When the Vernai gives the go ahead on the Queen and turns to pray, Alenaya claps excitedly, albeit a bit sarcastically, to herself. "Oh! Oh how wonderful! I've had something brewing back in the lab for just such an occasion!" Alenaya looks to her new companions, sans Eris, and elaborates "It's not every day a girl gets to poison a queen. Yeah, a fake queen, but still!" She shoots a mischievous smile towards Lilith, one the dwarf has seen many times before when Alenaya has had something devious on the burners in her lab.
"Come along, boys. Join Lilith and I at our place and I'll show you what I've been working on. I'm sure we can find you both somewhere to bunk up," she says jokingly before walking out.
Once back to their hideout, which likely takes some time given the usual false routes, hiding, and other sneaky bits to throw off anyone trying to follow them, Alenaya immediately goes straight to her lab. "Don't. Touch. Anything," she says flatly as she sets her pack down and puts on some goggles and thick leather gloves. She begins working with flasks, chemicals, and herbs over some small fires she has going.
In cages all around her laboratory are venomous and poisonous creatures: insects, vipers, frogs, plants. There are even some partial specimens of larger creatures floating in large beakers filled with strange chemicals.
Alenaya's complete focus is on her work, though if anyone moves to close to a flask or cage, they are chided with a click of her tongue without her taking her eyes off her task. At some points, she holds the vials she is working on with tongs, clearly avoiding contact with her work due to its volatile nature.
Eventually, she pours a small amount of clear liquid into two vials and stoppers them. She holds up her work and removes her goggles and looks on them with an appraising eye before smiling, "This. This right here, could kill just about anything but the most resilient. I call it 'Tears of Death'."
Kage blinked, 'Still alive, how remarkable...'
As the Vernai withdrew, Kage glanced around he caught the eyes of Jon-wyn and nodded once before replying syllibantly, "I never doubted your devotion to Holy Achaekek, you are welcome by my side."
He then caught Jagen's eye, and admitted grudgingly, "I was impressed by how you dispatched that Rakshasa. I have heard of such things but never been privileged to see it before..."
Then there were the newcomers Alenyna and Lilith, Kage nodded at them too saying, "Tomorrow we will have much to discuss, I would value your input. I am particularly intrigued by this poison Alenyna mentioned. The Rakshasa despite their might were unable to simply remove the Queen. She will be no pushover and we'll need every edge we can get."
Finally he glanced at Astrid and walked alongside her and whispered, "I am glad you and Nordusk survived, although given our next task I fear celebrations may be premature... Till later."
Later that evening Kage found one of the many handlers who saw to their needs and Kage informed the man, "I need to visit the armoury."
The mantises disperse from the shrine, the sense of relief palpable. Reva and Kadalen head into one of the nearby chambers to begin looking over floorplans to Castle Korvosa while Nordusk draws his falchion and starts to sharpen it.
Jagen nods to Kage at his compliment. "Orren taught it to me. The Prayer Attack is a potent tactic against a lone enemy. We've lost too many who know the true path of Achaekek in the queen's bid to solidify her rule."
Astrid snaps her fingers. "That's it! Of course!" She pulls her mask off and shakes out her brilliant red hair. "The Vernai didn't kill you because she's probably just happy you gave her a way to get out of Korvosa, though I'm sure she won't admit it."
She then beams at the other Tith'Kali. "And I'm glad Acantha didn't kill you, too. So, celebration, huh? Sounds good to me. Just don't go getting yourself killed by the queen." She smirks at him, then slips out through a secret door.
=============================
The Red Mantis quartermaster nods to Kage and whoever else is with him. "Certainly. This way. The Vernai has instructed me to see to your needs." The gaunt, aged fellow leads the way through the labyrinth of passages and stops at a unremarkable section of wall. Pressing a series of bricks, the section slides back, revealing a small but organized assortment of armors, blades, and other various gear. "What do you require?" he asks.
After a thoroughly relaxing and restoring soak, the servant returns with towels and simple yet revealing clothes in the Vudrani style worn by the female servants of the household.
The servant watches dispassionately as Eris readies herself. "I trust that you will not disrupt the Master as he deals with his guests. Punishments for such affronts can be quite... severe." He then leads her downstairs to stand outside a cozy sitting room in the eastern wing of the manor.
The comfortable room is warmed by a large fireplace, its marble sides and mantle carved into a parade of capering monkeys and tigers. A large sofa sits at one end, where three people sit. Two other chairs are next to the sofa, also occupied. Eris instantly recognizes Vencarlo Orisini in one. The other four include a female elf in leather armor with a staff, a human woman with a spear in Sarenraen raiment, a half-elven male with a large recurved bow, and a half-orc in full plate.
Opposite them, seated, Glorio sits casually as Vimanda stands behind him rubbing his shoulders. A tense silence dominates the room, and while the visitors glance in Eris's direction without recognition when she peeks in, Glorio does not even bat an eye. Vimanda's large, dark eyes give her a look, however, eliciting a strong flashback to last night.
Some time must have passed as she was lost in the surge of remembered passion, because Eris is jolted out of the reverie by the sudden arrival of a pair of servants bearing a large burden and Glorio announcing, "Ah, here he is now. Seneschal Neolandus Kalepopolis, as requested."
The servants drop the headless corpse at the feet of Orisini, who stands in shock and outrage. Gasps arise from the other adventurers. The blademaster crouches and studies the corpse, lifting its hand which still bears the signet ring. "Murderer! How dare you! Is this how you honor our bargain?" he shouts as he stands straight again.
Glorio doesn't move from his relaxed position. "I am most certainly not a murderer. At least, not his. And this was hardly much of a bargain. You had clearly killed Pilts prior to our meeting, and certainly not at my behest."
The human woman kneels at the corpse of the seneschal, murmuring soft prayers while the half-orc snarls, "You reek of evil."
Orisini glowers at the Arkona lord. "He went to you for help! For sanctuary!" He looks back down at the body, face contorted in grief. "Oh, dear friend. I'm sorry."
Glorio shakes his head. "There was little I could do to save him. They Who Walk in Blood arrived before you did."
The female elf swears in Elven and spits into the fireplace. Orisini rubs his jaw. "The Red Mantis. We've met," he says roughly.
The Sarenraean looks up, tears in her eyes. "Here's the mortal wound," she says, pointing to the place where Kage stabbed through his chest. "The head was removed after death."
"Where is it?" the half-orc asks.
"Likely soon to be presented to her majesty," the elf says bitterly.
Orisini holds his hand over his face. "That's it, then. We've lost. There's no hope for Korvosa. Without the seneschal to remove Ileosa, we'll have civil war, assuming anyone is willing to stand against her."
Glorio smirks. "Well, I have a proposal, assuming you're willing to work with someone who 'reeks' of evil."
"Go on," says Orisini, wary.
"Kalepopolis was able to complete his final task before he died. He decreed Ileosa illegitimate and removed her rightful authority to rule Korvosa."
The spirits lift somewhat in the room, but the woman kneeling at Kalepopolis quickly deflates the mood. "That's nice, but no one's going to believe it. Her rule is more secure than ever."
Glorio's smile grows wider. "Only now, she is a pretender to the throne. And now a legitimate target for an order of assassins that will refuse a contract on a rightful ruler."
Orisini's jaw drops. "Do you mean to say that you've arranged for her assassination with the Red Mantis?"
Glorio nods his head. "For the good of Korvosa, I have taken certain necessary, if distasteful, steps. I shall, of course, require assistance in ensuring the stability of Korvosa once Ileosa meets her untimely end. Can I depend on you and your allies?"
The woman stands up. "You mean to rule Korvosa yourself!"
The rakshasa in disguise shrugs. "Am I not preferable to the current ruler? With Pilts dead, I can bring his gang to heel and restore order to Old Korvosa in short order. It will then only make sense for me to continue my work on the mainland."
Mutters and grumbles come from the adventurers. The half-orc in particular twists his hand around an Iomedaean holy symbol in distaste. Orisini scowls. "You've certainly worked things out in your favor."
Glorio's smile fades. "Perhaps. But it all hinges upon whether the Mantis can do the job. If they fail, everything I've worked for here in Korvosa will fall and Ileosa will reign supreme. I believe your goals now align with theirs, do they not?"
The adventurers shift uneasily, looking at each other uncertainly. "I can see that you need some time to decide," Glorio states. He waves his hand. "Melyia, go instruct the servants to have a feast prepared in the dining hall. I shall be along shortly."
Vimanda smiles, leans down and kisses Glorio fully on the lips, then exits the guest parlor and strides purposely down the hall. Without looking to see if Eris is following her, she says softly though her voice is full of bitterness, "Bahor has just made his move, and allowed me to watch knowing I cannot stop it."
She stops abruptly and turns to Eris. Her demeanor changes instantly, smiling warmly and reaching out to caress the kitsune. "And how are you feeling, my sweet?"
Eris smiles pleasantly as she observes the team of adventurers, totally relaxed. Truth be told, she isn't surprised that they turned out to be the guests, but she is happy that she can observe.
As Vimanda exits, she immediately follows, listen to her mistress mutter about her brothers move, when Vimanda addresses her however, Eris smiles happily. "I feel content Mistress...oh, and I guess clean as well", she adds in an afterthought, remembering the bath she had also recently had. "By the way Mistress, I do love the fashion attire, they do fit very well. Less about me though Mistress and more about you, how are you? Where do you want me to be next? I am at your disposal"
All business Kage replies to the quartermaster, "I'd like to return a few things I haven't used, requisition a defensive wand and scroll and look into getting my blades enchanted. They've served me well but we will likely be hunting things resistant to mundane weaponry." The Rakshasa had been an object lesson for Kage.
Kages eyes glinted as he added nonchalantly, "Of course if you have anything special on hand that would be interesting too."
The quartermaster dutifully trades in the items and helps Kage find magical gear that is to his liking. Taking the sawtooth sabres in hand, he examines them. "These are of a fine make and would readily accept an enchantment but it will take some time. I do have a number on hand already enchanted, if you're not attached to these."
He shows the various styles in his stock, some of basic utilitarian make while others have cosmetic embellishments and ornate designs in the hilt, pommel and blade. He gets a glint in his eye when Kage asks for something special. "Hmm. This is a recent addition to my collection. It's magic nature further hinders those struck who are already at a disadvantage. Plus, it bolsters the wielder when someone is slain by it. It's a little... cruel, perhaps, but effective. Would you interested in trying it out?"
As Eris speaks, Vimanda begins walking again. She pauses only to make sure the servants are following Glorio's last instructions, then she returns to her room upstairs. Once she shuts the door behind Eris, she addresses her questions.
"I am well, for now. I am glad to see you have recovered, and trust that you now know the true joys of servitude. Those who please me in turn know pleasure." She traces a finger along a few of Eris's most sensitive spots.
She then takes from a small purse that she had been carrying a gaudy-looking crown, with many of its tines and peaks bent. Vimanda plucks off the superfluous decorations until what remains is a simple yet elegant headband. "A gift to you," she says, placing it on Eris's head, who can immediately feel a surge of pride and strength of self. "Those adventurers had presented it as proof of the Emperor's death. It has power that I believe you could make use of.
"As for right now, you need only serve me as I bid until it is time for us to rejoin your organization. At which time, I shall assume the role of Eris, and you can be that one you showed me the other night, or whomever you prefer."
Eris frowns slightly. "Mistress, in the interest in ensuring the success of my plan, disguising yourself as me will prove...difficult. My allies are very perceptive, they notice the tiny details that make me appear as I am. Nor would I be able to help you, whatever guise I adopted would not be able to travel with you, so if there was a custom you were unaware of, you would be unable to pick it from my mind. There are other concerns as well, can you cast the spells I can, at the same strength? Can you suppress the strength of your skin? Avoid the use of your blades, could you swallow your pride and bow down to someone you believe is inferior? Why not influence my own progression to Vernai, you have proven that you can...ah...influence me regardless" Eris remarks, finishing by gesturing to the sensitive spots Vimanda had just touched.
Kage tried to hide the excitement upon seeing the malevolent oily sheen on the strange blackened metal of the saber. The craftsmanship on the blade was exquisite, each tooth on the saw had been sharpened in three directions leaving it wickedly sharp from all directions. There was a palpable aura of menace about the accursed blade, it was perfect. Unblinking, Kage nodded, "Yes, I'd be interested to see if the balance on that blade is a good as it looks. Do you know who made it? The work looks top tier."
"I only need mine enhanced to strike magically." Jon gives over his two pint sized saw-toothed blades, one cold iron, the other silver, for inspection. "And another potion of haste."
The quartermaster nods approvingly at Kage's appraisal of the sword. "Megenne is one of our more 'experimental' bladesmiths. He likes to hear how his weapons perform in the field, so let me know and I'll pass it along, or perhaps you'll meet him some day if you're ever in Absalom," he says.
When Jon-Wyn drops off his weapons, they are soon replaced with magical versions. "Simple, but effective. And the potion's not a problem. Anything else?"
Vimanda shakes her head impatiently. "You speak as if I haven't been infiltrating organizations and households for centuries longer than you have. You are gifted in such deceptions because I instilled it in your line.
"Who, among your order, do I know best? Who else can change her appearance at will? And I would expect the magic you are capable of is an imitation of my own abilities." She scowls at Eris. "I will hear no further naysaying. Or shall we have another 'lesson?' I can make it much more painful, my dear."
"Fine then, let us go together and ensure that we meet up with my allies then, they are already suspicious that I have not yet rejoined them." Eris remarks.
Whenever Lilith drops by the armory, she exchanges her +1 Light Wooden Shield for a +1 Darkwood Buckler.
"As I recently learned, while you can't make bucklers from dragonhide, you can make them from darkwood. That's exactly what I need for those moments where I gotta put some back into my swings."
She continues to browse the offered selections. Figuring that they could be useful, she grabs ten weapon cords, but otherwise, the Menhir Savant does not immediately select anything.
Them Rashaka punks were hard to hurt. I think that it's time that I get me an upgrade from that spare table leg I call a club.
A glint catches Lilith's eye.
"...Hello," the dwarf coos as she materializes next to the weapon that caught her attention. "Let's see... Magic? Nice. Keen? Oh yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. You're just what this huntress ordered!"
Lilith grabs a rather wicked scythe from its rack.
"You and me will be getting along just fine."
Smiling like the cat that got the cream, Kage assures the quartermaster that, "I'll be more than happy to send Megenne a report once I've had a chance to field test it." After experimenting with a couple of shadow kata steps consisting of various thrusts and blocks against an imaginary opponent, Kage couldn't help but be impressed, "I have a feeling the report is going to be a glowing one..."
The quartermaster raises an eyebrow at the wicked implement Lilith is drawn toward, but says nothing. He seems the sort that isn't surprised by the odd requests or tastes that some seem to favor.
"If that's everything, then I wish you Achaekek's guidance and unflinching resolve," he says, then turns back to reorganize his wares.
After a few more hours of preparation Vernai Acantha emerges from her chambers. "I have sent a message to 'her majesty' about Kalepopolis' death and received a response. She is most pleased, and wishes to be presented with his head in a ceremony. Unless anyone has a better idea," she says with a air of that being an impossibility, "we shall choose that as the precise moment to strike. I shall require a number of attendants. Kage and Jagen, being the ones who slew him and brokered the deal, respectively, shall attend me. I expect we should have no more than four additional Mantises with us to ensure the rite is completed without arising suspicion before we strike. Any questions?"
Vimanda smiles like the cat that ate the canary. "Indeed. Now, who will you pose as? Someone who looks up to you, definitely, because I will want you by my side as much as possible."
She dons the garments that you had earlier wore, now freshly laundered, as she morphs into the persona that you had when you first arrived at the Arkona estate.
"Like my form Mistress?" Eris asks, twirling a little. "Its probably the closest I ever had to a protege, so I can still be slightly subservient to you, and I don't believe anyone is going to bat too much of an eye. She always had a peculiar characteristic of standing two steps behind me though - perhaps its because she was a servant in an previous occupation, I never did figure out why."
Eris steps forward, gently running her hands around Vimanda. She knew her own form well, and what items she usually carried. "No concealed weapons...I didn't carry them...everything looks perfect. Now Mistress, can you just peer into my mind, I need to show you memories of my form, so you know that I'm reproducing her accurately"
When finished, Eris smiles happily at Vimanda. "We should head off and visit Sa'Kage now, he would surely be leading the team in my absence, and would be making for an assualt on the Queen shortly. We should intercept - its going to be impossible to catch up with them post mission - we would never find out where they were assigned."
Kage asks Acantha, "How much do we know about the Queen's attendants and personal defenses? I note the Rakshasa hired us rather than trying a direct assault, there's probably good reason for that. Still magical protections can be suppressed or dispelled, and mundane ones overwhelmed and there's always poison... Or perhaps an exploding skull might be appropriate for this occasion?"
The Vernai views Sa'Kage gravely. "We must be swift and ruthless, because she will have attendants," she says. "She'll at least have her bodyguard, Sabina Merrin with her. She's now the captain of the Gray Maidens and will probably have a number of them close at hand. Her other attendant will likely be the wizard Togomor -- an immensely fat, disgusting fellow.
"What's more, I've heard a troubling tale that Ileosa has already survived one assassination attempt, by the commandant of Sable Company Marcus Endrin himself no less. If the eyewitness accounts are to be believed, he shot her in the head with a crossbow. She not only survived, but she pulled the bolt out of her temple and killed Endrin."
"I have not interacted with this 'Queen' before. Perhaps, if I were to be able to learn what their uniforms looked like, I could sneak in as part of her house guards. I doubt she will know her entire servant staff by sight, what sort of 'queen' does?" Alenaya says.
She reaches into her pack, retrieving her newly brewed poisons and the four potions. "I brewed these for the occasion. The first two here are deadly poisons. I can alter their delivery method as needed to maximize their effectiveness. If she can truly resist a bolt to the head, she likely can resist these too. But this Sabina and Togomor...maybe not so much. And while I'm not the best with a blade...I am good with making things go boom, which should help thin out any large groupings of guards if need be."
She then points to the potions, "And these, these will help us make a quick getaway. Drink this, and for about fourteen minutes or so you can move as if you were a cloud. Slip through the smallest of cracks, and fly away."
"...You might be able to bring a total of five extra Mantises: four obvious ones and me as a Wild Shaped animal. I doubt that anyone will think much of a cat. A good liar like Eris can easily pass me off as his or her familiar," Lilith ponders aloud.
"Thanks, Alenaya," the Menhir Savant says as she readily accepts the potion.
Eris manages to show Vimanda exactly what she wants to show her. The rakshasa smiles approvingly. "Very well, Yanmei. Let's go find our friends before they move without our support."
Vernai Acantha first turns to Alenaya. "Unless you can assure me you're disguise will not falter, I would rather you be in attendance so we don't have any mishaps with delivering the poisons." Then she nods her head in approval at Lilith. "Of course, I had overlooked your usual means of infiltration. By all means, you are invited."
The cleric of Achaekek looks at the Mantises in attendance. "Oh, yes. Eris. Where is she, again? That one has been unusually quiet."
At that moment, a panel slides open and into the chamber slink Eris and Yanmei. The infiltrator looks at the assassins assembled and smiles beneath her mask. "Oh, good. We haven't missed it."
The Vernai glowers at the two latecomers. She folds her arms and looks down her nose imperiously. "So good of you to join us. I presume you have a good reason for your tardiness? I've a mind to leave you behind while the rest of us take on the contract that you brokered."
Eris plants her hand on her hip, her body language showing that she isn't cowed. "Only that a number of so-called adventurers were just told of our contract by Glorio Arkona, and they mean to assault the castle at the same time we present the head of Kalepopolis. We are planning on doing that, right?"
The Vernai scowls hard, and glowers at Eris. "You watch your attitude."
After a tense pause, Eris nods her head. "Yes, ma'am."
There's something a bit off about Eris.
Yanmei, standing two steps behind Eris, appears to be watching with a very band expression, before making a casual gesture. She raises a hand, slowly, Palm facing her face, all fingers, splayed before using the hand to comb her hair backwards. For a moment, the ring on her finger glows.
The ring glowing reminds you on a pre-agreed signal Eris had mentioned and used in a previous mission. During that mission, Eris had told you that, on the occasion where she has not shapeshifted into a form in front of you before leaving on a mission, she can reveal herself by her glowing ring signalling that it is her in disguise.
"We missed you, Eris. What happened to you?"
Eris turns to Jon-Wyn and shrugs. "Nothing terribly exciting. The Arkonas thought they could entice me to work for them. They were mistaken. But since Glorio's plan is to attempt to rule Korvosa once Ileosa is dead, he let me go to make sure that happens. I figure we don't care who takes over so long as our job is done, yes?"
'Eris back in the nick of time and with Miss Yan Mei in tow, how fortuitous!' thought Kage. He listened to the exchange with the Vernai and couldn't help but wonder why Eris was picking a fight now. None of them liked Acantha but that was beside the point, this was a mission and as Vernai it was her right to direct it as she saw fit.
Kage nodded at Eris, "I'm sure there's rather more to that story. You alone amongst a coven of mind reading monsters, you'll have to tell us all about it..." There was a pregnant pause before Kage added with a grin, "Over coffee and of course after we've dealt with the queen."
Turning to the young geisha, Kage says "Good to see you back too. I'm sorry you had to put up with that pervert. How ever did you manage to escape?"
Leaving her there with Pilts was one of Kage's few regrets.
Kage noticed the ring flash and thought, 'Now that's odd.'
: ARE YOU OK?:
The stygian slayer makes a poorly-disguised attempt at a surreptitious gesture. Before Eris and Yanmei have a chance to respond, the Vernai clears her throat. "Sa'Kage, what does Master Brinn say about forming close personal attachments?" she asks icily. She makes a pointed glare at him, then turns to the latecomers.
"I'm not in the habit of repeating myself, so you will have to get the particulars from the others. Jagen, Sa'Kage, Astrid, Nordusk, Alenaya and Jon-Wyn will be with me. Lilith will disguise herself as an animal companion or familiar to gain entry.
"Eris, you shall infiltrate the palace ahead of us. If you cannot be present for the ceremony, then you will ensure that when the adventurers strike, they will be in a position where we can use them. Yanmei, you shall remain behind."
Eris shakes her head. "Vernai, I vouched for her when she wanted to become a Red Mantis. She wants to prove herself to you, to all of us. Besides, she's almost as good an infiltrator as I am. I can use her when I enter the palace."
Acantha's eyes narrow as she considers. "Very well. Go to the quartermaster and see if there's anything left, then get ready. The ceremony is this evening."
Both of Kage's eyebrows went up and he stopped aghast, Master Brinn had much to say on that subject. Variations on the lines of personal attachments are the chains you form around your soul and the rope you weave around your own neck. Automatically he dropped his eyes and bowed to the Vernai. It was only later he wondered why she had interveaned.
"I'll come with you. We can catch you up and we can hear your stories."
Yanmei triggers her Mind Reader ability ability on Vernai Acantha
Eris thinks quickly. She expects that the Rakshasa is in tune to the thoughts around her, so she starts subtle, before thinking about the manauvers themselves rather than what they represent and then launching into a flury, putting them out as quickly as she can.
Sa'Kage, Jon-Wyn, you can step closer to hug me if you wish.
Eris waits for this to happen, ring gleaming again by her side. In truth, she doesn't want a hug, but the gesture brings the two allies closer to the Rakshasa without arousing as much suspicion
The rakshasa is pretending to be me, trying to supplement and eliminate the Vernai to take her place and control Red Mantis herself, strike now while she is unprepared.
Distracted by her thoughts about what animal form to take, Lilith fails to notice anything odd about Eris.
"Before we conclude here Acantha." Jon says suddenly. "I need to have a quiet word with you." He makes a sign of danger or warning.
He then uses Dimensional Slide to appear behind 'Eris' and strike at her.
Kukri, mw, cold iron: 2 wpn, arcane strike
Jon-Wyn's actions are swift, sudden, and ultimately ineffective as he is unable to find purchase in his target's flesh -- he can tell there is an invisible ward around her like mage armor.
"What are you DOING?" screams 'Eris' as she backs away a step, clutching her side. "Vernai, help me!"
"Jon-Wyn!" shouts Acantha, completely affronted.
Eyes downcast after being dressed down by the Vernai, Kage missed the first part of Yan Mei's frantic signing. Missing context Kage was surprised when Jon-wyn moved to attack. Even though it was ineffective Eris's response was most revealing.
Pointing at 'Eris', Kage bellows "IMPOSTER! The real Eris doesn't mewl like that in combat."
Not waiting for Acantha's permission Kage launches himself at the imposter, trying to duck and tumble behind to flank! Seeing an opportunity Kage thrusts out powerfully with his new Sabre.
To the fake Eris he whispers, "Holy Achaekek shall devour your soul over a thousand years!"
Yan-Mei switches form to Eris again, pointing at her doppelganger. "Vernai Acantha, don't be followed, that person pretending to be me is actually Vimanda Arkona, a rakshasa that wants to assassinate you, become Vernai while pretending to be me, and then use our organisation for her own ends in her fight with her brother for control over this city."
Eris turns and glances again at her doppelganger, "Why don't you allow the truth to come out and reveal yourself?" she coaxes, before casting Suggestion.
So, Eris is baiting Vimanda into reading her mind again, because she's been peaking too often. If she feels Vimanda try and enter her head again, she shoves a blade (I'm assuming she has a sawtooth sabre or something) through her hand, digging it in, twisting it, causing agony. The idea behind this is that if it turns like hell, that pain is all Vimanda could pick up from her mind, and possibly also affects her mentally as well. Needlessly dramatic, but hey, I think it goes back to Riddleport(?) where I read someone's mind and all I got was a ton of mental pain. I do love easter egg references =]
Alenaya lets out a cackle, "How exciting! I love a good random bit of mayhem!" she says as she removes a vial, gives it a shake, and chugs it down!
__________
Vimanda's hand lashes out at Kage as he tries to roll up into a flanking position with Jon-Wyn. His strike is true but barely penetrates her defenses and a small spattering of blood is on his blade when he draws it back. His threat, however, has no effect on her.
Eris's spell fails to push through and affect her target. Vimanda looks back at her with real hurt and betrayal in her eyes. "You could have been my greatest worshiper! Now, you'll only know agony!"
Again, her hand blurs in a staggeringly hard blow to Sa'Kage, threatening to stun him. She moves fluidly, tumbling out from between the two flankers and rolling up next to the Vernai, kukri now out and crackling with energy. "But that's not a bad idea, Eris. Kill and replace the Vernai now, and I won't have to bother with working my way up to being one later."
Acantha's face is contorted into a mask of outrage. "Achaekek's faithful will cut you down," she says as she chants the words to a spell.
The Vernai's hand glows a sickening, poisonous green as she tries to deliver the spell, but Vimanda dances out of the way.
Elsewhere in the room, Astrid snaps her fingers and a violin appears in her hands. She begins playing, bolstering the Mantises in the group. Jagen draws his sabres and begins weaving them in a complex pattern.
Vimanda is unaffected.
Alenaya throws a vial of volatile chemicals at the infiltrator, laughing as she does so. The erupting flames spread around her, but strangely not towards any of the Mantises around it.
"Oh boys," she says, "don't forget about that present I gave you at this b$*~&es manor!"
__________
Now having processed what just happened, Lilith smirks and surges in size. The giant dwarf advances forward while drawing her sinister scythe and settles in a spot where she has blanking with one of her many allies. Making the most of her new ten foot reach, she takes a powerful, vicious swing at Vimanda.
"So your idea of showing appreciation to your 'greatest worshiper' is attempting to break her mind and then attempting to permanently steal her identity for your own selfish ends...its amazing that you can manage to look past your own ego to create even the most basic of plans" Eris counters angrily, before casting yet another suggestion at the Rakashsa.
"Besides, only gods get worshiped, and you pale in comparison to the mighty Achaekek. Your own brother plots to kill you, and you are somehow delusional enough to think anyone would choose to worship you. How pathetic is that?" Eris taunts, attempting to get under her skin.
Stars exploded in Kage's vision as his head snapped back viciously. He tried to counter attack, but although his strikes were hard and fast, the Rakshasa was no ordinary foe...
Jon does not verbally spar with the intruder. He realizes that it will take his entire focus to help in defeating her.
Kukri, mw, cold iron: 2 wpn, arcane strike, flank, song
Kukri, mw, silver: 2 wpn, off hand, arcane strike, flank, song
+2 Bleed
Confirm Crit Kukri, mw, silver: 2 wpn, off hand, arcane strike, flank, song