Nub volunteers to stay with Talis whilst the others talk in another room (concerned that she may just leave) and he says to the rest of the group "I am happy to go with the majority on any decision. I might stay here and talk, if you are happy with that too Talis? I'm not a great conversationalist except about the arcane arts. Fortunately you look to be a practitioner of magic, so we should be able to find something to chat about."
Nub tries to make conversation as best he can (sharing too much information due to low charisma), "That is an impressive looking wand, what does it do?"
After any response from her he continues "I hope you don't have to use it on me, but don't worry, two of my party prefer speaking and negotiating to violence. The other one, he is the one who probably will want to kill you, but the other two can usually convince him to show mercy. I probably shouldn't have said that.... erm..."
"I wasn't familiar with the places you said the teleportation circles went, do any take one close to a town or city? I am looking for fine ink and paper you see. I have some spells I want to copy into my spellbook. I take it from the wand and robes you also use magic, do you have a spellbook or do you get your arcane power other ways?"
Soar pulls close to Jalt and Nate and says, "well, it seems to me we can watch for a doublecross but otherwise go along with some version of her plan, given that's what we're generally looking to do, plus learn what's going on. What do you think?"
Nub, Talis glances briefly at the wand. It has some defensive magic, she says, but quickly moves on to another subject and will not discuss the nature of her magical abilities.
Well, the activation phrases for the teleportation circles are not going to be part of our deal, she continues. You don't need them to fulfill your part of the bargain, and none leads to where the treasure is being assembled. I'm afraid I don't think you will find much of what you want where you're going. Perhaps in Skyreach Castle itself.
Nate didn't hear a lot of the conversation between the party and Talis, although it is clear to him that the party has perhaps struck some kind of a deal with her, or almost. He doesn't really know what is going on, and just follows the party aimlessly into the parlor. He assumed that Talis would be on the "bad side" and just a cultist with the end game of seeing Tiamat's return, but from what he can piece together, it seems we might have some parallel interests.
But mainly, Nate is just trying to keep the attention off of him and where he just was.
"My vote is the double cross." Nate smiles at Soar. "I don't trust her. I am sure an opportunity will present itself. And in the meantime, we can go along with her plan, or some version of it as you say." (let's assume Soar and Jalt filled Nate in on Talis's proposal to partner to disrupt the movement of treasure)
Does Jalt believe anything that she has said? Insight: 21
This is regarding what Talis said in regards to her offer to work together? Your insight tells you that it's a serious offer and you don't think she has immediate plans to backstab you. Jalt wasn't in the room when she was answering Nub's question, so no information about that.
She definitely wants what she's asking for. Jalt replies. Its safe to proceed cautiously because I wouldnt put it beyond her to turn on us once she has achieved her goal. So let us be vigilant.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
"We hold the cards here, so I think it's fine to see where this road leads us. As I told her, violence gets boring after a while. There will, I am sure, be plenty to come,"she says, still close to the others. Then, stepping back and speaking up a bit louder, she says, "Let's try working with her. It could be fun!"and she prepares to head back to the room.
Nub, somewhat oblivious that Talis does not want to share information with him, continues to ask questions (that he would not get answers to). "So who built the teleportation circles? What about the castle we came from, who built that? There was a telescope in one of the towers, had you seen it before? Do you know if it would be fixable if someone broke it?"
[Not expecting answers to these questions and am going to assume that she deflects, just explaining what Nub has been doing whilst the others are in the other room.]
Nub, make a Persuasion check. She is generally deflecting and not interested in answering questions outside the scope of her proposed deal, but let's see what you can glean from her responses.
Assuming the conversation is done, you can knock on the door and the servant will show you back into the room where Talis, still flanked by her three silent guards, waits at her desk, with Nub across from her.
The Farseer, she says idly to Nub as they chat (before the rest of you return). No, I've never seen it or used it. Did you break it? I expect it's been broken and repaired many times.
As you all return, she smiles with little warmth. So what have you decided?
We agree in a partnership. But make no mistake... Jalt pauses If you decide to cross us, we will have no choice but to end the agreement. And at this point in our journey, it won't be without casualties.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
Very well, Talis says. I am not going to cross you. I am simply going to provide you with the information you need, and then remain here. The information will be accurate - for the moment, your interests in stopping or delaying this operation align with my own.
Skyreach Castle should still be grounded near the village of Parnast, a half day's walk from here. If you can enter it, and kill my rivals, I would be delighted. Even if you do not kill them - Rezmir and Varram may simply not be there - causing them to lose the treasure, or the castle, or both, that will be enough to humiliate them and weaken them.
To gain entry to the castle, you will need a banner, which I will provide you, to identify you as allies. You also need a pass phrase, “Tiamat, our Mother and Strength”. There are two statues flanking the portcullis, but they are actually golems. Speak the pass phrase to them in order to pass safely.
I don't know too much about what you will find in the castle, except this: the castle is the property of a cloud giant, and it flies by his command. If you kill him while the castle is in the air, it will likely crash - which may suit your purposes. Or you might bargain with him - I know he has an agreement with Severin, but I do not know the details. Perhaps you can make a different agreement with him.
Nub volunteers to stay with Talis whilst the others talk in another room (concerned that she may just leave) and he says to the rest of the group "I am happy to go with the majority on any decision. I might stay here and talk, if you are happy with that too Talis? I'm not a great conversationalist except about the arcane arts. Fortunately you look to be a practitioner of magic, so we should be able to find something to chat about."
Very well, Talis replies evenly. Please, do take a seat while we wait.
Nub tries to make conversation as best he can (sharing too much information due to low charisma), "That is an impressive looking wand, what does it do?"
After any response from her he continues "I hope you don't have to use it on me, but don't worry, two of my party prefer speaking and negotiating to violence. The other one, he is the one who probably will want to kill you, but the other two can usually convince him to show mercy. I probably shouldn't have said that.... erm..."
"I wasn't familiar with the places you said the teleportation circles went, do any take one close to a town or city? I am looking for fine ink and paper you see. I have some spells I want to copy into my spellbook. I take it from the wand and robes you also use magic, do you have a spellbook or do you get your arcane power other ways?"
Soar pulls close to Jalt and Nate and says, "well, it seems to me we can watch for a doublecross but otherwise go along with some version of her plan, given that's what we're generally looking to do, plus learn what's going on. What do you think?"
Nub, Talis glances briefly at the wand. It has some defensive magic, she says, but quickly moves on to another subject and will not discuss the nature of her magical abilities.
Well, the activation phrases for the teleportation circles are not going to be part of our deal, she continues. You don't need them to fulfill your part of the bargain, and none leads to where the treasure is being assembled. I'm afraid I don't think you will find much of what you want where you're going. Perhaps in Skyreach Castle itself.
Does Jalt believe anything that she has said? Insight: 21
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
"Ive heard it both ways."
Nate didn't hear a lot of the conversation between the party and Talis, although it is clear to him that the party has perhaps struck some kind of a deal with her, or almost. He doesn't really know what is going on, and just follows the party aimlessly into the parlor. He assumed that Talis would be on the "bad side" and just a cultist with the end game of seeing Tiamat's return, but from what he can piece together, it seems we might have some parallel interests.
But mainly, Nate is just trying to keep the attention off of him and where he just was.
"My vote is the double cross." Nate smiles at Soar. "I don't trust her. I am sure an opportunity will present itself. And in the meantime, we can go along with her plan, or some version of it as you say." (let's assume Soar and Jalt filled Nate in on Talis's proposal to partner to disrupt the movement of treasure)
"Where's Nub?"
This is regarding what Talis said in regards to her offer to work together? Your insight tells you that it's a serious offer and you don't think she has immediate plans to backstab you. Jalt wasn't in the room when she was answering Nub's question, so no information about that.
She definitely wants what she's asking for. Jalt replies. Its safe to proceed cautiously because I wouldnt put it beyond her to turn on us once she has achieved her goal. So let us be vigilant.
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
"Ive heard it both ways."
"We hold the cards here, so I think it's fine to see where this road leads us. As I told her, violence gets boring after a while. There will, I am sure, be plenty to come," she says, still close to the others. Then, stepping back and speaking up a bit louder, she says, "Let's try working with her. It could be fun!" and she prepares to head back to the room.
Nub, somewhat oblivious that Talis does not want to share information with him, continues to ask questions (that he would not get answers to). "So who built the teleportation circles? What about the castle we came from, who built that? There was a telescope in one of the towers, had you seen it before? Do you know if it would be fixable if someone broke it?"
[Not expecting answers to these questions and am going to assume that she deflects, just explaining what Nub has been doing whilst the others are in the other room.]
Nub, make a Persuasion check. She is generally deflecting and not interested in answering questions outside the scope of her proposed deal, but let's see what you can glean from her responses.
Assuming the conversation is done, you can knock on the door and the servant will show you back into the room where Talis, still flanked by her three silent guards, waits at her desk, with Nub across from her.
"Alright. Sounds good." Nate is in agreement with working with Talis (for now).
He will follow along back to Talis's quarters, and will remain at the back, not speaking.
Nub's persuasion: 3
The Farseer, she says idly to Nub as they chat (before the rest of you return). No, I've never seen it or used it. Did you break it? I expect it's been broken and repaired many times.
As you all return, she smiles with little warmth. So what have you decided?
We agree in a partnership. But make no mistake... Jalt pauses If you decide to cross us, we will have no choice but to end the agreement. And at this point in our journey, it won't be without casualties.
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
"Ive heard it both ways."
Very well, Talis says. I am not going to cross you. I am simply going to provide you with the information you need, and then remain here. The information will be accurate - for the moment, your interests in stopping or delaying this operation align with my own.
Skyreach Castle should still be grounded near the village of Parnast, a half day's walk from here. If you can enter it, and kill my rivals, I would be delighted. Even if you do not kill them - Rezmir and Varram may simply not be there - causing them to lose the treasure, or the castle, or both, that will be enough to humiliate them and weaken them.
To gain entry to the castle, you will need a banner, which I will provide you, to identify you as allies. You also need a pass phrase, “Tiamat, our Mother and Strength”. There are two statues flanking the portcullis, but they are actually golems. Speak the pass phrase to them in order to pass safely.
I don't know too much about what you will find in the castle, except this: the castle is the property of a cloud giant, and it flies by his command. If you kill him while the castle is in the air, it will likely crash - which may suit your purposes. Or you might bargain with him - I know he has an agreement with Severin, but I do not know the details. Perhaps you can make a different agreement with him.
Nate can't help it as his eyes widen. He keeps quiet and lets one of the others respond, but can't help but whispering "flying castle....?"
(Have we heard of Severin before?)
Talis mentioned the name in your first conversation, but I don't think you'd heard it before then.