Katapesh. The perpetual din and swarm of commerce is not for the feint of heart. Life can be very cheap, or very expensive, depending on who is the bidder...
The shadowy crime lord known to many as "Ruriel the Fey" has set his focus on negotiations for a piece of property on nearby Stonespine Island, where he hopes to construct a Pleasure Retreat. As an incentive to the property's current owner, he has procured a substantial quantity of Pesh and has recently commissioned the captain and crew of The Bonaventura to act as his couriers.
As our story continues Tzi'kazochi, Half-Elf bon-vivant and sailor aboard The Bonaventura has just reconnected with Captain Eron.
"I've done many gray things in my time on the sea, but this is new. We're drug pushers, my boy...I need a drink." The day approaches its close, and with that the adventurers head to Jerikal's a rough and tumble watering hole near the docks.
Ruriel, not one known for his trusting nature, has assigned two of his Half-Orc bodyguards to accompany the shipment: Awrl, Ruriel's right hand and Hako, up-and-coming star of the Gladitorial Arenas around Katapesh follow the men surreptitiously to Jerikal's.
Meanwhile, on Stonespine Island, Molgo the Witch, disciple of Baba Yaga, makes a wary trek from his remote and isolated cabin in search of supplies at the nearest human settlement, a good day's walk away. En route, he finds a most curious boat moored and abandoned. Investigation of the circumspect landing reveals mysterious runes and magical heat, which fill the Witch-man with worry and a good amount of fear. As the sun sets and the stars rise, he sees a shooting star. And another. And another.
"This bodes ill," he says, and decides to make his camp for the night. He will soon be troubled by strange dreams.
Hmmm. Looks like you're in both the Player and Character tabs to me!
Yaargh! Hako is here, alias of that puny Voomer.
bah, posted as Kanthuun!
Well met, all. And I imagine Molgo will be joining us by and by!
Sleeping is what I am doing! How do I talk then. Hmph.
His mother is a right looker, mused Tsi'. "I have...an errand to run..." Tsi' faded off to the left, whistling.
Also, this
Kanthuun entertains Eron as Jerikal's comes within sight. "Captain! We should enjoy the time we have on shore. It's not like we've seen many nubile maidens out on the high seas, and Katapesh must be full of them! Unless you count mermaids, and if you're asking me, they really should be fish on top and..." He continues his icthyological speculations with Eron, taking in the evening sights.
Hako and Awrl are following at medium distance. Tsi expects to see Hako at the bar, and two half-orcs don't make the sneakiest pair. As he walks, Hako imagines the taste of Jerkal's ale on his tongue, and he wonders about this elf (or half-elf? Hako hasn't had a lot of experience with either type). Tsi looks so puny, but he handled the portside attempted mugging deftly and with confidence. Hako thinks there may be something to gain from further observation, if nothing else to size him up in case he and Eron decide to double-cross Ruriel.
Hako's stealth roll:
Hako is lost in thought and stumbles into the streetside display of a pots and pan vendor...
Hako and Awrl, while doing their level best to blend in with the crowd, find the crowd in the bazaar parting as they follow their quarry. To any who are paying attention, these two brutes stand out like a sore thumb.
HOWEVER, Tsi and Captain Eron are so mired in their conversation about the comparative merits of fish-women vs. real women they pay no attention. Eron and Tzi arrive at Jerkal's without incident, and a moment or two later so do Hako and Awrl. You sidle up to opposite sides of the very long bar and in turn you are attended by Ahk-met, a slender man in a linen shirt with purple eyes.
"Hard currency only, no barter. What is your pleasure?"
Molgo, as you lay your head back against a knotted tree with a large overhang, you try to put the sight of the shooting stars out of your head. Your eyelids bob and grow heavy, and just before you succumb to sleep, you are BONKED on the head. You turn around you and there, larger than life is the crone herself, Baba Yaga. She holds her pestle with one hand and a large club in the other.
"A sure way to get one's throat slit is to fall asleep when there is strangeness about, Molgo. She cackles.
Jerkal's homebrew. No dead rat in it this time.
Awrl snorts in agreement and slaps you on the back. Several patrons slide away from you. Ahk-met sneers and turns to get your drinks.
"You had better be ready out there. Ruriel doesn't take kindly to failure. These two don't look like much trouble, but once we've set sail who knows what scum we may come across." He spits on the ground.
"Two fine wheat ales, if you please, with some of those famous lemons you have in these latitudes. ...and perhaps a little extra honey wine for my Captain here," says Tsi'kazochi, first with a disarming smile, and then a glance at his longfaced boss.
Tsi' glances around to take in the sights.
"Don't worry about me, Awrl. I know well the scum of the sea, and I didn't survive this long by letting what few opportunities have come my way slip through my fingers. As you know, the orc don't much coddle their young, and the likes of us got coddled much less." Subtly gesturing towards Tsi, "Not like them elves that hang onto their mama's teats until the age of 25."
Ahk-met returns to Awrl and Hako and leaves two flagons of some dark liquid in front of you. He puts out his hand for payment. Awrl nudges you to pay, Hako. You put down two coins, Ahk-met bites one to make sure it's real and walks away from you. You follow his movement casually and see at the end of the bar Tzi and Capt. Eron receiving their drinks with a good deal more cordiality than was bestowed upon you. Tzi, you put down two coins as well, and Eron offers a toast.
"To the sea, my boy. May the gods you worship guide us...but look the other way once we get where we're going."
As you clink glasses and take your first gulp, you see Hako and Awrl starring you down at the end of the bar.
And you both notice shadowy figures moving behind you...
Back on Stonespine Island, Baba Yaga shifts her weight back and forth and sniffs the air. "Molgo, you simple minded fool! You among all should know that foul things run in the dark! I have better things to do than watch after you, but the others tell me that you may yet play a part in what's to come. Now before I kick you in the seat of your pants to get you on your way, do you have any boon to ask of your Baba?"
In one movement, Hako grasps one of the throwing axes hung at his waist and turns to face the shadowy figures -- not so dramatically so as to look foolish if the figures are nothing sinister, but fast enough to take effective action.
"Lady Fine, your abuse is always my pleasure. I do not like the portents plastered about the plain. Heh. I know your eye sees all. This boat. This floating filth that burns and confounds me. What does your beautiful milky eyes see?"
Molgo picks his nose.
"Molgo, the Adepts of Blackfire are at hand. And they call down the stars for their own grim ends. Mayhaps you'll prove a hero, mayhaps you'll prove a fool. Only you can decide that. In the meantime, I'd turn around if I were you." And with that she mounts her mortar* and flies off into the night, cackling. You realize that you are not dreaming...nor are you alone.
Hako, you turn around into a group of 3 young, fresh faced men with daggers drawn. They do not budge.
Hako stands and grasps his orc double axe with his other hand (it can be wielded one or two handed). So, if he makes it to his feet, he stands with a throwing axe in one hand and his orc axe in the other. All 6 foot 6 of ritually scarred half-orc-edness. Loud enough that others around can hear, he declares: "I don't know what your business is young humans, but this is not a fight you want to bring on yourselves."
Molgo spins around gripping Mr. Stick tightly. "Mr. Rat, wake up, Mr. Rat!"
Shiprot! thinks Tsi'. Instinctively he stands in front of Captain Eron to block attackers and draws his gleaming starknife. "Captain! Bore up and 'ware arms!"
Molgo, you turn around to find yourself being overtaken by two men in blood red robes carrying torches. The attempt to pin you to the tree you were sleeping against.
Hako, two of the three young men back down but the third does not. You do have the upper hand on him, should you choose to do anything else.
Tzi, you are face to face with the young men who tried to start trouble with you in the bazaar. "You think we wouldn't follow you? You think we are afraid of Ruriel? When he sees how we handle you, he will make US his new men!" And unfortunately, as you did leave your armor on the ship, he slices across your belly. . You feel the blood rush through your veins and are ready to attack.
Hako will sheathe his throwing axe and strike the remaining assailant with his orc double axe, but attempt to do nonlethal damage, which means a -4 to hit.
Attack:
He rolls a one, so misses miserably. I don't know if there are consequences to critical misses in your game.
Hako's armor class is 16.
attack re-rolled:
A 20! That should have been my first roll.
Hako, while your attack wildly misses your target, it DOES cleave a nearby table in half, sending its occupants and your opponents scrambling for the door. Awrl laughs and downs his drink. You hear a scuffle from the opposite side of the bar and see the Half-Elf toe to toe with his assailants.
Excellent. There WAS added hilarity! Hako is pleased he still came off scary, if a little inaccurate. Hako heads over to where Tsi is. Can't have the Captain and his crew skewered before we hit the Inner Sea.
Once he gets there he guesses at who stabbed Tsi (perception: ) and attacks twice, non-lethally:
attack one:
attack two:
"I will not be your pretty girl tonight, ruby-robed rapscallions!"
Tsi' snarls. "Motherless dogs--taste my starknife!" He drives the wicked four-bladed instrument at his assailant, heedless of the pain in his abdomen.
The close quarters of Jerikal's make fighting a difficult proposition at best. The two young men take advantage of Hako's approach and the ensuing flood of people moving AWAY from the angry half orc to avoid all attacks against them. They have put a bit of distance from yourself and them, and Captain Eron has drawn his blade to join in the fray.
"You impudent bastards! How dare you attack Tzi! GOOD HELP IS HARD TO FIND!" And he bounds towards them.
Molgo, with a decisive BONK on the head, one of your foes crumples to the ground. The other, a bit taken aback lets go of you. Mr. Rat is hissing wildly, but will not quite approach them.
When it is Hako's turn to act, he wants to sheathe his axe and try to tackle and hold down one of the assailants.
Grapple check:
"Not so tough now, when you're...well, unconscious! And for you, Mr. Red Number Two, start spouting out the sinister secrets of your silly sequestering of your's truly!"
Molgo begins making elaborate gestures to indicate he's about to cast a very impressive and most dangerous spell that will most likely flay the flesh from his assailant's bones. As much as his minor spells can.
While you gather yourself for a second strike, Molgo, the remaining robed figure trips and his hood falls backward. You see the face of a young man no older than 20, but his eyes looks like red-grey marbles, full of fear. He puts a hand up. "WAIT!
Hako, you manage to push your way through the crowd and are able to hold one of the young men in place. He struggles a bit but quickly realizes he has made a huge mistake. You turn back to Awrl who has his arm around a very frightened looking bar patron, laughing and pointing your way.
Captain Eron is attempting to make his way through the crowd to teach the other young man a lesson. Tzi, the wound isn't bleeding but it is definitely painful. Do you summon your courage to give chase?
Hako pins the youth and tells him, "you and me have some talking to do", then he flashes Awrl a thumbs up and toothy grin, mugging for Awrl's benefit while basically sitting on the youth.
"Oh, now I wait? Now you have me to wait while you formulate another ferocious frenzy of fists? Who do you think I am, Jeff Fahey!?!? Mr. Rat! Show him your teeth! Show him what waits for him if he twitches even so much as a nosehair!" Molgo shouts this, not sparing the spittle.
Tsi' snarls and rushes after the escaping man, starknife in hand. "Yaahhhh!" he cries, usual cleverness lost in incoherent anger.
Katapesh: Captain Eron clumsily shoves his way through the crowd and manages to pin the young man in a corner booth along with its current occupants. Tzi, you can hear them exchanging bravado as you deft move across the bar, using the floor and the patrons to propel you along in equal measure. You quickly close the gap. The young man is panicked, and his eyes and dagger dart between you and the Captain.
"Were it me, lad, I'd have cut you stem to stearn before it'd come to this. But now we've got you in a bind, and I think I'll let my Mate decide how he wants his revenge for such a cheap blow."
Hako, the young man struggles under your weight, occasionally threatening you with greater violence should you let him up. Silly boy. Awrl saunters over to you as the action dies down. He leans down and gets your captive's face.
"If you weren't afraid of Ruriel before, you are now. Would you like us to take you to him?"
Stonespine: Mr. Rat moves toward the hooded man with a rabid snarl, which sends him crawling backwards. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! You were supposed to be asleep! And it would have been him what done it! I may be a coward, but sure I'm no murderer! Please, let me go! I won't tell the others I saw you!"
"And you would have sat there, mewling like a babe as my liquid life spilled onto the Spine of the Sea?!?! Others!??! What others are The Others? An island this is, but I am no Lost one! Speak now, boy, or Mr. Rat will feast on Brazen Peak Oysters, if you catch what I'm hurling!"