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

"So where did you get that cloak then?" Elyria says to the others with a frown. "Did you just stumble upon a piece of those Raiments of Nature?"

"Well," replies Aurelius, "The former owner of that cloak took a nap under the wrong tree, and never woke up.  The tree came near to adding us to its collection as well."

"So you did stumble upon it then." Elyria says, still seeming a bit skeptical. "So how many pieces were there again Flynt?" She says, turning to the lawman for a more clarifying answer.

(As Elyria and Aurelius has visited Feywild before, could they tell if it would be possible to free Rahkeshi now or if they'd just have to wait for a month?)

(I thought that Rahkeshi had given her promise to work for a year, and thus would refuse to leave until she fulfilled her promise).

(You do not know how the particular rules work exactly. It's a bit strange that somehow Rahkeshi managed to successfully navigate them.  Given that though - you could potentially coerce Leilatha to release her. Or maybe if she were killed the pledge would probably be nullified.  Though you guess there's an outside chance in death someone else might 'inherit' the pledge.)

"Unfortunately, we have no leverage to bargain with Leilatha for Rahkeshi's release.  We have nothing she wants.  Unless we had a way to neutralize her militia,  a full assault is unlikely to yield success either.  I think we need to get a message to Rahkeshi and see what she thinks.  What is the chance that Aelric could find her if Yoë could describe how to get to where she is?  Maybe carry a note to her, and a reply back? "

"Yoë, do the wards around the fortress prevent birds from coming and going?  What if Elyria were to take bird-form... could she go herself?"

"Good idea Aurelius, but couldn't Yoë just go back with the message then?" Elyria suggests. "Or can't you safely go back now Yoë?" She turns and says to the satyr.

Flynt visibly relaxes as the compass needle reveals its truth. Facing Yoë he holds up both hands palm out.

'I apologize for the awkwardness of my actions but I had to make sure it was the cloak and not you that was the culprit. Couldn't risk this all being a ruse. However unlikely that might of been." He looks at Aurelius as he says the last part in an attempt to quell any protests before they start. " I apologize again for my seemingly rough manner but I don't like surprises if I can avoid them. As for Rakeshi I suggest this....Since Yoë has not been seen with us how about we "kidnapp" Rakeshia, making it look like we were sent by Sylmare. Yoë can then report it was us and tell Lelathathat Sylmare wants the herbalist. This actually serves 3 puposes.  First and foremost we get Rakeshi back. But given the competiveness that the sisters radiate this could put them into a fight. Which brings me to point 2. They fight each other instead of fighting us. Then hopefully in the ensuring chaos we can reveal the hags true nature."

"That's an interesting idea, Flynt, pitting the sisters against each other.  Although I fear the Eladrin and the satyrs would pay the heaviest price in this sibling rivalry.  I really would like to see if we can get any perspective or intelligence from Rahkeshi before we make our plans, and there doesn't seem to be any great hurry, so we should make sure we get this right.
"Yoë, what do you feel are our chances of getting word to and from Rahkeshi, either through you or Aelric or even that damned squirrel....?"

Yoë looks a little concerned when Elyria suggests she might go back.  "It's been a day or two?  There's a chance they haven't noticed I'm missing, I guess.  I did wait until Lady Leilatha and some of her chief advisors had left the fortress.  If they have realized I'm gone and I show up..."  She hesitates a bit before continuing.  "Well, I'm not sure what would happen. I don't think Leilatha would be happy."  She seems to think for a moment and then appears to have come to a decision. "If it means helping Rahkeshi, then I'll do it!" 

She then continues. "As for birds - yes, they are able to fly in and out of the garden.  I don't think the magic affects them.  But with Elyria transforming," she turns to look at the elf, "I think the magic would prevent that. But doesn't your medallion thing allow you to circumvent the wards?"  

"Where did the hag go when she left the fortress?" queries Aurelius.  "Does she leave often? If we could catch her with only a few guards outside of the walls, we might have a better chance at victory.

"Yoë, you are very brave and loyal, cher,  but I don't think there is a need yet for you to risk yourself in this manner.  Let's see if Aelric or some other messenger can reach our friend, first."

"Yes, we would not want to put you at risk Yoë, you've been brave enough already." Elyria says with a nod. "As for the amulet, I do believe it can help me inside but I would prefer not to use it until we are about to actually free Rahkeshi. I could try to use Aelric to deliver a message though." She adds, then looking at Flynt. "I must agree with Aurelius, although your plan has merit Flynt the innocent people of Alvahollow will likely pay the price for it's success. Overthrowing Lady Sylmare and Leilatha might be costly in lives but we should try to find a way to reveal their true nature before a war breaks out I think."

Flynt simply shrugs his shoulders in indifference as he examines the cloak trying figure out how he missed the secret.

Yoë nods. "Ok. I appreciate not having to risk myself. But I will if needed." 

She hesitates as she listens to you talk about Leilatha and Sylmare and potential conflicts.  She finally speaks up. "The two sisters already fight. And it's no secret that Sylmare wanted to capture Rahkeshi.  I heard it was her agent that found her in your world.  However, Lady Leilatha had her soldiers on this side to capture her."

"As far as Aelric going there, Rahkeshi often hangs out in the gardens, so it would probably be possible for a bird to meet her there.  Likely without any guards even being suspicious."

Elyria listens to Yoë and goes pale. "So maybe Frost was that Ogre mage serving Lady Sylmare then." She says slowly. "All the more reason to make him pay for luring Rahkeshi from ...us." She adds grimly. "I will write a message to Rahkeshi then. Quickly, tell me what I should write."

"Let her know we are close, and prepared to come for her.  Let her know we have a way to bypass the wards, but we prefer to only use it one time.  Ask her if we need to wait the full month or if we can come for her sooner.  Ask her if she has noticed anything that may aid our attempt, such as gaps in guard rounds or schedules, times of day or night that might bring greater chance of success. 

"And what do we do after we are reunited?  Do we run straight for the portal with all the forces of both sisters hot on our heels?  We need an exit plan.  We could try to flee to the Summer Court, but I honestly have no idea how far that is from here.

"Perhaps she knows of a loophole in the laws of hospitality that we might exploit to our advantage.  Perhaps there is a way for me to challenge the hag to single combat, or for us to claim safe passage through their lands.

"I would also warn her about the purple mushrooms you delivered to Sylmare, so that she might be wary about being tricked into consuming a mind-control potion."

Elyria nods and sits down to pen a letter to Rahkeshi.

"Dear Rahkeshi,
We hope that all is well with you considering the circumstances. Your teammates are close and ready to come for your rescue as soon as you deem it possible to leave your service with Leilatha. We have the means to enter her fortress but please respond with a letter with information on when we should come for you and what to expect in the fortress. Also please beware of purple mind-controlling mushrooms.
Your loyal teammates."

She shows the letter to Aurelius and Flynt, and unless they have anything to add or alter she goes outside with Aelric, sending him away to Rahkeshi, carrying the message.

Flynt returns the cloak to Yoë with a condition, "I want you to use this for your protection while we're here but I will have to have it back when our duties here are over. After all this was my primary reason for being here. Although now that I am here, I see some definite injustices that need to be rectified. Now to that end since it appears we will be waiting for an undetermined amount of time I think it might be wise to see if the Harengone herbalist has made any progress on those purple mushrooms. I can fly there myself and be back in a day."

Yoë hesitantly takes the cloak.  "If you're sure. Why do you seem so... worried about it?" She just holds it folded over her arm. 

Trying to help Elyria, Yoë had tried to describe the layout of the fortress and gardens so Elyria could relay it to Aelric.  After the owl had cicrcled up high into the sky, for just a moment you all catch sight of a shimmery translucent creature. It seems to fly near to Aelric, altering his course a bit, then disappears once again. 

Elyria ponders what kind of creature she saw (Nature: 8 ) before returning to the others. "So now we wait I guess?" She says plainly, looking around inside for a place for her and the blink dogs to rest.