Deverick was sitting there drinking his ale, after a wonderful meal. He watched the man walk over and knew this one meant no good. When the man spoke to Dev only to insult him, Deverick offered the man a broad smile... just before he punch the insulting one in the teeth.

21:23, Today: Deverick rolled 7 using 1d20+1.  Punch on the loud mouth.

Dev was mad and would have hit the wiry Rhennee bravo hard if he had not side stepped the blow! He countered with a punch of his own to Dev's gut which would have hurt more... but Dev was wearing his chainmail!

The Rhennee cried out in pain as Dev prepared for the next round!

OOC:

20:39, Today: The Oligarch rolled 2 using 1d3+1.
20:39, Today: The Oligarch rolled 15 using 1d20+1.  Rhennee Brawl- fist.

The Rhennee takes 1 point of damage due to the chain!
Dev takes 2!
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:23, Wed 20 July 2016.

 Dev missed with his swing,as the other was small and agile. The big man got to his feet as his opponant hit Dev in the gut and hurt his hand on Devs mail. The large man was now towering over the swarthy looking man, and Devs expression was angry. He spoke then in perfect Rhopan.

" I be Deverick, son o Borcar the smith and is woman Esmerelda of th Rhennee. Me blood of th people flows through me veins from me mother. I claim er clan as me own, as be me birth right"

 He then sent a punch towards the jaw of the smaller man.

22:48, Today: Deverick rolled 93 using 1d100.  Knock Out.
22:47, Today: Deverick rolled 5 using 1d3+3.  Punch damage.
22:46, Today: Deverick rolled 14 using 1d20+1.  Second punch


"Let anyone that would call me, nay o the People, come forward and face me wraith."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:21, Wed 20 July 2016.

Smaller Rhennee was no match for Dev's size and strength. The big warrior's blow sent the smaller man careening across the floor and he landed in a heap. His partner was about to draw the blade in his sash but froze.

"Well now, this be ah gnomish bow. It be hold'n seven bolts. At least one for everyone here, mayhaps more for the others if ye be too smart ta fight wi' the like o' us. Keep yer hands up n' where they can be seen!" the dwarf said with a smug smile, his beard dripping with gravy from the mutton.

Blossom rose to her full height "He is Deverick da Bold. He is my friend. Ta draw steal on him is ta draw steel on me!"

The companion stayed his hand as he knelt beside his friend.

"You dare strike Rogio! You will pay for such a thing yes?"

"But not THIS night!" said a firm but feminine voice! "What he said was true and my blood and the blood of MY clan runs through him. He is here because I invited him!"

Dev need not look but he did it anyway. It was his aunt, dressed in one of her many layered skirts ans a gaudy blouse with big puffy sleeves. Her eyes were hard and flint-like made the darker by the keen use of Kohl. There was strength in those eyes. There was power in those eyes.

"Any who do him harm will suffer my curse. Leave now while you may. Test me not."

The Rhennee bravo lifted Rogio over his shoulder and they were gone without another word. There was fear upon his hard countenance.

"Deverick The Tall no longer then, Deverick The Bold... yes?" Almi said with a slight smile.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:36, Wed 20 July 2016.

 Deverick watched the two men depart, without another word. But as soon as they were alone, Dev broke out into a laugh and moved over and swept up the small woman into his arms in a bear hug. He spun her around with another laugh.

“Auntie! By the Gods above, and Demons below, it be good ta see ye! Mayhap ye be pleased at see me ugly face as well.”

 Deverick would not normally have attacked a stranger for calling him a name, well, not the first name anyway. Bu when he was a child, he had been teased and had mud, rotten eggs, and worse thrown at him and his brothers, by other Barge Folk children, for being "Half Breeds". The name the man had used would not be tolerated by Dev, ever again.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:04, Wed 20 July 2016.

The older Rhennee gave the big warrior feigned resistance as she half-heartily pushed against his chest.

"Put me down you big lout! Is this how you treat a Vetha of your clan!"

The crowd of longshoremen at the bar raised their tankards in a cheer, mayhaps for their antics, mayhaps for Dev's hitting the bravo, or mayhaps for both at once! Even Amali was laughing. Blossom's eyes were wide as saucers. Ovo laughed out loud and banged his tankard on the table.

"A lively jig lad! Are ye the maid that made the mutton then? Fer if ye are then I might jus dance wi' ye meself!"

Amli just scowled "That will be the day dwarf! Now put me down Deverick... the Bold! Though we can make merry later but for now there are matters to be taken care of."

*Vetha- a Rhenne wise woman that many claim have the second sight!

 Deverick laughed again, as he sat his Aunt upon her feet, and kissed her on her forehead.

“But ye be so adorable, I can’t elp meself, Auntie. But I be rude,this er be me mates. Ovo and Blossom. I met em in the Mercenary Guild and we be workin together.”

 Dev grabbed up his tankard of ale and took a drink.

 “Right, I be here, wha be on yer mind then, Auntie?”

Amli dusted herself off and and pursed her lips. When Dev kissed her forehead she quickly turned around and stomped her foot! Though she tried to hide it, Dev saw a slight smile on her lips before she made it all the way around.

"Blossom! Ovo! If you are friends of Deverick then you are welcome under my roof. Enjoy your stay! Eat and drink your fill. I must barrow Deverick the Bold for a time."

She then took his big paw in her little hand, with fine thin fingers, and led him to a room just off of the Common Room. She opened the door and there was a sitting room with two comfortable chairs before a hearth, which held no fire this night. There was a sturdy wooden table with four chairs, no doubt where Almi and her daughters took their private meals. Here and there were fine rugs and tapestries from far off Ket and Ekbir. Each one easily worth a hundred orbs or more. Up against the far wall were large embroidered cushions which Dev knew the Rhennee used aboard their barges... to sit upon and sometimes even sleep upon when they sailed the Nyr Dyv. There were two rooms off of this one, both doorways contained curtains of many beads. She took Dev to the one on the right.

This room was spartan and contained only three items. A large well made feather bed, as fine as Dev had ever seen. A true luxury for one who was used to sleeping in the small cramped quarters of a barge. The blankets looked to be of fine wool and the sheets the best linen. There was a sturdy, iron bound wooden chest. The lock looked to be of dwarven make. No doubt strong enough to keep Almi's wealth safe from all save the strongest ogre! Lastly, there was a simple table with but two chairs, one across from the other. Upon the table was but a oil lamp and a deck of cards, Dev knew they were the cards of a Vetha... one of the ways they saw the future.

After lighting the lamp she bid Dev take a seat and she sat across from him. She shuffled the artistic cards with strange symbols and weird creatures upon them. She nodded to Dev.

"Cut the cards Deverick... then choose three... these will decide what the fates have in store for you."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:56, Thu 21 July 2016.

 Deverick followed his aunt into her inner sanctium, When she lead him to THE table, he started to think up an excuse,any excuse not to do what he knew she was going to ask him to do.

"Auntie, ye knows those cards ye av giv me th willies. Do I av ta draw em?"

 But as always, in the end, Dev did as he bid him,as much as he didn't want too.

In reply to Deverick (msg # 21):

Once the cards were chosen, Amli read them one by one...

The first had a picture of a diminutive figure with a rather large nose and smiling face. He was extending a nut brown hand toward you standing within a serene forest. The sun is shining brightly and banishing the clouds away.

"A... gnome will befriend you. Ahhhh... Tess sought you out for me. She said there was something strange about your meeting... as if she knew you from somewhere before. Yes I think it is her."

The second card represented a masked and cloaked man in black, in one hand he held a sealed parchment on the other hand he wore a sigil ring with a strange rune upon it.

"Mmmmm... you will receive important news from a man Deverick. This may be someone you know or mayhaps a stranger but you will know it when you hear it. You and the news you will hear are interconnected. Your fate is intertwined with it. It will bring you woe to ignore it."

The third card held a picture of a beautiful woman with blue eyes and long blonde hair. In one hand she held a bloody dagger and in the other a bleeding heart...

At seeing the third card Almi gasped "I'm... sorry Deverick. I thought I saw it upon your companions face... in her eyes... she has love for you. Yet, something will stand in your way. In the end this will break your heart... unless you can remove the obstacle. There will be no lasting love between you."

OOC:

21:27, Today: The Oligarch drew the 3 cards: 10D, 7H, 9S using a deck of 52 cards.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:05, Thu 21 July 2016.

 The young Warrior sat across from his aunt, as he had done since he was a Lad. It was now as it had been the first time she had used these cards. Deverick found himself holding  his bread,as she turned over the first card. When she bespoke of a Gnome, he found it hard to believe,but held his tongue.

 The second card was turned over,and she bespoke of its meaning. "Auntie, that could mean many things, I av a few lads that I av dealt with. But I  twill take ye words fer it."

 The last card was the one that got the greatest reaction out of Deverick, He almost laughed aloud,but stiffled the impulse out of respect for his Aunt and her gift.

"But we jus met wha, less then two days ago. Be that possible, er having feelings fer me? Bloody Nine Hells, Auntie, She don't know a bloody thing bout me."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:21, Thu 21 July 2016.

Almi sat back and sighed "Regardless, the cards say what the cards say. It would be folly to ignore the fates and those who can foretell what might be. I had a feeling you were in danger Deverick. I cast a small cantrip and used your name as a focus. I did so after word reached me of what happened between your brother and you at the Smithy. The fates are not smiling on you so I knew I needed to do a reading. I sent Tess to find you. I knew see could find you if anyone could. Mayhaps there is some... connection betwixt you two."

She then chuckled as Dev said that Blossom knew nothing of him.

"You forget Deverick the Tall... your mother knew nothing of your father. yet when she saw him... well you know the rest. Mayhaps this is the obstacle you and the woman outside must face. Your mother left her life and family behind to be with your father. Though some like me never lost love for her, many did so. I drew the same card for her when she asked me to do a reading of their possible union. She overcame the obstacle which was the ties to her people and culture. What your obstacle might be... only time will tell. Until then guard your heart least it breaks."
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:51, Thu 21 July 2016.

In reply to The Oligarch (msg # 24):

  After his Aunt, told him what was what, Dev just sat there,with a dumb expression upon his face. She had given him much to dwell upon, and Deverick did his bet dwelling with a few pints in him.

" I nay be looking fer any sort of pairing,Auntie. I av to many wold oats ta sew afore I even begin ta think bout a wife. Nay, Blossom be a mate,sword companion, maybe more if she be interested...but a love interest? Mayhap ye needs a new deck, that there one might be gettin dull."

 Dev decided to try and change the subject,before his aunt took him to task over his disbelief,or more like want to disbelieve.

" What be goin on with so many Clans gathering here.And do ye knows who that piss pot be? Th one I layed out."

Amli shook her head slowly, her dark eyes focused upon the big warrior across from her.

"Believe or nay Deverick the Tall. The fates are stronger than most would think of them. It does not mean they can nay be changed but one must know what they intend first before change can take place. That is if one wishes such change. As far as my deck goes... I shall keep this one."

At the mention of the clans and their gathering, Amli's lips turned to a frown.

"Zorran, one of our most powerful Clan lords, has sent word for a meeting. The talk of the people is he foretells of an opportunity to make much gold in the near future. If it makes the clans gold then it may make Zorran high in their eyes. This has always been his goal."

When Dev asked of the downed bravo, her frown evolved into a scowl.

"Rogio? He is an enforcer for that upstart Demetri. He has of late grown into power among the Rhennee that call Greyhawk their home port. Lord Demetri asks for and I pay a small sum for his protection. It brings in some coin from the Rhennee and he does not target my plce for theft. Some say he has an arrangement with The Thieve's Guild so they do not targret those he protects either."

Almi then smiled "Good thing I paid him before you knocked him cold eh?"

  The Old woman was very certain of herself, just like Devs mother was. As sweet as honey,or as tart as vinegar, whatever the situation demanded. The Warrior took the information about the Clans activity with great interest. When Amli was finished, Deverick had a contemplative expression.

" Aye, what ye told me, be right interesting Auntie,I wonder what Zorran's idea be." He shrugged.

"Auntie, I be needin ta ask ye a favor. Me mates en me av some coin we needs stashed for a day er so. Do ye mind if ye could keep it fer us?"

 Deverick sat the sack with his share of the previous nights activity onto the table with a distinctive clinking sound.

" If ye needs any coin,I be happy ta share with blood kin."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:11, Fri 22 July 2016.

In reply to Deverick (msg # 27):

At Deverick's first question she shook her head.

"No one knows for sure but I have my eyes and ears out and about. Tess being one of them. Yet, knowing Zorran as I do it might have something to do with smuggling something in or out of Greyhawk. That is his forte I know. I thought about doing a seeing but the moons are not yet in the proper alignment. So now you tell me... why are you so interested Deverick the Tall?"

When asked about the money she smiled.

"I see you have done well for yourself. Of course. My chest is able to hold yours and the others coin. Between Deputy Constable Starlen living upstairs, Demetri's bravo's in the common room, and my dwarven lock, your coin should be safe enough. You are family Deverick the Tall and always will be the blood of my blood. This was one of the reasons I sought you out. To offer you coin and a place to rest your lug of a head since the death of your father and the argument with your brother."

 Deverick reached over and took the older woman's hands into his massive ones. He gave them a gentle squeeze as a tear welled up and slowly slide down his face.

 "Ye where always good to me and ma brothers,en I be grateful fer ye,Auntie. I love ye ta th end of time. My Da going ta th Gods.. it jus be starting ta sink in with me."

 Deverick would never show weakness in front of his brothers,and he certainly could never be seen as anything less then a pillar of strength in front of his new companions, But here,in this place, away from prying eyes,and in the company of someone he cared for deeply,he could lower his guard, and grieve for his father. He pulled his aunt to him,and wept.

The older woman returned Dev's embrace and patted his back reassuringly.

"Now Deverick the Tall, your Mother and your Dah prepared you well for life and the fates. yet I miss my dear sister each and everyday. Pain can... will ease with time. Until then I shall always be here for you... and your coin."

The last was said with a slight smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. Then, Dev felt the Rhennee stiffen in his embrace.

Deverick thought he heard a scrape of a boot-heel upon the wooden floor behind him!

"Tess! How long have you been standing there?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:25, Sat 23 July 2016.

The gnome stood silently behind the pair with her petit arms across her chest and a smug smile on her lips.

"Long enough I'll wager but I didn't wanta disturb such a touching family moment. You get yer coin pouch back Deverick the Tall? Whatcha gonna do wi' that pearl anyway? I know ah mage up in Clerkburg that will give ya ah... a hundred n' twenty five orbs cause they're rare."

 Deverick whirled around and glared at the Gnome, for he knew she had seen him in a moment of weakness.
" Alright, I twas rude ta ye when we first met,en ye cut me purse. Th scales now be balanced tween us, Gnome. But if ye evers mention what ye bore witness ta er,I turns ye inside out. Me oath on that. But with that being said, ye be welcome fer me auntie stands fer ye."

Deverick wiped his face a few times.

"Ye never saw no pearl,Tess. And wha I does with it be me business, nay yours."

Almi looked to be a little irritated herself as she looked upon the gnome with dark disapproving eyes.

"You are supposed to be my spy not spying on me. What did you find out. Deverick can hear anything you have to say. Now then, what are the Rhennee doing out on the wharf?"

Tess uncrossed her arms and shrugged her shoulders. A slow smile spread along her lips.

"A hundred and twenty five orbs is nothing to tale lightly and is a twenty five percent profit ta boot. Yet, I 'll play along wi' your game. It's your pearl, do with it what ya will. As for nay seeing ya all blubbery n' all, everything has it's price don't it? Yet, you're probably right... we're even."

When Almi asked her question Tess became more serious, both in tone and outlook.

"Much of what ya thought be right Mistress. Zorran is smuggling something in and something out... or should I say someone or someones that is. I don't know who or why but that is the word. That and he has been spending money big money for gifts for the other visiting clan lords. Looks like his greasing some palms for furture favors but again... what they are I know not."

 Deverick heard the Gnomes report to his Aunt with some interest, He just remembered something else he wanted to show his aunt.

"I av something ta show ye auntie. I will do it once Tess be gone."


Deverick would wait til the Nosy Gnome was gone, then produce the papers he had taken from the Evil Cleric the night before.

"I be wonderin if ye might know what this er scribbling may mean,Auntie. Me and me mates took em off a Half Orc Priestess o Erythnul." He layed the papers out on the table for her inspection.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:17, Sun 24 July 2016.

Tess again shrugged "As me ole Dah use ta say, no snot from my nose. I'll go out and have some ah that mutton and ale. See ya later Deverick the Untrusting!"

She then went out on quiet soft booted feet and shut the door behind her.