Truk you see there is huge cheer for hte free drinks on the elf, that lightened the mood. Other than the sudden outburst of cheer you don't even really get a good feel for the social mood.
You locate her quite easily, she has an early afternoon performance at the Limehouse Theater, a little three person one act show. She is in her dressing room getting ready for the performance. It normally cost 5 sp for a ticket to the show but the Robahl Nonon catches a glimpse of you and lets you in for free.
"Orsin Bessatte...Welcome to my theater AGAIN...welcome. yes, yes please sit in my box, be my guest." There are quite a few people who smile and turn to you. A few seek autographs.
Nowhere near enough drunk yet (he was a dwarf with an uncommonly high tolerance), Grimm storms in on Andrea.
He tosses the shield and kilt at her and cracks his knuckles,
You. Me. Rooftop. Trainin starts now!
Truk shrugs and raises his mug high for a toast.
"It's good to be friends with the Champ!"
Nowhere near enough drunk yet (he was a dwarf with an uncommonly high tolerance), Grimm storms in on Andrea.
He tosses the shield and kilt at her and cracks his knuckles,
You. Me. Rooftop. Trainin starts now!
Rawr!
Andrea puts on the kilt and umfs a bit as she gets the shield up and follows Grimm up to the roof.
The whole bar toast "To the Champ!
---
The half-elf librarian sort of frowns at Faelyn's flagrant show of wealth and then at her "date's" immature behavior using her as his water hydrant.
"Grimm do you mind if I watch you and Andrea spar?"
No problems here. Andrea sets down everything except for her mace and shield. The new kilt strapped around her waist.
She simply nods at Faelyn, her large brown eyes shift over to Jacque,then back to you. Of course, I don't see him for over a week and now I run into him here - of all places. MEN...Grrrrr
Faelyn puts his hand on Truk's shoulder. Come on big guy let's enjoy the evening! Lucrezia...how about another round? He then toasts the crowd. To good health! As the crowd cheers, Faelyn sneaks a look back at Melissaa and her beautiful brown eyes. When she catches his face, he mouths I am sorry. and then heads back to his original table.
"You don't have to tell me twice", Truk says as he takes a draw from his mug.
The big orc leans in and whispers.
"You've got eyes for the pretty one."
Aye my friend. Very much. Her date was not happy with my interruption. Had he not been a Dottari commander, I would have had you kick his smug ass. Faelyn frowns as he takes another swig of his drink. I embarrassed him pretty badly. We will probably meet him again in a dark alley if you know what I mean.
"I...uh...thank you?"
Orsin seems a little confused to see Robahl acting so courteously. Memory can be a funny thing and while the bard certainly recalls that the director was nice upon occasion, he also remembers that it was only after they survived his murder play.
Orsin dutifully signs autographs and returns smiles before the performance starts.
I wonder if I'll miss this? he muses, considering the reason for his visit.
"I doubt he'd do anything that dumb but just to be safe, Beautiful and I will stick with you all night", Truk said with a glance in the dottari's direction.
"You want me to rough him up later?"
Nah. Melissaa is not like the girls I usually end up with. She would be upset if he got roughed up. I am thankful for your company tonight though. We need our Devildrome cup to drink out of.. With that thought, the usual smile returns to Faelyn's face. Hey. Has anyone seen Ziz?
"No."
"Why do I feel like that's bad?"
Grimm nods.
This be 9/10ths fighting and a bit o prayin. Be honest wit yer criticism for her.
He does not look back as he climbs the ladder.
When Andrea gets up his jaw is set, cold
When she assumes a guard he charges.
DEFEND YERSELF!
Andrea climbs upwards and stands across from Grimm, she does seem to hold the large shield somewhat awkwardly, not being used to such a weight on her amr.
A whispered prayer passes her lips, divine energy flowing down her arm and through the shield.
Andrea raises her hand and..
Vanishes!
Faelyn- Ziz catches a wink from the eye that is away from her "date".
Ziz moves invisibly over to Melissaa and sits on her shoulder. He whispers in her ear Hey babe. It's been way too long.
"I...uh...thank you?"
Orsin seems a little confused to see Robahl acting so courteously. Memory can be a funny thing and while the bard certainly recalls that the director was nice upon occasion, he also remembers that it was only after they survived his murder play.
Orsin dutifully signs autographs and returns smiles before the performance starts.
I wonder if I'll miss this? he muses, considering the reason for his visit.
"My good friend it has been far too long since the star of the most dramatic play ever to grace the stage took place." He smiles, perhaps he can be persuaded for a duet with performance with Calseinica.
"Your fame has grown but your stage presence is tragically missing," his hands over his heart
"Nice trick, Andrea."Janiven stands to the side watching, she has a hand axe and danger in her hands spinning them casually.
"A high compliment from one of Westcrown's most visionary director," Orsin says, returning a non-committal compliment.
"Though, if I recall correctly, the local theatre critic doesn't share your sentiments. I doubt he has mourned my absence."
"Nice trick, Andrea."Janiven stands to the side watching, she has a hand axe and danger in her hands spinning them casually.
Andrea's voice drifts through the air. Not about to fight fair.. A laugh echoes around on the wind..
"Flav'r T'Dj'more can be a putz." He snaps back quickly, [b]"did you see his comments after that pompous morons Thesling Umbero lst performance a the High Manor Theater?" His eyes wide with fury,"I think that worthless talent must have paid 100 gold for that review."
"We are not cavaliers here...fight to win, worry about fairness after- the-fact."
Orsin snorts at the remark, "I didn't see it, but I'm unsurprised. As it stands, I could care less Thesling and where his petty ambitions lead him. I'm much more interested in seeing true stars shine."
The bard directs his gaze to the stage, awaiting Calseinica's performance with surprising excitement.
While he is eager to see the show, something has changed. Since Delvehaven, the atmosphere of the theatre feels different to him now: more like a fascinating diorama instead of his entire universe. Orsin is comforted by this revelation, knowing that his life does begin and end (literally and figuratively) on the operatic stage.
So ye know the first rule. Good. I know that trick as well.
Grimm casts INVISIBILITY. Then moves to the side 10ft.
We can do this one until we run otta spells lass. I'm better at fighting blind than ye. Invisibility is great fer getting in the first hit or fleeing. There's a ton o stuff that can see past it. Great fer humans. Tell ye what, we can stumble around till we get one hit each and become visible or...
Grimm flashes into view as he dispels his own spell.
Ye can use yer time ta spell yeself ready fer combat, then ta yer best shot. I'll see how long this lasts.
Grimm invokes his Judgement
Grimm sets his shield and settles on the balls of his feat a ready action to attack Andrea when she becomes visible.
Use what tactics ye like, but I know ye can cast. We here ta see ye fight.
Andrea Blesses herself (+1 hit) and then uses Copycat.(1 image 7 rounds. She then chants and a few seconds later, a creature looking like a cross between Crab and eel appears nehind Duncan and snaps at him with it's claws.
Andrea then casts Charm Person on Grimm. (DC15)
How about we just stop this nasty fighting and have an ale?
Janiven comments, "Invisibility is fine for general battle but I fear..."she pauses,"that much of what is out there facing you can see right through that trick...as Grimm said." She shrugs,"but don't loose hope it is sold against common races and non-spellcasters."
I have a feeling that one will have to be invisible, flying, silenced and have some kind of special no-smell spell on them to fight what we will be facing.
"Nine lives like a cat would help," she smirks,"just kidding."
He sees Andrea become visible. Using his domain power to learn IMPROVED BULLRUSH as a swift action, he attempts to push the aquatic creature off the roof.
Easily smashing the creature over the edge (beat the DC by 23. Every 5 over is worth 5 feet) and Crashing to the ground. He turns on Andrea with Rage in his eyes and dismisses his domain feat.
Ye gonna start fightin soon. Ye ain't shown me sh!t yet!
Andrea then casts confusion AIming to keep Janivan out of the radius (DC 18)
Yer p!ss!n me off Andrea, now FIGHT!
Grimm uses his domain power to learn IMPROVED TRIP
Grimm Moves Andrea and sweeps his hammer in A Wide Arc at her legs attempting to trip her.
and with his second strike brings his hammer down in an overhead smash onto her prone form.
Andrea slams into the ground and her circlet glows, sending a beam of light into Grimm
Grimm grunts as the light hits him.
Gonna have ta learn ya the hard way. Ye ain't taken a swing yet.
Swift Bane vs Humanoid
Andrea falls on her ass.
Grimm repeats the smash against her prone form.
So Andrea stays up for now, let the trip a thon commence!
With Andrea prone and reeling from a successful trip and follow up smash, Grimm comments, Using a ton o magic an ain't doing squat. Ye gonna try something else or just get beat on. Member I could just shoved ye off the roof like yer pet.
Well let us see, I could try to return the favor by tripping you, but those thick dwarf legs will keep you standing pretty well. Duncan never went down to any kind of trick like that. Or try to stand then that just repeats the trip cycle, it is pretty obvious that if a melee type like yourself gets close then I am meat.
Looking down at her prone form, Grimm backs up a step and allows her to stand. He drops his domain feat and his bane.
Ye don't have ta beat me. Ya just gotta survive. I don't expect ye ta go one on one wit a foe and win. Just survive long enough fer me or John to kill it. Start partnerin with someone if ye need. Slinging spells is fine, but yer a Vindicator now. Maybe try using yer whip ta trip foes fer me an John when ye aint casting. Now, worry about defense, yer abilities make ye hard ta hit. So get good at that...
Later on, Grimm drags a bloody,beaten, and senseless Andrea back into the Safehouse.
With Janivien's assistance Grimm gets Andrea to a bed.
His counterence is different now, softer.
Not bad.
He casts cure Moderate wounds to heal the welts and bruises. He had not been gentle, but life and death combat never was. When he speaks it is without contempt and full of honesty.
At the moment ye need a ton o buffs ta fight.
Yer shield is good but won't last once ye get hit.
We need ta get ye a mithral Breastplate to go with the kilt.
The less spellin ye need ta be ready the better. Practice duckin and weavin wit me and fight defensively. Get a flank wit me or John and ye'll be a threat. We hit harder, for now, so's they focus on us while ye chip away at em. Rest now. Ye suck at the moment, but keep that fire burnin an ah'll make ye better. Remember, don't fight fair.
He tends whatever cuts weren't healed by his spell and then leaves her to sleep. If she was really mentally ready for the deal she made, she would be back tomorrow, despite the beating. If not, she would forsake her gifts and Calistria would NOT be pleased.
Orsin the performance goes very well then Robahl suggests,"It would be a great privileged to run a duet with you and Calseinica. I limited performance say two shows a day. Something snappy, crowd pleasing."
The remainder of the night goes by uneventfully for Truk, Lucrezia and Faelyn. The next day there would be note at Talbard's for Faelyn. The handwriting is pretty script.
I assume John is back at his mentor's place.
Andrea and Grimm find that the safehouse is still abuzz with activity. you can clearly feel the excitement in the air from your deeds and those of the Brotherhood. The ranks are swelling.