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Quinn *Umf* "Come on, lets go! I'm tired of staring up Pik's skirt, and need some fresh air"
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| # ? May 11, 2011 08:12 |
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| # ? May 25, 2013 14:23 |
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As the stones slides out of place, the dry desert air begins to seep down into your tunnel. You can hear the muffled sounds of the market square nearby, but nobody appears to have seen you as you make your entrance in a dark side-alley. Even if they did, most common folks wouldn't go out of their way to make trouble for you, it's the guards and the merchants you need to watch for. Speaking of which, the guards seem to be on light duty within the walls. They've most likely been rallied to deal with the problems outside the gate. Inside the city, things seem strangely normal. Perhaps they do not yet know the full extent of this rebellion. The buildings of this district are crammed together, and hand molded into odd shapes with the earthy red clay they were made from. The merchants set up shop anywhere they can get decent foot-traffic. Some of the merchants just sit by the busy road in their chitinous wagons selling goods from within, others have small stands they can move about, or larger, more permanent shops with ornate signs. You can hear a minstrel practicing his trade nearby as a hearty young mul is loading wagons up with goods. An old woman is using psionics to weave a large cloth across the way. The crowded streets and cramped buildings make it tough to judge the overall size of the place, but you imagine you could find nearly anything you wanted among the merchants, artisans, and crooks of the district. Pokeylope fucked around with this message at May 12, 2011 around 02:13 |
| # ? May 11, 2011 09:47 |
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Quinn "So I've never been inside this city, just outside staring at the walls. I know there are some more Alliance members in the city, they told me they'd be holed up in the Market District. I'll follow whoever has been here before, and yell out if I spot them!"
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| # ? May 12, 2011 05:58 |
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I forget where we're going 
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| # ? May 12, 2011 13:27 |
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Pik-ik-cha Remembering the pile of metal he pulled out of the door, Pik stops short. "Pik have things. Things to...sell. Gold valuable when in desert, more valuable than parts of door at least. Who best knows ways of trade in this city?" Last I checked we were planning on taking the Arena Gate from behind and letting our erstwhile slave army into the city. Also Pik would like to convert his door hardware into  since we probably won't have a lot of time for shopping later
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| # ? May 12, 2011 13:46 |
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Anytime you pick up 'X' gold worth of something, you can assume it's something of enough value to be accepted in trade nearly anywhere. It will function just like gold when you visit a merchant, but if you want to buy something from joe shmoe he may not accept your broken lock parts. If you'd like to convert it to actual currency, that can certainly be done. Just pick a shop to sell it at, and maybe make an intimidate/diplomacy/bluff check or something if you want to haggle the price. As you begin to cautiously walk the streets you come across one of the main roads out of the tradesman's square. Looking down it you can see in the distance that the stadium gate has already been shut. This may not be a bad thing however, as it takes less men to hold a closed gate than an open one. A crowd of folks have gathered near the gate, milling about with confused looks on their faces. Pokeylope fucked around with this message at Aug 18, 2011 around 00:34 |
| # ? May 12, 2011 16:54 |
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Iblis "I've been here once or twice. But if we run into that bastard that sold me out we might have to take a little 'detour.'" Apart from selling the metal, is there any equipment we should buy? Supplies, healing stuff, etc? What about getting those runes translated? I just can't imagine that an epic battle to take over a city state from a sorcerer-king and his templars with nothing but a bunch of slaves armed with farming tools is going to allow us to have many more chances for peaceful interaction for quite a while.
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| # ? May 12, 2011 16:59 |
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Thetrin "You can shop when we win." Taking a careful look around, the elf spends a moment thinking, then briefs the rest of the team. "Two ways we can proceed from here. Either we take the gate right now, just us five, and let our forces in. It'll be riskier, but quicker. Other option is to head to the stadium and find backup and the gladiator weapons. Most of the fighters there are slaves, and with any luck they'll help us. We'll have a good group of soldiers, but every second that passes means more time for Kalarel to start a counter-attack." "I'm thinking we should head for the stadium, get them organized sooner. I suppose those of you who want to can pick up some better equipment from the merchants, but all we have is our weapons, our clothes, and Pik's metal scraps. I doubt we'll be able to pick up much."
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| # ? May 12, 2011 18:18 |
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Vojzek "Agreed. We must act with no delay." Vojzek gives the thri-kreen a dirty look. Shopping? Now?! Ridiculous! "To the stadium. The many shall overwhelm the few."
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| # ? May 12, 2011 19:51 |
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 A basic mock-up of the gate for planning purposes: In the gatehouse are an unknown number of enemies, they control the large marble outer gate and the inner portcullis from within. They also have murder holes for raining death through the floor of the gatehouse onto anyone entering the city, as well as several slots for shooting arrows out the front. There are two tall stone guard towers that each also hold an unknown number of enemies. They have slots cut in the front to shoot outwards, but none in the rear. Two guards stand on the road, keeping people back from the portcullis. Every once in awhile a guard will leave the gatehouse and begins walking along the city wall. You can use the inner stairs to reach the gatehouse, the outer stairs lead up to the battlements along the top of the wall. There are doors that lead from the battlements to the gatehouse as well.  A basic mock-up of the stadium for planning purposes: The small green areas are the main gates for letting folks in and out of the games. The blue floor is the first level of basement, where the fighters are kept until it's time to fight. There are two guarded doors that lead down to the basement from the main gate, as well as several other ways to get into the basement from within the stadium. The red area is the second basement level, where the fighters are trained, and the wild animals for the games are kept. You can only get to this level from the first basement level. These are the basics. Skills checks may reveal more information. If you have a plan that requires there to be sewer grates nearby, or a caravan of beasts trying to enter the arena, or something like that, feel free to add that kind-of stuff. You have permission to write stuff in as long as it's reasonable. Pokeylope fucked around with this message at May 13, 2011 around 01:14 |
| # ? May 12, 2011 22:54 |
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Pik-ik-cha Pik performs the 'quizzical dog head tilt' maneuver in the general direction of the Dray. Scaly-thing seemed irked at him. This was not good, as harmony within the clutch was paramount. "Pik trade metal later...work to be done now.", the 'kreen says as he looks over the rather impressive gatehouse. "Big gate. Might hide big pack of guard-men. Fighting-place close; many slaves, many beasts, probably large herd of...watchers? revelers? Make chaos in fighting-place, maybe take guard-men away from big gate." Pik eyes the coliseum, looking for a spot where they might slip in unobtrusively before starting some poo poo. Thievery: 1d20+10 14 Verloc fucked around with this message at May 13, 2011 around 05:40 |
| # ? May 13, 2011 05:34 |
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Thetrin The elf racks his brain for information regarding the stadium. He wasn't a fan himself, but he'd gone at least once to help with a small deal with a local merchant. It had only been a single visit, but Thetrin had an eye for strategic placement, and a good memory besides. He wondered if there was an event going on the arena even now, with the burgeoning army outside the walls. "Vojzek, Iblis? The gladiators may need some convincing, and the two of you have a gift of... personality. Once we get inside, we'll probably be relying on you two to rally them." History: 1d20+8 26 What kind of guards are there, any good entrances into the basements, and what is the disposition of the fighters to La Revolucion?
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| # ? May 13, 2011 11:35 |
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Pik: You can see several interesting features about this place. For one, it's very old, and time has worn the sandstone down in many places, making the walls rough and climbable. You also notice a few side entrances. You have no idea where they go, but they are securely locked, and therefor not really being guarded. Thetrin: Try's arena is one of the grandest in all of Athas. They hold a wide variety of matches. From the fan favorite obstacle courses, to re-enactments of some of Kalak's finest battles. A good portion of the 'fodder' are slaves. Some of the more successful fighters can afford to live in a degree of luxury and may take some convincing. The arena slaves are mostly kept in the slave pits with the rest of you at night. Some of the more dangerous men are permanently housed in the arena. You can hear shouts and cheers of the crowd drifting out over the city. There's most definitely a fight going on at the moment. You recall the guard presence was not very strong the last time you came here. You'd guess they probably stay underground with the slaves unless there's trouble above.
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| # ? May 13, 2011 15:58 |
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Iblis "With our... unique... appearances, perhaps we could pass for a group of gladiators. We might be able to walk right in with no trouble at all." Is there a slave entrance or a place to sign up? If so I could try to bullshit our way in, either by pretending to be a slaver bringing my slaves to fight, or a group of freemen gladiators.
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| # ? May 13, 2011 16:23 |
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Quinn "That is not a bad idea. We can mix with the Arena fighters and convince them to join our side, and rebel. Every Fighter wants to Rebel somewhere deep inside, right?" Nothing like a little tournament action to get us going. We can try and sneak into the wall at night and start taking out guards using stealth and coercion or something too while we fight in the arena.
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| # ? May 13, 2011 18:04 |
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We need a name for our group. Any suggestions?
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| # ? May 13, 2011 19:13 |
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There is a red-clay hut off to the side of the main gate where contestants can sign up for the tournament, or to compete in the obstacle course brawls. In terms of group names, I'll give you guys a slight bonus for it  If you make something like a battle-cry I'll give you initiative bonus, or if it's something ominous, fickle minions may flee when they learn who you are, that kinda stuff. Of course for this to work well, you'd need to get your name out there.
Pokeylope fucked around with this message at May 13, 2011 around 19:44 |
| # ? May 13, 2011 19:34 |
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Personally, I think it's too soon for a name. After this whole sacking-Tyr (or not) thing goes down, we could conceivably have a name that comes from that. But right now we're just "The Ornery Slaves" and I don't think that's much of a name to be putting out there. Comedy option: "Tyr's Four Fears and that other guy." Dick Burglar fucked around with this message at May 13, 2011 around 20:23 |
| # ? May 13, 2011 20:17 |
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I like that one. Lets do that one. edit: HEY WAIT I'm the other guy 
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| # ? May 13, 2011 22:12 |
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Thetrin "We already have weapons. It would be better to say we were a group of free-men gladiators." Thetrin offers a rare smile as the others wonder how to present themselves as gladiators. "I used to be part of a group who called themselves the Hunters in the Sands. It was a good name, though in our case we haven't done much hunting, presence of sand or not. How about the Dawn Bringers? We may well be remembered for what we do here, and a good name to attach to us may do more well than harm." "When we do get in, though, Quinn and Vojzek need to be careful about their... arcane abilities. Watching the a gladiator suck the life out of the audience will probably cause a bit of trouble for us. I'd like to avoid a fight, but if we do end up on the stadium stands, I think we'll be able to manage." M.c.P fucked around with this message at May 14, 2011 around 12:47 |
| # ? May 14, 2011 12:43 |
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Pik-ik-cha The discussion of cool names is totally lost on the thri-kreen, but the rest of the clutch seems to be interested in it, so he waits patiently while they resolve their discussion.
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| # ? May 14, 2011 15:49 |
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Vojzek "So we are agreed, yes? We should act. Thetrin, lead us in."
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| # ? May 14, 2011 19:53 |
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You guys are signing up for the fights as a way to get into the arena right? Just enter the registration hut and they can probably fit you in with as big a tournament as this.
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| # ? May 16, 2011 01:06 |
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Quinn "Lets go, we need to get them on our side. Then all the guards will have to worry about an army on the inside and an army on the outside. They'll be terrified!" Yep, thats the general idea.
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| # ? May 16, 2011 02:23 |
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Pik-ik-cha klop-klop "Plan is clever. Fighters in fighting-place must be strong, or be dead by now. Make good addition to pack. Make confusion in guard-men's pack and our pack grow stronger. Pik-ik-cha not see how plan get better unless know way to eat roast kank while rest of pack does fighting for us." Pik looks around at the group as his stomach gurgles expectantly at the mention of roasted kank, "Does anyone know way to make happen?" I'm good. We haven't  'd anything in like an hour of game-time, let's get going!
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| # ? May 16, 2011 04:57 |
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Iblis "I'm always ready for a fight. Let's do this."
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| # ? May 16, 2011 05:35 |
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As you enter the hut you see an old mul sitting behind a small desk, riffling through a small pile of scrolls. His stocky build and faded scars suggest he may have once been a fighter himself. "Running a bit late are we? No matter, some sort of trouble in the desert and we're hurting for fighters. You boys look it over and let me know if you want a piece of the action." He extends a small tablet with the details of the matches listed. "Pretty standard stuff, those are the group listings, let me know if you want information on the solo gigs. If you can't read, say so, I'll get you signed up." Returning to his papers he pulls out a tournament bracket and begins jotting names in some of the empty spaces. Tyr's arena is equipped with an amazing array of strange and deadly machines that allow for some of the most spectacular games in all of Athas. Details for the matches: Tourney: The classic tournament, fight from the bottom to the top and claim the champions title and purse. 8 teams, 3 rounds 5000G Exotic animals: Some of the deadliest and most feral creatures in the world have been gathered to fight. 1500G King of the hill: The large construct that rises from the arena floor will offer an excellent advantage to the first group to crest it's deadly summit. 2000G Obstacle fight: The arena will randomly shift and change around you as you battle another team of fighters. 2000G
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| # ? May 16, 2011 06:11 |
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They use ceramic pieces, not gold, on Athas  vvvv yeah, I was going to say something about using G just to avoid confusion. I guess we can call them ceramics but when writing out a number we can write #G. Or maybe just say gold and be Dark Sun heretics, I dunno. Dick Burglar fucked around with this message at May 16, 2011 around 07:41 |
| # ? May 16, 2011 06:38 |
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They'll be using dray teeth as currency if you presume to correct me again  but yeah, you're right about that. I'm just gonna keep using G though or half the time I'll forget to change it and it'll be a mess. edit: I looked all through the campaign setting and they list all the prices in gp. It's definitely not actual gold, but they don't seem to have any specifics. Perhaps each city state uses it's own currency? I don't know, it may be detailed in earlier editions. Perhaps I should consult the darksun thread. For now we'll go with ceramics, sounds likely. They're carved intricately by high psionics to prevent crude forgery. One face shows Tyr's skyline against the backdrop of the ringing mountains, the other is an image of Kalak in simple clothing walking amongst his people. Pokeylope fucked around with this message at May 16, 2011 around 22:11 |
| # ? May 16, 2011 07:36 |
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Iblis "I just can't decide! I want them all!" the tiefling exclaims while going over the options for fighting. "I guess we should take a group vote."
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| # ? May 16, 2011 22:19 |
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Thetrin The hefty pot for winning the tournament tempted Thetrin, but if things went to plan their mission would be accomplished before they even got to the second round. Besides, they were here for the gladiators. Killing too many of them would be counterproductive. "I think the Obstacle Course is fine. A good fit for our tactical strengths." A mental voice adds, for the benefit of the others, "Try not to kill anyone, these are potential soldiers, and gratitude for mercy could be very helpful here." We gonna stick with Dawn Bringers? I just picked that off the cuff, I'm pretty open to other suggestions. Four Fears of Tyr is a good one too 
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| # ? May 17, 2011 01:40 |
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Vojzek "I want to see the whelps I will slaughter. Make them cower and fear," the Dray growls through tightly-gritted teeth that shining like daggers in the unrelenting sun. "I want to show them their butcher." If possible, I want to go see the gladiators in their cells before the fight even begins. If this means surrendering V's weapon that's fine. Preferably with no guards present, but I suppose I'll take what I can get. I'm not sure which roll I would use for this kind of thing, so I went ahead and rolled both. Intimidate, Bluff?: 1d20+13 24 1d20+4 21
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| # ? May 17, 2011 02:12 |
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Pik-ik-cha Scaly-thing and elf-man seemed to have things well in hand in the planning department. Pik was not clever like they were, but he was clever enough to know when to shut up and let the experts do their thing. "Pik will follow clutch-mates in their decision. Pik not care which game we play."
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| # ? May 17, 2011 02:15 |
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Quinn "Don't look at me. I'm new to all this 'fighting in an arena against others'. I'm open for anything. Maybe we should go see if these slaves are worth our time, though."
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| # ? May 17, 2011 02:36 |
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Iblis The tiefling ponders for a moment before speaking. "I agree with my scaly friend, but for a different reason. May we look over the other fighters in the pens before we choose? We wouldn't want to disappoint the crowd as we massacred a group of weaklings." Bluff: 1d20+11: 27 I think we should check on the fighters, try and recruit as many as possible, and perhaps sabotage the gates or the cages so that while we're fighting in the tourney our army can bide its time and come out fighting at the opportune moment.
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| # ? May 17, 2011 16:47 |
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"Ha! You sure are a cocky bunch. I'll have Romgal show you in. Just hand him your tablet when you've decided." He puts a finger up to his temple and a moment later a half-giant appears in the doorway. "Romgal, shows these fighters to the pits." Turning back to his papers he adds. "Oh, and don't start anything without a crowd watching, or we'll feed you to the drat tembos." The half-giant leads you over to one of the side-doors and opens it. As you descend the stairs you can hear the pounding of the drums and the roar of the crowd reverberating through the earth around you. When you reach the bottom you're led past several large cages full of slaves. They don't appear to be especially fit or well-armed. At the end of the hall you turn right and walk under the arena to the second wing. This wing seems to be where they keep the real gladiators. The fighters here are allowed to walk about freely, but the doors leading to the other wing are still guarded. Looking about at the competition, you see all manner of folks have turned up to participate. A group of elves sit in a corner stretching and applying resin to their bowstrings. Some dwarves are playing a drinking game with a half-giant, they appear to be winning. You can see a thri-kreen in the corner working something in his mandibles, and a dray with ornate flowing robes of purple and red lovingly polishing his gleaming iron scimitar. Romgal stands silently nearby, ready to turn in your registration.
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| # ? May 17, 2011 22:07 |
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Iblis "Tembos, why is it always tembos? Count me out of the Beast Fights in that case..." After scoping out the gladiators, Iblis turns to his companions. "We're obviously going to have an easier time convincing those who share a language (and species) with one of us. So, Thetrin, you should obviously take the elves. Pik, go ask about whatever that other 'kreen is chewing on. And Voj, go talk about whatever it is you people talk about. I should have an easy time with the drunk dwarves and the half-giant. Remember folks, we want them to join us. Please try and remain civil with them." The tiefling swaggers over to the drinking game. "Got room for one more?"
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| # ? May 17, 2011 23:07 |
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The half-giant on the ground gurgles something incoherently. "looks like we do now" says one of the younger dwarves as he bends down over the half-giant and begins carefully picking through his pockets. A dwarf wearing a well-crafted suit of green-scale armor extends a hand with a set of simple stone dice (4d6 to be exact) "Simple game really, just passing the time." He takes a swig from a skin of wine slung over his shoulder. "Roll the dice, if you get a 6 you can roll as many of the other dice as you want to again. I'll do the same. whoever has the lower number drinks. If one of your dice is a 1, you drink double." One of the other, more sober dwarves interjects "Ah, but, before we get to that. What have you got to play for? We're not in the habit of giving all our wine away just to see if you can handle your booze." He glances over to the half-giant on the floor. "Though that does work out pretty well on occasion."
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| # ? May 17, 2011 23:47 |
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Quinn "Come on, Pik, lets go chat up that clutch over there, they seem like a friendly bunch." Wandering over to the Thri-Kreen, the human puts on a friendly face and asks in the chirping Thri-Kreen tounge, "My clutchmate and I would like to know your story, friend, and how you wound up fighting here instead of in the desert"
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| # ? May 18, 2011 00:36 |
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| # ? May 25, 2013 14:23 |
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The kreen looks up at you, rather puzzled to hear a human speak his tongue. He puts a hand up to his mouth and extracts an oddly shaped plate of crystal. Pik-ik-cha: You recognize this craft, it is a racial secret of the thri-kreen. It involves using your natural venom, and the repeated pressure of your mandibles to break down and re-form sand into bladed weapons. A finely crafted chatkcha will return to it's owner when thrown properly. "I was once a great protector of my people, but many things have changed since then. It has been a long and lonely road, now I fight only for myself."
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| # ? May 18, 2011 01:15 |
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