At the sight of Dwarf deflating her mouth starts immeadiately "Please don't be sad; We're just deciding if we should ask if we can fix this place up..." the sentence is already said before Sorval realizes it Why did I say that?- too deep now to stop. "I'm just not sure if we could do it on our own... Or afford it- we need to see the theatre in its entirety to be sure if we can help." She smiles an uncertain but wide smile.
Team Sheeple---
He perks up a little bit.
"Oh, well then! Let me show you the auditorium!"
The little man runs ahead, practically dragging Horfil and Sorval with him through a door to the right. It opens into a large room with a respectable stage. Compared to the main room, it's in a much better state. It's at least been kept relatively clean (though upper corner cobwebs seem to be an issue. It's probably because a dwarf is doing the cleaning).
About two hundred seats are available in tiered benches, and the stage is currently littered with props. A single torch burns in the back of the area, lighting the stage, but spotlights (likely powered by magic) hang overhead.
The curtains are a deep blue.
Excited, Ovril takes the two to the empty dressing rooms, too. There are two vanities intact, but other than a single closet full of dusty costumes, there's little cluttering the areas.
"You know, even if you can't help right away, I've sunk everything in here. I will be here, and a crowd could be attracted if you bill yourselves after you've gained a reputation, too... If you help people around town, you might be able to get a few to come to a show out of obligation, at first."
That sounds like a good idea Ovril! Sorval lets to back to the bulletin board and help the city out!
Horfil starts to walk out and stops remembering to ask something. He turns around and walks back to Ovril.
Ovril would you happen to know any other ways to gain a good rapport with the citizens of the city?
Team Sheeple---
"There's always performing at festivals, and there's one less than two weeks away. Oh! And if you're able to help out any of the smiths, that sort of word travels fast... Which isn't even mentioning hunting down the bandits that harry our trade routes. That, and... well... People are really into the ring around here. There's a fighting contest that goes on when Mr. Stockhour is in town."
Help the city by looking at the things on the bulletin board, preform at a festival, help the smiths, deal with some bandits or fighting contest... I know of my abilities in combat if it comes down to it but I know almost nothing of Sorval's abilities could be worth a shot though.
Thank you for the information Ovril and I promise I will get this theater up and running again. I give you my word as an Elf and as a defender of the arts that this theater will be a good source of entertainment once again!
Horfil turns to Sorval and says.
Lets go Sorval and start gaining a reputation with the city!
Horfil turns to walk out again.
Manny windmills his arms as he keeps trying to get the kicking longshanks to stop bruising his future investment.
--NOW--
Sorval walks into the courtyard, and her eyes open wide at the sight of the four fighting the woman.
Marduzi swings again, hoping to make less of a fool of himself this time.
--NOW--
Horfil mutters under his breath in Elven as he looks upon this scene with disgust.
What is going on here?
"Should we interfere on the ladies behalf? But just so you know; I have no spells prepared for this." Sorval replies to Horfil's words in Elven.
Well it looks like a fist fight perhaps we should try to talk it out or draw our weapons and break it up that way...
There is no killing intent, here.
Not a single person present is using weapons.
actually... it looks more like...
They're sparing- it looks like they're sparing.
Sorval states quietly; continuing the two's conversation in Elven.
I think you are right... We should wait and see what happens to the victor.
Sorval Continues to watvh the fight carefully; studying each participant's every move.
Team Alpha's battle---
Manny, Zeltor, Ruul, and even Marduzi all manage to get hits in this round, leaving the woman bent over and coughing up phlegm for a couple of seconds. While she isn't nearly as damaged as Zeltor, she puts up her hands in a gesture of surrender.
And let that be a lesson for ya! Manny nods in satisfaction. So let us go see the man in charge.
Marduzi genuinely looks shocked. "Did we just win a fight? Did I just win a fight?" He obviously hasn't used his fists much.
Horfil claps for the winning group.
So that bout was to see if you could get into the ring.
He turns to Sorval and says.
Well doesn't that put us in quite the pickle...
Manny turns to the newcomers. Eh? Just who might you two be? Bit late for the try-outs.
"We were just looking for ways to improve our reputation in the city and heard that the ring was a good place to do so. But it looks like we came here too late..."
"A most excellent combat" - Zeltor comments to their opponent - "My monk training has focused mostly on archery combat. While I am proficient with hand to hand, it is not my strongest point, when it comes to confrontation" - he bows.
Turning to the recently arrived, he offers his greetings - "I was not aware that fighting would increase ones' standing in town... I am Zeltor, by the way"
Well we still gotta talk more to the guy who runs the rings here so I reckon you are welcome to tag along. Name is Manny.
"Thank you for the offer, my name is Hofil and this is Sorval."
Kaede picks up her sword again and brandishes it at the newcomers in a gesture of warning.
Within a couple of seconds, the ringmaster re-emerges from his abode in a simple getup made of fine materials. He wears a large grin on his face.
"I see Kaede didn't lay any of you flat, hm?" he begins, looking at the initial four adventurers with excitement before he says something in passing in Kaede's language, and she responds with what is likely four sentences.
Both of them laugh at one point, and Kaede does her best impression of Marduzi's fumble.
"You four are in. Managers or no."
The dwarf looks over to Sorval and Horfil and quirks a brow.
"I don't suppose you're here to join the ring also? Or is there something else you need of me?"
"Actually we are here to join in the ring, if its alright with you."
Zeltor bows at Kaede - "Thank you - Hopefully, further along the line we will have the opportunity to discuss the sparring rules of engagement?"
Turning to Horfil and Sorvar he adds - "And good luck to you"
"HA! I'll have a regular league if this keeps up. However, my pointy-eared friend, I had these fellows pass a test before being accepted, and I am not one to let any old average Jakben enter my ring unless it's average Jakben night or there's a duel going down."
The dwarf looks between Sorval and Horfil and chuckles.
"I suppose I could have you fight eachother... or one of my new fighters, if they were up to it. The point is to make sure you know your way around a combat, after all."
Kaede stares at Zeltor blankly.
"I am sure there are rules for the matches within the ring?" - Zeltor insists, then looking at the ringmaster for reinforcement of his statement.
"Yeah. Don't ever go for lasting damage or a kill. This is for amusement, not bloodsport. To go without weapons entirely might be best, but that's not an official rule. Saps and clubs seem to work alright."
I'll be Ruul's manager here, want to make sure he gets a fair shake and all. I did well with the teamwork but I suspect that the crowd likes the big flashy guys and gals.
"I am not much of a showman myself, but I do miss the exercise, so I will do my best. As for non lasting damage, I have come to the conlusion that blunt tipped arrows work just fine" - he nods slightly.
Turning to Manny, he adds - "Will you take the role of manager for me also? I will not provide you as much gain as surely Ruul will, but the fact is that these type of arrangements are not my specialty"
Well I'd rather not fight Sorval and that Minotaur looks menacing...
"Out of the new fighters who would I have to fight or who would be up to fighting again?"
Sure thing Zeltor! Manny rubs his hands in delight.
*Sigh*
"How did I know that I would have to fight the Minotaur... Well lets get my loss over with."
The dwarf started inny-minny-meiny-mo-ing before Ruul volunteers himself. He seems pleased with this outcome.
"Ah, yes. A fine match indeed."
Turning to Sorval, the dwarf hums a little bit.
"There's still the matter of your match, my dear."
Horfil uses his move action to start his Battle Dance. He then takes a 5' step closer to Ruul and...
Manny winces. No! Punch the minotaur, not yourself!