During the discussions with Ailyn, Addie has been sitting silently at the back of the group, dealing a Harrow spread and slowly shaking her head as she studies the resulting pattern. With a frown, the veiled witch scoops up the ancient cards and carefully places them back in their case.
"I've only been to the theater once in my life, but I found the experience intriguing," Addie says, finally joining the conversation. His Lordship jumps up into her lap and she scratches the black tomcat behind the ears as she continues. "I for one would be interested to participate in an actual production, and I believe that the members of our group definitely fit the bill for 'authentic adventurers'."
"And if we don't have to put up with 'experienced actors' like that odious Thesing fellow, so much the better."
Wart scratches his head, and rubs his earlobe,
"Is my...errr...truent property status...going to be a problem? I am still technically wanted by the law. They tend to frown on escaped slaves."
They won't take ye Wart. I'll bring my Glaive down upon the head of any who dare try! But mayhap you should just use a false name and alias...
Valeron chuckles at Wart's concerns. "Truth be told, I think most Chelaxians feel you halflings all look alike, so there would be little to your description other than 'short male slave' for anyone to follow up on!"
With another moment's thought, the Iomedan finally offers up his agreement, "The path through this performance is most unusual, but if you feel it's the most direct solution to helping Westcrown, I'm in."
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Having at least nominally received agreement from the group, Ailyn continues...
"Good, I'm glad to hear that you all are at least willing to try this. One advantage of trying to get into Aberian's Folly this way, is that should you succeed with this performance, the Lord Mayor will undoubtedly have you all into his home for some sort of celebration, and likely want you all 'in costume'. Given the blood sport nature of this play, that should allow you to have your weapons and armor with you."
"You will want to go to the Limehouse Theater to audition with Robohl Nonon. Fair warning though, he is known to be a bit....demanding."
Morghrim puffed out his chest as he proclaimed-
Let it not be said that Morghrim Maestros, wielder of Shelyn's Kiss, did not do his very best on the stage in the name of his deity- the patron of arts, beauty and acting. Let us give them a show they shall not forget!
As Morghrim finishes his proclamation, the edge of his glaive bursts into righteous flame. Still a little drunk, Morghrim finally finds his normal common sense and hastily retires.
Valeron nods, wondering to himself how different acting could be from the work he did in the Chelaxian courts.
I have the last loot division as after the otyugh. That can't be right, can it? Edit: I guess that is right. I've found two big sets of loot: from after the big priest, and then the room with trade goods. Any I'm missing? I don't think we ever officially looted the bodies of the few tiefling rogues we fought where they tried to burn us with oil. What did they have?
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10 sets leather armor
1 set masterwork studded leather
1 masterwork full plate*
1 masterwork heavy shield
A set of bracers*
1 masterwork heavy mace*
1 masterwork staff
1 alchemical silver dagger*
10 light crossbows
10 longswords
10 daggers
5 vials of liquid*
1 wand*
1 ring*
550 gp
750 sp
800 cp* = radiates as magical
And here's the breakdown of the magic items listed above and who has claimed what:
+1 Full Plate Armor - Morghrim
Bracers of Armor +2 - Addie
+1 Keen Alchemical Silver Dagger - Wart
Potion of Cure Serious Wounds - Morghrim
Ring of Feather Fall - Morghrim
Wand of Magic Missiles CL 1st (34 charges) - Addie
Potion of Cure Light Wounds - unclaimed
Potion of Cure Light Wounds - unclaimed
Potion of Cure Moderate Wounds - unclaimed
Potion of Invisibility - unclaimed
+1 Heavy Mace - to be sold
Okay, here is the link. The doc is currently set to allow anybody with the link to edit it, so you need to click this link to get there.
If we are selling the rest, let's have a Diplomacy roll and a percentage, then I can give everybody their money.
Valeron sighs as he realizes once again he will be selling the possessions of now-dead vandals to various merchants about town.
Throughout the day, he can be overheard repeating the sentences of various court decisions to himself, whenever an unclear word spoken, starting over and muttering it to himself again.
In the later afternoon, he shoots Addie the knowing grin that confirms they will once again be purchasing ink.
And how many are we now? Kev, Morghrim, Wart, Addie, and Valeron. Am I forgetting anybody?
If it's just the 5, then everybody's shares in coin are:
949 gp, 151 sp, 161 cp
And how many are we now? Kev, Morghrim, Wart, Addie, and Valeron. Am I forgetting anybody?
If it's just the 5, then everybody's shares in coin are:
949 gp, 151 sp, 161 cp
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The party makes their way to Rego Scripa district of Westcrown, and in particular the Limehouse theater, where Robahl Nonon is holding his open casting call/audition for his latest "directorial effort", The Six Trials of Larazod.
As you arrive you see a rather stout man, with a huge walrus moustache, a sadly obvious toupee, and a dreadful scowl. His face has turned red from shouting direction and insults, but mostly insults, at those vying for roles.
The director appears to be at his wits end, having cast a number of the roles already, but so far unable to find his Larazod and many of Larazod's companions.
There are a number of other prospective "actors" in the Limehouse when you arrive...
"Oh just wonderful, just what I need another bunch of adventures that think they can act. Or are you actors that think they might be able fight?"
Obviously agitated by the lack of quality, at least in his eyes, that he has seen today, looks at the group of people that have just entered his theater and finally relents...
"Very well, lets see if you are worth the air you breathe...tell me a bit about yourself and if...IF you are not completely incompetent, perhaps I will allow you an actual audition. You, yes you come here...I wasn't planning on keeping the role of Monris Blaksward in this version, but seeing as an honest to Asmodeus dwarf has shown his beard, come here and we'll talk about it..."
Robahl speaks to each of you in turn, asking about your experience in the theater or in combat prior to offering any sort of audition.
Oh dear. Kev starts to sense that his natural shyness, enhanced by nervousness, is not helping the cause, so he starts to get a little flustered and frustrated.
"Okay, so maybe I'm not the world's best actor, but it seems to me that this play is about more than just acting - you need somebody to strike fear into your actors and audience. Well, don't you?" He finishes with a shout and brandish of his axe.
intimidate to show his fierceness.
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"Okay, so maybe I'm not the world's best actor, but it seems to me that this play is about more than just acting - you need somebody to strike fear into your actors and audience. Well, don't you?"
Robahl's face scrunches into a look of disapproval...
"I suppose you are not the most incompetent 'actor' I have dealt with today....You all came in as a group. I suppose you are all part of some sort of troupe? We shall see if your companions are as wretched as you."
Bedecked in her finest outfit, Addie steps before Robahl Nonon and curtsies. "Master Nonon, my companions and I are indeed experienced adventurers. Whether our acting skills measure up to your refined standards, I will leave to your esteemed judgment," she says demurely.
Morghrim resists the urge to wince at the mention of Asmodeus, and stands patiently awaiting his turn, having asked for Shelyn's guidance to help him in the audition. When asked about his combat experience he puffs his chest out proudly, emphasising his freshly washed braids, beard and combed hair.
I'm a born warrior sah- and i'll prove my worth in battle or brawl if I must! I hail from the Maestros clan, and I have always had a keen appreciation of acting, drama and the arts; enough that I was kicked out of my clan for it heh...
Morghrim listens keenly and ponders who Monris Blaksward might be. Satisfied that he is an able enough actor to make it up as he goes along, he leaps up onto a nearby table in the middle of someone elses audition, drawing his battleaxe and waving it menacingly, roaring out (and showering unfortunate passer by's in spittle in his enthusiasm)-
Morghrim finishes his 'performance' with a bow and a menacing glare at the director.
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Robahl looks a bit surprised with how well Addie has done...
"I must say I'm duly impressed. You might actually be competition for Calseinica for the role of Ilsandra...but we shall see about that later."
The portly director studies the dwarf for a few momements...
Hmmm....you've obviously never read this play before. If you wish to have any chance, as slight as it may be, of playing the role of Monris, you will have to be more surly, and certainly less prim and proper with your appearance. I mean seriously, who has ever heard of a fancified dwarf!"
Robahl then turns his attention to Kevorin, Valeron, and Wart...
"Well come on already...don't waste any more of my time than you already have. Asmodeus only knows what in the Nine Hells I'm supposed to do with a slip and a savage."
Robahl looks a bit surprised with how well Addie has done...
"I must say I'm duly impressed. You might actually be competition for Calseinica for the role of Ilsandra...but we shall see about that later."
"I'd hate to take a part away from someone already cast in that role. Perhaps I could play another role... Larazod, for instance?" Addie replies. With a soft hum of a tune and a flick of the fingers, Addie removes her veil to reveal the face of a handsome young man. At the same time, her clothing morphs into the appearance of well-worn yet stylish leather armor.
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"I'd hate to take a part away from someone already cast in that role. Perhaps I could play another role... Larazod, for instance?" Addie replies. With a soft hum of a tune and a flick of the fingers, Addie removes her veil to reveal the face of a handsome young man. At the same time, her clothing morphs into the appearance of well-worn yet stylish leather armor.
Momentarily, the director is silent...
"You would ask to play the role of Larazod? That has a certain amount of potential. How long can you maintain this disguise?"
"Oh and you wouldn't be opposed to certain scenes with Calseinica, would you?" as you see a rather salacious grin cross the director's face.
Addie frowns a bit as she replies, "Unfortunately, I can only maintain the disguising spell for 10 minutes per casting." Her expression turns thoughful as she considers possibilities.
"I may be able to acquire an item that would allow me to maintain a such a disguise indefinitely," Addie says slowly. "Would that be acceptable?"
"Oh and you wouldn't be opposed to certain scenes with Calseinica, would you?"
With only the briefest hesitation Addie responds to the director's second question. "A great actor plays true to her role, regardless of what a scene requires. The play's the thing, after all."
vs. opposed Perception; no penalty for age or race category...benefit of childlike feat.
Wart travels with the group, getting up early to don a disguise, hiding his knife and what not, and taking minimal gear.
He attempts to appear as a human child.
Seeing the others take their turns, Valeron's thoughts drifted to prior years in which he was employed as a legal clerk. For his "audition", at least the part where he was pretending, he had planned simply to convince himself he was nothing but an attorney representing a client, and that the casting director was nothing but the judge. He was used to small audiences in the court room - in fact there was a time he savored it - standing up with all eyes on him, digging courage out from somewhere deep, and having the responsibility of a man's life - or at least a hefty fine, or avoidance of a fine, resting on his shoulders.
His thoughts kept drifting to when he worked on the case of The Faithful Servants of Asmodeus versus Doctor Hubert von Felstring. A particularly interesting case where a traveler had taken up residence in Westcrown and was treating people's illness with mere salves and ointments versus allowing them to seek out "proper" assistance from the infernal church. Valeron had lost the case - badly - however, in his mind it was due to the prejudices of the court against anything non-Asmodean and not particularily due to his abilities as a lawyer.
It seemed all eyes were resting on him for his turn - even Wart had his chance - so he'd need to focus here. He supposed he would need to take a turn at pretending to be the prosecution for the case, since the director seemed bent that way.
"Ahem..." the Iomedan cleared his throat. He clasped both hands behind his back and took up the posture of the prosecution.
Giving a sidelong glance to Robahl, much like he would to a judge to project his confidence in winning the case at hand, Valeron began...
"It seems we are at a stalemate here, does it not? While there is no evidence that the accused directly took coins from the church into his own possession, we do have a startling numbers of facts."
Surely everyone was caught off guard, they were all looking at Valeron strangely.
"Indeed! We have the records of the good Church submitted into evidence that show upon the arrival of this doctor, how for four consecutive weeks, the church's income dropped by forty gold, then seventy gold, then ninety gold, then two hundred gold. TWO HUNDRED GOLD. Quite a sum!"
He continued to pace, smiling wryly at Robahl.
"Then we have testimony of shop clerks in the same neighborhood of Rego Scripa attesting to the good doctor spending increasing sums nearing these totals each subsequent week."
"Finally, we have this!" Valeron held up an imaginary ledger. "The doctor's ledger itself! Seized by the dottari, showing increased sales of his so-called treatments for the same period.
Valeron continued his monologue, with some of the energy of his former career infusing his veins. He continued at length for some time before reaching his closing statement. Everything was mostly a blur. His blood was pulsing in his veins as if he just completed a life-threatening encounter fighting off a shadowbeast. He could barely think, he just stood motionless on the stage wondering how he did.
Realizing he had gone on too long... too far, he collected himself, looked at Robahl and began to negotiate for a second chance, claiming he was rusty...
If allowed a retry, he'll do something briefer with less bravado.
Less surly huh... Man wouldn't recognise authentic Dwarven battle posturing if a pack of barbarians came and bit him in the jewels... Morghrim grumbles, watching his other companions auditions with interest.
"Not less surly, you uncultured lout! More surly, surely you can handle that."
Less surly huh... Man wouldn't recognise authentic Dwarven battle posturing if a pack of barbarians came and bit him in the jewels... Morghrim grumbles, watching his other companions auditions with interest.
Morghrim roars back.
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Valeron takes the stage for his audition, a promptly goes into some long-winded exposition. Perhaps fortunately for Valeron, Robahl falls asleep while the priest is on stage only to be woken up by Morghrim's outburst of "more surly attitude".
"Zzzzzz....hmm, huh, what! Oh yes, of course...that was much better, Morghrim is it?"
Turning attention back to the stage...
"Try and liven things up a bit. Alright, surely you can't be a wretchedly boring as you were before. Hopefully this time you will be worth staying awake for."
After Valeron's second try, which Robahl actually manages to stay awake for...
"Alright...I think I have a roll for you. How do you feel about playing the ever-so misguided paladin of Aroden, Tybain?"
"As for the rest of you...none of you are very good, or really even passable, but sadly you are the least incompetent of those that I've had the displeasure of witnessing this day. Come back tomorrow at noon sharp, and you can meet the rest of the cast and crew, and perhaps by then I will have figured out what to do with you all."
Morghrim beams as the group leave the theatre house.
Well, I think that went splendidly... he says, before bursting out into hysterical laughter at the antics of the audition.
A paladin of Aroden? Valeron wonders to himself. Really, is this all acting is, simply getting on stage and being something close to what you already are? If so, then at least the acting part should be easy.
With the theater at their backs, he wonders aloud to the others, "So, that went surprisingly well. We're certain that this is going to get us closer to the mayor?"
It gets us into his home I believe; was that not the case?
As the others confirm Valeron's inquiry about getting into the mayor's house, he nods - "We just need to survive the rigors of this so-called staged battle, then. I wonder what exactly that will involve?"