Jevar smiles warmly. Ah! Very good. So this is perhaps a welcome exit for you. We also found the black stuff he coughed up to be... less than attractive.
He then winces as she stumbles. Whoa there, take it slow! We won't stop you from leaving, but there's no sense in rushing and falling all that way down!
After she safely starts her descent, Jevar turns to the team. Perhaps we take on the Lady Splinterbone next?
After looking relieved at Maudette's understandable reaction, Kolgradd once again looks nervous at having to return to the surreal ball.
"Lady Splinterbone..." He pronounces the name like it might hurt him, before heaving a sigh. "Lead the way. I'll try not to put my foot in it."
Lady Splinterbone finishes a dance with a gaunt, pallid man as the amnesiacs approach. The stunningly alluring woman side-eyes the amnesiacs as they approach, clearly not amused that they are requesting her attention.
”Yes? How may I help you, gentlemen?”
As she speaks, the amnesiacs notice something concerning about Lady Splinterbone: her canine teeth are elongated and sharpened to a point, almost like a pair of needles. Lady Splinterbone is a vampire!
As they gaze to the side and out the large window nearby, they see the rays of the setting sun of this timeless city illuminating Lady Splinterbone.
“Lady Splinterbone, the tales of your elegance pale in comparison to the real thing.” Boodiddly gives the vampire a low, sweeping bow before standing back upright. “I consider myself the luckiest of men to be chosen by the Viscount to speak with you. He has, unfortunately, overbooked himself and will miss out on the opportunity to bask in your presence this fine evening - but if you have need of a partner still, I would be more than happy to fill in for him.”
A vampire? I thought they didn’t react well to sunlight? Boodiddly tries to keep the bewilderment from showing on his face even as he ponders whether such things are merely the nature of dreams or if something more sinister is afoot.
Lady Splinterbone looks down at Boodiddly with a raised eyebrow. She then smirks as she takes Boodiddly’s hand and pulls him in close to her body. ”Very well, then! Gentlemen, if you’ll excuse us.” Lady Splinterbone and Boodiddly then begin dancing away from the rest of the amnesiacs.
Lady Splinterbone then leans down next to Boodiddly’s ear and whispers almost sensually to him. ”You know, the viscount approached me about dancing with him during the Sunset Waltz. You are simply a messenger, so I hold no condemnation against you, but you must understand my disappointment. Frankly, this is quite rude of the viscount. It would be such a shame if his rudeness were to come to light. I’m sure his beloved would have strong opinions.
“But, I think I can be convinced to keep this between us. You see, I always have one issue with the viscount’s soirees: the hors d’oeurvres. They are indeed quite exquisite, but always leave…something to be desired. I simply wish to feel satisfied. I know you know what I am, and a handsome man such as yourself would surely satiate me. I won’t kill you—it would be a crime to leave such beauty as a shriveled husk—I simply wish to indulge. What say you?”
Moroi is the name of the classic vampire—creature of the night, drinks blood, dies in the sunlight, etc.
Eventually, Boodiddly and Lady Splinterbone’s dance ceases. The lady bids the gnome farewell and he returns to the other amnesiacs.
Boodiddly, you look a little... pale. Are you about to become a...?
He won't say the word.
Boodiddly looks like he wishes he had a cape with a high collar to wrap dramatically around himself, but alas, he does not. “I don’t… think so? Woo, that was something! She’s quite the…” He turns around to look back at the dance floor before finishing his thought. “…dancer.”
“Um, but, Shakur? You wouldn’t have any magic to help put some pep back in my step, would you? I’m… a bit light-headed.”
[/b]
Trade Prince Telgriette is at the center of a knot of wealthy partygoers, all of whom are conversing with one another about business, prestige, and the like. Telgriette does not even seem to take notice of the amnesiacs.
Jevar observes the seemingly important man for several moments before getting an idea. He turns to his shoulder and speaks quietly to Oreb.
Can you... get their attention and draw it in our direction.
The raven takes off from the mages shoulder and flies straight at Telgriette. She does not care if the abrupt presence of a flying bird causes party-goers to duck and become frightened. In fact it would be better if they get out of her way.
She flies right up to him and hovers in front of him waiting for him to turn towards her. Once he does:
Important business awaits you this way! She flies back quickly, hoping to keep his focus for the moments that he makes sense of what he's seeing.
The raven lands in front of Boodiddly and turns back to watch Telgriette expectantly. She whispers back to him.
Work that face gnome!
Kolgradd's eyes bulge during Boodiddly's dance, but he holds onto his composure as well as he is able. He casts exasperated glances at Jevar and Shakur that seem to say Surely now it's time to charge and attack?!, and each shake of the head only puts him more on edge.
By the time they're approaching the Trade Prince he's sure the sound of his teeth grinding can be heard across the ballroom.
When Oreb flies over Telgriette, the man has no option but to give his attention when someone sends a talking bird to get his attention!
Success (just not in the way you think)
The trade prince looks incredulously at the gnome when he is given the news of the viscount’s refusal. The man looks ready to cause an uproar, but at the last second composes himself enough so as to not cause a scene. ”Listen, I don’t know who you are or what connection you have with the viscount, but this is unacceptable! The viscount promised me a dance during the Sunset Waltz, and I will get it! Off with you!”
Telgriette then excuses himself from the amnesiacs in a huff. The amnesiacs look on in seeming defeat when a glass suddenly appears in front of Boodiddly. ”Champagne?”
Offering the glass is a beautiful brunette woman in a red dress and bedecked in expensive jewelry. When Boodiddly takes the glass, the woman says ”Duchess Constance Haliqet. Pleasure to make your acquaintance.” She takes a sip from her own glass of champagne and continues without letting Boodiddly even introduce himself. ”Forgive my rudeness, but I could not help but overhear your conversation with the trade prince and felt it necessary to interject. The trade prince is a man of greed; he wishes to dance with the viscount for the prestige and concomitant financial benefits. If you make an offer that he sees as more financially beneficial than dancing with the viscount, he might be willing to give up his dance at the Sunset Waltz.”
“The pleasure is all ours, Duchess.” Even after Shakur’s spell, Boodiddly still feels a bit light-headed as he straightens up from a bow. “But we are strangers here and have little in the way of beneficial finances, let alone ones as grand as those of the Viscount. Unless you know the Trade Prince to have interests in things that cannot be bought with currency…?”
The duchess shrugs. ”I never said you had to follow through.”
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"You felt strongly enough to speak to us about it," Boodiddly presses back. "Forgive me for being so blunt, but nobody here has done anything out of the goodness of their heart - and that's fine. But what's your angle? What do you get out of giving us this information? Work with us, and we're all much more likely to come away happier."
”He’s a…business rival, shall we say. And he knows me, so he knows to take anything I say with a grain of salt. If you offer him something—future compensation, a magical relic, etc.—and he thinks that it will be more profitable to NOT dance with the viscount, then he’ll give up on the Sunset Waltz with the viscount.”
Jevar listens intently to the duchess, trying to read between the lines.
Then do we take it that you have something that could be said to him... more effectively through others such as us?
He leans down to let Oreb hop into his palm and replaces her onto his shoulder.
"Not particularly."
Oookay... what do you suppose we could possibly have that would seem profitable to him? We're loaded up to trek through the wilderness. Deep dungeons. Long dreams. Sure, we even have a magic trinket or two, perhaps things approaching artifact status. However, I imagine he wants long-lasting business opportunity.
"If you do, then play it up. If not, then play it up."
Boodiddly bows. "Ah, I understand. Just a moment please..."
When the gnome returns from the restroom, his hair is slicked back and his eyes a bit larger. "There we are! Now, might I offer you a dance as repayment?"
"Oh yes, we've have marvelous luck on our latest expedition," he says breezily as the two waltz near the trade prince. "Yes, the usual gold and diamonds - you know, why is it always diamonds? Why don't folks get buried with rubies or sapphires for a change? Anyway, the real moneymaker is..."
Boodiddly catches the attention of the trade prince and begins to converse with the man. The trade prince is blinded by money, so when the gnome finally pops the question of false fortune in exchange for giving up his place at the Sunset Waltz, Telgriette heartily agrees!
*
”Splendid! Splendid! HORF! HACK!” Viscount Brellin begins hacking up black tar once more as he receives the news of the socialites’ refusal. ”And just in time. Dusk is nearly upon us, and so my beloved will be here soon. Oh yes, I nearly forgot.” The viscount snaps his fingers and a servant quickly comes with a ring in hand that the viscount takes. ”Such a simple reward for what you have done for me. But I shall not complain.” The viscount presses the signet ring into Boodiddly’s palm. ”And so our little quid pro quo is HACK! HORF! fulfilled. Please, gentlemen, will you be staying for the Sunset Waltz?”
How can we not stay and witness the fruits of our labor? I'm sure your beloved will be delighted!
As soon as the they are out of earshot of the viscount Jevar whispers to his teammates.
As soon as he's occupied with the waltz... let's get to waking up.
Kolgradd looks horrified at Jevar's agreement to stay for the waltz, but doesn't quite go as far as saying anything because he knows he has the social graces of a rampaging bull.
"Alright but if his beloved is another Eldritch Monstrosity and we die I'm blaming you!"
Boodiddly nods in agreement, content that he’ll at least get to see this strange “beloved” before waking up.
Shakur barely even takes part in the discussion of staying at the soiree; he simply takes the signet ring, finds somewhere private, and Wakes Up.
As the remaining amnesiacs wait, they see the last rays of sunlight disappear across the horizon. When they do, Viscount Brellin stands and streams of tarry drool drip from his mouth. ”Ooohhh my beloved! My one and only!”
Suddenly, chittering echoes from the vast, unseen network of spider webs above. A nervous murmur emanates from the crowd. Slowly descending down from the ceiling, causing the murmur to cease, is a massive, bloated, purple spider. While certainly not as large as the spider the amnesiacs fought, this one is still the size of an elephant. As it descends, the amnesiacs note that it has far too many limbs for a spider—13, to be precise.
”My darling!” The viscount saunters over toward the spider, the two finally meeting on the ballroom floor. The spider gazes down at the viscount with a keen intellect in its eyes, one of its many limbs caressing the man’s face.
The viscount holds out a hand to the spider, and the spider takes his hand. Music swelters in the ballroom as the viscount and the elephant-sized spider begin…dancing. The two are adept at doing it despite the difference in size—clearly they have done this before. Several guests stare at the scene of the viscount dancing with the spider—his beloved—with various emotions, but eventually it sets in: the Sunset Waltz has begun. The revolted guests hold in their disgust as they politely clap at the viscount and his beloved.
Amid the clapping, the viscount’s beloved takes one of her limbs and places it below the viscount’s chin. She then moves his head straight into her mandibles! Barely-contained gasps echo from the crowd as it appears that the spider is about to utterly devour the viscount’s head! But viscount’s eyes are closed, and he is obviously willing in this display, and clearly his face is not being devoured. The amnesiacs are not fully sure of the logistics of what they are seeing, but a pit appears in their stomach during the slow realization as they connect the dots: the viscount and his beloved are kissing. With tongue. Passionately. Very…very passionately.
And the amnesiacs subsequently decide that they’ve seen…more than enough of the viscount’s ball, and thus they Wake Up.
*
The amnesiacs once more awaken on the Sellen Starling. With no more research to do, all they must do now is return to the caravanserai and have the Yellow King escort them to the Mad Poet.
Day 34
==============
Boodiddly (Earned Income: 3 gp)
Jevar (Reverse-engineered moderate frost vial; Craft 4 moderate frost vials: 1/7 for full discount)
Kolgradd (Retrain feat: 4/7)
Shakur (Earned Income: 9.4 gp)
==============
*
*
In stark contrast to the first time they had arrived to the forsaken caravanserai, the amnesiacs find themselves walking through the chill of the desert night. The large, imposing moon above the desert provides dim illumination—enough for the amnesiacs to perform their daily preparations in relative peace.
The amnesiacs finally approach the central courtyard, something feels…off. Despite the fact that this place should be abandoned save for the Yellow King, there seem to be strange tracks in the sand here.
Suddenly, the sound of wingbeats echo from overhead. As the amnesiacs look upward, they see a pair of strange amalgamations—wolves with the wings and talons of birds and the antlers of a deer. They fly down to be 20 feet above the amnesiacs
Both of the beasts growl as they fly down once again, this time to be right next to Kolgradd and Shakur.
Kolgradd watches as the beast next to him has its shadow, which is cast in the moonlight, shift from that of the beast to Kolgradd’s own shadow!
The two beasts then attempt to gore at the amnesiacs with their antlers. But the one attacking Kolgradd has some…unnerving connection to his own life force.
Suddenly, a set of footsteps echo from behind the amnesiacs, and before they fully have time to react, a man garbed in heavy clothes moves out from the guard post behind the amnesiacs and casts a spell! And when he does, a set of strange colorful patterns manifest around the amnesiacs.
Amid the strange pattern, the amnesiacs notice stirring from the various horse stables.
Round 8
==============
Black [5’ above ground]
White [5’ above ground] {Mimicking Kolgradd’s Shadow}
Strange Man
Shakur {Fascinated with pattern}
Jevar/Kolgradd
Boodiddly
Red
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Purple
==============
Boodiddly pulls himself out of the swirl of colors and begins a slick fiddle tune (with Sibelius croaking out a bass line underneath). As he plays, the gnome squints at the spellcasters behind him. Another Lengian? Lengien? Lengziten? Eh, close enough…
Shakur's eyes go wide and catlike as he stares at the thing.
Shakur strides to behind Boodiddly to get out of the colors and away from the creature, but can't bring himself to look away. He puts a glowing hand over his wound.
Kolgradd quickly steps out from under the weird pattern, and repays the weird thing that bit him with a reflexive strike.
◆ Step
◆ Strike
Then before continuing the assault, he stops to wonder if that shadow thing might be serious.
◆ Recall Knowledge on the flying-antler-wolves
Jevar ducks out of the sparkles and launches a bolt of fire at the nearby flier.
I hope that stuff didn't stick on me. Glitter takes forever to get out of your hair, off your skin...
Shakur heals himself with his vital beacon.
Kolgradd moves out of the pattern and swings at the strange beast and hits it!
Jevar summons flames and throws them at White, but misses.
Boodiddly moves over and begins singing.
From out of the stables fly several disturbing creatures: pure black, faceless fiends with long tails! The fiends fly at the amnesiacs and attack!
Blue and Red attack Shakur and Boodiddly, respectively, with their claws!
When Blue misses, it instead lashes out with its tail!
As Red claws at Boodiddly, it Grabs the gnome!
Yellow moved twice, so it lunges at Kolgradd with its tail.
Purple likewise goes at Boodiddly with its tail.
Rather than lashing at the gnome like a whip, the creature’s tail instead sticks its end under Boodiddly’s armpits and begins…tickling him.
Boodiddly begins giggling in a distracting manner, to the point where it almost begins to hurt.
Orange attacks at Kolgradd with its claws!
It likewise Grabs Kolgradd.
Finally, Green attacks Jevar!
Green then Grabs Jevar.
White hovers just above Kolgradd then attacks!
Black moves over toward Boodiddly.
Black’s shadow then transforms to look exactly like Boodiddly’s shadow. The beast then attacks the gnome!
The strange man Sustains the hypnotic pattern, moves forward, and loudly blows into a horn that he has in his hand!
Round 2
==============
Black [5’ above ground] {Mimicking Boodiddly’s Shadow}
White (-28) [5’ above ground] {Mimicking Kolgradd’s Shadow}
Strange Man
Shakur
Kolgradd (-49) {Grabbed}
Jevar (-26) {grabbed}
Boodiddly (-31) {Lingering Defense: Round 1 of 4; grabbed; Sickened 1; No Reactions: Round 0 of 1}
Red
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Purple
==============
Boodiddly tries to focus through the giggling and clawing...
...and finds the same calm he feels when taking the breath before singing. He exhales, chuckles one last time, and disappears in a cloud of bubbles. As he reappears near Jevar, the gnome focuses his will once again...
...and claps his hands together with a reverberating boom. "Flee, you fools!" he bellows, voice unnaturally deep.
Jevar does a double take. Where did all these things come from?!
He makes a disgusted face at faceless fiend that has ahold of him and quickly gestures in a manner that suggests launching some form of arcane javelin into its body.
Away, vile gremlin!
The agitated mage thrashes and struggles to be free of the meddlesome demon.
Kolgradd moves out of the pattern and swings at the strange beast and hits it!
"What the..."
Before he's had a chance to even see what's happening, Kolgradd's grabbed by one of these faceless fiends. He awkwardly shuffles his maul into a position where he can poke the thing with it, and tries to knock it out.
◆ Strike
◆ Strike
With it suitably dazzled, he then tries to break its grasp
◆ Escape
Shakur Steps over, and the Pharasmin then Casts a Spell. As he does so, though, the faceless fiends lash out at him with their tails!
Shakur giggles as a wave of negative energy spews forth from his hands!
Kolgradd swings his maul twice at the beast grabbing him and utterly demolishes it!
Jevar begins to Cast a Spell while in the faceless fiend’s grasp, but as he does, the fiend forces the wizard’s arms up and begins tickling his armpits with its tail! Likewise, Yellow’s tail sees the opportunity and lashes out at the wizard from over Kolgradd’s head
Success --> Failure (grabbed by Green)
Green’s forceful control over the wizard’s body lets it tickle a particularly sensitive spot on Jevar and causes him to flub the somatic components of his spell!
Trying again amid his laughter, Jevar manages to launch bolts of force at the faceless fiend grabbing him! He then squirms and barely manages to break free of the faceless fiend’s grasp!
Boodiddly casts a spell to escape the fiend’s grasp, but as he does, Purple lashes out with its tail!
Thankfully, the gnome manages to escape and then uses the mutable nature of the Dreamlands to send a wave of fear!
Green is absolutely terrified of Boodiddly and flies straight up into the air to get away from the gnome!
Yellow attacks Kolgradd!
Purple Flies around and attacks Kolgradd!
Blue attacks Shakur!
Red then Flies over and attacks Shakur!
White continues to hover where it is and attacks Kolgradd!
Black Flies over and likewise attacks Shakur!
Success --> Crit Success (Resolve)
Success --> Crit Success (Resolve)
The strangely-garbed man chuckles at the chaos that is unfolding. He Sustains the hypnotic pattern, then points his kukri at Kolgradd as he Casts a Spell.
Round 3
==============
Black [5’ above ground] {Mimicking Boodiddly’s Shadow}
White (-28) [5’ above ground] {Mimicking Kolgradd’s Shadow; frightened 1}
Strange Man
Shakur (-61) {sickened 1; No Reactions: Round 0 of 1}
Kolgradd (-92) (sickened 1 & 4d4 persistent mental}
Jevar (-26) {sickened 1}
Boodiddly (-31) {Lingering Defense: Round 2 of 4; Sickened 1}
Red (-10) {2d8 persistent negative}
Yellow
Green (-12) {frightened 2} [45’ above ground]
Blue (-21) {drained 1}
Purple (-25) {drained 1; 4d8 persistent negative; frightened 1}
==============
Green’s forceful control over the wizard’s body lets it tickle a particularly sensitive spot on Jevar and causes him to flub the somatic components of his spell!
Trying again amid his laughter,...
Time to get light on your feet Kolgradd!
Jevar recites and incantation and touches the dwarf.
Boodiddly takes a deep breath to steady himself (and stop the hiccups building in his chest), then pushes a wave of soothing music at Kolgradd. "Hang in there!"
Kolgradd centres himself, and buoyed by Boodiddly's and Jevar's words and magic, vomits.
◆ Retch
Gah let's use the hero point
With a quick wipe of the beard he starts attacking the faceless fiends
◆ Strike
◆ Strike
◆ Cast Shield
Shakur takes a moment to breathe and steps back, further into the stable. "When you're done over there, please don't forget about me!" he shouts.
Shakur looks at the creatures ahead of him before shouting: "RUN!"
Casting 3rd level fear. Targetting the three near him, along with yellow. DC 27.
Shakur steps away and unleashes a wave of fear! Red and Blue lash out with their tails.
Kolgradd Delays until after Jevar and Boodiddly.
Jevar hastes Kolgradd.
Boodiddly retches and heals Kolgradd.
Kolgradd retches, then attacks Yellow!
Red and Blue both fly straight up out of fear for Shakur!
Green, no longer as afraid, divebombs and attacks Jevar!
Purple attacks Kolgradd!
Yellow likewise attacks Kolgradd.
Yellow Grabs Kolgradd by the shoulders and begins to Fly upward, bringing Kolgradd up into the air with it!
Clutches A [faceless fiend] can Fly at full Speed while it has a Medium or smaller creature grabbed or restrained in its claws, carrying that creature along with it.
So Yellow’s last action was specifically a diagonal to be above Kolgradd’s space, followed by two more squares of movement straight up. Because flying upward is difficult terrain, Yellow is only 15 feet above the ground, and because Kolgradd is right below Yellow, he’s 10 feet above the ground.
Black attempts to Mimic Shakur’s Shadow
Black then tries it again.
Then just attacks Shakur.
With Kolgradd still within its reach, White hovers in place and attacks the airborne dwarf!
The strange man chuckles as he Sustains the hypnotic pattern. He then Casts a Spell.
The strange man then looks upwards and shouts at Kolgradd!
”Olg eth gebork djor e avor tho!”
Success --> Critical Success (incapacitation)
Kolgradd is keenly aware that the strange man just tried, and failed, to place some kind of enchantment upon him.
Round 4
==============
Black [5’ above ground] {Mimicking Boodiddly’s Shadow; frightened 1}
White (-28) [5’ above ground] {Mimicking Kolgradd’s Shadow}
Strange Man
Shakur (-69) {sickened 1}
Jevar (-26) {sickened 1}
Boodiddly (-31) {Lingering Defense: Round 3 of 4}
Kolgradd (-73) {Hasted: Round 1 of 10; grabbed} [10’ above ground]
Red (-17) {frightened 2} [45’ above ground]
Yellow (-61) [15’ above ground]
Green (-12) {frightened 1}
Blue (-21) {drained 1; frightened 2} [45’ above ground]
Purple (-36) {drained 1; 4d8 persistent negative}
==============
Getting desperate, Jevar attempts to make himself disappear...
Then from behind a force shield he looks nervously to check on his situation.