The male Kenku looks at the note, his eyes wide at the display of magical talent. He nods to Grin. "We will do this. Thank you for your help." He cocks his head and studies you. "Are you witch?" He asks, more curious than scared. "We have never seen..." he makes a gesture, as though he is waving a magic wand "before."
Aleksei hugs his backpack close to his chest, perhaps sensing your suspicions. "If we are resting, then we need to leave at first light in the morning. I will help heal the King if" he raises up two fingers imperiously "First, you help me avoid these assassins you so helpfully led to my door. Second, you find these hags and end their unnatural hold over this kingdom. Nothing else matters. It will end the plague and hopefully restore the king to his senses."
"I do agree we need a rest but we will pull a watch keeping an eye on these ones. I don't agree with letting them get off attacking us but we so have bigger priorities," Nevlav says as he moves to the doorway and peers outside.
"As for your deal, "This business with the hags that your mentor fostered in the name of the king is now all of our problems. We will do all we can to rid these lands of their presence, where do we start?"
Aleksei bristles at your tone, Nevlav, but he says nothing. Instead, he taps his fingers on one of his bookshelves and peers at you for a moment, then turns away. "I haven't exactly been idle these past fifteen years. Based on reports I've heard, I believe one of the sisters, the youngest one, still resides in the place where King Brocc and my mentor found them. The sylvan wilds outside the capital -- the Redwood Forest. I'm sure if you find one of the logging companies out there, or one of the druid circles that populate those forests, they will be able to point you to the corruption. I also believe one of the sisters is based out of the port city of Larouche or nearby, based on what I've heard from the seabirds that come north in the summer months. There is... something wrong with the waters out there. The third sister, the oldest one...I have no idea. She has hidden herself effectively from man and beast alike. Perhaps the library of the Royal Academy of Languedoc can guide you or one of her sisters has the key. The only known source of information about them is under lock and key in the Committee of Public Safety's headquarters, so your guess is as good as mine own."
Alden stands for a few moments pondering all that is going on. Most around him can tell he is the type of person that lives in his own head most of the time.
"A rest and watch is a good thing." he says almost absently.
Alden spends time trying to process all the information he has gained so far.
"We should eat as well." he says.
Alden will use this time to observe the Kenku, watching their mannerisms and the like to gain any Insight on if they are potting or are they the victims they say:
Yoric still looks confused. “You’ve mentioned they Committee of Public Safety a couple times now. Why would such a group have information like you’re talking about?”
Aleksei nods to Thalion. "Then you're fighting for your home, too. If this creature is truly living in those woods, then her evil is affecting plant, beast, and any creature that spends any amount of time there. Powerful motivation, ranger. " He looks irritated by Alden's mentioning of dinner.
"I suppose I have some pickled hare and cider in my larder." He does a silent count and grimaces, muttering to himself "There goes my entire reserve for the fall." He starts to move off into the kitchen, and then comes back quickly, grabbing his bag and bringing it back with him into the kitchen.
Alden, as you watch the kenku closely, you notice, if nothing else, they seem to be a very tight family unit. The male Kenku, who seems to be the oldest, is constantly fussing over the two younger sisters, especially the woman who Aleksei had almost killed. They are communicating to one another in a series of chirps, imitations of sounds (You hear a violin and a train at one point), and hand gestures. The male seems chastened and all three seem as wary of you as you are of them.
After a fair amount of time, Aleksei returns, looking somehow even grumpier, carrying a large plate of hare with some sliced potatoes and some rye bread. He puts it on the work table, pushing the other equipment into the corner. He places a jug of cider next to it. "This is all I have back there." He says, then starts to walk back to the kitchen. "I'm going to sleep in there tonight. We leave at first light. They," he jerks his thumb at the kenku "can follow us down the mountain and then they're on their own. They will be a liability. Is there anything else or am I relieved from playing the gracious host?"
Aleksei smiles at Yoric. "My dear boy, the Committee is the secret police. It always was. What better way to spy upon your own people than to control so many aspects of their everyday life. Travel, weapons ownership, press censorship, even delivery of the mail. Its a genius system, and was only ever intended to be a temporary measure during the war. After the war, there were just so many magic users to find. And of course, those who argued against the Committee's continued existence were found to be part of the Followers. And I can only imagine how much power Capet has amassed since then. He relies upon secrets to consolidate his power. And he knows so many secrets."
Alden seems to snap out of his observing and contemplation with Aleksei's question.
"My words were a command for you Doctor, What you did is appreciated but there was no imposed compliance." Alden states flatly.
Alden turns his attention to the Kenku. "My companions are right, you will be safe this night. Each of them have shown you a kindness that seems rare at the moment. I am glad they are my companions." Alden says with a smile to the Kenku.
"Funny how, for a druid and healer, you have such disregard for fellow beings." Alden says without turning towards the doctor.
Alden stretches a bit and turns towards his companions. "I am not entirely sure of your game Doctor. There are things your are not saying and are being deceitful in many ways. Like my mentor would say, Many will try to deceive you with words, deeds and plans. In the end, it all comes to the light." Alden will address the Doctor without turning towards him.
To his companions Alden will say: "Eat, heal and get some rest. I will take first watch." he says with a smile.
Alden's face saddens a bit. "Thalion, could you help me move the assassin's body out of the residence before you rest?" Alden asks.
Alden will take what he can find to wrap the neck and head of the deceased assassin. He will then proceed to drag the body out through closest exit. he will try and move the body to a location that has some concealment from the path that leads to the home.
Once done he will clean up a bit and walk the perimeter about 50 ft. radius, checking the area.
Thalion smirks at Alden's assessment of the grumpy druid and nods before helping him dispose of the body. For the rest of the night he is even more taciturn than usual as he frets for his homeland.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Aleksei looks at each of you in turn before responding. "There may be things I've kept from you, yes. I promise you, though -- everything I have told you this far regarding this disease and its cause is the absolute truth. I...may be able to share more before our arrival in the capital, but I would prefer to keep my own counsel for the moment. You saved me from that assassin, yes, but the enemy of my enemy is not necessarily my ally. I have known you for, about three hours. I have been a fugitive for fifteen years, so forgive me
He pauses now, watching the kenku. "And if I seem rude or have disregard for life, it is only that my concerns are much greater than any individual life, particularly those that serve my foes. I would gladly sacrifice every life in this room, my own included, in order to save this kingdom and eradicate whatever is blighting it. If you would not make the same choice, then the journey ahead may be very difficult for you."
As the halfling warlock addresses him, he looks wryly amused, then bows his head. "You, I like. You've shown more sense than any of them dealing with the Assassin."
He mumbles a few words, waves a hand holding mistletoe and casts Goodberry and hands Grin ten juicy red berries. "You've convinced me. I will spend the night in here, on the condition that the kenku go to the kitchen and nest there. With their gracious permission of course."
The kenku look at each other, their mouths already full of hare, and there is a momentary flurry of caws and gestures. Then, the male speaks. "This is acceptable. My sisters and I would feel safer there anyway."
DM Screen
2
Alden, as you are outside, it is starting to grow darker. There doesn't seem to be anything in the immediate vicinity of the cottage, though you do notice that the moon is only about 3/4 visible, so any concerns about wereboars, if the druid was serious, seem to be not a problem -- at least tonight.
As you finish supper and find a corner of Aleksei's cottage to bunk down for the night, some of you taking turns on watch, others engaged in your own pursuits (Grin, make a straight INT check to see how much you understand about the basic mechanism of the flintlocks). The kenku are bedded down in the kitchen, and within minutes there are soft snoring sounds coming from there. Doctor Aleksei sits in his bed, his rucksack in his lap, spending some time writing before falling asleep, his bag still clutched in his hands.
Eventually, sleep or rest comes to all of you.
Yoric
Just before you fall asleep, you hear a familiar voice in your head. "Apparently my agent failed. Pity. Since you are hardier than expected, perhaps we should have a chat, musician to musician. Claudia says hello."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Grin, surprisingly you almost intuitively understand much of what makes the weapon work -- when fired, the hammer of the weapon strikes a small piece of metal. The ensuing spark goes down into a pan with gunpowder and --once it ignites the gunpowder, it fires the small lead balls. You imagine if you were able to find other types of similarly shaped projectiles, you may be able to fire them as well. It is an old weapon, but surprisingly elegant, and well-taken care of.
With a little more study (1 hours and 1 more INT check) and some practice, it seems like you might be able to use the pistol as a weapon.
Morning comes without incident and as you all emerge from slumber or trance, you notice that Doctor Aleksei is already up, busying himself with his chemical supplies and consulting his notes.
The kenku all seem to have left as soon as they awoke. They've left a note that seems to be addressed directly to Thalion.
Knife-Ears,
Sorry we attempted to kill you. The flame lady promised we would see our family and please the King if we killed you and your friends and the strange, scary ape-man. We know now she was bad. If you ever come to Seewaldt, you will have friends among the Kenku.
Scraper, Scribbler, and Sweeper
After you are all awake, Aleksei says "I have the raw components to remove the plague's effects on the King. I'll need to refine them, but that can be done when we get to the Mechanical Palace. If this works, the old man should be right as rain until the As I said last night, though, until the horrible sisters whom the King dealt with are dispatched, this disease will continue to spread."
He pulls on a cloak and straps his rucksack to his back. "I assume you have transportation to Valance? Its a good two days ride via mount. I have to admit, there is...a certain excitement about going back. I have been away so very long. Shall we head down the mountain?"
Yoric is contemplative on the way down before speaking his mind. “Hey gang. What if... we tried to get the good sergeant to take us via airship? It just sounds like there are killers who’d be ready for us to come back on the train. Is that stupid?”
"I think you have the right of it Yoric. That ship will be a good way to get back with haste," Nevlav comments from his position in the rear. "We can't doddle and I feel the Sergeant could be persuaded for his own interests."
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The male Kenku looks at the note, his eyes wide at the display of magical talent. He nods to Grin. "We will do this. Thank you for your help." He cocks his head and studies you. "Are you witch?" He asks, more curious than scared. "We have never seen..." he makes a gesture, as though he is waving a magic wand "before."
Aleksei hugs his backpack close to his chest, perhaps sensing your suspicions. "If we are resting, then we need to leave at first light in the morning. I will help heal the King if" he raises up two fingers imperiously "First, you help me avoid these assassins you so helpfully led to my door. Second, you find these hags and end their unnatural hold over this kingdom. Nothing else matters. It will end the plague and hopefully restore the king to his senses."
Grin holds a finger to her lips and then gives the male Kenku a wink.
"I do agree we need a rest but we will pull a watch keeping an eye on these ones. I don't agree with letting them get off attacking us but we so have bigger priorities," Nevlav says as he moves to the doorway and peers outside.
"As for your deal, "This business with the hags that your mentor fostered in the name of the king is now all of our problems. We will do all we can to rid these lands of their presence, where do we start?"
Aleksei bristles at your tone, Nevlav, but he says nothing. Instead, he taps his fingers on one of his bookshelves and peers at you for a moment, then turns away. "I haven't exactly been idle these past fifteen years. Based on reports I've heard, I believe one of the sisters, the youngest one, still resides in the place where King Brocc and my mentor found them. The sylvan wilds outside the capital -- the Redwood Forest. I'm sure if you find one of the logging companies out there, or one of the druid circles that populate those forests, they will be able to point you to the corruption. I also believe one of the sisters is based out of the port city of Larouche or nearby, based on what I've heard from the seabirds that come north in the summer months. There is... something wrong with the waters out there. The third sister, the oldest one...I have no idea. She has hidden herself effectively from man and beast alike. Perhaps the library of the Royal Academy of Languedoc can guide you or one of her sisters has the key. The only known source of information about them is under lock and key in the Committee of Public Safety's headquarters, so your guess is as good as mine own."
Thalion looks up at the mention of the Redwood Forest.
"If the sylvan wilds is where this hunt takes us, fear not. I've had much success finding loggers destroying my home," he says with a bitter laugh.
Alden
Alden stands for a few moments pondering all that is going on. Most around him can tell he is the type of person that lives in his own head most of the time.
"A rest and watch is a good thing." he says almost absently.
Alden spends time trying to process all the information he has gained so far.
"We should eat as well." he says.
Alden will use this time to observe the Kenku, watching their mannerisms and the like to gain any Insight on if they are potting or are they the victims they say:
Insight: 11
Yoric still looks confused. “You’ve mentioned they Committee of Public Safety a couple times now. Why would such a group have information like you’re talking about?”
Paladin - warforged - orange
Aleksei nods to Thalion. "Then you're fighting for your home, too. If this creature is truly living in those woods, then her evil is affecting plant, beast, and any creature that spends any amount of time there. Powerful motivation, ranger. " He looks irritated by Alden's mentioning of dinner.
"I suppose I have some pickled hare and cider in my larder." He does a silent count and grimaces, muttering to himself "There goes my entire reserve for the fall." He starts to move off into the kitchen, and then comes back quickly, grabbing his bag and bringing it back with him into the kitchen.
Alden, as you watch the kenku closely, you notice, if nothing else, they seem to be a very tight family unit. The male Kenku, who seems to be the oldest, is constantly fussing over the two younger sisters, especially the woman who Aleksei had almost killed. They are communicating to one another in a series of chirps, imitations of sounds (You hear a violin and a train at one point), and hand gestures. The male seems chastened and all three seem as wary of you as you are of them.
After a fair amount of time, Aleksei returns, looking somehow even grumpier, carrying a large plate of hare with some sliced potatoes and some rye bread. He puts it on the work table, pushing the other equipment into the corner. He places a jug of cider next to it. "This is all I have back there." He says, then starts to walk back to the kitchen. "I'm going to sleep in there tonight. We leave at first light. They," he jerks his thumb at the kenku "can follow us down the mountain and then they're on their own. They will be a liability. Is there anything else or am I relieved from playing the gracious host?"
Aleksei smiles at Yoric. "My dear boy, the Committee is the secret police. It always was. What better way to spy upon your own people than to control so many aspects of their everyday life. Travel, weapons ownership, press censorship, even delivery of the mail. Its a genius system, and was only ever intended to be a temporary measure during the war. After the war, there were just so many magic users to find. And of course, those who argued against the Committee's continued existence were found to be part of the Followers. And I can only imagine how much power Capet has amassed since then. He relies upon secrets to consolidate his power. And he knows so many secrets."
Alden
Alden seems to snap out of his observing and contemplation with Aleksei's question.
"My words were a command for you Doctor, What you did is appreciated but there was no imposed compliance." Alden states flatly.
Alden turns his attention to the Kenku. "My companions are right, you will be safe this night. Each of them have shown you a kindness that seems rare at the moment. I am glad they are my companions." Alden says with a smile to the Kenku.
"Funny how, for a druid and healer, you have such disregard for fellow beings." Alden says without turning towards the doctor.
Alden stretches a bit and turns towards his companions. "I am not entirely sure of your game Doctor. There are things your are not saying and are being deceitful in many ways. Like my mentor would say, Many will try to deceive you with words, deeds and plans. In the end, it all comes to the light." Alden will address the Doctor without turning towards him.
To his companions Alden will say: "Eat, heal and get some rest. I will take first watch." he says with a smile.
Alden's face saddens a bit. "Thalion, could you help me move the assassin's body out of the residence before you rest?" Alden asks.
Alden will take what he can find to wrap the neck and head of the deceased assassin. He will then proceed to drag the body out through closest exit. he will try and move the body to a location that has some concealment from the path that leads to the home.
Once done he will clean up a bit and walk the perimeter about 50 ft. radius, checking the area.
Perception: 10
Thalion smirks at Alden's assessment of the grumpy druid and nods before helping him dispose of the body. For the rest of the night he is even more taciturn than usual as he frets for his homeland.
"Him have mor'dem berri-berries?" Grin asks Aleksei. She then looks the druid in the eye. "Aleksei, him sleep wit' da pahty, ya 'ear me?"
Aleksei looks at each of you in turn before responding. "There may be things I've kept from you, yes. I promise you, though -- everything I have told you this far regarding this disease and its cause is the absolute truth. I...may be able to share more before our arrival in the capital, but I would prefer to keep my own counsel for the moment. You saved me from that assassin, yes, but the enemy of my enemy is not necessarily my ally. I have known you for, about three hours. I have been a fugitive for fifteen years, so forgive me
He pauses now, watching the kenku. "And if I seem rude or have disregard for life, it is only that my concerns are much greater than any individual life, particularly those that serve my foes. I would gladly sacrifice every life in this room, my own included, in order to save this kingdom and eradicate whatever is blighting it. If you would not make the same choice, then the journey ahead may be very difficult for you."
As the halfling warlock addresses him, he looks wryly amused, then bows his head. "You, I like. You've shown more sense than any of them dealing with the Assassin."
He mumbles a few words, waves a hand holding mistletoe and casts Goodberry and hands Grin ten juicy red berries. "You've convinced me. I will spend the night in here, on the condition that the kenku go to the kitchen and nest there. With their gracious permission of course."
The kenku look at each other, their mouths already full of hare, and there is a momentary flurry of caws and gestures. Then, the male speaks. "This is acceptable. My sisters and I would feel safer there anyway."
DM Screen
2
Alden, as you are outside, it is starting to grow darker. There doesn't seem to be anything in the immediate vicinity of the cottage, though you do notice that the moon is only about 3/4 visible, so any concerns about wereboars, if the druid was serious, seem to be not a problem -- at least tonight.
Grin accepts and pops one berry into her mouth. "Merci Mon Ami"
As you finish supper and find a corner of Aleksei's cottage to bunk down for the night, some of you taking turns on watch, others engaged in your own pursuits (Grin, make a straight INT check to see how much you understand about the basic mechanism of the flintlocks). The kenku are bedded down in the kitchen, and within minutes there are soft snoring sounds coming from there. Doctor Aleksei sits in his bed, his rucksack in his lap, spending some time writing before falling asleep, his bag still clutched in his hands.
Eventually, sleep or rest comes to all of you.
Yoric
Just before you fall asleep, you hear a familiar voice in your head. "Apparently my agent failed. Pity. Since you are hardier than expected, perhaps we should have a chat, musician to musician. Claudia says hello."
Come on dice!
Int check: 19
(Booyah!)
Grin, surprisingly you almost intuitively understand much of what makes the weapon work -- when fired, the hammer of the weapon strikes a small piece of metal. The ensuing spark goes down into a pan with gunpowder and --once it ignites the gunpowder, it fires the small lead balls. You imagine if you were able to find other types of similarly shaped projectiles, you may be able to fire them as well. It is an old weapon, but surprisingly elegant, and well-taken care of.
With a little more study (1 hours and 1 more INT check) and some practice, it seems like you might be able to use the pistol as a weapon.
Morning comes without incident and as you all emerge from slumber or trance, you notice that Doctor Aleksei is already up, busying himself with his chemical supplies and consulting his notes.
The kenku all seem to have left as soon as they awoke. They've left a note that seems to be addressed directly to Thalion.
Knife-Ears,
Sorry we attempted to kill you. The flame lady promised we would see our family and please the King if we killed you and your friends and the strange, scary ape-man. We know now she was bad. If you ever come to Seewaldt, you will have friends among the Kenku.
Scraper, Scribbler, and Sweeper
After you are all awake, Aleksei says "I have the raw components to remove the plague's effects on the King. I'll need to refine them, but that can be done when we get to the Mechanical Palace. If this works, the old man should be right as rain until the As I said last night, though, until the horrible sisters whom the King dealt with are dispatched, this disease will continue to spread."
He pulls on a cloak and straps his rucksack to his back. "I assume you have transportation to Valance? Its a good two days ride via mount. I have to admit, there is...a certain excitement about going back. I have been away so very long. Shall we head down the mountain?"
Yoric is contemplative on the way down before speaking his mind. “Hey gang. What if... we tried to get the good sergeant to take us via airship? It just sounds like there are killers who’d be ready for us to come back on the train. Is that stupid?”
Paladin - warforged - orange
"I think you have the right of it Yoric. That ship will be a good way to get back with haste," Nevlav comments from his position in the rear. "We can't doddle and I feel the Sergeant could be persuaded for his own interests."