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The door to the sitting room closes behind Lafiel and Rin.
In the hall, Tarnstone glares at Rin in particular for some reason. The elf corporal comes back out of the sitting room, closing the door behind her, and whispers to the sergeant, who then looks at Rin again and barks. "You! Whozis -- Lafsson -- you're a wizard, right? Come with me, you and Qadim-sul. Rest of you, wait here." He leads the two of them into the other guest room and closes the door.
"Can you help us?" The plea sounds very strange from the hard-bitten dwarf.
Everyone, DC10 History:
"Pfft, he probably ran crying to mommy when he saw the big monkey. Not to say that I blame him, after all. It was a pretty big monkey. Suffice it to say, I don't think the Captain, in all his glory, is immune to the same sleeping effects that everyone seems to have suffered. He's probably still snoozing somewhere around here, if he's in the castle of course."
Lafiel approaches Raivek : "You know, the good Captain is the nephew of our beloved Duke. Nepotism and all, but I'm not sure saying it here or talking to him like this when he gets here will help us much." She lowers her voice so only Raivek can hear her : "That said, I think he did show his true worth leaving the ape creature to us instead of guarding his aunt better".
Pat
The cleric approaches Tarnstone's men. "Has anyone else in the keep been hurt? I'd like to see if I can help."
With Tarnstone
Rin shrugs at the sergeant and shakes his head.
"You know, the very same question occurred to me. I don't seem a likely candidate unless he's looking for someone he doesn't mind never seeing again. As far as your proposition goes, I'm perfectly willing to make some inquiries. I've got this rooted objection to being put to sleep against my will and attacked by mutant monkeys. Picky of me, I know."
History 1d20=2
1d20 = (6)
With Tarnstone:
"Right. So, find out why the Duke family's still asleep, and where the ape-man came from. Shouldn't be much of a bother."
To Tarnstone: "Sir, you're sure no one else is still affected? Only the Duke's family? And have there been any other reports of rampaging ape-men, or was our beastie the only one?"
To Rin: "So, are you in?"
With Tarnstone:
** spoiler omitted **
With Tarnstone
Rin shrugs again and grins at Quadim-sul.
"Why not? Unless the Duke wakes up or turns up or whatever it is he needs to do to be a valid presence in this castle, my chances of employment are remarkably small. I say we take the job. Think the others might be interested?"
Drivish smirks at Lafiel's comment and continues to wait patiently. The captain is probably overseeing important security measures and I have plenty of time.
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With Tarnstone:
"Sir, you're sure no one else is still affected? Only the Duke's family? And have there been any other reports of rampaging ape-men, or was our beastie the only one?"
"Just the family," Tarnstone confirms grimly. "So somebody with a grudge. And only the one . . . creature.
"It would figure if this ties in with the Duke's illness and Ryo's plans for you. If you think the others out there can help, that's your call. I've got plenty to do to keep things under control.
"Questions?"
With Tarnstone
"Just to save you repeating yourself sir, let's get the others in here and see if they're happy to help."
Without waiting for a reply, he opens the door, nearly falling over Lafiel as he does so.
"If you'd care to join us, Sergeant Tarnstone here has a small proposition for us."
Pat
Lafiel, who was standing near the wall next to the door, smiles, nods her head and enters the room. She crosses it, and leans against the far wall. Taking a coin out of her purse, she starts playing with it while examining the Sergeant. After everyone else enters, she asks :
"So... what's the proposition ?"
Drivish waits for some sign of approval from the Sergeant before entering.
Barshevy looks at the opened door and sighs. A part of him wants nothing but to return to his abbey and spend the day reciting the verses of Pelor and tending to his small herb garden. But the orphans and elderly windows of his village are going hungry. For them, Barshevy must earn coin. He sucks in his paunch, straightens his back, and strides into the room.
Barshevy looks at the opened door and sighs. A part of him wants nothing but to return to his abbey and spend the day reciting the verses of Pelor and tending to his small herb garden. But the orphans and elderly windows of his village are going hungry. For them, Barshevy must earn coin. He sucks in his paunch, straightens his back, and strides into the room.
Poor hungry windows...
"The Duke's family is still asleep, including Captain Ryo. Everyone else seems unaffected now," Qadim-sul summarizes for the group. "The sergeant here wants us to look into this, and also find out the story behind the King of the Apes out there. Oh, and keep it hushed, while we're at it."
"So are you in?" The genasi crosses his arms and looks at the others.
Poor hungry windows...
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"The Duke's family is still asleep, including Captain Ryo. Everyone else seems unaffected now," Qadim-sul summarizes for the group. "The sergeant here wants us to look into this, and also find out the story behind the King of the Apes out there. Oh, and keep it hushed, while we're at it."
"So are you in?" The genasi crosses his arms and looks at the others.
"The Duke's family is still asleep, including Captain Ryo. Everyone else seems unaffected now," Qadim-sul summarizes for the group. "The sergeant here wants us to look into this, and also find out the story behind the King of the Apes out there. Oh, and keep it hushed, while we're at it."
"So are you in?" The genasi crosses his arms and looks at the others.
"Sure, why not?" Raivek says. "Can't let you keep all the fun for yourself now." He smiles.
"If being beaten up by an ape assassin is your idea of fun, I'd hate to know what you regard as a bad time."
He turns to Tarnhelm.
"Contrary to what you might believe, I have a sense of responsibility and civic duty. A rudimentary one to be sure, but it exists. How long can you give us before it becomes necessary to let the rest of the world know that we have no functional ducal family?"
"Heh, I could have taken him if I really wanted to. I just wanted to distract him so you guys could take care of him.. I didn't want to take all the glory for myself." Raivek laughs. "In any case, I'm going along with you guys. I'll show you what I can really do." He says confidently with his arms crossed.
"Heh, I could have taken him if I really wanted to. I just wanted to distract him so you guys could take care of him.. I didn't want to take all the glory for myself." Raivek laughs. "In any case, I'm going along with you guys. I'll show you what I can really do." He says confidently with his arms crossed.
Lafiel raises an eyebrow at Raivek's comment, then snorts laughingly, thinking about all those overconfident friends and enemies she has seen gone during her short life. She shakes her head and smiles to Raivek: "I'm anxious to see what you can really do. Lets just agree about the payment for this job, and then we can leave for your so-called one-ranger-show."
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"I'm anxious to see what you can really do. Lets just agree about the payment for this job, and then we can leave for your so-called one-ranger-show."
Tarnstone scowls, but is clearly over a barrel. "Very well -- 150 gold each. For proof that the threat is resolved.
"Within the week," he adds, looking at Rin.
Lafiel looks astonished at the offer. Responding without thinking, she looks at the sergeant and raises her voice, nearly yelling: "The Duchess's cushion costs more than that ! Clearly I think you need us more than we need you. I hope you realize 150 gold isn't much for the size of task you're giving us. The whole royal family is asleep for days, giant apes run around the royal castle as if it was their playground, unknown powerful wizards cast spells that affect dozens of people at the same time, and you estimate the elimination of this threat at 150 gold pieces ? I think our lives are worth more than that !" She takes a breath, calms down a bit and continues : "Listen. Lets bargain for 250 gold each. A mission that dangerous would probably cost some of us our lives. Either way, you have to pay only if we come back, and only those who do come back. You don't have a lot to lose." If the sergeant doesn't seem impressed, she adds : "It's not like it's your money anyway, and I'm sure the Duke would approve paying for such a worthy cause as his life and dukedom..." She lets her words trail away, waiting for a response.
Raivek nudges Lafiel with his elbow, "Not a smart one is he?" Looking at Tarnstone, "How's about treating my friend here with a bit more respect, or in the next 10 seconds, you can deal with your monkey problem yourself. I'm sure the Duke and Duchess will be pleased to know that you, not only denied reasonable payment, but you threatened to imprison their very saviours." He pauses for a second, "Assuming you're so bold to take on the threat alone. And live.." Raivek takes satisfaction in potentially angering the dwarf further. "So, what will it be? May we be properly compensated, as my friend here so kindly, and desperately asks? We're the ones risking our lives here, you know. And for a threat that we don't even really know much of anything about." Saying matter-of-factly.
Before Tarnhelm can clap his new comrade in irons, Rin steps forward.
"Sergeant, my companions are, I feel, expressing a natural anxiety at the importance of the task alloted them. While they are competent in every way, please consider their words as a reflection of their desire to do the best possible job in this most difficult situation."
Swinging round to Lafiel and Raivek, he adds more quietly
"Why don't you let me deal with this. Please. I'd rather not antagonise the only person why might care a damn where we are at the end of a week."
"Sergeant, whatever their motivations, these people have obvious ability. It's not every group that can take down an assassin like that one." He gestures towards the body.
"Now, from your point of view, you want the Duke and the ducal family back and operating so you can get on with your actual job. So, let's just for the moment put aside the question of ethics and manners and remuneration and concentrate on the essentials.
You need a talented group of dispensable people you don't have to account for. Quadim-sul doesn't fall into that category, but the rest of us do. You know we can probably find ways of doing what you need doing and you can afford to turn a blind eye to our individual quirks in the interests of getting the job you need done. Sergeant, we may not be the tools you'd choose, but we are the tools you've got. It's up to us to prove we're the right tools for your job.
You're a practical man, sir. You know well enough that it's not the individuals that matter in a team like this, it's assembling the team in the first place."
Rin pauses for breath and hopes he's had the right effect.
"You're a very generous, and wonderful man indeed." He bows to Tarnstone. "We should get to it then, eh?" Looking to Rin. He pulls Lafiel closer to him with one arm, still talking to Rin, "We should stick together if we're going to minimize our losses, I'd say." Raivek flashes Lafiel a smile.
"Thank you Sergeant Tarnstone." Rin bows politely, carefully pronouncing the officer's name.
"Is there any further information you can give us? Any small clue would be helpful at this juncture."
Lafiel admires Rin's diplomatic approach once again. Smiling and thinking about the amount of coins she could earn from this week, if she'll manage to stay alive, she says : "I'm in then. Our abilities are expensive indeed, but they're worth it. As money is the best motivation for mercenaries I can guarantee you won't be disappointed with us."
Lafiel breaks free of Raviek's grasp, while smiling at him. "Of course we need to stick together. I'm still waiting to see what you can really do...". Things having settled a bit, she goes and sits at the nearest chair.
The cleric's eyes are wide with astonishment. "Two hundred. Gold."
Rin smiles at the priest. "We're moving in exalted circles Father."
Qadim-sul has remained silent throughout the whole exchange, nonchalantly leaning against the wall with a half-smile playing across his lips. Money's money, he thinks, whether it's one-fifty or two hundred. I'm not sure I have the option to refuse anyway, even if I wanted to.
Looking at Lafiel, he thinks, She's got balls, that one. And the ranger, Raivek, is he just bluster or can he hold his own? One thing's for sure, that half-elf's got a smooth tongue. Let him do the talking. The dragonborn should be a stout companion - they always are. The priest, though, I'm not sure about him. He seems out of his element here. Have to keep an eye on him, and hope we don't have to carry his weight.
"Right," Qadim-sul says out loud, finally joining the conversation. "Obviously we'll stay together, whether to see what someone can do or otherwise. Sergeant, as the only representative of the Duke's Guard in the group, I assume I'm to be given command?"
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"Right," Qadim-sul says out loud, finally joining the conversation. "Obviously we'll stay together, whether to see what someone can do or otherwise. Sergeant, as the only representative of the Duke's Guard in the group, I assume I'm to be given command?"
"I've got nothing to do with that," Tarnstone answers. "I'm not sure I'd be doing you any favors by saying so," he adds, with a look at Lafiel. "As far as what you do next, why, you're the experts."
The dwarf directs one of his soldiers, a halfling, to see you to the purser and draw the expense money, then dismisses you and heads in to the Duchess' sitting room.
"Ah, before we leave, I'd like to point out that Raivek and I did not fall under the sleep spell like everyone else. When that happened the beast was already at the door and would have fell on us were it not for Raivek's bravery."
Barshevy walks over to the door of the meeting hall.
"If the spell descended on everyone in the castle at once, there would not have been enough time for the beast to run through the courtyard and all the hallways to appear here. It must have been lying in wait for the spell to be cast. So where was it hiding? And who cast the spell?"
"Good point. Where did it come from? Sergeant Tarnstone, can you trace the order in which people were affected by the sleep spell? It might offer us some kind of a clue."
Qadim-sul decides the dwarf's answer is permission enough. "Okay," he addresses the group, "let's look at everything we know.
One: The Duke has not been seen by anyone outside the keep in six days.
Two: We were all called here by Captain Ryo for some reason known only to him.
Three: Almost everyone in the castle was affected by the sleep, meaning that Barshevy and Raivek were the exception to the rule.
Four: The castle was invaded by at least one ape-man - an obviously intelligent, if not civilized, ape-man, based on its gear.
So what conclusions can we draw?"
Qadim-sul paces across the room, counting off points on his fingers.
"Everyone has recovered from the sleep except for members of the Duke's family, meaning that someone, or something, is deliberately behind this, targeting the Duke's family. The Duke's 'illness' of the past few weeks may or may not be related. The question is why.
Secondly, we are targets as well. Whoever or whatever is responsible for this attack knows that Captain Ryo called us here. The sole ape-man encountered so far attacked us and specifically us, and it knew where we were. The Duke's quarters were just down the hall, so that wasn't the target. It came for us. Was it waiting for the spell, as Barshevy said, or was it sent here with the spell? Magical teleportation, perhaps.
Therefore, we have some connection to these events, because Captain Ryo gathered us together, and as a member of the Duke's family, he is still asleep. I submit that that Ryo's reasons for summoning us, whatever they were, have something to do with what is now happening. He might have known something, but we arrived too late to hear it from him."
Qadim-sul finishes and crosses his arms, obviously pleased with his deductive reasoning. He looks at everyone in turn.
"The question now is, what's our next step? Anyone have any ideas, or anything else to add?"
"Kitchens? If it started there, then so should we."
Drivish is impressed. "I agree with you on all points, Qadim-sul. And until you said it, I didn't even entertain the possibility that the creature was after us. Let's investigate the kitchen entrance."
"And as to the money, we may need it to hire a scholar or sage that can identify the creature."
"One moment. Let me just look at the censer. Barshevy, this might be your kind of territory too."
Rin picks up the censer and examines it. He doubts it will tell him much, but anything is worth a try.
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"One moment. Let me just look at the censer. Barshevy, this might be your kind of territory too."
Rin picks up the censer and examines it. He doubts it will tell him much, but anything is worth a try.
The censer contains some kind of incense that is glowing as if burning, but without detectable smoke.
Rin: