Nobody
Alexios Group
Posts: 1,409
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Post by Nobody on Jan 26, 2021 3:06:12 GMT
"Drusinicus, why don't you leave this with me? I can assure you that, while this would have temporarily eased your pain, it would also have permanently eased you of your possessions. This clearly was meant for your harm and was no random act of kindness. Many there are who prey upon the grief and suffering of others. And I got a good enough look at him to know that I didn't like what I saw."
Aethyl frowns a moment, lost in thought, weighing something in his mind. Eventually he nods at some decision in his mind, and turns to his companion.
"It is a lucky thing I came in when I did. But it will not be so lucky for the next traveler tomorrow night, and the night after that, and after that. If it seems good to you, let us linger here a while, and I will have the barkeep bring us something better suited to sobriety than revelry. When you are feeling more yourself, let us leave together, but let us act as though we are both gone to the world. My guess is that we will meet this fellow again. And my guess is that he will have the company of some friends bent on lightening our purses as well as our bodies. I think that, for the good of this establishment, and the people here, we would do well to play willingly into their hands, so that others need not in future fall unwittingly into those hands. You have said you will yet make a gladiator of me. Fair enough. I will yet make a thespian of you. What do you say, friend?"
He looks at Drusinicus meaningfully.
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Aurilias
Initiate
slaves for every budget
Posts: 46
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Post by Aurilias on Jan 26, 2021 14:44:30 GMT
Drusinicus, still very drunk, looks up to Aethyl from his cup and says, "You will receive the finest training from all of Nirrion!" Drusinicus then pauses and takes another drink. He lifts up his gaze once more to the bard and responds, "Your company is always welcomed for I owe you my life-for saving it! Someday when you learn the way of the gladiator, we will find that captain and take back what he stole from us!" He then nods to the bard and pushes the root across the table for his companion to study.
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Nobody
Alexios Group
Posts: 1,409
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Post by Nobody on Jan 26, 2021 18:16:42 GMT
Aethyl pockets the root with one hand and smoothly picks up the mug of ale in the other and, keeping it unthreateningly on Drusinicus' side of the table, sets it to the side, making a point that it is time to sober up, but that it should be his companion's choice. He then calls for meat and cheese and bread to be brought to their table. "I spend my fair share of hours at the tap, and I've learned some things. You've been at it a while, I see. We need to get some food into you, and quickly. That won't sober you up right away, but it will at least slow what you've recently put away, and will allow you to sober up a lot faster. Besides, we need some time to work out our plan, and walk it through, and the time will not seem amiss if your friend is waiting for you out there."
Pausing to be sure Drusinicus isn't going to go for his mug again, Aethyl approaches the bar to make inquiry of the barkeep.
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Aurilias
Initiate
slaves for every budget
Posts: 46
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Post by Aurilias on Jan 26, 2021 19:19:23 GMT
Drusincus briefly regains some semblance of reason and agrees to eat the meat purchased by the bard. Still very drunk, he begins to eat.
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Post by Diocles on Jan 26, 2021 22:10:09 GMT
Aethyl procures what he needs from the innkeeper.
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Nobody
Alexios Group
Posts: 1,409
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Post by Nobody on Jan 27, 2021 2:57:41 GMT
Aehtyl returns from the bar, his hand closed in a loose fist. When he approaches the table he pours a granular powder into a bowl and hands it to Drusinicus.
"Consume this. It is common baking yeast. An old trick my father taught me for long nights out. Its properties are curious, as it both makes beer and also helps reduce its effects.
"Now. Let us make ready our plans."
Aethyl allows Drusinicus to eat, giving time for the alcohol to wear off. As the fog of drink lifts, he begins to eat as well, though lightly, and coaches Drusinicus through acting out being completely intoxicated (no difficult task, given its freshness in mind and body).
"I have changed my mind on something, Drusinicus. I will leave first in order to observe the area, while pretending to relieve myself. When I am ready for you to come out, I will curse loudly at the unfairness of full bladders after enjoyable drinks. When you hear that, count to ten and follow me out, making sure you pay no attention to me. Then, make your way back to our quarters. Based on this root, you should behave as though you see all manner of lights and colors, and are in ecstacies of glorious sensations.
Walk past me, giving no indication of my existence. Walk a few steps, stumble a little, and drop a single coin on the ground, and keep moving. I will stay behind you, meandering, keeping my distance, and observing the path on either side. I think that for two reasons it is better if they think you are alone. First, so that they have no fear, and do not send extra muscle after you, and second, so that I can size up their forces, and deal with them as needed."
"When the time comes to make our move, I will shout after you, pretending to be returning the coin to you. Whether I am near or far, do not hesitate. Do not look for me. Attack. I will close the distance to you, or keep my distance from you, depending on the threat as best I can determine it.
"Come now. Let us rehearse it again, and let us hope we can manage it swiftly and with little fuss."
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Post by Diocles on Jan 27, 2021 3:08:12 GMT
(INT check, Drusie, to understand, and then CHA check to execute the plan)
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Aurilias
Initiate
slaves for every budget
Posts: 46
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Post by Aurilias on Jan 27, 2021 14:41:59 GMT
Made the intelligence check by (8) but failed the charisma check by (2).
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Post by Diocles on Jan 27, 2021 14:45:16 GMT
Drusie knows what to do, but pulling it off is a bit iffy. However, Aethyl notices and ca act fast before the game is up. What he sees is four thieves coming out of the trees to rob what they think is a drunk and stoned Skenje warrior. They're paying no attention to you, thinking you're just another guy out taking a leak after drinking too much.
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Nobody
Alexios Group
Posts: 1,409
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Post by Nobody on Jan 27, 2021 16:05:06 GMT
Slurring lazy fragments of song, and waxing poetic about the cycle of water from cloud, to beer, to urine for trees and vegetation, Aethyl positions himself behind a tree, and draws his bow. He fixes on the man furthest from Drusinicus and closest to himself, gauging the distance, studying the gait of the men, and marking their pace, their movements, their timing. When the lead thief is a few steps away from striking distance to Drusinicus, Aethyl lets fly on the thief last in line. His intention is to strike the tail of the snake, so as not to alert the head. If we need to roll initiative, I roll 7 adjusted (natural 1). Attack roll - 18 (AC negative 6) Damage - 6 + 2 = 8 Ventriloquism check - 3 (made by 11)
Voice Mimicry check - 5 (I'm not sure what the modifier is in this situation, as the handbook has an asterisk in that slot) When the arrow finds its mark, he throws his voice, making it seem as though he is somewhere to the side of Drusinicus, and calls out in a quavering, elderly voice, "Hey, there, young feller! I'm pretty sure yah dropped yer coin back there!" As he calls out he nocks another arrow, remaining behind cover of his tree.
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Post by Diocles on Jan 27, 2021 20:41:30 GMT
Confusion and fear strike, and as the one thief stumbles to his death with a loud cry, the other three look this way and that, trying to judge where the voice came from and who it might be.
"It's that damn Merchant!" one cries. "I thought he left!" And he flees into the forest, as do the other two, all going different directions but moving as if they know the paths through the trees well.
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Aurilias
Initiate
slaves for every budget
Posts: 46
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Post by Aurilias on Jan 27, 2021 21:04:19 GMT
Drusincus looks to Aethyl and says, "Nice shot! Are you sure you didn't get your training in some of the gladiator schools in Nirrion?" He then begins to laugh!
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Post by Diocles on Jan 27, 2021 21:17:40 GMT
Merchant? What merchant? Does some merchant around here kill thieves?
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Nobody
Alexios Group
Posts: 1,409
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Post by Nobody on Jan 27, 2021 21:28:46 GMT
Aethyl nods at his not-quite-sober companion and smiles appreciatively, but this reference to a Merchant has him troubled. He quickly motions to Drusinicus to be quiet, and to mark the directions in which the three men fled. He quickly scans the area, straining for anything amiss. He does not know who the stranger in the inn was, but he does not like the prospect of meeting a new danger whilst caught unawares, and focused only on these men.
Observation check - 5 - easily made Detect noise - 24 - made by 41%
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Post by Diocles on Jan 27, 2021 21:32:15 GMT
The only sounds are the fading, scrambling footsteps of the fleeing men, and you observe nothing out of the ordinary now. Silence reclaims the dark forest, and all that remains is the cheery fire of the Hooded Falcon. Your plan seems to have worked perfectly.
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