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I'm really sorry, guys - I've had a bunch of stuff pick up on me lately, and I don't think I have the mental capacity to keep up with this game. It's really a wrench; I was excited about it, but it's unfortunately not going to work out. I hope the rest of you have great success, though! Aarvid, would you like me to write myself out or will you handle it?
Julessa cracks a yawn as she settles into a seat, accepting a cup of coffee gratefully which she holds in both hands and simply savors as she listens to the others. "I'm not as young as I once was; I'll be needing to catch up up on some sleep first. Then perhaps we can stop by Clenchjaws."
Julessa takes another pot shot with her crossbow, shooting from the hip.
Yeah, we're probably looking at moving back to Miami within the next couple of years for the same reason, as both of my wife's parents are now entering their 80's.
Best wishes to your mother, Aarvid. Make sure to take care of yourself, too.
Julessa steps back, furiously working her crossbow, and fires a bolt at her aggressor.
She does that, then.
Julessa puts up her crossbow with a very unlady-like curse and tears after Lubella, tucking her chin and pumping her arms as she pounds along the cobble road, determined to not lose track of the fight.
Juless comes running around the corner, sees Lubella chasing a particular fae, and lets fly with a wild shot from her crossbow.
The bolt slams into the side of a house only a few yards from her, causing her to frown in chagrin at the sheer awfulness of the shot.
Seeing Lubella being savaged by the fae that flits about her face, Julessa extends her hand and calls out to that fae, "Attend me, creature of pain! I forbid you from attacking our party again, and for as long as my will is upon you, stay your pliers!"
Gritting her teeth as the pliers tear into her flesh, Julessa steps back around the corner of the building, keeping the evil fae in view, and squeezes off a shot from her crossbow right at one of the ones attacking Aldren.
Julessa scowls and hisses as the pliers twist at her flesh, and fires her crossbow at the fae.
She then raises both hands and her eyes being to glow as she summons Milani's power. "Wreath us in blooms, my sacred lady, roses of the deepest hue, and let our weapons become your thorns as we strike down our enemies."
Julessa doesn't even notice the fae's attempt to ensorcel her, and instead races around the corner and almost trips on Talvek. For a moment she simply gapes down at the sleeping tiefling, and then she gives him a firm shake of the shoulder to rouse him from his slumber.
Julessa jolts awake at the sound of Lubella's distant shout, and with a muttered curse climbs to her feet, her knees gone stiff, and races out into the street. Nothing. She's on the wrong block.
Cursing quietly beneath her breath, she puts on speed, hiking up her skirts and racing over the cobblestones, praying to Milani that she won't be too late as she takes the long way round.
It's so warm and still where Julessa's sitting. Eyes half lidded, she fights off sleep with a jaw-cracking yawn.
All the best, and take care of yourself too.
In location on map. Found a good place to snooze.
Julessa is happy to let Lubella take the lead in suggestion where to hide, and pulls her hood down low over her face as she squats down in a corner behind a rain barrel, crossbow on her lap. There's a large brick luckily on which to sit, and leaning against the rough stone wall she feels almost comfortable; she'd normally be in bed by this time, ready to snatch a few hours sleep before rising to bake the next day's batch. As the darkness falls, she fights as best she can to keep her chin from nodding and her eyelids from going heavy.
"It might be best if we don't put the word out as to the trap," says Julessa. "What if the killer is a local? We'd be alerting them as to our intentions from the get go. I think it best we keep this as covert as possible, and work as hard as we can on hiding ourselves so that nobody - locals or the killer - can spot us as we wait."
1) I can post once a day without a problem. A little trickier on weekends, but I should still hang in there. 2) Google slides works for me. 3) I may not be able to post as quickly as some in this game, and so it may seem like Julessa's a bit quiet, but I'll hang in there.
"I hate to suggest it, but what do you think of acting as bait, Talvek?" From Julessa's apologetic expression, it's clear she finds the suggestion distasteful. "We establish an area that you walk through and shadow you, or hide in an empty building from which we can see you at all times. Then... if you're attacked... we come to your aid and apprehend this killer."
Julessa follows the group, looking around with a sober eye, trying to detect any signs of either being followed or foul play.
Julessa has returned to the front of the bakery by the time Talvek makes his appearance, and turns to regard the new arrival with a smile. "Talvek! Welcome to the Owl Bakery. It's good to see you." And it's clear she really is pleased; her smile is warm and genuine, and a twinkle lights up in her dark blue eyes. She notes his roving gaze and takes up a pair of wooden tongs. "Here. Perhaps a sampler? Young men always have quite the appetite on them. An almond roll... and a pistachio roll. A thick slice of honey bread with a crock of full cream butter, and - why not - a slice of potato and red pepper tortilla." She places the items in a wax paper lined basket, fills two mugs of coffee, and then nods for him to come around the far end of the counter and follow her, leaving the front of the shop to her assistants. It's a short passageway, leading past the voluminous kitchen with its row of ovens to the left and a small door to a private study on the right. The room's small, brightly lit by two large windows, and features a mosaic-topped round table around which are gathered four comfortable tables. A few shelves feature leather bound journals and other tomes, while the window sill is dominated by large balls of brightly colored wool, the sunlight making the crimsons and cadmium yellows and azures and viridians seem to smolder. Julessa sets down the basket on the table - whose mosaic, Talvek sees, is of a rose - and then sits, claiming one of the coffees which she wraps her callused, blunt fingered hands around as if enjoying the warmth, and smiles at Talvek once more. "How has the morning's hunt gone?"
No worries about finding Rexus first. Come grab Julessa whenever you guys are ready.
Julessa quickly squelches all concerns by setting everyone to work, though in truth the bakery has been run efficiently without her. She checks the dough that's been set to cool, the latest batch of loaves and honeybreads, and then tastes the coffee to ensure it's the perfect blend of dark roast that she serves. Then, when she has a moment, she retreats to her back office to consider what it would take to launch her new project. Opening up her account books, she quickly works through her sums, figuring out how much she can set aside without impacting the running of the bakery. Let's see. A light wagon. Large enough in which to host the sick and cure them out of sight. Say about 50 gp. That in turn would require some four mules... another 32 gold. Basic healing supplies... yes. Just under a hundred gold. Add in the free bread... say at 1cp a loaf, that's hundred loaves per gold piece...
DM, let me know when's a good time for Julessa to meet up with the party again. She'd come looking for them after the lunch crowd died down.
Apologies, it's been a busy weekend. With you guys having covered so much ground searching for Rexus, shall we say that Julessa headed off to the bakery this morning to start her new project?
Incidentally, Julessa's holy symbol is s birthmark, so no worries there.
Julessa is possibly up first; a lifetime spent rising four hours before dawn makes it hard for her to sleep in late, so she leaves her impromptu bedding and slips upstairs to sit in the pre-dawn light and whisper her devotions to Milani. That done, and with a deep sense of calm and purpose filling her, she begins to outline her new venture. Sketching it out on some paper, taking notes, making lists. "A worthy endeavor, Talvek. Please let me know if you would like my assistance. In the meantime, I shall begin exploring the creation of a mobile 'meal cart' that can act as the cover for our healing endeavors."
Julessa would like to start focusing on creating a bakery outreach cart that acts as a cover for healing. She'd work in Old Kintargo for now, dispensing free heal checks and the occasional Cure Light Wounds while proclaiming that it's her family's nutritious recipes that are doing people good. Also, I must have missed my rumor. Where can I find it?
Julessa nods to Lubella, her mouth stiffening into a prim line as she considers the work that will be set back by her absence, but then smooths down her apron once more. "You are right. No sense in tempting the fates. Besides, I would fain see this Wasps' Nest. If there's one thing running a bakery has instilled in me all these long years it's an abhorence for dirt and messes. Let us see what we can do to remedy the situation." Following the others down, she spends some time exploring the rooms, then rolls up her sleeves and pitches in with the others, sweeping, mopping and dusting the rooms that Talvek and the others clear. She works with good humor, singing a song under her breath, hair pinned back beneath a kerchief, and when she finally sets her tools aside, she smiles broadly at the others.
Julessa inclines her head. "I would be happy to assist in cleaning out this nest, though I would rather not leave the Owl for now."
Julessa smiles at this revelation and steps forward to take both of Lubella's hands in her own. Julessa's palms are callused from long years of kneading dough, and her grip firm. "It is a pleasure to see one of your faith here in Kintargo, Lubella, and it does my heart good to know that a beacon of faith dedicated to the Dawnflower burns here in the dark." She gives Lubella's hands a final squeeze then steps back, smoothing her baker's smock down over her thighs. "The Owl Bakery is located in Old Kintargo. It's been in my family for over forty six years; some of you might remember the building in which it's housed once being the infamous Naiad's Grin, a wicked den of hedonistic pleasure that would have made a Callistrian blush." She pauses as she considers Aldren. "Well, perhaps not. But my grandfather won the deed from the owner after completing three tasks set to him that were supposed to have been impossible: drink six gallons of the Yolobulis harbor water right where the alchemical shops had their run off; race from the old Lucky Bones gambling hall to the Newt Market in under ten minutes; and steal a kiss from Hanna Ithilien, a half-elf beauty who was deemed utterly unapproachable, and who eventually became my grandmother." Julessa smiles warmly as she tells the tale, clearly drawing pleasure and strength from her own family mythology. "Anyway, the Owl's my heart and home, and I open it to all of you. I have a shrine to Milani beneath the premises, created forty years ago by my grandmother, and if ever you have need of either sanctuary or sticky buns, please come pay a visit."
Julessa nods her firm agreement to Lubella's proclamation. "I can envision myself taking on the roll of partisan. I have some experience at this stage in my life of detecting the good apples from the bad, and could work at ensuring that our security forces are maintaining their integrity." She looks over at Rexus. "I would appreciate being kept abreast of your attempts to decipher the documents. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance. Milani can grant me the ability to understand all written and spoken languages."
Julessa listens with fierce intensity, nodding on occasion, and when Lubella finishes her explanations she turns her attention to Arcos. She gathers her braided iron-colored hair over one shoulder, smoothing it down. "This gathering is already furthering your goal of contacting other members of banned faiths. Calistria," she says with a nod to Aldren. "And in me, Milani. I am a cleric of her faith, and the center of a small knot of her faithful." She squares her shoulders as she says this, chin rising. "No doubt that's why Laria called me to this meeting. But I like what I am hearing, and must admit that I have long studied the Silver Ravens and rebellions in general. I'm sufficiently impressed by your plans to lend you my aid, and though I fear the road that lies before us, I will do all in my power to ensure the revival of the Silver Ravens is a successful one." At this her stony demeanor cracks into a smile, and her eyes twinkle with both enthusiasm and excitement. "I can aid in helping provide feel medical care, and can do so under the aegis of the Owl Bakery - perhaps we could use the bakery as a front, providing free, restorative meals to those in need. Further, we must put thought into our propaganda: how are we to communicate to the masses what is afoot? Controlling that message and ensuring its spread will be pivotal in the weeks to come. Finally, we should reach out to the leaders of the other powerful groups in the city: the workers, the intellectuals, the women who labor in obscurity. It is only by harnessing their might that we can all rise up to overthrow the government."
;) And despite Julessa's severity, I'm getting a huge kick out of Aldren (and everyone else, for that matter), so please don't think her initial IC attitude reflects my OOC one.
Julessa eyes Aldren as he makes his introduction. Her expression remains studiously neutral, but there is a hardness in her gaze that belies her flour-spattered exterior. When he straightens, she inclines her head politely in return. "Julessa Emberlain, proprietress of the Owl Bakery. There is no rum in my coffee cakes."
Having left the coffee loaves downstairs, Julessa follows Laria up to her study and there takes a seat, folding her hands in her lap and sitting straight backed and she examines first one and then the other stranger. There is a self-possession to her that affords her an intrinsic form of dignity; one could easily imagine her as composed were she dressed in the greatest finery as her common baker's smock. When Lubella comes forth and states the purpose of the meeting, even Julessa can't hide her shock. Her eyes widens and she leans forward a fraction, casting a glance at Laria as if to confirm that this is no jest, and then leaning back and crossing her arms as she listens on, brow lowering. Aldren then speaks his piece and reveals his true identity; this earns him a new examination, though Julessa doesn't appear too surprised; if anything, it would seem that pieces of a puzzle have just slotted into place. Finally she rises to her feet and steps to the window, where she gazes out over the streets below before turning back to the others. "Kintargo is in dire need of revolution." She speaks carefully and slowly, as if picking a path of stones over a fast flowing river. "From my vantage point behind the counter at the Owl Bakery I have sensed the growing desire amongst the people for change. It is unformed, unspoken, even, but I've seen it in the hardened expressions, heard it in the whispered conversations. There is a groundswell taking place, and now might very well be the moment to usher in such a revolt. However." She pauses, frowning, as she considers those gathered before her. "Any concerted attempt to do so might very well result in the deaths of all involved, their friends, and their business associates. Therefor, before I commit or reveal more of my own abilities, I would like to know more about the details behind these plans. How do you intend to build support amongst the people of Kintargo? How would you go about establishing 'control' over neighborhoods, and what does 'control' mean? As for regional alliances - do any here have connections that could be leveraged? Ultimately any revolution would have to face the ire of Cheliax itself. Only a strong network of allies would allow such a revolution to last longer than it takes for news to reach the heart of the empire."
Spells selected, hp added. Should be good to go.
Julessa approaches, angling out wide so that both the half-elf and Laria can see her approach. She carries a broad basket under one arm from which wafts the delectable aroma of freshly baked coffee cakes, but her expression is, if anything, a wary one. "Laria," she says, nodding to her friend. "It seems all paths lead to the Longroads. Shall we walk together?"
Thanks for the catch, I'll add the hp and designate my memorized spells. And nope, no other weapons - I'm not strong enough to carry anything else!
Packing the six coffee cakes into a basket which she covers with a heavy cloth, Julessa steps out of the bakery and into the currents of tension, distrust, danger and volatility that seem to have come to characterize the streets of late. She walks at a brisk pace toward Laria's establishment, doing her level best to avoid any confrontations or problems; her familiarity with the back roads and side streets allows her to duck aside whenever anything untoward presents itself ahead, and she takes her time when entering large streets, plazas, or crossroads, allowing herself to gain a sense of the lay of the land before stepping forth.
Smoke starts to rise from the Owl Bakery's three chimneys hours before dawn breaks; the dough that's been prepped and shaped the night before gets shoveled into the massive brick ovens by Julessa and her faithful assistant, a slow-moving but seemingly tireless young man by the name of Lavaro. By the time the first gray light steals across the horizon and the watchman calls the end of the night shift, the bakery is already bustling as regulars line up to either end their night with freshly baked treacle buns and coffee or to begin their shifts with pies of all fillings and... coffee. Loaves, pork-stickies, pasties, and pies are piled high and eaten as quickly as they're laid out, so that Laria has to elbow her way to the front to get a moment with the harried Julessa. "Laria!" The older human woman takes a moment to wipe her floury hands on her black apron (which by this point in the morning has already turned gray) and step up to the counter. Her braided tresses are held back under a plain white headwrap, her face flushed from the heat of the ovens, and her eyes lively and alert as she listens to the other woman's words. "A half dozen?" She turns to gaze at the racks. "Easily done. I'll add those to your tab." She scribbles something on a pad by her elbow then turns back with a wry smile. "As you can see, people want warm break and hot coffee regardless of what's going on the streets. Perhaps more so because of it. We're on the verge of hiring a third hand to help with the demand, so no complaints here." Her eyes narrow but a fraction at Laria's invitation - it's decidedly unusual for Julessa to make the deliveries herself, but something in Laria's tone catches her attention and she gives a slow nod. "For an old friend? I will find the time. And if you believe these people worth the meeting, than I believe you. I shall see you at noon, then."
This weekend is proving a little hectic, but I could see Julessa going for the partisan role.
Hello everyone, thanks for inviting me to join the group. I'm excited to work towards bringing down the rule of Thrune.
@Lubella: Right. It's pretty rogue focused, but I might dip into it both for flavor and for some of the lower level abilities. To be honest, I would have to see how the group's doing by that point: if I could get away with some thematic dipping I'd go for it, but if the group really needed me to focus on cleric spells, I'd give it a pass.
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