The dwarf, who is considerably older than Dekhan, raises an eyebrow. Is that right, lad? Well, I don't know who you are or where you're from or what you're doing in this city...
Make a Persuasion check. Any other member of the party can assist, but let me know how you will assist. (If your assist doesn't work, I'll take it as a straight roll or a roll with disadvantage.)
Incantis steps forward sagely, resting his hand on Dekhan's shoulder with a gesture that clearly displays the instrument hanging around his own neck. "This is Dekhan Vale, sanctified serviceman, protector of balance, hero of Triboar, and a more honorable man than any I know."
Triboar, you say? I haven't heard of trouble there recently... The woman seems uncertain. Look, I'm taking these two into custody. Why don't you come by the Watchpost in the Docks tomorrow and talk to the Captain. She's leading the investigation into all this. Or you can continue by yourselves, I'm not going to stop if you actually can do something. But don't get yourselves killed - these folks are dangerous. Not fools like this, she points to the two kneeling and very scared bandits, but the higher-ups have resources and magic that are causing havoc.
She motions, and two of the guards walk over to the kneeling bandits, manacles at the ready. The captain looks around at the mess the street has become, noting the wet ash on the ground.
Now, why don't you tell me what happened, in your own words.
(You don't need to tell the whole story, just let me know if you're concealing or stressing any particular points.)
Incantis bows his head and mutters a seemingly innocuous eldritch phrase to Dekhan, passing it off as a sacred utterance. It is, in fact, the verbal component of detect thoughts, which he casts on one of the bandits being arrested.
((The one who didn't respond to Dekhan. I want to specifically look for what he's worried his buddy might mention to the cops (I know this might take a subsequent action).))
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Incantis, half-elf warlock (great old one) 4/bard 1 ● Thorok Earthhand, hill dwarf mountain druid 6/grave cleric 2
Cragmyre Ironseed, earth genasi ancestral barbarian 3 ● Cyrus Natriallae, aquatic half-elf warlock of the deep 3
((In fact, reading off this: "You initially learn the surface thoughts of the creature--what is most on its mind in that moment", Incantis will take action))
As he casts the spell on the tighter lipped bandit, Incantis contacts his mind silently. "Hope your friend doesn't spill the beans..."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Incantis, half-elf warlock (great old one) 4/bard 1 ● Thorok Earthhand, hill dwarf mountain druid 6/grave cleric 2
Cragmyre Ironseed, earth genasi ancestral barbarian 3 ● Cyrus Natriallae, aquatic half-elf warlock of the deep 3
Incantis, you get a few jumbled thoughts. Mostly panic, at the capture by the Watch. As your words flow through his mind, he thinks of a burly human wearing similar armour to the two dead bandit captains, but associated in his mind with punishment. He sees the unknown man grab another, much younger man, and snap his neck. You know that this younger man betrayed the gang in some way, or failed something - it's hard to be sure. You get the sense that this bandit fears betraying the gang he has joined, and the consequences of that.
Simple as that, eh? the dwarf does not seem unhappy with Strix's answer. Well, you've killed a few of these bastards and I'm grateful for that. Grateful for the prisoners, too - we'll get something out of them. She smiles nastily at the two young men. We always do.
The guards have the two bandits ready to move.
Well, as I say, come by the Watchpost tomorrow. Can't promise anything, but you can handle yourselves in a fight against them, and that's worth a lot to me. Captain's call though.
She and one other guard leave, escorting the bandits away. Two guards remain; they start moving the bodies into one area, and as the city folk start to drift back into the street, the guards encourage them, speak to them, and reassure them they can do so.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Bandit's WIS save: 6
Incantis, what you see in the bandit's mind is a clear image of him killing the other bandit, then presenting his head to his superiors in the gang and being welcomed back as a hero and promoted. In a flash, this image changes and you see him in a Watch prison cell as it burns and consumes him, he screams and screams and turns to ash. You have a sense that he believes the gang will execute him for betrayal, and he's willing to do anything to prevent that.
Is there an idea in his mind of how exactly he thinks the gang will execute him? Any images he thinks of alongside the idea of being killed, or is it specifically the burning cell? Incantis is also paying particular attention to any faces/insignias or geographic markers (water, buildings, cave walls etc) that come to the bandit's mind when he imagines presenting his teammate's head to his higher-ups, and during aforementioned assassination.
All the while, Zhudala is patrolling the skies above, scouting with her devil's sight.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Incantis, half-elf warlock (great old one) 4/bard 1 ● Thorok Earthhand, hill dwarf mountain druid 6/grave cleric 2
Cragmyre Ironseed, earth genasi ancestral barbarian 3 ● Cyrus Natriallae, aquatic half-elf warlock of the deep 3
Fire, definitely burning alive. The image of the cell is hazy, and is likely something he's constructed in his imagination, but the burning is very real, and you are certain that he has witnessed someone being executed in this manner.
The face of his superior is very clear, and you would recognise this burly, bearded human if you saw him again. You could probably create an illusion of his image, or at least a painting of his image, using the spells you know.
Incantis smiles internally with satisfaction. As a last effort, knowing he can still read the bandit's surface thoughts, the warlock reaches out once more with his awakened mind. "Time to raise security at the hideout, I'd imagine."
Externally he says nothing, letting the vocal conversation between Strix, Dekhan, and the police captain enfold, playing the part of the sagely but innocent bard. His flute hangs visibly around his neck, and the occasional inadvertent mouthing of the words he's telepathing to the bandit Incantis passes off as the forming lyrics of a storyteller's song.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Incantis, half-elf warlock (great old one) 4/bard 1 ● Thorok Earthhand, hill dwarf mountain druid 6/grave cleric 2
Cragmyre Ironseed, earth genasi ancestral barbarian 3 ● Cyrus Natriallae, aquatic half-elf warlock of the deep 3
Dekhan regards the dwarf woman. Answers gained by torture are not always truthful. I can ensure that any answers these men give will be truthful. You can come with us. just in this alley over here, say, I can cast a spell that would compel them to be truthful. Please, I beseech you, what we learn here now could save lives and give justice to those already lost.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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The dwarf, who is considerably older than Dekhan, raises an eyebrow. Is that right, lad? Well, I don't know who you are or where you're from or what you're doing in this city...
Make a Persuasion check. Any other member of the party can assist, but let me know how you will assist. (If your assist doesn't work, I'll take it as a straight roll or a roll with disadvantage.)
((Any assistance, inspiration, or masterminding would be more than welcome!!!) Persuasion 13
Incantis steps forward sagely, resting his hand on Dekhan's shoulder with a gesture that clearly displays the instrument hanging around his own neck. "This is Dekhan Vale, sanctified serviceman, protector of balance, hero of Triboar, and a more honorable man than any I know."
Incantis, half-elf warlock (great old one) 4/bard 1 ● Thorok Earthhand, hill dwarf mountain druid 6/grave cleric 2
Cragmyre Ironseed, earth genasi ancestral barbarian 3 ● Cyrus Natriallae, aquatic half-elf warlock of the deep 3
Triboar, you say? I haven't heard of trouble there recently... The woman seems uncertain. Look, I'm taking these two into custody. Why don't you come by the Watchpost in the Docks tomorrow and talk to the Captain. She's leading the investigation into all this. Or you can continue by yourselves, I'm not going to stop if you actually can do something. But don't get yourselves killed - these folks are dangerous. Not fools like this, she points to the two kneeling and very scared bandits, but the higher-ups have resources and magic that are causing havoc.
She motions, and two of the guards walk over to the kneeling bandits, manacles at the ready. The captain looks around at the mess the street has become, noting the wet ash on the ground.
Now, why don't you tell me what happened, in your own words.
(You don't need to tell the whole story, just let me know if you're concealing or stressing any particular points.)
Incantis bows his head and mutters a seemingly innocuous eldritch phrase to Dekhan, passing it off as a sacred utterance. It is, in fact, the verbal component of detect thoughts, which he casts on one of the bandits being arrested.
Incantis, half-elf warlock (great old one) 4/bard 1 ● Thorok Earthhand, hill dwarf mountain druid 6/grave cleric 2
Cragmyre Ironseed, earth genasi ancestral barbarian 3 ● Cyrus Natriallae, aquatic half-elf warlock of the deep 3
(Which one?)
((The one who didn't respond to Dekhan. I want to specifically look for what he's worried his buddy might mention to the cops (I know this might take a subsequent action).))
Incantis, half-elf warlock (great old one) 4/bard 1 ● Thorok Earthhand, hill dwarf mountain druid 6/grave cleric 2
Cragmyre Ironseed, earth genasi ancestral barbarian 3 ● Cyrus Natriallae, aquatic half-elf warlock of the deep 3
((In fact, reading off this: "You initially learn the surface thoughts of the creature--what is most on its mind in that moment", Incantis will take action))
As he casts the spell on the tighter lipped bandit, Incantis contacts his mind silently. "Hope your friend doesn't spill the beans..."
Incantis, half-elf warlock (great old one) 4/bard 1 ● Thorok Earthhand, hill dwarf mountain druid 6/grave cleric 2
Cragmyre Ironseed, earth genasi ancestral barbarian 3 ● Cyrus Natriallae, aquatic half-elf warlock of the deep 3
Incantis, you get a few jumbled thoughts. Mostly panic, at the capture by the Watch. As your words flow through his mind, he thinks of a burly human wearing similar armour to the two dead bandit captains, but associated in his mind with punishment. He sees the unknown man grab another, much younger man, and snap his neck. You know that this younger man betrayed the gang in some way, or failed something - it's hard to be sure. You get the sense that this bandit fears betraying the gang he has joined, and the consequences of that.
Strix clears his throat and addresses the guardswoman.
"See splosion. Come look. Get jump'd. Bounce back."
He gestures to the bodies, confident he's covered everything.
Strix, Shifter Shadow Monk in Lost Mines of Phandelver ¦ Sihegiall Human Soulknife Rogue in In Search of Molly McGuffin
Simple as that, eh? the dwarf does not seem unhappy with Strix's answer. Well, you've killed a few of these bastards and I'm grateful for that. Grateful for the prisoners, too - we'll get something out of them. She smiles nastily at the two young men. We always do.
The guards have the two bandits ready to move.
Well, as I say, come by the Watchpost tomorrow. Can't promise anything, but you can handle yourselves in a fight against them, and that's worth a lot to me. Captain's call though.
She and one other guard leave, escorting the bandits away. Two guards remain; they start moving the bodies into one area, and as the city folk start to drift back into the street, the guards encourage them, speak to them, and reassure them they can do so.
(You have time if you want, before the dwarf guard leaves, to ask her some more questions or read some more of the bandit's thoughts if you wish.)
Incantis will deffo use an action to probe deeper.
Incantis, half-elf warlock (great old one) 4/bard 1 ● Thorok Earthhand, hill dwarf mountain druid 6/grave cleric 2
Cragmyre Ironseed, earth genasi ancestral barbarian 3 ● Cyrus Natriallae, aquatic half-elf warlock of the deep 3
((What time is it?))
Incantis, half-elf warlock (great old one) 4/bard 1 ● Thorok Earthhand, hill dwarf mountain druid 6/grave cleric 2
Cragmyre Ironseed, earth genasi ancestral barbarian 3 ● Cyrus Natriallae, aquatic half-elf warlock of the deep 3
Bandit's WIS save: 6
Incantis, what you see in the bandit's mind is a clear image of him killing the other bandit, then presenting his head to his superiors in the gang and being welcomed back as a hero and promoted. In a flash, this image changes and you see him in a Watch prison cell as it burns and consumes him, he screams and screams and turns to ash. You have a sense that he believes the gang will execute him for betrayal, and he's willing to do anything to prevent that.
It's after sunset I think, close to midnight.
Is there an idea in his mind of how exactly he thinks the gang will execute him? Any images he thinks of alongside the idea of being killed, or is it specifically the burning cell? Incantis is also paying particular attention to any faces/insignias or geographic markers (water, buildings, cave walls etc) that come to the bandit's mind when he imagines presenting his teammate's head to his higher-ups, and during aforementioned assassination.
All the while, Zhudala is patrolling the skies above, scouting with her devil's sight.
Incantis, half-elf warlock (great old one) 4/bard 1 ● Thorok Earthhand, hill dwarf mountain druid 6/grave cleric 2
Cragmyre Ironseed, earth genasi ancestral barbarian 3 ● Cyrus Natriallae, aquatic half-elf warlock of the deep 3
((I've been rewatching Legend of Korra and Incantis is a spiritbender now lol))
Incantis, half-elf warlock (great old one) 4/bard 1 ● Thorok Earthhand, hill dwarf mountain druid 6/grave cleric 2
Cragmyre Ironseed, earth genasi ancestral barbarian 3 ● Cyrus Natriallae, aquatic half-elf warlock of the deep 3
Fire, definitely burning alive. The image of the cell is hazy, and is likely something he's constructed in his imagination, but the burning is very real, and you are certain that he has witnessed someone being executed in this manner.
The face of his superior is very clear, and you would recognise this burly, bearded human if you saw him again. You could probably create an illusion of his image, or at least a painting of his image, using the spells you know.
Incantis smiles internally with satisfaction. As a last effort, knowing he can still read the bandit's surface thoughts, the warlock reaches out once more with his awakened mind. "Time to raise security at the hideout, I'd imagine."
Externally he says nothing, letting the vocal conversation between Strix, Dekhan, and the police captain enfold, playing the part of the sagely but innocent bard. His flute hangs visibly around his neck, and the occasional inadvertent mouthing of the words he's telepathing to the bandit Incantis passes off as the forming lyrics of a storyteller's song.
Incantis, half-elf warlock (great old one) 4/bard 1 ● Thorok Earthhand, hill dwarf mountain druid 6/grave cleric 2
Cragmyre Ironseed, earth genasi ancestral barbarian 3 ● Cyrus Natriallae, aquatic half-elf warlock of the deep 3
Dekhan regards the dwarf woman. Answers gained by torture are not always truthful. I can ensure that any answers these men give will be truthful. You can come with us. just in this alley over here, say, I can cast a spell that would compel them to be truthful. Please, I beseech you, what we learn here now could save lives and give justice to those already lost.