(Short-Term Location) Plaza Underground Outdoor Tavern (Winter)

[Alphonsus]

Any Darkening within the Season of Winter
Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIV Post Fractum

Originally Posted by A wise customer of the Plaza Underground

Many people were sweeping into the Crown after a long day of work, but some found their way into The infamous Plaza Underground Pub, named after a thief faction, which by common knowledge, had disbanded several scores go.

This Plaza Underground Pub was a different kind of place. The indoor area was know be act as a storage facility, and a large field, covered by a slightly smaller canvas was placed over the it. Tables, chairs, and many little decorative pieces were place in the field. That field, would the pub, an outdoor Pub.

Like the beginning of any darkening of the behind the Plaza Underground Pub, 4 burly looking men began their work by cleaning off any dirt off the tables and chairs, carrying barrels of drinks, and setting up the movable bar into a small field. When all these were done, a large female, famous for her memory and arm took a sit behind the bar and waited for her waitress, a small human, who was a very talkative, and as speedy in serving drinks.

At the precise timing, when the sun had gone for another 1 mark, a human girl could be seen running down the streets, and took her place beside the big woman, while the 4 men took their seats, one at every corner of the field. They were mainly there for show, as no one would dare run off without payment, and no one could as payment is to be made before the drinks were served.

As if on cue, several men and women, young and old, the poor and the rich, the ugly and the beautiful made their way into their seat and started chatting. These were people, too crownless for the Crown, ousted from the Crown, dislike the Crown, found a need for excitment, or just wanted to feel like an honor person. Truly, no place in Prime could offer a place where drinks were served as long as one had the crowns, whether one was still a minor or a criminal, and the large lady had good enough a memory to name the individual regulars and their favourites.

Drink were served quickly, even before the first person sat, usually a regular. Prompted by the large woman, the small girl brought drinks to the seats and greeted each by name. These actions attracted many to the Underground, whether rain or otherwise.

The wind were much stronger now, and the more covers were placed around the field. A fire was situated in the middle, providing warmth to all the customers of the Underground. Occasion snow were swept or carried away by helpers hired for the winter, or by some helpful customers who like their table cleared of snow.

A handwritten menu could be found at every table. When one decided to read it, which most regulars would not bother to, it went like this:

The Menu of the Underground

For just 65 Crowns, its free flow of drinks for the night! Payment to be made to Waitress Venice or whoever that prior to orders. Make sure she passes you a yellow paper with our logo and date stamped on it, and your name written by her.

For special orders, look for me, the bartender.

A large poster had being carefully pasted behind the counter, where all that bothered to could read.

Originally Posted by Poster

PLAZA UNDERGROUND
Now Recruiting:
-Thieves that are willing to learn!

-Jesters and entertainers. Salary: One drink per performance, and any tips the customer may give!

Now, we'll be serious
-Waitress. Requirement: Hardworking, pretty, love to chat, willing to sleep late. Salary: Negotiable.

-Snow removers. Salary: 10 crowns per cycle. Work from 17th candlemark to 23rd Candlemark. Only needed for the season of Winter, and pay comes only at the last day of Winter.

That's all folks, hope you enjoy our INFAMOUS THIEF DEN!

Main Topics of the for the Pub at:
1st - 10th Day of Winter
"Oh! Freeflow for all? What a publicity stunt, what a stunt!"

1th - 50th Day of Winter
"No lasting known rumors"


ooc: Interact amongst yourself! Self mod to buy ye free flowdrinks, but make sure payment is upfront. PM me if any modding (specific drinks or quests) is required. Side note: This is like a Thief Guild. Please PM me if you're interested

[Alphonsus]

6th to 10th Darkening in the Season of Winter
Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIV Post Fractum

It had being rather dull during the autumn period that the owner had decided that more customers, new ones, were needed. The Crown could spare a few customers to their side. Several large posters had being placed all over town, ignoring one of their unwritten low publicity rule. The tavern was hurting for some crowns!

Plaza Underground invites you!

Everyone of Prime is invited to our Plaza Underground event, the Winter Drunkards! Entry fees would be free for these 5 Darkenings, and you could drink all you want! So, what are you waiting for! Come join us at Plaza Underground from the 6th to 10th Darkening as our Winter Drunkards!

**There will be no food provided, as our chef had left us for home. Currently, we are recruiting for a waitress, and hopefully, she can cook!**

Every darkening, in this Winter Drunkards, the big lady bartender kept bringing out barrels and barrels of rum, beer and other alcoholic drinks, while the slim waitress, Vernice, was no where to be seen, not that anyone needed her. It was a Winter Party in Alleria Prime, where everyone collected their drink themselves, using one mug for the darkening. It was free flow, as well as self service night, but no one mind... as long as the drinks kept coming.

Occasionally, one of the four bouncers would be challenged to an arm wrestling match, but there was no hope for any but the most trained to win the bouncers. Pickpockets and other such criminals, or what the bartender had referred them to as, opportunity seekers, could be seen around. Some, the bouncers practically kicked them out, some were remained untouched till a drinker complained, while others were brought into the house, and the stolen items would be returned. No one commented on these thieves though, as everyone were too busy drinking, dancing and duelling in verbal form.

[Alphonsus]

6th Darkening in the Season of Winter
Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIV Post Fractum

It had being a rule within the Plaza Underground tavern that they deal only in drinks. That meant, the bouncers would throw anyone out of the tavern area if they were caught fighting, but if the fight was out of their territory, even if it was just outside, the bouncers did not care, as it was free entertainment to the patrons. This rule was commonly known by normal folks and all thieves of the Underground adhered to this rule.

Several fights or more likely brawls would appear every now and then, and during these fights, a shady looking man would be seen going around tables, taking bets from the customers. They customers would bet in one of the four outcomes. The challenger wins, the challenger lose, both decided that it’s a draw, or the military police came and help break the fighters apart. The odds changes from darkening to darkening.

The fighting grew more frequent when an event was going on, and were more in the recent event of the Winter Drunkard. The drunks would pick fights with another as easily as a master pickpocket steal candy from a baby, and when one side won and bragged, a prideful person with a few drinks in his stomach would challenge the winner. At this very moment, a fight between a lanky pugilist known for his mastery in hand to hand combat and a big burly man that would not look out of place in the construction sites had just ended. The challenger was the pugilist that could not stand the sound of the orc like human, proclaiming himself as the champion brawler of the Underground. The odds offered were:

Challenger Winning: 1 to 5
Challenger Losing: 1 to 1
Draw: 1 to 20
Peacekeepers: 1 to 100

The shady man was pleased at the outcome, allowing him much earnings. He knew that the peacekeepers would never appear at this darkening, as he noticed a high enough ranking military officer drinking in the tavern, and surely he did not wish to be noticed around these parts. Not many in the tavern at the moment knew though, and as this was the 8th fight in the past 3 candlemarks, several were sure the peacekeepers would have come and stopped the match. Several hundred crowns were won this way.

No one betted on a draw, as there was never a draw in the whole history of just outside Plaza Underground’s territory brawls, though the shady man had won another few hundred crowns for those that believed skill would prevail size. The losing, though inevitable was only a miserable 40 crowns, betted by the military officer drinking in one corner. One winner, others losers.

The shady man almost laugh at his own thoughts several moments ago when the fight had just began, as there were hundred of crowns betted for the pugilist, and he had thought that he would lose big this time. The fight was incredible, the pugilist began the battle unleashing scores of punches and kicks, while masterfully dodged the burly man’s attacks. The burly only could only defend and everyone knew defensive actions could never win anyone, but they were wrong. The pugilist got conceited, and used his ultimate attack, and his punch ended squarely on the palm of the burly, either by chance, or the burly had anticipated the move. Once the hold was there, there was no fight. The burly took the chance, gripped the pugilist right arm with both hands, and starting swing him like an angry girl playing with her rag doll. The battle was over. The pugilist had broken all his bones in his right arm, and his kneecaps shattered when he was released after many shakes.

The burly had just reentered the tavern as if nothing happened, pushed a male that smelled of butchered animals aside and onto the ground, taking the man’s seat, the man’s drink while thinking of his victories of the night.

”5th victory for the night, hardly any wound, hardly any exhaustion, and a good massage had being received by that man with shattered bones. I really shouldn’t have done that, and ask him to work for me as my personal masseur.“

ooc: Michel Vasheal, you might have just being pushed onto the floor if you chose that butcher to be you. Issue the challenge as you wish to, as you will have the priority. Others who wish to brawl, no Arcana, no weapons, fisticuff only, may opt to do so too.

[Mikhail Vashael]

Kneeling on the ground, Mikal slowly wipes the spilt beer from his face. He rises to stand breathing slowly, facing the man who took his seat. A moment of dead silence passes between them.
He removes his money pouch and throws it towards the shady man taking bets with a very composed body posture. No more warning is given and the Butcher unleashes hell.
Vashael fakes a low jab then punches the brute hard with a right hook towards the kneck repeatedly. Landing that shot would cut off the flow of blood to the brain and give him seconds if not minutes to act before the man regained motor control.
Following through the jab and hook whether they land or deflect he grabs the man's collar (or kneck if there is no shirt) and pulls him close slamming his forehead into the bridge of the man`s nose. At the same time his knee drives into the man`s solar plexus and floating rib as Mikal lays in with a clinch, before flinging the figure upwards towards the open doorway.

This city was starting to feel like home already..

[Alphonsus]

ooc: First, how much you have thrown, and second, there is only a fence.. Alright, I guess there is a doorway... Let the fight begin! Try and let me decide how what the actions would do okay

The burly man looked at the butcher angrily as though as he had broke a unspoken rule. It was shown when the 4 bouncers held him down, warned him about the no fighting rules within the tavern, and threw him out.

Settle the fight before drinking again

The burly man had recovered, and following his custom, he cried angrily. "Me Dave, your killer!" When Michel landed hard of the ground when the bouncers threw him, Dave gave a hard kick across his ribs before returning back to his battle, afterwhich, Dave fell into a highly defensive posture and in full alert, this Michel would not be able to take any further advantage. He had even ripped his shirt apart, not that it needed any further rippings. This was a battle yet to be seen, two big man. The shady man was already taking bets, and the bets were quite equal this time, as he did not want to have another heart attack.

Challenger (Michel) Win: 1 To 1
Challenger Lose: 1 To 1
Draw: 1 to 5
Peacekeeper: 1 to 150

It was Michel turn to attempt the attack once again.

[Mikhail Vashael]

Being knocked on the ground twice in ten minutes was starting to wear on Mikal, but just a little. He stood up again, this time with a sliver of a smile cutting across his face.

Vashael raised his fists and said nothing; pacing around the brute while gauging his distance. He faked several engagements getting a feel for how the man moved and what he protected first. Defensive positions worked great if you played into their strength, how about a weakness.
Mikal strafed right around the man's rear, seeing if his opponent would follow. He feinted a quick lunge and strike with his right arm but followed the momentum low on his left leg into a uppercut aimed toward the brute`s solar plexus. He moved from right to left fist as part of a fast one-two operation.
As he dodged low, Vashael brought his leading hand into a close guard ready to block any incoming attacks, and pushed into the ground with his feet; ready to step back or drive his fists forward again given the opportunity.
Defensive positions usually guarded the head and upper body. By feinting high he engaged that system, but hit much harder low to get under the arms.
It was cold outside, but he found a way to keep warm; anticipating his opponent`s next move.

[Mikhail Vashael]

ooc: He threw a small money sack containing 200 coin against the odds. Outcome is the moderator`s to decide, I`ll just stick to what i`m good at for now.. throwing punches

[Alphonsus]

Dave looked at Michel with amusement, faking here, faking there, much like the previous fighter he had fought. He allowed his challenger several attempts of attack first, allowing him to gauge his opponent strength and speed. Michel strafed right, and as predicted, Dave followed. The feint had almost work, as when the right punch came, Dave tried to block, but due to either fatigue from all the previous battles, or he was getting a little drunk, he stumbled backwards a little, thus the left fist connected only with air.

Vashael guarding was a correct choice for such battle, as Dave, seeing the opportunity that his opponent might be off balance, he strike hard with his right hand, pushing Michel’s right hand in, causing it to hit his own face. What Dave did not expect was the blow he felt at his left waist, which caused him to step backwards quickly for recovery.

’Arrrrg, shouldn’t have taken that attack.’

The next thing Dave knew was being attack both up and down by his opponent, making use of his current posture, and Dave did what he had learnt in the school of fists, entering into a half crouch, ready to pounce, yet high defensive posture. High attacks would be useless, and the only open area was his hands and his legs – the two places where Dave hardly had any feeling due to the many fights he had and heavy construction works. Lumps of dried skin formed a natural armor against pain.

His opponent was retreating after a while of attack, but Dave made no move to chase him down. If Michel left the invisible arena, that would had made him winner by default, otherwise, Michel would sure to attack him, and a simple tactic would finish the game.

’Let him strike against my armor, let him think that he’s winning, then catch the chance and swing him like a rag doll. Game over.’

Dave maintained his position, adding taunting signs randomly whenever Michel faltered or made a pause in his attacks.

[Mikhail Vashael]

Vashael noticed the patches of discolored skin clinging to his opponent's arms and legs. The complete defensive posture of "Dave" irritated him slightly but he inched towards the man, eying the man's limbs looking for an opening.
He had seen what the burly figure had done to his last opponent and did not engage carelessly. The taunts barely striked the surface of his mind, as Mikal focused on the Butcher's work closer at hand.

He approached quickly but suddenly slowed momentum just outside striking distance; wanting to see whether the construction worker would move back and unbalance his position, or engage and expose a vulnerability. Vashael used speed combined with a double defensive forearm-elbow guard for his opening move. In the bent stance "Dave" took, his head was pushed forward bringing it almost where Mikal wanted it.

The change in balance the man would have to make taking into account either measure could provide enough of an opening to make his life a little less pleasant.

As Vashael moved in close, he took one step outside the figure's circle of reach to the right grabbing the man's left wrist with his own left hand, tearing it forward hopefully exposing the face and stomach. With his right elbow, the Butcher intended to smash it into the man's exposed left eyesocket, just before he pushed his opponent's closest knee downward from behind to break his stance and further expose his foe. Pinning the left arm behind the man's lowered back was his tertiary objective, the primary one involved staying alive.

Through it all, the crowd could see only a slight facial tension translated through the foreigner's face as he gritted his teeth following through the powerful motion.

[Alphonsus]

Seeing his opponent rush forward, Dave grinned inwardly seeing that his taunt had work, and he really did need a massage, but then, the opponent slowed and brought his elbow up. Though Dave did not really bother with such movement, he felt cheated that the opponent had not attacked the normal way, and such elbow attack might damage his head… Not that he cared much about it.

Dave stepped one step back, feigning fear of getting attacked, and it seemed that his opponent believed him for his left wrist was gripped tight by the enemy while keeping out of range. Dave sighed inwardly as he wondered was this man as good as he had believed. Dave reach was longer. The grip was strong, but the pull was weak. It had not brought Dave’s hand down at all. A struggle of strength began, and it seemed that the Butcher had decided to chance it, or his strength suddenly gave away, Dave suddenly felt the pull loosened and caused him to be slightly off balance. The momentum also pulled his opponent closer to himself!

It was as he had planned earlier, though the situation was a little different, the Butcher, allowed the momentum of the strong pull of Dave to pull himself towards Dave. Dave’s face was exposed, and the Butcher’s right elbow was readied. The strike came, and caused Dave’s left eye to shriek in pain. A small victory for the Butcher, but not without any loses. The instinct of Dave when he felt extreme pain was a berserker swing on anything and on anyone around him, and that instinct kicked in while both fighters hand were connected. The first few swing had brought the Butcher off the ground and thrown somewhere off.

The damage was done. Dave the construction worker had a swollen left eye, so swollen that it could no longer view anything but a clump of red. The butcher had not escaped unharmed, but his damage was much less. The third fall of this darkening had made him a little disorientated and angry red sore appearing over bottom and hands where he had used to break hi fall.
The next round would begin as soon as the dust from the fall had settled. Dave was angry, and had no intention of any useless defense. Dave the construction worker was in pure rage mode.

ooc: Not suppose to make the fight too easy or Experience might not be given for brawling.

[Mikhail Vashael]

Mikal quickly caught his breath, looking over his opponent. He could see the rage pouring from the man's face just as the figure lunged towards him in a blind assault.
This was just where Mikal wanted the man, angry and thoughtless.
Anger could prove extremely dangerous, but abandoning any form of plan created a situation where vulnerabilities were mortal.
Watching his opponent attack, the Butcher did not attempt to avoid the head on battle, but simply timed his fists for the oncoming assault and planted his feet. Mikal blocked quickly sliding the hits off his elbows and brought his fists in fast, backing them up with the full force of his body weight. Holding his own, he drove his right fist towards the wounded eye as the man swung wildly, then worked his left knuckles into the man's front teeth. He swung hard and repeatedly over and over as the man got closer. When the construction worker's momentum carried his frame past full arm defense, Vashael aimed towards a kneck clinch sending his right knee hard into "Dave's" floating rib and diaphram once again. Hitting with power and repeatedly into vulnerable areas was the strategy. Even if the endorphins bore his oppenent past normal limits, the repeated facial and chest shattering could truely damage him beyond an adrenaline rush.
Mikal's palms hurt, but he poured on the heat not giving up till "Dave's" face would turn into a complete bloody mess.

[Alphonsus]

The assault by the butcher was both lethal and bloody. He had not given his opponent any chance to recuperate from the anger. Dave’s body was pounded over and over again; as Dave was being attacked, he countered attacked blindly. There were some strikes that connected onto the butcher’s body, but most were off target as his rage had not allowed him to see the whole situation carefully.

Dave would had fallen if not for his opponent’s attack had became a simple face strike, as his chest, even though it was badly bruise, had not much effect on him due to his well developed muscles. It was on one of the strikes on the face that Dave countered attack, a strong bite. Dave attack would had failed if not that lady luck smiled on Dave. The unlucky butcher was assaulted by a short wave of dizziness that had came from fatigue and the falls he had received. Dave’s jaws bit hard onto the hands of the butcher, ignoring the fact he was being kicked and punched, and ignoring the fact his tongue tasted blood. Dave mind was set, his strategy formed. Biting harder and clenching his fist, he readied and gave a heavy hook punch onto the ribs of the butcher.

That did it. It had released the teeth from the hand, and the relentless assault had stopped when the punch made the butcher staggered many steps back. Dave stood up tall, bloody and panting heavily. He could hear that his opponent was panting rather heavily too. This match might had being the first draw for many patterns if the two ego-filled fighter had suggested. Dave, though injured, was not one that would give up his title as the champ, especially not on the first darkening. Gritting his teeth he went back into his defensive pose once more, though he was wobbly on his feet.

ooc: Give me an ooc answer. If a mob of construction workers, or a troop of soldiers were to appear, will you run or stay?

[Mikhail Vashael]

Mikal winced from his chest, still in a good mood. The bite was a nice touch, he'd have to repay the compliment with something of the broken variety.
No more faking.

Engaging his opponent's defensives with both arms, he went straight for a headbutt at the nose. Grinding his forehead into the man's bridge like a mortar and pestle was priority number one. He wasted no time and pounded his right fist towards "Dave's" thyroid, then on the second fist strike tore into the right side of the jaw. He heaved his entire body momentum behind the blow as if he was punching straight through the man. There was a third volley coiled in his other fist, ready and willing for left uppercut. If the man faltered from the trauma, he wanted to be ready to adapt and take a real advantage. Some men just don't listen to reason...

His body was starting to hurt, but getting thrown to the ground three times in one night was more than enough inspiration to keep on giving.
It felt like releasing a demon from the inside, letting go of a little anger.

Shivering, he swung harder.


ooc: Mikal has some brains behind his fists. If there were more than one soldier, he'd run. If only several construction workers he might stay... but alot, long gone.

[Alphonsus]

Dave had already lost all his wits even before Mikal did any attacks. The butcher's attack went through easily, and Dave only acted on pure reflex, and even that, only came just before the third uppercut. An elbow touched the butcher's cheek with the strength of a bull. Blood could be seen spurting out of the butcher's mouth, but that was a pond compared to the sea of blood Dave had around his face and body.

The military officer could stand the brutalness no more. He did not wish to be complicated in any reports, especially if one that had a corpse in it. He stood up, wring a bag of coins from the shady man's hand, tied it tightly and threw it towards the winner while shouting "GO!"

At that precise moment, the marching of many boots was heard from afar, and those sound could only had meant that the peacekeeper forces were coming. The match had ended prematurely by peacekeeping forces, though a distinct winner could be seen. The only man that betted on the last outcome had won, by the shady man's judgement. It was the best way to minimise losses. About a thousand crowns were betted on Dave's win, and about a thousand was betted on Dave's lost, and there were a few hundred crowns on the match as draw. Only that man, one miserable man betted as a big joke, 1 sad single crown that the keepers would stop the match. The shady man was the biggest winner as he sneaked away into the night.

When the soldiers arrived at the scene, 14 co-workers of Dave helped to carry the injure man to the hospice where Dave could find some healing. Those co-workers only shook their head, and wondered where the man that had won Dave would be. They would like to recruit him as a constructor like themselves. Wherever Mikal was at the moment, none betrayed his presence as doing so, they might recieve a permanent ban from the Underground Tavern, something all did not want to. Whenever Mikal had some time, he would open the yellow coin pouch and find 263 crowns in it. It was not much for a darkening's work, especially after he had recieve three throws, two punches, a sore bottom, a cut on the lips, reddened fists and a dark bruise on the cheeks, but the officer thought the satisfaction might cover the rest that Dave had expected.

ooc: Feel free to drink in the tavern, or disappear from the scene. Will have to seek permission for the 63 crowns given and any experience if possible.

[Mikhail Vashael]

Mikal pushed his way out the back of the tavern to get some air. He bent over his knees and shot out breath and blood. Standing again he found a feeding trough and splashed cool water over his sweat and bruise covered face.
Not the night he was expecting, but a good one never the less.
Hunched on his knees again, he laughed staring at the ground lost in the memory of his win and trying to find his balance.
The Butcher collected himself then blinked; sorting through the amount of coins he had made. This would ease him over the rest of the night at least, he thought as he re-entered the tavern.
He passed by the remaining construction workers and celebrated his win while toasting to his worthy opponent. Vashael wasn't a man who shared his life idlely, even while celebrating. Turning to the men, he asked them to look him up the following week at Kalamus's Butchershop. Buying them several more drinks he bade them well and headed to the bar shaking several hands of men who wished to congratulate his unsung victory. As the soldiers near finished sifting through the patrons of the Underground Tavern, Mikal Vashael sat down beside the military officer who he remembered had returned his pouch earlier.
Turning to the barkeep, he spoke.
"Pour this man a drink, I'm buying because I hear the city doesn't pay that well."
He nodded to the man almost smiling and turned back to the bartender.
"Make that two."