Heroica: Glory Amongst the Stars - Mission #9: He's Dead, Jim

[Duvors]

7 hours ago, Yzalirk said:

"I agree to your terms, Kenshi.  A friendly duel, a simple test of skill.  Are you ready?"

"Very well then, let us begin. Stand back!"
As he calls out to the crowd, he draws his sword in a lightning flash of motion. The crowd, startled by this, draws away form the center of the street, leaving a clear space down the middle.

"Oh for goodness sake." You hear Vinoq say as he draws the curtains of his shelter together.

"What. Is. Happening."

"Kenshi is having one of his duels again. Go Kenshi!"

And... Fight!

Special Rules
Duelists:
Vitality is replaced by Stamina, your Stamina is the same as your Vitality, but it cannot be raised by healing items and being reduced to 0 will not render your character unstable.
In the absence of cover, and with only two combatants, distance is the only part of the grid needed. To compensate for restricted maneuverability, Duelists may move through each other's space.
Bystanders:
The only actions Bystanders can take are Rally, Defend, and Try Something. They cannot be attacked. Bystanders cannot attempt to directly hinder the Duelists.
Bystanders allied to one of the fighters can Try Something to convince other bystanders to support their preferred fighter.
Support for the fighters is on the following scale: Allied - Neutral - Enemy. Shifting a bystander's opinion along this track by one is a DC 1 check, by two is DC 3.

Round 0
Ronin Initiative Check: (3,3,5,4) Two Successes.
Decker Initiative Check: (2,2) No Successes.

Kenshi Initiative Check: (2,2,2) No Successes.
Errr... 'Cyberdude' Initiative Check: (5,2,3) One Success.

Neutral bystanders do not take actions.

Enemy

 Kenshi (Duelist)
??? cycles old male Human Swashbuckler
Stamina: 6/6
Velocity: 3
Strength: 3
Skill: 3
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Acrobatics 5, Insight 1, Melee 3, Performance 1
Credits: 10
Equipment: Well Made Sword (Calibrated Kinetic Melee Weapon), Cognitive Enhancer (Tool) adds +1 die to Skill and Smarts Checks
Inventory: Pizza (Consumable) Has 4 uses, heals 2 Vitality per use. Multiple uses may be spent in one action, and may be split between self and adjacent allies.

 'Cyberdude' (Bystander)
Velocity: 3
Skill: 2
Smarts: 2
Proficiencies: Persuasion 2
Special, Cannot be convinced to not support Kenshi.

Party

 Ronin (Yzalirk) (Duelist)
[REDACTED] Male [REDACTED]
Character Points: 0/19
Stamina: 7/7
Velocity: 3 4
Strength: 1
Skill: 4
Smarts: 3
Spirit: 0/0
Proficiencies: Athletics 1, Artillery 1, Deception 1, Melee Weapons 2, Perception 1, Stealth 1, Survival 1
Known Spells: None
Credits: 222
Equipment: Cloaking Generator, Hard Light Katana (Calibrated Energy Melee Weapon), Rocketpack - Armor Attachment (+1 to Velocity when wearing this armor)
Inventory: Gator Tooth (Can be converted into either a Kinetic or Elemental Standard Melee Weapon by a craftsman), Ion Laser (Calibrated Energy Artillery Weapon), Flashlight (Tool), Workman's Outfit (Standard Kinetic Armor) Filtration, Frozen Blood (Consumable) ???, Sleep Gel (Consumable) ???, Lamplight (Consumable) ???, Æther Shroud (Consumable) ???, Cytherian Salts x2 (Consumable) ???

 Decker DaCabe (Endgame) (Bystander)
24 year old male Human
Velocity: 2
Skill: 3
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Melee Weapons 1, Short Range Weapons 2, Medicine 1, Perception 1, Athletics 1
Credits: 52
Equipment:  Double Barrel Voltaic Shotgun (Calibrated Energy Short Range Weapon), Workman's Outfit (Standard Kinetic Armor) Filtration
Inventory: Unloaded Pistol (Calibrated Kinetic Melee Weapon), Sandblasted Cuirass (Standard Kinetic Armor), Flashlight (Tool), Old Wolfclaw Veteran's Shield (Substandard Kinetic Armor) Dented Iron, Telescopic Stock - Weapon Attachment (Spend an action to change this weapon's optimal range by 1 category), Plasma Potion 2x

Unaligned Bystanders

 Helena Morrigan
Velocity: 2
Skill: 3
Smarts: 3
Proficiencies: Deception 1, Persuasion 1
Special: Cannot be more than one step away from Hector McCloud.

 Hector McCloud
Velocity: 2
Skill: 2
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Persuasion 3
Special: Cannot be more than one step away from Helena Morrigan.

 Elfonn Deshelf
Velocity: As fast as Decker
Skill: 5
Smarts: 5
Proficiencies: Insight 5, Intimidation 5, Perception 5, Stealth 5
Special: Requires bribery.

 Pip
Velocity: 1
Skill: 1
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Persuasion 3
Special: Can only shift alignment away from the heroes via intimidation.

 'Rock Elf'
Velocity: 2
Skill: 2
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Intimidation 1, Perfomance 3, Persuasion 1

 'Robo Girl'
Velocity: 1
Skill: 1
Smarts: 2
Proficiencies: Intimidation 3

 'Bookseller'
Velocity: 1
Skill: 1
Smarts: 4
Proficiencies: Deception 1, Persuasion 2, Performance 1
Special: Convincing them to move away from unaligned is a DC 3 Check.

 'Magnificent Mustache'
Velocity: 2
Skill: 3
Smarts: 3
Proficiencies: None that would help.

 'Posh Guy'
Velocity: 1
Skill: 0
Smarts: 5
Proficiencies: None that would help.
Credits: 65

 'Uhhh... Mushrooms?'
Velocity: 1
Skill: 1
Smarts: 2
Proficiencies: Deception 2, Intimidation 1, Performance 2, Persuasion 2

Edited February 19, 2022 by Duvors

[Endgame]

Decker eyes the pile of mushrooms. Was that... Did he see it twitch? Is it sentient? Decker wasn't sure if he wanted the support of it or the weird elf. But eh, time to stand up for his friend.

Decker starts off by trying something and going to a familiar face in the crowd, Pip. He gives him an encouraging slap on the back. "Well, Pip, we've gotten ourselves into a bit of a situation, hah! This is my first time seeing a spectacle like this - but I take it it's not your first, chum? Why not root for the newcomer, eh?"

[Yzalirk]

Remaining in his fighting stance, as still as can be, he looks at Decker and motions him in.  He whispers.

"In order to win this favor of the crowd, I need your help.  If you still have that mushroom that short elf wanted, win him over with it.  Then maybe he can convince..."
He looks over at the crowd and spots the sentient mushroom cluster.
"Are those things alive?  Very well.  Maybe the mushroom man will convince those mushrooms next."

Ronin moves up to 3 and stands his ground, twirling his katana and leaving blue trails around him.

[Duvors]

Round 1
Ronin moves to 3
Ronin defends himself
Decker Persuasion Check (DC 1): (1,4,4) two successes

'Cyberdude attempts to convince the Mushrooms.
'Cyberdude' Persuasion Check (DC 1): (1,1,5,1,6) two successes
Kenshi moves to 6
Kenshi defends himself

Pip Initiative Check: (1) no successes

'Mushroom' Initiative Check: (1) no successes.

The fight begins with the two fighters circling each-other, sizing each-other up, trying to spot weaknesses in their opponent's stance. Slowly, the two draw closer, the tension so thick you could cut the air with a knife. Ronin shifts his stance to one where he was swiftly strike or parry from below and to the side. Kenshi responds by discarding his purely defensive stance for one that can shift freely between defense and attack. The crowd hangs on the action, waiting to see who makes the first move. Some are not content to merely wait though, The Kenshi's cyborg fan sidles over to the pile of mobile mushrooms, saying something to it you can't quite hear. Whatever it was, it must've been convincing, as the 'shrooms wave their tendrils in what seems to be affirmation. Decker, for his part, decides to seek the support of his new friend.

21 hours ago, Endgame said:

He gives him an encouraging slap on the back. "Well, Pip, we've gotten ourselves into a bit of a situation, hah! This is my first time seeing a spectacle like this - but I take it it's not your first, chum? Why not root for the newcomer, eh?"

Pip nods in response. "Yeah," he says, "It's the least I can do."

Enemy

 Kenshi (Duelist)
??? cycles old male Human Swashbuckler
Stamina: 6/6
Velocity: 3
Strength: 3
Skill: 3
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Acrobatics 5, Insight 1, Melee 3, Performance 1
Credits: 10
Equipment: Well Made Sword (Calibrated Kinetic Melee Weapon), Cognitive Enhancer (Tool) adds +1 die to Skill and Smarts Checks
Inventory: Pizza (Consumable) Has 4 uses, heals 2 Vitality per use. Multiple uses may be spent in one action, and may be split between self and adjacent allies.

 'Cyberdude' (Bystander)
Velocity: 3
Skill: 2
Smarts: 2
Proficiencies: Persuasion 2
Special: Cannot be convinced to not support Kenshi.

 'Intelligent Mushrooms' (Bystander)
Velocity: 1
Skill: 1
Smarts: 2
Proficiencies: Deception 2, Intimidation 1, Performance 2, Persuasion 2

Party

 Ronin (Yzalirk) (Duelist)
[REDACTED] Male [REDACTED]
Character Points: 0/19
Stamina: 7/7
Velocity: 3 4
Strength: 1
Skill: 4
Smarts: 3
Spirit: 0/0
Proficiencies: Athletics 1, Artillery 1, Deception 1, Melee Weapons 2, Perception 1, Stealth 1, Survival 1
Known Spells: None
Credits: 222
Equipment: Cloaking Generator, Hard Light Katana (Calibrated Energy Melee Weapon), Rocketpack - Armor Attachment (+1 to Velocity when wearing this armor)
Inventory: Gator Tooth (Can be converted into either a Kinetic or Elemental Standard Melee Weapon by a craftsman), Ion Laser (Calibrated Energy Artillery Weapon), Flashlight (Tool), Workman's Outfit (Standard Kinetic Armor) Filtration, Frozen Blood (Consumable) ???, Sleep Gel (Consumable) ???, Lamplight (Consumable) ???, Æther Shroud (Consumable) ???, Cytherian Salts x2 (Consumable) ???

 Decker DaCabe (Endgame) (Bystander)
24 year old male Human
Velocity: 2
Skill: 3
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Melee Weapons 1, Short Range Weapons 2, Medicine 1, Perception 1, Athletics 1
Credits: 52
Equipment:  Double Barrel Voltaic Shotgun (Calibrated Energy Short Range Weapon), Workman's Outfit (Standard Kinetic Armor) Filtration
Inventory: Unloaded Pistol (Calibrated Kinetic Melee Weapon), Sandblasted Cuirass (Standard Kinetic Armor), Flashlight (Tool), Old Wolfclaw Veteran's Shield (Substandard Kinetic Armor) Dented Iron, Telescopic Stock - Weapon Attachment (Spend an action to change this weapon's optimal range by 1 category), Plasma Potion 2x

 Pip (Bystander)
Velocity: 1
Skill: 1
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Persuasion 3
Special: Can only shift alignment away from the heroes via intimidation.

Unaligned Bystanders

 Helena Morrigan
Velocity: 2
Skill: 3
Smarts: 3
Proficiencies: Deception 1, Persuasion 1
Special: Cannot be more than one step away from Hector McCloud.

 Hector McCloud
Velocity: 2
Skill: 2
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Persuasion 3
Special: Cannot be more than one step away from Helena Morrigan.

 Elfonn Deshelf
Velocity: As fast as Decker
Skill: 5
Smarts: 5
Proficiencies: Insight 5, Intimidation 5, Perception 5, Stealth 5
Special: Requires bribery.

 'Rock Elf'
Velocity: 2
Skill: 2
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Intimidation 1, Perfomance 3, Persuasion 1

 'Robo Girl'
Velocity: 1
Skill: 1
Smarts: 2
Proficiencies: Intimidation 3

 'Bookseller'
Velocity: 1
Skill: 1
Smarts: 4
Proficiencies: Deception 1, Persuasion 2, Performance 1
Special: Convincing them to move away from unaligned is a DC 3 Check.

 'Magnificent Mustache'
Velocity: 2
Skill: 3
Smarts: 3
Proficiencies: None that would help.

 'Posh Guy'
Velocity: 1
Skill: 0
Smarts: 5
Proficiencies: None that would help.
Credits: 65

Edited February 21, 2022 by Duvors

[Yzalirk]

Ronin leaps to 5 and strikes at Kenshi.

[Duvors]

MM Note: I forgot to roll initiative for Pip and the Mushrooms, so I've gone and amended the original post.

[Endgame]

5 hours ago, Duvors said:

Pip nods in response. "Yeah," he says, "It's the least I can do."

Decker gives the bot another slap on the back. "Attaboy. You're the best, don't let others tell ya otherwise. Spread the good word."

Decker sizes up the crowd. Avoid eye contact with the elf, avoid eye contact with the elf, avoid eye contact with the - oh hey, Hector and his lady friend. This might just work, he thinks to himself.

"Hey, Hector! Helena!" Decker calls out. "Sorry I had to run earlier, but it seems like my compatriot got tangled up in a bit of trouble. So it looks like I'm stuck slowin' down for a tick," Decker laughs. "You will not believe the things my buddy Ronin can do with a sword, believe me. I served on a mission wif 'im in the tundras of Recivic - just incredible."

Edited February 21, 2022 by Endgame

[Duvors]

Round 2
Ronin moves to 5
Ronin vs. Kenshi - (1,4,+2) Three successes vs. (6,6,2,5,3,5,3) Four successes = Zero damage
Riposte! Kenshi makes an Opportunistic attack vs. Ronin - (5,4,2,+2) Four successes vs. (4,4,1,5,2,6,5,2) Five successes = Zero damage
Decker Persuasion Check (DC 1): (3,4,2) One success
Pip Persuasion Check (DC 1): (6,2,3,5,5,6) Four successes

'Cyberdude' rallies Kenshi (+2)
Kenshi moves to 4
Kenshi vs. Ronin - (2,3,3,1,3,+2) Two successes vs. (6,6,2,1) Two successes = Zero damage
The mushrooms attempt to be persuasive.
Mushroom Persuasion Check (DC 1): (3,6,6,5,1)

Helen Morrigan Initiative Check: (4,2) One success
Hector McCloud Initiative Check: (1,6) One success

'Magnificent Mustache' Initiative Check: (3,5) One success

The fight kicks off seriously now, with Ronin charging at Kenshi full-tilt, swinging upward in a blow calculated to stop just before connecting. Kenshi isn't going to stand there and take it though, leaping to the side and darting past Ronin with a dating cut that, in a real fight, would've injured the hero severely... if Ronin hadn't brought up his own blade in time to catch it. Sparks fly as the two swords scrape along each-other's length. Kenshi lunges back at Ronin with a follow-through strike, but Ronin has no difficulty blocking despite the encouragement of Kenshi's fan.

"C'mon man, you can do better than that!"

Decker meanwhile, is seeking to drum up more support for his companion.

2 hours ago, Endgame said:

"Hey, Hector! Helena!" Decker calls out. "Sorry I had to run earlier, but it seems like my compatriot got tangled up in a bit of trouble. So it looks like I'm stuck slowin' down for a tick," Decker laughs. "You will not believe the things my buddy Ronin can do with a sword, believe me. I served on a mission wif 'im in the tundras of Recivic - just incredible."

"Sure thing partner, anything for a friend!"

"Hector, you only just met this person."

"So?" Hector drawls, "That don't mean we can't be friends."

"He's right." Pip pipes up, "I've only just met these guys, but believe me, they're some of the best characters I've ever met."

"Oh fine then," Helena says, "I'll admit I'm interested in seeing if your friend can win."

Meanwhile, the mushroom-creature has sidled over to the dwarven woman, and is seemingly communicating with her by... touching her hand? Whatever it's doing, it seems to be convincing.

Enemy

 Kenshi (Duelist)
??? cycles old male Human Swashbuckler
Stamina: 6/6
Velocity: 3
Strength: 3
Skill: 3
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Acrobatics 5, Insight 1, Melee 3, Performance 1
Credits: 10
Equipment: Well Made Sword (Calibrated Kinetic Melee Weapon), Cognitive Enhancer (Tool) adds +1 die to Skill and Smarts Checks
Inventory: Pizza (Consumable) Has 4 uses, heals 2 Vitality per use. Multiple uses may be spent in one action, and may be split between self and adjacent allies.

 'Cyberdude' (Bystander)
Velocity: 3
Skill: 2
Smarts: 2
Proficiencies: Persuasion 2
Special: Cannot be convinced to not support Kenshi.

 'Intelligent Mushrooms' (Bystander)
Velocity: 1
Skill: 1
Smarts: 2
Proficiencies: Deception 2, Intimidation 1, Performance 2, Persuasion 2

 'Magnificent Mustache' (Bystander)
Velocity: 2
Skill: 3
Smarts: 3
Proficiencies: None that would help.

Party

 Ronin (Yzalirk) (Duelist)
[REDACTED] Male [REDACTED]
Character Points: 0/19
Stamina: 7/7
Velocity: 3 4
Strength: 1
Skill: 4
Smarts: 3
Spirit: 0/0
Proficiencies: Athletics 1, Artillery 1, Deception 1, Melee Weapons 2, Perception 1, Stealth 1, Survival 1
Known Spells: None
Credits: 222
Equipment: Cloaking Generator, Hard Light Katana (Calibrated Energy Melee Weapon), Rocketpack - Armor Attachment (+1 to Velocity when wearing this armor)
Inventory: Gator Tooth (Can be converted into either a Kinetic or Elemental Standard Melee Weapon by a craftsman), Ion Laser (Calibrated Energy Artillery Weapon), Flashlight (Tool), Workman's Outfit (Standard Kinetic Armor) Filtration, Frozen Blood (Consumable) ???, Sleep Gel (Consumable) ???, Lamplight (Consumable) ???, Æther Shroud (Consumable) ???, Cytherian Salts x2 (Consumable) ???

 Decker DaCabe (Endgame) (Bystander)
24 year old male Human
Velocity: 2
Skill: 3
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Melee Weapons 1, Short Range Weapons 2, Medicine 1, Perception 1, Athletics 1
Credits: 52
Equipment:  Double Barrel Voltaic Shotgun (Calibrated Energy Short Range Weapon), Workman's Outfit (Standard Kinetic Armor) Filtration
Inventory: Unloaded Pistol (Calibrated Kinetic Melee Weapon), Sandblasted Cuirass (Standard Kinetic Armor), Flashlight (Tool), Old Wolfclaw Veteran's Shield (Substandard Kinetic Armor) Dented Iron, Telescopic Stock - Weapon Attachment (Spend an action to change this weapon's optimal range by 1 category), Plasma Potion 2x

 Pip (Bystander)
Velocity: 1
Skill: 1
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Persuasion 3
Special: Can only shift alignment away from the heroes via intimidation.

 Helena Morrigan (Bystander)
Velocity: 2
Skill: 3
Smarts: 3
Proficiencies: Deception 1, Persuasion 1
Special: Cannot be more than one step away from Hector McCloud.

 Hector McCloud (Bystander)
Velocity: 2
Skill: 2
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Persuasion 3
Special: Cannot be more than one step away from Helena Morrigan.

Unaligned Bystanders

 Elfonn Deshelf
Velocity: As fast as Decker
Skill: 5
Smarts: 5
Proficiencies: Insight 5, Intimidation 5, Perception 5, Stealth 5
Special: Requires bribery.

 'Rock Elf'
Velocity: 2
Skill: 2
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Intimidation 1, Perfomance 3, Persuasion 1

 'Robo Girl'
Velocity: 1
Skill: 1
Smarts: 2
Proficiencies: Intimidation 3

 'Bookseller'
Velocity: 1
Skill: 1
Smarts: 4
Proficiencies: Deception 1, Persuasion 2, Performance 1
Special: Convincing them to move away from unaligned is a DC 3 Check.

 'Posh Guy'
Velocity: 1
Skill: 0
Smarts: 5
Proficiencies: None that would help.
Credits: 65

[Yzalirk]

Ronin stays at 5 and strikes at Kenshi again.

[Endgame]

"Come on Ronin! LET'S GO! Show 'im what you've got, eh?!" Decker calls out, channeling some of his energy from his youth (well, like, 6 or 7 years ago), of being an absolute hooligan at Starhawk games. Decker had a set of pipes on him made for yelling.

"Hector, you and I, we gotta get more people rooting for the winning team here," Decker explains. He gestures to the one-eyed bookseller. "He seems like he'd know how to tilt things in our boy's favor. Want to go have a word?"

Decker heads over to the bookseller. "Hey pal! This isn't ya first time seeing Kenshi, is it? If it isn't, and you're undecided if ya should root for 'im, well, isn't that a sign you ought to be cheering for the newblood?"

[Duvors]

Round 3
Ronin vs. Kenshi - (2,3,+2) Two successes vs. (5,3,6,4) Three successes = Zero damage
Riposte! Kenshi vs. Ronin - (2,5,5,+2) Four successes vs. (5,4,6,2) Three successes = One damage
Helena defends Ronin (+3)
Hector Persuasion Check (DC 1 3): (2,3,5,2,4,2) Two successes
Decker Persuasion Check (DC 1 3): (6,2,1) One success
Pip Persuasion Check (DC 1): (5,3,1,1,6,5) Three successes

'Cyberdude' Persuasion Check (DC 1 3): (1,1,6,2,6)
'Mustache' rallies Kenshi (+3)
Kenshi vs. Ronin - (6,6,3,4,4,2,+2) Six successes vs. (2,3,3,2,1,6,4) Two successes = Four damage
Kenshi moves to 1
"Mushroom' Persuasion Check (DC 1): (2,1,4,5,5) Three successes

'Robo Girl' Eqi Initiative Check: (1) Zero successes

'Posh Guy' Initiative Check: (1) Zero successes

Ronin lunges for Kenshi, trying to slip past his guard. Kenshi is ready for him though, parrying the blow and using his momentum to deliver a curving cut that would've landed the sad of Ronin's head had he not stopped short. Leveraging his momentum, Kenshi darts round Ronin's side and even though Helena tries to warn Ronin, delivers a beautiful vertical slash directly from behind. Ronin can feel the air wake of the sword coming within centimeters of his back, and is glad that his enemy is holding back. As Ronin turns to face him, Kenshi steps back, putting some distance between them.
Decker, meanwhile, is seeking new recruits for the cause.

18 hours ago, Endgame said:

"Hector, you and I, we gotta get more people rooting for the winning team here," Decker explains. He gestures to the one-eyed bookseller. "He seems like he'd know how to tilt things in our boy's favor. Want to go have a word?"

"Sure thing. I gotta warn you though, Even though he's less of a cynic than most of them vendors, Henrik still don't like gettin' involved in this sort of thing."

18 hours ago, Endgame said:

Decker heads over to the bookseller. "Hey pal! This isn't ya first time seeing Kenshi, is it? If it isn't, and you're undecided if ya should root for 'im, well, isn't that a sign you ought to be cheering for the newblood?"

"I'm sorry sir, but I'm not really interested in this sort of thing."

"Oh come on Henrik, live a little for once."

"Yeah, live a little!" It appears the cyborg has followed you. "C'mon man, you know Kenshi! Why would you want to root for this guy?"

"No, no, no. I'm sorry, but this just isn't my thing."

In the meantime, the pile of mushrooms is making more friends. The bookseller's former customer is now deep in conversation with them. At least you think he is, it sounds like he's the only one talking. Pip, meanwhile, continues to root for Ronin, his attitude seemingly infectious.

"C'mon Ronin, you can take this guy! Ro-nin! Ro-nin! Ro-nin!"

"Yes. Ronin. Ronin. Ronin. Woooo."

Enemy

 Kenshi (Duelist)
??? cycles old male Human Swashbuckler
Stamina: 6/6
Velocity: 3
Strength: 3
Skill: 3
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Acrobatics 5, Insight 1, Melee 3, Performance 1
Credits: 10
Equipment: Well Made Sword (Calibrated Kinetic Melee Weapon), Cognitive Enhancer (Tool) adds +1 die to Skill and Smarts Checks
Inventory: Pizza (Consumable) Has 4 uses, heals 2 Vitality per use. Multiple uses may be spent in one action, and may be split between self and adjacent allies.

 'Cyberdude' (Bystander)
Velocity: 3
Skill: 2
Smarts: 2
Proficiencies: Persuasion 2
Special: Cannot be convinced to not support Kenshi.

 'Intelligent Mushrooms' (Bystander)
Velocity: 1
Skill: 1
Smarts: 2
Proficiencies: Deception 2, Intimidation 1, Performance 2, Persuasion 2

 'Magnificent Mustache' (Bystander)
Velocity: 2
Skill: 3
Smarts: 3
Proficiencies: None that would help.

 'Posh Guy' (Bystander)
Velocity: 1
Skill: 0
Smarts: 5
Proficiencies: None that would help.
Credits: 65

Party

 Ronin (Yzalirk) (Duelist)
[REDACTED] Male [REDACTED]
Character Points: 0/19
Stamina: 2/7
Velocity: 3 4
Strength: 1
Skill: 4
Smarts: 3
Spirit: 0/0
Proficiencies: Athletics 1, Artillery 1, Deception 1, Melee Weapons 2, Perception 1, Stealth 1, Survival 1
Known Spells: None
Credits: 222
Equipment: Cloaking Generator, Hard Light Katana (Calibrated Energy Melee Weapon), Rocketpack - Armor Attachment (+1 to Velocity when wearing this armor)
Inventory: Gator Tooth (Can be converted into either a Kinetic or Elemental Standard Melee Weapon by a craftsman), Ion Laser (Calibrated Energy Artillery Weapon), Flashlight (Tool), Workman's Outfit (Standard Kinetic Armor) Filtration, Frozen Blood (Consumable) ???, Sleep Gel (Consumable) ???, Lamplight (Consumable) ???, Æther Shroud (Consumable) ???, Cytherian Salts x2 (Consumable) ???

 Decker DaCabe (Endgame) (Bystander)
24 year old male Human
Velocity: 2
Skill: 3
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Melee Weapons 1, Short Range Weapons 2, Medicine 1, Perception 1, Athletics 1
Credits: 52
Equipment:  Double Barrel Voltaic Shotgun (Calibrated Energy Short Range Weapon), Workman's Outfit (Standard Kinetic Armor) Filtration
Inventory: Unloaded Pistol (Calibrated Kinetic Melee Weapon), Sandblasted Cuirass (Standard Kinetic Armor), Flashlight (Tool), Old Wolfclaw Veteran's Shield (Substandard Kinetic Armor) Dented Iron, Telescopic Stock - Weapon Attachment (Spend an action to change this weapon's optimal range by 1 category), Plasma Potion 2x

 Pip (Bystander)
Velocity: 1
Skill: 1
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Persuasion 3
Special: Can only shift alignment away from the heroes via intimidation.

 Helena Morrigan (Bystander)
Velocity: 2
Skill: 3
Smarts: 3
Proficiencies: Deception 1, Persuasion 1
Special: Cannot be more than one step away from Hector McCloud.

 Hector McCloud (Bystander)
Velocity: 2
Skill: 2
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Persuasion 3
Special: Cannot be more than one step away from Helena Morrigan.

 Eqi (Bystander)
Velocity: 1
Skill: 1
Smarts: 2
Proficiencies: Intimidation 3

Unaligned Bystanders

 Elfonn Deshelf
Velocity: As fast as Decker
Skill: 5
Smarts: 5
Proficiencies: Insight 5, Intimidation 5, Perception 5, Stealth 5
Special: Requires bribery.

 'Rock Elf'
Velocity: 2
Skill: 2
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Intimidation 1, Perfomance 3, Persuasion 1

 'Bookseller' Henrik
Velocity: 1
Skill: 1
Smarts: 4
Proficiencies: Deception 1, Persuasion 2, Performance 1
Special: Convincing them to move away from unaligned is a DC 3 Check.

Edited February 22, 2022 by Duvors

[Yzalirk]

Ronin steps back to 6 and defends.

[Endgame]

Decker grits his teeth as he watches Ronin take a nasty hit. This wasn't going ideally. Stalemate, and then - out of nowhere - a massive blow. Damn samurai.

I really, really, really do not want to talk to this guy.

Oh, ta hell with it all.

"C'mon guys! Make some noise! Y'all have seen bigger comebacks than this before, make some noise!" Decker hollers, making his way over to - does he blink? Do his eyes get dry? Is it the mushrooms? It's gotta be the mushrooms, yeah?

Candidly Decker slips 10 credits to Elfonn Deshelf. "More credits are waiting for ya if we win this. Plus, we'll shoot th' shit on mushrooms."

Edited February 23, 2022 by Endgame

[Duvors]

Round 4
Ronin moves to 6
Ronin defends himself (+4)
Helena rallies Ronin (+3)
Hector defends Ronin (+2)
Decker attempts bribery - Rebuffed! Used the wrong bribe.
Pip Persuasion Check (DC 1 3): (3,3,2,2,6,6) two successes
Eqi rallies Ronin (+2)

'Cyberdude' defends Kenshi (+2)
'Mustache' rallies Kenshi (+3)
Kenshi moves to 3
Kenshi defends himself (+3)
'Mushrooms' defend Kenshi (+1)
'Posh Guy' attempts bribery vs. Henrik - Accepted!

Henrik Initiative Check: (2) Zero successes

The Fight has paused for a moment, the two combatants moving slowly around the space, looking for weaknesses in each-other's defense. The crescendo of the crowd is swiftly approaching it's height, as more and more voices add themselves to the great voice. They offer advice, warnings, platitudes, and encouragements in equal measure. It's not a large crowd by any means, but the noise they make in the confines of temple row is deafening nonetheless. Some however, have chosen other means to support their candidates...

On 2/22/2022 at 10:12 PM, Endgame said:

Candidly Decker slips 10 credits to Elfonn Deshelf. "More credits are waiting for ya if we win this. Plus, we'll shoot th' shit on mushrooms."

Elfonn looks blankly at the credits for a moment, before shifting his gaze to look Decker dead in the eyes.

"Decker, buddy, friend, you know what I want. May I have it please?"

Meanwhile, another of Ronin's supporters is trying to rally aid to the cause.

"Come on Henrik, just one time! It can't hurt."

"How many times do I have to say no? You've been here long enough to know me better than this."

At this point, the posh man interrupts with a cough.

"Excuse me, sorry to interrupt, but this is frankly embarrassing to watch. Henrik?"

"Yes, Mr. Wilcox?"

"Have a little something for your ailing mother." said Wilcox, handing the bookseller twenty credits.

"Thank you, Mr. Wilcox. Go Kenshi!"

"Why you...!"

Enemy

 Kenshi (Duelist)
??? cycles old male Human Swashbuckler
Stamina: 6/6
Velocity: 3
Strength: 3
Skill: 3
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Acrobatics 5, Insight 1, Melee 3, Performance 1
Credits: 10
Equipment: Well Made Sword (Calibrated Kinetic Melee Weapon), Cognitive Enhancer (Tool) adds +1 die to Skill and Smarts Checks
Inventory: Pizza (Consumable) Has 4 uses, heals 2 Vitality per use. Multiple uses may be spent in one action, and may be split between self and adjacent allies.

 'Cyberdude' (Bystander)
Velocity: 3
Skill: 2
Smarts: 2
Proficiencies: Persuasion 2
Special: Cannot be convinced to not support Kenshi.

 'Intelligent Mushrooms' (Bystander)
Velocity: 1
Skill: 1
Smarts: 2
Proficiencies: Deception 2, Intimidation 1, Performance 2, Persuasion 2

 'Magnificent Mustache' (Bystander)
Velocity: 2
Skill: 3
Smarts: 3
Proficiencies: None that would help.

 'Posh Guy' Mortimer Wilcox (Bystander)
Velocity: 1
Skill: 0
Smarts: 5
Proficiencies: None that would help.
Credits: 45

 Henrik the filthy, no good, lying, son of a b... (Bystander)
Velocity: 1
Skill: 1
Smarts: 4
Proficiencies: Deception 1, Persuasion 2, Performance 1
Credits: 20, I hope you choke on them you rat! When I get through with you...
Special: Convincing them to move away from unaligned is a DC 3 Check. Money also works.

Party

 Ronin (Yzalirk) (Duelist)
[REDACTED] Male [REDACTED]
Character Points: 0/19
Stamina: 2/7
Velocity: 3 4
Strength: 1
Skill: 4
Smarts: 3
Spirit: 0/0
Proficiencies: Athletics 1, Artillery 1, Deception 1, Melee Weapons 2, Perception 1, Stealth 1, Survival 1
Known Spells: None
Credits: 222
Equipment: Cloaking Generator, Hard Light Katana (Calibrated Energy Melee Weapon), Rocketpack - Armor Attachment (+1 to Velocity when wearing this armor)
Inventory: Gator Tooth (Can be converted into either a Kinetic or Elemental Standard Melee Weapon by a craftsman), Ion Laser (Calibrated Energy Artillery Weapon), Flashlight (Tool), Workman's Outfit (Standard Kinetic Armor) Filtration, Frozen Blood (Consumable) ???, Sleep Gel (Consumable) ???, Lamplight (Consumable) ???, Æther Shroud (Consumable) ???, Cytherian Salts x2 (Consumable) ???

 Decker DaCabe (Endgame) (Bystander)
24 year old male Human
Velocity: 2
Skill: 3
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Melee Weapons 1, Short Range Weapons 2, Medicine 1, Perception 1, Athletics 1
Credits: 52
Equipment:  Double Barrel Voltaic Shotgun (Calibrated Energy Short Range Weapon), Workman's Outfit (Standard Kinetic Armor) Filtration
Inventory: Unloaded Pistol (Calibrated Kinetic Melee Weapon), Sandblasted Cuirass (Standard Kinetic Armor), Flashlight (Tool), Old Wolfclaw Veteran's Shield (Substandard Kinetic Armor) Dented Iron, Telescopic Stock - Weapon Attachment (Spend an action to change this weapon's optimal range by 1 category), Plasma Potion 2x

 Pip (Bystander)
Velocity: 1
Skill: 1
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Persuasion 3
Special: Can only shift alignment away from the heroes via intimidation.

 Helena Morrigan (Bystander)
Velocity: 2
Skill: 3
Smarts: 3
Proficiencies: Deception 1, Persuasion 1
Special: Cannot be more than one step away from Hector McCloud.

 Hector McCloud (Bystander)
Velocity: 2
Skill: 2
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Persuasion 3
Special: Cannot be more than one step away from Helena Morrigan.

 Eqi (Bystander)
Velocity: 1
Skill: 1
Smarts: 2
Proficiencies: Intimidation 3

Unaligned Bystanders

 Elfonn Deshelf
Velocity: As fast as Decker
Skill: 5
Smarts: 5
Proficiencies: Insight 5, Intimidation 5, Perception 5, Stealth 5
Special: Requires bribery.

 'Rock Elf'
Velocity: 2
Skill: 2
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Intimidation 1, Perfomance 3, Persuasion 1

Edited February 25, 2022 by Duvors

[Endgame]

Something in the pit of Decker's stomach made him want to run for the hills when Elfonn locked eyes with him, but he had to persevere. Their fortune in this battle wasn't going to reverse by pure chance.

"Gonna be honest with ya, bud? I got no dang clue. Uh, maybe..." Decker shifts his eyes back to the shambling pile of mushrooms, and then back to Elfonn (shudder) before an idea strikes him. He takes the mushrooms he plucked from the sewers out to Elfonn. "...Would these do the trick for ya, mate?"

[Yzalirk]

Ronin stays and defends.

[Duvors]

Round 5
Ronin defends himself (+4)
Helena rallies Ronin (+3)
Hector Persuasion Check (DC 1): (3,3,3,6,5,5) Three successes
Decker attempts bribery - Accepted!
Pip Persuasion Check (DC 3): (5,2,3,2,6,1) Two successes
Eqi rallies Ronin (+2)

'Cyberdude' rallies Kenshi (+2)
'Mustache' defends Kenshi (+3)
Kenshi moves to 5
Kenshi vs. Ronin - (1,3,5,3,3,2,5,2,+2) Four successes vs. (1,1,5,3,6,2,3,5,2,6,3,3,1,3) Four successes = Zero damage
'Mushrooms' rally Kenshi (+1)
Mortimer rallies Kenshi (+5)
Henrik Persuasion Check (DC 3): (5,3,6,4,1) Three successes

Elfonn Initiative Check: (5,6) Two successes

'Rock Elf' Artemis Rosella Initiative Check: (6,2) One success

As the standoff continues, Ronin takes the opportunity to size up his opponent, absorbing his every move, waiting for him to make the first move. It doesn't take long. With a wild yell, Kenshi leaps toward his opponent in an attempt to slip past him and deliver another strike from behind. Ronin doesn't let him though, catching his opponent's sword on his own before following up with a swing of his own that forces Kenshi to break off his charge. Desperate to break his opponent's defense, Kenshi unleashes a series of wild swings at Ronin only for them to parry each in turn, dancing back nimbly. Decker, meanwhile, decides to bite the bullet.

On 2/23/2022 at 8:53 PM, Endgame said:

"Gonna be honest with ya, bud? I got no dang clue. Uh, maybe..." Decker shifts his eyes back to the shambling pile of mushrooms, and then back to Elfonn (shudder) before an idea strikes him. He takes the mushrooms he plucked from the sewers out to Elfonn. "...Would these do the trick for ya, mate?"

"Yeeeesssss... perfect. Thanks friend!"

Having said that, Elfonn takes the mushroom from you, lifts his cap slightly, and stuffs it up there as casually as someone else would put something in their pockets. As he does so, Decker sees... he sees...
 

Spoiler

...mushrooms. Mushrooms growing in a cavity where his brain should be. it's only the briefest glimpse, and you can't be entirely sure, but you're half certain it's what you saw.

Decker looks around, surely someone else must have seen that, that can't just have been his imagination. But no, nobody seems to have noticed, or if they do, they don't care.

...ANYWAY, moving on from... er... that, Decker isn't the only one making new friends. Hector he spots trying to talk the dwarven lady into switching sides, only to see her shake her head. Meanwhile...

"C'mon lady, are you just gonna stand there? Cheer!"

"Yes! Come on, Kenshi! Kenshi!"

"Kenshi! Kenshi! Goooo KENSHI!"

"No, no! The other one! Cheer for the other one!"

Enemy

 Kenshi (Duelist)
??? cycles old male Human Swashbuckler
Stamina: 6/6
Velocity: 3
Strength: 3
Skill: 3
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Acrobatics 5, Insight 1, Melee 3, Performance 1
Credits: 10
Equipment: Well Made Sword (Calibrated Kinetic Melee Weapon), Cognitive Enhancer (Tool) adds +1 die to Skill and Smarts Checks
Inventory: Pizza (Consumable) Has 4 uses, heals 2 Vitality per use. Multiple uses may be spent in one action, and may be split between self and adjacent allies.

 'Cyberdude' (Bystander)
Velocity: 3
Skill: 2
Smarts: 2
Proficiencies: Persuasion 2
Special: Cannot be convinced to not support Kenshi.

 'Intelligent Mushrooms' (Bystander)
Velocity: 1
Skill: 1
Smarts: 2
Proficiencies: Deception 2, Intimidation 1, Performance 2, Persuasion 2

 'Magnificent Mustache' (Bystander)
Velocity: 2
Skill: 3
Smarts: 3
Proficiencies: None that would help.

 Mortimer Wilcox (Bystander)
Velocity: 1
Skill: 0
Smarts: 5
Proficiencies: None that would help.
Credits: 45

 Henrik (Bystander)
Velocity: 1
Skill: 1
Smarts: 4
Proficiencies: Deception 1, Persuasion 2, Performance 1
Credits: 20
Special: Convincing them to move away from unaligned is a DC 3 Check.

 Artemis Rosella (Bystander)
Velocity: 2
Skill: 2
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Intimidation 1, Perfomance 3, Persuasion 1

Party

 Ronin (Yzalirk) (Duelist)
[REDACTED] Male [REDACTED]
Character Points: 0/19
Stamina: 2/7
Velocity: 3 4
Strength: 1
Skill: 4
Smarts: 3
Spirit: 0/0
Proficiencies: Athletics 1, Artillery 1, Deception 1, Melee Weapons 2, Perception 1, Stealth 1, Survival 1
Known Spells: None
Credits: 222
Equipment: Cloaking Generator, Hard Light Katana (Calibrated Energy Melee Weapon), Rocketpack - Armor Attachment (+1 to Velocity when wearing this armor)
Inventory: Gator Tooth (Can be converted into either a Kinetic or Elemental Standard Melee Weapon by a craftsman), Ion Laser (Calibrated Energy Artillery Weapon), Flashlight (Tool), Workman's Outfit (Standard Kinetic Armor) Filtration, Frozen Blood (Consumable) ???, Sleep Gel (Consumable) ???, Lamplight (Consumable) ???, Æther Shroud (Consumable) ???, Cytherian Salts x2 (Consumable) ???

 Decker DaCabe (Endgame) (Bystander)
24 year old male Human
Velocity: 2
Skill: 3
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Melee Weapons 1, Short Range Weapons 2, Medicine 1, Perception 1, Athletics 1
Credits: 52
Equipment:  Double Barrel Voltaic Shotgun (Calibrated Energy Short Range Weapon), Workman's Outfit (Standard Kinetic Armor) Filtration
Inventory: Unloaded Pistol (Calibrated Kinetic Melee Weapon), Sandblasted Cuirass (Standard Kinetic Armor), Flashlight (Tool), Old Wolfclaw Veteran's Shield (Substandard Kinetic Armor) Dented Iron, Telescopic Stock - Weapon Attachment (Spend an action to change this weapon's optimal range by 1 category), Plasma Potion 2x

 Pip (Bystander)
Velocity: 1
Skill: 1
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Persuasion 3
Special: Can only shift alignment away from the heroes via intimidation.

 Helena Morrigan (Bystander)
Velocity: 2
Skill: 3
Smarts: 3
Proficiencies: Deception 1, Persuasion 1
Special: Cannot be more than one step away from Hector McCloud.

 Hector McCloud (Bystander)
Velocity: 2
Skill: 2
Smarts: 1
Proficiencies: Persuasion 3
Special: Cannot be more than one step away from Helena Morrigan.

 Eqi (Bystander)
Velocity: 1
Skill: 1
Smarts: 2
Proficiencies: Intimidation 3

 Elfonn Deshelf (Bystander)
Velocity: 4
Skill: 5
Smarts: 5
Proficiencies: Insight 5, Intimidation 5, Perception 5, Stealth 5
Inventory: Shuelj Shroom: (Consumable) Restores 10 Vitality, deals Stunned.
Special: Has been bribed.

Unaligned Bystanders

Uhhh... there aren't any.

Edited February 25, 2022 by Duvors

[Endgame]

The scrapper's stomach does a backflip as he sees that cap get removed. Was that... Huh? Did nobody else see that? Does everyone else know that there was a fungus among us? Was elfonn even alive, or was he now just being piloted by a bunch of mushrooms in his head? Was it contagious? Was it -

Decker inhales sharply, and decides that this can be addressed at a later time. Possibly with copious amounts of fire if need be.

"Ah... Ha ha, yeah, uh, buddy. Glad ta... be able to help ya out... Haaaahhh... I'm gonna go... root over there, if you don't mind..."

Decker goes over to Pip console him. "Hey, bud, ya win some ya lose some. I love the hustle." Finally, he addresses the crowd. Seems like everyone pitched their lot. Time to hit Kenshi where it hurts. "'Kay, everyone! Lets get LOUD! ALL TOGETHER NOW, PEOPLE! GO RONIN!"

Decker rallies Ronin!

 

[Yzalirk]

Ronin stands still and quickly slashes at Kenshi.

[Duvors]

 

Round 5
Elfonn rallies Ronin (+5)
Ronin vs. Kenshi - (2,2,2,4,3,6,3,2,5,1,3,5,6,3,5,1,2,+2) Eight successes vs. (3,3,4,5,3,3,6,1,2,5,6,4,5) Seven successes = One damage
Helena defends Ronin (+3)
Hector defends Ronin (+2)
Decker rallies Ronin (+1)
Pip Persuasion Check (DC 1): (4,6,6,5,3) Four successes)
Eqi defends Ronin (+1)

'Cyberdude' defends Kenshi (+2)
'Mustache' Regil Sunseeker is now unaligned
Kenshi vs. Ronin - (4,6,2,6,1,6,5,4,4,+2) Nine successes vs. (3,5,3,1,4,2,2,6,4,5) Five successes = Four damage

The duelists stare each-other down, each waiting for the other to make the first move. It is not long. Ronin leaps forward with a slash, but Kenshi deflects it with his own sword before attempting a follow-up strike of his own. Ronin reacts swiftly, turning aside Kenshi's blade and making an upward slash just to one side of Kenshi's ear before the swordsman lunges to one side.
It is here that something changes.
Ronin attempts another strike, but the sword barely starts moving before Kenshi's sword meets it, turning it aside and down. Before Ronin can react, Kenshi leaps into his space with an alacrity he had not previously displayed. Ronin barely has time to register the sensation on Kenshi's hand on his wrist before his sword arm is twisted behind his back and Kenshi's foot hooks itself around his leg and pulls, bringing him to his knees.
For a moment nothing happens, then Kenshi releases his hold on you and steps away, sheathing his sword and making a sweeping motion with his arm.

"It is over." he says, with a sense of indisputable finality.

"Oh, good." says a vendor you haven't spoken to yet, lifting the carpet he's been hiding under this whole fight.

"Is anyone hurt?"

"No!" Kenshi snaps, speaking more forcefully than seems appropriate. The crowd doesn't seem to notice though.

"C'mon partner, let's get you on your feet." Hector says, walking over to you Ronin and offering his assistance in getting to your feet.

"That was a great fight you put up there!" Kenshi's supporter says, coming over to do the same. "Name's Reid Zemke, hope you don't take me rooting for the home team too personally."

"Every time I back somebody, they loose." Pip mutters to himself, "Football, Kosho, doesn't matter."

Edited March 1, 2022 by Duvors

[Duvors]

@Yzalirk

As you come to your feet and the crowd disperses, complementing you on the fight you put up or otherwise trying to soften the blow, Kenshi remains standing in place, watching you carefully. It isn't until the crowd has finished spreading congratulations and condolences between the two of you that he approaches to you, speaking low enough that only the two of you hear.

"I'd like to lay into you for starting a practice fight with real weapons at your skill level, but frankly it's my fault for not checking first." As he speaks, he touches a tiny burn mark on his ear that hadn't been there before the fight started. Apparently that last strike came closer to his head than you thought.

"You performed well, but it's obvious you still have more to learn. When your current task is finished, come see me sometime."

With that, he makes a shallow bow and walks away without another word.

@Endgame

While Ronin is preoccupied with Kenshi, you feel once again a tug on your pants leg. Looking down with mounting feeling of 'oh gods no', you see Elfonn looking up at you with a... rueful expression?

"Hey there buddy," he says, taking off his cap and running his hand through his perfectly normal sandy blonde hair, "I guess I wasn't able to deliver the goods this time. Here, have your mushroom back," he says, handing over the Shuelj Shroom, "maybe next time I'll be able to earn it properly."
And with that, Elfonn disappears into a cloud of multicolored sparkles

You spend a moment gazing at the spot where he was standing just a second ago, before glancing around to spot if anyone else saw that. But no, once again Elfonn's madness seems to have eluded detection by all but yourself.

[Yzalirk]

On 2/27/2022 at 4:04 PM, Duvors said:

"C'mon partner, let's get you on your feet." Hector says, walking over to you Ronin and offering his assistance in getting to your feet.

Ronin accepts the help and gets back on his two feet again and dusts himself off.

"Thank you, Hector."
Ronin bows.
 

On 2/27/2022 at 4:04 PM, Duvors said:

"That was a great fight you put up there!" Kenshi's supporter says, coming over to do the same. "Name's Reid Zemke, hope you don't take me rooting for the home team too personally."

"Thank you, Reid.  No offense taken."
Ronin bows.
 

On 2/27/2022 at 4:04 PM, Duvors said:

"Every time I back somebody, they loose." Pip mutters to himself, "Football, Kosho, doesn't matter."

"Do not feel bad, Pip.  I value your support more than the outcome of this duel."
Ronin bows.
 

On 3/1/2022 at 4:05 PM, Duvors said:

 

As you come to your feet and the crowd disperses, complementing you on the fight you put up or otherwise trying to soften the blow, Kenshi remains standing in place, watching you carefully. It isn't until the crowd has finished spreading congratulations and condolences between the two of you that he approaches to you, speaking low enough that only the two of you hear.

"I'd like to lay into you for starting a practice fight with real weapons at your skill level, but frankly it's my fault for not checking first." As he speaks, he touches a tiny burn mark on his ear that hadn't been there before the fight started. Apparently that last strike came closer to his head than you thought.

"You performed well, but it's obvious you still have more to learn. When your current task is finished, come see me sometime."

With that, he makes a shallow bow and walks away without another word.

 

"My apologies, Kenshi.  I did not expect to partake in a friendly duel today otherwise I would have come better prepared with a more proper and safer sword.  Until we meet again."
Ronin bows.

He watches Kenshi walk away.  Although Ronin lost the duel, he feels a sense of satisfaction.  Meeting an opponent who shared similar skill and discipline just warms his heart.  Or whatever he has.  Created without an ego, he harbors no grudges or anger at all.  He seems to be in somewhat better spirits.  He now turns to Decker.
 
"Thank you, Decker.  I really appreciate what you did back there for me."
He starts to put his workers uniform back on.
"You ready to head out?"

[Endgame]

On 2/27/2022 at 4:04 PM, Duvors said:

 

"C'mon partner, let's get you on your feet." Hector says, walking over to you Ronin and offering his assistance in getting to your feet.

"That was a great fight you put up there!" Kenshi's supporter says, coming over to do the same. "Name's Reid Zemke, hope you don't take me rooting for the home team too personally."

Decker helps Ronin up alongside Hector. "That was some whack you took there, bud. C'mon, let's get you back on your feet..."

As Decker hoists his comrade up, he glances over at the redcapped cyborg. "Reid Zemke? Decker, nice to meetcha. And no sweatin' it. How it's meant to work, right? Would be no fun if we all rooted for the same guy. Do you and Kenshi go back, or are you just a home team kinda fella?"

On 3/1/2022 at 4:05 PM, Duvors said:

 

"Hey there buddy," he says, taking off his cap and running his hand through his perfectly normal sandy blonde hair, "I guess I wasn't able to deliver the goods this time. Here, have your mushroom back," he says, handing over the Shuelj Shroom, "maybe next time I'll be able to earn it properly."
And with that, Elfonn disappears into a cloud of multicolored sparkles

You spend a moment gazing at the spot where he was standing just a second ago, before glancing around to spot if anyone else saw that. But no, once again Elfonn's madness seems to have eluded detection by all but yourself.

"Well, that is mighty nice of ya, but ya don't have to-" And then, sparkles. Decker blinks in disbelief, looking at the mushroom. A few glints of color and light fall onto its cap before those too dissipate.

"...D-did he say next time?" Decker mutters under his breath. "Ronin, did you see the-? He just-?" Decker swallows his bewilderment.

2 minutes ago, Yzalirk said:

 

 
"Thank you, Decker.  I really appreciate what you did back there for me."
He starts to put his workers uniform back on.
"You ready to head out?"

 

 

"Don't mention it. It was the least I could do. Plus, bein' a hooligan used to be my specialty. And.. Well. Uh. Totally normal happenings aside like the weirdo mushroom man turnin' to unicorn sparkles, we have a choice to make. We didn't exactly win that one, so it would still be us two against whatever monster is splashin' around in the sewers. And I don't know if I trust the police with this one. We got the holy candles... should we swallow our fear and go get 'im? What do you think?"

Edited March 3, 2022 by Endgame

[Yzalirk]

4 minutes ago, Endgame said:

"Well, that is mighty nice of ya, but ya don't have to-" And then, sparkles. Decker blinks in disbelief, looking at the mushroom. A few glints of color and light fall onto its cap before those too dissipate.

"...D-did he say next time?" Decker mutters under his breath. "Ronin, did you see the-? He just-?" Decker swallows his bewilderment.

 

"Don't mention it. It was the least I could do. Plus, bein' a hooligan used to be my specialty. And.. Well. Uh. Totally normal happenings aside like the weirdo mushroom man turnin' to unicorn sparkles, we have a choice to make. We didn't exactly win that one, so it would still be us two against whatever monster is splashin' around in the sewers. And I don't know if I trust the police with this one. We got the holy candles... should we swallow our fear and go get 'im? What do you think?"

Ronin gaves around and spots the after particles of the elf's sudden disappearance.

"I... think I see what you mean.  Such an interesting character he is.  Hope he knows I appreciate his support too."
He pauses.
"Anyway, I feel confident that we can handle it.  Even though I lost the duel, I have good feelings going forward.  More hopeful I should say.  Whatever dark force may be awaiting us, I do not think any other duo can handle it better than us."

[Duvors]

There isn't really much else to be said. Having made your decision, you return to the manhole and descend into the depths. Pausing only a moment to gather yourselves, you make your way through the hole Ronin cut in the grate, and press on into the dark.

~~~

You don't have to go far. It's only a short walk to a left-hand turn, which leads directly into a right-hand turn. And beyond that...

...that's a dead guy.

Uhhh...

Map

E is the entrance
G is the Gate
D is the dead body
Pin Plates are manholes
Brown are planks
Purple is where you found the shield
Off-white is where you found the mushrooms
Arrows are unexplored
X is you