The search is fruitless on this evening, giving the pair shrugs or scowls in response to their queries. Q'wai notices several slips are empty and hopes that new ships will arrive tomorrow that may offer a different story. Tick says that he only found a couple of pleasure craft that were not attended. Perhaps their owners could be found as a last resort. The pair retire to the inn late, uncertain of what the next day will bring.
After an early breakfast, Q'wai continues his search for passage to Alciondria, unconcerned about his previous lack of fortune. Within one his robe's pockets, he carries a small chrysoprase and a piece of jasper, potential bargaining chips. Before leaving the inn, he inquires of its proprietor, "I seek a ship's captain. Did any lodge in this place last night?" Possibly, scouring the docks a second time may not be necessary.
If this is not the case, then Q'wai will visit a few of the nearest taverns. "The best sailors are the least sober,"he remarks to Tick. (Investigation: 3)
If neither the inn nor the taverns pan out, the search at the docks will resume. As they approach the jumble of ships and sails, Q'wai says, "A bit of inspiration may be necessary, Tick."
Looking for newly-arrived ships and crews, he patiently but determinedly hunts for the right vessel. (Investigation:9 + 2bardic inspiration)
EDIT:Investigation for Tick: 11
A second one for the second one for the second investigation (basically rolling with advantage for having a helper): 1 (LOL!)
Q'wai and Tick have terrible luck in the morning, Tick in particular manages to offend a halfling sailor with an ill-timed joke. Some people suggest going to the rival port town of Keare, less than a day's ride to the south. Another suggests chartering a ship of their own, figuring crossing the Bottomless Sea with two passengers would be about 1000 gold. Less if the captain could manage to get some other passengers or cargo as well.
Tick is feeling sorry for himself as they eat their noontime meal, quieter than usual. A mere half a day remains if they are going to get out of Va on time.
"Maybe I should just head back to Ketudas," Tick says. Q'wai has seen this mopey phase before. "You'll spend half as much on the ship without me mucking things up."
"Betrayal. Attempted queen-napping. Mind control. Coup. Attempted coup. Infernal interference. A well-meaning circus act. A failed horse trade."Dog closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, and engages in the thought exercise with his friend for quite some time, talking through each possibility.
"Really, we need to secure the sound minds of Nev, Genny, Duliani, and their advisers. Including ourselves. We could use a lot more gems of seeing. Some anti-scrying arcana to prevent anyone else from knowing what we're planning. I've been using that thought detection magic I told you about, and it's useful, if I can guide the conversation to bring out surface thoughts. I will keep myself and my people close to Gentoa for the next few tendays. And you can keep your people on mind and arcane security."
Dog is most curious about Duliani's agenda. Nev and she have become close, which is good. But will that change with Haddian gone? Will someone start to push her to do something... short-sighted?
"I defer to your sense of this. Just tell me when you start to expect something and I'll try to act on it. And don't be shy about seeking oversight to monitor the royal quarters and personage for interference. Name what you need and you'll have it."
Two hours of brainstorming leaves Tock and Dog feeling drained. Dog returns to the guest quarters to find Gentoa and Neventi asleep and the King's guards as well as his team still patrolling with no issues so far. The only noteworthy occurrence was a message from Haddian's event planner requesting to meet with Dog about the security on the day of the coronation. It is only now mid afternoon and Dog feels as if it has already been three days since Haddian died.
"You really should eat something, boss," Bitzer says.
-------------------------------------
Meanwhile, Tock receives a visitor in the form of Lord Hargess and Lady Jadi. "We would like to swap places at the funeral," says Lord Hargess.
"If this means swapping places at the coronation, that is also fine," says Lady Jadi.
Tock understands this is likely to be the first of many such requests...
Ronis makes a face of realisation, and then frowns, having not thought about that. "Of course I will, but... You've seen my vision. I have to go and find Queen Duliani and warn her. If I had some way to bring you with me I would but..." He shrugs. "Unfortunately my 'gifts' are none too suited to that." He thinks for a moment. "I have to get to Alciondria as fast as I can. If that happens to be by sea then I can get a ship there from here and we can go together that way, but I don't know how costly that'd be. I'm flat out broke as it is." He sighs, looking down at what meagre belongings he still has to his name. "I might have to sell one of my magic items just to be able to pay for the journey.... Let me go in to town and see what the fastest way to Alciondria would be. I'll come back and let you know what I'm doing before I go."
After that, he'll go into Delphendria and start enquiring about the various means of travel to Alciondria, as well as listening out for any odd or recent news, like, for example, if it is a hot topic of conversation that the King is dead.
Persuasion/Investigation rolls, take whichever you prefer: P - 21 I - 19)
The three wolves dead, Martin rushes to Marble Macy and casts Healing Word at 3rd level for 13 health. The draft horse breathes in a shocked breath and scrambles to its feet. Martin shushes the panicked horse and, once settled, the pair begin their gallop towards the capital again.
The rest of the day is uneventful, as is the next day.
CON(11) check for day 6: 2
CON(11) check for day 7: 10
On the eighth day, Martin begins to see a large number of pilgrims en route to the capital, racing to try and pay tribute to their King. He passes them all by.
CON(11) check for day 8: 7
Three days in a row, Martin slumps to the ground exhausted, nearly passing out without eating a meal. Marble Macy, now fully healed, seems similarly tired. The roadside camping is getting crowded as people are pouring towards the capital and plenty more on their way out, having already paid their respects. The ranger finds himself next to a family of halflings that are singing and playing a number or songs dedicated to King Haddian. They are rousing songs celebrating the life of a remarkable man who lived too short of a life. The songs are indeed uplifting, keeping Martin from crashing directly into sleep as the last two nights.
Some of the halflings begin putting their little ones to sleep while the others talk about the day they have had. Apparently they have traveled 12 hours already this day. None of them seem to be even half as tired as Martin feels. They begin excitedly discussing the next day's travel, suggesting they could perhaps make it all the way to the capital if they push even harder. This suggestion is met with great enthusiasm...and some perplexity for Martin.
Q'wai and Tick have terrible luck in the morning, Tick in particular manages to offend a halfling sailor with an ill-timed joke. Some people suggest going to the rival port town of Keare, less than a day's ride to the south. Another suggests chartering a ship of their own, figuring crossing the Bottomless Sea with two passengers would be about 1000 gold. Less if the captain could manage to get some other passengers or cargo as well.
Tick is feeling sorry for himself as they eat their noontime meal, quieter than usual. A mere half a day remains if they are going to get out of Va on time.
"Maybe I should just head back to Ketudas," Tick says. Q'wai has seen this mopey phase before. "You'll spend half as much on the ship without me mucking things up."
"The cellar of difficulty stores the sweetest wine," remarks Q'wai, reciting a proverb he first heard as a child years ago in the monastery. He says nothing about Tick's fumbled attempt at humor, for he knows that doing so would all but guarantee that Tick will doubly repay him somewhere down the road.
The monk sets four items on the table--a small jasper with reds, browns, and yellows swirled together; a chrysoprase shimmering with varying shades of green; a large gold bracelet; and, lastly, a circlet of blasting. "Let us see how these can be of use, Tick."
With chartering a ship as his intent, Q'wai sets out after the midday meal. If a prospective captain will accept the gems, bracelet, and circlet as payment--along with some additional gold--then so be it. If, however, Q'wai needs to liquidate the items, then he will do so. With time being limited, he will forgo the investment of finding the perfect buyer. Any buyer will suffice.
Q'wai and Tick have terrible luck in the morning, Tick in particular manages to offend a halfling sailor with an ill-timed joke. Some people suggest going to the rival port town of Keare, less than a day's ride to the south. Another suggests chartering a ship of their own, figuring crossing the Bottomless Sea with two passengers would be about 1000 gold. Less if the captain could manage to get some other passengers or cargo as well.
Tick is feeling sorry for himself as they eat their noontime meal, quieter than usual. A mere half a day remains if they are going to get out of Va on time.
"Maybe I should just head back to Ketudas," Tick says. Q'wai has seen this mopey phase before. "You'll spend half as much on the ship without me mucking things up."
"The cellar of difficulty stores the sweetest wine," remarks Q'wai, reciting a proverb he first heard as a child years ago in the monastery. He says nothing about Tick's fumbled attempt at humor, for he knows that doing so would all but guarantee that Tick will doubly repay him somewhere down the road.
The monk sets four items on the table--a small jasper with reds, browns, and yellows swirled together; a chrysoprase shimmering with varying shades of green; a large gold bracelet; and, lastly, a circlet of blasting. "Let us see how these can be of use, Tick."
With chartering a ship as his intent, Q'wai sets out after the midday meal. If a prospective captain will accept the gems, bracelet, and circlet as payment--along with some additional gold--then so be it. If, however, Q'wai needs to liquidate the items, then he will do so. With time being limited, he will forgo the investment of finding the perfect buyer. Any buyer will suffice.
Investigation: 7 + 3
Investigation: 17 + 2
Jasper value: 2
Chrysopase value: 11
Gold bracelet value: 12
It isn't until early evening that Q'wai and Tick find an old captain that has just unloaded his cargo and is available for such a long voyage. "Aye, I can take you," he says. "If you give me until the morning, then I can secure some new cargo."
When he is informed that they must depart quickly...tonight, the captain frowns. "It seems a waste to leave with an empty hold. Give me an hour to find some cargo. I'll have to charge you a pretty copper for the passage."
Investigation for the Captain: 12 + 4
After an hour, the captain has found a small load of fish to deliver to the capital. "It's a paltry load," he says. To make it worth my while, you'll have to pay 1000 gold."
He agrees to take the gems and bracelet at a total combined value of 300 gold.
Dog blinks and realizes he had meant to eat lunch before his training session but skipped it, and then it was half a day later. He thanks Bitzer and goes to the kitchens and destroys an entire banquet platter. He then realizes he is close to the event planner’s office and knocks on the door.
It isn't until early evening that Q'wai and Tick find an old captain that has just unloaded his cargo and is available for such a long voyage. "Aye, I can take you," he says. "If you give me until the morning, then I can secure some new cargo."
When he is informed that they must depart quickly...tonight, the captain frowns. "It seems a waste to leave with an empty hold. Give me an hour to find some cargo. I'll have to charge you a pretty copper for the passage."
After an hour, the captain has found a small load of fish to deliver to the capital. "It's a paltry load," he says. To make it worth my while, you'll have to pay 1000 gold."
He agrees to take the gems and bracelet at a total combined value of 300 gold.
Q'wai nods in gratitude to the captain. "We thank you."
He hands the old sailor both gems, the bracelet, and a drawstring pouch containing seventy pieces of platinum. Wasting no time, Q'wai and Tick gather their possessions and step aboard.
"No need to head back to Ketudas yet," remarks Q'wai to Tick.
Dog blinks and realizes he had meant to eat lunch before his training session but skipped it, and then it was half a day later. He thanks Bitzer and goes to the kitchens and destroys an entire banquet platter. He then realizes he is close to the event planner’s office and knocks on the door.
The event planner is a very slight half-elf named Hurimi. She smiles warmly upon seeing Dog and ushers him into her disaster of an office. Parchments, chalk slates, plates of day-old food, and fruit peels litter every flat surface. Hurimi doesn't bat an eye at the mess or at Dog seeing the mess. It certainly seems messier than the last time or two he was in here. But that is understandable. She has two major events to plan in the next 20 days.
When she begins talking, she speaks as if her tongue has been Hasted. "For the coronation, Gentoa will need to be out in the open for most of the parade route from the Temple of Milil all the way to the palace. The Temple is not actually that far, so we will be extending the parade route in an switchback route like this," she says and points to a slate leaning against some books on the bookshelf behind her. "It gives more off her subjects a chance to see her that way. But it occurs to me that you might have some objections to the route or even want to just walk it. On top of that, the Temple has light security of its own but not nearly enough, in my opinion, but that really is more your purview. The palace is going to be fine, especially the throne room but if you need access to it before the event just let me know and I will get it open for you."
She takes a breath and then nibbles on a pastry that Dog was sure was not fresh.
It isn't until early evening that Q'wai and Tick find an old captain that has just unloaded his cargo and is available for such a long voyage. "Aye, I can take you," he says. "If you give me until the morning, then I can secure some new cargo."
When he is informed that they must depart quickly...tonight, the captain frowns. "It seems a waste to leave with an empty hold. Give me an hour to find some cargo. I'll have to charge you a pretty copper for the passage."
After an hour, the captain has found a small load of fish to deliver to the capital. "It's a paltry load," he says. To make it worth my while, you'll have to pay 1000 gold."
He agrees to take the gems and bracelet at a total combined value of 300 gold.
Q'wai nods in gratitude to the captain. "We thank you."
He hands the old sailor both gems, the bracelet, and a drawstring pouch containing seventy pieces of platinum. Wasting no time, Q'wai and Tick gather their possessions and step aboard.
"No need to head back to Ketudas yet," remarks Q'wai to Tick.
The shipment of fish is loaded within the hour and the crew are all back on board, grumbling a bit but happy for a guaranteed purse up front. The captain is an old salty dragonborn named Forktongue, commanding the Serpent Queen. Saying "Captain Forktongue" always sends Tick into a fit of giggles that more than once gets him an elbow in the ribs. But the captain is good-natured and happy to have a job.
"I was certain it would be a couple of days before we would set sail again. We've lots of room in the hold to set up quarters for you," he says. "Just make yourselves at home. You've got the run of the ship, since you paid a pretty copper for it."
The Serpent Queen catches a strong wind out of port and sends the mercantile craft quickly into the Bottomless Sea. This is as direct a route as one can take to get to Alciondria. The dangers are significant going this route, but it is traversed frequently, even by Forktongue, who often accept the risks for a voyage in half the time. The first day of sailing is smooth but chilly. The autumn sea breeze fills the sails and chills Tick to the bone. "I'll stay below. We can't all have magical robes to keep us warm."
During the third night at sea, a spectacular meteor shower lights up the clear night sky. This sends the crew into a frenzy of discussion about omens and bad luck. Several of the sailors are badly shaken by the sighting. On the fourth evening, Q'wai stands above deck, his friend sleeping through a bout of nausea below, when two sailors doing a poor job of sneaking about, are working to untie one of the longboats and drop it into the sea. As the longboat is swung out over the water, one of the sailors spies Q'wai and taps the other on the shoulder.
"Eh, sorry, mate. We...uh...we can't abide ignoring a warning of the gods. Bottomless Sea or not, Forktongue will have to get you there without us. Tell him good luck, will you?"
Dog bashfully pulls out two scones from the bag of holding. "I was in the kitchens just before this. Forgot I hadn't eaten in half a day. Polished off a banquet table, except for a tray of pastries. Not really my thing, but certain members of the royal family love them, so I sneak them in. But you've had a bit of a day already, so here you go."
Turning back to the matter at hand, he frowns at the slate. Lots of possible threats here. Better stick to what she knows. "King Haddian's public appearances were necessarily a bit less, well, public, since I got here. Before he got sick and did this sort of high profile thing more often, what sort of arcane protections did you expect from the mage cadre? What about more mundane threats? It's not just assassins aiming pointy things, it's people muttering spells from the crowd. That can be more dangerous. We can try to block missiles, and we can try to dispel most magical effects after the parade is done, sure, but some things are powerful, or fast, or long-lasting. Did Haddian ever use any sort of artifact or glamour to dissuade this sort of thing?"
His mind is paying attention to about 60% of what he's saying. The rest is thinking of what Tock would think of. Body doubles. Mirror images, with a fake one sitting in a prominent, but empty seat, while the real Genny looked like a courtier on another stagecoach, still happily waving at the crowd. Anti-magic shells. Shields. Thought detection.
He speaks up again. "If anyone becomes oddly curious about the specifics of the route or access to the temple or the palace, beyond the usual status scrum, please let me know."
Dog bashfully pulls out two scones from the bag of holding. "I was in the kitchens just before this. Forgot I hadn't eaten in half a day. Polished off a banquet table, except for a tray of pastries. Not really my thing, but certain members of the royal family love them, so I sneak them in. But you've had a bit of a day already, so here you go."
Turning back to the matter at hand, he frowns at the slate. Lots of possible threats here. Better stick to what she knows. "King Haddian's public appearances were necessarily a bit less, well, public, since I got here. Before he got sick and did this sort of high profile thing more often, what sort of arcane protections did you expect from the mage cadre? What about more mundane threats? It's not just assassins aiming pointy things, it's people muttering spells from the crowd. That can be more dangerous. We can try to block missiles, and we can try to dispel most magical effects after the parade is done, sure, but some things are powerful, or fast, or long-lasting. Did Haddian ever use any sort of artifact or glamour to dissuade this sort of thing?"
His mind is paying attention to about 60% of what he's saying. The rest is thinking of what Tock would think of. Body doubles. Mirror images, with a fake one sitting in a prominent, but empty seat, while the real Genny looked like a courtier on another stagecoach, still happily waving at the crowd. Anti-magic shells. Shields. Thought detection.
He speaks up again. "If anyone becomes oddly curious about the specifics of the route or access to the temple or the palace, beyond the usual status scrum, please let me know."
Her laugh is like a high giggle, a titter of tinkling glass. "Oh, I don't know about any of those things. You are the security expert here! I am happy to take your advice on a better route, as long as it isn't too short. And I can certainly inform you of anyone trying to pry into my business. I know how to keep these things under a tight lid."
(Thank you for the autopilot! Sorry, this got missed in the chaos somehow).
Martin doesn’t engage directly with anyone but begins to contemplate how he could possibly help in this situation. Then shakes his head. Surely the others will have a plan. Martin’s strength lies in steadfast aid in whatever form is required. And Martin is ready to give it freely
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Paladin - warforged - orange
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Ronis looks around furtively, before leaning over the pier. "What's wrong Verkolax?"
"Did Genny fall down a well?" (Sorry I had to.)
(Pft.)
A second one for the second one for the second investigation (basically rolling with advantage for having a helper): 1 (LOL!)
Q'wai and Tick have terrible luck in the morning, Tick in particular manages to offend a halfling sailor with an ill-timed joke. Some people suggest going to the rival port town of Keare, less than a day's ride to the south. Another suggests chartering a ship of their own, figuring crossing the Bottomless Sea with two passengers would be about 1000 gold. Less if the captain could manage to get some other passengers or cargo as well.
Tick is feeling sorry for himself as they eat their noontime meal, quieter than usual. A mere half a day remains if they are going to get out of Va on time.
"Maybe I should just head back to Ketudas," Tick says. Q'wai has seen this mopey phase before. "You'll spend half as much on the ship without me mucking things up."
The young dragon pokes his head further out of the water. "Are you coming back? I cannot go into a humanoid city..."
Two hours of brainstorming leaves Tock and Dog feeling drained. Dog returns to the guest quarters to find Gentoa and Neventi asleep and the King's guards as well as his team still patrolling with no issues so far. The only noteworthy occurrence was a message from Haddian's event planner requesting to meet with Dog about the security on the day of the coronation. It is only now mid afternoon and Dog feels as if it has already been three days since Haddian died.
"You really should eat something, boss," Bitzer says.
-------------------------------------
Meanwhile, Tock receives a visitor in the form of Lord Hargess and Lady Jadi. "We would like to swap places at the funeral," says Lord Hargess.
"If this means swapping places at the coronation, that is also fine," says Lady Jadi.
Tock understands this is likely to be the first of many such requests...
Martin stands up, furious at Macy's injuries. He whispers again to his bow (wolf 3 is the new nemesis), then fires rapidly at the two wolves.
Attack (against Wolf 3): 25 Damage: 25
Attack (against Wolf 3): 29 Damage: 20
Hordebreaker Attack: 16 Damage: 9
Ronis makes a face of realisation, and then frowns, having not thought about that. "Of course I will, but... You've seen my vision. I have to go and find Queen Duliani and warn her. If I had some way to bring you with me I would but..." He shrugs. "Unfortunately my 'gifts' are none too suited to that." He thinks for a moment. "I have to get to Alciondria as fast as I can. If that happens to be by sea then I can get a ship there from here and we can go together that way, but I don't know how costly that'd be. I'm flat out broke as it is." He sighs, looking down at what meagre belongings he still has to his name. "I might have to sell one of my magic items just to be able to pay for the journey.... Let me go in to town and see what the fastest way to Alciondria would be. I'll come back and let you know what I'm doing before I go."
After that, he'll go into Delphendria and start enquiring about the various means of travel to Alciondria, as well as listening out for any odd or recent news, like, for example, if it is a hot topic of conversation that the King is dead.
Persuasion/Investigation rolls, take whichever you prefer: P - 21 I - 19)
Again, Martin's nemesis falls with two arrows directly to its eye. The remaining wolf turns with a snarl and bites at him.
Bite Attack: 6 Damage: 10
And Martin whispers a third time to his bow, the short druid song phrase echoing again in his ear. He fires twice at the remaining wolf.
Attack: 21 Damage: 17
Attack: 28 Damage: 22
The three wolves dead, Martin rushes to Marble Macy and casts Healing Word at 3rd level for 13 health. The draft horse breathes in a shocked breath and scrambles to its feet. Martin shushes the panicked horse and, once settled, the pair begin their gallop towards the capital again.
The rest of the day is uneventful, as is the next day.
CON(11) check for day 6: 2
CON(11) check for day 7: 10
On the eighth day, Martin begins to see a large number of pilgrims en route to the capital, racing to try and pay tribute to their King. He passes them all by.
CON(11) check for day 8: 7
Three days in a row, Martin slumps to the ground exhausted, nearly passing out without eating a meal. Marble Macy, now fully healed, seems similarly tired. The roadside camping is getting crowded as people are pouring towards the capital and plenty more on their way out, having already paid their respects. The ranger finds himself next to a family of halflings that are singing and playing a number or songs dedicated to King Haddian. They are rousing songs celebrating the life of a remarkable man who lived too short of a life. The songs are indeed uplifting, keeping Martin from crashing directly into sleep as the last two nights.
Some of the halflings begin putting their little ones to sleep while the others talk about the day they have had. Apparently they have traveled 12 hours already this day. None of them seem to be even half as tired as Martin feels. They begin excitedly discussing the next day's travel, suggesting they could perhaps make it all the way to the capital if they push even harder. This suggestion is met with great enthusiasm...and some perplexity for Martin.
"The cellar of difficulty stores the sweetest wine," remarks Q'wai, reciting a proverb he first heard as a child years ago in the monastery. He says nothing about Tick's fumbled attempt at humor, for he knows that doing so would all but guarantee that Tick will doubly repay him somewhere down the road.
The monk sets four items on the table--a small jasper with reds, browns, and yellows swirled together; a chrysoprase shimmering with varying shades of green; a large gold bracelet; and, lastly, a circlet of blasting. "Let us see how these can be of use, Tick."
With chartering a ship as his intent, Q'wai sets out after the midday meal. If a prospective captain will accept the gems, bracelet, and circlet as payment--along with some additional gold--then so be it. If, however, Q'wai needs to liquidate the items, then he will do so. With time being limited, he will forgo the investment of finding the perfect buyer. Any buyer will suffice.
Investigation: 7 + 3
Investigation: 17 + 2
Jasper value: 2
Chrysopase value: 11
Gold bracelet value: 12
It isn't until early evening that Q'wai and Tick find an old captain that has just unloaded his cargo and is available for such a long voyage. "Aye, I can take you," he says. "If you give me until the morning, then I can secure some new cargo."
When he is informed that they must depart quickly...tonight, the captain frowns. "It seems a waste to leave with an empty hold. Give me an hour to find some cargo. I'll have to charge you a pretty copper for the passage."
Investigation for the Captain: 12 + 4
After an hour, the captain has found a small load of fish to deliver to the capital. "It's a paltry load," he says. To make it worth my while, you'll have to pay 1000 gold."
He agrees to take the gems and bracelet at a total combined value of 300 gold.
Dog blinks and realizes he had meant to eat lunch before his training session but skipped it, and then it was half a day later. He thanks Bitzer and goes to the kitchens and destroys an entire banquet platter. He then realizes he is close to the event planner’s office and knocks on the door.
Q'wai nods in gratitude to the captain. "We thank you."
He hands the old sailor both gems, the bracelet, and a drawstring pouch containing seventy pieces of platinum. Wasting no time, Q'wai and Tick gather their possessions and step aboard.
"No need to head back to Ketudas yet," remarks Q'wai to Tick.
The event planner is a very slight half-elf named Hurimi. She smiles warmly upon seeing Dog and ushers him into her disaster of an office. Parchments, chalk slates, plates of day-old food, and fruit peels litter every flat surface. Hurimi doesn't bat an eye at the mess or at Dog seeing the mess. It certainly seems messier than the last time or two he was in here. But that is understandable. She has two major events to plan in the next 20 days.
When she begins talking, she speaks as if her tongue has been Hasted. "For the coronation, Gentoa will need to be out in the open for most of the parade route from the Temple of Milil all the way to the palace. The Temple is not actually that far, so we will be extending the parade route in an switchback route like this," she says and points to a slate leaning against some books on the bookshelf behind her. "It gives more off her subjects a chance to see her that way. But it occurs to me that you might have some objections to the route or even want to just walk it. On top of that, the Temple has light security of its own but not nearly enough, in my opinion, but that really is more your purview. The palace is going to be fine, especially the throne room but if you need access to it before the event just let me know and I will get it open for you."
She takes a breath and then nibbles on a pastry that Dog was sure was not fresh.
The shipment of fish is loaded within the hour and the crew are all back on board, grumbling a bit but happy for a guaranteed purse up front. The captain is an old salty dragonborn named Forktongue, commanding the Serpent Queen. Saying "Captain Forktongue" always sends Tick into a fit of giggles that more than once gets him an elbow in the ribs. But the captain is good-natured and happy to have a job.
"I was certain it would be a couple of days before we would set sail again. We've lots of room in the hold to set up quarters for you," he says. "Just make yourselves at home. You've got the run of the ship, since you paid a pretty copper for it."
The Serpent Queen catches a strong wind out of port and sends the mercantile craft quickly into the Bottomless Sea. This is as direct a route as one can take to get to Alciondria. The dangers are significant going this route, but it is traversed frequently, even by Forktongue, who often accept the risks for a voyage in half the time. The first day of sailing is smooth but chilly. The autumn sea breeze fills the sails and chills Tick to the bone. "I'll stay below. We can't all have magical robes to keep us warm."
During the third night at sea, a spectacular meteor shower lights up the clear night sky. This sends the crew into a frenzy of discussion about omens and bad luck. Several of the sailors are badly shaken by the sighting. On the fourth evening, Q'wai stands above deck, his friend sleeping through a bout of nausea below, when two sailors doing a poor job of sneaking about, are working to untie one of the longboats and drop it into the sea. As the longboat is swung out over the water, one of the sailors spies Q'wai and taps the other on the shoulder.
"Eh, sorry, mate. We...uh...we can't abide ignoring a warning of the gods. Bottomless Sea or not, Forktongue will have to get you there without us. Tell him good luck, will you?"
Dog bashfully pulls out two scones from the bag of holding. "I was in the kitchens just before this. Forgot I hadn't eaten in half a day. Polished off a banquet table, except for a tray of pastries. Not really my thing, but certain members of the royal family love them, so I sneak them in. But you've had a bit of a day already, so here you go."
Turning back to the matter at hand, he frowns at the slate. Lots of possible threats here. Better stick to what she knows. "King Haddian's public appearances were necessarily a bit less, well, public, since I got here. Before he got sick and did this sort of high profile thing more often, what sort of arcane protections did you expect from the mage cadre? What about more mundane threats? It's not just assassins aiming pointy things, it's people muttering spells from the crowd. That can be more dangerous. We can try to block missiles, and we can try to dispel most magical effects after the parade is done, sure, but some things are powerful, or fast, or long-lasting. Did Haddian ever use any sort of artifact or glamour to dissuade this sort of thing?"
His mind is paying attention to about 60% of what he's saying. The rest is thinking of what Tock would think of. Body doubles. Mirror images, with a fake one sitting in a prominent, but empty seat, while the real Genny looked like a courtier on another stagecoach, still happily waving at the crowd. Anti-magic shells. Shields. Thought detection.
He speaks up again. "If anyone becomes oddly curious about the specifics of the route or access to the temple or the palace, beyond the usual status scrum, please let me know."
Her laugh is like a high giggle, a titter of tinkling glass. "Oh, I don't know about any of those things. You are the security expert here! I am happy to take your advice on a better route, as long as it isn't too short. And I can certainly inform you of anyone trying to pry into my business. I know how to keep these things under a tight lid."
(Thank you for the autopilot! Sorry, this got missed in the chaos somehow).
Martin doesn’t engage directly with anyone but begins to contemplate how he could possibly help in this situation. Then shakes his head. Surely the others will have a plan. Martin’s strength lies in steadfast aid in whatever form is required. And Martin is ready to give it freely
Paladin - warforged - orange