Kyrsa feels a knot rise in her chest when she sees Aldara and Anton. So much distraction... She makes her way over to them alongside Tamryn, and is a little shocked at his display. Listening silently to Aldara's response, she recognizes the tone in her voice, and notices her shaking hands. She knows that feeling all to well.
If Breezy had not ushered them away, she would have said something. Instead, she glances at Anton once before giving Aldara a meaningful look and then following the others out. She listens carefully to Breezy, remaining silent. Once she is done speaking, Kyrsa nods and says, "Of course, we understand. However, are you sure there are none among the wounded who would benefit from coming with us? Or would the teleportation be to much for them." She won't push the matter, she just really wants to find a way to help.
In response to Tamryn's and Kyrsa's pleadings, Breezy relents, "Well, these wounded can't stay here. We were planning on relocating them to the nearby village, Digby's Gulch. I think you were just there on a mission? I don't know the circumstances of your departure or if it is safe for you to return, but if you want to act as an escort for us during the relocation, I don't think that would be too risky. But you never know," she shrugs.
Spar agrees to the plan, and after an hour of arranging the wounded in some covered wagons, you set off as a caravan to the Gulch, which is about 12 miles hence. Spar's team takes the fore- and rear-guard, while Team 3 is protecting the flanks. Aldara has chosen to travel on her own, remaining nearby in the forest, scouting for potential threats along the route. Breezy rides in the lead wagon, and Spar climbs up to converse with her for about 15 minutes at the beginning of the journey. Afterwards, they both descend and make their way back to converse with you, dwarf on the right side of the caravan, the gnome on the left. (You may choose who is walking on which side, and which of them you interact with. The two conversations are simultaneous, and contain the same essential information).
Breezy begins, "We've decided to give you a little more information to work with. The camp was initially attacked by ground troops at the gate. When our defenders responded, other infiltrators scaled the walls at the back of the camp. Nearly at the same time, two Riders mounted on Red Dragons appeared overhead."
Spar continues, "This next bit is highly classified, not to be discussed with anyone other than Breezy, Aldara, myself and your team. The Riders are known to us. They and their companions formerly constituted DCL Team One."
Breezy: "While many different cities each have an infiltration team and an assault team assigned to them, there was only one Team One for the whole realm. It was comprised of five highly respected Aasimar, all renowed for their integrity and fearlessness, and all very powerful in their own rights. When the DCL brought them together, three paladins, a sorceror and a cleric, we thought we had team that was unstoppable, that could defeat any foe. We were mistaken.
Spar: "After several relatively easy victories in the cities, Team One became impatient, and wanted to go straight to the source of corruption and evil. They targeted Xanathar, who if you don't know, is a beholder, and the head of one of the major criminal syndicates of the Sword Coast. Unfortunately, Xanathar somehow got word that they were coming for him, and, coward that he is, rather than face them himself, he made a bargain with Mammon,
archdevil, and ruler of Minauros, the third of the Nine Hells. Mammon and his minions captured the team, and tortured them for years, eventually turning them to evil. They are now fallen Aasimar, Oathbreaker paladins, serving their new masters, and are very, very dangerous."
Breezy: "And though it makes no sense, they blame the DCL for their capture and torture, and continually seek to lay waste and destroy our teams and bases. That is what happened to Aldara's team around eighteen months ago. They were ambushed by Team One, and murdered. Aldara took a grave wound, was mistaken for dead and left behind, the lone survivor of her team. You can imagine her feelings of betrayal, rage and guilt. While still dedicated to the ideals of the DCL, her former team is never far from her mind, and she is constantly planning how she can end this threat for good."
Both: "So now you know some of what we're up against. But do not despair, we have many valiant heroes on our side, and you have the potential to be some of our brightest stars yet. If you stay alive. So... stay.... alive!"
Akyan walks to the right of the wagon with Spar. Once the conversation the dwarf is finished talking, he asks, "So, these Aasimar... did they have a choice in becoming what they are? Or did Mammon do something to their minds to force them to become evil?" He isn't sure if he wants to know the answer to this question, but he feels that he needs to know.
Kyrsa is relieved that there is something they can do to help with the situation. She walks alongside Breezy, listening carefully as she speaks, "Our departure was positive. The sheriff was skeptical of us at first, but I think he would he willing to help, or at least not hinder us."
She glances towards the forest, where Aldara is scouting, hoping that the other elf is alright.
"Yes, I would also like to know how Mammon would have been able to change their morals and beliefs through such methods. Clearly these individuals were heading down the wrong path already, but it doesn't sound like they were 'evil' to begin with. It sounds to me that these Aasimar were overconfident, and maybe a little self righteous. They must have been broken in mind and body before they gave in." She shutters, "And to turn on the DLC...what lies Mammon must have told them..." She takes a breath, "We will do everything we can to serve the DLC, and we will watch each other's backs. None of us want to put Aldara through another situation like that again. Or any of our comrades for that matter."
Before leaving the basement Lyndaran just puts a hand on Aldara's shoulder and follow the others.
Sharing Kyrsa's feelings when they can actually do something he is busy helping to wounded accommodate in the cart. He is walking near the gnome when the conversation takes place.
"Grim news indeed. The tragedy is not only to feel the loss of your companions but to have to fight them. The loss is double. I do think you are right. We must focus on the wounded now and in our survival. There will be time for planning the strike back. We do need information. And our team is supposed to be good at gathering that. Anything we can do once the wounded are safe? "
Breezy/Spar: "We don't know exactly how they were turned. At first, all we knew was that they disappeared. Over time, our Team Three in Waterdeep was able to piece together bits of information that led us to believe they had been captured and transported to another plane. We don't have much solid information about what happened in Minauros, only Xanathar's boasting, but we do know that Mammon is a master of corruption. Team One would not be the first, nor the last good people that were changed by his influence.
"Now, that's about as much as we feel we can share at this point. We just felt you deserved a little context. Do not give in to despair. Let's get these wounded to a safe place, so that the healers can rest and recover their mana, and likely everyone will be physically back to near-normal tomorrow."
Mina walks with the others remaining quiet as Breezy and Spar fill them in on what they feel pertinent. The weight of the information is palpable, which at least is in line with what they had briefly witnessed. She looks off to where she believes Aldara is and sighs, wondering if she would ever get over the tragedy.
She had not heard of those that the gnome and dwarf were mentioning, she felt farther and farther removed from things being from the sea. She had no idea how much. She continues to follow them to Digby's Gulch, honestly not really looking forward to returning to the town after the ghastly performance she put on in front of everyone.
"Should we keep ourselves away once we reach the village? or at least disguise ourselves? "asks Lyndaran " I know we left in good terms with the Sherriff, but I assume that the consequences of removing that man from power in such a little place will be quick to kick on many people and perhaps they do not see our actions under the same cristal we do... I am sure that the sheriff will lend a hand even if he doesn't know that we are involved. And it seems that discretion is more important now than ever. If they discover who we are they could come back and try to finish the job... taking the village with us too... "
"That makes sense, though i'm not sure what good it will do. We will raise questions just by having so many wounded with us, whether they recognize us or not. I don't think it will matter either way with the sheriff, but if you think we should do so just in case some of the villagers recognize us, I won't argue."
"At least we should not use the DCL name. You were quite good at making up histories in our last mission" says Lyndaran to the others "Probably we should make up another one to explain the actual situation. Maybe one of our caravans got attacked? We can be forthright with the sheriff but the lesser to know who we are the better."
"Actually, that's a decent cover story." Akyan states, "Perhaps we left the party to meet up with them?" He thinks for a moment, "One or two of us may want to scout ahead and talk to the sheriff before the caravan gets there. I don't know what has been said to him since we left, but we might want to make sure we don't say anything that contradicts what he may have told the villagers."
"Does our mental link has a limit for distance? I can go and inform you if everything is alright. If not I guess I just can come running back" offers Lyndaran.
Akyan shakes his head, "I'll need to rest before I can do that again. But to answer your question, I can only contact people who are no farther than a mile from my location." He sighs, "Besides, you may want to take Jhaartael or Kyrsa with you. They spoke to the sheriff more than we did."
Kyrsa realizes with dread that the sheriff has heard the name Circle of Light, she gives Jhaarteal a concerned glance, wondering if the same thing had crossed his mind. As far as she knew, none of the other members were aware of that conversation.
"This brings up a concern I have," Kyrsa says. "While Jhaarteal and I were alone with the sheriff, it may have slipped that we were working with the Circle of Light. I'm not sure if that name will stick with him or not, but it might be dangerous in the long run."
(Probably Breezy, though she would say it loud enough that anyone else close to her would hear. She is hoping that at least Jhaarteal would hear as well since he was with her with the sheriff. She feels that its rather important, so she isn't going to withhold that information from her superiors.)
Breezy's face turns ashen in color. "You... did what?" You can almost see the gears spinning in her brain. "Uh... well, I don't think it could possibly have been related to the attack, it would have been too soon, and the attack would have had to have some planning ahead of time. But do you see how dangerous that was?? A slip like that could easily have led to an attack like we just experienced if it had been a day or two earlier. I know you didn't realize the gravity of the situation, which is one reason Spar and I decided to tell you about Team One. But please, please be careful. And I don't think I would mention what you just told me to Aldara for a little while. Of course, it's up to you, but she's not entirely rational right now."
Kyrsa's face also goes white, mind going back to the initial shock she had felt when Jhaarteal had told the sheriff. Breezy's reaction furthers her own stress, but she forces herself to regain her composure.
"I won't say who it was who it was who slipped, we will take the fall as a team. However, I will say that I realized the danger as soon as the words were uttered, and I asked the sheriff not to repeat the name to anyone. I do not know if he will, but he seemed like an honorable man. That said, I did not think it would be connected to this attack, but I am worried that if the sheriff did not keep it to himself, Digby's Gulf might not be safe for us." She looks to Lyndaran, "So, I will accompany you on your scouting trip. I will speak to the sheriff and make sure that he hasn't said anything."
She looks to the rest of her team, face growing firm as if she was thinking about saying more. However, she does not want to call out anyone, especially not at a time like this. Hopefully everyone understands the gravity of this.
Turning back to Breezy, she says, "I will take the issue to Aldara when you think it is...safe. I do not wish to upset her further. I know how hard all this must be."
Tamryn turns to Breezy and Spar. “Speaking of operational security, have you been able to research what gave away the Farm’s location? Were we the only group training there? Did everyone else stay at camp or were there frequent trips to the outside? If everyone used teleportation, how many would have known the exact location of the Farm? Did anything unusual happen in the hours leading up to the attack, no matter how trivial? Did the attackers do anything that indicated prior knowledge of your defense plans and preparations? We need to find out if there is a mole in the Circle.”
(( Doh! Slow update))Jhaartael congés sont quietly, taking all that he sees and hears in. He has a nagging feeling. How did these Riders find the Farm? He was certain that there must have been magical shields in place, and yet... Could they be safe anywhere from an enemy who could track them. At first he thought back to their mission. Could his letting the sheriff know about the Circle have brought this about? But, how would they be tracked back to the Farm before they had teleported there? That did not make sense.
Yet, now that they were heading back to Digby Gulch, the fact he had mentioned things to the Sheriff could put the whole town in danger.
Not sure what to do, he approaches Breezy, "Breezy, there is something you should know. I think I made a mistake. While on our mission, when Krysa and I were alone with the Sheriff, I mentioned that we were with the Circle to gain his trust. He did not appear to know of the Circle. I don't think my mention could have led any back to the Farm as the Riders attacked before we teleported back. Yet, his knowing could put the town in danger now that we are headed back. I am sorry."
Kyrsa feels a knot rise in her chest when she sees Aldara and Anton. So much distraction... She makes her way over to them alongside Tamryn, and is a little shocked at his display. Listening silently to Aldara's response, she recognizes the tone in her voice, and notices her shaking hands. She knows that feeling all to well.
If Breezy had not ushered them away, she would have said something. Instead, she glances at Anton once before giving Aldara a meaningful look and then following the others out. She listens carefully to Breezy, remaining silent. Once she is done speaking, Kyrsa nods and says, "Of course, we understand. However, are you sure there are none among the wounded who would benefit from coming with us? Or would the teleportation be to much for them." She won't push the matter, she just really wants to find a way to help.
In response to Tamryn's and Kyrsa's pleadings, Breezy relents, "Well, these wounded can't stay here. We were planning on relocating them to the nearby village, Digby's Gulch. I think you were just there on a mission? I don't know the circumstances of your departure or if it is safe for you to return, but if you want to act as an escort for us during the relocation, I don't think that would be too risky. But you never know," she shrugs.
Spar agrees to the plan, and after an hour of arranging the wounded in some covered wagons, you set off as a caravan to the Gulch, which is about 12 miles hence. Spar's team takes the fore- and rear-guard, while Team 3 is protecting the flanks. Aldara has chosen to travel on her own, remaining nearby in the forest, scouting for potential threats along the route. Breezy rides in the lead wagon, and Spar climbs up to converse with her for about 15 minutes at the beginning of the journey. Afterwards, they both descend and make their way back to converse with you, dwarf on the right side of the caravan, the gnome on the left. (You may choose who is walking on which side, and which of them you interact with. The two conversations are simultaneous, and contain the same essential information).
Breezy begins, "We've decided to give you a little more information to work with. The camp was initially attacked by ground troops at the gate. When our defenders responded, other infiltrators scaled the walls at the back of the camp. Nearly at the same time, two Riders mounted on Red Dragons appeared overhead."
Spar continues, "This next bit is highly classified, not to be discussed with anyone other than Breezy, Aldara, myself and your team. The Riders are known to us. They and their companions formerly constituted DCL Team One."
Breezy: "While many different cities each have an infiltration team and an assault team assigned to them, there was only one Team One for the whole realm. It was comprised of five highly respected Aasimar, all renowed for their integrity and fearlessness, and all very powerful in their own rights. When the DCL brought them together, three paladins, a sorceror and a cleric, we thought we had team that was unstoppable, that could defeat any foe. We were mistaken.
Spar: "After several relatively easy victories in the cities, Team One became impatient, and wanted to go straight to the source of corruption and evil. They targeted Xanathar, who if you don't know, is a beholder,
and the head of one of the major criminal syndicates of the Sword Coast. Unfortunately, Xanathar somehow got word that they were coming for him, and, coward that he is, rather than face them himself, he made a bargain with Mammon,
archdevil, and ruler of Minauros, the third of the Nine Hells. Mammon and his minions captured the team, and tortured them for years, eventually turning them to evil. They are now fallen Aasimar, Oathbreaker paladins, serving their new masters, and are very, very dangerous."
Breezy: "And though it makes no sense, they blame the DCL for their capture and torture, and continually seek to lay waste and destroy our teams and bases. That is what happened to Aldara's team around eighteen months ago. They were ambushed by Team One, and murdered. Aldara took a grave wound, was mistaken for dead and left behind, the lone survivor of her team. You can imagine her feelings of betrayal, rage and guilt. While still dedicated to the ideals of the DCL, her former team is never far from her mind, and she is constantly planning how she can end this threat for good."
Both: "So now you know some of what we're up against. But do not despair, we have many valiant heroes on our side, and you have the potential to be some of our brightest stars yet. If you stay alive. So... stay.... alive!"
Akyan walks to the right of the wagon with Spar. Once the conversation the dwarf is finished talking, he asks, "So, these Aasimar... did they have a choice in becoming what they are? Or did Mammon do something to their minds to force them to become evil?" He isn't sure if he wants to know the answer to this question, but he feels that he needs to know.
Kyrsa is relieved that there is something they can do to help with the situation. She walks alongside Breezy, listening carefully as she speaks, "Our departure was positive. The sheriff was skeptical of us at first, but I think he would he willing to help, or at least not hinder us."
She glances towards the forest, where Aldara is scouting, hoping that the other elf is alright.
"Yes, I would also like to know how Mammon would have been able to change their morals and beliefs through such methods. Clearly these individuals were heading down the wrong path already, but it doesn't sound like they were 'evil' to begin with. It sounds to me that these Aasimar were overconfident, and maybe a little self righteous. They must have been broken in mind and body before they gave in." She shutters, "And to turn on the DLC...what lies Mammon must have told them..." She takes a breath, "We will do everything we can to serve the DLC, and we will watch each other's backs. None of us want to put Aldara through another situation like that again. Or any of our comrades for that matter."
I will give my life to keep them alive if needed.
Before leaving the basement Lyndaran just puts a hand on Aldara's shoulder and follow the others.
Sharing Kyrsa's feelings when they can actually do something he is busy helping to wounded accommodate in the cart. He is walking near the gnome when the conversation takes place.
"Grim news indeed. The tragedy is not only to feel the loss of your companions but to have to fight them. The loss is double. I do think you are right. We must focus on the wounded now and in our survival. There will be time for planning the strike back. We do need information. And our team is supposed to be good at gathering that. Anything we can do once the wounded are safe? "
PbP Character: A few ;)
Breezy/Spar: "We don't know exactly how they were turned. At first, all we knew was that they disappeared. Over time, our Team Three in Waterdeep was able to piece together bits of information that led us to believe they had been captured and transported to another plane. We don't have much solid information about what happened in Minauros, only Xanathar's boasting, but we do know that Mammon is a master of corruption. Team One would not be the first, nor the last good people that were changed by his influence.
"Now, that's about as much as we feel we can share at this point. We just felt you deserved a little context. Do not give in to despair. Let's get these wounded to a safe place, so that the healers can rest and recover their mana, and likely everyone will be physically back to near-normal tomorrow."
Mina walks with the others remaining quiet as Breezy and Spar fill them in on what they feel pertinent. The weight of the information is palpable, which at least is in line with what they had briefly witnessed. She looks off to where she believes Aldara is and sighs, wondering if she would ever get over the tragedy.
She had not heard of those that the gnome and dwarf were mentioning, she felt farther and farther removed from things being from the sea. She had no idea how much. She continues to follow them to Digby's Gulch, honestly not really looking forward to returning to the town after the ghastly performance she put on in front of everyone.
"Should we keep ourselves away once we reach the village? or at least disguise ourselves? " asks Lyndaran " I know we left in good terms with the Sherriff, but I assume that the consequences of removing that man from power in such a little place will be quick to kick on many people and perhaps they do not see our actions under the same cristal we do... I am sure that the sheriff will lend a hand even if he doesn't know that we are involved. And it seems that discretion is more important now than ever. If they discover who we are they could come back and try to finish the job... taking the village with us too... "
PbP Character: A few ;)
"That makes sense, though i'm not sure what good it will do. We will raise questions just by having so many wounded with us, whether they recognize us or not. I don't think it will matter either way with the sheriff, but if you think we should do so just in case some of the villagers recognize us, I won't argue."
"At least we should not use the DCL name. You were quite good at making up histories in our last mission" says Lyndaran to the others "Probably we should make up another one to explain the actual situation. Maybe one of our caravans got attacked? We can be forthright with the sheriff but the lesser to know who we are the better."
PbP Character: A few ;)
"Actually, that's a decent cover story." Akyan states, "Perhaps we left the party to meet up with them?" He thinks for a moment, "One or two of us may want to scout ahead and talk to the sheriff before the caravan gets there. I don't know what has been said to him since we left, but we might want to make sure we don't say anything that contradicts what he may have told the villagers."
"Does our mental link has a limit for distance? I can go and inform you if everything is alright. If not I guess I just can come running back" offers Lyndaran.
PbP Character: A few ;)
Akyan shakes his head, "I'll need to rest before I can do that again. But to answer your question, I can only contact people who are no farther than a mile from my location." He sighs, "Besides, you may want to take Jhaartael or Kyrsa with you. They spoke to the sheriff more than we did."
Kyrsa realizes with dread that the sheriff has heard the name Circle of Light, she gives Jhaarteal a concerned glance, wondering if the same thing had crossed his mind. As far as she knew, none of the other members were aware of that conversation.
"This brings up a concern I have," Kyrsa says. "While Jhaarteal and I were alone with the sheriff, it may have slipped that we were working with the Circle of Light. I'm not sure if that name will stick with him or not, but it might be dangerous in the long run."
(To whom is Kyrsa speaking? Just her teammates?)
(Probably Breezy, though she would say it loud enough that anyone else close to her would hear. She is hoping that at least Jhaarteal would hear as well since he was with her with the sheriff. She feels that its rather important, so she isn't going to withhold that information from her superiors.)
Breezy's face turns ashen in color. "You... did what?" You can almost see the gears spinning in her brain. "Uh... well, I don't think it could possibly have been related to the attack, it would have been too soon, and the attack would have had to have some planning ahead of time. But do you see how dangerous that was?? A slip like that could easily have led to an attack like we just experienced if it had been a day or two earlier. I know you didn't realize the gravity of the situation, which is one reason Spar and I decided to tell you about Team One. But please, please be careful. And I don't think I would mention what you just told me to Aldara for a little while. Of course, it's up to you, but she's not entirely rational right now."
Kyrsa's face also goes white, mind going back to the initial shock she had felt when Jhaarteal had told the sheriff. Breezy's reaction furthers her own stress, but she forces herself to regain her composure.
"I won't say who it was who it was who slipped, we will take the fall as a team. However, I will say that I realized the danger as soon as the words were uttered, and I asked the sheriff not to repeat the name to anyone. I do not know if he will, but he seemed like an honorable man. That said, I did not think it would be connected to this attack, but I am worried that if the sheriff did not keep it to himself, Digby's Gulf might not be safe for us." She looks to Lyndaran, "So, I will accompany you on your scouting trip. I will speak to the sheriff and make sure that he hasn't said anything."
She looks to the rest of her team, face growing firm as if she was thinking about saying more. However, she does not want to call out anyone, especially not at a time like this. Hopefully everyone understands the gravity of this.
Turning back to Breezy, she says, "I will take the issue to Aldara when you think it is...safe. I do not wish to upset her further. I know how hard all this must be."
Tamryn turns to Breezy and Spar. “Speaking of operational security, have you been able to research what gave away the Farm’s location? Were we the only group training there? Did everyone else stay at camp or were there frequent trips to the outside? If everyone used teleportation, how many would have known the exact location of the Farm? Did anything unusual happen in the hours leading up to the attack, no matter how trivial? Did the attackers do anything that indicated prior knowledge of your defense plans and preparations? We need to find out if there is a mole in the Circle.”
Tamryn - lvl 4 Wood Elf Rogue - Circle of Light Campaign || Drusilla - lvl 1 Half-Elf Ranger - Sleeping Gods || Grrzark - lvl 1 Goblin Barbarian - Danger at Darkshelf Quarry || DM - LTG - Curse of Strahd
(( Doh! Slow update))Jhaartael congés sont quietly, taking all that he sees and hears in. He has a nagging feeling. How did these Riders find the Farm? He was certain that there must have been magical shields in place, and yet... Could they be safe anywhere from an enemy who could track them. At first he thought back to their mission. Could his letting the sheriff know about the Circle have brought this about? But, how would they be tracked back to the Farm before they had teleported there? That did not make sense.
Yet, now that they were heading back to Digby Gulch, the fact he had mentioned things to the Sheriff could put the whole town in danger.
Not sure what to do, he approaches Breezy, "Breezy, there is something you should know. I think I made a mistake. While on our mission, when Krysa and I were alone with the Sheriff, I mentioned that we were with the Circle to gain his trust. He did not appear to know of the Circle. I don't think my mention could have led any back to the Farm as the Riders attacked before we teleported back. Yet, his knowing could put the town in danger now that we are headed back. I am sorry."
Eryndor - Red Dead Annihilation | GM - Volo's Trade Franchise - PF2e Adventures set in the Forgotten Realms