Ronis' smile falters for a moment, his teeth grinding together at the dismissal. He doesn't know when what he's seen will happen, when she arrives back in Alciondria, it might already be too late! He tries again. He steps forward slightly, so as to protect his words from the bystanders around the gates.
"It's a message from Savras himself. I don't know why he chose me, but he did. He told me to warn her before it's too late. Please, you must let me speak to her now, it could mean worse things than the King's passing, it could be the end of Alcion!"
Persuasion: 27
"Ah ha h.." the guard says but the laugh dies on his tongue. "You realize that you sound like a lunatic, right?"
Ronis' steely gaze says in return, "Do I look like one?"
The guard lifts a chain from around his neck bearing the symbol of Mystra. Savras and Mystra have a close history, as do the two temples. Ronis had not noticed the holy symbol until the guard lifts it.
Still, hesitation fills the man's eyes. Ronis can see him weighing all of the possible courses of actions and their outcomes for him, for the queen, for Alcion. His calculus complete, he nods firmly. "You will leave your possessions at the guardhouse," he says. "All of them except your shirt and trousers. And you will meet the queen's personal bodyguard to assess you first. That is the best that I can do."
This gets Ronis past the gates and so he agrees, just not too readily. The guard personally takes the sorcerer to the guardhouse and strips him of every item except his shirt and trousers, per the deal, and puts them into a locker intended for the guards' gear and locks it. Ronis tries not to be too impatient as the guard takes his time, possibly as a test to the sorcerer's sincerity and patience, then leads him into a large, empty salon. The guard leaves and Ronis waits for what feels like an entire stranded island's worth of time all over again.
Eventually, the door swings open and a giant construct with two massive mauls strapped to his back enters the salon. The two of them couldn't look more out of place: Ronis in his castaway rags and a giant machine-man armed to the gear-teeth standing opposite each other in a quaint salon with floral-print wallpaper and matching upholstery on the sofas and pillows.
"Directive: Convey your message. I will determine its worth to meet the queen's ears."
The construct hums quietly as Ronis searches for the words to begin his story...
(Martin how has two levels of exhaustion. This halves his speed unless he can complete a long rest. Martin has 65 miles to go to get to the capital. The funeral will be held in a little over 2 days.)
Martin will move at a slower speed today and try to rest tonight.
DM shield:
4
2
7
20
13 M
19 MM
Martin trots along with Marble Macy at his side. It has been a painfully long day and he is already feeling the afternoon drag on. He looks at the sun all to frequently in the hopes that it is close to setting.
As his mind is wandering, two ropes fly through the air, clearly aimed for the necks of two unattended horses. The first misses Martin's neck but the second tightens around Macy's. A bandit to the side of the road yells, "Yee haw!" in celebration of the snag.
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...
(Can I throw an insight check at this situation? 19)
There is quite an age difference between the two but they seem to be good friends. Lady Jadi looks at the younger Lord Hargess with...pity?...sympathy? No, it more like a motherly look. There is a hint of pride or hope in her eyes. She is trying to help him with something.
Tock breathes, counts to 10, then breathes out.
"Lady Jadi, I understand that you are trying to fix Lord Hagress here up with someone and I appreciate the effort, but might I suggest doing it instead at the feasts and celebrations that happen afterwards? We would very much prefer the attendees to not engage in too much socializing during the ceremonies so that everyone may enjoy these historic moments to their full extent."
Looking at both of them, "Don't you agree?"
He will continue to deny these requests in a way that avoids straight out denial, but instead directs the efforts elsewhere.
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...
(Can I throw an insight check at this situation? 19)
There is quite an age difference between the two but they seem to be good friends. Lady Jadi looks at the younger Lord Hargess with...pity?...sympathy? No, it more like a motherly look. There is a hint of pride or hope in her eyes. She is trying to help him with something.
Tock breathes, counts to 10, then breathes out.
"Lady Jadi, I understand that you are trying to fix Lord Hagress here up with someone and I appreciate the effort, but might I suggest doing it instead at the feasts and celebrations that happen afterwards? We would very much prefer the attendees to not engage in too much socializing during the ceremonies so that everyone may enjoy these historic moments to their full extent."
Looking at both of them, "Don't you agree?"
He will continue to deny these requests in a way that avoids straight out denial, but instead directs the efforts elsewhere.
Persuasion: 7
Lord Hargess blushes and Lady Jadi straightens. "Emissary Tock," she says. "I shan't discuss such things aloud. But I do not think what we ask is all that challenging to accommodate. What do you think Duliani would say if I were to bring my request directly to her?"
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...
(Can I throw an insight check at this situation? 19)
There is quite an age difference between the two but they seem to be good friends. Lady Jadi looks at the younger Lord Hargess with...pity?...sympathy? No, it more like a motherly look. There is a hint of pride or hope in her eyes. She is trying to help him with something.
Tock breathes, counts to 10, then breathes out.
"Lady Jadi, I understand that you are trying to fix Lord Hagress here up with someone and I appreciate the effort, but might I suggest doing it instead at the feasts and celebrations that happen afterwards? We would very much prefer the attendees to not engage in too much socializing during the ceremonies so that everyone may enjoy these historic moments to their full extent."
Looking at both of them, "Don't you agree?"
He will continue to deny these requests in a way that avoids straight out denial, but instead directs the efforts elsewhere.
Persuasion: 7
Lord Hargess blushes and Lady Jadi straightens. "Emissary Tock," she says. "I shan't discuss such things aloud. But I do not think what we ask is all that challenging to accommodate. What do you think Duliani would say if I were to bring my request directly to her?"
Tock says, "I understand that I'm new at this job and you may be used to dealing with other people in these matters. You don't yet know how I operate and where my limits are. I also understand that this matter may be of import for you, otherwise you might not have wasted your time coming here."
He ponders for a moment and continues, "I could try to shame you out of this plan by mentioning that the King died just a few days ago and ask you if you really consider this to be an appropriate time to bother the de-facto ruler of this nation with the problem of changing seats at his husbands funeral. But I'm not going to do that."
"I could try to buy you off by offering you something in exchange, like a guaranteed few minutes of her time at the coronation or bringing your children or grandchildren for a playdate with the Princess. But I'm not going to do that either."
He goes to the curtained-off blackboard and takes a look behind. "I could scare you off this plan by saying that there is a detailed plan of overthrowing the kingdom written here that I'm trying to prevent and if I were you I would stay out of this event altogether. But I'm not going to do that either."
He returns. "Lady Jadi, what I am telling you is that I was and am one of the Protectors of the Princess and her biological mother Neventi. After avoiding assassination and murder many times along the way and completing the mission we spent considerable personal time with Haddian and Duliani. I got to know them and they got to know us. It is the wish of the late King that I be the one to make decisions on these matters."
"The arrangement of seating is final. You may not attend the events if this is not acceptable for you."
He sighs, "If you wish to bring this subject up with Duliani herself then I promise you that any time after three ten-days from now that you do wish to do it, I will make room in her schedule to hear you."
Tock says, "I understand that I'm new at this job and you may be used to dealing with other people in these matters. You don't yet know how I operate and where my limits are. I also understand that this matter may be of import for you, otherwise you might not have wasted your time coming here."
He ponders for a moment and continues, "I could try to shame you out of this plan by mentioning that the King died just a few days ago and ask you if you really consider this to be an appropriate time to bother the de-facto ruler of this nation with the problem of changing seats at his husbands funeral. But I'm not going to do that."
"I could try to buy you off by offering you something in exchange, like a guaranteed few minutes of her time at the coronation or bringing your children or grandchildren for a playdate with the Princess. But I'm not going to do that either."
He goes to the curtained-off blackboard and takes a look behind. "I could scare you off this plan by saying that there is a detailed plan of overthrowing the kingdom written here that I'm trying to prevent and if I were you I would stay out of this event altogether. But I'm not going to do that either."
He returns. "Lady Jadi, what I am telling you is that I was and am one of the Protectors of the Princess and her biological mother Neventi. After avoiding assassination and murder many times along the way and completing the mission we spent considerable personal time with Haddian and Duliani. I got to know them and they got to know us. It is the wish of the late King that I be the one to make decisions on these matters."
"The arrangement of seating is final. You may not attend the events if this is not acceptable for you."
He sighs, "If you wish to bring this subject up with Duliani herself then I promise you that any time after three ten-days from now that you do wish to do it, I will make room in her schedule to hear you."
Intimidation/Persuasion: 2
Lady Jadi turns red in the face, standing up as she says some very unkind things about kenku people in general and tribal backwater filth speaking to someone above their station. Tock's calm demeanor just makes her all the more upset and she promises that she will talk to Duliani upon her return about this. His days as an Emissary from the crown are numbered. Lord Hargess looks embarrassed, apologetic, and uncomfortable until Lady Jadi eventually drags him by the elbow out of the palace. He squeaks out a "Thank you for your time" as he is dragged off.
The next three days are more of the same. Tock is unwavering in his position on the seating arrangements and the nobles who come begging for reconsideration leave either disappointed, upset, or both. On the evening of the fifth day after Haddian's death, Tock has finally locked his door for the day. He leans back in his chair and smooths some feathers out on his arm as he wonders if it will always be like this.
It is fitting that in this moment everything changed.
In the corner of his office, Aeryxmaterializes. The towering solar has her wings tucked behind her and her weapons sheathed. She gives the kenku cleric a coy smile. "Hello, Tock," she says softly. Yet there is intense power in her voice. "I've come for a return on my favor."
It is fitting that in this moment everything changed.
In the corner of his office, Aeryxmaterializes. The towering solar has her wings tucked behind her and her weapons sheathed. She gives the kenku cleric a coy smile. "Hello, Tock," she says softly. Yet there is intense power in her voice. "I've come for a return on my favor."
Tock says, "Hi. Please tell me you don't want the seating arrangement changed at the ceremony?"
It is fitting that in this moment everything changed.
In the corner of his office, Aeryxmaterializes. The towering solar has her wings tucked behind her and her weapons sheathed. She gives the kenku cleric a coy smile. "Hello, Tock," she says softly. Yet there is intense power in her voice. "I've come for a return on my favor."
Tock says, "Hi. Please tell me you don't want the seating arrangement changed at the ceremony?"
"Not the funeral ceremony,"she says, speaking with intense pride. Tock feels a sense of overwhelming love and joy as she conveys her message. "The coronation. The goddess of joy, Lliira, and the goddess of love and beauty, Sune, would like to request a seat at the coronation of Princess Gentoa of Alcion. The sixth plane of heaven need send just one representative to pay their respects to the new Queen for the goddesses both."
Dog takes her up on the offer to walk the route the following day, and looks at similar route options that stick to broader avenues rather than close-in streets. He discusses with Tock in a secure place the possibility of using something like mirror image to make it so that it seemed like Gentoa was right out in the open but she was really out of sight or disguised as someone else. Dog is concerned about assassination attempts, and spell casting — and both threats could be minimized using a tactic like this.
He is also eager to see Duliani to pay his deepest respects and offer frank and sincere condolences to her for her loss. He would also try to thank her for being so graceful and welcoming to Gentoa and the rest of her motley crew. If the situation presented itself and he could cast detect thoughts before he saw her, while out of sight of anyone, he would try to do that.
After two days, Dog is satisfied as he can be with the route. Most of the problems with it centered on a narrow street (fittingly called Narrow Street) that was difficult to bypass. Dog could see why Hurimi chose the route she did, even with much of the same preferences that Dog has. The modified route gives Dog a clear sense of how to place sharpshooters, guards, and magic users. He also gets approval from the council for magical protection for the princess but they decline to use any illusions, fearing a public relations nightmare if it is discovered.
Duliani has still not returned from Delphendria, taking some time with close friends to grieve in private. She is expected to return in two days time and make a public appearance to say goodbye to her husband at the Temple of Mystra.
As Dog is pondering the Queen-turned-regent, Gunnur comes in abruptly, reading a message. "We have a threat," he says.
He hands the note over to Dog. Much of what Gentoa has received from the public has been flowers, warm wishes, and even baked goods. This is the first sign of any threat that Dog has actually encountered. The note reads:
"Princess" Gentoa -
I won't let you steal our kingdom from us. Duliani is a pretender. You are a pretender. Only the blood of true royals will sit on the throne.
- WT
Dog is surprised about two things - that this note puts the threat so plainly, and that this is just the first threat they have received.
”Not very neighborly. We should go through the names of the likely people WT might stand for. Not to find the likely actual author, but possibly to find who the author is likely trying to implicate.” He looks at the quality of the paper and print. Does it seem like this author is meant to seem like they have resources (fancy vellum and formal print)? Or not (dirty parchment and messy scribble)? He asks Gunnur how the note arerived. He also asks for a high-ranking cleric close with the crown to see if there is any divination to be had of the origin of this paper.
He starts to think out loud. “Who benefits from this? Which family is closest to the concept of royal blood, which a likely candidate for the throne? This is either an obvious play to rattle us with a sincere polite direct formal threat by someone with these initials, in which case we can find who likely WTs are and address them. Or. It’s someone trying to make us confront an obvious royal-blooded figure, which would maybe benefit the actual author, or distract us from something else. So let’s tell the other advisers we trust to see if they have any likely WTs, and tell them to prepare for some trouble. Direct or indirect. Tock should know first.”
It is fitting that in this moment everything changed.
In the corner of his office, Aeryxmaterializes. The towering solar has her wings tucked behind her and her weapons sheathed. She gives the kenku cleric a coy smile. "Hello, Tock," she says softly. Yet there is intense power in her voice. "I've come for a return on my favor."
Tock says, "Hi. Please tell me you don't want the seating arrangement changed at the ceremony?"
"Not the funeral ceremony,"she says, speaking with intense pride. Tock feels a sense of overwhelming love and joy as she conveys her message. "The coronation. The goddess of joy, Lliira, and the goddess of love and beauty, Sune, would like to request a seat at the coronation of Princess Gentoa of Alcion. The sixth plane of heaven need send just one representative to pay their respects to the new Queen for the goddesses both."
Tock is taken aback. "And who would that be? You? And in which form?"
(What does Tock know about the appearance of gods or angels to the regular people of Alcion? I've understood that the Neventi + Milil deal wasn't super-extraordinary.. as in those things can and do happen. I guess what I'm asking is if someone like a solar would be sitting in the crowd in their own form then would that be the talk of the millenia or just prompt some gawking?)
Ronis rubs at his face, keenly feeling the fatigue from his travel, the burden of this message like a physical weight upon his shoulders. He looks at the imposing metal man and sighs. "Where to begin..."
"I don't know when it will happen. I don't even know the specifics. But for tendays I have dreamt of a masquerade ball, held in the throne room in Alciondria, wherein chaos erupts. Angels fight demons and each other, and even attempt to fell a god. Demons gorge themselves on mortals. The throne crumbles and dies. All of this happens unknown to either the Queen or the Princess." He raises a hand to his cheek and brushes some of the scales there. "I'm not sure if it'll happen in the actual throne room, during an actual masquerade ball, I'd guess that's more symbolic; the throne room symbolising the events happening across Alcion, and masquerade ball... well I suppose that just means the identity of all involved is heavily shrouded. Regardless, what concerns me most, is that throughout all of the events that unfold, the Queen and her daughter have no knowledge of the events. Let me tell her. Please."
Just before dawn on the fifth day, the lookout in the crow's nest rings the bell, waking everyone aboard the ship. "Ship in distress! Ship in distress!"
The crew, mates, quartermaster, and captain all line the rails looking northwest. A small blaze lights the pre-dawn sky. The captain orders the Queen to redirect. Half an hour later, the sky glows slightly in anticipation of the sun arriving. The other ship is definitely ablaze, mostly the sails and masts. This is because half of the ship has already been pulled under by the giant tentacles of a kraken. What remains of the crew have climbed to the stern and are wielding their cutlasses and daggers in a last-detch ineffectual defense against this monster of the deep. It has clearly already won. It is only a matter of time before the ship and its crew are dragged into the icy depths.
The crew of the Serpent Queen begin muttering among themselves.
"Joles and Carvy were right."
"We were warned. We were warned."
"Shut yer yaps..."
"Better them than us."
"...lift the sails and go."
"I said, shut yer yaps!"
The captain and his first mate are talking to each other in urgent hushed tones as they try to decide what to do. The Queen is not outfitted to defeat a creature such as this. The crew knows it and Q'wai can see they are teetering on the edge of leaving the survivors of the other ship to their fate.
With a mixture of awe and sorrow, Q'wai beholds the mindless destruction. With a shake of the head, he says, "What can be done?"
"Captain, I make no plea for you to save them and risk your own life. If, however, you choose to do so, I will do all I can to help."
He looks at the quality of the paper and print. Does it seem like this author is meant to seem like they have resources (fancy vellum and formal print)? Or not (dirty parchment and messy scribble)? He asks Gunnur how the note arerived. He also asks for a high-ranking cleric close with the crown to see if there is any divination to be had of the origin of this paper.
"We received it with a stack of other correspondence. The guards collecting these at the palace gates do not recall anyone suspicious leaving it."
The paper and writing is definitely not that of a wealthy or practiced hand. Dog gauges the paper to be of a slightly cruder quality than the average paper used for spell scrolls.
In the temple district, Dog sees the city in mourning for the first time. Black flags, sheets, clothing all fly from windowsills and flagpoles and fence posts and street lamps. The streets are quieter than usual but the residents of Alciondria are beginning to move on with their lives. But the temples themselves are very busy with pilgrims, many looking to have arrived from out of town. The temple of Mystra is especially overwhelmed with people giving tributes or praying. Candles and flowers overflow from every temple. Seeing the overwhelming show of support, of loss, for King Haddian it is hard to imagine that even one person would deign to threaten Princess Gentoa.
Dog arrives at the Temple of Deneir, the god of writing. Kyva found a cleric here that could help and was also not too busy with temple matters. Indeed, it looks as if Deneir's patrons have not overwhelmed the way many of the other temples are.
Kyva is waiting for Dog when he arrives and leads him to meet High Cleric Autolia. She is an elderly human using a cane to keep her stride stable. Her eyes sparkle with energy as she greets Dog. "Emissary Doggear," she says. "It is a pleasure to meet you. I understand we are going to attempt a scrying. Do you have the item?"
Autolia looks over the note, frowning. "I'm afraid this is not enough for me to be able to work the magic with much confidence. We don't know a name and the possession is not terribly connected to the individual. I shall attempt it, though, for the princess."
WIS(16) save for the target: 19
She shakes her head. "Sorry, I'm afraid I am unable to be of assistance for the princess today."
She gives Kyva and Dog a sympathetic look before they depart. "What now, sir?" Kyva says.
It is fitting that in this moment everything changed.
In the corner of his office, Aeryxmaterializes. The towering solar has her wings tucked behind her and her weapons sheathed. She gives the kenku cleric a coy smile. "Hello, Tock," she says softly. Yet there is intense power in her voice. "I've come for a return on my favor."
Tock says, "Hi. Please tell me you don't want the seating arrangement changed at the ceremony?"
"Not the funeral ceremony,"she says, speaking with intense pride. Tock feels a sense of overwhelming love and joy as she conveys her message. "The coronation. The goddess of joy, Lliira, and the goddess of love and beauty, Sune, would like to request a seat at the coronation of Princess Gentoa of Alcion. The sixth plane of heaven need send just one representative to pay their respects to the new Queen for the goddesses both."
Tock is taken aback. "And who would that be? You? And in which form?"
(What does Tock know about the appearance of gods or angels to the regular people of Alcion? I've understood that the Neventi + Milil deal wasn't super-extraordinary.. as in those things can and do happen. I guess what I'm asking is if someone like a solar would be sitting in the crowd in their own form then would that be the talk of the millenia or just prompt some gawking?)
Aeryxsmiles kindly, filling Tock with powerful feelings of hope and joy that feel unearned but glorious nonetheless. "No, not I,"she says. "We do not wish to...steal the show, so to speak. But a Deva would be present, in the form of a mortal with the eyes of the aasimar queen." (golden, possibly glowing)
Martin is going to contemplate how many have become his sworn enemy as of late.
Two shots, sharpshooter, aiming to put one through each nip on the boob with a rope around Macy. Then a hordebreaker shot at the second.
Attack: 17 Damage: 2315
Attack: 6 Damage: 19
Attack: 9 Damage: 17
(double nat 1s, ughhhhh)
DM shield:
14
The bandits are shocked to see one of the horses transform into a human and whip out his bow. But the arrows only find one target, killing the bandit with an arrow that pierces the man straight through his chest.
Macy charges away before any of the bandits can get close, leaving Martin as the only target, surrounded by 6 angry bandits.
Light crossbow Attack: 6 Damage: 9
Light crossbow Attack: 10 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll.
Ronis rubs at his face, keenly feeling the fatigue from his travel, the burden of this message like a physical weight upon his shoulders. He looks at the imposing metal man and sighs. "Where to begin..."
"I don't know when it will happen. I don't even know the specifics. But for tendays I have dreamt of a masquerade ball, held in the throne room in Alciondria, wherein chaos erupts. Angels fight demons and each other, and even attempt to fell a god. Demons gorge themselves on mortals. The throne crumbles and dies. All of this happens unknown to either the Queen or the Princess." He raises a hand to his cheek and brushes some of the scales there. "I'm not sure if it'll happen in the actual throne room, during an actual masquerade ball, I'd guess that's more symbolic; the throne room symbolising the events happening across Alcion, and masquerade ball... well I suppose that just means the identity of all involved is heavily shrouded. Regardless, what concerns me most, is that throughout all of the events that unfold, the Queen and her daughter have no knowledge of the events. Let me tell her. Please."
The construct begins to churn and a noticeable heat emanates from him. "Declaration: All sentient creatures experience bad dreams, even recurring ones," says the queen's bodyguard. Quietly he adds, "Even me, sometimes."
The construct looks hard at Ronis until the sorcerer begins to feel unsettled. "Why should your dream be believed above all others?"
"Ah ha h.." the guard says but the laugh dies on his tongue. "You realize that you sound like a lunatic, right?"
Ronis' steely gaze says in return, "Do I look like one?"
The guard lifts a chain from around his neck bearing the symbol of Mystra. Savras and Mystra have a close history, as do the two temples. Ronis had not noticed the holy symbol until the guard lifts it.
Still, hesitation fills the man's eyes. Ronis can see him weighing all of the possible courses of actions and their outcomes for him, for the queen, for Alcion. His calculus complete, he nods firmly. "You will leave your possessions at the guardhouse," he says. "All of them except your shirt and trousers. And you will meet the queen's personal bodyguard to assess you first. That is the best that I can do."
This gets Ronis past the gates and so he agrees, just not too readily. The guard personally takes the sorcerer to the guardhouse and strips him of every item except his shirt and trousers, per the deal, and puts them into a locker intended for the guards' gear and locks it. Ronis tries not to be too impatient as the guard takes his time, possibly as a test to the sorcerer's sincerity and patience, then leads him into a large, empty salon. The guard leaves and Ronis waits for what feels like an entire stranded island's worth of time all over again.
Eventually, the door swings open and a giant construct with two massive mauls strapped to his back enters the salon. The two of them couldn't look more out of place: Ronis in his castaway rags and a giant machine-man armed to the gear-teeth standing opposite each other in a quaint salon with floral-print wallpaper and matching upholstery on the sofas and pillows.
"Directive: Convey your message. I will determine its worth to meet the queen's ears."
The construct hums quietly as Ronis searches for the words to begin his story...
DM shield:
4
2
7
20
13 M
19 MM
Martin trots along with Marble Macy at his side. It has been a painfully long day and he is already feeling the afternoon drag on. He looks at the sun all to frequently in the hopes that it is close to setting.
As his mind is wandering, two ropes fly through the air, clearly aimed for the necks of two unattended horses. The first misses Martin's neck but the second tightens around Macy's. A bandit to the side of the road yells, "Yee haw!" in celebration of the snag.
Initiative:
Martin: 11
MM: 4
Bandits: 2
Martin and Macy are up first!
Tock breathes, counts to 10, then breathes out.
"Lady Jadi, I understand that you are trying to fix Lord Hagress here up with someone and I appreciate the effort, but might I suggest doing it instead at the feasts and celebrations that happen afterwards? We would very much prefer the attendees to not engage in too much socializing during the ceremonies so that everyone may enjoy these historic moments to their full extent."
Looking at both of them, "Don't you agree?"
He will continue to deny these requests in a way that avoids straight out denial, but instead directs the efforts elsewhere.
Persuasion: 7
Lord Hargess blushes and Lady Jadi straightens. "Emissary Tock," she says. "I shan't discuss such things aloud. But I do not think what we ask is all that challenging to accommodate. What do you think Duliani would say if I were to bring my request directly to her?"
Tock says, "I understand that I'm new at this job and you may be used to dealing with other people in these matters. You don't yet know how I operate and where my limits are. I also understand that this matter may be of import for you, otherwise you might not have wasted your time coming here."
He ponders for a moment and continues, "I could try to shame you out of this plan by mentioning that the King died just a few days ago and ask you if you really consider this to be an appropriate time to bother the de-facto ruler of this nation with the problem of changing seats at his husbands funeral. But I'm not going to do that."
"I could try to buy you off by offering you something in exchange, like a guaranteed few minutes of her time at the coronation or bringing your children or grandchildren for a playdate with the Princess. But I'm not going to do that either."
He goes to the curtained-off blackboard and takes a look behind. "I could scare you off this plan by saying that there is a detailed plan of overthrowing the kingdom written here that I'm trying to prevent and if I were you I would stay out of this event altogether. But I'm not going to do that either."
He returns. "Lady Jadi, what I am telling you is that I was and am one of the Protectors of the Princess and her biological mother Neventi. After avoiding assassination and murder many times along the way and completing the mission we spent considerable personal time with Haddian and Duliani. I got to know them and they got to know us. It is the wish of the late King that I be the one to make decisions on these matters."
"The arrangement of seating is final. You may not attend the events if this is not acceptable for you."
He sighs, "If you wish to bring this subject up with Duliani herself then I promise you that any time after three ten-days from now that you do wish to do it, I will make room in her schedule to hear you."
Intimidation/Persuasion: 2
Lady Jadi turns red in the face, standing up as she says some very unkind things about kenku people in general and tribal backwater filth speaking to someone above their station. Tock's calm demeanor just makes her all the more upset and she promises that she will talk to Duliani upon her return about this. His days as an Emissary from the crown are numbered. Lord Hargess looks embarrassed, apologetic, and uncomfortable until Lady Jadi eventually drags him by the elbow out of the palace. He squeaks out a "Thank you for your time" as he is dragged off.
The next three days are more of the same. Tock is unwavering in his position on the seating arrangements and the nobles who come begging for reconsideration leave either disappointed, upset, or both. On the evening of the fifth day after Haddian's death, Tock has finally locked his door for the day. He leans back in his chair and smooths some feathers out on his arm as he wonders if it will always be like this.
It is fitting that in this moment everything changed.
In the corner of his office, Aeryx materializes. The towering solar has her wings tucked behind her and her weapons sheathed. She gives the kenku cleric a coy smile. "Hello, Tock," she says softly. Yet there is intense power in her voice. "I've come for a return on my favor."
Tock says, "Hi. Please tell me you don't want the seating arrangement changed at the ceremony?"
"Not the funeral ceremony," she says, speaking with intense pride. Tock feels a sense of overwhelming love and joy as she conveys her message. "The coronation. The goddess of joy, Lliira, and the goddess of love and beauty, Sune, would like to request a seat at the coronation of Princess Gentoa of Alcion. The sixth plane of heaven need send just one representative to pay their respects to the new Queen for the goddesses both."
Dog is surprised about two things - that this note puts the threat so plainly, and that this is just the first threat they have received.
”Not very neighborly. We should go through the names of the likely people WT might stand for. Not to find the likely actual author, but possibly to find who the author is likely trying to implicate.” He looks at the quality of the paper and print. Does it seem like this author is meant to seem like they have resources (fancy vellum and formal print)? Or not (dirty parchment and messy scribble)? He asks Gunnur how the note arerived. He also asks for a high-ranking cleric close with the crown to see if there is any divination to be had of the origin of this paper.
He starts to think out loud. “Who benefits from this? Which family is closest to the concept of royal blood, which a likely candidate for the throne? This is either an obvious play to rattle us with a sincere polite direct formal threat by someone with these initials, in which case we can find who likely WTs are and address them. Or. It’s someone trying to make us confront an obvious royal-blooded figure, which would maybe benefit the actual author, or distract us from something else. So let’s tell the other advisers we trust to see if they have any likely WTs, and tell them to prepare for some trouble. Direct or indirect. Tock should know first.”
Tock is taken aback. "And who would that be? You? And in which form?"
(What does Tock know about the appearance of gods or angels to the regular people of Alcion? I've understood that the Neventi + Milil deal wasn't super-extraordinary.. as in those things can and do happen. I guess what I'm asking is if someone like a solar would be sitting in the crowd in their own form then would that be the talk of the millenia or just prompt some gawking?)
Ronis rubs at his face, keenly feeling the fatigue from his travel, the burden of this message like a physical weight upon his shoulders. He looks at the imposing metal man and sighs. "Where to begin..."
"I don't know when it will happen. I don't even know the specifics. But for tendays I have dreamt of a masquerade ball, held in the throne room in Alciondria, wherein chaos erupts. Angels fight demons and each other, and even attempt to fell a god. Demons gorge themselves on mortals. The throne crumbles and dies. All of this happens unknown to either the Queen or the Princess." He raises a hand to his cheek and brushes some of the scales there. "I'm not sure if it'll happen in the actual throne room, during an actual masquerade ball, I'd guess that's more symbolic; the throne room symbolising the events happening across Alcion, and masquerade ball... well I suppose that just means the identity of all involved is heavily shrouded. Regardless, what concerns me most, is that throughout all of the events that unfold, the Queen and her daughter have no knowledge of the events. Let me tell her. Please."
Martin is going to contemplate how many have become his sworn enemy as of late.
Two shots, sharpshooter, aiming to put one through each nip on the boob with a rope around Macy. Then a hordebreaker shot at the second.
Attack: 22 Damage: 21 14
Attack: 11 Damage: 23
Attack: 16 Damage: 18
(double nat 1s, ughhhhh)
Paladin - warforged - orange
Turning back into humanoid form to do this, right? ;)
"We received it with a stack of other correspondence. The guards collecting these at the palace gates do not recall anyone suspicious leaving it."
The paper and writing is definitely not that of a wealthy or practiced hand. Dog gauges the paper to be of a slightly cruder quality than the average paper used for spell scrolls.
In the temple district, Dog sees the city in mourning for the first time. Black flags, sheets, clothing all fly from windowsills and flagpoles and fence posts and street lamps. The streets are quieter than usual but the residents of Alciondria are beginning to move on with their lives. But the temples themselves are very busy with pilgrims, many looking to have arrived from out of town. The temple of Mystra is especially overwhelmed with people giving tributes or praying. Candles and flowers overflow from every temple. Seeing the overwhelming show of support, of loss, for King Haddian it is hard to imagine that even one person would deign to threaten Princess Gentoa.
Dog arrives at the Temple of Deneir, the god of writing. Kyva found a cleric here that could help and was also not too busy with temple matters. Indeed, it looks as if Deneir's patrons have not overwhelmed the way many of the other temples are.
Kyva is waiting for Dog when he arrives and leads him to meet High Cleric Autolia. She is an elderly human using a cane to keep her stride stable. Her eyes sparkle with energy as she greets Dog. "Emissary Doggear," she says. "It is a pleasure to meet you. I understand we are going to attempt a scrying. Do you have the item?"
Autolia looks over the note, frowning. "I'm afraid this is not enough for me to be able to work the magic with much confidence. We don't know a name and the possession is not terribly connected to the individual. I shall attempt it, though, for the princess."
WIS(16) save for the target: 19
She shakes her head. "Sorry, I'm afraid I am unable to be of assistance for the princess today."
She gives Kyva and Dog a sympathetic look before they depart. "What now, sir?" Kyva says.
Aeryx smiles kindly, filling Tock with powerful feelings of hope and joy that feel unearned but glorious nonetheless. "No, not I," she says. "We do not wish to...steal the show, so to speak. But a Deva would be present, in the form of a mortal with the eyes of the aasimar queen." (golden, possibly glowing)
DM shield:
14
The bandits are shocked to see one of the horses transform into a human and whip out his bow. But the arrows only find one target, killing the bandit with an arrow that pierces the man straight through his chest.
Macy charges away before any of the bandits can get close, leaving Martin as the only target, surrounded by 6 angry bandits.
Light crossbow Attack: 6 Damage: 9
Light crossbow Attack: 10 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll.
Light crossbow Attack: 7 Damage: 3
Light crossbow Attack: 16 Damage: 3
Light crossbow Attack: 4 Damage: 7
Light crossbow Attack: 22 Damage: 4
(Martin is up!)
The construct begins to churn and a noticeable heat emanates from him. "Declaration: All sentient creatures experience bad dreams, even recurring ones," says the queen's bodyguard. Quietly he adds, "Even me, sometimes."
The construct looks hard at Ronis until the sorcerer begins to feel unsettled. "Why should your dream be believed above all others?"
(Has Dog been able to come up with some names that WT might mean to stand for?)