I must confess I'm sort of glad to hear it. I have a lot of games going and my motivation for this game has been dwindling away. Not your fault, Rizzen, but you've accidentally been exploring some subjects that bring up personal issues for me. With two kids on the spectrum and my eldest's biological father serving a prison sentence for abuse, some of this hit a little too close to home.
Also, just a tip for the future: It's a terrible feeling as a player to keep trying to act on the game world and it does no good or has no observable effect. When stuff keeps happening by GM fiat and no actions we take seem to make a difference, it's a very helpless feeling and leaves the player wondering what is the point.
My theory about the girl is that she is a dreamer and the "spirit" possessing her is an Aelfinn, the "snakes" of the snakes and foxes. Maybe she was also part Aelfinn? Anyway, I was trying to find my way to accept the Oath but was worried about being careful with the wording since they have a genie-like tendency to speak in riddles and twist promises.
But given that Sha'rah is the Old Tongue name of the strategy game they usually called "stones", it seemed pretty clear that this was all a gambit of some sort to get an Aelfinn piece on the board and in our party. Very glad we didn't end up fighting the girl, at least.
Sharrah looks at everyone in the room before finally settling her eyes upon Elek.
Fair exchange. Oath for an Oath. Balance to be maintained. Pledge to carry this spirit with you and beyond, and we shall leave this vessel.
"What do be the meaning of this? You, the spirit do come onto one of us? Sharrah do be free but one of us must be bound by your... possession? Do we cease to be, then? Our body bending to your will and not our own?" Cor'ellis was simultaneously curious and horrified by the concept.
Sense Motive:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27 Trying again. Though I don't seem to be getting any feedback.
Been a little busy but mostly just have absolutely no idea what we can do, if anything.
Cor'ellis sighed and moved away from the doorframe. She slumped into a seat, utterly defeated. "Then we do no be able to help these people. If they do compact with these beings of their own free will, then honor do demand we stand aside. No matter that it do harm and kill some of them." She looked down at Jair's body with grief, almost as if she saw someone else in his pale, waxen face.
Sense Motive for answer to Elek's question about the girl:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
Cor'ellis began to suspect that she was no longer talking to the girl, Sharrah, but instead to some entity speaking through her. She had stopped her sobs and still held the one power. Truly, she was fearful to let it go with these strange changes that somehow did not rely on the source.
"Who do you be? What claim do you have on this girl? What compact do be in place here?" She drew closer to the strange twisted doorway and reached out to lay her hand upon it, hoping to understand it's nature. She did not understand it, but often she was able to sense the purpose of an object that used the one power.
Trying to identify ter'angreal as per her feat.
Identify ter'angreal:
Identify ter'angreal allows the PC to identify what the ter'angreal does, its capabilities, any bonuses, and special abilities, simply by touch.
This feat does not protect the PC from those ter'angreal that are activated by touch, or any other actions the pc may take in approaching, moving, or channeling around the ter'angreal.
Identify ter'angreal will identify an angreal, but not allow the pc to know its rating. A sa'angreal will be identified as an angreal.
Beginning to put together the pieces and finding herself sickened by the conclusions she was drawing, Cor'ellis's eyes welled with tears. "He did swear to you... in a dream. Did he even know what he did? Why bind his life? He did be a child, Sharrah, as you do be still. These do be grown men, trained in arms, hardened soldiers some. Of course he did fear them!" She covered her mouth to stifle a sob as she met Elek's eyes.
"Tell me you found something that did bring this change in you, girl. Some relic that you did touch or held in your hand. There do always be a way back to the Light, Sharrah, please!" She pleaded with her to turn back now from her course. "Let me help you, before it do be too late."
Cor'ellis was relieved to know the girl was no shadowspawn, but that still left the puzzle of how she was affecting the village and what to do about it.
"I do no understand it myself. But the connections did lead us to you, my dear. Some people do be fighting and harming each other, like your young men outside. One man was killed at the Inn earlier, and the Innkeeper did attack Baatar. They do no wish to do these things, but they do be no in their right minds. And now your father do be ill, maybe Jair outside too. These are the people you have changed, yes? I know you did no mean to cause harm, but these changes do seem to have violent consequences. Like a side-effect. I do only be able to guess that if you undo what you have done, it may set things right again. Could you try?"
Cor'ellis had a sad look in her eyes as she considered the young girl. Whatever had set off this chain of events, it seemed certain that she was at the center of it. "I do no know what talent you possess, child. But it do be hurting people, even killing some. Surely you do no wish it to be so? Tell me how to set it a'right, please Sharrah."
Diplomacy(Make Request):1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24 One more try.
Cor'ellis continues to try and understand the girl, "How old do you be, Sharrah? If you hope to travel and see the world, perhaps I could help." She said quite mildly, despite a growing sense of unease.
She hoped the terrible feeling she had was mistaken, but she needed to be sure, one way or another. She reached out to embrace the source, watching Sharrah for any reaction as she concealed her weaving to sense Shadowspawn again.
Invert:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30 Bluff:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23 Not really lying here, just trying to cover negative emotions
Perception:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28
Cor'ellis was growing increasingly concerned about young Sharra as she noticed her complete lack of concern. She saw Tenora run to help the boy, but she felt sure now that she was closing in on the source of the mystery even if she was still unsure of the solution. She walked as they talked to the far corner of the house, hoping the distance from those who were sick might help. "I see. And did you remove anything from yourself, dear one? It do seem as though these... little changes you did make to help your friends and neighbors, they do be causing them to act strangely. Do you think you could put things back to the way they did be before?"
Nonetheless, she needed that composure roll to cope with this conversation, lol!
Suddenly very grateful that the men were left outside, Cor’ellis blinks at the girl’s direct speech. ”Well… y-yes. That do be a… ah… common occurrence when men and women… do that.” She smiled, trying to disguise her discomfort with speaking so plainly about such things. ’Fortune stab that man,’ she thought to herself, ’did he set this in motion by deflowering this poor ignorant girl?’
”I suppose there do be no one to speak of such things with since your mother do be gone.” The girl seemed to lack the understanding that what she said was strange, so Cor’ellis said nothing to unsettle her. ”You did say you helped Bataar, by removing his pain? Do you help others this way? Your young friends outside, or the Innkeeper, perhaps?”
No ranks in Arcana but I can try with Noble Knowledge. Noble Knowledge(Arcana):1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 Knowledge(Age of Legends):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 Or maybe catch a hint from the Age of Legends?
Cor'ellis considered the puzzle of this girl, Sharrah. Could she be like me? She wondered if the child's power could be concealing itself the way hers did long ago. Nevertheless, she was determined to find her way to the heart of this mystery.
Composure:1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31
She lowered her voice for her next question, choosing her words carefully so as not to offend. "You do be an acquaintance of Master Baatar, yes? Did there be any strange happenings while you were with him?"
Cor'ellis nodded in understanding. There were signs here that had been missing when Aes Sedai had first come to examine her for signs of the one power. Her own power had hidden itself while her self doubt and her block had kept it at bay, but she had remembered the questions about whether her father spoiled her with gifts or if boys tended to do what she wanted.
"Yes, there did be fighting right here on your doorstep, my dear. Young Jair did attack and wound young Mikel. Did they be friends before this? Come, do you have bandaging? We'll make sure he is alright." She guided the girl Sharra to locate and provide some bandages for the men outside to help the boy.
"My father do be a hard man too. Harder even, once my mother did pass." She said, stroking the girls hair soothingly. She did not share that her father was a man to use his wits and words as opposed to his fists, however. This close in proximity, she should be able to sense Sharra's ability with the one power, if she did indeed possess it.
"Do keep the boys from killing each other, if possible." She said low to the men before going inside.
Inside:
"I do wonder," Cor'ellis said to the village women, "if between the three of you, if you might be able to work out when these strange behaviors, the dreams, the fighting, did come into being? Sharra, how long since your father has been acting... not quite himself?" She certainly hoped the man's behavior was out of character.
He blinked as he took a look at the wom... girl? girl.
"All this chaos over her?"
He muttered aloud barely audible.
Close enough to overhear, she shushed him, before turning her attention to the girl.
"This do be Sharrah, then? Your young friends do be quarreling and your father do be ill, dear. I do be the Lady Cor'ellis of Illian and Tenora do be of the Tower. May we come inside to talk and see to the young man's wound?"
She said, as diplomatically as she could under the tense circumstances.
Diplomacy:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
Cor'ellis nodded approvingly at Jair's words. "At least the boys do seem to have some wits left to them. Take up his sword before he do be changing his mind."
Turning back to Mikel, she looked over his wound. "This do need bandaging or healing, but I am not so good with such things as Tenora."
Aid Another Heal:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 Hopefully someone has a better heal skill than Cor'ellis.
With Tenora doing her best to heal the father, Cor'ellis stayed focused on the young men. The power flooded through her, suffusing her with light and life... it felt wrong somehow. Almost unnatural to be embracing it in a crowded street, surrounded by people. But lives were on the line and she had the power to stop it this time, before things went too far, she hoped.
Marik and Elek were doing their best not to do harm, so she called Val to heel as she wove strands of air to catch Jair's sword and hold it fast. Once she held it immobile, encased in hardened air, she made a motion like tying a knot and held it place.
Weaving hardened air as a first level spell to disarm the boy of his sword, then tying it off. I think since he is holding it, it will catch and hold his hand or arm too.
"He do no be in his right mind." She said to the now injured boy, Mikel. "Tenora do be able to help, do be still now to slow the bleeding."
With more and more angry words said and no one paying any attention to her gracious manner and Tenora embracing the Source, Cor'ellis became more and more certain.
”Fortune stab us! It do be happening again!” Following suit, Cor'ellis also reached out to Saidar raising her sun-darkened arms into a sort of flourish like a bard's or gleeman's pose before beginning to recite. The gesture also served to bring Val to quick attention. Immediately the canine was alert and searching for threats.
So when Jair suddenly charged Mikel, Val was quick to intercept, always on guard to defend his mistress.
Given that Cor’ellis moved to face the boy Mikel while she talked to him, and Val is always at her most vulnerable side, I’m guessing that Val gets an AoO too? I’m bad at visualizing combat maps.
It's a full round to embrace, iirc. But as soon as she can, Cor'ellis will use Tenora's harden air trick to keep the boys from harming each other. First on the Jair since he is armed.
the boy looks up at cor'ellis. wha? my sister? joclyn? Why would you look for her here? A thief! Well i never did steal anything in my life...well, except for some kisses and what not with the fine Miss Sharrah. the bundle of rags proclaims indignatly at the insult of being assumed to be a thief.
Cor’ellis laughed lightly as she realized her mistake. ”I do see now, I mistook you for a resident of this house. You do be looking for the lovely girl Sharrah as well, yes? Where do you be looking next? I do so wish to speak to her.” She left the others out of it for now in case the boy was frightened of the men or the future Aes Sedai.
Diplomacy:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22
RIZZENMAGNUS wrote:
Whats all this going on out here? I swear, I will gut every one of you- the voice from inside the house bellows loudly before stepping from the darkened interior out into the daylight, resolving into one of the most plain men you have ever seen. If he wasnt talking and drawing attention to himself, youd swear that youd have looked past him without noticing him. -well who in the Dark One's twisted taint are all of you? And why are you standing here upon my property?
Keln! That's enough!Anna and Dawn snap at the man at the same time. You have no right to be speaking like that, especially to these visitors.
Keln, the plainest man, guffaws at them HA. I speak however i want to, Anna, young Dawn. Neither of you are my mom, Dark One take her and use her as his plaything. Now, why'd you bring this sightblinded milquetoast outsiders to my doorstep?
”Do excuse us, if you please, sir. We do seem to be rather crowded up at the moment ‘round your doorstep. We do no mean to take up your valuable time long.”
And some more Diplomacy:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24
Cor'ellis did her best to soothe the frightened boy as Elek moved off. "You do no need to be fearful of us. We come only to inquire of your... sister, I do expect? Do no be fretful, if anything do be wrong, we do be here to help set it aright. Now tell me, what do be the matter?"
As her eyes adjust to the lighting, she glances again in the direction of the Alcove.
Perception:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26
Cor'ellis was shocked when the young man uttered the name of the Dark One and quickly placed a steadying hand on Val's back. She tried to gauge if the boy's utterance was mistake or habit.
Sense Motive(Dark Friends?):1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
Cor'ellis was relieved to find the rest of the group as they crossed paths on their way. "We do be ready to leave when need be," she said, "unless, you do know of some way we can help here? I did uncover some local legends, perhaps most notable that this village has not had an attack from the Blight in 65 years. I do suspect that whatever do keep the Trollocs and Fades out, it may also cause folk to lose their wits from time to time."
She was slightly started by the sudden appearance of a... man? in the doorway. But she was quick to follow Tenora's lead. "Yes, we do be hoping to speak with her. You would have our gratitude if you did introduce us." She said with smile.
Aid Diplomacy:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20
When she looked around, she noticed someone else was looking on. Keeping her voice low, she nudged Elek. "A lurker looks on. There." She indicated the direction discreetly.
Bluff to conceal message:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28 She's trying to point out the figure without it being obvious to said figure. Maybe straighten Elek's vest or pluck a piece of lint off as a cover for the motion.
In the meantime, Cor'ellis did her best to learn more about the so-called legends of Thorn. She spoke with the villagers, focused on the subject of multiple births, since that seemed to be the most verifiable piece of information she had received from the helpful merchant.
[dice=Diplomacy(Gather Information)]
Was Cor'ellis able to gather any information? Roll was 32 total. Also, can we meet back up with the group if they are transitioning to a new area?
Cor'ellis thanked Mistress Serane for her excellent service and the lovely conversation. Then she and Renlo gathered her necessities and with well wishes for the future, departed the Trading Post.
After they secured the supplies with the party's wagons, she said to Renlo, "Well, we do be free to go on our way now. Unless the others did uncover something to shed some light on these strange dreams and odd behavior and mean to do something about it. Now, where do they be?"
I don't think we arranged where to meet up before we split off but maybe we can run into the others on the streets of the village?
In the meantime, Cor'ellis did her best to learn more about the so-called legends of Thorn. She spoke with the villagers, focused on the subject of multiple births, since that seemed to be the most verifiable piece of information she had received from the helpful merchant.
Player thoughts: There's definitely something in place that protects Thorn from falling to the Shadow. But it seems like it also has some long-term nasty side effects. While we might find some way to reverse it and relieve the people here from the weird dreams and going mad, it stands to reason that we may also remove whatever protects this place.
Seems like it's a sort of trade-off, whether through spell, or compact or the effect of a ter'angreal. We might have to ask ourselves if we even have the right to interfere?
”My, but 65 years do be a very long time between raids from the Blight.” She looked to Renlo for confirmation, as she knew she was no expert on the subject. ”Legends do be funny things, though. They do sound fanciful to us in the here and now, but truth and meaning do be found at their core if delved for deeply enough. In your 6 years here, did you see much to do credit to these tales. The multiple births, reports of madness or any other remarkable strangeness like these odd dreams come to mind?”
If Mistress Serane could not shed any more light on the subject, Cor’ellis and Renlo would politely conclude the conversation and gather up her traveling goods and rejoin the rest of the party to share what they have learned.
’No attacks on Thorn, even when neighboring villages do suffer such… and yet the people do no come here to stay…’
Cor’ellis considered the implications as she leaned back in her seat, remembering the strange tapestry from before. She politely ignored the woman’s rather forward implication, though she cut her eyes toward Renlo, gauging his reaction.
”So the dreams do trouble you here outside Thorn's walls? There do be much strangeness here, I think perhaps your decision do be a prudent one. Renlo did have much the same thought. Though I do be glad you did no leave before we arrived. I fear I have no heard of these local legends. Please, do enlighten us." Sense Motive:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26
You named her father as Cor’wall Tafaar in this post but I would like to make it Cor’cal Tafaar to keep it in line with her Old Tongue naming pattern, if that’s alright.
Cor’ellis nodded pleasantly, picking up on the merchant’s cue to turn the talk more business related. ”And trading this close to the Blight do have it’s challenges, yes? I do worry for raids from the north with so little fortification or manned defense. The village did seem to have it’s fair share of troubles from within, as well. Do you be troubled here by such things, Mistress Serane?" She did not bother to specify, knowing that merchants were usually the most well informed people in the area.
Cor'ellis glanced over her shoulder with an impish smile for Renlo as he suffered being called her "companion" as she entered the tent hand in hand with the guard.
"Such courtesy!" she exclaimed delightedly, her merchant's eye lighting about the room approvingly. "Your trading post do be a marked improvement from the Inn in Thorn. Do business be so profitable this far north? Fortune do favor the bold, yes?"
She took the seat indicated and spent a moment gazing up at their hostess. "My, what a lovely complexion you do have, Mistress Serane. And such striking eyes! My father do import stones that color and they fetch quite a hefty sum both for their beauty and rarity." She gushed, doing her best to be ingratiating and pleasant with the reserved woman.
Cor'ellis strode toward the men guarding the entrance, grasping the arm of the fierce eyed woodsman and with Val loping at her other side. Both escorts alert and scanning for danger.
"I do be the Lady Cor'ellis of Illian, good sirs. And a customer of Master Sholo Otto. He did give assurances that my necessities would be arranged for my travels. I do come to see if they be ready."
Before leaving to check on her travelling supplies, Cor'ellis' ear catches the sound of the Old Tongue being, frankly, butchered. Ever helpful, she volunteers the correct pronunciation.
"Bal'na. It do be the Old Tongue. My father did insist I learned the proper forms. Although most noblemen do care little for such things when they seek a bride." She said with a wink at the young Miss Dawn.
"It do mean something like 'of the circle'... I do wonder, do there be some literal circle? Something ancient and archaic that did be here before the place was called Thorn?"
Cor'ellis speaks the Old Tongue, her player did her best to piece together the meaning. If I got it wrong or if there is more meaning in it than I could discern, please sub in the correct meaning. =D
Trying another check since there is more to go on now...
Knowledge Age of Legends):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Renlo spoke up, "Let's hope your supplies are ready, Lady Cor'ellis. I would greatly prefer we did not have to remain here longer than necessary."
"It do be a worrisome prospect, no? Perhaps you might be accompanying me, in case the trading post staff do be needing further persuasion? That glare of yours do be enough to make a tortoise fly." She said with a light chuckle and held her hands expectantly, as if to take his arm.
Elek asked about the location of the trading post but I couldn't find the reply. Hopefully we can head there and inquire about the travelling supplies.
I made as many knowledge checks as I could, maybe something will turn up from it. Maybe we could try intelligence and/or wisdom checks for random inspiration? Or another GM dropped breadcrumb? =D
What probably really ought to happen is we find Cor'ellis travelling goods must be delayed a day and we have to stay here for a night and see what sort of dreams we have... eh? eh? *waggles eyebrows suggestively*
Cor'ellis looks flummoxed for a moment before she answers, "This lover's triangle business do seem to be key. And the people did no act violently until faced with these persons from their dreams. If they do avoid seeing whomever they do be having violent dreams about, perhaps they will do no more violence." She shrugged, realizing it was little to go on, and yet all she had.
"Master Otto did say there did be a trading post near here."
I'm afraid I'm also pretty clueless on how to help the folks. Player knowledge points to something like a forsaken, ta'veren weirdness, or a bubble of evil. Or maybe the people are accessing Tel'aran'rhiod and that's why the acts feel so real, since they sort of are? Anyway, nothing to act on from a character perspective, that I can see.
Cor'ellis massaged at her temples, feeling the beginnings of a headache from trying to reason out what must be causing such awful violence between neighbors in this place. "I do feel we should try to help here. But how to do that, I do no understand. They should be warned at least, no? And I must locate my traveling supplies."
Tenora is out for a bit then. Apologies for my own absence, things got busy in preparation for my son's birthday today. I will catch up and post tomorrow.
Cor'ellis nodded with as much grace as she could muster, thinking to herself, 'She do be little more than a girl... and just learning to wield the influence she shall one day possess. At least she do be concerned for others beside herself.' Of course, her own crisis had long since passed, and if the girl knew much of the power, she must soon realize that as well.
She reached down and gave Val a scratch between his ears and then followed, in considerably better humor than Tenora. She took up a spot near Elek, hoping Bataar would be forthcoming about his experience with these strange dreams.
Tenora takes her to the secluded corner and says in a firm voice.
Tenora:
Cor'ellis seemed to brace herself based on Tenora's tone, but when she heard what was said, she barked a short laugh. "You do realize that, do you? I did no think to doubt an Aes Sedai's word... but I do begin to suspect that you do no be Aes Sedai, after all, no? Well, no point in wasting valuable time. I did go to your White Tower, likely while you did be still in swaddling clothes. They did no want me then, nor they now. I do be a bit older than I look, you see." She said with a wink.
Oh boy, this should be fun. I take it Tenora is assuming Cor'ellis channeled earlier. I don't think using weavesight actually involves channeling, nor should she realize that I successfully learned her weave. XD
"A word in PRIVATE Now." She gently grabs her blouse.
The noble Lady's eyes widen for a moment as the Aes Sedai approached her with purpose. The younger woman had been content to keep her distance up until now, which suited Cor'ellis just fine. Val snarled softly, sensing her unease, but Cor'ellis placed a hand on his brow and he quieted instantly. Drawing herself to her full height, she nodded and allowed herself to be led by Tenora to speak privately... though not by her blouse and with Val in tow, as always.
Composure check:1d20 + 16 ⇒ (16) + 16 = 32
"What do be the trouble, Tenora Sedai? Should we no be hearing more about these strange dreams?"
Cor'ellis kept out of the mess, mainly to keep Val from attacking some fool innocent in the confusion. Her eyes were drawn to the shrieking woman as she trashed against bonds of air and then grew still.
But her jaw dropped when she recognized that one of the men had actually been killed. She shook her head to Elek's question, but then seemed to think of something. "There did be strange dreaming in Illian too, before I left. Dreams that did seem no to be one's own. I do no know how or why, only that they did be dark dreams... Unwholesome." She shuddered slightly, rubbing her arms with her hands, vainly seeking warmth.
Elek Kardforgató wrote:
'Blood and ashes, perhaps work of the dark one...how do we know for sure. If we can't identify it how can we stop it? Blast, we have no way of helping these people.' Sighing, he looks from Tenora to Renlo, shrugging. "At least till it starts again. We should get what we need and get out of town." He runs his fingers through his shoulder length hair, turning to Bataar. "What are we going to do with Bataar?"
"We do need to learn what can be known. Bataar has been here longer, he knows of these strange dreams, yes?" She addressed the last to the male wilder himself.
Cor'ellis, ive noted your use of inverting and casting the weave, but i need to look up how female channelers hid their casting without alerting other channelers to their presence. I know female channelers, when they embrace the source, will glow, but i dont remember the supression. i know it's discussed in the later books, so i need to find them or references to it, to better gauge rules and what not for this...Tenora, please dont react to Cor'ellis' posting until i figure this out. thanks.
Right, I know hiding one's ability to channel and hiding the glow should be beyond her. I was hoping to be out of Tenora's line of sight when weaving. She should still sense that someone channeled and Bataar too, I suppose. But I wasn't sure if Tenora had sensed Cor'ellis can channel yet or not, so roleplaying that uncertainty.
Not seeing any children that needed help, she kept her distance for the moment placing the wall at her back and Val taking up a protective stance between her and the combatants.
"Fortune stab us all! What do be wrong with these folk?!" She asked of the nearest group of unaffected people.
As Cor'ellis pushes past him to go out into the melee, Renlo says, "Peace, Lady Cor'ellis! If we must go out there to try and find children, then you should remain here. You are no Aes Sedai. We will find children and bring them back."
We don't know Cor'ellis can channel yet...
The noble Lady's cinnamon eyes flashed as they met Renlo's, gathering the reflected candlelight until they seemed to glow. She scoffed, loudly. “Yes, for one need be Aes Sedai to comfort frightened children.” And she marched right on her way, unwilling to be delayed another moment.
Still the caution in the Shienaran's tone seemed to have reached her on some level as she takes a calming breath for a moment and seemed to be listening for something as she moved more slowly down the hallway. Val sticking close to her side.
Composure:1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22For +1 bonus to attack rolls for 5 rounds Invert:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29 Weaving Sense Shadowspawn to detect if there are any in a 150 ft radius centered on herself. Inverting to hopefully hide it from Tenora as she is still back in the room.
At Bataar’s words, Cor’ellis eyes widen in alarm… and what seems like recognition. ”Shared dreaming? This dream do be yours they share? Or you do be sharing in their’s?” She asked before she could stop herself, but then shook her head. ”No, that do no matter now. There do be children out there!” She cried before giving Val a quick command to Guard her as she drew her own sap from beneath the folds of her riding skirt and marched out into the mess of it all, her eyes grim and determined.
She will seek out children to protect from the melee, hopefully they are not a part of it. She will also use her sap, and arms of air to disarm, subdue and separate any combatants who look to be in danger of killing each other.
Cor'ellis found herself absorbed by the tapestry in the room, absently stroking Val's fur. It was a fascinating scene depicted. She could not help but speculate over it. 'If it did be a last stand, how could it be immortalized so? Perhaps the artisan did take much licence...' In fact, she was so distracted that she nearly missed Bataar's stunning revelation. The sudden increase of tension in the other men drew her focus away from the wall hanging. Or rather the sudden increase of tension in Val's muscles beneath her hand in response.
She looked at the young Kandori curiously once she processed what had been said, as if trying to see something different about him than in other men. Val sensed the acuity of her focus and concentrated his gaze on the young man as well, tilting his head at precisely the same angle as his mistress, mirroring her. It looked almost comical, yet somewhat eerie as well.
She opened her mouth to ask a question just as the door swung open to admit the innkeeper. She was stunned by his abrupt change in attitude and instantly put on edge as the dishes smashed to the floor. Val began bristling and snarling at the man as he started moving aggressively. Cor’ellis stood imperiously and though she understood little of what was being said, she decided that preventing more violence was the prudent course, if possible.
”Sirrah! You will be calm! This guard-dog do be ready to set upon you if you show any threat!” The truth was, Val was really only likely to do that if that threat were toward his mistress, but he did not need to know that.
Aid Intimidate:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13 Val’s Aid Intimidate:1d20 ⇒ 10
yeah i have to agree with elek that Bataar has to do something to convince the group that he's not crazy.
i cant intercede on this...at least not directly.
Any chance he really was a Darkfriend? If so, Cor'ellis might have overheard something corroborative.
Bataar could try claiming a power like Hurin's sniffing, i.e. sensing the taint of violence on someone to back up his claim. But the suddenness of the attack might require the truth. If "Salty" were at least middle-aged, there's the option of arguing that male channelers don't live to have grey in their hair unless they have the DO's protection from the taint.
Happy to help resolve things if it could work. She would likely use her eavesdropping and sensing shadowspawn anywhere she stays for long and I established her as having been in Fal Dara for weeks.
Cor'ellis proceeded to follow her new companions into the Bulwark, her marvel for the substantial surroundings somewhat muted by her tension. Val sensed it too, his hackles bristling as he stalked by her side. The usual attempt to see Val secured in a stable or other such paddock was waved away with the usual assurances that the animal was trained and for personal protection.
She would introduce herself if asked, but kept quiet for now until the situation became more clear.
The journey to the small village of Thorn occurs at an easy pace. pulling a random name Korin sits upon the wagon and directs the oxen down the main road out of Fal Dara, and taking the lesser known side road that leads to the community.
Travel along the side road is safe, with the occasional farmhouses dotting the country side. Fields of wheat, corn, soybeans, dot the worked fields, providing a sense of hard work...
Cor'ellis rode near the wagon, Val guarding at her stirrup on her unprotected side. She chatted amicably with Korin much of the time. The poor fellow was in for a sore tailbone from the beating of the buckboard due to the bumping and jostling of the wagon along the rough track. She might as well do what she could to keep his mind off it. She spoke with most anyone who wandered close enough, though she did seem to make an effort to give Tenora a wide berth.
She widend her dark cinnamon eyes in alarm at Renlo's proclamation. Unsure of what would happen next, she waited with bated breath.
Not really sure what is happening in front of her and what is going on behind a closed door so I'll defer to the party here.
