Calvus takes the punch and curses loudly.
Knowing he'll probably take the piss, Laurel sizes up his foe, and attempts to dispatch him non-lethally!
◆) Hunt Prey
◆) Grapple
◆) Bite his leg! Blunt
◇) Precision Edge
"What the bloody hell! Ow" the man cries out as Laurel latches on to him, but he doesn't seem too phased.
Esha flails, her fists suddenly aflame but manages to miss the large man, possibly obstructed by Laurel. Hallod smells his clothing start to singe from the near-miss though and glares.
Hallod rears back, and head nuts Laurel right between the eyes. This is enough to make Laurel release their grip. He then throws another punch at Calvus, knocking him clean out this time, as Calvus falls to the floor, HAllod uses the clear path to move towards the door, where he turns. "Follow me, and I'll use this, not me fists!" he shouts angrily as he pats the large knife at his side.
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Hallod's actions further enrage Esha, who is practically frothing at the mouth, now.
She charges up to him and punches at his groin area, given that she cannot reach his face. She is so completely out of her mind with anger, that Hallod is - once again - able to easily avoid her swings. Esha's face burns with anger and shame at her completely ineffective efforts to help her friend. It's happening all over again!
"Esha! Halp!"
Laurel kneels down to lift the head of Uncle Calvus and starts tearing up. How could Hallod be so mean! Ineffectually, the boy yells at him to wake up, sniffling and sobs drowning out his broken Taldane speech, crumpled onto the floor...
Hallod ignores Esha's again ineffectual attacks, opens the doror, and leaves.
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Esha glances over her shoulder as Laurel calls out for help.
It's happening again. This giant-of-a-man comes in and kills my friend for no reason! And I can't do anything - but NOT THIS TIME!
She draws her battleaxe and chases after Hallod, swinging at his ankles. He looks down at Esha, laughing, as he steps over her sweeping axe. Esha collapses on the ground in a heap and sobs with frustration, shame and fear for Calvus' safety.
Laurel was raised in the "church" of Desna - indeed, prior to coming to Etran's Folly, in happier times, his family would have Dream Share Circles on sundays, and before every meal, would thank the Stars. With zero patience for anything that doesn't move, of course, Laurel was the kind to space out, not listen, or keep his eyes open during prayer. Not even narrowly escaping into the forest with his mother changed that. Until now.
Thinking "Uncle Calvus" dead, for the first time in his young life, amidst snot-nosed sobs, Laurel lays over the body of his friend, companion, mentor, and clutching his hands together, with a heavy sniff, and a heavier heart, closes his eyes and prays to Desna and the Cosmos for a miracle...
Hallod, the bully that he is, laughs at the short girl swinging her axe. "You might wanna try that on a tree. You might stand a chance of hitting it." as he continues to move away through the village, he dodges between two houses, and out of sight.
A black-cloaked kobold, with a smoldering cigar drearily trudges down the stairs from the Inn's proper rooms into the common area. The green-skinned kobold appears to have smudges of dark ink on his hands and... you note the impression of a few arcane runes on his face as well. It appears he fell asleep while working.
Trin... Yaawn What is all this noise about down here. I'm upstairs working on my research and it sounds like there's a pit-fight going on down here! I don't see a bookie though.
He blinks sleepily a few times and takes in the scene, slowly rotating his head as he scans. Then, as if all of it adds up to nothing, he turns to the bar to re-light his cigar from a candle on its surface. He takes several strong puffs that release aromatic smoke as he gets it going, his eyes turning back towards the "aftermath."
He coughs lightly and asks the barkeep Trin, why is she crying? Bet on the wrong fighter?
As the Kobald speaks Calvus comes around, much to Laurel's surprise.
"They upset Hallod, and he knocked out the big guy." says Trin, ad though this isn't that unusual an event.
Calvus wakes up coughing:
"What is that smell?" he groans.
Desna seems to have answered his prayers - I prayed him back to life!
Blowing his nose, Laurel pops up. "We din't - I'm on 'is trail!" then spins "Who You?" giving the kobold a quizzical look.
Calvus sighs.
"It's disappointing I know," he says standing up. "He won't get too far hpoefully. We need to tell Bort's kin about Hallod. Sorry, is someone smoking?!?,"
He nods at the barkeep in thanks, and then suddenly lights up remembering an all-important follow-up question.
Oh! Uh... who's Hallod, so I know to avoid him or her?
The kobold's ears perk up at a question and a mention from a nearby booth. The short humanoid hops off of the barstool that is nearly his full height, but he seems to land on his feet like a cat!
Hey there. Yes, you're welcome, I am giving off this pleasant smoky aroma with subtle fruity accents. You want one?
He offers from his cigar box to Calvus, while with his other hand finds an empty mug on the table to flick ashes into.
Oh, apologies, my manners! The gravely voice exclaims. I'm Elo!
Returning to his curiosity at hand, he asks So, do these fights follow you many places? Because... not to be a bother but I've been peacefully holed up in this place for a couple of weeks now researching and studying. I understand folks at a bar like raucous festivities or a throw-down from time-to-time, but that sounded particularly rough.
Laurel raises a curious eyebrow at the cigar.
He tries his name slowly "Eeee-Loow"
Then "Didja know Bort, Eee-Low?" speeding up his name now, finding his tongue.
"Er ya hear whut happen'd? We'in of the mine'set ol' Bort was wacked by thet feller "H" ay-kay-ay Hallod. An' boy did'ee shore give a whollupin' and done split now!" the run-on continues "An' we're gunna ketchim don' nuthin' slip by ma keen eyes!" he points to both of his eyes to illustrate "Besides Esha here real somthin' fierce and uncle Calvus 'ere he wiser'n they come - an me? Wull I'm strong ez they come! Almoss took'em myself fer he up'n runt away!" Laurel flexes his skinny biceps here in an attempt to demonstrate his prowess.
"SO: Whutcha sez?"
Elo smiles as Laurel pronounces his name. Bort? No, I didn't know him.
He proceeds to listen to the account. Wow, no, I hadn't heard about any of this!
He turns back to the bar again. Uh, now who's Hallod again? I really need to make a point to avoid this person...
Scanning the group in the booth, he squints his eyes and scratches his chin as if assessing them somehow. Another billowing puff of cigar smoke.
So then... why did you pick a fight with such a dangerous individual? It's not exactly healthy for your life expectancy, fierce and strong as you all may be! At least have a plan, sneak up on him and what-not!
Calvus find a chair to sit in coughing again.
"No thank you,"he says to the Kobold. He massages his temples as he explains"A man named Bort was murdered the other day and my friends and I have taken it upon ourselves to find out who. We know that Hallod has had dealings with Bort recently and we wanted to ask him if he knew anything relevant,"
Elo shrugs and stuff his cigar case back in his belt pouch. He continues listening as Calvus dispenses further information, and gets an understanding look towards the end.
Ah! So I'm guessing that line of questioning didn't go over so smoothly, leading to what I heard from upstairs. Correct? So, given all the trouble, did you get any clear indication from him that he did, in fact, do it?
"We hes Proof!" Laurel remembers, crossing his arms now "Show 'um the letter, Calvus."
Calvus shows Elo the evidence he'd compiled from Bort's caravan. He seems distracted as he examines his shield and starknife glancing briefly at Laurel.
"Wut I say?" wondering if the glance is reproachful or endearing or... something else altogether?!
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Esha sits dejectedly as the others talk around her. However, at Elo's comment that they are all "fierce and strong" she puffs up a little and lifts her head. "We didn't pick a fight with him! He hit Mr. Calvus Sir and Mr. Calvus Sir wasn't even doing anything! Hallod asked for it!"
Esha cocks her head when Laurel mentions they have proof. Was she forgetting something? She steps down from the seat to get a better look, but then really notices Elo for the first time. She looks him up and down curiously. "Hi. You're the same size as me!" She looks at his cigar, then looks at Calvus, then back at the cigar and back at Calvus again. "I guess I don't need a cigar. Calvus, are you okay? Did your shield break or somethin'?"'
The kobold nods at Esha as he accepts the letter from Calvus to read.
I see. I'm guessing Hallod sees it differently that you were doing nothin'. I would agree that what I heard was very likely still overdoing things, an overreaction. Perhaps his reaction does say something about his guilt.
Just before he turns to read the letter he notices Esha sizing him up.
Yes, I guess we are. A bit self-conscious that he's still standing, and offering such comparisons, he asks Say, is there room in the booth for me to sit down?
"Better'n Underdoing 'em" the boy claps back!
Elo reads over Calvus' notes at length, which indicate a long business relationship over many years between Bort and an "H".
Reagents it says. Does this Hallod seem like the type to be making use of those himself? Or, do you know if he works for anyone? Even better if we could find these reagents. That kind of a thing sounds useful in general, to certain types of research. Still... would be good to keep a lookout for other "H"s.
It's about this time that Elo's cigar runs out, and he retrieves another to keep things moving along.
That's a lot of years. I'm guessing both sides had reasonable trust up to some point that something happened.
"There is a path to the killer but the signs are not a legible as I would like," says Calvus.
He sighs and gives his starknife and shield to Laurel.
"I want you to take these," he says urgently. "No arguments! Having an extra starknife makes sense if you throw one and slash with the other, no? As for the shield, Sell it or use it the choice is yours. I ... I'm not much good with it anyway," As he speaks he is absently fiddling with his holy symbol.
Laurel takes the second starknife - eyeballing it wonderously! - and gives the shield to his mom.
Calvus gets up and leaves.
"I wish you all a good night," he says not even turning around. "I will see you in the morning. I have a lot to think about...,"
Laurel yawns.
Then lays down right where he stand, and passes out.
What? This kid is going to just sleep here? [i]Sigh okay, guess I'll camp out here and study a while.[/i]
Elo plops his spellbook on the table across from Laurel and begins flipping through the pages, looking over specific sections and rubbing the ink off of his hands while he does.
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Esha blinks as Calvus gets up abruptly and leaves the room. She doesn't seem phased at all by Laurel sleeping on the floor. Though she does grimace a bit. The floor looks...sticky.
"Food!" she calls out suddenly and waves down a staff member. Once they arrive, she says "Hey - can we get your special for the day? Three! Also, did Phinnik ever show up? We have been looking for him. I hope he's okay! Has anyone else been poisoned today?" She cocks her head at the server and waits for an answer.
Trin shakes her head at what she is coming to understand is normal behavior for your group. "With Amora having been away we don't have a lot. I can get you some bread, cheese and pickles though?"
"I still haven't seen Phinnik, he should be working by now. He does this sometimes though, disappears off into who knows where for a few days. He'll come back." She laughs at the last question, "No, no more abrupt deaths."
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In response to Trin's question about the food, Esha says, "Yes! Thank you, Trin!" She frowns to learn that Phinnik is not yet back. When Trin walks away, she looks at her table mate, then down at Laurel, then back at her table mate. "You seem awfully interested in what we are doing...how do we know we can trust you?!"
Elo sleepily looks up at Esha, and shifts his cigar from one side of his mouth to the other so that it largely puffs away from her and the napping youngster.
*Cough* Well, I mean the commotion woke me up. I became interested. The line of questioning had to run it's course because, well, it started. And now I'm back to studying my notes and spells. I suppose I could leave you alone and wish you a nice life, but it was a fun tale (so far?) You have me slightly intrigued about Hallod. You have me more intrigued about what is so special about these re-agents. Um...
He looks away and scratches at the underside of his chin.
Yup, that's all I've got. I'm not sure what you need to trust me for though.
Laurel rolls over onto his other side onto the floor. He starts talking, but it's gibberish.
You quickly realize he's having a dream "Ohdenyuseeissmeeiustdunnohooikintruss..." flopping onto his belly now, and going quiet again...
Sleep comes easily, if early, and a full restful night leaves you all alert and ready come morning. Once your morning rituals are complete, you find that Amora's presence back at the feed station means breakfast is a lavish affair.
A short while later, you find yourself walking with Delma through town. She explains that for years now, octogenarian Targen Fulst has been unable to walk for more than a few feet under his own power. His eyesight failing, he spends most of his days in a wooden wheelchair made from a modified pushcart. Delma lives next door and does what she can to care for her father, but with all that’s happening at the Feedmill, she would like you to take him on a stroll around town to give him some fresh air and keep him active.
You find the old man stationed outside his house, in his chair/push-cart, a blanket over his lap, his eyes rheumy, and his grey hair pulled back into a bun. He smiles as he hears you approach though and says, with a laugh in his voice: "Good morning. I am told my daughter has badgered you into taking me for a walk? I have the route all planned. Hopefully, I can repair your kindness with stories of the past?"
Calvus' smile is genuine but there is something else behind it. He mind is somewhere else. He also looks a little different. Taller maybe? It's hard to say.
"That would be lovely," he says.
Elo enjoys a rich, full breakfast, particularly dominated by biscuits and milk gravy with sausage . He quickly finishes his coffee so that he has a place to flick his cigar ashes.
When the party exits he reflexively gets up to follow, but the entire time he's walking around with his face in one of his books. He has just enough clearance over the top to ensure he doesn't run into next-last member of the group.
Once they arrive at... some house, his gravely voice kicks in.
Wait, what are we up to now?
He looks about, slightly disoriented.
Laurel rises from the floor, breaks fast with great vigor, and bounces into the hike.
At the sight of the old man, he races around to the back of the chair "Yessir weel take ya whereveritis ya wanna hed tah!" grabbing the back handles, he looks towards his party mates - pausing over Elo momentarily - and begins telling Targen Fulst a bunch of stories HE HAS about his entire journey here, not shuttering for a goodlong while...