** Part I: Fire and Ash **

[Chris1234]

{OOC: Good with all that. Thx}

Clarification please: what do we see in the magic-user's office?
Does Karlane have any knowledge of this fellow?
Who else is around?
What exits are there?

[spike]

{OOC: Good with all that. Thx}

Clarification please: what do we see in the magic-user's office?
Does Karlane have any knowledge of this fellow?
Who else is around?
What exits are there?

Wizard's office: you're in the magic-user's tower-keep office, it's round and spacious but sparsely furnished with but a rectangular desk, bookcase with many books, scrolls, and acroutments and on the desk are several papers and a bullseye lantern. You note a simple cot along the wall with a pillow and blanket. There are large windows facing each major direction overlooking most of the hamlet.

You do not know who he is or have any knowledge of him.

Only Idrys, Ash, Karlene, and Delilah are in the room with you.

[Chris1234]

{OOC: I assume it would be based on the heights/builds of the former owners of the black cloak uniforms, but who is wearing the commander's uniform? - That is the char that has to reply.}

[spike]

Idrys is, you're clad as a regular black guardsman, so is Delilah.

[Chris1234]

{OOC: @Tristen - Sorry to poke my nose in; I'm just trying to help. - Not certain but I suspect you may have missed: it's Idyrs that is the Officer. And the mage just asked you a question, I think}

Magic-user: "So, what news? ...he poured several cups of brandy on his desk, 'I would be interested, commander if you would permit me an audience before you do whatever it is you wish with the dhampirs. ...Call it a friendly gesture on your part, for tolerating your presence in my fair little hamlet. Meanwhile you and the rest of your black clad brutes can continue enjoying the current freedoms that you now have in Harby"

Respecting Idyrs a the group's oficer, Karlene remains silent, waiting for Idrys to respond and for him to pick up his glass before she does in her left hand. Karlene won't be drinking it though, just in case the mage has clocked them and is being overly clever.

[TristenC]

[Ooc: oop, I did misread that. Busy night at work.]

Idrys takes up the offered cup but does not drink. He tries to match the officer's arrogant manner with his 'guards' but shows a deference to the mage. Not much news aside from the burning of the bog-village. I'm certain we can come to some... agreement regarding the dhampir.. Once we catch those two I'm sure we'll need to separate them. Perhaps leaving one to your keeping while we interrogate the other... we'll have to speculate on the cost of 'losing' one later. For now I think it best to draw nearer our goal before going much farther into it...

[Ooc: if the mage drinks, idrys will sip his. if the mage doesn't he'll say it's 'bad luck' to drink without the host.]

[spike]

The mage smiled, 'I trust you'll put in a good word to your liege Dezloz, tell him Karnak sends his regards' he took a sip of drink then slammed his cup down, 'very well, a slight possibility is better than none at all' he said. 'Ah, I nearly forgot, here's a little something your master will find very intriguing' he grabs a packet of documents out of his desk, 'some research and discovery into what he was asking me about last time we spoke. I managed to dredge up these answers to his questions, it took a great deal of effort. I had to be clever, they were under lock and key by the bookworm priests. Had to kill quite a few in the process, they loath losing even the most slightest information that's useful. " he slid the packet toward you. 'Now if you'll pardon me, commander, I must bid you good night for the now. I took the liberty of taking care of your lodgings at the Copper Dragon Inn, reserved a room there. Fortunately for you, all of the Inn's are over booked, the guilds throw a spirited festival here each summer, hence the lack of lodging. Wouldn't want you having to sleep in the streets or the barn now would we' he said the later with a wry chuckle. Good day commander' he then said 'Ah commander, I'm amiss yet again. The password's been changed to Belzagoth. Be well!' then, 'commander, I noticed you only took a sip of the drink, is that an indicator of disapproval? Forgive my lack of knowing such nuances. I do try to be a quick study of those I have dealings with, yet I had noted last time you came this way that you take a full solid gulp of whiskey as a sign of your contentment. Are you changing things around to keep me on my toes?" he asked, as if curious.

[TristenC]

Naturally I'll put in a good word for you. I'm certain the documents will be very well recieved. Your foresight with the lodgings is appreciated. he prepares to leave at the obvious dismissal, bit stops with the final comment. Not disapproval. I merely wanted to keep on my toes. The stakes are higher now with our little side agreement. He gives the man a wicked smile, and raises his glass. Be well. downing the drink he sets the glass down and leads the others off towards the inn (after collecting everything offered, naturally).

Once outside and away he says to the others, thoughts?

[spike]

Karnak nodded and returned the smile. The party left the watchtower and head into Harby unimpeded. Traffic was mostly craftsmen, merchants, farmers, a few soldiers and mercenaries. You hear a man say 'town's losing people again, it's bone dry of coin, how's a man gonna earn a honest days wages round here!? Scant wonder there's so many damned thieves in the world!'

The four of you navigated along cobblestone boulevards and bypass numerous homes, mostly cottages and tenements until you reach the Copper Dragon. As it's name suggests, there is a sculpted wooden statue of a copper painted dragon hovering over the entrance, where the sign reads 'The Copper Dragon Inn'. When you approach, the dragon animates and made a fierce hissing sound, its wings flapped and batted when you realized that there was a permanent illusion laid on the wooden copper carving statue. It is a large Inn, the inviting smells of roast mutton, fresh honeyed mead and stone oven baked bread fills your nostrils.

Ash: "That went well, good job handling it. I do not wish to go into the room that Karnak told us about, we ought get new lodgings even if it means sleeping in a less luxurious room, I'm not adverse to suffering. Though I haven't had my mineral bath in over four days, how is a devastatingly handsome devil supposed to court all to the path of Love if he is seen as anything less than perfect? Such imperfections must be atoned for' he said.

In the gangway between buildings, you hear a voice from somewhere nearby. Taking a look there you see a pimp beating up his prostitute, 'holding out on me again! You stupid bitch, when a customer pays for virginity you'd better damn well fork it over!" he bellowed angrily. 'Please! I'm sorry!' the girl cried out pitifully.

A bedraggled blind beggar here says 'rats? Rats on a stick! Get your rats on a stick, only a copper!' the gutter gourmet is selling roasted rats on pointed sticks.

[Chris1234]

"Cover for me. I'm going to sort that man out," mutters Karlane, and heads off towards the pimp down the gangway between buildings.
She keeps her senses alert on the off chance it's a set up to roll any town newbies.

{OOC1: @Tristen - Well handled with the mage! Was thinking of gutting him, but didn't need to.}
{OOC2: @Spike - any indication that the mage knew who we were and was playing us? Perhaps Alertness(17), or Intelligence Gathering (18) might be relevant}

[spike]

mage: none, though by giving over the documents he indicated should be a sign that he was convinced you were all legit black guardsmen.

pimp: an ugly man with an even uglier disposition, balding and greasy looking. He pointed a leather cat-o-nine tails whip at you, the soft kind more used for softer forms of punishment, 'who the fuck are you!? Don't get involved if you know what's good for ya, lass. Unless..of course you fancy my darling little girl here...she's a beaut aint she?! Soft strawberry blonde hair, green eyes, an arse so sculpted you'd think her buttocks were carved from marble, delicate flower...smells real proper too. She can be your bed slave for the night, for a mere ten gold'

Your keen senses and vision alerted you to two men on the roof, they were obvious thieves and armed with crossbows. They stared down at you, eying you wearily. One removes the safety on his crossbow you notice.

The pimp noticed you saw his lookouts and grinned, 'can't ever be too safe these days, not even in Harby' he said, 'those are blood ravens by the way, best o' the best. They're ex-military' he said as if to emphasize the point.

[Chris1234]

"She seems pretty enough," replies Karlane, getting closer. "I have money," she adds, feeling left handed in her pouch, getting closer still, following the LH wall.
{OOC1: @Spike - distances, please, including width of alley & elevation to the roof.}

The priestess holds up a coin (PP) and says, "! have money, but not for damaged goods.." getting closer,"..Let me see her. Properly."
She holds up the coin, stopping 5 or 10' from the the pair (close as possible before he balks), also holding up her right hand to show she isn't a threat.

On having a good look, and making sure the pimp sees the PP (with the suggestion that it's her smallest coin thereby possibly invoking the pimps greed), Karlane starts to negotiate, "She looks nice. But your price is too high. And you're right, 'can't ever be too safe these days'." She calls back over her shoulder, "Boys! Back me up, please. In case. Two on the roof."

***
{OOC2: @Spike - By all means update please on distances etc as above and pimp & co reactions up to this point. But I propose we wait for other player interactions before proceeding further. e.g. elven archer versus RH crossbowman; Idrys's wall bouncing skills to get onto a roof etc. I'm sure you've spotted that Karlane's tactic is to shelter on the LH wall making any shot from that side harder, relying on her friends to neutralize the RH crossbowman. FYI - if this progresses after I've gone to sleep (in which case ok to NPC me), plan is to tell the pimp (while edging a little closer), "You're overcharging tenfold and you know it. But anyway, here's 2PP and you get to walk away and the girl is mine forever." Fallback is Karlane takes the risk of dying to save the girl, relying on her Verbal only spell: Command "Sleep" on the pimp and for her companions to take out the two crossbowmen.}

[TristenC]

Idrys stands ready, casually laying hands on his Longbow and quiver in case things go sideways

[spike]

The two crossbowmen are on opposite (L/R) side of the roof which is 26-30 ft high off the ground. The pimp and his prostitute are just a few feet from you, and the alley girth is 15' wide, with rows and stacks of discarded crates filled with refuse and rotted food.

Pimp: 'sod off, wench. This heavenly pearl is a virgin, she'll make any fool feel like a child all over again. Hell I was gonna charge you twenty but you don't have a cock.' he sniffed into the girls hair perversely 'hell I've half a mind of breaking her in myself, but I make it a rule never to sully up the merchandise' he said, laughing.

The pimp's eyes ignited as he saw the platinum piece, pushing the whore away as if suddenly disinterested, 'well shit on me, this is a first' he looked around for a moment then said 'at her fella's!'

Idrys, Delilah, Karlene gain the initiative, declare actions for round 1.

Idrys has an arrow knocked, target?

One of the two mercenaries said 'my glue bolt ought to hold you, you meddlesome girl'


Ash using his mace to sprinkle holy water onto the party blesses the group. 'Minerva protect your servants from these pitiable persons!'

spell in effect: bless (+1 to hit/damage.)

[Chris1234]

Having advanced close to the LH wall, Karlene Commands the pimp "Sleep!"
{OOC: In the black cloak getup Karlane's AC is better: AC5 for chain and a DEX bonus of -3 for AC 2}