No dramas - thanks for keeping us posted :-)
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After the near-lynching the previous day, Byron's confidence is shaken a little, but he still manages to put on a tolerable performance.
When the time comes to go over some difficult points, however, he manages to acquit himself much better, finally feeling that he is truly in his element. When he can, Byron also does his best to ingratiate himself with Thesing:
Byron continues to go from strength to strength, seeing my *own* the role, even when the horrors of the play are revealed. When it is time to leave at the end of the day, and he sees the crowd, Byron is momentarily taken aback. Calm yourself. This is what you have been training for!
He then gives it his all, doing a thoroughly credible performance (which will hopefully distract the mob from Colgrim ;0-)))
Take your time - we will still be here :-)
Byron continues to perform elegantly on stage, although being under the intense scrutiny of the director shakes his confidence slightly. When he has a chance, Byron attempts to befriend Millech, knowing that every good actor needs to be on good terms with the backstage crew if he (or she!) hopes to maintain their standing.
Byron excels himself on stage today, producing an utterly believable and tear-jerking performance with Calseinica. Throughout the day, as well, he goes out of his way to try and ingratiate himself with the director, currying favor as much as possible.
Byron breathes a sigh of relief once the auditions are over. "Well, I am glad that is behind us. It looks like we managed to land some supremely suitable roles, and it sounds like we have some excellent actors to work alongside!" Given the opportunity, he will try and schmooze with Calseinica, doing his best to learn more about this 'up-and-coming' actress...
Confident that Colgrim and Dario have the roles of Monris and Farus well in hand, Byron tries-out for the remaining roles.
Byron shows that he is quite adept at dealingout cutting remarks, knowing exactly what to say to crush the audience's spirits.
He then tries-out for the role of Tybain, but his heart clearly isn't in it - something about playing a comic-relief cleric makes his skin crawl...
Next, he tries his hand at Drovalid's part, but his confidence is still shaken from his poor-showing as Tybain, and he badly mauls the performance.
However, when it comes to trying out for Larazod, he has managed to get his confidence back, and does a passable job of *not* mangling the role.
A lock of contrite sadness crosses Byron's features. "Sadly, no - I do not get the chance to come as often as I would like, but happily, it would appear that things might change soon in that regard!"
"Ah, but the rebellious theme is what gave the play its zest! Without it, there is little to differentiate it from any other competently-performed variation on that production. I agree, the casting was quite impressive, and the soprano had rather a... powerful voice!"
Byron nods. "Once again, thank-you." He will make a point of going and purchasing suitable attire.
Byron smiles warmly. "Thank-you for all of the help that you are providing. It means a lot to me."
Once again, Byron puts on a dazzling display with the fencing foil...
...and manages to remember all of his lines, putting in little flourishes here and there to act as crowd pleasers.
However, his singing still leaves much to be desired; falsetto is clearly *not* his forte.
Byron manages to recover quickly, and smoothly moves into the next section of dialogue...
...as a result of which, he thoroughly terrifies the audience!
Much to his relief, he also starts to get over his stage fright.
Well, now we know why Colgrim never turned his hand to acting ;-)
"Thank-you. I very much appreciate the assistance that you are giving us. I agree, they are green actors, but they are a good group to have at your back in a fight, which may give them a fighting chance in the murder-play..." Returning to the Temple, he tries to assist the others in going through the play. "Now, I know it may seem a bit silly and uncomfortable at first, but just try to remember what our end-goal is..."
Byron acquits himself well in the stage fight, showing himself to be a dab hand with the foil.
Having spent many nights watching both rehearsals and performances, Byron knows the how of acting...
...but unfortunately, when given the aria, shows that he is more basso profundo than soprano.
Nevertheless, he recovers well...
...and does a passable job of looking intimidating.
Nonetheless, his emulation could do with a bit of practice.
Byron gives a sigh of relief when the party enters The Second Flute. True, the building had seen better days, and the ant-hive of activity contained within could charitably be called barely-controlled chaos, but it seemed so much more like home then anywhere else. He nodded to a few of the chorus members, notably Bartolomeo, Nanni and Lodovico, three young tenors he routinely had to bail-out of bar fights after the show. "Hi guys! Good luck tonight - after the performance, I have some friends that would like to meet with you, and get some advice on acting and singing - don't worry, the drinks will be on them." Continuing on, he spotted the somewhat harried-looking mobile mountain that was the half-orc prop-master Nuncio. "Hey Nuncio! How's it going? I know you're busy, but when you get a chance, I have some friends who would like to pick your brains - they are thinking of trying-out for the Sixfold Trial of Larazod, but would really benefit from some *real* expertise. Do you think you would have time to give them some pointers? I am sure that they could make it worth your while." Moving on, he gestures up to the stage where an obese Taldan female is belting out an aria that nearly shakes the windows. "That's Christina Pacci. She's probably our best-known Soprano. If we want to talk with her, though, it would be best to go through the director. Follow me." He then heads to the director's office, knocking respectfully, before announcing himself: "Maestro Richenza? It's Byron. I am sorry to disturb you, but I have some friends here who would like to learn a little about the Craft - they are thinking of trying-out for the Sixfold Trial of Larazod. I know it isn't going to be run here, but I am sure that we could come-up with an iron-clad agreement to promote The Second Flute afterwards - think of the revenue it could bring in!".
Well, if you want to keep it, then *claim* it :-)
Just to go back through the loot from the last 'crawl' - good for the sale of the two rods, and two of the MW Short Swords, was not included in the split (since it was initially unclear if anyone was claiming them). The sale value comes to 4310 / 6 = 718gp, 3sp, 3cp each.
Byron shrugs. "We will have to pick our words carefully. After all, we will, initially at least, be promoting a rival playhouse. That said, if we signed an iron-clad contract stating that we would promote The Second Flute afterwards (but not by competing with the existing troupe), we might be able to get them on side..."
Byron looks thoughtful. "Well, Nuncio is an absolute wizard at costuming and set design, so he could offer a few tips about presentation. Xiomar has been around since before the rise of Thrune, and nows a thing or two about choreography. Christina is a bit of a diva, but if approached properly, I am sure she could give Iolana some tips. Umberto would probably be a better choice for the rest of us, but he is usually extremely busy... that said, I am sure if we explained what we were training for, and offered to promote The Second Flute afterwards, he might agree to help out."
"For my day job, I work at The Second Flute - I am sure that some of the performers there would be willing to offer a few tips, especially if there were a few libations on offer!"
Byron shrugs. "Blood sports have been used throughout history to keep the population pacified, and not just here in Cheliax. The 'murder-plays' are simply a particularly decadent form of this pastime. If the performers know what they are getting themselves in for (whether it be for money, fame, or a pardon), who are we to judge? Better that such negative impulses be channeled in an ordered fashion, than have it spill out onto the streets..." When Colgrim notes that he is, shall we say, not particularly gifted at acting, Byron smiles in a self-deprecating fashion. "Whilst I don't have access to a copy of the play, I *do* have friends who make a living as actors, and have dabbled a little myself - we could probably arrange for that 'crash course' you were after, if you are really serious about it."
Byron does his best to look suitably scared and contrite. "Sorry officer, you see, we had a little too much to drink last night, and lost a bet - we had to drive this cart in the predawn period down the street! Believe me, we wouldn't be out if we didn't absolutely have to... bad stuff happens to those foolish enough to go out at night (who aren't as strong and well-trained as yourselves, that is)!"
"Agreed!" Byron hurries to assist Colgrim, before a thought occurs to him: "Someone better box-up those shadow-beast parts for the second drop!"
Byron shifts around the remaining creature, and readies for a flank.
"Good job, Leeka!" Byron moves forward to attack the blind creature.
Byron shivers at the thought that they are actually going to brave the dark. I know we need to do it, but I also know that there are terrible things abroad at night... Nonetheless, he does not verbalise his disquiet, quietly sharpening his weapons, and making sure the straps on his armor are properly tightened. "It will be dangerous, but not, I think, to an insurmountable level; we will just need to be cautious..." ...and lucky.
Byron shrugs. "I thought the whole point of this was to give the common-folk a symbol, something to rally behind; a sign that there were people fighting back against the darkness. That said, the vast majority of people are probably just too cowed to really care, worn down to essentially will-less drones by their lives. You are therefore probably right - why bother trying to lift them up? We should just focus on enforcing our version of Law - the way it should be, rather than the way it is..."
Byron is both appalled, and fascinated, by Stanley's story. "It sounds like someone has a secret, which they do not want uncovered. The boy is clearly a message of some kind, in some respects not unlike the message we are intending to leave (although hopefully we won't engender the same amount of horror) with the tiefling's body..."
"Well, it is worth keeping in mind, at least."
Actually, I wouldn't mind hanging onto the unholy symbol... You never know when it could prove... useful. That aside, based on the above recommendations, what is the per PC share on the sale of the unclaimed loot?
When Byron shows up at the temple, he has a grim look on his face. "We need to be more careful. I had a note left on my doorstep overnight... Someone called 'Blue Hood' has been watching us, and wants to reward our 'patriotism' by placing a bounty on the heads of shadowbeasts... Apparently, for every head left on the garbage stoop of the tavern across from the old Leroung Estate, we will be rewarded with 100gp." He then sighs. "Whilst this watcher appears, at least at this stage, to be friendly, we cannot count on all future ones to be equally tractable. We must be on our guard even more, if we are indeed to become more... public... figures."
Deciding that having another 'busy-body' weigh in on the situation would only make things worse, Byron is content to maintain his distance, keeping a careful on proceedings, just in case things go south.
Byron is quite alarmed to discover that his usual pub has been closed down. This is highly irregular... the requisite bribes were always paid in a timely fashion... unless... surely it can't be due to what we've been up to, recently? Bundling himself up with some care, and trying to avoid any observers who might be keeping an eye out for people such as himself, Byron calmly, but with purpose, removes himself form the environs of his local. Wandering through a part of town that he didn't usually frequent, he could not help but overhear an obviously distraught man angrily shouting at someone. looks like everyone has their own problems, today... Moving closer, he recognises whom is being verbally lambasted, and a sinking feeling gnaws at the pit of his stomach. Damn. It's Leeka. Not wanting to drawn attention to himself (at least for the moment), Byron remains at a respectful distance, ready to lend aid, if required.
Byron shakes his head. "Leaving it until dusk means that there is an entire night for something to happen to it, before anyone will notice. Although it is more dangerous for us, I think leaving it there just before dawn is more likely to have the desired impact."
Byron nods. "A public place, where the general populace is more likely to notice, would probably be better if we *really* want to send a message... Rego Crua it is!"
Byron nods wordlessly, and moves to assist Colgrim in shifting the body.
Byron nods at Iolana's executioner's speech. "The task is done. Well said - hopefully, we can help to build a better Westcrown, but I have a feeling that we will have to excise a lot of cancerous growths in order to save the city... and I doubt any of them will go quietly."
Byron shrugs. "Or we just kill him, and leave his body on display in a public place - as the leader of those thugs, I am sure that he will be recognised for whom, and what, he is."
There. Problem solved with a level of Fighter. Can I trade-in that Ioun Stone + 150gp for +1 Full Plate? It was more a throw-away comment,then anything else - I just didn't want the 5000gp Ioun Stone, since I am of the opinion that selling it will benefit the party better. (I am perfectly happy with selling it and splitting the proceeds.)
"Well then - if this is going to be a problem long term, why don't you take that ring that allows you to get the benefits of eight hours sleep in two?"
"I'll take first watch."
There. Problem solved with a level of Fighter. Can I trade-in that Ioun Stone + 150gp for +1 Full Plate?
Yes, but if we sold it (2500gp), we could effectively give a front-liner +1 Full Plate, which would contribute substantially more to party survivability.
I can only use light armor, and with my sub-par AC, we shouldn't bother putting a 5000gp Ioun Stone on me - better it go to someone with a half-way decent AC.
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