Dues for the Dead (DM Lerus)

UTAR & DOOZEY

Utar makes short work of the hauling job while being assisted primarily by Mar's assistant. Between some additional small talk and slowly returning to his waiter duties, Mar collects the catering fee from Utar and let's him know he'll stop by the residence later that evening.

Doozey shows a preference for looking into the captains mentioned by Mar and the duo begins to walk away from the tavern and toward the docks proper. At this point, they hear the "Fight! Fight! Fight!" chants coming from one end of the general area.

@Utar: After a bit of thinking, you recall that "Alces" can be an archaic synonym for "Elk".

GRAXX & NEYA

Much like Neya, Klaven's crew begins to step back and merge into the ring of spectators now fully formed around Graxx and Klaven, Neya notices that Hermenor is talking to the other crew members, visibly telling them to stay calm and watch.

Graxx's challenge is met with some more threats: "I don't need no axe to put you back in your place, farmer boy, but I'll have two of them before this is over." Showing no respect for his weapon, Klaven simply throws it on the ground and away from himself. The axe lands menacingly close to a few of the spectators at the edge of the ring. Assuming Graxx hands his last weapon to Neya, the grappling match is about to start.

At 6'4" and 250 pounds, Graxx is a tall and well-built man. Klaven stands at nearly a foot higher and several stone heavier than his foe. Graxx has the clear age advantage, though. At a spry 29, the human must be a good dozen years younger than his goliath opponent.

ROLLING FOR INITIATIVE:

• Graxx: 22 
• Klaven: 8 

Doozey smirks and side-eyes Utar. "Seems like Big Mama Yondalla has indeed smiled upon us, OR some other poor sod has gotten himself into some trouble." He comments, then looked back towards the ruckus. "Either way, worth a peek, eh? Let's go." With that, Doozey sets off into a jog in hopes of reaching the edge of any scrapping circle for a peek into the action. If it however had grown to thick to not run the risk of getting kicked trying to slip his way through for a better view, he instead looked around for any nearby building or stock pile of crates that he might quickly scale up to watch the ensuing show down.

Utar follows along after Doozey. He walks through the docks keeping an eye out for the Alces, a full blooded orc or a minotaur.

Perception - 22

Graxx sizes up his opponent and knows he'll need to bring him down to his level.

(BA)- Graxx begins to RAGE.

"TEMPUS!" Graxx shouts.

Graxx will make two attacks with his fist against Klaven.

Graxx feints right at first then comes in with straight jab with his left aiming at Klaven's ribs.

He will then side step right with a right hook and aim for Klaven's left kidney.

Attack:11  Damage: 4

Attack: 21  Damage 4

Despite the task at hand, Doozey cannot avoid gravitating toward the ruckus. He is sure the other half of CRAP is involved and shoves his way through an amassing crowd right to the front of the ring. Meanwhile, Utar keeps his eyes on the prize and mind on the mission. The gathering horde of spectators makes it so the other portions of the dock area feel less crowded and, without much difficulty, the half-orc spots a ship whose figurehead is a set of oversized elk antlers carved out of wood. If that is not the Alces, then Captain Hulbard may need a rebranding.

Graxx's speed allows him to deliver the first punches of the bout. Klaven blocks the first attempt with his retracted muscly arm but is not quick enough to block the one aimed at his left kidney. (Klaven takes 6 bludgeoning damage.)

The goliath retaliates by attempting to grapple Graxx (contested check).

-> Klaven's athletics check: 25 (original roll: 7)

-> Graxx's athletics check: 25 (original roll: 23)

Graxx easily out-muscles the man behind the eye-patch, but Klaven tries again (contested check).

-> Klaven's athletics check: 20 (original roll: 25)

-> Graxx's athletics check: 14 (original roll: 25)

The two man are temporarily locked in repetitive attempts to grab each others arms, not one of them succeeding at much of anything for the moment.

(Graxx's turn is up).

Graxx tries to take advantage of the very close quarters of Klaven attempting to grapple him by attacking Klaven's ribs.  He swings with his left first and then his right.  Short strikes working on Klaven's ribs!

Attack:27  Damage: 6

Attack: 13  Damage 6

Klaven grunts twice following the punches. (Klaven takes 12 bludgeoning damage.)

He tries a bear-hug next:

-> Klaven's athletics check: 19 (original roll: 21) 

-> Graxx's athletics check: 17 (original roll: 18) 

With Graxx now finally locked in place, Klaven tries to knee his stomach.

-> Unarmed Strike vs. Graxx: Attack: 19 Damage: 5 (original rolls: 9 and 5)

The strike hits Graxx's magical belt instead, which absorbs the impact. 

(Graxx's turn is up.)

Utar winces as Klaven sends a knee into Graxx's stomach. Nasty hit to take, that. Still, Utar wouldn't bet against the barbarian.

Settling in to watch on, Utar folds his arms over his chest and sets himself to watch the fight unfold.

 Despite knowing the somewhat calculated nature of what spurred on the conflict, Doozey watched the fight with a more critical eye on Graxx. Though there are moments in which he might grimace in sentimental pain or absently nod in approval, the stoutling seemed more dedicated towards trying to memorize every movement like a martial teacher would their student. Who for now at least had no word of encouragement to shout to his unknowing student.

Neya keeps on an eye on the other side, to gauge if any of Klaven's goons look like they might jump in (She's so far looking for any clear sign of intent).

Insight: 17

The rest of CRAP settles in to watch the fight, but Neya is sure to keep an eye on Klaven's crew. Not much has changes from a few moments ago. Hermenor is still in control of the group, keeping an eye on the fight while reminding the others to stay calm. Two of the sailors' eyes are dashing between Hermenor and Klaven, as if they were contemplating a choice.

(Graxx's turn is still up.)

Graxx is feeling confident even being locked in place.  He strikes twice once more going for the ribs!

Attack:12  Damage: 6

Attack: 22  Damage 6

Klaven's ribs are quite bruised now. (Klaven takes 12 bludgeoning damage).

But the fight is not over:

-> Unarmed Strike vs. Graxx: Attack: 19 Damage: 5 (original rolls: 19 and 5)

-> Unarmed Strike vs. Graxx: Attack: 26 Damage: 10 (original rolls: 26 and 5)

Klaven finally lands a couple of hits with his knees. (Graxx takes 4 bludgeoning damage, already halved.)

(OOC: There is no crit damage on standard unarmed strikes since no damage dice are being rolled.)

(Graxx is up next.)

Graxx heaves from the knees.

Graxx thinks of Neya and wishes he knew some fancy kicks but all he knows is brawn.

Graxx attempt to link both his hands together and swing them like he would a club into Klaven's gut.

Graxx will try to follow that up with a jumping uppercut attempting to make contact with Klaven's chin!

Attack:12  Damage: 6

Attack: 24  Damage 6

If he hadn't already before, Doozey crossed his arms over his chest and slowly shook his head. "We'll he's certainly putting on a show, I'll give him that." He muttered under his breath, before then shifting his attention to Klaven. "Oi! Big Man! You gonna let that human whoop da piss outta ya like that? Show'em what real muscle is like!" He called out, egging the goliath on further into possibly making a mistake.

(@Lerus: If some kind of check is needed for any mechanical benefits being granted for heckling the goliath, here's a flat d20 roll for now: 16.)

Neya keeps her attention split between the fight and the crowd. Keeping an eye out for any signs of trouble.

Perception: 12

Insight: 12

(@Ori: Let's call it an intimidation check, which will set the DC for Klaven's WIS saving throw. If he fails, he'll get disadvantage on his next attack.)

-> Klaven's WIS saving throw {DC 16}: 21 (original roll: 18)

Neya continues to pay attention to the crowd in addition to the fight. She notices that a group of three or four individuals have started collecting coins from the crowd, clearly taking bets on the fight before it is over. A few of Klaven's crew members seem interested in the the possibility of betting. Among those who show interest is the elf, Hermenor. He waves one of the bookies over.

Utar continues to watch the match attentively, as does Doozey. The stoutling takes it up a notch by goading the goalith fighter, but his vocal efforts are drowned by the crowd noises.