This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Cleese clears his throat and speaks, busting out his improv chops, "Hello! We represent the local chapter of the Volcano Commission. We have reason to believe that this particular peak has unsuitable living conditions for all persons, living, undead... and evidently artifice. We have water damage, geyser damage, giant holes everywhere, no obvious entrances and exits." He taps his right index finger on his left index, middle, ring and pinky fingers as he lists, "All that, on TOP of an imminent eruption that is slated to happen in..." Looks at his wrist for a moment and winces, "Oooh...! Two and-a-half hours from now!"
"We are also tasked in rescuing any and all artifacts that may be resting within out of fear of losing them to the ages and we thank you for taking the trouble of locating Whelm for us. However, there is an issue, we were hoping to perform an expedient survey and you found it necessary to forcibly retire one of our number. In light of this, we ask you to kindly hand over that fabulous creation and remove yourself from the premises."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ctenmir isn't quite sure how to react. He cocks his head, oddly.
Ctenmir Charisma Save: 9
"You're those heroes the King sent." Your act was too implausible to convince him, but you certainly have him confused. He was prepared to fight, not deal with adventurers pretending to be health inspectors. Still, no self respecting vampire would pass up the opportunity for a high stakes chat with a mortal enemy. "But I suppose the working conditions here have been somewhat... subpar. Would you care to settle this over supper?" He conjures a well laid table with 5 chairs in the center of the mausoleum.
It is rather difficult to hide when your forehead is glowing with the only light source in the room. If you can find some way to avoid this complication, then you may use that stealth roll.
Also, the room and a small area outside the doorway is filled with a magical Darkness, the same that clouded your vision when you entered. The interior of the mausoleum is very small, about 15 ft wide and 20 ft long with a low ceiling. In the back, you can barely make out Ctenmir's upright coffin.
Currently playing in: Quest for the Shunned City, Coliseum of Conquest, DragonDenn's Dragonlords, Shipwrecked on Fugue, Tomb of Annihilation, Razor's Lost Mine of Phandelver, The Lost Kenku & One Grung Above
Currently DMing: Princes of the Apocalypse, Out of the Abyss, Coliseum of Conquest—The Arena (Sometimes)
(ooc forgot/ didn't realize I still had the light. could I attempt to approach the table, looping around and behind him, still a glow but maybe he is distracted talking to the others? I don't, if it doesn't work it doesn't work. If I need any additionalrolls to try just let me know)
"Splendid. I'll grab the rosé." Ctenmir turns his back to you (*Richard, take note*) and reaches into a secret compartment in his coffin. He returns with a bottle of wine in one hand and a loaf of fine bread. He fills a glass for all of you, as well as one for Whelm, whom he leans against the table at his side. Ctenmir pulls a vial from his breast pocket and places a few drops of blood in his own wine.
"You can eat. None of is conjured or an illusion, although I admit it may be ill gotten like all things the Knight brings back from his raids." He pauses to sip his wine delicately. "The reason I did not attack you on sight is because I wanted to discuss your employer, and I don't mean the Volcano Commission."
Currently playing in: Quest for the Shunned City, Coliseum of Conquest, DragonDenn's Dragonlords, Shipwrecked on Fugue, Tomb of Annihilation, Razor's Lost Mine of Phandelver, The Lost Kenku & One Grung Above
Currently DMing: Princes of the Apocalypse, Out of the Abyss, Coliseum of Conquest—The Arena (Sometimes)
"Not exactly the impression I got when you knocked that poor lad's head into the next age. My skills in etiquette may be a notch above passable, but I'm pretty sure something like that tends to end conversations. However, I digress... I tried - and failed - to mislead you. So, let's agree to disagree and say we both are on shaky ground."
He swirls the glass and sniffs to sample the bouquet.
Ctenmir's deadly charm is replaced by a glare directed at Cleese, but he regains his composure. "You are currently in the service of King Osric, are you not?" Seeing your assent, Ctenmir continues. "How would you like a promotion? The King offered you gold, I'm sure, but our operation here has designs on obtaining... a more immaterial wealth. Eternal life." Ctenmir downs his glass. "Eternal life, free from the chains of lichdom or vampirism. It is what everyone in this forgotten hell hole seeks. Swear fealty to Keraptis, and you can become one of us. One of your companions has already accepted this offer." Ctenmir says the last line with a devious smirk.
Realizing he probably isn't his Roderick sits but doesn't eat or speak. His right hand reaches for a drink and swirls it while his left hand pulls out a dagger under the table
Cleese stands up in fury, slamming his free hand on the table.
"Seriously?! That's all you've got?!"
He starts pacing around the room, ranting
"Why did I get my hopes up? This always happens to me... I get suckered by a pretty face and BAM! Sucker punched by first-year vignette malarkey!"
"Everything I've heard of vampires tell me of their legendary charms, wits sharper than their own fangs, and lavish tastes that go so far past blasphemous, they circle right back into exquisite! But so far, I've seen none of those!"
His voice lowers a little bit.
"I could have forgiven the lack of those qualities if they were just by themselves... But the final straw came at the end of your ultimatum."
"I'm a stage actor, it's my job to be memorable by being strange, shocking, and novel. Many holds know of the Morton Boa Troupe for that very reason! We revel in it!"
He give an excited and incredulous laugh.
"I was genuinely excited to try and match wits with a vampire when you proposed our little talk. It was something absolutely nobody has done before because those who attempt do so never return to tell the tale and for good reason! This was even better, a vampire with the legendary Whelm itself"
His voice lowers again.
"But, no.... All this wind-up for a rehash of our famous 'With the Inquisitor.'"
"Immortality... In this damned place...? That was never my goal here. It is such a small concept compared to what I'm after."
"... And don't you think you're getting off so easily... You've literally made legends!"
"Oh, the songs the dwarves have sung of you... Yes, they've had the coherence a mead hall full of them one would expect - Nevertheless, I've heard of your grand feats! You've crumbled the walls of wicked keeps from miles away! Hordes from the Underdark were swept away with one swing! You've even shaken the resolve of the mightiest giants by the mere sight of you!"
"That's the problem here.. They were all in the past. No new stories are to be made here".
"Grand stories turn into to legend, and from legend, to myth. What happens beyond myth? Nobody knows... In fact, nobody remembers. That's what awaits you while you are here, in a tiny peak that the world has nearly forgotten. Nobody even remembered that White Plume was a bloody volcano until we came along! Yet you are content to wait in this pretty little peak until the stars fade, the trumpets sound, and no one to sing of you again. Hardly a fitting end for one such as yourself..."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(OoC: That was quite the monologue. Wow)
"Feats to be sure, but none done on a sober stomach, eh? Pass the wine, if ye don't mind."
"I apologize for disappointing you, but I'm not here to bandy words with a flying circus runaway! I shouldn't even call that glorified falling you did outside my residence 'flying'." Ctenmir rises to his feet and unbuttons his Victorian suit jacket. Cleese's monologue injured his pride, and he would rather abandon all cunning than be thought of as insignificant.
"If you are disappointed by the offer of mere immortality, you may be pleased to know that my-- Keraptis' masterstroke is far more ingenious. And the best part? I can gloat all I want because it was complete as of thirty-five minutes ago! Yes, Keraptis won the moment you entered this dungeon, you've lost the game and are now just playing out the final turns. Maybe you thought my wit was lacking, but you spoke too soon. And anyhow, your wit will soon be serving me."
Ctenmir looks Cleese dead in the eye. The contact lasts only for a second but it is enough to send Cleese's sanity reeling. His mind fumbles for control. Who are his friends? Who is the foe?
Cleese's Wisdom Save vs Ctenmir's Charm (DC 17): 8
Cleese: You are Charmed by Ctenmir. You regard him as a trusted friend to be heeded and protected. Although you aren't under his control, you take his requests and actions in the most favorable way you can, and you are a willing target for his bite attack. You can repeat this save if Ctenmir does anything to hurt you. Otherwise, it lasts for 24 hours.
Ctenmir turns his attention to the rest of you. "Now Cleese, be a good chap and tell these intruders how unwise it would be to refuse Keraptis' offer."
"Has this ever happened to you...? You are trudging through a bleak, meaningless existence and a thought pops in your head:"
He changes his voice to a young boy with a cockney accent
"Oi! There ain't any direction my loif an' finkin' ain't all it crak'd up ta be!"
"There's an answer for your woes, Little Billy! Straight from Keraptis, it's indentured servitude! Thinking and doing things for yourself are things of the past." He casts minor illusion to depict a static, sepia-toned split scene of a scholar agonizing over a book and blacksmith over an anvil wiping sweat off of his brow.
"What do you get with this incredible offer? With your life in Keraptis' hands you get first-rate amenities in scenic White Plume Mountain and are safe from the myriad traps, puzzles and the menagerie of unique creatures that inhabit therein! Interact with vampires, sphinxes and even the odd Gelatinous Rhombus! What else can you ask for?"
"Now, I know what you're thinking... 'Wait, in all of the time we've been here, Keraptis never said any word regarding such a notion!' Well just because he never said that doesn't mean the offer doesn't exist!"
"You'd be crazy to turn down this offer, and if you act now, immortality can also be yours! But don't just take my word for it, our host Ctenmir said so himself!"
His voice changes back to the cockney boy:
" 'Ang on a tick... It seems that part only came from your fangy bloke. 'Ow do you know Keraptis will make good?"
"That's the beauty part of that, Little Billy. For many, many generations, Keraptis has been known to be an intelligent and powerful mage, I have no doubt that he has survived for this long and is on the cusp of achieving that very goal! I am absolutely certain he will share those secrets when the time comes!"
"But so far, all we 'eard is 'is voice, are we even sure 'e's even 'ere?"
"Haha! Enough of the silly questions, Little Billy! You don't need to worry about such trivialities as a servant of a great wizard!"
His voice changes to one of young girl.
"Those don't seem very-"
"Enough!"
He changes his voice to gruff mature male voice:
"You don't yell at my daughter like that!"
Cleese is clearly beginning to forget what the original point was, but is showing no hint of him slowing down.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Well, that's one way to do it... " comments Ctenmir. "...but I had in mind something more like this."
With uncanny speed and strength, Ctenmeir throws the table at the opposite wall, taking all who are seated with it. Everyone is knocked prone for a moment, including Whelm who lets out a cry of indignation.
(Cleese may repeat his save: 6)
Ctenmir leaps into battle, focusing on Cleese first, who puts up no resistance to Ctenmir's bite.
Bite: 15 and Cleese's maximum HP is reduced by 10 until you take a Long Rest
Cleese clears his throat and speaks, busting out his improv chops, "Hello! We represent the local chapter of the Volcano Commission. We have reason to believe that this particular peak has unsuitable living conditions for all persons, living, undead... and evidently artifice. We have water damage, geyser damage, giant holes everywhere, no obvious entrances and exits." He taps his right index finger on his left index, middle, ring and pinky fingers as he lists, "All that, on TOP of an imminent eruption that is slated to happen in..." Looks at his wrist for a moment and winces, "Oooh...! Two and-a-half hours from now!"
"We are also tasked in rescuing any and all artifacts that may be resting within out of fear of losing them to the ages and we thank you for taking the trouble of locating Whelm for us. However, there is an issue, we were hoping to perform an expedient survey and you found it necessary to forcibly retire one of our number. In light of this, we ask you to kindly hand over that fabulous creation and remove yourself from the premises."
Performance: 26
Extended Signature
Ctenmir isn't quite sure how to react. He cocks his head, oddly.
Ctenmir Charisma Save: 9
"You're those heroes the King sent." Your act was too implausible to convince him, but you certainly have him confused. He was prepared to fight, not deal with adventurers pretending to be health inspectors. Still, no self respecting vampire would pass up the opportunity for a high stakes chat with a mortal enemy. "But I suppose the working conditions here have been somewhat... subpar. Would you care to settle this over supper?" He conjures a well laid table with 5 chairs in the center of the mausoleum.
Roderick will attempt to hide while the others talk. Stealth 24
It is rather difficult to hide when your forehead is glowing with the only light source in the room. If you can find some way to avoid this complication, then you may use that stealth roll.
Also, the room and a small area outside the doorway is filled with a magical Darkness, the same that clouded your vision when you entered. The interior of the mausoleum is very small, about 15 ft wide and 20 ft long with a low ceiling. In the back, you can barely make out Ctenmir's upright coffin.
Ctenmir awaits your response to his offer.
“Aye, and what will ye eat?”
Check out my Extended signature here
Class Guides: Barbarian, Rogue, Sorcerer, Bard General Guides: PvP
Currently playing in: Quest for the Shunned City, Coliseum of Conquest, DragonDenn's Dragonlords, Shipwrecked on Fugue, Tomb of Annihilation, Razor's Lost Mine of Phandelver, The Lost Kenku & One Grung Above
Currently DMing: Princes of the Apocalypse, Out of the Abyss, Coliseum of Conquest—The Arena (Sometimes)
(ooc forgot/ didn't realize I still had the light. could I attempt to approach the table, looping around and behind him, still a glow but maybe he is distracted talking to the others? I don't, if it doesn't work it doesn't work. If I need any additionalrolls to try just let me know)
"I mean, what sort of intruders would we be if we said 'No?'" Cleese says with a nervous chuckle.
Extended Signature
"Splendid. I'll grab the rosé." Ctenmir turns his back to you (*Richard, take note*) and reaches into a secret compartment in his coffin. He returns with a bottle of wine in one hand and a loaf of fine bread. He fills a glass for all of you, as well as one for Whelm, whom he leans against the table at his side. Ctenmir pulls a vial from his breast pocket and places a few drops of blood in his own wine.
"You can eat. None of is conjured or an illusion, although I admit it may be ill gotten like all things the Knight brings back from his raids." He pauses to sip his wine delicately. "The reason I did not attack you on sight is because I wanted to discuss your employer, and I don't mean the Volcano Commission."
(Would Karnys's false life still be active?)
Check out my Extended signature here
Class Guides: Barbarian, Rogue, Sorcerer, Bard General Guides: PvP
Currently playing in: Quest for the Shunned City, Coliseum of Conquest, DragonDenn's Dragonlords, Shipwrecked on Fugue, Tomb of Annihilation, Razor's Lost Mine of Phandelver, The Lost Kenku & One Grung Above
Currently DMing: Princes of the Apocalypse, Out of the Abyss, Coliseum of Conquest—The Arena (Sometimes)
Cleese takes his seat and picks up his glass.
"Not exactly the impression I got when you knocked that poor lad's head into the next age. My skills in etiquette may be a notch above passable, but I'm pretty sure something like that tends to end conversations. However, I digress... I tried - and failed - to mislead you. So, let's agree to disagree and say we both are on shaky ground."
He swirls the glass and sniffs to sample the bouquet.
Extended Signature
OoC: Yes, false life is still active.
Ctenmir's deadly charm is replaced by a glare directed at Cleese, but he regains his composure. "You are currently in the service of King Osric, are you not?" Seeing your assent, Ctenmir continues. "How would you like a promotion? The King offered you gold, I'm sure, but our operation here has designs on obtaining... a more immaterial wealth. Eternal life." Ctenmir downs his glass. "Eternal life, free from the chains of lichdom or vampirism. It is what everyone in this forgotten hell hole seeks. Swear fealty to Keraptis, and you can become one of us. One of your companions has already accepted this offer." Ctenmir says the last line with a devious smirk.
Ctenmer gazes around the table, taking pleasure at the sight of your frozen faces. The drama of the moment is ruined by an interjection from Whelm.
"Also comes with endless booze, if that gets ye interested. HeHehe."
Realizing he probably isn't his Roderick sits but doesn't eat or speak. His right hand reaches for a drink and swirls it while his left hand pulls out a dagger under the table
"Wha- Really...? Seriously...?"
Cleese stands up in fury, slamming his free hand on the table.
"Seriously?! That's all you've got?!"
He starts pacing around the room, ranting
"Why did I get my hopes up? This always happens to me... I get suckered by a pretty face and BAM! Sucker punched by first-year vignette malarkey!"
"Everything I've heard of vampires tell me of their legendary charms, wits sharper than their own fangs, and lavish tastes that go so far past blasphemous, they circle right back into exquisite! But so far, I've seen none of those!"
His voice lowers a little bit.
"I could have forgiven the lack of those qualities if they were just by themselves... But the final straw came at the end of your ultimatum."
"I'm a stage actor, it's my job to be memorable by being strange, shocking, and novel. Many holds know of the Morton Boa Troupe for that very reason! We revel in it!"
He give an excited and incredulous laugh.
"I was genuinely excited to try and match wits with a vampire when you proposed our little talk. It was something absolutely nobody has done before because those who attempt do so never return to tell the tale and for good reason! This was even better, a vampire with the legendary Whelm itself"
His voice lowers again.
"But, no.... All this wind-up for a rehash of our famous 'With the Inquisitor.'"
"Immortality... In this damned place...? That was never my goal here. It is such a small concept compared to what I'm after."
Extended Signature
He then turns to Whelm.
"... And don't you think you're getting off so easily... You've literally made legends!"
"Oh, the songs the dwarves have sung of you... Yes, they've had the coherence a mead hall full of them one would expect - Nevertheless, I've heard of your grand feats! You've crumbled the walls of wicked keeps from miles away! Hordes from the Underdark were swept away with one swing! You've even shaken the resolve of the mightiest giants by the mere sight of you!"
"That's the problem here.. They were all in the past. No new stories are to be made here".
"Grand stories turn into to legend, and from legend, to myth. What happens beyond myth? Nobody knows... In fact, nobody remembers. That's what awaits you while you are here, in a tiny peak that the world has nearly forgotten. Nobody even remembered that White Plume was a bloody volcano until we came along! Yet you are content to wait in this pretty little peak until the stars fade, the trumpets sound, and no one to sing of you again. Hardly a fitting end for one such as yourself..."
Extended Signature
(OoC: That was quite the monologue. Wow)
"Feats to be sure, but none done on a sober stomach, eh? Pass the wine, if ye don't mind."
"I apologize for disappointing you, but I'm not here to bandy words with a flying circus runaway! I shouldn't even call that glorified falling you did outside my residence 'flying'." Ctenmir rises to his feet and unbuttons his Victorian suit jacket. Cleese's monologue injured his pride, and he would rather abandon all cunning than be thought of as insignificant.
"If you are disappointed by the offer of mere immortality, you may be pleased to know that my-- Keraptis' masterstroke is far more ingenious. And the best part? I can gloat all I want because it was complete as of thirty-five minutes ago! Yes, Keraptis won the moment you entered this dungeon, you've lost the game and are now just playing out the final turns. Maybe you thought my wit was lacking, but you spoke too soon. And anyhow, your wit will soon be serving me."
Ctenmir looks Cleese dead in the eye. The contact lasts only for a second but it is enough to send Cleese's sanity reeling. His mind fumbles for control. Who are his friends? Who is the foe?
Cleese's Wisdom Save vs Ctenmir's Charm (DC 17): 8
Cleese: You are Charmed by Ctenmir. You regard him as a trusted friend to be heeded and protected. Although you aren't under his control, you take his requests and actions in the most favorable way you can, and you are a willing target for his bite attack. You can repeat this save if Ctenmir does anything to hurt you. Otherwise, it lasts for 24 hours.
Ctenmir turns his attention to the rest of you. "Now Cleese, be a good chap and tell these intruders how unwise it would be to refuse Keraptis' offer."
"I don't just tell, my good sir!"
Cleese turns to face his companions
"Has this ever happened to you...? You are trudging through a bleak, meaningless existence and a thought pops in your head:"
He changes his voice to a young boy with a cockney accent
"Oi! There ain't any direction my loif an' finkin' ain't all it crak'd up ta be!"
"There's an answer for your woes, Little Billy! Straight from Keraptis, it's indentured servitude! Thinking and doing things for yourself are things of the past." He casts minor illusion to depict a static, sepia-toned split scene of a scholar agonizing over a book and blacksmith over an anvil wiping sweat off of his brow.
"What do you get with this incredible offer? With your life in Keraptis' hands you get first-rate amenities in scenic White Plume Mountain and are safe from the myriad traps, puzzles and the menagerie of unique creatures that inhabit therein! Interact with vampires, sphinxes and even the odd Gelatinous Rhombus! What else can you ask for?"
"Now, I know what you're thinking... 'Wait, in all of the time we've been here, Keraptis never said any word regarding such a notion!' Well just because he never said that doesn't mean the offer doesn't exist!"
"You'd be crazy to turn down this offer, and if you act now, immortality can also be yours! But don't just take my word for it, our host Ctenmir said so himself!"
His voice changes back to the cockney boy:
" 'Ang on a tick... It seems that part only came from your fangy bloke. 'Ow do you know Keraptis will make good?"
"That's the beauty part of that, Little Billy. For many, many generations, Keraptis has been known to be an intelligent and powerful mage, I have no doubt that he has survived for this long and is on the cusp of achieving that very goal! I am absolutely certain he will share those secrets when the time comes!"
"But so far, all we 'eard is 'is voice, are we even sure 'e's even 'ere?"
"Haha! Enough of the silly questions, Little Billy! You don't need to worry about such trivialities as a servant of a great wizard!"
His voice changes to one of young girl.
"Those don't seem very-"
"Enough!"
He changes his voice to gruff mature male voice:
"You don't yell at my daughter like that!"
Cleese is clearly beginning to forget what the original point was, but is showing no hint of him slowing down.
Extended Signature
"Well, that's one way to do it... " comments Ctenmir. "...but I had in mind something more like this."
With uncanny speed and strength, Ctenmeir throws the table at the opposite wall, taking all who are seated with it. Everyone is knocked prone for a moment, including Whelm who lets out a cry of indignation.
(Cleese may repeat his save: 6)
Ctenmir leaps into battle, focusing on Cleese first, who puts up no resistance to Ctenmir's bite.
Bite: 15 and Cleese's maximum HP is reduced by 10 until you take a Long Rest
(Cleese may repeat his save again: 5)
(OOC: I guess everyone roll initiative...?)
Extended Signature