Jean followed the others as they seemed disinclined to make their escape. She took up a relaxed, though still standing, stance where she could watch both the door and the Pretender. "Many questions, up to and including 'How does Durnan get those amazing fried onion roses in the Yawning Portal?' and 'How can the Harpers be both a secret society and known to all the populace?'" She said, a blank expression on her face.

The Pretender looked, if this is even possible, as bewildered as the DM currently feels

Jean hid a grin as she noted the Pretender's expression. Pretending to be completely serious she waited for the others to chime in with questions and comments that might reveal the answers that were actually wanted.

Amaruve turns his head from Jean to the Pretender expectantly then adds, "Rrgumpff?" gesturing to his Ursine features, as if the pretender had any information about his situation.

The Pretender inhales sharply. "So it's true"  he hisses. He turns to the others, "Where in the left-hand names of God did you all find a shapeshifter?" 

(Many options here, all. Just setting the stage- you all are crowded in a small rocky alcove dug into the main circular chamber of the larger subterranean (and decidedly spooky) lab. There is a creature of unknown parentage beneath a purple robe blocking the exit into the larger lab. It's a little tight, and this man seems to know more than he's letting on. This is your chance to pump him for intel- maybe try not to divulge more than you glean from him?)

(One other point- BD: are you piloting Cordelia while Ru is out starting now?)

"The Circus." Jean replied with a completely straight face.

Perspicacious gives an admonishing eye to Jean for her curt answers before addressing the man. "Ah, Mr. Pretender.. is that really what we call you..?  Nevermind, you see, as we have just had a successful engagement versus this ida-ke, as you call it, perhaps we should just collect the winnings and go? You did mention something about dying in two days should we speak with the Duke, so why don't we all just agree its best if we part ways here. Nobody need die, not today... not here... not like this..." As she mutters the last part, she looks again at her hobgoblin a little forlornly. Although it doesn't feel like anything is missing, not being able to see her tail or touch her horns, is giving her a bit of nausea.

At the Pretender's comment Cordelia looks up, after tapping Dusty's screen with a fingernail, (as if the vibration would allow a more accurate reading, as is sometimes the case on an analogue readout.) "Shapeshifter?" She asks earnestly, "You mean... Mr. Porter's familiar there?" She manages to affect the ruse of their position, yet she misses taking in some of the simple details. "As we see it, things here are starting to fall apart all too suddenly, and we'll need every advantage we can get... What's going on out there? Is the DUKE losing control?" She asks, trying to get to the root of the problems this world is facing.

Perspicacious- as you speak, the Pretender's eyes grow wider and wider. His mouth is hanging open by the time you have finished, and he looks at a complete loss for words as his face begins to darken. 

"You... You can speak..." He regains a bit of composure. "Well, I see that it is not just the Thunder Steins that are full of surprises, master hobgoblin. But you are operating under a misapprehension, you referred to winnings? The winnings go to the winner of the entire tournament, the finals of which take place tomorrow. At any rate, you were defeated by your suspiciously chummy new companions here, and the law precludes you from competing alongside them."

His turns away from you to shuffle a few items around on his desk, apparently looking for something. "As far as the Duke is concerned," he continues, not looking at you, "He placed a considerable wager on you to win the tournament. Were I you, I would do everything in my power to get out of here as quickly as humanly- well, as goblinly possible"

He looks at Cordelia. "As for your question, my good man... Thacker, wasn't it? The Duke has more control over this country than even he realizes. It can't be a surprise to you all, given what I've already divulged, that I am no fan of his works. My house and my lands were absorbed by his ever-expanding borders, and he has forced me into labor, bending my beautiful, arcane abilities to designing monstrosities for use in waging his wars."

His is growing visibly more upset as he speaks. Clearly he hasn't had an opportunity to vent his frustrations in quite some time, if ever. "To make matters worse, he is convinced that we are fast friends, and I must abide his insufferable company each evening and most days- when I am not bottled in this cavern, that is."

He pauses. "But that is where you all come in. Come now! I know that you all have more power than you are letting on! With your firepower, and with your... circus bear, surely we can devise a plan to topple the Duke and-"

While he is speaking, he looks up at Ritz and nods. (Everyone please roll perception! I'm hiding my rolls moving forward- good luck!)

Perception: 5

Perspicacious is thrown off by the Pretender's response so much that she fails to notice anything else going on in the room. Realization begins to dawn on the Tiefling as to what part she has to play. "Mammon's gold, what have you gotten me into..." she softly swears to herself.

The Professor would try to whisper to Perspicacious while the Pretender is talking, "However you got into this body, perhaps it would be a good idea to try it again."

Perception: 16

(Well, mine was the worst possible roll with the best modifier I've ever seen)

Professor, you notice footprints (that aren't attached to a visible body) appearing on the soft dirt floor of the alcove/office. They are slowly approaching Perspicacious, and as they slow further, you hear the soft but distinct sound of metal rasping against leather from their direction, much as a knife would make when removed from its sheath...

Can I swing my cane at the area above the footprints? Not really going for damage, just hoping it connects with something. 

And Gordra will yell "Intruder!"

ill roll an attack just in case:  Attack: 8 Damage: 4

/e Oof

Gordra, your cane bounces off the shoulder of an invisible Ritz, the illusory image of whom shimmers by the door and disappears. Ritz then pops into view, its hood falling off its head...

The head of the creature would be perfectly spherical if not for two features: First, its fleshy skull is knobbly and tumorous, and second, it is coated with ink-black eyes. 

Ritz is a homunculus. With a scaly fist, it leaps at Perspicacious, slashing its knife:

Attack: 15 Damage: 4

(Perspicacious, I'm afraid I need you to roll a Constitution save: DC12)

(While we're waiting for that roll, everyone can react as they please!)

Quote from Adaxter >>

(Perspicacious, I'm afraid I need you to roll a Constitution save: DC12)

 Constitution Save: 17

Startled out of her ruminations, Perspicacious does not see the knife before it is too late, yelping in surprise as it cuts into her.

(Oh, and perspicacious: if you were interested in taking a look at your coin and playing musical chairs with another body, I'm afraid that it was not shining gold before or after you were stabbed)