The wraith near Elena wails as Theca's bolt hits it where once its heart was. It is momentarily thrown backward, but then adjusts...
---
Ruprecht
Alafair
Thekk
Shadow Lion
Asmodan
Elena
---
Wraith (36)
Wraith
---
Undaunted by Shadow Lion's resolve, the wraiths continue their fight, choosing different targets this time. Each wraiths extends a ghostly arm, one trying to strike Thekk, the other aiming for Elena.
Theca feel a shot of pain as the ghostly touch passes through his armour, while Elena manages to avoid the strike from her opponent.
---
Ruprecht
Alafair
Thekk
Shadow Lion
Asmodan
Elena
---
Wraith (36)
Wraith
---
Three magic missiles slam into the wraith one after the other.
---
Ruprecht
Alafair
Thekk
Shadow Lion
Asmodan
Elena
---
Wraith (36)
Wraith (10)
---
Upon closer inspection, Thekk gets the idea that his one bolt hit caused a whole lot more damage than he thought it did at first glance. The wraith near Elena, already badly wounded, seems only faintly bound to this plane anymore.
---
Ruprecht
Alafair
Thekk
Shadow Lion
Asmodan
Elena
---
Wraith (45)
Wraith (10)
---
Ruprecht stabs the wraith with his spear, and as the tip drives into the ghostly creature, it vanishes from view, leaving only an ozone-like smell and a puff of ectoplasm.
---
Ruprecht
Alafair
Thekk
Shadow Lion
Asmodan
Elena
---
Wraith (45)
Wraith (10)
---
After a wild swing by Elena, things starts going down Asmodan bring down his touch of negative energy, and as three ghost touch bolts rip through the wraith, it shimmers more and more with each hit, until it finally disappears from view upon the last strike.
The bodies in the corner are horribly mutilated: it looks as if someone purposefully gnawed away their faces, and their lower jaw are removed as well. It's a sickening sight.
Apart from a lingering aura of necromancy - a by-product of the presence of the wraiths - there is nothing of note that the adventurers haven't already noticed. Upstairs, the sound of moving feet can be heard, and the first notes played by a string quartet sound oddly distorted down in the basement.
As the party moves back up, it seems Genedair's speech has just about concluded, and the festivities have moved to the salon (), where an actual string quartet has been set up. Unaware of any dealings in the basement, the guests let themselves be entertained with the soothing music of the quartet, and the ample drinks that are being presented by the many servants.
Ever vigilant, major Maldris and Lady Morilla discreetly step away on the first sight of the adventurers. Did you manage to find anything? Maldris asks.
There are infiltrators, then. Maldris nods in understanding. Moral joins in I think you should continue interacting with the guests, and see if you can track down the intruder.
Lady Morilla then looks at Shadow Lion and Alafair Mister Lion, Miss, Aladair, would you accompany me as I discuss some matters with the esteemed Lady Vaelia? I believe she has been quite unreceptive to our arguments.
Mallards then turns to Thekk Actually, Thekk, I would be asking you a similar favor. I need a word with our fine Senator here.
Maldris moves straight for the heavyweight Andoran Senator. Augustyn, he starts as the senator bites into a leg of chicken have you given thought to my comments on the particular strengths of the eagle knights? How we could capitalise these strength against the demon army? Andoran's unique skills would be a valuable assets against the demon incursion.
Augustyn replies I have, of course, Major. The eagle knights are our best and finest. I have instructed the consul to prepare a report on the current status of the order.
Sensing that this is nothing but a vague affirmation, Maldris continues pushing what about Andoran, and the health of its economy? No other country fares as well as we do.
To which Augustyn goes into an enumeration of his own estates Truly bountiful. Have you been to my manor in Sauerton? A most pleasurable residence. Only last month did I gather there with my fellow senators
Many of whom should have been replaced, their terms have ended
Oh, Maldris, how little doe grasp of politics. Don't you know that power comes to people? Some people are simply born to take control, and destined to keep it. Augustyn condescendingly explains, then adds, as an afterthought All of the good of the Andoran people, of course.
Maldris throws a glance at Thekk, clenches his teeth, then moves off in an aggravated rage.
The glory of Taldor Lady Morilla starts once she's trapped down Lady Vaelia of Wintermark know little bounds and fewer boundaries. What a chance is presented to us to reclaim the glory that once was. When the Shining Crusade and the Armies of Exploration swept across the Inner Sea region, it was Taldor that led the charge. Were Taldor to save the world once more, surely the empire would regain, if not exceed, its former glory.
Lady vale scrunches up her mouth, as if she has bitten into a bitter fruit. Little girl, she says, with a scorn that would sear the bark off a tree your passion is completely misguided. Have you forgotten... her voice unstable with anger Have you forgotten about the threat on the southern border? We cannot, and will not, turn our back to the serpent on the southern border. As long as that foul nation, and its cult of the Sun Witch, exists on Golarion, there will be no expeditionary force!
Lady Morilla is at a loss against such determination, but keeps on trying But in the name of Grand Prince Stavian, the honorer... as she is quickly cut off by another vitriolic riposte Those foolish nobles of Boarhold and Soothbridge have sent a contingent of soldiers north. They have sent one contingent too many, and they already regret it. Little girl, there will be no expeditionary force!
Lady Morilla mutters a quiet excuse as moves away, then confides in Shadow Lion and Alafair: This will not stand. For the good of Taldor—for the good of what it means to be one of the aristocracy—we must not ignore the threat of the Worldwound. We will speak more on this later.
|
Elena casts enhanced diplomacy and walks back up to the table she just left
"I beg your forgiveness Ambassador, but I'd been called away to take care of some...things, which have been taken care of by the Society in an expedient manner, as normally is done. Please, did I miss anything in my absence and if so could you enlighten me?"
But an excellent feast, with food that lives well up to the reputation of that Taldan cook. Excellent across the board, though I must say the potatoes were a bit bland. The Osirion palate is a bit more spicy, you know. Dremhet smiles in a friendly manner, well receptive to Elena's question. Elena notices little out of the ordinary.
|
|
Getting no answer, Asmodan grumbles something to himself while heading back to his table.
"C'mon Heroine, Let's go back to lady Darchana. Maybe she has something to say about all this. Heel!"
When entering the room, he condescendingly repeats:
"Please don't be alarmed y'all, this is my trustworthy celestial tiger, summoned here for your protection. Everything is under control. Keep you seats and have faith in the Blakros family. You're all safe."
Before sitting down next to lady Darchana. He continues after taking a large gulp from his jug, taking a sideways glance at Heroine to keep her in check.
"Heroine, stay! Lady Darchana, I'm sorry to keep you waiting. Did I miss anything?"
Drachma look at the tiger, and makes a slow finger movement. No magic is apparent, though she does seem to connect with the creature. She then turns her gray stare to Asmodan I noticed your absence.
With a sigh, she continues Only the half-hour speech by Genedair. My impression is that it failed to impress anyone. She holds her silence after that remark, stretching out a hand to Heroine, but refraining from touching the cat.
Asmodan also fails to notice anything special going on in the crowd.
|
"Well you can't blame him for storming off." Thekk states to the senator. "I'm not one for making fancy speeches but I sure recognize it when I hear it; and you did a fine job of answering his questions while not answering them. Maybe you and I speak plainly so that I can being some information back to the Major and maybe ease his mind?"
Ha, ha, ha. Very amusing. I see now. Major and Hairy Mini-Major. Well-played. Augustyn doesn't give Thekk any more attention.
---
---
(Shadow Lion)
How, I would gladly fill in on the merits of a good commander. A good commander is strong, steadfast and untouchable in his decisions. Shows the right amount of tempo without over-stretching, and never shows his hand. In the placement of his forces, he does not let the enemy read his plans: if he can let the enemy in the dark on where his strength his gathered, the enemy is forces to spread out his men, while the commander can concentrate them. They are just a few of the many strategies to be found on the field of battle.
Shadow Lion obviously struck the right chord with Lord Kerkis, who seems to be long from finishing...
----
(Ruprecht)
As serves a man of my stature, the food has been exquisite. Tell me, were you sent to replace your colleague, Afilirah? creating a distorted, Qadir-ized version of 'Alafair', I'm expecting her to finish our conversation. Tell her I'm not the kind of person that waits.
|
After listening to the uncomfortable conversation between Lady Morilla and the sour Lady Vaela, Alafair looks a bit abashed, but as she looks around the room, she catches the eye of her friend Ruprecht.
Gliding over to the table, she affects sincere pleasure at seeing Lord Kerkis again. "If all of our countrymen got along as famously as we do, Lord Kerkis, we could close the Worldwound in no time. Why do our nations still fight so?"
Alafair continues her conversation with Kerkis, who is very receptive to her comments. The bigotry displayed by some people is truly unfortunate, and a sleight to our true intentions...
Suddenly, a woman’s shrill cry cuts through the chamber music and muted conversation. Across the salon, Senator Augustyn Naran holds his buxom young wife in his arms after her apparent collapse. As all eyes turn on the unconscious woman, the senator emits an angry cry: Poison! Gods, my wife has been poisoned!
Panic erupts, as guests toss their full wine glasses to the floor, while other spit out their wine with looks of horror and revulsion. Lady Dyrianna quickly comes to the aid of the poisoned woman, and neutralises the toxin.
I will bear this no longer! the Senator exclaims, signalling for his still unconscious wife to be carried out by servants. Lady Vaelia, and her manservant are also leaving.
A servant girl tries to discreetly slip away.
Ruprechts points out the servant girl slipping away, but is unable to move through the crowd quick enough.
Vale stands making veiled threats, brandishing her late husband's fallacy, and scorning those around her If only the Lord Wintermark were still alive, he would put an end to this outrage!, while Senator Augustyn Naran adds a very unconstructive Scandalous! Scandalous! An affront to hospitality!