"Quite a popular alley of death we're in.' Seila says casually as she turns to the man. "So you dump the bodies here out of greed? Seems only a matter of time before misfortune caught up with you."
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"Is it traditional to leave homes vacated and full of things to become trash like rats abandoning a nest?" Seila says with no small amount of disgust.
Crit Confirm
Moving into the center of the room Seila jabs with her longspear at the red spawn. Attack
Stepping into the room Seila calls forth the blessing of Desna to bring good fortune onto their blades. Move. Cast Bless +1 to attack tolls and saves against fear.
"No harm in checking. Only in the finding." Seila says as she follows along.
"Fewer questions, more stabbing! Now get in there!" Corso feels a pat on his back and then a sudden rush of wind as he is vaulted forward. Seila follows behind him.
Seila continues to incite battle lust in the men. "Throw garlic or holy water at it or something."
"Aren't you going to do anything about that vampire spawn?" Seila quizzes as Rommin feels a sudden surge of battlefury flow into his veins making the sheer act of holding his blade rather pleasurable.
Know Religion
"Ugh, who or whatever it is they don't seem to care about leaving bodies lying everywhere."
"Well then this is new." The woman says laughing a little awkwardly at the sudden attention. "Seila. And you are?"
Sauntering into the room behind the others a short sized woman dressed in the vibrant style of nomadic Varisians moves lightly to the side and crosses her arms with a wry smile as introductions are given. Her flashing green eyes and slightly pointed ears giving away her elven parentage but her tanned skin and voluminous black hair along wiht the tattoos running along her arms clearly marked her Varisian through and through. Crossing her arms and leaning casually against the wall she let's the dandy and the armored man subtley compare each other's manhood.
Seila's Backstory:
Born to a wandering troupe of varisian performers much of Seila's life has been filled with song, dance, and magic.
Yet despite what has always been a happy life Seila has always felt something was missing from her life. Unable to remove this restlessness from her heart Seila recently left her clan behind to seek the meaning behind fitful dreams and portents in the city of Korvosa. Sorry about the short and disappointing backstory. But, somehow I feel like she's not going to come out anywhere but in-game. Been struggling with her for a while now.
Well damn. I think this character is honest to god cursed.
Seila takes the time to ensure that the village gets accustomed adn settled with their new shaman giving him a crash course in their ways and expectations of him.
"What is she?" Seila asks pointedly.
Sandru asks: "But Ameiko, that would be hundreds of years ago! Who... What! would have survived that long?" "Many many things are capable of surviving that long. Some of them human...once. Though a descendant is equally likely."
Seila looks skeptical and it's obvious on her face that she notes the dodging of the questions. "As I said. I have longed wished to see the homelands of my god. So I will travel with you at least for a time. On another matter Nalvanaq has given leave for you to speak with Tunuaq before his exile so long as I am present."
Seila for her part looks more skeptical. "I have long since desired to visit the homelands of my gods but..." Seila looks on. "You speak with a great deal of passion and I believe your intentions are true. But people are not so simple as you have surely seen here. Do you expect to ride on the backs of foreign horses in foreign caravans carrying foreign weapons and a foreign newborn and retake the empire after decades if not centuries of rule under another without monumental bloodshed? I don't believe you do. But, I'm not so sure you understand the magnitude of not only what you wish to accomplish, but of the suffering you will unintentionally cause. Tell me, what will you do with all the widows, orphans, and maimed believers your triumphant return creates?" Seila looks genuinely concerned but her voice still passive. "Then what of those who did no evil, but were only mistaken to see you as a foreign invader riding upon the name of a long lost family? Will you show mercy adn risk a lifetime of assassination or bind yourself to grim necessity and harden your heart for the executioners blade?"
GM: Seila is taken back by the gesture. "I...uh, thank you but. Honestly I've no idea to do with such a gesture. Though perhaps...the oen in orange. Ameiko I think her name is. She thinks that Tunuaq has a personal agenda against her involving some unknown relative. She'd like a chance to speak with him about it before he is punished."
GM: Seila sits on the floor next to her and stares briefly into the fire before turning back to Nalvanaq with a warm smile. "Hope."
"The village will not be shamanless. You have cut out a festering disease before it could do lasting harm. These outsiders are honest and good if a bit foolish and unthinking in the greater consequences of their actions. If Tunuaq cares for the village as he says, he will leave it be. If not, then the village will simply have to deal with him by more violent means. The only evil here is that which he has with him. Some may side with him but that is their choice and you will be defended."
SEila turns back to Ameiko. "I will speak with her, but beyond that I cna promise nothing. She is the leader here and she is furious. She may have already declared him walking dead. And thus it is taboo to even acknowledge his presence once he is formally exiled." With that Seila leaves the tent following NAlvanaq.
"There has been much said and much to consider. MAny to mourn for and many more that need love, care, and compassion. Tunuaq has served faithfully for many years. But he has also done you a great wrong. It is a time of change, as the face of the moon changes and transitions so too will this village change and transition into a new time. It is not a time to fear, or to hate, but to remember what was and prepare for what is to come. Go home. Prepare your goodbyes, contemplate how you will welcome tomorrow, and do so knowing that the village will go on. That the gods still watch over you. Go home, and be at peace."
SEila gives a small smile to Ameiko. "I'll see what I can do but I make no promises. There is much to be done before this is resolved and my stay here is but temporary." As PAvel walks up just before she starts to step away and makes his statement she leans back involuntarily at the mans strong smell. She shrinks a little at his question and sighs. "No. This was not a trial. This was merely an orderly way to find answers. The actual trial is what the village must face afterwards. You must understand, Tunuaq did an unspeakable thing to hurt this village. But, there are those who believe that he would only do what is best for them. Those that beleive that you made him do it, even make him confess. There may even be those that join him in exile or even kill you, me, and Nalvanaq long before they would allow their shaman to come to harm. He represents the guiding spirit of the village and though you may present a willing replacement for many it is as if cutting off their right arm and tying a stone in its place. I did not exaggerate when I spoke of the consequences of your actions. This may end in tragedy no matter what happens next." With that Seila turns to the agitated group and raises her hands. "Please! Peace!"
Seila turns to Nalvanaq and whispers GM: "It seems these outsiders only wish to see justice but do not understand the subtleties at work here. The damage they would cause in their blind righteousness would only tear the village apart. However, Tunuaq already works to undermine your authority and has gone so far as to lie to these outlanders to cause chaos. He has caused the deaths of many as I have been told and Tsukiyo has shown us this truth. He cannot be trusted. We can continue to question the outlanders if you still believe they wish to undermine your authority as well. A compromise may be reached, punishment may still be given without robbing people of there shaman here. Tunuaq has given many reasons to fear the night. These are things even I could not abide quietly."
Nodding in return Seila renews the spell upon the area of the pillow and guiding Tunuaq by his shoulder . GM: Perception to gauge crowd reactions Sense Motive to read Tunuaq's reaction as he goes to the zone.
Seila observes but otherwise remains silent quietly counting down in her mind when the spell would wear off. All the while reminding herself that her place here is to ensure the fairnes of the proceedings and to pry out the true intent of those gathered here. No more. No less.
Seila escorts him to the pillow putting a hand on his shoulder as she does so.
Seila begins by praying to Tsukiyo to watch over these proceedings and ensure the order and peace of all present. She then casts the PErsistent Zone of Truth on the pillow and approaches Tunuaq and Sonavut. "Who will be the first to submit themselves before Tsukiyo? Know that no harm shall come to you while I watch over this trial except that which you bring yourself. None of the magic here is permanent nor lasting."
"But to what end?" Seila interjects. "Nothing is to be revealed here but the truth. There is no need for strategy or evasion. No enemies here for those who are on the side of the just. If you fear the truth perhaps all of this is pointless?"
"He's the god watching over these proceedings. So please be silent so that we may begin."
"That's just a pillow." Seila mutters as she turns to Nalvanaq.
"If you understood the consequences of your actions for good or ill you would not be so quick to discern the greatness of your service." The pale woman says in clear common. Stepping down from the dais A pale slender hand indicates a pillow sitting at the far side of the shelter. "It will be the Prince of the Moon that determines the veracity of your words today. Here in the eyes of the whole village where your honestly will be tested. Both parties have ben charged with heinous crimes against the village, both may be guilty. That is why I have been called." "I will now explain how the questioning will go. You may translate for your companions benefit."
Seila casts Zone of truth on the pillow just far away enough not to affect the others. She has memorized three Persistent Zone's of truth (DC18). So they have to save twice and take the lowest. Seila herself will lead each person to sit at the pillow, as she does so they will be affected by her Touch of Madness which will make their saves and skills drop by -4. (Ironically they get a +4 to attack rolls) So when she leads them into the zone their saves will have a fair chance of failing. From their Nalvanaq can ask any question she desires. The person on the pillow is to answer only yes or no.
GM: Nolvanaq has been instructed to only ask yes or no questions and that Seila would make a hand signal when the spell was nearing its end. Seila has three persistent ones. So Nolvanaq should limit her time in the start toonly the most important ones so we can ensure that everyone gets questioned.
Spoiler: "Then our path is clear. Gather your most trusted men and women for a council. We will question each under the scrutiny of Tsukiyo and determine for ourselves the truth." Seila spares her a sympathetic smiles. "That is if it's your wish. I know that you may not wish for the truth and the consequences they may bring. If these foreigners are hostile then you will have no choice then to banish them into the unforgiving cold. But, if Tunuaq and Sonuvat are indeed guilty of these crimes then you will be without their trusted council. If both are guilty then circumstances are truly dire. If you are willing to accept these consequences I shall reveal to you what I plan in full."
Seila ponders this only briefly before askinga barrage of nervous questions. Erutaki: "Did they bring any proof of this treachery? Have you spoken with them individually? HAve they been kept separated?"
It took a day for Seila to prepare for the long trek across the ice and steppes to the village. The entire time she pondered why she was called. IT was rare in the extreme and typically meant that a village was having trouble with their priest or shaman themselves. A dispute. And a potentially ugly one if the chieftain and shaman didn't see eye to eye. But her job was merely to reveal the truth in the light of the moon prince. She went over the blessings she would bestow, the curses that would dull and erase the lies. She didn't do this often. But she had to do this right. Upon entering the village she was recognized instantly. Pale white women with white hair were difficult to hide in this realm of tanned skins and dark hair. She was greeted warmly, but anxiously, everyone knew another priest would not have come across the cold alone unless their own spiritual guides were compromised in some fashion. She went to the chieftain first as was customary and being a stranger, even an invited one, she waited to be acknowledged before entering and exchanged pleasantries and small gifts as was custom between villages before getting to business. Erutaki: "As you have asked, by the light of the moon I have arrived to help you. What is it that you require?"
AAAnnddd all done.
Seila moves carefully across the bridge not wanting to be around here anymore as well.
[ooc]My intiative is +11 the +3 is for the fammiliar. I'll throw the init mod for me in the race line for easier reference.[/url] About how far are they from Seila?
nature "Oh. Good to know. Does that mean we're running away from it now?"
"Um, whose that in the woods? Friends?" Seila says timidly.
"Um, there are footprints here that don't belogn to anybody."
"I'm no one" Seila says her voice tinged with a hefty dose of healthy fear and paranoia. "And I'm not staying another second where they tied me up in a basement where it's now raining blood and gore. Thank you for the rescue but I think a very big part of that is moving away from the place I was imprisoned."
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