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In the aftermath of the battle, Elven spear disappears into the sea of pathfinders. Eventually, the Tea servent can be found casting minor curatives on wounded pathfinders and giving them tea. When she sees that Kimo has been level drained, she moves over to Dolomite. "One Thousand pardons, sir, but if it is not too impudent, this scroll might cure our friend of his affliction . . . Ootaka then hands a scroll of restoration to Dolomite so that he can cast it on Kimo. If Scarlet wants to try to interrogate her further: At some point, presumably, Scarlet corners her and asks her pointed questions with a knife at her throat, at which point Ootaka shrinks up and becomes very scared, speaking very softly. She eventually mentions that she works for Glorianna Morella (as her armor indicates) and even produces a wayfinder showing that Morella has inducted her into the pathfinders. If pressed on her magic, she says that quite against her will, some unknown spirits imbued her with the ability to cast a few spells, though she knows not why or how their methods work. (all of this is true, btw. A DC 20 Sense motive check reveals that there might be more information to find, but that she defiantly IS associated with the pathfinders, IS NOT a spy for the Aspis, and doesn't really wish any pathfinders any harm except for maybe wishing the scary cat lady would go away.)
Not sure who from the above arcane casters are actually at our table. I hope someone is there that I can have lent my wand of Mage Armor to so I can get my AC up. I can if no one else, though not until you see her.
Having GMed part 1, (where you get the dagger) VERY minor spoiler:
You leave pretty much immedeately after you get the dagger and the woman tells you what happened. Within a few days IIRC. It’s been a year since I ran part 1 though, so I could be wrong. Regardless, THANKS! I like springing my unique Vigilante on people.
On the months-long trek, the team has been accompanied by a rather slight and meek Tien half-elven girl. She has black hair, and is dressed conservatively. She doesn't talk much, but serves tea at all meals for the team. If asked for her name, she is taken back for a moment before weakly replying that she is Hideko Ootaka. She does this in a tone that suggests that she is very confused why anyone is interested in little old her. If asked why she is accompanying the team, she replies that: "Many Pardons, but the Pathfinder Society wishes for me to make your journey plesent by serving tea and other small edibles. I am terribly sorry if my performance is not up to your standards."
Sense Motive DC 21:
While she is not lying, she is hiding something. When Medda Announces that the group is 'only hours away' and suggests there might be a fight or trouble, Ootaka seems to disappear from the group, likely lost in the massive throng of other pathfinders. Later . . . Perception=Take ten stealth (15)+Distance 20 feet+2= Perception check 17:
You notice that a pathfinder is clumsily following you. Though she seems quite dexterous, she seems to have no training in actual stealth GM Eyes Only: Ootaka is going to slip away and Transform into her vigilante identity, and shadow the group
Should be fine. We start Monday. Shenanagins explanation for GM:
Just some weird parts of my build you may want to know about. Sorry for shinanaginry.
1)The vital punishment Vigilante talent nets me the vital strike feat despite the fact that I don’t have the BAB to normally qualify for it. It also lets me vital strike on an attack of oppertunity 1/rnd. 2) As a magical Child with the quick-change vigilante talent, I can switch between forms as a standard action, though is a magical child My changes are loud and more noticeable. 3) My familiar will normally stay in normal form, but is capable of transforming into a soul doll version of me. 4) I have power attack and furious focus. I also have the lethal grace vigilante talent which nets me 1/2 level to damage so long as I use dex to hit and strength to damage, like when I wield my Elven Branched Spear.
Cleaning up, the comparatively small half-elven woman almost jumps at the imposing figure. Her black hair and complexion belay that her human-half must have been Tien, though her elven heritage is unmistakable. Strangely, she wears armor, though upon closer inspection it is merely ceremonial armor for a major Taldor family, the Morellas. "Oh, uh, hai." she responds obviously flustered. "But the honored customer is, is not late. This is a tea house, you may come whenever you wish as long as we are open." She disappears into the kitchen and reappears shortly after with some green tea and serves it. Take ten on perform tea cerimony- 17.
"I see the Tien modesty came with you," she quips. "Tradition may be paramount there, but here, it is presentation that counts." "I see, d'Apcher-sama. Appologies. Instead, may I be allowed to say that I hope my humble presentation does not offend instead. Thank you for instructing me on this matter." Sense Motive DC 20: You get the hunch that, while some could take her words as sarcasm, she sincerely means what she said. She seems to have a very pronounced 'servant' mindset.
Again, the hostess turns her head and lowers her tone of voice, clearly embarrassed. "Oh, my mother taught me when I was very young in Tien Xia. But I am sad to say that I have found no instructors on this side of the world to help hone my edge. I pray my lack of skill does not offend one of your status."
"I am in the mood for experimentation. Oolong with a dash of hibiscus for flavor," she decides, waving away the outside heat with her fan. "Yes, right away m'lady." The half-elven girl disappears and comes back a minute later with the requested tea. She servse it to d'Apcher with her standard grace (Take 10 Perform Tea Ceremony =DC 17)
Hideko turns her head to the side, though it is obvious she is blushing. She pauses for a brief moment, clearly conflicted about how to answer the question. When she finally does speak, it is in a very soft, hestitant tone. "Oh-oh, you honor me too much, I'm afraid. I do not hold the title of Lady, I am just a humble tea servant. An-And I'm sure I don't know any . . . 'tittle-tattle.' An-and if I did, I do not know if such a topic would be appropriate for a setting such as this." She pauses for a brief moment seeming to hope that someone will change the topic. When no one does, she does venture something. Spoiler alert for scenario 24-Decline of glory:
"I did recently encounter a corrupt government official overstepping his bounds in Taldor. He had been stealing deeds and then claiming imminent domain to take the land for himself. Luckily the group of pathfinders I was with discovered the plan and stopped him." " I am glad his misdeeds did not spread further to jeopardize the reputation of Taldor." she concludes.
The woman spies the large sum of money and looks slightly confused for a moment. He face grows somewhat hesitant as it becomes obvious that she is caught between two social faux-pas. She hesitantly, approaches Bo Atlas, head down, for a moment and in a low, hushed tone she offers. "I . . . I uh, am loath to interrupt, sir, but I may have given the wrong impression." She points to the price board that says a pot of Tien Green tea is only 5 SP. "That is what sir owes. My most humble apologies if I led sir astray."
The black-haired woman sets down a steaming pot of Sky Jasmine Tea for the nagaji, pouring it gracefully but not in an overly-flourished manner. She then moves on to recieve the Taldan man. "Very honored to meet you." in a hushed tone is the only response she gives to his introduction before moving to the back room. She soon returns with another teapot, and sets it forth before pouring him a cup. Sense Motive Check DC 15: She briefly raises an eyebrow at the captain and his attire. She seems to linger on him for a split-second longer than she should before returning to her duties.
"Of course" is the Tien woman's only reply to the two requests. She then sets about setting up the tea for the two patrons who have ordered, efficiently but gracefully preparing the tea in a very traditional manner. She works in silence but makes sure to be as respectful and courteous to the customers as possible. Take 10 on perform (Tea Cerimony)=17
A young, half-elven woman of Tien descent, with black hair, makes busy tidying the place up. With deliberate grace, she places everything in the three tea-drinking alcoves just so, fluffing the sitting pillows and making sure everything has been polished and dusted. Then she moves on to the flower, making sure their arrangement is prim and proper. She continues to work diligently, despite the fact that the room has no visitors currently.
"Oh, like the Red Raven?! I get it then. Dressing up like that is really fun! And I guess I get having to hide who you really are, too. It took me a long time until I could be the dragon I always knew I was. If you have books though, I wanna read them. You could bring them when you visit my Lodge." "I do believe Seeker Grundersnutt mentioned something about publishing a paper on the subject soon. He is, as I understand it, a well-known scholar. However, I hear that his publishing company is less-than-honest. I believe the cost is slated to be 50 gold coins."
The Tien half elf bows slightly to the lady and answers, this time being rather quick about it. "I'm sure I don't know d'Apcher-ojousama. Most seemed to be conjecture based on pure logic and several reports about the current state of Absolom. I have to admit, his train of thought was very difficult to follow, he was much more intelligent than I. I . . . I don't recall him referencing Percy or Marguerite, though I do seem to recall him bringing up the Red Raven's exploits more than once."
"True identies? Are they hiding? Why'd they wanna do that?" Again, the woman takes a moment to respond, formulating her words carefully. "I, of course, cannot speak for the motivations of all the vigilantes who have made themselves known, but Seeker Grundersnutt did address this in his seminar. He put forth that it is more difficult to target someone you don't know. You cannot kill someone, or their family, in their sleep if you don't know who they are or where they live. Furthermore, there may be a psychological component. It is easier to fear the unknown, a madman in a mask, than a regular person. Lastly, there may be. . . magical forces at play. But I assume d'Apchur-ojousama would know more than I. She is the one who has studied the subject through books."
The dark-haired Tien woman pauses and carefully thinks on the bloodspeaker's words for a moment, trying to formulate how to respond. "I'm sure I am far less excperienced then an esteemed venture-captain in all areas, but from what rumors are circulating, the thing seperating these vigilantes from other heroes, is that it is difficult to gather any information about them. Most divination magics do nothing to reveal their true identities, if such identities exist at all. Simply put, it is very difficult to find out who these people are. I doubt anyone was born with the name 'Elven Spear."
"You are correct, of course, d'Apchur-Ojousama. Seeker Grundersnutt's latest paper on the subject posits that some criminals use red tape or bribes to place themselves in a world of criminals who operate above the law. In such cases, young loners on crusades to champion the cause of the innocent, helpless, or powerless are needed. At least, that is what his seminar proposed."
The Lady smiles at the mention of the vigilantes. "I have always found novels of romantic heroism to be quite enjoyable. The tale of Percy and Marguerite is one of my favorites. This 'Elven Spear,' which districts of the city does she tend to place under her protection?" she asks. "From what I have heard, she favors the Foreign Quarter, d'Apcher-Ojousama" the Tien woman politely responds. Sense Motive DC 20: While she is telling the truth, you get a hunch that Hideko may know more than she is letting on.
With delicate poise, the black-haired woman speaks softly. "My most humble pardon, venture captain Mea Culpa, but I do not believe Lady d'Apcher was referring to Azlanti, but rather 'vigalantes,' another name for the mysterious men and women in Absolom who help the downtrodden, such as that new girl people are talking about, 'Elven Spear." With that she takes his teacup from him and fills it again with tea.
Without missing a beat, the woman continues the cerimony, preparing another cup for the newcomer as such was always her plan. In response to Bloodspeaker Culpa's request to be called 'Mia,' she just responds with. "Hai, kashkomarimashita, Kurupa Mi-ya-taicho"
"Dozo, Dappuchaa-ojousama." Tien: Her words were "yes, as you wish Venture captain Mea Culpa" and "Here you go, Lady d'Apcher"
A beautifully dressed black-haired half-elf pushes aside the door to the room with Bloodspeaker Culpa. She is dressed in a fine robe, over the top is some cerimonial Taldane armor. "Sh itsureshimasu" she says in Tien. "Kuripa-taicho, Oocha desu." Without another word, she begins elegantly and quietly setting up tea for the venture-captain in practiced grace. Take 10-perform Tea cerimony: 17 if you speak tien: Her words were: "Excuse me: venture captain-Culpa, here is your tea." |
