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Post by exile on Mar 21, 2008 11:53:52 GMT -5
Giving the Taker a moment to estimate the value of his mortal being, and determine whether or not he might indeed be able to take it all with him to the next life should he refuse, Hadrian fixes Xianna with a wry grin.
“You’re one of the Defiers, hey? And people say we’re barmy. Alright, you can have your coin back. But you should know this at least: Not all of my spells come from on high. If you’re looking for protection, I might have a solution for you that both of us can live with.”
“Mage armor,” Hadrian gestures towards Xianna’s hauberk as he speaks. “It’s a first house arcane conjuration. For all intents and purposes you might as well be wearing plate armor while its active and it’ll last for hours. Mind, the protection it affords won’t be quite as strong as barkskin, but it’ll cost you a little less and no Power will have a hand in it.”
(OOC: Not sure if this needs explaining. A Hauberk grants an armor bonus of +2. Mage Armor is +4. They don’t stack, but since Mage Armor affords better protection than the traditional metal kind Xianna is wearing, she gets a net +2 AC out of it. Barkskin would have given a stacking bonus, so the total AC would have been better, but I hadn’t realized she was an Athar.)
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Post by artemis on Mar 21, 2008 15:33:41 GMT -5
Xianna returns the grin, it was a good feeling to know that she didn't stick out as an Athar. She didn't need the hassle. "I guess I can live with that basher, mage armor it is. I'll take whatever I can get that's not "divine". She gives him a wink and a smile.
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Post by john on Mar 21, 2008 20:53:02 GMT -5
"I'll pay. No time to haggle in this case. Though...." He half-leans, almost falling, then decides against trying to menace his way through the conversation at present. "Though honestly I'm not in this for the jink, so paying you some of what I made is less painful than it might otherwise be. I'm in it for the moment of conflict. S'.... Philosophical. Or so I've been told."
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Post by john on Mar 21, 2008 20:58:39 GMT -5
John grunts, and says something as an afterthought to his soon to be paid healer. "Leave the scars. Otherwise I forget my mistakes."
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Post by Uathach Blackmantle on Mar 22, 2008 3:42:48 GMT -5
Silver gasps and her eyes widen in alarm as the magic takes hold of her with startling effectiveness. Glancing down at the exposed hint of her breasts, and the stylish cut leather above her slender hips, for a horrifying moment her skin crawls, contorts... and is still once more. Tentatively, she pokes the flesh with a fingertip, unsure of what to expect. Her skin is hard, and textured like the fissured surface of bark, but largely appears the same.
What kind of sorcery was this? Though she had some grasp of magic, and could indeed filch the weakest enchantments from a spellslinger's mind if she caught him offguard, this was beyond her understanding. Glancing at the madman with an appreciative nod, she grins, and claps him on the shoulder; being mindful not to injure her benefactor with the rusty barbs.
"Thanks basher, an' know I'll be singin' me praises to ye - an who'e'r ye worship - tanight when I emerge victorious!" It's a boastful proclamation, but after the service he performed, she truly felt that this evening was as auspicious as Iljen claimed. "Ye'll be seein' me again afore the fight, be sure o' that!"
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Post by exile on Mar 22, 2008 16:51:57 GMT -5
Fishing out his coin purse, Hadrian restores the difference in jink to Xianna and invokes a casting of mage armor about her person with a touch. “You’ll find me here when you’re ready, cutters,” he announces, turning to include Silver in the conversation. “But if it pleases you, I have another customer.”
The aasimar’s gaze alights once more on John. “That’s an interesting philosophy, basher. Words to die by, no doubt, but then who am I to comment? Now have a seat, this will take a moment.”
Pushing up his sleeves, Hadrian rubs his hands together for a touch of warmth and then sets to work.
(OOC: Casting cure serious wounds for 3d8+6hp back, and Knowledge (Medicine) check against DC 15)
Spell:
[dice=8+6][dice=8][dice=8]
Skill Check:
[dice=20+10][rand=4182368957013636332409889573902161601731322287459958224105490356]
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Post by Stix on Mar 22, 2008 17:07:47 GMT -5
Hadrian lays a hand on John and watches as the Taker's leg wound knits itself closed, sealing completely and leaving not even a trace that the skin was ever broken. His abdomen hurts considerably less and the bleeding has been stanched, but the deep laceration remains.
(The 21 HP of slashing damage stays, but the rest of John's damage is healed.
(Never mind the skill check, it turns out to be of no consequence in this case.)
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Post by john on Mar 23, 2008 18:39:10 GMT -5
"Right, your pay."
John hands him the proper amount, and then approaches Ghour with a quick nod, and queries "THe purse?"
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Post by exile on Mar 24, 2008 9:39:35 GMT -5
“Thank-you, basher,” Hadrian remarks as he pockets the coin. “Look for me if you need something further tonight, a second casting might put you in good standing to fight again this evening.”
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Post by john on Mar 24, 2008 16:30:46 GMT -5
"That's more up to Ghour than me." responds the Taker, already having filed the spellcaster under the useful for a price category of people in his mind, which includes just about everyone who knows their craft.
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Post by Stix on Mar 27, 2008 18:24:01 GMT -5
"Prize for the fight and the profit from your wager," Ghour says, handing over a heavier leather purse. "Most of the berks who bet on Olmen want the fight investigated, though, so don't leave yet. They say the light was interference, that we hired some spellslinger to put it there.
"That's all wash, though. ...Isn't it?"
(John gets his 20 platinum back, plus 38 more.)
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Post by john on Mar 28, 2008 21:18:38 GMT -5
John shrugs his shoulders and says, "Wouldn't know. I didn't hire him. And I expect you'd have more confidence me in that. So no. I guess it was all... wash." He glowers generally towards the ring. "What's next? That one looked tough but if I'd have not been playing with it some... I'd have gutted it immediately."
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Post by Stix on Apr 1, 2008 20:31:45 GMT -5
After a final appraising look at Nuuko, Aven shakes the elf's hand firmly. " Alright, cutter. The Night Runner is on my roster now, so I hope you put on a good show and that you're quick as you are tall. I can't afford to lose again tonight." He speaks to one of a small retinue of servants -- all of them foppishly dressed -- and sends him off to scout around for a promoter. " We'll be in touch shortly; don't go far." John shrugs his shoulders and says, "Wouldn't know. I didn't hire him. And I expect you'd have more confidence me in that. So no. I guess it was all... wash." He glowers generally towards the ring. "What's next? That one looked tough but if I'd have not been playing with it some... I'd have gutted it immediately." " You're climbing fast," Ghour observes. " Get some rest and close your wounds. You'll become too valuable an investment over time to send in injured now. These other berks are just sore that you cost 'em; I'll get everything taken care of before you go in again." |
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Post by john on Apr 2, 2008 23:03:55 GMT -5
"Easily done, resting. " He nods to himself and asks Ghour, "So.. how long have you been doing this?" It's unusual, for John, asking a personal question. Either a sign that in some way he gives a damn about Ghour beyond the coin he pays him, or just idle curiousity. "And.... any recommendations on where I could find some new kit for fighting in the pit? I thought a bit of flashier armor or weapons might... " he shrugs. "I don't know. Make a better show?"
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Post by Stix on Apr 3, 2008 8:50:38 GMT -5
He nods to himself and asks Ghour, "So.. how long have you been doing this?" " Most of two years. Good money in it if you can pick a winner." "And.... any recommendations on where I could find some new kit for fighting in the pit? I thought a bit of flashier armor or weapons might... " he shrugs. "I don't know. Make a better show?" " Hmm," Ghour muses, flaking a bit of dry skin off of his chin with one fingernail. " The flashy bloods in the high ranks are the ones who draw the big crowds, so I'd say it's a good idea. What were you thinking of, and how much are you spending? I might know a basher who knows a basher." |
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Post by john on Apr 3, 2008 22:02:23 GMT -5
John nods, and says, "A sword, most likely. This one has done its work but the rains here have caused it to almost rust through, no matter how much I maintain it. And... hm. A fair bit. My ventures in Arborea and elsewhere have proven... profitable. Here as well, in fact."
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Post by TheGratefulNed on Apr 4, 2008 11:20:34 GMT -5
After a final appraising look at Nuuko, Aven shakes the elf's hand firmly. " Alright, cutter. The Night Runner is on my roster now, so I hope you put on a good show and that you're quick as you are tall. I can't afford to lose again tonight." He speaks to one of a small retinue of servants -- all of them foppishly dressed -- and sends him off to scout around for a promoter. " We'll be in touch shortly; don't go far." Nuuko nods in recognition and replies, " you shouldn't have trouble finding me." After walking up to the bar and depositing his empty mug, the lanky Athasian picks his way through the crowd to get a better view of the ring. |
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Post by Stix on Apr 15, 2008 13:55:41 GMT -5
John nods, and says, "A sword, most likely. This one has done its work but the rains here have caused it to almost rust through, no matter how much I maintain it. And... hm. A fair bit. My ventures in Arborea and elsewhere have proven... profitable. Here as well, in fact." " Nobody knows a chiv better than a Sinker. My advice, make for the Armory. If ya don't find one ya like there, there's a couple other swordsmiths in the Lower Ward and the Grand Bazaar, and I know the Friendly Fiend usually has a stock of rare or magical things. If he doesn't already have it, the yugoloth who runs the shop can get hold of it, I'm told." Nuuko nods in recognition and replies, " you shouldn't have trouble finding me." After walking up to the bar and depositing his empty mug, the lanky Athasian picks his way through the crowd to get a better view of the ring. Two combatants circle one another near the edge of the ring, one wielding a pitted old short sword, the other brandishing a double-headed battle axe in two hands in a high guard. Both seem apprehensive about closing the distance before the other has made a move. While the spectators shout inflammatory comments and otherwise demand to slake their blood thirst, one of Aven's agents approaches Nuuko, lightly resting her hand on his forearm, speaking up clearly to be heard above the noise. " One of the fighters for the next first blood match has taken ill. Would you like his place, or would you prefer to wait until later in the evening?" |
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Post by TheGratefulNed on Apr 16, 2008 13:15:27 GMT -5
While the spectators shout inflammatory comments and otherwise demand to slake their blood thirst, one of Aven's agents approaches Nuuko, lightly resting her hand on his forearm, speaking up clearly to be heard above the noise. " One of the fighters for the next first blood match has taken ill. Would you like his place, or would you prefer to wait until later in the evening?" Joining the heckling, the prime's raspy voice shouts, " if yer scared to fight why'd'ya step in the ring?!" Nuuko starts at the light touch on his arm before realizing who it was. Leaning down to better hear the woman, the elf smiles and nods. " There's no time like the Now and I haven't had enough to drink yet to impair my performance." Preparing to follow Aven's agent, the lanky Athasian touches all three sword hilts to make sure they're easily drawn from their baldrics. |
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Post by Stix on Apr 18, 2008 12:20:36 GMT -5
"Very good," she says, pleased. "Once the match ends, take the ring; I'll inform the high-ups."
After a few minutes of overly-defensive fighting, finally the match is won by the swordsman, who hits home with a fast, non-life-threatening strike against the other man's ribs (indeed, the axeman seems more bitter at his loss than pained by his injury).
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