"If I had to guess, I'd say there's two options."Sora shared her thoughts with Nemeia, "One would be she's hiding out with her pet Duke. They might have special ways to get out of town now that the crown's gonna investigate them more closely. The other option is whatever this place is on the map 9 found. She could have something stashed there she'd want to grab before escaping the kingdom."
Sora shrugs as she starts making her way back out the way they all came in, "I think he should be, but I doubt it's up to us to decide. Let the people in charge figure all that out for themselves."
Nemeia- You also are able to figure out the same properties about the dagger that 9 did. In addition, you realize the rune at the bottom end of the wand is used as part of detection and/or divination rituals. You're also sure the wand doesn't require any form of attunement to use, and has enough magical reserves to function still. You're not entirely sure what it does, but you get the feeling it's a wand intended to find something. As for the map, from reading the Infernal script, you are able to determine that this location is almost certainly meant to be used as a ritual location. Though you're not sure of what sort of ritual it's used for, or if it's some sort of generic ritual site.
"Interesting,"Nemeia says as she looks over the items. "The dagger seems to have arcane properties for sure. I'd love to look at it with the proper tools some time. It seems like there's a poisonous aspect to it so make sure you're very careful with it. I'd hate for you to cut yourself and us not know exactly which poison it is. That would make treatment a rather complicated process especially with the arcane nature."
She turns her focus to the strange wand as she watches it shift its shape. "There's a rune here that looks like it could be used in several types of rituals. It could even have the capability of detecting certain things if used properly, but again, I'd need my tools to properly understand it's strange capabilities. It seems like it has enough essence within it to still be used for the task though we need to make sure to not waste it's offerings by handling it improperly. I feel like it could help us find what we're looking for."
An idea comes to her head. "The words here talk of a place where rituals are performed. Surely this ritual wand and the map go together like a key and a lock. I don't know what kind of place it may be but I think we should make sure we're prepared to face threats as great as we've seen yet. I also wouldn't mind spending some time with the items after I reallocate my equipment. Magical items can be rather tricky and I'd hate for someone to be forever bound to a shifting wand." Nemeia offers a light laugh trying to ease the tension of the unknown. She continues to let the wand shift between wand and the illusion form.
She looks to the others hoping they agree with her assessment. "Surely she's gone there, but why would she leave these items behind?"
Nemeia's last question causes Sora to stop in her tracks and she turned to look at her. "That's a very good question. If that wand was a key to some ritual, she would have taken it with her, right? What if it's a key to something else? Could there be something in here that's supposed to unlock?"
They might leave a map behind because they know the way now and don't need it any more. Or they might leave a map behind to send us off on a wild goose chase while they go about their business here in the city. Witt frowns. Sometimes it can be so hard to figure out what the author intends. They drop so many red herrings that I can never... Oh, um, I mean villain. Yes. Sorry. I mean, my only experience of this kind of investigation is from reading stories. He blushes bright red. I have to remind myself that this story isn't written by one person, so it won't ever be quite as tidy as the ones I'm used to reading.
In any case, I think going is a good idea, but staying and searching more is also good. But perhaps we can ask the palace to send people to raid this house? I mean, have we uncovered anything that would justify an official investigation? Definitely. So let the city guard finish off searching this place, while we run after adventure, no?
Nemeia nods in agreement. "The Queen should definitely have this place examined by people trained in that task. I'm sure there are many hidden things left behind that we may have missed. We have enough proof of her motive and reasoning. We just need to find her before she's able to strike again. Or, at least before another assassin is sent."
Nemeia stops and thinks on what connection the items could hold together. She was amazed by the wonder of it all. She was experiencing new styles of magic that she rather fancied learning more about. Her thirst for arcane knowledge was what got her in this position in the first place. It wasn't likely to be satiated any time soon. For now, she felt confident that taking the wand to this place marked on the map would unveil a grand work of magic. She wasn't sure if it was just another trap set by this evil spy or a possible boon that the group would get their hands on first.
Nemeia thought on the funny idea of being a part of a story like she'd read in the libraries growing up. While she spent most of her time reading technical manuals and spell books, she did find the time here and there for some writings of fantasy and adventure. She wondered how she would be portrayed in the books and thought about how her companions would be the heroes to save the entire kingdom. It was rare for her mind to drift like this, but she felt a sense of enjoyment in it.
She quickly regained her focus. "We need to find her. Do we report back to the Queen or do we move to this location marked on the map?"
Sora frowned slightly as she thought about the next course of action, "Konor and the guard already know about Linthe so they're probably already looking for them. Or they're busy hunting down Hakon and his buddies over the assassination attempt. Either way doubt there's anything more they can do right now. My vote is heading to that location. If Linthe is there then we should go find her before she gets away. But we should take a break before heading out so we can recover a bit first."
(How far away is the palace? How long would it take to walk there? Witt wouldn't gain anything really from a short rest, and could use the time to get a message to the guards.)
Witt heads off to the palace, after having confirmed with the others where they should meet. (Like, a city gate headed towards where we're going.) When he gets there, he looks for a guard who might recognise him.
Nemeia agrees with Sora's plan. "I think that would work. If we can beat her there, that would be even better. These items have me quite intrigued. I'm sure that whatever ritual awaits won't be a very kind one."
Nemeia seems ready to leave the estate and make preparations for the task ahead.
After a quick discussion the party agrees to split up. Witt heads off to the castle to warn them of what the group discovered while everyone else returns to the Sturdy Unicorn to rest and recover from their injuries.
[ Everyone heading to the inn to rest can take a short rest. ]
At the castle, Witt was unable to find any guards that he recognized, however he has no trouble finding guards that are willing to listen to him. With his demeanor, the guards quickly warm up to the halfling and before they find one of the guards who recognizes him from the gala and is happy to help.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Hello there,says Witt in a friendly tone. Do you know if Sir Konor is free to meet with me. It will be very short, I just need to pass him a message. Is that okay?
He does his best to persuade the guard to let him meet Konor personally, rather than have the message passed on another way. Persuasion9
While Witt went off to the castle Sora went back to the inn with everyone else to recover before heading off after Linthe once more. She ordered a cheap bottle of wine which she happily drank straight from the bottle.
As she rested she took the opportunity to talk with 9. "Not sure what your Lady thinks about all this, but I got a feeling we might have a chance to take out this murderer." She said to the elf, "Unless you rather we take her alive."
9 pondered for a little, before answering, ”I don’t have any issue with ending her. Maybe we keep her alive for a short while for questions, but other than that, execution on sight is fine by me. Do you think there is any other use for her alive?”, she asked. 9 was not used to thinking things out, she acted on intuition and her inner guidance most of the times. However, thinking strategically at times proved useful, and so she made the attempt. Seeing Sora drink, she also ordered herself a double shot of whiskey, before asking Nemeia and Kal, “Do you want anything to drink?”
Sora took another swig from her own bottle as she continued her conversation, "Don't really care either way. I'm sure there's people out there who would love to interrogate her, but she's probably a danger if left alive. Guess we'll see how it plays out though." She followed 9's gaze over to Nemeia and Kal adding, "What do you guys think about this?"
Witt spends some time with the castle guards who all remain quite friendly with him even as they let him know that Konor is not available. However after Witt's constant but gentle persistence eventually one takes off to try to see if they can remedy the situation for him. When he returns he's not joined by Konor but by another friendly person Witt would recognize.
"Greeting, Mr. Witt."Guard Captain Anastasia smiles back at the halfling,"What brings you back to the castle so soon?"
Kal nods courteously to 9 and orders tea for himself. "What if we don't find her? It seems more likely that she has escaped at this point than not. Her assassin failed, in the very least, by not reporting back. And given the lack of uproar about a murdered princess, I would guess Linthe suspects her plan was foiled. How far are we willing to chase her?"
Kal watches the group evenly gauging their responses. Often he and his companions primary motivation was money. In this group, that motivation seems less pursued. So he watches hoping to answer the question, What ethos guides this group?
Nemeia seems smiles at the invitation to drink. The day had been quite a strange one and a few drinks would most likely help take the edge off. "I'd love one,"she says to her strange friend that she found in a dark alley what feels like so long ago.
"I believe we still need to secure payment from the Duke once we tell him of who was responsible for the death of the Queen. I believe we should be receiving some reward from the crown as well though I'm not sure what that may be. One thing though, we need to bring this Lady to justice. We can't have someone in this kingdom trying to murder little children. Murder is bad enough but the kids have nothing to do with all of this."
"If I had to guess, I'd say there's two options." Sora shared her thoughts with Nemeia, "One would be she's hiding out with her pet Duke. They might have special ways to get out of town now that the crown's gonna investigate them more closely. The other option is whatever this place is on the map 9 found. She could have something stashed there she'd want to grab before escaping the kingdom."
Nemeia nods in agreement as she looks to the map again. "And what fate awaits the Duke? Should he be considered an accomplice in all of this?"
Sora shrugs as she starts making her way back out the way they all came in, "I think he should be, but I doubt it's up to us to decide. Let the people in charge figure all that out for themselves."
Nemeia - You also are able to figure out the same properties about the dagger that 9 did. In addition, you realize the rune at the bottom end of the wand is used as part of detection and/or divination rituals. You're also sure the wand doesn't require any form of attunement to use, and has enough magical reserves to function still. You're not entirely sure what it does, but you get the feeling it's a wand intended to find something. As for the map, from reading the Infernal script, you are able to determine that this location is almost certainly meant to be used as a ritual location. Though you're not sure of what sort of ritual it's used for, or if it's some sort of generic ritual site.
Sylnache Ashrain - 7th Sojourn
"Interesting," Nemeia says as she looks over the items. "The dagger seems to have arcane properties for sure. I'd love to look at it with the proper tools some time. It seems like there's a poisonous aspect to it so make sure you're very careful with it. I'd hate for you to cut yourself and us not know exactly which poison it is. That would make treatment a rather complicated process especially with the arcane nature."
She turns her focus to the strange wand as she watches it shift its shape. "There's a rune here that looks like it could be used in several types of rituals. It could even have the capability of detecting certain things if used properly, but again, I'd need my tools to properly understand it's strange capabilities. It seems like it has enough essence within it to still be used for the task though we need to make sure to not waste it's offerings by handling it improperly. I feel like it could help us find what we're looking for."
An idea comes to her head. "The words here talk of a place where rituals are performed. Surely this ritual wand and the map go together like a key and a lock. I don't know what kind of place it may be but I think we should make sure we're prepared to face threats as great as we've seen yet. I also wouldn't mind spending some time with the items after I reallocate my equipment. Magical items can be rather tricky and I'd hate for someone to be forever bound to a shifting wand." Nemeia offers a light laugh trying to ease the tension of the unknown. She continues to let the wand shift between wand and the illusion form.
She looks to the others hoping they agree with her assessment. "Surely she's gone there, but why would she leave these items behind?"
Nemeia's last question causes Sora to stop in her tracks and she turned to look at her. "That's a very good question. If that wand was a key to some ritual, she would have taken it with her, right? What if it's a key to something else? Could there be something in here that's supposed to unlock?"
They might leave a map behind because they know the way now and don't need it any more. Or they might leave a map behind to send us off on a wild goose chase while they go about their business here in the city. Witt frowns. Sometimes it can be so hard to figure out what the author intends. They drop so many red herrings that I can never... Oh, um, I mean villain. Yes. Sorry. I mean, my only experience of this kind of investigation is from reading stories. He blushes bright red. I have to remind myself that this story isn't written by one person, so it won't ever be quite as tidy as the ones I'm used to reading.
In any case, I think going is a good idea, but staying and searching more is also good. But perhaps we can ask the palace to send people to raid this house? I mean, have we uncovered anything that would justify an official investigation? Definitely. So let the city guard finish off searching this place, while we run after adventure, no?
Nemeia nods in agreement. "The Queen should definitely have this place examined by people trained in that task. I'm sure there are many hidden things left behind that we may have missed. We have enough proof of her motive and reasoning. We just need to find her before she's able to strike again. Or, at least before another assassin is sent."
Nemeia stops and thinks on what connection the items could hold together. She was amazed by the wonder of it all. She was experiencing new styles of magic that she rather fancied learning more about. Her thirst for arcane knowledge was what got her in this position in the first place. It wasn't likely to be satiated any time soon. For now, she felt confident that taking the wand to this place marked on the map would unveil a grand work of magic. She wasn't sure if it was just another trap set by this evil spy or a possible boon that the group would get their hands on first.
Nemeia thought on the funny idea of being a part of a story like she'd read in the libraries growing up. While she spent most of her time reading technical manuals and spell books, she did find the time here and there for some writings of fantasy and adventure. She wondered how she would be portrayed in the books and thought about how her companions would be the heroes to save the entire kingdom. It was rare for her mind to drift like this, but she felt a sense of enjoyment in it.
She quickly regained her focus. "We need to find her. Do we report back to the Queen or do we move to this location marked on the map?"
Sora frowned slightly as she thought about the next course of action, "Konor and the guard already know about Linthe so they're probably already looking for them. Or they're busy hunting down Hakon and his buddies over the assassination attempt. Either way doubt there's anything more they can do right now. My vote is heading to that location. If Linthe is there then we should go find her before she gets away. But we should take a break before heading out so we can recover a bit first."
(How far away is the palace? How long would it take to walk there? Witt wouldn't gain anything really from a short rest, and could use the time to get a message to the guards.)
Witt heads off to the palace, after having confirmed with the others where they should meet. (Like, a city gate headed towards where we're going.) When he gets there, he looks for a guard who might recognise him.
Nemeia agrees with Sora's plan. "I think that would work. If we can beat her there, that would be even better. These items have me quite intrigued. I'm sure that whatever ritual awaits won't be a very kind one."
Nemeia seems ready to leave the estate and make preparations for the task ahead.
After a quick discussion the party agrees to split up. Witt heads off to the castle to warn them of what the group discovered while everyone else returns to the Sturdy Unicorn to rest and recover from their injuries.
[ Everyone heading to the inn to rest can take a short rest. ]
At the castle, Witt was unable to find any guards that he recognized, however he has no trouble finding guards that are willing to listen to him. With his demeanor, the guards quickly warm up to the halfling and before they find one of the guards who recognizes him from the gala and is happy to help.
Sylnache Ashrain - 7th Sojourn
Hello there, says Witt in a friendly tone. Do you know if Sir Konor is free to meet with me. It will be very short, I just need to pass him a message. Is that okay?
He does his best to persuade the guard to let him meet Konor personally, rather than have the message passed on another way. Persuasion 9
While Witt went off to the castle Sora went back to the inn with everyone else to recover before heading off after Linthe once more. She ordered a cheap bottle of wine which she happily drank straight from the bottle.
As she rested she took the opportunity to talk with 9. "Not sure what your Lady thinks about all this, but I got a feeling we might have a chance to take out this murderer." She said to the elf, "Unless you rather we take her alive."
9 pondered for a little, before answering, ”I don’t have any issue with ending her. Maybe we keep her alive for a short while for questions, but other than that, execution on sight is fine by me. Do you think there is any other use for her alive?”, she asked. 9 was not used to thinking things out, she acted on intuition and her inner guidance most of the times. However, thinking strategically at times proved useful, and so she made the attempt. Seeing Sora drink, she also ordered herself a double shot of whiskey, before asking Nemeia and Kal, “Do you want anything to drink?”
Sora took another swig from her own bottle as she continued her conversation, "Don't really care either way. I'm sure there's people out there who would love to interrogate her, but she's probably a danger if left alive. Guess we'll see how it plays out though." She followed 9's gaze over to Nemeia and Kal adding, "What do you guys think about this?"
Witt spends some time with the castle guards who all remain quite friendly with him even as they let him know that Konor is not available. However after Witt's constant but gentle persistence eventually one takes off to try to see if they can remedy the situation for him. When he returns he's not joined by Konor but by another friendly person Witt would recognize.
"Greeting, Mr. Witt." Guard Captain Anastasia smiles back at the halfling, "What brings you back to the castle so soon?"
Sylnache Ashrain - 7th Sojourn
Kal nods courteously to 9 and orders tea for himself. "What if we don't find her? It seems more likely that she has escaped at this point than not. Her assassin failed, in the very least, by not reporting back. And given the lack of uproar about a murdered princess, I would guess Linthe suspects her plan was foiled. How far are we willing to chase her?"
Kal watches the group evenly gauging their responses. Often he and his companions primary motivation was money. In this group, that motivation seems less pursued. So he watches hoping to answer the question, What ethos guides this group?
Nemeia seems smiles at the invitation to drink. The day had been quite a strange one and a few drinks would most likely help take the edge off. "I'd love one," she says to her strange friend that she found in a dark alley what feels like so long ago.
"I believe we still need to secure payment from the Duke once we tell him of who was responsible for the death of the Queen. I believe we should be receiving some reward from the crown as well though I'm not sure what that may be. One thing though, we need to bring this Lady to justice. We can't have someone in this kingdom trying to murder little children. Murder is bad enough but the kids have nothing to do with all of this."