Hot Times in Slateholm 6/23-24

[Eris]

Vesper proclaims "Welcome all to our gathering here!" She slowly passes behind Elizabeth (clearly doing something "stagecrafty") and hisses "One line!" Then whispers much more reassuringly "Look again - you've seen them so find them. You're clever, I'll cover - work out where they must be!"

Elizabeth, does look and look again, and the men she saw are just not there! No, wait is that one? The same dark cloak, but no wrong size body. The men she saw are not in the crowd, if they are they are hiding so well no one could find them! They must have left when after the fire, they must have!

[Eris]

By the time Elizabeth is sure the men are not in the crowd she tunes back into what Vesper is saying just in time to hear...

Vesper slaps her thigh and continues her delivery "This shy maid has wandered lost into my forest glade. Should I treat her to a... slow dance?"

And hear the calls of "Aye!" and "A Sloooow Dance!" and much laughter.

And then she sees the Elven maid who called herself Tinu starting to move in a slow dance around them...

[Eris]

Gaurbal is standing guard at the back of the tavern. He has found a deep pool of shadow and is completely invisible to anyone who would approach from this direction. The crowd out front is loud and he can hear them clearly hooting and calling out rude comments to Vesper as she starts her performance. He can't hear any actual words, just the tenor of the crowd...loud and rowdy and probably very, very, rude! He hopes Elizabeth isn't in the middle of all that.

There are several big barrels of ale back here arranged next to the back door. Occasionally, servers come out through that door and dip pitchers into the barrels disappearing back inside, presumably to distribute the ale to the crowd out front. Every time the door opens light is cast around the back yard and the alleys leading off from it. The noise of the crowd swells and Gaurbal can pick up a few disjoined words from Vesper and a bit of music.

Hark! Gaurbal sees movement coming up an alley leading from the docks toward the back of The Sea Serpent's Tooth. He can make out two men wearing dark cloaks who are moving stealthily toward the back yard. They pause in shadow as another barman comes out to collect more ale that casts more light on them than they thought. Gaurbal nods to himself, he recognizes them as the ones that were in the alley pointed out by Elizabeth! The barman goes back inside having not seen the intruders. They start forward when the server goes back inside, moving quickly but cautiously.

The two are in the back yard of the Tooth now, Gaurbal can see one of the two men is holding a small jug of some kind, while the other has a spear. He didn't see a spear when they were in the alley before.

A hissed whisper comes from the one with the spear as they cross the back yard, "Quick dump it in the ale before another of the damn bartenders comes back out."

[Tiglath]

He hopes Elizabeth isn't in the middle of all that.

It'll be fine she's with Vesper...

...

...she's with Vesper!!!!

[shaidar]

Gaurbal

Are the barrels arranged in such a way that Gaurbal would be able to clearly see which barrel(s) they emptied the jug into from his current position?

I'm assuming that Gaurbal has his armour and sword, but wouldn't have brought his bow along.

[Eris]

Gaurbal

Are the barrels arranged in such a way that Gaurbal would be able to clearly see which barrel(s) they emptied the jug into from his current position?

I'm assuming that Gaurbal has his armour and sword, but wouldn't have brought his bow along.

Yes, Gaurbal has his armor and sword, but not his bow.

Yes, Gaurbal can clearly see what is going on. It's dark in the back yard, but his eyes have adjusted and he can see clearly what is going on. The two men haven't quite emptied the jug yet, they are moving toward the middle of 3 barrels and the only one already opened.

The door opens and a woman server holding a pitcher steps out. In the now much more lighted area, Gaurbal can see the two men's faces he recognizes them from earlier!

"What?!" says the woman in surprise then in a loud voice while waving the big pitcher at the men, "Here now! Trying to steal a jug of ale are ye! Get off with you before I scream for Big Al to come knock yer socks off, ye!"

The man with the jug growls to his accomplice, "Take her!"

And as the man with the spear steps around the barrel with his free hand out to grab the woman she screams and hurls the pitcher at him!

rolled a 1

The pitcher flies wide smashing into the wall of the alley near where Gaurbal is watching. The woman trips over her long skirt as she tries to turn to run back inside and falls to her hands and knees. This allows the spearman to grab her arm and yank her to her feet.

While this is happening the man with the jug dumps its contents into the open barrel and growls, "Bring her! The Boss can decide what to do with her."

When she begins to struggle in the spearman's hands he says menacingly, "Wench! Make any fuss and we'll slit your throat right now!"

[Tiglath]

"...and lean back over my leg - I've got you".

As Elizabeth's décolletage takes center stage a smiling Vesper leans in over her "Now, here if I kiss you that's just an ending but if you kiss me then that's a crescendo!" She winks at Elizabeth and adds "Know your audience!" and, as she moves in for what might be a kiss, she blocks the audience's view with the feathered cap held in her off hand.

Raising Elizabeth back to her feet Vesper laughs as she wags an admonishing finger at the crowd's protests "Now, now Lizzie's not performing tonight - she's just getting to know you! Gentles all, that concludes both our prologue and a taste of forthcoming attractions. Charge up your drinks now and then get ready for in ten minutes time we begin the main event!"

Vesper joins hands with Elizabeth and Tinu to take one bow before exiting the stage. She asks Jake "Can you find Draven and Gaurbal? We need to tell them the men from earlier aren't in the crowd. And I need to get ready to go on!"

She adds with a warm smile "Oh, and I think you're both now honorary Shadow Cats!"

[archolewa]

{Elizabeth}

Elizabeth squeaks, blushes and stammers through the slow dance.

"...and lean back over my leg - I've got you".

As Elizabeth's décolletage takes center stage a smiling Vesper leans in over her "Now, here if I kiss you that's just an ending but if you kiss me then that's a crescendo!" She winks at Elizabeth and adds "Know your audience!" and, as she moves in for what might be a kiss, she blocks the audience's view with the feathered cap held in her off hand.

Crescendo's better than ending right? Thoroughly confused, rather bedazzled, and her ears still burning from forgetting her line, Elizabeth lifts her head to give Vesper a kiss, but manages to stop herself as soon as she realizes the hat is blocking everyone's view. Somehow, Elizabeth manages to blush even more.

I am far, far too sober right now.

She adds with a warm smile "Oh, and I think you're both now honorary Shadow Cats!"

Elizabeth gives a very unsteady smile, and then moves as fast as she into some shadowy corner of the tavern where she can hide, figure out what on earth Vesper did to her dress, and fix it so that she doesn't have to worry about showing everyone all her tattoos.

[shaidar]

Gaurbal

The door opens and a woman server holding a pitcher steps out. In the now much more lighted area, Gaurbal can see the two men's faces he recognizes them from earlier!

"What?!" says the woman in surprise then in a loud voice while waving the big pitcher at the men, "Here now! Trying to steal a jug of ale are ye! Get off with you before I scream for Big Al to come knock yer socks off, ye!"

The man with the jug growls to his accomplice, "Take her!"

And as the man with the spear steps around the barrel with his free hand out to grab the woman she screams and hurls the pitcher at him!

rolled a 1

The pitcher flies wide smashing into the wall of the alley near where Gaurbal is watching. The woman trips over her long skirt as she tries to turn to run back inside and falls to her hands and knees. This allows the spearman to grab her arm and yank her to her feet.

While this is happening the man with the jug dumps its contents into the open barrel and growls, "Bring her! The Boss can decide what to do with her."

When she begins to struggle in the spearman's hands he says menacingly, "Wench! Make any fuss and we'll slit your throat right now!"

Gaurbal is thinking about options (slowly) when the situations moves itself forward.

With his hand on his sword pommel he steps out from his hiding place. As he does so he thinks about his time in his lords army, about the confidence and bravado a lot of the men had and tries his best to replicate it.

He bares a few inches of his sword blade. "Let her go, or you will regret it!"

[ateno]

Galreth continues to watch out for everyone.

Galreth

[terrymixon]

Galreth continues to watch out for everyone.

Galreth

As does Draven.

[Eris]

Mode: Roleplaying, Exploration, Combat
Location: Back Yard of The Sea Serpent's Tooth
Present: Gaurabal, Helen, Thug1, Thug2

Gaurbal

The pitcher flies wide smashing into the wall of the alley near where Gaurbal is watching. The woman trips over her long skirt as she tries to turn to run back inside and falls to her hands and knees. This allows the spearman to grab her arm and yank her to her feet.

While this is happening the man with the jug dumps its contents into the open barrel and growls, "Bring her! The Boss can decide what to do with her."

When she begins to struggle in the spearman's hands he says menacingly, "Wench! Make any fuss and we'll slit your throat right now!"

Gaurbal is thinking about options (slowly) when the situations moves itself forward.

With his hand on his sword pommel he steps out from his hiding place. As he does so he thinks about his time in his lords army, about the confidence and bravado a lot of the men had and tries his best to replicate it.

He bares a few inches of his sword blade. "Let her go, or you will regret it!"

The two thugs turn toward you in surprise. The one with the jug pulls a dagger out of his belt and says threateningly, "Interfere and you will regret it!"

Gaurbal sees the woman is about to act now that both of the Thugs are looking in his direction, and she does, first she kicks the Thug holding her arm in the knee and then bites his hand. He lets her go with a Yelp! of pain and she runs back inside before anyone can prevent it, banging the door shut behind her.

The back yard is suddenly thrown into dimness...not darkness, but dark enough so features and fine detail is lost.

"That tears it!" growls the Thug with the jug who throws the jug at Gaurbal [1d20]=20! Caught by surprise Gaurbal takes the jug to the face [1d4]=4...that hurt! He feels his nose break and blood start flowing from it.

Thug2, with a spear, steps toward Gaurbal raising his spear, but Thug1 growls, "Leave him and let's get out of here!"

Putting actions to words, Thug1 darts toward the alley they just came from. Gaurbal doesn't know where these alleys go, but based on where they are thinks back to the docks area. However, Thug2 with his spear, seems inclined to attack Gaurbal as he continues to move toward him his spear at the ready.

This is a fight!

[shaidar]

Gaurbal

Gaurbal spits blood onto the ground "You were warned." he draws his sword and let's the man come to him, ready to attack when he comes into range.

[Eris]

Mode: Roleplaying, Exploration, Combat
Location: Inside The Sea Serpent's Tooth Tavern
Present: Helen, Al Bester (owner), Server1, Server2, Vesper, Elizabeth, Tinu, (where are the other PC's, inside or out front)


Having just left the stage after their dance the three women step down into the barroom.

Elizabeth scurries to a table in a dark corner to figure out what just happened while Vesper, her arm over Tinu's shoulder enthuses about their act and then starts to change her clothing. Al Bester is already stacking silver coins on the bar top. A couple of servers are heading out with pitchers of ale to serve to the crowd in the square.

Suddenly, bursting through the back door to the side of the bar comes a woman! The tall, dark haired, woman's hair was in a bun, but is now half down and there is a tear in the sleeve of her gown! She looks scared as she shouts, "Help! They is kidnappers er worse in the Yard!"

Bester covers his stack of coins and says loudly, "Thieves!" then proceeds to start sweeping the coins into a metal strongbox. Clearly more concerned about somebody stealing his take than anything else.

The two Servers stop and look at the woman, one saying, "What the seven hells ya talking about Helen?"

Gasping, the woman, now you know as Helen, says in one long breath, "I oz fillin the pitcher when two Thugs grabbed me. They oz gonna take me away, too! A big man com'a the dark and says 'Let er go!' and when they looked at 'em I kicked and bit then ran back in er!"

Helen looks more mad than scared now as she steps behind the bar and picks up a heavy club, saying, "If'en you ain't got the balls on ya Big Al to do sum pen, I'll do it me self!"

Helen turns back toward the back door and starts marching that direction gripping the heavy club like...well, like she fully intends to use it to bash a head or two!

If anyone inside wants to go into Combat mode, just go out the back door with Helen.

[Eris]

Mode: Roleplaying, Exploration, Combat
Location: Back yard of The Sea Serpent's Tooth Tavern
Present: Gurabal, Thug1, Thug2
Notes: If anyone from inside is joining the fight it will be on Round 3 when they join Helen as she comes out the backdoor with a club.

Round 1

Gurabal: AC14, HP6/10, LSword +2 1d8

Gaurbal spits blood onto the ground "You were warned." he draws his sword and let's the man come to him, ready to attack when he comes into range.

"Oh, hells!" says Thug1 who had started to run as he stops and says, "Fine, we're gonna kill him then!" as he turns back and comes toward Gaurbal with a dagger in his hand.

Thug2 thrusts his spear toward Gaurbal, [1d20+2]=3+2=5, who easily blocks the thrust. Thug1 throws a dagger at Gaurbal which sticks into this shield, but not him.

"We don't need to fight this yahoo Joe!" says Thug1 as he pulls another dagger from his belt, "Let's just get out of here!"

"No, he needs to die!" replies Thug2...Joe, as he pulls his spear back for another attack.

End of Round 1
Note: Gaurbal acts first on Round 2, an attack probably. His attack will have a -2DM if it is on the spearman because of reach.

Thug1: AC12, HP9/9, Dagger +2/+2 1d4, Dagger +2/+2 1d4, Dagger +2/+2 1d4
Thug2: AC12, HP11/11, Spear +2 1d6

[terrymixon]

Draven wastes no time drawing his sword and heading out back. He suspects it’s one of theirs in trouble and isn’t dawdling.

[Tiglath]

"Draven? Gaurbal!" Vesper piles through the door after Helen.

Having just come off stage she would normally have been unarmed and unarmoured but, since she was last dressed as a man, will at least have her dagger (but no armour nor shield).

[shaidar]

Gaurbal

Round 1

Gurabal: AC14, HP6/10, LSword +2 1d8

Gaurbal spits blood onto the ground "You were warned." he draws his sword and let's the man come to him, ready to attack when he comes into range.

"Oh, hells!" says Thug1 who had started to run as he stops and says, "Fine, we're gonna kill him then!" as he turns back and comes toward Gaurbal with a dagger in his hand.

Thug2 thrusts his spear toward Gaurbal, [1d20+2]=3+2=5, who easily blocks the thrust. Thug1 throws a dagger at Gaurbal which sticks into this shield, but not him.

"We don't need to fight this yahoo Joe!" says Thug1 as he pulls another dagger from his belt, "Let's just get out of here!"

"No, he needs to die!" replies Thug2...Joe, as he pulls his spear back for another attack.

End of Round 1
Note: Gaurbal acts first on Round 2, an attack probably. His attack will have a -2DM if it is on the spearman because of reach.

Thug1: AC12, HP9/9, Dagger +2/+2 1d4, Dagger +2/+2 1d4, Dagger +2/+2 1d4
Thug2: AC12, HP11/11, Spear +2 1d6

With the longer reach, and the nastier outlook, Gaurbal decides the spearman Joe is the biggest danger and swings his sword at him.

I'm happy for you to roll the dice, as archolewa will attest the dice gods hate me. Just rereading the new combat rules. Am I right that I get two actions and since he's not moving I can use the second as a block/parry? If I need to choose who I'm parrying it would be Joe the spearman.

[Eris]

I'm happy for you to roll the dice, as archolewa will attest the dice gods hate me. Just rereading the new combat rules. Am I right that I get two actions and since he's not moving I can use the second as a block/parry? If I need to choose who I'm parrying it would be Joe the spearman.

OOC: Yep, that's what we're going to try out. We'll see how it works. I'll roll for an attack and then a Parry against the Spearman. Post later, got RL stuff to do right now.

[ateno]

Galreth runs to the back, not seeing his companion.

Rushing in at distance he sees Gaurbal facing off against a spear.

"Spearman, look at me!"

Hypnotize vs 11 [1d20]=16

Level 3 or less are stupified. Assuming the spearman is not Level 4 or above.

"Gaurbal, I got him, take the other."

Galreth moves to put himself on the other side of the spearman from the other man.

Galreth