"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Liira looks up from her writing as Caelius comes in, opening her mouth with a frown. When she sees Caelius's hand signals, her eyes widen. "Caelius says someone named...Riikana? Oh, the water soldier you guys tried to recruit, is here and plans to kill us all. He says we have to get Arthem out of here." She stands, her hands mirroring her words as she speaks. "Where is she? How did you get away? Did you just see her at a distance, or was she close enough to speak with? Did you actually speak with her? If so, what did she say, if not, how do you know her intentions?" She glances at the other guides, who are standing at this point. "Roiin and Likashtai will take Arthem. Likashtai, establish a link with me so we can stay in communication and try to stay within range if possible."
“She gave me the chance to get Arthem to safety. She came very close to me and said ‘I suggest you remove the boy from the camp for this, with a guard or two. He shouldn't have any more nightmares, and I have no doubts that this will end in my death.’”
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Taran was moving, setting his crossbow with one of his Whalloping bolts and palming a flash pellet, hearing Liira's plan he stuttered up, "M-M-Mister Dr-Druhdaar, g-g-go w-with th-them, y-y-you c-c-can cr-create a h-h-hiding pl-place outside of c-c-camp. O-Out of s-sight." Taran put his hand on Arthem's shoulder, "W-w-will y-you h-hide w-with them?"
Liira turns a serious gaze on Taran. "You five know the most about her, you've fought or interacted with her before. And a smaller group is better in case something goes wrong and they have to get to the border fast." She quickly translates Caelius's words (you can all read his spoiler).
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Taran shakes his head, "M-Me an-and M-Mister C-Caelius n-never met her, n-not b-back at the c-city. W-We were w-with you. A-And M-Mister D-Druhdaar c-c-can hide y-you, and k-keep y-your c-c-cover. B-Besides, s-s-something is wr-wrong. Sh-She sh-shouldn't have w-warned us."
Taran heads to a bush, with a good line of sight to the entire camp and hunkers down to wait for Riikana's approach, breathing deeply and becoming the hunter. Stealth: 24
Druhdaar nods to Taran's words but adds under his breath;
" I'll dig a hidey hole for y'all if you want, but then I'm going after that woman. Me and her got unfinished business. "
His voice his calm but his eyes give a cold, disturbing glint.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
' Rogues Will Be Rogues ' (Circle of Fives Admission Rules, § 6 par. IV) " Put It Down. Now. Or Be Sorry. " (D. Khar-Errendis' Reported Tips For Curing Soul Ailments And Assorted Bad Behaviours, v. LIV p.XIII) " Tween thisThy and yonThou, shall I prove to Thee that these art what thou dost see ? " (Grimoire of The Great Pananthyr) " This One has said enough. Now, we fight. This way please ?" (8th Grade Bronze Disciple Raulnar Drohjo, Way of the Open Palm)
"I can hide us easily enough," Likashtai says firmly, having just stood from where she was in either meditation or soft conversation. "If you are worried about security, we will take Ryder with us."
"Wait, what? No, I know Riikana, I'm not-" Ryder starts to protest.
"Exactly. You know her and so you will not be helpful in this circumstance. There are people who can talk her down, you will only be a reminder of the betrayal she believes altavar can cause," Likashtai tells him flatly. She closes her eyes and makes a brief, complex series of gestures in the air before a dark green orb momentarily becomes visible in the center of the clearing before vanishing. "I can now see and hear into this clearing from as much as a mile away. Combined with my mental link with Liira, we will know what happens here as soon as you do. All hands should be on deck here, and Druhdaar clearly wishes to remain. We will go a safe distance away and be ready to flee if things go to Khyber. The three of us are more than capable of protecting Arthem and getting him to the border alone if necessary."
Ryder crosses his arms. "I am not just abandoning Riikana."
Likashtai's head snaps around, and her eyes glow a dark green for a moment. "You will leave with us to keep Arthem safe, or you will be knocked out and become another burden," she says harshly. "You are not a fire soldier anymore. Riikana has no reason to care for you or leave you alive, but you have reason to do the same for her. You will be a liability and only inflame the situation. And we do not have time to stand around and argue. If this goes well, you will be able to talk to her soon enough, and if it goes badly, you can come back for her final words." Her eyes soften. "I promise I can give you that."
Ryder opens his mouth for a moment before closing it and, looking miserable, grabs his sword.
Likashtai sweeps a fierce look around camp. "If an hour runs out, one of us will come investigate. If things have gone badly, we will get Arthem to the border. Now, I suggest you all get ready in case the water soldier plans to spring an ambush on us."
Ryder squats next to Arthem and offers his hand. "Ready to play some grown-up hide and seek?"
Arthem nods and takes his hand quietly, looking around with wide eyes.
Vishal sighs and gets his candle all lit and ready. “She’s seen me and will probably fight me. When the smokescreen goes up run.” He instructs as he gets ready for a fight
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Roiin, Likashtai, Arthem, and Ryder slip out of the clearing in the opposite direction from where Caelius indicated Riikana was. You all settle in to wait...
Maybe five minutes after they depart, there's a quiet rustle of bushes, and Riikana steps out, none of you having seen her approach. Her sword is still in its sheath, and her eyes sweep the campsite, quickly picking out those of you who tried to stay hidden. Her gaze returns to Druhdaar and Vishal, calm and resigned, and she inclines her head, a wry half-smile pulling at her mouth. "Well, congratulations."
"I've fallen from the Path of Inspiration," Riikana says simply. "Alone, I could have overcome the doubt, but now..." She shakes her head sadly. "You've taken another soldier from the side of the light...for now."
"Haven't done anything?" Riikana shakes her head. "Give yourselves a bit more credit, at least. After all, you are guides of the Summit Road." Her eyes turn flinty, her hand moving closer to her sword hilt as she says the word "guides" with no small quantity of sarcasm.
Taran's crossbow never lowered, keeping center of mass on Riikana. "Tr-true, but w-we d-didn't c-cause you to d-doubt Sulatesh. Or c-cause him to tor-torture or k-kidnap ch-children. All w-we d-did w-w-was sneak in an-and bl-bloodlessly re-rescue th-the cap-captives. N-No m-matter wh-what he d-did after, i-it w-wasn't our f-fault."
Riikana shakes her head. "We could trade arguments all day. My Lord does things that you see as terrible in service of the Path of Inspiration, while your fellow countrymen perpetrate horrific dream attacks against our innocents and children. The fact remains that you are Adarans, and I have been ordered by my Inspired Lord to track you down and stop you...at any cost," she finishes simply.
Taran would awkwardly pursue small talk with Roiin. Asking about his interests and such.
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
Caelius walks into camp and looks to Taran,
“We need to get Arthem out of here. Riikana is here. She plans to kill us all.”
Tooltips | Snippet Code | How to Homebrew on D&D Beyond | Subclass Guide | Feature Roadmap
Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Liira looks up from her writing as Caelius comes in, opening her mouth with a frown. When she sees Caelius's hand signals, her eyes widen. "Caelius says someone named...Riikana? Oh, the water soldier you guys tried to recruit, is here and plans to kill us all. He says we have to get Arthem out of here." She stands, her hands mirroring her words as she speaks. "Where is she? How did you get away? Did you just see her at a distance, or was she close enough to speak with? Did you actually speak with her? If so, what did she say, if not, how do you know her intentions?" She glances at the other guides, who are standing at this point. "Roiin and Likashtai will take Arthem. Likashtai, establish a link with me so we can stay in communication and try to stay within range if possible."
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Caelius signs back,
“She gave me the chance to get Arthem to safety. She came very close to me and said ‘I suggest you remove the boy from the camp for this, with a guard or two. He shouldn't have any more nightmares, and I have no doubts that this will end in my death.’”
Tooltips | Snippet Code | How to Homebrew on D&D Beyond | Subclass Guide | Feature Roadmap
Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Taran was moving, setting his crossbow with one of his Whalloping bolts and palming a flash pellet, hearing Liira's plan he stuttered up, "M-M-Mister Dr-Druhdaar, g-g-go w-with th-them, y-y-you c-c-can cr-create a h-h-hiding pl-place outside of c-c-camp. O-Out of s-sight." Taran put his hand on Arthem's shoulder, "W-w-will y-you h-hide w-with them?"
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
Arthem nods, eyes wide.
Liira turns a serious gaze on Taran. "You five know the most about her, you've fought or interacted with her before. And a smaller group is better in case something goes wrong and they have to get to the border fast." She quickly translates Caelius's words (you can all read his spoiler).
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
River looks around from her tree, not seeing Riikana. She then climbs back down with her sword drawn and shield ready.
Dungeon Master - LSoL
Kaori - Battlemaster Fighter 5 / Paladin 2 (Kenku) - TSR
Cherna Godhari - Grave Cleric 4 (Human) - TW
Breena Mahi'ai - Divination Wizard 8 (Halfling) - WoE
Sharyn Savonath - Open Sea Paladin 4 (Triton) - PoPI
Zephyr - Four Elements (Revised) Monk 4 (Air Genasi) - IO
Takeshi - Mercy Monk 6 (Protector Aasimar) - TBW
Avrui Sirsash - Genie Warlock 2 (Wildhunt Shifter) - WotBS
Taran shakes his head, "M-Me an-and M-Mister C-Caelius n-never met her, n-not b-back at the c-city. W-We were w-with you. A-And M-Mister D-Druhdaar c-c-can hide y-you, and k-keep y-your c-c-cover. B-Besides, s-s-something is wr-wrong. Sh-She sh-shouldn't have w-warned us."
Taran heads to a bush, with a good line of sight to the entire camp and hunkers down to wait for Riikana's approach, breathing deeply and becoming the hunter. Stealth: 24
Edit: Perception: 11
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
Druhdaar nods to Taran's words but adds under his breath;
" I'll dig a hidey hole for y'all if you want, but then I'm going after that woman. Me and her got unfinished business. "
His voice his calm but his eyes give a cold, disturbing glint.
' Rogues Will Be Rogues ' (Circle of Fives Admission Rules, § 6 par. IV)
" Put It Down. Now. Or Be Sorry. " (D. Khar-Errendis' Reported Tips For Curing Soul Ailments And Assorted Bad Behaviours, v. LIV p.XIII)
" Tween thisThy and yonThou, shall I prove to Thee that these art what thou dost see ? " (Grimoire of The Great Pananthyr)
" This One has said enough. Now, we fight. This way please ?" (8th Grade Bronze Disciple Raulnar Drohjo, Way of the Open Palm)
"I can hide us easily enough," Likashtai says firmly, having just stood from where she was in either meditation or soft conversation. "If you are worried about security, we will take Ryder with us."
"Wait, what? No, I know Riikana, I'm not-" Ryder starts to protest.
"Exactly. You know her and so you will not be helpful in this circumstance. There are people who can talk her down, you will only be a reminder of the betrayal she believes altavar can cause," Likashtai tells him flatly. She closes her eyes and makes a brief, complex series of gestures in the air before a dark green orb momentarily becomes visible in the center of the clearing before vanishing. "I can now see and hear into this clearing from as much as a mile away. Combined with my mental link with Liira, we will know what happens here as soon as you do. All hands should be on deck here, and Druhdaar clearly wishes to remain. We will go a safe distance away and be ready to flee if things go to Khyber. The three of us are more than capable of protecting Arthem and getting him to the border alone if necessary."
Ryder crosses his arms. "I am not just abandoning Riikana."
Likashtai's head snaps around, and her eyes glow a dark green for a moment. "You will leave with us to keep Arthem safe, or you will be knocked out and become another burden," she says harshly. "You are not a fire soldier anymore. Riikana has no reason to care for you or leave you alive, but you have reason to do the same for her. You will be a liability and only inflame the situation. And we do not have time to stand around and argue. If this goes well, you will be able to talk to her soon enough, and if it goes badly, you can come back for her final words." Her eyes soften. "I promise I can give you that."
Ryder opens his mouth for a moment before closing it and, looking miserable, grabs his sword.
Likashtai sweeps a fierce look around camp. "If an hour runs out, one of us will come investigate. If things have gone badly, we will get Arthem to the border. Now, I suggest you all get ready in case the water soldier plans to spring an ambush on us."
Ryder squats next to Arthem and offers his hand. "Ready to play some grown-up hide and seek?"
Arthem nods and takes his hand quietly, looking around with wide eyes.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Vishal sighs and gets his candle all lit and ready. “She’s seen me and will probably fight me. When the smokescreen goes up run.” He instructs as he gets ready for a fight
Caelius nods and moves towards the edge of the clearing, trying to stay out of sight of Riikana.
Stealth: 5
Tooltips | Snippet Code | How to Homebrew on D&D Beyond | Subclass Guide | Feature Roadmap
Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
River returns to her tree and attempts to find Riikana once more, holding her shortsword ready.
(Rolled a 6 Perception in the Discord)
Dungeon Master - LSoL
Kaori - Battlemaster Fighter 5 / Paladin 2 (Kenku) - TSR
Cherna Godhari - Grave Cleric 4 (Human) - TW
Breena Mahi'ai - Divination Wizard 8 (Halfling) - WoE
Sharyn Savonath - Open Sea Paladin 4 (Triton) - PoPI
Zephyr - Four Elements (Revised) Monk 4 (Air Genasi) - IO
Takeshi - Mercy Monk 6 (Protector Aasimar) - TBW
Avrui Sirsash - Genie Warlock 2 (Wildhunt Shifter) - WotBS
Roiin, Likashtai, Arthem, and Ryder slip out of the clearing in the opposite direction from where Caelius indicated Riikana was. You all settle in to wait...
Maybe five minutes after they depart, there's a quiet rustle of bushes, and Riikana steps out, none of you having seen her approach. Her sword is still in its sheath, and her eyes sweep the campsite, quickly picking out those of you who tried to stay hidden. Her gaze returns to Druhdaar and Vishal, calm and resigned, and she inclines her head, a wry half-smile pulling at her mouth. "Well, congratulations."
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
“Congratulations?” Vishal says curiously as he is prepared to attack.
"I've fallen from the Path of Inspiration," Riikana says simply. "Alone, I could have overcome the doubt, but now..." She shakes her head sadly. "You've taken another soldier from the side of the light...for now."
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
"W-We h-haven't d-done anything." Taran pipes up, knowing his cover was blown anyways. "An-Anything y-you've d-decided is b-because of you. N-Not us."
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
"Haven't done anything?" Riikana shakes her head. "Give yourselves a bit more credit, at least. After all, you are guides of the Summit Road." Her eyes turn flinty, her hand moving closer to her sword hilt as she says the word "guides" with no small quantity of sarcasm.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Taran's crossbow never lowered, keeping center of mass on Riikana. "Tr-true, but w-we d-didn't c-cause you to d-doubt Sulatesh. Or c-cause him to tor-torture or k-kidnap ch-children. All w-we d-did w-w-was sneak in an-and bl-bloodlessly re-rescue th-the cap-captives. N-No m-matter wh-what he d-did after, i-it w-wasn't our f-fault."
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
Riikana shakes her head. "We could trade arguments all day. My Lord does things that you see as terrible in service of the Path of Inspiration, while your fellow countrymen perpetrate horrific dream attacks against our innocents and children. The fact remains that you are Adarans, and I have been ordered by my Inspired Lord to track you down and stop you...at any cost," she finishes simply.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!