The figure of "Master Pindaros" feels stiff and rigid, like soft stone or wax when Moira puts her hand on him. He allows her to take the movie and says "I have been working all night on this, I did not have time to learn today's word. But you have the corrected copy now and I'll just head back to town. Imagine not knowing me, hrumph..." He and his men and then turn, aiming to head out.
Looks at Moira to see what she does next, the gun never leaves its mark
Moira isn't going to let go of the man, keeping a firm grip as he tries to leave.
"Leaving so soon? You haven't even answered our questions yet."
+2 Urban, +FE Bonus
Paritosh stays steady and listens to the ladies questioning the apparent strangers.
Stepping lightly along the winding garden path on the grounds of Lord Ghent's property, Rollo Qantas smells the blooming roses with a sigh.
This is starting well.
The Sorcerer casts Heroism on himself.
The dhampir strides out of the garden to see a group of persons, stopped at the main entrance, being confronted, questioned by the descriptions he was given; his new colleges.
He smiles.
Well, The Garden didn't last that long either.
With a welcoming, white-teeth smile on his handsome face, Rollo begins to approach the party.
Stopping but 50' from the grouping, he politely clears his throat.
Excuse me, there; but would this be the estate of one Lord Ghent?
He seems to be searching for something. He slowly--unobtrusively--steps closer to the group.
I bloody well just had the damn thing!
I have it here somewhere.
As the interaction with the three figures continues, two low level guards of Lord Ghent have come out of the gates and are watching the situation warily.
Now, as Moira holds him, the figure resembling Master Pinderos begins to struggle wildly and shout at the top of his lungs, "Lord Ghent, help me, I am be accosted, HELP!" and this point a sudden flash goes off and Lady Lyra sees one figure running toward her and another running towards the gate.
A second later...
You can see a figure at the Gate, resembling Lord Ghent himself, shouting "Guards, guards, intruders are accosting master Pinderos" and you see two Lady Lyras, one with a gun and one trying to grapple the one with a gun.
Three more guards come close to the gate at the sound of the commotion. The two guard who's been watching, shout, "Careful, some magic is afoot."
+2 Urban, +FE Bonus
Paritosh points at the imposters, "those two are imposters." He calls Moonbeam to him, and mounts up.
When the attack starts her hand moves with inhuman speed, three shots come so fast they sound like a drum roll. The shots are aimed at the leader of the group of three, running to the gate.
"Imposters!, none of the other me's has a real gun"
Arlo seeks to close with one of the closest impostors.
A whirlwind of activity and explosions and the three figure fall the ground (the Master Pinderos figure Moira still holds seems to fall without being hit). They now resemble very carefully carved wave wax dummies of Master Pindaros, Lady Lyra and Lord Ghent.
In a short time, the (apparently) real Lord Ghent appears and does a double take, directing the guards to double their vigilance and spread around the villa. Turning to the party, he says in a low, careful voice; "What happened here? What are these things? If we don't know, we need to find out. Also, let's be careful to avoid panic about this and guard against further creatures sneaking into the party." and then turning and seeing Rollo, he says in a louder voice, "Well met my friend, are you here for the party? It may be a few hours but you welcome to come in now and enjoy an apéritifs. I am Lord Ghent and these are my collaborators"
Moira is still holding the "corrected" crystal movie.
Rollo watches the sudden (and, quite frankly; exciting!) barrage of bullets spray to each intended target; as unerringly as his Magic Missiles! The Sage smiles approvingly.
Careful not to step in a messy puddles on the walk, the smartly dressed gentleman approaches the remaining distance to the front porch. He bows to the assembled group from the waist.
I must say that your welcoming event is, by far, the most exciting that I have ever received! I do hope to return the favor at some point in the future.
The Vudrani-looking man grins.
I am Rollos Qantas of Golarian. Most please to make your aquaintance.
The Sage then turns to the three masses of flesh.
With your permission.
He then utters an arcane phrase.
Source Adventurer's Armory 2 pg. 3
Requirement(s) Katapesh
Your experience with magic items clues you in to their properties more quickly than others. You can identify the properties of a magic item using detect magic in 1 round.
Moira wipes the wax off her hand and frowns at how things have turned out. She tenses up again when the complete stranger walks up and starts casting spells but slightly relaxes when she realizes it's only detect magic.
"Sir, there could still be danger lurking about, this is not part of the show. Please clear the area."
Her Gun moves and points at the head of the newcomer until they seem harmless.
When Lord Ghent she reloads her gun and slips it way and taking him to one side talks to him in privet about much-needed security measures.
Meanwhile, our Rollo competently probes the dissipating magical auras of the three wax forms... powerful illusion magic, mixed with conjuration... Rollo get a vision of a hidden figure summoning the image of Lyra, Lord Ghent and Master Pinderos and sending these images, like animated dreams, into three crude wax forms ... these are psychically animated constructs. Seemingly they harness the power of dreams and operate more or less like simulacrum except they able to take the form of several creatures known to their creator, their actions would also have to derive more or less from the commands of their creator, quite similar to the spell simulacrum in that regard.
Lord Ghent and Lyra confer about security precautions. Moira, Paritosh and Arlo would have a bit of time to chat with this "Rollo" during that time.
When the two return, they talk with the rest of the party (and with Rollo if he's been vetted). Lord Ghent, "This is a dicey situation. Shape shifting intruders, we have made some odd enemies it seems(shrugs). I am keeping the guards on alert and warning them that there may be traders among who don't know the passwords - the simplest way without explaining this magic. I think the five guards who observed this encounter are too confused by the sight to understand. You are the people I trust to deal with things and deal with discreetly. I will keep close to crystal movie projectionist and make certain there are not substitutes. I expect you all to stay nearby and also monitor the entrance and the grounds, scanning for further shape shifting creatures of this sort. Let me know if you have other ideas. That "corrected" movie the creature offered - you should analyze it."
Rollo arches an eyebrow, as he studies the magical auras. The Sage then turns to his inquisition.
These are products of magic similar to creating simulacrum; although a bit more loosely tied to the subject's dreams. I would venture that you have made a powerful enemy. I am uncertain if those process can be easily reproduced.
Sensing a bit of wariness; the dhampir grins. He does speak the password given to him by their superiors.
At the mention of additional security, Rollo offers numerous possibilities.
There are Wards, Alarm spells, even creating constructs; if that is your cup of tea. Unfortunately, my skills are a bit lacking in those particular areas. It seems our current choices are walking the beat. Perhaps, a drink for our tour?
He grins.
Scanning:
+2 Urban, +FE Bonus
+2 Urban, +FE Bonus
Lord Ghent dispatches Paritosh to the right edge of the villa while he asks that Rollo keep a low profile but attempt to magically analyze all of the guests entering (Lord Ghent apparently also is something of magic user but he will be too busy to always be analyzing auras).
Approximately an hour in, Paritosh notices a couple local peasant youths attempting sneak into the party through a lower window and chases them off.
Lady Lyra takes the evil Cystalmoves and checks them,
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Rollo bows gracefully to his Host. The Sage then wanders about the immediate entrance hall. Nonchalantly maneuvering about the socialites and piranha, listening here, drinking there; voicing his opinion on the current state of endangered penguins over by the bar, the dhampir easily integrates himself amongst the party-goers.
After about an hour of rubbing elbows, raising glasses, and even--perhaps--a stolen (freely offered actually) kiss in a darkened corner, Rollo politely excuses himself to step back outside the front entrance.
The Sorcerer then cast Detect Poison to concentrate enough to study those entering and leaving...
Arlo sticks by Lady Lyra as she figures what to do with the 'fixed' crystal. Throughout the night, the dwarf watches the exits and people attending for any more security interruptions.
As the morning turns to afternoon and Rollo, Paritosh and Moira are elsewhere, Lady Lyra and Arlo are left to stay by the entrance analyzing the "corrected" crystal. The patterns seems somewhat similar to the design offered to Peter Ghent months ago now - the crystal material is subtly altered as is the plot of movies. The intention is to produce a dream-like state of mind, where those watching would be easily influenced in the fashion of fascination (bardic ability).
Rollo wanders through the guest area, charming all with his wit and exotic appearance and striking up a friendship with an attractive half-elven trader named Matilda Corneau who he chats intimately with, inside a broom closet, for a pleasant ten minutes or so. Besides other discoveries, Rollo finds that Matilda returned overland from the Southern Reaches of Ovium, a farming area known as Musburg. Matilda describes how nearly everyone in Musburg seemed to be having strange dreams and some seemed to be sleep walking during their waking hours. Also, she occasionally thought she saw strange flying creatures above.
Towards the middle of the afternoon, the first crystal movie is shown in the main ballroom, now outfitted for the task. Most of the guests, and even the guards, crowd in to be there for the historic moment. Lord Ghent carefully scans the audience for anything sinister and has the aid of the party in doing so also. But once the lights are dimmed and the scenes projected by the blue crystal, the party has the task of making sure the rest of the villa is safe.
Nothing strange happens during the movies (according to Peter Ghent, who communicates with Lady Lyra using the message spell) and the show is a success, "Anita and Barsan" is an uplifting if austere story teaching good lessons.
However, Just as the crystal movie ends, Paritosh spots a winged figured flying overhead and heading to land in the courtyard of the Villa. The figure is a winger humanoid covered with pale blue feathers that conceal it quite well against the late afternoon sky. The figure alights silently in the court yard as all the party members converge around it. The theater goers will like emerge in five or ten minutes, after Lord Ghent finishes speaking. The feathery winged figure smiles and says, in a soft, melodious and captivating tone: "what a marvelous event, it would have been nice to invite us." as a second, similar figure appears next to it.
Moira approaches with a relaxed air. "Perhaps if we had known about you, we could have. Whom do I have the pleasure of speaking to, and where are you from?"
The blue winged figure smiles, looks apraisingly at Moira and says, "Uh, Pardon me, I am Aran and this is Theorin, we are dream speakers from the tower, ready to release our gifts, is audience ready? If things are prepared, we may soon be able to open the gates...". Looking closely, you notice a face somewhat bird and human, the bodies are asexual, slim but human, their wings were 15 feet wide but now folded behind them. Both figures have a sweet but cloying perfume to them and a sort of blue aura seems to subtly drift around them and this reminds you of the subtle psychic influence you felt when approaching the Soul Well (those who were there at least).
Rollo conveys his findings from the most cooperative of witnesses to the group just prior to the start of the Event. The Sage seems a bit in good spirits during the show.
The Sorcerer will also invite those in their group to be part of Message that he will cast on them.
If you stray more than 180' then its bond will be broken for you.
Rollo watches with keen interest as the Bird-persons landed effortlessly down into the courtyard.
Rollo then smiles at them.
Perhaps, you may have an incorrect address?
Looking carefully at the stranger and considering the careful notes he took before and during his entry to this new plane, Rollo pieces together a number of facts. The being Aran referenced a Tower. The party plans to seek a tower (The Tower Of Egon) shortly (where the sister of Arlo's friend Delores is apparently held captive and where other plots may emanate). Moreover, the report Lady Lyra and others filed mentioned this Tower Of Egon had a quality of being something of a storage area or focus for dreams. Moreover, Rollo's new acquantance, Matilda Corneau mentioned noticing people in the South having strange dreams and that she felt things were observing her from the sky.
Further, the "corrected" crystal movie seemed to be intended to render the audience into a suggestible state. These new visitors may be intending to take advantage of what they hope is that suggestible state.
When Rollo inquires, Aran says, "Oh, I am certain I am in the right place, the villa of Lord Ghent..". The blue haze spreads just slightly in these few seconds of discussion.
Rollo cast Detect Magic as he notices the expansion of mist.
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She snaps her fingers working something out.
"Thank you, Thank you, winged stranger, that's the information I was missing."
Her shield comes up and she walks up the pear taking his handshakes it, then she walks around them, appraising them. Hand under her chin as moves around them. The detective deducing.
"You see, I was wondering how your side would bring a commanding force to this plane, for a while, I was thinking planes teleporting, but the devices you had were to easy to brake, and could only bring a few at a time."
Her skin hardened and become metal as she shifts to her true form.
"So why the tower? and why did your side work so hard to get the Cyistrals from the soul well? Why crystal films and mind control? And then you come, hmmm dream speakers talking of gates"
She stops and looks hard at the two of them.
The look is cold, logical, and utterly inhuman.
"I have to admire the ruthlessness of it, you see my fellows, Mortals as power-Resivars of psychic energy, little mortal batteries controlled and linked up to the tower, and all to power planes gates, the means to bring a controlling force."
She, nods her head, is that a hint of admiration? then she takes one of the trained Cystalfilms and holds it for them too see.
"It would have worked too, shame the batterie programming was hacked."
She dropped it on the floor and crushed it under her foot, to a cracking sound. She is a LOT heavier than she looks.
"Now I know you can't go home a failer, for your side, that's a death sentence."
She takes a few steps back and pulls her revolver.
"So then... shall we?"
Rollo realizes that his coming late to the party may have its disadvantages. The Sage listens carefully to the words that Lady Lyra pronounces; giving every syllable its proper recording; for meaning apparent and disguised. The Sorcerer then continues to scan the duo with Detect Magic.
Message
The dhampir grins at the Lady....
She nods once to the message.
Aran and Theorin, stand with a haughty impassiveness, perhaps growing marginally more nervous, until Lady Lyra crushes the crystal... At which point Theorin looks panickedly at Aran, who loudly whispers: "It doesn't matter, we have more ... the egg was just an addition... we took enough crystal from the Soul Well for our purposes... this was just the our first effort... they may not survive the mist... our power will grow in the coming weeks...hush away... ". The two figures leap into the air. Aran and Theorin fly up in spiral, managing to get 60 feet up (there's a link to a diagram of the villa above somewhere).
Rollo detects powerful enchantment in the spreading blue mist - again an effect like fascination and then strange dreams.
Reflex save 16 to escape the area without a will save. For those in the mist:
The courtyard is deserted but the first film is ending soon and the patrons will be exiting directly into this area. Lord Ghent also has a message spell up with Lady Lyra and has been telling her of the success of the movie (between whisper rings and message spells, things would be confusing if she wasn't a calculating machine). Note you are fairly sure that Lord Ghent, a reasonably skilled wizard, has Dispel Magic.
Arlos does his best to roll out of the mist before it affects his mind.
Rollo recognizes the strange properties of the spreading mist. The Sage watches the two antagonists as they begin to fly upward.
The dhampir easily slides out of its reach! Rollo then begins a complex arcane ritual.
She cracks her revolver open and drops an odd cartridge into the shotgun round barrel. Snaping it closed she takes aim.
Lady Lyra Stands there and the mist seems to have no effect.
She talks rapidly to Lord Ghent v the spell.
"Lord Ghent close off the courtyard now! a gas trap has been set here by the enemy. Anyone who has dispel magic needs to make their way to the courtyard at once and deal with this green mist."
"Paritosh this is your moment, get after them and find out where that tower is. I know you and moonbeam can do it."
She will get anyone lost in the mist out,
"Arlo, check the gates into her let no one in"
Arlo and Rollo move about 40 feet away from the entrance to the ballroom (now serving as this plane's first movie theater).
The blue mist expands, touching Arlo briefly as he moves away and engulfs Lady Lyra (who's still next to the ballroom theater entrance). Arlo experiences a swirling, confusing vision but his powerful will pushes it aside (Lady Lyra gets the same if she dreams).
Rollo standing further away, evades the touch of the mist but begins voluntarily opening his senses to the subtle, powerful magical emanations of the mist, in order to manipulate it... As he does so, he has a clearer vision; He is looking, as if from above, into a giant tube or the inside of a hollow tower. Within this area, a variety of colored mists swirl and within these, distort visions of Rollo's own past can be seen. (At the very top of the tower there's a sort of huddle figure, in some sort of cage and the tower itself is lying some strange twisting mountain range, details he'll only process later). Rollo's studies tell him that the swirling shapes are dream spirits attempting to push their way into the world of the waking... But grasping all this, he is able to begin slowly closing the mental gate and neutralizing the mist (estimated time to neutralize, 2-4 rounds, you're not sure).
Lord Ghent messages Lady Lyra that he will delay the group exiting and see if he spare a moment for dispelling this magic -- but audience is extremely exited by events and controlling the crowd may be challenging.
The creature calling himself Aran has stopped 120 feet in the air, hovering above and looking more confident of his handiwork - he casually dodges Lady Lyra's shot (touch AC higher than 15).
SHe does to the exit door and puts her body against it.
"Arlo, could do with some help"
"Moira you want to find out who our new chum is?"
Arlo dashes over to add his bulk to keeping the exit door closed.
"Paritosh this is your moment, get after them and find out where that tower is. I know you and moonbeam can do it."
Paritosh gives a mock salute, and sets off with Moonbeam!
Suddenly engulfed by the magical emanations surrounding and building in the courtyard, Rollo smiles. The Sage welcomes the foreign energies. The newness of this Dream Magic courses through his useless veins with a furious focus! Even the Blood seems a bit dulled compared to this magic!
Rollo continues to concentrate; bending, warping, learning the strange energies with the practiced ease of an Olympic athlete; if the sport was chess!
The dhampir whispers his current status, knowledge, thoughts to the group, as he duo welds thought and physics.
It seems that the source is the Tower. I may have its location; but, firstly this needs to go away!
Moira looks up at the flying creature with her hands casually in her pockets, untroubled by the haze.
She gives Lyra side-eye, calling back, "The flyers or the guy who hasn't stopped smiling in the last three hours? I don't think I can help either." She heads over to join Arlo and asks him to crack the door for her. She'll slip in with the crowd and she raises her voice to address them, hoping to keep up the excitement level while delaying them and keeping them distracted.
"Citizens of Ovium, Selium, and further still, thank you for joining us here today for this momentous occasion! Let us all give a round of applause to Lord Ghent, our gracious host and the backing force behind the amazing entertainment you've seen today!"
+2 vs Illusions
Dodging the visions of the blue mist, Paritosh zooms up into the air, nearly arriving at where Aran and Theorin are hovering (120 feet up) above the villa
Rollo; Staring at the roiling visions, noting the twisting mountains, Rollo has the gate maybe three quarters closed and the mist is already weakened in effect.
As Moira takes over from Lord Ghent in occupying the crowd in the ballroom, Lord Ghent whispers to Arlo that perhaps he could sneak out (next round).
Lady Lyra and Arlo succeed in letting Moira in while not letting any guests out.
Finally, Aran and Theorin, the sinister blue-feather creatures, note Paritosh as well as Rollo's efforts. Aran flies 60 feet downward towards Rollo and Theorin flies up 15 feet and fires a scorching ray, hitting Moonbeam for 10 points of damage. (Aran is obviously getting in range to attack Rollo. The configuraion leaves Paritosh able to attack either winged figure next while only Theorin would be in range to send another ray).
Oh, I'll stay 20' away from them then, and am ready to charge.
Rollo--calmly manipulating the strange magical energy-- whispers
Someone want to not allow that one to target me.
Paritosh and Moonbeam charge to attack the one readying to hit Rollo...
Crit Confirm
If he drops, then we're done, if not, then we will continue on, another 15' or so to either side, so we're prepped to charge again next round.
Rollo's starry blue eyes watch in rapt fascination, as his new ally makes a f$@%ing sheesh-kabob out of the blue-feather fiend!
He whispers
That should work! Much gratitude! This next bit will be tricky!
The Sage then returns his full attention to confounding the dream mist from the area. Calling down the primal energies courses through his dhampiric blood, Rollo molds the now familiar energies into nothingness!
Bleeding from a gaping wound, "Aran" drops 25 feet, then, straightening out, desperately flying over the villa rooftop at top speed away, gaining speed and height, away from the villa, winding up 90 feet from Paritosh . Seeing this, the other figure, "Theorin" flees also, in the opposite direction, moving maximum speed end 120 feet away - and making mournful, disturbing shrieks as he goes.
Rollo, now struggles more with the blue mist gate, momentarily distracted by the curve of the mountains - something about them is wrong - the mist is still inactive but roiling, threatening...
After words with Arlo and Lady Lyra, holding the door, Lord Ghent steps out of the entrance, and spying the fleeing figure of Aran, points a finger at him. A tiny embed flies from him towards Aran, exploding in an inferno of flame around the wounded blue creature, who plummets to the ground.
Moira still holds the crowd inside spellbound with her oratory.
Rollo allows himself to become the conduit; allowing the magic to flow through him; further clearing the mist from the yard.