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The teammate who's keeping watch hears an odd sound for a forest: bells. Specifically the little ones noblemen like to affix to their reigns. The nightwatch looks around, weapon drawn not sure what to expect, but sees nothing in spite of the sound of the bells growing closer and closer. Finally, the source of the sound is clear: some sort of sleigh being pulled by eight tiny reindeer flying through the air!
The nightwatch quickly awakens the others who reach for their arms, but are stopped by the sleigh-driver's voice, "Ho-ho! Do not be alarmed! I come from afar bearing gifts!" As the sleigh lands, the air seems to calm, and warm up as if the man in the sleigh were a walking hearth. As he comes into view, you can't help but feel a wondrous joy at his red-and-white nightgown, slippers, and cap; his jovial, almost red face, and snow-white hair and beard; these coupled with his girthy physique cause you to let your guard down fully.
The gifts he spoke of, he carries on his back, in a rather large sack. Taking it down from his shoulder, he hands each of you an item wrapped in a red ribbon with white borders.
To Gage, he gives a wrapped scroll and a small, but pristine ruby.
To Mamise, he gives a beautiful, but subtle amber necklace.
To Tika, he gives a new adamantine, filigree/gemstone-adorned frying pan.
To Vitellia, he gives an emerald whistle.
And to Seleste, he gives a set of leather armor custom tailored to her, which is decorated with emeralds and diamonds.
While you marvel at your gifts, the sleigh-driver sneaks aboard his sleigh and his reindeer take flight, "Merry Christmas to all!" he bellows, "And to all a good night!"
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Tika will stare at the jolly man as he sets off, watching him fly into the sky like it's normal to do that.
"Well, that's one kind of fairy I don't mind." she says. "But what the heck's christmas?" She opens her package and her eyes widen at the sight of her new superb frying pan. "Whatever it is... I like it! What day is it? We need to put this holiday on our kingdom's calendar."
"Uhm, fair point. Perhaps "he" only managed to run away because "he" had lil'ol'me as a hostage? Or we can try something else. We're outnumbered, though."
She looks at the beautiful amulet. "Gifts from the Fae are always significant. Never sell these, I believe it would be a terrible offense. Hmm... Magiam reperi!"
"Eh, we've got a hike ahead of us tomorrow morning, let's get a little rest so that we can think clearer on the way there; I'm sure we'll think of something."
Mamise's comments seem to cure his confusion.
"Father Christmas did you say? Seems like a jolly old fellow."
Gage produces a silver locket emblazoned with an elaborate from under his off-white shirt and holds it up next to the ruby.
I wonder if I can fit it inside
Seleste comes back into the camp circle having donned her new armor. The armor seems custom fitted clearly showing she is indeed a young woman and not an Elf man. She is carrying her previous armor nicely folded up. Oh, I would never dream of selling this...although is it alright if I say I am a bit creeped on how he know my exact body shape." She takes the old armor and puts it carefully into her pack. "I will need to return this at some point or I can just imagine the drama."
You find that the ruby fits perfectly inside your locket, as if they were part of a set. The scroll you were given actually appears to be a letter...sealed with the crest of the House of Garess! As you open it and begin to read, you find it is a lost letter from your father, Rodolph Garess. In it, he describes a military conflict in vague detail seemingly in order that if the letter were intercepted (which it obviously was), no important information would be found by the enemy. More than that, however, he details his regrets on having to leave your mother before their marriage or your birth, and how much he loves and misses you both. He even says that he's decided on the name: Gage if it's a boy, Adela if it's a girl.
The letter is signed with a signet ring proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are a nobleman of the House of Garess.
Magic, did you say?
I must see for myself. Detect Magic!"
Vitellia feels uneasy not having finalized a plan of action, but can't disagree that they will all be fitter of mind with some rest.
Vitellia maintains a reserved silence during the strange being's gift-giving, but her eyes do not hide the wonderment she experiences at the event.
When gift-giver has departed and the other begin offering insight into its nature, Vitellia muses aloud. "I have never encountered a being of the Fae, though acquaintances from House Medvyed often regaled me with stories of their exploits. Tales of their wondrous nature do not do it justice, I feel I scarce have the words to describe what we have just witnessed."
Your amulet seems to have unparalleled disguising abilities, able to transform you or anyone else into anything...at least, visually. But it is a small aura, so you assume it can't do this very often.
You can tell Gage's ruby's ability is illusory in nature, but are otherwise in the dark.
You're not entirely sure what Vitellia's whistle does, without blowing it.
Tika's pan is clearly high quality (+1 masterwork), and can immediately knock out any creature it touches. Again, though, the aura is small.
Seleste's armor seems to be able to grow with her without any penalty, as well as enhance the bonuses she gets from growing. Small aura.
In addition to Mamise's spoiler...
Gage determines that his gem can produce any illusion, light and sound, of any size, but the aura is small, so it probably can't do this very often.
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"Oh, my! This looks just perfect for me! Prepare to see some more shapeshifting shenanigans, transformation trickery, disguising deception!" the kitsune says, placing the amulet around her neck, while her mind is already planning the best way to use it.
"Gagey, that ring has some illusory effect, but I don't know whether it'll manage to set your face right. Did you find out any more?
Vitellia, no idea. We'll know when you use it, I suppose.
Tika, that pan will be gold in your hands, I'm guessing you can send someone to sleep with just one blow. Not very often, though, so make it count.
Seleste, you look amazing. That's the armor's magic, making you look good. Nah, kidding. I think that if you have your growth spurt while wearing it, you'll get stronger."
"Growth spurt... I like it; I'll remember that one.
Also I think you mean set my face wrong; my face was originally set quite well, after all.
As for the ruby's power, it looks like I can make an illusion with any audial or visual components that I'd like, though not very often.
Vitellia, wanna try out the whistle? Or maybe we should try it out after fighting the bandits?"
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Tika gives the pan a twirl. "And this thing won't bend, warp or break easily! Probably easy to clean too! I love it!"
Mamise can feel that it gives you the power to visually transform anything, as any other spell.
Gage places the ruby into his silver locket and shuts it tightly.
”Assuming we need to deceive or distract more than one or two watchmen, I think this ruby will do the trick.”
Gage drops the scroll from under his arm as he once again recasts his dancing lights.
”Oops. I almost forgot.”
He picks it up quickly while the orbs draw near to give him plenty of light to read by.
”After examining the rest of these amazing gifts, I must say that I can’t imagine-”
Gage opens the scroll and begins reading.
”-what could be so… great... about... ah...”
His grip slips on one end and the scroll rolls up only to be immediately reopened and reread.
”Hey, anyone know if Father Christmas plays elaborate pranks?”
Mamise twirls the necklace in her hands. If I turn into this bandit girl, perhaps we can get them confused, and... oh, just so many ways I can use this.
Turning to Gage, she lifts her head and her ears. "Surprisingly, no. Trickery is common among the minor fae, the strongest ones take no pleasure in it. Having too much power takes the thrill away, perhaps. Never trust a sprite or a dryad, but when the Erlking tells you something, you'd better believe it. Why? What does it say?"
The foxfolk tries to peek, although it's somewhat hard since Gage is almost a foot taller than she.
Gage turns and steps around the opened scroll so that Mamise (and anyone else interested) can read.
"It says I'm not a liar!" Gage says triumphantly.
He adds, rather softly, "Well, at least that I didn't lie about my lineage; I suppose that I have exaggerated before."
Gage does his best to hold the scroll open while pointing to the imprint from the signet ring.
"I don't suppose we have time for a detour after we defeat the bandits...?"
The letter is signed with a signet ring proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that Gage is a nobleman of the House of Garess.
Suddenly becoming very interested in Gage's scroll, Vitellia momentarily forgets her fantastical gift. Walking right up to Gage she leans her face mere inches away from the scroll, reading it carefully.
She examines the seal. She can scarce believe what she's reading. Her eyes widen. "By every lock on The Vault, this is authentic."
She stands up straight and looks Gage dead in the face. "You're nobility. Proper, verifiable nobility. You have my congratulations. My condolences, as well."
"Welcome to the high society club. Population: you." Tika teases, a biting undertone to her words. She doesn't seem to recognize it in her own voice, however.
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Gage lets the scroll roll most of the way up while grinning like the cat who ate the canary, almost oblivious to everyone's responses.
"I don't see why I'd need condolences; I've always wanted to be part of the high society club, I hear they do well with..."
Gage trails off as he looks at his companions briefly and clears his throat.
"Ehem, anyway, half the fun of being a noble is going wherever you want, and I think we've already got that part covered, so I'm in no rush!
Anyone else think we should just start heading towards the bandit camp now? I'm not sure, but dawn might not be much more than 2 hours away."
"Stronger is nice, but I am just glad it will keep up with my 'spurt', as you say. I would hate to be fighting the bandits and suddenly go full starkers on them."
"Ready when you are. I like that attitude. No piece of paper is going to make you a better Gage."
"Thank you, Seleste!" Gage replies enthusiastically.
"And now, just to be contrarian, I'm imagining a magic scroll whose only power is to make me a better Gage.
Why don't we pack up the tent and finish talking strategy on the way to the bandits?"
Gage gestures in the general direction of their campsite.
Tika will help pack up camp and prepare herself for the action. She's never done an assault on a camp of enemies before, so she's visibly nervous about it.
While Gage looks around, to make sure that his magical lighting is reasonably positioned, he notices Tika's nervousness.
He walks over to her. We can't have members of team awesome feeling unready before a fight... Gage pauses a moment to scratch his head. We also need a better name than what eight year old me thought of...
Gage sidles up to Tika before clearing his throat loudly. "Ehem. Is something bothering you, miss Fairhaven?"
"If you don't like sneaking off alone, Maybe Mamise can pretend to be Happs with a cursed voice, and I can help you sneak up on any guards that she can't grab the attention of."
Tika will smile at him and shake her head. "No. I can do this." she says, as much to reassure Gage as it is herself.
After a moment of silence, she'll glance at him again. "Thank you." she murmurs.
"And so we have ourselves another noble, that's really nice. Just don't expect me to grovel at your feet. Oh, and if we ever get servant girls and you ever take advantage, I'm biting your face off."
Mamise's face hardens as if she's remembering something unpleasant, then she sighs and relaxes.
"But that's an issue for another time and you've given me no reason not to trust you. Anyway, I can pretend to be Happs, thanks to this lovely trinket. The two of you would have a better chance to deal swiftly and quietly with any guard than Tika alone."
"No. I can do this. Don't worry about me." Tika reassures Mamise, feeling concerned about how difficult it would be to ensure two people are sneaking undetected instead of one.
"I suggest the following story:" Tika offers. "You were set upon by some newcomers at Oleg's. They trashed you and your men and you were captured. You managed to escape by taking one of them hostage, and you're trying to get back to the boss... whoever she is."
Gage grimaces at the mention of face biting, and ponders Tika's suggestion.
"I am not much for sneaking. I couldn't even make a convincing bag of potatoes when the bandits first came. If you could disguise my weapon or hold it for me, I would be a willing prisoner."
"That gives me an idea. The bandits wouldn't want their lair discovered, everyone that isn't Happs or sneaking can be 'bound' by a potato sack as well as rope. All illusory, of course, so that we can strike at a moment's notice!"
Vitellia blinked, impressed. "You can weave such an illusion? That certainly would place the element of surprise squarely in our arsenal."
"My own illusions are somewhat simpler, but I believe that with this fey gift, I can manage. Hopefully there will be only one or two people on watch when we arrive so that I can save it's use for later."
Gage scratches his head for a moment, and then he addresses Mamise melodramatically.
"Mamise! I require the aide of a master of disguise!"
He adds in a more normal tone, "Let's make me look like Happs."
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With a flamboyant dance move, Mamise pirouettes next to Gage. "Here I arrive, swift and furtive as a ray of moonlight! Oh, you wish for a master of disguise, but how would you pick her among her thousand faces? One in a million I may be, yes, but I'm also a million in one!"
Stretching her arms and fingers, she reaches for a memory of the bandits and starts applying some of her basic makeup to slightly twist how shadows dance around Gage's face, making him more resembling to Happs. I should get a proper disguise kit once we have some more money.
Stowing the last brush away, she looks at the result. "This is improvised, it won't likely work for a close inspection, but in dawnlight it could fool guards. Pull your hood up, and make sure not to get pulled too far inside the camp, it wouldn't be good to gt yourselves surrounded. Ready, Tika?"
"Ready." she says.
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"Ready. But here, let me give you my sword. Strap in low across your back where I can reach it...or should that be high on your back. Seleste bites her lip, "I hope I can control myself and not blow this."
Gage takes the sword that Seleste is offering.
"Thanks, I almost forgot that Happs had a sword."
Gage puts the sword across the small of his back.
"And you'll be fine; just remember to get in touch with your curvy sword first, and your inner giant second."
Gage pulls his hood up and straightening his cloak.
"I'm almost ready, but I'd like to collect a few good fist sized rocks on the way there. Shall I get Caladrel so we can get going?"
Beauty, check. Brains, check. Brawn, not so much.
"Ready as can be!"
As they approach what should be the camp, Seleste keeps an eye out while not trying to look too obvious.
Ready to dance. Hope Gage can keep the bluff up. Now where are those scoundrels?
"Alright Seleste," Gage says in a hushed tone, "This wagon is probably near the bandits' camp, remember to walk right behind me holding the end of my whip for now. If you spot someone, grunt. I'll weave an illusion if I see that there's more than one or two of them."
As long as I'm holding this torch in front of myself, it should be hard for them to even tell I have a 'prisoner'...
Gage tugs lightly on the whip, moving and peering forward into the predawn darkness.
Holding the end of the whip after in coiled her wrists twice, Seleste allows herself to be pulled along. With the wagon in sight, she does a quick scan. She tugs the whip once in in a low grunt, "One Left". She tugs in again, "One Right"
Great, we’ve barely taken two steps and there’s already one I can see, and one I can’t.
Time for plan A.
"Show time" Gage mutters under his breath.
He then beckons towards the empty area behind himself before closing his eyes and concentrating on the illusion he wants to weave using his sparkling red gift.
Several things occur almost all at once: Gage’s whip begins to look more like hempen rope; a potato sack appears over the upper bodies of Seleste and Vitellia; a couple of bandits appear next to Vitellia, one holding a torch and the other holding a rope that extends to and wraps around Vitellia. The humanoid figments then approach Gage, appearing to let the rope slacken as necessary.
I just have to focus…
As "Happs" and his "Prisoners" approach the camp two torches light on two perches: one on their right which can barely be seen between the branches of nearby trees, and one on the left similarly obscured, but to a lesser extent.
"Oy there!" the one on the left calls, "Izzat you 'apps, brother?" His ignoble speech patterns make it difficult to understand him, but it seems, at least for now, our heroes are safe from discovery.
Tika advances on the bandit towards the east until she hears someone call out near “Happs.” She then stops and sees that Gage has already made the figments that look like bandits.
”You have good eyes!” Gage calls back, ”now get over here!” he adds dictatorially.
"No need to be sarcastic, boss! Not to mention that funny hoity-toity voice ya got goin'," He calls hopping down from his perch, he habitually draws his bow and knocks an arrow, training it on the prisoners, "Want me to walk 'em to Kressle fer ya?"
Kressle. That's the woman Oleg and Svetlana were talking about. And if I could take a good look at her...
Staying low in the grass, Mamise's eyes check carefully the lightbearers.
These guys are sentinels, the camp is in there and well defended. This might be a bit harder than we imagined.
Too high? Great, I knew I should’ve talked with Happs before going. Thank Shelyn that only bandits would know about this place. Maybe he sounded a bit more like this...
Gage clears his throat. And coughs. He then answers while making sure the stag necklace isn't hidden under his cloak.
”No, and I need at least a half a dozen eyes like yours pointing down that road.” “Happs” gestures back past the wagon. ”And don’t remind me how I sound. It’s been a long walk and I’m in a bad mood.”
How can I get his bow?
“Happs” coughs again. I’ve got it!
”Put that bow away, grab a torch, and hold on to our ‘guest’.” “Happs” orders, holding out the handle end of the whip rope.
Also, thanks for reminding me of crazy-scary-woman’s name
”Also, I need to talk with Kressle, not you three fools.” “Happs” turns a bit and increases his volume a notch, as if to talk to the illusory bandits also, ”you’ll all keep all six of your eyes on that road. And unless someone followed us, I won't hear a peep from you ‘till dawn.
NOT A PEEP.”
”If you screw up, I’ll make you wish was mad with you.
Now shut up, nod yes, take the rope, and join those two.” “Happs” holds the “rope” out farther and jerks his head to indicate direction.
Seleste struggles in her bonds showing her helplessness to this plan.