"Incidentally," Zsz comments when the Pathfinder business is completed, "Has anyone else recently been followed and observed, or just me?"
"Um, maybe, but not out on the streets."
k.planar:
"I've got a shae watching my apartment nightly," Cassian says. "Was planning to go kill her at some point.""Could be the same, or could be different. Is she always there, or does she take time off when she could have been following me?"
Azhar listens to the conversation with apparent interest. Obviously a shae is a "she" at the very least.
"Incidentally," Zsz comments when the Pathfinder business is completed, "Has anyone else recently been followed and observed, or just me?"
"I don't think so," Gravlax says. "Or at least no more so than is typical given my day job at the Courts."
"Incidentally," Zsz comments when the Pathfinder business is completed, "Has anyone else recently been followed and observed, or just me?"
"Um, maybe, but not out on the streets."
"Oh?"
"Could be the same, or could be different. Is she always there, or does she take time off when she could have been following me?"
"I could ask, or I could just kill her and see if she stops following you."
"I could ask, or I could just kill her and see if she stops following you."
"Whoever it is has already stopped following me, at least for the moment. So asking would probably reveal more. I brought it up here because someone stalking me would be a different matter from someone stalking this group in terms of its implications."
"Need a hand, or would you rather work it alone?"
"Oh?"
"Delvehaven."
"I could ask, or I could just kill her and see if she stops following you."
"Any idea why she's keeping tabs on your place? or more to the point, who she might be doing it for?"
"Need a hand, or would you rather work it alone?"
"Hmm. What she said." Azhar continues.
"Whoever it is has already stopped following me, at least for the moment. So asking would probably reveal more. I brought it up here because someone stalking me would be a different matter from someone stalking this group in terms of its implications."
"Need a hand, or would you rather work it alone?"
"I usually work best with one other person to distract the enemy."
"Any idea why she's keeping tabs on your place? or more to the point, who she might be doing it for?"
"Not a clue."
"I usually work best with one other person to distract the enemy."
Azhar shrugs, in a fine by me kind of way.
"Any idea why she's keeping tabs on your place? or more to the point, who she might be doing it for?"
"Not a clue."
Azhar separates himself from the wall, with something not quite a smile. "Your show. I'm sure you can find me if you decide you could use assistance." he nods, to Cassian, smiles at Zsz, and takes his leave.
The lower part of her arm exposed to Gravlax, Mathalen's other hand moves over to grip the other part, the flash of pain in the tensed muscles of her face but not in her eyes. "There was a plague of ghouls when I was little..." Her black eyes flat, depth-less, "Further." Her voice definite on this point.
A tad of a glare, "It's a new problem. I have a great deal of aggression to expend, but I don't want to break you."
"At least not permanently."
She helps the wobbly dance until he gets close to the bed, then her foot catches behind his, tumbling them both, together onto the bed. Still with him her head settles on his shoulder, "Telekinesis is over-rated anyway."
"I thank you for that..." A wan smile, "Never thought I'd be waging this revolution from hiding." Flat disgust with himself clear in the wry voice.
Then both of the sellswords move up, blocking The Raven's easy entrance into the room. () They swing at the intruder, but their timing is off, the first's blade slamming the second's away from The Raven.
████████████
█○○▓▓○○○○○○█
█S○○○○○○○○▓█
G○○○○○○○○○▓█
█S○○○○○○L○○█
█▓○○○○○○○○○█
█▓○○○○○○○○○║
█○○○○○○○○○○█
████████████
▓ = cot/desk/bookshelf
G = Gravlax
S = guardsmen
L = Lefty Deodato
Molly Missy does not look fully convinced by this explanation but Draggy and Fluff Gugg nod. Missy glares at them, "But then we don't get all the musicians."
A half-smile, "Just trying to reconcile the first hand knowledge I have of what kind of person you are with the irrational feeling that Azhar will go for the more exotic of us."
"Poor family?" Fiosa asks, her voice absolutely serious.
Tarvi grins, seemingly willing to wait until the white-haired woman finds her footing.
The tight spiral staircase that boys used opens into the hallway through a hidden door. The next door is the obvious one that leads into the gentleman's room. Shortly down the hallway from that room is a well disguised door, locked. Cassian listens at the door and when relatively certain no one is inside he can pick the lock with only a little bit of extra time.
The beyond is a neat and ordered. An immaculately made bed, a closed and locked rolltop desk (on which Cassian spots a few minor 'traps' purely for the purpose of seeing if someone opens the desk). Inside the small room are two more disguised doors, one which most likely leads to the gentleman's parlor and leads to a room closer to the exterior wall. Both of these doors are locked. Listening at the second of the doors, Cassian hears movement, quiet, barely loud enough for him to pick up.
The next door in the hallway is sliding panel that requires tinkering with a press mechanism, child's play for Cassian and reveals a substantial armory behind it. Mostly mundane weapons although there is a small selection of weapons and armor of superior work. Cassian spots the outline of trapdoor in the floor. There is a door in the room that most likely leads to the next room of the set.
That room does have a standard door to the hallway, also locked. Cassian hears snores coming from behind the door.
Behind the final normal door Cassian hears pacing.
The final door, hidden, is also locked. Cassian can also feel energy pulsing around it, definitely trapped.
Thekla follows along during his search, movements quiet, leaving the searching to him while she stays focused on the other doors. "Main bedroom is probably off the room with the booze. And the door with the f$*+ ton of magic is probably has money or magic behind it..." A pause, "Or if he is a twisted f!*~, a prison."
Tarvi nods, loading a crossbow. "Just in case."
Then she starts to move the flash-bangs into place, mostly on the far side of the ship from the rope that Cassian plans to use to access the vessel but a few closer to the guards to really catch their attention. Her stealthy actions proving she does pay attention to Cassian's lessons.
The explosions are perfect, causing a panicked mayhem on shipboard, Cassian slipping through the hull completely unnoticed. He finds himself in the crew's galley, most of the hammocks empty, but two with people cocooned within.
As the sound of explosions fade, Cassian hears a voice on the deck of the ship, strong and confident, bellowing out orders. "I don't give a rat's ass what kind of attack it was, obviously one of the many groups of scum is after something on our ship."
"You, you and you. Go see if you can find any of the damn vermin on shore. You two, below, wake the others. I don't care if he can't hear me, you can drag him downstairs to follow my orders."
She looks almost confused, "No screaming?"
"At "
"If your slaves are worth more to you than your life, then this is your choice," The Raven says.
The Raven attempts to tumble past the guards, unsuccessfully.
"Can you eat one of his eyes?" The Raven asks Livia. "And will you want salt with that?"
To the guards, "If you fight me, you will die. I cannot prevent that. If you disengage, you may live."
Molly Missy does not look fully convinced by this explanation but Draggy and Fluff Gugg nod. Missy glares at them, "But then we don't get all the musicians."
"An orchestra of musicians is actually a royal pain the first few times you sing a song, not a benefit," Zsz says. "They won't stop and go back when you're trying to remember the words, they whine about switching keys if it gets too high, and they want everyone to count right. I always thought it was much more fun to sing with a group of friends at that point, really, maybe one or two with a guitar or pipes if they're laid back about it."
A half-smile, "Just trying to reconcile the first hand knowledge I have of what kind of person you are with the irrational feeling that Azhar will go for the more exotic of us."
A broad, friendly smile back. "Above and beyond the fact that I'm not interested in Azhar, I honestly don't think he sees you as a buffet item on the international girl menu. He's flirty, yes, but I suspect he's not mean-spirited enough to betray you that way."
"And honestly," she adds, "If it turns out he is and for some bizarre reason you still want him anyway, point out to him that Tian Xia is about a million miles away and you should really win an exoticism contest against any contestant from the prime material plane."
"Poor family?" Fiosa asks, her voice absolutely serious.
Zsz shakes her head. "Tradition. Keeping your anatomy in place with as few improbably thin strips of material as possible is a status symbol where I come from."
"It's a dangerous game. I'm daringly overdressed, honestly," Zsz says, indicating the short dress woven of her own hair, which, except for a single anklet, is all she wears. "And as you know, I still had a problematic moment with it. I had a half-sister whose assets accidentally popped out during dinner and her family standing plummeted like a rock dropped into the Pit of Eternity. Nothing wrong with a bit of intentional flashing, but an accidental wardrobe malfunction is a different thing altogether. Poor girl should have used more glue. Glad things are different here or I'd never be able to live down my own bit of mid-combat nudity."
Tarvi grins, seemingly willing to wait until the white-haired woman finds her footing.
It takes a few moments before Zsz does so. She finally settles on saying, "Thank you," softly.
She puts the headband on. "So ... how do I look?"
Azhar separates himself from the wall, with something not quite a smile. "Your show. I'm sure you can find me if you decide you could use assistance." he nods, to Cassian, smiles at Zsz, and takes his leave.
Zsz waves a farewell to Azhar.
"I'd be up for it, too, if you like," she says to Cassian. "But as Azhar indicated, your stalker, your call."
Zsz waves a farewell to Azhar.
"I'd be up for it, too, if you like," she says to Cassian. "But as Azhar indicated, your stalker, your call."
"Actually, you're perfect. Your hair can web the thing up, and we might not have to resort to my 'stab everything until it stops moving' strategy."
"Actually, you're perfect. Your hair can web the thing up, and we might not have to resort to my 'stab everything until it stops moving' strategy."
"Makes sense. Just let me know when."
"Makes sense. Just let me know when."
"Give it a week. I'd like my belt back so as to be at peak... whatever it is I am. In the meantime I can pay more attention to her comings and goings and see if I can't have an actual answer to your earlier question."
Inside the small room are two more disguised doors, one which most likely leads to the gentleman's parlor and leads to a room closer to the exterior wall. Both of these doors are locked. Listening at the second of the doors, Cassian hears movement, quiet, barely loud enough for him to pick up.
Cassian points at the second door and mimes someone walking. Then, he picks the first door just to check what's behind it.
Cassian spots the outline of trapdoor in the floor. There is a door in the room that most likely leads to the next room of the set.
Cassian will have a peek behind these.
That room does have a standard door to the hallway, also locked. Cassian hears snores coming from behind the door.
This is a good one. Cassian will have a look.
Behind the final normal door Cassian hears pacing.
Cassian will avoid this one for now.
The final door, hidden, is also locked. Cassian can also feel energy pulsing around it, definitely trapped.
Thekla follows along during his search, movements quiet, leaving the searching to him while she stays focused on the other doors. "Main bedroom is probably off the room with the booze. And the door with the f!!@ ton of magic is probably has money or magic behind it..." A pause, "Or if he is a twisted f@+&, a prison."
"I do believe this means we have to check," Cassian says with a wicked smile.
Cassian keeps moving down, looking for the monkeys.
"Your mouth will be quite full," Cassian explains.
He places his hand on a bite mark, lightly. "All right," he says.
He stands and pulls his dueling sword slightly from its sheath. He runs his hand along the sharp edge to draw blood from the palm.
He balls that hand into a fist, and places the other one on his chest. "By the blood on my hand and the blood in my heart, I swear this to be true. You will not consume me."
He swings his arm in a grand circle, scattering the blood in an arc. Waits for a response.
He nods. "I'm willing to spring for magic healing when this is over. I want you to get that anger out where it won't fester. Don't hold yourself back."
He turns his back and looks out over the city. "Or if that's a bad idea, I'm sure we can think of something other."
He cocks his head for a moment, as if listening to the city.
He squirms underneath her until her head hits the perfect spot on his shoulder. Then he reaches out and pulls a blanket over and onto them.
"A special farewell to the old place," he says quietly. "From the new place."
"Now now," Gravlax says. "No self pity. Mistakes are what make us human ... er ... sentient. And the revolution's gotten along better than I expected it would when Janiven first approached me."
Gravlax grins. "Even Cassian has exceeded my expectations -- in a positive fashion. Don't ever tell him that, though."
In addition to some purchasing some antitoxins, Gravlax visits an armorer to see if he can "trade up" Dawnhunter for +1 Light Fortification mithral full plate.
In black.
"No. And yes." Her smile growing just a tad, "I look forward to going to the brainless play... It does have good songs and Ms. Nymmis is a superb ingenue."
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○
○○○○○○○▓▓▓▓▓○○○○○○○○○○○○○○
○○○○○○▓▓▓○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○
○○○○○○○○▓▓▓○○○○○○○○○○○▓▓▓▓
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○C○○▓▓▓○○
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○▓▓▓○
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○G○○○○○○○○○○○
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○
○○○▓▓▓▓▓○○○A○○○○○○○○○○○○○○
▓▓▓○○○▓▓▓○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○
○○▓▓▓○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○
▓ = brush or debris (difficult terrain)
G = gargoyle
C = cat
A = Azhar
Azhar manages to slam his lucerne hammer into the stony creature, its thick hide deflecting a great deal of the force. However it does draw the beast's attention from the cat. As soon as the gargoyle looks away the cat jumps away, pausing only when it senses Azhar's vibrations. However in the crush of combat it is not quite enough to keep the injured animal near her attacker.
The gargoyle charges the new combatant, a red gleam in the evil eyes.
The watery reflection reaches forward as Azhar does, but the eyes scream move around panicked. A garble of watery syllables which mean nothing to the ranger.
"Sorry, big guy," Tarvi says, "I don't think you have the right skills and I totally plan on monopolizing this lovely woman's time." She develops a sharp edge to her gaze, "And from what I've heard, all women are sapphics with the application of alchol, so you probably should worry."
There is a pause, then Tarvi shakes her head, "I can see why Cassian gave you that advice. Although you were quite good to preface that with your explicit intention towards my friend... just a tad to blunt for my illustrious brother's taste."
Inside the small room are two more disguised doors, one which most likely leads to the gentleman's parlor and leads to a room closer to the exterior wall. Both of these doors are locked. Listening at the second of the doors, Cassian hears movement, quiet, barely loud enough for him to pick up.Cassian points at the second door and mimes someone walking. Then, he picks the first door just to check what's behind it.
As Cassian inferred behind the first door in the small room, he finds the gentleman's room where the runners delivered booze.
Cassian spots the outline of trapdoor in the floor. There is a door in the room that most likely leads to the next room of the set.Cassian will have a peek behind these.
Behind the door in the armory, Cassian hears snoring, further proof that it opens into . The trapdoor leads to a hallway on the lower floor, easy access to windows and a more obvious stairway down.
That room does have a standard door to the hallway, also locked. Cassian hears snores coming from behind the door.This is a good one. Cassian will have a look.
Either from the door in the armory or the one in the hall, Cassian is able to quietly open a entrance. Inside he sees a small six-person barracks. Two of the beds have occupants, one snoring and the other with a pillow pulled over his head.
"I do believe this means we have to check," Cassian says with a wicked smile.
"I'm going to be an optimist and hope for a treasury." Thekla's tone knowing this is probably a long shot.
Cassian takes a bit of time to examine the little runes he sees carved around the door, a few places on the floor and determines that touching the door without a proper password will cause a great deal of fire to flash fry anyone in the hallway. Disabling the trap would be child's play for Cassian, but if anyone checked on it they would know that it was removed. Cassian thinks he can bypass it but it is not as sure of a deal.
Cassian hears steps running down the gangplank and others moving towards the top of the stairs but he sees a secured ladder and heads down before they get to his level to wake the sleepers.
The next level down is cramped. Apparently the captain has already been hard at work restocking his vessel with food and other needed supplies. It is pitch black in the hold, but Tarvi's spell proves effective as Cassian is able to slip through the black and white world, the lack of shadow depth the only thing that would throw off the rogue. Above he hears movement, searching. Against an interior wall, Cassian finally finds the trap door down, just as people start to move into the hold with lanterns.
Using all his substantially skill in stealth Cassian slips open the trapdoor, a rope ladder leading down. The rank smell of animals ill-cared for and cramped rolls up to greet him. The lanterns are about halfway down the ladder leading to this level. Sliding onto the rope ladder is no problem, replacing the trapdoor is harder, requiring all of Cassian's strength as he balances on the unstable rope ladder, but he manages to do so.
Looking down, cages. Reeking, dirty cages. As Cassian heads down the rope a nearby elephant stretches out a trunk to the nimble rogue, clearly hoping for something. Cassian can make out the ribs on jungle cats as he makes his way past to where he hears the monkeys.
"Ah..." Calseinica manages to pull on the experienced tones, but her cheeks darken with a fierce blush. Decidedly looking at Cassian's shoulder as she speaks, very quiet, but clear, "That would definitely preclude over-using my vocal chords." Her blush growing just a bit deeper at the thought that follows on the heels of that.
Listening at the second of the doors, Cassian hears movement, quiet, barely loud enough for him to pick up.
Cassian listens, waiting for the footsteps to either stop, or get closer. If the first happens, he'll very carefully pick the door and peek in. If the second happens, he'll retreat behind Door #1 to hide until the danger passes.
Diable Device DC 30 to disable, DC 40 to bypass. If Cassian goes for the bypass, but does not beat the 40 but still beats the 30 he will disable the trap without setting it off.
Cassian will attempt to bypass the trap.
As he passes the elephant, Cassian will hand a bit of food to the trunk.
Once he gets to the monkeys, he whispers to Rygel, "Well, here we are. Your show, buddy."
Rygel hops off Cassian's shoulder and holds his little arms out and chirps. He follows this up with a couple chitters, a handful of grunts, and finally a screech. Then he turns to Cassian and nods. [smaller]"Okay. If any of them bite me, I'm holding you responsible."
Cassian begins unlocking cages. He tries to keep the monkeys more or less quiet, but knows that's probably a fools errand. Getting out of the hold is accomplished with the rope of climbing, and he will lead the exodus through the ship to the lines mooring the ship to the docks. From there, it's every monkey for himself, though Cassian will happily knock any guards in the way unconscious with well-placed shadowstrikes.
Cassian nods. "I'm a problem solver, Cali."
As their guard drags himself away from the Raven, struggling with the bedsheet, the guards move up to defend the merchant, just a hint of disgust at their employer on their faces. However, their heart are just not in it as their bastard swords go wide.
████████████
█○○▓▓○○○○○○█
█○○○○○○○○○▓█
○○○○○○○S○D▓█
█○○○○○○R○○○█
█▓○○○○S○○L○█
█▓○○○○○○○○○║
█○○○○○○○○○○█
████████████
▓ = cot/desk/bookshelf
R = The Raven
S = guardsmen
L = Lefty Deodato (prone)
D = Doctor
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"No. And yes." Her smile growing just a tad, "I look forward to going to the brainless play... It does have good songs and Ms. Nymmis is a superb ingenue."
It would be difficult for Azhar to be much more happy at this moment though he seems to be trying not to show it...and failing..badly. "Umm. I assume this is supposed to be kinda fancy again right? But maybe not quite so much as last time?" he asks while sneaking a hand into a pouch behind him
sleight of hand:"By the way, if you don't mind my asking, when is your birthday?"
Azhar glances at the wounded cat. He isn't asking her to help him fight, he just wants her not to run away so he can make sure she isn't seriously hurt afterwards. ...and of course, he wants to make sure the gargoyle doesn't get away.
Wild Empathy:
"Hi Ugly, miss me? Been lookin' for you."
Azhar drops the hammer, drawing his jovar and takes another swipe at his red eyed opponent.
to hit: power attack
damage:
critical confirmation: power attack
possible additional damage:
The watery reflection reaches forward as Azhar does, but the eyes scream move around panicked. A garble of watery syllables which mean nothing to the ranger.
"I'm sorry," Azhar says, "I don't know what you're saying or why you seem to be so frightened. I'll try to find someone who might be able to understand you better."
assuming the water doesn't suddenly decide to pull him in, he departs to find the dolls first before looking for Zsz or Arael.
"Sorry, big guy," Tarvi says, "I don't think you have the right skills and I totally plan on monopolizing this lovely woman's time." She develops a sharp edge to her gaze, "And from what I've heard, all women are sapphics with the application of alchol, so you probably should worry."
Azhar smiles an easy smile with just a hint of confusion. His head cocks just slightly "I'm sure I would have no idea, but why would I worry?" he turns to Amaya, taking her hands unless she withdraws and giving her a quick, fairly chaste kiss. "Have fun. Let me know if you still have any spare time after you get things worked out." His eyes give her a last longing look. Unless they give him some reason to stay, he withdraws and returns to his work.
There is a pause, then Tarvi shakes her head, "I can see why Cassian gave you that advice. Although you were quite good to preface that with your explicit intention towards my friend... just a tad to blunt for my illustrious brother's taste."
"Undoubtedly. And the other questions?"
Molly Missy's eyes spark with excitement, "So you'll get a guitar for us after?" A slight knocking sound of something moving around as she vigorously nods. "Ooo... And invite over your friends and we can put on a concert." She turns to the other dolls, "And I'll be the prince, and Fluff can be the horse and Draggy the damsel and... and..."
"So be it," The Raven says. He attacks the guard that is between himself and Lefty.
The dueling sword sings as it slices through the air.
"There is still time to save your life," he says, unclear as to whether he is talking to the guards or Lefty.
Those who are not normally awake during the darkest part of the night are woken by a tremor that passes through the body of the city. For long moments after the earth moves there is nothing, a stillness.
Then to the south a massive explosion, rattling every window in Westcrown. Those who look to the south see a plume of fire rise into the sky. Even in a city where terror stalks the night streets, people pour out of buildings into streets and roofs, all looking south.
People who head outside themselves, see a ball of fire and smoke rising from Mayor Arvanxi's sprawling manor into a mushroom-shaped cloud.
There are no subsequent explosions and the smoke and ash from the first starts to settle. As the sky clears of smoke and ash, though, five pillars of fire, like stationary tornadoes of flame, spiral up hundreds of feet into the sky, lighting Rego Sacero with an infernal radiance.
People who head outside themselves, see a ball of fire and smoke rising from Mayor Arvanxi's sprawling manor into a mushroom-shaped cloud. ** spoiler omitted **
There are no subsequent explosions and the smoke and ash from the first starts to settle. As the sky clears of smoke and ash, though, five pillars of fire, like stationary tornadoes of flame, spiral up hundreds of feet into the sky, lighting Rego Sacero with an infernal radiance.
"Well you don't see that everynight."
As Azhar now spends his nights much closer to the Glassworks than previously, he stops by to see if Amaya has happened to venture outside as well before proceeding towards the pillars of fire.He is trying to find/get Amaya's attention without getting the attention of her parents.He approaches first from the direction if ths corner he normally meets her at.
stealth:
perception:
Startled awake, Zsz grabs the wand out of her hair and is casting before her feet hit the floor. "Armaturam. Život. Vizyon. Volans."
Making her way to the window, she stares as the fire. Her eyes narrow.
Her dress begins re-knitting itself around her as she takes to the night skies and flies towards the scene.
Cassian, already out in the night, makes his way toward the explosion.
Stealth
A spot of inky blackness moves against the inky blackness of the Westcrown night.
It is , and he heads toward the towering fire spirals with purpose.
As people make their individual ways to the southern end of Westcrown, some more stealthily than others, the streets are crowded. Those headed south need to go around the vast majority of humanity heading north. Already rumors and gossip, all tinged with fear and superstition, have started to flow and grow.
When you arrive at the explosion's source, the mayor's manor is in ruins, a twenty-foot deep crater ninety-feet across in the center of the ruins. Surrounding the crater equidistantly are the five pillars of fire, each 15-feet in diameter and extending out of smoking holes in the earth 500-ft into the sky.
Oddly, despite the presence of the fiery pillars, the air is as cool as one would expect of a late spring Wiscrani night.
Azhar is able to sneak around the small group and get Amaya's attention. She waves softly.
If anyone can find out the cause of the plague of problems the Mhartis family was having, and put an end to it, the family would owe those people their gratitude.
Also they would give a great deal of gold and one of the family's heirloom weapons.
In the chaos of the night before following the explosion, the favored daughter of the Tilernos family has gone missing. The family is offering a 5,000 gold reward for Sascar Tilernos's safe return.
A) Perception: take 10
B) Perception: take 10
C) diplomacy dc15/20/25:
D) k.nobility dc10/15/20:
D) k.local dc15/20/beyond:
E) take 10
F) yes
skill sage:
D) k.nobility dc10/15/20:
D) k.local dc15/20/beyond:
Zsz lands near the scene of the explosion and, once she is no longer airborn, stops bothering to try to conceal herself. Instead, she starts investigating the site.
Zsz lands near the scene of the explosion and, once she is no longer airborn, stops bothering to try to conceal herself. Instead, she starts investigating the site.
Additionally, the pillars of fire would appear to be composed partially of hellfire and while they are not increasing the temperature of the environment near them, Zsz suspects that they would incinerate any creature that touches them.
Azhar once he is clear of the crowds, strides in as well. Amaya follows not far behind with a large green eyed spotted cat close at her side. His eyes sweep the area following up on anything that might bare further investigation.
Molly Missy nods excitedly. "In the meeting hall. Singing in there was so fun until the bzzpt-zap moved in." Draggy's nod is not as enthusatic but there is a burp of positive flame. Fluff Gugg nods to Molly Missy then shrugs when the other doll's back is turned.
Her smile grows, more the smile that Zsz remembers from before Azhar introduced himself. "In some ways I know that..." A deep sigh, "He is just so much more..." Her pale skin darkens, "experienced."
"Than I am... and he." A shrug, "I think he would prefer I was faster than I am."
The halfling woman smiles, "I've never been one for tradition."
"Of course if I was, the accepted slavery of my kind would not bother me as much as it does." The pair arrives at a small boutique, Fiosa opening the door for her taller companion. As a bell dings above the door, a red-headed girl looks up from a frame in her hand which she immediately puts down.
"Welcome to Summer Leaves, can I help you find anything today?"
Tarvi smiles, "I like the modification, the darker metal complements your skin tone better."
One eyebrow lifts, "I do hope the more magical effect is as adequate as the artistic changes that were needed to create it."
A bit of her comes back into her eyes from the depths, she blinks, a small smile, "It is a start." Her forehead furrows, "We should bind that." Mathalen uncurls from her ball, "Feeding your blood to plants..."
Mathalen comes up behind Gravlax, her head coming to rest on his shoulder, her voice hard to hear in the light wind. "It isn't that kind of anger... I'm angry that you seem to put away your desire easier than I am."
"I fear that I want you more than you want me... and I don't like fearing anything."
"Wouldn't dream of it."
"And if there is anything I can do from this self-imposed prison, you will let me know, right?"
Trading in Dawnhunter will get you a discount towards the magical mithral full plate. With the special paint job, the full plate will cost another 10,200 gold.
Cassian listens, waiting for the footsteps to either stop, or get closer. If the first happens, he'll very carefully pick the door and peek in. If the second happens, he'll retreat behind Door #1 to hide until the danger passes.
It takes a long time, but the quiet movement does eventually stop. Cassian suspects, with the continued auditory survelliance, that the creature in the room is either Rygel's size or almost as stealthy as Cassian.
When Cassian picks the lock, he finds a large bedroom, clean, ordered and luxuratiously appointed. Curled up in a patch of light coming in from the window is a calico cat, sleeping. A quick survey of the room reveals hidden weapons and a number of small chests secreted about the room. There are two doors exiting from the room (other than the one that Cassian came through) one leading to a bathing room and the other to the gentleman's room.
Cassian will attempt to bypass the trap.
Cassian manages to bypass the trap, opening the door and leaving the trap intact. The room behind has a number of cages, manacles on the walls. On the floor there is are old stains, blood.
There are currently no occupants. A fact which causes a relieaved sigh from Thekla. "It isn't big enough to hold more than a few people... which doesn't make me feel that much better."
The trunk retreats immediately to pull the food into the large creature's mouth then returns as Cassian leaves its reach hoping for more.
The monkeys in the cages chrip and grunt as Rygel starts to communicate with them a few of them throwing... things... However, when Rygel turns to give Cassian the go ahead they are quiet and still. Well, quiet and still until Cassian frees them then they are in motion and while not intentionally loud, far from quiet.
As he leads the monkeys past the elephant's cage, the great beast makes a small, low sound, his trunk reaching for the nimble rogue again.
As Cassian reaches the top of the rope ladder, he hears the trapdoor moving, as if the sound from below made the crew suspicious. However, the men are not quiet, and Cassian is able to spring out as the door opens dropping the crew man with the well placed shadowstrike.
Across the hold he sees lights near the ladder he used earlier - blocking his path. There are two crewmen there that he would need to distract or disable to exit the ship.
She blushes and smiles, "It is good of you to sacrifice yourself for the sake of my voice like that." She leans forward to kiss Cassian, just a quick passing embrace. "I've found an apartment that I should be able to afford... assuming Ruddigore isn't a wretched flop. Would you like to come with me and see if the area is safe?"
"Lamashan 5th, right before Iomedae's ascension." She smiles, "When is yours, Azhar?"
Azhar's blow flows through the stony beast like a hot knife through butter. The creature, more than dead, falls to the ground. Looking around, the cat has taken her leave of the area.
As Azhar moves away from it, the watery creature loses his image and rejoins the water. On the first floor, Azhar finds the Mwangi doll and Mr Straw, looking a little bored without their other friends. The Mwangi doll does straighten as Azhar comes into view, his spear close at hand.
She shrugs, "Not really." A smiles, "Just don't hurt my friend too badly, please."
One of the attacks manages to get through the Raven's defenses. The heavy blade cutting through flesh, drawing blood.
The doctor snarls at the guards, casting then moving off the bed to place a hand on the Raven's leg. "He is mine and you will not hurt him." Suddenly the Raven's head almost slams into the ceiling, as he doubles in height.
████████████
█○○▓▓○○○○○○█
█○○○○○○○○○▓█
○○○○○○○S○D▓█
█○○○○○○RR○○█
█▓○○○○SRR○○█
█▓○○○○○○○○L║
█○○○○○○○○○○█
████████████
▓ = cot/desk/bookshelf
R = The Raven (The always said The Raven...)
S = guardsmen
L = Lefty Deodato (prone)
D = Doctor
"Lamashan 5th, right before Iomedae's ascension." She smiles, "When is yours, Azhar?"
The left corner of his mouth quirks in something approaching a grin, "the 16th of Arodus" almost as if he finds the date amusing.
His hand removes itself from the pouch, places the items in her hand. "I...made these for you. Well, kind of anyway. I made the glass, Tarvi did the rest...well the design group where I first met Zsz...I guess it was actually there idea, ...but I asked. I hope you like them."
Azhar's blow flows through the stony beast like a hot knife through butter. The creature, more than dead, falls to the ground. Looking around, the cat has taken her leave of the area.
Azhar lets out a breath through his nose and nods in satisfaction. He will look after the wounded cat soon enough, not believing it to be in imminent danger of bleeding to death he first looks for any possible sign of the gargoyle's lair/nest.
Perception: 29Tracking: 30
After a quick search of the area, he begins to follow the cats path.
As Azhar moves away from it, the watery creature loses his image and rejoins the water. On the first floor, Azhar finds the Mwangi doll and Mr Straw, looking a little bored without their other friends. The Mwangi doll does straighten as Azhar comes into view, his spear close at hand.
Azhar waves, "Hi Mr. Straw, Mwangi. Where're the others?" He approaches and sits down nearby.
"There's something upstairs that I'm unsure about. It formed an image of me out of water and seemed to be saying something, but I couldn't understand it. Do you guys know what it is or maybe how to communicate with it?"
She shrugs, "Not really." A smiles, "Just don't hurt my friend too badly, please."
"Wouldn't dream of it. Intentionally, anyway." he looks away for a second, then back. "Hey Tarvi, I know this might be a stretch, but would you happen to know when Arata, Yuuki and Ani's birthdays are?" a slight pause, "and yours too, while we're on the subject. Do your families celebrate birthdays?"
Zsz studies one of the pillars for a few moments, and then heads into the crater itself. She'll cast Detect Secret Doors and use it to help probe the ruins, although she does not expect it to reveal much. If that fails, she'll try another pass through the crater with Detect Magic aiding her investigations.
:
Molly Missy nods excitedly. "In the meeting hall. Singing in there was so fun until the bzzpt-zap moved in." Draggy's nod is not as enthusatic but there is a burp of positive flame. Fluff Gugg nods to Molly Missy then shrugs when the other doll's back is turned.
"All right. I shall see about the necessary arrangemets."
Her smile grows, more the smile that Zsz remembers from before Azhar introduced himself. "In some ways I know that..." A deep sigh, "He is just so much more..." Her pale skin darkens, "experienced."
"Hm. Azhar has many fine qualities, but I am not sure that I would put 'Master Lothario, Seducer of Millions' on the list. He's probably just as scared as you are, frankly, although perhaps of different things."
"Than I am... and he." A shrug, "I think he would prefer I was faster than I am."
Zsz looks sympathetic. "Has he been trying to rush you?"
The halfling woman smiles, "I've never been one for tradition."
"Of course if I was, the accepted slavery of my kind would not bother me as much as it does." The pair arrives at a small boutique, Fiosa opening the door for her taller companion. As a bell dings above the door, a red-headed girl looks up from a frame in her hand which she immediately puts down.
"Welcome to Summer Leaves, can I help you find anything today?"
"Most certainly! I'm looking for panties, ideally the kind that's suitable for wearing to a party or a pitched battle, that type of thing. And my friend here is looking for ...?" She shoots a questioning glance at Fiosa.
Tarvi smiles, "I like the modification, the darker metal complements your skin tone better."
One eyebrow lifts, "I do hope the more magical effect is as adequate as the artistic changes that were needed to create it."
"Well, it'll take twenty-four hours for the full effect, of course, but I do feel smarter already." She gazes at Tarvi through slightly lowered lashes. "Certainly smart enough to ask the same artist if she'd like to do the next upgrade when she can spare the time."
"Looks like this is it," Cassian says. "Shall we wait for our quarry?"
"Oh, well. Hoping for some financial rewards," he says. "Let's move."
Cassian pauses at the elephant cage, sighs, and unlocks the cage, opening up the door. "Good luck, big guy."
Cassian hoists himself up silently, tapping their toes with a couple of shadowstrikes, and hoisting himself into the hall. He'll dump the crewmen back through the porthole if he can and run.
"Of course," Cassian says, smiling. "Come on, let's stop flirting in the common room." He gets up, taking her hand, and leading her into his room. He picks up Khazrae gently. "Good night, Khaz," he says, placing her by the living room window.
He goes back into the bedroom and begins to undress. "I can do other security for you at cost, but it can get pretty expensive if you want anything other than locks. Also, make sure you contact me or Tarvi if any of your family comes to find you."
He leans in to give her a sweet kiss. "And if you need anything else, I'm here."
Zsz's climb down into the crater is aided greatly by her flight. The edges and bottom of the crater are unnaturally smooth, as if the rock melted and then cooled.
Zsz seems noticeably disturbed by something.
"... Bugger this for a lark," she mutters. "Also, you're ugly and Asmodeus dresses you funny."
She flies out of the pit and begins looking more closely at the remains of the buildings around the crater.
Zsz seems noticeably disturbed by something.
"... Bugger this for a lark," she mutters. "Also, you're ugly and Asmodeus dresses you funny."
She flies out of the pit and begins looking more closely at the remains of the buildings around the crater.
Azhar looks at Zsz, a befuddled look on his face as he hears her words. He shrugs, takes out a silk rope and ties one end around something nearby, tests the rope and his footing. He looks to Amaya and the cat. "Be right back." He begins to descend into the crater, to see if there's anything else he can turn up.
Azhar looks at Zsz, a befuddled look on his face as he hears her words. He shrugs, takes out a silk rope and ties one end around something nearby, tests the rope and his footing. He looks to Amaya and the cat. "Be right back." He begins to descend into the crater, to see if there's anything else he can turn up.
Zsz manages to notice Azhar entering the crater.