(Alafair)
Here's at least someone who can get beyond petty bigotry. He's not mentioning anyone specifically, but Alafair did notice a sideways glance at Lady Vaelia. Yes, I can see why you have come to address me, Lord Echequer of the Absalom Mint. Let us talk further business over dinner, shall we?
----
(Asmodan)
Lady Vaelia tightens her grip around het late husband's Falcata, and though she seems amused - somewhat - by Asmodans advances, she maintains a harsh stance of the expedition to the world wound. Would I abandon my post? Would I betray Taldor to send our forces fighting in some far-off land, why the true enemy lurks at our border. I think not, and that is all I have to say on that topic.
Asmodan realises this lady is, just like Senator Augustyn, a hopeless cause - she cannot be swayed.
|
Alafair whispers to the man that they should rendezvous after dinner somewhere, perhaps for a stroll in the garden. Smiling to herself about how simple this all is, she takes her seat at the table with Lord Rothos, and Lady Dyrianna.
Alafair recognizes the man as the Commandant of the First Guard, and military leader of Absalom. "I just love a man in uniform, especially one as well known and powerful as yourself." she says to Lord Rothos. "Will you pledge the First Guard to our aid? The threat of the Worldwound is all-encompassing, soon the Abyss will be knocking at the very city if we don't stop it soon."
|
Dang. Hells, 'least I tried. C'mon now Asmo, don't let some old lady bugger you off, think about them tiefling triplets...
"Very well milady, then I shan't bother you any longer. Enjoy your meal."
Asmodan is clearly flabbergasted when he turns to sit at the table with Ruprecht and lady Darchana. He seems in a pensive mood and keeps his quiet.
(Alafair)
Do not lecture me on the danger on the Worldwound. I have known it, and I have seen more of its horrors than you can imagine. The first guard keeps watch on Absalom, but that alone is insufficient. We are duty-bound to serve our share.
---
(Thekk)
Magnificent. Here I am, Lord Echequer of the Absalom Mint, Absalom's finest present to entertain me, and I am seated with that bigoted woman. You were saying?
----
(Shadow Lion)
Terrible, terrible business, little man. Very painful how things are going there. I am glad such savagery is far away from here. Pass me the wine, will you?
---
(Ruprecht)
|
|
Elena will take a seat near Grand Ambassador Dremhet Salhar
"Greetings Ambassador, I hope you don't mind me taking a seat here at the table. As a member of the Pathfinder Society I've been assigned to provide additional protection. I'm sure a man such as yourself.. Elena glances at the man's waist and his belt which holds a bejeweled mithral sword ..can take care of himself. but I hope you don't mind the company. I can assure you that I can be a pleasant dinner companion and regal you on some stories from my times traveling in reponse to the Society's wishes."
(If possible/allowed to use orisons before moving towards him add another +2 for enhanced diplomacy)
(Elena)
Have you been to Osirion yet? An aspiring traveller such as yourself must visit Sothis one day - the cradle of all civilization. Although Dremhet reacts with slight disdain at Elena's mention of travel stories, he does keep a friendly interest.
|
|
Alafair smiles winningly at the Lord Commandant of Absalom's military. "I am glad there are still those who understand duty and service. You restore my faith in the Greatest City in the World, Lord Rothos. Hurrah, for you!" she raises her silver chalice in his honor, making sure the Lady at the table hears the compliment and the toast.
|
|
Asmodan looks befuddled for a few moments, then seems to have collected his thoughts.
I can't take this noble
After nervously patting his belt, he suddenly stands up from his seat.
"If you will excuse me, ladies, gentlemen... I can not indulge in these festivities any longer. Duty calls, I made a promise to beautiful lady Darchana here that I would keep these grounds safe, and promise you I shall..."
Grabbing a jug from his belt, he takes a large gulp from some liquid, slamming it on the table.
"That these grounds will be safe, all Hells!"
And he winks to Lady Dirianna across the room.
Before storming out of the room.
The issue is being debated by the senate, and to which I have deferred decision. Making such a choice carries high risk, and the opportunity must be appropriate. Such are the subtleties of politics, young man. Here, he says as he hands back the pitcher after thoroughly emptying it [/b]put it back[/b], as if talking to a servant.
Asmodan makes a fuss, and under the sound of Tsk, tsk he leaves the room. Before he steps out he hears they'll let anyone in these days.
Outside, he encounters Major Maldris Would you come and meet me in the grand hall? I'll gather up the rest of the team.
Maldris then steps inside the dining room, makes eye contact with each of the pathfinders and silently motions to the great hall.
|
|
"I'd advise you to speed up the process as best you can. If the people of Adoran find the demons on their door step their best case scenario would be sharing borders with a demonic waste land. Now if you'll excuse me I have been asked to attend to something.". Shadow Lion places the pitcher back as requested. " Just something to ponder as you consider the requests that may be asked of you later."
Shadow moves to the great hall as requested.
---
(Shadow Lion)
Pfft the senator responds what do you know of such things? Let us govern the country, and keep the small man safe and free from such worries.
---
The soft susurrus of servants clearing dessert dishes and esteemed guests shuffling about to hobnob with their peers echoes from the nearby dining room as Major Colson Maldris furtively glances about before speaking in a stage whisper. “Have you noticed,” he inquires, “that several of the serving staff seem to be behaving strangely? I have watched a handful of them, and I can tell you with some authority that a few appear to be under the effects of enchantment magic. They have not expressed any hostility, but this strikes me as the precursor of something far more dangerous.
“In a moment, Damien Blakros will introduce the esteemed Genedair, an esteemed veteran of the Mendevian Crusades and a guest of honor at tonight’s festivities. I trust that his speech will be suitably engaging to give you an opportunity to slip away and check the rest of the manor. If there is anything amiss, deal with any immediate concerns and then report back to me.” He spares a moment to glance back at the dining room before adding, “Under no circumstances are you to upset the guests. I will keep Lady Morilla apprised of the situation, and together we will decide what to do in the event of trouble. The feast must go on without any disruption, and I will stay with the guest to ensure that happens.” As he says this, Damien Blakros begins introducing Genedair in the other room. With a last look, Major Maldris salutes and says, “You have perhaps half an hour,” then slips back through the door to rejoin the party.
Although the sudden appearance of a tiger startles the guests, when it sits down smiling, calmness returns a bit faster than it should, and those presence continue their dining.
Once Maldris concludes his briefing, Ruprecht is the first to move, choosing to enter the kitchen (). Master chef Domeros Prinitar, of Opparan fame, stand shouting over his aides, and isn't the least bit amused by this instruction. Mind those dirty boot, I don't want that in my kitchen. he shouts at Ruprecht, then quickly turns his attention to one of the cooks looks at those turnips, all soft and squishy. And those mashed potatoes, they are bland. I wouldn't even feed this waste to my dog! Do it again, and properly this time.
Nothing escapes the attention of the chef, that's for sure. There's a door west, leading to the wine cellar, and a door to the southeast, which leads to the pantry.
|
|
Alafair joins the others raising a skeptical eyebrow at the sudden appearance of a menagerie of pets and mounts. "Really, it's like you people have never been to a dinner party before," she quips.
"Where are the servants quarters,"she asks, having been late for the briefing. "Perhaps we'll find something down there?"
|
|
Shadow chuckles at Alaflair's comment. "I think you missed the main briefing where they requested we come in full adventuring gear, not fancy dinner attire. For me that means bringing Apples here along. "
-Posted with Wayfinder
The cool, dark wine cellar has a flagstone floor and walls covered with light gray ceramic tiles. Its irregularly shaped walls and alcoves are lined with dusty shelves that hold an impressive array of wine bottles. Propped up against the far west wall are two naked forms, both covered with fresh blood. Though both are clearly female, their faces have been chewed away entirely, leaving them both unidentifiable.
|
|
"I am in full adventuring gear," says Alafair showing off her gown. "I just make it look fabulous!"
She gasps in astonishment as they stumble across the naked corpses in the wine cellar. "Something is definitely amiss here! Can anyone tell what chewed on them? Are there any tracks? Maybe some shape-changers have taken their place among the wait-staff?"
While the adventurers inspect the two corpses, two dark spectral figures emerge from the wall...
---Surprise round---
Asmodan
Elena
---
Wraith
Wraith
---
Ruprecht
Alafair
Thekk
Shadow Lion
---
Asmodan is taken by surprise by the sudden appearance of the ghostly forms. Elena less so, she quickly casts a disrupting spell as soon as she spots the dark shades.
The wraiths advance upon Shadow Lion and Elena.Two evil eyes stare at the adventurers from the dark forms.
Thekk prepares a crossbow bolt, while Ruprecht...
--Regular round---
Asmodan
Elena
---
Wraith
Wraith
---
Ruprecht
Alafair
Thekk
Shadow Lion
---
|
|
"Be careful, you need magical attacks to be able to damage them"
Elena will start her judgement - smiting (swift action) and draw her Masterwork cold iron morning star and then takes a swing at the wraith (the same one as I've already hit I think)
(weapon counts as magical)
but the attack just flies past in front the wraith.
The wraiths have these abilities:
Create Spawn (Su) A humanoid slain by a wraith becomes a wraith in 1d4 rounds. These spawn are less powerful than typical wraiths, and suffer a –2 penalty on all d20 rolls and checks, receive –2 hp per HD, and only drain 1d2 points of Constitution on a touch. Spawn are under the command of the wraith that created them until its death, at which point they lose their spawn penalties and become free-willed wraiths. They do not possess any of the abilities they had in life.
Constitution Drain (Su) Creatures hit by a wraith's touch attack must succeed on a DC 17 Fortitude save or take 1d6 points of Constitution drain. On each successful attack, the wraith gains 5 temporary hit points. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Sunlight Powerlessness (Ex) A wraith caught in sunlight cannot attack and is staggered.
Elena is too conservativei in her aim, and slashes only air. Asmodan fares a lot better, stabbing the incorporeal with his magical longspear.
One of the wraiths reaches out a spectral hand, and tries to touch Shadow Lion
while the other reaches out an incorporeal finger to Ruprecht
---
Ruprecht
Alafair
Thekk
Shadow Lion
Asmodan
Elena
---
Wraith (13)
Wraith
---
Ruprecht feels a surge of negative energy shake his bones as the wraith touches him. Fortunately for him, his good luck and strong frame prevents harm beyond the immediate pain he endures.
Elena swings her mace, but the incorporeal creature dodges the blow with ease. Asmodan's touch doesn't fare any better: his hand glowing with positive energy, he unfortunately doesn't manage to get near the dark form, let alone touch it.
Rupert's attack is also off the mark, jabbing only at the air.
---
Ruprecht
Alafair
Thekk
Shadow Lion
Asmodan
Elena
---
Wraith (13)
Wraith
---