Theldrin stands and lowering his voice to a whisper, shares with the others what he heard.
Xanrym nods. He says, "Could be cultists, but why bar the door from the outside? Hopefully, this is where they keep the Orlaners who haven't been turned yet." He sets down his lantern and remains about 5' - 10' away from the door so that that Avery or Liarin have room to open the door and deal with whatever they find. In case there are guards or another monster on the other side, Xanrym gets ready to fire his crossbow and nods to Avery/Liarin when he's ready for them to open the door.
Action: Ready a spell True Strike with Attack, Crossbow, Light (80/320): 23, Damage: 9 (radiant) Trigger: fire at anything that immediately attacks them when they open the door.
When they do so the room beyond opens up to reveal a small desk in front of 5 cells, only two of them are currently occupied. One of the cells contains a tiefling woman with dark red skin and slightly lighter red horns. She looks up with dark eyes as you enter, then looks back down, never changing her expression.
The other cell contains three people, two of them are clearly brother and sister, young children cowering in the corner. While the third person standing in front of the children defensively is one you recognise, Zakarius Ormond, the mayor of Orlane. He puts a hand up to shield himself from the light and then squints to get a better look, "Can it be? You've come, by the gods you've come into the naga's lair. I have never been so happy to see a friendly face. Quick, unlock the cell here, the keys are just there in the desk."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Theldrin quickly scans the room, looking for anything of interest. He meets the mayor's gaze with a polite smile, giving him a quick bow. Then his attention turns towards the tiefling as he tries to get a sense if the woman seems like a threat.
The other cell contains three people, two of them are clearly brother and sister, young children cowering in the corner. While the third person standing in front of the children defensively is one you recognise, Zakarius Ormond, the mayor of Orlane. He puts a hand up to shield himself from the light and then squints to get a better look, "Can it be? You've come, by the gods you've come into the naga's lair. I have never been so happy to see a friendly face. Quick, unlock the cell here, the keys are just there in the desk."
Xanrym looks into the room. Seeing no immediate threat there, he says, "Mayor Ormond, I'm relieved to find you alive, but we're all still in great danger. Is anyone injured? Can you move?" While Avery and Theldrin look for the keys, Xanrym says, "We need to get them out of here. At least back up to Heckle for now."
Xanrym stays in the hallway and focuses on keeping watch to the north while the others free Ormond and figure out who the tiefling is. He tasks Toska with keeping watch to the south, back the way they came. Perception13
Now that they've found Ormond, Xanrym really wishes that they knew where the Will-o-Wisp went. He would like to continue to the north to find Garath before the priest has much time to prepare for them, but he knows that they need to get the prisoners out of harm's way. They could send Toska with Mayor Ormond back to the room where they took a Long Rest, but he's worried that the Will-o-Wisp could have floated invisibly back to the previous room and may cause more trouble if it's just facing Toska.
Theldirn sees no sign of interest in the room apart from the people in the cells. The tiefling woman in the cell nods to Avery as she is let out of the cell, and doesn't immediately attack, she just waits outside the cage door. She is athletic and stands very tall and proud, perhaps from some noble descent.
As Avery frees the woman Mayor Ormond winces but says nothing. As you free his cell he makes sure the children come out first, then he follows with his usual slight limp. He announces, "We are fine, I think the cult still wished to use us as thralls. The four of us seem to be the only ones able to resist the naga's gaze, as terrible as it was. But they were going to have another go tomorrow, as they do every day." He bundles the kids together, "You're right the children must be taken out as a matter of priority. But I wonder, do you still wish to strike at the naga? Her ally and priest, Gareth Primo, is just in the room up north. The naga herself is somewhere else down here, next to a big underground lake. We were blindfolded when taken to see her, so I cannot tell you exactly where." He looks at you seriously, "This might be our only chance to fight the naga. A couple of us could surely get the children out of here, while you strike at the priest. Of course the decision is yours to make, if you just want to get out of here we surely could together."
At this point the tiefling speaks up, she has a harsh and authoritative voice, "I for one would accompany you either way. I have a purpose away from this cave, but I also wouldn't mind striking at the bastard Gareth. My name is Nithrissa by the way"
Xanrym confirms for the mayor, "We're glad to rescue you, Mayor Ormond, but we hope to defeat the naga herself to free Orlane from her evil enchantment." He doesn't mention that defeating the naga would also send the red slaad back to its home plane and allow the party to loot the cult's treasure.
As the prisoners leave the room and huddle in the hallway, Xanrym directs the mayor and the children to stand to his south (back the way the party came). Xanrym takes a moment to shake Zakarius's hand as the mayor passes into the hallway. As he does so, he leans close and whispers, "How long has the tiefling been in the cell? Was she already there when the cult brought you here, or did they just lock her up since you arrived?"
Xanrym tries to arrange for Nithrissa to stand to the north of the party in the hallway, separated from the Orlaners. After Avery, he says, "I am Xanrym. We have to move quickly, and we expect to face Garath Primo soon. But you must understand that this will be a deadly fight. He is the head priest of this cult and likely skilled in dark magics. There might be guards or horrifying monsters with him. We may not be able to protect you." He looks the tiefling up and down and asks, "Are you an experienced fighter, or do you have some skill with magic? Have you ever taken a life before?" He glances at Toska to reinforce this idea for Nithrissa since Toska recently mentioned how fighting was different in practice from what she expected.
"Theldrin Osgard," Theldrin introduces himself to Nithrissa, a bit stiffly though not unfriendly. He adds a with a half smile, "We could use all the help we can get."
Nithrissa smiles as Avery welcomes her into the group, "Friend? Perhaps we'll stick with companion for now" But she shakes your hand appreciatively enough.
Mayor Ormond will whisper to Xanrym, "She was with me in my meeting with Explictica Defilus. The naga was enraged when we both resisted her domination, but calmed down when Gareth Primo assured her she could simply try again tomorrow. I believe she isn't with the cult, but I sneaked a look at some markings she has on her arm. I cannot place the symbols, but they were demonic in nature, I would not trust her implicitly." When he says this you do see a small amount of black tattoo on her arm under the shirt.
Nothrissa nods at Theldrin and steps toward Xanrym when he talks, "I am a knight. I've fought in numerous battles both as a soldier and leader. If there is a weapon for me, I can wield it." You see that she doesn't currently have any weapons or armour on her, do you give her any?
Nithrissa nods at Theldrin and steps toward Xanrym when he talks, "I am a knight. I've fought in numerous battles both as a soldier and leader. If there is a weapon for me, I can wield it." You see that she doesn't currently have any weapons or armour on her, do you give her any?
Xanrym glances back at the others in his party and raises his eyebrows questioningly to see whether any of them are suspicious about this tiefling and her intentions. Even if she's not a secret cult member placed her to spy on the prisoners and ruin the party's plans, he worries about her motivations. She could wait until the group is in a sticky spot and then abandon or betray the party for any of a number of reasons. Xanrym delays a little longer to ask her more about herself before they press on, but he wishes that he had a scroll of Zone of Truth so that he'd be more sure of her answers.
"Oh? A knight? That's interesting," Xanrym asks pleasantly. "What lord or land do you serve? Or what military order are you a member of?" If she gives a straight answer, Xanrym glances to Avery to see whether he recognizes the names she gives.
Xanrym checks to make sure that she doesn't think that they're forcing her to come with them: "You know that you're free to go, right? We can give you instructions: the way back to the exit and into the Rushmoors is mostly clear. We would not force you into a deadly fight."
Liaran, shifting back into human form, looks at the tiefling and says, "If you're willing to help, I have no objection." She then summons Asclepius and prepares to go north.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards. DM - The Old Keep
Avery has heard of Iuz from another knightly group from the north east called the Order of the Hart. He is apparently an evil demigod who has recently retaken his kingdom to the north. The Order of the Hart battles against incursions from Iuz into Furyondy, Veluna, and Highfolk. He is also known as Iuz the Evil.
Nothrissa continues"I hope you do not have a problem working with one such as I. Iuz certainly has no ill intention towards the people of Old Keoland... yet."
Avery has heard of Iuz from another knightly group from the north east called the Order of the Hart. He is apparently an evil demigod who has recently retaken his kingdom to the north. The Order of the Hart battles against incursions from Iuz into Furyondy, Veluna, and Highfolk. He is also known as Iuz the Evil.
Nothrissa continues"I hope you do not have a problem working with one such as I. Iuz certainly has no ill intention towards the people of Old Keoland... yet."
Theldrin stands and lowering his voice to a whisper, shares with the others what he heard.
Xanrym nods. He says, "Could be cultists, but why bar the door from the outside? Hopefully, this is where they keep the Orlaners who haven't been turned yet." He sets down his lantern and remains about 5' - 10' away from the door so that that Avery or Liarin have room to open the door and deal with whatever they find. In case there are guards or another monster on the other side, Xanrym gets ready to fire his crossbow and nods to Avery/Liarin when he's ready for them to open the door.
Action: Ready a spell True Strike with
Attack, Crossbow, Light (80/320): 23, Damage: 9 (radiant)
Trigger: fire at anything that immediately attacks them when they open the door.
Concentration: Comprehend Languages
Theldrin nods and moves back next to Xanrym, preparing to shoot a Fire Bolt if the party is attacked once the door is opened.
So I assume Avery or Liarin will open the door.
When they do so the room beyond opens up to reveal a small desk in front of 5 cells, only two of them are currently occupied. One of the cells contains a tiefling woman with dark red skin and slightly lighter red horns. She looks up with dark eyes as you enter, then looks back down, never changing her expression.
The other cell contains three people, two of them are clearly brother and sister, young children cowering in the corner. While the third person standing in front of the children defensively is one you recognise, Zakarius Ormond, the mayor of Orlane. He puts a hand up to shield himself from the light and then squints to get a better look, "Can it be? You've come, by the gods you've come into the naga's lair. I have never been so happy to see a friendly face. Quick, unlock the cell here, the keys are just there in the desk."
Avery will head over to the desk, retrieve the keys, and then unlock the cell. He will also free the other prisoners from their cells.
Theldrin quickly scans the room, looking for anything of interest. He meets the mayor's gaze with a polite smile, giving him a quick bow. Then his attention turns towards the tiefling as he tries to get a sense if the woman seems like a threat.
Perception: 18
Investigation: 10
Insight: 16
Xanrym looks into the room. Seeing no immediate threat there, he says, "Mayor Ormond, I'm relieved to find you alive, but we're all still in great danger. Is anyone injured? Can you move?" While Avery and Theldrin look for the keys, Xanrym says, "We need to get them out of here. At least back up to Heckle for now."
Xanrym stays in the hallway and focuses on keeping watch to the north while the others free Ormond and figure out who the tiefling is. He tasks Toska with keeping watch to the south, back the way they came. Perception 13
Now that they've found Ormond, Xanrym really wishes that they knew where the Will-o-Wisp went. He would like to continue to the north to find Garath before the priest has much time to prepare for them, but he knows that they need to get the prisoners out of harm's way. They could send Toska with Mayor Ormond back to the room where they took a Long Rest, but he's worried that the Will-o-Wisp could have floated invisibly back to the previous room and may cause more trouble if it's just facing Toska.
Theldirn sees no sign of interest in the room apart from the people in the cells. The tiefling woman in the cell nods to Avery as she is let out of the cell, and doesn't immediately attack, she just waits outside the cage door. She is athletic and stands very tall and proud, perhaps from some noble descent.
As Avery frees the woman Mayor Ormond winces but says nothing. As you free his cell he makes sure the children come out first, then he follows with his usual slight limp. He announces, "We are fine, I think the cult still wished to use us as thralls. The four of us seem to be the only ones able to resist the naga's gaze, as terrible as it was. But they were going to have another go tomorrow, as they do every day." He bundles the kids together, "You're right the children must be taken out as a matter of priority. But I wonder, do you still wish to strike at the naga? Her ally and priest, Gareth Primo, is just in the room up north. The naga herself is somewhere else down here, next to a big underground lake. We were blindfolded when taken to see her, so I cannot tell you exactly where." He looks at you seriously, "This might be our only chance to fight the naga. A couple of us could surely get the children out of here, while you strike at the priest. Of course the decision is yours to make, if you just want to get out of here we surely could together."
At this point the tiefling speaks up, she has a harsh and authoritative voice, "I for one would accompany you either way. I have a purpose away from this cave, but I also wouldn't mind striking at the bastard Gareth. My name is Nithrissa by the way"
So what will the plan be?
Avery nods to the Tiefling, "Avery is mine, I don't know about the others, but anyone who is an enemy of my enemy is my friend."
Xanrym confirms for the mayor, "We're glad to rescue you, Mayor Ormond, but we hope to defeat the naga herself to free Orlane from her evil enchantment." He doesn't mention that defeating the naga would also send the red slaad back to its home plane and allow the party to loot the cult's treasure.
As the prisoners leave the room and huddle in the hallway, Xanrym directs the mayor and the children to stand to his south (back the way the party came). Xanrym takes a moment to shake Zakarius's hand as the mayor passes into the hallway. As he does so, he leans close and whispers, "How long has the tiefling been in the cell? Was she already there when the cult brought you here, or did they just lock her up since you arrived?"
Xanrym tries to arrange for Nithrissa to stand to the north of the party in the hallway, separated from the Orlaners. After Avery, he says, "I am Xanrym. We have to move quickly, and we expect to face Garath Primo soon. But you must understand that this will be a deadly fight. He is the head priest of this cult and likely skilled in dark magics. There might be guards or horrifying monsters with him. We may not be able to protect you." He looks the tiefling up and down and asks, "Are you an experienced fighter, or do you have some skill with magic? Have you ever taken a life before?" He glances at Toska to reinforce this idea for Nithrissa since Toska recently mentioned how fighting was different in practice from what she expected.
"Theldrin Osgard," Theldrin introduces himself to Nithrissa, a bit stiffly though not unfriendly. He adds a with a half smile, "We could use all the help we can get."
Nithrissa smiles as Avery welcomes her into the group, "Friend? Perhaps we'll stick with companion for now" But she shakes your hand appreciatively enough.
Mayor Ormond will whisper to Xanrym, "She was with me in my meeting with Explictica Defilus. The naga was enraged when we both resisted her domination, but calmed down when Gareth Primo assured her she could simply try again tomorrow. I believe she isn't with the cult, but I sneaked a look at some markings she has on her arm. I cannot place the symbols, but they were demonic in nature, I would not trust her implicitly." When he says this you do see a small amount of black tattoo on her arm under the shirt.
Nothrissa nods at Theldrin and steps toward Xanrym when he talks, "I am a knight. I've fought in numerous battles both as a soldier and leader. If there is a weapon for me, I can wield it." You see that she doesn't currently have any weapons or armour on her, do you give her any?
Xanrym glances back at the others in his party and raises his eyebrows questioningly to see whether any of them are suspicious about this tiefling and her intentions. Even if she's not a secret cult member placed her to spy on the prisoners and ruin the party's plans, he worries about her motivations. She could wait until the group is in a sticky spot and then abandon or betray the party for any of a number of reasons. Xanrym delays a little longer to ask her more about herself before they press on, but he wishes that he had a scroll of Zone of Truth so that he'd be more sure of her answers.
"Oh? A knight? That's interesting," Xanrym asks pleasantly. "What lord or land do you serve? Or what military order are you a member of?" If she gives a straight answer, Xanrym glances to Avery to see whether he recognizes the names she gives.
Xanrym checks to make sure that she doesn't think that they're forcing her to come with them: "You know that you're free to go, right? We can give you instructions: the way back to the exit and into the Rushmoors is mostly clear. We would not force you into a deadly fight."
Liaran, shifting back into human form, looks at the tiefling and says, "If you're willing to help, I have no objection." She then summons Asclepius and prepares to go north.
Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain
Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards.
DM - The Old Keep
Xanrym Persuasion roll: 7
Although due to Silver Tongue that roll becomes a 16.
Nothrissa scowls at Xanrym then softens her gaze, tentitavely answering "I serve Iuz."
Avery History roll: 6
Avery has heard of Iuz from another knightly group from the north east called the Order of the Hart. He is apparently an evil demigod who has recently retaken his kingdom to the north. The Order of the Hart battles against incursions from Iuz into Furyondy, Veluna, and Highfolk. He is also known as Iuz the Evil.
Nothrissa continues"I hope you do not have a problem working with one such as I. Iuz certainly has no ill intention towards the people of Old Keoland... yet."
Avery has heard of Iuz from another knightly group from the north east called the Order of the Hart. He is apparently an evil demigod who has recently retaken his kingdom to the north. The Order of the Hart battles against incursions from Iuz into Furyondy, Veluna, and Highfolk. He is also known as Iuz the Evil.
Nothrissa continues"I hope you do not have a problem working with one such as I. Iuz certainly has no ill intention towards the people of Old Keoland... yet."
And as for accompanying you, she know she doesn't have to, she's said she will if you request it. The choice is up to you.