Dues for the Dead (DM Lerus)

Meanwhile, Graxx changes things up a bit. First, he joins his hands for a double-handed single punch, which is followed by an uppercut. Both strikes find their mark but surprisingly draw no blood from the golaith foe. Graxx's hands hurt a little, as if he had punched pure stone.

-> Klaven's Stone's Endurance: 8 (original roll: 5) (Klaven takes 7 bludgeoning damage.)

Klaven readies his next attacks while still holding on the his human opponent:

-> Unarmed Strike vs. Graxx: Attack: 15 Damage: 5 (original rolls: 20 and 5)  

-> Unarmed Strike vs. Graxx: Attack: 18 Damage: 5 (original rolls: 23 and 5)  

Graxx leaves his chest undefended and suffers the consequences. (Graxx takes 4 bludgeoning damage, already halved.) 

(Graxx's turn is up again.)

Graxx again winces from the pain.

Graxx is shocked his blows did not draw blood!  He goes back to working on Klaven’s ribs as that seemed to work last time.

Graxx will make two strikes!

Attack:18  Damage: 6

Attack: 19  Damage 6

Klaven is neglecting defense and his ribs are paying the price. This time, he does cough up some blood. (Klaven takes 12 bludgeoning damage.)

The would-be pirate is now noticing that his strikes are not doing much damage to Graxx. So, he keeps trying.

-> Unarmed Strike vs. Graxx: Attack: 17 Damage: 5 (original rolls: 17 and 5)  

-> Unarmed Strike vs. Graxx: Attack: 24 Damage: 5 (original rolls: 24 and 5)  

His movements are becoming slower. (Graxx takes 2 bludgeoning damage, already halved.)

(Back to Graxx.)

“We can stop when you want!” Grunts Graxx after the blow.

Graxx makes two more strikes to the ribs!

Attack:8  Damage: 6

Attack: 8  Damage 6

"Hold back a little! Looks like he's bitten off more than he can chew!" Neya warns Graxx.

From his vantage point at the edge of the crowd, Utar casts an eye about and tries to spot either a minotaur or full blooded orc, wondering if either might've been drawn by the commotion.

He then throws a look over his shoulder just in case the fight is attracting the interest of Johnny Law.

Perception - 17

Doozey grimaced, and would from that point on keep from adding fuel to the fire, much as he wanted to help out Graxx. Rather, he would try to stay on the alert and make sure at least few to none of any other crowd members got rowdy enough to interrupt the match.

Meanwhile, a rather bored Taters had begun looking around for any sea birds he might swoop in and snatch up to eat at the docks...

The other CRAPers continue to support Graxx from the sidelines. This time, it is Neya's turn to be more vocal and Doozey's to stay silent. Utar fails to spot either a minotaur or a full-blooded orc, but Taters has his choice of seagull to chase. A couple of Black Fist guards stand nearby but are actively avoiding interrupting the fight.

While Utar looks around, Graxx delivers two more strikes to Klaven's ribs. There was definitely a crack after the second punch, and the goliath is only standing out of pride now. (Klaven takes 12 bludgeoning damage.)

He is a stubborn one:

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

-> Unarmed Strike vs. Graxx: Attack: 12 Damage: 5 (original rolls: 12 and 5)  

Klaven manages to hit Graxx one more time. He was aiming for the chin but wavered, hitting the human's shoulder instead. (Graxx takes 2 bludgeoning damage, already halved.)

(Graxx is up next.)

Graxx shakes off the shoulder blow.

Graxx looks at Neya and nods letting her know message received.

”Enough!” shouts Graxx!

Graxx will attempt to break Klaven’s grapple.

Strength Check:  23

Graxx will then attempt to shove prone.

Strength Check: 13

(@Grx: We can call those both athletics checks, so your rolls are 27 and 17.)

Klaven cannot beat the first roll. Here's a check against the second:

-> Klaven's athletics check: 8 (original roll: 8)

Klaven is thoroughly humiliated as Graxx shows that he could have gotten out of his bear-hug whenever he wanted, and is then pushed to the ground with ease. The goliath does not stand back up immediately, instead using the next few seconds to accuse Graxx of cheating: "Under what kind of sorcery are you, Farmer Boy? What potion have you drunk or which sorcerer has your back?" He points at Neya: "Was is that witch?"

Hermenor holds the other sailors back for now.

Utar cannot repress a small smile as Graxx overpowers the goliath.  Hopefully the rest of this encounter plays out in the manner that Graxx needs it to, Utar turns to more fully focus on the Black Fist guards stood nearby.

Graxx snarls a bit at the witch comment.

"Witch?  You better be glad it's me in this circle with you and not her or else you would not have any teeth left." says Graxx.

Graxx puts his hands on his hips.

"No wizard has my back... The one who has my back is one far more powerful than any wizard.  I am a Paladin of Tempus the Foehammer.  I am a Warrior of the Lord of Battles and I would not be bested by the likes of you."

Graxx stands above Klaven and leans down.  Making sure to put himself in striking distance so that Klaven can reach for him and strike him if it wants.

"How does it feel?  To feel the fear and hopelessness like you have put into others weaker than you?  How does it feel to know someone is mightier and meaner than you?" asks Graxx.

Graxx looks to the elf to see how he is reacting before he makes his final move.

Insight:  20

OOC:  Would Graxx notice that Doozey and Utar have arrived as he is looking at the Elf?

Neya just crooks an eyebrow, in amusement. Sure, she has been called a witch or even a vampire before, with some justification. But this is the first time it was because of a bruised ego.

@Utar: The guards are still just standing there. They are clearly aware of what is happening but are still not reacting.

The bookies continue to collect money and pass some of it back to the crowd. One gambler storms off and a few henchmen give chase. Some people scream, others laugh. Seagulls make their annoying presence know at every second, either by squawking, snatching, or defecating.

Graxx piles on the already humiliating scene by choosing some carefully insulting words to aim at someone with a large ego. Neya observes as she is mentioned a couple of times. Klaven appears to take it all with a lowered head initially, just to suddenly reach for something previously concealed within his boots and lunge at Graxx. He attempts to smash the vial on Graxx's head, as if using a bottle in a tavern brawl.

-> Improvised Weapon Attack vs. Graxx: Attack: 15 Damage: 5 (original rolls: 15 and 5)

He misses, and has only enough time to turn and look at Graxx with a dumb expression on his face.

@Graxx: Yes, you notice Doozey and Utar in the crowd. As for Hermenor the elf, much like most of the crowd, he is attentively watching what is going to happen next. He does not seem to display an impetus to come to his captain's defense and, in fact, has a subtle smirk on his face. The crew seems to be following his lead.

Well, that didn't take too long. Graxx put the Goliath on his arse then the fool decides to escalate matters with a move that should give the nearby guards every excuse they need to cart Klaven away.

Utar maintains his position at the edge of the crowd, keeping a watchful eye on the Black Fist guards, hoping they were as perceptive as him.

(OOC Does his passive perception pick up on the vial attack on Graxx?)

Graxx looks down in disgust.

"Enough!" shouts Graxx.

Graxx will disengage and take two steps back from Klaven feeling emboldened by knowing his warband is here.

"Klaven your reign of terror ends today.  It ends now.  You have made a clear attempt to strike me down by whatever vile poison is in that vial.  You will drop the vial right this instant and come with me." says Graxx.

Graxx looks around and makes sure his voice is loud and carries.

"I am taking you to be judged by the Harbormaster.  Your fate will be decided by the wise Lieutenant Hurn.  He will not be pleased to hear that someone has committed such a vile act as he cares so much for this town."

Graxx eyes look quickly trying to make eye contact with Neya, Doozey, and Utar to let them know what may be about to come.

"You will drop that bottle immediately and come willingly.  Or I will take that bottle from you then beat you unconscious and drag you to the Harbormaster myself." says Graxx.

Graxx eyes then move to the elf, Hermenor.

"Let none interfere and no more violence need happen this day." says Graxx.

Intimidation:  26

Out of everything to happen, the attack proved to be the last straw for the stoutling. Yet after Doozey narrowed his eyes and at that point placed a hand on the hilt of his weapon, steel isn't fully drawn. Instead he strained himself to try and remember something of goliath culture. For surely the giant-kin(from his presumption at least) had some warrior ethics Klaven needed reminding of...

History: 14.

But unable to come up with anything to further on his own, he sighed and would eventually withdraw his hand away from the weapon, trusting in Graxx to handle things appropriately enough..

.

DM's Screen:

Utar continues to place his hope on the Black Fist guards standing nearby. For now, they seem intent on disappointing the good cleric.

Doozey has a hunch that Klaven's actions might have been offensive to his own culture, but can't quite be sure at the moment whether he is mixing up the traditions of the many tribes he met during his far travels. He does recall something nonetheless: Graxx had mentioned earlier that Lieutenant Hurn referred to Klaven as a 'merchant playing pirate', or something to that effect, and pirates are not generally known for following a moral or honor code.

Graxx continues to perform for the crowd, albeit now using his orator skills instead of his brawler ones. He is sure to mention Klaven's disregard for the rules of engagement, drop in Lieutenant Hurn's name, and give the goliath one more chance to end things peacefully. While Klaven thinks, Graxx approaches Hermenor and gives him some instructions. The elf seems a bit surprised, perhaps even a little defiant, but proves to be a faster thinker than his captain. "I'll do you one better," he replies to Graxx while reaching for his staff. He takes a few quick steps toward Klaven and does not hesitate to whack the goliath on the side of his head. Klaven falls unconscious to the ground. "There, it is all done now." Turning back to Graxx: "You are too kind for your own good. How many chances were you going to give him?" Hermenor walks back to his crew: "C'mon boys, back to the ship. Old Captain Klaven has... retired."

The crowd displays a collective sense of surprise. Some linger, but most begin to disperse now that the fight is over. Someone screams: "Down with Klaven", which is answered by someone else's "Take that petty criminal to jail!" A few hoorays follow. A few people yell out "You showed him, Paladin of Tempus!" while a few others add: "Hooray to Lieutenant Hurn's champion!" A young maiden comes by and gives Graxx a flower. An older gentleman pats his shoulder. As they leave, people seem to be giving Hermenor and the crew a wide berth.