Grumbling at the ruination of his stealth tactics by Tim's outburst, Koldir readies a Sleep spell to cast at the man, if encountered. Before leaping through the door he creates an illusory double of himself using his Copycat ability.
Tim hears Koldir cast a spell and a notices the double so he bursts through the door and spins to the left kicking the bad guy if able otherwise just clearing the way for Koldir's spell and yelling the exact location of bad guy to Koldir as well.
If able atk,
"Hahaha, did he just attack you with a leg of pork!? This guy is nuts! Hey, calm down! Give up now, and it will be a lot less bad for you! Here, I'll sing if it will help you realize how absurd your being!" Leylyn says, and then brakes into a catchy song...
"I'm just gonna go cover the exits instead..." He runs outside as quickly as possible, and watches whatever side of the building the innkeeper's room is on in case of an attempted window escape.
Aldus kinda looks around, shrugs and follows Jevon. When they get outside and Jevon starts covering the exits Aldus look at Jevon, then back to the exits, and then back to Jevon. Crouching next to Jevon he readies a little Juju.
Leon looks down at the singing girl like she was growing a second head.
It's the middle of the night. Maybe she's still drunk. It is catchy though...
Shaking his head he moved into the doorway to take a look at what was happening and see if he could help in any way.
This man has shown no remorse for his actions, yet he is a common thug, I will just attempt to prevent him from causing anyone harm...
Endrian lunges forward in an attempt to restrain the man.
Round 1
Baster easily evades the flying pork chop.
"You swine !" he shouts to the thugh, chortling with incredulous outrage.
His scorpion whip slashes through the air with a sinister whistle.
But apparently the absurdity of the thug's attack completely baffled the nobleman, who misses his target... this time !
When the absurd but strangely inspired tune of Leylin rings in the kitchen's air, Baster's eyes widen and, without failing to dodge the thug's attacks, he looks at the bard out of the corner of his eyes.
And bursts laughing, unable to contain himself.
Round 1
Ithriel moves forward and attempts to do non-lethal damage.
Doing his best not to kill this man, Ithriel's staff hits nothing but air.
In case I'm wrong Initiative
Matt, Game Master posted these ini rolls
Leon Initiative:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Endrian Initiative:
1d20 ⇒ 11
Leylyn Initiative:
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Ithriel Initiative:
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Baster Initiative:
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Thug's Initiative:
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
The knob of meat comes very close to connecting with Baster's head but closely misses.
Jevon will call out loudly "Nobody left thru the window, watch your back mates!"
I listen very carefully aware that he might have gone invisible. I will also look for potential hiding spots or escape routes.
Come on Endrian, focus!
Endrian puts a much more convincing display at grappling in his second attempt to grapple the man.
Round 2
Baster winces, thankful that the gods prevented him from being banged on with pork, and slashes resolutely at the thug with his scorpion whip.
Baster's AC without armor is higher than 16!? O_o
Round 2
Aldus is gonna sit tight with Jevon.
Leylyn stops singing... or does she? Even though her mouth has stopped singing, the song goes on!
Leylyn crosses her arms and laughs. "Hahaha! Can you believe this guy? Still swinging his meat around like he is something special! Hahaha, and Baster is whipping him! Whipping him! Hahahaha. Priceless! Aaaand down he goes." Leylyn says, elbowing Leon, as if he wasn't watching the absurd attempt at... whatever the thug is trying to do.
"Ohhhh~ watch out Endrian! He might totally pull a sausage on you! Keep him away from the rolling pins! He might have a few rolls up his sleeves! Ohh, and don't catch salmonella poisoning! ...Com'n Baster, get back in there with your whip! I won't be satisfied until all three of your shirts are off! Whoohooo! Hahahaha!" Leylyn is obviously enjoying the show.
Despite Leylyn's focus on the fight, she is keeping an eye on the thug that gave up on the floor. If he tries anything funny she will turn on him and yell "STAY DOWN, FOOL! Or my foot up your ass will not be the only thing they will have to remove!" She then brandishes her wooden club and mimics Baster's stare.
Ithriel attempts, again, to deal Non-Lethal.
Growling, Koldir pushes aside anything that could be a hiding place, searching for the third man.
If that damn noble didn't go announcing our arrival we'd have had him...
Koldir looks around for any hiding spots, and for anywhere through which the man could have fled. He also quickly kneels at the barman's side, casting a Cure Light Wounds spell.
Round 3
This time, Baster doesn't use his whip, so as not to risk wounding Endrian; instead, taking advantage of the paladin's grapple, he tries to deliver a vicious kick to the unfortunate thug.
The foot of Baster connects with the thug's coccyx with an ominous "crunch !"
"Stay down, you cur !" snarls the nobleman.
"This should be easy, he won't be doing much from here on friends."
Getting into a good position, Endrian attempts to get the man into a full lock.
Round 3
"Sir Baster, I beg you, don't kill him!"
Ready Action: Stands by with healers kit to stabilize thug in case Baster causes him to start dying.
Watching from the doorway, Leon nods at Endarian. "I think he's had enough, Sir Baster. We should find something to bind him with."
Round 3
Aldus is gonna continue squatting with his arms crossed, resting on his thighs, big round eyes staring unblinkingly at that window.
"Good Idea Lee, I'll look for a sting of sausage!" Leylyn says with a strait face.
and the song still lingers...
Baster answers the Elf, calming down now that the situation seems to be under control:
"Rest assured, Ithriel Latairn, that if I had wanted to kill this man, he would be dead by now."
"I believe in proportional punishment: if you kill a man for... sausage thievery" he shoots a glance at Leylin "what are you gonna do when the same man tries, say, to rob you ? Eviscerate him ? No."
"Evisceration should be reserved for more serious offenses." finishes Baster.
Baster, still bare-chested, looks at the woman wearing her simple white cotton sleeping gown and a non-matching blue male's sleeping cap with a fluffy white ball on the tip.
"Your style, my dear Leylyn, is quite... unique."
It's difficult to know if he means the song or the clothes (or both).
"Anyway, it's quite effective. I hope that someday you will do us the pleasure of a more..." close "...fitting attire while practicing your art." he says pleasantly.
Endrian continues to hold the man in place until Baster has finished tying him.
"Well I think you have a very *unghh* good idea of how punishment should be *argh* appropriate for the crime committed, Sir Baster. You are a man *huff* of honour, I see."
Leylyn blows the fluff ball out of her face.
"Well Mr. Baster, If I knew this was going to be a sausage party, I would have totally slipped into something more appropriate. Luckily I was waring my stylish sleeping attire, or I might have run down down here half naked like you are. Not that I am complaining!" Leylyn says, giving Baster an approving look and nod, then finishing with a laugh and a smile.
'Now where would the rope be..." Leylyn mutters as she continues her search for some rope.
The thug misses Baster's head once again and within a matter of minutes finds himself trussed up and pinned to the ground. His "friend" meanwhile, is still lying face down on the ground, both hands held high up, a leg of mutton still in his grasp.
Meanwhile, Koldir scours the owner's room for signs of the intruder and within a manner of seconds notices the large wardrobe next to the window is ajar. Pushing aside the door, Koldir is met by a whimpering shrew of a man huddled in the bottom corner. "Please mate, don't kill me. I swear, I was only trying to nab some vittles and what gold could get us by for the next couple a days. Me mates and myself aren't bad folk. Honest."
The rest of the group currently outside the window hear the conversation through the window as well.
The owner slowly recovers from his ordeal and lifts himself to his feet, grimacing at a now obvious head injury.
At the same time, Captain Pelemynn descends from his private quarters to witness the scene.
"Sounds like they've got everything under control Buggy ol chap. Lets go see what happens!" Jevon says excitedly as he gently claps Aldus on the shoulder. He stands up, ties his sling back around his waist and saunters inside to hear the Captain's Judgement.
While waiting for Captain Pelemynn, Baster looks at Leon. His gaze lingers on his kite shield and the sword sheathed into its back face.
That's an old fashioned kind of shield the nobleman muses inwardly.
And the one-hand and-a-half sword is almost always carried by a seasoned fighter: one must have had a good training to use that kind of weapon. Or one must be a foolish show-off.
That one is not a show-off. Quite the contrary, in fact: he's been remarkably discreet so far for one with such an imposing figure.
And he's well-spoken, but in a strange manner. He does not seem to be a plebeian. But if he is of noble birth, why doesn't he proclaim his lineage ?
Baster has a thin smile for Leon.
Maybe he is a bastard, his father a knight and his mother some tavern wench or servant girl.
The nobleman's smile becomes more visible. He gives a cryptical nod of acknowledgement to Leon.
What are you trying to hide, Leon ?
"Sounds like they've got everything under control Buggy ol chap. Lets go see what happens!" Jevon says excitedly as he gently claps Aldus on the shoulder. He stands up, ties his sling back around his waist and saunters inside to hear the Captain's Judgement.
Aldus nods profusely and heads inside.
Feeling a bit uneasy from Baster's tone, Ithriel steps back and lets the rest of the scene unfold.
Leylyn blows the fluff ball out of her face.
"Well Mr. Baster, If I knew this was going to be a sausage party, I would have totally slipped into something more appropriate. Luckily I was waring my stylish sleeping attire, or I might have run down down here half naked like you are. Not that I am complaining!" Leylyn says, giving Baster an approving look and nod, then finishing with a laugh and a smile.
What strange sleeping attire. Now noticing what Leylyn is wearing. And what is she not complaining about?
"Dear lady, is there something beyond my sight that troubles you? I am confused of what you speak of."
Baster raises an eyebrow upon hearing Ithriel's question, but says nothing.
Seeing Captain Pelemynn approaching, Endrian calls out "Sir, these men attempted to steal food from this tavern. The one that remains unbound surrendered quickly, while the one who is bruised and bound attempted to fight us off in an attempt to flee. I am sure you can see to it that justice is delivered to each according to their actions."
Tim stays on guard just in case it's a ploy, after all he did scuffle with the owner and didn't sound a coward before.
Tim helps the owner up, and to Koldir "Well take him to the front Ill make sure this one is alright."
Koldir readies an action to smack the man squarely on the head should he attempt anything other than docilely walking back towards the main group of people.
"Don't try no funny stuff, now. Ye put yer hands on yer ears and walk out, real peaceful like."
This midnight encounter comes to a close as the Captain swiftly takes charge of the situation. The three thugs are led off by some armed guards to the nearby barracks for detainment. The Captain thanks you all for having so readily defended the Legion's Mortar and invites you to join him in the morning for a quiet discussion about future prospects.
The owner is beyond grateful for your aid and promises free board and beverages anytime you drop by.
While perhaps many people will never hear of what you've done this night, some people will talk of the group of hired soldiers who saved the Legion's Mortar and raise a glass to your honor.
The night is still young and sleep remains to be had. The morning isn't far and there are certainly greater challenges along the way.
For next session, simply decide where you will ride in the retinue: Front, Middle, Rear, Scouting Party, Supply Reserves or Aerial Reconaissance.
Endrian feeling pleased with himself and the others, bids everyone good night saying "Well friends, there is still time to sleep this night. Godnight and sleep well."
Without further ado Baster goes back to his room, locks the door, places his trusty whip alongside his bed, undresses and goes under the sheets.
Tomorrow I shall ride proudly in front of the Seekers' retinue he thinks. He is soon fully asleep.
Leon seems perturbed by the entire affair.
"If they were truly only hungry I cannot help but feel pity for them. Is this what it will mean to be a Seeker? I'm not sure I have the stomach for this. They were thrives to be sure, but would I have done any different if I was starving? I dont know. I hope I would.
He gave the young bard a wan smile and said "Goodnight then." trying not to be awkward, but not quite succeeding. He shrugs slightly and walks back to his room with the night's events on his mind.
Hard to argue the morality of the desperate.