Bastion looks to Elvis with a smile, only the right side of which shows due to his mask, "Not a doppleganger no. Paranoid on the other hand... maybe just a tiny bit. My name is Bastion, but you may call me Bash for short, if you wish. I spoke with those around the bar after everyone else left hoping to find a pier worker, but it seems most of the information we seek will most likely only be found at the docks."
Reaching for the vase of water, Bastion pours himself a glass, "Thank you for the hospitality sir. A fine establishment indeed," Bastion says before turning to Markus, "Intimidation and deception are fine with me, however if we do end up fighting, I cannot guarantee my opponents will remain breathing."
"I have no problem with defending myself either." Marckus says with a confident smile.
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Xavi smiles at Bastion, "Thank you. As you may have gathered from the name outside I go by the last name Salhaziri, I am Xaviandrin, but most call me Xavi." He places a clay pot over the hot coals and then puts the kettle on the pot. If he had put it directly on the coals he might end up damaging it.
"Perhaps we can draw them away from their cargo, and move in then. I still think we'd be helped greatly if we knew the destination of those crates though."
Bastion smiles back at Markus, before saying, " I agree with Xavi. It would be exceptionally helpful if we knew which pier the crates were headed to. The child said that the dock in question would be discreet and that could mean many different things. Perhaps the targets have paid to keep their names off of lips and ledgers."
"I actually meant that it would be good to know who ordered whatever is in those crates. If we can figure that out it might just be possible to intercept the creates elsewhere. Not to mention knowing who the smugglers work for could help us tremendously." He feared the crates might be destined for the warehouse behind his shop. His father wasn't really a smuggler in the classic sense but he did transport goods that were deemed illegal or inappropriate by many governments and when you added that to the fact he mostly transported precious, ancient objects the odds of the crates headed there were quite high. That was if they were really stealing something and not just empty crates as part of some silly test.
|
Ty simple sat back listening to the plans. she seems rather cold this morning. not even re-introducing herself when introductions were being made.
the ship will most likely want to dock during the nighttime hours. this will probably impair vision of some people. depending on the makeup of the crew this could work to our advantage.
Bastion nods at Xavi's suggestion. "In either case, it seems we'll need to go to the docks to find out the information. Is there more than one area of docks here in Magnimar? I normally wouldn't ask, but I'm not from around here."
Bastion takes a drink of water before leaning back and saying, "Ty makes a good point, which is all the more reason to do as Xavi suggests. If we know the targets better, we may be able to do the more smoothly. Speaking of capabilities reminds me, perhaps we should list our own if we're to decide group division later.
Bastion leans forward just a bit, volunteering to be the first to risk sharing information about himself, "I am a trained alchemist so I can provide some potions as well as alchemical items for the cost it takes to create the item. In combat, I'm primarily a melee fighter. In fact we enjoy that quite a bit," Bastion says, referring more to himself than other people. "I can do range, but when I do, it'll be in splash weaponry and it won't be nearly as efficient as when I'm in melee. Lastly, I have some knowledge of nature and have dabbled in... finesse skills. ((disable device and sleight of hand))"
In response to Bastion: "The main docks of the city are in the Dockway district. If I was a captain, I would try to dock my ship there instead of in Underbridge - unless I was trying to hide from the daylight."
"I'm just a simple monk. I know some martial arts, I am observant, and I am good at disappearing in a crowd."
Suddenly you hear a loud hard banging on the door. Followed by yelling only slightly muffled by the door.
"Ow get out here ya rats! Make us break down this ruddy door an we'll use it for kindling to set your hole on fire!"
The shuffling of feet make it clear that the speaker is not alone, another series of hits to the door shake it on it's frame. The speakers threat seems more like a promise they could deliver on.
Xavi moved from the backroom into his store so that he could look out the window to try and see who had the audacity to try and rob a store in broad daylight. "What are you doing here? This is my store and I don't sell any valuables so you'd better try your luck elsewhere."
Bastion stands, watching Xavi attempt to ward off possible intruders. Cautiously, he takes up his heavy mace and pulls out a vial, crossing his arms, attempting to hide that which he is wielding. He does this all while moving towards the back rooms doorway, his side to the wall just beside the doorway, facing the only way into the back room.
The vial is his STR mutagen.
Marckus stands and prepares a spell should an assault begin from either side.
Elvis looks for a spot from where he can watch the people on the other side of the door (once the door is opened), without immediately being noticed by them.
He reaches for two of his shuriken, just in case.
Those who look out the window see a group of five, one striking the door. Which creaks in protest, clearly being worked out of it's frame under the repeated heavy handed blows. The other four stand back giving those near by the proper expression to move along. Despite their efforts some stick around to see the scene unfold, yet none show any signs of interference.
"You can take your wares and stuff them ya goblin kisser. Thieves don't burn down slop guts in their own hole."
The knocker yells as he gives the door a strong blow. A loud snap signaling the damage done. The door would not last much longer if something is not done. One of the four proceeds to remove a flask from their belt.
"Not sure who they are, but I'm not too intent on burning alive today." Marckus says as he cracks his knuckles and draws a large axe from underneath his clerical robes. "I think it's time to get our hands dirty."
Bastion nods at Marckus's suggestion moving into the main room standing back, in line with the door, mace in one hand, vial in the other.
"Could be law," Bastion whispers just loud enough for Xavi to hear. "If not, I'm more than happy to crack some skulls."
Bastion readies an action to immediately drink his STR mutagen if / when the door opens or is kicked in, if possible.
"Law doesn't come here and I've paid my dues to Sabriyya, so they shouldn't be hers either. I suspect her people will come soon though, they don't like disturbances like this." He nods to he friends while drawing a blade and standing besides the door. "I'm not sure what your point has been by the way, the door isn't locked so you can open it just fine."
Listening to what Xavi had said and expecting that the men on the other side of the door seem to be looking for a fight, Bastion doesn't wait any longer to down the contents of his vial. Within seconds his muscles begin to pulsate, seeming to increase in size, with Bastion himself even looking to have grown a few inches taller. As he stands clenching his heavy mace in anticipation, a grin sets on his face as he breathes out a single word, drawing it out into a deep growl.
"Bash"
STR Mutagen ability and stat changes.
Strength increased by +4. From 19 to 23.
AC increased by +2 natural armor. From 14 to 16.
Intelligence decreased by -2. From 14 to 12.
With a mighty smash the door flies off it's hinges. Even before the dust clears you see a hulking half orc waiting outside, as if his work did not speak for itself. His weapon in hand he roars at those with in, his deep voice ringing off your bones. As his yellow tusk expose themselves and spittle flies from his mouth. Veins growing atop muscles great and well used. The bestial display shakes you all instinctually, giving rise to fear and a sense that this enemy is dangerous.
Elvis throws his shuriken at the man with the flask, before ducking behind the nearest store shelf for cover
Marckus prays to Korada and is bathed in a dim holy light. He then advances into the room to square off against the other large half-orc.
Elvis attack sails pass the half orc and into the human carrying the flask. The man stumbles back from the blows in pain but is still standing. Meanwhile Marckus calls upon his holy power, rushing forward to meet the hulking half orc. Their differences a stark contrast despite their shared heritage.
Three of the people with the half orc draw longbows, taking aim and shooting into the shop. A pair of half elves, both females, as well as another human man. The man with the flask tosses it in an arch over his half orc ally, dropping it atop the exposed Marckus. Setting him aflame with it's contents, a small amount making it's way upon the brutish orc kin yet doing little harm. Luck not abandoning the priest of Korada completely, no arrows find him or the others. Yet the shop is now on fire, but not currently in a state to harm those with in. How long it takes for that to change few can say.
You notice the arrows used are not normal. They are blunted and less lethal as a result. Not that they could not cause a great deal of pain or even unconsciousness.
Half Orc Leader: 1 damage
Shipmate 1: 9 damage
Bastion rushes from the now aflame store, thinking that the sooner they end this fight, the sooner they could attempt to deal with the burning store. As such, he veers towards the nearest archer just after leaving the building and swings his heavy mace downward at him.
Marckus steps up and swings his greataxe at the hulk in front of him.
,
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While the others were dealing with the attacks Xavi was more worried about his store being on fire. Not only did he risk losing his store but if the warehouse in the back burned down that would be an even bigger issue. "Try to keep the guy that threw the fire alive. If the fire here gets out of hand I know someone in Riddleport who would pay to skin him alive."
With that he ran off to the back room to fill a bucket of water from the barrel there.
Bastion run's pass the half orc in order to get to one of the half elves. Exposing himself in the process, not one to miss the chance the half orc lashes out. His sap smacking the passing alchemist with no small amount of force even in his current form. Disregarding the blow as best he can, Bastion lands his weapon on the half elf. She takes the hit full on but does not crumble beneath it, replacing a look of pain with one of threating danger.
Meanwhile Tynan's spell strikes well on the half orc. While the brute is unfazed his muscles can only do so much against magical bonds, he is soundly ensnared by the shadows upon him.
With a deep growl of someone who is no stranger to battle or punishment, he brings his sap down on his flaming kin before him. With no restraint even for his own kind the strike rattle's Marckuc brains even as the flames continue to consume him. His body screaming in pain and warning. His life was quickly coming to an end under such a assault.
Half Orc Leader: 1 damage
Shipmate 1: 9 damage
Shipmate 4: 7 damage
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Elvis moves up to the half-ork and tries to beat him unconscious him with a well-placed blow.
Marckus swings and misses choosing to attack over dealing with the flames. Elvis tries his own hand at attacking the warrior only to fail as well, experience greater then discipline in this case.
Bastion finds himself facing the wrath of the half elf he had struck, along with the other three who came to her aid with saps in hand after dropping their bows. The gang dropped blow after blow on the alchemist leaving him broken on the ground but not dead.
Half Orc Leader: 1 damage
Shipmate 1: 9 damage
Shipmate 4: 7 damage
The battle seems to be against the group, the flames eating more of the building and Marckus with each passing moment, yet a rising sound breaks slowly out. A clanking of wood on stone and as it sounds the half orc leader's expression shifts to dread as do his comrades. Walking out of the watchful crowd is a blonde haired, one eyed, and one legged dwarf. Clearly dressed in the rakish noble wear of the ocean, the sound came from his peg leg with each step. Speaking loudly with equal parts annoyance and wrath his voice is one used to command, a deep rough one at that.
"Ya fools dare disobey me. Made a fine mess have ye."
Bring a hand to his sheathed cutlass he bring it up slightly, baring some of the blade, before bring it down with a rattle to rest once more in place. A blue wave pulses out from the dwarf, the sounds of crashing waves fills the ears and the smell of the salty sea spray invades your nose. The fire blinks out of existence before the wave and wounds heal as if they were never there.
"You'll all be getting the lash for this. Your wages will be cut too. Now move, wasted me time playing the wet nurse."
The brutish half orc spares a threating look before following his apparent master, the other four fall in line as well. The crowd parts quickly for the dwarf if not the shadow that is the half orc behind him as they make their way.
The dwarf is Giso Blueblade, a privateer captain who favors Magnimar as his port of call. While many suspect him to truly be a pirate, he is far more lawful and honorable then most pirates. That as well as his distaste for both Riddleport and Korvosa make him most welcome in the city. Bring ships full of cargo with each visit does as well. As such he is a Captain with both coin and influence.
"Well that was... odd." Bastion says in confusion, rubbing the back of his head, his voice deeper than normal as the mutagen still pulsed through his veins.
"I'll not make the mistake of underestimating them again, if I ever see them." Bastion says to himself as if engraving a memory into his mind. Bastion watches them walk away, for now at least, assuming that they could be the possible owners of the targeted ship.
"Who ... and what was that?"
Elvis hurries outside to collect his two shuriken.
If they are lying on the floor he picks them up.
If not, he shouts after the sailor whom he attacked with them: "Excuse me! Sir! You still have something that belongs to me. Can I have them back?"
His shuriken reclaimed, Elvis disappears in the crowd.
With some distance, he follows the dwarf captain for a while (or the orc, if he is easier to spot in the crowd) - to see where they are going to.
(If he thinks they have spotted him, he aborts his pursuit and returns to Xavi's shop)
Xavi comes rushing in with a bucket of water only to find the fires extinguished. "What happened? Where did those idiots go?" He puts down the bucket and moves to the door to check the damage there.
"Well that was a bit out of order I'd say." Marckus says as he looks over his robes for fire damage. "Does anyone have an explanation for that?"
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Bastion turns his head towards Xavi and says very plainly and with a shrug, "A one eyed, dwarf with a pegged leg and magical sword came and put out the flames and healed everyone as he scolded the people that attacked us." Bastion then points in their direction briefly, "They headed that way."
"As for an explanation, I can only guess and assume." Bastion's voice shifts to a a fairly quiet tone meant for his current allies as he watches the half-elf blend into the crowd and disappear."They may know who we are attempting to work for. If that's the case, I'd rather not shout questions about it in public. Could have been sent by our host as a test perhaps. It seems that our half-elf ally is going to find out for us."
Bastion turns back to Xavi. "Need any help in repairs? I'm no carpenter but I can handle some grunt work."
You find your shuriken on the ground, bloodied and broken. Still you manage to follow the dwarf's group for some time as they make no attempt to hide or hurry. They lead you to a dock after a while where a rather impressive ship is anchored. In fact a number of impressive ships are docked in the area and it is thick with sailors, mercenaries, and city guard. You manage to see the group board The Sea Witch if the writing is to be believed. Getting any closer or attempting to board would be unwise.
Elvis returns to the Xavi's shop and tells the others what he saw:
"I followed them to their ship. It's called the 'Sea Witch' - quite an impressive ship, and swarmed by city guards. I would be surprised to see that ship dock in the shadow. Does any of you know who they were?"
"No idea. I'd like to find out though. That and why they attacked in the first place would be some nice answers to have. We could ask around about who they are, but why they assaulted us is another matter I'm sure." Bastion says with his arms crossed in thought.
Hours pass as the day moves on from the events of the early morning towards the afternoon. Bring a messenger with a letter for the group.
Dear Dumb Dumbs,
I hope this letter finds you unwell. Your actions have not gone unnoticed, nor has your shortcomings and inability to follow simple commands. Come to the tavern so I can fix your mess.
Love and kisses,
Your Angry Maid
You notice a second letter with much more fluid and formal writing.
Greetings,
While we have never met, we will soon. I look forward to proper introductions and ask that you forgive my master's brashness. Fare well.
Yours truely,
Roin
"Looks like not only do we get to be chewed out and insulted, but perhaps soon we'll get some answers on why we were attacked in the first place. Guess I'll leave first."
Bastion gets up and with a sigh he heads to the tavern, attempting to keep an eye out for any followers or attackers on the way.
"I've had about enough of this treatment. I suggest we follow through on the job, but if it doesn't pay off, I've heard rumors of some other opportunities that might suit a band like this."
"Maybe this is the real test: to see how we react to this ridiculous treatment. Lets see what the kid wants from us..."
At the tavern:
"Good evening Mutt. I guess I'll have the Orc's Tear again tonight." Elvis says in passing as he moves towards the stairs that lead to the upper floor.
The group arrives to the now familiar private second floor. The child is waiting with a feast of food and drink, along with an older man by his side. The man is clearly in his twilight years but in rather good physical condition. He is lean muscled and slim with long gray hair tied into a pony tail, a second tie towards the tip to keep it neat and straight. A gray mustache connected by sideburns with a separate beard running along his jaw line and chin complete his dignified presence. Which runs contrary to the traditional butler garb he wears, only the slim blade at his waist slightly out of place. The child claps his hands with a wide smile.
"Anyone hungry or rather just get to business?"
The man is verisian in heritage but his garb is ustalavic in make. Giving you an impression of a native from that land rather then this one.
"I am not very hungry." Elvis says as he sits down. He doesn't touch any of the food.
After an awkward moment of silence he introduces himself to the older man:
"Hello. I don't think we've met before. My name is Elvis. You are from Ustalav?"