tobago ♔ the key is our vice

[everyredcent]

WHO || Thoster, Christos, Aedan, Penelope, Hook
WHAT || The Knights follow a lead on potential Slovechnian slaves
WHERE || The Devil's Fire Tavern, Tobago
WHEN || May 22nd  [forward dated]
HOW || Actionspam

The tavern the Knights have been sent to is located on the impoverished lower west side of the city. It derives its name - The "Devil's Fire Tavern" - from a red glow that magically escapes the tavern's windows after the sun goes down, an ornament added by the current proprietor. The inside of the place is inhospitable, to say the least. The floor is made of irregular stone tiles that are covered by a damp sludge of ash and mud, and the rarely used fireplace reeks of some unknown substance. The furniture is old, but serviceable. Still, they serves good ale for a fair price, has an irregular supply of local and exotic wines and other delicacies, and serves up a cheap ploughman's lunch to nearby workers.

The clientele seems mostly composed of beggars lucky enough to have money to spare; dockworkers avoiding their wives after a day's work, and representatives of the city's various criminal elements. A cook and serving girl are visible, and there are a few open tables scattered about. Christos, glad to be off the sunny streets and in a locale that feels much more familiar to him, heads towards one in a corner immediately.

Comments

[bluffcheck]

[THOSTER LOVES TAVERNS.

Ahem. Also missions. Important mission time, yes. He heads for the table with Christos but gives the serving girl a wave because that's what normal patrons do.

Also he wants a drink.]

[unhand]

[Hook wanders around trying to gather information, but he crit fails. He comes back to the table with a mug of ail.]

I've heard talk of a dealer in illicit goods, one Walter White. Perhaps he knows something?

[ex_noble101]

[Unfortunately, Vi's education only involved Disney animated films and so the reference is lost on Aedan altogether because he crit failed that shit so hard it made his head hurt.

No really, shit gave him a headache but it's nothing a drink won't fix. Because alcohol was clearly the answer.]

[righteousmight]

[ penelope takes a seat, and it's blantantly obvious by her expression that she's clearly judging all your lives. except for christos, as he's just... sitting there ] There's a time and a place for irresponsibility, and I don't believe this particular time and place to be appropriate. [ hard stare at the mugs in your hands x( ]

[ex_noble101]

Well, to be fair, we are in a tavern. [Suddenly Aedan's brain has started working again. See, all it took was a little ale.]

We wouldn't want to draw too much suspicion now, would we? [Like they haven't already. Everyone in this party stuck out like a sore thumb let's be real.]

[everyredcent]

No, we don't. But we're already being watched. [ he gives the slightest nod of his head, and indeed, two local toughs seem to be hanging near the back of the bar, keeping an eye on anyone and everyone. they certainly don't look here for the atmosphere. ]

[unhand]

[Hook shrugs and sips at his rum anyway. He's not gonna drink enough to get drunk anyway, so whatever.]

Seems like it'd be worth it to get to know those gentlemen.

[bluffcheck]

Could always draw their attention so the rest of you could move more freely. Pirates are known, after all, for quick tempers.

[wanna have a fake bar fight hook?]

[unhand]

[Hook smirks at him slowly.] There's a plan I could get behind.

[righteousmight]

[ she's not sure it's the best plan, but she's always up for watching a good fight ] I believe the expression is "taking one for the team".

[everyredcent]

Especially since I believe that man they're guarding is likely the owner himself. [ you know, that guy.

that's as close as you're getting to permission thoster. ]

[unhand]

[That's enough for Hook. He stands up suddenly, throwing his still-partly full glass to the ground.]

What did you call me, you bastard?

[He moves to punch Thoster with his good hand, but he... crit fails whoops.]

[bluffcheck]

[Just play it like you're drunk, Hook. Thoster jumps back ~dramatically~ and scowls.]

Called you a whore's son. And a cheat. Seems fitting.

[Can I use bluff for him over acting this shit? because I'm gonna. Bluff 24. He's also sort of shouting because this was meant to draw attention, after all. Oh and he will just be moving to edge them towards the center of the bar so that their friends aren't also in the line of sight of this hot mess.]

[unhand]

Seems more fitting words for your wife, friend. [Bluff 25. He takes Thoster's cue, pushing himself up off of the table he landed on and staggering towards him.] And she had a few fitting words for you last night.

[Hey, he's a pirate. He's probably had this fight for real back in the day.]

[everyredcent]

[ the man at the table gestures to the bouncers, who move to intercede, holding up their hands as they try to get between the two.

"Hey! Hey! None of this now!" ]

[bluffcheck]

Afraid this doesn't concern you. [He says with warning sort of look to the bouncer.] Between me and that ugly bastard.

[unhand]

Also not the words your wife used. [Hook puts a friendly hand on the bouncer's shoulder, leaning a little like he's having trouble staying up straight.] Some men can't take coming in second. I'm sure he'll be over it as soon as I knock his teeth out.

[everyredcent]

[ the bouncer glares at thoster (intimidate 8 oooo so scary) as he tries to help hook towards the door. "Let's get you out of here."

with a nat 20 spot check, christos' eyes zero in on a man dressed in sailor's garb who emerges from the back room of the tavern. christos murmurs to penelope and aedan: ] Look. [ he nods to where a spot 10+ can see that he's tracking in some wet, red mud onto the floor. ]

[unhand]

[Hook shrugs off the bouncer and turns to Thoster again.] I don't think you understand the meaning of knock his teeth out.

[And to show his meaning, he throws a quick punch (atk 19, dmg 2 if it hits).]

[ex_noble101]

[Wow, they were pretty good at being assholes to one another. Aedan was kind of enjoying the show, and his drink, before Christos demanded his attention elsewhere.

And with a spot of 15, Aedan notices that these sloppy bitches didn't bother to wipe their feet after trekking through the mud. It sort of reminds him of home. :')]

Is that door meant to lead outside? [Because it seemed a little backward and Aedan is a little dumb ok.]

[everyredcent]

I didn't see a back door. There's more building that way. [ SO HOW ARE YOU TRACKING MUD IN, MOTHERFUCKER. christos nods to corwyn next. ] I can read some of what he's saying by his lips. "Slaves"... "Keeping them in a cavern"... "Not going down there until there's a buyer."

[ex_noble101]

[Well that explains the mud being trekked from inside ... or would if Aedan hadn't bombed his wisdom check so he just fails to put two and two together regarding the mystery of the muddy boots.

But then he got a 17 so Christos' relaying information gives him an idea.]

I don't suppose we could pose as buyers? [Aaaaaaaaaaaand a crit fail, so he pulls out the credit card Lis'sa issued him so long ago like, look I've got something that will help. :DDD Seriously someone take this shit away from him.]

[bluffcheck]

[That punch hits yes. You dick. Thoster just laughs as his lip splits and a bit of blood starts to flow.]

Oh, it makes sense now. My wife has taken to fancy women. Can't quite blame her there.

[which is pirate for "you hit like a girl, son"]

[unhand]

[Wow it was like nothing get over it. Hook raises his eyebrows at the insult.]

Still more man than you, from what I've heard.

[Hint: he's talking about your penis.]

[everyredcent]

[ christos shoots aedan a perfect line face, saying between gritted teeth: ] Put that away. [ your idea isn't actually bad but it will be if you march up and say DO YOU TAKE VISA FOR SLAVES

the potential buyer talking to corwyn seems to be arguing with him now, and stands up, spitting on the table as he says something about "cursed goods" which a listen check of 15+ can hear. he storms out of the building, shoving hook aside into thoster to get a clear path (str 19). corwyn watches him go with a frown, and then crooks a finger to get one of his guard guys to come over, where he starts giving him some kind of instructions. ]