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Carlius takes a 5-foot step back. "The soldier who left his men to die is going to talk to me about manhood? You do realize that all your friends have just been rendered into a red mist in the time it took you to find me, don't you?" he says, while loading his crossbow. "These few precious seconds you have used to escape you're going to waste trying to wound me, a wound that will be erased with magic in minutes. So make it count."
Carlius fires his crossbow at the man.
"Well done, sirs! Well done! I have never seen such a display of grit and determination! All to save my life!" "Sebastus, my old friend, how could I do but less?" Carlius, grinning wildly, leans in close to the consul and quietly whispers. Spoiler:
My people know of the secret account, we know who funds it, and we strongly suggest you tell Baron Dalsine everything he wants to know when you travel to Absalom.
Now laugh like I just made a private joke between old friends. Carlius laughs and pats the consul on his shoulder familiarly. "Still, that's the life of a Pathfinder I suppose. So, apart from the dead rising to eat the flesh of the living, what did you think of the opera? A tad Chelaxian for my taste, if you catch my meaning."
I don't see Carlius's HP on his sheet, but I'm guessing they are 7. He takes 6 from the zombie. On the bright side, your Bluff ate a natural 20 from the dice roller, which would've been a confirmed critical hit otherwise!
"Carlius, you cowardly traitor!" Race shouts out with genuine anger. "Speak to me of treason when I have finished tearing down this pathetic nation brick by brick."
Carlius attempts to signal to the others that this is all a ruse on his part by insulting Taldor, something that it's hard to imagine him doing genuinely.
@Carlius: I'm guessing your DC is 16 (1 spell level, 5 Int)
"Thought not," says Carlius, after his spell fails to take hold. Today was not the proudest day for his necromancy, between this and the failure with the zombies. "A pity you've put in with these fools, handsome, your skills would've been useful to the Harvestman..." "Perhaps they still could, if this Harvestman can make me a better offer. I'm not as attached to these barbarians and madmen as you might initially conclude."
Carlius races up beside Iso. "Two can play at that game, hedge-witch." Seeing his personal meat-shield rendered harmless by one of his favorite spells, Carlius decides to return the favor an attempts to cast Cause Fear on the woman. If she proves to be immune to the spell the information might be just as valuable as a successful casting.
Carlius notices some commotion from the entrance where the consul for the fourth district would enter, hearing a familiar voice shouting from outside. Carlius mutters one of the more obscure Taldane curses under his breath, then races out to see what the commotion is. He attempts to blend in with any crowd there might be so as to avoid potential notice by his teammates.
Carlius looks about and recognizes a handful of the more obvious nobles in town. Lord Pensworth, Lord Peabody, Lady Tarbella. Most seem to be socializing with one another and moving to the seats closest to the stage. Making mental note of their seats, Carlius searches the room the fourth district consul or some sign of his entourage.
"Well, it seems it is time for us to split up. Propriety and all that. One of you should try to see if you can learn anything from the actors while I go schmooze with the nobles. Nobody acknowledge you know me. I'll meet the rest of you riff-raff inside." With that Carlius, somewhat overconfidently, heads over to the blue carpet.
"What can be purchased with around 10 gp? "Cheap forgeries and shame." "I'm afraid most of what I've earned has been given to anyone I meet in dire need. I... don't have much on me." "More the fool you, then." "Then again, I do make even the simplest attire look striking. Perhaps I can compensate with some charm and wit?" A courtier's outfit sans jewelery and a clumsy foreigner's approximation of charm? Yes, that will go nicely with our feathered barbarian. The savage and the witwould. "If you can't afford it, you can't afford it. I don't anticipate there being issue. I'm certain you will dazzle them with your repartee."
"Why yes, the nobles just love the adventuring sort at the theater, it gives them that much more to discuss at their dinners." "That's brilliant! We couldn't hope to make Iso civilized, so we'll emphasize how uncivilized he is. He could be a curiosity! I'm picturing... a feathered headdress and uncured animal skins. And of course lots of bells." He turns to Iso. "And yes my fr- my associate, this does mean you won't have to bathe. So your many storied colonies of parasites can rest easy."
"It was easy, actually! When I mentioned famous adventurers from the Society wished to attend, they were all too kind to dig up some recently returned tickets. I'm afraid the seats aren't very good, though..." "They know we're adventurers from the society then? I suppose that defeats the purpose of trying to disguise Iso as a gentleman. Not that I don't love a nice impossible task now and again. By the way, who are you exactly? Mz... Pemberthy was it?" He turns to the others. "In light of this new information I'm willing to lower my earlier estimate. If you're willing to concede to looking utterly ridiculous I think I can get you in the door for as little as 30 gold," he steals a glance at Iso "No promises though."
"Do the men of this town wear perfume? Is that what I smelt on you, Carlius?" "I explained this a week ago, the difference you smell is called 'cleanliness'. You will need perfume. We can start with soap though. You're going to want to eat some soap." He clicks his tongue. "Preferably before we visit the tailor yes? I have some in my bag you can eat."
Carlius and Iso Iso:
"I will deal with this, do you understand?" Carlius says to Iso "This requires a delicate... I'm wasting my time aren't I? Let me handle it. I will talk and you will stand there and look intimidating in a notably silent manner." "Dear wizard, I would gladly appreciate your expertise in matters of fashion." "Carlius if you please. Now, how much ready coin do you all have? A gentleman might, with proper economy, dress himself for an evening out on as little as 80 gold pieces."
Carlius straightens his clothes. "You smell funny!" "That would be cleanliness you're smelling. It is a scent you too will have to acquire if you expect to be let into a Taldane opera house." The enormity of the task before him hits Carlius for the first time. By the gods, I'm expected to get this man into a formal opera house.
"Be sure to wear something festive - the Taldan nobility are arrogant on their best days and if you arrive at the opera dressed like that.." The Taldan noble bristles at the implication that he is anything less than impeccably dressed. "Hmph." Carlius is dressed in a Taldan courtier's outfit, a dark purple velvet affair not entirely suited to adventuring. Gold cufflinks and a few other touches of understated jewelry complete the impression that he's far wealthier than he actually is. His face is perfectly clean-shaven and his hair is meticulously in place. Carlius continues to stew over the comment for the rest of the meeting. "I don't suppose axes constitute part of the formal Opera dress code?" Is it normal for opera-goers to arrive armed and armoured, "I seem to have left my finest garments at a tailor's shop, that I have never actually visited." Carlius lets out a long, dramatic sigh. "Since clothing yourselves is clearly a task beyond your particular capabilities, I will take on the burden of selecting the wardrobe for the entire party. As much as you might like to sneer at your betters, the Taldan nobility are perceptive about such matters. If you arrive in last season's fashion it will not escape notice." |
