Nigel seems a bit surprised by Quiella's exuberance, but appears to get wrapped up in it rather than being put off by it, "I do look forward to seeing what they discover in Ostergarde, just as long the right safeguards are put into place." He pauses, and becomes slightly introspective, "Damien taking the Blakros name did not bother me, it was my choice to keep mine, and I stand by it. I do appreciate the sympathy, however."
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Mel figures he wants another taste of his toes, but this time he sheds false images. He approaches Hamaria as himself, nervous and timid around so many important people. "Pardon me, my name is Melufious Benidictus and I feel I need to apologize for my behavior during the festivities. But the fact is that, despite being a Pathfinder, I'm still pretty much a nobody and am intimidated by so many important people. I've tried to mingle and put my best face forward, to be a part of the festivities share with the people around me. However, I fear I have done nothing but make people angry with me. So I just wanted to say thank you for having me at this incredible wedding and I hope I did not ruin too many people's time. If there is anything I can do to make amends, name it and it will be done."
"I haven't heard any complaints from anyone that matters, darling." Hamaria Blakros replies to Melufiuos with a half-smile, then she immediately moves to begin a conversation with someone else.
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After their last encounter Moadis was trying hard to steer clear of the Blakros matriarch. He understood the Society's need to have such influential family as an ally but still could not agree with their centuries old slaver bussiness practices. How many souls meet a terrible fate at the shadow plane because of the Blakros he wonders. The fact that the family was now marrying their oldest heir to a hellknight showed no indication they were planning on repenting.
It gives Moadis a sour taste in the mouth just to adress the noblewomen but he puts on his best fake smile, practiced in countless cruzade's bureaucrats, when doing so.
Lady Hamaria. He bows. Its being a while, I take the shadow plane did not bothered your family again since our last meeting? Michaella is looking well, she has my best wishes of happiness in her new married life. My she find wisdow and kindness in her adult life.
The world could sure use more rich people with some latetly.
Hamaria Blakros looks extremely pleased at Moadis' greeting, as if winning a small, but significant victory, "Thank you for your kind words, it's so awfully nice to see you again. We've had no further encounters with that group you mentioned, and hopefully with help of Commander Shafar's forces we shouldn't have to worry about them again."
"Thank you, Mr. Frost. Please believe me when I say, I treasure all your valuable assistance." Hamaria replies, patting the monk lightly on the hand.
Ophelia and Halkale also find time to speak to the Blakros matriarch, but only Ophelia appears to impress her, perhaps thanks to Valik's helpful words earlier.
* * *
After a little more mingling, the groom Damien Blakros nee Kastner ushers you all away to a private tent for a conversation away from the other guests. "I'm told by a very trustworthy source that you Pathfinders can be quite reliable and discreet. With that in mind, I feel comfortable confessing to you that my wife has seemed to have disappeared. Most likely she's probably just visiting the ruins of her old summer home southeast of here. While this is probably nothing to worry about, I would appreciate it if you could check on her. I would do it myself, but Hamaria is watching me like a hawk to see what kind of impression I'm making on the guests, and I’d rather not earn her ire so early in the relationship by disappearing from the reception. Would you be willing to help me with this? If you follow the path to the southeast, you should have no trouble finding the ruins."
With Quiella's agreement to help, Damien thanks you and returns to the reception. Following his basic directions, you soon come to what appears to be the summer house ruins.
With a scenic view of the ocean from atop a steep granite cliff, it's easy to see why they originally built a home here. However, very little of the house remains, just its charred and crumbled outer walls which frame the bare, scorched earth and the collapsed tiled roof within.
'
With everyone assisting him, albeit some better than others, Halkale spots some tracks which appear to be a humanoid female dragging a body for a long distance. Following the footprints and drag marks through a natural break in the cliff face, they lead down to what appears to be a private beach.
As you begin to reach the ocean, everyone sees a longboat ashore on the beach with 3 men of obvious Ulfen descent sitting inside it. Next to the ship is another Ulfen man speaking with Michellia Blakros who appears to be adjusting her hair. There also appears to be another humanoid inside the ship slumped down inside.
With the men inside the boat working on casting off, and the couple on the beach conversing, no one in that group appears to have noticed you yet.
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Quiella draws her Lucerne Hammer. "I don't like the look of this." She frowns and tugs at her shirt. "I'm not a very sneaky person. Can some of you get closer and figure out what's going on here?"
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As Melufiuos tries to sneak forward, he steps on a hidden twig which snaps and alerts the Ulfen to his presence. The one on shore quickly directions Michellia's attention to the elf, as well as to the rest of party further away. With his closer position, Melufiuos does see that the body within the ship looks like a human female covered in a blanket.
"Thank you for looking for me, but you've come a little late. My misguided sister attacked me out of jealousy. Only the timely intervention of my Ulfen friends saved me from her wrath." Michellia explains with a sad expression, "In order to save what's left of this wedding, I'm going to have Olaf take her from the island. I assure you he'll take good care of her until we're done."
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Mel drops his guard and approaches at a relaxed pace , "Oh thank goodness you are alright. You were missed, so we came looking. But jealousy is so sad. Whatever did she have to be jealous of, though? You both have beauty beyond compare. In fact my heart is beating quite fiercely, being so close to such an angel. Please allow my to accompany your man in the boat. Perhaps I can lighten her mood or at least distract her from her woes."
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"and if she had not roused by the time we get to shore, it would be a great honor to help carry her discretely" unfortunately, he cannot restrain himself and raises his hands as if to lift her, eyes now locked on the prone form on the boat.
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Quiella approaches, hammer over her shoulder to appear less threatening. "Mind if we have a look at her? We'd like to make sure she's alright. I hope you can forgive us for being suspicious but you must admit... this looks suspicious."
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As the group nears the boat, the Ulfen man on shore casts a spell on himself and whistles to the others on the ship, who quickly arm themselves with handaxes. Michellia sighs with frustration, "Just let them go, there's no need for violence."
Initiative (Round 1)
Valik <= Up
Quiella <= Up
Olaf
Melufiuos
Moadis
Michellia
Ophelia
Halkale
3 Ulfen
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Quiella nods to Valik and grimaces at Michellia "Why must you ruin such a pleasant occasion with deception and intrigue?" She murmurs a prayer to the gods for protection and then follows Valik's lead, stepping to the east to begin encircling the man. She stares into his eyes, looking for evil in the depths of his soul.
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Valik quickly moves in and hits the nearby Ulfen man before he has any opportunity to react, while Quiella calls upon Erastil to grant her additional divine protection. The Paladin/Oracle then scrutinizes the nearby Ulfen for traces of evil, but finds none.
The Ulfen adjacent to Valik casts a spell defensively and Valik finds himself in a near panic.
After casting his spell, the Ulfen leader's face becomes twisted in fury as he draws his greataxe and begins to rage.
Initiative (Round 1)
Valik [Will Save Needed]
Quiella
Olaf
Melufiuos <= Up
Moadis <= Up
Michellia
Ophelia
Halkale
3 Ulfen
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Mel takes a 5 foot step and casts cookie spray. He will either spray it straight north or angle it to the northwest. Ideally, he would like to catch the girl and two others in the spray, but he will settle for whatever he can get.
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