"Guen and I took some fire from the bomb, just a little singed." Isabeau says in answer to Aja as she searches the fallen kobold for anything of use.
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Isabeau and Guen fail to avoid the alchemist's bomb. She touches the shadow cat with a guidance and directs Guen to bite and step back to give Robert room to maneuver.
She steps further away from the door of the room to try and get out of range and drops her dagger to draw her crossbow.
Taken aback by the rear attack, Isabeau turns to face the attacking kobold. She draws her dagger and stabs at the creature.
Isabeau calls down the narrow hall, "See anything interesting? Should Guen go in first?"
Isabeau casts guidance on the halflings, hoping to help them deal with the hazard. She shrugs, "Every little bit helps."
"Unfortunately, down is the only direction I know to look for. Did I see you step over a trap there, Robert? Perhaps we'd better take care of that first." She suggests.
"Yes, that seems prudent. Running them from the territory may prove easy enough if they break this easily. Then again, they may be falling back to a more fortified position." Isabeau agrees, keeping her crossbow in her
I considered taking that step, but it would have opened up the potential for Guen to be flanked. We were at a disadvantage on this map, so I wasn't eager to fall into the perceivable traps. Was definitely hoping to down the foe so Robert could move freely, it just didn't work out that way. That said, speaking is a free action and Guen understands Common, as do I. ^_~
Isabeau readies her longspear as the shadowy cat prowls toward the door the Rat King indicated was the quicker route. "Guen can see in the dark, so she will accompany the leaders. She is unlikely to much help against traps though."
"Indeed," Isabeau replied, her mind already at work considering the options. She would not wish to actually threaten an innocent, but she had been interested in precisely this sort of ruse to make use of. "On our way then, my thanks again, Majesty." She says as they make their way toward the indicated door.
Isabeau looks somewhat surprised at the investment in their little venture, but she covers it quickly. Especially considering these same weapons would be dangerous to the Dead Rats themselves. "Yes, we do indeed appreciate the vote of confidence as well as the word of caution." As Cassius returns to retrieve Mehji, she thinks of a final question that might yield useful information. "Can you tell us anything of Rykker himself, perhaps something that would enable us to get close enough to strike?"
Isabeau said a brief prayer for Shar's guidance as they were led into the chamber. She suppressed a sneer at the woman's back, she had made no such promises yet. And now this Rat King was insinuating that allowing them to serve as his fixers would only be offered as a great favor. She stepped forward, offering a deep bow. "Your Majesty, my name is Isabeau. As I told your advisor, we have come to offer our respects and negotiate for safe passage through your territory. I also have information to relay, though I suspect it may not be news to you. The Gnashing Fangs are preparing to make a significant play for control of the area. They have entered into alliance with the Tower Girls and maybe others as well. They are actively fundraising and soliciting benefactors among powerful cabals such as the Zhentarim and The Red Wizards of Thay. They have turned on their own and have brought violence to the streets of Neverwinter. They attacked us unprovoked earlier today. The Fangs are no longer simply your problem, sire, begging your pardon. Perhaps it is time you consider some alliances of your own. The enemy of my enemy, as they say…” She said with a warm smile, letting the phrase linger in the air a moment. ”Our target is none other than Rykker Slyfoot himself. We represent no threat to you and yours. Nature abhors a vacuum and it is always wise to favor the devil you know.” Another smoky smile passed her lips, a light of mischief in her deep purple eyes. ”Do you not see the appeal of a gamble where you have nothing to lose and everything to gain, Highness?”
Isabeau stepped forward to speak. "We need to reach the Brewery below. As we understand that control of this area is under the Dead Rat's jurisdiction, we have come to offer our respects and negotiate the terms of our safe passage." She stated plainly.
As the group approaches the Rats' lair, Mehji says: "I've dealt with the Rats in passing before, but always in the guise of a human kid who'd been hired as a courier to conceal her bosses' identity. If I show up here and now as myself and negotiating in my own right, it could cause problems later. I'm going to try to hide in the shadows and keep a lookout. Does one of you bigger folks want to volunteer to be the 'parent' I run to if I get spotted?" Isabeau blinks in surprise. "Seriously? You only mention this now?" She hisses under her breath, rolling her eyes lavishly before releasing an aggravated sigh. "Fine! I will do it. But I'm clearly too annoyed to be convincing as anything more than a sibling." She says, tossing her raven locks over her shoulder.
"Practical." Isabeau repeats the Soothsayer's words, sounding somewhat relieved. "That is for the best, I think. Indeed, I would prefer to promise nothing at all. However, we may not have that luxury." Isabeau's thoughts drifted to the memory of her mother. She would likely not have been so practical, having worn her heart on her sleeve, as her father had often said of her. Maybe if she had been then... what? The Shadow Caller's eyes became unfocused as she lifted a hand to touch where the bridge of her nose met her brow. She squeezed the spot as if trying to soothe a headache and then looked up, blinking hazily at the door. She shook her head slightly to refocus herself and cleared her throat. "No time like the present, I suppose." She said as she nodded for their guide to knock.
"Negotiating, in good faith, with the Dead Rats is the best way, then? Assuming we have something they want." "Indeed," Isabeau says with a resigned sigh. "That point does seem to grow clearer by the moment. We must reach the Gnashing Fangs leadership anyway so it seems prudent to align ourselves with those pursuing similar ends. I cannot say I care to serve as some pawn in gangland politics. But if it is unavoidable..." She shrugs. "Aja, as one who has rendered aid and care to both groups, you are the most likely to suffer compunctions over what we may be asked to do. You are also the most likely to have engendered this 'good faith' you speak of. If there are lines you will not cross, you might ought to advise us of such in advance to negotiations."
Isabeau considered, "Do either of you already have a working relationship with the Dead Rats? We may indeed need to ally ourselves with one group or another. Though I do think actual membership should be avoided if possible." She added thoughtfully, her allegiance was already spoken for, anything else could only be pretense. Shar was not one to share, after all.
Isabeau cocks her head to the side, "I imagine that can be arranged. Though I will caution you that Guen is not particularly affectionate, so it would be wise to keep such contact brief." A low rumble from the beast stalking at her side opposite from Aja seemed intended to punctuate the statement. She raised an eyebrow at the inquiry, somewhat surprised that the self-proclaimed soothsayer did not already know their purpose. It wasn't out of character for her Mistress to limit those in the sphere of knowledge to the strictest necessity... perhaps it was a quality she should emulate. "We must gain access to the leader of the Gnashing Fangs, through either subterfuge or force. Preferably, in that order. He has information we need so his cooperation would make things simpler." She related in hushed tones. Turning to the dark halfling, she asked, "Mehji, can you tell us something more of the gangs we are likely to encounter, and under what circumstances are they likely to let us pass?" Guen keeps an eye out as they move along and discuss.
Aja freezes at the strange noises coming from Isabeau’s spine and then her friend. ”That sounds like a large cat… or do the echoes make a fool of me?” Isabeau considers, "Well, not precisely... It would be more accurate to say that Guen takes the form of a large cat. I am what my people term a Shadow Caller. That is, I summon planar creatures with a shadowy aspect. Does that make sense? The Nightbringer has long been our patron goddess and so most of us have developed an affinity with Shadow." She explains. "But no need to fret, Guen is essentially a part of me. She will harm none that I would not harm myself." She smiles, perfectly comfortable with the ambiguity of the statement.
Isabeau nods her assent at the correction of position. "But of course, my name is Isabeau. If you smell lavender, that is likely me. Though Sir Robert has proven to be... aromatic, on occasion." She adds diplomatically, but grins impishly at the rough cut young man. "While we're having introductions, I do have another friend who would like to come out and play. I will just need a minute." And she seems to mean this quite literally as she stretches languorously, her vertebrae crackling with the movement. Then she begins to chant in an unfamiliar language as she smooths her hands across the alabaster skin of her face and over the crown of her head, then down the shining length of her long, raven hair, down her hips and legs to her feet. All the while her shadow seems to concentrate, growing darker and larger until it seems roil and writhe under it's own power. It flows away from her, slinking up from the flat plane, it's umbral mass unfurling like smoke into the prowling shape of a black panther. The creature stretches it's spine, much as Isabeau did as she began her strange ritual, flexing sharp claws and baring white teeth as it regards these new companions with glowing eyes. "This is Guen." Isabeau states matter-of-factly. "Poor dear, she has been cooped up too long as of late. She was quite pleased to hear we may soon be flushing out some rats for her to hunt." Guen makes a sound somewhere between growl and purr in assent. Anyone who looks for a shadow attached to Isabeau finds it conspicuously absent now.
The veil lifts and her cheerful disposition returns. ”Oh! I am Aja, a soothsayer and healer. I am known in Blacklake – above us. Ask about me and you will see. Some call me the Lady of Eyes.” Isabeau sighs in obvious relief, "A healer? Oh thank the Dark Lady. You need not worry about Cassius, his footprints are still fresh on the shadowed path." She moves close enough to loop her arm with the soothsayer's. "You can walk beside me."
Isabeau does not know what to make of the strange woman.
She turns her gaze roughly in Robert’s direction. ”Few places are good for the blind in Neverwinter. Are you concerned about my well-being that you would warn me so?” There seems to be some extra weight to her question. "Should we be?" She asks in reply, "Concerned, that is?" She does not specify if she means for her or because of her... Mehji snorts, but keeps her mouth shut until she shes how the others respond. Hearing their new acquaintance stifle a laugh, she arches a sable eyebrow at the brunette halfling, "Friend of yours, perhaps?"
I've taken the liberty of building a loot tracker. It's shown in my header. I assume we are taking anything not nailed down? :) Thanks for that, spreadsheets are not my forte! We are still poor, so until that situation changes, I would vote yes. As long as Isabeau doesn't have to carry it... XD
Isabeau smiles with obvious relief upon hearing the pass phrase. "That is most reassuring. My name is Isabeau, but perhaps you already know that?" She takes a seat at the table and motions for the others to do the same.
Isabeau approaches the halfling tentatively, looking curiously at the purple disk that reminded her somewhat of an inverted holy symbol of Shar. "Word about town suggests you might know your way about the undertown, as it were... Might we join you?" She asks, politely.
"Terrible business." Isabeau agrees, "I am glad you were unharmed. But as you can see, my friend here was not so lucky, though he gave as good as he got. Do you know of any healers or hedge wizards nearby?"
Isabeau moves up to the counter and stabs across with her longspear.
The dark eagle flies to bite at the remaining wererat.
Hello, hello to you both! I went back and clipped my little thematic intro and put it into my profile here so it's easy to find. Isabeau's mother was an Oracle of Shar, one with an atypical streak of compassion for the church. She had a presence on the streets of Neverwinter and might have had an association with both/either of your characters, if you like. Mehji, we have a little bit of a gangland lead into our mission and so your character might make a good guide as we head into that part of our journey. Let me know anything I can do to help you acclimate!
The Celestial Eagle materializes opposite Robert, shrieks it's intent to destroy evil and slashes the wererat with talon and beak.
A dark miasma begins to gather and swirl around her as Isabeau starts to summon monster. She throws out her hand in Robert's general direction and the shadowy mass is flung further into the room as it coalesces and begins to take shape. Dark feathers flutter and the screeching cry of a bird of prey echoes through the warehouse.
You definitely don't need to be FR specific in your background. I wasn't since I adapted this character from a Ravenloft campaign that died on the vine. Tieflings do indeed come from everywhere. We are currently in Neverwinter, so you could base your history there. If you like the Eastern based themes of the Hungerseed Tiefling, you might have ancestors from Kozakura. Our initial quest has us working to battle/infiltrate local gangs (in a sewer hideout, ew!) to retrieve an artifact that is important to the church of Shar. So a Barrister with an axe to grind with one or more of said gangs might be a good angle. One group is the Gnashing Fangs(Wererats) and another is the Tower Girls, but I suspect these are homebrew with no pre-established lore in the campaign setting. Here is a link on Dark Justicars the GM mentioned. This stormraven with my WIP Aja... I have it in my background that Isabeau's mother was an Oracle of Shar, so she could be a direct friend or at least acquaintance. That would also serve to provide a means to disturb Isabeau's memory block here and there since it's centered around her mother's death. I’d have no trouble putting in a full divine caster, really, if that is desired. Let me take a look at it.I wasn't saying you need to change. An oracle has been put forth as well. Right, most important is to play a character you will enjoy and think will engage with the story. One good point of being affiliated with the Church is that there are bound to be NPC clerics we can seek out for aid if it really comes down to it.
Current party is an investigator, unchained summoner Fixed that for ya! ^_~ Hello, I'm Isabeau and I'm the Sharran Amnesiac. Happy to be a background association with any PCs connected with the church. She was raised a follower. The ability to heal somehow will be greatly appreciated!
Isabeau sighs once she realizes the scope of their impending errand. "So we must bluff or fight our way through multiple gangs and sewer monsters and our only lead is to find and coerce Rykker Slyfoot for the specifics about the artifact. Do the Gnashing Fangs even consider recruits who are not Wererats? Do you know how soon the Auction is meant to take place? Anything about those who will likely be invited to bid on these items?" She was still hopeful that some sort of subterfuge might help them toward their goal.
Keria laughs a few times before she realizes you're serious. "Oh that wasn't a joke? No, I won't be going with you unfortunately." she says, taking the chance to gather a handful of supplies from the shelves and tables before walking out of the panic room and heading to sit back down at her desk. Isabeau nods, having suspected the word we was just a slip of the tongue. "So where is this intermediary meeting spot and how might we go about finding out where the artifact is being kept or where it will be moved to for the auction?" After she gave Keria the opportunity to reply, she asked, "Could you make a suggestion of a guise under which we might be well received? I fear we must interview someone to get the information we need and that will be easier if we can enter and exit the area unchallenged."
Isabeau gives a wry smile, "The Nightbringer cares not if I like my duty, only that I fulfill it. But She rewards good service. You said 'where we can find out', does that mean you intend to accompany us? If your position among your fellows has been compromised, that may hinder our errand rather than help it. But please, share whatever you can about what we face." She casts guidance on herself to aid in recalling anything she might know about the two gangs.
Isabeau blinks in surprise but seems relieved to see that Keria feels confident in her recover. "Oh, you are quite... resilient it seems. That is good news as my compatriots have already mentioned; we are not skilled in the healing arts." She moves to close the outer door now that she has no need to run for aid and checks the bodies on the floor to confirm they are unlikely to stir and interrupt. "Well, we have come for information on the artifact. As well as any advice you can offer toward pursuing it's liberation. I take it your gang has already begun to question your loyalties?"
Worriedly, Isabeau looked around for something else to be of help. "Are there other potions here? Wands or maybe scrolls? Someone who can heal in the building? I can fetch them."
Staying clear of the opening and thus the line of fire, Isabeau calls out tentatively. "Keria? We- we had an appointment. The shadow guides our path to you. But hopefully not into the path of a crossbow bolt!"
"Hello? Miss Keria?" Isabeau calls through the heavy door. "I don't like this..." She said more softly to the fellows beside her as she casts detect magic to try and get a read on any magical happenings going on behind the door.
Isabeau gave the guard another bright smile, "Thank you, Captain!" She said with gratitude she did not need to feign. It was probably not his title, but men of arms tended to appreciate such honorifics. Then she glided to precisely where the guard had indicated. "Second building on the right. Looks like business is good." She kept a look-out for inventory manager as she rapped at the door out of courtesy and then made her way inside. Hopefully with her company of fellows in tow.
Isabeau decides to make another overture toward the guard. She makes her best attempt to stick to the truth of the matter, lest she raise his suspicions even more. "Oh please don't ask me that... I was rather strictly bidden to be discreet about these inquiries. I'm sure it's not any fault of the company, you see. But well, there's an item involved of a rather... sensitive nature and my employer feels that it is possible that the particular item hasn't arrived yet where it was meant to go, you know. She hopes very much that the item should be restored to it's proper place and felt certain that the inventory manager could direct us further on that matter. I do hope you understand, I would hate for anything delivered by the business to have gone to the wrong recipient, after all." She blathered vaguely, skirting the issue as she gazed at him earnestly with her deep purple eyes. As he considered, she drew a deep breath as if preparing to launch into another such effusion if he were not yet satisfied.
Isabeau stepped forward, offering the guard a hopefully beguiling smile. "Good afternoon, is this where we might find the inventory manager for Deepwater Deliveries? My employer sent me to inquire about a discrepancy with a recent shipment."
Isabeau arrives in the appointed place a bit early, wearing much the same garb she had worn the night before, though well brushed and aired out. The truth was, she only had one other full set of clothes and they were for journeying beyond the city. Not at all suitable on as bright and warm a day as today. She shelters in the shade beneath the brim of her hat, looking quite out of place in the full light of day. Her pallor marking her out among the sun-darkened dock workers. She nods in greeting to the young tough, who had arrived before her and sniffs the air experimentally. "You seem much... refreshed." She offers tactfully as she settles in beside him to wait for the others. "Master Vade had volunteered to do the talking, I believe. I will do what I can to set Keria's mind at ease that she will find solace among The Dark Lady's faithful." She said as she resettled the amulet beneath her cloak where she could display it, if she needed.
"Do any of us have, hrmm, how to say it.... a particularly glib tongue? Who should take the lead on the discussions, as it were?" Isabeau gives a slight smile at the compliment to her idea and her deep purple eyes drift to the polished looking fellow, Alixus, at the question. "I suppose that would depend upon whether Keria feels more comfortable speaking with a man or a woman." She shrugs, "We shall see. And now, if there was nothing else, I should retire as well." Lacking her Mistress' skill with relocation magic, she simply slides to the end of the booth seat and rises to her feet, scooping up the amulet if no one objects to her taking it. Her shadow looms up behind her, seeming at once larger and darker than the lighting should allow. It falls across those present as she moves away like a pall, it's touch substantial, cold and lingering as if the dark shape has it's own weight and mass. She turns back as an afterthought before approaching the door. "You should know that while many of Lady Shar's faithful have some capacity for healing, my talents lie... elsewhere." And with that enigmatic pronouncement, she slips through the door and out into the night. As she raises her hood, her form seems to be enfolded by the velvety gloom until no sight of her remains.
Isabeau looks up at the fellows around the table and adopts a knowing smile. "We are free to continue our discussion without being overheard, if you wish. Approaching Keria for employment might well work. But it doesn't give us all access to her. What if we feign that we inquire about a shipment that never arrived on behalf of our employer? That is a matter that might require she speak to us in private to check our paperwork against her ledgers and she could send us away claiming that we merely came to the wrong shipping house by mistake."
Isabeau's eyes widen slightly at the sight of the medallion, which was clearly an elaborate version of Shar's Holy Symbol. And then narrows them again at the dissipating dust of the Paracountess' departure.
Clearly, she had more to learn from the woman as a disciple. Her eye fell again on the medallion. She murmured the incantation for detect magic, scanning both for any sign of magical auras on the medallion as well as the spell that had been erected to dissuade eavesdropping to see if it was still in place.
"We should discuss the pretext under which we will seek out Keria, in terms of her employers are nearby or the like." "We could... make inquiry about shipping rates for cargo, or some such." Isabeau supposed. "Though it might be wise to shadow her first, to get a firmer handle on the nature of her business."
Finishing her bread and wine, Isabeau dabbed her mouth with her napkin and turned to the gentlemen at the table. "So I suppose we must arrange to meet on the morrow and make our inquiries of this Keria down at the docks. Around lunchtime, perhaps?" She asked, looking from one to another in turn.
Isabeau's eyes go wide at the mention of the sum and a low, eager rumble sounds from her direction. Her pale cheeks color slightly in embarrassment, and she quickly takes another sip of her wine and reaches for a slice of bread. Slathering it thickly with butter, her elbow bumps against the side of the booth. "Excuse me." She says softly, but it sounds more like a reproach than a courtesy. |