The Void-Eater
The Hope's Flame Theatre, Alexandria, evening.
_Phantasm of the Choir_, a long-running musical show by the esteemed (if somewhat mired in controversy, especially after the failure of a sequel show to _Phantasm_, _Love Always Thrives_, and allegations of plagiarism from Theatre District composers) Handel Boyd Weaver, is having yet another performance on the stage of the Hope's Flame Theatre, known for being accessible to all people regardless of the weight of their coinpurse, although the front two rows are commonly snapped up at large prices by wealthy nobility as a means of keeping the further-back seats free for people who couldn't pay the costs otherwise.
Unfortunately for the troupe, their star for tonight's show, Listina di'Aubigny, a Myrrish opera star of half-sil descent, has bowed out due to suffering a panic attack (a malady she is known for) during a performance of Phantasm the night before. An understudy stepped in and took her place, but the role Listina played is technically demanding. A favor was called in, and that's how Cor'lana Lupecyll-Atlon, known in the Theatre District as a writer of poetry, a contributor of song lyrics, and a prominent 'theater doctor' (someone who rewrites songs and even entire shows badly in need of reworking), came to be the replacement for Listina for one show only.
The Explorer's Guild has contributed a couple of adventurer guards on account of Void attacks throughout Alexandria, but there are also family and friends of Cor'lana present in the front row. All seems well. The orchestra is warming up in the orchestra pit. People are excitedly chattering about how the Temptress of Alexandria (Cor'lana's beloathed moniker) is going to play the role of an innocent opera starlet caught between a handsome man in a mask and her betrothed. Everything seems normal.
Until a butler (as there are a few who come up and down the rows, attending to audience needs before the show) delivers a note to the adventurers in attendance that reads as follows:
"There are six of us. We are hiding in plain sight. You might know who we are. If you don't, you'll learn. May the hunt begin."
The music begins to play softly, an indication that people should be seated. The show's about to start... In more than one way.
GAME: Rune rolls perception: (1)+43: 44 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Rune rolls perception: (2)+43: 45
Any performance with Cor'lana as the star is likely to be spell-binding, but Rune is not expecting to be handed a piece of paper just as the show seems to be getting started. She looks at it with a moment of confusion, unfolding it and leaning towards Harkashan so the two can share whatever it is that is written there. That confusion only deepens as her brows furrow.
Rune is distracted from the sound of music that indicates the beginning of the performance, and instead turns in her seat, looking at the rows behind her. "What kind of bullshit..." She mutters to herself, not loud enough for the words to carry much further than her mate beside her. The rogue pushes a pair of glasses up on her nose and starts to peer at people with some measure of suspicion.
However, at first glance, most don't /seem/ out of the ordinary. "I don't get it... is this some kind of joke?" She whispers over to Harkashan. Then, she looks towards the others, brows raised questioningly.
GAME: Cesran casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 20 DC: 24 GAME: Cesran casts Mind Blank. Caster Level: 20 DC: 31 GAME: Cesran casts Greater Arcane Sight. Caster Level: 20 DC: 30 GAME: Cesran rolls perception: (14)+25: 39 GAME: Cesran rolls spellcraft: (9)+42: 51
Cesran has taken seat away from the front so that he might get a better view of the crowd. It helps that he has a staff that can look as well. He has her pointed away from the stage watching for any funny business from behind him. As the note comes he nods his thanks to the butler as the note is delivered. “Thank you.”
Cesran opens the note after looking it over for any magic, don’t need any explosive runes going off in his face. He reads it and he folds it up before he puts it in a pocket on the inside of his robes. He holds onto his staff as he casts a spell, Greater Arcane Sight, the show having not yet started, so hopefully the din of the conversation will hide his spell casting.
As the spell completes, Cesran’s eyes glow a bit more than they usually do as he looks around. He notes all who have magical items including his fellow adventurers, the one that catches his attention is the university student sitting right in front of him to his right. They have an item that looks to be about the size of a bracelet giving off very strong auras of abjuration on it. It takes but a moment for him to know what the bracelet is. It’s a Seducer’s Bane with Dimensional Shackles on it. Now why would a University student have those.
GAME: Auranar rolls Sense Motive: (18)+3: 21
Auranar doesn't want to interrupt the play, but the note that she is delivered is concerning to say the least. More concerning is that she notices that only she and select others are receiving the note. She doesn't recognize all of the people handed the slip of paper by the butler, but she leans over and whispers to Verna, "I'm going to go after the butler and ask him some questions. Excuse me."
With that, she stands up and quickly, but subtly hurries after the butler that gave her the note; taking her bow with her (her quiver is already strapped to her thigh). She catches up to the butler quickly and asks the burning question on her mind. “Where did you get this letter and who told you to deliver it?”
“That a nice gentleman over there,” He says, pointing over to the nobleman that is next to the noblewoman with the fine feline. “Gave me the notes and told me to distribute them.”
Convinced that the butler isn’t lying (and has no reason to), Auranar turns her dark eyes upon the nobleman in question.
GAME: Telamon casts True Seeing. Caster Level: 20 DC: 26 GAME: Telamon rolls knowledge/dungeoneering: (13)+18: 31
Telamon was sitting there, waiting for the show to start, a glass of good wine in hand and his family at his side. And then someone hands him a note and it just makes him sigh. Once again. He just knows this is going to be a pain to manage and Lana is going to be extremely irked. Mentally, he sends her a telepathic message. (Something's up, love. Make sure the cast and crew can get out if it gets noisy.)
With that, the sorcerer murmurs his own spell, reaching up to almost absently rub his eyes, instead rubbing a tiny bit of ointment into them. When he looks around, his eyes are completely black, shot with distant stars, as his gaze sweeps the theatre. His stare moves over the other attendees, pausing on a few of them, and his eyebrow rises. He doesn't bother to bluff, or try to hide his stare. Whoever that was that was passing around the notes, well... they called the tune.
To his family, Telamon says firmly, "First row, second seat from center. Second row, first seat from center. Third row, third seat from center. Those aren't here for the show."
GAME: Harkashan rolls Sense Motive+2+1: (3)+35+2+1: 41 GAME: Harkashan rolls Sense Motive+2+1: (3)+35+2+1: 41
Can't he just enjoy a play for once? Harkashan stares at the note that has been handed to him, and then looks at Rune in confusion. "This... is this part of the play?" Sometimes, softskins do unusual things.
But seeing her looking around, he catches on pretty quick that no, this is what is seems. A dangerous invitation. A challenge to the adventurers that are all being passed notes by multiple butlers.
As Rune begins to point out people, Harkashan gives them an inspecting stare. "Just lovers..." He begins. "Those two are just fans of our Archmage friend..." Until there's that one guy just fidgeting. "That one is under someone's control. I'll see if I can get him out of here." He rumbles, getting up and approaching him, before motioning an open hand to him.
"Good evening. Might we talk outside?" He offers most politely. "I am sure you are here for something really critical. But I promise you this is more important."
GAME: Skyler rolls intimidate: (19)+12: 31
"Oooh, is it one of those interactive shows?" Skyler asks brightly as he's given the note, glancing over it. "I bet the lady with the cat is the murderer! I never trust someone that brings a cat with them to a play." Because that's such a common situation? He frowns a bit deeper when everyone else speaks up.
He eyes the butler, hand twitching as if he's forcing himself not to tanglefoot him. But there's more important things to deal with, and he has a relaxed, easy going smile on his face as he walks up to the guy that the butler says gave him the note. His expression doesn't change even as he notices the dark hair and purple eyes, instead leaning down. "Hi there. So I'm going to do the nicest thing I've ever done." He considers the man, "Telamon always tells me I need to do the right thing, be good, all that bullshit." He rolls his eyes, "Well, you see that group over there you sent the letters to?" He points at Verna, "See her? She is a powerful cleric of the Harpist. If she takes pity on you, she might raise you back from the dead when that one..." And he points at Auranar, "Murders you for offending her sister. And speaking of murder..." He nods towards Murder, giving her a friendly, cheerful smile, "She likes to play with her food, you see. And you're barely a snack." He pats the man's cheek, and adds, "Oh. And the blond dude with the tight pants? His wife is the prima donna tonight. Even the scary death-priestess wouldn't be able to bring back what *he* leaves of you." He cocks his head, "So why don't you do us all a favor, tell us who your working with, and then quietly leave? If you like, you can tell them, whoever they are, you were scared." Beat. "Coz if you were smart? You would be."
He then straightens up, adding, "Say, you kinda look like her."
Verna is smoothing the lap of her dress when the note(s) arrive. By the time she has read it twice and parsed the contents, some of invoked spells, spoken warnings, and followed butlers. Brows arching, she rises to walk after her wife, eyes panning to those noted by Telamon before focusing upon the nobleman who is now receiving a curt information transfer from Skyler. "His choice of verbiage and delivery aside," she opines on said transfer as she studies the nobleman, "I observed no falsehoods in his statements."
GAME: Murder casts Keen Edge. Caster Level: 18 DC: 19 GAME: Murder rolls perception: (8)+27: 35
The Goblin has volunteered to take up guard duty, knowing the Guild is under a lot of pressure, as are just about everyone. Dressed as an usher, she takes up a position where she is close to the stage, but within running distance of the audience.
Her expression remains neutral as the butler hands her a note, and she squints at it. She mouths something quietly, her fingers making telltale gestures that give away spellcasting. Her sword, the only visible evidence that she is possibly more than an usher and sheathed upon her back, glows briefly.
With Auranar standing and moving to talk to the person who'd handed the Goblin the message, she tilts her head slightly. At least one other person, whom Murder knows a little, has received the same message. Is this a game for the audience, then? The Goblin frowns deeply, and rubs at her chin, eyeballing the audience at length. She feigns disinterest then, picking at some 'fluff' on her uniform. The movement among the seated adventurers is noted, though she keeps quiet and merely observes.
Then Skyler decides to point her out.
Frowny face frowns. Huffing, the Goblin walks over to Skyler, and whomever he's addressing. "Please, we're trying to get this play underway, could you return to your seats and close your mouths?"
GAME: Aelwyn rolls profession/innkeeper: (11)+7: 18 GAME: Aelwyn rolls diplomacy: (19)+14: 33
Aelwyn is standing in attendance nearby. The ruddy sith-makar could have taken a seat; but instead, he was standing there, freshly polished and subtly gleaming. Red silk gathered around his scales, with golden weave; fresh gauntlets with the symbol of his order. And the autumn scales, from hues ranging from purple to ruddy orange, are wrapped in a red cloth. Even his freshly maintained glaive had trailing ribbons. His horns had fresh rings hanging from chains.
It nearly looked like he was wearing actual clothes. Nearly.
The ruddy Dragoon had plenty of respect for the theatre however; so he did not want to draw _too_ much attention to himself. Just -plenty- attention.
The note offered to him by the butler makes him pause though; and the ruddy Dragoon looks at the paper extensively, almost as if scrutinizing it until it has revealed all of its contents...
"... the hunt." He quietly clicks by himself in his accented makari. "... six of us...?" He narrows his eyes and starts mouthing the words slowly. He could definitely read well. The Dragoon watches the people around him move around to address the disturbances and he drops the note, walking past Rune and Harkashan.
<"What is happening?"> The not-as-tall makari asks from them in his native tongue, before turning to look towards the other side of the room. <"... tch, we should be careful, to not create a competing act in the crowd.">
"People, let us be calm enjoy the play." The draconian addresses the crowd - or mostly Skyler - and flashes his at everyone, arms spread out. His glaive simmers, a quiet red heat. "Any disagreements of opinion or capability can be addressed outside." His teeth widen again, to a more macabre look. "So relax and enjoy the wine, delight in the play, and share the pleasure."
The nobleman who Skyler intimidates is utterly confused. "What are you _talking_ about, man?" he snarls. "I merely handed out the notes that my wife's fine sister wanted me to hand out! I assumed it was some sort of polite letter of introduction."
"It's not," the blonde noblewoman says dourly. She looks up with eyes that slowly turn violet, and then she smiles grimly up at Verna. "You fell for the oldest trick in the book. The red herring. I expected better, given our history..."
The man that Harkashan tries to speak to shivers, shaking his head. "He's got... my wife. My wife. I have to. I--I have... to--" Then he pulls out a knife from his pocket.
The blonde noblewoman laughs as she transforms. She morphs into a tall man with gray skin, pointed ears, and violet eyes, a grim smile on his viscera-stained lips. "Hello again. _Verna_." The last word is purred like a promise of violence.
GAME: Murder rolls will: (13)+14: 27 GAME: Telamon rolls Will: (19)+25: 44 GAME: Skyler refreshes special ability pools. GAME: Verna rolls will+2: (8)+26+2: 36 GAME: Skyler spends ONE use of CHARMED LIFE. GAME: Auranar rolls Will: (20)+13: 33 (CRITICAL SUCCESS) GAME: Aelwyn rolls will: (14)+10: 24 GAME: Skyler rolls Will+4: (6)+9+4: 19 GAME: Cesran rolls will+8: (18)+24+8: 50 GAME: Riptide rolls 5d6: (21): 21
As Harkashan gets up, Rune follows him with her eyes, but only for a moment before looking across to take in how the others are handling the unusual situation. It seems that she is not the only one suspicious, though it appears that some others have had a better time at figuring out who might be enemies in civilians' clothing.
Pushing to her feet, Rune seems about to join Harkashan, when she spots the phantom transforming across the theater. Her ears twitch, eyes narrow, and she's moving around the edge of the seats, reaching for her blades. "If you came here for a show, this isn't it." Rune calls out. "I'd recommend anyone who is a civilian, get out of your seats and get out of here. Now. Unless you don't value your lives."
GAME: Cesran casts Wall of Force. Caster Level: 20 DC: 30 GAME: Cesran rolls knowledge/local: (1)+28: 29 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Cesran rolls knowledge/local: (7)+28: 35 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+25: (2)+25: 27 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+25: (3)+25: 28 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+25: (8)+25: 33 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d6+13: (3)+13: 16 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d6+13: (6)+13: 19 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d8+13: (5)+13: 18
The Corpse-Eater licks his viscera-laden lips as he looks at Verna. "Tell me about your happiness. Have you been happy with Auranar lately? Plenty of kittens and cookies and kisses in your little home?"
Before she can answer, the Corpse-Eater lashes out with taloned hands, scoring gashes into Verna's body. They bleed horribly, sanguine flow coming from deep wounds. "I'm _starving_ to know more," he purrs as he then lashes out with a lunge of his head, and biting briefly into her cheek, which bleeds, too.
He licks the blood from his lips. "My, you _have_ been happy. I wonder why? Are you expecting, perhaps?" He cackles madly.
Cesran sees and hears the blonde noblewoman transform and more into a tall man with gray skin and pointed ears and violet eyes. As this man calls out to Verna and the wave of fear washes out from him, Cesran shakes his head to ward off the effect before he goes into action. He grips his staff and uses it to help him stand up before he turns his back towards the tall gray man. He holds up his staff and in a loud voice calls out, “Please everyone exit the theater in an orderly fashion. You will be protected. The adventurers from the Explorer’s Guild have this under control.”
Cesran casts Wall of Force and a shimmering wall of magical energy appears just in front of the seats that he was just in. He makes sure to place it so that no one’s toes get cut off. He leaves a 5 foot Gap in the wall towards the far right. “Hey you! The Sith-makar with the red and black scales. Can you please guard that exit and let any of the normal theatre patrons through. I trust you to use your best judgement. I’ll be over to help in a moment.”
Cesran then turns back to study this tall man that is bothering Verna. It takes him a moment, but he does remember the stories that he’s been able to glean since coming back to Alexandria, this appears to be Corpse-eater and has been harassing the Lupecyll-Atlon family. “Careful that’s Corpse-Eater. He forces loving couples and families to turn on each other and then eats their corpses.” He quickly calls out all the information that he knows.
GAME: Auranar rolls 1d20+12+3+1+1: (14)+12+3+1+1: 31 GAME: Auranar rolls 1d20+7+3+1+1: (7)+7+3+1+1: 19 GAME: Auranar rolls 1d8+4+1d4+2+7: (4)+4+(2)+2+7: 19
GAME: Telamon casts True Strike/Quicken. Caster Level: 20 DC: 26 GAME: Telamon casts Disintegrate. Caster Level: 20 DC: 27 GAME: Telamon rolls spellpen: aliased to 1d20+sorcerer+4: (18)+20+4: 42 GAME: Telamon rolls ranged+20: (8)+17+20: 45
As the Corpse Eater reveals himself, Auranar’s fingers are already reaching for her arrows. “Get back Verna!” She says, worried for her wife and worried for the fact that some of the people in the audience seem either to be in cahoots with the Legus, or worse, being manipulated by the void-sprung remembrance of him.
Watching him attack her precious wife is even harder, especially when those nasty claws tear furrows in her beloved’s flesh. “LEGUS!” She screams, her fury redoubled. “Remember me?”
She bares her teeth at the void-spawned Legus’elain and draws back her bowstring. Shooting two arrows in quick succession at the vision of the man whom she has hated more than any other in her life. The first cold iron arrow pierces into him, but the second hits the seat of the chair he’s standing in front of instead of him. “I killed you once Legus’elain, have you come to die again?”
GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+19: (19)+19: 38 GAME: Telamon rolls 5d6: (17): 17
So this is how it's going to be. Telamon supposes it was only a matter of time before -this- particular foe from the family's past resurfaced. Still, it is what it is. Telamon has seen this foe slain twice before -- perhaps the third time will be the charm.
And so the Lord Archmage rises from his seat, his starry eyes hard as Legus'elain -- or at least, this void-reflection with his face -- reveals himself. His mind flashes to Lana's, warning her. (Get the cast and crew out, now. It's the Corpse-Eater.) With that, he knocks back the wineglass's contents -- a shame to drink it so quickly, but needs must. "What is a void-shadow?" he declares loudly, an edge of contempt in his voice. "A miserable pile of -nothing-! Have at you, you pathetic shade! You were nothing before, and you will be nothing again!"
And with that he flings the wineglass aside, before lashing out with magical fury, a beam of coruscating energy that pierces Legus'elain's side but fails to do more than that. "Come and die again!"
GAME: Harkashan casts Holy Aura. Caster Level: 19 DC: 29 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+10+4: (13)+10+4: 27
Hearing the man speak of his wife being trapped, he puts his hand on the man's shoulder. "It'll be okay." He glances aside. "We have dealt with this being before. Do not let the Void cloud your mind." He rumbles, as a pale light washes over, protecting those around him with a cleansing wave of energy.
And as the man before him begins to thank him, he urges him along, taking the knife off of him if he can. "Come. Hurry to safety. Let us take care of this." The Sith-makar softly offers.
GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1-1: (18)+23+-1: 40 (THREAT) GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1-1: (12)+23+-1: 34 GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1+1: (15)+23+1: 39 (THREAT) GAME: Skyler rolls critmonster+1: aliased to weapon1+4+1: (11)+23+4+1: 39 GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1+1-5: (4)+23+1+-5: 23 GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1+1-5: (8)+23+1+-5: 27 GAME: Skyler rolls weapon1-1-10: (1)+23+-1+-10: 13 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Skyler rolls damage1+damage1+24: aliased to 1d6+14+1d6+14+24: (3)+14+(2)+14+24: 57 GAME: Skyler rolls damage1+damage1+24: aliased to 1d6+14+1d6+14+24: (6)+14+(1)+14+24: 59 GAME: Skyler spends TWO points of PANACHE. GAME: Skyler spends ONE use of CHARMED LIFE. GAME: Skyler rolls will+4: (3)+9+4: 16 GAME: Skyler rolls will+4: (13)+9+4: 26 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d6: (2): 2
At first, Skyler is frozen in place by waves of paranoia and fear. Who are these people?! Why is Telamon's pants so tight?! Did Skyler remember to tie his codpiece back in place, or is he wavin' his swangin' sword for the crowd? Or...
"OH GOD THIS ISN'T AN INTERACTIVE PLAY IS IT?!"
But despite not being a *good* person, Skyler isn't a dumpster fire of a individual, and so when the Corpse-Eater talks about Verna being pregnant and eating her, and then attacks her, Skyler grits his teeth.
"RESPECT..." He lunges forward, using his blade to slice across the creature's back, "... The..." Another blow, this time across his neck, and he twists his wrist, a wicked blow designed to severe vertebrae, "ARTS!"
He tries another blow, but staggers back, closing his eyes as he lets the adrenaline wash over him and rid him of the paranoia. He blinks pale eyes, and glances over the group, "Oh. And no means no, creep! She's married! I think?"
GAME: Verna rolls 1d20+20+wisdom: (1)+20+9: 30 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Verna rolls 1d20+20+wisdom: (6)+20+9: 35 GAME: Verna casts Unwilling Shield. Caster Level: 19 DC: 26 GAME: Verna rolls 1d20+24: (3)+24: 27 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+20: (7)+20: 27 GAME: Murder rolls knowledge/local: (8)+11: 19 GAME: Murder rolls sense motive: (11)+4: 15
"I do not fear you, Legus-elain," Verna rebukes him even if she is wounded and her dress may be ruined. She meets his violet gaze and offers... a smile(?). "Yes, we are happy. We were before, we are now, and we shall be once you are gone once more. Nothing you did, or may do, shall ever change that. You occupy no space in our thoughts." She does not step away, which may be prudent even if she did not fear him. Instead, she gestures and incants cautiously after her rebuttal to link their beings, in a manner of speaking. If he wishes to harm her, better her than Auranar. Even better were he to harm himself in the process.
GAME: Murder rolls weapon42: (20)+29: 49 (THREAT) GAME: Murder rolls damage42: aliased to 1d10+12: (6)+12: 18 GAME: Murder rolls 1d10+1d10+2d6: (5)+(2)+(4): 11 GAME: Murder rolls damage42: aliased to 1d10+12: (8)+12: 20
The Goblin visibly vibrates as Corpse-Eater makes his appearance, and threatens Verna. The added bit about Verna being potentially pregnant (not to mention happy), causes Murder a moment of sadness, before an angry expression takes over her face.
"Over my dead body, you creepy fuck.", she says.
A pair of angelic wings appears, sprouting from her shoulder, as the 'usher's uniform' wavers and vanishes, revealing the Goblin to be wearing elaborate gold and silver chainmail.
The wings flap hard, vaulting her into the air. As she soars over Skyler, she pulls her blade free, the sword humming and glowing a pale white light. With a grunt, she swings down, carving a deep gouge down the front of Corpse-Eater, quite ruining his shirt to boot. "You picked the wrong day to appear, the wrong place to appear in, and the wrong person to threaten."
Aelwyn watches as the corpse-eater is exposed - and he is already scanning his allies more than he is the crowd. The Dragoon moves to stand on a nearby bench and hoists up his glaive, pointing at the eater with his free hand. "There are too many of us - parry and harry, let us end this farce."
He then leaps forward, moving to try and put a stop to the void creature.
GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+10: (14)+10: 24 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d4: (2): 2 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+10: (19)+10: 29 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d4: (4): 4 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+10: (16)+10: 26 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+10: (6)+10: 16 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+10: (14)+10: 24 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+24: (13)+24: 37 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+10: (1)+10: 11 (EPIC FAIL)
By and large, as directed, the audience clears out. Thanks to the small gap that Cesran had left in his force-wall spell, the theatre-goers are largely able to evacuate out of the building unharmed, with the theatre-goers closer to the stage among the last to leave. A couple take swings from mind-controlled conspirators of the Corpse-Eater. One noblewoman with glassy eyes wraps her arms around her husband as he tries to flee. "Oh, darling, no, the show's just beginning," she says. "I cheated on you with your cousin last week. I enjoyed _every minute_ of it."
An older gentleman, likely a merchant from the looks of his clothing, tries to pull his young daughter as she leaps out of her seat, sobbing violently. "Maria! Stay! Stay! You need to learn the truth about our family and how your mother _really_ died--"
"Fuck you!" His daughter cries, running away. She's inconsolable as she runs away to safety, burying her face in her hands once she's got a second.
Meanwhile, the woman with white hair and a very regal-looking cat, whose sister has just turned into the Corpse-Eater, looks at him with horror. As the adventurers wail on him, however, she emboldens. "You horrible, awful, _dreadful_ worm. I only just reunited with my sister after not having seen her for five years. Five years! I thought she was _dead_! And!" Her cat growls. "You've upset Mister Prissybottoms!"
She wheels her hand out and slaps the Corpse-Eater on the cheek. Those violet eyes of his blink. And then that horrible grin widens as he turns around to face her. "Oh, I know," he croons. "She tasted sweet after I told her the airship you were on crashed into the ground. Her shoes are in the alleyway by here. I look forward to sampling you."
The woman's eyes widen, and she finally turns to run, but then the Corpse-Eater snatches her into his arms, chuckling huskily. "Now, now. Don't you want to be reunited with your sister? You'll blend together nicely in my gullet."
"Unhand her!" The violet-eyed man yells, and he rounds around to punch the Corpse-Eater, but he misses completely.
GAME: Rune rolls weapon1+4+1: (2)+33+4+1: 40 GAME: Rune rolls damage1+1d6+10d6: aliased to 1d6+8+1d6+10d6: (5)+8+(2)+(32): 47
The university student by Cesran pleads with her friend. "Come on! I know you can beat that mind control! Please!" Her eyes fill with tears. "I didn't steal this stupid bracelet for nothing! We're gonna sell it and then run away to Rune together, remember!?"
GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+18: (18)+18: 36
With most of the theater patrons evacuating around her, Rune doesn't give them much more mind at the moment. Those who value their lives will get out of the way. Allies, and oddly some patrons, seem to be surrounding the Corpse-Eater, but there do still seem to be opportunities to join in the fight.
Rune moves forward, making quick progress between people before using the various distractions around her and her flanking position with Skyler to stab at the shadowy image of the monster who she had hunted once before. This feels somewhat like living life on repeat, though this monster no longer holds power over her, or over her mother's life.
The blade slices in, leaving a wispy trail of shadows behind it as it goes. She doesn't bother talking to this monster, knowing he'd only twist it around, anyways.
GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+10+2: (4)+10+2: 16 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+10+2: (13)+10+2: 25 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+10+2: (15)+10+2: 27 GAME: Cesran casts Magic Circle Against Evil. Caster Level: 20 DC: 26 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+4: (14)+4: 18 GAME: Riptide rolls 1d20+4: (16)+4: 20
The Corpse-Eater chuckles as he goes to sink his teeth into the woman's neck, and she screams bloody murder. Moved to action by his owner's cry of distress, Mister Prissybottoms does what a cat does best when cornered against the wall.
He swats at the Corpse-Eater's face, then lunges and latches onto the Corpse-Eater's head. "Stupid! Mongrel! How dare you--" the Corpse-Eater snarls, before he throws the cat down to the ground.
Mister Prissybottoms lands perfectly on his feet, growling and hissing like never before. "I love you, baby!" his owner murmurs, at least until the Corpse-Eater clamps a hand over her mouth.
Cesran frowns at the university student as she pleads and he makes his way over the chair and is pretty graceful about it, “I would ask that you please return that to wherever you stole it. I will endeavor to free your friend from the mind control.” He says as he manages to get up on another seat and then casts Magic Circle Against Evil. As the circle expands out from where the wizard is standing, the mind control is able to fall away from the university student and one of the noblewomen, “Go! Get out of here.”
Cesran calls out to Harkashan, “Thank you for standing guard, most of the innocents are out if you would like to come join the fray. I’m sure the others would appreciate your presence.”
GAME: Auranar rolls 1d20+12+3+1+1+2: (20)+12+3+1+1+2: 39 GAME: Auranar rolls 1d20+12+3+1+1+2: (15)+12+3+1+1+2: 34 GAME: Auranar rolls 1d20+7+3+1+1+2: (11)+7+3+1+1+2: 25 GAME: Auranar rolls 1d8+4+2+1d8+4+2+1d8+4+2+1d4+7: (3)+4+2+(4)+4+2+(7)+4+2+(1)+7: 40
Auranar lines up her shot, aiming for the face of the Corpse Eater. A face she loathes with every fiber of her being. Yet now in the thrall of battle she can not allow her emotions to overcome her. She remembers what her grandfather taught her. *Breathe.* She can hear his voice, feel his presence steadying her shot. The moment that the cat hits the ground she fires, one, two. The second shot hits the chair but the first? The first hits him dead in the eye and she smiles grimly. Just like last time. "Goodbye."
This nightmare is at last laid to rest.
With the nightmare over, those who were still under the presence of mental domination recover. The noblewoman who just confessed to infidelity swears up and down that she didn't actually do it, that the Corpse-Eater made her lie, and her husband seems somewhat unconvinced until someone tells him this is what the Corpse-Eater does.
A quick search of the alleyway reveals that, unfortunately, Mr Prissybottoms' half-sil auntie (the sister of the noblewoman he belongs to) is, in fact, deceased, her body turned to ash. The woman sobs, but she's grateful to be alive.
The university students promise Cesran to return what was stolen. Apparently the boy had gotten expelled from the local mage's university on account of turning in a plagiarized essay, and the girl was going to sell the bracelet she'd stolen from her father so that they could go to university together in Rune. "Maybe this is a sign that we need to find a different path together," she says.
The merchant father goes to find his daughter, but she's skipped town entirely, and he sighs. He was a poor father to her when she was little, and he'd been planning to try and make things right. "I think I'll have to try again when she's willing to talk to me again," he remarks as he leaves.
A vote's taken among the cast. After a brief cleanup, the theatre's put back in order, and two hours after the show was supposed to start... Cor'lana performs. She sings her heart out. Telamon hears her sing notes he didn't even know she was capable of making. At the very end, she gets a resounding applause.
At her request, when she leaves the cast door at the end of the show, only her family, her friends, and fellow adventurers are allowed to be there, at which point Cor'lana shows her truest, most 'her' self: she bursts into tears and holds Telamon for dear life. "That was so awful! That was _horrible!_ I think I was flat on every single high note in the title song! I don't think I ever want to perform publicly ever again!" Yes, the Temptress of Alexandria lives with horrible anxiety and self-doubt. Those closest to her knew this, and those who didn't... Well, now they know.
But there's nothing that some time with friends--and a nice dinner out--can't fix. Many a beautiful thing can chase away (and end) nightmares.
-End