"My lord Autun" Lope calls with a smile "the arrest of Earl Yander will be no simple interlude. A man who plots with generals and commands the loyalty of horsemen does not fall without dragging others with him. Some among your peers..." he lets the words hang, a knowing glance sweeping the room "...already lean toward Pythareus' song of war. We must strike swiftly, lest their whispers turn into open chorus"
Then, his tone softens, and his gesture broadens to include his companions "Yet let this not be cause for despair, but for hope. Look upon us: men and women of different callings, united in purpose. This is how Princess Eutropia will govern, through reason, through proof, through the unlikeliest of allies bound together by a common dream. In us, you see the stage upon which her vision comes to life. Join her, and you join not just her claim, but the future we embody. We accept the task you set before us, and in so doing, we show you how she answers treason, with justice, with resolve, and with unity"
Triphylla tries to help Gregor be more helpful. "Anyone in particular come to mind?"
"Good man!" cheered Lord Autun after Lope's speech, this was echoed with calls of "Here here!" from the benches.
Off to one side, Gregor shares a grumble with Triphylla, "Only half of them, look at that pampered lot! In a case like this you need to follow the money. You probably won't be surprised to hear the members of the merchant council between them own ninety percent of Yanmass and just about every business in a hundred miles. Most of them have multiple government contracts and would likely profit. Who would benefit the most out of them? Honestly I'm not sure, but that would be the question I'd ask..."
Lope bows his head slightly, the flicker of a smile still on his lips "Then let us not waste time. Tell us, my lords, where does Earl Yander make his den? If we are to pluck this weed, we must know the soil in which it festers"
The Aldori takes note of the member of the junior council leaving the room, and makes a sign to Triphylla to give her an opportunity to follow, and to Diana, to give her a chance to identify who is him.
There was a great clamour as various councillors speak up all at once. One councillor shouted, "He was at the Gilded Baldachin but he left the day you arrived."
One female councillor said, "I heard he was staying with Lady Hallianna Cobbin until she kicked him out two days ago!"
The councillor who was speaking to an aid earlier shouter with a leer, "He's probably moved onto his latest conquest, Lady Aumber Gewbell!" This got a mix of strong disapproval with an undercurrent of scattered amusement.
Lope's hand lingers on the pommel of Gloria, his eyes narrowing with a flash of knowing amusement. The blade hums faintly in his mind, sharpening his awareness.
"Ah... a jest poorly told," he says lightly, fixing the councillor with a courteous bow, as though to an actor who has flubbed his lines "Your eagerness betrays you, sir. You send us chasing shadows while the Earl sharpens daggers in the dark. Tell us, why waste the council's time with such playacting? Whose favor do you seek to earn with false trails?"
He lets the question hang, a smile never leaving his lips, though the weight behind it is undeniable.
With sudden severity the man snapped, "Those be fighting words, de Vega! You retract that accusation, or I'll see you in court!"
Clearly irritated, Lord Autun's gavel slammed into the lectern once, twice, thrice and there was a moments silence. He wagged his finger at the man saying, "Knock if off Delatt, any more funny business from you I'll personally ensure your businesses get that tax audit you've spent the last year weasling out of."
Turning to the assembled councillors, Lord Autun said, "Someone must know Earl Yander's whereabouts. He's not exactly low profile, we know he's had business been all over the city."
Again everyone started talking at once.
[ooc]Anyone can make the Kn: Local roll DC 18 to know more about Octavian Delatt (see an earlier post), or you can also make a DC 18 diplomacy roll to ask about him and learn the information that way. Other creative dice rolls are permitted too within reason.
[spoiler=Once you've learned about Octavian Delatt's background]Given the financial position he's in, it's obvious he's in Pytharus's pocket. Also he's no fool, he's putting his neck out here for a reason! He sent a runner earlier when you arrived, and you wouldn't be surprised if the runner was going back to the Delatt mansion to warn a certain house guest that it's time to go![spoiler]
Suspecting Gregor knows more than he's letting on but perhaps doesn't think it's his place to volunteer information (in typical halfling style), Triphylla moves back to where the rest of the group has been petitioning the Council.
Lope points out the suspicious Council member.
"Oh, him? That's Octavian Delatt. He's a weapons maker at scale. He employs a lot of halflings because he can pay us next to nothing and we don't complain about the work. Without his factories the Taldan Army would be in dire straits. It goes without saying that he'd be a key player in a War for the Crown, and since the Empress has made no mention of him, he's probably not on our side. At least, not currently. Now that we know that Earl Yander is working for Pythareus, it stands to reason that Delatt and Yander are also in cahoots. I suspect that if we follow Delatt he'll lead us straight to Yander. Good eye, Lope."
"That group of councilors around Delatt, they're about to try to change the topic. I think we've found our lead. Now would be a good time to depart."
Triphylla returns to her fellow halfling. "Dear Gregor, I recognize Councilor Delatt, and of course his reputation is known across the lands. It would be a shame if we did not make his acquaintance, as envoys of the Crown, but clearly now is not the time. Would you please tell me where we can make an appointment at his official residence in the city?"
As you hear a mounting commotion and cries of consternation from the floor where a delegation of councillors has ambushed Lord Atun with a procedural demand for a vote on a new sewage works, Gregor replies, "He lives somewhere on Coinside, where was it... Ah yes I remember, a mansion at no 7 riverside lane. Each house on riverside lane is worth a small or not so small fortune."
"The council gives us noise, but Delatt gives us truth. His runner went ahead to warn Yander, and if we tarry, the curtain will fall before we take the stage" Lope straightens, eyes gleaming with resolve "Riverside Lane awaits, my friends. Best we go swiftly before our quarry decides it is time to flee the city"
A fifteen minute walk at human speed, Triphylla thinks as she hears the location of Delatt's mansion.
She takes the initiative to hail a cab to spare her shorter legs, especially after a large breakfast.
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To her surprise, Triphylla found a cab already waiting. The young cab driver tipped his hat and said, "Complements of the Chief Enumerator! I'm under strict instruction to wait for you and to take you wherever you need to go today. No 7 riverside lane? Yes I know it, fancy place! We might just beat that over cab, yes they left ten minutes ago but the streets are extra busy today and they took the direct route... But I know the back ways!"
You all clamber in and the cab takes off with a clatter of hooves and iron wheels. The journey starts well, but the streets really are crowded and the cab veers off down a dubious looking side lane. It seems the cabbie knows the area really well because he makes a series of break-neck turns and soon you find yourself hurtling along tiny back roads, parallel to the busy main roads. After a little while you enter a very grand road next to the river, lined with impressive mansions. You pass one after the other and then the cab suddenly stops and the cabbie shouts, "Here you are! Remarkable how big these all are! Cost more gold than I'll make in a lifetime to build one of these."
Riverside lane runs roughly north - south, and all the expensive houses are on the eastern side. There's several other parked cabs in the street including one just outside. No 7 is a large mansion, and it seems to be a hive of activity with scaffolding covering the northern side where it seems an large extension is being built. In addition to the tradesmen, there's a number of very officious looking liveried servants on the gate, the better to stop the hoypoloi from gaining access to the grounds.
Lope steps down from the cab and brushes the dust from his sleeves. His gaze flicks from the officious servants at the gate to the cab across the street. A faint smile curves his lips when he notices the passenger trying to disappear in there.
"Our welcome committee will not grant us entry without protest," he murmurs to the others, tilting his head subtly toward the gate. Then, lowering his voice further, "But there, see the cab? Someone lies in wait, perhaps hoping we do not notice. What say you, friends? Shall we see what secrets our shy watcher keeps?"
He rests his hand casually on Gloria's hilt, as he rushes to the other cab before it leaves "Excuse me sir, I need a word with your passenger"
AT first, Triphylla is unsure of what to do; it could be anyone in that cab. But it could also be their quarry making his escape. While Lope engages with the driver, the halfling consumes an extract of Expeditious Retreat and leaps for the door.
St. John gets out of the cab and heads to the opposite side from Lope to cut off any escape.
The Cabbie, a young chap with a mop of blond hair was surprised when Lope spoke to him, he wheeled around on one foot and stammered, "Er... Not sure his lordship wants to speak to anyone today sir."
Lope lets his voice carry the weight of command as he addresses the cabbie "My good man, I do not come as a curious stranger nor as a meddlesome poet, though I confess I have been both in my time. Today I come by task of the Council, and with the authority they have entrusted me. So I ask you plainly, and I expect you answer as plainly: who rides in this cab, and where do they go?"
His hand lingers on Gloria's hilt, the gesture more theatrical than threatening, though the gleam in his eyes suggests he would make good on either.
The cabbie visibly blanched and took a half step backwards, "I don't want no trouble sir! His grace is headed to the harbour..."
Behind him the door of the cab opens and Earl Merkondus jumps out looking dashing as ever, looking down his nose at Lope he calls out, "Unhand him, it's me you're after!" He added with a smirk, "But you pesants can't have me!" He flicked his cape and suddenly a man sized hole blazed in the air next to him, revealing a street somewhere else. The earl stepped through and vanished!
"Seems the Earl thinks to escape us with his magical cloak. Unfortunately for him, I caught a glimpse of his destination, and can easily replicate the same spell. He was headed to goldsmith street - just north of the ferry terminal on the other side of the water. My magic is only strong enough to take two of us along with me, though - the others will have to get there somehow. How do we want to split the group?"
"Great! I think you should take Triphylla with you!" Lope points back to their own cab "I think I know where we need to go as well, I will guide the others, we probably can be there by cab in little minutes!"
With that he urges the others to mount back onto the cab and calls the driver "To the ferry terminal, Goldsmith street!"
St. John nods to Diana and says "I'll go with you as well."
Triphylla hesitated at first when Diana spoke of Dimension Door. Unfamiliar with the spell, she assumed it was for traveling, you know, to another dimension, whatever that means. But when Lope voices confidence and then St. John volunteers, she steps forward as well.
Looking back to the others she says, "Don't tarry; for all we know there will be an armed escort waiting for us on the other side."
She drinks her Dexterity Mutagen while moving with Diana through the spell door.
Valeria was a bit surprised at how easily they caught up to their quarry, only for him to slip through their fingers. Fortunately, Dianna could get some of them to where he went and the rest would have to follow on foot. "I might be able to speed our way for the rest of us. How many streets over and how far our destination is?"
You quickly spot the Earl a little way down the street hailing a cab.
Her pulse quickened, Triphylla shrugs off the disorientation, focused fully on the task. She cannot see ahead with all the tall folk between them and their target, but she assumes they are somewhere nearby the Earl.
"Diana, can you make us faster, and perhaps give yourself the power of flight so as to guide our movement?"
"My thoughts exactly, Triphylla. Making as all faster seems the most pressing need right now, to make sure we can catch the Earl before he manages to get away. I'll focus on flight next! Quickly, before he manages to get a cab!"
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Lope leans forward in the cab, eyes widening as Valeria conjures the shimmering bridge of light "By the Radiant Muse, lady Valeria, your miracles never fail to humble poets and frighten horses," he says with a delighted laugh, before turning to the cab driver.
He gestures toward the glowing arch as if unveiling a stage before an audience "See that? How many have the chance to hear their name sung in taverns as the man who dared ride moonlight! Fear not, good sir. This bridge bears not the weight of men's doubts, but the blessing of the gods themselves!"
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The halfling takes off running downhill toward the river and the ferry dock. She figures she'll either head off the Earl or catch him, with any luck. The crowded streets would slow down any carriage or big person moving on foot, but not Triphylla.
Run, 4x move, 200'
St. John sees Triphylla head off and decides to stay with Diana and move with her lest anything happen to her.
Diana's magic sends a huge surge of adrenaline thundering through your veins and you rush towards the Earl, in time to see him jump inside. With a light crack of the whip, the cab lurches forwards!
The cab driver looks at the bridge dubiously and back to Lope mid impassioned speech, "Er... Well I guess.". Taking it rather slowly, he coaxes the horses forwards. Initially they roll their eyes, toss their heads and stam their hooves but the moment one of them steps on the bride and finds it solid, they snort and start trotting forwards!
Lope beams as the wheels touch the shining path "Ha! See, my friends? Even the steeds of men bow to moonlight when guided by a firm hand!"
He looks toward the far bank where the chase unfolds "Hold fast, our companions race the devil himself, and I will not let them steal the final verse without us!"
Triphylla keeps running, dodging through pedestrian traffic without breaking stride. She's nearly caught the carriage and hopes St. John and Diana are close on her heels, but there's no time to look around.
When the moment offers, she attempts to leap onto the back of the carriage.
But she makes a clumsy show of herself and falls well short, only to watch the carriage trundle away. She picks herself off the cobblestone and consumes an extract of Cat's Grace while resuming the chase.
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St. John moves forward and attempts to jump up onto the carriage.
He looks at the driver and says "You look like a man just doing a job. No need for you to get hurt. Stop the carriage!"
Empowered by Diana's spell, St John runs faster than a horse and with the grace of a trained acrobat he leaps onto the carriage next to the astonished driver. The man simply stares at St John for a long moment before pulling the break. From inside the cab you hear an explosive curse as the count demands, "What the devil's going on out there? WHY ARE YOU STOPPING?!"
He suddenly bursts out of the cab, pulling a pair of tiny figurines from a cloak pocket which he throws on the floor. With a flash and a burst of steam a pair of knights in full harness appear next to him. They glide an inch or more above the the cobbled road, and move with silent fluid grace.
The count snarls, "Defend me!" As one they draw longswords and bash them against their shields, taking up protective stances either side of the count.
"Ha! There is a commotion there ahead, I bet it's our friends doing their job!" Lope exclaims, unsheathing Gloria in a smooth, practiced motion, and readying himself to jump out of their cab and into the duel once they get to see what is happening.
He casts keen edge for now.
+1 Adaptive Luck = 18
Triphylla grits her fangs when the animated armor are summoned, but she quickly takes from her pack an extract of Invisibility and then moves to flank Earl Yander, beginning a Rage while she moves.
Triphylla vanishes and moves. Earl Yander looses track of her, but the closest suit of armour somehow turns to face her!
<--- FAIL
<--- FAIL
"As good as you might think you are, you are outmatched here! I have the full backing of Maxillar Pythareus." He indicates his imposing armoured defenders, "Run! Or die. Your choice!"
Perhaps it was the way he said it, but somehow his words seem to sap your confidence!
He then starts to cast a spell...
Triphylla almost shrieks when the suit of armor turns on her, then Yander begins to cast a spell.
With her usual strong faith in herself, she aims her horns to gore the Earl!
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Triphylla suddenly appears as her horns dig into Earl Yander's flank. He yelps in surprise but somehow manages to complete his spell and suddenly there are many Earl Yanders!
<--- PASS
Environment: Normal.
Buffs and Debuffs:
Lope
Triphylla
Estini
Valeria
Earl Yander Mirror Images (5)
Diana
St John
Animate Armour
Lope
Triphylla
Estini
Valeria
Earl Yander Mirror Images (5)
Diana
St John
Animate Armour
Damage Log:Round: 1
Earl Yander was hit by Triphylla for 14 (total damage taken 14)Totals:
Earl Yander: 14 damage
COMBAT ORDER:
Lope
Triphylla
Estini
Valeria
Earl Yander
Diana <----- WE ARE HERE
St John
Animate Armour
Diana and St John are up.
St. John moves down to engage the armored pair, flanking with Triphylla and attacks.
St John moves in to engage one of the animate armours, he'd fought many enemies before of all sorts, this was one of the most unusual but it didn't phase him. St John's falcata floated under the guard of the animate armours and he angled it into the spaces between the vambrace and where an arm should be. While there was no blood, St John felt flesh like resistance and he was sure he damaged whatever it was inside that tin can.
Diana moved closer and whispered a strange word, suddenly the air around Earl Yander sparkled like static and the images surrounding him dissolved like smoke on the breeze. The earl swore, "Well s*$$!"
<--- SUCCESS
The animate armours peeled off, one of them focused on St John but had its measure and parried everything.
<--- MISS
<--- MISS
The other one powered into Triphylla, lowering it's shield and sending her flying!
<--- HIT
Environment: Normal.
Buffs and Debuffs:
Lope
Triphylla
Estini
Valeria
Earl Yander Mirror Images (5)
Diana
St John
Animate Armour
Lope
Triphylla
Estini
Valeria
Earl Yander Mirror Images (5)
Diana
St John
Animate Armour
Damage Log:Round: 1
Earl Yander was hit by Triphylla for 14 (total damage taken 14)
Green was hit by St John for 18 (total damage taken 18)
Triphylla was hit by Red for 6 (total damage taken 6)Totals:
Earl Yander: 14 damage
Green: 18 damage
Triphylla: 6 damage
COMBAT ORDER:
Lope
Triphylla <----- WE ARE HERE
Estini
Valeria
Earl Yander
Diana
St John
Animate Armour
Triphylla is up. Estini and Valeria can cast any pre-buffs, next round they'll be close enough to attack.
Having been knocked backward away from the target, Triphylla brushes herself off and drinks a Shield extract, then tries to reposition to get at Earl Yander. If he can use Dimension Door once he may be able to use it again.