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Rubin performs his variety show at the inn four nights a week, basking in his modicum of fame and enjoying Chef's gourmet fare. In time he installs new casks to triple the inn's beer-brewing capacity, but his bow-making skills remain sadly neglected.
Not to worry big guy, you can always shake down the passed out drunkards and troublemakers.
This is golden! Dynamite material!
I think only an epic ballad can do the story justice. Pitch pipe please. F sharp? Lalala Ahem..hm...
Well, seeing as I have a few verses still left to write, I'll just give you the short prose version. Rubin thumbs through some notes he's written. I trust your man Jason made it back to tell you how things ended up with Lily and Sampson? After that, the three of us headed north on a tip to infiltrate the Authority headquarters. One of the henchmen who did some business with Sampson recognized Chef, and we had a showdown pretty quickly after that, where twelve-foot tall Kraull put some serious hurt on the bad guys. Happily, their boss Ricardo saw reason and came here with us to turn himself in. Ricardo, anything to add?
Well done, my man...I mean, my orc...I mean...um, well done! First thing, we need to get out of sight. And then out of town. I imagine that Ricardo here still has loyal henchmen about. After that, my vote is to take him back to Captain Trone for justice.
Ha, there you are! Still won't give up, eh? Guess we'll just have to catch you then. Rubin's crossbow is at the ready as Ricardo suddenly pops into sight.
Ricardo leads them on a chase through town. Mud, oh no! I just had my boots shined yesterday! Rubin leaps like a gazelle...
...and clears the mud puddle with room to spare. He remains in hot pursuit of their nefarious quarry.
While Rubin is unable to determine Ricardo's direction, he at least can no longer hear Chef's hysterical shrieking. Hoping that's a good sign, he calls out to him. CHEF!!! GET YOUR HEAD TOGETHER AND RUN THIS WAY!
Rubin flails around with his shortsword, trying not to hit Kraull in the process. Give up, I say! The jig is up! The party's over! You lose!
Whiffff!
Rubin sprints with all his might. I wonder how long invisibility lasts. He's bound to reappear sooner or later. Whoo...hopefully before my lungs explode.
Rubin makes some gestures, and a couple of uniformed guards step out from the trees in front of Ricardo (or where Rubin assumes he is). They draw swords and stand ready.
Uh oh Ricardo, it looks like our reinforcements have arrived. Ready to give up yet?
Poor horse, hope I didn't hurt him.
Rubin runs toward the horse and keeps his eyes and ears open for clues to Ricardo's direction. He flails his sword around in front of him, hoping to hit something, or at least to counter any invisible stabbing from their desperate quarry.
Fleeing to some other hideout, eh? We'll just see about that! Rubin makes some magical manipulations and casts Grease in front of the horse, if it's within range (40').
The question is, is he actually on that horse, or is he being clever and still hiding in the stable?
Rubin looks around quickly for footprints, shadows, movements, or anything that might give away which way Ricardo is heading.
If he doesn't see anything, he makes his way to the nearest door or staircase.
Oh no, after all that he's going to vanish and get away. Do I start slashing at thin air, or try to heal myself? His magic hurt me pretty bad. After vacillating for a moment, Rubin pulls out his magical wand and taps himself on his head.
Rubin's bravado drains away as quickly as his life. He was going to make a witty remark about Ricardo meeting his match at the end of his former henchman's blade, but instead just swings desperately, wishing he had let Kraull go ahead of him.
Rubin flails his limbs as he hits the wall and slides to the bottom. He momentarily imagines that Kraull sabotaged him on purpose and prepares to take revenge, then thinks better of it, recognizing the signs of magical manipulation on his mind. Kraull then grabs him and flings him like a ragdoll up onto the roof (if permitted).
Gimme a hand Kraull, and we'll have this wrapped up in no time. Just a little boost is all I need. Rubin gets a running start towards Kraull, scrambles onto his oversize back, up to his shoulders, and with a little extra boost from Kraull (hopefully), swings over the railing onto the terrace above.
Rubin lets loose another bolt, this time at Ricardo. Like the bite of a mosquito next to Kraull's onslaught. I hope we can keep him from fleeing.
Not for the first time, I'm sure glad Kraull's fighting with us and not against us. Well done, Kraull Rubin salutes Kraull grimly, his demeanor becoming more serious as he feels his conscience starting to nag once again. He raises his crossbow and takes aim at the cleric.
Holy Desna! Did that actually work? So that's what it feels like to be a real spell-caster! Rubin does a short jig to celebrate his successful casting. Let's try another. He casts Grease on the barbarian's weapon (DC 14). Two can cast that spell, eh Ricardo?
Rubin mocks Ricardo: Haha, that's all you've got? I was expecting a fireball at least! Looks like you're well-matched, Kraull, but you'll wear him out pretty quick I bet. That archer could be an annoyance. I'll see what I can do. Rubin slips through the gate and casts Hold Person on the archer (DC 15, my last 2nd level spell for today).
Hmmm...Left hand goes up, purple swirls, can't quite see what he has in his hand, but it looks like he's waiting for a target. It must be... ...
Rubin sees Ricardo starting his spellcasting and keeps his eye on him, trying to make out what the result will be.
From what I've seen, Kraull here can outmuscle all of you single-handedly. But we'll help him out, too, just to unfairly turn the advantage in our favor. Just remember, you had a choice. Rubin waves his hands about. Impressive magical sparkles glint off Giant Kraull's weapon and armor as he is imbued with extra battle prowess.
Crew members? Hah! Seems like if we just beat off your goon squad, we should be the new bosses, and you can work for us! Might makes right, is that it? Now, are you gonna come out on your own two feet, or carried out in pieces? THAT GOES FOR THE REST OF YOU HIDING IN THE STABLES AND WHATNOT. YOUR BOSS'S TIME IS UP, SO COME ON OUT NOW WHILE YOU HAVE THE CHANCE. JUST WALK AWAY AND WE'LL FORGET WE SAW YOU HERE.
Looks like it could be another ambush. Maybe a direct approach would be best. Rubin raps loudly on the gate with the flat of his new sword. MR. RICAAAARRRDO! TURN YOURSELF IN NOW AND LIVE. IF YOU MAKE US COME IN AFTER YOU, IT'LL END MESSILY FOR YOU, LIKE IT DID FOR ISHZARK. WE'LL GIVE YOU UNTIL FIVE. ONE!........
Let's go find this guy. Rubin heads in the direction that the boss and/or minions ran off in.
And don't forget I also have a healing wand, and most of my spells. Okay, let's go crush boss-man! Which way is it exactly?
And my throat is a little parched, I'm not sure how much more singing I can do today. I imagine his under-lackeys have run back to him to share the news, so I doubt we'll be able to surprise him.
Rubin wrenches a crossbow bolt from his arm as Chef taps him with his healing wand. He suddenly realizes he is drenched in terror sweat underneath his stifling armor. Well, no time to bathe or do laundry now. We better get to Whats-His-Face as soon as possible before we run out of adrenaline. Nice job Kraull! You kept me wondering there for a minute, but I was pretty sure we weren't going to be slaughtered. Now, Chef, how do you feel about skewering a fellow gourmand and admirer of your cuisine? I say we find this fine fellow and have a brief friendly chat. Rubin picks up his crossbow and one of Ishzark's shiny blades.
Rubin slices at the annoying and defiant Ishzark, hoping that he bleeds out before Kraull does.
(Insert inspired and inspiring lyrics here)
Forget this ineffectual crossbow, time for something more heroic! Seeing Ishzark's magical shimmering fade away, Rubin drops his crossbow, draws his short sword, and scoots around the booth to confront him directly.
All hail the companions three
Rubin glances worriedly at the blood spilling from Kraull's wounds as concentrated attacks seem to pour in on him from every direction. Luckily most of them seem to miss their mark. He reloads and fires at the same target once more, readying himself to run over to Kraull with his healing wand if he takes many more hits.
Now you don't look so well
Rubin reloads and fires again at the nearest combatant.
Shifty tiefling mendacity
I can feel the tide is turning
Rubin takes aim and fires at the nearest mage.
Rubin scoots around to the other side of the stall and unloads a crossbow bolt at the nearest attacker. He keeps singing.
Kraull will slash you
Rubin peeks around the edge of the stall, avoiding a large pool of mingled blood and magical grease. He pauses his song just long enough to drop a small iron bar on the ground while mumbling some arcane words, pointing at the third bowman on the other side of the plaza. Then he continues singing his thrilling war poetry.
Welcome one and all
We're done for! Rubin runs behind the nearest shop booth and cowers there, bleeding from an arrow stuck in his arm, and with a welt of singed flesh on his torso from the mage's magical attack. He quickly overcomes his panic and reverts to his primary method of coping with adversity, namely singing. Here comes the boss
Happy New Year. I think the map is set to read only, I couldn't move anything either. But it looks good, I'm all set.
No problem. I've been busy travelling for the holidays, I'm back now.
What this calls for is a zany scheme. Too bad I haven't got one. Maybe turn the boss against his tiefling henchman somehow, and get him out of the picture. Seems pretty risky, though. I still say the simplest solution is just to slip him some poison the next time he comes in for a meal. Keep an antidote on you, though, just in case. Seems cowardly and cold-blooded, but the end justifies the means, right? We're still the good guys, right? Right? Meanwhile, I have an idea for collecting some more information on this "Ricardo". Rubin heads outside and wanders through town, searching for a suitable-looking young street urchin, canny and desperate. Psst, hey kid, how'd you like to make a couple gold? What do you know about this Ricardo character? Mr. Big Shot, y'know? Mmhmm, mmhmm. Tell you what. Meet me here at this time every day and tell me what he's been up to, and I'll keep the gold coming, whaddaya say? Rubin tosses him 2 gold.
And he didn't rat you out immediately? That's strange, I wonder what his angle is. Will there be an opportunity to slip some poison into their next meal?
Rubin takes a short break from his gig in the tavern, and nurses a pint of ale. My nerves are strung tighter than a soprano harp. I could swear there's something important going on. He glances at Kraull, guarding the front door, but nothing seems amiss.
Rubin hams it up at the tavern night after night, trying to get his mind off the possibility of sudden and fatal retribution by the dead man's allies. As Chef tells him what transpired that evening:
That might work. Just make sure you're there behind me to stomp them to death if it doesn't.
We better alert the authorities, since they'll soon know anyway. If therse guys really were part of the local gang, maybe the law can afford us some protection from their vengeance. Not too likely, but I don't see any real good alternatives here. Rubin nudges the corpse with his toe, vainly hoping for some sign of life.
I guess we'll just wait around and see what happens now. Maybe this will speed up our mission, or maybe we'll all get sent to the gallows. sigh...How depressing, the loss of a (mostly) innocent life at our hands. And Kraull's attitude is too cavalier for my liking. Looks like I'm in for yet another ethical dilemma.
Oh dear, now what have we got ourselves into? As Rubin sees Chef vainly attempt to revive the fallen man, he is overwhelmed with remorse for being complicit in an unnecessary death. I'm just as responsible for this as Kraull. I won't let him rot away in a cell. We'll complete our mission one way or another.
Hmmm...should I stay in the shadows, or lose any chance at stealth and help Kraull out? Rubin cringes as Kraull takes a vicious blow to the abdomen. He steps out into the open and belts out an inspiring limerick. One man against two,
This should be entertaining. Rubin follows Kraull nonchalantly at a distance. |
