<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=205751.msg10217921#msg10217921">Quote from: Skynet on 06-07-2014, 07:26:34</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">Artaxes was not near Kleris' level of skill, but he proved quite talented for an apprentice.  "Nice one.  Now, have you seen this spell?"<br/>He slipped on a black glove and knelled before him, touching Kleris' shadow with a single finger.  "Okay, now try moving."</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><em>Kleris finds his movement restricted, effectively gaining the entangled condition.  Roll a Strength or Escape Artist check (DC 13) to break free.</em><br/>[Escape artist 10+2=12, fail]<br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">If Kleris can't escape</div><div class="spoiler_body">"See? It's quite the useful spell.<br/><br/>"This one's called Shadow Snag.  Very effective against large creatures, and the best part is that you don't need to maintain contact.  You can immobilize a target and cast a spell shortly thereafter."</div></div><br/>Kleris watched Artaxes bend down to touch his shadow, wondering what he was doing.  When he tried to take a step, he couldn't lift his foot, and noticed his shadow was stuck to that one spot.  He tried to pivot or even manipulate the perspective of his shadow to move away, but wasn't able to maneuver out of it.  "Wow, that's a good way to catch someone without even touching them.  Thanks.  Could you let me go now?" he chuckled.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">Artaxes trotted around Kleris.  "You know, our time together doesn't have to be all about studying.  Or at least, studying magic.  I recall you earlier expressing an interest in centaurs.  I'll be more than happy to tell you anything you want to know, provided you tell me a little more about yourself.  Sound fair?"<br/>He went around to Kleris' front, his chest at eye level.  Looking down at her with gentle eyes, Artaxes smiled.</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>Kleris followed Artaxes' path with his eyes, not moving as he watched the centaur slowly trot around and then right up to him.  That muscled bare chest was on display right in front of him and he had to look up to Artaxes.  "Umm, y-yeah, that would be nice.  I haven't studied that much of centaur life and culture.  As for myself, I'm from a city; not Tokur or anything that big, but it was a good size.  My mom's a hedge mage and she married my dad, an adventurer.  He got lost a long time ago in some necromancer's lair I hear, so mom supported us herself with her magic shop.  He gave her this ring a long time ago, and she gave it to me to remember them.  Fortunately there were a lot of customers and I learned a lot from them, and they helped point me to Redhurst and apply for grants to attend.  So that's me: a city kid helping run the shop with my mom and learning the business and magic from the wizards and folk passing through.  How was your family?  Did anyone else study magic?"<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"I don't think that you can predict that kind of thing with schedules," Zull said.  "That kind of thing isn't regular, it just happens.  Giving each other some form of notice would be best.  Sock on the door works fine for now."<br/>"That's fine," Rensha said.  "You fine with that, Kleris?"</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>"Um, yeah, that's just fine, heh.  Keeping it loose but clear sounds good, then we don't have to run into each other..."  Not that it was so unpleasant, he grinned at the memory.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">Karnakia sighed.  "I'm sorry, Kleris, but there's nothing more I can tell you, even if I wanted to.  I know it must be hard; I hope that someday you find the answers you seek."</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>Kleris frowned at that, dissatisfied with the evasion.  There was something more, and he would find it somehow.<br/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;">Image Is Everything</span></div><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"Jot down the spell, cast it upon yourself, and describe how the other students look to you."<br/>"You're all seeing different things," one of the gnome girls said.  "Hmm, this could make for a good disguise spell.  Do you think that it can be used in conjunction with other spells?"<br/>"Only one way to find out!" the dwarf said.  "He then cast <em>glamour</em> on himself."  In front of Kleris' eyes he grew slightly taller and leaner, gaining a cherubic face and shimmering blonde hair.  Upon casting <em>disguise self,</em> the dwarf assumed the appearance of a female, with large breasts and a curvy frame.<br/>"Wow, I'm kind of turned on right now," one of the boys said.<br/>"Seems weird for us to be taught such a spell," the gnome mused.  "Not exactly the right message to teach people to be comfortable with their own bodies."<br/>"Who cares?  With this spell we can show those Nammor folks what for, and be the hottest guys and girls on campus!"</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>It was amusing to see everyone not only enamored with themselves, but studying how others perceived them now, or how subtly others changed.  He noticed the girls' obvious changes: clearer skin, shinier hair, fuller perkier busts and round bottoms.  Even the boys were catching his attention seeming taller, broader, muscular.  He was just glad nobody seemed to think he looked like a more handsome boy and confuse his cover.<br/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;">Dinner</span></div><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">Rensha offered to eat with Kleris, as did Zull and Lillin.  The orc looked up from her meal every so often at Kleris.<br/>"Kleris, are you alright?  Is something on your mind?"</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>"Well, I ran into Professor Karnakia again today, and while she seemed to have known my father, she was evasive and wouldn't tell me anything about their history..."<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"Yes, that's the plan," Lillin said.  "No doubt Karnakia keeps all her files there.  If she is indeed hiding something about Kleris' father, she's not going to put it in the Library of the Arcane, or among the archives of the faculty office.  No, she'd keep it close to her, in a place most folk of Redhurst are too afraid to enter."<br/>"So, how are we going to get inside?" Rensha asked.  "Only Zull here's taking any classes there.  The rest of us are going to stick out like sore thumbs.  So, what's the plan?"</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>"I think before we do anything directly, I should feel things out and look around the inside of Mordant for myself.  The best way to sneak into a place, I've been told, is to act like you belong.  Actually, I will belong, I'll audit a class.  Then inside, maybe I can find someone to show me her office..."<br/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;">Day 35</span></div><br/><strong>Feign Interest:</strong>Although his classes are already assigned, Kleris could pretend to be fascinated with the art of necromancy, and start asking questions.  With a successful Bluff check he can convince a teacher to spare some of their time and illuminate him on the arts of undeath, eager to gain such a talented new pupil the next school year.  This can work to Kleris' advantage by providing him a good reason to be visiting Mordant regularly, or gaining the goodwill of its teacher.<br/>[Bluff 14+12=26]<br/>Entering the foyer of Mordant tower, Kleris looked up the professors and class schedules, looking for someone he could "audit."  He had heard good things about Assistant Dean Frekka, and saw she taught Monster Identification 101.  That actually seemed interesting, and wasn't a huge leap for an enchanter to suddenly start studying.  He approached her during office hours and saw to it he would be able to listen and have legitimate access during school hours.<br/><br/><strong>Other Idea:</strong>If you have any suggestions of your own, I'd be happy to hear about it!<br/>[Diplomacy 11+12=23]<br/>Kleris asked around about any Mordant prefects or teacher's assistants that he might be able to use to get deeper access to the dean's office, maybe even her own student assistant.  Maybe they would be seduced, or at least charmed, into helping him out.  He subtly dug into their social life, and what sort of person they might be attracted to.  With a<em>disguise self</em>and<em>glamour</em>, he could become almost anyone's fantasy, and his<em>beguiling touch</em>[charm 1 round, DC 15] would help seal the deal, at least for an initial agreement.