Drusk is both amused and bemused that Volo changed his offer from 10 dragons per person to a group payment of 50 dragons. A wildly different offer!

(He is fine if the group decides to go right away, but that means his role would be more brawling, less healing.)

Jorin sees the hesitation in his friend's eyes and jams a good natured elbow into Drusk's side saying, "Worry not friend, you are as much of a brawler as I!  Besides, no lamb for the lazy wolf."  

Volo tries not to look embarrassed. "Well, we were just seeing all the... sights. It was the last tavern we visited after.. um, several. It's the new book I'm writing, you know, Volo's Guide to Spirits... I've been having some trouble, writer's block, and I thought perhaps spirits of another sort would help..."

He discreetly shakes out the gold, and divides it up into five piles, pocketing a little change that was in there. "Ten apiece."

OOC > He just doesn't have five little bags handy...

"A guide to drink you say?  A fine pursuit!" He says and thumps a fist on the table, "...and I would be honor to help.  Have you tried Sah-kay, at the Dashing Satyr?  I highly recommend it."

Drusk pockets 8 gold, and gives 1 to the server as a tip. The other 1 goes to Obaya, for the disaster relief fund.

He then waits for the others to decide where to go, since they know the city better.

Quote from Mingofaust >>

 

The food is good, maybe a bit rich for Ilena, maybe a bit unsophisticated for Pascal. Drusk has ponied up one of the three dragons for payment. (I may have missed other volunteers.)

 

(OOC Ilena offered to pay for the remainder of the food and tip the barstaff 5 silver if it's someone new, a full gold if it's Molly.)

"The Dock Ward? I've never been, but from the sound of it it might be best that I'll be seeing it for the first time with a group! I'm not sure how much assistance I will be, with my limited knowledge of the city, but I'm happy to help however I can." 

Hildigrim turns to glance out a window before looking back at Volo. "Master Geddarm, the Skewered Dragon is an interesting place to visit in the evening, but a dangerous place to stay after dark. I would suggest you restrict your patronage to the hours before sundown." Looking around the table, the halfling gives a nod of affirmation. "I believe if we stick together, we will present a sufficient deterrent to troublemakers who might consider preying upon any one of us alone. With luck, your healing spells won't be necessary," he says to Drusk. He gives a little sigh. "I do wish I had been able to pick up a healer's kit today." Looking back at Volo, Hildigrim says, "We can appreciate your predicament, and I believe we are in agreement that we are willing to help?" He looks around at his companions again as he ask the last part.

Jorin nods to Hildi as he breaks apart another bone to suck the marrow out.

Well, it’s funny you mention that...

Pascal pats Hildi on the back, “Be one moment.”

Pascal would like to purchase enough sweet rolls to feed the group. He’ll add his own little panache to it afterward. He does this because, for Pascal, all food can count as a healer’s kit!

While tipping Obaya, Drusk will mention that (at some later time) he would like to buy a healer's kit, either at her temple or at a store she would recommend.

Game post coming soon...

A grateful Volo sees you off. "I'll stay here, in case Floon makes his way back on his own!"

You step outside, after getting another round of thanks from the Portal's staff, particularly from Bonnie, "I thank you much, for stand up and fight. Am grateful."

The night is dark, but lit well by lamps here in the Castle Ward. The cold swirls around you, but a heavy snow has yet to fall. It is roughly midnight. With Hildigrim leading the way, you head south one block, and cross into the Dock Ward on Gut Alley. The border is not marked, and in most parts of Waterdeep, you can end up in another Ward without realizing it. But the Dock Ward immediately becomes... less kept up. The City doesn't pay it less attention, mind you. Lamplighters still ply their trade. The refuse is still picked up. The Watch still patrols. But you find a lamp here or there broken and lightless. The streets are dirtier between sweepings. Alleys are darker and best left alone.

Still, traveling together, with the squat fortitude of Drusk, the shiny sharpness of Jorin, and the imposing bulk of Pascal, nobody bothers you.

As you are approaching small intersection with Leera's Alley (names are painted on the corner buildings), you see torchlight around the corner. You see that the side street has been cordoned off by the City Watch. Lying on the cobblestones are a half-dozen corpses, seemingly the victims of some terrible skirmish. Watch officers have disarmed and arrested three blood-drenched humans and are in the midst of questioning witnesses. One of the officers sees you. “Get on,” she says. “Nothing to see here.”

As you are turning to leave the closed street, you suddenly hear a loud shout: "Get him!" You see three of the City Watch guards frantically scrambling to catch one of the bandits who has sprung to his feet and is swiftly making his way out of the cordoned off street – and right past you!

OOC > You each can take one action before the miscreant is past you. You should roll Initiative, too, to see which of you gets the pleasure.

Push prone: Drusk holds out his left arm to try to clothesline the bandit. (Contested roll vs. the bandit, either athletics or acrobatics.)

Athletics roll: 4, Initiative roll: 1 (OOC: Wow, and I thought I was rolling bad last night!)

Ilena talks while she walks, the whole time, still buzzed off of her several mull flavored waters. As they approach the intersection she's waving her arms and saying

"Can we talk about that troll though? What the... how can Master Durnan run a business that has such a high potential for collateral damage and... well... mortality?"

Ilena stops talking suddenly when she sees the bandit barreling past and runs toward him and slides on the ground trying to catch his legs with a sliding scissor kick. 

initiative : 26

(OOC: The target chooses between athletics (for Ilena -1) or acrobatics (+5) right? I'll just roll my d20)

ability check : 16

(OOC: So if athletics it will be 15 and if acrobatics it will be 21 and per usual Ilena moves at ludicrous speed)

(OOC: From PHB pg 195, a Grapple or a shove requires the attacker to use Athletics. The defender gets the option of the two for their roll... 15 is a nice result.)

Pascal will stick his tail out to also trip (Push) the bandit to the floor, Athletics: 21

Initiative: 6

Seeing both his largest and lithe-est friends execute pretty excellent takedowns, Jorin waits for the moment the human hits the ground and will then place a boot over his throat to hold him there until the watch arrives.  Athletics: 21

(This explains Drusk's failure. He didn't stick his arm out until after the bandit was tripped, spun around, and stepped on.)

Having already had this happen once tonight, Hildigrim just tries to see if he knows the fellow.

Investigation: 20