Murnau steps forward, assuming a worried body tone, "Hello. We're travelers, on our way to Ardis. Unfortunately, our horses were scared by..." he pauses for a moment, trying to make it seem like he's thinking about what he saw, "I don't know. Something big and dark. We have a cart, but it's stranded along the road. We were hoping that we could spend the night in Marian Leigh, and perhaps get someone to retrieve our cart before bandits loot it. Can you help us?"
Thulmerë steps up beside Murnau, he pretends to act scared. "We beseech you, my companion speaks the truth, it was hard to tell in the night but I believe the beast was large and almost skeletal."
He begins to tremble. "Please allow us to enter, the night is dark and full of terrors. Please consider the safety of our female companions, I would happily give Marian Leigh my coin for safe lodging."
Thulmerë actually looks scared, oh isn't he cute.
Allizsah grinned inside as she turned to the guard asking "We have coin, please surely we can work something out for safe lodging?" She clung tightly to Thulmerë as he had mentioned his worry for their female companions.
Ustalav - Night 1 -
The woman nods her visage grim at your news. "Indeed the night is dark and full of terrors, I like that, think I'll use it from now on. I shan't prevent you from entering after such a harrowing experience.
Seek out an Inn called the Lamprey, there you shall find merchants and mercenaries who can aid you in retrieving your cart and perhaps tracking whatever it is that assaulted you.
Know that despite your troubles, should you bring wares into the city, I must charge you a 2 gold fee. Entrance is free otherwise. Go and hurry, if a skeletal beast is about, it will need to be brought to heel before it can injure someone, consider your selves lucky".
Your group heads into town and soon enough finds the Lamprey as it is one of the few buildings from which a sound can be heard or a light is still on.
In the front are plenty of horses and a few wagons. One of the horses' barding has the symbol of Sarenrae stitched upon it as a crest.
What do you all say? a voice that a few (namely Allizsah) recognize of you echoes in your mind. Looking around, you see Murnau nodding, I am speaking through my lieutenant at the moment. It keeps more sensitive matters more private. Regardless, this might prove a good place for Allizsah to find a safe room for the night. No evil would dare disturb such a goodly place this last bit is said with a distinct smile.
"Symbol of the Dawnflower, well that's foreboding. Hmm, perish the thought." He smiles, bemused by the idea.
"Shall we spend the day here, or look elsewhere? Word will spread soon enough of the creature, it will serve as a fair distraction."
Murza sighs. If we need to we can always tell the barkeeper to keep our presence a secret... I know most barkeep understand of their patron wish to be descret... Whether it be a theif or just a noble... As for the cleric, I don't think it wize... After all Cleric have the keen sense to tell if there are undead... Hopefully whoever it is is smarter than to think they can take on several vampire... But if it is a palidan... Then let us pray he is an idiot...
"We spend the day here. I do not the patrons, holy or otherwise, will be a concern. Remember, Alli and I do not need to sleep, so we can provide a believable cover story, should the need arise."
Veldrin pauses, taking note of the symbol of the sun goddess. "We might be able to our Sarenrae worshiper into a valuable asset. Do not fear him, but also be not so foolish as to provoke him without cause."
"Veld, are you thinking what I am thinking? to corrupt priest or paladin, there is little joys as sweet as such. We should stay here for the day, be on high alert."
Thulmerë walks up to the door, he places his hand on it. Before opening the tavern door, he turns to the other.
"We must play our parts, the show must go on."
Ustalav - Night 1 -
Allizsah nods in response to the mental conversation and heads for the entrance.
As you enter the common room you see it nearly devoid of people, the barkeep clearly sleepy and two patrons drunk as can be and arguing at the bar are all that is keeping him awake. Neither one appears to be a cleric or paladin but then none of you appears to be a Vampire though Caligo needs to keep his hood over his head to be sure!
His bleary eyes lock on your group and he sighs, "A late night folks, you all seeking rooms or drinks?"
Thulmerë approaches the barkeep, trembling at first he appears to have regained his confidence.
"Please sir, set us with with a large room for the night. I can't stomach anything after the bit of trouble we ran into."
He reaches into his coin purse and pulls out 50 gold coins of various denominations.
"This should be enough for you and your family no?"
Murnau stays in the background, scanning the room. Caligo, for his part, had assumed the form of a spider swarm in the alley next to the inn, then crawled into the bag Murnau has over his shoulder.
Murza adopts her childish persona and keeps close to the "adults", her eyes curiously scanning the room.
She makes note of any mirrors or garlic around... If there are none she looks for holy symbols.
Veldrin, who changed into a proper lord's outfit before entering, sweeps past the others, taking Allizsah's hand. "Come darling, let's go to our rooms, while the help dithers about down here in the common room." He clearly is implying that they will have a separate room from the others.
Our rooms? Now when did this happen? Allizsah though with a internal smirk, but she went along with Veldrin's act willingly. Luckily she didn't laugh at Veldrin calling her darling. She had to say they where playing their rolls well, then again they'd had years to practice.
Thulmerë will give Veldrin a quick exchanged, a slight glare as if insulted. He quickly brushes it off and returns to his role.
"help dithers"? Is that how you treat your elders?
"Yes milord." He bows before Veldrin before for a quick breather.
Once outside he walks around the Inn, scanning it to get a lay of the land.
Ustalav - Night 1 -
The Innkeep's eyes bulge when he sees the coins that Thulmerë produces, "Take any rooms you like where the doors are open yer lordship. The keys're in the locks. That's how we operate around here. Not to worry, we've not thieves here..."
---
Veldrin and Allizsah head to the second floor, you see a set of stairs leading up to yet a third floor. At the top landing are two men awake and on guard both have symbols of Sarenrae etched into their breastplate armor. If they notice you, they do not acknowledge you.
The hall of the second floor has several doors, most are wide open. On the wall between each room is a lantern glowing everbright with magic. The walls themselves are the color of crimson red.
---
Rosalind, Murzu and Murnau remain in the common room. There is nothing out of the ordinary here. Nothing that would repel a vampire can be seen here. The motif of the room is plain and unadorned except the trim at the ceiling contains blood red roses of incredibly intricate design so as to look as if they are three dimensional. The hour is late so that is perhaps why this Tavern/Inn has so few patrons. The two patrons remaining argue over the dangers of the Fangwoods both are too drunk and engaged to even look in your direction.
---
Thulmerë begins his walk about the Inn. In a third floor window dances a light but the rest of the rooms in the Inn are dark as the night. A patrol of three guards passes by as you are in the alleyway, all three are woman and all three are fairly tall, they do not notice you as they make their rounds.
---
Murnau, satisfied that there are no dangers, continues upstairs to a room and selects one (not really caring which). Once inside, he lets Caligo out of the bag and quickly discusses his plans for the evening, The night is young, my friend. Do as you wish tonight, but be cautious. We cannot have a scare coming out already. Perhaps you can take care of the cart? Bring it closer to the city for tomorrow. I shall go off to adventure tonight. Perhaps I can discover what makes this city so... special. he opens the window to allow a sudden swarm of bats to stream into the night, then closes it again, with a faint wisp of smoke drifting out through the cracks to diffuse out into the night.
Once outdoors, nobody notices a simple puff of smoke slowly drifting through the night sky. However, Murnau notices everything, looking for anything interesting- and perhaps a beggar to slake the first pangs of Hunger before they began to hinder him. However, his thirst for information is even stronger, and any potential hint as to the vanishing menfolk is followed first.
Once inside their rooms, Veldrin turns to Allizsah. "Interesting that not only is there a third floor, but that the way up is guarded by two holy men of Sarenrae. Most odd. I think we might need to investigate."
"You wish to investigate? It could just be a floor they use. Or maybe they have a cleric of Sarenrae they're guarding. Either way I still have to sleep." She pointed out with a simply cross of her arms. "Also while I am not opposed to playing the... roll, you slated me into, I'd rather a bit of warning next time hmm?" She asked with a grin.
Potential wives or dinner? No, not now. It would be a waste of my time. I will save my gift for some concubines of import.
Thulmerë remains hidden in the shadows, he sneaks along the inn and begins to carefully scale the building. Climbing with grace, he peers in through the illuminated window.
Ustalav - Night 1 -
Murnau as the patrol stalks away you see Thulmerë scaling the side of the building heading towards an illuminated window.
---
The men at the top of the stairwell stare down at Veldrin and Allizsah.
---
Murnau follows Thulmere, turning invisible before seeping in through the window. Once inside, he waits (invisible and gaseous) in the corner to see what The other vampire will do.
It's more of a lack of rules text. To quote the PRD...
This is for Arcane magic:
A sorcerer or bard needs 8 hours of rest (just like a wizard), after which she spends 15 minutes concentrating. (A bard must sing, recite, or play an instrument of some kind while concentrating.) During this period, the sorcerer or bard readies her mind to cast her daily allotment of spells. Without such a period to refresh herself, the character does not regain the spell slots she used up the day before.
And this is for Divine:
A divine spellcaster selects and prepares spells ahead of time through prayer and meditation at a particular time of day.
And for psychic:
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Simply put, there's no rules anywhere (that I can find, at least) for how psychic spellcasters regain spells. It's just that, every day, they have new spells, with no rules for meditation, rest, a recent casting limit, or anything. They just get new spells at midnight automatically, it seems.
So, yeah. It seems like the designers just didn't think about how regaining spells works when they introduced a new type of magic to the game. I mean, in terms of what I'd like, having new spells every nightfall/midnight/daybreak without meditation or rest. It allows for the 'master of night' to actually do stuff at night without worrying about interfering with the next day. Also, I love the idea that, when the sun goes away, it results in an immediate and tangible refresh and boost in power.
Thulmerë turns into a translucent mist, entering the room through a crack in the window sill. Stealthily manifesting himself beside the table.
Thulmerë smiles before he blows out the candle, sending the room into pitch darkness."Pleasant night is it not?" He whispers to the man before attempting to subvert his will.
Once back in their room, Veldrin takes out a small statue of a cat. He then casts a spell on it, causing it to shrink . "I'll be back, I want to go see what's upstairs that requires two guards to protect it". With that, he possesses the cat, and makes his way to the staircase.
"Do be careful." Allizsah told him as he shank down "And happy hunting dear Veldrin." She grinned before she settled upon the bed yawning. "Ah the needs of a mortal." Allizsah sighed as she leaned back on the bed, however keeping on ear open for problems.
When Thulmere attempts to Dominate the man, Murnau mentally shakes his head and sighs.
Sigh... It's like taking care of children.
However, he reverts to human form and focuses on sapping the man's will. However, he waits until after Thulmere has tried to control the man to do so, and should he successfully cast off Thulmere, Murnau crushes the man's will instead.
Murza slips to the bottom of the stairs, looking up at the men curiously. Are you holy men? she asks, using her best cute child voice. Mother always tells me holy men are generous and kind... What's upstairs? Is there something important? she coos, keeping all her questions as innocent as possible. Distracting the guards to let the others do their work without interruption .
Ustalav - Night 1 -
---
Thulmerë & Murnau
Both Children of the Night utilize their powers inherent even in the weakest of their kind to infiltrate the Inn. Though a well made building, it has imperfections that the gaseous Vampires can and do use to their advantage.
The Cleric's eyes glaze over at the whispers of Thulmerë.
You know Murnau is in here somewhere but you know not where.
---
Veldrin & Allizsah
Allizsah begins to sleep with one eye open as Veldrin prowls the hallways. As he begins to head to teh stairs Murza heads up and begins to speak with the guards.
---
Murza
"Young Lady, it is far past time for you to sleep. There is indeed a man of great import up here. I the morning if you wish blessings from he for you ad your parents I will mention it to him, what is your name my dear?"
The other guards frowns and whispers,
The other guards scoffs at the comment.
Murnau, satisfied that Thulmere had control of the man (though still annoyed at his recklessness), returns to his mist shape and drifts out of the room to explore directly outside the room, presumably where the guards are.
Once he sees what's on the other side (assuming he doesn't feel threatened by them- so unless it's a Solar or something), he returns to the room and watches Thulmere's next actions.
A swarm of bats soars into the sky, virtually unseen. Caligo spends some time flying about the city, essentially looking for worthy sights to see, before deciding to do something worthwhile with his time. He eventually settles on moving the cart. He rolls it along telekinetically, pushing it around the city and lifting it when needed to bring it to the best place for continuing their journey come morning, careful to not be seen.
Once business is taken care of, he returns to bat form, going on the hunt and looking for a vagabond to feed on.
Though the mortal man eyes couldn't pierce through the veil of darkness. Thulmerë sighed with relief.
Well that could of ended, bloody. How unfortunate.
Thulmerë leans into the priest's ear, whispering softly into his ear his edict.
"Priest of the dawnflower, my companions and I are weary travelers. I ask that you look into your heart and buy us horses and guide us to Marian Leigh. Would you kindly aid us? I will speak to tomorrow, priest. Now sleep."
He lifts the priest onto the bed, he looks around the room and whispers.
"We will speak out what just transpired outside, away from lurking ears."
Thulmerë fades into a cloud of light fog, he slips through the cracks into the window. He flys around the inn, looking for a place around the inn to transform, away from wandering eyes.
When Thulmere sets the man in his bed, Murnau drifts over his face, sapping his willpower away.
He then materializes next to the bed and gazes at the man deeply, boring into his mind and rewriting his memories, wiping his encounter with Thulmere from the man's mind and replacing it with something far more benign.
Once his work is done, the now-visible vampire spins on his heel, transforming into smoke as he follows Thulmere outside. He alights on the ground in a dark ally, and his low voice does nothing to dissuade the scolding tone he takes, "Thulmerë Harzhor, what were you thinking? Did you forget that this entire mission is top secret?! Even one whisper that the Council is on the move, or even that there are vampires in Marian Leigh, and the entire country would be up in arms- not to mention every Sarenite, Pharasmin, and goodly cleric from here to Andoran would be looking for a teleport! Our kind operate in the shadows for a reason. People fear us, and rightly so. The way we avoid that fear is by not letting our presence be known. Is that really so hard to understand? You're twice my age, act like it. Or had they not invented subtlety by the last Earthfall? Because I cannot tell. You barge into a well-guarded room, reveal yourself, and Dominate a cleric?" any living creature would have needed to take a breath by now, but Murnau keeps going, "Are you trying to expose us? What would you have done if he had resisted your attack and raised the alarm? Fought your way out of the city? Even now, what was your plan? Our control lasts two weeks at most. Would you have visited your little pet twice a month to ensure he never revealed your presence? Brought him with us? I had to wipe his memory just to make sure that the alarm is never raised." he gives a dismissive wave, "Don't worry, your control will still hold. He just will remember going to bed early, is all. He'll have no idea who controlled him," then the annoyed tone comes back, "Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
Thulmerë crosses his arms, hearing out Murnau letting him vent his frustrations into him. holding his right elbow with his left palm, he points to Murnau.
"Are you finished? Now will you allow me to explain myself?"
Thulmerë turns his back away from Murnau, pacing back and fourth through the alley way. Suddenly with lightning alacrity he rushes towards Murnau with his hand out, if he was going to reach for his throat, holding him the air. Instead he placing his hand on Murnau's shoulder.
"Murnau, there comes a time when men must take charge, to be resourceful by their own hands. Many thousands of years ago, Humanity was on its last legs. We rushed the serpentfolk, drove them deep into the earth and slew their god, Ydersius. If it wasn't for such recklessness there would be no humanity to speak of." Thulmerë pauses for a mere moment."I didn't sacrifice my life for my family, my Queen, my Country and all of Humanity to be down talked to a being that wouldn't of existed if it wasn't for what I've done. I've served the council for years, trust me I could of turned by back on them and served Tar-Baphon when he offered to resurrect my dead wives and offered me a position as a general of his. I made my oaths to serve Queen Zura through life and death, being her first spawn is no simple task, locked away in a gilded cage for eons! Don't you dare ever question my allegiance, I am no such cur as that Lennar. I have goals and aspirations that go beyond the council, yet I play their game as I have and will continue to do."
He stares into Murnau eyes, more frustrated that he knew Murnau was correct."Now I'm sure you wanted to know what my plan was? I apologize for acting alone, I wanted to speak of an idea I had when I noticed the symbol of the Dawnflower on the saddle. However Veldrin and Allizsah went their separate ways. The plan was to merely dominate the priest, during daylight hours he would "offer" to retrieve our carriage and fit us with new horses. We would then travel out of Marian Leigh with him, as a priest of the Dawnflower he would be our key to entering the Catherdral in Ardis along with Allizsah."
Murnau rubs his forehead in exasperation, "While I appreciate that you had some tangible benefit in mind, are you forgetting the simple fact that the temple is warded? Any Domination we might attempt would be suppressed the instant our friend stepped foot into the temple. Any half-decent priest would be sure to include a basic protection from mind control if they were to go through all the trouble of placing wards against our kind in the first place. Also, you realize that you can speak confidentially when Caligo is around, right? His telepathy is an incredibly useful tool. In fact, I would be using it right now if not for the simple fact that, as we speak, he is moving our cart to the other side of the city, so we can be ready for the morrow. I can easily charm a merchant into giving us a pair of horses for a reduced price, if not free. Or, we could simply buy a pair of horses. They're less than a hundred gold apiece, and while I brought only a fraction of the funds House Ruithvein had available, and am planning on saving much of that until absolutely necessary, gold is easy to come by, and is by no means worth isking our entire operation over."
"Do not lay all the blame at my feet Murnau, while I may of acted rash you must also do you part in sharing your plans. We're a team after all, we both share a desire to destroy Lennar. That that be one of our driving goals."
Thulmerë walks away, visible vexed and enraged. He turns his head over his shoulder to Murnau,"Let us return to our roles, the night is young and there is much we could learn from the inn and city."
"My fault? That's rich. Besides, Caligo did not decide on his course of action until late tonight. In any case, what is with your obsession with Lener? He is a buffoon, to be sure, but destroying him? He is still one of us, as painful as that might be to admit, and regardless, that is not our goal. Our goal is far higher than one incompetent Childe. We were all rash in our youth, perhaps he too will see sense in a few centuries."
Great. Now I'm defending Lener. What's next, praising the Dawnflower?
"But you are correct in one count. The night is still young, and there is much more to the city. Such behavior is beneath us." he vanishes into mist, drifting over the city until he finds something of note.
Before Murnau dissipates, Thulmerë addresses him one last time.
"It's simple, he's nothing but a slave race and his family is weak. Their ilk is nothing more than a breed of shock troopers that escaped and bred like rats. I care for the interest of humans and maybe one day a return of the old empire. I still remember when the council were the great three: Zura, Ruithvein and Urgathoa. Things weren't as ordered as they are today."
He waves Murnau goodbye.
I should ask the innkeep who that priest is, but maybe I should explore this town first? I won't be coming back after all.
Thulmerë will being to walk the streets, playing the part of a citizen or tourist walking through the city while keeping a vigilant eye. That's when he remembered that the town boasts a female to male ratio of ten to one and men would go missing.
Perhaps I will run into something, interesting.
Murza coos
I can't sleep. The sun hurts my eyes, I like to be awake at night! she gets a little closer... Imagining every way she can kill these two. Rip the throat out of the first... Or put them both to sleep perhaps? Rip their heads off as they slumber... She smiles, her teeth beautiful white. My name is Whisp. she says, taking another step closer.
Once she has decided her plan, she begins her spell, the beautiful words slipping from her lips, But if anyone here is supposed to be asleep... It's you! her words are like sweet honey, she begins to sing, the words otherworldly and utterly beautiful.
As his swarm flies about the city he finds something quite odd. Absolutely no vagabonds! Only patrols of three to five strong walk about, all female. Eventually he realizes there are five such patrols but no one skulks about in the city at all. Strange...
Ustalav - Night 1 -
Will save #2
The Cleric drifts off to sleep, Murnau is quite sure that his mind effects took root.
---
As Murnau moves about the city he finds something quite odd. Absolutely no vagabonds! Only patrols of three to five strong walk about, all female. Eventually he realizes there are five such patrols but no one skulks about in the city at all. Strange...
---
Thulmerë walks perhaps for fifteen minutes before being stopped by a patrol. "Halt", calls out the leader of the five woman patrol. "Curfew fell two hours ago. Either return to your Inn or be brought to a holding cell, what shall it be?"
---
You are able to sneak past the guards with ease.
There are several doors for you to check on this floor. Do you go at random or start in any particular order?
Veldrin you hear the distinctive sound of your Granddaughter singing to the guards you just passed by...
---
Will save #2
Both guards fall under the enchanting spell of Murza's lullaby.
---
Thulmerë stops in his tracks, not wanting to draw further attention to himself. He answers the night patrol.
"Oh please forgive me, I've just arrived to this city. The guard at the gate didn't mention a curfew. I will return to the Inn at most, safe patrol ladies."
Thulmerë waits for their response, should they nod and be on their way he will simply make his way back to the Inn.
Veldrin will walk up to each door, and attempt to sense any sentient creatures beyond them.
Murnau decides to have a little- just a little- fun, and learn a bit more about the city. He materializes in the shadows in the path of one of the patrols, and waits for them to pass. As they do, he fixes his gaze upon whichever seems to be the leader, and crushes her will.
Once the guard is under his control, he directs her, Hello. You are now under my control. Don't bother resisting, it's futile. Now, what you're going to do is to continue acting normally. Don't give away any clues that you now have no free will. Understood? Good. Now, you're going to answer a few of my questions. Tell me about this city. Why are there almost no men? Why are there no beggars or vagabonds anywhere in the city? Tell me everything you know, I have time.
The question in question was when I regain my uses/day of spells, abilities, and the like. Do I automatically refresh them at a certain time?
Caligo likewise follows a patrol through the streets, and happens to choose the same one Murnau targeted. He waits off to the side until they pass and the leader is Dominated, then silently rejoins Murnau's side to protect his master.
Murza continues her enthralling song, turning to the closest man and lining her song with the hint of sleep, lulling him to a deep slumber.
Moving past him and closer to the other man, nonthreatening, doing her best to keep him completely enthralled in her music.
Ustalav - Night 1 -
As you Dominate the lead guard you see a braid in her hair burst forth in a flash of light, she turns to her companions, "An Outsider has invaded my mind! Quickly he must be nearby search the shadows for him, the Lady shall want this one, his lure was powerful". The woman's grin is sadistic and twisted as she and her companions snap their heads to and fro in search of you.
You know you are hidden well enough that it is unlikely they will spot you, unless they have magic to assist with that as well...
---
---
They accompany you on your walk back to the Inn waiting for you to enter the front door before leaving. They say nothing further to you at all.
---
Behind most doors are sleeping forms. From one door a crack of light spills. The mind you sense though is confused not thinking properly...
Behind you, you see your Granddaughter begin to lull the hall guards to sleep. The melody of her tune is both enchanting and haunting. She is quite skilled!
---
Will save #1
As you approach, the first slumps softly against the wall as the second is still entranced by your song.
Murnau wrinkles his lip This was not how this was supposed to go.
Murnau narrows his eyes, looking for similar braids in the others.
If any don't have the braid, he focuses his attention on them, attempting to dominate them. Otherwise, he stays hidden mundanely, but prepares to turn to mist in an instant.
Caligo, on the opposite rooftop, likewise prepares countermeasures. Though, in his case, it involves suffocating all three of them, one at a time.
Continuing her song, Murza switches her lullaby's Target to the second gaurd However, before even waiting for it to take effect she slips near the man, waiting for him to simply close his eyes, that she may begin her feeding.