Knowing that his best bet is to buy his new teammates time to come help out with the cut-purse, Javi continues his attempt to knock the little man down. He charges in, sliding at the halflings legs in an attempt to knock him down, tumbling to his feet after the attempt.
The cutpurse thrusts his dagger down as Javi slides in...
AoO: for
...cutting a gash along his leg, before being brought down. He swears in Kelish as he falls to the floor.
Gorak, annoyed with his own clumsiness, jumps up on the nearest object that will support his weight and becomes an eagle (I'd prefer medium sized, but only small and Large are listed. There are only minor mechanical differences since it's Beast Shape 1)
He then takes to the air flying toward his companions.
Round 4
Grrr - midgets.
If the halfling is still with me.
Attack-Scorpion Strike: --> If this hit, he is slowed to 5' for 3 rounds unless he makes a DC15 Fort save.
Damage: --> now that it is not at kid and he has pulled a knife, damage is normal lethal.
If I need to move:
Acrobatics:
Bullrush:
Torgus climbs over the shop, but doesn't seem find his size in the wall.
Torgus might have been able to climb the wall, but his attention wavered as he was already looking forward, causing him to slip his grip.
Frakdar strikes the cutpurse a painful blow in the leg...
Fort save:
...hampering his movement.
Cursing, the thief screams in Kelish "Thuggee, thuggee" before he lashes out at Frakdar protectively while prone.
Dagger: for
Crit Conf:
Gorak's form melds into that of an eagle and he takes to the air.
Status in Round 4:
On Obstacle 1: Gorak
On Obstacle 2: Torgus, Cassadar
On Obstacle 3: <None>
On Obstacle 4: Frakdar, Kid, Javi
Damage Tracker:
Cutpurse - 6 (slowed to 5' until end Round 6)
I'd prefer medium sized, but only small and Large are listed. There are only minor mechanical differences since it's Beast Shape 1
Ignoring the little thief's cries, Javi fakes a punch to his face while driving a knee down onto him to pin him to the floor. He responds in Kellish.
I do not think that my strike knocked him Prone unless there was something else. The goal was to slow him down so that the others could catch up. I guess that my view is that Scorpion Strike is like giving him a really bad charlie horse or kidney punch so that it hurts so much he cannot move for a few moments.
Round 5
--> May need to hold this until the others catch up.
Midget, it is unlawful to steal, now we shall take back what is ours.
Grapple: --> Provokes AoO
The thuggee were a cult of bandits in old-timey India. If you had to guess you think it was likely a call for help....
I do not think that my strike knocked him Prone unless there was something else.
Torgus sits up after falling off and dusts himself off, then waves off the pick pocket. "Bah! They'll get him, these streets aren't ment for the bear." He just walks the direction his group was headed and might be swayed by a tavern or two.
Javi disguises his intent before moving in to grapple the cutpurse against the ground.
Frakdar attempts to double team the halfling thief, but the halfling slips his grasp.
Gorak sails through the air above the market towards where his companions have the thief cornered, his sharp eyes picking out where they are currently... and danger rapidly approaching as well...
Bursting from the crowd that is shirking back from the conflict come two heavy set Kelish men in dark robes with thick mustaches and be-turbaned. They barrel into Javi and Frakdar...
Charging Bullrush @ Javi:
Charging Bullrush @ Frakdar:
...though are unable to force them from where they currently stand.
The halfling cutpurse seeks to slip Javi's grasp...
Escape Artist:
...but is unable to.
Status in Round 5:
On Obstacle 2: Torgus, Cassadar
On Obstacle 3: <None>
On Obstacle 4: Frakdar, Kid, Javi *Gorak*
Initiative Tracker: Frakdar, Kid, Torgus, Thuggee #1, Cassadar, Thuggee #2, Javi, Gorak
Seeing the new and improved thuggees, I turn and begin hitting.
Stupid thieves, they never learn. You never try to bullrush a member of the Ouat Caste. Keep that midget thief tied up until the others get here, I will take care of these two idiots.
Flurry of Blows at Thuggee 1:
Attack 1:
Damage:
Attack 2:
Damage:
Gorak flies into one of chellsh thugs and attempts to claw him I the face.
Claw
Javi struggles with the halfling, "Guys, I could really use a hand... grappling's not really my thing, and I don't want this guy getting away!"
He grunts out some Kellish at the newcomers between a feint and the followup pin.
Sensing the struggles of his friends the The brawling bear gives it another chance. He hops up again and tries to fit through and heads to his friends.
Torgus and Cassadar are able to defeat the obstacles to their progression and rejoin the rest of the party where Javi has the cutpurse pinned.
Frakdar lands two solid blows on the thuggee opposing him.
The cutpurse goes slack beneath Javi's pin and after swearing in Kelish, speaks in Taldan "Ok you have me you bastards, I'll return your paltry purse... but we best get off the street, the city guard is not kind..."
In the distance you can hear some faint whistles like those typically used by city guard.
Initiative Tracker: Frakdar, Cutpurse, Torgus, Thuggee #1, Cassadar, Thuggee #2, Javi, Gorak
"THAT'S RIGHT, IT'S THE CHAMPION OF BALLENWOOD! YOU BETTER RUN!" Torgus snarls out at the Thuggee #2, while cracking his knuckles and a wicked smile grows on his face.
Javi thinks quickly, also switching to Taldan, "Actually, you give me our gold back now, THEN we'll go somewhere quiet to talk. You're not getting another chance to slip away, little guy, and I'm guessing the city guard will be interested to see who we've caught here if you decide to test us."
To show he means business, Javi addresses Torgus, "Hey, Brawling Bear. Hold him while i get back our purse. If he tries to get away... crush him."
The cutpurse smiles "I'd get it for you, but you seem to have objected to my using my arms....." assuming Javi releases his enough to retrieve the gold, he hands it back and gets up to brush himself off.
"Don't overestimate your chances with the watch.... they tend to side with the locals, and I can be very convincing..." he trails threateningly.
"Are you happy with your money back or are you looking to make a few extra gold? I know talent when I see it and I could make use of you..."
If the violence seems to have calmed Gorak (in bird form) will find a nearby perch (on a building or what not) and keep an eye on the scene.
Bah, a society without law is no society at all. I would not work for an unlawful thief such as yourself. Plus, I doubt the guard could catch the fastest dwarf in town.
However, I hear that there is a good market for halfling lawbreakers here in the south and I bet you would make a great chamber boy.
The halfling shrugs his shoulders "It's your choice, but make it quick"
The other thuggee obviously defer to the halfling as they have not yet spoken, but still stand ready.
Knowing that time is against them, Javi has to think quickly.
No way to trust this little runt yet. Then again, if anyone's going to be able us get the supplies we need with the little amount of money we have…
"Fine. Let's go chat. You may be able to help us out. Then again… you may not. Either way, let's go chat about it where the authorities won't intervene."
Before they set out, he grabs the halfling's arm, "A warning, though. You deal in any shady way with us. You try to work your skills on me or any of mine. We will know and you will pay. Your two thugs here won't help you."
As they head out, he turns to his group, "If you're uncomfortable with working with this guy, let me know now. He's likely to know how to help us meet our goals."
Knowing that time is against them, Javi has to think quickly.
No way to trust this little runt yet. Then again, if anyone's going to be able us get the supplies we need with the little amount of money we have…
"Fine. Let's go chat. You may be able to help us out. Then again… you may not. Either way, let's go chat about it where the authorities won't intervene."
Before they set out, he grabs the halfling's arm, "A warning, though. You deal in any shady way with us. You try to work your skills on me or any of mine. We will know and you will pay. Your two thugs here won't help you."
As they head out, he turns to his group, "If you're uncomfortable with working with this guy, let me know now. He's likely to know how to help us meet our goals."
The medium sized Eagle perched on a nearby building eyes Javi and you swear it shrugs nonchantly.
Law is law, and he violated it. If he is able to make restitution, then I shall hear him out. If he intends to break the law, then I will break his neck.
Javi nods towards the sounds of the approaching city guards, "can we at least have this conversation somewhere else? I don't really wanna deal with the added complication right now."
All he offers to Frakdar's threat is a wry smile. The cutpurse then leads you a short distance from the market and to the front of a nondescript slum house.
The cutpurse pauses "There are two paths from here.... come inside and hear what I have to say, or walk away. Your bald friend might have qualms about the proposition I offer, but the law is more mutable here in Sedec then he might be used to...."
Unless forcibly restrained, the cutpurse and thuggee depart into the house.
Fying down to stand next to Javi Gorak resumes his humanoid form.
The bird's body twists and stretches as he stands.
"The laws of man are of minimal concern to me. We should at least listen to him." Gorak suggests.
I follow them inside, keeping very close to the thief with a prepared action to grapple him should he make any moves.
Javi shrugs as Frakdar hesitantly heads in, "We can at least hear him out... unless you have another idea on how to complete our assignment."
"Don't worry, no one gets away with lying to the Brawling Bear! Bwahhaha!" Torgus bellows. "More importantly, they might have ale over there!" Torgus follows the two criminals. "Plus I've hung out with worse! ahaha!"
You are lucky Mr. Thief - were this a lawful city where I believed that justice would be served, you would already be in the hands of the authorities.
Leading the group into the derelict house, you find that the interior is just as drab as the outside. The only furniture is a table and chairs in an adjacent room. As you enter the cutpurse whispers something to one of the thuggee, who then leaves.
Sitting down, he beings his proposition "Later today there will be a pit fight in one of the local taverns. It will be well attended by the local nobles, including a particularly wealthy sheik.... who we hope to make much less wealthy before the day is out." smirking.
"What I need know of you is whether you're willing to go into the pit and fight?"
Perception
Perception:
Javi considers the halfling's words as he finds a spot to lean on a dingy wall. His keen ears pick out the whispered message, and he files the information until it seems most useful. So these guys are in a tight spot... maybe we can use that. And using this Bolo's name may be the leverage we need.
"So you want us to put our skin on the line while you lift this wealthy man's purse? Or will you be doing your work at the wealthy man's house? Exactly what would our take be on this if we were to agree and what kind of fighting pits are we talking about? Seems to me we're providing the dangerous part of your plan."
Torgus’s eyes light up when he hears that there offering the group a pit fight, never hearing of this town before the Bear believes he might be too big for it. ”Your big boss Bolo would need to offer me a high price.” He pats his championship belt, ”Since your trying to get the Champion of Ballenwood to fight in your meager arena, or rather basement. What is your offer to have Torgus the master of the orken shield bless your pitiful fights with his grand presence.” The large man crosses his arms and stares at the man with fierce anticipation.
Setting a slight smirk on his lips "The mark has a room at the tavern, but only leaves it to watch the pit fights - returning soon after... we would use that window to do our work."
The words of the Champion of Ballenwood do not impress him "Mr Bolo is not the big boss.... though he is big. But dear man the trick will not be to win or lose - but to make the contest stretch for long enough."
"We would offer recompense... with a chance of an upside should we be successful. That would be whether you are dragged from the ring or walk from it under your own power..."
Goraks lifts an eyebrow at the mans words and stifles a small chuckle at Torgus's words. He otherswise lets his more verbose companions fill the conversation.
Frakdar looks from one companion to the next, his eyes wide with concern, although he was not surprised at the Bear's volunteering to take part in a pit fight.
I do not like this, you are planning on using us as bait so that you can rob a man. Unless there are some very strange laws in this town, I cannot agree to this.
Javi looks at the halfling, "Can you give us some time? It seems we need to discuss this whole thing."