People like me? Why I'd have thought that orks of all pople would be more acecpting of other races. I don't know what humans might have done to make you so bigoted, but we'll see if we can remedy your lack of understanding and faith in your fellow namegivers.

This pig is $##@ dead. Stick him and make him squeel.

Using cloak to cover drawing free my dagger, readying my sword. Intent is to stab him with suprise strike on suprise round, then on the first round use tiger spring and airdance to amke sure I get the first attack, nail him with ym sword.

[COLOR=gold]Dex test to conceal draw - 10 (Plan B can attest)

The ork botched his PER roll, so you have a free attack. After that, we'll roll Initiative.

You can keep it, sure. Keep me informed as often as possible. I'm gonna check with a couple of my friends to see what items we can offer you. So if you excuse me, I'm gonna leave now.

He gives you his hand and after that the man leaves your house and disappears in the shadows of Kratas quickly.

Seraph wrinkles her nose at the weather outside. After a moment she turns to her brother.

Okay so we give Vas another tn minutes then we go looking for him, or you could and I could go find some of my young friends and see if this picture rings any bells.


Seraph suddenly seems to think of something and disappears up stairs.


I'M GOING TO CHANGE INTO SOME OUTDOORS STUFF!!!Comes her yell down the stairs.

We'll go look for him, then we can all see if anyone we know recognises the girl. There's little point splitting up in this weather. I doubt that many people will be out in this.
Fine, just bring my cloak down with you, please?

Suprise Strike Rank 6 + Step 7 Dex + Aggressive Attack = step 16 d20+d8 + 1d8 karma = 12, 7 , 4 = 23 to hit
Damage step = Dagger 1 + Strength 5 + Suprise Stike 7 + aggressive Attack 3 = 16 = 15 , 6(1) = 22 damage

Intiiative Step 7= 6
intention- Taunt, Fight defensively and give gorund if needed.

Vas' dagger hits the surprised ork in the lower chest, where his armor obviously has a weak spot and can't hold back the daggers blade. The ork groans, but draws his sword with a swift move.

Initiative: 6

Astoundingly quick initiative of 3!

The ork attacks with his sword.
Attack: 14 (including Karma)

Initiative: 9

Initiative w/ Tiger Spring + Dexterity = Atep 12 2D10
10(10,2), 10(= 40!


Before the ork can react Vas springs forward spinning in the air, and slashing out with his sword, raking it in a slash at his chest.

Acrobatic Strike Rank 6
Aggressive Attack = Step 6 + Step 7 + step 3 = Step 16 =D20+d8
17,6 = 23
Damage (assuming hit) Str(step5) +5 broadsword + 3 = Step 13 =D12+D10
10,5 = 15

Karma used 1 - Acrobatic Strike
Strain taken 1 - Tiger Spring

Phsyical Defense +6 from Acrobatic Strike

Preparing for Riposte with last action

You still have to post if the last attack of the ork hit. I posted his next Ini value to speed up the combat, but that doesn't mean you can ignore the post and his action before.

For your last attack: The ork tries to dodge Vas' attack, but fails and is hit deep in the chest.

Wound Balance: 12.

He manages to keep standing and starts a counterattack.
Attack: 13 (with Karma)
He groans in frustration as his attacks misses.

Initiative: 7

Vas dodges aside both of the ork's attacks, positioning himself near a wall, forcing the ork into a position to gain an attack. He bats aside the ork's blade with his own, giving it a twist, sliding his blade along the edge of the orks, and turning the attack back on him with a slice aonlg his inner arm.

First attack missed as well for gaining ground.

Riposte Rank 5+ Dx Step 7 = 2d10 (9,9) = Hit
Damage step 10 = d10+d6- 3,4 = 7 Armor Defeating on a 18?

Initiative 7
Attempting Maneuver
Dex 7 Maneuver Step 5 = Step 12 = 2D10 - 8,6 + Karma d8 - 5 = 19




Vas slices back along the orks arm, unsure of the severity of the wound because of the clothing. If nothing else , it should serve to batter his morale. He moves back quicly, letting the ork come on, moving him into a space with less room to manuever to gain the advantage against him on the riposte.

I had heard that orks barely knew what to do with a sword beyond "pointy end in man", but I'd always thought better of your people than that. You are a piss poor example of their swordmanship. Surely you can do better than 'stand there and get stabbed'!? Not much of a technique!

Avoid Blow: 11. No Armor Defeating-Hit, so the damage done to the ork is minimal.

Surprised by the maneuvering, the ork misses Vas and growls again.

Ah, as if a sickly human like you know anything about fighting. Dirty tricks is all you know, but it won't help you any longer!


Initiative: 8

Aggressive Attack: 19
Second Attack [skill]: 12

Riposte Step 12 + Karma d8 =16
Ork scores two hits - non armor defeating

Damage
First Attack: 14
Second Attack: 11



The ork shows his teeth in what is a nasty grin. How do you like this, little boy?

That little prick? Just enough to get the blood up. Now let's see yours!

Vas thrusts having the ork just where he wants him.

Maneuver6+Melee 7 + Dex7 + aggressive Attack3 = step23
d20+2d10 - 11, 10(,6 = 35 on attack

dmg sword5+str5+maneuver 6+aggr att3= step 19 =d20+2d6 - 13, 5, 4 = 22 dmg

Vas rams the sword in hard, all his weight forward, and takes a moment to look the ork in the eyes as he withdraws, quickstepping, preparing a riposte, incase the ork lives up to their hardy reputation.

They say your people die bravely. You've been brave.

The ork, confident that his last series of attacks hit Vas hard, let his cover open and looks surprised to Vas' blade finding its way into his chest. Without a word he collapse to the ground, still breathing but without conciousness.

As the ork's body slumps to the ground, Vas leans down on one knee, staying out of arm's , or dagger's , reach still.

....And now it's time to die. You should have listened to me about where that money went friend.

Vas stood, moving around the ork, looking him over. Taking a moment to observe his surroundings, he leans over, cleaning his blade on the dead ork's cloak, then sheathes it. Again checking his surroundings ( it wouldn't do to get knifed in the back while picking the pockets of a corpse) , Vas quickly checks the fallen man's pockets, coat, neck for any sort of necklace, and boots, for anything of value. Lastly, he takes the man's sword belt, bringing the weapons to a cheap dealer for some quick silver.

As Vas walks, he takes care not to favor his side where the ork's blade slashed him. Showing a weakness while carrying off this spoils would also be a "bad idea". He keeps his cloak around him, hiding any damage as muc has possible, while he inspects the blade to get an idea of it's value and quality. It's always soothing to know you've been stabbed with a particularly nice blade. You take your value form the day where you can.



After that, he heads back to the shack, now thoroughly soaked, but in a much better mood.

Loot


As soon as Vas left the corpse behind and makes his way back home, a horde of kids swarm over the dead ork and strip him off everything Vas' left. Moments later, only a naked, dead body is all that remains.

And not even that will remain unnoticed for long. Ever wondered what the famous Kratas stew is made of in the cheaper versions?

Glad to drop some extra coin for meat that is not 'mystery' at the bazaar after selling off the blades and jewelry, Vas heads back to the shack with some fresh cooked and steaming meat for himself and the others, as well as a hunk for that monster they insist on calling "a friend". He includes a couple of loaves of bread to toss to the urchins, offering up a token sacrifice, and a distraction, to keep them from going for his pockets. Their hands should be too busy scrambling for the food before the others get it.

20 silver spent on one meal. Well no point on worrying about spent coin. Better to spend it on my stomach than waiting for a better thief than I to lift it. Much harder to takefrom me that way.

Cheered by the thought that he's somehow tricked a dozen or so "better theives than he" out of his twenty silver, Vas has a smile on his face as he opens the door with his foot, pulling the cooked meats from beneath his soaked cloak.

Lunch!

Seraph bounds down the stairs almost run straight into Vas.

Hello! And you bought lunch, excellent. While we eat we can discuss the job we just accepted while you were out. Any thing interesting happen other than you getting hurt? You shouldn't go out without me or Korian to look after you.

She whirls away from Vas towards the main lounge throwing Korian his best cloak. She finishes her pirouette by coming to a stop sat on the floor. She taps the floor.

Come let us eat and discuss our business.

He doesn't need looking after.

He says catching his cloak, and sitting down on the stairs.

I don't need looing after. Vas says, in unison with the elf. He locks eyes with him for a second, a bit annoyed, a little amused.

What's this about a job?

Girl missing, prolly kidnapped. Daughter of guy who works for Garlthrik, and was willing to use his name. We have a picture. Find her save her you know how it works. Hero stuff. Lets eat and discuss plans.

Seraph is a bouncy mood.

You're kidding right? Some bum comes in here whining about a missing girl, dropping name's like One-Eye, and we're all rearing to go? He's probably some half savvy berk who found some nice clothes when his slave ran off, and is looking for someone else to do his dirty work. He pay any in advance?

Vas slides a chair over to the table aand sets into his food.

I pray it's that simple. I'd much rather not get involved in that particular ork's business, even peripherally. Probably all it is though.

Nothing in advance but he gave a name and where he can be found, and the offer was very good. I don't think he was lying, and I'm good at telling.

Seraph Joins Vas at the table and tucks in.

I wouldn't say all rearing to go.

He says, grabbing some food from the table

Well, how much was he offering, and what's the details involved? Are there any details yet?

Guy we're working for is Traparan Quickhand, says he's one of One-Eyes lieutenants, his daughter Larana has vanished and apparently thats a little odd so has her bodyguard. He's got men looking for her already, but wants a less well known set of agents as well. Well less known to be connected to him. We've got one thousand silver for expenses none returnable, and a thread item each on cmpletion time for delivery on that depends on availability. He was urgent enough to suggest some emotional link to the girl. We have a picture and a list of leads, as well as where to find the boss, he wants regular updates. That sound okay?

Seraph barely pauses for breath during her little speech. She hands Vas the Picture and the list and flashes the expenses pouch at him.

OK, we'll talk with him I suppose. He seems paranoid enough to be legit. What leads do we have?

Not much really, I was going to start with asking the urchins, see if anyones seen her face around. Then work from there.

We should probably look at this guy's lsit of enemies. I know Garthik has his own list of enemies, like that blood elf. Maybe this guy's got some competition too.

Sounds sensible. Plus if we look into the boss first it helps hide what we're actually doing.

Seraph grins wickedly at the idea, she eats animatedly and mouths indistinct elven to herself.

I dont' suppose this guy has anything of hers your damn big cat can use to track her with? Or is that birds that do that ?I always forget.

Nope, afraid not. I think talking to the urchins may be a good start.
If we can find where she was last seen or lived, then there may, if we are lucky, be some tracks that could be followed. Or at least give us an idea as to wether she was taken against her will or went willingly.

Korian sighed. He never seems comfortable talking for long.

It seems we have some more questions that we should follow up on with this Lieutenant. An chance of meeting him again for some follow ups? I can hit the street and ask around a bit, see if anyone's heard rumblings of another underworld war starting. This could be the opening volley of something. If not, it may be harder to find information, but at least it would mean less heat for us. I'll see who might see our employer as an enemy as well, see if we can ut together a list of suspects.

Well he wanted regular updates, I reckon we dig on our own for now and then ask him a bevy of questions when he comes to talk to us. I'll go talk to som eof the urchins, they like ME way better than either of you, after that I can ask my entertainer friends.

Do you want me to come with you, Seraph? Or do you want me somewhere else?

Seraph glances at Vas, looking for an opinion maybe.

You can come if you want, but stay back a ways, in earshot but out of sight.

Korian just nods

I guess I'll ask around some of the more fragant places then. Good luck with your Brat Pack. Meet back here this evening?

Sounds good to me.

Seraph fixes the small pile of food in front of her rapidly, then stands up, pauses to think a moment. Then she grins and turns to her brother.

Ready, my sweet?

After you

He makes a sweeping gesture towards the door.