The City of the Specter, Atem's Palace

[metagame]

The corpse sinks to the floor
Even the brightest gold, even the sharpest blade
Becomes sand, becomes dust

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🧍‍♂️

[prozaic]

[Shalem is Thinking. He sees everyone struggle to negotiate with the merchant, and he thinks he may have to part with one of his precious gold jewelry-- the other Phidia at home must never know-- before he remembers, he may just have an advantage.

He's going to remove his shirt-- sorry to everyone who had trouble with him earlier, but he needs to do this-- because there are a collection of scales on his body. They're sporadic until they get lower on him... until the his tail begins. And then there's a lot of them, iridescent under the sun. Then he wraps the end of his tail around a wrist-- anyone looking may note that it's a little see-through?

And, what's that on his chest? Not scales, but a small collection of crystals. He's also quite scarred, is the thing. It's clear he hasn't had an easy life.

It's like this that he wanders off to the merchant, and then he flicks his tongue out to really drive home his serpentine nature. When he's managed to capture the merchant's attention, he gives a nod.]

How have your fortunes been, recently? [Even his voice has changed-- the tone and volume aren't any different, but the accent? Yes. He switched back to his old one, Bri'ish Victorian, just for this one ruse.]

[metagame]

The forked tongue and the scales and the gold and those scars... An omen? Or has a god decided to visit him? With how well things have been going for good Shebsti today and the mass of riches he has obtained, he decides Shalem couldn't possibly be a bad sign.

"Quite fair! Are you interested in my linens? Many travelers such as yourself have said unto me that they are finest they've ever laid their eyes on."

[prozaic]

I am interested. How may I show myself to the people as I am now? [Implying that he's here for something important!

Which he is, but not in the ways people might expect.]

Dear merchant, what are you willing to give as an offering to me?

[emptyself]

[ when did he get that confidence... ]

[prozaic]

[it's called acting--]

[metagame]

"Yes! Please, take this, my lord. It's one of the finest linens I have. Weaved by the most talented work women in the north."

Somehow Shalem has pulled a fast one with his serpentine features, and has obtained one linen tunic! ... Sometimes it pays to be a snake.

[prozaic]

[Success! He did it without giving his gold to a fake person. He accepts the tunic with a nod.]

In exchange for this, the first serpentine lord's temple that you see after the events of this day, give yourself unto them and you'll want for nothing else. [Watch it be Apep--

Then he's off, back to the group, byeeeeeee]

[metagame]

Why was everyone's rolls so terrible for this... Everyone who wanted linen tunics now has them, but before they're able to leave the market, three guards with guard baboons come barreling towards Shebsti and his stall.

"There he is! We heard something odd was happening here... and to think we'd find that shyster, Shebsti, too! Quick! Apprehend them all!"

No escape, it's a battle!

The baboons combine to form Thoth while the guards reveal themselves as three Naga.

They pose their spears at the group, all except for Soujuurou. They don't seem to notice him at all.

[beautifulknight]

...Pardon?

[ Argenti is so surprised by this he doesn't get to attack (1) ]

[prozaic]

[Oh no. He was about to dress up and cover up his features to make stealth much easier but--

Shalem walks in front of his companions and holds out his arm as if to shield them.]

What is the meaning of this? [He hasn't affected his usual accent yet. He's going to try negotiating first, and hopefully his serpentine features are still effective. But maybe not... (4)]

[strawsandals]

[ Just gonna go ahead and cast Matarunda and lower the enemys' attack stat for now... ]

Crap...

[finalmix]

[ sighs. ]

Should have known this was too good to be true.

[ since we're going pacifist route for this first turn joshua doesn't do anything - but he does turn to Shebsti: ]

You never mentioned you were a wanted man.

[bloodweapon]

[Since we aren't jumping straight to attacks just yet, here's a Masukukaja to raise Argenti's, Yoon's, Shalem's, and his own agility. Might as well get prepared for when we're going to need to attack!]

[pointzeropercent]

Oh? Is buying clothes a problem now?

[He's going to cast Matarukaja on Soujuurou, Argenti, Fray, and himself, raising everyone's attack.]

[moodwrecker]

[Oh welp.

Just going to buff her own defense, then.]

[emptyself]

Um...

[ uh??? ]

What's going on?

[ledbythewind]

[Richard was going to do something.

That something was going to be a Tiger's Prowl.

But Avrae said "no hits for you ever (4)" and so much for that idea.]

[metagame]

"We have received word of a conspiracy against the throne! And that Shebsti is a wanted criminal!"

Shebsti has also bailed with all your belongings. But hey, you guys got some clothes out of it! Worth it, right? Ah well. Nothing to be done about it now.

Since no one has attacked, the guards seem willing to hear you guys out... Roll for persuasion! 11 or higher is needed for success.

[emptyself]

The vendor ran away!

[ SOMEONE NOTICE HIM PLEASE THEY ARE NOT CRIMINALS ]

[privatedomicile]

Wait, you're doin' an investigation?

[Jesse considers his options...for all of three seconds, since he rolled an 8.]

Then you guys are cops. I ain't givin' you any info without a lawyer present, bitch!

[prozaic]

Conspiring against the throne? [Actually, hang on...

Might be onto something there. He casts a look at everyone, before looking back at the guards.]

And you think it's us, eh? [He gives a hiss, punctuated with a long, threatening flick of his tongue. Alas, that's as much as he can do right now, because the rest of his ability to convince the guards of something boils down to a dumb comment (9)]

Perhaps I could do so.

[beautifulknight]

Please!

We are not associated with that man - we are new to the area. Some of us may be frustrated at the accusations as well, but we do not mean any harm.

[ Argenti enhances his pleas by sparkles, rose petals, and just looking all around unsuspicious (19) ]

[moodwrecker]

How were we supposed to know? We're new here. Shouldn't you be catching the actual criminal?

[This is probably not very persuasive because she rolled a 3]

[pointzeropercent]

[he rolls a 16, time to play it up. Sou's demeanor instantly changes, to looking like a scared, weak person.]

W-we're travelers from the north, here to celebrate the festival, and our clothes were too heavy for the heat, so we traded for new ones. Please, we mean no harm!

[What festival? He doesn't know. But the one constant throughout humanity is celebrations, so he figures one has to either have just happened or will be happening soon.]

[privatedomicile]

Hey, you can't even buy clothes in peace here?! Come on, let's cool it!

[He's going to cast Tarunda to lower the attack of the Thoth. You know, just in case the offer to "cool it" isn't accepted.]