The message left behind by Shenua’s magical tinkering plays out as Vorenus (disguised as Grantha) and Iromae step into the street, its soft glow illuminating the floating spectral hand. The words settle heavily between them:
"The alarm has gone off. Go to the Guild directly. I will follow him."
There is slight hesitation, but then Vorenus and Iromae take off at a run, feet pounding against the cobbled streets as they race toward the Guild Hall. The streets of Suzail blur past them — lantern-lit alleyways, quiet storefronts, and the occasional late-night passerby startled by their urgency.
Shenua’s path vanishes into the dark alley ahead, but she has made her choice clear. If she needed help, she would have said so. She can handle herself. Diego might not be alone.
The Pursuit
The hooded figure moves deeper into the alleyways, weaving through the city's winding paths with familiarity. Shenua presses herself against the stone walls, her turquoise hair barely visible in the dim light as she glides forward, silent as shadow.
A few paces ahead, the man pauses — not abruptly, but with purpose. His posture remains relaxed, but the slight tilt of his head suggests awareness. He suspects something.
The alley opens into a wider courtyard, sparsely lit by a single hanging lantern. A few crates and barrels line the edges, and a low stone wall separates this space from another side street leading toward the Guild District.
Instead of continuing forward, the hooded man stops at the wall, places a foot against the stone, and vaults over it in a fluid motion, disappearing from view.
If she wants to follow without losing him, Shenua will need to move quickly — but at the risk of being heard.
Guild Hall
The figure inside the stabilizer room doesn’t even flinch as Diego clears his throat. If they’re surprised, they don’t show it.
Instead, they finish securing the small object — a delicate metallic instrument, now carefully pressed against the stabilizer’s outer casing.
Only then do they straighten, turning their head slightly toward the door. The dim glow of the stabilizer runes flickers across their face, revealing sharp features, half-obscured by a dark mask. Their pale silver-blonde hair catches the light for just a moment.
A slow, measured breath.
Then, they move.
Not toward Diego, not toward the exit — but toward the stabilizer itself. They’re about to activate something.
Diego has command ready, his fingers strum a demanding major chord as he cast it, shouting the word grovel! The spell breaks the invisibility, Diego standing in the door way smiles. (Wisdom save DC 13)
"Damn, he’s agile…,"Shenua thought, her mouth slightly open in surprise at the feat she had just witnessed. "…and a showoff!"
That tilt of his head suggested he suspected something. Perhaps he wasn’t entirely aware that someone was watching, but rather, it was the habit of someone who knew he was involved in something shady. A person like that would, of course, be always expecting that one day, someone would indeed follow him.
Shenua pursed her lips, considering her options. Following him in the same fashion would surely alert him, turning his suspicion into certainty. Besides, she wasn’t that agile, and she knew attempting to hop over the wall would be futile. The artificer had been blessed with intellect, and that was what she would rely on. She knew the streets of Suzail well—years spent studying at the University and later visiting the Guild’s Suzail branch time and again had made sure of that. Surely, she could find an alternative path to the other side of that wall.
It would cost her some time, yes, but perhaps it would make the hooded man believe he was no longer being followed. And maybe, just maybe, that false sense of security would lead him to make a mistake.
Iromae remains intent on rushing back to the guild. Whenever she gets a chance that nobody else is immediately around, she asks Vorenus. "You going to keep up the disguise at the guild? Might be confusing if we run into Grantha."
The command spell hums through the air, Diego’s voice ringing out as the sharp major chord reverberates off the metal and stone.
The masked figure tenses — muscles locking up for the briefest of moments — as the magic attempts to seize control of their will.
For a split second, their knees buckle slightly. A sharp, almost strangled breath escapes them, and then — with a flick of their wrist, a faint shimmer surrounds them, and the spell’s influence fades.
Diego watches as the figure steadies themselves, head tilting slightly. Their posture now exudes careful curiosity rather than alarm.
"A bard." The voice is calm, analytical, and unmistakably feminine. "That explains the flourish."
Then — she moves.
Rather than lunge for Diego, she grabs the device she placed against the stabilizer and twists it sharply — a small click, a shift in arcane pressure. Then, in one swift motion, she pivots toward the opposite side of the room, where a narrow window — too small for mos t— sits just above a row of workbenches.
She’s fast. Too fast.
The Streets
The rhythmic pounding of boots against stone echoes as Iromae and Vorenus (Grathna) weave through the streets of Suzail, heading straight for the Guild Hall.
The city is still awake, but the streets aren’t nearly as bustling as they were earlier in the evening. That makes their urgency stand out. A few watchful eyes turn their way, some curious, some indifferent.
As they push forward, Iromae finds a moment to ask, her voice just loud enough to be heard over their footsteps:
"You going to keep up the disguise at the guild? Might be confusing if we run into Grantha."
The Guild Hall isn’t far now. The windows of its upper levels are dimly lit, but some areas are still active, casting faint glows through their glass panes.
They don’t have much time.
The Pursuit
Shenua doesn’t take the bait.
Rather than rushing forward and exposing herself, she lets the hooded man’s display of agility be his own downfall. He expects to be followed, to be chased — but what if she isn’t behind him at all?
Instead, she moves with purpose, slipping out of the alley and into the nearest connecting street. She knows Suzail. The layout of its districts, the twists and turns of its side streets. There will be another way forward — perhaps even a faster one.
Her mind works quickly, recalling where she is in relation to the Guild District. The low stone wall he vaulted over likely connects to a merchant's passage — a route used by couriers and traders looking to avoid the main roads. If she’s right, she can cut ahead without ever being seen.
The risk? He might change course.
The reward? She might get the drop on him instead.
The artificer doesn't have time to lose. The merchant's passage will surely give her the chance to catch the hooded man ... if he doesn't alter his course. She weighs her options and their consequences, but makes up her mind quickly: the stabilizer is the priority. If the man changes course and goes somewhere other than the Guild, then she'll have to forget about him.
Sure, Shenua is deeply intrigued by who he is and what the hell he was doing at the tavern that specific night, but if he looses him, that will have to wait. Right now, the stabilizer is at risk of being tampered with again and that is more important.
The tiefling purses her lips. Diego must be in the presence of the culprit by now. She hopes he's okay, but there's nothing she can do except trust that he'll manage, and that Iromae and Vorenus will reach him soon enough. She, on the other hand, needs to focus on the present moment.
Shenua moves towards the merchant's passage, hoping to catch a glimpse of the hooded man. Has she managed to track him, or has she lost him completely? Despite her urgency, the artificer doesn't rush around the corners. Instead, she halts before each one, peeking ahead before stepping forward. It would be awfully stupid to slam into him just for not being cautious...
They are running now at full speed, Vorenus lets the disguise of Grathna slip away and he’s back to his usual self, running down passageways back to the guild with all haste. In between he says to Ironmae if she can hear, “I have .. a … bad… feeling about… this…. Our silver tongued… friend may… be in over… his head.” He continues to race back toward the portal periodically looking back to make sure Ironmae is keeping up.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Diego no time to be impressed, his fingers picking out a familiar elvish love song as he cast charm personoh you little she devil, come to me. Save wisdom DC 13
Iromae certainly tries to keep up with Vorenus. "I'm sure he'll be fine," she says, with confidence that she doesn't have. "We probably should be on our guard when we get there though."
Diego’s fingers dance across the strings of his lute, weaving an enchanting melody into the air, the notes laced with magic. His voice, smooth and inviting, delivers the charm spell with practiced ease.
"Oh, you little she-devil, come to me."
For a moment, the masked woman falters. Her movement slows, fingers tightening around the device she just activated. Her breath catches, and she half-turns toward Diego, the faintest flicker of hesitation crossing her face.
But then — her jaw clenches.
A sharp exhale escapes her lips as she visibly forces herself through the magic's influence. She knows she was just charmed — but she’s too well-trained to let it take full hold.
"Flattering," she murmurs, her voice edged with amusement — but not submission.
Then — she moves again.
Instead of lunging for Diego or fleeing outright, her free hand flicks upward, sending a burst of blinding white light toward him — a quick, disorienting flash of magic, not a full spell but a tactical trick.
The momentary brightness sears Diego’s vision, forcing his eyes to adjust. In that split-second distraction, she lunges for the narrow window!
The Streets
Vorenus and Iromae push forward at full speed, the Guild Hall looming closer with every step. The sounds of their hurried footfalls echo in the near-empty streets, but there’s no time to worry about who might be watching.
As Vorenus lets the illusion of Grathna fall away, his true form flickers back into view. Iromae barely catches his muttered words between breaths:
"I have ... a bad ... feeling about ... this … Our silver-tongued … friend may … be in over … his head."
Iromae wants to believe Diego will be fine. She says as much, though her words carry far less certainty than she’d like.
They round the final corner. Iromae remembers overhearing the real Grantha tell Shenua the service door would be left open for them. She steers Vorenus around the corner.
The Guild Hall’s side service door comes into view.
The Pursuit
Shenua keeps to the merchant’s passage, her movements swift yet careful. Every time she reaches a corner, she halts, peeking ahead before advancing.
The gamble was worth it.
Just beyond the next intersection, she spots him. The hooded figure moves with purpose, slipping past a row of stacked crates and emerging onto a main road near the Guild District.
He doesn’t glance back. He thinks he’s alone.
Shenua's breath steadies. She still has the advantage.
The Guild Hall is within sight. If he’s going there, she needs to be ready. If he’s meeting someone else, she can’t risk losing him now.
Nudging Vorenus towards the service door, Iromae does not slow down. "Do you see anything?" she whispers. Now this close, she doesn't want to tip off whoever triggered the alarm. She becomes more alert, looking about for any signs that might tip her off to what's happening inside. (Perception: 16)
Once again, Shenuafreezes, waiting for the man to move just far enough away to allow her to remain unnoticed while keeping him within view.
With this in mind, the tiefling observes his actions. If he continues toward the Guild, she will follow. When they’re close enough for her spells to reach the Guild Hall itself, she'll cast a spell as silently as possible to create the sound of a slam against a window from inside the building, as though a fight were breaking out. She hopes this will cause the man to rush toward the building, paying less attention to what's happening behind him. Then, she will follow right away.
If, instead, he suddenly stops and someone else appears —the person inside the Guild tampering with the stabilizer?—she’ll act differently. She thinks of confronting them, eldritch cannon in hand, but she will decide once it actually happens.
As the artificer considers all this, a thought crosses her mind: Was this man sent to the tavern to distract any guild members who might have been headed to the Guild? For one thing, he’s ensured that she isn’t there with Diego. If Iromae and Vorenus hadn’t followed the instructions of the tinkered stone, they might have fallen for the same trick. Shenua clicks her tongue, annoyed. Who are these people? What do they gain by damaging the stabilizer?
Vorenus barely hears Ironmae, he is running for the door as hard as he can. “Wha?” He reaches it and throws it open, making his way to the portal as fast as he can.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
aarrrghhh!! Diego screams, raising his arms too late to shield his eyes, well played madame, well played. he grab a hold of the door frame to steady himself until his sight returns and waits...as he does he starts speaking out loud what the lady looked like, or best he could see, as well as what the item she had looked like and what she did.
The sudden flash of light sears Diego’s vision, and he stumbles slightly, grabbing the doorframe for balance.
By the time the bright spots in his vision begin to fade, the masked woman is already halfway through the narrow window — a tight escape, but clearly one she was prepared for.
Diego keeps talking, forcing himself to recall details: pale silver-blonde hair, sharp features, a dark mask — all glimpsed in the flickering glow of the stabilizer runes. And the object she had placed? A metallic device, small, carefully set against the stabilizer casing — was it a disruptor? A siphon?
Then — a sound from behind.
The side door bursts open as Vorenus barrels inside, Iromae close behind.
They arrive just in time to see the woman's legs disappearing through the window.
The Pursuit
Shenua stays perfectly still, watching, waiting.
The hooded man moves with steady purpose, his course set for the Guild Hall. He doesn’t slow down, doesn’t hesitate. If he was sent to the tavern as a distraction, he’s done his job.
Shenua stalks behind him, waiting for just the right moment. As soon as they get close enough for her Thaumaturgy to reach, she murmurs the incantation, quietly shaping the sound of a sudden, heavy impact against a window — as if a fight had just broken out inside the Guild Hall.
The noise shatters the quiet of the street.
The hooded man stiffens. His head snaps toward the Guild.
And then — he moves. Faster now, rushing forward. His steps are no longer measured — they are urgent.
Shenuais glad her little deception has worked. As the man rushes toward the Guild Hall, she follows closely behind. Where is he headed? Straight for the door? Taking another route—perhaps the back of the building? The same window she used her magic on? It matters not. Wherever he leads, she will follow.
She grips her eldritch cannon, ready to fire if necessary. If only this man were here to help... but the tiefling grows more certain with every step that his true purpose today was to aid in sabotaging the planar stabilizer.
Iromae is torn between checking on Diego or the woman escaping. "She's getting away!" she calls out, even as she heads toward Diego. In a quieter voice she asks, "Are you alright? What happened?"
Vorenus hears Ironmae’s voice and everything seems to be happening in slow motion. His only thought is pursuit, he continues running forward, right to the window. If there is a clear path down and it looks like he can make it, Vorenus jumps after her. If not and he can only see her and she’s within 30 feet, Vorenus casts suggestion, saying “Stop, quit running, you should turn yourself in and let us speak with you, return to the room you are fleeing from and sit down.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Iromae is torn between checking on Diego or the woman escaping. "She's getting away!" she calls out, even as she heads toward Diego. In a quieter voice she asks, "Are you alright? What happened?"
yes, and once my sight returns to normal yours is the only face I want to see, but she's getting away, he points toward the window.
"Oh yea, I'm sure Diego!" Iromae says with a chuckle. "At least it seems you really are fine." She now turns her attention to where Vorenus has tried to halt the woman that headed out the window. "Did you stop them?"
Outside the Tavern
The message left behind by Shenua’s magical tinkering plays out as Vorenus (disguised as Grantha) and Iromae step into the street, its soft glow illuminating the floating spectral hand. The words settle heavily between them:
"The alarm has gone off. Go to the Guild directly. I will follow him."
There is slight hesitation, but then Vorenus and Iromae take off at a run, feet pounding against the cobbled streets as they race toward the Guild Hall. The streets of Suzail blur past them — lantern-lit alleyways, quiet storefronts, and the occasional late-night passerby startled by their urgency.
Shenua’s path vanishes into the dark alley ahead, but she has made her choice clear. If she needed help, she would have said so. She can handle herself. Diego might not be alone.
The Pursuit
The hooded figure moves deeper into the alleyways, weaving through the city's winding paths with familiarity. Shenua presses herself against the stone walls, her turquoise hair barely visible in the dim light as she glides forward, silent as shadow.
A few paces ahead, the man pauses — not abruptly, but with purpose. His posture remains relaxed, but the slight tilt of his head suggests awareness. He suspects something.
The alley opens into a wider courtyard, sparsely lit by a single hanging lantern. A few crates and barrels line the edges, and a low stone wall separates this space from another side street leading toward the Guild District.
Instead of continuing forward, the hooded man stops at the wall, places a foot against the stone, and vaults over it in a fluid motion, disappearing from view.
If she wants to follow without losing him, Shenua will need to move quickly — but at the risk of being heard.
Guild Hall
The figure inside the stabilizer room doesn’t even flinch as Diego clears his throat. If they’re surprised, they don’t show it.
Instead, they finish securing the small object — a delicate metallic instrument, now carefully pressed against the stabilizer’s outer casing.
Only then do they straighten, turning their head slightly toward the door. The dim glow of the stabilizer runes flickers across their face, revealing sharp features, half-obscured by a dark mask. Their pale silver-blonde hair catches the light for just a moment.
A slow, measured breath.
Then, they move.
Not toward Diego, not toward the exit — but toward the stabilizer itself. They’re about to activate something.
Diego has command ready, his fingers strum a demanding major chord as he cast it, shouting the word grovel! The spell breaks the invisibility, Diego standing in the door way smiles. (Wisdom save DC 13)
"Damn, he’s agile…," Shenua thought, her mouth slightly open in surprise at the feat she had just witnessed. "…and a showoff!"
That tilt of his head suggested he suspected something. Perhaps he wasn’t entirely aware that someone was watching, but rather, it was the habit of someone who knew he was involved in something shady. A person like that would, of course, be always expecting that one day, someone would indeed follow him.
Shenua pursed her lips, considering her options. Following him in the same fashion would surely alert him, turning his suspicion into certainty. Besides, she wasn’t that agile, and she knew attempting to hop over the wall would be futile. The artificer had been blessed with intellect, and that was what she would rely on. She knew the streets of Suzail well—years spent studying at the University and later visiting the Guild’s Suzail branch time and again had made sure of that. Surely, she could find an alternative path to the other side of that wall.
It would cost her some time, yes, but perhaps it would make the hooded man believe he was no longer being followed. And maybe, just maybe, that false sense of security would lead him to make a mistake.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Iromae remains intent on rushing back to the guild. Whenever she gets a chance that nobody else is immediately around, she asks Vorenus. "You going to keep up the disguise at the guild? Might be confusing if we run into Grantha."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
The Stabilizer Room
The command spell hums through the air, Diego’s voice ringing out as the sharp major chord reverberates off the metal and stone.
The masked figure tenses — muscles locking up for the briefest of moments — as the magic attempts to seize control of their will.
For a split second, their knees buckle slightly. A sharp, almost strangled breath escapes them, and then — with a flick of their wrist, a faint shimmer surrounds them, and the spell’s influence fades.
Diego watches as the figure steadies themselves, head tilting slightly. Their posture now exudes careful curiosity rather than alarm.
"A bard." The voice is calm, analytical, and unmistakably feminine. "That explains the flourish."
Then — she moves.
Rather than lunge for Diego, she grabs the device she placed against the stabilizer and twists it sharply — a small click, a shift in arcane pressure. Then, in one swift motion, she pivots toward the opposite side of the room, where a narrow window — too small for mos t— sits just above a row of workbenches.
She’s fast. Too fast.
The Streets
The rhythmic pounding of boots against stone echoes as Iromae and Vorenus (Grathna) weave through the streets of Suzail, heading straight for the Guild Hall.
The city is still awake, but the streets aren’t nearly as bustling as they were earlier in the evening. That makes their urgency stand out. A few watchful eyes turn their way, some curious, some indifferent.
As they push forward, Iromae finds a moment to ask, her voice just loud enough to be heard over their footsteps:
"You going to keep up the disguise at the guild? Might be confusing if we run into Grantha."
The Guild Hall isn’t far now. The windows of its upper levels are dimly lit, but some areas are still active, casting faint glows through their glass panes.
They don’t have much time.
The Pursuit
Shenua doesn’t take the bait.
Rather than rushing forward and exposing herself, she lets the hooded man’s display of agility be his own downfall. He expects to be followed, to be chased — but what if she isn’t behind him at all?
Instead, she moves with purpose, slipping out of the alley and into the nearest connecting street. She knows Suzail. The layout of its districts, the twists and turns of its side streets. There will be another way forward — perhaps even a faster one.
Her mind works quickly, recalling where she is in relation to the Guild District. The low stone wall he vaulted over likely connects to a merchant's passage — a route used by couriers and traders looking to avoid the main roads. If she’s right, she can cut ahead without ever being seen.
The risk? He might change course.
The reward? She might get the drop on him instead.
The artificer doesn't have time to lose. The merchant's passage will surely give her the chance to catch the hooded man ... if he doesn't alter his course. She weighs her options and their consequences, but makes up her mind quickly: the stabilizer is the priority. If the man changes course and goes somewhere other than the Guild, then she'll have to forget about him.
Sure, Shenua is deeply intrigued by who he is and what the hell he was doing at the tavern that specific night, but if he looses him, that will have to wait. Right now, the stabilizer is at risk of being tampered with again and that is more important.
The tiefling purses her lips. Diego must be in the presence of the culprit by now. She hopes he's okay, but there's nothing she can do except trust that he'll manage, and that Iromae and Vorenus will reach him soon enough. She, on the other hand, needs to focus on the present moment.
Shenua moves towards the merchant's passage, hoping to catch a glimpse of the hooded man. Has she managed to track him, or has she lost him completely? Despite her urgency, the artificer doesn't rush around the corners. Instead, she halts before each one, peeking ahead before stepping forward. It would be awfully stupid to slam into him just for not being cautious...
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
They are running now at full speed, Vorenus lets the disguise of Grathna slip away and he’s back to his usual self, running down passageways back to the guild with all haste. In between he says to Ironmae if she can hear, “I have .. a … bad… feeling about… this…. Our silver tongued… friend may… be in over… his head.” He continues to race back toward the portal periodically looking back to make sure Ironmae is keeping up.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Diego no time to be impressed, his fingers picking out a familiar elvish love song as he cast charm person oh you little she devil, come to me. Save wisdom DC 13
Iromae certainly tries to keep up with Vorenus. "I'm sure he'll be fine," she says, with confidence that she doesn't have. "We probably should be on our guard when we get there though."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
The Stabilizer Room
Diego’s fingers dance across the strings of his lute, weaving an enchanting melody into the air, the notes laced with magic. His voice, smooth and inviting, delivers the charm spell with practiced ease.
"Oh, you little she-devil, come to me."
For a moment, the masked woman falters. Her movement slows, fingers tightening around the device she just activated. Her breath catches, and she half-turns toward Diego, the faintest flicker of hesitation crossing her face.
But then — her jaw clenches.
A sharp exhale escapes her lips as she visibly forces herself through the magic's influence. She knows she was just charmed — but she’s too well-trained to let it take full hold.
"Flattering," she murmurs, her voice edged with amusement — but not submission.
Then — she moves again.
Instead of lunging for Diego or fleeing outright, her free hand flicks upward, sending a burst of blinding white light toward him — a quick, disorienting flash of magic, not a full spell but a tactical trick.
The momentary brightness sears Diego’s vision, forcing his eyes to adjust. In that split-second distraction, she lunges for the narrow window!
The Streets
Vorenus and Iromae push forward at full speed, the Guild Hall looming closer with every step. The sounds of their hurried footfalls echo in the near-empty streets, but there’s no time to worry about who might be watching.
As Vorenus lets the illusion of Grathna fall away, his true form flickers back into view. Iromae barely catches his muttered words between breaths:
"I have ... a bad ... feeling about ... this … Our silver-tongued … friend may … be in over … his head."
Iromae wants to believe Diego will be fine. She says as much, though her words carry far less certainty than she’d like.
They round the final corner. Iromae remembers overhearing the real Grantha tell Shenua the service door would be left open for them. She steers Vorenus around the corner.
The Guild Hall’s side service door comes into view.
The Pursuit
Shenua keeps to the merchant’s passage, her movements swift yet careful. Every time she reaches a corner, she halts, peeking ahead before advancing.
The gamble was worth it.
Just beyond the next intersection, she spots him. The hooded figure moves with purpose, slipping past a row of stacked crates and emerging onto a main road near the Guild District.
He doesn’t glance back. He thinks he’s alone.
Shenua's breath steadies. She still has the advantage.
The Guild Hall is within sight. If he’s going there, she needs to be ready. If he’s meeting someone else, she can’t risk losing him now.
Nudging Vorenus towards the service door, Iromae does not slow down. "Do you see anything?" she whispers. Now this close, she doesn't want to tip off whoever triggered the alarm. She becomes more alert, looking about for any signs that might tip her off to what's happening inside. (Perception: 16)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Once again, Shenua freezes, waiting for the man to move just far enough away to allow her to remain unnoticed while keeping him within view.
With this in mind, the tiefling observes his actions. If he continues toward the Guild, she will follow. When they’re close enough for her spells to reach the Guild Hall itself, she'll cast a spell as silently as possible to create the sound of a slam against a window from inside the building, as though a fight were breaking out. She hopes this will cause the man to rush toward the building, paying less attention to what's happening behind him. Then, she will follow right away.
If, instead, he suddenly stops and someone else appears —the person inside the Guild tampering with the stabilizer?—she’ll act differently. She thinks of confronting them, eldritch cannon in hand, but she will decide once it actually happens.
As the artificer considers all this, a thought crosses her mind: Was this man sent to the tavern to distract any guild members who might have been headed to the Guild? For one thing, he’s ensured that she isn’t there with Diego. If Iromae and Vorenus hadn’t followed the instructions of the tinkered stone, they might have fallen for the same trick. Shenua clicks her tongue, annoyed. Who are these people? What do they gain by damaging the stabilizer?
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Vorenus barely hears Ironmae, he is running for the door as hard as he can. “Wha?” He reaches it and throws it open, making his way to the portal as fast as he can.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
aarrrghhh!! Diego screams, raising his arms too late to shield his eyes, well played madame, well played. he grab a hold of the door frame to steady himself until his sight returns and waits...as he does he starts speaking out loud what the lady looked like, or best he could see, as well as what the item she had looked like and what she did.
The Stabilizer Room
The sudden flash of light sears Diego’s vision, and he stumbles slightly, grabbing the doorframe for balance.
By the time the bright spots in his vision begin to fade, the masked woman is already halfway through the narrow window — a tight escape, but clearly one she was prepared for.
Diego keeps talking, forcing himself to recall details: pale silver-blonde hair, sharp features, a dark mask — all glimpsed in the flickering glow of the stabilizer runes. And the object she had placed? A metallic device, small, carefully set against the stabilizer casing — was it a disruptor? A siphon?
Then — a sound from behind.
The side door bursts open as Vorenus barrels inside, Iromae close behind.
They arrive just in time to see the woman's legs disappearing through the window.
The Pursuit
Shenua stays perfectly still, watching, waiting.
The hooded man moves with steady purpose, his course set for the Guild Hall. He doesn’t slow down, doesn’t hesitate. If he was sent to the tavern as a distraction, he’s done his job.
Shenua stalks behind him, waiting for just the right moment. As soon as they get close enough for her Thaumaturgy to reach, she murmurs the incantation, quietly shaping the sound of a sudden, heavy impact against a window — as if a fight had just broken out inside the Guild Hall.
The noise shatters the quiet of the street.
The hooded man stiffens. His head snaps toward the Guild.
And then — he moves. Faster now, rushing forward. His steps are no longer measured — they are urgent.
Shenua is glad her little deception has worked. As the man rushes toward the Guild Hall, she follows closely behind. Where is he headed? Straight for the door? Taking another route—perhaps the back of the building? The same window she used her magic on? It matters not. Wherever he leads, she will follow.
She grips her eldritch cannon, ready to fire if necessary. If only this man were here to help... but the tiefling grows more certain with every step that his true purpose today was to aid in sabotaging the planar stabilizer.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Iromae is torn between checking on Diego or the woman escaping. "She's getting away!" she calls out, even as she heads toward Diego. In a quieter voice she asks, "Are you alright? What happened?"
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Vorenus hears Ironmae’s voice and everything seems to be happening in slow motion. His only thought is pursuit, he continues running forward, right to the window. If there is a clear path down and it looks like he can make it, Vorenus jumps after her. If not and he can only see her and she’s within 30 feet, Vorenus casts suggestion, saying “Stop, quit running, you should turn yourself in and let us speak with you, return to the room you are fleeing from and sit down.”
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
yes, and once my sight returns to normal yours is the only face I want to see, but she's getting away, he points toward the window.
"Oh yea, I'm sure Diego!" Iromae says with a chuckle. "At least it seems you really are fine." She now turns her attention to where Vorenus has tried to halt the woman that headed out the window. "Did you stop them?"
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer