GM SpiderBeard's Second Darkness (Inactive)

Game Master Barvo Delancy

The armoured man suddenly looks very unsure of himself.

"You can't do anything that my boss can't do worse!" His defiant response is less than certain. As he speaks, his feet suddenly go out from under him and he collapses to the ground!

REflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Acrobatics: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (11) - 5 = 6

"GET THEM! GET THEM YOU BASTARDS!"

Seeing the dock become covered with mud, the crew simply head below decks on the Foamrunner. The thugs, meanwhile, hesitantly start to charge across the deck, slowed considerably by Thaddeus' unpleasant spell. They all make it across, however, and start to close in.

The armoured man stands back to his feet and looks somewhat hesitantly at Variel, but beckons him to attack nonetheless.

Everyone is up! Mutt, if you want to attack with your bouncers they have a +5 to hit with their weapons and +2 to damage. Otherwise give the orders and I'll move them.

Mutt snorts as the enemies scramble. He looks to the armored man. "Get out of here! That's our liquor!" Seeing the sailors run, Mutt grunts. "Well, they are smart to try and get out of the way. Can't say the same for the rest." Turning to the bouncers, Mutt says, "Let's go! Get rid of these thieves!"

Mutt draws his greataxe and runs forward, grim determination set on his face. He doesn't give into his rage. He runs onto the docks and stops, making himself a wall between Fiona and the bad guys.

The bouncers follow suit, drawing their own weapons and running to the docks.

Thaddeus moves up, past Mutt's boys, but slightly behind the boxes. Then, he uses his Slumber hex on Big Armoured Dude. Will Save DC 14.

I'll wait to see the result of the save vs slumber before deciding Variel's action.

Slumber: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

The armoured man stares defiantly at Variel. Then his eyes slowly blink, and with a loud clatter he collapses to the ground.

As the leader slumps to the ground, Variel draws his sword and faces the man next to him.

"We can do that all day. And a sleeping target is very easy to finish off, don't you think? Surrender now and you won't join him."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Round 2: Actions
Move Action: Draw Earthbreaker
Standard Action: Aid Variel's Intimidate check

Fiona nods in agreement with Variel's words. "Just walk away, gentlemen. Nobody needs to die here over a few kegs of booze." She says, pointedly unlimbering the massive earthbreaker from her back.

Aid Another (Intimidate) *Mentored*: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 1 = 14

The thugs look in dismay as their leader collapses to the ground, covered in grease and using a magical cow pie for a pillow. Rather than surrender, they all turn and start bolting away from the group.

"To hell with this! I ain't making enough to get put to sleep!"

Bofur technically still has an action, but the thugs are fleeing. So you can continue combat and chase them or let it fall and then deal with your unconscious guy.

Bofur smiles as the thugs make the wise decision. He tries to note down faces should he encounter them again.

"The Gold Goblin always needs good people and we treat ours right! Tell your friends!" he shouts a recruitment ad as they run away.

He then waits for the magic effects to be dismissed before soiling his boots even further.

I'm playing that Bofur doesn't know the sleep hex will end that quickly, so he doesn't rush to be in position when the man wakes any second.

Mutt frowns and grumbles, slightly upset that he didn't get a chance to fight. The bouncers, meanwhile, cheer in celebration. Mutt walks closer to the sleeping armored man. Turning to the others, he asks, "Should we kill him? He'll only be a problem in the future. Besides, I want a closer look at that armor of his."

"At least disarm him. This is prolly the same bastard that killed Larur. I wanna hear who he's workin' fir."

Then he shouts over to the boat.

An' you louts caen finish unlooding the cargo. The show's oveer."

Fiona rests a hand on Mutt's shoulder. "Not yet--Bofur's got the right idea. I'd like to know who he's working for before we decide."

The armoured man snores contentedly. At this point the thugs, and the ship's captain have all bolted. The ship's crew have not emerged from below decks on the Foamrunner.

"Huh. Wow, when Ah was first taught dat... spell, Ah didn't know how useful it'd be. Guess now we..."

"BAAA!"

"Huh? Whad'ya say?"

*Snort* "Beeeaaahhhh..."

"But... Whadda'bout Smeed, 'n those bandits, 'n..."

"BAAAH! BAAAH!"

"Uhh, guys!" Thaddeus shouts out, "Ah ain't sure what's goin' on, but dat guy 'dere's only gonna be 'sleep for anudder... uhh..."

"Baaah."

"Few seconds. Wait, what?"

I'll leave the reasons why to the incomprehensible forces that grant Thaddeus his powers, but at least this makes it known to the group. And to Thaddeus.

Mutt looks at Fiona and frowns at her suggestion. He rests his greataxe on his shoulder, grumbling.

Fiona heeds Old Horn's & Thaddeus' warnings, readying her earthbreaker and approaching the sleeping armoured man.

"Rise and shine, tshamek. We'd like to have a word with you." She says as she kicks the man's weapon away from him.

As the man awakens, Variel points his finger at him. "ยี่ห้อ"

He stands there and looks menacing while allowing Fiona to speak first.

The man opens his eyes and sees himself surrounded by the group and his weapon a few feet away. He looks longingly at his sword before he fixates his gaze on the party.

"Give me my weapon and dispense with the parlour tricks," he growls.

Mutt scowls before walking up to the man and punching him in the face.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Damage (nonlethal): 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Mutt glares at him. "Shut up! You are not in a position to be giving orders! Now... who do you work for?! Why were you stealing what was ours?! And you better tell the truth. Or else I will take your hands for thievery!"

Intimidate: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

... I had been waiting for Fiona to begin with Diplomacy ...

Oh... sorry. I didn't know. I can take the action back if you want to go paragon.

"Dammit, Mutt!" Fiona is too slow to stop him from punching the downed man. "Ease up--he's of no danger to anyone now."

She turns to the injured man and rests a hand on his bruise, channeling a healing spell into him.

CLW: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

"My apologies for that--Mutt tends to get... well, excitable." She gives him a quick look before turning back to the bruised man. "If it makes you feel any better, your men are unharmed--they decided to flee the battle instead of face us. If you tell us who ordered you to steal our shipment, we'll let you go on your way."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Bofur clears his throat. It may or may not have covered an unmanly giggle.

The man looks at the group with undisguised resentment although softens a little at Fiona's words. He shoots a look over to Mutt.

"Keep that idiot savage off of me. I don't want to get drooled on. You could just ask around, everyone - well everyone who knows anything knows who I am. I work for Zincher. Names Braddikar."

While blustering, he does shoot the occasional uneasy glance to Variel, who stands at the ready with a spell.

"Let's jess taek 'ees thins and let 'eem go. Oughta send a message to this Zincher. Oh, an let's reclaiem thaet pouch o' gold he gaeve the captain. That one daen't deserve ta profit aither, faer as I'm concerned."

Variel listens to the man, watching his mannerisms carefully for any signs of deceit or holding back information.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Braddikar ... have I heard that name before?
Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
...no, I don't think so...

Variel is certain the man is telling the truth, and doesn't even appear to be withholding anything.

"So, Zincher had you come to steal our merchandise? Where can we find him to discuss this matter?"

Braddikar smirks. "'Course he did. What does it looks like? And he owns the largest arena in the city and is protected by enough footsoldiers to kill all of you three times over. He ain't hard to find."

"Riiiight." Fiona snorts. "If they're all as well trained as your men, Zincher needs to tighten his hiring standards."

She nods at Bofur. "Could you see about securing the booze?" Then she turns to Mutt. "Relieve him of his gear." She nods at the prone Braddikar.

Mutt smirks a little when he hears Bofur giggling. Well, at least someone approved.

Mutt frowns as Fiona tries her diplomacy. However, that's when Braddikar insults him. Mutt stops, his pupils dilating. Savage. He has heard that word several times in his fighting career/ However, it doesn't take away the fact that he hates that word. All of a sudden, Mutt's eyes are alight with a furious fire. He scowls heavily at the prone man, face contorting in our rage. "Savage?! SAVAGE?! THAT'S IT!! I'LL TURN YOU INTO A BLOODY SMEAR ALL OVER THESE DOCKS!! YOU HEAR ME?! I WILL DESTROY YOU!!" He is filled with so much anger that he barely hears Fiona's suggestion. "OH, I WILL RELIEVE HIM OF HIS GEAR!! BUT FIRST, I'LL NEED TO TEAR HIM FROM HIS ARMOR!! AND I'LL DO IT WITH MY BARE HANDS!! I'LL RIP HIM OUT, LIKE A BUTCHER GUTTING A PIG!! AND AFTER I'M DONE WITH YOU, ZINCHER'S NEXT!!"

The bouncers are starting to cower in fear. They've seen their boss angry... but not like this.

Just so everyone knows, Mutt's not activating his bloodrage right now.

Thaddeus simply stands back with Bofur, letting the people with more conversational ability handle the interrogation.

He does check the boxes when Fiona asks. (Even if she asked somebody else.)

"Ahh... Did Saul mention how much he was expectin'?"

EDIT:

And then Mutt gets very energetic, and suddenly the booze doesn't seem too important right now.

Thaddeus steps back a bit, eyes widening as he watches this. On the one hand, he could try and put Mutt to sleep to calm him down. On the other... Why is he trying to protect Braddikar? Mutt hasn't given any sign that his rages are so uncontrolled that he can't tell friend from foe. And besides, Mutt's been looking rather antsy and upset whenever Thaddeus has ended fights before they begin. Maybe he just needs this to get it out of his system.

Okay, back to securing the shipment.

Bofur exchanges a glance with Thaddeus and looks around for a cart, wheelbarrow or wagon to load the kegs onto. His attention, too, is drawn to Mutt's display. Out of the side of his mouth, he comments to Thaddeus, "I hope he doesn't damage the merchandise. It looks useful."

This bout of rage is just for RP. You are able to talk him down from it.

Despite not having as much bravado in his words thanks to Variel's terrifying work, Braddikar rises to Mutt's challenge, almost lunging to his feet despite the weapons pointed at him.

"GIVE ME MY WEAPON THEN YOU COWARD! ARE YOU GOING TO HIDE BEHIND THESE TRICKSTERS OR DO YOU WANT A REAL FIGHT?!"

Bofur's patience runs out and he approaches with his battleaxe ready for drawing at his waist. "All raeet, all raeet. We've 'eeerd enuff 'orn-blowin' ferr tonaaaaight. Outta that armour, Mr. Braddikar. I wuuuuun't be askin' agaaaain, laddie."

That temper is going to get him killed one of these days, and possibly me with him. We're going to have to work on that.

Variel looks at Mutt pointedly. "Save your anger for the one that deserves it. This fellow is nothing but a pawn."

He touches Braddikar on the arm, and the magic he was holding flows into the man's skin.

DC 13 Will save vs Brand. On fail, the word "pawn" appears as a magical tattoo on the back of his hand.

Mutt looks at Variel and the others and slowly regains his composure. Breathing heavily, Mutt then glares at Braddikar. He approaches him. "No. They're right. You're not worth it, since you dropped like a log before you could enter the fight. You're pathetic. So, I'll be taking your things." He walks up to the prone man and begins relieving him of all of his gear.

I'm going to skip the save. More fun that way.

Braddikar screams as Variel touches him, and then relaxes when he realises there is no pain. However, when he sees the brand he goes white with anger, and almost lunges at Variel save for the weapons around him.

Mutt strips Braddikar of his gear, finding himself with an extremely high-quality shield and cloak, a masterwork longsword, and some banded mail that looks Korvosan to those with the eye for it.

Now in his underclothes, Braddikar looks at all you.

"So that's it? You let me go with... this?!"

He looks at the word on his arm, shaking his head.

Fiona gives Variel an appreciative look.

I wonder if there's something we can do to help with Mutt's temper...

"Go." Fiona waves the humiliated Braddikar off. "And count yourself lucky that your possessions were the only thing you lost."

"Suu that's why mae mother used to waern me not to leave the house without daerning mah small clothes. Guess ye laerned yure lesson today."

Bofur taunts over his shoulder as he boards the boat looking for the captain.

"If'n yer lookin' fer th'captain, Bofur, think he ran off thataways."

Thaddeus heads down the dock, in the direction the Captain ran off to.

"Where'd dat no-goodnik go?"

Bofur pauses mid-stride, debating with himself. "Hmm. De ye reckon he'll be back before that sack o' gold's been drunk?

He looks the under-clothed Braddikar. "Jess how muuuch did ye give 'im to taeke our liquor?" he asks Faye.

Let me know what you're doing with the gear.

Braddikar flees, shooting a few last vicious glances at the group.

With the help of Mutt's men, who were disappointed they didn't get to fight, the group loads up the entirety of the shipment onto a cart and make their way back to the Gold Goblin. Saul is delighted with the work done, and the group returns to their regular management of the GOld Goblin.

Gold Goblin: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26

The week is another successful one, despite Bofur's horrible luck with catching cheaters. A profit is turned and everyone received 20 gp for their efforts.

Let me know about any activities you want to engage in during the week, Fiona mentioned visiting the Calistrians for example.

"Fiona, there may be information to be gained from the temple. Because of my association, I would be happy to join you."

Variel's activities are the same as always, dividing his time between his job at the casino and studying the blot and people's reactions (or lack thereof) to it.

Bofur wants to check out the big arch. It seems pretty impressive. He also wants to find some green. How far out of the city does he need to go?

Mutt studies the gear that he has gained. He dismisses Braddikar. "Yeah, yeah. Just go away, little pawn." He decides to keep the longsword, thinking that he can get the best use out of it. He holds up the shield and cloak. He looks around. "Who wants to use these? I could take the shield. But that could impede on my combat."

When he looks at the banded mail, he frowns, turning it over in his hands. "This is too heavy. I can't use it. It's a shame. It's a nice set of armor."

Anyone want anything? Shield, armor, cloak?

The bouncers give back the weapons that Mutt gave them. Mutt then directs and aids the bouncers to loading up the shipment and transporting it to the Gold Goblin.

Mutt continues with his job as the head bouncer and continues to socialize with the other bouncers and Fetch. When the payment for the week is given out, Mutt takes his share and continues to work.

When Variel mentions going to the Temple of Calistria, Mutt nods. "I'm heading over there as well. Michal's cousin works there as a priestess. So we have an edge."

Mutt approaches Michal. "Michal, we're planning on heading to the Temple of Calistria. I'm wondering if you can let your cousin know, so she can meet us and put in a good word with Shorafa."

While discussing Braddikar's gear:
"มายากล?"
Variel speaks a word and studies the gear, looking for any magical auras.

He doesn't expect to find any, but if he does, that might indicate Braddikar is being supplied better than expected.

Your spellcraft is high enough to auto-ID.

Variel is surprised to discover some magical auras. The shield is a +1 heavy steel shield, and the cloak is a cloak of resistance +1. The sword and banded mail are both masterwork.

Thaddeus continues the course. He serves as backup musician and backup crowd control at the Goblin. Once a week he volunteers some time and gold to the Salvation. He peruses the library at the Cyphermage's guild, and reports to Avariel. And, finally, he heads out to sample big city life with his gold, though he keeps a close eye on his spending.

The extra 5 gold Thaddeus gets from Avariel per week goes to the Salvation, until further notice. Take off another 2 for assorted leisurely expenses.

Thaddeus also goes shopping for some things during this time. Scrolls and maybe some basic equipment. I'll research and list them later.

However, he is starting to get a little nervous walking around the city by himself, knowing that battle lines are likely being drawn, especially between Saul and Clegg.

He walks up to Mutt at one point.

"Say, Mutt. Don't suppose it'd be too much t'ask if'n Ah could take along one of yer boys there fer protection' could Ah? Kinda worried Clegg 'r somebody else we pissed off might try t'ambush me when Ah'm out 'n about. Ah can 'comp 'em, fer workin' outside of club hours, of course."

--------
@group

Thaddeus shrugs non-commitedly at the call to head to the Temple of Calistria. If they're all going, he might as well. At the moment, he's not busy with anything. Sure, his old pastor back at his villiage said Calistria was a god of harlots and rage, but he tended not to have nice things to say about any god other than Erastil.

"If'n yeh think y'need me, Ah can come 'long."