As the last red rays of Saemmyr’s setting sun begin to set, and the feint outlines of her four moons - Porl, Cym, Xednar, and Atloh (the last only the barest suggestion of an outline) – start to form an outline in the inky black curtain of the approaching night, you step down the path toward the ranger encampment nestled against the southern marshy border of the lesser lake. Up ahead someone has started a fire, the succulent smell of rosemary and garlic roast venison wafts toward you. The path at points turns to slatted boards of timber and up ahead, surrounding the fire, you see several small huts, drying racks, fish lines, and lines for herbs. A ranger, as so many outdoorsman have for eon after eon, is singing to himself as he prepares his evening meal. In the fading twilight you can make out a man sitting on stump at the water’s edge, tuning a mandolin, and about the fire you can see the forms of three other rangers. As you approach the camp and pass the first hut on your right, a man is seated in a chair and whittling away on a piece of birch. He doesn’t look up from his task, but greets you: “Evening. Welcome.”
(Keeping one eye wary of the deepening shadows about...)
Perception:
I lick my lips at the smell of the meat. Pushing past Aegwyn, robes swirling, I see the mandolin and call out: "Aha! A fellow music-maker! Mind if I try?" I approach the man with a friendly air, attempting to mask my slight fear of being robbed by ruffians in the woods.
Bluff:
(My interest in playing the instrument, however, is genuine.)
The ranger at the water's edge gives you a glance somewhere between amusement and confusion, but silently hands you his mandolin: "Have a pick, Friend. Not often tegan come to these parts. I suppose that the signs and portents of your kind have said you were to tell a tale on my mandolin today. If that's the case, so be it, all I ask if that you not pocket it when you're done. I have more reason to be afraid of your kind than you do of mine. Come now. Sing if you can, a tale of life among the painted caravans."
Aeqwyn hunkers down on her heels and offers some bread from her pack to the ranger preparing the evening meal.
Thank you for sharing your fire with us. She nods towards Toranindracar. This should be good. Not often I've seen a Brother playing for his dinner.
Her face breaks into a smile as she settles down to hear Toranindracar play - honestly intrigued by the little Tegan.
The ranger takes some of the bread, tearing off a hilt, nods his head in appreciation and motions toward the roasting venison, spitted and slowly turning over the fire: There's more than enough for all of us, the bounty of Carnonos, given to Foichtrûnn, this morning. You'd all be more than welcome to sup with us, if it be your pleasure. Welcome.
I've heard many a story of the tegan, some good, others not so much. I've a fondness for trading song and tale and would love to hear a ballad or two. Come, join us by the fire. What brings you here friends?"
For just a moment, Varan hangs slightly back, keeping a watchful – though not particularly suspicious – eye on the proceedings. When the offer of supper is made, he bows his head graciously, addressing the speaker, “The hospitality of your fire is much appreciated.”
He then gives the others of his party a quick sidewards glance, and a bit of a wry smile, indicating that he is in no wise fit to explain the events up to this point.
"Ah, well, sadly I've not much of a singing voice and haven't memorized any songs for singing. But what our songs may lack in lyrics they make up for in poetry, you'll find."
I ease into a song with some poignant chords, but some of the notes are clearly off, and it's obvious I'm a bit out of practice.
Finger-picking a bittersweet tune of travels:
"Oh, well. I'm no professional, alas. A bit better at playing with a bow, I'm afraid, and the fiddle has a different sound. But you get the idea. Much obliged. Oh, and I'm called Zairitem Toranindracar. These are my, er, colleagues."
"Friends, we bid you all welcome. I am Brogdar, son of Tarchudd the Hunter. Over there, the quiet one with the scar is Bhárujun of the Julkagh", he bellows loudly and Bhárujun smirks, "Murgaat is there, although I suspect not for long, and Foichtrûnn is among the most skilled spearmen to have walked the forests. You passed Azargan on your way in, he is the eldest and wisest of our group. Surely we are a diverse group, but not half as much as your strange troope. Please, sup with us and share our food, but only if you first answer the question I posed earlier, what brings you to our camp and the Ranger's Walk? Thomi, you are the leader of this group of companions? The Walk fares well, the hunt is plentiful and the forest and her trees are at peace. We serve the grove and all life which dwells within her, but I suspect you serve other masters. How can we help you on your quest? For surely you do not expect me to believe that a tegan, members of the Mages, an ethereal Valgaardian, and two foreign princelings, the one shifty and aware of something, the other who looks as deadly as he is at ease, are out together for an evening stroll," he trails off into a smile.
"Ha, princelings!? Ah, yes, quite right, I suppose! One must admit our alliance is one of convenience, and is a bit unusual, but shifty? Heh. I prefer my companions shifty. Keeps the unknown dangers at bay, you understand. Keeps would-be enemies on their toes."
Sense Motive:
"But, of course, you are correct. We come in search of information regarding an associate -- a fellow Brother, by the name of Kal'ishal. We were led to understand he might come through here at times and hoped someone might know anything about him, or about the dæthol lass called Anwyn, with whom he was very close, at least until recently. I don't suppose any of you might be able to help?"
Bijannar walks up to the group and nods.
Azargan moves silently into the edge of the fire's light, his whittling knife in one hand, his piece of birch in the other as he props a knee up on the stones surrounding the fire pit and investigates the roasting venison. "This is well caught Foichtrûnn, the Grove has blessed you with her bounty this morning. For surly she knew that we would be entertaining guests this evening and would need to offer them our hospitality," he looks deep and meaningfully at Toranindracar as if to say, "Isn't that so?". "Ay, I think I know of whom you speak, although I did not know his name til just now. What business have you with him?"
Varan quirks an eyebrow. “Princelings? Word flies on swift wings in the Ranger’s Watch, it seems. There are men in Mtol Dærine with whom I’ve broken bread a hundred times who have no inkling as to my lineage.” He chuckles softly as he makes himself comfortable. “Has a dasun woman by the name of Red been wandering out this way and telling stories about me, perchance?”
To Varan (with a look of disgust):
"...What would such a woman know of ... eh, forget it."
To Azargan:
"Excellent, friend! Yes, well, while I can't speak for my strange bedfellows, my business is on behalf of the Brotherhood, of course. And personal, I must admit. He was a ... friend ... once upon a time. It seems fate has brought us all together tonight! What sort of dealings have you had with Kal'ishal? Did he come out here at some point in the past few days, perhaps?"
|
Diplomacy:
Let's be frank and forthright, and cut to the chase. We all have an interest in where Kal'ishal might have been recently. He has met a tragic end and we suspect foul play. Evidence indicates he visited the Ranger's Walk for some purpose, and we are in the process of discovering where he may have been and who he may have interacted with over the past several days. Do you have any information that may assist us?
Brogdar inclines his head in Varan's direction and for a brief second looks down, "No disrespect was intended lord. I have no idea of your rank or station, just to say that anyone with eyes can tell the two of you are from noble lines. You have the bearing of those who have been sculpted from a young age to carry the burdens of your houses. If what you say is true, then I am honored that you have shared this information with me and I shall keep it secret. No, no dasun woman have I seen, and should I cross such a woman named Red, I'll pretend that neither of us knows."
At the news of Kal'ishal's death, the atmosphere takes a quiet and cold mood and for a moment there is nothing but the crackling of the fire. A moment of silence hangs in the air and Azargan looks up. "Peace friends. I am sorry for the loss of your friend. Your man Kal'ishal hired one of our rangers about half a tenday ago. Little more will I say and I have said too much already, it is not a ranger's way to speak with idle tongue."
I stand and meander, pacing in a wide path around the campsite as the others speak, muttering and gesturing to myself, lost in thought (counting things on my fingers, sucking my tongue, playing with a coin, and other absent-minded things) as Azargan finishes.
To Azargan:
"Mhm. A good policy. But surely you can tell us where we can find this ranger? Perhaps he can help us either to bring evil to justice, or to help ensure that others don't meet the same fate as Kal'ishal. Or to help another way, mayhaps you know where we could find the dæthol named Anwyn?"
"I could do this, indeed. But, you have not established to me clear motives for dragging a fellow ranger into this. We would be betraying a code of trust, you would be gaining information that we know not what you intend with, and we would gain nothing in return. The dæthol named Anwyn is unknown to me, and even if I were deeply and sincerely inclined to do so, I am afraid that I could not help you. I know nothing of the evil of which you speak, nor do I know of what kind of man you are, or what manner of justice you feel inclined to give out. We are simple men, we judge others on the merits of their words, their actions, their beliefs. So far we have invited you to our camp, invited you to share in our meal and the fruits of the forest and our own labors, but little have you done except demand. This gives me little sense of who you are or why I should help you." Nothing in his voice or bearing betrays any sense of being upset or angry, he believes himself to simply be stating a fact, as if to say "Water is wet."
I continue to pace, slowly, flipping my coin and choosing my words thoughtfully -- hopefully seeming to do so not because I'm hiding anything, but because I'm taking care to choose thoughtful, non-offensive language.
To Azargan:
"Well you speak, and fairly. We're glad to provide whatever reassurance you require, but I don't know what else there is to provide. As I've mentioned, my business with Kal'ishal is twofold: my superiors in the Brotherhood of Magus have assigned me and my associate..." (pointing to Bijannar) "this mission, and secondly, as an old friend, if Kal'ishal was murdered, I feel I owe it to him to find out who is responsible. If injustice was done, I mean to bring justice through the proper authorities."
"Your friend, of course, would have nothing to fear from us, unless he happened to be the murderer -- a possibility which, I dare say, seems unlikely!" (that's a joke, more or less -- hopefully the rangers take it as such) "But come -- tell us how we can put you at ease? Perhaps you would rather hear our companions offer their own reasons for seeking Kal'ishal?"
Diplomacy:
Still pacing absent-mindedly, I beckon to our companions. Thomi? Aegwyn? Varan?
After 12 seconds (i.e. 2 rounds) of focusing on the area, I can hear the surface thoughts of everyone within the AOE.
Anyone who makes a Will save (DC 16) unconsciously blocks my reading of their thoughts, and anyone with Int 28+ stuns me for 1 round and cancels the spell.
Azargan looks thoughtful for a moment and speaks:"The avenging of a friend is a noble thing. The man who aided your friend sits among you. He was hired to perform a service and he did. It was an unusual service to ask of a ranger, for it was to track another man."
Smiling, Varan shakes his head at Brogdar’s apology, “No offense taken.” He then laughs heartily, “As to my bearing – when next I have occasion to see her, I shall be certain to let my tutor know that her lessons were to some good effect.”
When the attitude in the clearing sobers, however, his demeanor grows more serious. As Toranindracar puts his question to the group, Varan speaks up, “My interest in the matter of Kal’ishal’s death is one to which I am called by my faith. While I am…” he pauses for a moment, sighing softly, “…not presently in the good graces of the Dark Lord’s church, still I am his faithful archon, and not at liberty to discuss the situation in depth. Suffice it to say, what I seek, I have reason to expect that I shall find only by way of solving this murder.”
(Will save)
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
“My interest in the matter of Kal’ishal’s death is one to which I am called by my faith. While I am…” he pauses for a moment, sighing softly, “…not presently in the good graces of the Dark Lord’s church, still I am his faithful archon, and not at liberty to discuss the situation in depth. Suffice it to say, what I seek, I have reason to expect that I shall find only by way of solving this murder.”
There is a visible discomfort among the rangers as they all exchange glances with one another at the naming of the Dark Lord. Foichtrûnn, sitting on a stump at the fire's edge across from Varan, drops his hand to the blade resting on his hip. It hovers there for a moment before he looks up to Varan, thinks better of it, and slowly removes his hand. Bhárujun's lips move in a silent prayer and Brogdar whispers something under his breath. There is a pregnant pause for a moment as everyone waits for another to speak.
Unflinching (as one seemingly accustomed to this sort of reaction), Varan holds up a hand disarmingly and says, “Peace, please. I have no interest in doing violence, here. Rather, I endeavor to make myself useful in this affair, because it serves my ends to do so. If you know aught of Ialdabaōth’s faith, then surely you know that such is cause enough for me to do this thing.” He shrugs lightly. “But you will, of course, believe as you like. I can do nothing for that…”
All of the rangers shift uncomfortably, for a moment there is nothing but the sizzling sound of fat as it drips below to the fire and the his of steam from wet logs. Brogdar, his head down, his face long, looks up to Varan and speaks quietly and slowly: "I know little of the ways of the Whisperer, except to know that surely His motives will be self-serving and will pay little heed to our own or what suffering those motives may wrought. Tell me warrior, what are your church's feelings for the cult of the Face of Flame? And your own."
Immediately Foichtrûnn hisses: "Brogdar!"
So far I think I'm reading:
-Foichtrunn
-Murgaat
-Azargan
-...maybe Brogdar? Though his thoughts were "sealed pretty tightly"
-(Bijannar?)
-(Aegwyn?)
- Foichtrûnn - "Quiet Brogdar! You've no right to bring them into this! This is a dark path!"
- Bhárujun - "No Brogdar, consorting with the devil does not bring back the dead."
- Azargan - "Hush lad, these five will only bring us trouble and more grief. Even still, is this the way the Grove has set for us? The boy is bright and may have a plan, but hopefully not to consort with these who could bring us harm."
- Brogdar - his thoughts are indeed pretty concealed.
- Aegwyn & Bijannar - no word on them yet.
At the mere mention of “the Face of Flame,” Varan turns his head and spits. It’s a curiously pedestrian gesture from a man who otherwise clearly does his best to appear the part of a nobleman. “The aggression of the Khthonoi left scars in my homeland as surely as it did yours. The Dark Lord’s faithful have no more love for that cult than does… well, anyone else, I’d wager.”
Brogdar turns his head up to Varan and appears more assured and confident. "This is good to hear. I know not the intricacies of your faith, and I hear tell that the cult of the Betrayer still has many adherents, hiding and plotting in secret, human, dergatal....tegan, even among the daetholayn it is rumored."
Brogdar pauses in earnest for a moment, stands up, dusts off his hand and holds it out to you, "If you swear to me that no harm will come to my companions by your god as a result of this quest, I will tell you what I know. I was Kal'ishal's guide."
He pauses again for a moment, very quickly looks to the others, and then with a swift intake of breath says: "And if you would extend your help to us, to help us find a missing brother, then I would even guide you to Kal'ishal's pursuer, or so at least Kal'ishal believed."
- Foichtrûnn - "Brogdar, what have you done?!"
- Bhárujun - "Maybe these softlanders can help. Better them than us."
- Azargan - "Well done lad. With honor and courage. Let's see what they say."
- Aegwyn & Bijannar - still no word on them yet.
Aegwyn hangs back, listening to the conversation from beside the fire. She observes the ebb and flow of the conversation with interest, picking up many useful titbits about her companions.
Varan nods, extending his hand, in kind. “You have my word.”
"Your friend, of course, would have nothing to fear from us, unless he happened to be the murderer -- a possibility which, I dare say, seems unlikely!" (that's a joke, more or less -- hopefully the rangers take it as such) "But come -- tell us how we can put you at ease? Perhaps you would rather hear our companions offer their own reasons for seeking Kal'ishal?"
Aegwyn hangs back, listening to the conversation from beside the fire. She observes the ebb and flow of the conversation with interest, picking up many useful titbits about her companions.
** spoiler omitted **
Tell us more about your missing brother. I'm happy to help out to show our good faith, and help rangers in need.
Could you roll your respective checks?
Brogdar to Varan- "Knight, I know not what strange House you hail from, but there is more nobility in you than the aspect you show to the world. Thank you." He vigorously shakes Varan's hand and then sits back down.
"Companions, Kal'ishal had come to our camp knowing that our group of rangers was well skilled in both tracking and being quiet in our movements of stalking our chase. He complained that he had been followed by two gentlemen, both of whom he informed me were probably agents of the notorious Black Hand. He would not explain to me how he came about this information, or why he might be having dealings with such an organization. I tracked the one to a house in the Lesser Ward, a hideout or safehouse, as best as I could imagine. The other I determined was a man who called himself Dargallen who kept a watch on Kal'ishal's apartments in the Lesser Ward. I did this for a few days and when I went to inform Kal'ishal of what I had learned, he was nowhere to be found. He would not answer the door to his home, and I was unable to find him anywhere else. Eventually I just gave up. He seemed a good man, with a good heart, although involved in some business that I think was dark and beyond him. Still, I am sorry to hear of his loss.
If you would help us find our own missing companion, I will give you a description of Dargallen, and some of the places I had seen him, what's more, I will take you to the hideout in the Lesser Ward which I discovered."
Bluff check to covertly cast the spell:
PLUS perhaps any circumstantial bonus you see fit, given that
(a) I've spent the last hour muttering to myself here and there, so as to set the false pretense of being someone who mutters to himself, and these people don't know me well enough to know otherwise;
(b) I waited until someone else was talking to cast the spell, so the attention would not be on me.
Meanwhile, any new surface thoughts from any of the rangers, or from Aegwyn? If possible, maybe I could get a whole running commentary from Aegwyn, from the time of my spell up til now? }:)
In case you didn't see it, this is a summary of Aegwyn's thoughts.
Aegwyn's surface thoughts have been watching the wind in the trees and the swirling of the flames as much as the people in the grove. She's surprised by Varan's open admission of his affiliation with the Dark Lord and makes a mental note to keep a close eye on him. She finds Toranindracar's attempts at diplomacy a little stumbling but is glad to see how the rest of the party handle these things. Once Brogdar admits to being Kal'ishal's guide she perks up - wondering what might have brought the two together.
[ooc]My guess is that the spell is very nearly run its course. There were a couple of long pauses during the spell and then Brogdar's long description of what happened with Kal'ishal. My sense is that the 5 minutes are nearly complete, if not done. While Brogdar was talking, the rangers were completely focused on him and had no discernible surface thoughts.