Ran turns at Danica's hand on his shoulder and is about to open his mouth that Taban's kind always have something that's collectible, even if it's just their spirit and hubris but stops at the mention of Batiri masks. There it is.

He turns back to K'lahu and resorts to business mode.

"Where is Taban likely to be? Is he likely to have friends with him that will fight?" Ran asks then pauses before asking his last questions. "Have you sent foreigners to try and collect before? And where do we meet you afterwards?"

K’lahu smiles as the conversation steers from decision toward logistics.  

“There is no need to meet later, as I will accompany you.  Taban is resting at his home, in advance of a match tonight.  I will explain he must pay.  If he disagrees, you will convince him to pay.  If he still disagrees, you will extract the payment from him.  Then you will receive your 10% and we will all go our separate ways.  I should also be clear - if it comes to violence, bloodshed is fair game but we do not have sanction to kill.  You don’t have the look of cutthroats, but it needs to be clear all the same.  Intimidate… bruise and bloody if it comes to that… but no killing.”

She seems most pleased, and though You have not exactly accepted her terms, she begins to move away, beckoning you to follow.  “Come, Come.  Time is short for all of us.”

Ran looks back at the others and raises his hands, palms out and open.

"These temples aren't going anywhere, and a few more friends never hurts," he says with a smile. "Everyone ready?"

He then turns and moves off after, K'lahu.

But while he doesn't think she's lying, he does still keep a look out for any sign of being led into an ambush.

Perception: 18  

To Meili that woman could as well scream "come faster, I need someone to steal for me and be blamed for the deed", but what does she know. Velan did not confirm yet if this is a normal Chultan custom or whether or not they will insult one Prince by helping another. Maybe everything was perfectly in order? Meili was following Danica here. Should the captain decide this is what needs to be done to secure the expedition - then this is what will be done.

He watched carefully as the woman reacted to mention of the princes. There was surprise, but not real fear in her reaction. She is not worried about what could happen if she crosses us. That could only mean that either she is speaking the truth and will not cross the five of them or that she is sure that they won’t have the chance to act upon the threats. The first option appeared more likely after K’lahu said that she would collect the debt with them. If there was any trap she would not only be in the line of fire, but surrounded by five enemies. No one skilled enough to not worry about this kind of danger would spend time approaching strangers in the street.

“Not so fast.” Velan interjected after the woman’s explanation. “You also promised us an audience with Jessamine and have not yet answered if we should expect Taban to be accompanied, especially by able fighters.” Always remember what is offered and demanded before sealing a deal. Always be careful with the wording and search for the intentions behind appearances. He had learned as much during his apprenticeship. “You must understand that from our point of view you may as well be someone trying to lead us in a deadly ambush, so we need to know in advance to where we are going. You know, the name of the city area where we will find the debtor.”

The wizard then looks at Meili, remembering her own questions. Maybe she was not familiar with the portfolio of Savras or merchants didn’t have the habit to consult seers in the continent. To her the entire ordeal should look illegal as all the Nine Hells put together.

“If she is telling the truth she is a collector with a tight schedule to make her job and that cannot afford to make a mistake. She sought counsel within the temple of the god of divination to ensure her sucess.” He points at the sumptuous dome, an eye gazing upon the sky forever watchful. “And the prophecy she received told her to seek a group that just so happens to be us. She would be here out of need and superstition, willing to give us the information and audience.”

K'lahu turns on her heel, real aggravation showing in her face for the first time.  She looks prepared to shout at Velan, but holds her tongue as he answers some of Meili's concerns from earlier.  She appears to catch herself and answers Velan's new questions directly and curtly, but without obvious displays of anger.

"Yes.  If an audience with the Merchant Prince Jessamine is part of the cost of gaining your help, I can arrange that.  I cannot promise this will occur before tomorrow, likely tomorrow afternoon.  While I can make your introductions, I do not control her schedule and she is a very busy woman."

"As far as Taban, he lives alone.  While I cannot guarantee he will not have a guest or courtesan visiting, it would be out of character for a gladiator such as him to have armed protection.  Indeed, it would be humiliating if the great Taban were known to hire out protection.  If it comes to violence, I am certain he will be fighting alone."

Ran pauses as Velan asks more questions, listens to K'lahu's answer and then turns to follow before looking back over his shoulder at Velan again.

"Come on." Ran calls. "Rattle ya dags. We've got things to do before we have to meet Volo."

Taking a moment to process, Danica smiled tightly at K'lahu and said, "Well we shouldn't have anything to worry about as long as you stay close hm? Lead the way!" Giving a 'friendly' clap around the woman's soft shoulders with a small squeeze. She wouldn't be letting this woman out of their sight until they got their money and were on their way. Even though Velan had assuaged most of her concerns, the things Meili brought up still tickled at the back of her mind. Coin was coin though.

"Ran's right, sooner we can get this done, sooner we can go visit the temples and then meet up with our new friend and the prince." 

K'lahu smiles again.  Her demeanor is very hot and cold.  When you question the mission or express doubt about her story she bristles like a porcupine, but now that you have accepted the job she seems quite cordial and engages in polite conversation on the walk to Taban's domicile.  "Wonderful good.  As the seer said, this will prove to be a profitable gamble for us... or perhaps no gamble at all."

She explains that Taban keeps a small house near the harbor.  It is a short walk.  This area has more stone buildings than the Merchants Ward.  Built in the Amnish style, K'lahu explains as though she is giving a walking tour of the city rather than leading you to potentially assault someone.  The former colonial interests built up these areas to house the sailors and longshoremen of their empire.  Now these same homes are occupied by Chultan sailors, and a few of those lucky commoners with enough coin to move inside the walls from the Old City or Malar's Throat.

As you pass along the docks, through gaps in the buildings you catch glimpses of the harbor.  A small sailing vessel is just coming into port.  Its flags show an unusual symbol, a red diamond with a fist, wreathed in fire.

History DC 14:

 K'lahu leads you away from the water and deeper into the crowded streets of the Harbor Ward, between warehouses, tenements and small single story homes.  From somewhere nearby, a horn-like sound echoes, though you get the feeling it was made by an animal of some kind rather than an actual horn.  The streets and alleys are narrow here and those of you who are less than confident in your guides intentions may grow a bit nervous.  Nevertheless, she soon stops outside a home with some potted plants and a garden in the yard.  "It is there," she says, pointing not at the flowery home but at another across the alley.  The home is not remarkable, but for its heavy, reinforced wood door and shutters which set it apart from some of the others nearby.  Smoke rises from the chimney.

She looks at all of you.  "I will announce us and call him outside.  If we are lucky, he will be reasonable.  If we are unlucky, he will be stubborn, and then it will be up to you to make him unlucky."  She suggests you take up positions you feel would be advantageous for you.  (see map, and let me know if you have a preference on where to stand)

Once you are in position, she approaches the heavy wooden door and pounds on it three times, then steps back 10 feet and calls out, "Taban!  Your debt has come due!  Come out and deliver unto Prince Jessamine what is owed, fairly and rightfully!"  She then folds her thick arms and waits.

After 10 seconds, there is the sound of a heavy latch opening and the door swings inward.  From out of the shadows inside lumbers a tall Chultan man.  He is nearing middle age and there are flecks of grey in his otherwise thick black beard, but he does not look as though time has yet caught up to him.  He wears a light tropical skirt about his waist and his left shoulder and arm are wrapped in studded leather.   Lean muscles bead with sweat under the mid afternoon sun, and there are small scars - and a few large ones - visible on his body.  He holds a bent wooden club, somewhat like a walking cane, in his right hand but it hangs at his side and he does not brandish it menacingly.  In his other hand he holds a mug of tej.

"K'lahu!  How good to see you.  I have missed your stray cat yowling from my patio these last few days.  Where have you been?"  He scans those of you who are visible.  "Collecting more strays?" He smiles.  "Ah, more stray cats to collect a debt brokered by a viper.  You know full well you will have no coin from me.  As I have said before, I do not recall placing the bet, and it was illegal in any case.  The man had no chance to survive.  No odds should have been offered at all.  I owe you nothing."

K'lahu snorts.  "Illegal?  There is no such provision in the law.  A bet, even a stupid one, made without duress stands.  Your debt is valid, and it comes due today."

Taban waves his mug of tej dismissively at K'lahu.  Turning to the rest of you, "And you kittens, what milk has she promised you?  Or is it a viper's favor you covet instead?  No matter.  Leave, before K'lahu gets you into trouble."

Hearing no comment from the others that the princes were working against each other and hearing approval from Danica as she tells the Chultan woman to lead on, Mica follows at the front of the group, closely behind Ran.   “Huh, hard to believe we are the answers to this one's prayers, this will be interesting.”

He pays close attention to their surroundings and the maze of streets K’lahu leads them through, maintaining a general sense of direction and their location.  He notices the vessel sailing into the harbor and tries to place the flag flying above it.  History 3.

 Failing the place the flag, he ignores it and moves on.  As they approach Taban’s house, Mica takes up position in the street near the front door.  He wants to be seen, and he does his best to appear big, standing tall with his hands resting on the axes at his belt.  

“You don’t remember making the bet?  Perhaps your brain was addled by drink, although I am sure you would have remembered to collect had you won.”  He pauses and grins “Even kittens have claws and can be a danger to the mouse who hides in the shadows and shirks their duty.  Pay the lady what is owed and there will be no trouble. "

Meili listened to the fiery woman's architectural lesson with an interest. Id did not sound like an attempt to distract the group's attention from the future crime. Perhaps she was wrong after all. The girl was about to assess the garden (the warrior's garden can tell a lot about himself) but they turned to another one. Different traditions, of course. Meili sighed silently and stepped a bit aside, letting more impressive people like Ran or Mica catch the eye of the gladiator first.

(Position - to the right (our right, east on the map) on the road to see the door, somewhere below the barrels)

Meili fully intended to stay silent, but the man seemed to see them all and yet wished to speak to each... "If one forgot the crime does it mean the crime was never committed? Remember or not a debt is a debt, we all pay ours if only to learn to never make a new one." It was unlikely a simple piece of old wisdom would change man's opinion but he seemed to be in a good mood and at least could listen.

History: 6

History Check: 18

Something about the flag on the ship looked familiar to Ran, but he was never great with banners and symbols. That was more Shepard's thing.

History: 13  

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At Taban's house, Ran took up a position right by the door. Clearly visible but closer than K'lahu. When Taban comes out he sizes up the gladiator, listens to the back and forth and the words of the rest of the group.

Definitely some law abiding types in this group, Ran thinks to himself.

"You can reason with this grotty dunny of a human all you want," Ran says to the others before looking at Taban. "But he ain't the listening type. Are you?"

Initiative: 20 

In one smooth motion, Ran draws both longswords from their scabbards across his back and smiles at Taban.

“Understandable.” He says to K’lahu comment about not controlling the prince’s schedule. “Lead the way.” He says retrieving from his pocket a teal colored crystal tied by leather. In silken, the wizard arched his arms and pressed his hands, one upon the other, over his chest. With the arcane focus under the right palm, he them whispered the words of the Mage Armor spell. Arcane energy encased his body, forming a layer of protection in the anticipation of an incoming battle.

During the journey to Taban’s home he was fascinated by the history behind the different architectonic styles that made the city. Maybe I should write about it, he pondered. If nothing else, he would enjoy studying the difference in functionality and cultural value inherent to the different constructions. A possibility he left behind as he glimpsed familiar flags in the harbor. What is Flaming Fist doing so far away from their fort? First the quarantined vessel on the Anchorage, now that. Maybe something big was happening in the Port. Either way they soon reached the debtor’s abode.

“Something tells me we won’t be so lucky.” He said to K’lahu comment about the gladiator being reasonable, taking position behind the rest of the entourage. He was a spellcaster, after all. His fights were made from distance, and he was not particularly resilient.

His prediction came into fruition, as Taban resorted to bravado and denied paying the debt with a rather flawed argument. Mica and Meili where the first of the five to confront him. Maybe it was something about having a name starting with the letter “M”, Velan considered.

“How curious it is that you do not remember making the bet, but affirms so emphatically that the bet you made was illegal.” A contradiction that ensured the wizard that their patron was, after all, with the reason. “I won’t deny the odds were unfair, unethical, but ultimately you were the one to make the debt and we just want you to uphold your honor by paying what you owe.”

Taban listens to the reasons responses of Meili and Velan, and the veiled threats of Mica with a look of feigned boredom.  When Ran draws his swords, however, he cannot suppress a broad smile.  He raises his face to the sky and soaks in the tropical sunshine for a moment. "Very well.  It is a beautiful afternoon and you have found me in a wonderful mood.  My match with that pup, Shago, isn't for another few hours and I am already spoiling for a fight.  Let me see what your little strays are capable of, eh, K'lahu?  Enough for a good warmup, I hope?  If they can make me yield, I will consider paying you what you claim to be owed."  Though he consents to the fight, he sets down his hooked club and rests his mug of tej on a windowsill.  He then takes a fighter's stance, unarmed, and squares up with Ran, gesturing for him to advance.  "Go ahead, metal man.  Taban will let you swing first."

Initiative:

(Well, that escalated right according to plan.  Eager to show off, Taban will let Ran attack first.  DM will roll initiative for everyone (sans Ran, who rolled for himself already) and then Ran will get an approximation of a surprise round, where only he will attack.  Once that is over, we will follow initiative as rolled.  Ran, given your strong initiative roll, that may result in you going back to back, but we will see how the dice speak.

Ran, though Taban is letting you strike first, he is not standing flat footed or presenting his chin.  Neither is he taking any kind of dodge action.  So the opening attack for you will be without advantage or disadvantage.

DM will wait for Danica's position and anything she would want to say before the action commences and then DM will put up a battlemap.  At present, Taban is standing right outside his door in the street, facing Ran.)

Initiative:

• Taban:  19
• Velan:  7
• Danica:  11
• Mica:  8
• Meili:  22
• Ran: 20

Initiative Order:

'Free' Round

• Ran

First Round

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

History Check: 16

Passing along the docks, the elf couldn't help but eye up the various ships tied up, admiring some even until she saw the smaller vessel with the flag of the Flaming Fists flying high on it. Silver Lady smite them, she had forgotten that they were also based so far south as Chult. Unable to keep all of the sneer from her expression, the sailor simply occupied her hands with running her fingers along her blue sash and eventually the silver symbol tied at the end of silver eyes with silver stars around them, her finger tips tracing the patterns until her stormy expression cleared. 

Danica's eyes were drawn to the small garden in front of the adjacent home but tried to focus on the task at hand and looked at where K'lahu was pointing. Positioning herself to the left of the front door but angled well enough that she could see the man exit. She listens passively, having her own guesses as she listens to the back and forth before pitching in, "Perhaps if there were no witnesses to your poor bet, we wouldn't be here. Maybe safe the drinking from away from the pits next time." She shrugged, not drawing her scimitar just yet but holding her spoked shield at the ready with an otherwise casual pose to match his own. 

He truly seemed unbothered by their presence which both concerned and intrigued her, especially the smile he gave when Ran drew weapons first. The fact that he approached the armed and well armored Ran without his own weapon made her her own eyebrows raise a fraction, breaking her otherwise passive expression. Taking note of his use of 'they' and him telling Ran he would 'let him swing first' said quite a lot. This gladiator was fully prepared to take on the five of them and come out on top. Or at least wanted it to seem that way. She was still waiting to see if it was all a show of force and blink to find him sprinting away. It was at this point that she slowly withdrew her scimitar but still held her ground, not about to take this from Ran and morbidly curious to see how this Taban would fare. 

(Where is K'lahu positioned in all this?)

Ran shakes his head when Taban puts his club down. He knows the gladiator is likely a brawler and it's best he avoids being grappled but it's just stupid to put your weapon down.

"This isn't a match in the pits," Ran says, his smile staying on his face. "This is business, you've got punters to entertain tonight and we've got places to be."

Ran steps quickly forward, intending to take full advantage of Taban's decision to wait. He swing his left long sword high, turning the hilt as the arc hits the top so the flat of the blade meets Taban's shoulder. Hard.

Ran then lets his own momentum carry him forward, bringing the pommel of his other long sword full into Taban's midsection.

Action: Long Sword - Attack: 15 Damage: 7  

Bonus Action: Long Sword - Dual Wielder - Attack: 9 Damage: 6  

It was brave, indeed. Not that Meili never saw an unarmed man going against several opponents - that was the very idea of the teaching - but it was still impressive! Well, if he wanted a fight, so be it. And though it was definitely a business, she started lightly too - the man had a show ahead of him and did not deserve harsh treatment either (not yet at least).

She summoned the image of the pressure points for a human man - not an exact science and needed some trials every time - and joined the "arena", weaponless (for now), like Taban.

Attack: 11 Damage: 6

BA: 21 Damage: 5

At Ran's initial strike, Taban raises his shoulder to present the studded leather armor.  The flat of the blade smacks ineffectively against his shoulder protection.  Ran was coming it too hot with his pommel strike, and Taban uses his momentum against him and sends the attack wide with a quick jab of his own hand.

Likewise, Meili comes close to connecting with her first attack but Taban again turns to allow his shoulder armor to avoid the blow.  Perhaps surprised by Taban's quickness, her second strike finds only empty air.

(DM thinks this R1 map accurately reflect the position everyone asked for.  Assuming Meili must have emerged from behind the barrels to attempt her melee (...hey... Meili/melee... just noticed that...) attacks.  Ran is up again...)

First Round

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