"A pleasure to meet you both" the young aristocrat replied smoothly.

"I will visit the Chandlery, if only to see this beast.  I may be recently arrived, but it seems as though DeChaine is much more interesting than I gave it credit for.  Beasts, Giants, Pirates, rare wands, it seems like I have stumbled into some form of Drama or perhaps a Numas tragedy." He carried on with a grin, leaning back in his chair in a fairly carefree manner.  "All we need now is an epic romance, a bit of daring do and we will all be in the depths of one of those Adventure novels that my cousins used to like."

"But however... I am interupting, please... continue with regaling us of your respective roles in these most interesting of events." he continued, before he fell silent.

Kalen's eyes narrow when Vasily introduces himself, since clearly he's from Ussura. But then his eyes widen in surprise that Vasily recognizes the wand.

"I'm sure I don't know what you mean, Vasily," Kalen responds. "I bought this little trinket in a pawn shop in Gottkirchen. The symbols intrigued me. I thought it might be valuable. Alas, it wasn't so. I keep it now as a reminder of my folly."

There might be a kernel of truth in what he says, but only just.

Despite his name, Vasily detects a slight hint of an accent. Clearly Kalen has been to Ussura, and perhaps even lived there for awhile.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 20:19, Fri 16 Mar 2018.

"I can assure you that it is quite dangerous. Since you may be activating its dangerous powers by accident as, by your very admission, you do not know what it does or how, merely by carrying it around, I think it would be best for everyone's safety if you were to give it to me, since I'm aware of its workings.

If you need a reminder of your double folly, I'm sure we can work something out."

The Vodacci gave an intrigued raise of one eyebrow, letting his face form into a wry smirk.  So Magic was to be involved? Well then.... that made things a little more interesting.  He didn't have much experience with magic, only the odd encounter with a fate witch of his homeland.  He glanced to Caleb, thinking the man to be but a bystander in all of this, and he turned his mind to pondering up a believable ruse in order to get the man to leave.

However, for now the nobleman, took a sip of his drink biding his time as he watched for the Ussuran and the Highlander for their next moves.

His eyes narrow at Vasily's suggestion. Up till now, he'd been confused but starting to relax.

"Greater men than you have tried to take it from me, and failed," he said with a slight snarl.

"I know how to use it well enough. It is mine to wield, not yours."

He downs his drink then and stands up.

"I tire of this boorish conversation." he says as he starts to head for the door.

"Ah, good that you finally admit the truth of the matter.
When Kalen stands up, so does Vasily. As Kalen moves, Vasily lets him have a couple paces lead, but moves towards the exit at pace with him. Given the commotion that that this is likely to cause, Vasily raises his voice such that the patrons can hear him, that they may understand the reason for the situation; I'm afraid I can't simply allow you to continue to use that wand to terrorize Dechane and all of its citizens, as you have already done, using the Beast as your toy. I made a polite offer to allow you to save face and still do the right thing. If you wish to spit in the face of such a gracious gift, then so be it. At least you're honorable enough to take this outside, so that the proprietor doesn't have to suffer directly for your villainy."

Nathaniel was sat in the tavern, perhaps unwisely drinking the last of his coin. As he neared the bottom of the cup he overheard Valentino mention his owning a ship. After downing the last of his drink he stood and approached Valentino's table. "Excuse me, I couldn't help hearing that you have a ship?"

Before the conversation could progress any further, two of the men from the table stood and headed to the exit looking as though they might be about to settle a dispute.

"That I do my good man," the Vodacci replied with a casual smile, before continuing, or attempting to before the two make their way to the door. "The..."

With Kalen making his way to the door, and the Ussuran following behind, it was clear that something was about to happen.  This intrigued the nobleman, if for no other reason than he had heard rumours of how duels were conducted outside of his homeland, with the primacy of the swordsmans guild.  Tales of arranging duels ahead of time and obeying rules and regulations sounded so terribly droll... but this had all the makings of a duel in the street, much more exciting.

As Kalen reached the door, Valentino would rise and move to follow the pair.

"It seems as though a disagreement is about to be settled.  Come, let us witness the result and then speak more of the Buchephalus."  He had a wry smile as he made to follow the pair out into the street, and it was clear that he was just an nosey onlooker, but given his arms and swagger, should trouble come his way he looked ready.

He wouldn't be far behind the Ussuran as he left.

"I do not terrorize DeChaine or any other place," Kalen replies. "I did not create the Beast. Darker magic than I can wield did that... many, many years ago."

"Now, however, I can control it! What would you do with the rod? Carry it off some place where it can't be used to control the Beast? And it would then be free to rampage through the countryside and the town?"

"I think not!"

"And how were you protecting the town when you had the beast burst through the wall of the chandler?  Most beasts, when given the opportunity, would rather avoid people. Those that don't will make themselves obvious, causing the people to band together against them. Abusing magic in this way only leads to trouble.
So, please, hand it over. I'll make certain that it's no longer used selfishly."

"Well, it's not an ordinary beast!" Kalen answers.

"There was a purpose for its bursting into the chandlery. There are things happening that you know nothing about. This business is none of your concern. Now begone!"

"There are a great many things that I know nothing about, of course. If the purpose for bursting into the chandlery was noble, why not share it?

As for being my concern; it clearly is. I was in the chandlery when it was attacked. I fought the beast myself, risking life and limb to protect the innocents therein. If anything, it is more my business than yours; at least you were not in danger."

Not being familiar with the actors in this particular show, as they headed out of the tavern Nathaniel asked Valentino, "Your men?" He had gathered that the disagreement was over ownership of a stick and had something to do with a beast, and wondered what he had just stuck his nose into.

"Oh no," The Nobleman answered, seemingly amused by the question, even letting out a little chuckle before he went on.  "I came here looking for information, and these two seem quite well informed as to interesting occurrences.  As it looks like it may come to blows soon ,I mean to ask the winner if they know of what I seek."

"Noble, indeed! And when have the nobles every done anything noble?" Kalen says.

"You were in the wrong place at the wrong time, that is all. And you do not look like you have suffered at the hands of the Beast."

"In any case, things did not go as expected, so now there is no longer any concern. We shall not see another Beast in our lifetimes."

"There is always danger in sorcery. It is why it is not for the weak or foolish."

Kalen continues to walk away.

Vasily moves to block Kalen's path. "You're right; it is not for the weak or foolish. This is why you should cease your foolish attempts at it. Hand over the relic of my country now, or face the wrath of the same."

"I am neither weak nor foolish! Do not test me!" Kalen replies, but as he does so, he starts to draw his pistol. It is unclear if he intends to finish the maneuver or if it is just a bluff/threat.

If there was one thing that the Vodacci Nobleman couldn't stand, it was cowardice.  He had always detested it, and viewed the employing of firearms outside of the battlefield as such an act. It required little skill, little bravery, and little finesse to pull a gun on someone. Less acceptable even then poison,  at least that required some skill.  No, it was better that disagreements such as this were resolved with the blade or fist.

Sighing slightly with disappointment with how all of this was turning out, and deciding that the Ussuran seemed to have the better motives in all of this Valentino decided to act.  With Vasily having moved around in front of the pistol drawing man and his attention focused there, Valentino moved quickly, drawing the parrying dagger in his right hand and then aiming a blow to the base of the Knight Errant's skull with its pommel and basket hilt, aiming to knock him out in one swift strike. Or at least stun him, or daze him perhaps.



Attempting to Knock Kalen out in typical swashbuckler style
Valentino Iocovelli rolled 26 using 6d10 ((4,3,6,6,4,3)).
Re-rolling single dice due to 3 skill
Valentino Iocovelli rolled 3 using 1d10 ((3)).

2 Raises total

Noting the hand moving toward the pistol, Vasily placed his hand on his sword, but he knew he needed to remain upright and at least give the appearance of honor, so he did not draw his weapon until the pistol was drawn. And, suddenly, it didn't matter; the mysterious Voddacce had interceded, apparently on Vasily's behalf. Apparently appearances of honor no longer mattered here; Vasily whipped his sword out and prepared to aid in the ensuing fight as best he could.

OOC:
10:53, Today: Vasily Pavlychenko rolled 18 using 6d10 with rolls of 1,3,2,1,4,7.  finesse/Weaponry - bringing a sword to a gunfight!
10:54, Today: Vasily Pavlychenko rolled 4 using 1d10 with rolls of 4.  reroll one of the 1s, due to 3 skill.

2 raises, 1 unused die

Nathaniel left the tavern with his potential employer expecting to watch a brawl, or possibly a duel. Before he knew it, Valentino had was joining in the fight. Unable to collect a salary from a dead captain Nathaniel yanked his pistol from his belt, cocked the weapon and pointed it at Kalen. "We're three to your one, stay your hand or die."

Intimidate + Resolve: 10,4,9,10
If I've done things right, I think that's 3 raises.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:03, Thu 12 Apr 2018.

OOC: Apologies for the delay. I was a bit under the weather over the weekend.


Valentino was attempting an action, which was to strike Kalen from behind. His first raise lets him succeed. However, since it would be impossible to deliver enough wounds to render Kalen unconscious with one attack, that clearly wasn't Valentino's intent.

With Kalen's attention focused on Vasily, and because he wasn't expecting any interference from others, he's completely oblivious to Valentino.

Valentino can use his second raise to succeed at his goal, which is to render Kalen unconscious.

He lands a solid blow to the back of Kalen's head, and Kalen's eyes roll back in his head and he drops to the ground.

Seeing the man fall unconscious, Vasily makes a point to retrieve the wand as soon as he can, leaving the fallen man otherwise unmolested. "Thank you both, for your assistance. I am loathe to leave even a villain such as he unconscious on the street. Would one of you be willing to assist me in bringing him back into the inn, that we might raise him back to consciousness prior to being on our way?"

Nathaniel eased the lock of his pistol forward and pushed the weapon back into his belt. Taking hold of Kalen beneath one armpit, he looked at Vasily. "Come on then, let's get him shifted 'fore we draw a crowd."

Vasily does as asked, helping to heave the man back into the inn before too many people start to gather.

"Thank you again for the assistance. Unfortunately it is unlikely that this man will see justice for what he's already done with the Beast of Dechaine, but at least he's now been stopped from doing it ever again."

Vasily turns to the barkeep and sets 2 small pouches on the bar; "Please, keep further trouble from finding this man until he awakens. One of these is for you, for taking the trouble to watch him, and the other is for him, when he awakens."

He then turns back to Nathaniel (and Valentino, assuming he followed them back into the bar); "I believe, now that the future threat has been neutralized, I'll head back to the chandlery, as I was accompanying some people when I left. If you two would care to see the massive hole, or the Beast itself, I can show you the way back."

OOC: Each pouch has 1 Wealth in it.

He had of course followed them into the bar, with one final glance around the street as if to make sure that the coast was clear.

"I doubt it will be the last we see of him.  Any man to take such and not seek a certain measure of personal justice is no man at all." The Vodacci replied, still holding the dagger in hand as if considering something.  After a moment, he seemed to come to a conclusion.

"I will come with you, I have questions which I feel are within your... expertise." He says by way of reply. "Besides, the opportunity to see the beast of Dechaine and the man who bested it should not be looked upon lightly."

Sheathing his dagger he would then gesture for the Ussuran to lead the way.  "Lead on"