Daeron translates Nalvanaq's words for his companion's benefit, then remains silent but watchful. Understandable that she is angry, but we've done a service in bringing this to her attention. Should she try to turn us out though... Daeron grimaces and sets aside the grim thought for later. He follows along with the guards, allowing himself to be led but waving away any attempt to guide him forcefully.
Over the next few days, Daeron spends time going over the evidence they've gathered thus far, writing his discoveries into his parent's workbook and scribing scrolls .
Once the chief's words are translated and no one makes a move to take his weapons, Pavel shrugs and complies without even making a rude gesture.
"Yup. Puh'pissin in the wind."
"I could not agree more, mighty Pavel."
If Pavel has to spend more than a couple of hours bored and sequestered, he first naps. Then tries talking to the guards. Then he starts drinking. Then he argues with his sword, swearing up and down in Tien that he isn't drunk. Then he naps again.
Akulayok says in Erutaki, "I will watch Tunuaq. He hides in strange cave near village. Our people are not used to guarding deceivers. He will not escape my eyes or ears." He will follow the guards leading Tunuaq.
Akulayok locks eyes with Nalvanaq. He lets him know he is not afraid. "If Tunuaq does more evil or escapes, it is on you, might Nalvanaq." He goes with the guards.
It took a day for Seila to prepare for the long trek across the ice and steppes to the village.
The entire time she pondered why she was called. IT was rare in the extreme and typically meant that a village was having trouble with their priest or shaman themselves.
A dispute. And a potentially ugly one if the chieftain and shaman didn't see eye to eye. But her job was merely to reveal the truth in the light of the moon prince. She went over the blessings she would bestow, the curses that would dull and erase the lies. She didn't do this often. But she had to do this right.
Upon entering the village she was recognized instantly. Pale white women with white hair were difficult to hide in this realm of tanned skins and dark hair. She was greeted warmly, but anxiously, everyone knew another priest would not have come across the cold alone unless their own spiritual guides were compromised in some fashion.
She went to the chieftain first as was customary and being a stranger, even an invited one, she waited to be acknowledged before entering and exchanged pleasantries and small gifts as was custom between villages before getting to business.
"As you have asked, by the light of the moon I have arrived to help you. What is it that you require?"
Seila ponders this only briefly before askinga barrage of nervous questions.
Akulayok says in Erutaki,
Looking up from his work at his scrolls, Daeron frowns at the guards for a moment before nodding to Manulani and donning his furs. Striding from the hut, he follows the guards silently as he's lead to Nalvanaq's hall. As Nalvanaq makes her address, Daeron quietly translates from Erutaki for the benefit of his companions. Done translating, the elf studies the woman standing at Nalvanaq's side for a moment. Clearing his throat, he replies in Erutaki,
"If you understood the consequences of your actions for good or ill you would not be so quick to discern the greatness of your service." The pale woman says in clear common.
Stepping down from the dais A pale slender hand indicates a pillow sitting at the far side of the shelter.
"It will be the Prince of the Moon that determines the veracity of your words today. Here in the eyes of the whole village where your honestly will be tested. Both parties have ben charged with heinous crimes against the village, both may be guilty. That is why I have been called."
"I will now explain how the questioning will go. You may translate for your companions benefit."
Seila casts Zone of truth on the pillow just far away enough not to affect the others. She has memorized three Persistent Zone's of truth (DC18). So they have to save twice and take the lowest.
Seila herself will lead each person to sit at the pillow, as she does so they will be affected by her Touch of Madness which will make their saves and skills drop by -4. (Ironically they get a +4 to attack rolls)
So when she leads them into the zone their saves will have a fair chance of failing.
From their Nalvanaq can ask any question she desires. The person on the pillow is to answer only yes or no.
Pavel- a burly and slouching giant of a man wearing patchwork clothing and a shirt of silvery mail- knits his brow skeptically and frowns, crossing his arms. (The rest of the party wouldn't find this all that different from his typical expression, but for Seila this might be new.)
"Pruh'Prince o' the Moon, eh? So that pillow's ruh'royalty?"
Frowning up at the pale robed woman on the dais, Daeron holds his tongue for the moment. For ill? In what way would exposing demon worship and removing the threat of a marauding, if tragic, dragon qualify as an 'ill' consequence. How kind of this woman to 'allow' me to translate for those who cannot speak Erutaki. The slender elf, eyes icy with a face that may well have been chiseled from rock for it's sharp angles, returns the robed albino's gaze levelly and unflinchingly, "So be it, let us be about our business."
As Seila outlines the means by which the veracity of all answers will be guaranteed, Daeron's steely facade remains unperturbed, but curiosity bubbles internally. There is magic at work that I would greatly like to study. It's a criminal shame that this is the situation in which we must meet. A pity, but such is the fickle nature of fate.
Biting back a snort at Pavel's quip, Daeron replies, "If not royalty, then perhaps royalty's consort, to be so close."
"That's just a pillow." Seila mutters as she turns to Nalvanaq.
"Suh'so who is the Pruh'Prince o' the Muh'Moon, then? Since he's determining our hon'honesty? I mean, sounds fine to me, I just wuh'wanna know all the in'interested parties, right?"
"He's the god watching over these proceedings. So please be silent so that we may begin."
Akulayok says nothing. He waits for the strange witch to get on with it.
Pavel points at Theoden, then at Daeron.
"Either wuh'one of you guys should do it."
Daeron translates for his companion's benefit, though he does so off-handedly, as he's clearing distracted by some thought. If we are placed in a zone that require the truth from us, would we be forced to reveal Ameiko's birthright? Could Tunuaq and Sonuvat possibly know of it? Disturbed by the thought, Daeron's frown intensifies as he nods to Nalvanaq, indicating his understanding. Looking from himself to Theoden, Daeron turns to face Nalvanaq and asks, in Erutaki, "Will our representative be allowed to converse with others of our group in between questions? We are a community, just as you have here at Iqaluit, and we work together."
"But to what end?" Seila interjects. "Nothing is to be revealed here but the truth. There is no need for strategy or evasion. No enemies here for those who are on the side of the just. If you fear the truth perhaps all of this is pointless?"
Frowning at Seila's insinuation, Daeron replies, "We don't hide from truth, but if we're to be given a limited number of questions then I want to be sure to ask the right ones. We will better glean the truth from Tunuaq and Sonuvat when we are allowed to cooperate. In that way, one's oversight will not harm the search for the truth. I do not fear the truth, I fear a failure to reveal said true."
Daeron inclines his head politely to Nalvanaq and replies in Erutaki, "Thank you for your understanding, Nalvanaq." Having translated for the benefit of his companions, Daeron turns to Theoden, "So, shall it be the 'heroic knight' or 'keenly insightful wizard' who uncovers the truth of things? Given the situation, I have no preference."
"You seem to be on a fantastic tear, good Daeron, far be it from me to stop you," he says with an encouraging nod, smiling. "Go get 'em, old boy!" He gives him a friendly pat on the arm.
Nodding his acknowledgement to Theoden, Daeron turns and bows formally to Nalvanaq, "I will be pleased to serve as representative for our band. Let me know when I may begin my questioning." With that, Daeron waits, arms folded, face impassive and eyes distant as he begins to consider his questions. Best to attack things directly or to build up a chain of evidence? This touch she describes might last only a short time, so I suppose a direct approach may be best.
Akulayok says in Erutaki, "I do not know why Nalvanaq does not think dragon egg shells in Tunuaq's pouch enough proof he has done evil. If he trusts this outsider more than these outsiders, we will see how strong her magic is. I know the truth. Tunuaq and Sonavut know the truth. We will see if woman's magic is strong enough to prove it."
Seila begins by praying to Tsukiyo to watch over these proceedings and ensure the order and peace of all present.
She then casts the PErsistent Zone of Truth on the pillow and approaches Tunuaq and Sonavut.
"Who will be the first to submit themselves before Tsukiyo? Know that no harm shall come to you while I watch over this trial except that which you bring yourself. None of the magic here is permanent nor lasting."
Seila escorts him to the pillow putting a hand on his shoulder as she does so.
Studying Sonuvat for the barest moment as Seila escorts the hearthmistress to the pillow, Daeron runs over the questions he wished to ask the woman. First, establish that she was aware Tunuaq incited the dragon's anger, then implicate her in his ordering. Wanting to waste no more of his limited time, Daeron takes a deep breath and strides towards the woman with hands clasped behind his back. "Sonuvat, were you aware that Tunuaq or another villager broke the eggs of the white dragon known to most villagers of Iqaluit as 'Icy Scourge'?" Daeron maintains a level icy gaze with Sonuvat as he waits for an answer. I honestly hope this spell works as it's claimed to, or things may well turn ugly for us.
Wincing as Sonavut shouts her denial, Daeron glances from his companions to Seila and then back to Sonavut. Unexpected, but certainly not outside the realm of possibility. I hope that Navalnaq understands the complexities of this form of enchantment. Unlikely. Not pausing beyond to run over his thoughts, Daeron continues, "So by extension, you did not order Tunuaq to break the dragon's -Icy Scourge's- eggs?" Daeron begins to pace as he asks his questions, mind running over possibilities. Tunuaq could be lying or Sonavut could have resisted the spell. If she was able to resist such potent magic, then that's worrying news.
Taken aback by the certainty in Sonavut's voice, Daeron begins to challenge the assumptions he had made. I was sure that Tunuaq did not lie to us, but perhaps he has played us for fools. Perhaps this discord was his purpose all along. What better way to get us thrown out then for us to make a false accusation against Sonavut. Watching Tunuaq for a moment, Daeron tries to get a read on the man.
Deciding it was futile at the moment, Daeron turns his gaze back to Sonavut, "I believe I have but one further question, though I welcome input from my companions. Given your answers thus far, I expect you to answer no to this one as well. Were you, Sonavut, aware of the concealed cavern in which Tunuaq was hiding?"
Daeron waits calmly for a moment, unsurprised by her answer. Turning to his companions, Daeron asks in Erutaki for Nalvanaq's benefit, translating as he is done, "I see no other line of inquiry that we should follow, do you?" Daeron pauses to allow his friends to answer. "My inclination is that there are three possibilities. First and most unlikely in my mind, that Sonavut has resisted the spell and is speaking falsehoods. Given the mental willpower necessary for such a thing, something even I would find difficult, I find this unlikely. Second, the spell isn't working as intended. I also find this unlikely, though I would only be able to confirm my suspicions through arcane investigation that I doubt would be allowed. Third, and most likely in my mind, is that Tunuaq has mislead us and has planned for us to try to implicate Sonavut for some reason."
Akulayok frowns, "Talk to Tunuaq now, Daeron. Make him tell about egg shell pieces. Many of my friends die hunting on the ice because of angry dragon. Their spirits must be given justice."
"Ask her whuh'whether she and Tunuaq fuh'fought in the last year. Ask her whuh'whether she noticed a change in his behavior. Did she ever think to mention the suh'secret shrine to the chief? Whuh'why did she keep it quiet?", Pavel says, rattling off follow-up questions.
Akulayok nods and growls approval.
"This is our cruh'credibility as much as hers- wuh'we see an opening, we gotta hammer it so the Chief don't think we're truh'trying to stir up s+@@ for no reason, you know?", he adds quietly.