Paridon: The Dark Metropolis (Ravenloft)

[InVinoVeritas]

Hieran and Darian

The jester in Darian's tow looks cowed. The mask hides most of what he is feeling, but he does not resist being held by Darian, and does not look hurt.

The masked lady nods in agreement with Hieran, and leads back down the walkway, past the gnome couple and the other woman. No longer sulking, the pawed and tailed one is spotted on all fours, rubbing her face into the discarded mask. She suddenly looks up with a start, pink crystals smeared uselessly all over her own mask. She stands back up. Her companion passes her by, shaking her head.

 

[InVinoVeritas]

Torhan

Sasha smiles, relieved and excited. In one swift motion, she whisks off Torhan's mask and kisses him. Deeply.

Torhan is first surprised at how passionate the kiss is. He then notices something gritty and sticky in the kiss, like hard candy. It tastes like cherries, and feels like fire. And then an odd sensation comes over him... In that kiss, that moment, he sees a new possibility. His love, his devotion to his path, everything he holds dear... can be found in Sasha. Here is someone who showed him trust, overcame her fear of authority to confide in him, removed her "new face" to speak with him, and shows him love. Images of a lifetime of devotion to another, of finding that fleeting sense of conviction every day waking beside him. She could be his confidant, his companion during the rough times, his goddess. She could--

No. He has his conviction. He has his strength. He has chosen his path, and he would never throw it away for some simple tradition from another race. He breaks the kiss to ward off the feelings, and rubs his lips to remove the rosy traces left behind. He looks as Sasha, and she is afraid.

Still close to his face, Sasha whispers, "No, please, don't resist, I won't hurt you. Please, he said I could have a new face if you came to love me. I don't want to wear that thing again. Please, it's okay..."

[sblock=ooc]Good time to make a saving throw.[/sblock]

 

[InVinoVeritas]

Fr. Berman

Hastily, Fr. Berman gets out the dragon powder. Uncork the powder, pour in a measured amount, insert the bullet--where is the bullet?

The beaked figure, saying nothing, flaps his arms and skitters along like a broken kite, coming closer, closer...

Two hands, Fr. Berman thinks, I only have two hands. Cork the powder horn, let it drop, fish out the bullet from the pouch--why is this taking so long??

The man's head bobs in a birdlike fashion. His cloak covers him completely, making him look like some kind of grey, misshapen sheet.

Drop the bullet in the pistol--there!

BANG!!!

Close range, the shot is a sure thing. It hits, and a bloody spot appears in one of the beaked man's arms. That was a good shot, very strong.

Yet he does not drop, finishes closing, and pecks the priest forcefully in the chest.

Through the pain, Fr. Berman sees the man's eyes. They are driven, and seem at peace, despite the tear that comes out of the mask's eye socket.

[sblock=ooc]Take 5 points of damage.[/sblock]

 

[jkason]

Ru Brike, AC 16 / 17 vs. Lug (Dodge). HP 30

Ru

The driver responds mockingly to Ru's surprise and confusion. "Oh..." he says.

He looks back to the vacated driver's seat, the galloping steeds, and the festivities straight ahead in the plaza.

He turns back to Ru, cackling maliciously. "Oops."

"Lug, you always were a nutty moron," Ru growls. Knowing his time is short, Ru focuses his attention and strikes. If he can hit the right nerve cluster, Lug wouldn't be able to maintain his balance, and the road would take care of him.

[sblock=OOC]I'm not sure if he'll need to move to do it, but Ru's going to try a Stunning Strike against Lug. The rules for stunned only mention not being able to hold onto anything and losing Dex bonus, but at the very least that loss of Dex bonus might make him fail a balance check, so it's worth a try.

Unarmed attack +6, damage 1d6+3. If that hits, Lug has to make a Fort save vs. DC 14 or be stunned for a round.[/sblock]

 

[Rhun]

Torhan stands and looks down at Sasha, his face unreadable. "Who said that? And what compulsion did you attempt to use on me?" His voice is stern, but more curious than angry.

 

[kinem]

Father Berman, hurt but not too terribly, backs five feet away from the masked madman. The priest had expected an attack, but certainly not by means of a peck with the lunatic's mask. He decides that before he kills the misguided freak, he ought to see the man's face.

"Lady, let this man be still, I pray." He casts hold person, though knowing it is a short term solution at best. (ooc: DC 15)

If it works, he will attempt to disarm the man of his mask and any other weapons. If not, he will simply begin to reload his pistol again.

 

[InVinoVeritas]

Hieran and Darian

As Hieran and Darian observe the strange woman, a loud, sharp sound is heard. First, they think that it is another firework, but then they realize--that was a pistol.

 

[InVinoVeritas]

Torhan

Sasha whispers, "Just a love potion, honest. I covered my mouth in it... And... you know who made this deal for me. The one I'm with." She gestures toward the front door, and the gnome in white beyond. "Alek."

Alek stands outside patiently, alone. He checks a pocket watch.

"You know what's crazy?" Sasha continues, "I think the potion is affecting me... I don't want to leave you." She looks down and hands Torhan her mask. "Still, I suppose you think I'm terrible, now. You probably should just help me put this back on," she sighs.

 

[InVinoVeritas]

Ru and Fr. Berman

Ru flips himself upward from his position in an attempt to kick Lug in the neck. He connects, but finds his neck surrounded by a thick layer of muscle.

"Ow!" Lug responds. "How did you--never mind. Get off this thing, NOW, and you won't have to investigate a whole bunch of little gnome death, got it?" He reaches down in an attempt to peel Ru off the back of the carriage. He grabs a hold of Ru's collar.

Fr. Berman finishes his prayer, and the madman's movements slow for a second. Yet... with that peace in his eyes, he feels a conviction greater than the prayer. The priest barely manages to load his next bullet before getting his buckler up in time to fend off another pecking.

Ru notes that Lug's mask has made space for his overly large nostrils. There's no muscle there, he thinks. As Lug tries to pull Ru up, Ru slams his fingers up Lug's nose. Blood runs forth immediately, and a shocked Lug topples off the end of the carriage into a crumpled, rolling heap on the cobblestones.

[sblock=ooc]Ru connects for 4 damage, but Lug makes the save. He attempts to start a grapple, but fails... and opens himself to an attack of opportunity by Ru. Ru attempts a second stunning attack, which connects for 9 damage, and Lug fails this second save.

Fr. Berman takes a 5' step, casts his spell, and the madman saves. His attack is unsuccessful.[/sblock]

 

[Rhun]

"You are not terrible, but love should come from the heart," says Torhan, smiling down at Sasha with compassion in his eyes. "Not from some potion. Now quickly, tell me about this Alek."