Acrobatics +8, Disable Device +8, Escape Artist +8, Knowledge (arcana) +1, Knowledge (local) +4, Perception +4, Perform (Comedy) +6, Sleight of Hand +8, Spellcraft +1, Stealth +4, Use Magic Device +6
Stats:
AC 19/16Tch/13FF, HP 9/9, Fort +1, Ref +7, Will +0, Init +5, Per +4, Panache: 2/2
While it's not clear if it was distaste for the messy work of preparing the boar, or a distaste for the work itself, Menlo had fallen silent while doing the tasks needed of him. Now, with the mood a little more festive, he engages in some small acts of legerdemain and entertains some of the locals with some juggling. To those whose attention he draws, he spins various fantastic tales as he performs, the veracity of which is very difficult to judge.
Sorry I took my eye off the boards for a bit there. Busy season at work. Bill, feel free to ping me again if my attention is needed, but I'll try to check in more often.
Acrobatics +8, Disable Device +8, Escape Artist +8, Knowledge (arcana) +1, Knowledge (local) +4, Perception +4, Perform (Comedy) +6, Sleight of Hand +8, Spellcraft +1, Stealth +4, Use Magic Device +6
Stats:
AC 19/16Tch/13FF, HP 9/9, Fort +1, Ref +7, Will +0, Init +5, Per +4, Panache: 2/2
With little experience as a hunter, Menlo is somewhat taken aback when the boar appears, but his reflexes are lightning fast, and by the time he recovers his composure, one of the sharp metal rings he displayed earlier is already zipping through the air at the boar.
The chakram whistles through the air, and bites deeply. At first, Menlo looks exultant, but then it slowly dawns on him that he hasn't followed the plan. "Er... sorry guys..." he eyes the boar with rapidly growing apprehension.
17 damage if 18 confirms the crit... I suspect I made it angry. If the boar attacks Menlo, he'll use panache point to add +2 to his AC with a dodging deed 5-foot step, making his effective AC 21.
Acrobatics +8, Disable Device +8, Escape Artist +8, Knowledge (arcana) +1, Knowledge (local) +4, Perception +4, Perform (Comedy) +6, Sleight of Hand +8, Spellcraft +1, Stealth +4, Use Magic Device +6
Stats:
AC 19/16Tch/13FF, HP 9/9, Fort +1, Ref +7, Will +0, Init +5, Per +4, Panache: 2/2
Menlo smiles at Alesta's obvious enthusiasm. "Well, far be it for me to keep an enthusiastic woman waiting." He snags one last slice of bacon and chews it thoughtfully as he stands and wraps his long scarf around him. "If the fair Alesta is ready, then so too is the Amazing Menlo. Let us proceed."
Acrobatics +8, Disable Device +8, Escape Artist +8, Knowledge (arcana) +1, Knowledge (local) +4, Perception +4, Perform (Comedy) +6, Sleight of Hand +8, Spellcraft +1, Stealth +4, Use Magic Device +6
Stats:
AC 19/16Tch/13FF, HP 9/9, Fort +1, Ref +7, Will +0, Init +5, Per +4, Panache: 2/2
"I think not, friend Firetail." Menlo gets out a set of metal rings and begins juggling them, apparently heedless of the outer sharp metal edges. "I'll see if I can engage the beasts with my chakram here. If that doesn't work, perhaps I shall scale a tree and leave the fighting to those better equipped."
Sleight of Hand (as performance skill):1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Acrobatics +8, Disable Device +8, Escape Artist +8, Knowledge (arcana) +1, Knowledge (local) +4, Perception +4, Perform (Comedy) +6, Sleight of Hand +8, Spellcraft +1, Stealth +4, Use Magic Device +6
Stats:
AC 19/16Tch/13FF, HP 9/9, Fort +1, Ref +7, Will +0, Init +5, Per +4, Panache: 2/2
Menlo smiles, happy enough to be included in the invitation. "Well, the Amazing Menlo has neither spear nor bow, but I shall accompany you nonetheless. Perhaps I shall learn a thing or two!"
"Well, if you are inquiring after the cause, there is some debate on that matter. My mother swore it was because my grandfather was an angel who fell in love with my grandmother, and some portion of his divine blood now runs in my veins."
"My father, on the other hand, always scoffed at this notion, instead ascribing my talents to the hours of rigorous training and discipline to which he subjected me throughout my childhood."
"As for why others might think me amazing, one would think that it was because of my proficiency with the blade, the feats of legerdemain I can perform with my deft hands, my ability to heal the wounds of others, and/or the mysterious magical powers I have mastered."
"Alas, in truth, the sobriquet was bestowed upon me because somewhere in the misspent hours of my youth I learned to juggle as a hobby, and that skill is often how I earn my coin."
Acrobatics +8, Disable Device +8, Escape Artist +8, Knowledge (arcana) +1, Knowledge (local) +4, Perception +4, Perform (Comedy) +6, Sleight of Hand +8, Spellcraft +1, Stealth +4, Use Magic Device +6
Stats:
AC 19/16Tch/13FF, HP 9/9, Fort +1, Ref +7, Will +0, Init +5, Per +4, Panache: 2/2
Finishing his drink, Menlo stands and moves over to the group that has just been rewarded, where he bows with an extravagant flourish of his long Varisian scarf. "The Amazing Menlo at your service. I gather from the generally laudatory reception that you three were more than merely instrumental in today's heroics. First, allow me to extend my congratulations; a single goblin is rarely a match for a trained fighter, but when they appear in great numbers it is all too easy to get overwhelmed."
"However, my real purpose in imposing my company on you is to find out if you've had any interactions with the local sheriff on this matter." He gestures in Firdall's direction, saying "My companion and I have been led to believe that he may be organizing to prune back the goblins' numbers, and if so, I'd be interested in participating."
Acrobatics +8, Disable Device +8, Escape Artist +8, Knowledge (arcana) +1, Knowledge (local) +4, Perception +4, Perform (Comedy) +6, Sleight of Hand +8, Spellcraft +1, Stealth +4, Use Magic Device +6
Stats:
AC 19/16Tch/13FF, HP 9/9, Fort +1, Ref +7, Will +0, Init +5, Per +4, Panache: 2/2
Menlo's mood lightens as the room around him erupts in cheers, and he swivels in his chair to watch the newly arrived heroes, smiling slightly as he sees how uncomfortable the half-orc is with public speaking.
When Ahdak has completed his brief summary, Menlo stands and says "Good sir, was this goblin attack with obvious purpose? Or did they simply seem bent on mindless mayhem this day?"
Acrobatics +8, Disable Device +8, Escape Artist +8, Knowledge (local) +4, Perception +4, Perform (Comedy) +6, Perform (Juggling) +6, Sleight of Hand +8, Spellcraft +1, Stealth +4, Use Magic Device +6
Stats:
AC 19/16Tch/13FF, HP 9/9, Fort +1, Ref +7, Will +0, Init +5, Per +4, Panache: 2/2
Menlo takes a large helping of the proffered food and settles in to consume it with gusto, alongside a flagon of mead. As he dines, he considers both the patrons already present, and those that enter the Dragon, trying to get a feel for the inhabitants of Sandpoint and a sense as to what sorts of entertainment they might find diverting. After a few minutes, finding the local mood very difficult to read, he shakes his head and returns his attention to his food, only looking up occasionally to assess those coming in.
Acrobatics +8, Disable Device +8, Escape Artist +8, Knowledge (local) +4, Perception +4, Perform (Comedy) +6, Perform (Juggling) +6, Sleight of Hand +8, Spellcraft +1, Stealth +4, Use Magic Device +6
Stats:
AC 19/16Tch/13FF, HP 9/9, Fort +1, Ref +7, Will +0, Init +5, Per +4, Panache: 2/2
GM Bill Ameiko wrote:
"I also trade in stories, boys. If you can wow me with a tale of today's excitement, tonight's on the house - you don't even need to perform."
"Well, as it happens, I can tell you the truth of why my ship arrived late at port today, Though it’s more of a tale of unfortunate coincidence than one of high adventure." Menlo considers a moment before he begins his tale.
Quote:
So when I arrived to embark, the captain on my ship, a man by the name of Horbus Flinch, took an instant dislike to me. He seemed to feel that I was some sort of thrill seeker, an adventurer looking for great deeds and acclaim. I assured him that I was but a humble entertainer, but he was adamant. “None o’ you treasure-seeking’ types on me ship,” he said, “Ye’re like a lodestone fer the worst kind ‘o trouble.”
I patiently explained that the Amazing Menlo has no enemies, seeks trouble with no man, and is lucky with both cards and dice, but he was having none of it, insisting that I disembark immediately. I asked how I could prove that I wasn’t one of these treasure-seekers he was so superstitious about, and he asked me some questions.
“Strong young feller like yourself, yer parents, they’re alive and well, I trust?” he asked. Reluctantly, for this personal tale is a source of great pain to me, I admitted to him that my parents had been slain in an orc raid, leaving only myself and my uncle as survivors.
“And ye went to live with yer nuncle, then?” he continued. I didn’t see the relevance, but I had to confide that my uncle had conspired with the orcs’ leader for personal gain, leading to the tragic events of the aforementioned raid.
“So you reported him to the gendarmes?” he pressed. I hastened to reassure him that I would never leave such a matter of personal honor in a stranger’s hands, and that I had sworn vengeance and embarked on a three year course of action to track down my hated uncle and end his life. “So you see,” I concluded, “I am merely a victim of tragic circumstances, a common man trying to make his way in the world.”
“And yer pigsticker there? It looks to be like the ones used by the high-n-mighty.” Becoming somewhat annoyed, I explained that my father had taught me the proper use of the rapier from a young age, but that I knew not where he had acquired such a skill, his origins having been shrouded in mystery I have yet to untangle.
Strangely unsatisfied, he once again bade me disembark, listing the various non-specific but horrific afflictions I would doubtlessly bring upon him and his ship. Mysterious storms, pirates, whirlpools, sirens, foreign navies, and uncharted islands figured prominently, despite my complete lack of connection to any such things.
To no avail, I promised to double my fee, surrender my weapons, and/or spend the journey in prayer and reflection. He remained unmoved. It was only when I noted that he was impugning my honor and made to challenge him that he relented, but even then it was with shockingly poor grace.
[Menlo sighs dramatically]
When the second sea monster attack came, I’m convinced the poor man went to his death thinking I was somehow to blame for his misfortune
Acrobatics +8, Disable Device +8, Escape Artist +8, Knowledge (local) +4, Perception +4, Perform (Comedy) +6, Perform (Juggling) +6, Sleight of Hand +8, Spellcraft +1, Stealth +4, Use Magic Device +6
Stats:
AC 19/16Tch/13FF, HP 9/9, Fort +1, Ref +7, Will +0, Init +5, Per +4, Panache: 2/2
"We'd like a room to share, if you've one that's big enough. And alas, I was here for the festival, intending to perform for my bread. I don't suppose, mistress Kaijitsu, that you've room for another entertainer in the taproom this evening?" Menlo cascades the balls he's holding from one hand to the other by way of explanation.
Acrobatics +8, Disable Device +8, Escape Artist +8, Knowledge (local) +4, Pehception +4, Perform (Comedy) +6, Sleight of Hand +8, Spellcraft +1, Stealth +8, Use Magic Device +6
Stats:
AC 19/16Tch/13FF, HP 9/9, Fort +1, Ref +7, Will +0, Init +5, Per +4
Menlo nods and accompanies Firdall towards the Rusty Dragon. As he walks through the small town, he takes three small leather balls out of a pouch at his side, and juggles them. If anyone shows interest, he'll proclaim "The Amazing Menlo, performing juggling feats to amaze and astound, athletic stunts that defy the senses, and acts of legerdemain that have left audiences mystified from Magnimar to Riddleport! Performing tonight, if the gods so permit."
Acrobatics +8, Disable Device +8, Escape Artist +8, Knowledge (local) +4, Perception +4, Perform (Comedy) +6, Sleight of Hand +8, Spellcraft +1, Stealth +8, Use Magic Device +6
Stats:
(AC 19/16Tch/13FF, HP 9/9, Fort +1, Ref +7, Will +0, Init +5, Per +4)
Bill Dunn wrote:
Meanwhile, a new ship has slipped into a berth at the docks. The smoke rising from the buildings the goblins managed to ignite has been visible to the ship's crew for some time, but with a signal from the harbormaster on duty, the captain ordered the ship to land and make ready to unload cargo and passengers. When inquiries are made, the man on duty informs the ship, "Today's festival day and, wouldn't you know it, goblins raided right during services. Have no fear, though, situation's under control. White Deer is full up, I hear, but the Rusty Dragon may have beds yet, if you're sleeping on land."
Menlo skips down the gangway with an aggressive bounce, landing with his feel planted together and his arms spread; but for all his physical enthusiasm he wears a concerned and somewhat frustrated expression. "Under control the situation may be, but it sounds like the festival is disrupted, and with it my chances to earn an honest coin. I feared when the ship was delayed that it was going to cost me, and now it seems straight certain it has. Is there any chance, good harbormaster, that the day's intended revelries have been extended until tomorrow?"
He ponders for a minute, considering the dock area. "Or perhaps it is other business that I should turn my attention to. These goblins you mention, is there perhaps a bounty on their heads? For it is well known that the Amazing Menlo is as skilled with a blade as with a tumble, throw, or jest."
