"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Inside, the three of you are able to find an empty table. Around you, the conversations seem to mostly be about either the day or a recent altavar incident two towns west that left a member of the Harmonious Shield injured. None of you see anyone who matches the descriptions of the refugees.
Vivian:
You hear one group talking about rumors of a Thousand Eyes representative that may honor the village with their open presence tonight.
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
"The Thousand Eyes are here?" Juhaan curses softly "We should stay away from their agents. Really." He starts looking around slightly paranoid "We should definitely not stay here for long!" he adds nervously. "Either we get what the information we need fast or I say we bail out! I don't want to linger in a place that is already under The Thousand Eyes scrutiny!"
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Not wanting to stand around long now that they know someone as dangerous as a member of the Thousand Eyes is going to be. Vivian, Juhaan, And Caelius decide it’s best to leave than risk being caught, especially since they’re all brand new and they haven’t seen the refugees yet. Upon catching up with the others they let them know what they heard about the Thousand Eye member and Vivian dedrags back into Vishal.
Once the village group makes their way to the rendezvous point, they let the others know about what they've learned. People make their way to the camoflauge they've chosen, either before or after sleeping, and the night passes uneventfully. As you're in Riedra, those of you who dream have the same one-a cocktail of the greatness of the Inspired and terribleness of altavar designed by the quori to reinforce most Riedrans psychic indoctrination.
The sun rises early, as per usual, and you're all woken by The Soothing Voice, telling the villagers to rise and go to the morning meal. As you watch the area around your camp, the morning passes, bringing with it further messages from The Soothing Voice telling the Riedrans the rest of their schedule.
As midday approaches, you all notice two figures making their hurried way across the plain towards the depression, holding each others hands tightly. As they enter the depression, you see it's a man and a woman who match the descriptions of Aleel and Bhuji. Aleel glances around the seemingly empty clearing and calls hesitantly, "H-Hello? Is anybody here?"
Taran is torn about his dream last night. On one hand, the realization that his dreams were not his own fills him with horror and disgust. On the other... He didn't dream about the cave... He mentally shakes himself. Those were dangerous thoughts, the type if thoughts that could lead to his enslavement. To the enslavement of all of Adar. Of Sim.
Taran banishes the thoughts and keeps his eyes peeled. There was an enemy spy in the town, possibly a Changeling. The risks were mounting.
Seeing the couple approach, Taran subtly aimed his crossbow in their direction, but he made no move to respond to them or reveal his presence. Seeing how they interact with others, how they acted when they didn't know their guides were nearby, that was the point. He'd keep hidden and observe, ready to defend the other guides if necessary. He'd break cover uf they tried to leave... But he suspected his companions would do so first.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Perception: 14
Vishal looks around in order to attempt to find his comrades and ask one of them something telepathically but is unable to figure out where they are even though he kind of knows where they are hiding.
When the man's query is greeted by silence, the pair glance at each other. "Maybe...we're at the wrong place?" the woman suggests hesitantly. "Are we sure we got the directions right? Is this the spot? It...it doesn't look like a camp or meeting spot. Or...maybe something happened to the guides on the way, and...they aren't coming." She whispers the last sentence as if it's something she barely even wants to voice.
For the briefest flash of a moment Taran feels anger towards Vishal, a rough, older voice full of scorn echoes from the back of his mind.
Then, Taran feels shame. Esteemed Vishal knew what he was doing. The refugees were about to turn back, convinced by the Guides lack of presence that there was no safety waiting for them. No freedom from the Inspired. They needed to provide that hope. These people needed to see an end to their slavery.
...
But, the voice whispers from the darkness, they don't need to see you. He keeps his crossbow at the ready. If an enemy attempts to attack them before they left this hollow, they would not have an accurate count of their numbers. Besides, he couldn't be the face they saw first. He wouldn't bring them comfort and security. That wasn't his purpose.
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Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
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Caelius follows Vivian, watching other commoners' conversations and looking for people matching the descriptions given.
Perception: 8
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Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Inside, the three of you are able to find an empty table. Around you, the conversations seem to mostly be about either the day or a recent altavar incident two towns west that left a member of the Harmonious Shield injured. None of you see anyone who matches the descriptions of the refugees.
Vivian:
You hear one group talking about rumors of a Thousand Eyes representative that may honor the village with their open presence tonight.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Speaking quietly Vivian says to the others, "I don't see them. There is also going to be a Thousand Eyes representitive here tonight."
Caelius frowns, "What Do We Do?" he spells out discretely.
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Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Keeping her voice low Vivian says, "Let's not stay long. If this is true moving about is going to be a lot harder. And we need to be extra careful."
Juhaan
"The Thousand Eyes are here?" Juhaan curses softly "We should stay away from their agents. Really." He starts looking around slightly paranoid "We should definitely not stay here for long!" he adds nervously. "Either we get what the information we need fast or I say we bail out! I don't want to linger in a place that is already under The Thousand Eyes scrutiny!"
Vivian quietly replies, "I don't see anyone we're looking for here. Let's bail. I'd rather be safe."
Taran's roll for hiding in the Trees with ropes and Camouflage. 20
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
Stealth: 12
Stealth check requested: 10
Caelius nods in vigorous agreement with Vivian.
Stealth: 18
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Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
River nestles into a tree using the camo and begins to nonchalantly sing like a songbird.
Stealth: 23
Dungeon Master - LSoL
Kaori - Battlemaster Fighter 5 / Paladin 2 (Kenku) - TSR
Cherna Godhari - Grave Cleric 4 (Human) - TW
Breena Mahi'ai - Divination Wizard 8 (Halfling) - WoE
Sharyn Savonath - Open Sea Paladin 4 (Triton) - PoPI
Zephyr - Four Elements (Revised) Monk 4 (Air Genasi) - IO
Takeshi - Mercy Monk 6 (Protector Aasimar) - TBW
Avrui Sirsash - Genie Warlock 2 (Wildhunt Shifter) - WotBS
Not wanting to stand around long now that they know someone as dangerous as a member of the Thousand Eyes is going to be. Vivian, Juhaan, And Caelius decide it’s best to leave than risk being caught, especially since they’re all brand new and they haven’t seen the refugees yet. Upon catching up with the others they let them know what they heard about the Thousand Eye member and Vivian dedrags back into Vishal.
Druhdaar Stealth: 18
Once the village group makes their way to the rendezvous point, they let the others know about what they've learned. People make their way to the camoflauge they've chosen, either before or after sleeping, and the night passes uneventfully. As you're in Riedra, those of you who dream have the same one-a cocktail of the greatness of the Inspired and terribleness of altavar designed by the quori to reinforce most Riedrans psychic indoctrination.
The sun rises early, as per usual, and you're all woken by The Soothing Voice, telling the villagers to rise and go to the morning meal. As you watch the area around your camp, the morning passes, bringing with it further messages from The Soothing Voice telling the Riedrans the rest of their schedule.
As midday approaches, you all notice two figures making their hurried way across the plain towards the depression, holding each others hands tightly. As they enter the depression, you see it's a man and a woman who match the descriptions of Aleel and Bhuji. Aleel glances around the seemingly empty clearing and calls hesitantly, "H-Hello? Is anybody here?"
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Taran is torn about his dream last night. On one hand, the realization that his dreams were not his own fills him with horror and disgust. On the other... He didn't dream about the cave... He mentally shakes himself. Those were dangerous thoughts, the type if thoughts that could lead to his enslavement. To the enslavement of all of Adar. Of Sim.
Taran banishes the thoughts and keeps his eyes peeled. There was an enemy spy in the town, possibly a Changeling. The risks were mounting.
Seeing the couple approach, Taran subtly aimed his crossbow in their direction, but he made no move to respond to them or reveal his presence. Seeing how they interact with others, how they acted when they didn't know their guides were nearby, that was the point. He'd keep hidden and observe, ready to defend the other guides if necessary. He'd break cover uf they tried to leave... But he suspected his companions would do so first.
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
Perception: 14
Vishal looks around in order to attempt to find his comrades and ask one of them something telepathically but is unable to figure out where they are even though he kind of knows where they are hiding.
When the man's query is greeted by silence, the pair glance at each other. "Maybe...we're at the wrong place?" the woman suggests hesitantly. "Are we sure we got the directions right? Is this the spot? It...it doesn't look like a camp or meeting spot. Or...maybe something happened to the guides on the way, and...they aren't coming." She whispers the last sentence as if it's something she barely even wants to voice.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Insight: 14
Deaming this individuals completely trustworthy Vishal speaks aloud to them simply saying, "Password."
The woman swallows, glancing at the trees around them. "Reztai."
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
For the briefest flash of a moment Taran feels anger towards Vishal, a rough, older voice full of scorn echoes from the back of his mind.
Then, Taran feels shame. Esteemed Vishal knew what he was doing. The refugees were about to turn back, convinced by the Guides lack of presence that there was no safety waiting for them. No freedom from the Inspired. They needed to provide that hope. These people needed to see an end to their slavery.
...
But, the voice whispers from the darkness, they don't need to see you. He keeps his crossbow at the ready. If an enemy attempts to attack them before they left this hollow, they would not have an accurate count of their numbers. Besides, he couldn't be the face they saw first. He wouldn't bring them comfort and security. That wasn't his purpose.
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)