@Ethaniel
Well, that's one possibility you've ruined. Don't look. Don't get up. Ethaniel mutters something incomprehensible under his breath. After a moment, he stands and walks over towards the woman's table. "I do not wish to impose, but may I join you?"
Diplomacy -
@Ethaniel
"If you're not looking for company to last into the evening then by all means, sit a while."
The elf smiles, but it doesn't reach his eyes. "I merely offer you a ticket out of this dive." the elf says, pushing aside his ale distastefully.
"Vancaskerkin. Remember him? Riddleport old money." he says, bluntly. "One of the old gentleman thieves. Real loose with his coin, if you catch my meaning." he says, with a pinching motion and a meaningful look. "A few more good hands and you and your boys will be rolling in silver." he adds with a grin.
Iscarel ushers the man to a booth, casting his eyes around the room for the others, and a new mark.
Ascaria clears her throat and walks over to the guy. When she reaches him, she gives him a good look, sizing him up. She smiles at him as she addresses him but keeps her distance. "Well, hello there. Am I mistaken or are you looking for someone to ... get acquainted to?
Bilgewater! Do I still smell of incense? Does Melisse's perfume yet linger on me? "Nothing of the sort." Ethaniel snorts, giving an approximation of a surprised laugh as he sits across from the woman. "I represent a businessman in the heart of Riddleport. One who has just opened a...well, business, and needs hands of all sorts. Able men abound in this place, yet unlike them, you are both calm and wary. This is valuable. Inside the gates, you would find the leash of the law a little tighter, but the doings perhaps more honest. Do you wish to hear more?"
@Iscarel
@Ascaria
"Why yes I am, what a keen eye you have. Please, join me."
@Ethaniel
"Give me your hand so that I might see the kind of 'man' you are and if I am happy then yes, I might wish to hear more."
"Why yes I am, what a keen eye you have. Please, join me."
Ascaria takes a seat and leans in a bit on the man, trying to ignore the smell of sour sweat and stale ale that wafts across the table.
"No offense, but I could not help but notice that you did not have much success yet."
She looks around and gives the guy a conspiratorial look.
"Might be that this establishment is not the ideal place for a strong man like you to show off his abilities to the ladies. As it happens, I would know a place where someone like you could easily meet a girl or two. A much nicer place than this one. And there might even be some coin to be earned..."
My hand?
Sense Motive -
Marcus, satisfied no one was in over thier head (yet) continues to sit,ready,
@Ascaria
The names John darlin and you definitely know how to sway a man don't you. I'm in. I mean how can I resist that.
@Ethaniel
to recognise his marks.
@Iscarel
The names John darlin and you definitely know how to sway a man don't you. I'm in. I mean how can I resist that.
"Well met, John Darlin. Come to the Gold Goblin at dusk. There, you will have to prove that you are up to the task but I do not doubt that it will be of no difficulty for you. We have to see that you can defend yourself if need be. If you are questioned at the entrance, tell them that you are there at the behest of Miss de Vintre."
Ascaria gives him another smile, then she gets up again and walks back to the group's table. When she is close enough, she whispers to Marcus "That one's in the bag."
I never had a doubt, Miss de Vintre, what man can resist honeyed words and that smile
Marcus offers a wink at the success, gets up as Ascaria sits down (he does have some manners), and says quietly, Now hopefully our faithful Calistrian friend can have luck with that similarly brawny female...
Tippy suddenly appears back at Marcus' table. "There's a guy over there. Looks pretty sharp, but he's high. We probably don't want that kind."
"Come to the Gold Goblin at Dusk, Andrezi, and come armed. We'll want to see what you can do."
The elf glides past his companions table. "Addiction is a funny thing. Desperate men make hard workers." he says, slyly, as he approaches his marks. "These two. What do you think?"
"From out of town, gentlemen?" Iscarel says, sitting down. "What god-forsaken stroke of luck brought you to Lubbertown?" the elf says, mournfully, muttering something sympathetic in elven. "Sounds like a tale, and a miserable one at that." The elf keeps his expression level, his dark eyes narrowing ever-so-slightly in the dim light as he stares at them appraisingly. He doesn't know what to make of them. "I'd buy you an ale, but the swill down here is mostly dockwater... What I can offer you is a job. Interested?"
Not in the lest. Did Saul say just how many we're supposed to recruit, the kid and the ale says, SOMEONE is watching us. If we pull too many, being watched might become something more. Unless Saul wants more, I'd stop at 4 or 5.And lets not have any leave with us.
Marcus remains seated but continues his scan of the room.
"Addicted men make unreliable workers, Tippy shoots back. More towards Marcus, he continues, "Addicts will do anything, betray anybody, if they think it will get them better access to their drugs. We don't want an addict in the organization. They're weak links."
Exactly. Screw him, don't recruit anybody who looks like they need a fix.
He gives Tippy a supportive pat on the shoulder.
Iscarel may not care who he hires, but If we're to get the goblin turning over coin we want reliable men
'Hold your wrist out.' he said to me, and I did. The whip came fast. Pulled the arm from its socket. Threw me to the floor. It didn't teach me respect, old man, but I thank you for the lesson anyway. Ethaniel reaches for his shoulder and rubs it, remembering the hardship of resetting it years ago. He looks up at the woman across from him. "Why...good day." He stands abruptly and turns away from her, heading back towards his companions' table.
This place isn't right. Something in the ale. Something in the air. We should do our pecking elsewhere.
Ethaniel does not turn around, but he listens for any sound from behind him.
Perception
@Ethaniel
"Forgive me, I did not mean to offend you. I know my custom is strange but I have my reason. As a monk disciple, I learn much from you about your hands. This one time I will make an exception as I feel that I may take you at face value, your words seem genuine and your eyes are timid and have seen much. Therefore, I would like to hear more."
@Marcus
@Iscarel
"You do not look like fools..." the elf says, with a tinge of regret, "and you seem reliable. Protection. Plain and simple. Security work for the Gold Goblin uptown."
"Mister Vancaskerkin has deep pockets, and I'm sure we could arange some lodgings, misters...?"
@Iscarel
"Mr Elf, now is this place, the Goblin you said, all full of ah... Elfkind. I mean, whats the Goblin do? Are you sure about lodgings too. I mean we both have a girl and he's got a kid. We are definitely interested though, you are the first decent looking folk to approach us for work. All these other scamps around here aren't anything worth considering going to work for."
Quiet. Strange. Trouble? Ethaniel turns towards the woman, his hand inching slowly away from the hilt of his dagger. "Can never be too careful, and the best recruit is hardly worth a broken arm." Or a knife in the gut. "If you're willing to make an exception, maybe I will too. Later, though. Neutral ground, you know." The half-elf sighs, doing his best to keep the attention of his companions at the nearby table. "The man I work for owns the Gold Goblin. Gambling hall. Needs all sorts, he does. The coin isn't bad, and he takes care of his own. I'm sure he'd be happy to give you the tour if you made your way our way."
@Ethaniel
"Okay then, I could certainly use the coin. I'm Madie by the way. So the Gold Goblin right? I'll find my way there. What time should I show up?"
The elf raises an eyebrow, but his amiable smile stays on, especially at the mention of a woman and child. "Fear not, my friends. It's an up-and-coming casino. Strictly legit... at least, as well as this city knows the word. We need bouncers, doormen, and capable hands for the ocassional... odd job. Nothing too strenuous."
The elf drums his fingers on the table, impatiently. "As for lodings, I will see what I can do. If nothing else, the pay should be sufficient... Saul will look after you, and I'm sure it beats choking to death in the gas-forges, at any rate."
"Head into town at dusk, by the goblin statue. The boss-man can tell you more."
With a nod, the elf pulls away from the table, loitering by the door.
Marcus catches view of Iscarel by the door, apparently successful and ready to leave. At last. He found the air in here, stifling. Hearing the monks question, he interrupts, Be there at dusk, and come prepared to demomstrate your talent to the owner, we can't hire on appearences or reputation alone. He remembers the centuries old hermit who lived outside his village. On that night there had been a over two dozen.undead destroyed by the monk before he'd fallen. Marcus had not been there, but the battered and torn corpses that surrounded the Tiger style monk had been testament to the elfs prowess.
I think you'll do fine.
Marcus then gets up, I think we've found all that's worth hiring here. He moves to withdraw Ascaria's seat for her then moves to leave with Iscarel.
Ascaria is glad to see things go smoothly. When Marcus gets up and draws her chair, she gets up and flashes him a thankful smile. "Well, thank you, your excellency. I also think we might best retire." she jokes.
Then she follows him to the door and out of this place.
Ethaniel nods at Madie. "As the man says. Dusk. The giant goblin statue is hard to miss. Until then." With that, the half-elf turns and follows his companions to the door.
Tippy slips out with the rest of the group.
Tippy slips out with the rest of the group. He then slips off into the shadows to check for tails.
Stealth:
Perception:
Now, your options. Move back into the street and break cover, this allows you to possibly head off the runner but you will give away your surprise. Otherwise, you can make a Survival check to get around the buildings and head off your party but in doing so, you won't head off the runner. Or, you can come up with your own plan.
Also, is Snuffy the runner or one of the walkers?
Does all this happen before getting back past the guards and the gate, or does Tippy see none of this until they're already back inside?
Is there enough shadow for Tippy to use Stealth out in the street itself?
Ranged attack: minus 2 or 4 depending on the exact range
Damage if hits:
Either way, after his attack (if he can make it), he stumbles out into the street, singing loudly and drunkenly.
As the group gets near the gate, they hear Tippy from behind them, singing loudly and drunkenly from the middle of the street,
"Oh, if only I had a new pair of eyes, a new pair of eyes, in the back of my head. I'd watch three snakes, with a poisoned tooth, and make them all get dead!!"
Hearing Tippy's loud (and obvious) song Marcus turns to face their pursuers.
Behind us!
Ethaniel's fingers curl around his whip handle as he turns.
Initiative -
Iscarel turns on his heel, unsheathing a pair of knives and throwing his arms wide, eyes twinkling with delight and a gentle smile on his face.
"Ah, I do so like music with a brawl..."
Suddenly his face contorts into a look of pure malice, a dagger-like grin twisting his soft features. "... and here I thought this morning would be totally devoid of excitement."
Initiative:
(no penalty for moving at full speed)
Perception -
Ascaria's Initiative : Perception
Grumm's Initiative ; Perception
Initiative order
- 20 Lub Junky +3
- 20 Ethaniel +1
- 19 Marcus
- 18 Lub Sleighter
- 11 Ascaria
- 9 Snuffy
- 6 Tippy
- 4 Iscarel
- 4 Grumm
Ethaniel draws his whip (), takes a 5-foot-step to , and tries to trip the enemy in ().
Trip Attempt -