Erolith, sword raised, stands in awe having not seen such a transformation before. “Tarton, are you okay?”

Artifex's eyes shine with fascination as the transformation occurs. Although they take a step or two back, they do not draw a weapon, nor does it look particularly worried. "A shame I didn't get to answer his question. The transformation seems physical as well as mental, perhaps some form of lycanthropy."

They sigh wistfully, glancing back the way they had come. "A shame. It seems I'll not be spending the night with another. Though I suppose there's always another day."

The Black Rose looked from Tarton to Erolith, then to Artifex, and back at Tarton again. "Erolith, if necessary, may I suggest that you utilize the blunt side of your sword, if it has one, or perhaps the flat side, so as not to harm our new partner?"

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I discussed this with OisinmacCameron and he will be controlling my character when he is not in control of himself.

Erolith tightens on the grip slightly above the pommel of his weapon steadying the blunt end for a defensive strike if necessary. Lycanthropy and unnatural alterations to the natural order of things palpably upsets Erolith’s elven sensibilities.

”Has anyone experienced this before?”

You watch as he struggles to get free of the ropes, muscles straining, speaking Infernal in a voice that is not his. After 1 minutes his body goes limp. His eyes are the first to change, the light fading, then his ears and fingernails shrink to normal as well. A few seconds later Tarton's eyes flutter open and after a moment he says, "Bunny fins. It's over." Sweat dripping from his face, he looks around and adds in a soft voice, "Good, I didn't get loose." He then closes his eyes and just lays there.

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I hope everything's OK with OisinmacCamron. I haven't heard back from him after I PM'd him directly, so I decided to get this moving ahead so we are ready to go when he gets back to it.

Erolith sheaths his weapon and finds a chair to sit. He rests his head back against the wall and closes his eyes almost completely. You understand that he is resting but fully alert all the same.

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I too hope he is okay. He is an excellent storyteller.

"Ah." Artifex seems somewhat disappointed. "Well... That was something I suppose. Is the duration constant or does it change overtime? If it changes at what rate does it change?" 

After thinking on what happened for a moment, they perked up suddenly, clearly excited to realize it had more questions. "What language was that? Do you say the same thing every time? How long has this been happening? Do you know if anything specific triggers it?"

They finally stop asking questions, catching it's breath. As they do, seem to realize something. "I may have researched something similar...

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Same. This is honestly one of the best campaigns I've been on to b honest. 

OisinmacCamron if you do see this, is there a check I could make to see if Artifex has studied or come across anything like this before?

As the transformation reverted Tarton's back to his normal form, The Black Rose's hands finally stopped shaking. "I have only read about such transformations. However, I am currently working on something to achieve a similar effect, but with better control, of course. But I am far from achieving the desired result," he explained. He then walked over to Tarton and asked, "Are you okay? You're back, right?"

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I agree, he is really good at this. I hope he is okay.

Tarton just lays there for a minute, his breath becoming more relaxed and steady. It is another minute before he starts talking, "Yea, I'm back." he replies to The Black Rose. Seeming to have made up his mind to start at the beginning and get it all over with, he says, "It started when I was a child. Back then I think it lasted for days at a time if not weeks. I don't hear anything or feel anything while it's happening, only a dim sense of existing and fighting for control so I don't know what is said or in what language. I was locked up while they tried to figure out what is... afflicting me. They tried many different ways to cure me or find a remedy but nothing they tried worked."

He decides that's enough of his history and moves on to answering Artifex's specific questions. "As for what triggers it; the surest way is to drink anything containing alcohol, and it seems to last the longest when I do. Other than that, if there is an unusually stressful situation I can sometimes lose control, like being captured and turned over to the guards to be locked up again. Being restrained seems to shorten the duration, though time seems very different while it is happening. How long was I out for, a couple of hours?"

After he asks this question you see the curiosity growing in him again. You watch his internal struggle to not ask more questions, but he gives in, raises his head off the floor, and asks, "Who was it that hired you all to capture me, or did you see a wanted poster somewhere? How long has it taken you to find me? What is my bounty? That was quite an elaborate trap, how long did it take you to set all this up?"

He lays his head back on the floor in resignation as he waits for a response. Then, suddenly he has a bright look in his eyes and smiles as he tries to escape his bonds.

Acrobatics check in log: 9

He lays his head back and whispers to himself, "Well, it was pretty much a given I wouldn't escape if... I hadn't already."

"We are not here to capture you," The Black Rose chuckled. "You know it was you who asked us to tie you up."

"Let me prove it to you," The Black Rose said, starting to untie the ropes.

"But you're so calm and knew about so many cases like mine. I often heard them say my condition was something they had not seen before. You're really not experienced bounty hunters that specialize in catching those like me?" Tarton asks reluctantly. "I know it was me that asked to be tied up, but it was after I was tied up that I noticed how calm you were and talking about other cases like mine. That was when the thought of you already knowing about me and tracking me struck."

Tarton rubs his wrists and ankles after they are free and says, "I did not expect to be released so soon. Thanks."

"I'm not quite sure yet, I have to think about it. I'm not quite a scientist, I kinda just have a habit of ending up in various realms. The uh... How to put it... Rules aren't always the same."

They chuckle softly. "As for why I'm so calm, I find panic tends to be counter intuitive. It seems this may not be normal for you but your episode lasted all of 60 seconds."

As things calm down, there is a discreet knock on the door, and Myrine's voice calls softly through, "If you need anything else for the evening, just let me know."

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Apologies everyone!  I am OK but lost my internet for a while in the strong winds we had in Vermont with these weather fronts coming through

Thank you, and having such good players certainly helps, and

sure, check Arcana and then go ahead and post the dice results and description IC

After thinking for a moment longer, Artifex shakes their head. "I can't think of anything that fits your situation perfectly, just vague stories and rumors of similar afflictions. Like I said the rules tend to change, so it's hard to compare things between realms."

"I am more than willing to assist you with managing this affliction though."

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Nat 1 unfortunately 

Also I'm glad you're okay 👍

"As I mentioned, I have only read about similar cases. However, it does remind me of a project of mine. Regardless, I want to offer assistance to Artifex in helping you."

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I got 11 in total. I hope my description is okay.

Tarton says, "Your help is greatly appreciated, but I feel we should focus on our current endeavor at the moment. This hasn't affect me in battle, yet, and this is the first time in months. I can usually keep it at bay. I just got a little worked up about being captured is all."

To Myrine's inquiry, Tarton replies, "We are all done in here, I think. Thank you. I am now ready for a good rest." 

"Alright then. It's positive that it was able to be handled so quickly. Now if you'll excuse me..."

They excuse themselves, leaving the room and closing the door behind. From the other side you all hear "Many thanks for your patience. It seems my friend thought things were going to be.. a bit more intense than it ended up being .

Artifex's gaze lingers on Myrine's form, and it says "If you were still open to it, I'd be delighted if you wanted to give that..." They chuckle "private tour. I'm certain we could find a way to entertain one another Ar'ama"

Myrine winks.  "But of course.  I am always a woman of my word.  I'm told that the ... view of the garden by starlight is most charming in the early morning hours as well.  And as long as everything's settled here ..."  She smiles and leads you along the hall..

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Just to clarify, are we just doing a fade to black for any spicy activities? Do I need to roll anything?