Euan,
I resisted. It could not be. I really didn't want to believe what the others were telling me but they were right.
You ARE evil! :)
Game on!
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Dimitrio outwardly nodded and inwardly sighed. he would have done a happy dance but that seemed out of place in this realm. it was time to go. He still did not trust this First Daughter. She could still send someone after them. She could have steered to a place where there was no gate but only death. And the word 'cowardice' for not using the gate bothered him. But they were going home and that was most important. Dimitrio politely stated, "Glad we could be of service to you. Thank you."
Dimitrio was serious, some may even say 'suicidal serious'. Without any hesitation, he stated, "Our end of the bargain is complete. What information do you have for us?"
As Allarnon takes the ring, the bard takes a closer look at the chainshirt. The underground motifs didn't catch his attention but the excellent quality and magical protection sure did. "I'll be taking this unless someone wants it. I will offer up my own magical chainshirt if desired." _________________
Lief applies his wand once to heal himself, but is ready to heal Allarnon fully, alone or with others helping. Dimitrio stops Lief from using his healing wand all the time. "Here, let me. It's a good idea to have more than one of the healing sticks." He then proceeds to heal Allarnon. "We should also take a look at what we got from this drow we just killed and his guards. What did you find Layne?" He quickly added, "it may be a good idea to read the books as well. Information is highly prized here. Are we in a hurry to get back to the First Daughter?"
Dimitrio piped in, "Lord Moivas. I heard of him. He like controls all the beasts around here. Time to go." The bard went upstairs with Lief. Seeing the locked box, he pulled out his tools and started to pick the lock. "Here, let me help you
Dimitrio counts those drow fallen to his blade tonight. "One, two, three..." He turned to one still lingering about not knowing what to do, "One last chance to save your life before my mistress notices you. Go!" The bard then quickly checked the enemies for anything valuable before going towards Allarnon. Putting a heavy hand on his shoulder, "I'm afraid the blessings I channel from Desna won't do here. I wish I were a more apt chenneler but my talent lieas in dancing. I am sorry." Dimitrio then waits for Layne to come down and put order to the chaos of this bar.
Tempted to finish off the drider, Dimitrio was still surrounded by drow. Tough drow fighters too. Hoping the drider remained poisoned for a while longer, he pressed the attack against the drow. _________
stats: HP 83/83
Dimitrio could not see in the darkness spell but neither could his opponents. or so he hoped. He remembered where they were last time and continued to slash and poke in their location. _________
stats: HP 83/83 AC 26 CURRENTLY 30, touch 20, flat-footed 16 10 +4(DEX) +1(belt of DEX +2) +6(chainshirt+2) +2 (buckler+2) +1(ring of prot) +1 (dodge) Conditions: barkskin, Prot from evil so AC currently 30 Melee (rapier+1): +16/+11 = +8(base) +4(dex) +1(belt of dex +2) +1 (magic) +1(weapon focus)+1(swashbuckler specialization) Melee Damage (rapier+1, arcane strike, panache): 1d6+16 = +1(weapon) +4 (dex) +1(belt of dex +2) +2 (arcane strike) +5 (precise strike)+2 (specialization) +1(swashbuckler specialization), 15-20, x2 5/5 daggers, 5/5 panache, 3/3 charmed life, 20/20 bardic performance, 5/5 1st level, 3/3 2nd level spells, 1/1 arcane bond spell, ring of fire 5/5
The bard was tiring of fencing with these drows. With two of them fallen to his blade and not a scratch on him, Dimitrio felt invincible. But now that Layne was being attacked, it was time to finish them _________
stats: HP 83/83
Not seeing who showed up at the balcony didn't bother Dimitrio. He had other things that were more pressing, like the the two drow who were too stupid to know they were dead. He maneuvered between them and attacked. "Hey, dumbass. Time to run away! I think I hear your mama calling." _________
stats: HP 83/83 AC 26 CURRENTLY 30, touch 20, flat-footed 16 10 +4(DEX) +1(belt of DEX +2) +6(chainshirt+2) +2 (buckler+2) +1(ring of prot) +1 (dodge) Conditions: barkskin, Prot from evil so AC currently 30 Melee (rapier+1): +16/+11 = +8(base) +4(dex) +1(belt of dex +2) +1 (magic) +1(weapon focus)+1(swashbuckler specialization) Melee Damage (rapier+1, arcane strike, panache): 1d6+16 = +1(weapon) +4 (dex) +1(belt of dex +2) +2 (arcane strike) +5 (precise strike)+2 (specialization) +1(swashbuckler specialization), 15-20, x2 5/5 daggers, 5/5 panache, 3/3 charmed life, 20/20 bardic performance, 5/5 1st level, 3/3 2nd level spells, 1/1 arcane bond spell, ring of fire 5/5
"Better turn tail now and save your worthless hide! He continued with the taunting and demoralizing, "Look at your fellow guard. That red slit across his throat looks nice, doesn't it? You want one?" The swashbuckler continued to talk s%~! and slash at his opponent. He carefully maneuvers to out his back against the wall and face his enemies. _________
Dimitrio brings his A-game when he notices that these guards are better than the run of the mill drow. "Careful here, people. Let's put them down quickly and efficiently." The ring of blade on blade reverberated inside the tavern. _________
stats: HP 83/83
Dimitrio was surprised when the guard did not succumb to his strike. Not waiting for him to retaliate, he redoubled his efforts moving closer to the other guard to engage him shortly. _________
stats: HP 83/83 AC 26, touch 20, flat-footed 16 10 +4(DEX) +1(belt of DEX +2) +6(chainshirt+2) +2 (buckler+2) +1(ring of prot) +1 (dodge) Conditions: barkskin, Prot from evil so AC currently 30 Melee (rapier+1): +16/+11 = +8(base) +4(dex) +1(belt of dex +2) +1 (magic) +1(weapon focus)+1(swashbuckler specialization) Melee Damage (rapier+1, arcane strike, panache): 1d6+16 = +1(weapon) +4 (dex) +1(belt of dex +2) +2 (arcane strike) +5 (precise strike)+2 (specialization) +1(swashbuckler specialization), 15-20, x2 5/5 daggers, 5/5 panache, 3/3 charmed life, 20/20 bardic performance, 5/5 1st level, 3/3 2nd level spells, 1/1 arcane bond spell, ring of fire 5/5
Dimitrio gets into position and uses his rapier to good effect on one of the guards near the stairs. Still not comfortable with the barkskin spell, he nonetheless appreciates the added protection. _________
stats: HP 83/83
Aware of the bearman's scuffle, Dimitrio looked at Layne, now at her table, to see what was happening next. The lithe drow girl had more than earned a very generous tip and Dimitrio made a mental note to visit her again, this time with a bit more time. He got a goodbye kiss from her and left towards his companions' table. Seeing Lief going off by himself, he asked "What's up with him? Is he going solo now?"
Coughing up a bit a first, the bard saunters into the place. The female drow dancers immediately grab his attention. A lithe, tall girl with the face of an angel begs for his money. He turned to the group, "You guys look around. I'm going to ... ask this girl what she knows. Come get me if anything happens, OK? Hell, if I'm gonna die soon, I may as well enjoy what's left of my life a little." He sits down on a table and spends his well-earned cash on a private dance while the others walk around the place.
"Look, it's not like I'm afraid of doing what needs to be done. I think we're way past that question here, Lief." With tempers flaring, Dimitrio answered, "Listen, boy. Having to swear my allegiance and support to the group because you ask it is growing very old very quickly. I have already done so and my actions speak louder than words." He shook his head, "I was merely suggesting another course of action that I did not think had been evaluated. Has the First Daughter affected your wits as well as your ears?" He quaffed down an antitoxin vial and waited to see what the approach would be.
The bard shook his head, "Look it's not like I'm afraid of doing what needs to be done. I think we're way past that question here Lief. The problem that I have is that I think it might be futile. So what if we some information. We have no way of knowing if it's true or not or do you think that the First Daughter will let you walk away with a Manual of any sorts?" Seeing his arguments hit on deaf ears, he prepares to continue servicing the First Daughter. The fleeting improper thought that the phrase evoked would probably be the highlight of the day.
Glad to have left the company of the wizard, Dimitrio was alarmed. "Where are we going? You don't really believe she's going to keep her part of the bargain, do you?" He looked about, "Listen people, wake up! We need to make our way out and back up to the surface. Even if she does give us any information, she's not going to let us live. You heard her; she hates the surface elves." He raises his hands, "People, it's time to go!"
FYI, I'll be out all day so don't expect any posts from me until later this evening. Please bot me as necessary.
Dimitrio was almost trembling when Lief revealed their ruse. He was about to kill the skinny, little a@++~@! himself when the First Daughter started speaking. He calmed down as she continued, So we're not gonna die after all. At least not now. Since it seemed that the conversation had ended and he was particularly motivated to leave, Dimitrio gathered himself and prepared to exit the place. There would be time to discuss what happened and where to go next soon enough. He bowed, "Once we complete this deed for you, how should we contact you?"
Dimitrio relaxes some. Not enough to actually have some fruit though Desna knows he wants some but enough. Enough to consider possibilities and work on staying alive. he only needed to know what they could offer to the First Daughter. He decided to be blunt about it while carefully avoiding answering her questions, "So, how can we as the... uh... interesting group help you in your bid for power? Surely you have plans for us, right?"
Maybe we can get Euan to run Strange Aeons after the TPK. :)
Dimitrio tried hard to keep a straight face while his mind flooded with ideas. Gone were the impure thoughts once survival kicked in. Do we continue to bluff her? Is she bluffing? Weren't these disguises supposed to be inscrutable? Why is she curious? If she was sure of our ruse, why didn't she kill us? We have something she wants! We have something to offer her. He continued to bid his time, hoping Layne or someone else would speak but watched for signs to see if he was the one to address the First Daughter. ____________
Glad that others started speaking, Dimitrio just enjoyed the view for now. Impure thoughts once more flooded his mind. I bet the First Daughter's consort would be a sweet deal here...
Normally, he would have made a sly comment about a gorgeous woman tell him that he had a sweet tongue but he thought better of it. The bard tried his best to disguise his gulp when Layne asked him to continue. Sweet tongue, don't fail me now... He nodded at the compliment from the First Daughter and continued, "This must have been a very secret mission because information was on a 'need to know' basis. However, I understand that the wizard Nolveniss Azrinae was highly regarded by the Matron of House Azrinae." Quick, what about the others? He then added, "We had our hands full trying to guard him and his small retinue that we were not able to discern who was leading the overall expedition. Much less know if they were nobles or not. We worked exclusively for Nolveniss Azrinae."
Dimitrio smiles to himself. Sweet tongue indeed... However, he was expecting that his interrogation to be over and that the First Daughter would ask others of their stay up above. He really wanted to quit while he was ahead. Not wanting to step on anyone's toes, he looks to Layne for instruction. His unvoiced question: "Should I continue to make s$!* up?"
Dimitrio cleared his throat to speak and swallowed the bitter taste in his mouth. Was this a vote of confidence or did I just get thrown under the cart? The bard also cleared his head of any impure thoughts and forced himself to look at the First Daughter's eyes. His time in drow society had given him some semblance of protocol and he hoped he wouldn't break any while he spoke. KISS. KISS. Here goes nothing... "Your Highness, you honor us with your questions and I'll try for my answer to do it justice. We were hired by the wizard Nolveniss Azrinae to investigate the surface elves. He was researching an apocalyptic event of some sort, way above my simple mind." I'm still alive so I must be doing something right. He continued, "As soon as we stepped through the gate, we were besieged by our hate-filled brethren. They didn't even bother to ask us why we were there or attempt any sort of communication. They are truly as evil as we think they are." OK, don't overdo it. He paused as if trying to remember, "We were able to break through their defenses and killed many in our battles. All the time, we were protecting our charge." She's going to want to know why we failed the wizard... He looked at the floor as if in shame, "Unfortunately, the wizard went against our clear directions and went off by himself. He was ambushed and killed. Once we found out, we took several ears of those that killed him and avenged his death." He continued, "As for marvels..., the surface world is not as marvelous as some would think. Their harsh yellow sun burns our skin and eyes. Their natural habitats are humid and hot. And it is crawling with people. Nothing like the beauty and solitude that we enjoy here down below." I'm still alive. This is good. He ended, "We were around a city they called Celwynvian. Was there anything in particular that you wanted to hear about?" _____________
Dimitrio gets a stirring in his loins when this monument of a woman makes her appearance. He quickly gets any inappropriate thoughts out of his mind lest they are being monitored and concentrates on the task ahead. He keeps his eyes down, not meeting the First Daughter's gaze and waits for instructions, either from Layne or this woman.
A pregnant silence fills the room where Dimitrio waits. He looks around and tries to keep his eyes and ears open as asked or ordered by Layne. His hand never far from his weapon, he sighs and waits for instructions. __________
Dimitrio did not understand drow politics. He hoped someone was jotting all this down as it may later be used in this elf war. Once summoned to the tower, the bard picked up his usual items, weapons and spell pouch. "Come now, all of you. And keep your eyes open," Kaylayne says to everyone, giving a special look to DimiDrow. "We are summoned." Dimitrio didn't know if that was a scolding or a vote of confidence. In any case, he did indeed keep his eyes open throughout their trek.
Scowling, and tired from having tailed the party, Ederin finds his anger boiling up, and Dimitrio his underserved target. He's not wrong about this place affecting us. Hoping to avoid another argument, he turns to Kaylayne. "I don't know how much Vonnarc will have about current events in the library, but I'll come help you look if you don't mind. I tried the city but, talking to people isn't my forte." Barely able to hide his annoyance, the bard asks, "Well, I'm no good in libraries. I was always more found of knowledge passed down person to person in the form of songs and stories." He looks about, "What can I do here? How is my time best spent? I'm a pretty likable fellow but everyone here is g!!&@#n tight-lipped." He turns to Ederin, "Do you know I haven't been able to get laid? Me? Maybe that's why I'm so wound up." ____________
As Dimitrio questions their objective the archer shakes his head. "Remember what brought us here? The falling star? We were tasked with discovering the plans of House Azinrae. We have a couple weeks, maybe less, but unless I'm mistaken we've made zero progress on that front." Dimitrio shakes his head in turn and in his most sarcastic tone answers, "That is exactly my point. We have made zero progress and, unless you guys are keeping something from me, we have no plans on how to acquire this knowledge." He raised his hands, "We either come up with a plan or just leave. We are all being affected by this society."
Dimitrio stayed away from the arguing. Everyone's nerves were on edge for being in this place for so long. He knew there was something that hadn't occurred to ask the elves up above. Or they did ask but the elves did not have a good answer. Knowing it was safe to speak, he asked those very same questions to the group now, "What exactly are we looking for? And how long do we stay until we find it?" He looked around hoping someone smarter than he was had an answer...
Dimitrio has thoughts of slapping the b%&@$ whom he had just saved. She could have handled the request a lot better. After all, her life was saved. The bard sheathes his weapon and offers to scout ahead. The sooner the b@@$% was delivered the better. "I'll scout ahead mistress." When is this mistess s#%& going to stop? _____________
Not an executioner, Dimitrio nonetheless does his duty. Thoughts of all the lives they are saving by their sacrifices flood his mind. In the end, there's still a very bitter taste in his mouth. "Mistress, in addition to hiding the bodies, perhaps we should cut out their tongues. I have heard that certain magics will make the dead speak. Say the word and it will be done."
He looks at Layne and the others, "What do you think? Should I let her go?" ____________
He took out his rapier, "Mistress if I may be so bold as to presume, I think we should kill all of them. We don't know who their master is, do we? Who knows what internal politics are like inside the house; we could easily be on the wrong side without even knowing it."
Dimitrio neared the bound drow, "We're wasting our time. Lief, your torture skills are not up to par. Let's just bring him along and have Undamesta deal with him." He looked for their 'charge', "In the meantime, let's get this woman back to safety."
Dimitrio's rapier is raised in a defensive position. His two opponents lay dead but who knows what was out there. "Mistress, I can't see so I'll comply with your desires but not right away." He quickly adds, "Can you see?"
@Lief: Hey, I'm thinking of making an investigator for another game and I like the way you are playing yours. How is it that you apply the 'studied strike' multiple times in a round? I thought that once you apply the 'studied strike', you end your 'studied target'. Do you 'study target' again during the next round? I think you can do that only by expending an inspiration. Is this right? Are you doing something else that I haven't seen? Thanks!
Dimitrio shakes his head as Allarnon leaves the battlefield, "get back here bear-man! You've no doubt been charmed." He takes care of the drow in front of him to then check on the bear-man. ___________________
stats: HP 70/83 AC 26, touch 20, flat-footed 16 10 +4(DEX) +1(belt of DEX +2) +6(chainshirt+2) +2 (buckler+2) +1(ring of prot) +1 (dodge) Conditions:n/a Melee (rapier+1): +16/+11 = +8(base) +4(dex) +1(belt of dex +2) +1 (magic) +1(weapon focus)+1(swashbuckler specialization) Melee Damage (rapier+1, arcane strike, panache): 1d6+16 = +1(weapon) +4 (dex) +1(belt of dex +2) +2 (arcane strike) +5 (precise strike)+2 (specialization) +1(swashbuckler specialization), 15-20, x2 5/5 daggers, 5/5 panache, 3/3 charmed life, 20/20 bardic performance, 5/5 1st level, 3/3 2nd level spells, 1/1 arcane bond spell, ring of fire 5/5
Dimitrio continues attacking with his rapier from the lizard's saddle. He sneered at the drow, "Run! Now!"
Dimitrio is liking this fighting from above. He could get used to it. He once more darts with his rapier finding opening on the drow guard. The bubbling of blood from his throat was probably not a good thing. _____________
The bard shakes his head, "Those are Vonnarc guards. Against us?" he yells at them, "We're on the same team, dumbasses! Leave now; we got this."
Dimitrio whips out his rapier and guides his mount with his knees to get next to the drow closest to him. His rapier snakes out and finds blood on the drow guard. ___________________
stats: HP 83/83
Enjoying the catfight, Dimitrio does his best to hang on to the lizard as it scampers up the walls and ceilings of the caves. Despite blood rushing to his head, the experience is exhilarating and something worthy of a song or poem someday. He follows Layne or tries to keep her close while still watching their 'charge'.
Mounting a cave gecko was not in his plans but an experience was an experience. I wonder how many Varisians can say they charged up a wall mounted on a lizard. Then he remembered his general lack of skill as a horse rider, let alone an alien mount. He swallowed hard, hoping none saw his hesitation and strapped himself down to the beast. He was after all very coordinated and well balanced. How hard could this be? Dimitrio looked about making sure his weapons were within easy reach and nodded that he was ready.
The Second Son again. That sadomasochist bastard. Dimitrio didn't know what had happened to the bloodied female but he had a pretty good guess. The bard pretty much hated most drow but this guy had a special place in his heart. Dimitrio wished he had the magic to change the appearance of this female the way he changed his own looks. But Desna's blessing only worked on him. He rubbed his chin where at one point he had grown a very manly beard. He steeled himself for what was to come and asked Lynne, "Mistress, would you like me to scout ahead for you? If I'm caught, I can easily say that I'm coming back from guard duty; it's not like they haven't seen me in the palace before." __________
if scouting ahead:
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