Act 1, Part 3: Into the Fire

[Kistler]

Millanius the Arcane - Human Thaumaturge 1 HP: 17/17 | AC: 18 | Perception: +5 Fort: +6 | Ref: +6 | Will: +5  | Conditions: None ResourcesCharacter: -Hero Points: 2/3 -Focus Points: 0/0 Items: - | Spells/ScrollsScrolls: - Cantrips:  - Level 1: - | Skills*Acrobatics: +6 *Arcana: +3 Athletics: +1 Crafting: +0 *Deception: +8 *Diplomacy1020: +8 *Esoteric Lore: +7 Intimidate: +5 Medicine: +0 *Nature: +3 *Occultism: +3 *Performance: +7 *Politics Lore: +3 *Religion: +3 Society: +0 *Stealth: +6 Survival: +0 *Thievery92225: +6 *Trained Consumables: 2x Tanglefoot Bags, 2x PoL Healing Effects:

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After pausing for a second in surprise, Millanius runs into the room, sure Antonia would otherwise be committing suicide. He can't recall any specific thing the gray-haired man might be weak to, other than naps in the afternoon and perhaps sitting too long, so he focuses on smacking him with the borrowed hammer clenched in his fist. The blow lands with a solid *thwack*.

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OOC/Actions Other:  Action 1: Move 20' Action 2: Exploit Vulerability (likely Fail, trigger Personal Antithesis) Action 3: Attack! Reaction: Recognize Spell Free:

Familiar/Other Modifiers Stitches the Monkey | 5/5HP | AC18 Per: +5/Fort: +6/Ref: +6/Will: +5 -Low-light Vision -Manual Dexterity -Valet -25' Land Speed   Effects: -15' Aura, Circ bonus to Dip/Int/Dec & +1 v. Fear -Success v Mental is crit success -+2 Damage from empowerment -Activate any Scroll

Gear Worn -Clothing (Winter) -Studded Leather Armor -Backpack -Belt Pouch -Thieves' Tools -Ringy Thingy* -Bandolier   Weapons -Sword Cane -Light Mace* -Dagger -5x Darts -Scepter (Regalia)   Containers Backpack -Bedroll -Lantern, hooded -Rations (1 week) -Rope (50') -5x Sacks -5x Torches -Waterskin   Bandoliers -3x Flasks Oil -Manacles (poor) -5x Sacks -2x Tanglefoot bags* -2x Lesser PoH*   Belt/Pouch -10x Chalk -Flint and Steel -Playing Cards -Thieves' Tools -Soap -2x Candles -Ring of Keys -39gp (38gp 6sp 3cp)*

[BlackHat]

Zakon Malheur HP: 14/14 | AC: 13 | Perception: +6 Fort: +3 | Ref: +3 | Will: +6 Hero Points: OOO | Focus Points: O

Looking past his allies as they rush into the next room, Zakon concentrated his attention on the leader hoping to distract him, if not bind him. "Take him alive, if possible. If not, execute him with the others." The judge then began to broker terms for the grey-haired man's surrender, beginning with an immediate end to his violence, weaving magic into those words.

OOC

Action 1: Step into slightly different position

Action 2: Demoralize Leader

Action 3: Pact Broker on Leader

 

Edited March 27, 2023 by BlackHat (see edit history)

[AnemoneEnemy]

Thomas of Nowhere | AC: 16 | HP: 19/19 | Per: +4 | Fort: +6 | Ref: +6 | Will: +6 | Hero: 1/1 | FP: 1/1

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Æthelflæd | AC: 18 |  Per: +4 | Fort: +6 | Ref: +7 | Will: +4

---

Thomas' fey servant follows after the others as a butler, but their too-long limbs are effective at delivering bludgeoning blows with their staff of office. The spark of Thomas' wyrd follows Verne's, dancing into the room.

"Ye hear that, ye gobshite? Best drop yuir weapon an' yuirself tae boot!"

 

OOC/mechanics

Moving Æthelflæd into position, then Act Together for Electric Arc + Strike. I'm no sure if I can actually see two targets for the Arc, so it might have to hit just one.

 

[Kavonde]

The assassin leader recoils in pain as Antonia's slender blade drives into his shoulder, completely caught off-guard by her sudden yet graceful assault.

Lerris is right behind her, slashing the bandit to her left across the chest and raising his shield against the enemies to their right.

Verne, assessing the situation perhaps a bit too quickly, blasts the bandit Lerris struck with a lightning spell, killing him--but then the bolt jumps to the bound and gagged Jaethal. The pale elven woman yelps in muffled pain and outrage, and only barely recovers in time to pull her legs out of the way of Shardik's snapping jaws.

Milannius darts into the room, wielding his rune-etched light mace. While he fails to spot any obvious vulnerabilities to exploit, he recognizes a weakness common to most men: hitting them very hard with a club. The assassin leader howls in pain as the mace strikes him, and Milannius can't help wondering if the weapon just struck a little bit harder than it perhaps should have.

Perhaps a bit distracted by his pain, the leader pays no mind at all to Zakon and his efforts to intimidate him or magically negotiate a surrender. Perhaps the mysterious enchantment on Milannius' mace is to blame?

Æthelflæd, no longer having a regular assassin within striking distance, moves a little further forward to target the leader. His blow finds its mark, smacking the assassin on the top of his head with a wet crack. He crumples bonelessly to the floor.

"Wha--" one of the surviving assassins begins to stammer, before a jolt of electricity from Thomas makes him swallow his words.

"They killed Nishkiv!" the other cries, his wild eyes even wider than before. "Volodmyra's gonna turn your guts into... uh... " After a moment's more thought, the assassin gives up on his attempted simile and charges towards Lerris, drawing his knife as he goes. He actually manages to catch Lerris off guard, but at the last possible moment, he manages to interpose his shield against the blade. The tip of the knife hits with enough force to actually rip a hole through the shield, grazing Lerris' arm, but most of the blow is absorbed and the assassin steps back, clearly surprised at the champion's reflexes.

The last assassin, recovering from the jolt of electricity Thomas struck him with, steps forward and draws his own knife, then swipes at Antonia's legs. She easily steps around the clumsy blow, and the wounded assassin is left wide open for a counterattack.

Linzi moves to the doorway, assessing the situation for a moment before she enters the room and begins to recite stanzas from The Accidental God, an epic (and humorous) poem about how Cayden Cailean defeated the Test of the Starstone one night on a drunken dare and ascended to divinity. Antonia, Lerris, Milannius, Æthelflæd and Shardik all feel magically inspired by the tale, and will strike a little harder and more true as long as Linzi keeps reciting her tale. As she speaks, she draws her shortbow and notches an arrow.

The Great and Powerful Tartuccio, your fearless leader, advances forward a bit to get a better look at the room, watches the conflict for a moment, then crosses his arms and gives a nod of approval. "I have had less competent lackeys," he declares. "Homeless boy, zap the elf again."

OOC

Round 1 complete! I kinda doubt we'll see a full round 2. I am definitely going to rebalance encounters a bit after the Manor, but hey, it's a tutorial.

I know there was some discussion about taking Nishkiv the Knife alive. If you're still interested in doing so, I'll give you until the end of this round to either provide some healing, cast Stabilize, pour a potion down his throat, or use Battle Medicine.

Round 2, fight!

 

Edited March 29, 2023 by Kavonde (see edit history)

[Kistler]

Millanius the Arcane - Human Thaumaturge 1 HP: 17/17 | AC: 18 | Perception: +5 Fort: +6 | Ref: +6 | Will: +5  | Conditions: None ResourcesCharacter: -Hero Points: 2/3 -Focus Points: 0/0 Items: - | Spells/ScrollsScrolls: - Cantrips:  - Level 1: - | Skills*Acrobatics: +6 *Arcana: +3 Athletics: +1 Crafting: +0 *Deception: +8 *Diplomacy1020: +8 *Esoteric Lore: +7 Intimidate: +5 Medicine: +0 *Nature: +3 *Occultism: +3 *Performance: +7 *Politics Lore: +3 *Religion: +3 Society: +0 *Stealth: +6 Survival: +0 *Thievery92225: +6 *Trained Consumables: 2x Tanglefoot Bags, 2x PoL Healing Effects:

---

A battle was really no place for an elderly gentleman after all. Millanius grimaces slightly, likely realizing the man was probably only a few years older than himself. He steps gingerly over his body, trodding on him ever so slightly with polite, Sorry! as he pushes through behind the two remaining killers. He lines up on the one engaged with Lerris and makes two quick strikes with his hammer. Both land solidly, easy as striking a gong, which evokes the memory of the time he did just that at the climax of one of his acts.

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OOC/Actions Other:  Action 1: Move 20' Action 2: Attack 1 (4 damage) Action 3: Attack 2 (7 damage) Reaction: Recognize Spell Free:

Familiar/Other Modifiers Stitches the Monkey | 5/5HP | AC18 Per: +5/Fort: +6/Ref: +6/Will: +5 -Low-light Vision -Manual Dexterity -Valet -25' Land Speed   Effects: -15' Aura, Circ bonus to Dip/Int/Dec & +1 v. Fear -Success v Mental is crit success -+2 Damage from empowerment -Activate any Scroll

Gear Worn -Clothing (Winter) -Studded Leather Armor -Backpack -Belt Pouch -Thieves' Tools -Ringy Thingy* -Bandolier   Weapons -Sword Cane -Light Mace* -Dagger -5x Darts -Scepter (Regalia)   Containers Backpack -Bedroll -Lantern, hooded -Rations (1 week) -Rope (50') -5x Sacks -5x Torches -Waterskin   Bandoliers -3x Flasks Oil -Manacles (poor) -5x Sacks -2x Tanglefoot bags* -2x Lesser PoH*   Belt/Pouch -10x Chalk -Flint and Steel -Playing Cards -Thieves' Tools -Soap -2x Candles -Ring of Keys -39gp (38gp 6sp 3cp)*

[Rider Z]

Lerris Ninthborne

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HP: 19/20 | AC: 20 (+2 w/ Raise Shield) |  Per: + 4 | Fort: +7 | Ref: +3 | Will: +7 | Hero: 0 | Languages: Common (Taldane), Hallit, Skald

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"Disregard that order!" Lerris shouted out and over Tartuccio as the gnome tried to command the killing of the elf. He was fairly sure she was largely innocent here, at least in this specific encounter. "Opening doors is one thing, I won't have people dying on his whim."

Then Lerris lashed out with his blade at the Assassin between him and Millanius. It was a quick strike, faster than even he had expected. In a flash of steel the sword had extended then retracted, opeing a pouring red gash along the man's throat. Lerris gave a swift prayer for him as he moved on, running to flank the last remaining assassin.

Actions

ACTION 1 - Attack the Assassin - CRIT For 10 total damage

ACTION 2 - Move 10 ft NE

ACTION 3 - Attack the last remaining assassin - MISS

 

[Kavonde]

OOC

Actually, quick retcon! Millanius killed the first assassin with his second hit on him. Rather than waste a critical, I'm going to say Lerris moved up to the second assassin and smote him. Thus, combat is finished!

In less than twelve seconds, three more assassins lie dead, and the older man is quickly following them into the afterlife.

Tartuccio scowls at Lerris as he enters the room. "Hmph. Fine. I suppose the elf could be an asset. One of you, untie her. The rest of you, search the room for valuables. One of you has been keeping a log of what loot you've acquired, I assume? Then assemble in front of these eastern doors and prepare to breach."

He examines his surroundings for a moment before climbing into one of the room's plush chairs. "The Great and Powerful Tartuccio's feet are a bit sore, and so I will rest here while you fulfill my commands. Hop to it, no dilly-dallying."

Jaethal, still bound and gagged, glares murderously at the gnome... and then shifts her gaze to Verne, her eyes only slightly less full of hate.

[Kistler]

Millanius the Arcane - Human Thaumaturge 1 HP: 17/17 | AC: 18 | Perception: +5 Fort: +6 | Ref: +6 | Will: +5  | Conditions: None ResourcesCharacter: -Hero Points: 1/3 -Focus Points: 0/0 Items: - | Spells/ScrollsScrolls: - Cantrips:  - Level 1: - | Skills*Acrobatics: +6 *Arcana: +3 Athletics: +1 Crafting: +0 *Deception: +8 *Diplomacy: +8 *Esoteric Lore: +7 Intimidate: +5 Medicine: +0 *Nature: +3 *Occultism: +3 *Performance: +7 *Politics Lore: +3 *Religion: +3 Society: +0 *Stealth: +6 Survival: +0 *Thievery: +6 *Trained Consumables: 2x Tanglefoot Bags, 2x PoL Healing Effects:

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Not one to dilly, and certainly not one to dally, Millanius does indeed hop to it. Mainly in the form of thoroughly patting down and stripping weapons from the 'old man'. He knows they're in a rush, so he doesn't bother with the other corpses for now. Struck by a moment of inspiration as he kneels over the man, he calls out, "Oh no! I think he's coming back as a ghost! Quickly Commander Tartuccio! To safety! Get back to the guards and barricade the doors!"

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OOC/Actions Other:  Action 1: Roll Performance! (or deception?) Action 2: Burn a hero point! Action 3: Search dude Reaction: Recognize Spell Free:

Familiar/Other Modifiers Stitches the Monkey | 5/5HP | AC18 Per: +5/Fort: +6/Ref: +6/Will: +5 -Low-light Vision -Manual Dexterity -Valet -25' Land Speed   Effects: -15' Aura, Circ bonus to Dip/Int/Dec & +1 v. Fear -Success v Mental is crit success -+2 Damage from empowerment -Activate any Scroll

Gear Worn -Clothing (Winter) -Studded Leather Armor -Backpack -Belt Pouch -Thieves' Tools -Ringy Thingy* -Bandolier   Weapons -Sword Cane -Light Mace* -Dagger -5x Darts -Scepter (Regalia)   Containers Backpack -Bedroll -Lantern, hooded -Rations (1 week) -Rope (50') -5x Sacks -5x Torches -Waterskin   Bandoliers -3x Flasks Oil -Manacles (poor) -5x Sacks -2x Tanglefoot bags* -2x Lesser PoH*   Belt/Pouch -10x Chalk -Flint and Steel -Playing Cards -Thieves' Tools -Soap -2x Candles -Ring of Keys -39gp (38gp 6sp 3cp)*

Edited March 30, 2023 by Kistler (see edit history)

[Spektor]

Antonia Rullianus

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AC: 18 | HP: 19/19 | Per: +5 | Fort: +4 | Ref: +8 | Will: +5 | Hero: 2/3 | Languages: Common, Dwarven, Elven

As the leader of the group fell, Antonia snarled and looked to the strange being that was Æthelflæd. "Well that doesn't look very alive, does it?" She didn't know what the being actually was but it did not stop her from using her patronizing tone against it. With a relenting sigh she flicked the pointed blade outwards to remove the blood from its edge with the aid of gravity and sheathed it at her side. She considered giving insight on the possibility that this whole idea about the attack being sourced form House Surtova was a possible ruse, but the presence of the idiot gnome gives her pause. She decided to wait and withhold the information until she was surrounded only by those she trusted (at least currently).

Antonia patted Lerris on the shoulder as she walked past him and moved towards the bound elf. "Well done, boys -- and lady." She gives a wink to Linzi and then quickly sets to work with removing the ropes around Jaethal, but saved the gag for last. She knew an incoming lecture when she saw one and was in no rush to hear the Elf woman spout angered words -- it was merely a distraction. "I would like to expound on Lerris's  previous comment. How about we disregard every command from the gnome and instead move towards aiding Lady Aldori. We are wasting time here when she could be dying in there." She spares a hand from her work to gesture towards the westward doors in the previous room. "Although it would be a good idea to check the corpses to see if there are any clues, especially on the white-haired leader." It's not a command in the strictest definition, but she had a way of indicating what needed to be done that implied that others should do it. If they chose not to, that was their prerogative. Although, she does spare a smirk for Millanius' obvious deception. Well, obvious to her and the others, assumedly. Perhaps not so for Termuccio.

 

Mechanics

Action 1 - Untying Jaethal. I will search the bandit leader's corpse if no one else does.

 

[BlackHat]

Zakon Malheur HP: 14/14 | AC: 13 | Perception: +6 Fort: +3 | Ref: +3 | Will: +6 Hero Points: OOO | Focus Points: O

Zakon moved toward the leader but not to search his pockets. Instead, he checked for a pulse. "He lives... but is bleeding to death." The wounds were far beyond Zakon's ability to heal without bandages and proper tools. "If we have bandages or healing to spare, this man's secrets may not die with him."

He nodded at Antonia's suggestion that they ignore the gnome and focus on their objective to protect Lady Aldori. As soon as the fate of the grey-haired bandit was determined.

 

OOC

If someone does try to use Medicine on the leader, Zakon will prepare an action to Aid them, or to do the action himself if someone else can provide a healer's Kit or a potion.

 

[Kavonde]

Tartuccio sits bolt upright in his chair at Milannius' announcement. "What? A ghost?!" He frantically pats his robes and assorted pouches. "Damnation, where is that jar... ?" Failing to find what he's looking for, he looks up and points an imperious finger at the wizard. "Do not harm that ghost! Sacrifice your lives if need be! I will return shortly!"

The gnome hops off the chair and dashes through the southeastern door, back towards the Great Hall. You can just barely make out his excited mutterings. "Finally, yes, exactly the opportunity I have needed... those idiotic cretins had better not ruin this for me... "

Jaethal watches Tartuccio go, rolls her eyes, and turns her attention back to Antonia's efforts to untie her. Once her hands are free, she rips the gag out of her mouth and whips her head toward Verne. "Are you blind, or merely stupid, boy?" she demands venomously. "No wonder you people fell in with that gnome. I'd thought at least some of you had the wits the gods gave a goldfish. Who were those drug-addled incompetents? What's going on? Why do I smell smoke? Why are all the bloody windows sealed by portculli?"

[Kistler]

Millanius the Arcane - Human Thaumaturge 1 HP: 17/17 | AC: 18 | Perception: +5 Fort: +6 | Ref: +6 | Will: +5  | Conditions: None ResourcesCharacter: -Hero Points: 1/3 -Focus Points: 0/0 Items: - | Spells/ScrollsScrolls: - Cantrips:  - Level 1: - | Skills*Acrobatics: +6 *Arcana: +3 Athletics: +1 Crafting: +0 *Deception: +8 *Diplomacy: +8 *Esoteric Lore: +7 Intimidate: +5 Medicine: +0 *Nature: +3 *Occultism: +3 *Performance: +7 *Politics Lore: +3 *Religion: +3 Society: +0 *Stealth: +6 Survival: +0 *Thievery: +6 *Trained Consumables: 2x Tanglefoot Bags, 2x PoL Healing Effects:

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Ignoring the elf, Millanius finished stripping weapons and gear from the man, then pulls a set of manacles from his pack. Clinking them over the limp wrists of the quickly fading man, he then grabs a potion from his own bandolier. He unstoppers it and slowly pours in into the man's mouth. "Anyone good with knots want to truss him up while I do this?  Then on to save the Lady, I should think."

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OOC/Actions Other:  Action 1: Search dude Action 2: manacle dude Action 3: use potion of lesser healing (unless someone hands him one of minor healing)  Reaction: Recognize Spell Free:

Familiar/Other Modifiers Stitches the Monkey | 5/5HP | AC18 Per: +5/Fort: +6/Ref: +6/Will: +5 -Low-light Vision -Manual Dexterity -Valet -25' Land Speed   Effects: -15' Aura, Circ bonus to Dip/Int/Dec & +1 v. Fear -Success v Mental is crit success -+2 Damage from empowerment -Activate any Scroll

Gear Worn -Clothing (Winter) -Studded Leather Armor -Backpack -Belt Pouch -Thieves' Tools -Ringy Thingy* -Bandolier   Weapons -Sword Cane -Light Mace* -Dagger -5x Darts -Scepter (Regalia)   Containers Backpack -Bedroll -Lantern, hooded -Rations (1 week) -Rope (50') -5x Sacks -5x Torches -Waterskin   Bandoliers -3x Flasks Oil -Manacles (poor) -5x Sacks -2x Tanglefoot bags* -2x Lesser PoH*   Belt/Pouch -10x Chalk -Flint and Steel -Playing Cards -Thieves' Tools -Soap -2x Candles -Ring of Keys -39gp (38gp 6sp 3cp)*

Edited March 30, 2023 by Kistler (see edit history)

[PlotDevice]

Verne Greencloak | HP: 16/16 | AC: 15 | Fort: +3  Ref: +4  Will: +9 | Hero Points: 2/3

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Shardik | HP: 16/16 | AC: 15 | Fort: +5  Ref: +5  Will: +4

 

Verne looks deeply regretful as he understands the situation better.  He moves toward Jaethal, saying, "I'm very sorry, ma'am, I didn't mean to hurt you, I couldn't see well.  I'll treat those if you'll allow me."  he moves a little closer, starting to treat her wounds, if she consents.

 

As he's treating her, he hears the commotion around the unconscious bandit leader, and makes the words 'bleeding to death'.  He excuses himself and rushes over, bandages in hand, and pushes through the crowd around the defeated foe to attempt to stabilize him.

 

Then he returns to Jaethal, apologizing,  and goes back to administering to her burns and other wounds, inviting her to explain what happened as he does.

 

 

Edited March 30, 2023 by PlotDevice (see edit history)

[Spektor]

Antonia Rullianus

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AC: 18 | HP: 19/19 | Per: +5 | Fort: +4 | Ref: +8 | Will: +5 | Hero: 2/3 | Languages: Common, Dwarven, Elven

"How interesting of you to comment on a lack of intelligence in my friends here while simultaneously asking a lot of questions. Also, weren't you just overcome by these 'drug-addled incompetents'?" Antonia regarded Jaethal with a patronizing expression of exaggerated curiosity. "I wonder what that says about you. But we do not have to think about that, do we miss...-- Jaethal, was it?" Once she was done untying the Elf, Antonia moved towards the white-haired leader whom the others were focusing on healing. "Good thinking with the manacles, Mister 'Arcane'. Let me check his pockets. I would like to be out of this room and fighting alongside the Lady by the time that vile coward of a Gnome returns." She kneels down to rifle through the white-haired bandit's pocket, specifically looking for some sort of correspondence that would confirm her theory before she announced it. If she found some coin or else of value, she wouldn't complain....

 

Mechanics

Action 1 - Searching the body/unconscious man. Not sure if there's a roll for this...

 

[Kavonde]

On their newly-bound captive, Millanius and Antonia find:

6 daggers (with black teardrop pommels)
3 lesser healing potions
A pouch holding 2 gold coins, 7 silver, and 14 copper.

At Antonia's comments, Jaethal sniffs. "I was deep in thought, and they caught me here unawares. I can be... distracted sometimes, when I commune with my goddess."

Verne begins working at patching Jaethal's wounds, but he stops when he notices something odd: she's cold to the touch and does not have a pulse. Additionally, the burns she suffered aren't blistering like they should. It only takes a moment for him to put the pieces together: Jaethal isn't just strangely pale, she's deathly pale. Corpse pale.

The elf looks at him, raises an eyebrow, and sighs. Then she places one of her hands against her injury and murmurs a few words of prayer. A pale green, sickly light glows beneath her palm, and when she moves her hand, her wounds have faded.

Milannius, always on the lookout for spells being cast in his vicinity, recognizes that she's just cast touch of corruption, a spell that channels negative energy to harm the living... or heal the undead.

"It's not a secret," Jaethal says softly to Verne. "It's merely something I do not volunteer. I hope you will not overreact."

Meanwhile, the gray-haired assassin leader, his life saved by the potion Milannius administered, groans in pain and slowly opens his eyes. He blinks at his captors blearily, then moves suddenly, trying to lunge to his feet only to find himself bound. He growls, sounding more annoyed than angry, and settles back against the wall. He glares at all of you in silence.
 

Edited March 30, 2023 by Kavonde (see edit history)