The Wildemount Irregulars (2020)

Alton looks at the situation and guesses that these kids might be from the village. He puts on a friendly smile and gives a small wave, "Hi there. We were just passing through the area and heard rumors about people disappearing from the nearby village; and thought to investigate. It looks like you guys might have found them though." He scratches his chin as he glances around, "There is also a creature with a sizable bounty in the area we are looking for, so we figured doing two jobs in one go isn't a bad idea."

Yeah, well, the spokesman replies, we found the kids.  He yanks roughly on the rope, and one of the teens stumbles.  You notice that they are all gagged as well as bound.  Bloody mad, the lot of them.  But the Empire will pay good coin for them, I reckon.  Didn't see any creature, but good luck with your hunt.  Maybe we'll see you in Bladegarden.  But we'd best be going.  He pushes the captive girl forward again as they start to walk past you.

Silent has seen enough at this point and steps in front of the spokesman of the group to bar his path. He unbuckles his coin pouch (after investing in Balassar's armour, he's still got 55 gold and some change in it) and tosses it up and down in his palm, letting the coins clink.

How's about we save you lot the trouble of findin' someone to pay you? We'll buy 'em off you now. These roads are crawlin' with goblins, gettin' some ruffian kids back to Bladegarden in one piece would be a hell of a task. But where we're headed, we could use some extra hands. 

Silent's voice is uncharacteristically gravelly, and there is a hungry, leering look in his eyes. He's doing his best to lean into stereotypes of barbaric, animalistic orcs that he's spent most of his life trying to avoid. 

Silent, make an Intimidation check.

(OOC: Should've asked Alton for inspiration before we walked down the hill! Next time...) 

Intimidation 15  

Silent, the man takes a step back, but freezes, scowls, and steps forward again.  We don't need your money.  This isn't about money.  This is about reputation.  We'll be set, once we've hand these three crick spies in.  We'll never be short of Empire work. 

The woman at his side pipes up:  Look friend, we're not interest in trouble.  If it's money you're after, we can maybe share some of the reward if you help us transport them to the city.  So long as you let us take the credit, fair and square.  What do you say?

Silent's lip twitches when he hears the words "crick spies". He shoots a brief glance to Alton and Balassar as if to say, "Sorry" before growling at the spokesman, Think you're confused, mate. That wasn't no request. That was me trying to keep your fat head attached to your shoulders. Happy to pay you with steel and blood if you ain't gonna take my gold. 

He looks over at the women. We ain't interested in no trouble neither. Hand over the kids, take some gold and go look for your Empire credit somewhere else. Better deal than anyone else would give you. Unless you got a death wish, that is... 

Alton moves to put himself between the two groups, "Now lets not get carried away here. We both don't want any trouble and coming to blows would not end well for anyone. Look these kids a probably scared and don't know what is going on. Maybe they are just having nightmares or maybe someone is putting images into their heads; and all they want is to find out. Their parents are also worried sick about them too. Would any of you want your kids to be accused of as a spy just because of a few bad dreams?" He looks up at the guy that has been talking, assuming he is the leader, "You said all you care about is your reputation right. What do you think would happen to your reputation when word gets around that you brought kids to the Empire to be tortured because you thought they were spies? Because word will get out eventually, even if it is just as a rumor. Let the kids go back home to their families and all of us can be on our way with no fuss. If you want to work for the Empire that is your choice, but your reputation also gets around to the people of the Empire too; and they might see it differently." 

Persuasion: 15

The leader looks angrily at Alton and Silent, and seems about to say something that will not help soothe nerves.  The other man puts his hand on the first's arm:  Come on, Jules, this isn't worth getting into a fight over.  If they're offering good money, let's take it.  It's a good deal.

Silent, with your passive Insight you can tell that he doesn't think this is a good deal, he just isn't confident of beating you in a fight.

Jules shakes his arm free.  He looks over at the other two members of the Red Company, who both shrug and nod, eyeing Balassar and Silent warily.  Then he turns back to Silent.  Fine.  Give me the money, and good riddance to the treacherous scum.  And you'd better bring them to Bladegarden.  Otherwise, I'll be telling folks there that you were helping the enemy.  But if you want the trouble, then you got it.

Silent smirks and throws his pouch containing 50 gold to Jules without looking at him (he's keeping 5 gold and the change for himself). He looks at the other man in the group and says, You got a decent head on your shoulders. Keep your boy in line.  If he starts running his mouth, I'll come close it. Permanently. Deal's done, no business of his what we do with our own. He'll step back from the confrontation. 

Balassar having had enough walks up to the man keeping his usual demeanor and looking the man in the eyes “Reputation is important to you isn’t it.”

He looks around eyeing them all up for their combat experience, looking for the tells of any actual warriors. His hand just remains on the hilt of his blade..

”A hundred years ago the name the Red Company met something. Experienced warriors who actually helped children…” he looks to the children “not tie them up and accuse them of treason.”

“In my time I’ve met two groups calling themselves the Red Company. Of the ones that lived they all changed there name soon to avoid being mocked by those of us who are professionals. You boy…” he looks to the one called Jules “have no right to use that name and will be the first to die of your group or the first to run home pissing his pants.”

Looking to the rest of the Red Company “This moment and my experience is a good lesson to the lot of you. If any of you want a chance of earning that reputation you so desire. Living up to the name of the legendary Red Company. You’d be better off with that one…” he simply points to the one that has pulled Jules away from the fight “leading your group. He at least had the intelligence to scope out seasoned veterans and not engage with them or threaten their reputation. You see our reputation is as giant slayers, Kryn killers, and defenders of the helpless. We work directly with the Righteous Brand by personal request because they know we accomplish the mission. Townsfolk see us coming and know we will help them with any problem big or small. Currently it would seem your reputation is as…child kidnappers and those who would accuse children of being traitors…very heroic and noble.”

He smiles looking at Jules as he draws his scimitar “Though I invite you to a test of combat and honor if you want to prove me wrong about your combat ability at least. One on one, to winner goes the spoils Jules. What do you say? You versus me, no outside interference.”

Bazavur, it's hard to tell what effect your words have, and whether they fall on deaf or receptive ears.  But at the issuing of the challenge, Jules is quick to reply:  You're on! The other man looks unhappy and is about to speak, when Jules interrupts him.  Stow it, Adrin.  You heard the man.  This is about honour.  

The others step back, their captives still restrained though they are not struggling and are looking on, wide-eyed.

Jules steps forward and draws a mace from his belt.

Bazavur, please roll initiative.

Alton looks to Balassar before moving back a bit to give the fighters some space, "And here I thought we could get out of this with out a fight." He shrugs at Silent, "I guess we'll just have to watch for any interference in their duel." 

Balassar just smiles as he raises his shield.

OOC:

Initiative: 11

Silent scratches the back of his head and whispers to Alton, Hell, I wouldn't have minded a crack at that jerk myself. Woulda saved some coin... ah well. Show should be fun. 

Alton nods and whispers back to Silent, "I can understand that. Seen a few fights happen back on the farm because someone was mouthing off or such. Well, if we are getting a show lets have a little fun ourselves." He gives Silent a cheeky grin before raising his voice for all to hear trying to sound like a fight announcer and pointing to Balassar, "On this side coming in with the strength to beat a giant at arm-wrestling, and who has faced death and won. Mr. Platinum himself, Balassar!" He swings his hand to point at Jules, "And his opponent, coming in with the strength that could rival a wet blanket, and who looks like his mom still picks out his clothes. Mr. Big Breeches himself, Jules!" He lifts his arm up and brings it down in a chopping motion yelling, "FIGHT!"

Weird dice issues...

17  

Jules moves in, mace in hand, and makes his first two strikes:

Attack: 17 Damage: 5
Attack: 14 Damage: 8

Two noisy clangs of his mace against Balassar's shield.

Balassar is up.

Balassar just deflects the last blow as he begins to grow in size. He just looks at Jules as he swing his sword at the man twice avoiding any fatal blows.

OOC:

choosing to make all damage for the duel non-lethal.

bonus action: Giant’s Strength

attack 1: 17 for 9

action surge for attack 2: 13 for 10

Giant’s Strength extra damage: 3