The Transmogrifying Lotus nods at Hrim's suggestion. "I will do my best." I can do this.
He feels nervous as he approaches Desmire. When he gets a chance he says, "Good afternoon. The wedding was...good, huh? Say, that whole business with Dralneen was a shame, eh? Not that I think he planted a letter. I don't know why he would, it's just, uhh, anyway...good wedding."
I blew it! AGAIN!! Look at the look he's giving me. How do you make small talk, anyway? Ohhhh, give me something to fight...
Nyugusk begins to sputter and goes to share a stiff drink with Raeng-Woo.
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Cladissa slinks away from the Andoran and wanders around among the crowd until she catches a familiar scent. She steps up to the entrepreneur and curtsies politely.
"I received word of your thanks for the morning restorative. You're very welcome. It's a little recipe I picked up to ease... discomfort." She smiles, actively avoiding discussing the sorry state he was in last night.
"I hope that you can see the wisdom of a closer relationship with the Pathfinders," she suggests, feeling bolder. "There are advantages." She smiles again, this time looking straight into his eyes.
Nigel - Influence: 2/3, Secret:Drama with family.
Alexander Bedard - Influence: 2/2, Secret: Formerly courted Michellia
Hamaria Blakros - Influence: 3/3, Secret: Fears an attack
Jeon Raeng-Woo - Influence 2/2, Secret: He's a drunk.
Rubaani Shafar - Influence 2/2, Secret: Enjoys tales of battle.
Tancred Desimire - Influence 0/3, Secret: Remember to mention the Paracountess Zarta Dralneen or her brother, Aglorn Desimire
****
After some time, the Freaks hear the call to be seated. They are directed to a table along with lady Gloriana Morilla, Trade Prince Aaqir al'Hakam, and a group of their aides. The Paracountess sits at a different table with a detachment of Chelish dignitaries, including Tancred Desimire, who seems perturbed at having to share a table with her.
After being seated, the head table arrives-a delegation of Blakros family members and important relatives, the pathfinders recognize Michellia, Damian, and Hamaria Blakros as the most important figures at the table.
A plethora of speeches and congratulations begin from the head table. Beginning with Michellia's mother Hamaria, who dotes on her daughter's excellent pedigree and the respect shown to her family by Damian Kastner. Others at the head table give similar speeches, expanding on their love for Michellia and their acceptance of Damian into the extended Blakros family.
Eventually, Michellia Blakros stands to make her own proclamation. Although quiet in tone, she speaks with a force that all can hear. "I wish to thank you all for coming. While the Hellknights of the Order of the Scourge have lost a loyal and noble soldier, the Blakroses have gained a new member of our esteemed clanmy husband, Damian Kastner. As a symbol of this union, I offer you, Damian, the Blakros name, so that you will ever be known as a member of our elite, illustrious family. Let it be known forever more that your name shall be Damian Blakros, should you accept the honor."
The groom then stands and speaks himself, raising his glass toward Hamaria and the rest of his new family. "I, of course, accept this honor, and am proud to know my children shall bear the name as well. I am not good with words, however, so I shall keep this brief. There are few gifts I could give in response that would parallel the honor I have just received. Even so, I shall offer something that my new family will hopefully find valuable. To my wife, Michellia Blakros, I offer my family's long-held manor of Ostergarde."
Damian's announcement causes an immediate commotion from the crowd. Audible whispers and speech drown the pavilion, as assembled guests show mixes of horror and satisfaction at the proclamation made by the former Hellknight.
As the crowd quiets down, Hamaria Blakros bids the guests enjoy the reception's food, music, and wine for the rest of the afternoon and into the night. Immediately, guests rise from their tables and move about the pavilion, all eager to gossip about this dramatic offering to the Blakros family. Gloriana Marilla is surprised by the announcement. The Trade Prince says, "Be sure to court the influence of any remaining guests, this may be the Society's last chance to access them during the wedding."
Thrassk approaches Tankred before the wedding speeches begin and leans down over him. He whispers something in the nobleman's ear, while laying a heavy claw on one of his shoulders. The Chelaxian goes pale and nods, then Thrassk moves away, smiling. He throws a wink to his companions.
Hrim follows Thrassk to Tancred watching Thrassk's motivation techniques. Then, the deep gnome follows Tancred away from Thrassk when he attempts to recollect himself. After a pause, he whispers into Mr. Desimire's ear, in a small, thin voice, "and besides the obvious methods, the Pathfinders are also sneaky and subtle. We remember your connection to the Paracountess Zarta Dralneen and how your brother Aglorn died."
Cladissa focuses on the speeches and eats lightly, determined to not let the press of people cause her unease. She marvels a bit at the power and influence of the Blakros family, reaching a pinnacle that her mother could only dream of.
Well, that's interesting. I hope they'll be cautious for once with their artifacts, Cladissa thinks.
At the end of the speeches and the start of the reception, she sees Thrassk and Argor both address Tankred Desimire. She doesn't know what either said, nor does she care much. But the Chelaxian seemed very disturbed by the dowry, so she hoped she could use that.
She catches up to him as he is about to excuse himself. "Excuse me, milord. Allow me to walk with you." She matches his stride and stays close, with her voice lowered.
"The manor has special significance, yes? Perhaps diabolic artifacts that can be used to further advance your standing with House Thrune? And I expect you desire to place yourself in a better position than Zarta Dralneen could ever hope to achieve."
She withstands his severe gaze, quite used to the imperious glares from Argor. Instead, she offers a sly smile that bares her sharp teeth. "I expect the artifacts found within that estate would end up in the Blakros's museum, here in Absalom. Thanks to certain occurrences within that museum, the Pathfinders have nearly unfettered access lately. Certainly something to consider, since they would otherwise be completely out of your reach. We can expect your support, then?"
After the announcement of the dowry, Tancred Desimire departs in a
seeming panic.
A short while later, Damian Blakros ushers the Pathfinders aside for a private conversation. "Excuse me, Pathfinders. I am a bit concerned. My bride seems to have disappeared somewhere. I am sure that it's nothing to worry about, but I don't want to upset her guards or family just yet if it can be avoided. Do you think you could look for her, please? I think she probably took off to the Blakros's old summer house, there across the island," he says pointing. He smiles, waiting for the Freaks' response.
Argor bows and says, "Certainly, Lord Blakros, we would be honored."
He then moves away from the festival grounds, and looks to the others, "I will search from above, see if I can see where she has wandered off to."
He then lifts off into the sky, scanning for signs of the wayward bride.
"Absolutely, my lord," Cladissa curtsies formally.
She scowls when Argor flies off. "And I'll search the ground, then," she mutters.
She moves quickly to where she remembers seeing her last, and hopes to pick up Michelia's scent.
The journey to the Blakros's derelict summer home is not particularly long. Cladissa can smell that Michellia came this way at some point recently, if not establish an actual scent trail.
The house itself is little more than a partially collapsed frame at this point.
a body or other heavy object. They lead off towards the beach.
Argor dips low enough to target everyone with his messaging cantrip once more, and says "There are some Ulfen docked nearby with their longboat. I don't believe they were on the guest list. I believe we should investigate..."
He relays the direction to the ship, then goes invisible and soars off to see what is going on.
"And something got dragged this way, toward the beach."
She starts moving briskly in that direction.
Argor suddenly reappears to the others, holding his hands up to halt them a moment. He then gets his spellbook and begins browsing it as he speaks, "There are four armed Ulfen ahead, Michellia is with them. They are discussing a quick departure, as if hiding something. I suggest you prepare yourselves for a possible confrontation."
He then casts some protective spells on himself landing and falling in behind the others.
__________
"Argor, there's something else. There's another scent here. Eleanir. Eleanir's here on the island! Are you sure it was Michellia you saw?"
Argor pauses and adds, "Perhaps. She was trying to adjust her hair...and they all seemed to be in a hurry, so we should as well."
"If what you suspect is true, we should attempt a parlay first. We have a history with Eleanir. It would be dishonorable to assume she is guilty of something from the outset," Thrassk says.
"Agreed. But taking precautions is a wise course of action, since the Ulfen in her company are armed and apparently ready for combat."
"That's a smart move, Thrassk. Maybe we shouldn't let on that we know. See if we can figure out their plan. Although, based on the tracks, someone got dragged to the beach." Cladissa nervously chews on a nail as she thinks.
"No sense in waiting, let's go talk to them," Thrassk says. He continues trundling forward to the beach.
"Yeah, okay." She follows the dragon.
As the Pathfinders crest the ridge onto the beach, they come into view of the group near the boat.
Michellia calls out, "Thank goodness, someone was sent after me! My misguided sister Eleanir attacked me up there by the summer house! Only this man's timely intervention saved me from disaster. His name is Olaf," she says, pointing at the Ulfen leader. "Eleanir was knocked unconscious in the struggle. She is there in the boat," Michellia says, pointing to the blanket. "Olaf has offered to take her back to Absalom. Please, allow him to do so. I would have no further interruptions on my special day."
Olaf remains silent, as do his men. The ulfen stare at the Pathfinders, waiting to see how they will react.
As soon as she recognized the identical twin's scent, Cladissa had envisioned some sort of possible switch. Now, with 'Michellia' wanting to return to the party and get the other twin away from here as soon as possible, she takes a wild gamble.
"Oh, thank the gods! I was so worried!" She runs forward toward the Blakros daughter, arms outstretched for a hug.
While Argor and Cladissa distract the twin and her Ulfen companions, Hrim silently flies up with his bow in hand. When he hears "Michellia" talking about "Eleanir", he immediately and silently attempts to discern her potential lies and heads toward the longboat to check out the story expecting to find Michellia.
Nyugusk poors a concoction of mutagen, extracts, and potions into his gullet--swallowing some, spitting others back into their tin vials.
When he's done he has new tufts of hair in odd places, exaggerated muscles, and a boarish snout on his already odd face.
The Transmogrifying Lotus then stands beside Thrassk and Cladissa, eyeing the new bride (and the whole situation) suspiciously.
Cladissa didn't have any supernatural means of detecting lies, but she has her nose, and the recollection that Michellia had been drinking some very expensive champagne earlier. If she got close enough to this Michellia, she should to be able to tell from her breath of she had been drinking.
Argor advances behind the "brutes" of the group, and vocalizes a "Tsk tsk," at "Michelias" lies.
"M'Lady, I humbly ask that you do not take offense to this, but your lies are as transparent as the wind itself. At least give us, the very souls that saved you from the depravities of the Shadow Realm, the respect of the truth. At least then you would not have insulted us with deceit and subterfuge."
Argor turns to face the Ulfen men arraigned against them, and says, "Lords of the North, I believe we have not been introduced. I am Argor Constantine, and these are my fellow Pathfinders Cladissa, Thrassk, Nyugusk, and Hrimnagel. We have actually had the pleasure of meeting one of your lineage before in our endeavors, one Skelg the Ripper? Perhaps you have heard of him?"
As soon as she recognized the identical twin's scent, Cladissa had envisioned some sort of possible switch. Now, with 'Michellia' wanting to return to the party and get the other twin away from here as soon as possible, she takes a wild gamble.
"Oh, thank the gods! I was so worried!" She runs forward toward the Blakros daughter, arms outstretched for a hug.
[dice=Bluff]1d20
She lets you hug her, stiffly, and Cladissa smells Eleanir.
Then Argor opens his mouth, and calls out Eleanir for lying. She whistles to the Ulfen, who attack!
Initiative:
Olaf 15
Raiders 14.5
Freaks 10
Olaf roars and begins to flicker in and out of existence. He steps next to Cladissa, and raises his axe to chop her in half.
The raiders draw potions from their belts and drink them.
Eleanir shrieks, and shoves Cladissa out of her arms. Then she splashes awkwardly into the surf in her sister's wedding dress, cowering behind the edge of the longboat.
_______________________________________
Hrim grits his teeth when Eleanir reacts to Argor. He has that effect on people. Then, he turns his mind toward defeating the Ulfen.
In his small, thin voice, the deep gnome calls Count Ranalc to attack. A small, blue rapier appears flitting around the Ulfen in the longboat but fails to draw blood. He continues to fly attempting to stay concealed.
Argor's trying to get me killed, Cladissa manages to think as the big Ulfen looms over her.
She retreats into the longboat and clambers up the mast to stay out of the reach of the Ulfens' axes, although the one in the boat manages to strike at her. Once high enough above the fray, she yells down to the foes fighting.
"Look, Eleanir! I know it's you! Please, tell me. Why are you doing this? I mean, I think I understand, since Michellia's not really the marrying type. Was she under a spell?"
Argor quickly begins his incantation, bringing three elementals into being clambering from the surf, making sure one interposed itself between Cladissa and the Ulfen. They begin slamming stone fists into the Ulfen, sand falling from their bodies.
As he moves forward, he removes a scroll from his scroll cases at his side.
__________
Argor's trying to get me killed, Cladissa manages to think as the big Ulfen looms over her.
She retreats into the longboat and clambers up the mast to stay out of the reach of the Ulfens' axes, although the one in the boat manages to strike at her. Once high enough above the fray, she yells down to the foes fighting.
"Look, Eleanir! I know it's you! Please, tell me. Why are you doing this? I mean, I think I understand, since Michellia's not really the marrying type. Was she under a spell?"
Argor's trying to get me killed, Cladissa manages to think as the big Ulfen looms over her.
She retreats into the longboat and clambers up the mast to stay out of the reach of the Ulfens' axes, although the one in the boat manages to strike at her. Once high enough above the fray, she yells down to the foes fighting.
"Look, Eleanir! I know it's you! Please, tell me. Why are you doing this? I mean, I think I understand, since Michellia's not really the marrying type. Was she under a spell?"
"It's not fair! Why should gloomy pants get to marry a handsome Hellknight while I am forced to become an old maid? I should be the one marrying Damian! Olaf wants Michellia, let him have her!" Eleanir replies angrily.
Thrassk moves forward and his massive draconic maw snakes forward for Olaf's ankle.
The barbarian is jerked off his feet, as Thrassk's teeth shred his calf.
Argor calls out, "Do not harm Eleanir. She is a Blakros, and despite her actions, we should not hurt her. Restrain only if necessary."
Nyugusk sees Cladissa in danger on the boat and makes a beeline for her. His accordion-arm unfolds and attempts to snatch the Ulfen warrior on the boat and reel him in.
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