Hellany cuts the air with her sword, then even tries to hit the wolf with her elbow, but both moves hits far from her target.
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The two remaining thugs provide a perfect case study of why it is not a good idea to fire crossbows when in melee. Hellany finds the wolf a most agile opponent but sets it up for argazhons arrow which strikes it in the side. Hskoro dashes up and lands an almost glancing nlow that still seems to stagger the wolf which turns and makes a desperate leap for the one who felled his master
The wolfs teeth almost close around Uslads leg but the effort is too much for the beast and it falls in a heap at his feet
A hushed silence falls over the dock area and what few onlookers there are quickly scurry away
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Uslad wearily wipes the blood from his face. However, in his eyes you can guess that he is satisfied.
"Mr. Rizzlefunk, returning to our discussion - I hope you all arranged?".
Uslad smiling quite good-naturedly. He's not trying to hurt the gnome, but rather just feels good to be useful - because the battle is where his path more than talk.
"I propose to sail out of here. We have this rag, showing that all taxes paid. More in this vile place nothing to do."
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"We should bring 'em to the authorities... Shouldn't we?", Argazhon asks, looking at Hellany, who nods to him.
"They are thugs, but we can't just leave them bleeding 'til death. Hellany, help me here. More help will be welcome", he looks around.
The aasimar and his eidolon will take the bodies of those men to the authorities of the city, before depart.
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"Not sssure that that isss a good idea. I think we just took out the authoritiesss. Just make them ssstable then we ssshould leave."
"These men... are the authorities?", Argazhon looks really surprised. "Well, I believed that they were just deceivers that wanted us to believe that they were the authorities".
"In doubt, let's leave them at least stabilized, as you suggested", he agrees with Hskoro.
After stabilize the thugs, Argazhon and Hellany are ready to depart.
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Rizzlefunk crosses his arms and smirks. "I'm sure the criminals do not want the local authorities involved. And neither do we. It would benefit no one to report this event. After all, we are but honest travelers who defended themselves against mugging, and choose not to press charges."
He then turns to Uslad, putting on a kind but fake smile. "Yes, yes. Now," he says as he takes out a small healing wand, "where does it hurt?"
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To everybody:
Do what you must, but let's not delay and no contacts with the authorities. We don't know how criminal and corrupt local authorities. I have seen it all. The world is not the same, before the bandits were bandits, and the officials were officials... now everything is messed up.
To the gnome:
I'm not hurt, no scratches. Thank you. Not for that.
To Lisa:
I liked how you swearing, sweetheart. I didn't understand a word, but it sounded juicy and added more charm... Which you already have so much. - Uslad smiles widely to her.
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(I believe Uslad is fine if covered in the blood of cut in two inspector. I think only Kaye took damage and that was nonlethal)
You grab the loot and leave two officials ready to lick their wounds. The crew quickly un moor the barge and the few witnesses to the fight have made themselves very scarce although you do hear a shouts of "Guards! Guards!" from some once out of sight
The pennant is quickly hoisted as you sail out of Xer. You sail further up the glass river without too much incident until...
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"If you're going to strong-arm people, you should be slightly subtle about it, and keep to your word once payment is made."Lissa comments offhandedly to Uslad. "These blbci needed someone with more brains to do the heavy thinking that they were obviously unsuited for. Seriously, attacking a group twice your size?"
----
As the boat continues further along the Glass, Lissa, like before, sits near the front of the craft. "Yes, the air is a little chilly, she adds, agreeing with Kaye.
During the trip, Hellany decides to start a conversation with Rizzlefunk in the cabins...
"So, what are you think about this trip? Are you liking it?", Hellany asks with a bored tone on her voice.
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Rizzlefunk takes his eyes off his novel but does not close it. "As much as the next assignment, I suppose. Although on a second thought, this mission does sound like it'll play to my strengths, at least more than the trek in the north." There is a pause. "Oh, I just can't wait to play a good old trick on those priests..."
The gnome's eyes widen, as though he had realized something. He closes the book and places it down on the desk.
"So! What's your story? You, Hellany, don't look very humane. And I didn't mean that to be taken in the wrong way, of course. Taldane is a rather limited language in these sort of statements, you see. Even Undercommon would express the idea more eloquently; it distinguishes human and humanoids clearly."
"What I mean is, you don't look very kl'axgr," he says with a grin.
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A couple of hours after you leave Xer, Amauhak the dwarven mystic with leathery skin and his head swathed in a bright yellow scarf asks you all below in the cabin "I have heard Pathfinders like to come up with creative solutions. I was wondering if you could enlighten us all on how you plan to explore this Grey Revelation Inn without arousing suspicions"
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After a moment's thought, Lissa speaks up. "Well, I suppose the first course of business is to see what we know about this inn. Any information about it would give us a better idea of how to approach the place."
"Barring any of that information, by it's name, The Grey Revelation Inn, is an inn, at least as a cover story. Hopefully, We can take advantage of that idea to get our entire entourage into the building at least. Past that... Who here is any good at finding hidden chambers and passages? Actually, if you're willing to volunteer tricks that you think will help, Now's the time to mention them."
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"Ah, you mean the classic infiltration trick: pose as harmless and foolish. An oldie but goodie," says Rizzlefunk with a smirk. "I have experience in that, and can do the talking. But we need to spun a good story. Ours is a large and... colorful company. They will ask questions, even if they smell easy coin."
"So! What's your story? You, Hellany, don't look very humane. And I didn't mean that to be taken in the wrong way, of course. Taldane is a rather limited language in these sort of statements, you see. Even Undercommon would express the idea more eloquently; it distinguishes human and humanoids clearly."
"What I mean is, you don't look very kl'axgr"
"Well, I...", Hellany is abruptly interrupted by Amauhak's words.
"Maybe later we continue", she thought, judging that what the dwarf have to say is more important for now.
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Kaye makes a note to prepare his extracts tomorrow for conversation and infiltration. "I can enhance my senses quite a bit for a minute. As for our story, we are quite varied- I'm not sure we can get away with being casual travelers." He gives a quick look to Hellany.
"Ah, yes. Religion often binds people together. Maybe we're on pilgrimage to some entity who lives in the north, and we're resting for the night at the Inn. Uslad is our hired muscle, and Hskoro has traveled far to visit this holy shrine."
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"Hmmm. In our area it is extremely widespread cult of Gorum. But you, mister gnome, don't look like his follower. The rest of the gang - is quite suitable. It may be that we are pilgrims, following something sacred and you're a researcher and historian under our protection? You and mr. Kaye. And the beauty Lisa. Har! A lot of exceptions lies. "
He deeply ponders.
"But let it be so! Call him Iron Lord or Our Lord in Iron - so we will be more similar to faithful. And about that, where exactly are we heading... I don't recall any specific famous shrines of Gorum, so you can take anything. Any idea which you like. The great warrior-priest, the place of battle, the piece of the sword. Any crap which people worship... Especially people who are looking primitive and simple faith... The feeling that earlier people were smarter... "
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"I know this makes things more complicated, but we could just be two separate groups coming in on the same boat."Lissa suggests, realizing how eccentric this group really is. "Because, I think I'm the prime example of what a Gorumite doesn't look or act like."
"Besides, We have the goods, we can just say we're merchants bringing supplies to the Mendavian crusaders. That's true enough to be believable."
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Metella loves the idea of the party to pose as religious
pilgrims "Perhaps you would be seeking answers to spiritual questions that require privacy and freedom of movement."
Passad, rather deprecatingly dismisses the pilgrim suggestion as
"Pilgrims, transparent nonsense as Uslad says you are too varied a group", a challenge that clearly offends
Metella. "Now merchants seeking a way station for a regular
trade caravan, as such a cover would require unfettered
access to the property in order to assess its amenities. sound a much better proposition to me"
Metella counters "Yes following your advice went so smoothly in Xer" in a sarcastic tone
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Rizzlefunk shoots a few quick words in Dwarven: "Shíl mé Chuaigh gach rud go maith i Xer, ceart?" He flashes a look at Metella.
He then switches back to Common. "As you remember, I am an expert in psychology and mental balance. Naturally I should have no issues posing as a staff member of a travel agency, as a pilgrim, or a merchant. As for you lot, I must say, merchantry might be more believable."
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"Well that appears to be settled" says a rather smug Prassad before Metella answers there is a shout from the main deck. You emerge to find the river narrows ahead, flowing around a central isle thick
with trees and vegetation. The northern fork of the river runs beneath a canopy formed by the isle’s overhanging trees and riverside foliage while to the south, the river is open to the sky above.
"I'm inclined to take the southern fork. Less chance of the mast getting caught in the trees But I don't like the smell of this." says the sailing master
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"If you think the northern fork would be safer, I can try and help make the currents more favorable. Hopefully, with the proper nudges, I can help guide the boat more to your preferences."Lissa offers, preparing to focus on the river.