Maid to be a Butler (Wander Inn Mission)

[Nettlekid]

"-and if dear old Father had been willing to find a reputable attendant-"
"These are reputable, that's what's so dull about them. We could have gone to the southern jungles and made guides out of the exotic Yuan-Ti, but no, we get hicks."
"Ugh, they're so glassy-eyed. Do you think they can think? I've had clothes animated with more spirit than these."
"Speaking of clothes, they don't even look the part. Hey, plods, these are for you!"
The young man reaches into a side pocket of one of his bags and tosses a large amount of clothing in your direction. Three full outfits, one more masculine and two decidedly feminine, land in your grasp. At a glance, they look to be a surprisingly good fit.

The pair is not shy about voicing their distasteful distaste as the three of you stand in front of them. Half-Elves and half-siblings, the boy Elwyn and the girl Sylali could have passed as mannequins if they hadn't been pacing around. Barely a square inch of their skin below the chin hits air as they're wrapped in matching uniforms (perhaps to an academy), complete with gloves and long socks. Sylali wears a wide sunhat, while Elwyn has slicked back hair kept in place by a pair of aviator's goggles. Their purpose is entirely unknown. Each has emerald-green eyes and golden hair, and their pale skin (from what you can see) is entirely without blemishes. Behind the pair is a small heap of packs and satchels, about five or six for each of the pair. Closer inspection reveals each to be a low-tier Bag of Holding or a Heward's Handy Haversack, which means the pair has brought about ten times as much material with them as visible for this "vacation."

The three Wanderers had left the hall in a hurry, and as such hadn't managed to receive the benefit of advice and information from any senior member regarding a mission like this. At its surface their task was straightforward and menial, lifting the baggage and dealing with locals on behalf of the children. More importantly, this is a diplomatic mission in which the guild is acting as a liaison between the noble family of Tyrneavalsa and the general population. A good experience and connection would likely improve the standing of the city with the nobles, and would be a feather in the guild's cap as well. Of course, for the children to have a negative experience with either the city or the guild would have the inverse effect, potentially disastrous. So a gentle hand and an Apostle of Peace's patience are tantamount in this mission, as well as the capability to entertain this pair that's been spoiled by everyone they've ever met. This is all information that wasn't transparently clear to you before you ran off.

[Rizban]

Tsuki silently shoves Darwin down into a chair before tying a blindfold around his eyes.

"Sit. Stay."

Eiko hops up in his lap and stands there watching him to make certain he doesn't remove the blindfold as Tsuki and Rilele get changed. Once situated, Tsuki allows Darwin to remove the blindfold and change as well.

[Capt. Infinity]

Darwin hadn't really considered what the mission truly entailed when he, Tsuki and Rilele made the mad dash from the Guild Hall. It wasn't until they stood in front of the Half-Elf Nobles and had their uniforms in hand that the realization of how in over their heads they were finally dawned on the young Elf, the shock and astonishment piercing even his childish view of the world.

"Oh. Ohhhh no. This is gonna be baaaaad." He laments, before he was stuck in a chair for a few minutes whilst Tsuki changes. Afterwards, Darwin also finds himself a spot to change quickly and discreetly, though he wasn't quite as meticulous in avoiding detection as Tsuki. When he was done, he stepped out to his teammates. The uniform was typical of a butler, weird coattail thingies and all. The only odd things was the silver-trimmed cloak the Cleric wore over his shoulders, throwing off the ensemble but also somehow managing to make a rather fashionable statement (it WAS a Cloak of Charisma, after all), and the veritable arsenal of weaponry hanging off the young Elf's belt. On his left side, a light mace and silver shortsword, you know, in case of zombies or werewolves. And on his right side, kept in a decorative and fancy scabbard was a cold iron rapier, it's pommel, handle guard and quillons all covered in myriad etchings, the vague magical auras given off that some might detect fully completing the contrast with its utterly homely owner. "I feel like a very fancy penguin." He said, to no one in particular.

[Dondasch]

Rilele follows Tsuki's example and changes quickly.
'I look like an idiot. Whoever made this outfit obviously never had to deal with practicality.'
Despite the clothing's relative uselessness, Rilele still manages to find places to stash her dagger and her dragonshard.While turned away from the siblings, she points at Tsuki, Darwin, and Eiko in turn, before whispering to them.
"I've used a spell so we can whisper to each other from a distance without being overheard. Others can still see your mouth moving though.

Casting Message on the group, which will be renewed as needed. Rilele figures that the others might want to vent about these two... or that she might.

[Rizban]

Tsuki blushes and looks at the floor.

"I kind of like it..."

[Capt. Infinity]

"That. Is. So. Coooooooool." Darwin elates, with his hand in front of his mouth, pretending to wipe it. He then walks up to the two Noble Half-Elves, putting on his best smile (which, incidentally, is his only smile). "Greetings! My name is D'aerw'hen Freeborn, but you can call me Darwin if you'd like. This is Tsuki, and her cat friend is named Eiko, and the tall, scary-looking lady is Rilele. We've been sent by the Wander Inn Guild to escort you guys around town. I hope we get along!" It is at this point that the other Guild members may realize that Darwin is ACTUALLY trying to befriend the two Nobles.

The poor, naive soul.

Diplomacy to boost relations with the two Nobles: [roll0]

[Nettlekid]

"Yes, we know who you are," Elwyn rolls his eyes, though he offers a nod to Darwin as the Elf approaches. "Whether or not we get along is immaterial, as we will only be in one another's company for a few hours of a few days at most. Provided you do your job, you'll get your payment, and then you can be on your way as we will."
"Hurry up, hurry up, we only have a few days to soak in the...rural charm..." Sylali chides, gesturing to her bags. "We won't see a hair of Father until his conferences are over, so we're left to entertain ourselves. Which is to say, you're left to entertain us."
"Not that being left to our own devices is anything new."
"Well quite, but usually I have my griffon."

As the Wanderers don their costumes, Elwyn strikes a dramatic pose, the palm of one hand to his stomach and the back of the other to his forehead.
"Oh~I feel my temperate constitution withering. It has been nearly two hours since the carriage's tea. Any longer and I may perish!"
"I concur. Plods, we need nourishment. Local fare. Preferably something not a week old, caked in congealing lard."
"I thought you wanted to experience the, ahem, rural charm?"
I won't be sent to an early grave, heart clogged by 'rural charm.' Plods, we defer to you. Lead on."

[Rizban]

Tsuki nods. How did she get to be the reasonable one?

"R.r.r.right. Let's see what we can find. D-Did you have any preferences, m'lady, your lordship?"

[Dondasch]

'Wait, does he really think they'll respond to nice words from us "plods"? And why do I come after the cat?'

Rilele stands quietly as the nobles continue their disparaging remarks.
'I'll have to find out what a griffon is later.'

"I'm not the best judge of places to eat, but it seems to me these two would be happiest with someplace high quality, as will probably be recognized by high price."

[Capt. Infinity]

Darwin put his hand to his chin, looking ponderous. "Well, if you want, we could take you to any number of really fancy restaurants. But, if you are well and truly honest about wanting to have some local food, and are willing to stand some, er, "Rustic-ey-ness", I can assure you, it will not disappoint." He promised the two Half-Elf Nobles.

Do you want a Diplomacy roll again?

[Rizban]

Tsuki and Eiko pay close attention to the reaction of the two to try to figure out what it is they really want.

Tsuki - [roll0]
Eiko - [roll1]

[Rizban]

Since neither of them respond to the questions, Tsuki tries to think of a really nice place to take them.

Eiko tries to help! [roll0] (DC 10)
[roll1]

[Nettlekid]

With minimal persuasion from Darwin, the Elf siblings are led through the market district and nearer toward a residential zone. Their eyes light on various outside stalls or interior shops, taking note of purveyors of fabrics, jewelery, and magical items.
"Let's come back this way after we eat, I want to see the curios. Perhaps they have some antiques."
"From a cultural standpoint, everything here is an antique."

Their short trek ends at the wooden door of the Pint and Chisel, a local staple and literal hole-in-the-wall standard for traditional Dwarvish cuisine. There's thick smoke billowing from the chimney, and opening the door you get a wafting, billowing breeze of frying food and strong alcohol. The bar section has a couple of loyal patrons pulled up, and a few rough types are having a heated conversation at a table near the back. A young man of a Dwarf with thick black hair nods to you from behind the bar. Leaving the pile of bags to the side, you sidle into a booth and the black-haired Dwarf meets you with menus chiseled onto thin stone tablets.
"G'morning. Pretty early fer customers, but who'm I to turn away business? Darwin, a pleasure, tho dun forget what I've said to ye - Not a drop o' my stock 'till you look like a man on yer chest 'n' chin. I've got veg in the kitchen with more hair on their skin."
"A resounding endorsement for this establishment."
"I'll be back in a tic when you've decided what yer after. Should I be expectin' more o' the Wanderers, or is this yer lot?"

The bartender moves back to the bar for a short while, giving you a chance to look over the menu. Dwarf cuisine is based in game meats high in iron, predominantly served as a stew or a shank on the bone. You might find a whole fish baked or seared, which is more common in the mountains than beef or mutton. Leafy vegetables are nonexistent, but accompanying the meats are cakes of ground cornmeal or root vegetables which thrive underground like carrots, onions, turnip, and the ever-present potato in mashed or chipped and pan fried form. On the opposite side of the "page" is the drink menu, a terse two lines: "Weak Stuff" and "Good Stuff."

[Dondasch]

Upon realizing that Darwin has led them to the Pint and Chisel, Rilele grimaces. 'I can't imagine them liking this.'
"Darwin, are you sure about this?"

[Rizban]

Tsuki sidles up next to Sylali, her eyes downcast and speaks to her just above a whisper, loud enough to be heard over the din.

"Pardon me, my lady Sylali, I've heard this place was good but never been here. If you want to leave, just say the word, and I'll be ready to serve."

Check her reaction - [roll0]
Watch the surroundings - [roll1] / Eiko - [roll2]

[Capt. Infinity]

"Heya Rogdar! And, I keep telling you, that's a physical limitation of my species which is nigh impossible to overcome, you joker you!" Darwin explains to his waiter/friend. At the question of further Wanderers, the Elf smiles. "Nope! Just us! We thought it would be nice to show our friends here what the rougher edge of fine cuisine feels like." He explains, grinning innocently.

Upon hearing Rilele's lament, Darwin hides his face behind the "menu" in order to speak. "Trust me! If there's anything they'll enjoy that isn't super fancy, it's food from here! And besides, if they get food poisoning, I always have my healing spells!" The Cleric explains, only avoiding a moral quandary with that statement through sheer, abject ignorance. "So!" Darwin cheers. "What'll you be having Elwyn? Sylali? Try anything on the menu, it's all delicious. I'd recommend the 'Soup 'n Shank'. It's a big hunk of meat on the bone marinated in a big bowl of stew. It's the best of both worlds! I'm not sure if you could swing any liquor, though. If they won't serve me, you guys would be a stretch. Unless..." Darwin trails off, a devious grin forming on his face. The young Elf turns from the booth, shouting down to the bar. "Hey Rog! We're ready to order!" When the Dwarf comes around, he explains the group's meal. "Soup 'n Shanks all around please!" On top of this, he also whispers an addendum to the Dwarf Waiter under his breath. "Oh! Also, neither of these two fine youngsters have ever had the pleasure of tasting Dwarven Moonshine before! Care to show them what they've been missing? I promise to not touch a drop! Bring it after the meal, if you please. They at least deserve a full stomach beforehand. After all, we're not monsters." He turns back to his compatriots, smiling like he just won them a pony. "Trust me, you'll love everything."

[Nettlekid]

"Hmmf. I'm bracing myself for the horror. But we can't very well leave now, I can't walk any more without nourishment, in however loose a sense of the word."
Sylali pouts, but your sense is that she's generally curious about what this is going to entail.

The Dwarf shakes his head woefully at Darwin's request.
"Lad, I'm not in the business of murderin' new customers. Who in the name of the Nine Hells have you brought t' my shop? A Werewolf'd cower at the smell of the silver they're carryin'. Why do I feel like I'll find my head on the wrong side of a block if I don't serve 'em on a diamond plate? Then again, if they like what they get an' word gets out..."

A short while later, the bartender returns with a platter of pots on dishes. Each is cast iron, with a similar iron lid with a wooden knob on the top. A smooth and deep stone spoon lies to the side of each pot, and where normally the handle of a ladle would poke out from the cutout on the side of the lid the gnarled end of a bone protrudes. He places each dish in front of his guests, and lifts the lid of the last pot in front of Darwin. A cloud of steam and a rich savory aroma rises out, and you're treated to the sight of a thick stew still simmering slightly from the heat of the pots. It's loaded with potatoes, carrots, and onions, and on the side in the interior is a thick round cornmeal cake soaking in the broth. The obvious focus of the dish however is the heavy shank of mutton in center. It had been browned on the stove so that it gained a crispy outer crust, which persisted as it had been left to contribute its flavor and cook more thoroughly in the proper broth. He returns to the bar and then to the table with similar platter of tin tankards of pale amber liquid, which a smell and taste suggests is the "Weak Stuff."
"Here's a lil somethin' to wash it down with. I couldn't in good conscience let you young'uns at my private stock of the family recipe home-brewed, triple-distilled Urdunnir Bitter. Strained through Earthsilk and accented with a touch of ripe Darkberry juice, it's a rich flavor evocative of the heart of the mountain that warms from within and leaves an earthy taste like-" he glances at his hand, "pet-ree-kor. Nope, couldnna let you have some."
There's a clinking noise of glass on stone floor, and Darwin feels something roll against his foot. It's a spherical bottle that had bounced off of the Dwarf's shoe.
"Bone appateet," the Dwarf nods, before hurrying off slightly sheepishly.


"Korren, is your real name Rogdar?"
"Nae, he misunderstood when first I met 'im. But tha' face, it's hard ta say no to, an' it's easier to roll with it."

[Capt. Infinity]

Darwin was quick to slide in the bottle and plant it firmly between his feet for the time being. In the meantime, he had no need of further provocation to chow down on the meal in front of him. As a regular of the establishment, the young Elven Cleric had come to expect a certain standard of quality from the Pint and Chisel, and today they certainly didn't let him down. In fact, against all odds, the food was even BETTER today. Perhaps they had spent a little extra care with these servings due to the high-class nature of Elwyn and Sylali. Perhaps they had brought out some sort of secret spice that the Dwarven family kept under lock and key for in case this sort of situation ever arose.

Whatever the case, to say the meal disappeared fast was an understatement. Darwin scarfed down the meal with a fervorous speed, seemingly incapable of being satisfied with the amount currently in his mouth, requiring yet more portions in order to sate his rampant hunger. Somehow, the Elf managed to maintain a clean face through all this, through some mixture of inherent, noble-blooded etiquette, natural Charisma, and the added benefit of his magic cloak. The whole of them combined managing to leave Darwin only requiring the occasional napkin wiping (which he did. He may be childish, yes. But his mother raised him right) in order to keep himself presentable and, more importantly, keep his suit clean.

[Dondasch]

Rilele eats her food slowly, taking care to be neat. The uniform may be stupid, but damaging it would not be likely to go over well... and it was actually pretty comfortable. The food was good, but somewhat strange, as most food she had eaten since leaving the Kalaom was. 'Well, I suppose that they will at least be unlikely to complain about the taste, though I wouldn't put it past them.'

[Rizban]

Tsuki jumps up when the food is served. She's not super savvy, but she does know how rich people like to be treated at least a little. They occasionally paid for private tours to gawk at the carnies, and she picked up a few things.

Snatching a cloth napkin, she places one in each of the two laps and then moved to remove the pot lids for them.

"En-Enjoy."

That settled, Tsuki returns to her spot and sees to herself, though she keeps a close eye on the girl next to her.

[Nettlekid]

"When in Khorvaire, do as the Khorvairians do, as they say..." Elwyn sighs, taking hold of the stone spoon. With a look to his sister, she does the same. He digs into the tender meat of the mutton shank and it breaks away from the bone with only the force of the spoon, and he collects a fragment of potato with the meat before taking his first bite. To his credit he gives it an honest consideration, chewing thoroughly. He pushes back a little, obviously surprised by the intensity of the direct salted flavor. He quickly grabs the weak ale and swallows a gulp of it, then eyes it suspiciously. He can't dislike the meal it too much though, as he takes another bite, and then a third. Although Sylali doesn't seem as enthusiastic about it, she's making progress through the stew as well. In the time it takes Darwin to finish his the two have eaten about half of theirs, and they gesture as though to say that they're full.
"Well, sister dear, was it everything you were hoping for?"
"I'll only know it was safe in about a day's time. If I haven't lost my innards or outright dropped dead then it'll have turned out to be surprisingly decent."
"Well, Elf, you're quite full of surprises, aren't you?" Elwyn remarks. "Have you suggestion for a post-meal constitutional?"

[Capt. Infinity]

"Funny you should ask, your lordship." Darwin elates, bearing a devilish grin as he reaches down under the table and rises again, bearing the bottle of the extravagant liqueur. "Rogdar dropped this when he passed. I wanted to keep it as a surprise. This is the fabled family distillation he spoke of. What was it again? "Triple distilled and filtered through stonesilk"? Whatever the case, this stuff is LEGENDARY. Now from what I've heard, it goes down smoother than freshly frothed cream, and chills more so than it does even tingle as it passes the throat. However, what I've seen is this stuff knock an ogre out cold. It took four men to drag him out the door. In my mind, both these records are a seal of quality, but I've been told I have a 'unique' view of the world. Whadd'ya say, your graces? Up to the challenge?" He asks of Elwyn and Sylali, slowly pushing the bottle over to their side of the table.

Is that a Diplomacy check? Or are they baited enough as-is?

[Rizban]

Tsuki, perhaps uncharacteristically, steps in, placing a hand on the bottle to make Darwin lower his hands.

"I'm not sure it's a good idea. If it can knock down out ogre, then wait a bit before trying it. I mean, would you really want to spend the rest of the day insensate having done nothing interesting?"

[Capt. Infinity]

Darwin considers Tsuki's argument. "Hmmm... Fair point. In that case, I'll keep it for later. We can all celebrate the evening with it after our work is done." He agrees, placing the bottle in his knapsack for now. "I'm terribly sorry you lordship and ladyship. But I'm sure the fruits of patience are not a lost concept on such regals as yourself? In the meantime, you mentioned checking around at the curiosity shops?" The young Elf suggests, attempting to keep up the pace.

[Rizban]

"Yes. Yes, if... it it's as good as you say, then it should be tasted and celebrated at the pinnacle of the day, not at the mere beginning."

[Nettlekid]

The siblings look at each other curiously, as if expecting the other to understand the strange dialogue between their escorts.
"Well if that's quite done with then yes, I'd be interested in doubling back and examining the flea market. There seemed to be a brick building stocked with magical jewelry that I'd like to see as well; you never know when you might find a diamond in the rough."

The two get up and gesture to their bags, expecting you to fetch their belongings again. Elwyn digs through his pocket (seemingly magically deep again, by the depth to which his arm sinks) and withdraws a small drawstring pouch that he tosses onto the table without a word. The sound of coins clattering within the bag chimes out as it hits, and considering he hasn't bothered to count it it looks like he's confident it will cover the bill. As the group leaves Elwyn and Sylali turn to face the bartender and in unison give a short, 30 degree bow.
"Thank you for the meal, Chef," they say together before exiting the establishment.

Retracing your steps a few blocks to the market district, you find the pair browsing through the stalls set up. Most of the stalls are for food and spices, though there are some pieces of woodwork and art. Say what you want about the siblings, but a life of luxury has given them an eye for quality and they recognize the majority of the wares as unremarkable. They buy a few spices that are more common in this part of the country, and toss them to you to put in any bag. What they're far more interested in is T'inker's Arms and Armor, an independent business operated by the Warforged and expert craftsman T'inker. Inside this humble emporium are bookshelves filled with tomes and bordered by cylindrical cases filled with scrolls, cabinets with sliding draws containing dozens of magical wands, and an assortment of bracers, boots, cloaks, and jewelry either displayed on mannequins or on a velvet display. Almost immediately the siblings' dispositions brighten, and they spread out to look over the store. They're entirely different people when excited and/or shopping. T'inker himself stands at the desk at the front, ready to field questions but not volunteering his service if it's unneeded. He doesn't say much, and trusts that anyone serious about making a purchase already knows what they're inquiring about. Indeed, seeing the Wanderers come in is a voucher for these two, since the Guild provides him with some of his most constant customers.

"Sylali, look, look, it's a Third Eye Dampening! This is the gimmick Nestil used to upset the semi-final duel in the Autumn Tournament last semester! Ooh, I want it, but it clashes too much with my goggles..."
"Ooooh, this is a Shatterspike, isn't it? It cleaves through shields and armor, though I've heard of the fencer Henn Sulstock whose strikes were so precise he cut off his foe's Goggles of the Midday Sun so that his shining blade techniques would work! God, this is so niche, it's like not that expensive but you just can't find it..."
"Hey, plods, over here. You're mages, are you not? I expect you have some familiarity with items like these. I want to hear your input, what would you pick up if you had the option?"

[Rizban]

Tsuki's eye light up. No one has ever asked her a question like that before! She hesitates for a moment before before answering.

"I'd want a custom spellblade dagger keyed to dispel magic... or gloves of the balanced hand or... or... a cowl of warding."

She suddenly covers he mouth and glances up at Sylali then back to the floor, clearly embarrassed.

The little cat pulls on her skirt, and Tsuki squats down as Eiko whispers in her ear.

Glancing up at Sylali again, she says, "Eiko wishes she had a shadow cloak in her size..."

[Capt. Infinity]

Darwin has no hesitation, raising his hands up in the air and waving it back and forth like this were an impromptu classroom. When nobody calls on his specifically, he lowers his hand and speaks. "Well, it really depends on whether you want lateral utility or general utility. If you're looking for a generally useful one, there's no contest: An Immovable Rod. Preferably two, so you can use them as a makeshift sky ladder. Those things can be used for almost anything. Pitching tents, holding up weak structures, holding doors open or closed, bonus handholds when falling or climbing, even keeping a wobbly desk level! And that's not even getting into the combat utility. I once heard of an adventurer who, when being chased by an enemy naval vessel, stuck an Immovable Rod at the waterline, and utterly gutted the enemy vessel from Bow to Stern."

The young Elf places his hand on his chin, considering his second pitch. "Now if you want something with less versatility, but far greater effect, then I'd recommend Feather Token: Tree. Enemy caravan chasing you? Boom! Instant forest blockade! Out of firewood? Wham! Instant logs AND kindling! Enemy combatants? Tie one of those things to an arrow, fire it at one of those ruffian's feet, say the command phrase and watch him kiss the stars! Or, should you ever find yourself inside an enemy, just utter the command phrase and marvel as your enemy bursts from the inside and out! Yes, you'll need to get creative with it, but the results are simply SPECTACULAR." Darwin finishes, satisfied with his answer.

[Dondasch]

Rilele sighs quietly with relief once they exit the Pint and Chisel, and vows to prevent Darwin giving the nobles the Urdunnir Bitter.


While wandering the marketplace, she keeps an eye out for anything that looks like it was made by the Kalaom; she was far away enough that none of their goods was likely to have made it here, but you never know.


She thinks for a moment before answering, tilting her head from side to side. "I, personally, would pick up a pair of Deathguardian Bracers. Some of my spells are less applicable to combat, and the Bracers would allow me to get more use out of them in such a situation. More generally, Boots of Swift Passage are an excellent purchase."

[Nettlekid]

The nobles listen to your suggestions, look to each other, and shrug.
"I suppose there really is no accounting for taste."
They peruse the store for about a half hour longer, examining wands and scrolls and occasionally asking that a display case be unlocked. By the end they have an impressive collection of odds and ends, Sylali favoring bladed weaponry and weapon crystals while Elwyn seems more taken with amulets, gloves, and various other equipment. They take their chosen items to T'inker (who behind his stony Warforged face is thoroughly excited) and unlike previously at the tavern they very carefully and precisely calculate the worth of the items they're interested in. A transaction is made, and the pair is several thousand gold pieces lighter but well-equipped for their effort. They call you over and deposit their goodies in a few different Haversacks.

As they turn to leave, Sylali looks to her brother and whispers.
"Elwyn, did you-"
"Yes."
"Ah."

The group exits the store, and the siblings move ahead a few feet to the center of the street while the three Wanderers manage with the bags behind them.
"Well, I'll say this, that was honestly more than I expected. I suppose that's supply and demand for you, even in a place like this if a Mage's Guild is such a prominent factor then the locals are going to cater to those needs. But that's that, we've got our shopping out of the way, and it's only early afternoon. What else can you-"
Elwyn's speech is cut off by a horrific resonating crack, like a thunderous stormcloud ripping itself in half. Dropping onto the street between the nobles and the Wanderers, likely thrown from the far side if the angle is any indicator, is a jagged Thunderstone. The resounding shockwave is literally deafening, and although Rilele is able to resist its effects Tsuki and Darwin both find their ears momentarily overwhelmed before an unpleasant, uncanny silence filled them. What's more, threaded through one of the Thunderstone's holes is a Smokestick, whose ignition has now filled the street with thick black smoke. Over the echoes of the Thunderstone Rilele can hear a shrill scream, but the smoke is obscuring her vision.

In the following half minute or so, the smoke begins to clear. On the ground, shaking, panicked, and deafened sits Elwyn. Sylali is nowhere to be seen. And from far down the road you can see a crowd gathering with a crying rabble of "Thief! Thief!" carried on the breeze.

[Dondasch]

'What?'

Upon hearing the scream, she races to find a way out of the smoke. She looks about hurriedly, but sees nothing until the smoke clears... at which point she notices that Sylali is missing.
'Oh no.'
'There's no time to lose.'
"Tsuki, you stay here with Elwyn!" She points forcefully at Tsuki, then at Elwyn, making sure her point gets across.
"Darwin, you go that way and look for Sylali!" This time she points at Darwin, then the street away from the crowd.
She then mutters a quick word, causing a group of unseen voices to start calling out "Guards! Guards! A half-elven noblewoman has been kidnapped! Guards! Guards!..."
The noise causes her to wince slightly, but she quickly races down the street towards the crowd, calling for Sylali.


Free action: Casting ghost sound to have twenty men shouting for the guards.
Full-round action: Running 120ft towards the crowd.

[Nettlekid]

The crowd, no more than ten people, hurries toward the clearing smoke. It's composed of the Dwarf barkeeper and one of his friends, several shopkeepers from the market, and a pair of town guards. T'inker has come to the door from within his shop, a wand at the ready. The crowd catches up at Rilele call out with her Ghost Sound.
"A Half-Elf noblewoman? A Half-Elf thief more like!" one of the shopkeepers spits out, furious. There's an incoherent cry of agreement from the mob, and the guards step forward.
"What's happening here? What was that crash, and the smoke?" one asks. "We have some very angry people asking questions, and I hope you're going to be able to give me answers."
"And you'd better be able to give them, Wanderers, you're answering for this!" Korren, the Dwarf, fumes. "You come into my bar with these fancy folks, and how dazzled I am for the pay I get. Less dazzled I am to turn back to the table, and see the bag o' coin gone! They nicked it back when they left, and I'm no fool to be swindled!"
"Nor I!" one of the stall-keepers steps forward too. "For every ounce of spice they bought they stole two more from behind my back! I demand retribution!"
T'inker steps out from his shop.
"I have just done a brief inventory, and I do seem to be missing a Water Whip not among the previous purchases. About half of the spent gold, too, is no longer where it was. This events are, as you might put it, distressing."
"These citizens have identified that Half-Elf as being one of two who visited their stalls today. Where is the other? And where are the stolen goods?" the guard inquires.

[Dondasch]

Rilele dismisses the ghost sound as she sees the guards arrive, as it had served its purpose.
She listens to what they all have to say, and launches into an explanation.
"The noise and smoke came from a thunderstone with a smokestick lodged within. Elwyn there is indeed one of the two Half-Elves; I do not know where Sylali, the other is. She was nowhere to be seen after the smoke cleared, but I heard a scream and assumed she had been kidnapped. As far as I know, all the goods are still in the bags with Elwyn, though Sylali might have some on her person."
"Given what you've told me, we should try to hunt down Sylali. Either she is getting away, or this is some over-elaborate kidnapping plot. In case this is a kidnapping or they are being framed, please try to avoid using force if possible."

[Nettlekid]

"This is a difficult situation," the guard muses. "On the one hand, if the two are innocent and she has been abducted, then any moment we spend discussing this is time the real culprit has to get away. On the other, if we allow him to roam freely, we may be playing into their plot and letting the sister get away with stolen goods. Wanderers, it seems these two were charged to you, and as the situation as nobles complicates matters we don't yet have legal recourse to take him into custody. You could provide us with the legal permission to do so, but only if that's what you think is the best course of action here. What is your plan?"

[Capt. Infinity]

Immediately after the young Elven Cleric regains his senses and taking note of the situation. Darwin says a few words in Draconic, calling upon the forces of the arcane in order to briefly pierce the veil between planes. And from this tear, in a burst of light, appears a creature from the planes of Elysium, bearing the form of an Eagle, but with an undoubtedly hallowed glow about it.

"MR. BIRD FRIEND! BLONDE, HALF-ELF NOBLE GIRL, WEARING A GREEN STUDENT'S UNIFORM, POSSIBLY ALSO WEARING A SUNHAT. FIND HER PLEASE! WHEN YOU DO, THROW HER THIS, TELL HER TO USE IT TO ESCAPE, THEN RETURN TO ME AND SHOW US WHERE YOU SAW HER." The Elf commands in an overly loud voice due to his temporary deafness, handing the Celestial Eagle the Minor Circlet of Blasting in the process.

[Dondasch]

"Well, I can't think of why they would steal so much; especially not why they would overpay Korren only to steal it back. They seemed wealthy enough to begin with. But I could be wrong, so it would be best if one of you guards stayed here with Elwyn, and Tsuki. Then the rest of us can split up and search. I'll go that way," she points down the road away from where the crowd came, "one of you guards can take Darwin and go that way," she points towards where the crowd came from, "and of of you merchants that want to help either catch a thief or rescue a kidnapped noblewoman can search where you see. If anyone finds anything, shout; run away if you feel you are in any danger. Pairing up would probably be wise"
"Don't try arresting Elwyn yet, but keep him here. If he tries to escape, then you have my permission to take him in. Does this sound like a good plan?"

[Nettlekid]

Elwyn staggers to his feet, still disoriented by the strike of the Thunderstone.
"I don't..." he mumbles. "What happened, what's happening now? The shop people, why are you here? And where's Sylali? Sylali!!" he calls out.

"It'll be somewhat difficult to keep him under control, at least until we can explain what's happening," one of the guards remarks. The other nods, and takes out a sheet of paper to start writing an explanation to Elwyn.
"It sounds like you can hear just fine, but your friends had it knocked out of them. If you think they'll be of help even in this state, then we'll set to it and search around." He motions to Darwin, takes out his own sheet of paper, and scribbles down the gist of Rilele's suggestions. The other guard is still discussing the situation with Elwyn. The shopkeepers aren't feeling all that generous about providing aid, but since finding Sylali is the first step to proving she's stolen from them, they agree to fan out.

The Celestial Eagle has returned by now, and drops the Minor Circlet of Blasting before returning to its home plane. If it saw anything, it did not have the capacity to describe it.

--------------------------------------------------
2 Hours of Gather Information later
--------------------------------------------------

The guards and Wanderers reconvene outside T'inkers Arms and Armor, where a freshly undeafened Elwyn is fuming about the suspicions of the townsfolk. Your search has been largely fruitless. Two hours ago, everyone in about four blocks had looked out their windows at the sound of the explosion of the Thunderstone, and there were a few witnesses who noticed a strange person cloaked in shadowy black fabric and wearing a blank metal mask with cross-shaped slits for the eyes and mouth fleeing from the scene, though it was alone and not with any captive. There were reports of this person in various spots around town for about half an hour, though each person had seen this masked person before word got out about the thief or the kidnapper, and so no one had made an attempt to stop them. After about half an hour from the incident, sightings had ceased. There had been no sighting of the Half-Elf girl.

"It's hard to track down anyone if you have no clue about them," one of the guards thought aloud to himself. "But while I was here, I was examining the evidence we have. It's hard to tell, being burnt up and all, but I don't think this Tindertwig was locally made. The stick itself is a different thickness than the usual kind. So if the kidnapper, if there is one, is local, they've had this imported. But I think, more likely, they brought it with 'em when they got here. So if it's not one of the two kids, and I'm not saying it isn't, but if it's not, then who might be after them?"

[Rizban]

I'm at a convention for work doing 13+ hour days this week. My posting will be sporadic at best.

Tsuki and Eiko look around for danger the instant they notice something amiss.

[roll0]
[roll1]

They both back away to the side immediately, before the smoke even starts to clear. They have no desire to be in the middle of the target area of an attack.

[Rizban]

Eiko, being both braver and more observant than Tsuki, notices Tsuki being partially disabled through their empathic link and takes off running towards the anomaly in the smoke.

Don't go! she feels from Tsuki, but Eiko is determined to do the job they were hired to do. She leaps into the smoke in an attempt to collide with whatever is there to try to flush it out, if nothing else, then scans the area she can see to the best of her ability, looking for some sign of what happened.

[roll0] Per
[roll1] Survival


Tuski, meanwhile, backs up against the wall, pressing her back firmly against it, knife in hand, clutched defensively in front of her. Fighting down the panic roiling in her stomach, she desperately tries to spot the attacker. If none appear, she slips into the shadows of the nearby alley.

[roll2] Per
[roll3] Stealth

[Capt. Infinity]

And so it was that Darwin returned to the team after the two hours, totally-not-a-ghost friend in tow. He arrives just as the guard is suggesting that they inspect the Tindertwig further. "Oooh! A clue! See, Nalia? I told you this would be fun! Oh, hey guys. This is Nalia, she's a member of the Guild. You've probably never met her before, she tends to work... Odd hours. But I managed to convince her to help us solve this mystery! We didn't find much on our end. And the best I can come up with theory-wise is that either it's one of the black marketeers setting up some kind of super-plot, or it's got something to do with the peace talks that Elwyn and Sylali's dad is taking part in. It's entirely possible that some mean beurocrat took Sylali hostage as leverage against their dad in the peace talks. Though who and to what end, I couldn't tell you. What's this about Tindertwigs?" The Elven Cleric asks, interested.

[Dondasch]

'Nalia, Nalia, who was she again?' Rilele pauses for a moment to think. 'Oh yes, the ghost. I don't think I've ever heard of her being out in broad daylight though.'
"Hello Nalia, and welcome to the team. I don't know how much of the events Darwin has told you," 'nor how coherent what he told you was,' "so I'll try to bring you up to date. Tsuki, Darwin, Eiko, and I were escorting Elwyn here," she points at him "and his half-sister Sylali around town for the day. However, after leaving T'inker's about two hours ago, someone threw a thunderstone with an attached smokestick, and Sylali disappeared in the chaos. Right after, merchants from the places we had stopped showed up, along with these two guards, reporting that many things had been stolen from them. We split up to search for Sylali, but had no luck."

"I suppose that if their father is involved in peace talks that gives us a motive for a kidnapper: they might plan to use her as a hostage. Elwyn, if you can think of any particular person or group who might profit from this, or who might have a grudge against you, your sister, or your family, please tell us. I'm going to go into T'inker's for a bit; I might have seen something earlier that may help us if T'inker is willing to lend it to us."


After going into T'inker's Rilele starts looking around. 'I think it was a pair of gloves. Let's see... Ah, here they are!' Rilele goes up to the counter. "T'inker, would you be willing to let us borrow those Gloves of Object Reading for a bit? I was hoping that if we used them on the thunderstone and such, that it would help us find whoever is responsible for all of this."


In case the appeal to self interest is insufficient, rolling Diplomacy: [roll0]
Edit: I just realized I forgot to add in synergy bonuses. Her actual bonus is +15, so the check was a 35.

[Nettlekid]

The unflappable Warforged looks up.
"Gloves of Object Reading? Clever notion, prudent application. Be my guest. If your actions end up returning my Water Whip, I'd be inclined to let you hold onto them for future endeavors. At least until an order comes in for a pair."
T'inker bypasses his Arcane Lock to retrieve the Gloves of Object Reading from their case, and gives them to Rilele. He then returns to the counter, waiting for more customers.

(Taking the liberty to assume you use them.)

Handling both the shards of Thunderstone or the burnt Tindertwig in hand gives the same reading. The previous owner was a Human Male, 28 years old, Lawful Neutral. He gained the item by picking it off the ground at the crime scene, and he lost it by giving it to you. The owner before him was a Female Half-Elf, 32 years old, True Neutral. She gained the item by purchasing it from an alchemist, and lost it by throwing it on the ground. The owner before her (if you bother to hold on) was a Gnome Male, 80 years old, Lawful Neutral. He gained the item by crafting it, and lost it by selling it to a Half-Elf girl.

Well then.

[Dondasch]

Rilele stands in silence for a moment. 'Well, I suppose that settles things.' Rilele turns to the guard who had been left at the scene, and speaks aloud. "According to the gloves, the previous owner of this item was you. The owner before you, however, was a 32 year old True Neutral half-elven female, who lost the item by throwing it on the ground and gained it by buying it from an alchemist. It seems Sylali is the thief, and likely also the cloaked figure people spotted."

I apparently missed this in my previous post, but Rilele would have recast message to include Nalia.

[Capt. Infinity]

Darwin looks wide-eyed at this revelation, and quickly sidles up to Elwyn. Whispering in his ear. "Elwyn, please. This is serious, so be honest. If you have ANY idea why that Thunderstone registers as being Sylali's, please tell me. I'm trying to help." He pleads to the Half-Elf Nobleman, trying to appeal to whatever decency he may have.

Am I still riding that 30? Or does this call for more Diplomacy?

[Prime32]

As she arrived Nalia looked to Rilele, then to Tsuki, then placed her hand on her new detective hat, frowning as if as suddenly conflicted about something.

She stood quietly while Rilele explained the situation and Elwyn exclaimed something about a shopkeeper's ancestry. "I think I get the gist of it and don't worry, I'm on the case! I've never yet failed to c-"

She paused in mid-sentence, her eyes locked on thin air. "Sorry, what did Miss Sylali look like? Could you describe her or... you can do illusions, right? Thanks, be back in a jiff." Once someone had provided what she was looking for, Nalia turned and vanished from sight.


On one level, you see nothing that the others do not. The small group (most of the shopkeepers have gone back to their stalls, assuming justice will be done) is gathered around the scene of the incident. But on another level, there is one extra player. Through your second sight where everyone appears to you as echoes of their own selves, blurred and muted, there is a crystal clear figure. Standing one one handlike foot with gnarled fingerlike toes it rises up, four double-length arms attached to a repulsive torso with a toothless, big-lipped mouth and a quartet of nostrils. At the end of those arms are four-fingered hands that look like sickly roots, and adorning those stick fingers are trinkets and baubles galore. Strung to its arms are pouches, and it holds an odd tube in one hand. A long neck swivels up and falls over with its own weight, where a small cavity of a second nose sits atop a much smaller mouth with a tonguelike tentacle danging off, and even smaller cavities give the impression of eyes. The creature's skin is dusky black, as though touched by shadow. With dexterity belied by its ungainly form it swivels around, sometimes passing through the onlookers who cannot see their dimensional neighbor. Its strange pendulous neck hovers from hand to hand, pocket to pocket, making motions as though picking up one of Elwyn's bags or drawing Tsuki's knives. Its hands just pass through, but maybe it's...practicing? In the midst of its bounding it notices Nalia, tilts its "head," and puts a crooked finger to the lips on its head-mouth and chest-mouth as though to say "shhhh".

At the same time on the Ethereal Plane, Nalia's outline shimmered and became slightly more distinct.

"Hey there, fella." She approached the strange creature cautiously. She'd seen these... things before and they were generally harmless, but she didn't want to scare it off. It was a potential witness here, and if the theft reports were any indication then it had been following the nobles' group for quite a while.

"Have you seen a girl pass through here, looked something like this?" She conjured a major image of Sylali by her side to demonstrate, imitating what she'd seen a moment ago as best she could. Still, could these things even talk?

A Diplomacy check couldn't hurt: [roll0]

Depending on how it reacts, Nalia asks for more details or about whether it's seen the masked person

[Nettlekid]

The strange creature half-cartwheels on its one handlike foot to Nalia, its long neck lashing back and forth to take a look at the illusion of Sylali. It gently tried to pinch at her sunhat, but its fingers pass through. Confused, it draws a piece of silver from one of the many pouches on its arms and tries to slip the silver in the illusion's pocket, then snatches the coin out of midair when it starts to fall. It makes a shrill whistling noise through its small head-mouth, while the big-lipped chest mouth lets out an aggravating groan.

The creature's confusion quickly turns to frustration, and its lanky neck whips around to face Nalia. With a lunge, its spindly fingers lash out in an attempt to snatch the Flametouched Iron Holy Symbol from Nalia's person.

(It doesn't have Improved Disarm, but you're flat-footed for this attempt and so you aren't able to make an AoO.)
Its Disarm [roll0] versus your attack roll (-4 for not being a weapon) [roll1]

Snatching the Holy Symbol from you its sunken eyes(?) swoop over the bauble, and it makes chittering noises as its pointed fingers stroke the Flametouched Iron. It quickly somersaults 25 feet back (remember that movement is halved on the Ethereal Plane) so that there's the distance of the crowd (still on the Material Plane) between you and it.


Elwyn looks nervous.
"I...I don't...Regarding the stolen goods, no, neither she nor I have any knowledge of such a thing!" he insists. "Per-perhaps, a particularly cunning thief had managed to first shield himself from magical detection, and then place the devices on my sister such that she would be marked as the culprit just as she has!" He doesn't sound overly sure of himself, though.

[Capt. Infinity]

Darwin looks seriously at the Nobleman. "Elwyn, I believe you. Well, halfway anyways. I know you and Sylali wouldn't steal anything, that isn't who you are. What I want to know, is if there is any reason at all as to why Sylali might want to run away for a few hours. Anything happening with your father? Any strange things she's done recently? Anything, please. What were you two mumbling about before we left T'inker's shop? Does that have anything to do with what's happened?" The young Elf asks in earnest to his fast trusted companion.

[Nettlekid]

Elwyn seems a little shell-shocked, crawling away from Darwin's touch. He's starting to suspect a good cop bad cop thing, and he doesn't want to play into it. Instead he staggers to his feet, taking a few steps back and muttering madly. This has not been a good day for him.

Any response of his, if one was coming, is interrupted by a man's voice calling from down the road along with the clanking of armor. A third town guard is running red-faced, with a very poor makeshift filter mask made out of a torn burlap bag over his nose and mouth.
"The masked man! The fugitive! He's-" the guard pauses to cough violently, "he's been spotted! Back at the Pint and Chisel! He's using gas grenades, knocking out civilians and guards! We think he's looking for the brother, and we need reinforcements!"
The two guards who have been with you this whole while spring to attention.
"Wanderers, we'll need your might for this! Whoever this person is, he's dangerous, and the public isn't safe while he's on the loose. This is the best chance we've got! Get the brother, we need to keep him close-"
"No! No!" the third guard pants, still coughing from the gas. "The masked man is after the brother! If he's an accomplice, we don't want the two together. If he's a target, then we'd be bringing him right to the assailant. If anything, we need to get the two away from each other!"
At this, Elwyn comes slightly more to his senses.
"Wait, no, I want to help! If he's got my sister, I can't just stand by and let others fight for me!"
"That's a noble thought, boy, but he's right," the first guard says to Elwyn. "We can't trust the masked man around you, and truthfully we can't trust you all that well right now either. I mean no offense."
Elwyn seems to take offense, and regresses back to shaking and muttering.
"Son," now the guard turns to the third guard, the out-of-breath one, "you've done good today. Are you up to fight again?"
"With all due respect, sir, I think I'm spent for the day," the third guard wheezes. "I won't be much help in the fight against the masked man. But I figure, maybe I can take one of the Wanderers for defense and take the brother out of the public eye? Maybe back to HQ, so any accomplices of the masked man don't hunt us down while we're distracted."
"Good man," the first guard nods. "That's sharp thinking. We can't trust the brother just yet, but with you and one of the Wanderers on your side, you'll be able to defend him if he needs it and keep him in check if he needs that."
"Aye, sir."
"Wanderers, you've heard the plan! All but one of you come with the two of us, let's take the fight to this fiend and bust this open once and for all! The last Wanderer, you go bring the brother to a safehold where we can keep an eye on him. Let's go, we've wasted too much time already!"
The first guard has whipped himself into quite a frenzy, and is taking off down the road. The second guard beckons to you, before dashing off after the first.

[Prime32]

"Hey, give that back!" Nalia reaches her hand out to the fleeing creature and an invisible force tugs on the necklace in its grasp.

Taking a 5ft step forward and diagonally up, then using telekinesis (Sustained Force) to yank the holy symbol back 20ft and catch it (Will DC 18 negates)

So how exactly does this work?

Ghostly Equipment (Ex): A ghost normally appears with ethereal copies of the equipment and other items she carried when she died. This equipment works normally on the Ethereal Plane, but like all ethereal items, it passes harmlessly through material objects or creatures. A ghost with a ethereal magic weapon can manifest and attack with it, though her attacks are subject to a 50% incorporeal miss chance unless the weapon has the ghost touch property. This phenomenon works much like a creature on the Material Plane trying to attack an incorporeal creature with a magical weapon. These ethereal copies of the original items fade away if separated from the ghost or if the ghost is laid to rest.

The original material items that the ghost carried in life remain behind, just as her physical remains do. If another creature seizes one of the originals, the ethereal copy fades away. This loss invariably angers the ghost, who stops at nothing to return the item to its original resting place. A canny ghost character arranges to have her original possessions hidden in a place where they will not be disturbed, so that she can use her ethereal equipment indefinitely.
Can Nalia "regenerate" an ethereal item after a while if it's stolen from her? Even if she can, she's going to try to take it back anyway.

[Nettlekid]

"Hey, give that back!" Nalia reaches her hand out to the fleeing creature and an invisible force tugs on the necklace in its grasp.

Taking a 5ft step forward and diagonally up, then using telekinesis (Sustained Force) to yank the holy symbol back 20ft and catch it (Will DC 18 negates)

So how exactly does this work?

Can Nalia "regenerate" an ethereal item after a while if it's stolen from her? Even if she can, she's going to try to take it back anyway.




I guess actually with that in mind, when the creature steals the Holy Symbol is fades away into nothing, and I suppose it un-fades right on Nalia's person. So she's actually an ideal person to fight this creature.

The monster trills with fury as its new treasure fades away like evaporating water, and it claps its hands at Nalia aggressively. In its lower right hand it readies the little tube it has, and in the blink of an eye a 15-foot column of water rushes out, working itself into a tether. It's the Water Whip! The creature makes a small spin forward to get within range of Nalia, and lashes out with the whip, frigid crystals of ice lacing the water's trail through the air. The monster is not skilled with the technique, though.
To Hit: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1] and [roll2] Cold

[Prime32]

Nalia gasped with pain as the frozen energy struck her in the side, and floated back again trying to get out of the strange weapon's reach. Then, as she narrowed her eyes, an entirely different chill began to spread through the air. "Alright, if that's how you want to play it..."

A glowing ball of light appeared in Nalia's hand, and she flung it at the filcher.

"Let's play." The ball swelled into a miniature version of Nalia herself, wielding an oversized lance. With a tiny battle cry it zoomed forward to stab and poke at the creature before it.

Activating Bracers of the Entangling Blast, then casting Persistent Blade.


When you activate these bracers, the next spell you cast or spell-like ability you use deals only half its normal damage; however, any creature damaged by the spell becomes entangled for 1d3 rounds, taking an additional 1 point of damage per level of the spell each round on your turn. This damage is of the same type as normally dealt by the spell (or your choice if the spell deals more than one type of damage). These bracers have no effect on a spell or spell-like ability that doesn't deal damage.

Persistent Blade attack [roll0]; Damage [roll1]
Crit confirmation if necessary (19-20) [roll2]; [roll3]

I'm not sure if the halving is before or after I add my Cha bonus to damage.

HP: 29/38
Spells Expended: Major Image, Persistent Blade
Equipment: Bracers of the Entangling Blast (2/3 charges remaining)
1d4-1 rounds before telekinesis recharges.

[Nettlekid]

(The halving would be after adding Cha to damage.)

The monster isn't sure how to counter the tiny attack, and it doesn't do a good job. The lance strikes and does very minor damage to the creature, but unravels into a web of ectoplasm which constricts the creature's many arms. Now vulnerable, it tries to slink away, but only makes it about ten feet. Its dusky skin shimmers and then fades away, blending in with the pale landscape of the Ethereal Plane. Even with Nalia's impressive powers of perception she can't actually pick up it's exact location...if it wasn't being wrapped up by shimmering ectoplasm.

[Prime32]

"Oh, you're not getting away that easily..." With another gesture from Nalia, thin shafts of light materialise around the bound ethereal filcher and impale it from all directions.


Magic Missile: [roll0] - assuming the Cha bonus applies once per target, not once per missile
Entangling Blast auto-damage: 1
Persistent Blade, second attack [roll1]; [roll2] (halved)
Crit if necessary [roll3]; [roll4] (halved)
Presumably the duration of the entangle is reset if it hits again

Ideal route would be to blast the filcher within an inch of its life and Intimidate it into compliance, then manifest on the Material Plane in a nearby alley, step out and shout "I've caught the thief! Everyone stand back, it's an ugly one!", use telekinesis to start a grapple with the filcher, then order it to return to the Material Plane (which doesn't let it escape the grapple, due to Nalia being present in both places) or she'll kill it. I'm not sure if that's possible though...

HP: 29/38
Spells Expended: Magic Missile, Major Image, Persistent Blade
Equipment: Bracers of the Entangling Blast (2/3 charges remaining)
1d4-2 rounds before telekinesis recharges.

[Dondasch]

Rilele tries to hide her grin, but is only moderately successful. 'Ah, a fight!'

She starts running after the guards. "Tsuki, you come with us! Darwin, get Elwyn to safety!"

While running, she points at Tsuki, Eiko, and the guards. "This is Rilele speaking. I've cast a message spell on all of us. We can whisper to each other from a distance, though I will have to act as a relay. If possible, let's try to capture this person instead of killing them, and bring them in for questioning."

[Capt. Infinity]

"Aye aye!" Darwin salutes, turning to Elwyn. "I promise we'll keep you safe. I am NOT losing a second person today. In fact, I fully intend to rescue the first! We'll get your sister back, or I'm not a son of House Silverwood!" He assures the noble Half-Elf, before turning to where the vague kinda-outline of Nalia was, completely ignoring the repercussions of what he just said. "Hey Nalia! We're going to the guard's building! When you're done being a ghost detective, come find us!" The Elven Cleric explains to his spectral companion, before turning to leave with the guard and Elwyn in tow.

[Nettlekid]

"Hurry, hurry, we can't afford to lose him again!" the first guard calls as he races down the street, with Rilele and Tsuki on his heels and the second guard close behind.
"Be aware, he was using gas. Cover your mouths and prepare to hold your breath. Wanderers, you may not have a chance to speak your magic words, so use what spells you want to have now!"
It's a solid ten minutes running through the market stalls back toward the Pint and Chisel, but you reach the adjacent street in due time (with plenty of opportunity to cast buffing spells if needed) and you hold. It's silent. The first guard, mouth covered, holds up five fingers, then four, three, two, one, points, and leaps out with a sap in hand. He rushes out into the fray!
.
.
Which, here, is an empty street. The guard whips his head around, looking for signs of combat or at the very least unconscious civilians taken out by the gas.
"Aye, guard!" Korren calls from the bar. "D'ya find them? That guy? Or the sister?"
"Wh-what? Where is he?"
"Who?"
"The masked man!"
"Well tha's what I'm asking you!"
"We received word he was sighted right here!"
"He hasn't been here. Not so much as I've seen, and believe me, I've been keeping wary."
"But the fight! The gas attacks!"
"There's nae been a fight. Or gas."
The guard looks back to the two Wanderers and his partner.
"Damn! Back, back!" he cries, before running off again in the direction you just came.


The third guard waves to you to follow, and sticking close to Elwyn the three of you start heading away from the market district in the opposite direction to Rilele, Tsuki, and the first two guards. As per the previous suggestion as soon as you can you head into one of the alleyways to keep off the main streets. The fewer people see you darting around, the better. As such you take a fairly circuitous route, and the going is slower than average thanks to Elwyn not running at top speed and the guard struggling to keep up with the amount of baggage he's now carrying. As such it's up to Darwin to take point and be the eyes and ears on the streets. Fortunately the path you've taken is nearly deserted, even when you have to cross the main streets. At one such juncture, as Darwin peers around a corner the guard helps Elwyn over a pile of firewood in the alley, and the Half-Elf catches up to Darwin to look with him.
"There's no one here at all. Well then."

As Darwin turns, he sees a shining silver rapier obscured by an illusory shadow figment of the same. The shadow of the sword passes by him, but the true blade strikes home and stabs him in the shoulder, a trickle of blood running down its length to mark the first touch. The guard is gone, and it is the cloaked man in the mask who stands before you in a precise lunging pose, leather-gloved fingers wrapped tight around the hilt of the blade. It's a fight!

Darwin takes 4 damage from the rapier attack.


The trilling creature screams as Nalia's Magic Missile strikes true, dealing significant damage to it despite its supposed hiding place. The crowd around you on the Material Plane has scattered, and the creature takes its chance. The entangling force is localized on the Ethereal Plane only, and while Force on the Material Plane crosses over to the Ethereal the reverse is not true. The creature starts inching away, and then slips through the cracks of dimensions to appear on the Material Plane. Its alien nature is magnified on the mundane city street, and its movements are faster in "real" space. It makes its cartwheeling movement and seems to snatch something from the ground, though what it is is unseen as it exits the ten-foot range of sight that Nalia has onto the Material Plane from the Ethereal. However its intention is clear, it flips into the shadows of a building across the way and vanishes into the shadows as its dusky skin obscures its form. It didn't seem to warp away and is only hidden well, though it risks revealing itself if it moves too fast.

[Capt. Infinity]

Darwin spins on a dime, staring intently at his new opponent. His trademark smile seeming distinctly more threatening, given the circumstance. And as he spoke, the wound on his shoulder already began to seal itself up, as the young Cleric's latent healing powers took effect. "Ooooooh. A duelist! Is it my birthday? Have at thee!" Darwin shouts, as he draws his rapier in his left hand before outstretching his right, releasing a flare of Searing Light upon his shadowy foe.

Free Action: Heal Minor Wounds on self

Ranged Touch Attack: [roll0]

Damage: [roll1]

[Nettlekid]

The masked man takes the Searing Light spell hard, and it hurt far more than the rapier had hurt Darwin. Recognizing that Darwin's attacks pose a significant threat, the masked man prepares to take the fight seriously. With a flourish, the masked man tosses the rapier into the air and as it comes back down the silver steel of the rapier dances with blue flame. With a quick turn the man projects his shadow over Darwin by holding the blade behind himself, then cuts through the shadow to deliver a strike of smoke and fire.

It's a dazzling display, but he misses!

Taking a small Tumble, he rolls through the cramped alleyway and to the other side of Darwin, putting Elwyn between the two of them, one hand grasping across Elwyn's body while the other keeps the rapier outstretched. Elwyn squirms and tugs at the man's arm, but doesn't weaken his grip.

[Capt. Infinity]

Darwin is quick to act. Running at top speed, the young Elf attempts to get between the shadowy figure and the alleyway's exit. "So you like shadows, do you? Well taste the cold light of day!" Darwin shouts, as he lets loose a Sun Bolt on the enemy attacker.

Free Action: Heal Minor Wounds self, again.

Move Action: Get behind attacker.

Standard Action: Sun Bolt on Shadow Guy: [roll0]

On a hit, Reflex save at 12 against being Blinded for one round.

Damage: [roll1]

[Nettlekid]

The assailant is too nimble, and ducks to avoid Darwin's Sun Bolt. The bolt continues though and strikes Elwyn square in the side, burning off part of his sleeve and knocking the wind out of the noble. Elwyn staggers back, lights dancing in his eyes, unable to see.

The masked man, perhaps surprised at the attack striking Elwyn, continues the offensive. Turning to face Darwin, he disappears from sight entirely. For a moment there is stillness, then a heavy strike to Darwin's back as the man plunges his sword into Darwin's other shoulder from behind. For a moment the invisibility persists, but then he reappears, seeming guarded against assault based on his solid form.

Darwin takes 3 damage from the attack.

[Capt. Infinity]

"Damnit! Sorry Elwyn!" Darwin yells, before turning to the attacker once more. "You are REALLY starting to get on my nerves. Eat this!" The Cleric exclaims, before pulling out from his belt what looks like a gem-studded Tiara. With the utterance of a Draconic phrase, the main gem on the Circlet lights up, as yet another Searing Light makes its way towards the assailant.

Free Action: Heal Minor Wounds again

Move Action: Draw Circlet of Minor Blasting

Standard Action: Attack with Circlet: [roll0]

Damage: [roll1]

[Dondasch]

"Blazes, we've been tricked! Everyone, we need to try to catch up to Darwin and that 'guard'!"
Rilele charges off with the first guard, returning where the group split up.

After arrival, she shouts out to Nalia. "Nalia, if you're still here, that guard Darwin and Elwyn left with was an impostor! They're hopefully heading for the guards' headquarters, so help us find them if you're able."
With that Rilele starts running again, taking the best route she knows to the HQ.

[Prime32]

"Hey Nalia! We're going to the guard's building! When you're done being a ghost detective, come find us!" The Elven Cleric explains to his spectral companion, before turning to leave with the guard and Elwyn in tow.
On the Ethereal Plane, Nalia nodded to Darwin absently. A few minutes later she re-manifested in a nearby alley, cursing about something under her breath before lobbing a ball of blue-ish light at the ground ahead of her. Gazing at her handiwork and seeing nothing but a thin layer of frost, she sighed and leaned back against a wall, focusing on knitting her wounds back together.

You could pass off "ghost detective" as "someone who looks for ghosts", right? She hoped this mission wasn't going to hurt her mystique - it was no fun making mysterious noises in the guildhouse at night if everyone knew who was doing it...

Final attempt to kill this thing - attacking a space she thinks it might be in with ice dagger, and hoping it gets hit by the splash damage (7 cold). I know dark creatures have cold resistance, but she doesn't.

If that doesn't work then she'll give up, refresh her spells and spend a few rounds healing up with Charnel Touch.



"Blazes, we've been tricked! Everyone, we need to try to catch up to Darwin and that 'guard'!"
Rilele charges off with the first guard, returning where the group split up.

After arrival, she shouts out to Nalia. "Nalia, if you're still here, that guard Darwin and Elwyn left with was an impostor! They're hopefully heading for the guards' headquarters, so help us find them if you're able."
With that Rilele starts running again, taking the best route she knows to the HQ.
"I'm here!" shouted a fully visible Nalia, stepping out from behind a building. "You go after them. I'll run on ahead, and try to cut them off!" Shedding her illusion of solidness, she flew directly towards the guard building, passing through any walls in her way. Once she got there she would double back on foot.

Running at top speed with her head down (and with minor illusions if necessary), so that anyone who catches a glimpse of her can't see her clearly.

[Nettlekid]

Nalia's beeline toward the guard's building is sidetracked as a dazzling flash of light shines out from an alley far to her left. There's a second burst of light, fainter than the first, followed by a third as bright as the first. More importantly there's the sound of steel on steel, but Darwin's voice and his spells' verbal components can be heard well above the clatter.

With Darwin's shot from the Circlet of Blasting the masked figure is taken aback, knocked into the wall. He staggers to his feet but then collapses to a kneel, injured by the attack and seemingly out of immediate tricks.
"Honestly I think we'd better just call it, huh?" Elwyn remarks. His shuddering behavior is gone, and he's instead cool-headed. He waves off Darwin and gives the masked figure a hand, before casting what looks like Cure Light Wounds on himself.
"Oh, yeah, because you need that so much more than I do right now."
"Hey, if you don't heal the healer, who's going to heal you? Isn't there a paradox like that? 'Who heals the man who heals those who don't heal themselves?'"
"I am 101% sure that's not how that goes."
Sylali removes the Mask of Lies and with it goes the shrouded cloak, though the lingering dance of shadows remains on her arms. After a few moments of concentration Elwyn manages another Cure Light Wounds, and then a third, this time repairing the wounds dealt by Darwin's light attacks. After regaining a little vigor she sidles over to Darwin.
"That was intense! I really like how you threatened with the sword but then continued your offense with magic. Very akin to dual-wielding, but a different blade. You're annoyingly dexterous, I think this could have gone a lot differently if some of my flashier moves had landed!"
"It was because they were flashy that they didn't land. You gambled too much on each strike."
"My form is excellent, I'll have you know." Sylali looks back to Elwyn.
"So what do you think? Points for quick action; a lot of people would go to pieces when literally stabbed in the back."
"I'll admit, I was rather touched when he persistently took my side even though the evidence pointed against us."
"Good combat form - I was expecting to see more use out of the sword, and the magic caught me off guard. Versatile. But I don't know about the naivety, he took the plan to split up hook line and sinker."
"I'm inclined to deduct points for continuing the attack when I was a hostage. Hitting me doesn't improve on that."
"But do we really want someone who could be declawed if we were captured?"
"I suppose not. I will say, I'm impressed that he stuck by us even when all evidence suggested we weren't actually rich. How many people would do that?"
"Oh yeah, that was something. Was that your addition?"
"No, I don't know what was going on there."
"Huh, weird. We should get to the bottom of that. The last thing we need is more ill will."



Rilele, Tsuki, and the two guards are running at full tilt toward the guard's building in the straightest path they can. In their haste one of the guard's feet steps down hard on a bottle in the road, which at first resists breaking enough to slip up the guard, and his falling weight shattered the glass. You see a number of potion bottles in the road, and with the sound of shattering glass something bursts out of the alley. Standing one one handlike foot with gnarled fingerlike toes it rises up, four double-length arms attached to a repulsive torso with a toothless, big-lipped mouth and a quartet of nostrils. At the end of those arms are four-fingered hands that look like sickly roots, and adorning those stick fingers are trinkets and baubles galore. Strung to its arms are pouches, and it holds an odd tube in one hand. A long neck swivels up and falls over with its own weight, where a small cavity of a second nose sits atop a much smaller mouth with a tonguelike tentacle danging off, and even smaller cavities give the impression of eyes. The creature's skin is dusky black, as though touched by shadow. It's hoping to stun you with surprise, and seems jittery, but who knows what it can do?

[Prime32]

Nalia hides within the wall, listening to the siblings talk. Just in case, though, she shifts as close to Sylali as possible.
Readying an action to use Malevolence on Sylali if either of them turn hostile again (Will DC 21 negates).

[Capt. Infinity]

For several moments, Darwin said nothing. Simply healing his own wounds naturally. He was a naive Elf, yes, but he wasn't stupid. And it didn't take long before the whole of what had just transpired clicked in his brain. "This... *sigh* <This was all a test.>" Darwin sighs, the latter half of his statement spoken in Elven. And not just Elven, but the proper dialect too. Not a single word was spoken with the slightest hint of the expected Common accent. Along with the change of language came a visible change of stance, with the young Cleric taking on a decidedly more serious posture and facial expression, even his eyes grew colder, more professional. "Here, let me fix that." Darwin states to Elwyn, before outstretching his hand and casting Make Whole on the noble Half-Elf's sullied garments, repairing them instantly.

Darwin continues to speak in his mother tongue, assuming the twins understood his previous statement."<Elwyn. I'm a Cleric. I took the chance when you were held hostage because I knew I could repair any damage you took. I also refrained from using my sword because, whilst I AM skilled in swordfighting, my spells are far more efficient in dealing damage. As for falling for your trap in the first place...>" The young Elf mutters, taking a deep, calm breath before continuing. He was clearly personally hurt at the deception, but he was not about to be made a fool twice over. "<I'm not a TOTAL moron. I knew we'd likely be ambushed, I just didn't anticipate how or by whom. Whatever the case, I knew I could more than safely protect Elwyn, my skills at doing so you've seen firsthand.>" Darwin explains, pointing with his rapier at the still-smoking burns on Sylali's clothes.

The vaguely insulted Cleric sheathed his sword and spoke in Common once more, a smidgen of levity returning to his voice, though not nearly as much as before. "Now then. I assume this all had a point to it? Or was this all some form of elaborate joke?" Darwin asks of the deceitful twins. At this point, he wouldn't really be surprised if this was all some form of game.

[Nettlekid]

"Oh no, I didn't mean to criticize your use of magic over swordplay, it was definitely the better option when facing someone who specializes in melee combat. The close terrain here played to your disadvantage; if you'd been able to gain distance it would have been completely one-sided." Sylali continues in the Common tongue.
"As the hostage in question, I don't know that I fully agree with your take on healing mid-combat. You're not short on firepower; a well-timed Cure Light Wounds served Sylali well or I doubt she would have held consciousness from your second Searing Light-"
"Out of my circlet I might add, give it back!-"
"-but had the Man in the Mask been an assassin rather than a kidnapper, you'd have done half his job for him."
"I think you're being too harsh on him. You're just sore because you got blasted."
"I am absolutely sore because I got blasted!"
Elwyn and Sylali sigh, resting against opposite walls in the alleyway.
"Of course it wasn't just a game. I'll admit, we do like to have fun with the acting, and the improv, but that's Bardic tradition for you. A flair for the dramatic at every turn."
"The 'spoiled rich kid' routine does come pretty easily to us, after all."
"But no, there was a definite purpose, and it's one that was worth the effort to dig out. You came to the conclusion yourself, not applicable in these exact circumstances but far too valid on a daily basis. When you were imagining who might be the assailant you put together schemes ranging from local goons to international politicians. You were not wrong, those affiliated with the higher workings of society are exceedingly vulnerable to attack from below. A monarch is betrayed by his advisers and confidants, a republic overthrown by its own people, and the middling aristocracy remains as pawns and puppets manipulated by whoever makes the highest bid or deals the lowest blow."
"Our father made a grave miscalculation in having children, politically speaking. He cares for us deeply, even if he has no time for us, which makes us his weak point. We've been trained to defend ourselves with whatever means we excel in, my brother in manipulative magic and myself in shrouded combat. But we're limited in our scope, of course. Right now he's dealing with political affairs miles away, so where are we? Out here, out of harm's way, where no one's really aware of us. Being too close leaves us open to attack, and thus him too. So we get put off to the side, and we get protected. But let's face it, good help is hard to find. People working only for a paycheck are swayed by a few extra coin. If a guardian decides protecting us is too much of a risk or that it's more lucrative to turn us over to an enemy force, we don't have a guardian at all."
"So we play this game and administer this test. And this time, I have to say, I had been hopeful. Basically, the general downfall of a paid bodyguard is that they do what they do for money. You guys, the Wanderers, you basically do whatever you want and if all goes well you end up getting paid too. You can't really buy pride and honor. And that's exactly what we saw here. Loyalty to a fault, even beyond reason at times. Which is why, I think we agree, you're the first people to actually pass. Even if you shot me."

[Capt. Infinity]

As Elwyn and Sylali give their explanation, Darwin's expression of anger almost instantaneously melts back into his trademark goofy grin. "Awwwww. You guys! I can't stay mad at you! I'd hug you, but I've learned not to try and hug people with swords" The young Elf explains, still grinning madly. "So, what happens now? Now that we qualify, what does that entail?" He asks, curious.

[Nettlekid]

"I guess you can't judge a book by its cover..." Sylali mutters, but she sheathes her sword and joins her brother in hugging Darwin.
"Truthfully, there's not much we have to ask of you now, but it's important to know that there's someone we can count on. You've proven yourself, and although we didn't so much have the chance to test your friends' mettle I'd accept your word to vouch for them. We'll probably be hanging around town for the rest of the week while our father is at the summit, and then we'll be returning home. I have concerns that something's going to happen at the summit, and if it does then I'll need the aid of the guild to set things straight. And if not, then there will be something happening soon enough. We'll send word if we need your help."
"Before we put this to rest though, there is the matter of the stolen goods to account for. That's something we can't let go unresolved. Town guards are usually mad enough at us for pulling a stunt like this (though let's face it, diplomatic immunity and a few gold to smooth things over usually takes care of matters) but this thief is giving us a bad name. But uh, I'll be honest, I have no idea who it could be. Behind us at the restaurant or in the Arms and Armor, there was no open point. I don't know how someone could have snuck in and out right under our noses."

[Rizban]

Rilele, Tsuki, and the two guards are running at full tilt toward the guard's building in the straightest path they can. In their haste one of the guard's feet steps down hard on a bottle in the road, which at first resists breaking enough to slip up the guard, and his falling weight shattered the glass. You see a number of potion bottles in the road, and with the sound of shattering glass something bursts out of the alley. Standing one one handlike foot with gnarled fingerlike toes it rises up, four double-length arms attached to a repulsive torso with a toothless, big-lipped mouth and a quartet of nostrils. At the end of those arms are four-fingered hands that look like sickly roots, and adorning those stick fingers are trinkets and baubles galore. Strung to its arms are pouches, and it holds an odd tube in one hand. A long neck swivels up and falls over with its own weight, where a small cavity of a second nose sits atop a much smaller mouth with a tonguelike tentacle danging off, and even smaller cavities give the impression of eyes. The creature's skin is dusky black, as though touched by shadow. It's hoping to stun you with surprise, and seems jittery, but who knows what it can do?Tsuki manages to stifle a squeak as the thing appears, her mind racing.

She casts nerveskitter as soon as the creature appears, as fight or flight quickly resolves itself. [roll0]

Readied Spells:
Steeldance x2, Flame Dagger (Extended), Whirling Blade x2, Ice Dagger, Persistent Blade (Extended), Guided Shot, Nerveskitter

[Rizban]

Assuming Tsuki goes first as Dondasch said in the OOC...Seeing a monster appear and threaten her, Tsuki reacts immediately to try to ward it off. A flick of her wrist twists a magic blade into the air as if from nowhere and sends it hurtling towards the beast, slashing at its grotesque hide.

Eiko moves to stand just in front of Tsuki, then crouches and hisses, her back arched menacingly.

Cast extended persistent blade, attacking the monster.
[roll0] - [roll1]

Readied Spells:
Steeldance x2, Flame Dagger (Extended), Whirling Blade x2, Ice Dagger, Persistent Blade (Extended), Guided Shot, Nerveskitter

[Prime32]

"I guess you can't judge a book by its cover..." Sylali mutters, but she sheathes her sword and joins her brother in hugging Darwin.
"Truthfully, there's not much we have to ask of you now, but it's important to know that there's someone we can count on. You've proven yourself, and although we didn't so much have the chance to test your friends' mettle I'd accept your word to vouch for them. We'll probably be hanging around town for the rest of the week while our father is at the summit, and then we'll be returning home. I have concerns that something's going to happen at the summit, and if it does then I'll need the aid of the guild to set things straight. And if not, then there will be something happening soon enough. We'll send word if we need your help."
"Before we put this to rest though, there is the matter of the stolen goods to account for. That's something we can't let go unresolved. Town guards are usually mad enough at us for pulling a stunt like this (though let's face it, diplomatic immunity and a few gold to smooth things over usually takes care of matters) but this thief is giving us a bad name. But uh, I'll be honest, I have no idea who it could be. Behind us at the restaurant or in the Arms and Armor, there was no open point. I don't know how someone could have snuck in and out right under our noses."
Unable to resist, Nalia took this moment to sneak in right under their noses.

"I think I might." She gave the twins a big grin, allowing Darwin to calm them if necessary, before conjuring an image of the creature she had encountered atop her palm. "Ever see one of these before? I spotted one skulking around near the square - things can jump in and out of reality whenever they want (honestly I'm kind of jealous). This one in particular seemed to have some pretty sticky fingers." The image changed to depict a dramaticised battle between Nalia and the filcher, ending with the beast running off in tears. "I wasn't able to catch it, but it's injured and it should still be around town somewhere. Wander Inn should be able to track it down before long." She placed her hands on her hips proudly.

After a pause she added "Also, I totally suspected what you two were up to right from the start. Definitely.", regretting that she had forgotten her detective hat somewhere along the way.

[Dondasch]

Rilele stands and gawks for a moment before regaining her composure. 'This thing has a lot of items. It must be the thief!"

"So, you're the one responsible for the thefts, eh?" she says, pointing accusatively at it. "Well I'm sick and tired of all the trouble you've caused, and the merchants want their things back. You aren't getting away from here!" After her speech, she quickly draws a crossbow bolt, encases it in ice, and flings it at the creature. Her allies' weapons begin to cover themselves in frost as well.

Standard action to use Dragonfire Inspiration.
Swift action to use the Badge of Valor.
Free action to cast launch bolt. If a [roll0] hits, she deals [roll1] piercing damage plus [roll2] cold damage

[Capt. Infinity]

"Yaaaaay, conflict resolution! Thank you, miss Ghost Detective!" Darwin elates, happy to be free of loose ends. "Don't worry about a thing, guys. If anything happens to you two, your father, or the summit, the four of us, or anyone I feel is trustworthy, will be on the case!" Darwin assures the twin nobles, giving a proud salute to his once and future employers.

[Nettlekid]

The abnormal creature trills, undulating its long, double-jointed arms. It has a number of scars from freshly healed wounds, and what's worse, it looks like it's been chugging potions, and they're having a bad effect on the thing. Tsuki's Persistent Blade lashes out but the creature dodges with surprising alacrity - has it seen this spell before? It's almost caught off-guard by Rilele's launched bolt, but the shard goes splintering into the wall behind it.

The short tube in its hand bursts forward with scalding water, and it lashes out at Rilele. It's T'inker's Water Whip! It's not particularly skilled at wielding the weapon but it looks like it landed a lucky hit, and the strike deals 3 slashing damage and 3 fire damage to her. As it does so it draws a silver sphere studded with rubies from one of its pouches.

[Dondasch]

Rilele grits her teeth at the creatures attack, but quickly hurls another frozen bolt at it. She conjures a glaive in her hands; the observant will note that it appears in her shadow's hands a moment before it appears in hers. "Alright everyone, attack!" she says, moving up to it and striking.


Free action to cast launch bolt. If a [roll0] hits, she deals [roll1] piercing damage plus [roll2] cold damage
Swift action to cast spectral weapon, creating a +1 glaive that makes touch attacks. The enemy gets a DC 17 Will save upon first being struck; if it succeeds, it takes only half damage from the weapon for this casting.
Move action to move up to it, keeping a 5ft gap between it and Rilele.
Standard action to initiate vanguard strike. If a [roll3] hits touch AC, all Rilele's allies get a +4 bonus on attack rolls against it for 1 round, and it takes [roll4] slashing damage plus [roll5] cold damage. This is subject to the aforementioned Will save for half damage.
Still maintaining Dragonfire Inspiration.
Roll for next maneuver: [roll6]

[Rizban]

The magical blade slashes through the air, darting back and forth in a pattern as if being juggled and thrown repeatedly.
[roll0] - [roll1]

Another blade appears in Tsuki's hand, only to join the first in slashing at the creature; however, this one seems made of magical ice, which shatters in a puff of frozen shards upon use.
[roll2](touch) - [roll3] (1 splash damage on a miss/to adjacent creatures)

Tsuki then backs away from the creature by several feet, closely followed by Eiko.

[Nettlekid]

Even spectral, Rilele's phantom glaive swings wide and her valiant strike is wasted. Her nimble bolt, on the other hand, strikes true and pierces directed into one of the creature's disturbing nostrils. Its chest-mouth opens wide, gagging and spluttering at the intrusion, as the chill spreads through it. Distracted as it is, Tsuki's paring knife slices through its skin, the magical force cutting with freezing power thanks to Rilele's Inspiration. Her projectile dagger is also launched to deadly effect, striking the creature and numbing its skin even as the shard of ice sinks deeper.

The creature had been like a frightened animal, desperate in its attacks, but it had gotten cocky too. Its tie to the Plane of Shadow, a boon to aid its espionage, had left it greatly inured to Cold attacks. And yet Tsuki's last strike was too overwhelming, ice upon ice augmented by the echoes of Rilele's frigid song. The cold spread to its heart, wherever that organ may be, and although it isn't dead the creature falls to the ground, the bitter numbness of hypothermia overtaking it.

It's bleeding out! Nice high-damage strikes (and since Persistent Blade and Ice Dagger both benefit from Dragonfire Inspiration I added those in.) If you'd done only a little damage to it it was likely to flee. You had to give it a decisive wallop here, as you've done!

[Dondasch]

Rilele smiles as the thing falls to the ground. "Thank you, Tsuki."
"We still need to go help Darwin. Can you guards stay here? That creature won't be going anywhere with its ill-gotten gains, but we don't want any opportunists walking off with some of it."

If the guards and Tsuki consent, she takes off in the same direction they had been going before.

[Nettlekid]

The guards agree, having been too bewildered to actually participate in the fight. They start removing the pouches and glitter from the monster's body, and administer a modicum of first aid to keep it alive, even if they aren't really sure what it is. It's out cold for now though, in more ways than one.

[Capt. Infinity]

As luck would have it, the group of Darwin, the twins, and Nalia begin doubling back, and quickly bump into Rilele and Tsuki. Darwin beams. "Hi guys! The guard was the iron mask guy in disguise. And then I fought him! But, it turns out, it was actually Sylali the whole time! And this was all an elaborate ruse by both of them in order to prove us all as trustworthy bodyguards they can call upon if need be. Also, Nalia fought a weird Kleptomaniac Eldritch Abomination, so that's fun! How's you guys' day going?" He asks, making what might be the strangest attempt at smalltalk in the history of forever.

[Nettlekid]

"I think a slightly more coherent explanation is in order," Sylali begins. "First of all, I'm regretful that we weren't able to see the two of you in action as we could your friend, though he has vouched for your valor. Yes, this was in effect a ruse, a demonstration. We explained this in greater length to Darwin, though I suppose perhaps it would have been prudent to have a second pair of ears for that description. The long and short of it is that being in the public eye carries with it dangers that are magnified when we think we can rely on those we cannot, caretakers and guardians who are easily bribed and corrupted. We needed to find those who we could rely on even in the worst of times. The loyalty of you Wanderers, backed up by the strength to actually hold true to your word, was more than we could have expected. For that, words don't do justice enough."
"I expect we should also apologize because this charade has come at rather a bad time. I implore you to believe we have nothing to do with the rash of burglaries through town, and your other companion described to us a mutant monster that she believes is responsible for the actions. It's still at large, but after causing you this much trouble and distraction thus far you can believe you'll have our full cooperation in helping you track it down."

[Dondasch]

While normally Rilele would have to struggle to remember that they were supposed to be protecting the manipulative nobles from harm, not inflicting it upon them, Darwin's explanation is befuddling enough that her anger fizzles. She can do naught but stare blankly as the siblings give her a more sensible explanation. Once she recovers her composure, she speaks on a subject she knows she won't say something rash about: the creature. "We had our own run-in with a creature on our way over here-- black, with too many arms and not enough legs. If it's the same, we had a bit more luck with it than Nalia. The guards are currently relieving it of the items it stole."

[Rizban]

Rilele smiles as the thing falls to the ground. "Thank you, Tsuki."
"We still need to go help Darwin. Can you guards stay here? That creature won't be going anywhere with its ill-gotten gains, but we don't want any opportunists walking off with some of it."

If the guards and Tsuki consent, she takes off in the same direction they had been going before.

"Oh. You..You're welcome."

Eiko sniffs at the creature and growls something at Tsuki, who translates.

"Should... we...loot it?"

Bah! Posting from the phone takes forever...Later, Tsuki stands quietly and listens as everyone gets caught up, content to simply be part of the group.

[Nettlekid]

The siblings look to each other.
"That...sounds like it's probably it."
"Wow, that was fast. So it only took one of you to deal with our whole thing, and the others cleaned up the mess we didn't make in the meanwhile? That's, that's very impressive."

The group returns to the site where the guards have the creature's arms tied up, and everything it had taken arranged on the ground in front of you. The second, more level-headed guard comes up to you.
"We got everything off of it and categorized it. A lot of these pouches we know the owner, the merchants from today, but there's a lot that's going to go unclaimed for a while. We'll send out a bulletin and keep this stuff in the lost and found and let the civilians trickle through to pick it up on their own. So we'll take care of that, but if you Wanderers would be so good as to take it back to the stalls an exonerate the nobles, that'd be ideal. Oh! Is this the sister? You found her; what of the Masked Man?"
"There's no need to worry about that, the Masked Man was a figment. It was a blunder of ours, and for that we apologize. I do believe you'll find this to be reasonable restitution for your efforts, though?" Elwyn hands the guard a pair of small, jingling pouches. The coins inside are grayer than gold, and they are not silver.
"Hey! Hey! No, that's not, I think that's illegal!" the first guard calls out. "You're still responsible for wasting official time!"
"Well, we did end up catching this thing," the second guard remarks, pointing to the Filcher. "I don't know that's a waste. I think this evens out."
"Actually, you should have been informed about our intentions here. Wait, did you not know? I thought you were acting really well!"
"Looks like someone dropped the ball on our front. Again, my sincerest apologies."
It takes some calming down from the second guard to cool the first guard's head, but eventually they decide all's well that ends well, and they set off to taking the bound Filcher away while hauling back the assortment of minor goods.

For the rest of the afternoon the Wanderers and the nobles go back to each stall they visited, returning the stolen goods and explaining the situation in Darwin-style abbreviated detail. There's a surprising magnanimity on both sides, as the merchants are embarrassed and a little nervous for having been so quick to blame the nobles, while the nobles explain that it was an entirely valid conclusion to reach and apologize for their involvement.

As evening approaches, the group returns to the Wander Inn, ready to rest and stomachs empty.
"That sheep stew thing really kept us going through the day, though, come to think of it."
"We should go back."
You might imagine this is where the siblings will part ways, but to your surprise the pair comes into the Inn with you. Guild Master Kotoni nods to you, passing off some papers to Tennick.
"Oh, yeah, I guess we actually forgot to mention. We're staying here for the rest of the week, for the duration of the conference. It is an inn after all, and father's cleared it with your master. It's the safest place for us, if the people here are of your caliber. Don't worry, we don't expect you to be chasing after us all week, but you may see us around."
"Of course, before the evening, we do have one more matter to attend to. This was a job, after all, and if today has taught us anything it's that we really do pay for the services we receive. Your master has already received standard payment for a commission, and we've requested an additional two thousand gold be credited to your accounts with the guild. Oh sorry, two thousand each, I do mean to say."
Kotoni looks up with surprise and recognition and dashes after Tennick, giving him one more piece of paper from his pocket.
"Sir, if you'd given me this...if, at least during daylight hours, I...mmrrr"
"But considering the effort you've gone to, I think it's fair that you get something more indicative of your worth. Let it not be said we're not generous. And also extremely wealthy!"
Elwyn rummages through one of his bags, withdrawing a number of trinkets.
"Rilele, you had remarked on the utility of Deathguardian Bracers to support defensively. A prudent choice. Here you are. Tsuki, you expressed a preference for the agility of the Gloves of the Balanced hand. A good choice. Nalia, was it, we didn't really know what to get you because we've known you for such a short time, but there's supposedly an enchantment on this plain iron ring that T'inker recommended. Darwin...here are some Immovable Rods. You can probably have fun playing with them."
Elwyn passes out each item to its new owner, and the siblings nod to one another.
"Good, full day I think. I'm exhausted. Let's see what that Halfling's got on the stove."


Mission Complete!
Rank: A