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Vera takes ahold of the book Aru offers and she sees what Majenko must see--some invisible creatures. "Looks like our first test. I can make them visible, but they sure won't like it. Get ready!" She conjures a burst of glitter over the cluster of likely foes!
"The entrance is lovely. And I'm sure I'd have never found it without help." As the tunnel rumbles to a close and she conjures some dancing lights, Vera looks for the mechanism that might allow them to re-open the path to the surface. There was a way back to the surface, right?
"Oh, I got hit by my own trick?" responds Vera, as Aru reveals that he noticed an attempt to read his thoughts. "That's embarrassing." Perhaps she had been too trusting of the man bearing gifts. But it didn't seem like they were enemies, at any rate. She frowns as Yazi discusses collecting bodies. "No need to be so grim, Yazi. If the labyrinth is really that terrible, we can just run away." Vera was not fond of thinking about her own mortality.
Vera continues snacking on the food--the olives seems endless! "I think Lord Arkona wanted to give us a chance to talk it over. But it seems pretty obvious to me that we're doing this, right? Not our fault if we break his fancy labyrinth."
"Oh!" gasps Vera when she realizes what a valuable ring they have been given. "A Ring of Evasion! That is extremely generous--a ring to help the nimble avoid dangerous effects. And it's pretty, too." She puts on the ring and admires it for a moment. "Hm, I don't feel that different." She takes it off again, handing it to Aru as requested.
Vera hadn't heard of this labyrinth, but apparently it was going to be a hassle. "Is there a minotaur in the maze, m'Lord? If anything tries to eat us, we'll have to fight back, you know."
Vera nods in understanding as Glorio talks of scrying magic.
Bringing her hands together with a flourish, she makes the ring appear again, and begins to study it. After Marcus has checked the food for any signs of poison, Vera helps herself to spiced cheese, bread, and sparkling water. "This is delightful. How can you possibly keep such delicacies in stock in a time of quarantine?" Vera was genuinely impressed, and curious.
Vera doesn't immediately recognize the six-armed statue, but perhaps her mother does?
"I think this is what nobles do, collect stuff."
Vera searches Kali's voice and expressions for some sense of whether she believed what she was saying.
It seemed to her that Kaliyah thought she was speaking the truth. That didn't necessarily answer the question of what exactly The Gray Maiden was. But then there was the way Mags was looking at her--Magda seemed to think Vera should not be so eager to be rid of the Gray Maiden "You're sure of this, Kali?" she asks, offering one last opportunity. Seeing Kaliyah smile back, the answer was clearly yes. She returns the smile. "Okay, I trust you. I'm looking forward to getting to know Thirty-Seven!"
Sense Motive DC30:
. Vera trusts Kali, sure, but she trusts Thirty-Seven about as far as she could throw her. --------- Vera was intrigued as order seemed to be restored in this small corner of Old Korvosa. As Magda begins speaking, Vera catches up and offers her own contribution. "Also, we are looking for like-minded folk to restore stability to Old Korvosa. We understand House Arkona might feel the same way?"
Majenko the House Drake comes to rest on Vera's shoulder. "And if you needs messages sent outside, I's can help!"
Vera laughs at Aru's reading of a duck preserving recipe. "I mean, that's a clear prophecy--your duck will spoil if you don't preserve it!" -------- Vera looks into Kali's eyes, searching for her agreement. She wanted to be certain of her course of action before the Gray Maiden took control again.
Before Kali returns, Vera observes Aru Wandering-Hand and his spirit hand Goro with genuine curiosity. As Aru offers Marcus a book, Vera interjects. "Mind if I take a look?" Vera then begins flipping through the pages. The writings were odd . . . but not random, not by any means. She tries to understand them.
------------------ As Kali reveals her secret, Vera is completely baffled. "Wait, wait. You are the Gray Maiden? But also not? Like, you're two separate people?" Her jaw is still hanging, even as she sees everyone else around her taking this in stride. "Are you okay? Are you--POSSESSED?" She starts pulling on her hair as is her habit when she's anxious and searching for a solution. "Oh, it makes sense now. All the Gray Maidens we captured were so distant and senseless. It's okay, Kali--we can do an exorcism! I mean, I haven't done one before, but I've read a lot about it. I can do it." She hurries over to Kali and takes Kali's hands into her own. "WE can do it!"
Vera is rather annoyed that she can't seem to probe this elven Shoanti's thoughts, and that she got called out on it. Though she is impressed that he noticed. Vera may not have understood the passphrase, but as Magda seems to relax in recognition, she leans in and has a quick whispered conversation where she's caught up to speed. "Sorry about that, Aru. We've run into our share of friends and foes alike." She looks to Marcus and Yazi, who she viewed as authorities on matters of security. "Seems like he's alright. Can we unbind him?"
As is her custom, Vera begins the day with a harrowing, eager at the prospect of reuniting with Kaliyah!
She did not expect to encounter a captured spy, though. She casts a spell, which someone knowledgeable might realize is Detect Thoughts. "You must be Aru Wandering-Hand. Care to explain yourself?"
Sorry for the delay, everyone. Arcanist 9
Trump Card: Trump Card (Su): At 9th level, a Harrowed Society student can expend 1 point from her arcane reservoir and draw a card from her harrow deck as a standard action to learn her own fate or that of an ally within 30 feet. The target’s fate depends on the suit of the card drawn from the deck.
Books: The target gains a +2 insight bonus on her next caster level check.
A creature cannot have more than one trump card in effect at one time; drawing a new trump card for a target negates the effect of the previous trump card. A Harrow Society student can attempt to read the fate of an enemy within 30 feet, resulting in a penalty for that target equal to the bonus granted above, but the target is entitled to a Will save (DC = 10 + 1/2 the Harrowed Society student’s arcanist level + her Charisma modifier) to negate the effect. This is considered a curse effect. A Harrow Society student can have trump cards in effect for multiple creatures at the same time. This ability replaces the 9th-level arcanist exploit.
Vera listens for quite some time, confused about this Gray Maiden who seemed dedicated to someone or something greater than herself. Who could it be? Vencarlo Orsini? Cressida Kroft? A god or goddess? It comes as a complete shock as she hears the name--Kaliyah Tartescu. She glances at Mags and Marcus, her surprise replaced with a grin. "Now that's a name we haven't heard in a while!" She turns back to the Gray Maiden. "Sable Company serves the Queen now, I suppose? You can trust us to keep that name a secret, and protect her from harm. I wish she'd have tried to find us herself, though. She's been very hard to find." Vera realizes that she's recently improved her ability to see places and people by magical means. "Do you think she would like it if we found her?"
. "Well that's curious," she mumbles. It seemed Yazi understood as well, so she leaves it be. Instead, she looks to the Gray Maiden. "We're glad for your help. But to be honest, I didn't expect to see a Gray Maiden in Old Korvosa. Aren't your orders maintaining the quarantine, rather than entering this place?"
"Let them go!" Seeing that her magic seemed to be quite effective, Vera sends another blast!
Vera is most definitely perturbed by the sudden appearance of tentacle arms. "Gah, what are those weird things?"
Regardless, she sees fit to blast them with a burst of radiance! (Who knows if they see? But no matter!)
Seeing where the perceptive Magda has struck, Vera conjures Glitterdust to cover Pilts!
That's all the nudge Vera needs to act. "We're going after him! I'm going to make it work this time. Magda, Olenna, come with me!" Vera casts Dimension Door and makes the very short jaunt to the hallway intersection.
Pummeled by a horde of goons that have swarmed the room, Vera quickly weaves her way out in all the confusion. She then conjures familiar magic to speed up her allies. Including Salvatore if he's still there and even the Grey Maiden!
Assuming spellcasting isn't a problem in the silence, Marcus gets Fly, Vera casts Mage Armor on herself, the party gets Haste moments before the door opening.
Vera is impressed by the painter's clever strategy in painting a door. She prepares herself for what she assumes will be conflict!
Unable to easily speak to the poor man, Vera draws a spare Harrow card.
. The Publican. Representing fellowship and refuge. That was more like it. She writes the name of Yazi's community center and a sketch of how to get there, then hands it to Salvatore. She takes a peek at the next card, though.
Vera realizes what's happening and slaps her forehead at her own absentmindedness. Fortunately no sound emanates outward.
"Why is there no sound in this place?" says Vera, though she expects that the sound won't really go anywhere. She continues to babble as she walks back out of the room, waiting for the point where the silence effect goes away. Once it does, she casts Detect Magic and studies the room.
Vera looks away, not wanting to gaze upon the awful, awful preserved heads. It was too familiar a memory. As she feels Yazi's friendly squeeze, she whispers a quiet "Thank you,", as she takes Yazi's hand and squeezes it.
"Ugh," is all Vera says in annoyance. But she does start breathing as Olenna suggests. And feels slightly better. It wasn't entirely a bad thing to have some adults around.
Vera begins pacing impatiently as the others continue plotting. "We're not going to stop the Emperor just waiting here. Let's get on with it!"
Vera smiles and returns Laori's high five. Her enthusiasm was infectious. "Who would've expected to find something so amazing in that mold! Do you think it'll still work?"
"Do you think our Ratfolk friends could help?" suggests Vera. "If these sewer trolls are aggressive, seems like the other sewer folk need to stick together." Honestly, the politics of the sewers was outside her league, but it was the only idea she could come up with.
Vera takes the torch that Olenna hands to her, wishing she could be of more use in negotiating. She waits and prepares to protect the otyughs if the situation came to that.
"Oh no, the Otyughs!" says Vera in worry. They were friends to Magda, which meant that Vera needed to protect them! She yells out at the attacking humanoids. "You green things, get away from them at once!" Vera casts Haste on the party so they can intervene more quickly.
Hi folks, my theory that things would be better in a week was too optimistic. I suspect work is going to keep me from posting for the next couple of months, with late September being the time where I can jump back in. I have a September 21 deadline I'm facing, and there may be spillover / I'll need to recover. I'm really sorry for the trouble. I will roll with whatever solution makes sense to you. Happy to have my character botted or have my character or just step away from the action temporarily. If you prefer to move on entirely, I'm okay with that too; I don't want to sap the momentum of any of my games.
Sorry for the prolonged absence. I need another week or so to power through a busy and stressful time. Please bot me as needed.
Vera wonders if they would be mistaken for common thieves as Olenna works to enter Vencarlo's home.
Vera searches the area for any signs of magic. "Vencarlo would never have allowed himself to be caught--I'm sure of it. But this academy was such a beautiful place," she concludes with sadness.
"Ugh, thanks for driving away that scum," says Vera, watching them go. "You leave for a little while and someone names himself Emperor? What a joke."
Vera interjects as there's a plan to scout. "No no, I'll clean. You have more important things to do. Go on!" It probably helps that Vera knows a bit of magic, as she gathers dishes and they seemingly start to clean themselves.
"I know how to scry, and could try to scout out places from afar. But not sure I've learned the art of stopping scrying. Ugh. We should be ready to make a run for it, but until we have a clear path out or are forced out, sure seems risky to try to leave."
Following along with the party, Vera is rather delighted to see that there are still children playing. Playing was much better than suffering, and it seemed to suggest that whatever chaos had impacted the island was not inescapable. If they were playing a game about executions, it surely had to be just some copying of things they'd seen. Like the Queen's guillotine. Though the scene had descended into chaos, were the doctors and supporting grey maidens not sentenced to death? And perhaps executed? Approaching the community center, Vera looks with concern as Yazi talks of escape. "Fleeing is definitely dangerous. The Grey Maidens likely have the authority to kill any who attempt to flee. Somewhere outside the city that's safer, hm..." Vera considers whether she knew of anything reasonable.
Vera joins Olenna in a game of Imperial Conquest!
It turns out she's pretty bad at strategy games. "That was really confusing. Do real wars work like this? I wonder if Miss Cressida would be any good at this game." * * * "Perhaps we should meet the Arkonas? If we can meet them discretely and not draw attention. I wonder what the cards say about that."
"What of these assassins? The Red Mantis? Is the Queen behind them, too? I'd very much like to put a stop to them--they were sent to kill the Varisian survivors of those plague-doctor experiments!"
I'm grateful you did it!
"So it's all true. You must have known for so long. Why didn't you tell us sooner? I think you suffered a lot, keeping it all in." It was no doubt obvious to all of them. Vera considers what the right thing to ask was. "So, who are our allies? Who can we trust? I've been working to strengthen my magics, you know. I could try to scry Vencarlo's location, figure out where he's disappeared to."
Thanks for harrowing for me, Jedi!
"What I want to know is, where are all these Grey Maidens coming from? The Queen's got a whole retinue of women soldiers who seem completely loyal to her. Where are they coming from? How is that possible?" She starts to shuffle the Harrow deck where her mother's spirit resides. "I don't know what we're supposed to do now. Build some sort of Resistance? I don't understand." She stops shuffling, cuts the deck, and begins laying down the cards, one by one, unsure where else to look for insight.
It had been such a pleasant many hours. Finally, time together with Ishani, a wonderful party, Magda dressed up like a princess. Gifts, gifts, and more gifts--even a client handing over her late father's spellbook. And now, to be praised by the Queen before all the peoples of the town? And given a handsome reward? Was the Queen just a fool? For a moment, she could almost believe it again. The Queen had such high praise for them, and even handled Magda with grace as she seemed to undermine her authority. If Vera could just overlook the strangely drugged form of Davalus, it would all fit together fine, just fine. And then, it all became undone. Not just at the seams, no. Instead, the entire facade torn asunder, as the queen seized control of the city and defied death itself to slay her would-be assassin.
"Magda!" she cries, as her best friend falters. She's right there with Olenna to help Magda up, even if she wasn't half as strong. Even though she could feel dozens of Grey Maidens with their bows pointed at them. "We have to go," she says, unwittingly repeating Olenna's words. "Please."
Trying to make some official purchases here:
1000gp of thank-you gifts
. Vera didn't exactly have a plan for the morning. "Hey, how about I just come with you to the Vault? We have a lot to catch up about. And I have a book to study whenever you're busy." Vera pulls out a horrid, evil-looking spellbook--the one found on Rolth. "It's actually a fascinating read once you move past the necromancy and evil stuff." She looks to the group. "I think we better stay out of trouble before tomorrow, since the Queen is expecting us." That was her way of saying that she wasn't planning on any more adventures this morning, like sneaking their way into Old Korvosa.
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