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"Sounds like a plan, Umbolath."
"I can make myself look like someone else for awhile. Anybody got an idea of somebody I should try to impersonate?"
Droka points out the cloth to the party and tries to figure out what it is.
Droka follows behind Portia, trying to observe his surroundings.
I'm OK with going forward as well.
"Let's go!"
"I have no clue, Ritmush."
Droka approaches within 60 ft. of the shack and casts detect magic.
At the mention of a band, Droka sweeps his hand, as if directing a band. "Oh, wait, you mean that figuratively. Free Company," he grimaces. "I don't care for the spondee followed by iamb, but it is the lot of the true artist to rise above his material. I'll sign." With a flourish and a dramatic throat-clearing, Droka signs the contract.
Droka hands over four coins, and clasps Ritmush on the shoulder. "Once again, thanks for your help, friend."
Droka hands Calliope fourteen gold coins. "Calliope, here is your half of the proceeds from our gig tonight. You were excellent! G' Boi and I look forward to the honor of accompanying you again." G'boi nods and wags his tail. Droka turns to Ritmush. "I regret that we have not been able to get you the lantern as stipulated. You are welcome to some of this gold, if that would be an acceptable substitute." After finishing his conversations, Droka finds a free corner in the office and lays out his bedroll. He lays down, bids everyone goodnight, and snaps his fingers. G'Boi vanishes, and Droka falls asleep.
"Incorporate ourselves? That's an excellent idea! We have been remiss in not attending to this matter sooner; after all, I must have some name to use as the title of the epic I will weave out of our exploits."
Droka nods at Miss Ellie and smiles. "Thank you for allowing us to perform here. I hope you have been satisfied with the results, and perhaps you will allow us to reprise the occasion should we ever return to town. Adieu." With that, he turns to his shadowy dog and says, "C'mon, G'boi! Let's follow the others." The dog barks and nods his head, and the two of them follow after Unbolath.
Droka waves towards Unbolath.
Droka lays down some mad lute solos, G'Boi is right on rhythm with his hide drum, and the dancing and special effects are spot on.
Droka walks out onto the stage with G'Boi in tow. He walks over to the side of the stage, out of the way of Calliope's dancing, and sets the hide drum down. G'Boi walks around behind it, sits back on his haunches, and puts his front paws on the drum. Droka clears his throat loudly to get the audience's attention and says, "Greetings, denizens of Fort Horizon! I am Droka, and this is my faithful companion G'Boi. We will be providing the musical portion of the entertainment tonight. However, we are not the main attraction; without further ado, may I present Mistress Calliope, dancer extraordinaire!"
"Not while I'm singing, no, but there will be interludes where I'm not singing and Calliope's still dancing. Oh, wait! I almost forgot the drummer!" Suddenly, a glowing rune appears on Droka's forehead. After about a minute, a shadowy, dog-like quadraped sporting an identical rune appears next to Droka.
Droka makes a close inspection of Calliope's appearance. "You look splendid!". He turns to Ritmush, "Those additions were sort of what I meant by 'special effects.' I'm not sure how we can help you with your lantern, but if you come up with a plan, I'll back you up."
"I'm new on this plane. I have yet to understand the social norms here, so I tend to keep my mouth shut: it's the only sure way to keep my foot out. Yes, I am a bard of sorts. Nobody wants to see me try to dance, though I might add some "special effects" to Calliope's."
Droka spots Ritmush as he comes in and waves to him. Then, he returns to discussing the details of the performance with Calliope.
A huge smile crosses Droka's face. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Ellie. That offer sounds more than fair to me. Assuming my companion agrees," he looks over at Calliope for confirmation, "we shall begin preparing immediately; between the two of us, we should be able to mitigate the consequences of serving alcohol to miners." As he waits for Calliope to comment, Droka wracks his brain for whatever scraps of information about Flake Ridge he might have run across in his travels, as well as what sorts of music miners might prefer.
Droka intuitively blends into the shadows cast by the buildings. He calls to his companions, "I trust you all have this under control; if you need us, Calliope and I will be at the saloon." Sense of duty somewhat mollfied, Droka places his arm around Calliope and says, "Let's go.". They walk into the saloon, and Droka looks around for somebody who looks to be in charge. Droka walks up to the person in question and says, "Hello! I am Droka, and this is Calliope. I am a performer of sorts; she is one of the most magnificent dancers it has ever been my pleasure to meet. Would you be interested in retaining our services for the entertainment of your patrons?"
When Calliope asks for his story, Droka pauses for a minute, waves his hands, and mutters a few words. A lute appears in his hands. Then, resuming his trek towards the WEAC office, he begins strumming and singing about how boring the Shadow Plane was and how he hatched a plan to come to the Material Plane in search of real music. Once he and Calliope reach the WEAC office, he waits on the rest of the party before entering, allowing Umbolath to do most of the talking.
"Should we not report to this Mister Henderson?"
Droka makes no promises about not telling whatever story he thinks will make for the best performance.
"Excellent performance, Ms. Thikka. You'd make quite the bard yourself."
"At this rate, my ballad is a shoo-in for an Umbral Award!
Droka furrows his brow in thought, but he has no clue who this It'Dupree is.
"Fascinating. Minerva, those symbols match your tattoos!"
Droka walks up behind Agent Hughes. "What are you doing, and what are you thinking? This is likely going to be a key scene in my epic, so be honest--for posterity's sake."
"Move from one place to another by taking a vessel through the Ethereal Plane? Sounds like material for an epic!"
Droka speaks up: "Actually, he doesn't mean he's from another plane. I am, but he is not. I hail from the Shadow Plane, and back home we know of other places that are not connected to Riom but can only be reached via shadow travel. Some of them are hostile to life in most of its forms, but others contain beings much like ourselves. I take it you two are from one of these places, but how did you manage to learn the secrets of shadow jumping? You're clearly not of my people."
Having felled its previous opponent, the shadowy eagle unleashes its full fury on the nearest opponent. Droka keeps singing. Stepping up, he points his finger at one of the No-lls and lets fly with a glob of acid.
I'm leaving for a camping trip today. I may have Internet access while I'm gone, but I don't think it's very likely. I may be able to post Saturday night, but it might be Sunday night. Bot me as needed, please.
Sweet. I'm going to edit my post, then.
Droka continues singing. He points at the "No-ll" the eagle attacked last turn in order to get the eagle to attack it. The eagle pecks and claws at the creature's face. Meanwhile, Droka sidesteps so that he can send a glob of acid at one of the "No-lls."
Anyone who can hear Droka:
Don't forget to include the +1 to attack and damage from the bard song
Droka waves his hand, and a shadowy eagle pops into existence in front of him. As he continues to sing in a guttural, eerie language, he points at a gnoll standing by itself. The eagle flies towards the gnoll and tries to peck it.
Shadow Eagle:
CR 1
XP 400 N Small shadow animal Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +10 DEFENSE AC 14, touch 13, flat-footed 12 (+2 Dex, +1 natural, +1 size) hp 5 (d8+1); Fort +3; Ref +4; Will +2; Defensive Abilities shadow blend; Resist cold 5, electricity 5; SR 6 OFFENSE Speed 10 ft., fly 80 ft. (average) Melee 2 talons +3 (1d4), bite +3 (1d4) STATISTICS Str 10, Dex 15, Con 12, Int 2, Wis 15, Cha 7 Base Atk +0; CMB -1; CMD 11 Feats Weapon Finesse Skills Fly +8, Perception +10; Racial Modifiers +8 Perception SPECIAL ABILITIES Shadow Blend (Su) In any condition of illumination other than bright light, a shadow creature blends into the shadows, giving it concealment (20% miss chance). A shadow creature can suspend or resume this ability as a free action.
Droka begins singing in order to inspire his allies.
Droka will circulate around looking for people who have stories to tell.
Let's go, my friends! New music awaits!
Droka complies with the request to take the music outside. Once outside, he smiles, looking somewhat embarrassed, and says: I'm afraid my repertoire of music from this plane is quite limited, but I'm sure I'll pick it up quickly if you hum a few bars.
After Major Finchley leaves the tavern, Droka pulls out his hide drum and turns it upside down in front of him. Would any of you be interested in some musical entertainment?
Yes, I'll head to Mystic Valley.
Hello, fellow explorers! I am Droka and this, he points to a shadowy, canine figure projecting from his shadow, is my pet G'Boi. I have come from the shadow realm in search of music to enliven my home; the chants and simple tunes with which we get by at home are not a worthy medium for my talents! Perhaps some of you can teach me new songs, and may our deeds provide the libretto for many new ones! Ever the showman, Droka bows grandiosely.
Ready to go. |