Bren is surprised that he could read the mood of the old eldarin.
These elves are getting to my head. If I stay here much longer, I'll end up prancing around in a silk dress.
Yomi brushes his grey hair. "I understand that you do not like Ambertan."
"But that does not mean that we cannot be friends, or at least be civil towards each other."
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The fey levels his gaze at Yomi. "You did not answer my question."
Another, much younger fey, with a crimson tabard, moves over to one of the riding boars.
Perception DC15:
Perception DC19:
Insight (1d20 6=13)
Perception (1d20 1=19)
Beyond a sense that she is being toyed with, Eglantine cannot fathom the ways of the fey. She notices a lot though. The movement towards weapons and the strangely whispering boars.
She curtseys very politely. "We are not of your world and your ways are mysterious to us, trapped as we are outside your greatness. We are as children to you, we see this. Like children, we seek guidance in order not to offend."
Elias winces as he is aware that they are being mocked initially, and then places a cautionary arm on Cyrus' shoulder.
He whispers to Cyrus, "Careful. This is no friend to Ambertan."
Insight Check, 1d20+9=14, Perception Check, 1d20+4=11
"The witch set us up," Cyrus whispers back to Elias.
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She curtseys very politely. "We are not of your world and your ways are mysterious to us, trapped as we are outside your greatness. We are as children to you, we see this. Like children, we seek guidance in order not to offend."
"Fair words," the old eladrin judges, "but my question is unanswered and I grow impatient. What is your business with Ambertan?"
"Actually, the main reason we are here is to find the River King so that we could save an innocent man. Ambertan is merely a name for us, someone who could give us information about the River King. We do not, and perhaps wouldn't want to, know him any better than that."
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The eladrin grunts at Catriana's reply, but says not more before being interrupted by the woman. "Come now, Chelessfield, these folk are fair-spoken and have answered your question."
She turns to Catriana. "An innnocent 'man'? A human? Ambertan would have little interest in that. Sadly for you, as do I." She laughs, as do her courtiers. "But entertain us -- we were just discussing the difference between the magic of the fey and the so-called magic of mortals. Do you think there truly is mortal magic, or mere trickery?"
Insight (active) 17:
Insight 1d20+12=27, Arcana 1d20+8=19
Yomi uses all his training to discern any clue that may help to turn the tide.
"Milord, we are not a threat to you and your people. We harbor no ill-will against your people. Pardon our intrusion if we seemed like invaders."
"There is this woman, the wife of a man who stands convicted for her alleged death. We believe that the woman still lives and we would like to bring her back so no miscarriage of justice can be done."
"Surely, justice and love are virtues respected in whatever realm one may be?"
Insight Check, 1d20+9=21, Arcana Check, 1d20+11=17
Cyrus tries to explain the few subtle differences between fey magic and mortal magic.
Catriana courtesies and introduces herself, then answers the eldarin's question: "My lady, I am Catriana Windrunner from the mortal world. As a half-breed between man and elf, I believe that while some mortal magic is indeed trickery, few mortals wield true magic. However, mortals do seem to be weaker than most fey, as far as magic is concerned." Thinking for a moment, Catriana adds: "If my lady wills it, I would entertain her and her courtiers with a song."
Insight, Arcana, Diplomacy (1d20+10=28, 1d20+10=12, 1d20+20=31)
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The red knight's eyes flash. Yomi realizes something was taken wrong by these mercurial fey.
As Cyrus and Catriana attempt to answer the lady's question, she laughs musically and says something quickly to her courtiers in Elvish.
Then she brightens at Catriana's suggestion. "Yes, a gift for us. I think so." A few words in a language that is not elvish you know, and . . .
Catriana:
Yomi:
Cyrus:
Bren:
Eglantine:
Elias:
"Now, my gift to you in return. I will give you directions to one who can tell you the secret of returning to your mortal realm."
She gives directions to a clearing deep in the woods, away from the river.
Insight DC18 (Bren only, for now):
Cyrus feels compelled to hand over all his rations.
Knowing nothing of fey ways, Eglantine silently hands over her food supplies, wondering slightly at the curious tastes the fey are showing for dried meat and hard biscuit.
Elias winces and strains against the compulsion but to no avail. With a sigh he slowly takes out his food and gives it to the eladrin.
"Would you like some rare delicacies?" asks Yomi as he offers his trail rations.
As Bren watches his face turns red with rage.
"Have you all gone mad? Stop that! We won't have anything to eat later!"
He tries to grab their rations before they could hand it to the eldarin woman.
Catriana feels confused and for some reason thinks it best to offer this great lady an oath of obedience. "My lady, I would offer you my oath and wear your token with honor."
Elias says sadly to Bren, "I know, Bren. I know."
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The fey enchantress graciously accepts the gifts of food from all but Bren and Catriana. Bren she ignores. To Catriana, she smiles and offers her a white flower. "Wear this, child, and all will know you have the honor of serving Lady Sorreminx.
"Now we must be away, and so must you, to the one who would return you home."
The gray servants begin to pack up the camp with remarkable speed, while the fey nobles mount their boar steeds.
"She seemed to know where we should go." Eglantine sounds slightly doubtful. Recent experience of the fey suggests they don't offer help for nothing.
"Why did I just give my rations to her?"
"I don't know. What's worse, we're down to a third of our food until we can buy or find more..." Catriana's voice trails off as she thinks aloud: "For a moment back then, I felt like I wanted to serve that fey lady for the rest of my life. I can't exactly explain why I felt that way though".
Shaking her head, she adds: "No use to stay here. We should keep moving".
"Hey Cat, are you actually going to wear that thing?"
He points at the white flower.
Catriana seems surprised to find the flower in her hand. She smells it, then answers: "Why not? I'd be honored to wear the token of my Lady Sorreminx".
"Huh? Let me get this straight. You become Sorry-minx's servant and in return she gives you a flower. What kind of deal is that?"
"Now you put it like that, it doesn't sound like a very good deal ..." Eglantine still sounds puzzled.
Catriana sighs and explains to Bren patiently: "It's not just an ordinary flower, it's a magical token from the high lady herself. Maybe it's not practical, but it has an emotional value for me."
"Lets continue towards Ambertan. We're not ready to go back to our world yet."
Catriana sighs and explains to Bren patiently: "It's not just an ordinary flower, it's a magical token from the high lady herself. Maybe it's not practical, but it has an emotional value for me."
"You should press it. It's going to wilt and die if you don't."
Eglantine links her arm into Bren's once more. "I know you don't like the fey, but why didn't you offer her your food? Not that I think she needed any more trail biscuits, just curious."
Bren gazes at Eglantine with astonishment.
"Because I'll need to eat later? And we don't really have the time to hunt on a rescue mission?"
"I know all that. It still seemed important to give things to her. Odd, isn't it... What do you think about the help she gave us? "
The fighter shrugs.
"Hrm. We might as well follow Sorry-minx's directions to this glade. I don't think we're going to find a town on this river anyways. The folk here don't stay in one place, like civilized people do."
Elias sighs, "Eglantine - we were bewitched; even Catriana and I who should know better. It is her glamour that has made you think of her as a friend. I am certain that the truth is not so simple."
"You were bewitched and gave her all your food. However, I wasn't. She even gave me her token..."
Elias looks sadly at Catriana and says, "I never took you for one so easily swayed. You are of such an independent spirit. Think about what just happened, that is all I ask."
"If we were bewitched, then I don't think following her advice is the best plan ever. She found us funny. I don't know how the fey sense of humour works, but from what we've seen, they might find it hilarious if we accidentally upset someone."
Eglantine sits down and starts plaiting grass into a loop. "You know, she reminds me of some of the circus folk. They think it's wonderful fun to tell outrageous tales to outsiders and watch them flounder. The thing is, if you're the insider, it is funny."
Catriana starts answering Elias, but stops and thinks about what he just said. Listening to Eglantine's story, she tries to decide for herself what happened and the way she feels about it. Meanwhile, she examines the flower carefully.
"We should keep looking for Ambertan. I vote for keep following the river."
"Nah, let's go into the forest. I don't trust Sorreminx, but I trust the black fey even less."
"River for me. The black fey made a bargain. I don't trust them either, but it was a contract."