Deeply sorry that it took this long to finally post something here. Been distracted and found it difficult to get into the right mindset to write or do much of anything. Still need to write up the exact details of Spider-Gwen’s origin and backstory but I should have that done by tomorrow. Sneak peek is that I’m going with the idea of what if the Gwen Stacy from the Amazing Spider-Man duology got bitten by the spider. Hope that’s an interesting take. Build is up on the Alias page if anyone wants to take a look at it.
Marith couldn't help it. Despite only knowing the girl for a day or so she gave Kiley a short but firm hug. "Forgive the overfamiliarity but what you just said was so beautiful that Eilistraee herself must be smiling from the heavens. Selune too, I'd wager."
Marith eagerly takes Shaggar's furry hand and shakes it right before giving his companion Kiley a happy nod. "Shagger. Kiley. I hope to get to know you all better as we make this quest. I imagine there's a lot to how the two of you got together, no?"
Perception:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Guess Kiley being a tiefling gonna remain a mystery for a bit lol.
And here's Marith's twenty background questions. Was actually quite fun to do and helped me better figure out her background and personality a bit. Her larger backstory should be complete soon to really layout the details and particulars but if you have questions or concerns about what I have so far just ask me.
Background Questions:
1. What is your character’s name?
- Marith Z’endi.
2. How old is your character?
- 98, a young adult by elf standards.
3. What would somebody see at first glance (i.e. height, weight, skin color, eye color, hair color, physique, race, and visible equipment)?
- They would see a beautiful drow maiden of average height with the dark-gray skin that is common for her race. Her hair would be a long flowing waterfall of silver-white that would freely come down to her midback. Her eyes a shade of pale blue that stand out as rare for a drow. Her lithe physique while pleasing to the eye beguiles her well-horned and limber muscles. In times of prayer or causal activity she will often be found wearing the silvery silks of an Eilistraeen priestess. When prepared for battle or adventure she’s usually attired in a relatively flexible set of silver-hued armor with a gleaming bastard sword in one hand and a shining shield that bears the sigil of her goddess in the other.
4. What additional attributes would be noticed upon meeting the character (i.e. Speech, mannerisms)?
- Those brave or tolerant enough to try and know a drow would quickly realize that Marith is an all-together sanguine young (by elf standards) woman who’s disposition and temperament is manifestly joyful and kind. Smiles come natural to her even if some of them have a touch of sadness beneath the beam these days. Her voice is sweet and pleasant to the ear, possessing a musical quality. Similarly, she moves with the alluring fluidness and agility of a dancer.
5. Where was your character born? Where were you raised? By who?
- Waterdeep, in the Dancing Haven temple. She was raised communally by the clerics of Eilistraee there.
6. Who are your parents? Are they alive? What do they do for a living?
- Her parents were two star-crossed drow lovers who escaped from Menzoberranzan and the grasp of Lolth thanks to the help of Eilistraeen Sword Dancers who led them to the surface and Waterdeep. They died not soon after Marith was born having been murdered by Lolithites while on a Sword Dancer mission in the Underdark.
7. Do you have any other family or friends?
- As far as she knows none by blood but she counts all the priestesses and priests of the Dancing Haven and Promenade of the Dark Maiden temples as family and dear friends.
8. What is your character’s marital status? Kids?
- She is unmarried and has no children. She has had a few romantic relationships but they only ended amicably for one reason or another.
9. What is your character’s alignment?
- Chaotic Good with Neutral Good tendencies.
10. What is your character’s moral code?
- Marith is a free spirit who believes that all beings should be free to be who they are and enjoy the wonders of the world so long as they don’t harm anyone in turn or seek to oppress others. She believes even the cruelest villains can and should be redeemed but is willing to take a life if it means protecting the innocent, though she regrets taking such measures and only does so as a last resort.
11. Does your character have goals?
- She wishes to become a Sword Dancer, an elite martial order in the Church of Eilistraee that actively seeks to free the rest of drowkind from Lolth and her cruel and oppressive concept of society. She also wishes to develop a greater bond with her goddess and “redeem” herself for her perceived failure in a mission in the Underdark that went horribly wrong. The guilt of that failure weighs on her heavily.
12. Is your character religious?
- Deeply. She is a Cleric of Eilistraee after all. Her faith for better or for worse defines her.
13. What are your character’s personal beliefs?
- Her personal individual beliefs and that of her faith are largely intertwined. Following the doctrines of the Church of Eilistraeen she holds that it is her duty as a free drow to help free the rest of her people from the tyranny of Lolth so that they may take their place on the surface as a liberated people. Beyond that, she earnestly believes that the world is a beautiful place despite its imperfections with the same being true of people. For that reason she strives to enjoy life to the fullest with beauty and grace and works to ensure that all people are allowed that chance as well. Accordingly, slavery is an abomination to her that makes both slave and the slaver lesser. The same is true for various other hierarchical systems of oppression that she also abhors and seeks to abolish with words and compassion preferably or by the sword if unfortunately necessary.
14. Does your character have any personality quirks (i.e. anti-social, arrogant, optimistic, paranoid)?
- While recent tragedies and traumas have made her somewhat quieter then she used to be, Marith is still very much a warm and sociable woman who loves to talk with friends and even strangers who do not judge her prematurely by her race. Even in the face of anti-drow prejudice and distrust she puts on a brave face and tries to win people over if possible. Said brave face and eternal optimism has to some degree become something of a mask in recent years that hides mental wounds that have yet to heal.
15. Why does your character adventure? Why did your character accept the job?
- Marith earnestly wants to do good and show the world that a drow can in fact be a hero. Drizzt Do'Urden can’t be the only example after all. Moreover, she sees adventuring as an opportunity to see more of the world and enjoy its wonders. When it comes to the Silvermoon Glade mission in particular, she believes it only natural that she as an Eilistraeen helps the Church of Selûne, which has always been allied with her faith. Beyond that, she also sees it as a chance to make amends for her perceived past failure.
16. How does your character view his/her role as an adventurer?
- Beyond being an intrepid do-gooder, she sees her martial role as an adventurer as being the one who defends her less physically capable comrades while at the same time strengthening or healing them with her spells. Socially, she can be someone her comrades can talk to in times of stress and entertain and soothe them with her dancing and singing.
17. Does your character have any distinguishing marks (birth-marks, scars, deformities)?
- While most of her physical wounds from her imprisonment by the Lolthites have been healed by time and magic there still remains some scars on her back that stubbornly refuse to disappear despite the best efforts of her Eilistraeen sisters and brothers. Perhaps Lolth herself prevents it…
18. How does your character get along with others?
- Once again, she’s very sociable and likes talking with people. She does, however, have some secrets that she would prefer not to share and she avoids talking about her imprisonment in the Underdark at the hands of Lolthites if she can help it.
19. Is there anything that your character hates?
- Eilistraeens are not supposed to hate but she hates Lolthites. She represses it deeply however to the point of not really being conscious of it but the hate is there nonetheless. She’s also not a big fan of slavery, torture, bullying, the destruction of nature or artwork, or cruelty of any kind.
20. Is there anything that your character fears?
- Being captured and tortured by Lolthites again. The bigger fear there however is succumbing to corruption and giving into Lolth. She believes that if not for her fellow Eilistraeens rescuing her she may have given into her pain and renounced Eilistraee and become a Lolthite in a bid to survive. The idea of that happening gives her nightmares and it is the secret shame that burdens her heart.
Hate to do this but I'm going to have to leave the game. Real life stuff is becoming an issue and I don't believe I'll be able to commit to the game as a consequence. For that I'm sincerely sorry. It's been a blast playing with y'all and I appreciate what we've managed to do together as an collaborative troupe. I hope the best for the game going forward and hope you all continue being awesome.
With her grease spell having faltered to the manticore's still sharp instincts, Julia switches it up when it comes to magic and attempts to assail the beast... with laughter of all things.
Standard Action: Casting Hideous Laughter on Iron Lash. DC 14 vs. Will.
Knowing the odds of them besting such a fierce in combat was slim, Julia fellows Lope's example and tries her hand at hampering the manticore with magic. "I might be able to blind it with a spell. It's a risk but I if manage maybe we can kill it... or abscond with Moffis. Either sounds rather arguable to me," she quips even as she mentally prepares her lyrical incarnation.
Ah, the halfling race as opposed to the race of halflings. Got it. I was worried I had written something that was misinterpreted.
Yep. That was the intention. Sorry about the miscommunication there Triphylla. I should have double checked the language there.
Julia decidedly half-heartedly participates in the cruel farce of a hunt. With Valeria beside her she tries to track the prisoners if only so they could find them and actually discover if they're guilty of anything behind attracting the Count's apparent sadistic streak.
Some time later once the confusion and chaos was mostly resolved, Julia followed the other guests to the palace's ballroom for the banquet only to rather quickly find herself forced to endure the rather unseemly company of one Lord Titus Lotheed-Casava. While the others manage to put the braggart in his place in their own special ways, the bard can't help but add to the sly retorts. "Oh how very observant of you, Lord Titus. Very insightful indeed. I have one of my own if you wish to hear it," she says with an innocent smile that doesn't reach her eyes. "Your attire is a few seasons out of fashion in Oppara and honestly isn't the best fit for your frame. I'm sure my brother could show you something more trendy... if you asked him nicely, of course."
Julia gave Lope a knowing look and hoped he'd be able to read behind the lines. "This Night Swan seems like a capable and powerful woman. One with a great many talents. It would be a great boon to find out how she is... so she can stopped of course."
Knowledge (History):1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Turning to the Baroness she says. "Honor, duty, and historic precedent would demand that he commit some kind of action. An attack on his person is bad enough but a rogue attacking nobility is an affront to everyone of our class. If he did nothing but brood... well, it would certainly make his stewardship of Birdsong look feeble at the very least."
Julia's eyes go wide as the very count she was just trying to undermine suddenly has his thigh impaled for all to see. While her instincts scream that should fall Lope's example and reach for her weapon, she instead decides that getting control of the situation would best serve everyone involved as well their group's interests on establishing themselves as some kind of authority.
Diplomacy:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
"The Count has been struck," she calls with authority to the guards and just about anyone else who could be of some help. "Guards secure the area. There may be an assassin amoungst us. Have any healers, alchemists, or clerics in the Count's service come to treat him. Guests, countrymen! Do not panic. A rush would only bring disorder and give those responsible time to escape. Stay where you are so we can sort out this mess. We are Taldans not wild animals. We do not panic."
Though Julia practically feels the baroness's snide disapproval she doesn't falter in the wake of it and instead stands her ground and thickens her painted on smile. "Rotten is it? A shame that but a little bit of rot is hardly a reason not to try and make the best out of a bad situation. For instance, whenever I'm tragically bored at a party I try to find good company and a fine drink to make the best of it," she says in between taking a sip from one of the goblets. "I've already achieved the latter. Will you help me with the former or will I have to find another fair woman to help me finish off this wine."
Julia gave the departing baron a respectful curtesy and a thanks for the good conversation before immediately turning towards nearby Cyrene and telling her in a whisper, "I think we've made an ally of the Baron. He's conservative but has no love for Pythareus and his scheming. He also isn't likely to move against us when it comes to Birdsong. What about you? Heard in juicy secrets?"
Julia felt the a prong of guilt course through her heart as she heard the old man recall the horror of the night and the personal losses he had suffered. Regardless of whether it was a good cause and the future of Taldor she was still manipulating a man obviously still reeling from grief.
Diplomacy:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Ashamed but still holding to her alter ego, Julia's next words were far more earnest. "Yes... we all failed to comprehend how far Stavian had fallen. You are certainly not alone in that. But perhaps we can still prevent a war?" she asks. "Maybe if Pytherous saw that enough lords and ladies were backing Eutropia that he'd reconsider his foolish course and back down? The man may be stubborn but I can't imagine he'd doom himself in a hopeless cause."
Managing to not find a lot of success with carousing with the guests artists, Julia opts to see if she can get the Count himself to expose his own nasty little secrets. Waltzing up to the man while her "brother" Lope engages him, the bard tries to introduce herself more formally. "Count Bartelby! How wonderful to finally see you this fine Jubilee. I hope my dear brother Lope is keeping you good company." she says with a dazzling smile before giving out her hand for the Count to kiss. "Julia Betony. Charmed as ever."
It doesn't take Julia that long to realize that the Count is a Lotheed through and through. The man is obviously an intellectual when it comes to the arcane arts with little patience for idiots... he's also rather appallingly classist even for a nobleman, which honestly makes it all the easier for Julia to help bring his downfall.
Deciding to use both personality quirks to her advantage, Julia turns the conversation around to history surrounding the Lotheed's and their reputation as arcanists to butter him up and target his elitist pride. "Dear Count, I may not possess my brother's knowledge of the arcane but do know something about those who do," she says flatteringly, making it rather clear that she's talking about the Count himself or at least his family. "You Lotheeds are a esteemed clan. Filled with great archmages and the like. I'm positively envious. Mayhaps you could showcase some of your knowledge at the Jubilee? I'm sure it will scare some of the peasants but those slack-jawed fools are so often scared of their own shadows." Julia gives a rather stereotypical noblewoman's laugh after delivering her jab, hoping that the distinction will appease the classist Bartelby.
Perception:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Julia is so focused on her performance that she - like apparently else - doesn't seem to notice much else going on at the Jubilee.
"Getting the Abadarans and the merchants on our side is all well and good but we can't ignore the most critical and powerful segment of the populace," Julia begun. Her mind was going through several ideas at once while they all strategized, but one in particular held her interest. "I mentioned it earlier but the peasantry believe that either the Princess or Pythareus was behind the Grand Prince's death and the Senate massacre. We need to show them the truth. Better yet, we need to show that the Princess is worthy to rule them."
She looked towards the princess in question and gave her a piercing look as if trying to detect whether she was truly as just and forward-thinking as she seemed. "You need to win them over, Princess. By word or by deed. Pythareus only wishes to give them war but if you show them your heart through acts of charity and kindness - perhaps in concert with the Church of Shelyn - than they will disspell these mistruths from their minds and flock to your side. I know it."
A spike of guilt goes through Julia's spine as the Crown Princess outlines the sheer scale of Pythareus's mad ambition. The possibility that she had in some way encouraged the warmonger to accept Stavian's adoption scheme weighs heavy and for a moment she does not respond Eutropia's call to arms.
She would however find her voice and resolve again when she looked past her guilt and truly envisioned the world that the dogmatic general would bring about. She then looked towards the princess, a clever and lovely women who seemed to determined to make a positive change in the world but was wise enough to know her limitations. Compared to Pythareus there really was no contest.
Standing before the princess with her cavalier hat in hand, Julia made her promise. "I already swore himself to your cause before I knew the depths of Pythareus's fool plans but now that I do I feel compelled to swear to redouble my efforts for you and Empire. And so you will have it. I, Julia Rosalie Horatio Aubigni of the House Aubigni swear my life, blade, and will to seeing Taldor saved from the likes of men like Maxillar Pythareus. For all your doubts in the days, weeks, and perhaps even days to come do not doubt my commit in that, Princess Eutropia."
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."
