Brunhild walked with her head down, fiddling with her bow. She told herself that they at least found a few things worth selling, so they'd come out ahead, regardless.
"Let's hope our tiles count too, yes. Since, for the record, I don't think it's very polite for our group to find a secret room, only for someone else following us to dash in by themselves and claim the contents right in front of us," Estelle says, frowning.
She couldn't quite hide her dislike for this chain of events or Serena's behavior here. Other than displaying what was in her mind an act of blatant thievery towards the group, Serena had done nothing to really help them out the entire time she'd been with them. Nothing in the fights, nothing outside of them. That was harsh, perhaps, but true, and she definitely did not deserve to have the item that had the larger chance of being accepted. At least in her mind.
It surprised her that the others were apparently so willing to go along with it.
On the way back, she notices the discoloration of the altar and steps aside. Then she presses the button and readies to cut off Serena in case she dashed off again to steal more stuff she didn't find on her own.
Hearing this, Brunhild said "I think that we need to come to a decision. On how much force we are willing to win this contest. Because you're right. Yelling dibs is not a fair way to go about it." She added, looking at Estelle and Serena. "Actually. The more I think about it, the more Estelle makes sense." Her face started to harden. "Ye followed us, ran in, and grabbed this. Grabbed what is as valuable as gold right from us. Explain yer claim. And know that sayin' 'dibs' is nay gonna cut it."
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Stuff
And she did do guidance casting during bat combat.
Serena is in no hurry to wander off, leaving Estelle no reason to raise her weapon at the cleric.
Her face started to harden. "Ye followed us, ran in, and grabbed this. Grabbed what is as valuable as gold right from us. Explain yer claim. And know that sayin' 'dibs' is nay gonna cut it."
Serena just frowns matching Brunhild's stare,
"We ge' invi'ed to explore alongside you. I ge' separa'ed from my friends. You expec' me to jus' stand and wai' all by myself?""And surely you've no' forgo''en you have two tiles, bigger than the thing i picked up."
She shows a stoic posture. "If i' would have come to blows with those three, you could have coun'ed on my aid. And by the King's name, i would no' have taken tha' tile if i' were the sole tile tha' could be found in this place. Both by principle, and by fac' there's more of you than there's of us." She looks Brunhild in the eyes sharply, but displaying no hostility towards any accusations, merely a level headed attitude.
"King of the Deeps disconnec' me now if i am lying."
She waits a few seconds, then lets her holy symbol shine, and casting guidance on Brunhild's forehead, to prove her point that he is still with her. "He does no' tolera'e liars, i'm rather sure you know this."
While this is going on, Estelle sees a part of the wall next to the altar slide sidewards, displaying a chest......and another tile, matching the one Serena took.
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Brunhild matched the look, not breaking eye contact. When the other dwarf was done she said ”An oath made before the King is harder than iron and more enduring that the mountains. If he gives his blessing, then I have nay further argument.” The dwarf had spoken her language, leaving her convinced. There was no apology though, for that meant restitution, which she did not feel needed to be offered.
Assuming Astella picks the lock, after finding it untrapped, she finds a flask of sweet scented oil, fragments of a black sort of gemstone, and a coinpurse, containing some 100gp in assorted coins.
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Astella picks up the other smaller tile, and addresses the lock on the chest, finding several things which she shows to the party.
She smiles at Serena and says
Do you think your friends would have found the way out... should we go there and check, or do you think it is more likely that they are still exploring somewhere?
"If they haven' found a way into this inner par' of the temple, they'd most likely have gone back to the innersection and try from there.
They're a stubborn bunch. Exac'ly the kind you need on the road."
"We've been here for qui'e some time, leading me to think they'd be wai'ing in a spacing par' of the tunnels, or ou'side. I wouldn' be surprised if Zoltan is chugging on his flask righ' now."
"If i' would have come to blows with those three, you could have coun'ed on my aid. And by the King's name, i would no' have taken tha' tile if i' were the sole tile tha' could be found in this place. Both by principle, and by fac' there's more of you than there's of us." She looks Brunhild in the eyes sharply, but displaying no hostility towards any accusations, merely a level headed attitude.
"King of the Deeps disconnec' me now if i am lying."
She waits a few seconds, then lets her holy symbol shine, and casting guidance on Brunhild's forehead, to prove her point that he is still with her. "He does no' tolera'e liars, i'm rather sure you know this."
Dividing her attention between Serena and Brunhild on one hand and Astella opening the chest on the other hand, Estelle sighs in relief when the duplicate tile is found.
Would she have taken the tile back by force if there hadn't been?
...She didn't know. It still felt like an act of thievery to her. But...
Something about Serena's strength of faith touched her, the visible divine backing of a being larger than her that supported her promise of aid, even if a fight hadn't come to pass.
A pang of nostalgia and loss hit her. Once, she'd had that too. Would Shaymala still answer her call if she opened herself back to the Goddess and pleaded her for aid...?
"...If there are two good-quality tiles anyway, I also don't see the need to argue anymore," Estelle says, more solemn than angry now. "Let's go back. I wonder if Serena's friends met the solders who were here on the way out, and what happened between them if so."
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Okay, back out to check for the rest of Serena's group to start, and then if they aren't there, we can decide on the next step.
She starts back out, eyes darting everywhere, checking for Alexis... err, Serena's group.
Serena smirks.
"If they did, maybe the guy's nose migh' be flat now.
Then again, he was alone back then. No telling what combat experience the other two have."
..."Nice beard, though."
The team heads back out. Surprisingly not running into Serena's party.
As you near the entrance to the tunnels, some 20ft away, you hear half shouting from a location you cannot yet see. It becomes more clearer when you are at the entrance.
Voice: "You didn't even try? What the heck do i pay you people for?"
Familiar voice: "Listen up, you fool. That was not part of the contract.
We fight if attacked, or if the contract was explicitly stating so. It did not, so you have yourself to blame."
Voice: "You go in there, and all you return with is those two things? I might as well have hired cheap scavengers!"
Familiar voice: "Then you should have been more specific in the contract and chosen another group with less reservations for your activities."
Outside, you see The Beard and his three companions, dog included, facing someone behind a tree, some 35 ft away.
The Beard almost immediately notices you, and the conversation stops.
"The ones in question have arrived. We'll be in town."
They turn around and are about to leave.
As they walk away, but not outside of view, you see Sally slowly move into view from behind the tree, the blade of a short sword is against her throat.
-------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------
"Sorry guys, they caught me by surprise."
Of the one behind her, holding her as a human shield, you see but part of his face. It is one of the unsavory unsocial types.
"Well, well. One of the competition teams. Name's Sal Sharktooth.
Shell girl here is a feisty one, but it didn't save her.", and he tugs her close. "Now, since you seem to be friends, i suggest one of you put all the things you found in there, on the ground halfway between us. Oh, any scavenger items as well. May do so with weapons as well, while we're at it."
It is now that you see his comrades stepping from behind other cover. The three of them look fairly muscular and able bodied.
Sal: "And no funny business, because unlike those hired swords, i -do- have no reservations about methods of winning this competition.", he presses the blade slightly tighter, showing his intent. "So, if you value your friend's life, you'll follow my instructions, and back away into the caves ones you've deposited the items."
The guy seems willing to make good on his promise of 'or else' actions.
---------------------------
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earlier-
This is why I said we should have laid out easily definable rules for who would get what and when and how. To avoid unnecessary confrontations in the ruin... he pauses a moment.
That said, I don't think its cause for an argument, not now at least. As the situation resolves itself, he smiles happily.
Outside-
Once outside, the situation is, markedly, more threatening. As the man makes his demands, Daniel hesitates a moment before giving a small sigh and speaking. There is a small shakey note to his voice, he attempts to hide it, but it is there. Yet, there is also a conviction to his words and as he speaks, he moves a little to put himself between the other, other hired goons, and his companions.
I am willing to hand over what we found, and even the scavenger items we have, I am not, however, willing to disarm my companions and leave them to the mercies of you, or this island. A trade, the scavenger hunt and found items, for the girl.
He takes a moment to look away from Sal and towards the group they met within the ruins as they are leaving.
That is it then? Is all he says.
Somewhat confused over not seeing Sarena's team on the way there, Estelle doesn't hear the conversation going on outside until it is too late, and the thugs come out with Sally at swordpoint.
Her face hardens as she considers multiple ways out, but can only find one as Daniel momentarily takes the lead in negotiations. "Or we could surprise them instead. Brunhild - shoot Sally, in the leg if you can. That will make her drop to the floor. In the moment of confusion, we charge them. Serena, I'm counting on you to heal Sally and keep her alive. That's our best chance. Daniel's right - we can't give them our weapons. This is the type of person to double cross you. If we give them what we found, he'll take it, thank us and still walk off with Sally. Then he will probably rape and kill her anyway. And who knows who these men pray on after this unless we stop them here."
”Aye.” With a nonchalant look Brunhild took an arrow, put it to her bow and raised it with string drawn. ”Nay giving anything.” She said, firmly: ”Nay disarming. Ye kill her? Yer dead. Seen enough people die already. Going to count. Nay gonna get to three, cause ye want to live, aye?”
”One.”
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Not willing to risk it all yet, Daniel steps into the line between Brunhild and Sal. his hand stretched out for her to wait, while the other still holds his shield.
The girl, for the items we've found. Do we have a deal Sal? Its just business after all, right?
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"Daniel - you can't trust them! They'll take Sally with them even if you give them everything, then he'll kill her out of sight because he won't want a local to accuse him of kidnapping in the middle of the contest! And who knows who they'll pray on next?" Estelle repeats, slightly harder so he could hopefully hear, and glancing at Brunhild. Would she step around and still take the shot?
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Nay disarming. Ye kill her? Yer dead. Seen enough people die already. Going to count. Nay gonna get to three, cause ye want to live, aye?”
Sal lets out a short laugh.
"Lower that bow missy, i'm not joking.A greenhorn looking one like you, killing me? Not going to happen.
Now lower that bow!", Sally lets out a small nervous sound, as the blade is pushed tighter.
One of his buddies aims an arrow at you guys as well. Not shooting, yet.
The girl, for the items we've found. Do we have a deal Sal? Its just business after all, right?
"Just business, just business." (sly grin in the distance)
Still, he calls out to the men who just walked away.
"Sellswords, i have a new paid assignment for you. Make sure this exchange goes in an orderly way!"
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Astella takes in the situation quickly, still wondering where the rest of Serena's group have gotten to. She whispers to Serena:
Get back in there and find them. We need backup. I'll heal Sally if needed.
Then she pushes Serena behind her and walks forward to the ground halfway between the groups.
Sure, sure... don't kill Sally. We love her. We'll give you the stuff, like Daniel says.
She takes off her heavy backpack, moving more slowly than normal, carefully hauling one of the gigantic decorative tiles out and placing it on the ground. She places a red potion on top of that. She pulls out a candlestick holder, a shortsword, and some robes that look a little moth-eaten. She pulls out a couple of daggers and a light mace, and then a little box, which she carefully opens to show the candles inside...
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Still, he calls out to the men who just walked away.
"Sellswords, I have a new paid assignment for you. Make sure this exchange goes in an orderly way!"
Hearing the thug call out to the soldier group, Estelle follows his gaze. Unsure what to do, but knowing there was no good way out if they decided to help him, she swallows her nerves away.
Straightening with her halbard straight upward, she drops earlier pretense and hits the ground with the rear end of it twice - a standard salute of sorts from the Halbardiers. Just like she'd been taught back then.
"Please, Lady Shaymara, I haven't prayed for guidance in a long time. But... this is not for me. Please, let my message touch these men!"
"Fellow soldiers, please listen to me! Why would you take orders from the likes of him? For simple coin? We used to fight for something better. We fought and bled for our countries during the restoration wars. That anyone still has any freedom now is only because of our efforts."
She takes a deep breath. "But what good is that freedom if acts of blatant evil happen in front of us, unopposed? What did we really fight for, then? What did our friends die for, then? Can you really stand by and watch a roadside cutthroat hold an innocent girl hostage, extorting others over her saftety with only his word that she'll come to no harm afterwards? Or worse - help him do that? Please , prove that you're better than him!"
Towards Astella, Sal motions her to back away from the items.
"The bow aimed at us as well. I did say weapons as well, didn't i?"
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And I said no to the weapons Sal. The deal is everything we found in the ruins, and any items from the scavenger hunt. Our weapons and armor will stay with us. You have my word that, upon releasing Sally, you may take the items and leave unmolested. But only, if she remains unharmed.
He keeps his hand out towards brunhild, he glances towards the men from the ruins, unsure if they would do the right thing. He agreed fully with estelle, and perhaps if given the slightest incentive they may side with them. However, he would rather no blood be spilled at this time. A life was a value far greater than anything they found in the ruins.
He speaks to Sal again, eyes hardening as he does.
A few extra weapons aren't worth risking your life for Sal, Let her go, pick up the items, and leave. I've seen and fought worse in the war, and I promise you, if you harm her, no amount of paid muscle will keep me from you.
Daniel keeps his firm stance on the terms of the deal, he may not be the best, but his father was a merchant, and he'd learned at least something. On top of it all, there was what he had learned in his limited time around the knights and those teachings, along with his mothers words brought a calm and confident assurance in himself that brought about a threatening aura to the young man. His word was adamant, in both promises.
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Brunhild didn't lower her bow, but she took a step backwards. She glanced a glare at Daniel. He did not speak for her. His oath was not hers. He was asking her to give up everything they had worked for. All to save the life of a woman who was naught but a business partner to them. A woman who did not go out of her way to truly help them, but rather had made a decent enough profit off of them. She was tired of being poor. She was tired of carrying around a bow that could barely do anything. She was tired of wearing rags. She was tired of sleeping outside because she couldn't afford an inn. She had come on this mission to get out of all of that. To go about her mission, to have her head held up high. And he was demanding that she throw it all away. She grit her teeth, anger rising within her. But she couldn't fight on her own. If this went down the way that Daniel was forcing it to, then there were only three options available. First, she shoots the filth the second that the girl was free. Second, they give everything up and hunt the man down, taking bloody vengeance. Or third, giving the quest up and leaving, going home and cutting her losses. At that moment, her face flushed with anger, she didn't see any other option that she could possibly pursue, and didn't know which she would pick.
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Astella takes in the situation quickly, still wondering where the rest of Serena's group have gotten to. She whispers to Serena:
Get back in there and find them. We need backup. I'll heal Sally if needed.
Serena frowns slightly.
"Ye sure abou' tha'? You all aren' in tip top shape. I'll do ask you ask, bu' don' ge' yourself killed while i'm away. A certain someone would be pre'' y upse'."Serena lets out a single channel for the party, then leaves to find her friends.
And I said no to the weapons Sal. The deal is everything we found in the ruins, and any items from the scavenger hunt. Our weapons and armor will stay with us. You have my word that, upon releasing Sally, you may take the items and leave unmolested. But only, if she remains unharmed.
He keeps his hand out towards brunhild, he glances towards the men from the ruins, unsure if they would do the right thing. He agreed fully with estelle, and perhaps if given the slightest incentive they may side with them. However, he would rather no blood be spilled at this time. A life was a value far greater than anything they found in the ruins.
He speaks to Sal again, eyes hardening as he does.A few extra weapons aren't worth risking your life for Sal, Let her go, pick up the items, and leave. I've seen and fought worse in the war, and I promise you, if you harm her, no amount of paid muscle will keep me from you.
Sal considers Daniel's words.
"Reasonable. Except i still see an arrow getting pointed at me. I'm hardly safe if i let go of her now."-------------------------
One of Sal's buddies moves towards Astella, keeping some distance between them, and takes a look at the displayed content.
-------------------------
Fellow soldiers, please listen to me! Why would you take orders from the likes of him? For simple coin? We used to fight for something better. We fought and bled for our countries during the restoration wars. That anyone still has any freedom now is only because of our efforts."
She takes a deep breath. "But what good is that freedom if acts of blatant evil happen in front of us, unopposed? What did we really fight for, then? What did our friends die for, then? Can you really stand by and watch a roadside cutthroat hold an innocent girl hostage, extorting others over her saftety with only his word that she'll come to no harm afterwards? Or worse - help him do that? Please , prove that you're better than him!"
The guy with the dog and the blonde haired guy look doubtful.
The latter you hear something say like "This isn't our fight.", and he keeps walking., the latter, taking too long to decide, gets a sudden hit with the pommel of Crooked Nose's sword, making him drop to his knees, feeling disorientated and nauseous from the impact.
The only one, noticeable to mainly Astella and Estelle, who seems angered by Sal's antics, despite a Estelle's words, is The Beard.
He sets a step, but Crooked Nose steps in front of him.
"Whoa whoa. You heard the guy, yes? Good pay, and we just keep everything from going chaotic. Besides, we now have the numbers."
, the response is a fist to the face, after which Crooked Nose grabs his face in agony.
"My nose! You broke my nose! You f#*#er, i'll get you for that!"
His nose is now flat and bloodied.
--------
The Beard: "You did say you had a hostage, Sal, but to use a young girl, and moreover as a body shield? I can tolerate some things, but i'll gladly pick a fight with you now, Sharktooth."
---------------------------------------------------
Sal frowns with a disgusted look on his face.
"Turning traitor? Well, your friend seems to favor my offer."
He addresses Crooked Flat Nose, "Kill scruff chin here, and i'll pay handsomely."
(wipes off some of the blood) "It'll be a pleasure. Tired of hearing his disciplined orders anyway."
------------------------------
The Beard looks at Estelle, "Halbard girl!"
He makes three quick gestures with his hand.
-Nose- two fingers bending as if drawing an arrow- index finger pointing at Sal-
Shoot the nose, Sal is next.
He turns to look at The Nose.
-----------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
The Beard swings his fist at The Nose.
, his fist connects again, and The Nose seems to shiver under his glare.
-----------------
The Nose (11nl, shaken), "You...you f+**er."
, a clear miss.
Green keeps an arrow ready.
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Seeing violence break out, Brunhild put her arrow back and held her arm out to the side, letting the bow drop to the ground. She did this to show that she wasn't a threat. It was a ruse, however. For once the man's eyes fell away from her, she leapt into action, charging right for him. She knew that few people expected an unarmored archer with no other weapon on them to rush into melee, so she used that to her advantage. Coming, she went to grab the villain's arm, while sticking a leg between his. From there, it was a matter of using her low center of gravity to knock him, the hostage, and the man to the ground. Once there, it was just a matter of climbing onto him and pinning him to the ground.
As green held an arrow ready before hell broke loose, he shoots it at Brunhild.
, which she dodges.
Brunhild runs up towards Sal, making a grab for his weapon arm.
Much to her surprise, he shifts his weight, dodging her attempt.
Dragging Sally in this sudden shift of weight, she takes 1 nl as the blade makes a shallow cut, but not drawing any blood.
Sal calls out to his two buddies.
"Bets are off! Kill them all!"
Estelle
-----------------
Sal & Cyan
-----------------
Astella & Daniel
4
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In Estelle's defense, it was pretty hard to see hand signals precisely from like fifty yards away - and she doesn't quite catch it. But whether by luck or because it seemed to make the most sense, she tells Astella more or less the exact same thing. "Quick! Help him beat the sword guy while I help Brunhild!"
Afterwards, she runs forward, stopping only to give a quick blow to the foe just looking up from collecting Astella's trash.
The man sees the sharp blade of Estelle's weapon coming near his leg, then looks up with a grin.
---------------------
Sal lets go of Sally, "I have no use for you anymore.", and turns his attention towards Brunhild.
Kicking up dirt sand sand, it flies ito Brunhild's eyes, making her blinded for two rounds. Sal steps 5ft west.
Cyan draws his axe and engages with Estelle.
, but she in turn dodges -his- attack.
----------------------
Astella & Daniel
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Caught off guard at how quickly everything went down the toilet, Daniel is slower to act, and curses under his breath as it all goes to hell and a hand basket. He noticed the beard waggle his fingers, and wondered if the man knew magic, before turning his attention to Sal. He rushes up to the man, prepared to unleash a painful reckoning.
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Seeing that Sally is safe, Astella moves to the side, casting a spell at Red, trying to help Beard.
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The heroes continue their assault. As Cyan is occupied with Estelle, Daniel makes his way around towards Sal, and dealing a solid blow too!
Astella aims her finger like a hand crossbow, and lets fly a ray of cold.
Part of the blood on his upper lip is frozen over, after it hits him in the head.
Sally withdraws, making a bail towards the cave entrance.
=============================
Sal & friends, round 2
After dodging the sword of The Nose, The Beard draws a longsword, swinging it at Nose.
The Nose dodges, arrogantly mocking The Beard.
"What's wrong, losing your touch?"
Ironically, his own aim couldn't be worse.
Green has to decide between 3 people engaging his comrades.
Moving some distance for a better shot, he lets an arrow fly at Daniel.
The arrow hits him in the shoulder.
-----------------------
Brunhild(blinded 2 rounds) & Estelle
-----------------------
Sal (-12) & Cyan
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Astella & Daniel
-3-
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Unable to see, Brunhild circled around the rogue, muttering foul curses in dwarven. She wasn't going to be of much help until she regained her eyesight. But until then, she could at least keep the man occupied so Daniel would have a flank.
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"Sally! Run back to town!" Estelle cries just after dodging, and attempts to strike the man engaging her in combat again while also slowly getting closer to the archer...
Sally! Run back to town!
"I will, i'm telling the guards!"
Brunhild struggles against her current condition. Estelle, on the other hand, is not suffering from it, instead making an overhead swing, which lands heavily upon the guy, sending him reeling for a moment.
----------------
Sal (-12) deftly pulls a second weapon, flexing them in his hand, before making his attacks.
His first lunge is aimed at Daniel.
Daniel pushes the blade aside with his shield.
Sal frowns slightly, then sadistically smiles, and makes a backwards thrust against Brunhild.
The stab is deadly accurate, she feels a sharp pain and a burning sensation. But she's still standing.
Cyan (-13) steps away, grabs a bag, and tosses it at Estelle.
--------------------
Astella & Daniel
-3-
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Estelle mutters a curse under her breath, but tries to keep her cool. Sure, it wasn't particularly a good situation to be immobilized with an archer right behind you, but at least she wasn't being eaten alive by a giant crab this time...
Astella shoots another ray of frost at Red.
but misses.
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Feeling the blade cut into her Brunhild reacted on pure instinct. She reached out to grab the man’s hand and then pulled him in closer to punch him in the gut with her free hand.
Daniel steps in pressing the attack, As he does, he shouts out Sals location to Brunhild as best he can, hoping to help her however he can.
Your dirty tricks won't work Sal.
Daniel comes with a good swing, only barely is Sal able to have it slide off the blade of his weapon.
Astella flings another ray of cold, but it misses.
==================================
Sal & friends, round 3
Beard swings his sword back at Nose.
, and only just misses.
He steps 5ft east, yelling out in general.
"His left flank is lacking finesse! Hit him when he's leaning on his left!"
Nose (-1, 11nl) swings his sword in return.
, and misses yet again.
The guy with his dog recovers slowly, but he too ears the instructions.
Green takes a potshot at Estelle.
The guy fails, couldn't even hit a rooted target.
Cyan mocks him..."What are you doing, you idiot? She's stuck and you -still- miss?!"
Sally bails the scene, heading towards town.
-----------------------------
Brunhild manages, in a fit of instinct, to jab Sal in the flank, and he winces for a moment.
Estelle
----------------------------
Sal (-20), Cyan (-13)
----------------------------
Astella & Daniel
-2-
Grimacing, Estelle draws her dagger with one arm and tries to cut through the goo at her feet.
She gets about just over halfway there. "You know, there's both another group coming here from the cave *and* the town guards shortly after that. Are you sure you want to stick around?" she asks the thugs afterwards, inwardly wincing about the sticky pun considering her own situation...