Heavy is the Head - Campaign thread

Tesfaye leans in to Lam and Sha, while Hemlock sidebars with Fitzwhiste. "You guys told me that the HMC is looking for the Crown of Divine Right, and Fitz just said that he thinks the crown is controlling the spectators. So is that why people want it? Is it a tool for summoning armies and monsters? Or... no, the True King was pretty scary to my people, and not in a way that an army could explain. So... OH MY DEPTHS! Is the crown a mind-control device? Oh, flotsam... If that's the case, then is there a way of knowing who is under control? How can we trust anyone. How can we trust ourselves! Jetsam!" Tesfaye finally lowers their voice, suddenly gaining the self-awareness to worry actively about who's listening. "We can't talk to anyone except each other about this. And until we have a way of knowing whether somebody is mind-controlled, we need to be careful about even that. Oh my oh my oh my... what have I gotten myself into?"

Eliza answers about whether she is joining, clearly emotional. "If there's a chance Saffi is with the HMC people, that's where I'm going. I'm going to make her jailors wish they were never born!"

 Fitzwhistle looks back at Hemlock unblinkingly - though that may only be because he lacks eyelids. "I believe that. you will be able to. handle the conflict.              I would rather. keep my new body. safe from harm, and to confer. with your tortle. friend.                  Why do you suddenly. need to speak. to me alone?"

An older dryad walks towards you, her empty eyes hidden under a new-grown layer of bark. And yet, she does not walk with a cane ore any need for assistance. Sha recognizes Tecelão-Raiz before she speaks, a strange serenety to her gait and to her voice. "Welcome back, penumbral brother. I felt you return to the tree. Thank you for opening my eyes to the goddess."

Hemlock looks about to make sure he and Fitz cannot be overheard by anyone before speaking. 

"I hope after all that we have been through, you trust Saoirse, Sha-Gravis, Lam and I?", he starts by asking Fitz, although it is really a rhetorical question as he continues speaking without pause. "Knowledge of the crown is dangerous, and speaking of it puts those around you who hear in danger. There were many visitors to your tower whilst you were unable to leave, drawn by a reward for delivering your knowledge of that item to people whose motives are fuelled by greed and ambition. They cared not whether you lived or died, as long as there were clues provided. And that was despite not knowing what knowledge you even possess". He pauses for a moment searching Fitz's unchanging, expressionless face to no avail.

"The purpose of the HMC in this valley is to retrieve that item at all cost. It is why there is so much violence here, although the people of Village Tree do not know it. Were they to have knowledge of the item, those searching for it would do anything to extract it from them. I would ask a favour of you. That is not to discuss your knowledge of the item with anyone without discussing it with us first. And to always be careful you cannot be overheard when discussing it with us as well. Do you think you can do that?". 

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Sha recognizes Tecelão-Raiz before she speaks, a strange serenety to her gait and to her voice. "Welcome back, penumbral brother. I felt you return to the tree. Thank you for opening my eyes to the goddess." 

Sweet Sister Tecelão-Raiz, I wonder if you might help me.  I have an unborn hatchling- an egg.  It is a harpy egg, but I would dedicate this youngling to the Goddess.  Perhaps at the lunar event in 2 nights if I can.  It is a special night to both aspects of our Moon Maiden, and I believe she may bless this child.  Beautiful and dangerous... I am going with to see to the safety of Village Trees Young Adventures, in over their heads with the HMC.  Would you be able to safeguard my egg?

"I trust you. And owe you all my life. Quite literally.          I will promise. To hold my tongue. In public; for now.           But I hope that I. Can convince you. That you are wrong.          My philosophy; shared by the. Society of Brilliance; is that knowledge. Sets us free; and should be shared.             Imagine if you. Were told that there is. A threat to your way of life; but that you. Were not entitled to know. What that threat was.           If all of these people; knew of the crown; they would act. Accordingly to. The threat.           They would help to. Save their home.            If and when. They learn of the. True threat; they will feel. Justifiably. Betrayed.             I will. Keep silent. Until I have. Convince you.        Do you trust me to remain. Here?"

"Of course, brother Sha! I will guard the hatchling, and ensure that she is ready in two days. Take care of our children. May light and shadow guide you."

Tesfaye and Fitz would like to remain, Eliza would like to accompany you. All are ready for you to leave when you are.

Hemlock smiles and puts a hand on Fitz's shoulder, the strange feel of metal uncomfortable and alien to his touch, but he doesn't retract the hand.

"I am honoured by your trust, and I in turn trust you at your word. I will not seek control over you, and I look forward to debating with you regarding this issue. If you wish to stay with Tesfaye, that is fine with me. I think the others will agree as well, that mutual trust forges the strongest bond of friendship".

At least he hopes the others will agree.

With that he waves at the others and calls them across, "Are we ready to go? Fitz wishes to stay with Tesfaye and talk about their shared interests". As he speaks he gives a very specific inflection to the words shared interests, and gives the others a slight nod of the head to indicate he is happy for this to happen.

- I thought as much - Saoirse replies to Eliza, with a nod and a slight smile. It was a strange feeling to have the wizard as an ally, after all that had happened, but her arcane knowledge would definitely be of help, and that was enough for the genasi to welcome her. Specially since they could trust her now to not try to run away stealing anything.

When Hemlock approaches them all, she says:

- That looks fine to me. I'm sure that those two minds at work will work wonders. And yes, I'm ready to go - as she says this, she remembers something - Although.. one moment, please. 

Saoirse returns to Tesfaye and Fitz and presents them with a small item she carefully packaged just the day before.

- While working our way up the tower I grabbed these, Fitz. I'm sorry. We weren't sure there would be anyone alive in the tower, and I thought that if that was the case I could bring these to Tesfaye. Then, with everything that happened, I completely forgot about them - she presents the spectacles she took from Fitz's workbench - In any case, now they are with their rightful owner.

With this, Saoirse is ready to go. She hugs Tesfaye again, with the promise to keep contacting him, bids farewell to them and to Fitz.

"Oh, these old. Things.         Thank you for. Returning them to me.       I had to. Rebuild them. A few years ago, and now they're. 'Built-in,' so-to. Speak.           TESFAYE. Are you interested?"

"Are these what I think they are?! How did you get them so compact? It looks like they actually use ambient magic as an energy source, while detecting it. This is brilliant! You are brilliant! You've got to show me your micro-soldering technique. Thank you, Saoirse. Take care, all. I hope to see you later today, if you can come back after your encounter at the bridge."

"It would be an. Honor. To pass on the technique.        I am not certain. Whether these hands. Can perform it yet.        Please do. Show me your. Workspace."

They seem like they'll keep busy without issue. The lift descends after your goodbyes, and it is only a miles walk through the woods to get to the south bridge. You see smoke and an empty patch of sky ahead, where part of the forest has been cut down to timber. There are noises of work, and of many people. Through the trees, you begin to see the ornate white metal columns of a beautiful suspension bridge, which seems unnecessarily large for the silver stream (though appropriate to the river's full spring surge).

As you approach, make a perception or investigation check, trying to find a sign of the teens and get a better sense of what you're up against.

Saoirse doesn't seem particulary focused as she looks for the teens. (Perception: 8)

Sha perception 10

Lam is on a mission, determined to spot the danger of the situation and get the teens safe.

Hemlock is completely distracted by the bridge itself, marvelling at the structure and at how alien it appears within the natural landscape.

Perception: 1+6=7

Thoughts of all you have been through weigh heavily on your party, and the usually observant Hemlock, Saoirse, and Sha find themselves distracted as you approach the work site, the bridge, and the oncoming conflict.

Lam, however, is able to keep his mind fully present on the sounds, sights, and even smells of the moment. There is only another 50 yards or so of dense forest before it opens up to a heavily used path, once a treated earthen road, recently rewidened by wagon tracks moving lumber and equipment back and forth. On the other side of the road, stumps of felled trees go on for at least a quarter mile. The HMC has been producing a resource from the valley for weeks or months already, even if it has not met its more secret ulterior goals. Wagons filled with barrels of smokepowder stand at the base of the bridge, ready to pe pushed out onto it and ignited soon. Near the bridge, the rivershore is mishappen and wet, and boulders have been pushed and flung about. It looks like a battle was waged, and no ground gained, against the river itself.

Jonah is standing and talking with some of the other HMC guards near the smokepowder barrels, and one of his huge hands holds the arm of a fairy teenager, who you recognize as one of the the siblings you scuffled with near the Kobold mines. It is very hard to tell from your vantage point whether she is being carried or hovering by the strength of her wings, but she's clearly not going anywhere. Some bent twigs in the undergrowth, plus the faint smell of adolescence, guide Lam to where three bugbear youths are hiding in the woods: Kurt, Kristof, and their sister. The other fairy from your last scuffle is here as well, but there's no sign of Frederico, the elven teen who had been with them last time. Once you get fairly close, They will gesture for you to approach, and though they are staying silent, panic is clear on their faces.

Two HMC workers are tying down lumber onto a wagon in the road just outside of your section of woods. One of them is a human you don't recognize. The other wears an awkward iron collar, too small to remove, but too big to hide under her clothes. You realize its purpose fairly quickly - no-one could disguise themselves while wearing that. Not even Saffron Gale.

Eliza gasps, almost running out to her, before barely stopping herself and looking to the rest of you for guidance. 

Owlbeear : https://www.owlbear.rodeo/room/5nRs1L_uFdxM/HeavyistheHeadPBP

As Lam brings Hemlock's attention from the large pillars of the bridge down to the ground level, he surveys the scene before him, shaking his head and frowning.

"We are outnumbered, even if we include the kids, which I do not wish to do", he says just as he notices Saffi. "Although we may have other allies present", he adds with a smile.

"Should we try and talk Jonah down, or use the element of surprise to our advantage?", he asks quietly, not yet approaching closer to the kids, rather scanning around for any adversaries that may be hidden.

Perception: 6+6=12 (Passive: 16)

Hemlock doesn't notice anyone beyond who Lam has seen.

"Yeah, element of surprise. That's their leader standing next to enough smokepowder to blow up a bridge, right?" A spark of flame flickers in Eliza's hand, as she readies a fire bolt.

“But the leader is holding one of the kids, we cannot risk them”, Hemlock replies. “We need to get them away”.

He looks to the others hoping they have some magical means of extracting them.

- Wait! - Saoirse exclaims as she grabs Eliza's hand - Cast that spell and this will turn into a carnage in the blink of an eye!

Once she makes sure the wizard dismises her spell, the blood hunter turns to the rest:

- If we fight Jonah once again we will be kissing goodbye the last chance for a peaceful solution. I'm not even sure he'll listen to us or how we could bargain with him so he leaves these people alone, but I say we need to try anyway. We have enough death on our backs and need to stop adding more. Look - and she points to the huge human - he has grappled that fairy girl. What stops him from breaking her neck the moment we start attacking? Also, Federico is nowhere to be seen. What if he has him somewhere? No - she shakes her head - I won't accept the violent way this time. 

Eliza begrudgingly lets the magic fizzle out. "One kid versus three of them, including their leader, and their tactical advantage. I say the math is simple. These people have Saffi in a slave's collar! And you want to talk?! Where was this concern when you killed Clark?" She is only barely able to hold her voice to a whisper, and her anger is palpable.

Sha-Gravis steps out and with hands raised approaches Jonah, "Jonah we need to parley.  Please accept my invitation to avoid unnecessary violence.  We have much information to exchange please hear us out."  (persuasion with inspiration and guidance) 16 plus guidance 4

- And that is precisely the reason I don't want to act violently again - Saoirse hisses - Would you have me acting just the same and not learn from past mistakes, Eliza? I insist: I won't risk anyone - not the teens, not Saffron, not us - unless absolutely necessary.

"Clark made his choice after he was given chance to surrender, and he chose to carry on his assault. You were all given a chance to stand down if my memory serves me, even before Gordon was killed. It was regrettable but we did not attack without warning", Hemlock adds to Saoirse's reply to Eliza.

It is then that Sha-Gravis steps out, leaving him a little taken aback.

"It seems discussions on the matter are over".

With that he steps out alongside Sha-Gravis, "We know what the sorceress Samantha did to you at the mine", he adds hoping to help persuade the huge leader.