Beorn listens intently as the tale of the Shadowbeasts is told and of the plan to gain entrance to the mayor's mansion. Beorne takes a small sip of water.
Beorn then lets out a strong note and breaks a glass on the table
Garidan sits quietly, nodding in greeting as the others entered. He continued to sit quietly as the plan was laid out, and as doubt was cast. "I would prefer to wrap my fingers around our mayor, particularly his neck, but I suppose this will have to do. How much time do we have to prepare and will we need any supplies?"
Ailyn raises an eyebrow at the broken glass and glances at Penumbra and Arael. As usual, the elf priest's face is impassive and Penumbra is grinning.
"The auditions will be in held at the end of the week, so you have a few days to be ready. The director, a seedy man named Robhal Nonon, wants authentic, 'grizzled adventurer types.' We have managed to arrange for him to receive a steady stream of truly inept actors to respond to the casting call before you arrive so that we can ensure you're cast. The actual performance will require your gear, but I do not know that you'll need any specific supplies."
Eidi's attention is captured at the mention of the shadows "The plan seems complex for forcing into a complex, but you are the experts here and I really want to help solve this shadows things for once and for all"
"I have no skills at dancing, but I know about the rigour of using your body to perfect all kind of techniques" says the troubled human showing his bare hands "This is all the gear I need"
The young man seems decided to help and enrol himself in this new pursuit.
Tania had kept to herself, at least once she had performed a spectacular bow that swept dust all the way to the other room, as her hat's proud feather hurled in a great arc while her back bent at an impossible angle.
Yet, now that she had heard enough, she wondered: "That's not what I had in mind. Covert is... I mean, perhaps you're right. This IS Westcrown, after all... I can learn to play. I always wanted to be an actress!"
"The covert part will come once the party starts. I am confident that you can survive the dangers and impress the nobility well enough to be invited. The Mayor has been known to throw parties that can last for a day or more, and they're raucous, hedonistic affairs." Arael says. "Penumbra and I do believe this is the best way, though I admit I am not partial to this plan. Once the break-in has been detected, hopefully long after you have departed, the powers-that-be in the city will begin to associate your faces with our growing movement. Penumbra assures me that the amount of liquor, pesh, and other intoxicants flowing at the party will muddle the nobility's memories."
"Does this involve memorizing large scripts?" the man scratches his head "I am not sure I am good at that"
And looking to Beorn "Be-Beorn? It was that isn't it? You seem mastered on these things. Do you think you could teach us the basics of playing an opera?" the monk do not even believe himself he is saying so. But after all, Westcrown loved operas, and he is one of them, he has enjoyed visiting the operas since he was a little lad "It is just... it seems so far away in my memories when I was devoted to this kind of aspects of life..."
"As long as I can do my part through interpretive dance, I'll be fine," Rurik says, half-sarcastically, half-comedically.
Penumbra snickers at Rurik, then gathers Arael and the Pathfinder woman toward the sewers. "I'll drop in before the auditions, just to touch base, but we have some other business to attend to in the meantime."
The next few days Eidi passes his time getting familiar with the people meeting in the old shrine. He asks about how the group is doing and how can he help.
He also takes daily exercises very early. They usually involve physical exercises of strength and balance followed by an hour of meditation.
During the afternoons, the young human approaches Beorn and talks with him about how to deal with the soon be acting.
If he sees Penumbra he requests her if we can get with a map of the theater and the Major's home in order to start preparing.
Beorn knows that the auditions are a scant few days away and is determined to help his new allies make a good impression and stays at the shrine that night. Rising very early, he puts on some coffee and goes tot he sleeping area.
Starting a low croon, Beorn speaks a poetic yarn of the virtues of taking full advantage of the morning and then launches into a lusty exhortation that it is
For the next few days Beorn the Divine's intense training does as much good as it could do, and certainly wears everyone out.
Eidi doesn't see Penumbra until the day before the auditions are to take place. She tells him that she will find a way to get everyone a map of the Nightshade Theater and that she and her sources are putting together as much information as they can on the Mayoral mansion, Aberian's Folly.
"Getting the parts," she tells everyone, "Should hopefully be the easy part. Yako and I managed to divert true talent from the auditions and instead will be packing them with people who have no business anywhere near either a sword or a stage. Remember to show up later in the day. Robhal will be using the Limehouse, dive that it is, for the auditions and rehearsals. Less expensive space to use, I suppose."
The weather is perfect on the day of the auditions. An early summer breeze blows through the streets of Westcrown, and everyone appears to be enjoying themselves. Everyone but the pretentious, balding director who has had a stream of bad auditions all morning in a stuffy, low-rent theater. As you arrive he is berating a large human man so fiercely that the man is openly weeping. When he sees that the end of the line of actors is near, he seems relieved for a moment, then barks, "Well? Come on then, you weasels! This wretched city is determined to ruin my vision, I am sure that you lot will be the final nail in my coffin of wretched acting!"
"Do not fret my good sir. Your Dentris has arrived. I am certain that the scores of peons who have come before have discouraged your faith in our fine city, but prepare to be amazed. Seat yourself, and enjoy the show." With a flourish and a bow, Garidan moves to position himself directly in front of the director. He closes his eyes for a moment, let out a deep breath and begins.
"HOLD YOUR TONGUE BOY, and we may yet escape the firebrand. Your father was the model of a devil’s squire, forked tongue and cloven feet included! Summon his wiles now, and keep shut that hellish Abyss you call mouth, before we all tumble down into its impenetrable darkness. Had you been born deaf and dumb, it would have been an improvement and this loyal servant would yet live to see another midnight." "End scene."
Beorn strides into the Limehouse. Very used to the shabby nature of the building, Beorne walks to center stage as nods to the director. Beorne stands up straight and points upwards, as if facing a judge.
Beorne then spins and glares at Robhal.
Beorne then attempts to move his muscular frame in a series of artful dodges.
He seems to come up short though. However, he draws his blade and slashes through the air with the edge gleaming brightly.
Cutting a dashing figure on the stage.
If possible, can Beorne aid another on other people's roles? Maybe be a sparring partner or act in another role.
Tania whistles appreciatively at Beorn's spectacular performance. I'm to follow such an act!? she thinks as she takes a deep breath.
She walks to the center of the stage, her boots stomping with great gravity as she takes the center. With a deep bow, she sends her wide hat flying towards Robhal.
Letting the air around her settle and the silence announce her performance, she marks a classic pose often used to play Tybain, taught to her by Beorn just two days past.
With her last words echoing through the old theater, she walks to the front of the stage, and looks at Robhal, snarling: "Nail! you think I'm a nail!? What do you know of death? Are you so stupid that you would insult an actress such as me? You see what your fame has brought you this far? No, you are a maggot, a lucky maggot who should call itself lucky that I happen to love this play and am willing to put up with a fraud such as you!"
As she turns defiantly, she senses movement, and effortlessly moves out of the rocks thrown at her, then swiftly draws her rapier and adds, with a smile: "I can be your Tybain, but if it's Drovalid you want..." and proceeds to cut and stab menacingly on the stage.
"I can be that too."
Straighten your back!
Eidi comments as they arrive "But wait, if there are only 4 of the characters, how will we do it for all us to get a place there?"
The monk climbs to the platform a bit angry he has to do this kind of things, but he tries to temple his temper "Never!" he cries loudly "Lash every inch of flesh from me, leave only a bloody ruin where I stand—that skinned wreck of a man will gurgle only truth and never recant." the scared face of Eidi adds to the entry making it a bit more impressive than his actual acting technique might have hoped for.
Under the surprise of the director he says "Don't look at me like like that! You are more pathetic than a Taldor nanny!"
When the rocks start to fall, he closes his eyes and focuses on everything he has learned during his time at the monastery. Sensing the stones falling, he swiftly dodges one after the other all the rocks without a sign of alteration.
In a final acrobatic maneveure he jumps on the air, delivering a flying kick on the dummy.
[b]A little more to the left, remember that the dummy isn't moving so one doesn't need to tense up so much in an actual combat situation.
Eidi comments as they arrive "But wait, if there are only 4 of the characters, how will we do it for all us to get a place there?"
Tanrov stalks out onto the stage he gives those around him a look of almost hatred
" Why am I here! " he roars
"This place is not only her buildings and canals and docks and history—she is also her people. It is our friends and neighbors, our mothers and fathers, our siblings and cousins, our sons and daughters! I will stand forth as the example but who will follow me should I fall?"
He then looks to where Robhal will be standing "You Aeolist, You Persnickety piece of trash, how will you ever help when you hold yourself so high."
He then flicks himself into an overly complicated leap to the side
He then spin in a circle drawing his great earthbreaker as he does and brings it around in a fearsome attack routine
Then he stalks off the stage
Shortly after Tanrov finishes, Rurik flounces on to the stage in a spinning dance-step.
He pirouettes, then says, "Great Tormentor, Drovalid Vorclune, let it be said a man who can bear the vicious ministrations he renders upon his foes is a great man indeed. Though I am pledged to this young half-breed, know your courage sends shudders through my loins."
Then he pauses, says, "Wait. Wrong character? LINE!"
He hesitates for a moment while Beorn whispers something, then says, "Right! Right! Um.
You do me sweet honor, great lady. I stand in awe of your passion, and these worthy nobles’... courage. Even this... uh... mystery of a pall-o-dine stands hard against the torments of Hell—harder than the fiercest witch."
Then he launches himself to the side as if to evade the claws of tormenting devils.
Finally, he stands up, brushes off his trousers, and then whips out his scimitar. It spins and glitters in an arc...
... and he finishes with a "Ha HA!"
He hesitates again for a moment, shifting from foot to foot, then bows and scurries offstage.
Beorn facepalms before looming over Rurik.
Beorn then swiftly grabs Rurik's should in an attempt to spin him away from the incoming rocks, fruit and even a stray chicken.
Unfortunately, Beorn's face intercepts the chicken which furiously starts pecking at him, sending him stumbling about the stage blindly.
While Robhal was starting to quiet down and feel that the best choices arrived at the end of a long, long day, Rurik reminds him of what he had been through the rest of the day.
"Still," Robhal says in a stage whisper meant to sound as though he is saying the words under his breath, but in actuality loud enough for everyone to hear, "That clown is better than most I have seen. Perhaps the Gypsy...Thank you everyone! Please come back tomorrow to see the cast list."
Beorne manages to toss the chicken back into the crowd and bows to the director.
When the group leaves the Limehouse, Beorne takes out his copy of the script.
Eidi gives a forced greeting as the group leaves the theatre.
"Well. I hope all this monkey doing serves for something" he looks at Beorn and smiles "At least I had some fun"
And closes by to analyse the script with the half-orc.
Garidan gives his best performance in hiding his true potential. When swinging his bill, he pulls his punch. He tries to dive out of the way, but stubs his toe and stumbles across the floor. In apparent disgust, he looks at the director and simply mutters "simpleton" before he stalks off stage.
Beorne suddenly draws his blade and slices at Gariden.
Robhal stares at Garridan, at first furious, then breaks into a grin. "Such simplicity! Straight and to the point! That shows the wisdom and intelligence of the part!"
The next day, the cast list is posted. In addition to numerous chorus members and two actors cast in some of the less combative, but still important roles (Calseinica Nymmis and Thesing Umbero Ulvauno), the team is placed into the main roles.
Larazod - Beorn
Dentris - Garidan
Tybian - Eidi
Drovalid - Tania
Farus - Rurik
Monris - Tanrov
Beorne beams as he sees he has the leading role.
"Drovalid!? DROVALID!!?" mutters Tania, looking at the list, then turning to Beorn: "Looks like I'll be the one testing you... You're right, we need to prepare. What spells can protect the skin, what other incantations, or potions, are needed??"
"I believe I can protect up to three people for a couple of hours from the whipping. It should be long enough to make it through the performance."
"I can make one person resistant to acid... maybe two, if that's all I do with my best divine gifts," says Rurik.
"Tybian" mumbles Eidi, a smile drawing in his face "Well, I guess I should start to prepare myself for the worst. But at least we made it inside"
"I know there are spells able to create magical and invisible armors around the body. That might help enormously" finishes the man.
"When will we meet our companions? And what time should we be here to try the texts?" as him to the new boss.
"The whipping Garidan can take care of, and the acid Rurik. That's good, but who needs to be protected?" asks Tania.
I can create an invisible shield to help protect, but it only lasts a few minutes
The first day of rehearsals is actually focused on costuming and makeup. Robhal demands everyone bring the gear that they are most accustomed to and discusses methods of blending the gear to match the character everyone is playing with a taciturn hunchbacked human named Millech. An army of tailors swarm of all of you individually, taking measurements and making copious notes.
During the fitting and costuming process, you catch sight of the other major actors: Calseinica and Thesing Umbero Ulvauno. While Calseinica is patient and gracefully polite, Thesing is an insufferable bastard who yells at the crew for any perceived slight or mistake.
While most of the chorus is easily taken care of, one member, an older woman named Delour Aulamaxa, hangs around backstage the whole time. Although she has a a minor role singing with a chorus, the woman acts like a diva and is treated like royalty.
Eidi tries to enjoy the opportunity of this job. He approaches at Calseinica "This seems promising. I am sure the Major will never forget this acting." looking at her deeply he makes a small reverence "I think we have not been presented yet. My name is Eidi. Have you ever played before?"
He keeps trying to engage into similar small talk with the other people around, and keeps observatory of people's intentions and any potential danger for the group's final goal.