“I landed on a loose nail. Got me on the arm pretty good. I better clean that up. I really am fine though. Sorry I made such a ruckus.”

Deception: 18

Tamryn:

As you answer Mallika, for some reason your left eye begins to twitch uncontrollably, like some weird muscle spasm.  From the others' point of view, it seems like you are rapidly and repeatedly winking at the the human matriarch as you give your explanation.  Fatima's eyes widen, while the corners of her mother's mouth begin to turn downward.

Annika hastily clears her throat, punches Tamryn in the shoulder, hushing him, and says, "Forgive my companion, your grace.  He is not from Amn, and does not fully understand the social structure here, he does not mean to be rude... DO YOU?" She glares at the elf.

"Gorondarel here is from a remote village with strange customs.  I've never seen that... strange eye thing he's doing... before, but I believe it to be a gesture of respect."  She kicks Tamryn's shin under the table, causing him to nod mutely.  "He does not speak the whole truth, due to his ignorance of your grace's famed wisdom and mercy, and seeks to cover our sins.  By your leave, I will share the truth with you."  She ceases to speak, waiting for Mallika's response, while the hand holding her napkin begins to slowly reach for her artificer's pouch.

Two seconds pass in silence, then Mallika Dannihyr says to the dwarf, "Go on."

"Thank you, your grace.  The truth is we are both outcasts from our respective peoples, and each of us eventually found our way here to Athkatla to seek our fortunes.  Not knowing anyone, our prospects for employment were miniscule, and finally we took work as enforcers for the gang known as the "Direwolves", which as you know serves the Seven Serpents cartel.  Having some small talent with blade and bow, we held our own, and eventually were promoted to their slaving operation as guards and drivers.  However, neither of us had ever seen up close how horribly slaves are actually treated, and we could not stomach it, so we decided to leave.  We have done many things that we are not proud of simply to survive, but we could not stoop to that level.  We knew we had to leave the city entirely, and did so around midnight last night.  But as we trudged eastward, we came unexpectedly across one of the Serpents' own caravans, returning with a fresh batch of young girls to be sold.  I'm afraid Gorondarel here isn't the brightest torch in the dungeon, but when he gets mad, he is deadly accurate with his elven bow.  Before I even knew what he was doing, he had felled nine of those vile Serpents with arrows right through their beady eye sockets."

Fatima, listening intently, gasps at the graphic description of Tamryn's heroism.

"Well, I couldn't let him have all the fun, after all he had saved my behind more than once, and so I used my meager skill as an artificer to create a distraction, while he continued to snipe away at them from the darkness.  When we were done, nine more were killed and the rest had fled into the night.  As we went to free the girls and tell them to flee for their lives, we came across your gracious and lovely daughter.  I immediately recognized your grace's family resemblance, but being the coward that I am, I pretended not to know her, worried what might happen to me.  But Gorondarel here, once I told him who was in the wagon, insisted that we return Fatima safely to her family, no matter the personal danger that it might pose to us.  'It's not right,' he told me, 'She belongs with her mother.'  So here we are, your grace.  We are sorry we lied, but beg your mercy, it was not meant to harm anyone.  All we ask is that we may depart Athkatla in peace."

Mallika listens to this story with a stoic face, frequently turning to gaze at Tamryn to see how he reacts to Annika's tale.  When the dwarf finishes, she is again silent, this time for upwards of a minute.

Finally she says, nodding to Annika, "This one, I believe. Truly, I am grateful for the return of my daughter, whatever the story behind it.  Well, well.  What shall I do with the two of you?  Let you simply walk off into the wilderness?.... I think not.  No.  No, I think I have a use for you, and if you help me, then I can help you.  However, it will involve returning to your former masters, and then betraying them.  What do you say?  Is this beneath you, elf?"

Dragonborn Insight 20

"Grignar, what's going on? You're acting weird.  Go sit on the bed and let me check you out, I think you must have hit your head."

She starts to push the door open.

Kyrsa freezes, hoping to stay quiet. Then she looks to Jhaarteal, hoping he can do something to keep this Dragonborn quiet. She doesn't want to get into another fight. More noise would surely bring up more enemies. She shakes her head at Mina, hoping that the sea elf will understand. 

((Sorry - work and family's been crazy - some have COVID here too - glad you are feeling better kqstark))

((Assume Jhaartael would have taken up a position near the door to be ready to help)).

At noticing the interlocutor on the other side of the door seems intent upon entering, Jhaartael readies his Hypnotic Gaze, preparing to step up the guard as soon as he can see her. If successful he will maintain it for as many actions as necessary for his teammates to bind and gag or otherwise dispatch her.

((As an action, choose one creature that you can see (and can see or hear you) within 5 ft. that must succeed on a WIS saving throw (DC 15) or be charmed by you until the end of your next turn. The charmed creature’s speed drops to 0, and the creature is incapacitated and visibly dazed. You can use your action to maintain this effect on subsequent turns.))

(Thanks, I can't stop feeling exhausted.  so fun when you have kids)

Mina, just about to lose her arrow as the door continues to open, notices Kyrsa's shake of her head and reluctantly lowers her bow.  She sees Jhaartael get into position and hopes that will work if needed.  

Akyan sighs, “Very well then come on in.” He steps back without opening the door any wider and backs towards the bed. He’s hoping that since the door is only halfway open, it will block the Dragonborn’s view for a short while longer, letting his team mates ready their actions. 

Round 1

Akyan 24

Lyndaran 23

Jhaartael 19

Mina 13

Kyrsa 9

Dragonborn  20

As Akyan backs away, the Dragonborn pushes into the room, where she is immediately confronted by Jhaartael's hypnotic gaze.

WIS Save 4

She immediately ceases movement, transfixed by the elf's eyes, and is unable to resist his charms.

Tamryn sighs. He says, "My lady, I apologize for the ruse. It seemed a better, more dashing tale than two roughs on the run. But I do truly hate slavers. Family reasons. There is no low to which I wouldn't sink to put such out of business. How may we serve?"

Mina smiles as she watches the dragonborn lose herself to Jhaartael's spell.  "That's quite a trick you've got there.  Though, what shall we do from here?  Anyway you can get her to tell us who the head of the operation is?  Or at least the boss of this particular warehouse?"

Akyan closes the door quietly. "Now we have a prisoner. Great." He looks at the others. "Maybe ask her who is in charge? And perhaps have her tell us a bit about this guy so I can give a better impression of him if need be?"

Tamryn:

"I have no love for slave traders myself, and even less so now," replies the older woman.  As she speaks, one of the guards from outside the room enters, crosses to her side, and bends down to whisper something in her ear.  She nods, and waves him away.  She then turns back to Tamryn and Annika.

"Well, at least part of your story checks out.  My men have searched the wagon and found evidence that it did indeed originate with the Seven Serpents.  They also found something which you overlooked or forgot: a hidden compartment under the wagon containing various rings, medallions, pendants and other jewelry, presumably taken off their victims both living and dead.  If the two of you were after a big score, it would seem unlikely that you left this stash behind.  Which makes me uneasy.  I understand people who are motivated by greed. They are predictable.  The two of you... I am still not sure what makes you tick.  Still, you deliver my daughter, and you demand nothing in return.  I shall not complain.  The jewelry, minus that which belonged to Fatima and her friends, is yours."

She stands, followed by Fatima.  Annika pulls Tamryn to his feet.  "I go to make some arrangements.  If the plan is to succeed, you must not tarry here long, but return to the Serpents' lair.  Finish your meal and bid Fatima farewell, you shall be off within the hour. "  She then walks out briskly.  Fatima remains, and seats herself again, eating hungrily.  A guard hurries back in and plops a bucket-sized sack on the table, and sparkling pieces of jewelry spill out onto its surface.  (Estimated value 3000 gp).

Everyone except Tamryn:

None of you have taken any actual actions yet, I'm ruling that Jhaartael's feature was used as a reaction at the beginning of round 1.

Tamryn sits down and begins eating as well. "Fatima, my dear," he says, "I must apologize to you as well. As you can see, I misled you. Can you find it in your heart to forgive an old fool like myself?"

Fatima eats as if she were a starving teenager, which coincidentally, she is.  Between bites, she says while chewing, "Olbd? Youf not olbd.  Youf canna be more'n twebny-fibe!"

"I am sorry " replies Lyndaran to the others before the dragonborn reaches the door. "I thought I could take him. I mean.. he was alone and sleeping..." his body language reflects his own incredulity on his failure  but then the steps reach the door and they had to focus on the newcomer. 

"Thanks the Godness that she came alone" adds Lyndaran with relief. "You never cease to impress me" he says to Jhaartael. He closes the door but an ich and assumes the sentinel role while the others decide what to do and interrogate the new prisioner. 

"Fatima, who taught you about elves? We age much more slowly than you humans. I'm nearly 200 years old. Nonetheless, there is a lesson here. Age does nothing to prevent you from sometimes looking the fool in important meetings. I dare say that Gretchen's decision to come clean likely saved our hides. That was quick and well-considered, my dear friend."