switzerland ♔ the words tightening around my throat

[silverguardian]

WHO || Nyna, Cara, Felicity, Stiles
WHAT || The Knights are sent to hear about a prospective job from an art collector
WHERE || Bern, Switzerland
WHEN || April 13th, 2015
HOW || Actionspam

The streets of Bern swell with the myriad sights and scents of its industry: the wood and polish of carpenters' shops, tantalizing aromas wafting from dozens of bakeries, and the heavy oil scent of artists.  Meanwhile, hundreds of rich colors give the district an appearance of a holiday festival.  The townhouse of Asheron Coyl comes into view, perched on a small rise that overlooks the street.  A low fence covered in vines abuts the street.  A gate opens onto a flagstone path that wends past frozen flower beds, fountains, and sculpted shrubs to the front doors.  A bell hangs next to the gate, reading "Please ring bell" in several languages.  With an 11 disguise check, Nyna didn't really bother to dress all fancy, opting instead for her paladin armor, sorry guys.   She can be the sexy bodyguard.  

Comments

[allmydreams]

Art can take people to dark places.

[It's said absently though, and her attention isn't on the painting, not yet. It's in the rest of the room, that while not empty is missing some crucial things (spot 26, listen 23).]

Isn't the target supposed to be in here?

[silverguardian]

[ felicity notices something as stiles is rooting to set the painting on fire.

there's a sheet of paper on the floor in front of the painting with some writing on it. ] Maybe he's invisible.

[allmydreams]

[Felicity eyes it, then the painting for a moment before inching her way closer, not really taking her gaze off of it as she crouches down to pick the piece of paper up. After she has it, she takes two big steps back and glances down to read it, provided that the painting doesn't come to life and try to swallow her soul.

Or something.]

[silverguardian]

[ it's when she stares at the painting for a second that notices something else disturbing. the surface appears slick and wet, and what's more, the disturbing figures within it appear to be moving, very slowly, but unmistakably.

the letter reads:

"It is said that the souls of thieves and liars are damned to an eternity of torment in Hell.

So then, Mr. Archerus, gaze upon this portrait, a gift to you, and ponder whose damned soul you see. Look close enough, and you may find yourself among these twisted countenances.

Ah! And lest I forget: your compatriot, you should know, will join you soon. The sting of his duplicity gnaws at him, you can be sure." ]

[allmydreams]

[Yeah, that's not creepy at all. She read the letter over once, before glancing back to the painting again, and holding out the letter for the rest of them to read.]

Looks like they definitely pissed someone off.

[killingtodeath]

[Stiles takes the letter and reads it out loud for the others.]

I'm still thinking we need to torch the thing. I mean, it worked with the other ones, right? Weird squealy noises and everything.

[allmydreams]

[Felicity is still mulling it over, staring at the painting as though she's trying to take apart a puzzle.]

"Look close enough and you may find yourself among these twisted countenances."

[And then, it's like a light bulb going off (wisdom 18).]

Shit, what if the target is inside the painting?

[silverguardian]

[ her eyes trace back to the worm creatures lolling about at the bottom ] You think he's been... imprisoned there?

[allmydreams]

There's only one way to find out.

[She glances back over her shoulder to see if one of the servants were still around (spot 27).]

Let's see if they can pick out their boss's face.

[silverguardian]

[ they're all sort of milling around nervously at the bottom of the steps, but as evidenced in the picture, none of the worm creatures have really discernible... facial features. they're all sort of hideously stretched and monstrous looking. ] If we burn it, we could kill him.

[killingtodeath]

I'm getting really concerned that someone is about to suggest we go in there and get him out or something...

[silverguardian]

We can't just leave him in there. Perhaps there are healing potions in this home for those of us still injured, [ a glance at stiles ] And some more appropriate weapon for you.

[killingtodeath]

[He looks a little sheepish.]

If there's any chance this guy was a baseball fan, we may be in business.

[silverguardian]

Don't you know how to wield something more lethal?

[killingtodeath]

[Wow way to call him out. Stiles glances away, mumbling about how different skill sets are just as valuable...]

[allmydreams]

[Felicity holds up her hands before they start wandering into wounded pride territory (diplomacy 20 total).]

I'd rather he have something he knows how to use, rather than wing it with something more dangerous where he can hurt someone that's not the bad guy. Besides, it's not about the weapon you use, it's how you use it.

[To Stiles:]

It's worth a shot. Go see if they have something you can use while we figure out how to get in - or get them out.

[killingtodeath]

[Nodding, Stiles heads back towards the people who work here to go find out if any of them know of any baseball bats on the property lmfao. This is what he gets for putting weapon finesse on that specific thing sigh. (Gather info 21)]

[silverguardian]

[ well i rolled that apparently he is a BASEBALL AFICIONADO??? he has a giant collection. lmfao how did that happen. we'll say they're so good that one of them can even count as a +1 weapon just for you stiles. magic bat.

nyna looks at the painting, leaning close to the surface. ] It looks... wet. [ she picks up a brush nearby and approaches it, carefully poking one end of the canvas. it disappears into the painting as far as she sticks it, and then she withdraws it, eyes widening. ]

[allmydreams]

Well, that's not creepy at all.

[She makes a face as she starts to make her way closer behind Nyna.]

Did you feel anything pulling against you?

[killingtodeath]

[Stiles ducks out to go find his super sweet bat and will return with it asap. Don't die in the meantime ladies.]

[silverguardian]

Just like it's trying to suck me in, yeah.

[allmydreams]

[She nods in agreement, before glancing back over her shoulder.]

How hard was it for you to pull back out? I mean ... if we go in there should we have a rope or something to pull ourselves back out with?

[silverguardian]

There wasn't that much resistance. But something's keeping those things from coming out. Maybe we could have one of the servants wait out here to try to push a rope through if we can't get out?

[allmydreams]

[Felicity nods in agreement.]

Yeah. I'd rather have a back up plan if nothing else.

[mordsith]

[Cara doesn't like the idea of trusting a servant with the lives of her team.]

Can we anchor ourselves before going in? We treat it as if we are scaling the face of a cliff.

Or one of us remains behind to ensure nothing else comes out while the others go in.