As the party carefully makes their way inside the amphitheater, for some reason Zeeva's earlier words to you cross your mind:
"How fitting that this is the card that you chose - or maybe it chose you? At any rate, the Vision represents esoteric and arcane knowledge, as well as madness. You and Master Eredur both know more than any that knowledge is power and that power can be used for good or for ill. I have no doubt in my mind which you would choose. But it is also important to be able to recognize that which is relevant to the task or situation at hand and which is simply...useless trivia. Think well on that, my friend."
And you're not sure if it's relevant or not, but you catch what almost seems like a very slight draft - except rather than coming from a breeze or the building itself, it seems to be coming from underneath it, as though the building were sitting over some kind of hole in the ground.
As the group begins to carefully make their way inside the amphitheater, your keen eye picks out several details of its design. The most obvious is that you note the pillars and buttresses near the auditorium's wooden base would suggest that the entire structure is somehow ingeniously secured over a wide depression in the ground.
After a bit more thought, you put two and two together as you remember something a fellow dwarf had once shared with you about Korvosa - something called the Kendall Vault, a cave complex from which subterranean creatures have been rumored to emerge. You then realize that, for gods know what reason, the Kendall Amphitheater must've been built over an opening into this vault.
______
With a mostly amazing display of stealth from everyone involved, you carefully ease open one of the many doors into the amphitheater - noting with some surprise that neither it nor the others leading inside appeared to be locked. As you step inside you see a door each leading to the left and to the right as well as two double-doors straight ahead, which is where the sounds of combat seem to be coming from. Creeping forward, the group makes their way into what looks to be the backstage area with another set of double-doors straight ahead as well as a single door to each side - all quite obviously leading out onto the stage.
After a few quick nods and hand gestures, three of you move to each single door and slowly crack them open - ready for anything. Peeking out, you can see about a dozen people scrambling about on the stage in what is clearly some sort of rehearsal. Several scenes seem to be going at once but the loudest and most noticeable is a mock rapier fight between two actors standing in the center of the stage. Though at first difficult to spot, the party also notices a gnome sitting in front of the stage who seems to be directing the flow of action and tugging nervously at his white top hat.
Just when everything seems like it's going so well, Flovi, sitting atop Dalen's shoulder, loudly broadcasts,
At this, the gnome standing in front of the stage looks up and spots the group peeking through the doors. he bellows, leaping to his feet and pointing at you all as the actors jump with surprise almost in unison. One of the rapier-fighting men stumbles, his hand slipping and cutting a nasty gash up the arm of the other actor.
he shrieks at his partner as he clutches at the wound.
______
|
Eamon sheaths his sword and walks strait toward the actor who was just injured. Probably just a mistake, here let me take a look at it I've some training in healing. Looking over to the gnome director or stage manager Eamon says, Don't worry we're on official business, let me tend to your actor and we'll explain all.
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Good evening my good sir! How are you doing on this lovely day? Are you the director? Amphitheaters have always interested me, even when I was a little girl. I unfortunately haven't been to that many plays, I do really need to make more time for that. I have always wondered what it would be like to be an actress! To be able to put on such a performance and to leave the crowd astonished!" She pauses and gives him a warm smile, "Would it be possible to get a tour?! I would love to see the architecture!"
Dang it Eamon, always shouting that we are on official business. Not everyone wants to help "officals". You can always add that in later, but it's almost never a good way to start off. Besides, I'm interested in what could have caused that breeze.
|
|
"Playfighting with live steel from the looks of it," Dalen answers Flovi with a wince. She had never been to a playhouse and it was one of those things that seemed like it would be more dull than fun.
"I think we should let Shelya and the fop handle this," she whispers to Flovi as she backs up. "I'm not that good with words and he looks mad," she adds, nodding to the gnome.
"W...well, I suppose a tour couldn't hurt, especially for such a lovely patron of the arts..." the gnome begins, but then stops and shakes his head. "What am I saying? We're doomed, the whole performance is doomed! This is an utter disaster, Maximos's sword arm is the only stageworthy part of him!"
"Hey!" the injured man exclaims, looking indignant as Eamon steps forward and attempts to examine his wound. "All the parts of me are stageworthy! This face, this body, this mind, it all belongs here on the stage for the world to enjoy!"
"Shhhh, Maestro Bellowskin," Maximos's sparring partner says as he hops down from the stage and pats the gnome on the back. "It's not all lost yet, is it? If all that matters is having a sturdy sword arm then why not have one of them serve as Maximos's replacement?" he suggests, nodding towards the group. "It's their fault this happened in the first place so it's only fair that one of them act as his understudy. All we have to do is use some of the face powder to disguise them as Maximos and it'll all work swimmingly!"
At this, the Maestro looks thoughtful. "Hmm...now there's an idea. It's not as if Maximos has that many lines in the production anyway so it wouldn't be hard to memorize his part..." he muses, clearly warming to the idea.
"I...I don't know, Hamm...you know our mask powder isn't cheap and I don't know if giving it to just any civilian off the streets is a good idea," Maximos says, looking uncertain.
Meanwhile, Eamon finishes his appraisal of Maximos's wound and concludes that it's actually much more severe than it looks due to underlying muscle damage - it could take him months to fully recover use of it. Although the Maestro, Hamm, and Maximos all seem to have relaxed and recovered somewhat from your unexpected entrance, the rest of the acting troupe continues to glare at you all, muttering quietly among themselves.
As you watch the scene unfold before you, something prickles at the edges of your subconscious and you remember Zeeva's words from earlier:
"The Idiot - it represents folly, greed, blackmail, bribery, and hubris. But I can tell that you are no idiot," she says to Karayan, gazing intently into his eyes. "Perhaps you will be the one to pierce through the falsehoods of another, when no one else can."
______
"Do humans not always use live steel when they play?" Flovi whispers back to Dalen. The little dragon watches the actors for a moment but then seems to shrink under their glares, adding, "I'm sorry I made noise and scared everyone..."
|
|
"No, it's really dangerous. Sharp blades can maim and kill even by accident," Dalen explains, "my uncle didn't let me touch steel until I had a lot of practice with a wooden waster, er, a practice sword that just leaves bruises."
Seeing the others appear on stage, Dalen moves to join them, and hoped the glares would stop if there were more people around.
"Er, does it have to be with foils? I'm fairly skilled with a long and short blade," Dalen says, feeling partly responsible for the mess.
"Also, really sorry we barged in like we did. We just heard what sounded like trouble and was just looking to help."
"Then it's settled," Maestro Bellowskin says with a clap of his hands. "This young lady here will be our understudy for Maximos! No need to worry about your lines for now; what we really need to see is your skill with the rapier - now, I'll just need you to stand right there and Hamm, you can resume your position too..." the gnome says as he slips right back into the role of maestro and director. "My dear, would you like to join me here in the front row? It isn't every day that one gets to watch the Andoren Chameleons in rehearsal, you know," he smiles, beckoning to Shelya.
"I'm telling you Maestro, it's not necessary to have someone fill in for me," Maximos objects. "My flesh is strong and will knit quickly! It just needs some ah, help, is all. Maybe a bandage?" he asks Eamon hopefully. "At the very least, maybe it would be better to have that fellow there act as my understudy if you absolutely insist," Maximos continues, pointing at Guillaume. "Being a man, some simple stage makeup should suffice for him and you won't need to use any mask powder!"
You're pretty sure that Maximos is hiding something, as he keeps shuffling his feet guiltily whenever the mask powder is mentioned.
You're not sure, but you think you hear some sort of a low scraping sound from somewhere nearby.
|
Guillaume, put on the spot slightly by Maximos, is unsure how to respond, "My companion Dalen is far more graceful than I... she would make for the better performer. Of that, I am sure... but, if you wish, then of course I am available to help".
Or maybe we can just offer better healing?
"If I may, I can call upon the Inheritor's grace... I am no healer yet I could look at the wound?"
|
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
My flesh is strong and will knit quickly! It just needs some ah, help, is all. Maybe a bandage? he asks Eamon hopefully.
Eamon purses his lips a moment considering the man. Feeling generous and seeing the wound is quite severe Eamon calls on Iomedae's holy energy. I can do better than a bandage! Announces Eamon, as holy energy flows from his spirit into, the whole room and all the occupants. Suddenly Eamon hears a start from Karayan. Eamon turns immediately, towards his strange pale companion and his apparent cry of pain.
|
Karayan suddenly stands transfixed and grasps his head with two hands. He slowly releases his head and clenches his fists. When he releases his fists and opens his hands a small trickle of blood falls to the ground, his nails must have ripped open the inside of his hands. With a voice devoid of any emotion he says [color=red]"Do not ever do that again"[/color]
|
|
"I would love to join you! This will be an absolute delight!" She starts to walk towards Maestro Bellowskin, but stops midstride when Karayan speaks. The accusation was not what caused her worry though, but it could prevent her from figuring out why there was a breeze under the building. What caused her worry was his reaction to Eamon channeling positive energy.
"Are you...alright?" She instinctively reaches up to touch Nikita, whom is relaxed on her shoulder, most hidden under her hair.
Maestro Bellowskin and the rest of the acting troupe also look mightily confused by the sudden change in proceedings. "Here now, just what are you accusing poor Maximos of..." the gnome begins, only to go quiet as Karayan begins bleeding after Eamon sends a burst of healing pulsing across the stage. "Wait...what? That mended Maximos's arm but it injured...?"
He rips his hat from his head and begins crumpling it in his hands. "I don't know what's going onnnn!" he moans.
"Er...is he okay?" Hamm asks, taking a nervous step away from Karayan. Meanwhile, Maximos looks torn between elation and panic. "My arm! Thank the gods, you're a miracle worker!" he exclaims. He reaches out as if to shake Eamon's hand but then stops and shakes his head. "But I don't know what your friend there is talking about! I haven't done anything with anything and certainly not with our mask powder!"
In spite of your pain, or maybe because of it, you suddenly become aware of a caustic stench that seems to be drifting up from the stage.
______
|
|
Eamon is startled by the turn of events. Karayan Eamon always suspected as being different.
Now with Iomedea's holy touch harming him, it only served to confirm that , Karayan had some type of undead linage; probably a Dhampir. But, Pathfinder's had been rumored to have accepted such creatures into their ranks for some years now... as long as they proved themselves not subservient to their Vampire cousins. Besides, Karayan was secretive and strange but he was hardly stupid! It bothered Eamon that; Karayan hid things from him and the rest of the group but, Eamon had no cause to suspect duplicity. This Maximos character however, Eamon didn't know
|
|
Deciding that whatever is going with Karayan wasn't something she should be messing with at the moment, she turns her attention to Maximos.
"Funny that you seem to be in a panic about something. Look if you want to lie, that's your own business, but trust me when I say that coming clean is a lot better than getting caught," she says before turning to the Maestro.
"Would you still like for me to be his, uh, understudy? I can show you what I can do with a blade if you want," she tells the gnome.
|
|
"Dalen is still an excellent choice, regardless of what is going on over there." She speaks to Maestro Bellowskin, attempting to draw his attention from the accusations that they are throwing around. "Dalen! You must show him your skills. You will not be disappointed," she says soothingly. "What is that saying? The show must go on!" She continues walking towards Maestro Bellowskin to join him in the frontrow.
"Excuse you, I'm not lying-" Maximos responds to Dalen, his voice now a little shrill, but the rest of his words are cut off by the sound of rumbling that grows louder and louder.
"Oh no, what now?" whines Maestro Bellowskin. "Is it an earthquake? These interruptions will be the death of me! I can feel my heart palpitating as we speak!"
The gnome's words prove oddly fitting and prophetic as a large, six-legged bug-like creature suddenly explodes out of the floor next to the stage. Its mandibles clack hungrily and to its delight, prey is within easy reach!
This is a creature known as an ankheg - a burrowing magical beast that has a taste for livestock and humanoid flesh.
______
Shelya
Eamon
Eredur
==========
Maestro Bellowskin
Hamm
==========
Flovi
Bug-Face
==========
Karayan
Dalen
Guillaume
==========
Maximos
Actors
and are
______
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Ah, good, a monster now. I guess this isn't part of the Entertainment, of course. That will teach humans to build a theatre right on cave complex. It's seems I'm the only one here having heard of the Kendall Vault of Korvosa, humrpph? Kendall Vault? Kendall theatre? And you never had a clue?
Eradur mace flies from his hand and hits the creature, hard, before returning to the dwarf
Reacting quickly, Eamon calls on Iomedae's power to bless the party while Shelya conjures protective armor for herself! Eredur draws first blood, sending his warhammer spinning end over end to slam against the creature's carapace with a loud *CRACK*! The creature rears in pain and snaps its mandibles angrily as its food dares to fight back!
Maestro Bellowskin shrieks with surprise and terror, turning and fleeing up into the seats and away from the creature. "Aieeeee! I'm too young to die!" he cries. Hamm likewise bolts, heading towards one of the doors that leads backstage.
Although much, much smaller than the giant bug-creature Flovi takes to the air and zips around the creature's head in an attempt to distract it, even nipping at a back leg with her tiny teeth. "No no no, go away! They aren't your food!" Whether she's the bravest pseudodragon or perhaps the most foolish is up for debate.
Ignoring the pseudodragon buzzing about its head like a human might a fly, the bug-thing climbs onto the stage. One of the actors, still too stunned to move, is spared the creature's bite by the good fortune of happening to be standing behind one of the pillars. Unfortunately, Maximos is not so lucky - perhaps it's the lingering scent of blood from his wound that draws the attention of the monster. The beast scuttles up and attempts to close its mandibles around the actor...
...but catches only air as it undershoots the bite!
______
Shelya (Mage Armor: +4 AC)
Eamon
Eredur
==========
Maestro Bellowskin
Hamm
==========
Flovi
Bug-Face (-9 HP, -1 non-lethal)
==========
Karayan
Dalen
Guillaume
==========
Maximos
Actors
Active Conditions: Bless (+1 attack, +1 vs. fear)
and are
Both Guillaume and Dalen draw their weapons and bring them to bear against the bug-creature but its carapace is surprisingly strong, their weapons glancing off with no effect! KarayanBot draws the only physical weapon he has at his disposal - a wicked-looking blade neatly concealed inside a regular walking can. However, he has doubts as to his own ability to tangle with the creature up close and personal and so he takes a step back, giving the creature an eerie stare as he does.
Finally, the rest of the actors seem to regain their wits just enough to begin fleeing in all directions - some through the doors that lead to the backstage and others dive into the stands and begin climbing up and over seats in their eagerness to get away.
"I didn't sign on for this!"
"No, I'm too pretty to be eaten!"
"Eat Bob, he'll taste much better!"
Maximos too is finally galvanized into action as he turns and attempts to flee towards the double-doors behind him. Sensing an opening, the creature again snaps at his form as he turns to run...
...and this time only just misses catching the actor by the leg! Maximos manages to make it out through the doors, but that's okay with bug-face because there are still plenty of morsels left - and within easy reach, too!
______
Shelya (Mage Armor: +4 AC)
Eamon
Eredur
==========
Maestro Bellowskin
Hamm
==========
Flovi
Bug-Face (-9 HP, -1 non-lethal, Hypnotic/Painful Stare)
==========
Karayan
Dalen
Guillaume
==========
Maximos
Actors
Active Conditions: Bless (+1 attack, +1 vs. fear)
and are
______
Confident that Dalen and the others have the creature sufficiently distracted, Shelya takes aim with her longbow and fires a shot...
...which flies wide of her target, sailing off into the rows of seats on the far side of the amphitheater!
Both Eredur and Shelya attempt to bring the creature low from afar, but the beast has proven itself well-armored and surprisingly dexterous despite its' size! Meanwhile, Eamon decides that he can contribute best by bolstering his allies and offers Guillaume a bit of additional guidance on where to strike and how to really make it hurt!
The Maestro and the other actors continue to flee and in some cases hide from the creature, hoping to get away or that it will perhaps go away. Flovi continues trying to harry the creature, circling about and trying once again to sink sharp teeth into its carapace!
"Hey! Hey, listen! Leave them alone!"
The overgrown bug, having been denied its first choice of meat, now turns its' attention to the two other contenders that are within easy reach...
...but try as it might, it just can't manage to snag Dalen, either! It chitters in frustration, wondering who or what has played the cruel trick of greasing its prey!
______
Shelya (Mage Armor: +4 AC)
Eamon
Eredur
==========
Maestro Bellowskin
Hamm
==========
Flovi
Bug-Face (-9 HP, 2 non-lethal, Hypnotic/Painful Stare)
==========
Karayan
Dalen
Guillaume (Guidance)
==========
Maximos
Actors
Active Conditions: Bless (+1 attack, +1 vs. fear)
Karayan, Dalen, and Guillaume are UP!
Dalen makes a calculated step around to the bug's side, placing it between herself and Guillaume. And though her second strike also glances off the creature's armored shell, her position allows for Guillaume to strike another vicious blow! The creature rears again, legs flailing about in pain, and sticky green ichor oozes from its wounds. It now seems much less enthused about grabbing a bite to eat and actually seems to shrink away as Karayan decides to be bold and steps up to aid his companions...
...and as he connects with the bug's carapace, his eyes flash and the wound seems to deepen just the tiniest bit.
Though several of the actors continue to race for the doors or cower up in the seats, one or two begin to realize that the group is putting quite a hurting on the bug-monster.
"Hey...hey, they're winning, they're winning!"
"Punch it in the face!"
It now seems that you have a cheering section!
______
Shelya (Mage Armor: +4 AC)
Eamon
Eredur
==========
Maestro Bellowskin
Hamm
==========
Flovi
Bug-Face (-19 HP, 2 non-lethal, Hypnotic/Painful Stare)
==========
Karayan
Dalen
Guillaume
==========
Maximos
Actors
Active Conditions: Bless (+1 attack, +1 vs. fear)
Shelya, Eamon, and Eredur are UP!
Eamon continues his work of providing support to his allies while Shelya tries again to pierce the creature's thick shell with one of her arrows, to no avail! Eredur takes aim yet again with his warhammer and sends it spinning towards the creature - it connects with another resounding *CRACK* and sends more ichor and pieces of shell flying everywhere! But, somehow, the monster is still alive and kicking, though just barely.
The cheering from the remaining actors continues to grow louder and you see Hamm peeking through one of the doors leading backstage, the sounds clearly having given him enough courage to turn back and see the situation for himself. "Well I'll be..." he breathes. "Come on now, finish it off! You can do it!" he calls out.
Meanwhile, Flovi continues circling overhead. "I can't see anything to throw at it!" she wails to Dalen before attempting to bite the monster again...
...this time missing completely as the bug manages to duck away as it flails around in agony!
Terribly wounded, the bug suddenly turns to face Guillaume and Eamon. It stiffens and everyone catches a whiff of an acrid, caustic smell before it spits a glob of green slime at two of its attackers!
Spent, the bug turns and attempts to flee from whence it came, back into the earth!
and each may take an AoO as the monster tries to flee! And is
______
|
|
Eamon feels the battle is going well and is confident the creature will fall soon. But, just when his confidence grows the ugly over-sized insect thing spews out a caustic tub of spittle. Eamon avoids the worst of it heading for his face but is burnt elsewhere about his limbs. Damn thing! I just bought this cloak! True Qadar linen! Grrr!
While Eamon manages to avoid the worst of the acid (though the same sadly can't be said for his new cloak), Karayan takes advantage of the creature's lowered defenses and strikes once again with his sword cane as it tries to flee. With a loud *CRUNCH* he drives the tip of the cane through the beast's carapace and it crashes from the stage to the floor below - unmoving.
______
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Eamon looks at Karayan, not knowing what to think. A part of Eamon admires Karayan for his bravery. Another part of Eamon is throughly revolted by the creature, Karayan truely is. in the end does it mater Eamon? He's been assigned to your team by your superiors. What's the point of confrontation? It may only serve to inhibit, your own climb through Pathfinder Society ranks. Eamon, lost in thought forgets how much pain he's in until he moves his arm. When he sees Guillaume, he realizes that, he was lucky to escape the worst of the caustic spittle. All the injured, gather round and receive Iomedea's healing... Eamon vexed when forced to think about it... says as a afterthought; Don't worry Karayan, if I concentrate I can preclude you from Iomedea's touch *tsk*.... such a pity; but I suppose no one can choose their parents. Eamon then channels healing energy