On her way into the large room, Mara told Allegra, Ci Ci, Dervak and Theo, "I found a record of a large ochre leather shipment sold at a substantial loss to someone named Fazar. Rahmir said that Dahab had a new leather jerkin, a fine belt, and boots made of that material; maybe we need to track down this Fazar?"
Pocky peeks inside the two rooms to the south and vaguely recognizes them as more store rooms, what they store she couldn't say. In the final room she pauses as a figure lies prostrate in the corner. She phases back into reality. The rest of the party tries the door that Pocky entered ethereally but finds that a lock bars their path.
Just then the far door opens revealing a devastatingly handsome man who is clearly upset. He wears a simple tradesmen's outfit but wears it well. He demands, "What is the meaning of this?"
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"We're special agents of the government. We are investigating a matter of utmost importance to the security of the city. We have no intention of stealing anything, but we had to force out way in to follow where the investigation has lead. Are you the owner of this establishment? If so, are you willing to cooperate with us?"
Ci Ci's tone is matter-of-fact, and professional. She looks at him with a stern eye.
Are we? If Pocky didn’t know she doesn’t work for the government, she’d believe every word.
Note to self: when somebody asks a question, let Ci-Ci answer.
Allegra will flash her shiny badge, from the government she is in fact investigating on behalf of. "We will of course reimburse you for the door and lock."
We are representatives of the Government of Katheer on a diplomatic investigation of the utmost devastation prevention program!
Dervak stands around and looks big.
Mara told the tradesman, "By the way, your guard seems to be under some sort of magical control. Is that something you were aware of?"
Is he aware? Would he answer that honestly?
"And why does Katheer's agents need to break and enter into a simple tannery?" The man stares at Ci Ci for a second too long to be comfortable.
Because we didn't want to announce our presence to the Law breakers, of course!
The White Rabbit pantomimes Duh!
Not sure if the man's prolonged stare was an attempt to intimidate her, enthrall her with some sort of spell, or an attempt to flirt, Ci Ci responds with a remark to fit all three occasions.
"Your powers won't work on me, Boy," she says in a confident, condescending tone. "Things will go better for you if you cooperate."
The man continues to stall, "I'm not sure what you mean by powers. Even if you were sanctioned by Katheer you have not authority in Okeno. Lay down your arms and leave and we can call the whole thing even."
"Seeing as you have not answered a single question about the guard who was under enchantment in the other room, or this man lying bound here, I think you have some explaining to do," Ci Ci replies, maintaining her serious tone.
"You have been given ample opportunity to cooperate with us, and I am tired of your obstinance. It is time to see how honest your intentions are."
She extends her hand towards him and intones: "Flash! Ahhhh!"
Theophilus looks alarmingly at the White Rabbit.
So we are done talking?
The White Rabbit nods; putting on boxing gloves.
Mara glared at the obstinate man, who didn't seem to want to explain how his guard was ensorcelled.
The bright flash of light from Ci Ci's fingers has no effect on the man other than startling him as he jumps back a little. The momentary disorientation gives the party a moment of advantage.
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Theophilus winks at Tristan; before all the chaos erupts!
He then tip toes to hide behind a table; peeking out long enough to misfortune hex him!
Nothing to see here.
Pocky runs toward the foe!
She volleys over the table—
—then trips and kicks!
“Have a nice trip,” she says humorlessly.
“A groaner, yes. Yet, might you get a kick out of it?”
Ci Ci extends her hand again towards the man.
"Now, now...behave!" she intones, as three beams of energy flash from her hand towards him.
When Ci Ci cast her spell, Mara quickly prayed to give Dervak divine guidance. Then she moved around the tables and gave the stranger the evil eye.
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Three rays of force shoot out of Ci Ci’s fingers and one even slams into the beauteous man. However not even a whuff of air is expelled as the impact seems to not have affected him at all.
Mara and Theo work their mojo cursing the man without so much as even a word.
Allegra takes the opportunity to cast Dispel Magic on the man.
If Allegra's spell removed any magical effects it doesn't show.
The man snarls, "I will be back." He then disappears. Anyone who can see invisibility does not see him.
Dervak still has See Invisibility active, so if he doesn't see the man, then the man has presumably Teleported away rather than merely going Invisible.
The warrior looks around.
"That didn't go well. An enemy has escaped us, and will likely come after us again."
Dervak doesn't know about the man in the corner room, correct? So he does nothing for the moment, waiting to hear from others about the next steps.
Mara tried to understand where the man went.
"Does anyone know where Pocky went?", she asked the others. Fearing the that the mystery man might have hostile intent, she concentrated, causing her form to waver. Following that, she intoned a prayer to make it harder for someone to restrain her.
Pocky moves back to the room where the man lies and examines the door. If it’s safe to open, she opens it, then asks Mara if she can examine the man.
Theophilus seems to be weeping.
I don't want to go back!
The White Rabbit begins handing the distraught Witch tissues.
Until he knows that there is anything to be done, Dervak just waits for information.
Round One: Cast Overland Flight
Round Two: Cast Greater Invisibility
There is a drumming sound from within the room. Bursting splinters! A rapid blur of a little leg! A flying kick-kick-kick-kick-KICK bashes the upper part of the door for the convenience of taller folk.
Pocky brushes herself off and points to the corner. “There’s a guy. He’s out. I didn’t do it.”
Allegra gets her axe out and calls out to Irori for Aid, then she calls to Iomedae to scan the room with Detect Chaos for any unexpected sources. She also spends a swift action and a fervor call upon Torag to gird her armor and weapons (+2 to both).
From one of the bedrooms spills three disembodied and bestial heads circled by curling ram-like horns. They fly towards the party and their eyes begin to glow with malevolent intent. The man true to his word has returned also stepping out of the same room now holding a hand axe in one hand and scimitar in another.
Ci Ci flies to the West wall, just a few paces away from and above the door, and waits to blast whatever comes through first.
A battle was brewing! Mara hurried beside Dervak and concentrated, speeding up the flow of time for her companions. "The floating heads are immune to fire!", she warned Ci Ci.
Theophilus recognizes Mara's spell; so the Witch sprints closer!
He then begins huffing and puffing; seemingly out of breathe from that 30' run!
The White Rabbit seems perfectly fine.
Wheezing a bit heavily, he whispers
I have a Lightning Bolt for them once they come in!
He will also cast Guidance on himself this round.
Dervak will delay and wait for the enemies to get closer.
Dervak is cautious. So why does an allegedly wise nun throw caution to the wind?
Why not!
Pocky recites a silent prayer to the Cloud Sisters—one for each floating head!—and she tumbles!
Thanks to Mara’s spell, Pocky runs like the wind! She slides to her foe ready to sweep him off his feet—
…aaaaaaand screeches to a disappointing halt.
“Well, I’m as mortified as you are. If not more.”
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Dervak is cautious. So why does an allegedly wise nun throw caution to the wind?
Allegra recites a swift prayer to Iomedae to strike true as she moves into position, then she readies to swing at any enemies that approaches within her reach.
Allegra cuts one of the beastial heads in half as it approaches her. And a second as it comes in close for a bite. One flies at Dervak but he cuts it down just as easily.
Pocky screeches to a halt unbalanced and caught unaware and the man is ready for her. In a flurry of slashes and chops Pocky's blood is spilled.