[LPF] Escort Service

[perrinmiller]

Cythera e'Kiernan, Bronze Dragon Disciple

Cythera pursues after the last cowardly thug.

"Surrender and you might live!"

[sblock=Actions]Free Action: Talking
Swift Action: Activate Arcane Strike
Standard Action: n/a
Move Action: Move to I6[/sblock][sblock=Mini Stats]Initiative: +4
AC: 22 (19 flat-footed, 14 Touch)
HP: 54 Current: 54
CMB: +8 CMD: 22 (23 vs. Sundering) Fort: +5 Reflex: +6 Will: +5 (+1 with Resistance)
Conditions in Effect: Arcane Strike (+1 dmg), Power Attack (-2 Att/+6 dmg), Furious Focus (no penalty for 1st PA), Overhand Chop

Current Weapon in Hand: Greatsword
Chakram: 8/8 Claws: 4/5 rounds remaining

Battle Dance: 8/8 Rounds Remaining
Spells Remaining: Cantrips: (Read Magic, Detect Magic, Resistance, Light, Prestidigitation)
1st Level 3/3 (Cure Light Wounds, Timely Inspiration, Grease(DC13))[/sblock]___________________________

Cythera e'Kiernan

 

[Systole]

The fleeing thug doesn't reply; it's clear he's saving his breath to run.


[sblock=GM]The thug is going to quickly duck into a series of alleys, in which you will most likely lose him.

You have three options at the moment:

1. One standard action. However, if you slow down this much, you'll definitely lose him. If you cast or ranged attack, he'll be at 30'.
2. Chase scene: Opposed Dex checks to run him down. You can make a DC 15 K:Local check if you choose. Success will give you a +2 on the Dex roll (taking shortcuts, guessing where he'll come out, etc.). Missing the DC by 5 or more means you're mistaken and you'll automatically lose him. Running him down will take several rounds, during which Ben will be unattended.
3. Let him go.

If you've got something else in mind, feel free to propose it.[/sblock]

 

[perrinmiller]

Cythera e'Kiernan, Bronze Dragon Disciple

Cythera takes a few more steps after the coward, but then stops before really leaving the street.

The pursuit of that one is possible, and I could potentially catch him. But for what? To interrogate? No, we can heal the last one I took down and revive him for that.

She returns to Ben's side and helps him out of the net, saying, "Ben, we need to stop this one from dying. I would like to know who sent them."

Regardless, she will begin checking the pockets of the unconscious thug while she waits.

OOC: Take 10 on Perception (+5)

[sblock=Mini Stats]Initiative: +4
AC: 22 (19 flat-footed, 14 Touch)
HP: 36 Current: 54
CMB: +8 CMD: 22 (23 vs. Sundering) Fort: +5 Reflex: +6 Will: +5 (+1 with Resistance)
Conditions in Effect: Arcane Strike (+1 dmg), Power Attack (-2 Att/+6 dmg), Furious Focus (no penalty for 1st PA), Overhand Chop

Current Weapon in Hand: Greatsword
Chakram: 8/8 Claws: 4/5 rounds remaining

Battle Dance: 8/8 Rounds Remaining
Spells Remaining: Cantrips: (Read Magic, Detect Magic, Resistance, Light, Prestidigitation)
1st Level 3/3 (Cure Light Wounds, Timely Inspiration, Grease(DC13))[/sblock]___________________________

Cythera e'Kiernan

 

[Systole]

GM: Third try at posting this.

Cythera returns to help Ben as he attempts to struggle out of the web. "I'm sorry about my ... lack of participation. I'm more of a chaplain than a soldier." It's clear he's somewhat ashamed of his failings in this regard.

Suggesting that he heal the injured thug, Ben smiles. "I've always thought that prisoners were better than corpses, if only for the information they might give. Many in my order don't agree. To them, mercy is simply a form of cowardice. Elder Partially Righteous Reaver often says ... uh, never mind. I'm rambling. But I'm glad we're in agreement, in any case."

He raises his holy symbol and healing light washes over Cythera and one of the thugs -- the mostly decapitated leader being rather beyond the power of minor healing magics. The wounded thug struggles to consciousness. "Cor blimey, that was a close one. Thought I was a goner." He looks up to see Cythera and Ben standing over him. "Oh ... bugger."

"Enough for you. My guardian needs more," Ben says. He raises his symbol again, and the healing light does not touch the thug.

[sblock=ooc]Ben uses selective channelinng the second pass for the second pass. Thug is healed for 5 points, Cythera is healed for 8 points (total).

First post updated with stuff. Cythera will note that the chain shirts and scimitars are brand new -- unstained and unscratched, and the labels on the healing potions are quite new as well. The money pouch on the dead leader holds 80gp, but it's large, as if it were made to hold much more.[/sblock]

 

[perrinmiller]

Cythera e'Kiernan, Bronze Dragon Disciple

Cythera thanks Ben, "Quite alright, Ben. Tis my mistake for assuming you are a Dancer by trade. Your healing powers are very much appreciated."

Pointing the tip of her greatsword at the prisoner's throat, she comments with a evil-looking quirk to her smile, "Now, you care to explain? Who are you working for and why did you ambush us?"

[sblock=Mini Stats]Initiative: +4
AC: 22 (19 flat-footed, 14 Touch)
HP: 36 Current: 54
CMB: +8 CMD: 22 (23 vs. Sundering) Fort: +5 Reflex: +6 Will: +5 (+1 with Resistance)
Conditions in Effect: Arcane Strike (+1 dmg), Power Attack (-2 Att/+6 dmg), Furious Focus (no penalty for 1st PA), Overhand Chop

Current Weapon in Hand: Greatsword
Chakram: 8/8 Claws: 4/5 rounds remaining

Battle Dance: 8/8 Rounds Remaining
Spells Remaining: Cantrips: (Read Magic, Detect Magic, Resistance, Light, Prestidigitation)
1st Level 3/3 (Cure Light Wounds, Timely Inspiration, Grease(DC13))[/sblock]___________________________

Cythera e'Kiernan

 

[Systole]

The thug has no qualms about giving up what he knows. "Whoa, whoa, easy missus! It was just a job, you know!? Some bloke with a hood said 'e wanted that gent dead or netted." He says with a nod to Ben. "There was a lot of money onna table, so's we didn't ask questions. If you want to know about the bloke, ain't much I can tell. 'E came into the Green Gull wearin' a hood an' a mask an' a cloak, and 'e was lookin' for someone to do a job for 'im. All I knows is 'e had a Barony accent, same as your friend there. That's it."

Ben shrugs. "Unfortunately, our faith makes enemies of people," he explains. "Serroth is a god of war, and our priests are mercenaries. To us, war isn't personal, but to others .... it often is. Perhaps someone we once fought against saw my insignia and decided my death might be some sort of revenge. It's happened before. An occupational hazard, you might say."

From down the street comes a poilce whistle, and a well-dressed man comes running toward the combat scene with a sword in one hand and a bunch of flowers in the other. He spits the whistle out and says, "Commander Parsons, Venza Whitecloaks! Put your weapons down! What is going on here?"

"Parsons! We was minding our business when we was viciously assaulted by these two! Vell is dead!" the thug yells.

"Ahhh, Lucky Nim. I recognize you now," the commander says, sheathing his sword. His pose becomes much less threatening. "That's quite an accusation, Nim. Sadly for you, I'm not very inclined to believe it, seeing as I happen to know you and Nine-Toes Vell." He looks down at the corpse. "Well, I knew Vell, but it looks like we're closing his file. Where's your other associate? What's his name, Pargo? Bargo?"

He turns to Ben. "You're that priest of something that's been hanging around the adventurers in the Dunn Wright Inn." He says 'adventurers' in a tone similar to the way most people say 'vermin.'

"Serroth," Ben says.

"Serroth. Well, priest of Serroth, I'd advise you to avoid the company of adventurers." He shoots a glance to Cythera and then frowns at his flowers, which are somewhat the worse for his sprint. "But I can see that my advice comes too late ... for both of us. Can't I even have a night out with my lady without you people getting in the way?" he asks no one in particular.

Alerted by the commander's whistle, a Whitecloak patrol comes around the corner at a hustle.

 

[perrinmiller]

Cythera e'Kiernan, Bronze Dragon Disciple

With the authorities coming to take over, Cythera cleans her blade off on the thug's jerkin before sheathing it. During which she comments wryly, "Commander, it is a pity you are so put out, but it was only a few days ago that I was among the adventurers saving Venza's citizens from roaming undead creatures that your people could not handle."

Picking up her glaive again, she cleans that on Nim's jerkin as well. She figures it is obvious who the aggrieved party in this matter is, she it the one with a stab wound in her back.

Having shown the commander her obvious wound, she pulls out her healing wand and finishes the cleric's ministrations. Then she uses a cantrip to clean up the blood from her person as well.

"Is there a reward for this miserable cur's head?"

OOC: CLW (1d8+1=5); CLW (1d8+1=9) - 2 charges on her wand Cast Prestidigitation Metagaming: I am willing to forgo taking more than their money pouch, thunderstones, and potions, if the bounty on these guys covers the value of their armor and weapons. Just giving you an option.

[sblock=Mini Stats]Initiative: +4
AC: 22 (19 flat-footed, 14 Touch)
HP: 44 Current: 54
CMB: +8 CMD: 22 (23 vs. Sundering) Fort: +5 Reflex: +6 Will: +5 (+1 with Resistance)
Conditions in Effect: Arcane Strike (+1 dmg), Power Attack (-2 Att/+6 dmg), Furious Focus (no penalty for 1st PA), Overhand Chop

Current Weapon in Hand: Glaive
Chakram: 8/8 Claws: 4/5 rounds remaining

Battle Dance: 8/8 Rounds Remaining
Spells Remaining: Cantrips: (Read Magic, Detect Magic, Resistance, Light, Prestidigitation)
1st Level 3/3 (Cure Light Wounds, Timely Inspiration, Grease(DC13))[/sblock]___________________________

Cythera e'Kiernan

 

[Systole]

The patrol approaches as Parsons readies a reply, but he stops and exhales slowly. "Never mind. I'm not going to waste my evening arguing. On behalf of the Whitecloaks, let me assure you that all of Venza appreciates your service and dedication."

He turns to the patrol leader. "Sergeant, collect Nim here and throw him in a cell. And mop up what's left of Vell before any of the nobles see him, because I don't need Lord So-and-So in my office complaining about unsightly litter on the streets. After you've done that, take some men and go down to the Green Gull. There's a fair chance that their associate is stupid enough to go back to his usual stomping grounds. If you find him, arrest him."

As Cythera mentions a reward, Parsons snorts. "I'm afraid there's no bounty. We've found that bounties only encourage certain unsavory types to run around the city and commit mayhem. However, as the aggrieved party here, you will be entitled to restitution. Most likely, they'll have to forfeit their belongings, which you can collect tomorrow, when you voluntarily come by the guard house to answer some routine questions. I trust I'm being clear?"

GM: I've already taken care of not having to cart the loot to the party. If there's something you want now, Parsons will shrug and let you take it. The questioning will be non-RP, offstage kind of thing, but Parsons does try to keep some kind of order in the city.

 

[perrinmiller]

Cythera e'Kiernan, Bronze Dragon Disciple

With a casual nod, Cythera replies, "Of course, Commander. We will see your tomorrow." She doesn't bother acknowledging the implication that adventurers would be running rampaging around as vigilantes if they offered bounties for criminal.

Content to collect the weapons and armor the following day, the bronze dragon disciple puts the potions, thunderstones, and money into her haversack.

Figuring their dealing with the whitecloaks at an end, Cythera turns to Ben.

"Since they are going to be delayed a bit in making it to the Green Gull, do you wish to spare some time to investigate ourselves? We could be fashionably late to our engagement."

OOC: Works for me, thanks. Knowledge Local (1d20+6=13) regarding Green Gull

[sblock=Mini Stats]Initiative: +4
AC: 22 (19 flat-footed, 14 Touch)
HP: 44 Current: 54
CMB: +8 CMD: 22 (23 vs. Sundering) Fort: +5 Reflex: +6 Will: +5 (+1 with Resistance)
Conditions in Effect: Arcane Strike (+1 dmg), Power Attack (-2 Att/+6 dmg), Furious Focus (no penalty for 1st PA), Overhand Chop

Current Weapon in Hand: Glaive
Chakram: 8/8 Claws: 4/5 rounds remaining

Battle Dance: 8/8 Rounds Remaining
Spells Remaining: Cantrips: (Read Magic, Detect Magic, Resistance, Light, Prestidigitation)
1st Level 3/3 (Cure Light Wounds, Timely Inspiration, Grease(DC13))[/sblock]___________________________

Cythera e'Kiernan

 

[Systole]

With the patrol working at his orders, the commander strides off, his bouquet shedding petals. Cythera and Ben depart, but as she suggests heading to the Green Gull, a temple bell tolls the hour. Ben winces. "With that delay, I fear we're already well into 'fashionably late' and are fast approaching 'unforgivably late.' Targo will wait; Dame Forenicci will not."

[sblock=The Green Gull]The Green Gull is a dockside tavern that serves as a gathering place for Venza's scum and villainy, sort of the evil twin of the Dunn Wright. If you're looking for someone who'll investigate a crypt, you go to the Dunn Wright Inn. If you're looking for someone who'll break some legs or you need a warehouse to "accidentally" burn down, you go to the Green Gull.

The Green Gull is named because the food is said to be so bad it could make a seagull sick.[/sblock]