Hugh blinks, adjusting to the new dim light. He scoffs at Gib’s ritual and watches the old tielfling swagger off. Hugh would wait a minute or two before turning to the group. “Is it only me who doesn’t trust Gib to do this without any... problems?” He asks.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Gibson Deception with Advantage - 10
The three scouts look at one another and then scoot over and make room for Gib at the table. One of the humans, a youngish looking man with a shaggy mane of blonde hair tries the wine that Gib pours into the cup and starts coughing. "By Syrul's horn, what the hells is this, man? Balin, get me another cup of that good stuff. Gods, I'm going to miss that brandy when the Sea Ghost comes in. Name's Cyril."
The dwarf sighs and stands up going over to the large kegs and pours out another cup of what you can now see is brandy. The kegs themselves are stamped with the royal seal. Now that you're closer, you also notice that the large crates also bear the royal seal and they all seem to be filled with bolts of fine fabrics. The dwarf pours a cup's worth of brandy into the cup. and carries it over to the human.
The humans turn their attention to you. "So Sanbalet brought another one on board,eh" The bigger of the two humans says. He's tall and muscular with a shaved head and a heavy brown handlebar mustache under his nose that he clearly takes a great deal of pride in. You notice that while the wizard pronounced it San-bal-ay, his employees pronounce it San-ballot. "Anything for that vain little shrimp to avoid more work. Err, no offense, Balin. I know he's your cousin." He turns to you. "I'm Felix. That's Balin. There's a couple of others floating around too. Its a good crew." He looks around, then says, in a softer voice. "Except for those two hobgoblins that Sanbalet brought in a few months ago. Intense bastards they are.
The dwarf grunts at the mention of Sanbalet's name. "I hate that little git. Expecting old-timers like this priest to do the heavy lifting all while he's writing angry letters to the bosses. Its a sin it is! Pull up a chair, friend. The game is called Gracchus." He deals out two cards to each of you. "Opening bid is 5 silver."
He deals two cards to each of you (no peeking at the spoilers).
Felix
Card 1 - 10
Card 2 - 8
Cyril
Card 1 - 9
Card # 2 - 5
Balin
Card 1 - 4
Card # 2 - 6
Gibson
Card 1 - 8
Card 2 - 2
As the initial round of cards are dealt, the men all chip in for the pot, then look at you expectantly.
"What brings you to the worst assignment in all the Hold of the Sea Princes, eh? Who'd you piss off?" Cyril asks after drinking deeply of the brandy in his cup.
"I can see you're a man of discerning taste, friend Cybil! That's why I also brought the good stuff." Gibson winks as he uncorks the other bottle and pours some into a stray cup for himself. "And I wouldn't say I 'pissed someone off' so much as I made some... less-than-wise bets at a similar card table. I won't bore you with the details but pleasantries were exchanged, hands shaken, a bit too much wine imbibed, and when the coin ran out, antes included signing contracts." Gibson shrugs casually and takes a sip of wine. "I was looking for work anyway as the life of a traveling priest largely relies on charity. And let me tell you: that is a well which frequently runs dry, my friend."
Gibson puts in his 5 silver and then looks at his cards as he lets out a barely perceptible sigh and his brow furrows ever so slightly.
Cyril twitches a bit as GIb calls him Cybil, and he throws his cards down in disgust. "I'm out."
Balin the dwarf and Felix both chip in.
"Well, you'll soon find that this place ain't all its cracked up to be. Sanbalet is a pissant, and he gives all the important stuff to the hobgoblins. We just load up the ships. Like beasts of burden. We ain't even allowed to go into Saltmarsh. We're just s'posed to stay here and scare away the drunks and vagrants who try an' stay upstairs."
"Cousin says the next shipment is gonna be a big one. The lizardfolk are gonna pay a pretty penny for what we're bringing in. Important eyes from the Princes are on us, too. He says that if those goes well we can be all get out of here and mebbe end up on a ship." Balin says hopefully as he distributes a fresh round of cards for the final round.
"You keep mentioning hobgoblins..." Gibson begins before looking at his third card. "How many other crew are getting passed over for these interlopers? I've a bit of experience with their kind. All bluster and brag. No substance to back it up!" Glancing at his card, he grimaces and shrugs slightly and raises another 5 silver.
Balin laughs. "Them two got plenty of substance. Knocked Rolf and Felix here on their arses when they first got here. Nasty buggers, both of 'em. Don't even speak Common. Sanbalet tries to speak to them, but I think he's afraid of them, too. I'm out."
He throws his cards on the table as Cyril stands up and stretches, scratching his nether regions and picking up the shortsword he had stowed under the table. "Speaking o' Rolf, its his turn to get down here. He should be done eating by now anyway. I'll go get him. I need to talk to the boss anyway."
Felix nods and says "Tell 'em we got a game down here with the new guy." He throws a gold piece in the pot. "Let's see what you're made of old-timer."
(Gib, if you call, then post your number for your three cards. Your high card is 7 in case of ties.)
Gibson's bushy eyebrows raise at the sight of the gold coin. To Cyril he says, "So it's 'Rolf' is it? Let's finish this hand and I'll take a walk up there with you. Gotta take a leak and wouldn't mind sneaking another bite of that ham, I don't mind telling you." He grins and reaches into his coin purse to retrieve a gold coin. Tossing it on the table and flipping his cards, he begins to stand.
7+3+7=17
"How many more of us did you say were down there to help us move these crates later?" He jerks his head to indicate the further reaches of the cavern.
Felix flips over his cards and whistles low. "Well look here. Not bad old, timer."
Felix also has 17. 5+8+4 By virtue of Gib's first card being a 7, Gibson wins the pot of 2 gold, 25 silver.
As Gibson stands, there is a sudden tension in the room. "Hey, you ain't leaving without giving Balin and I a chance to get ours back, right?" Felix's face is still friendly and smiling, but his voice has an edge to it."We can talk all you like, but you had better sit your arse down. Now."
As this is happening, Cyril begins walking towards the mouth of the cavern where Arvastan, Tul, Hugh, and Dimma are waiting.
Gibson gives a hearty chuckle as he pushes his chair in and turns to follow Cyril. Back to Felix he says, "Cool your cockatrice, friend. I'm not going anywhere. I'll even leave my winnings on the table. You've still got coin for me to win but this old bladder of mine has the patience of a pixie... and is about the size of one! I'll forego the grub and just void the tank. I won't be long. Oh... Here it comes!"
Hurrying to get ahead of Cyril, Gibson continues, "Do me a favor, young man: I'm not entirely sure I'll make it up the stairs in time so give me about 20 seconds of privacy to take care of business in the hall so you don't come 'round for a full reading of the Nether Scroll, if you know what I mean," and he high-steps back to the hall.
Assuming Gibson makes it that far, he goes out and turns in the opposite direction of where the others are hiding but within view of them and speaks to them telepathically, "Hurry back to the stairs and take this one silently if at all possible!"
Felix seems satisfied, and with the eyes of Balin and Cyril on him, he flicks his wrist towards the cavern exit with a look of disgust. "Oh Gods, go on get out of here. Just---- just go piss in the sea. Its back the way you came but down the path to your left. We're pirates, not animals, man."
Cyril shrugs and stands aside to let Gib out of the room first. As Gib leaves, you hear Cyril say "Sanbalet really has no idea how to get good help, does he?"
Meanwhile, outside the cavern mouth, the rest of you watch as Arvastan steps into a shadow cast by a nearby overhang and the sea elf almost completely disappears from view.
(Dimma & Tul -- are you two planning on hiding or just doing the direct approach?)
Tul closes her eyes for a moment and exhales, then draws out her nunchuka. Arvastan was hidden well but Hugh was not and she didn’t trust her chances of slipping into the shadows.
Taking this one out quickly was probably their best bet.
She does back up the tunnel to ensure that the pirate will be out of sight of the card game group before he sees her.
Cyril walks out of the tunnel. "Hey Gib, has your little dagger been sheathed yet, mate?" He says, moving slowly down the tunnel, his gait unsteady. Suddenly, he stops just about five feet from where Arvastan and Hugh are waiting and he squints his eyes and peers at the rock that Hugh has crouched behind.
Perception: 11
His hands move to the shortsword on his belt and he moves closer to the rock, suddenly moving a little surer and steadier. He stops right ni front of the still hidden Arvastan and slowly begins to draw his sword...
Everyone but Hugh and Gib can take a surprise round, if they like.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Arvastan emerges quickly from the shadows, moving with lightning speed and striking out with his trident at Cyril's back. He pierces the scout's back several inches, pushing Cyril forward. He spins to face Arvastan, but sees only darkness.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Seeing the pirate turn to face where she thinks Arvastan is hidden, Tul races quickly, but as quietly as she can, swinging one end of the nunchuka into the pirate just as she gets there following it up with a blow to the head to try and quiet him right away.
Cyril reels from the stab wound and he grabs the cave wall and pulls himself upright. As he does so, Tul's nunchuka attack just misses him, striking the wall right by his face. Her follow-through with a palm to his head hits him just under the chin. He stumbles backwards and growls and looks around bewildered. Whatever he was expecting in the tunnel...well this wasn't it.
Hugh blinks, adjusting to the new dim light. He scoffs at Gib’s ritual and watches the old tielfling swagger off. Hugh would wait a minute or two before turning to the group. “Is it only me who doesn’t trust Gib to do this without any... problems?” He asks.
Alton Thorngage- (Klein’s One Shot String Adventure)
Holden Stonefist-(A Tale of Mercenaries)
Fenrick Wolfsbane- (Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden)
DMing-Ctleath13’s Lost Mines of Phandelver and Ctleath13’s Out of the Abyss
Gibson Deception with Advantage - 10
The three scouts look at one another and then scoot over and make room for Gib at the table. One of the humans, a youngish looking man with a shaggy mane of blonde hair tries the wine that Gib pours into the cup and starts coughing. "By Syrul's horn, what the hells is this, man? Balin, get me another cup of that good stuff. Gods, I'm going to miss that brandy when the Sea Ghost comes in. Name's Cyril."
The dwarf sighs and stands up going over to the large kegs and pours out another cup of what you can now see is brandy. The kegs themselves are stamped with the royal seal. Now that you're closer, you also notice that the large crates also bear the royal seal and they all seem to be filled with bolts of fine fabrics. The dwarf pours a cup's worth of brandy into the cup. and carries it over to the human.
The humans turn their attention to you. "So Sanbalet brought another one on board, eh" The bigger of the two humans says. He's tall and muscular with a shaved head and a heavy brown handlebar mustache under his nose that he clearly takes a great deal of pride in. You notice that while the wizard pronounced it San-bal-ay, his employees pronounce it San-ballot. "Anything for that vain little shrimp to avoid more work. Err, no offense, Balin. I know he's your cousin." He turns to you. "I'm Felix. That's Balin. There's a couple of others floating around too. Its a good crew." He looks around, then says, in a softer voice. "Except for those two hobgoblins that Sanbalet brought in a few months ago. Intense bastards they are.
The dwarf grunts at the mention of Sanbalet's name. "I hate that little git. Expecting old-timers like this priest to do the heavy lifting all while he's writing angry letters to the bosses. Its a sin it is! Pull up a chair, friend. The game is called Gracchus." He deals out two cards to each of you. "Opening bid is 5 silver."
He deals two cards to each of you (no peeking at the spoilers).
Felix
Card 1 - 10
Cyril
Card 1 - 9
Balin
Card 1 - 4
Card # 2 - 6
Gibson
Card 1 - 8
Card 2 - 2
As the initial round of cards are dealt, the men all chip in for the pot, then look at you expectantly.
"What brings you to the worst assignment in all the Hold of the Sea Princes, eh? Who'd you piss off?" Cyril asks after drinking deeply of the brandy in his cup.
"I can see you're a man of discerning taste, friend Cybil! That's why I also brought the good stuff." Gibson winks as he uncorks the other bottle and pours some into a stray cup for himself. "And I wouldn't say I 'pissed someone off' so much as I made some... less-than-wise bets at a similar card table. I won't bore you with the details but pleasantries were exchanged, hands shaken, a bit too much wine imbibed, and when the coin ran out, antes included signing contracts." Gibson shrugs casually and takes a sip of wine. "I was looking for work anyway as the life of a traveling priest largely relies on charity. And let me tell you: that is a well which frequently runs dry, my friend."
Gibson puts in his 5 silver and then looks at his cards as he lets out a barely perceptible sigh and his brow furrows ever so slightly.
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
Cyril twitches a bit as GIb calls him Cybil, and he throws his cards down in disgust. "I'm out."
Balin the dwarf and Felix both chip in.
"Well, you'll soon find that this place ain't all its cracked up to be. Sanbalet is a pissant, and he gives all the important stuff to the hobgoblins. We just load up the ships. Like beasts of burden. We ain't even allowed to go into Saltmarsh. We're just s'posed to stay here and scare away the drunks and vagrants who try an' stay upstairs."
"Cousin says the next shipment is gonna be a big one. The lizardfolk are gonna pay a pretty penny for what we're bringing in. Important eyes from the Princes are on us, too. He says that if those goes well we can be all get out of here and mebbe end up on a ship." Balin says hopefully as he distributes a fresh round of cards for the final round.
Felix
4
Balin
Gib
7
"You keep mentioning hobgoblins..." Gibson begins before looking at his third card. "How many other crew are getting passed over for these interlopers? I've a bit of experience with their kind. All bluster and brag. No substance to back it up!" Glancing at his card, he grimaces and shrugs slightly and raises another 5 silver.
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
Balin laughs. "Them two got plenty of substance. Knocked Rolf and Felix here on their arses when they first got here. Nasty buggers, both of 'em. Don't even speak Common. Sanbalet tries to speak to them, but I think he's afraid of them, too. I'm out."
He throws his cards on the table as Cyril stands up and stretches, scratching his nether regions and picking up the shortsword he had stowed under the table. "Speaking o' Rolf, its his turn to get down here. He should be done eating by now anyway. I'll go get him. I need to talk to the boss anyway."
Felix nods and says "Tell 'em we got a game down here with the new guy." He throws a gold piece in the pot. "Let's see what you're made of old-timer."
(Gib, if you call, then post your number for your three cards. Your high card is 7 in case of ties.)
Gibson's bushy eyebrows raise at the sight of the gold coin. To Cyril he says, "So it's 'Rolf' is it? Let's finish this hand and I'll take a walk up there with you. Gotta take a leak and wouldn't mind sneaking another bite of that ham, I don't mind telling you." He grins and reaches into his coin purse to retrieve a gold coin. Tossing it on the table and flipping his cards, he begins to stand.
7+3+7=17
"How many more of us did you say were down there to help us move these crates later?" He jerks his head to indicate the further reaches of the cavern.
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
Felix flips over his cards and whistles low. "Well look here. Not bad old, timer."
Felix also has 17. 5+8+4 By virtue of Gib's first card being a 7, Gibson wins the pot of 2 gold, 25 silver.
As Gibson stands, there is a sudden tension in the room. "Hey, you ain't leaving without giving Balin and I a chance to get ours back, right?" Felix's face is still friendly and smiling, but his voice has an edge to it."We can talk all you like, but you had better sit your arse down. Now."
As this is happening, Cyril begins walking towards the mouth of the cavern where Arvastan, Tul, Hugh, and Dimma are waiting.
What are you all doing?
If he can find some place to hide out of sight, Arvastan is going to do that.
Stealth: 27
No Longer ActiveGibson gives a hearty chuckle as he pushes his chair in and turns to follow Cyril. Back to Felix he says, "Cool your cockatrice, friend. I'm not going anywhere. I'll even leave my winnings on the table. You've still got coin for me to win but this old bladder of mine has the patience of a pixie... and is about the size of one! I'll forego the grub and just void the tank. I won't be long. Oh... Here it comes!"
Hurrying to get ahead of Cyril, Gibson continues, "Do me a favor, young man: I'm not entirely sure I'll make it up the stairs in time so give me about 20 seconds of privacy to take care of business in the hall so you don't come 'round for a full reading of the Nether Scroll, if you know what I mean," and he high-steps back to the hall.
Assuming Gibson makes it that far, he goes out and turns in the opposite direction of where the others are hiding but within view of them and speaks to them telepathically, "Hurry back to the stairs and take this one silently if at all possible!"
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
Persuasion with advantage for Gib - 23
Felix seems satisfied, and with the eyes of Balin and Cyril on him, he flicks his wrist towards the cavern exit with a look of disgust. "Oh Gods, go on get out of here. Just---- just go piss in the sea. Its back the way you came but down the path to your left. We're pirates, not animals, man."
Cyril shrugs and stands aside to let Gib out of the room first. As Gib leaves, you hear Cyril say "Sanbalet really has no idea how to get good help, does he?"
Meanwhile, outside the cavern mouth, the rest of you watch as Arvastan steps into a shadow cast by a nearby overhang and the sea elf almost completely disappears from view.
(Dimma & Tul -- are you two planning on hiding or just doing the direct approach?)
Hugh will try his best to hide in the shadows, his axe at the ready.
Stealth: 10
Alton Thorngage- (Klein’s One Shot String Adventure)
Holden Stonefist-(A Tale of Mercenaries)
Fenrick Wolfsbane- (Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden)
DMing-Ctleath13’s Lost Mines of Phandelver and Ctleath13’s Out of the Abyss
Tul closes her eyes for a moment and exhales, then draws out her nunchuka. Arvastan was hidden well but Hugh was not and she didn’t trust her chances of slipping into the shadows.
Taking this one out quickly was probably their best bet.
She does back up the tunnel to ensure that the pirate will be out of sight of the card game group before he sees her.
Cyril walks out of the tunnel. "Hey Gib, has your little dagger been sheathed yet, mate?" He says, moving slowly down the tunnel, his gait unsteady. Suddenly, he stops just about five feet from where Arvastan and Hugh are waiting and he squints his eyes and peers at the rock that Hugh has crouched behind.
Perception: 11
His hands move to the shortsword on his belt and he moves closer to the rock, suddenly moving a little surer and steadier. He stops right ni front of the still hidden Arvastan and slowly begins to draw his sword...
Everyone but Hugh and Gib can take a surprise round, if they like.
(Sorry I've been tied up at work)
Dimma will move to keep up with Tul, preferring to deal with this the hard way if need be.
Arvastan hesitates only a moment before stabbing out fast with his trident.
Attack: 13 Damage: 6
Advantage Attack: 18 Damage: 8
No Longer ActiveArvastan emerges quickly from the shadows, moving with lightning speed and striking out with his trident at Cyril's back. He pierces the scout's back several inches, pushing Cyril forward. He spins to face Arvastan, but sees only darkness.
Dimma and Tul, go ahead and take an action.
Post-surprise round initiative (if needed): 19
Seeing the pirate turn to face where she thinks Arvastan is hidden, Tul races quickly, but as quietly as she can, swinging one end of the nunchuka into the pirate just as she gets there following it up with a blow to the head to try and quiet him right away.
Action: Attack: 24 Damage: 8
Bonus Action: Attack: 17 Damage: 7
Cyril reels from the stab wound and he grabs the cave wall and pulls himself upright. As he does so, Tul's nunchuka attack just misses him, striking the wall right by his face. Her follow-through with a palm to his head hits him just under the chin. He stumbles backwards and growls and looks around bewildered. Whatever he was expecting in the tunnel...well this wasn't it.
(Considering how close poor Cyril is to death, we'll move into initiative now -- Gib and Arvastan, you are go).
Gibson
Arvastan
Cyril
Hugh
Tul
Dimma