Shulamit's page

Persona Phase 1
Sabotage Opponent: Subterfuge
Stealth vs DC 23 (Urban Terrain): 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 12 + 2 = 23
Subterfuge increases to 4, Agent count 10

With Stachys enjoying a hard-earned break from its monster problem Shula turns her attention to a different problem. Namely Bartleby. Their whole reason for being here is to undermine him and they haven't been doing much of that so far.

She spends several nights sneaking around town and hiding on shadowed rooftops. People who think they can't be overheard are usually the best source of news. Then she takes that information back to the mansion.

The next morning there's a sign on Piscum's tavern door. In large, blocky letters it reads:

WHEN BANDITS WERE STALKING THE ROADS
HE DID NOTHING
WHEN YOUR CHILDREN WERE STARVING
HE DID NOTHING
WHEN STACHYS WAS DYING
HE DID NOTHING

DON'T PAY A MAN WHO DOES NOTHING
SAY NO TO TAXES

The sign is torn down almost immediately, but the town continues talking about it (and the mysterious individual who wrote it) for weeks.

Persona Phase 2
Sabotage Opponent: Subterfuge
Sleight of Hand vs DC 25: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25
Subterfuge increases to 5, Agent count 12

Getting the people talking wasn't the only thing Shula hoped to accomplish with this little endeavor. She hasn't forgotten the seneschal's visit. Quietly she asks around until she finds a guy who knows a guy who has a girlfriend who works near where Guisarne lives. A few clandestine transfers later, draft versions of her protest sign find their way into Guisarne's desk.

Maybe now he'll be a bit too busy with his own affairs to look too closely at theirs.

As the creature tries to run away Shula hits it with her kukri to devastating effect. "Not so fast!" Chasing after it to stay on the opposite side of Sercha she slashes at it one more time for good measure.

Kurki AOO, Flanking: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 11 + 2 = 33
S. Damage, SA: 1d4 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 2 + (6, 3) = 14 24 damage

Kukri, Flanking: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 2 = 15
S. Damage, SA: 1d4 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 2 + (4, 5) = 15

Shula joins Sercha and Lope in rushing towards the giant snake. "How many Abadaran clerics come this way? Because it looks like this thing evolved to eat them."

Kukri, Flanking: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 11 + 2 = 23
S. Damage, SA: 1d4 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 2 + (2, 6) = 11

Shula's lips quirk at Shula's joke. "Have to admit I was thinking more 'robbed and murdered' than 'had their clothes stolen and were too embarrassed to go back,' but maybe-" Then she spots the body. "Or not."

While Lope checks the body, Shula joins Sercha in looking around for potential murderers.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Shula's happy to leave the whole murder business behind them and start investigating a new mystery. "We're looking for clerics of Abadar, right? What are the chances they just got robbed by some bandits figuring anyone worshipping Abadar must have a ton of gold on them?"

Shula comes back from the farm with a slight frown. "So, weirdly enough, it looks like after Mayne and Sutor met up Mayne left the area while Sutor didn't. If Mayne killed him then, why leave and come back later to hide the body? Unless he needed to go grab a shovel or something. Did he have a shovel on him when he was caught?"

While Shula may not know much about medicine, she's been around her fair share of dead bodies. "Looks like a single blow to the head with a pretty hefty bludgeoning weapon. Maybe a club but I can't be sure. Don't have too much experience with those types of weapons." After Lope nearly gets kicked she doesn't try to approach the mule at all.

Heal (Untrained): 1d20 ⇒ 18

Shula sighs as she sees the swamp. "Maybe if Victor asks nicely the local fey guardians will help clean my boots." She may not see any tracks immediately, but she thoroughly looks around the farmyard anyway. Let it not be said that she won't do her due diligence as an informal investigator.

(She makes a mental note to tell Auntie E. about this later. The tiefling will probably get a kick out of the idea of Shula investigating other people's crimes.)

Survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

"Seems pretty open and shut to me. But just in case I'll play investigator again and check out the scene of the crime." Shula's happy to leave interrogating Mayne to the people who'd actually be good at it. "Faster we get this resolved, the faster we can figure out what's going on at the bridge. Or with Baroness Voinum's place."

She immediately finds Piscum and asks her to point out where she caught Mayne burying the body.

"If you're here to take a look at the improvements we've made, may I suggest a tour through the market? There are many local artisans selling their wares. Perhaps the Count might be interested in a souvenir?" Shula smiles disarmingly. "We could also show you to the new public house we just finished building. You may have already eaten, but the beer there is quite good. Having a proper brewing area makes a huge difference."

K. Local: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

When Sercha reveals what she knows about the Night Swan, Shula's brow furrows. "Huh. I can't imagine the woman we met burning houses to the ground. Not necessarily that she's not capable of it, but she seemed more the water type to me. Fire and water don't really mix well." (From the way her nose wrinkles slightly at the very word 'water' Shula may be letting her own feelings on the matter sway her judgment.)

She stretches out her shoulders with a yawn. "Suppose it doesn't really matter. Whoever the Night Swan is they're shaking up the local nobility. More power to them. We may want to hire a guard or someone to keep watch though, just in case our manor is the next one targeted."

"So that was the Night Swan. A bit more literal than I thought the name would be." Shula carefully cleans all the ooze off her kukris as they take the wagon back. "Not too bad though once we convinced her we weren't assassins. Could use work on her people skills." This is said completely without irony.

She whistles lightly at Lope puts on the mask. "Nice. Looks like fancy gold tattoos. Really brings out your cheekbones. The eye thing is cool too; I definitely couldn't pull that off."

We could afford Festivals/Advanced Market and a Statue, but I'm not sure any of them are worth it. Maybe save up for one of the more expensive improvements?

"Meanwhile 'stabby' is my middle name. And my last, since I don't otherwise have one. Shula 'Stabby' Stabberson." Shula does glance at Lope over her shoulder before turning back to the oozes. "Non-sarcastically the advice is appreciated and I'd take it if I could. Unfortunately I don't have anything heavy and sturdy to work with."

She steps back into a flanking position and starts slashing away at the one attacking Sercha.

Main Hand, Flanking: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 2 = 15 S. Damage: 1d4 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 2 + (4, 1) = 9
Off Hand, Flanking: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 9 + 2 = 29 S. Damage: 1d4 + 1 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 1 + (1, 6) = 12
Confirm?: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 9 + 2 = 24 Crit Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

"Ow ow ow." Shula looks decidedly worse for wear as the acid begins to burn her flesh. Letting Victor and Sercha focus on attacking for the moment, she spends all her time attempting to get free of the ooze constricting her. Staggering backwards a step, she makes sure her kukris are in position to try and ward off another attack.

Escape Grapple, CMB: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Shula looks down at her kukris with a slight frown. "Don't worry babies, I promise I'll clean you right away." Seeing Sercha charge forward, she circles around to the other side of the ooze so they can flank the creature together.

Kukri, Flanking: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 11 + 2 = 21 S. Damage, SA: 1d4 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 2 + (2, 6) = 14

"Looks like the first option then." Feeling better now that the Night Swan hasn't outright started shooting, Shula does indeed calm down. "We came to investigate a story about a vengeful ghost. That's it. No assassins here, just people trying to help Stachys fix its undead problem." She holds up her hands in a placating gesture. "We can always switch our focus to the ooze problem; I'm generally not a fan of people-eating monsters."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

Shula raises an eyebrow at the woman, (not that she's likely to see it from that distance). "Look, when someone pulls that 'Lay down your arms and surrender' bullshit, it means one of two things. Either they don't want to kill you, or they're worried they can't. If it's the former, Miss Vengeful Possibly Ghost, then let's talk. Tell us what you really want and we'll see if we can come to an arrangement. In case it's the latter though, like hells am I making it easier for you to shoot me in both my metaphorical and literal back." True enough she doesn't set her weapons down, but neither does she draw them.

"A nice stroll around the lake sounds lovely, particularly if it includes the opportunity to stab things. I'm overdue for a good adrenaline rush." Shula is finding the life of a (pretend) noble to be incredibly boring. It's almost enough to make her understand the rich's obsession with weird games.

Tilting her head, she considers for a moment before a slow smile spreads across her face. "First ghouls, then a ghast, now a ghost. Hey Lope, you like playing around with words. Have some fun with that one."

Shula lounges on a nearby couch, leg swinging idly. "I like that idea, but there's a problem. If my word isn't enough to prove Portimer's innocence, then the guards are going to go back to Bartleby and say a poacher is being let off light." Amber eyes narrow. "Piscum said the law 'demanded' execution. That tells me Bartleby's going to be pissed if he thinks we're not taking it seriously. Piss Bartleby off this soon, it's going to make our actual mission very difficult."

She pauses, considering, then suggests, "Maybe we can preempt the guards. The first story told is often the one believed. Write Bartleby a letter, now, explaining what our investigation found. Tell him you can't bring yourself to execute a man for what you believe was an honest mistake, particularly so soon after your own dear cousin's tragic death." There's a slight tightness around her eyes as she mentions Lollia. "Play on his heartstrings if he has any."

"He might still believe the guards over us, or just not care, but it's worth a try."

"That's a great idea. I didn't think to ask." Shula sits up in her seat, looking noticeably more optimistic than she had seconds before. "The guards were technically doing their jobs, given Portimer was found on the Count's land, but beating him up the way they did seems excessive. Whether they knew Portimer or not, that level of pent-up anger might explain why they didn't listen to his explanation. Let's see if anyone knows them."

K. Local: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
K. Local: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Shula is not enthused to be presiding over another trial, particularly for something that shouldn't (in her opinion) be a crime. From the murmurs she's hearing around town, she's not the only one that feels that way.

Traveling to the area, she pokes around a little and shakes her head. When she returns she holes herself up with the party to discuss what they should do. "His story checks out. I'm no expert, but there were a lot of tracks and some blood trailing across the border. No idea what the law says about finishing off a deer you'd already shot. I do have an idea of what the town thinks about it, which is that we might have an angry mob calling for our heads if we execute him."

Shula stops eating and raises an eyebrow at the gentleman making himself at home. "You're a bold one, aren't you? There are a lot of potholes that need filling, but I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that's not the kind of job you're after." Her bright amber eyes focus on the rapier. "Not with a weapon like that. You clearly have or had a significant amount of wealth." Her gaze travels back up to look him in the eyes. "You've also got the attitude of a born grifter. So. Why should we hire you, and why should we trust you?"

"Shula Ottensen, by the way."

"Fair enough." Shula is a little disappointed they won't be able to hang onto the (very expensive) elixir of love, but not enough to try and stop Victor from using it. "Also, it was courting her? Like, actually trying to get her to fall in love with it? Ew."

She watches as Victor gently tips the vial into Sepsinia's mouth, then slowly backs away as Sepsinia starts sobbing. "I just remembered I have something to do somewhere that's not here." She gives Victor a thumbs up and mouths You got this! before fleeing the room.

(She's not an intentionally cruel person, but crying, traumatized nobles are well beyond her pay grade. Hopefully Victor can handle it.)

"An elixer of love?" Shula's eyebrows raise. "That's potentially convenient. We just so happened to find one of those in the maze." She raises a couple fingers. "Two questions. One, she won't become infatuated with someone if we give it to her, right? That would be really awkward to explain. And two, what would happen if we don't give it to her? I mean, the spider's dead. It can't exactly keep poisoning her, or whatever it was doing."

With the spider dead, Shula turns her attention to Sepsinia. "Oh. Um, I really wouldn't drink that tea if I were you. In fact let's just..." She reaches out and takes the teacup away. "You know, you're starting to scare me more than the spider. Can you hear us? Like, at all?"

I don't think any of us have Knowledge Religion. That was Robert's job.

Shula joins in on the stabbing as the spider tries to retreat. "Nuh uh, you're not getting away that easy!"

AOO, Kukri, Flanking: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 11 + 2 = 33 S. Damage, SA: 1d4 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 2 + (1, 6) = 13
Confirm?: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 11 + 2 = 33
Crit Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Assuming the zombies still animate

"Really? Is that why you were keeping them around?" Shula wrinkles her nose. "That's almost worse than what I was thinking, which was they were emergency rations."

Kukri, Flanking: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 11 + 2 = 25 S. Damage, SA: 1d4 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 2 + (5, 6) = 14

"Ew. No wonder you're sick." Moving into a flanking position, Shula slashes at the spider. "Sorry to interrupt your, uh, 'date,' but from the corpses it looks like this is another man-eating monster being allowed to run around loose."

Kukri, Flanking: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 11 + 2 = 21 S. Damage, SA: 1d4 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 2 + (6, 1) = 13

"Sounds like a plan to me." Shula grins at the thought of being able to do a little night-work once more. She's been keeping far too respectable a schedule lately. "Ask a few questions, make sure we're not actually killing Dame Crabbe's pet spider, and then go sneaking. Victor, think you can manage without a torch until we're in the maze?"

"Large compared to a cat or large compared to a person?" Shula looks skeptical. "If it's large compared to a cat, then maybe it's just Dame Crabbe's pet spider. I wouldn't put it beyond these people to have a spider-racing tournament or similar nonsense planned for next year's gala. If it's large compared to a person, then that sounds suspiciously like yet another man-eating monster the nobles are letting run around loose."

"Either way I'd prefer not investigating right now. We can feel Dame Crabbe out over dinner, ask if the hedge maze is off limits. Maybe see if any gardeners have gone missing." Shula seems lost in thought for a moment. "I did promise...someone, that I'd try to be less reckless. Particularly when it comes to running straight towards potentially deadly monsters."

The downside of playing a one-on-one rematch is that Dame Crabbe has no other competitors to focus on. Shula is good at getting the ball close to where it needs to go, but Dame Crabbe is good at conveniently knocking said ball off course. One skill appears much more useful than the other.

"This had better be worth it," Shula mutters under her breath while resisting the urge to break her cue over her knee. Instead she takes a deep breath and smiles. "Very well-played. That technique of using my ball to stop your ball's momentum and set up your next stroke is masterful."

Bluff, ST: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 9 + 2 = 29 To keep Dame Crabbe's attention on her and not on wondering where Sercha's gone.

Slayer (Velvet Blade) 5

+7 HP
+1 BAB
FCB: Skill point

Feat: Weapon Focus (Kukri)

7 skills: Bluff, Diplomacy, Disable Device, Disguise, Perception, Sense Motive, Stealth.
2 background skills: K. Nobility and Sleight of Hand

Shula does her best to appear not bored out of her mind. At least Dame Crabbe is happy to carry the conversation, so occasionally saying "Of course" or "Hmm" is enough to get by.

She is curious about Sepsinia. She hadn't paid much attention to the girl at the Jubilee, but Robert seemed to think she was ill and she's certainly acting like it now. At some point during the grand tour she falls back next to Victor and whispers, "Would it be rude to ask if something is wrong with Sepsinia? She doesn't seem well at all, but Dame Crabbe is notably not mentioning it."

She's also curious about the hedge maze, but notices Sercha talking to Sepsinia and gesturing towards it. With a slight sigh she resigns herself to being a distraction instead. "Dame Crabbe, we never did get to have that rematch." She does her best to position herself in such a way that the older woman won't have a good view of Sercha and Sepsinia should they choose to wander off. "Perhaps now would be a good time? We're already here after all."

Bluff/Diplomacy, ST: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 2 = 18

"Oh you can schmooze with her all night long. The problem is getting her to shut up." Shula sighs. "She's not horrible, just shallow. Although to be fair I only ever talked to her about trucco, which was a masterclass in bullshit considering I'd never heard of the sport before. Robert would know more."

"Uh, you might want to ..." Sercha begins before Randi dives in without a care. She shrugs before glancing at Shula. "She's a bold one, then."

Shula smiles wryly. "Yep, she is. Better her than me though; I don't like swimming. Particularly not in water that foul." Once Randi emerges with the spear, she examines it with a look of realization. "Oooohhhhh. That's what she meant by Godspike. Thanks ghoul buddy! Or ghast buddy. Don't really get the difference. Regardless, we'll, uh, make sure you get a nice burial?"

"I was expecting more, to be honest. Six ghouls and one ghast was enough for them to abandon this place for years? Goes to show how little attention Bartleby's been paying this place."

After getting Dame Crabbe's letter the look on Shula's face would be more appropriate on a pouting toddler. "Do we have to go? I know I promised her a trucco rematch, but she's such an...aristocrat."

"Huh. I was kind of expecting that to be more difficult." Shula crouches down next to the body, cocking her head to one side. "You sounded religious and not happy about the whole being undead thing, so this was probably the best outcome for you. Good luck in your afterlife."

She stands up and elbows Sercha lightly in the side. "Nice hit by the way. The lightning along the blade? Really cool. I don't remember...wait, is that well glowing?" Curious, (and not particularly prudent), she immediately leans over the edge to peer down at the bottom.

Shula barely has time to thank Robert for the healing before they're fighting once more. She moves into another flanking position and stabs at the ghast's back.

Main Hand, Flanking: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 2 = 19 S. Damage, SA: 1d4 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 2 + (3, 6) = 15

Fort Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Fort Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Shula's muscles start to stiffen, but she's able (barely) to stave off full paralysis. She works in tandem with Randi to take down the last of the ghouls.

Main Hand, Flanking: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 2 = 24 S. Damage, SA: 1d4 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 2 + (6, 5) = 16
Off Hand, Flanking: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 2 = 23 S. Damage, SA: 1d4 + 1 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 1 + (5, 2) = 10

Shula gives Randi an incredulous look as she continues slicing at the ghouls. "You think this is glorious? Never mind, let's just get this done fast before whatever's making that noise wakes all the way up."

Main Hand, Flanking: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 2 = 20 S. Damage, SA: 1d4 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 2 + (3, 2) = 9
Off Hand, Flanking: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 2 = 14 S. Damage, SA: 1d4 + 1 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 1 + (2, 5) = 9

I went ahead and rolled for a full attack, but she might have needed to move more than five feet to stay in a flanking position. Up to GM discretion whether she full attacked or moved + attacked.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Luckily the one blow that manages to hit is a glancing one, and Shula shrugs off the paralysis before it can fully set in. Glancing over she sees that Sercha wasn't as lucky. "Oh that's not good."

She steps sideways to continue flanking with the Shield Maiden. "Let's hope we can kill these things fast before anyone else gets paralyzed."

Main Hand, Flanking: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 2 = 15 S. Damage, SA: 1d4 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 2 + (6, 3) = 14
Off Hand, Flanking: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 2 = 10 S. Damage, SA: 1d4 + 1 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 1 + (5, 4) = 11

"Well that went down fast. Glad to see you haven't lost your touch." Shula, now very glad she hadn't bothered to throw her kukris, starts sifting through the treasure dragged on board. She whistles as she holds up the necklace. "Very nice. How did something like this get in the swamp in the first place? Never mind, not important. It'll sell for a lot." Looking at Sercha out of the corner of her eye, she smirks. "Oh didn't we tell you? We have a strict 'All profits go to Shula' policy...or at least we do in my dreams. Unfortunately in the waking world stuff gets split evenly."

In the pump house Shula joins the Shield Maiden in charging towards the ghouls. Or, more accurately, around them and into a flanking position.

Kukri: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 S. Damage, SA: 1d4 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 2 + (6, 3) = 12 Crit: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

"That is magic that I haven't seen yet," she says to Shula. "Does he do that often?"

"Only when there's fighting to be done. So, unfortunately, yes." Shula deliberately hadn't mentioned Victor's abilities, in large part because she was looking forward to Sercha's reaction. "By the way, her name is the Shield Maiden. Or Randi." She grins at that, instinctively looking behind her to see Lollia's face-

Her own face falls. Right. Funny how you forget sometimes.

She coughs. "Anyway, both Victor and the Shield Maiden would prefer their...relationship...be kept secret."

-----------------

As the tentacles erupt from the water Shula instinctively clutches her kukris. Then she reconsiders the wisdom of throwing expensive and much-beloved weapons overboard and reaches for her shortbow instead.

Shortbow: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 P. Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

"The cats?" It wasn't like Shula had been mean to the cats, (she rather likes cats), but she supposes she hadn't gone out of her way to be nice to them either. "That makes an odd amount of sense. Particularly if Leona put in a good word for you."

Downstairs at breakfast Shula waves at Sercha from underneath the table, where she's carefully setting a saucer full of cream. "Victor thinks maybe the cats have something to do with it, and I'm desperate enough to try anything. Hey kitties! Psst psst psst! Got a treat for you! And more every day, if you convince whatever spirit is messing with us to stop."

Sounds like ghoul hunting is the general consensus for what to do next.

K. Local: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Shula doesn't mind a few light-hearted pranks. At least not until the day where she wakes up to find her kukris are an inexplicable shade of lime green. "Look. I get it. You're some sort of guardian spirit or something and you don't like me. I don't like you much either right now." She holds up her hand and starts counting off on her fingers. "Hair? Fine. Clothes? Don't really care. My alcohol stash was annoying, but I needed to dry out anyway. The kukris though are a step too far." She glares into thin air. "So clearly I've got to do something to get you all to leave me alone." Now she just needs to figure out what that 'something' might be, and luckily she knows just who to ask.

"Victor!" She storms into his room without so much as a knock. "They've liked you from the beginning, so what the hell did you do to get them on your side?"

Even with the high roll I don't think Shula would know what kind of ritual to perform, given that guardian spirits aren't something she would have ever run into before.

Outside the manor things are going much more smoothly. The potholes have almost vanished and the market is starting to pick up steam. (Even if all they're selling is produce.) Spreading out the list of possible improvements, Shula nods as Sercha suggests the mill and bridge as their next targets. "The farms could also use some improving, but I agree that the mill is a better initial investment. As for the bridge, we're going to have to visit our neighbors at some point. Plus it might help improve the market's quality if people can come from farther away. That leave us with about...1400gp worth of lumber. Enough for one more project." She looks up from the list. "So far the Pump House is the only thing we've been specifically asked about, so I think that should be the next thing we improve. Who's up for some ghoul hunting?"

Mill (900 gp)
Gold Canyon Bridge (2,700 gp)
Pump House, Basic (900 gp)

"I see." Shula doesn't really. Admittedly she knows little about ghouls other than the name, but it strikes her as strange that they wouldn't go hunting for food at the nearby snack bar, aka Stachys. It also seems strange that they could be there for years without anyone (Bartleby) ever taking care of the situation.

The Iron Lash all over again. Who cares if a few peasants get eaten? Nobles are the only ones who matter.

These uncharitable thoughts are not improved by the shipment of lumber. "Really? Caspian's sending us Stachys' back taxes? Don't get me wrong, this stuff is going to help a lot, but it probably would have helped more ten years ago." She shakes her head. "What was Bartleby doing with the money anyway? Sitting on it like a dragon?"

(No villagers are in the immediate area, or she would have at least pretended to be polite.)

"I suppose it's better than nothing. At least we can fix some of the potholes. That might be enough to get some locals selling their stuff here instead of wherever they are now. This place could use a market." How was a girl supposed to fence sell her completely legitimately obtained goods without one?

"What does everyone think? Hire some locals to get started on cleaning this place up while we check out the ghouls? I don't like having an infestation of undead nearby, even if they supposedly stick to the swamp."

Proposed Projects:
Civic Improvements, Basic (1,000 gp)
Market, Basic (2,000 gp)

Shula's shoulders relax as Lucinia leaves, banished but with both hands intact. She'd been a little concerned that the unconventional punishment wouldn't be sufficient for the town. From the murmurs though it seems they're just relieved to be rid of her.

She's about to follow after Piscum, (she still wants to ask about their budget, if they have one), when the group is approached by someone asking for their help. She's nodding along, trying to figure out what a 'pump house' is, when a word catches her attention. "Gools? Do you mean ghouls? Like, the undead creatures that bite people?"

"I see." Shula very deliberately does not look down at her own hands. "I believe we'll need a few moments to consult with Lady Vernisant."

Once away from the crowd, she leans against the nearest wall with a sigh. "I am admittedly a teensy bit biased here, but I don't like the idea of cutting off someone's hand for being a drunken idiot. My vote's for banishment. Or, if we're really worried about her coming back as a bandit, some other punishment." She thinks for a moment. "Maybe a combination of the pillory and forcing her to pay back everything she stole, with interest. If she refuses to pay, we remind her that the alternative is dismemberment."

Shula coughs into her hand at the recounting of Lucinia's misdeeds. "Sounds like a good Starday night to me." However Sercha has a point about what's acceptable in Oppara being less so in a small village where everyone knows each other. Sucker punching a bartender is one thing when there are fifty other bars to choose from and a hundred back alleys to disappear into. It's quite another when it's the only place in town and the bartender is also the local tribune.

"I doubt she's doing it to survive. It's not like she took the money and ran to buy food; she just passed out in a barn. Poor impulse control mixed with alcohol is a dangerous combination." She coughs again. "I would know."

Being far more used to committing crimes than judging them, Shula has no idea what would constitute a 'reasonable' punishment. Fortunately there are plenty of people around to ask. "Sherriff Piscum, what would be considered an appropriate sentence for these crimes? You know this town and its traditions better than any of us."

K. Local: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Shula blinks awake, aware that something is wrong but not what. Do I smell alcohol? I don't remember drinking last night... When she sits up and discovers her sodden mattress, she's more bemused than angry. "Is this a sign from the gods that I've been drinking too much? I mean, I probably have, but it's been a really shitty week and surely the gods can understand that. If they care at all, which in my experience they usually don't." Her eyebrows knit together. "Plus it would have made more sense to smite me with soaked bedclothes on a day I actually overindulged."

Deciding it's too early to try and solve this mystery, she takes a bath to try and wash away some of the smell before heading downstairs for breakfast. Seeing Sercha's hair makes something click in her brain. "Ohhhhh. We were pranked! That makes way more sense then the gods deciding my alcohol needed to go." Pleased to have figured it out, she starts to take a bite of rations before suddenly freezing. "Although...who would prank us? Who could prank us? I'm not always as alert as I should be, but I still should have woken up once they started dumping booze on me. Unless we were drugged. Do you feel like you were drugged?"

In the town

"Right. Sort this out." Shula dodges a pothole of her own. "Good idea, that one. Any idea how? Do we have a budget or something? 'Cause I've got some money squared away, but not enough to fix...anything, really." Huh. Maybe there was (or should be) more to being a noble than sitting around eating fancy food and playing weird games. Who knew?

"We should talk to Piscum. She'll have an idea of what Stachys needs. And maybe how to accomplish it."

Outside

Shula's amber eyes narrow slightly as the stranger approaches. There's something about her...wait a minute. "Sercha? Is that you?" It's been a long time since she's seen the other woman, but even in the Narrows where all manner of strange ancestries gather (or are dumped), there aren't that many kayal.

The recognition makes her more trusting than she would otherwise be, but she still doesn't relax fully until Lucretia opens the envelope and verifies that this woman has in fact been sent by Martella. "It's good to see you. I should have guessed I wouldn't be the only one Martella, ahem, 'sponsored.' And that she wouldn't wait too long before sending a replacement." There's a bitter twist to that last word.

Shula looks at the ground for a long moment before sighing. "That wasn't fair. I'm sorry. It is good to see you again, and we could definitely use someone who's good in a fight. Which, if I remember correctly, you are."

At the estate

Appraise: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

"Someone's looking after this manor. Probably the only place in town still receiving regular maintenance." A slight smile crosses Shula's face as she spies the cats. "At least we won't have to worry about rats." She's dealt with her fair share of those, which just makes her more wary.

Climbing up to the second floor, she immediately claims the only bedroom with two exits. (It's also closest to the stairway if she ever needs to sneak out.)

Immediately after returning

Shula walks up to Bartelby, eyes flaming. The sight is not a pretty one, given that she's covered in blood. (Mostly, but not entirely, her own.) For a moment she looks like she wants to punch him in the face. Whether out of an unusual level of restraint for her or simple recognition that his alarm seems genuine, she doesn't. She does however hiss, "You thought it had gone? A manticore, apparently plaguing the county for months, and you thought it had gone?! You didn't make sure? Didn't think it was worth mentioning? Instead of this farce of a hunt we could have all gone together and taken it out. Even if we'd just known there might be a manticore we would have taken more precautions. Robert could have prepared different spells. Lollia might have worn some armor! I wouldn't have...wouldn't have..."

Her face twists. Instead of finishing that sentence she turns and stalks away, leaving Victor and Robert to answer any questions. To Purple Finch, she requests, "I'd like the hottest bath and the strongest liquor you can find." She proceeds to hole herself up in her rooms for the rest of the day.

Over the week

Shula isn't significantly more social for the rest of the week. The first couple days she appears for meals, usually at least partially drunk, but nothing else. The second night she sneaks out and makes her way down to the wine cellar. She finds every bottle of the expensive vintage Bartleby had sent to the Exaltation Gala and smashes them against the wall. Then she sinks down to the floor and, for the first time since Lollia's death, cries.

After that she continues mostly staying in her rooms except for meals, but she's significantly more sober when seen. She attends Lollia's funeral and sticks close to Victor and Robert while they say their goodbyes. When it's her turn she whispers, "I got you killed, and I'm sorry. If it helps I'll try not to be so reckless in future. Wherever you've gone I hope it's amazing, because that's the least you deserve."

Once they're ready to depart, she gets into the carriage without a backwards glance.