Grommesson waits for Argor's signal. He just watches amazed at Cladissa's courage.
"Who I am isn't important right now. I'm concerned about Sidri's intended actions, however. Who is this imposter he's after? And why does he think it's Venture Captain Dreng?"
"I am not sure; he just said he was in a lot of trouble. Said he had to stop someone. You broke into Sidri's home, and he told us to capture anyone who tried to do so. The better question is — why did you break into his house?
Cladissa can't help but break into a grin. "Except that I didn't break into his house, now, did I?" Then she holds her hands up in a placating gesture. "All right hold up. I'm just interested in making sure the wrong person doesn't get killed. Sidri seems to think that Dreng needs killing. Dreng isn't interested in being killed. But Sidri seems to think that someone's an impostor. Is it Dreng? I'd really like to know."
"How should I know? I didn't even know Venture Captain Dreng was involved in this. When your fellow Pathfinder, and team member, tells you that someone is out to get him, and asks you to guard his house you don't always think to interrogate him. You still haven't told me who you are. I can't in good conscious just let you go unless you can prove to me that you won't hurt Sidri. You could be lying through your teeth."
"I can prove I'm not lying. You say you don't know Dreng is involved? Well, go inside; you'll see Dreng's likeness on several papers."
She spins her hand in a "let's speed this up" motion. "We're wasting time. I appreciate you not attacking me, but I'm not going to wait around while you convince yourself that you should."
"Unlike your little cat thingy, I can't melt through walls, and last I checked the door to that house is locked. Look, you don't seem evil...did Dreng put you up to this or something? If we let you go, are you going to hurt Sidri?"
Feeling somewhat Argorian at the moment, Cladissa manages to avoid rolling her eyes. "Yes, I'm working for Dreng, and he gave specific orders not to harm Sidri. I think we're on the same side. We just need to figure out why Dreng is afraid Sidri will kill him.
"And," she adds pointedly, "make sure Dreng isn't killed."
He looks to the priestesses who have been studying Cladissa intently. The older looking one nods and affirmative.
"Oh....well, if you're a Pathfinder? I'm sorry. Why didn't you just say so? Last thing Sidri said was that he was going to some costume shop."
"If you aren't who Sidri was afraid of, that means they are still out there. Sorry to threaten you, you just seemed a bit sketchy. We'll stay here and keep guarding the house. I hope you can find out what's really going on and protect Sidri. He's a good man, he'd never try to kill Dreng." The man goes to the side of Sidri's house and pulls a hidden small chest from the foundation. "Sidri needs the help more than he needs this coin I'm sure. If it'll help you get to the bottom of this, take it." He offers the chest to Cladissa.
"The Black Mask, apparently. Great; he'll be in disguise," she announces loud enough that her invisible companions, if they've stuck around, can hear.
Cladissa accepts the chest and tucks it under one arm. "Okay, thanks. I gotta go keep this from turning into a tragedy." Even though her illusion stays up, she unfurls her wings and takes flight, pausing only to let a random squirrel hop on her shoulder if it's so inclined. She then beelines directly to the Ascendant Court and the Black Mask shop, in particular.
Gianluca sighs with relief as Cladissa diffuses the situation.
::Nice work, Cladissa. We'll meet you at the Black Mask.::
Grommesson is amazed at watching this future Pathfinder journal unfold in person. Cladissa is fantastic.
His confidence in the Freaks overwhelms his anxiety of self-preservation effectively suppressing the beast within himself. He stays near Argor wondering how they will get to the costume shop quickly.
The Pathfinders make their way to the costume shop in haphazard fashion, Cole arriving first, followed by Cladissa and Sabrinas, then Argor and finally several minutes later Gianluca and Grommeson. It's a full twenty five minutes since they left the outbuilding, the Gs' carriage having to fight through the thickly crowded streets of the Foreign Quarter before breaking through to the less, but still crowded lanes of the Ascendant Court.
This high-end costume shop nestled within the Ascendant Court provides those who worship the second ascendant a place to meet. It is an open secret that the Black Mask exalts Norgorber on certain dark nights, but for the majority of Absalom’s populace, it offers a place to seek exotic attire for the bedroom or debauched masquerade. Reinforced masonry secures the Black Mask’s outer walls. Elaborate store windows display masquerade costumes hanging from gilded wire mannequins. A wooden signpost swings in the wind offering a steady rustling of chains; its placard contains no words, but rather illustrates an elegant black mask draped over a dark gray glove. The slightly opened door butts gently against its jam.
Grommesson squeezes into the carriage trying not to get too friendly with Gianluca who not only has no problem with personal space issues but actually enjoys the close quarters. It takes every bit of his will power to bottle up the beast during the jostling carriage ride. Otherwise, their giant bulk would have destroyed the wooden vehicle.
Once there, the noble half-orc stands to the side looking from Argor to Cladissa to the slightly opened door.
When Cladissa arrives, she lands lightly a few buildings away and approaches on foot. She lets the squirrel down, then looks in the direction of a soft meow and patch of midnight-black fur that had taken position opposite the store's main entrance. Cole relays telepathically whatever he had observed prior to her arrival -- taking special notice of anyone coming or going.
Assuming that there were no suspicious characters who left the store that she would have to chase down, she waits for Argor's arrival before entering. She wonders about the door being ajar, and considers simply walking in under the guise of a shopper. She blushes a bit -- which shows on her elven face -- as she considers using the "undercover" nature of the mission to look at some racy clothing that she'd never dream about doing as Cladissa.
However, she decides to play it cautious, and instructs Cole to be the first one to peek inside through the open door, expecting that the cat would be less conspicuous in the event of someone else lying in wait within.
Gianluca unfolds himself out of the carriage, says a silent prayer to the Host of Delectation, and takes a look around for anything out of the ordinary.
_____________
Cole didn't see anyone coming or going. When he peeks through the door, he sees the store's main room. Textured costumes drape from cold, ornate hooks, splashing color throughout the scintillating shop. Several wire mannequins display exotic and erotic costumes throughout this room.
Dreng is standing behind the shop counter, and doesn't notice the cat.
Cole shoots Cladissa a quick message to let her know what he sees. Her eyes widen, and she turns quickly to Argor. ::Cole sees Dreng inside, but I'm concerned about this supposed 'impostor.' I'm going to go in, posing as a shopper. The Dreng we spoke with knows I'll be disguised as an elf, but he hasn't seen my disguise. This might provide us some answers::
Smoothing her dress and quickly casting see invisibility before she reaches the door, Cladissa pushes the door open and peeks inside. Cole slinks in as well, stealing softly along the wall. "Hello? Are you open?" she asks when her eyes fall on Dreng.
Dreng looks up from the oaken counter in surprise. Seeing the open door, he says, "Oh, I must have left the door open by accident. I'm afraid not, miss. We're closed for the afternoon."
Cladissa bites her lip, then decides to try her luck. "Oh, sir," she begins, her voice breathy and pleading. "Couldn't you make an exception? I'm hoping to surprise my betrothed with something... adventurous?" Her eyes range across the shop's wares, widening when they fall upon a racy outfit perfectly appropriate for her demonic figure. Quickly turning back to him with a blush, she then puts on a demure smile. "But something tasteful, of course. He's a good man, so I wouldn't want to scare him off, either."
Then, swallowing hard, she also decides to appeal to the man's baser instincts. "You could... help me decide? Which outfit would he fancy the most?"
When the others arrive, Argor lands and says "We have magic effects active we should not waste. Those in favor of joining the disguised Cladissa inside?"
"I'll go where you go, Argor." Grommesson replies.
Cladissa bites her lip, then decides to try her luck. "Oh, sir," she begins, her voice breathy and pleading. "Couldn't you make an exception? I'm hoping to surprise my betrothed with something... adventurous?" Her eyes range across the shop's wares, widening when they fall upon a racy outfit perfectly appropriate for her demonic figure. Quickly turning back to him with a blush, she then puts on a demure smile. "But something tasteful, of course. He's a good man, so I wouldn't want to scare him off, either."
Then, swallowing hard, she also decides to appeal to the man's baser instincts. "You could... help me decide? Which outfit would he fancy the most?"
"I....uh....well, if it will get you out of here, I suppose I can help." Dreng hobbles out from behind the counter, walking to the door. "Just going to shut this, in case any more customers think of wandering in." When he reaches the door, he sees the others standing outside.
"Eh!?" Whirling (as fast as an old man can) he says, "Is that you, Cladissa? How did you find me here!? Where is Sidri?"
Deciding not to deny it, Cladissa allows her illusion to fade, revealing her demonic features. "We found you because Sidri knew where you are," she explains, then makes a pointed gesture at the costume shop. "An interesting place to lay low, I must say." Her mind races as she processes all the clues she's seen so far, then a thought strikes her.
She looks for a stool or chair and instructs him to have a seat. "At Sidri's place, there was evidence of a type of dye that was actually poison -- arsenic, to be exact. Since he knew your location, and that this is a shop with a variety of clothing, I'm concerned he may have already struck. Now please, I am a trained healer. Allow me to examine you to see if you have been exposed."
Dreng cries out, twitching. His fingers sprout wire claws, and he slashes at Cladissa's throat!
Initiative:
Dreng 20
Mannequins 16
Party 10.8
Dreng shouts, "Ah! It's the mannequins, the mannequins make me do it!" as he slashes at the reeling witch a second and third time.
Her face a ragged tatter, Cladissa falls to the ground, still. Dreng stumbles back, wheeling his arms and looking panicked.
The wire mannequins shudder to life, clattering angrily towards the door. They unravel and expand into beasts of animate wire, resembling metal spiders dressed for an orgy.
Argor steps over beside Grommesson, and weaves some magic. He then holds out a hand, and an invisible force begins to wrap itself around Dreng.
"Destroy the automatons," Argor commands. "I will restrain this 'Dreng' until we learn what is going on."
Rutai quickly darts inside and lands atop Cladissa's mangled body. He taps the wand to her injury, and the worst of the injury seems to be resolved.
__________
::Stay still. I know you hate me, but you are in a bad spot, and I am TRYING to save your life.::
Grommesson screams and runs into the shop next to Cladissa. He grabs at the manikin in front of him in desperation. Adrenaline prevents him from thinking about self-preservation, yet.
"Don't die. Don't die. Don't die." He softly repeats with tears starting to roll down his face.
Startling Appearance (Ex) At 5th level, a vigilante learns to use the element of surprise to his advantage, startling foes that are unaware of his presence. Whenever a vigilante with this ability attempts an attack against a foe that is completely unaware of the vigilante's presence (usually due to Stealth or invisibility), the foe is treated as flat-footed for the rest of the vigilante's turn (uncanny dodge or a similar ability prevents this effect unless the vigilante is at least 4 levels higher than the foe with uncanny dodge). The foe also takes a –4 penalty on attacks made against the vigilante until the start of the vigilante's next turn.
If your attack is successful, the target takes a penalty. The penalty is limited to one of the following conditions:
blinded, dazzled, deafened, entangled, shaken, or sickened.
|
The vigilante is able to use sneaky tricks to make it easier to damage a foe, whether it is throwing a bit of fine dust of cold iron over a fey creature or melting a glob of silver onto a lycanthrope's hide. The vigilante can add the ability to reduce a creature's damage reduction or hardness by 10 to the list of options when attempting a dirty trick combat maneuver check. This does not stack with itself, and it does not work against creatures with DR/—.
If the vigilante uses any of these talents while in his social identity, he must succeed at a Disguise check against the Perception checks of all onlookers (without the +20 circumstance bonus from seamless guise) or the onlookers will realize that he is more than his social identity appears to be and perhaps discover the social and vigilante identities are one and the same.
When a brute is in mortal peril, such as when combat starts, if he is in his social identity, he must succeed at a Will save (DC = 20 + 1/2 his vigilante level) or enter his vigilante identity. Entering his vigilante identity in this way is a horrifying and painful process that takes 1 full round, during which he is flatfooted, and it typically allows his enemies to see his transformation and learn his identity. The brute's vigilante identity can't always tell friend from foe. While he still attacks enemies preferentially during a battle, when there are no more enemies around, each round he must succeed at a Will save (DC = 20 + 1/2 his vigilante level) or continue fighting against his allies or bystanders.
"Dammit! Time to move." Gianluca swears, and rushes into the shop.
He swings his greatsword high over Cladissa's fallen form, striking at the mannequins in front of Grommesson, intending to push it back.
_________________
When Gianluca punts the manikin into the store, Grommesson gets caught in the wiring and gets pulled along with it. He tumbles along past the other manikins. "Aye!" The half-orc footman cries out in surprise pulling out some stuffing.
Dreng shouts, "Ah! It's the mannequins, the mannequins make me do it!" as he slashes at the reeling witch a second and third time. Her face and neck a ragged tatter, Cladissa falls to the ground, still. Dreng stumbles back, wheeling his arms and looking panicked.
The wire mannequins shudder to life, clattering angrily towards the door. They unravel and expand into beasts of animate wire, resembling metal spiders dressed for an orgy.
Argor steps over beside Grommesson, and weaves some magic. He then holds out a hand, and an invisible force begins to wrap itself around Dreng. "Destroy the automatons," Argor commands. "I will restrain this 'Dreng' until we learn what is going on." As Argor's telekinetic grasp seizes the Venture Captain, he goes stiff, struggling helplessly.
Rutai quickly darts inside and lands atop Cladissa's mangled body. He taps the wand to her injury, and the worst of the injury seems to be resolved. ::Stay still. I know you hate me, but you are in a bad spot, and I am TRYING to save your life.::
"CLADISSA!" Grommesson screams and runs into the shop next to Cladissa. He grabs at the manikin in front of him in desperation, managing to hold it still for a moment. Adrenaline prevents him from thinking about self-preservation, yet. "Don't die. Don't die. Don't die." He softly repeats with tears starting to roll down his face. He can feel the beast raging inside him, but manages to restrain it for now.
Hearing Cladissa's screams of pain, Squirrelina casts Barkskin on herself and zips down the tree and out into the front yard.
"Dammit! Time to move." Gianluca swears, and rushes into the shop. He swings his greatsword high over Cladissa's fallen form, striking at the mannequins in front of Grommesson, intending to push it back. Thanks to Grommesson holding the mannequin still, Gianluca's blade slices the thing clean in two. The remaining pieces clatter to the floor.
When Gianluca destroys the manikin, Grommesson gets caught in the wiring and gets pulled along with it. He tumbles along past the other manikins. "Aye!" The half-orc footman cries out in surprise pulling out some stuffing.
Misses
================================
Dreng struggles to escape the grasp of Argor's spell. "Ah! Help!"
The mannequins shift to flank the hapless half-orc, attacking him with a flurry of stabbing and slashing wires.
(-_-)*
Somehow, the seemingly ordinary young man avoids all their attacks without receiving a scratch.
As Dreng struggles, Argor smirks at the effectiveness of his magic. "Don't struggle, Dreng," the mate says as he turns his hand slightly to manipulate the magical force, "it is pointless to resist."
The magic forces Dreng to the ground, pinning him firmly to the floor.
Meanwhile, Rutai hits Cladissa with another charge of the wand to heal her wounds.
__________
Grommesson miraculously stumbles out of the way of the flailing manikins and screams out in pain. In a horrifying and painful process, his muscles bulge, and his hair falls away. His servant's outfit magically resizes. Within a few seconds, he becomes a beast the size and ugliness of an ogre. His red eyes are beady. What hair remains hangs in patches. He breathes heavily looking around unable to tell friend from foe.
The attack from Dreng had been so sudden, so brutal, that Cladissa had no time to realize what was happening before darkness took her. That darkness suddenly lifted, being replaced by hot, burning pain across her face and neck. She heard voices screaming her name distantly and close whispering in her ear while she tried to piece together what was happening. The pain lifted slightly as she felt a surge of energy she recognized as being from healing spell, and concluded she had been badly hurt.
She moves a hand to her face to wipe blood from her eyes and sees a monstrous ogre looming over her, screaming and writhing as if in pain itself. Muscles bulged and swelled as it thrashed over her.
Whimpering in fear, pain and confusion, she pushes back and crawls away from the fight through the legs of Gianluca.
Gianluca's eyes go wide. "Grommesson! Are you OK? We're here for you, mate."
Meanwhile he attempts to take apart another mannequin with his gleaming sword.
________________
Dreng struggles to escape the grasp of Argor's spell. "Ah! Help!" The mannequins shift to flank the hapless half-orc, attacking him with a flurry of stabbing and slashing wires. Somehow, the seemingly ordinary young man avoids all their attacks without receiving a scratch.
As Dreng struggles, Argor smirks at the effectiveness of his magic. "Don't struggle, Dreng," the mage says as he turns his hand slightly to manipulate the magical force, "it is pointless to resist." The magic forces Dreng to the ground, pinning him firmly to the floor.
Meanwhile, Rutai hits Cladissa with another charge of the wand to heal her wounds.
Grommesson miraculously stumbles out of the way of the flailing manikins and screams out in pain. In a horrifying and painful process, his muscles bulge, and his hair falls away. His servant's outfit magically resizes. Within a few seconds, he becomes a beast the size and ugliness of an ogre. His red eyes are beady. What hair remains hangs in patches. He breathes heavily looking around unable to tell friend from foe.
With the main entrance clogged, Squirrelina quickly scurries into the store to better reposition herself.
The attack from Dreng had been so sudden, so brutal, that Cladissa had no time to realize what was happening before darkness took her. That darkness suddenly lifted, being replaced by hot, burning pain across her face and neck. She heard voices screaming her name distantly and close whispering in her ear while she tried to piece together what was happening. The pain lifted slightly as she felt a surge of energy she recognized as being from healing spell, and concluded she had been badly hurt.
She moves a hand to her face to wipe blood from her eyes and sees a monstrous ogre looming over her, screaming and writhing as if in pain itself. Muscles bulged and swelled as it thrashed over her.
Whimpering in fear, pain and confusion, she pushes back and crawls away from the fight through the legs of Gianluca. A wire hook darts out, raking across Cladissa's back as she crawls away.
Gianluca's eyes go wide. "Grommesson! Are you OK? We're here for you, mate."
Meanwhile he attempts to take apart another mannequin with his gleaming sword. His two hacking blows both shred wires with a series of rending pops and golden flashes. The mannequin reels, barely held together by one remaining wire.
Dreng continues to struggle, his face pressed against the floorboards by Argor's invisible hand.
The mannequins attack both Gianluca and Grommesson, one of them stumbling through a curtain hung along the wall, inadvertently exposing Cole, who cowers in the shadows there. Luckily for the feline, the mannequin has two giants to worry about.
Miss, Hit, Miss
Miss, Miss, Crit (impossible to confirm without another rolled 20)
Gianluca's armor and swiftness protect him from all but a small puncture wound in his side. Grommesson can barely feel the multitude of small scratches the attacks leave spread across his thick hide.
Argor maintains most of his focus on keeping Dreng pinned to the floor of the shop as he walks in, but he can't help but study Grommesson and his changes.
Rutai swaps wands, still standing atop Cladissa's midriff, and a wave of hope washes over everyone.
__________