"My stance remains the same, a competent plan is worth following whoever it comes from. I'll provide feedback for it's refinement if I can see such. I don't think we need someone fixed for coming up with tactics but you enjoy focusing on it so feel free to continue presenting ideas and I shall listen." Gallen said his peace and now he would let them duke it out verbally, better here than many other places it would crop up.
Wesh smiles at Hel, then says, “No need for language, Hel. We need to be civil in our disagreements. I meant exactly what I said: we should be making decisions as a group. We’re equals, as far as I’m concerned. And who said anything about not wanting to plan? Of course we should plan. I’m simply saying that when we make our plans, everyone should have an equal vote. Schemes and plots that affect the entire group shouldn’t be made unilaterally is my point. It should be a group decision. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Having said his piece, Wesh nods to his companions, then heads to bed.
"What about you, Willow? Any recommendations on how to handle what we might face?" Perhaps the halfling filcher will give more practical advice on the immediate situation they look to be headed into.
Willow had shrugged noncommittally when that question had come up. "Think on your feet," she said, mid-chew. She swallowed her food and drank half her cup. "Yeah, I know, you already knew that...well, I hope everyone already knew it...but it really is the best advice. You can plan all ya want, but we don't know what trials or training are in store, and we should be expect to be surprised. You never know how good a crew is until things go sideways...then you learn a lot about them."
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Willow nodded her assent to Hel's assessment of their roles and strengths, trusting her to know the others better than she, herself, did. Willow inwardly cringed as some friction slowed the conversation. Arguing with each other was bad -- and storming off to bed was a bad way to start a partnership. The worst seemed to be between Wesh and Hel, but Lutor's comment to Cole made her frown as well.
The last thing she wanted was to make matters worse by speaking out, but Willow didn't want the evening to end with lingering resentments, either. "Hey!" She half-shouted, as some of them were leaving. She stood up on the seat of her chair. "C'mon, come back? We're gonna need to work together, even when we're tired..."
Hel's lips tighten at Willow's words, though she isn't really surprised by them -- nor can she disagree with them.
Later, after Wesh has departed, she pauses herself, draws in a deep breath, and visibly releases the tension she'd been burdening herself with as she lets the breath out. "No, that's all right, Willow," she says quietly. "I don't know ... I don't know his mind. But as you said earlier, we'll learn plenty when things 'go sideways', as you put it. And I'm sure something will 'go sideways'. And it's then that Wesh will need to discover whether or not he can either come up with or adjust a plan on the fly, if he can instantly and without question follow someone else's, or if his defiance of direction is going to get someone -- himself or one of the rest of us -- killed." She hesitates, then gives a sigh. "Honestly, I'm not sure if I'll be able to immediately follow someone else's orders when things go wrong. But I suppose that ... reliance on and trust in each other is part of what this is meant to create. Not to mention establish a proper structure between us. Ah well. To bed for me."
She rises and, giving courtesies to any who remain, bends over to give Willow a kiss on the cheek before heading back to her room. On the way, she pauses again, grimaces, then sighs and continues onwards; once she's at her room, she backtracks to Grumblejack's room, to knock and check on him. "Grumblejack. You have been taken care of?"
In all honesty, Hel can't bluff worth a damn; her best weapon to date has not been a bow, a hand, or a foot, but the facts. And in stating that what she wants 'is a magnificent library', she's stating a cold hard fact. It may not be totally complete -- she does in fact want vengeance on Fr. Matthias Harkon -- but besides that small detail, it really is all she wants.
Intense focus and a fixed goal. 'Hel' may have the best chance out of all of us of achieving such.
Seeing the others continue to break off and leave, Lutor states to those whom have not yet left:
"Debate is all well and good, but in a time-sensitive situation, it could prove disastrous. We would be better served by an appointed leader, whether on an expertise or rotating basis, to make such urgent decisions. Or be willing to get flexible indeed, as Miss Willow suggests. But I am certain we will iron out these initials wrinkles, in time. I bid you all good night."
Lutor leaves whatever wine remains in his glass, sits up, and departs for bed.
When you return to your room, you find a man standing in it, clad in black plate mail with gold trim. At his side is a heavy mace, outlined by a feint red glow. His helmet sits on your desk, and he is holding the banner of the Order of the Brand, studying it. Upon your entry, he turns and fixes you with a stare, dark eyes intense and piercing. "You brought this out of Branderscar. Tell me why you did so."
Grumblejack's room is in a different wing - indeed, it looks like it was originally a storeroom hastily repurposed for the ogre's accommodation. His greatsword sits in a corner of the room, and four mattresses have been shoved together on the floor to accommodate his rather large physique. He looks up from a sheep carcass he is eating as you enter and answers your question, "This room not bad. Better than Branderscar. Food's better, too. Grumblejack have strength back in a few days. Then we go find more squishy blue shirts to beat."
The next morning, you all receive the equipment you ordered. In addition, there are two other items. First is a silver unholy symbol of Asmodeus. The second is an iron circlet.
You also realize that you are not the only ones enjoying the Cardinal's hospitality. There are four others in the manor, as well. Calling themselves the White Ravens, they appear to have also been recruited by the Cardinal. Their leader calls herself Elise Zadaria, a Winter Witch from Irrisen. Also with her is a brooding hulk from the Land of the Linnorm Kings whose greatsword is never far away called Dostan Alfson, a former bounty hunter from Cheliax named Tallus Rackburn, who goes by 'Trak', and his twin brother, Titus Rackburn, an incredibly friendly and affable priest of Asmodeus who goes by the nickname 'Trik'.
Although Hel gets in what archery practice she can, (and if she can, moves multiple targets in the way of others to work on her 'firing into crowds without hitting my own people'), much of her time will be split between talking to her own people to get a sense of them, and to make some amount of contact with all four of the White Ravens. In both cases, she is primarily seeking to comprehend the intentions and motives of each individual; with the White Ravens, she tries to determine the internal dynamics of the group and their attitude towards Hel and her compatriots, while within her own group figure out, even solidify, the personality dynamics.
Wesh's dynamics, in particular, she needs to work on -- or at least come to some sort of understanding with him, if only because of what Willow mentioned. But if she can't, well ... she can't, and it'll have to work itself out in the field.
Twice a day, just before lunch and just after dinner, Hel will visit Grumblejack's store-room space and see if he needs anything, requesting of the unquestioning servants an accomodation if she thinks it likely to be possible.
Upon receiving the gifts of the (un)holy symbol and the iron circlet, she makes her way into the hall, then in search of Cardinal Thorn; the symbol she can understand, but the circlet is a puzzle she would prefer an explanation for.
Wesh is eager to try out his new gear when it arrives the next day. He dons his banded mail and grips his greatsword. Not since his time with his old mentor has Wesh used such a fine blade. He makes sure to take time each day to practice his swordplay while also wearing his armor.
When Wesh learns of the presence of the White Ravens, his interest is particularly piqued by the fellow named Dostan Alfson. A fellow wielder of a greatsword is surely a decent fighter in Wesh's estimation. He'll take time to meet the man and try to get to know him a bit, time permitting. He'll try to convince the man to spar with him as well if it seems appropriate.
Wesh doesn't take any particular interest in the other White Ravens, but he's glad to see the master's plan involves more than just their group. While Wesh is confident they'll be the decisive factor in the rebirth of Talingarde, others would doubtlessly be required to accomplish the task.
Gallen continued calmly eating his food. Lutors words had merit but each was prideful submitting so easily did not come naturally for them. At some point due to comraderie forged in battle or dire circumstance rounding off the rough edges one or two people would naturally end up giving direction in a critical moment, perhaps Hel but perhaps not...
Gallen doesn't seem overly surprised by the intrusion but slightly annoyed. The man so heavily armoured was no doubt an agent or ally of the Cardinal. "It is out of respect for the order. They died performing they duty. Rather than swallow lies and bend there knee to earn a place in the new order they stuck to their principles. It's just cloth in many ways but it deserved better than mouldering on a wall."
"I often pointed out to our captors and my new associates if after the sentencing we had been executed swiftly we as we should have been then the slaughter wouldn't have happened. Holding off for a public brutal execution as a lesson I could have understood but that was not there inclination. As a secondary point the chances of us engaging in arson and burning the whole building down were not small, there are plenty of banners in that place with others of there kind around that country but not this, it could be the last. Such an order deserves to be remembered."
Gallen takes the opportunity to spar with the other warriors if they are inclined but takes limited interest in them. Cardinal Thorn was giving them a few days to rest no doubt before being sent out on an excursion.
Cole will take notice of the other group. He will approach.
"Gentlemen. and the lovely lady." He bows to the witch.
"So you are in service to the Cardinal as well. Would you have a drink with me? I am Cole, Inquisitor of Asmodeus, former soldier, and prisoner. Have you been tested yet? It seems we are about to be tested and I was hoping you may have some advice to offer."
He is assuming he can approach them all at once.
Grumblejack responds, "Discreet? That mean sneaky, right? Grumblejack very sneaky. You see how sneaky Grumblejack was in prison."
You are unable to find Cardinal Thorn, but encounter Tiadora, who sneeringly tells you, "The Cardinal has other matters to attend to. He will return when your training is to begin. Make yourself comfortable until then."
You are able to figure out that Elise is not a worshiper of Asmodeus, but of an entity known as the Endless Winter. She believes that by serving the Cardinal she furthers her own patron's plans. Her familiar is a rare albino raven - likely the reason the group calls themselves the White Ravens.
Dostan is silent, rarely far from either his greatsword or Elise. You aren't able to determine much about him.
Tallus, or Trak as he prefers to be known, seems to have a cruel streak to him, but he doesn't seem particularly interested in interacting with you, so you can't get much.
Titus, or Trik as he prefers to be known, seems to be exactly what he appears to be, but you get the feeling there is something...off...about him. He is also the only one of the group that worships Asmodeus, and happily talks about the faith of the Lord of the Nine.
By observing the group dynamics, it becomes obvious to you that Elise is unquestioningly the leader. Dostan appears to be completely devoted to Elise, and willing to follow her anywhere and do whatever she commands. It takes you a bit, but you notice that whenever Elise talks to any male who is not either Dostan, Trik, or himself, he gets a little tight around the eyes and stares at them with dislike. He seems to have taken a particular dislike of Cole, for some reason. You are able to deduce that he is, in fact, completely smitten with Elise, and as likely to obey her every order as Dostan because of it. He also seems a little protective of his brother, Trik. Trik is loyal to Elise, but he doesn't seem as slavishly devoted as either his brother or Dostan.
Dostan seems completely uninterested in talking, but he is willing to spar with you. In your bouts, you learn that he is much more uncontrolled in his fighting than you, with a berserker fighting style that allows him to take advantage of his size. He is much quicker than his size belies, as well, and seems to rely less on armored protection and more on his durability and toughness to survive battle.
The armored figure nods at your answer, then says, "You have proper respect for law and tradition. I am Marcel Wolfram, the last antipaladin of Asmodeus in Talingarde. I came from Cheliax 20 years ago to aid the church of Asmodeus in avoiding destruction at the hands of the Mitrans. Alas, I was too late, and found myself barely avoiding death at the hands of the Mitrans. The Order of the Brand was once a respected force for law and order in Talingarde. Should you choose to reform the Order, I will oversee your trial to prove your worthiness." He sets the banner on your bed, picks up his helmet and dons it, hiding all but his eyes. He gives you a nod, then departs.
You are able to approach the Ravens all at once. As you stand up from your bow to Elise, you catch Trak giving you a look of intense dislike - not quite hatred, but close to. He storms out of the room, Trik sighing and following him. Elise's mouth quirks into a smile as they leave before smoothing out again, then she says, "We just arrived a couple of days ago from Avistan - the Cardinal had us smuggled in through a ship that disembarked in Varyston. I hear you and your companions escaped from a prison?"
"Smuggled in a ship. The Cardinal does appear to be an ambitious and calculating man. I'm sure he has reasons and plans for us all. I hope we have a chance to work together and this is not our only or last meeting."
Once the bouts are finished, Wesh wipes sweat from his brow and says to Dostan, "You fight well. I hope the master has something worthwhile for you to do. I would hate to see your talents go to waste. What are you and the other White Ravens here for anyway?"
Willow slept well despite the little unpleasantness at the tail end of dinner. Being able to get a sound sleep in any circumstances was something she, and many other halflings, took pride in -- and these circumstances were more comfortable than the streets, a cell, or getting knocked out on the roadside.
The moment her things were delivered, Willow dug into them to see if everything was there. She threw on the scarf first and had a go with hiding a few things in its concealed pockets, quite pleased with herself. The true prizes, however, where the tiny thieves tools and a hand crossbow, sized right for her! Willow made a mental not to get some silver and cold-iron bolts, and maybe a dagger of each, as had been suggested.
On learning about the White Ravens, Willow was casually dismissive of them. At least openly. When she was certain no one was around, she snuck about their rooms, eves-dropped on conversations, and tried to learn about them all in her own clandestine ways.
As for the 'team' and her place in it, she's not used to being in charge and doesn't mind filling a role given to her. Hel already knows about the Burkle family, and Willow seems to want the group to work like her family did; a well-organized rogue's gallery who can work together on multiple projects, each able to operate on their own, but everyone still willing to put differences aside and eat dinner together every night.
Regarding Thorn, Willow is deeply enthralled with him -- something Hel might not be used to seeing from her. The Burkle family were outed as diabolists, and even though Willow wasn't a witch, and wasn't active in the coven, she holds a deep reverence for them; and she regards Thorn with the same reverence she had for her Aunty, and the rest of the Burkle witches.
Once Willow finds out about Grumblejack she avoids that room at all costs, afraid she might literally get eaten.
Lutor introduces himself to the white ravens.
"So, have you been long in the service of Cardinal Thorn? What brought you all here?"
Polite conversation, that may illuminate.
"Escaping a prison shows great skill and resourcefulness. The Cardinal is indeed ambitious and powerful - he is a meticulous planner from what I have seen, who leaves nothing to chance."
The Ulfen man merely grunts and says, "Elise said we should come here and accept the Cardinal's service, so we came here."
Dostan doesn't seem to talk much - that's the longest sentence you've heard out of him yet.
I need Stealth and Perception checks for eavesdropping and sneaking into their rooms unnoticed. You can read any spoiler for another PC without the checks.
"We have not been long in the Cardinal's service - he found us after we had looted the tomb of Sir Bartholomew of Matharyn, a famous Mitran paladin who died attempting to overthrow the church of Asmodeus in Cheliax - a foolish errand, that, but one that benefited us greatly. The Cardinal had us smuggled in on a ship - we just arrived in Varyston a couple of days ago, and were brought here."
Dostan Alfson:
Tallus Rackburn:
Titus Rackburn:
"I would hope so from one that serves the Dark Prince, Lord of Contracts. It has been a pleasure to meet all of you. May you have good fortune on your trials and deeds to come."
With that said, assuming they have no further questions or wish to talk to Cole he takes his leave and returns to his room awaiting their own upcoming trials.
She pauses, then scowls. "To put it more simply, you're going to have to kill only when it is completely unavoidable, such as when we are about to be found out, or -- by preference -- only when we tell you it's time to kill. Can you do that, Grumblejack? Can you hold yourself back, be discreet?"
Presuming he agrees (however reluctantly), she nods and says, "Good. I'll keep checking up on you. Unfortunately, I don't think there's a lot of room for you to exercise, but ... try.
"Amalrus, Demlin, and Rigel will no longer be with us; we have a couple of people, an elf and a halfling, who will be new to you. I will bring them down and introduce you to them, if that's all right." Not that she cared if it wasn't; she would do the introductions anyhow.
Hel's expression tightens at Tiadora's sneer, but she says, "I simply desire to have this," and she lifts the iron circlet in her hand, "explained. Is there a particular use for it, and if so, how does it work? I would rather not be unfamiliar with a tool I am given, should that tool's use turn out to be beneficial. So if you can manage to hold back on your arrogance for a few minutes, you can be of service to the Cardinal by simply explaining the working of this object. Unless," she adds with a touch of aloof condescension, "you don't know how it works, in which case I will of course wait for His Excellency."
Clearly, talking with Elise and Trik about religion is the way to go, and that's the way she does go.
With Elise she gets (and follows) the sense that it's best to discuss the Endless Winter alone with the leader of the White Ravens; Hel really has no religious leanings, and this is likely to be patently obvious to the Winter Witch, theoretically making Hel a ripe candidate for conversion.
Conversation with Trik -- and possibly Cole as well - allows her to delve more deeply than she ever had into the knowledge of the religion of Asmodeus; they too will functionally have the opportunity to convert her -- even though she's already taken oath.
Wesh nods in thanks to Dostan for his time and has he departs says, "Asmodeus's blessings to you with your mission. I hope we can spar again sometime."
The fighter then takes his leave.
Wesh will take most of his downtime to continue training, but he'll make sure to get a full night's rest each evening. He knows deconstructing and rebuilding Talingarde won't be easy, so he wants to be well-rested for whatever the master has in mind for them.
Grumblejack frowns, then says, "Okay, but Grumblejack gonna need good food for that."
"Grumblejack like meeting new people - sometimes new people run scared from Grumblejack, make laugh."
Tiadora bursts into mocking laughter at your condescension, replying, "Of course it has a use - the Cardinal wouldn't give it to you if it didn't. It works by putting it on your head - that's what one typically does with circlets, you know. As for what specifically it does - well, why don't you try to find out? Put it on your head and think about it. Of course, since it is magical, you could ask Lutor to tell you what specifically it does. He has some training in that regard. Before asking for an explanation, you should use all the resources at your disposal - after all, neither I nor the Cardinal will be able to explain things to you on command." She then walks away, still chuckling over your condescension.
Though she never mentions a name other than the Endless Winter, you gather that her patron is somewhat cruel, and also rather esoteric, even among the Winter Witches, most of which worship Baba Yaga, whom many of them are descended from. Her patron's desires seem to be to expand winter over the entire world, regardless of what effects that would have on life in it. You also gather that Mitra is diametrically opposed to this, and Elise will take great pleasure in bringing down the worshipers of the sun god.
Trik remains quite genial, happy to sit and talk about Asmodeus over a glass of wine or two. In particular he seems to emphasize that Asmodeus isn't evil per se, he just looks for opportunities to further his ambitions and goals. His followers will never violate a contract once signed, although they will take advantage of loopholes and other tricks in order to get out of one once they've gotten all the benefit out of it. Conversation with the priest of Asmodeus is very pleasant, but you still have the feeling something is slightly off with him.
You are able to learn that Elise has been telling the truth about where the White Ravens come from, based on the items in her room. You also find that she has been given an unholy symbol of Asmodeus and an iron circlet, as well. You are able to learn much the same about Dostan as well.
Unfortunately, it seems that Trak spends a lot of time in or near his room, because you never see an opening with which you could sneak in and look around. You're able to sneak into Trik's room, but don't find anything out of the ordinary.
After three days, you are once again summoned before Cardinal Thorn. He is once again seated behind the desk in his leather chair, and he smiles as you enter. "“Have you enjoyed your gifts? The iron circlets allow you to move amongst your enemies as one of them. The silver amulets will remind you of your true loyalties. And the other items – well, you need them now.
“You have done well to escape from Branderscar and to accept my offer. However, you are still not ready for my service. Tiadora will lead you to the basement of this domicile. There you will find nine chambers each more dangerous than the last. Somewhere hidden within these chambers is a pendant of silver and sapphire. Recover the pendant and bring it to me. Let nothing and no one stand in your way.”
He stands up and looks out of the manor house window across the grey moor. “It’s almost dusk. You have until dusk tomorrow to bring me my prize. Do not fail me.”
Cardinal Thorn takes a seat at his desk. Tiadora arrives right on cue. “This way,” is all she says.
Cole bow and says nothing to the Cardinal. A smile and nod of agreement he listens, then follows Tiadora. He remains quiet still knowing the lady is unlikely to tell them anything extra and may even get upset if questioned so.
Once they were enroute with Tiadora Gallen spoke up. "I have a proposal for a marching order once we have arrived in the starting area." He refrained from detailing it in front of Tiadora in case the Cardinal would take that as inspiration to adjust the trials ahead to counter them.
"Anyhow. I will continue to check up on you, Grumblejack. You are, after all," and here she gives a thin smile, "smarter than the average ogre. Stick around." And with that, she will depart.
So she hunts down Lutor, and talks to him about the circlet, and -- given Tiadora's derisive response, which was more-or-less what she was after when she goaded her with the condescension -- does take the advice she did give in the elf wizard's presence, putting the circlet on her head and trying to think at it. About ... what? she wonders to herself, then mentally sighs, and considers what she might actively need to do, since Tiadora's implied that it isn't a passive thing, like a defensive ring or some such. Reading minds, seeing secrets, creating a falsehood, causing a spell to manifest ... She lets her mind wander across all the things she's read about, all the while in Lutor's presence so that if something does happen that she can't see, well, maybe he will.
And once they discover its use, Hel spends a moderate amount of time practicing -- imitating the servant in her room, or standing in front of the mirror there and trying different things -- complete falsifications of age, race, and gender, or just enough tweaks to make her unrecognizeable -- a pale left arm and an un-branded right as well as shoulder-length hair and emerald eyes. She considers this last, and tries to fix it firmly in her mind as a default facade.
Alas, in only three days, they don't get too far; there's just too much. So Asmodeus's symbol remains in its home in her belt pouch where, after some thought, she'd placed it after receiving it.
Hel went to the meeting without her gear, of course, it not having been indicated that she should bring it; after all, the last meeting had not demanded weaponry. She listens intently to the words of the Cardinal and High Priest, considering the essential points: nine chambers, a pendant, and one day -- as close to twenty-four hours as makes no difference.
She lifts her head to regard the ceiling of Thorn's study, considering these details for a long minute and affixing them in her mind, then nods. "Fail you we shall not, Your Excellency," she replies, and turns to follow Tiadora to the basement's entrance.
Glancing at Sir Gallen as he speaks, she nods, stopping before the door downstairs (whether at its head or foot is immaterial) to consider the portal with care. "A good thing of which to think, and not something to which I am accustomed. Let us arm ourselves; as you can see," and here she lifts her arms to display her lack of weaponry, "I've only my hands with which to encounter such dangers. Wesh, Sir Gallen, if you need assistance in donning your armor, I would be glad to help in whatever way I can, though I am not knowledgeable in such. Or, if you would help each other, I will go to the kitchen and collect two meals' worth of food for each of us, and let Grumblejack know that we will be ... elsewhere for a time."
She looks over at Tiadora, dislike evident in her gaze, but says with basic courtesy, "Thank you for your guidance, Lady Tiadora."
When Hel returns after getting food and assuring Grumblejack that though she may not come to check in on him for a day or so she is still about, she will appear somewhat different: her hair is down to below her shoulderblades but drawn back into a braid, her eyes are a vivid emerald green, a matching band holds her hair back from her eyes, and the 'blackfist' is now pale, matching her other hand. Should her sleeves ride up, the rest of her left arm is pale as well, and the runic 'F' of the brand of the Forsaken has vanished.
She has the seeming of who she actually is, just ... somewhat altered.
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Once Thiadora is gone and they have gathered their gear Gallen elaborates. "If we can go two by two I suggest Wesh and I in the front row as we are heavily armoured and this will slow us. I'll keep alert for traps."
"Second row is Luthor and Willow, Luthor have you prepared detect magic? If you have it could alert us to magical traps and illusions. Willow I haven't seen you in combat but you are lightly armoured and have a shorter stride so your placement in the second row should allow you to move to support at ranged or melee as seems to best suit your skill set."
"Hel and Cole in the rear. Hel you're skill at range is obvious and it will let you watch our backs for new threats. Cole now that you've chosen your gear I'm not sure if you will focus on spells or more mundane combat but you'll be able to support with the spear with little movement if desired, if you choose to stay back and cast a spell there should be no foes immediately before you."
When the Cardinal finishes speaking, Wesh nods to him and says, "We'll see it done. You will not be disappointed."
Once Tiadora leads them to the basement and Hel and Sir Gallen speak, Wesh says, "Thank you for your offer, Hel. I may take you up on it in the future, but I think Sir Gallen would be best suited for it in this instance. Bringing meals also seems prudent, though I would like to think we'll be done with this task in only a few hours.
"As for the marching order, I think your ordering is good, Sir Gallen. As you said, we will need to keep an eye out for threats from all sides. If the Cardinal means to truly challenge us, we need to be ready for anything."
Wesh will also go retrieve all of his gear and have Sir Gallen help him put it on should the antipaladin oblige. He'll do likewise for Sir Gallen should the man desire it.
When everyone is ready to depart, Wesh will set his greatsword on his armored shoulder, smile at the rest of the group, and say, "Let's go get that pendant."
Cole nods.
"My spells are nothing more then to aid or heal us and they are few at that. I am a soldier. I'm fine falling in wherever you wish me too, but remember the cardinal said 9 chambers each more deadly then the last. Now I'm sure something will be guarding this pendent, but I suspect these rooms to challenge us in ways other then fighting. I am ready."
Cole takes up his position and is ready to go.
Tiadora waits for you to recover your equipment and speak to Grumblejack before she proceeds.
When you go to see him, Grumblejack says, "You want Grumblejack to come? Grumblejack can help smash things."
"We have not been long in the Cardinal's service - he found us after we had looted the tomb of Sir Bartholomew of Matharyn, a famous Mitran paladin who died attempting to overthrow the church of Asmodeus in Cheliax - a foolish errand, that, but one that benefited us greatly. The Cardinal had us smuggled in on a ship - we just arrived in Varyston a couple of days ago, and were brought here."
Lutor does not his amusement and pleasure at hearing of their tale.
"If you could profit by the foolishness of others, and there is no rule barring you from doing so, then you were wise to do so. If the 'good' Sir Bartholomew had been sufficiently venerated by members of his own faith, then his eternal rest would have been properly safeguarded. I wish you all the best in your endeavours against the equally foolish, if currently living, Mitrans on these shores."
Lutor is being quite sincere here. He has already gained pleasing conversation and some small sense of the group's capabilities and ambitions.
Lutor listens carefully to Hel's description, and is mildly amused at the irony of the situation. But he is quite serious in assisting Hel in uncovering the iron circlet's secrets.
"I am fully able to see magical auras if I but concentrate, though it does reveal my position.", he notes.
Lutor describes in great detail what he sees, and his learned analysis of same.
I will have need of Hel's skills in future, and it is most astute to ascertain the properties of these items.
Once the function, or functions, of the circlet are pinned down to both Lutor and Hel's satisfaction, Lutor will add:
"A small example of the benefits of cooperating, Hel. I look forward to more and greater with you."
Lutor replies: "Duly noted, Your Eminence, and appreciated. Any more, we will learn for ourselves."
"Sir Gallen, I believe that marching order will serve us well. I do note a possible loophole: the Cardinal did not explictly say that we could not leave the area in the full day we have allocated to us. We may be able to rest in the mansion. If not, then bedrolls in the basement will certainly suffice with rotating watches. Hel, your assistance is appreciated."
Lutor will acquire all of his gear. His spells memorised, the iron circlet on his brow. He has not changed his seeming - not yet.
Lutor is able to determine that the iron circlet allows one to change their appearance at will, in order to better hide their identity.
Lutor smiles when he works it out.
"This is similar to a hat of disguise, but even more potent. A plane-blooded can disguise that aspect of their nature also."
Though Willow had spent part of their three-day interlude sneaking about -- particularly around the White Ravens and their rooms -- she shed her mousiness when they were called before Cardinal Thorn. She had a deep respect for him despite the short length of time they had known him, and listened carefully to the orders he gave. "Thank you, we will not disappoint you." She assured him with a measure of calm.
Once they were out of his office, however, Willow was bubbling with excitement. "Nine testing chambers!" she gushed. "Papa only had one in our basement, and was mostly just fake doors and chests with practice locks. Cardinal Thorn probably has much better testing chambers. Do you think he's got traps, or some pets or monsters for us to fight?" Unless told to quiet herself, Willow continued her musings the entire time as they followed Tiadora.
When Gallen spoke up about their proposed marching orders, she ho-hummed a little. "Well, yeah, I guess. But unless you're really, really good at spotting traps, you bigguns might want me where I can see where we're going."
Hel does not respond to Lutor's comment about cooperation for several long moments, but does finally glance aside at him, examining the elf the way she might one tool amongst others. "We are now bound together by more than just a similar background. Cooperation is essential." She regards him for a few more moments, then nods again before looking at her reflection, then letting the facade fade away. "Thank you, Lutor Messa. Remember what I've said."
And with that, she turns, gives Lutor another nodded courtesy, and heads back to her own doings.
Inhaling, then releasing a sigh, she decides with real regret, "No, I don't think so. While I suspect future tasks are to be executed as we best see fit, I ... am still rather wary of the Master of this House, and I'd rather not run the risk of aggravating him by doing something that might push the boundaries of his instructions. No; stay here. Get some exercise if you can -- I don't know, do push-ups or something. Remind me to teach you some exercises you can do in your room after I get back."
For a moment, she eyes his gear and the state of his room, then adds, "And you and I may have to talk about the benefits of keeping your gear and your room in order. But again -- later." She looks at the ogre intently, then nods. "Have a good night. I hope to see you by lunchtime tomorrow."
Returning with her gear, Hel nods at Sir Gallen's suggested 'marching order', and she gives him the highest compliment in her wheelhouse: "Well-reasoned. I agree entirely, unless there comes a pressing reason to revise. I do not think," she says with some visible uncertainty -- she really can't bluff to save her life -- "that the Cardinal would throw us into a pit without some sort of warning.
"Or rather," she adds under her breath, "I hope he wouldn't." In a more normal tone of voice she continues. "Throwing someone into deep water to force them to learn quickly is one thing, but just dumping them into a pit is, I hope, another thing entirely. Still, we might take a moment to examine from the entrance any room we are about to enter. But His Eminence is a planner; there should be purpose to each lethality. We ..."
She trails off, frowning to herself once again as she thinks, looking down at the ground. "Hm. I ... will have to think about this." As she does, she gestures for the group to continue -- whether that's conversing or moving on into the chambers beneath the manse.
Lutor nods back, and begins his own experiments with the iron circlet. He wishes to pin down both subtle changes - and not so subtle.
Lutor looks to Hel.
"This test may be intended to winnow out those who can not or will not cooperate. Or just the foolish. Regardless, it appears that we must complete this or suffer consequences."
He turns to Willow.
"It may be a very wise idea to allow you a clear view of the floors, walls, ceilings, and doors in these rooms. If you find a trap trigger, I have a few methods of tripping them reliably at a distance."
"I am not unskilled in such matters Mistress Willow. However this is how to make our way into a room. Once in feel free to move to check for yourself. If someone is standing on the far side of andoor ready to shoot whoever opens it better the heavily armoured members of our group to recieve the aggression. Once no immediate threat is ascertained range forward if you think thst would best aid the group."
"Perhaps I could step to the side if you wish to view. Unseen foes who wished to strike at you would expose themselves to reprisal by Wesh and myself in such an event."
Tiadora leads you to an open door with a set of stone stairs leading down. "Below you will find the Nine Lessons," she says, before walking away. Next to the door is Jarvis, with a table bearing an assortment of potions and scrolls. He offers you a short bow and says, "Should you require any magical aids, I will be here, offering these items for purchase. If you are unable to afford the coin, we can come to an alternate arrangement, I'm sure."
If you take the time to look over the table, you see some potions that heal wounds or help to replenish lost energy. The scrolls appear to be minor utility things. All of them cost roughly 50% more than what they would normally be.
Descending the stone stairs, before you is a stone archway leading into a square room lit by single lantern hanging from the ceiling. Straight ahead of you is a door, and the walls are unadorned.
Carved into the archway, visible in the light from the stairs, are the words, “Deception is a tool. Self-deception is death. Deceive always thy enemy but never thyself.”
Lutor carefully looks over the utility goods, taking mental note of what is there and in what quantities.
We will be fortunate if none of us have to fork out these inflated prices at some stage.
Descending, the elven noble smiles at the sight of the carving.
My thoughts also.
And with that, he takes on the appearance of a heavily armoured, bearded human Mitran soldier. His inspiration being the last one he saw in person.
"It seems to me no coincidence that we were granted circlets that can disguise us - and then the first writing we see tells us to deceive."
"So the circlets have a function. A fine trick." Cole thinks a moment as well and too changes his appearance to that of a generic mitran soldier.
Lutor nods, wielding a suitably generic version of his actual light crossbow.
Willow nodded pensively to Gallen's clarifications. "Yeah, you got a pretty good point. I'd rather not walk face-first into an ambush." She said.
Willow was visibly relieved when Tiadora left them. The introduction to the salesman in the basement was quite odd, however... She made a sour face while looking over his prices, and didn't anticipate buying anything from him, ever. In any other setting she would have considered him a solid mark, but wouldn't be so brazen as to rob one of the Cardinal's own men...even if the greedy fellow had it coming.
Descending the stairs, she eyed the words above the archway with a smirk. They were wise words. Her face lit up with excitement as Lutor used the saying to segue into his revelation about their iron circlets. She had known something was up after Hel's appearance change, but didn't expect it was a gift they had all been given. Willow watched Lutor and Cole change their own appearances, and donned her circlet as well. After a few moments of contemplation, she changed her appearance to that of a small human girl with long, blonde hair and piercing green eyes -- what she imagined Tiadora must have looked like as a child.
Though she looks at and listens to Tiadora as she speaks of what the six of them are entering, she doesn't really seem to be paying too much attention; her brain is still working on the riddle of Adrastus Thorn. When everyone lines up, she takes her place in the back, putting an arrow to her bowstring. Distracted, though, the martial archer starts slightly as ahead of her Lutor's form ripples and changes into that of a soldier; she looks up at the words, reading them with that abstracted expression she gets on her face when her brain is particularly kicked into gear; her head turns, halfway to looking over her shoulder and back at Tiadora.
'Nine Lessons,' she thinks to herself, then takes another look at the carved words before looking into the room beyond. "Interesting. Lesson one, beyond the stated: trust not what you see or hear from anyone but yourself." She considers the changes of appearance of Lutor and Cole, and when Willow becomes a child, lifts her eyebrows. "That," she sighs, "is not going to work, Willow. Good for otherwise, but ... you're still all geared up. Let's be soldiers of Talingarde, Mitrans all."
After a moment of focus her own outfit changes to that of a Talirean archer (the likes of which she's had plenty of opportunity to see in her life before Branderscar), with a boiled-leather blue-and-silver-dyed cuirass, a faded blue cloak, and the hair-band changes its seeming into that of a boiled-leather caplike 'helmet'. She hesitates, then alters one more detail -- her hair goes from her natural black to a coppery red, to go with her equally-false emerald eye color.
Glancing at the others, she suggests, "Cole, you might wear your Archstar openly, but if the crown can do it, change its seeming to that of Mitra; let's give anyone we encounter enough rope with which to hang themselves. Sir Gallen, perhaps the look of a Knight of Alerion would be appropriate for you?"
With those suggestions made, she eyes the door across the way again. "Empty room," she says quietly, talking her way through her logic, "therefore there's a deception. Just one door out -- which should, logically, probably not be the way out. Maybe a blank wall -- but self-deception is death ... trapped? I propose that door is a trap, and the real exit out of here is to be found in one of the other walls." She considers this, then nods. "That seems logical to me. Two of us check the left side, two the right, the last two remain vigilant. I'll go left." Probably because that's the side she's on, done to give Cole room to use his weapons.
She'll start at the corner of the side wall, drawing one of her daggers and using it to poke and probe at the stonework. She moves slowly inwards as she performs her search -- not meticulous, that would take forever, but letting her eye drift to both oddities and too-regular portions to poke with the short blade, taking a minute or two for every five or so feet worth of the wall.
Lutor nods slightly.
"She is speaking sense. That door should be our last resort, if we find no other way forward."
Lutor will assist with Hel's search on the left hand side.
Wesh simply nods in acknowledgment of the riddle. His companion was likely right, so he begrudgingly assumes the form of a Talirean guard, like one of the several he slew while on his murder spree. He makes sure to include Talingarde's symbol on the fake armor and takes Hel's example and alters his hair color and eye color as well.
Wesh looks down at his appearance and is thoroughly disgusted with it. He hopes he doesn't have to look like this for every room's trial.
When the others begin searching the empty walls, Wesh moves to the middle of the room, his greatsword still on his shoulder.
He comments, "If you don't find anything, we probably shouldn't overthink it. Disguising ourselves could have been the test in and of itself to move onto the next room. Could be a simply matter of pulling the door open and passing through now that we're disguised."
Wesh will watch as the others search the walls. Should they find nothing, he'll go over to the apparent door and examine it carefully for a couple minutes.
As he searches, he replies to Wesh:
"That could be the case Wesh. But I for one do not think that is a safe assumption to make in this place."
Cole nods agreeing.
"If we spread out each go section by section maybe we will find something. I suggest we search the entire room even if we find a door as there may be multiple exits as this rooms lesson is deception."
Gallen adopts the appearance of a soldier in line with Wesh rather than a knight. Finding Cole's suggestion reasonable and he starts checking his section for traps and secret doors. "Lutor, have you checked the area for magical auras? The effect could be obfuscated or completely mundane in nature but it would be best to avail of all assets at our disposal."
Searching the North wall, Hel finds a hidden door. Opening it reveals a small niche, within which is a pedestal that holds a jewel that glows with pale blue light. Above the pedestal are the words, "Thou hast seen through deception to uncover a useful tool."
This 'jewel' is actually a cleverly crafted bit of sealed quartz, within which is alchemist's ice.
As she goes to check the eastern wall with the door, Willow discovers that the 10 feet in front of the door has been rigged to collapse should anyone step on it, likely dumping them into a pit of some kind.
Searching the southern wall, Gallen is able to find another secret door, this one revealing a short passageway south that ends in another door, above which are carved the words, "Following the herd is for fools. Fear not their icy derision. Instead, fear only thy Infernal Lord."