How bout we finish the mission then get a drink? quips the priestess
Bottom line, you got through it, you can join the crew here I'm sure and get some payback
Farasha glances around and acknowledges the officers as they arrive.
It is good to have an early victory in the campaign, they won't all be so one-sided. If you need me for anything I will be attending the wounded
She spends the next few hours ensuring the paladins are well taken care of, healed up and rested.
Irra blinks, pondering, then nods. "...payback works. It's been awhile since I've had a unit, could be nice to be part of again, even if I won't be leading it. I'm in."
Kazul eyes the tiefling suspiciously, as he scrubs cultist blood off his arms and armor after the battle. "The others may be quick to trust, but I will be watching you."
"Where is Nurah? Did the halfling fall in battle?" Kazul starts looking through the village and among the corpses.
"She wasn't in the battle. She was supposed to be with the supply wagons."
The others nod. "She was with us," Sosiel says, "I saw her just prior to the army's charge."
Kazul heads to the supply wagons and then the outskirts, looking for the halfling.
"A halfling has gone missing during the battle? Could she..."
No... I can't just go ahead and say something like that, just based on some demon's careless taunts... Not when they still have little reason to trust me.
As she abruptly ends her sentence, Arlena glances at Irra.
I wonder if Irra made the same connection?
A think human with piercing blue eyes and a neck-length mop of sandy blond hair steps forward. Wearing just robes and a cloak, he looks rather out-of-place on the battefield, and the expression on his face is a bit out of sorts as well.
"I'm Fabian," he says by way of introduction to the newcomers.
Shaking his head, he looks at his companions. "We've fought a lot in close quarters, and small battles against cultists, but this big battlefield stuff-- it's all a bit overwhelming. I'm still adapting to that. Really more of a scholar, myself...!"
Farasha bumps in to Kazul as he nears the supply wagon she is retrieving bandages from, and she nods her assent to the news of the missing halfling. Once she has attended to her current patient she had a quick scout around herself to look for any signs.
Fabian will follow after Kazul, saying to Irabeth and Sosiel before he goes, "Did Nurah carry any special individual or distinctive items? I might be able to employ a Locate Object to see if it is nearby, and by association, if she is."
Kazul bends down near the wagons, finding the tracks of small figure near one of the horses. A halfling's tracks. Seems like whoever it was spent a lot of time around Erin's horse.
Kazul looks around Erin's horse. Any compartments or pockets on the saddle or gear? Maybe she was looking for something. Take 10 for Perception 23.
Kazul's search turns up four vials of a dark, purplish liquid. Stoppered with cork and wax, and wrapped in a sealskin, these vials are clearly something of value.
By now the officer group has followed the three of you to where Kazul makes his search, worried about Nurah's disappearance. They arrive just as Kazul unwraps the vials. The reaction from two of the officers is immediate and visceral. Sosiel whirls on Erin, grabbing her by both shoulders and giving her a shake. "How could you? You made a promise! A PROMISE!"
Erin can only stutter. "B-but, I didn't! I-I swear!" Her face is white, and her eyes never leave the vials in Kazul's hands.
Irra watches on, making certain that the bags are opened in the soldiers' presence. She makes no comment at the discovery.
Fabian raises an eyebrow. He looks at Sosiel and Erin. "What is this? What is the meaning of this? What are these vials?"
Does Fabian recognize what they are? He will cast Detect Magic to scan them, but will also base his judgement on scent (without sniffing too deeply; safety first!), appearance, viscosity, etc.
Arlena follows along with the officer group, deep in thought and with a worried expression on her face.
As she hears the shouts from one of the officers, she focuses on the scene in front of her, trying to understand what the tiefling woman is being accused of.
Kazul waits patiently to be told what is in the vials.
The priestess almost immediately discerns what might have happened.
Sosiel! she draws his attention
There is history here that we are not aware of, that much is obvious, but think about where you are and how your actions are going to seem to those under your command
She closes the distance to stand with Erin
I'm presuming those are something forbidden you might have had dealings with before, and judging by your reaction you are as surprised to see them there as we are. Who else knew?
Moving forward Bollwerk frowns and looks at the vials as if they were alive, something poisonous. Looking at Erin then at Sosiel he shrugs. "Erin, maybe it is time for a confession! If you want, you can follow Farasha, or me, but we need answers."
Adressing Irabeth Bollwerk whispers."Let us give the others work to do! Like cleaning, collecting weapons or such! Idle hands breed idle thoughts!"
Arlena shoots Bollwerk a reproving look, before addressing he group.
Pushing for a confession? Guilty until proven innocent, right? You'd think the tiefling paladin would be more sympathetic...
"Are we not being too hasty and jumping to conclusions here? I agree with lady Farasha - Lady Erin looks just as surprised at this discovery. Maybe she is telling the truth? I lack your knowledge of any previous situations that might leave little room for doubt, but please, do not let them cloud your judgement so easily."
Arlena looks over everyone before letting out a heavy sigh, and you can see a hint of nervousness as she adds:
"Especially because were you looking at this from my position, you might be thinking something quite different about this situation."
"Now, I know a tiefling's word is worth less than nothing..." Arlena focuses her eyes on Kazul as she says this. "But there is something that has been worrying me ever since you mentioned a halfling woman was missing, which I was reluctant to share for obvious reasons. But considering what led us here..."
"I told you before that the enemy knew you were coming. But not how they knew. Someone had told them. A "small one". A woman."
Looking at Arlena Bollwerk replies.
"I do not judge him. I think he has something on his soul, something that eats on him. A confession cleans the soul, erases the guilt."
As soon as she says a small one, a woman bollwerk eyes start to blaze.
"How do you know? What did you not tell us before?"
At Arlena's words, Kazul speaks, "I know nothing of Erin's guilt. I followed the halfling's tracks to this horse and took a hunch. If the vials were planted or if Erin had dealings with the halfling, I do not know. She does seem genuinely surprised but I am more curious about her promise. What did she promise to do or more likely, not do?"
Sosiel and Erin look at each then the cleric turns to you, still with an arm on his friend. "Tell them."
"NO!" the tiefling woman says, recoiling. That's none of their business!" She takes two steps backwards, gesturing with one arm, a short chopping motion. "I made a promise, and I told you I didn't break it!" Her voice quavers, but her eyes do not leave the vials.
Sosiel looks stern, but his voice his calm. "Erin, this looks bad. You know it. They have their concerns because..."
"Because I'm different! Because I'm a tiefling? 'A tiefling's word is less than nothing', is that it?" She turns on Bollwerk. "You should know better! You should understand! A confession? For what? Because I'm a tiefling...like you!"
"Erin..." Sosiel begins, but the woman isn't listening. She tears away from the group and runs back to her where the tents have been set. She disappears into hers. Sosiel follows her, calling her name.
At this point Nurah appears, coming around from the far side of the wagons. "I heard shouting, what's going on?"
Looking at the tiefling woman Bollwerk shakes his head.
"STOP it RIGHT NOW! In this building. You two, Irabeth and Farasha. This madness will stop RIGHT NOW! We have to talk." Leading the others into the room Bollwerk closes the door and speaks up.
[b]"I am not the sharpest sword in this army, but if I am not completly wrong, Erin, once you had a weakness for whatever is in those vials! You overcame it and promised to never use it! True?" After a moment he continues."If so I am very, very proud of you! It takes strength and conviction and few manage. I also think you never added them into your saddlebag. Now why I want to hear from you what it is, is that someone tried to trick you. In a diabolical way. I ask for your faith, that I believe you, but I have faith in you. And I will tell you something more. If you look into my eyes and tell me you were tricked, I will find who did that to you, and I will be show my VERY displeasure with this person! Not because you are a tiefling. Not inspite you are a tiefling. But because he tried to hurt a sister. Because every true crusader is my sister, is my brother. No matter the colour of the skin, no matter what he did before but because he is now ready to storm the gates in hell with me! Am I crystal clear?"
Then Bollwerk will put a hand on Erins shoulder and just say...."I have faith in you!"
Irra doesn't look too concerned and goes looking for a drink, leaving this drama to sort itself out.
Farasha watches the drama unfold, her gaze flicking between all the officers. Finally she follows Erin to her tent and knocks on the pole before walking straight in.
I think, I hope, you need someone to talk to, perhaps someone who has no knowledge of the past and brings no history to this situation. Do you want to talk?
She points to her pendant
I don't know who you worship, but I promise on Dreamweaver herself that if you don't want me to repeat anything you say, then I won't.
She dismisses any repeat of Erin's earlier argument
Not only do I trust Bollwerk to protect my back in the midst of a demon army, but not an hour ago I trusted my instincts that Arlena was on the side of good. Something tells me your words were true, you didn't know those vials were there. Can you think of anyone that might have placed them there to frame you? Anyone who would benefit from you being under the effect of whatever it is they are?
Farasha waits patiently, and offers no judgement, only a friendly ear or shoulder, whatever is needed.
Farasha and Irra have both left... And could this one be the halfling woman we were talking about? Tiefling's mistrust seems to run just as deep here as everywhere else, and after what I just said...
Arlena looks awkwardly at everyone still remaining with the group.
I want to go help Erin, but I'm not sure she'd welcome a person she doesn't even know...
Arlena's eyes focus on Bollwerk. She nervously approaches him, scared of the fire in his eyes when she told them about the halfling woman potential treachery.
"Lord Bollwerk... Could... Could I have a word with you?"
She hopes Bollwerk follows her along so they can talk away from the group, but will say the following even if he doesn't want to leave. Her tone sounds sad and apologetic as she speaks.
"I believe you spoke with genuine concern for Lady Erin and a great desire to help but put yourself in her shoes... By trying to help with a problem she said she didn't have anymore, you were implicitly not trusting her words. And trust might have been what she needed the most.
My attempt to help didn't fare any better however. I was hoping it would at least give her the benefit of the doubt, but I might have just made things worse for us both. I just hope you can believe me."
"I'm sure most will not. You asked me how I knew. The enemy commander said so as she was taunting us. Make of that what you will. I can recall nothing more of what she said besides what I already told you."
Fabian says, "May I see one of the vials? I fear that the implications of this could be grim."
If he is given one of the vials, he will open it, and inspect it, and see if he can confirm what he thinks it is.
"From what many of you are saying, I gather many of you know about this already, but are beating around the bush because you don't want to say it out loud. I suggest that we just be straight and come out with it."
Erin sits in her tent, arms wrapped around her knees, head buried in them. Sosiel sits next to her, trying to console her. When Farasha walks in, they both look up.
"Farasha..." Sosiel begins.
"Get lost." Erin snaps, cutting the man off. She refuses to speak any more to anyone else.
--------------
Outside, Nurah looks back and forth at each person in turn, then shrugs her shoulders when no one acknowledges her and walks back to her tent.
Her words die on her lips as Erin tells Farasha to go away. She nods her head, and addresses Sosiel
I'm here if either of you want to talk to someone who won't ever judge
She bows and moves back out of the tent, before returning to helping the wounded.
Bollwerk will follow Arlena, listening carefully to her words.
For a moment Bollwerk ponders his answer."I am a man of simple truths. I lack the education many have, so my solutions are simpler.
I thank you for your chastication, it is warmly accepted. But please understand this, we are a small army deep in enemy territory. If one of my officers has or had a problem, it can be dangerous to us all. If he has a problem, we have to help him solve it. If he had a problem, well an old problem can hurt you and make you prone to blackmail. Or false accusations. I believe the accusations are fabricated, but they did achieve their goal. The generated mistrust. And that means we have to win trust again!"
The day ends without any further incident. Irabeth has the army up and ready to move before dawn. Crossing the ford, you enter the Worldwound for the first time. It's like crossing into another world. The sky is darker, the air thicker. You can see the green fields grass back across the Sellen in Mendev, but here the ground is all dirt and rock.
The re is no easy route inland from where you are. The cliffs loom large on your right as you head north, with the river on your right. It isn't until you get to Keeper's canyon that you can turn east and head towards Drezen.
The mood and the landscape has never been darker or more terrifying, but conversely Irra has never been cheerier. "On the march with a good army of good people for a good cause? How could I complain?" she remarks to anyone who asks her.
She moves through the ranks calling out Andoran marching songs, keeping the soldiers' spirits up.
"Got a letter in the mail,
Go to war or go to jail,
Got a letter in the ma-a-a-ail
In the early morning rain "
"You are right. We need to get back everyone trust in Lady Erin, and her trust in us as well. And if possible, make sure this situation is never repeated."
"And... I'm sorry if that came out too aggressive. I'm... I'm not the best person with words. I definitely didn't mean to chastise you. I was hoping you would take it more as some... friendly advice? You have achieved something amazing here, Lord Bollwerk. I've noticed how these soldiers looked and responded to you, both here and in battle. They respect you. They trust you. They see you as one of their own. That is something out of reach for most of our kind. It gives me hope. And I would like to help you maintain it as much as possible."
----------------------------------------------------
The next day, Arlena looks around the army, trying to spot the people she knows.
Irra seems to be doing a great job keeping the army's morale up. And she seems to be enjoying herself a great deal as well. I'll let her out of the drama for now. She can always join in when she sees us talking.
She looks around for Bollwerk and Farasha and goes to meet with them.
"Good day Lord Bollwerk and Lady Farasha. We should be approaching Keeper's Canyon shortly, correct? From what I heard when we were captured, the enemy should have a large force waiting for us there. They are probably aware of our march, given the enemy's commander absence at our previous battle, or thanks to their unknown informant."
"On that note, I wonder if you had any ideas on how to catch her. It would help to clear Lady Erin's name, as well as get rid of an enormous vulnerability. I'm sure you know who I suspect, but I believe my word won't stand against hers."
Farasha instinctively looks behind her when Arlena addresses her as 'Lady', she catches herself, smiling and shaking her head.
Arlena, I'm no high-born noble, if you're more comfortable using a title, my correct one is 'priestess', but I really would rather you just called me 'Farasha'!
she smiles at the tiefling to reassure her.
Now, I've no head for military matters so we'd best walk and tell Irabeth, no doubt your information will prove useful alongside the other intelligence she must be gathering.
Upon mention of an informant, she bites her lip.
Without any indication of who it might be, that's a difficult task to achieve. We could try and keep an additional secret watch, not tell anyone else about it? There might be a magical way of detecting if communications or visits are happening where they shouldn't, but Fabian would know more about the options there. Shall we go see Irabeth then go on to our friendly wizard?
she drops her voice to a whisper
We should probably hunt out some meat to bribe his new kitten with, that way we might get his attention for a few minutes!
she winks.
With a smile Bollwerk adresses Farasha."Ha, get used to be called lady, Farasha. It is a title of merit, and very well and very hard earned. You are a beacon of faith, of respect and trust. And... we need you .. in all three things!" Adressing the military matters Bollwerk nods. "Knowing that a trap is waiting is the first step to elude it. Maybe we can even use it to our advantage."
About the informant the tiefling frowns, showing very sharp pointy teeth. "That is for wiser and more erudite persons to find out, I think my bullheading has already caused some problems. Maybe... Fabian has an ace up his sleeve!"
Arlena smiles back at Farasha: "I was just making sure I wasn't being disrespectful. But I will follow your wishes on the matter, Farasha."
"Regarding our options, maybe we should consult with your wizard friend first? Consider: When it becomes known that the enemy is waiting for us, the informant will likely try to pass that on to the enemy, and if she is successful, we will lose any advantage we might have had. If we're prepared for it, however, we might just catch her in the act."
Ah now Arlena, what good manners you have, duly noted! laughs the priestess.
She turns to Bollwerk
That was a kind thing to say Lord, but I think it better to be known as an agent of Desna rather than have my title connotate nobility in some way. All the things you say can and will be true, I am happy to embrace my role as a beacon, but let it be the light of Desna shining through me that all see, I am simply my goddess' representative here on Golarion! she smiles.
Come let us go and bother our resident master of arcane energies...
The group makes their way to find Fabian
Fabian we have need of your knowledge please... know you anything about how to use magic to trap an informant in the act, red handed!?
Kazul corners Nurah later, alone. "I saw your tracks halfling around Erin's horse, where they found the shadowblood. Did you put it there? Are you her dealer or did you set her up? What were you doing around her horse?"
"I thought I saw someone creeping around the horses. I was stalking them, then you all came blundering along and scared them away. So if that's all, good day!"
"I didn't see any tracks other than yours around her horse, Nurah. I trust my skills more than your word." With that he leaves, promising himself to keep an eye on the halfling.
Having boosted the troops' spirits, Irra tries to gather some information from them, finding out if anyone has seen odd behavior that might indicate an informant. She appeals to their sense of camaraderie, claiming to be one of the rank-and-file rather than an officer.
Fabian says, "There is magic that can catch people red-handed, but it's not perfectly reliable. And, it may be fairly invasive to the rest of you. Let me think on it, and figure out what I can do."
Fabian would love to cast Detect Thoughts and start scanning people, but alas he doesn't have that spell in his spellbook.
He will ask Muriel his cat to slink stealthily (looking for love and pets and maybe treats if caught) to spy on pretty much everybody, looking for suspicious behavior, each night at camp. While we're travelling, Muriel will usually be in the familiar satchel, but she'll be out and about at camp.
Muriel has a +8 in Stealth, a +9 in Perception, and a +0 in Sense Motive. Assume she's taking 10 on the first two, but roll the third one if it comes up. Muriel will report back to Fabian regularly; she does have "Speak with Master"