This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Aura keeps a focused eye on Manfred while her ears hear intently to the succubi's words. She was more concerned to see whether Survivor's attack did any better than her and Ashtear's attack.
"Hm... No, doesn't seem like that still did it..." She says to the group, getting quite a good reading out of him and already knowing how he'd reply under the interference of the succubus' charm. She turns to talk to the succubi despite not being able to see them. "What Albanus said is correct. There's no way we can trust your words. The only proof you gave us that we can't find them and that this deal is in any way gonna do us any good is your own words."
"What Albanus said is correct. There's no way we can trust your words. The only proof you gave us that we can't find them and that this deal is in any way gonna do us any good is your own words."
Well fine. This was our one offer. We tried to play nice. Now if you want them back, just come and get them. Just know that everything that follows is because you refused us. Now my dear sister and I must return to town. We have much preparing to do for your arrival. You all hear spoken directly into your mind, before nothing but silence follows.
Albanus, as the spell fades you can see Janice and the Blonde change into the same form as the other Vulgrum had just slain, and fly at a high speed back towards town. The glow of the sphere fades and as you peer through it, everything returns from the hazy and fog like to the material plane.
Winter stares in disbelief at all of you, most especially Aura however. Couldnt we just try? Can you get my family back if they are dead? Why.. Why didnt you just try.. What if they werent lying? She manages to say between sobs and cracking in her voice, before attempting to run off, also in the direction of town.
"What Albanus said is correct. There's no way we can trust your words. The only proof you gave us that we can't find them and that this deal is in any way gonna do us any good is your own words."
Well fine. This was our one offer. We tried to play nice. Now if you want them back, just come and get them. Just know that everything that follows is because you refused us. Now my dear sister and I must return to town. We have much preparing to do for your arrival. You all hear spoken directly into your mind, before nothing but silence follows.
Albanus, as the spell fades you can see Janice and the Blonde change into the same form as the other Vulgrum had just slain, and fly at a high speed back towards town. The glow of the sphere fades and as you peer through it, everything returns from the hazy and fog like to the material plane.
Winter stares in disbelief at all of you, most especially Aura however. Couldnt we just try? Can you get my family back if they are dead? Why.. Why didnt you just try.. What if they werent lying? She manages to say between sobs and cracking in her voice, before attempting to run off, also in the direction of town.
(Did I notice anything else through using the item? Did the museum or anywhere in the cemetary offer anything?)
Albanus puts away the magical item and grabs Winter's arm and holds her. He crouches down and looks into her eyes. "Winter, she," pointing at Aura, "is extremely smart and knows those types of creatures and what they do. They lie and cheat, and steal the souls of others. Most of all they are cowards who prefer to get others to fight for them. You heard them too - why didn't they give what we asked? They are lying to us, to you. When we find your family we will do everything we can to bring them back. But at the very least you will know what has become of them. Spells like the one those fiends were talking about are very expensive and I don't think any of us have such a spell, but that doesn't mean we won't try." Looking at his companions, Albanus adds, "There are more people in harm's way now, more families that will need our help. Perhaps it is time to send you..was it your aunt's house? Things may get...not nice."
Albanus lets go of Winter's arm and walks up to his friends. Stopping beside Manfred, he gives the bard a grin and nod. "What did the enchanted gauntlet say to the knight's face?" Albanus will not wait for Manfred's answer before slapping him. 23
Regardless of the result, Manfred will hiss at the others. "You self-righteous paranoid fools! We've only faced three of these creatures. How many more of them are in town, do you think? These creatures are masters of deceit. How easily do you think they will be able to convince the magistrate and others in town that we are to blame for all the ill-fortune that has befallen this cursed town. We could have negotiated! I promise you, once we arrive into town, we will likely face arrest or a militia, or some other circumstance that will pit the entire town against us. And for some reason, I am the only one who is injured and my wounds were inflicted BY YOU. Not those creatures."
He breathes heavily, seemingly seething. "If you want my advice, we should return the journal to where we found it, leave and forget we were ever here."
"Can't we do something else to take the charm out of him instead of punching him until he shakes it off? I know I said it works, but it's something magical, if you have any spells to remove magic, he should most likely be back to normal..." Aura asks, just as Dain goes to give another punch against Manfred.
"But with that said... It seems the charm may affect his opinion on the succubi but it doesn't affect his logic... We might be in some problem if they get there and start manipulating the people around town." And with a sigh and a slow voice filled with sorrow, she turns to Winter. "I'm sorry... But Albanus is right... These creatures, these things that look human but aren't, are far from our understanding... I don't know why they want that book, but I promise you whatever it is, it'd make everyone's lives, not only ours, not only yours, much worse."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"OW... would you please stop that." Manfred touches his nose to make sure it wasn't broken.
WIS Saving Throw: 1
Manfred doesn't even try to argue this time. "One of you had better heal me or I will be of no use to you whatsoever on this little suicide mission of yours." He snaps, his voice clearly annoyed.
Dain takes ten minutes to cast detect magic since it told him the other of their group was charmed, and looks at the bard again. if still affected by the magical charm, he will hit him again, and continue to do so until the charm is gone. we can RP this if you want, but sooner or later, the affect will be canceled. Dain will cast cure wounds on the bard once no longer controlled.
"If you have a dispel magic then cast it." Dain grunts back. "I do not have such a spell."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
After several hits from the assembled group, Manfred is beginning to look bloodied.
"Nine hells, he coughs wetly, spitting up a bit of blood. "I---I honestly don't know anymore. Manfred's voice sounds shaky, almost pathetic, very different from the blustery confidence he usually projects.
"I don't think I am under the succubus's thumb. I do not hear her. Please just stop. I need a minute to clear my head."
He looks at Albanus and grins weakly. "I do not suppose you have any of that atrocious fruit wine you favor, do you old man? I could use a drink."
Albanus puts away the magical item and grabs Winter's arm and holds her. He crouches down and looks into her eyes. "Winter, she," pointing at Aura, "is extremely smart and knows those types of creatures and what they do. They lie and cheat, and steal the souls of others. Most of all they are cowards who prefer to get others to fight for them. You heard them too - why didn't they give what we asked? They are lying to us, to you. When we find your family we will do everything we can to bring them back. But at the very least you will know what has become of them. Spells like the one those fiends were talking about are very expensive and I don't think any of us have such a spell, but that doesn't mean we won't try." Looking at his companions, Albanus adds, "There are more people in harm's way now, more families that will need our help. Perhaps it is time to send you..was it your aunt's house? Things may get...not nice.
"Well, ideas everyone."
(Nothing besides the succubi. The monolith and the surronding area appeared to be normal.)
Winter relaxs a bit as you explain things to her. While still obviously shaken, she seems to get more resolute as you finish. I cant leave yet! You could use my help! If they try to say you did this I can tell them the truth! Theyd have to believe me! We can go to the magistrate and ill tell them everything. The weird shadow things and the mean lady that talks to me in my head. I cant leave without trying to save my family from those things!
"But with that said... It seems the charm may affect his opinion on the succubi but it doesn't affect his logic... We might be in some problem if they get there and start manipulating the people around town." And with a sigh and a slow voice filled with sorrow, she turns to Winter. "I'm sorry... But Albanus is right... These creatures, these things that look human but aren't, are far from our understanding... I don't know why they want that book, but I promise you whatever it is, it'd make everyone's lives, not only ours, not only yours, much worse."
Maybe we can trick them? We pretend like we will give them the journal then we don't and get my family back! Its just Mr. Jorlans journal anyways, he always had it with him, except now I guess. I saw him with it when he came here last time.
Dain takes ten minutes to cast detect magic since it told him the other of their group was charmed, and looks at the bard again. if still affected by the magical charm, he will hit him again, and continue to do so until the charm is gone. we can RP this if you want, but sooner or later, the affect will be canceled. Dain will cast cure wounds on the bard once no longer controlled.
"If you have a dispel magic then cast it." Dain grunts back. "I do not have such a spell."
(After completing the spell, you get the same sense as before. The monolith has several runes carved into it, and the school of magic is Abjugation. It is a glyph of warding although you are not sure what the trigger is. It seems someone really didnt want anyone opening the monolith.)
"If you have a dispel magic then cast it." Dain grunts back. "I do not have such a spell."
Aura looks back, half-annoyed, half-confused. "You're talking to me? I already told you and everyone here that I can't cast spells. I didn't have time to spare to focus on learning how to do spells, and I think if I had spent any time on that, I wouldn't be nearly as good of a fighter."
With Manfred still under the influence of the spell, Aura sighs again and says. "Well... I guess we'll have to take him with us while he's charmed. It may become a problem, but the charm will probably be gone if we find a way to stop the succubi, so it isn't the worst thing ever..."
"Looks like the tomb there is guarded by wards." Dain informs the others when the issue of the bard was as close to handled as it was likely to be for the next while. "Doesn't appear someone wants anyone inside of there. Think that was why the women came out here? Should we try to get a peek inside or leave it be?"
"We've got to have a look! It's what they came for, and we abandon it, they get access to it! Slag and anvil, is there nothing about this in the journal?" Vulgrom asks, his eyes not wandering too far from Manfred.
Manfred nods in appreciation to Dain. "Thank you, Dain."
Watching the suspicion the others regard him with now, Manfred sighs. "I wasn't lying when I said I no longer hear her voice. I...I don't know if I'm still under her...it's spell. She...It told me to lie to you all and say I was fine, but clearly that didn't work." He pauses and grins. "A little ironic, actually, because being a skilled liar is actually one of my few gifts."
"I know smacking me around was fun for you all, but I'm not sure hitting me will do anything else."He says, a bit archly. "IF I am still under her influence, then I likely won't be much help in the fight ahead, or at all for the next 22 or so hours. Still, my flute and blade are yours otherwise. Of course, I also could probably use a bit of a break as well. It has been ... trying morning."
(If the rest of you are going to investigate the glyphs or stay in the area, Manfred will take a short rest -- if you all decide to move on, he will follow, but trailing in the back and being uncharacteristically silent. Unless he receives instructions otherwise :) )
Survivor will move over by Dain watching him work on the glyphs, "Worst case, we could always ask Manfred to open it. Seems like the best use for him right now."
Breathing out a bit from the tense situation, seeing Winter being tended to by those she enjoys more, Ashtear will paraphrase the journal information. "The relavant stuff is in the end, he found Janice, followed her, saw folks visit her-and they vanished later. He thought they were in the magistrate's as well---So, going to the authorities, or expecting them to be reasonable about this seems unlikely. In fact every time he tried toget help he was shut down. Apparnetly he had seen her talk to some Gnomes who specialized in Alchemy and Clockwork.. He also mentioned these runes, but I don't think he had any good ideas about it."
Looking at the sky briefly, "Honestly, at this point we can assume they got to town-and the magistrate before we could remotely. They wanted the journal-perhaps as evidence. Frankly I think it is a valid plan to head back to the Guild, take Winter with us for safety, turn the journal in--establish the situation with authorites outside this hamlet of a town. Then come back, save who we can-avenge the ones we can't. But I can guarantee Winter, your family would want you safe first and formost."
Survivor will move over by Dain watching him work on the glyphs, "Worst case, we could always ask Manfred to open it. Seems like the best use for him right now."
Albanus smirks at the suggestion and looks remorsefully at Manfred. "I've no more wine but rest assured you'll have your own bottle after this. Try to think of all this as material for your next epic...well, hopefully, heroic tale of overcoming evil."
Looking at the group, Albanus says, "The townspeople, unless all of them are the same as Janice, will not stand for fiends in their midst. (Whispering): They will not stand for murders of farmers and controlling the minds of their friends. (Normal volume): If we have translated the journal, we can use it as bait. Perhaps we should head back to town to see if we can find these gnomes and ask what the succubi wanted. Remember, unless they keep charming people, everyone they charm knows they have been charmed afterwards. It's only a matter of time before the succubi move on to another town because they have been found out." Albanus stops to ponder something else - "I wonder if we can somehow communicate with the succubi through Manfred? Maybe we can tell them we've changed our minds? I could use a spell to amplify my voice and yell out her name but would need to do that now if it's to work..."
Aura keeps a focused eye on Manfred while her ears hear intently to the succubi's words. She was more concerned to see whether Survivor's attack did any better than her and Ashtear's attack.
Insight 24
"Hm... No, doesn't seem like that still did it..." She says to the group, getting quite a good reading out of him and already knowing how he'd reply under the interference of the succubus' charm. She turns to talk to the succubi despite not being able to see them. "What Albanus said is correct. There's no way we can trust your words. The only proof you gave us that we can't find them and that this deal is in any way gonna do us any good is your own words."
(She/Her)
Velmine - Tiefling, Rogue (9), Swashbuckler - Dead in Thay
Riris Swiftwhistle - Halfling, Bard (4), College of Swords - Lost Mines of Phandelver
Rellahne Vanderboren - Half-Elf, Wizard (4), School of Abjuration - The Shackled City
Ann Hidrizo - Human, Fighter (2) - Amphail Adventures
Sha - Firbolg, Cleric (3), Twilight Domain - Hunt for the Wish Dragon
Well fine. This was our one offer. We tried to play nice. Now if you want them back, just come and get them. Just know that everything that follows is because you refused us. Now my dear sister and I must return to town. We have much preparing to do for your arrival. You all hear spoken directly into your mind, before nothing but silence follows.
Albanus, as the spell fades you can see Janice and the Blonde change into the same form as the other Vulgrum had just slain, and fly at a high speed back towards town. The glow of the sphere fades and as you peer through it, everything returns from the hazy and fog like to the material plane.
Winter stares in disbelief at all of you, most especially Aura however. Couldnt we just try? Can you get my family back if they are dead? Why.. Why didnt you just try.. What if they werent lying? She manages to say between sobs and cracking in her voice, before attempting to run off, also in the direction of town.
(Did I notice anything else through using the item? Did the museum or anywhere in the cemetary offer anything?)
Albanus puts away the magical item and grabs Winter's arm and holds her. He crouches down and looks into her eyes. "Winter, she," pointing at Aura, "is extremely smart and knows those types of creatures and what they do. They lie and cheat, and steal the souls of others. Most of all they are cowards who prefer to get others to fight for them. You heard them too - why didn't they give what we asked? They are lying to us, to you. When we find your family we will do everything we can to bring them back. But at the very least you will know what has become of them. Spells like the one those fiends were talking about are very expensive and I don't think any of us have such a spell, but that doesn't mean we won't try." Looking at his companions, Albanus adds, "There are more people in harm's way now, more families that will need our help. Perhaps it is time to send you..was it your aunt's house? Things may get...not nice."
Albanus lets go of Winter's arm and walks up to his friends. Stopping beside Manfred, he gives the bard a grin and nod. "What did the enchanted gauntlet say to the knight's face?" Albanus will not wait for Manfred's answer before slapping him. 23
"Well, ideas everyone."
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
Watching Albanus come closer to him, he starts whispering to Albanus. "Are you absolutely sure about this, tiefling? How does it feel to be wrong?"
Cutting Words to reduce Albanus's attack roll: 6
Having seemingly sowed doubt into Albanus's mind, Manfred jerks his head away from the slap.
Manfred then watches Aura and Albanus warily and will try to break out of Vulgrom's grapple by wriggling free
Acrobatics check: 19
Regardless of the result, Manfred will hiss at the others. "You self-righteous paranoid fools! We've only faced three of these creatures. How many more of them are in town, do you think? These creatures are masters of deceit. How easily do you think they will be able to convince the magistrate and others in town that we are to blame for all the ill-fortune that has befallen this cursed town. We could have negotiated! I promise you, once we arrive into town, we will likely face arrest or a militia, or some other circumstance that will pit the entire town against us. And for some reason, I am the only one who is injured and my wounds were inflicted BY YOU. Not those creatures."
He breathes heavily, seemingly seething. "If you want my advice, we should return the journal to where we found it, leave and forget we were ever here."
"Oh stop being easy on him." dain growls and moves over to punch the bard himself.
to hit: 24
damage is 3.
"Can't we do something else to take the charm out of him instead of punching him until he shakes it off? I know I said it works, but it's something magical, if you have any spells to remove magic, he should most likely be back to normal..." Aura asks, just as Dain goes to give another punch against Manfred.
"But with that said... It seems the charm may affect his opinion on the succubi but it doesn't affect his logic... We might be in some problem if they get there and start manipulating the people around town." And with a sigh and a slow voice filled with sorrow, she turns to Winter. "I'm sorry... But Albanus is right... These creatures, these things that look human but aren't, are far from our understanding... I don't know why they want that book, but I promise you whatever it is, it'd make everyone's lives, not only ours, not only yours, much worse."
(She/Her)
Velmine - Tiefling, Rogue (9), Swashbuckler - Dead in Thay
Riris Swiftwhistle - Halfling, Bard (4), College of Swords - Lost Mines of Phandelver
Rellahne Vanderboren - Half-Elf, Wizard (4), School of Abjuration - The Shackled City
Ann Hidrizo - Human, Fighter (2) - Amphail Adventures
Sha - Firbolg, Cleric (3), Twilight Domain - Hunt for the Wish Dragon
"OW... would you please stop that." Manfred touches his nose to make sure it wasn't broken.
WIS Saving Throw: 1
Manfred doesn't even try to argue this time. "One of you had better heal me or I will be of no use to you whatsoever on this little suicide mission of yours." He snaps, his voice clearly annoyed.
Dain takes ten minutes to cast detect magic since it told him the other of their group was charmed, and looks at the bard again. if still affected by the magical charm, he will hit him again, and continue to do so until the charm is gone. we can RP this if you want, but sooner or later, the affect will be canceled. Dain will cast cure wounds on the bard once no longer controlled.
"If you have a dispel magic then cast it." Dain grunts back. "I do not have such a spell."
After several hits from the assembled group, Manfred is beginning to look bloodied.
"Nine hells, he coughs wetly, spitting up a bit of blood. "I---I honestly don't know anymore. Manfred's voice sounds shaky, almost pathetic, very different from the blustery confidence he usually projects.
"I don't think I am under the succubus's thumb. I do not hear her. Please just stop. I need a minute to clear my head."
He looks at Albanus and grins weakly. "I do not suppose you have any of that atrocious fruit wine you favor, do you old man? I could use a drink."
Deception check: 8
"Well no be fixing him just now." Dains ays wtih an angry grunt. He casts cure wounds on the bard.
"Just don't be listening to or doing anything he says." he says to the others.
Cure wounds: 7
(Nothing besides the succubi. The monolith and the surronding area appeared to be normal.)
Winter relaxs a bit as you explain things to her. While still obviously shaken, she seems to get more resolute as you finish. I cant leave yet! You could use my help! If they try to say you did this I can tell them the truth! Theyd have to believe me! We can go to the magistrate and ill tell them everything. The weird shadow things and the mean lady that talks to me in my head. I cant leave without trying to save my family from those things!
Maybe we can trick them? We pretend like we will give them the journal then we don't and get my family back! Its just Mr. Jorlans journal anyways, he always had it with him, except now I guess. I saw him with it when he came here last time.
(After completing the spell, you get the same sense as before. The monolith has several runes carved into it, and the school of magic is Abjugation. It is a glyph of warding although you are not sure what the trigger is. It seems someone really didnt want anyone opening the monolith.)
Aura looks back, half-annoyed, half-confused. "You're talking to me? I already told you and everyone here that I can't cast spells. I didn't have time to spare to focus on learning how to do spells, and I think if I had spent any time on that, I wouldn't be nearly as good of a fighter."
With Manfred still under the influence of the spell, Aura sighs again and says. "Well... I guess we'll have to take him with us while he's charmed. It may become a problem, but the charm will probably be gone if we find a way to stop the succubi, so it isn't the worst thing ever..."
(She/Her)
Velmine - Tiefling, Rogue (9), Swashbuckler - Dead in Thay
Riris Swiftwhistle - Halfling, Bard (4), College of Swords - Lost Mines of Phandelver
Rellahne Vanderboren - Half-Elf, Wizard (4), School of Abjuration - The Shackled City
Ann Hidrizo - Human, Fighter (2) - Amphail Adventures
Sha - Firbolg, Cleric (3), Twilight Domain - Hunt for the Wish Dragon
"Looks like the tomb there is guarded by wards." Dain informs the others when the issue of the bard was as close to handled as it was likely to be for the next while. "Doesn't appear someone wants anyone inside of there. Think that was why the women came out here? Should we try to get a peek inside or leave it be?"
"We've got to have a look! It's what they came for, and we abandon it, they get access to it! Slag and anvil, is there nothing about this in the journal?" Vulgrom asks, his eyes not wandering too far from Manfred.
Manfred nods in appreciation to Dain. "Thank you, Dain."
Watching the suspicion the others regard him with now, Manfred sighs. "I wasn't lying when I said I no longer hear her voice. I...I don't know if I'm still under her...it's spell. She...It told me to lie to you all and say I was fine, but clearly that didn't work." He pauses and grins. "A little ironic, actually, because being a skilled liar is actually one of my few gifts."
"I know smacking me around was fun for you all, but I'm not sure hitting me will do anything else."He says, a bit archly. "IF I am still under her influence, then I likely won't be much help in the fight ahead, or at all for the next 22 or so hours. Still, my flute and blade are yours otherwise. Of course, I also could probably use a bit of a break as well. It has been ... trying morning."
(If the rest of you are going to investigate the glyphs or stay in the area, Manfred will take a short rest -- if you all decide to move on, he will follow, but trailing in the back and being uncharacteristically silent. Unless he receives instructions otherwise :) )
Dain mvoes to the wards and tries to see if there is a way around them, or to disable them wihtout setting them off.
Arcana: 17
Survivor will move over by Dain watching him work on the glyphs, "Worst case, we could always ask Manfred to open it. Seems like the best use for him right now."
Breathing out a bit from the tense situation, seeing Winter being tended to by those she enjoys more, Ashtear will paraphrase the journal information.
"The relavant stuff is in the end, he found Janice, followed her, saw folks visit her-and they vanished later. He thought they were in the magistrate's as well---So, going to the authorities, or expecting them to be reasonable about this seems unlikely. In fact every time he tried toget help he was shut down. Apparnetly he had seen her talk to some Gnomes who specialized in Alchemy and Clockwork.. He also mentioned these runes, but I don't think he had any good ideas about it."
Looking at the sky briefly, "Honestly, at this point we can assume they got to town-and the magistrate before we could remotely. They wanted the journal-perhaps as evidence. Frankly I think it is a valid plan to head back to the Guild, take Winter with us for safety, turn the journal in--establish the situation with authorites outside this hamlet of a town. Then come back, save who we can-avenge the ones we can't. But I can guarantee Winter, your family would want you safe first and formost."
Albanus smirks at the suggestion and looks remorsefully at Manfred. "I've no more wine but rest assured you'll have your own bottle after this. Try to think of all this as material for your next epic...well, hopefully, heroic tale of overcoming evil."
Looking at the group, Albanus says, "The townspeople, unless all of them are the same as Janice, will not stand for fiends in their midst. (Whispering): They will not stand for murders of farmers and controlling the minds of their friends. (Normal volume): If we have translated the journal, we can use it as bait. Perhaps we should head back to town to see if we can find these gnomes and ask what the succubi wanted. Remember, unless they keep charming people, everyone they charm knows they have been charmed afterwards. It's only a matter of time before the succubi move on to another town because they have been found out." Albanus stops to ponder something else - "I wonder if we can somehow communicate with the succubi through Manfred? Maybe we can tell them we've changed our minds? I could use a spell to amplify my voice and yell out her name but would need to do that now if it's to work..."
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons