"So let's just say we've had an unpleasant run in with them in the past and have come to the unanimous conclusion that whatever it is their up to, which involves burning cities, stealing gold, and building a ******* treasure hoard can't be good for the rest of up. You know, that and the whole 'Hail Tiamat' thing, that's neve good. We, along with some interested parties, have decided to make the cultists business, our business. And I might have a plan, or at least an idea." And Arliden pulls out the few pieces of treasure he recovered from the wagon.
"So while you were creating our distraction he found a sizable hoard in the cults wagons, some of it proving that it was taken from Greenest. What if one of us rides ahead to the next large city we come to, and report this to the authorities there. That should at least give them cause to search the cults wagons right? And actually, Rex, you've been with them for a while now, any ideas where they might be headed.?"
[Through all of this Arliden is trying to nonchalantly keep an eye on Jamna trying to get a read on how she's reacting to this information. Does she already know it? Does she seem like she wants to know something else? Just a general read on how she's taking it.]
"So let's just say we've had an unpleasant run in with them in the past and have come to the unanimous conclusion that whatever it is their up to, which involves burning cities, stealing gold, and building a ******* treasure hoard can't be good for the rest of up. You know, that and the whole 'Hail Tiamat' thing, that's neve good. We, along with some interested parties, have decided to make the cultists business, our business. And I might have a plan, or at least an idea." And Arliden pulls out the few pieces of treasure he recovered from the wagon.
"So while you were creating our distraction he found a sizable hoard in the cults wagons, some of it proving that it was taken from Greenest. What if one of us rides ahead to the next large city we come to, and report this to the authorities there. That should at least give them cause to search the cults wagons right? And actually, Rex, you've been with them for a while now, any ideas where they might be headed.?"
[Through all of this Arliden is trying to nonchalantly keep an eye on Jamna trying to get a read on how she's reacting to this information. Does she already know it? Does she seem like she wants to know something else? Just a general read on how she's taking it.]
Rex, doing the cool secret agent thing of sitting at Arliden’s back, speaks up mentally, “This caravan seems like our most direct ticket to the cult. As for info, things have shook up since I left, things ain’t the same. They’re even more psychotic than when I left, and that’s a tall bar to clear.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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
Fjordix had strolled into the copse of trees assuredly but had stopped to listen to what was found during the investigation, "That's not a bad plan Arliden. It should catch them by surprise. Though how could we prove to the authorities there that the good s in the crates aren't theirs?"
"Well these items were clearly taken from Greenest and I made sure not to take it all. I honestly can't imagine it is enough to shut them down but it might get people's attention or at least cause some chaos in the cultist's camp. If the authorities find stuff from other town maybe it's enough get some of the leaders arrested and that could let our other friends get involved." You can tell he's a little hesitant to say the name of the people or organizations that we're working with in front of Jamna.
[OOC I'm not sure what exactly identifies them as being from Greenest. Rich, is there a marking on them, or a stamp or something?]
Arliden, go ahead and roll a Wisdom (Insight) check to see if you pick anything up from Jamna.
In regards to the items from Greenest, there are a few chips in some of the pearls that look like they could have been made by small teeth (matching a description a woman gave about her husband allowing their baby to use her pearl necklace for teething) and the gold-and-sapphire ring has an inscription inside the band written in Dwarvish.
Rex, are you talking to everyone mentally, just Arliden, excluding Jamna, etc.?
OOC: This is your usual JC PSA reminding you that Rex can Read Minds. That’s right, audience, you heard right. Read Minds. Can you point to someone who might be hiding something? *camera pans to Fjordix* No... *camera pans to Arliden* No... *camera pans to Jamna* That’s right!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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
After a bit more conversing, you all decide to go about business as usual until you get closer to Waterdeep (which is about 4 days away at your current pace). The next day passes without any problems, but you wake up to commotion the day after that. As you all respond to the noise, you discover that, at some time during the night, a guard from one of the cult's wagons was murdered. Based on the size of the wound, he was stabbed in the back by a sword.
As the rest of the caravan continues to wake up and hear about the murder, Lillian (the woman with her arm in the sling) sees and recognizes Arliden for the first time on this journey. "You! It was you, wasn't it? Did he recognize you? Is that why you killed him?" She starts to run towards you but stops herself. Almost too calmly, she says to the other cultists, "Search him! I bet he didn't even try to get rid of the sword he used to kill Jacob."
Arliden, 5 cultists move towards you, asking to see your weapons to see if you have a sword that would fit the wound in Jacob's back.
Arliden will let them check him out, he uses a dagger and a crossbow, and he starts talking pretty quickly once the group moves towards him. [He's attempting to complete a one minute oratory "performance" if that lasts for one minute he wants to get off his Enthralling Performanceability].
"You're more than willing to search me but I swear on my lute I didn't murder your friend. I'm hardly one that seeks out a fight, and if I do have to defend myself I'd rather resort to less bloody methods. You could say I'm a man of music rather than blades. I'd really much rather talk things out than fight about it."
Arliden gets about 30 seconds into talking before Lillian cuts him off. "I've let you sweet talk your way out of trouble once already, and all I have to show for it is this busted shoulder. Your words mean nothing here! Perhaps you are smarter than you are smug. What wagon have you been hiding in? If you're so innocent, show us by your actions, not your words. Show us all of your belongings."
[Does Arliden have any other weapons that he wouldn't/doesn't keep on his person? Also, do you let them search the wagon you've been staying with on this journey?]
[So to be fair, starting equipment does come with a shortsword apparently, but I had to check my sheet to see that, Arliden would basically never use that weapon...but it is on my character sheet so I think I'd say he doesn't but that's your call. As for the wagon...]
Arliden is going to start speaking louder, not shouting, but but he's hoping to start getting the attention of other people in the caravan that aren't clearly wanting to kill him. "First off, I think any time you can talk your way out of 'trouble' is far better than murdering your way out of 'trouble', which it seems most other people are inclined to do. I also think we might want to talk about what you mean by 'trouble' because from my viewpoint I didn't start any trouble. I am truly sorry about your shoulder but we both know I didn't do that and whoever did, well clearly they are far more your enemy than I am. You don't hurt people just because your upset with them."* Anyway, as for my innocence, there have got to be hundreds of swords in a caravan this size but when you checked me I didn't have any. And I don't own the wagon I'm traveling in so you'd have to speak to the owner, I'm more than willing to take you to speak with the owner if you'd like."
* [If Arliden thinks anyone that isn't clearly a cultist might overhear him he'll leave this part out but for sake of posting speed I'll just stick it here] "I'm genuinely sorry you got hurt, but you know, people often don't really feel like dying for trying to do the right thing. Being punished for being kind, maybe even being tricked a little, is awful and you shouldn't have to put up with that shit. I don't know what kind of group you've found yourself with, and I hope you've found some real friends there, but maybe you should think about if the group your with really cares about you. You don't hurt your friends for being kind, just a thought."
Fake Rex speaks up, “That’s right, I’ve been watching pretty boy here since he got picked up. Never liked him, but I never took my eyes off him. He’s got an alibi.”
Rex mentally speaks with Arliden, “Listen, buddy, compassion ain’t the first thing that pops into my mind when you say ‘Cult of the Dragon.’ We weren’t know for our humanitarianism. Mob mentality on the other hand...”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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
A number of other people in the caravan start speaking up in Arliden's defense, too. Chief among them is Oyn Evenmor, the merchant to whom Arliden is serving as bodyguard, and someone who has been very liberal with purchasing drinks for anyone who would sit with him for a while. "Young Arliden was by my side all night long, so I can personally attest that he is not the one who killed that poor man. What I can say is this. You have, so far, made an accusation based mostly, if not entirely, on some previous unpleasantness between the two of you. I can't speak to what happened before, but you have no proof of anything that happened last night. Show us something to go on, and we can start talking about who is guilty. Was anything stolen? If so, what was it? If not, what motivation would he have to just now murder someone who's been traveling with us for nearly two months?" Arliden, from your many nights pleasantly arguing with Evenmor over many things, you can tell that he's just getting started on making his case.
It becomes obvious, pretty quickly, that there's not support in pressing the issue further unless something more concrete is presented. Surprisingly, the Thayan that recently joined the caravan and has been traveling with the Cult speaks up, talking above a whisper for the first time since you've taken notice of him. "I could not agree with you more, Mr. Evermor. Without witnesses, nothing can be done. As far as we can tell, nothing was stolen. Please forgive my young friend's outburst. She is clearly upset at the loss of a close traveling companion and is seeking an outlet for whom to blame. Alas, it looks as though the blame will have to go unknown. The gods will punish the guilty party as they see fit, and life will go on. I we could, perhaps, leave a little earlier than normal today, I will see that Jacob's body is dealt with appropriately. With only 2 days left in our journey, this shouldn't be too much of an inconvenience."
[Everyone go ahead and make a Wisdom (Perception) check.]
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"I appreciate you all coming to my defense, it's nice to know I've at least made a few friends while traveling with you all." And he turns back to his accusers, "As you can see, there is really no way I could have killed your friend, and I really have no reason to. But," and he pretty much looks right at Lillian, "if you're willing to put the weapon away, I'm more than willing to talk to you about whatever's going on. Hell, I'll just listen to you vent if that's what you want too."
Arliden also mentally thinks some stuff back to Rex knowing it won't reach him....
Arliden, especially with you focusing on Lillian, you can see that she is acting oddly deferential toward the Thayan, but you can also see that she very clearly wants to press the issue. Instead, she looks at you and says, "I have nothing to say to you. This is over...for now." With that, she walks back toward her wagon. Slowly, everyone starts going about their own business, giving the cult wagon space and time to deal with the first death of anyone in the caravan on this 2 month long journey.
Arliden would like to try and find a messenger in the caravan that would be willing to ride ahead to Waterdeep and carry a message to one of guard captains there. He's willing to pay well but would want the messenger to move with purpose. Ideally he's looking for someone that would arrive at the city at least a day ahead of the caravan. Is that something he can find?
"So let's just say we've had an unpleasant run in with them in the past and have come to the unanimous conclusion that whatever it is their up to, which involves burning cities, stealing gold, and building a ******* treasure hoard can't be good for the rest of up. You know, that and the whole 'Hail Tiamat' thing, that's neve good. We, along with some interested parties, have decided to make the cultists business, our business. And I might have a plan, or at least an idea." And Arliden pulls out the few pieces of treasure he recovered from the wagon.
"So while you were creating our distraction he found a sizable hoard in the cults wagons, some of it proving that it was taken from Greenest. What if one of us rides ahead to the next large city we come to, and report this to the authorities there. That should at least give them cause to search the cults wagons right? And actually, Rex, you've been with them for a while now, any ideas where they might be headed.?"
[Through all of this Arliden is trying to nonchalantly keep an eye on Jamna trying to get a read on how she's reacting to this information. Does she already know it? Does she seem like she wants to know something else? Just a general read on how she's taking it.]
Rex, doing the cool secret agent thing of sitting at Arliden’s back, speaks up mentally, “This caravan seems like our most direct ticket to the cult. As for info, things have shook up since I left, things ain’t the same. They’re even more psychotic than when I left, and that’s a tall bar to clear.”
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
Fjordix had strolled into the copse of trees assuredly but had stopped to listen to what was found during the investigation, "That's not a bad plan Arliden. It should catch them by surprise. Though how could we prove to the authorities there that the good s in the crates aren't theirs?"
"Well these items were clearly taken from Greenest and I made sure not to take it all. I honestly can't imagine it is enough to shut them down but it might get people's attention or at least cause some chaos in the cultist's camp. If the authorities find stuff from other town maybe it's enough get some of the leaders arrested and that could let our other friends get involved." You can tell he's a little hesitant to say the name of the people or organizations that we're working with in front of Jamna.
[OOC I'm not sure what exactly identifies them as being from Greenest. Rich, is there a marking on them, or a stamp or something?]
Arliden, go ahead and roll a Wisdom (Insight) check to see if you pick anything up from Jamna.
In regards to the items from Greenest, there are a few chips in some of the pearls that look like they could have been made by small teeth (matching a description a woman gave about her husband allowing their baby to use her pearl necklace for teething) and the gold-and-sapphire ring has an inscription inside the band written in Dwarvish.
Rex, are you talking to everyone mentally, just Arliden, excluding Jamna, etc.?
I’ll just continue doing what I always do and speak the message to one person, repeat it to another, and another. I’ll even include Jamba.
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
OOC: Just thinking, Rex must get super tired of repeating himself everytime he uses that trick lol
OOC: One day, Rex will just tell a slightly different message to everyone, just for giggles
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
Insight [22]
Arliden, you don't discern that Jamna has lied about anything, but you get the impression that she isn't telling you everything.
OOC: This is your usual JC PSA reminding you that Rex can Read Minds. That’s right, audience, you heard right. Read Minds. Can you point to someone who might be hiding something? *camera pans to Fjordix* No... *camera pans to Arliden* No... *camera pans to Jamna* That’s right!
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
After a bit more conversing, you all decide to go about business as usual until you get closer to Waterdeep (which is about 4 days away at your current pace). The next day passes without any problems, but you wake up to commotion the day after that. As you all respond to the noise, you discover that, at some time during the night, a guard from one of the cult's wagons was murdered. Based on the size of the wound, he was stabbed in the back by a sword.
As the rest of the caravan continues to wake up and hear about the murder, Lillian (the woman with her arm in the sling) sees and recognizes Arliden for the first time on this journey. "You! It was you, wasn't it? Did he recognize you? Is that why you killed him?" She starts to run towards you but stops herself. Almost too calmly, she says to the other cultists, "Search him! I bet he didn't even try to get rid of the sword he used to kill Jacob."
Arliden, 5 cultists move towards you, asking to see your weapons to see if you have a sword that would fit the wound in Jacob's back.
Arliden will let them check him out, he uses a dagger and a crossbow, and he starts talking pretty quickly once the group moves towards him. [He's attempting to complete a one minute oratory "performance" if that lasts for one minute he wants to get off his Enthralling Performance ability].
"You're more than willing to search me but I swear on my lute I didn't murder your friend. I'm hardly one that seeks out a fight, and if I do have to defend myself I'd rather resort to less bloody methods. You could say I'm a man of music rather than blades. I'd really much rather talk things out than fight about it."
Arliden gets about 30 seconds into talking before Lillian cuts him off. "I've let you sweet talk your way out of trouble once already, and all I have to show for it is this busted shoulder. Your words mean nothing here! Perhaps you are smarter than you are smug. What wagon have you been hiding in? If you're so innocent, show us by your actions, not your words. Show us all of your belongings."
[Does Arliden have any other weapons that he wouldn't/doesn't keep on his person? Also, do you let them search the wagon you've been staying with on this journey?]
[So to be fair, starting equipment does come with a shortsword apparently, but I had to check my sheet to see that, Arliden would basically never use that weapon...but it is on my character sheet so I think I'd say he doesn't but that's your call. As for the wagon...]
Arliden is going to start speaking louder, not shouting, but but he's hoping to start getting the attention of other people in the caravan that aren't clearly wanting to kill him. "First off, I think any time you can talk your way out of 'trouble' is far better than murdering your way out of 'trouble', which it seems most other people are inclined to do. I also think we might want to talk about what you mean by 'trouble' because from my viewpoint I didn't start any trouble. I am truly sorry about your shoulder but we both know I didn't do that and whoever did, well clearly they are far more your enemy than I am. You don't hurt people just because your upset with them."*
Anyway, as for my innocence, there have got to be hundreds of swords in a caravan this size but when you checked me I didn't have any. And I don't own the wagon I'm traveling in so you'd have to speak to the owner, I'm more than willing to take you to speak with the owner if you'd like."
* [If Arliden thinks anyone that isn't clearly a cultist might overhear him he'll leave this part out but for sake of posting speed I'll just stick it here] "I'm genuinely sorry you got hurt, but you know, people often don't really feel like dying for trying to do the right thing. Being punished for being kind, maybe even being tricked a little, is awful and you shouldn't have to put up with that shit. I don't know what kind of group you've found yourself with, and I hope you've found some real friends there, but maybe you should think about if the group your with really cares about you. You don't hurt your friends for being kind, just a thought."
Fake Rex speaks up, “That’s right, I’ve been watching pretty boy here since he got picked up. Never liked him, but I never took my eyes off him. He’s got an alibi.”
Rex mentally speaks with Arliden, “Listen, buddy, compassion ain’t the first thing that pops into my mind when you say ‘Cult of the Dragon.’ We weren’t know for our humanitarianism. Mob mentality on the other hand...”
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
A number of other people in the caravan start speaking up in Arliden's defense, too. Chief among them is Oyn Evenmor, the merchant to whom Arliden is serving as bodyguard, and someone who has been very liberal with purchasing drinks for anyone who would sit with him for a while. "Young Arliden was by my side all night long, so I can personally attest that he is not the one who killed that poor man. What I can say is this. You have, so far, made an accusation based mostly, if not entirely, on some previous unpleasantness between the two of you. I can't speak to what happened before, but you have no proof of anything that happened last night. Show us something to go on, and we can start talking about who is guilty. Was anything stolen? If so, what was it? If not, what motivation would he have to just now murder someone who's been traveling with us for nearly two months?" Arliden, from your many nights pleasantly arguing with Evenmor over many things, you can tell that he's just getting started on making his case.
It becomes obvious, pretty quickly, that there's not support in pressing the issue further unless something more concrete is presented. Surprisingly, the Thayan that recently joined the caravan and has been traveling with the Cult speaks up, talking above a whisper for the first time since you've taken notice of him. "I could not agree with you more, Mr. Evermor. Without witnesses, nothing can be done. As far as we can tell, nothing was stolen. Please forgive my young friend's outburst. She is clearly upset at the loss of a close traveling companion and is seeking an outlet for whom to blame. Alas, it looks as though the blame will have to go unknown. The gods will punish the guilty party as they see fit, and life will go on. I we could, perhaps, leave a little earlier than normal today, I will see that Jacob's body is dealt with appropriately. With only 2 days left in our journey, this shouldn't be too much of an inconvenience."
[Everyone go ahead and make a Wisdom (Perception) check.]
"I appreciate you all coming to my defense, it's nice to know I've at least made a few friends while traveling with you all." And he turns back to his accusers, "As you can see, there is really no way I could have killed your friend, and I really have no reason to. But," and he pretty much looks right at Lillian, "if you're willing to put the weapon away, I'm more than willing to talk to you about whatever's going on. Hell, I'll just listen to you vent if that's what you want too."
Arliden also mentally thinks some stuff back to Rex knowing it won't reach him....
Perception: 14
[OOC: We are two days out from where?]
[You are 2 days away from Waterdeep.]
Arliden, especially with you focusing on Lillian, you can see that she is acting oddly deferential toward the Thayan, but you can also see that she very clearly wants to press the issue. Instead, she looks at you and says, "I have nothing to say to you. This is over...for now." With that, she walks back toward her wagon. Slowly, everyone starts going about their own business, giving the cult wagon space and time to deal with the first death of anyone in the caravan on this 2 month long journey.
Arliden would like to try and find a messenger in the caravan that would be willing to ride ahead to Waterdeep and carry a message to one of guard captains there. He's willing to pay well but would want the messenger to move with purpose. Ideally he's looking for someone that would arrive at the city at least a day ahead of the caravan. Is that something he can find?