Alvin slows in his attack, making more of a taunting feint, "Tiring are we? What are your brothers and sisters to think?"
He turns his head briefly to grin at Artemis.
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Grunting as the chain knocks the wind from him, Alvin lets his knees buckle for a moment to draw out a finishing strike from his opponent. The half-orc doesn't disappoint, turning the buckle into a roll to the left, under his opponent's attack, the investigator thrusts hard, sinking his spear into the half-orc's midsection.
Absolutely. Just take what you can handle for now, we'll keep. It's a tough situation but we're here to help if there's anything you need.
Stepping around the hal-orc's expected attack, Alvin takes two quick steps left and turns to...the investigator's foot slips. He'd miscalculated, the sand not nearly as stable as imagined, hiding a gopher hole maybe?
Alvin smirks as the blow is turned aside, he'd left the opening on purpose, tempting his opponent. Committed to his failed strike, the half-orc has no way to counter Alvin's expertly placed counterattack, "Tsk tsk, I'm afraid you'll need to do far better than that."
Absolutely, well done you two. Team Conflict Resolution!
Group 2 is also waiting on Posh and Tordrek I believe.
So...are we still going here guys?
Round 4 "Not tricksy, just aware of my apptitudes." Advancing, Alvin's spear strikes again but confidence gets the better of him.
Alvin's spear materializes as it strikes at the distracted half-orc's midsection, "If you insist."
Round 3 Visible once more, Alvin grins broadly, addressing the crowd, "Sorry to keep you waiting!" Capitalizing on his surprise assault, Alvin steps to the left and strikes low at his reeling opponent's heel.
Scanning his opponent, the half-elf is already anticipating his next opening.
Round 2 Grinning unseen, Alvin slips another vial from his jacket and downs it as well to bolster his defenses. The last few fights had proven his opponent had excellent aim if nothing else. Now considerable more confident, Alvin makes his way across the arena, stopping just in range of the searching half-orc. Hopefully the crowd would forgive him the few seconds of quiet before the fun.
Alvin chuckles, "I can't promise much about what's about to happen but I can promise it unlikely to be embarrassing." Round 1 Bowing to his opponent from across the arena, Alvin studies his stance, every movement and expression, as he had the past few fights. With a wink to his opponent, the half-elf produces a small vial of silvery liquid from his pocket and downs it.
The second he vanishes from sight, Alvin sidesteps to the back and left, careful to avoid giving sign of his shift.
Alvin grins moving closer to evaluate his would be opponent. He gives the half-orc a slow nod that's difficult to classify as either respectful or mocking, "I'd be delighted." He grins at Artemis, "Oh don't fuss, I've never died before. You just be ready for your turn. Ma'am", he winks. Gesturing to the half-orc to proceed, Alvin makes his way to the opposite side of the arena, spear twirling between the fingers of his right hand.
Alvin lays out his bedroll near the others, casting a doubtful eye on the sky. So long as it doesn't bloody rain... Kneeling in-front of a large flat boulder, Alvin lays out a series of beakers and small pouches of reagents. With practiced hands, he quickly produces an extract to harden his skin. Satisfied, he packs the gear back into the many pockets of his white coat and sets out to join Artemis at the arena. Looking around, the half-elf's sharp eyes scan for signs of a challenge. Strolling around the fighting circle, he approaches Artemis, "So what do you think? Is there a decent challenge to be found among these sweaty bodies?", he offers her a wink, "Of course, we could put on a show just the two of us?"
Alvin claps his hands together, "Agreed. Though regrettably I left my tent in town with my horse. Hadn't exactly planned on spending the night. How many tents do we actually have between us?" He turns to War and the other chiefs, "We thank you for your hospitality. Keeping out of your hair should prove easy enough. Though...", the half-elf hefts his branching spear fondly, "I might make my way to the arena. Ms.Juno seems to be no worse for wear, I imagine it would make for a lively evening."
"We were on the trail just over three hours from town to your camp, at a walking pace with no breaks. Can you do better?"
Alvin shakes his head, "Horse won't make much headway on the forest paths we took here. Any direct pursuit would have to be on foot. I wouldn't bet on outrunning a ranger though, even if he is a miserable prick." He turns to War, "Do any of you know a faster path through to the town? Outpacing him is our best option."
Alvin sighs, his stomach was only starting to settle thanks to Pestilence's tincture and now they wanted him to run. Spitting to clear the last vomit taste from his mouth, Alvin shoots the others a look, "I guess we'll be tying the idiot up after all. Come on!" Hefting his spear the half-elf takes off after Posh, his long legs quickly overtaking the gnome as he sprints towards the spot where they left Tordrek.
Alvin leans unsteadily on his spear as they meet up with the others, "Urrrp. I rather hope you're, ugh, exaggerating Posh. If they've turned you, ulp, into a zombie, I'd say you got the short end of the...ugh, stick.", he offers a sickly smirk in the gnome's direction. "Still. Glad to see we're all...abyss...", the half-elf's thought remains unfinished as he bends double and vomits the last foul remnants of his stomach onto the ground.
Alvin downs the offered vial without hesitation. There would hardly be a point to Pestilence poisoning him now, after he'd asked politely to do it the first time, "Ugh, yes. Let's hope the others are no worse off than I." He shakes his head at Lienhol, waiting patiently with no visible ill effects, "Cheater...Ulp. Ugh."
Was that, sarcasm from our stanch Dreadguard? Perish the thought :P
I think you're doing rather well! He's having at least as heard a time landing blows. Do us proud girl! Um...Artemis :P
Alvin had known this headache would be the end of him. It had cost him his ever precious focus. Bent over and staring at the ground, he holds out a hand in Lienhol's direction, "Minor...Ugh. Miscalculation. But once the, urrrrp. Hawksbane wears off. I'll be...Ugh. Right as rain." He turns his head to cast a queasy glance in Pestilence's direction, "Satisfied? Ugh..."
How do natural 1's with skills work with you Lizardwizard? Does my roll still count towards completing the challenge or does rolling the 1 mean an automatic fail? In other words, if my total roll had been below the DC, would I have suffered the disease AND been nauseated? Also, I only just realized I'd completely forgotten we're using Automatic Bonus Progression :P I'll update Alvin accordingly!
Alvin smirks again, raising the vial in a toast, "Well then. To your faith Dreadguard." The half-elf shudders slightly as he downs the orcish concoction, "Ugh, it's not the foulest mixture I've downed over the years, but it's damn close." Swishing the last of the tincture in his mouth, he considers the properties carefully, taking into account the rapid and thoroughly unpleasant reaction his body was having to the toxins. Nasty stuff, but it's nothing you haven't seen before. I think I might have put one of these in Old Ironmug's coffee my first month..." Smiling at Pestilence despite the quickly worsening nausea, Alvin takes stock of the arrayed herbs and reagents, "I commend you on your stock, Pestilence. Urrp. Ugh. Lets see here..."
The investigator rubs his temple in frustration. Not good. Climate must be more dissimilar out here in the woods than I'd thought. Half of these reagents I've only seen in drawings. But maybe...just maybe.
Where exactly is Tordrek right now? Is he still outside the camp or did you come with us?
Alvin takes the vial offered by Pestilence dubiously, holding it up to the light, "So that's it? Let you poison us and if we don't die, we're worth talking to?" He smirks at Lienhol"Sure you don't want to sit this one out Dreadguard? Probably at a disadvantage here. Not being a drinker, your liver isn't nearly as familiar with filtering out toxins."
Alvin sighs, it looks like he'd be attempting one of these trials after all, no way he was sitting the tribal council out.
All this bravado and posturing was hardly helping Alvin's headache. The validity of an opinion based on one's ability to kick an orc in their hairy balls, it was hardly a wonder the lot of them still lived in tents. That said, it was hardly an opportunity they could afford to pass up. He'd half a mind to step forward himself, he rather enjoyed a good fight honestly, if the circumstances were right. But he doubted Artemis would ever forgive him if he did. Besides, it was probably best he avoided being the center of attention for the time being. I just hope Ms.Juno is up to the task... Shifting his spear to the other side and leaning casually on one of the branches, the half-elf addresses the three Chiefs, "What are the rules of such a trial? Honorable combat means many things to many people? Weapons? Fists? What of Sorcery or Alchemy?", he turns to Pestilence, careful to meet the orc's eyes directly, "Surely you didn't rise to your position purely on the merits of a mean right hook?"
Alvin watches the exchange carefully, his gaze scanning for even the smallest facial expression that might provide an insight. Not that there were any "small" expressions on the exaggerated features of the towering orcs facing them.
Alvin chokes on the last of his extract as Rols' banner becomes readable. Fighting down a last cough, he mutters, "Banking on their sense of humour a little much, don't you think?" As they draw closer it's clear their half-orc companion was right on the money, Alvin considers himself rather impressed. Eyeing the approach of the two shaman seeming orcs, Alvin leans on his spear and waits silently. And now we hear from the opinions that truly matter.
I just...I just can't wait to see how our little "banner" is received? I imagine we'll make a profound impression, one way or another :P
The headache was driving Alvin to distraction. The loud buzzing within his skull had greeted him with the sun and only grown worse as the day wore on. He'd said little throughout the morning, arguing with the others would have unquestionably only made it worse. Besides, it seemed the lot of them were of a similar opinion regarding the situation, he sincerely doubted there was much he could have done to delay this meeting in favor of closer surveillance beforehand. Not that the proposed meeting was entirely a bad idea, whatever the scout Cedric's opinion, a surprise attack against orcs numbering in the hundreds was hardly an appealing proposition. Watching the orc encampment, he had to admit it made him mildly optimistic. Children suggested this was indeed a gathering rather than a war camp. Perhaps the diplomatic approach would survive past the first exchange of greetings. Doing his best to ignore the stabbing pain behind his eyes, Alvin turns to Posh and Rols, holding up a small vial, "I'll join you as well. I can't speak the language per say, but with this I can at least understand it. With luck these tribals won't prove overly difficult to get a read on."
A thousand apologies everyone. Cell service was even more limited than I'd expected over the holidays and I haven't had much chance to check on anything. I'm just catching up now, hopefully I can have a decent post up by morning. I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season!
Just a heads up. I am flying out to visit family for the holidays tomorrow. I should be able to post throughout the visit however it may be a little sparse on occasion over the next two weeks. Please accept my preemptive apology and don't hesitate to move things forward if needed.
"Ah. And there's our stalwart Dreadguard.", Alvin turns to Tibby, "The last of our company. And bearer of grim tidings it would seem." "First things first though, we should get out of this torrent. Inside, quickly now..."
Taking the offered wine gratefully, Alvin is content to lounge and listen, his bright eyes never resting as his mind strives to take in every detail. Posh's continued jests raise little more than an amused smile from the half-elf. He'd earned that much letting his temper get the better of him at any rate. At least my intellect isn't going unacknowledged... He pipes up at the mention of parlay with the orcs, "I can converse with anyone or anything given a little warning. Though...", he strokes the length of one pointed ear, "It's possible they may take offense with my lineage?" "I agree we owe them at least a chance to be civil however. Even if they do hold to Aramosh, they could well prove an excellent source of intelligence on the larger cult if properly coerced." As the others prepare to head out, Alvin reluctantly drains the last of his wine and pushes himself to his feet.
Not at all, I rather love Posh's brash nature. It compliments my own. I'm a little under the weather at the moment though, I'm hoping to have a decent rebuttal up this evening.
Upon entering the toasty office, Alvin sighs in welcome relief, shaking out his drenched cloak. Laying claim to the most comfortable looking seat not clearly belonging to their host, the half-elf tosses himself down and puts his feet up. If "Tibby" was to be their contact here, things were looking up. In Alvin's experience, the unconventional sorts were often the easiest to deal with. Far less hung up on ceremony or protocol than those of a traditional nature. And if Tibby was both Mayor of rural Aldune, and...still in possession of such a title despite the epidemic gripping the community, it spoke volumes of the man's capabilities however he may present himself. Alvin speaks up as elf pauses for introduction, a grin spreading on his face, "Well met. Alvin Timo, at your service...", seeing fit to ingratiate himself early, Alvin nods meaningfully in Rols' direction, "As are ALL of my companions." "You wouldn't have anything to drink, would you Tibby? That wind drove the chill bone deep I'm afraid." However much he might want to let the conversation move naturally, Alvin can't resist a couple cursory questions, "These gathering orcs. Have your scouts managed a firm count of numbers? How close are they to the city as yet?"
Definitely for the best, the only thing messier than the D&D economy is actual medieval currency. And yeah, Oh my! Indeed. Tibby promises to be a rather unique contact. He simply must meet Lienhol :P
I've no problem with the time jump, I'm sure we can catch up on chatter at the inn. When I have time tomorrow, I plan to have Alvin catch the rest of the group up on his knowledge of the cultists and their god Aramosh.
Sodden and miserable, Alvin is non-the-less alert as they enter town. Making careful note of it's defences, the seeming readiness of the guards. The large gathering at the church reeked of desperation to the half-elf. If this sickness was as resilient as the guard had claimed, even those a practical nature had likely turned to prayer when conventional efforts failed them. His response to Artemis was harsher than it needed to be, mildly annoyed by her slight at the gate, "I've no intention of sitting on the sidelines here, sister. There are far too many questions that need answering, and the sooner they are, the sooner i can figure this mess out. Inside, I'm sure the mayor will make time for us now, given the situation."
Alright, Alvin is all set then. I have 135gp left over if we wanted to pick up anything for Group 2? It sounds like Posh has us pretty well covered though. We might want to consider pitching in for a couple scrolls of Lesser Restoration, just in case?
Alright, so I think I've figured out a list of wants for Alvin : +1 Crossbow Bolts x5 (230gp) Access to Formulae/Spellbook of :
That should be everything I'm interested in. Is there anything that might be difficult to get my hands on? How much will it cost total? Do we want to move the party down to the quartermaster and handle the purchases IC? I also just want to check what all is considered mundane gear? Base Weapons and Armor? Masterwork Equipment? Cold Iron or Silver weapons? Darkleaf armor? Masterwork Kits (Theives Tools, ect)? Just want to be certain what I'm paying out of pocket for.
Dalen, feel free to assume that anything you purchased mundane item/adventuring item wise was covered by the Order, any items used as part of your business or magical items still count towards your total :P Oh! I'd not considered that. In that case Alvin actually has a fair bit more cash to make use of providing the same holds true for the rest of us. I'll have to take a look at perhaps some magic crossbow bolts to round out my available gear! For now though I'm off to sleep.
By the base cost I should have enough gold left to acquire two new formulae. 40gp each for writing costs and a suggested fee of half that for 60gp each. I have no strong preference for IC or OoC but as you've already the weight of wrangling a full dozen of us over two campaigns I imagine it's best to keep descriptions short for our shopping. Ideally I would like to pick up See Invisibility and Invisibility if possible.
Sucking his teeth the freshly minted knight nods in acceptance. The Headmaster's response seems genuine enough and honestly more informative than expected. The lack of information was hardly satisfying but then again, few things were to the half-elf. Seeing little else to be gained, Alvin bows slightly to Alaryn, "Discretion I can promise you. We will do all we can to see the New Dawn is well represented in this matter. I fear any weakness or ineffectiveness perceived from the Order in the days to come will only further swell the ranks of these deranged cultists."
Alvin is totally the Riggs of Team 2 And proud of it :P
On the subject of gear, I have a question, Would it be possible to purchase new spells/formulae from the order? Only having one option for my 2nd level spell slots is making me a bit nervous.
Seconded, I'm loving the varied approach and tone. The two groups feel interconnected but distinct in mission and focus. I'm hoping Alvin isn't taking his questioning too far? Respect for authority isn't among his virtues to say the least.
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