Sorry to hear about your RL troubles, Darkmeer. You've done a great job!
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Don't worry too much about it, Darkmeer! I don't think any of us want to overload you, so just let us know if this is too much. But I, at least, will still be here when you're ready and able to keep going!
Iolana's somewhat shaken by the fact that even her goddess's grace doesn't seem to be enough to get her on the right side of the crowds outside the theater...a discerning audience, clearly...but she goes int o the next day determined to make up her mistakes.
Sadly, she doesn't respond well to authority, and being drilled relentlessly by Robahl, her resentment and irritation start to show...which badly affects her acting.
Iolana shakes her head, sweating slightly, as they finish their final day of rehearsals, though it went fairly well for her. "This is a truly vile play," she mutters to Byron as they head off the stage together. "I apologize in advance for any blows you suffer from my whip...I'll try to be as gentle as possible, and of course I'll heal you as often as I can..." She spits in a corner, clearly disliking the whole proceeding. When they emerge before the crowd, the Varisian woman's eyes narrow. "Don't worry, friends. I'll take care of this. You can take off...or stay and help, if you like." So saying, she leaps up onto the bed of a nearby wagon, kicking out a couple of squawking children. She closes her eyes and clutches her holy symbol. Everbloom, guide my tongue. Let me lead the masses in the way of goodness. She opens her eyes. she cries. Her words immediately ring through the square, reaching even the farthest portions of the crowd, and a hush falls quickly. Iolana paces back and forth on the wagon, doing her best to channel Drovalid. "Well, you'll get the show you want. Do you want blood?" She's snaked off her belt, and now she snaps it like a whip, eliciting a crack and a cheer from the crowd. "Do you want pain?!" Crack. Cheer. "Do you want to see the triumph of Hell?!" Crack. ROAR. "Look no farther than this theater tomorrow, where we--the finest actors in Westcrown--will play for you the Trials of Larazod! Yes, come one, come all; a likelier and more perverse show you'll never see! Unless..." she holds up a finger, laying it slyly beside her nose. "Unless, of course, you go even occasionally into Rego Cader!" This gets a low, rumbling, albeit uneasy laugh, but the crowd is with her. "You know, I've heard stories in my time here that tell of noblemen having funny hunts in there...wish I were a nobleman! Why, my hunts aren't funny at all, although the end result sometimes is. In a sad and surprising way." She crosses her arms and pouts, then juts her chin at a man wearing an overly large and ornate codpiece. "That fellow knows what I'm talking about." The crowd howls with laughter and she winks, broadly mouthing I'll see you later at the blushing man near the front. The priestess continues her speech in the same vein: you can come see the show (and you should!) but the real horrors are all on the streets of Westcrown. It's comedy, all right, and no one could deny that it's drumming up excitement for the show tomorrow, but it's also got a certain...revolutionary...undercurrent.
Iolana nods, smiling tightly. "It's a lie I'd not stoop to normally. But I'd rather we all live through this play, so...perhaps a symbol of Nethys?" Her mouth twists in displeasure. "I'll have to figure out what I can bring myself to wear..."
Iolana's latest day of rehearsal is surprisingly better than the last few. She seems to finally be getting the hang of the craft... At lunch, she says to the group, "I'm more than happy to provide blessings to us, and...even...to the other actors as well..." her lip twists disdainfully as she thinks of the Visbaronettess. "I do have to display my holy symbol in order to do so, however. It looks like a necklace, true, but if anyone knows a trustworthy, discrete jeweler, I could try to get some sort of false exterior for it, disguise it as that of another faith."
No worries, Darkmeer! I've fallen behind on games myself, so this gives me a chance to catch up!
Iolana grits her teeth as she listens to the Grand Dame's arrogance. Patience. When the workers revolt, her head will surely be among the first to roll. She notes the stagehand's offer of chocolate strawberries with interest, and when she goes home that day, she swings by the bakery to see if she can pilfer any other rare fruits--peaches, blueberries, any ingredients not quite in season.
The next day, Iolana approaches the Visbaronetess with an obsequious smile plastered to her face. "Visbaronetess! I thought you might enjoy these. I was just wondering, since you're so much more experienced than I am in this field...do you have any pointers for a foolish amateur like me? I'm excited but. I'd also love to, you knew. Survive this." She adds a laugh that's not entirely for effect.
Wonderful. I get to play the torturer. Just great. Well, at least I have some idea of the sort of things involved... Iolana thinks grimly. As the crowd of people awaiting the announcement of casting starts to break up (most grumbling irritably at not receiving roles), Iolana murmurs to Dario, "I'm going to see what I can find out about the play." Ducking and weaving through the crowd, she makes her way to Visbaronetess Aulamaxa, and fixes an ingratiating smile on her face. "Visbaronetess? So good to see you! I hear that you'll be starring in this show as our narrator! That must be quite the job--though I'm sure you can handle it!"
Although she does a fine job of hiding her revulsion for the upper classes, Iolana can't help coming off a little...cold...
Iolana is deeply nervous as she heads into the theater to try out, but as she reviews the list she swallows and steels herself. Ok. Breathe. You can do this. Let's see... She tries out first for Dentris. Not necessarily the most type-cast role, but there's a bit of a dearth of female roles open...
Her audition isn't bad, but it's not great, either. Since her acting has not, so far, been very impressive, she decides to try out only for Drovalid, figuring that at least the combat part of the role might work to her advantage.
Iolana smiles at Nuncio's praise. "Thank you, Nuncio. I appreciate the feedback." She leaves the theater and returns to her apartment, choosing to relax for the night. When she returns to the theater the next day, she's wearing her regular clothing; she has no desire to mingle with the upper crust.
Iolana takes a deep breath and steels herself. Focus. You can do this. It's not so different from performing with your brother on the road...just talking and singing instead of dancing. C'mon! Exhaling sharply, she steps up to give another performance. This time, somewhat to everyone's shock, she's actually perfectly competent, albeit not brilliant. Her martial training actually shows in her handling of the fencing foil this time, and her acting and singing are both quite competent. Actually, all of this makes her seem less gruff and forbidding, but she still manages to instill some fear as Rogarad.
Iolana studies the script carefully, shaking her head at Colgrim's appalling performance. "Let's see...maybe...Figaro? Though I'd hate to portray an Asmodean...much less a Rovagugite...hmmmm...surely not Lissella?" Muttering to herself, she flips pages and gives her abilities a try...
[ooc]Right there with you, Colgrim. :P
Hi all: Just so you know, I'm going into what will be a craaaaazy week at one of my jobs (and it's the one that's furthest away). My posting will likely be sporadic, so please feel free to bot me if needed. I'll still try to post on lunch breaks, etc. when I can. Thanks!
Iolana follows closely behind Byron, keeping a careful eye on the performers as they weave their way through the chaos. Performers on the road I know--and they can just as easily be crooks as honest craftsmen. I wonder if this lot is better or worse for being based in a city? she thinks idly to herself. She smiles wistfully as she watches two of the younger company members stagger under the weight of a heavy set piece as they move it toward places. Still, I sometimes miss the camaraderie...I wonder where you are now, Tiberiu? When Byron introduces the Maestro, Iolana smiles and curtsies at him, but keeps silent, waiting with bated breath to hear what he thinks of their plan.
"Hrrm." Iolana frowns as the group starts to head out. "I can certainly ask the Everbloom's blessings to keep us on our feet during the play...but I'll have to be able to present my holy symbol to do so. Good thing it looks like an ordinary necklace..." She looks down at it critically. "Does anyone know a jeweler or some such? I could perhaps hide it in a false symbol of Abadar's, if we could get one made."
Iolana snorts derisively. She looks positively disgusted. "Chelish pigs. I suppose you have a point about willing actors, Byron, but I can't help but think of all the slaves who must have been killed for these damned bloodsports over the last century..." She looks away, chewing her lip and looking distracted.
With a sigh, she turns back. "Fine. Let's do it. I don't know anything about these...plays...when I was a child we all just prayed that we wouldn't be selected to be involved. I do have some...skill...in...dancing..." She stares around at the group defiantly, as if daring them to say something. "Byron, if you have any connections that could help us, then I'm sure we'd all appreciate them." When Iolana has a spare moment, she extends a hand to Ailyn. "Anyone who's a part of a group that's been outlawed by Thrune is all right by me," she says, shaking the other woman's hand firmly.
Iolana does her best to look like a damsel in distress...it's not easy for her. "Oh, please, officer," she says breathily (which mostly makes her sound asthmatic) "We didn't want to be out after dark. We had to! You see..." she trails off slightly, rather hoping a more accomplished liar will pick up the thread of her tale.
Seeing that Colgrim and Byron have the setting up of their decapitated body well underway, Iolana turns to help Leeka toss the shadowbeasts' body parts into the cart. "Those didn't seem so bad, all things considered..." she murmurs. "Could've wished they were quieter, though." Despite her hesitation, she's rejoicing internally. Shadowbeasts taken down! Oh, this will show these Wiscrani that their fears can be overcome! Ha!
As the things charge out of the shadows, Iolana snarls and grasps her new morningstar in both hands. This, at least, is uncomplicated. Bracing her feet, she puts all her weight into the swing.
"So these are the vaunted shadowbeasts of Westcrown that keep the citizens locked away after dark?" she asks with a scornful laugh. "Looks like nothing more than worthless bugs to me! Step on them!"
Absolutely, take your time. Haven't been bothered at all. Hope all goes well for you and yours.
I don't think it's actually illegal to worship non-diabolic gods in Westcrown...just not always a good idea. I do think (not sure where I read it) that Chaotic deities (like Milani) are outlawed, but I imagine the goddess of death is seen as having a role to play even in the life of a diabolic society. Just my two cents! :)
Iolana makes a quick pit stop on their route to visit a purveyor of...less than legal...goods she knows from when she first moved to Westcrown. The sturdy Varisian woman keeps a sharp eye on the guards and citizens they pass, but otherwise keeps her mouth shut and her opinions to herself as they make their way through the city.
Iolana nods. "I agree. Best to do this now, under cover of nighttime, than risk being seen by the people during the day. And besides, it will be all the more terrifying to the oppressors if we manage to position the body without being seen." She smiles wanly. "Like ghosts, as it were."
Iolana's sternness melts when she sees how much Dario cares about his student. He's a good man, she thinks with a sigh. I need to remember that. When Stanley displays the paper, Iolana strides over and leans over Dario's shoulder to peer at the symbol.
As Dario studies the thing, Iolana puts a gentle hand on his shoulder. "We will find whoever did this, Dario. And we will make them pay for hurting a young man who was just seeking the truth. I will pray to my goddess, as well," she adds. "There may be things she can contribute above and beyond your power, Stanley."
To the issue of moving their headless corpse, Iolana turns to Colgrim. "How well do you know the route from here to Rego Crua? Is it well-lit? Perhaps we'll have the chance to do some investigation of these shadowbeasts on the way..."
Sorry for my absences lately. Work's been piling up, and the show I'm working on is opening in six days, so my time has been tight. I'll try to be here more often! :D
"Indeed," Iolana says, placing a firm, but gentle, hand on the halfling's shoulder and smiling at her. "I'm glad that your 'enslavement' is, at this point, a purely legal state of affairs." She fixes Dario with a minor stink-eye t odrive her point home--not threatening, just to let him know she has expectations. Hearing the news of the "bounty" they've been offered, Iolana purses her lips. "I agree with Colrim. With no idea who this 'Blue Hood' is, it's too dangerous for us to go out hunting these things. He could bring down our entire group." She pauses in thought. "Perhaps, though, we should try to learn what these shadowbeasts actually are...certainly, if they're keeping good Wiscrani from moving about after dark, it would do well to get rid of some of them if we can. Is there anywhere we could learn something more...solid...about the beasts?"
Hooray stuff! And I will take one of the heavy darkwood shields, if no one else needs it more. Hooray being able to jump, etc. with something resembling competence! :P
Didn't I make a knowledge check on those wooden things? If not...
Womp. Not that that's likely to help...
Iolana feels slightly sick to her stomach watching Leeka be led off in chains...but she manages to hold her tongue, since she realizes it's necessary for the success of their continued subterfuge. She spends the rest of the day pounding down loaves and working the front desk in the bakery; Madame Krizt, the portly proprietress, seems an even fouler mood than usual, so Iolana mostly tries to stay out of her way. It's not hard, or much of a problem...the young woman is mostly lost in her own thoughts. She walks back to her little garret room that evening wrapped in silence, lost in thought...and, when she gets there, spends the night in quiet prayer and unquiet sleep.
Iolana, eyes narrowed and fists clenched in rage at Crax's crassness, tries to appear disinterested in the proceedings, and "idly" strolls around to a position in which she's opposite Dario from the sniveling brat.
Hello to all my games: Unfortunately, a substantial medical emergency developed in a member of my close family last night. I'm with my family now, and hopefully will be able to return early next week, but I won't have much time (or inclination, to be honest) to post until something develops. Please bot me as needed to keep things moving forward. Thanks for your patience. (Sorry this is coming in the midst of such great RP!)
Iolana sighs, a slight bit of irritation at Stanley's holding his tongue coloring her sadness. She swings around on her knees so that she's facing the older man. "It's easy for us, as revolutionaries, to get lost in our goals. To not see that what we're doing is sometimes no better than what our opponents would do in the reversed position. I recognize that Palaveen was our enemy, but still..." she trails off, shaking her head slightly. "I have no desire to be the new government of Westcrown. Good revolutionaries don't always make good rulers." She smiles crookedly at him, meeting his eyes for the first time. "Perhaps that's a weakness in me."
Iolana is seated cross-legged in the little alcove that's been dedicated to Milani, facing the shrine, turning her rose pendant in her hands, and reading, lips moving in a barely perceptible way, from a slim, innocuous-looking book. A couple of minutes after Stanley approaches, she puts the book down. Still with her back to him, she speaks in a low, husky voice. "You know, no one knows the name of Milani's herald? She's called Courage Heart, and she was a Galtan revolutionary. I never liked her story. See, she ended up cutting herself off from the Revolution, and they executed her as an enemy of the people. That's why she calls herself Courage Heart--this wasn't really long ago, and she had elfish blood, so there are bound to be living relatives of hers. I could never stand Courage Heart, and I didn't get what Milani saw in this woman who fought for a revolution for so long, only to back away from the revolutionaries' ideas at the end." She pauses, and swallows hard. "I think...I understand a little bit more of what Courage Heart was going through, now."
Dark enough for me, but I really enjoyed it. I get that Stanley feels the need to talk, but she's likely to brood/sulk for a little bit now...we'll see how I manage to get her out of it. Fascinating to see how uncomfortable she is with actually having power. A part of the "revolution" that she wasn't prepared for.
Can I just say, thank you to everyone for the great discussion? That was very intense, both as a character and a player, and I loved it. I learned a ton about Iolana from this, and I really enjoyed every minute. One of my favorite experiences I've had running an RPG character. :)
Iolana leans against one of the pillar's old columns, breathing hard and blinking tears from her eyes, her back to the ongoing discussion. We can't do it. We can't kill a helpless man. That's not the way to proceed. I am certain of it. Turning back, though, she sees the others standing in a tight knot, talking quietly and clearly all in agreement. Nine Hells, they're really going to do it, though. I can't stop them. But we need them. I need them. Westcrown needs them. She lets herself fall back against the pillar, closing her eyes as she feels the fight drain out of her. This is wrong, but I don't see any way out of it... When Palaveen comes to, she wordlessly goes to stand at the edge of the group, arms folded and face expressionless, as Stanley and the others outline the tiefling's fate to him. Find your hidden strength. One of her old mentors' favorite phrases keeps running through her head. When Palaveen taunts and challenges her--them--Iolana hardly blinks, watching him coolly, unmoving and almost glassy-eyed. Without a word, she reaches over to Colgrim and plucks a dagger from his belt. Then she squats in front of Palaveen, so that she's face to face with the prisoner, though out of reach. "I was the only one who argued for your life, Palaveen," she says, softly and simply. Her voice doesn't betray anger or grief. "I think, on some level, I understand what it is you feel that drives you to what you do. We come from different places, different worlds, but I don't think we're so unlike, you and I. We both want to make a different world." She rocks back slightly on her heels. "The Everbloom teaches us that righteous defense and liberation are our goals, not vengeance. I don't...think I've ever fully understood that, really. I'm still not sure I do. But I know..." She looks dead into his eyes. "I know that on some level, this is a mistake. Because I also know that you are wrong." She leans forward again, eyes glistening, now just inches from Palaveen. "Nothing--nothing--will stop me from freeing Westcrown from the men like you who cripple it. Who keep its citizens poor and hungry, who keep half the population in chains. My father. My mother. Every one of my brothers and sisters. It may take years. I may die. But we here--and the people out there--we are going to build a new world for ourselves in this city. One free from fear and hatred. One built on peace. Love. Health. Life." Know what is worth more than yourself. "I'm truly sorry that you cannot be there to see it." Iolana lunges, stabbing with pinpoint accuracy into the side of the tiefling's neck, putting the whole weight of her arm behind it. There's a spurt of blood as his artery ruptures, and then a gout as she yanks the blade quickly across his throat, severing the other artery and opening his windpipe. As Palaveen gasps his last breath, Iolana pulls his head slightly forward and, with a final push of the knife, severs his spine. Putting the head down on the corpse's lap, she turns, unsmiling, covered in blood, and tosses the knife carelessly to the floor at the feet of the rest of the party. Without looking directly at any of them, she strides away. Her voice floats back to them as she heads for her chamber in the temple. "Next time, I'd prefer that we allow our absent friends to vote." Peace. Love. Health. Life. At the very least, health, and life.
Iolana stares at Stanley in disbelief. "A blow to the face, he'll recover from. I think it's reasonable to expect someone to retaliate if you call them that. But an execution--" her voice starts to rise sharply, "an execution is another matter entirely! And I'm sorry you wanted so badly to make peace with the people who wanted to grind you, me, Leeka, and all the other citizens of Westcrown under their heel, but I will not apologize for drawing my steel against agents of the Archfiend and avowed slavers!" Iolana's actually quivering with anger. "And, for that matter, since you were so eager to negotiate with slavers before, what in the nine hells is this about an execution now?! I thought at least you would back me up on this! Here!" She thrusts the haft of her morningstar into his chest. "Here, doctor, would you like to stave the Bastard's head in yourself? I'd have done it happily in the battle, had I not fallen in the attempt. But I'm not one for killing people who are just sitting there, helplessly tied up. I've seen it done too many times!" If Stanley hasn't actually taken her morningstar at this point, she half drops, half throws it to the ground and strides away from the group, trembling and running her fingers through her long dark hair.
When the expletive leaves Palaveen's mouth, Iolana's eyes narrow and become flinty. Leaning just as far forward as she must, she cracks him across the jaw with a strong left hook.
When Palaveen is done telling them what he knows, she pulls the others aside for a conference. "While I have no doubt that he deserves it, I still must admit that I am...uneasy...about simply executing him. I'm just not sure..." She pauses, clearly going through an internal struggle. "I don't know that I can support that. We have the resources here to keep him prisoner. Although I know that that runs a risk, it seems to me that...we can't get good results from evil methods. I'm just not sure it works that way. And consider: how much would it comfort the people of Westcrown to know that a group of brutal murderers live in their midst?" She shakes her head regretfully. "I've rushed into things before. If we are to call the people of Westcrown to change their lives, I would not rush into how we do so. Let us keep him alive."
"What exactly did he want you to do?" Iolana demands. "Bring tieflings out of the shadows, yes, but then what? Was he the one who suggested a life of thuggery? Or did you come up with that all on your own?" she can't help ending with a bit of a sneer.
Before the party sets out, Iolana nods to Leeka's suggestion and closes her eyes in prayer. A barely visible wave of pearly light roils out from her, then another.
When she opens her eyes, seeing that not everyone is fully restored, the Varisian woman drops her eyes slightly. "I apologize..." she murmurs, "But...I think it wise to conserve my goddess's blessing. Just in case we need it more later..." At the abandoned temple, Iolana sits in a chair facing Palaveen, but off to one side. "We want to know who you were in communication with, first of all," she says bluntly, giving the tiefling a steely look.
"I agree," Iolana says quietly. "And for all that he deserves it, I don't believe we should just execute him now. I don't believe that we should do that in cold blood. And besides, we may be able to get more information from him...let us return to the temple of Aroden and consult with the others there." If the group looks ready to head out, Iolana will step in to shoulder part of the burden of the unconscious tiefling.
Iolana, having spent her watch in quiet communion with the Everbloom, is still withdrawn, but seems steeled and more at peace than she was before. First, to the immediate... She nods at Colgrim's suggestion. "I agree. Let us return to the temple of the fallen god, and converse with our compatriots there." Hefting Palaveen's morningstar and a darkwood shield, she sets out with the others.
Iolana sighs heavily, scrubbing at her eyes, but still follows the others to the chapel. As they set up camp, she looks around, eyeing the coins found with the tieflings. As the others divvy up the time, she chips in, "I'm more than happy to take the last watch, since no one else has mentioned it yet. I would...like to spend tomorrow morning in prayer in any case." As they deposit their own gear and their spoils, Iolana hoists Palaveen's morningstar, eyeing it thoughtfully. "This could be turned to a better purpose..." she murmurs.
Iolana comes to slowly, her body stiff and spiky with pain as she's pulled back from the brink of death. Blinking her eyes open, she looks around and slowly sits up, groaning in pain. "What...happened?" she murmurs, gazing around slowly. "I remember engaging their leader, trying to get back to Colgrim, and then...nothing..." As she sees the wounds on Leeka and Byron (and the rest of the party, for that matter), she colors. Starting to stand, she drops to her knees, only partly from exhaustion. "I have failed you, my friends," she says huskily, trying not to cry. "My foolishness and rage...blinded me to the danger we were in. I clearly put all of you in danger. I...have no excuse for my actions. I throw myself on your mercy." Despite her best efforts, a few hot tears escape to roll down her cheeks. "Leeka...everyone. I'm so sorry."
Hi all! Still here. Sorry, weekend got crazy. And whoo! Lots of posts! :P Iolana will definitely take the morningstar--ideal--and would happily take the breastplate, but I don't want to get greedy. It'd be a 2-point boost to her AC, putting her at 19/10/19 with her shield out, which is pretty dang high. So maybe it would help more to put it on someone a bit more fragile. On the subject of shields, I use a heavy shield and will happily take one of those darkwood shields if no one else wants them. It's useful to be able to jump/climb whatever if needed. For leveling up to third, Iolana's taken Alignment Channel, with the evil subtype. Figure that could come in handy if we meet any devils. ;)
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