KC's Age of Worms

Game Master Kobold Catgirl

Oh, I missed that.

Diplomacy: 10 + 16 = 26

Can I get Tanith's and Farrukh's Diplomacy or Bluff checks?

Yeah, I forgot about that too.

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (3) - 2 = 1

Well, at least it's not a negative number. I wrote the dialogue to be kind of obnoxious to the listener anyway.

We'll bring you some banquet food wrapped in a napkin, Farrukh.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Unfortunately, I have to prepare for a fair tomorrow, so I'm going to be out for the next 20ish hours.

Do we need to play out Zalamandra's answers, then? I see you as the ultimate arbiter of her character, so it wouldn't make much sense for you to "test" my understanding.

I had no intention of you managing Zalamandra's answers, don't worry. ;)

Zalamandra proceeds to her interview following Eben. She emerges holding seven tightly-bound scrolls, which she presents to the group.

The scrolls.

Out in the hallway waiting for Zalamandra to return, EBen sits back in his chair with satisfaction, completely giving himself full (if perhaps undue) credit for the way things have turned out, but keeps that bit of preening to himself for the moment. Instead, he acts as surprised as anyone else when Zalamandra returns, invites in hand. "Oh, how exciting!", he exclaims as he unties his scroll. "I'm sure this will be a remarkable chance to mingle and...." He blinks in puzzlement as he reads, pauses, reads again, and then says, in much less fruity tones than he's been using all day, "Handsome slaughter of curious avians? What the ever-loving F%%* does that mean?"

"...uh..." Carina looks in puzzlement at the invitation.

"...I'm starting to wonder if I really want to know."

What's a...har-la-quee-nade mor-ti-fictio?" Cuetzpalli strains over the unfamiliar words.

"And 'bowling the devious heads'?" Carina's eyebrow arches.

"A harlequinade is a kind of performance, with mimes and stock characters and big silly masks and stuff. Bowling... well, there's some kinda sporting event listed, so probably this is for the less athletic? Like lawn bowling or something?" Eben furrows his brow and looks the list over again. "Well. One thing's for sure. We all need formalwear."

"What's formalwear? Some kind of magic?"

"In our case, it is." Astraden flicks her hand, instantly clothing herself in a fine purple silk dress before switching back to her gaudy robe and armor with another mutter and gesture. "If you can describe it, I can make you look like it. Only, let's keep that on the down-low, because I don't want everyone connecting us to our alter egos."

"So what did he ask you all? I figured the moment of heroism question was universal."

Carina shakes her head. "What my speciality was, opinions of the rest of you, and why my face is blue and what I'd do if I was called a freak."

"Tactful."

"He basically made slightly racist accusations about my level of civilizationism. Civilizedness. Civility? Whatever the word is for acting like an uppity fancy-pants."

"In our case, it is." Astraden flicks her hand, instantly clothing herself in a fine purple silk dress before switching back to her gaudy robe and armor with another mutter and gesture. "If you can describe it, I can make you look like it. Only, let's keep that on the down-low, because I don't want everyone connecting us to our alter egos."

"I thought about that, it's basically the scenario I bought these sleeves for." he says, rapidly changing through a few outfits.

"Though, big event like this, I wouldn't be surprised if they're wiping illusions at the door as a security precaution. It's what I'd do. Probably safer to go with physical outfits."

"So what did he ask you all? I figured the moment of heroism question was universal."

"Yeah, I got that one. He also seemed pretty interested in what I thought of you and Tanith. Seems like he finds you untrustworthy. Or maybe just snubbed; He seemed hung up on the fact that you were staying elsewhere."

Eben wrinkles his nose a little at Astraden's disguise magic. "I am all in favor of using illusion to look good and feel great, but this guy's royalty, and everything we've seen since we got in town would suggest he's kinda paranoid. I wouldn't be surprised if they routinely dispel at guests to see if there's a cloaked assassin or something. Besides, who doesn't like a good shopping montage trip?"

Seriously, do I need to bust out the ZZ Top videos? 'CAUSE I WILL.

He wrinkles his nose in the other direction at Astraden's followup, though, wondering if he'd been snubbed, somehow. "Actually, no, he didn't ask me about heroism or anything like that at all. He did ask me what my 'proudest achievement' was, but that's not exactly the same."

EDIT: Yay, I'm on the same page as Farrukh, re: precautionary measures!

"So... getting outfits." Carina nods. "How do you reckon we ought to do this? There has to be a good tailor or two in town here--maybe, split into two groups of three?"

Give me a Knowledge (local) or Diplomacy check to find some good options for spiffing yourselves up. I regret that I'm a bit busy tonight—the cat keeps jumping on my lap and cluttering my typing, for one thing, and for another, I need to prep for a full day of game-running tomorrow. I'll dig up my Dragon magazine tomorrow night.

Knowledge (Nobility): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16

"Well, the illusion option is still on the table--but unless we get a real professional to magic us up, I think most of the Prince's other guests will know something's up."

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (10) + 21 = 31

"I actually tried to get them to send a tailor to my room earlier, but that didn't happen. I guess you can only expect so much without paying for Ebony service. The concierge did give me the name of a few good spots, though..."

Kn. Local: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

Gonna post soon. I just love that Farrukh is the one who's best-informed about local fashion stops. I hope you've got a good reason for that in mind. ;P

Deep down, Farrukh had never recovered from Yalaxex 's hurtful statement: that he was 'unpleasant to look at'. Vowing to make the painter eat his words, the formerly fashion-unconscious Kettite began to spend every minute of his spare time studying local and current trends, passing off his sideways glances at dandies strolling down the street as simply being on the lookout for agents of Kyuss. One day Tanith had looked over his shoulder during dungeon exploration and noticed the torn-out pages from haute style magazines pasted to the inside of his klar, but it merely being Tanith, a simple and somewhat un believable explanation about these being aspects of his studied target ability passed without question. And now, finally, the day was here. The social gathering of the decade. At last, Farrukh was ready to emerge from his chrysalis, beat his wings against the air, and become the new fashion icon of the Flanaess. The next time he visited Greyhawk, Yalaxex would fall down on his knees and beg to be allowed to paint him, in all his high fashionista glory, and Farrukh would look down, smile smugly, and say, with all the elegance and culture he could muster, "F%!+ no."

Between Eben and Farrukh, the party is able to compile quite the "shopping list". Making use of a few of these locations might be considerably helpful in making a good impression, as there can be no doubt that the standards of the banquet will be exceptionally high. Nothing but the best for Prince Zeech, after all!

Preparation and Tailoring

Miomay's Playhouse: A hairdresser at the well-regarded playhouse, Ril Shimeise, accepts outside customers on the side. Her work is said to possess a 'distinctly theatrical style'. The Playhouse was mentioned to the party yesterday.

The Deluxury: A standard service of this den of pleasures is "The Soak", a series of custom baths and massage regimens meant to relieve specific stresses. The mint bath is complementary with the current rate, though the steam bath (which comes with the Ebony Wing rate) will likely cost an additional amount.

The Scarlet Spire: Aside from being the mistress of death and magic, Wee Jas is also the goddess of love and vanity. The temple of the Stern Lady in Alhaster has largely adjusted to the change in regime by emphasizing the latter above the former three, making a tidy profit by anointing dandies and debutantes with specially formulated holy tinctures. The church also offers custom tailoring.

Alexstrasia's Boudoir: Specializing in women's clothing, children's garments, and outfits for small humanoids, Alexstrasia's provides the cutting edge of fashion to a "deserving" few. Her work is very expensive, and highly selective.

Farrukh Only—Patchwork: Farrukh recalls hearing about this little store, run by a frazzled seamstress constantly harried by her brood of, reportedly, no fewer than eighteen children. Marissa Crumm's work is superb, when she has free time to produce it, but few even know of her shop's existence. It is also markedly cheaper than the other options (which tend to run into the hundreds-of-gold-coins range).

Accessories

Bottles and Bits: An overpriced junk shop hidden in one of Alhaster's worst slums, Bottles and Bits holds a trove of treasures amid more common junk. While antique broaches and ancient military badges might be all the rage, anyone wishing to purchase accessories from this shop would have to employ a certain degree of stealth to avoid being seen by anyone "important"—the damage to their reputation might even outweigh the benefits of the accessories.

Hopefield Haberdashery: The halfling who runs this store is purportedly obsessed with his work, and they make the finest and most extravagant hats in all of Alhaster. The pride of their creations is a woman's hat fit for a cloud giant, which hangs from the ceiling of his store. Hopefield often integrates the pelts and plumage of rare or dangerous animals into his work.

Iomandi's Wonders: A curio shop with a flair for the dramatic, magic plays over much of the store's merchandise. From tiaras constructed of burnt out ioun stones to buckles, buttons and links accented in permanent faerie fire, the accessories of this store are extremely popular with spellcasters in particular.

Heralds and Attendants

Whether a personal herald to announce one's arrival or a secretary to manage a social calendar and build up hype prior to the event itself, attendants say much about a visitor's importance. Eben and Farrukh hear about a few that are said to stand above the rest. Well, plus one extra that they hear about anyways.

Sir Sapphire: The women Eben speaks to about this man indicate that he is quite an important figure in his own right—a well-regarded writer from another world who has penned multiple bestselling works. He's said to be very eloquent and pleasing to the eye, though he was reportedly rejected by Loratio when he sought a ticket.

Inga Trolworp: A prudish secretary and a scholar of manners, Mrs. Trolworp is one of the most skilled coordinators and personal managers in Alhaster.

Mitschen and Siobhan Scarlet: A married pair of courtesans from the Scarlet Spire, these two wild elves are the best in the business at adding to a client's status. They can be hired separately or as a pair.

Marak Smith: This secretary has a fairly good reputation, from what Eben and Farrukh can gather. What's more, it sounds like he's willing to work for "exposure". They can't get much more information about him than that, except that he's apparently from the Free City.

Shrieking Sammi: A loudmouthed tiefling street urchin who works cheap and desperately—desperately wants to meet the prince. She possesses a third eye that is constantly glaring at Carina. Eben and Farrukh are not required to find this kid—she finds the party quite promptly and proceeds to follow them around incessantly. Disturbingly, she does this even when Astraden Veils the party against detection.

"I'll just follow you guys. Fashion isn't really my thing," Cuetzpalli states unnecessarily. "Do you think you could help me pick out an outfit?" Cuetzpalli asks Eben.

"Yeah, same. Think we can get rentals somewhere?"

"Yes!" Eben says, looking Cuetzpalli up and down. "Eggplant and cream. And ruffles. Lots of ruffles." Turning and pointing at Astraden, he follws through with "Grey and gold. And maybe a bouffant hairdo? We'll see what we can get done. I've heard the stylist at the playhouse is open to taking on side clients. And I was planning on taking in a show there anyway, so, two birds, one stone..."

"I was thinking green and tan for me. Those colors look pretty good on me."

"Alright, so tomorrow, I'll go to the playhouse and get tickets for the show, and see if I can set up an appointment with their hair stylist. At least for the three women, though I wouldn't mind a professional makeover myself. Anyone else want in? I'm not sure how much room she'll have on her calendar. Then after that we can split up and go clothes shopping wherever we need to go... might be a rush order if there's only three days til the ball. Oh, and I kind of wanted to check out that St. Cuthbert burned down temple, anyone interested in that?"

"Oh, definitely."

Tanith wasn't opposed to a good preening but the specifics in this case are way over his head, especially in a place so passively hostile as Alhaster.

"I'm with Cuetzpalli and Astraden. I'll just follow your lead Eben."

"Yes!" Eben says, looking Cuetzpalli up and down. "Eggplant and cream. And ruffles. Lots of ruffles." Turning and pointing at Astraden, he follws through with "Grey and gold. And maybe a bouffant hairdo? We'll see what we can get done. I've heard the stylist at the playhouse is open to taking on side clients. And I was planning on taking in a show there anyway, so, two birds, one stone..."

Cuetzpalli gulps. "R...ruffles?" He seems more scared of that word than any of the beasts the group has faced.

"Why don't we go get clothes first? I've seen some of those nobles' hairstyles before and none of them really look good. Give me a bucket of clean water, a bar of soap, and a comb, and I'm set." Astraden smooths her slightly greasy hair back as if to demonstrate.

"I'd also like to check out the Cuthbertine temple."

"...as long as I don't have a really poofy hairdo that'll catch on fire, I'll be happy."

"I draw the line at hair, mostly. Find a way to make it look neat and I'm fine."

"I was actually looking to buy some new clothes anyway. I got my last tailored set right before we really got started in the Free City...with all the stuff I've gotten on them, they're not really worth wearing any more. Again. If I didn't have these illusory sleeves people'd probably run at the sight of me." he looks enviously for a moment next time Eben cleans a spot of dust off with Prestidigitation.

"Came across this little shop while I was looking for cheap tailors though, Patchwork it's called. Little family run affair, they apparently do great work. As long as you don't mind being bothered by munchkins..." he trails off and looks pointedly at Sammi.

"...MORE munchkins the whole time, it should be the best place."

"Well, any hair appointments would be for the day of the party, I just want to get them booked as soon as we can. And, no, Astraden, we want more of a statement than 'I washed my hair for this shindig'. Maybe you'd prefer a hat?" He looks over at Carina. "Oh, but actually... your head on fire gives me an idea. Maybe they could do something and sweep your hair up, and see if we can find something like a tiara with a flaming illusion in Iomandi's, and you'd be the belle of the ball as the personification of fire and water!" He doesn't quite wrinkle his nose at Farrukh's mention of some rinky-dink little family shop, but, having been swept up in full blown fashion extravagana mode, he doesn't exactly drool over the notion of it. "Well, I mean, we can check that out. I don't know, I mean, it sounds quaint, but the kind of nobles that attend balls like this can smell if you're not dressed by the trendiest costumers, which to me sounds like the Scarlet Spire or that ladieswear shop." To Cuetzpalli, all he says is, 'Yes, ruffles. Lots and lots. On your cuffs, on your collar, lining the edges of your jacket, maybe poking out from your tails... all that lace will reduce your 'I'm a formerly dead big scary guy with a giant sword and a divine mandate to go crazy and smash things with steel and magic' vibe." He smiles, pleased with himself and clearly viewing the ball as his opportunity to plot out a battle strategy.

Farrukh shrugs.

"From what I hear, she's pretty well regarded by those in the know. Almost nobody knows about the place, and they're supposed to be talented. Doesn't uniqueness of design count for anything?"

"If everybody's wearing the latest design of Madame Needletoes or whatever, maybe a Marissa Crumm original will stand out more?"

"I dunno. I'm kinda new to these things. Just the fact that it's a fraction of the cost is what sold me, honestly. I like throwing away money and all, but no need to get cheated."

Cuetzpalli blanches. In fact, if he wasn't still breathing, the others might think him a corpse once more. The things I do for this world...

"I guess you know best..." he says glumly.

Sorry, my computer has been crashing all day. Windows Movie Maker isn't a very good program, it turns out.

Is there anything else you want to do today, or should we move to the shopping trips tomorrow? It sounds like the plan is:

1. Hairstyling. Sounds like Eben is leaning towards Miomay's Playhouse. Who will be seeking appointments here, or somewhere else?

2. Visits to tailors. Who wants to go where? It should be noted that Astraden, at least, is almost broke—cost is a real object for her, unless someone pays for her finery.

3. Visiting the old temple.

4. Shopping for accessories.

If I could get a nice little list of where people want to go, I can set up the roleplaying encounters now. Also, just so everyone's aware, Gark is currently camping and will be back late tomorrow. So don't count on Astraden's input here.

I'm down to a couple thousand, and I don't know how much all this costs, but if doing so is an option Eben will happily foot the bill for Astraden (and the presumably equally nearly broke Zalamandra.) What are we looking at, moneywise? I assume this is pricier than the standard 80 gp for a courtier's outfit & appropriate amount of jewelry, but how much?

Eben's plans are: 1. playhouse (to buy theater tickets for everyone, plus try and arrange hairstyling for anyone that's willing.) 2. clothes shopping, doing some comparison on what Patchwork has to offer vs. the Scarlet Spire. 3. Meet up with everyone, grab lunch, then 4. delve into the ruins of a burned-down Cuthbertine temple to investigate what was almost certainly a case of arson and mass murder, and 4. back to the deluxury to take a bath and get all the soot of burned-up Cuthbertheads off of me. Maybe slip in a trip to Iomandi's Wonders to accessorize along the way. and 5. an evening at the theater.

Each attendant (it's not actually seen as tacky to have multiple) cost by the hour, and the total cost you're likely to pay for them is up to 100 gp each (with varying rates, of course—Sammi is free, can you believe it?).

Preparation costs anywhere from 50 gp to 300 gp.

Accessories and tailoring can each around 100 gp to 800 gp, except for the Patchwork and Bottles and Bits, which are both considerably cheaper.

I will go with Eben to Patchwork and the Scarlet Spire to get some clothes made. I should have plenty of money to cover the costs.

"Bleh. A hat, then. Preferably something that can fit over my phylactery, cause I don't want to lose any alertness while we're talking with so many nobles." Astraden listens with a glaze over her eyes as Eben continues speaking. She tunes back in at the end and pats Cuetzpalli's cheek. "I think you'll look good in whatever couture sorcery Eben dreams up."

Those costs would be doable if Zalamandra had thought to bring a little more cash. Dammit, Zalamandra! Astraden has about 225 gp in liquidatable funds, and Zalamandra has 50.

I'll basically follow Eben around until the evening, where rather than Iommi's I will go to the Haberdashery and then Bobs and Bits instead.

Tanith has plenty of cash on hand. He cover anyone that's currently broke.

Finally, the site's working! Sorry, a ton of work suddenly came on my plate over the last few days. To make a long story short, I have to help edit someone's novel for about 25% of what I would get paid for equivalent time flipping burgers. So I need "a few days" (now just one day) to get my schedule in order. A post will be put up tomorrow, either noon or evening!

"I might look 'good'...whatever that means, but I certainly won't look scary. I like looking scary. Usually, it's all I have going for me." Cuetzpalli mopes.

The party heads to Miomay's Playhouse, just next door to Astraden's inn. The playhouse is painted quite colorfully, but tastefully, and the cockamamies on the windows strike a neat balance between high-class sophistication and common salaciousness.

The playhouse is bustling when the party arrives, preparing for next night's show, but Ril Shimeise is happy to make some appointments. She is a beaming gnome woman with intricately-maintained cornrows that seem to subtly shift between the primary colors whenever no one's looking. She looks between the partymembers with an appraising eye. "Hm. Yes, you will need my help. Assuredly!" She gestures to Tanith, Farrukh and Cuetzpalli. "You three! Like, I know you mean to be all, 'Aargh!', but right now, being real, here, you 're more like, 'Uuugh!' Know what I'm 'luding? Nothing wrong with a little menace, and mess is In—it's very edge right now—but there's a right way and a wrong way to do it. I have plenty of faux-messy hairstyles that will look perfectly dashing.

"And you." She nods at Carina. "You have a lovely shape to your hair, but currently, it's...well, it's cute." She scratches her nose delicately with a threaded sewing needle. "But it's very cute. A night like this will require considerably more effort, Miss Adventurer—'cute' won't get you anywhere. I could see you as a faux-messy or as a more fairy kinda endeavor, but it 's your call. I think you'd be a real sight either way. You just don't want to look like a peasant girl. It won't spin well with the mercs or the bourgeois.

"And you two." Her gaze at last falls on Astraden and Eben. "You two are in desperate need of my help. I can nearly see my reflection in your hair, Miss Adventurer! You wanna be free, be f$$@ing free, but be fierce about it now and then. If you don't show effort, they'll eat you alive in there. 'sides, a real reveler should allow a bit more spirit into their looks now and again. I think some subtle little prosthetics would look stupendous on you. And—great mask's laughter, Mister Adventurer, how long have you been subjecting your hair to cantrips?

"So, who wants an appointment?" She sticks the needle into her mouth and starts chewing it. "I normally charge a hundred gold orbs for my services, but you all have mad potential, so the price gets split. Plus, it's always good for the Playhouse's reputation." She winks.

50 gp for an appointment. Who is in?