"She did," replied Sparhawk. "Many of those who charge head long into action without thinking littered the battlefield with their bones. The smart ones, who plan and strategize win the day. It takes a strong mind along with a strong arm to be victorious. Of course she has her goddess and magic, which is stronger in some sense than brute force."
"Now, Sparhawk..." the tall adventuress concludes, with a smile "You too understand that there is a big difference, between 'throwing into battle with all your strength' against Azash alone, or against Azash, Zemoch, Trolls, Undead and Dragons... Probably this is what Little Mother wanted you to understand".
"throwing all your strength into battle is the only thing I know how to do," Tyekanik deeply chuckles in response, adding, "But I have learned that 'knowing your enemy' definitely is a helpful approach." Taking another second to think he says, "I also may be able to talk with the trolls. They are a type of giant afterall."
"Excellent, Tyekanik" exclaims Khessa "I was hoping so! So we already have a preferred ambassador for the Undead and one for the Trolls... For Dragons and Zemochs," she shrugs "we'll try to convince them with a joint effort".
At this point, Akkron decides to stop wasting time. He goes to meditate for the next four hours, appearing to be a true corpse as he becomes motionless and inactive. When he rouses himself, he spends a few minutes to re-work his prepared spell list a bit.
"Well friends, I'm ready to go deal with this dead guy," the lich says. "But we should really decide what to ask him before I perform the spell; he will only answer five questions, so they had better be good ones."
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"Well, since I am a ruthless Zemoch spy returning from a secret mission that has kept her away for a long time" says Khessa, with the new hat on her head, the moment before transforming into a haughty drow matron with features that are quite beautiful... but twisted by a wicked and mocking grin, and with ruthless purple eyes, dressed as one of the Zemoch who had attacked them the first time "I could first ask how many and what forces our lord Azash managed to convince to attack or disturb ouor enemies in Eosia".
“Regardless of what rank the would-be assassin had within the Zemoch hierarchy,” the blonde arcane warrior muses “he should at least know this. Depending on what he answers, we might next ask about the nature of the deals made… e.g. , if he replies that Azash convinced Trolls, Dragons and Undead, then I could ask for each of these three categories, how Azash convinced them. Or who he spoke to. If the murderer knew, even just in broad terms, then we could think to a counter-offer to make... or in any case to the best way to demonstrate to the faction in question that it has more advantages in allying itself with us than with him".
“Any other helpful question tips?” the tall adventurer looks around for the other party members
Mal speaks up, "I would suggest the room we do the question in also be altered, though this might be overkill as I am not exactly sure how the magic of the spell works. But if Khessa here tries to come off as a matron mother," turning to Maynard, "Are they called Matron Mothers here?" Then addressing the larger group again, "It might not due to have her "interrogating" them in a room clearly devoted to the Pandion Order. If you want I can also stand by your side as a body guard/enforcer if you think it will help."
"An excellent suggestion indeed," Akkron says, nodding approvingly at Mal's suggestion. "If the followers of Azash have convinced the local undead to side with them, I probably don't need a disguise. The only question is whether or not the would-be assassin saw me during his rather sad attempt at murdering Brother Maynard... I do stick out quite a bit, but I don't think he ever took his eyes off his target."
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Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
"The monk surely remembers committing suicide here..." Khessa reasons "So it shouldn't be a surprise for him to be interrogated here by the 'matron mother' who found him. As long as it's just us 'bad guys' - that is the matron mother, the bodyguard (great idea, Mal!) and the power-hungry lich, he shouldn't be suspicious. We may have snuck in - like the good spies we are supposed to be".
"And no, Master Akkron..." the blonde arcane warrior responds to her mentor's concerns "I don't think the monk took his eyes off the fight too much either - before Maynard turned them black, that is. And even if he had seen a undead... I don't think it's easy for him to distinguish one skeleton from another. In my opinion, you can be one of us, Master Akkron".
Sparhawk listens to your conversation. "I like where you are going with this," he comments. "With your ability to speak with the dead is more advanced than what we can do, even with the assistance of one of the younger gods. They believe to let the dead alone. If I may accompany you, I would like to hear what the dead monk has to say. Perhaps we can learn something we can use."
"I don't see why not... but you may want to try to stand off to the side somewhere, and wear a helm that conceals your face... I'm sure 'imposing dark knight' is a common enough sight amongst the followers of Azash. As long as the dead man doesn't see us as enemies he should answer our questions honestly, but if he realizes who we really are then he will likely give us false information..."
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“This business of talking to the dead…”Tyekanik says with a frown. “Though I do recognize how it can be helpful. Just feels dirty. Anyway, I’ll wait outside to keep myself unknown to it, since I’m not good at disguises. But I’ll be near if that dead head needs to be made more dead.”
"Don't worry, Tyekanik..." Khessa explains "The spell that Master Akkron speaks of has nothing dangerous or evil in itself. It does not disturb the soul of the deceased... which does not even notice anything. magic restores only a semblance of life to the body - enough semblance to allow it to remember and speak - for a limited period of time and for a limited number of questions".
"I admit that it can be a little disturbing to see for the first time..." the blonde arcane warrior concedes "But that's all. No real risks and no ungodly procedures. I bet it won't even take away your appetite!"
Sparhawk nods his head. "I will go a get a hooded cloak, stand off to the side with my face concealed so I can listen." He leaves and heads off to get his cloak.
Sparhawk nods, and goes to fetch the corpse and Brother Maynard. After a short while, the two return with 2 assistants from the constable. They are carrying the body on a stretcher, covered so as to not draw attention.
"Where would you like the body?" the assistants ask carrying the stretcher. "We have to remain and take it back, so we'll wait out here while you do whatever it is you must do."
Brother Maynard brings you up on what he found. "Our dead friend here has some very unique tattoos and what I first thought was a brand of the death rune. The tattoos are in ancient Vigridian, binding them to the service of Azash. Then under the brand, I found a sliver of a black material, almost like a rock. I have never seen its like before, but it feels off to me for some reason. Like its dirty, a dark presence kind of feel."
"She did," replied Sparhawk. "Many of those who charge head long into action without thinking littered the battlefield with their bones. The smart ones, who plan and strategize win the day. It takes a strong mind along with a strong arm to be victorious. Of course she has her goddess and magic, which is stronger in some sense than brute force."
"throwing all your strength into battle is the only thing I know how to do," Tyekanik deeply chuckles in response, adding, "But I have learned that 'knowing your enemy' definitely is a helpful approach." Taking another second to think he says, "I also may be able to talk with the trolls. They are a type of giant afterall."
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
"Excellent, Tyekanik" exclaims Khessa "I was hoping so! So we already have a preferred ambassador for the Undead and one for the Trolls... For Dragons and Zemochs," she shrugs "we'll try to convince them with a joint effort".
At this point, Akkron decides to stop wasting time. He goes to meditate for the next four hours, appearing to be a true corpse as he becomes motionless and inactive. When he rouses himself, he spends a few minutes to re-work his prepared spell list a bit.
"Well friends, I'm ready to go deal with this dead guy," the lich says. "But we should really decide what to ask him before I perform the spell; he will only answer five questions, so they had better be good ones."
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
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"Well, since I am a ruthless Zemoch spy returning from a secret mission that has kept her away for a long time" says Khessa, with the new hat on her head, the moment before transforming into a haughty drow matron with features that are quite beautiful... but twisted by a wicked and mocking grin, and with ruthless purple eyes, dressed as one of the Zemoch who had attacked them the first time "I could first ask how many and what forces our lord Azash managed to convince to attack or disturb ouor enemies in Eosia".
“Regardless of what rank the would-be assassin had within the Zemoch hierarchy,” the blonde arcane warrior muses “he should at least know this. Depending on what he answers, we might next ask about the nature of the deals made… e.g. , if he replies that Azash convinced Trolls, Dragons and Undead, then I could ask for each of these three categories, how Azash convinced them. Or who he spoke to. If the murderer knew, even just in broad terms, then we could think to a counter-offer to make... or in any case to the best way to demonstrate to the faction in question that it has more advantages in allying itself with us than with him".
“Any other helpful question tips?” the tall adventurer looks around for the other party members
Mal speaks up, "I would suggest the room we do the question in also be altered, though this might be overkill as I am not exactly sure how the magic of the spell works. But if Khessa here tries to come off as a matron mother," turning to Maynard, "Are they called Matron Mothers here?" Then addressing the larger group again, "It might not due to have her "interrogating" them in a room clearly devoted to the Pandion Order. If you want I can also stand by your side as a body guard/enforcer if you think it will help."
"An excellent suggestion indeed," Akkron says, nodding approvingly at Mal's suggestion. "If the followers of Azash have convinced the local undead to side with them, I probably don't need a disguise. The only question is whether or not the would-be assassin saw me during his rather sad attempt at murdering Brother Maynard... I do stick out quite a bit, but I don't think he ever took his eyes off his target."
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
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"The monk surely remembers committing suicide here..." Khessa reasons "So it shouldn't be a surprise for him to be interrogated here by the 'matron mother' who found him. As long as it's just us 'bad guys' - that is the matron mother, the bodyguard (great idea, Mal!) and the power-hungry lich, he shouldn't be suspicious. We may have snuck in - like the good spies we are supposed to be".
"And no, Master Akkron..." the blonde arcane warrior responds to her mentor's concerns "I don't think the monk took his eyes off the fight too much either - before Maynard turned them black, that is. And even if he had seen a undead... I don't think it's easy for him to distinguish one skeleton from another. In my opinion, you can be one of us, Master Akkron".
Sparhawk listens to your conversation. "I like where you are going with this," he comments. "With your ability to speak with the dead is more advanced than what we can do, even with the assistance of one of the younger gods. They believe to let the dead alone. If I may accompany you, I would like to hear what the dead monk has to say. Perhaps we can learn something we can use."
"I don't see why not... but you may want to try to stand off to the side somewhere, and wear a helm that conceals your face... I'm sure 'imposing dark knight' is a common enough sight amongst the followers of Azash. As long as the dead man doesn't see us as enemies he should answer our questions honestly, but if he realizes who we really are then he will likely give us false information..."
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
“This business of talking to the dead…” Tyekanik says with a frown. “Though I do recognize how it can be helpful. Just feels dirty. Anyway, I’ll wait outside to keep myself unknown to it, since I’m not good at disguises. But I’ll be near if that dead head needs to be made more dead.”
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
"Don't worry, Tyekanik..." Khessa explains "The spell that Master Akkron speaks of has nothing dangerous or evil in itself. It does not disturb the soul of the deceased... which does not even notice anything. magic restores only a semblance of life to the body - enough semblance to allow it to remember and speak - for a limited period of time and for a limited number of questions".
"I admit that it can be a little disturbing to see for the first time..." the blonde arcane warrior concedes "But that's all. No real risks and no ungodly procedures. I bet it won't even take away your appetite!"
Sparhawk nods his head. "I will go a get a hooded cloak, stand off to the side with my face concealed so I can listen." He leaves and heads off to get his cloak.
NOTE: I'll be away until Sunday evening
Oh, ok, thank you for sharing.
I have returned
Great! I'd say we can start questioning the dead monk as soon as you're ready...
Welcome back, Aggie!
As soon as he has finished preparing the necessary spells, Akkron requests the corpse be delivered so he can perform his Necromancy.
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Sparhawk nods, and goes to fetch the corpse and Brother Maynard. After a short while, the two return with 2 assistants from the constable. They are carrying the body on a stretcher, covered so as to not draw attention.
"Where would you like the body?" the assistants ask carrying the stretcher. "We have to remain and take it back, so we'll wait out here while you do whatever it is you must do."
Brother Maynard brings you up on what he found. "Our dead friend here has some very unique tattoos and what I first thought was a brand of the death rune. The tattoos are in ancient Vigridian, binding them to the service of Azash. Then under the brand, I found a sliver of a black material, almost like a rock. I have never seen its like before, but it feels off to me for some reason. Like its dirty, a dark presence kind of feel."
"Show it to me!" Khessa exorts Maynard “Within minutes, I can identify it… learn what it's properties are”.
(OOC: She tries to ritual-cast Identify on the sliver of a black material, to learn its magical properties - if any)