HP 169/169; AC:37/21/29; Saves: +22/+23/+20; Init +10; Per +28(See Invisibility), CMD 42
Misc:
Effects: Resist Cold 30, Fly 30', Telepathic Bond
Jax shakes his head and walks up to Irin, bending over to pick up cards on the way over. "Water flows with trumpets on gravitational reversal when.. He shakes his head and grumbles. "Irin, next time warn us of psychopathic undead poets."
If it looks like she needs help getting and applying the antidote, he will help. Otherwise.."Seems I'm not the only poisoned ship flooded with rat-like arbiters of anarchic syllables. What will you give us for not telling the Cardinal of this little escapade, Irin? I'm sure he'd punish us..but not much given our charmed behavior. We could do with a bit of extra gold in the pocket. Or some items of worth thrown our way."
"Not listening drinking antidote." Irin pulls out a small bottle. She starts to swig it, pauses, then takes a couple of small sips, leaving half the bottle full. "Eh, no point in overdoing it..."
Irin falls back into the chair, foompf. "Okay, so, not gonna die. Still gonna be high for a while. That works. Win-win." She squints at the two of you. "Wow rowr, WooWoo Zeemu. So pretty. All with the lights inside like flarbiglated candles in ice. Sparkle so. Shiny." She begins to pass her hand slowly back and forth in front of her face. "Colors... what was it you were saying now?"
Irin isn't looking at you, but rather at her hand. "Did you ever really look at a hand? I mean, really...? No? Well..." She sighs deeply, closes her eyes, and leans back in the chair. "Mm... my people say that to ascend the Wheel, you have to walk the Three Ways. Domination of others, domination of self, and feeding the self with sensation, yeah? Blah blah, blah... but anyway. They also say you should make every decision twice, once cold sober and once drunk or high. s'like, perspective kinda thing." Irin holds up one finger in front of her face. She opens one eye, then closes it, then opens the other. "See! The little finger, it moves! So cool. Um, where was I."
"Oh, right, decisions. Well, so I was deciding what to do with you people. Because now you know stuff, a little, and that makes you a loose end?" Irin closes her eyes and leans back in the chair again. "This mix gives you these nice aural hallucinations, too... like distant chimes, music, kind of thing. Pretty."
"Hm? Oh. Well, I decided sober that you were amusing, and also potentially useful. You could grow into... something..." Irin's voice trails off and she is silent for several moments.
"Sorry, chimes." Irin opens her eyes and gives you a bright smile that seems to be focused several yards behind the back of your head. "So, pretty wiped, but I'm still thinking let you live and stuff. You're good with that, right? I'm thinking yes."
She frowns in concentration. "You were saying something about... telling the Cardinal? Hee hee hee hee." Irin is seized by what seems to be a completely authentic fit of the giggles. "Aw, hang on a sec... hee hee hee... I'm gonna need some wine... hee hee... haaah. That's adorable."
Irin's giggles go on for some time, and appear to leave her almost incapacitated. Certainly for half a minute or so she seems unable to say anything but "tell the Cardinal", "so cute!", and "shiny".
I actually rolled for this, and once again Jax's lack of a negative Cha modifier has made the difference -- in this case between a neutral reaction and a friendly one. So, the powerful NPC who is currently stoned out of her mind (or who, at least, appears to be) is taking your threat pretty well.
Female Aasimar Wizard 6 (HP 53/53; AC 18/18/15; CMD 16 Fort +5; Ref +7 Will +8; Init +3; Perception +11; Darkvision 60 ft)
Ak! I miss half a day and we fast forward too much! Dang it! I wanted to make plans in my room after possibly grabbing Dren and Edmin (and his little dog too). Even that new fellow. Then confronting Irin.
And I think I would have planned the barter a little better, for one thing, I would not have brought the pen into Irin's room. DM can we recton it by saying this -
Cуровую rushes over to Edmin's room, and tells him that he is needed. She slips the pen under his pillow and asks him to have his dog stand guard while he follows her back to Jax. She explains the she and Jax are in 'negotiations' and if he could stand watch at the door as they do so. If he hears all he'll break lose, charge in and save her and Jax from themselves.
If DM or Jax or Edmin is not cool with this then stick with what has transpired. I just would not have brought the pen directly with us.
When Irin finally calms down a bit, she says, "So you know the Cardinal... hee hee... you know he can read your minds, right?
"Well, here's the thing: he's not very good at it. I mean he has to... rummage, like someone looking for a sock? in a drawer full of socks? Just so you know. Takes 'im a while. If you gotta secret? Talk fast and get out of the room. Oh, and try to think of something... sentimental." Irin wriggles her fingers vaguely. "Liiike, first love, hugs from your mother... yeah, guess that wouldn't work for either of you... maybe friendship, best friends being best friends together or, I don't know, kittens?
"Hmm, yeah. Well actually Soovooyuyu Zimu, if you have secrets to keep you probably should just stay away from the Cardinal."
"The dwark Zarbo has potions that can give him that sense for a while, but he mostly uses it for torture and for... yeah... Zarbo is pretty gross, actually.
"The tool can't read your mind, but she can make you want to tell her stuff. Everything. It's liiike, vampire kind of a thing? Look into my eyes, blah blah blah. So, so crude and stupid. I hate that thing. So much." Irin glowers at the fire for a moment, then says, "Never mind that! Not gonna harsh the... Where was I?"
"Okay, so, Hoodyhoo Zimu." Irin half rolls over in the chair, curls up a little, and puts her chin in one hand. Her eyes look into yours. (Her pupils are still very dilated.) Once again, you feel the intense force of her personality. It's not that she's so breathtakingly gorgeous; she's just somehow very much there.
"Okay, so... tell me what you're up to now, in your shiny head like little fishes. Tell me your" (she lifts one hand to make an air quote) "scheeeeeeeeeeeeme."
HP 169/169; AC:37/21/29; Saves: +22/+23/+20; Init +10; Per +28(See Invisibility), CMD 42
Misc:
Effects: Resist Cold 30, Fly 30', Telepathic Bond
Jax glances at Cimu and shrugs. "She doesn't seem so concerned with her secret being leaked out after going through all the effort to keep this under the Cardinals' radar."
Also, I'm bending the rules a little bit here. You're under a geas to bring the pen back to her. That's the deal. You can't really withhold the pen. The most you can do is delay giving it back a little. (Well, and tell the Cardinal, sure. You could do that.)
HP 169/169; AC:37/21/29; Saves: +22/+23/+20; Init +10; Per +28(See Invisibility), CMD 42
Misc:
Effects: Resist Cold 30, Fly 30', Telepathic Bond
Bah that's what I get for posting right after waking up before teaching.
"Irin, why aren't you concerned with the Cardinal mind-reading us? You seem to plan far ahead and I'm curious what elaborate ploy you arranged for. What is to prevent one of us from talking, even accidentally? Of course, we're more likely to make a strong effort in exchange for some magical assistance....and possibly some of whatever you're on now."
Well, I used "air quotes". We'll say she made some gesture equivalent to that.
DC 21 Sense Motive come on roll it:
Now that Irin is curled up in the chair, there's something her body language that is... predatory. She's amused, she's relaxed, she really does appear to be drugged up fairly well, but there's an undercurrent. Think a well-fed, half sleepy cat that's not hungry at the moment watching the antics of a dancing mouse.
She seems nice, thinks Jax dreamily. Thirdly be grimmer as fond brevities... I mean, those eyes. That hair. It's nice to see her laughing! And, curdle your pilgrimage, she's certainly given us some good information.
I guess I should be wondering what she's up to? But I think I'd rather just stare at her for a while.
Female Aasimar Wizard 6 (HP 53/53; AC 18/18/15; CMD 16 Fort +5; Ref +7 Will +8; Init +3; Perception +11; Darkvision 60 ft)
Douglas Muir 406 wrote:
Also, I'm bending the rules a little bit here. You're under a geas to bring the pen back to her. That's the deal.
I was wondering about that, I thought the terms of the Geas was more open ended, more like 'serve me and my wills for such a time,' ok that clears that up.
If Irin does not have items per se, perhaps we could barter for more info, at least on the cardinal's plans, or another reading.
'Would you indulge us with a few more questions my lady? We seem to have graced us with your favour.
Okay, just made an off-screen roll... and rolled a nat 20! Which is good for one character, and in a different way good for the whole party -- but means I'll have to do some infodumping.
HP 169/169; AC:37/21/29; Saves: +22/+23/+20; Init +10; Per +28(See Invisibility), CMD 42
Misc:
Effects: Resist Cold 30, Fly 30', Telepathic Bond
Jax watches Cimu and Irin for a moment before wandering over to his bed to lay down. "Brain hurts. Bloody undead poet of flushing water lilies. I'll smoke the carp of celestial merriment." And promptly closes his eyes.
Irin sends you back to fetch the pen. "Oh, look at the fishies! So many ideas. But now is not the time. Go on, Boogaloo Zimu, now be a dear." She tilts her head against the chair and closes her eyes.
Edmin sees Zimu go out, and then come back in again...
Irin suddenly jumps up and grabs the pen out of your hands. (It's actually a little alarming. Apparently she can move really fastwhen she wants to.)
"Pen... pen! Penpenpen! Hisssss! Yes!" She looks down at the pen with open delight. "We're going to go back, Mr. Pen together! You and me! Ha haaaa!"
She turns to you. "Well done, little hungry witch! Woo! Hee! I'm thinking not killing you was... a good choice. You think so, too? Yes! I'm glad we agree!"
"Now of course, I have to wipe your memory again. Can't have you walking around with this stuff in your head! I just explained, right? Don't want the Cardinal grabbing any fishies! But... gotta Balance, right... can't just go wiping memories... well, hee hee, of course I can, I totally can, but I'ma do Balance with you. See? Not prey. Can't say fairer than that, am-I-right?"
"So, here's th' deal." Irin rummages in her satchel, and pulls out a small bottle. "You'll remember that I geased you to tell the whole story of your life, like I was searching for... I dunno, some clue or something. And then you'll remember me giving you this. Which I am giving you this. Hones'ly, I don't need it. Don't use scrolls, and I got the tat already."
"All right, great. Look inna my eyes now, Zeemaloo honey. This won't hurt..."
It doesn't. And afterwards you remember a pleasant couple of hours spent talking to Irin, with your geas quite harmlessly discharged.
The bottle? Well, the bottle contains ink. Rather special ink. There's enough ink in that bottle to write three second-level scrolls. The ink is so powerful that you can write the scroll on any sort of paper -- that is, it pays for the whole cost of the scroll. So, three free scrolls. But wait: the ink /also/ causes the spells to become more powerful. A scroll written with this ink will either
-- be cast at caster level (CL) +2, or
-- be cast with two levels of any metamagic feat or feats, or
-- be cast with one level of metamagic and CL +1.
You don't have to write the scrolls now; since you don't need special scroll parchment, you can do this pretty much any time, as long as you have access to a pen and paper.
No way. I resist:
You don't get the little bottle. Roll for initiative and then roll a Will save.
I'm assuming Zimu goes with the memory alteration. If not, let me know and we'll retcon.
Irin leans back in the chair. "Aw, cute... hee hee." She looks at her prize again. "Pen pen pen! Hee... where was I?" She seems to wander in thought for a few moments. Then she brightens. "Oh yeah! Hey, Jaysmith! Demon boy! Yo!"
Jax opens his eyes. "Lady Irin, it's been a long toad day. Are you going to plunder in my memory too?"
"Of course! But first," she smiles broadly and reaches into the satchel, "we gotta celebrate!"
Irin rolls her eyes. "Silly! No no. Don't you remember? Red for meat dishes, sex, torture, nightmares, pain, blasting magic, domination, terror and strong cheeses."
She leans forward. In her hand are two glasses, stems neatly crossed. "Not blasting anything just now. Not planning to torture anyone this evening. Not hungry for meat or terror... not in the mood to dominate anyone... and, you know?"
Yes: I rolled a nat 20. So, despite your 10 Cha, you have the chance to hit that. It is on the table. It is, potentially, on.
Let's do this choose your own adventure style. Please select one of the following options.
A. Well, but she's obviously intoxicated. I don't think I could take advantage of her right now. I'll gently escort her to the door, and then look her up tomorrow.
Spoiler:
Did I see a "G" in your alignment? No. Dude, you're evil. Try again.
B. I can't help but notice that, hot as she is, she's also really evil. I mean, this is a woman who strangled a litter of puppies in order to make an angel cry. I find that a little off-putting, frankly.
Spoiler:
See response to "A", above. You're a servant of Asmodeus. You cut someone's throat just to satisfy your curiosity. Unless you're particularly sentimental about puppies, it's unlikely that this will bother you. Try again.
C. Umm... isn't she much higher level than me? I mean, she's gorgeous and all that, but... I'm kind of nervous about ending up as a dominated slave or a lawn ornament or something. These things don't always end well. I'm going to try to wriggle out of this. I'll try to plead incapacity from the Dead Poet attack, or something.
Spoiler:
Fair enough. Say "C" and roll a d20.
D. Is this some kind of joke? The chick with the 20-something Charisma score is macking on me and...? Seriously? And you're still talking? Why are we still talking? I hit that.
Once again the Judge reaches out and takes a piece of popcorn into his mouth savoring the warm salty tasty. Hmmm, is that a hint of wine? I did not realize that the Cardinal allowed his slaves to drink wine.
M DEAD!! KILLED BY EVIL EVIL DMDM!! Rogue1/Barb (Feral)1 temp hp 14/17 and 9 con (HP 24/25+4 when Raging; AC21/17/15(-2 Raging) ; CMD 16 (18 Rage) Fort +4(6); Ref +8; Will +1( 3); Init +6; Perception +5/6 for Traps; Darkvision
HP 169/169; AC:37/21/29; Saves: +22/+23/+20; Init +10; Per +28(See Invisibility), CMD 42
Misc:
Effects: Resist Cold 30, Fly 30', Telepathic Bond
A!..Wait..wait..evil, right..no..B! ...Oh, right. Asmodeus. Evil. Okay..Uhm..D? Yay I got it right!
"My dear lady, Irin, I believe the insane dead poet inspires me to lavish you with song befitting your current state of mind. If our friendly witch would escort her way out..perhaps we can find some more amusing way to fill our memories.
Fade to black and next day? Secret Adventure Journey Montage time!
The Judge takes another piece of the wonderful popcorn, the smell is almost intoxicating. And I thought the X rating on this film was purely from evil and violence.
M DEAD!! KILLED BY EVIL EVIL DMDM!! Rogue1/Barb (Feral)1 temp hp 14/17 and 9 con (HP 24/25+4 when Raging; AC21/17/15(-2 Raging) ; CMD 16 (18 Rage) Fort +4(6); Ref +8; Will +1( 3); Init +6; Perception +5/6 for Traps; Darkvision
Goblin whisper in Word Spawn's ears good things to bite...Word Spawn smart to follow advice!
The Cardinal steeples his fingers. "I have no objection to Knot members engaging in commerce. However, the Yutak are not central to our strategy, and trading with them is at best a diversion from your mission."
He pauses for a moment in thought. Then: "I will not forbid this; acquiring wealth is a legitimate goal for a servant of our Father. But neither will I fund it. Do so with your own resources, and..." he pauses and arches an eyebrow at you, "...don't get distracted."
M DEAD KILLED BY DMDM Lore Warden 2/Arcane Duelist 3
Stats:
HP 4/45; AC 20(25 w def/CE)/16(21)/14; CMD 19; Init +5; Perception +4; Fort +7 (8 vs Poison), Ref +9, Will +3; Fire Res 1; BP 10/12; Spells Lvl 1 3/4 Initiative +5
Xenfal frowns in thought Well it was worth a shot.
Thank you father. I shall endeavor to make you proud with my work with the knot. If the Yutak can be made to help with minimal risk I shall make it happen, if not I will not risk our mission.
He bows Thank you for your time. Give my best to Ms Tiadora.
Xenfal leaves, then apprises the rest of what the Cardinal said.
DM how much would some crates of basic tools cost, how much for Iron ingots.
Jax Naismith lies face down on his bed. One arm dangles limply off the mattress, knuckles brushing the floor. He is drifting slowly off to sleep.
Jax Naismith does not entirely lack experience with women. Not at all! Despite his odd and alarming appearance, he has a certain glib charm. And then of course, he's found that a purse that's plump with gold is as good, in its way, as broad shoulders and a noble profile. So, not without experience.
That said, the last few hours have dramatically expanded his horizons. Jax is feeling what can only be described as gratitude towards the universe.
Thank you, evil book. Thank you, nameless slave I murdered for evil book. Thank you, Cardinal Thorn. Thank you, Branderscar Prison. Thank you, Sister Serafina, whoever you are. Thank you, everyone who could have killed me and didn't... poet-thing, Sir Balin, Sherkov, dogman... I really appreciate it...
Across the room, Irin is sitting with her back to him in front of the mirror, brushing her hair. She's not wearing anything except her soft red leather boots. (They never did get around to taking the boots off.) Well, unless you count the tattoo. The tattoo is a small but complicated thing that arcs around her right shoulder blade. Jax has a fine view of it, from here. It's just a fine view generally, he thinks dreamily...
Irin begins to speak softly, as if to herself. "My people consider me a little strange," she says.
At the Cardinal's response the Judge nods knowingly:
Yes, your believe is entirely reasonable and understood. However, I believe that the iron tools will serve a greater purpose. If our ship is boarded and we are carrying nothing except weapons designed for bugbears, well, we both know what is going to result. On the other hand, if the Talingarde navy finds nothing except boxes of hoes and shovels, well, we may well be allowed to proceed without incident.
The Judge looks to the Cardinal again: I enjoy watching the soft ignorant citizens of this land suffer as much as you do. However, I prefer completing our mission with the minimal risk to my team and the Dark Lord's greater mission. Thus, anything that will assist out mission is of a great benefit to you my Cardinal. If it also results in the Ninth Knot increasing it's wealth and, thus, further strengthening those under your command, well then this is but an added benefit for all of us.
M DEAD KILLED BY DMDM Lore Warden 2/Arcane Duelist 3
Stats:
HP 4/45; AC 20(25 w def/CE)/16(21)/14; CMD 19; Init +5; Perception +4; Fort +7 (8 vs Poison), Ref +9, Will +3; Fire Res 1; BP 10/12; Spells Lvl 1 3/4 Initiative +5
didnt realize i was with the judge. a slight edit/retcon.
A little protection to go with potential profit and allies. Well thought out Judge.
diplo 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
he will not push it if rebuffed again. He will then do his above action
"Most of us gravitate to cities and courts. It would make sense, no? The First Way instructs us to pursue power, so one goes where power is to be found.
"But power can take many forms. And when you get more than a few of us together in one place, we start scheming against each other. This is inevitable, but I grew tired of it. And then... I found the cards. Or perhaps they found me? But once that happened, I know I had to take different path.
"I sought out the Varisi."
(Irin is still brushing her thick hair, slowly: stroke, stroke.)
"For one hundred and thirty years, I was mistress of a Varisian caravan. We traveled back and forth across the mainland, never staying more than a few days in any one place. And from that ever-moving vantage point, I gradually became as powerful as any of my settled kin. Working through the Sczarni, over the years I developed a network of spies and agents across half a continent.
"It was a good life. Every twenty or thirty years, I would find a girl-child, an orphan or a foundling. I would raise her up to adulthood, teaching her some basic spells and a few tricks. For a time, she would be the lovely young fortune teller, apprentice and handmaiden to the leader of the caravan... And then, when the time was right, I would kill her and take her form. The Varisi would know that their mistress had died and that the fortune teller had stepped up into her place, taking on her power and her secrets. And I would go out in the world wearing my new face, and find another girl child, and begin again...
"And so I passed the years, as one of you might pass an evening beside the fire with a book."
Irin puts the brush down and looks at herself in the mirror for a long moment. Then she lifts her headscarf off the table and begins slowly tying it in a complex knot.
"It was some years ago that I met the Cardinal. He was just newly... embarked upon his current career. He was looking for an information broker on the mainland, which inevitably led him to me. He offered me a position in his service, which of course I declined. He accepted this amiably enough, and we parted on good terms...
"Years passed, and I continued my slow growth of knowledge and power. I killed another apprentice and took on the face that I now wear. I found another orphan girl-child and began to raise her.
"And then a shadow began to fall across my pleasant wandering life. The cards began to warn me of danger to come."
"The ship is already quite full, Judge. There's not much room for additional trade goods. Certainly not enough to fool the Navy, should they board and inspect you.
Irin's outline begins to ripple and flow. It's not just her face this time, but her entire body.
In a few moments she is someone else. Now she is a younger woman, perhaps in her early twenties. Her hair is still curly but much finer and lighter -- a light brown that's almost blonde. Her face is rounder, her skin is lighter, her eyes are blue instead of green. She's a couple of inches taller.
"This is Yanna Irinevka, my treacherous daughter. I show her to you, Jax Naismith, so that you will know her if you ever see her. Understand this: she is mine. If you see her, report her to me at once. Do not raise your hand against her. She is mine, and mine alone."
