Aerianna raises the truncheon threatenigly "You might want to reconsider that ultimatum." she says manner-of-factly.
I nodded at the two odd gents after they admitted they didn't need anything from us. It was kind of a nice change of pace in my life.
Afterlife. Second life,... whatever.
I tipped my hat to them both. "If you think of anything,..." I smiled and left it at that.
I proceeded cautiously with the rest of the group, not wanting to use what was left of my mystic energy until I was sure I needed it. I wasn't surprised in the least at the entrance of the beggar-knaves. Their leader's appearance surprised me a little bit. As did Arianna's hot-retort. 'Hmmm,... I may not be the ONLY 'fireball' in the group anymore.' I mused silently.
"Hotstuff?!?" I asked aloud, placing what I hoped was a calming hand on Arianna's shoulder. The last thing I needed was to lose an arm to a would-be partner. "That's the nicest thing that anyone's called me in a week!" I declared to the dandified leader, smiling a charming grin I was pretty sure didn't reach my eyes.
"And what, pray tell goodsir knave, would be your response if I told you that we were in no better financial straights than your group? Worse, probably, since you obviously have a clue as to your surroundings, and we're not quite sure where we are,... yet." I continued to smile, but allowed my left hand to slowly pull back my coat and rest meaningfully on my own longsword.
She shrugs off the arrogant mage's hand, staying silent and ready should the attempt at diplomacy fail.
Lucienne tries to discern what kind of creature this is, and whether it has any weaknesses we can exploit.
If combat hasn't immediately broken out,and if Lucienne senses that this guy is simply looking for money: "Although we would be willing to pay for information."
I try to remain unobtrusive as I move to flank the knaves in case a fight breaks out. I also keep an eye out for other knaves hiding.
It was stated quite calmly.
Bluff roll for Initiative? (1d20+11=16)
Sense motive on the knave leader (1d20+1=4)
"NOW?" I responded airily. "Now now indeed,... Let's not do something that ONE of us will definitely regret!" I released my grip on my sword, and let the fire engulf my hands. "Especially when talking is so much less likely to end up,... messy."
I nodded at Lucienne. "And she's right, what we have here is a singular opportunity for a mutually beneficial business arrangement. What do you say to that?" I asked casually, the friendly smile on my face accentuated by the glow of the flames on my hands.
Init using Sense Motive (1d20+7=24)
I wouldn't be so unwise as to attempt bargaining with knaves such as these. But if she wants to try...
the Knaves pull back a little at a contemptous flick of the wrist from the leader, "Pay for info you say, I'll take that 100gp and" pointing impishly he points at the one with the truncheon "Her, I like her, She's sell well"
Lucienne looks at Aerienna ( What is it with her luck? Was she born during an eclipse or something? ), turns to the largest of the knaves (not the leader, the largest thug), and shrugs. "I'd sell for more, and I'd probably be less trouble, but suit yourself.
"We...well, at least those of us who'll be departing...must need find our way out from Castle Stratos and back to our foeman, one of the fair folk with a fondness for the Cheshire beasts. We've been warned to avoid the hobgoblins and the Things Below.
"Surely such worldly men as yourselves would know something about all that. Tell us what we needs must know, and we will spread wide the tale of your counsel. Become ye known as men of knowledge, who give good advice and keep to their word, and sure your lives will be easy and rich."
The foppish man sighs and gestures for you to give one of the underlings something, sighing again at your not understanding and saying "The Cash The Cash! Cash now, we talk then take the girl,"
Well, no sense in keeping the man waiting...
Before any of the knaves or even my own companions can react, I have my bow in hand and loose a pair of arrows at the nearest thug within clean line of sight.
Kegi attack w/ Rapid Shot (1d20+9=25, 1d6+2=3, 1d20+9=26, 1d6+2=4)
"Ye be likin' yer payment - 'cause we got more of it? Now answer the lady's question."
The foppish man sighs and gestures for you to give one of the underlings something, sighing again at your not understanding and saying "The Cash The Cash! Cash now, we talk then take the girl,"
Lucienne tosses her 'bag from Santa' to the most distant thug.
She triggers her "Haunted Armor" to make the sound of human male speech, coming from that hindmost knave, announcing, "It's solid gold, and it's all mine. I'm rich!"Now would be a good time, my friends.
RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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Before any of the knaves or even my own companions can react, I have my bow in hand and loose a pair of arrows at the nearest thug within clean line of sight.
(laugh) Let me amend that last post.
Lucienne reaches into her pack, formulating a cunning plan to get everyone to turn their backs to the party, when she hears whis-thenk, whis-thenk.
"Ye be likin' yer payment - 'cause we got more of it? Now answer the lady's question."
Lucienne smiles to herself, not even bothering to look up. So much for the cunning, if slow-witted, plan. Let's see what we can do to help the rogue.
The thirteen-plan'ed pendulum swings ever through the void.
Where Shavarath's great armies, good and wicked, stand deployed.
See warfare's lair, hear now my prayer, O Shadow of the Night,
And pluck a crawling beast from there, and send it to this fight.
Aerianna raises her truncheon, trying to take the leader of the knaves down before he can flee but she's a second too late. Once he's fled she begins to calmly dispatch the remaining knaves before turning to the rest of the group "Shall we try the knights?" she asks, wiping the blood from her truncheon. A moment later she softly mutters "You know the rule, leave no foe behind." seemingly to no one in particular.
Kegi's quick actions take me by surprise, seconded only by the fast-moving Knave leader. He was out of sight before I could form the spell in mind. "Next time my goatee" I muttered as I laid into the remaining knaves with my staff. They fell quickly to the unexpected, overwhelming assault we presented. I Looked up at Arianna's muttered statement about leaving no foes behind, thinking she might be talking to me, but her back was to me. No problem. I talk to myself from time to time too.
OK. More often than I care to admit.
I started to check the bodies for loot, not likely considering their dress and appearance, and considered Arianna's statement about investigating the Knights.
"Possibly, But the two friendly gentlemen upstairs suggested this direction, and I don't think we've exhausted all our possibilities yet. I'm for continuing this direction. If it doesn't pan out, I'm an equal-opportunity caster. Knaves or Knights, it makes me no difference whom I bespell." I smirked amicably.
I compliment Lucienne and Kegi on their quick thinking.
Thereafter, I keep an eye out for trouble and remark, "This place is strange and we do not know when we can get some rest. Tis prudent to conserve our strength, yes?"
"Where to, then?"
"Actually," I added as I rose from near-worthless search of the Knaves,
"I wouldn't mind following that Knave." I indicated the direction the Threadbare Dandy had just vacated.
"He seems to know his way around, I saw we follow him, and if he doesn't lead us to someplace useful, we can catch him and 'politely' ask him to give us directions. How about that?"
I pull out a dagger and clean a fingernail then I flash a grin, "Yes, let us ask 'nicely.'"
I move quickly to flank the door of the freehouse attempting to gain a glimpse through any window or other opening.
"We should split up and circle around to the back of that building" she says, gesturing towards the freehouse. "A group of us can go in there and flush him out while the rest of us lie in wait."
"That's a sound idea. I'll go with the ambush party."
Lucienne looks around to make sure there's noone in the distance, running away, and says to Akallabeth, "Well, 'Fireball', shall we see what we can flush out? Aerianna, would you join us?" (That leaves Romulus, Kegi, and Maddock outside as the 'catchers'.)
I nodded in agreement to Lucienne's question.
"And if by some means he is already fled, maybe we can just ask the patrons for information." I looked around the area again, noting the surly looks from some of the people. "We may may want to proceed,... cautiously." I said in a low voice to the group. " Not everyone here seems happy to see us. But as far as I'm concerned, they are not our enemies. A group of 'Knaves' demanding money is one thing, but I'd rather not turn anyone else here (wherever in the name of Khyber HERE is!) against us if we can avoid it. I'm only concerned with ONE 'Villain' right now. And the sooner we can find a way back and deal with him, the happier I'll be."
Then a thought struck me. "Luc, Rom. As long as we're here, we should see if we can find out how to summon the 'Chesire Cats'. I for one would love to give 'Shadowwise' a taste of his own medicine. Just a thought." I grinned. Then turned towards the door, and assumed a somber expression. I waited until the two ladies signaled their readiness, then strode purposefully and bravely towards the door.
One of these days I'll learn better.
I'll go around to the other side of the building and find cover where I can see the back door. If Romulus and Maddock can't jump the guy, I'll be in position to shoot him.
"Wait. There are six of us so two go to the back, two stay at the front and two go in and flush him out." Aerianna says, moving to the front of the building.
"Wait. There are six of us so two go to the back, two stay at the front and two go in and flush him out."
Lucienne nods, gives Akallabeth a shrug, and takes the lead.
Aerianna goes and nonchalantly leans against the wall next to the door, looking as if she hasn't a care in the world. She keeps the truncheon in her hand, although it is fairly hidden from anyone coming out of the door.
"Agreed." I said to Arianna, and followed Lucienne inside only a half step behind. I blinked quickly to accustom my eyes to the dimmer light inside, and quickly took in my surroundings.
Luciennen and Akallabeth enter the free house, the scuffy interior obviously suffering from dryrot. The Barkeep eyeing you as you walk in says in loud loutish voice pointing to a sign, "Two Drink Minimum"
Lucienne nods in acknowlegement and looks around. Where's our quarry?
I followed Lucienne's lead, nodded, and made a small show of looking for my coin pouch as I surveyed the room from beneath my wide brimmed hat.
'He wasn't THAT far ahead of us,' I thought crankily. 'Where in Khyber's name is he at?!'
All right. So, this guy runs into the bar, and seconds later, a sorcerer and a armored woman follow. Everybody in the place knows exactly what we want to know.
Lucienne laughs warmly and says, "Two drinks? I'll do better than that. A drink on the house for anybody and everybody who points out the man we're after. Offer expires in five seconds."
I smile at Lucienne, and act all wide eyed and surprised to find my money pouch. Right in my belt pouch, where it belongs. Still wide-eyed and smiling, I raise it to head height and jingle it.
"Four seconds!" I said cheerfully.
Lucienne sticks two fingers in her mouth and whistles loudly enough for her allies outside to hear.
Slidding you a quartet of unsavory looking drinks, and then says "How much for him, cause he ain't leaving til I want him to."
"Him? Oh, it depends on how keen a study he is. He's made some poor choices recently, and he's gotten some of his friends killed. If he decides to be cooperative, he'll enjoy a long life as one of your regulars. Or, if he stays all sulky and pouty when our friends get here, well, then, we'll be seeing sides of him he's normally shy about showin' folk.
"Did we understand he's run up a tab?"
A whistle! Trouble!
I run from my hiding place and fling open the back door, nearly ripping it from its decaying hinges. Shoving my way past the unruly kitchen help, I burst into the main room sword drawn and teeth bared - only to see Lucienne and Akalabeth sitting at the bar while the dandy dangles helplessly from the barkeep's tree trunk of an arm.
Recovering, I sheathe my sword and dance nimbly around to the front of the bar pulling up a stool and snatching a drink. I fling it contemptously in the Dandy's face and tip the glass upside down on the bar.
"Drink up, boy - all that runnin' and hidin's left ya thirsty!"
Aerianna springs into motion, entering the bar in crouch with her truncheon at the ready and scanning the room for trouble. Seeing the dandy held immobile by the barkeep she straightens and walks over to him with a smile "How much for the dandy in the window?" she asks sardonically, leaning on the bar and smirking at him in a slightly menacing manner as he sputters from the drink thrown in his face.
I follow Kegi after hearing the signal. But seeing as there is no fighting inside the common room, I deem it prudent to remain outside, in case the entire thing is a set up by the Dandy. Pointing to the sign that says minimum of two drinks, I tell Kegi, "I'm broke. I'll stay outside. I need the fresh air anyway." But I keep close to the window so I can see what is happening inside.
Akallabeth tried, not very successfully, not to laugh at the sight of the Dandy wearing one of the probably overpriced drinks. At Arianna's clever jest he gives up and chuckles. Recovering quickly, he nods to Romulus as the other fades smoothly back outside, and turns back to the barkeep with a grin that matches the humor on the barkeeps face.
Which is to say, not much.
Wordlessly, Akallabeth places a few coins on the counter. He raises an eyebrow, then adds a few more. He then reaches out and snags one of the dilapidated looking mugs and salutes the barkeep with it. "That will do to get us started, I trust?" And takes a swig.
Aerianna stays quite, since they don't generally let you keep your coin purse when you're about to be executed. She scans the room for a moment before going over to lonely enough looking soul. She smiles charmingly at him and says "Mind buying me a drink? I seem to have lost my coinpurse somewhere along the way and I'm awfully thirsty." in a much warmer voice than usual.