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"Thank you, I think the key must be on the cleric. I saw her use it on the other door a few times, though I was unconscious when I was dumped unceremoniously in here. I was taking a dawnwalk and something hit me from behind, and before I knew it everything went black. I woke up here. I don't know why I was picked, except perhaps because I am not from this city and would not be immediately missed. I think she also has my knife -- I saw her using it a few times."
”Then let us search the woman immediately!“
Kyra walks over and searches her.
”’Vincent, did you find any keys on the woman? We need to get this man out of there!“
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-Taking a dawnwalk? Hmm...- 'Vincent' seems to ignore both Kyra and the unconscious woman now. His attention is completely on the man. "There have been similar incidents happening recently. Tell me, is there anything else you remember when they assaulted you? We could use any more information if you have it. Maybe a description of this creature?" The faintest hint of a smile creeps across "Vincent's' mouth. -Hahaha..I got you..You played a good game though...See, your best play was to announce that you had seen me pocket the keys. But now..now I can hold it against you..-
Kyra is slightly confused.
"Vincent, did you find the keys or not?"
Ezren walks over to the escalating situation and tries to calm things down. "Everyone, think reasonably here. Vincent was hired to work with us and therefore has the same goals. I'm sure there's a reason he is behaving in this manner." The middle-aged man turns to the elf "Vincent, please explain."
”Let me heal you Tull!“ Kyra says after noticing his wounds.
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'Vincent's' eyes go wide for a second and then they narrow at the man.
Casting
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V
Effect
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target one creature
Duration 1 round/level (D)
Saving Throw Will negates; Spell Resistance yes
Description
You lock access to the target’s procedural memories, preventing it from drawing upon its experience and expertise. The target loses all skill ranks, spells known, spells prepared, and activated feats, as well as its extraordinary, supernatural, and spell-like abilities. Each round at the end of the target’s turn, the target can attempt another Will save to end this effect.
'Vincent' then shouts to the others, "He just attempted to cast a spell on me!" as he runs out of the room.
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"Spell? I don't... Oh no... it's here... it tried to affect him, and he thought it was me! Please, let me out and give me my knife, or a weapon, anything to defend myself from the beast! It can be, you know, like a ghost, so it may be lurking just inside the wall!"
"'Vincent' is acting very strangely!! I want this follower of Sarenrae out of here immediately! Who can open this cage?" she says and looks around.
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Stugbu shakes his head, looking around the room for this 'ghost'. "Stugbu confused. Who good guy? Who bad guy? Where ghost? Where Vincent go?"
He holds his weapon tightly in his hand as he stands in front of Kyra, ready to protect the cleric with his life if need be...from whatever or whoever may turn out to be bad.
Ezren leans over the scrolls, pondering Tull's question.
He replies to the warpriest's query "Hmm... It seems these are scrolls of divination, remove disease, and restoration. I can't quite make out the first one." Seeing Uzziah running away, Ezren looks around in alarm trying to determine who's been casting spells at whom.
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Ezren does not see any spellcasting going on, other than Tull.
It takes Luurg a little less than a minute to unlock and open the cage door. Lex watches his actions carefully, eager to be out of the cage. The billowing mist still fills the hallway outside the door, and 'Vincent' steps into it, unable to see far ahead of him, as before.
While Luurg works, Lex glances around periodically, murmuring, "Did you hear that? It sounds like the scratching of claws over stone... or wings dragging against the floor..."
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Those near the cage see Lex wince and rub his head, and take a small step back, still watching Luurg carefully. "I felt its touch. Be prepared, all of you!"
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'Vincent' then casts...
Casting
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, F (a piece of copper wire)
Effect
Range medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Targets one creature/level
Duration 10 min./level
Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance no
Description
You can whisper messages and receive whispered replies. Those nearby can hear these messages with a DC 25 Perception check. You point your finger at each creature you want to receive the message. When you whisper, the whispered message is audible to all targeted creatures within range. Magical silence, 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal (or a thin sheet of lead), or 3 feet of wood or dirt blocks the spell. The message does not have to travel in a straight line. It can circumvent a barrier if there is an open path between you and the subject, and the path's entire length lies within the spell's range. The creatures that receive the message can whisper a reply that you hear. The spell transmits sound, not meaning; it doesn't transcend language barriers. To speak a message, you must mouth the words and whisper.
"Alright folks this is going to be hard to believe but hear me out. Than man cannot be a man. It has a natural resistance to spells that is quite formidable. It is also a phenomenal liar. As proof, it noticed me take the keys but did not tell you," at this the keys come flying out of the fog and clatter near Kyra and Stugbu. "My suspicion was further roused when it kept on asking for a weapon, but not just any weapon, it continues to ask for a dagger. A dagger is the weapon that has been used for the murders. Further, based on our knowledge of the murders thus far, the victims were not abducted, they were just killed where they were in the street. We also have not heard any reports of Sarenrites being abducted. Here is what I think we should do, knock the man unconscious, which I suspect will be surprisingly difficult. After which we can magically test to affirm that it is actually who it claims to be. If I am wrong, we can heal him up and you can have a formal apology from me, plus it should not cause him any permanent harm. If I am right then we have caught an evil, which Stugbu already identified with his wayfinder.. And maybe, just maybe, this is the one killing our Sarenrite brethren."
Kyra is flabbergasted to hear these accusations.
Kyra who is not used to the message spell speaks out loud.
"What if you are wrong ... what if you were charmed 'Vincent'? What if this is ruse? I will not start hitting the man while he is still in the cage."
Kyra turns around to the man and looks at him.
"Dear follower of the Dawnflower. Until now followers of the Dawnflower have been attacked that can use divine magic. Are you graced with Sarenrae's blessing to receive spells like Stugbu and I?" she asks.
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"Well, no -- I mean I have some skills but -- err, I mean..." he trails off. He can see suspicion growing on Kyra's face.
"To the Abyss with you all, this ruse is done! Heretics will face my wrath!" he shouts in a voice that sounds completely different -- cruel, bestial, and, oddly, feminine.
With that, he reaches under a pile of rags in the back of the cell, pulls out a shortbow with a quiver of arrows, and with a glowing gleam of magic in his eyes... vanishes.
Ezren shouts quickly to warn the others "He just teleported! He could be anywhere! Vincent, we should group up! He could have gone nearly anywhere in the world." Ezren moves to be closer to the others. "Now we must determine whether he is still here or fled entirely. Stugbu, what do you detect?"
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"How about using this spell to not announce our plans Ezren...? That being said IT can cast spells and so, as such, at least needs to see you to cast spells on you. Utilizing this fog would be ideal. Also, someone search the body of that woman for a dagger. It might be after that soon enough...Actually bring her here, we don't want to lose her."
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Luurg stops, and slowly and embarrassingly removes his picks from the lock Whew, almost had it dare! He quickly stows them in his pocket and grabs his spear, making his way back towards the greasy Vincent. I dunno who I like less... dat guy or dat guy.
Once he's close he pulls out a small fig and pops it into his big, gaping maw. A few chews and a swallow later Luurg smiles and holds his belly. It gurgles once. Twice. A third time before quickly receding, his arms, chest, back and legs all now bulging with additional thick muscle and his skin gaining a grayish hue. "Figs real gud, super strong fruit!" He smiles and waits on the tricky ones to find the other greasy guy.
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Ezren will follow along with Luurg and hope the others keep close.
"It seems Vincent was right about the nature of that man pretending to be a prisoner. I suggest we trust him for the time being, unsettling though that is."
"Ezren, this is all very strange! I hope that Sarenrae's light will open our eyes to see the secrets that are hidden here!" Kyra says.
"Stugbu, I was right ... you are a shining beacon of light and I really believe that your power is far greater than mine can ever be! Ezren and I have a group of adventurers and I can imagine that they would enjoy your company, too!" Kyra says with a smile.