Unlike everyone else, this familiar stranger has another rune on their face... a face to which it is nearly impossible to ascribe a gender. They blink at Pouf. “My name?” They scrunch up their face as if straining very hard to think.“...Fin! I... think... it’s what came to me. Who are the rest of you? Do you know why we are here? Or who I am?”
Despite the lack of apparent gender this changeling, for that clearly what this person is, is painstakingly beautiful and alluring.
Suddenly the only door into this room flies open. You see a few guards dressed in regal blues file into the room. They line up along the wall spread apart so that all of you have at least two guards starring you down. Their features are obscured, but you can only assume most of them are probably humans. A guard who holds the door open shouts, "Be at attention for the honorable Lord Asta Bjørndottir!" He stomps his foot and salutes with his right fist over his heart along with everyone else in the room (excluding you all perhaps).
You hear the thunder of their footsteps before they appear before you from the shadow of the door. They actually lead down a tad to avoid hitting their glorious helm on the frame. You instantly recognize this armor. This is that person from before. The one who commanded a fierce presence in that shattered city. Upon closer inspection, you can see an intricate pattern of runes and geometric shapes inlaid on her platinum armor. Something about her commands your utmost respect... but there might be a part of you that wholly rebels against this aura.
"You Ex-Ravens seem to have been allotted a stay of execution,"her voice booms. "And yet it would seem as though justice cannot be given to those you have felled. I tire of digging through your minds and I tire of your miserable excuses. Explain yourselves this instant or you will face the wrath of justice!"
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd[Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player] Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale Ru's Current Status
"When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps," Vuist calmly states from his meditative position.
Vuist continues, "You seek knowledge from us that, after being awake for only a few minutes, seems unlikely to be ascertained as we all seem to have lapses in our memory. Perhaps you should offer knowledge to us, such as where we are, how we came to be here, and what information you seek in order to help us remember that which you seek."
The elven woman stands at attention, but balks at the name “Ex-Raven.”
“Nor I. We do not know of what you speak,” she says through her ruined lower face. She whispers to herself suddenly, rapidly, “Excuses...justice...explain...explain...digging...ravens...”
Then as if snapping out of her reverie, she cracks her neck with many popping sounds and looks the booming voiced lady in the eye, with a mixture of frustration and sorrow on her scant unscarred features. “I’m afraid I will continue to be of no use to you, as well, if you insist on delivering such indiscriminate ultimatums.”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The image of a burning forest flashes in Amanita’s mind and she begins the shake her head, hair and twigs rustling.“Ex-ravens?...what is this?” She looks up at the crow. “Were we once birds?” She asks in all seriousness.
She looks at the others. So the lapse in memory is not just some Feywild residue. She looks back at the inquisitor, her expression somewhat blank. “What is that you want to know?”
Realizing this isn’t her usual spotty memory, Amanita will do a quick check of her vitals, mostly via mental checklist: Medicine: 12
Amanita steadies her breathing and focuses on it. She knows that, physically speaking, she isn't doing that well. She feels anemic and the fuzzy feeling in her brain is something more than the result of having just woken up. The once-human woman casts a quick glance downward. Even the prison garb she wears feels loose. Something feels off, but it could all be amounted to the time lost. Time lost even after her foray into the Feywild.
"So you do not play coy, is that what you mean to tell me." Lord Asta Bjørndottir states rather than asks. She walks a quarter circle around you all and seems to be peering at you. She's looking down at you, you're sure of it. "I'll summarize the pieces you seem to be missing, though I highly doubt you've entirely forgotten,"she stops in front of Vuist's cell. "You are part of the Dark Raven's elite squad. You've terrorized countless villages and cities for the past several years, you razed hell in the capital of Walden, and you were caught," Lord Asta Bjørndottir leans in low toward Vuist, "by me. I've plucked your feathers and your supernatural powers which defy the laws of of the world are suppressed. I hope you see and understand your predicament, Ex-Ravens.
"Yet you claim not to remember, and our magicks are blocked in our prodding. It would seem that the Dark Raven has purchased your eternal loyalty," Lord Asta Bjørndottir continues to stalk you, her prey, and comes to Amanita, "What would I like to know? How about your powers, hmm? What sort of deal did you strike with the Dark Raven?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd[Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player] Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale Ru's Current Status
Unfazed, Vuist replies, "Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance (Confucius)... and my ignorance on what you are asking about is large indeed. I can neither corroborate nor deny any of the claims you are making, for I simply do not know."
Xelazhia has lost interest in the conversation, and is currently tracing lines in the stone walls of her cell while murmuring alchemical and mathematical formulae.
“Countless villages....?" Amanita repeats, “Past...several...years?” She pauses trying to remember anything more than brief flashes. “What...” she starts, “What year is it?”
She remembers her old life, the one where calendars did not exist. SInce returning to the material plane she found it helpful to keep track of the days, there had been so many lost ones.
She looks again at Lord Asta quite surprised at the sense of looking up at her. At 6’11”, she usually needs to look down.
The changeling known as Fin simply listens intently to all the words presented. They stand and try to search their memory, but cannot seem to come up with any conclusions about who this "Dark Raven" might be. "Perhaps if you were to remove these wards placed upon us, we might be able to recall more information. I am like the others, I cannot recall anything that you may want to know."
"Hah! And the truth comes out," Lord Asta Bjørndottir's voice explodes with Fin's statement. The heavily armored lord circles around toward Fin pointing at her with a sword that materializes out of thin air. A faint, blue aura reverberates from the sword as it flashes menacingly in Fin's direction. "You hope to use this feigned ignorance to remove your shackles! You know well that these wards keep your dark powers binded, especially you skinwalker," Lord Asta Bjørndottir spits out the word like a bad taste. "I will end this facade of your's. We can capture the others and perhaps seeing your corpses will make them talk-!"
ENOUGH.Silence follows as the word cuts through Lord Asta Bjørndottir's frenzy. You look around, but no one seems to be speaking. The raspy voice continues, Do you intend to betray the Wizard King, Asta?
"Of course not-!"
Then begone with you. The Wizard King wants them alive.
"I was charged with collecting information from these prisoners..." Lord Asta Bjørndottir, for the first time, sounds defeated.
You have failed Asta. Oh sweet Qonera, do not let this child be cast down the wrong path. Allow me to handle the prisoners in your stead... or would you like this failure to tarnish your reputation?
(putting a break here in case anyone would like to interject with words or a check or anything at all.)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd[Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player] Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale Ru's Current Status
Vuist remains calm, unfazed. Then through his silent speech, he reaches out to Lord Asta Bjørndottir, who 'hears' in her mind, "Seems like you, Lord Asta Bjørndottir, are not the one I should be speaking to - there's always someone with more... influence."
He then says aloud, "Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure." (Confucius)
Silent Speech
You can speak telepathically to any one creature you share a language with within 30 ft.
Fin recoils at the blade, but then looks around for the source of the voice. After listening for a moment they speak again. "Yes, I would seek to have these shackles removed. Would you not as well? Especially considering that we do not even know why we are here. I realize your zealotry blinds you to our plight, but if I am to die, then at least I would know why."
"How are you-?" Lord Asta Bjørndottir is taken aback as Vuist penetrates her mind. He observes that, much like his power, his telepathy should have also been blocked. This is the only reason for her to be flustered. Indeed, Vuist can tell he struck a cord with Lord Asta Bjørndottir as she recoils at the mention of one with greater influence, "Greater influence? Yes, there is one other here with more authority.
"That you need your crimes to be counted and inventoried to understand an execution... How insulting to the law of society, the law of the Wizard King, and the law given to us by Qonera herself - !" Lord Asta Bjørndottir beats her right hand over her heart twice, and all the guards in the room follow suit. "It makes no difference... you would like to appeal to a higher authority? The greater influence? So be it. I leave them to you, crow."
With that, our dear Lord Asta Bjørndottir departs from the room in a huff. Her guards file out single file after her as the one on the door announces, "Be at ease as the honorable Lord Asta Bjørndottir departs!"
With the storm gone, silence fills the air for a few moments. Lord Asta Bjørndottir did not reveal much to you, though some of you are beginning to piece together a picture of... something. Your head hurts to think of it as you try to grasp the few subtle (and not so subtle) hints from your meeting with this so-called Lord Asta Bjørndottir. It isn't long before that disembodied voice fills the space once more.
You have questions, Ex-Ravens. I am curious about this presumed memory loss you suffer from. Take some time... You there, please tell me what you last remember...
(After some roleplaying, cause I am sure we have some reactions to this post, let's let one or two people post flashbacks, which you can write however you'd like, whether its in first person or third person past. If you need to ask some questions or make some checks, please do so. Discuss on Discord which of you should post the next bit. I'm allowing a lot of creative license on these, but please post your post to me first via PM for approval just so I can keep it consistent if it's needed. How's that?
Side Note: All racial powers are still suppressed, but something seems to have let Vuist use his telepathy!)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd[Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player] Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale Ru's Current Status
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Unlike everyone else, this familiar stranger has another rune on their face... a face to which it is nearly impossible to ascribe a gender. They blink at Pouf. “My name?” They scrunch up their face as if straining very hard to think.“...Fin! I... think... it’s what came to me. Who are the rest of you? Do you know why we are here? Or who I am?”
Despite the lack of apparent gender this changeling, for that clearly what this person is, is painstakingly beautiful and alluring.
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
Suddenly the only door into this room flies open. You see a few guards dressed in regal blues file into the room. They line up along the wall spread apart so that all of you have at least two guards starring you down. Their features are obscured, but you can only assume most of them are probably humans. A guard who holds the door open shouts, "Be at attention for the honorable Lord Asta Bjørndottir!" He stomps his foot and salutes with his right fist over his heart along with everyone else in the room (excluding you all perhaps).
You hear the thunder of their footsteps before they appear before you from the shadow of the door. They actually lead down a tad to avoid hitting their glorious helm on the frame. You instantly recognize this armor. This is that person from before. The one who commanded a fierce presence in that shattered city. Upon closer inspection, you can see an intricate pattern of runes and geometric shapes inlaid on her platinum armor. Something about her commands your utmost respect... but there might be a part of you that wholly rebels against this aura.
"You Ex-Ravens seem to have been allotted a stay of execution," her voice booms. "And yet it would seem as though justice cannot be given to those you have felled. I tire of digging through your minds and I tire of your miserable excuses. Explain yourselves this instant or you will face the wrath of justice!"
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd [Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player]
Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale
Ru's Current Status
"When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps," Vuist calmly states from his meditative position.
Vuist continues, "You seek knowledge from us that, after being awake for only a few minutes, seems unlikely to be ascertained as we all seem to have lapses in our memory. Perhaps you should offer knowledge to us, such as where we are, how we came to be here, and what information you seek in order to help us remember that which you seek."
Citation to Confucius(?) for initial quote.
Storm King's Thunder - Ink, Elven Bladesinging Wizard
Core City: APbPA - Ormond, Human Twilight Cleric
The Inferno - BG:Dia - DM
They keep me rollin'
Pouf turns her head, “Hallo, I Pouf! Nice to be meeting you, large scary human... Wait, do ve know you? You seem familiar?”
Pouf listens to the Halfling, “Oh ja, he makes a good point, you know. We don’t remember why we’re here. I mean, I remember, but others not so much.”
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms - The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon - Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland - Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF! - Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist
The elven woman stands at attention, but balks at the name “Ex-Raven.”
“Nor I. We do not know of what you speak,” she says through her ruined lower face. She whispers to herself suddenly, rapidly, “Excuses...justice...explain...explain...digging...ravens...”
Then as if snapping out of her reverie, she cracks her neck with many popping sounds and looks the booming voiced lady in the eye, with a mixture of frustration and sorrow on her scant unscarred features. “I’m afraid I will continue to be of no use to you, as well, if you insist on delivering such indiscriminate ultimatums.”
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
The image of a burning forest flashes in Amanita’s mind and she begins the shake her head, hair and twigs rustling. “Ex-ravens?...what is this?” She looks up at the crow. “Were we once birds?” She asks in all seriousness.
She looks at the others. So the lapse in memory is not just some Feywild residue. She looks back at the inquisitor, her expression somewhat blank. “What is that you want to know?”
Realizing this isn’t her usual spotty memory, Amanita will do a quick check of her vitals, mostly via mental checklist:
Medicine: 12
Amanita steadies her breathing and focuses on it. She knows that, physically speaking, she isn't doing that well. She feels anemic and the fuzzy feeling in her brain is something more than the result of having just woken up. The once-human woman casts a quick glance downward. Even the prison garb she wears feels loose. Something feels off, but it could all be amounted to the time lost. Time lost even after her foray into the Feywild.
"So you do not play coy, is that what you mean to tell me." Lord Asta Bjørndottir states rather than asks. She walks a quarter circle around you all and seems to be peering at you. She's looking down at you, you're sure of it. "I'll summarize the pieces you seem to be missing, though I highly doubt you've entirely forgotten," she stops in front of Vuist's cell. "You are part of the Dark Raven's elite squad. You've terrorized countless villages and cities for the past several years, you razed hell in the capital of Walden, and you were caught," Lord Asta Bjørndottir leans in low toward Vuist, "by me. I've plucked your feathers and your supernatural powers which defy the laws of of the world are suppressed. I hope you see and understand your predicament, Ex-Ravens.
"Yet you claim not to remember, and our magicks are blocked in our prodding. It would seem that the Dark Raven has purchased your eternal loyalty," Lord Asta Bjørndottir continues to stalk you, her prey, and comes to Amanita, "What would I like to know? How about your powers, hmm? What sort of deal did you strike with the Dark Raven?"
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd [Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player]
Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale
Ru's Current Status
Pouf tilts her head, “Who?”
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms - The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon - Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland - Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF! - Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist
Unfazed, Vuist replies, "Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance (Confucius)... and my ignorance on what you are asking about is large indeed. I can neither corroborate nor deny any of the claims you are making, for I simply do not know."
Storm King's Thunder - Ink, Elven Bladesinging Wizard
Core City: APbPA - Ormond, Human Twilight Cleric
The Inferno - BG:Dia - DM
They keep me rollin'
Xelazhia has lost interest in the conversation, and is currently tracing lines in the stone walls of her cell while murmuring alchemical and mathematical formulae.
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
“Countless villages....?" Amanita repeats, “Past...several...years?” She pauses trying to remember anything more than brief flashes. “What...” she starts, “What year is it?”
She remembers her old life, the one where calendars did not exist. SInce returning to the material plane she found it helpful to keep track of the days, there had been so many lost ones.
She looks again at Lord Asta quite surprised at the sense of looking up at her. At 6’11”, she usually needs to look down.
The changeling known as Fin simply listens intently to all the words presented. They stand and try to search their memory, but cannot seem to come up with any conclusions about who this "Dark Raven" might be. "Perhaps if you were to remove these wards placed upon us, we might be able to recall more information. I am like the others, I cannot recall anything that you may want to know."
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
"Hah! And the truth comes out," Lord Asta Bjørndottir's voice explodes with Fin's statement. The heavily armored lord circles around toward Fin pointing at her with a sword that materializes out of thin air. A faint, blue aura reverberates from the sword as it flashes menacingly in Fin's direction. "You hope to use this feigned ignorance to remove your shackles! You know well that these wards keep your dark powers binded, especially you skinwalker," Lord Asta Bjørndottir spits out the word like a bad taste. "I will end this facade of your's. We can capture the others and perhaps seeing your corpses will make them talk-!"
ENOUGH. Silence follows as the word cuts through Lord Asta Bjørndottir's frenzy. You look around, but no one seems to be speaking. The raspy voice continues, Do you intend to betray the Wizard King, Asta?
"Of course not-!"
Then begone with you. The Wizard King wants them alive.
"I was charged with collecting information from these prisoners..." Lord Asta Bjørndottir, for the first time, sounds defeated.
You have failed Asta. Oh sweet Qonera, do not let this child be cast down the wrong path. Allow me to handle the prisoners in your stead... or would you like this failure to tarnish your reputation?
(putting a break here in case anyone would like to interject with words or a check or anything at all.)
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd [Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player]
Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale
Ru's Current Status
Xelazhia looks around for the source of the raspy voice, a curious smile playing across her ruined features.
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
Pouf looks oddly calm at the concept of a disembodied voice talking. She yawns. Weird.
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms - The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon - Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland - Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF! - Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist
Vuist remains calm, unfazed. Then through his silent speech, he reaches out to Lord Asta Bjørndottir, who 'hears' in her mind, "Seems like you, Lord Asta Bjørndottir, are not the one I should be speaking to - there's always someone with more... influence."
He then says aloud, "Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure." (Confucius)
Silent Speech
You can speak telepathically to any one creature you share a language with within 30 ft.
Storm King's Thunder - Ink, Elven Bladesinging Wizard
Core City: APbPA - Ormond, Human Twilight Cleric
The Inferno - BG:Dia - DM
They keep me rollin'
Fin recoils at the blade, but then looks around for the source of the voice. After listening for a moment they speak again. "Yes, I would seek to have these shackles removed. Would you not as well? Especially considering that we do not even know why we are here. I realize your zealotry blinds you to our plight, but if I am to die, then at least I would know why."
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
Amanita tilts her head looking at the inquisitor with her pale eyes, then looks up toward the crow and around the room. "Hmmmm..."
Pouf bounces her puppy brow at Asta with a content smug grin.
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms - The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon - Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland - Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF! - Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist
"How are you-?" Lord Asta Bjørndottir is taken aback as Vuist penetrates her mind. He observes that, much like his power, his telepathy should have also been blocked. This is the only reason for her to be flustered. Indeed, Vuist can tell he struck a cord with Lord Asta Bjørndottir as she recoils at the mention of one with greater influence, "Greater influence? Yes, there is one other here with more authority.
"That you need your crimes to be counted and inventoried to understand an execution... How insulting to the law of society, the law of the Wizard King, and the law given to us by Qonera herself - !" Lord Asta Bjørndottir beats her right hand over her heart twice, and all the guards in the room follow suit. "It makes no difference... you would like to appeal to a higher authority? The greater influence? So be it. I leave them to you, crow."
With that, our dear Lord Asta Bjørndottir departs from the room in a huff. Her guards file out single file after her as the one on the door announces, "Be at ease as the honorable Lord Asta Bjørndottir departs!"
With the storm gone, silence fills the air for a few moments. Lord Asta Bjørndottir did not reveal much to you, though some of you are beginning to piece together a picture of... something. Your head hurts to think of it as you try to grasp the few subtle (and not so subtle) hints from your meeting with this so-called Lord Asta Bjørndottir. It isn't long before that disembodied voice fills the space once more.
You have questions, Ex-Ravens. I am curious about this presumed memory loss you suffer from. Take some time... You there, please tell me what you last remember...
(After some roleplaying, cause I am sure we have some reactions to this post, let's let one or two people post flashbacks, which you can write however you'd like, whether its in first person or third person past. If you need to ask some questions or make some checks, please do so. Discuss on Discord which of you should post the next bit. I'm allowing a lot of creative license on these, but please post your post to me first via PM for approval just so I can keep it consistent if it's needed. How's that?
Side Note: All racial powers are still suppressed, but something seems to have let Vuist use his telepathy!)
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd [Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player]
Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale
Ru's Current Status