Arthur picks up the bag of bones and gets up. He walks over nonchalantly and whispers to TaLia.
---
He walks back to the rest of you and states, "She is willing to 'entertain' us or just me, what do you think Cyril?"
She turns towards Arthur with a smirk on her face. She looks down and takes the bag from him and looks over at Cyril. Then she gets up and begins to walk to the stairs.
"From what Captain Moon told us, perhaps it is best if you got the information we need. Ed and I will wait here", Cyril suggested.
Cyril stops Arthur before he leaves. "BUT this would be a good opportunity to see if Captain Moon and Saffire's pheromones stands up against Talia's?" The noble grinned, like a schoolboy getting a plate full of cookies all to himself.
Arthur nods and follows TaLia down the stairs. "No worries my friend, don't wait for me here, it may take some time and effort! Though the food is exquisite so maybe do stick around maybe see what our new friend has for fun?"
Saronis smiles that the insinuation and pulls out a few options. A deck of cards, a set of dice, and a few daggers.
Cyril smirked as Arthur walked away with Talia. Turning to Saronis, the young noble suggested the two play some cards while they wait.
Just over an hour, letting you play several hands of cards, Arthur walks up the stairs.
He walks over and has a seat with you again. He slips off a satchel and pulls out a map. Flattening the map on the table he points out, "Here is our location and here is the Verge. I was able to resist her and gather the needed Intel. Shall we go?"
Cyril waits for Arthur to walk over. "Well? How was the pheromones?" The young noble smirked knowingly.
"Yes. Let's go."
As Arthur puts the map away and stands up, likely with the rest of you two thugs walk up the stairs. One of them shouts, "Our boss would like to have a discussion with you." You see another unsavory man stand up next to the back door and two more enter through the front door. They have clubs in hand but have more lethal weapons sheathed on their bodies.
Cyril stands up from the table at the ready.
"Funny. Is this sanctioned by The Hell Knights, or are foolish enough to have a criminal enterprise in a Cheliaxian fort?"
One of them shouts in mock despair, "Oh no the HellKnights will punish us!"
The leader shakes his head at that but then asks, "So you will be coming along quietly with us? Upstairs come along the boss wants to talk with you likely to learn what business you have here and with Talia. Come along friend this may even be a lucrative business venture." He turns and begins up the stairs, hoping his new friends will follow.
He whispers to his allies, "I don't like this, I think we should leave even if we have to go through them. What do you think?"
He begins to growl and gets between the nearest thug and his allies.
He shrugs and stands up and says, "What will it be Cyril, I am good either way."
Cyril shoots Arthur a quick glance as he whispers.
"If you wish to learn what business we've had with Talia, ask her. I hate to be rude, but we have other business today.."
The young Lucan flicks his wrist and The Mistress Blade appears in his hand.
..let us pass."
With Cyril's words of intimidation none of the thugs move to threaten you and allow you to leave unaccosted.
The four of you leave the tavern.
Arthur snickers as the thugs seem nearly paralyzed. "Good day to you and hopefully you will know better than to approach your betters."
Once outside he asks, "I feel like it would be the best if we keep moving and head back to Saffire."
He follows the group listening to the tavern behind them. Looking back several times.
Arthur snickers as the thugs seem nearly paralyzed. "Good day to you and hopefully you will know better than to approach your betters."
Once the four make it a considerable distance from the tavern, Cyril chides the bard. "Must you always turn the knife, Stavian? A confrontation would have drawn the attention of The Hell Knights onto our business. We got lucky." The investigative wizard looks down at The Mistress Blade. "And thank you if you had influence on the matter."
Once outside he asks, "I feel like it would be the best if we keep moving and head back to Saffire."
"Yes, let's return post haste. Saronis, could you help find us the best and most stealthy means back to the ship?"
Walking along with a bit of speed in your step does not draw much attention. The Hell Knights patrolling or on guard take notice of your group though do nothing to intercede or approach you. Soon enough you are out of the fort and heading back to the boat.
Within two hours with your enhanced speed, you make it to the row boat. Then soon enough you are aboard the ship once more.
Arthur goes to tell the Captain what information he found out. He has several documents each telling rumors and maps to go with them. The Captain orders for the ship to head to the Verge then comes back to pour over all the documents.
Cyril looks over Stavian's and Captain Moon's shoulders to look at the documents and listen into the rumors.
Information on the barbarian tribe movements:
Tiger clan has been fighting with the River clan over territory and access to the Silver Pike River.
The Elk clan is near the northern edge of The Verge. Though not with the intention to claim the Verge.
The Goliath clan holds the mantle of the Verge as they have for the past seven years.
The goblin tribes continue to dwell in the Glittering Hills and the Green Grotto.
There is a new hobgoblin outpost to the West of the Green Grotto.
On the South cliff base of The Verge is a massive unsancrtioned graveyard. The sight of the genocide of the Leaper clan.
Five miles north of the Hell Knight Fort is a ruin of an ancient civilization. Many large structures have tested the span of time.
Cyril asks for the map to study and possible plot a course around some of the more insurmountable obstacles.
Cyril chuckles. "It would appear that Captain Moon's and Saffire's 'pheromone treatment' worked wonders. Arthur came back from acquiring the intelligence in no time. Well done, by the way, Stavian."
Hopeful he agrees, "Yes I agree, maybe we need more treatments? Thank you brother! I try my best!"
Onto a more serious matter he asks, "Shall we check out that Ruin first that is North of the fort? Then the Leaper graveyard. Finally to the Goliath clan as our altitude should make the trip easier. Kralla are killing the goliath tribe good with you?"
He growls out in agreement, "Yes any tribe is good but the goliath tribe is the best target as they are the strongest!"
"I think that is a good route", Cyril agrees.
It is easily agreed upon and they plan to fly to the ruin to the North once the sun has set.
He stays with the captain to gain some more pointers from her.
Up on deck he practices his forms with his blade.
Cyril goes on deck.
"Might I join you?" The human noble asks the elven fighter.
He allows it but instead of sparring he offers, "We both have fast healing, so let's go with a duel instead?"
He doesn't use power attack and holds back some strikes, teaching Cyril the ways to fight.
"Well, you're certainly not wrong", Cyril admits, noticing if anyone else notices the fast healing discussion.
Cyril then takes a classic dueling pose, waiting for his oppoent.
Round 1
Overhand Chop:
(17-20/x2)
Round 2 & 3
Full defense +4 to AC.
Round 4
Overhand Chop:
(17-20/x2)
Round 5
Overhand Chop:
(17-20/x2)
Round 1
Forward thrust
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Round 5
The battle goes on as long as Cyril is good. It likely goes on for 10 minutes or less.
After the duel he works with Cyril for hours to give him some pointers on attacking and defending.
Then he states, "You should go get some rest, I will meditate as well. We likely will have at least 5 hours of sleep but I will wake you when it is time."
Saronis wakes Cyril up after 6 hours of sleep and states, "Its time to get up, we have made our destination and Arthur has gone down without us, though he has Ed so it should be fine."
After the duel he works with Cyril for hours to give him some pointers on attacking and defending.
Saronis wakes Cyril up after 6 hours of sleep and states, "Its time to get up, we have made our destination and Arthur has gone down without us, though he has Ed so it should be fine."
"Wha..! Blast it!" Cyril curses. The young noble quickly gathers his gear and spellbook to join the others.
Saronis offers to help to expedite the noble. Soon enough you get to the deck, Saronis grabs a rope, runs with it in hand and jumps over the side of the railing.
Looking over you see him swing back and forth a few times and then lets go of the rope to plummet a few hundred feet to some ruins.
She walks over to Cyril and states with amazement, "Ah your group is crazy! Arthur and Ed just jumped off the railing a few minutes ago. Now Saronis. Good luck hunting down there!"
"Thank you, Miss Ravenclaw", the young noble bowed quickly. "For all of your help. If the Gods are with us, we shall meet our rendezvous with the ship after our business in The Verge is completed."
"I need better friends", Cyril moans. The young noble quickly kisses the first mate and jumps.
Soon enough Cyril slams into the ground expecting to take a lot of damage. Somehow he is standing and naturally lowered his limbs to help absorb the impact. notices his brand new blue suede boots. Saronis walks over casually.
With his blade in hand, he states, "Good thing I switched your shoes. Ready to fight?"
☆☆☆
He quickly shifts towards the horde standing between them and Cyril. He waits letting them swarm around him. As the closest zombie gets out of his range he takes his AoO, using finishing cleave all but the closest one get cut down in his sweeping grace.
A few moments later Arthur runs from one tunnel to another. A horde of Zombies, ghouls, and reveanents are on his tail. Some break off and charge for the two of you.
Soon enough Cyril slams into the ground expecting to take a lot of damage. Somehow he is standing and naturally lowered his limbs to help absorb the impact. notices his brand new blue suede boots. Saronis walks over casually.
Jarred from the impact, Cyril looks down at his feet. "...suede?.."
With his blade in hand, he states, "Good thing I switched your shoes. Ready to fight?"
Cyril nods, calling forth the Mistress Blade.
Round 1
The zombie staggers back from its chest being punctured but then lunges towards Cyril.
Round 2
Round 3