The platoon of soldiers stand ready. An aarakocra steps forward as you arrive and another flies overhead to greet the escort party.
The one in front of you three waits until you are within 20ft before calling out, "Guests, your presence is requested, we already have your green friend but he had to be restrained for his resistance. We can take you to him. Please accompany us. We must insist."
"We definitely don't resist, no worries there. But who do your orders come from? We have just been told by Vinghov to return to the pack and await the return of our companions", he says confused. In reality he had expected this sort of miscommunication, but it couldn't hurt to get it clarified. If it was from Vinghov, and they got a message to him, he might well still be under Gewyn's influence.
"we are reporting directly to shenoh. You wanted an audience with her yes? I'm afraid your green friend may have gone quite mad, the amount of blood in your travelling arrangement there..." He trails off a gaunt look on his face. "We don't know how much of a threat any of you are or what he killed in there, there was just clothes left... Come with us, we can get this sorted out hm?"
The aarakocra does not approach further, the two of you notice Griff has a hand on his weapon, but his eyes are fixed on the group of soldiers behind, as you follow his gaze you see that they too are readying weapons just in case. The tension is palpable, as the aarakocra waits fir your response, but you are heavily outnumbered, twenty soldiers in front and twenty behind with others on patrol not too far away. You are both reminded of the massive harpoon like turret at the top of this tower as rushing thoughts run through your dwindling options.
Hearing about the blood and the fact Sam might have killed something? Really snaps Elthana back to attention. Sam wouldn't have done anything like that - why did they think he went mad?
She steps up to the aarakocra, showing a gesture of compliance so that she hopes to ease the tension. "What about a loxodon? Do you have him as well? But yes, please, take us to our friend, I must know what is going on. We are not a threat." She slumps her shoulders a bit at this. She just hopes they don't attempt to take them where Gewyn was going.
"a loxodon, what's a loxodon?.. no matter, we will take you to your friend, and I wish we could trust that you weren't a threat."
The aarakocra steps forward to Elthana just as she feels her body tighten and restrict, two soldiers clad slightly differently, with black cloaks over their shoulders make hand signs and call forth arcanum embracing Elthana in a hold person spell. The aarakocra places Elthana's hands in a set of manacles and locks them and then something odd happens...
Devoid of all magic the illusion fades revealing the real form of the shadar-kai beneath, complete with an inactive hat of disguise. The Aarakocra looks absolutely mortified and suddenly scared. "M-Mori! I had no idea! Is this a test? I'm sorry."
Every guard in visible range who sees Elthana suddenly drops to one knee, but oddly none do the three stage salute that they did for Vinghov. The hold person is dropped and the aarakocra holds up a keystone for the manacles. "Forgive me."
Vin stands in shock for but a brief moment on seeing Ira disappear to be replaced by Elthana. His momentary surprise is covered by the fact that everyone else is equally surprised, and when the aarakocra apologies to Mori, he knows his suspicion was correct. Now they just had to make the most of it.
"How dare you lay hands on her. Unbind her at once and hand her the keystone. Then back away!", he calls out at the offending aarakocra.
He then turns to Elthana and asks respectfully, "Would you like me to make an example of him for his insolence?".
He glares at the aarakocra and then at the two in black cloaks.
"if Mori wills it then it shall be done" the aarakocra returns, not recognising vin for rank or even at all, he casts a glaring side glance before looking back up to Mori, arm still extended with the keystone waiting on an answer from one he does recognise.
Anger radiates off of the shadar-kai as she stares down at aarakocra. She holds out her manacles for him to unlock them with the keystone. Then with a voice as smooth as silk but laced with fury, "A test? Do you think I would lower myself to test lowly creatures such as yourself? And on top of that, giving such a look to my escort? An example might be a good idea."
Assuming he has unlocked her, she starts pacing, then stops directly in front of the aarocokra, "Take us to the green one, immediately."
Glancing from Elthana to vin at her acceptance of his suggestion, the Aarakocra glances back to 'Mori' and gives a nod, "as you wish, immediately." And as he stands he turns and issues an order to the rest of the soldiers in auran.
The majority of the guard are left behind but the Aarakocra and the two black robed guards accompany as the offending Aarakocran leads on.
Muir drops his wild shape and leans against the wall where he was originally left by Sam. He takes one of his severed fingers with his trunk and hastily scribbles in blood on a note. Once the note is written he summons a green bird similar to a kingfisher and hands it the note. He commands it to fly out and deliver it to Elthana or Vin.
Vin points at Elthana and whispers, "I believe they have taken Sam to Shenoh. Perhaps order his return along with his belongings if you don't want to come face to face with Nivara? It would be good to search the pack while we are here too. I fear for Muir".
Elthana stops. "No. This is unacceptable, bring the green one to me with his belongings. I am going to see what you mean about the blood in.. as you put it, our travelling arrangement."
Without waiting for a response, she turns on her heel and heads towards the traveling pack of Omertyr. In response to Vin telepathically, "I fear what this means.. is all of Shenoh in league with Nivara?! Also.. don't be alarmed, but I may spread darkness if I need to. Warn Griff."
Vin gives an almost whispers back to Elthana, "If Nivara has to masquerade as an advisor, she is likely not in control here yet. I will tell Griff".
He then whispers to Griff, "If darkness falls, don't panic, it will be Elthana's doing".
It is at that time he sees a strange green bird fly out of the pack, not quite understanding the strange gravity and the fact that the land it flies above is falling away from it. It struggles to fly down and over to the closest of those named by Muir, which happens to be Elthana. Such is it's struggle against the strange gravity and falling land, it pretty much ends up dive bombing towards her.
As the bird dive-bombs Elthana, the aarakocra looks confused, "your travel arrangements, no no their, travel arrangements, you didn't travel here with them did you?" Another guard steps forward, bows their head and takes a knee, obviously having something to say but waiting for permission.
Elthana reaches up and plucks the bird out of it's dive bomb and gives the aarakocra her best smirk. "Now. That was a test."
She unfolds the letter and gives no reaction to the words. Stuffing the paper in her pocket she moves to continue to the pack, then giving a sigh, she looks to the guard on his knee, "Out with it."
The second guard stands and says, "the disguise Mori was using... Was seen exiting this thing with the others that arrived." The aarakocra now more confused turns to Elthana for an explanation.
Elthana changes from slightly annoyed about the situation to anger and it is palpable for those around her. She has used anger to advantage many times with the Treasury, so this wasn't anything new to her. And in a very clipped manner, "That girl is no longer with us."
And without waiting for a response, she stalks towards the pack.
The aarakocra motions for the guard to stand down and gives Elthana a bow, "of course! Our mistake" he then lets one arm out to the side signalling that they will not hinder Elthana from investigating the pack any longer.
As Elthana, vin and Griff are let inside the pack, the group of soldiers wait outside whilst others fly off down the spire to fetch Sam.
The inside of the pack is stained in blood, and seated behind the warming stone is Muir, his hands and feet are mangled and mutilated but there is signs of healing too. He is not still bleeding but it is easy to connect the dots and figure out who's blood is everywhere. He shivers a little as the door opens and wind whips in, he has no clothes on to speak of.
The platoon of soldiers stand ready. An aarakocra steps forward as you arrive and another flies overhead to greet the escort party.
The one in front of you three waits until you are within 20ft before calling out, "Guests, your presence is requested, we already have your green friend but he had to be restrained for his resistance. We can take you to him. Please accompany us. We must insist."
Vin surveys the scene, and holds his hands up.
"We definitely don't resist, no worries there. But who do your orders come from? We have just been told by Vinghov to return to the pack and await the return of our companions", he says confused. In reality he had expected this sort of miscommunication, but it couldn't hurt to get it clarified. If it was from Vinghov, and they got a message to him, he might well still be under Gewyn's influence.
Perception (if still needed): 9+1=10
"we are reporting directly to shenoh. You wanted an audience with her yes? I'm afraid your green friend may have gone quite mad, the amount of blood in your travelling arrangement there..." He trails off a gaunt look on his face. "We don't know how much of a threat any of you are or what he killed in there, there was just clothes left... Come with us, we can get this sorted out hm?"
The aarakocra does not approach further, the two of you notice Griff has a hand on his weapon, but his eyes are fixed on the group of soldiers behind, as you follow his gaze you see that they too are readying weapons just in case. The tension is palpable, as the aarakocra waits fir your response, but you are heavily outnumbered, twenty soldiers in front and twenty behind with others on patrol not too far away. You are both reminded of the massive harpoon like turret at the top of this tower as rushing thoughts run through your dwindling options.
Hearing about the blood and the fact Sam might have killed something? Really snaps Elthana back to attention. Sam wouldn't have done anything like that - why did they think he went mad?
She steps up to the aarakocra, showing a gesture of compliance so that she hopes to ease the tension. "What about a loxodon? Do you have him as well? But yes, please, take us to our friend, I must know what is going on. We are not a threat." She slumps her shoulders a bit at this. She just hopes they don't attempt to take them where Gewyn was going.
"a loxodon, what's a loxodon?.. no matter, we will take you to your friend, and I wish we could trust that you weren't a threat."
The aarakocra steps forward to Elthana just as she feels her body tighten and restrict, two soldiers clad slightly differently, with black cloaks over their shoulders make hand signs and call forth arcanum embracing Elthana in a hold person spell. The aarakocra places Elthana's hands in a set of manacles and locks them and then something odd happens...
Devoid of all magic the illusion fades revealing the real form of the shadar-kai beneath, complete with an inactive hat of disguise. The Aarakocra looks absolutely mortified and suddenly scared. "M-Mori! I had no idea! Is this a test? I'm sorry."
Every guard in visible range who sees Elthana suddenly drops to one knee, but oddly none do the three stage salute that they did for Vinghov. The hold person is dropped and the aarakocra holds up a keystone for the manacles. "Forgive me."
Vin stands in shock for but a brief moment on seeing Ira disappear to be replaced by Elthana. His momentary surprise is covered by the fact that everyone else is equally surprised, and when the aarakocra apologies to Mori, he knows his suspicion was correct. Now they just had to make the most of it.
"How dare you lay hands on her. Unbind her at once and hand her the keystone. Then back away!", he calls out at the offending aarakocra.
He then turns to Elthana and asks respectfully, "Would you like me to make an example of him for his insolence?".
He glares at the aarakocra and then at the two in black cloaks.
"if Mori wills it then it shall be done" the aarakocra returns, not recognising vin for rank or even at all, he casts a glaring side glance before looking back up to Mori, arm still extended with the keystone waiting on an answer from one he does recognise.
Anger radiates off of the shadar-kai as she stares down at aarakocra. She holds out her manacles for him to unlock them with the keystone. Then with a voice as smooth as silk but laced with fury, "A test? Do you think I would lower myself to test lowly creatures such as yourself? And on top of that, giving such a look to my escort? An example might be a good idea."
Assuming he has unlocked her, she starts pacing, then stops directly in front of the aarocokra, "Take us to the green one, immediately."
Glancing from Elthana to vin at her acceptance of his suggestion, the Aarakocra glances back to 'Mori' and gives a nod, "as you wish, immediately." And as he stands he turns and issues an order to the rest of the soldiers in auran.
The majority of the guard are left behind but the Aarakocra and the two black robed guards accompany as the offending Aarakocran leads on.
Muir drops his wild shape and leans against the wall where he was originally left by Sam. He takes one of his severed fingers with his trunk and hastily scribbles in blood on a note. Once the note is written he summons a green bird similar to a kingfisher and hands it the note. He commands it to fly out and deliver it to Elthana or Vin.
Inside...need help....M....
Vin points at Elthana and whispers, "I believe they have taken Sam to Shenoh. Perhaps order his return along with his belongings if you don't want to come face to face with Nivara? It would be good to search the pack while we are here too. I fear for Muir".
Elthana stops. "No. This is unacceptable, bring the green one to me with his belongings. I am going to see what you mean about the blood in.. as you put it, our travelling arrangement."
Without waiting for a response, she turns on her heel and heads towards the traveling pack of Omertyr. In response to Vin telepathically, "I fear what this means.. is all of Shenoh in league with Nivara?! Also.. don't be alarmed, but I may spread darkness if I need to. Warn Griff."
Vin gives an almost whispers back to Elthana, "If Nivara has to masquerade as an advisor, she is likely not in control here yet. I will tell Griff".
He then whispers to Griff, "If darkness falls, don't panic, it will be Elthana's doing".
It is at that time he sees a strange green bird fly out of the pack, not quite understanding the strange gravity and the fact that the land it flies above is falling away from it. It struggles to fly down and over to the closest of those named by Muir, which happens to be Elthana. Such is it's struggle against the strange gravity and falling land, it pretty much ends up dive bombing towards her.
As the bird dive-bombs Elthana, the aarakocra looks confused, "your travel arrangements, no no their, travel arrangements, you didn't travel here with them did you?" Another guard steps forward, bows their head and takes a knee, obviously having something to say but waiting for permission.
Elthana reaches up and plucks the bird out of it's dive bomb and gives the aarakocra her best smirk. "Now. That was a test."
She unfolds the letter and gives no reaction to the words. Stuffing the paper in her pocket she moves to continue to the pack, then giving a sigh, she looks to the guard on his knee, "Out with it."
The second guard stands and says, "the disguise Mori was using... Was seen exiting this thing with the others that arrived." The aarakocra now more confused turns to Elthana for an explanation.
Elthana changes from slightly annoyed about the situation to anger and it is palpable for those around her. She has used anger to advantage many times with the Treasury, so this wasn't anything new to her. And in a very clipped manner, "That girl is no longer with us."
And without waiting for a response, she stalks towards the pack.
Vin has been muttering as discreetly as he can for a while as Elthana has taken the lead and hopefully taken the guards attention.
Next is the turn of Muir, to whom he whispers tentatively whilst pointing at the pack, "Please tell me you are alive? Please tell me the madness stopped?".
The aarakocra motions for the guard to stand down and gives Elthana a bow, "of course! Our mistake" he then lets one arm out to the side signalling that they will not hinder Elthana from investigating the pack any longer.
As Elthana, vin and Griff are let inside the pack, the group of soldiers wait outside whilst others fly off down the spire to fetch Sam.
The inside of the pack is stained in blood, and seated behind the warming stone is Muir, his hands and feet are mangled and mutilated but there is signs of healing too. He is not still bleeding but it is easy to connect the dots and figure out who's blood is everywhere. He shivers a little as the door opens and wind whips in, he has no clothes on to speak of.