PrP: Meat on Stick Part 1

Dramatic PrP: Meat-on-a-Stick Scene 1 (of 3)

PLOT RUNNER: Taurex

PCs INVOLVED:

Moonshadow (Monk 4) - Tall oruch woman with a dancer's grace

Abrahil (Wizard 8) - A valiant, gnomish slayer of paper demons.

Kilian (Fighter 3) - Tall female, chain shirt and longbow.

GOLD/TREASURE RELATED EVENTS:

Kilian riffled through the pockets of Morigan Snide while he was unconscious.

SCENE:

Local Alexandria Market District. Just west of the Northern Highbridge and east of the arena, commerce blooms. Noisy and bustling, most anything may be purchased here for a price. Vendors from all cultures sell their wares from exotically colored carts, and the smells of different nations and far-off city-states mix with local ones from Alexandria and its riverbanks.

KEY NPCS:

Mr. Morigan P. Snide, Purveyer of Fine Meats on a Stick. (Level 1 Human Rogue, N)

A greasy-looking human, average height and weight, with a slight stoop to his shoulders. His clothing appears to have been hand-sewn in the style of a successful merchant, but made of much cheaper cloth and showing signs of obvious patching. A rope is draped around his neck, attached to two sides of a large metal box propped up against his chest. The box has been colorfully painted with appetizing images of various forms of meat impaled on woden skewers. On each side is emblazoned, “Morigan P. Snide, Purveyer of Fine Meats. On a Stick.” A small, note, with handwriting so tiny as to be barely readable, has been stuck to an out of the way corner of the left side of the box, with the additional wording, No warranty or guranteed, implied or written is made to the actual content of items referred to as 'meat'. Product sold is for decorate purposes only and not intended for actual consumption. Any illness, spontaneous combustion, or loss of teeth resulting from said consumptions is the sole responsibility of the purchaser.”

Mr. Ronald Belcher the Cobbler (Level 4 Gnome Fighter, NG)

A stout gnome, about three feet tall, wearing rough brown home-spun. A well-worn hammer and pair of large vicious looking shears are tucked into his belt, and a large pouch of nails jingles with every step.

Gizzle Triplets (Level 3 Human Barbarians, NE)

Ranging in age between 17 and 21, the Gizzle Triplets have been on their own since for ten years, ever since their parent's farm was raided by orcs while they were odd playing in the woods. Their parents, having just as unpleasant personalities as their offspring, had been feuding with all their neighbors for years. As such, there was no one to stop by and find out about the tragedy until some six years later when the local lord finally got around to seizing the farm for unpaid taxes. Since then, the triplets have wandered, making a living through petty theft, extortion, and blatant robbery.

Mrs. Tiddler (Commoner NPC, NG)

A middle-aged gnome, pretty except for the worry creases on her face, is wearing a patched but clean blue dress decorated with images of small white flowers. She owns a small stall in the marketplace where she sells hand-carved wooden animals.

Jen Jars (Commoner NPC, N)

A young non-descript male halfling of modest dress. Assistant to Marty Fellman of Marty Fellman's Incredible Rodent Circu

Rob and Hob Heavyfoot (Level 6 Human Fighter, LN)

Two rather laid back members of the City Watch. Clad in chainmail, they carry clubs, light steel shields, longswords, and light crossbows.

LOG:

<OOC> Taurex says, "I'll be doing an intro pose. To make it easier for folks to track what I am providing vs the participants, I'll be using poses followed by a colon for environment descriptions, NPC actions."

"Oh! Why, look at these! You know, I've always had a fondness for purple...it's my color, you know," Abrahil concludes a bit shyly. He stands near one of the vendors, a set of beads held between his hands. Though, if it's held between his hands or across his stomach, it's a little hard to tell as teh latter rests so comfortably in front of him. He wears a set of brightly colored cloth, with a pair of glasses perched upon his nose, and seems quite excited about the beads as he chatters away at the shopkeep.

Taurex: Its a busy day in the Local Alexandria Market District. While many of the vendors and market stalls are the same, there are a few new people about. Ms. Tingler, a middle-aged gnome, is manning a small staff where she is selling wooden carvings of puppies and kittens to a largely disinterested public. A young halfling, Jen Jars, is posting flyers about an upcoming visit from something called "Marty Fellman's Incredible Rodent Circus", the Gizzle Triplets, three human self-proclaimed barbarians, are hanging about, and Mr. Morigan P. Snide is hawking his infamous 'meat on a stick' from a box around his neck.

This is the exact sort of thing that gives Vennan his immense disdain for Alexandria's people and customs. One can almost feel the palpable loathing for the culture which the snooty elft exudes as he makes his way through the market, eyeing every vendor with suspicious and distrust. Upon spotting one of the flyers for the 'circus' he is positively aghast. "... This is what suffices for entertainment here, is it?"

Making her way into the marketplace, Moonshadow casually smiles at children passing by. Stopping at one of the flyers, she stands in front of it quietly and reads it, looking it over. "Hmmm....a circus, huh? I don't think I've ever seen one. Should be an interesting look, to say the least."

"Why they're--oh! Oh, my. You know, I've never seen a circus before. ...well, except this one time, with mum, you see. She wanted to--" and here he prattles on. He quite forgets the beads, handing them back to the shopkeep before waddling (wandering) over towards the lucht with the flyers. He waddles more than he walks, moving with a sort of walking motion, like a pendulum swinging back and forth, topped with a roundish head. In fact, he nearly bumps into Vennan. Or, well, he DOES. In fact, he sort of bumbles to a halt and completely oblivious to the man's mutterings, beams up at him, "Why, a circus! Isn't that wonderful! Oh, I just know it will be..." Bumblebumblebumble...

Kilian's long strides carry her easily through the crowds. Her gaze moves about, eyeing various wares, and vendors. She stops occasionally in the shade of the tents errected to house various vendors, getting a good glance at the locals. Her eyes rest upon the barbarians for a moment, her hand moves to the hilt of her sword as if in reassurance that its there. She adjusts her longbow across her back, and a grin crosses her face, not a warm grin mind you.

Taurex: The Gizzle triplets have begin to drift over to Ms. Tiddler's stall, driving away the few customers that looked interested. Meanwhile, Jars has spotten two potential marks, er, customers looking at the fliers and heads over, rudely chiming in, "Greatest show on earth folks. His amazing enchanted rats are both the performers and the circus animals! Clowns, aerial acrobatics, the whole lot! All for your convinient viewing on a single 30 foot wide table! You've never seen anything like it!"

"Oh, you don't say! Why, I remember when...oh. /Oh/, I did just tell that story, didn't I? Well! My goodness...so you're in the THEAT--the er, circus, my boy! What drew you to /this/ one?" and Abrahil stops to look at one of the flyers, beaming at it and then the lucht as he does. He's round, though not nearly so tall as Moonshadow or even Kilian. They might trip over him!

Taurex: Ms. Tiddler is a middle-aged gnome, pretty except for the worry creases on her face, who is wearing a patched but clean blue dress decorated with images of small white flowers. Each of the Gizzle triplets, on the other hand, look like they stepped out of a Connan movie, decked out in store-bought furs and strings of claws and teeth, along with an overabudance of squirrel skulls. Each has an usually large great sword strapped to their back. The kind that are covered with engravings and bits of colored glass but are made from cheap steel that no real warrior would take a second look at.

Kilian keeps an eye on the three barbarians, always keeping them infront of her as she moves through the crowd. She comes close to the peopel inspecting the flyers and chimes in herself. "Nothing new about rats... only good for eating and target practice.."

Taurex: Jars frowns as he listens to the stranger rattle on. No, that is NOT how this is supposed to go. He hastily clarifies, "I'm just the owner's assistant, friend. I don't actually perform. No indeed. The stars of this circus are the animals. Well worth the small ticket price, I assure you!" He looks around nervously, "But, I really need to get the rest of these flyers up . . . so I hope you'll excuse me."

Moonshadow actually places a hand upon Abrahil's shoulder as he prattles on. Chuckling at the round man as he excitedly chatters about the circus, she turns her head to hear Kilian's comment. She then turns to watch the three 'barbarians' walk by, and chuckles lightly. "Interesting for a circus to be coming here, don't you think, Abrahil?"

"Oh!" Abrahil's brows shoot up, and for a moment the small, round figure looks as though he might cry. He takes a DEEP and BRACING! breath and folds his hands across his not insizable paunch, and clears his throat a bit. "Oh, dear. ...I had so /hoped/!" he says to Moonshadow, and then beams, "Why, yes, it is! And oh my...why look! I don't think I've noticed those, before..." and he reaches up to pat her hand, pat pat, pat pat, and point enthusiastically at the wonderful little animal carvings. "I don't think those would be very edible," he says to Kilian, in a hushed whisper. Look! Secrets!

Taurex: As Kilian is keeping a close eye on the three barbarians, a loud voice suddenly erupts behind her, "Miss, do you enjoy a nice juicy steak? If so, you may also enjoy my famous cow-on-a-stick. Today's special, two for a single coin! A bargain not to be beat, miss." He opens the lip on the metal box hanging in front of him and a delicious aroma wafts out. The loud voice belongs to a greasy-looking human, average height and weight, with a slight stoop to his shoulders. His clothing appears to have been hand-sewn in the style of a successful merchant, but made of much cheaper cloth and showing signs of obvious patching. A rope is draped around his neck, attached to two sides of a large metal box propped up against his chest. The box has been colorfully painted with appetizing images of various forms of meat impaled on woden skewers. On each side is emblazoned, 'Morigan P. Snide, Purveyer of Fine Meats. On a Stick.' A small, note, with handwriting so tiny as to be barely readable, has been stuck to an out of the way corner of the left side of the box, with the additional wording, No warranty or guranteed, implied or written is made to the actual content of items referred to as 'meat'. Product sold is for decorate purposes only and not intended for actual consumption. Any illness, spontaneous combustion, or loss of teeth resulting from said consumptions is the sole responsibility of the purchaser.'

<OOC> Taurex says, "Anyone who wishes, can make local knowledge rolls."

GAME: Abrahil rolls knowledge/local: (11)+16: 27

Kilian nearly jumps out of her skin as a person addresses her from behind, her hand whipping instantly to her sword. Not some candy decorated sword, one of a professional swordsmen. She holds her hand and gives the man a glare. "I've had my rat for the day, thanks... " her eyes move down at the food, and over the man's person. She glances at the box but doesn't really make any response as to what may be written upon it. She turns her attention to the small Abrahil, "Meat is best done fresh.."

<OOC> Taurex says, "Abrahil: You know the following, Mrs. Tiddler lost her husband in a bar brawl a year ago, when he was knifed in the back. Rumors circulated that one of the Gizzle Triplets was responsible, but it was never proven. Since then, she has struggled to support her three young daughters by selling hand-carved wooden animals in the market. The Gizzle Triplets are known for trying to intimidate small merchants into paying them protection, lurking around their stalls and scaring away business until they get paid off. Snide is known for his set pattern. He'll get out of jail, get a job somewhere for a while, save up his money, then lose everything in some sort of ill-considered business venture. Desperate, he'll resort to fraud and theft to try to keep things going, get arrested again, and spend another stint in jail."

"Oh, my. I'm afraid I'm not that robust my dear," Abrahil says morosely. He reaches up to tap the side of his lenses and smiles up at her. As he does, the sunlight catches that quite broad bald spot on the top of his head. "Oh, goodness. I'm afraid those figures might be too well done for even me though, you know. ...but she /is/ quite the dear," he adds in lower tones so that Moonshadow and Kilian might overhear. "We really might look at them, you know. And..." he trails off a moment, and then gives Mrs. Tiddler a shy wave before turning back around.

Moonshadow chuckles. "Come on then. Lets go take a look at those figurines then." She says before lightly tugging Abrahil over towards the booth, smiling to Mrs. Tiddler in a friendly way. Of course, she also teasingly rubs Abrahil's bald spot, as if to make it shine more.

Taurex: Mrs. Tiddler seems overjoyed that someone was brave enough to visit her stall despite the Gizzles hanging about. While still looking nervous, she happily replies to Abrahil, "All are hand-carved. Very reasonable prices. Just make an offer good sir." She reaches over to pick up wooden kitten in particular and hold it out. "This one was modeled after my dear little Tiffinay. Oh, how my daughters loved to play with her." Then a tear appears in her eye, "But, last week, we found her dead on our stoop. Someone had wrung the poor little thing's neck." At that, one of the triplets guffaws loudly, "Oh yes. Poor little thing. That will teach it to scra. . . ." At that point one of the other Triplets hushes him up. Meanwhile, Snide, not to take 'no' for an answer, pulls a wooden skewer out of the box, on which is impaled unusually thin slices of meat interposes with pieces of potato, and waves it in front of Kilian, "Just smell the deliciousness!"

Taurex: Snide then helpfully adds, "Made with genuine 100 percent animal! Well, except for the tater . . . Thats more of a plant. Mostly."

Ack! Abrahil reaches up to pat the poor bits of hair that remain back into place, and straightens his brightly colored, orange-and-pink jacket so it's just so! To the gnomish gentleman: no one is patting his bald spot! Oh, NO! Such a thing must not exist! So, of course, he stammers and prattles on, "Oh, it's--" ack! "--oh dear. They're quite lovely, m'dear. Why..." he blinks a few times and then suddenly makes a grab for his lenses. They seem to have suddenly made a dive for the ground!

Kilian's gaze follows Abrihil and Moonshadow across to the stall, her eyes narrowing a bit as she watches the three thugs from a distance. She doesn't really hear the conversation about the kitten, because of the meat on a stick guy trying to shove food in her face. Her cold stare settles on the man. "You'll end up in pieces in that box if you shove anything else into my face." Her hand once again wraps around the hilt of her sword. She shifts her weight onto the balls of her feet, as if making ready for whatever the meat man may wish to dish out.

Moonshadow turns her head as Abrahil 'dives' for his lenses. "How Odd." She says, placing a gaze upon the triplet that uttered those words before he was shushed. "She sounded like a wonderful cat, ma'am." She says turning her head back towards Mrs. Tiddler. "Reasonable prices? Do you make any of foxes, wolves and the like? I know of a few druids that would frequent your stall if they knew of such wonderful craftsmanship."

<OOC> Abrahil'd like to animate some of the wooden critters, and have them do a little dance. Maybe it'll attract her some visitors? ^^;

Taurex: Snide takes one long side step away from Killian, then cautiously circles around her before waving the meat-on-a-stick in front of Abrahil and Moonshadow, "How about either of you fine citizens? Care for a delicious hot meal? Nothing is quite like my cow-on-a-stick. Marianated in seven secret herbs and spices!" Meanwhile one of the Gizzle Triplers nods his heads towards Killian and remarks, "I knew she wasn't man enough to eat one of Snide's stomack busters. Takes a real man to keep one of those things down. Remember when I managed to finish three of them last week?" At that, one of the other triplets remarks, "Yeah, and I remember the small house with a window where you spent the night, too!" At that, all three break out in obnoxious guffaws. Meanwhile Mrs. Tiddler looks thoughtful, "Well, I've mostly done cats and dogs, cause that is what I've seen around the city. But, maybe i could find a picture book . . . "

Taurex: Ronald Belcher, a stout gnome enters the marketplace, his neck craning as he scans the crowds. He is about three feet tall, wearing rough brown home-spun. A well-worn hammer and pair of large vicious looking shears are tucked into his belt, and a large pouch of nails jingles with every step. His face is currently a bright red.

Moonshadow leans her head back from the slice of meat shoved into her face. She looks over towards Killian and chuckles. "no thank you. I ate before I came here." Her attention is back upon MRs Tiddler though. "What about if you saw those particular animals?"

"Oh, my. They /do/ look wonderful..." Abrahil enthuses as he fumbles his lenses back into place. Gold-gilted things with rose-tinted lenses, they look as though they'd be more at home on a grandmother than an...well. An elderly gnome. He beams though, once they're in place, and...leans over to whisper to Moonshadow quite firmly, "Those young boys still have a bit of snot up their nose," he says darkly. Get off my lawn! Then he looks up to Mrs. Tiddler and, "Oh dear. ...do you mind if we have a look? And oh, my. A fox would be lovely, wouldn't it?" He picks up one of the small dogs to look at it.

Taurex: Mrs. Tiddler looks surprised, "You mean in person? Why, it should be easy enough in that case! Do you think that is possible?" she carefully sets her prize carving back down, only to have one of the Gizzle triplets immediately snatch it back up and hold it up as if he was actually considering purchasing it. Mrs Tiddler brings her hand to her mouth, as if she was about to say something but thought better of it. Snide, finally realizing a sale is not in the offing, backs away and moves further down the row of stalls to purvey his goods elsewhere.

Kilian's stance relaxes a bit as the meat man moves off, and over to Abrahil and Moonshadow. Her hand now meerly rests on the sword hilt, a relaxed yet alert figure. Her gaze rests on the three thugs, her face impassive. She moves off a distance, but not too far from the three thugs and the vendor stall. She glances over goods from another stall, then glances back to the three. Finally she gives a shrug, and a light shake of her head. "Not worth it.. " she mutters.

Taurex: Snide has only moved about thirty feet away from Mrs. Tiddler's stall when he suddenly finds his passage blocked by an angry gnome, Mr. Belcher. Mr. Belcher points a finger in Snide's face and angrily shouts, "You bastard! You stole an entire crate of double-thick soles from the back of my shop!" Snide hastily replies, "Soles? Do I look like a cobbler or a priest? What would I need with soles?"

<OOC> Taurex says, "Round 1. We are not in combat, rounds are merely being used to track the passage of time for future events. Continue to pose freely."

Moonshadow takes a deep breath when the triplet picks up the cat figurine. "Excuse me." She says softly directly to the triplet.....and holding out her hand. "I will be purchasing that figurine, if you don't mind......" She didn't even seem the least bit scared of them.

Abrahil pushes his lenses up his nose a bit, and puts the small dog back in with the others. And well, that's when it starts to wag its tail and walk about! It doesn't move very far...but it begins to wriggle and wobble, all the things that dogs do, with its tail flopping here and there. "Oh, bless me. I do think we've got quite the show here!" he says and raises his voice at the last, as though making an announcement. And in a way, he is. Not just the dog, but a few of the cats begin to move--chasing yarn, pouncing one another... He glances over at the quarreling pair and then back again. When Moonshadow speaks up to demand the figure back, he practically beams. "Such courage, my dear!" he whispers!

<OOC> Abrahil ack's. I thought he'd had silent image prepp'd. But guess not. In that, spontaneous-cast major image! XD

Taurex: The triplet begins to gently toss the cat figurine from hand to hand, before replying to Moonshadow, "You mean this one here? You sure you want to do that, what with it being broken and all . . ." At the moment, the figurine looks completely intact. Mrs. Tingler stares down at her suddenly moving carvings, her jaw dropping open. she stutters, "But . . but whats . . . " Then she glances up at the juggled figurine as if she is now completely loss about what is going on or what to do. She gently bites her lower lip in frustration.

<OOC> Taurex says, "Round 2"

Moonshadow blinks down at the triplet tosing the figurine between his hands. "Do you truly wish to act like a child, or is that the only thing you're good at? I'm giving you one more chance. Give me the figurine." She continues to hold out her hand. By now, however, she's no longer smiling.....

The juggling of the figurine catches her attention. Kilian turns and leans her hip up against a table, watching from a short distance. She looks over Moonshadow, then back to the three thugs. Once again she shakes her head, "Stupid as well as beligerant... who would have guessed." She turns her attention towards the road, looking for something, only the furrowed brows would give indication she isn't seeing it.

Taurex: Belcher grows even redder in the face as he shouts at Snide, "What do you do with them? What do you do with them? Everyone knows what you do with them. You paint on grill marks and sell them out of that accursed box of yours! Give me back my property now! I need those to fulfill a big order and can't afford to buy replacements. If I don't get those back I'm going to lose everything!" At this news, Snide suddenly looks guilty for just a moment before his poker face returned. He haughtedly replies, "Thats your problem. I didn't take your soles and you have no evidence I did."

Taurex; The triplet tosses the figure up into the air in a high arc, only in the general direction of Moonshadow.

The figurine in the thug's hand begins to wriggle, too. Abrahil glances over, and then hurries over to Mrs. Tiggler. Though, it must be said he bobs more than he walks, bobbles more than runs. It's sort of like being approached by a bit of jell-o. When he gets there, he looks earnestly up at her, "Oh, don't worry, m'dear. It's just a bit of Coyote's mischief. ...I'm from the Academy, you know," he adds underneath his breath, and then wriggles his fingers in a conspiratorial way that has bits of glitter and color popping out of them. ...and then. Well, then...Snide speaks up and the little wizard's face goes ashen. Just /ashen/.

<OOC> Taurex says, "Moonshadow, make a dex roll to catch it before it falls."

<OOC> Abrahil says, "Ignore the part about the wiggling figurine. I tossed in late. :3"

GAME: Moonshadow rolls dexterity: (15)+3: 18

You whisper "You successfully caught it. Feel free to pose a daring catch." to Moonshadow.

<OOC> Taurex says, "Round 3"

Taurex: Belcher snears, "Proof? Proof? I'll show you proof!" WIth that, Belcher suddenly grabs hold of Snide's metal box. Belcher and Snide begin struggling over possession of the box of meat-on-a-stick.

Kilian's attention was upon the figurine when it went up, but it moves to the meat man and his adversary, and their fight over the box. She gives the fruit merchant a copper, and begins to munch lazily on the fruit watching the fight. She doesn't seem at all interested in interfering with the fight that is going on.

As the inept 'juggler' mishandles the figurine, Moonshadow quickly plucks it out of reach of the triplet. "Funny. even without the figurine, you seem little bigger than a child." She says before walking her way over to Mrs. Tiddler. "Hang onto this, ma'am. I'll be back for it. If you must keep it in a safe place." She says before turning her attention back to the triplet. "Only a small mind bullies others. An idiot tries to bully everyone." She then perks an ear at the escalating argument, staying near Mrs. Tiddler until the triplet vacates......

<OOC> Taurex says, "Give me an intimidation roll, Moonshadow."

GAME: Moonshadow rolls intimidate: (4)+6: 10

Taurex: The triplet just smirks at Moonshadow, then shrugs and gestures towards his two brothers, "Come on fellows, lets do like the pretty little lady asks." Then he gives a hard glare at Mrs. Tiddler, "But we will be back. You can count on it. And, I won't be in such a pleasant mood when I return either. Think on that, little gnome."

<OOC> Taurex says, "Round 4"

Taurex : As the rope holding Snide's box in place snaps, his box tilts and meat-on-a-stick pour out onto the street. Snide angrily slaps Belcher across the face. In response, Belcher quick-draws his leather-cutting shears from his belt and in one easy smooth motion plunges them deep into Snide's chest. Belcher stands there for a moment as Snide collapses onto the ground, his hands feebly clutching at the shears now protruding from his chest.

<OOC> Taurex says, "Anyone wishing to intervene in Snide's stabbing, go ahead and do a +init. If you just plan to observe, its not necessary."

GAME: Moonshadow rolls initiative: Roll: 11 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 14

Abrahil clasps his hands together across his great-sized paunch. It's a little wider than he is tall, perhaps, and it wobbles with each of his words! Dramatically! "Dear boys, I--" and then. Then. The stabbing of the young man quite takes the wind out of him. "I...oh my..." he says, voice choked. He reaches down to pat Mrs. Tiddler's hand, though it's uncertain whose comfort it's for. It's probably just a reflex.

GAME: You roll initiative for Belcher: Roll: 20 + Bonus: 7 = Total: 27

GAME: You roll initiative for Snide: Roll: 12 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 15

Taurex: Belcher suddenly realizes what he has done and takes off running at his full gnomish speed. Since he's a gnome, his base speed is only 20, so its not particularly fast, of course. He leaves his shears in Snide.

"I'll keep that in mind....and I look forward to your next visit." Moonshadow says before she sees Belcher stab Snide. At once, she runs after Belcher and she will catch him quite quickly whether she runs or not.

Kilian's brows come up as the meat man ends up on a pair of shears.

Taurex: Snide, gasping on the ground, pulls a dagger out of his shirt sleeve and hurls it at the fleeing Belcher.

<OOC> Moonshadow says, "My normal speed is 40."

GAME: Taurex rolls d20+3: (13)+d20+3: 16

GAME: Taurex rolls 1d4+2: (3)+2: 5

Kilian's brows come up as the meat man ends up on a pair of shears. She hesitates for a moment, once again looking about and not seeing what she's looking for. She glances back and takes another bite of her fruit, continuing to simply observe. Taurex: The dagger sinks into Belcher's shoulder as he flees, but the gnome barely seems to notice the injury in his flight. Kilian adds in an undertone.. "Interesting.. no guards.."

<OOC> Taurex says, "Moonshadow, you can easily catch up to the gnome, since you move twice as fast."

<OOC> Taurex says, "Your init, Moonshadow. Are you attempting a grapple maneuver?"

<OOC> Moonshadow isn't very good at grappling, but, why not. GAME: Moonshadow rolls weapon1: (5)+7: 12

<OOC> Taurex says, "Belcher left his shears in Snide and hasn't drawn his hammer from his belt, so he wouldn't get an attack of opportunity on you."

Taurex: Belcher easily steps aside as Moonshadow tries to get hold of him. He warns her, "Back off, lady. I don't got no beef with you, but I'm not going to go away for dealing with the likes of that scum!" With that, he pulls a hammer from his belt and continues . . . slowly . . . moving away.

<OOC> Taurex says, "Now he'd get an attack of opportunity, unless you have improved grapple."

<OOC> Moonshadow doesn't.....but I'm not going to grapple him again. Taurex: Snide's eyes go wide as grease from the tipped over box of meat-on-a-stick threatens to splash on his injury. He attempts to crawl away, but only gets a few feet before falling unconscious in a steadily expanding pool of blood.

Abrahil looks from one to the other and then just sort of wrings his hands. "Oh dear," he says, and "Oh dear..." And, to no one in particular, "...would anyone like a pot of tea?"

Kilian drops her fruit onto the ground and moves forward to inspect the meat man on the ground. She looks to be sure she knows if the three are near before she kneels to inspect the meat man to see if his wounds are fatal. "I'm no healer... " she glances around for some child to send to get a cleric. "Someone... go get a healer.." She glances down at the man. "Looks like you pushed one to many times.."

<OOC> Taurex says, "If you have the heal skill, make a roll, Kilian." "I think I shall make some tea..." Abrahil says a bit weakly. He glances around, and by now the dogs and kittens have stopped dancing. He's too distracted, and stands there wringing his hands for a time. "A bit of tea...oh. Oh /dear/. Guards, GUARDS!!"

GAME: Kilian rolls heal: (12)+0: 12

<OOC> Taurex says, "Based on that roll, Killian (you need a 15 for successful first aid), you think the thing to do, is just yank out those shears as quick as you can, then stuff whatever is handy into the hole let behind to plug it up."

Taurex: Mrs Tiddler has turned pale at this point, and is just muttering "Oh dear. Oh Dear." over and over again.

<OOC> Taurex says, "What are you doing Moonshadow?"

<OOC> Kilian says, "Actually, Kilian is more likely to check his pockets for money than pull shears out. ;)"

<OOC> Moonshadow says, "I'm going to toss a tanglefoot bag at him."

<OOC> Taurex says, "Go ahead and pose rifling though his pockets. It will be noted with the log submission for when treasure is awarded."

<OOC> Moonshadow says, "now to figure out how it works."

<OOC> Taurex says, "Its a ranged touch attack."

GAME: Moonshadow rolls 1d20+6: (18)+6: 24

GAME: Taurex rolls 1d20+4: (2)+4: 6

GAME: Moonshadow used a Tanglefoot Bag.

You whisper "you hit and he failed his reflex roll. Go ahead and pose him being successfully glued to the floor." to Moonshadow. <OOC> Taurex says, "Kilian, if you are rifling through his pockets, give me a stealth roll if you are trying to hide what you are doing from the people around you."

Making a bit of a face, Moonshadow tugs a old dusty bag from her belt. "Going to jail is better than having to die over killing someone like him." She then tosses the bag at his feet, where the bag poofs and grabs his feet with quick setting vine that are tough to get out of......as the gnome has figured out. "As You've just figured out, I'd rather you stuck around."

<OOC> Taurex says, "Or Sleight of hand"

Kilian looks at the shirt of the man, about ready to tear it into strips to make a bandage of sorts, but looks at him with the shears in his chest. "Tough wound.. I don't think you're going to make it." she does pat him down.. you know, in case he has a spare bandage, in case he were to get stabbed for stealing.

GAME: Kilian rolls stealth: (5)+2: 7

Taurex: A pair of human city watchmen, Rob and Hob Heavyfoot, finally coming strolling into the marketplace. Hob spots the bleeding Snide and the pair head leisurely over in that direction. Hob calls over to Kilian, "Whats all this about then?"

Kilian glances up casually looking at the pair. "Wonder when you fellas were going to stroll by. Been waiting for you, during the whole fight." She nods in the direct of Moonshadow and the fleeing gnome, newly caught by a tanglefoot bag. "Best ask the man accusing this one of stealing from him.

<OOC> Taurex says, "Abr, give me another knowledge local roll."

GAME: Abrahil rolls knowledge/local: (13)+16: 29

You whisper "You recognized Belcher as a local cobbler named Ronald Belcher, quite skilled. You know both where his shoe shop and his home is located. You also know he has a wife and three children and up to now has been an upstanding member of the community." to Abrahil.

<OOC> Taurex says, "Moonshadow, Belcher is currently unable to move, but will no doubt eventually break free. Are you going to stand there and shout for the watch, walk quietly away and hope for the best, try to knock him unconcious with ranged attacks (he appears to have no ranged weapon), cast a spell on him, etc."

<OOC> Taurex says, "Try to convince him to surrender himself, etc."

"Oh dear..." Abrahil's come back with tea, now. He'd found it...somewhere. A pair of cups from one of the stalls, possibly. He trundles back into the area and settles one of the cups down in front of the widow. And looks for a seat, himself. "There...oh dear. This will help the nerves, m'dear. ...I'm just delighted the guards finally got here."

<OOC> Moonshadow is going to stand there until the watch comes by or he breaks free. I have no ranged attacks, so it's a moot point, but if he breaks free, Moonshadow's honor says his life becomes forfeit.

Taurex: Mrs. Tiddler gratefully accepts the tea and takes a sip, finally remarking, "Such a shame when a gnome goes bad. Not that that Mr. Snide didn't deserve it. Some folks shouldn't be allowed on the street, if you ask me."

"Oh he's quite terrible, you know. ...oh, dear. You know, you hear all sorts of things..." Abrahil agrees. He turns his tea around nervously in his hands, and gives a little wave to someone he thinks he recognizes on the street.

Taurex: Rob bends over to look at the shears sticking out of Snide. He reaches down and yanks them out of Snide for a closer look, ignoring Snide's anguished yowl, before remarking, "Why, I do believe these are, whatchamacall them, a workman's tool. Maybe we're looking at the work of some angry craftsman, here, Hob." Hob nods slowly, before replying, "Could be, Could be. Think it has anything to do with that gnome younder with the hammer in hand?" Rob thinks for a moment, then turns to Kilian, "So . . . the gnome with the hammer accused this man," he gives Snide a little kick to illustrate to whom he was referring, "of stealing from him, then, these shears mysterious appeared in his belly? Quite a mystery. Quite a mystery, we have here. Perhaps you'd better bring that gnome over here for questioning, Hob." Hob nods again at that, "Right you are, my brother," and strolls over to where Belcher is still struggling with the goo on his feet.

Abrahil shudders at the goings-on, though the shudder makes him jiggle, a bit. He puts his tea down on the ground next to him and clasps his hands tightly. "Oh, such a tragedy. ...you know, it's almost as sad as when we lost Mr. Barker that one time..." He clasps his hands a bit more tightly.

Taurex: Hob gives Belcher a right smart whack to the back of the head with his club, and Belcher slumps to the ground. Hob gives the gnome a yank until he becomes unstuck, then casually tucks him under one arm as he heads back over to Rob and Snide. Mrs Tiddler, meanwhile, politely inquires, "Mr. Barker? Whatever happened to him?"

Kilian stands up and kicks the box that the meat man was carrying. "Supposedly, he stole some soles.. cooked them up or some such.." she looks down as the man is still alive, and gives a shrug. She glances towards the tall Moonshadow and gives her a nod, and looks to the small Abrahil and Mrs. Tiddler. She stared at the small gnome woman for a moment. "When you least expect help, it will be there." She gives another nod and moves off through the crowd.

Taurex: Rob nudged one of the 'meat-on-a-stick's lying on the ground before replying to Kilian, "Wouldn't be surprised. That Snide would try anything to make a buck." Rob's brow then quirks as he spots the unconscious gnome, "I thought we were going to ask him some questions?" Hob shrugs, "We will. We will. More likely to answer if we stick him in a cell for a few days first.

Moonshadow stands quietly from her crouch when Belcher is rendered unconscious. She walks around the goo on the ground and she shrugs. No point in wasting words now. But she does go back to Mrs Tiddler's stall with Abrahil. "That's a good question." She then looks over towards the two watchmen. "Are you going to call a cleric for Snide? Either to heal him or to give him to the Vardamites? That way he can, at least, rest well."

"Oh, goodness. Well, he was quite the fellow e was, Mr. Barker. ...but after he'd had that pot of tea he never was just the same. ...of course...he was stepping out of the carriage as he was drinking it. ...and some say it was a bit 'unusually strong' if you take my meaning...so he quite forgot to notice the carriage was taking off again." Abrahil wrings his hands a bit, and then looks a little more curiously at the pair that'd fought. "...have those barbarians been giving you trouble, m'dear?" he asks, and then hands a teacup up to Moonshadow. "Oh! /There/ you are! I'm so glad you're unhurt!"

Taurex Rob looks down at Snide, then up at Moonshadow, "Well, I suppose if you insist we can take him back to the Watchhouse. Got a volunteer cleric hanging about at a moment that could probably patch him up." With that, he reaches down and throws the bleeding man over his shoulder, "Seems a bit of a waste. Snide's going to end up bleeding out one of these days anyways." He surveys the crowd, then says in a loud authoritative voice, "I expect everyone who witnesses this stabbing to stop by the Watchhouse and make a formal statement, understand?" With that, the pair of watchman head off once more.

Moonshadow smiles to the guards. "Of course." She then looks to Abrahil and takes a sip of tea. "I'm not hurt, I don't think he had enough skill to hit me. I was more worried about him getting hurt." She then looks to Mrs Tiddler. "I do believe I said I would be buying that cat figurine?"

Abrahil brightens at that, after glance at the place where the man had fallen. He clears his throat a few times, and, "Oh, yes! And I'd wanted to look at the dogs..." he sort of tumbles, flobbles off his seat.

Taurex: Ms. Tiddler nods, and carefully hands over the figurine.