LeVash blinks, "We obviously disagree on the Hellknight, I put her in the same category as the Bastards. She made her choice, and gets no sympathy from me."
"However, I'd as soon not dredge up old disagreements. It's been made clear to me that Arael and friends want to effect their revolution as a matter of inspiration rather than fomentation, so I am attempting to do so."
"Then, just as I asked you to before 'we' decided to become judge jury and executioner of all those we feel we do not like based on our own personal whimsy and moral compass, make sure you are up the front and acting like the sort of role model you believe they need. I was very much alone earlier suggesting our actions, deeds, and personal example should serve as a source of inspiration, I am delighted to see that the copper finally dropped - where were your great words of inspiration then as I stood alone asking for a kinder route to be taken, one of decency driven by hope rather than a knee jerk driven by fear and self interest? No we cast into a low place by our very own hands when we simply chose to be executioners, it's a long road back from there LeVash"
"I gave them the White Hunter; you gave them murder in the dark"
"You want to talk about being judged by deeds LeVash, then look very carefully at your own. It's justice for all, not just for the people you decide are worthy of your sympathy"
"Better late than never then I suppose"
Bloodless drops in the last, as though suggesting he is happy that both parties have had their say on the matter.
The temple is very quiet and you get the sense that ears are listening even if just out of sight.
Asmodia, uncertain what the two men are speaking of, looks to Bejis, hoping he holds the key to this argument. She has always felt as though she were unfairly held to a standard set by Calla, a woman who had infuriated her in the few hours they had known each other. Apparently she was not the only who was a target for Bloodless's rage.
Aerieth watches and listens as the two men talk. When they appear to finish.
Well, it appears that in the past certain actions have been taken that they whole party did not agree on. I do not know the circumstances or who was part of these decisions. However, now we are here and now, not in the past. If we are to work good for the land, then we must work together from here forward. Bloodless, I am sorry if you were forced by your companions acquiesce to the killing of a surrendered Hellknight. LeVash, if decisions were made which you feel were done in err, it is your decision how and when to deal with this.
The simple fact is that we are only five. We need to assure that whatever happened in the past stays in the past. If we are going into the realm of the enemy, we have to know that we can trust each other with our lives.
Leaving the temple and returning to your respective homes in a mixture of antipathy towards each other and outright confusion at what just happened you find yourselves returning to your respective homes (except LeVash whom I'm not sure even gave a home address).
There a servant dressed in brightly colored clothes bearing an official government badge bows to you, asks for your name, and once your identity is confirmed he passes you a rolled up scroll made of fine and expensive paper.
Printed on it from a neat hand is the following:
To: The illustrious Actors and only known survivors of the Six Gold Trial
From: Lord Mayor Aberian Arvanxi of Westcrown
You are cordially invited to the residence of the mayor four days hence on fireday at precisely 6pm for the Cornucopia a festival of gastronomic delights that will no doubt tantalize and satisfy the most jaded tastes. The following courses will be served at a timely fashion at the following times.
7:00—The Feast of the Gluttonous Wolf
8:00—The Worshipful Hog
9:00—The Fat of the Land
10:00—The Dance of the Engorged Vulture
11:00—The Ambrosial Serpents
12:00—The Insatiable Hungers
You are expected to appear in your appropriate costumed attire from the play.
Lord Mayor Arvanxi
Not sure whether I am limited to 1 scroll per day, or 1 per 2 hours. If it is 1 per day, I will scribe the following with my spare time:
Scroll of Enlarge Person(CL3) x2 --> 75 gp total
Scroll of Detect Secret Doors(CL1) --> 12.5 gp
Scroll of Mage Armor(CL3) --> 37.5 gp
Total should be 125gp.
"Saves me having to buy fancy clothes" remarks Bloodless positively.
Think im going to skip the rumor mill this time as I kind of want to move on. If any of you want to confer quickly with the League about plans or ideas on how to approach the banquet let me know.
Bejis does want to dig around to find some juicy rumors/gossip before the party.
Do you mean last meal? Or Last Supper?
During the run-up to the party, LeVash will find a (preferably discreet) vendor and pick up a masterwork scimitar and masterwork armor, as well as replenishing his alchemist's fire.
He'll also make a point to visit Calsenica, both because there is concern for her safety, and because he genuinely likes her.
He'll also take some time to speak to his brother, specifically avoiding sore points between them.
During the three days, Asmodia gets fitted for chainmail, and the night before the gala, returns to the Hall of Justice to speak to Arael and Janiven. She removes her helm and gloves, and sets the box of coin on Arael's desk.
"There are five-hundred sails in that box. It represents, at current, what I believe I can afford to lose on any venture that you two are plotting. I've more of my own in a bank, awaiting the day when I can hire a group of professionals to assemble, operate and maintain a printing press," she says. "If you would be so kind as to keep your all seeing eye out for such an opportunity, I would be grateful," the latter is not even spoken with a hint of sarcasm.
She looks almost abashed a moment. "Also I need the relic back for the masque. And I apparently need to rotate the common rooms I've been whoring in on account of the mayor's folk being able to track me even there. I should never have allowed those Abadar creeps to steal my porn and my temple with its convenient dungeon and hidey holes from me..."
ugh
*gets tark a take 20 on heal massage from one of those parlors that don't got windows*
Not everything on the map is labeled except perhaps in quick scribbles done by the pathfinder. The whole thign appears to be drawn from memory and is missing the third floor which she noted was not in the blueprints she found so likely something is hidden up their though its no guarantee that the knot will be up there.
@Bejis: Eventually you are caught up with Janiven at your work who passes along the joy of the league about your invitation and a sack of goodies containing four potions of cure serious wounds and four potions of
lesser restoration.
@LeVash: Solan is cordial and polite. He notes that he has a high ranking date for the party and casually inquires about what face you plan on wearing to the grand event and whether you'll enjoy yourself either way.
Calseinica is excited to get the invitation and embraces you looking forward to your date.
it's the naughty word filter making life harder than it has to be give me a bit
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/4500/fckjava.jpg Floor 1
http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/817/fckjava2.jpg Floor 2
"Always LeVash in public, brother...if I get into serious trouble, I don't want to damage the family name."
"If I read these correctly, there is a stair to the cellar from the banquet hall, and a stair to the 3rd floor need the southern guest rooms. Either seems like a likely prospect."
"I'll find a reason to get into the cellar, I don't mind the dark so much" Bloodless offers.
I may not be the best at the party. But, I can hide with the best of them and am a fairly good climber. I can probably sneak into either the cellar or the attic.
"That solves it then, we can check on those areas whilst the others stay mingling. No one wants a chat with the Torturer surely...then again this IS Westcrown"
Coming downstairs Arael seems happy and a bit surprised to see you. "Sorry I couldn't help but overhear. I hope you plan on exercising some caution when you do this. You are guests of honor I've been told. A missing person will not go unnoticed from the table."
"Which is why there will have to be some good consideration of an excuse to step away; it is a party, people get pathetically drunk and engage in wanton harlotry with little provocation." Bloodless offers, clearly calculating the way the evening will play out as he absentmindedly throws bits of dried meat to his sidekick.
I don't have enough for anything else magical, but here is a list of useful items we might want to get. Let me know if there is anything else.
Tanglefoot bag x5 - 250gp
Alchemists Fire x3 - 60gp
Liquid Ice x2 - 80gp
Holy Water x5 - 125gp (Asmodia should be able to make this I think)
Acid x5 - 50gp
Holy Water x5 - 125gp (Asmodia should be able to make this I think)
"Asmodia, I believe you mentioned that you can enchant weapons. Do you have time to lay down a base enchantment on my new scimitar? If he has a Pit Fiend locked up somewhere, there's no telling what else he may have laying about."
As the day approaches the storm clouds which were before now merely thundering and releasing infrequent bouts of rain finishtheir warm up and go into full on drench mode.
The rain is thick and unrelenting hammering Westcrown to the point where even the loud slave merchants and louder auctioneers decide it's best to stay indoors for a while. To the northwest of the city some parts become flooded adding a whole new danger to the dead part of the city.
By the third day Arael and Janiven organize efforts with the league (which you no doubt help) to aid those in the flooded areas seek temporary shelter on higher ground outside the city. Janiven notes bitterly that the most the Dottari have done is sandbag the wealthier portions of the city. It's good, honest work, and helps take your mind off what is to come.
By the fourth day the rain has barely relented enough and the people evacuated to the point where you can retrieve your costumes and make your way to the estate. Gearing up as best you can and preparing for a soul twisting trial that would make last weeks play seem like a trifle in comparison.
A corpulent building of iron and stone looms over its neighbors in southern Westcrown—the mayor’s abode is anything but subtle. This is no mere house, but rather a bloated near-castle of ochre and black, a huge manor with rusting gargoyles dancing upon its gables among hooks and nails to prevent the birds from settling. Iron gutters vomit rainwater onto the cobbled streets below, but bright lights burn fierce in every window while plumes of smoke boiling up from nearly two dozen chimneys promise an interior as warm and welcome as the exterior is cold and forbidding. Carriages arrive,belching forth their well-dressed contents at the end of a long canvas-topped walkway extending from the manor grounds’ front gates to the villa’s front doors, offering new arrivals protection from the rain on the short trip by carriage to Cornucopia.
Knowing that the whole party is likely to be a lavish affair, and the demand was to remain in character, Bloodless considers his arrival carefully.
His first stop is at an undertaker where he requests hire of a wagon and a driver in the early evening – something looking very dark and funerary with an open top. From there he calls on the theatre to get a few basic props – a set of stocks, and plenty of chains and shackles, items that whilst looking the part are all just for show. From there he sets about rounding up a few peasants offering a silver each for a short bit of acting work (no talent required, you’ve been suffering all your life, just make it look like you still are!)
At nightfall he arrives upon the wagon in the rain, lashing and flaying his ‘victims’ upon the open topped carriage between cursing and threatening passers-by as they move through the town and all the way to the party. The wolf he has by his side occasionally makes threatening lunges and growls at the men, adding to the whole cinema of the piece.
Perform(Act)
Intimidate (Still get a bonus for playing THIS role? if so please add!)
Once inside he judges the mood before dropping the charade.
Diplomacy
If Calsenica is agreeable, LeVash will arrive with her (I believe she traveled by carriage last time), and they can do the classic 'red carpet walk' together. If she feels she will have more impact arriving along, then LeVash will purchase a heavy cloak, and arrive by foot.
On the days before the event, I will have used Mending to repair any damage to anyone's costumes which might have become wrecked in the show. (If you wish to fix it yourself, that is also fine.) For the show, the mage Dentris will arrive in a black carriage drawn by four noble black steeds. If Bejis, Asmodia, Calseinica or LeVash would like to join me, let me know.
Once in the carriage, I will use Prestidigitation to remove any water from myself and will use it again upon arrival so that I am completely dry when I enter the front door.
When Dentris arrives at the manor, he waits as the driver opens the door and then Dentris is helped as he steps down off of the carriage and onto the covered walkway. You see his hands move in an arcane pattern and a moment later the water from the driver's hand has been removed from Dentris's sleeve leaving him once again dry and perfectly clean.
Dentris then moves forward and surveys that gathered throng.
Diplomacy: <-- not sure what, if any, bonuses might still apply from the show.
Asmodia refuses to wear the paper machete costume she was provided with, instead arriving in her flash new suit of mail adorned with a white tabbard. Tybain arrives at the venue riding atop a huge gray mule who looks to have been bred from a bull elephant. Its chest is as wide as a cask of ale, and its legs make a powerful clop against the broken streets of Westcrown.
As Asmodia arrives, she is pondering having a costumer assisting her with a design to invoke Thais so she might bring cheer to the destitute, and lends to a sort of ethereal calm as she slips from Isarn's saddle. She pets the animal's muzzle before the attendant leads him away and considers buying another animal before she spies her party.
Just waiting on bejis to move on. Thanks for making me calculate the cost of renting 2 carriages, several performers, and a mule. And the rich guy rides on the cheap. XD Meanwhile...
"We'll keep an eye out for someone. I take it you'd like a discrete printer? Not many of those around here with state controlled papers and criers."
As you mention the cloak Arael sighs. "I suppose it can't be helped. I dread to think how any of us would sleep well if this plan fails due to a costuming gaffe." With that he reverentially removes the cloak and hands it back to Asmodia.
"Listen." Janiven continues. "Are you going to be alright? We know you had some issues going into the play...well outside the threat of death. But me and Arael are concerned there's soemthign more going on. Do you want to talk about it?"
Asmodia accepts the cloak with an appropriate expression of shame. "If I could paint an eye on a tabbard and call it a costume, I would. But no one asked me how I felt about aping the ultimate symbol of good in this world." She looks at Aroden's symbol on the cloak and folds it over her arm reverently. "Or taking the Prince of Darkness's name into my f*cking mouth," she says softly.
"What, like an orphan losing an arm and an eye because the lord Shade refused to compromise on his brilliant plan?" she returns to Janiven and waves the comment away. "I made several ill informed choices with Bloodless, and Thesing. I thought I could trust you with sensitive issues, given our involvement thus far, but when you rebuffed me without giving me cause, I felt betrayed. Had you stood up to me and said 'Asmodia, you silly c*nt, this is sensitive information and you are far too chaotic to be trusted' I would have purged it from my mind.
"As you might expect, investing in a tavern appeals to me on several levels. I would have an unsuspecting consumer base for my brew as I develop it, and the ability to give the women of Westcrown greater opportunities than being robbed, raped, and murdered."
Asmodia inhales sharply and settles her weight some. "Which is most the reason I gave up the temple to the Abadarians, though my dislike for their practices is..." she trails and lets her eyes roll. "I thought with Arael at the helm the relationship might actually benefit that quarter of the city in the future."
Asmodia pauses and looks away a moment. "If you want to help me, come up with a feasible short term solution for my half siblings being oppressed by my piece of sh*t sire and his b*tch wife before they send another child to the church for expressing an independent thought."
Ok - as I posted earlier, I purchased the following, if someone else wants to carry some of them, please let me know. If anyone wants to contribute to the cost, let me know as well.
Purchases:
Tanglefoot bag x5 - 250gp
Alchemists Fire x3 - 60gp
Liquid Ice x2 - 80gp
Holy Water x5 - 125gp (Asmodia can make this I think)
Acid x5 - 50gp
Total - 565gp
--> If someone does not think we need any of this, please let me know. I posted it about a week ago, but nobody responded.
"Any of it could be of use. I'm carrying 4 vials of Alchemist's Fire a well, so if we are overstocked on anything, that would be it."