When it's clear that Sister Garaeleis going to be alright, Elra gets up and approaches Arvel. Waiting for Zeke to be done chaining him up, Elra places her hand on his forehead and closes her eyes, trying to see if anything was forcing his hand in this case, her other hand in her pocket turning her pearl around in her fingers. "Please don't be secretly evil this whole time," she whispers to no one i particular.
Zeke easily wraps Arvel up in the chain, which seems to squeeze him tightly via magical means far more easily than trying to tie someone up in a more mundane fashion.
Elra casts Identify and finds that the only spell affecting Arvel is Hold Person.
OOC for Zeke:
Good question on clarifying how this chain works. You do not need to make an attack roll, only the contested skill check as a normal grapple would go. I pulled up the grapple rules below and will make the modifications in red.
In this case you would easily have Advantage on the check since the target is paralyzed, so you can save your Rage if you like. In fact I wouldn't even make you roll in this situation. Once Fae's spell drops, I suppose Rage would still help if Arvel tries to escape the grapple. Also, the chain grants Expertise on your Athletic checks when using the chain to grapple, a feature I'll extend to the chain's 'pull' feature as well, to be clear there. (Sorry for any confusion on the chain, along with the struggle to create it perfectly on D&D Beyond. Worthwhile still, I hope!)
Grapple:
If you’re able to make multiple attacks with the Attack action, this Attack replaces one of them. (I'll modify my original 'requires a full Action to grapple' thought on this to say your second or third attack can be the chain grapple attempt, just like a normal grapple. You cannot however use the chain to attack anything once it is already being used to wrap up a target, but you can use the feature to pull things closer, and perhaps eventually use your melee weapon, or throw a javelin at the grappled target, etc.)
The target of your grapple must be no more than one size larger than you and must be within your reach. (The chain ignores all size restrictions.)
Using at least one free hand (chain is two handed, until Ethan gets involved that is!) you try to seize the target by making a grapple check instead of an Attack roll: a Strength (Athletics) check contested by the target’s Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check (the target chooses the ability to use).
If you succeed, you subject the target to the Grappled condition.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Once Elra checks that Arvel isn't under the influence of a spell, Tarja tries to inspect him more closely, while he's bound.
Maybe he's an impostor, like a shapeshifter? Or maybe he's drugged via nonmagical means? Are there poisons that would do this?
Not sure what skill is relevant here - going to roll a d20 19 and let Hex add whatever the relevant skill is. (Medicine or Perception at +7? Maybe Insight at +4, though that seems like it would wait until he's awake. Nature at +3 for knowledge of poisons? Investigation at +0?)
Tarja and the group have some solid theories, but the druid just can't find a cause for this sudden, shocking event. Perhaps Arvel has been waiting for a moment alone with Mr. Rockseeker from the start... Could it be?
When Ethan had joined them, Fae continued to avoid eye contact or looking over to Quinn. She had to keep fighting the urge to move herself away to provide them room.
Fae would stand silently as Elra and Tarja would conduct their overview of Arvel. The silence of their companion weighed heavily on her and the longer they stood without any further indication of his intentions, the more uncomfortable she got.
The wizard would let out a quiet exhale and she’d look over to Zeke. Should their tiefling indicate that he felt he had Arvel comfortably and safely within his grasp, Fae would lower her hand to drop the spell holding their charlatan.
Closing her eyes for a moment, Fae would wrestle with herself, tapping a hand against her thigh as she contemplated. “There is one more thing I can try...” With pained eyes, she’d look to the others for guidance. “I can try detecting his thoughts...” It would go against what she swore she wouldn’t do, invade the mind and thoughts of her friends without their consent. She’d shift a little uncomfortably, knowing Arvel is protective of his mind and secrets.
Zeke would tighten his grip on the chain and nod at Fae's implied question. Keeping the tension on the magical chain, the barbarian would work to keep the Charlatan safe - and away from the vulnerable members of the party.
Should Ethan prefer Fae to wait until after his question to listen in, she would respect that. Then with the okay from Zeke to continue, Fae would cast Detect Thoughts on Arvel. “A copper for your thoughts?” The words would gently leave her lips and her eyes would ink over black once more. She listened.
Ethan just wants answers, I think Fae using Detect Thoughts while the others ask Arvel questions is a great idea. With each question, his surface thoughts are likely to be related to the question.
Once Fae's Hold Person is done, Arvel struggles a bit against Zeke and his chain but makes no headway in escaping. (Not going to make us roll grapple contests constantly every six seconds from now to eternity. You have every advantage from Zeke's strength to a magical chain made primarily for this purpose to a room full of allies. Good enough for me in this case!)
Arvel doesn't reply to Ethan but simply looks at him with a wicked grin. When Fey first probes his mind she does not find what she might expect. Instead of an intellectual thought, a sarcastic quip, or an eloquent plot being revealed she finds a mind she feels she does not know, a mind singularly focused on hate for Ethan and the rest of you and a desire to kill.
Only those looking close enough could tell that Fae’s jaw was clenching and unclenching as her eyes searched ‘Arvel’ before her. She’d take a step closer to him. “Who are you?” The wizard wondered if the focused intent on Ethan was specific, or because he was the one speaking to him. They knew ‘Arvel’ went for Garaele, then darted for Gundren. Fae originally assumed Gundren was his main target, but was it actually Ethan? “Who are you really after?” Or was it whoever was closest? Was he berserked? But Elra and Tarja did not sense anything? “Do you work for or serve someone?”
Arvel does not speak, but just glares at each person who does.
When asked 'who are you?' Fae glimpses the thoughts 'sorcerer' and 'Arvel' in Arvel's mind.
When asked 'who are you really after' Fae glimpses a very specific focus on 'the dwarf'.
When asked if Arvel works for someone, Fae glimpses a brief thought of 'The Spider'.
Having a far superior knowledge of her magical ability to detect thoughts here, Fae suspects that Arvel thinks not answering verbally accounts for silence here, and perhaps does not realize that even thinking about the answers to the questions ever so briefly might be telling.
Fae’s eyes would narrow. “Where is it?” Did they really find the mine?
”Who else knows?” Were they working with anyone else?
Feeling the pain of a headache come on, Fae knew she was at her limit. But she’d try to push it. “What did he find?” She’d focus hard. Did they find something in the mine?
Fae wavered from the onset of dizziness that washed over her. She’d break eye contact, shutting her eyes hard for a moment and bringing a hand to her temple to massage the pain.
Fae's questions continue to prompt no verbal responses but she catches brief thoughts from Arvel suggesting he does not know where the mine is, but that 'the druid' might know when asked who else might. Arvel doesn't seem to know what would be found there, although a general thought of wealth and riches crosses his mind.
When it's clear that Sister Garaeleis going to be alright, Elra gets up and approaches Arvel. Waiting for Zeke to be done chaining him up, Elra places her hand on his forehead and closes her eyes, trying to see if anything was forcing his hand in this case, her other hand in her pocket turning her pearl around in her fingers. "Please don't be secretly evil this whole time," she whispers to no one i particular.
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
Zeke easily wraps Arvel up in the chain, which seems to squeeze him tightly via magical means far more easily than trying to tie someone up in a more mundane fashion.
Elra casts Identify and finds that the only spell affecting Arvel is Hold Person.
OOC for Zeke:
Good question on clarifying how this chain works. You do not need to make an attack roll, only the contested skill check as a normal grapple would go. I pulled up the grapple rules below and will make the modifications in red.
In this case you would easily have Advantage on the check since the target is paralyzed, so you can save your Rage if you like. In fact I wouldn't even make you roll in this situation. Once Fae's spell drops, I suppose Rage would still help if Arvel tries to escape the grapple. Also, the chain grants Expertise on your Athletic checks when using the chain to grapple, a feature I'll extend to the chain's 'pull' feature as well, to be clear there. (Sorry for any confusion on the chain, along with the struggle to create it perfectly on D&D Beyond. Worthwhile still, I hope!)
Grapple:
If you’re able to make multiple attacks with the Attack action, this Attack replaces one of them. (I'll modify my original 'requires a full Action to grapple' thought on this to say your second or third attack can be the chain grapple attempt, just like a normal grapple. You cannot however use the chain to attack anything once it is already being used to wrap up a target, but you can use the feature to pull things closer, and perhaps eventually use your melee weapon, or throw a javelin at the grappled target, etc.)
The target of your grapple must be no more than one size larger than you and must be within your reach. (The chain ignores all size restrictions.)
Using at least one free hand (chain is two handed, until Ethan gets involved that is!) you try to seize the target by making a grapple check instead of an Attack roll: a Strength (Athletics) check contested by the target’s Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check (the target chooses the ability to use).
If you succeed, you subject the target to the Grappled condition.
Once Elra checks that Arvel isn't under the influence of a spell, Tarja tries to inspect him more closely, while he's bound.
Maybe he's an impostor, like a shapeshifter? Or maybe he's drugged via nonmagical means? Are there poisons that would do this?
Not sure what skill is relevant here - going to roll a d20 19 and let Hex add whatever the relevant skill is. (Medicine or Perception at +7? Maybe Insight at +4, though that seems like it would wait until he's awake. Nature at +3 for knowledge of poisons? Investigation at +0?)
Tarja and the group have some solid theories, but the druid just can't find a cause for this sudden, shocking event. Perhaps Arvel has been waiting for a moment alone with Mr. Rockseeker from the start... Could it be?
Ethan looks dumbfounded.
"I...I don't understand...why, why would Arvel do this?"
Quinn hovers over Ethan's shoulder.
"Δεν με εκπλήσσει, απλώς κοιτάξτε τα μάτια τους, άσχημα βλέμματα"
"I am not surprised, just look at their eyes, shifty looking."
Quinn looks around the room at everyone, squinting his eyes at them in suspicion.
Ethan ignores Quinn, still trying to think of a rational explanation for what has happened.
David Gearlock | Human | Artificer | Revenge Heist
Knox | Warforged | Cleric | Shadowthorn's Out of the Abyss
When Ethan had joined them, Fae continued to avoid eye contact or looking over to Quinn. She had to keep fighting the urge to move herself away to provide them room.
Fae would stand silently as Elra and Tarja would conduct their overview of Arvel. The silence of their companion weighed heavily on her and the longer they stood without any further indication of his intentions, the more uncomfortable she got.
The wizard would let out a quiet exhale and she’d look over to Zeke. Should their tiefling indicate that he felt he had Arvel comfortably and safely within his grasp, Fae would lower her hand to drop the spell holding their charlatan.
Closing her eyes for a moment, Fae would wrestle with herself, tapping a hand against her thigh as she contemplated. “There is one more thing I can try...” With pained eyes, she’d look to the others for guidance. “I can try detecting his thoughts...” It would go against what she swore she wouldn’t do, invade the mind and thoughts of her friends without their consent. She’d shift a little uncomfortably, knowing Arvel is protective of his mind and secrets.
just an unstable unicorn.
Zeke would tighten his grip on the chain and nod at Fae's implied question. Keeping the tension on the magical chain, the barbarian would work to keep the Charlatan safe - and away from the vulnerable members of the party.
Once Fae's magic holding Arvel is released, Ethan asks him a question.
"Why Arvel, why did you do this?"
David Gearlock | Human | Artificer | Revenge Heist
Knox | Warforged | Cleric | Shadowthorn's Out of the Abyss
Should Ethan prefer Fae to wait until after his question to listen in, she would respect that. Then with the okay from Zeke to continue, Fae would cast Detect Thoughts on Arvel. “A copper for your thoughts?” The words would gently leave her lips and her eyes would ink over black once more. She listened.
just an unstable unicorn.
Ethan just wants answers, I think Fae using Detect Thoughts while the others ask Arvel questions is a great idea. With each question, his surface thoughts are likely to be related to the question.
David Gearlock | Human | Artificer | Revenge Heist
Knox | Warforged | Cleric | Shadowthorn's Out of the Abyss
(Yes, that would be the intent :). I just wasn’t sure if he wanted a chance with no magical influence first.)
just an unstable unicorn.
Once Fae's Hold Person is done, Arvel struggles a bit against Zeke and his chain but makes no headway in escaping. (Not going to make us roll grapple contests constantly every six seconds from now to eternity. You have every advantage from Zeke's strength to a magical chain made primarily for this purpose to a room full of allies. Good enough for me in this case!)
Arvel doesn't reply to Ethan but simply looks at him with a wicked grin. When Fey first probes his mind she does not find what she might expect. Instead of an intellectual thought, a sarcastic quip, or an eloquent plot being revealed she finds a mind she feels she does not know, a mind singularly focused on hate for Ethan and the rest of you and a desire to kill.
Only those looking close enough could tell that Fae’s jaw was clenching and unclenching as her eyes searched ‘Arvel’ before her. She’d take a step closer to him. “Who are you?” The wizard wondered if the focused intent on Ethan was specific, or because he was the one speaking to him. They knew ‘Arvel’ went for Garaele, then darted for Gundren. Fae originally assumed Gundren was his main target, but was it actually Ethan? “Who are you really after?” Or was it whoever was closest? Was he berserked? But Elra and Tarja did not sense anything? “Do you work for or serve someone?”
just an unstable unicorn.
Seeing that Arvel was awake again, Tarja would try and talk to him as well.
Arvel! What's going on? Are you still you?
Arvel does not speak, but just glares at each person who does.
When asked 'who are you?' Fae glimpses the thoughts 'sorcerer' and 'Arvel' in Arvel's mind.
When asked 'who are you really after' Fae glimpses a very specific focus on 'the dwarf'.
When asked if Arvel works for someone, Fae glimpses a brief thought of 'The Spider'.
Having a far superior knowledge of her magical ability to detect thoughts here, Fae suspects that Arvel thinks not answering verbally accounts for silence here, and perhaps does not realize that even thinking about the answers to the questions ever so briefly might be telling.
Fae’s brows would continue to furrow as she’d try to decipher the first riddle. She’d continue on with her questioning.
”Do you know what’s wrong or what happened with Grundren?”
“Does the dwarf have something you want?”
”Does the dwarf know something you want secret?”
”Where is The Spider?”
”Where will you go from here?”
(8/10 rounds(questions)?)
just an unstable unicorn.
Arvel grins an evil grin when asked about what happened to Gundren and thoughts of torture and pain cross his mind.
Regarding something he wants or something the dwarf knows, the notion of the location of the mine crosses Arvel's mind.
Regarding the location of the Spider the mine crosses his mind again, as it does when asked where he might go from here.
Fae’s eyes would narrow. “Where is it?” Did they really find the mine?
”Who else knows?” Were they working with anyone else?
Feeling the pain of a headache come on, Fae knew she was at her limit. But she’d try to push it. “What did he find?” She’d focus hard. Did they find something in the mine?
Fae wavered from the onset of dizziness that washed over her. She’d break eye contact, shutting her eyes hard for a moment and bringing a hand to her temple to massage the pain.
just an unstable unicorn.
Fae's questions continue to prompt no verbal responses but she catches brief thoughts from Arvel suggesting he does not know where the mine is, but that 'the druid' might know when asked who else might. Arvel doesn't seem to know what would be found there, although a general thought of wealth and riches crosses his mind.
All Tarja sees is Fae questioning Arvel, and Arvel stubbornly refusing to answer anything.
There's definitely something wrong with him. The Arvel we knew would have talked our ears off at this point, even if he had turned evil.