Female Half Elf Master Summoner 9 HP 65 Max 90 (9d8 + 18) Defence AC23 Touch 16 Flat Footed 18 Fort +7, Ref +10, Will +9 (+11 vs. charm and compulsion); +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep Summoner Spells Lvl 1 7/7Lvl 2 56/6 Lvl 3 5/5 Summoning Master SLA 13/13
As a third attack rends her flesh, Yaos observantly notes that she appears to be under attack and the attackers are halflings. Her keen mind notes:- An attack, and by halflings. This must be the Bellflower Agent's attack we were expecting! Our plan appears to be working perfectly, but I can't help thinking there is some kind of flaw. And that magical attack, I think that spell I know.
Magnius steps out of the wagon, weapon in hand, but at his side. "Hey! We're on your side! We infiltrated Phandros' caravan in the hopes of setting free his enslaved halfings. He tortured the poor souls through the foul depredations of his clerk. Even now, our own brave Sir Alfred, too a victim of that twisted fiend Vaelin, goes to set free his brethren!"1d20 + 24 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 24 + (1) = 28 Bluff
Suspicious of these well-equipped individuals the Bellflower Agents mistrustingly listen to Magnius' inflections and tone, wondering of his sincerity. They've all known devil-worshipping Halflings before so the presence of this Halfling is moot. But these are not, after all, Vaelin, Aman and the others. It lends possibility to Magnius' cry.
Female Half Elf Master Summoner 9 HP 65 Max 90 (9d8 + 18) Defence AC23 Touch 16 Flat Footed 18 Fort +7, Ref +10, Will +9 (+11 vs. charm and compulsion); +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep Summoner Spells Lvl 1 7/7Lvl 2 56/6 Lvl 3 5/5 Summoning Master SLA 13/13
Yaos moves to a place in the caravan she cannot be seen from outside and casts invisibility on herself, thinking I hope the others make friends, but if they don't I can't take much more of this.
Red Wing just moves to where he can't be seen from outside the caravan.
As Alfred Ensbridge makes his way quickly to the slave wagon he just sees the lock-and-chain of the door being manipulated by an unseen force. It is as if an invisible person is trying to unlock the cage ahead of him.
The Halflings inside seemed to have just overheard some whispered instructions.
With all the noise going on outside Francesco Phandros quickly wakes and rushes to discover the commotion's cause. As a noble of Phandros, of course, he does take the moment to put on his House robe, lest his subjects see him in his translucent night-shirts.
Upon stepping into the warm night air, Arlo Yellowknuckle -- standing Ready at the door of the wagon, becomes instantly visible as his magically-gleaming short spear thrusts into the young man's midsection, precisely striking a vital soft spot between his ribs.
It's worth pointing out again that for Humanoids (Races that advance by Class Level) a Knowledge Local roll is used for information.
Just as with Vaelin, Aman, Camabah and Joareln, if you want to roll a Knowledge Local for any of the Bellflower Agents to get an idea of what they can do, feel free to roll them.
Remember that Knowledge Local can be attempted untrained -- and is a Class Skill for all PC Classes if you already put a Rank in it.
You can put these rolls in Discussion if you prefer to keep Gameplay uncluttered.
Gonna take some slight liberties here, as we lack a map
Magnius moves away from both the Bellflower Agents and the halfling slaves, doing his best to appear non-threatening. Weapon still down at his side, he tries to stop any further combat "We seek no fight with you. Your ambush greatly injured my friend, and I would like to heal here, then be on our way. There's no need for further bloodshed or violence."
Amina, Half-Elf Cleric of Iomedae and newest member of this troupe of the Bellflower Network, speaks, Readying a spell if a certain action triggers it.
She speaks in the language of the Fey, Sylvan, to her allies:
"What should we do here, Avarin?! I think they're speaking the truth but I don't have the Divinations prepared to find out -- this was a seek-and-destroy, not an infiltration!"
Avalia Greenheart, Abjuration Wizard who hit Yaos with the Dimensional Anchor and killed the guards with her Cloudkill, answers. "The 'Littlehat' was freeing the slaves and must have triggered that Color Spray. He should have been able to fight it off but I guess he's knocked out for a second. He can't answer you, Amina."
Arlo Yellowknuckle the Slayer, who just took out Francesco Phandros in one precise hit with his shortspear, answers his opinion of the matter. "They're Chelaxian; listen to their accent. And well equipped. Not servants. We came here to free the slaves and eliminate some devil-lickers. Let's finish it."
"No," Arnam Goodkin the Hunter commands, "we don't know whether these few are good or bad. But we're freeing the slaves and eliminating Phandros."
And after the dialog between the Bellflower Halflings ends, Arnam Goodkin, the Hunter, speaks to you in Chelaxian. "We free the slaves; that's why your Halfling unlocked the cage.
"But that's not all. We keep Francesco Phandros as well. He's unconscious and bleeding out. We don't want him healed six seconds after we leave."
And the Halflings of the Bellflower Network await your answer.
Female Half Elf Master Summoner 9 HP 65 Max 90 (9d8 + 18) Defence AC23 Touch 16 Flat Footed 18 Fort +7, Ref +10, Will +9 (+11 vs. charm and compulsion); +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep Summoner Spells Lvl 1 7/7Lvl 2 56/6 Lvl 3 5/5 Summoning Master SLA 13/13
Yaos gets out of the caravan on the opposite side to the Bellflower agents. Still invisible, and having used her wand of comprehend languages to understand the conversation in Sylvan, replies:-
"Yes, that is why Alfred unlocked the cage, rather than attacking your helpless companion also trying to free the slaves. We have no objection to you keeping Phandros and allowing you and the just freed halflings to be on your way."
"I will be honest, we were planning on dispatching him ourselves. Vile, foul man. Do you plan on taking him to stand on trial or?" Magnius leaves the question hanging.
"Trial?" the Wizard, Avalia Greenheart steps closer to the group but keeps a good distance from them. Amina the Cleric and Arnam Goodkin the Hunter stay adjacent to her. Freedom leaves the bloody mess of the guard he killed to join his Companion.
And Avalia Greenheart continues, the Halfling a bit more confident that Freedom is near her and her 'fight-from-range' Hunter & Cleric allies. She speaks in fluent Chelaxian. "Unlike our Cleric ally, we Halflings are less interested in giving a mock trial than are Chelaxians. Francesco Phandros is guilty of trading in slavery, a crime to life if not a crime to Devil-worshipers. He is dead and we will continue our fight against the evil of which he is part -- when we can do so safely.
"We don't know you, and begrudgingly, our Cleric is right, we came here to do a task and you may in truth be innocent bystanders or Chelaxian enemies of Phandros or something else. We won't risk the success of freeing our kin to fight an unknown enemy. Our Slayer," she points to Arlo Yellowknuckle, whose bloody shortspear stands ready to join a new fight after killing Francesco Phandros, "may not like the look of your HellKnight-looking facade, Sir, but your words seem meet and sincere."
Thirty feet away, after freeing the Halfling slaves, Alfred Ensbridge gets the impression that someone still invisible is guiding them away and reassuring them, based on the newly freed slaves' reactions and mutterings. Logically it would confirm that another Halfling indeed tried to free the slaves, triggering Camabah's Color Spray trap and is now keeping invisible, helping to calm the Halflings.
With the mutilated body of Francesco Phandros carried by Freedom, and with all of the Halfling slaves, the agents of the Bellflower Network leave. As you watch them depart, the final member of their retinue becomes visible, his spell coming to the end of its duration. The leader Avarin Littlehat, a wicked Trident in his hands, appears. Magical energy ripples across his person and his sparkling weapon and he appears equally fluent in both spell-slinging and melee combat.
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It is now just the matter of calming down the Chelaxian citizens-- artisans and skilled laborers making the trip to Gheradescci County to continue their employ under House Phandros. Unless you plan on eliminating them as a potential loose end.
And then you can decide how to approach Gheradescci, and its new Barony -- ripe for takeover.
....And of course, to search Francesco Phandros' personal wagon.
Francesco Phandros Aristocrat of House Phandros of Westcrown
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In addition to gold and platinum coins and ingots worth 19,400 gp, Francesco Phandros carried an assortment of gems in need of appraisal.
One 6 carat Diamond
Twelve Rubies between 4 and 9 carats each
Two Emeralds both roughly 4 carats
Three Citrines of 12, 13 and 15 carats each
One 8 carat Onyx
One 14 carat Amethyst
There are also several sheets of paper pressed with the House Phandros Seal and Heraldry, as well as Francesco Phandros' signet ring and badge of office. These items can be used to forge documents from House Phandros.
More importantly, Francesco Phandros kept immaculate records. You have enough documents, financial sheets, bills of lading, receipts, legal writs and worker contracts to gain a comprehensive understanding of the financial standing and liquid resources of House Phandros. Enough to give you a +10 Bonus to ‘almost’ all Knowledge Society checks regarding the material might of House Phandros.
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Finally, in a folio labeled as a ‘dowry’ of sorts, you find the following letters….
The first pages detail an inappropriate relationship between Baroness Sandrina Salisfer, the married younger sister of House Salisfer’s Patriarch, and Para-Count Rand Aulamaxa, one of the most powerful members of that minor House. The reason this affair is particularly damning is that House Salisfer is one of the greater Houses that is enemies with House Oberigo. And House Aulamaxa is a minor House that serves House Oberigo. House Aulumaxa is an ambitious and growing-in-influence House but if it is discovered that Para-Count Rand Aulamaxa is having an affair with Baroness Sandrina Salisfer, House Oberigo could crush them. OR,…. House Aulamaxa could try to unite with House Salisfer and turn on House Oberigo. Either way, the Baroness Sandrina Salisfer and the Para-Count Rand Aulamaxa are having an illicit and secret affair. And whomever learns about it could wield influence over both individuals – and maybe both Houses – or sell the information to another House (such as House Oberigo or even House Charthagnion).
These letters detail both of the locations where the two adulterers meet and the typical excuse that the Baroness gives her husband the Baron-Consort and her brother the Duke and Patriarch of House Salisfer. Her lie is that she is negotiating for a contract of spices from Rahadoum that will make House Salisfer financially stronger. She has forged documents indicating that she is in these negotiations and has even neglected other duties as Baroness, in order to “finish negotiations with the Rahadoum spice merchants.”
The second pages in the folio give evidence that the Mayor of Westpool, Tibalt Khrocini, has taken great pains to ensure that the third Stavian Arch is not rebuilt. This colossal crane-apparatus moves large riverboats up the cliff-side near the Westpool waterfalls so they can continue to the Capitol city. Because ships now have to pay more for laborers to carry the barges and boats manually (now viewing & handling ALL cargo personally), Tibalt Khrocini has become much more wealthy and influential.
To ensure he does not lose both the extra income and cheat-proof, detailed reports of who is bringing what to the capitol, he has had imperial engineers assassinated, arranged the liberation of slaves intended to work on the Arch, and falsified tax documents to The Crown.
Whoever has this information can dramatically influence Tibalt Khrocini, less they sell the information to House Thrune, thus ending Mayor Tibalt Khrocini in a quite dramatic way.
Hinji Lord Mayor Ivici & Admiral Anabeth Grinceen
The third is a note implicating Admiral Anabeth Grinceen of working WITH Andoran pirates to stop the flow of illicit Ice Tears into Hinji. Apparently the Admiral and the Lord Mayor are political enemies as another letter in this folio suggests that the cartel mastermind, Zeran Graytooth, has a secret arrangement with Lord Mayor Ivici.
Female Half Elf Master Summoner 9 HP 65 Max 90 (9d8 + 18) Defence AC23 Touch 16 Flat Footed 18 Fort +7, Ref +10, Will +9 (+11 vs. charm and compulsion); +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep Summoner Spells Lvl 1 7/7Lvl 2 56/6 Lvl 3 5/5 Summoning Master SLA 13/13
After the Bellflower Agents leave, Yaos, previously invisible, re-appears.
"Brilliant work Magnius." she says appreciatively, then, scowling at her somewhat battered attire and body, asks "Alfred, do you still have that healing wand? I am afraid I took rather a hammering when those Bellflower Agents first appeared.
When Phandros's caravan is searched, Yaos notes the dowry folder with delight, saying:-
"These documents have myriad uses. Knowledge is power indeed. This was to be his young wife's dowry? I am starting to like the blushing bride not to be!
Financial records? A lot of them, somebody is going to have to go through them thoroughly to see how useful they are.
Money, always welcome.
And these, so beautiful! Diamonds may be a girl's best friend, but these are worthy rivals. What do you think?"
Yaos, called the Red Widow as she executed her late husband's killers by pulling their lungs out through their backs, plays around with the gems like a delighted schoolgirl, matching them to her clothes and so on. Finally she adds soberly:-
Archaeologist Bard 8 HP 64/64| AC 23| T 17| FF 16| Fort +7| Ref +15| Will +10| Init +8 Perc +17 | Concentration +13| AL 7/8 L1 6/6 L2 5/5 L3 3/3
"I can't help you with their value either, we may need to get them appraised somewhere" Alfred says in reply to Yaos.
"What should we do with the others here? I see a few options. One, we kill them all. I dislike this idea though I won't oppose either of you if you pursue it. Two, we imply that they helped with the original subterfuge from Phandros' men and helped the Bellflowers. If we do this we can simply arrest them and hand them over to the proper authorities after potentially killing a few to reduce their numbers. There are other options but those will probably work best."
Female Half Elf Master Summoner 9 HP 65 Max 90 (9d8 + 18) Defence AC23 Touch 16 Flat Footed 18 Fort +7, Ref +10, Will +9 (+11 vs. charm and compulsion); +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep Summoner Spells Lvl 1 7/7Lvl 2 56/6 Lvl 3 5/5 Summoning Master SLA 13/13
"I admire your compassion Alfred"replies Yaos, possibly not wholly sincerely "but I see many opportunities for the idea of framing these people with deceiving Phandros and assisting the Bellflower Agents to go astray. They will obviously tell the authorities something else, probably what really happened. As both Phandros's retainers and the Bellflower Agents have demonstrated, there are myriads of magical ways of finding out information. All it takes is someone in the authorities or Phandros's family to decide to investigate who is telling the truth and that will be the end of our deception and what we have achieved so far. Think of the matter from a theological viewpoint, Cheliax is after all an empire that worships devils. Every massacre is also a mass. It is a religious and spiritual duty. But not one you have to take part in or watch."
Early the next morning, after the peasants finish their morning-meal and break camp, making ready for the caravan path again, two individuals approach you, having apparently been volunteered to find out what's going to happen next.
Ennahvail is a girl in her late-twenties who has been tending the few dozen chickens making the trip. Typically Chelaxian in skin-tone and hair-color, the girl has dark eyes that pierce questioningly, if a bit timidly.
Toraen is a man in his mid-forties who has spent the trip fixing wagon-wheels, getting the wagons across natural obstacles and trying to improve shock-absorption and make for a smoother ride. Mostly unsuccessfully. "So, we just, um, want to know what's next. Are we going back to Westcrown, I guess?"
The girl speaks up, "Do you want anything of us? Some of us can't really easily go back to our old lives Westcrown. But we can work for your House if you want."
The score or so of other Chelaxian citizens and peasants are looking on in expectation. The looks on their faces is nervous expectation. They assume they will be serving your House -- not realizing that you are of different Houses. And not knowing anything about your plans.
Archaeologist Bard 8 HP 64/64| AC 23| T 17| FF 16| Fort +7| Ref +15| Will +10| Init +8 Perc +17 | Concentration +13| AL 7/8 L1 6/6 L2 5/5 L3 3/3
Looking the two over, and then looking at the rest of the group, Alfred speaks, "Our current destination is in the same direction we've been going so we shall carry on in that direction." Looking over the group more carefully, Alfred raises his voice and continues "I would like to thank you for your service. You have behaved most admirably thus far and we would like to continue your employment with us."
With a quieter voice now Alfred directly addresses the girl Ennahvail, "I would like you to get a list for me Ennahvail. The list should be of each persons name, occupation, current wage, and next of kin or closest persons to them. If you are to continue in our employ we will need to know these details to make wages flow smoothly and who to send your collected wages, belongings, bodies and, a severance fee to in case of an untimely demise due to the levels of banditry we shall face. If you do not feel up to the task please fetch someone who is and bring them to me."
Magnius nods "I echo my friend's sentiment, you have all been most helpful to us. We indeed to create better, if not necessarily new, lives for ourselves as well, and having a group of assistants, workers, and others in our employ will make things much easier. I would greatly appreciate it if you would all continue on with us"
1d20 + 21 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 21 + (3) = 25 Diplomacy
1d20 + 21 + 1d6 ⇒ (12) + 21 + (4) = 37 Re-roll, using this result
Ennahvail looks to Toraen briefly, as though she's embarrassed she was instructed to this task instead of him. Together they compile the information within three minutes and she brings it to you, shyly introducing the other people, some who merely nod, some who make courteous eye-contact, and some who even briefly speak a Hello or Yes, Sir.
In very short order you have the information you need and see that it will take very little to manage these few people.
So the caravan moves on to Gheradescci County. First to meet Count Vocaturo Spartaco and then on, presumably, to the new fort-town of Varni where you will meet his niece, Stella Spartaco -- the new Baroness. And her newly awarded Barony, on which your ambitious eyes have hungrily seen.
Another day of unmolested, uninteresting travel through the Chelaxian wilds brings you to the first settlements of Gheradescci County. The land untangles and smooths out to a vista of flat, human-tamed lands, leading straight to the County seat.
A goat-herder and his extended family sees you from afar and temporarily ceases churning the morning's milk into spicy butter that he will send to the castle.
Only an hour later do you pass an acre of grape vines, where another extended family makes a fruity, red wine for their lord, Count Vocaturo Spartaco.
Soon, a few small pig ranchers come into sight to the left and right of you, and straight ahead. The capocollos, prosciuttos, salamis and pepperonis here are known even as far east as Westcrown, as they are known due south in Corentyn -- the seat of ArchDuke Kettermaul Charthagnion.
In the evening you make camp on the road -- for the caravan trail, barely a path only a day ago, is a proper dirt road now -- hoping to make it to the castle sometime tomorrow.
It is three hours of travel past your morning meal the next day, passing through a field of tomatoes, red peppers, and eggplant, that you are met by the Count's first emissary.
Ahead of you stand a dozen Hobgoblin foot soldiers wielding glaives and longbows, in chain male. Above them on horse is a middle-aged nobleman, a Viscount by dress, next to a Tielfling woman on her own horse.
The Viscount calls out to you, "We were expecting you yesterday. I hope Phandros isn't going to make a habit of being late. Punctuality is important.
"I'm to escort you to the Count. Phandros should ride beside me and my wife. Um, we're looking forward to meeting our future son-in-law."
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Sense Motive checks can be made to see if there is any innuendo or attitude from the Viscount. Or another for his Tiefling wife.
Knowledge Society checks can be made for info on him and the Hobgoblin soldiers.
Female Half Elf Master Summoner 9 HP 65 Max 90 (9d8 + 18) Defence AC23 Touch 16 Flat Footed 18 Fort +7, Ref +10, Will +9 (+11 vs. charm and compulsion); +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep Summoner Spells Lvl 1 7/7Lvl 2 56/6 Lvl 3 5/5 Summoning Master SLA 13/13
Yaos has been civil, even pleasant at times, to the group of artisans etc. travelling with the party, showing no sign she had earlier argued for their annihilation. When greeted by the Viscount, his wife and guard, Yaos leaves it to another to speak, probably Magnius the party "face" but observes carefully and attempts to recall any relevant information about them.
I am about 98% sure when you say Knowledge Society it is Knowledge (geography/history/ nobility). correct me if I am wrong.
I am not sure if you want a second knowledge society check for the Hobgoblins.
And I am afraid Phandros is indeed late. :(
In the northern part of Gheradescci county, on the edge of the foothills and the heartland, a small village of mostly Hobgoblins stands as the County’s northern border. The Hobgoblins are a well-trained and even better valued force, keeping the County safe from brigands.
This is Mog.
Count Vocaturo Spartaco's older brother, Viscount Mogranzini Spartaco, has not been clever enough to have climbed the feudal ladder in Cheliax enough to hold the County -- but he is the second most powerful person in Gheradescci -- and commands a stout Keep amongst the Hobgoblin village that bears his name.
His Tiefling wife, Carnacella, is said to be considerably more clever and ambitious than he, though she holds no noble blood of her own.
The Viscount, Mogranzini Spartaco, doesn't really care o'ermuch about Francesco Phandros' being late. He just wants something negative to think about his future son-in-law.
And, you know, he's not really "looking forward to meeting" the boy that is suppose to marry his only child to help her consolidate the new Barony she's been given by her uncle.
Magnius moves his horse forward, resplendent in his Hellknight resembling armor. He nods respectfully to the Viscount and his wife "Greetings and well met, Viscount. I am Lord Magnius, of House Arvanxi, aspiring Hellknight of the Order of the Godclaw. Please, forgive us for being late, Phandros has been stricken with an awful illness and we needed to send riders to several towns before medicine was found. He's resting now, but is still weak and sickly, though recovering."
Viscount Mogranzini Spartaco
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Knowledge Society DC 27: Viscount Mogranzini is satisfied with his position as 'Warlord' for his younger brother. He has no often-common/Chelaxian ambition involving overthrowing his brother. He is content leading the Count's vanguard.
Carnacella, meanwhile, is satisfied being the wife of a Warlord and small noble, but wants more. Influence. Political-Knowledge. Other non-physical forms of Power.
The Viscount of House Spartaco is a clever field commander -- and a brilliant tactician and general. But he doesn't have a great interest in Chelaxian politics. Or ambition. But he's no fool.
Female Half Elf Master Summoner 9 HP 65 Max 90 (9d8 + 18) Defence AC23 Touch 16 Flat Footed 18 Fort +7, Ref +10, Will +9 (+11 vs. charm and compulsion); +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep Summoner Spells Lvl 1 7/7Lvl 2 56/6 Lvl 3 5/5 Summoning Master SLA 13/13
Yaos conceals her surprise at Magnius saying Phandros was still alive, allowing a substantial pause before introducing herself, following the Viscount, his wife and Magnius on her horse a short distance. Then she intoduces herself with:-
"I am Yaos Battori and this is Alfred Ensbridge. A pleasure to make your acquaintance Viscount Spartaco and Viscountess Carnacella. May I ask where we should direct Phandros's servants to go to and perhaps stay? We are guests in your lands."
While speaking Yaos is trying to recall what she knows about these individuals capabilities, by which I means class and level in particular.
The Sense Motive for Mogranzini's initial attitude toward the caravan is only 12. He was not really trying to hide his boredom and he's not so great at dissimulating being unfriendly to the 'idea' of Francesco Phandros marrying his daughter.
Viscount Mogranzini Spartaco Aristocrat-2 / Urban Ranger-7
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Knowledge Local DC 19: Well, at DC 10+CR, you got just enough for the basics of Viscount Mogranzini. But not enough for specifics.
Viscount Mogranzini Spartaco Aristocrat-2 / Urban Ranger-7
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"We're still a good day's travel to Count Vocaturo's castle. We can get some healing for him there. (Though our Cleric isn't the greatest.)"
Mogranzini still seems bored. He did not do any more than raise his eyebrows to the Arvanxi name. But he did notice. As did he notice the Battori name.
"We'll probably have a light rain this afternoon."
Female Half Elf Master Summoner 9 HP 65 Max 90 (9d8 + 18) Defence AC23 Touch 16 Flat Footed 18 Fort +7, Ref +10, Will +9 (+11 vs. charm and compulsion); +2 vs. enchantments Immune sleep Summoner Spells Lvl 1 7/7Lvl 2 56/6 Lvl 3 5/5 Summoning Master SLA 13/13
"We are indeed here for the wedding. And yes, I am a Battori, by marriage not birth. And sadly widowed at a young age by my husband Norrin Battori's murder. Events following which have left me with the sobriquet "the Red Widow" as some of those involved in his murder were found dead and the leaders simply disappeared. People must think I am somehow responsible." says Yaos, directing her horse closer to Carnacella's in order to converse more readily.
At a suitable moment, Yaos sends Red Wing and Pale Wing to the servants. Red Wing's task is to inform them that they are in a Hobgoblin village and to stay in a fairly tight group to avoid incident. How they will react to this news from what is apparently a large talking bird with clawed hands is interesting to contemplate. Pale wing is to watch over the servants from above and inform Yaos if anything untoward looks like happening.
