Socrates manages to dashes past the distracted men as he starts up the cliff edge towards the tavern. The entrance to the Go's Revel In n is packed with drunken patrons. You can either dodge the dr4unks with acrobatics, or scale the rails with a limb.
Setare pushes her way though, catching up to some of the others.
Socrates is the first to arrive, and he knocks open the door to the inn.
The God’s Revel Inn is a two-story building made of old but sturdy wood and the occasional bit of tarnished brass. The interior is brightly lit with oil lamps and smells strongly of unwashed bodies and smoky fires.
Benches are scattered around mismatched tables and crates. In the center of the main room’s floor is a recessed circle of hardpacked earth, ringed by a series of heavy posts connected by fraying rope. A second-floor balcony overlooks the ring and part of the main floor. A wide stairway leads up to a small landing near the earthen ring, then continues up to the second floor.
Standing in that pit is a rather large man and a team of fighters. He points at Socrates and smiles.
I'm the last challenge in Captain Lanteri’s race, and anyone who wants to go upstairs has to go through me!
He points to the entrance of the pit.
Lilywhite rules! Nothing lethal, anyone can surrender and leave, and one drink before you step into the ring!
With that, he and his men step in and slam their fists together.
We'll take you, and anyone else who thinks they wanna try it, on!
The single racer behind Socrates blanches and shakes his head.
Forget this!
PATHFINDERS FIGHT! THE BOLD MAY ACT!
Socrates
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Goon
Goon 2
Heavy Hurden
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Socraties will walk over to the bar while making the above statement (Copied for reference) and respect the drinking rule to take 1 drink, before doing anything else. (I believe that would make 1 round of actions)
Aaaah, I should have known that there would be a final step like this, you see I am not much of one for fighting on my own, I tend to be better at helping others. That being said I will just moozy on by here and have a chat with good ol' Captain Lanteri, if I may.
Diplomacy of 25 was rolled.
Added comment After I take the requisite drink of course.
The three men look at each other for a moment, seemingly unwilling to break the decorum of the rules as they watch Socrates slooooowly take his drink...
Just in time for Setare to bust through the door into the room. She can see the sign posted with the Lilywhite rules, 3 burly men staring daggers at old man Socrates as he slowly drinks his drink, and gets the distinct feeling as soon as he finishes drinking they plan on pummeling him if he enters the pit or not!
PATHFINDERS FIGHT! THE BOLD MAY ACT!
Socrates
Setare
-----------------
Goon
Goon 2
Heavy Hurden
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Lass it would appear our final test would be to defeat these thugs, got to drink first, then nothing lethal. I though, have no intention of getting into fisticuffs, good luck, and make it loud will you?
With that he disappears (Cast Vanish, lasts 2 rounds);
roll + mod + inspiration + invisibility while moving - moving more than half speed for stealth penalty.
Socraties will move at less than full speed, but more than half in an attempt to get upstairs before the vanish wears off (meaning this round of move plus two move actions next round if needed).
GM_Starson, please move him as is appropriate for how you see the map working. Thank you.
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Hearing Socraties what this is about and hearing his order to take out these guys as a final test is quite hard for Setare to grasp ... but this is a test and she knows how to deal damage that heals quickly!
* * *
Like a dancing whirlwind Setare moves forward to the first guy with the knife and simultaneously she draws her scimitar.
Setare attacks with her Scimitar and only does non-lethal damage.
Socrates disappears from view, and Setare, wobbles into the ring...
She slams the required drink down, once again proving her incredible constitution
Setare smacks the first man sloppily with a stinging strike of her blade.
He immediately attacks back...
Setare turns the strike back on him however, smacking him hard again!
The other two step up to her, intent on beating her to the floor!
Neither can land a blow!
As Socrates finishes climbing up the stairs, he looks around and sees a half-orc woman in sailor's garb, looking a smidge out of place with the rest of the bar and others giving her a wider berth, sitting at a nearby table watching the bout. Interestingly, she sits sketching a flame-winged snake on a piece of parchment as she watches... it's not half bad. As Setare lands a blow she shouts out...
Come on Landlubbers! Ya gotta put up a better fight than that, or the lass will twist ya knicks over ya head!! HAHAHAHA!
[ooc]Jack, I need your rolls, you may technically arrive before this turn is over if you beat your checks.
Racer stats-
Socrates At the Inn
Jack Escalara After 5 rounds still needs to make a Trip/Bluff, then an Acrobatics/Climb.
Wenton
Will arrive in 3 rounds
Setare’ Katsu
At the Inn
Coatl
After 7 rounds needs to make a Trip/Bluff, then an Acrobatics/Climb.
Ortun
After 8 rounds needs to make a ?Sense Motive/Bull Rush? (Did the 11 make it?), then a Trip/Bluff, then an Acrobatics/Climb.
PATHFINDERS FIGHT! THE BOLD MAY ACT!
Socrates
Setare
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Goon - NL
Goon 2
Heavy Hurden
I made my checks - probably while you were writing that post. Let me know the results.
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Socraties walks up to the table and sits across the table from the half-orc, dismissing the vanish once he is fully and properly seated.
Oh, yes, Setare is going to "twist their knicks over their head", and if she starts to struggle, I have 4 more just as capable who should be here momentarily. My name is Socraties, with the little skirmish you set up a forgone conclusion, I would like to discuss the distribution of Redclaw's treasure. How many other deckhands do you have? How nice is this Magpie Princess of yours? I would think with the skills I bring and muscle of the rest of my team, we would be worth at least 50%. *[Insert remark about the drawing relevant to what I know]*. Oh and what exactly is this secret you have uncovered?
As if to punctuate Socrates point, Setare slams the hit of her scimitar in a blow so hard some of his few remaining teeth go flying!
Socrates doesn't really know of any religion that uses such a symbol, and other than the fact that she's dressed as a sailor can't really tell much about her. He can tell that she wears the garb well, and is probably been a sailor much of her life, just from the rope callouses on her hands and such.
She looks at Socrates as he appears and spits to the side.
Talkitive landrat ain't ya. Guess you and your ilk are here first... you can wait on the captain to have your questions answered.
The men once again try to pummel Setare! One steps behind her, flanking with his partner.
They continue to be unable to land a solid blow... when Jack slams through the door, knocking people out of his way! He sees the posting for the lilywhite rules, and Setare surrounded by enemies!
PATHFINDERS FIGHT! THE BOLD MAY ACT!
Socrates
Setare
Jack
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Goon -35 NL
Goon 2
Heavy Hurden
Jack glances at the scene in the tavern. He stalks forward, slamming a shot as he goes, before drawing his sap. He mutters a prayer to Besmara as he goes, before hopping into the pit and setting up opposite Seltare.
It ain't very gentlemanly to be ganging up on a woman. Much less one on my crew. C'mon Seltare, lets teach them some manners.
Coatl bursts through the door with Patmiqui slithering in right behind him. "RaaaaI'm here for place on treasure ship! Lemme in!" he says, half laughing and totally serious.
"Uh oh, bar fight. Uh... with rules. Hey Patmiqui, no squeezing. You got me?" Coatl looks sternly at his oversized boa. "Jungle man cannonball!" Coatl shouts in a shrill pitch as he reaches for a drink and downs it before launching himself headlong into the fray.
Finding that he cannot move himself through the street toughs, Ortun once again tries to push himself through. So he keeps pushing and pushing.
Before Setare can land another blow, the man drops to his knees and holds up his hands.
UNCLE!
With that proclamation, she swiftly changes targets and strikes the other, hard.
The bigger man growls.
COME ON! It's just a girl! And she can barely stand straight! Fight you cowards!
As if bolstered by the bosses yelling, both men strike Setare with painful blows. As jack strides into the ring behind the big man, he turns and sneers at Jack.
Got a scoundrel who thinks he's a gentleman boys! Let's see how this poof looks when I pound his face in!
PATHFINDERS FIGHT! THE BOLD MAY ACT!
Socrates
Setare
Jack
-----------------
Goon -35 NL
Goon 2 -10
Heavy Hurden
If you are, you're the strangest looking uncle I've ever seen...
Never said I was a gentleman. But you should treat my crew with some respect. Which I'll be teaching ya' now.
Jack whaps the thug in front of him with his sap.
Setare smacks the man again as the downed foe crawls away, landing a hard smack across his side. Jack dispenses with the nicities and slams heavy hurden in the gut, HARD. Unfortunatly, Hurden seems to be made of sterner stuff than his allies, and barely seems phased.
The man lays a blow on setare, hitting her side hard!
Hurden clips Jack's shoulder with a meaty SMACK!
PATHFINDERS FIGHT! THE BOLD MAY ACT!
Socrates
Setare -15
Jack -4
-----------------
Goon 2 -22
Heavy Hurden 17
Inquisitor thing - solo tactics.
Jack continues pummeling Heavy Hurden, looking almost bored.
Setare, seems my help wasn't needed- these fellas are made of pretty weak stuff.
Hurden get's slammed hard as Jack works him over. Setare slaps her target around a bit, knocking him to the ground.
I YIELD!
COWARD! Hurden yells at him as he tries to hit jack.
But Jack catches the man in his attack and with a blow that rattles the rafters, lays the man out flat on the ground, unconscious.
VICTORY! PATHFINDERS WIN!
Coatl and his snake arrive just as Jack lays out his opponent. After about 30 seconds, Wenton and Ortun filter in, exhausted and annoyed by their delays.
Upstairs, The woman whistles as jack lays out the big man.
Impressive. Captain will like you lot.
Soon enough, Captain Lanteri saunters in and looks around at the big man lying on the ground.
What the 9 hells happened here? Who's this guy?
With that, the half-orc woman leans over the rail and shouts down.
Bugger claimed he was your "Last test" Captain! Got his ass handed to him though!
The captain glares at the men who are lying down and pulls her pistol pointing at them.
Your no crew of mine... and you can either pay your betters for their trouble and for your use of my name, or you can find out just how badly I take my name being stolen.
The two men turn pale and turn out their pockets, passing over some gold and potions .
As their items are collected, the Captain turns to the team.
Alright ya landlubbers. I'm Captain Lanteri, and your the winners of my race! You'll each get a officer's share of the loot for signin', and the drinks tonight are on me.
She walks upstairs, leading everyone up to the table the woman was sitting at.
Yamtisy, get us some booze.
The half-orc woman, Yamtsiy apparently, rolls her eyes and goes downstairs to fetch drinks. Meanwhile, the Captain lounges in her seat and kicks her boots up onto the table.
Well then... I assume ye have questions. Go ahead, ask 'em, and I'll tell ya what I can.
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Sauntering over to the Captain and reaching for a handshake Socraties begins to introduce himself and ask his questions.
Captain Lanteri, well met. Your pride in your name is admirable and gives me reprieve that you would not risk it by dishonoring the deal you have proposed. I am Socraties, the naïve fiery one is Setare. Jack is the gruff half-orc, the one in the gutter is Wenton, Coatl is our resident jungle boy with his snake and our whiley undine is Ortun . Your proposition has most definitely intrigued us. What can you tell us about the voyage we are about to embark on with you? We understand the prize is Redclaw's treasure, but where will we find it, what perils can we expect to encounter, and what is this secret you have discovered to garnering the treasure?
Also is there anything Socraties may already know about this treasure?
The captain laughs and shakes Socrates' hand.
Straight and to the point! I like you old timer!
She folds her hands and smiles.
There’s plenty to be done before anyone sets sail for the treasure. I have the secret to finding it, but not its exact location yet. And even if I knew exactly where it was, I’m not fool enough to blather about that at a dockside inn! I need extra muscle for the journey, and I want that to be you. I’m prepared to offer a 1/16th share of all the loot we find, to split among yourselves however you wish. Even without a fabled pile of loot at the end of our journey, that’s a worthwhile offer.
The Bosun returns with drinks, and the captain drinks at hers.
As for perils... well, there are two to consider. The first is that it is a voyage, and the sea is a harsh mistress. Anyone who's spent time on the water knows the danger in that. The second, and more identifiable, is that you don’t make captain of any ship without making a few enemies. My husband he told some friends about Captain Redclaw’s treasure before he met me. Now that he’s passed, his so-called friends, or whatever scum they’ve told about it, may well come to take what’s rightfully mine! Not to mention that even though the Magpie Princess was already half mine, a few argued I shouldn’t take it upon my husband’s death. Some argued... strenuously. We’ve dealt with most of them, but there’s a featherbrain or two who still mean me harm.
Coatl does three laps around the room, inspecting corners and nooks, looking into shadows and feeling the grain of the wood of the beams and floor. After completing the third lap, this one entirely on his hands and knees, he pops up and takes one of the offered seats.
"Druid Elder in jungle say Coatl can explore world, try to find Luna. That mean I'm not a jungle boy." Coatl gives Socraties a stern look that lasts for a few seconds longer than would otherwise be comfortable.
"But you can call me Jungle boy. Good honor. Mwangi is a special place. I appreciate you make that a part of my name. Maybe someday I return. I guess Jungle will always be in my heart."
"This is Patzmiqui! Good friend. Better hugger. Ask him give you a hug. He has smooth scales. His hugs so good they take your breath away." Coatl raises his eyebrows awkwardly several times, a big toothy grin plastered on his face.
"Thanks for picking us. Promise you won't regret it. If we gonna get officer share, that mean we actually officers? If so, what job you gonna have Coatl and Patzmiqui do?"
The Captain grins at Coatl.
Officer's shares, not actual officers... you'd find yourself swimming off the eye's tide if you tried to boss around my crew without having earned it first. But they're sailors, not fighters, and I need people who can keep my crew safe, and aren't afraid to fight dirty if they have to to do it.
She leans forward and looks to Coatl.
That treasure is mine by right. The deal struck had it fall to my husband, now it falls to me. And I'm happy to share the loot to make sure I get it in the first place... and there are gonna be people who try to stop me. So don't let them. Simple as that.
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Setare steps forward.
”Great mee... meeting you cap... Captain. I ... I am not good at ma... math and a little dr... drunk but ... one six you know sha... share seems very little. And... we are ... are so ... you know ... so good. Can we be.. you know ... get more!?“ Setare asks in her very drunk state of mind.
The captain raises a eyebrow.
1/16. And that's already far more than most of my crew will get, including lads who've sailed with me for years. But it's worth it if it gets me strong adventurers to get the gold in the first place. Don't get greedy on me girl, if we get the treasure it'll set you up for a lifetime of luxury... even if we don't, the spoils we'll take trying to get it will pay very well.
You sure went down easy... I was looking forward to a proper brawl. Maybe next time...
Jack spits on the unconcious man, then gives him a gentle kick as he leaves the ring.
The sea is only a harsh mistress if you don't show her the respect she deserves. That, and have a competent navigator. I'm an old salt, no worries there. You expecting trouble from this 'featherbrain' imminently, or is this more of a potential at some later date type of threat?
She shrugs.
Ya never know for sure. It could be tomorrow. It could be years from now. But I'm not about to risk it either way.
She pulls out a contract and sets it on the table for everyone to read. It's fairly straight forward. It states that the team are being hired as “boarders and repellers” on the Magpie Princess for the duration of the recovery of Captain Redclaw’s treasure. They will receive quarters, grub, and grog in compensation, along with a 1/16th share of all
booty.
Sign here, and your part of my crew until this is all said and done. We'll sail the sea and find redclaw's treasure, and fame and fortune will be yours. Whata say?
Coatl looks at the contract for a moment of quiet contemplation. He pulls a leatherbound journal from his pack and opens it up, thumbing through a few of the pages, reading some and skimming some others. After a few moments of that, he pulls his wayfinder from underneath his tunic, turning it over in his hand.
Maybe this how Coatl get enough money to sail to Azlanti settlement, if he can't go with trading company. Yea, totally in.
Snapping the journal shut and leaving the wayfinder to dangle, Coatl unceremouniously walks up to the desk and grabs a pen.
Then without warning, he jabs himself in the thumb, drawing blood. The odd druid plants his thumb on the parchment, smearing the blood where he was probably supposed to sign his name, then hands the bloody pen back to the captain.
"You got it captain. Patzmiqui even help eat the rats on the ship. They good for snacks." The druid's grin is wide.
"So now that everyone know you going for Redclaw's treasure, you think they attack us before or after we find it to steal it?"
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Setare just nods.
"I ... I usually have really bad cha... character judgement and tru... trust you to ma... make the decision. We ... we just have to al... always pro... protect the innocents! I ... I will protect my ... my allies with my life. They are my li... light and my strength, as I ... I am their light and ... and their strength. We ri... rise together ... Setare says before collapsing on the floor and taking a moment to rest.