Johann Sharpe's page

Forgiveness for the short post, but my situation is much the same as our dear GM's at the moment... with the added stress of a creative breakdown.

Hopefully, I'll be back to myself in no time.

The inquisitor didn't speak much as the group moved into the house and got comfortable. He felt awkward, walking into someone else's home. Fortunately, the welcoming atmosphere and kindness of the halfling homeowners set him at ease. Nevertheless, he kept an eye on sticky-fingered Felinder.

"Now that we're someplace safe... perhaps now you would be willing to hear me out in more detail?

Johann took up a spot all his own and gave the nobleman a stiff nod.

Lonnie coughs loudly in order to get the attention of anyone that may not be listening. "As you all know, we might be being pursued. I would like to go and see my family for a moment at the very least too explain the circumstances. Follow me if you wish, you're welcome too stay the night."

"Your invitation is most welcome, Mr. Maldron." the inquisitor thanks as he follows the others.

"My name is Rexus Victocora, and until last week’s Night of Ashes, I was one of this city’s nobles. What may a I call my uncommon rescuers?"

Johann recalled a noble estate being one of the the three locations in the city to be destroyed by the fires. "Johann Sharpe, inquisitor of the Waybringer. And the cleric that healed you is my friend, Arno Devarax." He gives the man a polite bow. "It's an honor to meet you. And my sympathies for your loss. I know all too well what it's like to lose a home. Are you faring well?"

"Perhaps we should continue this conversation elsewhere? It may not be safe here. Then we can see if we can help him, and figure out what to do now." He turns to look at Lonnie. "Can we still all go to your place or does this change things?"

Grinning, Tasha turns towards Lonnie. "You know, I'd like to see seven grown humans fit in a halfling house. Or you trying to explain why there's seven of us to your mom!", she laughs out loud, then attempts to scratch an itch under the chainmail unsuccessfully.

"You know, there was this comedy about the seven gnomes and the half-orc girl...", she laughs out loud, tossing a pouch in the air. Looking at Isabelle, she raises a curious eyebrow, glancing all over the worn and beaten man. "If nothing else, at least we can spend some of the lawfully requisitioned wealth to get you somewhere to sleep for..." She feels the weight of the pouches, then opens one to stare at the gold and the pendants, as her mouth opens widely. "Abadar's sack, we can probably buy a house somewhere with all that!", she exclaims.

The inquisitor cringed upon being reminded that they were now handling stolen money. While bribery wasn't illegal in Cheliax, most of them were well-meaning citizens, not representatives of the law. Still, there was little they could do now. And better it go to getting Rexus back on his feet and finding a place to spend the night then letting it go to waste.

Felinder can't help but grin at Trisha's reaction to their income. "Well, if the beautiful lady's reaction means anything, I think we may have enough gold to treat ourselves a little. I think we've all done our good deeds for the day, and good Samaritans deserve a good rest. But where to put ourselves up..."

The dark-haired man gave Felinder a sideways glance, but kept silent. If he trusted Felinder with anything, it was knowing where someone could disappear... and if he led him to any of his criminal associates along the way, it just meant one more target for him to bring to justice.

For the most part, Johann stood back, tried to look intimidating, and let Felinder and Tasha work their verbal magic. He didn't quite approve of impersonating lawfully appointed officials, but no man deserved to be beaten up in a back alley and the bloodshed with minimal.

"Who is that guy? He's quite the fabricator at any rate. Probably not the first time he's done that I'm guessing?"

"Felinder's a swindler and scam artist with delusions of grandeur." he whispered back. "I've been on his trail for a while, but he's a slippery one. Don't be fooled; He's done some good today, but he only ever serves his own interests..." With that, he followed the others in making sure the man was alright.

"Quiet. I hear something. Couple Thruneys attacking, trying to kill someone. Not sure what the right thing to do here is but help or run, whatever we do, it should be quick."

"Hmm... Right thing to do...."

"Honestly, I'd be more than happy to get some revenge on these Thrunies, but how should we go about it?"

"What do you think, coin? Vengeance through blade, or vengeance though words?"

The brown-haired man internally groaned and rolled his eyes upon seeing Felinder pull out a coin to flip. Whatever made a man indecisive and impulsive enough to leave such decisions to random chance, he didn't want to know.

"I've got a plan. Leave the talking to me. While I do so, some of you head around the building to the other side of the alley. If things get dicey, be ready to run in and start a beat down."

Just as he was about to ask for specifics, the other man spoke up.

"I'm sorry Felinder, but I wont let them hurt that person any more than they already have."

"Woah, woah, there, friend. You don't want them to hurt them anymore? Then let me handle this. Give me a moment, and I'll make sure they're away from the poor guy. You guys go in their swinging, and you're just giving them an excuse to take him as a hostage."

"If a few of us go around while I distract them, we have them flanked, and we stop them from putting a knife to the guy's throat and using him as cover as they just run out the other side."

"Trust me. It's what I would do."

"And I'm sure you've done so at least once or twice." He quipped. "...but the more we delay, the more suffering they cause." He gives Felinder a death glare. "Putting anyone's life in your hands, even for a few moments, is an uncomfortable compromise Zelix. Don't screw this up." With that, he started making his way to the alley's other side.

Johann sprinted as fast as he could, but his heavier armor could only take him so far before he had to stop and catch his breath. Luckily, he stopped close to both his new friend, his old one, and a few strangers (plus Felinder)

"That... that was quite the little raucous... Any... Anyone here have a bit of a pick me up? I'm afraid this gaping head wound is leaving me a tad under the weather."

"You should go get it cauterised. I'll fetch the devil dog. I think... Arno, correct? You are able to mend wounds, correct?" And cause them, too. Flexibility is a good thing, wouldn't you say, Felinder? Especially of the moral variety."

Arno stares at Felinder. "Er, Felinder... How did you get hurt?"

"Getting in over his head, more then likely." he replied before Felinder could. He made no objections when Arno went to heal him; He'd rather see the con artist behind bars then judged in Pharasma's courts before the living were done with him.

"Well, as the great Absalomian poet said, 'Now we done messed up, folk' I wasn't imagining being involved in the murder of Thrune agents today. I try to keep that out for big holidays." And it's not the way forward. One bottle of Kyonin Orange says Thrune will use that to further his power and silence voices. And do something completely insane, while he's at it.", she shrugs.

"If he did, I wouldn't be surprised..." Johann speaks up again. "The man's unstable... and still had support despite it. The dottari standing by him is understandable; whther they like it or not, it's their job to the enforce the law. But those miscreants in red..." he sighs. "They turned a blind eye to blatant murder"

While Tasha took an aside with the man he saw slice through the thugs and law enforcement alike, he turned his attention to the last member of their strange entourage.

"Whew, that was...exciting." Isabelle pants as she pauses to catch her breath. She extends her hand to those around her "I'm afraid we haven't been properly introduced. My name's Isabelle, Isabelle d'Sarini." She smiles sweetly "Yes, those Sarini's. But don't worry my family's disowned me because I don't share the same...beliefs as they do." she explains "I'm on my own, to do as I wish and I wouldn't have it any other way."

The brown-haired man set aside his weapon and carefully shook her hand. No reason to disregard manners because they were in a dirty backalley. "Standing up for your city and protecting its people shows a nobility all its own, Miss Isabelle. I'm Johann Sharpe."

Knowledge (Planes) to identify: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Before Johann could tell Felinder he'd remember what color to make his manacles, the dottari and the woman who took the knife to the throat returned with a fire-spewing Hell hound... whose fire breath was making his desires for the crowd's retreat come true in the most grisly way possible. He shouted "Hell hound! Flee for your lives!" to the rest of the crowd, hoping they get the message.

"I think Thrune's pet there is doing a fine job dispersing the crowd without us, Inquisitor. Perhaps we'd best do the same, eh?"

"Just shut up and run!" he replied, ready to follow before Tasha got his attention.

"Think Zelinder might have the right idea. Let's start legging it, I have an idea..."

"Whatever your plan is, make it quick." The inquisitor warned before charging off after Felinder.

Move Action: Strategic retreat from area

Felinder mockingly put a hand to his chest. "Why, Inquisitor, I'm shocked. Normally, you can't seem to get enough of chasing me, and yet here I am, and you're telling me to leave. I'm hurt, I truly am.

"The only thing that hurt you today was that well-deserved smack you seem to have gotten." the inquisitor replied. As per usual, the swindler wasn't taking the situation seriously, even with people dead or injured. His callousness only made Johann angrier... but before he could properly express that anger, someone new approached; a short brown-haired woman with a red coat and a sap who seemed to know the scoundrel on his shoulder. While hesitant of her, she seemed to match wits with Felinder, and the fact that she was using a nonlethal weapon put him at ease.

"I take it you're familiar with Felinder, too? I'm convinced he's got a decent heart. In a pickle jar somewhere under a mattress, most likely." Tucking the sap back on her belt, she extends a hand. "Tasha Valenti. Pleased to meet you, wish it was in better circumstances."

He let go of his quarterstaff and gave her hand a firm grip. Before he could reply, though...

Felinder stood up as straight as he could. "Ms. Valenti, allow me to introduce Inquisitor Johann Sharpe. Stubborn as a mule, and sharpe as a marble. We go way back."

Any other day, Johann wouldn't have let the insult get to him. But most days didn't involve riots and death, and the frustration was beginning to show; his hand gripped the quarterstaff tighter and his face was reddening in anger. Right now, he wanted to cripple the man and leave him for the dottari to claim... but his discipline kept him from doing anything rash.

"My condolences on your choice of acquaintances, then, Inquisitor.", she smiles. "But as much as we all like to see him locked away and the key thrown away, he did help us here, and I'm sure he knows where we can hide out if and when the dottari come back."

"I can assure you, Felinder didn't help anyone here. That requires a level of selflessness he isn't capable of." the dragon hunter replied coldly.

"So... I'm not looking to fight that woman when she walks out. Or Thrune's elite guard following her. I suggest we skedaddle?"

"Retreat sounds wise..." he sighs. "But we need to clear this crowd out, too. We can't convince them all to seek safety, but it might be worth trying."

Also, I have to say that the 'sharp as a marble' line literally (literally literally) made me spill beer over my keyboard. Until today, I didn't think that was a thing that actually occured. Kudos to you, and no offense to Johann!

It was hilarious. I wish I was just as witty... but my character probably wishes Felinder'd just drop unconscious already.

Johann's eyes widened as he saw the man he assisted crush the dottari's skull in a single downward stroke. While he understood that killing was sometimes necessary to protect the innocent and defend oneself, it didn't make him more comfortable with the idea. The guard was off to be judged in the Boneyard... while the angry man charged off to continue his murder spree. The inquisitor just stood there, too shocked to follow. But just when he thought the surprises were over...

"Woo... Good job there, my burly compa..."

By some cruel twist of fate, Johann seemed to inadvertently rescue the one man he hated almost as much as Thrune. He knew Felinder as an ambitious rat and con artist whose sticky hands were only matched by his greasy personality and silver tongue. He represented everything Johann hated about criminals... including their ability to escape punishment. Whenever Johann caught the rogue up to no good, he'd always managed to either talk his way out or slip away as if never there at all... and that was just when he'd caught him.

"Afternoon, Inquisitor. Hope you're enjoying the riot as much as I am."

"I'm not in the mood for your sass, Felinder." he growled back through gritted teeth. "Do us both a favor and make yourself scarce. You're at death's door and I have more important people to protect then you."

Now next to the man that passed by, he saw another one of the thugs try to swipe at him... and one of the dottari come up next to them. While prepared to square off against the thugs, he was a bit less prepared for someone only doing their job, no matter how unreasonable the orders. Regardless, she would be his next target... after the thug started snoozing.

You're pretty sure you broke some teeth with that swing. Either way, he wasn't happy you rearranged his face a bit. "You're gonna pay for that, traitor!" He yelled as he took a swing for the inquisitor, barely missing the man.

"Thrune betrayed Kintargo's people. He's the traitor!" the dark-haired man roared back before taking another swing while the man was distracted by someone rushing by.

While he was prepared for the fallout, he wasn't prepared to witness Lord-Mayor Thrune's blatant murder of a servent. While the manure-slinging was uncalled for, murdering a servent for a simple accident was unforgivable. The sounds of combat shook him from his daze, however. Dottari and people in red were attacking civilians left and right. While one of them was felled by a random knife, it didn't stop the rest.

'That will be my job.' he thought, his resolve unshakable; Thrune's orders went too far. These people needed defending. Stepping up towards the nearest thug, he took a swing with his quarterstaff.

Barzillai's latest proclamation sparked outrage within Johann's heart. Passive-aggressive insults could be brushed aside easily, but another pointless proclamation!? There was no way Thrune could've misunderstood their intent! This was a blatant abuse of power... and from the crowd's reaction, the straw that was breaking the camel's back. He thought back to Arno's warning and his own instincts... and pulled out his quarterstaff, preparing for the worst.

With the crowd's most troublesome elements quieted down, Johann took a step back to see if Arno's warnings about the crowd still persisted or if their interference was enough to prevent conflict.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Johann was happy to get a reward, but happier to see that rat run with his tail between his legs. This event didn't need him to spoil it.

"Listen up! I want you all to stand where I tell you, so that we can have a well defined, reasoned and safe protest! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!"

"Ah! Now there's a man with some good sense. What we need around here is some organization. Johann, I'll see you around in a few. I'm gonna go over here and see if I can give this fellow a hand."

The inquisitor nodded and took a look at the other groups. Many of them were here for good reason, but the ones trying to incite a riot were doing more harm then good. With that in mind, Johann made it his goal to silence them.

"Do not stand here crooning for pointless violence and rabble-rousing! Every other person here has solid reasons for being here and speaking out today. Either align your reasons with theirs or go home!"

"I can feel the swelling of tide, Johann. Be careful. It feels like there is going to be a crashing of chaos against the rocks here."

Johann nodded. Arno's intuition was dependable, especially in times like this. With the warning, it meant he'd be ready for it. Before he could give a proper response, the inquisitor spotted a pickpocket trying. It was bad enough that these people did that for a living, but to do it on such an occasion was unforgivable.

"I saw that, scoundrel!" he declared, pointing toward the man.

It wasn't a great time to call the Silver City home as far as Johann was concerned. With the random fires, the destruction of a whole noble family, and the disappearances, he was surprised such a mob hadn't formed sooner. The man had no objections to bringing more order to the city... but all that followed since the man's appointment to the seat of lord-mayor was chaos.

And so here he was, standing here within a powder keg of outrage and emotion, determined to keep it from detonating. Thrune's supporters and the anarchists weren't making it easier, but he left the idea of anything worthwhile being easy behind a long time ago.

"Er...quite the crowd," Arno says to Johann. "Who's heading up this protest anyway? I hope things don't get out of hand. The crowds seem pretty angry."

"I'm not sure, my friend..." he mumbles, reminded that he didn't stand alone in his goals. Arno may not have been the strongest and a bit soft-hearted, but the man's dedication to duty matched his own and there wasn't a man in the city he'd rather have at his back. "But they have every right to be. Barzillai's proclamations have done nothing to address the city's real issues. How will a ban on mint keep these people safe from the Red Jills or the River Talons? Will gutter-crawling rats like Felinder care that they can't wear embroidered clothing without a permit? We should be putting more effort in hunting criminals and ne'er-do-wells, not feral dogs and vermin."

"I believe Thrune can still do the right thing though. He is as Chelish as you or I, and a united and well-mannered queue will appeal to him far more then bloodthirsty savages. If we can keep the crowd from doing anything rash... he might yet listen."

Great to be here with y'all. Should prove to be an interesting run.

Johann doesn't place a lot of stock in the rumors surrounding Barzillai or the Night of Ashes, be he can't deny the fact that the man's more ridiculous proclamations are blatant abuses of power and the resulting chaos threatens the safety of his mother's former home. As such, he is attending this latest protest in hopes that Barzillai will get the message and change his ways.

That being said, I wouldn't mind him being the friend who convinces Arno to join him. While they worship different gods in different ways, I'm sure he'd respect the man's dedication to duty and it's their duty to make sure the people have their say... and to prevent further anarchy from erupting.

He'd probably dislike Felinder, though. Probably knows him from previous encounters, but never able to see him thrown behind bars.

Dotting with Johann Sharpe, Inquisitor of Apsu and aspiring dragon hunter eager to find (and, if possible, kill) the wicked dragons Adrakash, Ithanothaur, and Rivozair in the Wayfinder's name. Anyone else he encounters along his way that's chaotic (and to a lesser extent, evil) may also find themselves on the business end of his quarterstaff. His reason for attending the protest is to take a stand against Barzillai's seizure of power and make sure things don't spiral out of control.