Stormraider Keep (A M.E.T.A.L. Campaign)

(Thanks, no problem :-)

"Friends, I have encountered a new ally.  Nay, a new leader," states the paladin. "A vision of beauty and wisdom, I must go to her now.  She is worthy of my service and devotion, and she awaits my arrival in the fortress to the north.  I must bid you farewell, unless you wish to accompany me."

He prepares to mount his warhorse and head back to the fortress.

The sometimes annoying but always very loyal Aurleius feeling a so sudden devotion to a new leader, albeit apparently a beautiful one, after just wearing Lady Leilatha's silver circlet clearly seems to be of a supernatural one and Elyria grabs the reins of Lady and uses her forest magic to try to cleanse the paladin of any charms that may cause him to abandon the quest to free Rahkieshi.

(Cast Dispel Magic)

Occ: Oops ahaha! 

IC: Flynt watches as the circlet is removed though his concern grows as the paladin makes his speech. He awaits the results of the dispel magic with baited breath.

Aurelius watches as Elyria apparently casts a spell on him. But it doesn't seem to do anything. 

(I will assume that Elyria has some knowledge since she could learn other spells as well.  Charm effects are very often not a spell.  It would take Greater Restoration to remove a charmed condition.  Or Protection from Evil and Good provides advantage against charm and to breaking out of a charm.) 

 The circlet remains sitting on the ground. 

(OOC: Elyria tried to stow away the silver circlet in post #2331. Really not a rules expert but the Dispel Magic spell also says it can Dispel magical effects, so as long as the apparent charm is magical and not natural it could perhaps have a chance to dispel it?)

Quote from Oberon99 >>

(OOC: Elyria tried to stow away the silver circlet in post #2331. Really not a rules expert but the Dispel Magic spell also says it can Dispel magical effects, so as long as the apparent charm is magical and not natural it could perhaps have a chance to dispel it?)

 (Sorry - missed that. As for charms...  it is one of the items very clearly spelled out in the Sage Advice Compendium. The comment about 'spell effect', if you read the description closely, applies to what you can target. The effect of the spell is: "Any spell of 3rd level or lower on the target ends." - plus other stuff about higher level spells. But in all cases the word "spell" is used.)  Here is Sage Advice: 

Can you use dispel magic to dispel a magical effect like a vampire’s Charm ability or a druid’s Wild Shape?

Dispel magic has a particular purpose: to break other spells. It has no effect on a vampire’s Charm ability or any other magical effect that isn’t a spell. It also does nothing to the properties of a magic item. It can, however, end a spell cast from a magic item or from another source.

...

There are abilities and other spells that can end or suspend magical effects that aren’t spells. For example, the greater restoration spell can end a charm effect of any sort on a target (such as a vampire’s Charm or a dryad’s Fey Charm), and a paladin’s Aura of Devotion can prevent or suspend such an effect.

Three of the most versatile spells for ending certain magical effects are lesser restoration, greater restoration, and remove curse.)

(Oh, okay, thanks.)

Elyria quickly turns to Flynt, giving him a worried look, hoping to get his help before Aurelius is off on Lady.

(Is it reasonable to think Elyria is aware that Flynt can cast the protection from evil spell. I think he has done so several times.)

Yoë too looks concerned. "How could you have a new leader? Where are going to go Aurelius?"   

(You are thinking of Aurelius. Sure, you know he's cast it several times. You'd just need to convince him to cast it!  Well, and then do something to give him another chance to break the spell with advantage.) 

(Yes, sorry, Aurelius. The plan was to somehow make him cast it on himself but as you point out, we would still need some way for him to get a new save. It seems we're in a real pickle now. Open to other ideas guys.)

Aurelius smiles kindly at Yoë.  "I see now that my life has been pointless and without direction as yet.  But Leilatha's white-haired sister has shown me that my purpose is to serve her.  So I travel to her mountain fortress to discover her will and her blessed name.  It was very cold before, but the ardor of my devotion to my mistress will warm me, I hope. Will you accompany me?"

Yoë shakes her head, "Leialtha's sister?  Lady Leilatha is the evil hag we just defeated! And you want to meet her sister?"  The satyr sounds very confused. "I really want to get back to 'Keshi' and makes sure she's ok." She then looks around, first to Elyria then to Flynt. "Can't you talk to him? What about that Summer Queen he's talked about before?" 

(If someone wants to try to convince Aurelius, they could make a check with HELP from Yoë.  Though it's perhaps a long shot.) 

"Yes, remember the Summer Queen Aurelius. Remember her power and beauty. Remember how you swore to serve her as we visited the Summer Court that time." Elyria says, hoping to aid Yoë in her attempts to get Aurelius to cast off this charm.

"Yes, her sister," says Aurelius dreamily, "But she is nothing like that hag.  She is wise and just... and she has white hair!  If only I knew her name..."

Hearing the Summer Queen mentioned, the paladin pauses, confused.  "Yes... I... I remember.  But that seems long ago, and milady Snowlocks was very insistent that I come to her forthwith."

"Yes, but remember the Summer Queen Aurelius, she is your true love and mistress. You must see that you have been enchanted by this other woman. If you don't believe me just use your protective magic and reach out with your senses and you will see that this new loyalty is based on a lie." Elyria continues.

(Sorry, I am always unsure how to roleplay being charmed.  Do you want me to roll something to see if I am convinced?  Is it just up to me to decide?)

(Understandable!  First Elyria needs to make a Charisma check of some sort with Advantage - I think Persuasion most likely.  Aurelius is definitely persuaded to cast Protection from Evil spell without much problem.  I'd say after Elyria's roll then Aurelius could have another try at a Save.)

Elyria Persuasion: 7 

(Aurelius make a WIS Save DC 20.  If you cast Protection then you get Advantage.) 

OCC: Sorry been away for a bit but Flynt (now over his identity crisis ;)) was just quiet this whole time. Didn't have much to add though if we try the persuasion route again perhaps he can help there. 

IC: "Look I know everyone wants to get to Rakeshi but she is safe and no longer under the thumb of a hag. Perhaps we should just accompany him to the fortress and remove this threat as well. That will give us more time to dispel this curse or whatever it is. Besides if all the sisters are part of the same coven, which is what I suspect, the we'll have to deal with her at some point." Flynt whispers to Alaska in an aside. He will hold Lady's harness as they continue to talk Aurelious out of leaving.