this seems a reasonable alternative, Shadwell. in fact I volunteer to speak on our behalf. I may not be an ideal diplomat, but I have legitimate interest in druidic magic, and can therefore speak most openly
Search Posts
remarkably, I was just thinking something similar. We know the Nail is acquiring new resources, and that there's bad blood between the druids and the town. All we need to do is convince the druids that the Nail is likely to strike and that it's in the best interest of the druids to strike first
Nekare` meets Izithrael and Shadwell (and anyone else) on the outskirts of town. alright gentlemen, we're just trying to locate their camp, and with this many of us, we're more likely yo be spotted. If we are, I suggest we tell them as much of the truth as we can, since, quite frankly, I've no head for lies and no talent for telling them. Based on that criteria, what's a story we can agree on, if it becomes necessary?
Incidentally, she's put on her most rugged outfit and has had Clearbourne transform into a boar.
Whether alone or with company, Nekare` sets out to locate the druid camp strictly for the purpose of recon.
once Myth makes his report about the Hellhound squad approval, If Shadwell can confirm the time of arrival for these beasts, I think that would be the best time to attack the Druids. I can summon a pair of them to harass any stragglers we find. What other evidence can we plant to point them in the direction of the Nail?
Nekare`continues:
After some deliberation, Nekare` speaks up again, perhaps we can put some of these questions to bed right now. Clearbourne, please ask your father :
she returns her attention to the party once Clearbourne answers these questions, do NOT discuss them yet. There will be opportunity to ask three more yes/no questions in follow-up, if any of you can think of any, you may ask them... carefully. There will be at most a minute to ask these questions at which point I will ask any follow-up questions I can think of
Edited
if we're going to verify the nature of the Nail's interest in the Order, I suggest we further investigate the captain and his home, as well; both he and it are likely to be less well protected than their headquarters, and since he's the one all political graft seems to be flowing to, evidence of manipulation will likely lie with him... she trails off, considering something, but does not continue, allowing the conversation to flow around her for now
Before Seraphim departs we still need to FIND the druids, first. A simple forrest fire may not be enough unless they feel directly threatened. This probably must needs fall to me, unless anyone else has experience in wilderness tracking... I would, however, ask Shadwell to join me.
Nekare` lounges over breakfast for an hour, relishing every mediocre bite and ignoring Shadwell's impatient yet impressively discrete stares. Once finished, she approaches him and crosses her arms, well, are you ready, then? as they ascend the stairs together, she explains what the group has discussed so far. Upon reaching Mythaniel's room they discover everyone already there and waiting more or probably less patiently for them before beginning. excellent, you're all already here! Look what the cat dragged in, indicating Shadwell. So here's the information I've gained since yesterday,
then let's adjourn for now, but we should meet again in the morning before beginning our separate tasks and I'll share what my Clearbourne has discovered, and perhaps Shadwell will deign to make an appearance to enlighten us as to what he's been up to. And of course, this will give our angel-in-residence a chance to not seduce the innkeeper and find something out, as well.
she doesn't bother hiding her amusement
This could work, but aren't we taking a lot for granted? Maybe we should see this conclave of druids for ourselves first, make sure they won't be wiped out by the Nail offhand; shouldn't we check out the Nail, also; see if they're as bumbling as Sirrith suggests. Have absolutely none of us taken advantage of that gushing innkeeper who could talk the ear off a chicken, since he probably knows the goings on around here better than anyone? ... well?
Nekare` feels Clearbourne land on her shoulder as she enters the the town and orders him, remain invisible. Scout about the town, get a sense of the layout and find the nail's headquarters. Report back to me. apparently I'll be in room 217 at the inn, if not, well, you can always find me, darling, can't you.
She shrugs why not a turtle? It may not be awe inspiring in and of itself, but easier to revere something if it's already somewhat more than an ordinary humanoid, and easier still to adore something which isn't inherently terrifying.
Nekare` opts to travel by caravan with whoever wishes to join her. She dons her simplest traveling gear and orders Clearbourne to remain invisible for the duration. She does, however, allow herself the luxury of a private coach. To any who've decided to join her, So, we're on our way and hopefully away from prying eyes and ears, something she would have made sure of, what do we think of our new employer?
you've given us a great deal to think about, and unless anyone else has something to add, I suggest we get underway as soon as possible
Nekare` rests her face in her hands and sighs; she thinks about her own reading of the gifted tome. She thinks of the many passages regarding the cost of power, of the allusions to the necessity of loss of innocence and she remembers the white doves which were vessels for their keys and the remaining fragrance of roast dove left in the amphitheater when they left this place the last time, so much like her own supper earlier that evening. She thinks about about sacrifices and the role in this organization of herself and her colleagues... Seraphim, a frontal assault is out of the question. As strong an evocationist as I know you to be, even six middling strong wizards don't stand a chance against of a well trained garrison, and even if we did come out victorious and in the best of circumstances, the Hellknights would be left with too many questions about a wiped out chapter house to not send an even larger and more powerful group to investigate. Mythaniel, you're half right, there; the opponent always matters. We pick our battles, and sometimes we choose not to fight because some challenges are untenable at a given time. Alexis, she realizes she has no idea what to make of Alexis, and that Shadwell, as usual, is keeping his own council right... Izithrael is correct in that we need more information. Once we're done here I think we'll just have to travel to Palin's Cove and survey the situation ourselves. Then we can come up with a plan... Sirith, is there else you can tell us, a suggestion of where to start, perhaps, anything at all?
Nekare` laughs aloud, shaking enough to send her imp flying off with his food, thoroughly disgruntled. before we do anything, Sirith will stop her dissembling. You have admitted the this group of interfering thugs are in fact a local chapter of the order of Hellknights. This means we can expect certain minimums of difficulty from them, at least. They are, by reputation, well trained, well funded and in constant communication with one another. They are aggressive in their support of order and in their retribution against offense. I feel like there's more you're not telling us.
can you give us any further information, names or favored haunts, even the names of local order members so we can go out of our way to avoid them? Clearbourne sits on her shoulder and seems to be eating a dainty plate of foie gras which he guards jealously.
So,... here we have what appears to be a large talking turtle whose ultimate goal is to supplant the gods by self empowering mortals, who will then worship him as a savior, and aquiring arcane and temporal power. The latter part of which we will be assisting with by going on goodwill missions to garner influence over the masses and possibly the favor of the gentry. How close am I?
she picks up the book before her and studies it absently we can start with the some of the obvious ones, what is Terrapin?... and why all the theatrics?
She says the words and offers the signs. She locks eyes with one of the devils towering over her, now bereft of their door, and forces her will upon the ancient being with surprising ease. she screams, and commands it:
infernal:
open the locked door and let only me pass! The moment the way is clear, she makes her way through, ignoring the waves of fear emanating from the monster
Edit:
she briefly looks crestfallen, but rallies herself as she looks from the devils to the door to her colleagues, formulating various contingencies.
She visibly pales as she recognizes the creatures barring her path and shoots Terrapin a scathing look, but she refuses to back down from her chosen challenge. she whispers to herself there's a way, but it only works if...
** spoiler omitted ** Spoiler: i paid boucoup for a CL9 wand and obviously don't make it myself. The maneuver check was a mistake which I've corrected, I think. Thank you for pointing it out.
She realizes she won't be able to bully her colleagues away a second time and decides she must act now while the odds are in her favor. She steps a little ways of from the devils and hands her imp, Clearbourne, a wand, telling it you know what to do she faces the devils again an Summons her wolves
With the devils distracted and/or prone she quickly skirts past them and through the door
She looks askance at Klock do you mind, I'm trying to have a conversation with my friends here?
sighing heavily, Nekare` returns to the floor of the amphitheater thinking I will get that turtle for this! Ignoring everything else she approaches the fiends' door
infernal:
If I ask politely will you let me pass? a chubby imp arrives and lands on her shoulder
Nekare` takes in her surroundings and casts Charm Person on her escort and politely asks him to unhand her. She then instructs him to inform yon turtle that she'll be no part of his dog and pony show, before casting Obscuring Mist and Dimension Door to transport her as near to the exit as possible before leaving. +2 v invisible or incorporeal
The docile creature acquiesced to being picked up and held as Nekare` retrieved the message from its leg and read it. hmmmm... she briefly considered her options before enclosing the dove's dainty neck in her only slightly less dainty hand with its head just protruding past her first finger and thumb. A quick twist with her other hand accompanied by a surprising loud clicking noise and the bird was dead. Carrying the carcass with her to the kitchen, she began organizing a menu in her head featuring heavy use of provincial herbs to enhance the gamey bouquet of the bird and a creamy truffle risotto.
Still need gear, but otherwise I believe this character is complete.
The docile creature acquiesced to being picked up and held as Nekare` retrieved the message from its leg and read it. hmmmm... she briefly considered her options before enclosing the dove's dainty neck in her only slightly less dainty hand with its head just protruding past her first finger and thumb. A quick twist with her other hand accompanied by a surprising loud clicking noise and the bird was dead. Carrying the carcass with her to the kitchen, she began organizing a menu in her head featuring heavy use of provincial herbs to enhance the gamey bouquet of the bird and a creamy truffle risotto.
she springs into action running after the fetch toy, her claws clicking on the wood as she tries to gain purchase and momentum WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANT!!!
The light dancing in Nekare`s eyes seems to say "Huzzah, mofo!'
attempts once again to attack the grindylow
charges grindylow 1
quickly rights herself and bites her attacker
apparently tripping over her own feet in the process
she sniffs at Lela and lolls her tongue placidly
Necare's nose lifts and her ears perk forward as a familiar scent wafts down from a higher deck rat?! |