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[Vile] Puppy-Kicking PCs at Work, part 2


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Aligor's rest is not a comfortable one, and he tosses and turns a few times. Bane's whining does not help either. Thinking back on the past 2 days, Aligor can only think of that damn Hex and his men, trying to kill him. He only wonders how the others are faring, considering that Hex must be out for them as well.

Aligor shoves the man to the side, giving him a quick boot in the rear, and watching him sprawl on the ground, spilling his tankard on the floor. "Watch yer step you damn fool!" Aligor yells, immediately following it with a loud hearty laugh. As he turns to grab the nearby barmaid, he hears the doors of the Inn open, to the usual footsteps of more travellers. Turning, he spies a few armed dwarves, familiar to him, but he can not discern as to how he knows them. He is suddenly charged, and tied, while the rest of the people around look on. As he is being tied, he struggles, thrashing out violently, knocking his fists into anything coming close to him. With a sudden light, and a strong burning pain, he falls, as a cloaked figure stands over him, with magic glowing in his hands. "That should keep him down long enough to gag him. Now take him away!" That is all he hears as he falls into an unconscious state, his hearing slowly leaving him. Before the darkness engulfs him, he can make out a few words, "Aligor should be dealt with by suffering a death!" Another voice, familiar, and female says, "You promised! His life will be spared!"

He falls into the darkness, his hearing coming back slightly. Sharp pains are suddenly surrounding his body, and he coughs. A thick liquid splatters on his face, familiar in its stench. His eyes begin to open, and he sees it. The pain is from the group surrounding him, beating him with posts and staffs. The thick liquid; his blood. The familiarity of recent events and fights. "You will pay!"...."Murderer!"..."Rot in Hell!"...various voices flood him, as the pain increases.

Suddenly, the crowd stops, and another figure approaches. It was the one from the Inn, the cloaked figure. Their eyes piercing into his. One grey, one green. It looks him closely, then stands back with a club, aims at his face, and swings it...

The sudden knocking on the door awakens Aligor from his nightmare, as if saving him from the inevitable damage that the club would have done. Bane begins to bark, while Aligor gets up, wondering what that dream was, nearing the doorway. It seems so real, as if not a dream, but of his past. These dreams are getting stronger each time he has them, and he is able to remember more about them each time.

Seeing that it is the familiar woman from the 'boarding' house, he hesitates. "Shut the hell up Bane!" Speaking just loud enough for her to hear, "There's a wizard out there somewhere, that needs dealin with! Is he still out there? Tell me woman, does that damn wizard think I am dead yet?"
 

Near the well, Shadow smiles a somewhat wicked smile at T’aria’s description of one of the previous night’s victims. “Whining lady? My dear girl, that was the widow of a very famous and well-liked ambassador. Well-liked by the king, even, so you can imagine he wants to find her attacker. You said his name is Gwyn, did you?” She waits a moment for T’aria’s reaction, then adds “But no, I have nothing to gain by telling the city guard who to look for.”

When the half-demon changes position, Shadow does as well, now lounging on her side. It’s almost a dance, both people responding to one another’s moves, both people looking relaxed but ready to leap to their feet if necessary. She says “Yes, power groups. I don’t think the city guard will take you in; they’ve never hired a woman before. Sexist idiots. Then there’s Hectaras, he fancies himself starting a thieves guild. But since I think he’s out to kill your group, he may not be the best employer, unless you’re interested in betraying this party you shouldn’t have joined. And the third group I mentioned, the ones who seemed to spring from nowhere, why I do believe they do employ dogs. I had no idea they were celestial ones, though. That’s certainly interesting.”

“And then my group. Well, as I said, we’re very secretive. You’d have to prove yourself. But you’ve already shown me you’re pretty skilled… I can barely tell by your movements that you’re in a lot of pain. But I don’t see a wound on you, so you’ve covered up quite well. I’m sure my group would have something you could do. Our primary goal is gathering information. There’s no agenda to us, we don’t spy ‘for’ anyone, just for ourselves and our leader. And as far as we can tell, our leader never does a single thing with the info. Doesn’t sell it, doesn’t use it to influence anyone. At least not in any obvious way. I personally think there’s a pattern to it, but I haven’t quite made it out. Yet.”

She looks back in the direction that Skulker and the boy went, and sees them both coming back, but taking their time. Apparently Skulker wants to make sure the conversation here is finished before bringing Sunjin. She says to T’aria “No other power groups really. They all sort of collapse before they get too big around here. There is a wizards guild, but since they keep themselves pretty secluded, I wouldn’t call them a power group. But, there’s lots of powerful individuals you could work for, given your skills.”



In the bathing room at Brie’s, the owner snarls a bit, but then says “You’re right. You’ve been a help, and it makes more sense it was Hectaras anyway. After that blabbermouth this morning mentioned him, I’m sure Modrin went right to him, and let it slip it was an adventurer I hired who talked about him. I’m going to have to kill that punk, I just know it. And Jovana not telling me you were here is going to merit some retribution too.”

[Accalon rolled Diplomacy 9+9=18]

She looks to Loni and Beatrice, both of whom have eyes downcast at the mention of Jovana’s punishment, and says “You two, go upstairs and let Valasia out. I doubt Modrin will be back tonight.” Beatrice moves immediately, Loni delaying a bit for one last touch on Accalon’s shoulder. When both are gone, Brie walks up to the tub and says “I sure was proud of Loni just a little while ago. She was telling Modrin how much in love you and Valasia are. It was really touching.”

She watches Accalon carefully for his reaction to that, then adds “He seemed really concerned for the stupid elf. Wanted to make sure you were worthy of her. Ha! So anyway, I need to get this whole Valasia thing resolved. I talked with her father, Vandior. Naturally, the man still doesn’t have my money. I told him you and your friends can help him with that. He balked, but when I mentioned you guys killed a slestial, I still don’t really know what that is, but he does, because he turned all white. I also told him Modrin would be investigating him soon, so he didn’t really have a choice. He finally admitted he knew a way to get the money if he had some ‘muscle’, so now he’s expecting you guys to pay him a visit.”

She thinks for a moment, “It really isn’t any of your business, but since you got some girls on your team, and at least one proved she was willing to whore herself, I should probably tell you. Tell her not to sleep with him. He’s got a sex-disease. That’s what he owes me the money for, he infected a couple of my girls. Cost me quite a bit to get it cured, and hurt business too, so he’s going to pay out the nose… or any other suitable orifice.”



The next morning in the forest, Gwyn takes a bite of the pear and, although he’s not likely to show it given his nature, it’s the best tasting fruit he’s ever had. The single bite makes him feel better too, replacing some of his pain with a slight euphoric feeling. The dwarf says “I’ve seen parties of adventurers before. They usually keep themselves in better shape than you guys are. You very clearly need me, or do you plan to brave the ruins with no healing at all?”

[Gwyn is healed of 1 HP of damage. Will probably be healed more if he eats the whole thing]


[I would do the Boone’s shop thing but I need to know from Fangor: how did you envision this? Did Aligor see Lydia through a window, and yell through the closed door, or was all that with you opening the door? Please tell me which you saw it as, preferably not just choosing the one more favorable :) ]
 

Gwyn finishes his pear, licking his claws clean when he finishes, and responds "We do have means of healing, but I would not refuse such help if it weren't most likely bait. Besides, you've not seen what scratched us up; if you had, you'd be less certain we need you."
 

Telsar said:
[I would do the Boone’s shop thing but I need to know from Fangor: how did you envision this? Did Aligor see Lydia through a window, and yell through the closed door, or was all that with you opening the door? Please tell me which you saw it as, preferably not just choosing the one more favorable :) ]
Aligor would have peered out the window, quickly so as to not give anyone looking a good chance to see anything. Once he sees the woman, he remembers her from the night before, and asks her the questions while having the door closed. He would not have opened the door yet....
 
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Accalon Darcanda: Human/Male (Unholy Warrior)

Accalon hides nothing from Brie as she comes over toward him, he face remains expressionless, he might have won her favor but he didn’t want it nor did he really trust her.

“It looks like you booked yourself a dance partner without even checking his dance card but lucky I’m a nice enough guy to let that slide with just a few simply considerations on your account. I’m not to found of seeing women hit, so Jovana just got lucky cause your going to forgive her without touching her. Farther more, your not going to hit, touch, or harm any more of your girls while I’m here and to make sure that happens your going to give me room and board, for a month or as long as I’m dealing with your problems.”

Accalon stops long enough to judge her reaction, “Don’t worry, I doubt I will stick around town longer than a few days after the work dries up and I noticed a free room or two so it seems cost effective doesn’t it? Besides you did a nice job of painting yourself in the corner when you said that Valasia and I where a couple in love… I can’t imagine how strange it would be for Modrin to see me staying at the Warrior's Helm while she stayed in a whorehouse so I guess you're doing that out of the kindness of heart, the young couple was just to much to toss on the street.”

“Also I don’t expect to be paying for my time with the girls if they’re not wanting to accept money for their services. If you’re willing to agree to that then we can start to discuses how much all of your jobs are going to cost you. Though I can only provide the means to the others, your deal will have to convince them that the job is worthy of them.”

OOC: If at anytime Brie seems to be angered to the point of fighting Accalon will get up and make a show out of dry off. If she makes a move for that wand of hers he’s going to try to get the jump on her.

As for combat: I’m going to assume that the floor is smooth, maybe marble, though obviously cheap, and big bathtubs with careless johns would make the wood rot rather quickly for it to be anything else. So for combat Accalon would try to grapple her down, pin her (while keeping her from talking) and then he would try to snap her neck… The wet floor, or soon to be wet floor would show that she simply slipped and took a bad fall. (of course how you snap someone’s neck in the d20 system is beyond me.)
 
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At Brie’s, the goblin’s face turns hard and cold. “You stupid, arrogant human. You want a few weeks free with my girls for putting out the fire, I could go for that. But if you think I’m going to put up with you telling me what I can do to my own bitches, than you’re even dumber than Hectaras. I’ll beat Jovana for not telling me, then I’ll beat Loni for wrapping someone as arrogant as you around her finger, and all the while, you’ll be thanking me!”

Brie reaches into her robe, probably to pull out her wand, but Accalon leaps from the tub, attempting to grapple her. The floor is a bit slick for someone with wet feet, however, and Accalon can’t quite reach her before she pulls out the wand, pointing it at the warrior. However, either it doesn’t activate, or she decides to just threaten him. She says “Don’t make me use this. Do you really want to walk around in a perpetual giddy daze like that elf does? Do you want Loni to see you like that?” She smiles a wicked, evil smile.

[To move quickly towards Brie required a Balance check. Rolled 8+1=9, failed, but not enough to fall, just couldn’t make any progress.

Characters by initiative:
Accalon, HPs: 26/32
Brie, unhurt

As for breaking her neck, doing enough continuous grapple damage would be the same thing, but if she’s not a first level low-HP class, it will take awhile that way. ]



Outside Boone’s shop, through the closed door, Lydia hears the dog quit barking and then the dwarf’s gruff questions. Sunedilar hangs back down the street aways, assessing the situation. The robed man across the street takes a few steps towards Lydia, into the street. He pulls back his hood, revealing a young blond man with a scar across one cheek. He calls out to Lydia and says “Excuse me, fair lady. I don’t believe Boone’s is open, and probably won’t be. It’s my understanding a good friend of the proprietor died yesterday. That friend was a dwarf, a victim of a terrible beast. Did you know the victim?” Due to the distance and the door, Aligor can’t tell that the man even spoke (or that he is even there).

[Aligor rolled Handle Animal 18+2=20 to shut up Bane. I went ahead and assumed Sunedilar stayed back a bit, but he's in sight of all this and recognizes the blond guy as Hex. Aligor failed a listen check.]


Meanwhile in the forest, Gwyn feels even better. The dwarf watches him, and says “Sharp looking claws. Must make things difficult when you decide to pleasure yourself. As for what you fought, if you truly took down a celestial, then I’m impressed. But if you don’t want my excellent company,” she rises, her long dirty matted hair sticking to the ground until she pulls it free, the stench rising with her movements, “that’s fine. I can always just follow your group at a distance. And keep all my tasty healing fruit for myself.”

[Gwyn was at 8/18 HPs, after the pear, he’s at 16/18]
 
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Telsar said:
Meanwhile in the forest, Gwyn feels even better. The dwarf watches him, and says “Sharp looking claws. Must make things difficult when you decide to pleasure yourself. As for what you fought, if you truly took down a celestial, then I’m impressed. But if you don’t want my excellent company,” she rises, her long dirty matted hair sticking to the ground until she pulls it free, the stench rising with her movements, “that’s fine. I can always just follow your group at a distance. And keep all my tasty healing fruit for myself.”

ooc: :lol:

Alicia grunts, laughing at the thought of the little man pleasuring himself, then takes a closer look at the apple. It didn't seem like the little man had been poisoned, on the contrary he seemed to have been healed by the fruit. If the apple does not look or smell suspiciously she begins to eat it. If it turns out that she is also healed by her fruit she asks the dwarf to stay with the group. "You are nice, and funny, and your wicked man is strong. You can come with us."
 

When Shadow mentions Gwyn, T'aria doesn't respond but to curse mentally. I should have known better than to say that. I'm still all muddled from the burns. The pain isn't dulling anywhere near fast enough. It's about all I can do to concentrate on moving without showing it.

As the halfling shifts to match her again, T'aria smiles gleefully, this time making no special effort to keep her fangs hidden. She seems to be rather enjoying the move and counter-move game.

When Shadow finishes speaking, T'aria also glances over at Skulker and Sunjin (keeping one eye on Shadow) and judging their distance away, then looking back at the halfling. "I had no intention of joining the city guard. They are a little too... shall we say constrained?... for my tastes." She waves away the thought of the Guard. "I doubt that this Hectaras knows I am with the group... although - well, we'll see." She takes a sip of the swiftly-emptying flask, then offers it to Shadow. "Information, eh? I might be interested in an organization such as yours... if your employer needs another employee."
 

Accalon Darcanda: Human/Male (Unholy Warrior)

Accalon simply smiles his calm and polite voice a stark contrast to Brie’s cold and hate filled words, “You don’t really want to use that against me, your whole world would come crashing down around before you even realized what you had done. The truth of the matter is that you need me with my wits intact, if Modrin is so worried about Valasia then he will to be back to check on her and me, besides I have to track down your muscle so you can get your money, do you really think they wouldn’t notice a change in my behavior? They know of your wand, I’m not the first you’ve threatened with it, so do you really think they would work for you if they suspected their fate would be the same of mine? So really Brie it comes down to your money or your pride, can you put your pride side long enough to deal with an arrogant human?”

Accalon makes a slight gesture at a nearby towel, he’ll reach for it if Brie has no issues and starts to dry himself off, “Anyhow it’s negotiation, I’m suppose to ask for more than I really want, then you counter, and finally we strike a deal… Though usually the counter offer it’s not done when threatening with arms. So how about this, you treat your girls how you see fit minus Loni and Bea, who you won’t touch out of respect for are dealings together… They both seem to be model girls so I doubt you have any trouble with them anyway. Do you have any issues with the rest of the deal?”

OOC: If she has no issues with the towel being picked up, and she still be unagreeable and comes after him with the wand anyhow, he'll use it to defend himself, maybe whip the wand out of her hand or defecting the blow... Yeah not the great of plans mechanically speaking. Hopefully she has no other issues and they can get down to the details.

Diplomacy +13 if need be.
 
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