Part 2: On the Job: Session 9

[15:28] <Daroskt> *****Second Darkness*****
[15:28] <Daroskt> ~~~Chapter 1: Shadow in the Sky~~~
[15:29] <Daroskt> -Session 9-
[15:29] <Daroskt> In the few days following the departure of Samaritha and the hiring of Valnar, Saul makes a point of giving the dwarf a tour of the Gold Goblin just as he did the others before.
[15:31] <Daroskt> The absence of Samaritha is noticeable, but the Goblin remains functional, if a bit lonelier, without her. As well, the exotic liquor brings in a few extra customers... at least until it's tapped out.
[15:37] <Daroskt> At the end of the week, Saul announces cherrfully that the Goblin is more profitable than ever, and pays each of his 'capps' their 25gp wage, with a bonus 25 on top of that. Clearly between the work of the party, the quality of service and liquor, and possibly even word of their triumphs over the other crimelord's interference, people are really starting to respect Saul and his establishment
[15:39] <Daroskt> However, the following day sees things shaken up a bit. Quite literally. A light tremor rolls through Riddleport, rattling windows and knocking over the occasional planter or mailbox. Otherwise the damage is minimal.
[15:40] * Daroskt is sitting up in the rafters with Katarina when the tremor happens. "Huh... that's odd."
[15:41] * Katarina holds the rafter rail closely, as if expecting another tremor. "Y-y-yeah..."
[15:42] * Daroskt waits a few minutes, then shakes his head, "No aftershock. Even more bizarre. I can't remember the last time this city saw an earthquake, small or large."
[15:42] * Valnar_Quartzheart looks to the ground below his feet, "hmm, seems as though the ground is angry."
[15:43] * Katarina shivers slightly. "Th-that c-can't be n-natural..."
[15:44] * Daroskt frowns, "Then what is it do you think?"
[15:45] * Katarina shakes her head. "I'm... n-not sure, b-but... I d-don't think it's n-natural."
[15:46] * Daroskt nods, "I can agree with that much at least. It is almost time to close up. Perhaps Valnar will have some insight when he returns. We can discuss it over dinner."
[15:48] * Katarina nods, sitting up as she stops clinging to the railing of the rafter.
[15:49] * Daroskt stands up and heads down to the Bar area, Chip coming along with him.
[15:51] * Valnar_Quartzheart after feeling the ground shake beneath him, Valnar begins to head back to the Gold Goblin.
[15:52] * Katarina starts down to the bar area behind Daroskt, looking around defensively for Valnar. She didn't want to be trapped in another awkward, vice-like hug...
[15:52] * Valnar_Quartzheart after a few moments of walking back, Valnar arrives back at the Gold Goblin.
[15:55] <Daroskt> Shortly after Valnar's return, the last of the day's customer's are shoed out and the goblin is closed up for the evening. The waitresses, croupiers and dealers all head home, leaving the bouncers to perform the cleaning duties. Saul himself heads over to the counting room with the various coffers to count them for storing in the vault.
[15:55] <Daroskt> Valnar can see Katarina and Daroskt sitting at the bar, eating and/or drinking
[15:55] * Katarina is eating, though her eyes are looking about nervously expecting Valnar.
[15:56] * Daroskt feeds Chip scraps from his own plate, and takes a swig of his mead
[15:56] * Valnar_Quartzheart walks over to Katarina and Daroskt, ready to talk to them about the recent tremor.
[15:57] * Daroskt looks up from feeding Chip, "Welcome back. How was your work this afternoon?"
[15:57] * Katarina lightly waves at the dwarf, finishing her meal and drink.
[15:57] * Valnar_Quartzheart "eh, would be more fun if it was a challenge."
[15:58] * Valnar_Quartzheart "But I believe we will see some new blood coming in here."
[15:58] * Daroskt chuckles, "Well, I suppose that's the downside of consistent employment. However, and I realize this may sound a bit prejudiced, but I assume you felt the tremor earlier, yes?"
[15:59] * Valnar_Quartzheart looks to Daroskt, and lets out a hardy laugh, "HAHAHA, Are you asking if a dwarf felt the ground move?"
[16:00] * Daroskt rolls his eyes, "I merely wished not to sound insensitive to your race. I've been on the recieving end of prejudice my entire life, and it hardly seems fair to be on the giving end of it if I can help it. So, what's your take on the tremor then?"
[16:01] * Valnar_Quartzheart "Bah, Mother earth be angry again."
[16:02] * Daroskt raises an eyebrow, "In a region that is not normally prone to tremors?"
[16:03] * Valnar_Quartzheart "hmm, me best guess is magic, damn wizards always doing de earth wrong."
[16:04] * Daroskt snorts and then chuckles, "I suppose that's possible. Wizards tend to lack respect for the natural forces in their pursuit of the arcane."
[16:05] * Valnar_Quartzheart snorts as well, "Stingy Bastards."
[16:05] * Katarina leans down and starts to pet Chip.
[16:05] <Daroskt> Chip nuzzles her hand with the broken tusk side of his face, so as not to accidentally prick her with it
[16:06] * Katarina giggles and smiles, giving him more petting.
[16:07] <Daroskt> Chip moinks happily
[16:13] <Daroskt> The enjoyment of mealtime for the party is cut short by a series of loud crashes. The four main windows to the main gambling hall are broken in, and five armed men clamber into the gaming floor, immediately drawing their weapons. Four of them look like standard Riddleport thugs, but the fifth is something new. A Half-Orc.
[16:14] <Daroskt> The invaders immediately move to begin attacking the remaining bouncers in the main hall, of where there are four. The bouncers are armed only with clubs, the invading thugs have shortswords, save the Half-Orc, who whips out a Shortbow.
[16:20] <Daroskt> Each of the four invading thugs engages a bouncer individually.
[16:21] <Daroskt> Two of the invaders manage to land blows before the bouncers can react, one being cleanly gutted before he even drew his weapon.
[16:24] * Katarina quickly draws her bow, nocking an arrow and letting it fly, shooting a second arrow at the half-orc just a moment later.
[16:24] <Daroskt> Both shots miss, but she got the Half-Orc's attention
[16:25] * Daroskt draws his Scimitar, already having his buckler strapped on, "Keep me covered, I'll go help them." He looks to Valnar, "Keep up if you can." He then moves to engage the thug that had killed the unwitting bouncer.
[16:27] <Daroskt> Daroskt catches the thug by surprise and drops him just as easily as he had dropped the bouncer.
[16:29] * Valnar_Quartzheart follows after Daroskt.
[16:30] * Daroskt is glad for the Dwarf's company, sticking together is what he should have done instead of letting Raam run off on his own.
[16:31] <Daroskt> Chip is right there next to Daroskt, but had nothing to gore after his master killed the invader.
[16:31] <Daroskt> The Half-Orc doesn't quite have the range Katarina does, and instead aims for the dwarf.
[16:33] <Daroskt> The shot simply bounces off Valnar's breastplate.
[16:33] <Daroskt> The bouncers, startled at first, start fighting back against their assailants.
[16:33] <Daroskt> All three of the bouncers manage to beat back the invading thugs, one of them cracking a raider so hard over the head that he immediately falls to the floor.
[16:36] <Daroskt> The invading thugs see their downed companions, as well as having each taken a nasty blow, and head back to the windows to flee. The Half-Orc snarls at them and curses in orcish
[16:38] * Katarina readies her bow again, shooting a second pair of arrows at the half-orc.
[16:40] <Daroskt> Both shots miss again
[16:40] * Katarina frowns, getting tired of her luck with the bow.
[16:40] <@Katarina> Or lack thereof.
[17:06] <Daroskt> Katarina might have thought to invest in a higher Dex score.
[17:06] * Daroskt sticks close to Valnar, "The brute over there doesn't seem to be having much luck with his bow, shall we let him come to us?"
[17:06] * Valnar_Quartzheart nods
[17:07] * Katarina has high dexterity!
[17:07] * Daroskt then braces himself and waits.
[17:09] <Daroskt> The Half-Orc grunts and curses in Orcish, then charges straight for Daroskt, throwing down his bow and pulling out a long sword and a shield.
[17:11] <Daroskt> The Half-Orc gets an arrow in the shoulder from Katarina for his troubles, but doesn't stop taking a swing at the friendly Half-Orc.
[17:12] <Daroskt> The half-orc manages to land a solid blow on Daroskt, but has now left himself open to all three of his enemies
[17:13] <Daroskt> Daroskt takes the first swing and, complicating the injury from the arrow to the shoulder, fells the Half-orc. He's not quite dead, leaving Valnar in the perfect position to take his head off if he pleases.
[17:17] * Valnar_Quartzheart readys his waraxe and points it at the orcs heart.
[17:19] <Daroskt> Valnar easily puts an end to the Half-Orc, who really seemed to be asking for it rushing in 3 on 1.
[17:20] * Daroskt looks around, "There may be more of them." He beckons for Katarina to join them so they could stick together. He then calls to the bouncers, "You three stay here in case any more come this way, we'll check the back door."
[17:20] * Katarina nods, running up to the other's side, still with her bow at the ready.
[17:21] * Valnar_Quartzheart "aye let's go laddie."
[17:21] * Daroskt realizes he made a bit of a mistake, considering Katarina was closer to the door, but better they stick together anyways
[17:22] * Katarina follows behind the two, looking out to support with her bow.
[17:24] <Daroskt> By heading through the back of the bar area, they reach the rear area of the Gold Goblin. The back door has been broken in, and there are three thugs waiting in the alley by the door, including another half-orc. They draw their swords when the party arrives.
[17:25] <Daroskt> The two short-sword wielding thugs stand next to either side of the door just outside, with the Half-Orc in the middle, looking to pincer anyone who tried to engage them at the door.
[17:27] * Katarina nocks another arrow, shooting it at one of the thugs and a second arrow at the other thug.
[17:29] <Daroskt> The first arrow catches in the door frame, but the second hits the thug on the other side right in the neck. He goes down hard.
[17:31] * Daroskt steps back and Let's Valnar take the door, "All yours." He places a hand on himself and mutters something in that unusal language, the green healing light appearing once more.
[17:33] * Valnar_Quartzheart moves to the doorway and then looks to the thug near him and readys his axe for a devestating attack
[17:35] <Daroskt> The short-sword wielding thug goes down without much of a fight
[17:35] <Daroskt> The Half-Orc, shield and sword in accord, takes a swing at Valnar
[17:36] <Daroskt> Valnar's shield proves stalwart as the blow doesn't even come close
[17:38] * Katarina shifts in between Valnar and the doorway, dropping her bow as she quickly takes out her falchion, flashing it in a single, downward stroke upon the half-orc.
[17:38] <Daroskt> Katarina's blow is deflected by the Orc's own shield
[17:39] * Daroskt steps up behind Valnar and lays his hand on him, offering a bit of divine magical guidance.
[17:40] * Valnar_Quartzheart looks to the ugly orc, and swings his axe aiming for the half-orc's stomach.
[17:42] <Daroskt> The Half-Orc grunts painedly as he's axed in the stomach, but remains standing and takes another swing at the dwarf.
[17:43] <Daroskt> The Half-Orc -almost- manages to actually hit Valnar this time. ALmost doesn't count
[17:44] * Katarina frowns, lunging at the half-orc with her falchion, attempting to gut him with a powerful stab.
[17:46] <Daroskt> Katarina's good fortune does not seem to extend beyond her financial situation as she can't get a solid hit
[17:48] * Daroskt gives Valnar another shot of magical guidance, not expecting to be able to perform any better in cramped combat than Kat
[17:49] * Valnar_Quartzheart is ready is drive his axe home and kill this half-orc.
[17:51] <Daroskt> The Half-Orc goes down with a nasty axe-blow cleaving into his neck
[17:53] <Daroskt> Katarina doesn't notice anything amiss, but Daroskt notices that the door to the kitchen has been kicked in as well.
[17:53] * Katarina turns,  picking her bow and putting away her falchion.
[17:53] * Daroskt frowns, "I think these guys were reserves. Someone already came in this way. The attack on the front was probably a distraction from whatever these guys were waiting for."
[17:54] * Katarina nods. "L-let's follow th-the trail then?"
[17:55] * Daroskt nods, then looks to Valnar, "Would you like to take the lead upstairs or shall I?"
[17:56] * Valnar_Quartzheart pats Daroskt on the shoulder, "Aye laddie, I'll lead de charge."
[17:56] * Daroskt nods and lets him take position
[17:57] * Valnar_Quartzheart moves up the stairs.
[17:57] * Katarina follows in the rear, readying her bow.
[17:58] <Daroskt> Led by Valnar, the party follows the trail through the kitchen, passing by one of the bouncers who looked to be beaten to death, making their way upstairs. As they reach the upper level, just down the hall, emerging from Saul's Quarters is another Half-Orc flanked by two more thugs.
[17:58] <Daroskt> The Half-Orc sneers at the group, "Well well. We didn't manage to get Saul out of the picture, but at least we can take care of his Capps."
[17:59] * Valnar_Quartzheart "Ye stinkin orc, you think you can kill a dwarf?"
[17:59] * Katarina frowns. "N-not l-likely..."
[17:59] <Daroskt> The orc, apparently armed only with his fists, cracks his knuckles and smirks. "Shall we find out together?"
[18:00] <Daroskt> The Half-Orc in question is not wearing any armour either, showing off a lithe, but powerful frame
[18:00] <Daroskt> The Half-Orc is amazingly fast, and rushes up to hammer Valnar with his fists.
[18:02] <Daroskt> Only one of the hits manages to land cleanly though, striking the dwarf in the face.
[18:02] * Katarina shoots a pair of arrows out, aiming one at each of the thugs.
[18:05] <Daroskt> Katarina's luck finally turns around as she manages to pop off both of the Half-Orc monk's supporters
[18:06] * Daroskt moves up to join Valnar in beating on the Half-Orc
[18:06] * Daroskt misses
[18:06] * Valnar_Quartzheart readys himself for a clean attack at the half-orc's chest.
[18:08] <Daroskt> The half-Orc grunts but says nothing as he takes the hit, not showing himself to be in pain. He switches to lashing out at Daroskt.
[18:08] <Daroskt> Daroskt takes a heavy blow to the gut
[18:08] * Daroskt gasps and splutters
[18:09] * Katarina growls, seeing Daroskt get hit. She drops her bow, charging at the monk as she draws her falchion, lunging for his chest.
[18:11] <Daroskt> Katarina's enraged blow fells the Half-Orc, dropping him flat on his back. He's still breathing, but is bleeding heavily from a gash across his chest.
[18:12] * Daroskt raises a hand in front of Valner, "I think we found our Ringleader. I know this Half-Orc; he works for Boss Croat."
[18:12] * Daroskt lays a hand on himself for some more healing
[18:12] * Katarina drops her blade and looks worriedly at Daroskt. "Y-y-you c-can heal y-yourself, yes?"
[18:12] * Valnar_Quartzheart nods and steps aside allowing Daroskt to do what he needs to do to the half-orc.
[18:13] * Daroskt frowns, "He's a disciple of Zon-Kuthon, we won't be able to get anything out of him by interrogation means. Unless either of you has a means to force him to speak the truth?"
[18:14] * Daroskt *magical means
[18:14] * Katarina shakes her head.
[18:14] * Daroskt quaffs a potion for good measure, the last of his injuries fading
[18:14] * Valnar_Quartzheart "Me sword is magical in a way that it can chop his head off in one hit."
[18:15] * Daroskt nods, "By all means. I've no desire to let this little rodent slip back to his master." He does however stoop down to relieve Croat's Capp of his posessions first.
[18:16] * Valnar_Quartzheart puts his axe over his head so that he can get as much force behind it to chop off the orc's head.
[18:17] <Daroskt> Daroskt claims only an amulet and a necklace made of silver and platinum.
[18:17] * Daroskt steps aside to let the Dwarf do his thing, checking to see if there was magic on the amulet
[18:17] <Daroskt> There is
[18:18] <Daroskt> Valnar takes Jasker's head clean off, the severed appendage rolling a bit down the hall
[18:18] * Katarina blinks. "S-saul, wh-where is he r-right now?
[18:18] <@Katarina> "
[18:19] * Daroskt looks to Katarina, "He was in the counting room, but we should head down and make sure he hasn't met another group. Although apparently Jasker there thought he would be in his chambers, so he's likely unharmed. Not sure if there's any more of them though."
[18:20] * Katarina nods, running down to check on Saul, wielding her falchion.
[18:20] * Valnar_Quartzheart "let's go."
[18:20] * Daroskt shoves the bodies out onto the catwalks and dumps them down into the main room to join the thugs already killed there.
[18:20] * Daroskt then rejoins the others
[18:21] * Valnar_Quartzheart follows Katarina down.
[18:21] <Daroskt> As the party reaches the ground floor, they find Saul, Hans and Beyar dragging three more bodies into the middle of the room. Saul looks up, sheathing his own Rapier. "Caught these ones tryign to pilfer the guest rooms. How have you fared?"
[18:22] <@Katarina> "F-fine... th-though some of y-your bouncers d-died..."
[18:24] <Daroskt> Saul nods, "I noticed. But they lost far more than I did in this raid." he points to the half-Orc corpses, "It would seem that I've got Boss Croat on my case now as well, although none of them have anything marking them as proof."
[18:25] <Daroskt> Saul gestures to the other thugs and raiders, "But the fact that it wasn't -just- half orcs means at least one other crime lord was involved. I'd place good money on it being Zincher."
[18:26] * Daroskt sheathes his Scimitar and walks up to the pile.
[18:26] * Katarina nods, looking over the corpses. "D-do you th-think there i-is anything w-we can do?"
[18:27] <Daroskt> A short while later, the other two remaining bouncers drag the corpses from the back alley to join the others. "Well," remarks Saul, "The first thing we need to do is get these corpses out of here. We've no fear of repercussion, since they attacked my property, but they're still making a mess. After that, we'll patch the doors and windows and open for business as usual."
[18:28] * Katarina nods slowly and helps to dispose of the corpses, sheathing her falchion.
[18:28] * Valnar_Quartzheart helps with the corpses as well, still not saying a word.
[18:29] * Daroskt raises an eyebrow at Saul, "Repairs aside, surely you seek some form or recumpence or retribution for this assault?"
[18:30] <Daroskt> Saul shakes his head, "Of course I do. Those responsible will get what's coming to them. Just not yet. No doubt that the couple that managed to run off have already started the word of this grandiose failure spreading."
[18:32] <Daroskt> Saul taps his cane and smirks, "We'll show them just how strong we've become. Between you three and the number of goons you put down, including one of Croat's caps, it'll be some time before they can amass enough forces to try something like this again."
[18:33] <Daroskt> He continues, offering the council that: "We show the city that this attack didn't even slow us down, and every other crimelord will think twice before messing with us again."
[18:35] * Katarina walks over, done from dragging along corpses and nods in agreement. "Wh-when?"
[18:36] * Valnar_Quartzheart after dragging some cropses, the dwarf gets thirsty "We got any dwarven ale?, and about the city, I would think to tell them as soon as we can."
[18:37] <Daroskt> Saul shrugs, "I'll have to have a chat with my informants and see what I can find. For now though, we should be fine to just board over the windows and back-door. Word will spread on it's own quickly enough."
[18:37] <Daroskt> -End Session-
[18:38] <Daroskt> Rewards: 8 CR 1/2s, 3 CR 1s, 2 CR 1s, 1 CR 3. 1795 Experience Each
[18:38] <Daroskt> Story Bonus: Chapter 1, Part 2 Complete. +500 Exp