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Elrin nods and bows with a look if gracious sorrow on his face. "Of course, Colonel. You are merely discharging your duty. May I speak privately with you before I am escorted away?" Smythe nods eagerly and replies "Of course, of course." DC 20 SM: Elrin seems a little too interested in speaking with Smythe.
Smythe stares slack-jawed at the lot of you, clearly terrified by what you've had to say. Then the finely-dressed elf looks up at the Colonel with a imploring eyes that would melt a glacier. "Your honor, may I speak" The confused officer nods and Elrin continues "These strange folk, with no authority to enforce the law, have taken me from a mission on behalf of the council. I cannot divulge its nature but I assure you, Elven lands would never act aggressively or subversively toward our valued ally of the Bishopric of Helm. Concerned for my safety, a backup squadron sought to extracte by any means necessary." K Hist DC 20 w +2 circumstance bonus for Mel:
It is true that Elven lands have never been the official aggressor in any armed conflict but they've manipulated others into beginning conflicts on their behalf, most recently in the last war with Iustia 134 years ago when the Bishopric was maneuvered into declaring war and "dragging" their elven allies into it. Elrin bows his head in contrition. "I apologise deeply for the deaths of the brave guardsmen. But my countrymen were seeking to save me, a man depndent on them who had been imprisonedeated without a trial." He pulls on various parts of his robe to show some of his nasty wounds. "My countrymen grossly miscarried their duty but the majority of them paid for that mistake with their lives. And I assure you that the Council will apologize most profoundly for this tragedy. I beg you to exercise the wisdom I have heard that you posses. Limit the damage done and return myself, my countryman, and the bodies of the fallen elves to the Elven embassy here in Helm."
[ooc]Haha. Oh man that is great, Perrin. And a STINGING rebuke from Mel./ooc] Elrin sniffs at Mel's response. "I suppose there's no trying to pass the time with an anti-social vigilante who leads to conclusions." DC 28 sense motive: Though he hides it well, Mel's words got under Elrin's skin, who quickly distracts himself to think of other things.
Mel stares at Elrin very awkwardly and consistently across the wagon. Kelian squirms a little in his seat, unsure how to deal with this enemy who is so polite and smooth all the time. Mel's minute attention to detail notices the tiniest protrusion of an ink tattoo on the lower part of Elrin's neck. The rest of the tattoo is covered by his robe. She also notices that he seems to be noting the landmarks as you pass them and looks a little please. His fine Elven leather boots look very clean this morning. She suspects he cleaned them using magical means. His grey eyes have very small flecks of gold in them when he stares back at her. "I would appreciate it if you would find a less obnoxious way to pass the time on this journey than staring so rudely at me."
Elrin bows gracefully as he gets up from the table. "Ah yes. I look forward to seeing Lake Halden. I have heard much of its humble charms."
Elrin nods sympathetically. "Truly a blessing for which we can thank the gods. From what you've told me about the events there, a flood would cause additional losses of property and, gods forbid, of life in a community that has suffered too much already." He solemnly pushes his food around on his plate.
Elrin shrugs and holds up his hands as Hannady unties him. "How am I the defend myself against the passionate, unproven assertions of this person known to indulge in deception and trickery?"
Elrin bows graciously. "It is unfortunate, Captain Hannady, that doubt must be cast on the goodwill between our two states but I must submit to your judgment." He eyes Mel spitefully for a moment, weighing his options. "Might I point out that this female who accuses me of a dastardly elven plot is hiding her own identity as an elf. She is certainly not authorized to be acting here in any manner and I cannot guess what game she is playing."
Elrin works his jaw a couple of times after the gag is removed then licks his lips and clears his throat. He bows to Captain Hannady "Thank you, sir. I have found my captivity with these... vigilantes... quite unpleasant. I understand that they have been through a tragedy and are looking for somewhere to place the blame. But they have no evidence linking me to this horrible assault of marauding orcs. The orc communiques are confusing when translated poorly, that is all. I was on an unrelated mission for the Elven council. I implore you to release me and place an information request with the embassy in order to maintain good relations between our two nations." GM Screen:
Hannady looks hard at Elrin and then with some doubt at the two of you. He rubs his forehead and sighs "It does seem rather circumstantial... But this map is very troubling..."
The bound elf mutters something under his breath. DC 15 perception + understand elvish: "Surely a few of these are not so great a loss in any case."
The haughty elf sneers at Mel's suggestions. "Kill me in cold blood, would you? How does that make you any better than the barbarians of the south, petturi?"
Elrin's confident demeanor visibly cracks when Perrin mentions taking the map to Iustia. Very defensively, he exclaims "If you care nothing for the fate of the entire continent, then do just that! Take that map to Iustia and start a war that devastates us for generations! Or, allow the council to prevent that very war. Your small nation would fare better under Elven hegemony anyhow."
Elrin sneers disdainfully. "I cannot stop you from striking me or taking my possessions. Have them." He passes you the bag and turns out his pockets. "As for this 'Liriandel', I can't say that I know him but I'm sure he would encourage you to cooperate with the plans of the council." Inside the bag, you find some more writing instruments, 4 scrolls, two wands, and a map.
The map isn't entirely clear to you. DC 12 profession soldier, K history, or just a straight int check: The map seems to detail the movement of various orc forces into the Bishopric of Helm then countered by a large movement of Elvish troops come to defend their neighbors. The Elvish troops then garrison various parts of the Bishopric to defend against further attacks. Several of these garrisoned positions seem strategic should war break out between the Elven Council and the Monarchy of Iustia. Tensions between the two nations have been rising lately as Iustia's monarchy has adopted an expansionist philosophy on the continent.
The elf looks in surprise as the man he assumed to be an ignorant bumpkin speaks in the fair tongue. He replies Elvish: "Know that the council majority has approved my mission. That is enough."
The elf glances at Mel disdainfully. No. I had nothing to do with what you are describing. My mission is highly sensitive and I merely attempted to escape. I made no attacks against any of you. DC 12 Sense Motive: He intentionally misunderstood Mel's original question in order to dodge the question. He is definitely lying.
The elf puts his hands up and steps back, given the frightening display. Calm yourselves, now! I was merely here on a mission for the Elven council. I have committed none of the violent acts of which you speak! GM Screen:
DC 17 SM: Though he seems to be telling the truth about not personally committing any violent acts, he can't quite conceal from you the fact that he's familiar with what you are describing.
The orc curses again under his breath then speaks a word you don't understand. The appearance of an orc fades rapidly away leaving a handsome man with pointed ears wearing a flowing robe. He bows calmly and states in an incredibly smooth voice I am Elrin. My business here is not something I can share but I assure you, if you escort me back to my homeland, you will be compensated most generously. He gestures politely toward Mel. She can verify this, of course.
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