Taking a long undue break from an seemingly unending evening of violence and mystery, Julia would spend most of her days frequenting her friends and associates at the troupe and organizing her increasingly complex affairs. She would of course also slip into the Silent House now and again to visit to enjoy its creature comforts and juicy gossip.
Indeed, the bard would slip some of this gossip to her more adventuresome friends and Martella once they were all together again. "Well after that first splendid night of bloody Senate hall drama, underground hijinks, and cultist entanglements how could not be interested for more... especially when thate fate of Taldor is involved," she declares in a voice that is somehow both sardonic and earnest.
"Speaking of our great nation, the rumor mill has it the attackers at the Senate were foreign mercenaries from Andoran, Cheliax, and Galt. The Lion Blades seem to realize that the Grand Prince was involved but the citizenry is mixed. Some think it was Pythareus... others the Princess unfortunately."
With the cultist in front of her slain, Julia finally spots a staggered looking Triphylla all but frozen in place. "Tri! Come on now we need you and your claws!"
Alas, that plea does little to actually get the halfling out of her spell. Realizing that more was required, Julia takes a risk and ends her battle song to instead concentrate its energies on Triphylla. When her work was done, the bard silently prayed for the best for her friend and waded back into battle, picking another nearby cultist to pierce with her rapier.
Immediate Action: Casting Saving Finale to give Triphylla another chance at beating that Will Save. Lingering Performance feat means Julia's Bardic Performance bonuses continue for two more rounds. Standard Action: Attacking Red Cultist.
With the fighting finally over, Julia rests rather awkwardly on her rapier and does her level best not to fall on her own to feet as she holds covers her still bleeding chest. The bard takes little solace in seeing Lope in a similarly wounded condition. All the same she still tries to lighten the mood. "Looks like these fools got us real good, huh Lope? Really shame they wasted their lives being creeps in sewers. They might have made for decent butchers."
She tries to hold her smile for a bit longer but a spike of pain almost sends her off her blade. Turning to their resident healer, Julia asks for some assistance for herself and Lope. "Hey Val. Mind healing us unfortunates? Seems we managed to make a mess of ourselves."
Finally out of that damnable smoke cloud, Julia scans the area for a decent target and finds quite a few all around her. Perhaps to many honestly. "Figures we'd have a few more actors join the scene while we're in the dark. Let us see how well you can play the defeated villains, eh?"
With that said, channels power through her rapier and slashes at the newest cultist to her.
Julia feels her blade slash naught but wall as she utterly fails to spot her intended target. Worse yet it seems she nearly hit Lope in the process. "Sorry, sorry! This blasted smoke. It's like being trapped in Xovaikain."
Afraid that her rapier could very well end up stabbing a friend, Julia tries again with her bardic arts and attempts to hone in on the cultist that just tried to spellbound Lope. "Hey! Wanna know why dark spelled with a k? Because you can't c in the dark."
Casting Hideous Laughter on Red Cultist. DC 14 Will Save. Lasts 3 rounds. Bardic Performance 15/20 Spell Per Day 2/4
One moment Julia is preparing to have another go at hitting that apparently humorless cult with another enchantment only for a explosion of dark smoke to erupt upon her. "Wait what is... a smoke bomb? Oh of course they'd have a smoke bomb," she manages to get out before smoke threatens to pool in her mouth.
Not wanting to give the cultist's the satisfaction or opening to attack her while she's defenseless, Julia grips her blade tightly and pools her magic into the blade as she tries to strike one of the cultists she knows is or was close to Lope.
With her battle tune still on her lips, Julia rushes forward to Lope's side, or close enough, and unleashes a spell of her own on the cultist who just spellbound her friend. "Hey you! Wanna hear something funny? What's the hardest cult to join? A diffi-cult."
Casting Hideous Laughter on Red Cultist. That's a DC 14 Will Save.
Julia notably cringes at the possibility of traveling to the Dignified Repository via Oppara's sewers. "Not going to lie... the idea of travelling underground again doesn't sound very appealing. Especially through a sewer. That said, if it helps us find Martella, I'm in."
Thinking more about the Dignified Repository, the bard came to a realization. "If head a few blocks east or west from here we should find a manhole that will give us access to the sewer system," she tells them matter-of-factly before quickly adding, "Don't ask how I know that."
Though useful to know, Lope's instruction on the swarm's weaknesses didn't really help Julia given her lack of fire or blunt weapons. She did however have magic. "Hey, Mr. Archduke of Tangencies! What do you get when you mix a rat and an elephant? Who cares? It’s relephant!"
It was a truly awful joke, but Julia hoped that her magic would make it infectious as she focused her attention on the foul dire rat.
Casting Hideous Laughter on Diego. Will DC 14. Lasts two rounds if successful and Diego can't take actions is prone but not helpless.
Julia opened her eyes weakly, still reeling from nearly being murdered by a sentiment piece of paper if all things. Despite the pain when she sees Valerie's worried face she does her level best to reassure her friend. "Well then... guess that water trick really paid off, eh. Should have known you'd come up something brilliant like that, Val," she manages to wheeze out through a pained smile.
In truth, the near death experience was honestly rather traumatizing, but the bard hardly had much in the way of time to truly process it. It would have to just be another thing she'd have to deal with after getting out here. As such after a moment the bard stood up and tried to catch her bearings the best she could.
Julia couldn't help but let out a yelp as the living scroll slipped past her guard and slashed her arm. "Gods! How in the Nine Hells can that dusty thing be so sharp?" The bard of course doesn't linger on the question for long, and despite her wounded arm, reorients herself for another magic-laced thrust of her rapier.
Though Julia can't make heads or tails of any of the languages that the little creature speaks, she can at least tell that it doesn't mean any harm. At least not yet. If anything it seemed excited to see them. "This little fella is trapped in an underground museum and the first thing it does when it sees new people is try to sell them something? I must say, our little friend would go far in Oppara's markets with that type of hustle," she jests with a chuckle.
Though Julia had hoped that whatever slayed the dead senator had crawled in a hole far from her and her friends it seemed the Gods had different ideas in mind. One second she was trying to stay on alert the best she could and in next she was protecting herself from a wretch that seemed hellbent on spilling her blood!
Fortunately, despite the initial shock, she manages to rise her guard and parry the monster's claws before they find her flesh. "That was a close one! These ghouls are fast but if Lope is right about the walls we may not have to worry," she roars out somewhat shakily, trying her best to summon some bravado to hide her fear and perhaps maybe inspire the others to keep their wits.
Wanting to ensure that her companions spirits were up as they fought for their lives for the first together, Julia begins to sing a ballad about a outrageous Shelynite Paladin who danced in battle even while battling (and besting) the hordes of the Whispering Tyrant.
Standard Action: Bardic Performance - Inspire Courage +1 All allies get a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls for 10 rounds.
Julia had no love for the Grand Prince before this night and unsurprisingly even less so after his murder spree, but all the same she was taken back by the rumors of his death. "The Grand Prince is dead? That doesn't make sense, does it? He plots this insane self-coup and then... what? Is murdered by his own agents? No. Something else has to be at play here. There always in the plays and most of them are based on Taldor's sorted history.
Whilst Julia would have liked to ask Lotheed for more information of Stavian's supposed death (and whether she thought Pythareus had anything to do with it) she doubted she'd learn much given just how hectic things likely were outside. Better she focus on the task at hand, she thought, rather than getting caught up in rumors and wild guessing.
Knowing that she won't be much help dealing with the phase door or breaking any locks, she spends a few more hours going through the safehouse hoping that could find some other way out of their predicament. In the end though all she finds is a book that strangely catches her eye.
"I found this while looking around," she tells the others even as tries to look through the book's pages for anything related to phase door or perhaps the history of the Empire.
Julia took in Lope's words and tried to keep up with theories that could help them get out of here. "A phase door? I don't know many barracks that would bother with casting such powerful magic, even for protecting their weapons and supplies. This place might have instead been the lair of a powerful caster or group of them," she ponders aloud to no one in particular.
"I doubt any of us could dispel it naturally but maybe we can unlock that niche Lope managed may unlock for us?"
Before they had arrived in the Senate building, Julia had activated one of her scrolls of Wizened Appearance and allowed its transformative magicks to do her work. Within seconds the youthful opera singer and fencer was replaced by an appropriately aged doggleganger of herself… one who just so happened to be forty years older. Looking herself over in a mirror, Julia couldn’t help but be strangely fascinated by the scroll’s work. Despite her newfound wrinkles, liverspots, and sagging features her amber eyes still had her lively fire.
Of course, the important thing though was that she was unrecognizable. The notorious firebrand artist Julia Aubigini replaced by hidebound uber-conservative and spinster Dolores Aubigini, a far-off cousin of her family’s line in Oppara.
Walking up to Pythareus with a well-practiced gait, Dolores introduced herself to the general with a similarly well-practiced formality. "My lord High Strategos Maxillar Pythareus. Viscountess Dolores Aubigini, at your humble service," she says respectfully, with a curtesy to go along with it. Afterwards she gives her hand wrinkled hand with her Aubigini signet for him to kiss as old Taldan chivalry demands.
“I must say, it is good to see a man of your stature at such an event, my lord. To long, I think, this court has been bereft of men with firsthand knowledge of the dangers of our neighboring rivals pose to the realm and this night is a fine opportunity to remind the youngsters.”
Julia arrives back at the café in a sky blue gown that just screams out modest, traditional, and utterly harmless. It's hardly her usual faire these days but its exactly what she thinks would help lower the guard of a stodgy old conservative and military man like Maxillar Pythareus.
Moreover, it will go with the new role and identity she was crafting for the task. The pieces were mostly together now. With the aid of some scrolls she planned on playing the part of the old dowager woman who of an age with the old general. Someone that he would feel comfortable divulging his secrets to... hopefully.
Julia used the advance to buy 100 gp worth of jewelry to go along with the noble outfit she already has and two scrolls of Wizened Appearance.
THE GRAND DAY OF EXALTATION
Knowledge (Nobility):1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Once Julia was with the others she was quick to answer Lope's question having spent some time yesterday doing a quick refresher on the gala's working. "Not by much, Lope. It's essentially the same old, same old. Some random commoner is given the alleged honor of rising to the nobility because of some skill the Emperor found useful. This year its a weaver from Breezy Creek made quite a few beautiful tapestries. I think my father even had one. Anyways, around same time as the gala important balls and Senate votes occur since basically everyone from across the kingdom comes to Oppara to participate," she tells him patiently before the mysterious blonde's words catch her attention.
"Ha! Indeed, indeed. It's good to know our future Empress to be has good taste when it comes to blades and picking those deserving of their sting. A woman after my own heart! I can't wait to meet her."
Julia couldn't help as chuckle as Triphylla went about taking full advantage of Lotheed's hospitality as she ordered a whole feast for herself. That smile unfortunately would not last long when she heard Valeria's more than a little cryptic words.
"I-I..." she began, uncharacteristically lost for words. Julia knew that the Worldwound was not a place for the faint of heart but she had hoped that it would not leave an bewildering impact on her friend. "I must admit I don't know really to say to that Valeria. Maybe... maybe you can tell me more about the Worldwound when we have more time to catch up."
It might have been unconscious thing but Julia was quick to pay attention to the mysterious Lope again after her exchange with Valeria. If nothing else but to catch her wits again and not be consumed by worry. "Oh, well, thank you, Lope," she says somewhat distractedly. "I actually have performed at the House of the Immortal Son. A wonderful venue. The acoustics there are just marvelous."
While Julia could have talked shop about the Immortal Son all day, Lotheed's discussion about the absolute state of Taldan's less than sensible laws quickly captured her attention and she was quickly bobbing her head at all of it. "Yes, yes! It's utter madness! You don't see this kind of rigidness in Andoran, Absalom, or even Qadira of all places. I love Taldor but it must change with the times and recognize the worth of half its population if it ever hopes to be bastion of culture and progress again!" She says fiercely before recognizing that at some point in her speech she had risen from her seat.
Slightly embarrassed, but that much, Julia start back down. "Sorry. I usually get all those frustrations out during my singing. Guess needed to sing another saga before I got here," she says with a chuckle before becoming serious again and looking Lotheed straight in the eyes with an energetic determination. "If this vote and gala is our chance to make a difference then you can rest assure that I will do everything in my power to see its success."
Female NG Gnome Illusionist 1 |HP 8/8|AC 14 T 14 FF 11|Fort +1 Ref +2 Will +3|CMD 11|Init +3|Per +3| Blinding Ray 6/7|Active Conditions: None
As the new arrivals start pouring into the room, the young gnome realizes that she’s made another social error. “Oh! I forgot my name. My apologies,” she blurts out to no one in particular. ”The name’s Polly. Polly Glottimixx. I’m a linguist. And an archeologist. And a spellcaster. Oh and I’ve been a tour guide and tumbler as well but I'm not doing that currently.”
Polly internally debates whether she should she list all the other occupations she's had over the the years for completeness' sake when Eskander's words shift her thoughts completely. "Oh I'm very much the same Mr. Sforza. I honestly have no idea what were supposed to be doing for Mrs. Heidmarch but I do hope its a field mission! Perhaps she'll send us to Riddleport to study the Cyphergate. Or maybe the Cinderlands. Oh I hope its that. I haven't had a chance to practice my Shoanti for a while and would just love the opportunity to do so."
With seemingly nothing of note going on in town, beyond some depressingly provincial attitudes on outsiders, Hana readily joins Yuto and Teruko in returning to the caravan. Right before she leaves though the kunoichi does give Arend some words of advice. "Be wary of those ninja, ya here. They're a sneaky bunch. Never know when you might one run into one."
Hana gives Yuto a warm smile that feels almost strange on her face after all the chaos, bloodshed and paranoia of the last few days. "Sure, Yuto. I can certainly tell you a samurai epic. I always did like them despite how repetitive they could get sometimes. Samurais, especially the noble ones, tend to be big on constantly having all their titles reiterated every couple of verses."
When the kunoichi finishes her epic song she feels as if a part of a great weight had left her shoulders and that a sense of normalcy was slowly but surely returning. So much so, that she forgets her awkwardness around Ameiko and gives the Kaijitsu a coy look. "You always did like Varisian songs more. Here I was thinking it was because most of the visitors at the Rusty Dragon preferred but now I know its because of your weak fingers," she says in jest while showing off her own fingers.
"But seriously. Forte or no, if you ever wish to learn a few more I'm here, Ames."
Hana ignores Lone-Pillar's probing look as she returns back to her "normal" human form. Despite her kitsune shape effectively being her natural one, the kunoichi has spent some some time as a human that her false one feels more right, ironically enough.
She does though accept Yuto's hug and thoughtful concerns even when decides to answer Teruko's questions. "No, no. I'll answer some of the questions now. Might as well after keeping them for so long," she says with a fragile smile on her face. "Some of us can turn into true foxes, Teruko. But its a rare talent. Most of us can only turn from human to kitsune. Still, it wouldn't surprise if a few have gained the talent since I've been gone so we should be on of the lookout for strangely inquiring foxes around."
She turns to Ameiko and admits with some shame that, "The Nogistunes, my family, were an assassins and spy clan from Minkai who went about getting close to to their noble marks by infilrating their palaces and keeps as courtesans or bards. We fled Minkai after one of schemes went wrong and nearly got us all killed. That's how we ended up in Varisia.
Hana accepts Teruko's healing touch with a grateful smile. "Feeling much better. I think the poison got worked out of much system after you and Seishin went the extra step to save my life. Thanks my the way."
Feeling almost entirely back to her full health, the kunoichi begins the going through the bodies of her kinsmen, picking them of anything useful. It's only when Ameiko and a few others arrive that she ends the grim task and focuses her attention back on the living. "Thanks to your sister and Seishin on back on feet, Ames. But it was a bit touch and go there for a moment," she admits, her voice turning quiet at the last bit.
Knowing that she was perhaps closer to death than she ever had before triggers something in Hana as she realizes how none of her secrets did anything to help her or the rest of caravan. If anything all she did was delay the inevitable.
The kitsune looked thoughtful in her crush's eyes and allowed a fear in her heart to finally die. It was time. "Ames... everyone. There's something else about my clan that you all need to know. I-I should have told you all the moment I saw my family again but... well I suppose it doesn't matter now. Only the truth does. And here's mine."
Concentrating for a moment, she released the magical energies that maintained her human form. In flash, her "normal" features are replaced with a more vulpine aspect, with red-orange fur enveloping her skin, black claws extending from her fingers and a whole row of sharpened teeth materializing from her mouth.
"My true name is Hana Nogistune. My mother and I are kitsune and so is the entirety of my clan."
For a split second, Hana thinks about drawing her weapon right then and there when she realizes that one of the younger Nogitsunes has spotted. Ironically, its suddenly Amaya's hearing voice that brings her out of it. "I am," she says in a hushed whisper. "These people aren't who they say they are. Their con artists, thieves, and worse. I would know... they're my family. Former family that is."
Hana looks away for a second. Her face ridden with a buried shame that she hoped she'd would come to light again. It's only made worse by how much Amaya looks her sister. The very thought of having to explain this Ameiko makes Hana's churn but she powers through it and focuses on the present. "We can't allow them near the campsite or know where it is, Amaya. It's one of our, their, oldest tricks. Pretend to be travelers and get another caravan to take us in so we can rob and cut their throats them while they sleep."
Her eyes turn to Sandru, Ameiko, and the others while talking to their possible would-be killers. "I think of them has spotted me. If I try to warn the others now we might just end up in a fight. I think the best we can do is now quietly signal them and make an excuse to part ways with the other caravan." She looks at Amaya intently. "Think you can do that?"
Despite keeping a straight face as Ameiko and the elven stranger had their back and forth, Hana could not but whisper back to Yuto in agreement. "Man has a bit of an ego, yeah. Not sure if its strictly an elf thing though."
When the elf finally leaves Hana is quick to answer Yuto's question in full. "I've never heard of him before him. Which is strange since he certainly cares himself as if he's a big deal," she says sarcastic before looking Ameiko's way. "How do you know him, Ames? Sandru didn't know him so he couldn't be an old friend from your adventuring days, right?"
Regardless of whether Ameiko decides to answer or not, Hana also turns to Shalelu for information. "Hate to ask this Shalelu, but have you heard of an Aesial person?"
When Shalelu and Torra come back to camp with news of Sczarni, Hana's face takes on a serious mien. Her family had worked with the Sczarni before and she just ruthlessly the thugs could be. "Yuto has the right of it. The Sczarni are a dangerous lot of bandits and con artists. Fortunately, their also cowards. Even if they find us they'll probably stay clear if they see we're well guarded."
To that end, Hana moves to the front of the caravan with her masterwork wakizashi, intentionally making sure its shining steel flashes in the distance. After an hour or two of that, she allows another guard to take her position as returns to the others in the caravan.
The kunoichi listens to Ragnhildr's tales of the north and swaps a few words with Yuto before finally joining in when Ameiko starts to sing and play her shamisen. Their little jam session quickly turns into a duet that leaves Hana smiling ear to ear once its all over. "Feels its been forever since we've last played together, Ames. I gotta say, its good to hear you again."
Hana couldn't help but roll her eyes at Yuto's continued commit self-depreciation. The man simply could not take a compliment even when it was well-deserved. It was strangely enduring trait. All the same, she puts a hand to the warrior's shoulder and gives him a toothy grin. "Says the man who faced down his own corrupted father and won," she argued back. "That's the stuff of sagas, Yuto. You should be proud." Though she was all smiles, Hana wondered if he'd ever have the strength to face her own damned family if fate ever forced her to confront them after all these years.
Moving away from that troubling thought, she turned to an excited looking Torra. "I'm not sure about spiders not being scary, but that stone wall probably saved me from being slaughtered by Tsutamu. Can't wait to see what you'll learn next."
Taking a gander at the bustling masses in the Rusty Dragon, Hana was able to spot the mystery woman that they meet on the road amoung the guests. She didn't linger on her for long though.
Instead, she causally walks up to the bar as if she never left and Hana shots Ameiko an easy smile as she takes up one of the stools. "Heroes? Oh I don't know about all that," she replies with a theatrical amount of playful false modesty. "All we did was save Walthus from a goblin snake, kill one of the worst goblin chiefs on the Lost Coast, save a dashing swashbuckler and an overeager townie from said goblin chief, fight off a swarm of rats, and duel a horde of reanimated samurai." The tavern singer shrugged and checked her fingernails as if she had just finished talking about her breakfast. "It was no big deal really."
She laughed then, though it was pretty obvious that its timbre lacked enthusiasm. "But seriously, thanks for the round of applause, Ames. It was pretty rough out there. And the Battered Shield..." She shook her said sadly and momentarily wondered if she should ask for a drink. "Cyrus probably already mentioned it, but none of them made it beyond him."
She wanted to say more. To mention how a strange mumbling monster took a chunk of her shoulder, how she was nearly bisected by Yuto's undead father, and so much else. She didn't though. Instead she grew quiet for moment and allowed the others to talk themselves.
However, when Ameiko rushes to Teruko, the kunoichi can't help but overhear their conversation despite her conscious telling her that their obviously private family matters were none of her business.
After several days in a swamp Hana finally flexes her arms without the sharp foliage of the marsh to brush against her. "Can't say I'll miss the mosquitos, mud, or humidity. Oh and the constant attack by monsters. That was kind of annoying too," she says with a sardonic smile.
"Bringing the bones back to Sandpoint probably would be best," Hana agrees quietly with the samurai. "Gods only know if he'll rise again if we don't bury with him all the proper rites. And..." she looks at Yuto with pure sympathy, "He's your dad. He deserves it. And you deserve see him put to rest."
Feeling strangely vulnerable in that moment, and thinking about her own contentious, Hana looks for something to distract her. She finds it rather quickly when she follows Torra and looks over Tsutamu wakizashi's blade. "Hmm. It's called Whispering Shrike," she reads.
Picking it up and giving it a closer examination, Hana also discovers a hidden compartment within the loosed hilt. Yuto! I think I might have found something in your father's sword. Look."
Looking back at Yuto and his obvious torment made Hana feel powerless. She knew she should go to him. Try to help clam him if anything else. But all these mentions of dreams and visions... She did not want to think about it. Any of it."Right, she said, her voice clearly uncertain despite her efforts to stay calm. "Let's focus on the cave first. There's another pathway to the west. Let's see where it leads."
Unlike some of her less nimble compatriots, Hana mentions to easily slip onto the boat with very fear of accidentally losing her balance. Seeing that Yuto wasn't so lucky, the kunoichi gives him some coy words of encouragement. "Oh didn't let Shadru get away with that, Yuto. He may act the dashing the adventurer but I've seen him swim before. He's hardly a mermaid, believe you me."
Hana spots the revolting look rat creature and prepares to slice it her wakizashi only to recognize the foul abomination. "It's Old Megus's pet!" She yells to the others. "She used to take into town all the time. Maybe it's her..."
Hana abruptly stops talking as her eyes are uncontrollably drawn to the rat's red eyes. The idea of being swarmed by thousand of rats suddenly becomes an all-encompassing terror in her mind that sends her heart into a maniac spasm. Not a second later she's running for dear life, any thought of fighting the rat having fled just as she has.
"Can't say I miss the feeling of swamp water leaking through my boots," Hana quips as she tries (and fails) to avoid a hidden puddle."Here's to hoping that Megus's place is well-kept. Doubtful. But I can hope."
I might throw in my hat, depending on build rules. I've wanted to rock a Gun Chymist for some time now.
Build rules would be pretty straightforward. 20 point buy, 2 traits (one from the campaign). I'd allow some gunslinger related third party stuff, though I'm not sure what yet.
Would all players be required to submit characters that use firearms or would they just have to have a tech or engineering theme?
Hana holds her tongue as the others talk through what they should do next, but eventually perks up when Yuto mentions his promise to Ameiko. She turns to Teruko. "I made the same promise too," she says thoughtfully, noting the strange hesitancy in Teruko's voice. Assuming the other women's afraid that their all going to abandon her now that initial mission is finished, she tries her best to sound supportive.
"I'm game to come back and excavate this other ship if it means helping Ameiko and your family, especially if its leads to us figuring out if Sandpoint has an undead problem brewing in the marsh, but I think heading back now sooner than later would be best."
She looks towards Yuto and a still shaky looking Cyrus. "Some of us are still hurting from the fight with Gutwad and were all out of healing, right? Going back to Sandpoint means getting more information from Ameiko but also maybe some healing from Father Zantus. Plus, with all the gold we found here we can buy some potions so you and Seishin don't have to waste all your magic are making sure us brawlers don't keel over," she says earnestly before wryly adding,"Also, Gutwad's head isn't exactly going to stay preserved in all the humility. Same with the ears. Can't wait to hand them them off to Hosk."
"I think we should head back to town, yeah," Hana concurs with Yuto. After all this fighting she was exhausted and returning home to her mother and seeing Ameiko again felt like paradise. Even so, some part of her was still troubled by what their encounter with the undead meant.
"Where do you think the skeleton got the wakizashi? My best is on the Kaijitsu Star. That place... it has dark ki. The undead tend to animate in places of tragedy and misery, right? I wouldn't surprised that it and the weapon came from there."
Hana forms a steely grimace as her strike against Gutwad once again goes wide. However, her expression quickly turns into one of shock and then fury as she sees the goblin chief stab Yuto in the chest. "Yuto!
Seeing the samurai fall not so long after Cyrus's near death seems to trigger something dark and feral within Hana as her next slash against Gutwad proves to be her most deadly yet as her wakizashi finds its target and digs deep into the goblin's flesh.
Taking a 5ft. step to get into melee range with Gutwad.
As the others talk, Hana sighs and pinches her nose. She was happy that at least some of the Battered Shield had survived the swamp, but she was also had hoped, if only faintly, that they'd have some healing resources to help mend Yuto.
"I would prefer we not to take the risk with the goblins," she says cautiously to Cyrus, her weapon still in hand if case the Licktoads decided to return for an ambush. "It's like Teruko said, our best bet to make for Walthus's, if only because he might have some healing for you, me and Yuto."
It was a far shot and she knew it. Walthus's was a while away even before they could actually see where they were going. But now with everything in the dark... "I'm not sure the river monster will be issue. Torra is right that we fought it off. Damn well nearly killed it. As injured as we are I doubt it would be willing to take another chance at us, which means this ship of yours might be safer now."
She shrugged. "Or maybe we could try to find Old Megus's like I said. Anything has to be better than here."
Hana had hoped that she'd find tracks, but instead caught a whiff of something foul if sadly familiar. For better or worse the smell of dead goblin had become a distinct scent to her nose after the attack on Sandpoint a few years ago. "Does anyone smell that?" She asks even as she follows the smell to its gruesome source. When she finally finds the dead goblin only a couple feet away from the others she has to cover her mouth and nose to prevent the full extent of the gut-wrenching musk from overwhelming her.
"Torra," she manages to croaks out, trying her best not to gage. "Do you think you can figure out what killed it?"
@GM: Yeah, ignore the Sneak Attack damage. I only rolled it in the off chance that Hana would get into a flanking position with the River Monster.
Violent memories flash in Hana’s reeling mind as she struggles to keep her wakizashi steady in her hand.
She sees Arika’s idiotic face first, a random girl she hardly even knows and who’s stupidity got her in this whole bloody mess. But there’s more. So much more. There’s her mother and all her damn rules. Her clan and all their lies. And then there’s herself… a vile murderer and thief who deserves all this pain and much more. If anything she should just throw herself at the monster and let the chips fall where they may. Better to die fighting and angry than guilt-ridden and meek.
"No. It’s not true. It’s not true. I've changed. I have. I have.” She practically screams the words through shaking teeth. The anger is so powerful that even speaking beyond growls feels like a challenge. Despite that though, and the blood pumping in her ears and the angry images still running havoc in her mind, Hana somehow, if just barely, manages to back away from the river monster and put herself into a guarded position.
No Action: Taking a 5 ft. step back from her current position. Standard Action: Using Total Defense to boost Hana’s AC to 20.
Well if Yuto is willing to give the cloak up - and there no other objections or claimants - than Hana will whole heartedly take it up. She's pretty small anyway, so it will probably look best on her lol.
Hana listens closely as Teruko gives out her explanation. The plank just being part of a ship caravan seems sensible enough, but a part her still wonders why the Battered Shield thought it necessary to keep the plank itself. Maybe there was something more to it than that? "Maybe Ameiko knows more about it?" She speculates aloud, already storing the plank into her backpack for safekeeping.
With the plank tucked away, Hana moves forward into the swamp with the others, still scanning the area for any sign of the lost adventurers.
Sorry I could not get this done sooner, but I wanted to get this out before we all start interacting at the Rusty Dragon and did not want to half-ass it.
Anyhow, the main thrust and/or arc that I have in mind for Hana is someone who is trying to break with her past in an attempt to find redemption from all the things she did while she was part of her kitsune ninja clan. She hides it will under a mask of easy-going and cheerfulness, but the guilt associated with her actions that realizing just how evil her clan was after being able to experience what a true community is supposed to be after immigrating to Sandpoint has done a number on her. Never mind the fact that she basically got her father killed. Slowly revealing through this first chapter of the Adventure Path that Hana has certain set of skills that go well beyond what you’d expect from a tavern musician is one of her roleplay elements that I most look forward too.
I’m also really interested in exploring the dissonance of someone who seems rather affable and courteous being able to kill ruthlessly goblins and the without batting an eye or showing much in the way of outward trauma or shock. Hopefully, that will be the first give away that there is something going with kindly Hana!
As for her romance with Ameiko, I’m perfectly content to keep that hidden within spoilers between me and Aganhei GM as it develops if that is what people prefer. I intend to keep it PG-13 regardless, so do not fear anything risqué going on there if you decide to risk a peek.
Character Relationships:
Seishin of the Wheel: They’ve possibly interacted in passing at the Rusty Dragon since Hana likes to get to know all the new people that come to town (all the better to find out if their actually one of her kitsune clanmates come for revenge!). Beyond that I see them getting along in the same shallow way Hana gets along with everyone in town. That will certainly change as the adventure continues.
Teruko Kaijitsu: Hana will certainly know Teruko by virtue of her being her crush’s sister and the two have probably meet at the Rusty Dragon if she’s reconciling with Ameiko. Speaking of which, I do not see Hana much caring for Teruko given her seeming hot-and-cold personality when it comes to her sister. Hana was probably one of the people whose shoulder Ameiko spent some time crying over shoulder when Teruko rejected her, so the image of her being a cold-hearted monster will be hard to shake. Moreover, Teruko being able to tell that she’s hiding probably won’t endear her to the women either. Despite all that I see Hana hiding all her ire under her bubby façade of pleasing niceness.
Torra Voliokerdam: Hana has been in town for about a decade so it’s more likely than not that she’s met and interacted with Torra a few times. During those brief discussions, it’s possible that Hana clued in on Torra’s issues. A lack of identity is something she’s still struggling with and I imagine she’d be empathetic and perceptive enough to be able to see the same conflict in Torra. A shapeshifter and someone going through some form of dysmorphia seems pretty ripe for interesting conversations between the two.
Hirabashi Yuto: Ha! Funnily enough I think we’ve more or less came to the same conclusions in regard to Hana and Hirabashi’s relationship. Same as with Torra, I figured there was a good chance she’s interacted with Hirabashi in town here and there without really becoming close friends. Being respectful acquaintances at best as you said. Maybe they’ve spoken to one another in Minkaian if only for novelty of being able to do so with some else in town who wasn’t Ameiko or her family. Of course, there is the whole samurai and ninja dynamic that could be played up as some kind of rivalry between professions or simply as a shared Minkaian cultural lineage that they talk about very once in a while. Though in regard to both it will probably only start being a thing once Hana admits she’s a ninja and not just a friendly shamisen player.
@Hirabashi: Nope! It is still a secret. No one outside of her mother knows that their both kitsune. Not even Ameiko knows. The same goes for the ninja training and past. However, she’s probably told Hirabashi that her family comes from Minkai and I could definitely see them bonding over that even if Hana is rather coy about the details of her family history.
@Teruko: I’ll be seconding Hirabashi’s preference for spoilers when it comes to her internal struggle with Lonjiku's spirit. I think it adds to the mystery of Teruko’s possessed status and gives us the players more time to built up towards “finding out” about her issue. As for the triggering aspects of such dialogue, I for one am not sensitive towards that sort of trauma in fiction, but if anyone else in our game is I’d be perfectly fine with Lonjiku being a background thing despite really loving the concept.
Oh, gosh, this character slipped past me because she appeared right before page 2! I do want to stress, for the sake of the three of us (I think, including Hana, Cutter and Omoikane) who are taking Childhood Crush (Ameiko), that Cutter's crush is intentionally written so that it can be safely set aside if need be. I mean, I'm a huge sucker for drama, but I can get that from a doomed infatuation just as much as a love triangle. Considering Omoikane's age compared to Ameiko, maybe Cutter will get to bond with the kid over that, if we both make it in. :P
Don't you worry, Rosemary. If we do both end up getting selected for the game I'm sure we'll be able to come to some kind of mutual understanding even if you don't set aside the crush or decide to downplay it. Wouldn't be the first time that two people pined over someone. Like you said, its a perfect opportunity for interpersonal drama that is minor enough that it won't actually harm the party but is still interesting to roleplay.
Ameliya puts on a warm, false smile as she addresses Razelago, "You may have a point there," Ameliya says calmly, lowering her hood to free her hidden red locks. "I intended for myself and my business to appear neutral in any forthcoming conflict in town, but open honesty of one's allegiance does have its benefits. Speaking of which. I would love to learn how you were able to secure these sashes? The psychic asks nonchalantly while holding one up for display. "I doubt Archbaron Fex would be willing to give them out to just anyone. You must have some relationship with the man, yes? Care to share?"
