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"We may be able to plan better once we know the layout, at least the outside. Remember we are supposed to sabotage the Lissalan safe house as completely as possible. Then, throw the blame for the sabotage onto the Aspis Consortium while keeping murder at a minimum."
Zynep says this last part staring at Varg, followed with a smile.
"Since it is underground, maybe we can collapse some of the room, or at least desecrate their shrine. Then we leave calling cards."
At this last remark, Zynep points to her Aspis badge.
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Luisila nods. “I like the idea of some reconnaissance first and planting badges later as ‘proof’ the Aspis did it.”
“Two thoughts about assassinating Jenk. One … I’m pretty sure it wasn’t part of our original briefing from VC Heidmarch.”
“Two … it would be so much easier if the Lissalans did it for us. Remember, as far as Jenk knows Thestil’s crew are doing everything possible to heal the rift between the two groups. With any luck, the Lissalan blade that gets Jenk will come as a complete surprise to him.”
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Linnea takes everything in. "Yes, I don't think we need to bother ourselves too much with Jenk. Either Lissalan agents or the higher-ups of the Aspis Consortium will likely deal with him once our work is done."
"I do like Varg's idea as well. But, since we are trying to keep the bloodshed to a minimum, what if we go to the Lissalan temple bearing the gifts, and scout the area at that time. Then we come back later at a time when the temple would be empty, or mostly empty, and then trash it."
"Then, we leave the badges, placing the blame on the Aspis Consortium. That's my two coppers' worth, at least."
The party is able to locate the tattoo shop easily. Tenements sprawl across this portion of the Wharf District between Zincher’s Arena and the solid-looking Gas Forges. A shop with a sign reading “Seven Needles” stands at the end of a dim, trash-strewn alley. The tattoo parlor is abandoned, its windows cracked and portions of its wooden trim looking like they were removed long ago.
Lusisla goes invisible. Finding no traps, she enters the tattoo parlor. Finding the building largely empty, she notices footprints in the dust on the floor and after a few moments of searching, uncovers a concealed trapdoor in the corner.
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Roland nod to Linnea and Zynep and follows along, intentionally not wiping his feet on the mat to look like he owns the place.
"Right. Let's finish this."
Finally a place for direct action I can understand and not all the singing, drinking, wenching. A Pathfinder craves not these things. Well, Varg probably does, but most Pathfinders don't....right? Oops I better keep up.
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Ernest also keeps a general watch out, but always has trouble focusing.
"Wait when did Linnea's shirt get torn ope--" Ernest turns an odd pink colour and is abnormally silent as he comes to the blouse adjustment-oriented revelation that he not only talked to a girl calmly, but also wore something of hers on his face.
The party examines the room that they are standing in, but find nothing of interest. The only egress is the trapdoor and the hall to the north.
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Ernest will march wherever, but preferably farther back. He rotates between staring at Linnea and staring at something explicitly not Linnea, depending on whether or not she could be perceived as possibly looking in his direction, and is dead silent the entire time. Snouts is somewhere behind the group, preferably Luisila.
Zynep moves toward the glyph on the floor and begins to examine it, though she does not find any evidence of traps.
Varg motions for Roland to follow and starts off down the hall. As he steps across the glyph on the floor, a ten foot section of wall to the west, wavers and disappears, revealing iron bars set in the section of the hall.
As the wall disappears, Varg and Zynep hear low growl and see a squat, reptilian monster with eight legs, bony spurs jutting from its back, and eyes that glow with pale green fire. It turns and gazes upon the two party members, as it pushes against the bars.
Zynep and Varg meet the creature stare, but nothing happens...
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Zynep tries to grab Linnea before she tries to view the basilisk. In a harsh whisper she says:
"Are you mad, woman?!? Those goggles won't protect you completely from its gaze. Just a chance you won't be turn to stone. Once Varg gives us a go ahead, we need to close our eyes and just walk past it. I will get you a picture book that has such beasts in it for you to look at later."
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Linnea frowns, "I could've sworn the fellow I bought these from told me..."
You are always treated as averting your gaze when dealing with gaze attacks
"...but perhaps I misunderstood what he said. Thanks for the save, Zynep." And with that, Linnea's face turns beat red and she averts the gaze of her compatriots.
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Roland looks from Zynep to Linnea and over to Varg as if they are teasing him.
"Surely you are zhe kidding, no?"
With a worried look on his face.
I did not even know it was possible to be turned to stone. By Desna, I am in way over my head on this one.
Roland waits for the signal, then closes his eyes and follows the others.
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Ernest keeps his eyes closed and waddles forward at half-speed along one of the walls as he pats it to stay along it. He talks, not noticing how inappropriate it happens to be, due to the pressure of the situation. "Yeah, Lin! Don't look at the eyes! They'll make you all hard, then you'd need rubbed down with their blood to get soft again!"
Snouts stays where he is at as Ernest gives his orders to him. "Snouts! Say 'when' when he's lined up for a colour blast!"
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Linnea, though embarrassed by her miscalculation of what her goggles are capable of, could still not resist turning Ernie's phrasing back on him.
"Well Ernie, in my experience, rubbing something down can definitely make it hard. Why, I remember this one time, when we had our carnival set up outside of a monastary. I don't remember what order they were, but those monks definitely weren't taking any vows of celiba...Well, maybe I'll save that story for another time. Just let me know, Ernie, and I'll tell you all about it."
With that, she lifts up her goggles just enough to give Ernest a wink before quickly placing them back.
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"I think we found Lady's mother," ...
"Seeing that we're sisters I'm so sorry that you look more like mother, Raven, while I clearly take after father's side of the family."
Luisila follows Zynep's advice and example to the letter. She drops her goggles in place, and closes her eyes and follows Ernest. She will attempt to link arms with Ernest, escort style, as she did on the way to the Silken Veil, so as to more easily get past the danger.
No Nonsense mama voice: "Ernie, you did this once, you can escort me again. None of your backchat now ... You will help me or it's straight to bed with no supper ... And NO GAMING for a week!"
The party follows Vargs lead and makes it past the basilisk's cage, keeping their eyes closed or facing the opposing wall. Linnea's curiosity nearly get her a first hand gaze from the basilisk if not for Zynep's quick action.
At the other end of the hall, the party finds another set of locked iron bars. Looking through the bars, the hallway can be seen to go about a hundred feet with halls leading off on both sides.
Zynep searches the general area, but finds no key or hidden latch.
Ernest casts a spell and a rainbow of color springs from his hand toward the basilisk. The basilisk is overcome by the rainbow.