On the northeast end of town lies the Waterfront, the key to Tideswallow’s prosperity and survival over the many generations it has stood for. A glassy harbor extends for about a mile out from shore, protected from the rougher waters beyond by the jagged spires of the Fiendfall Reef which stands like a thorny bulwark at its mouth.

Rich with fish of all shapes and sizes, the harbor was a godsend for the original settlers who made the hard, unforgiving region their home almost a thousand years ago. Since then, the city has made exclusive use of the harbor; fishing its waters and docking ships there with impunity. No other nation may utilize the city’s waters or docks without the City Council’s official consent. However, with the recent death of Lord Quentin Veraduct, the seat of Lord of Sails has been left conspicuously open. It will soon fall to the city to elect a new candidate to the position... but that is a thought for later.

Around the Waterfront, one can find a few key sites to spend their time.
-The docks
-Sailor taverns and inns
-A small amphitheater where the Lord of Sails typically holds court to hear grievances and requests (temporarily shut down)
-Fish market
-Apothecary shop (Lesser. A higher-end one exists in the Artisan District)
-Seafood eateries of several different varieties and qualities
-Shipwrights and drydocks

One of Veltria’s few deep-water ports on the continent’s eastern coast, Tideswallow’s harbor has been a highly sought-after strategic position for military and trading powers throughout the ages. Currently, the Tenebrian Empire has a tenuous working relationship with the city; enabling them to dock a single large vessel in the harbor at any given time while also permitting Imperial soldiers to move through town without issue. It is not uncommon to encounter Tenebrian soldiers, emissaries, and travelers here.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 04:53, Sun 13 Sept 2020.

Vela walked back up to the docks. By the time she was there she was largely dry. She first would go see at the warehouses if anyone needed haulers. It was the job she preferred and usually could get, because she was strong. The average pinkie didn't like it because it was back-breaking work. Vela saw it as another way to prep for the fight. If this didn't work, then it was the drydocks. Not much going on there these days, but she was here, so it was worth a shot. But first the warehouses. She went down the line, looking for the foremen and asking them one by one if he was hiring for the day.

In reply to Vela (msg # 2):

In reply to Vela (msg # 4):

Over the course of the next few hours you find several potential sources of quick income. A small fishing vessel has returned in to the docks in distress and looking for anyone strong enough to aid in its repair after its mast having snapped under the force of a particularly unpredictable wind this morning. There’s the usual assortment of fishermen willing to pay for anyone willing to help haul their catches to the fish market. Smelly work, but fruitful. Similarly, some of the warehouses near the dry-dock needed crates of materials and piles of timber moved. The pay wouldn’t be quite as good, but you wouldn’t come away smelling of fish and sludge, at the very least. Finally, a dwarven man approaches you directly with a proposition. His face is familiar, you’ve definitely seen him around the Waterfront before, but you don’t know his name. Good enough sort though. Definitely hasn’t ever done you any wrong. Seems he’s had a run-in with some particularly persistent pickpockets who snatched his pulse when he left that morning and are now just waiting near his home to hit him again as he returns. He claims he’d handle it himself, but doesn’t like his odds with it being 3-on-1 and is willing to pay for your protection. And willing to pay more if you could “convince” the thugs to return what’s his.

Getting into a bout with some thugs normally wouldn't worry Vela that much, but the bout was soon and the last thing she needed was to get a knife between the ribs. Added to that, these thugs might be in with the Sunless somehow. And something didn't add up. Why would they hit the dwarf again if they already got his purse? That didn't sound like some random pickpockets, and she said as much along with the advice to the dwarf to just spill the whole thing to her.

In reply to Vela (msg # 4):

Make a Persuasion or Intimidation check depending on how forcefully you’re going about “asking” for him to explain himself here.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:47, Mon 14 Sept 2020.

Vela crossed her arms, her biceps bulging as she leans down over the dwarf, and asks the question very gruffly.

14:24, Today: Vela rolled 20 using 1d20+3.  Intimidation.

In reply to Vela (msg # 6):

Recoiling a bit, the dwarf realizes he’s been caught in his lie instantly. His tone changes from that of a man offering payment for aid, to that of one practically begging for his life. Over the next fe minutes, he explains the situation to you without the slightest hint of his previous lie present. There is indeed someone waiting for him back home  and they have indeed been harrying him  for some time now. However, they aren’t pickpockets, but former employees of his whom he terminated without warning a weeks ago. Since then, their resources had dried up, their families had likely begun to suffer, and the former workers had turned desperate. They came back to claim what they felt he owed them and were now turning to physical intimidation to get it. They weren’t going to follow him to the docks, as they know he’d be in his element there; surrounded by folks who he could talk into aiding him if it came to blows.

With all of this out in the open, he begs for your help in running them off once more...

Vela thought it over with a frown, letting the dwarf sweat a little more. But it sounded easy enough. Quick money.
"Pay up front." She wasn't going to be duped like the others.
"They got weapons?"

In reply to Vela (msg # 8):

He practically forces a bag of 40 silver into your hands.

“Some truncheons, not much more. Blackjacks and whatever they were able to cobble together from pieces of wood in the alleys. Again, if it was just one or two I’d deal with them myself, but 5 of them at once is too much for me to handle on my own.”

Vela looked to make sure the coin was good. A great haul. Would last her until the tournament, easy. For a moment Vela considered getting one of her weapons from her home, but decided against it. She didn't want to kill anyone today. Instead she opted to do the same and find something that would bruise or break and arm, but not kill.
"Fine, I'll get some sort of club on the way. Let's go."

Shivom strode down the gangplank of the Essex Whale thinking how happy he was that this deep water port didn't require schlepping to shore in a dinghy. Getting on board this ship had required a quarter mile rowboat trip. Although he didn't have to do the rowing, it was still a hassle he was happy to skip. He wandered along the docks, following the rough directions his friend had given him. He passed the Salty Seaman on the way out of the waterfront and wondered if it would be worth working it. He'd have to come back at night and see how busy it was.

He headed inland to the entertainment district. It didn't seem like it would be much trouble to find an inn with a room for the night. After dumping his bags he would check out the nightlife and identify some taverns with potential.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 02:33, Tue 15 Sept 2020.

In reply to Vela (msg # 10):

With a will, he leads you through the streets back toward the direction of the Housing District. His home proves to be a few blocks outside of it, just within the boundaries of the Waterfront. From the spot he picks in an alleyway between two of the wooden buildings leading up to it, you get a good view of the house. A two-story brick-and-wood structure that looks cozy, well-lived-in, and a bit above the means of most residents of the Waterfront. This dwarf has definitely made a decent life for himself.

Sure enough, there are three human men and a goliath woman, all in ragged work clothes, standing about outside of it. Each is equipped with a very visible chunk of wooden weaponry; the majority short blackjacks wrapped in cloth to dull the sound when they strike. The woman, however, is leaning against a large timber beam that’s nearly as tall as she is.

Vela was wrapping her knuckles in the leather strips again, the heavy straight branch which she had plucked earlier and removed of twigs tucked under her shoulder. She looked over the folks at the house. They didn't look off any better then she was. She wondered what they wanted. Maybe they were just angry and wanted to give the dwarf a good beating. Didn't matter. She had been paid for the job, so she needed to see it through. She looked down at her charge.
"Alright. You wanna try talking to them? You know them."

In reply to Vela (msg # 13):

“They ain’t gonna listen to reason... but if ya think it’ll help I uh... I guess I could give it a shot.”
As unsure of the idea as he seems, he’s now considerably more scared of you than he is of them. With a bit of effort, he breaks cover and moves toward the group. They immediate take notice and two of the men begin coming toward him.

“H-Hold on now! I just wanna talk! This ain’t gotta turn any uglier than it already has. I get it, I did ya wrong. But ya have to understand, it weren’t nothing personal. The contract ended prematurely, so I couldn’t keep you lot around. Wasn’t no gold coming in iso I had nothing to pay ya with anywa-“
One of the men immediately throws a bottle he’d be drinking from at the dwarf, striking him in the face with it. He’s lucky enough that I didn’t shatter, but the impact still breaks his concentration. A moment later both men are coming at him with their makeshift clubs at the ready. The dwarf, for his part, fishes a pair of small daggers from his belt and tries his best to ready himself for the attack.

It was going to be one of those days. This lot really was pissed off. Vela hadn't expected them to immediately charge in without a word.
"Oi, none of that now blighter or it's a stomping for you!"
She stepped forward and began whacking folk with her makeshift club. It was immediately apparent she was not to be trifled with, as she hit where she wanted to and hard too..

---

Initiative 15.
Attack 19, damage 6.

In reply to Vela (msg # 15):

Taken entirely by surprise, the first man takes your club to the side of one arm before he even knows what’s happening. The second, caught off guard by the sudden arrival of some fairly intimidating-looking backup for the dwarf, misses his initial swipe as the dwarf sidesteps out of the way. Still hesitant to actually use the daggers he’s drawn, your temporary employer simply delivers a kick to the second attacker’s legs, hoping to knock him off balance.

“I’m tellin’ ya, this don’t have to get bloody! Just walk away, the lot of ya! Ya leave now or I promise ya you’ll be leaving with broken bones and missing teeth!”

A single booming laugh from goliath drowns out his words even as they leave his mouth.
“And why would we leave now? This just got interesting... Whose this little pup ya brought us, eh? She looks like she’s ready for some fun!”

She nods toward you and the third man who had been hanging back with her immediately rushes in. But he’s slow, weighed down by the heft of the large wooden board he’s lugging in both hands. You have more than enough time to act first.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:44, Tue 15 Sept 2020.

Vela saw the bloke coming. But before he could swing she stepped in to ruin his swing and began wailing on him.
"All right ya cunts, now ye did it! I'mma bash ye good now!"

---

Attack 16, damage 4.

In reply to Vela (msg # 17):

In reply to Vela (msg # 17):

The new combatant lets out a brief yelp of pain as your swing collides with his hip. The next thing you know he’s bringing the hunk of wood he’s carrying down upon you in an overhead arc... but once again he proves to be too slow, as you effortlessly avoid the blow. Years fo training your body to be a weapon all on its own has left you more than capable to outmaneuvering a bunch of untested crate-stockers like these. And this current opponent seems to be quickly realizing that.

The one of the other workers takes a quick swipe at the dwarf, clocking him in the side of the head just as he attempts to duck out of the way. There’s a small trickle of blood from his brow, but he doesn’t seem too much worse for the wear. Hell, it might even knock a bit of sense into him, quite frankly.

Even as you think this, however, the remaining worker comes at from the side, swinging his blackjack wildly at you as he runs. It’s an ineligent tactic, and one you’ve seen plenty of times in scraps down in the Roe. The sort fo style someone with no style and virtually no experience using a weapon sticks to. You effortlessly smack his blow aside and suddenly realize he’s not stopping. He’s running right passed you and into the alley beyond, likely trying to make an escape from the quickly deteriorating situation around him.

---

Thug 3’s Improvised Weapon Attack: 7
Thug 1’s Improvised Weapon Attack: 6

---

Vela didn't care if they ran. She wanted them to so this could be over. But the fellow with the hunk of wood he was swinging had not gotten the message, so she repeated it by smacking him again.
"Get lost you dumb cunts! RAHH!"

---

Attack 16, damage 7.

I don't mind the challenge. Vela is just that badass. Let her legend spread how she beat five men unscathed!
This message was last edited by the player at 15:07, Wed 16 Sept 2020.

In reply to Vela (msg # 19):

The blow sends the man reeling, tripping over some crates as he flees down the alleyway. As your attention turns back to the fight at hand, you look toward the dwarf just in time to see one of the other combatants coming at you with a piece of fencing with a few rusty nails jutting from the top of it. They take a swing at your hands, clearly hoping to disarm you. The swing isn’t quite lined up right, though, and ends up a bit higher up your left arm instead. You can feel a few of the nails pierce about half-an-inch into your bicep, until they are quickly pulled away as the man withdraws his weapon; readying himself for your imminent retaliation.

Behind him, you can see the other worker clock the dwarf in the jaw with his blackjack. Something silver and shiny clatters to the ground near him as his head turns with the blow. Rubbing his jaw, you can see him feeling at the spot that had been hit with his tongue for a moment. “Do ye have any idea how expensive that damn tooth was, ya stupid fuckwad?!”

In a flash, the dwarf has jammed his dagger into the man’s ribs; causing him to let out an unintentional bellow of pain. He looks to be rethinking his loyalty to the cause now...

---

Thug 3 Improvised Weapon Attack: 16, Damage: 5

---

Vela howled in pain, but the howl changed to a snarl half-through. This pink piece of shit was going to get his ass turned into mincemeat!

---

Attack 14, damage 4
This message was last edited by the player at 18:30, Wed 16 Sept 2020.

In reply to Vela (msg # 21):

(14 ties his AC)

Your strike collides with the edge of his weapon, sending a series of splinters flying off as you follow through.
He returns with a blow of his own, bringing it down from overhead. But once again, you’re too fast for him.

---

Thug 3 Improvised Weapon Attack: 10


Just beyond him, you see the other combatant attempt to retreat from the dwarf. However, as he reaches the space where the goliath woman still stands, leaning against her timber beam, he immediately begins motioning for her to help. Instead, she steps forward, grabs the man by that back of his shirt, and tosses him with one hand back toward the dwarf.
“Oh no ya don’t! If we’re doing this, we’re doing this right. Get back in there ya little shit! The little bastard’s half your size! Give em a good bash and be done with it.”
She looks over toward you and just gives you a wide grin, the black and purple tattoos running vertically down the gray skin of her face stretching to accommodate it.
“And then take a seat. ‘Cause it looks like Petrov over here’s gonna have his hands full for a bit with this little brighter.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:24, Wed 16 Sept 2020.

So brave, commanding from the back. But it was fine with Vela. That meant she could take them one by one...

---

Attack 15, damage 5

In reply to Vela (msg # 23):

Taking another blow across the chest, you can see the man breathing heavier and heavier with each passing second. His arms are shaking, his shoulders slumping. He moves to strike you in the leg, hoping to knock you off balance. But his movements are growing slower. More predictable. The one good shot he got in on you was clearly nothing more than luck. You see your opening as his swing goes wide.

In the middle of the street, the dwarf is advancing on the bleeding man who knocked his silver tooth out. The goliath woman simply continues watching, eyeing both fights as they progress simultaniously. Yet you’re fairly confident it’s your’s that is holding the majority of her attention.

---

Thug 3 Improvised Weapon Attack: 12

Vela saw the guy was no match for her. She wondered if it was pride or stupidity that kept him going. Didn't matter, this would end the same.
"Piss off already!"

---

I'll just continue being awesome, ok?
Attack 14, damage 7

In reply to Vela (msg # 25):

The blow is savage, but he manages to stave off the worst of it with a panicked deflection. However, that last swing is about as much as he can take. He turns to run, hoping to make a break for it down the street with at least some semblance of his pride still intact. Yet even before he makes it even a few feet, a rock collides with the side of his head and sends him sprawling on the cobbles. Tracing its trajectory, you can now see the fifth member of the band of workers crouched atop the building above you, a sling in one hand and a small assortment of stones in the other. A halfling man, dressed in similar work clothes to the others. He doesn’t speak and doesn't make a move to reload or threaten you. He simply watches.

Your focus shifts as you see the dwarf leap on to his opponent and begin simply raining a flurry of punches down on the man he’d been fighting. His technique leaves a lot to be desired, and you’re quite certain he’s going to accidentally break a wrist at any given moment, but you see no reason to correct  him. Meanwhile, the goliath woman across the street has begun slowly advancing toward you, the timber beam now balanced over one shoulder.
“You put on quite the spectacle once you get going, doncha girly? Ought to have yourself a knighthood...” Her mocking tone only grows more and more infuriating with each word that slips through her blackened lips. “‘Course, folks like these ain’t built for fighting. Not a real challenge, ya get? Nah... You and me, though? We could have some real fun, I think.”

Vela wondered what was going on. Why would the halfling fellow knock out his own man? Didn't matter though, she wasn't done here. She looked at the goliath woman with a smirk.
"Knights would get jealous because they ain't as pretty as me. But you want fun? How about we just go fists then?"

In reply to Vela (msg # 27):

“Heh, what’s wrong? Scared ya might get a splinter?”
With a single fluid motion she tosses the beam away and balls her hands into fists. You can hear her muscles tightening as she assumes as a slightly-crouched stance you’ve occasionally seen folks use in the dock-side boxing matches that have become popular here over the years.
“Well, no matter. Fists suit me just fine, sweetie. Let’s hope ya don’t break a nail.”

Vela dropped the club and squared up. It was time to get serious. This bitch knew how to fight, her stance told as much. But Vela had been trained in something far more dangerous. With a roar she charged forward, forgetting about defense, and delivered a savage blow! Her dad taught her how to fight, and her dad was an orc!

---

Rage round 1/10 (+2 damage, resistance to all except psionic)
Reckless attack (opponent has advantage on attack)
Attack 19, damage 6.

In reply to Vela (msg # 29):

The goliath prepares herself for the oncoming blow, but is suddenly taken aback by the bestial roar that escapes your lips. You spot the opening in her defenses instantly and deliver a sharp blow to the left side of her abdomen before she even has a chance to react.

There’s a quick cough as she staggers a bit, then rights herself; the grin on her face now twisted into a manic smile that displays her thick, tombstone-like teeth. “There she is! Now THAT’s what I wanted to see!”

She locks her fingers together and brings both fists down on you in a savage double-axe handle motion... only for you to allow it to pass right by you, stepping just far enough to one side so that the air displaced from her attack is all that reaches you. She tries to backhand you on the way back up, but you duck under it effortlessly, leaving her stumbling and exposed.

---

18:40, Today: GM, for the NPC Mitgira, rolled 8 using 2d20+7, dropping the lowest dice only.
18:39, Today: GM, for the NPC Mitgira, rolled 12 using 2d20+7, dropping the lowest dice only.
...I’m convinced this dice roller is going out of its way to make Vela look good at this point. That 8 was two natural 1’s...
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:44, Thu 17 Sept 2020.

Vela weaved around the clumsy blows. This big cunt was fast and throwing punches like crazy, but that didn't matter as long as they all missed. She wasn't about to though..
"Here's some more! Rrraaagh!"

---

Rage round 2/10 (+2 damage, resistance to all except psionic)
Reckless attack (opponent has advantage on attack)
Attack 19, damage 6.

In reply to Vela (msg # 31):

Your punches connect one after another. Another backhand from the goliath as she tries to swat you away goes wide, missing your head by a few inches.

“Gotcha now, ya little shit!”
Without warning, a big, BIG fist connects with your stomach. You feel yourself lifted a few inches off the ground as the punch plows into you, but you maintain your composure as best you can.

---

15:48, Today: GM, for the NPC Mitgira, rolled 11 using 2d20+7, dropping the lowest dice only.
15:47, Today: GM, for the NPC Mitgira, rolled 20 using 2d20+7, dropping the lowest dice only. Damage: 7

"Ugh!"
What in the blazes was that hit? This cunt suddenly got serious. What's more, she hit like a horse kick. Vela rolled with the punch, she fought orcs, so taking hits from something stronger was nothing new, but something was off. This goliath shouldn't be this strong. The momentary distraction showed. Vela's next swing wasn't anything to brag about.

---

Rage round 3/10 (+2 damage, resistance to all except psionic)
HP: 37/45
Reckless attack (opponent has advantage on attack)
Attack 11, damage 6.

In reply to Vela (msg # 33):

The goliath grunts with some considerable effort as she blocks your punch, bending one arm back and down into an unusual pose that you’re unfamiliar with in order to intercept the strike with her forearm. With the same motion, she suddenly straightens her arm out toward you, tensing the muscles until the entire limb is as hard as a tree trunk.

You attempt to draw backwards to avoid the attack, but her arms are too long for you to escape that quickly. Her open palm strikes you hard in the center of the chest, knocking the wind from you... but nothing more. She doesn’t follow it up with a second strike as she had been. Only stands there, her muscles tensed; watching you carefully to see what you’ll do next.

---

00:30, Today: GM, for the NPC Mitgira, rolled 19 using 2d20+7, dropping the lowest dice only.
Damage: 7

What? Did this stone bully think she would give up? No matter what was going on, no matter who this woman was, she was going to beat her! Vela redoubled her attack, swinging mightily to beat the Goliath to a pulp!

---

Rage round 4/10 (+2 damage, resistance to all except psionic)
HP: 34/45
Reckless attack (opponent has advantage on attack)
Attack 14, damage 6.

In reply to Vela (msg # 35):

She catches your fist in one open palm, diverting it downward as she does. “Come on now, you can throw better than that, can’t ya?”

In a flash she brings her knee up and drives it into your stomach, knocking the wind from you and sending a quick wave of nausea raking through you. It fades quickly, but the shear force of the blow is enough to shake your confidence a bit.

---

01:34, Today: GM, for the NPC Mitgira, rolled 25 using 2d20+7, dropping the lowest dice only ((10,18)).
Damage: 6
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:18, Tue 22 Sept 2020.

They always thought a blow to the stomach would be the end of it. Vela shut up the goliath with a swift blow to the jaw using her free hand to prove her wrong.
"Yer not bad yerself, but you gab too much!"

---

Rage round 5/10 (+2 damage, resistance to all except psionic)
HP: 31/45
Reckless attack (opponent has advantage on attack)
Attack 24, damage 6.

In reply to Vela (msg # 37):

The strike sends the goliath reeling. For the first time since the fight started, she loses the smug smirk she’s been brandishing your way. You can see her tongue working behind her blackened lips and a moment later she spits out what appears to be a chunk of tooth; not a full one, but at least the top half of one. “Right then... no sense wasting words, I suppose in that case.”

She lunges at you with both arms stretched wide, leaving herself wide open as she attempts to grapple you to the ground in a massive forward tackle.

---

00:22, Today: GM, for the NPC Mitgira, rolled 21 to grapple using 2d20+7, dropping the lowest dice only ((2,14)).
You can go ahead and make an Athletics or Acrobatics check against that to try and resist the grapple as she tries to bring you down to the ground with her.

The goliath came for her and Vela knew she probably wasn't going to get away from the giant woman's long reach. She tried, but as expected the woman got a hold on her and they tumbled to the ground. That didn't stop Vela though. Barely had they hit the ground and she hit the goliath a few times in the face.

---

Rage round 6/10 (+2 damage, resistance to all except psionic)
HP: 31/45
Resisted Athletics: 10 (fail)
Reckless attack (opponent has advantage on attack)
Attack 19, damage 6.

In reply to Vela (msg # 39):

She drags you to the ground, doing her best to ignore your struggling as you both wind up prone. The moment your back hits the ground, you strike out with a savage blow to her temple that you can see very visibly rocks her for a moment. Whatever she was about to do is suddenly lost as her vision blurs from the punch. Then, shaking it off as best she can, she reels back for a headbutt directly to your forehead.

The collision leaves you feeling similarly dazed, but you’re no stranger to such attacks. You come out of it quicker than she anticipated.

---

16:49, Today: GM, for the NPC Mitgira, rolled 18 using 2d20+7, dropping the lowest dice only ((11,9)).
Damage: 7

Vela wasn't feeling great. Her earlier training had left a weariness that was fast returning. If she didn't finish this quick, she would collapse from exhaustion before the blows did her in. She had to finish this quickly. With a grunt, she tried returning the headbutt..

---

Rage round 7/10 (+2 damage, resistance to all except psionic)
HP: 28/45
Reckless attack (opponent has advantage on attack)
Attack 14, damage 6.

In reply to Vela (msg # 41):

Kneeling overtop of you, the goliath deflects blow after blow you send toward her. Lifting both arms high above her, she clenches her fists and brings both down toward your face.... and brings them to a sudden stop about half an inch before impact.

The smirk is back, though a bit more lopsided now that you broke one of her teeth. A thin trickle of blood is pouring from one corner of her mouth.
“You’ve got some grit to ya, girly... got a name?”

---

19:47, Today: GM, for the NPC Mitgira, rolled 20 using 2d20+7, dropping the lowest dice only ((13,9)).
No Damage

"Yeah, do you or did your mother toss you off the mountain when she saw yer face?"
Vela heaved with all her might to toss the goliath off of her.

---

Rage round 8/10 (+2 damage, resistance to all except psionic)
HP: 28/45
Athletics 21 (End Grapple)

In reply to Vela (msg # 43):

The goliath is forced back as you regain your freedom. Her eyes narrow. “Grit without restraint’s a dangerous combination... best to know your limits, little one.”
She cracks her knuckles and waits for your next move. You note that her stance has shifted to something more defensive. She looks ready to sidestep at a moment’s notice and likely has some intention of trying to catch you off guard when you come forward.

---

Dodge: Attack rolls against Mitgira are rolled with disadvantage this turn

"And you should know when to quit! Because yer getting a worse beating then the dwarf!"
And wasn't that the truth. Vela didn't care her opponent was prepared. They always were in the ring. A quick jab was followed by another vicious uppercut to the jaw!

---

Rage round 9/10 (+2 damage, resistance to all except psionic)
HP: 28/45
Reckless attack (counters disadvantage) (opponent has advantage on attack)
Attack 24, damage 6.

In reply to Vela (msg # 45):

Reacting to the initial jab, you watch the goliath shift her weight to one side, easily avoiding it and bringing one massive fist around on you to counter... but you’ve never been more ready from a strike in your life. Letting her punch brush just past the side of your head, you move in with precision and speed, sliding effortlessly past her now-open defense. You can practically taste the surprise in the air as you bring your arm up into her chin in one of the most satisfying uppercuts you have ever managed to land.

There is a moment where you sense her arms closing in around you and realize just how bad of a position you’re in.
However, as you drive your fist harder and harder into her chin, her arms slacken. The immense bear hug she was about to entrap you in falls apart as consciousness leaves her; eyes rolling back even as the grin widens on her bloodied face.

She hits the cobbles hard, a cloud of dust and dirt billowing up around her.

Neva sniffed and wiped her mouth, sweat running down her face. That had been a tough lady. She was worried she'd tire out before she could down her, but here she was standing. But this wasn't the ring.

She turned to the dwarf to see how he was doing, and the fellow on the roof.
"Enough of that now! Sod off or yer getting some too!"

In reply to Vela (msg # 47):

The assailant on the roof slowly backs off, eventually simply disappearing over the visible portion of the building’s facade entirely.

The dwarf, meanwhile, wanders back to you with a look of utter exhaustion on his face. There’s some blood trickling from his mouth and his clothes are an absolute mess now, but he seems to be in one piece. Mostly. In his hand he is holding the silver tooth his attacker knocked out.
“Thanks. S...Sorry for leaving ya with all of them lot. There weren’t much else I could do during that scuffle. I’dda helped out more if I could, but you seemed to have the big lass covered well enough.”

He looks down at the unconscious goliath a moment, studying her face with some confusion. “She ain’t one of mine. Probably someone these gits hired to help em... though with what money, I can only imagine. Useless fuckers shouldn’t have had enough to buy a mercenary.”

Vela shrugged. It didn't make much sense to her either, but then again, none of this was her problem.
"Maybe just one of their friends. Maybe they offered half they were getting of you. Who knows?" Who cares? You do, little man, but not me.

Still, she looked down at the goliath.
"She threw a good punch, that's for sure. Maybe you should think a bit on how yer staying safe once you get home."

In reply to Vela (msg # 49):

“Aye. Doubt I’ll be walking around without some backup for the next few weeks here... well, regardless, you performed admirably. You have my sincerest thanks for that. Hope I didn’t use up too much of your day with that.” He begins to head over to his home, inspecting some of the damage the vandals caused while he was away that morning.

"Hrn."
Vela shrugged, and saw the dwarf off. That was done, and that was a big bag of coin earned quick. But she wouldn't go as far as say it had been easy. That woman had put up way too much of a fight for that. She turned around to leave, wondering if she should see to the goliath. No one was expecting it of her, that was sure, but Vela in a way felt some sort of kinship with the woman. She wondered what to do though. Perhaps her friends would take care of her. Perhaps they weren't her friends. They certainly seemed in a different league.

She guessed she could see if the Goliath could wake up. Vela bent over the goliath to see if there was any sign of that.
"Hey. Wake up."
She gave some gentle slaps to the cheeks to help the process along..

In reply to Vela (msg # 51):

Before your hand can withdraw fully away from her face, the big woman’s own closes around your wrist. Her eyes flash open and the grin she passed out with on her face spreads. “Helluva punch ya got there, girly... what’s your name?”

"Faking it a bit there are ya? I'm Vela."
She gave a grin of her own and offered to help the woman up.

In reply to Vela (msg # 53):

She chuckles, then spits out some more blood. “Only a little. Really was one HELL of a punch! So then Vela. With moves like that, I can only assume you’ve trained somewhere... you got a proper place to work out and break some faces? ‘Cause if not, you’re more than welcome to come back to the Adventurers Guild with me. Heading back that way right now and would be happy to introduce you to some of the crew.”

She stands, accepting your help. While she still seems a title shaky at first, she quickly recovers, looking little more than bruised by the pummeling she took.
“And even if you ain’t looking to stay, Tournament’s coming up, as I’m sure you’re aware. Never too early to scope out the competition.

"Adventurer's guild?"
Vela had heard of them of course, but never once considered joining. What an idiot you had to be to become a half-accepted mercenary to do the shittiest jobs. Which probably explained why this one showed up. She frowned at the woman.
"..Didn't know the adventurer's guild now hired out folk to jump dwarfs heading for their homes.."

In reply to Vela (msg # 55):

“Eh, this was just a little bit of extracurricular activity. Outside guild bounds, ya know? Passing the time helping out some pals from the docks.” She shrugs off the last of the weariness from the fight, rubbing and readjusting her jaw a bit.

“Guild business is usually a LITTLE more on the up and up than that sorta thing. I just owed these fella’s a favor from the old days.”

"Hrn."
The half-orc woman shrugged away the comment. It all made sense she supposed. Not that it made her like the guild any better. She didn't care about what folk did outside the guild either. In fact, she liked folk who were practical about it. Things just weren't always that easy.
"There's places that pay better then the guild for a good pair of fists you know. Or is that a step too far for ya?"

In reply to Vela (msg # 57):

“Heh, I ain’t some dainty little flower that needs the guild’s protection and nurturing in order to thrive. But for the time being, I AM the sort that’s looking to keep my name off certain lists and my face outta certain circles. Guild’s good for that much. Work with them, the city guard tend to look the other way. Let ya in places they wouldn’t for folks who ain’t got the ‘city’s best interests at heart’ as they put it.”

She gives you a knowing wink you can only assume might imply any number of things or nothing at all and is just her attempting to make herself seem more insightful than she really is. “S’all about who ya know and how much your connections let you get away with.”

 Tavard had wanted to make a presence in the city, and he had decided on the waterfront for a start. Call it a "show the flag" march, and ti see what his short time of training had bore any fruit. He knew he had much more training to be done, for this lot with him, but it was a start.

 The Imperial officer had done his best to learn some of the laws in the city, weeks before he had departed for this city, and now he was going to put that knowledge to use. Tavard and his city guards would inspect a few arriving ships, to see if their paper work was in order, and even search one or two at random, for illegal cargo. It was a start, at making law and order felt again, in this cess pit of a city.

Vela knew what her new stone friend was talking about, but also knew such things didnt happen for a half-orc from the Ash.
"Yeah, well, if yer green and from the hole it matters little how clean yer nose is, but I getcha, ya got options. Let's go look at that shiny guild of yers and its pretty doors. They got something to drink there?"

In reply to Vela (msg # 60):

“Hehe... plenty. Oh, and the name’s Mitgira by the by... Think I forgot to mention that when I asked your name... Probably have a small concussion I should to get looked at. But time for that later!

Without another word she begins heading off toward the town square, not seeming to care too much if you follow right away or catch up later. You know where the guild hall is. Practically impossible to miss the moment you step into the Square. All things considered, it’s never really been a major point of interest for you. But now that you have an easy in, the option is there should you want it.

Vela saw little sense in waiting. She had the woman's attention now, so why let it go to waste? Besides, she was getting a bit curious about her potential opponents. Sizing them up might be the smart thing to do. So she walked with Mitgira to the town square.


---> Town Square.

 Tavard watched his patrol. With an inward  sigh. They had much to learn. So perhaps he brought then into the the public eye. But there was nothing for it.Here they where,so lieutant Tavard made the most of it.

 There was a Cog that had docked, since the crew where still securing the ship's lines to the dock. Tavard marched his men over to the ship." Ho there! What ship be this, and where did you sail from? Shouted the officer, to be heard, over the dock's medley of noise

In reply to Tavard (msg # 63):

One of the sailors, a tall green-scaled dragonborn, turns to you while carrying a crate away from the ship toward a pile being set up on the docks nearby. “This? She’s the Ardwinch, out of Meltspear in the north. We’re gonna be in port for a couple days, pick up some of the merchants from the Market, then head back that way come week’s end.”