Taking comfort on the Zone of Truth effect, the captain answers her old companion: "Grewalt, Burga, Ilim, and Abet are all gone... Ilim was the first, some 50 nights ago."
In his mind's eyes, Utar can see the honorable human male and his large crossbow in impeccable shape, the grumpy halfling woman and her battered flail and shield, the young dwarven spellcaster boasting about his first beard-braids, and the tall but slumped firbolg and his unforgiving greatclub.
The captain continues: "They had all found new homes across the Moonsea. Now, only you, Litta, Moneus, and myself remain."
Utar then allow his mind to travel to a time when a younger version of himself was still learning the Tormite ropes from a bulky but kind female Dragonborn who was a morningstar wielder, and her loyal tiefling friend who was on a journey to atone for past mistakes.
"Moneus is here in Phlan, as am I," Aleyd continues. "I was never able to track either you or Litta, however. When you entered my chamber and your gnome companion attacked, I thought I had finally found the traitorous murderer. Have I found the killer, Utar? Have you killed those I named or was involved in any way in their murders? What about your friends here, perhaps under your guidance?"
"Oh Villie..." Doozey said in a sigh upon hearing the truth, closing his eyes and shaking his head. Seeing a chance to speak in her last question, the stoutling clears his throat. "I cannae speak for all here, as I've only met this team roughly a week ago. But they are.... decent people from my perspective. So, with some exception, I do not think they would go out of their way to play assassin." He admits. "And despite the ill but somewhat warranted treatment, I have and had no reason to wish to target you." He admits casually, and yet gave her an odd look.
(@Lerus: Doozey is gonna try to use Hunter's Sense on ALeyd.)
As an action, choose one creature you can see within 60 feet of you. You immediately learn whether the creature has any damage immunities, resistances, or vulnerabilities and what they are. If the creature is hidden from divination magic, you sense that it has no damage immunities, resistances, or vulnerabilities.
Utar lets the memories of the faces of his comrades wash over him.
They are seated on the ground around a pitifully small campfire, struggling against a sudden onslaught of rain. Casting an eye around the group, their faces are all set hard knowing the grim reality of the work they are about to do.
They are traveling in a column of soldiers, some seated on the back of a wagon carrying supplies, others walking behind. Chatting and joking among themselves as the sun warms their backs.
Suddenly Utar is back in the cell, the colour fading from his face as his knees buckle. He feels as though he has been punched in the gut. The air blown out of him. Steadying himself against the bars he slowly shakes his head, looking into the eyes of Aleyd Burral as he speaks.
"No. I am not your traitor or your killer. I never knew the others had been killed until now. I only learnt you were in Phlan when I saw you on the gallows outside the Stojanow Gate. How did the others go?"
Doozey is the first to answer the next set of questions. Knowing it to be true, Captain Aleyd nods to show her understanding. As she does, the halfling continues to examine her closely. His instincts tell him that she has no obvious weaknesses or affinities, though the hunter knows that those blessed by the divine can often become immune to the effects of any disease. Some others may additionally gain the benefits of becoming incorruptible by others' magical charms. He has a feeling that Captain Aleyd is one such blessed warrior.
Neya and a rising Graxx pipe up next, and receive similar nods. By the time Utar begins talking, all other four people included in this conversation are already looking at him and waiting for a direct answer. He delivers it, and follows up with a question of his own.
"You deserve to know, as did I," she says. "Abet was found with a single stab wound on his back, likely a dagger or a shortsword. Burga ingested some sort of poison. Grewalt had a crossbow bolt stuck in his neck, perhaps one of his own. Ilim... apparently fell from a watchtower. He was the first, so I thought it was an accident initially. Once a pattern emerged, I began preparing for an inevitable attempt on my life. My investigations on the matter were interrupted, however, when I was tasked with investigating the attacks along the shoreline. My duties take precedence over personal matters..." she says, with a hint of regret in her voice.
Turning her eyes away from Utar for a moment, the captain then looks in the general direction of the other three CRAP members: "What about the gnomish warrior in the other cell? What is your connection to her? Why did she make an attempt on my life? Could she be the assassin I am looking for?" Her vocal delivery speeds up a bit when asking these questions.
"While we do not know Villonah well, we had helped her in the past. I can only surmise her attack on you was less a concerted assassination attempt and more the desperate action of one suffering grief and anger, judging by what she said before leaped at you. But, that's me putting words in her mouth."
Graxx remains in a seated resting position perking up at what seems to be an ease in the tension and the mention of the shoreline attacks. He holds his tongue for now.
He looks on to Utar and feels a pain in his chest for his friends loss. But he can't comfort him yet.
Doozey winces and rubs at his throat over the story.,
"I believe Neya here has the right of though.... Come to think of it... Oh.... Ohhh! You executed her, uhm, father, I guess? But that explains so much now." The halfling shakes his head and rubs his forehead. "Can't believe I missed that earlier. Then again, I'm new here, and not used to having friends." He adds, trailing into open introspection.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Captain Aleyd listens to Neya's and Utar's dismissive responses and tries to put the pieces together. Doozey then removes any doubt with his contribution. "Rillo..." she confirms. "That explains much, but doesn't change the fact that what she sought was attempted murder. Very well. She shall be interrogated soon, and judged accordingly." She then turns to Utar once more: "I don't remember you being the careless type. Bringing the daughter of an executed criminal to her father's executioner's steps was quite negligent of you, Utar." She looks around the room: "And of you too."
Changing subjects, the captain says: "But let us have all out in the open before I pass judgment on you. Upstairs, you mentioned you came to talk. You even mentioned the attacks on the shore if I am not mistaken. Elaborate on the real reason of your visit then."
(OOC: A quick reminder that Villonah and Biscuit are in a separate cell.)
Doozey eyes narrows and folds his arms. "More like attempted assault and battery, than murder." He states flatly. "Anything more is just an excuse to punish someone to the greatest degree possible in place of whoever it is hunting you and ya crew." Having said that, the hunter moves to lean against the back of the cell wall, leaving the others to do the talking.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Utar puts his head in his hands and sighs, leaving it there for a long moment. Wiping his face, he looks back up round the room, then at Aleyd.
"In fairness, I didn't know she would pull a weapon from thin air, so be so stupid as to try it. Given the circumstances, I can see why..."
Utar trails off, his mind racing with hundreds of questions that he knows he can't ask now. He swallows them for now, wiping his eyes again.
"Doomguide Yovir put us together. Villonah is investigating the reports of the ghost ship. We heard from him that you were investigating too, looking for adventurers to look into it for you. Given that someone is picking off our old unit, I can see why."
Pausing, Utar shakes his head and ploughs on regardless,
"I've no right to ask this, but go easy on the girl. She just lost her father and then she came face to face with his executioner. It wasn't right, but it is what it is."
Graxx gets to his feet his head down. The normally proud warrior has been humbled.
"We're here for about the coast attacks. We need to find out all we can about these shadows attacking. And we'll need our weapons back if were to be any good facing these things." says Graxx almost shyly.
"Our information, as it is, is lacking. But, what we were able to find out is the ship seems to be making its way to Phlan from the west, hitting villages and hamlets along the way. Possibly with a dracolich in their ranks, according to a notable victim. He also rattled a off a few other strained phrases, but in his state it is difficult to glean any meaning from some of it."
Captain Aleyd silently listens to Doozey and Utar make pleas on Villonah's behalf. She considers giving a full response but instead settles for two words: "Martial law."
As the conversation moves on to the attacks on the many hamlets along the Stormy Bay, the captain becomes more conversational oncemore. "I know of the witness you speak of," she tells Neya. "It sounds like you were more successful in obtaining information from him than I was. That's good. As far as I can tell, there are no other witnesses beyond the madman." Her eyes find Utar: "And you do well in trusting the Doomguide. One of the few men in this city worth the respect he gets. I can always appreciate his civic concern and avoidance of city politics."
Talking to the group more generally, she continues: "I have been looking into the attacks and can list each occurrence: the madman's unnamed village was attacked two days ago, Vig's Dock six days ago, a collection of farm houses ten days ago, and the Aleston brewery fourteen days ago. Like you, I am also worried that eventually the attacks will come to Phlan, but am afraid others may be over-reliant on the safety of the city's wall should an attack actually occur. They claim that Phlan is large, and all the attacks have occurred in small villages or lone homes. However, I noticed a pattern in the attacks: they seem to occur every four nights. Unfortunately, I do not yet know why that is the case. The travel time between each location is approximately one or two days, so it must be something beyond just the time it takes to go from one spot to the next. Moreover, judging by when the ruined villages were found, it seems likely that all of the attacks occurred at night... but I suppose this is purely my supposition."
"Do any of these details sound familiar to you?" she asks, hoping you share her level of interest in these strange attacks. She lets her gaze stop on Graxx this time but does not address his request for weapons just yet.
Though he listens, since deciding to "remind" the group of the status quo of the city, the stoutling had chose to simple keep his mouth shut and eyes glued to the ground. And whatever interest Doozey may or may not have found in the story, this too the halfling kept to himself.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"Parts chime with what we have been told. I expect you've followed this longer than we have, we only spoke to the Doomguide about it this morning, although I think the rumours about a ship attacking the coast went back further."
”Night attack... Shadows... Maybe it ain’t real shadows it’s just folks running around in the dark.”
Graxx nods in agreement.
”Yes it sounds like you know bout as much as we do. So if it’s every four nights the next attack will be in two days. We need to figure out where they might hit next.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Utar's eyes go wide before his face crumples into a look of deep concern as the accusations hit him.
"I came here to talk, nothing more."
His shoulders slump and he takes out for the bars of the cell, using then to support himself as he visually deflates.
"Who...who has been killed so far? Why would you think it was me? How had it been happening, how long has it been happening?"
Taking comfort on the Zone of Truth effect, the captain answers her old companion: "Grewalt, Burga, Ilim, and Abet are all gone... Ilim was the first, some 50 nights ago."
In his mind's eyes, Utar can see the honorable human male and his large crossbow in impeccable shape, the grumpy halfling woman and her battered flail and shield, the young dwarven spellcaster boasting about his first beard-braids, and the tall but slumped firbolg and his unforgiving greatclub.
The captain continues: "They had all found new homes across the Moonsea. Now, only you, Litta, Moneus, and myself remain."
Utar then allow his mind to travel to a time when a younger version of himself was still learning the Tormite ropes from a bulky but kind female Dragonborn who was a morningstar wielder, and her loyal tiefling friend who was on a journey to atone for past mistakes.
"Moneus is here in Phlan, as am I," Aleyd continues. "I was never able to track either you or Litta, however. When you entered my chamber and your gnome companion attacked, I thought I had finally found the traitorous murderer. Have I found the killer, Utar? Have you killed those I named or was involved in any way in their murders? What about your friends here, perhaps under your guidance?"
"Oh Villie..." Doozey said in a sigh upon hearing the truth, closing his eyes and shaking his head. Seeing a chance to speak in her last question, the stoutling clears his throat. "I cannae speak for all here, as I've only met this team roughly a week ago. But they are.... decent people from my perspective. So, with some exception, I do not think they would go out of their way to play assassin." He admits. "And despite the ill but somewhat warranted treatment, I have and had no reason to wish to target you." He admits casually, and yet gave her an odd look.
(@Lerus: Doozey is gonna try to use Hunter's Sense on ALeyd.)
As an action, choose one creature you can see within 60 feet of you. You immediately learn whether the creature has any damage immunities, resistances, or vulnerabilities and what they are. If the creature is hidden from divination magic, you sense that it has no damage immunities, resistances, or vulnerabilities.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Utar lets the memories of the faces of his comrades wash over him.
They are seated on the ground around a pitifully small campfire, struggling against a sudden onslaught of rain. Casting an eye around the group, their faces are all set hard knowing the grim reality of the work they are about to do.
They are traveling in a column of soldiers, some seated on the back of a wagon carrying supplies, others walking behind. Chatting and joking among themselves as the sun warms their backs.
Suddenly Utar is back in the cell, the colour fading from his face as his knees buckle. He feels as though he has been punched in the gut. The air blown out of him. Steadying himself against the bars he slowly shakes his head, looking into the eyes of Aleyd Burral as he speaks.
"No. I am not your traitor or your killer. I never knew the others had been killed until now. I only learnt you were in Phlan when I saw you on the gallows outside the Stojanow Gate. How did the others go?"
Graxx rolls over and gets to his knees listening to the conversation before looking around searching for his sword.
Graxx realizes where he is and that his sword has been taken. He wants to get out of this situation and back to his sword as quickly as he can.
Graxx scoots back and puts his back to a wall. Embarrassed and the defeat the Captain handed him so easily.
"Utar's the last person I'd pick to be out killing his clan." Graxx wheezes out.
Neya takes a contemplative stance, "From what I've seen, Utar has not been one to send someone else to act on his behalf, purposefully or otherwise."
Extended Signature
Doozey is the first to answer the next set of questions. Knowing it to be true, Captain Aleyd nods to show her understanding. As she does, the halfling continues to examine her closely. His instincts tell him that she has no obvious weaknesses or affinities, though the hunter knows that those blessed by the divine can often become immune to the effects of any disease. Some others may additionally gain the benefits of becoming incorruptible by others' magical charms. He has a feeling that Captain Aleyd is one such blessed warrior.
Neya and a rising Graxx pipe up next, and receive similar nods. By the time Utar begins talking, all other four people included in this conversation are already looking at him and waiting for a direct answer. He delivers it, and follows up with a question of his own.
"You deserve to know, as did I," she says. "Abet was found with a single stab wound on his back, likely a dagger or a shortsword. Burga ingested some sort of poison. Grewalt had a crossbow bolt stuck in his neck, perhaps one of his own. Ilim... apparently fell from a watchtower. He was the first, so I thought it was an accident initially. Once a pattern emerged, I began preparing for an inevitable attempt on my life. My investigations on the matter were interrupted, however, when I was tasked with investigating the attacks along the shoreline. My duties take precedence over personal matters..." she says, with a hint of regret in her voice.
Turning her eyes away from Utar for a moment, the captain then looks in the general direction of the other three CRAP members: "What about the gnomish warrior in the other cell? What is your connection to her? Why did she make an attempt on my life? Could she be the assassin I am looking for?" Her vocal delivery speeds up a bit when asking these questions.
"While we do not know Villonah well, we had helped her in the past. I can only surmise her attack on you was less a concerted assassination attempt and more the desperate action of one suffering grief and anger, judging by what she said before leaped at you. But, that's me putting words in her mouth."
Extended Signature
Utar looks from Aleyd to Villonah, his eyes streaked with wet.
"I doubt it too, but the girl can speak for herself."
Graxx remains in a seated resting position perking up at what seems to be an ease in the tension and the mention of the shoreline attacks. He holds his tongue for now.
He looks on to Utar and feels a pain in his chest for his friends loss. But he can't comfort him yet.
Doozey winces and rubs at his throat over the story.,
"I believe Neya here has the right of though.... Come to think of it... Oh.... Ohhh! You executed her, uhm, father, I guess? But that explains so much now." The halfling shakes his head and rubs his forehead. "Can't believe I missed that earlier. Then again, I'm new here, and not used to having friends." He adds, trailing into open introspection.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Captain Aleyd listens to Neya's and Utar's dismissive responses and tries to put the pieces together. Doozey then removes any doubt with his contribution. "Rillo..." she confirms. "That explains much, but doesn't change the fact that what she sought was attempted murder. Very well. She shall be interrogated soon, and judged accordingly." She then turns to Utar once more: "I don't remember you being the careless type. Bringing the daughter of an executed criminal to her father's executioner's steps was quite negligent of you, Utar." She looks around the room: "And of you too."
Changing subjects, the captain says: "But let us have all out in the open before I pass judgment on you. Upstairs, you mentioned you came to talk. You even mentioned the attacks on the shore if I am not mistaken. Elaborate on the real reason of your visit then."
(OOC: A quick reminder that Villonah and Biscuit are in a separate cell.)
Doozey eyes narrows and folds his arms. "More like attempted assault and battery, than murder." He states flatly. "Anything more is just an excuse to punish someone to the greatest degree possible in place of whoever it is hunting you and ya crew." Having said that, the hunter moves to lean against the back of the cell wall, leaving the others to do the talking.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Utar puts his head in his hands and sighs, leaving it there for a long moment. Wiping his face, he looks back up round the room, then at Aleyd.
"In fairness, I didn't know she would pull a weapon from thin air, so be so stupid as to try it. Given the circumstances, I can see why..."
Utar trails off, his mind racing with hundreds of questions that he knows he can't ask now. He swallows them for now, wiping his eyes again.
"Doomguide Yovir put us together. Villonah is investigating the reports of the ghost ship. We heard from him that you were investigating too, looking for adventurers to look into it for you. Given that someone is picking off our old unit, I can see why."
Pausing, Utar shakes his head and ploughs on regardless,
"I've no right to ask this, but go easy on the girl. She just lost her father and then she came face to face with his executioner. It wasn't right, but it is what it is."
Graxx gets to his feet his head down. The normally proud warrior has been humbled.
"We're here for about the coast attacks. We need to find out all we can about these shadows attacking. And we'll need our weapons back if were to be any good facing these things." says Graxx almost shyly.
"Our information, as it is, is lacking. But, what we were able to find out is the ship seems to be making its way to Phlan from the west, hitting villages and hamlets along the way. Possibly with a dracolich in their ranks, according to a notable victim. He also rattled a off a few other strained phrases, but in his state it is difficult to glean any meaning from some of it."
Extended Signature
Captain Aleyd silently listens to Doozey and Utar make pleas on Villonah's behalf. She considers giving a full response but instead settles for two words: "Martial law."
As the conversation moves on to the attacks on the many hamlets along the Stormy Bay, the captain becomes more conversational oncemore. "I know of the witness you speak of," she tells Neya. "It sounds like you were more successful in obtaining information from him than I was. That's good. As far as I can tell, there are no other witnesses beyond the madman." Her eyes find Utar: "And you do well in trusting the Doomguide. One of the few men in this city worth the respect he gets. I can always appreciate his civic concern and avoidance of city politics."
Talking to the group more generally, she continues: "I have been looking into the attacks and can list each occurrence: the madman's unnamed village was attacked two days ago, Vig's Dock six days ago, a collection of farm houses ten days ago, and the Aleston brewery fourteen days ago. Like you, I am also worried that eventually the attacks will come to Phlan, but am afraid others may be over-reliant on the safety of the city's wall should an attack actually occur. They claim that Phlan is large, and all the attacks have occurred in small villages or lone homes. However, I noticed a pattern in the attacks: they seem to occur every four nights. Unfortunately, I do not yet know why that is the case. The travel time between each location is approximately one or two days, so it must be something beyond just the time it takes to go from one spot to the next. Moreover, judging by when the ruined villages were found, it seems likely that all of the attacks occurred at night... but I suppose this is purely my supposition."
"Do any of these details sound familiar to you?" she asks, hoping you share her level of interest in these strange attacks. She lets her gaze stop on Graxx this time but does not address his request for weapons just yet.
Though he listens, since deciding to "remind" the group of the status quo of the city, the stoutling had chose to simple keep his mouth shut and eyes glued to the ground. And whatever interest Doozey may or may not have found in the story, this too the halfling kept to himself.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Utar shakes his head,
"Parts chime with what we have been told. I expect you've followed this longer than we have, we only spoke to the Doomguide about it this morning, although I think the rumours about a ship attacking the coast went back further."
Graxx looks inquisitively.
”Night attack... Shadows... Maybe it ain’t real shadows it’s just folks running around in the dark.”
Graxx nods in agreement.
”Yes it sounds like you know bout as much as we do. So if it’s every four nights the next attack will be in two days. We need to figure out where they might hit next.”