"And now there are six. If he wanted to be one of the Citizens Guard, why fight them in the town square," Carawyn says quietly as she watches and waits to see what happens with the half-elf's subterfuge.
"Sure thing, come on Brant; lets help."one says and all but one of the guards leave the body and go into the alley where everyone else is at. "Move out of the way Citizens." the leader says and the group of CCG guards look at the group in the alleyway to see how they respond.
They appear to be wary of attack by obviously well armed individuals,
however they wait to see if the group appears to be sufficiently cowed by their power.
The final CCG guard appears to come forward and kick the body and pull out a pair of manacles saying "I got the bounty on him..." as he looks at Aldren.
Aldren nods as if there is no disagreement. "Sure sure, all yours. Couldn't tell who he was with his face in the ground like that. You guys got him good, but of course, bounty's all yours. Plus you got four witnesses; I'd lose my head if I tried to claim it." Aldren says the last with a grin, trying to make it clear he's not interested in the bounty while hoping for a little bit more of an explanation as to what happened.
If it looks like the CCG is going to try to take the unconscious form with him, he will add: "You're not taking him with you, are you? Nox needs you able to fight, not looking over this lawless rat. Look, just lock him up to the dumpster. Not like he's going anywhere, and locked up no one will be taking him, either."
Laurent smiles and bows at the CCG members. "Of course, gentlemen". He quickly gets out of the way of the militiamen. He tries to interpose himself between the CCG people and Bepe so that they don't see the still wounded halfling.
Carawyn steps aside, eyes following the militia before swinging back to Aldren.
Berenice quickly removes her arrow and sticks it back in her quiver, whistling innocently.
I can't believe those idiots actually fell for that! she thinks for herself.
The gaurds in the alleyway slowly look back and forth "Good" nods to the rest, and walk into the giant melee in the streets. Quickly they are engulfed.
The final guard that is standing over the body responds to Aldrens comments "Nope, The lord mayor himself is looking for this man. There is no way I would miss the opportunity to get this man to him directly, did your team not get the memo?" he looks at Aldren wary of anyone near his Prize. Pulling the nobles arms back this round to be manacled.
By Lamashtu's twisted pot...
Aldren ponders this development for a second before he says, "No, but I figured it might be something like that. Of course, you're right. Here, let me help."
He's not worth a Charm spell. He steps up as if to help but then swings the morningstar, aiming to kill.
Breathing a mental sigh of relief as the CCG members pass by without incident, Laurent turns his attention back to Aldren just in time to see him attempt to club the man guarding Aldren's unconscious contact.
Laurent puts his hand to his sword ready to draw it, ready to help his new-found companion. The shadow of a frown crosses his lips as he notices that Aldren is definitely not aiming to merely knock the CCG guard out.
Lirana is as surprised as everyone else that the rather oblivious CCG guards fell for the half-elf's bluff. "Wow, what idiots. I guess these guys are chosen for their brutality and not their brains."
She follows the others down the alley, trying to not show any fear and fighting against the urge to tend to the wounded man still being roughed up by the remaining CCG guard. "They already had that poor man captured, what was the point of still beating on him?"
Lirana wonders what the half-elf is up to when he moves to help the guard and then her eyes widen in surprise when she sees that he means to attack him. "Oh dear goddess, I hope those other guards are far enough away to not notice what is about to happen here and I hope he actually knows how to fight and isn't just carrying that morningstar for show."
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Septimus watches form the shadows with the group, wishing not to attack guards or militia unless he's forced as that would attract more attention. Lacking his Sap, he would have to rely on his fists to knock out foes now but there is no need to start a fight unless the situation calls for it. He still stands ready to help Aldren if he gets in over his head.
"First he wants to be a guard, and now he wants to kill them. He seems quite indecisive," Carawyn observes from the mouth of the alley.
"Shhhhh, not so loud."
Aldrens luck holds out that even though the CCG guard expected trouble Aldren was able to take him by surprise, and hits him with a strike against the back. With a grunt the CCG guard draws his weapon, and attacks you with a light mace in one hand and holding manacles in the other.
Tactical info-
The rest of the party is watching from the T-intersection. out of melee. to make it easy because after aldren it would be the guard. I will just let him attack then let everyone else go.
Round 1
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With a powerful "Thump" the guard attacks Aldren lethally like you did him. In the gut; cracking some ribs in the process. "Damn you, to His Mighty Infernalness. why did you do .........? HELP" he starts to say as it appears he starts to see through your illusion.
Lirana winces in sympathy as the half-elf take a painful hit from the guard. Moving up a bit to be sure he is within range, Lirana holds up her symbol of Shelyn and channels healing energy, making sure to exclude the guard from its benefits, but including the poor fellow on the ground in front of them.
Carawyn observes silently, watching both the fight and the other militia members.
Berenice draws her arrow and takes a shot at the militiaman.
Even now, Laurent would prefer not to hurt militiamen who are just trying to support the only government they have ever known.
He follows Septimus out of the alley, but unlike the armored man and Aldren, he only slaps at the CCG member with the flat of his blade, hoping to knock him unconscious before the other two kill him.
Aldren feels encouraged by the arrow flying by and the arrival of Septimus and Laurent, even if the latter is pulling his punches. He almost wants to express his thanks but realizes now isn't the time.
To the militiaman, he mocks the man's surprise, "You'll get no more help than your victim or the countless others in the square! You want to embrace the infernal, I'll send you on your way!"
The CCG guards skill (or luck) is immediately becoming apparent as he ducks under a shot from Berenice, then twists away from a attack from both Laurant and Septimus. The CCG guards face looks grim but he stands his ground. "May his Holiness take you all."he Growls, As he makes another attack at Aldren hoping to take out a member of the group he is facing. Shouting out once again for assistance from his fellow guards that can't hear him in the crowd. "HELP!; Guards!" But could possibly be heard by Loyal citizens from the empire.
@carawyn the CCG guard wont hear (its to loud). they are caught up in the melee. Because you are psudo watching the roit, you see Nox, Arcan, and Dotterri are turning it into a quick slaughter. you also see that Baron Thune is back to watching the whole thing from his balcony with a slight smile on his lips, drinking a glass of wine.
You heal nonlethal damage at the rate of 1 hit point per hour per character level. When a spell or ability cures hit point damage, it also removes an equal amount of nonlethal damage.
Carawyn waits and watches, eyes following the fight closely, though she doesn't intervene.
There isn't much Laurent can do besides attempt to silence the militiaman before his cries for help are, finally, heard. He lays about the man's head and shoulders with the flat of his blade, attempting to knock him out.
Lirana will once again channel healing energy to all except the guardsman.
Berenice takes another shot!
The guard goes down with a meaty "THWUNK" from septimus's mace, the guards weapon falls to the cobblestones. You see the body slightly stir due to the healing from Lirana. He turns on to lay on his back with a *sigh*, and puts one hand up for assistance.
@caraywn Beppe is close enough to Caraywn to almost whisper in her ear. (he also stayed away from the fighting). "I think that is Master Victocora, his family was killed on the Night of Ashes. " .
@laurant - you also recognize him. (you get free dc 12 knowledge need to roll for higher)
@everyone else, DC 12 local or nobility.
"Does he think now that we know his name, we know who he is?" Carawyn wonders, in response to Beppe.
She continues to watch and see what the others will do.
Laurent watches the militiaman fall to the ground with an unceremonious thump from the armored man's mace bow.
Now that the melee is over, Laurent finally gets a good look at the man they were trying to save- none other than Rexus Victocora. Laurent didn't know him well -just the family by reputation- but he is a little shocked to see the young Victocora here. It seems the guards recognized him too and were gunning for that bounty on his head.
Reaching down, he offers his hand to Rexus to help him to his feet. "My lord, I'm not sure this is the place you want to be. Those bravos were nearly a thousand gold richer. If we don't get out of here soon they may come back."
Aldren nods in satisfaction as the guardsman finally falls. "It seems your luck ran out, lad." He nods to Septimus, eyeing the man with renewed respect. "Thanks for the help, I couldn't let those devil worshipping lapdogs go off with him."
As Laurent moves to help the man with one glove up from the ground, Aldren looks a tad bemused but it passes. The little prince has a point... but did he say "lord"?
Aldren dismisses whatever few seconds remain on his Alter Self as he studies the man they just rescued a bit more closely. "A thousand gold? For a Kintargo nobleman?" There's something else going on here.
"I suppose that's a discussion for another time. Master Laurent is right, we need to get out of here, but if I heard you correctly earlier," he nods towards Septimus, "...Bee's suggested hidey hole may not be the best option. Anyone have suggestions as to others?
"I have a place to go, that will get us off the street. There is a little known bookstore by the name of Crissali's Fine Tooms. They have a private room in the back that is typically rented for a quite place to read. Unless anyone else can think of someone better." the young noble says as he dusts off his clothes, "Oh my, that's not good" as he sticks a finger through a hole in his well made pants.
"He has a hole in his pants, one more than everyone else," Carawyn observes. "We can fix that for him, if he likes, though he may not want to take them off in the middle of the alley."
Lirana sighs and hastily casts Mending upon the young lord's pants.
"That sounds perfectly fine to me. I'd much rather not try to return home just yet on the off chance that someone may follow us."
"I wonder what he did to be worth a thousand gold? Not a question to be asked in an alley way though."
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Since first encountering Carawyn in the alley with Lirana, Aldren has been puzzled by Carawyn's peculiarly phrased observations and statements. He looks at Lirana and makes a gesture when Carawyn's attention seems to be elsewhere...
...and it is completely non-sensical. Aldren sighs, shrugs as if to say "maybe later", then responds to the noble man's suggestion. "I've no objection but my ears are not as close to the ground as others. Little Bee? Septimus?"
As he talks, Aldren looks about to see if the man is indeed wearing only one glove or if the other is laying on the ground, having fallen off or been pulled off in his scuffle with the militia.
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Septimus is surprised to see Aldren change forms and recognizes him as one of the people from the crowd. He says to Aldren, "My aid is the least I can do in order to save someone from be victimized by these Thrune lapdogs."
He helps the healed noble to his feet and says to him, "It is good that you survived such a beating but indeed, you should vacate this place to safety before more of these thugs decide to pursue you."
Thinking on the options Septimus says to Aldren, "The Crissali's Fine Tooms should be safe enough. Not a place that is known for being patrolled by the Dotari or other agents of the Thrune as well as private areas were we can talk further on the next course of action."
"Thank you sir." Rexus says to both septimus and laurant as he is helped up. Rexus takes his time cleaning up is somewhat ragged but well made attire. he soon gives up with a "Sigh..." He then politely motions toward the ladys "After You" with a gentlemanly twist with his arm held out. he quickly also gathers his Cane.
@Aldren- you cant seem to find the other glove on the ground.
@Lirana- "What a enchanting creature." he says to you. as he kisses your hand then holds his elbow out to see if you take it.
@Laurant- Beppe I am going to say was close enough to get inside the healing range. he looks much better than he did earlier.
@everyone soon we will meet Rexus and have a little time for everyone to get know everyone else better.
@Berenice and Carawyn- Beppe holds out his arms in a week approximation of what Rexus did to Lirana to see if both smaller girls are interested in him walking with them.
Lirana will automatically take the proffered arm. "You flatter me sir."
The fight's all over and the young noble saved faster than Berenice can blink.
As they begin discussing strategy and hiding places, she just sort of nods and follows along with Beppe.
"Sweet barleybrew, if I can't keep up with friggin' tallfolk I must be losing my edge!"
Aldren debates whether to raise the topic of the single glove and inquire whether this little princeling was to be his contact at the protest-cum-riot, but opts to leave it for a more private setting.
However, seeing no one else taking the opportunity, he does stop to search the militiaman...and ensure the man is properly dead. Judging by his reaction, he likely saw through the spell. It wouldn't do to leave a witness.
Carawayn glances at the proferred arm as if it were a noodle that has somehow attached itself to a halfling's arm, though fortunately her veil covers most of her baffled expression.
She silently follows the others as they proceed to the hiding spot.
This time Laurent's gentleman's composure fails him as he sees Bepe offer his arms to the gnomish and halfling women, and he smiles brightly. He is quite happy to see that the priestess of Shelyn's prayers have restored him to health.
"Well, it seems I've acted too late to escort my own lady. Let's get to this bookseller then, and away from this riot," he says, then nods in the direction of Rexus. "Please lead the way, Master Rexus."
Berenice quirks an eyebrow at the veiled gnome that seems to have been following them around.
"We didn't get a chance to get introduced, did we?"
"Oh good, she's quite observant. That will be most helpful," Carawyn says happily after Berenice's comments.
Any further comments, however -- if any were forthcoming -- are forestalled by Septimus' interruption.
Berenice blinks in confusion at Carawyn's words.
"I'm right here, ya know!" she says as they proceed down the street.