"But you have people, right?" Pisca continued with an insistent solicitude.  "People who care for you?  Everyone needs people, and I'd feel so much better if you said yes."

"Just a moment, Lys," The gnome raised a finger for forbearance before dipping into her pouch and coming out with a single gold coin which she folded into the hand of their urchin-guide.

"We may have to part ways here, Mac," she said, her small gnomish hands still clasping that of the street-wise human child.  "The last time we went into one of Foxglove's houses things became ... rather ...  Lets just say, you wouldn't have enjoyed it."

"If things work out, we'll find you again.  At the docks, yes?  If not, then it was a pleasure to meet such a Right-Sized and very gnomish human."

One GP to Mac.

Cato stared at the door, willing it to open.  After all the trouble in Sandpoint, the long travels here, they found themselves at the door to the Foxglove Townhouse, their progress stymied by a simple thing like the city guard.

"Yes, let's try the keys we found.  In truth, I'm not sure the Chimes would be the best for...discreet entry.  I've never used them, but I think they make audible noise when they are used.  Although most of the energy is magical, some of it is actually audible, and I'm not sure how much noise they might make, but it's something keep in mind.  Then again, chimes aren't the usual noise a thief would make, so maybe it would be overlooked?"

"Agreed" Kellan replied when the keys were suggested. "And if they don't fit... nothing says that we can't speak to the guard directly. We have nothing to hide"

There was of course the chance that the group they were after had their influence within the Magnimar Guard, if that were the case it was likely that they could arrange for their arrest and imprisonment anyway...at least to Kellans mind.

---

---

“What’re Creepers?”  Mac looked at Liseth to see if she was joking.  “A gang outta Underbridge, scoot ya right off th’ way if yar na swiveling.  Sczarni rat bastards, th’ lot ‘o em.”  He spit on the ground, then looked at Pisca.  “People?  Guess I sorta got Gustav—he’ll feed me.  But guidin’s good coin . . . I can handle myself.”  He puffed his chest out.

“Yar sure ya can find yar way back?”  The urchin’s tone of voice suggested he had doubts the group could get anywhere without his guidance.  “Up ta ya.  If ya reck me again just tell Gustav, I’ll swing by th’ Sword n’ Anvil every so often ta check.”

---

---

---

---

Kerr paid the rest of Mac’s fee, assuring the boy that they would let Gustav know if they needed further guidance.  The urchin grinned as he pocketed the coin, giving the group a jaunty wave as they moved towards the double front doors.

Upon reaching the doors, Pisca pulled Foxglove’s keys out of their container.  The second key did the trick, sliding easily into the locking mechanism and emitting a satisfying click when turned.  The doors seemed unusually thick and heavy; Pisca had trouble opening them.  They were no problem once Kellan pitched in, although the awful screeching they made while they swung open suggested the hinges could use some oil.

As the party stepped through the front doors they realized that the house wasn’t quite as deserted as they had originally thought.  A roaring fire crackled in the fireplace and a half-full glass of wine sat on a small table between two chairs facing the blaze.  The unmistakable sound of dishes being moved emanated from what must have been the kitchen or dining room further back in the townhouse.

The double doors directly ahead of the party swung open.  A tall man appeared, wearing a dark blue coat with gold stitching that perfectly set off his pristine white shirt.  He stared at the party, then broke into a very recognizable, charismatic smile.  The party stared at the man.

It was Aldern Foxglove.

   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
1 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
2 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
3 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
4 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
5 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
6 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
7 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
8 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xDDDDDx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
9 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x A|  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--x--+--xxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
10|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxDDxxxxDDx--+--xxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
11|  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  x  |  |  |  |  C  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--x--+--+--x--+--+--+--+--T--F--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
12|  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  D  |  | K|P |  C  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--x--+--+--xxxxxxxDDDDDxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
13|  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  x  |  | L|C |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
14|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |R |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
15

F = Fireplace
C = Chair
T = Table
A = Aldern Foxglove

"Aldern!"  Wide-eyed in her surprise, the gnome took a step into the room before turning her back on the figure across the room, ostensibly to share her delight with the others.

"Bostisch," she exclaimed with apparent joy, while using her body to shield the act of wrapping a small length of copper wire about her index finger.  That finger, in its copper sheath, stabbed out to first Cato, then, Kerr Mollin, then Liseth, then Kellan, and then came finally around to point at her own chest.  "We've missed you, Aldern.  Each and every one of us."

The smile never faded from her lips, even as Pisca stuck her hand behind her to work the copper wire from her finger.  And it dimmed only slightly, fading from her eyes to a harder sort of look, as she whispered in her throat to the others.

"That can't be him.  It just can't."

Cast Message (60m)

Proposal:  Average of (Bluff + Stealth + Sleight of Hand) / Spell Level (At least 1 because you can't divide by zero.) vs Perception to cast a spell without being noticed as having done so.

Pisca Neep Freemish rolled 3.  SoH.
Pisca Neep Freemish rolled 18.  Stealth.
Pisca Neep Freemish rolled 12.  Bluff.

Average = 11 / 1 = 11 vs Perception to detect Pisca's spell casting Message?

Pisca is going to cast the spell regardless.  The only difference is in whether Aldern recognizes it as such based on either the acceptance of this impromptu method or the success or failure of the perception check.

From behind Kerr and Pisca, Cato stared at Aldern.  No, it can't be.  We already killed him. . Cato slowly shook his head.  When Pisca's message came to him, the mage almost imperceptibly nodded and sent back a reply through Pisca's magic.  "I agree.  It must be a trick.  This can't be him."

Cato spoke a single word and made a gesture, opening his eyes to the flows of magic around him.

Whatever Pisca's using to try and disguise the casting, Cato will likewise use.  But he'll be casting Detect Magic regardless

Kellan's awkward notion of entering the very much occupied home quickly turned to confusion, with a hint of frustrated anger upon seeing none other that Foxglove himself.

His pole axe came off his shoulder in an instant into a more ready posture that was a hairs breadth from outright brandishing, only held so because of Piscas sudden politness.

"Sarenrae...it sure looks like him..."

This wasn't right.  "How...you can't..."  Liseth took a step backward.  This isn't Aldern Foxglove; it had to be a fake; an illusion or...a ghost!  They had talked and met with Foxglove enough times that Liseth knew he would never greet them silently.  "It's like he was waiting for us here..." she whispered.

Suspicious, wary, and a little frightened the oracle grasped Sarenrae's symbol and said a prayer.  "Sarenrae, shine your light down on us and reveal the presence of unholy undead."  If this was an undead trick trying to catch them unaware, Sarenrae would show her the truth.  If not...

OOC: Cast Detect Undead
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/...lls/d/detect-undead/
This message was last edited by the player at 06:01, Fri 13 Apr 2018.

---

---

"I've missed you too, Pisca," Aldern responded with a smile.  His perfectly-coiffed hair seemed to be straight out of a portrait.  He did not respond to the party's somewhat-rude spellcasting, if indeed he noticed it at all.  "I have to admit I am slightly surprised, but it is good to see you all.  We have much to discuss!  Iesha was just putting dinner on the table.  Would you care to join us?

"Iesha, we have visitors!"  He called into the back room.  "We'll need four more place settings!!"

Aldern turned back to the party.  "We were cooking for two, so your portion sizes may be a bit small, but I promise you it will be worthwhile.  Iesha is an amazing chef."

The well-dressed noble opened the door through which he'd come a bit wider and gave the group a gentlemanly bow, stretching his arm out to invite them into the dining room.

   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
1 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
2 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
3 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
4 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
5 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xDDDDDx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
6 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--x--T--x--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
7 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  T  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--x--T--x--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
8 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  D  |  D  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xDDDDDx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
9 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x A|  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--x--+--xxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
10|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxDDxxxxDDx--+--xxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
11|  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  x  |  |  |  |  C  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--x--+--+--x--+--+--+--+--T--F--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
12|  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  D  |  | K|P |  C  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--x--+--+--xxxxxxxDDDDDxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
13|  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  x  |  | L|C |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
14|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |R |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
15

F = Fireplace
C = Chair
T = Table
A = Aldern Foxglove
This message was last edited by the player at 17:42, Fri 13 Apr 2018.

Cato stood still in the doorway, staring at the nobleman they killed...they thought they killed back in Sandpoint?  He relayed his results to the others via Pisca's spell: "I can't detect any magic here.  Of course, Illusion magic is one of my weakest points.  There are ways to circumvent the simple use of Detect Magic.  Mask Dweomer or Magic Aura might work, I suppose, though I don't know either spell myself.  Still, it might be reasonable to assume that if someone knew of our activities in Sandpoint, they would take such relatively simple precautions to defeat the immediate response we might take to such a thing."

Cato thought a little more, and then added a final comment.  "If we...interacted with the glamor, if that's what it truly is, the magic might be defeated.  Pisca, perhaps you could 'accidentally' find a way to do that?  But if we're digging that deep into this magic, maybe this is the real Aldern.  And we killed some kind of simulacrum back in Sandpoint?"

Cato found to keep his expression neutral in the face of the...thing? man? in front of them.

"No," the gnome insisted through her Whisper Magic.  "That is not Aldern."  Her voice contained a certainty that went beyond the simple words.

"Oh Aldren," Pisca replied with false solicitude, "how could we even think of putting you out."  Dipping to her pouch for a pinch of cat hair, the strawberry blonde gnome did not even bother to hide her casting this time.  "Why don't we go out?" she suggested.  "We know an inn with wonderful food."

"We need to capture this one," she whispered to the others as her second spell transformed the limber grace of her body.

Cast Cat's Grace (6m)

Active Spells:
Cat's Grace 6m; Message 60m

Used L1 5/5; L2 2/3

Kellan felt his stomach sink as the interaction continued. Regardless of what he had done in life, the dead deserved to rest...at least here, in the world of the living. It had seemed that time and time again Aldern had been twisted, changed, mimicked, and tormented...and here he was again, acting oblivious to any sort of trouble or wrong doing.

Part of him wished it was true, that there had been some terrible mistake and that the Aldern Foxglove who had given him the boots he was still wearing was real, and was living out his days happily with his beloved...but in his gut he knew it was not the case

"That I can do" Kellan assured Pisca, if this man was flesh and blood Kellan felt confident that he could bring him in alive, it was expected after all...that a guardsman should be able to bring a man in to face justice without having to resort to outright butchery.

No undead in the area.  That alleviated one concern but merely raised others.  "On the outside your house looked abandoned.  We...didn't think that we would see you here...so soon...after we saw you in Sandpoint."  Liseth didn't know what to say or ask.  It can't be Aldern Foxglove!

"He's not undead."  She whispered with Pisca's magic, "There aren't any undead in the area even.  Maybe this is some kind of...extension of the curse from his Manor?"

"How is Iesha?"  Liseth never met the other girl while she was alive but was haunted by the undead form of the girl hauntingly similar to herself in appearance.  Shrieking and clawing and crying..."Should she be cooking?  She was...in a state when we saw her...last."

---

---

Kerr stood in the back of the group, trying to determine how this would play out.  Was this the real Foxglove?  It couldn't be.  But it sure seemed like the real one.  He shot a look backwards towards the street; he hoped they were able to do whatever they needed to do here without attracting the attention of a city guard patrol.  He wasn't sure how common it was for a group to stand at the doorway of a townhouse in this area.

Truth be told he was kind of happy to be standing in the back; interacting with Lord Foxglove had never been one of his strong suits.  As the noble conversed with Liseth and Pisca, Kerr figured it would be a good time to put his training with Ser Klerris to use.  He reached out with his feelings, and . . .

"Guys," Kerr said urgently to the others via Pisca's spell, "there is definitely evil here."

---

---

This message was last edited by the player at 01:12, Sun 15 Apr 2018.

---

---

"An inn?"  Aldern's voice held a musing quality.  "I don't know what Iesha would think about that.  She has . . . particular ideas about a hostess's duties.  Iesha!"  He called back again.  "Come and greet our guests!"  He raised an eyebrow at Liseth.  "I wasn't aware you'd ever met her."

The door to the party's left opened to reveal a beautiful, blonde-haired woman who looked remarkably like Liseth.  Her long navy-blue dress fell to the floor, set off by a baby-blue apron.  Her hands were covered with a white, dust-like substance.

Her smile was radiant.  "Welcome!"  She said brightly.  "Any friends of Aldern are friends of mine.  Please," she invited, waving the party in with a welcoming gesture, "come join us!"

   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
1 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
2 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
3 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
4 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
5 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xDDDDDx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
6 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--x--T--x--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
7 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  T  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--x--T--x--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
8 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  D  |  D  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xDDDDDx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
9 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x A|  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--x--+--xxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
10|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxDDxxxxDDx--+--xxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
11|  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  x  |I |  |  |  H  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--x--+--+--x--+--+--+--+--T--F--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
12|  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  D  |  | K|P |  H  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--x--+--+--xxxxxxxDDDDDxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
13|  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  x  |  | L|C |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
14|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |R |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
15|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
16|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+

F = Fireplace
H = Chair
T = Table
A = Aldern Foxglove
I = Iesha

---

---

Kellan felt the whole thing to be quite surreal. Even after all they had endured, societal convention still seemed to give them pause. Everybody knew it was wrong, Kerr in his own goddess given given way could even feel that it was wrong, and yet here they lingered upon the threshold.

Kellan looked to Iesha, noticed the resemblance immediately,  but something stronger took over...his protective instinct...Liseth behind him, Pisca to his right...

"Back!...back both of you!" Kellan barked as he brought the point of his pole axe to bare against Iesha. "We will not be toyed with!"

Will interrupt when Iesha is still at I11 and attack if she moves any closer.

"I think there's a lot that you aren't aware of, Aldern," Pisca replied, even as Kellan dropped into his protective stance.  "If you have anything to say to us that might convince us that you are who you are, you'd best say it right now."  The shining steel of gnome's small slim blade cleared its sheathe with a singing rasp.

"Tell us about the Misgivings.  Who's in charge there now?"

"Lysa," the gnome whispered with an intensity missing from her audible speech, "do you have the calming spell?"

Draw rapier.

Active Spells:
Cat's Grace 6m; Message 60m

Used L1 5/5; L2 2/3

Cato quietly reaches into his spell component pouch, his fingers moving around through the compartments until he is holding some fine shavings that resemble sawdust - but much more fragrant.  Licorice root in hand, he silently mouths the words to a spell, sensing the tension building up and readying to unleash his arcane powers.

Ready to cast Haste which will affect all party members if Kellan attacks or is attacked.
Basic effects: +1 Attack when using the attack action.  +1 to attack rolls, Dodge AC and Reflex saves.+30 ft movement speed.

Everything was so wrong here.  An ALdern Foxglove that could not be Aldern Foxglove.  An Iesha who could not be Iesha.  For all the world it was like they had simply stumbled into an innocent dinner.  Except that the house was all boarded up and looked abandoned.  And Aldern Foxglove and his wife were lain to rest in Sandpoint...

"I do..." Liseth answered Pisca, "do you want me to calm everyone down?"  It seemed like a natural action given the situation.  "Pisca," the acolyte continued, "we can't fight here...even if this isn't Aldern Foxglove, anyone else would think he is.  What if...it's a trap to get us arrested?"

---

---

Iesha stumbled backwards through the door, looking terrified of Kellan's polearm.  For his part, Aldern appeared equal parts furious and concerned.

"Kellan," the noble put his hands up at chest level, palms out.  He spoke with a measured voice, though some tightness was evident.  "What are you doing?"

"And no, Pisca."  Aldern contradicted the gnome while keeping his eyes fixed on Kellan's weapon.  "I don't think I have to explain anything right now.

"Let me tell you what I am aware of.  You have just walked into my home.  I welcomed you, and you brandished your weapons at me.  I think that is what needs explaining."

"Hello."  A voice rang out from behind the party.  Kerr turned and saw a uniformed city guardsman standing next to him, looking at the group with a mixture of curiosity and concern.  He was taller than Kerr but not so tall as Kellan, with sandy-brown hair and dark eyes.  Like the other guardsmen they'd seen, the man was outfitted in nice-looking scale mail under a blue tabard emblazoned with Magnimar's crest: an angel flying over a stylized bridge.

"So," the guardsman said, leaning casually against his halberd as he kicked mud from his boots, "what's going on here?"

   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
1 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
2 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
3 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
4 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
5 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xDDDDDx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
6 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--x--T--x--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
7 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  T  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--x--T--x--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
8 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  D  |  D  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xDDDDDx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
9 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x A|  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--x--+--xxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
10|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxDDxxxxDDx--+--xxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
11|  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  x  |  |  |  |  H  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--x--+--+--x--+--+--+--+--T--F--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
12|  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  D  |  | K|P |  H  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--x--+--+--xxxxxxxDDDDDxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
13|  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  x  |  | L|C |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
14|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |CG|R |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
15|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
16|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+

F = Fireplace
H = Chair
T = Table
A = Aldern Foxglove
I = Iesha
CG = City Guard

---

---

Kellan glanced back over his shoulder and looked somewhat relieved. Even if they were far from home, part of him instinctively seemed to see the Magnimar Watch as a friend in times like these.

He lowered his weapon and took a step back.

"It's a long story sir, and not fit to be told standing in a doorway." Kellan began.
"I know things look bad, but we have our reasons...and no harms been done as of yet." He continued to face the man who claimed to be Aldern as he spoke.

The gnome stood stunned, unsure of her own memories.  Had the things back at Foxglove Manor actually happened?  Or where they figments?  Unreal fancies?  But then the slightest of jingles from the keys in her hand woke Pisca from her doubts.  It had happened.  He'd died with his eyes on Liseth and Iesha's name on his lips.

"No!" the gnome shouted, and bound across the floor.  "We have to force him out!" she continued.  "FOR ALDERN!" she cried as she slid to a stop behind the figure so ghoulishly like the human that they all knew in his better days.

"Can't trust anyone in Magnimar," she whispered to the others through her magic.  "Help me," was her plea.  Then Pisca plunged the tip of her tiny blade into the left buttock of what must certainly be a Faux Foxglove.

Move to K8
Attack A

Pisca Neep Freemish rolled 20.  Hit with +2 Archaeologist's Luck +2 Dex Cat's Grace.
Pisca Neep Freemish rolled 2.  Damage -1STR +2AL.

Active Spells:
Cat's Grace 6m; Message 60m

AL: 13/14

Used L1 5/5; L2 2/3

Cato froze in place when the guardsman appeared, his fears regarding the Hellknights suddenly sprouting wings and taking flight.  Cato's plans to aid his friends vanished as he fears surfaced.

Pisca's sudden spring into action drove Cato to action, though, ironically it was his own Hellknight training that enabled him to act in the face of his worries.  His training as a Signifier had included plenty of practice at acting instead of being frozen by indecision or fear, and the mage stepped into action, finishing his spell.

Cast Haste which will affect all party members
Basic effects: +1 Attack when using the attack action.  +1 to attack rolls, Dodge AC and Reflex saves.+30 ft movement speed.
6 rounds remain

---

---

Pisca's sudden dash forward seemed to catch everyone flat-footed, including Aldern.  The irrepressible bard slipped behind the noble and--before he could even react--she sliced at his posterior with her weapon.  After all, attacks to the rear are the most dangerous.

As the gnome dashed behind Lord Foxglove to deliver her surprise attack, she noticed some things.  Like a rich mahogany dining table set for two.  Expensive looking art on the walls.  Something cooking in the kitchen smelled delicious.  And lurking in the doorway right next to her was the formerly-frightened Iesha Foxglove, now wielding a wicked-looking longsword.

Taking Pisca's attack in stride, Aldern stepped back through the door, placing the gnome between himself and Iesha, then expertly drew his longsword from its back sheath and slashed at his diminutive attacker.

The attack hit home, drawing blood as the sword bit deep into Pisca's shoulder, driving her to her knees.  Before the gnome could do more than grunt Iesha buried her sword into Pisca's side, nearly knocking the gnome to the ground.

The City Guardsman looked at the group as if they had all gone mad.  "WHAT IN INDROS'S NAME IS GOING ON HERE?!?"

   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
1 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
2 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
3 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
4 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
5 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xDDDDDxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
6 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  |  w  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--x--T--x--+--x--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
7 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  T  x  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xDDxxxx--T--x--+--x--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
8 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  |I D P|A D  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--x--+--xDDDDDxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
9 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--x--+--x--+--xxxxssx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
10|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  x  |  x  |  |  | sx  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxDDxxxxDDx--+--xxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
11|  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  x  |  |  |  |  H  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--x--+--+--x--+--+--+--+--T--F--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
12|  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  D  |  | K|  |  H  x  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--x--+--+--xxxwxxxDDDDDxxxwxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
13|  |  |  |  |  x  |  |  x  |  | L|C |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
14|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |CG|R |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
15|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
16|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+

w = Window
s = Stairs
F = Fireplace
H = Chair
T = Table
A = Aldern Foxglove
I = Iesha
CG = City Guard

COMBAT

Pisca Neep Freemish

Result:  Inflicts 2 points of damage on Aldern Foxglove.

Aldern Foxglove

Free Action:  5' step to L8
Move Action:  Draw Longsword
Standard Action:  Attack Pisca

17:48, Today: Secret Roll: The Raconteur, for the NPC Aldern Foxglove, rolled 16,5 using 2d8+8,2d6.  Critical Longsword Damage to Pisca.
17:45, Today: Secret Roll: The Raconteur, for the NPC Aldern Foxglove, rolled 22 using 1d20+10.  Critical Confirmation.
17:45, Today: Secret Roll: The Raconteur, for the NPC Aldern Foxglove, rolled 29 using 1d20+10.  Longsword Attack on Pisca.

RESULT:  Pisca takes 21 points of damage.

Iesha Foxglove

Standard Action:  Attack Pisca

17:50, Today: Secret Roll: The Raconteur, for the NPC Iesha Foxglove, rolled 17 using 1d8+4+2d6.  Longsword Damage to Pisca.
17:50, Today: Secret Roll: The Raconteur, for the NPC Iesha Foxglove, rolled 25 using 1d20+10.  Longsword Attack on Pisca.

RESULT:  Pisca takes 17 points of damage.  She is rendered disabled.

<b>STATUS:  Pisca has taken 38 points of damage and is disabled.  All party members may now take combat actions.

---

---

This message was last edited by the GM at 17:48, Wed 18 Apr 2018.