Cockburn Harbour

[Spearmint]

okay Zhym,

sorry for the frustration. Here is a summary of what has happened then to the Cockburn Harbour group.

In the La Gentille Aliouette: Holden receives information from gypsy soothsayer regarding the island and elven community he spent time on. Minor info uncovered on ships and stuff.

In the Matador and Bull: Szmodic wins at the gaming table, taking a locket and an afternoon session with a gangsters moll. The Crays' run a racket off shore including a base unknown to Djebel Tarik who has first dibs on the Grand Turk island fortress. The Cray brother sends a 'heavy' to do Szmodics in later in the afternoon. He escapes through the balcony after killing one assassin. A mob follows but are themselves surprised and defeated by the group who hide their bodies in some ruined latrines.

You meet with Honest Juan a Halfling mage who gives them a contact card drumming up business and provides the darkness enabling Holden to escape the tavern.

Other minor info collected.

Zoggrot follows a gang of Tariks men, taking a limping and covered figure to some warehouse basement. He pays an urchin to watch and see what develops.

In the Succubus bordello: In search of an unknown captain whose men are fractious because they want their share of plunder.

The entrance is wizard locked in some way, as are various doors or gates such as the stair turnstile to the Captains lounge. Several floating eyes observe the clientele. Various groups mingle, Rico takes a couple of girls towards the sauna and courtyards. Holden entertains in the front lounge overlooking the street.

Szmodics and Zoggrot search upstairs for the Captain on the comment he may be with a certain escort Catriona. The captain runs a route trading with a mage cult from the island of Eleuthera. He is slowly going mad, according to his crew, they suspect the spices he uses but there could be other reasons. His boat is the ocean barque Hextors' Raven.

The pirate Tarik has fingers in every pie and has placed Catriona here to seduce and work for him in some way.

The missing captain, missing a few days is dead, found dumped in the bathroom of Catriona's room with multiple stab wounds. He has several tattoos and Catriona is anxious now her job is complete that 'the boys' move the body.

She has mistaken Zog and Szmo for two of Tariks men. Catriona, manifests her true identity while the boys are cleaning up, she is not in fact some beautiful high class escort but a doppelganger of dubious gender. The doppelganger having intensively studied the tattoos of the Captain de Courcey can now manifest those with accuracy upon her/his/it's own body.


That brings you up to date with this round. Everything okay with that summary?

[Zhym]

As they start to roll up the body, Zoggrot bends close to its face. He lets one hand slip toward his belt. "Oy, what's this guy got in his throat?" he says, adopting the street accent he expects the shape-changer would expect. "You put this here?" he asks her/him/it.

When the doppelganger hopefully closes in to investigate, Zoggrat stabs her in the back with his cutlass.

Cutlass, backstab (THAC0 20): [1d20+5] = 12+5 = 17. Dmg: [1d6+3] = 4+3 = 7x2/[1d8+3] = 4+3 = 7x2 (SM/L)

That's 14 points damage if his ruse is successful.

[Stirling]

Szmodics

his eyes go wide as he sees the doppelganger manifest its' true form and then shape change into the deceased captain. He looks at the captains body as they roll it over. Is there anything particular about the captain that would cause the doppelganger to assume his identity. I mean it already has one as the escort Catriona. Szmodics is busy pocketing any lucre, pulling coins and rings into his pouches.

When he sees Zoggrot pull his cutlass he assumes the doppelganger is going to attack them so will draw a blade as well.

[Spearmint]

In the front lounge:

Holden strums the harp and gets the attention of a couple of nubile females. "I'm here to pay off debts owed, working my ass of literally," says one older escort, "Addictions to feed, not kids, bad habits die hard and expensive too. Madam keeps me hooked and keeps me on the game. What else can a girl do here, farming isn't up to much," speaks the other. They place hands over their mouths, again as if provoked into speaking. A blonde girl swinging close by reaches out and strums the harp whilst upside down, the frame just within her reach. "I came looking for a missing captain, return him to his crew for a reward." Holden blurts out, suddenly ashamed. The escorts laugh and ply you with a drink and take the harp from your hands.

"If we can't tempt you or you have eyes for someone else, we better not keep you.", Holden is sent from the lounge with a few smacks on his bottom, chided like a naughty schoolboy caught with his hands in the biscuit tin. You hear comments being made about you being so 'sweet' and 'what lovely hair he has' and a manly voice esteeming your 'derriere'. In the foyer at the top of the stairs you look around. The boys went down the corridor, two similar looking lads one tall and broad, the other slim and slighter of build, stand outside the door Zoggrot and Szmodics entered. With a key in hand they turn the lock and enter, muffled cries carry down the corridor, though with a party atmosphere and people in 'full swing' the noise is not immediately noted.


In Catriona's room:

Szmodics stashes away the loose coins and jewellery. The tattoos are various and marine as described previous. The back of de Courcey has a faint Carib map, almost like a blueprint detail, islands, arrows for direction, scribbled notes, prate signs. No 'X' marks the spot but the way Catriona turns to admire the print tracing on her own skin you could guess perhaps the map leads to some specific item.

Zoggrot tries a ruse to attract her attention so he may kill the beast.

pistols, daggers, short blades, only beyond

cutlasses were left at the front door prior to being admitted entrance. Armed with a dagger he would thrust through the doppelganger. Catriona or whatever the creatures' name is doesn't immediately step forward into the bathroom. Ignoring the remark, the creatures skin begins to writhe and transform again going back from the image of the De Courcey, to once again being a desirable seductive escort. She adjust herself with a gown as two guys enter the room.

A broad shouldered half-orc and a slighter tanned young man enter. They are not doppelganger doubles but similar enough in size and features to resemble Zog and Szmo at a glance"Our apologises Ma'am, we were delayed with trouble from a mob of Cray bros'. We can take him away...", the orc stops abruptly and sees that two other guys are standing over the body and preparing to roll him into a carpet. They look surprised when they see you, as does Catriona, who turns to face both pairs.


actions please, you have a round of surprise on them, so may attack or dialogue as you wish then I will move to initiative order

[Zhym]

So the doppelganger never turns its back to Zoggrot during all that time?

[Spearmint]

Cat is behind a lattice screen, in front of a dresser and mirror, looking at the accuracy with which the tattoos' trace on her body when she takes on the De Courcey clone. Zog and Szmo have taken the carpet into the bathroom to roll the body in and from the doorway you both were surprised when the doppelganger revealed its' true nature. That surprise and Cat also not bothering about the comment to 'look and see what in stuck in his throat' (I think her reaction to ignore the comment comes from the fact she has done all she wanted and just wants rid of the body), hence not being close enough to backstab her.

Now the two expected guys have entered, you have surprise over them, certainly they were expecting the escort alone with a body. They are not armed so far as you can see, except for a bunch of keys. So you can either attack or another action, dialogue perhaps, flee (though I doubt those are Szmo and Zogs strong points.).

[Zhym]

Seems more likely we'd have dragged a body out of the bathroom to where the rug is than try to cram a rug into the bathroom, but whatever.

Zoggrot attacks.

Dagger (THAC0 20): [1d20+1] = 20+1 = 21. Dmg: [1d4+3] = 2+3 = 5/[1d3+3] = 1+3 = 4 (SM/L)

[Spearmint]

An attack on doppel-Cat I guess (unless you say otherwise).

[Zhym]

It's not likely to make a difference, but sure.

[thesniperknight1]

Holden silently follows the two and listens in on the door

[Stirling]

Szmodics

Sees the two guys walk in and express surprise. Already figuring they are in trouble, (at he will be when the other escort arouses) and now a doppelganger faces them, instinct kicks in and he fires his light crossbow though his aim is a little off. Light crossbow short range [1d20+1] = 7+1 = 8 [1d4+1] = 1+1 = 2

[Spearmint]

Holden, dismissed form the exotic lounge he finds himself in the corridor. The foyer begins to empty, one escort girl carrying a tray of empty glass passes him by without a blink. Taking one, Holden places it on the door and tries to amplify any 'goings on' that are going on. He finds he doesn't need the help of the glass. There is a startled cry and a few curses. You recognise Zoggrots' deep gruff voice, swearing in orcish and then a few bits of furniture crash around the room. The two guys you saw enter both exclaim a surprise and then more cursing. The door remains shut but as you try the handle you find it is not locked. catching your eye you see an egg sized speck flicker above the staircase chandelier and hover slowly in your direction.

Inside doppel-cats' room:

Catriona is struck in the back by the blade of Zoggrot, a solid blow doing some critical damage. The two guys, caught by surprise react to the attack by throwing nearby stools at the pair. The 1/2orc growls at Szmodics in the bathroom whilst the other turns to leave by the door. Catriona, grappling free of Zoggrots grasp, turns and in Catriona form manifests some long fingernail blades, like little stiletto blades with which to stab at you.

(actions and attack rolls for the melee, 1st to post do initiative also please).

[Zhym]

Zoggrot keeps knife fighting.

Dagger (THAC0 20): [1d20+1] = 1+1 = 2. Dmg: [1d4+3] = 1+3 = 4/[1d3+3] = 1+3 = 4 (SM/L)

WTH? That's the second roll I've rolled today that's come up all 1s.

[Stirling]

Szmodics

Drops the crossbow and draws out one of his daggers and attacks the orc figure. dagger melee [1d20] = 15 [1d4] = 3

seems as though we are on the back foot...initiative [1d6] = 1

[thesniperknight1]

Holden takes the glass and walks groggily away from the strange figure heading towards him. He acts drunk going down the corridor and if he happens to see a mirror he will try and glance and check if it's still following him

[Spearmint]

The corridor:

Holden, there is no figure following you down the corridor. The egg shaped device is actually an eye floating under the direction of some unseen arcane control. They have been in various places around the Succubus such as the entrance, the chandelier in the downstairs hall and this one hovering along the corridor. You may infer from its' existence that it watches what goes on but it doesn't appear to carry any obvious threat. The corridor is about 8'ft wide, it ends in a glazed window and on one side is an alcove with an armoured statue, whose halberd has been decorated with various lingerie. On the far left is a door from which the two guys came through, then the door to Catrionas' room. Another two doors remain on the left, from which sounds of 'pillow talk' may be heard. On the right are more rooms, one carries a bathroom logo and a set of stairs, quite narrow which lead upwards. The are blocked by a rusty turnstile gate which works only one way. Behind is the front lounge which overlooks the street from a small balcony. Escorts paired off with clients come and go from the rooms on the right or folk drift up and downstairs from the lounge. You note the wine and food quality is slightly better upstairs than down and the escorts working from this floor have a richer silk, stronger sweet perfume and more gold in their teeth.

As you turn down the corridor to mime a casual performance, you hear the sounds of rough and tumble and bloody cries from the room. The door opens and a young man rushing to leave, gets surprised to see you crouching there listening. you have a free round of action.

In doppel-Cats' room:

In the close quarters of the room, the bodily contact gets fierce and bloody. Neither side getting any advantage and all move as one, reaching for blades and throats.

doppel gang initiative [1d6] = 1

Zoggrot stumbles in his attempt to stab at Catriona again, she side stepping his thrust making him pierce the lattice work and screen. His dagger twists free of his grasp and Catriona ripostes, kicking away the broken screen and striking at him, clawing into his upper body. Several of the claw like blades pierce his chest and he bleeds from many wounds. (Zoggrot - 5hp)

The orc man, stabbed by Szmodics, draws a dagger too, moving it swiftly from hand to hand to try and draw his defences and then stabs him with precision. -3 hp

The second man, under direction of the orc turns to get help, opening the door quickly and stepping almost up the crouching figure of Holden, listening at the door with a glass in hand.

1/2 orc and thug [1d20+1] = 16+1 = 17 [1d20] = 3 damage [1d3+1] = 2+1 = 3 [1d3] = 2
Doppel-Cat [1d20] = 16 damage [1d12] = 5

next round actions please, Holden give me two actions

[Zhym]

Zoggrot keeps fighting.

Dagger (THAC0 20): [1d20+1] = 11+1 = 12. Dmg: [1d4+3] = 1+3 = 4/[1d3+3] = 1+3 = 4 (SM/L)

[Stirling]

Szmodics

wrestles with the brutish half-orc,

dagger melee [1d20] = 6 [1d4] = 1

and not stabbing through his defences, he backs away thinking he might be the next body rolled in a carpet and bundled off to the graveyard. Spotting Holden in the doorway he calls him, "Kill the thug Holly and help us."

[thesniperknight1]

Holden who doesn't have a full grasp on the situation only understands that he at least needs to stop this person from running away.

He takes his lute quickly casting charm person on the one trying to escape, then closes the door behind him and follows it up with audible glamour to make sure this room doesn't sound any different than any of the other rooms.

[Spearmint]

Holden stands upright and smiles at the young man trying to leave the room, he strums a chord or two on the lute he carries on his back and with a twinkling eye recites a few hip-hop verses. It has a calming effect upon the man who smiles immediately as if recognising Holden and ushers him into the room, shutting the door behind them."Hey soul-brother, I dig your sound, it smooths the waters, you know what I mean." he says pointing to his chest, "Unlike these honcho's man, they gonna bring da house down." pointing to the fighting duos'. Charm Person cast upon him successfully.

saving throw [1d20] = 3

The duo's still fight in close combat, punches and blades being exchanged in mounting ferocity. The orc managing to wrestle free of Szmodics who evades his blade though is forced to the ground. 1/2 orc [1d20+1] = 2+1 = 3 damage [1d3+1] = 3+1 = 4


Grabbing the hem of the rug, Szmodics pulls with all his might and it unbalances the 1/2 orc who stumbles a step backwards into Zoggrot. (It is not un-Abba like, dancing in the disco back to back) Zoggrot lunges at doppel-Cat but misses but feels the 1/2 orc stumble into him as the doppelganger in lady form makes a rash move, launching herself claws extended to rip grim guts from Grimgut. Zoggrot neatly displays his dancing feet and a quick foxtrot to the left and he tangos' the orc into her thrust.

Doppel-Cat [1d20] = 1 damage [1d12] = 10

The trembling orc looks at the hands of the doppelganger, embedded knuckled deep within his bowels and he spills them onto the floor, feebly clutching at them as his life blood and yesterdays dinner wash the wooden parquet flooring. He dies without another sound.

There is another sound however, noises of a four poster frantically creaking, 'humping' and 'orgasmic groaning' as Holden manifests the sounds of a pleasurable orgy going on. He shrugs, "What else would you expect in a brothel?" audible glamour cast

"Ah Vargo," the man sighs and reaches for the prone body of his 1/2 buddy. Catriona curses loudly, and stabs frantically at Zoggrot, trying to read his thoughts and flee the room. She misses and now faces the three party."Kill him!" she shouts at the man pointing to the blonde minstrel newcomerbut he just ignores her request and cradles his dying comrade

Doppel-Cat [1d20] = 12 damage [1d12] = 12.

actions gentlemen please