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]

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. ]

[ex_noble101]

[Aedan is too busy putting his card away to hear shit (Listen 8). :(]

[bluffcheck]

[Thoster twists his face up in mock rage and goes to punch Hook!! (attack 19, damage 5 but its nonlethal bc he doesn't actually use his fists for real weapons womp womp).]

I'll gut you, you bastard. [REALLY PLAYING THIS UP RN (bluff 30). Also trying to glance towards the others to see if they are actually even moving or getting anywhere.]

[righteousmight]

[ penelope nods to aedan and christos, agreeing with the 'potential buyer' idea. she's not really one for lying, but when it comes to helping free slaves, she doesn't feel the least bit bad about it.

she pushes her chair back, motioning for aedan to follow. ] Perhaps if we're able to distract both Corwyn and his guards, some of us could sneak back through that door and see what's inside.

[everyredcent]

[ christos nods. ] I'll try to get the door open when they're not looking.

[righteousmight]

[ sounds great, christos. she looks to aedan like 'u ready for dis?' and waits for him to follow before approaching corwyn's table, hand on the hilt of her sword at her hip. she means business, yo. ]

[everyredcent]

[ don't fuck this up, aedan. says christos' last look at him.



corwyn looks up as she gets closer, eyes going to the sword and her hand on it.

"That's a mighty threatening gesture, girl," he says, heavily accented. "Do I owe you some money?" ]

[ex_noble101]

[Wow, no pressure guys. Thanks. (pokerface) Aedan moves over to Corwyn's table with Penelope, who is already making a lovely first impression...]

We were thinking it might be the other way around, assuming you're interested in talking business. [Look at this smooth criminal over here with his 19 bluff.]

[everyredcent]

[ "Well, now," he relaxes instantly, rubbing his hands together, "that is something else entirely, yes." ]

[righteousmight]

[ she just wanted to make a strong approach and show they weren't to be trifled with. they are dealing with criminals here, it's not like they're going to be offended 8| ] We were told you were the man to talk to if we were to get things done as quickly as possible. [ bluff crit fail nope. action point! bluff 19 as well ]

[everyredcent]

[ sneaky sneaky mcsneakerson over here aww yis

"Quickly, yes, we pride ourselves on speed of service. And what are you interested in, beautiful lady?" ]

[righteousmight]

I'm traveling with quite a heavy load of goods and require some hardy assistance on my journeys. [ she motions to aedan and his incredibly pretty self ] He's a favorable companion, but I'd prefer his attention were focused elsewhere, and not worried with the condition of our equipment.

[ex_noble101]

[Well, that was certainly one approach they could take. Aedan doesn't even have to lie to sell this shit ok. He is thoroughly amused with the sort of attention he assumes that she's referring to--especially after she'd chastised the entire group for ordering drinks earlier. It was probably the last thing he expected to hear.]

What she said.

[everyredcent]

[ "Ahh, you're looking for workers, I see. Strong laborers, good backs." a serving girl brings him a drink and he gives her a wink and pat on the ass. he rubs at his eyes as he turns back to them and a spot check of 15+ can see that he has circles under them as if he hasn't been sleeping well. "Is that so?" ]

[ex_noble101]

Among other things. [Look they are supposed to be sleazy as fuck, and hiring workers isn't exactly a crime. Or maybe it is, but it wasn't where he came from ok.

But they're trying to seem legit, so he slips an arm around Penelope's waist and leans in close to whisper--though not so quietly that their friend here can't hear him.]

Consider it a birthday gift. [Bluff 15.]

[unhand]

[Meanwhile as much fun as Hook's having being the distraction, he'd like to be able to escape the bar fight sooner or later.]

I'LL BLOODY KILL YOU, YOU-- [He breaks off with a unintelligible shout and feints towards Thoster (bluff 29), at the last moment making it look like a stumble that takes him hurtling towards an innocent bystander drinking behind him (atk... 9). Hopefully it's enough to get the fight to start spreading.]