Holm stops suddenly, putting an arm out to stop Roland beside him while he's focused on seeing through Lojack's eyes. He raises his head, hoping to discern whether there is anyone else up on the wall with the hooded archer, or even around the sides of the narrow canyon, while he waits for Dante and Korran to reply.
"Eh?" Dante regards the question with an incredulous tone. "We are mortal, obviously. Can you not see the flesh of my skin and the life in my eyes?"He grins next, "that was an impressive shot though. Very little doubt exists in my mind that you could put the next one somewhere very uncomfortable for me if you wanted to."He raises his hands a little higher for emphasis. "But that is not necessary, see?"
"It is as I said. The only thing we wish is to get safety, off of this mountain. What can my friends and I do to allay your concerns guardswoman?"
Roland stops as he feels the arm against his chest, thankful that the others are aware of what he is doing, and cautious. "I should have told them what I am doing" he thinks, but thankful they are aware.
"Nothing but demons for days?" he whispers to whomever just stopped him, "How long were we in that rift? Were we gone for days?"
Roland: Lojack scurries down the druid's body, fur blending in against the snowy landscape as it hurries towards the wall. Like the guard tower, the palisade itself was hastily constructed it seems. While there aren't any holes big enough for even a small child to squeeze through, there are plenty of gaps the lithe weasel can use. After coming out on the other side, he scurries into a juniper bush while he takes a look around.
There's at least two dozen others waiting behind the wall, most with weapons drawn as they watch the guardswoman in the tower for a signal. No formal barracks has been built, but there are plenty of tents setup around the area. The "soldiers" aren't readily identifiable as belonging to one group. You see a few in sentinel armor, but most seem to simply bear Aldara's personal crest. Oddly enough, you count a few obvious mages among their number.
Holm: You don't see anyone up on the canyon walls around you, nor anyone else in the guard tower. But you do see a lot of movement through the gap in the palisade walls, as the rest of the guards mill about.
DantePersuasion (rolled for expediency, sorry but also you're welcome!): 25
The woman lets silence hang in the air for several seconds. You see her relax some, as she slowly releases the tension on the bowstring and lowers the weapon. Briefly, she turns and makes a series of gestures towards those waiting behind the wall. Through Lojack's eyes, Roland would see a trio approach the gate and begin to work the mechanisms to open it. The rest spread out around the entrance, forming a semi-circle.
"You can walk through the gate and drop your weapons. We have a...specialist that can determine the truth of your words. Submit yourself to them, and we will consider letting you pass."
As Dante opened the talks Korran noticed Roland walking towards the fort. Fast and gentle the bard put his arm before the druid. No arrow was shot. A small victory, he said looking as the weary guards. But a victory all the same.
“We can find at a settlement.” His voice answered the whisper in kind. It was far too dangerous to talk about what happened.
The demands of the guard apparent were reasonable. Better yet, they implied a degree of cooperation. At least enough to situate them about what happened the temple.
“My lady!” Korran started while detaching the left scabbard from the sword belt. “We have no reason to bare arms against you but at the same time we cannot be sure the reciprocal is true.” He put the covered blade on the ground, before turning to its sister at the right.“I don’t ask you to trust us without reason, but to understand that we cannot trust you without reason either.” In time that one too rested at his feet. “Let us compromise. Allow one of us to submit to your specialists first, then return to the rest and confirm it is safe.”
Let me do it, his every action asked of his companions. It was only fair.
Roland will continue to look through Lojack's eyes, making sure he doesn't see any sort of trickery, traps, etc. as they wait to hear a response from Korran's proposal.
Roland would whisper to Korran ... [from the post above]
"There's at least two dozen others waiting behind the wall, most with weapons drawn as they watch the guardswoman in the tower for a signal. No formal barracks have been built, but there are plenty of tents setup around the area. The "soldiers" aren't readily identifiable as belonging to one group. You see a few in sentinel armor, but most seem to simply bear Aldara's personal crest. Oddly enough, I count a few obvious mages among their number."Put your spoiler here.
The hooded figure stares for a few moments, then nods. "Acceptable." As the gate opens, she turns and looks behind the wall. "Soryn?" A woman steps through the open gate, dressed in a layered gray and deep blue robe. You had expected to face a sentinel -- as there are "specialists" among their ranks known for their skill in interrogation. But this young woman is very clearly not a mage hunter. Her dark hair is pulled into a loose braid that rests on her shoulder, with a few stray strands framing a face that's all angles and high cheekbones. You notice the slight point to her ears, marking an obvious elven lineage somewhere in her bloodline. That someone with the fair folks' blood would be allowed to walk so openly in Dravica after the disaster that just took place is...Surprising. She appraises you with eyes that shine silver, then motions Korran forward with a wagging forefinger. "Come, this won't hurt. You will be safe, I promise."
Roland: You would instantly recognize this half-elven woman as another traveler from Loria. Though her garb marks her as one of the nythil wandering mystics that spent most of their time avoiding the settlements that had developed on the magically raised island nation. To find one so far from Loria is certainly a surprise.
Holm whispers to Roland next to him, low enough that nobody on or behind the wall would hear it as their focus likely falls onto Korran. "Yet another elf. Is that what's interesting?"
Reluctantly, Dante hangs back while Korran offers himself as a test subject for this "special" interrogation these guardians of the mountain pass wish to put them through. As the gates to the palisade wall open, he takes a moment to look over the defenders with his own eyes to gauge where their allegiances may lie.
Presuming he gleans at least the same amount of info about them as Roland:
With a raised eyebrow, the redhead looks back up at the figure in the guard tower. "You seem a strange bunch to be working together. Is the situation so dire?"
He had no idea how Roland knew any of that, but was thankful for the information all the same. It told Korran a few things. First, the enemies weren’t demons in disguise. If they were, with numbers and position, they would have no need for guile. Second, they weren’t hostile to magic users. Last but not least, even if days had passed since the Temple the factions didn’t seem to blame one another for the disaster. There was hope of avoiding all out war.
“Thank you.” The bard told Roland. “Thank you!”He repeated to the watcher on the wall as the gate opened.
It was surprising to be met not by a Sentinel. Even more to notice Soryn was an elvish woman. That brought him some relief. Amidst the chaos his ears would be no problem. With a nod of his head Korran follows. No resistance, no tension.
At first he thought they would have killed them already if that was what they wanted and found courage on that fact. Now, he felt almost safe. Any interrogation was certainly safer than staying on a forest with infernal creatures. We were luck to cross path with any. Either that or they crossed paths with the greatest of them. Was there such a thing as a demon god?
Notes: Korran follows Soryn with intention of fulling cooperating with her.
Dante: You're able to discern the same information about the defenders as Roland. Additionally, you note a haggard look about them. Whatever they've been through recently, it doesn't seem like they've had much chance to stop and fully rest.
From the guard tower, the woman replies to your observation. "You should know, you've been on this mountain the whole time, have you not?"
Korran:The half-elf patiently waits for you to reach her at the gate, hands folded in front of her. She gives a small, polite bow. "My name is Soryn. I'll be using a very simple spell to help determine the truth of your words. It's harmless, albeit somewhat intrusive. Please try to clear your mind of everything besides the questions I ask." The mage -- for that is clearly what she is -- draws a small copper piece from a pouch at her belt, as she quietly recites the verbal components of the spell . The copper piece burns away, and you can very faintly smell the metal in the air. You feel nothing yet, and there seems to be no visible change in Soryn...But as she smiles at you, you do notice a certain intensity in her gaze. She's watching your facial expressions and body language closely.
"We'll start with simple questions. What is your name? With which party did you attend the Summit? And where were you when the Tear was opened?"
As you begin to answer the final question, you feel a cool touch in your mind as her spell tries to probe deeper. Make a Wisdom saving throw.
She was rather kind for someone about to try discerning the truth through magic. That made him think that it was safe to tell at least his affiliation. The problem was the cover history he had made with the others. It was better to mention that part too.
“I am a travelling bard, Korran Edrin.”He said almost rising his voice into a theatrical tone. An old habit of a wandering artist. “I was on the Mages’ camp area. Tried to play a song or two.” The image of the tents came to his mind. “Truth is…” His words were interrupted by a shivering feeling. Out of pure reflex he brushed it away. “I don’t know.” He thought only of the wound of the sky. “There was talk of a general assembly then noise then we ran into each other.” He very intently imagined the Tear, as if from the memory he could extract any answers. “We were trying to get to Vault when we found your tracks.” He remembered the footprints. “For safety we are to present ourselves as a trio of performers, an herbalist and a craftsman trying to sell trinkets but I’m guessing no side is hunting the others.” At the very least they weren’t hunting spellcasters. “What the Hells happened? We don’t even know how long we’ve been running for!”
Notes: Natural 20. (Total 24, rolled on the campaign log.)
Holm steps up next to Dante, deciding to chance a few words with the guard. After all, if they were going to be exposed, it was likely going to be through whatever magic Korran was subjecting himself to, and it would be better to have gleaned some information from the others in this group before that happened.
He'd always been taught in his training that the most effective lies weren't lies at all. He looks up to the guard on the wall, choosing his words carefully. "Your group here at this gate is the first we've seen of anyone on the mountain, alive or dead, since what happened at the summit. You mentioned spirits, demons coming down the trail? When did they first start appearing?"
You feel the cold touch leave your mind, and a slight look of surprise cross the woman's face, followed by a sly smile. "Your mental fortitude is most impressive for a mere traveling bard." She produces another coin, going through the motions once more as recasts the spell. Though this time, you don't feel a presence try to probe deeper into your mind.
The guardswoman atop the tower is quiet for a moment. "Immediately after the Tear opened." She shifts her attention to the interrogation, calling out to the half-elven mage. "Soryn, get to the point."
Soryn tilts her head to the side slightly upon hearing the woman's order, nodding her head. Once more, her she locks onto Korran with an intense gaze. "Your questions will have to wait until our own have concluded I'm afraid. Time is not a resource we have in abundance."
“Kind words from a beautiful lady are always welcome.” He says answering the smile in kind. “Though I must admit that I’m not as impressive as you think. You see, travelling performers rarely have security, often deal with a great deal of prejudice, violent drunkards threatening different kinds and degrees of violence in unknown lands and are always under the risk of starvation if they fail to put a decent show every time they go into the stage.” It was a life for the mad and the desperate. “And that is before harsh criticisms and any insecurities. You either get an absurd amount of mental strength or you don’t last on the road. No two ways about it.”
As Korran spoke images of his past experience flooded his mind. He had gone through everything on the list and then more.
“I presume you mean before the Tear?” He questioned retracing his earlier words - talk of a general assembly then noise. The memory of the noise floods his mind and he makes an conscious effort to keep it and only it. “As I told you, it was the noise. The echo of the temple cracking, equal parts roar and thunder. Louder than anything I ever heard and, honestly, want to hear.”
At first her request felt senseless. If tale and song are to be believed mortals can become fiends after their death. Even if his first memory was that of a mortal it didn’t mean he remained as one. There must be another reason. But he wasn’t versed in magic nearly enough to imagine what.
“You make jokes about wanting to know me better rather tempting.” Korran said closing his eyes for a moment. It was strange to realize but he never stopped to think what was his earliest memory. It came to him fast enough. He was two or three years old, seated on a table of a tavern. His mother worked there and the owner of the place offered some food. He could no longer remember the features of the man or what he was offering, but he remember he wanted it. No, thank you, his child self answered. The fear that his mother would have to pay for the food was palpable. They were too poor to eat outside of home. “We should have time for at least an abridged version of what happened after the Tear.”
His voice was calm, a smile danced upon his lips. Soryn could be sure he was neither angry, nor sad. Time and experience had long since taught him to be unfazed before his past. He had to. Mental fortitude was something he learned in order to survive long before becoming a traveling bard.
The half-elf tilts her head slightly as the memory floats to the surface of your thoughts, her eyes unfocused momentarily. "I see, that will do." Pointedly, she ignores your insistence on an explanation. She looks back up to the guard tower and nods. In response, the woman atop it calls out. "You can go in." Her gaze shifts back towards the rest of the group. "Next."
Soryn waits patiently at the gate for the next person to come forward.
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Holm stops suddenly, putting an arm out to stop Roland beside him while he's focused on seeing through Lojack's eyes. He raises his head, hoping to discern whether there is anyone else up on the wall with the hooded archer, or even around the sides of the narrow canyon, while he waits for Dante and Korran to reply.
[[ Perception 19 ]]
DM - A Humblewood Adventure | Holm Erebos - Dread Tyrant
"Eh?" Dante regards the question with an incredulous tone. "We are mortal, obviously. Can you not see the flesh of my skin and the life in my eyes?" He grins next, "that was an impressive shot though. Very little doubt exists in my mind that you could put the next one somewhere very uncomfortable for me if you wanted to." He raises his hands a little higher for emphasis. "But that is not necessary, see?"
"It is as I said. The only thing we wish is to get safety, off of this mountain. What can my friends and I do to allay your concerns guardswoman?"
Roland stops as he feels the arm against his chest, thankful that the others are aware of what he is doing, and cautious. "I should have told them what I am doing" he thinks, but thankful they are aware.
"Nothing but demons for days?" he whispers to whomever just stopped him, "How long were we in that rift? Were we gone for days?"
Roland: Lojack scurries down the druid's body, fur blending in against the snowy landscape as it hurries towards the wall. Like the guard tower, the palisade itself was hastily constructed it seems. While there aren't any holes big enough for even a small child to squeeze through, there are plenty of gaps the lithe weasel can use. After coming out on the other side, he scurries into a juniper bush while he takes a look around.
There's at least two dozen others waiting behind the wall, most with weapons drawn as they watch the guardswoman in the tower for a signal. No formal barracks has been built, but there are plenty of tents setup around the area. The "soldiers" aren't readily identifiable as belonging to one group. You see a few in sentinel armor, but most seem to simply bear Aldara's personal crest. Oddly enough, you count a few obvious mages among their number.
Holm: You don't see anyone up on the canyon walls around you, nor anyone else in the guard tower. But you do see a lot of movement through the gap in the palisade walls, as the rest of the guards mill about.
Dante Persuasion (rolled for expediency, sorry but also you're welcome!): 25
The woman lets silence hang in the air for several seconds. You see her relax some, as she slowly releases the tension on the bowstring and lowers the weapon. Briefly, she turns and makes a series of gestures towards those waiting behind the wall. Through Lojack's eyes, Roland would see a trio approach the gate and begin to work the mechanisms to open it. The rest spread out around the entrance, forming a semi-circle.
"You can walk through the gate and drop your weapons. We have a...specialist that can determine the truth of your words. Submit yourself to them, and we will consider letting you pass."
As Dante opened the talks Korran noticed Roland walking towards the fort. Fast and gentle the bard put his arm before the druid. No arrow was shot. A small victory, he said looking as the weary guards. But a victory all the same.
“We can find at a settlement.” His voice answered the whisper in kind. It was far too dangerous to talk about what happened.
The demands of the guard apparent were reasonable. Better yet, they implied a degree of cooperation. At least enough to situate them about what happened the temple.
“My lady!” Korran started while detaching the left scabbard from the sword belt. “We have no reason to bare arms against you but at the same time we cannot be sure the reciprocal is true.” He put the covered blade on the ground, before turning to its sister at the right. “I don’t ask you to trust us without reason, but to understand that we cannot trust you without reason either.” In time that one too rested at his feet. “Let us compromise. Allow one of us to submit to your specialists first, then return to the rest and confirm it is safe.”
Let me do it, his every action asked of his companions. It was only fair.
Roland will continue to look through Lojack's eyes, making sure he doesn't see any sort of trickery, traps, etc. as they wait to hear a response from Korran's proposal.
Roland would whisper to Korran ... [from the post above]
"There's at least two dozen others waiting behind the wall, most with weapons drawn as they watch the guardswoman in the tower for a signal. No formal barracks have been built, but there are plenty of tents setup around the area. The "soldiers" aren't readily identifiable as belonging to one group. You see a few in sentinel armor, but most seem to simply bear Aldara's personal crest. Oddly enough, I count a few obvious mages among their number."Put your spoiler here.
The hooded figure stares for a few moments, then nods. "Acceptable." As the gate opens, she turns and looks behind the wall. "Soryn?" A woman steps through the open gate, dressed in a layered gray and deep blue robe. You had expected to face a sentinel -- as there are "specialists" among their ranks known for their skill in interrogation. But this young woman is very clearly not a mage hunter. Her dark hair is pulled into a loose braid that rests on her shoulder, with a few stray strands framing a face that's all angles and high cheekbones. You notice the slight point to her ears, marking an obvious elven lineage somewhere in her bloodline. That someone with the fair folks' blood would be allowed to walk so openly in Dravica after the disaster that just took place is...Surprising. She appraises you with eyes that shine silver, then motions Korran forward with a wagging forefinger. "Come, this won't hurt. You will be safe, I promise."
Roland: You would instantly recognize this half-elven woman as another traveler from Loria. Though her garb marks her as one of the nythil wandering mystics that spent most of their time avoiding the settlements that had developed on the magically raised island nation. To find one so far from Loria is certainly a surprise.
Roland whispers "Interesting. Interesting indeed" but doesn't elaborate more as [assuming] Korran follows the woman.
Holm whispers to Roland next to him, low enough that nobody on or behind the wall would hear it as their focus likely falls onto Korran. "Yet another elf. Is that what's interesting?"
DM - A Humblewood Adventure | Holm Erebos - Dread Tyrant
Reluctantly, Dante hangs back while Korran offers himself as a test subject for this "special" interrogation these guardians of the mountain pass wish to put them through. As the gates to the palisade wall open, he takes a moment to look over the defenders with his own eyes to gauge where their allegiances may lie.
Perception: 24
Presuming he gleans at least the same amount of info about them as Roland:
With a raised eyebrow, the redhead looks back up at the figure in the guard tower. "You seem a strange bunch to be working together. Is the situation so dire?"
"That woman, I believe she is from Loria, where I'm from. It's a long way away. This group appears to be as eclectic as we are..."
He had no idea how Roland knew any of that, but was thankful for the information all the same. It told Korran a few things. First, the enemies weren’t demons in disguise. If they were, with numbers and position, they would have no need for guile. Second, they weren’t hostile to magic users. Last but not least, even if days had passed since the Temple the factions didn’t seem to blame one another for the disaster. There was hope of avoiding all out war.
“Thank you.” The bard told Roland. “Thank you!” He repeated to the watcher on the wall as the gate opened.
It was surprising to be met not by a Sentinel. Even more to notice Soryn was an elvish woman. That brought him some relief. Amidst the chaos his ears would be no problem. With a nod of his head Korran follows. No resistance, no tension.
At first he thought they would have killed them already if that was what they wanted and found courage on that fact. Now, he felt almost safe. Any interrogation was certainly safer than staying on a forest with infernal creatures. We were luck to cross path with any. Either that or they crossed paths with the greatest of them. Was there such a thing as a demon god?
Notes: Korran follows Soryn with intention of fulling cooperating with her.
Dante: You're able to discern the same information about the defenders as Roland. Additionally, you note a haggard look about them. Whatever they've been through recently, it doesn't seem like they've had much chance to stop and fully rest.
From the guard tower, the woman replies to your observation. "You should know, you've been on this mountain the whole time, have you not?"
Korran: The half-elf patiently waits for you to reach her at the gate, hands folded in front of her. She gives a small, polite bow. "My name is Soryn. I'll be using a very simple spell to help determine the truth of your words. It's harmless, albeit somewhat intrusive. Please try to clear your mind of everything besides the questions I ask." The mage -- for that is clearly what she is -- draws a small copper piece from a pouch at her belt, as she quietly recites the verbal components of the spell . The copper piece burns away, and you can very faintly smell the metal in the air. You feel nothing yet, and there seems to be no visible change in Soryn...But as she smiles at you, you do notice a certain intensity in her gaze. She's watching your facial expressions and body language closely.
"We'll start with simple questions. What is your name? With which party did you attend the Summit? And where were you when the Tear was opened?"
As you begin to answer the final question, you feel a cool touch in your mind as her spell tries to probe deeper. Make a Wisdom saving throw.
She was rather kind for someone about to try discerning the truth through magic. That made him think that it was safe to tell at least his affiliation. The problem was the cover history he had made with the others. It was better to mention that part too.
“I am a travelling bard, Korran Edrin.” He said almost rising his voice into a theatrical tone. An old habit of a wandering artist. “I was on the Mages’ camp area. Tried to play a song or two.” The image of the tents came to his mind. “Truth is…” His words were interrupted by a shivering feeling. Out of pure reflex he brushed it away. “I don’t know.” He thought only of the wound of the sky. “There was talk of a general assembly then noise then we ran into each other.” He very intently imagined the Tear, as if from the memory he could extract any answers. “We were trying to get to Vault when we found your tracks.” He remembered the footprints. “For safety we are to present ourselves as a trio of performers, an herbalist and a craftsman trying to sell trinkets but I’m guessing no side is hunting the others.” At the very least they weren’t hunting spellcasters. “What the Hells happened? We don’t even know how long we’ve been running for!”
Notes: Natural 20. (Total 24, rolled on the campaign log.)
Holm steps up next to Dante, deciding to chance a few words with the guard. After all, if they were going to be exposed, it was likely going to be through whatever magic Korran was subjecting himself to, and it would be better to have gleaned some information from the others in this group before that happened.
He'd always been taught in his training that the most effective lies weren't lies at all. He looks up to the guard on the wall, choosing his words carefully. "Your group here at this gate is the first we've seen of anyone on the mountain, alive or dead, since what happened at the summit. You mentioned spirits, demons coming down the trail? When did they first start appearing?"
DM - A Humblewood Adventure | Holm Erebos - Dread Tyrant
You feel the cold touch leave your mind, and a slight look of surprise cross the woman's face, followed by a sly smile. "Your mental fortitude is most impressive for a mere traveling bard." She produces another coin, going through the motions once more as recasts the spell. Though this time, you don't feel a presence try to probe deeper into your mind.
The guardswoman atop the tower is quiet for a moment. "Immediately after the Tear opened." She shifts her attention to the interrogation, calling out to the half-elven mage. "Soryn, get to the point."
Soryn tilts her head to the side slightly upon hearing the woman's order, nodding her head. Once more, her she locks onto Korran with an intense gaze. "Your questions will have to wait until our own have concluded I'm afraid. Time is not a resource we have in abundance."
"What is your earliest memory?"
“Kind words from a beautiful lady are always welcome.” He says answering the smile in kind. “Though I must admit that I’m not as impressive as you think. You see, travelling performers rarely have security, often deal with a great deal of prejudice, violent drunkards threatening different kinds and degrees of violence in unknown lands and are always under the risk of starvation if they fail to put a decent show every time they go into the stage.” It was a life for the mad and the desperate. “And that is before harsh criticisms and any insecurities. You either get an absurd amount of mental strength or you don’t last on the road. No two ways about it.”
As Korran spoke images of his past experience flooded his mind. He had gone through everything on the list and then more.
“I presume you mean before the Tear?” He questioned retracing his earlier words - talk of a general assembly then noise. The memory of the noise floods his mind and he makes an conscious effort to keep it and only it. “As I told you, it was the noise. The echo of the temple cracking, equal parts roar and thunder. Louder than anything I ever heard and, honestly, want to hear.”
Soryn quietly shakes her head. "You misunderstand, your earliest memory. Think back to your youngest years, and focus on it."
At first her request felt senseless. If tale and song are to be believed mortals can become fiends after their death. Even if his first memory was that of a mortal it didn’t mean he remained as one. There must be another reason. But he wasn’t versed in magic nearly enough to imagine what.
“You make jokes about wanting to know me better rather tempting.” Korran said closing his eyes for a moment. It was strange to realize but he never stopped to think what was his earliest memory. It came to him fast enough. He was two or three years old, seated on a table of a tavern. His mother worked there and the owner of the place offered some food. He could no longer remember the features of the man or what he was offering, but he remember he wanted it. No, thank you, his child self answered. The fear that his mother would have to pay for the food was palpable. They were too poor to eat outside of home. “We should have time for at least an abridged version of what happened after the Tear.”
His voice was calm, a smile danced upon his lips. Soryn could be sure he was neither angry, nor sad. Time and experience had long since taught him to be unfazed before his past. He had to. Mental fortitude was something he learned in order to survive long before becoming a traveling bard.
The half-elf tilts her head slightly as the memory floats to the surface of your thoughts, her eyes unfocused momentarily. "I see, that will do." Pointedly, she ignores your insistence on an explanation. She looks back up to the guard tower and nods. In response, the woman atop it calls out. "You can go in." Her gaze shifts back towards the rest of the group. "Next."
Soryn waits patiently at the gate for the next person to come forward.