I will move us along tomorrow.
Moving on to Court Intrigue.
To gain approval to be allowed to enter the shrine, you must receive a majority vote, 2 out of 3.
You may talk to Daimyo Haraka Kasashige, Lady Ishigo Shiori, Lord Mata Ryuu.
You may decide who you wish to approach first to try and persuade to let you in.
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You may talk to Daimyo Haraka Kasashige, Lady Ishigo Shiori, Lord Mata Ryuu.
Wiem Weems Finyik addresses the Daimyo, as one soldier to another. He honors the long held tradition of the house and the importance of duty in a military life. "we do not live as long as the elves do, so we grippli depend on traditions and stories handed down from generation to generation. When the elders give us a tale it is not merely to entertain us but to bind us to the promises of the past. As Wiem Weems Finyik understands the Master's path to enlightenment, this bond is maintained by the individual. "Making it more focused than the long-lived elves even those with great lineage and houses."
Only open the spoiler pertaining to the person you are in a conversation with.
"Hello again, are you having a good time"
@ Wiem"Yes we do live a long while, and I have spent most of my time thinking about the past"
He requires a diplomacy check
She will need a sense motive check.
wine, and seems a bit senile. As Shiori approaches he rushes towards her and takes one of her paws?, in his and half shouts at her.
"Greeting's Outsider, How are you doing this fine night"
He requires a sense motive check
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Having enjoyed their time mingling with the festivities, Amarok looks troubled when the group split to appease their hosts as high society was not his forte. Deciding to try and be a sober partner to Calomel's overcharged sex-drive, Amarok approaches Lady Shiori and bows low in respect.
"Greetings my lady, please allow me to pay respect for your loss, life must be cherished at all times. My name is Amarok, though many call me the Sandstrider. Please, would you indulge an ignorant outsider about the festival?"
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Lurgh had heard that in some places elves and orcs did not get along due to generations of fighting, but Lurgh, due to the unusual circumstances of his upbringing harbored no such prejudice.
He approached the Daimyo respectively with a deep bow and began to address him in Tien.
"Most honored Daimyo Kasashige. We humbly seek your permission to enter the burial chamber of your revered ancestor. We have come on behalf of the one who once lived as Malash of Hongal. The one whose fate was so entwined with your ancestor. Allow us to unravel the mysteries of the path together and witness for yourself what we will do."
@Lurgh will need a diplomacy check please.
@Amarok and Colomel, you sense that the affectionate words are not for her late husband.
"Ah, the outsiders. The festival all leads up to the Moonrise ceremony, and has been occuring for as long as us Elves can remember. It only occurs twice a year for a couple of minutes. When the full moon strikes the mirror through the cave mouth, then reflects into the pool on the ceiling. Anyone standing within the light of it gains good luck. If you believe that sort of thing...Now, why don't you tell me why you are really here and why do you want to enter the chambers."
@Shiori, you believe he is just senile. "Oh yes, very nice festival"
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Amarok listens to the Lasy's words thoughtfully, her children, I have heard the Elven offspring can be rare. The monk ponders as the wonders of the festival are spelled out so plainly.
"I apologise if it seems we were trying to divert you, we have been tasked by the reborn self of Malash, he is missing memories and believes they may br tied up in artefacts of his past, such as Malash's remains in the shrine. We will not touch nor disturb the shrine."
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"Lady Ishigo Shiori, we know this is a difficult time for you, as you are still in mourning. However, we both know that legacies are important, and we seek to establish the legacy of one of our own, who lived a previous life as a hero of this area. If we can have access to the chambers, we can find the artifact we need to cement our friend's legacy in history."
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Kyra provides as much as she can.
Kyra shadows each attempt to gain favor praying that Sarenrae light the party's path. Mostly she watches from the sidelines keeping her ear open but intervenes when Lugh seems to stumble.
"Most honored Daimyo Kasashige. We humbly seek your permission to enter the burial chamber of your revered ancestor. We have come on behalf of the one who once lived as Malash of Hongal. The one whose fate was so entwined with your ancestor. Allow us to unravel the mysteries of the path together and witness for yourself what we will do."
"That is to say that some questions can be unnecessary burdens to one's soul. No sire would willingly burden their descendants with such a great weight. Best to have faith in one's friends, family and self, and lay such questions to rest."
@Lurgh, Kyra and Wiem: "Yes and to continue this legacy is a up hill battle. The clans alliances are slowly eroding, and there is nothing I feel that can stop it."
Now from you three, I will need another Diplomacy check or a bluff check to bolster his confidence.
@ Shiori, the Lord now just seems to be staring off into space.
@Calomel and Amarok. You here her whisper something about a "grave mistake"."If you do not mind, I must attend to something." She turns quickly and abruptly away from you sending her hat falling off, revealing a head of densely knotted white hair.
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Seeing Calomel's mad dash, Amarok moves quickly, easily keeping apace with the Paladin he is taken aback by Calomel's words, he thought the man was a gentle soul.
"Your mistake, did it cause the deaths of your children? I can see why you would not like this to leak out, but mayhaps we can help? Otherwise rumour may slip and your part will be played as much worse in unknowing minds."
@ lurgh, Kyra and Wiem. "Perhaps you are correct. Maybe tonight we can strengthen it. As for your entrance into the shrine. I will vote in your favor. However, I will honor our laws and tradition if the vote goes against you."
@Amarok and Calomel. "Fine,I will tell what you wish to hear. Once, a Long time ago, I was in love with Lord Mata Ryuu. I caught him with a female samsaran with black hair like a shroud, she stole him from me. Once I heard that the reincarnation of the female was near enlightenment, I saw the opportunity to strike and to get my vengeance of the woman who stole my love. But you say, that he does not remember that life. I am ashamed. I will help you gain access to the shrine, as long as you keep my shame a secret."
An Lord Mata Ryuu is just mingling about the room.
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Amarok thinks about it for a moment and then cautiously makes their way over to Lord Ryuu, bowing low as befits an elf of his stature and age. Rising gracefully he speaks to the lord, his words formal and stiff. Smelling the sour wine, the Monk keeps his fave passive.
"Well met my Lord, a fascinating spectacle and one I am glad to have witnessed. Pray tell, what do you know of Malash?"
Amarok, you believe he is under psychic control.
"Greeting outsiders"He half shouts at the rest of the party. He shakes every ones hands if he everyone approached him.
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Amarok takes a step back respectfully after shaking hand with the old Lord, he then keeps his voice low as he informs his companions whilst they await their turn.
"He is under some sort of dominance, I believe we should tell him of such to try and help him break the enchantment."
If there are no objections to the plan, the honourable Monk steps up the Old Lord and bows, keeping his voice low and casting furtive glances a the others gathered in the hall he speaks to the man in a serious tone.
"My Lord, forgive me but I believe you are being controlled in some way, you must fight against the control and shake it off, for the good fo yourself and your honoured family!"
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Amarok watches the dishonourable display in shock, he expected such behaviour from orcs but not a clan of Elves and he sighs to see greed and jealousy win out here. He apologises to the Daimyo for any trouble they have caused before speaking with him when they are alone.
"Honoured Daimyo, I do hope your clan can be restored, there is one thing I must warn you. Lord Mata Ryuu is controlled, though by whom I cannot say. His apparent senility is but an act, I do hope you can break the enchantment. We tried to tell him so that he could break it, which may have caused that dishnourable display."
In the cavern Amarok bows reverently to the dead before assisting with moving the screen.
At the mention of mind control, Lord Mata Ryuu panics and runs away into the crowd. Vanishing away in plains sight.
At this point, the Daimyo names a proxy in the Lord's place prior to the ceremony. His neice named Mata Mieko.
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At the mention of mind control, Lord Mata Ryuu panics and runs away into the crowd. Vanishing away in plains sight.
At this point, the Daimyo names a proxy in the Lord's place prior to the ceremony. His neice named Mata Mieko.
"Hello, I am Kyra, originally of Katapesh." She stares off in the direction of the fleeing Ryuu. What in the Heavens did Amarok say to him?!
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Amarok bows the proxy, and apologises deeply for the sudden disappearance of her House Lord. The Monk is as stiff and formal as ever, but deigns not to say anything about Lord Ryuu's sudden disappearance unless asked, to avoid the trouble it may bring.
"I apologise, the festival is a grand affair and we would like to keep it's honour intact, however Malash's reborn form has asked us to see commune with the bones of his friend so that he may learn more of his shrouded past."
Mata Mieko, looks down at her feet sheepishly, being handed a lot of responsibility at once. "Oh...Ok, I guess I see no problem with it."
Daimyo Haraka Kasashige walks to the center of the room and silence shortly follows.
"Distinguished family members and guest, I Daimyo Haraka Kasashige come before you to bring a matter to vote. Our honored guest have sought our permission to enter our shrine, so they can learn of an ancestors past. Of course, this type of request is unusual and should only be accepted if we have a majority for. If not, they will not be allowed to enter. In this matter, I support and say yes to allowing them to enter. Lady Ishigo Shiori, what say you?"
The crowd opens up revealing Lady Ishigo Shiori and contemplates for a second before thinking."I also agree. I believe these guest shall look upon the past, so mistakes may be forgiven."
"Thank you Lady Ishigo Shiori. Now for the last family. Due to Lord Mata Ryuu's sudden disappearence, I shall pose this question to his Proxy Mata Meiko, what is your say?"
Mata Meiko again looks to her feet before answering, "I do not see a reason not to let them go in. So yes they have my vote"
Daimyo Haraka Kasashige opens his arms and raises to the heavens. "Very well, I believe this vote shall bring the elves of Jinen together for years to come."
Unfortunately, this decision provokes discontent among the younger scions, who are suspicious of meddling outsiders.
Haraka makes his way to the PC's "I shall escort you to my families shrine."
But before he has the chance, the enmity between the clans boils over first. The scions continue hurling abuse, shoving each other away from the mirror, and each family claims that the others are unworthy of their ancestors’ blessings. Finally, one reckless elf jostles Kasashige and he falls, shattering the mirror before it can
reflect the moonlight.
Silence once again covers the crowd as Kasashige regains his feet, "How dare you all, this should happen after the families came together. This type of disrespect, especially in front of outsiders. From this point on, the alliance is over." With that he turns away and gestures for the PC's to follow him.
Daimyo Kasashige leads the PC to the shrine opens the gate to it. He makes a slight gesture with one of his hands, and then looks to the PC's, "You may enter. I shall wait outside and think on the events that just unfolded, Bakten would weep to see his greatest deed undone.”
As you enter the shrine, The candle of conveyance glows, displaying a white halo that becomes brighter as you go deeper into the shrine.
DC 24 Spellcraft check to correctly perform this ritual gains a +1 bonus to her effective caster level
This chamber contains the crypts of several dozen deceased elven nobles, including Daimyo Haraka Sorin, whose skull the PCs need to examine using the candle of conveyance. The crypts are dug into the stone walls and covered with inset metal screens, allowing visitors
to view the revered remains. However, seismic shifting has caused the skull of Haraka to roll out of sight, so to complete their mission, the PCs must detach the screen, which requires a DC 16 Strength check.
Amarok approaches the metal grate and pops it off with ease. He reaches in and grabs the skull of Sorin. Whoever is holding the candle, places it next to the skull. In a few seconds the candle light changes to blue, concluding Batken's examination of the skull.
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Amarok steps away from the sarcophagus in reverence and gently places the skull, watching in fascination as the candle turns blue. Looking puzzled at Shiori the Monk keeps his peace as the caster performs a strange ritual in the shrine.
"Well, once the Candle has turned back that would see us finished here and back to travelling. After replacing the relics. The disarray from the elves was disconcerting however, maybe the younger generations have connection to the assassins?"