It was late afternoon when the Liberty sailed into Port Sam Edward, a storm following close on her tail. The seas were rough enough that below decks in the cargo hold one of the slaves, a young Tabaxi known as Topaz hurled up the meager meal he had last scoffed down. Disgusted at being covered in his own filth, he moved to the back of the cage for some ounce of privacy and cast the spell he had only just learnt in his dreams to clean himself. Others would call it prestidigitation, Topaz called it always-looking-your-best. He ignored the only other slave he recognised, Shiro he was called, as this other slave had seemed put off by the Tabaxi’s presence though he knew not why.
The ship docked and the guards came down to take the slaves into town before the storm hit. There was one guard who had taken a gentler tone with Topaz and he called to him now. The small tabaxi made his way to the door and allowed himself to be locked in the chain gang with the rest of the slaves. Not yet, the time will come. Topaz thought to himself.
As they came up past the living quarters and onto the deck and disembarked on their way to town, everyone else busied themselves preparing for the coming storm. The dark clouds promised wind and rain and ruin to anything that was left to fend for itself. The prisoners had only themselves to worry about as they were led up the sloping roads of Port Sam Edward, past the citizens hurriedly closing up shops and securing windows against the battering that was soon to come. Some of the townsfolk looked on the slaves with pity, others with a gleam of anticipation in their eyes, knowing what was to come.
Port Sam Edward was a middle place. Not the largest port around, but not the smallest. Not the nicest town, but certainly not the worst. A little ways up the hill stood The Fat Lady tavern, built in a repurposed military fort, the slick stone building sported a squat tower on each corner and a simple awning a front to protect the entrance a little from the weather. The prisoners were led to the entrance and chained with a guard to the posts holding up the awning. The slavemaster looked up and down the line considering who to bring in for the first event.
Inside the patrons of the tavern consisted of mainly locals, but a few of the patrons stood out more than the rest. A large patch of glitter covered the floor under a two foot tall fairy and as she talked animatedly, even more glitter floated down to cover even more of the bar. Elene was enjoying her new found freedom and catching up with an old acquaintance after being reunited. Her friend Gex, a humanoid lizard like creature with bulging eyes were discussing where they might next find some gold, when Shiro was led in to take part in the first fight.
The ring-master called the attention of the room and asked for a volunteer to fight the large man. From the end of the bar a dwarven Paladin named Tanglefoot stood up and answered the challenge. The two were led to the fighting arena and the ring-master called for the room to decide, “Weapons or no weapons?” The room unanimously decided for weapons and Shiro was given armour and dulled blades were given to both contestants. Gex and Elene were keen to observe the action and placed bets. After some back and forth and a few solid hits, Shiro managed to take the Paladin down enough to finish the bout to the ringmaster's satisfaction.
The bar keep, Master Smith, led the defeated Paladin back to the bar, gave him some health potions and offered him a drink in the house. The stout dwarf asked for the strongest ale they had and quaffing back fell off his stool. He was laid gently in the corner to sleep off his booze.
Meanwhile Topaz was led in for the next fight and noticing him Elene asked the guard if he was for sale. The guard her that there were a few more disposable slaves that were more affordable, but rarities such as Topaz wouldn’t go for less than a few hundred gold. Not having enough, Elene said to her friend Gex that they should try scrounging up some more cash. Gex didn’t need any more encouragement and set to work silently and effortlessly relieving many of the patrons in the bar of their money. Seeing Tanglefoot asleep in the corner he pulled the unconscious paladin outside and propped him up beside the tavern before emptying his pockets and taking possession of the amulet around his neck. Tanglefoot was too inebriated at this point to do anything other than vomit all over himself and continue resting his eyes.
Elene volunteered to fight Topaz and despite hurling verbal assaults at the fairy, the little Tabaxi didn’t manage to even throw a punch before being downed by the violent pixie. The guard carried Topaz back outside and chained his seemingly unconscious body back into the chain gang at the front. Shiro, already chained at the other end of the line, noticed the little Tabaxi opening his eyes to scope out the single guard left outside with them. Meanwhile, Elene called for a decent fighter and Master Smith, the barkeep willingly obliged, taking his own sword and magically dulling the blade he smiled at Elene with anticipation as she took another dulled shortsword and wielded it like a club.
By this time Gex had made his way back to the front door and was chatting to the guard and also asking about buying the slaves. The guard told him to check with the other guard inside and after struggling to communicate this was trying to point inside at who Gex should be talking to. Gex wandered inside to find them, but Topaz used this opportunity to summon a spectral mage hand to secure the guard’s keys from his belt, bring them over to himself and unlock his restraints. With nobody noticing this, he waited for a few seconds then dashed off away from the tavern, around the corner and down the street. A moment later Shiro noticed the Tabaxi gone and the fact that the slaves were no longer attached to the guard. He quietly motioned for them all to start moving away from the guard however the other slaves are too eager and manage to make enough noise with the chains that the guard hears it even over the storm. The guard called for help and the slavemaster inside as well as Gex and the others came running, however Gex decided that it would be better if the slavemaster didn’t arrive on his feet and used his tail to subtly trip him as they both tried to get through the door. The slavemaster fell heavily in the mud outside and began sliding down the muddy hill on his breastplate for over 20 yards. Finally coming to rest he quickly regained his feet and turned back to ensure his livelihood was still secured.
A deep gnome, Killex (Lucky) Wilder who had been minding his own until now, had also come outside to see what the commotion was about and making a quick decision ensnared the guard with magical thorns, taking him out of the fight. However, seeing that he had downed the guard, the ranger summoned and administered a good berry to ensure he didn’t become a casualty. By this time Tanglefoot the Paladin had roused himself and came around the corner to see what was going on, finding a set of discarded keys in the mud on the way. Shiro asked for help with the locks and Tanglefoot agreed to obliged in return for a favour at a later date.
Meanwhile Topaz had found a shop and easily opened the door with a claw unlatching the lock. Finding a dagger and some clothes he quickly changed, then ducked back to the tavern to see what was going on. See the other slaves breaking free, he dashed off to find another shop to break into and hopefully find some more useful supplies. Snapping the dagger in the lock of the second shop he went to a side window and broke it in time with the storm's thunder. Inside he managed to find another two daggers to replace the one he broke and finding nothing else useful he dashed back out the window and, now adequately armed, considered what to do next.
By this time Tanglefoot had managed to remove Shiro’s restraints and they had all left the lone guard in mud by the door. However the slavemaster coming back up the street called him to stop and caught up with him to prevent him from leaving. Shiro’s fangs and nails grew and he took on a more beastial appearance and he killed the slavemaster, pilfering him for his gold and also finding some documents on him. Returning to the tavern door he found the guard unconscious in the mud and killed him in cold blood “No forgiveness.” he said as the life drained from his former captor.
This whole time inside the tavern the fairy Elene and Master Smith were trading blow after blow both seeming to enjoy the dance of combat, though Master Smith with grace and poise and Elene more with maniacal rage. Eventually however, Elene was battered enough to call it quits and Master Smith thanked her for the fight.