Lucretia turns her psychic powers on the rat swarm as well, amplifying the pain of the blows it takes. Between a crushing shield, slashing blades and stomping feet the second swarm is reduced to a few frightened rodents, upon whom Hilde promptly leaps for an impromptu snack.
Above you the wizard rat continues to slumber - a careful shot or other blow may well bring him down...
"I will handle this," the Shield Maiden declares. She closes her eyes and speaks words of power in Skald: "Stækka! Láta mey mína vaxa!"
A golden glow suffuses the Ulfen woman as she swells in size until she has gained the proportions of a frost giant! With the sleeping rat in reach, she draws back her embiggened sword, then drives the point through the rat's body!
Even embiggened it is quite a stretch for Randi to strike the rat clinging to the ceiling and her blow strikes with less force than she might have hoped. Regardless it is enough to strike the rat from its perch and it plummets to the floor!
Whether it is Randi's blow or the sickening impact with the floor the rat doesn't rise again! The 'Archduke of the Tangent' possesses a magical ring and a wand which it never had a chance to activate.
Now free from attack you can take the time to investigate the rat's creche in the ceiling. It proves to contain some significant treasures including a spellbook, four pristine rubies worth 100 gp each and a pearl of power (1st level) hidden within a pile of chewed and torn paper, as well as a scuffed jewelry box containing a magical ring of significant power - The Envoy Ring.
The ring grants its wearer a +2 competence bonus on Diplomacy, Linguistics, and Perform checks. Once per day, the wearer can speak a command word to transform her appearance and clothing, as per disguise
self. The appearance of her clothing automatically matches the customs of the dominant culture around her, typically that of the local nobility or ruling class. Her physical features don’t match those of the local people, but features that would make her stand out diminish,
such as elf ears in a settlement where no elves live. This lasts up to 24 hours, but can be dismissed at any time.
The caster level of any spell effect generated by the ring is 1 + 2 per triumph attained.
On the far side of the auditorium is another door, which gives way to your dual keys. Beyond is a waiting room with dust covered couches around the walls. As you enter the room you all hear Martella's voice from your badges. "“Reached safe house. It’s located at the Dignif—” The message cuts off abruptly and the badges go dead...
"Neat trick Randi," Shula comments to the Shield Maiden. She can do something similar herself so she's not as impressed as she might otherwise be. (Although she typically wants to be smaller, not larger.)
She whistles as they uncover the rat's hoard, but she's becoming rapidly accustomed to such treasures and so simply slips them into their accumulated pile. She does smile at the jewelry box, which reminds her of the one that got her into this whole mess.
Speaking of which, her eyes narrow as Martella's voice suddenly goes silent. "Martella? Can you hear me?" After waiting a moment with no response, she curses. "Seems her safe house wasn't all that safe. I doubt our dear Emperor was sane enough to lay a trap like that, so there may be someone else involved. Fabulous. Absolutely fabulous." Distracted, she pays very little attention to the room she's currently in.
Lollia seems entranced with the ring and doesn't hesitate before slipping it onto her finger.
~~~~~
"Wait!" she calls out as the approach the door that she assumes leads to their escape. "I saw ..." She moves a little closer and points out what appears to be a very fine trip wire. "Someone's trapped it," she says.
”A bit of Valkyrie magic,” Randi says to Shula with a satisfied grin. She cleans her blade, shrinking back to normal size after a couple of minutes.
The Maiden keeps her shield raised, alert for danger after Martella’s interrupted message.
|
Robert looks at large Randi and says "A true northener, then!", impressed. He takes a look into the spellbook checking the available spells, paying little attention to the door. However, the others open it and start to walk outside.
After Martella's message, Robert is quick to say "We'll get to her, Shula." He considers quickly where she could mean.
He complements Lollia's comment "Yes, but look here and here. Two small humanoids have walked here recently. Could it be our gremlin?"
"Huh?" Shula takes a closer look at the door. "Good catch. That could have been nasty." Pulling out her tools, she gets to work disarming the tripwire.
As she works, she comments, "Was the gremlin humanoid? I didn't get a very good look before he ran off, but sure, it could be him. Or maybe someone else got teleported here and has already made it out." She's not particularly bothered either way; she'll worry about a potential enemy when she sees them.
The tracks are definitely shoes, halfling or gnome sized most likely.
At the rear of the group the Prince's niece suddenly speaks, the fluid sounds of Qadiran rolling off her tongue in a jumble. The Prince listens and his face darkens as Jabir thrusts the Princess back into the corneof the room and moves between her and the rest of you.
"What's going on?" Imistos asks from his position next to Jonuwan. "Is she well my Lord?"
"She says that there is a traitor in this room." The Prince replies. "An assassin who has plans to murder us all."
There is a moment of stunned silence and then Imistos lets the servile look slide off his face. "Well, well. I wish I'd killed you all first." He says nonchalantly, hurling a small item to the ground where it explodes with a deafening burst of sound!
Shula tries to dodge whatever it is Imistos is throwing, but can't escape the sound as it pierces through her head. "Why-" she starts to ask, then cuts herself off as she realizes she wouldn't hear the answer anyway.
Ears ringing, she takes a step closer and tries to slice the treacherous halfling's throat. Hope this wears off soon. Not being able to hear would be a problem in my line of work.
Randi roars a battle cry as she rushes the traitor, driving her blade into his chest!
Lucretia focuses her will on the traitorous halfling, lashing at his mind with raw psychic power.
Shula and Randi cut Imistos down with a pair of brutal blows just as the door opens to reveal two more halflings, dressed in dark leathers and wielding shortswords. They leap into combat!
Unfortunately for them the first one through the door snags the tripwire and takes a flurry of daggers in the back! As he falls it is a simple matter to assault the final halfling and slay him swiftly.
The halfling with daggers in his back also carries a note.
Keep watch over Martella’s stooges while we dispatch her Ladyship. They seem useless, but our contract specifies eliminating Lotheed AND anyone she is working with. If they’re particularly noteworthy—say a senator or noble—keep them alive and we’ll interrogate them along with Lotheed. Have Imistos bring any such targets to the Dignified Repository.
—The Fantabulous Killer of the Brotherhood of Silence.
Well, that answers the question about Martella's safehouse at least.
Pressing on you find your way out of a suspiciously quiet door into the senate and relatively quickly into the paling pre-dawn light of Oppara. You have not only survived the night, but escaped with your lives and the gratitude of a Prince!
"My thanks friends." Prince Ali says, maintaining his gracious charm despite the fatigue evident on his face. "We would not have survived without your aid. Please, tell me how I might contact you in the coming days, I would reward my rescuers appropriately." Then he takes his leave, accompanied by Jonuwan, who appears to be sticking with royalty rather than the rest of you, as a survival tactic.
After taking a deep breath of the Taldane night air, Lollia bows respectfully towards Prince Ali. "We are thankful for your assistance as well," she says in a calmer and more practiced voice. "You can contact us via the Young Lions club." She gives the particulars of the place before waving goodbye to the man.
"I don't know about you all, but I'm going to need at least a few hours sleep before we pay a visit to the Dignified Repository."
Once the nobles are out of sight, the Shield Maiden kneels and plants her shield on the ground. "Endurheimtu veikan mann!" she intones, and once more, she is surrounded by a golden glow. Music fills the air, but this time, it is a rousing Taldan anthem. Her shield levitates on its own and begins to orbit around her, faster and faster. As it does, her features become more masculine, her hair and skin tone darkening as her shoulders broaden and her hips narrow. Her armor shifts as well, and after several seconds, the music fades away and the glow subsides, revealing Victor Stavian. Beside him, Hilde's appearance and coloration has likewise reverted back to Leona's.
Victor gets to his feet and brushes off his clothes. "Yes, a rest is definitely in order. But we mustn't tarry too long, as no doubt Lady Lotheed is in danger and needs our help."
He looks at his companions. "Was there any clue as to who Imistos and those halflings were serving? I wonder who would have been so bold as to plant assassins in our midst. Do you think they were targeting us, or simply nobles in general?"
"Agreed, you have my thanks as well." Shula curtseys. "Be safe; there's no telling what might have happened after we were teleported out of the Senate."
Once the prince and his entourage have left, Shula nods at the suggestion of a rest. "The note mentioned that they planned on interrogating Martella, so they're not going to kill her until they get whatever information they're after. She's smart enough to know that and not tell them anything, which means she'll stay alive until they break her." There's a tightness around her eyes which contradicts her casual tone. "I doubt they'll have worked up to anything permanent before we're done resting. Anywhere in particular people want to go? We should probably stick together."
Lollia moves a little closer to Shulamit and gives the woman a grin. "Sticking together sounds good," she says.
"I doubt it will be safe to return to my family's manor," Victor says with a frown. "After what the Grand Prince pulled, I don't think the Stavian name will be well-regarded. I am open to suggestions."
"We could always stay at an inn. Sleep, food, and anonymity; just what we all need."
|
|
Robert finds himself very tired after such a day. He agrees with the others about resting and comments "I have a small flat I'm staying in, but I'm not sure it will fit all of us comfortably. We might be able to sleep at the Lions. I've seen some resting their eyes after a a few jugs of wine there." He seems to be excluding himself from such a narrative.
"I don't really care where we go, so long as there's a bed. Or a reasonably flat surface that can serve as one." Shula's accustomed to long nights, but this one has been more action-packed than she's used to.
"In other words the Lions works for me. Let's get going."
The Young Lions is still bustling, as is to be expected from a club for wayward young nobility. It appears that a gala has been held to rival the Exaultation and the festivities are still going strong just before dawn. Still, the servants are as efficient and discrete as ever, whisking you all up to the member's bedrooms. "Lord Lotheed has had rooms held for you." The manservant confides. "Anything you need, just pull the bell."
With separate rooms, warm water for washing and soft beds, you all sleep superbly although the events of the last few nights cannot help but play on your minds...
In the morning you each receive a polite knock on the door. "The Young Lion requests that you join him for lunch in twenty minutes. He took the liberty of arranging suitable clothing for you all." Victor, Lucretia and Lollia each find a small selection of their own clothes awaiting them, while Shula has an entirely new set of fine clothing and Robert is offered the garb of his church - although relatively muted.
Caspian is waiting in the dining room and greets all of you with a concern, although his worry doesn't abate once everyone is present. He is however too well bred to insist on news immediately and encourages you all to eat and drink your fill first before getting down to business.
"So, what happened to you last night? Stavian seems to have gone mad and attempted to kill his daughter and as much of the senate as his hired assassins could reach. Both he and the Princess are missing, although Pythareus was seen repeatedly during the night, unmolested." He frowns and continues on. "Unfortunately though Martella has disappeared. She was trying to get some servants out and we lost contact. Her last message was cut off, I don't know if you heard." The worry is plain on his face. "I'm sorry to ask this of you all, you have done sterling service already, but will you help me to recover my sister? I am in no position to order you, this is simply the request of a concerned brother."
|
|
In the morning, Robert wakes up with a headache. He prefers to wear more neutral clothes, but doesn't want to offend Caspian so he wears the offered outfit. As soon as he is dressed, he pours himself some wine to try to get the headache to go away. He eats little, still having trouble putting together the events from the day before.
After listening to Caspian, he replies affably "Of course I'll help you in finding her. She's an important person to Taldor's future and a lovely person on top of it. I don't... Maybe we can recount yesterday's events when she is back with us. Tell the story only once I think." Robert grows a little suspicious of Caspian and doesn't want to share more than he needs. "The first place we'll look is the Dignified Repository, we think she might have been taken there."
Victor nods in agreement with Robert as he picks at his food. "Yes, we should head to the Repository after we finish eating. I believe a swift detour to the markets may be in order first, though. We've come into the possession of a fair bit of treasure, and we should use it to better arm and outfit ourselves against whatever threats may lie in our path."
He watches Shula from across the table. The two of them will still have that talk yet!
Once they meet with Caspian Shula scarfs down her food as quickly as she can without being outright rude. (Close observers might note that while she'll eat anything put in front of her, she has a decided preference for spicy foods when making her own selections.)
Sated, she leans back in her chair. "The Dignified Repository is where Lady Lotheed's safehouse is located. Between that and her final message it's extremely likely that's where she is. Or at least was." She doesn't mention that she only learned of the safehouse's location last night; Caspian can draw his own conclusions given her history with Martella. It's clear to her that Robert is being deliberately reticent, and although she doesn't know why, she's content to follow his lead. "To explain everything would take a lot of time. A rescue attempt with a prepared and well-rested crew is more likely to succeed, which is why we chose to come here first, but unnecessary delays should be avoided. We're already several hours behind her."
"That being said, I've got some gear back at my place that might be useful. I could run there while you're selling everything, then meet you at the marketplace?" Under normal circumstances Shula would cut off her own hand before trusting someone else to fence her stuff, but she doesn't think anyone here would cheat her. (It's not like they need to.) "I doubt you'll have finished selling everything and buying better gear before I make it there, so it shouldn't slow us down any."
Caspian follows the conversation carefully and with a slight frown. "I knew Martella had a safehouse in that area, one of many, but the fact that you have the actual location reassures me. If she's there with whoever took her then the place will be guarded. Give me a few hours and I can have some of the young ones tag along - they don't need to know what's going on beyond a big prank but they can distract guards and make your entrance easier."
He nods decisively. "Yes. Take the afternoon, make your purchases and return her in four hours. We'll move out at sunset. Unless any of you object of course?"
"That's fine by me." Shula takes her leave with a polite curtsey and rushes back to Al Ligori's. Once again changing in the back room, (this time looking far less respectable than when she went in), she heads towards Auntie E.'s for her backpack. (Along the way she smears some mud on her armor, enough to hide the embossed pectorals at least if not the quality.) Most of her important gear is small enough to keep on her person, but sometimes you need a rope. And while Shula is good, she hasn't yet figured out how to hide fifty feet of rope on her person.
Scribbling a quick note for Auntie E., (Job taking longer than expected; don't worry all is well), she changes again. This time into her 'night outfit' of dark blues and greys. With a cloak to hide the quality of her armor, she feels much better about wearing it around the Narrows.
Once she makes her way back to Grandbridge, she reverses the cloak to it's more 'respectable' side, leaves it open, and quickly cleans off her armor. Looking good enough now to not draw too much attention in the more prosperous district, she tracks down the others. "How'd the selling go? We've still got time, just let me..." She takes some gold and heads for a good blacksmiths. "Any chance you've got better versions of these?" She shows off her kukris.
Lollia spent the better part of an hour vacillating between staying in her room and seeking out Shulamit's. In that time, she'd also gone through four different outfits. Each was tossed aside, though, to finally setting on a simple evening dress. It was demure, but emphasized her shape as well as ... other things.
She finally found herself standing in front of the woman's door at almost midnight. She'd raise her hand and then drop it to her side, ready to turn and leave. However, something would hold her there.
Gods! She said she just wanted to be friends. No, she said that friends don't owe each other - that's not the same thing.
Her hand raised as if to knock again.
But if she was interested, wouldn't she be less evasive?
Her hand fell to her side.
Of course she's interested. Why would she say no?
Her hand raised once more.
Because not everyone sees it as just a transaction. I do remember having that luxury, but that feels so long ago.
Her hand fell again.
Just face it, Lol. She's looking for more than you can give.
Lollia's face grew sad and she turned to silently retreat back to her room. There was a longing that she felt, but whatever it was for was being drowned out by the needs of the now.
The musician appeared at breakfast in a simple, but well-tailored pair of breeches and a tunic that hugged her curves. She was quiet as she ate, listening to the decisions and strategies. She knew that she's neither a warrior or a scholar so she took her cues from those more experienced in that sort of thing.
Lucretia wakes up late that morning, exhausted from the previous events and used to being able to sleep in as a student, often missing her early morning classes - especially as they tend to be Modern History with a fool of a professor.
Getting washed and changed, not bothering to check the time or make much of a rush, she ensures she looks her best before heading to the Young Lion.
Lucretia is the model of a lady at brunch though she has to work on such an act. "After the events that took place yesterday, I am sure that we all have some stake in aiding your sister."
Instead of heading off on a shopping expedition straight away, Lucretia hangs back to try and catch a moment with Caspian. When everyone else has left the room, Lucretia smiles and shuffles over a chair to get a little closer, placing a hand on Caspian's. "Your sister will be okay, she is a very resourceful woman."
"Thank you Lucretia." Caspian replies, briefly clasping Lucretia's hand between his own. "I must admit I feel more confident with you all here. You've proved yourselves to be very resourceful. My sister has always been one to keep secrets and her circle of trust is limited, but bringing you all in has been good for her. Especially now. I'd never have known where to look otherwise. Thank you." He meets Lucretia's eye squarely and smiles winningly. "Make sure you come back safely."
With your shopping complete you all regroup at the Lion's Den and then set out with a small group of your fellow lions. The Dignified Repository is a large, glorified warehouse on a section of open grass in Oppara’s Crownsgate district. The warehouse serves as a massive storehouse for the princess’s various projects, as well as a safe place to hide or employ down-on-their-luck allies, while ostensibly having an official purpose of catering to nobles with long-term storage needs.
A twenty-foot-wide driveway leads through several bushes to a large pair of receiving doors in a forty-foot-tall, L-shaped warehouse. Five service entries along its sides provide access, in addition to the receiving doors. As you all wait in the nearby bushes it becomes clear that at least two pairs of guards are patrolling. Caspian whispers to the various bravos who have come along and they break up into small groups and start running around the buildings. Caspian gives you all a wink and joins them.
You have a short window in which to go for the doors, either the large set of warehouse doors or the small personnel door set within them.
Crouching down in a much-less-noticeable outfit, Shula grins at Caspian's retreating back. "Distractions make these things so much easier. Give me a second." With the coast clear, she makes her way to the small personnel door. Come on Shula, don't f@*~ up now...
She doesn't. With a soft 'click' the door swings open. The pessimistic part of her thinks, Welp, there went my luck for the night. The optimistic part of her is too busy cheering her own success to care.
She gestures for the others to join her as she starts to (quietly) make her way into the warehouse.
Once they've gotten the lay of the land, Lollia gestures for everyone to fall back a bit. Reaching into her bag she retrieves a large, decorated piece of material that has the look of a tablecloth. Finding a suitably clear area of ground she lays out the cloth and gestures for everyone to take a seat.
"This will give everyone a little edge for a while," she says in response to the questioning glances.
Once everyone has taken a seat, she also retrieves a delicate-looking tea serving set from her bag as well. Taking a moment to center herself, she begins an elaborate ceremony of first preparing and then serving tea to the group. While the tea isn't as warm as it could have been, those that partake feel slightly energized.
After sipping the tea, Victor stands and pulls the amulet from out of his shirt. ”Let’s do this. Komdu með skjaldmeyjuna!"
The familiar rousing tune fills the air as Victor and Leona glow and float in the air. Their bodies change as they spin around, and again, the Maiden’s shield flies in from somewhere else. With a crash, the music ends. The transformed noble and familiar land lightly on their feet, and the Ulfen woman flashes a fierce grin. "Do not fear. The Shield Maiden is here!"
Hilde no longer resembles a cat, though, but instead a diminutive dragon with insect wings. ”She has unlocked a new form, one better suited for glorious battle!” Randi explains.
|
|
As they hide in the bushes Robert suddenly feels very self-aware wearing Calistria's colors in such activities, even though he consciously knows there are Calistria's maidens who do much more and better than him. Feeling inappropriate, Robert says to himself "I'm better at talking than stalking."
His thoughts are broken by Lollia offering him tea. He thanks her and drinks it, feeling more courageous. Then Victor transforms into the Shield Maiden Randi again. The combination makes him feel like he once did, reading the epics of heroes and monster slayers. He says "I'm ready!"
Then the action starts. They have a windows and Shula expertly opens the door. He steps in last, but not before saying "You're a sneaky one, aren't you?" to Shula. His tone is more teasing than scolding.
Stacked boxes and crates fill much of this enclosed loading dock. The massive set of entry doors to the west that you came through opens onto a two-foot depression along the western side of the chamber. A wide doorway leads to the north while a service door exits to the south. The immediate area is fortunately empty so you move on carefully and crack the northern doors since the service door simply exits the building once again.
Barrels, boxes, and crates fill the vast space of this open warehouse floor. Paths zigzag through the mess. A set of metal stairs ascends to an office, whose large window overlooks the floor from twenty-five feet above. A pair of fivefoot- wide metal pipes lead from the warehouse floor up into the base of the office. The sounds of a raucous game of some sort can be heard from the center of the warehouse. You might be able to sneak up to the office with sufficient stealth...
"I try," Shula says in response to Robert. She clearly takes his comment as a compliment. "Those tools Imistos had are really good quality, which helps."
Once they're inside, she's all business. Tilting her head towards the office, she whispers, "We'll get a better view from up there." She makes her way to the stairs, double-checking her corners to make sure she's not accidentally walking out in front of an enemy.
Randi follows behind Shula, quiet as she can.
Lollia brings up the rear of the group. While her career hasn't revolved around being silent, she manages it reasonably well.
"Those pipes don't make any sense." Lucretia says, before being shushed by the more stealthily minded members of the group. "There shouldn't be anything under the floor that needs ventilation... Oh!"
Being unfamiliar with the warehouse you all stumble somewhat and it appears that the game players are on high alert as they come piling around the stacks with weapons drawn! Luckily you all react swiftly!
”To battle!” cries the Shield Maiden. She moves to engage the nearest bad guy, while Hilde breathes fire on them!
Shula (barely) resists the urge to facepalm as they're discovered immediately. "This is why I usually work alone." Not that it's anyone's fault of course; fate conspires against everyone and she's pretty sure she used up all her luck just getting them in here. Stealth is especially hard for a large group of amateurs. She's trained enough newbies to be aware of that.
Immediately turning around, she heads for the person Randi is engaging. "Hey Randi, I'd really appreciate it if you could get behind them. Unless you'd rather them get behind you." Even in their current situation the double-entendre makes her snicker, (not that it keeps her from unleashing her kukris at the unfortunate target).
Randi glares daggers at Shulamit while she keeps her shield raised. ”Do not impugn my honor! I am a Maiden pure!”
|
|
Robert wishes he had a powerful flaming spell at the moment, but that isn't Calistria's focus. Realizing that Randi and Shula have stepped to take the bigger bulk of enemies, he is sure that he saw more moving behind some boxes and are about to close in from the other side. He takes a heroic step in front of Lucretia and Lollia, activating his double.
Lucretia snorts in the most unlady-like fashion as she pulls out her hand crossbow and fires a bolt at the closest.
Lollia rolls her eyes at Randi's declaration. In her experience only those terrified of losing their virtue defend it so vocally.
Knowing that the advantage of silence has been lost, she pulls her instrument and plucks the chords of a lullaby.
Neither Lucretia or Randi are able to land a useful blow. Robert moves heroically to the forefront while Shula stabs at the oncoming foe. However the most effective action is Lollia's sleep spell which sends all four assailants slumping to the floor!
The remaining two assail Robert with their daggers! One of them manages to cut the cleric, leaving a light wound behind.
The Maiden strikes again, this time with more force behind her swing!