Any thought Procz may have entertained about flashing his tin badge and strolling casually past the cordon evaporated when he saw who was guarding it. He saw immediately that, despite the uniforms and the paddywagons, these were not constables. The whole scene was wrong: they were at once too vigilant about holding their line and too permissive of the striking workers, who had been marching and chanting just outside the factory doors unharassed for the better part of two days now.

Even from a distance, however, he could see that there was no burly half-orc among them, female or otherwise. That didn't have to mean anything: workers walked the line in shifts, just as they labored. Ilya Gyula might very well be asleep right now, or tending to an elderly relative, or otherwise living what scraps of a life JP Cognelius permitted her in the time he did not claim as his own.

But the kobold's gut told him otherwise. The fake constables lent a fresh sense of urgency to Ilya's absence. Something was wrong here, something deeper than disgruntled workers.

Sorry, I realized I focused only on Procz here, but Frack is with him as well, as is Zúm. Feel free to backtrack a little if you want to cover anything about your discussion before you arrive at the factory or how you get there or anything like that.

Procz coughed.

Fortunately, it was just a short series of barks and not a full fit (although the ravaging torrents did come too once in a while). After another hem, the small constable looked from the scene in front to his companion Frack at his side. "That is a rather inopportune development of circumstances." His voice was somewhat raspy, but not nearly deep enough to be intimidating in any way. There was little intimidating about Procz at all, perhaps other than his uniform and the badge on his lapel.

Procz was riding his other companion. Zúm was a mechanized construct shaped like a dog. Zúm was a frightfully handsome thing, although missing both fur and the characteristic tongue and mouth-breeding expected from any similar living creatures. Yet, there was life in him; more than typical of the artificial builds. Zúm was a very good boy.

"I'm glad you came, Mr. Frack." said Procz. "Unfortunately, I'm not positive my objective here can be resolved. I fear I might be wasting your time. You see, I'm looking for an individual of the half-orcish persuasion by the name of Ilya Gyula; supposedly a worker at this industrial complex, who might be in possession of some valuable information." He sighed and another ahem escaped his throat. "This strike and the presence of the Steel Resolve complicates matter. For that is what these constables, must be; Steel Resolve. Very curious." He shook his head; his bristle of red-brown hair moving little.

Frack watched the scene before him with a steely focus, his red eyes darting from place to place in search of... "What was I looking for again? Oh, that's right. An orc by the name of Ilya. Shouldn't be so hard to find."

The goblin adjusted his helmet, tipping it back slightly to uncover his eyes. "I don't see him, Porcz. No sign of him anywhere." And while it may have helped Frack if he had any idea who Ilya Gyula was (or what she looked like), he nonetheless scanned the crowd with determination.

Procz looked at the crowds of workers, trying to pick out big humanoids with shades of greenish hues. He ranged from flax through aquamarine and celadon himself. And Ilya Gyula could be purple for all he knew. Most big-folks were just about equally big to a skinny creature of 3 feet 2 inches, yet the kobold felt confident there were no half-orcs to be seen.

"Let's engage these constables in conversation." said Procz, adding far too much sarcasm and disdain on that term. He suspected they wouldn't let him through, but there might be information in the wording and manner of their rejection. "Furthermore, I'd like to determine if we can get within an appropriate distance to consult any of the other workers. Someone might have insights regarding our target."

He gave Zúm a cue and they moved forward, stopping when they were within ten feet. "Greetings. I'm here to talk with a worker." He tapped his badge with one tiny finger. Procz noted the number of guards here, their faces and numbers. Having eidetic memory was useful in his profession. The kobold retained just about everything he had seen the last month.

Procz counted twelve of the fake constables: six blocking the road, and six more on the slopes looking down onto the factory. The latter had made some attempt at concealing themselves, though an experienced lawman knew just where to look for them.

The two who'd moved to block his and Frack's approach exchanged a look. "Sure," a chestnut-furred minotaur said after examining his badge a moment too long. "Go right on in, officer."

The two stood aside, but Procz clocked the minotaur nodding his head slightly toward his waiting companions, who straightened subtly and reached for their truncheons.

Frack, you do not notice this, though Procz can attempt to signal or communicate it to you. The way is clear for you to walk down the road toward the striking workers, though they are about 300 yards away and these fake constables seem to have other plans for you.

Procz had been wrong and right.

He thought they wouldn't let them through, but they did (seemingly). He also thought the interaction would provide insight, and it did. Steel Resolve had surely been hired by someone to make sure no outsiders came through. His primary hypothesis was currently that something was going on at this factory that had to remain hidden. Some kind of secret production? Was that why the workers were treated with silk gloves, instead of their strike being beaten down?

He remained at ten foot distance and held up his hand to the minotaur in a wait gesture, while leaning in to whisper to the goblin: "If we continue ahead, I suspect we're in for a serious bashing, Mr. Frack. Six more thugs, it seems, right there; armed with truncheons." He raised one hairless brow, wondering how Frack would take this?
This message was last edited by the player at 13:17, Fri 21 Apr 2023.

"What's all this?" the minotaur demanded when Procz and Frack started whispering. She took a step forward, and the other constables on the road began closing in on them as well. Three of them moved to circle around behind the pair, while two stepped behind their paddywagons, taking up positions from which they could fire with partial cover. "Who are you, and what are you doing here?"

The constables are moving into melee range and trying to get behind you. If you don't move immediately, they'll be able to surround you and you'll be open to opportunity attacks if you try to move away from them later. There are four, including the minotaur, closing to melee range and two more taking up positions behind their paddywagons, which stand in the road between you and the factory.

"Yikes!" Frack yelped. While not the most observant of goblins, Frack wasn't blind either, and it didn't take a Florian Windwalker to notice that the so-called constables were trying to surround them.

The goblin raised his shield defensively, looking to Procz for a sign of whether to back up or press on into the mess ahead of them.



OOC: Florian Windwalker was a noted monk of the mountain temple who was said to be able to "hear the beating wings of a dragonfly on the other side of the caldera."

While neither especially brave or cowardly, the kobold had one primary quality. Intelligence. Although the two of them could probably muster a potent surprise or two in a fight, and were surely being continually underestimated by people in their surroundings, the plain fact here was that they were thoroughly outnumbered. Pressing on would not be the smart thing to do. Procz gave Frack a subtle shake of the head.

He gave Zúm a cue to start slowly backing away, hopefully outmaneuvering the ones trying to surround them, then spoke up. "I am Constable Pançaronz Proclaatiz. This is my esteemed associate, Mr. Frack. I would like to inquire why you are obstructing a representative of the Constabulary." At this point, Procz reached down to a holster on Zúm's saddle and withdrew a rod, some foot and half long. It was a cane with a spherical pommel cast in resin; containing turning and ticking gears and wheels. It was not heavy enough to be perceived as a blunt weapon of any kind.

In fact, other than a dagger in his belt, Procz did not appear to be armed.

"Obstructing a... what are you, some kind of asshole? Constables aren't supposed to be here in the first place."

The minotaur's complaint was interrupted by one of the other "constables" shouting as Procz reached for his rod. "Gun!" he shouted, and fired his own rifle at the kobold. His companion behind the other paddywagon fired as well, while the others drew their truncheons and prepared to charge in.

Procz: That's a 16 to hit for 7 damage and a 21 to hit for 10 damage. It occurs to you that you're a bit lucky here: in keeping with the pretense that they are constables, these guys are using rifles standardly issued to the Constabulary rather than the more powerful, electrified weapons for which the Steel Resolve are notorious.

Those two got to shoot first because they had readied actions. The other SR and the two of you will act in initiative order, so please roll that. If you beat a 7, you can post your action now.

OOC: if I might . . . silvery barbs as a reaction to force that 21 to be at disadvantage and give Procz advantage on his next roll this turn, if in range to fire pistol (30/90) maybe in range for this spell (60)?

"Officers*!" Kreo arrived back on the scene of his earlier tension with the Steel Resolve masquerading as guardsmen

"I can understand brutishness, but to pick on someone one-eighth of your size shows, dare I say, cravenness!"

Kreo's finger touched his holy symbol on his shield as he strapped it to his arm, and then he spoke arcane words as the same finger touched his forehead and pointed to the minotaur

OOC: initiative 17, either draw within 30ft and spare the dying as a bonus action, ready action to attack with mind sliver (DC 13 Int save or 1d6 psychic damage and 1d4 penalty to next save) or if Procz isn't dying, use healing word instead for 1d4+3 healing as bonus instead
_{*-verbal component}

Sure, although I think it most makes sense to apply it to the first attack that hit. The SR rolled a Nat 1 on his new roll, so that means Procz will take just the 10 damage from the second hit, less whatever Frack reduces with his reaction.

At the sight of a gun being pointed in Procz's direction, Frack threw up his shield in defense of his friend. How could these constables possibly be shooting at one of their own?!?! The bullet still blew straight through Frack's shield, but he hoped in doing so it at least became a little less deadly.

And while it didn't feel right for Frack to work in opposition to established authorities, he also recognized when justice was due. This was certainly one of those cases. "You've just blown a hole in the shield of a Shield!* Now face the divine justice of Tyr!" And with his own unique blend of courage and thoughtlessness, Frack adjusted his oversized helmet, then charged the minotaur.


Reaction: Interception against shot against Procz (reduces damage by 8hp).
Move: Charge minotaur.
Action: Attack with scimitar. Hit AC18 for 6 slashing damage.

23:19, Today: Frack rolled 14 using 1d20+3.  Initiative.
23:18, Today: Frack rolled 8 using 1d10+2.  Interception against cowardly pot shot against Procz.
00:05, Today: Frack rolled 18 using 1d20+5.  Scimitar vs. minotaur.
00:05, Today: Frack rolled 6 using 1d6+3.  Slashing damage.

*The paladins around town are known as The Shield of Crimson Dale, or simply Shields.

Procz heard a couple of blasts from the guns being fired. There was a sting in one shoulder. He didn't feel the other and assumed it missed. The shot that did hit him had already passed through Frack's shield. That goblin was just spectacular!

Of course, his walking stick looked nothing like a gun at all. These thugs were just looking for an excuse to use violence. Not that the stick was harmless, to be fair. Procz could channel magic through it. Sometimes, to great effect!

He saw Frack get ready to charge and followed suit. In fact, reacting much faster than all the others. Sure, they might be overwhelmed in a matter of seconds, but they were going to show these people that the law would not always be ignored in this town. It could be served cold!

Procz made Zúm move closer to some of the thugs moving up one the side, and cast his spell. The kobold could feel the ancient legacy of the dragons grow within him, from a small silver bead to a mighty force of destruction. With a cough, he let out a breath of cold air that blasted and froze their assailants to their core.

Initiative 25
Zúm moves to within 15 feet of some enemies, if not already that close.
Bonus: Procz casts Dragon's Breath.
Action: Procz uses Dragon's Breath, hitting as many enemies as possible in a 15-foot cone for 9 Cold damage. Dex save DC 14 for half.

Procz's freezing breath ripped through all four of the constables closing on him. It didn't quite drop them, but it reduced all but their minotaur leader to shivering stooges.

Frack, ignoring the hole in his shield, stood between the minotaur and the kobold and slashed into the former, staining her brown fur a darker red.

Kreo, whom would you like to target? You get the sense that you'd have a good chance of dropping one of the minions if you hit them with mind sliver. The minotaur, though wounded, still looks a bit more robust. Spells can't typically do non-lethal damage but in this case I'll allow it, if you choose to go that route.

The minotaur is currently in melee with Frack and the other three SR are about 10' from them and from Procz. Kreo is 40' further out.

There are two more SR armed with rifles taking cover behind the paddywagons. They are 20' on the other side of the fray, so 60' from Kreo.

There are six more SR up on the slopes but it will take many rounds for them even to get within firing range. Similarly, the dust-up has attracted the attention of the striking workers and a few of them are coming closer, but they are also many rounds away.

OOC: if it's possible to be nonlethal I'll target one of the more confirmed drops then

The Steel Resolve agent with whom Kreo made eye contact scoffed as the satyr touched a finger to his forehead. Then a wave of screeching, disorienting energy flooded his mind, and he collapsed, his face looking tortured even in unconsciousness.

The minotaur, meanwhile, swung at Frack, only to have the truncheon deflected by the paladin's shield. Grunting in disgust, she dropped her head and gored the goblin with her horns.

The agents behind the paddy wagons turned their attention to Kreo, but both shots went wide.

22 to hit Frack for 7 piercing damage. DC 12 Strength save or you're pushed back 10'.
23 (crit)[Nat 1, thanks to Kero], 15, and 16 to hit Procz for 5, 3, and 5 damage, respectively.
You're all three up again, so let me know any reactions from this round and actions for next round. And it seems like there may well be reactions, so don't assume you're down just yet, Procz.
Edit: Just confirming Frack is close enough to use Interception.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:29, Wed 26 Apr 2023.

Procz uttered a single-syllable spell as the thugs hit him, producing an invisible barrier of force to protect him. Unfortunately, it was small and only precise enough to block one of the incoming shots.

Reaction: Casting Shield. That stops the AC 15 hit.
Holding actions (or death save) in case there are reactions from the others that can prevent Procz from going down.

OOC: silvery barbs again, gonna need a reroll on that first one against Procz

Little songbirds of silver energy popped into existence and burst again, the air filling with light and motes of energy as the satyr Kreo lowered his head, running and trying to slam into another of the injured guards, failing to hit as he charged the gun for hire and stopping himself to block another shot with his shield

OOC: tried for a ram because melee is nonlethal, used my advantage from silvery barbs . . . rolled a 7 to hit.

"Now we're seeing the violence inherent in this system we have here."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:13, Wed 26 Apr 2023.

Frack flashed a wide, crooked-toothed grin when the minotaur's truncheon banged safely against his shield. The goblin followed by swinging it between Procz and another incoming shot from the cowardly snipers, deflecting it out of harm's way, but at the same time exposing him to the horns of the minotaur.

The attack sent Frack flying through the air, landing with a thud on his behind some ten feet away. Undaunted, he mumbled a prayer to Tyr before rising to his feet and scolding his foe. "Prepare for divine justice!" he called, charging again at his massive opponent, his scimitar now tingling with thunderous potential.

Unfortunately for Frack, the energy radiating through his weapon caused him to drop it, putting an end to his confident attack.


Reaction: Intercept shot against Procz (11hp).
Bonus Action: Cast Thunderous Smite.
Move: Get up and close 10' to minotaur.
Action: Attack minotaur drop scimitar and fumble around trying to pick it back up... turns out thunderous smite makes it kind of prickly.

00:15, Today: Frack rolled 11 using 1d10+2.  Interception!
00:19, Today: Frack rolled 1 using 1d20-1.  STR save.
00:21, Today: Frack rolled 6 using 1d20+5.  Scimitar vs. minotaur (using Thunderous Smite as bonus action).

This message was last edited by the player at 03:39, Fri 28 Apr 2023.

Procz was aware that not only did Frack come to his aid once again, a third actor had come into play on their side. It warmed his heart that some civilians in this town were ready to stand up against this lawlessness. "I second that wholeheartedly, Mr. Frack! If not divine, it'll be justice all the same."

To the thugs, Procz called out. "You are all under arrest forthwith, for impersonating members of the constabulary." He did not expect them to comply, adding "Freeze!" as another blast of cold came spewing from his wheezing breath.

Action: More Dragon's Breath, 6 cold damage to the same ones as before (15-foot cone). Dex save DC 14 for half.

The first faux constable's look of smug disdain as he prepared to bludgeon the unarmed kobold turned to astonishment and then fear as the truncheon twisted in his hand. The second was similarly dismayed to see the kobold's goblin companion intercept his blow with a battered shield.

The minotaur had her revenge, however, sending Frack flying with a toss of her horned head and then charging in to challenge the frost-breathing kobold.

As she did so, however, Procz unleashed another bust of icy breath which dropped the minotaur's two companions and left icicles dangling from her blood-matted fur.

Kreo and Frack engaged the minotaur just as she moved to engage Procz, but neither succeeded in hitting her.

Another crack ran out as one of the remaining Steel Resolvists fired into the fray, but the second panicked. "Shit, shit, shit!" he shouted, seeing their companions overwhelmed, and tossed something heavy and metallic toward the combatants before running for the hills. The grenade exploded in a burst of blinding light, prompting a fresh bout of profanity from the minotaur.

"Bloody idiot, we're not wearing our helmets!" she swore, but the target of the reprimand was already fleeing and did not hear. Flailing wildly with her truncheon, she managed to crack Frack on his noggin.

That's a 22 to hit Procz for 6 piercing damage. Frack is in range to intercept.

19 to hit Frack for 6 bludgeoning damage.

The grenade deals 3 damage to all of you and you must make a DC 12 Con save or be Blinded for 1 minute.

The minotaur is blinded and barely standing. The other three who had been swinging truncheons are all down. One is unconscious and stable, two are making death saves. One is still behind the paddy wagons with a rifle. The other rifleman is fleeing (currently 80 feet from the melee).

Frack: Thunderous Smite gets cast when you hit with a melee attack. You don't have to gamble by casting before you swing. You can see whether you hit (and, indeed, whether you crit!) before choosing to cast it. So, you can save that spell slot.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:04, Thu 27 Apr 2023.

Kreo screwed his eyes shut, but the explosion robbed him of his sight for a brief moment, though he felt a calmness in his breast and a pull towards the here and now, and opening his eyes he could see again

OOC: favoured of the gods to turn that failure into a success with a total of 13 on the check

Making a sign with his fingers, the satyr focused on the running guard and made a cutting motion, a ball of flame streaking across the distance

OOC: fire bolt, attack roll 22, damage 9 fire

As the flames left his fingers he pointed to one of the guards currently struggling for life and then made a calming, suppressing motion with his hand

"No one needs to die today, unless they force the issue."

OOC: spare the dying, bonus action 30ft

Falling into the rhythm of the skirmish, Frack caught another attack against his kobold friend, then called on Tyr's divine help to dissuade future threats against him. His attention was broken, however, by a blinding flash of light. To his good fortune, Frack's helmet had once again fallen over his eyes, covering them from what would have been a blinding attack. He adjusted it just in time to see the minotaur, now blinded, bring her truncheon down atop his head. The blow was significant and Frack could feel a wobble in his knees. Still, the paladin recognized a chance to end the battle, so he struck with the side of his blade against his opponent.


Reaction: Intercept attack against Procz (12hp)!
Bonus Action: Cast Sanctuary on Procz -  Until the spell ends, any creature who targets the warded creature with an attack or a harmful spell must first make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the creature must choose a new target or lose the attack or spell. This spell doesn't protect the warded creature from area effects, such as the explosion of a fireball.
Action: Swing with flat of blade against minotaur. Hit AC16 for 4 damage.

22:26, Today: Frack rolled 15 using 1d20+2.  CON save.
22:30, Today: Frack rolled 12 using 1d10+2.  Interception.
23:01, Today: Frack rolled 16 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 11,2.  Scimitar (flat of blade) vs. minotaur (advantage due to blinded minotaur).
23:02, Today: Frack rolled 4 using 1d6+3 with rolls of 1.  Damage (non-lethal).

Miraculously, Pracz' fragile little body wasn't blown apart by the grenade, nor were his large yellow-orange eyes blinded by the flash. Furthermore, Frack blocked another attack with his shield, that was meant for the kobold constable. Nevertheless, Pracz was weakened. He caughed out spittle, tainted with red.

His spell was gone too. Procz thought it'd be some time until he could summon the dragon again. It was time to take a defensive precaution. The kobold raised his rod just a little, and cast a spell which produced a protective forcefield around himself; shimmering momentarily before fading, but remaining.

He then turned his gaze down the road, remembering there had been another group of thugs a few hundred yards away. Were they approaching?

Casting Mage Armor.

The flat of Frack's blade laid out the minotaur, and Kreo's magic stabilized one of the dying agents even as it nearly burned another alive. The last remaining rifleman hopped in one of the paddywagon's and tore off across the rocky terrain, slowing just enough to allow his burned comrade to hop in.

More Steel Resolve agents had been descending from the hills, but when they saw the striking workers approaching as well, they hung back and watched from a distance.

Three Steel Resolvists, including the minotaur, are down and stable. One is still making death saves.

The paddywagon is now 120' away, with the two riflemen inside. Six more Steel Resolve are approaching from different directions and still a few hundred feet away. A group of eight workers is approaching from the direction of the factory, but they are also still a few hundred feet away.

Procz gave Zúm a quick pat on the neck, having performed admirably. With none of the thugs left fighting in the immediate vicinity, the kobold dismounted and hobbled over to one of the unconscious Steel Resolve. He used his rod as a walking cane, to make up for his limp. The man's breathing was faint and erratic. It would not be correct to let him die. Procz did his best to cut some cloth from the man's own cape to bind the worst of his bleeding wounds, and put his legs in a raised position to prevent shock. It was difficult and heavy work.

Medicine 9 to stabilize him, most likely failing.

"You have my heartfelt thanks and the gratitude of the proper Constabulary." said Procz while he worked, glancing at the satyr. "I'm Procz. This is Mr. Frack of the Shields." Standing with a short series of coughs and another spray of blood from his own mouth, the kobold looked in the direction of the approaching strikers, then the paddywagon and the rest of the Steel Resolve. Procz shook his head to see if the others could help with the dying one.

"We're still in the thick of this predicament, I'm afraid."

Kreo pushed in, gently, to help Procz move the man around, speaking the words and making a sign with his hand to stabilize this man as well

"Every hurt, a lesson."

He smiled widely at the kobold's thanks, though the smile weakened slightly at the thanks being from the constabulary.

"Well met Constable Procz and Mr. Frack, I am Kreovliam, often shortened to Kreo."

Looking at the approaching wagon and workers, he groaned

"I fear you're right. More bloodshed, and unbalanced as this fight might already have been. Might do well to fall back to a defensible position, what you say? I've got some food stuffs the striking workers have been needing."

"We're here for information." said Procz. "Specfically, we need to find a half-orc worker by the name of Ilga Gyula." He glanced in the direction of the Steel Resolve reinforcements. "I don't want to fight those as well. I think we need to try to set forth in the direction of the factory and the workers, while attempting to keep our distance from those thugs."

Looking up at the satyr, Procz gave a nod. "You better depart altogether and make your way to safety, Kreovliam, or stay with us. If they catch you alone, the thugs will surely still treat you with hostility. Furthermore, judging by the Steel Resolve's possession of official uniforms and wagons, I doubt anyone from the nearest constabulary will come to our aid."

Procz climbed back up on Zúm. "Mabye the workers will stand with us against the thugs, once they see you're their ally, in light of the provisions you've brought them?"

I believe we're trying to move closer to the factory and workers while attempting to avoid more Steel Resolve. I must say I'm a bit confused and in the dark about the layout and geography here.

Frack straightened his helmet again as the auburn-coated minotaur fell next to the ground. "Justice is served," he declared. "And let that be a lesson to you."

He turned to find Procz and the Satyr Kreo working to aid one of the fallen (so-called) constables. He concluded that Kreo was a just satyr, and that allowed him to lower his weapon and lay a healing hand upon the shoulder of his kobold friend. "The healing hand of Tyr upon your wounds," he spoke softly. "Smiling upon the just."

Having aided his friend, Frack turned to face the remaining constables. He drew his scimitar in anticipation of another confrontation. "We have the just hammer of Tyr on our side. Their number is great, but we'll prevail."

Action: Lay on Hands - restore 5hp to Procz.

Steel Resolve agents made their way down from the surrounding hillside, but a cadre of striking workers approached first, and the Steel Resolve held up, taking up positions roughly 200' feet away but taking a watch-and-wait approach now that it was clear the newcomers meant no harm to their injured colleagues.

"They shot first," called out a dwarf from the head of the band of approaching workers. Without turning her head, she held up her middle finger toward the agents dressed as constables. "Don't worry, we saw the whole thing. Not that the truth'll be any defense. But they know they were in the wrong. Leave them their comrades and their paddywagon and I reckon they forget this ever happened. It's embarrassing for them, if nothing else.

Name's Donna Garnagle," she said as she drew nearer, "and if you've got meat and mead to share, then you're welcome among us. Though I must admit to a powerful curiosity concerning what's brought you out to our little neck of the Caldera?"

You're still about 1000' up the road from the factory and the rest of the workers, but a few have come out to greet you. The Steel Resolvists seem to be holding back at the moment. You've still got four of them unconscious with you, plus one of their paddywagons which they abandoned.

Kreo: There was still one of the SR who was making death saves. Did you want to use Spare the Dying on him like you did on the other one? Also, what do you think a worker in a remote J.P. Coglinton factory union would have heard about a satyr labor organizer, if she got a 20 (not natural) on a History check? What's Kreo's reputation?

Kreo nodded and laid a hand on the small goblin's shoulder before answering the kobold Procz

"Steel Resolve or regular constabulary, I'd fare much the same. They've little love for me in public or when I defy them. I will stay, and help you find Ilga, as soon as I make a delivery."

OOC: Yes I would like to draw within 30ft of the dying SR and use spare the dying. And a 20, heck yes though Kreo might not like what she'd know. Kreo's notable as much for being loud and opinionated in these matters as he is for being the "guy with the mead and the food baskets". But the magical powers are coming from somewhere, and he's always happy to help.

"Worker Garnagle! Kreovliam, of the Crocklespring Caldera Workers, arrived just in time it seems. The beaten bodies of the Steel Resolve make for horrid decorations when lunching, can I entrust these supplies to you to distribute?"

He hefted the barrel and the basket of bread and cheeses, a wide smile on his face.

"Tell a curious satyr something, was the walk-out planned? Besides the Resolve, have you seen any other tell of trouble from either brother?"

"The Resolve?" Donna laughed. "Hon, these are just regular old constables. If the Steel Resolve gets involved, you'll know it.

As for the strike, I wouldn't say 'planned', exactly. A lot of us had been concerned for a while about..." Whatever she was about to say next was lost to a strange rasping sound. The dwarf cleared her throat and continued. "They won't let us talk about it. But we were concerned. Then yesterday..." The rasping again. Donna scowled. "Things came to a head."

She laid a hand on Kreo's shoulder. "Listen, I appreciate you comin' out here, bringin' us all this. Solidarity. But we're not in a position to join anyone else's union. Our situation is rather... unique. But of course we'd welcome the company - and the protection - if you're inclined to join us on the line. Shame we can't tell you what exactly this is about, but solidarity is solidarity, right?"

Procz gave Frack a nod and brief smile; feeling what he did with his wounds through his connection with the divine. Proper thanks would have to come later. Healing was such useful magic, but unfortunately not within his own skill set. A shame really, as he needed it quite (too) often. Procz wiped the last half-drying blood from his mouth, listening to the conversations between Kreovliam and the workers. He made some hypotheses, but did not speak them out loud.

"Pardon me, Miss Garnagle." said Procz, including himself in the conversation. "My name if Constable Procz. I'm looking for a half-orc worker by the name Ilga Gyula. Would you perchance know this individual, and possibly at what approximate position she can be found?"

Donna did not seem as charitably inclined toward Constable Procz as she had toward Kreo. Indeed, she looked to the latter as if to inquire about why he was in her company. "'fraid I couldn't say one or the other, Constable." The title sounded a bit obscene, the way she overpronounced it.

"That is unfortunate." said Procz, picking up on the disdain from the dwarf. It was difficult to blame her. There was much corruption, negligence, incompetence and abuse of power among the constabulary. "I will search for her myself then. Mr. Frack? Kreovliam? If you care to join me in this venture, it would be much appreciated."

Procz signaled Zúm to move towards the factory, keeping a pace the others could walk comfortably alongside. Procz had considered employing some magic to gain information, but ultimately weighed against it. He didn't want to cause any more animosity in the eyes of the workers. If they turned fully against him, they'd be even more vulnerable to the Steel Resolve.

Frack held watch over the scene while Procz and the satyr Kreo strategied with the dwarf. Strategy wasn't the goblin's strong suit, so he left it to them.

As the discussions continued, Frack attended to the fallen constable, laying a hand upon his shoulder. "While I don't approve of you trying to dent my helmet with that mallet of yours, there's no need for you to die. Tyr's blessing to you then."

When Procz mounted up and headed toward the factory, Frack hustled into place alongside him.

Lay on hands, 2hp to the constable making death saves (there is still one, isn't there?).

OOC: should be covered on the making death saves side, I think I did spare the dying already(?) but don't let me tell you how to spend your resources

"Solidarity is good. Unity is better. Hopefully one day I can make you see that Donna, but until then, you'll have my support and my aid, whenever I can spare it."

When Zum and Procz and Frack started moving towards the factory, Kreo motioned to Donna and then to the kobold, in a sort of "I'll watch this guy, see what he's up to" sort of way, and hefted his shield, following along

"So you two are quite the pair, warriors and skilled. And not too afraid to get into a scrape with the Steel Resolve, that's a trait most are either stupid or young when they have it. I wonder which you are?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:04, Fri 05 May 2023.

Procz glanced at Frack, not wanting to speak for them both, but did anyway. They were both young, and while Procz had a big brain (in a small skull), he might be stupid after all. Being stupid or smart wasn't necessarily about the prodigious retention of knowledge and information. Maybe stupid is who stupid does, and that might just make the kobold constable quite the moron.

Nevertheless, he understood and answered the heart of the question; which was really why would they do this? "Well, Kreovliam, my endeavors are driven in two directions; the Mystery and the Law." He glanced back and all around to see if the thugs were coming nearer.

"Sometimes the two are aligned, but not always." continued Procz. "The core of the law is justice, although it might not be practiced in great portion in this town. And justice is in some regards connected with that notion of doing what is right, be it on a personal or a societal level." He glanced at his companion again. "I suppose this pursuit of justice is what Mr. Frack and I have in common, other than our mutual like of grilled lizard on a stick at the Crimson... i mean Coglington Cantina."

Procz gave a series of painful coughs. His red-rimmed eyes watered before he recovered. "...as for Mystery, well that will have to remain just that for now."

"What about yourself, Kreovliam? Young or stupid?" He flashed half a smile.

Kreo laughed at the turn around

"Both! I learned my lesson and apparently keep going back for seconds."

He pointed to a broken horn, capped with metal

"For a satyr I'm pretty young I suppose. Most of my early life is a haze of the fey courts before I wandered out here. Never been brave enough to try the grilled lizard at the Cantina though . . . "

The striking workers could not articulate what danger lurked inside the factory, but their bodies told the story: faces were bruised, heads wrapped in cloth, a broken arm bundled tightly against an aarakocra's body. Still, they had accepted that this strange trio were not there to take their jobs and so did not prevent them from entering through the heavy wooden doors of the factory. What remained of the Steel Resolve looked on in consternation but had clearly learned their lesson about messing with these three. They would at least wait for back-up before they tried it again.

The clank and whir of machinery could be heard even through the thick doors, but once they were opened, the noise was deafening. The factory, it seemed, had kept right on running despite being largely abandoned by its workers. "Largely" because there seemed to be a few in the darkest recesses of the factory floor still toiling away.

Far nearer to the newcomers was another trio who did not appear to be laborers. One of them, a dragonborn, was attempting to scale what remained of an iron staircase up to an office that looked out over the factory floor. A tiefling and a svirfneblin looked on in alarm as two ceiling-mounted cranes careened toward their companion, looking ready to crash into the staircase and/or its occupant.

I'm going to collapse everyone into one thread now, so shutting this one down.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:50, Sun 07 May 2023.