Qahnaarin follows along, and grabs a weapon as soon as he sees one. Who am I to question my betters? He stays close behind the nobleman, keeping his mouth shut and his eyes open.
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"Glorious! Glorious, my lord! Such splendor and wonder! Truly, we stand on the edge of history!" Qahnaarin raises his hands in worship. "Oh, master! Where do we go!? What do we do!? Teach me!"
That cannot be good. Qahnaarin summons his inner power to enhance his words.
"Master... Master, it is beautiful!" Qahnaarin's face is filled with awe and wonder. "Is this what the priests have prophesied? Is this the salvation of our city? I always knew that those who opposed Lord Elaran were wrong!
Qahnaarin overhears the message from the target to the guard. He leaves the broom propped against a wall and hurries to catch up to the target. He will wait until the target is alone, or at least when he is not near anyone close. "My lord! My lord!" When the target turns, Qahnaarin uses his most groveling voice and bows low. "My lord, you appear to be about business most urgent and important. Surely, my lord requires the services of a valet? No lord as high and mighty as yourself should be found without a valet! and see to your needs."
"As you say, Lady Lucarin." Qahnaarin bows himself out of the room. As he turns and walks down the hallway, his form is already writhing and twisting and reforming into that of a nondescript Ilidari in the garb of a laborer. He stops by the kitchen and grabs a broom before heading out into the city, making his way toward the upper ring of the eastern district. He will make a circuit through the district, keeping an eye out for those he saw during the meeting. No one ever bothers a man sweeping floors.
Qahnaarin bows from the waist. "An excellent plan, Lady Lucarin. Do you know much of this member of House Harkon? His friends and associates? His habits? We would want to take him unawares, and we must know where and when to find him." The tailor rises slightly. Also, Lady Lucarin, does House Lucarin have an alchemist? Such a servant would be of great use in this endeavor."
Qahnaarin clears his throat. "If I may, Lady Lucarin?" He counts one finger. "The assassination conspiracy must be unmasked. I can change my form to any of those who attended the 'Black Swan' meeting so we can identify a target. We must move quickly. Arresting one of their members and beginning our operation will throw them off balance and halt their momentum." Two fingers. "We must lower Elaran's public perception, and make him appear weak and ineffectual. Tsakua can best his champion in the games and shame him." Three fingers. "Jasmine and Inja are pursuing the slavers. If Elaran is involved, it is justification for his removal from the temple hierarchy. If he is not involved... it will not matter. It will garner additional public support and increase the perception of the people that House Lucarin is prepared to lead them into the future." He drops his hand. "But we must move quickly, Lady Lucarin. Far be it from me to rush you -- I am far beneath your station -- but the situation demands action. We must strike while the iron is hot," he motions toward Octavian's hammer, "And we are prepared to strike." Letter to Qahnaarin: He is humbled and flattered by Jasmine's confidence. Whether Qahnaarin is able to investigate the gathering of warriors and spellcasters in the desert is dependent on whether he is needed to pose as the captured conspirator.
Qahnaarin gives a very, very small smile. "Pray tell, Lord Lucarin, who possesses this 'Blood of the Emperor'?"
Qahnaarin gives a servile bow after finishing his presentation. "I hope you can see, ladies and gentlemen, the imperative that we act quickly. I will impersonate one of the conspirators, and you will all thwart my attempt to 'assassinate' our dear Octavian." He turns to Octavian and nods in deference. "Now, the question remains, who will be our target? Which of the conspirators lives alone? Or perhaps is wont to travel alone at night?"
It looks like the link to the Discord server was removed. Can I get it? I will add it to my favorites bar. I just used the link previously.
Vinsomner: Qahnaarin bows to the Lady Lucarin. "If it pleases the good mistress, may I offer my counsel? I would never dream of such impertinence, being only a humble tailor, if the lives of members of the House were not in mortal peril." He pauses a beat. "If you double the household guard, it will surely be observed by your enemies. They will know you are aware of their plot. They will take to ground and bide their time. They will wait until your guard is lowered. You will have to live in fear that one day they will decide to try again." He leans a bit, his words tinged with more seriousness than servility. "That is no way to live, my Lady Lucarin, and as a commander you know that you should never cede control of the battlefield to the opposing general. You must take the initiative. We can lay a trap for these conspirators. We do not need to capture all of them -- indeed, we need only capture one of them. One of the leaders whose form I just mimicked. My companions and I can take them unawares. They will not anticipate an attack, thinking themselves the hunters. We take one of them, and spirit them away into detainment, away from the eyes of the public." Qahnaarin looks side to side, as though checking for listening ears. "The next day, I will take their form and attempt to assassinate your son in public. I will be defeated by Octavian and my companions. I will be arrested for all to see. We will spread the news far and wide that an assassin has been captured, and that he will be interrogated by the battle mages. A few hours later, we spread the news that the prisoner has revealed he is part of a network of conspirators, and it is only a matter of time before he will divulge their identities. Perhaps he will rat them out for a lenient punishment." Qahnaarin touches his own nose. "I will be the prisoner, and I will be held in a location where a trap can be easily set. The real prisoner will be somewhere else entirely. The conspiracy ring will have to try to rescue me or silence me to protect themselves. We simply wait and strike." Qahnaarin pauses to allow Lady Lucarin to consider his plan.
Vinsomner: Qahnaarin bows. "Lady Lucarin, it is an honor to serve." He rises, but keeps his head down to look toward her feet. "I happened to find myself caught up with the followers of Master Elaran following the meeting of the council. It was quite by accident, I assure you, but I was herded through the city down several streets until their group stopped in an old, unused building. Once inside the group formed a circle. Master Elaran a part of it. He spoke to his followers." He looks up and meets her eye. "I could tell you what happened, good madame, but I believe showing you would be more effective." Suddenly Qahnaarin's form twists and shimmers and reforms. In the space of a few heartbeats, standing in his place is Master Elaran. "Their presence has complicated things. We need to accelerate our plans. Lucarin’s house is going to be a problem, especially with Octavian back. It seems we're losing the neutral council as well.” Qahnaarin shifted again, from the form of Master Elaran to the unnamed Ilidari who spoke next, "So should we proceed with Black Swan?" His words caused a stillness in the room. Everyone seemed to slowly nod in agreement. Then, "Black Swan is a go then. We should get everyone ready." Qahnaarin shifts again. ”Who should be first?” Qahnaarin shifts again. ”You should know who will be first. Cut the head of the snake, and it will no longer bite. Be discrete, we don’t want our actions to be discovered. The Illidari will return to their rightful places. My Vulcan guide you.” Qahnaarin shifts to his original form. "Those words were repeated by all attending members. Everyone bowed and left the room. Only Master Elaran and one other waiting for everyone else to go. The other one looked like this." He shifted into the form of the last Ilidari for a few moments before resuming his normal appearance. The Speaker bowed again. "I am but a humble tailor, Lady Lucarin, and unversed in matters of local politics, but I felt that you should know what I saw and heard. We must protect your family and the city from this treachery."
Vinsomner, any chance we could get a list of important NPCs on the Campaign Info page? Just name and title would be great. I keep having to search through the posts to remember names.
Vinsomner: Qahnaarin falls in behind the group and follows quietly. He will duck/change just before they reach the house and enter in his true form. "Mistress! Mistress!" Qahnaarin hails the lady of the house and gives a bow. "Please forgive my impertinence,
good mistress. I simply must speak with you of Ilidari fashion. It is both inspiring and spectacular!" He leans in close while kissing her hand. "I have information regarding the safety of your son. We must speak in private."
Vinsomner: Discovering that Octavian is indisposed, Qahnaarin makes his way to the city walls to try to find the House matriarch.
Wait, have six days elapsed? I'm confused.
Vinsomner: Qahnaarin puts a hand on the servant's shoulder and leans in close. "There is danger to the family. Especially Octavian. We do not have time -- his enemies are already on the move. Go, now! Find the mistress, and tell her she needs to return home with haste." The Speaker leaves the home, changing into Ilidari form again when no one is looking, and hurries to the temple. He purposely takes the form of the servant he just spoke with.
Vinsomner: Qahnaarin makes his way back toward Octavian's house. He ducks into an alley and waits to make certain he is not being tailed before transforming back into his normal Speaker appearance. He finds the nearest servant. "I must speak with Octavian, or his mother, as quickly as possible. Where are they?"
Vinsomner: Qahnaarin watches and listens. In particular, he studies the facial features of those who appear to be leaders -- those giving orders and those taking initiative.
Qahnaarin gives an obsequious bow to the party. "A thousand pardons, but I must retire to attend to the body's natural needs. If you would excuse me." He begins to walk toward the exit. Vinsomner: Qahnaarin ducks into the nearest alley or corner where he is out of sight for a few moments. He uses his Assumed Form ability to take the shape of a nondescript Ilidari.
He hustles to catch up to the knot of Ilidari following Pious Elaran. He follows along quietly just within earshot, doing nothing to draw attention (and avoid an opposed Perception check). He will follow as far as a member of the public is allowed to follow.
Four fingers. "The fourth task is war. You cannot wait for the human kingdom to arrive on your doorstep. The best time to strike is while their forces are committed to several fronts." He drops his hand. "But we can discuss that later, august council, in private. There are too many eyes and ears for now."
Three fingers. "The third task is to prepare." "First, spend public funds to establish a food reserve. Dried grains are typically the best, and flour cakes can last months with the right preparation. Enough to feed every citizen in the city for six months." "Second, spend public funds to establish a water reserve. Commission every potter in the city to make water vessels from now until further notice. Even if there are wells in the city, they can be spoiled or poisoned with sabotage. You may have divine spellcasters who can create water, or even a decanter of endless water, but it will not be enough for the entire city." "Third, shift the training of your armed forces to siege warfare. Every soldier should know the layout of the city, routes for withdrawal, how to operate siege defenses, and how to work in a siege engine crew." "Fourth, increase your stocks of siege equipment and siege engines -- oil, arrows, spears, alchemist fire, rolling logs, dropping stones, and tower shields. We also need to see to reinforcing gates and doors. Block every sewer and drainage entry to the city." "Fifth, draft a militia. Every able-bodied man and woman in the city should know how to wield a spear or crossbow, and be prepared to use one. Everyone should know evacuation procedures and alarm signals."
Two fingers. "The second task is to gather information about your surroundings. Send missives to every settlement in the Brisal Desert. Invite them to a war council. We need to convince them that the humans will eventually attack, we need to band together, and we need to share and coordinate resources for the good of the entire region."
Qahnaarin bows deeply. "I am honored to be of service, august council." He turns and bows to the Guard Captain. "I am certain that your captain of the guard is more than capable of preparing defenses for the city, but please allow this humble tailor to make a few suggestions. Completely unnecessary, I am sure, but let us review them nonetheless." One finger. "The first task is to gather information about your own city. First, take a complete stock of the city -- fresh and preserved food, water, arms, armor, medicine, alchemical supplies, and spellcasting material components. Everything must be cataloged for possible requisition." "Second, take a complete stock of the citizenry -- combat veterans, siege engineers, alchemists, offensive spellcasters, healers, and such. Anyone who can contribute to the war effort must be identified for possible conscription." "Third, take a complete stock of your armed forces. Who has experience in siege warfare? Who has experience with siege engines? Who has experience in sapping and sabotage? These soldiers will need to be identified to provide training to their comrades." "Fourth, take a complete stock of your city. Identify likely breach points in the walls and plan for strategic withdrawal. Identify buildings that can be demolished to channel enemy troops into choke-points. Identify secondary lines of defense. Identify buildings near choke-points for positioning secondary siege equipment."
"If I may?" Qahnaarin raises a hand with trepidation. "August council, I am Qahnaarin -- a simple tailor formerly of House Mandarb." He bows in a self-effacing sort of way. "It seems to me that you place a great deal of trust in your mighty walls and your hidden location. These are very effective defenses, and I can see why you would feel confident in your ability to frustrate an invading force. However, I would like to inform you of recent changes in the human kingdom." He looks around to make certain that no one objects. "Thank you. In your isolation, here in the desert, I am certain you have every reason to think that you are safe -- and that though the human kingdom shakes their spears and rattles their swords, that you will remain unmolested. That would have been the case a few years ago, but now things have changed. The king has moved, swiftly and surely, to mobilize the people and his troops. He has eliminated the bloated aristocracy, and replaced them with knights hungry for glory. Their cities swell with discontented peasantry in need of land. Their coffers cry out for gold to fuel their wars." One finger. "If Freeport falls, the Moon Sea falls. The humans already control the Luthias Sea, and they will be able to cut off the entire subcontinent." Two fingers. "If Muthinguard falls, the dwarves fall. The humans will swarm into their mountain homes and take their arms, and their armor, and their gold." Three fingers. "If they control the seas and have the wealth of the dwarves, they will utterly destroy the elves of Lithur." He drops his hand. "That will leave them only two directions to expand -- the Nomads Waste, the Li'athur Sea, or the Brisal Desert. The Wastes do not have their name ironically, and will promise them no riches. The Li'athur Sea is populated with humans, and will be an unattractive target for the king to sell his people. That leaves the Brisal Desert, with its exotic goods, rich trade, and isolated settlements." Qahnaarin allows his last words to hang silently in the air
So lets stop acting like this war is some kind of fictional fantasy and start preparing.
"What-- what was that!?"
Qahnaarin raises an eyebrow, but seeing the compliance of his fellow 'Proven' he reaches out and touches the gem with a his forefinger.
Qahnaarin stays to the middle of the pack as the group enters the atrium. He eyes flit all over the space, trying to take in as much as possible. He periodically whispers aloud, "Oh, my. Oh, my." He appears to physically bend from the weight of anxiety. He remains just behind Octavian as they enter.
Qahnaarin humbly accepts a room, and even volunteers to sleep in the servant's quarters should there not be enough room for all of the important people in the party. He gets a hot bath, and sits on a bench near his bend and begins mending his clothes. War and genocide may be horrors, but there is never a reason to have a torn shirt.
Excellent! I will digest this information. 1. With a population of 10k, what gives Maha an incredible military strength? 2. What are Incarnates?
Qahnaarin follows along quietly. His eyes are wide, scanning and gathering information as they walk through the city.
Re: character goals Qahnaarin is built for intrigue and espionage. He would like to hook up with the intelligence service / secret police / special forces of the New Alexandria military and start participating/running operations. He will focus on economic disruption, civil unrest, and assassinations. I know some other players asked about demographics and politics. I had similar questions. Any chance you have a mini gazetteer somewhere? I would love to know if you have any information for these questions: BRISAL DESERT
NEW ALEXANDRIA
Qahnaarin gives a deep sigh of relief. "Blessed be all the gods," he made a praying motion to the sky, "for leading us to civilization. I was starting to lose faith." The speaker stays close to Octavian, not wanting to miss anything related to their mission or the current state of New Alexandria, but kept an eye out for a decent inn with a tub of hot water.
Qahnaarin stays quiet as they meet the second Illidari. There is little else he could contribute to the diplomacy, and he stayed near the wagon.
Qahnaarin cowers in fear behind one of the wagons. There is little he can do in this situation, and the refugees are too panicked to listen to another lecture on dwarven weaving techniques. But they've only heard the first of seven! They cannot die yet!
Qahnaarin was initially thrilled to learn that the party finally, finally had a route to New Alexandria. And now this. He sighed wearily and joined with the throng. He tried to follow Octavian's directions as closely as possible -- though he seemed to remember something about walking without rhythm to not attract the worm -- and continued praying to a panoply of gods that nothing bad would happen.
herbivore and carnivore companions/familiars. AKA emergency rations
Qahnaarin is aghast. He bows obsequiously. "Please accept my humblest apologies, madam. It would never be my intent to intrude. I apologize for any distress I may have caused. I am certain New Alexandria will be better. Not like here. There everything will be soft and smooth."
"Oh, don't you worry, Miss Breewyn." Qahnaarin gives the gnome a very polite pat on the shoulder. "I believe we will make it. After all, how could hunger and thirst kill us when a proto-lich could not? I dare say we will be to their city of blue-skinned compatriots before we even grow bored of this sand." He looks around and his smile somewhat fades. "Well, perhaps not that quickly."
"First a stone, now a gem! What is it, Master Octavian? Are they related to each other?"
Qahnaarin stares curiously as the box is opened. His eyes light up at the sight of the red velvet cloth. What a lovely kerchief that would make... He continues to stare as Octavian unwraps the blue stone. Qahnaarin, however, cannot hear the voice in Octavian's mind. After a few moments of silence, the tailor clears his throat. "Master Octavian, do you know this stone? Do you know what we have found?"
Qahnaarin wanders over to try to take a peek at the box as Octavian examines it.
Qahnaarin ends his presentation with a small bow, and escorts the refugees back to the caravan. He is happy to see that all traces of the lich have been eliminated. "Well, bless my soul! Congratulations to the valiant warriors. Huzzah! May I ask, were we able to keep those last two refugees safe? I was able to sway 46 of 48 to follow, but I am afraid I am but a simple tailor and could not convince all of them."
Ready!
Qahnaarin continues to lead the body of refugees further from the oasis. "...and that is why the Guild of Knot-Tiers and the Sartorial Union continue to have animosity to this day. This struggle and ensuing chaos paved the way for the rise of the Haberdasher Hegemony, which goes without saying was a dark day for the garment industry. Their insistence on... "
Qahnaarin continues his lecture and slowly walks away from the oasis to draw the refugees away.
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