Bah
Heads out the door
Slow down you whippersnapper
As he comes from behind the bar in pursuit of the purple halfling, Gregor grabs a small, strange bottle and tosses it down quickly. Letting out a belch, he seems to accelerate with each step, running after the violet offender who so underhandedly lifted his delicious beers!
The halfling seems to be consistently 60 ft away from the barkeep for as long has Gregor's potion lasts. The halfling continues to run away as fast as it can, quickly a small speck in the distance along the road.
"You'll never catch the likes of Fimbleputz!"
_______________
Back at the bar, the patrons are arguing up a storm about who should have tried more, who's fault it was, and where they can get more alcohol. Greta is trying to calm the crowd down, but the arguing just seems to get louder.
Rakar fires as well...
I've got it!
*He begins waving his hands around in strange arcane motions*
ZOKHALDOKANOPZARLAKFIMBLEPUTZ
The arrows whiz past them, missing their target.
The wizard pauses to try and cast the spell, but it does nothing but makes sparks.
"Blaagabit! Rakar swears in Halfling. Making the same signs, Rakar goes invisible, hoping to get the drop on the insane halfling.
Disappearing, Rakar runs forward and jumps, hoping to get some more distance.
Getting a bit closer, Rakar takes his shot.
*I start whistling a strange tune, suddenly a white horse appears*
I must be off, look for me in 5 days as the sun rises in the east[/gandalf]
Seeing the shots of the others fly wide, Variel decides not to shoot any of his arrows and stows his bow. Not wanting to accidently hit any of the innocent bystanders. "Barkeep, I do not wish to intrude, but your patrons are starting to get unruly. You might want to do something about it, lest they destroy your establishment." Variel says hesitantly to Gregor.
Walking back into the Corner Inn, Gregor sees the the chaos brewing in the tap room. Summoning his innate barkeep powers (accessible only within the bar where he serves), he gives a mighty speech worthy of the warriors of old. "Ladies and gentlemen, please, do not despair. Yes, it is true that a perverse, profligate purple pint-sized pea pod just robbed this great establishment of many fine brews, spirits, wines, and some of its great memorabilia. Everyone knows you do not rob an inn... pick the pocket of a drunk patron, perhaps, get in a barfight, of course, slap a barmaid's rump, why not - but rob an inn?! It is an outrage! Yet, while I enjoy a barfight, as that would be the inevitable outcome of this argument, I propose a far bolder and better solution: first, I get more ale from the keg cellar. Yes, I have more - I am a brewer!. Second, we drink said ale. Third, we set off on a grand quest to apprehend the violet violator! Who is with me?" By the end, Gregor is standing on a table, calling to all the patrons of the Corner Inn.
Huzzah! yells the crowd. They are quite glad for more booze.
A few do volunteer for the mission, pledging to help search for the stolen goods.
After hauling up a couple more kegs from the cellar and making sure the common folks each had a full tankard, he gathers up a round for those who put up a more significant defense to the lavender looter and approaches them.
"Gentlemen, thank you for your aid. But now i must ask more of you. Will you help the Corner Inn recover its stolen goods? I am but a simple barkeep and brewer, but the lot of you, now you are heroes. Heroes who carry out great quests in defense of others, and what better place to defend than the very inn where you seek merriment and relaxation? I will assist where i can - i have a strong arm and my brews are known to have wondrous effects. Tell me, can one of you track the plum pipsqueak who pinched our pints?"
The monk, having returned to the table, considers. "I have no other plans and your tea is acceptable... I will help."
"You have my sword and bow! I was looking for a worthy quest and this is one if I ever saw one!", Variel with a louder voice than he had wanted. He changes his posture and bows apologetically "My apologies for my tone, I was still excited from the combat we had with this purple scoundrel."
Afterwards, he sits back down at the table.
Rakar nods. "If the pay's good, I'm game." Rakar sighs. "Time I come clean. I'm a ninja, a blade for hire." He states this like that wasn't obvious, then sits down and cleans his blade.
About 6 other patrons volunteer.
One of the assembled asks So how are we going to find him?
"that, good sir, is an excellent question." Tossing back a pint of ale, he continues. "Truth be told, I was hoping one of these great heroes might have the skill, or spell, to track the purple pickpocket."
Turning toward the halfling, "Indeed, a blade for hire. So you'd be skilled in gutting the villainous violet violator, but are you any good at tracking? As for pay, I am not a wealth man. The Corner Inn suffers lots of damages in the many bar fights, so most of the profit from the sale of food, ale, and lodging goes into repairs. But, I can offer you all the ale you can drink.... for life!"
Thinking to himself, Halflings can't drink THAT much, can they?
Looking to the mad old man, the overly serious elf, and the prince charming-esque knight "Well, you've got tankards of ale... care to join in the quest?"
Looking at his three compatriots, the elven warrior, the halfling assassin, and the human who doesn't like ale ....what is wrong with him.... he smiles, "Well gents, names would perhaps work. I am Gregor, Gregor MacAllan, barkeep and brewer here at the Corner Inn. Who would you all be? "
"Rakar. Rakar Waldi." Rakar shakes Gregor's hand. "Infiltration's more my thing. Most of my marks are in big, impressive castles. If I shave my beard, I can generally pass for a kid servant. In short, I'm sorry, I can't track for you."
"I am Heiwa." says Heiwa.
"I am Variel Undovir of Illumnor. Although my skills mostly lie in other fields, I should be able to follow the trail of the purple perpetrator, if we do not tarry. For every moment we wait his tracks might get disturbed by passerby."
Sizing up the six nameless bar-patron volunteers, Gregor smiles. "Ah, for each of you, I have just the thing." Gregor heads to the back room for a minute, and returns with an armful of crimson tunics emblazoned with the logo of the Corner Inn. Handing one to each of the six nondescript warrior/mercenary/adventurer types, Gregor smiles. "Excellent, as loyal patrons and defenders of the Corner Inn, I present each of you with a commemorative tunic. Together, you shall be called the Red Shirts!"
Turning back toward the strange mixed company he has spoken with more in depth, "I apologize, but that is all the commemorative tunics I have. I trust none of you will be offended that I do not have any for you. Now, shall we be on our way so Variel can still follow the tracks left by the violet villain? I am sure the absent minded wizard will follow shortly, likewise accompanied by the paladin styling his hair in the corner."
"Well I shall be heading out already. Can't let those tracks get cold. If you still have some things to arrange, you can do so." Variel stands up and bows towards Gregor. "It should be easy enough to catch up with me. I will be moving slower than I normally would as following tracks takes careful attention."
With this said, Variel stands up, bows towards Gregor and swiftly goes to where they stopped following the mauve miscreant. He first surveys the scene to find the proper set of tracks to follow.
When he finds the set he thinks belong to the heliotrope halfling, he starts following them.
Variel does indeed find the tracks of the halfling. Many on your way seem to be stunned by the purple halfling whooshing past them in all of his naked glory.
You follow the tracks quite far from the town on a back road leading out to the Dim Forest.
Off in the distance, you see a purple figure weaving back and forth along the road. He doesn't seem to notice anyone yet.
*Riding out of the east comes the wizard*
I bring news from the west.....Oh my what was that news, ah yes I have located my spellbook. Now where is that little eggplant, I will read his mind and get to the bottom of this dilemma.
"Let us not leave our elven friend alone out in the cold. Red shirts, companions, we go!" Stepping behind the bar, he hefts a large backpack, then places it atop a keg of beer. He straps the keg to the pack, then lifts it onto his shoulders.
Turning toward the Red Shirts and his named allies, he waves toward the door, then heads out in pursuit of the elf.
Heiwa finishes his tea before leaving. He ties the shirt around his waist, in preparation for the star-t of their trek.
Ah yes, Variel we will not abandon you
*Heads off towards Variel....and glory*
After everyone else has left, Rakar melds into the shadows and follows them.
If I remember correctly, the bounty for larceny is 100 gold. It'll probably be worth it.
The remainder of the party follows Variel. Rakar and Yurian see off into the distance the maroon hobbit weaving to and fro along the road a few hundred feet ahead. Ahead of that looms the Dim Forest.
*quietly to party*
"Don't let him get in there, There are bad evil things that lurk in those woods"
Variel whispers back to Getoff Mylawn and the rest of the group, "Does anyone have a net of some sort? Might be the easiest way of capturing him. Or do we just try to get closer and knock him out like we tried at the inn?"
Perhaps I could prevent him from going in....Innyohkmazzmapati
*Casts Wall of Force in front of the hobbit*
Hmmm...the magical eminations from the dim forest must be interfering with my magic...try and knock him out
The monk says, "If you can make me invisible, this might prove easier." Whether or not he vanishes from sight, Heiwa tightens the chinstrap of his conical hat and pours on the speed - sprinting after the deranged halfling at a ground-eating pace.
Variel followed after Heiwa, trying but obviously failing to keep up.
I have invisibility, I just seem to have misplaced it...bah...How about a nice meteor swarm
Heiwa quickly overtakes the halfling. Which seems all to easy as the halfing stumbles across the path.
The halfling appears to be singing a quite raunchy song, but when the monk reaches him he says slurredly. "What do you want". He then takes a swig from his bag.
Rakar approaches the purple halfling from the shadows. You can hear an ominous "3...2...1..." Suddenly, you can hear the now familiar battlecry of as Rakar jumps from the shadows and tries to land an attack on a nonlethal place with his wakizashi.
Heiwa nods pleasantly at the purple halfling and gets to the point. "I compliment you on your skillful exit... but you have left many thirsty people back at the tavern. I need you to return the liquor you stole... now. Otherwise, I'm obligated to stop you. Drop the bag, please."
*Breathing Heavily*
Why you....little eggplant, I ought to.....turn you into a frog.....Now return Master Gregors wares at once...
Both blows solidly land on the hobbit, but strangely, the fist fails to stun him.
"nnnnnnNNNNO! This is Fwoom's now.
On his turn, with a wave of the strange rod, three strange creatures appear.
to Identify
Variel Imbues his bow with his spark of arcane might and tries to shoot the nearest Mephit with 2 arrows.
Running down the road behind the others, a winded Gregor pleads with himself. Damn, these adventurers can move fast... my chest feels like it is going to explode, I never run like this... Reaching into his pack he pulls a small bottle of volatile spirits. Taking a small sip he then throws a couple additives to it, then hurls it at one of the mephits.
reflex DC 14 for splash on adjacent targets