Rose had to admit, as they made their way through the house, that it was quite a nice place, even though the unusual architectural style made it look a little more like a museum in her eyes than a place to live.  No doubt the living quarters were a little more normal in their decorations and proportions, but the spiral staircase?  The Great Tree and Great Wheel?  The stained glass and curving hallways and archways and everything else?  It really was like an art museum, a building that existed more for the purpose of showing off the items inside than for any other purpose.  The building itself was even a work of art.<br/><br/>Of course, all thoughts of admiration or criticism for the Lady Sara's mansion were thrust out of the shifter's mind when she and Aria came upon the source of the noise she had heard.  The man standing before them was quite recognizably Garland, or at least looked enough like him that he could pass as him while wearing armor that looked similar to his, but considerably worse for wear...  He was also wearing the uniform of the Purple Dragon Knights of Cormyr, which, if that<em>was</em>Garland, spoke volumes about his past.<br/><br/>Then that faceplate came up, and Rose gaped.  Wh...  What in the Nine Hells was it?!  It looked like Garland, but...  Was that really him?!  Had he somehow covered up his true condition upon coming here, or...<br/><br/>So shocked was she at the sudden revelation about his appearance that she didn't react to his challenge until the battle had already begun.<br/><br/><br/><br/>Initiative roll. (1d20+3=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2693534/)  Natural one on initiative. =.= Well, at least Combat Reflexes means I get an attack of opportunity if he charges, and the 36% miss chance from cloak and armor should be enough to keep me relatively safe if he goes ranged...<br/><br/>Also, just in case that isn't Garland, remember that Disguise is opposed by Spot, and that Rose would get a +4 to her Spot check for being able to recognize him on sight. ^^;