Now or never
Turning to the thri-kreen.
"I've come to rescue you."
This has got to be the worst hunter ever, K'z'k thinks as the templar bellows. Hunting but then warning all the prey? Ridiculous.
As Xanyon attacks, K'z'k looks around... that swordsman is a predator! A good one! This master is prey!
"Master!" the thri-kreen calls out, grabbing the templar and wrapping her arms and body around him like a shield.
Averel nods "Yes I did give him money. Why?" He was wondering why she had that look in her eyes.
*Ah urns, perhaps we should purchase one to store Adder's ashes when you are done with him?*
Sinorei ignored the taunts of her crystal and continued to chat with Anton.
"What brings you to Urik? Surely you haven't come to purchase pottery, have you?"
She picks up one of the pieces adorned adorned with a dizzying array of paint and color and considers it.
"Although this one would be nice with some flowers."
She returns it to the table, waving off the merchant to indicate she has no interest to haggle.
"The gardens? I wouldn't mind seeing them. Perhaps we can get better directions here?"
"Karek, I am Morthak, and any aid you can give to find and serve justice for my family will be marked and remembered. See you on the morrow."
Morthak enters the city and tries to follow the directions to the Halfling's Pot. If he passes by one, he'll stop at a public well to refresh his waterskins.
Anton finds himself smiling as he walks, pleased with the loveliness of his companion and the novelty of not being alone with his thoughts. I had forgotten how pleasant it is to travel with someone... Has it truly been so long since Oasir was lost?
"No, I am not. I have little use for such things, to be honest... " he pauses for a moment and smiles, "... Although, I must admit that I have never really stopped to admire them as you do. I... well, I am here to find someone lost to me some time ago.... though now that I've arrived I find that I have almost no idea as to how to accomplish that."
Anton's eyes widen slightly as he realizes how much he's given away. Have you no sense, fool? Is it her smile that's taken your wits from you, or have you truly been so lonely you'd divulge everything to the first person you speak to? It is a good thing the Templar weren't pretty or you'd probably have gotten yourself arrested at the gate.
Pleased for the change in conversation, he nods, "An excellent idea... although I imagine one of these merchants might be willing to direct you, especially if they thought you were seeking flowers for a vase you wished to purchase." She can accomplish with her smile what would require me to empty my purse, I have no doubt.
Casually perusing the wares, you wander languidly from stall to stall. Suddenly, from out of the corner of her eye, Sinorei spots Adder about to throw a dagger at the unsuspecting back of Anton. He must have been following you to see where you were headed, and resents what he must now consider a rival. Sadly, you notice it too late to stop his throw.
The blade strikes Anton solidly in the back, a few more inches and it could have been deadly.
Averel shrugs "I did find him was sent to him. How does he normally swindled people? After you answer I will go find him again. "
Round 1
The fool! *The fool!*
Sinorei glared angrily at Adder and worriedly at Anton.
What have I gotten this poor man into?
Biting her lip, she stepped forward, her eyes ablaze with latent psionic energy stirring within.
Anton winces in sudden pain, trying to figure out what is happenining... Has someone found me out? Is it the Templar?. He turns to see the dagger-thrower approaching him and realizing the severity of his injury, he steps back to cast Cure Light Wounds on himself.
"No, Master," the kreen slave replies, as she begins to feed.
Grapple check:
Unarmed Damage:
Acid damage (Elemental Fist):
as she beings to feed.
"Die scum"
As the Thri-kreen holds the Templar's limbs, locking him up tight, one of its secondary limbs begins to tear at the meaty flesh left somewhat exposed by the few areas his armor doesn't cover. He cries out in surprise. With him so incapacitated, the Mul strikes at him again, finding a weakness this time and striking a mighty cut in the Templar's thigh. This results in him crying out in pain. In his fury, he channels the might and rage of his Sorcerer-king, "Hamanu, my king, take the fight out of these lawbreakers that your devoted may live." As a blast of energy erupts around him while he grasps the Lion-headed symbol worn around his neck. The blast does nothing FOR him, and very little against you, though and you can see the worry in his eyes at being overcome by the two of you. He yells out , and considering the rich neighborhood you are in, there can't be many too far off.
Sinorei takes a step towards the ugly man and lashes out with psychic energy, her eyes shine with a silvery light as an arc of shimmering colors flash out from her briefly as she manifests. An invisible wave appears to hit the man, but he shakes it off as if nothing had happened. His lurid gaze takes on a sinister look as he sneers, "You whore, I just knew you were going to meet someone else. I should have taken what I wanted from you that night in the desert." His look turns to one of triumph as your attack has no effect, and Anton barely stands, a deep gash in his back. When just a short way down the street an emaciated looking dwarf, as far as dwarves go anyways, hurls a tiny sphere of flame at the man. His look turns to one of surprise as it strikes him in the back, searing his flesh. He decides to try and finish the job he started, he will deal with the newcomer next. He draws another dagger and throws at Anton, the blade just cuts a gash in his arm, but it is enough to put him over the edge, dropping the poor man to the dusty brick road. Adder uses the advantage to move closer to his prey, standing so close Sinorei can almost feel his breath.
Round 2 Initiative 12+
Status
HP = 14
AC = 15
Weapon Equipped = Greatsword
Speed = 30'
Status Effects = None
Will save:
HP 6/11
Round 2
Sinorei continues to glare at Adder, grateful that at least someone in the city has seen the man's murderous attempt on Anton's life, and has chosen to assist them.
Sinorei nods thanks to Morthak, "Thank you so much, this man is trying to kill my friend."
*Only because you befriended him instead of bedded the other...*
The psion, keeping her distance, focuses her energy before a radiant bolt of violet energy ripples from her outstretched hand towards Adder.
Averel laughs than says "You would be right on that. Well than I best be off to get my money back." His face than turns hard as steel and his eyes look as if murder was second nature to him he says coldly "I suggest you find a way to bury both the men they will not be fooling anyone else. Thank you for the information." He than gets up to find the elf merchant and hopefully the dwarf man.
;
K'z'k continues her relentless chewing on her first hunt-meal in a long time.
Grapple:
Damage:
The kreen strikes again at her first self caught meal since her captivity in the city, taking a big bite of the Templar. The hunt has been fruitful, and the kill is in sight. As the thri-kreen gnaws, the mul takes another swing, driving his blade into the body of the man, driving the breath from him as his last yell dies on his breath with him. The Templar's body goes limp, and slumps in the kreen's grasp. Though the call has died off, the alarm has been raised, and the heavy sound of large booted feet approaches ever closer. Half-giant guards must surely be close.
Adder moves up as Sinorei harnesses her power into a blast of energy that she uses to lash out at the man. He narrowly dodges the blast itself as it almost grazes him. The dwarf draws his weapon and rushes at the filthy cur, swinging wildly and not connecting with the hit. The immediate threat of the dwarf and his implement, turns Adder's attention toward him, still certain that Sin is a mostly weak girl. He sidesteps and swings his small blade. He connects with the dwarf, but really only makes a scratch, his eagerness wavers as he realizes that he might be in a tough spot.
Round 2 - Sinorei and Morthak go now.
Adder
Anton - Stabilized
Sinorei
Morthak
*Your powers are failing you on this one*
Sinorei gritted her teeth, her hands reflexively tightening around her spear. She charged at Adder, aiming it's point at a spot between the man's shoulders.
K'z'k finishes her bite and thinks about eating more, but realizes that there will be even more attackers shortly.
She looks around the alleyway for exits. How high are the buildings? Are there extra doorways or other alleyways?
She looks at Xanyon as she removes her hair braid. "Where to, Master?"
Having seen the dwarf Averel will start to walk to catch up to him. He than thinks to himself "Why do others have to be so greedy."
Xanyon quickly wipes his blade off on the Templar's body.
"I'm Xanyon not your Master. We need to run if we're to retain our lives. Killing a Templar is a death sentence for both of us. Do you know these streets?
Xanyon searches the area for any escape routes.
Unfortunately for the two of you, the thri-kreen had chosen an effective alley to stop and wait in. The only ways out are the way in, and the other end. The walls here are high, and most likely lead to the guarded houses or yards of the rich and influential. There appear to be no openings amongst the walls. The choice is to go either over, or follow them to their ends.
After Morthak swings, Adder once again takes a quick step away from the girl, now swinging her weapon at him. He strikes again at the angry dwarf, confusion dotting his features, as if he is trying to recognize the man asking the whereabouts of his family members. He grows cocky in knowing that he may not have hard strikes but as he cuts you down little by little, he will be triumphant. From the north-east you see a dwarf, somewhat out of breath, run up to the edge of the fight. He slows as he gets close, drawing his khopesh, and yells to Adder "Fool! What are you doing, we are not supposed to fight in the city?". Seeing his acquaintance's arrival, Adder smiles his wicked gap-toothed grin.
Round 3 - Sinorei and Morthak go now.
Adder
New Combatant
Anton - Stabilized
Sinorei
Morthak
K'z'k listens a moment for which end has guards more quickly approaching, then runs at top speed for the other end.
Perception:
Xanyon chases after the thri-kreen, sword sheathed.
"Are you adept at climbing?"
;
Drawing his blade Averel looks at the fight and people before him. Noticing that the dwarf is helping the one of the combatants. He than charges toward the dwarf. When close enough he swings his blade at the dwarf.
Sinorei grunts with effort as she thrusts her longspear at Adder again.
"These walls are too high."
You run down the alley, making for the way out of a tight spot. As you get to the end of the row, it opens out into the street. The wide street runs from east to west, across the street to the north, are two other alleyways. One each to the left and right of a magnificent manor house. The loud stomp of half-giants can be heard coming up the alley behind you, and you can see coming down both sides of the street are more. It looks as though they are looking for where the call came from. They may not have seen you just yet, but the sounds from behind you are getting louder, and you hear "Whuts dis?" "Itsa dead Templar" "We's gots killers"
Sinorei sidesteps to catch Adder between her and the helpful dwarf, finally getting him with a solid swing. She leaves a gash across his back, as he bellows from the pain, blood begins to soak his clothes. Turning to look at her, he sneers, as Morthak prepares to blast him with another ball of fire from his hand. As he conjures the ball, Adder swings out at him, trying to disrupt his focus, but the cut on his back threw off his swing. Morthak finishes just in time and singes him again with flame. The burn catches him square in the chest, seriously hampering him and leaving him wobbling on his feet. As his friend arrives, Adder just points at Sinorei with his thumb and says "Look Spider... Galaro's tent." with a nod, before stumbling a small step closer to Sinorei, to let his friend handle the dwarf. Spider takes the opportunity to move in to help his friend, swinging his khopesh at the fellow dwarf. He strikes hard and true, getting through Morthak's defenses, dropping him to the ground. As he stands triumphant, he gets smacked from behind by a Mul charging from out of a side street to strike him fiercely.
Averel's face is hard as he swings his blade once more at the dwarf.
Morthak bleeds.
Seeing her second savior, the dwarf, fall to the ground at Spider's hand, Sinorei's heart races even faster.
Before this is over, half of Urik will have joined the fight and chosen a side...
*Let's hope your good looks win you two-thirds of the city against their one-third*
Making sure she has space again, her left hand strays to her temple and she probes into Spider's mind, hoping to convince him that he is in fact disabled.
"Ok, act casual. Just walk as if we belong here, and let's look for a good escape path."
Too many to fight, running is our best bet.
Averel swings again at Spider, but does not connect now that the dwarf's focus is on him. Sinorei steps away and tries to tap in to her victim's mind. With silver eyes and a flash of color the wave reaches Spider, but much like Adder, he just shakes away the thought. For thugs they appear to be pretty stubborn. Adder, the fight leaving him, backs away from Sin towards a nearby alley. Not sure what Sin is up to, the dwarf slides to the side, putting Averel between him and her. He then brings his khopesh to bear, and strikes at the mul. He brings the blade across, leaving a decent cut across Averel's thigh. Off in the direction of the gate a whistle can be heard getting closer, and soon after the clomp of running feet. A group of Templar's can be seen running towards the fight. "Stop, all of you! You have disrupted the sanctity of Urik's streets, and are all under arrest!"
8/14 HP
Averel's face is still hard and emotionless as he swings his sword at the dwarf once again.
K'z'k replies, "Yes, Master Xanyon," and walks down the street, heading for the portal back to the outer section of Urik.
You walk out into the street as if nothing is wrong, braidless the Thri-kreen resumes her usual spot at the front. The guards from the near side call out, "Hey youse, where you going? We need talk to you. Go no more far.", as they move to catch up to you in a hurry. The guards from the far end now turn their attention to you as they hear the others call out.
"Quickly, what is your name? And who was your fist master?"
I hope this works.
"I am walking my Master's favorite slave. I suggest you not make us late or you will feel his wrath."
"Xhalask, and Hlanast the Slayer, an elf, is the servant he usually entrusts me with."
K'z'k remains quiet, standing by Xanyon, for the encounter, continuing her role as slave.
Aid Another's Bluff:
Xanyon looks back quickly and tries to keep the shock off his face.
"I didn't know they could do that. Well my new friend, there's only one thing I can think to do."
Xanyon begins running.