Tease |
Grellik: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19
You catch a quick glance of Tease's eyes going to Trissae and back again when you ask about the message. Clearly it has something to do with her.[/dice]
Just made it! Jesus.
"I spent a bit of time scratching a large message in Cant on a wall facing the quarantine. Hopefully if any of the Wits outside looks over, they'll see it. Not a reliable means of communication, by far."
Trissae Darkwhisper |
"Whoa Grell... you know, I think now is as good a time as any if you think about it. We're stuck here with this damned-able rain keeping us closed in.. Mornak's only a few hours past living and the world is in chaos." She walks over and puts her hand on his. "I think we should each take some time and reflect, say our true prayers, and remember fondly... while we have this moments reprieve."
A moment later Tease enters
she looks back at Tease with a smile as he enters. A slightly shocked expression creeps across her face at the idea of the dazers working in roving packs.
After Grellik asks his question but before she can collect her words Tease responds. She thinks introspectively for a moment then adds to what he has to say:
"He also ran a letter out for me, addressed to Silvers." She starts slowly pacing clearly attempting to choose her words carefully. "I wrote her my condolences for her lost comrades, and suggested to her that perhaps she impress upon her superiors that they should cooperate with us. I called to attention the severity of the current storm." She looks up gauging Grellik's response before continuing.
"Yartar needs us, and it may be our best hope at saving the Sharks. Even if they don't help us, if they could just stay out of our way it would make things incredibly more possible." she says sharply, as much to herself as to him.
"As for the outside contact, Tease reminded me of one useful detail. Ozz is actually outside the quarantine, or at least was. He's now in the best position to get help from beyond these damn walls. He might not be the most cunning of us, but he is the most resourceful..." She says with a smile on her face, the optimistic gleam in her eye she's known for.
Adrien Cavell |
Cavell groans from the cot, maybe twenty minutes later, and sits up holding his face. "Gods it's still daytime isn't it." He stands, steadying himself on the wall, still somewhat drunk. "I might have...spent a lot of coin. Uh, what'd I miss?"
Grellik |
"If Ozz can get outside, then that might be best...though I hate to dilute our numbers; we lack strength already. This matter of Silvers, though, is untenable. Sargent Silvers seems to be a sympathetic ear, but she is bound by her duties, and she cannot control her superiors. Don't think that Moonbrook's passing means that we will have it any easier. If anything, a new commander would be eager to please the ones who placed them there."
"They declared war on us, Trissae, we cannot forget that! This is not a raid, or a..a caper. This is war. They want nothing less than our utter destruction. This is not theatrical--They want The Boss on those gallows, and with him our heart and soul! Not to mention anyone who is killed in the meantime. If they will slander Mornak, they will not spare the rest of their captives in a fit of conscience!"
"Like it or not, we have to treat the shields as enemies, though some may be sympathetic to us. We may be able to use this plague to our advantage, but we have to be prepared to do what must be done."
And I am not sure of the blocking, but if people wanted to have Adrian wake up here, that's fine by me, though I think that's technically early. ;P If so, add this next bit. If not ignore it, though it may be inserted later.
Trissae Darkwhisper |
Before Adrien awakens
"Oh, I umm.., didn't realize I was talking to Adrien." She says sharp and annoyed. When Grellik suggests using the plague Trissae's face flushes with rage.
"Use the plague!? to what ends Grellik? Are you sure you're not a follower of Bane? what kind of lunacy is that!?" She catches herself, chest puffing and turns and walks away quickly. Once outside the door she puts her hands on her face and tries to calm her nerves.
Grellik |
Grellik's throat rumbles. "The confusion, Trissae, the fact that The Lords and Ladies of this city will have their hands full curbing this threat. What did you think I had in mind? You know I would have no part in furthering this suffering..." Grellik exhales. "If I was unclear in my wording, I apologize. Things are getting too heated, I'm afraid. Though if you were talking to Adrian, he would be rather more flippant about the prospect of people dying, if his recent attitude is any guide."
"I do not want to kill anyone, save those that are responsible for Mornak, but we cannot try to make everyone our friend. They are the Law. We are criminals. That alone would be enough, but the Water-baron has ordered us dealt with." Grellik makes a crooked smile. "You know the Water-baron? Their liege-lord? They have no choice but to oppose us, and we must be willing to give them the respect to treat them as enemies. If Silvers can give us aid, or turn a blind eye, then that is welcome, but we know not if she will be able to make good on that--let us not forget the incident at the Shield Tower."
Adrien Cavell |
Will wait on GM ruling for where/when I rejoin, but wanted to make clear, Cavell has always been flippant about the prospect of people dying. Mornak and Trissae have kept him mostly in check--when they're with him. If Grellik and Cavell have ever gone on any kind of raid or mission together, he'd have seen Cavell cut throats and continue on as if nothing had happened, even grinning and joking about other topics while blood still drips off his blade. And he'd have groaned with annoyance if Grellik had lectured/chided him for it.
GM Grey |
As per the boss: He doesn't like unnecessary killing and would reprimand if he heard of such, but would generally trust your instincts on the matter, prefering you all to kill rather than be killed. He commands caution BOTH because it is strategically unwise for the long term bandit life (Killing means more energetic enemies), and that the pointless ending of lives is found not in his taste.
Adrien will wake after Triss and Grell have had their say to each other. They choose when you awake as 20 mins is enough time to finish their convo.
GM Grey |
Alright folks, let's move forward a bit for pacing's sake.
Lets say you take an hour rest to talk and share and make plans. Since it'll probably be faster to decide what to do next in OOC talk rather than going line by line in-character, we'll do that.
Discuss, OOC, what you want to do next. Once you've come to an agreement, you can each make an in-character summary of the talk, how you feel about it, and if you had to have your arm twisted or not.
Spoilers are open to be read
Adrien Cavell |
Right, Cavell fills them in on the delivery tomorrow at noon.
#1 he wants to find and kill Frostheight. That will free Dolson and Farlyse from his service. They'll probably find other work in the city, but hopefully won't be in our way nearly as much. He believes any future rescue attempts will more likely result in us getting captured if we don't deal with him first--and he's inside quarantine so we don't have to break out to accomplish this.
#2 he wants to destroy the quarantine, letting the plague loose in the rest of the city. That will give us much greater freedom to rescue our friends at the citadel AND put off the executions, perhaps indefinitely.
#3 once quarantine is broken, the tunnels underneath the city won't be blocked off anymore (no point), and we can use them to travel easier. We'll need to get to the citadel and scout it out before making a plan. It will be best if we break out all the sharks at once. The city will most likely be quarantined at that point, so we'll have to take them back to our safehouse. Then we just wait for this mess to burn itself out and can safely escape the city.
Cavell will insist on this plan, but he'll angrily back down if both Grellik and Trissae are against it, basically throwing his hands up and saying "fine, come up with a plan then. But if a shark hangs because of it I'm done with you two. I'll save our family on my own and you two can dick around."
If one of them supports him but the other doesn't, he'll put pressure on them to fall in line unless they have a better idea to save our family.
Trissae Darkwhisper |
Reenters room after hearing Adrien's up. Fills him in on letter delivery.
#1 Deal with Brundon and the Plague:
Getting the artifact will save Yartar from further chaos and be grounds for pardon from the Waterbaron. Alternatively can be used to ransom back the Sharks in case baron or shields are dishonorable. She intends to acomplish this by:
- Wants to test Dart for magical affliction using identify spell to see if she can figure out something about plague.
- If Dart is still afflicted, his diary noted that the Dazers find their way to Brundon, so they release Dart and follow him. Prepare for fight. Will go over what she thinks is going on with the sword (it likely has a will of its own, wants Triss to fulfill her promise to kill Brundon)Is probably very violent or feeds on negative emotion. May be cursed.
- Will also suggest that when they make the trade they ask for Frostheight to be handed over as a prisoner, to face Bogshark justice, as part of the deal. (arguements for Dolson and Farlyse are good too)
#2 Points of Arguement:
-Roving groups of Dazers means Shields are too few in man power to effectively contain them anymore, likely that Shields (on the ground) are no longer an issue.
-If the plague is non-magical or transmitted by storm, likely whole city is already infected.
-Doesn't expect Frostheight will be able to argue for another hanging now that the storm and its effects have proven more severe (noble and civilian risk now too high)
-Is perfectly willing to 'deal with Frostheight' if they get the chance but doesn't feel they have the proper tools to Fight with him. Specifically she argues that until they find a way to deal with Dolson Marr they can't win (he beat the whole group of sharks, how are only 3 members gonna do anything against him?) and simply doesn't believe striking Frostheight down will suddenly dissuade his comrades from perusing us (no evidence to support Adrien's claim).
-Will argue that unless the plague is dealt with escaping Yartar is a waste of time, either because they'll bring the plague with them. Or they'll bring the vengeful wrath of the survivors of the plague who will inevitably blame the Sharks for the calamity.
-Will bring up points concerning Shields about thier descent, using the events at the Shield tower to promote this (even with their highest commander stationed there they still defied orders and let her go). Mentions them jailing thier own despite needing every shield, and even the dragon born Hilshind's distaste for what was going on. (she's very passionate about this point, won't relent without some kind of impressive word work)
#3 Other stuff:
-Brings Adrien water if he needs it when they first meet back up.
-If Adrien gets snippy with her again she has a rant for him that I'll save for if that happens; a cliff notes version wouldn't work very well.
-Wants Counterwit input on ideas.
-Wont hand over sword.
-Praises Adrien for getting supplies.
I think that's everything at the moment, smack me around if I forgot something.
Grellik |
Adriens goals etc:
#1 Kill Frosthieght. Yes, so much yes. however, he is not convinced that Dolson and Farlyse are simply his hired hands. He doesnt think they will get rid of them so easily.
#2 Grellik is adamantly opposed to spreading the 'plague', but wont filibuster the group if Trissae is on board. He agrees that we need to rescue them all at once. Its unlikely that we'll get another chance.
However, Grellik is losing patience with Cavells my way or the highway attitude, and thinks it unbefitting someone who claims that we are his family--one is not done with family just because they don't agree on what actions to take
Trissae's goals etc:
#1 the 'plague' is disconcerting, and he would like to see it done, but he does not think they will get pardoned or get anyone's cooperation aside from Silvers and a few others. Rescuing the other sharks and getting the f+&$ out of Yartar takes priority.
Shields may be too busy, or they may have orders to prioritize our capture. We can't just hope that they will be busy, and need to plan as if they are a threat. In addition Frostheight isn't here on a general mission, he is here on a mission to destroy the Bog Sharks, and has been shown to be quite resolved to do so.
As far as Brundon is concerned, releasing dart might work, if we are going with that route.
There is no way they are handing over Frostheight to us unless we have a VIP hostage of some kind, and probably not even then.
Grellik is not convinced that we cannot defeat Dolson Marr. The only one of us who was close enough to truly fight him was Adrien, who was at a disadvantage, and still managed to get away.
The most grellik will agree is advisable is contacting Silvers, and meeting with her privately, away from the Shields proper; at this point we can see what she is willing and or able to do. But it is suicide to put our hopes in clemency or overt cooperation on the part of the Shields.
Grelliks own goals:
Rescuing Sharks is top priority, even if the opportunity to help with the Dazers arises. He is unsure how to do this, but perhaps Trissae and Adrian can use disguise and magic to infiltrate the prison area, though we would need to know more about their protocol first. In any case Grellik thinks we should scout out the prison area, and try to get more details about security and such before we make any specific rescue plans.
Secondarily, if we can do something about the 'plague,' then Grellik wants to. This whole thing is disconcerting, and this is basically their back yard, so if it blows up it could affect them (he agrees with Trissae there, only differing that he is against choose fixing the plague over rescuing the Sharks or planning on clemency or leniency for doing so.
It would also be very very good to try to get someone outside he city--the remaining Sharks at the hideout may be able to help, and steps could be taken to contact The Boss and the Elites.
Regarding Trissae's sword...is anyone asking her to give it up?
Oh, an that reminds me, how much of these spoilers are the characters sharing with each other? I imagine the pertinent details were covered from Trissae's heart to heart with Tease, but not the specifics? similarly, did Adrian give us any details about his excursion? Grellik would share everything aside from his secret conversation with Ugly to Trissae, and would express his concerns to Adrien privately
Finally a request for clarification: Adrien, When you say that he has always been like this about people's lives, are you saying A: that Cavell has continued unabated in his bloodlust/flippancy about killing/whatever you want to call it (and think of a good word for it right now >.>) throughout his time in the Sharks,
or B: that he came to the Sharks like that, and though it dropped off, this is a resurgence, not a totally new development?
Tease |
-The Counterwits hold the position "The plague is bad for business" as well as wanting to help your escape because of the deal Tease has made with your gang.
-Because of Adrien breaking the quarantine, Tease believes that it is only a matter of time before the Waterbaron lifts the quarantine on this section of the city, and instead quarantines the ENTIRE city. He predicts that as her next move, he just isn't sure when she would consider it pertinent. He expects getting access to the walls after that will be very difficult.
-Tease and Ugly are worried about Dart (still locked in the freezer), but knows not what to do about him. Although they don't think that looking into Brundon is priority #1, doing both that AND getting rid of Dart's presence as a potential threat together might make that at least a semi-decent first step, other plans potentially overturning that.
-Tease knows that there are people in the Shields who are good, and could be swayed to be helpful to the cause of stopping the plague. He also knows that some are corrupt, and might be willing to take bribes. These two groups are usually non-overlapping.
Adrien Cavell |
In response to Grellik:
Kill Frostheight: Cavell doesn't think we'll be rid of dolson & farlyse, just that they won't be in our way nearly as much. Frostheight is the brains, planning, and drive behind destroying the sharks.
Spread the plague: Cavell concedes the point when Tease says the whole city will be quarantined soon, and this local quarantine will be lifted.
My way or the highway: Cavell's not disowning you two or something, there's just no way he's going on some quest to find an artifact, cure the plague and save the city before all the Sharks are safe. If you two insist, he won't be joining you, he'll try to save all of his FAMILY by himself--and then if you two get into trouble he'll try to save you too.
Plague: Cavell reluctantly agrees that AFTER the Sharks are saved and out of the city, he wouldn't let you two go back into the city alone to try and cure the plague, he'd have your backs.
Pardons: Cavell isn't willing to just hope for a pardon, and he has no interest in making nice with the people who hung Mornak and cheered.
Outside help: Probably too much trouble and risk for too little reward. Likely the boss already knows what's going on and is doing his best out there.
Trissae's Sword: He'll suggest it's a good idea to let him (Cavell) carry it for awhile and see if it has the same effect. If so, we'll pawn it. Maybe the crazies upstairs would fall over themselves for it and we could get a nice juicy favor from them that could help save our friends. They're all about anger.
Cavell ruthless: Answer 'A', basically. But he wouldn't kill when Trissae/Mornak/Boss would find out about it. He didn't grow a conscience or change as a person, he just made the extra effort to be non-lethal at their behest. With the Boss MIA outside the walls and Mornak dead, that leaves only Trissae to keep him in check. If Grellik also applied pressure to not kill, that might be enough. Maybe. He's angry, and not the superficial kind when his pride gets wounded, but a deep seething anger that only occasionally bubbles to the surface.
Spoilers: Cavell shares the entirety of what happened in his spoilers, with one addition. He tells the story of when he went out to take a piss and this really hot Shieldwoman couldn't resist his dangerous bravado and they had a quickie in the alley.
Deception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Trissae Darkwhisper |
not gonna roll, your deception is higher than I can roll for insight :P
Trissae wouldn't share any of the non-pertinent information (conversations with Tease or the specifics of the letter to Silvers) since it wouldn't add much to any conversations
As the conversations play out Triss can be observed variously fidgeting with her dress, reacting with elation, and frustration to the various points and thoughts brought up over the duration of the conversations.
As a lull starts after some back and forth between Adrien and Grell, Trissae stands up. Her introspective look changes to one of determination as she speaks up.
"Excellent!", she says so energetically that if it weren't for her body language you'd think she was saying it sarcastically. She looks across the room at her friends with a vivacious smile.
"We have a good spectrum of views on the matters at hand, that will be essential in keeping us from getting too tunnel-visioned."
She takes the fringe from her dress and rolls it between her fingers as she walks toward Adrien. Looking up at him with a confident smile. "I agree with you and Grellik completely. If Frostheight is here in the quarantine, he is clearly the most pressing matter at hand." She twirls in front of Adrien so that her dress flicks toward him, as she turns to face the others.
"One thing I think we can all agree on is that we're working with limited information here, which is dangerous. That's why I think the best move is to scout and gather some intel. Luckily we've got one of the best Shark scouts on hand..." She says gesturing toward Adrien, "Though I'm sure Ozz and Grimgar would argue that a bit". She says in a smirk.
"Adrien you should lead up a scouting group with Ugly, as a navigator, and Grellik, as our wildcard incase things get hairy, and see what you can find out about Frostheight in the quarantine... he's an obnoxious noble, somebody is going to know something. In addition you might pick up some gossip on the effects of the storm or what's going on with the dazers, which will be useful in moving about."
She walks back into the middle of the room as to address everyone.
"Meanwhile, Tease and I will see what kind of tools we can dig up in dealing with magic, in either scenario we have magic at work that needs to be dealt with and I have a few ideas on how. He and I can also consolidate our ideas on how to contact and identify useful allies in either of our en devours."
She looks again at Adrien, clearly beaming with pride in him."I think tomorrow after the supplies arrive would be a good time to gear up and set out, a genius move on your part Adrien. I also think you bring up a good point about Frostheight's companions... more information on their motivations would be wonderful, I'd love to think it would be possible to buy Farlyse off and have her hold him down for you Adrien."She says chuckling before continuing."If you think you can manage finding out more without getting in trouble I say do it."
She then turns looking across at Grellik, equally gushing with pride."I think your idea is wonderful too Grell, clearly if we're gonna meet with any Shield again it will have to be on our terms. I am confident Tease can keep my belligerent optimism in check when dealing with them from now on." She has another good chuckle. Afterward she again addresses the party in full.
"So what do you guys think? I feel like it's a good collaborative idea of the ideas we've put out. We scout out, get data, come back in the evening and move forward informed for once. If it's one thing I know, when we Sharks move together toward a single goal we are a force to be reconned with!" She says with enthusiasm.
She'll wait for responses for a little while but also chimes in to Adrien personally, but not privately.
"Adrien, if you have a moment I'd still like to talk to you in private if you're willing? I'll understand if you prefer not."
If Adrien agrees she'll lead him out into another room for privacy. If not, she'll make her way to Tease to talk about Dart and have him lead her to him so that she may examine him with her magic.
Tease |
"Well except for that one there..." pointing to Adrien "Nearly being on his ass, I think it's a good idea. Maybe we can pour water down his throat until he starts acting like he won't vomit at any moment before he goes out to content with the Shields and dazers, eh?"
"Wish we could get to Creep. He's our main magic man in my group, but he's on the other side of the quarantine. "
Adrien Cavell |
"Good. Let's go scouting. But I'd rather you were with us, Triss," He gives Grellik a look, hoping for backup.
He then agrees and separates off to talk with Trissae privately.
Trissae Darkwhisper |
As the two of them enter one of the vacant rooms Trissae will shut the door behind Adrien when he enters. She walks over to him and puts a hand on his elbo and strokes his arm gently.
"I have... so much to say to you, but I'll try to keep it short and sweet. I believe before I say anything though, I should start with an apology." She glances down at the floor a moment then back at him.
"I'm sorry for what I said earlier... You aren't ignorant and I shouldn't have said it. It was coming from a place of hurt and I'm terrible at controlling myself... but those aren't good reasons to treat you poorly, I'm very sorry." She sighs and steps away from him, organizing her thoughts and continuing.
"I want to talk to you about Frostheight." She swallows hard and continues, "I don't agree with what you want to do with him. But,... what I want to do is petty and vengeful." She walks back up to him and places her hand on his chest, looking to a side.
"There's no way, no way Grellik or I can truly understand what happened up there on the wall. Frostheight, he's... I can get past him being a bigot, I can see him for what he is. But what he did to you, the pain he inflicted on you is beyond that, he is evil in the simplest form and....." She stifles cleary having difficulty coming to grips with what she's trying to convey.
"He wants to hurt you, make you hate him, so that he can lure you out and hurt you more. I know you're talented and I know you're weary, but please be careful out there." She sighs again, swallows back the anxiety bubbling up in her throat and leans in close, standing on her tippy-toes so that they are face to face.
"But if that son-of-a-b!#@# makes one wrong move, gives you one inch... you kill him, and you kill him hard. And when the lights in his eyes have gone dead and black, he'll be begging the masters of the Nine Hells to keep him there." In the moment Adrien can see the hot passion and merciless nature the Drow are renown for flare up in Trissae. Consumed by her own unbound lust She pushes her mouth hard against his, clutching his head by his hair, and kissing him passionately for several moments.
He can feel the moment Trissae regains her composure, her body stiffens and she pops away from him wide eyed. Clearly she had no intention for things to escalate the way they had.
"I... uh.. there was something else... I.... eh.." Her stammering is quick and confused with bits of elvish interspersed with common, her cheeks purple and flush.
Grellik |
RE: ooc stuff:
RE: "Done with us:" Grellik will relent when Adrian clarifies what he means.
RE: Trissae's sword. Grellik is concerned that it seems to be affecting her actions, though he is not willing to risk a direct conflict if it influences her to become violent to stop removal of the sword.
RE: Cavell's lie: insight: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0(Well, at least it was of something of little consequence. Not, say, perception to notice a hidden enemy, or an attack roll :D) Grellik shakes his head a bit sadly when Adrian tells his tale, but he does not address it and tries to maintain a poker face about it.
"I am not an arcane scholar--when it comes to magic, I know only what it takes to weave spells--and not many at that. But let us not forget a surefire method in dealing with mages: hit them."Grellik smiles slightly. "Many spells require the mage to concentrate to persist its effects, so timely trauma is always a good thing to try."
"And I agree with Adrien: If we are gathering intelligence, having you along would be a big help, and if trouble breaks out, well, we have seen what splitting our limited force does."
"But gathering information seems to be the only thing we can do right now. We have a little less than a 10-day before we must take action, though it would be preferable to act before then, and we cannot rush in blind if we wish to outmaneuver our foes."
Adrien Cavell |
"The sooner we start scouting the better," Cavell agrees with Grellik. "Being a pompous noble, he's probably sleeping in upper levels of the Shield Tower--I'd bet the top-most level. Which is why I bought grappling hooks and extra rope--and I still have my own climbing gear. Anyway, we need as much information as we can get about the current state of the Shields and their tower. And if possible, learn if Frostheight's actually up there. This'll be a battle of information. He would love to set another trap for us, so we need to be one move ahead of him."
Cavell grins cheekily when she shuts the door and touches his arm.
"Well..." He begins, but stops to listen.
"Apology accepted."
His smile fades when she brings up Frostheight, breathing growing a bit shallower and the muscles in his jaw twitch. "Being insulted by that arrogant, cowardly, noble pomp was reason enough for me to kill him. Mocking Mornak's death, and everything else he's done..." He meets her eyes. "Mornak won't be happy with what I'm going to do to--"
Pleasantly surprised, Cavell's hands caress her back and sides as he returns the kiss--until she breaks away. He grins, "I like this side of you, Triss. You should let her out more, I think she's getting restless in there."
Cavell puts one arm behind his back and bows politely with surprising grace for being drunk. "Worry not darling, a gentleman doesn't kiss and tell." He walks backwards slowly, grinning at her with overflowing smugness, and returns to Grellik and the others.
As she kisses him, he attempts to slide Sapphire's saber off her belt and hide it behind his back.
Trissae Darkwhisper |
Trissae stumbles in her words and thoughts till Adrien snaps her out of it with his wit.
"I like this side of you, Triss. You should let her out more, I think she's getting restless in there."
"Damn it Adrien." She chuckles shaking her head, clearly still embarrassed but appreciating him bringing her back down. As he turns to head out she snaps too, remembering she had one more thing she wanted to share. Lunging she calls out, "Wait! Adrien! one more thing." She follows him into the hallway to continue the conversation.
"The other thing I was going to say was, when you plan to head out... I want you to take Sapphire's blade with you. It's just in case, I mean you have a particular knack for bumping into people (Burke), and if somehow you end up running into Brundon I want you prepared." She grabs his sleeve to pause him for a moment to emphasize her next point.
"Please please please, don't draw the blade until you need to use it. She, it, seems to have a will of its own and it has surprised me twice now by usurping my own. She wants revenge* for her master and is getting tired of waiting..... Also, I don't think I need to say it but please don't hock her. okay?" She chuckles and gives him a light hearted smile. He can see a little of that old Triss coming back in her eyes.
She then follows him back to meet with the others.
*Try to get "Tear you apart" out of your head now!
Grellik |
Do I hear rocking in the other room? ;;>.>
"Agreed. Why don't you and Triss have that talk, and we can get going." at least I assume this conversation is taking place before Trissae and him have their private chat
GM Grey |
I would have wanted to have interjected here... But I guess I'll "yes, and..." this conversation and keep it rolling. But UGH, this situation is a grey-area nightmare.
Here is how I am going to rule what happened. Adrien made a slight of hand (with disadv for drunkenness) against Trissae's passive perception (11). Because the object is so LARGE, she had advantage (+5 on passives) giving her 16, which is still low enough for Adrien to take the weapon. Using the cover of the kiss is a fine enough explanation for me as DM to make this maneuver of taking a weapon out of somebody's belt even POSSIBLE. It sounds like both players were interested in Adrien having the weapon at the end of the scene, so I'm not that concerned about the liberties taken to resolve the situation by Adrien, but if the situation was *any more* contentious, I'd much prefer it to be left to me to declare the success or failure of something like this. PvP declarations can be disruptive to a group's enjoyment, and the DM's gotta haul the baggage of resolving it, not the players.
Despite being drunk, Adrien is able to take advantage of Trissae' distracting herself enough to slip the sabre out from her belt.
Adrien CHA Saving throw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Trissae CHA Saving throw: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
As soon as he does so, he becomes nauseous, but manages to keep himself steadied for the moment. Hiding the sabre behind his body, he turns towards the door when Trissae speaks once more. Adrien shows her the stolen sabre, grins sickly, and then vomits over the floor.
Grellik: Tease and Ugly give you a look as they walk off alone (probably into one of the bedrooms), as if to say "What now?!". About a minute passes, and you don't hear the sounds of any bed springs squeaking or wood creaking, but instead Adrien begins vomiting.
Grellik |
Grellik gives them his best "what are ya gonna do?" shrug, ans asks them. "We seem to have decided amongst ourselves...after a fashion, but what of your group? Is our preliminary plan acceptable? Or is there some better use of our time? I do not wish make you all feel like subordinates...its just that the three of us seem to have contradictory opinions on what to do in situations like this, so that's where the argument centered."
When Adrien vomits he raises his eyebrows. "Well, I suppose he should be feeling better --in a way-- soon."
Adrien Cavell |
I was going to just leave that GM spoiler there and wait for your ruling, but when Triss said she wanted to give me the sword, I figured it was safe to just plow ahead for the sake of pacing.
"Uhhgh..pttt.." Cavell groans, hands on his knees, spitting the last bit of vomit out. "I think I drank too much."
Adrien Cavell |
After catching his breath and spitting a few more times, Cavell says, "Speaking of subordinates and our contradictory opinions, I move to make Grellik the leader of the Bogsharks inside Yartar--until we can rejoin the Boss. Triss and I are both too impulsive. Big Ugly seems to be the moderate voice of reason, and he's smart."
"All in favor?" He raises his hand and looks to Trissae.
Trissae Darkwhisper |
Triss's eyes go wide when he displays the saber. She stands there shocked up until he vomits, which snaps her out of it. As he recovers she pushes past him back into the room.
Those paying attention as she enters can see the upset on her face.
She then begins rummaging through her pack pulling stuff out and putting stuff back in a heated manner. Ignoring Adrien's inquiry intentionally as she does so.
Tears tumble down her cheek as she does this. There seems to be a logic to what she pulls out: candles, disguise kits, rations, etc. While she places the costumes back into the bag.
As she does so she mumbles in elvish angrily.
"Cursed Adrien, Cursed Sharks, What is even the point? They can all hang for all I care, f@!# f!*# f+&!!" etc., in this tone
I put the insights with no value because she's not hiding it, it would just take a moment to glance over and see what's going on
Adrien Cavell |
Cavell glances at Trissae, confused by her sudden mood swing. Then awkwardly looks back to Grellik and lowers his raised hand, "Uh, well, Big Ugly, what you think?"
Trissae Darkwhisper |
doh I was so focused on the next bit I should have mentioned: Adrien, you would have heard your name at least once as well as what equates to essentially some f-bombs in elvish. I figure you'd know at least a few elven explitives from triss over the years lol
Grellik |
Grellik stares, dumbfounded for a couple of seconds, then shakes it off. "I..we can discuss this proposal shortly. Trissae! What in all names of the Gods is the matter?." He looks between them, noting Adrien's confused glance. "Just what happened back there?"
They leave for one minute....
Trissae Darkwhisper |
Trissae finishes sorting out her pack she stands up throwing her bag over her shoulder. On the ground is left most of what could be considered the 'useful' items.
She looks to Tease, apparently trying to avoiding eye contact or responding to the two Sharks.
"Tease.... I.... can't do this anymore. Adrien, he... he stole it from me. I was going to give him the sword, I needed to give him the sword, for my own sake. But before I could even do that he took advantage of me, stole it, flaunted it."
non speakers of elvish would pick out Tease and Adrien in this line of dialog
She sighs exasperatedly, visibly fighting back another fit of tears before continuing.
"He hates me I think, or at the very least has no respect for me.... and I don't know which is worse."
You guys would pick out a word not often spoke by Triss, 'hate' in this bit
She looks past Grellik toward the door.
"I'm going to leave, turn myself in. Clearly they don't need me here anymore and I don't know what else to do. At least this way maybe I can talk Silvers or Moonbrook into listening for once."
Silvers and Moonbrook come up during this bit of conversation
She looks back at Tease with a sad smile.
"Or, at the very least I've bought the boys some more time by providing Frostheight another neck he has to hang through before he kills us all. I'm sure they're eager to get me to the noose after escaping."
Frostheight gets a mention here
Triss's composure breaks, not able to look even Tease in the eye, her lip quivers.
Adrien Cavell |
"The kiss was great--I didn't mean to...imply it wasn't, or uh... was it the sword? Here, I was just..." He offers the sword hesitantly, clueless to what just happened.
Grellik |
Grellik's throat rumbles in frustration. "Of all the...Adrien is apparently as confounded as I, so please, if you will, kindly enlighten us--in a language we understand--as to what is going on, and what is the matter?"
Tease |
Tease gives the boys a gentle, warning look, and addresses Trissae in elvish.
He shakes his head sadly, and gestures in a way that shows him growing frustrated with his difficulty articulating his point.
"Lass... I don't think you know the minds of boys very well. Knowing him as briefly as I had, it's clear that he has the mind of a boy: Headstrong, arrogant, and inconsiderate..."
He pauses and continues.
"When I was a boy, there was a girl a knew. Dwarvern lass, an acolyte to a church of Amaunator. I was already in the pocket of the Short Father at this time, and learning well His teachings. I thought I could impress her by showing off. I thought the world of her, you understand... I would take from the collection plate to buy her things, trinkets really."
Keep your mouth shut for now, I'll try to repair your thoughtless damage (emphatic).
He pauses again, apparently chagrined by something.
"I'd pinch things off of her person occasionally too, to conjure later with with a swaggering grin. Once I took her earrings out of her very ears, thinking it would be quite the show when I gifted them to her later. Apparently, before I could give them back to her she had spent the day fretting about them. She didn't know where they went. Turns out her grandma had given them to her... Posthumously... Later on when I gave them to her with a smile and wink... Well... I can still feel the slap.
He rubs his cheek as if nursing an ache. He smiles, and continues at some length.
Older than him, I'm sure, but still young. Consider the wisdom of an old man... We have time now. You've got at least five days before they'll execute another of your friends, maybe longer if the quarantine breaks and we all have bigger threats to worry about. I doubt they'll worry about stringing anyone up as the city devours itself in terror. People out on the streets are losing their minds. The Shields are stretched thin, and are growing tired, making mistakes. We all have the luxury to act cautiously... To think things through... To wait for the RIGHT moment. Like our escape, remember? It never would have worked if we didn't take that perfect moment to spring our terrible f!#~ing plan. We all need you right now, we can't afford to be even more split and parceled out over the city. We need to focus on what we need, and how to accomplish that, and to wait for the right moment to get it done."
He gestures toward the door.
"The Dazers... The plague... The Storm... If you want to hand yourself over to the mercy of the Shields, do you think they'll listen to someone they believe has been bewitching them? I don't know what happened to Moonbrook, if she is still in command or if it has fallen to Wen or one of the other captains, but you have enemies in the Shields who outrank your friends within their ranks. If you wish to help solve this plague, you'd be more able to do so outside of a cell. If they find out how to stop it on their own, great. If they can't... Well, if they can't maybe a free Drow-lass might be able to.
Wen and Moonbrook's names come out through this last minute of speech.
Trissae Darkwhisper |
Trissae trembles, at first she was going to address the boys but then Tease's voice cuts in. For several moments she listens quietly, gripping the strap of her pack tightly, unable to lift her eyes. As Tease begins in on what sounds like an elvish sermon her gaze lifts. As Tease continues on the tension in Trissae seems to wane. once or twice she looks over to the other two as he gesticulates and motions during his speech. She even wears a weak smile as he rubs his cheek.
A moment after he finishes, Trissae chest heaves in a heavy sigh and visibly the tension falls from her shoulders. The bag slides down her arm and glides to the floor, suspended by just a strap in her hand. She looks again at her fellow Sharks, expression weary and face slick from tears.
She begins to speak and her voice cracks, she clears her throat and then continues,
♪♪"I need you, my brothers... lost, and, alone.♪♪ I almost left here, without you, to go on my own...."♪♪ Her voice is weak and wisps a few times as she sings. She drops her bag and walks to Adrien, placing her hand over his offering the sword. She curls her fingers over his, implying for him to keep it, and looks into his eyes.
♪♪"I give to you, my brother... my honor, to atone.♪♪ I'll stay here, beside you, until we find a'way home."♪♪ She places a hand gently on his cheek, before turning and walking towards Grellik.
She takes Grellik by the arm and grips his sleeve.
♪♪"I love you, my brothers... heart mended, and sewn.♪♪ I pray here, and trust you, more than is known..."♪♪ She rests her head against Grell's arm as she sings. After, she looks to Tease and Ugly. She takes a step toward them as a smile comes across her face.
♪♪I Thank you, dear guardians... for what you have shown.♪♪ I kneel here, before you, to show you, your lessons do not go unknown...♪♪ She kneels as she sings the line, head low, and raises only after she has done. She gives Tease a thankful and gracious look, before turning to the other two sharks. To attempt to reassure them from what is likely some intense confusion she speaks again quickly.
"I am.... hurting, very badly." Her eyes gaze from Adrien to Grellik before continuing, "When Mornak died, I.. I needed someone, to.. just hug me, and tell me everything was going to be okay." Her gaze lowers for a moment before she continues. "What I got instead was heart ache, from someone I care deeply about, but instead of forgiving him... I harbored that hurt, and it nearly consumed me." She breathes hard, and turns her head to look back at Tease as if for approval.
After, she turns back toward Adrien and Grellik.
"and... I just, I just want you to know... I do trust you, and love you. You are my brothers, and I'd be lost without you." She places her hand on her forehead and lets out an exasperated sigh, clearly trying to control her emotions again. "I just hope you can forgive me, for all of this... for me." She gestures with her free hand then drops them both to her sides, looking to the other two sharks for their response.
Grellik |
Grellik looks at her softly. "Trissae, there is nothing to forgive. You are hurting--we are all hurting. I am sorry that we were not there for you. That we could not provide what you needed."
"I am glad you have decided to stay...though I do hope that you realize we would not just let you stalk off into the storm. Not without a fight at least." Grellik grins with the side of his mouth. He looks to her and Adrien. "We have all dealt with the pain in our own way, but we must not lose ourselves inside the prison's of our own hearts. We are the Bogsharks! We are family--for some of us, the only family we have ever known. Mornak's loss is a terrible blow that we will feel for the rest of our lives, but we are not undone yet. We have a week to save the others--We will not waste it!" Grellik waits for Adrien's response before continuing with his own thoughts.