Eric looks startled whispering to Canathir "boy? I'm sure he's years older then I am!" Then in a normal voice he goes on "well Elmo I'm not sure this is a good idea but let me take off my armor and we can go outside and wrestle, if you want to."
With that, Eric stands up, and up some more, and then finally up again until he towers over everyone else in the room reaching his full height of six feet six inches. As he strips off his armor heavy a muscled frame is revealed, he mistakes the looks he's receiving and says defensively"Hey it isn't polite to stare, Pa said when I left home I most likely wouldn't stay so short. He said he didn't stop growing until he was in his early twenties, and I'm only sixteen. He turns to Elmo and looks down at the still sitting man. [b]"Well Elmo let's go out and loosen up a little, we don't want to pull or strain something["/b]
Walking back to the Inn Velcore hopes that he has not miss Garm's show. He loves the songs of the bard and knows when Garm wants to he can really put on a show.
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Velcore arrives back at the Inn, and manages to see the last part of Garm's performance. Garm doles out a share of his tips to the party members. The conversation with Elmo happens after his performance is concluded…
Elmo (to the group): Well, sure I know that the life of an adventurer is hard…risky, too. So is farming…long hours, physically demanding…and risky if your stock gets angry or scared. Heck, if you want a contest of skill, I’m okay with that. Let’s go out front into the street, there’s lots of room out there…I’m going to remove my shirt, ‘cause Ma would kill me if I got it messed up.
Elmo unlaces his wool shirt and pulls it over his head, then drapes it over his arm, and starts for the front door of the Inn. He stands about 5 foot 10 inches tall, and is well-muscled – it’s obvious that farm work has built a fine physique. He hangs his shirt on a nail protruding from one of the Inn’s porch support beams, walks to the center of the road, and turns to face the Inn. Okay, I’m ready…I think…
Elmo Initiative:
Velcore will stand outside to watch the contest of skill just in case anyone need healing afterward.
"Fisticuffs? Hah! I am quite the brawler myself!" Emboldened by drink and food, Balthasar steps up in his wizardly robes. "Before you get to our brave fighter, you will have to fight through me, good sir! And despite my appearance, I am also a mighty warrior! Fear Big Balty!"
,
Thankful for the "free" dinner he has received, Bryce nods to Rafael and proceeds to enjoy food and drinks. He is one of the loudest when Garm finishes his excellent performance, shouting "Bravo" and "Maestro" and whistling loudly through his fingers, demanding for more.
A bit surprised by gnome's generous act, he murmurs a quick "Thank you", and then promptly goes ahead to spend the same 2 gold pieces, trying to woo and charm one of the serving girls. Knowing that he is not a "pretty boy" in any way, he is more than willing to spend all of his belongings (both gold pieces just received from Garm) in order to win affection. Therefore Bryce is barely aware of the happenings in the inn (Elmo's "recruitment") as his complete focus is set on chasing one of the serving wenches.
"Er... I think Balthasar here really wants to box with you for some reason." In a quiet voice he says "I think he's been drinking, Pa always says strong drink can make a man do things he wouldn't do sober." In a more normal tone he says "If you want to fight him instead of me, that's OK with me, I wasn't too keen about it anyway."
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Leaning against the wall and enjoying the show Carp loudly states
"Come on come all, for only 1gp you too can fight the local farm boy! Hahahaha!"
In a more serious tone to whomever is listening yet to directed at Elmo:
"Elmo can fight whomever he'd like but, in my humble opinion, if he wants to come along with us he needs to prove he's an able man at arms...if needed I'll happily drag this boy home."
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As the two combatants, Balthazar and Elmo square off, the Inn empties of patrons, who surround them and the party members, forming a crowded, packed circle about 30 feet in diameter. The crowd begins cheering and yelling, most in favor of Elmo to "whup that guy!" Some wagering appears to start occurring...not many want to bet on Mr. Balty.
Elmo gets into a sparring stance, and puts up both fists: Ok, Mr. Balty, I'll try not to hurt you too much...
Balthazar hops back and forth, doing his best to emulate a boxer... then he punches out with a jab that lands but appears to be just a light touch
Elmo steps in and and lands a solid punch that lands squarely on Balthazar's nose, causing four points of nonlethal damage! The crowd cheers and shouts and whistles with gusto! Go Elmo! Teach him a lesson! Whack him good!
Balthasar could feel the punch that shook him a little, but it was better than the last time, when that kobold had tried to shank him with a shiv. "Have at thee!"
His swing wildly misses. With what looks to be bobbing and weaving, Balthasar shifts himself to the left.
"The first rule of adventuring, Elmo, is to always be on your guard! I will have you thinking like an adventurer yet!"
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Elmo easily ducks Balthasar's attempt to hit him...Mr. Balty, sir, are you sure you want to continue?...and then steps forward and lands a roundhouse right to the jaw , knocking "Mr. Balty" out cold! Balthasar crumples in a heap in the middle of the road, while the crowd whoops and hollers, cheering wildly!
Elmo immediately hunkers down, puts an arm around Balthasar, lifts him to a sitting position, and begins lightly patting his head...Oh, Mr. Balty... I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to hit you that hard... ewww, that's going to leave a mark...!
"Do you think he meant to do that?"
"I don't think he meant do that."
Velcore slowly walks thru the crowd to get to Balthasar, shaking his head the whole time. "When are you going to learn to leave the fighting to Carp and Eric." Velcore will use a cure light wounds on Mr. Balty.
Trane ventures to the very center of the grove, intent on finding the habitation of the druid Jaroo. He is alert to the possible presence of the bear--he does not want to spook the druid's friend. He calls out in a friendly manner:
"Hello the Grove!!"
Offering Balthasar a hand "I have healed you with the power of Iomedae. I will not do such again if you want to continue this foolishness. I suggest you rest." After helping Balthasar off the ground Velcore will march into the Inn and order some food.
"Innkeep some stuffed pheasant and your best ale. Thank you good sir."
After grabbing his ale from the bar Velcore will sit next to Garm.
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Jaroo goes back into the cottage, and shortly emerges carrying a metal pan in which a large chunk of raw meat is nestled. He sets the pan on the ground, and back up a step...There you go, Chaandra, eat heartily!
The sunbleached, weathered druid extends a calloused hand to Jaroo. "Trane of Gozreh. Thank you for the shelter of your grove. Peace be upon this place."
Trane looks the druid up and down too.
"I have come with a capable group of eight to this town. The others are intent on making their mark. I would be content to show other humans I can be one of them. I have hunted as lion for half my life. The other half I plan to spend more as a human."
Having opened up to Jaroo--probably seeing him as a kindred spirit--Trane takes an involuntary step backwards feeling vulnerable after having revealed so much.
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Stepping into the fighting ring Carp spins slowly with hands out, rudely addressing the crowd:
"How did your local boy fare against our mage? Would you consider him worthy to have YOUR back against the foes haranguing fair Hommlett?"
Turning towards the gathering of our group:
"I think not yet I put the question back to my trusted troupe, Does he strike you as worthy?"
Glancing to Balt:
"No offence against your battle prowess Balthazar."
Trane removes a hammock from his pack. "I am used to sleeping outside. Can I hang this among these fine trees?"
Trane settles Chaandra down.
"I will quickly check at the tavern and return to sleep in about an hour."
He rubs Chaandra's fur and makes a quick return to the inn.
Elmo has proven his valor against the mighty Balthazar! Three cheers for your hero! *Pause for effect* But one more challenge remains before we can welcome Elmo into our fold. He must fight... THE CARP!
I whisper to Acalimon, We need to find you a more intimidating nickname.
But no one can beat the Carp you say? To stare into his eyes is to invite death? Tis true! But never fear! Elmo must only last 3 rounds! The Dwarven king of Goodhelm lasted but 2 and a half rounds with Carp, the Destroyer. If Elmo can last longer than that fabled dwarf who are we to deny him his place alongside us? But words pail before the violence we are about to witness! Behold....CARP!!!
Check to alleviate the crowd's feelings of dissent.
Check because there is no Dwarven kingdom of Goodhelm.
Choking, trying to suppress his laughter upon hearing "THE CARP"
Hearing the bedlam from outside the inn, Trane enters. He is somewhat confused by the intimidating crowd and the huge amount of background noise.
A local boy must fight to join us? Inns are large fighting arenas? And, most importantly, that guy Balthazar was mighty?
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Garm turns on his bluff-full charm, and soothes the feelings of the crowd...
Elmo (to Carp): Well, if you insist, then we shall fight. As I told you earlier, I am determined to prove myself. Even if you best me right away, I'll know I did my best to have this chance...
Elmo gets back into a fighting stance and raises his fists...
Elmo Initiative (which is not affected by the Shaken condition):
Seeing the return of human druid, Bryce motions him to sit by. "Ah Trane, welcome back. Hope you left your kitty in that grove, eh? How's the fight going? Come sit with us. This is...Maleena, right?" - Bryce motions towards one of the obviously bored serving wenches just outside of his grasp.
Pretending not to notice Maleena's disinterest into him, Bryce keeps chatting to Trane: "Our gnome friend Garm sure do make a very good job of entrancing the crowd. Although I had no idea that Balthazar was Mighty? Good with fists? Swear to Desna, I though he was a sorcerer of a sorts. And now - Carp, the Destroyer?!? That does not sound right..."
Any minute now I expect them to ask me to pull out rabbits from hats...
He turns to Maleena Pretty girl, you wouldn't happen to have a friend curious about the eldritch secrets, would you? adding with meaning
Trane is somewhat surprised.
"Civilized humans have strange customs. Is this a territorial fight?"
"Nah, I believe it's an audition of a sorts. Local boy wants to join ranks of our glorious adventuring band, a group who's glory is so big we do not even need a name. Since we have become so important, we can't let just anybody join us right? I mean, after all, isn't it obvious that we're cremme-de-la-cremme, so...Cheers!" - Bryce raises yet another glass in a mock gesture, toasting to Trane.