Moving things along...
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
Caleb stopped dead when he saw the statue. "Shensen?" he asked, hope in his voice. Hope that died in the next sentence "Just a statue."
Caleb looked around "He was here. I know it. I can smell it, that cloying scent he wears. He must've just moved out." he stopped, puzzled "Why though. Did he expect someone to explore down here - no, he would have left traps. It's like he's moving out of the Opera House. Did we win? Is he leaving?" Caleb paused, horrified "Or is he about to burn this place to the ground with everyone in it?"
"So, except for the area with the hellhounds, the area with the bone devil, and that wierd cellar bit out the back, we've been everywhere and found nothing." Desperate to keep his voice low despite his rage, Caleb hisses the last word.
And I have a picture of the Shensen statue which I forgot to include in the turn recap.
I bought a new laptop so transferring files and such is taking up some of my time. :(
FYI, I think Tillia is ahead in game time than the rest of the PCs. It took her five dances longer than it's taking the rest of the PCs to explore the basement so we'll have to adjust later if needed.
Questions?
Game on!
I don't know that I'll have a lot of time to post today anyway so if you want to delay mine tonight if there are enough posts from the others to go on then that is fine. I'm off work tomorrow so I'll ahve more time to post then.
slowing down here.... :(
Tillia was oblivious about Brassy's unhappiness that she had won as she was crowned the winner. Her exhilaration was far too great and it cost her a bit of focus that could have been helpful in keeping tabs on the problem. Still, she was the center of attention for the moment and was lapping it up. She head knelt to receive the honor and rose afterwards saying to Brassy, "Thank you for the honor of being crowned by you Lord Mayor. I have little I can do to thank you for the honor, the only thing I can offer is a kiss in thanks, would you accept one?"
[ooc]If he doesn't:
Tillia gave Brassy a respectful curtsy, it was expected for now after all, and then made to move back into the crowd.
Action 1
Take 10
+4 vs humans, +2 vs Evil outsiders, +2 in Kintargo
26! (Half elf gets the +4 human bonus, and we're in Kintargo)
"It certainly looks like Shensen," Vandomir stated? He leaned closer and studied the statue. "This is no object of art, it is Shensen turned to stone!By what manner of creature I can not tell,, and how can we reverse this foul magic?"
Action 1:
Three heartbeats in absolute darkness seemed like an eternity to the inquisitor before they reappeared in the Conservatory. She realized that she had been clenching Caleb's hand awfully tight and she murmured an apology as she disentangled their fingers.
When they arrived in what was previously Thrune's private chambers, again Noravia expressed her concern about the recent removal of his personal belongings. "Do you think he removed his stuff because he was planning something bad for this evening to happen in the Opera House or because he knew somehow that we were coming? Either way, where do you think he moved everything?"
The statue drew Noravia's attention just like it did everyone else's. It looked remarkably life-like. She was just about to compliment the artist's abilities even though she wasn't a fan of the pose, when Vandomir commented that it wasn't a statue but Shensen herself. The inquisitor then tried to determine what kind of magic was used to accomplish such a feat.
It takes Knowledge arcana to determine that it's Shensen so we'll say that Vandomir suspects but has no real knowledge of this.
So... basement group? What are you guys doing? You have explored most of the basement level. Only things remaining are: G1 (hellhounds), G2, G3 (orchestra illusion), G11 (bone devil), G12, and G18 (not on map).
Give me something so I can recap later today! :)
Caleb looked at Vandomir as if he'd grown a second head, then turned and stared at the Statue in horror. "Really? Is that possible?" He poked one of his scars "Hey Ves, get out here."
A grumpy wasp wormed its way free of his prisoning flesh.
"So help me Caleb, if you want me to do cleaning again..." Ves appeared, literally buzzing with anger.
"No, no, Ves." Caleb dived over to where the magical robe had been stored "Look - I thought you might like to try this on!" Caleb smiled sincerely.
Ves looked sceptically at the small man - inasmuch as a wasp can look sceptical - but buzzed around the robe in delight. "Alright." she sighed "What do you want?"
Once Caleb had indicated Vandomir's suspicions with the statue she sighed, and started buzzing around it "Isn't this what you have Tillia for? What am I, your backup scholar?"
"Calistria be with you" intoned Caleb, laying a finger on the wasp.
"Really? Really?' asked Ves, and if biology had allowed a wasp to roll her eyes, Vespula's would have rotated like a windmill. "You're trying to Bless a Blessing? I guess I appreciate the sentiment."
"That's your girl, I'd say. Stonework's too fine for mortal hands. Could have been magically created stone shifted into that form, but not many sculptors bother with underwear. It's the sort of detail I'd expect from petrification. That said, I've no idea how to get her out, so good luck with that. I'd say nick it, and work it out later. She gets pushed over and she'll smash, though, so don't be clumsy."
Flying over to the robe, she snuggled inside it "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to get changed..."
OK so not enough to recap today but we did get some more RPing so I guess I'll have to take that.
Let's finish this conversation and get me some definitive action for tomorrow. If not, I'll just roll and you may not like what comes up but we need to move things along.
1) hellhounds;
2) bone devil; or
3) go back up with Tillia
Questions?
Game on!
"I don't fancy our chances with the bone monstrosity," Eirik said as they quickly considered their options. "If it is indeed a greater devil it might well be able to magically whisk its way to safety if we don't manage to destroy it before it can act, and it just might be able to just run away if it doesn't possess suitable magic. I also don't think we can fight it or the hellhound patrols without the other noticing and all of them at once may be too much, particularly when Tillia is not here to help. And a prolonged battle may just bring the rest of the devils and more mundane guards here. It may even spill out and endanger the guests."
"I think we should investigate the last few places we can without drawing attention to ourselves."
It takes Knowledge arcana to determine that it's Shensen so we'll say that Vandomir suspects but has no real knowledge of this.
Gahh, you're right, I totally missed it was two different knowledge skills. Luckily, I also have Arcana, so we'll at least take a swing...
+4 vs humans, +2 vs Evil outsiders
So, umm, that didn't work.
Noravia was dismayed to learn that Shensen had been turned to stone. "We can't let her stay here but getting her out may be difficult."
Even though it was just ceiling above her, Noravia glanced upwards to where the Masquerade was continuing without them. "There are too many hazards down here to continue. And we run the risk of going unnoticed upstairs if we stay away much longer. The Dance of the Damned must be almost over by now and we don't want to leave Tillia alone if something were to happen. Maybe we should return. If anything, we can possibly track down Hetamon and sneak him down here. He may be able to help Shensen where I couldn't."
No, you need stone to flesh or similar. Hetamon is a good choice though.
So going upstairs seems to be the course of action...
I'll go with that unless I hear otherwise.
Game on!
Yeah, let's go upstairs.
Okay if Ves comes up in costume as well? I think Alter Self will let her.
If they were carefully checking guests, Caleb will try to talk her out of it with promises of their own party - with blackjack and hookers - later.
Holiday weekend here in the USA. We head out of town tomorrow morning. May not be back on the net until Monday evening, or Tuesday morning.
I intend to recap later today with the PCs going upstairs with Tillia.
Questions?
Game on!
Action 3:
The inquisitor continued, "As soon as we find Hetamon and help Shensen, we can continue our exploration of the Opera House. Maybe we can try one of the other levels?"
Action 4:
As soon as Noravia emerged dressed as Shelyn again, she looked for Hetamon in the crowd. He was the only one she could think of to help Shensen.
Action 4:
As soon as Noravia emerged dressed as Shelyn again, she looked for Hetamon in the crowd. He was the only one she could think of to help Shensen.
Even though Hetamon had shared his costume, he was no where to be found. Or at least Noravia hadn't seen him but the Opera House was a large place and there were at least 300 guests...
-------
Even though Noravia was focused on finding Hetamon, she couldn't quite place him. She went back to the others hoping they may have had better luck. "I can't seem to find Hetamon on my own. Can I get a little help from you all?"
Caleb's hands clenched white around his Glaive, as he saw Tillia kiss THRUNE. His teeth ground. His blood boiled. Desperately he repeated to himself 'Part of the con... part of the con...'
When Noravia asked for help he threw himself into it with a will - but his distraction left him little help.
"Oh, I'll help." Ves muttered mischeviously, costumed now as Callistria herself with the magic of the cloak.
"That way, I think," Eirik murmured. "We should make as much haste as we can without drawing undue attention. The unmasking ceremony approaches, and I have no particular wish to remain to take part in it."
Tillia moved back in the crowd and began to search for Asami. When trouble started, and she was sure that it would, she wanted someone she could trust to be nearby. She kept hoping that the others would return before things became ugly, but she was beginning to lose any hope of such an occurrence.
"That way, I think," Eirik murmured. "We should make as much haste as we can without drawing undue attention. The unmasking ceremony approaches, and I have no particular wish to remain to take part in it."
While the officers did not find Hetamon, they did manage to identify the other Silver Council members. Laria, Rexus, Lady Docour, and Octavio shook their heads when asked if they had seen Hetamon.
When Eirik shared the information they had gathered and their plans, Octavio frowned, "So you won't be staying for the Unmasking Ceremony?"
Lady Docour chided, "Bad form. That ceremony will be the highlight of the party."
Rexus added, "You will be the only guests leaving so make sure you mask your exit if possible. I want to see what Barzillai has to say and will be staying." Laria nodded as well.
Octavio said, "What if Barzillai does something like try and disgrace the movement and we are not here to counter that?"
-------------
You could if you want to.
Noravia was glad her face was covered with a mask to hide her surprise at Tillia kissing Thrune on the cheek. As she studied his body language, the inquisitor could tell that he was unhappy. Maybe he hadn't been counting on anyone actually succeeding at the Dance of the Damned.
She was all too aware of Caleb seething beside her. Noravia leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Whatever happened before we arrived, Thrune is upset. Most likely because his plans have been interrupted by whatever Tillia managed to do."
While the officers did not find Hetamon, they did manage to identify the other Silver Council members. Laria, Rexus, Lady Docour, and Octavio shook their heads when asked if they had seen Hetamon.
When Eirik shared the information they had gathered and their plans, Octavio frowned, "So you won't be staying for the Unmasking Ceremony?"
Lady Docour chided, "Bad form. That ceremony will be the highlight of the party."
Rexus added, "You will be the only guests leaving so make sure you mask your exit if possible. I want to see what Barzillai has to say and will be staying." Laria nodded as well.
Octavio said, "What if Barzillai does something like try and disgrace the movement and we are not here to counter that?"
Noravia turned to the others, "They do have a point. It's not like Thrune doesn't know who we are anyways. He did present us publicly with gifts. Granted not all of us were there. So maybe those who weren't there can be the ones who slip away." She sighed resignedly, "But I'm staying. If something bad happened to innocents that I could have helped prevent by staying, I'd never be able to face myself in the mirror or my goddess again."
Sorry but I can't put Caleb's mind at ease. He's too much of a worryphobe. :)
I think you all got an idea of what Barzillai is capable of doing. He would not think twice of using people to further his power position.
Whether he's capable of killing 300 people or not remains to be seen.
Remember that at this point, he does not know that there are Silver Ravens in his party but he's probably expecting you.
That being said, he will surely realize that you are in the Opera House once 'the masks come off'.
Like I said, up to you. This is a 'live campaign' and I'll do my best to react to your actions, whatever these may be.
Questions?
Game on!
Vespula - in her Callistrian elf guise - had finally managed to convince one of the other dancers to come spend some 'alone time together' when she noted Caleb stalk his way through the crowd towards her. "Really?" she hissed at him in elven. "First time I get to go to a party and you're going to wreck it? I'm pretty sure you're breaking some sort of commandment here."
"I'm worried about Hetamon." he answered, quietly, in the same tongue. "I was hoping you could ask your... mother about him. Is he safe, is he here, where is he, you know."
"You will throw me a party for this." she said in Chelish, then turned to her partner. "I'm terribly sorry. My incredibly boring very much older brother here needs help in the bathroom due to his numerous physical and mental deficiencies. I'll do my best to help him, and come straight back. Wait for me" The last suggestion was backed with the full force of her power, and she glared at Caleb one last time before stalking away to a quiet area to consult with her goddess.
Going off to use Commune. Questions are:
(1) Is Hetamon safe?
if yes to above then binary search... Like
Is he in the building?
Is he above me?
Is he on floor 1?
is he hiding?
Difficult to know the exact 6 questions without the answer.
At 11:30 she'll do an Augury about the idea of the Ravens staying out, relay the answer, then hide back inside Caleb.
If the answers are mundane (and Hetamon turns out to be shacked up with someone), then she'll return to her partner du jour.