Mended Wall's PBP for beginners (Inactive)

Game Master Hoary and Wizened

'N it looks like we've got a long night ahead, after a long, long day. I think we need to stay put, keep the tea coming, and set a watch. We won't be able to do much, we push ourselves much longer. I figure we split it up with one o' us who likes t' mix it up toe-to-toe and one of our spellslingers on each. How y'all wanna share it out?

But we can wait a bit if we want to check on Figueroa first. And as for "finished", Goruck, there's too much we don't know yet -- no tellin' when we'd know it was over. Kairon digs into his pack and pulls out Kreed's writ. In fact, I'd just about prefer it if we went and got him now -- he knows Dolok, and the writ should still get you through the upper gate . . . .

Ever since rushing in the door and seeing the obvious signs of struggle here, Dolok has been heating-up. When Chillel asked for a light earlier while examining the room, not only did she receive lights dancing around above her head, but she would also have noticed small balls of fire in Dolok's hands just continuously appearing & disappearing & then re-appearing again, just for a few seconds each time, but doing so constantly.

This effect was still happening when they encountered the guards and how the guards did not notice it or react to is a great mystery to Dolok. Unless you want us to 'back-track' & RP that Mended?). Of an even greater mystery is how did he control himself enough not to blast those 'idiots' on the spot! Maybe it turned out for the best that I was not available to post during that incident!

Now that the group has 'settled' back into at least doing something, he has finally calmed down a little and he will try to do his part on making the tea while thinking things over.

Craft Alchemy untrained take 10: 10 + 1 + 3 + 1 = 15

"I am agreeable to trying to finish preparing as much tea as possible, though storage space or shortness of containers to put it in may obligate us to start 'serving' the tea before we can continue on to finish it.
And I am extremely anxious to go check on Mater Figueroa of course, and would be happy to get your uncles Chillel, while we are out, and I don't think it would be a bad idea to get the sheriff or to wake Lady Cirthana either, but I am concerned about the wisdom of going out at night with guard patrols acting that way. I'm also concerned if that writ from, as he stops and spits on the floor, Kreed gave us will do any good, or if it will allow for Goruck or any other non-valer to get past the guards into the High market. I will agree to go if that is what the majority wants, but please consider what I have said first, after all it is obvious that someone or something does not want us healing this town. And while my judgement has already been passed upon whomever it is, and I am more than ready to execute them for their crimes, I would prefer it not be the death of me as well.
And as Kairon wisely points out, we need to get some rest as well."

Yer prob'ly closer t' right than me, Dolok. We should wait till morning. I just 'bout can't keep m' eyes open anymore, right now -- once I get outta this mail, me 'n the firefoot are gonna get some sleep.

I've *got* to crash -- I'm as tired as my character! Gonna blame it on the boat ride. lol :)

Taking a moment when the cure is complete, the swordsman helps Kairon out his armor.

Smiling at the others, Goruck sat down near one of the walls. "Indeed, let us rest before we begin our investigations. Tomorrow then, young flame, we shall evacuate the loved one of the vales." Gods confound it, I don't have enough energy to maintain watch all night. Tomorrow, we shall do Lunarius proud though. Taking care to place his blade along side him, the half orc falls into slumber against the trusty timbers of the alchemy shop.

Do you want Athena and I to take first watch? And what time do you want to get started, dawn?

"Yes, we must ... YAAAAAAWWWNNNN, ... Excuse me! Get some rest! I'll take an order in the watch. Which ever shift you want me to take. Do we need to adjust our watch order now that Lunarinus is no longer with us? And Chillel? While I believe we are all agreed that we want to get started as soon as possible, I believe we still need to get our rest first, or else we are just not going to be at our full potential. And I have a suspicion that once it comes out that we have been making the tea, our full potential is going to be needed!"

Chillel does some calculations in her head. It seems to take longer than normal as she is tired. She then says:-

OK, we are all too tired for a protracted discussion, so I am just going to tell everyone what to do. We will have 6 watches of one hour and thirty six minutes, from now, pretty close to 4 am, until one thirty six this afternoon. I will watch first, I will wake you next Dolok, then Goruck, Kairon, Baradim, Illiam and finally Lunarinus. Wait, that is seven... that is right, Lunarinus left, so it is six. Go to sleep all of you, you are confusing me.

Don't worry about it, Chillel. I figured out a new trick that will let a couple of us keep watch while still getting a night's rest. Any volunteers?

Excellent, a wizard spell I had not been familiar with. I will keep watch if you like, but Athena will need to sleep. As for the other, who is perceptive and alert?

Illiam is fairly certain that he is more observant than Chillel, but sees the value, now that they are back in town, of letting a local keep watch. Alright, Chillel. Baradim, how about you? Better to have locals who can talk to anyone who might come calling. If you do anything too strenuous, you'll shake-off the effect of the magic, and you'll need to sleep the rest of the night.

Sounds good. I am not sure I could do anything strenuous anyway.

Rousing from his spot against the wall, Goruck raised his hand. "I'd be willing to maintain watch."

Works for me. I just need a few minutes to prepare the trick since I didn't do it this morning.

Illiam sits down with his cards and pick through them, bringing to the top one onto which he wrote a spell some time ago, but one that he has never used before. This is a spell to which he has only just figured out a key component, on the boat ride back to town, and he prepares to use it immediately. In doing so, he also makes use of some additional magic and focus that he discovered, which he believes will allow him a couple more tricks from now on.

After 15 minutes of preparation, Illiam casts the spell twice. Both Chillel and Goruck feel their fatigue lessen, not yet as if they had completed a night's rest, but strangly, as if they have just fallen asleep, and yet they are still fully alert, and able to keep watch for the night. Chillel has put many creatures into a magical slumber, but she now realizes that she is experiencing the opposite, a magical wakefulness. They both feel, though, that this state is fragile, and that this magical wakefulness can be shaken off at any moment, as easily as one can be woken from sleep.

Pushing himself to his feet, Goruck rolls his shoulders. "I shall not falter in my defense. Sleep well my fellows."

Finding pillows and blankets aplenty on Laurel's huge, cushion, floor bed, not to mention the warm fire that was required for the brewing of the curative tea that still smolders in her upstairs brick fireplace, the fatigue of long wakeful hours settles upon those that have not been magicked awake easily. For Goruck and Chillel, the hours pass fitfully, and seem to take twice as long as normal. Something about being awake when you know your body is exhausted, makes the time stretch exorbitantly so, but after eight hours has passed, and the sun shines brightly in through Laurel's windows, the party begins to slowly wake, first up is Kairon, and he goes immediately to his prayers, then Illiam, who spends some time sorting through his deck of cards, finally Dolok and Baradim roll awake. Kanga, however, who took up residence right next to the brick fireplace on a wolfskin rug still sleeps soundly, resting his head on his crossed front paws, a small snore escapes his proud lips with every breath. Ah the peaceful sleep of an animal, Kanga knows nothing of diseases, of cures, of politics, he knows only that he serves his master, and that well. If only the life of humans was so burden free. Looking outside Baradim declares it is already past noon. There are still more batches of cure to be made and the already prepared tea needs to be distributed, not to mention some inquiries into the health of Chillel's uncles, and Dolok's blacksmith master, Figueroa. Some had mentioned seeking out Lady Cirthana as well. So many tasks to accomplish... where to begin?

As he prepares his tricks, Illiam finds that the process is easier than before, and that he does indeed have the focus to recall more tricks than before. He memorizes another cantrip that he thinks will be useful in a fight (daze) and feels like he could again memorize a more powerful trick as well, but decides to leave that decision for later (open slot).

Dolok gets up stretching his arms all around, then all full of energy, "Oh, I feel so much better, physically speaking at least! So, shall I set out to get Master Figueroa and Chillel's uncles? Anyone else I should get? And would someone like to come with me? I am supposed to bring them here so we can give them a dose of the tea right?"

Lifting the tower shield from its position blocking the door, Goruck rumbles assent. "I do believe so young flame. If you do not mind, I'd like to come with." Reaching out to tap the new leader in spirit, the swordsman asks Kairon, "Should we involve Lady Cirthana?"

Do we still have the book we were loaned?

Which book? Laurel's mother's tome of knowledge, with all the recipes and such? No, you gave it back to her, but it is here in Laurel's place. If you wanted to grab it you certainly could.

She mighta gotten us to come all the way out here, Goruck, but I don' think we owe her nuthin'. I say we let 'er find out on her own, as it were, and we see if we can take her measure then. See how she involves herself, at that point -- may tell me if I'm right ta mistrust 'er. Kairon passes over the writ to Goruck, but hesitates, and asks: If we're going through the upper gate, think I should go with ya? I don't like th' idea o' leavin' less than all of us here t' keep the tea comin', but I'm figurin' we're gonna have a hard time getting to the blacksmith's. Whether I go with you and Dolok or not -- take no chances. Guards won't let you through, don't push it; watch Dolok as he takes a dose to Figueroa, and bring 'im back with ya fast as ya can, after you get Chillel's uncles.

Kairon goes back to the storage area where he found the barrels and scours the shelves for a couple of minutes, looking for a container sized to hold a full dose of the tea, but that can be sealed well.

ClatterClatterClang (Perc, Take 20): 20 + 3 = 23

PRAYER TIME FLASHBACK

We should hide some of the tea and the unused ingredients, in case whatever trumped-up charge Laurel was arrested on extends to us, or results in this place getting trashed again. I also intend to find out exactly what those trumped-up charges are. The Jak'a'napes seems like a good place to pick up some gossip, over a nice plate of pancakes.

How about a wineskin Kairon? says Chillel, offering the wineskin she has just dug out of her backpack. It should take more than one dose as well. And if you are not going with Dolok and Goruck I will. I am anxious to see my family. As for Illiam going to find gossip, I can see the motivation. But I don't like the idea of splitting up, certainly more than once. People in this town are working against us, and we don't want to be picked off one bu one. If we are not sure we trust Lady Cirthana I think we should not involve her for now.

That'd prob'ly serve, Chillel. Figured on just takin' the one dose -- or sendin' it --, but a capped mug'd raise more eyebrows than a wineskin, eh? 'Cause I'm thinkin' we maybe should just do the curin', and no fanfare about it. Just nervous 'bout the one person I'm most like t' trust bein' taken out of play -- I mean, the one that hasn't been with us.

I just had an idea! . . . . Well, no, that don't cover us enough, either . . . . Sun's FIRE!! Which way to turn??

As the group discusses what to do next, Kairon brews another batch of the tea, and fills more barrels with water.

Profession (herbalist) Take 10 w/ Guidance + recipe: 10 + 6 + 1 + 3 = 20

Illiam works on another batch while discussing how to proceed.

Craft: Alchemy (untrained) take-10: 10 + 4 + 3 + 1 = 18

Dolok will also work on another batch while we try to make plans.

Craft: Alchemy (untrained) take 10: 10 + 1 + 3 + 1 = 15

Handwaving... Having come up with a plan, Illiam sets out to scout the Jak'a'napes, with an eye toward moving the cure production and distribution process there. I'll leave a gap here in case something happens along the way.

Illiam, I'm going to assume, since I know how smart a halfing you are, that you went out the back door, since walking out the front door of Laurel's into a crowded street would look rather suspicious.

After skirting around the back of the building onto the street, Illiam sees that the low market is bustling with activity as normal. The halfling also notices there seem to be more guards on duty than normal, and there are four guards stationed outside the Tribunal, each holding heavy crossbows, loaded and at the ready. Perhaps the decision to lock up Laurel was not received very favorably by the general populous? Other than that it is a bright and beautiful sunny day, commerce and life in Falcon's Hollow seem to be going on normally, except for the fact that there is not a long line of patrons waiting outside Laurel's door.

All's clear to Jak's, and I do appreciate your heads-up play, allowing for the fact that something could have happened between Laurel's and Jak's. In this case though, clear all the way. :)

Illiam steps into the doorway of the Jak'a'napes and draws in a long breath through his nose, taking in the smell. Then he walks to the bar, climbs a stool, and looks for Hildana, carefully listening for any conversations he can overhear in the room.

I'd like to take 20 on perception to listen if possible, if not...

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

It's a slow afternoon at the Jak'a'napes, so rumors are hard to come by, but Illiam does hear some whispers about "lies and bad business in a conversation that an older couple is having across the way, wherein they also mentioned the name Laurel. Being well after lunch, but still well before dinner, the barmaids are all in the kitchen attending to cleanup and prep work. Jak, with his signature bald pate, save for that one wisp of bright red hair casually dries a stone tankard with a filthy, must-have-once-been-white, rag. He barely even looks at Illiam, and says, What can I get ya good sir. Obviously Illiam responds with, A heaping pile of cinnamon pancakes and a mug of beer orange juice.

Jak responds, Coming right up. Then hollers into the back, tall stack!. After grabbing a wide mug from underneath the bar and going to one of the pitchers of juice to fill, he finally rests eyes on Illiam, while he's filling the mug he says, Have I seen you before? You look familiar... He sets the mug down, and you can see that he's struggling to place your identity. Was you one of them that went into the woods looking for a cure?! He suddenly says with no end of passionate enthusiasm.

Illiam would only order a beer if he was trying to make someone think he was drunk.

In a low voice that heavily implies "keep yours down, too", Illiam responds, Seems if I was, I might have to watch my back, what with Laurel locked up. Do you know what that's all about?

Jak takes a look around the room to see who's all in the place, then leans down and speaks in a softer voice. Yeah, bullcrap, he says with a very angry look on his face, if you don't mind the expression. Payden went and picked her up on Sunday at about noon when most people was eatin'. He knew nobody would put up a fight cause Deldrin and his deputies been camped over at the well since you all left town. Seems Lady Cirthana convinced him to bust down the old one and dig a new one, so there'd be plenty of good water. They've been at it for days. Anyway, Payden and his thugs picked her up, and a couple of folk asked him what the hell was going on, and he said she was being picked up on suspicion of being the malefactor that started the disease in the first place!? Can you believe that bunch of hogwash? His voice gets louder as his anger increases. He takes a moment and calms himself down, then says, See, thing is, Laurel doesn't normally keep her shop open on Sunday, but she was staying open cause she knows so many people are sick, and she's trying to help. Some people she wa'n't even charging. Just told 'em to pay her when they get better. Kreed makes it out like she's been profiting on the damned disease, and ev'rybody knows Kreed don't like nobody profiting but Kreed. His volume continues to rise again, and this last statement comes out a yell, and it seems as though it isn't even directed toward Illiam, but might be directed toward somebody else in the place, over across the way. Gavel or no, that man's gone too far if you ask me.

After his long diatribe, Jak once again calms himself and says, So? Are you one o' 'em? Did you'll find a cure? Is it just you come back? Where's the others? I'll still got three rooms on deposit for them boys from Almas. You all need a place to hole up, you're more than welcome here. Might be I could rope up some sons of the Hollow to keep a watch out, if you're worried about your safety. I don't think Kreed's after you, so much. Truth is, so many people are sick, and some're starting to get anxious, you know? I think he needed a scapegoat, and Laurel's as good as any. I mean, she was making a pretty handsome profit off all this.

Crimmmy's reaction is exactly what Illiam was hoping for (if a bit louder than he had hoped). I believe we can help each other. Can we talk more privately?

Jak looks in back and then says, Yeah come on around the bar, we'll head into the kitchen. He motions for Illiam to hop over, and then follow him through the swinging half-doors that lead into his kitchen and storage area.

Once they get back to the kitchen Jak motions to Hildana, and another barmaid. Hildana and Penny are good folks. You can say whatever you want, they aren't going nowhere with it. Ain't that right ladies? Both girls, in the midst of their work, look over and say, Sure thing Jak.

Illiam follows Jak into the back room, then, making sure the door is closed, continues. We did come back with the ingredients for a cure, and we've been mixing up batches of it in secret at Laurel's place. Thing is, we could use some more capacity for brewing the stuff, Illiam looks around conspicuously at the cooking equipment in the kitchen as he says this, and we need a place that's nice and public to distribute it out of, so Kreed's thugs can't break it up. he says, looking back toward the main room. Maybe something directly adjacent to the low market. You know anybody interested in curing this disease, and sticking it to Kreed and his thugs in the process, that might have a place we could use? Illiam lets a wry smile fill his lips as he finishes.

That's a joke, right? Of course you can use my kitchen to brew up and distribute a cure. Jak says, and then, as is his wont, he gets immediately to work preparing things. Hildy, run and get Caelis, tell him to round up Kitani, Agnar, and Natan, don't tell 'em what's goin' on, just tell 'em ol' Jak needs 'em. Penny, you run and tell Lady C, what's brewin'. Jak winks at Illiam when he makes his pun. Tell her we've got something o'er here she's gonna wanna be part of. He stands there for a moment watching them still do their cleaning and food prep work for the dinner rush, and finally says, OFF with ya! I'll handle cleaning up, and prepping for dinner.

After Hildana and Penny skedaddle out the back door, aprons still on, Jak turns to Illiam. Not sure I caught your name, little man? He waits for Illiam to respond, and then says, You got yer headquarters. Go get them other good folk and tell 'em to move things over here. I got empty barrels aplenty, and, as you can see, he points to his well furnished kitchen, complete with a two-cauldron fire place, and two separate iron stoves. Ol' Jak's got everythin' ya need. Let's get to making the Hollow a better place. His last statement seems to imply more than just curing the Blackscour, though you can't be sure. Then, without missing a beat, Jak starts cleaning dishes and humming an old Andoran war ballad.

Illiam, Illiam says, shaking Jak's hand. Illiam Taal, conjurer of cheap tricks.

I'll head back and tell the others the good news. Can you wrap up some of those delicious flapjacks for me to take back? We got in late last night and haven't eaten since. We could also use some help moving the supplies here inconspicuously. Will the men you called for go unnoticed carrying supplies out the back of Laurel's and bringing them here?

Jak flips Illiam's cakes off the griddle into a burlap sack, and stands there holding it. Aye, I'll send over Kitani, that's Kimi's mom, and our good friends Agnar and Natan. You'll know it's them right away, they're brothers, big farm-bred boys turned Jacks. Both are muscled like oxen, and have long, thick, curly, blonde hair, and beards to match. They'll both prolly have a big ol' axe slung across their backs too. Kitani you won't be able to miss, she's darn near the prettiest gal in all the Hollow. I mean, seriously, when you see her try not to stare. She don't take kindly to it. She's married, but her husband's been missing for years now. He went out hunting and never came back, that's been a town scandal for years, but... Mr. Crimmy stops himself as he notices Illiam staring at the burlap sack and the door alternately. Oh, there I go again. Ol' Jak loves tellin' a tale. I was a bard before I settled, d'ya know that? I bet not. Anyway, we'll have time enough for tales later. Here you go. He says and hands Illiam the sack with the tall stack of cinnamon flapjacks. Off ya go, we've got people to cure!

Baradim woke up in the morning and immediately set himself towards Laurel's establishment. Sneaking in was not really the correct word, he just went in through the back like Illiam would later leave through.

Kanga would keep watch alongside Baradim, who would scan the crowd from within the storefront keeping an eye out on who was coming and who was going.

Sorry, long day, then I got home and crashed for about 12 hours...

Thanking Jak perfunctorily, Illiam takes the bundled meal and hurries out the back door of the Jak'a'napes. Slipping quietly back through the back door of Laurel's, Illiam relates his conversation with Jak to the others waiting there.

Jak is definitely with us, and says we can use his place. We'll want to pack up quickly though. The only problem with the plan is that he might reveal it before we're ready. That man likes to talk.

Then getting back on subject, He's sending some folks who can go unnoticed helping us move stuff, Kimi's mother and a couple of yellow-bearded Jacks he trusts. I suggest we hide some of the ingredients here before they arrive, just in case. He'll have some others there to help protect the operation.

Illiam does not mention that Lady Cirthana was also summoned. While he has a general low-level distrust for the overly-religious, he does not share Kairon's specific concerns about her, and figures that with Laurel imprisoned, she's the most likely source of a reward for finding the cure.

Then let's get to it!

Kairon immediately sets to sealing the barrels of finished tea, after which he stows his pack, shield, and scimitar in one of the empties.

Any pr'tic'lr ideas ya got about where to hide the ingredients, Illiam?

Excellent. You have done well Illiam. Hiding the ingredients among the things for sale in the shop may be the way to go. The shop sells herbal remedies, so concealing herbal remedies should not be hard. Put them in the shelves with the other stuff for sale.

Chillel starts looking for appropriate hiding places.

Smiling at Illiam's work, Goruck aids in the search for hiding places, gently lifting barrels to find any small cubbyholes that could be of use. As he moves things about the half orc states, "I will ensure the cure remains safe alongside Jak's allies. Though should we send for your Uncles Chilel and your master Dolok?"

"I will go wherever you all think I will best serve. Kanga and I act as quick bodyguards and if necessary, we can both quickly move from one place to another." Baradim felt the renewed strength after his rest, the pulse of power from the spirits. His connection to Kanga was deeper, he could see it in the lion's eyes when they awoke that morning. Whatever they had experienced in the woods, it had made them stronger.

"I will go wherever you all think I will best serve. Kanga and I act as quick bodyguards and if necessary, we can both quickly move from one place to another." Baradim felt the renewed strength after his rest, the pulse of power from the spirits. His connection to Kanga was deeper, he could see it in the lion's eyes when they awoke that morning. Whatever they had experienced in the woods, it had made them stronger.

That's a great narrative way to describe the metagame concept of leveling up. :)

"So, what shall I be doing? Or should I go to get Master Figueroa & Chille's uncles? Or make more batches?"

After barely a quarter hour's wort of time there comes a loud knocking at Laurel's back door. Opening the door reveals two rather large, over six and a half feet, to be exact, blond haired, and blond bearded men. One has blue-grey eyes, the other hazel. Both have a large double-bladed axe strapped to their backs, and there is just the tiniest glint of chainmail popping out from small holes in their clothing. If it weren't for the different eye color and a few subtle variations of facial structure, one appears just a bit older and has narrower cheek bones, and a slightly pointier nose, these two men could pass for identical twins. They look at their greeter not sure who is going to open the door, so leaving this vague. and the older looking one says, Good day. I'm Agnar, and this is my brother Natan. Jak sent us over, said we needed to help move some things to his kitchen? The two stand there casually waiting to be told what to do next.

Answering Dolok, just as the knock at the back door comes, Kairon says: I think we're gonna move all this stuff 'fore we mix any more tea, Dolok. And then we can ask if they'll go get Chillel's uncles; we'll prob'ly have to get Master Figueroa ourselves. Make sure you're ready to move -- this might be some o' our help! . . . . By the way -- you ever considered fightin' with a longspear?

Opening the back door just enough to peer out, Kairon checks appearances against Illiam's description, and then opens the door wide. Agnar, Natan -- I'm Kairon. Most o' what we need moved is these seven barrels, and then some odds 'n' ends. We need to be quick, quiet, and little-seen. Come on in for a moment -- gotta speak t' my friends real quick.

The priest moves to the doorway, keeping view of the newcomers and his allies. Got a quick plan. Goruck, you're last man out, along with Dolok -- can't hide that red hair, fella! Illiam -- I got somethin' in mind fer ya; y'might even like the idea! I think me 'n' Chillel go with Jak's friends here with the first two loads o' stuff, and then we'll all leave with the third. And Baradim, too, on the first trip, and he and Kanga can keep watch at the kitchen while we finish the rest.

Kairon steps close to Illiam and takes a knee to get close to eye level with the halfling, and whispers If I were to carry you in one o' these barrels, and your pack with mine on the second trip, would you have what you need to end a fight like ya normally do? 'N would ya trust me to bring your stuff to ya?

Stepping forward, the swordman affixes his stone mask in place, before deciding if the ornament is necessary. "May I inquire as to your plan Kairon? I have my doubts it is substance of subterfuge, though if it is guard duty worry not, I appreciate such a duty."

Glancing at the jacks, Goruck gives a small nod. "Your aid is quite appreciated." If given the opportunity, the massive half orc aids the jacks in lifting their cargo so they may transport it.

Just tryin' to move this stuff with as much local help as we can, without showin' all at once what's goin' on -- between your mask and Dolok's hair, like to go more noticed than two brothers helpin' their friend, Jak. Move just a few of us at a time, might be we'll get it done wi' no fuss.

I'd like a good way to move our long weapons without it bein' obvious that's what they are . . . . Rig up a stretcher, maybe? Hang packs off the business end?

We've got . . . . 300 pounds of tea, our stuff, ourselves, and a little more besides t' move. If me, Baradim, Natan, and Agnar move a barrel each the first trip, and Chillel 'n' Kanga stay at Jak's, then us four men move more barrels on the second trip, the third time it's likely just you, me, 'n Dolok makin' the walk. Illiam might not be able to help carryin' a whole lot, but he's pretty good at keepin' an eye out. Kairon tries his best to gloss over exactly when Illiam gets back to Jak's, since he wants to have a chance at twice the surprise should the small mage need to use one of his flashier tricks.