"You. You!" whispers the ex-cleric in a choked gasp. "You are 'Bends-wills-to-her', although your father changed it to a more human sounding 'Benilla'. Tis a shame. 'Bends-wills-to-her' is a name in the traditional succubus form as befits one of their spawn."

"They want you because you are rare child. You have succubus blood in your bloodline - in fact I guess you might even be a half-succubus. But your outward... <gasps in pain> ...outward appearance gives no sign of it. You have been slow to take to the worship and delights of Malcanthet too. You really do bend other peoples wills to yourself child." She closes her eyes.

OOC: If you check your character sheet you will indeed see that your character's true name is Benilla. I planned this back in Nov '14. :D :P

Yep. I noticed that when I first took over.

Celene stared at the dying woman in disbelief "Slow to take up worship? What would ever drive me to that? If anything taking me into the fold here in the Temple would only push me further away. It's as if you never wanted this for me."

"Heh! <sigh> I admit I've always had a soft spot for you child. I hoped you might find a better fate than mine... I don't know. I still though you'd end up aligning with us - your kind always show their true colours in the end. Heh. Purple for us, isn't it? The purple of porphyry marks us. Hard to hide..."

The woman's eyes are firmly closed now and her breathing is shallow and ragged.

"You'd better go. <gasp> They'll be here any second. <gasp> I doubt the pair of you could take them by yourselves."

OOC: Yeah, it was the tea. And Alohan was nice enough to make it for her! Just as well the barbarian didn't swallow his mouthful.
This message was last updated by the player at 18:17, Fri 28 Oct 2016.

Celene's eyes close as she tries to reconcile the sorrow of her mentor dying and the pain of her deception. The realization that she was to be used by House Porphyry sickens her to her core. She leans down and gives one last embrace to her mentor. She whispers to her "I'll see that Larcos Degrin's work is finished." not sure if the statement would give the woman hope or not in her final moments.

When Celene finally straightened her face looked more determined than it ever had before. She turned to Alohan. "We need to find the others; but first we need to escape these Sisters of Porphyry." Celene looked around for any clothes they might use as a disguise. She was sure someone would notice Alohan leaving the chambers of one of the temples high ranking officials and she didn't want to raise any more of an alarm. Especially when the woman would be found dead.

Not to sound too much like a grave robber but is their anything of use that Eseriel is carrying? No reason to let them House get them back.

There were no words to say. The lady had been a bit.. nefarious but she was all Celene had. Even if she fancied herself a demon inspired sex orgy every once in awhile that didn't make her any less of a mentor to his friend. Hell, he wasn't even sure if what they were doing was wrong. He put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed, giving Celene the silence she needed.

"Ya be tryin' ta hide me?" he said with mocking sarcasm. He doubted anything in Lady Magnus's closet would fit and if it did, he doubted it would hide his frame. "what, I be puttin' on de skirt and fancy myself a priestmen?" It took him a bit to realize his attempt at humor was a bit condescending. He frowned and tried to smile apologetically.

"You be right. let us be findin' someding." He turned to look in the nearest closet.

---

I dont want to outpace the other group even since we are on a later timeline than them.

OOC: Damn, you don’t let get sentimentality get in the way of looting, do you!

Celene bows her head in sorrow… for a few seconds, after that she is going through the old lady’s pockets for loose change.

Celene finds two more hairclips like the one that she and Alohan used to escape just before, and up to 5,000 gp of magic items that a high ranking cleric might have on her person. There is not time to more thoroughly loot the room as they have to make their escape.



The pair search Eseriel’s closests and find nothing but the grey and black ropes of a cleric of Wee Jas. Eseriel wasn’t a short lady, but even so it is clear these are going to look ridiculous on the broad chested native – the hem of the robes only come down to mid way between his knees and his ankles making it look more like a half length skirt.

Celene is no problem, she already has her clerical robes on and by putting her hood up she will not be easily recognisable.

OOC: Celene reakons that they might just be able to make a break for it. Of course men are not generally permitted to enter the residence areas of the temple (only women can become clerics of Wee Jas), but the guards are there to prevent men from coming IN, not out. And most of the guards are on the perimeter of the temple anyway.

Men do come in sometimes. Craftsmen for example… But using that subterfuge will take time and increase the risk of bumping into these ‘sisters of Porphyry’.

Men also come in as ‘consorts’ for the ladies (clerics of Wee Jas don’t take vows of chastity, and some even marry although this is frowned upon), but these trysts are kept as discrete as possible.

Celene grabbed the hairpins and gave one to Alohan "These might help if we get cornered on our way out." the sorceress grabbed a few more items and then listened at the door before opening it. She headed in the direction of the nearest exit moving as slowly as she could. She needed to grieve but this wasn't the time. Once they were safe she could break down.

She wouldn't happen to have a headband of alluring charisma would she? To bolster her ability to channel? Wand of Shield of Faith. 5 potions cure light wounds? That's 5000 gold.

Don't worry about that. Once they join you in this thread, I'll probably put the other thread on hold.

We will be making the assumption that everyone survives 'The Chimes of Midnight' in that they will all be present here for 'The House of Porphyry'.



Yeah, should could conceivably have that headband. Go for it. Confirm that the items total 5,000 gp.

I'm going to have to think about Celene and Alohan's exit from the temple and get back to you. So he doesn't have the robes on? That would have been funny at least.

Headband       4000
Wand            750
5 Potions @ 50  250

I figured another wand for Angati to use on Alohan. Then some healing.

I would say that the robes might help more than hinder. Are there windows in the room we are in?
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 18:43, Mon 31 Oct 2016.

Yes, she was a high ranking cleric so her rooms have some big windows - big enough for Alohan.

But the room is on the second floor.

But there are vines to climb down.

But the windows open out onto an inner garden where the cleric take strolls.

But it is in the heat of the day so it should be quiet now.

Alohan looks out the window and down to the inner garden two floors below. He wastes little time unlatching the window, opening it outward and planting a foot on the windowsill. "I be catchin' you" he said before stepping out into the open air. He plummeted down, spun, and landed in a three point stance. It was hard, but nothing he didn't expect, straightening himself, and looking up to the open window above him.

He glanced about the inner garden around him to make sure the coast was clear before turning back to his friend and holding his arms out wide."Come, come!" he loudly whispered.

---

20:17, Today: Alohan Nuari rolled 25 using 1d20+7 ((18)), Acroabtics vs DC15 for fall.  I think I can ignore some fall damage from a successful Acrobatics.

Celene pulls out a pair of gloves and pulls them onto her hands adjusting the fingers slightly before she gathers her skirts and slips out of the window. Celene reached out for the vines and swung herself out onto the wall and attempted to not injure herself too badly. The vines pull free from the wall and Celene plummets towards Alohan. The sorceress tries to tuck into the fall and lessen its impact.

22:47, Today: Celene rolled 6 using 1d20+1.  Climb Check. Assumed failure.

22:49, Today: Celene rolled 19 using 1d20.  Acrobatics to avoid damage. Avoids damage from first 10' of the fall.

Alohan lands a little harder than he would've liked to, but is pleasantly surprised to find the soft grass provides enough cushioning that he doesn't take damage. Celene's exit is much more ungainly. She squeals a little as the vines pry off the wall, but at least has the presence of mind to come down feet first. Alohan tries to catch her, mainly ends up just getting in the way, and the paid end up in a jumbled heap at the bottom of the window. As she gets to her feet Celene finds that she is also unhurt.

The barbarian and the multi-class sorceress/cleric head across the garden towards the door that Celene figures will put them closest to the back exit from the temple. This involves crossing the centre of the garden and moving along the side of leaf shrouded gazebo. Celene's breath catches in her throat as she realises that despite the afternoon heat, there are several people in the wooden building.

Magus Annah Teranaki, the aged and shrill high-priestess of the temple of Wee Jas sits inside, surrounded by several of her clerics holding court. The High Magus herself is lying down on a bamboo divan, and being fanned by several acolytes, and like usual, barely seems to be awake. Her vast brown bulk seems to simmer like an egg on a frying pan, even though she is shaded from the hot sun. Exactly like during Celene's ordination ceremony, the old lady surprises the sorceress with her perception.

"Eh? What is this?" enquires the priestess in her shrill, warbling voice. "He's not a gardener!" The Polynesian woman tries to move her vast bulk enough to prop herself up into a sitting position as she peers at Celene and Alohan through the leafy holes in the gazebo.

Indeed, although all of the gardeners are men, and it is common enough for them to be moving around at all times of the day, none of them walk around in loin cloths...

Celene looked at the Magnus with surprise. "Magnus Teranaki! I am surprised to see you here in the garden. I had assurances that it would be vacant. Magnus Eseriel was counting on my discretion and it would seem I have failed her." Celene looked down at her feet before turning her gaze back to the lounging woman "One can be forgiven an indiscretion once in a while? Can they not? I am sure your 'appetites' have gotten the best of you in the past?" Celene said as she ran her hand over Alohan's chest.

"Hump," grunts the High Magus dismissively. It is apparent from the bulk of the priestess that she seeks her 'pleasures of the flesh' in a different way. She points a languid little finger at Alohan.

“So boy, you made it all the way to Sasserine only to pimp yourself out to fatuous blonde bimbos and old ladies?” she asks, surprisingly addressing him fluently in his own language. “Is this what you intended when you set out on your way to this great city, hmm? Answer me boy! And tell the truth, I will know if you’re lying! Which island are you from?” she snaps at him.

Alohan bristled his chest at the woman's words, upset he had to remain 'in character' so as not to draw attention. Much of him wanted to promptly put the woman in her place but Alohan knew it wouldn't do much more than bolster his own pride. He didn't need that. He was confident in his own identity not to challenge every overweight Islander he met outside his island's shores. Still, what he wouldn't give to see the woman's face after she learned he was heir to the throne. For now, he would have to play the part. For now, his pele would remain.

He shifted into his own tongue, giving Magus Teranakia proper island courtesy. He hung his head low, arms wide, showing a sign of submittance that looked -to any outsider- nothing more than a generous bow. "Lovely lady," he began in his native tongue. "It pleasures me that you have showed interest in a pimp such as myself. Please, I do not mean to ruin your day with my presence. I am of the Isle Nuar -Pearl Harbor specifically" he explained, preferring to use his capital's native name versus the foreign Seagirt. "Sasserine is filled with many opportunities -don't fault me these fatuous blondes and old ladies enjoy an island man such as myself. I am providing a service that is in demand."

"But I would be remiss if I didn't mention how unsatiated these women leave me. They are no match for the ladies at home... or a lady such as yourself." He left himself trail off, stealing a glance at her in hopes his flattery was enough to divert attention.

Magus Teranaki ignores the cheeky islander's last comment, already drifting away at the mention of the sparkling Pearl Harbor. She continues talking in the native tongue that she shares with Alohan.

"I was just a girl last time I saw the pristine water and sparkling white sands of Nuar. Mighty Kamakou towers over all! A legend of a taniwha around every corner. I wonder if it has changed much. I always meant to go back. Just never found the time."

The lady has sunk back onto her cushions and the adepts have resumed their fanning. Her voice trails off and Celene and Alohan begin to wonder if she has fallen asleep. But she speaks up quietly, this time in the common tongue. "Be more discrete next time. I am running a temple here, not a brothel. Eseriel should know that. I have spoken to her before about this, I see we need to have words again..."

She dismisses them with a wave of one chubby wrist, not bothering to even open her eyes.

With relief the pair make their way to one of the gates leading from the garden. Celene can't resist one final look back at the window to Magnus Eseriel's quarters - the woman who had been almost like a mother to her over the last ten years. Whatever her ulterior motives, the cleric had taken her in off the street, hadn't mistreated her and had encouraged her to develop her native talents. True, only so she could be enlisted into some sort of succubus sex cult, but in a way was that even Eseriel's fault?

Celene's heart jumps as she sees a figure at the window. Eseriel? Was she okay? No, it is Belinda, the serving girl that Eseriel always used for sensitive missions. As the sorceress watches, the buxom blonde girl's face turns upwards in a snarl, much in the same way that Nylaria's face changed when Celene moved her along during the first day of Carnavalè. Then the girl's face changes back to normal... and she begins to scream.

"AAAAAAAIIIII! Magnus Eseriel is dead! Murdered! STOP THEM!" Belinda is pointing directly at Celene and Alohan across the garden courtyard.

Celene doesn't wait for anyone's response; she also didn't have time to deal with her emotions. She ushers Alohan out of the gate and then lays down a layer of grease to slow any pursuers. Her mind races as she tries to remember the quickest way out of the temple and she takes a moment to create another trap at each turn.

Upon seeing Celene taking evasive measures, all Alohan can do is dutiful follow along. Although he has his own tricks to evading pursuers, he forgoes doing any of them -the temple of Wes Jas is not his enemy. It would not sit well with him if any of them got hurt. Well... that plump Nuari lady could get herself hurt.

"We run, get away. What den? Dey not be findin' us?" Alohan barks in-between gasps of breath. "While I be dinkin' we carry enough weight wit de guard, I not be dinkin dey look away from murder..." He knew they would be able to get out of the charges eventually but the time wasted trying to clear their name will be a determent to them stopping whatever savage plague is about to befall Sasserine. "Dis not be lookin' good..."

Celene and Alohan dodge and weave their way through the temple, moving via the shortest route through the kitchens to exit the building. There is the sound of pursuers, but also the sound of cursing as the various obstacles that the par has left behind take effect – the grease spell cast on a step flight of stairs particularly causes a lot of consternation.

They don’t stop running when they get to the streets. They move as quickly as possible to the safest place in town – the former Lotus Dragon lair that now serves as Angati’s home. Thankfully, they find that their colleagues are back from their various errands and all three of their friends, Logan, Angati and Kassius are in the base enjoying afternoon tea.

OOC: Yay! Now this thread has all of the characters in it!!

As the sorceress collapses into one of Angati’s fancy armchairs and then begins to consider her situation. True, in a city where high level clerics and truth spells are available she will be able to clear her name, but it will take time. Does she have time to do that and stop Nylaria’s nefarious plan? Eseriel told her not to bother to even try – the old lady considered the temple guardian way beyond their abilities to destroy. They need some help, but who would be interested in taking down a demon tainted nest at such short notice?

Celene caught her breath and then interrupted afternoon tea "We need to find Vorsh again!" she half yelled. "He owes us for all the help we gave him with the Cabanites and the Revolutionary Guard. Never mind that he is responsible for the whole mess to begin with. He'll want it done as much, if not more, than I." waited to see if anyone knew where the man was completely forgetting to give any type of explanation for her ranting.

11:25, Today: Celene rolled 24 using 1d20+7.  Knowledge Arcana. To recall anything about the giant phallus statue.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:39, Tue 08 Nov 2016.

OOC: I'll give a chance for all the players to have their input here on what their characters want to do.

Celene has never read anything about a porphyry construct like this before, but assuming it has similar properties to a stone golem they party are looking at this following:

- adamantine weapons required to bypass an impressive DR
- immune to magic effects that allow spell resistance

What worries her is that this 'porphyry boy' is much larger than any construct she has every heard about. She thinks that the party really needs assistance in order to defeat this foe.