"Mn... The Prisoner's delimma, I believe that is what the trick is called. So long as neither aren't particularly zealous, it should work." Doozey comments. "Be wary about this one though. Despite her alliances being what they are, she too knows a bit of magic similar to my own, from what I can tell. Though, I doubt any of it might allow her to slip away as the Late Senetir once did... best to be on guard around this one. And make sure given another once over if possible, just in case."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
The group agrees to interrogate Caah first. Ekmong approves a second pass at disarming the half-orc upon Doozey's request and a soldier spends several dozen seconds making sure that she has been deprived of most of her equipment. With a nod, Aleyd touches the conspirator.
Caah wakes up with a loud inhale upon being healed (Caah recovers 11 HP.)
She struggles against all of the binds applied to her arms, legs, and even waist. She looks around and recognizes failure upon realizing that not only has the group survived, but they are now sitting on a table and starring her down. She looks at Chaab but her facial expression barely betrays a wince, and nothing more. A second later, the realization that she is under the effect of some truth serum spell hits her.
Utar looks to his other tormites before locking eyes with Caah. Smiling, he attempts to take on the speech and cadence of a more pious cleric than he really is, attempting to goad the half-orc into her anger.
"We prayed to Torm that he might return you to us, through his divine intervention, here you are!"
Upon seeing Caah wake up and not speak Graxx clinches a fist and goes to rise from the table.
However, he is caught off guard by Utar's deception. He turns to take a look at Utar and then sits his bottom back down.
Graxx unclinches his fist and places his hand on his knee. He waits silently to see what Utar has planned.
His gaze drifts toward the unconscious Drow... Graxx uses his elbow to touch his handaxe's handle. At feeling the coolness on his elbow he smiles under his mask.... "Soon"... He thinks.
Doozey lofts a brow as well at Utar opening statement, before then looking to Caah. If it didn't look as if she was buying any of it, or really cared for it, at that, the Stoutling only then says dryly, "And here I was thinking we'd just tickle her half the death. Always got me cousins talking real quick." Afterwards, as if an afterthought really, the halfling narrows his eyes at Caah. Much like it had done to Senetir, the longer the stoutling gaze was immediately upon her, the more difficult to ignore feelings of having been marked as prey by the hunter.
"Mind if I be frank, as it least won't effect your current, uhm.. shouldn't affect things for ya. But uh... why the personal enmity for my friend here? You a jilted lover or something? Oh, and if you don't mind at least, would you at least be willing be willing to negotiate on telling us the whereabouts of Lordling Senetir ran off with?"
Graxx's plan to immediately intimidate Caah into talking is interrupted by Utar's cunning taunt. In response to such a display of Tormite faith, Caah pulls some mucus from her inner nasal chambers into her mouth and proceeds to wet Utar's cheek with a thick, green, and slimy chunk of snot. She looks like she understood the purpose of the taunt (as opposed to naively falling for it), and decided to make Utar pay in whatever way she could.
Graxx misses the moment the projectile hits because he was focused on his axe and Chaab at that instant. Doozey does not miss it, but doesn't allow the display of defiance disturb his marking spell.
Caah then responds to Doozey's first question: "Gruumsh does not take kindly to those who abandon him. I couldn't act on it upon first meeting the traitor, so I had to bide my time for an opportunity to deliver Gruumsh's punishment."She looks at Chaab and ads: "They gave me that opportunity."
As for Doozey's second question, Caah looks a bit confused before responding: "I don't know. They didn't tell me all of their plans."
Utar wipes the phlegm from his face and flicks his wrist to drop it to the floor.
"I didn't know Gruumsh cared that much, I should be flattered really."
Taking a seat a little further away from Caah, at least hoping to be out of spring range, he continues,
"A poor opportunity if you ask me though. You weren't placed close to me during the assault on the cult and you didn't make much of an impact here. Yalek was obviously the favourite, how does it feel to be second best?"
Doozey eyes had narrowed ever so slightly at the initial insult. But, he maintained his composure, listened carefully to her answers, and even gives a slight nod of thanks. However, at Utar's insistence at egging Caah on, even the stoutling cannot help but give the cleric a both a somehow questioning and disapproving look. And yet, if there's no revealing outburst from Caah in the next moments after, Doozey looks next to Ekmong.
And though his parts for a moment, a suggestion dies in his throat, remembering the tiefling had already scrambled the guard to search for the Lordling. So with a faint nod, its back to regard Caah with a contemplative look. "How did they come about recruiting you? Or vice versa for that matter? Yalek too, if you know that much. And to be exact, I mean the Zhentarim... Unless you happen to know of a third party involved in all this? Which, for what it matters, were just using you, by the way. For as many here can attest, Senetir saw fit to kill Yalek during the kerfuffle. And might likely seek your own termination.... just in case."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Utar's response gets under Caah's skin, which is just what he was hoping. In her anger, she talks more than she would likely have done with a cool head. "May Gruumsh have your head. If not by my hands, by a more worthy champion's." She shakes on her chair, showing whatever sign of defiance she can.
She continues talking, answering Graxx's and Doozey's questions next: "The drow? No, he didn't give the orders around here. The aarakocra did. They noticed some minor reaction I couldn't fully contain when this traitor (Utar) was talking to the Hammer of Impiltur. Saw in it a chance to bolster their ranks and offered me the opportunity to strike the Tormite myself should I assist them in their own plan: some play for power within Phlan's political circles. 'Catch two hares in a single swoop', he said, like a true bird of prey." She doesn't seem to have much to share about Yalek.
Everytime she looks at Utar her chair shakes in anger. Without looking at Neya, she answered the monk's question too: "I'm loyal to myself; always worked alone and swindled my way to the next purse. It was easy to swindle you too... All I needed was a poor bastard's playing card and a worthy trinket."
Ekmong is a quiet observer through all of this. He has noticed that CRAP's strategy is working and is not about to fix what ain't broken.
Graxx huffs slightly at the Caah's last sentence. He thinks of striking the blabber mouth but allows the others to continue the less physical approach of communication.
Graxx's eyes turn back to Caah.
"Were there any guards involved in this plot that were loyal to Senetir?" asks Graxx.
"Mn... Pride might suggest otherwise given certain... factors, you all did get us good, I'm ashamed to admit." Doozey bowed his head at the admission. Hearing Graxx speak up in that moment of silence, the stoutling looks from the barbarian to Chaa, before adding to it. "... A very, very good question. And since you're only loyal to yourself, and perhaps -- PERhaps considering that avian fellow was all too likely to end you as well after all was said and done... how about a little revenge telling us all else you know about their connections that you've noticed. Them being Chaab and Senetir, that is. Such as hideaways, meet points, ecetera ecetera, even if its not much." He requests.
"After all, even if you can expect another champion to rise and see your Gruumsh's vengeance done, there's not much in it for ya to keep hold of their dirty laundry now is there?" The question is accompanied with a slight cocking of the head to the side. "And Big Mama or your Grummsh willing, help us here, and Utar might die for good in the process, yes?" Doozey stroke his chin and looks to the ceiling seemingly in thought, "How did you put it again.... 'Catch two hares in a single swoop'?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Utar sits back in his chair, Cash's information puts them no closer to knowing who killed Abet, Grewalt, Ilim or Burga, but maybe solves the mystery of who attempted to kill Litta. Parking that line of inquiry for the moment, he pushes towards what information Ekmong is likely most interested in aside from the location of the Lordling.
"So what was Senetir's plan for Phlan? Did he kill Lord Valero? Was that the other hare?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Caah looks around a bit before answering the next batch of questions. Looking at Graxx, she says: "Like I said, they did not share the entire plan with me." As Doozey follows up with some related comments, Caah adds: "I know of no such hideouts. All we had was a single meeting after that initial dinner."
Caah then clarifies something, noticing Doozey didn't pick up on it: "I swindled your little group of friends before you were in the picture, halfling. And if you want me to tell you anything else, then kill this drow. Kill that Yalek and Senitir too. Otherwise they'll come after me. Do it officially, for all I care. That's what the current state of marshal law is for, isn't it?" She then looks at Aleyd and Cron: "In fact, give me your word that you won't punish me with death and I'll keep talking."
Utar asks a question but Caah pretends not to hear him. Cron is about to respond to Caah's comment but Aleyd interrupts him: "You'll get no such comfort. Keep talking and we may reconsider, if you are lucky."
You gather that she has cooled down a bit now that Utar has paused his teasing session. That is also evident from the fact that she is starting to think about her situation and future more carefully. She seems willing to cooperate and continue sharing whatever info she has, but she might want some sort of guarantee. In terms of omissions, you suspect she is coming to terms with the idea that she was used as a tool by Senitir, though she hasn't fully admitted it.
Doozey opens his mouth as if to add on in some way; only to close it without a word. Either out of discomfort or uncertainty or perhaps something else all together, the stoutling would remain quiet for the next leg of the interrogation. He stood back as much as the magic and watching eyes might allow, arms crossed and face pensive.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx takes his silvered handaxe and hops off the table.
Graxx approaches Chaab's body and places his hand on Chaab's head turning the Drow's face toward his own.
"Kill the Drow?" asks Graxx.
Graxx turns to Caah.
"From what you've said it sounds like the Drow knows a bit more than you. You said over and over they did not share the plan with you. It would be pretty stupid of me to kill Ol' Chaab here before having the chance to hear what he has to say."
Graxx removes his hand and lets Chaab's head fall back slack.
"There will be time for talking with Chaab later. I believe you have more to tell."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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"I have a question for her, as well..." Neya agrees.
Extended Signature
(Doozey certainly doesn't resist the spell.)
"Mn... The Prisoner's delimma, I believe that is what the trick is called. So long as neither aren't particularly zealous, it should work." Doozey comments. "Be wary about this one though. Despite her alliances being what they are, she too knows a bit of magic similar to my own, from what I can tell. Though, I doubt any of it might allow her to slip away as the Late Senetir once did... best to be on guard around this one. And make sure given another once over if possible, just in case."
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
The group agrees to interrogate Caah first. Ekmong approves a second pass at disarming the half-orc upon Doozey's request and a soldier spends several dozen seconds making sure that she has been deprived of most of her equipment. With a nod, Aleyd touches the conspirator.
-> Cure Wounds (upcast) roll: 11
Caah wakes up with a loud inhale upon being healed (Caah recovers 11 HP.)
She struggles against all of the binds applied to her arms, legs, and even waist. She looks around and recognizes failure upon realizing that not only has the group survived, but they are now sitting on a table and starring her down. She looks at Chaab but her facial expression barely betrays a wince, and nothing more. A second later, the realization that she is under the effect of some truth serum spell hits her.
She has yet to say a word.
Utar looks to his other tormites before locking eyes with Caah. Smiling, he attempts to take on the speech and cadence of a more pious cleric than he really is, attempting to goad the half-orc into her anger.
"We prayed to Torm that he might return you to us, through his divine intervention, here you are!"
Deception - 8
(OOC So that's a 6.)
Upon seeing Caah wake up and not speak Graxx clinches a fist and goes to rise from the table.
However, he is caught off guard by Utar's deception. He turns to take a look at Utar and then sits his bottom back down.
Graxx unclinches his fist and places his hand on his knee. He waits silently to see what Utar has planned.
His gaze drifts toward the unconscious Drow... Graxx uses his elbow to touch his handaxe's handle. At feeling the coolness on his elbow he smiles under his mask.... "Soon"... He thinks.
Doozey lofts a brow as well at Utar opening statement, before then looking to Caah. If it didn't look as if she was buying any of it, or really cared for it, at that, the Stoutling only then says dryly, "And here I was thinking we'd just tickle her half the death. Always got me cousins talking real quick." Afterwards, as if an afterthought really, the halfling narrows his eyes at Caah. Much like it had done to Senetir, the longer the stoutling gaze was immediately upon her, the more difficult to ignore feelings of having been marked as prey by the hunter.
"Mind if I be frank, as it least won't effect your current, uhm.. shouldn't affect things for ya. But uh... why the personal enmity for my friend here? You a jilted lover or something? Oh, and if you don't mind at least, would you at least be willing be willing to negotiate on telling us the whereabouts of Lordling Senetir ran off with?"
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx's plan to immediately intimidate Caah into talking is interrupted by Utar's cunning taunt. In response to such a display of Tormite faith, Caah pulls some mucus from her inner nasal chambers into her mouth and proceeds to wet Utar's cheek with a thick, green, and slimy chunk of snot. She looks like she understood the purpose of the taunt (as opposed to naively falling for it), and decided to make Utar pay in whatever way she could.
Graxx misses the moment the projectile hits because he was focused on his axe and Chaab at that instant. Doozey does not miss it, but doesn't allow the display of defiance disturb his marking spell.
Caah then responds to Doozey's first question: "Gruumsh does not take kindly to those who abandon him. I couldn't act on it upon first meeting the traitor, so I had to bide my time for an opportunity to deliver Gruumsh's punishment." She looks at Chaab and ads: "They gave me that opportunity."
As for Doozey's second question, Caah looks a bit confused before responding: "I don't know. They didn't tell me all of their plans."
Utar wipes the phlegm from his face and flicks his wrist to drop it to the floor.
"I didn't know Gruumsh cared that much, I should be flattered really."
Taking a seat a little further away from Caah, at least hoping to be out of spring range, he continues,
"A poor opportunity if you ask me though. You weren't placed close to me during the assault on the cult and you didn't make much of an impact here. Yalek was obviously the favourite, how does it feel to be second best?"
Doozey eyes had narrowed ever so slightly at the initial insult. But, he maintained his composure, listened carefully to her answers, and even gives a slight nod of thanks. However, at Utar's insistence at egging Caah on, even the stoutling cannot help but give the cleric a both a somehow questioning and disapproving look. And yet, if there's no revealing outburst from Caah in the next moments after, Doozey looks next to Ekmong.
And though his parts for a moment, a suggestion dies in his throat, remembering the tiefling had already scrambled the guard to search for the Lordling. So with a faint nod, its back to regard Caah with a contemplative look. "How did they come about recruiting you? Or vice versa for that matter? Yalek too, if you know that much. And to be exact, I mean the Zhentarim... Unless you happen to know of a third party involved in all this? Which, for what it matters, were just using you, by the way. For as many here can attest, Senetir saw fit to kill Yalek during the kerfuffle. And might likely seek your own termination.... just in case."
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx maintains his composure as he sees Utar and Doozey's strategy is working on getting Caah to talk.
Graxx motions his head toward Chaab and asks Caah.
"So was the Drow one of the main planners in this whole thing?" growls Graxx.
"So, you're neither from the Zhentarim, nor the Emerald Enclave... Where do your loyalties lie?" Neya asks, crossing her arms.
Extended Signature
DM's Screen:
6
Utar's response gets under Caah's skin, which is just what he was hoping. In her anger, she talks more than she would likely have done with a cool head. "May Gruumsh have your head. If not by my hands, by a more worthy champion's." She shakes on her chair, showing whatever sign of defiance she can.
She continues talking, answering Graxx's and Doozey's questions next: "The drow? No, he didn't give the orders around here. The aarakocra did. They noticed some minor reaction I couldn't fully contain when this traitor (Utar) was talking to the Hammer of Impiltur. Saw in it a chance to bolster their ranks and offered me the opportunity to strike the Tormite myself should I assist them in their own plan: some play for power within Phlan's political circles. 'Catch two hares in a single swoop', he said, like a true bird of prey." She doesn't seem to have much to share about Yalek.
Everytime she looks at Utar her chair shakes in anger. Without looking at Neya, she answered the monk's question too: "I'm loyal to myself; always worked alone and swindled my way to the next purse. It was easy to swindle you too... All I needed was a poor bastard's playing card and a worthy trinket."
Ekmong is a quiet observer through all of this. He has noticed that CRAP's strategy is working and is not about to fix what ain't broken.
Graxx huffs slightly at the Caah's last sentence. He thinks of striking the blabber mouth but allows the others to continue the less physical approach of communication.
Graxx's eyes turn back to Caah.
"Were there any guards involved in this plot that were loyal to Senetir?" asks Graxx.
"Mn... Pride might suggest otherwise given certain... factors, you all did get us good, I'm ashamed to admit." Doozey bowed his head at the admission. Hearing Graxx speak up in that moment of silence, the stoutling looks from the barbarian to Chaa, before adding to it. "... A very, very good question. And since you're only loyal to yourself, and perhaps -- PERhaps considering that avian fellow was all too likely to end you as well after all was said and done... how about a little revenge telling us all else you know about their connections that you've noticed. Them being Chaab and Senetir, that is. Such as hideaways, meet points, ecetera ecetera, even if its not much." He requests.
"After all, even if you can expect another champion to rise and see your Gruumsh's vengeance done, there's not much in it for ya to keep hold of their dirty laundry now is there?" The question is accompanied with a slight cocking of the head to the side. "And Big Mama or your Grummsh willing, help us here, and Utar might die for good in the process, yes?" Doozey stroke his chin and looks to the ceiling seemingly in thought, "How did you put it again.... 'Catch two hares in a single swoop'?"
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Utar sits back in his chair, Cash's information puts them no closer to knowing who killed Abet, Grewalt, Ilim or Burga, but maybe solves the mystery of who attempted to kill Litta. Parking that line of inquiry for the moment, he pushes towards what information Ekmong is likely most interested in aside from the location of the Lordling.
"So what was Senetir's plan for Phlan? Did he kill Lord Valero? Was that the other hare?"
Neya will study Caah's body language to try and determine if she is possibly hiding anything that the spell isn't catching.
Insight: 22
Extended Signature
Caah looks around a bit before answering the next batch of questions. Looking at Graxx, she says: "Like I said, they did not share the entire plan with me." As Doozey follows up with some related comments, Caah adds: "I know of no such hideouts. All we had was a single meeting after that initial dinner."
Caah then clarifies something, noticing Doozey didn't pick up on it: "I swindled your little group of friends before you were in the picture, halfling. And if you want me to tell you anything else, then kill this drow. Kill that Yalek and Senitir too. Otherwise they'll come after me. Do it officially, for all I care. That's what the current state of marshal law is for, isn't it?" She then looks at Aleyd and Cron: "In fact, give me your word that you won't punish me with death and I'll keep talking."
Utar asks a question but Caah pretends not to hear him. Cron is about to respond to Caah's comment but Aleyd interrupts him: "You'll get no such comfort. Keep talking and we may reconsider, if you are lucky."
-> Aleyd's intimidation check: 26
Neya keeps an eye on Caah (@Neya:)
You gather that she has cooled down a bit now that Utar has paused his teasing session. That is also evident from the fact that she is starting to think about her situation and future more carefully. She seems willing to cooperate and continue sharing whatever info she has, but she might want some sort of guarantee. In terms of omissions, you suspect she is coming to terms with the idea that she was used as a tool by Senitir, though she hasn't fully admitted it.
Doozey opens his mouth as if to add on in some way; only to close it without a word. Either out of discomfort or uncertainty or perhaps something else all together, the stoutling would remain quiet for the next leg of the interrogation. He stood back as much as the magic and watching eyes might allow, arms crossed and face pensive.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Utar decides it best to keep the words of his former Captain ringing in Caah's ears as much as possible.
"Who killed Lord Valero?"
He folds his arms and waits for her answer.
Graxx takes his silvered handaxe and hops off the table.
Graxx approaches Chaab's body and places his hand on Chaab's head turning the Drow's face toward his own.
"Kill the Drow?" asks Graxx.
Graxx turns to Caah.
"From what you've said it sounds like the Drow knows a bit more than you. You said over and over they did not share the plan with you. It would be pretty stupid of me to kill Ol' Chaab here before having the chance to hear what he has to say."
Graxx removes his hand and lets Chaab's head fall back slack.
"There will be time for talking with Chaab later. I believe you have more to tell."