Weighing the Odds
Devlin listened to Lord Popora's request. The old halfling seemed open and candid about his intentions. But part of him is still wary of the Boromar Lord. He quickly gazed over his companions, watching their reactions.
Rothaide was frowning at the news of the plague in Regalport. Her smooth delicate hand nervously held the goblet of ale. The elf was probably reminded of her misfortune back at her old ship.
Gian who was listening and watching the Shifters noticed Devlin's eyes turning towards him. The young artificer pretended to adjust his eyeglass, and stared back at the half-elf.
Devlin cleared his throat and looked back at the halfling. "What kind of spice do you want us to deliver?"
Lord Popora beamed an oily smile. "Nothing illegal," he answered. "Five barrels of House Jorasco medicinal herbs and spices, for the afflicted people of Regalport."
"Sounds simple enough," Zonnos interrupted. Popora's eldest son was now lying comfortably on the mattress, toying with his goblet.
"If it's that simple, why come to me?" Devlin asked.
The old halfling stared at his eldest son, signaling him to behave himself. But Zonnos appeared oblivious to his father's reprimand. "You are a wizard and member of House Lyrandar," Lord Popora explained. "It will be easy for you to go in and out of the blockade."
"My relation with Lyrandar is strained," Devlin answered. "But I think I can still pull some strings."
"Then it is settled," Lord Popora replied.
"Not yet," Devlin interrupted. "There is still a matter of our fee."
"How does five thousand gold pieces sound?" Popora offered. "Two thousand five hundred upfront and the rest of the payment upon completion of the mission."
Devlin keeps silent for a moment. His brow creased and his finger tapping on his chin seemingly doing some mental computations.
“Let’s go for seven thousand.” The half-elf countered. “With an additional three thousand gold pieces if we rescue your child Mika.”
Popora gives out a throaty laugh. ”You are a real businessman Devlin d’Lyrandar. Let’s settle on seven thousand and five hundred gold pieces then. Three thousand now and the rest WHEN you deliver Mika back.”
Before Devlin could answer his agreement a loud burp from Zonnos is heard from his place at the mat at the right side of the room. Having captured everyone’s attention the younger halfling stands up and faces his father.
“Blessed progenitor, look at these runts and weaklings before you. They could not fight their way past a razorclaw hatchling; much less survive to find Mika. Let me send my Shifters to rescue my treasured sibling.”
Popora gives a low, long blink, as if considering the matter, then replies, “No, I believe there is a greater chance of success if I send them.”
Zonnos stifles a chortle and says, “The least of my Shifters can take any one of their number.”
Again, Popora speaks out before anyone can answer. “I take your bet, my child. Guests, is there one among you to prove young Zonnos incorrect? Does anyone care to wrestle a Shifter?”
As he speaks, the Shifter that carried the ale barrels into the room stands up to its full six feet tall stance and makes threatening gestures at Devlin and his crew.
Rothaide was frowning at the news of the plague in Regalport. Her smooth delicate hand nervously held the goblet of ale. The elf was probably reminded of her misfortune back at her old ship.
Gian who was listening and watching the Shifters noticed Devlin's eyes turning towards him. The young artificer pretended to adjust his eyeglass, and stared back at the half-elf.
Devlin cleared his throat and looked back at the halfling. "What kind of spice do you want us to deliver?"
Lord Popora beamed an oily smile. "Nothing illegal," he answered. "Five barrels of House Jorasco medicinal herbs and spices, for the afflicted people of Regalport."
"Sounds simple enough," Zonnos interrupted. Popora's eldest son was now lying comfortably on the mattress, toying with his goblet.
"If it's that simple, why come to me?" Devlin asked.
The old halfling stared at his eldest son, signaling him to behave himself. But Zonnos appeared oblivious to his father's reprimand. "You are a wizard and member of House Lyrandar," Lord Popora explained. "It will be easy for you to go in and out of the blockade."
"My relation with Lyrandar is strained," Devlin answered. "But I think I can still pull some strings."
"Then it is settled," Lord Popora replied.
"Not yet," Devlin interrupted. "There is still a matter of our fee."
"How does five thousand gold pieces sound?" Popora offered. "Two thousand five hundred upfront and the rest of the payment upon completion of the mission."
Devlin keeps silent for a moment. His brow creased and his finger tapping on his chin seemingly doing some mental computations.
“Let’s go for seven thousand.” The half-elf countered. “With an additional three thousand gold pieces if we rescue your child Mika.”
Popora gives out a throaty laugh. ”You are a real businessman Devlin d’Lyrandar. Let’s settle on seven thousand and five hundred gold pieces then. Three thousand now and the rest WHEN you deliver Mika back.”
Before Devlin could answer his agreement a loud burp from Zonnos is heard from his place at the mat at the right side of the room. Having captured everyone’s attention the younger halfling stands up and faces his father.
“Blessed progenitor, look at these runts and weaklings before you. They could not fight their way past a razorclaw hatchling; much less survive to find Mika. Let me send my Shifters to rescue my treasured sibling.”
Popora gives a low, long blink, as if considering the matter, then replies, “No, I believe there is a greater chance of success if I send them.”
Zonnos stifles a chortle and says, “The least of my Shifters can take any one of their number.”
Again, Popora speaks out before anyone can answer. “I take your bet, my child. Guests, is there one among you to prove young Zonnos incorrect? Does anyone care to wrestle a Shifter?”
As he speaks, the Shifter that carried the ale barrels into the room stands up to its full six feet tall stance and makes threatening gestures at Devlin and his crew.
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8 Comments:
Wrestle???
Yup. Wrestle! I'll leave the decision to Devlin on how he wants to treat the situation and who faces the Shifter.
if the decision falls to devlin (on how to react to the situation), how will the other characters jump into the scene?
Well, I'm willing to attempt to jump in...I can just come out of nowhere...I just need some excuse to walk in un-announced into Popora's audience chamber...and open with some witty remark to the challenge....
any ideas how we can write that in?
(interesting...this is almost exactly like writing a TV show, only we dunno if the characters will make it..)
=)
Other characters? It's a one on one wrestling match vs the Shifter.
But then again, the group hasn't given their conditions for the fight ;)
You have my stats... pero Devlin's not the type to charge into melee right away. He's a @#$%! strategist and tactician. :)
Exactly why I asked what Devlin plans to do. The wrestling match it Popora's idea. Devlin has yet to agree or change the terms of the dare. ;)
Oh, besides, Devlin has other resources at his disposal other that just himself - there's Gian, Rothaide and even possibly Rourke. :)
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