Kraull squeezes through the gate, while Rubin follows suit. Chef continues to ramble and cower in the corner. Rubin and Kraull can see muddy footprints leads my into the stables. Just as the two of you live ok inside, you see and hear the stable doors burst open towards the outside and a horse start to gallop out of the enclosure.
You hear the heavy panting of someone, it appears to be the stable boy who is hiding still in the corner.
I..I got pushed down...but couldn’t see why did it
"Hey kid, you got any more horses, or maybe a fast ox for me?"
Fleeing to some other hideout, eh? We'll just see about that!
Rubin makes some magical manipulations and casts Grease in front of the horse, if it's within range (40').
The question is, is he actually on that horse, or is he being clever and still hiding in the stable?
I'm just a poor boy from a poor family..
Rubin casts a grease spell in front of the horse. The horses knees buckle as the horse falls hard to the ground, in obvious pain and shock.
You hear the sounds of running as dirt is kicked up by the invisible Ricardo.
Chef keeps flailing around
Kraull tries to determine where the sounds are coming from!
If he figures out the location, he sprints towards it.
Kraull determines the noise is coming from about 40 feet in front of the stables.
"Yo, Rubin, he's about 40 feet in front of the stables." Kraull informs his bard companion as he runs towards the sound.
Poor horse, hope I didn't hurt him.
Rubin runs toward the horse and keeps his eyes and ears open for clues to Ricardo's direction. He flails his sword around in front of him, hoping to hit something, or at least to counter any invisible stabbing from their desperate quarry.
Chef is getting tired of running around this tree.
Rubin and Kraull can tell the sound of something get up and running away from the horse about 60 feet ahead.
Kraull moves full speed towards the sound.
Rubin makes some gestures, and a couple of uniformed guards step out from the trees in front of Ricardo (or where Rubin assumes he is). They draw swords and stand ready.
Uh oh Ricardo, it looks like our reinforcements have arrived. Ready to give up yet?
Ricardo, or what you presume is running away from you blows through the “fake” guards day without even skipping a stride.
He is now 90’ from Rubin and 100’ from Kraull.
Kraull keeps moving at top speed towards Ricardo, but the man somehow seems to making more ground.
Rubin sprints with all his might. I wonder how long invisibility lasts. He's bound to reappear sooner or later. Whoo...hopefully before my lungs explode.
Mommy!
AGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
Ricardo continues to run, but doesn’t see a branch sticking out of the ground and Tripp’s over it. Rubin and Kraull are able to gain ground as it takes Ricardo time to stand up.
Tired of the invisible guy running away, Kraull instead tries to grab him, but only wraps his arms around the air.
Rubin flails around with his shortsword, trying not to hit Kraull in the process. Give up, I say! The jig is up! The party's over! You lose!
Whiffff!
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Chef finally control his emotions and the inward fear he was feeling. He looks around, trying to figure out where everyone went to.
Meanwhile, Ricardo continues trying desperately to get away from Kraull and Rubin chasing him. Ricardo withdraws another 60 feet, hoping he didn’t make much noise.
"Aww, nuts. Where did he go?"
Chef heads over to where he hears the noise.
While Rubin is unable to determine Ricardo's direction, he at least can no longer hear Chef's hysterical shrieking. Hoping that's a good sign, he calls out to him.
CHEF!!! GET YOUR HEAD TOGETHER AND RUN THIS WAY!
Kraull, keep going forward and a little to your right. I'll veer to the left a little. If he doubles back, maybe Chef will detect him.
Chef runs toward Rubin, a shivering wreck.
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Just as Rubin tries to figure out where Ricardo was fleeing to, Ricardo pops back into sight.
Damnit, I forgot my spell was limited in duration.
Without skipping a beat, he starts to run away. He runs for his literal life. He gets back into town, and is weaving through the streets. He spots a mud puddle and deftly runs through it without missing a step.
Chef will not be deterred by any puddle and charges ahead
Feeling overconfident, Kraull attempts to both dodge the puddle and tumble of its way!
Ha, there you are! Still won't give up, eh? Guess we'll just have to catch you then.
Rubin's crossbow is at the ready as Ricardo suddenly pops into sight.
Ricardo leads them on a chase through town. Mud, oh no! I just had my boots shined yesterday! Rubin leaps like a gazelle...
...and clears the mud puddle with room to spare. He remains in hot pursuit of their nefarious quarry.
Ricardo: Square 3
Rubin/Chef: “Square” 2
Kraull: Square 1
Rubin takes a quick shot with his bow, which bounces off an invisible barrier surrounding Ricardo. Ricardo weaves through town, trying blend in with the mass of people in the market buying and selling their wares.
Perception 15 or Intimidate 12
Undaunted, Kraull tries yet again to use both his reflexes and acrobatic skills to get past the mighty mud puddle.
Kraull leaps over the puddle and bum rushes Ricardo. Kraull has almost super humanoid speed and catches up to Ricardo. With his grapefruit sized fist, he snatches Ricardo by the back of the head and clutches him with both hands. The man struggles, but to no avail...he is STUCK in Kraull’s vice like grip. Even a black bear would be an underdog in the current situation.
Chef and Rubin catch up to Ricardo, flailing about while Kraull refuses to give up on his prey.
Chef huffs up. Darn fine catch Kraull! So..We gunna haul this guy in?
"Well, if we kill him that'll be that. If we let him live, then there's a chance he goes free again to hurt more people and pay some more losers to try to kill us." Kraull predicts pessimistically.
Chef fingers his dagger. Let's haul him off to the side. Chef stuff's Ricardo's mouth. We'll need proof we did this.
Well done, my man...I mean, my orc...I mean...um, well done! First thing, we need to get out of sight. And then out of town. I imagine that Ricardo here still has loyal henchmen about. After that, my vote is to take him back to Captain Trone for justice.
"Yeah, I had a feelin' you'd say that." Kraull says in response to Rubin's vote as he drags the grappled crime boss into the nearest alley. "If we have to start dealing with a bunch of losers attacking us for this guy though, I'm just going to kill him. It ain't worth the effort."
I don't blame you one bit Kraull and if it comes to that I'll leave it to you.
You manage to get out of town before all chaotic hell breaks loose. You begin your two month long trek back to Jasper to report to Captain Trone.
It goes by more or less uneventful. A few pack of wolves get close, but Kraull flexes his muscles, and bashes a few and they all scatter for an easier meal. Luckily for the three of you, you place a loose bag over Ricardo’s head to prevent him from knowing exactly where he is headed. He tries to run, but a few well placed punches to his gut causes him to pass out unconscious. Kraull repeats his beating a few times and breaks Ricardo’s spirit of any chance at escape.
You finally reach the town of Jasper, where this crazy adventure started. You head towards the Captains office. Your told the Captain is out of the office, but should be back shortly.
A few moments later he returns, and his jaw hits the floor upon seeing you.
But...how...I thought his exclamations day it all.
Youre still alive, thank the gods! So, you just tell me everything your done and seen
Rubin. I think this is your territory.
I think only an epic ballad can do the story justice. Pitch pipe please. F sharp? Lalala Ahem..hm...
Why are Chef and Kraull sighing and rolling their eyes in my direction? Oh well...
Well, seeing as I have a few verses still left to write, I'll just give you the short prose version. Rubin thumbs through some notes he's written. I trust your man Jason made it back to tell you how things ended up with Lily and Sampson? After that, the three of us headed north on a tip to infiltrate the Authority headquarters. One of the henchmen who did some business with Sampson recognized Chef, and we had a showdown pretty quickly after that, where twelve-foot tall Kraull put some serious hurt on the bad guys. Happily, their boss Ricardo saw reason and came here with us to turn himself in. Ricardo, anything to add?
It was a pretty crazy adventure I tell you. I thought we'd have to spend months attempting to infiltrate but I guess it was a lucky break.
Ricardo, leaves his head hang while Rubin tells his tale. Afterwards, he spits on Kraull's boots. He lifts his head, getting his hair out of his face and he locks eyes with Captain Trone. Both Ricardo and the Captain barely let out the same words as of What...the.
Ricky?! What in Abadar’s scales did you get yourself into? My late brother, is rolling in his grave right now upon witnessing this!
He steps up and give Ricardo a swift backhanded slap, like a father might give a spoiled brat out of control.