... But! Even if she could reach a conclusion that made the color too much a commonality to be consider a viable thread alone, such consideration soon took a back seat in seeing Soares begin to stir. In that moment she almost immediately tries to exert her will in commanding through their magical link for him to sit up straight, nod twice, then do nothing but breath until she commanded otherwise. Once self-assured the magic took, not that she had much doubt given her own at times meta-level perception thanks to her wizardry studies, she clears her throat before beginning to speak aloud.
"It seems I have him. But we should have a care on what we ask to start, as some clandestine fellows like to booby trap their servants, and make doubly sure they can't say too much, magically or otherwise."She warns the group. "So let's start simple. Tell us in honesty your name, about your connection to the red plumes, and were you put under any spell or magical command by another prior to trying to ambush us?"She asks, as well as exert just enough of her will so that the only "action" the man could take would be speaking.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
@Obby: Being quite the ink-user yourself, you know that the most common quill ink out in the city and mostly everywhere is the color black. This is what is used on posts, notes, and bills spread throughout Phlan. More colorful ink is usually associated with magical properties and/or higher quality. Of those, blue ink is the most common, and it is usually applied in highly-skilled tasks that nonetheless require a lot of ink. You are not surprised that this is the ink of choice at Mantor's Library. They surely have more than just blue ink, but you cannot deny its versatility when even the Master Scribe has blue stains in her fingers and clothes.
Utar lets some suspense build up as he performs a quick medical examination on Soares. The man is still quite out of it, and the Tormite estimates that his vital functions are unlikely to return to full capacity for at least another 0.5 hour. Not sure if Obsben's potion's effect may last that long, Utar resorts to a more direct action, bestowing onto Soares a minor miracle. (Soares recovers 6 HP.)
Despite being visibly groggy, Soares sits up right away and nods twice. He then stays perfectly still. Neya surmises that the potion worked, and Obsben is now sure of it.
Although Soares seems willing to cooperate (mostly due to the potion/spell) his ability to do so is hampered both by his groggy state and the lingering presence of some doubt. As far as his mind is compelled to do so, Soares indeed speaks. Whether he does so meaningfully or truthfully, is for CRAP to decide. "Oh... Hi. Me... yes... I know you but I don't know you... I shouldn't tell secrets... Not even to you... Who are you... I know you... Plumes... Red... Yes."
@Graxx: Someone down the alley has opened their windows to put some linens out to dry. They notice you but seem accustomed to the idea of strange happenings taking place in their alleyway.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Secluding himself for a moment in a dark corner of the alleyway, he covers his pauldron to smother the illumination caused by his prayer for aid.
Miming putting a hood over his head to Obsben, Utar comes closer to Soares and kneels. Hoping to jog Soares' memory, but not too much, he hopes his half-orc face is enough to fool the elf and back Obby's play. His voice is soothing, as if explaining to a drunkard that it is not time for one more ale, it is time to go home and sleep it off.
"Aye, Red Plumes. But remember, we were hired to be all sneaky beaky like, remember at the Laughing Goblin?"
(OOC If I try this here and it does't go to plan, you all have your turns to save this. Assume this is a persuasion check, so here goes nothing - 2 (5) plus 1 (3). Soares isn't a polymorphed green dragon, right? So no advantage on this roll? :P)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Neya slinks out of sight for a moment and then makes herself look like the owlin that just left albeit with some ruffled feathers and slightly tattered clothes. She then reappears and tries to imitate the Red Plume, "Things were going so well, but they turned it around on us. What aren't you telling us about the lot we just attacked?"
Performance: 15 (14)
Stealth: 23 (Using advantage because I guess alley is dark?) (11, 24)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Guess I'm using this again too."Obsben mumbled while fishing out a bent copper piece and putting it to her temple. After which, a few short words in draconic sees a glowing sigil similar to a draconic eye flare above her forehead before disappearing from view; but, her mind remained opened to their prisoner's thoughts as others interrogated the man.
"Indeed. Surely you can spare us -that- much. In fact, I think you owe -me- as much after dolling you up with my precious supplies."Obsben said while trying to mirror the "Half-Orc" Red Plume merc's voice. "Besides if you cut us in more on what's this really all about, then maybe we can better convince the other plumes to support the cause, as it were." She paid. "Plus, well... we both know you need us far more than we need you right now. And unless your boss has you marked already, which is why I asked, it ain't like they'll ever know, ya know?"
-Upcast (3rd level)Detect Thoughts and surface reading Saoras for now. (The above assumes her 1st casting has long since run out as it only lasts a minute.)
(@Ori: Yes, indeed. It has been about a half-hour accounting for the tying of ropes, conversation, questioning, collecting of gear, giving away the gear, healing, helping, etc.)
Guessing that CRAP is unlikely to get any information for free out of Soares, Utar take his next step, which takes advantage of Obsben's unbreakable command. Soares is compelled to keep speaking, so the Tormite tries to manipulate where the conversation is going with a bit of guided deception. However, "The Laughing Goblin..." is all Soares says for in response. Unfortunately, Utar doesn't come out sounding like anyone Soares knows, judging by the man's facial reaction.
Graxx's help furthers the plot a bit more and Neya swoops in with an illusory mask to turn the tide back into CRAP's favor. "They got the best of us, didn't they, Fulta?" Soares's speech is less slurred now. "They were stronger than I thought... What am I not telling you? I don't know, they got on the Cult's wrong side. They don't tell me the details, it is just orders."Looking around and seeing "Fulta" and a half-orc, but not being completely in control of his own faculties to notice that there are more people here than his team would make up, Soares continues talking: "Wait, did they leave? Help me up, we should get out of here."
Obsben moves the conversation away from the topic of leaving. Her mental reading spell now refreshed, the witchling continues to bamboozle Soares, adding her imitation voice to the deceptive plot. "Like I said... Cult is getting tired of these folks running around and putting an end to their plans. At first it was small potates, but these guys are starting to become a thorn on the Cult's side, yeah... I was given the task to teach them a lesson without them getting a sniff of the Cult. Ya'see, they send a new member in, me, so we can be sure they never seen me before. I lead you Plumes here, further distancing the Cult from the actual assault... It is clever, isn't it?" Soares then smiles: "And it worked! They may have beaten us here in the alley but they left without finding out a thing!"
"So," he adds "Do you really think we can get more Plumes out here to help lead them in the wrong direction?"
@Obsben (surface thoughts):
Soares is thinking of the harsh punishments he has now surely avoided by successfully leading CRAP astray even in his physical defeat in the alley. He is convinced that this is what happened, or at least using his faux-success to convince himself that he will escape those punishments he is so afraid of. If he believes it, his Cult superiors will believe it too, right?
Having nearly given the game away, Utar steps away from the interrogation, but remains close enough to overhead Soares' confession. The fact that the rest of CRAP managed to save it and further, get him to reveal he was working for the Cult of the Dragon is a result. It did beg the question as to whether the black masked, blue ink stained instigator of the whole thing was, presumably they were affiliated too, but it does beg the question... Spernik said that he and his partner was the only Cult member he knew at the Library, so either, he lied to protect another member, the mysterious black masked, blue handed instigator does not work at the library, or the two were unknown to each other. Given what Soares claimed about using members of the Cult unknown to CRAP makes him suspect the first or the third option.
"Mn. Say what you will of the Plumes, but we always got each other's back, if nothing else."Obsben assured him. "But there gonna want a bit more... leverage on the scales, seeing as they gave us someone green to lead things. No offense to you, of course. Because we almost had them for quite a bit!" She went on to say. "One of them -- the folk we were after -- mentioned something about suspecting being set up and a theft and..... a library?" She gives a very masculine sounding grunt, trying to flavor the act of being bound as well.
"Which got me to thinking about the ink I saw on that masked one's hands. Their not, like, secretly a scribe or something are they? 'cause if so, once we're freed we're gonna have to at least warn them, or they'll be right pissed at both of us."As she's saying this, there's a subtle mental prodding command bidding to Soaras gaze towards the ground, but keep answering questions.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Seeing that Obsben's multi-spell plan is yielding dividends, Neya, Graxx, and Utar take a step back and allow the halfling some space to keep doing her thing. In the meantime, Utar begins to make a few additional possible connections in his mind, and Graxx confirms that the lady who was putting her laundry out to dry has now caught one of her neighbors' attention. They are talking from their windows, and sharing glances toward CRAP in the alley at intermittent intervals. It's hard to hear what they are whispering about, though.
Soares nods along with Obsben. "I know the frustration, my half-orc friend. They gave me very little to go on but I gathered that's how things are done in the Cult. I noticed the ink on the masked-one's hands too but figured they were some kind of dye maker or textile worker... I know nothing of a library or how to contact the masked-one. All I know is that they referred to themselves by the initial "B", and that's it. I assumed B would contact me once the job was done."
Soares then smirks, even while staring at the ground: "And we don't have to worry about the targets... They are chasing a dead end, right? They didn't get anything from us, right? B is in no danger. Now, help me up. Let's get out of here. Why am I manacled?"
Utar continues his silence, but curiouser and curiouser... B for Brandywine perhaps? Still, more evidence would be needed before an accusation. Surely someone who works at the Library wouldn't be so stupid to stash the stolen books in their office? But maybe they consider themselves above suspicion, who knows?
Picking up on Soares' last comment, Utar wonders whether it might not be best to switch location to continue this interrrogation in a more straightforward manner? His hand drifts to Lightbringer should they need to (non-lethally) put Soares' back to sleep.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Obsben holds up a hand in halting gesture to Graxx, then dropped fingers till only one remain. As she's doing this she replied to Soares with a bit more confidence to her tone while still mimicing the half-orc's voice. "So long as their so called library lead goes no where for sure. In fact, I would'n be surprised if they only wind up getting themselves in trouble that way. As for why you were manacled, well, I think it was the strong man of their group's doing 'fore they took off. But we'll get you sorted soon enough."
"And... we have time for two questions at least, if you don't mind too much. But uh... how you get involved with this 'B' character and all taht. Or the cult for that matter? No offense, but you didn't exactly strike me as the type to go all in for that sorta thing." She asked. And almost as soon as she had her answer, both in wording and in surface thought, she'd begin prying deeper into his mind.
-Wis Save(DC 16) from Soaras.
Though her goal being to largely to confirm what he said thus far about 'B', if some other worry or thought happened to loom even moreso in Soares mind, then it would certainly be hard for her not to focus her attention there instead, rewinding time as needed to further the cause. Knowing after which such probing liable raised suspicion, she'd apologize and make up some bull crap about the linking of minds was the result of some wild sorcerer's magic met years ago, and he, er, she had little control of it. But will endeavor to try to not let it happen again.
Once all is said and done, she looks up to Graxx and nods to him to carry on as he'd intended in covering Soaras up. In the meantime, she'd motion to Utar and Neya to step aside and whisper, "Remember when I said earlier that this magic is highly illegal in some places? And you know how things are a bit tense in town? Well, if any traces of its use does get picked up, there might be a bit of a problem. Now, I -could- of course make him get himself killed attacking a guard or imprisoned." She grimaces. "Though, I kinda don't wanna do the former, I've, uhm... it wouldn't entirely be the first time for me. So..."She shrugs, wanting to know what at least the two wanted to do with the man. No matter the answer, she'd back them and the group at large on.
"We're no strangers of doing questionable things to cover our tracks," Neya begins as she takes out an eyelash encased in gum arabic. "If we do something about him ourselves, I could make it easier to seem we were nowhere near him when he next shows up."
While Utar continues to connect dots in his head, he fears he might have to resort to a more aggressive tactic soon enough should Soares become too suspicious of his manacles. Before that can happen, Graxx turns to let the team know they are drawing some attention, and the tribesman makes a move for Soares. His attempt to pick up and carry the cultist away is interrupted by Obsben, whose gestures indicate that she still has a few immediate questions for the man.
"B came to me," he replies, still thoroughly fooled and with a mind that responds more to somebody else's prompts than his own. "After a few simple jobs for them, B invited me to join the Cult. I never thought of myself as a fanatic, but a shady institution like that has many resources, and resources lead to riches." With that, Soares starts groaning. Obsben has taken a risk and probed deeper into his mind. She finds that Soares is in the middle of revisiting the memories of the three or four times he has met with B, who was always cloaked and masked. Obsben can feel in her own mind the shear fear Soares feels in the presence of B. It is not a fear of the person themselves but what they represent. Despite of his confident words, Soares knows he might be delving into something far too big for his own good, and he knows failure is not tolerated. He is afraid for his life.
Soares groans some more and begins to complain and get more agitated. Expecting such a reaction, Obsben quickly weaves a convincing lie. The man replies curtly: "Just... don't do it again, whatever lingering magic that was."
Graxx is given a signal. He lifts the man, covers his hands, and begins to walk out of the alley. As they walk onward, the other three CRAPers discuss next steps. Obsben offers a few different options, some of which sound quite extreme and illegal, but Neya seems to be willing to consider them.
"Aww~ So much faith you have in the system and those bound to it. That's adorable."Obsben said to Utar with a small smirk. "That is, if you're thinking of bringing your lady friend into things. If so, and the rest of your fine fellows are fine with it, then so be it. But there's also one glaring snag not being considered as well, as it's reliant on quite a few presumptions."She says as much, but waited a few moments to give others a chance to at least guess. And when it seemed none intended to or got even close, she sighs.
A hovering Salty Bottom takes the motion as his cue to climb back under Obsben's hat to presumably lay down again. Yet despite how disruptive his efforts is, Obby's expression hardly changes as she carries on by saying, "Our book thief, remember? If they keep to their pattern, and yet have more they wish to acquire, then there's good odds they'll strike again sometime and somewhere today or tonight, if'n they haven't already. "She holds up a hand. "I know. Our clues are too limited, but I thought it important to bring up, so we keep in mind to manage our time well. Especially considering Soaras there isn't likely to be the thief, as he's not packing any of the missing items."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Utar's conclusion spurred Obsben to consider her own time with the library and the ink most commonly used among its members.
-History: 15.
... But! Even if she could reach a conclusion that made the color too much a commonality to be consider a viable thread alone, such consideration soon took a back seat in seeing Soares begin to stir. In that moment she almost immediately tries to exert her will in commanding through their magical link for him to sit up straight, nod twice, then do nothing but breath until she commanded otherwise. Once self-assured the magic took, not that she had much doubt given her own at times meta-level perception thanks to her wizardry studies, she clears her throat before beginning to speak aloud.
"It seems I have him. But we should have a care on what we ask to start, as some clandestine fellows like to booby trap their servants, and make doubly sure they can't say too much, magically or otherwise." She warns the group. "So let's start simple. Tell us in honesty your name, about your connection to the red plumes, and were you put under any spell or magical command by another prior to trying to ambush us?" She asks, as well as exert just enough of her will so that the only "action" the man could take would be speaking.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx listens intently at Obsbens warnings about having care on what to ask.
Graxx will remain silent for now to not risk messing anything up
Graxx will look back down the alleyway to ensure there are no peering eyes.
Perception: 21
@Obby: Being quite the ink-user yourself, you know that the most common quill ink out in the city and mostly everywhere is the color black. This is what is used on posts, notes, and bills spread throughout Phlan. More colorful ink is usually associated with magical properties and/or higher quality. Of those, blue ink is the most common, and it is usually applied in highly-skilled tasks that nonetheless require a lot of ink. You are not surprised that this is the ink of choice at Mantor's Library. They surely have more than just blue ink, but you cannot deny its versatility when even the Master Scribe has blue stains in her fingers and clothes.
Utar lets some suspense build up as he performs a quick medical examination on Soares. The man is still quite out of it, and the Tormite estimates that his vital functions are unlikely to return to full capacity for at least another 0.5 hour. Not sure if Obsben's potion's effect may last that long, Utar resorts to a more direct action, bestowing onto Soares a minor miracle. (Soares recovers 6 HP.)
Despite being visibly groggy, Soares sits up right away and nods twice. He then stays perfectly still. Neya surmises that the potion worked, and Obsben is now sure of it.
Although Soares seems willing to cooperate (mostly due to the potion/spell) his ability to do so is hampered both by his groggy state and the lingering presence of some doubt. As far as his mind is compelled to do so, Soares indeed speaks. Whether he does so meaningfully or truthfully, is for CRAP to decide. "Oh... Hi. Me... yes... I know you but I don't know you... I shouldn't tell secrets... Not even to you... Who are you... I know you... Plumes... Red... Yes."
@Graxx: Someone down the alley has opened their windows to put some linens out to dry. They notice you but seem accustomed to the idea of strange happenings taking place in their alleyway.
Secluding himself for a moment in a dark corner of the alleyway, he covers his pauldron to smother the illumination caused by his prayer for aid.
Miming putting a hood over his head to Obsben, Utar comes closer to Soares and kneels. Hoping to jog Soares' memory, but not too much, he hopes his half-orc face is enough to fool the elf and back Obby's play. His voice is soothing, as if explaining to a drunkard that it is not time for one more ale, it is time to go home and sleep it off.
"Aye, Red Plumes. But remember, we were hired to be all sneaky beaky like, remember at the Laughing Goblin?"
(OOC If I try this here and it does't go to plan, you all have your turns to save this. Assume this is a persuasion check, so here goes nothing - 2 (5) plus 1 (3). Soares isn't a polymorphed green dragon, right? So no advantage on this roll? :P)
Graxx looks at the window then looks back to the others giving a nod to imply "We're still good".
Graxx approaches and listens to Soare's and Utar.
Graxx tries to help.
"Ah yes, the Laughing Goblin where we met those other folks." says Graxx casually.
Neya slinks out of sight for a moment and then makes herself look like the owlin that just left albeit with some ruffled feathers and slightly tattered clothes. She then reappears and tries to imitate the Red Plume, "Things were going so well, but they turned it around on us. What aren't you telling us about the lot we just attacked?"
Performance: 15 (14)
Stealth: 23 (Using advantage because I guess alley is dark?) (11, 24)
(Inspection DC is 13)
Extended Signature
"Guess I'm using this again too." Obsben mumbled while fishing out a bent copper piece and putting it to her temple. After which, a few short words in draconic sees a glowing sigil similar to a draconic eye flare above her forehead before disappearing from view; but, her mind remained opened to their prisoner's thoughts as others interrogated the man.
"Indeed. Surely you can spare us -that- much. In fact, I think you owe -me- as much after dolling you up with my precious supplies." Obsben said while trying to mirror the "Half-Orc" Red Plume merc's voice. "Besides if you cut us in more on what's this really all about, then maybe we can better convince the other plumes to support the cause, as it were." She paid. "Plus, well... we both know you need us far more than we need you right now. And unless your boss has you marked already, which is why I asked, it ain't like they'll ever know, ya know?"
-Upcast (3rd level)Detect Thoughts and surface reading Saoras for now.
(The above assumes her 1st casting has long since run out as it only lasts a minute.)
-Deception: 31(31). (Adv. assumed 'cause of charmed.)
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
(@Ori: Yes, indeed. It has been about a half-hour accounting for the tying of ropes, conversation, questioning, collecting of gear, giving away the gear, healing, helping, etc.)
Guessing that CRAP is unlikely to get any information for free out of Soares, Utar take his next step, which takes advantage of Obsben's unbreakable command. Soares is compelled to keep speaking, so the Tormite tries to manipulate where the conversation is going with a bit of guided deception. However, "The Laughing Goblin..." is all Soares says for in response. Unfortunately, Utar doesn't come out sounding like anyone Soares knows, judging by the man's facial reaction.
Graxx's help furthers the plot a bit more and Neya swoops in with an illusory mask to turn the tide back into CRAP's favor. "They got the best of us, didn't they, Fulta?" Soares's speech is less slurred now. "They were stronger than I thought... What am I not telling you? I don't know, they got on the Cult's wrong side. They don't tell me the details, it is just orders." Looking around and seeing "Fulta" and a half-orc, but not being completely in control of his own faculties to notice that there are more people here than his team would make up, Soares continues talking: "Wait, did they leave? Help me up, we should get out of here."
Obsben moves the conversation away from the topic of leaving. Her mental reading spell now refreshed, the witchling continues to bamboozle Soares, adding her imitation voice to the deceptive plot. "Like I said... Cult is getting tired of these folks running around and putting an end to their plans. At first it was small potates, but these guys are starting to become a thorn on the Cult's side, yeah... I was given the task to teach them a lesson without them getting a sniff of the Cult. Ya'see, they send a new member in, me, so we can be sure they never seen me before. I lead you Plumes here, further distancing the Cult from the actual assault... It is clever, isn't it?" Soares then smiles: "And it worked! They may have beaten us here in the alley but they left without finding out a thing!"
"So," he adds "Do you really think we can get more Plumes out here to help lead them in the wrong direction?"
@Obsben (surface thoughts):
Soares is thinking of the harsh punishments he has now surely avoided by successfully leading CRAP astray even in his physical defeat in the alley. He is convinced that this is what happened, or at least using his faux-success to convince himself that he will escape those punishments he is so afraid of. If he believes it, his Cult superiors will believe it too, right?
Having nearly given the game away, Utar steps away from the interrogation, but remains close enough to overhead Soares' confession. The fact that the rest of CRAP managed to save it and further, get him to reveal he was working for the Cult of the Dragon is a result. It did beg the question as to whether the black masked, blue ink stained instigator of the whole thing was, presumably they were affiliated too, but it does beg the question... Spernik said that he and his partner was the only Cult member he knew at the Library, so either, he lied to protect another member, the mysterious black masked, blue handed instigator does not work at the library, or the two were unknown to each other. Given what Soares claimed about using members of the Cult unknown to CRAP makes him suspect the first or the third option.
"Mn. Say what you will of the Plumes, but we always got each other's back, if nothing else." Obsben assured him. "But there gonna want a bit more... leverage on the scales, seeing as they gave us someone green to lead things. No offense to you, of course. Because we almost had them for quite a bit!" She went on to say. "One of them -- the folk we were after -- mentioned something about suspecting being set up and a theft and..... a library?" She gives a very masculine sounding grunt, trying to flavor the act of being bound as well.
"Which got me to thinking about the ink I saw on that masked one's hands. Their not, like, secretly a scribe or something are they? 'cause if so, once we're freed we're gonna have to at least warn them, or they'll be right pissed at both of us." As she's saying this, there's a subtle mental prodding command bidding to Soaras gaze towards the ground, but keep answering questions.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx remains stoic on the outside but gets excited and the mention of "leaving without finding a thing."
Graxx will be quiet but will scan the alleyway.
Does anything look recently moved?
Perception: 21
Seeing that Obsben's multi-spell plan is yielding dividends, Neya, Graxx, and Utar take a step back and allow the halfling some space to keep doing her thing. In the meantime, Utar begins to make a few additional possible connections in his mind, and Graxx confirms that the lady who was putting her laundry out to dry has now caught one of her neighbors' attention. They are talking from their windows, and sharing glances toward CRAP in the alley at intermittent intervals. It's hard to hear what they are whispering about, though.
Soares nods along with Obsben. "I know the frustration, my half-orc friend. They gave me very little to go on but I gathered that's how things are done in the Cult. I noticed the ink on the masked-one's hands too but figured they were some kind of dye maker or textile worker... I know nothing of a library or how to contact the masked-one. All I know is that they referred to themselves by the initial "B", and that's it. I assumed B would contact me once the job was done."
Soares then smirks, even while staring at the ground: "And we don't have to worry about the targets... They are chasing a dead end, right? They didn't get anything from us, right? B is in no danger. Now, help me up. Let's get out of here. Why am I manacled?"
Utar continues his silence, but curiouser and curiouser... B for Brandywine perhaps? Still, more evidence would be needed before an accusation. Surely someone who works at the Library wouldn't be so stupid to stash the stolen books in their office? But maybe they consider themselves above suspicion, who knows?
Picking up on Soares' last comment, Utar wonders whether it might not be best to switch location to continue this interrrogation in a more straightforward manner? His hand drifts to Lightbringer should they need to (non-lethally) put Soares' back to sleep.
Graxx coughs on purpose and nods toward the alleyway.
"We have eyes on us. We need to move now. No time for questions.", says Graxx.
Graxx will reach down and pull up Soares quickly.
"Here.." says Graxx.
Graxx will reach into his pack and retrieve some of his cold weather gear.
Graxx will drape a jacket or something over Soares wrists.
"That should keep the eyes off us until we can get you out of those." says Graxx.
Graxx looks to the others.
"Let's go." says Graxx
(OOC: Where should we go?)
Obsben holds up a hand in halting gesture to Graxx, then dropped fingers till only one remain. As she's doing this she replied to Soares with a bit more confidence to her tone while still mimicing the half-orc's voice. "So long as their so called library lead goes no where for sure. In fact, I would'n be surprised if they only wind up getting themselves in trouble that way. As for why you were manacled, well, I think it was the strong man of their group's doing 'fore they took off. But we'll get you sorted soon enough."
"And... we have time for two questions at least, if you don't mind too much. But uh... how you get involved with this 'B' character and all taht. Or the cult for that matter? No offense, but you didn't exactly strike me as the type to go all in for that sorta thing." She asked. And almost as soon as she had her answer, both in wording and in surface thought, she'd begin prying deeper into his mind.
-Wis Save(DC 16) from Soaras.
Though her goal being to largely to confirm what he said thus far about 'B', if some other worry or thought happened to loom even moreso in Soares mind, then it would certainly be hard for her not to focus her attention there instead, rewinding time as needed to further the cause. Knowing after which such probing liable raised suspicion, she'd apologize and make up some bull crap about the linking of minds was the result of some wild sorcerer's magic met years ago, and he, er, she had little control of it. But will endeavor to try to not let it happen again.
-Deception: 30(14). (forgot adv: 30.)
Once all is said and done, she looks up to Graxx and nods to him to carry on as he'd intended in covering Soaras up. In the meantime, she'd motion to Utar and Neya to step aside and whisper, "Remember when I said earlier that this magic is highly illegal in some places? And you know how things are a bit tense in town? Well, if any traces of its use does get picked up, there might be a bit of a problem. Now, I -could- of course make him get himself killed attacking a guard or imprisoned." She grimaces. "Though, I kinda don't wanna do the former, I've, uhm... it wouldn't entirely be the first time for me. So..." She shrugs, wanting to know what at least the two wanted to do with the man. No matter the answer, she'd back them and the group at large on.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"We're no strangers of doing questionable things to cover our tracks," Neya begins as she takes out an eyelash encased in gum arabic. "If we do something about him ourselves, I could make it easier to seem we were nowhere near him when he next shows up."
Extended Signature
DM's Screen:
WIS save {DC 16}: 12
While Utar continues to connect dots in his head, he fears he might have to resort to a more aggressive tactic soon enough should Soares become too suspicious of his manacles. Before that can happen, Graxx turns to let the team know they are drawing some attention, and the tribesman makes a move for Soares. His attempt to pick up and carry the cultist away is interrupted by Obsben, whose gestures indicate that she still has a few immediate questions for the man.
"B came to me," he replies, still thoroughly fooled and with a mind that responds more to somebody else's prompts than his own. "After a few simple jobs for them, B invited me to join the Cult. I never thought of myself as a fanatic, but a shady institution like that has many resources, and resources lead to riches." With that, Soares starts groaning. Obsben has taken a risk and probed deeper into his mind. She finds that Soares is in the middle of revisiting the memories of the three or four times he has met with B, who was always cloaked and masked. Obsben can feel in her own mind the shear fear Soares feels in the presence of B. It is not a fear of the person themselves but what they represent. Despite of his confident words, Soares knows he might be delving into something far too big for his own good, and he knows failure is not tolerated. He is afraid for his life.
Soares groans some more and begins to complain and get more agitated. Expecting such a reaction, Obsben quickly weaves a convincing lie. The man replies curtly: "Just... don't do it again, whatever lingering magic that was."
Graxx is given a signal. He lifts the man, covers his hands, and begins to walk out of the alley. As they walk onward, the other three CRAPers discuss next steps. Obsben offers a few different options, some of which sound quite extreme and illegal, but Neya seems to be willing to consider them.
(OOC: Where are you all going?)
"My vote is we keep this above board, or at least try to, this time. Maybe a little dinner back home? I know just who to invite."
"Aww~ So much faith you have in the system and those bound to it. That's adorable." Obsben said to Utar with a small smirk. "That is, if you're thinking of bringing your lady friend into things. If so, and the rest of your fine fellows are fine with it, then so be it. But there's also one glaring snag not being considered as well, as it's reliant on quite a few presumptions." She says as much, but waited a few moments to give others a chance to at least guess. And when it seemed none intended to or got even close, she sighs.
A hovering Salty Bottom takes the motion as his cue to climb back under Obsben's hat to presumably lay down again. Yet despite how disruptive his efforts is, Obby's expression hardly changes as she carries on by saying, "Our book thief, remember? If they keep to their pattern, and yet have more they wish to acquire, then there's good odds they'll strike again sometime and somewhere today or tonight, if'n they haven't already. " She holds up a hand. "I know. Our clues are too limited, but I thought it important to bring up, so we keep in mind to manage our time well. Especially considering Soaras there isn't likely to be the thief, as he's not packing any of the missing items."
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.