Mairen had stepped into this tavern in search of a quiet corner in which to mull over her options. A chance to sip some thick, tarrish coffee and muse over which path to follow next, and whether she should follow the one that led into the Bloodsworn Vale. Yet now, as events quickly begin to spiral out of control, as gun shots are fired and then Hellknights make their appearance, the paladin starts to realize that peace and reflection are definitely not on the menu.
She stands.
Mairen is tall, clad in functional, iron-dark platemail, and broad at the shoulders. Her presence is usually imposing, especially when she schools her expression into one of harsh disapproval, but in this burgeoning melee she's all but ignored.
Still, there's much to be said for quiet observation. For trying to link the dots, to figuring out the subtle undercurrents at play. She catches sight of the noble woman's smirk, and then follows her gaze to where the bartender all but winks back at her.
Mairen frowns. Moving quietly along the edge of the room, allowing the gunslinger and the Hellknights to draw all the attention, she steps up to where the noblewoman stands and touches her elbow lightly with one gauntleted hand.
"You wouldn't be thinking of leaving just yet, would you my lady?" She pitches her voice low, and while she keeps her tone pleasant, her eyes are as blank and pitiless as the glare of the noonday sun.
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With a slight frown she carefully sat her violin into its case. She hated bar brawls, they always interfered with her mood. The woman she recognized easily enough, as she did the merchant. Scazni ties... it was perhaps possible he was something of a thief, but the way the half orc moved told her otherwise.
The Gunshot shocked her for a moment, she was clearly not expecting a firearm here. She looked over the chaos of the bar trying to figure out the quickest way to the side of the half orc. Once she decided on a course the elven bard moved forward tumbling, spinning and dancing through the fray torwards the half orc... she had a keen enjoyment in knocking teeth from their kind. Unfortunately with the chaos of the bar she didnt seem to make much headway.
The dwarf looks mildly annoyed.
"Hey ya idiots, don't you see that the barkeep and the lady - if you want to call her that - are in league on. A blasted scam. Check the `keeps pockets." The dwarf scoots over to the innkeeper and does his best to glower accusingly, an activity which his short stature does nothing to help.
Anthuria gasps as Sunset leaps atop the bar and, as the explosion rocks through the tavern, stumbles back into the crowd of brawling patrons.
Anthuria struggles to remain on her feet, though she catches the sly exchange between Portenus and Lady Veldraine.
"Portenus, you soundrel!" I hope she paid you well, considering the damage about to be done to this place.
Just then, Jetta and her armigers storm into the tavern. While their faces aren't known to Anthuria, their regalia is unmistakeable. Fear surges through her mind and she darts below a table, seeking refuge from the fisticuffs. She quickly scans the room, searching for Garri.
Unable to find him among the chaos, she bites her lower lip and waits to see what is about to unfold.
Amund stand up ready to move when the Hellknights burst though the door. With a deep sigh he looks back a Gerri feeling compelled to answer, [/b]Bad people act like this. Stay there for the moment.[/ooc] Placing his hands on the manacles hanging at his side he waits to see if things die down after the rather dramatic entrance of the Hellknights
He quickly turns towards the rude Dwarf. [b]Can you back that claim up?
Maldion sees the barkeep glance at the well-dressed woman and subtly pat at his pocket, which clinks slightly. So, it seems a brawl is the next entertainment of the evening, concludes Maldion confirming the weight of his coin purse. He moves his wine glass from his right hand to his left just before the half-orc guard backs up during the scuffle into the counter next to him.
Then, the firearm discharges filling the room with noise and smoke. Maldion had never heard one up close, and his long, pointed ears ring.
When the Hellknights arrive, the elf toasts to them and takes another sip of his wine. He then slowly steps away from the entertainers, especially the half-orc next to him, while keeping from touching another patron. Who knows what other disguised carnivores prowl this den?
As the armigers move to restrain the two brawlers, the Hellknight stands back to watch the crowd. The reactions were as mixed as always, but everyone seemed to be paying attention.
"If anyone knows what's going on here, they better speak up now," she says in an icy tone. "Otherwise, I'll drag all of you to Volshyenek for questioning."
The knight's voice is feminine, though through the helm it has an unsettling metallic echo to it. She glances at Amund, and then turns to look expectantly at the dwarf and the barkeep.
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@Amund: Sorry for the late response: I'd like to take you up on your offer for a pre-adventure relationship. A bodyguard sounds very appropriate, and something that works well for Perry.
Percival also sponsored adventurer parties into a quasi-guild. Maybe that is how they met, and employment was soon after.
@GM: Do we have a starting date on this adventure, GM? Perhaps the 15th of Kuthonia?
@Percival that would be wonderful!
@GM this is great fun.
Sorry for the late entry but I think that I've made it in under the deadline.
I'd like to introduce Emyrelda for your consideration.
She is a young Varisian woman who is both a Herb Witch and a Harrow deck reading Fortune Teller
Everything is hopefully in the profile
Jetta tenses momentarily at Amund's approach, until she notices the manacles hanging off his belt. She nods in recognition.
"I know you," she states matter-of-factly. "Very well, guardsman. Check the barkeep."
After commanding her armigers to do the same for the brawlers, she moves over to Mairen and Anneliese. She looks them over, seeing that the former was all but ready to grab the noblewoman if she were to flee.
The Hellknight nods curtly at Mairen and says, "Thank you for your cooperation, citizen. I will take over from here."
A young Varisian woman walks in the door, looks around, and quietly heads over to an unoccupied table.
Bloody Hellknights. Amongst the many things I hate in this Desna forsaken town is the Hellknights. Still, I've worked with them in the past when absolutely necessary
She asks the people at an adjoining table
"Hello there. What is going on here that brought them here?"
The "them" is dripping with scorn and venom
James, coming late to the bar, notices this loud obnoxious man infront of him, make some kind of claim.
Knowing that this guy might just be telling a tall tale, he tries to squeeze by but someone shoots off a gun into the air, causing him to draw his sword.
Then a fellow Hellknights bursts through the door behind him. Staying quiet and out of the way, he listens to the arguments flinging around the room. Pointing his sword at the "nobleman" he looks deep into his eyes. "One should not fabricate stories to gain money, or to whine about losses in a bet." "If you don't tell the truth, I will be forced to remove you."
Her hesitation is just long enough to draw notice, but then she bows her head. One does not lightly challenge a Hellknight in pursuit of justice in Korvosa, and her own interest in the noblewoman is passingly slight.
Still.
"A timely arrival," she says, voice calm. "What a fortunate coincidence that you were passing by just as this fight broke out."
Her voice is mild, her expression neutral, but her gaze is keen and searching.
James nods at Mairen, "From what I've gathered, this man is accusing the bartender of misconduct on befitting a business owner. I judged his words as false and request the truth from his words." His sword is still extended towards the nobleman.
Mairen's gaze slides over to the second Hellknight as he speaks, then down to his naked blade.
"A worthy request. But be that as it may, surely there's no longer any need for drawn weaponry?" Her tone is mild. "Your presence, I'm sure, and that of your patrol, is more than enough to quench any urge of resistance."
Jetta looks to the dark-skinned elf in momentary confusion, glancing to the armigers only to receive an equally confused look back.
Wait, who in the Hells is he? That's not our armor...
Deciding to handle such matter away from the prying eyes of civilians, she goes back to the task at hand. The Hellknight turns to meet Mairen's gaze, only the barest glint of her eyes showing through her visor. The faceplate of the helm is as unreadable as a blank stone wall, though her voice reveals the slightest bit of annoyance.
"I am here on official Hellknight business," she states flatly. She moves to to search the detained woman, ignoring any protestations.
As she does she adds, "We had heard there were adventurers gathered here, leaving for the Vale. Their ilk is expected to cause trouble."
Balgi digs his hand in deeper to pull out the hoarded treasure of the barkeep.
Thinking to himself, A sword is no good here. he acknowledges the Paladin's words and puts his sword away. "When i heard the gun fire, i thought there would be trouble. It is wrong for any warrior to be without his arms while in combat."
He turns towards the dwarf, with his hands in the woman's pockets. "Reaching into pockets during a fight is a quick way to end up dead. "
I'm also eagerly awaiting for the closing date to find out who is going to make it into your game. I've only done a couple of PbP but I am an at least every day poster and am well dedicated to having fun!
Hey, get your hand out of there! the barkeeper calls out, and Balgi complies - bringing a small handful of gold coins inside his clenched fist. The barkeeper looks mad enough to swing at Balgi himself, but one furtive glance toward the Hellknights and the calm, impassive woman next to Lady Anneliese seems to quell any desire he may have for rougher retribution. Last I checked, it ain't against the law for a businessman t'keep coin!
Thanks to the efforts of the gunshot and the guards, the brawl quickly disperses, the combatants still surly beneath the gazes of the law-keepers. Under Garri's ministrations, the well-dressed man sits up, holding a hand to his gut where Alich's fist had made contact. He starts slightly at the goblin sitting over him, but the look of concern (certainly an unusual expression for a goblin) on Garri's face quickly dispels his fears (if not his confusion).
Jetta's search of Lady Anneliese reveals that she carries nothing unusual on her, but searching Elian reveals that he does carry a bracelet, a delicate silver chain with beads of onyx and carnelian.
Perception DC15: The letters E.K. are etched onto a small silver tag next to the bracelet's clasp.
See - what did I tell you, caught with the evidence! Lady Anneliese calls out. For such a man to commit such an act against a person of my standing - it's unthinkable. You disgust me, merchant. Good knights, arrest him; he was caught red-handed.
That's - that's not - Elian splutters. You called me here! My lady...it had been so long since I'd seen you...Knights, the bracelet was a gift from me! We had... He looks around nervously at all the surrounding people, but decides to continue, though certainly in a softer tone, trying to keep the information to his interrogator. We had met for some time - met...intimately, that is. I had come to see her, to give her this, poor as it is compared to her other finery...
And now he dares to impugn my honor! Suggesting I would consort with a commoner - I, heir to the house of Veldraine - She laughs derisively.
Perception or Sense Motive DC18: As she speaks, her hand travels almost subconsciously to a gold ring on her left hand.
As James is currently blind, he sees nothing and knows nothing. "It's strange that you have his dagger. Where did you get this bracelet from Elian?" he asks, while hanging over him.
Shifting his gaze to the barkeep, Elian, and Lady Anneliese Before you are various members of the Hellknights and I am a member of the Korvosan Guard. I advise against any deceit. If this cannot be resolved now I will take all three of you into custody.
Also GMs do not sleep they only scheme! This is what you get for giving plot. You get enthusiasm.
"Din't wind up all this way t' be fallen' in't messes like this..." She mumbles grumpily to herself.
The barkeeper turned to watch all of this, but makes no move to break up the fight.
Perception DC15: He glances at the well-dressed woman and subtly pats at his pocket, which clinks slightly.
Apparently Balgi's got levels in Jump(ing to conclusions)
Did one of the hellknights mention the Vale? Wonder if intends to travel there, too? He thinks to himself.
Maldion watches the well-dressed diva of the evening almost subconsciously reach for a gold ring on her left hand. Is that an heirloom and signet for her house of Veldraine? Or is it a magic ring to extricate herself from this social mess? The wizened elf surveys the room as if it was a stage looking for the next plot entrance.
Jetta nods at Amund's proclamation. This farce had gone on long enough.
As the bracelet is passed on to her, Jetta turns it around in her hands to inspect the bauble. Seeing the suspect's hand move to her ring, the Hellknight catches her by the wrist. Bringing the the bracelet to Anneliese's face, she leans in to look at her in the eye.
With a voice as cool as ice she asks, "Whose initials are these? If I were to follow the trail to a jeweler, who would they say had bought it?"
"Seen plays with more dialogue an' better drama than this..." She sighs, but can do naught but be resigned and watch.
I never got Irlena's back story to come out the way I wanted it to (i.e. coherent), and it seems like in the meantime this thread has blown up, so don't worry about seeing anything from me.
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Emyrelda stands up.
"I don't know these two, but when my caravan came into town a few weeks ago I noticed two people hand in hand in that romantic medow just outside the city walls. I can't be sure but I definitely think it was these two"
Take 10 on bluff for a 21
Oh these are the traits I will be taking
If you follow this code, you are always alert to those who transgress against the laws of civilization.
Benefits: You receive a +2 bonus on Sense Motive checks to gain a hunch from social situations, and begin play with a pair of masterwork manacles.
Blade of Mercy
You know that within the heart of even the most hateful and cruel living creature exists a sliver of shame and hope for redemption. You have trained long on martial techniques to use bladed weapons not to kill, but to subdue.
Benefit When striking to inflict nonlethal damage with any slashing weapon, you do not take the normal –4 penalty on your attack roll, and gain a +1 trait bonus to any nonlethal damage you inflict with a slashing weapon.
Group Fighter
You have trained extensively to fight with groups.
Benefit: You gain a +1 trait bonus on attacks made while flanking an opponent.
flaw
Overprotective
In your youth, you saw a younger friend or loved one suffer a grievous injury or die, and you blamed yourself for not having been there to help, even if there was nothing you could have done.
Effect: If one of your allies should fall unconscious from hit point damage, you take a –2 penalty on attack rolls and skill checks as long as you are farther than 10 feet away from your fallen ally.
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@Amund - Looks good to me. They all fit very well with him.
Ah right hit points! I will live dangerously and roll for it!
Woot! I did well. So adding the max from first level and my con I have %58 hit points!
I have actually never had to deal with a animal companion. Do I get to roll for its hit points? Also the horse comes with endurance and run as feats to I add to that or take them away?
@Amund that's sort of a GM decision, but here is the Animal Companion page on d20pfsrd.
Yeah I am there and trying to figure it out. Bah for trying new thing, I have to learn stuff :(