Clutches of Evil - IC: Chapter One

[Nonlethal Force]

The hobgoblins do in fact take their leave quickly when it is offered by Keryth. The easily make it to the door and head out into the street.

The merchant nods agreeably to Byntrou and replies, "Why, yes ... of course. I can pay. Let me start by giving that fine waitress what is coming to ..."

He reaches into his pockets. "My gold!" He screams as his hand hits an empty pocket. "My gold has been stolen!"

The crowd that had fled from the fight begins to chuckle from a distance.

 

[jkason]

Byntrou

Good boy, Gav, Byntrou thinks, though outwardly he simply snarls.

"How convenient that your gold is stolen just when you're asked to pay. Let me guess: you planned to stick your new clients with the bill? Or perhaps your abuse of the staff has finally grown to include simply failing to tip?

"As your gold seems to have wandered off, I'll have your information. Where is the goblin?"

 

[magic_gathering2001]

Pwent's subconcious seeing that the battle is over, returns him control of his body. He shakes his head to clear it, surveys the damage, and seeing the merchant in good hands, looks for the gaurd who he told he wouldn't be trouble, ducking out of his sight if possible

 

[unleashed]

Keryth, Male Drakontos Cleric

Keryth chants in draconic again, before laying a healing hand on Bahruul.

Keryth then stands and listens to the conversation content that Byntrou seems to have things well in hand, cleaning the mess from his morningstar he returns it to his belt.

OOC: Keryth casts cure light wounds on Bahruul (1d8+5), using divine favor to power it.

 

[Nonlethal Force]

The merchant Dreeves grimmaces at the Bous' words. "Actually, rather inconvenient if I can say so myself ..."

A familiar voice breaks in over the commotion. "I'll cover the debt owed by my competitor." Turning around, each party member can see that the owner of the voice is Endoo. He speaks to the merchant Dreeves. "You'll be right if you tell them the information they need to know. And after I cover the debt that you owe here and I make sure that the word gets out that I had to bail you out financially ... well, even after you have repaid me with interest I'm sure that you'll not have the business you need to compete with an honest fool like myself."

The merchant Dreeves glares at Endoo, but knows that he is in no position to refuse his offer. He merely shakes his head in agreement.

Endoo continues after the merchant Dreeves nods. "Good then. Shall we say a modest 5% interest gratuity on your current bill plus 1% per day starting tomorrow?" The merchant Dreeves glares at the outrageous interest calculations, but Endoo merely smiles and adds, "These good folks would be well within their rights to make sure you don't leave here with your skin attached should you not find my deal acceptable."

"Done." The merchant Dreeves mumbles.

Endoo smiles. "Good, now tell the good folks here what they really want to know."

The merchant Dreeves looks toward Byntrou and then to Bahruul. "You'll find a cave about eight miles straight north of town. You won't be able to miss it, its in one of the only real hills in that area. On the south face of the hill, about 30 feet up the path that leads to the hilltop you'll find the cave entrance. The goblin you seek - and your stuff - can be found there. For all the trouble its caused me, I hope you kill the green slime of a creature and his pets."

Looking around, the people seem to be returning to their seats, convinced that the bloodshed is over. Almost as if this type of thing is commonplace, they don't seem overly bothered by the resolution of the conflict.

Pwent:

The bouncer that met Pwent earlier doesn't seem interested in talking to him. He seems more interested in making sure people have returned to their seats and that their mugs are full.

Keryth, Bahruul:
[Sblock]The spell restores Bahruul to a complete recovery[/Sblock]

Keryth:
[Sblock]OOC: Your post just barely beat my own in ... but I think this still makes sense so we'll run with it.[/Sblock]

Dahlia slips in behind Keryth and places her soft-skinned hand on the inside of his elbow. Her other hand reaches for Keryth's right hand as she steps up to her tiptoes and whispers into his ear. "My hero..." is all she whispers. As her hand leaves Keryth's, only then is he aware of a small pouch resting in his fingers. As quickly and silently as she approached him from behind, she begins to back away - although it is possible to stop her if Keryth desires.

 

[unleashed]

Keryth, Male Drakontos Cleric

Keryth turns as she backs away, sliding the pouch into his belt as he follows Dahlia for a few steps, he takes her hand and quietly says, “It was nothing sweet Dahlia, but I am glad you had not returned to the table before the merchant made his error.”

Nonlethal Force
[SBLOCK]OOC: I edited my post above to better suit Dahlia's action, hope you don't mind.[/SBLOCK]

 

[Nonlethal Force]

Keryth:

Dahlia smiles, seemingly pleased that Keryth took note of her. She bows her head slightly and lifts her eyebrows to look up to him. She reaches inside the hem of her blouse and carefully slips a metal object out of its compartment - which must have been located between her breast and her armpit. Turning the object over so that she holds it in the tips of her fingers, she shows off a small dagger. "I prefer to stay out of barfights, leaving the fighting up to brave men like yourselves. But I will stand up for myself if provoked - lest you worry too much on my behalf ..."

Her voice trails off softly as she returns the blade to its hiding spot.

 

[unleashed]

Keryth, Male Drakontos Cleric

“Of that I have no doubt Dahlia as you seem most self-assured, I’m just glad you weren’t right in the middle of it when it erupted as I would hate to see you harmed for something that was between the merchant and us...until later my dear?,” Keryth querys, raising her hand to his lips where he imparts a brief kiss.

 

[jkason]

Byntrou

The merchant Dreeves looks toward Byntrou and then to Bahruul. "You'll find a cave about eight miles straight north of town. You won't be able to miss it, its in one of the only real hills in that area. On the south face of the hill, about 30 feet up the path that leads to the hilltop you'll find the cave entrance. The goblin you seek - and your stuff - can be found there. For all the trouble its caused me, I hope you kill the green slime of a creature and his pets."

Byntrou's eyes narrow. "Look at you, only giving a body half the information. And after Endoo was so generous as to cover your monetary debt. 'Pets'? You'll be elaborating on that, won't you now?"

 

[Nonlethal Force]

Keryth:

Dahlia replies, "Should you deem us worthy to grace our inn with your presence again, of course." She curtsies and turns to leave for the kitchen to continue her duties as waitress.

All:

"Ah ... Eh .. heh ... yeah." The merchants fails to find the words he is looking for. "Pets. They say this particular goblin is a collector of strange and unusual creatures. Well, not all of them are strange and unusual. There are a fair number of humans and half-elves and evil, evil halflings working for this particular goblin. Peculiar, it is. One doesn't normally find such company with goblinkin. But apparently he pays well as his servants are most loyal. But considering the pets ... well ... I have arranged for a few times to put this particular goblin in touch with a mage who specializes in ... how can I say it ... enhancing minor creatures to make them most powerful. For instance - the most magnificent and brutal creature I've ever seen is this goblin's pet scorpion. Oh, he is a large beast indeed. Nearly ten feet long, I tell you. And that stinger on the back of its tail will scare the living begeebies right out of you the first time you see it. But the goblin seems to have a thing with insects. I personally think it is the multiple leg thing. Last thing I knew he was looking for a means to create a centipede even larger than the scorpion. Could you imagine such a thing?"

It seems for the moment that the merchant Dreeves has almost forgotten he is in custody of the party as he talks about the goblin's horde.