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The director looks around. Where is he? Oh. Thesing! Come here and meet the new actors!
A handome, yet familiar face turns around. That face immediately turns sour. You're kidding me, right? This is a joke? Robahl, you're pulling my leg, right? These people have no acting skills! They're commoners!!
Eh?, the director replies. You are the one who is out of your mind. I interviewed them myself. They are spectactular. Maybe even better than you!
What?!? he sputters. Are you kidding? This is insufferable! I refuse to share the same...
He stops for just a brief moment in mid-sentance. He eyes widen a little bit. ... I'm...I'm sorry! How rude of me! A grin comes over his face. I am elated that these fine people are going to be doing this play with us. In fact, I can't wait for them to share the stage, bask in my glory, and ... entertain us with their talents. Yes! He claps his hands together once as he takes two steps forward to shake Beppos hands.
The obsequious Tiefling footman appears at Beppo's arm. "My lord Guisef, you will perhaps not remember our encounter with the fine Thesing Ulvaud. You will remember my error in the rental of the horses, the dawn painting picnic? It was Mister Ulvaud whose plans were put at risk by our late arrival.", Devil prattles quickly, bowing overmuch, seeming to speak to Beppo's elbow.
"My error, Mister Ulvaud.", Devil apologizes. "I do hope your day went more smoothly thereafter?"
Tessai makes sure to look the man straight in the eyes, while she wears a fanged smile - You did change your mind VERY quickly did you not? - she thinks to herself.
Tessai makes sure to look the man straight in the eyes, while she wears a fanged smile - You did change your mind VERY quickly did you not? - she thinks to herself.
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+8
Aemon clearly looking uneasy at everything going on and the fact that we have made it in to the play, nods are people being introduced trying to keep his cool look.
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(I forgot to mention earlier, Thesing has been given what he (and most of the city) assume will be the starring role in The Six Trials of Larazod—the role of Haanderthan.)
Next, the director introduces you to Calseinica Nymm. (Pic in dropbox)
The very beautiful woman bows. It is a pleasure to meet you. I'm very excited to be on stage and perform with all of you.
For many years, Calseinica found it difficult to break into the acting scene. It wasn’t until earlier this very year that she had her big break—she was serving as an understudy for Visbaronetess Aulamaxa in a production of the popular opera The Winter of White Roses. When Aulamaxa was caught in an accident involving a horse-drawn carriage and a panicked imp, she spent the production’s premiere in the care of several priests of Abadar, barely able to walk, and Calseinica took the stage in her place. When Calseinica’s portrayal of the domineering, scheming Witch of Roses took Westcrown’s critics by storm, the director arranged for her to perform for all of the productions and fired Visbaronetess Aulamaxa from the part.
The Visbaronetess suspects that Calseinica had something to do with causing her accident, and for many months her feud and hatred of Calseinica was both public and unbecoming. For her part, Calseinica barely noticed, so overwhelmed was she with her sudden rise to glory.
Calseinica has been cast as Larazod’s love interest, the beautiful Ilsandra.
Last, the director introduces you to Millech the Hump, A stocky hunchbacked man with stringy white hair. (Pic in dropbox).
Millech is in charge of all our special effects and the such. He's worked on all my plays. Absolutely dependable.
Heh. Um...nice to meet you guys. Look, Robahl, I wanna talk with you about...
Yeah, yeah, yeah. The devices and the beasts...Look, I talked to the mayor, and he simply can't have them here until the day of the event.
But if...
... if, if, if. Millech, you're a professional. And in business, not everything happens the way you prefer. Improvise! You know what you're doing. Make it happen, like you always do!!
Nice to meet you all. So what kind of creatures will we be "acting" alongside?
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Millech hears Brandon's question, and throws his hands up in the air. Hell, if I know! The Mayor is bringing on some exotic monsters and the such, and I'm in the dark on the details. How can I properly prepare if I'm not given time to work with the monsters before the actual play??
And in response to Kyle, Sure, sure, if we get time. I guess I'll set up some elaborate props and the such so you guys have something to rehearse with. I better get to work.
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Robahl announces, Well, I need to go ahead and cast you all into some roles. As I mentioned before, we have a couple already cast, but we have six more to fill. I have four speaking roles, and a number of background, silent roles. To see which of you will fit best into which role, I've a series of challenges prepared. Let's get started!
Here are the roles. The first four, the speaking roles, have challenges attached to them. Everyone should participate in each challenge by rolling the appropriate roll. Make sure you roll them in order. All rolls must be completed by Monday morning 10am EST. Note that while some of the roles seem particularly geared towards certain race/class/gender combos , it's totally not necessary to BE that class/race. That's what make up and effects are for!!
Larazod Larazod is one of the play’s two starring roles (the other being, of course, Montigny Haanderthan, who is being played by Thesing). As such, Robahl wants the best actor from the party to play this role. He asks each of you to read Larazod’s first (and lengthiest) line from the play.
Everyone rolls a Perform (act) check, untrained if necessary; a character who actually has ranks in this skill can make two Perform (act) checks and take the better of the two results.
Dentris :Dentris is a sharp-tongued wizard who has a knack for biting insults and a quick wit, and who acts almost as a father figure to Larazod. To cast Dentris, Robahl asks each of you to insult and berate him, and to do so as wittily and cruelly as possible.
Each player must make an Intimidate check.
Tybain: Tybain is the comic relief of the play, a bumbling paladin whose devotion to Aroden is even more comical in this age, due to the deity’s death. Traditionally, Tybain is the character who dies first in the play, but the longer he can survive, often the better the play is received. Thus, the actor portraying Tybain must be able to deliver his performance while being constantly on the defensive. For this casting challenge, Robahl has each of you to stand on stage one at a time, invites the other party members to join him in the crowd, and then asks the person on stage to recite Tybain’s first lines of the play while dodging rocks and rotten fruit hurled by those in the audience.
Each of you must make a Reflex save to avoid being pelted—failure indicates that the you take some damage overall from several rounds of stoning.
Drovalid: Drovalid, as the torturer who has a change of heart
and joins Larazod’s side to protect him, is the toughest character in the play—he often ends up being the star combatant of the performance, and thus, the actor portraying him must be able to speak his lines while being on the offensive. For this casting challenge, Robahl has you mount the stage one at a time and asks you to deliver Drovalid’s first line while at the same time striking a blow with a weapon at a “flying monster.”
This monster is in fact a swinging sandbag filled with red sand inside a metal bucket that Millech swings down at you at some point during his line delivery. As the target approaches, you can make one melee attack with a weapon of his choice against the bucket’s AC 16. If you hit, you punctures the bucket and causes red sand to spray everywhere. If you miss, the bucket makes a +8 attack roll against you and inflicts 1d6 damage on a hit.
Everyone roll one melee attack roll at the bag using weapon of your choice.
Two of the non speaking roles include...
Farus the Traveled: A self-styled gypsy king, Farus is a smiling tower of joy. He is a dancing clown who speaks in riddles. His role is comedic—generally it was felt that one clown was enough for the play, and so his character is dropped in many versions of the trial.
Monris Blaksward: A fiendish dwarf with blood-red eyes and a shock of ginger hair, Monris appears in many early versions of the play as the strong arm to help Larazod. He sings in a deep voice and carries bagpipes, which he frequently blows tunes from. An addition to some productions of the play, most omit this character, as his bagpipes often annoy the audience.
Good luck!
or else
The servant of course deliberatly failed to displace his master...
In truth, Brandon absolutely does not want a speaking role. But, not wanting to let his friends down, tries his best.
Robhal, you're a hack. And this play is going to be the biggest sham in the history of theatre!
Brandon's spear thrust is true and he slices through the sandbag like butter
or else 13(misses)[/ooc]The servant of course deliberately failed to displace his master...
"...", The tiefling stares at the audience, mouth agape. So many people, all watching him... "... ah, um..."
"Young fool! My lord, your blood runs cool!
To make challenge to his misrule
So openly, and boldly too
'Ware ye, young fool, what he may do."
"Tribunal sits, but yet, he speaks
You'd speak the truth; He'd tear out shrieks
Yon torturer, readies his whip.
But look! Succubus, chews her lip..."
"Oh no! I'll never leave your side!"
No, not while Justice be denied!"
(ducking stones and vegetables?)
"Steadfast, Aroden bids me stand!"
(Draws sword)
"With this -"
(hurled cabbage knocks sword from his hand, but he catches the cabbage)
"- his symbol, in my hand!"
(Feebly flutters the provided whip, making tentative snapping flicks with it) "Say, now... ahem." (Settling into the role)
"You will recant! Retreat! Refuse!
I'll flay each bone from its sinews..."
(Snaps the whip loudly, but is careless of its return, and it slaps his shoulder. Turning to the slap, he's facing away from the sandbucket as it's dropped, and only sees it in time to drop flat on the floor, shrieking like a child. Putting on a game face, he stands, and bows. And is struck as the slower bucket returns on its swing. He finishes the line...)
(Aside to audience)
"His will so strong! Fear for my whip!"
"And does succubus, suck her lip?"
Beppo strides confidently onto the stage.
Alas, Thorick, I knew him well. He faced the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, and by the play's the thing, heard...
Robahl you ignorant slut...
Thus was it - Sonofa -
...and so - oh f&!* that
The bucket grazes Beppo, but is no match for his armor. He eyes it with rancor and vitriol.
"Bravo! BRAVO!", the toadying tiefling nearly bruises his palms with praise for his lunchti- ah, leader.
Aemon seeing others watching start cheering for the other in the stage joins in, and whispers to Devil.
"Some of us seem to be really getting in to this, it's a bit different from risking our life's each day." Then remembering why their doing this turns back to Devil. "Never mind we're just doing that again here."
"The comfort of an instant, the moment's lapse of fear
That clears the warrior mind, for enemies more near", Devil recites.
"They haven't forgotten", Devil says as softly, then in a stage aside to Aemon, says more loudly, "You know, you're right. He has a genuine gift for it!"
Corellon seems an unlikely natural at the part of the Tybain.
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The last matter to cover before rehearsals can begin in earnest is the matter of payment—Robahl informs each of you that all of them will be paid a percentage of the house’s take from the performance. Thus, it is in the interest of everyone involved to make the performance as great as possible, and to spend the next several days promoting the production. Until the performance is over, the exact amount of each character’s payment is unknown, but Robahl does tell each of you, in private, that they’ll be paid 5% of the house’s total take after the performance, with a possible bonus (at his discretion) for jobs well done.
With the casting done, Robahl doesn’t want to delay. He explains that the performance for the mayor at the Nightshade Theater is scheduled to occur in 1 week, leaving everyone only 7 days to get to know their parts. The night before the performance, the group is scheduled to do a public dress rehearsal at the Limehouse, although this dress rehearsal will exclude the actual onstage combats and trials, instead being the shorter, “false” version of the play. It’s mostly just a chance to make sure everyone knows his lines and role, and to make sure everyone can handle performing before one of the rowdiest audiences in Westcrown. If they you can pull off their roles at the Limehouse, he explains, you should have no problem with the Nightshade.
COMIC RELIEF? I'M to be the comic relief?! Beppo screeches in horror and disbelief. He walks up to Robahl, sticks a finger in his chest, and blasts in his face, You have lost your worthless little mind! I'm sure Corellon will do well, but YOU HAVE LOST YOUR F!##ING MIND!
As he stomps away, he mutters to Devil, Thanks for the boost. I might need your help with the riddled lines, though.
"Yes my lord. At once.", Devil replies to the mutter.
As everyone chatters excitedly at the announcement, Brandon goes to sit quietly off stage looking decidedly miserable at the thought of playing Tybain. The fool. The clown.
Great...
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paid 5% of the house’s total take after the performance, with a possible bonus (at his discretion) for jobs well done.
5% for an extra, I got it easy. Kyle thinks to himself. They can't possibly pay all their extras 5%. I must be special. I wonder what he offered the others that have a speaking part. I hope this guy doesn't plan on stiffing me.
Tessai walks up to Brandon, trying to shake him out of his contemplations - "This is bound to be fun right?" - she jests with a huge smile.
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COMIC RELIEF? I'M to be the comic relief?! Beppo screeches in horror and disbelief. He walks up to Robahl, sticks a finger in his chest, and blasts in his face, You have lost your worthless little mind! I'm sure Corellon will do well, but YOU HAVE LOST YOUR F++&ING MIND!
As he stomps away, he mutters to Devil, Thanks for the boost. I might need your help with the riddled lines, though.
[dice=perform(act)]1d20+1
He replies, "Your performance...how do I describe it? Ah, I know! Inept, inefficient, incapable, incompetent, inadequate, insufferable… there aren’t enough ‘in’ words to describe your mediocrity! Be glad I gave you a role at all with that kind of acting!" He stomps off at the same time.
Beppo appears to ignore Robahl's incomparable yet inconceivable retort. He grumbles to Brandon and Tessai, I'm going to get that sucker once we are finished here. I haven't figured out how yet - though I'm sure Edmond has some ideas I'm not ready for - but that worm will get his come-uppance for that dressing-down.
"...inspiring. Incrementally indifferent. Insuisant. Incipient iption, inbound ire?", Devil mutters to the quiet room, pointedly directing his attention to his copy of the script.
"... plays a WHAT?!"
Drovalid...
Aemon starts to go pale when the parts are announced, and seems to have some problem breathing.
"I'm feeling a little sick at the moment, what lines do i have? what if i mess them up...? what do i do if i forget? can i use my bow?"
Aemon then sits down and drinks some water.
Brandon smiles up at Tessai.
Tybain is the one who dies first. If they think either me or Edmond are going to shuffle off stage quietly... Well I think they're in for a surprise. As for being the comic relief. Ive been a laughing stock for years, its just usually behind my back. That I can take. All those people watching me... They might not find the outcome so funny after all.
Oddly, he suddenly bursts out laughing.
Seeing Tessai's look of confusion he explains;
Edmond just said he's going to give them a performance they'll never forget!
"My, what an unexpected privilege. Thank you." He begins to blush thinking of what will be expected of him ... ' ... so out in the open so revealed ... nowhere to hide, oh the anxiety.' and, uncharacteristically he begins to sweat profusely.
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Day 1
You all get your parts, then spend much of the remainder of the day being fitted for costumes. A mix of practical makeup, complex material costumes, and magic, these costumes are quite intricate and must be customized to each of you. The times of the fittings vary, giving you time to do other activities through the day.
Robahl encourages you to bring all of their favorite gear, armor, and weapons to these fittings, explaining that when the final play is performed, you'll need all the help you can get to endure and survive the spectacle. Millech makes a sarcastic remark about the fact he doesn't appreciate being left in the dark.
The bulk of the costume design is handled by Millech— your costumes are all already completed, but adjustments for each of your sizes, gender, and gear must be made by a small army of tailors he contracts to work overnight to make the costumes fit perfectly, and all of the gear is incorporated tastefully and skillfully.
A codpiece. Seriously?
As Corellon interacts with Robahl, he begins to wonder what his true motives are.
'How can we trust someone that might just as well see us hurt or even die if it satisfies his quest for entertainment?'
Attempting to get the man onside and to watch him closer he tries his best to cater to his ego.
"Such an elaborate and grand spectacle you are putting on here, I'm sure the likes of which Westcrown has not yet had the privilege of seeing. This is truly an honor to be a part of it. What do you have planned for us?"
.oO{"Now there's an interesting conversation... Devil-"}
{A step ahead of you, Mother.}
Beppo watches the exchange between Corellon and Robahl as he gets fitted for his costume.
I suppose if that is the best you can find then it will have to do, won't it? Abysmal...
Aelasar complimenting the man? He must be trying to goad him. What could that little bastard director be thinking?
Ulk! That's too tight. Watch what you are doing, for gods' sake! Ah, that's better. Now, he - DON'T TOUCH THE SWORD!
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"Such an elaborate and grand spectacle you are putting on here, I'm sure the likes of which Westcrown has not yet had the privilege of seeing. This is truly an honor to be a part of it. What do you have planned for us?"
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20+5
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+5
Part of the fun of the play is not knowing what's going to happen until the play takes place!
Yeah, Millech jumps in. So much fun that not even I know. Read fun. Its not like I have to run the monsters or anything. Oh wait... I do.
Less talking, more work. So hop to it, Millech. Go. Go. Go.
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Day Two: Most of this day consists of you all learning your lines and the blocking of motions and actions during the play. Robahl spends most of his time working with Millech to get all of the lighting and effects under control, giving you all a chance to practice your lines and spend time with Calseinica, Delour, and Thesing if you wish (Diplo Check).