"Cards? How about good ol' arm-wrestling? Or the traditional 'who can break more stuff with his bare hands' game? Those are the real gentlemen's challenges I expect to see in such a fine establishment!"
While waiting for Dameon to make the offer, Jorriko takes a minute to survey the area and the man before him. His gaze darts back and forth compiling information and making tactical analysis.
"Well, I'm more partial to games of cards and dice myself, but I never pass up a good wager! Name your stakes."
You sense no direct potential threats, but you notice a pair of guards on patrol roughly 80 feet away to the north of the Plaza.
Wallace does not seem particularly desperate, but he does seem genuinely in need of help. He would snap at the chance to better his life, though his sense of honor would make him offer to help in some way for such a reward (even in his begging he tries to offer some small tidbit of information or advice in exchange for the coins, as you saw on the approach to him).
He appears to have no outward injuries, but his shake appears to you to be genuine. He took a blow to the head and it addled his brains somewhat all those years ago.
"That's the spirit! What is a competition without a nice reward for the winner?"
The barbarian turns to the slender girl by his side.
"What do you think, little lady? What sort of gift would you like to receive from our newest friend?"
Dameon gave the old beggar a kind smile, beginning to put on his facade of a decent mortal being, giving him a single piece of gold A man of age and wisdom should not have to beg on the streets just to catch a little coin. What if I told you that, we (pointing to Jorriko) could magically make this multiply. He uses a bit of slight of hand to make 9 more gold coins appear. Keeping his voice soft and almost hushed, trying to appeal to the mans humanity. Diplomacy:
We offer you an honest trade and a chance at an honorable life. There was a coin mistakingly given to you that we need to reclaim. We come to you without trick or guile, but with opportunity
Wallace seems initially right on board with the idea.
"Sonny, that's more than I usually see in a year! What is it you need from me that you'd be willing to pay so much?"
However, when Jorriko decides to add on, he becomes a bit suspicious.
"What's the catch then, eh? You look a shady sort, no matter how prettied up your friend may be. I tell you, I'm no criminal, you hear!?! I won't do nothin' illegal, not for all the gold in the world!"
"Tell you what, sir. While my lovely friend thinks about it, I'll bet you 10 gold coins that i can beat you on an arm-wrestling match!"
Dameon smiles casually and waves his hand, giving a small chuckle at the spry old man. Fear not, we ask nothing illegal of you. All we ask is that you keep your ears open to somethings that the folk around town say, rumors, hot topics, maybe even things said in hushed tones. We aren't picky, We are simply two business men who are new in town, looking to spread a little good fortune. We need you as a form of surveyor, simply letting us know what makes this town "shimmy and shake". I will tell you, the more detail you can give us, the more gold we give, and if it turns to be really good information, we could throw in things such as clothing, hot meals even pay for nights at inns, giving you warm beds to sleep in. For example, I am looking for an Azlanti coin. I happen to not only collect coins but find the design quite nice, and I feel that it would look nice in our shop when it opens. If you happen across one, give it to me and I will personally buy you a week at the inn down the road, on top of these 10 coins for anything your heart desires. He gives the old man a warm smile.
Diplomacy:
"You're on!" and he grins at you and rolls up his sleeve, and slams his elbow down onto the table.
Target CMD is 16.
Wallace eyes well up.
"You really mean it? This means more to me than you can imagine. Here, take the coin, I didn't know it belonged to someone else and I probably couldn't spend it anyway. Thank you again!"
Damoen hands him the coins and assists Wallace to his room at the inn. after a few moments, he returns to Jorriko There we are, one procured coin, one happy old man, and we still turn a profit. usually try to steer away from using money as a tool but something in me had sympathy for the poor fellow...odd He hands the coin to Jorriko.
Auron barely puts little effort in his match, allowing his opponent to win the 1st round of their arm wrestling contest.
Korak places 10 golden coins on the table, then adresses Sammy Two-Fingers with a friendly voice.
"Ah... You're stronger than I thought, sir! Your reputation is well earned! From one man to another, I ask you: Care to give me the privilege of a rematch?"
Korak then turns to Jo.
"What do you say, little lady, what could convince our friend to give me a second chance?
"Hahaha, a rematch? Sure. But I must insist, we raise the stakes, make it interesting!"
You have hurted my friend ego sir, - Talking with Mr two fingers -What is your idea of an interesting match? my frined will not refuse any bet, he is stubborn.
"I'll throw in 30 gold coins, sir! This is my booze money, so make it worth it!
Korak throws himself into the match with abandon this time, almost immediately slamming the man's arm down onto the table when the call to start comes through.
"Hahaha, you hustled me good son, that's a strong arm you got there. I like you. Here, lemme buy you a drink." he gestures to the tavern wench "Bring me two ales...ehm, and whatever the lady would like."
He turns back to Korak.
"That was a decent hustle there, but you didn't keep it going long enough. Stakes were still pretty low and all, you know. I get the feeling you didn't come here just to make a bit of coin, did you?"
"Ah, I didn't do it for gold... It just a fun game between men. Here, let's use this gold to pay a round of ale to everyone in this place... Plus a nice tip for these beautiful barmaids."
"Truth is, sir, me and the lovely lady over here are looking for something more... unique. A piece of jewelry almost as pretty as her, and word on the street is that you have just the thing."
"Jewelry, eh? Do I look like a jeweler to you?"
He gives you a sidelong glance.
"Though now you mention it, I do have a nice ring I picked up on the market a few years back. I'd be willing to give it to you...provided one of you you can beat me at cards."
He gets a thoughtful look on his face.
"Of course, a prize like that requires an equal wager in return..."
Jorriko hurries across town to get to the meeting spot. He arrives early to do some scouting and gather as much info as he can about the area, the people around it, and the people coming and going from the actual hideout.
Jorriko finds the cleanest rubbish pile he can, and hides inside of it to keep watch on the location.
While there he picks up some important information.
There are two people keeping watch at any given time, both doing a circuit of the area.
It would be very difficult to get in through the front without being seen (the rest of the gang on the inside occasionally glance at the door to see what's going on at irregular intervals), but around the back there's a blind spot. When the lookouts round the corners there's about 30 seconds where any given side is not being watched, plenty of time to sneak in through the back door or side windows without being seen.
For me some Galtan wine - Said Jo when Two fingers invite her a drink. So, sir- She said while sitting at Two fingers table - Do you want to bet money, or perhaps you are the kind on man that prefer, lets say, more spicy wagers?
He grins widely at the last comment.
"You're a woman after my own heart you are, hehe. I'll be honest with you, I'd be willing to bet this ol' thing straight across for a night on the town with you. Never been much more than a trinket to me anyway. If you're up to it, of course?"
"Hahaha... You kids have your fun. I'll have more ale!"
The barbarian leaves the table, calling one of the barmaid and requesting that she brings the next round of ale. He doesn't interfere with Jo and Sammy's game, but he stands close enough to be able to act fast if needed, although he doubts that will be necessary.
Oh, do you think I am that easy? You are offending me sir She say showing fake indignation - I tell you this, if you win I will let you invite me a few drink in a much more private place, do you agree. - The way she sai the last part made it clear that it was just an euphemism.
EDIT: Afther adding the bonus from bullf the rolls are 18,21,23.
He raises his eyebrows and guffaws a bit.
"Alright miss, you're on."
Sammy seems to be doing pretty well for the first round, winning handily.
However, in the second he flounders, distracted by Jo's beauty and thoughts of their "date", and ends up unable to read her poker face.
He recovers midway through the third round, but it wasn't quite enough to secure him the victory.
"Well damn it all, I was looking forward to some alone time with you," he leers "but you did win fair and square."
He reaches into his shirt and pulls out the ring on a simple steel chain, and slips it off.
"Bah, obviously wasn't a very lucky charm anyhow. Take it."
"Come back any time if you want some more...fun."
Oh, that is a shame - she say acting sadness and then she smile - I think I win. It was a pleasure to play with you, Be sure to earn some money in these days cause next time i will let you in bankruptcy sir. Farewell.
To Korak : Mission acomplished, lets look for the others
"S'been a pleasure spending time with you as well miss, though I hate to see you go."
As you walk out the door, you catch him staring at you as you go out of the corner of your eye.
But I love to watch her leave. he thinks to himself, and smiles.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------
You make it to the rendezvous point within about 15 minutes of fast walking. Jorriko is there, though there's no sign of Dameon.
Dameon shows up not long afterwards, apologizing for his tardiness.
Ok, does somebody have a plan, I am more a sweet talker than a skullcrusher
Krail details his findings with the group and outlines a possible plan of attack. After he is finished he sits back and quietly awaits for input and tweaks and suggestions, nodding and absorbing the insights of his squad. He notes to himself, that he is a bit more comfortable working with this crew than he originally expected.
Fine, I have no problem with other person risking their lives
Korak noods in agreement with Jorriko's idea, when he speaks, he does so with almost childish excitement.
"Ah! Finally! Some real fun! C'mon, little lady, this is your chance to prove your worth on a real brawl! Stand behind me and do... Uh... Whatever it is you do."
Korak cracks his knuckles as he thinks about the upcoming fight.
Krail waits for his 30 second window and the guards to pass by and approaches the side window.
Jorriko detects no traps, and moves into the room with no issues.
Jorriko scans the room.
Three of the remaining thugs are sitting around a table, drinking and playing cards. Two are obviously impaired, a third seemingly taking advantage of their drunken stupidity judging by the large pile of silver pieces sitting next to him.
Franier is pacing through the room, sticking mainly near the middle of the large warehouse area. There appears to be two more areas blocked off and made into crude rooms with sheet metal bolted together along the length of the warehouse, one on either side of the area you crawl into.
Krail silently, invisibly picks his way to the center of the room, drawing his blade slowly and menacingly, and positions himself just right in order to maximize his striking distance against each foe. Then he whips his weapon into a guard position and appears to the occupants of the room, and with a concentrated effort unleashes a blast of fell energy.
Jorriko appears in the room and suddenly hits the group with life sapping power. Two of the thugs, showing a surprising amount of strength of will, manage to stop the power from harming them too badly, only wasting away slightly and becoming somewhat pale.
The last thug takes the full brunt of the foul energy and looks on in horror as small nicks and scrapes appear all over his body and his flesh seems to sag on his bones sickeningly. He whimpers and begins slowly backing away from where he last saw the man.
Franier is, as well, caught by surprise and takes the full power of Jorriko's fell blast. While not as badly harmed as his underling, he's still got quite a number of wounds on his body and appears to be in no state of mind to fight.