Post by ihavetilfive on May 27, 2010 0:49:05 GMT -6
Session #20
Thorax successfully petitions to move his trial from the Low Court to the Royal Court. Breathing a sigh of relief, Thorax heard his cell mates remark that the sentences doled out in the higher Court were less draconian than the Lower. Awaiting his new hearing, a man wearing a sandwich board walked by the cells. He was advertising for litigation trickster service for those awaiting trials.
His representative introduced himself as a "dragon lord" by the name of Prometheus 13. Thorax negotiated a fee of 10 gold pieces for the legal service, wiping out his savings of 9 gold and having had to sign a note guaranteeing payment to the City-State.
The day of the hearing, Prometheus was nowhere to be found. Apparently he had totally forgot about the trial. The clear weather was a promising omen, but when the magistrate entered the court room, his irritable demeanor struck down the hope the druid came in with. The charges of vagrancy and resisting arrest didn't help Thorax's chances. He was offered a chance to state his case, and the jury didn't find themselves moved by his words; they've sent their advice to the judge. Before the verdict was delivered, the magistrate mentioned the customary offering to the court, hinting that an appropriate amount would help his cause. Thorax signed off another promissory note, hoping it would be enough to keep him from a harsh judgment. After a brief span of deliberation, the magistrate weighed in with the word of the law. Thorax was sentenced to be imprisoned for 20 days. The druid sighed, thinking it could've been both worse and better, and resigned himself to the future.
Somewhere near the Plaza of Profuse Pleasures, Tig is being led through a carousing crowd through ornate halls, terminating in a finely appointed dining room. The gentle lyre play of a hobbit overlooking from a balcony clashed with the dancing women in cages, but the sumptuous spread laid across the massive table stole the dwarf's attention. The weasly man told Tig that the host is finishing up a prior appointment but urges Tig to dig in. He asks him which drink he'd like. Tig asks for ale, and a serving wench fills his stein. A long draught wets his whistle, and he asks for more. The serving girl fills it up again. Tig fires it down just as quick. The weasel man asks if he'd like some stronger drink, and the dwarf complies. The dark stout ale is brought forth.
Loud footfalls thundered from beyond the large door on the far side of the room. The door swung open, a massive man strode through. Standing nine feet tall and nearly as wide across the shoulders, he had brownish skin and a long, bright orange beard. He seemed part giant, part dwarf. "How you doin', daddy? The name's Big Reg, and I hope you enjoy the hospitality. Now drink up. Drink up! You want some ale? Ladies! Get this man some ale!" He looked around at the serving girls, who refilled Tig's cup.
Tig complimented the host on his warm welcome. After a while, talk turned to the sapphire. "Now let's the gem you got there, Tig. Ahh, yes, now that's quite the prize, daddy-o! I bet that can fetch 5000 gold easy, but that's not my style. I'm gonna tell you what I'm gonna do. You see, I like competition. So I'm gonna offer you a choice of contests. If you do well, I'll give you more for the sweet sapphire. If you do poorly, I'll give you less." Big Reg presented his offer, and Tig accepted. He chose to enter the gladiator pit.
Shortly after their dinner, Big Reg led Tig down a private stairway. Sounds of shouting and cheering were echoing up from below, growing louder and louder. They came to a private box overlooking a circled arena. Hundreds, if not thousands, of people were clamoring about, making bets, carousing, and chanting the names of their favorite gladiators. Bookies were laying out the odds of the night's contests across the city via their far speakers, an invention of a local gnomish illusionist-tinkerer.
The first contest seemed to be a mismatch, as first, a placid, sad-looking creature was led from one tunnel to the arena. It had the body of a lion and the face of a man. He looked down at the ground the entire time, almost appearing on the verge of tears. On the opposite side of the arena, a tunnel door opened, and the shouting of a band of goblins echoed. Five, ten, a dozen goblins, all carrying serrated blades, entered the pit. They were mocking the beast that stood before them. With the sound of a horn, the fight was on. It was a massacre. The man-lion, a lammasu, Tig was told, launched magic at the goblins, stunning and frightening them. He then proceeded to tear them limb from limb. No more than 30 seconds had passed when every goblins lay on the ground, in multiple pieces. The lammasu returned to his quiet, pensive demeanor, ready to leave the pit.
The second fight was announced as a white dragon against "Baby T." Before the combatants entered the arena, a man in robes approached the walls of the pit and waved a curved staff in the air, his eyes rolling into the back of his head while he murmured. A transparent dome appeared over the arena, looking as though it was made of pale blue glass and speckled with gold dust. One iron door opened, revealing a white dragon. It flew about the arena, up to the dome, poking at it. After assessing the impossibility of escape, it settled down on the ground, pacing impatiently. Another door, even larger, opened, and a primal roar shook through the crowd. A giant lizard, the "Tyrant lizard," the crowd shouted, walked through.
Standing some 30 feet tall, maybe more, it launched itself after the dragon. The dragon tried to fly above and beyond the lizard, attempting to blast it with its frosy breath. It caught the lizard off-guard, and seemed to almost have a quick night. The lizard was showing more injury than it sustained, for when the dragon closed in, the lizard chomped on the left wing, tearing it off the body of the dragon. Both sides now clawed and bit, drawing blood again and again. The lizard finally tore off one of the dragon's leg's sending ichor shooting about. The dragon, knowing it's life essence was rapidly diminishing, belched its polar ice cone one final time, catching the lizard flush in the face. The lizard spasmed and collapsed to the ground, its frozen head shattering upon impact. Both combatants had perished. Oddsmakers smiled at each other, for the heads-up betting on this one drew heavy wagers, and the house was the only victor here.
Finally, Big Reg motioned for Tig to follow an escort of armed men to the arena. The dwarf was introduced to the crowd. A tunnel on his far side echoed with the sound of heavy footsteps. "Lil' Fire" was asked to come forth. An eight foot tall man with coal-black skin and deep red beard stepped forth. He was a fire giant. His massive broadsword cut vicious arcs in the air as he entered the arena.
At the sound of the horn, the giant charged Tig. The dwarf attempted to trip the giant, but could not bring him down. The giant tore into Tig with his blade. The two traded blows, with the giant getting an early advantage. After the first few seconds, the dwarf's proficiency at defending himself from giant foes kicked in, with the giant unable to cause significant damage. Time and again, Tig would be scratched, bruised, knocked down, but he kept himself from being dealt a telling blow. Perhaps it was a focus on defensive fighting, because Tig was unable to cause much harm to the giant as well.
Sweat began to flow, then pour, then burst from pores like rivulets. The strokes from the weapons, which had first flashed like lightning, had now begun to slow. The fight began to slog down, becoming a test of endurance. The dwarf kept his smaller body close to the giant, frustrating the home-run swings. The dwarf began to rally, hitting the giant with measured but accurate strikes. The giant became increasingly winded, refusing to alter his strategy of full wind-up swings of the broadsword. Tig was able to drink a potion of healing he received from the monks while the giant was catching his breath. Reinvigorated, the dwarf hacked at the fire giant, backing him up and sending him reeling. With one final swing of his axe, Tig had lopped off the head of Lil Fire, winning the fight, as the crowd erupted in cheers.
By this time, Delva had been ushered to the arena to watch Tig win the fight. He had been finishing up his business with the head constable, as the constable's men made Delva clean their boss up. Big Reg met with Delva shortly after the fights had ended and told him of his offer for the gem. Delva decided to participate in an archery contest. The elf's skill with the longbow shone through, as he won the contest, outshining the field. Big Reg smiled. "You guys done good. That's right, daddy. It was sure fun watching you boys rip it up. So here's what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna give you 8000 gold for this gem, on one condition." Delva and Tig asked what that would be, unsure of the condition. "Why, you have to stay here and finish up the party the rest of the weekend! You need to get funky like a monkey! That's right! Oooh, so sweet!" They guys agreed to their host's offer, and celebrated finally cashing in the black sapphire
Thorax successfully petitions to move his trial from the Low Court to the Royal Court. Breathing a sigh of relief, Thorax heard his cell mates remark that the sentences doled out in the higher Court were less draconian than the Lower. Awaiting his new hearing, a man wearing a sandwich board walked by the cells. He was advertising for litigation trickster service for those awaiting trials.
His representative introduced himself as a "dragon lord" by the name of Prometheus 13. Thorax negotiated a fee of 10 gold pieces for the legal service, wiping out his savings of 9 gold and having had to sign a note guaranteeing payment to the City-State.
The day of the hearing, Prometheus was nowhere to be found. Apparently he had totally forgot about the trial. The clear weather was a promising omen, but when the magistrate entered the court room, his irritable demeanor struck down the hope the druid came in with. The charges of vagrancy and resisting arrest didn't help Thorax's chances. He was offered a chance to state his case, and the jury didn't find themselves moved by his words; they've sent their advice to the judge. Before the verdict was delivered, the magistrate mentioned the customary offering to the court, hinting that an appropriate amount would help his cause. Thorax signed off another promissory note, hoping it would be enough to keep him from a harsh judgment. After a brief span of deliberation, the magistrate weighed in with the word of the law. Thorax was sentenced to be imprisoned for 20 days. The druid sighed, thinking it could've been both worse and better, and resigned himself to the future.
Somewhere near the Plaza of Profuse Pleasures, Tig is being led through a carousing crowd through ornate halls, terminating in a finely appointed dining room. The gentle lyre play of a hobbit overlooking from a balcony clashed with the dancing women in cages, but the sumptuous spread laid across the massive table stole the dwarf's attention. The weasly man told Tig that the host is finishing up a prior appointment but urges Tig to dig in. He asks him which drink he'd like. Tig asks for ale, and a serving wench fills his stein. A long draught wets his whistle, and he asks for more. The serving girl fills it up again. Tig fires it down just as quick. The weasel man asks if he'd like some stronger drink, and the dwarf complies. The dark stout ale is brought forth.
Loud footfalls thundered from beyond the large door on the far side of the room. The door swung open, a massive man strode through. Standing nine feet tall and nearly as wide across the shoulders, he had brownish skin and a long, bright orange beard. He seemed part giant, part dwarf. "How you doin', daddy? The name's Big Reg, and I hope you enjoy the hospitality. Now drink up. Drink up! You want some ale? Ladies! Get this man some ale!" He looked around at the serving girls, who refilled Tig's cup.
Tig complimented the host on his warm welcome. After a while, talk turned to the sapphire. "Now let's the gem you got there, Tig. Ahh, yes, now that's quite the prize, daddy-o! I bet that can fetch 5000 gold easy, but that's not my style. I'm gonna tell you what I'm gonna do. You see, I like competition. So I'm gonna offer you a choice of contests. If you do well, I'll give you more for the sweet sapphire. If you do poorly, I'll give you less." Big Reg presented his offer, and Tig accepted. He chose to enter the gladiator pit.
Shortly after their dinner, Big Reg led Tig down a private stairway. Sounds of shouting and cheering were echoing up from below, growing louder and louder. They came to a private box overlooking a circled arena. Hundreds, if not thousands, of people were clamoring about, making bets, carousing, and chanting the names of their favorite gladiators. Bookies were laying out the odds of the night's contests across the city via their far speakers, an invention of a local gnomish illusionist-tinkerer.
The first contest seemed to be a mismatch, as first, a placid, sad-looking creature was led from one tunnel to the arena. It had the body of a lion and the face of a man. He looked down at the ground the entire time, almost appearing on the verge of tears. On the opposite side of the arena, a tunnel door opened, and the shouting of a band of goblins echoed. Five, ten, a dozen goblins, all carrying serrated blades, entered the pit. They were mocking the beast that stood before them. With the sound of a horn, the fight was on. It was a massacre. The man-lion, a lammasu, Tig was told, launched magic at the goblins, stunning and frightening them. He then proceeded to tear them limb from limb. No more than 30 seconds had passed when every goblins lay on the ground, in multiple pieces. The lammasu returned to his quiet, pensive demeanor, ready to leave the pit.
The second fight was announced as a white dragon against "Baby T." Before the combatants entered the arena, a man in robes approached the walls of the pit and waved a curved staff in the air, his eyes rolling into the back of his head while he murmured. A transparent dome appeared over the arena, looking as though it was made of pale blue glass and speckled with gold dust. One iron door opened, revealing a white dragon. It flew about the arena, up to the dome, poking at it. After assessing the impossibility of escape, it settled down on the ground, pacing impatiently. Another door, even larger, opened, and a primal roar shook through the crowd. A giant lizard, the "Tyrant lizard," the crowd shouted, walked through.
Standing some 30 feet tall, maybe more, it launched itself after the dragon. The dragon tried to fly above and beyond the lizard, attempting to blast it with its frosy breath. It caught the lizard off-guard, and seemed to almost have a quick night. The lizard was showing more injury than it sustained, for when the dragon closed in, the lizard chomped on the left wing, tearing it off the body of the dragon. Both sides now clawed and bit, drawing blood again and again. The lizard finally tore off one of the dragon's leg's sending ichor shooting about. The dragon, knowing it's life essence was rapidly diminishing, belched its polar ice cone one final time, catching the lizard flush in the face. The lizard spasmed and collapsed to the ground, its frozen head shattering upon impact. Both combatants had perished. Oddsmakers smiled at each other, for the heads-up betting on this one drew heavy wagers, and the house was the only victor here.
Finally, Big Reg motioned for Tig to follow an escort of armed men to the arena. The dwarf was introduced to the crowd. A tunnel on his far side echoed with the sound of heavy footsteps. "Lil' Fire" was asked to come forth. An eight foot tall man with coal-black skin and deep red beard stepped forth. He was a fire giant. His massive broadsword cut vicious arcs in the air as he entered the arena.
At the sound of the horn, the giant charged Tig. The dwarf attempted to trip the giant, but could not bring him down. The giant tore into Tig with his blade. The two traded blows, with the giant getting an early advantage. After the first few seconds, the dwarf's proficiency at defending himself from giant foes kicked in, with the giant unable to cause significant damage. Time and again, Tig would be scratched, bruised, knocked down, but he kept himself from being dealt a telling blow. Perhaps it was a focus on defensive fighting, because Tig was unable to cause much harm to the giant as well.
Sweat began to flow, then pour, then burst from pores like rivulets. The strokes from the weapons, which had first flashed like lightning, had now begun to slow. The fight began to slog down, becoming a test of endurance. The dwarf kept his smaller body close to the giant, frustrating the home-run swings. The dwarf began to rally, hitting the giant with measured but accurate strikes. The giant became increasingly winded, refusing to alter his strategy of full wind-up swings of the broadsword. Tig was able to drink a potion of healing he received from the monks while the giant was catching his breath. Reinvigorated, the dwarf hacked at the fire giant, backing him up and sending him reeling. With one final swing of his axe, Tig had lopped off the head of Lil Fire, winning the fight, as the crowd erupted in cheers.
By this time, Delva had been ushered to the arena to watch Tig win the fight. He had been finishing up his business with the head constable, as the constable's men made Delva clean their boss up. Big Reg met with Delva shortly after the fights had ended and told him of his offer for the gem. Delva decided to participate in an archery contest. The elf's skill with the longbow shone through, as he won the contest, outshining the field. Big Reg smiled. "You guys done good. That's right, daddy. It was sure fun watching you boys rip it up. So here's what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna give you 8000 gold for this gem, on one condition." Delva and Tig asked what that would be, unsure of the condition. "Why, you have to stay here and finish up the party the rest of the weekend! You need to get funky like a monkey! That's right! Oooh, so sweet!" They guys agreed to their host's offer, and celebrated finally cashing in the black sapphire