[34] All Bets are Off

[Merc]

<Merc> The next day, the group gathers back at the arena, this time as gladiators! Well, some of them, anyway. Aleph and Anassia both seem to choose to spectate, to the disappointment of the fight coordinator, though it seems he doesn't feel it's worth complaining about. He does, however, warn them again, "Now, remember, these fights are -not- to the death.
<Merc> We're not animals, after all...If you're not capable of pulling your strikes, please say so now, we can get you some weapons designed for the arena."
* Sockpuppet_Brina voices her objection--she was trained to kill with her strikes, and thus would rather not have to try and pull her attacks
<Merc> ooc: To be precise, they do have greatswords and daggers, masterwork, but they do nonlethal damage as a default. The tradeoff is they'd lack your normal bonuses, parrying 2 for Maya and attack 2 for Brina
<Maya_Mahabala> OOC: Hmph, I can beat them to death with my sword.
<Merc> ooc: If you don't mind getting taken to jail for murder or being on the run, sure! Go and head and beat them to death instead of unconsciousness! =p
<Sockpuppet_Brina> OOC: Taking it for the nonlethals, honestly.
<Merc> The fight coordinator nods briefly and leads the two to their armory while Anassia and Aleph go up to the stands to get good seats early on. "Here are some daggers for you, miss," he says as he leads Brina to a collection of daggers. He grabs a pair and hands them to Brina. Her inspecting eye notes that chips and marks on them from heavy use, but
<Merc> for the most part they seem well maintained and well balanced, though the bladed edges are blunted a little. All in all, they don't seem as good as her own, but given her training in combat, it might be for the best.
<Maya_Mahabala> "So, do you think you can really keep up, Brina?" Maya teased, stretching out a bit as she readied for the fight.
<Merc> "And you, miss? You're -sure- of your...abilities to not hit your opponents with a killing blow? Please remember, your opponents today -are- soldiers of Viridian."
<Sockpuppet_Brina> "You think you can keep up with me?" Brina quietly retorted
<Sockpuppet_Brina> roll 1d20+1 Aid Gather Info
<Penuche> Sockpuppet_Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 4 > [d20=3]
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+12 I would ask before my money was going places.  Aid me instead.
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d20=3]
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+0 aid another brina
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 17 > [d20=17]
<Merc> [19:10] <Anassia> roll 1d20+14
<Merc> [19:10] <Penuche> Anassia invokes Penuche's magic: < 26 > [d20=12]
<Maya_Mahabala> "Tut, if a gypsy cut up people every time they performed, nobody would come to see it.  Perhaps though after a few passes, they might simply run away."
<Merc> OOC: For log reading - Group is rolling gather info to find a reliable bookie for betting.
* Maya_Mahabala smiles, as beyond being simply confident, she also knew nobody liked facing real steel with blunt weaponry.
<Merc> ooc: They're all steel weapons, their edge has just been blunted. They still hurt just as much as normal weapons. =p
<Merc> ooc: anyway, moving on.
<Merc> "Very well, let's get going then," he says as he leads you around the inside of the colosseum until you arrive at a set of large doors with taunt chains leading from the top corners into the wall and going into the stone, connected to somewhere else. "Please wait here until the doors open, things should start shortly."
* Maya_Mahabala stretches a little more, her blade pulled out, "Let's give them a good show.  Something to remember us by," Maya smirked. "They probably won't let us fight with these odds again."
<Sockpuppet_Brina> "Let's."  Brina nods, pulling up her hood and getting ready to strike as well
<Merc> Meanwhile, up above, Anassia and Aleph watch a large crowd forms around them, filling almost all of the stands, a rather nice increase from yesterday's turnout. Even the seats by the back are getting filled, although there's still quite a few empty seats here and there. There's a lot of chatter between all of the spectators, which quiets down a bit as the coordinator makes his presence known and begins to rile up the crowd.
<Sockpuppet_Brina> Aleph looks down upon the spectacle, curious as to the sort of fight that'll go on, given the interruptive stunt that was performed earlier
<Merc> "Today we have a rare treat for you! Some of Adallia's latest 'heroes' have made an appearance here in Viridian! In our doorsteps, wanting to challenge our best! Our finest! We are gathered here to see if they've got the stuff...or if they'll be eating dirt! Cheer! Boo! Show who you stand with! Make these interlopers show what it means to have Viridian pride!" he calls out as the doors on one side
<Merc> opens to a pair of soldiers coming out, waving to everyone with large grins.
<Merc> One of the two carries a large blade, much like Maya's, while the other seems to have a pair of short swords. "Greet OUR heroes with a warm welcome!"
<Merc> As the crowd errupts into cheers that almost deafen Anassia and Aleph, a group of other soldiers seem to come out from the door as well, though they stay by the wall of the arena, armed, but likely not participating...one hopes. The Maya/Brina pair would be rather outnumbered if they were.
<Merc> "And now...their opponent's! Show the interlopers how you feel, people of Vyrdam!" the announcer yells out as the other set of doors open and both women are blasted with a drowning cheer turning into an unending booing!
* Maya_Mahabala smiles as she steps out, blowing a kiss to the opposition and staying on the other side of the arena.
* Sockpuppet_Brina steps out, not really giving a reaction to the booing, but staying on the same side as Maya
<Sockpuppet_Brina> Aleph is one of the few who is cheering for the two girls in this case.  ...probably more for Maya, but this is because it's Aleph
<Merc> Aleph gets some glares for cheering for the girls, mostly from women oddly enough. "Keep your hormones in your pants!" One of the disgusted women exclaims to Aleph near him, almost jabbing a pointing finger into his face. "Show some patriotism, you hooligan!"
<Sockpuppet_Brina> Aleph turns back to the women, snrking.  "Oh?  Am I a hooligan, or are you just jealous?"
<Merc> Meanwhile, as Aleph gets a tongue lashing, the announcer keeps going. "On this side, we have some of Viridian's finest! Jerome and Moses are newcomers to the arena, hoping to test their might and show that their recent induction into the elites is well-earned! On this side, we have a pair of Adallian wenches! Maya and Brina! Are both sides ready to fight?"
<Merc> The two soldiers raise their weapons and yell loudly their agreement, joined by cheers from most of the audience, minus the woman gasping and glaring at Aleph. "Why I never!" she exclaims as she stands up and starts moving through the standing crowd, looking for a different spot to sit, obviously displeased with Aleph.
<Sockpuppet_Brina> "I guess she was." Aleph comments to himself, snrking as he refocuses on the two women below.
* Maya_Mahabala draws her blade out from behind her back, tracing it along a slight bit of metal near her shoulder and letting the sound of metal on metal ring clear through the arena, giving a wide smile as she pointed her blade at the two of them.  "Truly, a disappointing lot."  She salutes with a smile, "We will shame you simply, and then perhaps see any of the courtesy vyrdan claims they know about."  OOC: Inspire doom.
<Merc> ooc: go for it
* Quits: Anassia (~Anassia@71-32-80-221.tukw.qwest.net) (Quit: ~ Trillian Astra - www.trillian.im ~)
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+14 v 20
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d20=1]
<Merc> The men laugh loudly at Maya's catcalling, entirely too boosted by the crowd's cheering for them and the crowd turning to boo Maya at her declaration. "Bring your worst, woman!" The one with fuzzy almost shaved hair calls out, though the other one, the one with black wavy hair and a pair of swords remains silent, observing the two, though he still looks confident in himself.
<Merc> "Looks like all our contestants are all ready! So I guess there's nothing left to say...but let the GAMES BEGIN!" OOC: Init
<Sockpuppet_Brina> roll 1d20+4 init
<Penuche> Sockpuppet_Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d20=20]
<Merc> roll d20+3 Moses
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 7 > [d20=4]
<Merc> roll d20+3 Jerome
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 23 > [d20=20]
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+4
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 23 > [d20=19]
* Retrieving #truesteel modes...
* Merc changes topic to 'Brina > Maya > Jerome > Moses'
<Merc> ooc: Moses is the one with shortswords and Jerome is the one who told you to bring your worst, fyi.
<Merc> ooc: distance between both sides is 80 feet
* Sockpuppet_Brina dashes out in a blur, appearing in a near-instant in front of Jerome and lashing out with one of the blunted-but-still-painfully-steely knives in her main hand...
<Merc> ooc: charging?
<Sockpuppet_Brina> ooc: Yep
<Merc> ooc: roll attack
<Sockpuppet_Brina> roll 1d20+13 Chaaaaaarge!  Against flatfooted, even
<Penuche> Sockpuppet_Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 25 > [d20=12]
<Merc> ooc: hit
<Sockpuppet_Brina> roll 1d4+3
<Penuche> Sockpuppet_Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 4 > [d4=1]
<Sockpuppet_Brina> roll 5d6+4 total damage
<Penuche> Sockpuppet_Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d6=3,5,4,2,6]
* Maya_Mahabala laughs, "oh truly, I don't believe I ever do my worst...  Ah, indeed, I can only hope," She matched Brina's steps easily, the distance between them vanishing, "That you're enough for me to do my best," She twirled past Jerome, her hand brushing his cheek before he even took his blade out, spinning past as the flat of her large blade slammed into his temple suddenly as she leaped back, her rings jingling playfully for t
<Merc> While Jerome's armor seems to diminish the attack somewhat, Brina's knowledge and charge allows her to ensure her strike does a lot of damage, causing the soldier to wince and make a face of pain.
<Merc> ooc: Maya
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+22-4 tumble stunt bonus to hit.
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 34 > [d20=16]
<Merc> roll d20+13 rolling against
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 17 > [d20=4]
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+22-4
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 29 > [d20=11]
<Merc> ooc: hit
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 2d8+6
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 17 > [d8=4,7]
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+14-2 Dancing away (defense against Jerome)
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 19 > [d20=7]
<Merc> roll d20+13 rolling against dance
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 30 > [d20=17]
<Merc> Jerome takes another brutal attack as he's rapidly pounced on not by one but two women for his remarks, though he quickly recovers himself, not falling for Maya's little dance in front of him. From behind him, an old man frowns and calls out from amongst the other soldiers. "Get it together, you fool, or I'll demote you back down to the recruits!" he bellows, as he passes a hand through his white hair.
<Merc> "...Yes sir," Jerome says with gritted teeth as he attempts to strike Maya back with his own greatsword.
<Merc> roll d20+13
<Merc> roll d20+8
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 22 > [d20=9]
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d20=16]
<Merc> ooc: should have added +1 actually, but he still misses on first attack.
<Merc> roll 2d6+9
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 16 > [d6=6,1]
<Merc> Maya gets hit with a strike of almost equal force, although Jerome is still looking the worst off! Moses meanwhile moves to flank Maya with Jerome as one of his shortswords goes for a weakspot in her back.
<Merc> roll d20+13
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 14 > [d20=1]
<Merc> The old man groans as Jerome misses, distracted by Maya's legs or the amount of skin she's showing perhaps. Who knows. It's kind of embarrassing really! "Jerome! What are you doing?!?" he bellows with a red face as some of the audience laugh at the serious looking man, though they're still cheering
<Merc> for the soldiers and begging them to get their hits in as the announcer gives a byplay of the events as they happen to lend to the atmosphere, even if he speaks in a clearly biased fashion.
* Sockpuppet_Brina circles around Jerome, executing a quick and rather confusing roll to circle around to flank Jerome with Maya, launching another surprise attack at the now-likely-frustrated greatsword-user.
<Merc> ooc: using any skill tricks, or just flanking and attacking?
<Sockpuppet_Brina> ooc: Actually was going to use Tumble to negate possible AoOs.
<Merc> ooc: go for it
<Sockpuppet_Brina> roll 1d20+19 tumble oh god this is wrong
<Penuche> Sockpuppet_Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 26 > [d20=7]
<Merc> roll d20+11
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 15 > [d20=4]
<Merc> ooc: wait, +13. He'd still miss it, so go for it
<Sockpuppet_Brina> roll 1d20+13 Flanking Sneak Attack
<Penuche> Sockpuppet_Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 28 > [d20=15]
<Merc> ooc: hit
<Sockpuppet_Brina> roll 1d4+3 base damage
<Penuche> Sockpuppet_Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 5 > [d4=2]
<Sockpuppet_Brina> roll 5d6+5 total damage
<Penuche> Sockpuppet_Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 27 > [d6=5,3,6,6,2]
<Merc> Jerome grits his teeth even as the audience boos for the girls. "Don't let them flank you, you fool! Have you learned nothing?" the old man continues to berate the young warrior from where he stands, even as his other soldiers chuckle.
<Merc> ooc: Maya
* Maya_Mahabala laughs, "Now, now old man...we're really showing how lucky you are that Adalia and Vyrdam are on good terms.  Truly fortunate," She smiled, striking Jerome hard as she pulled back, whistling, "Can you even keep up, you two?"  OOC: tumbling attack on Jerome, then jumping out of reach, circling the trio at high speed.
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+27 tumble check to remove ADB
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 40 > [d20=13]
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+17+2-4
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 32 > [d20=17]
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+18-4 jump to defense
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d20=10]
<Maya_Mahabala> OOC: Waits for counter-rolls before rolling damage.
<Sockpuppet_Brina> Aleph, in the seats, snrks as he continues cheering the girls on.  "Woo!  Kick their asses!"
<Merc> "Don't you get snippy, young lady! You're not even facing my best right now!" The old man exclaims angrily.
<Merc> roll d20+15 counter roll 1
<Merc> roll d20+15 counter roll 2
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 29 > [d20=14]
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=5]
<Merc> ooc: hit
<Maya_Mahabala> OOC: -5 from my attack.  Sorry, that was intended to be expertise full.  I just noticed I didn't subtract that too.  Do I still hit?
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 2d8+6 on Jerome again.
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 14 > [d8=2,6]
<Merc> ooc: yeah, you'll still hit on a 27 >_>
<Maya_Mahabala> OOC: AC 33 for this round.
<Maya_Mahabala> OOC: 34 actually.  Whatever, crit to hit.
<Merc> Jerome grimaces again, and makes a quick sign to Moses which causes him to nod as the quiet man makes a quick set of sidesteps so he's able to attack Brina, giving Maya a wide berth.
<Merc> roll d20+11
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 18 > [d20=7]
* Sockpuppet_Brina shifts to the side as Moses narrowly misses, looking nonchalant about it all the while.
<Merc> He misses Brina however, but Jerome uses the new position to his advantage as he makes a short step to Brina's other side so she's sandwiched between two blades and his own. "Enough's enough!" (ooc: 5ft step then full attack on Brina. Weather it, sock puppet!)
<Merc> roll d20+16
<Merc> roll d20+11
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=4]
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 29 > [d20=18]
<Merc> roll 2d6+7 attack 1
<Merc> roll 2d6+7 attack 2
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 12 > [d6=4,1]
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 11 > [d6=2,2]
<Merc> roll 2d6+7 SA 1
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 17 > [d6=6,4]
<Merc> roll 2d6+7 SA 2
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 16 > [d6=6,3]
<Merc> ooc: whoops
<Merc> roll 1d6 SA actually!
<Merc> roll 1d6 SA actually!
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 1 > [d6=1]
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 3 > [d6=3]
<Merc> ooc: So 13+14 minus armor
<Sockpuppet_Brina> roll 1d2+1
<Sockpuppet_Brina> roll 1d2+1
<Penuche> Sockpuppet_Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 3 > [d2=2]
<Penuche> Sockpuppet_Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 2 > [d2=1]
<Merc> The crowd cheers for Jerome and begins chanting his name! The old man gives a small snort of approval even as the announcer goes wild, promising a turn around from the young warrior!
<Merc> ooc: Sockpuppet
<Sockpuppet_Brina> "Kgh...Maya, get your barely-clothed ass over here already!"  Brina has started to look less than pleased with this current circumstance...and is waiting for something as she gives a subtle signal  (Delay turn until after Maya, plzkthx)
<Merc> Jerome looks rather beat up and is breathing hard, but he still looks like he has some fair deal of fight in him.
<Merc> ooc: Maya
* Maya_Mahabala smiles, "Hit and fade away, you slow poke," She ran up, taking a bit of a risk as she leaped over Jerome, bringing her blade down as hard as she could.  OOC: Expertise -3, Leaping strike, tumble attack, dance away. :)
<Merc> ooc: roll away
<Sockpuppet_Brina> (OOC: You ass.  I was hoping for a dual-weapon full)
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+18 vs DC 10, yeah pass
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 26 > [d20=8]
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+27 tumble vs BAC
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 47 > [d20=20]
<Merc> ooc: he's not gonna bother rolling against that
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+19-4-3
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 21 > [d20=9]
<Merc> ooc: ...miss.
<Maya_Mahabala> roll 1d20+14-2 dance away in surprise.
<Penuche> Maya_Mahabala invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=8]
<Merc> roll d20+13 he could actually beat that
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 24 > [d20=11]
<Merc> roll d20+14 He'll take his AoO, yes.
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 23 > [d20=9]
<Maya_Mahabala> OOC: AC 29
<Maya_Mahabala> OOC: Oh, AoO?  AC 39
<Merc> ooc: I'm fairly sure he misses, yeah
<Merc> Maya dances in and tries to hit Jerome, but apparently he's a bit more watchful of her movements now and he ducks his head and tries to hit Maya while she's surprised and moving away. His own attack fails though, Maya used at having potshots taken at her as she dances. Brina, however, is left in a bind with two men around her, one very angry and the other with a glint in his eyes and two blades, one still left unused.
<Merc> ooc: Brina
* Merc changes topic to 'Maya > Brina> Moses >Jerome '
<Merc> ooc: rearranging init given shifts in held actions
* Sockpuppet_Brina grumbles, right before tumbling out of there due to the situation being a good bit less than optimal as of current.
<Sockpuppet_Brina> (Tumbling double-move time)
<Sockpuppet_Brina> roll 1d20+19 Tumble to avoid AoOs.
<Penuche> Sockpuppet_Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 35 > [d20=16]
<Merc> ooc: neither of them can make their BACs against that, so go for it
<Sockpuppet_Brina> She basically just gets the hell out of dodge
<Merc> As Brina attempts to move away, both men frown and lend chase, not giving her a chance to run far. On the plus side though, moving around prevents them from focus quite as much on attacks!
<Merc> roll d20+16 Jerome
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=4]
<Merc> roll d20+15 Moses
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 20 > [d20=5]
<Merc> roll 2d6+9
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 17 > [d6=2,6]
<Merc> roll 1d6+3
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 5 > [d6=2]
<Merc> roll 2d6 SA Moses
<Penuche> Merc invokes Penuche's magic: < 11 > [d6=5,6]
<Sockpuppet_Brina> roll d2+1
<Sockpuppet_Brina> roll d2+1
<Penuche> Sockpuppet_Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 2 > [d2=1]
<Penuche> Sockpuppet_Brina invokes Penuche's magic: < 2 > [d2=1]
<Merc> Two attacks hit, both men rushing at her sides in tandem, though Jerome attacks first followed by Moses going for the reeling Brina's side!
<Maya_Mahabala> "...I see how it is.  So, captain," Maya turned to the guy, "Your guys need two men to handle one woman?  Neither of them are even going to raise their blade at me?  Interesting tactics there.  Some elites."
<Merc> The old man snorts. "You say that so straight faced after how you two have been bouncin' around Jerome between the two of you? Hah, and this is your Adallian pride?" he fires back. The announcer grins and repeats his words, word for word, and the audience begins booing Maya even more loudly at that.