Calseinica smiles when "Alexia" introduces herself. Passing by Cassian, whispering to the rogue, "I don't know if she'll be that good of a emergency guard, she looks to be too much of a lady to get into a fistfight."
To Alexia, "Thank you for helping us." And to Mathalen, a slightly puzzled smile, "Good to see you again..." She briefly bites her lower lip, "Dressed that way, I don't think the hostess will let you in..." Her tone cautiously worried.
Mathalen shakes her head, "I'm with the emergency back-up outside." Trying, and mostly succeeding, at keeping her amusement at Cassian's response to herself.
Everyone meets, as planned, at the Skye Playhouse for a final check and so that no one is surprised at the disguises of the others.
Well, that and to ensure that Gravlax can pull off his cross-dressing plan.
Calseinica for her part, is dressed in a simple blue linen sundress. Simple yet utterly perfect for the actress songbird. Tarvi comfortable in light cotton pants and shirt, the simple clothes intentional plain, drawing attention to exquisitely made jewelry - earring, necklace, bracelets.
When they come, exactly one time, Mathalen is wearing black slacks and a black jacket, her masculine attire topped with a ... top hat.
Azhar:
Flexible Pudding Magic
She doesn't answer, at least not with words, but he feels her hands move up, hears the water dripping down her arms to splash in the heated water. The pulling against his head as she fights the wet knots in the fabric.
Then she she cautiously, curiously looking up at him. Her arms moving back down to cross in front of her chest - just in case.
Cassian:
After Walcourt
Tarvi grins up at Rygel, reaching into a pocket and offering the monkey a little dried banana.
She wrinkles her nose a little at the grotto, "We could make a grill at the entrance... could filter the water, purifying and heating it at the same time." Her eyes sparkle a bit at the project. "Very doable. Although I'd need to bring in someone who does divine magic for the purification. And it would be really hot where the water comes in and less so in the rest."
Looking around the room, "Yeah, meeting room. Just need someplace guarded and big for a workshop. There are a few guys in the crafting group who would love a job, but they are..." she tries to find a kinder description "... jumpy."
As the enormity of the Walcourt really starts to sink in, Tarvi shakes her head, grinning, "This place is amazing."
In addition to the doors and passageways that Cassian found when the group was exploring and cleaning out the Walcourt, he also realizes when he takes Tarvi on the grand tour that a back corner of the first and second floor have been walled off.
.
Oberigo
Cassian's words take Oberigo noticeably aback. His jaw drops open, about to let the words tumble out, then pauses. He studies Cassian's face for a bit then down at his hands.
After a long moment of thought, "Virgin Queen of Wiscrani? I can't say that is a description I've heard applied to her..." A pause, a smile, "Although I have had a chance to see her perform. It was during her performance as Ilsandra that her mother explained how well of a match she and my son would be."
Marzia's Siblings
The eldest girl, moves a bit forward, putting herself between Cassian and her siblings, the length of pipe no actually dropping until she clearly sees both Cassian and the two kids trailing him.
She blinks a few times, the length of the night where she stayed awake to guard her siblings evidenced in her too-skinny face. "Monkey man who was looking into where Zia went." She says with a sad little smile, tired tears breaking over her cheeks as she hugs Nicky and Mina. After a happy reunion of the children, she looks over at Cassian, swallowing a little. "Thank you." She doesn't look at the door that leads into their decrepit house, instead looking at the eastern sky, her shoulders going down only a little when not the faintest light shows there.
Xerysis Manor
The first step of Cassian's entrance into the Xerysis home is a hidden journey across the river to Westcrown Island. The number of armored personal guards seems to be far higher than Cassian's previous excursions to the aristocratic island.
Slipping over the wall is easy for the rogue, as is unlocking a side window and slipping inside the eerily quiet and empty house. Although he doesn't see anyone, Cassian has the sense that something is watching.
He hears movement on the upper floor, Cassian's sensitive ears picking up a single person pacing. Maybe speaking - although the walls and floors are too well built to let Cassian determine what, if anything, is being said.
Zsz:
One question (for now) of confusion - cistern system explains where the fresh water is coming from and is the standard for Wiscrani plumbing - but does the house also have a cesspool or septic tank to deal with the waste? That is actually why most of the buildings that have plumbing are connected to the sewer.
Gravlax:
pre-Moon's Light
Gravlax, if he were a betting man, would bet on the fact that Mathalen seems to be having a very hard time keeping from bursting out in laughter. However she inclines her head.
Penelope stands, very closely showing Gravlax - and Mathalen - each item of clothes before she, with Mathalen's aid, removes the clothing. Even though she continues to be just a prim as her first impression, she carries an artistry in the removal that is, clearly, intended to arouse interest.
After a long time, she finally stands naked. Her hands modestly posed to almost cover her naughty bits. She starts to point to the last article of clothing that was removed, before looking Gravlax directly in the eye. "Of course, if there was anything else that you wanted to watch, it would be far easier to do so before we start redressing."
Another stretch of burningly hot Wiscrani summer. Evenings, indoors with doors and windows closed, are unpleasant. Even with the dangers a few of the desperate open the windows to allow what tiny breeze there is in.
For the first time in over three decades, despite the disregard for their safety, no one disappears presumed victims of the shadowy things that stalk the Wiscrani night.
A) K:nobility DC 15 or K:local DC 25:
Suddenly, in the height of its planning, the Oberigo groom withdraws his offer of matrimony.
A) K:nobility DC 20 or K:local DC 30:
An action which is rumored to have sent the bride's mother into a rage. Servants of the main Nymmis household carry stories of the lady of the house's diatribe.
A) K:nobility DC 25 or K:local DC 35:
And the servants who managed to draw her attention at the wrong point in said diatribes also carry bruises. The primary villain to the distressed woman alternates between Eirtein Oberigo and her own, newly single, daughter.
B) Interest in Fashion / K:local DC 25:
A store who will be catering exclusively to the noble class of women in Westcrown opens on Aroden 1. Select invitations to the best clients have already been sent and are in demand by the most savage of fashionistas.
C) K:nobility DC 30 or K:local DC 40:
Done with far more discretion and far quieter than the failed Oberigo/Nymmis joining - Mauro Atenaar and Eliana Rosala marry.
D) K:nature DC 15 or K:local DC 35:
Despite the reduction (stop even) of disappears and deaths from shadow creatures, the homeless who seek sanctuary in Rego Cader are still disappearing.
Cassian:
Eratus 23
No contact or messages from Crosael.
T&A Productions wrote:
Azhar's almost superman belt (finished Erastus 29)
Gravlax's impenetrable fortress (5 days down)
Zsz's other stone product (?)
Cassian's slashy of doom
Azhar's armor (?)
Destroyed black robe of the archmagi - Will take 14 days for a net profit of 18,750 gp
Broken crystal ball - will take 8 days for a net profit of 10,500
Pudding Magic Flexable
And she seems to be perfectly willing to let him pamper her. Until long after her skin starts to prune at least.
Finally, she grabs one of his hands as he makes a pass down her arms. "Thank you." Her voice quiet and shaky, but utterly happy.
Cassian:
Hunting
Khaz nods, her feathers ruffling then settling. She finishes stripping off the armor, then starts to bind the body with the jet-black rope that Isa had loosened from her arm during the brief fight. She stands putting the sword and bow on the armor. She looks to see if Cassian wants anything more with the dead devil, otherwise she makes preparations to carry the body out of the city to burn. Somewhere where the flames won't draw so much attention.
After Walcourt
Tarvi loves the new place - only trying in passing to claim the gorgeous bedroom that Cassian already chose. Instead she considers the room that had been Stiglor across the entrance hall from Cassian's master - on the grounds it is one of the few rooms where she'll only have to be aware of one entrance.
Looking around the Council chamber (after Cassian bypasses the magic trap) she looks at Cassian, "Do you know what you're going to use this for yet?"
Oberigo
After the other two almost-dead men have been dropped off, Eirtein nods gratefully at Cassian. "If you stop by at your leisure, I'll make sure everyone knows I'm always at home for you." The old man serious despite the light wrappings that Amaya found for the prisoners.
And, indeed, he is there when Cassian comes calling. Knowing his debt, he opens with a heavy bag of platinum, just a small monetary appricieation as a place to start. "Can I order you something?" One of the grey-black eyebrows climbs up towards his bald pate. "Or just dive into what you wanted to talk about?"
Marzia's Siblings
Huddling outside the ramshackle house in a half-broken shed, the three youngest children asleep, Cassian (and the two kidnapped siblings) find the other children. The two eldest - the girl and boy who argued the first time Cassian met them - both notice the move in the shadows (not from Cassian obviously) their hands going for the heavy pipes they obviously had planned for their defense.
Gravlax:
Fiosa
Fiosa smiles as she stands, brushing off the vegetation that may or may not have settled on her clothes as she sat.
"Nope. The correct answer is to ensure that the truffles end up on the her counter without being seen. She'll know exactly who put them there, but won't be able to go on about how you shouldn't have to make herself feel better."
pre-Moon's Light
Penelope nods. "I do think that your request can be taken care of."
She pauses, carefully picking her next words. "If, of course, you'll get more out of the exercise by yourself or your companion doing the assisting, then that would worked. Otherwise, what type of assistant should I look for?"
Mathalen tries very hard to bite back on the laugh that almost bursts out on that.
Fiosa
She motions to the house, "We always get one afternoon off, or any evening. My employer doesn't move in high enough circles to indulge in the luxury of evening entertaining."
A smile, "So at your, or The Raven's, discretion." With a polite little nod of her head.
pre-Moon's Light "Of course." Penelope inclines her head, reaching to gently pull on a rope. She motions to a sitting area, perching lightly on the edge of a chair, her back impeccably straight.
After a little polite small talk, there is a quiet knock. Penelope rises letting in the small cart with the tea service. Once she serves herself, Gravlax and Mathalen, she smiles, the action not quite reaching her eyes, but almost. "So how can I help you today?"
For her part Mathalen kicks off her shoes and sits cross-legged in the fine chair, her posture comfortable, but perhaps a little more slouched than normal. She seems mostly neutral to Penelope, except for the tightness that she tries to hide when the other woman covertly studies Gravlax.
And I'll probably start the Moon's Light scene in the near future, if you don't mind having this scene and that scene run at the same time.
Cassian:
Hunting
Khaz's shoulders relax just a tad more, "I'd like to burn her body." She pauses looking up at Cassian, "I hate her but she was my sister. I wouldn't wish what happened to me happen to her, even if she was a part of it." She starts to yank the armor from the dead devil's body, anger tightening her features.
Under her breath, "Which just means that I'm too weak, soft."
After Walcourt
She almost trips over her own feet in her rush back to her room. The clothes are quick, easy, stuffed into the same bag that she used to move into Cassian's apartment. The pause as she considers the half-made contraptions, the raw materials. After a moment she just fills another bag with a hunk of cold iron and another of mithral, carefully cushioned by the blanket from her bed.
"Show me everything."
Azhar:
Pudding Magic Flex
She jumps just a little when Azhar first touches her. Amaya's skin prickling under his hands, a little sound of pleasure in her throat as her muscles both relax and tighten under under his ministrations.
post Pudding Hunt and brought to you courtesy of the magic of flex
As Amaya isn't keeping a close eye on Azhar, she completely misses him palming whatever he palmed. She watches him with mock suspiciousness when Azhar wraps the torn cloth over his eyes. Clearly thinking that he has something up his sleeve due to his overly wide grin.
However, she does move to the edge of the pool, so Azhar can reach her back without diving into the water, her arms crossed in front of her.
Cassian:
Hunting "Thanks, boss." Thekla still looks a little winded, but the wound is closed. She pulls out a small cloth and a metal canteen, carefully washing away the blood. "Last thing I need to explain is why I got my throat slit and she wasn't invited to watch my back."
Khaz kneels down, pulling the sword from Isa's dead grasp. As she does the blade lights with blue flames that shed no light. She pauses looking up at Cassian, "Before they may have been willing to let me resurrection be overlooked..."
"Now they'll have to hunt me down. Eventually. I broke order." A bit of the confused tension leaves the red-headed eryines with that piece fitting in. "Are you going to want to use her body as a warning?" The question with no judgement, just for clarification.
After Walcourt
Like the rush of wings, quietly in Cassian's head as she speeds away, "If its the only one with roof access then I'll have to bother you alot then."
Quote:
"How's my favorite sister?" he asks Tarvi.
Tarvi's smile lights up her face, sapphire eyes bright. The small hints of shadows that lurk in her demeanor absolutely missing. "The whispers were back tonight," she bites her lower lip, swallowing. "But just a little bit under an hour ago..." She smiles again, brilliantly bright, "they screamed and there was a... popping... and they were just gone."
Quote:
"Listen, Tadpole, when we got that harp thing, my original plan was to make you a house. But, well, I think I got us something better. I mean, if you still want to live with your brother."
With no warning, except to Cassian who can read people like a book, Tarvi leans forward and crushes her big brother with a hug. "Of course." Her smile is just a bit abashed, "Is there space for" she motions to her room, packed tight with pieces she is working on and supplies for anything else. Hunks of metal and clay.
With more excitement, "Or maybe even the space for a real workshop? That I could fit with more people? I have this idea for a" she takes two steps back, motioning about two feet above her head. "With wings and claws."
Hunting
Thekla touches the wound in her neck, wincing just a little at the slick red that she sees on her fingertips, "Closer than I like, but I'm still breathing and she isn't. So we should chalk it down as a success."
Khaz, who had gone back to staring at the dead body, looks over at Thekla with a tight nod before her eyes flash over to Cassian at his question. "I was planning on it. Pictured every way to pull her apart so that she would feel every moment of it." Khaz's head cocks to one side, "All of my training, my being, is saying that I should have." Her smile is bleak, memento of the insane creature she was when Cassian pulled her out of the Chelish Crux. "It was so easy to picture what to do, it was exactly what they did to me." The confusion swirls in her eyes as she looks at Cassian trying to understand, "At the last moment... I didn't want to be her."
After Walcourt
She looks up at the sky, "Yes. There is no freedom like it."
"Really?" And as soon as Cassian gives her directions she takes off, headed north to check out the place.
Upstairs, as soon as he opens the door, Tarvi jumps off of the table she was sitting on, with a huge smile.
Azhar:
post pudding
Amaya looks consideringly over her shoulder at him, her voice teasing, happy, "I don't know... Would you keep your eyes closed the whole time?"
The week is hot, the slight breeze off of the bay reeking of fish and drying seaweed. Entertainment turns decidedly to an indoor venue, the Wiscrani theaters seeing a spike in attendance, even at the less popular venues. More popular venues, such as the recently opened theater promoted by Calseinica Nymmis, are sold out.
Towards the end of the week, the heat is slightly alleviated by a strong wind. One that seems to carry conversations and whispers whenever someone listens.
Both of those whose life force was feed on by the vampire are repaired, Gravlax by Zsz's ministrations and Cassian by Asmodeus's.
Additional, as small sign of his appreciation for being recused for a slow and painful death by starvation in the dungeon of the Walcourt, Eirtein Oberigo ensures that the group is given two thousand platinum.
K:nobility DC 15 or K:local DC 25:
Preparations for the wedding of Marzio Oberigo and Calseinica Nymmis are starting in high fashion. The matron of the Nymmis family in particular seems to have thrown herself into preparing for the youngest child's joining.
K:local DC 35 or K:nobility DC 25:
Although obviously returned to the normal functioning of his household, Eirtein Oberigo has not resumed his normal activities in the city in general, instead focusing more on duties that can be accomplished from the guarded safety of his own home.
K:local DC 25:
Erastus 20
A bit surprisingly, the current batch of servants in the employ of Lillian Xerysis were not able to satisfy the mistress enough for even a month's work. All fired one day shy of their third payment and turned out from her estate in Rego Corna with no references.
T&A Productions wrote:
Zsz's rock - finished Erastus 15
Cassian's batman cloak - finished Erastus 20
Azhar's superman belt - next will require 24 days of hard labor
Gravlax (?)
Destroyed black robe of the archmagi - Will take 14 days for a net profit of 18,750 gp
Broken crystal ball - will take 8 days for a net profit of 10,500
Net cost for both Cassian and Gravlax would be 760 (380 each since one casting will cover both temp neg levels). It's only if you let it turn permanent that you need two castings.
Mathalen looks over at the two, "And disguises and fake identification might not be a bad idea if you're going in for healing. It's probably just paranoid street gossip, but I've always heard that the church keeps track of who goes in for that kind of healing on the grounds you must have been doing something wrong to end up needing it."
"I can also cast it on one of you tomorrow to save you some money and stress. I can do that spell once a day, although alas not today."
That would reduce the net cost down to 460.
It would actually reduce the cost down to 480. 280 for the spellcasting service (4*7*10) plus 100 for the material component twice.
"So," Mathalen asks, "which one of the boys should meet you tomorrow morning and which one should go knocking on the... illustrious door of Asmodeus?" She looks at Cassian and Gravlax.
Net cost for both Cassian and Gravlax would be 760 (380 each since one casting will cover both temp neg levels). It's only if you let it turn permanent that you need two castings.
Mathalen looks over at the two, "And disguises and fake identification might not be a bad idea if you're going in for healing. It's probably just paranoid street gossip, but I've always heard that the church keeps track of who goes in for that kind of healing on the grounds you must have been doing something wrong to end up needing it."
On that note, following that fight: Gravlax is down 18 hit points plus 2 negative levels, Cassian is down 17 hit points and 2 negative levels, and Azhar is down 10 hit points. If the negative levels are not healed in 24 hours they become permanent negative levels. The Fort DC to naturally heal the negative levels is 25.
One casting of restoration (+100 gp diamond dust) will remove all temporary negative levels. Once they become permanent negative levels that changes to one casting of restoration (+1,000 gp diamond dust) per negative level. At this time, none of the NPC that you know have access to restoration. A scroll for temporary levels would cost 800 gp and spellcasting services for the same would cost 380 gp. Both would normally only be available from the church of Asmodeus in Westcrown.
master key to the doors in Walcourt <- CASSIAN
small pin of enameled platinum: a sword with a crown at the hilt the blade covered in shadows <- CASSIAN
+4 mithral full plate w/symbol of Aroden (13,250 gp) <- GRAVLAX
belt of physical might +4 [Strength, Dexterity] (20,000 gp) <- GRAVLAX
amulet of mighty fist +2 (8,000 gp) <- ZSZ
boots of teleportation (24,500 gp) <- ZSZ
GROUP
Mammon's contract
Morrowfall/Totemrix
Each PC gets 78,543 gp. (This includes the profit from using the philosopher's stone.)
The carpet of flying was purchased from the group by Amaya.
post pudding
As Azhar 'glances' over he does indeed see signs of pearly white flesh above the light splash of the water, anything lower obfuscated by the suds of soap. The laugh of her voice is happy, "I know you aren't suggesting Mithra isn't exotic or she might bite you."
A considering pause, "But I'd be more of actual animals. Creatures that you can have an emotional connection to." She looks in his direction, her body telegraphing the move well in advance. "Were you considering something more diverse than the elemental?"
Gravlax:
Fiosa
The small woman nods, "Unless there is someone you trust more that you think could be objective." She smiles up at him, "It'd be nice to see you in more balance."
pre Moon's Light
The bartender nods at an impeccably dressed woman who descends the stairs at almost that moment. She walks over with a level stride, as if on wheels. "If you'll follow me, Penelope will be helping you this afternoon."
She leads the pair up another set of stairs, up to the third floor, before opening a door into an elegantly set parlor, a woman as properly dressed as the madame, turns as the door is closed behind. Blond hair in perfect ringlets that frame her face, Penelope smiles, "Can I offer you some tea? Coffee?"
Cassian:
Hunting
Two more arrows speed through the air, these ones targeting the other devil's joints.
With a snarl, Isa drops her bow, pulling her sword. Thekla just manages to dodge back from the painful blows, keeping her neck intact despite the thin line of blood.
Thekla's dagger glow with magic, a shifting kaleidoscope of magic which seems to sink into the devil when the blade bites into flesh.
Cassian needs to pull a number of his attacks in order to keep the devil from death, but the movement of her sword is slower, heavier as the blood loss saps her strength.
More blood staining her chin, "She'll use you then break you."
"It's what we do."
Khaz flies up, hovering above the other woman. Her eyes almost all blood-red, aiming to pin more places that will debilitate and pain. The drive to torture the other devil. The arrow almost flies towards Isa's knee, but at the last second, just a tad of the blood red fades from Khaz's eyes, and the arrow flies into Isa's throat instead. Tipping the scale of Cassian's damage into death.
Khaz lands lightly next to the rogue, her now-black eyes decidedly confused.
After Walcourt
Just as Cassian gets back to his apartment, he hears the tell-tale whistle of air through wings seconds before Khaz lands just out of quick reach of Cassian, a thrilled smile at the acrobatic flight. "Everything is quiet, but your sister is still up. No sign of the shae."
Testing Azhar's theory, Amaya brings the Morrowfall closer to the Totemrix. As she does so even though quality of the light doesn't change, the intensity of the antipathy between the two increases. Right up to the point where the two artifacts link into each other, perfectly matched.
At that instant, the swirling intensifying cold and heat just snap to nothing.
Detect Magic:
As soon as the two artifacts interlock, the overwhelming magical auras disappear. The combined artifact does not register as magic.
Ilnerik's body burns, the bits turning to dust rather than ash. When it is all done, the vampire is utterly destroyed, his possessions scattered in the niche around the dust.
As soon as the bat-shaped demonic Totemrix is revealed, shadows burst forth from it, darkening the room with shadows that even darkvision can not see through. Moments later the Morrowfall starts to shed its brilliantly bright light, painful if it weren't for the dampening darkness of the other artifact. Leaving the room in normal darkness, the artifacts seeming to battle all around the group.
The vampire's body stiffens, the wounds cease their healing. Mina nods, watching carefully, after a moment, "Will the dust part start soon?" She swallows, still watching carefully, "Is there more?"
The pair do come over, looking down at the slashed and still mostly broken body. The blankness breaking down into fear, tightly shackled, when they see the vampire really isn't dead. As Cassian's smile the body turns into his sister, burying his head in her shoulder. Mina actually does catch Cassian's eyes, "If you do, that means he won't be able to hurt us, or anyone else, again." She swallows, another reality slipping in behind the brown eyes, "Yes, please."
carpet of flying II (17,500 gp)
+3 leather armor (4,580 gp)
rod of shadowy splendor (12,500 gp)
I would like to put up for consideration giving these items to Amaya.
Sorry I'm a little confused - are you claiming these items or are you asking the group to give up 34,580 gp?
When I suggested the NPC holding I was thinking of it more in line of the no-claim healing - things that have an obvious benefit for the group as a whole.
The Totemrix is the dark half of the Aohl, an artifact gifted to the lost Jaytirian Society of the Mwangi Expanse following a sacred truce between their two feuding gods. The Totemrix is a manifestation of power from the now-dead demon lord of shadows, Vyriavaxus. It’s a DC 30 Knowledge (religion) check to know this, but any evil-aligned creature that touches the Totemrix immediately knows the name and how to use the artifact’s powers. The Totemrix constantly emits darkness, as per the spell of the same name, reducing illumination levels in a 20-foot radius by one step.
As long as the Totemrix is carried, the wielder’s demeanor and attitude become increasingly morbid. After a day of keeping the Totemrix in his possession, its owner becomes incredibly possessive of the artifact and will not voluntarily relinquish it—if the wielder loses possession of the Totemrix, he becomes obsessed with recovering it.
In the hands of a vampire, the Totemrix gains a potent new ability—when the vampire uses his children of the night ability, he may call upon shadow beasts. When he calls upon shadow beasts, he calls 2d6 shadowgarms, 1d4 shadow rat swarms, 1d4+1 shadows, or 1d3 shadow mastiffs. Although the vampire can only do so as often as he can use children of the night (once a day for most vampires), shadow beasts called in this manner persist in the area and follow the vampire’s last command until they are slain or banished. At any one time, a vampiric wielder of the Totemrix can maintain a number of shadow beasts equal to the amount of spawn he can control.
Calikang Guarded Treasury
+2 ghost touch chainmail (12,650 gp)
+4 mithral full plate w/symbol of Aroden (13,250 gp)
sword of the planes (11,315 gp)
+3 light crossbow (9,168 gp)
ring of protection +4 (16,000 gp)
staff of healing (14,800 gp)
carpet of flying II (17,500 gp)
horn of blasting (10,000 gp)
bronze griffon figure of wondrous power (5,000 gp)
108,406 copper
27,312 silver
8,840 gold
2,323 platinum
lesser gemstones (totaling 27,550 gp)
7 magnificent jewels (5,000 gp each)
14 art / furniture (2,000 gp each)
philosopher's stone (artifact)
Ilnerik Sivanshin
+3 leather armor (4,580 gp)
amulet of mighty fist +2 (8,000 gp)
belt of physical might +4 [Strength, Dexterity] (20,000 gp)
ring of protection +3 (9,000 gp)
boots of teleportation (24,500 gp)
rod of shadowy splendor (12,500 gp)
3000 gp in elegant jewelry
master key to the doors in Walcourt
small pin of enameled platinum: a sword with a crown at the hilt the blade covered in shadows
The Totemrix (minor artifact)
Quote:
Rod of Shadow Splendor; CoT: Mother of Flies]Rod of Shadowy Splendor This magic rod functions identically to a standard rod of splendor, save that the garb it creates is always in the hues of red, white, and black, and the palatial tent it creates contains no food and is dimly lit. This gloom cannot be further darkened or illuminated by any effect less potent than a 5th-level spell.
If all the PCs agree you guys can loan or give items to NPCs and the get them back later without increasing any of your claim totals.
The girl wraps her arms around her younger brother, "Mina." She looks up at Cassian, then the rest of the group. Quiet and a little lost but unnaturally stoic, considering.
Behind the altar is a final hidden door - this one leading into the sewers of Westcrown. However, after taking a few steps into the sewers, looking back there is no evidence of the door. A wall of illusion perfectly protecting the lowest level entrance.
The heavy altar does not look to be secured to the floor.
Azhar helps him there, but only if he needs it. "So what's your name?" he asks congenially and as more of a distraction as they head towards the boy's sister.
The kid looks up, then WAY up, at Azhar before ducking his head, mumbling a response, "Nicky."
Cassian Merro wrote:
Cassian nods, still obviously extremely uncomfortable. "Uh... would it make you feel better to kill him? I can show you the vulnerable spot, right where you slide the stake in?"
Meanwhile, Rygel hops over to the little girl's shoulder to pick through her hair for waterbugs.
The girl shakes her head, still crying, "Papa was kinda a..." She shrugs, "But if he's gone then without Zia.." She smiles a bit hopelessly. Rygel finds a cockroach, still squirming, which make the girl jump with little scream when the monkey pulls it out.
When Nicky drops next to his sister, he gives her a hopeless look, which more than anything stops her tears. Fiercely, "Don't you even think it Nicky."
The girl stifles her crying, the force turning into hiccups. She looks first at Cassian and then Rygel with wide eyes. "You told <hic> us to draw him <hic> with a crown if <hic> we needed help."
A pause, "But...<hic> we didn't have time to..." a slowly flow of tears trickles down her face, "and I <hic> think he killed papa when he <hic>"
The boy tries to struggle to his feet clearly wanting to go over to his (slightly) older sister.
Both Cassian and Azhar act just in time as the filthy sewer water just starts to crest over the edges of the sarcophagi. On Cassian's side, a small blond girl of about eight, after sucking in heaving breaths of air, starts to bawl. On Azhar's side, once he breaks the lock, Amaya helps the boy, coughing up water, out of the filth.
Mathalen, for her part, goes over to lever, switching it off. It is almost immediately flipped on again. This repeats once, until Mathalen flips up the lever and holds it - apparently stronger than the invisible force.
Cassian shifts so as to keep the monster in flank, and proceeds to carve bits off of him. At about the third sword blow, the vampire bamphs unwillingly into mist, which creeps towards the altar, sinking beneath.
As Ilnerik becomes visible, Cassian grins. "This might hurt a little." His blades blur. Three of the attacks land, one only by the slightest margin.
Rygel, determined, continues to pick the lock. (1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13) Rygel swears a blue streak in monkey screeches as the piece of metal snaps.
Gravlax takes a step, placing himself between Ilnerik and Mathalen - just in case. And attacks the now visible Ilnerik. However, his attacks are hindered by the drain of the vampire, and go a bit wide.
The vampire smirks at Cassian, his pale blue eyes delighted. "You will make a fantastic assassin. I do hope that you'll agree to the transformation, it makes it far less traumatic, in the end." With that his arms blur out, striking at both Cassian and Gravlax. His attention focused on the rogue, he misses Gravlax. "How does that sound?"(Cassian takes 17 hit points and 2 negative levels.)
Azhar suddenly growls with sudden pain reacting as if something has attacked his feet, but seeing nothing he dismisses the pain, sealing it off to be attended to later. (Azhar takes 10 hit points.)
With Mathalen and Rygel working on the sarcophagi he turns his attention fully on their main foe. His first blow, though somehow deflected by the creatures defenses circles around again and impacts solidly, exploding through where a lung would be. If the undead had need to draw breath, that could have proven a serious problem. Two more blows skitter off the creatures defenses, but taking heed of Amaya's suggestions he finds one more opening. Taking a page perhaps from the Raven he jumps into the air and using the momentum generated by his entire body in a single powerful descending spinning strike his blade drinks deeply again, biting through sinew and bone, cleaving deeply through where his vital organs should be, the two blows leaving the Lord of Shadow wounded grievously indeed (or at least so he hopes). "That get your attention" he growls this time at their opponent through narrow, focused violet eyes nearly glowing with the intensity of his fury, "That's for preying on the weak and innocent of this city and delighting in their pain. Y' bloodless leach." The vampire, greatly damaged but still standing.
Amaya moves carefully around the combat, next to Rygel. Pulling out the Morrowfall as she does so, then casting a spell.
With a sudden, lightning-swift move, Zsz's deadly hair is in striking range of the vampire. It rolls over him in a flood, binding and lashing him until he can barely move.
Mathalen strikes at the lock again, swearing and switching to her other hand as she bruises her knuckle on the first attack.
Throwing caution to the wind, Cassian is going after the vampire, or as he will shortly be known, "Guy Who is Just Covered in Sword Wounds." (1d2 ⇒ 2) Even with the protection afforded by invisibility, Cassian's mithral sword takes first blood.
Rygel hops of Cassian's shoulder and scampers over to the to free the trapped child in the nearer sarcophagus. (1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15(includes penalty for no adorably tiny tools)) He chitters in frustrations as the lock does not give way to the hunk of metal he is using to pick it.
Cassian:
"I can do this. I can do this."
Gravlax looks around for the invisible speaker. With a vague idea, Gravlax moves to attack the invisible person. One of the invisible people. "Seriously," he says. "It is really much more difficult to hold a lethal conversation with an invisible foe."
"And it is even harder to attack an invisible foe, isn't it?" the vampire practically crows to Gravlax as the swordsman's attack goes wide. "Now, if you don't mind my good man." Even as the vampire speaks, the lever in the far corner of the thunks down. Everyone hears the splash and rush of water. The kids go from yelling to shrieking. Little fingers poking through the grill work keeping them trapped.
"I on the other hand, cam see you just fine." Ilnerik says moments before the invisibility sloughs from him, his fist bashing into Gravlax's cheek. Gravlax takes 18 hit points and two temporary negative levels.
"Get away from that lever." Azhar growls, a little late, at the space next to the lever in question, and within moments he is there His great stroke tearing into the air around and through the invisible foes. The sword doesn't seem to hit anything near the lever, but it does slice into Ilnerik.
Amaya steps up to the corner, peeking around. Her eyes wide as she notices the water pouring into the sarcophagus, checking her first instict to run over to the locked death traps. She shouts a few quick suggestions, following it up with magic. Inspire courage +3, haste
"Fizzle," Zsz says as she gestures mystically towards the unseen foe. (1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16) The vampire's movements remain magically enhanced with magic.
Mathalen does leave the vampire to the others, easily moving past the fight in the middle of the room to the other sarcophagus. She takes a quick breath, really looking at the lock. She slams her fist into the lock, her middle knuckle actually damaging the metal. She tries to hide the disappointment at how long this will take her, quietly encouraging the kid to get his head up out of the water, near the grill.
For example:
Facing the (invisible) vamp in CoT:
.
████○○○Z○○○○████
█████○○○○○M█████
██████○○G○██████
███████A○███████
█████Yi○C○○█████
███████○╙███████
███○○○○○○○○○○███
███○○○○○○○○○○███
█▒▒○○○○○○○○○○▒▒█
█▒▒○○○○○○○○○○▒▒█
█▒▒○○○○○○○○○○▒▒█
█▒▒○○○○○○○○○○▒▒█
███○○▓▓▓▓▓▓○○███
███○○▓▓▓▓▓▓○○███
████████████████
▒ = sacophogi with screaming children
▓ = altar
A = Azhar
C = Cassian w/Rygel
G = Gravlax
Z = Zsz
Y = Amaya
i = Mithra
M = Mathalen
Only downside is the player need to copy paste into notepad OR hit reply for the spacing to look right. Totally without maps becomes a little too much of a "Can I do this" rather than a "I do this".
In under six seconds, Cassian has all four of the locks barring passage to the south open.
Shrine of the Gray Master
This dank chamber has a twenty-foot-high ceiling of stone blocks. Raised alcoves on either side of the chamber each hold an open stone sarcophagus covered by a heavy grill-work of iron bars. Directly across from the entrance is low dais upon which rests a block of stained marble, the image of an eight-pointed star incised on its front face.
As soon as the heavy door opens, two young, terrified voices start crying from with in the grill covered sarcophagi. Pleading, begging to be let go.
From somewhere in the room, a cultured voice, "So good of you to finally get around to seeing me. Which one of you is finally dropping off the Morrowfall?"
See Invisible:
Standing near the center of the room is a finely dressed half-elf vampire. As the door opens he motions to a second invisible force, near a lever.
Perception DC 20:
There are invisible creatures in the room, one near the center, one near a lever in the wall.
K:religion DC 15:
The eight-pointed star is the holy symbol of Norgorber - god of thievery and assassination, as well as a keeper of secrets. And this looks well like it could be a shrine to him, complete with sacrificial, kill very slowly by drowning, sarcophagi.
The calikang's shoulders droop just a bit more. "Access to the entrances and exits are freely allowed in my contract, but I can not allow the removal of any of the contents without the authorization of a ruling member of the Council. Under paragraph five, subsection 3, proof of ruling status is required for removal of items from the vault."
His voice is honestly sincere when he finishes, "So until you have your own badge, I am sorry but I cannot allow you to remove any of the items. You wouldn't want a quick-tongued thief to steal from you, after all."
One of the swords motions towards the door in the southern wall. "The Lord of Shadows brought two children with him when he turned in for the evening."
The creature nods, "I thank you for your consideration, but since the payment for my services was paid fully when the deal was first brokered I can wait until the transition is done." He looks up to the small hole in the ceilings that even the humans had to squeeze through, the small doors. "And perhaps one of the council wizards would be good enough to cast a shrinking spell on me, if you plan to have me re-assigned."
A pause, "Although the Lord of Shadows is the closest ruling Council member at this time. If you need to retrieve something, he can probably loan you his badge."
Quite frankly, the calikang replies, "I was purchased by the trader Vico D'Maugulio on behalf of the Council of Thieves of Westcrown at that time headed by Egriogarian Drovenge. I presume given the normal lifespan of humans, all of the individuals who brokered the sale are deceased."
"Badge of office?" Cassian sneers. "Badge of office? I don't need no stinking badge of office! Now either you do what I'm telling you, or you go find yourself a new job, because it's not like there isn't a hundred half-orcs out there who will stand in a room full of treasure for one-tenth of what I'm paying you!"
The calikang's shoulders (all of them) sink slightly, the only obvious sign of his confusion. "If you no longer want me to guard the treasure in the vault, where will I be transferred? The terms of my contract specified fifty years of active service. As well you know, in the hundred and forty I've been here, only one year two months eight days three hours and twenty minutes of active service have been paid."
Hunting
Even as Khaz's mental bark comes through, more arrows fly. Two. Both striking the other eryines in the back near the cluster of nerves at the base of the other woman's wings.
At almost the same moment, Isa lets loose the arrow she had pointed at Thekla's heart. Either through her own bad luck or the biting pain from Khaz's arrows Isa's arrow just manages to completely miss Thekla.
Timed perfectly with Cassian, Thekla pulls her dagger as she moves so that she'll provide Cassian with flanking. Her dagger hitting the devil at exactly the same time Cassian charges in, sticking Isa if he can.
A little blood coming out with the words, Isa glares at Cassian, "You. What are you doing here?" She catches a glimpse of Khaz, standing up from her stalking, Isa's eyes widening in surprise as she recognizes the red-haired devil.
Azhar:
post Pudding
Amaya slips into the water just a little bit after Azhar leaves it. Her towel still wrapped around her, although she drops a second one on the bench near the pool.
He can hear the smile in her voice, "I dried it from the soaking when I took it off, but it could use some oil... if you don't mind?"
He hears the splashing of the water-soaked towel being tossed onto the stone of the bath floor.
Gravlax:
Fiosa "No, he isn't." She smiles, "But, yet, he is. Without resolving that inconsistency, you can't be whole."
A pause, "Would it be more or less helpful if someone was there for your talk, as a mediator?"
pre Moon's Light
He nods, "Madame will be down in just a minute to direct you."
A pause, "Couples are extra. Specially with the proper ladies."
At first there is just the slightest of movement - a pulse in the large neck, the expansion of the hard-muscled chest. Then the gold-helmeted head bends, intently regarding the group. His voice is a high tenor, "Badge of office?"
The GM would like to note that the three doors are in the eastern, western, and southern wall. There is no door behind the calikang.
The GM is also assuming that so far the party hasn't touched any of the loot in the treasury.
And finally, the door in the southern wall is locked with the same kind of over the top security as the western door that Cassian opened.
Behind the western door is a small, incredibly secure cell. The back wall has been compromised with water, though and rivulets of liquid trickle down the stone surface, leaving the back half of the cell submerged in a few inches of water.
post Pudding-Hunt
Amaya moves behind a wall of climbing vines, Azhar still able to make out her shape, but not her actual form. Her step as she moved was light, happy - odds with the proper attitude.
A little later, her back to the pool to give him privacy, she comes back from behind the natural screen, wrapped in a big, fluffy white towel. She sits down on a bench near the pools, her back still to the water, "I can wait until you are done."
Azhar senses that as long as he gives her the semblance of privacy, he could get away with a great deal.
Gravlax:
Fiosa
First, trying to reassure Gravlax perhaps, "You both look exactly the same to me." She smiles a little, "I don't know which one of you came to see me until you start talking, so, yes, I am certain that you are one and the same."
"And he needs to accept that you are the same as him. Which may be just as hard for him as it is for you... Maybe start with a conversation?"
pre Moon's Light
Gravlax knows of a place that would be good, the Gilded Steed. Very high end, but used to 'unique' requests.
When they get to the Gilded Steed, through a small foyer flanked by gold-gilded horses in full bit, they see a skinny sallow faced man behind a long bar. One hand under the counter, the other on top, watching, waiting.
Cassian:
Hunting
For four days and three nights, the pair shadows Thekla. For her part Thekla goes about a normalish routine, her nigts spent in a cheap room at whichever tavern happens to be convienant. During the entire time, Khaz watches like a predatory bird, neither needing nor seeming to want food or water.
When it comes it is quick, on a street near the Kraken's Ink. Isa steps through a what looked to be a brick wall until broke the illusion, an arrow fully pulled back, aimed at Thekla'a heart. The eryines' voice low, promising blood. "All you have to do is get down on your stomach, child, put your hands behind your back and you may live through this."
Khaz doesn't wait, a single word, "Now," through the link and her first arrow snaps across the distance, hitting the base of Isa's wing. A wound not intended to injure as much as prevent flight.
