GM Giuseppe's Council of Thieves

Game Master Giuseppe Capriati

Following Arael, Faustinia has finished wiping away her tears. Her eyes are dry, but red and puffy. She mutters a quiet "Excuse me..." as she takes a seat opposite the half-elf. She listens to his offer with quiet attentiveness, trying her best not to show her emotional fatigue. "That's quite a generous offer, Arael. I appreciate you extending your time to us to provide your potions at-cost." Faustinia thinks for a moment. "You are correct, of course--we are stronger together and any help we can offer each other will benefit all of us. Similarly, I dabble in scroll writing. It's certainly more limited, but if any of the Eyes need spell scrolls from me and I am available, I'd be happy to offer the same discount."

As Arael talks, in this more private space, Faustinia allows her posture to relax a little, leaning back into her chair with hr hands on her lap. "Laying low for a while sounds wise. We don't want to overexert ourselves, nor attract additional enemies. I'm glad to hear that Petals and Baolus will be Irises! They were instrumental in our most recent victory, and I wouldn't see it any other way."

With that said, Faustinia sighs and stands up. She removes her uniform cloak and drapes it over her arm as she prepares to leave, and moves toward the door. "I'm proud of everything that we've all accomplished. I'll be at the Xerysis estate going forward, but send me a message if you need me. I will also be reaching out to Tarvi--I don't know if any of the other Eyes are interested in what I have to offer them, but do let me know if you find anyone." Faustinia nods sagely to everyone before leaving the room. "Thank you, everyone."

Catina follows Arael after the service. Other than a few tears, she hasn't been cried during the speeches. Apparantly, she doesn't feel that comfortable with others around yet...

When Arael officially welcomes Baolus and Petals to the Eyes, as Irises, Catina gives them both a warm smile. She puts a hand on Petals' shoulder by way of a silent welcome. At Arael's offer of brewing potions, she looks a bit grim. "I think that will be a good idea. We've seen last night how grizzly things can become, and we'll need to be prepared as we can. For when you call on us again. I think I can buy some of the needed components at the temple; I'll bring them to you when I've figured out what we could use."

Catina is grateful for the time off, but she also looks a bit worried. "It's going to be weird going back to the temple for an extended time, I think. So much has happened, and..." She doesn't finish the sentence, instead trying to see the positive side. "It will be good to have some time to reflect and dedicate myself to prayers and practice, I think. As I said, a lot has happened. I think I'll come around from time to time, to drop off the potion components or for a discussion with Mathalen. Also, I have a meeting with Avirah tomorrow. At least, I hope I do..."

Catina then says her goodbyes to Arael and Janiven, and to the other Eyes. "It's going to be weird not to see each other the coming weeks, won't it? Take care, everyone."

The ceremony was touching, even if Baolus felt like an intruder in their midst... he had not the honor of knowing Sev or Lorenzo after all. When Arael called them to a private conversation, the rundottari followed quietly.

As Arael told them about the discount in potion making, Baolus was glad for the additional resources they would have, even if he did not see it as anything more than the obvious thing to do. In his mind, it would be a completely foolish thing to do by charging them of anything else then the minimum. Even so, he thanked him and Lady Faustinia for their offer.

A smile crossed his face when he was informed he was part of the Irises and, as the word 'squad' was said, he was instantly reminded of his place among the rundottari and a couple information and rules about how a proper squad should act. Raising his hand, he awaited for an opportunity to speak. "You portrayed the Irises as an elite squad... may I ask you about its the command structure. I'm new to your organization, but it is clear to me you are our leader, even if you try and encourage an equalitarian command. When we are sent to a mission, I believe it is important for us to determine which one of us will be the field commander, for those situations were a quick decision must be made and we don't have time to fully debate the issue." Even if he preferred to follow rules than lead people, Baolus thought he was the more fitting leader for this group. Perhaps Lady Faustinia would also be a good choice taking her intelligence and wisdom in consideration, but Catina appeared to lack the confidence needed, and Petals the maturity. Nevertheless, he let the others voice their opinions before anything else.

When Arael mentions the other eyes, Baolus once more steps forward. "I'll take Lorenzo's place in those lessons if you agree, even if I believe our teaching methods might be different... and no, I'm not saying this because I favor axes, but instead because I'll probably make them soldiers... I need determination and commitment, which I believe the other eyes have in plenty."

Trying to emphasize his opinion, he continued. "I've learned that nothing is more dangerous than a half-trained dottari... not fully capable of protecting himself or those under his charge, yet with the means of doing so.. invariably, they end up dead. This, I can't allow to happen." Before leaving, he thanked once more. "I'll speak to the others and prepare a schedule for such training."

---

After leaving Arael's office, Baolus reached for Catina. "Catina, a moment please... if I correct understood, you are going to meet one of the tiefling girls tomorrow, so I'd like to offer my help. You might have arranged for you to meet alone, but I don't believe she saw my face, so if I remain hidden and at a safe distance, I might be able to either protect you if something bad happens, or even follow the girl if she decides not to join us and go back to a crime life."

Catina furrows her brow at Baolus's questions, keenly aware that things changed from how their group started out. "A field commander? Is that really necessary? We're just with the four of us, right? And it's not like we're going to squabble when time is of the essence?" She looks to Faustinia for support, or maybe because she thinks that Faustinia as the eldest among them has more power in these kinds of things.

--

Catina nods to indicate Baolus is correct, but she doesn't respond right away. "That's kind of you to offer," she starts slowly as she fiddles around with her bracelet, tracing the inlaid songbirds with a slender finger. "But I think it wouldn't be right. I'm trying to show her that it's all right to trust in others. And that we'll accept treat her without prejudice. Even if she didn't recognize you, couldn't she spot that you were following us? That might undo what we're trying to do. And..." She hesitates before making the second point. "I think it would also matter to me. Even if she didn't know you were there, I would. And that would mean I don't really trust her. It would feel like cheating if you know what I mean." She hurries with another line of argument. "Besides, we've had to deal with her before. And it's not like she'll have a lot of friends to call upon. I know the city, and I've had to run and hide before, if it comes to that. I really think it will be OK. But thank you for the concern." She breathes out, relieved that she managed to stand up to someone without having to apologize, or give in.

I've never been in the army before, but someone was always in charge at work. Most of the time you are just doing what needs to be done, but occasionally the innkeeper has to point here or there, seeing the big picture the rest of us are missing. I think it is a good suggestion, Baolus. Will you do it, Faustinia? Petals looks at the older woman, thinking that is who we are all thinking about.

Arael smiles faintly. "Whether there's a leader in the Irises, I think you should discuss it among yourselves. You should be free to organize as you see fit. As far as I am concerned, I'll keep treating you with an equal respect, regardless of whoever is chosen to act as a leader, if any."

Her first task in the coming week was to see if there was anything left. The Majestic Nook had a very lovely name, but was in the wrong part of town to live up to it. Petals thinks the greasy overweight toadlike owner, Baldlen, had great plans when he was young, but resigned himself decades ago to thugs, bums, and various men just wanting to drink themselves into stupors instead of families and the occasional upper class slummings. But he kept the name.

He just grunted when he saw her, Thought you dead. Jobs gone to Fera over there. he nodded to a girl just barely growing into her curves, who looked up desperately as if this pretty elf was here to take her job.

That's fine. Petals gave a brief smile to the other woman, hoping the girl had the strength as she had to fend off Baldlen's wandering hands, and other parts. I'm just here for my things.

The fat prick picked something gross out of his teeth. Sold them. To pay your rent. That hurt, though she expected as much. She'd point out she was paid up, but knew it didn't matter. What was gone was gone. She turned to leave without a goodbye, but was intercepted by the young woman Fera. Miss, um, your friend, the red haired one got to your room before the toad. she whispered the last part, cause while all the girls called the owner the toad, he hated it.

Liddia was pretty much Petals only friend, at least at the moment. A copper haired livily young thing already two kids deep with a husband working himself to the bone in the stables at various inns around town. Liddia worked in whatever dives she could manage between kid raising, and until recently was also at the Majestic Nook with Petals. She got a massive hug from the firebrand, and a plate of whatever she had been trying to shove into the toddlers mouth.
Toad's a rotten cow's rump, all crusty and old. He should have given you more time. What happened? Petals gave base details, leaving the joining of the group and all the names out of the mix, while she more successfully fed the little ones. They liked her, kids usually did.

Thank you for getting some of my things a few sets of clothes and a decent pair of shoes didn't seem like much, but nothing was a lot worse.

It was all I could get before the harpies fell upon the rest like rats to a rancid hunk of meat. Sorry. They chatted, Petals helped around the place the best she could, before needing to head out. After another crushing hug, Liddia added I could see if the inn I'm at at the moment is hiring

No thanks, I'm happy where I'm at.

That got a look from her friend's warm eyes, one of mixed wonder. You are, aren't you. Happy? a strange enough thing from those that knew her apparently.

And she was.

Petals loves beginnings. Despite how she acts and looks, she is old. How old, she doesn't even know. No parents, meant not knowing exactly when she was born. And elves age so differently than humans, they couldn't tell in the temple. Since then, there were so many periods of time that she felt like she was sleep walking, or drowning, or both. It would seem like she'd wake to see all new faces, or the same ones, just much older. It hurt. Both her and those around her. Jealous or bitterness, sometimes just no longer caring. It didn't matter why, but it just meant no matter what, it was an ending.

Beginnings though, she was just like everyone else. It was pure and magical.

The tavern, as yet unnamed, was like this. Old wood, strange stains, and a very odd odor, but so lovely. Petals polished one table after another til it gleamed, humming all the while. She's swept, mopped, wiped, and scrubbed every last inch of this place in the following week always smiling, and chatted with who ever was in there at the time.

All the while, the song was forming in her head. While she worked, while she ate with the others, or talked to them about whatever was in their lives at the moment. Even her dreams danced around it. The song.

One of seeing through the darkness, finding the strength to fight back, and strangely enough, but the most important part, finding a family in the process. Few of the eyes she's talked to knew more of Lorenzo and Sev that what was said in the funeral, but it was very obvious that they loved them both. A mason turned knight and the bravest halfling they never really knew, loved by a varied collection of histories and races in the short time they knew one another. The song, as yet unnamed, started solemn mingled with rolling lyrics and a low soft melody, rising in volume and power as the heroes decide to make a difference.

Still unfinished. Why? Cause she hated endings. She needed help. One day, the blonde elf on her knees trying to dig out whatever mold was growing between the floor boards, while the brightly haired gnome Yershiba was at the bar, doing whatever highly important task she was doing that kept her from helping said elf in cleaning. Do you know anything about music? Petals turned her blue eyes back toward the other occupant. She explains her goal, and her problems deciding on a finish, seeking any advice she can get.

Catina returns to the temple after the meeting with Arael, careful to sneak the glaive back in without being caught. As soon as she's back, she gets the idea that something's different, but she can't quite make out what it is. I haven't been gone that long, have I? She's just in time for evening prayer, and it feels good to blend in to the mass of attending acolytes. That evening, when she returns to her cell, it occurs to her that she hadn't written in her diary for several days. "So much has happened," she muses. "I just haven't had the time." However, there must be something more, because even alone in her cell at the temple, she doesn't find any interest in writing.

The next morning she is up early, and she has to hurry to be on time with her meeting with Avirah after morning prayer. She's so nervous that she can't swallow a single bite of breakfast, which is convenient because she doesn't have any time for that anyway. She hurries through the city to the Arodennama, admiring the statue when she comes upon it. What a marvel it is. How is it that such a reminder of the city's past cannot inspire more people...? Do they feel betrayed and abandoned? She stalks around the plaza until she reaches the western side, in the shadows where the statue blocks the early morning sun. She prays to Shelyn and waits for Avirah to show up.

Insert RP scene here.

--

Over the next two weeks, Catina falls back into the rhythm of the acolytes at the temple, but time and again she notices that things are different. It takes her a couple of days to realize what has happened: Things at the temple haven't changed, but Catina herself has. The third morning she had nearly forgotten her cloak before she stepped out. Later that day, she had continued her path in the hall to the library when she saw acolytes coming her way, instead of instinctively finding the first detour available that would take her out of their path. The realization came as a surprise, but it also rankled her: Whether that was because she hadn't realized at first, of because that kind of behavior was still necessary, she couldn't say.

She finds that dedication to her study becomes easier. With the experience of actual battle, the possible need for her healing magic in a critical moment, and the responsibility that she felt to live up to Arael's vision of her, the necessity to do her utmost became clear to her. More than once, she thinks back on how she first came to the temple: As a safe haven, hoping that the Shelynites of all people might be silly enough to give her a place to live. Now, over several days with the Eyes, she had found that her faith was not just an excuse to hide in the temple: She had been given actual magic, and people were going to count on her - people she cared about. And so, it comes that Catina redoubles her effort to learn: Dancing class becomes actual combat practice in her mind, and she takes every opportunity to test her magic, locking herself in the library to master new spells. Indeed, she eventually unlocks the secret of creating a weapon made out of force. At first the glaive appears for just a second and then blinks out. But over the days, she manages to get it to last longer, and to direct it where she wants. She walks around the weapon as it hangs in the air, marveling at the detail and delicacy of the creation. She rejects the notion at first, but eventually makes a drawing of the weapon and sends it to the shrine, with the request to Ermelos whether he could purchase or commission a weapon just like it.

--

Catina is proud of her achievements, but it also pains her that the temple seems less like 'home', the more time she spends there. The contrast with her time at Aroden's shrine is more and more stark: Despite her dedication and achievements, she still feels alone at the temple of Shelyn and on several evenings she finds herself writing in her diary again, simply for want of someone to share her experiences with. I wonder when Arael will call on us again...

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⁞⁞⁞⁞ WITH CATINA ⁞⁞⁞⁞
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Baolus nodded to her decision. He did not agree with her, but respected her enough to do as she wished. "Very well, I understand your point. If you are willing to take this risk, I can only wish you luck... even if this seems a silly thing for me to wish for you... if I correctly remember, you are the one blessing us with your Goddess luck." With a smile, Baolus left Catina alone, leaving the temple altogether.
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⁞⁞⁞⁞ BACK TO NORMAL ⁞⁞⁞⁞
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After leaving the Eyes, Baolus went for his home, trying to avoid a direct way and watching over his shoulders whenever possible, without looking suspicious. After all, he had been kidnaped, and a little bit of paranoia could be the difference between reaching his home, or dying on a ditch. Even if rescued by Arael, Baolus had not found out why he was taken... why would the Bastards be concerned about him, if he never done anything against them? No, there was something more about this story, and he was driven to uncover it.

The rundottari arrived at his home without any incident, finding it much like the way he left it prior to his kidnaping. With a smile, he entered and closed the door. Baolus did not live in a particular decent neighborhood, and those around his house for sure noticed his absence in the last weeks, but it was nice to discover that the respect, or fear, of his reprisal if something was stolen maintained. Respect... it would be nice if such thing could be more widespread for the others in the corporation... Having nothing to eat, Baolus decided to spend a few coins in something nice. After all, this would be his first decent meal in, what looked like, ages. He chose a simple tavern nearby, which served a quite good combination of sausages, mustard, and a strong and dark ale. He smiled once more. It is nice to be back from the dead...

---

During the following week, Baolus returned to his rundottari activities as if nothing else had happened. He was not surprise to see the surprise in the face of many of his colleagues... when a dottari goes missing in westcrown, it generally means that he'll never be seen again. What really surprised him was that some of them were a bit more than surprised, as if really sure he would not return. Garrik Tarns, Malver Landag, Laritzo Golber, Brand 'Fatty' Huges... Baolus noted the names in his head. He also met with his superior and mentor Durotas Arik Tuornos, even if he limited himself to give him a quite vague report, keeping the Eyes out of it. In his version, Baolus was able to pick the lock of his jail and flee back to the surface... however, he scratched his left eye repeatedly, smiling slightly when Arik nodded with a clear understanding in his face.

Thinking about the problems he would be facing with his double identity, Baolus spent a couple hours working on his home, removing a couple boards to create a hidden place for the Eyes cloak. He also worked on his doors and windows in a way that they would always make a loud noise while opening, unless lifted in a particular way. By the end of the week, while passing by the opera, Baolus noticed a crate with a couple masks on the garbage pile. With a smile, the rundottari quickly hid one of them beneath his cloak, a black cloth mask that would cover his face completely.

Whenever he could, Baolus would come to help the Eyes with their martial training by the end of the day. Not to his surprise, he was quite pleased with their progress, even if a bit unsubordinated sometimes. Arael seemed to be a quite competent and charismatic leader, but the lack of militar structure was something unsetting to the rundottari. Baolus was, in general, a harsh and demanding teacher, taking him almost a week before he was honestly able to congratulate one of his 'students', about his performance, even if most of them were covered in many bruises. "Very well, you might rest for now... we'll pick up again next week. I hope you'll enjoy your weekend practicing, and not licking your wounds. Ermolos and Rizzardo, I believe you two are much more confident with your sword and shield... quite passable I guess. From now on, you'll be training with each other. Yorith... don't bother picking that shield again, it isn't for you I'm afraid. We'll try something different next week, perhaps fencing, or double short swords... you are smaller than the others but quite faster. Now that you know the basics, lets work on your strong points instead of trying to row against the river, ok?"

---

By the end of the second week, Baolus decided to finally speak to his mentor. By their previous talk, Baolus understood that it would be best to wait a couple days or weeks before risking a meeting and of course, visit him at his home, nothing unusual taking in consideration how much time he had spent under that roof when he was much younger. Dressed as a civilian, Baolus knocked softly on the door. When the door was opened and he was invited in, Baolus spoke after the usual greetings. "Arik... we need to talk. I believe you already know what truly happened when I was missing, so what I really want to talk is about what led me to being captured in the first place, and what are your thoughts about what will happen next."

Faustinia listens with interest to Baolus’s recommendation for a field commander, silently weighing their options as Catina and Petals weigh in. She nods in understanding as Petals explains her position, but stops, obviously caught off guard by the elf’s question. Faustinia bursts out laughing for a moment, but quickly gets herself under control. ”I believe that Baolus was hinting at himself, Petals,” she observes, letting out another errant chuckle. ”I’m used to running a household, but I don’t think managing my hired help will translate well to issuing commands during the sorts of things we’ve been getting up to. I agree with Catina, in that I don’t think we’ll be doing a whole lot of squabbling--still, I don’t think it would hurt. Baolus has the background for it, so I’d be happy to have him be our field commander. We can always drop the idea later if we find we dislike the yoke of that leadership,” Faustinia says with a coy smile.

---

In the following weeks, Faustinia returns to business as usual at the Xerysis estate. She stashes her newly gotten coin earned from their victory over the Bastards of Erebus in her manor’s vault in preparation for bettering herself and her home. With her small staff of servants carrying on as usual and her aging mother in her usual state, Faustinia takes fewer mysterious overnight leaves from her family home. She does, however, head out during the day to visit the Old Library. Since the Eyes’ encounters with Palaveen, Faustinia has been trying to work out how to deal with his little disappearing trick. Studying magical texts and meeting with her instructor Nicklod at the library, she burns through stacks of gold coins for the materials and fees to copy arcane formulae and notes into her spellbook throughout the weeks. And when she arrives home after full days of study, she heads to her own study to make preparations in doing more writing, creating scrolls to be prepared for anything that Arael calls on the Irises for.

Lost in her own work, it’s almost a full week before Faustinia turns her thoughts to the Eyes of Westcrown in more than an abstract way. She realizes this with a nagging feeling of having forgotten something as she procures more of her funds for study in the library with Nicklod. Pulling out the gems and jewelry the Eyes had procured, she turns her thoughts to Tarvi, the young daughter of jewelry store owners. Faustinia recalls their first meeting among the Eyes, and resolves to make good on her promises to help the girl study magic--and here was an excellent opportunity.

Faustinia takes off after her morning coffee with all her usual studying materials--various papers, quills, texts on the arcane--but sets off not for the Old Library, but the Glitter Palace. Making sure to clean the ink stains from her hands and clothes before entering, she makes her way inside with the small jewels and emerald in tow. Spotting Tarvi inside, she approaches the girl with her offer. ”Hello, Tarvi! I’m glad to have found you here. I have a bit of business, if you could take a look at these…” she says, pulling the precious gems from her pocket. ”I believe I also promised you some time to study more arcane subjects,” she adds, keeping her voice low. ”When you have time, I would love to show you a thing or two about what I know. We could meet at the Old Library, or you could come to the study in my estate. Do let me know--I’m always happy to meet someone else so interested in learning.”

PETALS

The time spent in the new tavern is as memorable as it can get. There's a lot of excitment among your peers for this new venture, and although Janiven tries to play out the part of the strict boss, she always ends up smiling. Apart from you and Janiven, also Yakopulio is working in the tavern.

In the course of these two weeks you get to know Yakopulio much better. She's foul-mouthed gnome who loves to display her atheism and sound as irritating as she can, but she makes up for that with a quick wit and even quicker fingers. "Music? Nah, I don't care for such b*#%*%&%. But I enjoy listening to others singing. Can you sing? What's the whole point of being an elf if there's nothing you can do better that a shorty gnome? C'mon, baby, sing for me!"

CATINA

Standing 90 feet tall from its base atop Aroden’s Rise and shaped from massive blocks of white marble, the Arodennama predates any known Avistani history and all other extant structures in Westcrown. Clergy in Absalom claim 12 of Aroden’s founders built the Arodennama with their prayers, their sweat, and their magic. The statue of Aroden faces the river and the island, his chest oriented to catch the rays of the rising and setting sun. Covering his chest is a massive silver-inlaid winged-eye symbol, its wings spreading across his draped sleeves and beneath his arms. In the age since Westcrown’s founding, a variety of shrines, pilgrim shelters, congregation halls, small temples, and even a sizable amphitheater have grown up around the statue in expectation of Aroden’s arrival. Most now lie neglected, populated only by the downtrodden and deluded. Despite the loss of the god of humanity and the grime of a century’s neglect staining the statue’s feet and lower legs, the Arodennama still inspires awe in all who travel to see it. No birds, let alone vengeful wizards or flying monsters, ever manage to stain the upper portions of the statue, and no tarnish darkens the silver Eye of Aroden gleaming upon its breast.

There's silence around you. The occasional passers-by come and go with their heads down, going about their own business while attempting not to draw the wrong kind of attention. Your eyes scan the crowd in search of Avirah, but no one's coming...

...

...

...At least, until something touches you on your shoulder. Beneath a black and worn hood, two blazing eyes look at you. Avirah is here.

"I could have killed you, if I'd wanted to...", the tiefling girl whispers. "Now, tell me what this is about. I see you're no longer wearing that white cloak of yours...it's a shame, you looked pretty cute in it."

BAOLUS

Your weeks as a Rundottari go smooth, even too smooth. Despite your efforts, though, you are not able to learn the reason for your kidnapping. Teaching Ermolos, Yorith and Rizzardo proved a particularly hard task, but eventually they all came to respect and admire you. Ermolos shows some great potential for the art of fighting, while Rizzardo is more of a rageful brute, bringing out the best of his abilities only when insulted or otherwise spurred. Yorith is another story. He refuses to fight with anything other than a longsword. "It's an oath", he explains to you. Ermolos, Yorith and Rizzardo are also quite friendly, and they usually invite you to an early dinner together when the work allows you.

---

"Baolus." Arik Tuornos, the Durotas, is a no-nonsense man with grizzled hairs and a salt-and-pepper beard. "Have a seat, please. And don't be so rash."

Arik pours you a glass of wine and seats behind his desk. "So you want to know more about it, eh? Well, I don't have anything but speculations about it. Anyway, it seems like Eccobar has set his plan in motion. You were the first. Regis was the second. And now, yesterday, also Thoma disappeared. You know what that means, right? All my most loyal men suddenly disappering. Well, keep your mouth shut and listen to me. And make sure to open your ears, because I won't repeat it. Watch your back. Eccobar is moving something behind the scenes, and it does not bode well for us. Now go."

Before you leave, though, Arik stops you with a gesture of his hand. "Baolus. Do you wish to tell me something?"

FAUSTINIA

Tarvi eagerly accepts your offer, and in the following days she proves quite a devoted and adept assistant. When you look at her, you feel like she's the middle-class copy of you, just a lot of years younger. She loves to study and learn, but she also values wealth and prestige. Moreover, she likes to dress elegantly and wear fine jewelry. As days go by, she even starts to dress like you, use your expressions and emulate your facial cues. She respects you both as a teacher and a role model, but she's not subservient. She does not fear to express her disagreemnt, of course while respecting the proper etiquette. She seems to have an inclination for the abjuration school, although she confesses that she'd love to use magic mainly to craft magic items instead of using it in battle.

---

The point of being an elf? Petals thinks. At times a statement would bring a bit of depression, since the point is very little in her mind, more of a curse than anything. But a week with the foul mouthed gnome has taught her to take nothing she says as an insult. Instead she breaks out into the entertaining ballad of the drunk and horny self proclaimed lord of the gnomes, who the song never names since it is all in first person. Once over she asks sweetly, For years I wondered who might be this mysterious gnome of legend... and then I met you, pretty one. the song does use a lot of profanity.

Yakopulio is amused by Petals’ sense of humourism and laughs at her song…and her question. “Ahaha, you got it, girl! I’m the f~@~ing king of the gnomes, in disguise here in Westcrown!” Yakopulio keeps laughing. “You have good fantasy, elf-lady. Let’s see if you can put it to use. Janiven asked me to find a name for the tavern, but I can’t come up with anything good. Perhaps you’ll do better?”

Baolus kind of shrugs at Durotas Arik's question, remembering about the no-nonsense way of his tutor. He would probably be smiling with a bit of nostalgia for the talks they used to have when he was young, if not for the dire news about Regis and Thoma. Even if trying to keep his composure, Baolus was deeply shaken... He only knew Regis a couple years after he officially joined the rundottari, but Thoma was his friend from before, from when the two were nothing but urchins under Arik's severe guidance... no, he was far more then a friend, he was the brother he never had.

"Well, I think there is nothing for me to tell you that you have not deduced yourself or already been informed... and I won't insult you in asking if you are already taking care of finding Regis and Thoma, and I trust you'll tell me whatever you discover about them... but what I'd really like to know now, is a bit more about your friend, Arael."

Crossing his arms in front of his chest, Baolus explained. "You ask me to watch my back in the precise moment I'm preparing myself to do the biggest jump of faith in my life... I'm still intending to jump, but if I could do so with my eyes opened, I'd be less concerned about the height."

Catina jumps and puts a hand to her mouth to stifle a scream. She looks over her shoulder at the tiefling girl, wide-eyed from the sudden burst of adrenaline. "You startled me," she says by way of unneeded explanation when she recovers. The girl's offhand comment has its intended effect takes her off-balance for a while, even a she figures out how to take the comment about her white dress. She has a hard time accepting it as sincere. She struggles for a reply, then tries for a compliment in kind. "Well, you are certainly adept at giving out compliments that leave me confused." She laughs, only slightly forced, in an effort to diffuse some of the tension.

She steps next to Avirah and looks up at the Arodennama, looking at it while she speaks. "I'm going to tell you eventually what this is all about. But first, I thought it was important that I told you something about me." She looks at the girl for a reaction, then starts her story. "I... wasn't always like this. It started when I was six. Maybe I was lucky, to have experienced growing up in a somewhat normal family. Maybe not so lucky, because I knew what it was missing all those years in orphanage. When I came of age, I sought refuge at the temple of Shelyn." She shows the bracelet with the songbirds by way of proof. "I figured it anyone could bear to take me in, it would be them. I wasn't wrong, although even there a lot of people had difficulty looking past these." She points at her horns and her cheeks with the infernal-scarred obscenities. "I think I would have been OK to spend my life there. Not necessarily happy, but OK. ...until something better came along."

She stops there, on purpose, and looks at Avirah. "So, what about you? Would you like to tell me something about yourself?"

Faustinia delights in spending time with Tarvi. Seeing herself reflected in the young woman - her devotion to study, her ambition, the way she understands the intersection of wealth, prestige, power, and elegant presentation - conjures up a kind of pleasant nostalgia for Faustinia’s own youth. She finds Tarvi’s emulation of herself concerning at first. Tarvi, she thinks, is far too intelligent to waste her time trying to follow Faustinia’s path exactly - ideally the girl would learn to find her own path with the tools Faustinia was teaching her to use. Not to mention their difference in circumstance: despite Tarvi’s appreciation for the prestige of nobility, she still came from a merchant family, and the Glitter Palace’s fine jewelry almost certainly generated more wealth than the Xerysis Estate could ever hope to in its current condition.

So Faustinia is relieved when Tarvi contests her on certain points, and shows that she's capable of thoughtful dissent on her own. Not only that, but she even manages to do so with manners! Overall Faustinia takes great pleasure in tutoring the young woman, happy to have such an elegant scholar among the Eyes. She encourages Tarvi’s interest in Abjuration, thinking it quite appropriate for a fellow defender of the city. Similarly, she approves of Tarvi’s aspirations toward magical craft. ”Although I know you strive for more than your parents’ trade, I believe the craft of magical items is a natural extension of it. To create items of power requires certain skills, you see. A magically inclined jeweler can rely on their craft, fused with the arcane, to produce wonders. However, with the right base material, a deep understanding of magical theory can also suffice - my handwriting is no art, but I know enough magic to write a spell into a scroll. I would encourage you to follow whatever path you feel is correct, and I'm sure you will be able to create amazing things. It would be a boon to your own craft, not to mention our work with the Eyes.”

---

Avirah listens to Catina with a skeptic expression, as though she was not buying the Shelynite’s story. Anyway, she can’t hold back a giggle when Catina points to the blasphemous scars on her cheeks. “Now, that’s very rude of you!”, Avirah says as she laughs, perhaps because she can understand the insults written all over Catina’s face…and find them funny. “You want to know more about me, uh? Hm, let me think about it…” Avira quickly regains her composure.

The tiefling spends a few seconds lost in her thoughts, then suddenly turns to Catina.

“Follow me, there’s something I want to show you.” Avirah smiles mischievously and starts heading north. Catina follows her through a maze of narrow alleys and foul smelling backstreets. After a few minutes, the tiefling begin to see beggars and other unsavory types in the alleys. Avirah seems to be enjoying the fact that Catina can barely keep up with her pace, and does not slow down. “Keep you eyes on me, otherwise you’ll get lost”, is the only recommendation she offers to Catina.

Catina and Avirah continue to walk the maze of alleys for about five minutes, before they reach a secluded backstreet so narrow that the tieflings are forced to stay in a single-file line. Avirah suddenly stops and crouches down near a gutter. The tiefling girl blinks at Catina as she pulls out some thieves’ tools from a pocket. “Alright, Catina. Welcome to my life. May I introduce my tools to you? They’re my closest friends, and unlike people, they never betrayed me, at least so far. “ After a few seconds, the tombino clicks open. “C’mon, follow me.”

Avirah descends into the sewers. “No light, please. We can see in the dark, so let’s try to use our abilities to our advantage. Light draws attentions. And we don’t want them. Tieflings never want them.”

Catina follows the tiefling girl through a series of complex tunnels in the sewers. Avirah seems to know perfectly where to turn. Along the way, she slows down every now and then to indicate some dangers to Catina. “See that tower shield? There’s a goblin lair behind it.”; “That crack in the wall. A giant centipede dwells there.”; “Turn left here and you’ll end up straight into an othyugh’s den”. Avirah seems to have a deep knowledge of her surroundings.

The girls spend almost half an hour walking through the sewers without having to deal with any danger. Then, Avirah suddenly stops. “It’s here” The tiefling girl approaches a rusty iron door held closed by a lock. Using a small iron key, Avirah opens the lock. “Make yourself at home, Catina. Welcome to my life!”

Beyond the door is a small, dark room with a worn mattress, some buckets, a frayed blanket and a small wooden chest. Food remains litter the floor. “This is where I lived before I joined the Bastards, and where I returned after you defeated them. Not all of us are as lucky as you, Catina. Anyway, please seat down so that we can talk.” Avirah grins. “Sorry to have brought you to such a dark place, but you see…I don’t like the world above. I would I’ve liked if I was normal, but since I am not…C’mon now, what did you wish to tell me?”

“So he told you about me…”, says Arik with a faint smile. He seems to be about to getting angry, or perhaps it’s just his cynical expression. “Very well. This means that he needed to in order to convince you to join his group. Thanks for your loyalty, Baolus”. Arik is a clever man, and he has got the rare ability to read one’s words well beyond their immediate meaning.

“Arael is a good friend of mine. We grew up together, and we share many opinions on what this city deserves. Perhaps we disagree on how to reach that goal, but as for our intentions…We’ve always been on the same page.”

Arik takes a deep breath and look Baolus into the eye. “Look at me, Baolus. You’re my most loyal man. Do what’s right for the city. Do what I would do if I were not forced to keep my position here. Westcrown needs heroes, and you have the makings of a hero. Just be cautious and keep your identity secret. You don’t want to draw too many attentions. I’ll cover you. Whenever you’ll be working for them, I’m going to explain your absence with a secret mission on my behalf. Arael’s way is a perilous one indeed, but the only one remaining. I tried to change things playing by the rules, but this city does not only need honest citizens and responsible city guards. It needs heroes. And I knew you’d be one since the day I met you.”

“Now go. We won’t speak about this ever again, understood?”

Hearing his mentor talk about him like this, filled him with an unsurmountable proud about himself... he wasn't completely aware of how much Arik's opinion and blessing mattered to him. He felt as if all the barriers and restraints he felt about joining the Eyes were suddenly removed.

Now, it was his most solemn duty to join them. He would not fail Arik, Areal, his new companions, or most importantly, the good wiscrani who depended on him. With a smile in his face, the rundottari got on his feet and asked his mentor. "Talk about what? Sir, I honestly don't know what you are talking about..." He then moved towards the door and left for the dark night.

Despite her own feelings, Catina finds herself laughing at Avirah's joke. A genuine laugh.

She is soon thrown between hope and fear on her mad dash through the city. She things the girl is honest enough, but the way she acts always seems to leave some room of doubt that she'll just be gone around the next corner, leaving Catina stranded in a part of the city she doesn't know well. This feeling is only exacerbated when Avirah takes her only the sewers: It brings back the unpleasant memories of their first flight through the sewers.

However, as they explore the underground warren of tunnels, Catina finds herself more at ease. She finds the natural ease with which the tiefling girl moves through the environment comforting. And heart-breaking. "I know that I have been luckier than many. Than most... I'm so sorry that you felt the need to move out of the city, down here." It could have made her cry, but Avirah's question puts her back on track. "Yes. It's about being normal, as you put it. And feeling normal too. You remember the half-elf that was with us, right? When I first talked to you? He has an amazing gift, to see the potential in people. To look beyond what people normally see. So he's brought together a group of people - most of them a bit quirky, I'd say - and he's all brought them together. But what he's taught, they actually accept me as normal. It took me quite a while to get used to it - I'm still getting used to it, I think. But, well... I don't think it's fair that I would be the only one to get that chance. Everyone should find a place, a people to feel at home with. And..." She considers for a moment. "Well, we had to break up the Bastards, for what they were doing to innocent people. But I couldn't help but think that I took away the one group of people that had accepted people like me. Like you. It stung, kind of..." She looks at Avirah, and takes her hand. "So, it's not just because I feel sorry, or because I pity you. But I felt, back then that you were not really like the other Bastards. Maybe I saw in you what Arael saw in me, and in the others. So, if you'd like, I'd want to see if you could join our group in time. If Arael agrees, of course."

Two weeks have passed since the last time you saw or heard about the Eyes of Westcrown, except for Petals who has spent these weeks together with Janiven and Yakopulio at the tavern. Also, Petals had the chance to attend to several meetings in the safehouse, in which Arael held motivational speeches or lessons about the Acts of Iomedae. Petals also had some time to develop her relationship with Mathalen, who lives in the shrine just like her.

On Moonday, at the start of the third week since the last time you heard from the Eyes, Morosino reaches you wherever you are and informs you that Janiven and Arael asked to see you that very day for an early dinner at the Shrine of Aroden. Janiven informs Petals about the meeting personally. If any of you asks why, Morosino answers in an excited whisper, “We may have found a way to take back our nights!”

---

As soon as you reach the shrine, Janiven and Arael greet you warmly, along with a beautiful woman dressed in well-worn armor. Arael introduces this woman to you as AilynGhontasavos, a member of the Pathfinder Society.

After she’s introduced, Ailyn explains to the Irises, the only ones to be in the safehouse at the moment, that she has come to Westcrown secretly and under cover of a common mercenary, and hopes to recover several treasures lost when the city’s Pathfinder lodge was forcibly closed decades ago by agents of the House of Thrune. Called Delvehaven, the lodge has been locked down tight for over 30 years, and even before then no Pathfinder has set foot inside sinceAroden’s death. The fact that the shadow beasts came to plague Westcrown’s streets so soon after the lodge was sealed by the House of Thrune seems to indicate a connection between the two events, and Ailyn believes she has discovered proof while researching Delvehaven in the libraries of Skyreach at the Great Lodge in Absalom. She goes on to explain that, as much as she would want to explore Delvehaven, she cannot—she’s not officially here on Pathfinder business, and if the society were to find out that she had taken the exploration of Delvehaven into her own hands, she would be in a lot of trouble. Yet if, perchance, another group not directly affiliated with the Pathfinders were to enter the old ruin—say, a group of heroes eager to combat the shadow beast legacy—Ailyn would be able to make a formal request to have Delvehaven investigated again.

Unfortunately, one cannot just simply walk into Delvehaven. While the House of Thrune no longer actively guards the site, they transferred that responsibility to Westcrown’s mayoral office. Worse, the fact that the House of Thrune has been engaged in an act of rewriting history (either by destroying existing documents or changing them to suit Thrune’s preferences) means that reliable information about Delvehaven has become incredibly scarce. Ailyn knows that there are several powerful magical locks and wards on the lodge placed there by the House of Thrune to prevent entry, and her research has shown her that keys to the locks and documentation relating to those wards exists in only one place—Aberian’s Folly. Further, the House of Thrune’s devotion to order and tradition all but ensures that these keys and documents are kept in a complex, twelve-sided puzzle-box container known as a Chelish Crux, and that if it has been secured anywhere in Aberian’s Folly, it is likely to lie within the manor’s vault—a place known as the Asmodean Knot. Unfortunately, her research in the significantly sized libraries at the Grand Lodge in Absalom hit a dead end after that, and so she has come to Westcrown to continue her investigations.

At this point in the conversation, both Arael and Janiven observe that the banishing of the shadow beasts from the city’s nights would be one of the greatest accomplishments the Children of Westcrown could do to earn the love and support of the city. If a method to achieve this goal, or even just clues that might point to such a method, are hidden in Delvehaven, an expedition to the old Pathfinder Lodge is very tempting indeed. And who better to mount such an expedition than the Irises, the heroes who, with the defeat of the Bastards of Erebus, are already well on their way to becoming the city’s darlings?

While the urge to simply walk over to Delvehaven and start poking around and exploring might be tempting, such a plan is foolhardy. Not only are the wards and guardians left by Thrune likely potent and deadly, but without doing the proper research on those protections, it’s very likely that a blind exploration of the site would trigger one of many alarms that would alert the Chelish government, resulting in a swift reprisal that neither the Children of Westcrown nor the Pathfinders would appreciate. A better plan, and the plan Arael, Janiven, and Ailyn put to you, is to find a way to infiltrate Aberian’s Folly and secure access to the Chelish Crux and thus the keys and documents hidden within. With these, an investigation of Delvehavencan be made with greater safety and efficiency. Ailyn admits that the Pathfinders have long been curious about the exact details of the House of Thrune’s interest in the lodge (as well as the nature of the wards they placed on it), and if you can secure the contents of the Chelish Crux, the Society will pay them handsomely for the service.

As for how the Irises can infiltrate the home of one of Westcrown’s most powerful government officials and have a good excuse to spend a fair amount of time searching it, Janiven has come up with a bold, unorthodox, and brilliant plan. “All you have to do is become actors!”
_______________________________
OK, a lot of information here. I’ve chosen to provide you with the details of the conversation using indirect speech in order to simplify the comprehension and reduce the risks of something being missed or misunderstood. Please take your time to familiarize with the wealth of information given to you by Ailyn, since most of the next two modules revolve around them. If you have any questions or doubts, feel free to use your next post to ask them in-character to Ailyn, Janiven or Arael. Otherwise, just describe how does your character reacts to the information.

--

Catina is eager to return to the shrine, after the two weeks with only brief visits. She greets Faustinia warmly, inquires after her studies and als has some kind words for Baolus and Petals. She then quickly turns her attention to the woman, whispering to the others. "She wouldn't have ever come here if it wasn't important. This is going to be good, I hope!" She was going to bring up her own thought on fighting against the shadowbeasts, but Ailyn's presence makes her keep her mouth. She listens and tries to digest the information as well as possible, asking the occasional soft-spoken question.

"What's the state of Delvehaven? Is it a single building, or an entire site with grounds and all?" Her heart sinks when they learn of all the safety measures involved, and she looks incredulous as the nature of the 'plan' becomes apparent. "We have to steal if from the mayor's own house? That's... that's... I know it's a good opportunity to gain knowledge, but that's way too risky isn't it? Arael, there must be another way to deal with them." She's quickly silenced when Janiven makes it clear that she has a plan. Her eyes just go wide as the woman lays it out.

"Actors?!"

--

Knowledge local: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

After two weeks of hard work as a dottari, and once more in contact with all the poverty and general hopelessness of those living near his house, had infused the dottari with an urgent desire to help, especially now that he had the means to do it. When Morosino delivered his message, Baolus nodded to him, trying to keep his cover up. He was there for the meeting not a single minute later.

Much like Catina, Baolus was also surprised to see a pathfinder among them, considering the poor state the organization had in Westcrown. Between them and the Eyes, he wasn't sure which one the corrupt dottari would be more happy to arrest. Listening to all the new information in silence, Baolus only spoke when he thought they had finished, but before Janiven was able to suggest her strange idea.

"So, just to confirm and sumarize this mission... our major goal is to find the root of our shadow beasts problem, which, according to miss Ailyn, has a good chance to be hidden beneath the ruins of Delvehaven, the Pathfinder Lodge which was locked and secured by the Thrune."

Crossing his arms, he continued. "Whoever, we can't investigate the lodge directly, for it might be too dangerous. With this, our preliminary mission is to infiltrate this Alberian's Folly, and retrieve the documentations and keys, that probably is locked within a strong box within a vault." Baolus then looks at Ailyn, Arael, and Janiven for confirmation.

When Janiven suggests for them to disguise themselves as actors, Baolus could not hold himself from making a comment. "In truth, it appears that all we need is to become ghosts instead." Recovering himself from this rather importune behavior, Baolus continued. "Are you sure this is our only option, Janiven? I hardly believe I'd be able to pass for an actor. I'm too blunt for this..."

---

Knowledge (local) DC 10: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13

Petals eyes get wide, Break into the mayor's house... she breathed in wonder. The idea is mind boggling.
The other, the famed pathfinder headquarters, what child had not dreamt to breaking into it, discovering fantastic treasures that make them into a hero! Despite the obvious danger, it thrilled her to no end. Dreams, even childhood ones, never come true.
But Aberian’s Folly was another matter completely. She understood Janiven's idea, this city loved acting, more than any other art form. Petals had studied just like every initiate, but memorizing every piece, all the movements, and faking every word was so tiring. If music was honesty, acting was the opposite.

We can dress you up all pretty, Baolus, and have you play a mute. We can make it all the rage. the elf smiles sweetly, but then to Janiven, Kidding aside, wouldn't they only invite, um, a talented trope? None of us are professionals, are we?

local: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Faustinia greets her fellow Irises warmly, surprised by her own eagerness to get back into the "field," so to speak. Giving her pleasantries to Arael, Janiven, and Ailyn, she eyes the Pathfinder curiously, wondering what could tempt such an agent to venture into such hostile territory as Cheliax. She follows the convoluted systems of layered defenses with attention - keys and ciphers within puzzles and secure vaults seems about right for Thrune's devilishly complex control of information. Nodding through the explanation, especially interested in what mysteries of the shadow creatures could lie within Delvehaven and what the Chelish Crux could contain, she abruptly stops her nodding at Janiven's suggestion. She raises a skeptical eyebrow and frowns, confused.

Faustinia manages to find her voice after her stunned silence, adding to her companions' concerns. "I assume there's more to this plan? 'All we have to do' seems to be putting it lightly, considering who you've assembled here."

Minimum Knowledge (Local) check result: 11

"What's the state of Delvehaven? Is it a single building, or an entire site with grounds and all?"

Arael and Janiven both look at Ailyn. The Pathfinder nods to them and turns to Catina. “We don’t know the current state of Delvehaven, except that it has was locked by the House of Thrune in 4674 ar. In its heyday, Westcrown’s lodge, known locally as Delvehaven, was one of the most celebrated lodges in the Inner Sea region. Its venture-captain, a wealthy retired adventurer named Aiger Ghaelfin, designed an exceptional home for his fellow Pathfinders, complete with not only beds for rest but also vast reliquaries to display its members’ discoveries. Delvehaven was as much a museum as it was a place for Pathfinders to plan and recover from their expeditions. When Aroden died, however, Westcrown became the epicenter of civil war. In the face of riots, madness, and destruction, Ghaelfin and the remaining Pathfinders of Delvehaven decided to seal the lodge in the hope that, after the war resolved, the Pathfinders might be able to return to Delvehaven. Yet the chaos of the civil war was more than they anticipated, and while Delvehaven was indeed sealed, the remaining Pathfinders of Delvehaven were fated to meet their own individual dooms not long thereafter. When the House of Thrune established order in Cheliax in 4640 ar, they had more important matters to deal with than the reopening of a Pathfinder lodge, despite the Society’s constant requests from Absalom to allow their return. It wasn’t until much, much later in 4674 ar that the House of Thrune finally turned its attention to Delvehaven, yet even then they ignored the call from the Society to let agents from Absalom lead the charge. Instead, the House of Thrune used loyalist Pathfinders whose allegiances were with Cheliax rather than the Society. We don’t know why, but soon therafter the House of Thrune sealed Delvehaven again.”

"So, just to confirm and sumarize this mission... our major goal is to find the root of our shadow beasts problem, which, according to miss Ailyn, has a good chance to be hidden beneath the ruins of Delvehaven, the Pathfinder Lodge which was locked and secured by the Thrune."

Arael nods to Baolus. “Precisely. Our priority is to deal with the shadow beasts problem. Westcrown has many problems to solve before it is restored to its former glory, or at least to become a livable place. Taking back our nights, eliminating the problem of the shadow beasts, is only the first step, but a decisive one, and not one easy to solve, as you can see.”

"Whoever, we can't investigate the lodge directly, for it might be too dangerous. With this, our preliminary mission is to infiltrate this Alberian's Folly, and retrieve the documentations and keys, that probably is locked within a strong box within a vault."

Ailyn chimes in and nods at Baolus. “Exactly” Both Janiven and Arael nod in agreement to the Pathfinder agent.

Ailyn Ghontasavos

Catina doesn't look entirely convinced by the further explanation. "So, if I get this right, the Pathfinder Society first locked the place up. Than, loyalists opened the place and investigated it. Probably to rob the Lodge of anything of use. But instead of looting anything of value and repurposing the place for their own use, they abandonded the place and sealed it up again. And they practically threw away the key too, if we're to believe that it's in in a puzzle box locked in a mayor's personal vault." She sighs, sounding rather hopeless a bit more whiney than she'd admit. "If we ever get to that key, could we safely enter the Lodge when the Thune loyalists decided to abandon the place?" She looks miserable, and adds to Janiven "And you haven't even told us what you meant be becoming actors..."

“I’m just about to do that, Catina!” Janiven grins. Arael and Ailyn looks at the woman with a faint smile.

“Mayor Arvanxi is a lover of the theater, and in particular, the Theater Mortrescci”, begins Arael.

“That is, plays where not only the cast’s reputations, but their very lives, are on the line during each performance”, clarifies Janiven, before giving the floor to Arael once again.

“Theater Mortrescci is a cross between a play and a bloodsport…”

“…and is more vulgarly referred to as the “murderplay””, chimes in again Janiven. Under Arael’s severe but kind gaze, the woman shrugs. “OK, you do the talk, promised”. Arael nods with a smile. Ailyn, in the meantime, listens attentively.

“As I was trying to say, Theater Mortrescci has become one of Cheliax’s fastest-growing forms of entertainment. Mayor Arvanxi’s favorite play in this genre is a notorious work known as The Six Trials of Larazod, and as luck would have it, a prominent director is preparing to cast and direct this play with aims to perform the full and uncut version for the first time in years as part of the celebration of the newly reconstructed Nightshade Theater in Parego Regicona. ”

As you all know, Parego Regicona is the central island of Westcrown, where the city’s nobility and the traditional seat of government are located. Wiscrani call Westcrown Island Regicona. Encircling the 8 canalriddled islands are the Regiconan Walls, the Chained Arches spanning each of the canals piercing them. Most of the city’s population never sees inside the walls built by their efforts and coins, so rumors run rampant of what happens within the Regicona. All they and most city visitors see are the grandeur of the tallest buildings rising above the walls, like the former royal palaces and a grand opera house. Each of the 8 islands of the Regicona holds no less than two major vaneos (manor houses) or full viras (estates) occupied by noble or influential Wiscrani families.

The oldest adage taught to every child here is, “An island’s water can defend or detain—only trust the tides.” While life on Westcrown’s shores has returned to one of prosperity through trade, the Regicona clings to the opulence of times past. Where modern-style buildings replaced uninhabitable ruins on the mainland city, much of the Regiconan architecture reflects older styles from the imperial glory days of both Cheliax and Taldor, with balustrade-lined tile roofs, needle-like towers for single archers or vocari (“voice guards”), and smooth polished archways. All paved with smooth stone, the roads are flanked by gutters along the edges of buildings, allowing water and waste to drain out from underfoot and into sewer grates or the canals. Parego Regicona is further divided into three Regos―Rego Corna, Rego Laina and Rego Aerum.

Arael sips his glass of wine and ensues. “ If tradition holds true, and if the performance of the play pleases the mayor, he’ll invite the cast and crew to his home for a banquet and party—a gala event that would give you a singularly perfect opportunity to explore the manor.”

At this point in the conversation, Arael looks to Janiven. The woman runs down the attractions of this plan, ticking each one off on a finger as she goes: “First. As guests invited to the mayor’s home, you don’t need to worry about hiding from his guards or sneaking into the house. Second. Mayor Arvanxi’s obsession with and respect for the theatrical world would grant you a huge advantage in squeezing information from him. Third. The mayor’s parties have a well-known reputation for running long—sometimes over the course of days—so you should have an excuse to remain in his home for more than enough time necessary to get the job done. Fourth. The mayor will doubtless require you to come in full costume from your performance, and since you’ll be playing adventurers and the like in the play, that essentially means you’ll be able to walk right in to his manor fully armed and armored, no questions asked. And, finally, fifth. The mayor and his staff celebrate hard—it shouldn’t be long before he and the majority of his guards are so drunk and distracted that they’ll be in no condition to ask questions if the PCs slip away for several hours to look around.”

Baolus nodded at Arael and Ailyn. In his mind, every bit of information was crucial to the success of the mission, but when a lot is told, it was also useful to sumarize it, so it was easy for everyone to stay on track of the steps necessary for its completion. As Catina voiced her worries, Baolus reached for her, resting his hand on her shoulder. "I believe nothing we'll ever do under the mantle of the Eyes will ever be easy, or safe, Catina, but it needs to be done nevertheless."

When she asked about the second part of the plan, Baolus agreed with her. "Indeed, Janiven, I'm also interested in this part, since it will probably the one I'll have more difficult."

Petals raises her hand Excuse me, this "muderplay" as you call it, it doesn't actually mean we will need to murder anyone, does it? The idea worries her deeply. She looks to the others Fighting someone is fine, killing them just cause they are in a play is not.

Faustinia frowns, concerned. "I'm not sure, Petals..." she answers, "It certainly sounds like an opportune way to access Mayor Arvanxi's home. This Theater Mortrescci sounds less like an art form than it does gladiatorial combat on a stage. The Parego Regicona is full of absolutely beautiful old architecture, but the noble families who live there 'rule' it treat it more like their own little playthings than as part of Cheliax, let alone Westcrown," she sneers.

Turning her attention to Arael, Janiven, and Ailyn, Faustinia adds, "Let's say this plan works as you've laid out. You make excellent points about the cast's access to the mayor. But what's our plan for the first step: how are the four of us going to get cast in a prominent director's play? Theater Mortrescci will certainly scare off some actors, but Wiscrani artists aren't known to lack confidence..."

Catina finds herself hanging on Arael's lips as he explains the concept of Theater Mortrescci. The fact the play will be violent doesn't really register yet, except as a theoretical concept. She finds herself already utterly fascinated by the title of the play, the mere name of the Nightshade Theater and the opportunity to see the Parego Regicona. She nods at Baolus, distracted. "Yes, I can see that it's dangerous. But with what Janiven told us, I can start to see where the opportunity is. It's... It's no doubt vulgar, but we're actually going to be on stage?" It's clear that Catina has a hard time seperating the stark reality of the Murderplay from the old dreams she had of performing on stage, when she was still a child.

“Don’t worry about it, Petals. You’re not going to kill any humanoid. Murderplay usually involves monsters and undead. Usually, if the plot requires the characters to fight against humanoids, illusions are used.”

Janiven chimes in, in order to clarify some delicate points of her plan. “The only real disadvantage of the plan is the nature of The Six Trials of Larazod. The play is notorious and was banned for many decades for a reason—the combats and torments the actors endure in the play are not faked, but real. And to date, no cast has survived a production of the full, uncut version of the play—the version the director, a man named Robahl Nonon, has promised to Westcrown and its mayor. But certainly, surviving a play should be a cinch for a group of heroes like you. We believe in you. Even better, if you become the first to survive the uncut version, the mayor’s delight and the subsequent invitation to his home will be all but guaranteed.”

Janiven takes a sip from her glass of wine, and goes on. “Traditionally only wretched, half-starved convicts or truly desperate actors with no real talent have attempted to perform the play before, and thus it’s no small wonder that no one has yet survived the performance. Certainly a well-armed and successful group of heroes just like you are can do the play justice!”

Arael, Ailyn and Janiven all look at you at this point, waiting for an answer.

So it is not our acting ability that matters, just whether we can stay alive or not. Petals sighs. It sounds insane to her, but undeniable seems like it has a chance. Breaking into the mayor's house did not, so Okay. I'm... in. Will we have time to meet again with the rest of the Eyes once we succeed or we will be whisked off to the mayors right then?

"Very well..." Baolus nods in agreement. "... I believe we reached a sound plan. As Catina pointed, it will be definitely dangerous, which was already expected. If we manage to survive these Trials of Larazod, I believe most of the trouble will already be gone, leaving us with only a couple things for us to discover... first, we need to be sure to be selected for this play. Do you have any insight about how we'll do this, Arael?"

Once their leader have answered, he voiced his second point. "You mentioned The Six Trials of Larazod are notorious... I believe we'll be able to find more information about them, so we'll be better prepared. I'm not a connoisseur of Opera and its plays, but I imagine the play's directors usually avoid to make major changes on their plays."

Strangely, Baolus seems much more confident about this mission once he discovered that we'd have to fight, something he did most of his life, instead of actually acting. Even if infinitely more dangerous, he thought himself more prepared.

Uh... just now I realized I had cross-posted with our dear GM! Luckily, I believe it was not disruptive.

The mention of monsters and undead puts a damper on Catina's enthusiasm, but the subsequent explanation on the use of illusion reinforces the tiefling's earlier (and incorrect) perception that the whole affair will be more play and pretend than actual struggle for life. She quickly picks up on Baolus's suggestion. "You're right, Baolus! The script should still be available. We can rehearse, and get in that way." She looks at Faustinia, who seems to be most skeptical. "We can do this, Faustinia," she cheerfully tries to convince the noblewoman. "If we prepare properly, and the others are such desperate folks, we're bound to get our chance!"

"I would not be so quick to underestimate the desperate," Faustinia quickly counters. "That said, I do believe we shall be more prepared than most. Janiven says she believes in us. Now, I'm not one to lean too heavily on faith alone," she says, smiling at Janiven, "but she hasn't been wrong about us yet. I agree to the plan: we'll become actors."

She nods in agreement with Baolus. "If we're going to audition, we should know what we're getting into. Do any of you happen to have a copy of the text?" she asks Janiven, Arael, and Ailyn. "If not, I'm sure I could procure one. It'd be unlikely that I have a spare copy of something like that floating around in my own collection, but the Old Library is worth investigating if not..."

Rehearsal is brilliant. We could practice at the tavern since it is not open yet. Or here. catching the others excitement. The actual play might should scary, but practicing with the others sounded like a lot of fun.

“Oh, I don’t believe you’ll need to rehearse the script, my friends!” Janiven’s voice is filled with intelligence and mischievousness. “You would have little time to do so, anyway. Director Robahl Nonon is starting to cast parts for the play tomorrow at his own venue, a small theater called the Limehouse”.

Ailyn chimes in and smiles. “He’s already made the announcement that he’s looking for “authentic adventurers and legitimate risk-takers” over the use of established actors for most of the roles in the play”.

“A move that has caused some discord among the performer’s circuit. In fact, apart from using regulars from his own acting troupe, he has made clear his hopes that all of the roles in this production will be filled by experienced ‘heroes.’”, adds Arael.

“Anyway, Janiven, I think we should let them rehearse the script, if that would help them to feel more at ease tomorrow”, adds Arael.

“I see. Well, perhaps I can get one of those scripts for the play in time. Just let me think about it…” Janiven scratches her chin, while Arael and Ailyn think about the problem as well. “I got it! Wait here, I’ll be back soon with the script before the curfew. See you later!”

“Janiven, stop! Where are you going? If something bad happens to you, how are we going to help you if we don’t know where you are?”. Arael gazes at the woman with severity.

Janiven looks back at the others and shakes her head. “I must go. Don’t worry, I’ll be back!”

Arael stands up from his chair, but when he does, it’s already too late―Janiven has left, the door closing behind her. “JANIVEN! COME BACK HERE!” With a sigh, Arael shakes his head and lets himself fall on the chair again. “That woman is so stubborn at times…” he mumbles.

“Janiven is good Arael, she’s going to be okay”, tries to calm him down Ailyn.

Arael stands up again, nervous, and starts pacing around the room with a glass of wine in his hands, taking the occasional sip from it as time passes by. While you wait for Janiven, Arael keeps pacing around the room in anxiety, while Ailyn is much calmer, and takes some time to talk with you. She asks each of you to tell her something more about your personal stories, and even goes as far as to ask if anyone among you would be interested in joining the Pathfinder Society, should the opportunity ever arise. As for her, Ailyn tells you that she was born in Westcrown, but her family moved to Cassomir first and then to Absalom, when she was but a teenager. She joined the Society soon after her father died while on a ship headed to Sargava. Since then, she has fulfilled various missions for the Pathfinder Society, and she’s about to become a Venture-Captain. Her dreams is to become the Venture-Captain of the reopened lodge of Westcrown, her homeland.

---

The time passes quickly while you speak with Ailyn. She’s a nice talker, and her stories about her adventures while working for the Pathfinder Society are both interesting and compelling. Arael is the only one not participating in the conversation. All of a sudden, however, the doors of the shrine are thrown open. A hooded figure enters the main hall, a bulky pile of paper in hand. “Ladies and Gentlemen, the Six Trials of Lazarod!” The hood goes down, revealing Janiven’s mischievous smile. Arael breathes a sigh of relief and paces towards her. “Janiven, your behavior has been reckless!” Janiven shrugs and grins in response. “I said that I would be back before the curfew, and here I am. With the script. I don’t see where’s the problem. Moreover, this was your idea, Arael!”

Arael looks at the Irises and Ailyn, and with an embarrassed smile he asks them to forgive him. “Forgive us for leaving you so abruptly, but me and the lady here need to talk in private. Janiven Key, follow me please!”

With that said, Arael leaves and goes upstairs. Janiven blinks at you before following the half-elf.

The script of the Six Trials of Lazarod is in front of you. Now the only problem is that you should head back to your homes if you don’t want to be caught outside by the darkness and break the curfew. Of course, you can use your rooms in the shrine to stay for the night and rehearse the script. In any case, Ailyn gives a concerned gazed at the barred windows and tells you she must leave before the sun goes down. She whishes you luck and bids you farewell before leaving the shrine.

"Tomorrow?!" Catina lets out in horror when Janiven slyly announces the short deadline until the audition. "Well, that's a relief, I guess," she replies to Ailyn's revelation that there will mostly be other adventurer's instead of 'proper' actors. "I'm... Well, I never really thought I would ever go on stage. With this short a time to prepare, I wouldn't want to make a fool of myself in front of actual masters of the stage. It would be a shame to my father's name," she adds in a smaller voice. Whatever the macabre nature of the play, Catina seems determined to approach it with her all.

The tiefling girl cannot hide a smile when Janiven is suddenly gone to fetch the script. "It will be all right, Arael," she tries to assure their leader. "I've never seen Janiven act reckless, taking unnecessary risks. She'll know what she's doing."

Trying not to let the half-elf's nervousness get to her, Catina is keen to talk to the Pathfinder agent. She's still a bit too shy to tell openly of her past, though. "You can probably guess that it's not been easy for me here, being what I am... My father was a singer at the opera, and my mother played in the orchestra. But that's never going to happen to me. I guess I'll have to make do with a play that proper actors shun as too dangerous." She knows it's small consolation, but still manages to speak with pride about what they're going to try.

"When I came of age, I turned to the temple of Shelyn for shelter. And over time, I got to see that it was the right choice for me. There's still a lot of beauty here in the city, whether people can see it or not." She congratulates Ailyn on her upcoming promotion to Venture-Captain. The term doesn't really mean much to Catina, but she can sense what it means to the Pathfinder. Catina evades the question of becoming a Pathfinder herself. "I think I have enough trouble here to fit in. I can't imagine how it would be out there. Besides, there's so much good work to be done here in the city. Maybe I'd like to see Absalom once, later, but it sounds... daunting, to just go and travel everywhere."

--

Catina immediately drops her conversation with Ailyn when the doors to the shrine opens. "Janiven, you're back. I knew it!" She runs over and hugs the woman. "You got it, didn't you?" She begins leafing through the manuscript, then looks out the window, worried. "If you don't mind, Arael, I'd really like to stay here for the night and study." She looks up from the papers when Ailyn leaves, and spares some precious minutes away from reading to give the woman a proper farewell. "Thank you for all you've told us, Ailyn. We're going to do our best here. I hope that one day you can return here to reclaim Delvehaven. Take care, and go with the blessing of Shelyn. May you retrieve much knowledge and ancient objects of beauty, that one day they can be proudly displayed in your own Lodge for all to see."

--

Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

As Arael explains about that Director Nonon was looking for experienced heroes instead of regular actor, something picked is curiosity. "I'm confused as to why he chose this... is there some sort of a prize if he is able to complete the play? I'm asking this because if there is no incentive for him and he is doing so simply for the prestige, would not his competitors diminish his doing by pointing he 'cheated' by not choosing regular actors?"

"If there is a prize, it is a good information for us to know since it could be translated into some leverage..."

As Janiven bolts from the room against Arael's order, Baolus doesn't think twice before removing his breastplate and bolting after her. His intention was not to stop her, for he knew the importance of what she was doing even if did not agree with how she was doing that, so he followed her as best as he could. He would not interfere with what she was doing... his intention was solely to know where she was, and make sure she would be safe or, at least have help, in any case of danger.

---

Half a minute after Janiven enters the room, Baolus follows her back inside. As Arael excuses himself to give Janiven a reprimand in private, Baolus completely agrees with him. The woman was reckless and capricious and potentially put the plan in risk for no apparent reason... and, even worse, she defied the order of a superior, an unacceptable behavior. When she looked behind Arael's back and blinked, she found in Baolus's face no joy or sympathy.

As Catina voices her desire to remain in the temple to study the play, he nods to her in agreement. "I'll also stay. It would be irresponsible for us to not prepare the best we could for tomorrow."

GM, I took care to leave to you if Baolus was able to follow Janiven or not. The way I posted it, he could have followed her, or lost her along the way and picked her trail when she was already returning.

In response to Baolus' point about a prize, she leans toward him If Nonon manages to complete the play, he stands to be the premier of the entire theatric community. His name will be remembered for centuries. To artists that is worth more than any other prize. Experienced adventures can survive better than actors. Hopefully

When Janiven bolts, Petals doesn't feel the same level of worry as the others. She saw Janiven face down the bastards, placing arrow after arrow into them despite darkness, blood, and horror. She can take care of herself.

--

Still worry is catching, and she sighs in relief when she returns.

--

To Ailyn's questions about their pasts, Petals sticks with Oh I'm just a barmaid, really. One who sticks her nose in where it isn't wanted. the elf girl looks around at all the people, worried, excited, talking or arguing. Her own smile comes out a mix of warmth and wonder, But for once I found it was wanted... so I'm here now. she hides a quick wipe of the eyes and goes gets Ailyn a refill on whatever she was drinking.

Then laughs at the idea of her becoming a pathfinder So I could serve the drinks? I already have that job!

--

Petals doesn't need to chime in about staying, since she sleeps here already, but offers up the extra straw mattresses stuffed in her room to any of the sleep overs. Maybe we should brew some tea. she recommends for their late night study session.

Faustinia nods in agreement with Petals. "There's no 'prize' as such, Baolus. There is, however, glory in a well-produced performance - the unusual casting reflects the unusual nature of the play, I suppose. This isn't a more typical opera. But besides that, remember that this murderplay is a favorite of Mayor Arvanxi's - the director stands to gain from such notable patronage." Faustinia shakes her head as she shares what she knows of the man. "We would do well to be prepared for the casting, especially considering what kind of man the director is. Robahl Nonan is infamous among those who know of him. His temper is short as audiences are caustic. He charges half-price admission to his dress rehearsals so a jeering crowd can attack his actors mistakes as he berates them until he drives them away in tears. It's no wonder he would be drawn to something as grisly as Theater Mortrescci. We should brace ourselves for a harsh reception."

Distracted by her thoughts about the production, and convinced of the benefits of having the text to study, she doesn't have much time to object when Janiven leaves without a clue of where to find her with Baolus hot on her heels. "Janiven, wait!--" she calls out, but to sight of Janiven disappearing out of the safe house. She draws her mouth to the side, lips pursed in annoyance, but doesn’t seem quite as upset as Arael. After all, they would need every advantage they could find for this strange task, but it worried her to not know where the woman had gone. Even if Janiven has her reasons for not revealing her destination, it gnaws at Faustinia to know that she’s missing information relevant to their success.

---

To relieve her own tension and to distract herself from Arael’s incessant anxiety-inducing pacing, Faustinia joins the chat with Ailyn. She touches on her family’s noble pre-Thrune history and her discovery of that through her life-long study of history, her struggles to keep House Xerysis afloat despite Thrune’s dominance, and even her brief marriage. She mentions only that she met and wed Florio Lepidus, a wealthy but middle class Taldan merchant, and that he disappeared shortly after the shadows started to plague Westcrown. She does not mention the infernal child she birthed and its disappearance that same night, but she does leave a caesura in her telling as the memory visits her again, unable to at least give it that space.

She sighs and continues her history, recounting her resolution to turn to Egorian conjuration as a means to bring glory back to her family. Her previous attempts having petered out, she explains that she plans to use Thrune’s own tactics of dealing with devilry against them, and her decision to join Janiven after discovering an unaltered, glorious, and possibly treasonous record of her family’s history among her personal library. Faustinia finds Ailyn’s Wiscrani pride admirable, and gives her offer to join the Pathfinders some serious thought. ”It’s an intriguing offer, to be sure. I admit, if I could devote my life to one as a historian, I would love to have the resources of the Pathfinder Society at my disposal. But I fear that these are difficult times for my beloved city, and my focus must remain in Westcrown, regardless of what the great city of Absalom can offer. If I can join the Pathfinders and remain in Westcrown, that would be ideal. But being a Pathfinder doesn’t seem to mean much here until we can access the lodge and perhaps end the heavy sanctions against it within Westcrown, if not in Cheliax more generally. I will certainly think about it.”

---

Faustinia welcomes Janiven and Baolus back when they arrive, relieved to see them both intact. She says nothing more as Arael scolds her and the two go off to talk privately, letting the tension between them follow them to a private room. With the script in front of them and the sun going down, Faustinia bids Ailyn farewell and prepares to leave as well. However, she hesitates when the others express their desire to stay the night to rehearse.

Having just picked up her cloak, Faustinia sighs and puts in back down on the back of a chair. ”I really wasn’t planning on staying the night. Orra will be worried, I’m afraid, although I suppose this isn’t the first time I’ve stayed out like this lately.” Faustinia sighs, resigned to helping her companions. ”This certainly won’t be the first time I’ve stayed up late to study a text, but I admit it is novel to have allies in such an endeavor. I’ll send Morosino with a note to the Xerysis estate in the morning, if I don’t go myself. Tea sounds lovely, Petals, if you would be so kind as to prepare some. Let’s dive in. Who wants to read which role?...”

---

Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

The Irises spend the whole night studying the script for the play. After the first hour, Arael and Janiven get back in the common room and give their help in the rehearsal, offering tips and feedbacks. When it’s already late in the night, Arael urges the group to go get some sleep, “’cause tomorrow you’ll need to be at your best”. Following the half-elf’s advice, the Irises go to bed, the words from the script echoing in their tired minds. There’s a private room for each one of them at the Shrine, so they can enjoy at least some measure of privacy.

---

In the morning, the Irises wake up and find that Mathalen and Janiven have prepared a healthy breakfast for them. While they eat, no one mentions the group’s next endeavor, and the conversation touches on more mundane topics. This is also a chance for Baolus to get to know Mathalen better. When they’re done eating, and they’ve had the chance to wash themselves, the Irises meet in the main hall for a last briefing. Arael is waiting for them, much more relaxed than the previous night. “Before you go, I’d like to share a few thoughts about your next endeavor with you”. The leader of the Eyes of Westcrown seats down and invites the others to do the same.

“As you know, I’ve been stressing the importance of having a secret identity for each one of us. Being Eyes of Westcrown shouldn’t interfere with our normal lives. Anyone can be the Eyes, or the Irises, so that even if one of our members falls, the organization can live on. Also, this helps us to keep to our normal lives when not directly at work for the Eyes. Finally, it allows us not to draw too much attention. We don’t want the Asmodean Inquisition to start tracking down our members when they’re not wearing their uniforms, after all.”

Arael takes a sip from a mug of water and ensues. “Anyway, this is different. We cannot afford to let the Eyes be exposed so much. That would draw too much attention. As a result, this time you should not be wearing your uniforms. You should become the actors. This is not about getting the people’s approval. We already got it, judging from the rumors. What we need now is that you earn the trust of the mayor and get invited to Aberian’s Folly. As such, you won’t need to wear your uniforms during the play, and to keep our group safe and secret, you shouldn’t. That would be too risky, for both you and our group.”

Arael offers you a warm smile, and Janiven nods at you encouragingly. “I think it’s all. Good luck with the interviews.”

Before you leave, Janiven gives you directions to the Limehouse Theater, should no one in the group how to reach it. Westcrown is a huge city, and even native Wiscrani sometimes get lost in the labyrinthine sequence of streets, alleys and shortcuts. In this case, though, both Baolus and Lady Faustinia know how to reach the Limehouse Theater, since they’re both used to get to the Old Shrine of Aroden from the northernmost sectors. You all bid farewell to Mathalen, Janiven and Arael before leaving the shrine.

▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
⁞⁞⁞⁞ A WALK THROUGH WESTCROWN ⁞⁞⁞⁞
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Once out of the Old Shrine of Aroden, the group turns east to enter Arazni’s Road, then turns left on Light Street, heading north towards Rego Pena. The Old Shrine is in Rego Sacero, also known as “Priest Sector”. It contains more shrines and ecclesiastical real estate (extant or ruined) than five other Chelish cities combined. For centuries, priests and nobles alike kept all land east of the Arodennama (on and beneath the Rise) vacant for Aroden’s personal gardens. That land became a flashpoint of land grabs and assassination among many nobles, officials, and priesthoods after the Last Azlanti’s death. By 4614, various faiths and houses had bought up much of the land.

Your walk through Reco Sacero reveals itself rather pleasant, and of course peaceful as well. The facades of various small temples dedicated to the major deities of the Inner Sea Region face Light Street, spaced one from another by more mundane buildings such as houses and shops.

The small temples here, and also several shops facing Light Street, offer a wide selection of divine scrolls. Although rarer, some temples also have divine wands for sale. Finally, if you need holy and/or unholy symbols, spell components or flasks of holy water, you can find them here. If you want to buy something, please write it as part of your next post.

Light Street continues north, leading you into Rego Pena, where it becomes Gold Street. “Coin Sector” houses the more lucrative trades and many houses of dubious standing, politically or monetarily. This also acts as home to a rising class of rich merchants who, by choice or fate, lack the political clout or connections to gain noble status or the notice of the Imperial Court.

Rego Pena offers an incredible variety of shops. Gold Street always feels busy and people crowd the wide street at all hours, except in the night. In some points, you have to literally push your way through the hectic crowd.

Rego Pena offers a wide variety of shops, and on Gold Street you can find almost anything your mind is able to conceive. Apart from more mundane shops, as you walk through Gold Street you see at least an adventuring gear shop, a fine weapons seller, a tinkerer selling automated dolls, a dwarven armorer workshop, a small alley known as Alchemist’s Street filled with shops specialized in selling alchemical weapons and equipment, a boutique of magic items, a shop specialized in magic rods, another specialized in magic staves, a renowned wand crafter, a scroll storehouse, and even a huge building offering all kinds of magic items. Known as The Magic Shop, this five stories building is a sort of department store for everything magic. Thanks to the work of several spellcasters, The Magic Shop is always supplied with scrolls, potions, wondrous items and everything else which is magical in nature. Although the prices are a little higher if compared to those of the smaller shops, here you’re assured to find everything you need, as long as it is magical.

Before you leave Rego Pena, you also see the Glitter Palace, the prosperous jewelry store owned by Tarvi’s parents.

Finally out of the bustling chaos of the Coin Sector, Gold Street turns into Last Azlanti’s Road, taking you into Rego Scripa. “Scribe Sector” was once the center for the bureaucratic work of the Chelish empire, the area dominated by ink- and paper-makers, printers, binders, scribes, and messengers. Now, precious few such businesses remain beyond cartographers; trade warehouses and ship-related businesses (rope- and sail-makers, navigators, and shipwrights) now populate this sector.

As you walk through Rego Scripa, you can see Taranik House on your left.

After leaving Taranik House behind, the group turns right on Rhul Road and then left on Scribes Road, and then left again on Actor’s Road. At the end of Actor’s Road, you see Limehouse Theater on your right.

As you arrive, you see a crying half-elf girl coming out of the theater, her hands covering her beautiful face. A man follows her closely, trying to cheer her up.

▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁▁
⁞⁞⁞⁞ THE INTERVIEW ⁞⁞⁞⁞
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
As soon as you enter the theater, you see an empty stage and, in front of it, a series of wooden benches. On the first one, the closest to the stage, seats a man so short and stout that he could pass for a dwarf. He has a huge walrus moustache and a frightful frown. The toupee he wears is sadly obvious, as is the faded color of his once fine attire. You immediately identify this man as Robahl Nonon.

The director has both of his hands on his face. He shakes his head nervously and seems to be about to throw away his staff in frustration. As soon as he spots you, however, his eyes spark with cleverness and he points his staff toward you. “Who are you?” As soon as you reveal your intentions, the director smirks. “And you call this an introduction? Come on, get your clumsy derrieres on the stage.”

At this point, you all need to step onto the stage and introduce yourselves. Please roll a level check modified by your Charisma modifier—a character who has ranks in Perform (act) can make that check as well and take the better of the two results. Your results will determine the party’s base Popularity score. As you’ll continue to rehearse and eventually perform, your Popularity will rise and fall—at the end of the performance, assuming you survive, your final Popularity indicates not only how many Fame Points you’ll gain, but how much money you’ll make for your hard work. I suggest you to roll the die and preview it before writing your introduction, so that you can adjust it according to the result—a good, strong one if you rolled a good result, or an awkward or otherwise bad one if you rolled badly.
______________________________
Phew, this was a huge post indeed! The main goal of the introductory part of my post is to give you some details about Westcrown so that we can all be more involved in the plot. Also, your walk to the theater gives you the chance to make all the last purchases you want to do. I encourage you to check the Map of Westcrown linked in the Campaign Info Tab to get a feel of the city and your route through it.

Catina's cheeks burn frequently as the Irises read the play. "It's quite... different from what I expected." She seems less eager, but still determined, to go through with it. "So, the main character of the play is a tiefling. He's a young man, but I suppose men playing as woman - and the other way around - isn't all the uncommon. Should I audition for the part of Larazod?" When asked about the difficulty of playing a devout worshipper of Asmodeus, she gives a practical answer. "It's just fiction, for the play. That's what my papa explained when he had the lead in the Prince of Twilight, and had to profess his undying love to the Countess." She laughs, thinking back on how silly she'd been then. "I asked whether that meant that papa didn't love mama any more, but he explained that it was just for the story. Anything that happens on stage isn't real." She laughs again, but then grows more serious. "I know now that, while the story may be fiction, there is always a hidden message. Or maybe even more. That's what's so fascination, and beautiful." She points at some passages. "The story seems to be about a devout worshiper of Asmodeus seeking out corruption. But it's also about a common man - a tiefling even - standing up for what he believes in, and overthrowing the established order." She looks doubtful, following on Faustinia's line of reasoning. "At least, this version is. Let's just see what happens..."

--

The next morning, Catina is feeling a little drowsy for lack of sleep, but clear enough to face the events of the day. At her morning prayer, she reflects on the task they're about to take. "Blessed Shelyn, I never expected to be on stage, even in a play as vulgar as this one. You teach that it's the intention that counts, and I will give it my best effort. Despite the challenges that this play may bring and the unwholesome reputation that it has, I hope to make you proud." She then joins the others for breakfast, wearing Baolus's refitted breastplate, a backpack filled with supplies and a glaive of exquisite marksmanship. The hafts is decorated with engraved roses, whose thorns are etched to make them almost resemble tiny horns. Catina immediately starts apologizing when she brings out the weapon. "I'm really sorry about this. It cost a fortune! I gave Ermelos a drawing, asking whether he could commission a glaive like this. I had no idea how expensive it would be." She looks at the weapon, obviously admiring it. "It nearly cost half of what we found at the Bastard's hideout. I'm sorry..."

--

Knowledge local: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

Catina seems in a good mood walking through Rego Sacero, a part of the city that she knows well enough. As the group walks (with catina in her hooded robe and wearing her glaive tightly wrapped), she points out several buildings, alleys, plazas and sculptures that she admires. Further north, when they enter the bustling Coin Sector, Catina grows silent and makes an effort to keep a small distance from the group. In Rego Scripa, she catches up to the others, but is still on her guard. She steps close to Baolus when they're coming up on Taranik House. "That's a headquarter for the Order of the Rack in the city," she whispers. "There's always at least eight of them there." She doesn't make any purchases, already having spent all of her gold on the glaive.

--

Knowledge local: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Introduction: 1d20 + 3 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 - 1 = 3

Catina takes a deep breath before the theater, talking some courage into herself. "I suppose we have no idea what we can really expect. It's probably going to be tough, but if we stick together and support each other, we're going to be OK." She doesn't sound totally convinced, and has long fingers can be seen trembling. "A bit of stage fright is normal, isn't it?" she asks in a much smaller voice.

"That's him," Catina whispers as they enter. "Don't be alarmed by his bursts of anger, just weather the storm. He's... He's..." She'd want to say more, but is caught by the rumours she's heard about the man, and his overbearing presence. The resolve she felt earlier feels so far away, and she had trouble even remembering the thing's she'd read earlier. Feeling faint-headed and nauseous, seeing spots having difficulty even breathing, Catina takes the stage.

"I am... Catina. Don Burati. Err... "Bon Durati." She starts sweating from the nerves and thinks she's about to faint. "I would like to... audition for the part of... of Larazod. It... It appeals to me as a.... - Well, you know - and I think I can do it... do it justice." Oh Gods, blessed Shelyn, who am I kidding? How could I ever? He's going to chase me off the stage before I even finish my introduction! She hurries to the end. "I know that the play poses many... ehrm... dangers, but I am sure that... sure that... I can handle them." Feeling that's all she can manage, Catina puts a hand in front of her mouth and hurries off the stage.

posting the initial part, along with rolls before figuring out the rest of my post, also thanks very much for the walk through of the city and the map, it brings it all alive more!!

You'd make a wonderful Larazod, Catina. No matter the gender issues. I was thinking about Ilsandra, but I'm really not sure I could do some of these scenes with you, there a bit... explicit. She fans her face at the descriptions of the torrid lust she feels for the tiefling, blushing at just the thought of having to act that out with Catina. Maybe I can be the paladin and Javenin can be your lover she teases.

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The next day she braids her long blonde hair, coiling it into a bun that will be out of the way. She dons her best skirt, a deep blue with just a bit of wear on the hem. Since Nonon says he wants adventures, she wears her chain shirt on top with her padded cloth underneath. Not pretty but will hopefully get her a better chance. Rapier on her side hip, spell component pouch on her other, dagger in her boot, and hammer slung on her back. She looks ready for war instead of an audition. She sighs in the mirror, thinking going to battle would be MUCH easier.

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Seeing the glaive she gushes over it, Its a masterpiece! Lifting her hammer from her sling she compares They gave me mine when I left the temple. Not sure if it was handed down or made, but the workmanship on the roses is very similar.

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On the walk she enjoys Catina and anyone else pointing out buildings and parts they like. It is refreshing seeing the city through someone else's eyes. So much of it she found ugly, seeing the alley way she saw someone suffering, or the alcove that body was found, so on. She doesn't point any of that out though, not wanting to taint the good mood of their travel.

local: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
history: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
local: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
local: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

interview: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25