A quiet tavern on the edge of Restlov, rumors are abounding about Lords going into the River Kingdom and settling it. There is uneasiness, but also the promise of good pay for those who help settle it.
A man walks in, nose in a book as he does so, somehow deftly avoiding the objects and people in his path. He walks up to the bar and sits down.
The tavern was smokey and smelled of stale ale and cheap tobacco. There were six tables and a long bar that had eight stools. Three of the tables were occupied. One by a group of gamblers playing a card game. Another, by a group of thugs laughing and drinking up a storm. A girl tied up in manacles and chains at the foot of the leader. She was no more than 14 years of age. They were celebrating something and by the sounds of the loudest boasts, finding a great treasure. The last table by a resident drunk looking like he was just starting his nightly ritual.
The barkeeper looked at the strange man reading a book. "What's your poison?" He asked walking over.
Removing his nose from the book for the first time he looks around. Frowning at what he saw he turns back to the barkeep, "A pitcher of wine and perhaps some cheese." Seeing the woman in manacles the man feels his anger rise, feeling her situation is akin to his own, he nearly spits the words of power out without thinking. Hold it, you can't afford to take on a group such as that on your own, and the last thing you need is a repeat that will lead them to you.
A man walks in with his cloak pulled tightly around him, the dust from the road still clinging to him. His cloak appears to have an emblem on the back but upon closer scrutiny it reveals itself to be a shield.
He pauses as his eyes adjust to the inside eyes narrowing at the sight of the young girl before walking over to the bar.
As he closes on the bar he releases his cloak to lean a battle-axe against it revealing him to be heavily armed and armored, though all the arms are axes.
Removing his gauntlets he glances at the table where the girl is held with a sneer before "Ale."
The barkeep looked at the book reading man and nodded. Moving to the kitchen entrance he would walk in and comes out carrying a pitcher and a plate with cheese placing them in front of him. Picking up a mug he would clean it out with his rag and puts it in front of him, moving to serve the newcomer.
"Three silver."
Before he could ask the order was made and he cleaned another mug and filled it from a barrel sitting behind the bar and put it down in front of the ax wielding man.
"Four copper."
A good glance at the the thugs showed there were four of them, lightly armed and armored. With a shout from the leader. "Girl, where is our ALE!?" they called out. Soon a nervous barmaid that came out of the kitchen and would quickly serve them another pitcher.
Sliding 2 silver across to the barkeep "what is the story on the loud ones with the girl? he growled.
Casually placing the three coins on the bar, the bookish man observes the newcomers reaction to the bound girl and smiles to himself. Well this one seems a decent sort, might be that I will have some support should this turn ugly. Moving over slightly so that he's seated next to the armored man and nods at the group. In a low voice so as not to be overheard by more than the barkeep, "I see you are as distasteful of their treatment of others as I am."
Among the sounds of heavy boots and soft padded shoes, there is heard the sound of clicking and clacking against the hard wood floor. A tengu walks in, with his pack slung over his shoulder and a double-bladed sword carried in the other hand. He seems dressed and equipped like one lowly peasant bandit but he carries himself with dignity - even if it were feigned. He moves up to the bar and sits on a stool, leaning his things up against the bar next to him. He preens his feathers a bit with his talon like hands as he waits for the bartender. He requests with a voice that is smooth despite his appearence,"Good day, could I get a glass of wine and some milk please?" He wore a patchwork cloak and simple clothing under his simple leather armor. He wore a bright blue scarf around his head and neck.
Nodding slightly "Slavery offends me" he replied in a clipped tone "if she was guilty of something why not turn her over to the law keepers, to display her like a trophy only allows for one option... slavery."
With a sigh he took a long pull from his ale as he looked around the tavern sizing up the people, before turning back to the bar.
The bartender was about to say something when the tengu walked in. The surprise on his face was clear and a grin showed on his face and he nodded.
"One minute." he would disappear in the back and the barmaid would come over muttering under her breath barely avoiding being swatted on the rump by the drinking men. The bartender would come back out with a mug of wine and a mug of milk setting it down in front of the tengu.
He saluted the tengu and then looked at the fighter and lowered his voice.
"Raiders, from the River Kingdoms. They said they found some great pearl or gemstone of power. They have wealth to spend so I don't turn away their business even though I don't like them. Business is business after all. That girl is part of their recent raids. Their leader. Brutus," Motions to the biggest guy with the girl at his feet. "Smart and vicious, like a rabid badger. Though, he loves his liquor. The other three are croonies that follow him. Leto, the one on the left likes daggers. Rodger, the on with his back to us likes his club and has a vicious anger. He is the one I would be most scared of."
At the comment of slavery. "I don't know about that but he would probably want to keep her. Rumor is he likes 'em young."
He gives the bartender a nod and would grin if his facial features would allot it. Alas that is not so. Turning slightly to the other he watches them and listens in on their conversation as he pours himself a small mug of milk and an even smaller mug of wine. He palms a silver and lets it fall onto the bar to pay for the drinks.
Smiling, the man closes his books and secure it in his robes, and then whispers a strange phrase to the barkeep
The barkeep cocks his head at him not recognizing what he was doing but knew he was trying to do something to him. "I don't want trouble out of the local constabulary. But bar fights do happen. If I am compensated more than enough to cover damages I care not for the fights that happen as long as I don't have to deal with dead bodies myself." It was clear that he didn't trust the book reader now but he could see potential for money.
The tengu almost chuckles to himself and he asks the barkeep,"Im sorry, where would I find the lavatory?"
Then he asks in Tengu
"Water closet is that way." He said pointing to the side of the bar where a hall headed in and turned a corner. Grinning at him as he spoke in Tengu.
Brutus as he was called plopped a bag onto the table and opened it up a faint glow coming from inside. Lifting it up the three cronies stared at it in fascination.
"Look at her boy's, the key to immortality. The Fox's Pearl."
The small pearl in his hand, its glow pulsing like a heartbeat, didn't seem like much but was clearly magical in nature. The young girl cringed like she had been struck when he touched the pearl and whimpered cowering in fear. This earned her a snarl from the leader before he stuck it back in the pouch and strapped it to his belt.
"MORE ALE!" He called out and soon they were served another pitcher by the bartender himself. A few minutes later the third unnamed crony got up and headed to the back hallway.
He says to the barkeep,"Thank you... Im sorry, I must excuse myself for I have the need to visit the ah... water shed"
He makes his way to the bathroom and eyes up the crony looking for his money pouch, his weapons, and his drunkedness.
Muttering to himself, the bookworm concentrates on the gem.
Pulling a scroll out of his robes he clutches it tightly as he considers his options.
He will follow the crony down the hall and check him over again. He was hoping to make something off of this trip!
He waits until the fellow is in the bathroom. When the guy is puking into a stall or something he will approach him asking him,"My you look rather green... are you quite alright, ol chap?" while the guy is distracted he will attempt to swipe the guy's coins pouch.
The pouch easily was taken and the man didn't even realize it was gone as he weaved trying to push Blue Jay away.
Pushing him back away from him he slurred his speech going back to trying to pee and stay standing
"'Et out of 'ere cukoo."
he is pushed back and he pockets the pouch quickly saying,"Well! I was only offering a helping hand but if you insist!" He heads out of the bathroom holding back a chuckle. He heads out to the bar and looks over to the barkeep and the others saying,"I am afraid one of them may be retiring from the festivities for a short time..."
Finishing his Ale he stared intently into his mug before seeming to reach a decision within, looking at the barkeep and asking for one more... once it was full again he glanced up with a smirk "Sometimes I just cant help myself." before standing up mug in hand turning towards the table. Striding forward he arrived behind the closest of the four, drawing back like he was going to take a swig he launched a blow towards the back of his head.
The mug smashed into the back of the sitting gentleman's head and he grunted. Few precious seconds passed as the realization slowly sunk into the addled brains of the three still at the table.
Initiative EVERYONE!
He sighs and stands up drinking the rest of the milk and grabbing his weapon of choice, though he hangs back more interested in seeing what is to happen next.
Spitting out more of the harsh language the raises his hand,
He shakes the scroll in his hand slightly and the paper quickly becomes as rigid as if it were made of steel.
Initiative Order
Martlin
Rodger(bandit)
Arvalis
Blue Jay
Leto(bandit)
Brutus(bandit)
The glowing blue dog's teeth hit metal and slide off ripping the pant's of the leader.
The one that got hit with the full mug and was now covered in ale stood up with a growl and his muscles bulged as he turned to confront Arvalis. Reaching out he tried to grapple him.
But he nearly fell over trying to get at him.
Stepping back quickly evading the grapple hands coming up to defend himself a smile split his beard as he threw another punch."You don't keep people in chains!"
attack of opportunity per GM
He gasps,"Wait! I know them! Thats Jerrick the Mad and Zeal the Accursed! They are ones who butchered the whole bandit clans up and down the coast! They say the Mad chops them up and the Accursed eats them! Blast! Run!"
Edit: And since I can only affect 1 target, I am targeting the guy that isnt engaged at the moment
Leto's eyes go wide as he looked at the man standing toe to toe with Rodger, untouched and the mage hearing Blue Jay's words and started to shake. This didn't help his already shakey hands as he stands drawing a dagger and attempts to throw it at "Jerrik the Mad". (Arvalis)
The dagger just flew passed him not even catching cloth as he gulped looking genuinely scared.
Brutus the leader stood with a growl drawing his longsword and ignoring the dog moved to deal with the one who called it.
The blue dog tried to take a bite out of him as he left.
Its teeth find its mark sinking in deep causing him to yell and not pay attention.
The young girl was still mostly underfoot and he stepped on her and fell with a curse. If the dog hadn't had distracted him he may have made it to the wizard.
Voicing his displeasure with the ruffian the wizard raises his scroll and shouts at the fool that tried to grab the warrior, "
On the ground scum!" The canine takes advantage of the fallen foe attacking once again.
The dog missed its mark though it was close the armor once again saving him.
Rodger's eyes glazed and he dropped down on to the ground without hesitation. He still growled and would reach out trying to grab Arvalis.
But didn't manage to grab a hold of him.
Chuckling he reached in and pulled out a hand axe, swinging down on the prone man.
He shrieks to the guy on the ground (Rodger),"Oh no! Its happening! He is going to chop you up and then the mage is going to eat you! Why didnt you heed my warning!? Gah huh huh!"
He moves closer to Leto screaming, "Run! Gah! Run for your life before you are next!
Rodger shudders and would look shaken himself despite being pissed off.
Leto would draw another blade shaking slightly and would step back and would throw a dagger towards Jerrik the Mad again.
Arvalis's armor protected from the hit deflecting the blade.
Brutus stood up provoking from the wolf.
But its attack fell short. Brutus stood and struck at the wolf.
He staggered the dog but didn't take it down.
As his candescent canid companion ceases cohesion, the caster calls,
He shakes the scroll and it unfurls, still stiff as a board and he holds it infront of himself as if to shield from blows.
Rodger feeling the compulsion to stay down leaves him and he starts to get up.
Arvalis gets and AoO
Rodger growls and would try to yank the offending ax out of his hands.
Yanking it free he grinned at him raising it up as if to use it on him.
quickly reaching back to his belt he pulled forth another hand axe with a smile as he swung at Rodger.
Hold on one second young miss and we'll get you out of there!
Rodger shudders and looks "invincible" though close to falling over.
He cries out to Leto,"Gah! Look at his mad smile! He is insane! Run for your lives!"
Leto hesitates for a moment before he takes off running around the far side of the table and heading out of the tavern.
Brutus looks at the others and noticing his other crony didn't come back from the bathroom balks.
He reaches down grabbing the girl's chain's and tries to drag her out intent on heading out with Leto.
The girl dug her feet into the floor not budging and it was clear she wasn't going anywhere. Cursing he seemed to come to a decision and would head out.
The girl shouted in horror yelling at the man to stop and stood up from her cowering position, running to him trying to yank the pouch at his side off.
He snarled taking a swing at her.
And connected a solid hit and she reeled. Blood spurting out of a wound but my some miracle stayed standing clutching the bag.
Outraged that he would strike her Martiln strikes him with fire once again "Quasi Ignis, Et Combures!"
Brutus yowled in pain as fire licked at his skin but stayed standing
Rodger reared back and swung at Arvalis
His stolen ax hit true and he moved to follow Brutus.