Reflections in the Eyes of the Beholders (Inactive)

Game Master Terquem

Stella looked at Oscar and smiled. "And we for you. We want to protect you also Oscar."

Turning to look at the scene she would assist her sister in taking down Mistress Lucinda's body and covering her up.

"We can't dawdle long here. One got away and will surly lead others to us. I wish we could do more but we should keep going." Closing the eyes of Mistress Lucinda and the other poor souls here she clasped her hands over them and prayed as they got Manny down.

'Light of heaven, please watch over the souls of the departed and see they attain peace in their afterlife. Tend to their sorrows and suffering so they may know joy again. Tell Mistress Lucinda she is beautiful as she is and her secret is safe with us.' With that her halo glowed only the faintest of lights before she would move to the goblins and yanks up one of their swords and if they had sheathes and a belt and fashions a makeshift one to hold the blade.

She kept and eye out around them since they were helping Manny down.

"Wheew. That was close. Praises be to the Goddess for sending you! Just a minute, I'm coming down." Manny tosses the rope he used to climb up over the ledge and descends with a WHEEE! Once he reaches the ground, he says: "Hi, I'm Manny. I was an acolyte in the Goddess' servie; you might say I worked here. Let's go inside. I know where we can find some supplies."

Ignoring the deadly blades, Aureth secures his stack of books and moves into the building. Turning to Manny, Aureth asks "So, you're a priest? What goddess do you venerate?"

"Supplies? Mmmm we could use more of those." She strokes Oscars hair.

"Follow me," Manny says as he walks towards the door. Once he reaches it, he opens it, looks at Aureth, and says, "Priest-in-training, and this structure--like me--is dedicated to the goddess of love."

"I love books. Does that count, or do you only care about" Aureth sticks out his tongue as if he tasted something disgusting before finishing with "romantic love?"

Stella moved up behind Aureth, "That romantic love spurred some of the greatest bards in history. Also, some of the greatest mind to write down their ideas to pass on to the next generation. Don't belittle it. In time you will find someone you are interested in."

"The Goddess doesn't discriminate. Whom--or what--you choose to love is entirely up to you.

"All I know is, girls are mean, scary people who like to make fun of you."

"I find it difficult to believe that all the girls you have known are mean, but (even if so) I think you will find that not all girls are like that, if you're willing to open up your mind."

mumbling to herself
maybe a 'girl' isn't what you need

Grinning at Aureth's description and chuckles, "Ohhhh, I've made an impression."

Stella looks outside the door and closes it before looking around inside. Smiling at the conversation she would just shake her head.

'This is a nice light hearted conversation compared with what just happened. It is nice.'

"I can't say much on the love aspect. I have never had time for dating or really looking at boys or girls. My studies and interests kept me out of that, general area of things. Though, Asbques likes making people think ill of her. She is really a softy under it all."

Day 1, Saturday Evening, in the temple of the goddess of love

Manny quickly shuts the heavy door and then places a bar across it.
Inside you find yourselves in the antechamber of a richly decorated, but tasteful room with two small padded chairs flanking an opening in the wall opposite a wide hallway. Manny hurries everyone down the hall, into the main temple room, which resembles more of a salon than a temple. There are five small, black oak tables, and many padded chairs, even a few lounges. There are doors leading off to the left and right. And against the far wall a small shrine with candles (unlighted) below a painting of a goddess draped in a flowing nearly shear, green gown. She is not exactly human in appearance (possibly she is rendered as an Aasimar, or human-like elven woman). The goddess in the painting is standing in a flower garden, holding a folded parchment in her left hand down low by her side, and gazing off to the right. She has lustrous brow hair with golden highlights, a heart shaped face, and large dark brown eyes.

Once within the temple, Manny shows you the room on the left, which appears to be a kitchen. It is quite large, and opens into another chamber where long benches are arranged (here the temple provides free meals to hungry destitute folk, and there is a door in this long room that leads out into an alleyway).

The kitchen has much in the way of fresh food, vegetables, breads and cereals, fresh eggs, and hanging from the ceiling are smoked and cured meats in various styles and flavors.

The door that goes to the right, leads to a stair that goes up to the second floor where there are apartments for the priests, and special “rooms” for ceremonies.

The temple has no weapons, but there are many ropes (most are strong, but soft). And there are two expensive, top quality shoulder bags that will hold up to two cubic feet of goods.

There are other incidental items in the temple

If a player can think of an item that might be useful that would normally be found in a temple such as this, consider it available!

Oscar looks around at the salon, and then whistles

This is a beautiful place. In other times, in other situations, I’d have spent a lot of time in a place like… suddenly Oscar stops talking and her eyes go out of focus. She lowers her head and says, quietly, I remember

Then she seems to snap out of it, and turns to Asbques to say, Should you tell him where we are trying to get to and ask for his help?

Stella nodded and would take a look around before looking up at the painting. "You may want to take the painting of the goddess if you don't want it destroyed."

Looking to Oscar she hugs her to her gently. "Its okay Corrine." She tries to comfort her, her hand stroking over her head.

Once she was done she would grab a bag and wraps up some rope draping it over her shoulder before filling one handbag with food, candles, tindertwigs. Also extra set of clothing if she can find something in her tastes. Never know when you will get a time to get another. That she may just tuck into a scarf or two tying them around her like modified belts.

She would also look for other belts. "We can use belts and scarves to make a type of bandolier. I mean it won't be pretty but it will be useful."

Looking to Mannie. "Mannie we have a found a benefactor in this crazy chaos. We are on our way to the principles residence. We were going to follow the south streets below campus to the west end of the city and then cross the Shaker’s Bridge to the north, and find one hundred forty four West Weaver’s Row, the residence of the Principal. That part of town is supposedly mostly destroyed, but we are to make our way underneath his residence. Apparently under his drawing room their are secret chambers. We will be meeting someone there."

"I'll just be glad when we get to someone safe where I can put these books."

"Well, apparently, I'm on my own. I'd hoped that I'd be able to link up with some of my superiors, but they don't seem to be around. I take it that telling me where you were headed was an invitation? If so, consider it accepted."

"Yes, you are more than welcome to join us. Given what we saw when we arrived, you might find it a bit safer to travel with us, at any rate."

"Yes, that is an invitation. We could use all the help we can get. We should be quick. That other will bring more soon."

Stella grabs everything seeing if there was anything else she could carry.

Day 1, Saturday Evening, in the temple of the goddess of love, turn 105

Stella finds many sashes, belts, of leather and cloth, of many sizes. Manny can show Aureth a hidden floorboard in the temple where things can be hidden, once covered with a rug it is unlikely anyone will discover the books. The hidden space is used, Manny will explain, to hide special “ritual” books when a visiting priest of the religion is present and carrying certain “books and papers” that are not always understood by local authorities. I haven’t seen anyone other than Stella mention taking anything from the temple that they might find useful. There are candles, clothing, sacks, bags, and any other “incidental” temple appropriate items available to the characters if the player can think of something they might think they would find useful.

As Stella holds Oscar close, the living doll seems to ease into her embrace. Oscar sigh, closer her eyes, and nuzzles the tall woman affectionately, and says, Thank you

Well, I hate to be the one to say this, but it is sort of time for the group to make a plan for what they will do now. I’ve added a clock to the top of the post, it is almost sunset, though that makes little difference in this setting as everything is still in a perpetual state of shadowy twilight. From where you are now, it is approximately half a mile to the west, along the south side of the river, to the bridge, then across that into the northern part of the city, and about a quarter of a mile to the principals house.

Once the books are safely ensconced in the hidden area, Aureth will start looking for food, as well as grabbing a heavy cloak that could double as a blanket...And a satchel to store stuff in.

Grabbing food eating it she would look at them. "Alright, we need to get going. Night is coming quick and the goblins just might be back. I know we won't have much time. I don't think holing up here will be good. My vote is to continue on but it will be a dangerous mile to get to the principal's place. But soon the city will be overrun and we may not have another chance."

"My dad would say that movement is life. We should keep moving." Aureth says as he packs up his newly found satchel.

One hand on her hip Asbeques looks at everyone and nods agreeing with her sister. Licking her lips she moves to the door and listens.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
I apologize for my absence, things have been... complicated

"Alright, then let us go. Manny, make sure you grab food and extra clothing and Aureth you are a genius with the cloak. Everyone grab one also. Ill get you one Asbques." She would hurriedly grab them each one before heading to the door sword drawn.

"Manny, there isn't a secret way out is there? If not we head out the front door.' She would peak out a window subtly to see if anything was out there.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Day 1, Saturday Evening, leaving the temple of the goddess of love turn 115

There are two “Secret” exits from the temple, one leads out into an alley, while the other leads into the sewers, which can be dangerous, and Manny does not know his way there.

So the Alley is best.

The group gathers all they think they can carry, and still stay fast on their feet, and then crowds around the secret door that opens into the alley behind the building. Stella puts her finger to her lips, then slowly opens the door. She doesn’t see anyone or anything, not even a rat, and one by one the group files out into the narrow alleyway.

Moving to the north, the group comes to the main street that runs parallel to the river, and taking a deep breath they all run out into the street, toward the low stone wall on the other side of the street, and then they keep running to the east, toward the bridge that crosses the river to the north side of the city.

Once they reach the bridge, the stop, ducking down below the low wall, and pause, looking all around. Off to the west they can see a column of goblins crossing the river on the Bell Tower Bridge, with is a half mile to the west. The can see at least a hundred, maybe more, goblins all carrying spears, and marching in ranks. Luckily they are too intent on marching to the south and do not notice the students.

The bridge, Shaker’s Bridge, is made of wood. It is flat, except for an arch in the center of the bridge, where river boats pass under it. It has an open railing on either side, and it is wide. There is little chance that the students won’t be seen as they cross it, if anyone is watching the bridge, and it will take a long time to cross the bridge even at a run (the bridge is seventy yards across).

Once across the bridge you will be in the northern half of the city. This half is dominated by tall hotels, theaters, restaurants, and expensive (and large) houses.

Keeping his voice low, Aureth will say "We should probably go across one at a time, instead of as a group. Less of a chance of being noticed, and if one person gets seen, it won't jeopardize the rest of the group. I would even be willing to go first."

"Makes sense to me."

Looking at Manny and Aureth. "Sounds great. Don't move to fast. Fast movement catches the eye from a distance. So let us go one at a time with a spacing of about 20 feet. That way we are close enough to assist and no one is at the end by themselves."

"Well, we probably only want one person on the bridge at a time; that being said, however, I will cross the bridge by myself first and find a place to hide, since it was my idea and all."

Day 1, Saturday Evening, leaving the temple of the goddess of love (turn 118)

One by one the young students begin to cross the bridge. It has been a long, if not entirely disturbing day for all of them, and the fatigue of the day begins to replace the rush of adrenaline from the recent encounter.

Aureth sets out first. Cautious and slow at first, he looks to the left and right at almost every step. He can see the distant harbor lights to the east, and to the west the shadows created by the curtain of darkness that has fallen on the city stretch out toward the fields and farms. To the north he sees small fires scattered all across the buildings of the city, and he does not look south, he does not look back, but he hears the steps of Manny close behind him.

Manny has rarely been to the northern side of the river. It is a place where people like him are not welcome. Oh, it isn’t his look, his race, or even his faith. No, people like Manny, people with more interest in enjoying the simple things in life, are not often seen, and rarely welcomed in the upper class, and strongly competitive merchant houses of the north side.

He is less interested in keeping an eye out for trouble and more interested in keeping his eyes on Aureth, and Manny doesn’t lose the young man, even though Aureth makes a quick left after crossing the bridge, and heads straight for the closest building, a small, now vacant boarding house.

Stella insists that Asbques go next, and for a moment, there is a pause, and a slight unspoken tension fills the air. The sisters are not used to this. Oh yes they like to tease each other. Who is in charge today, is an unspoken game, but now, it is not play time, now it is not a break between classes, now, it is a time when the past has no meaning at all, and every decision made for the future is made with the seriousness of life and the possibility of death.

Asbques squeezes her sister’s hand, and tries to smile, and then sets out across the bridge, looking in every direction, it is she who sees the goblin legion crossing the second bridge to the east, and she is thankful that that bridge, the Kondolly Bridge, named for the architect Lorentia Kondolly, has high walls, and all she can see of the army that crosses the bridge is the tops of their spears, their banners, and their engines of war, and she knows they cannot see her.

Stella shoves Oscar, gently, and gives the small doll a big smile, and Oscar nearly breaks down into tears.

Rushing at the girl, Oscar hugs Stella tightly around the waist, and then she lets go, turns and hurries to catch Asbques.

Finally, with one glance behind her, to be sure there is no danger there, Stella takes a deep breath, and starts across the bridge herself. Before she is halfway across she sees her sister ahead of her turning around, and when the two know they are seeing eye to eye, Asbques points to the east, Stella glances that way, then back at her sister to nod that she has also seen the army that crosses the Kondolly Bridge going into the southern part of the city. The timing of the students crossing could not have been better.

The five of you, Aureth, Manny, Asbques, Oscar, and Stella, are now on Thimble Street, which parallels the river on the north side of the river. Going east the street stays right next to the river, curving slightly southward until it ends at Judicial Row, a larger road that runs toward the harbor. To the west, the street turns away from the river, at a large brewery that sits on the river bank just a few hundred feet from the bridge you have just crossed. Where the street ends, there is another street, called Poets Row, which goes north into the city where there are a large number of theaters, restaurants, and shops. About a quarter of a mile north along Poet’s Row, a street can be found, called, Western Holly Tree Street, that goes into the western, neighborhood of the northern half of the city. Here the small city streets are often not named, are very narrow, twist, and turn, and are hilly. There are many estates, and large houses, set back from the small streets and surrounded by short stone walls, often topped with iron fences. The principal’s residence is in that part of the city. It is a large estate, owned by the university, and can be identified by a unique gate, of wrought iron, designed by the artist Ethan Drandury. The gate has slender bars that are woven in elaborate knots, and decorated with small pieces of porcelain tile. Each tile has a small painted scene of some event in the universities history.

It has been a very eventful day, and even though you were able to rest, somewhat, at the temple, the fatigue of the day is beginning to set in. You are not sure exactly where the house is, but Aureth, Stella, and Asbques are certain that it can be found in under a couple of hours.

Letting out a sigh of relief now that everyone is across and his plan was good, Aureth will whisper "Anyone have an idea of how to get to the house from here?"

Day 1, Saturday Evening, City Center, North Side (turn 119)

Oscar looks blankly at Aureth, and says

I don’t remember much about the city at all, it’s been so long. Were there any instructions given to you, before I came along?

The Principals HouseIt is singularly unlikely that any of you know exactly where the house is, but you have all heard about where it is supposed to be. There is a neighborhood, to the northwest, of very expensive homes, and it located there. You know the gate, it has been reproduced in art that hangs all over the campus. You do not know the streets of the Northern City, unless you can pass a Knowledge Local Skill Check with a DC of 16. If you can, then you know enough about how the streets are laid out that you can get to that neighborhood in about an hour's time, once there you'll have to find a high place to get up on and search for the gate, or spend time going house to house.

Okay, so I guess i'll be putting a rank into knowledge (local) next level.

Know: Local: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23 Sorry for my absence

"While I do not know exactly where his house is I think I know the neighborhood and how these streets are laid out. Remember many a bard talking about having to sneak away from this area before husbands and boyfriends, sometimes wives caught them. Follow me." Stella would lead them to the area she believed it to be.

"Alright we can go high and climb to look around for the gate or we can search house to house. It might be faster to get up high."

"Basically, we need to decide if it's better to be safe or better to be quick. If we want to be quick, we should have someone climb up and take a look around. If we want to be safe, we should probably go house to house. Each, however, has it's own risks."

"I vote for quick."

Stella would nod.

"Alright, if we want high then I suggest someone who can see well in low light. I am so use to using my own light source I can not perceive that well in low light."

Looking around for a tall enough house or structure that would allow them a good vantage point.

Day 1, Saturday Evening, City Center, North Side (turn 119)

While Stella, Aureth, and Manny talk to each other about the best way to get a fix on the principal’s house, Oscar, follows them, and tries to think of anything that can help.

She looks left and right, as the small group turns a corner in the neighborhood, and there, just one house to the west, is possible solution.

Look, right over there, Oscar says, and runs up to Manny, she points to the west, and tosses her head to fling the hair out of her eyes There is a house right down that street with a gate that is flanked by two ridiculous statues, but as gaudy as they are, they are pretty tall, I’d say at least twenty feet, and they shouldn’t be too hard to climb.

Climbing one of the gate statues at this house is a DC 14 Skill Check, which you can take 10 on for the first ten feet, but you must roll for the second ten foot climb

"Is anyone good at climbing things? if not, I guess I can do it."

Day 1, Saturday Evening, City Center, North Side The city is in a perpetual state of semi-shadow like darkness, it is night time, and for some reason the moon light and the magical darkness seem to cancel each other a little bit, making it just a little less dark than it was during the day. (turn 120)

I think I should do it, Oscar says, After all, if I fall I don’t think I will be hurt, maybe chipped or broken, but not hurt.

Oscar moves to the statue, and then Aureth cups his hands to offer a boost to help the small wooden construct get started.

It looks to everyone as if it is an easy climb, as Oscar reaches one hand up after another, finding edges of the statue to grab onto as she climbs higher and higher.

When Oscar reaches the top, she looks around, only once, and then she turns her head down to Aureth and says

I can see the gate with the art Stella described. It’s over on the next block to the north and a little to the west.

She looks down at her feet, getting ready to plan her descent when Oscar then glances up. Her expression turns into one of surprise, and she hurries to climb down as quickly as possible.

There is a group of people, not goblins, coming toward us. They spotted me, and they are just on the other side of that house to the east. They are coming quick. What should we do?

"Get down quick." says Aureth to Oscar, before turning to the group and saying "We should hide. We don't know who these people are, and they could be working for the bad guys."

"What did they look like Oscar? And thank you for climbing that for us. Even though I don't want to see you chipped or broken. You guys hide but they already know we are here. I will see if I can buy us some time or negotiate with them. If they don't look like goblins they may be running from them. If not I want you guys to make your way straight away to the principles house."

She would look at Aureth and would straighten her dress. Then again if they were like goblins her sister would more be apt to talk with them. She pushes her sister to the side to hide with Aureth if he wants and would hurriedly walk some ways from their hiding spot but remains in view unsure of how this will go down. She also lights up her Halo to draw attention to herself.

Day 1, Saturday Evening, City Center, North Side The city is in a perpetual state of semi-shadow like darkness, it is night time, and for some reason the Moon light and the magical darkness seem to cancel each other a little bit, making it just a little less dark than it was during the day. (turn 119)

Oscar, Aureth, Manny and Asbques hide behind the statues flanking the gate to this fine house while Stella moves out into the middle of the street.

Soon a small group of desperate looking people come into view. They are moving at a hustle, not quite a run, and they number about five.

As they come closer, Stella recognizes the man leading the group. His name is Professor Lasmorry, and he is a teacher at the school where Aureth, Stella and Asbques were enrolled. He teaches a boring course in penmanship, grammar, usage and style, that all of you have taken, but you have heard that he also teaches advanced courses in scroll making and symbology, a course none of you are in the proper grade level to take.

The teacher leads four others, three of which are advanced students of the school, and the last one looks like a woman dressed as a house keeper, She is short, not heavy, but thick in the limbs, with dark brown hair worn tied in a messy braid behind her head.

The three students, two females and one male, are all human, and in the same grade as the rest of you.

Their names are Roberta, Daniel, and Peter.

When the group is right upon Stella Professor Lasmorry comes to a stop, puts his hands on his knees and pants for breath, and says rather sternly

Miss Caelum, what in the world are you doing here? There’s no time to explain, quick, come with us, we’re headed for the west road and then to the citadel of the Tanburry Monestary.

Stella would draw herself up and shakes her head. "Sorry Professor Lasmorry, I can't go that way. To the east I know their are goblins crossing the bridges and there isn't enough time to make it to the Monastery. Roberta, Daniel, Peter. Good to see you are still alive. I am headed somewhere else. If you wish to come with that is fine. If not then I wish you a safe journey. There are two major groups moving and you won't have long." Looking at the woman she would curtsy to here."Ma'am, it is good you are doing well also."

Her cat wove between her feet rubbing against her white stockings. She looked every bit the part of an angel with her Halo glowing.