“Citizens often hold prejudice and fear toward outsiders. And there’s always someone stirring up trouble, placing the blame on them.”
*Like humans did to us, the Wood Elves,* she thinks to herself.
“Have there been any reports showing the travelers causing real harm? Perhaps your guards have grown sympathetic to them after speaking with them and recognizing their own biases. Either way, my lady, we’ll speak with the travelers tomorrow and investigate these accusations.”
"Charm can be a dangerous weapon in the wrong hands, but the target typically realizes what happened afterwards...Still, threats toward the townsfolk shouldn't be brushed aside lightly. We'll speak to them tomorrow and get to the bottom of it. Hopefully it is only the work of a few bad apples."
I don’t mean to be rude, Duchess… but how is this any of our concern? I agree that what you’ve described is a problem and should be resolved, but why us and what’s in it for us to get involved?
Kessintra frowns faintly for a moment. The duchess is not interested in an investigation, it seems...
"I see. The travelers have worn out their welcome. Do you...expect retaliation from them? A curse?" Of course she would rather it be on some passing adventurers than her own people.
The duchess answers Kessintra first. "I'm not sure. I was worried, however, that they would charm any of my guards before they could get out an effective message. In my experience, adventurers are much more resistant to charms."
She then turns to Garrick. "Of course I wouldn't ask you to do this without proper compensation. I am prepared to reward you with gold or any reasonable favor you request."
Very well. We shall speak to them and see what can be done. I understand you just want to be rid of the situation. A favor of the duchess is no small matter and I shall take this request seriously in kind. Thank you.
Kessintra nods. "Yes, please leave it to us." She doesn't necessarily agree with the Duchess' decision, but wants to make sure that the task is carried out peacefully before the tension between travelers and villagers becomes something more serious.
ok, talk to the gypsies, ask them to move along, be mean and forceful if need be, collect reward. Seems easy enough, you want this done before or after the dessert?
So, the duchess seems more concerned with the travelers' influence over her subjects than any real threat to their safety. Wood Elves have no nobles, kings, or queens, which is why Amelia never places much trust in so-called human nobility.
“It’s late, and there is much to do. Forgive us for leaving, my lady. But before we go…”
"Whenever is opportune for you, but I'd prefer for it to be done quickly."
The duchess starts to think at Amelia's question, softly uttering the name to see if she remembers it. "I can't say I've heard of Barovia." She is being truthful.
Kessintra barely resists a chuckle at Zan's blunt summary of the request. He wasn't one to overthink things, which was refreshing. In the Underdark, every little thing had been part of some grand scheme for power in Lolth's tangled web.
As Amelia asks the duchess about Barovia, the drow quickly glances around the room for anything noteworthy.
Kessintra heads out as well, considering. "Hm...It is up to the rest of you. Do you have enough spells in case of the unexpected? If not, it can wait til tomorrow."
“Thank you for the meal and your generosity, my lady. I have one more request, if I may…”
Amelia stands, adding,
“Tomorrow, before we visit the travelers, I’d like your permission to speak with the charmed guards. I want to examine the enchantment myself, in case we’re dealing with a spell caster.”
"I hate to inform you that the effect has worn off. It lasted about an hour. Nevertheless, if you'd like to speak with them, they're in the barracks near the city gates."
She then turns to Garrick. "Of course I wouldn't ask you to do this without proper compensation. I am prepared to reward you with gold or any reasonable favor you request."
Chipper listens in with interest at the Duchess' proposal. Considering how well they seemed to get along with these travelers before heading over, seemed like an easy prospect.
Though he thought about how they said there was a land people couldn't leave. Possibly superstitious exaggeration, but it did beg to ask for certain precautions.
"A sound proposal." he says between bites and prepares an argument, "Between the charm and lack of knowledge on what it entails, I believe this may be a risky endeavor." he says trying to play up his concerns a bit. "I believe it may be warranted to do a standard half payment up front with the rest delivered after." He asks the other partymembers, "What say you?"
Deception: 13+3 = 16 //on making him seem like he thinks that dangers are bigger than he does Persuasion: 13+1 = 14 //if needing to coax a half-payment upfront
"I'd be fine with going tonight," he replies to Kess, "but if others need the rest I'll not object."
Amelia wipes her lips with a table napkin.
“Citizens often hold prejudice and fear toward outsiders. And there’s always someone stirring up trouble, placing the blame on them.”
*Like humans did to us, the Wood Elves,* she thinks to herself.
“Have there been any reports showing the travelers causing real harm? Perhaps your guards have grown sympathetic to them after speaking with them and recognizing their own biases. Either way, my lady, we’ll speak with the travelers tomorrow and investigate these accusations.”
"Charm can be a dangerous weapon in the wrong hands, but the target typically realizes what happened afterwards...Still, threats toward the townsfolk shouldn't be brushed aside lightly. We'll speak to them tomorrow and get to the bottom of it. Hopefully it is only the work of a few bad apples."
"Good. Make your message threatening. Make it clear that I want them gone."
I exist sometimes
I don’t mean to be rude, Duchess… but how is this any of our concern? I agree that what you’ve described is a problem and should be resolved, but why us and what’s in it for us to get involved?
Kessintra frowns faintly for a moment. The duchess is not interested in an investigation, it seems...
"I see. The travelers have worn out their welcome. Do you...expect retaliation from them? A curse?" Of course she would rather it be on some passing adventurers than her own people.
Insight 17
The duchess answers Kessintra first. "I'm not sure. I was worried, however, that they would charm any of my guards before they could get out an effective message. In my experience, adventurers are much more resistant to charms."
She then turns to Garrick. "Of course I wouldn't ask you to do this without proper compensation. I am prepared to reward you with gold or any reasonable favor you request."
I exist sometimes
Very well. We shall speak to them and see what can be done. I understand you just want to be rid of the situation. A favor of the duchess is no small matter and I shall take this request seriously in kind. Thank you.
Kessintra nods. "Yes, please leave it to us." She doesn't necessarily agree with the Duchess' decision, but wants to make sure that the task is carried out peacefully before the tension between travelers and villagers becomes something more serious.
ok, talk to the gypsies, ask them to move along, be mean and forceful if need be, collect reward. Seems easy enough, you want this done before or after the dessert?
So, the duchess seems more concerned with the travelers' influence over her subjects than any real threat to their safety. Wood Elves have no nobles, kings, or queens, which is why Amelia never places much trust in so-called human nobility.
“It’s late, and there is much to do. Forgive us for leaving, my lady. But before we go…”
Amelia pauses, then adds,
“Have you heard of a place called Barovia?”
Insight: 21
"Whenever is opportune for you, but I'd prefer for it to be done quickly."
The duchess starts to think at Amelia's question, softly uttering the name to see if she remembers it. "I can't say I've heard of Barovia." She is being truthful.
I exist sometimes
Kessintra barely resists a chuckle at Zan's blunt summary of the request. He wasn't one to overthink things, which was refreshing. In the Underdark, every little thing had been part of some grand scheme for power in Lolth's tangled web.
As Amelia asks the duchess about Barovia, the drow quickly glances around the room for anything noteworthy.
Perception: 5
The chandelier looks expensive. Otherwise, you can't see anything important.
I exist sometimes
((Unrelated but Kess buys a grappling hook for full price, 2 gp))
Zan scarfs up what's left of his meal, attempts a bow to the duchess, ten follows the group out. So, back to the gypsies or ???
Kessintra heads out as well, considering. "Hm...It is up to the rest of you. Do you have enough spells in case of the unexpected? If not, it can wait til tomorrow."
Zan touches the holy symbol hanging from his neck and closes his eyes for a minute, Actually I could use a good nights rest. Back to the inn?
“Thank you for the meal and your generosity, my lady. I have one more request, if I may…”
Amelia stands, adding,
“Tomorrow, before we visit the travelers, I’d like your permission to speak with the charmed guards. I want to examine the enchantment myself, in case we’re dealing with a spell caster.”
"I hate to inform you that the effect has worn off. It lasted about an hour. Nevertheless, if you'd like to speak with them, they're in the barracks near the city gates."
I exist sometimes
Chipper listens in with interest at the Duchess' proposal. Considering how well they seemed to get along with these travelers before heading over, seemed like an easy prospect.
Though he thought about how they said there was a land people couldn't leave. Possibly superstitious exaggeration, but it did beg to ask for certain precautions.
"A sound proposal." he says between bites and prepares an argument, "Between the charm and lack of knowledge on what it entails, I believe this may be a risky endeavor." he says trying to play up his concerns a bit. "I believe it may be warranted to do a standard half payment up front with the rest delivered after." He asks the other partymembers, "What say you?"
Deception: 13+3 = 16
//on making him seem like he thinks that dangers are bigger than he does
Persuasion: 13+1 = 14
//if needing to coax a half-payment upfront
"I'd be fine with going tonight," he replies to Kess, "but if others need the rest I'll not object."
This is a signature. It was a simple signature. But it has been upgraded.
Belolonandalogalo, Sunny | Draíocht, Kholias | Eggo Lass, 100 Dungeons
Tendilius Paxaramus, Drakkenheim | Talorin Tebedi, Vecna: Eve
Cherry, Stormwreck | Chipper, Strahd
Beneath the Mountain | Let's Test Monsters!
Get rickrolled here. Awesome music here. Track 41, 12/1/24, O Come Divine Messiah