No knowledge check necessary; changelings are fairly common in Eberron.
I would like for Squeak and Palisade to react to you floating down to the foundry floor before you give Arleth the potion.
So Vi is still unconscious until after the forged have acted.
"Palisade, Arleth needs your help. Can you get down here?"
The rope came undone and Lady d’Deneith fell. Alarmed, Palisade almost sent itself over the edge trying to grasp her hand before it realized she was floating down safely. To land amidst enemies. In the ‘forged’s mind, there was no question of not following her as soon as she was clear.
”Complying,” Palisade replied, jumping down to land heavily on the uneven floor littered with the debris of fallen ceiling, falling to one knee in an effort not to fall on Lady d’Deneith and crush her.
I'm going to say that deliberate falling damage should be less than the 1d6 per 10'.
That's not that bad so you may have another action this turn.
Bronwyn didn't think much of her actions until she heard frantic movements coming from above. She looked up just in time to see Palisade jumping down from the roof. "Not jump! Use the rope.". It was too late for Palisade but hopefully not for Squeak. "Squeak, use the rope!"
As Palisade landed heavily the wizard asked, "Are you ok? Arleth is already hurt, we can't afford for you to be hurt too."
As Palisade landed heavily the wizard asked, "Are you ok? Arleth is already hurt, we can't afford for you to be hurt too."
"This unit remains functional," Palisade announced as it picked itself up and readied its weapons, ignoring the fresh alchemical fluid leaks from veins damaged in its rough landing. "Controlled descent too time-consuming, since Lady- your life remains threatened. Suggestion. Fall back and provide ranged support.
According to the turn recap, the dog on arleth had med wounds and still has her in its jaws
Perhaps he will, but this is all happening during a single six-second interval, so from Palisade's POW, the doggy is very much alive yet.
Perhaps he will, but this is all happening during a single six-second interval, so from Palisade's POW, the doggy is very much alive yet.
Yes to everything. The canine will be destroyed by Rathan but Palisade may not see that yet (or is just about to happen).
Whatever provides the most RP opportunity without stretching the rules too much. :)
Game on!
Bronwyn didn't think much of her actions until she heard frantic movements coming from above. She looked up just in time to see Palisade jumping down from the roof. "Not jump! Use the rope.". It was too late for Palisade but hopefully not for Squeak. "Squeak, use the rope!"
Squeak complied. The tough stands still creaked alarmingly, but Squeak used it more to slow his fall than hold his weight.
Once down he hurried over to flank Bronwyn, then knelt and looked at the changeling. "Who is this? Is this him?" Despite his doubts, he still had the presence of mind to look for injuries.Squeak quickly unpacked his repair kit and set to work with a will. "I can't so much more than glue shut the holes, and try to stop the leaking fluid. I fear there may be some structural damage. If we can clear the area and prepare a proper shop, then I can cut her open and try to brace the bones..." he paused, remembering the amazing self-healing of the living "Or just put it back into place, brace it with some scaffolding and hope it 'grows' back."
"Identify!" barked Squeak harshly at the changeling.
"Looks like these were some sort of complicated homunculus. One of the Warforged precursors. As often tools as defenders. I wonder if the destroyed one has a rod as well? Perhaps those are the keys?"
Action 1:
Bronwyn tries to calm the warforged. "I saw her change Squeak. It's Arleth. Although I doubt that's her name."
Sitting expectantly by Arleth's side she addresses the changeling. "So...is there something you want to tell us? How about we start with your real name."
tag Vi
Action 2:
Bronwyn hid her surprise that Squeak knew something that she didn't about magical creatures. "You seem very knowledgeable about these metal guardians, Squeak. The idea of keys is an interesting one. We should look into that."
Vi coughed weakly, struggling up to her elbows. Her head was pounding, and her heart was doing a strange dance in her chest. As her vision started to come back and her breathing steadied, she looked up to see four faces staring at her. Four faces with more than just concern. Was that...suspicion?
Sitting expectantly by Arleth's side she addresses the changeling. "So...is there something you want to tell us? How about we start with your real name."
"Thanks," she started to say, then Bronwyn's words registered. "My name?" she said, wiping hair from her face as she sat up. Wiping white hair from her face. With a grey hand.
For the second time in as many minutes, Vi's heart nearly stopped. Why did I change? Was I that far gone? Oh Flame, now they know! A dozen lies and excuses flitted through Vi's mind, each one more far-fetched than the last. Finally, she let out a deep sigh of resignation and said, "My name is Vi. Vi Olaro."
tag
There was nothing Palisade could add to the discussion about the enemy constructs, so it instead concentrated on dealing with the wounded. A wounded that wasn’t what it had assumed. A half-elf no longer, but something else.
’Identity: Changeling. Experts at infiltration and information gathering. Presence here unknown. Though willingness to put itself in harm’s way suggests its purpose is not directly hostile to Lady d’Deneith,’ Palisade thought as it considered the true nature of their “guide”. ’Status update: no longer in immediate danger to perish to its wounds, due to Lady d’Deneith’s potion. Present status subject to change depending on its answers.’
Feeling slightly disappointed at having been robbed of a good chance to refresh its knowledge of the internal functions of a living body while providing emergency medical care, Palisade set aside its field first-aid kit and instead put a hand to the hilt of its greatsword, positioning itself between the changeling and Lady d’Deneith. Even though this creature’s actions to date had given no cause to suspect she was about to turn on the Lady at this precise moment, revelations like this required one to err on the side of caution.
”Query. Shall this one terminate?” it asked, glancing at Bronwyn.
After Rathan dispatched the last beast he feels the strength drain from his body. He ignored the Warforged that crashed to the ground and the halfling rushed over to Arleth's side. He is about to ask how how Arleth is doing when he noticed her appearance. Rathan began feel the bile rising in his throat and with barely veiled disgust muttered, " A skin changer."
As Bronwyn questioned the changling the halfling tightened his grip on his blade and cautioned his student, "Be wary, they not trusted."
I intend to recap later today with search results in the foundry after you all get a chance to RP.
Questions?
Game on!
"My name is Vi. Vi Olaro."
Bronwyn didn't smile at the changeling, not yet. There were still too many unanswered questions. "That's a good start."
”Query. Shall this one terminate?”
Bronwyn shook her head, "Not yet. She needs to be given the opportunity to explain herself first."
Turning back to Vi, the wizard says, "So go ahead, explain. Explain why you lied to us and why we should trust you now."
tag Vi
Bronwyn shook her head, "Not yet. She needs to be given the opportunity to explain herself first."
Turning back to Vi, the wizard says, "So go ahead, explain. Explain why you lied to us and why we should trust you now."
Swallowing past a lump in her throat, Vi nodded towards Rathan, not daring to look and see the disgust in his face. "That's why. And you were just a guiding job, so why risk it? I didn't expect you to become a friend."
Picking herself up, she dusted herself off. Her vest shifted precariously - it was much too loose on her thinner natural frame. "I'll see you safely through this, as best I can, and when we get back up, I'll leave. You can keep my share of the reward." It hurt to offer to give up money, but she didn't want to put herself in unwelcome company one moment longer than necessary.
Bronwyn shook her head, "Not yet. She needs to be given the opportunity to explain herself first."
Having very much expected the answer, Palisade released its sword and took a step back, crossing its arms behind its back to stand at parade rest while listening to the changeling's words. The 'forged itself didn't mind the creatures - as far as it was concerned, they were just as much accidents of nature as all the rest flesh and blood beings inhabiting the world. And the 'forged knew a thing or two about discrimination. Not that it cared very much about what most of the rest of creation thought about it, as long as they kept to insults - if they didn't it didn't see any reason not to respond in kind, and to escalate its own response to a level of violence it believed would frighten the opposition into retreating.
But just as the warforged were seen as weapons of war with delusions of independence of thought by many, it knew the changelings were mistrusted as liars and pretenders. After all, if someone could be anything it wanted to, how could one trust the guise it chose to show the world was any realer than all the others it could have chosen from?
Palisade itself had a much more clear and refined look on things: it divided the world clearly into two. Those that sought to harm Lady d'Deneith, and those who didn't. So far, the changeling had put itself firmly into the latter category, due to its selfless actions. There might be some grand strategy behind its actions, so Palisade should remain vigilant, but that same reserve applied to every other person, with the exception of its now-dead commander, its divine maker and its one remaining squad mate.
Bronwyn flipped her ponytail over her shoulder. "Well you obviously haven't gotten to know me well enough if you think I care what form you take. Your actions have proved that you mean us no harm. Just no more lies, ok? I understand why you didn't tell us initially but if you continue to try to deceive us then I'm not sure I'll be able to look past it again." Then to lighten the mood she added, "Besides, you obviously know your way around the city and you've promised me a shopping trip and a show or two. I expect you to stick around."
Then the wizard fixed her gaze on Rathan, "You said we were a tribe. Did you lie too? Vi's true form shouldn't change the fact that she's fought by our sides when she could have run away."
It was then that Bronwyn noticed that Palisade was leaking fluid of some sort and it was pooling by his feet. "Palisade, you said you were functional. That looks serious. If you keep that up, you won't be on your feet for long. Then who will help Squeak look after me?" She dug the oil they'd taken off the crazy warforged out of her bag. "You must take this otherwise I'll continue to worry about you." Then she paused before saying, "I'm sorry that I caused you to hurt yourself. Please accept my apology and my thanks."
Palisade accepted the most generous gift with a nod that was almost deep and formal to qualify as a bow. "Expression of deep gratitude. Thank you, Lady d- Bronwyn. This one is overjoyed at you generosity. Please do not demean yourself by apologising. This one exists to guard you. Suffering harm in the line of duty is only expected."
Then the wizard fixed her gaze on Rathan, "You said we were a tribe. Did you lie too? Vi's true form shouldn't change the fact that she's fought by our sides when she could have run away."
Rathan carefully considers Bronwyn's words before he replied, "Tribe not lie." He pointed at Vi, "One lie can undo a lifetime of good"
Action 1
Feeling emboldened by Bronwyn's words, Vi turned to Rathan. "I never really lied to you. Arleth is a very real part of me. I've spent more time as her than I have in this form. There's nothing about her that's not real, that's not me. It's just not the whole story. I have lots of other Faces, and they're all - well, mostly - parts of me too."
Tugging on her pants, trying to keep them from falling around her ankles, she continued, "If you don't want to be tribe with me, I understand. I've never had tribe before. I've never had a friend who knew I was a changeling. But if you can forgive me for living in a form that doesn't get spat on in the street, then I'd like to be friends."
She looked up at Rathan and the others, a surprisingly vulnerable expression on her grey, unlined face.
tag
Giving up on making Arleth's clothes fit, Vi concentrated a moment and changed her body shape. Lengthening a bit and filling out around the hips, bust and shoulders, she fit her body to the clothes. "I can put Arleth's face back on, if you prefer. Or another. Or I can stay like this while we're down here. But I won't be Vi when we head back up. I'd appreciate if you kept my secret. If others found out who - and what - I am, it could put me and my family in danger."
tag
Action 2
While the others examined the forge, Arleth headed back to the door. "I'll get this open," she said.
Then the wizard fixed her gaze on Rathan, "You said we were a tribe. Did you lie too? Vi's true form shouldn't change the fact that she's fought by our sides when she could have run away."Rathan carefully considers Bronwyn's words before he replied, "Tribe not lie." He pointed at Vi, "One lie can undo a lifetime of good"
Bronwyn rolled her eyes. "That sounds a little dramatic. You've never lied once in your life? If that's the case then you're a better person than I and I probably don't deserve to be in your tribe either."
Feeling emboldened by Bronwyn's words, Vi turned to Rathan. "I never really lied to you. Arleth is a very real part of me. I've spent more time as her than I have in this form. There's nothing about her that's not real, that's not me. It's just not the whole story. I have lots of other Faces, and they're all - well, mostly - parts of me too."
As Rathan listened to Vi's words Rathan is reminded of what it is like to be alone in the world. He hesitantly remarks, "New beginnings start when old beginnings end. We tribe but I watch."
Action 1
"But if you can forgive me for living in a form that doesn't get spat on in the street, then I'd like to be friends."[/b]She looked up at Rathan and the others, a surprisingly vulnerable expression on her grey, unlined face.
Finally Bronwyn smiled. "Doesn't it feel liberating to tell the truth? It's about time. I was starting to worry I may get frown lines from having to be so serious." She reached up and smoothed the skin between her eyebrows. "You've given me no real reason to not be friends and plenty of reasons to be friends. And with your changing abilities, you've quickly become the most interesting one here. Besides me, of course."
Giving up on making Arleth's clothes fit, Vi concentrated a moment and changed her body shape. Lengthening a bit and filling out around the hips, bust and shoulders, she fit her body to the clothes. "I can put Arleth's face back on, if you prefer. Or another. Or I can stay like this while we're down here. But I won't be Vi when we head back up. I'd appreciate if you kept my secret. If others found out who - and what - I am, it could put me and my family in danger."
Bronwyn watched as Vi changed her shape before her eyes. "See? Fascinating. It must be amazing to never look like you're gaining weight. That's why you knew the best places to eat!" Then the wizard shrugged, "Take whatever form works best for you. I can't speak for the others but I'll keep you secret."
Action 2:
Bronwyn didn't have much use for the armor or weapons that they found but she was interested in the wand. "I'll hang on to this wand and identify it later if no one objects."
While the others examined the forge, Arleth headed back to the door. "I'll get this open," she said.
"Vi maybe before you look at the door, you can take a look and make sure the forge is safe to touch?"
The forge was impressive to say the least. Seeing the differently shaped indentations that matched the rods they'd found she says, "Squeak, do you want the honor of putting the rods in place? You did figure it out after all."
tag Squeak
As Rathan listened to Vi's words Rathan is reminded of what it is like to be alone in the world. He hesitantly remarks, "New beginnings start when old beginnings end. We tribe but I watch."
Vi nodded seriously. "That's fair enough. I'll do my best to earn your trust again."
"Finally Bronwyn smiled. "Doesn't it feel liberating to tell the truth? It's about time. I was starting to worry I may get frown lines from having to be so serious." She reached up and smoothed the skin between her eyebrows. "You've given me no real reason to not be friends and plenty of reasons to be friends. And with your changing abilities, you've quickly become the most interesting one here. Besides me, of course.""
Vi nodded, a smile blooming on her face. "You know what, it does. Who knows, if I hang out with you guys long enough, you might make an honest person out of me." Shaking out her thin, white hair, Vi said, "At least you never need to worry about not being the cutest. Changelings are fascinating, but nobody has ever called us cute."
"Vi maybe before you look at the door, you can take a look and make sure the forge is safe to touch?"
Vi nodded, and came over with her tools. She very carefully examined it to see if she could find any traps or hidden surprises.
Looking at the items they had found, Vi admired the chain shirt. "Would you like this, Rathan? It's a bit better than what you're wearing. I assume, Bronwyn, that you'd rather not wear it and risk losing a spell?"
tag both
"And what about this rapier? If nobody else wants it, I'd like to try it. My little knives haven't been working out for me so far."
"And what about this rapier? If nobody else wants it, I'd like to try it. My little knives haven't been working out for me so far."
”Greedy request. This one would not mind replacing its hammer with this fine mace,” Palisade announced as it tested the weight and balance of the old mace bearing the mark of the House of Making. A fine weapon, all the more valuable for having so well survived the long neglect.
Bronwyn rolled her eyes. "That sounds a little dramatic. You've never lied once in your life? If that's the case then you're a better person than I and I probably don't deserve to be in your tribe either."
"Depends on lie," Rathan offers with a shrug of his shoulders.
Looking at the items they had found, Vi admired the chain shirt. "Would you like this, Rathan? It's a bit better than what you're wearing. I assume, Bronwyn, that you'd rather not wear it and risk losing a spell?"
Rathan looked at the fine chain shirt and then looked down at his well worn hide armor. He moved closer to examine the new armor and hefted it gauging its weight. The barbarian brought the new armor up to his face and smelled it. He made a face and quickly brought the armor away from his nose. He shook his head emphatically as he put the armor down, "Smell funny, me no want. Someone else who wants to smell funny can have."
Squeak didn't have the same predjudices as many of the living. Frankly he had enough trouble telling most of them apart even without shapeshifting. Making a note to himself to set up password exercises he cooperated with Bronwyn's directive.
Squeak answered the newly revealed changeling "Arleth. We are likely going to be subject to surveillance, and your clothes do not fit in this form."
Squeak retrieved the rods - and the started to examine further. He took great joy in dismantling the homunculi. Seldom did he have a chance to look at Work of such skill.
Looking at the items they had found, Vi admired the chain shirt. "Would you like this, Rathan? It's a bit better than what you're wearing. I assume, Bronwyn, that you'd rather not wear it and risk losing a spell?"
tag both
"And what about this rapier? If nobody else wants it, I'd like to try it. My little knives haven't been working out for me so far."
Bronwyn wrinkled her nose at the thought. Armor is not exactly fashionable and it hampers my movement. I would definitely give it a pass. If no one can make use of it then we can sell it later.
”Greedy request. This one would not mind replacing its hammer with this fine mace,” Palisade announced as it tested the weight and balance of the old mace bearing the mark of the House of Making. A fine weapon, all the more valuable for having so well survived the long neglect.
The wizard laughed, "Yes, so greedy. How dare you ask for the mace." When she saw the 'forged start to put it down she quickly said, "Of course you can have the mace, Palisade. What I didn't understand is why you thought it was bad to want a better weapon. Take it and use it."
Bronwyn watched as Vi changed her shape before her eyes. "See? Fascinating. It must be amazing to never look like you're gaining weight. That's why you knew the best places to eat!" Then the wizard shrugged, "Take whatever form works best for you. I can't speak for the others but I'll keep you secret."
Before they moved to take a better look at the forge or the door, Bronwyn asked a question of Vi with a twinkle in her eye. "Can you make yourself look like me? She lowered her voice, "I bet you anything that it would freak out Palisade and Squeak."
tag Vi
Vi took the chainmail and shrugged into it. She'd never been in so many dangerous encounters in her life before - hopefully this would help keep her alive. Activating the Sleeves, she concentrated on making the armour look like a leather coat. "Better. Now I have some protection, but don't look like a threat."
Before they moved to take a better look at the forge or the door, Bronwyn asked a question of Vi with a twinkle in her eye. "Can you make yourself look like me? She lowered her voice, "I bet you anything that it would freak out Palisade and Squeak."
A slow smile spread over Vi's face. "I definitely could. And with my Sleeves I can mimic your clothes too. But maybe I'll wait a bit - if I double you now, they might see it as a threat and slice me in half." Might be a good way to get some extra protection if I need it...
So I'm assuming that Squeak will comply with Bronwyn's requests and insert the rods into the slots in the furnace.
Any other precautions?
What's everyone else doing?
Recapping now...
Vi did a check before the rods were inserted, then she'll work on the door.
Action 1:
Bronwyn watched Squeak as the energy coursed through him. Immediately she felt guilty because she had suggested he put the rods in. "Are you ok, Squeak?" Once assured that the 'forged was still functional, Bronwyn's eyes were drawn towards what was inside the vault.
"These coins are older than most. They're probably worth more than face value to a collector."
"This map is old but I don't know what these symbols mean. Anyone else have any idea?"
Bronwyn's hands practically vibrated with the magic emanating from the schema but it didn't seem to have magical properties of its own. "I can see why this is being fought over. The magic is quite intense. I can only imagine what it's like when assembled with its other parts."
Action 2:
Bronwyn hesitated before leaving the forge. "Maybe we shouldn't go back just yet. I've depleted most of my magic and if there are more insane warforged waiting for us to bring out the schema just to attack us then I'd be vulnerable. Plus Vi is still really hurt. The forge is somewhat secure so maybe we stay here and think about how to get out before trying our return."
Vi shook her head. "I think we should leave right away. The enemy knows we came this way, and they'll eventually figure out that their ambush failed. We're more vulnerable down here than we would be in the upper city. I think we should get this schema back to our employer. Then let the crazy forged go after her and her house. I can go take a sip from that font you found - that'll heal me up enough to get home."
As she spoke, she shifted form again, back to Arleth's. Squeak was right - they were under surveillance, and it wouldn't do to give up her secret to the enemy.
Yes to both. You closed the 'hatch/door and left a rope...
Squeak struggled to respond, his words chopped and distorted. "Ye. Ye. Yes. Good to to to to to to go."
A minute with a screwdriver seemed to repair whatever caused the voice impediment in Squeak - but it was obvious he needed further work.
"Bronwyn shows admirable strategic understanding. While we are more vulnerable here than the city, we are most vulnerable travelling between. Warforged have patience, but if we wait long enough they will come and see if we have left using an alternate route. This means we can choose and prepare the ground. 'Forged will have trouble traversing this roof, and the door can be secured."
"We can use the time to repair everyone, re-arm to fight our way out, and make a tracing of this schema. Should something happen to it, our employer will be happier with a copy."
Bronwyn still looked doubtful. "You have a good point, Vi. I guess it may not be good to be cornered down here. I just know that I'm not much of a climber. I barely made it down the rope, how am I going to get up? Do we know for sure that there isn't another way out?"
"This map is old but I don't know what these symbols mean. Anyone else have any idea?"
Palisade took a look at the tattered map but could make no sense of the landmarks.
Bronwyn still looked doubtful. "You have a good point, Vi. I guess it may not be good to be cornered down here. I just know that I'm not much of a climber. I barely made it down the rope, how am I going to get up? Do we know for sure that there isn't another way out?"
”Tactical analysis. The enemy know where we are. We know of no alternate route to leave the area. We lack the resources to remain here indefinitely, so we need to leave sooner or later. Conclusion. The more time the enemy has, the more forces it can assemble to ambush us as we try to leave or follow us to see where we take the schema if third attempt at direct confrontation is not what they see as beneficial. Unless another exit is located, the more time we spend here, the stronger the opposition will grow. This one suggests taking a few minutes for a quick perimeter search. If no other obvious means of exit are found, this one suggests we make use of the healing properties of the pool to prepare ourselves to fighting our way through an ambush and leave at once.” The ‘forged fell silent, having said what it felt was needed. It would follow Lady d’Deneith’s decision when she had made it.
"We need go quick," Rathan submitted. He looked to Bronwyn and shook his head, "A bird with a broken wing does not jump into a pit." The halfling began to mime climbing and tying a rope around his waist as he offered, "You need learn climb. Now I climb, tie rope around you and pull you up."
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"A bird with a broken wing does not jump into a pit."
The halfling's bit of folk wisdom went over the 'forged's head. "Statement. Why would a bird want to jump into a pit, whatever the state of its health?" Palisade said, clearly preplexed. "Unless it seeks to launch a surprise attack." It had not realized avians were ambush predators. Clearly, it needed to re-examine its willingness to allow small birds to roost on its shoulders - the sneaky little bloodthirsty beasts might be positioning to attack Lady d'Deneith.