Sha walks quietly beside Saoirse into the presence of Samantha. As Saoirse faces Samantha a moment of hesitation and slight confusion crosses Saoirse's face. Sha boldly accuses Samantha, "I accuse you of mind-controlled murder and enslavement, what do you have to say about that?" Sha stands ready to attack with Alptraum. As the word enslavement is spoken a menacing growl escapes.
The further Sha gets from Hemlock, the harder it seems for him to maintain a grasp on everything said in the conversation about the journal. Still though, where he stops, he can remember all the details. It just feels a little fuzzy, as if remembering a dream.
There is still a gag in Samantha's mouth, and a blindfold over her eyes, but at his accusation she laughs and chuckles through the gag, as if it were amusing.
Seeing Sebastian weeping makes Saoirsewant to get closer and put a gentle hand on his shoulder, so that he knows that he's not alone anymore, that he's finally been able to communicate to people that are willing to help him ... that the end of his suffering is close at hand. She has muster all her strength to refrain from doing that, as she knows he's still controlled and represents a danger to them all. He's still pushing and pushing...is he doing it to get free from the bindings? Or is it because the witch is commanding him to kill them all and then free her?
Her heart weighs heavily when she approaches Samantha, and suddenly all the confidence she had been feeling vanishes.
- What is happening...? I was so sure I knew...? I had something on my mind, I had a lead... - she begins to say, and turns to look at Hemlock, all this confusion reflected in her face - I was sure I knew what to say! - she adds, sounding helpless.
When Sha speaks he sounds so right, so sure of himself. Why? Why is she not feeling like him anymore? Has recognizing Sebastian upset her so much that she's lost her words?
- Mind control? Enslavement? Sha, how do you know? How...? - she walks up to the tabaxi, as if wanting to find some comfort in her friend, and also keeping a little away from that woman who now has every reason to mock her.
Lam stands a little further away from Samantha out of caution. He is confused when he sees Saoirse seem to lose her confidence, and stands tall to back up Sha. “Why do you laugh? Mind-controlled murder. Enslavement. It is serious accusation.” He has a bit of trouble pronouncing the longer words, but does his best to speak in a booming bass voice, having more success because he wants Hemlock to hear him than because he really feels confident.
As Saoirse steps back towards Hemlock and the journal, she can feel a familiar tingle in the back of her mind. Does she try to resist it (wisdom save)?
Samantha is still gagged, and makes no attempt to respond to Lam.
The memory of everything she read in the journal, and the conversation she had with Sha and Lam about it, is back in Saoirse's mind. A little faint, a little like remembering a dream, but clear enough. The tingling sensation goes away.
The memories from what she read in the journal are back, and Saoirse realizes what's going on. She motions for her companions to come back with her to approach Hemlock, and she discloses this information to them:
- That book has an area of effect, and when we step out of it we forget everything we read. It seems that the reach is up to where Sha was positioned. So, what do you think if I go there, remove her gag and step back again to try to regain that information? In case something happens and I'm not able to remember, Sha, Lam, please, stay within range at all times, and...
...remember that we need to makeSamanthatellSebastian to speak. I think that's the only way to break whateverspell she has used to keep him silent...
...I don't know if she has to be near him for that to happen. I hope not. In any case,Hemlock: I'm not sure destroying the book is a good idea, we may loose the information we gathered for good.
"Very well, I will not destroy the book. This is all very confusing, I hope you three know what you are doing", he says, but does not extinguish the flame unless there is sufficient light to see properly without it.
"Remember, the sorceress must pay for her actions, one way or another".
With that he remains where he is, keeping a close eye on the guard and the sorceress.
Lam nods at Saoirse’s plan. He goes back to stand right where he was, more aware this time of his distance from Hemlock and from Samantha, and ready to jump in and help if Saoirse needs it.
The whole mine / cave system is dimly lit. Enough to see (with disadvabtage on perception checks) for Hemlock, enough for others to see normally. Holding his flame alof is shedding enough light to cancel out that disadvantage on perception.
With that last confirmation, they reposition themselves again. Lam and Sha return to their previous positions and Saoirse walks up to Samantha, the memories of the content of the journal disappearing from her mind as she does this. But this time, she's prepared for that.
With a swift movement, she extracts the dagger, cuts the gag - thus freeing Samantha's mouth- and walks back up to where Sha is. Saoirse doesn't sheathe the dagger again and the weight of the weapon offers her some modicum of confort to face the conversation they are about to have.
Wis save 11. Rolled a check by mistake, but the result is the same
Though deep inside she's raging for everything they have learned about that woman so far, the young genasi tries her best to modulate her tone to sound cold and calmed:
- Now you are free to speak. Know this: if you collaborate, and answer what were are going to ask of you, you'll be sent with the HMC when they return tomorrow. If not, you'll be handed to the Kobolds today, and will never draw breath again.
The blood hunter waits for her first response before continuing.
When Saoirse steps back, the information from.the book returns to her, more easily this time.
"Free to speak." Samantha repeats, her voice low, smoky, unwavering. "A strange choice of words from someone who has just cut my stomach, and is threatening a woman bound and blindfolded. You leave me no freedom, and demean yourself in the lie. Your friend 'accuses' me of slavery and murder, as if he were a peacekeeper in the city or had any sort of authority to arrest me. Do not kid youself into thinking you are an arbiter of justice. You are a thug with a knife that the lizards are too scared to poke me with themselves, and I am a bound woman with no defenses. So why pretend to speak from some moral high ground? Why would I trust any promise from you?"
Hássan's teeth show in a momentary, unconscious snarl. He does not like the way she is talking about his people, or her 'damsel in distress' act.
Hemlock:
There is a 'creak' sound, and then a very slight shift in the defender's weight. Just barely noticeable. It still looks like he's bound to the wall.
“Do not get subverted into answering her questions, she is trying to control the conversation. She deserves no answers”, Hemlock calls across.
Looking at the guard a little concerned, he whispers to Hássan, “Call your people back, have these belongings taken away and be prepared if the guard breaks free”. He points at the pile of things they took from their captives.
"I can not." Hássan responds. "This is your test, and it is not my place. There are many waiting to attack should either of these break free and head back out of this tunnel."
Hemlock looks down at Hássan a little aggrieved, "I thought this was the test of judgement, and my judgement is we need your people. Unless of course this is to be the test of battle?".
With that he pockets the book and starts to collect anything dangerous from the captives possessions.
"Lam, I worry the guard is almost free. We need someone to keep an eye on him and check his restraints", he whispers to his bugbear friend.
There's still a minute or two of detect magic. Looking at the pile of possessions, there is a ruby amulet necklace with some residual magic on it - not any of its own, but many spells have travelled through it. This is clearly Samantha's focus. There is also a spellbook, marked with the sigils of Springdawn Academy. It also has residual magic, but doesn't seem to carry its own power. There are a couple of small daggers, a hand crossbow and a quiver of bolts, and Sebastian's shield, but none of this seems to be magical. You are carrying Sebastian's sword, the greatsword +1.
Hássan huffs, and focusses in on the gem in his hands.
هل يمكننا إرسال نسخة احتياطية لحمايتهم؟
The gem glows, and the Kobold turns back to you. "Hamza wants to see how you handle this on your own. I can carry their belongings further away and return, if you wish."
Hemlock will gather up the necklace, spellbook, daggers, hand crossbow and quiver of bolts in that order, placing them in his pack whilst trying to maintain eyes on the guard.
Sha walks quietly beside Saoirse into the presence of Samantha. As Saoirse faces Samantha a moment of hesitation and slight confusion crosses Saoirse's face. Sha boldly accuses Samantha, "I accuse you of mind-controlled murder and enslavement, what do you have to say about that?" Sha stands ready to attack with Alptraum. As the word enslavement is spoken a menacing growl escapes.
intimidation 6
SEA MISTRESS CREW
The further Sha gets from Hemlock, the harder it seems for him to maintain a grasp on everything said in the conversation about the journal. Still though, where he stops, he can remember all the details. It just feels a little fuzzy, as if remembering a dream.
There is still a gag in Samantha's mouth, and a blindfold over her eyes, but at his accusation she laughs and chuckles through the gag, as if it were amusing.
DM: Heavy is the Head
Lam retains everything he learned from the journal and conversation, without noticing any mental issues.
DM: Heavy is the Head
Seeing Sebastian weeping makes Saoirse want to get closer and put a gentle hand on his shoulder, so that he knows that he's not alone anymore, that he's finally been able to communicate to people that are willing to help him ... that the end of his suffering is close at hand. She has muster all her strength to refrain from doing that, as she knows he's still controlled and represents a danger to them all. He's still pushing and pushing...is he doing it to get free from the bindings? Or is it because the witch is commanding him to kill them all and then free her?
Her heart weighs heavily when she approaches Samantha, and suddenly all the confidence she had been feeling vanishes.
- What is happening...? I was so sure I knew...? I had something on my mind, I had a lead... - she begins to say, and turns to look at Hemlock, all this confusion reflected in her face - I was sure I knew what to say! - she adds, sounding helpless.
When Sha speaks he sounds so right, so sure of himself. Why? Why is she not feeling like him anymore? Has recognizing Sebastian upset her so much that she's lost her words?
- Mind control? Enslavement? Sha, how do you know? How...? - she walks up to the tabaxi, as if wanting to find some comfort in her friend, and also keeping a little away from that woman who now has every reason to mock her.
I've stepped back a little.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Lam stands a little further away from Samantha out of caution. He is confused when he sees Saoirse seem to lose her confidence, and stands tall to back up Sha. “Why do you laugh? Mind-controlled murder. Enslavement. It is serious accusation.” He has a bit of trouble pronouncing the longer words, but does his best to speak in a booming bass voice, having more success because he wants Hemlock to hear him than because he really feels confident.
Intimidation: 10.
As Saoirse steps back towards Hemlock and the journal, she can feel a familiar tingle in the back of her mind. Does she try to resist it (wisdom save)?
Samantha is still gagged, and makes no attempt to respond to Lam.
DM: Heavy is the Head
The genasi frowns as she steps back ... that weird tingling again ...
Wis save = 4. Mmmm... 😶
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
The memory of everything she read in the journal, and the conversation she had with Sha and Lam about it, is back in Saoirse's mind. A little faint, a little like remembering a dream, but clear enough. The tingling sensation goes away.
DM: Heavy is the Head
The memories from what she read in the journal are back, and Saoirse realizes what's going on. She motions for her companions to come back with her to approach Hemlock, and she discloses this information to them:
- That book has an area of effect, and when we step out of it we forget everything we read. It seems that the reach is up to where Sha was positioned. So, what do you think if I go there, remove her gag and step back again to try to regain that information? In case something happens and I'm not able to remember, Sha, Lam, please, stay within range at all times, and...
...remember that we need to make Samantha tell Sebastian to speak. I think that's the only way to break whatever spell she has used to keep him silent...
...I don't know if she has to be near him for that to happen. I hope not. In any case, Hemlock: I'm not sure destroying the book is a good idea, we may loose the information we gathered for good.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
(The bit she put under the spoiler tag is just nonsense to Hemlock's ears.)
DM: Heavy is the Head
Hemlock just looks a little lost by it all.
"Very well, I will not destroy the book. This is all very confusing, I hope you three know what you are doing", he says, but does not extinguish the flame unless there is sufficient light to see properly without it.
"Remember, the sorceress must pay for her actions, one way or another".
With that he remains where he is, keeping a close eye on the guard and the sorceress.
Perception: 18+5=23
Lam nods at Saoirse’s plan. He goes back to stand right where he was, more aware this time of his distance from Hemlock and from Samantha, and ready to jump in and help if Saoirse needs it.
The whole mine / cave system is dimly lit. Enough to see (with disadvabtage on perception checks) for Hemlock, enough for others to see normally. Holding his flame alof is shedding enough light to cancel out that disadvantage on perception.
DM: Heavy is the Head
With that last confirmation, they reposition themselves again. Lam and Sha return to their previous positions and Saoirse walks up to Samantha, the memories of the content of the journal disappearing from her mind as she does this. But this time, she's prepared for that.
With a swift movement, she extracts the dagger, cuts the gag - thus freeing Samantha's mouth- and walks back up to where Sha is. Saoirse doesn't sheathe the dagger again and the weight of the weapon offers her some modicum of confort to face the conversation they are about to have.
Wis save 11. Rolled a check by mistake, but the result is the same
Though deep inside she's raging for everything they have learned about that woman so far, the young genasi tries her best to modulate her tone to sound cold and calmed:
- Now you are free to speak. Know this: if you collaborate, and answer what were are going to ask of you, you'll be sent with the HMC when they return tomorrow. If not, you'll be handed to the Kobolds today, and will never draw breath again.
The blood hunter waits for her first response before continuing.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
When Saoirse steps back, the information from.the book returns to her, more easily this time.
"Free to speak." Samantha repeats, her voice low, smoky, unwavering. "A strange choice of words from someone who has just cut my stomach, and is threatening a woman bound and blindfolded. You leave me no freedom, and demean yourself in the lie. Your friend 'accuses' me of slavery and murder, as if he were a peacekeeper in the city or had any sort of authority to arrest me. Do not kid youself into thinking you are an arbiter of justice. You are a thug with a knife that the lizards are too scared to poke me with themselves, and I am a bound woman with no defenses. So why pretend to speak from some moral high ground? Why would I trust any promise from you?"
Hássan's teeth show in a momentary, unconscious snarl. He does not like the way she is talking about his people, or her 'damsel in distress' act.
Hemlock:
There is a 'creak' sound, and then a very slight shift in the defender's weight. Just barely noticeable. It still looks like he's bound to the wall.
DM: Heavy is the Head
“Do not get subverted into answering her questions, she is trying to control the conversation. She deserves no answers”, Hemlock calls across.
Looking at the guard a little concerned, he whispers to Hássan, “Call your people back, have these belongings taken away and be prepared if the guard breaks free”. He points at the pile of things they took from their captives.
"I can not." Hássan responds. "This is your test, and it is not my place. There are many waiting to attack should either of these break free and head back out of this tunnel."
DM: Heavy is the Head
Hemlock looks down at Hássan a little aggrieved, "I thought this was the test of judgement, and my judgement is we need your people. Unless of course this is to be the test of battle?".
With that he pockets the book and starts to collect anything dangerous from the captives possessions.
"Lam, I worry the guard is almost free. We need someone to keep an eye on him and check his restraints", he whispers to his bugbear friend.
Special: Detect Magic - is there any time left?
There's still a minute or two of detect magic. Looking at the pile of possessions, there is a ruby amulet necklace with some residual magic on it - not any of its own, but many spells have travelled through it. This is clearly Samantha's focus. There is also a spellbook, marked with the sigils of Springdawn Academy. It also has residual magic, but doesn't seem to carry its own power. There are a couple of small daggers, a hand crossbow and a quiver of bolts, and Sebastian's shield, but none of this seems to be magical. You are carrying Sebastian's sword, the greatsword +1.
Hássan huffs, and focusses in on the gem in his hands.
هل يمكننا إرسال نسخة احتياطية لحمايتهم؟
The gem glows, and the Kobold turns back to you. "Hamza wants to see how you handle this on your own. I can carry their belongings further away and return, if you wish."
DM: Heavy is the Head
Hemlock will gather up the necklace, spellbook, daggers, hand crossbow and quiver of bolts in that order, placing them in his pack whilst trying to maintain eyes on the guard.
"Never mind", he says to Hássan.