Valeria order Mal to sting Deadeye once more, hitting the pirate's back. Followed by a dagger from Sarris, it buries itself deep into him. He goes down to one knee, ready to fall. Deadeye looks up to Arkon as he sees Arkon come for him. "I failed you...captain." He mutters.

How would Arkon want to finish Deadeye?

Arkon steps forward, his greatsword held firmly in both hands, its polished steel catching the dim light as it arcs upward. Deadeye looks up, resigned as the massive goliath looms over him like a mountain ready to collapse.

The force of the blow lands true, a final, undeniable end to the confrontation. Deadeye wavers for a moment, then crumples to the ground in two halves.

"Good fight." Arkon remarks simply. "What now?"

Gorin sees the pirate sliding into half and needs a moment to get his breath back, almost puking, but not yet. He isn't much used to these kind of fights, and gets memories of what he saw in Elturel while he escaped. After a bit he retains his composture and says

"Is everyone ok, I believe I got Zim stabilized, and Arkon is clearly back on his feet." as he looks at his own injuries.

Combat over, 625 XP earned for each character.

Boss Defeated, short rest is available to all characters

Level Up, rewarding characters with a Coin of Fate.

Injuries received -

• Arkon, Minor Scar; while the near fatal wound have left a scar, Gorin's magic had mended his flesh to leave no trace of it.
• Zim, Festering Wound; Deadeye's blade had cut deep into the dwarf, although no longer bleeding, a persistent pain throbs from it. Even more evident as pus started to come out from the wound
  Your hit point maximum is reduced by 1 every 24 hours the wound persists. If your hit point maximum drops to 0, you die. Someone can tend to the wound and make a DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check once every 24 hours; after ten successes, the wound heals. 

Realizing what is about to happen, Valeria turns away as the heavy blade of the goliath falls and splits the captain in twain. She keeps looking away from the revolting remains of the demised antagonist as she speaks. "Yes, good fight, now let us get back to what brought us here..." The red-haired young lady says and turns to Rhonda. "...we have done what you wanted, now let us get this over with, tell us where we can find the lair of the Dead Three and we will bother you no more." She says with a polite smile.

Meanwhile a tiny invisble imp sneaks back into his mistress' handbag, ready to defend her honour once more from any unwanted advances.

"Wow, your little group has a flair for the dramatic, don't you? Anyway, several blocks northwest of here is a public bathhouse with a walled garden and frolicking nymphs carved into its front gates. Followers of the Dead Three have been seen coming and going from the bathhouse, and I’m told there’s a secret door inside that leads to a dungeon. That’s where the killers are hiding. Good luck with those cultists." She gets up from her seat and collects her winnings, except for the half-orc's pay. She makes her way downstairs where you hear the owner shout at her.

"Tarina! This is worst than when those mercenaries were looking for you! Can you go a month without causing a scene here?!"

"Those mercenaries were looking for a Sammie. These pirates were looking for a Rhonda. I just have the misfortune of looking like them. It's hard being a pretty face."

"I don't know about you all, but before we head there we should probably rest, do we have a place to stay? Arkon can you carry Zim? He might be out for a little while longer" Gorin says to the others, still sitting next to Zim's unconscious body. While sitting there he wonders if he couldn't improve Zim's weapon and armor with a little bit of time, and takes note to do so when they get to rest for the night.

The young redhead smiles wryly at the shouting from downstairs, then moving over to the brave but fallen dwarf. "Do you think you can carry him somewhere more quiet where we can all rest and tend to his wounds." She says as she turns to face Arkon, making sure to not look at the mess that used to be a pirate captain. "I'm sure we can all need some rest, some more than others, we wouldn't make Captain Zodge any favours by marching down into that dungeon unprepared for what is waiting there, and I expect it to be worse than these...scallywags." She continues, looking around at the other deputees while motioning to the dead pirates.

Sarris goes and retrieves his dagger from the halved pirate's body.  "Messy business, this was."   

Turning to his companions, "Rest and resupplying sounds like a good choice.  Plus, it gives us more time to work on Zim.

I have one potion of healing that might help... though I think we should find a secure spot to minister to him.

AND, I think we might pool our coin to get a few more potions after seeing what happened today -- just in case."

Arkon nods, his gray eyes softening as he looks down at the injured dwarf. He carefully sheathes his greatsword, the battle’s weight still lingering in his muscles. “Right. Rest is a good idea."

He kneels beside Zim, moving with surprising gentleness for someone of his size. With deliberate care, he lifts the dwarf, cradling him in his massive arms as if handling fragile stone.

“Remember to check the bodies on the way out. They might have more gold for more potions.” 

Gorin will help check the bodies downstairs, staying away from the two halves of Dead-eye.

Meanwhile the young red-haired lady goes back downstairs to speak to the owner about securing some rooms to rest and recuperate, and some food and drink too. She politely explains they are Flaming Fist deputees, flashing her copper badge if necessary. She goes on to explain that they are here on an important mission, sent by Captain Zodge, who will of course be informed of the hospitable cooperation from the Elfsong tavern with completing this mission.

Persuasion with advantage due to perfume: 16

(Perfume has no effect as the innkeeper views the party as hostile, considering they started the fight.)

"Flaming Fist or not, I don't appreciate starting a fight on my property...But captain Zodge is a good sort that will compensate for any damages his men do. Will still be charging you all, anyway there's the standard room for 7 silvers and board for 5. The noble room for a gold and board for 7 silvers."

"Oh? Charging them more, Alan?"

The half-elf nods, "I am. It'll be their part to pay for these people's rounds for the commotion they had to go through."

Tarina shrugs as she puts out some of her winnings onto the counter, "And I'm ever so grateful to have an understanding owner. Here's some to pay for damages and to apologize for the troubles that find me here." Tarina speaks with exaggerated flattery before leaving.

Gorin finds 11 silvers total among the three bodies on the first floor.

Valeria turns away, hoping perhaps the owner will respond better to someone else in the team, she clearly had no success establishing cordial relations on this mission. She didn't mind the cost but the incessant antagonizing didn't sit well with her and made her more weary and annoyed than even the bloodbath their obnoxious contact had drawn them into. Perhaps it was better to seek out another inn with a better mannered owner.

Arkon carefully moves Zim to one arm so he can check Deadeye for anything useful. The others seem oddly hesitant to do so for some reason.

Tucked away in Deadeye's vest is a pouch with 32 gold and 15 silver pieces. Besides the weapons he has, he has adorned himself with some jewelry.

Seeing none in the team eager to take on the tavern owner, Valeria lets out a small sigh but then she turns back to face the half-elf with a polite if somewhat strained smile. "Apologies to you and your patrons, I will make up for that round of drink if I may." She says, placing her pouch of golden coins on the counter to let the owner help himself to whatever is enough to get him in a better mood. "I suppose I could speak to the captain about unforseen but quite necessary expenses during our mission." She adds with a wry smile. "Our short friend in particular needs some place to rest and recover so lets start with a room for him."

Quote from Oberon99 >>

"Our short friend in particular needs some place to rest and recover..."

In his unconcious stupor, Zim answers your words with, "...and ale."

"...yes, I suppose that goes without saying." The young redhead says with an amused smile. "Well fought Zim, we wouldn't have stood a chance without you." She adds with sincere gratitude.

Arkon collects the money and jewelry and then joins the other downstairs.