Puck stands beside his lady, rolls his eyes and taps his foot impatiently while her companions speak.
"Words, words, WORDS!" he cries. "Each of you, spitting them at each other, nigh a one of you with nary a talent for them! Take it not from this performer sitting in judgment of another but all these words you speak of, laws" the fey creature fairly sneers at the concept, "pardon my saying so, sirs and lady, but that lad with the glasses has demonstrated far more talent for the manipulation of them than you."
Puck strides up to his mistress's face and pets one of the streaks of color he has left in her hair. "T'wer laws and good that lad quoted when he ordered the others to hold down my fair lady and forced his potion into her soft belly. And laws the warlike lad with the frown done quoted, too when he claimed that none were harmed," Puck says sadly, and shakes his head.
Ariarh stands and listens in silence to the plans bandied around the room. Her thoughts are chaotic but nothing shows in her quiet stance. Years of practice, Ariarh thinks. She had said her peace and it was discounted as was their way, it seemed. Ariarh had no other recourse but to acquiesce to their plan. None (but Dior) seemed to have a problem with risking her virtue or life, that was becoming apparent. Ariarh's back became straighter, if such a thing could be done. It looked like it would snap at this point.
In a low, yet clear voice she addresses the companions gathered in Hermia's room,
"Well, it seems I am to have a talk with Drake. Then so be it. I will do my part. I will, however, be taking Dior with me, hidden beneath my cloak. Brett and Puck will do fine protecting Hermia as she sleeps."
Ariarh walks over to Alaric.
"Alaric, you have a certain spell which cleans and refreshens, do you not?... Would you be so kind as to cast it on me so I may appear my best in the course of my dialogue with Robert "The Drake". You may add a little of that lavender scent I like to my hair. Smelling good may certainly accentuate my charm."
Ry looks up at Alaric with a warm smile. But, if he looks closely enough he will see it doesn't quite touch her eyes. Ariarh cuts off eye contact with the sorcerer and awaits his answer. She unwinds the braid from her hair and lets the locks fall loosely down her waist -- straight but with slight waves from the braiding. I might as well look the part.
I definitely think it was more the second option Smendor. She has shown no signs of illness and it was awfully convenient that she happened to follow the masked man out of sight and THEN turned up with some strange malady. That is not proof but is certainly suspicious in my mind.
Her mind has been effected... it has left her weak and sick; possibly causing her to lose conciousness.
There is no residual magic effects on her at this time.
You suspect the potion was a mundane potion.
Puck stands beside his lady, rolls his eyes and taps his foot impatiently while her companions speak.
"Words, words, WORDS!" he cries. "Each of you, spitting them at each other, nigh a one of you with nary a talent for them! Take it not from this performer sitting in judgment of another but all these words you speak of, laws" the fey creature fairly sneers at the concept, "pardon my saying so, sirs and lady, but that lad with the glasses has demonstrated far more talent for the manipulation of them than you."
Puck strides up to his mistress's face and pets one of the streaks of color he has left in her hair. "T'wer laws and good that lad quoted when he ordered the others to hold down my fair lady and forced his potion into her soft belly. And laws the warlike lad with the frown done quoted, too when he claimed that none were harmed," Puck says sadly, and shakes his head.
"Yer lady be frothing and thrashing.. he stopped it... That ain't the trouble, mate. Ye need to find out why she be ranting and carrying on... I be thinking she touched in the head as we first met her; and would still, too, if them other lads hadn't make me doubt meself by saying the same thing... Who knows, maybe she is; but I doubt it. And if ye don't like laws, well, then stow it. They be rules to the game, and if ye want to win the game, ye play by the rules, else you lose. Yer lass made a bad call, she got herself stuck in it, and now she has naught to do but try to get out. We'll help, aye, but we can only win if we play right... because if we mistep here then more harm may come of it... Do ye like how it played out? Nay more then the rest o' us... but that's the crux of it. We need to figure out what to do from here, not complain on chances missed."
Ariarh stands and listens in silence to the plans bandied around the room. Her thoughts are chaotic but nothing shows in her quiet stance. Years of practice, Ariarh thinks. She had said her peace and it was discounted as was their way, it seemed. Ariarh had no other recourse but to acquiesce to their plan. None (but Dior) seemed to have a problem with risking her virtue or life, that was becoming apparent. Ariarh's back became straighter, if such a thing to be done. It looked like it would snap at this point.
In a low, yet clear voice she addresses the companions gathered in Hermia's room,
"Well, it seems I am to have a talk with Drake. Then so be it. I will do my part."
Ariarh walks over to Alaric.
"Alaric, you have a certain spell which cleans and refreshens, do you not?... Would you be so kind as to cast it on me so I may appear my best in the course of my dialogue with Robert "The Drake". You may add a little of that lavender scent I like to my hair. Smelling good may certainly accentuate my charm."
Ry looks up at Alaric with a warm smile. But, if he looks closely enough he will see it doesn't quite touch her eyes. Ariarh cuts off eye contact with the sorcerer and awaits his answer.
Of course Ry, anything I can do to help. Alaric makes some motions with his hands and mumbles a few arcane words and a light breeze seems to fall over her. Her hair falls neatly into place and smells of fresh lavender, the wrinkles go out from her clothes and the colors of them seem brighter, her skin looks freshly scrubbed and rosy, in short she looks beautiful.
"Yer lady be frothing and thrashing.. he stopped it... That ain't the trouble, mate. Ye need to find out why she be ranting and carrying on... I be thinking she touched in the head as we first met her; and would still, too, if them other lads hadn't make me doubt meself by saying the same thing... Who knows, maybe she is; but I doubt it. And if ye don't like laws, well, then stow it. They be rules to the game, and if ye want to win the game, ye play by the rules, else you lose. Yer lass made a bad call, she got herself stuck in it, and now she has naught to do but try to get out. We'll help, aye, but we can only win if we play right... because if we mistep here then more harm may come of it... Do ye like how it played out? Nay more then the rest o' us... but that's the crux of it. We need to figure out what to do from here, not complain on chances missed."
I definitely think it was more the second option Smendor. She has shown no signs of illness and it was awfully convenient that she happened to follow the masked man out of sight and THEN turned up with some strange malady. That is not proof but is certainly suspicious in my mind.
Her mind has been effected... it has left her weak and sick; possibly causing her to lose conciousness.
There is no residual magic effects on her at this time.
You suspect the potion was a mundane potion.
The potion was non-magical; most likely made from herbs. You can see that it has soothed her mind and she is recovering in rest as she would under any other full nights of bed rest. What the man told you regarding the sleeping potion is completely accurate.
As for what happened to Hermia, it was clearly a "Mind Effecting" affect. More then that, you don't know... Yet you do not suspect she is suffering from a Dominate spell; though it is likely she may have been coerced by one.
Your legal mind is confounded here, because if you plan on "proving' she was dominated you may have a very hard time of it. She approached him out of choice and deliberately and chose to speak to him in private; that was certainly not on the account of a spell, unless it was cast on her the moment she entered the compound and she was compelled to single out the man in black and approach him to chat with.
Your knowledge of spells suggest that is very unlikely.
Of course Ry, anything I can do to help. Alaric makes some motions with his hands and mumbles a few arcane words and a light breeze seems to fall over her. Her hair falls neatly into place and smells of fresh lavender, the wrinkles go out from her clothes and the colors of them seem brighter, her skin looks freshly scrubbed and rosy, in short she looks beautiful.
Ry can smell the lavender now coming from her hair and she closes her eyes for a second and breathes it in. Calming.
She opens her eyes and levels another "bright" smile on Alaric.
"Thank you, Sir. Much appreciated." Ry did feel slightly better in the physical sense -- clean and "refreshed" but her heart was still heavy. That may take a lot more than a spell to remedy.
The potion was non-magical; most likely made from herbs. You can see that it has soothed her mind and she is recovering in rest as she would under any other full nights of bed rest. What the man told you regarding the sleeping potion is completely accurate.As for what happened to Hermia, it was clearly a "Mind Effecting" affect. More then that, you don't know... Yet you do not suspect she is suffering from a Dominate spell; though it is likely she may have been coerced by one.
Your legal mind is confounded here, because if you plan on "proving' she was dominated you may have a very hard time of it. She approached him out of choice and deliberately and chose to speak to him in private; that was certainly not on the account of a spell, unless it was cast on her the moment she entered the compound and she was compelled to single out the man in...
Since the potion she was given was an herbal concoction, can't we create something to counteract it so that we can get answers from her as to what happened. After all there is no longer any magical aura around her, therefor the magical effect that was placed upon her should no longer be in effect. We need some way to wake her up to get at what happened.
"Yer lady be frothing and thrashing.. he stopped it... That ain't the trouble, mate. Ye need to find out why she be ranting and carrying on... I be thinking she touched in the head as we first met her; and would still, too, if them other lads hadn't make me doubt meself by saying the same thing... Who knows, maybe she is; but I doubt it. And if ye don't like laws, well, then stow it. They be rules to the game, and if ye want to win the game, ye play by the rules, else you lose. Yer lass made a bad call, she got herself stuck in it, and now she has naught to do but try to get out. We'll help, aye, but we can only win if we play right... because if we mistep here then more harm may come of it... Do ye like how it played out? Nay more then the rest o' us... but that's the crux of it. We need to figure out what to do from here, not complain on chances missed."
No; but you can use common sense laws via "the old west" (as in, "yeah, I shot him, but he drew first"... "oh, well in THAT case... case closed") kind of thing. For now, the captain seems to be using a hodge-podge of Lawful Good mentality coupled with versions of Sworn Oaths, and so forth.
If you had Knowledge: Nobility, you might make a check to help you out with your speech to him, but for now you will have to "prove" your case with reasonable doubt; and advantage goes to the accused in this situation. If you had a Arcane court with a "Detect Truth/Lie" magistrate, you would be better off. If anyone in the group was a neutral party with that spell you could probably swing it.
The facts of the case, are (as now) as follows:
You are suggesting that a creepy guy did something to harm one of your companions.
The creepy guy claimed she was ill and rushed to help her, and called a neutral party to help her.
There is no resididual evidence of any harm to the party (namely Hermia) in question. As of now, she is resting peacefully.
-- In laymen's terms you are basically calling the cops to report a trespassing offense. They show up and the person is gone, and you insist that they arrest the scoundrel. The cop is like "why, he's gone now, I'm not wasting my time for him simply trespassing if he left long before I got here, because it's your word verse his".
But in this case, it would be Hermia's word verse man in black, and she isn't saying anything.
Suspicious, yes; annoying, damn straight; but it can be solved with lots of thinking, sleuthing, and teamwork. You'll need to be on your toes and treat this "combat" like a mystery instead of a fight... I have faith in you, though.
Essentially, as Alaric has already suggested, they will need their faithful cleric Velma to ferret out Old Man Jeffries in his mummy costume.
Since the potion she was given was an herbal concoction, can't we create something to counteract it so that we can get answers from her as to what happened. After all there is no longer any magical aura around her, therefor the magical effect that was placed upon her should no longer be in effect. We need some way to wake her up to get at what happened.
The potion was non-magical; most likely made from herbs. You can see that it has soothed her mind and she is recovering in rest as she would under any other full nights of bed rest. What the man told you regarding the sleeping potion is completely accurate.As for what happened to Hermia, it was clearly a "Mind Effecting" affect. More then that, you don't know... Yet you do not suspect she is suffering from a Dominate spell; though it is likely she may have been coerced by one.
Your legal mind is confounded here, because if you plan on "proving' she was dominated you may have a very hard time of it. She approached him out of choice and deliberately and chose to speak to him in private; that was certainly not on the account of a spell, unless it was cast on her the moment she entered the compound and she was compelled to single out the man in...
To craft a potion to wake her could occur.; if you had Craft: Alchemy, to brew such potions. Also, you would need to find healing herbs, and also you would need to know what what was in the man's potion to begin with, before you counter it properly. If you ask him, I'm sure he will answer you... though perhaps not in the manner you hoped.
Finding the herbs would be easy, if you were able to leave the compound (you suspect) but you are under "quarantine" at this time.
As is, it doesn't take a genius, however, to realize that if you gave a person a heavy sedative to sleep, then suddenly gave them a heavy narcotic to cause them to "wake up"... to put it in modern terms, mixing "uppers" and "downers" can be somewhat... dangerous.
It could be done, but delicately. Before you proceed you will need to know what it is in the origional potion.
Puck, go find out what you can about the potion that the man gave your mistress. Smendor stay with her and guard her against any further assault.
Alaric is then going to go and talk to this masked man.
"Just one," answers Puck, looking to the distraught Alaric. "Brick there believes that the masked man has some inclination towards healers, but, and I do beg your pardon lady," he offers a flourish of a bow to Ariarh, "unless I do be mistaken, it seems to me that though the Lady Ariarh be versed in the healing arts, like my lady Hermia, their magic is not the same. My lady doth with her pretty trinket summon the very storm to heal several ills at once."
Puck peers at Alaric. "Tell me, lad, when last you met with my lady, did she seem to you at all ill?"
Ariarh recollects that the Hermia's brownie had posed a question to her earlier that she did not answer. As soon as Alaric has worked his magic on her appearance, Ariarh turns and addresses Puck.
"My apologies, firstly, for taking my time answering your question."
"Master Puck, I do not essentially believe that I possess a similar magic to your Lady, there. I own no talismans or charms to channel energy. I work through my dawn meditations with nature to prepare my spells for the day. My spells or healing comes from a divine source."
Puck stands at attention when Alaric addresses him. Save for his cleaning, he cannot see what other use he be to the lady, specifically, as the points of his blades are woefully deficient in comparison to the Brat's cruel weapons. He is almost beside himself with joy to be of use, and away from the man's foul mouth, especially as it concerns his lady.
"As it please you, Brother" he replies in their shared tongue, knowing the Brat to find it offensive, then whips his cloak back and smoothes his hair into a conical shape with a spell. "Never fear, my lady's stalwart companions, for Master Puck, the Immortal One, shall procure the means to wake his lady from her slumber, so that we all might feast upon her smiles once again!"
Puck hops down from Hermia's bedside and strides out of the little hut, and takes a sharp inhale of the free air. Well, free as might be relative, as it be plagued with the heavy scent of warlike men who have not chance to bathe in weeks clustered in one enclosed space. Nay, the tangle of their legs could not be likened to the wood at all, and this is hardly a natural place.
Puck spares the hooded figure a long, disapproving stare before approaching the man in the spectacles. "Greetings, sir. Puck Sparrow be my name, recently come into the service of the sweetly dreaming lady your cordial hath relieved of some sudden illness. I note you've a talent for words, as well, you sly fellow you! Is a rare man among these parts can say the same, if I say so myself," Puck preens with a flash of a grin. "But then, as with my lady, talents with words are never quite so appreciated by thems that cannot understand them. Might you have found this the case as well? Mayhap you might stun and amaze this audience with the elements of your potion, so that I might better admire your crafty nature?"
"Master Puck, I do not essentially believe that I possess a similar magic to your Lady, there. I own no talismans or charms to channel energy. I work through my dawn meditations with nature to prepare my spells for the day. My spells or healing comes from a divine source."
"Aye, Lady, but as I do recall the man said specifically, healer. I only noted it, for you appeared to me wary of meeting with some strange accident, as well..."
The spectacled man looks over the wire rims of his glasses down at Puck. His face is neutral.
"You are a "brownie", a member of the Fey Folk, are you not?"he asks in a bored, somewhat disintrested tone.
"I am a simple student... I am certainly no equal to one born and bred in the very wild. Naturally, my humble skills at crafting potions could never equal yours. Therefore, I shall not even attempt to waste your time by discussing data which you no doubt already know full well. After all,"he says picking up his book and continuing to read "if a Fey Folk doesn't know how to produce a simple sleeping draught... I thought sleep was your speciality? But then, who am I to guess on the dealings with the Fey Folk."
Puck's jaw hangs open, flabbergasted at the man's easy dismissal despite his jovial attempt to engage him in conversation. How now, that my lady were to speak to this... ruffian! he seethes, then recognizes one particular article Hermia had oft spoken of in her high, dulcet tones - his book!
Puck climbs up on the table and strides to the fellow cautiously, then peers down at the page he is currently studying. "You know, my lady were awfully fond of words as well," he suggests, "and also misunderstood by them that she were traveling with. But then... perhaps you already knew this? Seeing as how you conjectured that she were keeping her malady a secret from them?"
Craft (Alchemy)
Knowledge (Nature)
Puck's jaw hangs open, flabbergasted at the man's easy dismissal despite his jovial attempt to engage him in conversation. How now, that my lady were to speak to this... ruffian! he seethes, then recognizes one particular article Hermia had oft spoken of in her high, dulcet tones - his book!
Puck climbs up on the table and strides to the fellow cautiously, then peers down at the page he is currently studying. "You know, my lady were awfully fond of words as well," he suggests, "and also misunderstood by them that she were traveling with. But then... perhaps you already knew this? Seeing as how you conjectured that she were keeping her malady a secret from them?"
Craft (Alchemy) 1d20 + 2
Knowledge (Nature) 1d20 + 3
The bookish man responds in Sylvan...
"|For them that flit and float and fly
and dance and twist and sing and sigh
I sing in joy a song to thee
Suggesting that thy hug a tree!|"
The bookish man, watches you over the rim of his glasses, then deliberately turns his book and shows you what he is reading.
There, on the page, is a fully detailed diagram of a layered cut of a elven body; muscles, bones, skin, organs, etcetera... Various notes are penned in on the side, in Draconic - you recognize it, but cannot read it... each note is devoted to something, but you are not sure what.
The man grins at you morbidly.
"Do you like it, brownie... Its title, in the common tongue, is rendered "How to better serve Elves"... and yes, as one as astute as you are no doubt aware... it is a cookbook."
Ariarh purposefully makes her way out of the bedroom and heads out toward the courtyard in search of Drake. She supposed he may still be with that Captain N'Var, but that wasn't a guarantee.
Ariarh is trying to formulate questions to ask Drake. Questions that may lead to constructive answers which could provide useful information against their "enemies" (whomever they may be at this present time).
A wave of nausea crashes into Puck like a tangible force, sending him reeling on his feet. He trips over his cloak in his attempt to flee from the vile, vile man.
Oh, my lady, too innocent by half for this world!
But, soft Puck thinks, and arrests himself. He looks about him desperately. Whom to speak to, and what to tell? No crime in reading, or in being mad! What did he say?
Puck's mind reels as he desperately searches out his lady Hermia's companions. Astute... but for what? Confound it! he grasps his trembling hands. Would that my lady doth wake! Her fondness for words, and puzzles besides!... the Brat!
Determined, Puck returns to the shelter and recounts the conversation to the Brick, he hopes, in not too excited tones, though the wave of nausea does not in particular assist.
"Astute, he said," he repeats to emphasize the bookish man's words. "Might then, had my conjecture been true? That they were aware of my lady's presence among you?"
Ariarh purposefully makes her way out of the bedroom and heads out toward the courtyard in search of Drake. She supposed he may still be with that Captain N'Var, but that wasn't a guarantee.
Ariarh is trying to formulate questions to ask Drake. Questions that may lead to constructive answers which could provide useful information against their "enemies" (whomever they may be at this present time).
Drake sees you approach and nods at you, his smile genuine, but his face more grim then you remember. N'Var stands by him, and the two are still talking...
"...Numerian problem; but what can be done? The real problem is if the Stag Lord is reinforced south, 'cause then there'll be no end of troubles,"Drake is saying, even as N'Var says nothing, but turns his full focus on Ariarh walking up. He raises his hand and checks Drake, as if not sure he wants to get any private information shared without knowing you better.
"Lady, it is always a pleasure,"Drake says bowing somewhat.
"What can I do to help you?"Drake adds.
N'Var, seeing the look from Drake pass to Ariarh takes the cue immediately.
"Lady, a pleasure,"he says bowing cordially to Ariarh, and wanders off to busy himself elsewhere, even as Drake leads you aside to back behind the storage room and stables (between and behind A4, A3).
"Well, lady, what do you wish to know... I presume you have many questions,"he says briskly and with a glance about him, seeking to see if anyone is eavesdropping, and sees no one.
A wave of nausea crashes into Puck like a tangible force, sending him reeling on his feet. He trips over his cloak in his attempt to flee from the vile, vile man.
Oh, my lady, too innocent by half for this world!
But, soft Puck thinks, and arrests himself. He looks about him desperately. Whom to speak to, and what to tell? No crime in reading, or in being mad! What did he say?
Puck's mind reels as he desperately searches out his lady Hermia's companions. Astute... but for what? Confound it! he grasps his trembling hands. Would that my lady doth wake! Her fondness for words, and puzzles besides!... the Brat!
Determined, Puck returns to the shelter and recounts the conversation to the Brick, he hopes, in not too excited tones, though the wave of nausea does not in particular assist.
"Astute, he said," he repeats to emphasize the bookish man's words. "Might then, had my conjecture been true? That they were aware of my lady's presence among you?"
Brett looks down at Puck and nods thoughtfully.
"Well, ye have a fair thought, but I don't be knowing... Seems odd, though. We just picked the lass up a few days ago... what the odds of we getting back from the vastness of the Greenbelt at the very same time as them ruffians be I see extrodinary rare... but we ARE back, as are they... how they know who your lass is, if they didn't know her before... How'd they be aware of her, if we ourselves not be knowing her 'cepting a few days ago?Brett pulls his lip in thought.
"Right propper strange... ain't regular, if you see what I mean... but in any case, I dunno... I know that some lads eat elf folk; odd thing to do, and downrigth horrific, if I may be so bold... but odd thing to be reading... Books be heavy and large... I gots a journel meself, with recipes, songs, maps, charts, stories, and all sorts of fun tales I collected on me journey's... yer lady can look it over when she wakes, I presoom... might cheer her spirits a bit... but anyhow, I only got the one. It be akward, heavy, and downright cumbersome to lug it about... so we got that book; and others besides... Can't just be fer cooking, I'd think... but if it were something else, then what would it be fer? Eh, I don't know..."he adds with a shake of his head.
N'Var, seeing the look from Drake pass to Ariarh takes the cue immediately.
"Lady, a pleasure,"he says bowing cordially to Ariarh, and wanders off to busy himself elsewhere, even as Drake leads you aside to back behind the storage room and stables (between and behind A4, A3).
"Well, lady, what do you wish to know... I presume you have many questions,"he says briskly and with a glance about him, seeking to see if anyone is eavesdropping, and sees no one.
"...Numerian problem; but what can be done? Real trouble is if the Stag Lord is reinforced south, 'cause then there'll be no end of troubles" Ariarh would file this bit of information for later when she could relay the words to her companions.
In a more audible voice, Ariarh says,
"It is good to see you again, Robert." Ariarh makes reference to his correct name rather than the moniker "Drake".
Then lowering her voice appropriately, but keeping her stance and posture as normal as possible so as to not draw unnecessary attention,
"Firstly, I must ask, this Captain N'Var, is he a trustworthy man? I mean, I noticed he gave us leave to talk privately, so I presume he doesn't mind us talking thusly." Ariarh directs her sapphire gaze fully upon "Drake".
Smendor stays in the room read to fight if needed.
N'Var, seeing the look from Drake pass to Ariarh takes the cue immediately.
"Lady, a pleasure,"he says bowing cordially to Ariarh, and wanders off to busy himself elsewhere, even as Drake leads you aside to back behind the storage room and stables (between and behind A4, A3).
"Well, lady, what do you wish to know... I presume you have many questions,"he says briskly and with a glance about him, seeking to see if anyone is eavesdropping, and sees no one.
In a more audible voice, Ariarh says,
"It is good to see you again, Robert." Ariarh makes reference to his correct name rather than the moniker "Drake".
Then lowering her voice appropriately, but keeping her stance and posture as normal as possible so as to not draw unnecessary attention,
"Firstly, I must ask, this Captain N'Var, is he a trustworthy man? I mean, I noticed he gave us leave to talk privately, so I presume he doesn't mind us talking thusly." Ariarh directs her sapphire gaze fully upon "Drake".
Drake smiles grimly at Ariarh's question.
"Atain N'Var is one of the most honest men I know, near to a fault. He is grim, yes, but true as steel. He will place the law above all things; when he has sworn his word to it. He will even let these scum go free, for they have not broken the law, much as it angers him for they are lowly, and not to his taste. But then, neither was I, for a time. Yet there it is; when he saw the documents that expunged me of guilt, he instantly changed that cold anger to my ways, it was if it was never there. And now he treats me as if nothing happened and we are as we were as children growing up. You can trust N'Var... but be cautious... he will put the law of the land over his own love, though he hate himself for it. So long as you are true to the law, and do not break it, he will aid you in all ways possible,"Drake adds with a churlish grin.
"And speaking privately to a friend is not illegal... He will no doubt be happy to give us lattitude in solving a case; even if there is no formal crime committed, only a gut feeling that something is amiss."
Smendor stays in the room read to fight if needed.
Brett, Hermia and Puck are in the room too. For ease of mind, Gideon is there, meditating, until I figure out what happens to him. Yet he is deep in thought, and says nothing.
Of course, this means that you (Smendor) would have heard all this interplay and are free to offer your opinions on what Brett and Puck have just discussed. You have heard of orcs and goblins feasting on elf flesh, and sometimes kobolds... this is not odd to you... but any of those races writing a "cookbook" on the subject does seem strange.
"Well, ye have a fair thought, but I don't be knowing... Seems odd, though. We just picked the lass up a few days ago... what the odds of we getting back from the vastness of the Greenbelt at the very same time as them ruffians be I see extrodinary rare... but we ARE back, as are they... how they know who your lass is, if they didn't know her before... How'd they be aware of her, if we ourselves not be knowing her 'cepting a few days ago?Brett pulls his lip in thought.
"Aye, 'tis true, but... unless I make no mistake, it was my Lady's thought to remain at the fortress and question the riders thought to be dispatched to collect her for that bandit lord. And we all know what a state you war-like men doth made a particularly bold statement when we rode from the place. She spoke to it with Alaric as well, that very eve, asking on how he knew that he direction you were all riding in was the correct one. Grieved, she seemed to me, riding away from that place." Puck shakes his head sadly.
"The ledger, those letters and the map, they did entrance my lady so. The map!" he offers brightly. "The camps without, you yourself said, sir, that they were not so far displaced. Likely it would not be so difficult for a rider, or even three that know the area to happen across these lads and inform them?"
Turning to Aldric Gan speaks,"Young Master, I have noticed that you do have a bit of a gift for things magical in nature. Should you be able to talk to the man in the glasses and find out what herbs he used in his potion I do know that I can get outside the walls in being able to help the captain on their fortifications. So if you could tell me what to look for I bet I could find it for you."
Turning to Aldric Gan speaks,"Young Master, I have noticed that you do have a bit of a gift for things magical in nature. Should you be able to talk to the man in the glasses and find out what herbs he used in his potion I do know that I can get outside the walls in being able to help the captain on their fortifications. So if you could tell me what to look for I bet I could find it for you."
"Well, be cautious on that... if ye go on a goose chase looking fer herbs and such... and not staying in the camp... I dunno... I got's the feeling that yer captain lad... he be a right stickler fer following the rules... and said nothing about looking fer herbs... But I ain't telling ye how to act, just giving ye something to think over. Still,"Brett says brightening "Ye could, if ye wanted, interview his lads out there... without their boss about, they may be more inclined to talk free with ye... and slip up on information as may be helfpul to ye,"Brett adds with a nod.
"Well, ye have a fair thought, but I don't be knowing... Seems odd, though. We just picked the lass up a few days ago... what the odds of we getting back from the vastness of the Greenbelt at the very same time as them ruffians be I see extrodinary rare... but we ARE back, as are they... how they know who your lass is, if they didn't know her before... How'd they be aware of her, if we ourselves not be knowing her 'cepting a few days ago?Brett pulls his lip in thought.
"Aye, 'tis true, but... unless I make no mistake, it was my Lady's thought to remain at the fortress and question the riders thought to be dispatched to collect her for that bandit lord. And we all know what a state you war-like men doth made a particularly bold statement when we rode from the place. She spoke to it with Alaric as well, that very eve, asking on how he knew that he direction you were all riding in was the correct one. Grieved, she seemed to me, riding away from that place." Puck shakes his head sadly.
"The ledger, those letters and the map, they did entrance my lady so. The map!" he offers brightly. "The camps without, you yourself said, sir, that they were not so far displaced. Likely it would not be so difficult for a rider, or even three that know the area to happen across these lads and inform them?"
"Ye're kind o' talking go way o'er me head. What exactly ye be meaning?"Brett said with a confusion.
"A fine suggestion Master Brett...I am thinking about one quick thing. Now someone mentioned something of being able to detect magical auras or some mumbo jumbo. What if you were to go back to where Puck saw the man in black and Hermia wander off perhaps you may be able to get somewhere there."
Knowledge:Nobility
"Atain N'Var is one of the most honest men I know, near to a fault. He is grim, yes, but true as steel. He will place the law above all things; when he has sworn his word to it. He will even let these scum go free, for they have not broken the law, much as it angers him for they are lowly, and not to his taste. But then, neither was I, for a time. Yet there it is; when he saw the documents that expunged me of guilt, he instantly changed that cold anger to my ways, it was if it was never there. And now he treats me as if nothing happened and we are as we were as children growing up. You can trust N'Var... but be cautious... he will put the law of the land over his own love, though he hate himself for it. So long as you are true to the law, and do not break it, he will aid you in all ways possible,"Drake adds with a churlish grin.
"And speaking privately to a friend is not illegal... He...
"Caution is certainly how we must tread at this time. I am naturally wary of those who would follow the letter of the law without question. I believe there is more required of an honest man or woman, an honourable man or woman. But, alas, forgive me, I am not in a position to judge the man for some perceived fault I view in him."
"Now, in relation to the masked man in black. What do you know of him or more succinctly what have you discovered about him since his arrival? From some of the dialogue he has uttered, my ears have detected a difference in the cadence of his speech. I don't believe I have come across such an accent in my travels so far but it struck me deeply all the same."
"Hmm. Has he mentioned where he hails from, by chance?"
"A fine suggestion Master Brett...I am thinking about one quick thing. Now someone mentioned something of being able to detect magical auras or some mumbo jumbo. What if you were to go back to where Puck saw the man in black and Hermia wander off perhaps you may be able to get somewhere there."
Knowledge:Nobility 1d20+3
You know enough to know, even without the roll, that N'Var is not a man who bargains well. He is a man bound to higher oaths, and stronger words then many other men. A truthsayer, he will either perform in the action, or die in the attempt once the word is given.
No, you know no way to persuade him... and if such a thing were, perchance, possible... it goes beyond your knowledge to decipher it, with a roll so lowly ;)
"Atain N'Var is one of the most honest men I know, near to a fault. He is grim, yes, but true as steel. He will place the law above all things; when he has sworn his word to it. He will even let these scum go free, for they have not broken the law, much as it angers him for they are lowly, and not to his taste. But then, neither was I, for a time. Yet there it is; when he saw the documents that expunged me of guilt, he instantly changed that cold anger to my ways, it was if it was never there. And now he treats me as if nothing happened and we are as we were as children growing up. You can trust N'Var... but be cautious... he will put the law of the land over his own love, though he hate himself for it. So long as you are true to the law, and do not break it, he will aid you in all ways possible,"Drake adds with a churlish grin.
"And speaking privately to a friend is not illegal... He...
"Caution is certainly how we must tread at this time. I am naturally wary of those who would follow the letter of the law without question. I believe there is more required of an honest man or woman, an honourable man or woman. But, alas, forgive me, I am not in a position to judge the man for some perceived fault I view in him."
"Now, in relation to the masked man in black. What do you know of him or more succinctly what have you discovered about him since his arrival? From some of the dialogue he has uttered, my ears have detected a difference in the cadence of his speech. I don't believe I have come across such an accent in my travels so far but it struck me deeply all the same."
"Hmm. Has he mentioned where he hails from, by chance?"
”No; he has not spoke of where he has hailed… "says Drake, "but isn’t it clear? His accent is no different then the good Dasha… though he hides it somewhat. Indeed, I am surprised none in your party thought to query on the nature of his accent, as even you yourself have attempted to. Perhaps they guessed it already, and were not interested in the details... or perhaps they had other things to occupy their minds? But in either case; he is from Ustalav; yes, that much I can glean. And the easy way he carries himself; born of nobility or some other position to command… His words seem to persuade the strong-willed while they daunt weaker men that fall under the spell of his power… Of course, I am speaking somewhat poetically, yet I wonder now if in fact he can call on greater power to dominate those he wishes; even as that dark priest did so many days ago,”Drake says quietly.
"While you try and piece together this puzzle I am bound to help on their fortifications. I should see you for supper tonight. I should remind you how valuable our map is to us and should we loose it, we would be set back for many weeks."
With that Gan turns on his heels and marches over to Captain N'Var, and bows,"Good captain my hands are yours as promised. I shall do all I can while my companions piece together what they can."
"Ye're kind o' talking go way o'er me head. What exactly ye be meaning?"Brett said with a confusion.
"Before we left Kressle's keep, my lady seemed to me to desire to meet the riders mentioned in the ledger you translated. seems to me that if they were to chance upon their outpost smoldering, they would likely send riders to inform their brethren that someone were on the hunt for them, and to be on their guard. It's been days since we left that place, slowed as we were by the mists, and the traps. Is it not possible that these four men, and the masked one besides, have some manner of contact with the bandits, and were waiting on us to return to repay in kind by attacking one of yours?"
"Ye're kind o' talking go way o'er me head. What exactly ye be meaning?"Brett said with a confusion.
"Before we left Kressle's keep, my lady seemed to me to desire to meet the riders mentioned in the ledger you translated. seems to me that if they were to chance upon their outpost smoldering, they would likely send riders to inform their brethren that someone were on the hunt for them, and to be on their guard. It's been days since we left that place, slowed as we were by the mists, and the traps. Is it not possible that these four men, and the masked one besides, have some manner of contact with the bandits, and were waiting on us to return to repay in kind by attacking one of yours?"
"That be right possible, aye... but here be the thing... if they be attacking us, why did they want to leave? Why try to get the jump on leaving us quick, if they be wanting to stick around? Maybe they want to jump us on the road, or not... but then why they be wasting their time with any thing but exploring? Seems like they want to get back to exploring right quick, if ye took my meaning, not sticking about to fight... but I don't know..."
"That be right possible, aye... but here be the thing... if they be attacking us, why did they want to leave? Why try to get the jump on leaving us quick, if they be wanting...
Puck shakes his head sadly. "Now that I do not know. Likely my lady would have some better clue, but, as she sleeps... Perhaps it might be worth the time, then, to read these things again, as she often made reference to them in her arguments?" he offers.
Puck thinks on it a moment, studying his sleeping lady. "When last me and Dior visited, all these men were not here. Likely, there were no way these other five could have known, either. Cold intelligence that bookish one has," Puck shivers, thinking on the content of the book. "He, same as she, would see and know that they could not have free way here, with so many eyes about. But that are to speak nothing of the ways without. As that tower is newly constructed, and none manning it besides, it would not be too difficult to lay a trap, especially as knowing that the lady would be in no condition to assist in that case."
Puck slams his fist into an upturned hand. "The bookish one! He did mention that I should be familiar with the ways of sleeping droughts, and seemed to know me and my kind! And Alaric, the lady said that he were ours!" Puck begins excitedly.
"Lady, would that I knew the ways..." he trails and strokes her colored hair softly. "I would wake you myself."
Puck's Craft Alchemy -
”No; he has not spoke of where he has hailed… "says Drake, "but isn’t it clear? His accent is no different then the...
Ah, yes, Dasha. Interesting. The inflection in their speech was similar upon further thought. The rest of the party would certainly find this bit of information interesting also, if they hadn't figured it out already for themselves.
"Robert, I have been thinking on what I have seen and felt since I've returned to the trading post and now hearing your thoughts on how this masked man can subvert/persuade the will of those weaker, do you believe he is the one who inflicted injury to the other woman, Hermia? I am now wondering as to the whole extent of his power, especially since you have drawn a comparison to the dark priest we encountered and killed in past battle." Lowering her voice substantially, "I am glad you and Oleg had the forethought to send Dasha to Bokken's hut. I have a feeling she is safer there than here, right now."
As if another thought moved into her head, Ariarh speaks,
"Is there an obvious leader amongst those four? The bookish man has a quick and logical way with words but he does not give off an obvious air of authority, well at least not to me. But that in itself, stirs unrest in my thoughts as though it is an premeditated construction on his part."
"That be right possible, aye... but here be the thing... if they be attacking us, why did they want to leave? Why try to get the jump on leaving us quick, if they be wanting...
Puck shakes his head sadly. "Now that I do not know. Likely my lady would have some better clue, but, as she sleeps... Perhaps it might be worth the time, then, to read these things again, as she often made reference to them in her arguments?" he offers.
Puck thinks on it a moment, studying his sleeping lady. "When last me and Dior visited, all these men were not here. Likely, there were no way these other five could have known, either. Cold intelligence that bookish one has," Puck shivers, thinking on the content of the book. "He, same as she, would see and know that they could not have free way here, with so many eyes about. But that are to speak nothing of the ways without. As that tower is newly constructed, and none manning it besides, it would not be too difficult to lay a trap, especially as knowing that the lady would be in no condition to assist in that case."
Puck slams his fist into an upturned hand. "The bookish one! He did mention that I should be familiar with the ways of sleeping droughts, and seemed to know me and my kind! And Alaric, the lady said that he were ours!" Puck begins excitedly.
"Lady, would that I knew the ways..." he trails and strokes her colored hair softly. "I would wake you myself."
Puck's Craft Alchemy - 1d20 + 2
Puck longs for the chance to wake his mistress, but without tools or herbs, he has no method of crafting such a potion. He knows she will awake soon, but fears it may be too late, for if she even sleeps an hour after dawn, the party that she would try to hinder will have no reason to stay longer and may even flee without them. Alaric's Fey bloodline may even tempt him to be able to assist with some sort of anti-toxin... or not. At this time, however, Alaric is (in real life) asleep, and In-game Alaric has decided to step outside to find and question the mysterious "Man in Black"... (Hello!... My name is Alaric Winter... You assulted my cleric; prepare to die!)
Gan, caught the hint on stealing the other guys map; but remember (or you may not know) the maps explored are also coppied by Oleg, so that all travelers may see what has been explored so far, and so no one tries to "double claim" another person's territory. As things stand, Oleg has a "master map" with everything marked in his office. Even if their map was missing, it would take little time to get a copy from Oleg. I believe I may have mentioned that several hundred posts ago, but if it slipped by, I am making it clear. The good news is that if YOUR map gets taken, it will not prevent you from being in a tight spot. And as things stand now, that is a good thing; as you have a lot more territory mapped.
”No; he has not spoke of where he has hailed… "says Drake, "but isn’t it clear? His accent is no different then the...
Ah, yes, Dasha. Interesting. The inflection in their speech was similar upon further thought. The rest of the party would certainly find this bit of information interesting also, if they hadn't figured it out already for themselves.
"Robert, I have been thinking on what I have seen and felt since I've returned to the trading post and now hearing your thoughts on how this masked man can subvert/persuade the will of those weaker, do you believe he is the one who inflicted injury to the other woman, Hermia? I am now wondering as to the whole extent of his power, especially since you have drawn a comparison to the dark priest we encountered and killed in past battle." Lowering her voice substantially, "I am glad you and Oleg had the forethought to send Dasha to Bokken's hut. I have a feeling she is safer there than here, right now."
As if another thought moved into her head, Ariarh speaks,
"Is there an obvious leader amongst those four? The bookish man has a quick and logical way with words but he does not give off an obvious air of authority, well at least not to me. But that in itself, stirs unrest in my thoughts as though it is an premeditated construction on his part."
"I had many reasons to send Dasha to Bokken's... her efforts with the horses I mentioned already... but consider this; since she has left the mysterious noises, the spooked animals, the odd missing or lost items... all of that has ceased. I guess, then, though I offered no opinions to Oleg and Svetlana, if Dasha may be mixed up in some strange happenings somehow... though I don't believe she intends to do any harm. But I would have her away from ruffians, and these men have an ill way about them... "
He considers her words a moment.
"Both the dark priest to Urgathoa and the riders were from Ustalav... and this one speaks with such an accent; as were the prisoners, excepting, of course, the good squire and his man! It seems like too large a coincidence to me as well that such another has come. As for the leader of the other four explorers... so far they all obey the will of the bookish man, though I've not caught his name. He has very little personality, or charisma to me, but he seems to bend those in his party to his will with irrestiable logic and undisputed facts and concepts that they simply cannot debate.... When he speaks, they listen, even as they chafe under his words. I should add that the first time they were agressive with Dasha, he was the only one that seemed unintrested... as if giving way to drink and womanizing was somehow beneath him; that he was not the kind that gives way to earthy pleasures. Once this foolish "quarentine" is lifted we can perhaps send word to Dasha and discover more information from her... I would know more of what is happening,"he adds emphatically.
"I had many reasons to send Dasha to Bokken's... her efforts with the horses I mentioned already... but consider this; since she has left the mysterious noises, the spooked animals, the odd missing or lost items... all of that has ceased. I guess, then, though I offered no opinions to Oleg and Svetlana, if Dasha may be mixed up in some strange happenings somehow... though I don't believe she intends to do any harm. But I would have her away from ruffians, and these men have an ill way about them... "He considers her words a moment.
"Both the dark priest to Urgathoa and the riders were from...
"This situation with the noises and the spooked horses is rather peculiar and important. Dasha cannot be entirely ignorant of this occurrence and recurrence; the girl didn't strike me as dim witted. I have seen her obvious attachment to you, so I am hoping she will speak freely to you or one of us sooner rather than later. Dasha has been treated fairly well by our party and I cannot understand her hesitancy in opening up. Perhaps, she isn't entirely sure of why these things are happening around her. I don't know. I can speculate on many things but she is the only one to confirm or deny what has been seen and heard already."
Ariarh pauses reflectively before resuming.
"I would like to speak with Dasha, as well. I had been thinking of riding to Bokken's to see her, perhaps you would like to join me? I think it's better we go to her rather than have her enter these gates anytime soon."
Remembering something she meant to ask "Drake",
"Robert, are you saying that this masked one is a dark priest? And, the bookish man, I would logically hazard, is indeed the leader of the second explorer group. And, in my opinion, therefore dangerous, irrespective of his cool, uninterested demeanour. The brownie, Puck Sparrow, was going to go speak with the bookish man and see if he could uncover the ingredients of the sleeping draught he poured down his Mistress Hermia's throat. I am not sure how successful his endeavour will be but the brownie certainly has a tenacious charm."
"One more thing, Robert, and I must ask to determine for myself the sincerity of the answer. Can we still trust you? Are you aiding us in this complicated affair? Pray, there is no offense intended by my question. I just need to hear it from your own mouth. I need to know if I can trust you, still." Ariarh looks sincerely, deeply into the once-bandit's eyes, her own sapphire eyes showing degrees of emerald. The moment feels suspended; but there is nothing unnatural or untoward in the suspension. It feels like holding a breath and hoping for the right kind of exhale.
Once arriving at the tower Gan will jump in and begin talking to the forman.
"Well now this be a fine building you be constructing tis for sure. You have done some fine workmanship here lads. The name Gan Mondragone, hatamoto for Duke Esserian. I have promised Captain N'Var my hands and am here to fulfill that obligation."