Penelope rips gleefully into the barmaid's neck, drawing a healthy gout from which she drinks deeply. The blood loss and the blow to the head she'd already taken from Cimri's sap causes the grappled barmaid to go limp in Penelope's arms. There's still a definite heartbeat to be felt from the barmaid, though it's getting fainter.
Amanda's shot, on the other hand, proves far more difficult to accomplish. While her aim would be quite sufficient to strike the bard under normal circumstances, the combination of cover from the bar and the difficulty of trying to void hitting her allies causes the arrow to emulate Muziel's bolt of electricity and strike the wall behind everything.
"Stop that," says Cimri, swinging her sap at Kels' face to try and trip up his casting. Where the bard being tackled makes it harder for ranged attackers, it ends up preventing the range of motion it would take for Kels to avoid to bludgeoning implement up close and personal.
Kels, however, stubbornly manages to hold onto both consciousness and the spell he's casting, even in the face of such overwhelming odds. The bartender, on the other hand, continues to slowly dribble his life force out onto his floor.
"I don't think so, Kels!" Grabbing a fistful of the bard's luscious locks near the scalp, Ismene slams his head into the floor.
Kolaiah will casually move over and touch the staggered barmaid.
vs Touch AC
His very touch dropping her to the ground.
The slamming of his head into the floor proves to be the final straw for the bard. The concussive force causes him to inadvertently slur some of the final words of the incantation, ultimately resulting in the spell being lost in the last moments before it can be finished. Seeing his ce struggles vainly to break free of Sister Ismene's grasp for a few moments before resigning himself to the fact that he's probably not getting away. "Uncle! Uncle!" he says, panicked.
Kolaiah, meanwhile, catches up with the staggered barmaid and the power of the corruption within him overcomes the woman instantly, minor wounds spontaneously opening across her body proving too much for her body to handle.
"Well then, with the fight beat out of you lot, I imagine someone should set to and keep your injured friends alive. The better to ensure none of you lawbreakers and rapscallions die before you are properly punished for your crimes. Unfortunately, my gifts don't lean in that direction. Anyone?" Kolaiah looks around expectantly.
Muziel hops over to the bleeding Caggan and nearby barmaid, and notes the arrow protruding squarely from Caggan's chest. "You sure did a number on the barkeep, Pride!" Muziel seems to be looking for keys or other valuables, indifferent to the fact that these people are bleeding out.
Caggan and the Barmaid that was dropped by Kolaiah stabilize on their own. The one currently being drunk by Penelope's neck wound is still gushing, however.
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Seeing Caggan has stopped bleeding she walks over to the man. "Seems this man has some signs of life left him. But I did promise to send him on a trip to hell. Still mearly slitting his throat seems like too quick and painless a death. If only we had a torture chamber around here, I would not mind to extend his suffering until he begs for death."
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"Right well, that's that I suppose. Let's put this place to the torch shall we? Its obviously a place of infestation. Is anyone hurt? well I mean anyone of value hurt? The rest of them can burn with the building as far as I am concerned." Nikolai says smugly as he pulls out his mirror to ensure his hair was not too disheveled in the all the ruckus.
Penelope doesn't stop, the blood lust and her promise still strong. Only after the thumping of the poor woman's heart is a dim memory does she drop the lifeless body, then stretching like a cat in her fancy dress, That was delicious she beams. I do like our job
As Penelope finishes draining the life from the barmaid she grabbed, just as she'd promised to do, Cimri looks around at the others with a bit of a confused expression.
"Hang on a minute before anyone gets all torch-happy," she says, pointing to Caggan's unconscious form with one hand and to Kels with her sap in the other. "I thought the plan was to put these guys in the stocks as an example, not slaughter everyone and burn the place down. Sure, so it's annoying that they wouldn't come quietly," she shrugs, smirking, "but they didn't exactly put any of us in mortal peril, and did anyone actually expect them to in the first place? I know I wouldn't have."
Muziel somewhat agrees with Cimri. He didn't really have any quarrel with these folks. Didn't seem like there was much benefit to burning the place down; just some drawbacks. He speaks up after her.
"Come on now, Nikolai. We all know the only reason you want to burn this place down is so folks will have to come to the Arch and Lark. But if we start destroying all the buildings in town, there'll be no wealth left and nothing to rule over." Muziel collects the coins from the tavernkeep and barmaids as he says this. "I mean, Caggan here is about to pay a fine for profiting from an illegal gathering and resisting arrest, right? I'd say we need to confiscate his earnings. And I'm sure he'll have many more violations in the future that'll need some appropriate punishment." Muziel takes the barkeep's keys and goes in search of gold and valuables that might be found in a tavern. He also grabs the cloak and warhammer, which looked like quality items.
Ismene shakes her head sharply at the others. We can't expect to talk freely about our plan with a witness still conscious. "They're both going to the stocks so that the whole town can see who's really in charge. We can do what we like with them after they've served their purpose." And if the townsfolk try to congregate in the square to listen while Kels spouts more treason, they can join him.
I don't care what we do with the bard, but fatso should live. finding a bar towel she wipes the blood off her the best she could. Killing her was because he hit me with a bottle, no suffering on that if he's at peace and all
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Amanda says to Nicholi, "Why burn the place down when you could take it over. This resistance is an act of Treason against the Archduke, so we have every right to acquire his property including this establishment. We could make use of it, if not as an alehouse, it could be refurbished as a storehouse, residence, theatre house, gambling den or some other property we can use."
In the mention of stocks, Amanda says, "Stocks, Bah, that is a pittance of a punishment for his crimes. I am partial to public Squssation as a far more humiliating punishment. Still I would love to strap fatso to a table and torture him for information before we do so. He may have co-conspirators we can deal with as well."
Squss-what Penelope asks, confused and curious, digging a little barmaid out from between her teeth.
"What can I say? I am a bit zealous when it comes to bad drinks and worse music. " Nikolai says in response to Cimri
Then he looks to Muziel "Would that really be so bad? This town could use a bit of refinement, even if I have to cram it down their throats.?"
When Nikolai hears Darla's proposal he thinks on it and says "I suppose we could redecorate it a bit to meet an alternate requirement. My horses could use their own stable."
"What the hell is wrong with you people?" demands Kels, incredulously, from his uncomfortable position of being held on the floor by Sister Ismene. "Torture? Murder? Property theft? Arson? The Angel of Longacre is bringing a reckoning, and it will be long overdue when it comes! The days of thugs like you and your Archbaron are numbered!"
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"Oh goodness me, we forgot to gag him." Nikolai grabs a dirty bar rag and shoves it in Kels' mouth. "Now you be quiet, my pale friends are very thirsty and if you distract me with that foul sounding voice of yours I do not think I can persuade them not to drink their fill."
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"Squssation is a form of torture involving stripping a person naked, hanging him by his arms with rope and then tying weights to his feet so that he is stretched on both ends at once and undergoes horrible agony and often dislocated arms and feet in the process. Rather entertaining and humiliating to say the least."
Penelope whistles in appreciation Impressive. One flaw though, do you really want to see this blob of grease naked? Hearing her paleness invoked by Nikolai, she hovers near the bard Now this one though, I might not mind. Care for a kiss, love?
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Mindful that they were likely being observed by members of the citizenry, Kolaiah observed "While I admire the humor of many of your suggestions, our sole purpose in coming here was to enforce the law. These lawbreakers," he points at the captives, "refused to submit to lawful authority and will have to face the penalties of their crimes, which are likely not capital in nature." He pointed at the dead barmaid, "it is a most unfortunate accident that this one cracked her head fatally on the ground when she fell, but had she not been resisting lawful authority, it would certainly not have happened. The consequences of her actions, and the obvious mishap that followed, are on her head, and she has paid the ultimate price for her lawlessness."
He glared around the room, looking to ensure that any patrons that might be hiding had heard his words and were paying attention. "Now, as the duly appointed representatives of the law, we must carry out our appointed task, however distasteful we might personally find it. Those two," he points at the barkeep and the bard, "as the obvious ringleaders here, shall be placed in the stocks. The others shall be delivered to the magistrates, or held in a jail cell until the magistrates can decide their fate. As for this den of iniquity and disloyalty, it will be closed until the fate of the establishment is decided lawfully. All of you civilians had best clear out of here, or face the chance of being associated with the treason and heresy that those two have been preaching, and for which they are to be pilloried." He finishes by pointing again at the two ringleaders.
Muziel collects all of the pocketed change, along with the hammer and cloak. While he's at it, he'll also see if Kels and the dead barmaid have anything of value.
After that, he fishes through his things and pulls out a wand. "Hey, I'm told that this Wand of Infernal Healing helps your wounds close and heal in just a minute like those of a devil. Anyone know how to use this thing?" He approaches Penelope, observing her injuries. "Looks like the barmaid landed a good hit on you there. Want to give it a go?"
"I thought that sort of thing was your specialty greed, or is it only the acquiring of such things. Let me see it." "Our friend is correct, this is a wand of infernal healing. If your offer of a kiss was genuine however, I could lay my hands on you and produce a similar effect." Nikolai says to Penelope with a lustful look on his face.
Gagged with the foul rag, Kels simply glares sullenly at everyone, providing no further responses besides an unhappy expression. Any stragglers that didn't make their way out of the bar already during the scuffle kick it into high gear when Kolaiah tells them to clear out, leaving the party, their captives, and their casualties alone.
"So," says Cimri, hooking her sap back to her belt, "Kels could be made to walk, I think, but it looks like we're going to have to carry Caggan and the unconscious barmaid. I call not-it for Caggan, by the way. And what do we want to do with the dead body? Shallow grave out back, I guess?"
Muziel takes all of the additional found items as well. In response to Nikolai's statement, Muziel reacts with some embarrassment. "Er ... I didn't really focus on identifying items or other such magics when I was in the Academy. I'm working on it, though. As soon as I get enough wealth, I'm going to set up a workshop again to continue my research!"
As the talk turns to carrying bodies, Muziel quickly pipes up. "Don't look at me, I'm the little guy and carrying all these weapons already!"
"Or we could rouse Caggan, and have him and Kels carry the barmaid," suggests Kolaiah.
Koliah's statement triggers a memory. He fishes through his belt pouch and retrieves an item. "I have these smelling salts that can wake up these folks. Just stick it under their nose and presto! They can't help but wake up! Though Caggan here needs to take it easy or he'll just start bleeding out again."
If anyone else directs Muziel to do so, he will happily wake up the unconscious victims.
I'm ain't exactly a normal girl, if you haven't noticed. Penelope answers Nikolai's advance absently, her eyes on Muziel's little stick Those "hands" of yours might have the right opposite effect of your intentions.
Bright eyed she asks if Muziel minds her seeing the wand. Can you hear it? Like a hum or... a whisper... If Muziel allows her, she'll touch the end to the gash on the side of her head, willing something inside her to answer those whispers.
And then practically bounce up and down in delight when it heals.
At least Envy has his head on straight. Kels shouldn't be hurting for talking points after tonight. Once Riley Kels is taken care of, Sister Ismene does what she can for Caggan's arrow wound. Pride doesn't seem like she should be left alone with him for too long. Even if he's treasonous scum... "Y'know Pride, you're starting to sound more like a Kuthite every day." While her knowledge of torture skills was impressive, it was also disconcerting.
"We don't call you Sloth for nothing, do we, Cim?" Ismene waves away the offered smelling salts. "I'll take Caggan. I promise I won't be too rough on him." Ismene hauls him up over her broad shoulders. He's heavy to be sure, but not so much that she can't handle it.
"Sounds like you all have it handled, I shall retire to the Arch and Lark if you me. I need a bath, all this jumping around and I broke a sweat. " Nikolai will return to the Carriage and instruct Festus to take him back to the Arch and Lark, leaving his friends to do the dirty work.
Penelope looks after the retreating carriage Broke a sweat? What did he actually do? I mean it was a pretty like poem and all, but I'm the one with blood down my cleavage. she'll push along the bard toward his further humiliation.
Kolaiah wet his lips as he looked at the blood, and the cleavage, Penelope referenced.
Ismene snorts, scoffing at Penelope. "As if you don't like having blood down your cleavage?"
Wrath, while you are not wrong, it is getting a bit sticky in there. Plus my poor dress... she chuckles though through her feigned distress.
Bright eyed she asks if Muziel minds her seeing the wand. Can you hear it? Like a hum or... a whisper... If Muziel allows her, she'll touch the end to the gash on the side of her head, willing something inside her to answer those whispers.
And then practically bounce up and down in delight when it heals.
"Hold on to the wand so you can heal the rest of us if needed. I'm pretty sure this won't be our last fight against these rebels."
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Festus lurches the carriage into motion for the trip across town back to the Arch and Lark. In proper feudal spirit, he asks no questions and offers no unsolicited conversation.
"Oh, you know me," Cimri says to Ismene, smirking. "I've always made it my goal to get paid as much as I can for doing as little as possible." Her jaw drops a little as Nikolai just leaves. "But apparently I have a lot to learn in that regard. I wouldn't have ever even considered something that bold. What a pompous tool, eh? Amarite? Sheesh." She shakes her head in exaggerated frustration. "Yeah, yeah, Pride," she says, rolling her eyes as she bends down to hook her arms under the unconscious barmaid's. "We know you're just itchin' to cut on folks, but for now just grab her legs and help me carry her, will ya?"
Kels, in response to Amanda's comment, shakes his head negatively and rapidly. Some muffled sounds make their way through the filthy rag being used as a gag as he desperately tries to say something.
"Thank you good Festus. Now that you have worked with me for awhile, how do you like your employment? I must say you are a very capable valet, if it were not for you I do not think I could survive such a harsh environment." Nikolai asks as he steps out of the carriage.
"Sounds like Riley's trying to be tough. If he's so sure we can't make him talk, I say we let Darla have a go at it. We can still stick Caggan in the stocks."
. Muziel either doesn't know or doesn't care what Kels is saying.
Penelope doesn't care enough to pay attention to the bard's whining.
"Can we stop for some minor wood supplies please? These two deserve signs appropriate to their transgressions, so the people can properly judge them."
Kolaiah will use his carpentry skills to make a couple rudimentary signs to attach to the stocks, with whatever appropriate signs the group determines.
or take 10 for 13 if that's an option?
"Most gracious of you, sir," says Festus, acknowledging the compliment. "One always enjoys hearing a good review. As for whether or not the work is enjoyed, it certainly feels good to be back on the proverbial horse, so to speak. Asmodeus plays with idle hands, or so I've often heard the saying said." There's a slight pause before he continues. "If sir is searching for complete candor, however, one might express concern over the company sir has been keeping. While there is often merit, or at least profit, to acquainting one's self with members of the lower classes, one can't help but notice how informal and irreverent they act in sir's presence, and wonders if sir is being provided with the respect his station deserves."
"Really?" asks Cimri to Kolaiah, obviously unaccustomed to carrying even the weight of half a person. "How 'bout you stop and get 'em yourself and then meet us there, so we don't have to spend extra time carrying these people."
"Alright, set 'em down," Cimri suggests, beads of sweat on her forehead from the effort of helping to carry the unconscious barmaid all the way across town. Once she's released of her burden, and while Kolaiah starts making signs, she steps over to one of the pillories and flicks the padlock keeping the two hinged pieces locked together.
"Did anyone get any keys the last time we were here?" she asks, forehead wrinkled a bit. "I honestly don't remember, I was focused on my dear Auntie's expression."
"Huh, can't say that I took the keys," says Muziel, realizing the omission. "I'll poke around the jail and see what's lying around. If we have to, I guess you can try out your skills on those locks!"
Muziel will indeed search around for various keys and other items that might help in their new role as the law in town.
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"You are right Festus, they are a bit rude. They have been chosen by the Archbaron though and made full agents of the throne under his jurisdiction, so in a way they are equals, at least in their own common way of thinking. That is why I tolerate it. Soon, we shall secure a stronger grip on this town and these commoners will all know their place." Nikolai responds and continues to scheme in his own mind.
When he comes across Madame Cembers, Nikolai will tell her that the Archbaron is busy, but appreciates the offer and will consider it at a future date. He will also suggest she play a bit more "hard to get" when it comes to the Archbaron.
Can anyone pick a lock? Penelope asks, thinking if not, she could find something heavy and sharp to pick it herself.
"Such skills are not within my repertoire."