Raaven, Hell's Mouth |
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Suffer Not the Fool. Raaven quoted telepathically while riding out Jack's shaking arm. After a few moments he released and hovered there in front of him again.
"Language spreads like a disease. It moves from host to host, adapting and changing as it goes. It strengthens those who can bear it, and slays those who cannot. There is no greater power in all of creation than words."
"I will show you."
Grumble is now infected with Cacodaemonia. His Plague Bringer ability makes him immune to the negative effects of the disease, but he still carries it, which means he might be able to spread it, and by tomorrow he'll be able to communicate telepathically with Raaven over any distance.
I'm waving the saving throws for the sake of speed. As amusing as it would be to have Raaven bite Grumble until the disease took, I don't want to take that much time pulling focus away from the main story.
the Shining Host |
Aldencross - by Night - Black Ice Inn
Soren, Grumble, and Alice and anyone else who wants in head to the first floor of the Inn to seek out James. The Inn is deserted, as if everyone either checked out or decided to go elsewhere for drinks this night. Certainly this is suspicious considering how popular Sir Balin and his companions seemed today. As the hour is not very late he and several of his staff are in the kitchen cooking. Six chefs in all.
James looks up at the group and scowls, "Just cause we're cookin' doesn't mean ya' can barge right in an order. Didn't those Knightly Orders teach you manners!? This is not your house Sir whatever your name is. You head back out ta' tha' table an I'll send someone out to wench for you".
Note this is Night 2. On Night 30 the Bugbears will arrive to attack the Tower.
Soren Marsailles |
I kind of want to see Grumble Jack stalk around town biting people to infect them with the disease.
"Actually, we need to speak with you if you have a moment. Could we talk out in the main hall? We just had a few questions for you quickly, if it isn't too much trouble." Soren gestures behind them into the mail hall of the inn, stepping slightly to the side to allow him passage. "Could we just get a minute of your time, and then you can be back to work?"
Bluff: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (8) + 18 = 26
Sir Jack Balin |
Jack's eyes narrowed dangerously, but once again he managed to curb his murderous impulses.
What would Balin do?
No greater power in all of creation than words. Raaven's telepathic voice spoke in Jack's mind from upstairsz Power is about dominance. Balin does not take. He does not respond to petty challenges. He does not need to. Show the worm his place.
"Bring me a meal when you come out." Jack said flatly, turning and walking back to the dining hall.
Nathanial Torken |
Nate skulks after the party, ready to support them if the need arises.
Stealth: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16
Morana Soto |
The shapechanger has better manners.. I wonder if the Ogre will get them. Are manners contagious? Sighing and following after the others. You are not helping. Hehe, not trying to dear.
Keeping to the hallways and simply waiting with her head down only really intending to intervene if needed. Silently standing in the hall while Soren walks into the kitchen. By the Gods woman where has your spine gone! Quietly mumbling "Shut up." Forcing her arms to remain at her side though on hand does go into the pouch at her side. Some of the tension seeps out of her after that.
the Shining Host |
Aldencross - by Night - Black Ice Inn
He scowls and flutters his lips, "Very well, I'll be out in a moment, and with a meal yer Lordship..."
After a few minutes he steps out into the main room and approaches the table laying a plate in front of Sir Balin, it is not the same food he was preparing with his cooks in the kitchen, it is a sandwich with sea food stuffed inside.
He turns to Lydia, "Now what's so damn important woman? Unlike you holy rollers I've a business I need to run!"
the Shining Host |
Aldencross - by Night - Black Ice Inn
James sits down and digs into the sandwich, "Now then whatsshhs thissshs all about". His manners seem to lack as food flies from his mouth and partially onto the seated "Sir Balin".
the Shining Host |
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Aldencross - by Night - Black Ice Inn
"Ghesuntite", James replies continuing to eat.
Soren Marsailles |
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"You seem nervous," Soren says, planting one hand firmly on the table in front of James, the other resting on the holster of her pistol at her hip. "Why would that be? Is it because you're realizing that the team of witch hunters has found out about the Lamashtu-worshiping cult hidden away here in Aldencross?" she asks, giving James just enough time to choke a bit on his sandwich before she speaks up again. "Or did you decide to poison that sandwich as opposed to the porridge you were going to serve tomorrow morning? Perhaps a little of both," she says, watching the man's hands in case he goes for a weapon. "Of course, maybe you thought it'd be risky to poison that sandwich given that we know you made it... either way, I can't blame you for being a bit jittery. I'm sure it's a very stressful situation for you."
"You aren't going to reach for a weapon, if you have one. If you do, I will cast a spell to keep you quiet while we kill you, and then I will make sure your body is never found." She breathes deeply, making sure the innkeeper realizes she isn't bluffing. "If you're cooperative, we need not touch a hair on your head. You are only in danger if you bring it upon yourself, do you understand?" Soren cocks her head to the side, waiting for a response in the affirmative from the innkeeper before she continues.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23
the Shining Host |
Aldencross - by Night - Black Ice Inn
James sits back with a wry grin upon his face, "Suppose that what you say is true about me. Would I not have a great deal to fear from you? This is after all the infamous Witch Hunter Sir Balin.
I am unarmed as you can see. What I cannot see is any proof of your contentions".
Soren Marsailles |
"You might think you have a great deal to fear, but that fear is misplaced; you all fear the entourage of Sir Jack Balin... but that man is dead, and we killed him," Soren says, letting her disguise drop away as she finishes her sentence. Now clad in her black leathers and red cloak, eyes a brilliant gold, she leans down to look at James more intently. "I think we may have a lot to discuss, if you're all willing to do so. I would suggest you get a message to Mayor Vance--or, I suppose, High Priest Vance--so that we might talk about what we have to offer one another." She flips her hair back away from her face and straightens out to her full height, a small smile on her lips. "I look forward to hearing from you."
Nathanial Torken |
Nate continues to lurk. He plans on being a hidden card if things go south.
Morana Soto |
Quietly turning and following the rest up the stairs. Certainly a flair for dramatics.
the Shining Host |
Aldencross - by Night - Black Ice Inn
The Innkeep grins as the Villains ascend the stairs. He watches you all walk up thoughtfully and heads to the kitchen.
The cook shakes his head and begins to douse the fires. James stops him, "Come back on the morrow, you and the rest of the staff should take the night off".
He watches the staff head out through the back door and locks it behind them.
He then heads to his own room.
Do you have Raaven follow?
Vaundour"The Gentleman"Gathlain |
With so many speakers heading down to intimidate the innkeeper, Vaundour stayed up in the rooms to wait for them to come back. "So, how did it go?" he asked Grumble.
the Shining Host |
Aldencross - by Night - Black Ice Inn
Soren Marsailles |
"That's... well, it isn't a bad sign." Soren sits down, crossing her legs. "Hopefully his goddess sees the value in working together for a common goal. We may be fair-weather allies at best, but that's better than enemies."
Soren Marsailles |
"It means it'll be an alliance of convenience, with both parties well aware that if things go south we'll likely turn on each other as opposed to standing together." Soren looks out the window too, her brow furrowing when she yet again remembers they only have a month to bring the wall down. "This will be much easier with their help, if we can get it. They know this town better than we do, and know more about the Wall as well. I hope this works, but if not I'm sure we can spin it how we need to."
Soren Marsailles |
"It's an expression," Soren says, shrugging. "They only stick around while the going's good, like in fair weather. They won't stay by your side once the storm comes." Soren's eyes glass over for a moment, and when she comes to her hands are clenched into white-knuckled fists. "It doesn't matter, really. My point is, if they're smart they'll realize that as long as both of us pull our weight we're stronger together than apart. That's what we need to hope, anyway. I'd rather not have to root out all these cult members and kill them if we don't have to."
the Shining Host |
I'll move us along to the next morning later or tomorrow just an FYI in case anyone else wants to add anything or do anything else.
Vaundour"The Gentleman"Gathlain |
"Well, I'm always up for making new friends!" Vaundour said with a grin as he clapped his hands together. "Brilliant, an alliance between the Dread Father Hail Sithis! and the Mother of Monsters should be beautiful to behold." Turning towards Grumble, he asked, "By the way, my large friend, is there any way to give telepathy to others? Only, it seems like an awfully useful ability to something as clandestine as our mission."
the Shining Host |
Aldencross - by Day - Black Ice Inn
The group wakes the next morning after setting a watch because one can never be to careful of course.
As the group files out of their respective rooms you smell, nothing. You do hear voices murmuring downstairs. As you reach the landing you can see the Mayor and the High Cleric sitting at a table surrounded by several formidable looking warriors all armed to the teeth.
James the proprietor of the Inn and High Cleric of Lamashtu looks up, "Come down. Come down. It seems we have much to discuss. I am not serving breakfast for what I think to be obvious reasons after our encounter last night. Worry not, all other guests have either been sent away or forced out for the day. It is just us. You wished to talk and my Mistress bids me listen".
Sir Jack Balin |
Jack's stomach rumbled loudly as he eyed James' entourage, a mixture of amusement and hunger on his face. "Well you brought them. Guess that's a lot less work than fixing me breakfast."
He sat down right next to James. "Glad we're gonna be pals." his grin was nothing but teeth.
the Shining Host |
Aldencross - by Day - Black Ice Inn
James chuckles, "Whether we are pals will depend on how this conversation develops.
I can tell you at the very least we will not be enemies. As your second, Lydia if that is her name, mentioned. There is a great deal we can offer one another. I know what we can offer to you and yours but what can you offer to me and mine?
Oh and do drop the facade of Sir Balin, looking at his face gives me the urge to stab you in yours".
Grumble Jack |
"Try bein' me an' havin' ta wear his ugly mug." Grumble said as he grew more than a foot taller and nearly a hundred pounds heavier, turned a greyish-blue color with red eyes and smallish horns, skeletal wings and a lashing tail.
"You c'n call me Jack."
Soren Marsailles |
Dropping her facade along with Grumble, Soren tosses her hair and cracks her neck. "It isn't; my name is Soren Marsailles, Hand of Asmodeus... you may know the surname," she says, almost spitting as she says so. "I'm glad to hear we won't be enemies. What we offer you is freedom, to put it bluntly. We are here to destabilize the area and bring war to Talingarde, and the first thing to fall must be the Watch Wall; there is an army waiting to surge into the heartland, and we have been sent to ensure the Wall will not stand in their way." Soren, assuming no one stops her, pulls out a chair across from both the High Cleric and Mayor Vance. She scoots herself in and folds her hands on the table, nodding slowly. "I'm sure you can see how such an outcome could be advantageous to you. In the short term, you're free from of meddling from both those manning the Wall and Talingarde at large, as they'll have bigger things to worry about. You'll be able to practice your faith more openly, and not fear persecution by actual Mitran inquisitors. More important, however, is the long-term." Soren leans in closer, her gold eyes locking with the High Cleric's, a grin spreading on her face.
"We seek to destroy the Mitran church in Talingarde," she says, raising her eyebrows. "We aim to topple the country and rebuild it in a more... amenable form. I suppose it isn't any secret that our patrons aren't thick as thieves, exactly, but such a Talingarde could easily be found to have a place for the Mother of Monsters, I would think. Wouldn't you love to never fear persecution for your worship, to practice openly without fear of the Mitran church raining heavenly flames upon your head?" She leaves the question open, her eyebrows still cocked at the High Cleric as if to dare him to deny the offer was appealing.
the Shining Host |
Aldencross - by Day - Black Ice Inn
Mayor Vance slides out of his chair and takes a knee clearly in awe of Grumble, a tear comes out form the corner of his eye. "We are delivered!"
James smacks him across the head, "Be seated dolt".
He then turns back to Grumble, "Your form and presence here is indeed pleasing".
He looks Soren's right back in the eyes, "We have been working for some time to destabilize the town of Aldencross, never did I dream that we could strike at the Tower directly.
While your Patron is ill viewed in these lands, from what I have known he is one to fairly strike bargains. Here then are my terms in return for my aid. Freedom of worship of the Mother of Monsters across whatever new kingdom you create, free passage, ensured by Jack to the north where your kind roam and rule. In exchange for this, I will tell you all of the work we have performed thus far and aid you in your endeavors here against the Tower".
Soren Marsailles |
"Might you have a pen and some parchment?" Soren inquires, nodding when James makes his demands. "You are correct that the Lord of Hell honors his agreements, and I see fit that the best way to bind this one is with a contract. Once we have struck down the Mitran church, Lamashtu's worship will be decriminalized across Talingarde and free passage will be granted as well. In exchange for this, you tell us of the work you've done to destabilize Aldencross and aid us in taking the Watch Wall. In addition, we may seek your aid for future endeavors directly related to our common goal, and this alliance stands as long as we both act in the best interest of that common goal." Soren straightens up and clears her throat, looking to the others. While she hasn't a pen or paper, she idly taps her fingers on the table. "A rough draft, of course, but it gets the idea across. Once that's done, our real work can begin."
Grumble Jack |
Grumble was surprised and amused that he was being knelt to by the mayor of all people. He didn't say anything about it, but his expressions could not be more obvious.
"I'll introduce you to Chief Fireaxe after the party starts." He said to James.
Morana Soto |
Not bothering to sit down unless invited to but more than happy to drop her glamour. Returned to her normal appearance and quietly listening to the conversation.