Noya casts it and sees no magic
"Either they aren't here, or they are a good bit away from us."
"I don't see any evidence either. Someone's messing with us though. Keep a sharp eye out."
Azoth pauses, then says,
"I can scout ahead if you'd like. I'm fairly good at it."
Noya thinks about then comments
"Sounds good,
but it could be a trick to separate folks and effectively divide and conquer.
So Maybe not, as the Mayor mentioned that count coming,
and if the count is as dirty as the rumours he mentioned he could have scouts looking to take us one by one...."
"Good point. Let's just stay alert then."
"Ah, the veil of deception lifted! Reality revealed, we now may proceed with clarity. Let us not be fooled by tricks of the mind. Onward, friends, with keen senses and sharpened wits. The path ahead awaits, and with unity, we shall conquer the shadows."
Latte feeling down after the combat ended.
"I still can't believe I didn't get a single attack in... Even worse, I dropped my weapon."
Azoth walks over and picks up his broken arrow, which happened to hit a rock.
Looks like I might still be able to re-use the head and fletchings…
Walks back to the group and looks at Latte with a cheerful smile,
”That’s ok, Latte. It worked out in the end. I’m sure it was just a fluke this time. Would have been nice to be able to loot something though.”
With that last sentence, Azoth’s countenance noticeably darkens.
”We should get going soon.”
"Worry not short one, I'm certain you'll have your chance soon. It's not like these foes had any substance to them. Our journey will be rife with opportunity, and I will be glad to take note of our accolades and share them with the populous."
Silvio suppresses a sigh.
"I'll be sure to leave out the 'combat roll' when I retell this."
Sounds good,
but it could be a trick to separate folks and effectively divide and conquer.
So Maybe not, as the Mayor mentioned that count coming,
and if the count is as dirty as the rumours he mentioned he could have scouts looking to take us one by one...."[/b]
Rodnas replies:
"Sounds like a plan. I wonder if that count is up to his little jests again... Would like to avoid him if possible on this journey..."
You all continue walking and sunset approaches.
You see a fire just up ahead
You are camped out with a small fire going as the sunsets.
The place is ready for the night.
Ah, the embers of uncertainty! A fire ahead, its origin a mystery. Let us approach with caution, my friends, and survey the scene with keen eyes. Shall we find warmth and hospitality, or a blaze of danger?
Silvio squints as he attempts to discern the scene from afar.
"It's hard to make things out due to the angle of the sun at the moment for me."
You can make out that there is a woman at the camp fire.
And there is only one that you can see.
You can tell a group of people are nearby, by the smell of refried beans, or someone having some halfling raddish dumplings.
Rodnas notices a woman near the fire. He tells the group:
"I can see a woman near that camp fire, cannot spot any one else though... Maybe it is good to go there?"
"Wait, there's a campfire?... And there's a person?"
Latte was so spaced out that after Rodnas spoke, she now just spotted the campfire.
Silvio continues his futile attempt to squint at the horizon.
"Ah, a campfire on the horizon, a beacon of warmth or a trap of trickery?"
Silvio recomposes himself.
"Rodnas, your eyes may have caught a glimpse of a maiden by the flames, but my instincts whisper caution. Perhaps we have caught up to the illusionist, or it could possibly be yet another trap. Let us approach with skepticism and caution."
Azoth breaks from his musings and pipes up.
"I don't like this at all. Especially with Rodnas recently reminding us of the Count earlier... I suggest caution as well."
Azoth starts inching towards the darkest shadows nearby. Whispering, but loud enough for just the group to hear him, he says,
"I will provide support from the shadows as needed. Do not look for me or give any indication that I exist. I will stay within earshot if you need to tell me something."
With that, Azoth slinks off into the shadows and passes behind a tree.
Azoth climbs the tree silently and hides within its foliage. He has chosen this particular tree for a reason. Its branches appear to give him a clear path to the next several trees in the direction of the camp fire.
After Azoth is convinced he has hidden himself well enough in the boughs of the tree, he removes one of his gloves and peers at his markings. He is hyper aware of the markings on his hand due to the consequences he believes will happen if it is seen by his companions.
Azoth does not re-appear on the other side of the tree.
Can't know if it succeeds or not, until the opposing roll is done.
also you might not know if it succeeded or not.
Also, I think I'll need say 2 more stealth checks, as not all trees are the same.
and if going tree to tree like a ninja, give me say 2 acrobatic checks
at say DC: 25, as it includes jumping and balancing on places under 6 inches wide. Luckily I'm not including a few other things that raise the DC higher...
Luna give me 3 Perception checks
"I can hear you quite clearly, good sir elf.
And I can hear another 4 of you....."
"Guess we are found out...."
Silvio emerges from a bush. A stray leaf is tangled in his unruly hair, adding a comical touch to his otherwise what would be an imposing stance. His eyes gleam with a mix of mirth and wariness.
"Let us dispel the shadows of uncertainty, fair stranger. Are you a guiding light in this wilderness, or a siren luring us to our doom? Speak your intentions, that we may know whether to draw near or keep our distance."
Azoth stops in his track at the woman's words.
I'm losing my touch... I can't believe I didn't see all those branches I carelessly stepped on...
"We've been messed with recently. I'm not in the mood for more of the same. Who are you? Are you friend or foe?"
Noya looks at the woman and the camp and adds to Azoth's question.
"I have to agree, and ask, who are you?"
Latte follow suit.
"Hello there..? Who and what are you doing here?"
Rodnas also asks:
"Oi! What is your business here, woman?"
I swear, those are some hawk eyes that lass has got.
A young looking Woman not older then 20 years, of 5'5" sporting long brown blondish hair, and green grayish eyes and wearing an explorers outfit with a corset, looks at the party. Afraid and suprised she pulls out her dagger and with a shakeing voice she asks: "Who are u? Did the Count send u? Leave me alone!"
Noya surprised at the mention of the count adding "The Count?
We know of him, and like most avoid it when possible."
Latte confuses when hearing the strange woman's comment.
"The count send us...? We're the one are avoiding the count though?"
"Ah, fair maiden, we mean you no harm. We are travelers, familiar with the count's dark reputation, and our aim is not to bring harm.
Silvio speaks with a gentle, reassuring tone, his hands held out in a calming gesture. He takes a step forward, his eyes locked onto the maiden's, his gaze warm and empathetic.
"Yet, your trembling voice and fearful gaze hint at a deeper connection to the count."
As Silvio mentions the count's reputation, his voice takes on a slightly grave tone, his brow furrowing in concern.
"Pray tell, what dark grasp does the count have on you?"
Silvio pauses, his eyes scanning the maiden's face, searching for hidden truths. With a subtle nod, Silvio encourages her to share her story, his stance relaxed and non-threatening.
Azoth fusses with his clothing for a moment and then steps from the shadows into the light. He has his bow in his hand, but has lowered it into an unthreatening position.
"I would like to know as well. We are those who would be heavily affected by his awareness."
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"Who are u? Did the Count send u? Leave me alone!"
Rodnas, attracted to the woman's words, speaks:
"Ah, the Count "All Is Trash"? I have some story with him, but in short, that guy smells like compost. Know what I mean?"
The Woman slowly lowers her Dagger, still not sure if she can trust the strangers she just met. Feeling the non Hostility towards her, she slowly starts to talk with a still shakeing voice."M..My name is Selen Allistrand im the illegitimate child of the Count and a Maid. For some Years i helped my Mother as a Maid for the Count but i had to flee the Mansion i worked in beacuse his real daughter sees me as a threat to her Inheritating the counts Assets. She send out Guards and Hired Mercenaries to Hunt and kill me so she has a clear way to the counts Power. So when i noticed you Approaching i got scared u were the Mercenaries Hired by her."
”Well, I’m not convinced… You’ve just told us that you could still be working with the Count.”
Azoth turns to the others.
”I don’t like this. What do you all think?”
the story is possible as male nobility want male heirs, and power hungry paranoid children of nobles have been know to bump off those they see as a threat.
If she were a maid, why is she wearing an explorer's outfit, though it could be something she had on hand for an emergency escape.
"That story does sound plausible, especially if the count's official daughter is paranoid off getting bumped off by another."
The inner workings of nobility may be discreet, but there's always a trail.
Hmm... this may be intriguing...
Being an illegitimate heir alone shouldn't put one in peril, as I would imagine any well-off noble would just bury their secrets with coin. Perhaps there's precedent within their lineage that would point to the Alistrands hiding secrets with cloak and shadow..? Not all nobility have noble intentions after all.
There are stories of Noble men having affairs and mistresses and even doing the maids. But there are few cases the Maid and child stick around if the noble's wife is dead. But in one of those cases the only official heir died and the daughter of a maid took over. With rumour of it being an assassination from the illegitimate daughter of a maid.
Silvio's eyes narrow as he pieces together the puzzle, his mind racing with the tales of nobility's indiscretions. He recalls the whispers of mistresses and illegitimate children, the power struggles and tragic "accidents" that often followed. His gaze turns inward, lost in thought, as he connects the dots between the stories and the maiden's fearful plea. A subtle nod acknowledges the convergence of past and present, his lips pursed in contemplation. With a gentle clearing of his throat, Silvio's eyes refocus on the maiden, his expression now tinged with a hint of intrigue and understanding.
"Ah, the intrigue deepens. Her tale has the ring of truth to it, and I can't help but wonder if the Count's presence in Kassen is more than a coincidence. The thought sends a shiver down my spine."
If a hired party is indeed tracking her, they'll likely find her as easily as we did. We may have even inadvertently put her in greater danger by converging paths. Ah, but that assumes she is indeed not the very illusionist who deceived us before. Can we truly trust her tale, or is it a clever ruse to ensnare us further? We may have to accept her story at face value and but keep Azoth's bow trained on her back.
"Now that is something I did not think about Silvio.
He might be actually hunting her down."
Azoth, after listening carefully to the conversation, speaks up.
"That could easily explain why he's here. I know nothing of nobles and their incessant squabbles though."
Silvio would know a lot about nobility. It's likely that he might be on to the truth.
"If Silvio thinks that's the case, then I'm willing to humor you for now." His bow arm drops further down with bow held loosly, but not put away.
She doesn't get my full trust yet though. I'll stay on my guard to protect our party and...
Seeming to forget that he's voicing his thoughts, Azoth subvocalizes and moves his lips
Can I call them friends? What am I to them? At least one of them doesn't hate me for my markings. I can't lose someone like that. And the other has been helping to make Sheena happy. I'll keep them safe.