Leaning to his small friend (Javi) Gorak asks in earnest,
"So, I can trade this paper for goods?"
Javi smiles at the half-orc before shifting his gaze at the women dancing around them, "Among other things." He looks around at the joint's patronage, then at it's employees, then at the captian and Torgus. Finally he leans back over to Gorak, "One thing to look out for, though. The ladies in here seem to only give their services to foreigners. I'm gonna bet that means mostly sailors. And I'm gonna guess that means they might not be the most discerning in who they serve." He tries to layer all the meaning into his words as he can. "I'd be careful where you dangle your trout is all i'm saying. No telling how clean the water is."
Javi is happy to eat and drink (the casual sort of drinking -- no competitions for the Wasp), but he is both too insecure (young) and shy to want to really engage with any of the women.
Gorak thinks about that long after Javi's attention has been drawn elsewhere. In the end he really doesnt understand the metaphor, but does have a great time with the nice ladies.
Were we supposed to have started with anything? I seem to have 170gp to my name which seems a little low and no magic at all. I could have sworn that I had something magic at some point.
If there's nothing else for you to achieve, then we'll move on?
I will recheck my wealth, I am sure that I should have something, really confused as to why I do not. Should have some purchases before the weekend is over. Headed back home today, so I should be back on a regular posting schedule this week.
The markets of Niswan are well stocked and expansive of size, and in the few hours that you spend within them - you find most everything that you need at reasonable prices.
A few times as you browse, you notice a half-orc in black robes nearby attempting to inconspicuously watch you - though he never remains near long.
As evening falls you return to the palace and your compound in time for a light supper after your lunchtime extravagance and thoughts turn to the bout tomorrow. Mtumbo is able to provide some details - you'll be fighting equal number and on level ground. Formal bouts such as these are conducted within a fighting ring, and a win may be registered by any of three ways: beating your opponent into unconsciousness, making your foe yield, or forcing your enemy outside of the ring.
Since I seem to have never bought anything with the initial 6k WBL for level 4, this is what I would like, please let me know if it works.
Initial 6k:
Headband of Inspired Wisdom +2 --> 4,000
Cloak of Resistance +1 --> 1,000
Bracers of Armor +1 --> 1,000
1,500 Note:
Potion of CLW(CL1) x5 --> 250
Potion of Mage Armor(CL1) x3 --> 150
Potion of Magic Fang(CL1) x2--> 100
Potion of Shield(CL1) x2--> 100
Money remaining: 900
Well all, that was a fine meal. But, I wonder why that half-orc in black keeps following us. Seems to me that he is likely up to no good, should we go and ask him why he is trailing us?
As Torgus finishes stuffing his face, "Half-orc? What are you talking about Frak? I didn't any one following us besides my many fans!" The Bear grins with crumbs of the meal speckled all over his mouth and beard.
"Perhaps we should "question' him." Gorak quietly suggests.
Torgus could give him a Bear Hug.
The rest of the night passes peacefully and you awaken in the morning to a spartan breakfast of water, tea and bread. Querying the others you find out that it is customary here for those about the fight... but if you are too put out you could likely get some sizzling bacon or juices brought through from the kitchens.
After your repast, you are ushered through into a waiting room where a few of the Initiates attend to you, assisting with armor and the like.
"Bear hug who?" Torgus shrugs when his cohorts drop the subject.
The next day Torgus feasts on the breakfast and is greedy with the bacon.
As the initiates help Torgus with his grand armor and title belt, the large human whispers to them about letting in a few guests he have coming in for the bout.
Gorak is happy to have what he is given. He's accustome to living off less in the wilds.
He patiently waits for the others downstairs.
Frakdar sits and calmly eats the provided breakfast. He the finds a quiet place where he meditates and prepares for the day's events.
Javi joins them, trying to figure out how he can best use the next couple of days to give his team any advantage in the big survival game. As he sits down with Gorak and Frakdar, he checks to make sure no one is close enough to overhear before speaking up in a low voice, "I'm thinking we can use some of our money to make sure we're prepared for the big event in three days. I'm considering getting myself a bow, a few specific potions for general survival as well as combat, maybe some rations…" His dark eyes sweep the room again, and his voice drops even lower, ".. .and I'm considering picking up some poisons to give us an edge. Different knock-out agents; nothing serious." His voice comes back up a bit. "You two have any thoughts on those? At the very least I'd like to have some survival potions and a wand to heal with."
I am not skilled in the use of any wands. I did purchase some potions to help in combat - and with healing when necessary.
As far as the poison goes, I am not a proponent of using such . . . methods. I do not know whether it is legal in this land, or in this combat, but I personally would not favor the use of such dark tools.
Javi smirks, "I didn't think you would... and I didn't offer to let you use them. But if we're trying to win, I'm not going to turn down different tools because some people consider them distasteful. Plus, like I said, I'm looking at ones that focus on knocking someone out.. not killing them or causing long-term damage." He smiles and claps the dwarf on the shoulder, "Don't worry, I'll do the heavy-lifting."
Frakdar grimaces as he sees Cassadar sit far from the Kellid and realizes that he had accidentally sat within Torgus' food consumption splash zone.
After breakfast you are led out through the grounds to an open plaza where a square has been laid out for the bout, complete with five smaller white cobblestones where you'd wager that you are expected to stand ready before the fight commences. Many of the school come with you to watch and support, but only Mtumbo of the masters is in attendance. The opposite side of the square is empty, though the sides have a few courtiers in attendance or castle servants who are not engaged in work at this hour. At one side of the square stands an ornate gong.
Initially you are the first to arrive, but Mtumbo holds you back from entering the sparring square yet. He explains that there will be little fanfare given that this is one of the minor fights to take place, and the fight begins at the sound of the gong, and you are allowed to prepare any way you see fit... as long as you remain upon your square.
About ten minutes after your arrival, your opponents arrive in their black and red robes. They number only six, and the five dressed for combat are joined by the half-orc you saw about town. They are all of similar build - muscular and moving with a tangible directness. Without any ceremony, the five enter the field and take their positions (left to right):
- A half-orc whose hands are swathed in black cloth
- A second half-orc who seems to wear links of chain below his robes
- A peculiar, short and squat figure with a large hooded cloak that swathes his face and figure in shadow.
- A human whose left fist is fitted with a stone re-inforced cestus
- A second human who is the slightest of build and bears a metal reinforced staff
They take guard and await your entrance...
Perception: <-- Missed it by that much.
I will take one of the orcs. Never liked them much.
I step into the circle across from the black cloth handed half-orc.
I enter the Snake Style and then carefully analyze the enemy trying to discern what his first move will be.
Sense Motive:
I also quaff a potion of Mage Armor raising my AC to 21 for the next hour.
Perception
Javi takes a second to sweep his eyes across the opponents then steps into the ring a heartbeat behind Cassadar. He steps up across from the human with the slighter build -- the one bearing the staff -- but he tries to mask his intent by keeping his eyes locked on Cassadar's opponent... only quick, fleeting glances to size the human up.
He wears his usual pre-fight nerves in the open, quickly bouncing from the ball of one foot to the other and back. A soft tap -- tap -- tap sounding off in a staccato rhythm, his shoulders bouncing loosely with each quick step.
Torgus allows his friends to go first as the last of them make it to the ring a sudden roar echoes from the entrance, a sudden cloud of smoke fills it. Two beautiful women come through the smoke and bow down as a large cloaked figure stalks through the smokey air. The women move behind him as he appoaraches the stage, a clap of thunder and sparks shoot across the sky with each step the burley figure takes. Suddenly a mysterious voice fills the hair, "This man crawled out of the slave pits to conquer the fighting arena. He is the master of the orken sheild..............MAKE WAY FOR YOUR AND CHEER FOR THE CHAMPION OF BALLENWOOD!! TORGUS THE BRAWLING BEAR VOSS!!!" With that the women pull off the cloak cover Torgus and he lets out a powerful roar that is echoed by an array of sparks bursting in the air.
He looks down at the half-orc with the chain in front of him and laughs while shouting, "ISN'T THAT NICE THEY PROVIDED ME A BUCKLER, BWAHAHAHAH!!"
Gorak shifts into the shape of a great ape and grins across at his competition.
Frakdar:
Gorak:
Javi:
Torgus:
Combined Opponents:
For the most part, your opponents pay you no mind as they prepare... that is to say that their eyes are upon you, but there is no sense of fear or trepidation about them. They stand easily on the flat of their feet, doing only minor stretching. The only one that remains shrouded is the central squat and robed one. From one side of the arena comes a young woman with a hint of water ancestry about her. She walks between the lines of battle, not turning to regard either set of combatants - merely crossing to where the gong stands. As she reaches it, you note that she begins a formalised act of supplication and ceremony. Drawing the striker from where it hangs, she is chanting in low tones that do not sound like any language you know.
It is at this time that your opponents burst into activity...
The half-orc opposite Frakdar performs a short kata only a few moves in length, ending with a kiai as he closes his eyes and adopts an aggressive position. Frakdar notes the clenched jaw and tautness of his muscles - he will not be timid, and will seek to dominate early and immediately.
The one who wears chain chuckles at Torgar's words, before facing him down....
Intimidate:
...though Torgus senses that cracks are within his bravado.
Cassadar's opponent half-crouches and stays low, tapping the stone bars of his cestus against each other.
The human with the staff whispers a few words and a sheath of intangible force surrounds himself and his chosen weapon. He notes Javi's seeming focus upon his companion... and pays it no mind, focusing inwards.
But the actions of the stout one that stands opposing Gorak draws the most attention. As the woman begins her ritual, he casts off his cloak - revealing the gray and hairless skin of a deep dwarf... a duergar. He crouches to place his hands on the stone, and his form swells as he does. When he straightens he stands taller than Torgus by far, and bearing much more mass. His black eyes do not seem to fear the sun as much as you might expect, and he has not paid Frakdar any mind despite the historical emnity between their races.
At this time the woman completes her ritual and strikes the gong softly, though the sound reverberates and fills the courtyard with an ominous toll. A field of fluid yet transparent energy surrounds the square in which you fight.
Action Tracker (Round 1): Frakdar, Opponents, Cassadar, Javi, Torgus, Gorak
Round 1
Close ranks all, don't let em flank us, concentrate attacks to take em down one at a time.
I 5-foot move to C10 and ready and action to make an attack.
Attack-Readied Action:
Damage:
Also, I am using Snake Style, so if someone attacks me, here is the Sense Motive to replace AC.
Current AC: 18+3(Mage Armor Potion)=21 <-- only +3 due to Bracers/Mage Armor duplicating
Sense Motive:
--> AC=21 for this round. If there are 2 attacks on me, I will make a second Sense Motive roll.
In the future, do you want me to preemptively make the Sense Motive checks, or just make rolls when the enemy gets attacks that beat my AC. If the latter, I will make the checks whenever I see an attack hitting and will resolve the Sense Motive check at that time. --> this is from the Snake Style feat.
The half-orc opposing Frakdar sees that he has taken a defensive stance, and measures his approach to keep some distance. His aggression obviously tempered by some sense, instead readying his own attack.
The duergar eyes Gorak and smiles briefly before charging forward with murderous pace. He stops when he gets in range, delivering a rising kick to Gorak-kong's chest...
Kick: for
...though he mis times and Gorak finds it easy to weave out of the way.
Torgus' half-orc foe charges at him also, though measures his strike to rake across the brawling bear's cheek...
Fist (non-lethal): for
Enforcer:
...drawing some blood and licking it off his hand in an attempt to unsettle Torgus.
Cassadar's opponent charges and...
The staff wielder draws nearer to Javi, though still stands back slightly. Arcane words play across his lips as he draws the force of a spell unto him and his form shimmers slightly. His position suggests that he is concerned more with protecting the flank than engaging.
Action Tracker (Round 1): Frakdar, Opponents, Cassadar, Javi, Torgus, Gorak
Bear - shift up and to your right, we can flank and tank your orc.
Outraged that this creature struck him first the Bear ignores the dwarf's offering of tatics, "Aww its nice an orken buckler finally has some fight in them!" He strikes a big meaty paw into the half orcs stomach.
Torgus' jab strikes metal under cloth and keeps going, taking a fair measure of the wind out of the half-orc's sails.
Action Tracker (Round 1): Frakdar, Opponents, Cassadar, Javi, Torgus, Gorak
Damage Tracker:
Half-Orc in Chain - 13
Javi swings around the outside of the mage, circling in to hem him into the fight. As he closes, his right foot lashes out at the man's ankles.
Javi dashes around the flank of the staff wielder and draws near to bring him down. As his foot contacts the man, there is a thundering crack and Javi is jolted with a powerful burst of electricity...
Electricity:
...though he a sufficiently quick reaction to sever the connection by withdrawing his foot. Still, enough contact was made to send the man sprawling to the ground.
Action Tracker (Round 1): Frakdar, Opponents, Cassadar, Javi, Torgus, Gorak
AOO for Cassadar's opponet if necessary.
Now on my turn:;
Gorak moves up and strikes the same opponet again.