Drego nods at Robin's decision to join the inside team 'Ok, sounds like we're all set. We'll wait until you all outside draw their attention before slipping in the back'
“hmmmm, all the more reason to be careful what we tell him, yes?” Péiste Mór whispers to Jax. “too much truth is as bothersome as too much water, yes? one can drown in precisely what one needs most…”
Once Lyrik has made their preparations, the dragon will signal Jax and the others that they should head out… Péiste Mór continues to ride upon Jax’s shoulder until this part of the group wades through the crowd and stands between them and the Seekers…
((Pausing before speechifying to the mob in case anyone needs do anything first, or DM wants to throw more complications our way… but also cause will be far easier to speech it up when not posting on cell from work…))
(Good call, Kaemgen, cause I wanna set the scene first :) And arrange the divisions. We're going to have Direct Group, for those confronting the mob, and Sneaky Group, for those slipping through the back. I'll do my best to keep things organized in this thread, but adaptation may be required, so bear with me)
Direct Group:
You arrive at the temple as the sun is starting to sink below the horizon. The building is built simply of stone, a teardrop-shaped piece of red glass hanging above the door. Around the temple is a ring of shouting townsfolk, glaring at the temple and yelling out various angry things. "This is your fault! Get out of here, bloodletters! If your elder can't fix this, maybe it's because she's the cause!" and other such sentiments. Warlord Karlach's eyes narrow, and he taps a button on his jacket, which flares with light for a moment before he speaks, his voice magically magnified to carry across the crowd, which quiets as he speaks.
"People of Teryk! I am disappointed to see us turning on each other like Brelish. I understand your fear, but shouting at the Seekers of this town will do nothing to solve this blight, merely divide our town even more. I have gathered some adventurers from across Khorvaire to address this blight. They have expressed a desire to speak to all of you, and I believe what they have to say is worth hearing." He nods to PM and steps to the side, letting the small psuedodragon take the metaphorical stage.
PM, you feel the eyes of probably nearly half of Teryk on you. Tension simmers through the crowd like a pot about to boil over--things could easily tip in either direction, depending on your words.
(P.S. I will allow someone to Help PM if a roleplay post to that end is made)
Sneaky Group:
You break off from the rest of the group as you near the temple, veering around the crowd towards the back. Here, the crowd is far thinner, though still a solid line around the building. Around the front of the temple, you hear Karlach's voice booming across the crowd, and then a tense, expectant silence as PM prepares to speak.
(When it's time to sneak in, you guys will roll Stealth. Depending on PM's roll and what he says, you may have advantage)
Case abruptly steps forward next to the small dragon and raises his voice as he says, "We have been sent by the kingdom! We will do our best to stop the blight! You should all go home now and let us do our job! You are currently making our mission more difficult, which is counterproductive to the outcome you seek."
He steps back, and turns to the small dragon, giving it a small precise nod.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
As team Front Door and the Warlord start making noise and drawing attention, Drego runs point in slipping around back. He does it by not sneaking around at all. In circumstances like this he's found the generally the best way to blend in is to walk like you belong, comfortable, casual and without any obvious subterfuge. It's an art, disappearing into a crowd, losing yourself in plain sight. An art the bounty hunter has practiced over the years, but practiced doing it alone.
Having Stitch and Robin with him, well, he'll need the Front Door crew to do their job.
Before even approaching the mob, Péiste Mór starts releasing more and more smoke from their nostrils. This smoke does not dissipate but instead lingers around the dragon - building up and getting ready to perform.
When Warlord Karachi finishes speaking, the small red dragon launches up off of Jaxium's should to hover about a foot above his head. The gathered smoke is still thick and present and a liberal use of Prestidigitation creates puffs of sparks around the dragon and puts a dramatic air of music upon the breeze. Péiste Mór raises up his head to begin... And Case abruptly steps forward and raises his voice.
A huff of annoyance, punctuated by a puff of black smoke from their nostrils, escapes Péiste Mór but they recover quickly enough to keep up the shower of sparks, musical highlights and the gathering smoke ((from his Pipe of Remembrance which he ate - his version of equipping such items!)) gathering.
Once Case has finished his introductory remarks (we really need a proper bard, the dragon thinks) Péiste Mór clears their throat and once again prepares to address the crowd.
"Denizen of Teryk, hear me!" Péiste Mór calls out in deep, rich tones one would not expect from one their size, the cadence quick, upbeat, normal instead of the dragon's usual slow and leisurely.
"You are right to be concerned. To be worried. This blight is nothing to ignore and the fact that it is spreading is no trifle. But fear? Panic? These things are unworthy for those of Teryk! These things are unworthy of you! You are Terykians! You fear not the unknown! You do not cast out and strike out blindly at your brothers! Once again, such is unworthy of one from Teryk!! No... You are so much better than that! When faced with adversity you do not panic... You do not cower... You do not turn upon your own!
"People of Teryk are made of sterner stuff. Adversity only makes you stronger. Only unites you all the more! You do not shy away from challenge, you gather your strength, your forces, your brethren... And together you smash the challenge!"
((Depending on the leeway I am granted with the abilities of the Pipe of Remembrance the smoke smoke figures it forms is putting on a display of people helping one another out, lending a hand to one another, working together to farm and to build homes and buildings and walls. Banding together to fight skeletal invaders and whatever other such scenes the dragon can think of to symbolize the people or Teryk working as one. Of course interspersed through it all is Seekers as well. --- If we are keeping to more Pipe Powers As Written... then at about this point the smoke scenes would start, showing not only whatever fights and battles Péiste Mór has been in, but also his discussions and negotiations with full sized dragons, his meeting of his current teammates, and their battle with the skeletons...))
Péiste Mór allows these words to sink in for a moment, hopefully allowing the people to remember that they are not ruffians, hooligans nor the angry mob they actually currently are... Inflection hopefully embarrassing them into getting a hold of themselves and doing better.
"As has been said, my companions and I are here explicitly to get to the bottom of this blight. We come from the kingdom and beyond, from different areas and with different capabilities but we have one singular purpose - Rooting out the cause of this blight and bringing about that causes utter destruction!" The dragon wait a moment to allow whatever reaction there is to settle down a bit.
"We have no more evidence that the Seekers are the cause than the Karrns... Which is precisely none! Keep that in mind, please! Right now we have no evidence this was cause by the Karrns or by the Seekers. All our leads push us in different directions... And you must, must, must allow us to follow our leads before you destroy one another! Reckless violence is a likely contributor to the blight, it is definitely NOT a solution to it."
"So... I beseech you... Show the world just how strong, stable and united the People of Teryk are and trust in Warlord Karachi... Who trust in me and my companions. We promise you that the root cause will be found. We promise you that the cause will be destroyed and all those responsible will be brought to pay for their crimes... And we promise you that you, the People of Teryk, will be a part of that ultimate justice!!"
Péiste Mór pauses after finishing, looking out over the crowd and trying to read their reaction to the words they just spoke. They tried for a mix of pulling on their sense of community while also promising to sate their bloodthirstiness once the proper target was found but one never really knows how this things play with a crowd until after the performance...
Persuasion: 17
((Rolled with advantage due to Case's Help. I assume he was also nodding along during the speech, perhaps shouting out a few "Ya, boy!" during the speechifying in order to act like a Hype Man and keep the Help up through the whole thing...))
((-2 if it should be performance instead of persuasion?))
Case watches silently as the dragon puts on the show. He does not hoot or holler, but he believes his statements are essentially being repeated and supported so is pleased for the dragon to help further explain his comments to the crowd.
That said, when done Case adds in a loud voice, "Of course we can not PROMISE to find the root cause. But we can PROMISE to do our best to find it!" Believing he has clarified a key point for everyone, he once again goes silent.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
(Nope, Persuasion is the right call here, I think! And between your pipe and presti cantrip, I'd allow either sets of smoke figures)
The crowd listens to PM's words, the tiny dragon's speech having a clear effect over the gathered townsfolk. You see some serious looks and nods being exchanged throughout the crowd, people drawing closer to the pseudodragon as he speaks. A soft murmur goes through the crowd, something that isn't quite a resounding cheer, but is definitely a sign that they're listening and agreeing.
Sneaky Group:
You hear PM's voice calling across the crowd, and slowly, the people at the back start heading towards the front, leaving gaps and spaces in the crowd, so that someone being quiet and unobtrusive could slip over.
OOC: Okay, all sneakers have adv on their Stealth checks! Let's see them!
"Ok, ok, I'm going as fast as I can. Now remember when we get outside we need to try to move without being seen. LIke that time in the market when we played hide-and-get-lost with those halflings? Just like that but without the mage hand to trip them as they ran past us, ok?'
Stitch nods quietly in agreement putting a finger over his lips already in “stealth mode”
Robin moves to the door, pulling a small black billfold from a pocket of her cloak. She pulled out several picks and started to see if she could get the door opened...
After a few moments of work, the door is unlocked, and opens on a narrow, quiet hallway lit with red lanterns. Narrow black doors lead off from the hallway, with a wider door at the end.
OOC: If you're gonna try and be sneaky in here, I'mma need another Stealth from you guys! Also please note if you try to lock the door again after you.
"Well we are in." Robin says and starts to look around. She would try to find the most-used path (the widest hall) and start striding down it. NO stealth, she is not worried about being stealthy inside.
Case, seeing the situation has been resolved by a combination of his clear communication and the little dragon's clarifications, turns and walks in through the front door.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
"yes now... thank you my friends... one and all. we do appreciate your cooperation and understanding. and the fact that you all want to help," Péiste Mór says in summary, trying to wrap up the little speech he made in a bow. "for now it would behoove you all to go home... to go about your normal lives and business as much as possible... to help one another, be excellent to one another... and know that if we need your assistance, we will most definitely call upon you..."
A soft smattering of applause is heard coming from... somewhere within the crowd. Specifically, somewhere within about ten feet of Péiste Mór for that is the range of his Prestidigitation but the hope is that others will subconsciously follow along and join in.
'thank you... thank you... and now we shall parlay with the Seekers. we too shall be seeking... seeking the truth. i do believe the truth is that they will aid us in every way possible, just as any and every Terykian would. so thank you... and thank you again. we shall do our best for you all..."
And with things wrapped up, hopefully, and the crowd feeling... Well hopefully mollified if not encouraged... Péiste Mór waits there hovering just a bit to see if they start to turn away and depart... Before he does the same towards the Seekers establishment.
Jax begins applauding, and steps forward, offering his small friend a perch from which to be ferried to the front door. He lets Case enter first and follows after he checks the crowd to make sure no one is having violent second thoughts.
Jax follows, and mutters to PM, "the tough metal man says things that are true no matter what!"
Drego nods at Robin's decision to join the inside team 'Ok, sounds like we're all set. We'll wait until you all outside draw their attention before slipping in the back'
“hmmmm, all the more reason to be careful what we tell him, yes?” Péiste Mór whispers to Jax. “too much truth is as bothersome as too much water, yes? one can drown in precisely what one needs most…”
Once Lyrik has made their preparations, the dragon will signal Jax and the others that they should head out… Péiste Mór continues to ride upon Jax’s shoulder until this part of the group wades through the crowd and stands between them and the Seekers…
((Pausing before speechifying to the mob in case anyone needs do anything first, or DM wants to throw more complications our way… but also cause will be far easier to speech it up when not posting on cell from work…))
(Good call, Kaemgen, cause I wanna set the scene first :) And arrange the divisions. We're going to have Direct Group, for those confronting the mob, and Sneaky Group, for those slipping through the back. I'll do my best to keep things organized in this thread, but adaptation may be required, so bear with me)
Direct Group:
You arrive at the temple as the sun is starting to sink below the horizon. The building is built simply of stone, a teardrop-shaped piece of red glass hanging above the door. Around the temple is a ring of shouting townsfolk, glaring at the temple and yelling out various angry things. "This is your fault! Get out of here, bloodletters! If your elder can't fix this, maybe it's because she's the cause!" and other such sentiments. Warlord Karlach's eyes narrow, and he taps a button on his jacket, which flares with light for a moment before he speaks, his voice magically magnified to carry across the crowd, which quiets as he speaks.
"People of Teryk! I am disappointed to see us turning on each other like Brelish. I understand your fear, but shouting at the Seekers of this town will do nothing to solve this blight, merely divide our town even more. I have gathered some adventurers from across Khorvaire to address this blight. They have expressed a desire to speak to all of you, and I believe what they have to say is worth hearing." He nods to PM and steps to the side, letting the small psuedodragon take the metaphorical stage.
PM, you feel the eyes of probably nearly half of Teryk on you. Tension simmers through the crowd like a pot about to boil over--things could easily tip in either direction, depending on your words.
(P.S. I will allow someone to Help PM if a roleplay post to that end is made)
Sneaky Group:
You break off from the rest of the group as you near the temple, veering around the crowd towards the back. Here, the crowd is far thinner, though still a solid line around the building. Around the front of the temple, you hear Karlach's voice booming across the crowd, and then a tense, expectant silence as PM prepares to speak.
(When it's time to sneak in, you guys will roll Stealth. Depending on PM's roll and what he says, you may have advantage)
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!
Case abruptly steps forward next to the small dragon and raises his voice as he says, "We have been sent by the kingdom! We will do our best to stop the blight! You should all go home now and let us do our job! You are currently making our mission more difficult, which is counterproductive to the outcome you seek."
He steps back, and turns to the small dragon, giving it a small precise nod.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
As team Front Door and the Warlord start making noise and drawing attention, Drego runs point in slipping around back. He does it by not sneaking around at all. In circumstances like this he's found the generally the best way to blend in is to walk like you belong, comfortable, casual and without any obvious subterfuge. It's an art, disappearing into a crowd, losing yourself in plain sight. An art the bounty hunter has practiced over the years, but practiced doing it alone.
Having Stitch and Robin with him, well, he'll need the Front Door crew to do their job.
Before even approaching the mob, Péiste Mór starts releasing more and more smoke from their nostrils. This smoke does not dissipate but instead lingers around the dragon - building up and getting ready to perform.
When Warlord Karachi finishes speaking, the small red dragon launches up off of Jaxium's should to hover about a foot above his head. The gathered smoke is still thick and present and a liberal use of Prestidigitation creates puffs of sparks around the dragon and puts a dramatic air of music upon the breeze. Péiste Mór raises up his head to begin... And Case abruptly steps forward and raises his voice.
A huff of annoyance, punctuated by a puff of black smoke from their nostrils, escapes Péiste Mór but they recover quickly enough to keep up the shower of sparks, musical highlights and the gathering smoke ((from his Pipe of Remembrance which he ate - his version of equipping such items!)) gathering.
Once Case has finished his introductory remarks (we really need a proper bard, the dragon thinks) Péiste Mór clears their throat and once again prepares to address the crowd.
"Denizen of Teryk, hear me!" Péiste Mór calls out in deep, rich tones one would not expect from one their size, the cadence quick, upbeat, normal instead of the dragon's usual slow and leisurely.
"You are right to be concerned. To be worried. This blight is nothing to ignore and the fact that it is spreading is no trifle. But fear? Panic? These things are unworthy for those of Teryk! These things are unworthy of you! You are Terykians! You fear not the unknown! You do not cast out and strike out blindly at your brothers! Once again, such is unworthy of one from Teryk!! No... You are so much better than that! When faced with adversity you do not panic... You do not cower... You do not turn upon your own!
"People of Teryk are made of sterner stuff. Adversity only makes you stronger. Only unites you all the more! You do not shy away from challenge, you gather your strength, your forces, your brethren... And together you smash the challenge!"
((Depending on the leeway I am granted with the abilities of the Pipe of Remembrance the smoke smoke figures it forms is putting on a display of people helping one another out, lending a hand to one another, working together to farm and to build homes and buildings and walls. Banding together to fight skeletal invaders and whatever other such scenes the dragon can think of to symbolize the people or Teryk working as one. Of course interspersed through it all is Seekers as well. --- If we are keeping to more Pipe Powers As Written... then at about this point the smoke scenes would start, showing not only whatever fights and battles Péiste Mór has been in, but also his discussions and negotiations with full sized dragons, his meeting of his current teammates, and their battle with the skeletons...))
Péiste Mór allows these words to sink in for a moment, hopefully allowing the people to remember that they are not ruffians, hooligans nor the angry mob they actually currently are... Inflection hopefully embarrassing them into getting a hold of themselves and doing better.
"As has been said, my companions and I are here explicitly to get to the bottom of this blight. We come from the kingdom and beyond, from different areas and with different capabilities but we have one singular purpose - Rooting out the cause of this blight and bringing about that causes utter destruction!" The dragon wait a moment to allow whatever reaction there is to settle down a bit.
"We have no more evidence that the Seekers are the cause than the Karrns... Which is precisely none! Keep that in mind, please! Right now we have no evidence this was cause by the Karrns or by the Seekers. All our leads push us in different directions... And you must, must, must allow us to follow our leads before you destroy one another! Reckless violence is a likely contributor to the blight, it is definitely NOT a solution to it."
"So... I beseech you... Show the world just how strong, stable and united the People of Teryk are and trust in Warlord Karachi... Who trust in me and my companions. We promise you that the root cause will be found. We promise you that the cause will be destroyed and all those responsible will be brought to pay for their crimes... And we promise you that you, the People of Teryk, will be a part of that ultimate justice!!"
Péiste Mór pauses after finishing, looking out over the crowd and trying to read their reaction to the words they just spoke. They tried for a mix of pulling on their sense of community while also promising to sate their bloodthirstiness once the proper target was found but one never really knows how this things play with a crowd until after the performance...
Persuasion: 17
((Rolled with advantage due to Case's Help. I assume he was also nodding along during the speech, perhaps shouting out a few "Ya, boy!" during the speechifying in order to act like a Hype Man and keep the Help up through the whole thing...))
((-2 if it should be performance instead of persuasion?))
Case watches silently as the dragon puts on the show. He does not hoot or holler, but he believes his statements are essentially being repeated and supported so is pleased for the dragon to help further explain his comments to the crowd.
That said, when done Case adds in a loud voice, "Of course we can not PROMISE to find the root cause. But we can PROMISE to do our best to find it!" Believing he has clarified a key point for everyone, he once again goes silent.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Direct group:
(Nope, Persuasion is the right call here, I think! And between your pipe and presti cantrip, I'd allow either sets of smoke figures)
The crowd listens to PM's words, the tiny dragon's speech having a clear effect over the gathered townsfolk. You see some serious looks and nods being exchanged throughout the crowd, people drawing closer to the pseudodragon as he speaks. A soft murmur goes through the crowd, something that isn't quite a resounding cheer, but is definitely a sign that they're listening and agreeing.
Sneaky Group:
You hear PM's voice calling across the crowd, and slowly, the people at the back start heading towards the front, leaving gaps and spaces in the crowd, so that someone being quiet and unobtrusive could slip over.
OOC: Okay, all sneakers have adv on their Stealth checks! Let's see them!
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!
Robin stealth (advantage and disadvantage cancel out...): 21
Drego stealth 19
Stitch nods quietly in agreement putting a finger over his lips already in “stealth mode”
Stealth: 19
(Alright, sorry, was a long and highly distracting couple days)
Direct Group:
You now have relatively clear path to the temple's front door, and a crowd that is, at least for the moment, pacified. What would you like to do?
Stealthy Group:
You are able to slip up to the temple's back door without being noticed. However, you do find it (rather logically) locked at the moment.
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!
Robin moves to the door, pulling a small black billfold from a pocket of her cloak. She pulled out several picks and started to see if she could get the door opened...
Thieve's Tools: 9 Guidance: 4
Stealthy Group:
After a few moments of work, the door is unlocked, and opens on a narrow, quiet hallway lit with red lanterns. Narrow black doors lead off from the hallway, with a wider door at the end.
OOC: If you're gonna try and be sneaky in here, I'mma need another Stealth from you guys! Also please note if you try to lock the door again after you.
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!
"Well we are in." Robin says and starts to look around. She would try to find the most-used path (the widest hall) and start striding down it. NO stealth, she is not worried about being stealthy inside.
Case, seeing the situation has been resolved by a combination of his clear communication and the little dragon's clarifications, turns and walks in through the front door.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
"yes now... thank you my friends... one and all. we do appreciate your cooperation and understanding. and the fact that you all want to help," Péiste Mór says in summary, trying to wrap up the little speech he made in a bow. "for now it would behoove you all to go home... to go about your normal lives and business as much as possible... to help one another, be excellent to one another... and know that if we need your assistance, we will most definitely call upon you..."
A soft smattering of applause is heard coming from... somewhere within the crowd. Specifically, somewhere within about ten feet of Péiste Mór for that is the range of his Prestidigitation but the hope is that others will subconsciously follow along and join in.
'thank you... thank you... and now we shall parlay with the Seekers. we too shall be seeking... seeking the truth. i do believe the truth is that they will aid us in every way possible, just as any and every Terykian would. so thank you... and thank you again. we shall do our best for you all..."
And with things wrapped up, hopefully, and the crowd feeling... Well hopefully mollified if not encouraged... Péiste Mór waits there hovering just a bit to see if they start to turn away and depart... Before he does the same towards the Seekers establishment.
Jax begins applauding, and steps forward, offering his small friend a perch from which to be ferried to the front door. He lets Case enter first and follows after he checks the crowd to make sure no one is having violent second thoughts.
Drego secures the backdoor behind the group, loosens his crossbow in it's holster and takes up position to cover the party's back trail.