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Telias shrugs. "Well it's either that or he's a very clever copycat to a wildly talented artist who's works just increased incredibly in value. Don't really care for memorial galleries, rather morbid." Telias turns back to the painting and smiles in a way that is entirely without humor. "Maybe Mr. Gauthfellow can manage selling this to a tavern for a decent sum. An interesting place to be caught between."
ill get a post up tommorrow was hoping to garner more of a reaction.
Telias is quiet for a long, long time upon entering the room. Stepping carefully as if entering a temple he takes great care not to touch or step on anything. Drinking in every detail and soaking in all the facts and evidence as presented. As he gets to the last painting he stares off into space for a moment and shakes his head. "Well, chances are he is extremely dead, guess I'll check the paper in the morning. So, Mr. Gauthfellow is a wizard well versed in planar magic, and with quite the knowledge base to draw inspiration from and the skill to pull those images onto canvas. He is attempting to make magical artwork a main attraction, start a trend, and as anyone is aware trendsetters are showered in fame and most importantly, fortune. However he is not the big name he believes he could be and enlists the help of one with the name, or at least the clout, to get him introduced to the right circles. Naive, if you ask me, I find most of that crowd tolerable at their very best. This naivety costs him gravely, as he finds out the man's a thief, a skilled copycat who uses his influence to poach from greater talent. It's likely worked a dozen times over with lesser artists." Telias starts pacing his voice gaining greater and greater command as pieces start falling into place and a narrative starts to form. "But Mr. Gauthfellow is no lesser artist he has stared into the very cosmos and tore their secrets out so even a layman can see them. And so when he sees his blood, sweat, and own magical power dragged before an applauding audience touted by the very circle he hoped to become entrusted with as a masterpiece credited to the man who violated his trust in the most obscene manner. Well, what did he do then? What did you do?" Telias turned dramatically towards the facsimile of the man. "Did you cry out in protest? Or did you quietly try to make inroads to said parties to try to uncover such a heinous crime?"
planes
Im here im here. Gonna start by rolling those knowledges from way back.
Ill post a little later today.
Withbrhat special sense of caution reserved for drunkards and small children Telias walks into the room.
After first checking to see if he was being rude or stepping into something undesirable Telias takes a quick glance around for potential danger.
Telias listens and nods before coming up with an idea. Turning to the construct he says, "Mr. Gauthfellow, while I appreciate the offer to view your pieces I'd very much like to see your studio first. I'm something of a romantic and seeing the place where the work is done gives me a greater appreciation for the effort and skill of the final product. Consequently, this would put to rest certain suspicions I have which will accelerate our exit from yoir abode." diplomancy
letting others give some input on whats obviously a very bad idea.
"One moment. Allow me to confer with my bricks." turning to the others in apparent secre y but without dropping his volume or making any effort to conceal himself telias asks, "how many traps do we let him lead us into before we get bored? Also, I recommend keeping him in sight. He tried to sneak uo stairs and stab me in the back. I'm not keen upon second tries against my life."
"Oh but you're clearly quite amused! Absolutely beaming with that rakish smile and swashbuckler's swagger! Not at all like a man who just found people breaking into his home. I daresay that you're simply incapable of any other expression! But I do thank you for confirming my suspicions. I could have asked you to bleed or cut off a lock of your hair and drop it to the floor. But this was a lot less painless. Imagine refusing to show distress in front of a wall of angry swordsmen." the images flicker for a moment as he pauses and points at the tip of the mans blade. You've dripped roughly sixteen ounces of fine hornsworth acrylic off that thing since you've been up here. Might I recommend wiping that off before we take this guided tour as you suggested?
"He's just going to laugh at that."
"Than expressionless, or even reduced to a slight smirk, anything if even for a second."
"But first," Telias interjected,"I need you to frown."
Telias frowns sadly and shakes his head, "You've been dripping paint this entire interaction when those of us who've quite literally been in the middle of it are already quite dry and sticky. Your movements are stiff and unnatural your hair moves against you, your smile is stuck q little too large. Mr. Gauthfellow is a wizard of some skill and hardly comfortable holding a blade, though I suspect he sees something of what he desires for himself in that regard. Interesting that he surrounds himself in idealizations to protect himself. But it's quite clear that you aren't him. Strange what do you call art that cannot separate itself from the artist in a near literal sense? Are you even capable of it? Or are you forever doomed by your creator to unk owingly and unwittingly defend him without any will of your own? Fascinating and tragic. Theres quite a simple way to prove t if youll indulge me for but a moment. And if im wrong ill simply leave."
"No need. The guard are already on their way. We were merely the vanguard. We'll return with them if it would assuage your concerns." The images shrug and take a step back looking as if he's about to leave. "But, there's one thing that's been bothering me." The images put a finger to their chin as if a revelation occurred to them. "You are quite remarkable, and I would love to delve into the secrets that went into you under other circumstances. But I must know, where is the real Mr. Gauthfellow?"
"Baseless?" The images stated with the slightest accusatory tone. "Good sir your very life is at danger here and the assassin has thoroughly infiltrated your home with their paint golems. It's clear you're far from safe and I was worried terribly when you didn't answer your door. Perhaps its best for you to enter into the care of the guard or perhaps santuary with the Shelynites or the Abadarians if you can afford their rates. But unless we get the assassin soon I fear your life will remain at great peril! Trust me as one who's leaped out of many a 2nd story window carrying my underpants I can assure you if someone wants you dead enough with that kind of influence your best recourse is either the protection of a higher power or an excellent strategy of recompense! I care not for whatver crimes committed against you-sorry-that you may have committed against this mystery but I'd very much like not to see another soul lose their life over it. So any information you can give while we remain unmolested may be the fact that saves you from the bite of this headsmans axe.
I only wish i had yime to cast glibness so i can dance on my b&$@&!$+ pony all night long.
"Everywhere." the images said matter of factly, "One tried to slaughter everyone at a party, another slew a coleague of mine and aome innocents beside, a pair of nice ladies were attacked and the poor sob who delivered these things was attacked as qell. We come here making sure no other things had went into the other houses on the street and lo and behold we find things down stairs, upstairs, directly in front of me, and potentially more if this house is anything to go by. Tell me, what crime would possibly be so heinous as to engender such an extreme response? And who could you have done it to?:
Like a cheesy detective flick all will be revealed in the end, columbo style.
"Excellent!", the images smile manically trying to ignore the wall of angry blades at his back and the pointed death at his front, "We can't tarry too long. What the cowardly murderer lacks in talent he makes up for in sheer brutality. Poor Beufort was ripped to pieces by a giant mass of unidentifiable flotsam! I can only imagine the shock of being torn slowly to pieces by something generously described as what someone believes passes for skilled brushwork. Not exactly the fate anyone deserves and one I would like to avoid for anyone else."
The images look shocked at the accusation, "Thieves? Heavens no! My agreement with the authorities requires I at least wait a century before removing artifacts for study. Then it's archaeology." Stepping just to the side to keep himself drom becoming artistically splattered on the wall Telias keepa talking, "I simply find that politeness is a far third to lives and you, sir, are in quite a bit of danger with the paint golems and the paint people acting like actual people that have invaded your abode! If you could please set aside your weapon for but a moment qe can discuss this rationally."
Taking the rapier slice with only a slight frown survival instincts kick in and telias ateps back away from the point uttering words to himself as he splits off into a number of shimmering afterimages. Auto succeed concetration check. 5ft shift cast mirror image
Without missing a beat the images look up at the older fellow smiling amiably.
MOVE: activate +2 attack and damage on mr. Gauthfallow if i successfully identify. "Mr. Gauthfallow! I was beginning to wonder if we weren't too late! Be careful! Some rude assassin has enchanted very mediocre and ill conceived artworks to serve as surrogate murderers for their own cowardly acts!"
"Yes well, petty, spiteful, unpredictable and dangerous beyond mortal comprehension are hallmarks of that particular brand of demon." Telias says while slipping through the melee and putting his own hand to Val's gushing wounds, "in my line of work if you believe something is using you, it is, and will happily eat you when it's done. I'd probably not repeat that story around the wrong inquisitor." Cure light wounds
Move: Naturalist +2 attack, +2 damage for group against axe wielder.
"Save your one liners and mercy for another foe. This one is merely an abstract facsimile of acrylics enchanted with simple orders and no capacity for sentience." Standard:Cast Good Hope. +2 morale to attack and damage and skills.
ill get a post first thing in the morning. may or may not add bonuses to rolls already made depending on how initiative and dms desires roll.
"Is that Martin I hear down there? Excellent! Seeing as he fits the moniker of intrepid hero far closer than anything I've been called outside a bedroom he can help us save the occupant from the devious traps the murderer set around the house. If you could please join me on the second floor I think i just saw the tasteless tapestry here twitch in an unsettling way."
"Can't say I blame you. Even if it means a lonely breakfast for myself. Seeing as our host is being particularly rude. Typically you treat your victims to supper and boring sinister monologue before you set the paintings to kill them. But I see he's not respectful of fine narrative traditions!" Almost absentmindedly Telias starts making his way slowly upstairs while his mouth sprints away. "Instead I will choose to assume our poor artist has been trapped by the killer in his own home and is no doubt awaiting an intrepid rescue. Take heart! We're coming for you!"
Definitely pause. We seem to be getting near the end so itd suck to have to stop altogether because Telias cant effectively b~@+*$&# his way through the constructs.
Telias just maintains the performance assuming the other two are more than capable of mopping up.
Keeping it short and sweet. Maintaining performance. Casting Good Hope on group, lasts 9 minutes, each affected creature gains a +2 morale bonus on saving throws, attack rolls, ability checks, skill checks, and weapon damage rolls.
"Oh I am definitely under armed for this meeting with the decorator. You know it's very difficult to appreciate the labor of someone when the results of that labor are trying to kill us!"
my turns done
5ft shift
+2 Insight bonus to Attack, AC, and saves for the three of us Standard: Cast Heroism on Val +2 Morale bonus to attack, saves, and skills.
perception
Reproducing his tools and bending to find an appropriate start Telias co tinued, "And then there was this korvosan sculptor I used to have coffee with whenever I was in that city. Brilliant and exceedingly talented, he took to criticism the same way tea takes to pond water. I don't believe a single sculpture if his has survived more than a week before he takes a massive hammer to it and renders it to dust.Then after a week of mourning he starts the cycle over again. And before you ask no less than four shelynite priests and a well meaning calistrian tried to help him against his self destructive habits. Next time I stop in I'll have to sneak one out to spare it his filicidal wrath." Placing his tools within Telias leans in to focus on the work.
"Can you imagine breaking your own leg whenever you step wrong in a dance or scalding your own throat with boiling water each time you miss a note? They really need to add insecurity to the list of sins I keep hearing in temples seems second only to greed in the trouble it causes."
"Probably, or an actual dragon given our murderer's habits. I don't know what it is that pushes artists into dramatic gestures of pettiness and eccentricity. Did you know there was an artist in Mendev before the worldwound speciliazing in works using his own body fluids who had the fortune of singular patron that purchased every one of his paintings and commissions? Sanitary concerns aside it turned out that the patron was a demoness quite enamored with him. Well, being a loyal Iomedaen he was so horrified he ripped out his eyes and cut off both his hands. Don't ask me how he managed that when he got down to one hand and no eyes." "Unfortunately she was so offended by his bloody rebuff she magically regenerated said lost parts and devoured them off him with her fangs. Which teaches many things about demons, women, and self amputation I wish I never knew." Telias inspected the door as he talked debating the merits of explaining himself to the guard, entering quickly, entering politely, or entering at all and not just waiting for the man to come out to buy his groceries. That he was suddenly finding himself breaking into a strange place with two attractive women was a secondary rhought that annoyingly prodded into the business portions of his thoughts. Is there trap?
"I suppose I have no choice but to expose my finely desk chair crafted bottom and tend to the gate. There have been murders afterall and he might be in grave danger." Leaning over Telias inspects the gate lock to ensure nothing was about to eat his face or other appendages before applying necessary skills. Withdrawing a small soft leather scroll he rolls it out to reveal a set of fine delicate tools. Deciding that they would be insufficient to the task of the large cast iron lock at hand he replaces them with a not so delicate piton and hammer placing them ever just so on the lock and giving it a sharp thwack. perception to check the locks security. to pick the lock If there is a trap to be removed thatll be a separate roll.
Oh the way it was worded i assumed we were pat itm Im just yelling obnoxiously then.
"Quite a nice place if I say so myself. Could use a lot more lighting but who am I to judge the tastes of another bachelor." Without further warning Telias hammers on the door. "Mr. Gurthfallow! Mr. Guethfallow! My name is Professor Markan of the Absalom Univeristy! I apologize for the late calling but the matter could not wait! It seems your work has produced an incredible effect on the art world and I wished to pass on some good news!"
perception.
Alrighty im updated now.
Updating when i can.
More like if we have enough people playing.
I think we're good to move on o the guys house. Issue is how many are left for the final stretch at this point?
Go to hsi house. Politely knock, break in drink all his beer, criticize the interior decorating and leave.
Getting up Telias politely bows and makes gestures towards the door. "Then I suppose we'll have to pay the chap a visit! Maybe his absence is simply a matter of working on a piece to put his critics to rest. Or maybe it's in a far more sinister sense. Either way I'm quite curious. I do thank you for your time madame. Good evening."
Telias considers his list of names for moment as silence fell upon the room once more. As things started to click into place je shrugeed and asked. "Does the name Imron Gauthfellow hold any meaning to you? Overly critical or perhaps wronged him in some way? I don't need to tell you it is our intention to make sure this would be assassin ends his carnage tonight. So honesty in this case could quite literally save yourself and others."
Ill post something tonight. Im just keeping telias from utterly dominating conversations as is his want.
"Oh it's a magical painting that would erupt with some horrific creature that would tear you limb from limb and ruin the parlor if it were revealed. Quite harmless so long as the paper remains which is why we will NOT be throwing it into the fire here. The deliverer was caught on your doorstep about to gift you with what would have been a fairly good depiction if the original we found was any indicator. For roughly a moment I imagine. As to who sent it that's what we're trying to figure out. The hapless delivery man had a list and had the forethought to consider who is mysterious patron was. Have you angered anyone on Sandalwood Ln. madame?" |
