"Oh my..." Chierak seems genuinely uncomfortable about the tiny floating dinghy. "Well, if it can hold the lot of us, let's do this. Nobody's gonna say that a ghaal'dar backed down from entering a floating... device. Thing." He takes a gulp from his bottle of booze.
He'll try to get a read on the half-orc regarding the nature of his relationship with the kobold (if he shows signs of fear, loathing, or the like).
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The half-orc seems completely indifferent to the reptilians and pays them little regard, not even batting an eye as the lizardfolk seer passes him.
Vertheg chuckles. "You don't need to get on the vessel. If you are here to guide my master to the city, and hear his offer, he will leave the... comforts of the coach. He is onboard merely waiting for my signal before he descends the tower. Personally I wouldn't step foot on that cobbled mess for all the dragonshards in the Reaches... well maybe all of them."
"What are we waiting for?" Micha says with a bright smile despite her increasingly poor mood due to the rain.
with a pessimistic attitude Avicia says bluntly...Death
Of all his compatriots, only Alistair seems to show any affection towards the tiny airship. Talking mostly to himself he'll say,
"Always wanted one of those..."
Checking out the half-orc before speaking up, he'll be interupted by Avicia's unusual comment.
"Uh right..."
Alistair will say, looking quizzically at the sickly young woman.
"Bring out yer boss guy, we'll listen to his pitch. Of course I'm sure he wouldn't want to gab in this stuff."
The wizard will say, shaking water out of his scarf.
"We can talk wherever he wants as long as it's dry and warm."
"Maabet! If we're going to return to that pub in a minute, couldn't we have just met there in the first place?" Chierak mutters in response to the human.
Wait, what about our advanced pay, Zorna?!
Dharatatak walks onto the airship alongside allistair. the Sharn native finds nothing special about it.
"As agreed upon," Zorna tosses a purse heavy with dragonshards to Ilyri.
"For the next few days the Dream shall remain docked here. Should you need us again, we will be aboard her deck or at Dolurrh's Doorstep. May the stars guide you true."
The bronze-scaled one turns and moves into the docking tower.
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As the small lizards enter the dock tower, so too steps out a figure. The nobleman has clearly seen better days. His threadbare clothes were the height of fashion a decade ago, but now they are battered and worn. He keeps his iron-gray hair pulled back in a short tail, and his mustache is neatly tended.
As he approaches, he pulls his overcoat tight and succumbs to a fit of coughing before he is able to address the group. "Thank you, Vertheg. Greetings. I am Aubreck ir'Drallion. I hope that my old friend gave you a little insight as to my plight, but hopefully not too much. This weather is dreadful. If you will at least accompany an old man to a warm place to dry off, I will compensate you with dinner and cover your room for the evening. Once we arrive at the place Vertheg picked out, we can talk business, if you are so inclined."
Thanks
She catches the coins and quickly pockets the shards.
She turns to look at the nobleman.
Several of us already have a rooms at Dolurrh's Doorstep. It's a little seedy, but its...well its interesting. It will suit the purpose just fine.
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"Yes, Vertheg had mentioned its... perks. I would ask your names, if you wish to give them, then let us get out of this downpour." The noble seems irritated, and also continually glances around the docks.
The half-orc lackey unhooks the mace from his belt, standing silently as the frigid rain pelts him.
Micha extends her hand, "Micha d'Jorasco, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. The sooner we get back to Dolurrh's Doorstep, the sooner we can get you dried off and warm. You wouldn't want that cough to worsen."
Her normally keen sense of people fails her.
I'm Illyri. Now let's get out of this rain.
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The spindly goblin studies the man and then offers an introduction
Dharatatak! he pronounces his odd name with precision.
Sense motive
Avicia once again takes another swig from her bottle and says, Avicia
The goblin is angered but decides not to show it not to give the feeble minded human any glee.
Dhar-at-a-tak
Chierak blinks irritated for a second when Dharatatak doesn't add a clan or familiy name, but he decides that would make a better story somewhere not in the rain.
"Chierak, of the Ghaal'dar," he rumbles, thumping his right fist on the chest. While the gesture is an ancient one and easily recognized as dar tradition, the wet sound of Chierak's fist on the drenched cloak makes it a bit pathetic. He flicks one of his ears in embarrasment, waiting for the supposed nobleman's reaction.
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Aubreck offers a small bow. "Aubreck ir'Drallion, as I said. Now that I have your names, let us press onward. The night grows long and the rain cuts to the bone."
He draws his cloak around him and falls in step behind Vertheg. The lanky half-orc shakes the rain from his face, nods to the group, and starts heading back into the city. He carries his mace at the ready. "To the Doorstep, then. This way, lads." The bodyguard and butler stays in front his his ward, but will not hinder anyone from taking point.
Micha walks alongside the nobleman, keeping pace with him.
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Illyri walks toward the back.
When they get back to the Doorstep, Illyri will nod to good old Smiles and order another drink.
It's on that guy. pointing back to Aubreck.
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Vertheg steers the company through the dim flooded streets, avoiding directly walking in front of businesses or lamplight when possible. Rats and vagrants scramble out of the way of the procession. Winding through a narrow alleyway, the half-orc halts as three figures step from around the corner.
The brigands dress as typical Lhazaarite sailors, a male and female orc accompanied by a male dwarf.
The large bearded orc grins. "Well well well, Jacky, 'Tunia.. whut 'ave we stumbled upon 'ere?"
The dwarf's malicious intent gleams in his eyes in the fading light. "Lookies like'n a bunch a rats out their cages, it do, Grillp."
The orc clucks his tongue. "Tsk Tsk. Reckon we oughta skewer us a couple?"
The trio chuckle with murderous intent as they advance.
Initiative, Round One: Avicia, Vertheg, Dwarf Pirate, Orc Pirate (f), Orc Pirate (m), Alistair, Micha, Aubreck, Dhratatak, Chierak, Illyri
Alistair sighs as the pirates step from through the alley.
"Figures this would happen now. Stand back buddy."
Alistair says to the nobleman, motioning for him to move back behind the group.
Cursing Avicia wills to life a smoky purple and black haze of flames around her form...
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Vertheg steps forward, "Not on my watch." Swinging his mace towards the male orc, landing a solid blow across the sailor's shoulder.
Grinning wickedly, the dwarven sailor pulls something from his vest and lobs it over the orcs. The vial shatters on the stones in a fiery blaze.
Leaving the men to fight, the female orc advances towards the group, taking a glancing blow from Vertheg for her efforts. She brings her blade down towards the halfling with a sneer.
The bearded orc swings his cutlass low, missing Vertheg's vitals by inches.
Round One: Avicia, Vertheg, Dwarf Pirate, Orc Pirate (f), Orc Pirate (m), Alistair, Micha, Aubreck, Dhratatak, Chierak, Illyri, Poppy
Realizing these brigands intend to loot their corpses, Alistair pulls a small well-worn dagger from within his sleeve and readies one of his favorite spells. Gesturing slightly and leveling the dagger at the cutlass of largest one, Alistair will hiss some short harsh phrase, casting Backbiter on the weapon.
BACKBITER Necromancy Level: Sorcerer/wizard 1 Components: V, S, F Casting Time: 1 standard action Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels) Target: One weapon Duration: 1 round/level or until discharged Saving Throw: Will negates; see text Spell Resistance: Yes (object)
You cast this spell on any melee weapon. The next time that weapon is used to make a melee attack, its shaft twists around so that the weapon strikes the wielder instead. The weapon hits automatically, and no attack roll is made. The wielder gets no warning or knowledge of the spell's effect on his weapon, and although he makes the attack, the self-dealt damage can't be consciously reduced (though damage reduction applies) or changed to nonle-thal damage. Once the weapon attacks its wielder (whether successfully or not), the spell is discharged. Magic weapons targeted by this spell receive a Will save. An item in a creature's possession uses its own Will save bonus or its wielder's bonus, whichever is higher. Focus: A dagger.
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I looked around on it, I believe it is intended to only allow enchanted weapons a saving throw to negate the effect.
***
The water pooling in the cobblestones of the alley is mixed with orc-blood. The waft of singed, wet wolverine hair permeates the tight passageway. Vertheg grunts as he stands his ground in hopes of blocking the other pirates from reaching the group. Aubreck mutters incoherently in fear, his eyes darting from happening to happening and continually back behind his escorts waiting for the next danger.
Round One: Avicia, Vertheg, Dwarf Pirate, Orc Pirate (f), Orc Pirate (m), Alistair, Micha, Aubreck, Dhratatak, Chierak, Illyri, Poppy
Micha readies Cure Light Wounds but holds her action until after Poppy has moved in to engage the orc and defend Micha.
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Aubreck, heeding Alistair's advice, steps back through the group, surrounding himself. He places his hand on his rapier, but it doesn't seem like he's had to use it in some time. "It cannot end like this..."
Round One: Avicia, Vertheg, Dwarf Pirate, Orc Pirate (f), Orc Pirate (m), Alistair, Micha, Aubreck, Dhratatak, Chierak, Illyri, Poppy
Dharatatak draws the dark goblin blade revealing it for the first time to his new companions. He had only drawn blood with it once so far and then it had spoken odd words to him. at least this time it wasn't going to slay goblins...
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Oi, you lot. Do you really think you can take us all on? You are vastly outnumbered and out skilled! Run now and you can escape more or less unscathed!
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Petunia pauses momentarily, looking back to her companions and then back at herself outnumbered. She steels her jaw in determination and holds her ground.
Jackson the dwarf assesses the situation a little differently and responds with eloquence. "Oh yeah... well... frak you, ya knife-eared whore of Khyber!"
Grillp the male orc seems a bit wary, but too engaged in attempting to open Vertheg's gullet to back down.
Well frell you too, shorty!
The remainder of her turn is drawing her twin daggers, seemingly from nowhere.
Chierak draws his slender sword and moves in front of Dharatatak. "I'd cut my losses, lads, or I will cut them for you."
Poppy, flies into a rage and rushes over (C4) to defend Micha, hissing and snarling the whole way.
Micha takes the opportunity provided by Poppy's distraction to cast Cure Light Wounds on herself.
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As the ferocious ball of fur lunges at her, Petunia takes a swipe at the halfling who says an unusual phrase and wiggles her fingers.
The wolverines sinks her teeth into the pirate's leg and bites deeply. She screams,
The dwarf calls back to her,
Grillp, the leader, barks out an order. "Enough prattle or I'll have your tongues once we finish this."
Round Two: Avicia, Vertheg, Dwarf Pirate, Orc Pirate (f), Orc Pirate (m), Alistair, Micha, Aubreck, Dhratatak, Chierak, Illyri, Poppy
Avicia draws her boarding pike and moves rapidly from the back to the front...
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The orc-blooded bodyguard swings his mace, attempting to clip the orc pirate's already wounded shoulder. With a thick crack the bones of the arm are sundered. The pirate bellows in pain but holds onto his blade.
The dwarf, seeing things turning against his mates, rushes forward and throws another flask from within his vest towards Chierak. The flask explodes into noxious vapor, as the viscous goo eats at the hobgoblin's skin.
The female orc, feeling empowered by the support of her comrades, tries to ignore the beast swinging again at the halfling with her cutlass. Her blow grazes Micha's forearm.
Sneering with glee, the orc captain raises his blade to strike a vicious blow to Vertheg's neck. The cutlass twists in his hand and tears the flesh from his own arm instead. In disbelief the orc cries out, "Khyber's t~&*!" and falls forward into the alley, clutching his arm as his lifeblood mixes with the puddles of rain water.
Round Two:Avicia, Vertheg, Dwarf Pirate, Orc Pirate (f), , Alistair, Aubreck, Dhratatak, Chierak, Illyri, Poppy, Micha
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Completely forgetting about the wild animal following the party, Alisatir will almost have a heart-attack when the furious thing goes charging past him, and he'll almost feel a bit sorry for the pirate that got it's attention.
Alistair will stare intently when another of their group casts a spell, peering with interest at the Halfling woman.
A divine spell, and no holy symbol? Interesting company I've found myself in, maybe that lizard wasn't as far from the mark as I thought...
Alistair will mimick his previous actions, pointing his dagger at the female pirate and whispering dark words . He'll turn to her and say in a clear matter-of-fact tone,
"Welp, now your weapons are cursed too doll. So either you kill yourself, we kill you, or you get the hells outta this alley."
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The she-orc spits while fending off the raging wolverine. "I'm dead either way. I return with Grillp dead and nothing to show for it? Pfft I'll take my chances with you lot, cursed or not." She looks back over her shoulder to ensure the dwarf is still standing, looks down to her blade, and grits her teeth.
Aubreck draws his blade and warily holds it in front of him. He seems a man who hasn't had the pleasantries of defending his own hide in many moons.
Round Two: Avicia, Vertheg, Dwarf Pirate, Orc Pirate (f), , Alistair, Aubreck, Dhratatak, Chierak, Illyri, Poppy, Micha
Dharatatatk moves aside the wolverine and slices at the orc with the magical scimitar.
Ahhhhhhh yeesssss! Give me blooood!!! the Goblin hears a ring in his ear which distracts the goblin badly with the black blade cutting only thin air.
Attack Damage
Illyri will tumble through to the other side, to C1 .
As she ducks and weaves through the fray she shouts at the Dwarf
Hey ugly, over here!
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Dharatatak's hungry blade tastes nothing but air. As Illyri ducks through her companions, the she-orc takes a swipe at her as she weaves, but fails to land a solid blow, catching nothing but air.
The dwarf grins, gold shining through the gaps in his teeth. "You I'mma kill fer free."
The rain picks up, stinging with each cold drop. The fallen orc smells heavy of blood, fish, and a body odor that even the rain has trouble cutting through. Ahead, at the alley's end, a pair of drunken dwarven revelers look on the scuffle as they pass by and guffaw, stumbling their way to Khyber knows where.
Round Two: Avicia, Vertheg, Dwarf Pirate, Orc Pirate (f), , Alistair, Aubreck, Dhratatak, Chierak, Illyri, Poppy, Micha