Roses Have Thorns IC

[NeoSeraphi]

Her attack isn't particularly accurate but her spell makes sure that Stalkheart is caught off-guard enough to not react in time. She slices his throat open and he slumps over, dead. Clearly, this man was more of a mastermind than a fighter himself.

The two guards turn on them. Verimia takes one, and the other comes for Rose!

Spoiler

Show

(1d20+6)[16]/(1d20+6)[17]
(1d8+2)[10]/(2d8+4)[15]

[Diachronos]

Rose knocks the man's sword aside and lashes at him with her sabres.

Spoiler: Attacks

Show

Hit: (1d20+5)[10]/(1d20+5)[13]
Damage: (1d8+1)[6]/(1d8+1)[4]
Hit: (1d20+5)[20]/(1d20+5)[11]
Damage: (1d8+1)[7]/(1d8+1)[9]

[NeoSeraphi]

Her second swing is at last a deadly one, and it strikes home. The man steps back and tries to defend himself while he takes a moment to catch his breath.

Spoiler

Show

Guard is taking the total defense action for +4 to AC

[Diachronos]

Rose steps back and conjures a ball of acid to throw at the man.

Spoiler: Spell

Show

Casting acid splash
Hit: (1d20+8)[26]/(1d20+8)[19]
Damage: (1d3)[2]/(2d3)[6]

[NeoSeraphi]

The attack easily catches him off guard and burns his skin. The guard gasps and yells, "She's a caster!" to his friend. The two of them quickly rush away, not intending on defending a dead Stalkheart anymore.

Verimia sees the expression on Rose's face and she lashes out with her tail, tripping the two men up. That gives Rose enough time to walk over and execute them both.

Afterwards, Rose searches Stalkheart's body. She finds a note with a set of orders, apparently written by Stalkheart to be given to his men, to continue disrupting Torchwick's shipments. This will prove that she got the right person and now the attacks should stop. She also finds a ceremonial dagger worth about 100 gp, a set of magic robes, and the binding crystal, which is set as a piercing in the man's tongue.

Verimia watches as Rose removes it. "Whoever has that piercing binds me to them...as long as it is actually inlaid in their skin."

[Diachronos]

Rose takes everything of value on Stalkheart and his minions before examining the ruby. "...Exactly how eager are you to get back to your summoner or to Hell?"

[NeoSeraphi]

Verimia raises an eyebrow. "What, you actually care about what I want?" she asks, seeming genuinely surprised.

[Diachronos]

"Well, yeah. If nothing else, I'd rather not have a pissed-off devil bound to me against her will until she finds a way to break free."

[NeoSeraphi]

Verimia chuckles. "Why don't I just stick around for now and see what you're all about? If I like what I see, I'll probably hang around."

She gives Rose a flirtatious look.

[Diachronos]

Rose grins and, after cleaning the ruby off, fastens it to one of her pierced ears. "I'm looking forward to that..."

She scours the lair for anything else of value.

[NeoSeraphi]

The place doesn't appear to be a 'lair' so much as a small outpost, likely set up because of its proximity to the drug caravan's route. There's nothing else of value here.

Time to go rub this in Torchwick's face...

[Diachronos]

After searching the outpost, Rose heads back to Torchwick with the orders clutched in her hand. "Stalkheart's been dealt with."

[NeoSeraphi]

Torchwick stares at the devil in his office, but lets it go without comment.

"Let's see...hmm..." He examines everything and sets the papers down. "Well now, I'll be damned. Looks like you really can hold your own in this line of work. I'm surprised. Here is your payment, as promised. I'll be sure to put in a good word for you, so go ahead and head to this address tomorrow afternoon." He gives her the address of the Red Mantis Guild, and a bag of coins containing 1000 gp.

[Diachronos]

Rose takes the bag and leaves, heading back to her home.

[NeoSeraphi]

Rose heads back home and gets some rest for the night. In the morning, she remembers she has plans with Cia today.

[Diachronos]

After getting cleaned up and dressed, Rose heads to meet up with her friend.

[NeoSeraphi]

Cia is at Gilbert's lab when Rose arrives.

The old man walks out into view. "Good morning, Rosis. Here for a lesson?"

[Diachronos]

"Actually, I was coming by to meet up with Cia. Another time, maybe."

[NeoSeraphi]

Cia walks out from the back and smiles. "Hello, Rose. Do you have any plans for our date today?"

[Diachronos]

"Nothing in particular, no. But I'm sure we can find something to do."

[NeoSeraphi]

Cia sighs. "Geez! You're so unreliable! Honestly, how you can have a cool, organized older brother like Chrys and still be so flaky is beyond me...say uh, has Chrys...asked about me at all?" She twirls a strand of hair around her finger.

[Diachronos]

"The only thing he's asked is if I'm still hanging out with you. He'll come around eventually, though, don't worry." She puts an arm around Cia's shoulders. "What do you feel like doing? Hitting the theater? Maybe the arena?"

[NeoSeraphi]

Cia looks up at Rose curiously. "The arena? ...As participants, or observers?"

[Diachronos]

"Observers, of course. I don't know about you, but I definitely can't compete with the kind of warriors they have there."

[NeoSeraphi]

"Okay. Let's go watch!" She smiles and walks with Rose.

"So, how are things going at home? Or with the guild?"

[Diachronos]

"Well, Father just stepped down to let Chrys take over as the head of the household. The guild isn't panning out as well as I'd hoped, but I picked up another good lead while I was there."

[NeoSeraphi]

Cia nods. "Sounds like a tumultuous time for you. Is there anything I can do to help?"

She gives Rose a kiss on the cheek. Verimia stiffens up, but maintains her invisibility for all but her binder as she follows behind.

[Diachronos]

Rose smiles and squeezes Cia's hand. "Just keep being the lovely half-elf friend that I know and love."

[NeoSeraphi]

Cia smiles and walks with her warmly.

They arrive at the arena and take their seats. The date goes rather well, and Rose feels refreshed afterwards. Now, she needs to meet with the Red Mantis Guild.

[Diachronos]

Rose heads to the address that Torchwick had given her. She takes a deep breath and walks inside, looking around for who she would need to speak with.