Mutt nods at Thaddeus and walks up to the beggar. "Excuse me, sir. We wish to have a quick... talk with you." The tone in his voice indicates that he's not taking no for an answer.
Fiona nods and walks up behind Mutt. "I assure you, sir, it won't take very long." She casually rests a hand on the earthbreaker across her shoulders, as if to make a point.
Satisfied that Thaddeus is in fact here to help, Bofur gladly lets him hold onto the papers while he packs the other stuff for transport.
He follows the others up into the bell tower and then back down to the ground to follow the mark. He's alarmed when Mutt and Fiona zero in on the obviously blind beggar, looking at the others to see if they're concerned as well.
The group immediately move in on the bum, who takes the opportunity to stand up and slam a potion. The posture on the homeless man immediately becomes straight, and a dagger appears in his hand.
"I know when I've been spotted. How about we go our separate ways then, savvy? I don't wanna gut any of yeh, and I'm sure the feeling is mutual. My gang is busted, this place won't do no more."
Mutt grabs his greataxe and holds it menacingly. He growls out while he slowly grins. "Go ahead. Make my day. I have killed bigger than you. Not only with my axe. But with my bare f***ing hands. If I wanted to, I could grab you by the throat and try to put you through the f***ing wall. I've already decapitated two people since stepping foot in Riddleport. One of the being one of your guys. Piece of advice, Pauper: Don't set yourself up to become the third."
Aware that the Pauper likely did not get his reputation easily, Bofur stays alert to snipers and other backup as he efficiently loads his crossbow and tells their quarry, "When ye say 'this place', I hope ye mean Riddleport, Pauper, 'cause there ain't no room for you in the city. Capisce?" he says, a quiver in his voice betraying his nerves.
Thaddeus hangs behind the group, watching them challenge the beggar. The chugged potion and drawn knife tell him that something's about to begin, so he attempts to end it quickly.
Thaddeus yawns rather dramatically, while pointing one hand at the 'beggar' and waving his fingers. Sparkles of energy flit in between his fingers as he channels his powers.
"So be it!" he starts to lunge, and Thaddeus' prepared spell goes off.
The beggar, obviously the Splithog Pauper at this point, shakes his head quickly, and grins before he lunges. However, Fiona and Mutt are a hair quicker!
Fiona snorts. "You chose poorly." She growls as she steps forward, swinging her hammer.
Unfortunately, her swing goes wild.
Mutt is ready with a vicious swing of his axe, but Beltias bends backwards, the axe whistling over his nose before straightening up.
Mutt roars as he swings his greataxe sat the Pauper. However, seeing the old man dodge the swing, his expression turns into shock and confusion. "What the hell?" Mutt then swings again.
That one hits. Mutt's axe catches the Pauper hard, and he falls to the ground, blood gushing from a wound in his leg. Howeve,r he is clearly game for a fight and kicks his legs up, spinning them into the air as he leaps back to his feet. Quick as a cat, he moves into Mutt's range and stabs him hard in the gut. Mutt feels his knees buckle, but the Bloodrager keeps in the fight!
Bofur moves five feet to the NW and fires off a shot at the villain before quickly reloading. Unfortunately, his care to avoid the other combatants causes the bolt to bury itself into harmlessly into the wooden panels of the building.
Thaddeus moves back, not eager to get close to the Pauper. He redraws and loads his sling, while whistling for Old Horn to stay close.
"We offered you the chance to simply leave the city, but you chose to attack instead. So be it, as you say."
Variel moves up, drawing his own sword, and swings at the crook.
The Pauper dodges the crossbow bolt and Variel's sword.
Mutt grunts as the Pauper tries to gut him. He feels the blood pouring freely from the wound. Scowling, he moves to the side to flank with Fiona. He then brings the greataxe down on him.
Fiona winces as the Pauper drives his knife into Mutt's stomach, then swings her earthbreaker again!
Fiona misses once more, but Mutt manages to crack the Pauper with his axe, sending the lanky man backwards, clutching a brutal wound in his left shoulder. He looks around at the group and mutters something.
"Reckon I'll take that deal!"
Beltias suddenly leaps clear over Fiona, exposing himself to attack from Variel, and rushes east across the alley, making his way for the wall of rickety buildings!
"This is to make sure ye mean it!" bellows Bofur as he looses another bolt at the fleeing thief.
... not really trying to hit him but just make some noise.
Variel swings as the criminal dives past.
Fiona is caught off-guard as the Pauper vaults over her, but she shakes it off and turns on her heel to pursue him!
She doesn't say anything, instead roaring in anger and charging with her earthbreaker held high.
Seeing the Pauper take off, Mutt scowls and yells, "STOP HIM!! HE'S GETTING AWAY!!" He then sees Fiona running after him and smiles. "THERE'S NOWHERE TO RUN, PAUPER!" He then chases after the Pauper. However, he moves carefully around to not get attacked and to flank with Fiona.
He attacks the man, bringing his greataxe down. He feels an unknown force flowing through him, guiding his axe.
Thaddeus steps back and avoids the angerd charges of Fiona and Mutt. Again he raises his eyebrows in amazement (and a bit of intimidation) at Fiona's weapon of choice. Oh, sure, Mutt was intimidating, but he looked like the sort of guy who expected to be intimidating, and was used to it. Fiona was no wispy milk maid, but it was still an unusual sight for Thaddeus to see such a lady swing such a heavy weapon around with minimal effort and considerable skill.
Seeing the two assault the Pauper, Thaddeus looks down at his sling, feeling inadequate compared to the two Shoanti warriors. Still, better to do something at least. Assuming there's anything left to do. He whistles and gestures to Old Horn as he spins the sling above his head.
CLONK
Fiona's earthbreaker takes the Pauper square in the head. He collapses to the ground, and then a goat runs into him.
End of Combat
Fiona grins and raises her earthbreaker in the air in triumph. "Ha HA!"
It's somewhat ruined by Old Horn headbutting the Pauper's body, causing her to snicker.
"Well, that went better than I thought it would."
Variel steps over to see how severe the last hit was.
Dead. It appears that Fiona broke his neck with her earthbreaker.
"We gave him a chance to leave peacefully, and it came to this."
He sighs, then looks at the others. "We should find somewhere for the body, then let the priests know they're rid of this one. And that they may need to help the blind man with his birds."
Fiona stops and looks down at the corpse.
"...yes. We should let the beggars know the Pauper is no more, as well." She stoops down to hoist the Pauper's corpse up.
"And, Thaddeus, is it?--You have my thanks for helping us." She gives the peasant mage a pleasant smile. "I don't believe I've introduced myself properly--I am Fiona, known among my quah as Sun-Touched."
Mutt frowns as the Pauper goes down from Fiona's swing. "Damn." He feels his rage leave him. He then nearly doubles over in pain and weariness. "B*****d was better than I expected."
When Fiona celebrates, Mutt just looks at her. After a few seconds, he says, "Well done." Seeing Old Horn headbutt the corpse, Mutt looks at the familiar, brow raised. He then pets Old Horn on the head and says, "Good goat."
He accompanies the group back to the Parish. As they walk, Mutt turns to Fiona. "By the way, you still need to thank Fredrick for arranging the meeting with the Temple of Cayden."
When they enter, Mutt does two things: first, to find the acolyte and apologize to him; second, to find Fetch and try to get him to come to the Gold Goblin with the party.
"By the way, you still need to thank Fredrick for arranging the meeting with the Temple of Cayden."
"Oh--thank you for reminding me." Fiona nods.
Before Mutt leaves, she puts a hand on his arm, humming her healing tune.
She expends the last of her magic for the day healing him, fixing his stab wound and soothing his aches.
Before the others can have the body removed, Bofur walks over and conspicuously checks the Pauper's remains for objects hidden (or not hidden) within his clothes. He also removes the blade used to injure Mutt. He sets whatever he finds to the side for the others to examine.
Mutt breathes deeply as the wounds heal themselves through Fiona's magic. He looks at her. "Thank you." He narrows his eyes at her, as if judging her.
"Oh, you're welcome." Fiona continues hauling the Pauper's corpse over to the parish, once Bofur has finished examining it for valuables.
"Mutt, is there a reason you're staring at me like that?" She asks, catching his narrowed eyes.
"And, Thaddeus, is it?--You have my thanks for helping us." She gives the peasant mage a pleasant smile. "I don't believe I've introduced myself properly--I am Fiona, known among my quah as Sun-Touched."
"Much obliged, milady," Thaddeus says, tipping his hat, partially to hide his blushing. "Though Ah didn't do all 'dat much, really. Ye might've heard 'bout Wizards warpin' reality. Well, Ah ain't nowhere near dat good... yet." Thaddeus adds the last 'yet' without much conviction, like he's trying to make a joke, and failing.
"Hope y'don't mind me bein' a bit wide-eyed 'n all. Jus' that Ah ain't never seen a woman quite like you back at th' farm."
Seeing Old Horn headbutt the corpse, Mutt looks at the familiar, brow raised. He then pets Old Horn on the head and says, "Good goat."
*SNORT*
Old Horn backs away, not reacting well to the pet.
"Ahh, sorry 'bout that," Thaddeus says to Mutt, "Ah'd say Old Horn don' like t'be called a 'pet,' but Old Horn don't like much o' anything, really, 'sides from fresh grass 'n grains."
*BAAHH*
"Yeah, yeah, Ah'll git'cha some food later."
Thaddeus turns to the group in general, before it splits apart. "So, if'n I may ask, not that dis' was a bad thing, but why were we at this ol' hovel killin' a buncha goons? Also, need me fer anythin'? How do y'handle dead bodies in 'dis town, anyways?"
Bofur pats down the Pauper's body and recovers an exceptionally sharp and well-balanced dagger, a potion, a set of masterwork thieves' tools, 213 gp, 60 sp, and a key, presumably to the lock which the group broke in. He also wears a conventional set of leather armour, which has seen better days after being hit with an axe repeatedly.
+1 dagger, potion of spider climb
"Mutt, is there a reason you're staring at me like that?" She asks, catching his narrowed eyes.
Mutt sighs and thinks. He turns his gaze away from her. "Again, it's regarding your fighting prowess and music. I've fought plenty of bards. But, I've never came across anyone who's music can give others fighting prowess of such power as a barbarian's rage. There are plenty of female fighters. In Kaer Maga, there are very few women who are capable of being both strong and graceful. They're either fighters... or prostitutes. It astounds me how you can change from the woman who's enrapturing people on stage at the Gold Goblin, to a strong war chanter capable of defeating street thugs. I've never seen that."
He then turns away, a frown forming. He mutters, "I've said too much. I'll leave." He then moves at a quicker pace.
"Hope y'don't mind me bein' a bit wide-eyed 'n all. Jus' that Ah ain't never seen a woman quite like you back at th' farm."
Fiona laughs. "You've never met a Shoanti before, I take it? We grow 'em tall and strong on the Storval Plateau."
"So, if'n I may ask, not that dis' was a bad thing, but why were we at this ol' hovel killin' a buncha goons? Also, need me fer anythin'? How do y'handle dead bodies in 'dis town, anyways?"
The thundercaller looks at the corpse she's carrying. "Well, in order--we asked for the church of Cayden Cailean's aid in staging a themed night at the Gold Goblin, and they asked us to deal with this Splithog Pauper in trade. If you wish to assist us at the Goblin, I wouldn't object to your aid."
"And I have no idea how one deals with corpses here..."
"Again, it's regarding your fighting prowess and music. I've fought plenty of bards. But, I've never came across anyone who's music can give others fighting prowess of such power as a barbarian's rage. There are plenty of female fighters. In Kaer Maga, there are very few women who are capable of being both strong and graceful. They're either fighters... or prostitutes. It astounds me how you can change from the woman who's enrapturing people on stage at the Gold Goblin, to a strong war chanter capable of defeating street thugs. I've never seen that."
Fiona doesn't have an answer to Mutt's explanation. Her brow furrows in a blend of confusion and curiosity.
Are you really that ignorant of your Shoanti line? I'm going to have to correct that.
She lets Mutt go on his way, getting back to the grim task of lugging the Pauper's corpse to the parish. If nothing else, it'd give the victims there some peace of mind.
The group returns the Pauper's corpse to the parish where the alcolyte receives the body, looking down sadly.
"We looked over the upstairs. I was repeatedly assured that it was self-sustaining and was willfully blind. The Splithog Pauper in our own mission. Thank you so much strangers. He was a cruel, cruel man responsible for many deaths of the very poorest people in this city. All death is to be mourned, but I know the Dawnflower is with us."
With their mission successfully completed, the group make their way back to the Publican House. Arnando Rolf, the High Publican greets you all with a cheer and an ale, thanking you for your good work in ridding Riddleport of the Splithog Pauper. Arnando posts an advertisement for the Gold Goblin in the Publican House and promises to recommend it to the flock, as well as any collaborations the group my be interested in over the next month.
Finally, the group returns to the Gold Goblin itself. Larur is delighted by the news of the deal with the Publicans and Thaddeus' cooperation in the mission.
"I've talked with Saulie and he'll bring Thaddeus in on the deal. Good job."
With a successful day's work done, you are free to pursue your own interests as the week turns over.
The next day, Sunday, Saul approaches all of you.
With his imp screeching noisily at the cage up on the ceiling, Saul walks up to the group, shaking Thaddeus' hand. The Balding, rotund man has a twinkle in his eye and as always, an enormous key for his left hand.
"A splendid week chaps, splendid. Despite the business with the snake and Clegg Zincher, we're on our way to profitability. The deal with the Publican House was most opportune. Fantastic work! And a pleasure to meet you Thaddeus. I hold Old Horn and Old Scratch get along."
Saul gestures with a key up to the caged imp, who spits what are likely foul curses in infernal.
"Your pay for the week, each, is ten gold. But for the cleverness of the Blot-themed day and the business with the Publican House I'll give you all a bonus of fifty gold."
He turns to Thaddeus. "Now you may have met our resident illusionist Samaritha who helps add a little flair to the evenings. I'm unsure of what kind of magicking you do, but there's a place you can help out. Your co-workers here have put themselves to various tasks here, and I suggest you work with Larur to find how you can best assist the day to day operations of the Goblin."
He taps his key-hand against his leg.
"That said, I am a busy man with much to do. If you have questions, let me know, otherwise I will bid you a fare well."
"Thank you, Saul, it is a pleasure to work for a man who appreciates hard work and innovation."
Over the next few days, Variel divides his attention between operations at the casino and trying to find out more about the Blot. When he's not at the Gold Goblin, he looks for places where cyphermages or other learned individuals (such as exist in Riddleport) gather so he can try to listen in on discussions. He also spends time just watching it, trying to discern if anything is changing with it, and whether it could, as he worries, be a portal to the Abyss.
When the Acolyte comes up and thanks them, Mutt looks again at him. He bows his head and says, "Again, I apologize for yelling at you and scaring you earlier."
Mutt growls in frustration.
Mutt goes upstairs and finds Fetch. He tries once more to bond with him. "Fetch. Come here, boy. I'll take you to a new home."
When Saul praises the group, Mutt grins. It may have been tough, but it was worth it. When Saul hands over the pay, Mutt is in shock. He hasn't received that much money before in his life.
Mutt then proceeds to try and get things set up for the fighting tournament he wishes to set up.
The priest still seems scared of Mutt, but despite Mutt's clumsy attempt at making amends, it's clear that he's considered a hero by the mission. Fetch, obviously distressed at the death and destruction, happily follows Mutt, gimping along until he makes his way to the Gold Goblin. The cooks give Fetch a few scraps and the dog seems to immediately respond well to the positive attention from Mutt.
Bofur thanks Saul for his generosity. "Pleased to hear we're turnin' things around." He collects his 60 gp and disseminates the take from the Pauper.
"That's 42 gp and 12 sp for each of us. Are any of us trained in using these tools? And can anyone identify this ichorous substance? And then we've got this well-made dagger with a perfect balance, if my judgment serves me. Is anyone overly fond of it?"
Variel thanks Bofur for his share of the Pauper's stash. "I've never had occasion to learn to use those ... though that is one of the few skills I haven't picked up over the decades. I'm not a chemist, either, but I was planning to visit some scholars, so I could see if anyone can identify it."