Salamir nods back to Persephone, remaining wary but simply observing the rest of the service. He notices the lack of elders, but also checks for children.
"Someone's just warned us to leave," Constance whispers at the dwarf, then waits a moment longer to see if there is any further Messages in response to her questions.
Slightly distracted and covertly glancing around for any sign of the Messager, she asks quietly, "Do you think it worthwhile to follow the trail? See where they've taken it?"
"'Expecting us to!' Well, Mr. Drunksong, they can kiss. My. Dusty. Backcover! We do not answer to zealots," Alphinius harrumphs.
At Rammand's mention of it, however, Constance glances over her shoulder at the temple to check for any paladins that might be watching. "I should think we have until Ed returns at the very least. Perhaps I could--" she doesn't finish the thought, instead taking Alphinius out from his holster and flipping through the pages.
"Arcane lenses?"
"Yes. The ritual."
"We don't have time for a ritual, dear," he scoffs, flipping the pages out from under her hands to then boast, "What would you do without me?" An arcane sigil lights up on the page, reflected in Constance's glasses. The reflections becomes two separate sigils that rotate on the lenses, reflected further still in her eyes. Constance blinks once, twice, her eyes adjusting, then looks around for any magical auras.
((Will use her subclass feature Awakened Spellbook: "When you cast a wizard spell as a ritual, you can use the spell’s normal casting time. You regain use of this feature when you finish a long rest," to cast Detect Magic. She'll be on the lookout for auras out of the ordinary, definitely look at the tree, the temple, and the braziers especially.))
Salamir doesn't see any children either. It seems a mix of young adults and middle-aged folks.
Outside....
Constance glances around at can make put the faint aura of necomantic energy from the tree but nothing else shows signs of magic. She and Rammand then see Ed reappear walking towards them looking a little spooked with their sleek black tail flicking nervously as their ears move at every sound.
"Tavern keep says the horses can stay for three silver a night but they haven't got room for us, " the tabaxi explains with a shrug. "Find anything here," Ed asks still flicking their tail and on high alert.
The service doesn't look like it's ending any time soon and so far the other members of the party have yet to arrive. Salamir notices a young half-orc woman looking at him pretty hard beforeglancing at Persephone. The half-orc woman has a muscular frame from years of hard work. She's also wearing a leather apron and looks a bit covered in soot but her face and hands are clean. As an hour passes she then sighs audibly before standing up to her full 6 foot of height. No one seems to look up at her however as she begins to leave service. Salamir sees that no one seems to stop her either. One of the paladins at the door blocking the exit evens steps aside pushing the door open ahead of her. The half-orc woman then exits and the paladin closes the door shutting out the wafting smell of rotted eggs!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Rammand nods towards the track made by the felled tree. “Tree got chopped down and dragged off. Not sure why yet, but the axe head stuck in the stump has Dawnfather markings.” He takes a few steps towards the temple before stopping. ”Oh, and a voice is warning Constance that we should leave.”
"Necromancy?" Constance squints at the stump, brows knit tightly together in thought. She stoops to break off a piece of bark from the tree then quickly deposits it in a small muslin pouch in her bag.
To Ed she replies, "Perhaps. The tree is emanating traces of necromancy. Though we're finding far more questions than answers." To Rammand's explanation she adds, "And yes. A soft warning. I believe their words were "'they'll get you.' I attempted to continue contact, but haven't heard anything since. Though now I am to wonder if it was a genuine warning or someone simply trying to scare us off..."
As they walk back towards the temple, Constance glances about and, if no one else is around, will extinguish the flames in one of the braziers with a muttered incantation and a flick of her fingers. Just to see what happens. One must have a control in an experiment, after all.
((Can Constance insight check the voice and the warning? Did it seem genuine? And it sound like it was from an adult or a child? Insight: (18+2) 20))
((And did the braziers give off any sort of magical aura as they approached the temple?))
Seeing the Half-Orc woman simply stand and leave, Salamir nudges Persephone and nods towards her.
"I think it is time we leave as well, we aren't getting anything useful by staying and the others must be up to something interesting seeing as they haven't joined us", he whispers.
With that said, he too stands up, makes sure Persephone is joining him and makes to leave the service.
Constance deposits the bark in her pouch stowing it away and focuses on her memory of the voice. It was genuine warning of a child-like voice. Their intention was most definitely to protect Constance!
Approaching the temple Constance is hit with a barrage of warding magic. It's all divine in nature but ajuration at its core. As for the braizer. It's a contradiction. It gives off no magic aura at all. Dousing the braizer however does gain the notice of a paladin that was out of sight line of Constance, Ed, and Rammand.
"Hey! You three," the woman calls moving towards the party in full armor holding a lit torch aloft! "What is the meaning of this, " she demands lighting the braizer again her stance and expression combative!
Inside....
Approaching the doors of the temple the paladins hold up their hand as Salamir and Persephone apporach.
"Service hasn't ended," the half-orc from earlier says blocking the exit. "Please take a seat," he adds.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Constance's eyes dart about at the warding magics, more pieces of the puzzle added to the pile.
As the woman calls her out, she jumps slightly and looks abashed. "Oh, dear me! No harm meant, Ser. Just trying to get to the source of this foul stench! It's a dreadful assault on the senses," she says, making a show of waving her hand in front of her nose. It's a genuine inquiry when she next asks, "Are they quite important then?"
((Is this woman's armor similar to that of the High Warden and her paladin companions?)) ((Also, crap, sorry!! Forgot to roll that earlier Insight at disadvantage! I rolled again and got a 7 wah.))
Salamir leans in closer to the Half -Orc Paladin blocking their way so he can speak in low tones so as not to disturb the service.
"I think we get the gist of the sermon and have seen and heard enough. If you would be so kind as to allow us to leave, as I am sure you really don't want to cause a scene by forcibly denying us the right to leave peacefully".
Intimidation / Persuasion (whichever the DM deems the above is): 18+7=25
Persephone has heard the woman giving the most powerful amd charismatic speech about coordinating an effort to bring the Dawn Father's light into the darker places of the community. This seems to be the new focus. The congregation looks at the floor not at the priest.
"Seems like you both need go hear High Priest Winters out. You were so curious to help. Isn't that what you claimed," the half-orc paladin says with a tusky smirk looking at his human male companion at the back of the church. "The blacksmith is on church business, " he then qualifies Persephone's statement. "Arming us and the village...from the...wolves," he adds quickly composing his stumble.
His companion grips a spear but watches from their post as Persephone takes a seat.
OOC too late to retcon now lolz
Outside...
"So I am told," the female paladin replies. "Old warding remedy for spirits, " she adds looking over Constance, Ed, and Rammand. "Why aren't you in the..." sje pauses as the temple door opens and the female half-orc blacksmith comes out.
She doesn't pause but moves quickly out and away from the temple towards a building with the blackest smoke coming from it's chimneys. There are two peaking out over a one story building that's more barn than anything.
(OOC: It is a low, cold tone, probably quieter even than before. It would likely be more persuasion, as in ‘are you serious!?’ . He is not trying to be threatening)
"I'll let you pass," the half-orc replies to Salamir. "You don't belong to the village. That's obvious. I'd advise you and your friends to see to the return the Gunnulfs then move on, " the paladin explains his voice tinged with concern.
His partner then pushes ths door open to let you and Persephone pass. The rotten egg smell wafting in as raised voices come from outside into the temple.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
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Salamir nods back to Persephone, remaining wary but simply observing the rest of the service. He notices the lack of elders, but also checks for children.
(OOC: @DM any children in the congragation?)
"Someone's just warned us to leave," Constance whispers at the dwarf, then waits a moment longer to see if there is any further Messages in response to her questions.
Slightly distracted and covertly glancing around for any sign of the Messager, she asks quietly, "Do you think it worthwhile to follow the trail? See where they've taken it?"
Rammand gives its some thought. “Not right now. If one person is watching, more could be watching. Besides, they are expecting us to head inside.”
"'Expecting us to!' Well, Mr. Drunksong, they can kiss. My. Dusty. Backcover! We do not answer to zealots," Alphinius harrumphs.
At Rammand's mention of it, however, Constance glances over her shoulder at the temple to check for any paladins that might be watching. "I should think we have until Ed returns at the very least. Perhaps I could--" she doesn't finish the thought, instead taking Alphinius out from his holster and flipping through the pages.
"Arcane lenses?"
"Yes. The ritual."
"We don't have time for a ritual, dear," he scoffs, flipping the pages out from under her hands to then boast, "What would you do without me?" An arcane sigil lights up on the page, reflected in Constance's glasses. The reflections becomes two separate sigils that rotate on the lenses, reflected further still in her eyes. Constance blinks once, twice, her eyes adjusting, then looks around for any magical auras.
((Will use her subclass feature Awakened Spellbook: "When you cast a wizard spell as a ritual, you can use the spell’s normal casting time. You regain use of this feature when you finish a long rest," to cast Detect Magic. She'll be on the lookout for auras out of the ordinary, definitely look at the tree, the temple, and the braziers especially.))
Salamir doesn't see any children either. It seems a mix of young adults and middle-aged folks.
Outside....
Constance glances around at can make put the faint aura of necomantic energy from the tree but nothing else shows signs of magic. She and Rammand then see Ed reappear walking towards them looking a little spooked with their sleek black tail flicking nervously as their ears move at every sound.
"Tavern keep says the horses can stay for three silver a night but they haven't got room for us, " the tabaxi explains with a shrug. "Find anything here," Ed asks still flicking their tail and on high alert.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Unless something even more unusual happens, Salamir simply waits for the service to end.
The service doesn't look like it's ending any time soon and so far the other members of the party have yet to arrive. Salamir notices a young half-orc woman looking at him pretty hard beforeglancing at Persephone. The half-orc woman has a muscular frame from years of hard work. She's also wearing a leather apron and looks a bit covered in soot but her face and hands are clean. As an hour passes she then sighs audibly before standing up to her full 6 foot of height. No one seems to look up at her however as she begins to leave service. Salamir sees that no one seems to stop her either. One of the paladins at the door blocking the exit evens steps aside pushing the door open ahead of her. The half-orc woman then exits and the paladin closes the door shutting out the wafting smell of rotted eggs!
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Rammand nods towards the track made by the felled tree. “Tree got chopped down and dragged off. Not sure why yet, but the axe head stuck in the stump has Dawnfather markings.” He takes a few steps towards the temple before stopping. ”Oh, and a voice is warning Constance that we should leave.”
"Necromancy?" Constance squints at the stump, brows knit tightly together in thought. She stoops to break off a piece of bark from the tree then quickly deposits it in a small muslin pouch in her bag.
To Ed she replies, "Perhaps. The tree is emanating traces of necromancy. Though we're finding far more questions than answers." To Rammand's explanation she adds, "And yes. A soft warning. I believe their words were "'they'll get you.' I attempted to continue contact, but haven't heard anything since. Though now I am to wonder if it was a genuine warning or someone simply trying to scare us off..."
As they walk back towards the temple, Constance glances about and, if no one else is around, will extinguish the flames in one of the braziers with a muttered incantation and a flick of her fingers. Just to see what happens. One must have a control in an experiment, after all.
((Can Constance insight check the voice and the warning? Did it seem genuine? And it sound like it was from an adult or a child?
Insight: (18+2) 20))
((And did the braziers give off any sort of magical aura as they approached the temple?))
Seeing the Half-Orc woman simply stand and leave, Salamir nudges Persephone and nods towards her.
"I think it is time we leave as well, we aren't getting anything useful by staying and the others must be up to something interesting seeing as they haven't joined us", he whispers.
With that said, he too stands up, makes sure Persephone is joining him and makes to leave the service.
Persephone stands to leave with him.
Constance deposits the bark in her pouch stowing it away and focuses on her memory of the voice. It was genuine warning of a child-like voice. Their intention was most definitely to protect Constance!
Approaching the temple Constance is hit with a barrage of warding magic. It's all divine in nature but ajuration at its core. As for the braizer. It's a contradiction. It gives off no magic aura at all. Dousing the braizer however does gain the notice of a paladin that was out of sight line of Constance, Ed, and Rammand.
"Hey! You three," the woman calls moving towards the party in full armor holding a lit torch aloft! "What is the meaning of this, " she demands lighting the braizer again her stance and expression combative!
Inside....
Approaching the doors of the temple the paladins hold up their hand as Salamir and Persephone apporach.
"Service hasn't ended," the half-orc from earlier says blocking the exit. "Please take a seat," he adds.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Constance's eyes dart about at the warding magics, more pieces of the puzzle added to the pile.
As the woman calls her out, she jumps slightly and looks abashed. "Oh, dear me! No harm meant, Ser. Just trying to get to the source of this foul stench! It's a dreadful assault on the senses," she says, making a show of waving her hand in front of her nose. It's a genuine inquiry when she next asks, "Are they quite important then?"
((Is this woman's armor similar to that of the High Warden and her paladin companions?))
((Also, crap, sorry!! Forgot to roll that earlier Insight at disadvantage! I rolled again and got a 7 wah.))
(Has the priestess been talking (sermonizing) the whole time? Just clarifying as the comments & descriptions have focused on the congregation)
"Sorry" Persephone whispers. "We thought it was wrapping up when she left" & sits in a rear pew.
Salamir leans in closer to the Half -Orc Paladin blocking their way so he can speak in low tones so as not to disturb the service.
"I think we get the gist of the sermon and have seen and heard enough. If you would be so kind as to allow us to leave, as I am sure you really don't want to cause a scene by forcibly denying us the right to leave peacefully".
Intimidation / Persuasion (whichever the DM deems the above is): 18+7=25
Persephone has heard the woman giving the most powerful amd charismatic speech about coordinating an effort to bring the Dawn Father's light into the darker places of the community. This seems to be the new focus. The congregation looks at the floor not at the priest.
"Seems like you both need go hear High Priest Winters out. You were so curious to help. Isn't that what you claimed," the half-orc paladin says with a tusky smirk looking at his human male companion at the back of the church. "The blacksmith is on church business, " he then qualifies Persephone's statement. "Arming us and the village...from the...wolves," he adds quickly composing his stumble.
His companion grips a spear but watches from their post as Persephone takes a seat.
OOC too late to retcon now lolz
Outside...
"So I am told," the female paladin replies. "Old warding remedy for spirits, " she adds looking over Constance, Ed, and Rammand. "Why aren't you in the..." sje pauses as the temple door opens and the female half-orc blacksmith comes out.
She doesn't pause but moves quickly out and away from the temple towards a building with the blackest smoke coming from it's chimneys. There are two peaking out over a one story building that's more barn than anything.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
“As I said, I have heard enough. Are you telling me that I am not allowed to leave of my own free will”, Salamir responds icily.
OOC Salamir needs to pick whether it's intimidation or persuasion, there's different consequences for both.
What tone is Salamir using? What's his volume of the second statement?
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
(OOC: It is a low, cold tone, probably quieter even than before. It would likely be more persuasion, as in ‘are you serious!?’ . He is not trying to be threatening)
"I'll let you pass," the half-orc replies to Salamir. "You don't belong to the village. That's obvious. I'd advise you and your friends to see to the return the Gunnulfs then move on, " the paladin explains his voice tinged with concern.
His partner then pushes ths door open to let you and Persephone pass. The rotten egg smell wafting in as raised voices come from outside into the temple.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.