The gaming house is at the corner of two small streets. Drunken patrons are laughing as the enter, silent as they leave. The place is one story, broad and plain. There is a service entrance onto one street and the main entrance at the corner.

Chi-Dee seems to like half-orcs. Two very burly guards hover near the service entrance. Up front, two more stand on either side of the door. A young well dressed human greets guests while a rather begraggled looking halfling opens the door for them.

You have all gathered in an alley a little ways down. Malder and two of his men stand beside you. Malder is all smiles again. "I been here a couple a' times. 's an old warehouse. Mostly one big open room. Long bar along the west side and the tables in the open space. There's a big platform in tha center where they have fights." He scratches his nose ad then points at the back. "I think there's offices in back. I never been back that way though." He nods at the half orcs, "Those guys are the killer though. They all hail from the Bent Tusk tribe. Supposedly Chi-Dee talked 'em inta coming over to his side. The one in charge is Vyrx. He's a piece a' work."

Working on the map

---

---

"Hmmmm," Tarrov said as he digested Malder's intelligence, watching the entrance the the gaming house and tapping his fingers in staccato fashion on the arm of his fine doublet.  "Interesting.  His own private half-orc army.  Nice to have when you can get it.  But half-orcs generally aren't the brightest torches in the sconce.  Maybe we can use that to our advantage."

Tarrov turned back to Malder.  "We want to identify this boy and get him out in whatever way we feel will work best.  I'd probably prefer to just spirit him away, if the opportunity presents itself, but if we have to have a knock-down drag-out I suppose that will do too.  We've got the drop on them presently, so we need to make that work to our advantage."

The bard glanced back at the casino.  "Any idea how many guards are on duty at once?  And do the off-duty guards stay here, or do they live other places in the city and only come in to work?  I'd prefer the latter.  If the former, we could have the whole tribe on us if the alarm is raised."

"It looks like it might be time for another reconnaissance mission."  He looked around at the others.  "Any ideas?"

"By the by, Malder," Tarrov said, as if just struck with a thought.  "What is it that Kindness did to you or yours?  You seem very eager to bring him down, and I doubt that eagerness is inspired by a simple desire to remove a blight from the city.  Am I right?"

---

---

Malder glances at the bard and then back at the gaming house. "Nothing direct. I believe in Verick. Or I suppose I should say, I let Verick talk me inta joinin' his little walkout. So now me an' tha boys either hand with him or hang with him. If ya catch my meanin'."

He stabs a finger at the gaming house. "From what I can recollect, there's at least six of 'em inside. These ones outside. The dealers at the tables supposed to be armed too. But I never seen 'em carrying. I know Chi-Dee keeps at least two of tha halfers nearby at all times. " He shrugs. "Best I can tell ya boss."

Selvin listened and frowned. That many half-orcs from a tribe sounded like bad news. "I think a fight would be a bad idea unless we could narrow things down. Straight up, 6 inside plus 2 outside would be bad numbers for us if these guys are as good as Malder thinks." He gave a shrug. "I think Tarrov should go inside as a gambler and scope the place out maybe?"

"I'd agree with that as long as he is agreeable," he nods in reply and looks to Tarrov.

Selvin gave a shrug. "Or I can go instead if you don't want to, Tarrov. I don't gamble much but..." He gave another shrug.

---

---

Tarrov gave Malder a sour look.  "So, eight half-orcs, plus an indeterminate number of possibly-armed dealers.  Those aren't the best odds.  Although we do have the element of surprise, and if we can take these half-orcs outside by themselves and deal with the others piecemeal that makes the task much easier."

Tarrov nodded at Selvin's suggestion.  "I'd be happy to go in and scout around."  He grinned.  "I think I can play the part of a gambler with money to lose.  That said, it would be nice if we had a female companion who could go in with me and keep her eyes peeled while I was at the tables."  Arms crossed, he tapped his fingers again, this time on the sleeve of his jacket, lost in thought.

The bard straightened, as if he had made a decision.  He looked around at his companions.  "Just so.  I'm heading inside, then.  Would anyone like to join me?"

OOC:  Tarrov heads in to scout the gaming establishment with anyone else who wants to come along.

---

---

Toke shook his head. "I'll be preparing for the fight while you're inside." He mumbled, almost to himself as he shuffled off. He walked into a nearby alley after making sure it was devoid of neighbors and started preparing his mutagen and extracts for the day.

Int Cognatogen prepared
Shieldx2 Prepared
Cure Light Wounds Prepared
1 Slot Unprepared

Malder grins. "I'll go with you Fancy Man. If ya like..."

Vadis and Selvin, you watch the scouting party move towards the front door. As Tarrov and Malder if Tarrov approves approach the front door, you hear the clack clack of a wagon coming down the street. Odd for this time of night. A single horse drawn contraption comes up the side of the building, stopping along the back. The driver appears to be a lean, tall elf. He jumps down off the wagon and heads to the door on the side of the building.

Toke, you finish up your last batch and cap the vial, testing it's security and checking the color of the mutagen against the moonlight. It looks perfect. It should. You make this stuff often enough. As you stow it away you hear a scraping sound. As you look around you notice a grill to the sewer set in the street near the alley mouth. From inside you hear a chittering sound.

The half orcs look you over Tarrov. They say nothing and the doorman bows before sliding open the doors. Inside you're looking at what clearly used to be an empty warehouse. To your right, running a good fifty feet along the wall, is a long wooden bar. A surly looking dwarf and half orc play bartender. As you watch the half orc pours what appears to be a perfectly made Chelish Navel. It's difficult to get the purples jsut right.  The aisles are quite wide and two rows of gaming tables, set about ten feet apart, run down the center of the room. All of the games seem to be represented. The only interruption to the table rows is the stage in the center of the space that Malder mentioned. It runs almost completely across the hall, leaving only about a ten foot gap between it's edges and the walls. You can see various stains on the surface of the stage. You can only guess what made them.

Past the stage the gaming tables continue for another thirty feet or so before ending in a wall which has clearly been added. You would guess the loading bay door you saw from the outside is just behind the wall.

Toke put away his mutagen, his fingers rubbed along it carefully, habitually. His eyes focused on the grate and the sounds emanating from it. You're asking for it. Toke thought to himself as he edged towards the grate, his curiosity getting the better of him. Curiosity was what got him where he was today, though technically that was sort of a mixed blessing. Still it was probably a rat or something, nothing to be afraid of. Arriving at the edge of the grate, he cautiously peered inside. The tension was killing him!

OOC: 03:42, Today: Toke rolled 17 using 1d20+2. Perception.

The light from the city's lantern posts drips weakly down the drain Toke  . You narrow your eyes as you peer in.

Through the grate you see a sewer line below. It must be one of the side tunnels that filter the run off towards the main lines that run out towards the sea. The tunnel is cramped. Perhaps only four feet across and high enough for someone to crawl through. The ones moving through it now though hve no such impediments. Rat folk. A line of perhaps six rat folk...no. Maybe eight...are heading down the sewer line. The line seems to head towards the gaming house.

---

---

Tarrov straightened his doublet and nodded to Malder.  “That sounds good; I’d appreciate a second set of eyes.  Let’s go.”  He brought a small steel mirror out of an inconspicuous pocket and checked his hair.  Satisfied that he looked the part of the young-gentleman-about-town, he beckoned to Verik’s henchman and set off across the street.

It went pretty much as the bard had expected.  He looked bored as the half-orc bouncers conducted their inspection, as if no one could possibly find a reason to keep him out of a gaming establishment.  He nodded amiably to the doorman as the man let him inside, winked at Malder, and strode into Chi-Dee’s place like he owned it.

Looking quickly around the gaming area, he figured the bar would be the best place to go for information.  He approached the barmen and gave them his best rich-kid-with-money-to-burn smile.

“Gentlemen!”  He said with gusto.  “I’ll have whatever you consider your specialty.  Every barman I know has one, and I’d like to sample yours.”  He leaned over the bar, conspirator-like.  “This is my first time here, although I certainly know this place by its reputation.  Tell me, what is it that sets Chi-Dee’s apart from the other gaming establishments in the City?  Like, say, Devargo’s?”  He gave the room an ostentatiously-skeptical once-over.  “My friends keep on telling me I need to try this place, but they were rather mysterious as to the why.  And to tell you the truth, it looks pretty run-of-the-mill to me.”  He nodded to the stage.  “Is there some sort of entertainment to which I can look forward?”

As Tarrov spoke, he looked around carefully, keeping his eyes peeled for any sign of Choffrey or any of the other younger persons who might be pressed into work at the gaming house.  He also tried to spot any patrons who looked like regulars who might be willing to share some of the secrets of the establishment that had taken so much of their money, as well as determine whether the dealers were indeed armed.  In this case, knowledge truly was power.

---

---

This message was last edited by the player at 03:04, Fri 24 Jan 2014.

Selvin moved over to where Toke was at and began summoning his ally once he wouldn't be seen by the bouncers. If this turned into a fight, he wanted to be ready.

After Selvin was finished doing his... thing, Toke called him over. He squatted over the grated and pointed down where he saw the passersby. "While you were busy, I saw a swarm of ratfolk. Normally I wouldn't give a rats ass -heh- but it seemed like they were headed over to Chi Dee's. I can't think of any situation in which this is a good thing. What's your take?" He asked nervously, his eyes looked unfocused as he tried to think of what they should do about this new found discovery.

Vaddis continues to watch the front of the gaming house, waiting for the two inside to come out, or for signs of impending trouble.

After a moment, one of Malder's men peels himself off the wall and moves to stand next to you Vaddis. You think this one is Parns, though the two of them pretty much look and smell the same: messy and unwashed. He stands there a moment, arms crossed, watching the same scene you do. The driver of the cart is waiting and after a moment, a door in back opens and he steps inside. Out front, a few patrons enter and leave. The guards stand there, looking like ugly gargoyles. "This fancy man a' yours," says Parns unexpectedly. "He know what he's doin'?"

---

The half orc behind the bar gives you a blank look Tarrov, then reaches down and begins to pull out bottles which he starts to empty into a shaker. "'s a veritable wonderland. If ya got the skill an' tha guts for it." He drops a small cut of some kind of fruit in after the liquors and then caps the shaker. "Most men don't have either. Or they lack the one and not have any of the other." He times his words, speaking each one in rhthym with the shaker. He uncaps it and places a strainer over the rim. "Course no one ever trumps up to tha truth of it. Everyone comes in thinkin' they're a winner. They got a pouch full of coins...most from their dead end jobs...and they all think that if they strike it big, somehow that opens some secret door in tha wall. And on the other side is some great golden life that the walls been hidin' from 'em up 'til now." He drops a few pomegranate seeds into the glass. The concoction he's just mixed you smells like peaches and looks like blood. "So does it matter how much ya win? When ya already are startin' out a loser? Here's your Sevens Down. " The half orc grins lopsidedly. "Hope ya find your magic door sir..."

---

Selvin, you can hear what Toke is talking about. The sound of people scurrying through the sewer line below. But the sound soon fades. These rat folk do seem to be headed in the direction of the gaming house.

Toke, you see one of Malder's goons...Baldrago is his name you think..peer around the corner into the alley. "What's up?" he mutters.

"Very much so. he's very good at his job. Are you?"

---

---

"Thank you, good sir.  I don't think I caught your name?"  Tarrov slid a platinum piece across the table.  "I see you're something of a philosopher as well as a mixologist."  The bard took a careful sip of his Sevens Down.  "Outstanding."  He nodded.  "I see you, for one, have no issues with professional skill."

"For myself, it depends on who you talk to.  You talk to my father, you'll get one story.  You talk to my lovers?"  Tarrov shrugged, giving the half-orc a conspirator's grin. "You'll get another."

He took another sip of his drink.  "It all depends on who you know and how they know you, am I right?  In my experience, you rarely know the complete person, no matter how close you are.  When it comes to acquaintances or," he raised his glass to the bartender, "new friends, things are even murkier.  For all I know, for example, you're a top-flight musician.  But I'll never know for sure because I've never seen you in that context.  My loss, really."  He sighed theatrically.

The bard nodded towards the center of the room.  "So, the stage.  Is there some sort of entertainment scheduled today?  Or have I chosen the wrong time to visit?"

---

---

Parns shoots you a look Vaddis as he says, "Easy now. If you were going into a job with fellas you didn' know, wouldn't you ask a question or three?" He shrugs. "As for me an' my job...yeah. I suppose. They tell me to break this or that guy's head an' I do it. What else is there for me to do?"

---

The half orc doesn't look at the coin. But it still makes it's way into his pocket. He glances at the stage. "Not quite a musical stage. If that's your idea of entertainment. Though those up there do sometimes hit high notes. No. Fights. The pugilist's art if you prefer. There's a bout in a bit. I think we're just waitin' on one a' tha fighters ta arrive."

---

---

"Is that so?"  Tarrov asked with the bartender with interest.  "Who are the scheduled fighters, if you don't mind my asking?"  The bard drummed the fingers of one hand on the bar.  The middle of a fight would be an excellent time to make a move on Chi-Dee's.  It would be almost impossible for a good portion of the people inside, including the guards, not to be distracted by the contest, and the noise would also drown out a lot of the sounds that might be made by a group of raiders.

Unfortunately, such a raid would be pointless if it had no target.  The bard looked around the gaming establishment with a sour expression on his face.  He had been hopeful that visiting the interior of the gaming house would give him a clue as to where to find Choffery.  It would have been nice, for example, if the young man was running around serving customers.  But that would have been too easy, Tarrov signed to himself.

As he waited for the half-orc to answer his question, he looked around to see what Malder was doing and to try and catch his eye.  Maybe Verik's man was having better luck finding some indication of the indentured boy's location.

---

---

This message was last edited by the player at 05:40, Mon 27 Jan 2014.

In reply to The Dealer (msg # 16):

Toke looked up then cast his eyes down as he thought about whether or not to trust this man. After all, this could be a perfect situation for Malder and his goons to set himself up with a rival gang. Still, if that was the case, then the worst case scenario was that Selvin and he would disengage, kill their mark, and collect their reward. Tarrov and Vaddis? Well, they knew the risks. "Uh..." He started nervously, standing up from his crouched position. "I saw a large group of rat-people headed towards the Gamin' House. Sounds like trouble to me."

"Just asking, as we don't know you fellas either. Not good to go into a fight with someone that doesn't know his trade, is it?" Detect Evil.

Selvin finished summoning his ally, which enveloped him so he seemed to be surrounded by a semi-transparent tiger-like creature covered in blue flames. "Rat...kin? Perhaps they have...business with...the man we're after? Should we investigate? It also might be...another way in instead of going through the half-orcs."

Malder siddles up next to you Tarrov. "Every one a' tha dealers I saw has a crossbow under their table an' a long knife strapped to their thigh."

You study the crowd. You see one...two...no four total young boys in the crowd. They seem to be working mostly as messangers as they wander around the crowd from table to table. They also seem to be using some kind of signalling system. You note one boy standing by a crad table and he's scratched his nose several times as he walks around. Another taps his right ear. Who they're signalling you aren't sure though.

The bartender starts to pour Malder an ale. "Next bout is in an hour. But it'll be pretty lopsided. Not much book bein' made on it. A rat folk is gonna go up against one a' tha guard."

---

Baldraggo eyes Selvin, then kneels down beside Toke. "That passage seems like a tight fit. Not sure me or Parns or your big friend is gonna squeeze through. You two might though."

---

Parns nods. "Yeah. 's tough havin' to babysit the weak sister."

Vaddis, the man is evil. Not as strong as his two friends. But there's definitely some stains on his soul.

---

---

Well, maybe it was just that easy.  "That's not good news," Tarrov stated the obvious as both men sat, backs to the bar, looking for all the world as if they were discussing what game of chance should have the first opportunity to take their hard-earned gold.  Tarrov watched the bartenders out of the corner of his eye to ensure they were not eavesdropping as he talked in an unobtrusively quiet voice.  "Crossbows AND long knives.  That's too well-armed for my taste."

"I have better news."  The bard nodded towards the nine-fingered kid he's spotted minutes earlier.  "There's Choffrey.  Now all we need to do is figure how to get him out of this place without having to fight through two score armed men to do it.  Ideally we'd be able to get him away from the main room before we made an overt move."

Tarrov tapped his fingers against his empty glass as he thought.  "One plus is that there's going to be a fight on that big stage in about an hour.  That's a ready-made distraction for the kind of snatch-and-grab operation we'll need to pull."  He glanced at the grizzled former guardsman.  "Any ideas on the least risky way to pull it?"

---

---

This message was last edited by the player at 08:57, Tue 28 Jan 2014.

Vaddis looks at the man next to him in a quizzical way. "You know, it's never too late to change your way of life. There is much good left in you, perhaps you should embrace it before it is too late."

09:35, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 11 using 1d20+7. Diplomacy. Terrible roll!!!

Malder thumps one of his big thumbs against his chin. "There's a back door...though I would suppose Chi-Dee keeps hisself back there. I'm thinkin' one team to come in an' try ta spirit the kid off an' a second team ta make a ruckus at the front door to make with the distraction."

---

Parns glances at you. "You're one a' them holy guys then? Wanna save tha world types?" He looks back at the gaming house. "I think it's too late for me. But thanks. I hope you find somethin' worth savin'. "

Selvin nodded at Baldraggo. "Please go get Vaddis and bring him here. I would have him know what's going on."

He looked at Toke. "You want to investigate with me? Or you keen to stay here?"

"No one is beyond redemption my friend, but of your group, you would be the easiest salvation. Perhaps you should ponder it a bit, before it is too late."

Toke pondered the situation he was in. If he were to follow Selvin, he would leave his back nice an open for a knife should a betrayal arise. However, he doubted he could take on Verik on his own, especially if his men are planning a betrayal. Toke didn't like the position he was in, but decided that his best chances were with someone he trusted. "Yeah..." He mumbled, almost to himself. His eyes focused and he spoke more firmly. "Yes, I'll go with you."

---

---

Tarrov scratched the side of his face skeptically as Malder outlined his dual-pronged plan.  It sounded a little risky to the bard.  Fortunately he had access to another person who might have information that would aid in the boy's rescue:  Choffrey himself.

Tarrov surreptitiously moved his hands and mumbled the words that allowed him to speak privately with another over a distance.  When he had completed casting his spell on Choffrey, he began with the following:

Choffrey.  No, don't look around.  Just continue with whatever you're supposed to be doing.  My name is Tarrov, and I'm here on your brother's behalf.  Helvara at the House of Clouds sent me to get you away from here and reunite you with him.

I would like to get you out of here with as little fuss as possible.  Is there ever a time when you go outside?  Say, to dump the garbage or perform other tasks?  If so, can you tell me when and where that would be?  We can get you out then.  Otherwise, do you have anything you can tell me about when the best time might be to attempt a rescue?  I have many armed men with me but I'd rather not get in a knock-down drag-out fight if I can help it.

Just whisper your response and I'll be able to hear it.  I look forward to meeting you face-to-face soon.

Tarrov stopped speaking and waited to hear what Choffrey might have to add to the plan for his own rescue.

OOC:  Casts Message on Choffrey.

---

---

In reply to Tarrov Garrick (msg # 31):

Parns begins to say something Vaddis. But his eyes cut behind you and he closes his mouth. The other flunkie, Baldraggo, comes siddling up, jerking a thumb over hisshoulder towards the alley Selvin and Toke went to in order to make their 'preperations'. "Your lot saw some rat kin down in a sewer tunnel. They think the ratters 's headed towards the gaming house. They're goin' ta folow 'em I think."

---

Selvin and Toke, you lift the grate up. The pipe will be a tight fit but you can manage. It's about an eight foot drop down to the tunnel below. Neither of you can hear anything further from the rat kin. Are you waiting for Vaddis?

---

Choffrey freezes and looks around wildly as your message begins Tarrov. But he settles down and soon starts scanning the crowd. You see him glance at a player seated in front of him and make a sign at the dealer.

"I...my brother..." Choffrey is quiet a second and then whispers "I can switch up trash draggin' chores with Ophet. But there'll be a guard watchin' me. Half an hour?"

Vaddis turns to Baldraggo, "Oh, rat-folk heading toward the gambling house? In the sewers? Tell them not to follow, it would be too dangerous in those tight spaces. "

---

---

Outstanding, Tarrov thought to himself.  Sounded like they might be able to get Choffrey away from the Gaming House with no (or at least limited) bloodshed.  It was the bard's favorite way to do things.  Violence always got so messy.

"Half an hour," Tarrov agreed, responding to the young man's idea.  "The guard won't be a problem, just be ready to go.  On which side of the building will you be dumping?  Out back?"

He turned to Malder.  "Okay, we're set.  Let's go."  Standing up, he gave the bartenders a jaunty wave and headed back out into the street to find the other conspirators.  If all went well, half an hour from now they should be spiriting the newly-freed Choffrey back to the House of Clouds.

Tarrov whistled as they walked, shooting Malder a grin.  Kindness was going down.

---

---

Baldraggo shrugs and walks back to the alley. "Oy," he says to Toke and Selvin, "The big one says hold up."

Vaddis, Toke, and Selvin can see Tarrov and Malder come out of the gaming parlor. You all meet back at the corner.

Toke was contemplating the possible consequences of his decision when he heard Baldraggo call out to him. He breathed out a sigh of relief and, upon noticing Tarrov seemingly empty handed, made his way to the corner. Rather than sound accusatory, he waited until Tarrov or this Malder explained the situation.

Selvin, all "tigered up" and ready to go, looked slightly disappointed at being told not to go down. He thought about going anyway but then Tarrov showed back up. He shrugged and headed closer to hear the news.

---

---

Tarrov strode across the street, appreciating the feel of the fresh air on his face.  Gambling establishments always felt so . . . constricted?  Confined?  Repressed?  Tarrov searched for the right word and couldn't quite find it.  Oh well, he thought.  Hopefully they wouldn't have to deal with this one for too much longer.

He smiled at the others as he arrived at their makeshift command post.  "Good news!"  He informed them.  "We've established contact with Choffrey.  He's going to be out back taking out the garbage in less than half an hour.  All we have to do is slip back there and help to spirit him away."

Tarrov grinned.  "Easy, right?  Now, there will apparently be a guard back there but I think we should be able to take care of one guard with a minimum of commotion.  In fact," Tarrov shot the more excitable members of the group a reproving glance, "I think I should be able to lull him to sleep with no one the wiser and without kicking up a fuss."

The bard looked around.  "So, we just move back there, stay out of sight, knock out his guard, grab the kid, and leave.  Pretty straightforward, really.  Any questions?"

---

---

"Not about the plan. Toke saw several ratfolk heading in the direction of the gambling house through the sewers. Can you illuminate us on them Toke?"

---

---

Tarrov nodded thoughtfully.  "There's a ratman who is supposed to be involved in some sort of prizefight over there within the hour.  Barman said he was late.  Maybe the rats are spectators?  Maybe they're his entourage?  Or perhaps they're there to make sure the fix isn't in?"  Tarrov shrugged.  "Or that it is.  Either way, I hope they hold off on whatever they're planning until we can get Choffrey out of there."  The bard turned to Toke with interest.  "What do you know about them, Toke?"

---

---

Toke's eyes widened, almost as if he was surprised that the spotlight was turned to him. He cast them down as he shrugged, "A lot less than you, I'm afraid. All I saw was a rather large group; around seven, heading towards the Gaming House and using the sewers down there as transit." He said, pointing at the grate where he saw them. "Selvin an I were going to head down there, but it seems that it's good that we didn't." He changed the subject to the more pressing matter. "I had a question, does this Choffrey character actually know we're here to rescue him?"

Toke's question is a good one. Though sadly, the point becomes moot.

A sound like thunder erupts behind you. You see the back door of the gaming hall come flying off it's hinges and land against the side of the building across the street. Smoke pours forth from the hole it has left.

From inside the hall, you hear shouts, screams, and quite soon thereafter, the distinctive sound of steel ringing on steel. The door guards turn to run inside at the same time the first wave of patrons comes streaming out. The half orcs, impatient to get inside and learn what is going on, begin to hack through the patrons like reapers starting the fall harvest.

It seems like the entertainment may have started a tad bit earlier than expected.

---

---

"Holy . . ."  Tarrov's hand went instinctively to his whip.  He looked around at the others as he removed it from his belt.  "Ratmen.  Why'd it have to be ratmen?  Let's get in there and make sure Choffrey's okay."

Choffrey, Tarrov said through his magical link to the boy.  Choffrey, where are you?

---

---

Vaddis draws his sword and straps on his shield and prepares to move in!

Selvin, certainly glad he summoned his ally earlier, bounds towards the back door that's now conveniently open for them, trying to see what's going on and get inside.

Toke is stunned by the chaos and confusion. His mouth sits agape as he numbly watches the guards hack through the crowd. As he comes to his senses he realizes that his group actually expected to go inside that deathtrap! Shaking away what little mental cobwebs remained, he reached down for one of his drugs (Shield) and made sure to keep a tight grip on it as he followed Selvin towards the back door.

Vaddis follows close on their heels, sword at the ready!


23:41, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 15 using 1d20. Initiative.

The half orcs at the front door ignore you as you all head down the side to the back door. A thick cloud of smoke wafts your way and you all drive through it. Toke,you can taste the phosphers and alkalines in the grit the cloud leaves on your teeth. Someone in your line of business supplied the smoke. And probably the casino shaking ka-boom.

Vaddis and Selvin, you arrive first at the back door, followed closely by Malder and Parns. Tarrov, Toke, and Baldraggo are bringing up the rear. As you reach the door, a half orc comes stumbling out. There are at least three ratfolk attached to aprts of his body and each is stabhing or gnawing on him in a manner thay looks uncomfortable. The half orc drops to the ground and begins to roll, as if he were putting out a fire.

Another half orc comes put of the door, a battle axe on his hands. He glares at you all. "We're closed," he barks as you approach.

---

---

"My good sir," Tarrov said, "we have family who was patronizing your establishment.  We are planning on going in and rescuing them.  We would be happy to assist you with your," he raised an eyebrow at the half-orc flailing on the ground, "rat problem.  But you need to allow us inside so that we may assist both you and our endangered family members."

---

---

"Die you disgusting rats!" Vaddis yells as he intentionallt swings at the half-orc on the ground.


17:35, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 14 using 1d20+6. to hit.
17:36, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 4 using 1d8+3. damage.

Selvin didn't slow down. He didn't care what the half-orc said. He let out a growl. "Move outta the way or die!" He kept on barreling to move towards the back door or the half-orc if he didn't move out of the way.

There was an interesting set of rolls with this. So...

The half orc blinks at Tarrov. "What? They probably left-" But before he can finish, Vaddis' blade finds a soft part on the downed half orc. Unfortunately...of fortunately, depending on the point of view...he manages to shave off one of the ratfolks tails as he slices into the half orc's belly. The half orc and rat man scream, one's deep basso somehow harmonizing with the rat man's alto in a disturbing way.

The guard at the door jerks his head around at the sound. "Hey! Stop that!" he shouts as Selvin and friend step up. He blinks at the conglomerate that is the summoner and brings his axe up. "Is he with you?" he asks the bard.

Go ahead and give me init when you state your action, even if it is non violent, please.

_{"Sorry Mister Ratman, just trying to rid the world of an orc."} He says, hopefully, only loud enough for the group rolling on the ground.

---

---

"But they haven't left, they're still inside!"  Tarrov let a note of concerned panic creep into his voice as he worked on persuading the guard to let them enter.

Tarrov looked on in dawning horror as Vaddis waded into combat and Selvin barreled forward with a threat on his lips.  He shrugged in response to the half-orc's vague question, looking bewildered.  "I have absolutely no idea who that man is," he lied smoothly while pointing at Vaddis, perhaps because at this point he half-wished it were true.

He gave the half-orc his most helpful look.  "There are a lot of people out here concerned about their loved ones inside.  As you can see, this concern is causing them to act out in . . . unfortunate ways."  Tarrov shot Selvin a sidelong glance.  "You can either harness this by letting them in to help or hinder it and deal with a riot without along with the ratmen within."  The bard let the specter of such a two-front conflict hang in the air.  "I myself think the wise move is to harness the help.  But of course," Tarrov sketched a short bow, "it is your call.  I'm sure your superiors won't have anything to say about a riot instigated by your actions."

---

---

This message was last edited by the player at 08:40, Thu 06 Feb 2014.

Toke reached into his pockets with his free hand and picked out the Kitchen Knife he had found earlier. He held it to his chest with the blade pointing out; more as a deterrent than anything else, while using the hand with his extract to support it.


His body shook, as if in terror, as he made his way towards Garrik's left, approaching cautiously. As he reached Garrik's immediate left he nudged the man with his elbow. "Are they going to let us in? It's not safe in there! What are we going to do?" He asked, hoping he sounded like a desperate family member. Still, even if it didn't work, he was close enough to flank the Orc, being that this was definitely neither the time nor place for his improvised explosives.

Selvin, unfortunately, did want the orc to come up behind them later or block their way when they tried to make their escape with the boy later.

07:47, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 17 using 1d20+2. Initiative.

Toke, you take your position as Tarrov states his case. The half orc covered in ratfolk begins to roll sideways. Two of the ratfolk on him leap off while the one gnawing on his ear goes along for the ride.

The one whose tail is hanging half off Vaddis, hisses at you. "You sonuvawhore! Watch what you're doing!"

Selvin  You go first. Wasn't quite sure what action you wanted to take. Sorry.

The half orc on the doorway pushes past Tarrov . "Go away! Your people will be out front! Go look there!"

He looks over his shoulder. "Jab! Get that table over the grill! They can just keep coming up if we don't close it off!" With an almost negligent swing of his arm, he slams his axe into the half tailed rat man, finishing the job Vaddis  had started.

As he moves out of the way of the door, you can see inside. The room beyond is fairly wide, almost like the receiving dock of a warehouse than the back portion of a casino. There is a thin wooden wall seperating this area from the gaming house and a large hole has been blasted into it. You hear another explosion in the gaming area and more screaming.

Two more half orcs are facing off against a half dozen rat folk just inside the door. About twenty feet in, there is a large hole in the floor. A metal grille which obviously used to cover the hole lays next to it. A green sort of goop covers portions of the grille and it's metal bars sizzle as the sludge drips along them.

One of the half orcs inside neatly dislocates a rat man's shoulder with a well aimed kick, then moves towards a nearby table. Jab it seems is moving to cover the hole.

Vaddis goes to the downed rat man that just got axed and checks him over to see if he is dead.


08:40, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 6 using 1d20+5. Heal Check.
08:41, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 2 using 1d6. Lay on Hands.

OOC: No, my bad, I wasn't sure when I went so was holding off on posting. Selvin is attacking the half-orc.


Selvin didn't stop or slow, he charged the half-orc talking to Tarrov and attacked, pouncing with his quasi-tiger teeth and claws. "TOO SLOW! Graugh!"


OOC I missed changing the first damage so it's 7 not 9.
15:05, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 18,14,22 using d20+4,d20+4,d20+4. Claw,Claw,Bite on BackdoorHalf-Orc.
15:19, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 7,5,3 using d6+4,d6+2,d6+2. Claw,Claw,Bite if they hit.

Vaddis, the rat man is dead. His companion hisses at you as you bend down towards the body and slashes the air in front of you with a knife. The tip of the bladec comes close to the tip of your nose.

Selvin,  you slam into the half orc. He stumbles under the weight of the attack. One of your claws sinks deep into the flesh of his arm while your fangs dig gouges into his shoulder. The rumors are not true by the way. He doesn't taste like pork. Whoever told you half orc was the other white meat lied to you.

Toke sighed inwardly in relief. Finally, he thought to himself, I don't have to awkwardly pretend anymore. He moved to flank the ore that Selvin had attacked, hopefully to finish it off or at least provide enough distraction for Selvin to do the same.

09:40, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 22 using 1d20+6. to hit.
09:40, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 5 using 1d8+3. damage.

"No more pretending, I'm on your side Sir Rat, I grieve at the loss of your friend. Now let us slay these blackguards together!"

Selvin kept up his attacks on the orc though he missed a bit more in his fury than he hit.

08:20, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 6,18,14 using d20+4,d20+4,d20+4. Claw,Claw,Bite on BackdoorHalf-Orc.
08:20, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 7 using 1d6+2. Damage.

Vaddis You're attacking the half orc on the ground right? Let me know if not and I will edit the post. Thanks.

The rat man slinks back a step, eyes narrowed, as your blade sinks into the half orc again Vaddis. The downed guard tries to get up. His arm shakes and he collapses. He seems to be down.

Your other claw strikes as your mouth takes another bite,Selvin . The half orc jerks sideways. Toke, your knife slides along his mailed side before slicing into the flesh of his underarm. The half orc falls backwards, Selvin almost on top, through the doorway. Inside, Jab hefts the table and spins around. "Oy!". Jab flips the table around so he is carrying it now like a lance. "Oy! Get offa him ya glowin' freak monster thing!"

"He's all yours Sir Rat, do with him as you please!" Vaddis then turns to enter the gambling hall and continue his attack on any evil he encounters.

Detect Evil around the room.

---

---

Well, this is going just swimmingly, Tarrov thought sourly to himself as he watched the combat develop around him.  He was pretty sure he could have talked the half-orc into just letting them inside but there was really nothing for it now; it looked like they were committed to battle.  Tarrov strode forward, breaking into verse as he looked about for Choffrey . . .

Just look what you have done
all we wanted was a chat
but now you are on the run
from some rather upset rats
I can only hope this action
moves us all to feats of fame
and then on, without distraction,
to get that for which we came

OOC:  Tarrov starts a bardic performance to "inspire courage" (+1 morale bonus on saves v. charm/fear effects, +1 “to hit,” +1 damage for allies able to perceive performance.

Rounds of bardic performance remaining:  9/10

---

---

Tarrov Like the personal touch in your ode. Give your performance an extra round.

The room inside glows in various shades Vaddis. None of the rat men are immune. Their little light shine to various degrees. The half orcs have that sort of muted reddish glow you would expect from paid thugs. Somewhere between a child molester and that serving wench who always brings your steak out over cooked.

There is a larger light coming from the other side of the hole in the wall. Where everyone else is a candle, it's a beacon to all the ships at sea.

But you have other concerns. Jab is charging you and Selvin. He's got the table thrust before him like a battering ram. Apparently he thinks the two of you are doors.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:24, Mon 10 Feb 2014.

Selvin met the Half-Orc's charge with one of his own. He made it look like he was going to leap up over the table but at the last second instead went for the pumping legs of the table-wielder.

OOC: Not sure if the Half-Orc has cover or armor or something from the table.
23:37, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 11,23,6 using d20+4,d20+4,d20+4. Pouncing Jab (Claw,Claw,Bite).
23:38, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 7 using 1d6+2. Claw damage if it hits.

Vaddis steps to the side to avoid the table and brings his sword up to defend himself.

Toke put away his knife and stayed back for the moment. He didn't know if the rats were hostile yet, and didn't want to accidentally include them in collateral damage should his aim be off. "Uh..." He worried, "Anything I can do to help?"

Selvin, in answer to your question, he would have partial cover.

Toke, as you ask your question, the rat man behind you hisses. "You all smell like greedy hands. Piss off befoe you get hurt."

At that momwnt there's another loud explosion on the other side of the wall in the main gaming parlor.

Selvin, you dive under the business end of the table and swipe at the half orc's leg. He bellows as you slice into his ligament but somehow manages to keep standing. He lets go of the table, which continues forward from the momentum. Vaddis, your strike goes a little wide as the table forces you to dodge. You still manage to score across his chest with the tip of your blade. But this one is tough. He remains standing.

Sorry for the confusion about init. For the rest of this episode, attacks will be resolved in this order: Selvin, Vaddis, Tarrov, Toke. You are all acting before all enemies except one. You'll figure out who he is when you get there. In order to keep things moving, if you are delayed in your post, I'll just assume you are either defending or catching your breath. Lastly, please remember the bonus you get from Tarrov's peformance. Let me kow if there's questions. Thanks.

Selvin let out a low-pitched growling laugh at the bouncer. "Table is gone, so you shall follow." He moved around and whirled as he snapped out with both claws and then sank his teeth into the half-orc as well.

OOC: Thank you for the answer! Also, for the bardic performance, I did forget the +1 to attack, though the +1 to damage is for weapon damage so it doesn't apply.
21:54, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 22,17,20 using d20+5,d20+5,d20+5. Claw,Claw,Bite on Jab.
21:55, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 6,8,6 using d6+3,d6+3,d6+3. Claw,Claw,Bite damage if they hit.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:00, Tue 11 Feb 2014.

OOC:  Don't natural weapons count as weapons?

I'll have to check but I would think so. Monks get the bonus if they're fighting unarmed. I don't see why Selvin wouldn't.

Just glanced at the SRD. It's not specific per se. But even if I missed it, the more I think on it, the less sense it makes Selvin's claw/claw/bite would be excluded from the effect. Unless anyone objects, I'm house ruling it in. Selvin, add it to the damage.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:35, Tue 11 Feb 2014.

---

---

Tarrov grimaced as things devolved into an all-out battle royale.  He really hoped that the rats were going to be allies in an enemy-of-my-enemy kind of way and not start attacking their group just because they lacked tails.  The bard glanced around for Malder and his crew; they should be joining the fight any second now.

Tarrov uncoiled his scorpion whip and sent it lashing out towards the half-orc's legs, hoping to trip him up as he fought Vaddis and Selvin.  Unfortunately the whip attack was deflected by the discarded table, leaving Tarrov even more frustrated than he had been before.

OOC:

23:32, Today: Tarrov Garrick rolled 6 using 1d20+5. Trip Attack on Half-Orc.

Bardic Performance:  9/10 rounds remaining (+1 morale bonus on saves v. charm/fear effects, +1 “to hit,” +1 damage for allies able to perceive performance.)

---

---

Jab finally succumbs as Selvin tears his leg apart. His partner calls out, but is too wrapped up in rat men to be of any use.

Tarrov, you flick back your whip to get it ready to go again as you look around. There's no sign of Maldar or his cronies.

"Where is the boy Tarrov?"

Selvin paused as jab fell. He let out a growling roar, though a bit muted in the battle all around. He looked around quickly, but waited to see if Tarrov knew where the boy they were after was, or if the boy himself showed himself to them.

---

---

Malder was nowhere to be found.  That was . . . well, that was downright disconcerting.  Tarrov wondered where the big man and his crew had gotten themselves off to.  If they weren't helping out with the combat here at Chi-Dee's, how could they be trusted to be an integral part in the assault on Devargo?

But that was neither here or there.

Tarrov shrugged at Vaddis.  "I don't know, he was supposed to meet us back here before all this," the bard waved his hand at the general chaos, "happened.  Let me see if I can track him down."  Tarrov took advantage of the respite in combat to attempt to contact Choffrey via his still-active message link.  "Choffrey?  Choffrey, are you there?  It's me, Tarrov.  We're out back and it looks like rats are swarming the place.  Let me know where you are and we'll come and get you."

---

---

Toke waded through the battle, carefully avoiding any of the hostiles to keep close to his group. He held up the extract in his hand. "Didn't look like anyone was hurt, so would one of you like this? It'll make you feel good, makes me feel good anyway, and guys have to try a lot harder to get a hit in." Normally he would use it himself, but these guys seem to have combat pretty much covered and he wanted to look at least a little useful. Could be worse; "Better to blend in than fuck up" he was always told.

Toke's potion looks to be the color of thick blue algae. And smells like sour apples and fish. But tastes, for any willing to try it, like a delicious fig pudding.

Tarrov winces as Choffrey comes through much too loud and much too clear. EVERYONE'S GETTING STABBY WITH EACH OTHER OUT HERE! I'M UNDER THE THIRD DICE TABLE AND I CAN'T- What he can't you aren't sure. The connection seems to go dead.

---

---

Tarrov looked at his companions.  "He's in the main game room.  Under the third dice table.  Sounds like things are going straight to hell in there, so we should get in there as quickly as possible to pull him out."  The bard looked around to ensure everyone was onboard, then headed further into the establishment.

---

---

Vaddis follows as fast and as best he can.

Once Selvin hears from Tarrov, he gives a nod and starts moving forward. He will not engage unless a fight gets too close to them or someone attacks them. His focus is the boy, not carnage.

The hole in the wall is the nearest entrance. As you step up to it, you see that it appears Chi-Dee's has descended into chaos. A knot of rat folk are swarming towards the stage in the middle of the room. Two of the rat folk near the center appear to be pouring fluids into small phials, stoppering the phials up, and shaking them. Toke, you know of course what they are.

The half orc guards and many of the table dealers have their hands full. Besides the rat folk, various patrons are trying to scoop as much money as they can off the tables before fleeing.

A roulette dealer is swinging a flail while standing on top of her table, trying to keep a pack of greedy elves at bay.

One of the serving wenches who wander among the tables fetching cocktails for the patrons flings her serving tray like it was a discus. The tray speeds through the air and strikes a dwarf in the back of the head. The dwarf drops three large rubies he was holding.

An elderly woman is seated on a stool before an overturned table, clutching a small bucket of coins to her chest. With her other hand she steadies a large crossbow on her knee. She waves it in your direction before deciding a couple of gnomes are a bigger threat.

There are dozens of such scenes playing throughout the club. You see one half orc, a trifle meaner looking than the others, stomping down an aisle barking out orders. He seems to be headed towards the ray folk cluster.

And at the far end of the room, you can see Malder and his cronies. They must have come in the front door. They are engaged in a fight with one of the half orcs, four or five patrons, and about six dealers. How they got involved in that, none of you can guess.

Tarrov, from what you can recall, the dice tables were up near the front of the gaming hall. As you look over that way, you see one of the tables in that vicinity has somehow caught fire. And of course there seems to be some kind of altercation in that area as well.

Possible routes are trying to creep along the outer wall towards the front, down the main aisle which would mean you'll have to clamber over the stage, or down another aisle which puts you pretty close to the rat folks.

Those are the obvious ones anyway. You have about eighty feet to go to get to the dicing tables.

Selvin paused for a second, having expected chaos but seeing more than he had expected. After a moment, he blinked and gave a snort. "Craziness."

He took note of Tarrov's words and nodded. Looking around he shrugged and headed to the outer wall to take it towards the front of the place. The less people they had to fight the better.

Vaddis, not wanting to shed any more blood than necessary, took off behind Selvin for the front of the gaming house to attempt to rescue the boy.

Malder and his crew, as far as Vaddis was concerned, since they didn't follow the plan and engaged themselves in a major fight, were on their own.

---

---

Well, good on you, Malder, Tarrov thought to himself as he spotted their ally and his men engaging what looked like a good portion of the Chi-Dee's staff.  That gave their group entering from the back an opportunity to move along the wall towards the table where Choffrey was hiding; an opportunity that it looked like Selvin had already seized.

Nodding in approval, Tarrov followed Selvin and Vaddis, whip in hand, ready for anything.  All right, we're on our way, the bard sent to Choffrey.  We're about eighty feet away from you.  I'll let you know when it's clear.

---

---

Tarrov, you get no reply.

As you all cruise along the outer wall, you see smoke and flames. One of the tables has caught fire. Another table lays on it's side, dice and coins scattered all over the floor. No one present is paying much attention to the burning table though. There seems to be some kind of stand off going on.

Standing atop the upright table is a woman. She is wearing a nice if cheap party dress which has seen better days. Her long blonde hair has come mostly undone from the tight bun it was curled up into. The shape of her ears seem to indicate she has some elvish blood, though she lacks the sense of true elegance an elf would have. A half elf then. She is clutching a long, elaborately carved wand in front of her and biting her lip.

Standing on the floor nearby are two dealers and a halfling. The dealers are pointing crossbows. One at the woman and one at the halfling. The halfling is holding two sacks, one in each hand, and saying, "Okay. Let's just all back up from the colossal amount of stupid that's about to go down here. "

The woman looks over at you all and holds the wand up. The halfling holds up his arms. "Everybody stop! Let's jus' all be cool. 'kay?"

This seems to be the correct area. Choffrey is either under the overturned table, the one on fire, or the one the woman is standing on.

---

---

"So, what exactly is it that is going on here?"  Tarrov said reasonably, returning his whip to his belt and moving forward, both hands in the air.  "My group, for one, has little interest in whatever is in the bags you are holding, sir.  We are simply here to rescue a child who I believe is caught under either the table on which the lady is standing or, more distressingly, on that table aflame right there."  The bard pointed at the burning table.

"What I would like to do is rescue this child and leave, allowing you to go directly back to," Tarrov gestured with his right hand, "whatever it is you are doing here.  We have zero desire to engage in combat with anyone, but I'm afraid that if we must do so in order to rescue the child, then we will."  Tarrov looked at both parties, attempting to gauge their reaction to what he was saying.  "Unfortunately, the flames over there mean time is of the essence for us.  I would ask for a brief truce while we retrieve the child.  What say you?"

---

---

Toke followed his group as closely as possible, carefully avoiding integrating himself into the melee around him. The violence and noise was incredibly distasteful and dangerous and he missed the nice quiet science of his lab and while there was no lost love between him and his old gang, Toke was seriously regretting leaving them on this accursed quest for revenge and power.

Upon noticing the standoff, Toke reached into his pack with his free hand, never taking his eyes off the crazy broad on the table. He fumbled for a rather large chunk of yellow rock and a thin vial and griped them tightly, careful not to drop them. "Listen to the man, lady. Lets not make this any bloodier than it has to be." He regarded all three parties, holding the catalyst and explosives needed to make his bombs he had reached for up for them to see. "This rather large chunk of rock is Trinitrotoluene, and the small vial contains high grade Nitroglycerin, their resulting mixture creates a rather deadly explosive. The first person to make a move gets one lobbed at their face."

OOC:
Toke rolled 15 using 1d20-2. Intimidate.

Ready action: (If possible) Throw Bomb
Action: Standard
Contingency: An attack (through wand cast or otherwise) is attempted by either the woman, the two dealers, or the halfling.
Hit: Toke rolled 11 using 1d20+4. Bomb to hit.
Damage: Toke rolled 9 using 1d4+6. Damage: (7 Splash [DC 16]).

"I'll get the boy" Vaddis says and quickly moves to the first table the boy might be under and looks.

09:01, Today: Vaddis Sonaden rolled 10 using 1d20. Perception.

Selvin stops moving when everyone else does. His head tilts to the side a bit as the conversation starts but he doesn't leave his combat-ready stance. He waits to see what will happen, ready to pounce if needs be.

OOC: Ready an action to charge and pounce anyone who turns a hostile action on their group.

All of them stare at Toke. The halfling finally says, "Niterwhatacide?"

The woman on the table swings her wand in Toke's direction. She statts to say something but stops. She gpes back to biting her lips.

You see a small arm under the burning table Vaddis. It seems to be attached to a boy who seems to be passed out and bruised, but otherwise unharmed. You need to act quickly though. The fire is over his head now. I'll assume you flip over the table. It's well within your STR so no roll required. You grab the boy's arm. Four fingers on one hand. You have your man.

"What are we payong you people for?!!!" The roar comes from the main aisle. A large half orc is striding down the aisle, a large battle axe in one hand. He seems to be in charge. At least the guards and dealers are reacting to his shouts in a precise, quick fashion. He stops and eyes the lot of you. "What tha hell is this? Everybody drop tha coin. Now!"

"I've got him and he's okay!" Vaddis lifts the boy up and starts for the rest of the party and then the door, if it is possible. "We're leaving now, we have taken no coin, so please do not try to stop us from exiting the building. Keep me covered Toke."

Selvin gives a growling chuckle but stays silent. He takes up rearguard, warily watching the half-orc and the others clustered there for hostile moves against his group.

---

---

Tarrov nodded.  "Indeed.  We have no coin, we were simply rescuing this child who would have BURNED TO DEATH while your men and these," he eyed the woman with the wand, "miscreants threatened each other.  We will now take this child to safety, as your men SHOULD have done, and leave you to handle this . . .," another glance at the woman, "situation."

The bard brushed some ash off his fine coat and gave the half-orc a haughty glare.  "I have to say I am extremely disappointed with your hospitality, sir.  I would like to discuss it with you outside after you are done," Tarrov waved his hand around, indicating the general chaos, "pacifying this situation.  I will see you then."

Tarrov looked at the rest of the party.  "Come with me, gentlemen."  He strode back towards the least-obstructed exit from the establishment.

---

---

"WAIT UP!!!" The half orc points at Choffrey and then at the ground. "Very grateful an' all. But...tha boy's house property. Put 'im down."

Toke was about to put his explosives away but hesitated when the Orc approached him. Nervousness was added to his hesitation as he realized the reason for the Orc's intrusion was for the boy they needed. Beads of sweat started to appear on his forehead as his eyes shifted from the Orc to the items in his hand. "Uh..." He said, trying to find his words before dropping down his volume so that only the group would hear. "Get ready to make a break for it."

OOC:
Ready action: (If possible) Throw Bomb
Action: Standard
Contingency: The Orc moves towards the group.
Hit: Today: Toke rolled 6 using 1d20+4. Bomb to hit. .
Damage: Today: Toke rolled 10 using 1d4+6. Damage: (7 Splash [DC 16]). 

---

---

Tarrov waved his hand in the air, muttering something to himself, before giving the half-orc his most winning smile.  "Is THAT any way to treat the people who have just saved your house's property from burning to death?  We're your FRIENDS, and you're in a war zone here!  We are going to take this CHILD outside for you so that he is not killed by anything ELSE in this house of horrors."

Tarrov nodded, as if concerned with the half-orc's full plate of problems.  "You can deal with these people," the bard waved at the wand-wielding woman and her half-sized companion, "and those people," he gestured over to Malder and his cronies, "and then recover the boy outside after things have calmed down.  Otherwise you're going to be distracted by babysitting duties when you need to be focused on fighting."

Tarrov gave the half-orc a dramatic bow.  "So by your leave, sir, we will take the child outside with us and wait for you there."  He looked down at Choffrey, put a hand on his shoulder, and gave him a surreptitious wink.  "Let's go, son."

OOC:  Tarrov casts Charm Person (DC: 15) on the half-orc.

---

---

Vaddis continues for the door, boy in hand. (He's still holding the boy)

Selvin stays quiet and stays besides Toke. The better to make sure everyone gets out of the half-orc comes after them. He is ready to pounce and then run if needs be soon after.

My dice just love you guys. It's kind of borderline creepy.

The half orc blinks and nods. Then turns back to thewoman on the table, ort of waving a hand in dismissal. "Well hurry tha hell up then. I don't hve the man power ta cover you. And you-" He turns to the woman with the wand. "You have two choices. You can use that wand like a wand or as a..."

Sadly, you are all out of earshot and so may never know what her second choice was. As you approach the front, Malder waves at you all and gestures for the door. He then hs to sidestep a dealer's blade

Outside the crowd has more or less dipersed. You see a contingent of city guardcoming down the street in response to all the pandemonium. "Wow," says the halfling who had fallen in step behind you. "That was easy peasy. Much obliged."

---

---

"Outstanding," Tarrov clapped his hands as the group stepped outside, then rubbed them together, a delighted smile on his face.  "That went well, don't you think?"  He clapped Vaddis on the back.  "Good work getting the boy, my friend.  I admire your initiative."

The bard glanced down the street at the approaching city guardsmen.  "We should probably head out before they," he jerked a thumb in the guards' direction, "get here."

He started as the halfling spoke, having not noticed the smaller man following them out.  "Yes, well, stealing gold from Chi-Dee probably wasn't the brightest idea ever.  You easily could have been killed.  Glad we could help you, though."

He looked at the boy Vaddis carried.  "Are you okay, Choffrey?"  Seeing the boy nod, he ruffled the lad's hair.  "Good to hear."  He gave the child a reassuring smile.  "I told you we would get you out of there."  He winked.  "Ready to go see your sister?"

He looked at the rest of the group, then gestured at down the street away from the approaching guardsmen.  "Shall we, gentlemen?"  With that, he strode away, whistling, as if nothing at all significant had occurred.

---

---

Striding off to where?

OOC:  To reunite Choffrey with his sister at the House of Clouds.

Vaddis puts the boy down on the street but holds onto his hand if he wishes. He follows Tarrov down the street quickly to avoid an encounter with the guard.

Selvin grinned like a cat who just ate the canary as they managed to get away without having to fight everyone....although, he did like SOME fighting. He loped along after the rest, watching the rear for any trouble.

Didn't want to assume

Malder and his crew catxh up with you three streets down. He comes to a skiddung halt and grins. "That was actual entertainment. A real treat for the senses." He peers at Choffrey. "Is he alright?"

Choffrey is still out. He seems not to be wounded but he is out cold, though a moment ago he began to moan and twitch in Vaddis' arms.

Malder shakes his head and wipes gore off his forehead. "You ot need us for backup? I...ah...would like ta clean up before showin' up at a whorehouse. They give ya better rates."

I'll leave that decision to ya'll

---

Eel's End is a whole other world at night. Still full of greasy shadows and the constant cloying stench of rotting fish, chemical dreams, and stale sex. But now they hve strung lines of paper lanterns. And now the crowd is much lrger and much, much more rowdy. As you approach you see a man set on fire by his laughing friends jump off the pier and into the water. Guards are moving towards them but the crowd swallows the whole scene up.

The House of Clouds is packed to capacity. The common room is full of people in various stages of undress. As you approach the door, a young wpman smiles at you and then spots Choffrey. Her smile fades. "May I help you?" she says nervously.

---

---

Tarrov looked at Malder's battle-worn appearance.  "I'm not sure," he said truthfully in response to the warrior's question about whether he would be needed.  "It's possible, though.  I see a couple of options.  Either we accompany you and wait for you to get cleaned up, or you come with us and wait outside until you hear or see us give the high sign that all is well, which would be me throwing a glowing rock off the boat and into the water."

"With the success of our mission in the balance, I think it's better to be careful.  I'm fine with accompanying you and waiting at a bathhouse or something for you to clean up.  Choffrey's been separated from his brother for a long time; I don't think a couple of additional hours is going to make much of a difference."

Later, at the House of Clouds . . .

Tarrov made an effort to look relaxed and gave the nervous-looking girl his most reassuring smile.  "You certainly may!"  He said, rather winningly if he did say so himself.  "We are here to see Helvara.  She'll know what this is about."

---

---

Malder cleans up quickly. They are tagging along behind you.

The girl nods and gestures for you to step aside on the deck. She turns and hurries inside. Choffrey yawns and nestles further into Vaddis' arms, looking more like some toussel headed sleepy child from town than a slave newly freed.

After a few moments, you all hear someone behind you. The young woman from before is there. She motions for you to follow and heads for a small hatch built into the deck beyond the brothel tent. She slips it open and descends the ladder.

Below is a small tight corridor. She leads you down it. From behind the walls you can hear the sounds of business: laughter, sighs, moans. At the end of the hallway is a small door. You all have to stoop to pass through before arriving in a large cabin. Your first guess is that this is Helvara's private quarters. Dresses of various complexity hang from hooks on the wall while satin sheets cover a day bed against one wall. A door in the far side of the room opens and Helvara steps through, pulling the sash tight on a robe she probably just hastily donned.

Without a word, she walks up to Choffrey and looks him over. She nods, satisfied, and gestures towards the day bed. "Yu may lay him down there. My thanks." She looks about at all of you and then at Tarrov . "You've kept your end of the deal. I will keep mine.

"Have you ever meet Devargo? No? The man is a dangerous fighter. And he is covered in spiders. They run all over his body. I know that those who have fought him before are often bitten by his pets as they engage him. He says he has trained them, but that is a lie. He has an...ally. A foul sort of thing that controls his spiders for him. I do not know what it is. But I know that ship is overrun with spiders, and none of them will harm anyone Devargo does not wish harmed."

She goes to a porthole in the side of the cabin and opens it. Through it you can see Devargo's flagship, The Eel's End, moored at the end of the pier. She points towards the aft end of the deck. "Devargo holds court there. He's turned the cabin back there into a sort of barroom. His throne...he calls it the Throne of Spiders..." She shrugs. "...he's not the most imagnative sorts...is there. The space right before the throne is a trap door. If you seek an audience with him, be careful of that space. Those who fall through it are not heard from again. I believe they are killed by Devargo's monster. But I can not say for sure."

She points now at the water line. "Now...look at the front of the ship. Just at the water line. See it?"

The hull of the ship is in a bad state. Even to the eyes of inexperienced sailors, you can tell the ship should not be afloat. "Devargo had pilings placed under the ship. It is now more like a house sitting on stilts rather than a proper ship. The bottom of the hull is rotten in places and has come apart. You can gain entrance that way. Provided you don't mind the swim and aren't afraid of sharks."

---

---

Tarrov admired Helvara’s mature beauty as she swept into the room.  She was certainly an attractive woman.  He wondered where she had come from to end up as the madame of this particular bordello.

“So . . . kill the ally and he loses control of the spiders?”  Tarrov grinned, imagining the spiders suddenly going wild in Devargo’s throne room, attack everyone there.  “I have to say that appeals to my both sense of theatre and justice.”

“But I have a few questions.  What do you know about his forces, Helvara?  How many men does he have on duty at any one time?  How loyal are they to him?  Do you know how many of them he keeps on that ship?  Does he have a particular lieutenant in whom he places special trust?”

He looked around at the others.  “Do you gentlemen have any questions?  And, before I forget, Helvara, about these sharks.”  The bard looked uncomfortable.  “Do you, um, have shark attacks around here?  On a regular basis?”

---

---

"Your questions are succinct and to the point and the information we need. I have no others."

Helvara laughs. "Oh my yes. Devargo will often 'season' the water with those who cross him. The area under the pier is like a stew pot for the sharks. But I assume they can't always be there." She shrugs. "As to his crew...he has twelve men I think who patrol the pier. They usualy work in shifts of five, with the other two having the day off. And there is always a gaggle of wannabes cluttering up his throne room. Devargo may be a demon, but he pays well. I doubt you'll turn anyone unless you have a fortune to drop. I don't know much of his operations outside of the pier. People come. They go. I don't knw who they are or why they come to see him. Sorry." She holds up her hands. "That is the best I can tell you."

Selvin apparently was channeling a bit of the tiger-like creature. He shuddered a bit at the thought of going in the water, let alone actually swimming. However...fish...did sound good. Even if it was shark. He wasn't looking forward to possibly fighting underwater, though. That sounded troublesome.

He listened to Helvara speaking, trying to take it all in. Lots of moving parts.

---

---

Tarrov sketched a short bow.  "Thank you, Helvara," he said sincerely.  "And believe me when I say I have nothing but the highest hopes that you will run this establishment free and clear before too many more days have passed.  But for now, I think we need to retire and plan based on the information you've given us."  He looked around.  "Do you have a room we could use for that purpose?"

He then addressed the group.  "Do you gentlemen want to talk here or would you rather head somewhere else?"

---

---

"I think we should leave here and not come back before the job is done. If we were to fail, Helvara would pay with her life elsewise. I could not stand that cost."

Toke nodded in agreement with Vaddis. He looked around nervously, "Yes the walls have eyes and ears. It would be best to find someplace more... private."

"If I were not a paladin of Iomedae, I'd say drop the ears of Delvargo over the side to feed the sharks just before we attack. As I am though, please do not, but keep his ears closed in here until the job is done."

It sounds like ya'll want to move off pier. So...

Malder clears his throat. "Might be best ta get back ta Verik." He shrugs. "Boss man 'll probably wanna know what's goin' down."

If I've read ya'lls consensus wrong, let me know.

---

Verik is seated in the same chair, at the same table, in the same upstairs room. He clasps his hands together and listens to your report. "So...how do you suggest we proceed?"

Selvin nodded at the suggestion to go somewhere private - although the group was already pretty much agreed on that anyway. He shrugged at Malder's suggestion, not having a better alternative himself. Once close to the Verik's, he unsummoned his ally for the time being.

"Tarrov's got an idea, actually."

---

---

“Indeed,” Tarrov nodded at Selvin.  “But first, let’s catch you up on what happened.”  The bard walked Verik through their experience at Chi-Dee’s and what they had learned of Devargo from Helvara.  “So it looks like,” he summarized,  “we’re going to need to attack Devargo’s ship, unless we want to lie in wait for him to leave, and I’m not sure we have that kind of time.”

Tarrov ran a hand through his silvery hair as he talked.  “It seems like we need to take care of this ‘ally,’ whoever it is, before we confront Devargo.  Helvara says we can infiltrate the ship from below, through the water, if we don’t mind fending off the local marine predators.”  He didn’t look too thrilled about that idea.  “On the other hand, it’s possible we could get them to come to us by setting the boat on fire or something along those lines.  I have no idea how easy or difficult something like that might be, though.”

“But no matter what we decide to do, it’s probably best if we do it quickly.  We don’t know how long our intelligence will stay fresh and we can’t be sure how long we’re going to keep the advantage of surprise.”

---

---

"Why not just throw some blood inta tha water further along the pier?" Malder grins as you all look at him. "Blood in tha water would draw away the sharkies. Wouldn' it?"

Verik studies Malder a second then nods. "It would." He looks over at you. "Devargo may have information on his ship about his network. It does us no good to take down one Mr. Kindness just to have another sprout up in his place."

---

---

Tarrov nodded thoughtfully.  "That's a good idea, Malder."  He scratched his chin.  "Do you all have access to anything we could use for chum?"  The bard looked back at Verik.  "Okay, then.  No fires.  We'll go in and do this hand-to-hand, I suppose."  He shifted uncomfortably; straight-up fights were not his forte.  But there was nothing for it, he supposed.  And tactical options usually presented themselves.

Usually.

"So, the plan.  We head down there with Malder and his men and head in through the hull while someone chums the water to distract the sharks.  Once inside, we try and find this 'ally' of Devargos and take him out.  At that point, Devargo loses his control of the spiders, and things in his audience chamber should get very interesting."  Tarrov grinned; he liked this plan.  "The only question is when we should go.  I'm thinking either early morning, just predawn, or else at night when things are busiest.  Both times have their upsides, in my estimation."

He looked around at the others.  "What do you gentlemen think?"

---

---

"Either way, we go in around midnight or a little later to avoid suspicion is my suggestion. As there is so little access to Delvargo, there will be just as many guards and people in attendance either time, but they will be more likely to be off their guard predawn, and tired."

OOC: Are the operations of Devargo more active at night or during the day? I would assume at night but thought I would ask.

Selvin, you are correct. Eel's End wpuld be a busier place at night.

Malder laughs. "This is a butcher shop. We got nothin' but chum."

Verik nods. "Alright. We can go down to the closest pier and slip into the water there. One of my men can chum the water off a pier on the other side. Malder and I will go with you. Baldraggo can go to a pier on the other side and chum the water. I want to station Parns and Karallo in the crowd on the docks. In case things get hairy. And to open up another front for when we take the throne room." He shrugs. "The six of us should be able to take the lower decks and hold them if need be."

So the operation begins at midnight then? If any other questions/comments/counters to Verik's suggestion, please make them. We'll mve to the assault on Eel's End tomorrow. Thanks.

Selvin frowned slightly and spoke up again. "We wanna go at night, durin' the busiest time fer the operation? Or do ya think that's the only sure-fire time he might actually BE there?"

---

---

"Well," Tarrov said, tapping his fingers on the sleeve of his tunic, "it really depends.  If the guards are active at all times, then slipping into the water while things are busiest makes a lot of sense.  They're definitely going to notice a group of men trying to slip onto Devargo's boat when no one else is around.  When the place is packed with people?  Maybe not so much."

An idea struck.  "Especially if we create a distraction.  Maybe we can have a couple of people start a ruckus outside the gambling ship or somewhere else that would draw the guard's attention while we make the swim."  He nodded.  "Yes, but now that I think on it making our move while things are busiest might be our best play."

---

---

Verik nods. "Parns and Karallo can do that. We can arrange a signal with them. They'll get into a fight or start one or such at the far end of the pier."

We'll move to the Assault on Eel's End thread if there are no more questions/concerns. Thanks.

In reply to Tarrov Garrick (msg # 129):

(Sorry I've been swamped IRL)

Toke listened soberly to his party's deliberation, letting them speak their mind as he consoled his. Personally, if it were up to him, he would just sabotage the ship and attack their target as he exited but as there was a "Paladin" in the group, he hardly believed the party would allow that much potential collateral damage to happen if it could be avoided. Still he hardly felt that entering the water was particularly safe, especially when the only defense they have against a painful death was a handful of blood and guts. Then something even more terrifying occurred to him.

"Uh, I don't think I can swim." He mumbled even more quietly than usual. He couldn't remember the last time he ever took an elongated bath, much less being in water deep enough to swim in but that particular tidbit was best kept to himself.

No worries.

Malder laughs. "Good time ta learn, eh? Don' worry. We'll keep ya afloat..."

We'll assume you piggy back with Malder or one of your teammates.