Ally finishes her tune and tries to gather everyone in the team together to discuss their next steps. She asks everyone to gather in the mess hall, asking if Imbrukar would be willing to watch the captives if they put them in a bedchamber, and he can participate in the conversation, if desired, by telepathy to Azuraunt. Once they're there, to everyone who was willing to come, she stands on Elen's shoulder and speaks.
"Alright. Let's do this right. We need to talk to each of these people, find out what each one knows, why they're here, what they were doing, who the Harbinger is or was, and probably we can think of some other questions. I think we should make a quick plan of what questions to ask, so we don't forget anything."
Ally waves her hand, and a Silent Image appears beside her of words floating in the air, forming a list.
- Who is the Harbinger?
- Why are you on board this boat?
- Do you know who we are?
- Why did you kill Niles?
- Why did you attack us?
"Does anyone else have anything we want answered?"
When Elen rejoins her, Ally leads the way down the hall to the Captain's cabin, where Roondar has been made secure. Elen removes the gag from the gnome's mouth, but he is still securely tied. Ally whispers to Elen to be ready in case he tries something, then speaks to the gnome.
"I'm honestly hurt, Roondar. I thought you and I had a real friendship starting. Why did you turn on us? We could have had a grand voyage to Gundrun, playing music all the way. You know, I'm certain the minotaur isn't happy with you. Nor is Elen here, or any of the others. Talking to me might be your best chance at avoiding the more... physical sorts of interrogations. It would be a real tragedy for those skilled fingers of yours to be, say, unable to hold a violin again. Not to mention what we might do to that masterfully built instrument of yours. But the greatest tragedy would be what might happen to your mind... oh yes... that delightfully creative mind that came up with all those lies and let them drip from your tongue so glibly, even as you poured music out like flowing water. My companion... she seems so very shy, doesn't she? You should see what she is capable of. I've seen people that made her really pissed off. She left them mewling, stunned, pathetic shells of the people they used to be... a Witch's curse is a profoundly disabling thing, not to mention what happens if you lay curse upon curse upon curse..."
Elen does her best to let a gleam of anger and madness grow in her eyes as she gazes on the gnome. Being the quietly threatening heavy to Ally's sympathetic, but insistent inquisitor is a role she has yet to be completely comfortable in, though it's not the first time.
After thoroughly searching their cabins, Macavity will thoroughly search the prisoners.
|
I believe I have heard of this Harbinger, or better named the Harbingers. Among the countless legions of daemons on the plane of Abaddon, a few are able to distinguish themselves. These unique individuals are collectively known as harbingers. They rank in power above all other daemons, save the archdaemons. Most maintain small cults on Abaddon and elsewhere, granting power to their worshipers. It might be that within their possessions we will find something to name the specific daemon they swore to. There are so many.
|
1d100Your healing powers work, and within a moment or so, Niles re-awakens, coughing. He is very weak , but nods at Numair and says weakly, "You came to bang the gnome too?"
Numair remains seated, his muscles cramped and stiff. "No, Niles, I came to speak with you. I know it might be difficult, but I want you to tell me everything you can remember after you came in this room. I'm not judging you, but there's been a murder, so its important that you be honest."
Calendir returns upstairs to meet with Macavity - It is strange - I cannot shake the feeling that there must be further intentions to that group downstairs than simple murder - you can go below deck if you wish Macavity, Ruul is in the process of interrogating our attackers - I will keep watch up here with Lagash.
Calendir then takes a tour of the deck, to make sure the area is safe, and climbs atop the captains' cabin to watch the area.
Macavity nods to Calendir and sheathes his sword. "Yes, they would appear to be amateurs if they attempt mischief without clear escape routes. I'll go down and search their cabins." Macavity standing jumps 25 feet across the deck, gracefully lands on the deck, and heads toward their cabins.
As he passes Ruul, Macavity lightly smacks his horn to get his attention. "Way to go, Ace."
Macavity spends 8 minutes in each cabin of the bad guy's searching for anything unusual.
Ruul returns a short moment later (after donning his loincloth and helping Lavinia into her armor).
"Thank you Calendir. We will take them from here."
The minotaur kneels down to a crouch so he can look the bound Diggory in the eyes. He motions for the fierce Lagash to make some room as well. His voice is deep, rich, and calm - quite different from the beastly growl coming from him moments ago.
"Who are the lot of you, in truth? Who is this Harbringer and what made you think you could take on a group of fully equipped and experienced Pathfinders?"
[dice=Diplomacy w/ Enhanced Diplomacy]1d20+16+2
"We are paid mercenaries, just like you. I don't know who or what the Harbinger is, just that I was told to mention that when we took you out."
Shamil is practically bouncing in her seat. Before anyone can do anything to stop her, she wails out "Gods, I am so freaking hot right now." Looking at Ruul, she pleads, "Please, can't I just have a taste, I'll say anything if I can just have a little of that...rod."
Digory looks over at her in disgust. "Shut up, you foul-mouthed little whore. If it wasn't for you focusing on committing an act of bestiality on that thing, we might have pulled it off."
Ruul returns a short moment later (after donning his loincloth and helping Lavinia into her armor).
"Thank you Calendir. We will take them from here."
[dice=Diplomacy w/ Enhanced Diplomacy]1d20+16+2
He looks at Lavinia and then glances at the bound Shamil.
"Was what happened to Nigel, what you had planned for me?" he asks as he adjusts his loincloth in hopes that the amorous little gnome will focus on him instead of what's hanging behind his garment.
Showing hatred to Digory as he lashes his tongue at her, she turns back to Ruul. "Unfortunately yes. But I guarantee that you would have died with a smile on your face. I love having my way with people, but I would have still done the job if that's what your asking."
Ruul watches as the pair bicker.
[dice=Perception]1d20+16
How did these three thugs get on board? Did anyone see them before now? It seems like if the female gnome had not killed Nigel then we would have not been tipped off quite so quickly. Was that murder a simple indulgence on her part, or was there some purpose behind it?
After looking over Niles, Lavinia will attend to Numair. "And how are you? Is there anything I can do?"
When Elen rejoins her, Ally leads the way down the hall to the Captain's cabin, where Roondar has been made secure. Elen removes the gag from the gnome's mouth, but he is still securely tied. Ally whispers to Elen to be ready in case he tries something, then speaks to the gnome.
"I'm honestly hurt, Roondar. I thought you and I had a real friendship starting. Why did you turn on us? We could have had a grand voyage to Gundrun, playing music all the way. You know, I'm certain the minotaur isn't happy with you. Nor is Elen here, or any of the others. Talking to me might be your best chance at avoiding the more... physical sorts of interrogations. It would be a real tragedy for those skilled fingers of yours to be, say, unable to hold a violin again. Not to mention what we might do to that masterfully built instrument of yours. But the greatest tragedy would be what might happen to your mind... oh yes... that delightfully creative mind that came up with all those lies and let them drip from your tongue so glibly, even as you poured music out like flowing water. My companion... she seems so very shy, doesn't she? You should see what she is capable of. I've seen people that made her really pissed off. She left them mewling, stunned, pathetic shells of the people they used to be... a Witch's curse is a profoundly disabling thing, not to mention what happens if you lay curse upon curse upon curse..."
Elen does her best to let a gleam of anger and madness grow in her eyes as she gazes on the gnome. Being the quietly threatening heavy to Ally's sympathetic, but insistent inquisitor is a role she has yet to be completely comfortable in, though it's not the first time.
[dice=Intimidate for Ally]1d20+6+2
[dice=Aid Another intimidate for Elen]1d20+3
Roondar cuts you off as you go on about Elen's abilities. He looks at you with a beatific smile and says, "Do you think I'm worried about what a little witch might do to me? Compared to the Harbinger, you and her both are nothing more than worms under the ground." He says this with the air of a man asking about the price of turnips at the farmer's market. "Even His least minion is more than a match for any two of you." Roondar looks at you for a moment, not your naked form, but eye to eye. He nods to himself and smiles again. "You have no idea to whom I am even speaking of. You'll not last long enough to even meet one of His Disciples. Do with me what you want, it will be nothing compared to what I face for my failure."
[dice=knowledge Planes]1d20+19+2
[dice=knowledge Religion]1d20+17+2
I believe I have heard of this Harbinger, or better named the Harbingers. Among the countless legions of daemons on the plane of Abaddon, a few are able to distinguish themselves. These unique individuals are collectively known as harbingers. They rank in power above all other daemons, save the archdaemons. Most maintain small cults on Abaddon and elsewhere, granting power to their worshipers. It might be that within their possessions we will find something to name the specific daemon they swore to. There are so many.
1d100Your healing powers work, and within a moment or so, Niles re-awakens, coughing. He is very weak , but nods at Numair and says weakly, "You came to bang the gnome too?"Numair remains seated, his muscles cramped and stiff. "No, Niles, I came to speak with you. I know it might be difficult, but I want you to tell me everything you can remember after you came in this room. I'm not judging you, but there's been a murder, so its important that you be honest."
[Dice=diplomacy, neg lvl]1d20+18-1
Drinking down the milky like substance, Niles can feel his strength returning. He looks over at Lavinia and graciously thanks her for her generosity. He then turns his head back to you and says, "Well, sir, I was taking the advice of your other healer friend who told me that the gnome lady was really looking to put out. It seemed only right that I help put her mind out at ease."He pauses to lick his lips. "It was real good at first and it seemed like she was enjoying herself, I didn't need any rum or anything for that. But she started getting rough, trying to get me to go and do my thing quickly. To be honest, I was feeling a little tired, but I tried nonetheless. Then I suddenly felt something stuck me just below the ribs. I don't remember nothing after that. How long was I asleep? Did I miss my watch?"
The wizard will recite this openly to the party in front of Roondar, explaining it more like folklore than fact. Sort of a "One more uppity Daemon" attitude.
|
|
Drinking down the milky like substance, Niles can feel his strength returning. He looks over at Lavinia and graciously thanks her for her generosity. He then turns his head back to you and says, "Well, sir, I was taking the advice of your other healer friend who told me that the gnome lady was really looking to put out. It seemed only right that I help put her mind out at ease."He pauses to lick his lips. "It was real good at first and it seemed like she was enjoying herself, I didn't need any rum or anything for that. But she started getting rough, trying to get me to go and do my thing quickly. To be honest, I was feeling a little tired, but I tried nonetheless. Then I suddenly felt something stuck me just below the ribs. I don't remember nothing after that. How long was I asleep? Did I miss my watch?"1d100Your healing powers work, and within a moment or so, Niles re-awakens, coughing. He is very weak , but nods at Numair and says weakly, "You came to bang the gnome too?"Numair remains seated, his muscles cramped and stiff. "No, Niles, I came to speak with you. I know it might be difficult, but I want you to tell me everything you can remember after you came in this room. I'm not judging you, but there's been a murder, so its important that you be honest."
[Dice=diplomacy, neg lvl]1d20+18-1
Did you see anyone else enter the room?
"By the time I was done, you would have been in no condition to assassinate anyone", the bull says brusquely.
"What about Niles? Why kill him?"
"Good grief, that idiot was taking too long. He had a hard time keeping his little pecker up to. Maybe if he didn't hit the rum so hard...Besides, I told you I had a job to do, and I was going to get paid, even if there were a lot more of you then we expected." Shamil glances over at Digory, who gives her a warning glare. "What, were you expecting to keep my mouth shut or something. It's not like we know a whole lot anyway." She turns back to you and says, "Look, ask the other gnome down the hall. We were paid to meet up with him before we met you people. Perhaps he knows more."
Drinking down the milky like substance, Niles can feel his strength returning. He looks over at Lavinia and graciously thanks her for her generosity. He then turns his head back to you and says, "Well, sir, I was taking the advice of your other healer friend who told me that the gnome lady was really looking to put out. It seemed only right that I help put her mind out at ease."He pauses to lick his lips. "It was real good at first and it seemed like she was enjoying herself, I didn't need any rum or anything for that. But she started getting rough, trying to get me to go and do my thing quickly. To be honest, I was feeling a little tired, but I tried nonetheless. Then I suddenly felt something stuck me just below the ribs. I don't remember nothing after that. How long was I asleep? Did I miss my watch?"
Did you see anyone else enter the room?
"No, but I wouldn't have been surprised if there were a line standing outside waiting for her after I got done. A woman like her on a boat gets a lot more miles than the boat does, even if she sees a lot less."
|
|
The wizard will recite this openly to the party in front of Roondar, explaining it more like folklore than fact. Sort of a "One more uppity Daemon" attitude.
After considering that he knows from knowledge Planes, the wizard thinks about this being from an arcane point of view. What else has he heard? What can he deduce.
After Macavity completes his search of the cabins and the prisoners, he stands next to Azaraunt and addresses the male gnome, "Failure? Your efforts were amateur. Besides getting captured, did you actually have a mission or target for your boss? Or did your boss just sacrifice you to introduce himself to us?"
Ally nods in agreement with Macavity. "Indeed, your actions make no sense at all unless it was an attempt by this Harbinger -- a daemon, you say, Azaraunt? How boring, daemons are the least imaginative and least interesting of fiends -- an attempt to capture our attention. I mean, goodness -- a pathetically ordinary murder, not even a ritual or sacrifice, of a harmless man, done in a setting where escape is impossible, and defeating us equally impossible? No, I dare say your Harbinger got exactly what it wanted, and our defeat was not it. Doesn't make you any better off, of course. I expect swift justice to be dealt to the other two, but you... hmm... you know, all you really did was play your violin, shout, and serve as a target for arrows. You didn't even attack us. I bet those other two are telling Ruul right now that they were hired by you, that you're the ringleader, but they would say that, wouldn't they, to save their skins? Perhaps it's a lie and you're under orders from Digory, he was the one who led the attack after all..."
Ally tries to play on Roondar's pride, hoping he'll let slip information while insisting that he is the leader of this team, or give Roondar a way of hoping that he might be able to survive with a lesser punishment than the other two, and escape to a far corner of Golarion.
Elen glares at Roondar, imagining his silver tongue tying in knots as he tries to lie, his fingers fumbling on the strings of his violin, his voice stammering when he tries to sweet-talk anyone else. Her glare causes doubt in his own abilities to begin to faintly creep into his mind.
Elen laughs as Ally mentions the possibility that Roondar is the ringleader. She gives her voice an added, eldritch note of madness as she cackles loudly, unusual for the shy elf. "This fool, the ringleader?" she stage-whispers to Ally, loud enough for the others present to hear clearly. She laughs again, the power of her laughter furthering the doubt in Roondar's mind.
The wizard will recite this openly to the party in front of Roondar, explaining it more like folklore than fact. Sort of a "One more uppity Daemon" attitude.
After considering that he knows from knowledge Planes, the wizard thinks about this being from an arcane point of view. What else has he heard? What can he deduce.
[dice=Knowledge Arcana of this Evil Outisder]1d20+17+2
The wizard will recite this openly to the party in front of Roondar, explaining it more like folklore than fact. Sort of a "One more uppity Daemon" attitude.
After considering that he knows from knowledge Planes, the wizard thinks about this being from an arcane point of view. What else has he heard? What can he deduce.
[dice=Knowledge Arcana of this Evil Outisder]1d20+17+2
"Well, it is certainly not how I planned for it to end either and am rather upset at these people for spoiling it. As for the human, if he doesn't want to answer any questions now, we can always question his spirit after he has been dispatched."
"Look people, we don't know who hired us, we don't know why they want you dead, and that other gnome hasn't said two words to us other than to make sure all of you were dead. What more do you want?"
Ally nods in agreement with Macavity. "Indeed, your actions make no sense at all unless it was an attempt by this Harbinger -- a daemon, you say, Azaraunt? How boring, daemons are the least imaginative and least interesting of fiends -- an attempt to capture our attention. I mean, goodness -- a pathetically ordinary murder, not even a ritual or sacrifice, of a harmless man, done in a setting where escape is impossible, and defeating us equally impossible? No, I dare say your Harbinger got exactly what it wanted, and our defeat was not it. Doesn't make you any better off, of course. I expect swift justice to be dealt to the other two, but you... hmm... you know, all you really did was play your violin, shout, and serve as a target for arrows. You didn't even attack us. I bet those other two are telling Ruul right now that they were hired by you, that you're the ringleader, but they would say that, wouldn't they, to save their skins? Perhaps it's a lie and you're under orders from Digory, he was the one who led the attack after all..."
Ally tries to play on Roondar's pride, hoping he'll let slip information while insisting that he is the leader of this team, or give Roondar a way of hoping that he might be able to survive with a lesser punishment than the other two, and escape to a far corner of Golarion.
[dice=Diplomacy to play the good cop]1d20+11+2
[dice=Aid Another from Elen]1d20+0
"It's obvious that you have no idea what the Harbinger is," Roondar continues in that same calm tone. "It is more than a daemon, more than any creature ever found throughout the megaverse, for it has been all of them. As to why it chose you, it's like asking why the sky decided to rain. I do not know, all I do know is that the Harbinger wants you dead. As to the others over there," nodding his head towards the other end of the hall, "they can say whatever they want. They were pawns, likely paid for by another who serves it. My job was to simply sit and watch, nothing more. It was clear when they saw the creature that they would fail and in my instinct, I started to play. I know that sometimes my music can inspire others to fight better."
"As to the swift justice, if you don't kill me now, I assure you that I'll be dead long before we land in Gundrun, and it will not be by my hand, nor likely yours, should you choose to spare me." Roondar continues to stare at you, the moment feeling increasingly creepy, as that beatific smiles has not gone away, even while he spoke.
Elen glares at Roondar, imagining his silver tongue tying in knots as he tries to lie, his fingers fumbling on the strings of his violin, his voice stammering when he tries to sweet-talk anyone else. Her glare causes doubt in his own abilities to begin to faintly creep into his mind.
Elen laughs as Ally mentions the possibility that Roondar is the ringleader. She gives her voice an added, eldritch note of madness as she cackles loudly, unusual for the shy elf. "This fool, the ringleader?" she stage-whispers to Ally, loud enough for the others present to hear clearly. She laughs again, the power of her laughter furthering the doubt in Roondar's mind.
"Oh yes, the infamous witch your eldritch companion mentioned. I can feel you entering into my mind, but it won't work, or at least, you might want to wish that it doesn't work. You might not like what's inside here."
Elen continues to glare at Roondar, now working to force his mental defenses down.
Elen laughs again, addressing the gnome directly now, her anger overcoming her shyness. "I've seen evil you would fall before quivering in terror, little bard," she says dismissively.
As Ally continues talking, Elen continues to break down Roondar's defenses, giving him a bad luck jinx and laughing again to extend its influence.
Ally smiles at Roondar, saying "So if you are to die before we reach our destination, as you say, what matters it if you tell us everything? We can make your final moments comfortable at least, if indeed the reach of the Harbinger is so great, then having more information certainly couldn't help us at all in opposing it."
Elen continues to glare at Roondar, now working to force his mental defenses down.
Elen laughs again, addressing the gnome directly now, her anger overcoming her shyness. "I've seen evil you would fall before quivering in terror, little bard," she says dismissively.
As Ally continues talking, Elen continues to break down Roondar's defenses, giving him a bad luck jinx and laughing again to extend its influence.
Roondar begins to pale, not only from the wounds, but also from the psychic assault. "If you think that...you can intimidate me into talking about things I don't...know, you are obviously buff..." The gnome suddenly spasms in pain, his chest pushed out at a distinct angle. Then, you see blood splatter against the wall behind him. Finally, he slumps down, obviously dead. When you turn him over, there is a clean cut into his back, the exit wound is big enough to show that there a vital organ mostly missing, his heart.
Elen grows pale, murmuring "That wasn't me, it really wasn't. "