[sblock=Roll for Brother Shane]
Diplomacy 1d20+8 = 10. Writing update now.[/sblock]
Skalisss' initial attempt to slow the masses with physical force unfortunately don't work and quite a few are injured in the rush to enter the giant turtle, but reassurances from the monk in your midst help to slow the onslaught just enough to allow Ceryx to tend the wounds of those that had been hurt. Gradually the team starts to work together like a well oilled machine with the massive hulk of a half metal bear, and the flitting acrobatics of a semi-transparent drow keeping the crowd (almost fearfully) in line and moving at a reasonable pace.
[sblock=Results]
Skill Challenge S2: Crowd Corral -
Total Victory(8 successes), each character gains a single use +2 to diplomacy checks to influence Mr. Pinch. The party gains 2x healing potions.
The characters will only be awarded experience during an extended rest, so you don't officially get it yet, but I will keep a running list of experience in the tracking spoiler in my original post. In case you're curious; you each got 200 XP for that[/sblock]
As the population of Dauntons dockside slowly filters past you the area become a lot more open, and you spy a large man sat under an parasol in an oversized deck chair at the end of a pier in the distance, there is a chest of some description next to him, and what you presume to be a fishing rod poking out over the harbour waters.
"
Ah, and there is the... err; man, himself!" rasps Ned.
"
So it is, we should like to take you to him post haste, from such a nice spot he no doubt witnessed your valiant efforts to bring us new customers. Oh, before we forget..."
"
I promised you these." the skull lord reaches into his pack and removes two potion flasks that he proffers to the group at large.
---
The rag-tag group of adventurers; led by the skull lord, walk across the dockside and up one of the harbours three stonework main piers. As you approach the end of the pier it becomes apparent that the person you are going to see is no man, but an oni. His skin is a vivid turquoise and his grey-white hair is tied into a pony tail to keep it neat under a wide brimmed hat. The hat is adorned with a number of hooks and fishing lures, some of which are much bigger than the majority of fish to be found in Dauntons waters. Beside him is an exquisitely carved chest that has opened out to a small table, running down each side of the chest are a number of small drawers, one of which is open to reveal a selection of lead weights.
Upon noticing your approach the oni rests his rod on the open drawer, attaching it to a small hook before reaching over to the tabletop beside him where you can see a flagon and a number of tea cups;
"
May I offer you a drink, that certainly looked like tiring work, I suppose old chuckle-bones here roped you in to doing that?" The oni waves toward the skull lord with a slightly exasperated look.
"
Not that your efforts were not appreciated of course, allow me to introduce myself; I am Aggravus Pinch, and I have a job for you... one that requires a modicum of restraint. I have a fair amount of experience with adventurers from Daunton, and based on that I am slightly nervous about hiring you people for this quest, especially considering its political nature. But the city has agreed to send a representative of their own along with you, thus safeguarding me slightly."
Mr. Pinch pauses a moment to allow this to sink in.
"
Almost two days ago now, The 'Magnificently Muscled Minotaur Mob'; one of my gladiator groups, went out into yonder city to find an old shrine that they had heard tale of so that they could pray for victory in their upcoming bout. They are not normally overly religious, but I gathered from their request that this shrine has a particular meaning to their people, so I let them go."
"
They have not returned since, and they are due to fight in the Turtledome in a days time. I would like you to find and bring back my missing minotaurs, before their fight if at all possible."
The oni steeples his hands and looks at you over the top of his half-rimmed glasses, waiting for your responses, the more alert of you may have noticed that he does not seem to be affected by the same magicks that make everyone else shout out the monster arenas name.
[/sblock]
