Starker to Trokarl: “I will inform Gneuman. Shout if you need me or a fireball or two.”
Heads out to where Gneuman is located, walks past Gneuman, not looking at or greeting him. Walks another yard, kneels and starts adjusting his shoes. With head bowed says “They kept us waiting until just now. We haven’t seen Vox. A supposed aide insisted only one of us go into another room to meet with Vox. Chadwick volunteered and was heading in when I left. I have a bad feeling about this.” Casts Mage Armor (if not already up). Stands up, pauses for a moment to see if Gneuman or Ajax have anything to say/suggest, and heads back to door of Vox’s establishment, staying just outside.
Gneuman sighs and says to Ajax under his breath, "See if you can get eyes on Chadwick. Let me know if anything unexpected happens.....don't get caught or try any heroics."
Then to Starker, "We wait." The gnome then grabs his flute staff and begins to play softly.
When we get somewhere private, Starker says, “I was very worried that by sending one of us in alone we were liable to that person being kidnapped with the ransom being the object. I was also upset at the way were had been treated and were being spoken to. Finally, I wanted to give Trokarl and Chadwick the opportunity to seem extraordinarily reasonable in contrast to my extraordinary unreasonableness. So … multiple reasons, but perhaps I am simply rationalizing my base animal fury at being disrespected. I am anxious to hear Chadwick’s tale.”
I agree Starker. It would be nice if we had a hostage of our own. But before we go escalate things down that path, I think we should be sure we get a better notion of Chadwick’s situation.
The lackey told me” Mr Vox and Mr Chadwick have requested that you retrieve what you actually came here to do and return. Mr Chadwick says, and I quote, 'Bronk says it is okay'." "I will meet you at the front door."
So there was no direct threat. Just a really odd situation. Not sure why he called out Bronk except that is a name we would know and trust. A sending to Chadwick and his response will be very helpful in guiding our next steps, if that is something you can do Kragen
Starker offers: “I suppose we need to trust Chadwick’s judgement and that the name Bronk was not extracted by magic or torture. If there is any malfeasance I will burn the place down around Vox’s ears and present the body of the aide as a burnt offering to whatever fetid godling he mewls at. If the information is not valuable enough to compensate for the object, we can always steal the object back.”
Suggested additional to the message: how many hostiles?
I would also omit “next steps” because an open ended question at the end of a series of questions is not conducive to a 25 word response.
Alternatively, Chadwick can respond in any way he chooses if he feels different information than what we requested is most pertinent. Therefore a sending as simple as “What is your situation?” would probably be just as effective as a series of questions.
“Kragen here. What’s your current situation? Condition? Location? Hostiles count? Any chance of escape? Need details on item fast for next steps.”
Not sure if we need to identify. Just so he doesnt think it is a rando mind flyer hijacking his frontal lobe. I agree with Hoid, if it isnt open ended completely maybe focusing on what to do with the item would help for the next steps bit. Are we even sure which item?
“Kragen here. What’s your current situation? Condition? Location? Hostiles count? Any chance of escape? Need details on item fast for next steps.”
Not sure if we need to identify. Just so he doesnt think it is a rando mind flyer hijacking his frontal lobe. I agree with Hoid, if it isnt open ended completely maybe focusing on what to do with the item would help for the next steps bit. Are we even sure which item?
The receiver recognizes the Sender if they already know them.
Gneuman sighs and says to Ajax under his breath, "See if you can get eyes on Chadwick. Let me know if anything unexpected happens.....don't get caught or try any heroics."
Then to Starker, "We wait." The gnome then grabs his flute staff and begins to play softly.
(I’m assuming that Trolkarl is followed out the front door by Kragen and Hoid.)
Trolkarl exits the Lucky Lady and finds Gneuman and Starker nearby. Hoid and Kragen are not far behind.
Assuming there is a place nearby we can converse without drawing a lot of attention.
Kragen turns to Trolkarl “Assume there is a good reason Chadwick is not accompanying you?”
then to Starker “why did it get heated in there and why were there words with Voxs aid?”
Let’s get some where private. I will share what I was told. Please tell me you have sending prepared
Ajax has not yet returned. I'm a bit concerned, as he was keeping an eye on Chadwick.
When we get somewhere private, Starker says, “I was very worried that by sending one of us in alone we were liable to that person being kidnapped with the ransom being the object. I was also upset at the way were had been treated and were being spoken to. Finally, I wanted to give Trokarl and Chadwick the opportunity to seem extraordinarily reasonable in contrast to my extraordinary unreasonableness. So … multiple reasons, but perhaps I am simply rationalizing my base animal fury at being disrespected. I am anxious to hear Chadwick’s tale.”
I agree Starker. It would be nice if we had a hostage of our own. But before we go escalate things down that path, I think we should be sure we get a better notion of Chadwick’s situation.
The lackey told me” Mr Vox and Mr Chadwick have requested that you retrieve what you actually came here to do and return. Mr Chadwick says, and I quote, 'Bronk says it is okay'." "I will meet you at the front door."
So there was no direct threat. Just a really odd situation. Not sure why he called out Bronk except that is a name we would know and trust. A sending to Chadwick and his response will be very helpful in guiding our next steps, if that is something you can do Kragen
Starker offers: “I suppose we need to trust Chadwick’s judgement and that the name Bronk was not extracted by magic or torture. If there is any malfeasance I will burn the place down around Vox’s ears and present the body of the aide as a burnt offering to whatever fetid godling he mewls at. If the information is not valuable enough to compensate for the object, we can always steal the object back.”
Did Chadwick have the snow globe on his person?
I have sending ready if need be.
"Suggestions on the sending?", "here is a start"
<Are you unharmed? Being held against your will? Whats your location? Next steps?>
"We have 25 words in which he can respond"
(( I will send the message when you have completed it. ))
Suggested additional to the message: how many hostiles?
I would also omit “next steps” because an open ended question at the end of a series of questions is not conducive to a 25 word response.
Alternatively, Chadwick can respond in any way he chooses if he feels different information than what we requested is most pertinent. Therefore a sending as simple as “What is your situation?” would probably be just as effective as a series of questions.
“Does our young friend know of the 25 word limit? If not we may need to connvey that.”
As part of the spell, the recipient understands the limitation on the response.
Proposal
<What is your situation. Condition. Location. # Hostiles. Chances of escape>
“Kragen here. What’s your current situation? Condition? Location? Hostiles count? Any chance of escape? Need details on item fast for next steps.”
Not sure if we need to identify. Just so he doesnt think it is a rando mind flyer hijacking his frontal lobe. I agree with Hoid, if it isnt open ended completely maybe focusing on what to do with the item would help for the next steps bit. Are we even sure which item?
The receiver recognizes the Sender if they already know them.
How long has Ajax been out of contact?
Ok final message
<What’s your current situation? Condition? Location details? Hostiles count? Any chance of escape? Need info on item of interest to plan next steps>
Keep in mind, i can send another message. Not ideal, however a backup.