Hex Damage: 2

Velan's mote of fire sails down the street and past Ran and Meili and into the gladiator's armored shoulder.  Despite catching his armor, he bellows in pain and there is an odor of burnt flesh.  Indeed, he has blocked many attacks with the protected arm and shoulder already, and despite the armor, trickles of blood run down his elbow and side.

Third Round!

• Meili
• Ran
• Taban
• Danica
• Mica 
• Velan

Ok, that was better (just a little but gave Meili some hope). She concentrated and tried again - sword then kick, you can not do simpler than that!

Attack: 19 Damage: 4

Attack: 9 Damage: 7

Ran smiles through the pain at Taban.

"Deadgleams are too stupid and stubborn to be put down that easily," Ran says as he draws both long swords and lashes out at Taban, turning the blades at the last moment to connect with the flat of the blade. They're there to collect payment not a life.

Action: Longsword - Attack: 24 Damage: 6  

Bonus Action: Longsword - Attack: 17 Damage: 3  

Taban blocks Meili's kick with a raised knee, but her sword cuts another bloody gap in his leather armored shoulder.  Worse for him, Ran takes the opening and slaps the flat of both of his blades against the gladiator's already bruised side.  He grimaces and then growls, "Damn you fools!" through gritted teeth.  He throws a heavy elbow at Ran's face, a kick to Meili's ribs, and then spins with a haymaker punch for the bridge of Mica's nose.

At Ran:  Attack: 26 Damage: 5

At Meili:  Attack: 10 Damage: 5

At Mica:  Attack: 12 Damage: 5

...

He misses Ran, and though he connects with his kick and punch to Meili and Mica, he remains unable to bring down any of his opponents.  He places a hand on his side, panting.  Then he raises his other hand.  "Enough!"  Panting some more, "Enough.  Taban's pride has defeated him today."  Looking at K'lahu, "You will have your coin, harpy-woman."

Taban moves slowly but purposefully toward his front door.  He stops, picks up his mug of tej, and drains it.  Wiping his face, he takes a few steps inside and then returns with a few pouches of coins.  Coming back out onto the street, he begins to count.  

Taban seems far from serious injury or death, but he is clearly favoring the left side of his ribs and from what you can see the flesh under his leather armor shoulder pauldron is cut and badly bruised.  As he counts, he speaks outloud without looking directly at any of you.  "You must know, had Taban used his weapon he would have crushed you.  Instead, He had hoped to send a message to K'lahu.  A bare fisted beating of her champions would have delivered that message nicely.  Instead the only message he delivered was, 'Taban, you are a cocky fool!'"

Eventually satisfied with his count, he pours those coins back into one of the pouches and tosses it to K'lahu, who begins her own count.  Taban massages his side.  "I will need to cover this..." he muses.  "Shago will not miss a chance to exploit this if he finds it."

Her own count finished, K'lahu smiles coldly at Taban.  "It is all here.  A pleasure doing business.  I expect we will see you again at the next Executioners Run, now that you are back in good standing?" to which Taban laughs and nods.  K'lahu then separates 50gp.  "Well done, Five Foreigners.  It is as Grandfather Zitembe promised.  A profitable gamble for us all."  She hands over the 50gp to your group.  "I have not forgotten the rest of our deal.  When I have an appointment ready with Prince Jessamine tomorrow, where should I send word to you?  Do you have lodging in the city?"

Ran sheathes his swords quickly and smoothly. When Taban returns and hands the coins to K'lahu, Ran reaches out and offers an open hand in greeting to Taban.

"I'd rather not do that again anytime soon," Ran says with a smile trying to hide how close he was to going down. "Was a whopping beaut of a fight though."

He then slips his share of the gold into his pouch. Ran then pauses when K'lahu asks where they're staying. He hadn't gotten that far yet so he waits for one of the others to give a desitination.

Taban looks down at Ran's hand for a moment before accepting the handshake.  His grip is like stone, but he can't completely hide another grimace when he moves his shoulder to shake.  "A costly practice match for me.  I never should have attacked you at the onset.  Had I gone for your wizard and put him down immediately, as I planned, I suspect things would have happened very differently."  He looks up and watches a flock of small yellow and green feathered birds as they race overhead.  "Or just kept my baton."  He shrugs.  "Too late now."

Meili bowed politely to the great warrior. He was brave, strong and fought really good, her own ribs could attest to it. She will be fine (she had it worse before, any fighter did) but she will remember the lessons. "Thank you for the fight." She did not say anything to Taban but did apologize to K'lahu "Forgive me my doubts, your customs are still unfamiliar to me." She paused but then added. "We were staying in The Thundering Lizard and might be there tomorrow." She was not absolutely sure but for the moment it was all she had.

Money was actually really needed - now she was able to get the necessary things for the healing she promised. Would be nice to have them now - not for her even, but three of them could use some healing, and Taban needed it too.

As the damage starts to accumulate the gladiator calls out a fight and not a moment too soon, as far as Velan was concerned. He wasn’t sure how much longer everyone could hold against Taban’s strikes. A good punch from him was probably more than enough to knock the lights out of the wizard, especially now that he could not use the Shield Spell. Few second and I already burned everything.

“You would have knocked me at end of your third attack.” He admitted approaching the group and lifting his hex with a snap of fingers. “But I don’t think the fight would have changed dramatically because of that. They were the ones to really beat you.” The caster then turns to Ran. “Forgive me the terrible plan.”

Then the payment is made and Velan’s spirit is uplifted. Now I can afford an owl, provided I learn how to call it, he thought to himself looking at the other three. He had forgot the agreement about K’lahu arranging them an audience with Jessamine, but, fortunately, the woman had not.

“Well, do we have time to catch a breath before meeting with Wakanga?” The wizard questions the others, sure a short rest would be good to everyone. “I could use a time to recover some arcane ability."

"We can probably rest in the Temple?" (Where the priests might as well look into the wounds. Probably. There was so much probability element in everything here!) "If we still want to go there." Meili did (want) but that could wait.

Ran absently rubs his jaw then side where he took two of Taban's heavier blows.

"So you feeling good, eh?" Ran asks Taban. "If I were to make a wee wager tonight, you feel like this Shago is going to be at the receiving end of your anger at losing this here tussle?"

Ran nods to Meili when she mentions the temple.

"We've still time to kill. Temple's as good a place as any."

If the group makes their way back to the temple and if they pass through the Grand Souk market again, Ran will keep an eye open for anyone selling tools - things a jeweler, locksmith, tinker might have; something he can make into a thieves' tools kit.

Mica slips his handaxes back into his belt, thankful Taban had yielded, then tilts his head back as he reaches up for where Taban’s blow struck him on the bridge of his nose.  He presses a piece of rag to his nose and tries to blink away the stars he sees swimming in his field of vision.   Feels like it may be broken, again!  He curses to himself silently.

His mood brightens when K’lahu passes around their payment, this could come in handy to prepare for the expedition.  “Not a bad idea, Ran.” he laughs as Ran discusses wagering on the fights. “This is one I would not bet against, and if we are going to the fights anyway with Volo, it is worth looking into.”

He turns back to Meili “Yes, let’s head back to the Temple.  I have some more questions for the priest, since he apparently knew we were coming.  Perhaps he will have more information for us.”

4

...

Taban puffs out his chest and glowers in the direction of the Grand Coliseum.  "Nothing will prevent me from serving a beating to that no-it-all brat, Shago.  I will send him crying back to his puppeteers at Fort Beluarian."  Ran, his confidence is inspiring... though you wonder given the wounds you seem to have inflicted upon him, there does not appear to be a doubt in Taban's mind.

...

K'lahu goes her separate way while Taban returns inside his home to prepare for his bout this evening.  The five of you dust yourselves off under the hot, mid-afternoon sun and walk back to the temple of Savras.  By your reckconing you still have well more than an hour before you are due back to meet Volo and head to watch the gladiator games with him and his patron.

Arriving at temple, you find it has no proper door.  There opens appear at ground level around the dome, with bead curtains hanging in place of woode or stone doors.  Inside, these all open up to three separate wings that meet at a central altar.  Interior walls create private spaces for the priests between the wings.  The interior is dark and there are no windows.  Torches surround the altar, providing brighter light in that area, but the wings are lit only by enchanted stones along the walls, allowing just enough light to see the chairs and benches.

When you enter, a young acolyte approaches you.  "Grandfather Zitembe is waiting for you.  Please, follow me."  He leads you to another wing of the temple and then through a door into one of the private chambers.  A stone fountain with a large basin sits in the corner of the room.  Water flows down from the top down several different paths, creating tiny waterfalls along the way.  The basin is large enough for someone to sit inside, though whether this is a bath or purely for decoration is not clear.  At a small wooden bench next to the fountain sits an ancient chultan man, his white beard carefully braided and reaching almost to his navel.  His hands rest atop a gnarled staff of rich mahogany and he looks up with a pleasant smile as you enter.  His eyes are a milky white color, suggesting he may be blind.

"Ah.  You have come to see me.  Welcome, strangers, to Chult. Welcome to Port Nyanzaru.  Welcome to the Temple of Savras, revealer of truth.  I trust the adventure with K'lahu was not too trying of a diversion?" 

Ran leans against the wall, closes his eyes and mentally takes inventory of his body and what hurts and doesn’t hurt.

He gives a nod of respect to the elder priest but he refers to the others on actually asking any questions.

(OOC did Ran notice any tinker/jeweller/craftsman tools for sale in the market on the way back? Per post above he was keeping an eye out for anything he can put together to make a thieves tools set)

Quote from Thoradin_Orcbender >>

 

(OOC did Ran notice any tinker/jeweller/craftsman tools for sale in the market on the way back? Per post above he was keeping an eye out for anything he can put together to make a thieves tools set)

 [It wasn't en route to pass by the Grand Souk between Taban's and the Temple of Savras, but you will pass it on the way back to meet Volo.]

"Yes, the temple.” He said as if the mention of the place itself had surprised him. Maybe it was the battle, maybe the sudden number of good connections he was able to make in a few hours of meeting and agreeing on working with or a combination of both, but the caster had completely forgot the very reason that brought all of the most recent events to fruition - the visit to Savra’s temple. The fact was particularly funny to him since Savras was not only the god of divination, but especially the god of wizards. “Thank you for reminding me. Maybe the Grandfather will have another quest for us.”

It wouldn’t be the first time in the day, and he doubted it would be the last. Velan fully expected Wakanga to have a favor or two to ask in exchange for his own help. The princes were merchants and for a merchant every single encounter is a different opportunity. But first the temple.

They barely arrived when the acolyte called for them. The wizard was not one to thank the gods, but in that situation he was more than grateful for the gift of divination Savras had given the high priest. It made made the entire process of meeting Zitembe easier and faster, after all. 

“Thank you, High Priest. As far as diversions go, it was fruitful and had its challenges. Enough of them to make us wish for some respite and healing.” He said looking at Ran, still guilty for the failure of the strategy. “Forgive me if I’m being to direct, but K’lahu mentioned you had something to tell us. Something that would guide us in a direction other than her request.”

Meili would prefer information rather than a quest, though, one seemed to be bound to another in this place. The short walk back to the temple allowed to fully return calmness - and enjoy the strange and still very exotic look of the streets, both distracting from the pain. In the overly-luxurious temple, she breathed a bit easier (no, she was wrong again - tall stone walls were not a luxury but a necessity to cool down the air), bowed to the priest (you do not have to pray to every god there is but have to respect them) and like Ran, fall to the background. Meily just kept a bit closer. Even if the priest truly recognized them (in the Temple it was easier to believe in a miracle than in a con) and had a special message, she came for one thing - to learn about the Curse. She kept silent and just listened for now, though - know the ground you stand on before throwing straws in the air to see the wind. Let the priest speak.

"Something to tell you?"  Grandfather Zitembe chuckles quietly.  "K'lahu is a type without imagination.  To her, life is just a series of transactions.  A client wins a bet; she pay.  A client loses a bet; she collect.  She comes to me and wishes to purchase a roadmap to her future.  As though the All-Seeing One turns his eyes to look for ways for casinos to collect from their customers."

"That is not how the sight works.  Savras gifts us with glimpses of what has come to pass, what may yet come to pass... sometimes... sometimes pieces of what will come to pass... but it is not subject to our schedules or desires.  He does not show us what we want to see, or even what we think we need to see... he gives what he must.  When he must.  And then it is up to us to use his gift... or not."

He leans forward, placing both hands on his walking stick.  He looks straight ahead and you all grow more convinced that the man's earthly eyes are indeed blind.  "Many have come to me these last months with questions.  Questions about the jungles, about the failure of magic to restore the dead, about the curse that seems to drain the lifeforce of those restored.  They have begged me, 'Grandfather Zitembe!  Consult the guides!  Beg Savras to show us the path! Show us how to find and stop the death curse!'  For some of them - for those I bear great love - I have even done as they asked... I have performed the rituals, lighting the incenses and praying for long hours as my body goes to waste."  He is quiet, and the magical stones lighting the room seem to dim, ever so slightly.  "But Savras is silent.  He gives me nothing."

"Until last night."

"Last night I received a powerful vision. I saw us together in this room.  Right here.  Right now.  My hands just so.  You, there," he says, pointing right to Ran.  "You, there," he says, pointing right to Meili.  "All five of you here.  And in the vision I spoke these words:"

"You come here, travelers, to ask me of the Death Curse, and tonight I will oblige.  I will consult the guides overnight.  Savras will hear my prayers and he will share a vision for you; only for you.  It will relate to your quest and the trials to come. In the morning you will return and receive his wisdom; his blessing.

But Savras' gifts do not come without a price.  There will be a heavy toll asked of those who wish to serve the All-Seeing One.  I do not yet now know the price that will be asked, be it coin or service or blood... it will be shared with me as part of the vision.  But you must agree to it now, right here and now, or leave and do not return to his temple.  Accept now what is yet to be asked if you wish to accept what will be offered on the morrow."

The old man shivers a bit as though he has felt a chill.  He leans back on the bench and visibly relaxes.  "That was... exciting.  Even as an old man, I sometimes get to experience something new."

"I imagine you may have questions.  If so, I will try to answer what I can.  But before you leave, I will need an answer.  Do you want me to consult Savras on this matter for you, understanding that you will be committing yourselves to some demand of Savras that is yet to be revealed?"

"I do. I agree to pay the price your god demands no matter what it will be." Meili spoke with the devotion of a true believer - as honestly and sincerely as one can say the words of an oath. She came for the local stories that priests surely heard more than anyone else and did not expect a divine revelation but once the words of the god were spoken, did not hesitate a moment.

Maybe it was the place or the old priest just really knew how to present himself, but she believed immediately. "I can not speak of others but I will return at dawn," she bowed again and stepped back. She did have questions but right now they felt... unworthy of the moment?