Mei shakes her head, a bashful smile tugging at her lips. “I don’t think I could’ve done it without you, Guardok,” she says quietly, watching as Knap stokes the little fire. “I could feel myself drifting elsewhere but then it was like… I could hear your voice again. Guiding me back to the threads.” She rocks to the side to gently bump against the earth genasi, “Thank you.” 

“Do you want to, um—“ she starts, but is interrupted by the Campus Guide. The telltale tug of enchantment magic on her will makes Mei tense and she grabs for Guardok’s hand as he seems taken by it. 

“N-No, it’s okay! There’s no danger,” she insists and looks to Knap for help. “We’ll put it out, sorry!”

((Wisdom save: 14+4 19))

Flames lick upward as Knap leans over and gently breathes onto the embers when suddenly Knap feels the sway of something sway on his… 

wis sav (adv if against spell): 16 and 16 

“oh oh…saaaaawwwryy…I mean…ahhh” Knap begins to blush. 
“it’s just fire” 

and with some attitude he snuffs the fire out in an instant of Druidcraft. 

(Does Mae need to make the save too even though she's not there?)

Quote from Gnomesftw >>

(Does Mae need to make the save too even though she's not there?)

( No - sorry, all the players that are there! )

Guardok, under the influence of the Campus Guide's charm, heads to join the automaton even as Mei grasps at his hand. (Unless Mei wishes to initiate a Grappling contest, he slips free and moves next to the contraption.)  Malvyn, Mei, and Knap all are able to resist the effect, but do feel the strong impression the guide wishes for everyone to follow.  It repeats, "Alert! Fire detected! Please evacuate the area!" a number of times. 

It takes a moment or two for Knap's action to douse the fire to register. The Campus Guide says. "Fire appears contained. Please continue evacuation until the area is cleared. Flare ups are always possible. Please use caution."  Walking backwards, it moves along the pavement, away from the fire's previous location, though it only gets a few steps at it notes not everyone is following.  

"We'd better comply, maybe it will leave if we do." The purple-skinned Tiefling says quietly to the others, quickly picking up the blankets to carry them over one arm, taking Aurora's hand with the other to obediently follow the Campus Guide away from the scene.

"Oh goodness," Mei frets as she collects her things. Which is much harder to do without the assistance of her Helper. Arms full, she waits for Knap then hurries after the others.

"It was a lovely fire," she whispers with a smile to the satyr as they approach. At sight of Malvyn holding Aurora's hand, she does a bit of a double-take before checking on Guardok. 

bedroll slung over his shoulder, Knap relaxes his vexed brow and follows the others. That is until the Campus Guide seems content they’re all following,  at which point he’s slip off the path. 

stealth: 13 

Guardok had continued to follow the mechanical creature as it backed up a little.  He is fine other than the compulsion to follow.  Aurora walks hand-in-hand with Malvyn. Knap moves along slowly followed by Mei, once she has gathered all of her things. Soon the Campus Guide seems satisfied you are all coming and, still walking backwards, makes its way along the path and away from where the fire had been. "Please stay with me. We will gather in a safe area until Strixhaven officials arrive to handle this matter. You are all safe." 

This is just the situation Knap had been waiting for.  He hurries off the path, trying to slip away. The automaton does not seem to notice.  

The Campus Guide continues down the path another 100 ft or so until it reaches a larger courtyard area. "Please remain here while we await further instruction. You are all safe here," it says. 

(Guardok remains charmed for the moment, making a new save only if he takes damage.)

"No problem", Guardok replies, happily waiting with the guide. He is even relaxed enough to finish the pastry he had started.

Realizing Knap has abandoned them to their fates with a little huff, Mei sidles up closer to Guardok and says apologetically under her breath, "This is going to hurt a little, sorry," then gives the genasi a pinch.

Mei's action gives Guardok an opportunity to break the charm once again. (WIS Save DC 11 to break free; also takes 1 hp damage) 

Seeing Knap sneak away, Aurora chuckles slightly. "The satyr might have the right idea, although Guardok there seems to be just following." About that point Mei manages to pinch her floormate. "Ah! Well, Mei had a solution!" 

Leaning into Mal and Aurora, Mei whispers, "Should we, um--" she makes a walking motion with two fingers, "--too?" That thought alone sends a spike of adrenaline--excitement--through her. Ever the rule follower at home, there's a rebellious side beginning to bloom here, no longer trimmed back the moment she starts to grow beyond the confines of the garden.

"On three?" She looks to Guardok as well, hoping he's broken the hold of the charm and ready to bolt.


((Does there appear to be a good place to run towards in the courtyard? An exit opposite the way they came in?
Perception if needed: 19+2 21))

"Ow!", Guardok says rounding on Mei as she pinches him. Realising he was now free to think for himself, he follows that up with, "Oh!".

He gives Mei a smile, "Thanks".

On hearing Mei suggest they run, he nods, and prepares to create the sound of fireworks going off in the opposite direction to where there will head, trying to distract the guide.

The purple-skinned Tiefling looks between Mei and Aurora, seeming to hesitate at first. He was not one to easily break rules, but if he came along he would probably not be able to lie about what happened, so he nods discreetly and is ready to follow along with the others into the night, hoping there would be no major effort made to find them again.

Stealth if needed: 17

Knap trails some distance behind after breaking away from the party. Watching, waiting, and then they’re off. Knap begins to twist the soft sounds of the night air with his druidcraft into a series of owl hoots emanating from the trees above his head. Knap attempts to make the hoots noticibly musical as to possibly draw his companions and not the rule-bot. 

(There are multiple paths leading from this courtyard.  I'll say you can go opposite the way you came from or to either side of that.

Also, Guardok still has to make a Save roll to be totally free.)

(OOC: oops, I rolled it in game log before my post, it was a 19)

Quote from VolcanoLair >>

(OOC: oops, I rolled it in game log before my post, it was a 19)

 (Sorry, should have looked! Not a problem.) 

Hearing the others plan to run, Aurora nods as well. "On three it is." Mei counts and Guardok casts his spell to create the sound of fireworks.  The Campus Guide had already been basically turned in that direction. "Everyone, please stay calm and remain here. I need to investigate."  It starts to head off in the direction you had all previous come from. 

Knap remains hidden for the moment. (Others - are you going to try to hide or just run for it? Malvyn made a Stealth roll, we'll need one from Mei and Guardok if they're hiding. Aurora Stealth: 6)