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Deia winces, which she hopes is unnoticed. She thinks to herself He does seem powerful. I hope that doesn't work against us.
Then, she addresses the Seer, "Seer Oppoli, we have the same questions about Aravashnial. We always thought him to be no more than a surface dweller trying to get back to the city. If we can find him, we will ask him those questions. What is this turmoil you see?"
I guess he does have genuine powers.
Indeed. If he is in danger or will bring danger to us and this village we need to find him quickly.
"As I said, I know nothing of what he brings with him. The spirits themselves are unclear on the matter. They only tell me that he will be the cause of great change to Neathholm. What comes next is known only to the gods."
Oppoli tilts his head back and stares into the smoke on the ceiling again.
"You already know where your friend is."
"He has been very excited to learn the history of your people. I don;t think he has malicious intent, but he seems the sort to cast aside any other considerations when it comes to seeking answers to his questions."
I guess we better.....check the privies. Tina unfortunately, doesn't work well with visions.
"Do you mean that Aravashnial is with Chief Sull? Is he there right now? I thought he seemed harmless, but that was before he revealed that he was not merely a blind man."
Oppoli keeps his face pointed to the ceiling, expressionless.
"I've given you all the information you need to locate your friend. If you wish for my further services, I will require either payment in goods or a favor in return. Otherwise, please leave me to my meditations."
Tina stands. Thank you. she turns to the others.Let us get to the chief's right away!
Odd fellow. Kel muses as he follows the others out.
Mysticism and religion go hand in hand with mental instability. Each draws the other like moths to flame.
That's a kind of strange thing for an actual spiritual entity to say.
Just means I know what I'm talking about.
"Thank you indeed, Seer" says Max. "Let us make haste to the Chief!"
You head over to the Chief's home and find it eerily quiet. The home is dark, and no one answers your knocking at the door.
I have a bad feeling about this, we better get in.
We go in, but don't touch anything if something bad has happened! That happens all the time in stories where someone picks up the weapon and gets blamed.
Rex follows the group to Chief Sull's home and quietly draws his pistol, but keeping it under his cloak.
"I agree this doesn't look good. I hope the elf is just curious, not in league with any of the forces that just laid waste to the city."
"We should find Lann." Kel says.
"Agreed. This is a volatile situation."
Agreed
You leave Sull's home in search of Lann. You find him quickly, sitting on the shore of the island near the ferry. He's resting his head on his hand, staring off into the waters, apparently unaware of your approach.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Lann! Would you please come with us to Chief Sul's home? We believe there is danger and would like you as a witness when we enter so there are no misunderstandings.
Lann starts as Tina speaks.
"Hrm? Sorry, I, uh, I didn't hear you come over. Now what's this about Chief Sull?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
We believe there is trouble at Chief Sull's home and want you to come with us. We don't want to go bursting in and cause the wrong impression.
Lann stands up slowly, brushes himself off, and turns to face you. With a somewhat vacant tone he says,
"I spoke with Chief Sull just a few hours ago. He was fine then. Is this so important that it cannot wait until after he makes his announcement? I would rather let him rest and compose himself before he speaks."
"Not sure if we have the luxury of time Lann, could you please come back with us to check on Chief Sull?"
Lann sighs, and starts walking toward the Chief's house.
"I really don't understand your impatience, but if it pleases you, I'll go."
A minute later, you find yourself back at the Chief's house. Lann knocks at the door, and again there's no immediate answer.
"As I said, he's most likely resting."
Tina whispers to Deia. Something seems wrong, could you try to see if he has been enchanted?
Lann notices your casting and staring at him, but doesn't move.
"Is there something the matter? Why are you staring at me like that?"
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Deia tries to assure Lann. "Don't worry, I wanted to make sure nothing odd was going on. Everything is as I expected."
She tries to change her tone. "Lan, Seer Oppoli warned us about some turmoil here in Nealthholm. We are worried that something bad might happen to him. Can we just check on him, please? I doubt he would be cross for us trying to make sure he is well."
If she gets a few moments with Tina and/or Max, she tries to say with a whisper: "He has a minor magic item in a pouch on his belt, but it has an aura of conjuration, not enchantment. "
"I'm telling you, he's probably just resting, but you can go in if you'd like."
With that, Lann opens the door and holds it open for you.
Max enters and casts Light, illuminating the room. "No! The Chief! Deia, Tina, please come and heal him!"
Unsure of what else to do, Max falls back on his magics for more information.
Tina hurries in and sees the scene. I think we have been set up!
Tina quickly sees if she can stabilize the chief if he is still alive.
She also checks the blind elf.
A cabinet hanging on the wall is emanating a faint evocation aura.
You can smell a sweet scent in the air.
Between Max's yelling and Tina checking his vitals, Chief Sull startles awake.
"What... What time is it?" he says as he rubs his chin to wipe off the dried liquid. He sits up, sniffs the wet spot on his shirt, and looks at the floor.
"Oh no... That was my last bottle of wine..."
Aravashnial slowly blinks himself awake. Having been somewhat rudely awakened he sleepily asks, "What's going on?" as he stretches.
He goes to rub his eyes, but as soon as he touches them he winces in pain.
"Oh. Right. Ow..."
Kel starts laughing. "All this fuss over two fellows who had too much to drink."
Lann just shakes his head.
"I told you he was fine. A little drunk maybe, but I really do not see what is wrong with that."
"Too much talk of hidden cultists and deceit. We're all jumping at our own shadows." Kel gets the two drunkards water to drink. "Here. Drink slowly, but as much as you can."
Tina just sighs and packs her things away.
"But ... how did you get here, Aravashnial? And how come nobody saw you?" Max reflects on the situation, puzzled.
Sull takes the water and has a drink. He looks over at the wall to an antique clock and says,
"Hrm, yes, well, I hope you'll forgive me, but I really only recently got to sleep. Aravashnial and I were having quite a discussion last night, and I would really prefer to sleep this off a little bit more before I make my announcement. I'm sure he'd like a bit more sleep as well, actually. Lann, please wake me closer to lunchtime."
He then stands up and walks out of the room.
Aravashnial takes his drink and swallows most of it down rather quickly. When he finishes it, he answers Max's question.
"It's simple. I counted my steps on the way out of here last night, and reversed them when I came back. As for no one seeing me, I assume it's because no one bothered to notice me. Of course, my cloak may have helped with that, but from what Chief Sull has told me the people here tend to follow a normal daily routine and most were probably asleep. I actually woke him when I got here, but I just had to talk with him."
"Aravashniel, next time I think we'd all appreciate it if you let someone know where you were headed. We were all pretty worried."
Yes, we all jumped to conclusions and thought both of you were dead.