Zurnzal follow to the wall of names, hoping perhaps a name or two catches his eye.
As you move around the cages, you notice that the ram-headed sphinx is watching you intently as you move around. When you look at it, it meets your gaze, not trying to pretend it wasn't watching.
322 stays in the background as the hafling finishes her story. She wonders is there will be another of it the bard will take a break. She also wonders about when the professional will make her move and shoots her leader a "be ready" look. This statue is my target, but there are way too many people gathered here. If the little one will simply take a break the crowd will break up and perhaps I will get my chance.
Rataji goes up to the Professional's target after her story and turns on the charm. A tale worthy of honor! I bet there's more sheet that came from, yes? Or are you saving those for the taverns later?
You get the sense that the sphinx is trying to tell you something more than just your fortune.
Rataji laughs and holds up his hands. I may have been around the block one or twice, but I've learned the hard way that I don't tell stories well. They always come out wrong. I once had a whole tribe of orcs after me when I accidentally insulted their teeth. He laughs at the supposed memory.
Janira smiles at Rataji and turns back to the crowd. "Who's next?" she inquires of the crowd. Another halfling, this one in dark robes with a rather gloomy expression, steps forward. "Hello,I am Drel," he begins, in a thick Nidalese accent that is hard to understand. "I will tell the story next, about my time as slave in Nidal. Once upon a time..." Janira quickly becomes enrupted in the tale, poorly-told as it is.
The intelligence that Arminaldi, the traitorous priest of Nethys, gathered details numerous passageways leading through the lower half of Skyreach. When traveling to the vaults beneath Skyreach or to the Hao Jin Tapestry chamber, you and your allies gain a +2 bonus on Stealth checks to avoid Pathfinder patrols.
In addition, Arminaldi spent considerable time assisting Master of Scrolls Aram Zey catalogue scrolls, and the cleric took notes about what spells he identified: “Aram Zey typically relies on his learned magical abilities to invoke destructive and defensive magic, but his scroll collection indicates that he has many written incantations that feature powerful wards and glyphs. He made sure that I filed a particularly powerful illusion spell near one end of his office’s shelf, the better to snatch it up in case of intruders. Avoid his office at all costs unless invited, for there are too many protective spells sealing the door for me to parse what each of them is, much less how to unravel them.”
Zurzal follows Jolyrin and tries to figure out what she is doing.
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Jolyrin lets the man go, then finds a quiet corner away from prying eyes to review all the information in the journal. Once her allies seem to be meeting back up together, she will tell them of this information, warning them that the group may find traps when they attempt to go down into the catacombs.
among men, voicing their grievances with a hundred horns. These children—who strain at false laws—know not that the time is not today,
but no man can chide them, for he knows not their tongue. Their castle of chains shall fall away, and only a lion or sheep shall be their herald, calling out to let them know that their time in the sun has arrived.” Again, you get the sense that this "prophecy" contains more than just words about a vague future - they seem more like instructions, or an offer. I will remind you that the sphinx before you has the body of a lion and the head of a sheep...
"Jolyrn, who was that?"
A traitor in our midst?
"We need a patsy to blame and shift attention away from us. It is better if this person is, in fact, a traitor. And even better if he is dead. Are you done with him? I think we need to make him disappear."
Zurnzal grins. "Wanna help? If you can lead him back here to a quiet spot, I can step in."
Zurnzal and Joliryn: Joliryn runs after the departing priest of Nethys, calling after him. He stops and turns, a surprised look on his face. He walks back towards her, looking around furtively. "What else do you want?" he whimpers. "I've already done everything you've asked, now let me be."
The Wall of names is surrounded by a lush garden of trees, so finding an out-of-the-way spot is not difficult... but it is broad daylight with people around. Refer to the map of the Grand Lodge (linked at the top of the page) and let me know what you're going to do.
Janira was deep into listening the contestants, it was the perfect opportunity to try to know where she was hidding the keys.
Shohiraj approach the halfing, until she was just at her side.
Then, with her dextrous fingers she tried to find the keys on Janira's body and clothings and took them.
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"We need to speak privately, out of earshot. You didn't tell me... come on, you need to come with me."
Jolyrin will try to lure him to a more lush section of the woods around the Hall of Names. (It looks like there is a lot of tree cover there, so I would assume Zurnzal should be able to hide behind a tree, grab him from behind and do his work...)
Shohiraj: you manage to ascertain that the keys are in an inside pocket under Janira's jacket, but can't quote get them out. She doesn't seem to notice your attempt, however, being so erupted in the story being told.
Joliryn: Yep, you can easily set up such a situation. We'll wait to hear what Zunrnzal's plan is before we go further.
Shohiraj took a step back and change tactics.
She went to the leader and asked him.
Rataji, you seems quite good at talking, could you challenge Janira in a oratory contest ?
If she accept I could ask her to remove her jacket and took the keys she had in it.
Zurnzal watches Joliryn work her magic, delighted by how easy she makes it look. She'll be useful when I am in charge... soon... but I should watch my back with that one too!
He finds a place to hide in the woods, ready to make his move. He quaffs his potion of invisibility, and then proceeds to watch his target (for at least 3 rounds). He looks to see if the way is clear. Finally, he makes a sneak attack using his death attack training, and tries to kill the cleric quickly and quietly.
DC 13 to avoid death effect
Since it looks like the story telling is going to go on forever 322 motions for to follow her a short distance away and behind some cover of trees. Speaking quietly she explains I need you to use that scroll of invisibility on me now. I have a private task that is important to mission. It should only take a moment and has to do with that statue. I shall endeavour to time it such that my action coincides with a captivating point of a tale.
Rataji nods and uses the scroll and whispers a wish of good luck before slipping back into the crowd to put on his risky show for Ms professional.
After activating her Cloak of Darkness power 322 moves out of the cover of the woods stealthfully and approaches the statue to complete her mission. She will try to approach so that the statue itself provides maximum cover from the storyteller and audience and time her approach to coincide with an exciting point in a tale. If she needs to climb in order to "attach" the "package" She will instead use a minute of her fly ability.
Jolyrin leads Arminaldi into the woods, as he mutters regrets about getting mixed up with "you people". When you reach a secluded place, Jolyrin pauses, and the priest looks at you expectantly. "What else do you want? I've done every thing you ask... I'm done. " Several awkward moments go by, where nothing happens. Jolyrin is forced to continue her bluff, as nothing continues to happen... and then suddenly Arminaldi winces as if punched in the throat. Zurnzal appears beside the priest, who staggers and holds his neck.
Initiative!
Initiative order: Jolyrin, Zurnzal, Arminaldi. Both of you are adjacent to Arminaldi, who appears badly wounded. After your actions I'll put up a map if it's relevant.
Zurnzal, disappointed that he didn't kill him instantly, decides to try to knock him out now.
Jolyrin's magic missile drops the priest before he has the chance to cry out. He slumps to the ground, still alive but unconscious.
Zurnzal is ready to destroy the man when he falls unconscious.
"We need to put him somewhere where he will not return. Dead or alive, matters not to me, but we can't leave him here to be discovered."
Zurnzal considers whether he can swap clothes and disguise himself well enough to pass as the man for a few sabotages. (Disguise is +11).
Rataji stands when the tale is finished. With a flourish he calls on the Janira. My dear. I was enhanced by your tale before. Is there anything I can do to coax you to regale us with another?
