DM Kathy Monday January 11th, 2016 11:18:59 PM
[Everybody take 100 XP for the previous scene.]
You discuss strategy, much of which is centered around acquiring silver for everyone. You have a couple of days to do this, so if you need to visit the Catacombs, you can.
Toston takes the opportunity to visit the WLA. On his way back, he is approached by a heavyset human man wearing good clothes and a handful of rings.
"Good day to you, sir," he says. His voice is a husky rasp. "I hear you are one of the groups scheduled fo fight in the Arena in a few days' time. My name is Shorry Daeb. My associates and I are interested in the outcome of your fight. I was wondering if I could have a word with you and your friends?"
Var (Tom I.) HP:27/27 AC:16/T:13/13 CMD:19 Tuesday January 12th, 2016 12:07:49 PM
Var looks at Dusan's list of specialties and chuckles to himself, "Oh man, do you guys remember when Avin made Ashley all big and he wrestled that giant scorpion? Heh... Good times." Var says, before realizing that only a handful of the original Crescent Moon team remain.
"Also, no more of this casting Fog or Mist or Darkness right where we're trying to fight. 'Specially with two Humans on the front lines now, they don't have the luxury of heightened senses." Var adds.
Wilford Grimly (HP:21/21; AC: 14; Touch: 12; Flat: 12; CMD: 14) Tuesday January 12th, 2016 3:10:55 PM
"I believe I did fairly well in the Darkness a couple days ago." Wil smiles as he finds a seat in the common room. Dusan, I'm very interested in the necromancy potions. Anything that materializes the voices in my head are helpful. If that makes any sense at all." "That scorpion battle was an adventure, for sure."
Alizar HP:19/19 AC: 15(T:12/FF:13) CMD:14 Tuesday January 12th, 2016 4:12:56 PM
Alizar nodded at Dusan, "More healing is generally better than less, feel free to fill the gaps when needed". He took a seat, "I still have silver arrows should I need them, but I think we will need to shut down this 'Selene' character as fast as possible. She seems more dangerous than she lets on."
Lornak ( Frank S.) HP:32/32 AC: 16(T:13/FF:10) CMD:17 d20+9=20 ; d20+9=22 ; d20+9=11 ; Tuesday January 12th, 2016 6:30:00 PM
After Lornak's watch ends he gathers up his weapons and armor and heads to his room to get some rest. Strategy talk spins in his mind. He feels a little chagrined by Var's suggestion to limit Dakrfire use. "I acted on instinct to protect Dusan, It may have been impulsive, but what would he have me do...?" Lornak suddenly feels very tired and lets out a sigh.
As he passes by the little alchemy cove he and Dusan set up he notices the human prepping what he can only assume are components for the upcoming battle and can't help feeling regretful that he hasn't found to the time to partake in his own alchemical learnings.
He sticks his head in and speaks to Dusan; "I will visit the Catecombs in the morning. If you would like to join me or want me to procure you anything, just let me know." He then turns and enters The Round Room.
He sets down his armor and weapons and as his head hits the pillow everything goes dark. When day breaks the next morning he doesn't remember having the silver dagger in his hand when he went to sleep but is glad that it was with him as he slept. Lornak heads to the Catecombs (Stealth d20=20) keen on not drawing attention to himself. Along the way he keeps his eyes open for any stray cats. (Perception d20=22)
(OOC- and no stray cats is not a metaphor, a pinch of cat fur is the component used to cast Cat's Grace)
(OOC-disregard last roll the site hiccuped)
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP:17/17; AC:18; Touch: 18; FF:14; CMD:17] - CMTC d20+7=20 ; Tuesday January 12th, 2016 6:54:06 PM
Toston says to Shorry, "My associates and I may be fighting in the arena in a few days time. If we are, though what interest is our arena to you and yours? I don't mean to be rude sir, but this is Dirt City after all so you can't begrudge a little suspicion."
(Sense Motive: 20)
If Toston does not get a sense of danger from Shorry he will say, "I will pass along the message to my associates. If we did want to hear more where could I have us meet you. I don't speak for all of us so I all I can do is pass along the message, you understand."
Toston informs the rest of his party about Shorry when he gets back to the house and relays what kind of feeling he got of the man. He also takes a look at Dusan's list and says, "Cat's Grace, Bear's Endurance or Bull's Strength could prove useful for myself. Probably in that order."
To his friends he says, "As long as I wear my WLA pin, I can use a long bow now. I also have some normal arrows, so if I am to use this bow against the house of silver I will need to use the sheen or buy some silvered arrows."
Hmerrin(HP 31/31 AC20/14t/16ff, CMD 19) Tuesday January 12th, 2016 7:14:32 PM
Hmerrin looks over Dusan's list. "That Strength spell for me. Can always use more oomph," the man replies. "And me and Asteria will probably need one of them silversheen things, if you can spare.
He glances over at Asteria. "I ain't had the privilege, but these guys say some of them Silver guys can only get hurt by silver...normal axes do no good."
Glancing back at Dusan, "How long does this stuff last, anyway?"
Dušan (Erik) [HP:26/26; AC:12; Touch: 12; FF:10; CMD:13] Tuesday January 12th, 2016 8:27:26 PM
"The silver sheen only lasts one hour. Unfortunately my 4 doses were waisted in the last fight. I didn't even get shot off before those cursed Knives showed up." Dušan separates his silver sheen into 3 vials of 2 doses a piece giving one to Hmerrin and the other to Asteria.
Turning back to Wilford, Dušan asks "Perhaps a Spectral Hand? Maybe one of your "friends" will leave the archery to you if they can move about the battlefield."
And fianlly to Lornak, "I think I have everything I need for 2 or 3 potions. I don't think I need anything else unless there's any more requests?"
Asteria Amarante (Genevieve) [HP: 35/35; AC: 20; Touch: 12; FF: 20; CMD: 18] Tuesday January 12th, 2016 8:41:01 PM
Asteria grimaces when she is handed the paper from Dusan, and immediately passes it along.
"Err... I'll take whatever is good for strength. *cough*ican'tread*cough*"
Asteria quickly returns to the conversation of silvered weapons to avoid her embarrassment with the whole illiteracy thing. She gives a thankful nod to Dusan for the vials of silversheen.
"Thanks for the stuff! I'd hate to get rid of my baby. I'm just better off with her! Nothing beat whacking some baddies with a battleaxe, am I right?"
She also is thankful to Hmerrin for his explanation of why they needed the stuff in the first place.
"Sound's like they're pretty tough, but since you have me now, there's no need to worry! We'll take them down with ease!"
DM Kathy Tuesday January 12th, 2016 10:32:41 PM
"I don't begrudge it a bit," Shorry Daeb tells Toston in his raspy voice. "Our interest is purely sporting. My associates and I take wagers on the various bouts in the Arena. We have a proposition for your team. If you would like to hear more, meet me this evening at the Tipsy Troll in the City Below."
Toston gets the sense that the man is telling the truth, and has no ill intent towards the group.
The rest of the group continues to talk strategy.
Var (Tom I.) HP:27/27 AC:16/T:13/13 CMD:19 Wednesday January 13th, 2016 9:16:34 AM
Assuming that Toston tells the group of his meeting on his return, Var expresses interest in meeting with Shorry. "Might be they have some inside information on what's been going on with the Arena, and why so many folks is gettin' sent there." Var says as way of explanation.
Var (Tom I.) HP:27/27 AC:16/T:13/13 CMD:19 Wednesday January 13th, 2016 12:50:56 PM
In addition, if anyone is heading to the catacombs, Var asks if they can pick him up two Masterwork Handaxes, and gives them the required 612 gold. "These ones are in need of replacing..." Var says in regards to his current, well-worn axes.
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP:17/17; AC:18; Touch: 18; FF:14; CMD:17] - CMTC Wednesday January 13th, 2016 4:03:05 PM
Toston informs his friends of his encounter with Shorry and that he got the impression the man was telling the truth and that he did not bare us any ill will.
"Shorry wants us to meet him and his friends in the city below at the Tipsy Troll this evening if we want to hear him out further. I think Var has a good suggestion. Maybe we can get information about the arena from them."
Toston then tells Dusan that he would be interested in Cat's Grace, Bear's Endurance or Bull's Strength in that order.
Dušan (Erik) [HP:26/26; AC:12; Touch: 12; FF:10; CMD:13] Wednesday January 13th, 2016 7:14:22 PM
"Selene's definitely has magic of some sort. She was casting at the hearing. I wonder if we should look into hiring someone to lock down here magic while we are in the arena."
Dušan tosses a Bear's Endurance potion to Toston "I just happen to have one of these already."
He puts the rest of his alchemy materials away and prepares to meet Shorry. "I'll get to brewing tomorrow."
Hmerrin(HP 31/31 AC20/14t/16ff, CMD 19) Wednesday January 13th, 2016 7:24:57 PM
Hmerrin pockets the vial. "Fantastic. Thanks Dusan."
Toston comes in and relates his encounter with Shorry. "Or he wants us to throw the match," Hmerrin counters. "Either way, won't know till we get there."
Alizar HP:19/19 AC: 15(T:12/FF:13) CMD:14 Wednesday January 13th, 2016 8:45:01 PM
Alizar nodded. "I am sure we could put the winnings to good use, and if we lose we won't need the money anyways. Though, for me, its all hypothetical, as I have no gold left anyhow."
Lornak ( Frank S.) HP:32/32 AC: 16(T:13/FF:10) CMD:17 d20+8=10 ; Wednesday January 13th, 2016 9:34:34 PM
As Lornak returns from the Catecombs he racks his brain for any knowledge about Selene. He tries to recall anything that the group can use to their advantage for the upcoming fight. Especially her relationship with Bjorn Hrzhad. (Knowledge Local d20=8) but can't seem to remember anything useful...
He enters Marsh House and dispenses all of the items he gathered from the Catecombs. As he does he listens to the conversation about Shorry. His thoughts are almost identical to Alizar's.
He addresses Hmerrin; "Bet or no bet the House of Silver will be at an end." "Old Man." He says smiling as he makes his way to someplace comfortable.
Asteria Amarante (Genevieve) [HP: 35/35; AC: 20; Touch: 12; FF: 20; CMD: 18] Wednesday January 13th, 2016 10:01:54 PM
"Oooh! Tipsy Troll? You think we can get some drinks there? What am I talking about, of course we will! Let's drink away the sorrows of a corrupt system!"
Asteria cheers slightly before resuming to a more serious state.
"Well, if Toston didn't get any bad vibes from Shorry, then I'm all for it. Let's see what he has to say, and if we don't like it, we beat him up."
DM Kathy Wednesday January 13th, 2016 11:00:43 PM
You decide to meet with Shorry Daeb and hear what he has to say.
So, later that day, you make your way to the City Below and locate the Tipsy Troll. It's a fairly large establishment, and seems to be pretty busy. It's also clean and well-lit, putting it well into the upper echelon of Dirt City taverns.
Shorry Daeb is there already, and he is not alone. With him are another human man, a gnome man, and a drow woman, all of whom eye you with interest as you come over.
"And here you are," Shorry says as you approach. "Was afraid you'd be a late scratch there for a minute. What are you drinking?"
After your drink orders are placed, he gets straight to the point.
"My associates and I are bookmakers," he says. "We take action on the Arena fights. Other things, too, but mostly the Arena. We want to set odds for your fight with the House of Silver, but ain't many seen you in action. You're dark horses, the lot of you."
"But we think the line on you is wrong," the drow woman puts in.
"Exactly," Shorry rasps. "And wrong odds are nobody's friend. What we'd like to do, we'd like to see you boys--and girl--in action. Get a sense for your talent before we go all in."
"We've lined up a--a practice match, you might say," says the other human man. "Got a group of fighters, and a place to do it."
"The fight would be all non-lethal," Shorry continues. "No need for anybody gettin' hurt and spoilin' the odds. We'll give you practice weapons. We're willing to pay you 100 gold each to take this on."
"Just a frienly little scuffle," the gnome says.
"Way we figure, we can make back our money and then some, if we can set the odds right and collect enough action. So what do you say?"
Wilford Grimly (HP:21/21; AC: 14; Touch: 12; Flat: 12; CMD: 14) d20+7=12 ; d20+5=6 ; Thursday January 14th, 2016 11:13:50 AM
"Hmm.. a hundred gold each... you have a deal." Wil said with a smile. (Knowledge: Local - 12) He wonders if he knows any of the bookies. (Sense Motive: 6) For anything apparently underhanded. "Can we bet on ourselves when the time comes?" The whispers within Wil's head begin to kick up dust and memories from his past. "My father was a betting man," he recalled suddenly. He then can't help but wonder if that caused his father's short life.
Dušan (Erik) [HP:26/26; AC:12; Touch: 12; FF:10; CMD:13] d20+8=20 ; Thursday January 14th, 2016 6:08:18 PM
Dušan considers the bookies with the assistance of Guidance. "I kind of like the fact that we are an "unknown quality". Particularly where the House of Silver is concerned. I'm not overly fond of the idea of our tactics being sold to those mongrels. What guarantee do we have that your findings will stay with yourselves and only be used for determining your percentages?"
(Diplomacy d20+7+1 Guidance = 20)
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP:17/17; AC:18; Touch: 18; FF:14; CMD:17] - CMTC d20=16 Thursday January 14th, 2016 6:17:44 PM
"Two questions." Toston says to Shorry and his associates.
"What other type of events do you take bets on beside the arena?"
"Dealing nonlethal damage with our fists or other such designed weapons is easy enough but what about those amongst us that may use spells?"
He pays attention to the answers to both his and the rest of his companions questions getting a feel for any funny business.
(Sense Motive: 16 + 7 = 23)
Lornak ( Frank S.) HP:32/32 AC: 16(T:13/FF:10) CMD:17 d20+6=17 ; Thursday January 14th, 2016 7:07:57 PM
Lornak listens to Shorry's offer and does not take a liking to it. (Sense Motive d20=17) In the first place, he didn't want to leave the safehouse until all this business with the House of Silver had been resolved Secondly, tipping their hands right before said fight seemed tactically unsound, however innocent it may seem.
He looks at the Drow woman on the other side of the negotiation table and just KNEW it couldn't be innocent.
When the opportunity to speak among the group out of earshot from the delegation he says; "I'm did not join this company to make a bit of scratch. I'm here to do the right thing and that is focusing all our attentions on surviving the next two days and then bringing down the House of Silver. If these four can become a means to cover us from the stands I'm all for it but I do not believe tipping our hands to anyone right now is wise."
Hmerrin(HP 31/31 AC20/14t/16ff, CMD 19) Thursday January 14th, 2016 8:26:30 PM
Hmerrin furrows his brow as he listens.
Finally, he asks a question. "Um the House of Silver is also unknown, right? You doing this with them too?"
Var (Tom I.) HP:27/27 AC:16/T:13/13 CMD:19 d20+4=12 ; Thursday January 14th, 2016 8:40:51 PM
Var opens his mouth as if he's about to ask a question, but then Hmerrin's asks a better one, so Var just plays it cool and listens. (Sense motive: 12)
Asteria Amarante (Genevieve) [HP: 35/35; AC: 20; Touch: 12; FF: 20; CMD: 18] d20+2=18 ; d20+2=8 ; Thursday January 14th, 2016 9:13:43 PM
Asteria sits at the table with the others, and drinks her alcohol quietly. She is most intrigued by their offer, but is definitely skeptical. She looks over the 'bookmakers' for any signs of being distrustful. (Sense Motive-18).
"I'm not sure I like the sounds of you. Sounds like to me you guys just want to get our info, then sell it to those Silver people. How can we trust you?"
Admittedly, she's not the best diplomat. However, hopefully the others have better luck. (Diplomacy- 8).
DM Kathy Friday January 15th, 2016 12:30:23 AM Wilford accepts the bookies' offer immediately, but his friends are a bit more reluctant.
Dušan asks whether their tactics will be sold to the House of Silver. "Cause that ain't how we operate," Shorry says. "We're bookmakers, not information brokers. People don't expect bookies to go sellin' information, see. Makes 'em nervous, and nervous people don't bet. So it's bad for bidness. We stay away from it."
Toston has questions as well. "Other events? Prize fights, mostly. Some races, knife-throwin' contests. Things like that. As for your mages--well. You got anybody can cast one o' them fireballs? Anything short of that, this crew can probably soak up. 'Cause you're right; ain't no way to blunt a spell." Toston gets the feeling that Shorry is being completely honest.
Lornak detects no deception in the group, but doesn't trust them anyway. Those drow. Always up to something.
Hmerrin asks whether the House of Silver is getting a similar offer, but Shorry just smiles. "Trade secret," he rasps.
Var also detects no deception.
Asteria asks how you can trust these bookies. "Trust this," Shorry replies. "Trust that we want to make money. And not just on this fight, but on all the fights to come. So we do bidness a certain way, see? We do it straight. We set an honest line, we settle up prompt, we don't go sellin' info on the side. That's how we do bidness so's we don't wake up dead one day. See? So if you don't trust us, trust our intentions. Trust our self-interest. Whaddaya say?"
Var (Tom I.) HP:27/27 AC:16/T:13/13 CMD:19 Friday January 15th, 2016 9:02:11 AM
Var shrugs "Good enough for me, I'm in. When and where do we do this?"
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP:17/17; AC:18; Touch: 18; FF:14; CMD:17] - CMTC Friday January 15th, 2016 6:59:16 PM
"I think they are being honest with us lads," Toston says, "If the majority want to do this I'm in, but if we are to truly be fair as far as odds making goes we should all participate. If just some of us do it won't give an accurate measure of the odds for our new friends either. Plus I mean we would each get 100 gold and no one would get permanently hurt. Tell me Shorry, who would we be sparring iwth?"
Lornak ( Frank S.) HP:32/32 AC: 16(T:13/FF:10) CMD:17 Friday January 15th, 2016 8:35:46 PM
Lornak sits with his arms crossed as everyone weighs their options. When he sees where the conversation goes he just shakes hi head. The last holdout. When eyes are upon him Lornak wordlessly nods his head in reluctant agreement.
Asteria Amarante (Genevieve) [HP: 35/35; AC: 20; Touch: 12; FF: 20; CMD: 18] d100=29 ; Friday January 15th, 2016 9:42:18 PM
The young barbarian sighed, shaking her head slightly.
"I still don't like this. I don't like fighting with restraints, going all out is what I do. But..."
Asteria gives a deeper sigh, a small scowl on her face.
"I'll do it for you guys. Only because of majority vote. Let's do this, and let's get money. Or you know, something like that."
Asteria highly dislikes this idea, but with everyone agreeing, why not go with the flow? It's not like something like this could hurt.
((OOC: Ignore the d100 role, I miss clicked.))
Hmerrin(HP 31/31 AC20/14t/16ff, CMD 19) Saturday January 16th, 2016 10:35:04 AM
Hmerrin's shrug mimics Var's.
"Ok."
Alizar HP:19/19 AC: 15(T:12/FF:13) CMD:14 Saturday January 16th, 2016 6:00:15 PM
Alizar sighs as he downs the last of his drink. "I'm not really enthusiastic about fighting to begin with, and I'd rather not get drawn in to doing so for sport. However, seeing as how this is non-lethal, and that money could go to good use, I'll make an exception this one time."
Dušan (Erik) [HP:26/26; AC:12; Touch: 12; FF:10; CMD:13] Sunday January 17th, 2016 2:43:57 PM
Something doesn't sit quite right with Dušan, but as he can't put his finger on it, he agrees to go along with the rest of the party.
DM Kathy Sunday January 17th, 2016 9:36:42 PM
With varying degrees of reluctance, you agree to participate in the bookies' arranged fight.
"Wonderful," Shorry says. "Be at this address." He slides a piece of paper onto the table. "Eight a.m. sharp. And we'll see what your're made of. Payment after the fight."
With that, he and his fellow bookmakers depart.
You have some time to make preparations if you want, or we can just skip right to the fight. To clarify, you will be given "practice" weapons, which are the same as your normal weapons, except that they do non-lethal damage. Your opponents will have similar weapons. So if, for example, you have a Weapon Focus feat with a specific weapon, you will still get that bonus in the fight. However, if you are using a masterwork or magic weapon, you will not get the masterwork or magic bonus in the fight. Archers can use their regular bows, but will be given non-lethal ammunition. Let me know if you have questions.
Var (Tom I.) HP:27/27 AC:16/T:13/13 CMD:19 Monday January 18th, 2016 9:52:22 AM
(OoC: Okay, so If I have my Masterwork Compound Longbow, do get the +1 Attack and +3 Damage with the non-lethal arrows?)
"I'm ready if the rest of you are." With a grin he adds "Looking forward to seeing you in action, Asteria."
Hmerrin(HP 31/31 AC20/14t/16ff, CMD 19) Monday January 18th, 2016 12:03:32 PM
Hmerrin is ready to go.
Lornak ( Frank S.) HP:32/32 AC: 16(T:13/FF:10) CMD:17 Monday January 18th, 2016 6:48:23 PM
Lornak readies his "weapons" not trusting any portion of the process.
Lornak ( Frank S.) HP:32/32 AC: 16(T:13/FF:10) CMD:17 Monday January 18th, 2016 6:49:01 PM
Lornak readies his "weapons" not trusting any portion of the process.
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP:17/17; AC:18; Touch: 18; FF:14; CMD:17] - CMTC Monday January 18th, 2016 7:05:49 PM
Toston maneuvers his WLA badge so that with a minor manipulation of the cloak it can be on the inside or the outside having figured out that his skill with a bow is magically dependent on having the badge visible.
He then prepares to ask for 20 small non-lethal arrows, a non-lethal kama, non lethal siangham and a non-lethal nunchaku. He is planning to use his fists like he normally does when he doesn't want to do permanent harm to someone but since the gnome typically carries a small arsenal (OOC: pun intended) so he can keep his adversaries guessing.
"Let's get this started, eh Lads?" Toston asks.
Alizar HP:19/19 AC: 15(T:12/FF:13) CMD:14 Monday January 18th, 2016 7:54:14 PM
Alizar shrugged, "Now is as good a time as any I suppose."
Dušan (Erik) [HP:26/26; AC:12; Touch: 12; FF:10; CMD:13] Monday January 18th, 2016 8:41:28 PM
When they're out of earshot, Dušan whisper's to the group, "We could always fight half has hard. The odd's will increase for the House of Silver, and our profits will increase when we bet on ourselves and wipe the floor with those muts."
Asteria Amarante (Genevieve) [HP: 35/35; AC: 20; Touch: 12; FF: 20; CMD: 18] Monday January 18th, 2016 9:49:09 PM
Asteria, still reluctant about the fight, grins to Var.
"I'm looking forward to see you guys fight too. Don't disappoint me."
Giving a friendly nudge to Var and a wink to the rest of the team, she takes up a bet.
"I bet I can take down more baddies than you guys can."
After the friendliness, Asteria gets down to preparing for the fight. She doesn't exactly like Dusan's idea, but is not opposed to it if the others are fine. Asteria takes a nice nap, waking up refreshed and alert for the morning battle.
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