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Checking in and still interested, but still swamped as well. The job search continues, and it saps pretty much all my time at the moment; trying to scrounge the cash to eat while still going to classes full time and keep a roof over my head. To top things off, I don't qualify for food assistance because I'm a currently unemployed full-time student. On the plus side, I had a very good phone interview today. Here's hoping I make it to the next stage.
Round 3: Halbrin stalks over to the cowering guard, clucking his tongue against his mouth as he does. The hobgoblin keeps his voice low as he wipes the blood from his dagger on the man's tunic. "You're not as stupid as I first thought, though it would have been easier for everyone if you simply let me join your game."
Halbrin grins, hoping his teeth are reflected by the dim light in the room. "You're so smart you are goin' to tell me where I can find Parrin, and then you're goin' to turn around and face this corner until me and my friends leave. Aren't you."
Round 2 Actions: Noticing movement behind him Halbrin lashes out with his dagger, aiming the blade at his assailant's throat in imitation of his previous strike.
Halbrin turns back to the first guard and frowns, noticing a slight scratch on his blade where it caught on the guard's armor. "Do you have any idea how long it took me to polish this dagger?" The hobgoblin hisses in the man's ear as said dagger strikes at the small of the guard's back. Quickly pulling the weapon free, Halbrin steps away from the door to provide the others ready access to the darkened room.
Round 1 Actions: Harlbin grins in the sudden darkness. Noting the gasp of the guard behind him he turns toward the standing man. The hobgoblin reaches around the guard's throat, hoping to silence him before he has opportunity to call out.
Halbrin sighs in response, visibly crestfallen. "Fine, fine. Ah know 'ow to take a hint." The hobgoblin turns and opens the door. He steps out onto the catwalk, retrieving his dagger from his sleeve as he does. Not quite ready to leave, Halbrin calls back over his shoulder. "Ye sure ah can't stay here with you a bit? If ya don't think my coin's enough, ah can hunt down a friend to bring back wit' me." His empty hand is held open and motioning slightly to Albrecht, hidden alongside the door.
GM Mug:
Halbrin places a hand on his head, feigning fatigue. His voice is lower than usual, and sounds somewhat hoarse. "Sorry, dinna know anyone was in here. Just lookin' fer a place to rest a bit. Been a long day, and the work we're doin' now ain't no cakewalk." The hobgoblin glances at the guards. "You don't mind if I catch my breath a bit up here, with you? I won't stay long; don't wanna be missed anyway. 'Sides, looks like you could use another in yer game." Nodding at the table, Halbrin continues. "I've a bit o' coin from my work this week. It's not much, mind you, but I wouldn't mind spendin' it at a table rollin' dice. What do you say?"
Halbrin waits for the patrolling guard to move as far away as his round take him before quickly removing his chain shirt, trying to be as quiet as possible in doing so. He hands the armor to Albrecht along with his silvered dagger and bow. The hobgoblin then tucks his remaining dagger out of sight in the folds of his sleeve.
He leans in close to whisper to Albrecht. "Time for a distraction. Give me a bit to get into position before coming in, but don't take too long. When you do, strike fast." Halbrin waits once more for the patrolling guard's rounds to take him out of sight then stands, takes a moment to slump and compose himself as a weary laborer, and strolls through the door, closing it behind him.
Halbrin glances at Albrecht, then at Keelix on the other side of the warehouse. The hobgoblin holds up two fingers, tipping his head toward the window as he does.
The hobgoblin draws his daggers eagerly, then pouts a bit as he stares at the blades. "I probably shouldn't bleed him, should I." Halbrin eases himself through the window, his feet barely making any noise as he crouches on the catwalk. "I'll check the rear offices, see if our mark's inside one of them. The rest of you best come in out of the cold; try not to be seen." Halbrin cautiously advances toward the offices, placing each foot carefully to avoid making any unnecessary sound.
Halbrin scampers up the rope without effort, his proportions making him look like a large ape in the darkness. As he waits for the others to make the accent the hobgoblin moves to the nearest window and begins examining it in the hope that it will provide access to the building's interior.
Halbrin watches the makeshift patrol continue past the alley before answering the previous question. "Lead the way, Featherhead; if we're goin' to do this, best to move out now."
Halbrin pouts as he watches Keelix ascend into the sky. "I guess that will work, but it seem so borin'." Once the Strix is away Halbrin turns to the others "Bein' seen is one thin', bein' noticed is another. Unfortunately, we're a fairly noticeable bunch. Even someone who simply recognizes our races would be able to identify us, if they had a mind to do so. For some of us that aspect of our identity is difficult to mask, and we need to leave a witness. Any ideas?"
Halbrin pulls his dagger from the crate and pushes off, landing lightly on the floorboards. "Sounds like a plan, Alby."
Halbrin snorts in amusement as he hands the paper to Elianna. "Seems we get to skulk around a bit. Play a little snatch and grab. Maybe a bit of frame-up; it is the kind of thing I have a knack for, I freely admit, and I particularly like the frame-up."
Sorry for my absence. My computer was possessed for a bit: Seems I should have uninstalled WoW a few years ago, when I last cancelled my game account. I started the updater while considering playing again, and it turns out they optimized the client files in that time. The launcher started the process on my machine, and for some reason it played havoc with my system files.
Actually learning a trade is often a great cover.
No problem, though if you take too long I have a feeling Elianna's going to end up feeding me both my feet. And Vel's for good measure.
The hobgoblin attempts to feign a look of innocence, though his bright orange eyes and abundant teeth spoil the appearence. "I don't understand what you mean, Elianna. That's not a compliment among your backward people?" Halbrin widen his eyes and places his open palm to his lips in shocked imitation of the wealthy nobles that frequent Eranmas' shopping district. "It is truly a shame; one should be proud of one's potential for favorable breedin'."
Halbran's chuckles turn into unrestrained laughter. "You're a lucky one, Vel. You're not nearly as Cayden-tongued as you believe, and our dear Elianna is a particularly adept female; if she had half the sense of a hobgoblin she would have taken a lump of your flesh in payment for your offense." The hobgoblin's laughter stills, as if something has occurred to him. "I will admit, though, by my people's standards you two would make an impressive match. Your offspring would likely be quite strong."
Halbrin rolls his eyes as the aasimar elaborates upon his motivations. "Lady's gaze, I've no interest in learnin' of your matin' habits; that my people have not enslaved the lot of you by now is an embarrassment I will never live down." The hobgoblin chuckles in spite of himself. "I've met goblins with greater modesty."
Halbrin shakes his head in wonder at Velasar's explanation. "I will never understand why humans and their kin feel the need to lay with their lessers. It's a wonder the species can survive with such poor breeding habits."
"I thought you knew better by now; if you try to sneak a peek between performances there's not much to see. The stage must be cleared in preparation of the next show. Stick around, though, and you'll see the endless potential take shape; it's well worth the steep price of admittance." Halbrin grins and continues to carve. The fingers of his other hand begin lightly tapping a repetitive rhythm against the crate.
"You know Pruner, always tryin' to get into our heads. Attemptin' to learn our inner motivations: what we know, what we don't, and what we only think we do." Halbrin idly frees his dagger from the crate and begins using it to scratch a design into the wood. "We really ought to charge admission."
"Don't worry, Featherhead, I appreciate havin' you around; when they see you comin' no one even notices me." The hobgoblin chuckles at his own statement, finding it particularly humorous.
Halbrin deftly catches the knot in one hand while drawing his silvered dagger with the other. The hobgoblin utilizes the point of the small blade to manipulate the rope, separating adjacent sections of the chord to allow him to progressively loosen the knot until it comes undone. Once finished Halbrin pins the length of rope to the crate with his weapon, then settle back once more to wait for the others' arrival.
"It pays to be charmin', especially with a mug like mine. Puts folks off-balance." Halbrin tabs his head thoughtfully. "Life's a lot simpler when the folks can't figure out what you're thinkin'."
Halbrin shrugs in response and offers a toothy grin. "Too early to tell, dear Elianna; the evening remains young, though I will admit tonight's sunset showed more promise than usual." The hobgoblin lightly flicks the disk hanging from his left ear, causing the silver earring to begin spinning slowly. One side of the medallion bears the comely face of a human woman, while a simple mask adorns the reverse.
Halbrin moves effortlessly, even gracefully, through the goods gathered within the merchant building despite broad shoulders that force him to turn sideways to step around piles of stacked merchandise. He wears the customary armor of the Molthune army, a chain shirt emblazoned with the nation's mark, but the metal links that comprise the piece remain silent as the hobgoblin makes his way toward the meeting space. He notes but does not return Pruner's nod as Halbrin springs atop a large crate. Setting his back against the wall he folds his hands against his chest and drapes his right leg over the crate's edge. His right foot taps impatiently against the wooden container as Halbrin waits for the others to arrive.
I'll be honest, I'm having real trouble placing my character in Golarion. I'm not finding much information on where/how hobs live in the the setting other than generalities and a nation in the far east. Anyone know where I can find information on hobgoblin societies in the Inner Sea? I'm leaning toward a child of a survivor of the Goblinoid Wars that fled Isger after growing dissatisfied with a regimented lifestyle, but information on the area and conflict appears scarce. EDIT An idea has started to form, interestingly while considering the MRI I have scheduled tomorrow morning. I hope to have a backstory fleshed out and completed shortly. Tomorrow night at the latest.
Hey, I may be a rogue, but I'm still a pious character; don't be forgetting Alseta. It's a good thing she gets along fine with the Stodgy Patriarch, the Stuffy Businessman, and the Incorrigible Party Animal. :P EDIT How come there are no friendly-looking hobgoblin avatars? This is the closest I could find, and it's not even a hob.
So how much is the armor/uniform of the Molthune army going to cost me, and how much trouble am I going to get into if someone realizes I'm not supposed to have it. :P I'm not even sure what Molthune's uniforms look like. I'll have to do some searching. If all else fails, some creative thinking.
One hobgoblin knife fighter, as promised. I still need to buy equipment and write the character fluff, but I think everything else is good to go. |
