Will (vs. enchantments)
Kort takes a blow, and pauses a moment in hopes that Muri can get the earth breaking thug off him.
Muri, GMPC, launches a barrage against the red one in the hopes of freeing Major Kort from her attacks.
He hits her but once, and does not quite fell her - though she's looking in bad shape indeed.
Elen, at the top of the round as Major Kort is waiting for Muri, swings on images...
She hits once and takes out an image once.
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Round 2, Init 12
"One moment Kamari!" Kort dances away from the angry earth breaker...
...and Acrobatics...
and shoots red in the back.
UMD
touch to hit;
fire damage
touch to hit;
fire damage
hp: 52/52
AC: 16/13/13
Saves: F4/R10/W10 +4 vs. enchantment, +2 vs. illusions +6 vs. poison
Lowlight. PBS.
Aroden's Verve: 1/7 used
Adhere to the Law: 0/2 used
Extend PotionRadiation: 0/6 used
Quantum Leaps used:
Pathfinder Carry: 0/0
Staff of Courage: 0/0
0: (create water, detect magic/poison, light, stabilize,read magic)
1: 2/9 used (CLW*1,Shield*0,PfE*0,DF*1)
2: 1/7 used (Inv*0,RE*0,*CE*0,1*SInv)
3: 2/5 used (H*2,DM*0,Sear*0)
[ dice]1d20+5[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6-1[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+11+1[/dice] to hit; (+PBS)
magic cold iron damage;
UMD
touch to hit;
fire damage
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AC 26, touch 19, flat-footed 19 (+5 armor, +2 deflection, +4 Dex, +3 dodge, +2 natural)
hp 65 (9 HD; 1d8+8d10+9)
Fort +3, Ref +13, Will +7 (+2 vs. mind-affecting effects); +2 vs. enchantments
Defensive Abilities aristocratic discipline +2, nimble +2; Immune sleep
Panache 2/5
Kamari shrugs off the Earl's spell thanks to the pink gemstone in her rapier. She then tries thrashing about this time to get free and it almost works.
Hurry up old soldier! she thinks but doesn't shout out. She figures her thrashing about communicates her need adequately.
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Edelmira scowls at the grappler. She takes only a moment to analyze exactly what she needs to do to cut the ropes binding Kamari.
She takes a step closer to Kamari and slashes at the ropes.
Edelmira frees Kamari prior to her initiative, so Kamari - you're now free to move about and attack! Red is down by your init as well.
I should have given them manacles...
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Round 3, take 2
Kamari kips-up and tumbles past the other woman before stabbing her.
Elen slams into the Earl, and then flicks away an image in a two pronged attack. Muri works on emptying his quiver though he only his the strongwoman once. Major Kort tumbles successfully away, though he grimaces a bit as he leans into a bad knee. He turns and blasts red twice - and she goes down in a fiery splash. Edelmira does need to swing (AC 3 however so it’s somewhat foolish unless a fumble) and she makes quick work of the bonds on Kamari. The improved sunder means no AoO! Kamari tumbles and connects, having left his opponent flatfooted!
The Earl switches to satire, trying to undermine your confidence as the fight wears on. No save and is mind-affecting. -2 on attack, damage, and saves vs fear and charm affects until he is stopped.
He then 5' steps out of Elen's immediate reach, and casts a spell upon her!
- - -
Blue draws her earth breaker as well, and hammers Edelmira, hoping her master just got the better of Elen.
Then she 5’ steps back and away from the flank.
Round 3, Init 12
Kort moves to cover an exit/entrance and blasts at blue.
UMD
touch to hit;
fire damage
touch to hit;
fire damage
hp: 52/52
AC: 16/13/13
Saves: F4/R10/W10 +4 vs. enchantment, +2 vs. illusions +6 vs. poison
Lowlight. PBS.
Aroden's Verve: 0/7 used
Adhere to the Law: 0/2 used
Extend PotionRadiation: 0/6 used
Quantum Leaps used:
Pathfinder Carry: 0/0
Staff of Courage: 0/0
0: (create water, detect magic/poison, light, stabilize,read magic)
1: 2/9 used (CLW*1,Shield*0,PfE*0,DF*1)
2: 1/7 used (Inv*0,RE*0,*CE*0,1*SInv)
3: 2/5 used (H*2,DM*0,Sear*0)
[ dice]1d20+5[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d6-1[/dice] damage.
[ dice]1d20+11+1[/dice] to hit; (+PBS)
magic cold iron damage;
UMD
touch to hit;
fire damage
Edelmira grunts at the powerful blow. She steps next to the grappler and slashes twice with her own powerful strikes.
HP: 54/81
AC: 23/13/22
Saves: F8/R10/W11 (+2 vs ingested/inhaled poisons)
Hero Points: 2
Spells/Conditions Active: Fastidiousness, Oath of Anonymity
0: (Grasp, Light, Oath of Anonymity, Spark)
1: 2/3 used (Fastidiousnessx1, Serren’s Swift Girdingx1)
[ dice]1d20+14[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d10+6[/dice] damage.
Round 4
Kamari takes a 5' float into flank with blue--or towards the Earl if blue is down.
She quickly stabs twice without any pizzaz this time.
Elen, some how from somewhere for some reason finds a hefty bit of mirth in desperate need of release. She begins gawfawing. hahahaha..."
"Er, wait... what's funny? Oh, how inappropriate! Excuse me!"
She winds up her Naginata.
Hits: 67/67
AC: 27/23
CMD = 25
WandofMageArmorCharges = 37/50
Resolve = 3/5
Challenge = 2 / 3
Hero Pts: 3/3
Round 3
Seeing Kamari free and get ready, Elen dances past the Earl and tries to hit him again with poetic inspiration and a Naginata, ending up where she started.
"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest people"
for
Hits: 67/67
AC: 27/23
CMD = 25
WandofMageArmorCharges = 37/50
Resolve = 3/5
Challenge = 2 / 3
Hero Pts: 3/3
Elen attacks, succeeds with the feint, and hits… an image.
Muri, GMPC, lopes into position and takes a lone shot at the flat footed Earl easy in his sights!
Kamari too has a pair of attacks on the Earl, now flat footed, and
So Kamari hits once, and the Earl has no more images.
Elen feints against the Earl and gives everyone a huge boost! Muri takes a shot at the Earl after Underfoot does the heavy lifting and moves him into position. Major Kort scorches blue, setting up Edelmira who drops her with her first blow thanks to Elen’s boost so she has a move action left. Kamari switches to the Earl, where she hits once and removes the last of the images. However, her hit, a crit, with the extra damage added on (plus a hidden strike as the Earl is flat footed), drops him!
The Earl and his ladies are down, some bleeding badly. Do you save any of them, or let them all bleed out into the lush carpeting?
Kort chooses to stabilize only the Earl, such that he might face a long punishment for his actions. That he commanded others to their deaths is alright with him, they have paid for their deeds, but the Earl needs to suffer for his traitorous actions against the Queen.
Kamari makes no move to assist the women. She doubts they know anything useful and finds their redemption unlikely.
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Edelmira moves to save the two ladies. Either they are simple professionals who were just doing a job, or they are knowing lackeys who can be tempted to give evidence against their employer. Showing mercy on such a public matter—especially in contrast to the Earl’s ruthlessness—will also paint them and their associated faction as having the moral high ground. She must also consider that she is here as Edelmira, not The Night Swan, and thus must act with more care.
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""Where I come from there are consequences when a man sets a woman on fire."
The color quickly returns to Muri's face, when the earth breaker aims for a different head. His cheeks rise as the Major twirls, and Kamari swirls just right so Edelmira can place a strike to free her. It almost feels like theatrical combat he's seen performed by colorful traveling minstrels, and he forgets himself for a moment.
Unsure of the Earl's magical attack on Elen, the halfling continues to debate where his arrows are best placed. When laughter turns to pardon-me, Muri rests easier knowing the elf is still in the fight...
...which ends swiftly.
As the Major takes care to preserve the Earl's life, and Edelmira tends to the bodyguards, the halfling dismounts, patting Underfoot for her swiftness and agility, before closing on the Earl.
"I'm just going to..." Muri begins removing anything from the Earl that might assist him in fleeing yet again. He remembers the Earl's wink, and it needles him still. Off come any rings, amulets, capes, cough cough, tiaras, codpieces, ankle bracelets...
Once his sheep is shorn, Muri turns to look at the others, wondering if anyone can help identify the Earl's possessions, now confiscated.
The losers are stabilized and searched. You quickly and collect the magics, plus the documents Earl Merkondus wanted to keep from prying eyes.
Potion of Barkskin (300gp ea, x2)
Scroll of Cure Serious Wounds (375gp, x2)
Wand of Bear’s Endurance (10 charges) (900gp)
Wand of Shield (30 charges) (450gp)
Mithral Chain Shirt +1 (2,100gp)
Cape of the Mounteback (10,800gp)
Ring of Mind Shielding (8,000gp)
250gp in assorted wealth
Potion Cure Serious Wounds (750gp, x2)
Powerhouse Pelt (3,515gp, x2)
Amulet of Natural Armor +1 (2,000gp x2)
Cloak of Resistance +2 (4,000gp x2)
You also find several letters between himself and Maxillar Pythareus, which the Earl has on him. You aren’t likely to read them immediately, but for sake of details and not losing track of it later, you learn their contents now. And they’re damning.
Although these letters aren’t enough to formally accuse Maxillar Pythareus of backing Yander’s villainy in Yanmass, they make it clear that the Hight Strategos was at least aware of, and perhaps even complicit in, the Earl’s schemes. There’s no proof Maxillar funded the Earl in this matter, at least not here. But reading through the material it seems likely.
More fodder for the Queen to use no doubt!
As the party is rifling through and collecting the loot, the house guard arrive (fast!). It isn’t much longer before the city watch reinforces their numbers and you have a half dozen burly types milling about wondering what to do exactly. A sergeant arrives a moment later and takes charge, giving you due respect.
”My lords and ladies, may I extend the apologies of the city for the intrusion by this man who you’ve so clearly bested. With your permission,” ”I’ll take him and his employees to the cells for justice.”
Efficiently he has his watch, and one or two of the house guard, carry the defeated outside to a waiting wagon where they are hauled off to the Yanmass prison one would presume. The wagon clatters off into the morning as the owner of the inn approaches you.
”My lords and ladies. Apologies for the bloodshed, but at least it wasn’t in your suite! Shall I have the masseuses sent up for a little relaxation?” A younger woman hovers nearby, ready to run off and summon whatever aid you require.
It is nearly lunch on Erastus 3. You expect the council would appreciate an update on things, and are likely still in session as it’s only been a few minutes and they had much to cover in addition to your report.
Not needing any of the items herself, Kamari stuffs everything not claimed by others in her haversatchel before pulling out a comb and making herself presentable to return to the council. She doesn't look forward to the questions about the cult--since she has no answers--but maybe there just isn't anything overly evil there. Maybe.
Once the battle debris has been cleared, and the magics suitably looted and identified, Kort will ponder what to do next. There are some more strenuous options, but mostly, he would take the time to continue to study the mysterious encrypted notes for anything he might have missed.
"If anyone needs me, I'll be in my room."
Edelmira changes back out of her armor, and she appeals completely spotless as though she had never been in combat in the first place. ”I think that someone should go report to the council now as they are still in session and would appreciate it I am sure.”
She appears just as unflappable and composed to the council as when she had arrived before. ”Greetings once more. I bring an update. The fugitive Earl has been captured and remanded to the authorities, along with two bodyguards who assisted him in resisting arrest. We were able to find some more documents and evidence on the premises thanks to getting there before he could destroy them, but we will need time to examine them thoroughly and confirm their contents. I do not wish to say more on the specifics at the moment as I wish not to carelessly implicate anyone else in this criminal activity without verification.”
She almost turns to leave before she remembers the other matter. ”As for the cult, we have made inroads in our investigation and have not yet found anything conclusive. We had enough strong evidence to implicate the Earl, so we believed it more important to do so as soon as possible before he could destroy evidence, escape, or even implement another scheme. Rest assured that we will continue this investigation into the cult post-haste now that this salient matter has been handled. We shall keep you apprised.” She waits to field any questions before bowing and taking her leave.
Kamari nods along at Edelmira's report seeing that not much else needs to be said.
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Elen holds up one of the pelts and gasps. ”How barbaric! Who would do this to such a beautiful creature?!” She resists the urge to kick the Earl.
She goes back to re-attend the Council meeting, letting Edelmira the Elegant address the members.
She merely adds,. ”Might I suggest you pay a visit to your local authorities? I’m sure the Earl would appreciate the company.”
Hits: 67/67
AC: 27/23
CMD = 25
WandofMageArmorCharges = 37/50
Resolve = 3/5
Challenge = 2 / 3
Hero Pts: 3/3
Kamari, Edelmira, and Elen return to the council to report as Major Kort and Muri heads up to the suite to give the documents a thorough going over to make sure nothing was missed. Muri spends less time on the documents and more time keeping watch so the Major can study in peace without fear of interruption.
- - -
Your carriage returned sometime while you were in battle and explaining everything afterward. So you climb in and begin to head to the Council chambers.
Not far from the hotel though, someone confronts you! He stands in the road - blocking your carriage and calling out to you,
At first you think it must be the high priest of Abadar bellowing again, but as you look outside the carriage, it’s a tall thin man in a red leather bird mask and gray robes streaked with red. Very unlike the heavyset priest in breadth and style. This man has no gold on him for one thing.
You’re all in your carriage as the strangely dressed man calls out one more time with a little vibrato in his voice - such is his passion, ”Why have you not destroyed him!”
We’re not in combat, but the man is clearly unstable, so just one round of actions please as he may snap at any moment. Fight or flight!
Kamari exits the carriage and keeps her distance.
In a calm, quiet voice, she addresses the man, "Sir, please tell us more about this abomination."
Elen appears in the carriage window. "Destroyed who? The man with the smoke and mirrors under the stairs?"
Kort stiffens at the yelling, not wanting to provoke. He says nothing, letting the others handle it.
Edelmira is more annoyed than anything, but she disguises it as best she can. She feigns sincere interest and sympathetic worry. ”The Abomination? Please, how should I destroy him? We want to take care of this horrible threat.”
She struggles to maintain this level of credulity, finding credulous
In a calm, quiet voice, she addresses the man, "Sir, please tell us more about this abomination."
”Him! ” His nose wobbles a bit as he shouts - though you are of course just a few feet away.
”Do you meant to tell me you haven’t even laid eyes on the abomination?! Prey, cease what you are doing and get on to it forthwith! I pay you!”
Elen appears in the carriage window. "Destroyed who? The man with the smoke and mirrors under the stairs?"
As he digs in his cloak for a small bag, he looks up, almost apoplectically, at Elen, ”Smoke and Mirrors! Smoke and mirrors! I can’t imagine a greater horror and you speak of smoke and mirrors?!”
”DELVE!” he shouts, almost spelling out the word he speaks it so slowly.
Edelmira is more annoyed than anything, but she disguises it as best she can. She feigns sincere interest and sympathetic worry. ”The Abomination? Please, how should I destroy him? We want to take care of this horrible threat.”
”Stab him, burn him, cut off his head - it doesn’t matter, just send him back to Pharasma!”
He tosses tosses the bag of coins with more dexterity than you imagined possible at Kamari. Before the pouch even reaches the woman however, the strange man suddenly disappears!
You look around the immediate vicinity I presume, but he’s gone.
- - -
You open the bag and are disappointed. It’s all copper! True, some of the coins are very old, and so worth a little more than the simple metal suggests. And there are a lot of coins. Still, all told you figure it’s no more than 20gp in here. Yet clearly the man thought it of great value. This was meant to be a hefty bribe to get your attention.
Myrma looks down at you all and shrugs, ”On to the Council?”
"Smoke and Mirrors! Smoke and mirrors! I can’t imagine a greater horror and you speak of smoke and mirrors?!”
"No? Ok, different..." Elen replies quickly.
”I suggest we visit the Council long enough to update them about the Earl and tell them we’re investigating the Cult of the Twilight Child and then leave. They can carry on without us until next time. Let’s then pick up the good Major and Muri and head to the Encircling Bower.”
Kamari is intrigued by the mysterious stranger and his accusations.
"Agreed. There's something we're missing that doesn't appear linked to any of the current troubles. However, it just might be a festering wound getting ready to pop. I cannot say I'm comfortable with leaving the dead/undead/reborn/whatever prince issue unresolved before we return to the Princess."
She appears just as unflappable and composed to the council as when she had arrived before. ”Greetings once more. I bring an update. The fugitive Earl has been captured and remanded to the authorities, along with two bodyguards who assisted him in resisting arrest. We were able to find some more documents and evidence on the premises thanks to getting there before he could destroy them, but we will need time to examine them thoroughly and confirm their contents. I do not wish to say more on the specifics at the moment as I wish not to carelessly implicate anyone else in this criminal activity without verification.”
Before Edelmira can continue there’s an eruption of applause. It’s clear, if these folks have their way, the Earl is in for a very unpleasant stay. Even the Chief Enumerator Abrun Palliettor looks pleased, though you can see the plea to focus on other matters clear on his face.
She almost turns to leave before she remembers the other matter. ”As for the cult, we have made inroads in our investigation and have not yet found anything conclusive. We had enough strong evidence to implicate the Earl, so we believed it more important to do so as soon as possible before he could destroy evidence, escape, or even implement another scheme. Rest assured that we will continue this investigation into the cult post-haste now that this salient matter has been handled. We shall keep you apprised.” She waits to field any questions before bowing and taking her leave.
There are a few perfunctory questions, mostly Lord Rudig Autun trying feebly to poke holes in your story. To his credit though he gives up quickly and praises you all with the other councillors.
She merely adds,. ”Might I suggest you pay a visit to your local authorities? I’m sure the Earl would appreciate the company.”
There are more than a few sniggers from the councilors, and several more with just that in mind after the suggestion.
The council thanks you for your service in these matters and bids you a good day indeed. Naturally Chief Palliettor puts in a word for breaking up the Cult, but no timeline is set, and you are once again largely on your own.
I presume the party returns to the hotel where Major Kort is just finishing up his research. It’s about 1pm on Erastus 3, a Toilday. What’s next?
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"So, where shall we start our investigation of the Cult? The Encircling Bower? Or, shall we go back and follow Major Kort's fine first example and see if we can find more clues on Caradinna Farkin's wall."
"If this 'Abomination' truly exists, I wonder if it owns that sleazy restaurant."
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Muri and Underfoot enjoy the respite provided by sentinel duty, which consists of Underfoot slumping against the suite door, and Muri slumping against Underfoot. The malinois watches the old man with languid interest, mainly because it's easier to place muzzle upon paws in the Major's general direction. She's reassured of the halfling presence simply by the weight against her ribs.
Muri actually finds himself in a familiar position, his eyes counting phantom sheep while they close, his mind straying back to the farm and the fenced confines of the sheeps' sleeping spots, both within and without the barn. It leaves the Major to study his papers with little interruption, save the snores.
...
When the women return, Underfoot is already on her paws, watching the door, her tail wagging off any wariness of enemy approach.
When talk brings the Encircling Bower back into focus, Muri doesn't argue. It sounds like the investigation into the once-dead Prince will be much more direct this time.
"Who was the bird man?" Appropriately, the halfling is addressing the Night Swan.
Kort sits stiffly, doing whatever he is doing. He wonders how to Queen to be is doing.
"Any ideas on how to proceed at the Encircling Bower? Obviously, people were under the influence of something or someone, but who or how is beyond my skills. My attempts to poke around the kitchen were fruitless."
Kamari will ask around the hotel and farther afield if necessary before they go to find out what else she can about the Encircling Bower, its owners, and its history.
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I'll say party does a little research before delving as it gives me an excuse to remind you of a few things as well.
In the course of your wanderings from pub to market you pass the Encircling Bower as well. You see that same dwarf out front answering questions and sending people away. Mostly he just keeps an eye on the two front entrances. You’ll also note a side door with an ancient hanging sign, ”Stage Door”. It does not appear to be used.
Once an imposing circular edifice, the brick arches and stone ornaments of this large theater are now scarcely visible beneath climbing rose, grapevines, and ivy - and this jumbled mass of foliage may be the only thing preventing the venerable theater from simply collapsing. The stone marquee set between the two entrances bears the nearly illegible text: “The Encircling Bower Welcomes You into Its Embrace.”
The round building is 120 feet in diameter, 40 feet tall, and topped with a domed roof painted sky-blue with wispy white clouds. Other than occasional ornamental stonework, such as cornerstones and other accents, the Encircling Bower’s walls are made of crumbling brick 3 feet thick.
Its two entrances are 15 feet wide. The entrances lead to aisles that bisect sweeping arcs of benches around the nearly circular stage. The auditorium is paved with well-worn brick, but most of the upper floor is made of wood. The theater’s lower level is 15 feet high throughout, carved from stone, and floored with large, durable ceramic tiles.
The doors throughout the Encircling Bower are all strong wooden affairs (hardness 5, hp 20, break DC 23). Braziers set into the walls and at the edge of the stage provide good illumination throughout the theater and backstage (as you will perhaps come to learn).
You stop by the surveyors office and learn a bit about the history of the theater, and the name of its current owner. In its heyday, maybe a century ago now, it was a popular place. Theater troops from all over would travel here to perform on its stage. Its own in-house troupe was very good as well, and often supplemented the travelers for enormous productions considering the size of the place. It was regularly standing room only.
A quick serious of owners though shows the downfall. It was bought by people after the gold rather than the magic of the theater and they pinched it dry. Increasingly high door fees and cuts backstage left the intimate space squeezed. Eventually an owner died and the empty Bower reverted back to the city.
Just a few months ago Vaddrigan Pol became the new owner - for a pittance to the city who was just glad to get off their hands. He spent some time, along with his inner circle, fixing up the place - but only just. The upstairs, if you recall, was unsafe and roped off. And the place certainly has a ‘fall in at any time’ feel to it. In fact, the statement, ”There isn’t anything wrong with this place that isn’t structural.” drifts across your collective consciousness.
Vaddrigan, whom you’ve seen on stage (image), is a tall, gaunt aasimar with a prominent chin. His severe features, deep voice, and penetrating gaze lend him an undeniable gravitas. His celestial heritage is obvious: his eyes are silvery orbs with pupils of darker silver, and his skin is pale and smooth. He wears the standard vestments of the cult: robes embroidered with overlapping circles.
Little is known of him around town other than his leadership of the Cult of the Twilight Child of course. They’re an organization much like the Abadarian church, and they even borrow a few prayers and other religious themes from them. But their biggest claim, of course, is the Twilight Child. None other than the resurrected Prince Carrius Stavian, Princess Eutropia Stavian’s younger brother.
Obviously, if true, this has serious ramifications to the current unrest. You suspect High Strategos Maxillar Pythareus would probably defer the crown to him, being the male heir, removing Maxillar from the board. It would then be a family fight, splitting the nation, between the Princess and Prince.
And of course Prince Carrius has been dead for many years. There are personal issues to be dealt with between the Eutropia and her brother. When he lived, they were very close. Lady Lotheed had cautioned you to keep the Prince Carrius business very close to the chest and report to her only. She wants to ease the Princess into the idea that her brother is alive again - if it’s even true.
It’s closing in on dusk, and there’s another ‘meeting’… performance really, in the Bower tonight. Do you attend a second time? Remember, they lock you in if you do go - no coming and going during the service.
Kamari finds little of value in her tavern hopping aside from a really strong whiskey cask autumn ale.
She expresses her doubts about how to proceed, but ultimately is in favor of returning for another service. "Perhaps we'll notice something we missed the first time. Also, things might have progressed or escalated to a more concerning point."
"Agreed," Kort stiffly agrees with the agreeable half-elf. "Let's get in there. We need to find a better lead, I feel."
Kort will again cane in, and happily sit near the front.
"Do you think we can bribe that dwarf with a back stage or stage entrance pass? Alternatively, we could just tear the door to it down after the ceremony starts -- after they cast that strange... effect on everyone inside."
"In the event that's too much, and nothing real is happening at the Bower, perhaps we can offer to tidy up the place... restore it."
She shrugs. It's not great, but it is stylish.
"Might we also request a personal meeting with the Prince? We aren't commoners after all. We might learn more about him/it in a setting with less theatrics."
Kamari shrugs, still not sure on the best course of action and hoping things will reveal themselves.
Edelmira nods along with Kamari’s suggestion. ”Agreed. I think we need to cut to the chase. We have already shown ourselves to be curious about their doings. Perhaps we could even imply that we might be willing to declare ourselves for this Prince if we are convinced. In the likely case this is a trick by an Imperialist faction, that will give them motivation to show us even if they know that we are valuable members of the Loyalist cause. The potential to ‘turn’ us would be tempting. I could even pretend that I am being a double agent again to help sell it.”
So I have two voting for 'try talking to the Prince', one for trying the side door, and two (though one's a duplicate) for attending another session.
You remember from talking to the dwarf on the door that he was very straightforward. The only way to see the Prince was to attend the evening prayer meeting. You doubt that is going to change, but you are more famous now, so who knows?
You doubt however you'd be able to pass as Maxillar supporters. That would require some serious lying. Unbelievable lying. :) I know you're good at bluffing, but the die roll isn't everything. You have reputations in this town.
It's still a bit before the meeting, so the dwarf is still alone though a few very early folks are starting to mill about the square in front of the theater.
Kamari approaches the dwarf with a smile on her face.
"Sir, we were going to attend another service. Might it be possible for us Ladies and Lords to meet with the prince after the service? We have concerns that we hope he can address without much ado."
It never hurts to ask.
Kort nods stiffly along with Kamari's very good words.
"Yes, exactly," he stiffly agrees.
aid to assist
Muri does his best to place their second visit in context to their first visit, while trying to understand how recent events and their general elevation in stature among the people of Yanmass might alter this second pass at the cult.
He remembers where he sat, along with Underfoot, towards the rear of the theatre. This time, he commits to remaining close to his fellow nobles. He tamps down the quiet fear of being closed in, locked behind the front doors for the ceremony, trusting that everyone else managed to make it back alive the first time.
Underfoot sniffs the air, occasionally cocking her ears in the direction of the interior of the theatre. No raised hackles, yet.
Elen rolls her eyes at the more boring less stylish way of entering the broken down theatre.
Before the group approaches the dwarf she asks, "Do you think they check for invisible attendees? And, assuming the dwarf lets us in, let us get seats closer to the rear of the stage, or whereever we can get a closer look at what is happening underneath the stage."
She follows the others to the dwarf and observes Kamari’s diplomatic display.
Yes, that’s it – make it clear that this is no social call. She can tell Kamari's oration was very good, but possibly Kamari’s manner is too diluted by her human heritage for Elen to fully appreciate.
” Why perform anything here, though?” she says, looking about the decrepit theatre. "It won’t take much to bring down the house.”
She looks around to see what there is to see, and if there are any elevated and safe vantage points. Safe that is, as in "not in danger of collapsing and tearing down the whole house" safe.
Hits: 67/67
AC: 27/23
CMD = 25
WandofMageArmorCharges = 37/50
Resolve = 3/5
Challenge = 2 / 3
Hero Pts: 3/3
Kamari approaches the dwarf with a smile on her face.
"Sir, we were going to attend another service. Might it be possible for us Ladies and Lords to meet with the prince after the service? We have concerns that we hope he can address without much ado."
The dwarf smiles back, but is less helpful, ”Greetings saviors of Yanmass, my lords and ladies.” he bows, clearly knowing who you are. But… ”I’m sorry, but the Prince is only available during the service. He is still recovering from death you see.”
You may question him in a variety of ways, but he keeps coming back to the same mantra. You get the sense he’s but a hired hand, and has simple orders which he’s happy to follow to a ’T’. You also suspect he’s never seen the Prince outside the ceremonial stage act himself.
When pressed in the end, he suggests you speak with Vaddrigan Pol, though he makes no suggestions on how that might happen either. ”Some supplicants approach him at the end of the service.” he suggests lamely, though it looks to you like he doesn’t believe that will work either.
Before the group approaches the dwarf she asks, "Do you think they check for invisible attendees? And, assuming the dwarf lets us in, let us get seats closer to the rear of the stage, or whereever we can get a closer look at what is happening underneath the stage.”
You’d know from your first visit, thinking back, it would be tricky to get in invisibly unless you were also flying. The press of people coming and going is such that you’d have a hard time making space for yourself without everyone around you bumping into you. Still, it could be done with care.
” Why perform anything here, though?” she says, looking about the decrepit theatre. "It won’t take much to bring down the house.”
She looks around to see what there is to see, and if there are any elevated and safe vantage points. Safe that is, as in "not in danger of collapsing and tearing down the whole house" safe.
Probably the best place to see what’s going on under the stage, short of going onto the stage itself, would be to watch from the balcony. However, Elen perceptively sees just how fragile that area is. Were she to go up there, the whole thing could come down - or at least cause serious injury.
A failed save also causes the creature’s speed to be reduced by half for 24 hours or until the injured creature benefits from a cure spell.
Another character can remove the penalty by taking 10 minutes to dress the injuries and succeeding at a DC 15 Heal check. If you roll a natural 1 on the Reflex save, you instead falls all the way through a weak spot in the floor, avoiding the leg injury but instead taking 2d6 points of falling damage and landing on some poor unsuspecting commoner.
- - -
So, do you attend the service and make your move afterwards? Kick in the side door during the service? …or do something else?