You've seen the coat of arms before. It takes you a bit to remember... one of the many nights hiking up the mountain. Soon after you all had that encounter in the Druidic Ressurection Chamber... Diadochi had mentioned something about seeing... someone. One of those nights later, he was plagued with nightmares. Upon waking, he couldn't help but to hold a part of his arm. Later in your journey, he would make references to a Oxianus, always while seeming to hold his hand against that same area of his arm. It held a tattoo that had been left as a mark of shame, or at least a reminder. The Six Tusks.
Oxianus was their leader. Some Loxodon general who, according to Diadochi, died in combat. From the stories, and from the reporting in the papers in your travels, you two know that the Loxodon people of Unity went through a bloody civil war. One where Oxianus, and his Six Tusks, attempted to do... something. Some kind of "protecting" taken to a authoritarian extreme. But they did lose, and scattered to the wind. Diadochi didn't talk much about his time with them. Always just seemed to keep it as a sign of regret or shame...
Still, if this symbol is in such a prominent place, it is likely that the Matron of the house is - at the very least - sympathetic to their cause. Or was a active member of their cause...
Abigail...
(The Guards Searching: 17) The guards find your dagger, and with a bit of a chuckle they remove it from it's hiding spot. The do let you watch it be placed in a locked location before you enter the estate.
As you wander around, the place is built in a dizzying array of rooms, and few hallways connected to other buildings. There is certainly a more 'lived in' vibe on some of the outer buildings compared to the main one where the party is happening. Less guests as you reach further and further out. All proper buildings have a entry and exit that faces the court-yard, but then you'd still be stuck in the middle of a court yard while circled by these 10' tall homes. Off in the kitchen, it does seem that there is a back exit leading to the outside and near the fence you could jump over if things go south too ast.
You do notice the faint outline in some of the rooms; a false door. Likely servant doors that enable people to come and go without being seen. They would be your best bet to slip out and away undetected.
Tarak...
While the Matron certainly has a eclectic taste, it seems nothing more than yet another coat of arms for some noble person. Continuing to look around, you don't make it very far before beginning to get caught up in some conversation.
You have what seem like excellent, if not vapid and a little.. rote conversations. The majority of people only seeming to want to talk about a small handful of topics over and over, while insisting that they are here to meet the non-locals. Yet they don't engage very much in asking you any questions. Keeping the chatter light and airy. They are also very difficult to get a read on.
A, small, handful of others are seemingly delighted to meet you. Other merchants from other boats, having been invited to meet with the Matron. Promised a discussion on wares, and opportunities.
As you continue to dialogue with them, there's something... off that you're not able to put your finger on. Speaking in half truths and obfuscating answers that certainly aren't a lie.. but... leave you with a feeling that they're purposely dancing around details.
Morgan....
As you stand on the deck of the Windhook, you eventually hear the creaking of the wooden boards of the docks. There, a large Loxodon standing on the store. Manta cape billowing in the light breeze. A hand on the hilt of a rapier blade.
"I accept your offering. But... I don't know if it'll satisfy our Patron. And I, truly, fear what the reprisal will be for ignoring what is giving us a second chance at life."
Abigail returns to the party to do the "mingling" thing. Trying to suss out people's motivations and purposes at the party (not sure what the contract is in its specifics, but perhaps she can find out a bit more on that as well - Abigail doubts it is regular goods that are being shipped... or... whatever).
Social skills that might be of some importance...
Persuasion: 13
Insight: 8
Deception: 19
History: 12 - in case the are talking about historically relevant issues.
As you continue to talk to people, a good number of the party goers seem to... fade. You can still see them, hear them, but more like ghosts. Something has made this party out to be an illusion... with other people intermixed. Or at least also caught up in the illusion...
Morgan scrunches their face ((they are back in Morgan form btw)) "I mean, I get it... Dude is big and scary. He can kill us and eat our souls... probably. But we we're going to die anyway, so being here" Morgan waves vaguely at the universe "Our time here is a gift, limited though it maybe. So it's really up to us to enjoy it while we can... or try to shunt this curse. Yeah I probably should have done that instead. I can't recall if I've ever defied them before or not, but probably I have. The guy keeps giving me dreams he that are so vague it's like he wants me to fail "'Make two become one! WwWWwooOOOoooOOOhhh!' and I'm like 'great do I need to reforge an ancient broke blade or make sure some couple gets married?' It seems to me that we are aligned to a malicious entity so it sort of behooves us to defy him while we can. Prove to him we aren't puppets, that we still have free will. Anyway you seem like you have a lot to lose then I do so I get it, if you want to kill me. I have a couple of favors to ask first: 1, We do it somewhere abandoned so no one gets hurt in the crossfire. 2, Lets get a good last meal in and talk about what's happened to us, maybe figure out what our patron actually wants and maybe how we can get out from under his grip. 3, if you win then you have to try to do everything you can to get out of his influence because if we're both tortured for all eternity that makes us the chumps, right?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Tarak carefully drifts around to Lafetha and the others and while being aware of who is real and near them he lets them know about the illusion people. Pointing out things like how they don’t eat, when one maybe drifts through another accidentally, etc. trying to help the team see who is who.
Then he tries to spot the person making this happen as I’m sure a spell like this takes concentration.
You both look around, trying your best to make sense of the situation. Unfortunately, your searching comes up blind. Unable to see who may be casting such a spell. Nobody is standing around waiving their hands, or keeping a incantation on their lips.
Tarak, you begin to feel your heartbeat pick up. A rush of adrenaline. A thought enters your mind.... If someone real in the room is keeping it concentrating... then hurting them can break the concentration. It's a foolproof plan..... oh bearer mine....
Abigail
You also feel like something is... off about this party. The people are rather hard to read. Obtuse in their answers, or not able to answer. They dance around particular questions. Some fall back into patterns of the same old questions with their counter parts. You can't begin to count the amount of times they ask about things like the weather, or small scale gossip. It's almost like you are hearing the same stories over and over.
From those that fall into talking about the same thing over and over, they try to learn about you. But you're able to guide the questions and dance as much as they try. Even the people who claim to be merchants here for their own 'reasons' aren't able to answer your own proper questions.
Morgan
He sighs, before tossing the cloak over his shoulder and around him more like a shawl. A bit of a fan of the dramatic.
"I'll be very honest, I have no interest in trying to kill you," he pauses, face scrunching up a bit. "Well... that's not entirely true. I would certainly like to. Revenge and all. But your gift was acceptable; as neither of us are dead. Or destroyed if we're secretly undead and have yet to realize it." He lets out a very nervous laugh. Clearly, a thought he has been wondering.
"How do we escape this? Without losing our abilities and life, though?"
Abigail, Tarak, Lafetha
As the party continues, the three of you meet back up for a second. As you're all informed of the illusionary nature of most the guests, they do fade into the background. Still there.. but less of a focus.
It almost seems that this party is here to learn more about your crew, than anything. Like some kind of odd setup.
Morgan sighs, "I don't know but here is what I do know..." Morgan tells them everything they know. They probably put it together that the person that 'killed' Morgan would also have a relationship to their Patron. "So, he was with... The Queen's Blades... Iron Daggers... ((Morgan says their name, I don't remember what we agreed on)). So, we... or maybe just me... need to find this guy and see if I... we... can get anything from him. Maybe add a piece to this puzzle... maybe I can discretely join their ranks, figure it out form the inside... I don't suppose you've tried asking the queen for salvation? that honestly never occurred to me until now. I'm going to talk to a high ranking follower of the Queen tomorrow. Maybe he'll know something. I have to come back here." Morgan waves to the boat, "Anyways. so I'll be back here and you don't like the answers I have we can duel before I leave." Morgan's eyes go wide, "Oh no! I compeltely forgot that my friends are at your house right not, in what sounds like a trap. Are they in any danger?"
Tarak hears the voice in his head and responds internally. “No way. We are without armor or weapon. I’d rather not take on the guards with my bare hands. But....maybe there is an idea here to break concentration.”
Tarak moves to go into the outside courtyard area to look around and wants to see if the illusion or any of the real folks move with him.
While looking around, you try and get the sense at what may be going on. It's entirely possible this is all a set upto ambush you and the crew. But you don't see anyone armed close by.
Tarak
You take a small stroll to the court yard for a moment. The musicians outside continue to play and serenade. Inside where you were, the party - including the illusionary guests - continue.
Morgan
Gives a nod, but looks a bit puzzled. "I was left for dead by, well," gestures over to Morgan. "But while I was dying, something offered me a second attempt at life. I didn't meet anyone. But I suppose if our patron works through agents and other mysterious means, it could be that simply proximity to one of..." again he takes a pause. "It? Her? His? I'm never entirely sure what is whispering in my hear. " Again there's a bit of a hand waive as he attempts to get back on track. "Anyway. Proximity to a herald of some sort may in fact give it access. Preying upon the nearby dying."
He does scoff at the mention of asking for forgiveness. "I personally don't ever see a reason to ask for forgiveness from the Iron Queen and her ilk." A bit of arcane energy forms around his hand. "Their dogma and I haven't been seeing eye to eye on what is good and wrong in the world."
He glances back at the mention of the party. "Well, I suppose that depends. My wife is likely putting them through a test. Seeing if their a good candidate for an assignment from the Master."
Abigail gets annoyed. Under her breath, "I hate setups. I hate tests. I hate fancy parties. Of course people here are not real, every uppity party I have been to seems to be made up of fake people..." She shrugs. "Fine. They want to do this. Lets see what we are up against."
She scans those that have not been identified as illusions by Tarak, trying to gauge their numbers, where their focus or interests appear to be aimed, and if the are armed.
Abigail moves to a less observed area, or asks a butler where their outhouse/water closet is, in order to get herself alone as possible.
If she is able to get to a more private setting:
Abigail casts Detect Magic, then attempts to sneak back into the party to try to observe without being observed herself Stealth: 17
...going to stop here, because I am not sure what sort of things might become very apparent once Detect Magic is on, and I might want to approach things differently if say there is a bunch of necromatic magic or large amounts of magic behind a door.
Abigail gets annoyed. Under her breath, "I hate setups. I hate tests. I hate fancy parties. Of course people here are not real, every uppity party I have been to seems to be made up of fake people..." She shrugs. "Fine. They want to do this. Lets see what we are up against."
She scans those that have not been identified as illusions by Tarak, trying to gauge their numbers, where their focus or interests appear to be aimed, and if the are armed.
Abigail moves to a less observed area, or asks a butler where their outhouse/water closet is, in order to get herself alone as possible.
If she is able to get to a more private setting:
Abigail casts Detect Magic, then attempts to sneak back into the party to try to observe without being observed herself Stealth: 29
...going to stop here, because I am not sure what sort of things might become very apparent once Detect Magic is on, and I might want to approach things differently if say there is a bunch of necromatic magic or large amounts of magic behind a door.
Abigail
Glancing around, you don't believe the real people here are armed. Or if they are, it's much like yourself; a possible dagger stashed away. Most seem to be going about the party, mingling, talking, and just keeping things... casual. Much like before when you interacted with them - they may not be aware of who's real and who isn't.
The guards that block some of the pathways are all armed, however. Just keeping to their posts and not minding the commotion of the party.
When you do step away for that moment, things become a bit more clear. It's just the main room that has the strong presence of illusionary magic. Tarak's bone covered arm gives off a huge aura of undefined magical energy as well... it's own aura competing and nearly masking whatever spell is in the room.
As you weave your way through, there doesn't appear to be any epicenter of the spell itself. More of, this was cast and placed in a specific location. If it is sustained - it isn't coming from anyone in here.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Morgan nods, "Listen, I there is no love between me and the iron queen, such a bunch of self righteous stick in the muds with fun ruining mantras. Maybe that's why we were chosen by the patron. Because we don't like the Queen it sot fit to recruit us, because it wants us to work against the queen... Anyway the point I was trying to make is Our Patron is a big scary powerful thing, we might need to find and use something oh equal or greater power to get out from under their thumb. Unfortunately the Queen in her infinite wisdom sort of wiped out all the knowledge of anything else on that level, so if you know any power god-level entities we can turn to, I'm all ears... I'm sorry was that racist?" religion15 history12 to see if they've heard of anything on that level
When Morgan hears of the test they shrug, "I mean we are very dumb, but we are good at not dying... Better than the last crew... Tarak is new so I can't vouch for him expect his ability to ignore team mates to pick up shiny things, and the fact that I'm saying that makes it terrible."
Abigail tries to work her way back to one of those false doors she noticed earlier, if they can be opened without much difficulty... then she wants to take a better look inside.
Abigail - you slip into a the servant's hallways. They've quite tight; you've able to walk down it but if someone was wider than you, the person would likely have to turn to their side to navigate. The hallways move across rooms, and into the bathrooms. One likely heads off to the kitchen. You do see a few surprised servants, one of them holding a plate of stuffed olives on their way to the party.
"Oh.. uh... excuse me?" they state, turning to the side and lifting the platter up and over. Seemingly more busy on making sure that the party continues than wondering who this stranger is in the hallway.
The hallways don't connect to the downstairs at all. Simply around the main home. You would assume that the other homes are likely similar in their design. It giving a way for the servants to come and go without being seen, or having to trek through the interconnected rooms... due to these homes not being built with hallways - just room next to room.
((If Abigail returns to the others in the main room, that's fine. Or she can continue to sneak around))
Back in the party, the crew continues to look around and see the events unfold. Having talked to the crowd, there aren't many options left. The Matron, who's in the room with you. Downstairs - but the doorways are each guarded. The servants. And the kitchen.
The Loxodon gives a little bit of a nod while listening to Morgan. "Well... I personally don't know any of I would likely not be in this mess. But not dying is quite useful in some lines of work, so I will take that as some kind of praise."
Morgan, you don't truly know of any real.. gods per se. The Faith certainly has attempted to quell multiple cult incursions with zeal. The Weirds, and the Followers of Shion jump to your mind. Sim, Abigail and Lafetha did make reference to something being in the Widowpeak Mountains that certainly left them scarred. While you draw power from a pact with some kind of... weird being.. you do know it isn't the only one. Fables of Relics of the Faith - the weapons the champions used to protect the world - may have more truth to them, but you'd need a full on library to do proper research. And, of course, there's the crazy and wild stories that people tell of the Evershift. Granted; most are told in a sort of pulpy action adventure sagas..
"Alright, well, no surprises hiding in here, I suppose. No other major magical auras around.... If I go snooping through any more of this place, I will likely ruin the party for others somehow. Well, there is really only one thing left to do then..."
Seeing nothing of interest within the servant passages, heads for the kitchen ((if she runs into another servant while in the passage, she will ask them directions, if not obvious)).
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Tarak returns to the main room and approaches the Matron bowing as he does so. “I think what you have done here is very clever. My questions is do you hear what the illusions discuss so you can gather info discreetly? Or is it just a game to see who is observant enough to see the trick? Either way I tip my proverbial hat to you for the ingenuity. My name is Tarak though I imagine you already know that.”
Morgan sighs, "Ugh, I'm probably going to have to go to a library and do research on this. I'd rather be in a duel to the death than set foot in a library... Does this place have a library worth anything? and are there people I can pay to do research for me? Or maybe a secrect cell of the Followers of Shion we could ask? RIght now my completely uneducated theory is: you remember the old stories of the Relics of Faith? The Sword of Saint Grand Bishop Suchandsuch... What is a hero with out a villain? Some sort of Dark evil blade that's the inverse of the good blade... or maybe the good blade isn't all that good. Where is the nearest relic blade? I bet it has some answers for us."
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Lafetha (& Abigail)
You've seen the coat of arms before. It takes you a bit to remember... one of the many nights hiking up the mountain. Soon after you all had that encounter in the Druidic Ressurection Chamber... Diadochi had mentioned something about seeing... someone. One of those nights later, he was plagued with nightmares. Upon waking, he couldn't help but to hold a part of his arm. Later in your journey, he would make references to a Oxianus, always while seeming to hold his hand against that same area of his arm. It held a tattoo that had been left as a mark of shame, or at least a reminder. The Six Tusks.
Oxianus was their leader. Some Loxodon general who, according to Diadochi, died in combat. From the stories, and from the reporting in the papers in your travels, you two know that the Loxodon people of Unity went through a bloody civil war. One where Oxianus, and his Six Tusks, attempted to do... something. Some kind of "protecting" taken to a authoritarian extreme. But they did lose, and scattered to the wind. Diadochi didn't talk much about his time with them. Always just seemed to keep it as a sign of regret or shame...
Still, if this symbol is in such a prominent place, it is likely that the Matron of the house is - at the very least - sympathetic to their cause. Or was a active member of their cause...
Abigail...
(The Guards Searching: 17)
The guards find your dagger, and with a bit of a chuckle they remove it from it's hiding spot. The do let you watch it be placed in a locked location before you enter the estate.
As you wander around, the place is built in a dizzying array of rooms, and few hallways connected to other buildings. There is certainly a more 'lived in' vibe on some of the outer buildings compared to the main one where the party is happening. Less guests as you reach further and further out. All proper buildings have a entry and exit that faces the court-yard, but then you'd still be stuck in the middle of a court yard while circled by these 10' tall homes. Off in the kitchen, it does seem that there is a back exit leading to the outside and near the fence you could jump over if things go south too ast.
You do notice the faint outline in some of the rooms; a false door. Likely servant doors that enable people to come and go without being seen. They would be your best bet to slip out and away undetected.
Tarak...
While the Matron certainly has a eclectic taste, it seems nothing more than yet another coat of arms for some noble person. Continuing to look around, you don't make it very far before beginning to get caught up in some conversation.
You have what seem like excellent, if not vapid and a little.. rote conversations. The majority of people only seeming to want to talk about a small handful of topics over and over, while insisting that they are here to meet the non-locals. Yet they don't engage very much in asking you any questions. Keeping the chatter light and airy. They are also very difficult to get a read on.
((Tarak, roll a Investigation check))
A, small, handful of others are seemingly delighted to meet you. Other merchants from other boats, having been invited to meet with the Matron. Promised a discussion on wares, and opportunities.
As you continue to dialogue with them, there's something... off that you're not able to put your finger on. Speaking in half truths and obfuscating answers that certainly aren't a lie.. but... leave you with a feeling that they're purposely dancing around details.
Morgan....
As you stand on the deck of the Windhook, you eventually hear the creaking of the wooden boards of the docks. There, a large Loxodon standing on the store. Manta cape billowing in the light breeze. A hand on the hilt of a rapier blade.
"I accept your offering. But... I don't know if it'll satisfy our Patron. And I, truly, fear what the reprisal will be for ignoring what is giving us a second chance at life."
Crew, what do you all do?
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
Abigail returns to the party to do the "mingling" thing. Trying to suss out people's motivations and purposes at the party (not sure what the contract is in its specifics, but perhaps she can find out a bit more on that as well - Abigail doubts it is regular goods that are being shipped... or... whatever).
Social skills that might be of some importance...
Persuasion: 13
Insight: 8
Deception: 19
History: 12 - in case the are talking about historically relevant issues.
Investigation: 16
Investigation 17
As you continue to talk to people, a good number of the party goers seem to... fade. You can still see them, hear them, but more like ghosts. Something has made this party out to be an illusion... with other people intermixed. Or at least also caught up in the illusion...
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
Morgan scrunches their face ((they are back in Morgan form btw)) "I mean, I get it... Dude is big and scary. He can kill us and eat our souls... probably. But we we're going to die anyway, so being here" Morgan waves vaguely at the universe "Our time here is a gift, limited though it maybe. So it's really up to us to enjoy it while we can... or try to shunt this curse. Yeah I probably should have done that instead. I can't recall if I've ever defied them before or not, but probably I have. The guy keeps giving me dreams he that are so vague it's like he wants me to fail "'Make two become one! WwWWwooOOOoooOOOhhh!' and I'm like 'great do I need to reforge an ancient broke blade or make sure some couple gets married?' It seems to me that we are aligned to a malicious entity so it sort of behooves us to defy him while we can. Prove to him we aren't puppets, that we still have free will. Anyway you seem like you have a lot to lose then I do so I get it, if you want to kill me. I have a couple of favors to ask first: 1, We do it somewhere abandoned so no one gets hurt in the crossfire. 2, Lets get a good last meal in and talk about what's happened to us, maybe figure out what our patron actually wants and maybe how we can get out from under his grip. 3, if you win then you have to try to do everything you can to get out of his influence because if we're both tortured for all eternity that makes us the chumps, right?"
Do I need persuasion?
persuasion 19
Tarak carefully drifts around to Lafetha and the others and while being aware of who is real and near them he lets them know about the illusion people. Pointing out things like how they don’t eat, when one maybe drifts through another accidentally, etc. trying to help the team see who is who.
Then he tries to spot the person making this happen as I’m sure a spell like this takes concentration.
Arcana 18
Tarak (and Lafetha)
You both look around, trying your best to make sense of the situation. Unfortunately, your searching comes up blind. Unable to see who may be casting such a spell. Nobody is standing around waiving their hands, or keeping a incantation on their lips.
Tarak, you begin to feel your heartbeat pick up. A rush of adrenaline. A thought enters your mind.... If someone real in the room is keeping it concentrating... then hurting them can break the concentration. It's a foolproof plan..... oh bearer mine....
Abigail
You also feel like something is... off about this party. The people are rather hard to read. Obtuse in their answers, or not able to answer. They dance around particular questions. Some fall back into patterns of the same old questions with their counter parts. You can't begin to count the amount of times they ask about things like the weather, or small scale gossip. It's almost like you are hearing the same stories over and over.
From those that fall into talking about the same thing over and over, they try to learn about you. But you're able to guide the questions and dance as much as they try. Even the people who claim to be merchants here for their own 'reasons' aren't able to answer your own proper questions.
Morgan
He sighs, before tossing the cloak over his shoulder and around him more like a shawl. A bit of a fan of the dramatic.
"I'll be very honest, I have no interest in trying to kill you," he pauses, face scrunching up a bit. "Well... that's not entirely true. I would certainly like to. Revenge and all. But your gift was acceptable; as neither of us are dead. Or destroyed if we're secretly undead and have yet to realize it." He lets out a very nervous laugh. Clearly, a thought he has been wondering.
"How do we escape this? Without losing our abilities and life, though?"
Abigail, Tarak, Lafetha
As the party continues, the three of you meet back up for a second. As you're all informed of the illusionary nature of most the guests, they do fade into the background. Still there.. but less of a focus.
It almost seems that this party is here to learn more about your crew, than anything. Like some kind of odd setup.
What do you all do?
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
Morgan sighs, "I don't know but here is what I do know..." Morgan tells them everything they know. They probably put it together that the person that 'killed' Morgan would also have a relationship to their Patron. "So, he was with... The Queen's Blades... Iron Daggers... ((Morgan says their name, I don't remember what we agreed on)). So, we... or maybe just me... need to find this guy and see if I... we... can get anything from him. Maybe add a piece to this puzzle... maybe I can discretely join their ranks, figure it out form the inside... I don't suppose you've tried asking the queen for salvation? that honestly never occurred to me until now. I'm going to talk to a high ranking follower of the Queen tomorrow. Maybe he'll know something. I have to come back here." Morgan waves to the boat, "Anyways. so I'll be back here and you don't like the answers I have we can duel before I leave." Morgan's eyes go wide, "Oh no! I compeltely forgot that my friends are at your house right not, in what sounds like a trap. Are they in any danger?"
perception to see if I can sense if this is some sort of set up to attack our crew 7
Tarak hears the voice in his head and responds internally. “No way. We are without armor or weapon. I’d rather not take on the guards with my bare hands. But....maybe there is an idea here to break concentration.”
Tarak moves to go into the outside courtyard area to look around and wants to see if the illusion or any of the real folks move with him.
Perception 17
Lafetha
While looking around, you try and get the sense at what may be going on. It's entirely possible this is all a set upto ambush you and the crew. But you don't see anyone armed close by.
Tarak
You take a small stroll to the court yard for a moment. The musicians outside continue to play and serenade. Inside where you were, the party - including the illusionary guests - continue.
Morgan
Gives a nod, but looks a bit puzzled. "I was left for dead by, well," gestures over to Morgan. "But while I was dying, something offered me a second attempt at life. I didn't meet anyone. But I suppose if our patron works through agents and other mysterious means, it could be that simply proximity to one of..." again he takes a pause. "It? Her? His? I'm never entirely sure what is whispering in my hear. " Again there's a bit of a hand waive as he attempts to get back on track. "Anyway. Proximity to a herald of some sort may in fact give it access. Preying upon the nearby dying."
He does scoff at the mention of asking for forgiveness. "I personally don't ever see a reason to ask for forgiveness from the Iron Queen and her ilk." A bit of arcane energy forms around his hand. "Their dogma and I haven't been seeing eye to eye on what is good and wrong in the world."
He glances back at the mention of the party. "Well, I suppose that depends. My wife is likely putting them through a test. Seeing if their a good candidate for an assignment from the Master."
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
Abigail gets annoyed. Under her breath, "I hate setups. I hate tests. I hate fancy parties. Of course people here are not real, every uppity party I have been to seems to be made up of fake people..." She shrugs. "Fine. They want to do this. Lets see what we are up against."
She scans those that have not been identified as illusions by Tarak, trying to gauge their numbers, where their focus or interests appear to be aimed, and if the are armed.
In case needed, Perception: 19, Insight: 11
Abigail moves to a less observed area, or asks a butler where their outhouse/water closet is, in order to get herself alone as possible.
If she is able to get to a more private setting:
Abigail casts Detect Magic, then attempts to sneak back into the party to try to observe without being observed herself Stealth: 17
...going to stop here, because I am not sure what sort of things might become very apparent once Detect Magic is on, and I might want to approach things differently if say there is a bunch of necromatic magic or large amounts of magic behind a door.
Abigail
Glancing around, you don't believe the real people here are armed. Or if they are, it's much like yourself; a possible dagger stashed away. Most seem to be going about the party, mingling, talking, and just keeping things... casual. Much like before when you interacted with them - they may not be aware of who's real and who isn't.
The guards that block some of the pathways are all armed, however. Just keeping to their posts and not minding the commotion of the party.
When you do step away for that moment, things become a bit more clear. It's just the main room that has the strong presence of illusionary magic. Tarak's bone covered arm gives off a huge aura of undefined magical energy as well... it's own aura competing and nearly masking whatever spell is in the room.
As you weave your way through, there doesn't appear to be any epicenter of the spell itself. More of, this was cast and placed in a specific location. If it is sustained - it isn't coming from anyone in here.
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
Morgan nods, "Listen, I there is no love between me and the iron queen, such a bunch of self righteous stick in the muds with fun ruining mantras. Maybe that's why we were chosen by the patron. Because we don't like the Queen it sot fit to recruit us, because it wants us to work against the queen... Anyway the point I was trying to make is Our Patron is a big scary powerful thing, we might need to find and use something oh equal or greater power to get out from under their thumb. Unfortunately the Queen in her infinite wisdom sort of wiped out all the knowledge of anything else on that level, so if you know any power god-level entities we can turn to, I'm all ears... I'm sorry was that racist?" religion 15 history 12 to see if they've heard of anything on that level
When Morgan hears of the test they shrug, "I mean we are very dumb, but we are good at not dying... Better than the last crew... Tarak is new so I can't vouch for him expect his ability to ignore team mates to pick up shiny things, and the fact that I'm saying that makes it terrible."
Abigail tries to work her way back to one of those false doors she noticed earlier, if they can be opened without much difficulty... then she wants to take a better look inside.
Abigail - you slip into a the servant's hallways. They've quite tight; you've able to walk down it but if someone was wider than you, the person would likely have to turn to their side to navigate. The hallways move across rooms, and into the bathrooms. One likely heads off to the kitchen. You do see a few surprised servants, one of them holding a plate of stuffed olives on their way to the party.
"Oh.. uh... excuse me?" they state, turning to the side and lifting the platter up and over. Seemingly more busy on making sure that the party continues than wondering who this stranger is in the hallway.
The hallways don't connect to the downstairs at all. Simply around the main home. You would assume that the other homes are likely similar in their design. It giving a way for the servants to come and go without being seen, or having to trek through the interconnected rooms... due to these homes not being built with hallways - just room next to room.
((If Abigail returns to the others in the main room, that's fine. Or she can continue to sneak around))
Back in the party, the crew continues to look around and see the events unfold. Having talked to the crowd, there aren't many options left. The Matron, who's in the room with you. Downstairs - but the doorways are each guarded. The servants. And the kitchen.
The Loxodon gives a little bit of a nod while listening to Morgan. "Well... I personally don't know any of I would likely not be in this mess. But not dying is quite useful in some lines of work, so I will take that as some kind of praise."
Morgan, you don't truly know of any real.. gods per se. The Faith certainly has attempted to quell multiple cult incursions with zeal. The Weirds, and the Followers of Shion jump to your mind. Sim, Abigail and Lafetha did make reference to something being in the Widowpeak Mountains that certainly left them scarred. While you draw power from a pact with some kind of... weird being.. you do know it isn't the only one. Fables of Relics of the Faith - the weapons the champions used to protect the world - may have more truth to them, but you'd need a full on library to do proper research. And, of course, there's the crazy and wild stories that people tell of the Evershift. Granted; most are told in a sort of pulpy action adventure sagas..
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
"Alright, well, no surprises hiding in here, I suppose. No other major magical auras around.... If I go snooping through any more of this place, I will likely ruin the party for others somehow. Well, there is really only one thing left to do then..."
Seeing nothing of interest within the servant passages, heads for the kitchen ((if she runs into another servant while in the passage, she will ask them directions, if not obvious)).
Tarak returns to the main room and approaches the Matron bowing as he does so. “I think what you have done here is very clever. My questions is do you hear what the illusions discuss so you can gather info discreetly? Or is it just a game to see who is observant enough to see the trick? Either way I tip my proverbial hat to you for the ingenuity. My name is Tarak though I imagine you already know that.”
Insight 3
Morgan sighs, "Ugh, I'm probably going to have to go to a library and do research on this. I'd rather be in a duel to the death than set foot in a library... Does this place have a library worth anything? and are there people I can pay to do research for me? Or maybe a secrect cell of the Followers of Shion we could ask? RIght now my completely uneducated theory is: you remember the old stories of the Relics of Faith? The Sword of Saint Grand Bishop Suchandsuch... What is a hero with out a villain? Some sort of Dark evil blade that's the inverse of the good blade... or maybe the good blade isn't all that good. Where is the nearest relic blade? I bet it has some answers for us."