"More harm than good? At this point for all I know you could be here to assasinate Jaela."
Distan exhales slowly. "Wow... explains the round-up at the city gates, at least..." His eyes follow Tika and Vorik's debate back and forth for a few moments. "I'm kind of agreeing with Ancian here... getting out of town fast would be smart. If this is why Flamekeep is on lockdown, then the escape of a bunch of 'foreign agents' might draw a LOT more response than we were expecting... especially if a couple of those agents have Karnathi accents."
Vorik sighs "I would rather have kept this secret, at least while in the middle of this crowd, and had hoped my being a Paladin would have been enough for you to trust me, but you all seem set on being difficult. Follow me if you wish to find out why I must see Jaela" With he motions for Klaus to come with him but offers him an apollogetic look. The big man moves off to the side and as far away from the crowd as possible, and waves everybody in close. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper but just loud enough for you all to overhear he says "I have the honor and great pleasure of introducing the recently rescued King Kaius of Karrnath. I believe he might be albe to help put a stop to this war before it starts." He gestures to Klaus.
"The King of Karrnath?" Tika responds scepticly "I suppose that you'll be telling me that you are the high chancellor or something then?"
Ancian shakes his head at both Vorik and Tika. "Well this is certainly... an unexpected twist. If what you say is true then this is indeed something that could change the course of this war. I will accompany so that I can bring back a full report, but after your meeting I must journey back to Passage and report this to the patriarch."
Klaus smiles and straightens his body language at Vorik's announcement.
He lowers his voice, and says, "I am indeed the King of Karrnath, but we must find a place to discuss this that is not so open. The story is ..." he stumbles, looking for a word to describe his situation and that of the royal line in Karrnath, "...complicated." He seems to not find the word fitting.
At the makeshift pulpit, the young girl who indeed is the Keeper steps away and is replaced by a red-robed figure who begins speaking about the precise nature of the military preparations being made and what the citizens must do to prepare for war.
"Also, Ancian, you must not breathe a word of this to anyone, the Houses cannot know. Not yet."
"Well then, why don't we sit through this, and find a place to iron out all of the details as soon as it's done? We wouldn't want to make targets of ourselves by leaving now."
Distan is stunned to uncharacteristic silence by Vorik's claim, and after a momentary pause discreetly digs through his pockets, coming up with a handful of loose change which he then sorts through looking for Karrnathi currency. Assuming there is any to be found, he glances back and forth from the image of Kaius stamped on the coin to Klaus' face.
"You're not making this up are you." Tika says more as a statement than anything else going somewhat red faced as the fact she is talking to a King and has absolutely no idea what the correct way to respond sinks in.
Vorik chuckles at Tika's claim about his being the high chancellor "Not quite. I am a Paladin of the Nine, Six and One, an ancient religion that worships not just the Soverign Host but also the Dark Six. To avoid problems though, I say I am a follower of Dol Arrah. My family has provided divine aid to the royals and nobles of Karrnath since long before the Last War."
Seeing Jaela leave the pulpit, he looks to his companions "This might be the perfect time to seek an audience with the Keeper. However, I uh, am not the best when it comes to speaking to those of an important station, so I will probably need some help."
Vorik chuckles at Tika's claim about his being the high chancellor "Not quite. I am a Paladin of the Nine, Six and One, an ancient religion that worships not just the Soverign Host but also the Dark Six. To avoid problems though, I say I am a follower of Dol Arrah. My family has provided divine aid to the royals and nobles of Karrnath since long before the Last War."
Seeing Jaela leave the pulpit, he looks to his companions "This might be the perfect time to seek an audience with the Keeper. However, I uh, am not the best when it comes to speaking to those of an important station, so I will probably need some help."
"First were going to have to figure out how to get to her"
Ancian bows his head to Kaius. "I will keep it hidden unless I believe my family to be in danger. My loyalties lie with Orien, first and foremost. For now, your secret is safe with me."
Ancian then turns his gaze to the menacing paladin of Dol Arrah,"I may be able to get to her, although it is a long shot. I am a dragonmarked heir of House Orien and future Blade. I may have some diplomatic sway here.
"Okay thats a start. If that dosent work I could try sneaking in but I dont think that is an option for some of you and I doubt there going to listen to just me."
"Okay thats a start. If that dosent work I could try sneaking in but I dont think that is an option for some of you and I doubt there going to listen to just me."
Eventually, the crowd begins to empty out of the plaza, and the guards circle around the young Keeper to take her back to the Cathedral of the Flame.
"I need a private conference with that child. She could be useful. Shall we find somewhere we can speak of my history and family in private?" the revealed king asks his companions.
What do you do?
Eventually, the crowd begins to empty out of the plaza, and the guards circle around the young Keeper to take her back to the Cathedral of the Flame.
"I need a private conference with that child. She could be useful. Shall we find somewhere we can speak of my history and family in private?" the revealed king asks his companions.
What do you do?
"Okay sure" Tika looks around for an Inn or somewhere inconspicuous to talk.
"My liege, I suggest trying to seek that audience with Lady Jaela sooner rather than later. The longer we wait, the more likely it becomes that she gets locked away for long planning sesseions, or swept up by this or that important official or noble" The Paladin says respectfully.
"I would like to talk, but depending on reaction times, troops may be sent out soon. I'm not quite familiar with the military procedures of these lands, but we should probably get you to see her as soon as possible."
"I would like to talk, but depending on reaction times, troops may be sent out soon. I'm not quite familiar with the military procedures of these lands, but we should probably get you to see her as soon as possible."
"It is agreed then. But first we need diguises. One of you should purchase us clothes, and we should stash Sir Vorik's armor somewhere. You do draw attention to yourself."
"Oh let me I can get us clothes" Tika pipes up sounding suprisingly happy at the idea of getting to buy clothes rather than 'borrow' them for once.
Ancian glances at Vorik, "Your armor is rather..." he searches for a word, "disconcerting. A change of clothes might be in order." Ancian laughs softly. "However", now looking at the displaced king, "do you think it necessary for all of us to don disguises? I believe I would be much more useful as Ancian d'Orien then as anyone else."
"If it would be simpler, Vorik can just use my hat to conceal his armor and I can put on new clothes myself. I'm not too bad at going incognito even without magic." Distan shrugs. "But... on that topic. Look, not to be disrespectful, but... I could look like... the man on this coin with a little work, either via magic or makeup. And that's not even taking changelings and the like into account. I realize time is of the essence here, but I do feel like we should be getting more of this story before working our way into the presence of Thrane's ruler."
"Distan, I share your reservations, I do; however, I am willing to trust them. For one, Vorik is a paladin. We all saw him attempt to heal the fallen warrior when we first arrived. I hold his word very highly and I don't believe, barring his appearance, that he would accompany anyone with nefarious intent. Second, if this man" he gestures toward Kaius, "was a would-be assassin, he would have made his move already when the girl was on the pulpit. He wouldn't make his move in a private chamber, with us and her guards ready to defend her if need be."
Ancian shakes his head, "The pieces fit, and war is on the horizon... we need to act quickly."
Any decisions?
"Maybe not, but certainly Sir Vorik does. And I am in clothes that are rather ill fitting" Kaius says, gesturing to the garb he borrowed from some of Captain Dria's crew on the journey from Dreadhold.
Any decisions?
"Maybe not, but certainly Sir Vorik does. And I am in clothes that are rather ill fitting" Kaius says, gesturing to the garb he borrowed from some of Captain Dria's crew on the journey from Dreadhold.
"Okay so something for for you plus Vorik and Ancian will just remain as is." Tika has a thought and begins to check her pockets "Uh does anyone here have the gold to help pay for all this?"
Vorik lets out a slight sigh when Distan mentions letting him borrow his hat. "That would be greatly appreciated Distan. My armor has been in my family for generations, and I try not to remove unless I must."
"If we are decided, then we should get on with it. The sooner we get new clothing, the sooner we can put an end to this war."
Split scene:
Tika goes down a side street, looking for a clothing vendor. Kaius follows her closely.
___
The rest of you?
"Maybe most of you should wait here so we look a little less obvious?" Tika suggests just before she leaves.
I'm fairly hard to hide, so I should stay hidden until the rest of you have disguises. I'm fairly certain I'm not the only warforged in the city, so once my companions appear differently, I will be assumed to be different.
Distan sighs, then shakes his head and smiles. "So be it. This might be crazy, but I'd hate myself forever if I didn't see what happens next regardless." He drops the Karnaathi coins back into his pouch and jiggles the weight of it in his hands. "I have some cash, I'll accompany Tika shopping. Vorik, I'll give you my hat when we get back, just try and stay... um... as inconspicuous as is reasonably possible for now." He ties his pouch back to his belt and waddles off down the alleyway after Tika, faster than someone of his (illusionary) girth might be thought able to move.
"So what would you prefer to wear your hi....er I mean sir?" She asks Kaius
"I would prefer clothes that fit," he laughs, gesturing to the clothes that are cut wrong for a man of his stature. "I would also prefer to look as though I belong here in Thrane, which I don't think will be a problem."
As Tika, Distan, and Kaius walk they find several shops that fit their needs. Eventually they find clothes that work.
Kaius is now garbed in simple gray clothes, with slightly dressy embellishments on the collar and sleeve cuffs.
"Okay shall we return to the others or is there anything else we may need?" Tika asks after putting on her new clothes consisting of fairly none flashy traveling clothing.
Vorik wanders a side street doing his best to stay hidden. When he sees a sign for what used to be an alchemeist shop, he sighs "I was supposed to have been back home by now, to meet up with my sister. I hope she is ok."
Ancian wanders through town, becoming familiar with this foreign place. He stops at a few vendors and browses their wares, but finds nothing. After the short walk, he stops in an alley and removes his pack. He takes off his cloak and shirt, replacing them instead with chain mail and tabard. He dons his signet ring and a necklace bearing the Seal of Orien and places his Siberys shard at its center . With this new attire, the dragonmark on his shoulder is clearly visible. "Perhaps I shouldn't be so obvious", he thinks to himself. He throws the cloak onto his shoulders, the mark now barely visible, tucks the necklace into his tabard, and ventures forth to meet his comrades.
Kaius, pleased with his clothes, suggests that you make your way back to the plaza, to meet up with everyone and find a place to stay and discuss the matters at hand.
Kaius, pleased with his clothes, suggests that you make your way back to the plaza, to meet up with everyone and find a place to stay and discuss the matters at hand.
Tika reluctantly agrees the part of her wanting to look around some more overruled by the part thats wants to get this sorted as soon as possible.
"No, i assure you madam, I AM buying the correct size..." Distan booms as he stuffs himself into a changing booth with several tunics. A few minutes of clothes changing and a quick readjustment of glamer later, he extracts himself back onto the sales floor wearing a new set of clothes which fit his normal self perfectly comfortably, though for verisimilitude seem to be straining against his illusionary extra poundage. "There, see? perfect!" he tells the startled seamstress as he pays for his garments, adding in an offended mumble, "Nobody tells me I'm not a size 28..." Chuckling to himself as he exits the shop, he heads back to meet up with the group.
When the group gathers up, everyone looks to Vorik for leadership, even Kaius, who is obviously uncomfortable in this hostile foreign city.
Once everybody is gathered together and changed into whatever disguises they plan to use, Vorik says "I suggest we make our move now, the longer we delay, the harder it will be to see Jaela"
"Indeed."
Looking around, it appears as though most of the city has wholeheartedly devoted the remaining hours of their day to preparing for the war. The streets bustle with business, yet it is completed in a hushed manner. You note that in the hours that have passed since the announcement a number of flags have been raised bearing the seal of the Church.
As you begin to walk in the general direct chosen by Vorik and the remaining members of your party.
As Ancian looks around the whirling hustle, he is unable to repress the flashbacks from the last war. The banners and the bloodshed all flash before his mind, but he settles his thoughts and remembers that those battles are what forged him.
The visions subside, and he starts to take in the fuss for what it really is, worry and fear. These are average people, scared of the upcoming war. Hopefully, it can be stopped.
perception =
Perception
Once able to do so in a discrete fashion, Distan removes his hat of disguise and passes it over to Vorik. "Just whisper 'ragomoffin' and imagine what you want to look like; the magic does all the rest," he advises.
Not used to disguising himself, Vorik assumes a non-armored approximation of himself though not quite identical.
Bastion, ever use to the roar of battle and picking up threats from afar, senses trouble that no one else senses.
You hear the clomp of a dozen mounted paladins roaring down a side alleyway. They are headed your way!
Making your way down the street, you notice that the whole city is laid out to lead back to the Cathedral.
Quietly to the rest of the group,We need to hurry. There are a dozen armed officials headed right for us. Whatever we choose to do, we need to do it fast.
Vorik motions to Ancian. "As a member of one of the Houses, I think you should be front and center with me. We'll head right inside and see if we can find somebody who can help us out. Hopefully a Paladin and House Scion is enough to sway them to our side."