Mummy's Mask - Shifting Sands [IC]

[JWallyR]

Vershab's display only momentarily diverts Lehasti's attention from her focused observation of Muminofrah and Turi. As the noblewoman releases the young boy from her clutches, tension begins to dissipate from the paladin's form, only to redouble as she summons Vershab to replace him. Lehasti's stare at the two intensifies, any veneer of casual observation having vanished completely. As Muminofrah begins to bat her eyelashes, Lehasti stands, taking the first few steps to Vershab's relief...

"Assembled admirers of the great Muminofrah...please direct your attention to the words of my ally, the holy knight Lehasti! With her...assistance I would like to present the tale of recent heroics in and around the city of Wati that led us to this day...and the august presence of our benefactor, the...lovely Lady Muminofrah!"

Lehasti's eyes widen in momentary surprise at Vershab's address, but with the air of a practiced orator, the paladin lifts her voice above the dwindling conversation. "Friends and honored guests, fortunate indeed are we all this day to enjoy the comforts of life. Good food, better drink, and exceptional company mark today's celebration- but ever must these pleasures be earned by the strivings of the steadfast and righteous against the forces of darkness and death! Recall ye the plague of risen dead in the great half-city of Wati? Rumors may say that this is a tale of far-fetched fancy, or a story to cow children into obedience, but I tell you that the tales are true- the restless dead walked among- and preyed upon- the good people of that fair city. We blessed few were gifted with strength to overcome this darkness. Vershab, master of the arcane; Turi of the swift feet; Calathon of the piercing eye; Azkin, petal of the Dawnflower; and lastly, your humble servant, blade of the Everlight." The paladin gestures toward each of the party members in turn. "But that great triumph came not without great price; our hearts ache for the loss of one of our own; Menedes of the stone folk gave his last, full measure of strength to buy those peoples, and our story is his great tale."

With a quick glance to gauge the crowd's attention (and satisfied in finding them fixed on Vershab's visual display more than upon her own words), the paladin launches into the grand tale of the party's exploits, beginning on the fateful day of the dead uprising. In hushed tones, she describes with wonder the discovery of a dragon, seemingly made of living diamond, right upon the city's doorstep; with grim contempt and disdain the treachery of cultists, misusing magic for their own dark ends; her description of Menedes' death at the hands of a vengeful ghoul manages to skirt the harsh realities of combat while bestowing the dwarf with all the heroic accolades of the most legendary of figures.

As the last vestiges of the plague are beaten back in her narrative, the paladin skirts the precise nature of their unseen adversary while finishing in rising, climactic voice: "......but lo! Never does evil rest for long, and our quest continues. Strength of arm, quickness of feet and brilliance of mind have conquered thus far, but our hunt to pierce the heart of this great evil brings us here, to the hospitality of our glorious host, Her Excellency, the Fan-Bearer on the Right Side of the King. May the echoes of her praises never fade!" The paladin lifts her goblet in the direction of Muminofrah before drinking deeply of its contents. "No doubt, with her gracious aid, this darkness will be vanquished, and the peace of the realm secured- forever!" Punctuating her finale with the jab of her uplifted fist, the paladin regards the assembled audience with a proud, determined expression.

Spoiler: Actions

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I'm happy to let the previous nat'l 20 roll on Diplomacy to be recast as a Performance check (+9, untrained but with Azkin's Touch of Glory mod).
Alternatively: (1d20+9)[14] Performance