Danon stays hidden out of sight, but he cups his hand to his ear, straining to hear the conversation. Alas, the wind was blowing at the wrong time and he only catches a word here and there, he listens for any tones of alarm or sounds that things aren't going well. He gets ready to rush in if needed. He practices his breathing techniques, and breaths hot air into his hands, warming them up, staying limber.
Perception : 7
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
The mere seconds that have passed since Etriel Darastrix spoke seem like days to her... but she, strong in her elven calm, keeps her smile unperturbed, certain that in a moment the Speaker will provide his answer.
And why should he not willingly accept to hire her, given the possibility, considering that the dwraf provides him with no certainty about the outcome of the election and, even worse, has exposed both himself and the Speaker?
The speaker looks confused, and continues talking in the doorway, not inviting you in. "I am sorry, you must be mistaken. Shandar is an old friend of mine, who used to live here before moving to Good Mead, and we still catch up over dinner when he comes back to visit his family. Or in the case of his current visit, breakfast. He isn't staying long as he wants to make sure he can get back for the election. One of the points he is hoping to use to bolster his votes is an improved trade deal with Targos. We do catch the best knucklehead trout and they make the only decent mead so it made perfect sense. And as his friend, I am willing to give him a better deal than I am with you. Anything else or shall I wish you a good rest in my town?"
Etriel Darastrix quicky ponders, not much convinced trying to read in the other's facial expression or body language signs of lies - or at least unspoken things...
The recent visit of the last messenger did not happen at breakfast for sure! And it had 'shady business' written all over it...
You don't trust him, but you can't see anything in the way he is speaking that you can call him out on, other than that mention of breakfast, though thinking about it, he also hasn't actually seen Shandar yet so maybe the messenger was bringing an invite to breakfast. You won't have any way to prove that until morning.
As far as shady things go, it isn't outright shady for the speaker to favour one candidate over another, but its not the nicest thing. He does seem genuine when talking about Shandar as an old friend.
If anyone has stayed to watch Shandar, he has settled down for the night. It is a long walk, especially for a non-adventurer. Although he is a lumberjack so active and on his feet a lot, an 8 hour journey is pretty much his limit.
Etriel Darastrix concludes that the Speaker truly feels compelled to favor Shandar because of a bond of friendship... and therefore, continuing to propose to replace Shandar, shady or not that the business is, will lead to nothing.
The foreign traveler limits herself to hoping that the two really do not have in mind anything more shady than promises of favors... but for now she suspends her judgment - the elements that have emerged do not lead to a univocal conclusion. "I understand your decision, esteemed Speaker..." she bows respectfully in her farewell "...So I won't ask you for any further attention. Just remember that even if it isn't outright shady for the speaker to favor one candidate over another... it's not the nicest thing either. I respect the value of friendship - and I understand the bond you now profess to feel towards Mr Shandar. But virtue is always in balance. I hope that your friendship for a candidate will not lead you to exceed the limits of the law - or worse, those of the common good. I wish you a good rest in your town too".
After that, the eladrin huntress rejoins the others and updates them, concluding: "Shall we spend the night nearby and spy on Mr Shandar tomorrow? Just to verify that he will indeed meet the Speaker and that they will only talk about trade agreements?"
"Sounds like the best thing we can do at the moment. I'll be able to make someone invisible in the morning." Neldak will try to get a few rooms for them to rest.
"Sounds good. I will have Sparks keep an eye Shandar over night and he will notify me if he leaves his house. I will prepare the spell Augury for tomorrow, in case we need some Guidance from the Moonmaiden"the orc offers before turning in for the night.
Assuming everyone is fine with that plan, Shandar does not leave his house overnight. And in the morning, he heads to the tavern and you do see him and Naerth (the speaker from Targos if I never gave his name before) get a table together and have breakfast together. If someone does try to eavesdrop give me a stealth check (with advantage if invisible)
Etriel knows she can be quieter. The thing that is making her struggle to be quiet is finding somewhere that barmaids won't walk into her as they can't see her either. Despite all that, neither Shandar or Naerth make any indication of noticing her.
All you hear is small talk. Apart from one point where you do hear you mentioned, with them both laughing at your visit the previous night. From the description Naerth gives, Shandar does recognise you and you hear him say about being able to use it to try and damage your credibility in the election as you randomly accuse other Speakers of things potentially damaging existing relations while Shandar aims to strengthen them.
After breakfast is finished, Shandar goes back, packs and starts heading back towards Good Mead
Etriel Darastrix returns from the party and reports what she has heard. "All things considered," she is forced to admit "Mr. Shandar is trying to leverage his friendship with Speaker Naerth, but apparently, nothing more shady than that. It won't hurt to keep an eye on him, but for now we can probably expect at least a fair election".
"However, now that we know what he is aiming for (i.e. the improved trade deal with Targos)" the foreign traveler reasons. "So, we can try to figure out what to do to beat his offer. On the one hand, we've proven ourselves more capable than he is at defending the city from threats, considering we risked our lives to retrieve the mead, not him. Plus, we've brought word of the miraculous spring sacred to Silvanus... its waters could not only help those in Good Mead, but also become a pilgrimage site for other cities (and consequently increase tourism and trade) if we spread the word. We should still be ahead in a fair election. Can you think of anything else?"
Anyway, as Shandar heads back to Good Mead, the eladrin huntress suggests following him again - there shouldn't be much else left to do in Targos, especially considering that city's Speaker favors the other candidate.
"It doesn't bode well that they will try to damage our credibility, after all we've done for Good Mead. If you think we should had back I'll follow your lead Etriel.". Neldak bundles up ready to face the cold again.
Etriel Darastrix returns from the party and reports what she has heard. "All things considered," she is forced to admit "Mr. Shandar is trying to leverage his friendship with Speaker Naerth, but apparently, nothing more shady than that. It won't hurt to keep an eye on him, but for now we can probably expect at least a fair election".
"However, now that we know what he is aiming for (i.e. the improved trade deal with Targos)" the foreign traveler reasons. "So, we can try to figure out what to do to beat his offer. On the one hand, we've proven ourselves more capable than he is at defending the city from threats, considering we risked our lives to retrieve the mead, not him. Plus, we've brought word of the miraculous spring sacred to Silvanus... its waters could not only help those in Good Mead, but also become a pilgrimage site for other cities (and consequently increase tourism and trade) if we spread the word. We should still be ahead in a fair election. Can you think of anything else?"
Anyway, as Shandar heads back to Good Mead, the eladrin huntress suggests following him again - there shouldn't be much else left to do in Targos, especially considering that city's Speaker favors the other candidate.
Danon is frustrated that they couldn’t find any other misdeeds by Shandar to strengthen their position, but he acknowledges the points. “Well, we ended the threat of those two Verbeegs. The fact that they are not threatening trade and travel anymore should certainly help. Arrggh, let’s head back to Good Mead and follow him. Make sure he doesn’t meet up with anyone else.” Danon is ready to head back with everyone.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
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Danon stays hidden out of sight, but he cups his hand to his ear, straining to hear the conversation. Alas, the wind was blowing at the wrong time and he only catches a word here and there, he listens for any tones of alarm or sounds that things aren't going well. He gets ready to rush in if needed. He practices his breathing techniques, and breaths hot air into his hands, warming them up, staying limber.
Perception : 7
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
The mere seconds that have passed since Etriel Darastrix spoke seem like days to her... but she, strong in her elven calm, keeps her smile unperturbed, certain that in a moment the Speaker will provide his answer.
And why should he not willingly accept to hire her, given the possibility, considering that the dwraf provides him with no certainty about the outcome of the election and, even worse, has exposed both himself and the Speaker?
The speaker looks confused, and continues talking in the doorway, not inviting you in. "I am sorry, you must be mistaken. Shandar is an old friend of mine, who used to live here before moving to Good Mead, and we still catch up over dinner when he comes back to visit his family. Or in the case of his current visit, breakfast. He isn't staying long as he wants to make sure he can get back for the election. One of the points he is hoping to use to bolster his votes is an improved trade deal with Targos. We do catch the best knucklehead trout and they make the only decent mead so it made perfect sense. And as his friend, I am willing to give him a better deal than I am with you. Anything else or shall I wish you a good rest in my town?"
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Etriel Darastrix quicky ponders, not much convinced trying to read in the other's facial expression or body language signs of lies - or at least unspoken things...
The recent visit of the last messenger did not happen at breakfast for sure! And it had 'shady business' written all over it...
Guided Insight: 18
You don't trust him, but you can't see anything in the way he is speaking that you can call him out on, other than that mention of breakfast, though thinking about it, he also hasn't actually seen Shandar yet so maybe the messenger was bringing an invite to breakfast. You won't have any way to prove that until morning.
As far as shady things go, it isn't outright shady for the speaker to favour one candidate over another, but its not the nicest thing. He does seem genuine when talking about Shandar as an old friend.
If anyone has stayed to watch Shandar, he has settled down for the night. It is a long walk, especially for a non-adventurer. Although he is a lumberjack so active and on his feet a lot, an 8 hour journey is pretty much his limit.
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Etriel Darastrix concludes that the Speaker truly feels compelled to favor Shandar because of a bond of friendship... and therefore, continuing to propose to replace Shandar, shady or not that the business is, will lead to nothing.
The foreign traveler limits herself to hoping that the two really do not have in mind anything more shady than promises of favors... but for now she suspends her judgment - the elements that have emerged do not lead to a univocal conclusion. "I understand your decision, esteemed Speaker..." she bows respectfully in her farewell "...So I won't ask you for any further attention. Just remember that even if it isn't outright shady for the speaker to favor one candidate over another... it's not the nicest thing either. I respect the value of friendship - and I understand the bond you now profess to feel towards Mr Shandar. But virtue is always in balance. I hope that your friendship for a candidate will not lead you to exceed the limits of the law - or worse, those of the common good. I wish you a good rest in your town too".
After that, the eladrin huntress rejoins the others and updates them, concluding: "Shall we spend the night nearby and spy on Mr Shandar tomorrow? Just to verify that he will indeed meet the Speaker and that they will only talk about trade agreements?"
"Sounds like the best thing we can do at the moment. I'll be able to make someone invisible in the morning." Neldak will try to get a few rooms for them to rest.
"Sounds good. I will have Sparks keep an eye Shandar over night and he will notify me if he leaves his house. I will prepare the spell Augury for tomorrow, in case we need some Guidance from the Moonmaiden" the orc offers before turning in for the night.
Assuming everyone is fine with that plan, Shandar does not leave his house overnight. And in the morning, he heads to the tavern and you do see him and Naerth (the speaker from Targos if I never gave his name before) get a table together and have breakfast together. If someone does try to eavesdrop give me a stealth check (with advantage if invisible)
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Neldak will cast invisibility on whoever wants to eavesdrop to give advantage.
I'll assume there are much stealthier folk then the female orc in armor.
Etirel Darastrix seeks Guidance from Sehanine Moonbow, accepts Neldak's Invisibility, then tries to stealth to eavesdrop!
Etirel's 'Guided' Stealth while Invisible: 28
Etriel knows she can be quieter. The thing that is making her struggle to be quiet is finding somewhere that barmaids won't walk into her as they can't see her either. Despite all that, neither Shandar or Naerth make any indication of noticing her.
All you hear is small talk. Apart from one point where you do hear you mentioned, with them both laughing at your visit the previous night. From the description Naerth gives, Shandar does recognise you and you hear him say about being able to use it to try and damage your credibility in the election as you randomly accuse other Speakers of things potentially damaging existing relations while Shandar aims to strengthen them.
After breakfast is finished, Shandar goes back, packs and starts heading back towards Good Mead
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Neldak will glance over occasionally from the group's spot as he maintains concentration on the spell and waits for Etriel's return.
Etriel Darastrix returns from the party and reports what she has heard. "All things considered," she is forced to admit "Mr. Shandar is trying to leverage his friendship with Speaker Naerth, but apparently, nothing more shady than that. It won't hurt to keep an eye on him, but for now we can probably expect at least a fair election".
"However, now that we know what he is aiming for (i.e. the improved trade deal with Targos)" the foreign traveler reasons. "So, we can try to figure out what to do to beat his offer. On the one hand, we've proven ourselves more capable than he is at defending the city from threats, considering we risked our lives to retrieve the mead, not him. Plus, we've brought word of the miraculous spring sacred to Silvanus... its waters could not only help those in Good Mead, but also become a pilgrimage site for other cities (and consequently increase tourism and trade) if we spread the word. We should still be ahead in a fair election. Can you think of anything else?"
Anyway, as Shandar heads back to Good Mead, the eladrin huntress suggests following him again - there shouldn't be much else left to do in Targos, especially considering that city's Speaker favors the other candidate.
"It doesn't bode well that they will try to damage our credibility, after all we've done for Good Mead. If you think we should had back I'll follow your lead Etriel.". Neldak bundles up ready to face the cold again.
The journey back is uneventful (unless anyone wants to do anything involving Shandar)
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Danon is frustrated that they couldn’t find any other misdeeds by Shandar to strengthen their position, but he acknowledges the points. “Well, we ended the threat of those two Verbeegs. The fact that they are not threatening trade and travel anymore should certainly help. Arrggh, let’s head back to Good Mead and follow him. Make sure he doesn’t meet up with anyone else.” Danon is ready to head back with everyone.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.