RPGWW

by **Jak Snide** » Wed Aug 27, 2003 8:06 pm

The man quickly counted the coin, then promptly handed over the potions, thanking Larak for his purchase, especially considering he took the shrinking potion off his hands.

A few minutes later, after the Inustanian merchant had dealt with the mercenaries in front of him, Ratch finally got to the front of the now dissipating crowd.

"What'll it be for you then, hrrrrmm?" the merchant asked, obviously quite into the swing of things after the dozen or so purchases.

by **FlamingDeth** » Wed Aug 27, 2003 8:48 pm

"Couldn't help but overhear talk of these standard potions on my way here..." the mercenary said. However, when counting his coin, Ratch found himself ten gil short of the requisite 250.

"Seems I don't quite have enough, though...don't suppose I could talk ye down ten gil?"

Edited by: Jak Snide 

at: 9/3/03 1:57 am

by **Jak Snide** » Wed Aug 27, 2003 9:21 pm

As Ratch finished speaking, he saw something in the merchant's eyes. He wasn't sure what it was, but his words had caused some sort of reaction. After a few seconds of silence, he spoke.

"Sorry, but I just can't do that. 250 is as low as I can go, you know?"

It sounded like anything but a flat out statement, and Ratch could swear that the inujin man was goading him on.

Edited by: Jak Snide 

at: 9/3/03 1:57 am

by **FlamingDeth** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 2:19 am

"Surely you can't be losing that much from just ten gil..." responded Ratch, carefully. "Besides, everyone likes a reasonable businessman. One satisfied customer will not only come back when he can, but he'll also let others know about the place!"

Edited by: Jak Snide 

at: 9/3/03 1:58 am

by **Jak Snide** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 2:26 am

"It starts off as ten gil, yes yes, but soon it's twenty then fifty then 'hundred and so on! And if I give you a discount, everyone else will want one!"

Strangely, the man could hardly be described as angry, or even irritated. For some strange reason, he seemed to be enjoying himself.

Edited by: Jak Snide 

at: 9/3/03 1:59 am

by **FlamingDeth** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 3:08 am

"And I suppose it'd be too much to ask for an exception, eh?"

Ratch pondered for a moment. He obviously had to have some sort of incentive for the shopkeeper to drop his price, even just one gil. Seemed he just had to keep the man talking until he could find out how to provide that incentive...

"Well then, I might venture a guess that there may be some ever menial task that's worth those ten gil to ye?"

Edited by: Jak Snide 

at: 9/3/03 2:00 am

by **Jak Snide** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 3:13 am

"Hrrrrrmm. Well, I don't actually have anything for you to do. Then again, you've done enough already for such a small amount. It's impossible to find someone that'll haggle with you in this damn country, you know?"

He remained silent for a second, then handed the potion over.

"One potion for the low low price of two fourty gil." he said, a grin on his face.

Edited by: Jak Snide 

at: 9/3/03 2:00 am

by **JoshuaDurron** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 2:26 pm

While Ratch was haggling, Larak felt a touch on his shoulder. When he looked up, he noticed the person in charge of his watch standing just behind him, throwing a quick, keen glance around to make sure that none of the other people they were working with were nearby. Once satisfied he wouldn't be overheard, he turned back to Stonestrike.

"Larak... when you were looking at our section of the town, did you happen to notice any particularly vulnerable points in the defences?"

by **FlamingDeth** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 2:52 pm

"Deal." said Ratch, cheerily presenting the money.

by **Jak Snide** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 3:03 pm

Coin and vial were exchanged, and Ratch had his potion. He also lacked any money whatsoever, having changed all his Valthi currency into gil when he arrived in the country.

---

Larak couldn't think of any specific vulnerable points to the town, although the lack of a town wall would mean that the enemy could attack from any direction.

by **Kelne** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 8:38 pm

"Not really. But without a wall..." Larak simply shrugged, "That's a pretty big weakness there. Everywhere's a weak point, really. Ye'd never be sure where the attack'd come from." It'd be down to barricading the streets if someone attacked. If they got enough warning to do even that.

by **FlamingDeth** » Fri Aug 29, 2003 3:10 pm

The newly supplied mercenary made his way over to Brandon, whom he determined was safely away from Saen, and merely stood there, waiting for Ree to finish conversing with Larak. Chances are that as soon as they were done their, the rest of their little squad would recieve their orders...

by **JoshuaDurron** » Sun Aug 31, 2003 7:15 pm

Ree nodded. "Nice to know. When we get of shift tonight, though... I want to talk to you some more. Keep thinking about it, especially places where the town could be taken more easily with inside help." Ree straightened up and turned so he could veiw the entire group at once. "For now, we want to stay in pairs. Unfortunately, there are five of us, so we won't divide up evenly. However, I think that if we leave one person at the inn, where there are other people who will notice if they run into trouble, two more watch from the church tower, and another two will run regular patrols from the inn to the church, and back again. To keep people alert, we'll switch out one person each time we come to the church and the inn. No one stays on one positoin for more than two patrols. There will be two patrols per hour, each patrol taking about fifteen minutes to make the complete circut. Then there will be a wait of fifteen minutes, then the next patrol will leave. Ratch and Saen will take the first watch in the church tower. Brandon and I will take first patrol, which we'll start on the stroke of the hour. Larak, that leaves you on the top floor of the inn. If you see anything suspicious, that could pose a threat to the town, do not, again, do not try to stop them. Rather, we should immidiately report it to the town guard proper. Got it?" Ree looked about for questoins, hoping he did indeed sound like one of those stuffy guard's captains he was always making fun of back in Doma.

Edited by: Jak Snide 

at: 9/3/03 2:02 am

by **Kelne** » Sun Aug 31, 2003 8:08 pm

"Aye, sounds like a good plan," Larak said, nodding. No one would be invading the city without them noticing, and he'd have time to think about ways to shore up the defenses a bit over the day.

by **Dark Xia** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 12:35 pm

Mhh to smile or sound concerned... *Sigh* I Can't decide.. oh well...

Not being able to decide, she comprimised. She started off with a smile, her head swinging over so she would face their leader. "Even if we're sure taking the time to do such things would result in negative consequences? Though of course its hard to be sure about anything these days." Her face went into a slight frown, "Or perhaps you could clarify, should one of the pair report, whiel the other stays behind and observes?"

by **JoshuaDurron** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 4:32 pm

Ree considered the question for a quick moment, then said, "One pair will report, the other observe. But we are not to get involved without back up from the regular guard. Most likely, it won't get us anywhere."

by **pd Rydia** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 5:06 pm

Brandon grunted his ascent to the plan, cracking his knuckles and glancing around lazily.

by **Jak Snide** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 6:43 pm

With Ree's plan made, the group began their watch. All in all, it was an reasonably uneventful one. Boreas, Sean and Ratch occasionally found themselves getting odd and wary looks from the townsfolk; nothing more than a little bit of Riva leaking into Doma. The eight hours passed eventually, everyone realising that, unless these raiders actually attacked, they'd be in for a boring stay in Malmuth. On the other hand, it did give those who wished to talk to their new comrades a good chance to.

(Post anything of note your character would have talked about in the OOC thread, please.)

When the shift was over, the group all went their separate ways. Ree had been notified half way through the watch that the inn which they were using as a lookout would serve as their sleeping quarters while they were signed on. Ratch and Brandon made a point of collecting their pay for the day, the gun slinger now having something in his pocket again.

The meals at the inn were simple but sufficient, tomato soup and bread, along with a drink of their choice. Gradually, the Eastern eve watch began to head off to sleep, knowing that the night watch would keep them safe. Probably.

(BIG NOTE: It's been revealed that I've been screwing up currency. I've editted all the gil values in the thread, and multiplied them by 10. Cost, pay, and everyone's current funds. I changed the wording slightly in a few of your posts, FD, so if you want to change it to your liking, go ahead.)

Edited by: Jak Snide

at: 9/3/03 2:05 am

by **Jak Snide** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 10:19 am

The next day went by without anything of significant note happening. A few more mercenaries arrived, and were distributed around the town to bulk up and of the watches lacking in numbers. The groups own watch, was again, uneventful. Another 8 hours of walking back and forth, gazing at the horizon and generally being bored out of their wits. For the more seasoned among them, they started to wish they'd taken a more dangerous job. It'd have at least been a little more exciting.

The watch ended, the Baronian and Valthi collected their pay, and all five eventually went to bed. Their rest, however, didn't last.

They awoke to hear the inn in commotion. The Night Watch, taking a lesson from Ree, had set up a watch at the top floor of the inn as well. The two men, a elven male garbed in dark red robes and a short man who's dress suggested he had questionable practices burst into the group's room, screaming and shouting.

"Get yer arses out of bed! We're under attack!" the human bellowed.

"Th..they killed Taylor a..and Lio!" the elf exclaimed, apparently quite shaken by the sudden turn of events.

by **pd Rydia** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 2:32 pm

Finally! Brandon thought to himself as he expertly rolled out of bed and onto his feet in one smooth motion. Grabbing and shrugging on his armor with practiced ease, Brandon picked up Alexander and gave the two 'guests' a smile.

"Alright, where are the lil' bastards, and what's their situation?"

by **JoshuaDurron** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 4:34 pm

Ree lept out of bed. Fortunately, he was a light sleeper. He grabbed his quarter staff, and looked around for the others. "Up and at 'em!" He called, then remembered to add to Brandon, "Don't do anything until we're all ready to move."

by **Kelne** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 8:26 pm

Larak came awake quickly, getting out of bed and into his armour in less time than most people would have thought possible. Brandon had asked the basic questions, but until they got a good look at the situation for themselves, they couldn't make any concrete plans.

by **Dark Xia** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 12:04 pm

Yawnng cutely and hugging a pillow inbetween her arms at first, it took a moment for the facts to come together in her mind. Once she did realize what was going on, her adreneline surged, throwing the pillow on the bed, she stretched briefly, grabbed her whip, and let out a cool smile "I guess there is more than one way to get a work out at night. So what's up exactly?"

by **Jak Snide** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 4:51 pm

"T..th...the..."

The elf continued to stutter uncontrollably as the human explained.

"They'll be 'ere any sec now. Bastards came out of nowhere, got 'emselves crossbows of some sort. Clever bastards, I'll give em that."

Then, the sound of wood splintering rang out downstairs.

"Crap..." the human muttered, pulling out a small hand crossbow from somewhere on his person, although none of the group caught where it came from exactly.

by **pd Rydia** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 4:54 pm

Cracking a great big grin, Brandon practically hurled himself downstairs, greatsword ready for action.

by **JoshuaDurron** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:14 pm

"Brandon! Wait, this is no time to split up!" Ree barked, then swore under his breath. "Everyone back him up!" He finished, giving the elf and the human a slight shove towards the stairs, so that they would be headed down in front of him.

by **Kelne** » Sun Sep 07, 2003 2:29 am

Larak grinned savagely at the prospect of action. These people were going to rue the day they'd decided to attack this town. Axe grasped firmly in one hand, Larak barrelled down the stairs after Brandon.

by **Jak Snide** » Sun Sep 07, 2003 11:36 am

As Brandon thundered down the stairs, coming around the corner, he saw who the attackers were. Four of them, two with swords in hand, the other pair with hand crossbows, all eight red eyes piercing the darkness. Their azure skin and slender frame gave them away as drow. When Ree himself saw this, he had a sudden, sinking feeling.

(Combat! Declare your attacks now. Also, FD, you need to state what Ratch is doing.)

---

(Text supplied via AIM)

Saen walked at a more composed pace as she followed the lumbering fools, wondering just what the attacks would throw at the first person who popped their heads out. Would it be a fireball? An arrow? A throwing knife? A paralysing spell that rips all their clothes off too?

Mhhhhh

Her wings folded behind her, and her whip in hand, Saen crept up to a window in the room. Peeking outside, she noted that nobody was below in the street. Well, not in sight, at least.

by **Dark Xia** » Sun Sep 07, 2003 11:42 am

Opening the window without any further hesitation, Saen lept out into the street. Her wings unfolded, attempting to catch the air beneah them. With no one aronud to see her face it became a sneer of hatred as she thought of her wings. The weak limbs that had caused her life to be far more painful than it should of been.

by **Jak Snide** » Sun Sep 07, 2003 11:49 am

Saen slowed her descent enough for a slightly forceful landing, leaving nothing more than a slight pain in her legs. Taking a quick look around, she noted that there weren't any strangers within sight, although she could hear the sounds of combat from inside the inn.

(Saen's taken her action for this combat round. She can't do anything till next round, except pick herself up and think a little.)

by **pd Rydia** » Sun Sep 07, 2003 12:21 pm

With a cheerful and inarticulate battle cry, Brandon leaped forward and chopped downward with his sword, attempting to catch one of the crossbow-holders and put him out of commission.

by **Kelne** » Sun Sep 07, 2003 8:42 pm

Following Brandon down, Larak took in the situation at a glance. Damned drow never could leave well enough alone. Well, if they wanted a fight, they had one. Picking out one of the drow swordsmen, he charged, swinging his axe at the invader.

by **JoshuaDurron** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 1:53 pm

Ree swore. His life had just become infinitely more complicated, especially given the Rivan attitudes of the locals. Still, best to do what seemed like the best thing in his mind. He took a somewhat half hearted swipe at the nearest drow with his staff, fully realizing that it was either fight or die, either from the drow here, or as a 'traitor' at the hands of the regular guard.

by **Jak Snide** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 3:32 pm

Before anyone else in the room could barely react, the human brought his hand crossbow up, a bolt flying straight past one of the drow's ears. Close, but not good enough, it seemed.

As Brandon charged forward he felt something impact with his lower leg. Not letting it slow him down, he cleaved downwards at his assailant, hammering the poor bastards into the ground, a terrible gash torn across the raider's chest. He was alive, although from the look of horror and pain on the male's face, he wasn't going to be getting up soon.

Ree, moving forward, saw something darting towards his upper torso. Bringing his staff up as quickly as he could, he dashed the attackers blade aside, and delivered a counter. However, the swordsman looked hardly the worse for it.

At the same time, the other crossbow man took aim and fired at the rogue, but just as the trigger was pulled he skrieked with pain. Anyone who looked could see the elven mage had a palm directed towards the drow, and a confused look on his face, as if he hadn't meant to do that. As for the bolt, it'd flown wide, the spell striking just at the right moment.

Barely a split second latter, Ree felt a sharp pain in his side, causing him to fall back and look down at his wound. It'd missed all his vitals, sure, but that didn't stop it from hurting like a bitch.

Larak, however, had other things on his mind, his axe catching the drow that Ree had assaulted off guard. Although the man's armour prevented a crippling blow, the wound was not one to be taken lightly at all.

(Status: Brandon is at 75 HP, Ree at 48, and Larak is yet to be assaulted. One of the drow crossbow men is nearly dead, with the other reeling a little from the spell. As for single drow swordsman assaulted, he's hurt pretty bad, but still standing. If Ratch wants to make his move, he needs to do it NOW before anyone posts their actions. Also, Saen may now act.)

by **JoshuaDurron** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 5:30 pm

"RATCH! GET YOUR ASS IN GEAR!" Ree shouted, somewhat frustrated by the Valthi's failure to act. At the same time, he hauled his quarterstaff back to hit the injured drow a second time.

by **FlamingDeth** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 6:05 pm

The gunman, on the other hand, felt no need to go down the stairs. He was a little late in arriving, but his vantage point was still sound. Unholstering both of his weapons, Ratch pointed one at the standing bowman, and the other at the injured swordsman, and let loose a couple rounds of high velocity lead poisoning.

"Hold up, Chief, no need to get all ansy..." the Valthi mercenary said. "Just had to get off some good shots.

(Sorry about the holdup, broken interweb, see absence notice thread thingy. Also, Split Targets.)

by **pd Rydia** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 8:24 pm

Seeing an opportunity, Brandon reached forward and grabbed at the crossbow in the hands of the man he had just assaulted, meaning to toss it out of the way where he or his companions couldn't get to it easily. As for the man himself, well...it didn't look like the poor sap'd be going anywhere or doing anything particularly soon, and who knows -- he might turn out useful for questioning, later.

by **Dark Xia** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 9:05 pm

Dashing to the end of the wall of the building, Saen peeked aronud the corner. No one. With another dash she made her way to the entrance of the building. Taking a brief peek she noticed that the enemeis had their backs to her.

^_^

Those exposed backs made her shiver a little in joy, ime to make at least one of them all nice and sore! Teach them to disturb her sleep... but first...

She peeked into the inn from the entrance, and murmured:
"Chains of night, squeeze my prey, all nice and tight."

(darkness bind, the uninjured swordsman)

Edited by: Dark Xia at: 9/8/03 9:37 pm

by **Kelne** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 9:41 pm

Face set, Larak brought his axe around for another blow, intending to finish this one before he moved on to any others. Wounded or not, the drow were tricky devils, and he had no intention of leaving this one at his back.

by **Jak Snide** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 10:58 pm

The man on the stairs ducked low, sliding another bolt into his weapon as Ratch unloaded both chambers with a resounding bang. If those nearby hadn't known a fight was going on, they did now. As for his intended targets, the crossbow wielder escaped unharmed. Ree, however, felt something speed past his ear, and the drow in front of him collapsed backwards, and impressively precise gunshot wound in his chest.

The drow before Brandon desperately tried to scramble away as fast as his now pathetic frame would allow, but not before the giant of a man snatched his weapon up, hurling it across the room, the handle snapping in two as it hit the wall.

Ratch noticed the mage in front of him begin to chant, only to produce a small puff of smoke in his palm. The elf muttered a single word, "Drecht," when he himself noticed his failure.

At this point Saen was frowning in dismay, her spell seemingly failing to occur at all. She didn't have long before her mind was on other things, though, as the remaining crossbow man made a break for the door, drawing his blade and stabbing at her, the leather bound whip wielder barely avoiding having herself impaled on his sword.

Back in the thick of it, the remaining swordsman swiftly ducked Ree's awkward blow, and struck home with a thrust with unnerving accuracy. His target was not his "kin" though, but instead the dwarf with the bloodied weapon. Larak grunted as the thin blade went into him, his armor deflecting the blow somewhat away from the more vulnerable parts of his innards. However, he quickly proved that a "minor" injury wouldn't stop him, and sank his axe into the offending drow, who yelled briefly with pain before hobbling back a step, his upper right leg bleeding badly.

(Status: Larak is on 62 HP, everyone else is the same as last round. Ratch racks up the first kill of the RP, and earns a gold star for a stylish entrance, even if he did miss his other mark.)

Who is online