Tozur glances at the creature in the cage, tugging at Trista's sleeves as he points. "An imp! An actual imp!"
He feels a bit anxious - Riddleport so far fulfills every rumour he has heard of being... different. And open about it. Maybe this is good...
When the contract is given to him, he lets out a soft laugh - it almost sounds cruel, a goblin's bark, which he is quick to quench to shift into a warmer chuckle. When Trista offers her concerns he looks up at her. "It isn't real. The wording is too playful. Devils work with innuendo and play with false reassurances."
As the gnome unveils the tournament and puts on a performance, he is impressed with the amount of effort given for the tournament.
"It isn't real. The wording is too playful. Devils work with innuendo and play with false reassurances."
Shaking her head, Trista calmly affixes her signature to the document.
A joke, then, which I must admit is rather lost on me. Still, I am now bereft of gold, so I have little choice but to sally forth with my three lonely silver pieces to make my fortune.
She sighs.
This cannot end well.
Eyeing the various games, Trista decides that she is most likely to have some luck at poker, where her looks may avail her by setting other players off their game.
Ma always said, nobody expects a girl to bluff. Let's hope she was right!
Betting her last 3 silvers at the poker table, Trista enters the action.
As they had been talking when they entered, Dzae steps to the Registration Table beside Trista (On the other side from Tozur) When Tozur points out the imp, Dzae mumbles, Oh, that's what an imp looks like. Good to know.
Turning his attention to the parchment in his hands. He instantly knows the contract is fake. He listens to Trista and Tozur and add, I don't know much about devils, but Tozur is right, the contract is a joke. Just part of the show, I think. Some acts at the Circus would include bits of good or evil mysticism to draw in the audience. What's important is that it explain the rules of the tournament.
After signing the contract and paying his fee, Dzae looks around the room getting a read on the set up and the other contestants. He grins, confident he can win.
Dzae recognizes the host, Saul Vancaskerin. Dzae listens intently to gain any information that might help him win. As the tournament begins, he decides to start with his favorite game, poker. He realizes Trista is already heading for the table and as they both sit he wishes her good luck. As he assesses the others at the table and decides to lose the first game to cause others to under estimate his abilities. He bets one silver.
Having lost the first game as he planned, he sighs and says, I think I'm trouble, but I'll just have to keep playing and hope I win a game before I'm broke In the second game, he bets more aggressively, 5 silver.
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Handing over a gold piece, Marcellus smiles and joins the others at Poker.
I'm not much of a gambler... he admits. Not hat I don't do it a lot, I just seem to have very little luck. Marcellus places 2 silver on the first bet and the remaining 8 silver on the second, clearly emulating Dzae's tactics without the knowledge to understand them.
2 silver
8 silver
Tozur sticks close to Trista as she joins the gambling festivities, waving to Saul (who is most like to ignore him underneath that hood) - the man was pleasant, he nodded, having given him the pass to be here. While Trista and his newfound friends all attempt to get richer -or poorer - he listens around all the chatter.
There must be somebody else interested in the Blot here! I mean, there's an imp in a cage... this must be that kind of attraction...
You manage to actually play halfway decently, winning a hand. You could out of this with your original 3 silver, plus another 6 copper.
On your first hand, Trista actually beats you soundly, and you lose the money you bet.
On your second hand however, you manage to convince your opponenets to bet high along with yourself, and you manage to double your original stake, coming away with your 5 silver and another full 5 silver.
Copying Dzae kinda works actually, and you have a similar result as he does. Your first hand you lose to Trista, your second hand you actually break even, but on your third hand you manage to win a bit, and come away with your original bet of 8 silver, plus another 4 silver!
You manage to see a few people who match the description of the famous Cyphermages of Riddleport wandering the hall and partaking of the games and booze.
Khun-duhn reads over the contract as his fellow patrons sign their copies and pay their entrance fees.
"Forfeit my soul t' Asmodeus if I lose, eh? Sounds better'n havin' it devoured by That Which Sleeps Beneath..." Khun-duhn muses as he signs the contract and hands over a gold coin.
I don't know much about devils, but Tozur is right, the contract is a joke. Just part of the show, I think. Some acts at the Circus would include bits of good or evil mysticism to draw in the audience. What's important is that it explain the rules of the tournament.
"Sand an' shale, that's disappointin'. Oh, well. Nothin' for it now but t' play along an' keep Dzae outta trouble, then," the quietly despondent duergar thinks to himself.
Softly humming a discordant lullaby without realizing it, Khun-duhn moves over to stand near the Ghoulette table while watching Dzae and the others play poker. The hooded duergar distractedly takes four silver pieces and places a separate coin on four randomly chosen spaces on the wheel.
Dzae plays the next hand cautiously. He bets only 2 silvers on his two cards, mid-level suited connecters. He watches his opponents for tells and mistakes. When he sees his new friend Marcellus bet his entire stake, he wishes he could have reminded the sell-sword that if he loses his whole stake he will be expelled from the tournament.
Dzae has a potential straight after the flop, but ends the hand with only middle pair. He doubts it will be good enough to win.
Trista, delighted at having won six coppers so easily, decides to risk another hand, this time at 2 silvers. If I win this time, I'm done, she tells herself. If I lose this time, I'm done - I have to be able to eat, after all.
Toz peers at Trista as she gets involved in the gambling tournament; it is reluctantly that he begins to follow the alleged Cyphermages, though he is intent on the purpose of the Blot. "Pardon me, coming through, I'm small and insignificant, don't mind me."
As you glance around the room you notice a woman standing with a few men off to one side. As you stare at them you realize they are starting to get very tense and appear to be looking around for something! Then you notice that they all have closed their eyes for some strange reason....
Tozur still trails the alleged Cyphermages, trying to ignore the cheers and the loud voices.
Trista yells, her voice echoing above the din of the gambling. It is as though two voices emerge from the young woman, her own along with another voice, deeper and more commanding.
Ware, friends! Something is amiss! SHUT YOUR EYES!
Like Marcellus, most of Dzae attention is on the current hand of poker, looking for that straight and checking the other players. Because of this, although still aware of the various other activities going on in the room, he has no idea of what may be coming.
However, as Trista is sitting close by, he takes her command to heart. Not only does he close his eyes tightly, he pulls one of his daggers and holds it under the table ready to throw.
Khun-duhn has been ignoring the game of Ghoulette he bet on, watching instead as Dzae and the others continue to play poker. However, at Trista's shout he follows her command, shutting his eyes tightly.
Tozur does as Trista bellows - he glances for the nearest wall and then hurries over to it, eyes closed.
As you all close your eyes, you witness the following happen just as they close.
Rolled 1d20 = 1 against Caster Level Check of 4 (3 total)
MISHAP! Wis Check 1d20 = 7 + 1 = 8 Pass.
Suddenly and without warning a man jumps out from a room and whips out a scroll, intoning a spell. However, the spell appears to fizzle and nothing happens. You open your eyes then as the woman Trista saw, along with the 4 men with her, draw swords. The woman then shouts out "All right folks! Drop to the ground and don't try anything stupid and we might let you live!"
The suddeness of this event stops everyone for a moment, and then the guards and yourselves get ready for action!
4 Goons (G1-G4) - 26 (d20 = 19)
Dzae - 22 (d20 = 17)
Tozur - 21 (d20 = 17)
Marcellus - 18 (d20 = 16)
Wizard (W) - 17 (d20 = 11)
Khun Duhn - 15 (d20 = 13)
Trist - 13 (d20 = 12)
Old Scratch - 12 (d20 = 12)
6 Bouncers (B1 - B6) - 9 (d20 = 9)
Lady (L) - 8 (d20 = 3)
The four goons quickly fan out, each assaulting a different bouncer!
Goon 1 vs Bouncer 1 - Attack Roll (1d20+1 with Sap) vs AC 13 = 15, Damage Roll (1d6+1) = 3
Goon 2 vs Bouncer 2 - Attack Roll (1d20+1 with Sap) vs AC 13 = 17, Damage Roll (1d6+1) = 2
Goon 3 vs Bouncer 3 - Attack Roll (1d20+1 with Sap) vs AC 13 = 20, Damage Roll (1d6+1) = 7
Goon 4 vs Bouncer 4 - Attack Roll (1d20+1 with Sap) vs AC 13 = 7, Damage Roll (1d6+1) = 0 *MISS*
The guests in the room shriek, and Old Scratch starts rattling his cage, spitting out words in fiendish!
Tozur is panicked as the fight spontaneously emerge, his hand immediately moving for the scimitar sheathed in his belt. He peers at some of the goons that have emerged, and can scarcely see the lady with the panicking crowd - But they won't notice me! I hope...
He scoots up against the wall, setting his eyes on one of the goons. I need to save these people...but what if these thugs are the good guys?
Drawing his weapon, he moves slowly, trying to keep quiet - yet he is stumbling, afraid of mishaps, his blade accidentally crashes into the wall - I need to be careful...Trista, Marcellus, Dzae, Khun, be save...
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Stepping smoothly to his feet while picking up and twirling his fauchard expertly in one smooth motion, Marcellus steps to I14 and helps the beleaguered bouncer against the thug attacking him.
I'm with the Goblin bouncers! Get out of here you filthy lowlifes! he intones loudly, declaring his allegiance and keeping his eyes peeled, attempting to note the thug's gear as well as their companions.
Perception
Best not to take life when it isn't necessary... the mercenary thought to himself before reversing his blade and striking with the haft of his fauchard with all his strength at the thug.
Shocked by the eruption of combat - of which she has never been a part save in her imagination - Trista almost forgets what to do. Enraged by the deception of the magic user, she calls Shelyn's judgement down on the mage. She then moves to threaten the mage, should he attempt to cast another spell.
As soon as the woman finishes speaking, Dzae springs to feet and rapidly closes to 10 feet from the woman (this puts the stage to the left and behind him and he can still see the closest goon to his right. He smoothly throws the dagger in his left hand at the woman. As he releases the Daggers, he grins and shouts smugly, Is that stupid enough for you?!
Round One:
Following Marcellus' example, Khun-duhn draws forth a polearm bearing a wickedly-hooked curved chopping blade with a spiked projection on the back of the blade from... somewhere beneath his cloak. With calm, quiet efficiency the hooded dwarf brings his weapon's blade to bear on the nearest thug.
Round 1 Results:
Dzae is quick to move, and gets his knife stuck in the womans arm. She turns and stares right at the elf! Tozur meanwhile uses the confusion and moves into position behind a bouncer.
Marcellus slams his weapon into the goon, and knocks him out cleanly.
The mage, seeing the woman harmed, shouts and rushes forward, firing a spell at Dzae!
Magic Missle at Dzae, Damage
Khun Duhn slams his weapon cleanly into his target, and severs the mans top half from the rest of him! Trista moves up to where the wizard is and gets ready to assault him, as she declares divine judgement upon him.
Scratch continues to shout from his cage.
The bouncers move up, all but 2 threatening a target. They attempt to assault their targets individually. The 2 who do not move stand there, shaken in fear.
B6 vs W - Attack , Damage
- Crit Threat with Shortsword! Attack , Damage
B4 vs G4 - Attack , Damage
B5 vs L - Attack , Damage
- Crit Threat with Shortsword! Attack , Damage
B3 vs G2 - Attack , Damage
The lady continue to shout encourgement at her team, and walks up to Dzae, pulling out a rapier as she goes.
ROUND 2 START:
2 Goons (G3-G4) - 26
Dzae - 22
Tozur - 21
Marcellus - 18
Wizard (W) - 17
Khun Duhn - 15
Trist - 13
Old Scratch - 12
6 Bouncers (B1 - B6) - 9
Lady (L) - 8
The 2 Goons remaining attempt to harm their targets again.
Goon 2 vs Bouncer 3 - Attack , Damage
Goon 4 vs Bouncer 4 - Attack , Damage
The mage, seeing the woman harmed, shouts and rushes forward, firing a spell at Dzae!
Tozur watches one of the goons fall before he has a chance to perform any measure of attack - his heart is beating, he didn't have to hurt someone! He leans up against the wall and sheathes his blade, watching everything unfurl...
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Round 2-
Marcellus takes a grim satisfaction as he hears the man's nose breaks as he knocks him out- then hears the tearing of flesh from nearby. Turning briefly to see Khun-Duhn cut a man in half, he shouts in dismay-
They are not true warriors, show restraint Dwarf! he implores passionately. Seeking out the next threat, Marcellus charges two squares south and brings his fauchard's haft to bear once more; aiming to hit the man in his abdomen to knock the wind from him and render him unconciousness/
+2 charge. -5 non-lethal + power attacl
Non lethal damage
Dzae ignores the minor singe to his right shoulder from the mage's missile spell. Seeing the Lady draw her rapier and move toward him, Dzae smoothly draws his own rapier with his dominant left hand and deftly strikes at her just as she comes into range, his grin growing even wider.
Round Two:
Seeing his friend threatened, Khun-duhn steps up behind Dzae and slashes the blade of his bill at the rapier-wielding woman. With a grimace of annoyance the duergar heeds Marcellus' words and shifts his weapon at the last second, striking the woman with the flat of the wickedly curved blade instead of its razor sharp edge.
Hearing the satisfying "thunk" of the spellcaster hitting the floor, Trista moves to charge G4, using her glaive carefully to prevent lethal damage to the goon.
As their leaders fall, the Goons are quick to drop their weapons and are knocked out by the bouncers. The wizard lies unconcious, while the lady had been run straight through by Dzae, dead and bleeding. Most of the patrons have run off, and the few who stayed around were drunk and betting on the outcome of the fight.
As the crowd calms down a large amount of the patrons come rushing back in, demanding refunds and causing a huge ruckus. The bouncers take one look at you all, and quickly go to stem the rush of people.
At this time, Saul himself comes out from somewhere in the back, his face in an expression of shock.
He quickly looks around and upon noticing you all standing over the bodies of the fallen, he quickly rushes over and calls for a few of his guards to start binding the bodies!
"Gentlemen!" he begins, and then notices Trista. "And lady! Thank you for what appears to have been your quick intervention in preventing this heist. Once again people try to put down Saul, but fate smiled upon me! I am wondering..." He seems to pause for effect, a glint in his eye.
"I am wondering if you all would like to stay for a drink this evening to discuss a possible...proposition. I can always smell a good bet, and you my friends are a good bet."
He looks at each one of you awaiting a response.
Dzae stands over the body of the woman he killed and ponders the situation with grim satisfaction while carefully wiping her blood off his blade, Well, it had to be done. She chose her fate and I chose mine. I would much rather be holding a sword in my hand than in my gut. When Saul appears Dzae returns his now clean blade to its sheath. At hearing Saul's offer of a drink and likely a job, Dzae glances at his companions, one old 3 new and declares Fighting is thirsty work! I'll take that drink and you can tell us what you have in mind.
Trista peers at Saul and gestures around to the casino.
I find all of...this...distasteful. But, I do need coin. I will listen to what you have to say. Toz, will you stay too? I'd feel much better with you around.
Khun-duhn stows his weapon and checks to make sure the surviving goons and wizard are secured, all the while ensuring that the hood of his cloak continues to cover most of his face.
Listening to Saul Vancaskerin's offer, Khun-duhn watches Dzae for his response before replying, "Aye, if Dzae's interested then I'll have a listen. But who were those blokes we took out for ye?"
Tozur moves quietly along the unconscious bodies and the guards, up behind Trista. He makes sure the blade is sheathed on his hip, before he looks up. "Of course I'll stay, Trista."