post above says nothing of the sort. So if the gnome is still with us...

(Assuming the gnome is still with us) Feona glances at Nils before looking at the gnome and saying, "What's so special about that damned dagger anyway? Why steal it?"
Feona keeps a tight grip on her katar...if the gnome threatens her...

"Things must be really tough if you'd actually endanger your familiar in this escapade," Nils sadly sighs.

When the owl falls dead, Burrloft steps over and gives it a kick in his irritation. As the larcenous gnome is collected by the Sheriff, the little mage can't help a barb in his direction. "You should be of great cheer that you didn't try to pin your malfeasance on me, you reprobate, or else you would be looking to get more than a new familiar."

As the Sheriff leads the prisoner off, Burrloft gives the big human a salute. "Good work, gaoler. Way to delegrate or, duck and cover, or the drink the morning away while other's do your leg work for you."

"Calm down, yes the sheriff is an idiot but what else could he do?" Nils tries to calm down Burrloft.

Turning to the gnome thief.
"Sorry I did try to warn your familiar but you should have come out as soon as he noticed us heading into the barn,"he tells the gnome whilst he didn't care for the sheriff's tactics his memories of his sister's studies make him a little more charitable towards the gnome mage.

So...are we done? This game appears dead to me.

I assume we're waiting on Nafti, okay Nils will draw his kukri and try and knock the owl out of the air if its still flying that is by the time his next turn comes up

Drawing his desert blade Nils swiftly strikes out at the owl as it passes by him.

Kukri attack roll 1d20+3: 14+3 for Total of 17 if hits then roll 1d4+2: 1+2 for Total of 3 damage

Nils next action I'll post now if it comes up

Nils is looking around to see if he can spy something to trap the owl in like a cloak or something that can be flung over the owl to secure it.

Perception check Roll 1d20+7: 9+7 for Total of 16 actually wouldn't this be a survival check?

Did I miss something? Who is Marissa?

The new cleric mentioned on the discussion page, but one we haven't met yet...

Sorry been offline since Wednesday pm after my computer went nuts, only just got it operational so still catching up on what I missed in the meantime!

Nils Initiative: 10+3 for total of 13

"Oh what a cute little owl!" Nils notes as he looks inside the stables.
Moments later...
"Hey you cut that out! I mean it either stop attacking them or I'll make your master regret it!" Nils berates the owl using techniques he learnt to try and handle the owl...

Does Handle animal work? If so Roll 1d20+5:17+5 for Total of 22 if the skill can't be used then wild empathy which reduces the roll by 2 to a total of 20 okay as its a magical beast thats a -4 so it becomes 18 if handle animal works or 16 if its wild empathy only

"Hello!" Nils says a little surprised as he gazes down at the ground beneath the window and then begins to walk slowly towards the stables.

"Small footprints leading to..." he says to Feona as he looks up and stares at the stables.
"There, I think," he adds a mite confused as he points at the stables.

"But to pull that off without waking the sheriff even whilst under some kind of spell, I honestly don't know, do you think you could have climbed up there and back down without a rope for the trip up?" Nils asks wishing he remembered more from his time helping his sister study magic.

"Yeah, it doesn't look too difficult," Feona says matter-of-factly. "But I can't understand how the sheriff would sleep through all of it. You don't think he's in on it...do you?"

"No neither do I, but if he was so would be the good doctor so I can't help wondering just how important that item that got burned yesterday really was," Nils nods back

Nils takes a moment to scan the ground for tracks to see if he can discern how many people might have been standing around underneath the sheriff's window and whether there's signs someone climbed up.

Survival check for tracks, Roll 1d20+9:12+9 for Total of 21

"Now if we're dealing with a mage from what little I remember from my sister's studying and unless we're delaing with a pretty powerful mage, how much pressure would you say you'd need to open that window Feona?" Nils asked her.
"Did the sheriff actually say he locked it?" Nils adds thoughtfully.

Feona goes with him, ready to get out of the stuffiness of the room and breathe some fresh air.

As they walk, she says, "Do you think the thief is a shape changer or something like that?"

"Well the sheriff all but hinted that magic was involved, that witness did say something about gnomes being seen down here, so I guess the real question is how many gnomes are there here and who would feel stealing that dagger worth the risk of getting caught?"Nils replies looking perturbed.

"Unless the sheriff left his window open someone would have either snuck in before the maid came along and then after casting the spell dropped the dagger from the window before climbing down, or that bird is their familiar and they cast the spells via it if thats even remotely possible, we really need a mage to confirm that possibility but if that is the case we're looking for a gnome who owns a bird, we're talking a falcon, sparrowhawk or some kind of small bird of prey able to carry a dagger. But to pull that off without waking the sheriff even whilst under some kind of spell, I honestly don't know, do you think you could have climbed up there and back down without a rope for the trip up?" Nils asks wishing he remembered more from his time helping his sister study magic.

Nils is just guessing he really doesn't know enough to know for sure about any of this, but he does know whoever did this would have to be desperate so the quicker they resolve this the more chance they can catch up with the guilty party if they are still here since they must be aware there would be a search

Nils wanders downstairs to take a look outside the building at these tracks they're talking about upstairs.

"Didn't one of the witnesses say something about seeing someone outside of a window?" Nils asks Feona.

"Pew! Smells like poop!" Feona grimaces, wrinkling her nose in disgust.

"Hey Nils, check out these marks and see if you can tell what made them."

"Hmm," Nils remarks as he looks at what Feona's found.

Knowledge/Nature check Roll 1d20+5:14+5 for Total of 19

"Do you own a bird?" Nils asks the sheriff curiously.
"These look like they were made by a bird of prey, sparrowhawk, falcon, maybe..." Nils explains.
"At the very least this means your window was open, so was it when you woke up and discovered the theft or has the maids given the room a clean?" Nils asks.
"I'm only asking because if it wasn't and hasn't been since you woke up then someone opened it during the night perhaps a means of entry or hasty exit given how many people were were seen loitering outside your door," Nils wonders aloud.

Wisdom check for Nils Roll 1d20+1:15+1 for Total of 16 or if it was against wisdom itself then it was a plain 15

Sara gives Feona a smile, nods, then goes to the kitchen to get the food prepared. The sheriff thinks a moment, looking puzzled, "I am not sure. Perhaps there was some sort of magic. You are right. I should have woken up. And for the rest of Grelm's company, they are not under suspicion because the witness only saw him last night." He looks around, "Well, I shall bring out the rest of the witnesses, and we shall proceed from there."

A man walks in, and he introduces himself as Jobe Flint, "Last night, I remember seeing the innkeeper here hiding in the storeroom next to the sheriff's room." Ostler looks shocked, "I was not hiding! All I was doing was stocking clean linens!"

Another man follows in after Jobe, pointing to the gnome, "I saw him last night when I was out doing my rounds in the stables. He was creeping around the sheriff's window." The gnome shakes his head, "I was not creeping, I was just out... you know! Using the bathroom.."

"So should all of these people have their things checked if we have to?" Nils asks the sheriff looking directly at the gnome before glancing at Feona.

"So was that elderberry stuff any good then?" Nils turning his attention to the doctor.
"And next time why not ask her for a date if you find her that interesting?" he whispers to the doctor.

Nafti can tell the doctor is not quite sure of his story, "I um.. well... I don't quite remember."

Diplomacy or intimidate check please.

Nils takes a bow before standing up straight.

"Anyway is there any other witnesses or do we head straight on for checking our gear before checking the scene of the crime, admittedly we ought to check the scene first before the trail gets any colder?" Nils asks the sheriff.

Nils is awful at both diplomacy and intimidate having a +0 in both so thats out as far as he's concerned

The sheriff nods at Nils, "Yes, those are all very good thoughts on the matter. There are more witnesses though, so we will wait to decide what is going on after we hear from everyone. Examination of things will happen once everyone has had their chance to speak."

The second witness happens to be the man that you all saw screaming about his destroyed work last night, "Well, my name is Doctor Phineus Krane. Last night while I was trying to see what I could recover from my lost work, I saw that woman there," He point to Nafti, "walk in from outside. She was all covered in blood, and was holding the dagger in her hand."

"Right or left?" Nils asked.

As the doctor turns to look at Nils and possibly answer his question Nils looks around the room for something to eat, an apple or a roll something he can pick up with one hand.

"Which hand was she holding the dagger?" he asks again.

Once the good doctor has answered Nils will then toss the fruit or roll to Nafti so that she can catch it easily and see if its the same hand the doctor has mentioned holding the dagger...

Nils yawns.
Sighing he looks around the room.
"Oh right," Nils says to noone in particular.
"Well..." Nils points to the mercenary.
"He's more likely to kill the sheriff and then steal that dagger," Nils notes aloud.
"And you," Nils now points to the farmer.
"Probably had a better night than I did," he tells him gravely before grinning.
"Anyway the important point is that he," Nils now points back to the mercenary.
"Is too much of a coward to stick around here if he did steal it and as I said he's more likely to kill you," Nils nods to the sheriff.
"And if he was actually smart he'd also try and frame us for it, so..." Nils now scratches his head.
"We're looking for someone else, who if they haven't run for the hills yet, should have done since we are now going to have to see the scene of the crime if we're going to prove our innocence..." Nils explains spreading his hands expressing his opinion.
"Oh," Nils nods to the mercenary.
"I know you couldn't care less, but the sheriff is going to have to examine all of our stuff and your crew's stuff too so we can at least exonerate ourselves at this point," Nils points out to the mercenary.
"And I know she didn't do it, since she actually owns the dagger, so stealing it would be well simply...pointless," Nils shrugs back at the sheriff towards Feona.
Nils raises a hand to stifle another yawn.
"Oh sorry miss, I assume the sheriff has already cleared you so you'll have to excuse my friend, it was a really nice dagger and its not the sort of thing you'd expect to find after driving a pack of wild dogs from the corpse of a lone hobgoblin, yes I know but until we did we really didn't know who they were tearing into..."Nils explains kindly to the maid before looking at the mercenary with a glint in his eye.
"A glowing golden dagger, not something anyone with any wit could have missed wouldn't you say?" Nils asks the mercenary with a straight face.

Please note none of this is based on evidence, except that Nils assumes the merc from his actions last night is unlikely to have the finesse to just steal the dagger nor the inclination to stick about afterwards, so whoever did had to get into the sheriff's room and out without being detected which means he needs to get Feona where she can examine the sheriff's room to see what she can figure out what happened and to be blunt Nils couldn't resist needling the mercenary whilst he was talking!

The night goes by uneventful, and everyone is able to get a good nights sleep. The next morning, there is knocking on the door, "The sheriff wants to meet all of you in the main room. Please come as soon as possible."

"Okay," he calls to whoever's knocking on the door.

"Yawn!" Nils stretched himself as he looked back at his reflection having been interrupted as he shaved.
Cleaning up he got dressed and ready to head downstairs but not before making sure the others were on their way.

"The northern part of Varisia."

"And supposedly even more dangerous than Katapesh but thats just the gossip so I honestly don't know about that part," Nils quips.

Knowledge/Geography: Roll(1d20)+5:8+5 for Total of 13 so he really doesn't know much about Riddleport or would that be a Knowledge/Local check?

Nafti Nightdusk wrote:

"A slumber party?" Nafti looks around the room, eying up the men, then pouts not seeing the sheriff anywhere.

"So, how did you all wind up stuck here?"

"Me and Nils and Berenthor were guards for a merchant family - we just needed a job. What about you? By the way, I'm Feona."

"If he did kill that hobgoblin I'd wager his entire team helped him fight it, but if he did to overlook that dagger and then try and pull this..."Nils shakes his head still looking angry.

"Sorry that mercenary must be several kinds of a fool to pull that stunt," Nils apologises to the others at the table.
He then takes a gulp from his drink trying to recover his composure.

Nils will be looking over at the merc and his team trying to gauge who and what they are, would that be a perception or sense motive check to do so?

With all the chaos that happened, it's hard to tell. Fights had broken out all over the inn.

Nils sheaths his blades but keeps watch as he doesn't trust the mercenaries to let it go that easily...

The merc snarls at the group, then walks back to the rest of the mercenaries. The sheriff keeps his weapon out as he goes to stand in between the group, "Frankly, I don't care WHO started this, because I will end it. Now-" While he speaks, a man from the corner of the room shrieks. A lamp had fallen onto the table, and the items were quickly being destroyed by the flames, "My shrouds! Oh no my shrouds are ruined! All my work destroyed!" The sheriff shakes his head, looking between the two groups, "See what trouble you've caused? Now, I want this item you all are fighting over. I am going to keep it until I decide how to handle all of this. As of right now, it's evidence. And all of you will be staying here tonight as well."

Nils looks across trying to figure out who toppled the lamp.

Perception check (vision) or should it be sense motive in case it was one of the mercenaries acting out of spite... Perception check Roll 1d20+7: 17+7 for Total of 24 or Sense Motive check Roll 1d20+1:20+1 for Total of 21

The man laughs as he ducks away from the dagger strike. "I thank you for handing it out to me." Berenthor casts his spells, the light of it bursting from his body for a moment then fading. Nafti, still at the other table, points a finger at the pudgy mercenary, and the ray of acid strikes him solidly on the chest. He groans loudly, and looks around to see where it came from. The whole inn at the moment is at chaos. Most of the other patrons have fled, and the serving girls have ducked behind the bar, screaming in panic.

As soon as that happens, one of the men from the other tables stands up, drawing a longsword, "Ok! I have seen enough! I am Sheriff Cage and I order you all to stand down and surrender."

The mercenaries look around for a moment, then lower their fists. The one who started the whole fight looks to the sheriff, "I didn't do nothing! Those fellows over there have my property, and I demand they return it!"

"Gutless liar, does your cowardice know no bounds? You drew and attacked in full view and then run and hide when it comes to face a foe face to face when your threats failed you!"Nils hisses, he is seriously angry only the sheriff's call is all that stopping him cutting down the mercenary where he stands...