The Summit Road Campaign Thread

Kaori violently shakes her head, hugging onto the side of Vishal's arm. "No ... bait ... I won't allow it."

 Akuma tilts her head in thought. "It's the best lead we have so far. We might as well try it."

 Taran hesitantly breaks from the group while they plan to head over to Khova, bowing nervously.

"I-I-I'm s-s-sorry to in-interrupt, Ma'am, Es-Esteemed Khova, b-b-b-but in in-investigating the r-r-r-recent k-k-k-killings w-w-we h-have d-d-d-determined th-things th-that a-affect you." Taran nervously looks around making sure no civilians are nearby, "W-We h-have d-d-determined th-the k-k-killer is a sh-shapechanger, l-l-likely t-tall and be-bestial in th-their tr-true f-f-form, an-and p-potentially a-able to t-t-teleport. Th-They-" Taran glances away, forcing himself to continue, "Th-They are al-also a d-d-d-disciple of Nirdaya, an-and ar-arrived here a-a-around th-the s-s-same t-t-time we f-f-fought them in the dr-dream realms."

He nervously adjusts a few vials before continuing on, "I-I-It is n-n-n-not im-impossible th-that Nirdaya kn-knew our in-intended r-r-route wh-when we es-escaped, and s-s-sent th-them to t-t-target you. H-Hoping th-that the other killings w-w-w-w-would mask th-their in-intent until it w-w-was too l-late. O-Or it c-c-could be c-c-coincidence, b-b-but y-y-you d-d-do h-have a h-history with N-Nirdaya anyways, p-p-perhaps you c-c-can offer in-insight into the i-identity of the k-k-killer, or wh-why they w-w-would wish t-t-to ritualistically k-kill w-w-with a bl-blow to the h-heart?"

"An-Any c-clues o-or in-insight m-may help u-us pr-prevent more d-deaths."

Khova blinks as Taran begins speaking, her expression deepening into a frown as he continues. "I see..." She sighs softly. "I doubt whoever this was, they were sent specifically to target me, unless there was something else Nirdaya could also gain by doing this...which I'm not counting out." She rubs her forehead tiredly. "My history with Nirdaya goes back to before the rebellion, I don't know how useful I'll be. I was bound over two centuries ago, so I certainly won't know specific identities, unless it's another immortal, which I don't believe is the case, from your description." She tilts her head. "Nirdaya likes to work with subtler mortals, ones who share his capability and love for manipulating emotion. He and Sharadhuna's quori share that love of subtlety, and she lends him Thousand Eyes agents sometimes, like the one who attacked us at Dar Mirn. He also sometimes works with oni and changelings. Whenever he chooses a protege or elevates a servant, he improves their abilities by giving them a connection to Dal Quor as well, usually to augment their natural abilities." Her frown deepens. "I can tell you one thing, though. If any quori of the Dark had found a way to teleport through the Shroud, they would have immediately informed the Devourer, and they wouldn't be wasting it on one killer. You would have armies teleporting into Adar already. So...they probably aren't teleporting."

" Arfh ! I've had it up to HERE  with this Nirdaya character. Khyber take him and his bleedin' minions ! " Druhdaar grumbles, something along the lines of '(grumble grumble)... some of 'em Quori folks... (grumble mutter grumble)... thorough arse-kicking... (huffing and puffing)...'  before turning towards the others:

" Also: what is all this blathering about Onis, now ? "

“It’s possible he’s working with an Oni or is one.” Vishal tells Druhdaar before asking, “Pride. That’s his biggest weakness. Do you think egging it will sufficiently lead bait him to us?” 

"Maybe. Nirdaya, and anyone he teaches, see Adarans, shifters, Syrks, anyone that doesn't fit neatly into the right part of the caste system, as weak insects deserving only to be used and discarded as necessary. Nirdaya puts his students through months of indoctrination to remove any empathy they might have, so that they can get in the heads of their targets without succumbing to regret for what they're doing. They don't...see you as people." Khova sighs. "Just as pests. Dangerous pests, certainly, and ones worthy of study so that they know how best to eradicate you. But not...anything worthy of keeping around beyond what they are directly needed for. Bait could work, because that often means they underestimate their prey. What would you be baiting them with?"

“She’s agreed to it. And if it’s an oni they can change shape.” Vishal suddenly says aloud to the group. 

Taran bows to Khova, "Th-Th-Thank you, Es-Esteemed Kh-Khova," he says, "I-I-I w-w-will d-d-do ev-everything I c-c-can t-t-to k-k-keep you fr-from c-c-coming to harm."

He turns back to Vishal and the group, "Wh-What's th-the plan? Are w-w-we am-ambushing it i-in a l-location it-it h-has k-k-killed b-before, or s-s-somewhere n-new?"

“Let’s do the cafeteria. It’s open and has plenty of room for us to hide. Everyone should do their best to sew the rumor as much as possible today. After dinner we’ll set up. Any prep try and get done before that. Let’s stop this killer everyone.” Vishal says with a nod looking everyone in the eyes and hoping that he is installing confidence in them. He then let’s out a big sigh and adds, “I also wish to tell everyone. If someone is recently gone, less than a minute, I can bring them back from the brink however, I need 300 gold pieces worth of diamonds to do it. The magic is powerful and expensive. If anyone has any they’d like to donate now would be the time.”

Taran nods, "I-I-I'll k-k-keep an e-e-eye on Es-Esteemed Khova, k-k-k-keep her s-s-safe. I-I sh-shouldn't n-need an-anything else."

Taran mentally cycles through his equipment, a tiny bit of shame in his stance, "I-I w-w-would g-g-give y-you m-money if I c-c-could Vishal, b-but I n-never k-keep c-c-coin th-that could instead be u-used to h-h-help the t-t-team. Y-You m-m-m-might be a-able to s-s-sell on of m-my potions th-though, f-f-for wh-what l-little I am s-s-sure it is w-worth..."

“You’re potions are worth more. I’d rather keep those.” Vishal tells him with a smile. 

Taran nods, "S-Sorry, I-I c-c-can't help, V-Vishal."

You head out to spread rumors around the monastery during dinner.

Mechanic: Okay, I'm going to need a Deception check and a Persuasion check from each person to see how convincingly you can plant these rumors and get people to believe them. If you want to do anything else while spreading rumors, let me know in the Discord before posting your rolls here, please, and I'll let you know what to add to your post.

Taran separates from the group, following Khova. He tried to mostly keep out of sight, helping to keep an eye out for threats, or good locations for her to spread their misinformation campaign.

Stealth: 23
Perception: 24

Before heading out Caelius taps Vishal on the shoulder, "At H-O-Me, I Have 3-0-0 Go-L-D P-I-E-C-E-s. After This, I Will Get It To You."

For the rumors:

Deception: 5

Persuasion: 27

Akuma nods and retrieves her coin pouch from where it is tucked just under her coat, offering it to Vishal. "Here. This should cover close to half. Use it well. No one should die on our watch."

(Vishal receives 136 gold coins)

Akuma then fixes her hair before leaving to help with the mission, making her rounds around the monastery quietly. 

Stealth:24

Deception:20

(Persuasion not stealth. -3 for a total of 18) 

Vishal, using the gold from his teammates and some of his own, buys a set of diamonds worth 300 gold while spreading the rumor around the monastery. 

Deception: 11

Persuasion: 15

Meanwhile, Druhdaar makes his way to the part of the monastery where Ulinaar lives, doing his best to pass as a lone pilgrim recently arrived into the place and making sure to drop the right hints and grumble about a " weird new woman they brought in to catch the killer, say she's some sort of monster hunter and none can defeat her... got some silly name like Kuhra or Khowa or sumthin... " He'll also go close to where Tirani and her cousin are staying and do the same spiel. 

Deception: 12

Persuasion: 17

After he's done with that part of the plan, he'll wait until sunset and find a quiet corner to use his wild shape ability to turn into a fat, hairy street cat. Druhdy Kat will then proceed to Tirani's cousin's residence first, then Ulinaar's.

Moving around the monastery, you all spread your rumors with varying levels of success.

Druhdaar:

After dinner, you all find yourselves in the now-empty cafeteria with Shen and Khova, Tashana having departed to organize the psychics for tonight's rounds. Shen raises an eyebrow. "All right, what prep do we need to set up here? You've got me for about half an hour before I need to start my patrol."