Sholti puts the hat back on, this time aiming for fuller lips and going platinum blonde, long hair of course.
You get the lips. The lips are positively bee-stung! The hair... generously, it's a very light brown. Also, for some reason the hat thinks that this version of you should have chipmunk cheeks, a weakish chin, and pale, rather watery eyes.
Apparently you need to go out and be... Awesome!
Quote:
If the hat does respond to her thinking, she will save the implications of her first appearance while wearing it, and what it might mean about her subconscious and self-image, to ponder over later.
Ah, picked right up on that. Good, good.
Note that the Hat's +5 (or more, if you can pull it off) is an untyped bonus that will stack with your existing ranks in Disguise.
"Laria and I have worked together before," says the tiefling. Laria nods. She is rubbing the side of her neck. "She vouches for your competence and your goodwill. Can you help us?"
Note that you are not required to bite on every adventure hook that walks in the door! "Nope," "Not interested," "Sorry, we want to keep a low profile" and "We're a bit busy with other matters right now" are all totally acceptable answers.
Sholti strolls in from the back, taking a break from helping Rexus. She notices everyone chatting with a stranger, a tiefling no less.
After collecting her coffee, she wanders over to see what is happening. "Good afternoon everyone." She extends her hand to the tiefling. "Hello, I'm Sholti."
Sholti doesn't ask any questions. Now that she's a civilian, she figures it's better if she doesn't try to pry into every little thing.
Female Half-Orc Alchemist 2 HP 19/19 | AC 14 T 10 FF 14 | Fort +5 Reflex +3 WIll +0 | Init +0 | Per +5
Sera comes to a sudden decision, firmly wresting control over the situation.
"We can help if you provide to us some of the standard information you need to catch a serial killer. For instance, we might need to see the bodies of the people who were murdered, or alternatively speak to someone who saw the victim,s to learn how they died. Also, if you could let us know precisely where people went missing, we can figure out if there is a pattern as to how the killer picks its victims. We might need more information, but for now, this should help us get onto the right path."
"The bodies have already been cremated. There are no Grey Patrols in the Nursery."
The Grey Patrols: the Church of Asmodeus periodically makes sweeps through graveyards and places where violent deaths have occurred, to check for signs of undead -- corporeal or otherwise -- and deal with them. They are in fact one of several pillars of the Church's popularity: the cities and towns of Cheliax may have many sorts of problems, but infestations of undead are almost never among them.
But there are no Grey Patrols in the Devil's Nursery. So the bodies of people who die by mysterious and inexplicable violence? Get cremated fast, lest their tortured spirits bring them back.
Female Half-Orc Alchemist 2 HP 19/19 | AC 14 T 10 FF 14 | Fort +5 Reflex +3 WIll +0 | Init +0 | Per +5
Sera frowns "So nobody saw what the bodies looked like before they were cremated? Should their be a further murder, I'd like an opportunity to briefly look before cremation. In the meantime, I'd still like to know roughly what the bodies looked like when found, as well as where the bodies were found - it might be a clue."
"People said the bodies were mutilated, but didn't give any details. Understand that I'm getting this at second and third hand, myself. I don't live in the Nursery... any more." Very few tieflings manage to climb out of the Devil's Nursery, actually. "As to the location, now that you mention it I believe all three bodies were found outdoors. I have no idea if that means anything."
"There's a lot of excitement and rumors flying -- people are afraid. Perhaps the best thing to do would be to go there yourselves, and ask around discreetly."
Female Half-Orc Alchemist 2 HP 19/19 | AC 14 T 10 FF 14 | Fort +5 Reflex +3 WIll +0 | Init +0 | Per +5
Sera tries to keep her cool, but is privately irritated someone would approach for assistance but not know any relevant information.
"I guess we can go and ask around, although it begs the question as to why people would even talk to us. We are not law enforcement, and can hardly announce ourselves as something else. Why would any of them talk to us?"
Sholti answers Zeldana's wave with a smile, one that is a little unsure perhaps, but genuine.
"Not to say it would necessarily be easy to find people willing to talk. But it's exactly because you aren't law enforcement that they might Sera. It's the Devil's Nursery, the dottari aren't concerned with what happens there. It could be surprising how anxious some people there are to talk to anyone who will listen."
"I don't know if they'll talk to you. But I know they won't talk to dottari or Hellknights. Hetamon pauses a moment. "I... can't easily describe to you what things are like in the Nursery. At the best of times. And these are not the best of times."
Female Half-Elf Witch (Cartomancer)/2 HP 14/14 | AC 12 T 12 FF 10 | Fort +2 Ref +2 Will +1 | Per +4 | Init +3
"Would it help if we brought something the need right now?" Zeldana asked more or less just thinking out loud."Like maybe bread? Or something like a sweet treat?"
"Would it help if we brought something the need right now?" Zeldana asked more or less just thinking out loud."Like maybe bread? Or something like a sweet treat?"
"...certainly there are people in the Nursery hungry enough to take whatever is offered. But strangers offering food might give the wrong impression." Hetamon looks at you with an odd expression. "I... I don't suppose you've ever been there."Probably not, but if you decide that you ever have, that's fine. There'd have to be some reason, though."But as I think about it, I can give you something to wear. It might help, a bit."
When you're ready to go to the Nursery, Hetamon will provide you with up to three long jackets -- coats, really. The coats are knee-length, dark blue, with padded shoulders and complex embroidery in red thread on the sleeves. They're lovely, and probably cost at least 20 gp.
Everyone should note whether you're wearing a coat or not when you visit the Nursery.
Female Human Unchained Monk/5 HP 44/44| AC 18 T 18 FF 16 | Fort 6 Ref 6 Will 6 | Per 13 | Init 6 | Ki pool 7/7 | Stunning Fist DC 16 5/5
Stricia nods as she accepts a coat. We should help. It will show that there are people in the city better than the Dottari. And a murderer such as this should be stopped regardless.
One, tieflings are firmly second-class citizens in Cheliax. They're discriminated against, they're despised, and they're viewed with suspicion. The general consensus is that tieflings are just prone to depravity and wickedness, including crime and violence. Yes, maybe /some/ can overcome that tendency, but why take chances? Many people would be happy to see them just... removed. Things are less bad in Kintargo, but "less bad" doesn't mean good.
Two, most people think tieflings are half- or part-devil. Not so. A half-fiend is something else again. Tieflings can happen whenever there's a certain level of exposure to fiendish influences. Just casual or occasional exposure won't do it -- it must be some combination of prolonged, intense, or very close. But it can result in a tiefling years or decades after the fact. (N.B., knowing this doesn't make people like tieflings any more. They just switch to assuming that one or both of the parents must have been depraved... or, if they're good Asmodeans, they'll assume that one of the parents was careless, which is just as bad.)
Of course, Cheliax is full of devils and full of people who deal with devils and Hell, with a sprinkling of other evil influences mixed in. So tieflings are pretty common.
Three, while many tieflings are the plain vanilla sort from the book, there are also a lot of devilspawn tieflings around, plus a sprinkling of other kinds. Also, some tieflings will show odd deformities or strange powers -- think of those crazy tables at the back of Blood of Fiends.
Female Half-Elf Witch (Cartomancer)/2 HP 14/14 | AC 12 T 12 FF 10 | Fort +2 Ref +2 Will +1 | Per +4 | Init +3
Suit:1d6 ⇒ 2 Alingemt:1d9 ⇒ 9
Zeldana, feeling a bit curious, took out her deck and shuffled her cards before she drew the top card. The Damon's Lanturns was the card she was greeted with and she couldn't help but feel a but nervous by it. Returning the card to her deck, she put them away without another word.
This is not your official "powered by the deck" drawing -- I pick those. In mechanical terms, it's a Dex card, so you get +2 on a single Dex roll... Stealth, Acrobatics, any of those.
That said, it's a creepy card: trouble or evil that comes at you through literal or metaphorical dexterity, or that can't be avoided by such dexterity. Traps, sneak attacks, mind tricks, things stolen from you, broken bones.
Female Half-Elf Witch (Cartomancer)/2 HP 14/14 | AC 12 T 12 FF 10 | Fort +2 Ref +2 Will +1 | Per +4 | Init +3
I'm well aware. No that is for her Narrowed feat. I was trying to do it all through fluff in that she is being extra jumpy because of the card she drew.
South of the river, on the very edge of town, under the shadow of the town walls: the Devil's Nursery. A slum, eight blocks long and three wide. The streets are narrow, crooked, muddy and foul-smelling. The buildings are visibly decrepit. Odd additions have been made -- shanties and lean-tos. It's obviously overcrowded... but the streets seem strangely empty; only a few people can be seen around, even in broad daylight.
There are a number of ways you could proceed here, but the simplest would be for the PC with the highest Diplomacy to do a Gather Information check.
After Sholti gives the hat a second, rather disappointing, try she puts it aside and moves on to the main thing she had wanted to bring up to Ferran.
"You know Baaba, the reason I met Rexus is because he is an excellent voice instructor. I didn't go looking for a voice teacher just to fill my time. It's something I'm serious about."
Needed because a lie or not? Bluff: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
"I know the business will be mine someday. I have every intention of devoting myself to it when that time comes. But things aren't like they were back when Maama first came here. The business is on a good foundation, if Barzillai Thrune's rules don't kill shipping entirely. What I'm saying is I can devote myself to more than one thing. I want to sing as well."
"After dinner tonight I'd like to show you and Maama what I can do. After you've heard me, I will ask you and Maama to consider it."
"I'll use the hat, it a great alternative to slow costume changes. but don't expect a lot quite yet. The way you've explained how it works, it must be quite... bored right now?"
That evening after their meal, Sholti puts on a small performance for you mother and stepfather. She sings two pieces a cappella, both chosen by her from the opera The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. It is a newer opera, but one quickly on its way to becoming a classic.
The opera’s story follows the tragedies visited upon four central characters, whose lives only intersect because they reside in Westcrown. Sholti knows she has a make an impression that will go beyond just parental pride. She also knows she will get no answer the same night. She also knows tragedy creates a more lasting impression than comedy.
Sholti’s first choice is a portion of the final aria of the beautiful Lady Palmyrene, as she learns Leontios, the only one of her three suitors who she felt love for is now dead. The other two, both despicable men, had conspired together to remove Leontios because she clearly preferred him. Knowing she must choose one of two equal miseries or see her family fall to poverty, Palmyrene reflects on the hopelessness of her future.
With the hat on her head, Sholti imagines the form of a beautiful teenaged human.
Palmyrene’s Lament:
My wounded rhymes make silent cries tonight
My wounded rhymes make silent cries tonight
And I'll keep it like a burning
Longing from a distance
I ranted, I pleaded, I beg him not to go
For sorrow, the only lover I've ever known
Sadness is a blessing
Sadness is a pearl
Sadness is my boyfriend
Oh sadness, I'm your girl
These scars of mine make wounded rhymes tonight
I dream of times when you were mine so I
Can keep it like a haunting
Heart beating close to mine
Sadness is a blessing
Sadness is a pearl
Sadness is my boyfriend
Oh sadness, I'm your girl
I ranted, I pleaded, I beg him not to go
For sorrow, the only lover I've ever known
Every night I rant, I plead, I beg him not to go
Will sorrow be the only lover I can call my own?
Sadness is a blessing
Sadness is a pearl
Sadness is my boyfriend
Oh sadness, I'm your girl
Sholti’s second piece is another portion of a final aria. Pertinax, a heroic Chelish naval officer, is overwhelmed by the charms of Fulvia. He deserts his ship at her behest. Fulvia maneuvers the besotted Pertinax, using his good-heartedness against him. She claims to be damned by her father, who sold her soul at birth. Pertinax gallantly signs away his own to free hers.
When the deed is done, Fulvia mocks Pertinax. She reveals herself to be a diabolist who simply needed his soul as a payment. Further, she has turned him in to the navy to collect the bounty placed on deserters. As the desolated Pertinax waits to be taken into custody and executed, he questions Fulvia.
The lyrics in the portion Sholti chooses are gender neutral. Sholti imagines the appearance of a proud, but emotionally stricken woman nearing her middle years instead of a male.
Pertinax’s Question:
How does it feel to treat me like you do?
When you've laid your hands upon me and told me who you are
I thought I was mistaken, I thought I heard your words
Tell me how do I feel?
Tell me now, how do I feel?
Those who came before me lived through their vocations
From the past until completion, they'll turn away no more
And still I find it so hard to say what I need to say
But I'm quite sure that you'll tell me just how I should feel today
I see a ship in the harbor
I can and shall obey
But if it wasn't for your misfortune, I'd be a heavenly person today
And I thought I was mistaken, and I thought I heard you speak
Tell me, how do I feel?
Tell me now, how should I feel?
Now I stand here waiting
I thought I told you to leave me when I walked down to the beach
Tell me how does it feel, when your heart grows cold?
Zeldana's having an okay day, Sera not so much. (Normally she's your party's top diplomat.) Well: DC 18 means that you find some people who are willing to talk to you, briefly, but nobody is terribly friendly or forthcoming. It's a bit frustrating.
(One thing you do notice: not everyone here is a tiefling. Most are, but there are a few halflings around... runaway slaves, perhaps?... and some other odds and ends.)
Sholti hangs around long enough to get an idea of when the others will depart for the Devil's Nursery. Then, her cup of tea finished, she mentions needing to get back to helping Rexus and leaves.
She tells Rexus she must be going and why, then leaves by way of the back door.
However, as noted in the Hat's description, it dislikes repetition. So the DC on Perform (Song) checks is now 25. If you fail, nothing bad happens, but you can't try again. On the plus side, the Hat will stay at +10 for the next 30 days. As noted, you can try pushing the bonus higher if you want to.
Meanwhile, what are you doing wrt the rest of the group?
Back in the Devil's Nursery: [sfx: rolling offscreen]
Stricia only:
The group is standing in the street discussing possible next moves when you become aware that you're being followed. Someone is drifting after you, keeping to the shadows. They're quite stealthy.
Tell the rest of the party, accost the stalker alone, ignore, other...?
Kestrel times her arrival in the Devil's Nursery to roughy match the others, but she doesn't go looking for them right away.
She figures the only location the bodies have in common is the place where cremations are done. Someone there may know who the murder victims were, or maybe how they were killed, or perhaps where they were killed. In any case it's her only idea for a starting place.
She begins asking around for where she can find the crematorium, she needs to pay respects. Kestrel figures the dark gray scarf wrapped across her lower face will imply a physical appearance not out of place in the neighborhood.
Stricia leans close towards you. "Don't look now, but... someone has been following us. He's lurking in the shadow of an overhang, about thirty feet behind my left shoulder."
She begins asking around for where she can find the crematorium, she needs to pay respects. Kestrel figures the dark gray scarf wrapped across her lower face will imply a physical appearance not out of place in the neighborhood.
People are not interested in talking to the strange human woman.
(On the plus side, you can feel that the Hat is pleased. Somehow it sort of radiates a combination of contentment and expectation.)
Seeing you go into a huddle, your stalker realizes that she's been spotted. Cautiously,she steps out into the fading daylight. (It's late afternoon now, and the shadows are lengthening.)
She's a tiefling -- a young woman, barely more than a girl. Her eyes are yellow with horizontal slit pupils, and she sports a long pair of horns.
"You, you people. They said you were. Asking. About the dead ones." You have to strain to hear; she's still standing some little distance away, and her voice is a husky whisper. "Why? Did, did Missa Vestori send you?"
Female Half-Orc Alchemist 2 HP 19/19 | AC 14 T 10 FF 14 | Fort +5 Reflex +3 WIll +0 | Init +0 | Per +5
"Well, the idea was to ask about the murders to prevent them continuing to happen - which eventually probably leaves to a riot or something should everything continue unchecked. Since no-one currently wants to talk to us though, except you just now, my hopes are not particularly high this will be successful", Sera responds, irritated about the situation.
