Cytgard

The Sticks and Stones

4 min read

Tucked away beneath the cobblestone streets of the city, The Sticks and Stones is a dimly lit, subterranean tavern well concealed behind an illusory stack of crates that caters to the Brightlamp Ward’s rougher customers.

In order to get in, one has to do the secret knock of the day (of the week, which Ike knows. However he must do a DC 12 int check to recall it right the first time). If knocked incorrectly, the bar goes totally silent for a moment. The doorman of the night is Slim Carter, a normal sized youngish dwarf.

The air is thick with the smell of pipe smoke and cheap ale, and the flickering motes of light barely manage to penetrate the gloom, casting shadows on the cracked stone walls. A motley collection of mismatched furniture, tapestries, and tarnished weapons adorns the bar’s interior. The bartender, a grizzled elf named Grumblebeard (he has a wispy patchy beard), serves up watered-down ale in chipped mugs to the patrons.

The bar is also home to the Sticks and Stones fighting pit which occupies about one half of the establishment. On most days it’s got chairs and tables placed in on the thin mats, but on others the tables are cleared and seats are set up for matches.

If visited in the evening, the tavern will be quite busy. Tavern ambient noise

Grumblebeard of course recognizes Ike.

Possible contestants

  1. Grimmard the Block

    • Description: A hulking orc with a face marred by a jagged scar, Grimmard is a feared enforcer for one of the city’s crime lords. He sits in a dark corner, nursing a tankard of ale and glaring at anyone who dares to make eye contact. His presence alone keeps trouble at bay.

  2. Sylas Shadowblade

    • Description: Sylas is a roguish human with a penchant for stealth and subtlety. He wears a hooded cloak and always has a deck of cards in hand. Sylas runs an underground gambling operation within the bar, inviting patrons to test their luck in games of chance.

  3. Mirelia Monlite

    • Description: A mysterious elven bard with an enchanting voice, Lirelia performs hauntingly beautiful ballads in a corner of the bar. Her music sets a somber tone, and her songs often speak of lost love and stolen dreams. She’s a favorite among those who seek solace in melancholy.

  4. Faldric “the Fence” Fernfoot

    • Description: Faldric is a sly halfling who operates as a fence for stolen goods. He sits at the bar, conversing in hushed tones with various patrons, discreetly arranging deals and exchanging information about the latest heists and heists-to-come.
    • If Ike beats 3 opponents, Faltdric will pull Ike aside to speak to him.
      • “Hey big guy, I made a lotta money off your skill tonight. If you’re looking to go bigger, I know a place. I’ll put your name in.”
      • Faldric offers to add Ike’s name to the list of eligible contestants at the Velvet Glove, a more luxurious lounge where the elite trade barons who are interested in watching combat hang out.
      • The Velvet Glove

  5. Volrin Helys

    • Description: Vorin is a tall, lean figure wrapped in a tattered, hooded cloak. His face is obscured by shadows, and his eyes gleam with an eerie luminescence. He’s rumored to be a practitioner of dark magic and often offers his services to those in need of discreet enchantments or curses.

Fight rules

https://koboldpress.com/thats-the-pits-some-down-and-dirty-pit-fighting-rules/

  • The match is 5 rounds.
  • Contestants choose STR (Athletics) or DEX (Acrobatics) as their fighting style.
  • They roll against each other. Winner wins the round.
  • A critical hit or a win by more than 5 points is a possible knockout with the loser making a CON roll to avoid being rendered unconscious—either DC equal to the knockout roll or DC 15 (GM preference).
  • Between rounds, players can choose to make a CHA (Intimidation) or DEX (Sleight of Hand) roll to try to gain an advantage (+1) in the next round (angering or frightening the opponent, slipping a rock into a glove unnoticed, etc.). They could even make a CHA (Performance) roll to try to get the crowd on their side for that extra boost of confidence.
  • Those with the Tavern Brawler feat can add a d4 to their roll. The Battle Master subclass can spend a superiority die to add it to a check. A barbarian can rage for advantage on a STR check.
  • A knock out wins automatically; otherwise it’s 3 of 5 rounds.

Score Ike: Opponent:

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