"Tea?" The weary looking Seneschal rubs her hand across her chin for a moment. "Uh, yes, certainly." She waves for her assitant to fetch some while she sits down and prepares to haggle.
As the negotiations go on, it becomes obvious that her distraction with the current situation has given Saiga all the advantage he needs. He ends up getting 20% more than his goods are actually worth.
"Goodbye Zhen. May your journey to the Great Beyond be peaceful."
Having said his goodbyes to Zhen, Avendryl turns to the others that remain, "Does anyone else have anything they need to do before we leave?"
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Arcturus looks distract for a moment, as a trained physician he was compelled to help someone in need, even if they didn't want it. He looked at Zhen for one last time, "It was good seeing you again, hopefully we can have one last drink when I see you next" his meaning clear that they would meet again on the "other side"
He looks around at those left and really felt like he needed some pavement beneath his feet. "I'm good for supplies, I brought everything with me as I felt like something like this was going to happen. Not exactly this, but some sort of adventure. Zhen always liked the adventures."
Circe looks a bit unsure. "I think that I have anything I will need. Though I'm not exactly sure what all we will be doing once we get there."
Regarding Circe's comment, the elf says, "Your guess is as good as mine, but it's what the Old Man that saved my sorry hide once upon a time wants me to do, so that's what I will do."
"I guess I'll just have to figure out what exactly that is along the way." Avendryl says with smirk.
"I have one small purchase to make. Given that we are headed to a city that sits mostly in ruin, I would assume that we may encounter the undead. Swords do not make the best weaponry for dealing with skeletons, so I think I will be to picking up a staff or something else blunt for just that sort of a problem."
Stopping for a just a moment before going to retrieve said blunt weapon, Avendryl asks, "Given the nature of Zhen's request and what some unknown bastard did to him, do you think we should all stick together until we are on the ship?"
"Hmmm, well, I am not really much good with physical weapons, but I would hate to be unprepared in case I run out of spells. If you do not mind, I will come with you and purchase some sort of staff as well."
"I do not mind at all." Avendryl says with grin. "Anyone else care to join us?"
"Tea?" The weary looking Seneschal rubs her hand across her chin for a moment. "Uh, yes, certainly." She waves for her assitant to fetch some while she sits down and prepares to haggle.
As the negotiations go on, it becomes obvious that her distraction with the current situation has given Saiga all the advantage he needs. He ends up getting 20% more than his goods are actually worth.
Saiga bows.
"As always a pleasure doing business with you. I have given you the location for pick up and my signature on the bill of sale. I hope you find your latest purchase to be most enjoyable."
He had made a slight profit, which was always a good thing. Still he kept some stock for himself. He was sure they would run across something that would enjoy his wares for a price. Trade was universal among those who put value upon things.
He comes upon the others making plans. With a heavier coin purse then before he snaps his claws.
"Not to intrude but Katapesh is known for taking advantage of visitors. Not to mention its laws are far from the norm, despite the illusion of lawlessness. If you need a guide or any aid I would be happy to render it. For a highly discounted price of course."
He bows, his little leg crossed as he crouches.
Circe sighs and ignores the little lizards offer of 'help'. She knows that despite whatever inflated prices the local sellers come up with, it will still be cheaper to just pay them than to deal with Manu and his costly 'help'.
A shopping trip with both Manu and Drake? Why oh why do I already feel a headache coming on?
Hearing the lizard's "offer", Avendryl lets a muffled, incredulous laugh before asking Circe and Arcturus, "Has he always been this mercenary?"
Sounding rather exasperated, Circe says: "Yes, he has."
Saiga shrugs not disappointed in the least.
"Very well, I did give you a free warning."
Katapesh was a unique beast, one that devoured the unwary in a number of ways.
"I have to make a few stops myself before heading to the ship. For one I need to pick up my things at the Sand Dragon Inn, in the inner city, and close my room account. Then into the lower city for a pair of things. Other then that I should be fine for the moment."
Rock just eyes the lot of them some more. Then she shrugs and shifts herself to follow them. No sense in getting seperated. Though she doesn't say anything about it.
Tapping the hilt of one of the paired daggers strapped to his legs Tolias says "Well since it doesn't look like we won't have to be doing any trekking through the desert any time soon I'm comfortable with the equipment and supplies that I already have on hand."
Looking over to the lizard he adds in "Since I don't have any loose ends in this city I could come along with you if you need a helping hand at all."
Once you all gather your supplies, you meet at the dock before the sun goes down. The Lady Wave is a long two masted ship, obviously built for speed more than cargo. Still, she is doing the best she can, as her crew busily works at lashing down a pile of cargo onto her upper deck, carefully position it so as not to make the ship top heavy.
On the side of the dock, you see a dwarf standing, barking orders and directing the final series of crates into place. Flaming red hair, a braided beard and a fancy uniform would suggest he was captain if the butts of two heavy looking pistols holstered at his waist didn't.
He glances over as you approach. "What'cha wantin', eh? Got enough crew. Ships pirvate charter this trip, see? No room for even them wot can pay, not this voy-arj. So what'cha wantin'?"
Avendryl smiles, chuckling a bit at the bruskness of the dwarf, before responding "We are the ones for whom the ship has been chartered, my friend."
Circe nods and moves up beside Avendryl. "Indeed we are. So we would appreciate being shown aboard and to our cabins."
Oh please tell me that we all will have private cabins. I can't say that there is really anyone here I would care to share a room with.
Saiga steps into sight the others having blocked him from view. The sly little Reprego gives a smug smile at the dwarf.
"Respect Captain respect. You should be careful of how you treat customers. It's a basic rule in Katapesh, more then just a practical one if I may add. I will also be taking the largest room, preferably with a view. I am sure it is splendid, if your ship is any indication."
His little legs pumping unseen beneath his robes he darts up to the dwarf extending a clawed hand while smiling.
"I am the merchant Saiga Manu, now who do I have the honor and pleasure of meeting?"
Circe just snorts at Manu's rudeness. "A gentleman would allow a lady the better room. Besides, you're small enough to fit in a closet."
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Arcturus can't help but chuckle at Circe's comment to Saiga. He steps towards the dwarven captain, with an eye towards Saiga, "If we are indeed short rooms and need to bunk together, then indeed the ladies should take the biggest cabin as it is only proper. My little friend and I can bunk together." Where I hope I won't strangle him
Saiga gives the woman a sidelong glance still smiling.
"A lady would allow someone to offer and say nothing if not. Your lack of point is moot. Do try not to interject before the good Captain has a chance to speak. That is most rude and disrespectful to him, as our safety and voyage are in his hands. I for one am most interested in not only his name but what he has to say."
"In one breath you chide the captain and in the next you chide me for my manners and imply that ladies shouldn't speak? How about I compromise and just not to speak to you anymore?"
Circe turns her back upon the insolent little lizard and waits for the captain's instructions.
Saiga's smile does not waver and he does not reply. Feeling no need to correct or inform. He knew the way of it, if the Captain was worthy of Katapesh, by extension their safe transport, he would know the way of it too. Something he suspected given Old Zhen had set things up.
"Do forgive the interruption. Their foreigner's, as I am sure you can tell she is Chelaxian, need I say more."
He gives a bow to the dwarf.
Trailing in behind the others towards the others Tolias gives a small sigh at Saiga and Circe start bickering before the captain has even been given a chance to respond to anyone "I don't especially want to be taking a side against anyone here but Saiga, it really is the generally expected courtesy in these sorts of situations."
The captain looked baffled. "I...uh...yes, cabins, there do be cabins...but you see, the thing is, well...if you be they, then who be they?" He pointed to a quartet of men standing on the deck. "They and there companions, they be here an hour ago, saying the Halfblood sent them. But, uh, something tells me your reptilianess is speaking truths, so..."
One of the men looked up. He nudged the others, and the four looked at the party. Moving quickly, the four drew there weapons and moved to attack across the gang plank to attack.
Bad Guy Initiative
PC Initiative
Unfortunately, the gang plank was too narrow for them all to cross. in the time it takes to sort themselves out, you are all prepared and ready to fight.
Saiga's smile does not change, he waves a hand as he backs up. A nearly invisible serpentine dragon seems to swim in the air and into the nearest imposter.
As he places the others between himself and the enemies he yells.
"Imposters! Thieves! This is Katapesh damn you!"
Whispering to the others closer to him.
"Do you see now. Things are rarely what they seem, that holds true for me as well."
Having drawn his greatsword as soon as the four started charging towards them down the gangplank, Tolias waits until the second has crossed onto the dock before charging forward with a furious cry, sweeping his upwards in a diagonal arc attempting to strike through both in one great blow.
Standard Action - Cleave attack
Attack 1: Damage 1:
Attack 2: Damage 2:
-2 to AC due to use of Cleave
Despite his continued insulting of her, Circe says nothing to him.
Quite surprised by the men coming down to attack them, Circe throws a force bolt at one of them.
Avendryl draws his blade and his newly acquired tatoos glow as magical energy surges toward his blade while he charges with grim purpose toward the imposters, slashing at the first in his reach.
(charge)
(charge)
Rock had been lurking in the back, eyeing everyone. And then she goes running onto the planks after Tolias. "Raaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
The first thug takes the Sonic Missle to the gut, knocking the wind out of him. Rock instantly knocks more than the wind out of him, a Stunning Blow to the back of the head rendering him unconscious.
The second thug is nearly cut in half by a Cleave But the third escapes the second blow. He can't escape Cirece's [i]Energy bolt, however.
An exquisite cut from Avendryl's longsword puts the fourth down.
Bad Guys Round 1
The final thug lunges at Circe in revenge, knowing he is unlikely to escape and determined to do his job.
But the blast from earlier has left him too off balance. Even as he lunges, though, he looks past your band and grins.
From behind you the other two members mentioned come bustling out the crowd. One unleashes a crossbow round.
at Arcturus.
The heavy bolt leaves the healer hurting.
Even worse, the second man raises his hand and a cone of strange multiple colours whirls from his fingers.
The Thug, struck by his own partners spell, collapses, leaving only the two new opponents.
Rock spins to go after the caster, running at him with her fists up, eyes narrowed.
But she's still recovering from the force of her previous hit.
Hearing the unmistakable *thunk* of a projectile hit home behind him Tolias turns to see Rock already hurtling on the attack towards two new figures standing out from the crowd behind them and quickly follows up in her footsteps. Seeing a wave of vibrant colours starting to wash out towards him, Tolias readies his blade for a strike to follow up on Rock's blow, hoping that the wave of magic plunging towards him will have no ill effects.
Saiga turns as the magic colors wash over him, doing nothing to him at all. He points his finger at the nearest thug and a strange air wave effect heads his way.
Avendryl begins to move toward another of the thugs, but is unable to overcome myriad of colored light washing over him.
Shaking off the effects of the colors, Circe shoots off a bolt of force at the caster of the spell.
As Acrcturus and Avendryl slump to the ground, the return assault from the party obliterates the opponents. Rock's blow shudders into the caster, not only robbing him of breath but also splintering ribs, leaving him slowly choking on his own blood as it floods his lungs.
The crossbowman fairs no better, the charge from Tolias and the blasts of magic from Saiga and Circe pummeling him into death. He's not even breathing as he crashes to the floor, the crossbow slumping from his grasp.
The captain stares at the carnage for a moment. "By the very eyes of the gods," he murmurs in an awed whispers, "But the Halfblood knows what he be about when he choices certain people."
Saiga is already dashing around the fallen men, even those that yet live. Stripping them of coin, arms, and items. When the little whirlwind of a merchant is done everything of use is in a pile.
"Well now, lets see."
He starts dividing the coin. While laying out the items as if on display.
"Well that's 20 gold coins worth each with 4 gold coins worth left over."
He promptly drops the 20 gold coins in each of the others hands.
"I would seek to claim the potion as nothing else fits me much less is of any use. I would be happy to sell it for a equal share and the four left over coins if you do not wish to keep it."
Besides his cut of the gold coins he has left everything else untouched, if laid out. His smile still strong on his face, he turns to the Captain.
"Well now Captain, where were we before such a rude interruption. Ah yes your name and our accommodations?"
"Who the hell were those people? Any of them still alive to question?"
Circe looks about those that fell and notices Arcturus on the ground and bleeding quite bit. Oh s+*$....
Circe moves over and kneels down beside him as she makes an attempt to staunch his bleeding.
"Uhm, anyone good at fixing people or have healing skills?"
Saiga hops over, making sure not to knock over the small pile of coins he had laid next to Arcturus as his cut. He looks him over.
"He is not dying, that spell may have just knocked him out for a bit or something. Once he comes around he can heal himself, he is a doctor."
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Arcturus wakes up from the color spray affects and looks up to see Circe standing over him. While on the ground he he pulls out the crossbow bolt with a grunt and heals himself.
He hands the bloody crossbow bolt to Circe before standing up "Looks like I was the only one hurt..." He examines Circe closely. "Yep... everyone looks fine..."
Circe reflexively takes the bolt offered to her, then looks down at it confused at to why she took it.
"Well, it would be more correct to say that you were the only one of our group hurt. As you have no doubt seen, I am indeed fine. They missed me completely. Horrible aim, incompetent fighters. It is a miracle that they managed to anyone down at all."
Circe turns away from Drake, facing the boat again. "Well, now. With that little unpleasant exercise out of the way, shall we board the ship now? Preferably before any other surprises pop out at us?"
Rock sits down on the deck, wiping the blood off of her fists. She shrugs and pockets her gold, "Who the f%$$ were they?" She grumbles.
Picking himself off of the ground, Avendryl responds, "Obviously representatives of Halfblood's, and now our, foe. Guess the word is out already....that didn't take long."