Following Ran to the barracks, Petal fidgets nervously. “So... what’s the plan big man? I’ve never really done anything like this, are we going to have to lie? I’m really bad at lying, but I’m great at make believe! Maybe if we have a story for why we’re there... then I can really get into it!”
He continues walking, slowing his usual quick pace to allow for Petal's shorter legs to keep up.
"There's no need to lie or tell a story. We have nothing to hide. If I find old comrades, I'm going to tell them what happened to us and see if they've heard anything similar from the others, and if they've heard about any increased mercenary hiring going on. And probably just swap a few stories on top of that and probably see if there's a tavern near by to keep their stories flowing."
He stops and looks down at her.
"But just because we don't have anything to hide it doesn't mean that there might not be someone there who does. That's going to be your main job. See what you see and listen to what you hear. And keep an eye on the guards and soldiers not doing the talking."
He can see though that she would much rather have a story and a part. Maybe if she's distracted, he thinks.
"We have a moment or two before we get there. Tell me, how did you end up with the Firstforges."
Addressing Petal before he leaves with Ronegan, Elavor says "Hmm.. there is a chance someone at the guild might know something. I'll ask, but it may be that no one knows."
Elavor sees to helping Ronegan up onto Dust, and then leads them out of the palatial apartment area, heading them towards the Bazaar where Ronegan's sister works..
(Ronegan & DM ONLY Please!)
Once they are away from the others, Elavor asks Ronegan "So, these pastries sound quite nice. I have to confess I shied away from the bazaar as a rule. Too many people crowded in a small place. But, there's no better place in all of Ospel to find a deal, so I'm told. "
OOC: Hold onto your butts; for the sake of brevity.
Ran + Petal heading to the barracks on the palace grounds:
The combination of Ran and Petal draws attention on their way to the citadel on the west side of the palace ground where they are doing the final construction of the tournament area. There's a lot of activity hundreds of people of all different races moving around the tournament area that is heavily guarded. The high king's guard is ever-present as well as officials and other foreign-looking people from all reaches of the kingdoms of Embera! Walking towards a familiar area, an area where Ran himself trained as a younger man, he and Petal pass a lingering group of gnomes with halflings and humans in their retinue. They are all wearing some sort of Turco colors in crimson and navy as well as fine-looking wolf pelts. They were jovially talking to one another but at the sight of you two, they stop talking and stare daggers at you both! Then a human fighter amongst them in a fine scale mail with a heavy crimson cloak actually sneers at you both baring his teeth before a female halfling in crimson and navy monk style clothing nudges her companion shaking her head at the human man trying to draw him back into the conversation.
"Say house Firstforge," the human fighter calls out however as the rest of the party stands quietly beside him as if waiting to see what's going to happen. "Have any trouble on the road here?" The human fighter asks hand on the hilt of a greatsword pulling on a short pointed beard on his chin sneering.
A female gnome amongst them in a crimson tunic and navy leathers wearing a wolf pelt as a cloak is staring at Petal with great interest as well as what Petal can see is a look of pity!
ALL heading to ferries to take them away from the palace and off the high king's island:
As the party approaches the ferry dock awaiting the ferries to both the mainland and the cathedral dusk is setting in the high tide however is preventing the short walk from the high king's palace to the cathedral or the mainland. Approaching the crowds awaiting a ferry from the cathedral to empty there is suddenly raised voices that call all of your attention to a party exiting the cathedral ferry into the crowd nearby!
A quick glance shows there are two parties involved in the shouting match! One party is dominated distinctly by metallic dragonborns with a retinue of oddly humans only surround them. They seemed to be facing off with another party that is distinctly dominated by full blood elves with a smaller mixed retinue of half-elves and dwarves! At first, it seems they were just shouting insults and hurling accusations at one another as the high king's guard surrounds them trying to keep the peace until they all begin to draw arms!
"Cowards," a silver scaled dragonborn hisses at the elven party.
"All of you! Not a single honorable one of either of your houses walks Embera," a copper scaled dragonborn adds gesturing at the elves and dwarves.
Both dragonborns wear full plate armor with a large black emblem of house Dahkr's emblazoned on their chests. The tallest amongst the Calaeno party is a full elven woman. She has long silvery blond hair, pale bluish tinted skin, and is wearing Calaeno colors of teal and magnet robes. She is flanked however by elves and dwarves wearing the same expertly crafted leather armor that was discovered by Varen amongst the bandits! This elven woman then suddenly brandishes a longsword as her companions draw arms against the human and dragonborns as well!
"Hold your tongue! You're no better than a lying snake," the elven swordswoman retorts!
"Our kind has lived longer than all of your races combined. You haven't lived long enough to know what honor truly is," a dwarf in Caelano colors bellows.
The dwarven warrior grips a large hammer stamped with the Firstforge crest in his hands. He then spits on the ground near the dragonborns.
"There...there now more of your accomplices! Look they come now to give you aid," the silver scaled dragonborn then says gesturing at your party now with anger in their tone as their nostrils flare frost curls into the air from their exhale of breath!
The elven/dwarven party look to your party, in your house Firstforge colors, the dwarf nods first at you before giving Ronegan a hard and confused look!
"Arrest them! Arrest them all! They nearly killed our prince! They've spilled the blood of the Dhkar house and must pay the price," the silver scaled shrieks tossing the Calaeno leathers similar to the one that Varen found onto the docks.
Then a human amongst the dragonborn tosses a rusted shield with a house Firstforge emblem hammered into its design!
"No! We were attacked...we were attacked on the road here by humans and dragonborns! Here...here's your proof," the elven woman says removing the severed head of a black scaled dragonborn and tossing it between the two parties as gasps and cries erupt from the onlooker.
Incised by the served head the silver dragonborn lunges forward as the high king's guard seems to be overwhelmed struggling to hold the two parties apart! Before the fight can break out in earnest however a blinding flash of light sweeps over the entire area. It then lingers in a glow that surrounds all parties, even yours...
OOC: Everyone please roll a WIZ save DC 18; as hold person is cast over the group including the two actual groups combatants!
White robes and golden armored paladins of the Lightbringer arrive in all manner of races. The two most important amongst them a human man and a female aasamir who is slightly raised above the crowd hands out with gentle flapping golden wings. These two are wearing brilliantly crafted full plate armor with flowing golden cloaks emblazon with the Lightbringer's symbol. They look like they are wearing some sort of ceremonial dress that is not practical for fighting but their hard expression shows their disapproval of the current situation!
"Hold! What is the matter here?" A human man's thunderous voice calls louder than normal as he scans the crowds between parties coming forward.
Trailing behind him aloft on golden wings a brilliant aasimar holds her hands out over the crowd.
"It seems...forgive me mi'lord," an elderly looking gnomish man shuffles forward averting his eyes from the human and aasimar as he continues to speak. "There have been all sorts of rumors flying about the city mi'lord. That is to say each family, in turn, was attacked coming to Ospel. Some says it was the humans and dragonborns that done it all but they was attacked by the dwarves, gnomes, and halflings! While folks have said even the dwarves had been attacked by halflings, elves, and gnomes..." the gnomish man explains frowning as he worries his hat looking at the parties about to fight that all seem to stand still at the paladin's commands. "It seems no one has come to the city without losing someone on the roads mi'lord," he adds as the human man nods. "Some sort of beasts were spotted too....each...each group seemed to face a horrible monster! Bards are singing and telling tales of all manner of creatures! From hobgoblins, orcs, gnolls, and the like...you know all those beasts that have no masters but hunger for blood," he says bowing his head. "Shall the Light deliver us all mi'lord? Can we have peace in the city with all these new folk coming in for this grand tournament? Shall our country not be torn apart while our high king lays dying in that tower and us common folk having no answers only these wild rumors to haunt us," he adds motioning his head towards the palace at a grouping of towards, even in total, stand tall over the immense palace itself before looking to the party.
“But no living man am I! You look upon a woman...You stand between me and my lord and kin. Begone, if you be not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you, if you touch him.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
As the wave of energy passes over Varen, she grits her teeth. Not too different than what Father showed me, she thinks, and the binding magic passes without effect.
She looks to the different House members, then to the heavily armored holy warriors and the little gnome. She sees an opening, approaching the paladins slowly with hands raised clear of the sword at her side.
"The gnome speaks some truth, M'lord! I am Lady Varen Delisse of Deephallow Keep, vassal to House Firstforge. We were accosted outside Grambler by what I can only assume to be..." she pointedly looks to the Caelano and Dahkr groups, "former members of House Turco, Caelano, and Marshfield! No doubt these brigands were cast from their houses and someone has seen opportunity to organize them and bring discord to the seven kingdoms!"
Kiran moves to stand at Varen's shoulder, his amulet of the Lightbringer in full view, "It is as she says. I would swear it on the Lightbringer in the Cathedral itself! We were on our way there to bring this foul plot to the attention of the church in person, so that they may lay these vicious rumors to rest and maintain the unity of the Empire in this time of need."
Petal, excited to tell Ran her story, is suitably miffed to be interrupted by the man. Seeing him reaching for his sword, she keeps her hand on her yew wand, ready for trouble, standing at Rans side trying to puff out her chest to look tough, and to mimic the stares they are receiving from the group. “Take your hand off your sword sir! We don’t want things to get heated.”
Catching the eye of the female Gnome, she is thrown by her expression, but still tries to look tough as she waits for their response to Ran.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ronegan WIS save: 11
Ronegan stares in wonder as some of both groups seem to seize up in place. He looks them over a couple of paralyzed individuals carefully, grunting as he makes mental notes, carefully coming to the dwarf who tried to stare him down and taking a careful look at his face.
Ronegan Perception: 5
Then as the Paladins appear and the gnomish man and Varen and Kiran both speak to them, Ronegan does not avert his eyes, but instead, looks at the Paladins directly.
"Indeed! It is not just the common folk who are searching for answers. We are all on our way to see if we can err...bring Light and answers for our King and Queen as they seek information on who perpetrated these horrible and vicious attacks upon our household."
In a lower voice he will add just to Varen and Kiran. "Seems like we've got at least one of our answers. Be good to know if any heirs to the houses got taken, like those gnolls tried with Opal.
OOC: party 1 is Ran/Petal. Party 2 is Elavor/Ronegan with Kiran/Varen for now who will become party 3. Let's give Josh a chance to check in party 2.
Party 1
Still sneering at you both the human stands his ground.
"We lost some guards and...the heir's brother our prince Joss was taken," the human retorts fingers never leaving the hilt of his blade. "As if you didn't know..." he adds scoffing his tone and expression disgusted!
The female gnome the entire time however focuses on each of you in turn. Silently and subtlety casting detect thoughts hoping to gain a deeper insight into you both.
Ran/Petal what are your surface thoughts?
OOC: I need both Petal and Ran to make WIZ saves DC 15; on a failure the gnome gains a deeper insight into your subconscious thoughts/feelings which you remain unaware. If you succeed however the spell ends and your PC will know, for a lack of a better term, their minds we're probed for insight.
Party 2
"We've been on the council all this day after the first reports of the attacks reach us," the human male paladin replies. "House Firstforge we were dispatched and were coming to inform you..." he begins again solemnly as he comes nearer to the party speaking in a lowered tone. "Your king is dead," he says next curtly but not without remorse.
He says this news in a low tone only to the ears of your party.
The female aasimar remains aloft her golden pupiliess eyes probing each of you in turn in her silently vigilance backing up the human paladin.
"You may pass about your business of mourning this evening but know you will come to the cathedral tomorrow to submit to questioning about events on the road," the male human paladin then adds to your party before turning back to the warring groups who nearly drew blood in the streets of the Holy City! "This will not stand," his begins again his voice booming as he returns his attention and authority to the crowd. "Chaos is the food of Darkness! Whatever the root cause is it has yet to be determined! I will not abide strife and hatred in my city," he adds with a slashing motion of his golden gauntlet covered hand. "You will stay you blades and come with us without protest," he adds as the warring parties still seem held by a greater force against their wills!
"Yes...yes...I will lay down arms...." seems the responses of the dragonborn and elven groups to the human paladin's instruction.
After a consensus of peace is reached the parties begin to disperse as paladins and clerics of the Lightbringer become visible scattered throughout the crowds at the docks wearing subtle robes and plain armor. They lead the dragonborn and elven groups who follow the holy warriors to boats leaving the palace isle.
OOC: Everyone please roll history checks. Ronegan, Elavor, and Kiran would get advantage.
“But no living man am I! You look upon a woman...You stand between me and my lord and kin. Begone, if you be not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you, if you touch him.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
As the initial light covers them, Elavor manages a "Oh this is some bullsh-" before being silenced.. his body froze in mid stride...
He listens, and watches through all of it, glad that his party fared far better than him in resisting whatever paralysis held him.... after the dire news and the Paladin speaks, and Elavor is able to move, he shakes his head, then his limbs, getting the tingling sensation out as much as possible...
"The king is gone....this changes things quite drastically..." looking to those of his party around him... "Ronegan, are you still wanting to visit your sister?"
Petals thoughts : “What a rude man, and this gnome.... staring at me like that! I knew there was a noble house of gnomes, but how did they become so different from me... all of their history thrown away, their connection to the land severed, left only with a pelt, washed to the point of losing all character - just like them I suppose...”
"You have my condolences," Ran says to the clearly angry warrior. "Losing comrades in battle is never an easy thing."
He keeps hands visible, palms facing the other group, showing he isn't interested in a fight.
"I don't expect you to take my word, but we had nothing to do with the ambush on our group. Someone is trying to pit us against each other. We," he gestures to Petal, "were on our way to try and find out more about what was going on."
Whoever this Dark Wanderer is, this is likely exactly what they wanted to achieve, Ran thinks to himself. In fighting between the houses will accomplish nothing except provide the perfect background for them to act without anyone watching. The palace was going to end up with a civil war on their hands if this wasn't shut down quickly.
Sensing the gnome's probing of his mind, Ran looks straight at her.
"Find anything that troubles you?" he asks. "You don't need to probe further. Everything is usually pretty close to the surface."
As Ran gestures towards her, Petal grabs his hand getting close like a child needing protection. “Mister swordsman, you are scaring me! If you want to go around intimidating people and using heretical magic to invade their minds then I’m sure you’ll make yourselves very good suspects yourselves! Now.. take your hand of your sword or I’ll scream for help, and you’d better pray it’s the city guard who come and not an agent of the church!”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ronegan history check: 10
Ronegan looks stricken and stammers. "I don't know...I-I-i." He trails off for a second, thinking, and his countenance turns even more pained. "Oh, those poor children."
Following Ran to the barracks, Petal fidgets nervously. “So... what’s the plan big man? I’ve never really done anything like this, are we going to have to lie? I’m really bad at lying, but I’m great at make believe! Maybe if we have a story for why we’re there... then I can really get into it!”
Petal is clearly overthinking this excursion
Gilgin Hardhammer - Mountain Dwarf Cleric (Forge Domain) - Icewind Dale
Petal - Forest Gnome Druid (Circle of the Land - Forest) - Unsung Heroes of Embera
"Easy Petal," Ran says. "Take a breath."
He continues walking, slowing his usual quick pace to allow for Petal's shorter legs to keep up.
"There's no need to lie or tell a story. We have nothing to hide. If I find old comrades, I'm going to tell them what happened to us and see if they've heard anything similar from the others, and if they've heard about any increased mercenary hiring going on. And probably just swap a few stories on top of that and probably see if there's a tavern near by to keep their stories flowing."
He stops and looks down at her.
"But just because we don't have anything to hide it doesn't mean that there might not be someone there who does. That's going to be your main job. See what you see and listen to what you hear. And keep an eye on the guards and soldiers not doing the talking."
He can see though that she would much rather have a story and a part. Maybe if she's distracted, he thinks.
"We have a moment or two before we get there. Tell me, how did you end up with the Firstforges."
Addressing Petal before he leaves with Ronegan, Elavor says "Hmm.. there is a chance someone at the guild might know something. I'll ask, but it may be that no one knows."
Elavor sees to helping Ronegan up onto Dust, and then leads them out of the palatial apartment area, heading them towards the Bazaar where Ronegan's sister works..
(Ronegan & DM ONLY Please!)
Once they are away from the others, Elavor asks Ronegan "So, these pastries sound quite nice. I have to confess I shied away from the bazaar as a rule. Too many people crowded in a small place. But, there's no better place in all of Ospel to find a deal, so I'm told. "
OOC: Hold onto your butts; for the sake of brevity.
Ran + Petal heading to the barracks on the palace grounds:
The combination of Ran and Petal draws attention on their way to the citadel on the west side of the palace ground where they are doing the final construction of the tournament area. There's a lot of activity hundreds of people of all different races moving around the tournament area that is heavily guarded. The high king's guard is ever-present as well as officials and other foreign-looking people from all reaches of the kingdoms of Embera! Walking towards a familiar area, an area where Ran himself trained as a younger man, he and Petal pass a lingering group of gnomes with halflings and humans in their retinue. They are all wearing some sort of Turco colors in crimson and navy as well as fine-looking wolf pelts. They were jovially talking to one another but at the sight of you two, they stop talking and stare daggers at you both! Then a human fighter amongst them in a fine scale mail with a heavy crimson cloak actually sneers at you both baring his teeth before a female halfling in crimson and navy monk style clothing nudges her companion shaking her head at the human man trying to draw him back into the conversation.
"Say house Firstforge," the human fighter calls out however as the rest of the party stands quietly beside him as if waiting to see what's going to happen. "Have any trouble on the road here?" The human fighter asks hand on the hilt of a greatsword pulling on a short pointed beard on his chin sneering.
A female gnome amongst them in a crimson tunic and navy leathers wearing a wolf pelt as a cloak is staring at Petal with great interest as well as what Petal can see is a look of pity!
ALL heading to ferries to take them away from the palace and off the high king's island:
As the party approaches the ferry dock awaiting the ferries to both the mainland and the cathedral dusk is setting in the high tide however is preventing the short walk from the high king's palace to the cathedral or the mainland. Approaching the crowds awaiting a ferry from the cathedral to empty there is suddenly raised voices that call all of your attention to a party exiting the cathedral ferry into the crowd nearby!
A quick glance shows there are two parties involved in the shouting match! One party is dominated distinctly by metallic dragonborns with a retinue of oddly humans only surround them. They seemed to be facing off with another party that is distinctly dominated by full blood elves with a smaller mixed retinue of half-elves and dwarves! At first, it seems they were just shouting insults and hurling accusations at one another as the high king's guard surrounds them trying to keep the peace until they all begin to draw arms!
"Cowards," a silver scaled dragonborn hisses at the elven party.
"All of you! Not a single honorable one of either of your houses walks Embera," a copper scaled dragonborn adds gesturing at the elves and dwarves.
Both dragonborns wear full plate armor with a large black emblem of house Dahkr's emblazoned on their chests. The tallest amongst the Calaeno party is a full elven woman. She has long silvery blond hair, pale bluish tinted skin, and is wearing Calaeno colors of teal and magnet robes. She is flanked however by elves and dwarves wearing the same expertly crafted leather armor that was discovered by Varen amongst the bandits! This elven woman then suddenly brandishes a longsword as her companions draw arms against the human and dragonborns as well!
"Hold your tongue! You're no better than a lying snake," the elven swordswoman retorts!
"Our kind has lived longer than all of your races combined. You haven't lived long enough to know what honor truly is," a dwarf in Caelano colors bellows.
The dwarven warrior grips a large hammer stamped with the Firstforge crest in his hands. He then spits on the ground near the dragonborns.
"There...there now more of your accomplices! Look they come now to give you aid," the silver scaled dragonborn then says gesturing at your party now with anger in their tone as their nostrils flare frost curls into the air from their exhale of breath!
The elven/dwarven party look to your party, in your house Firstforge colors, the dwarf nods first at you before giving Ronegan a hard and confused look!
"Arrest them! Arrest them all! They nearly killed our prince! They've spilled the blood of the Dhkar house and must pay the price," the silver scaled shrieks tossing the Calaeno leathers similar to the one that Varen found onto the docks.
Then a human amongst the dragonborn tosses a rusted shield with a house Firstforge emblem hammered into its design!
"No! We were attacked...we were attacked on the road here by humans and dragonborns! Here...here's your proof," the elven woman says removing the severed head of a black scaled dragonborn and tossing it between the two parties as gasps and cries erupt from the onlooker.
Incised by the served head the silver dragonborn lunges forward as the high king's guard seems to be overwhelmed struggling to hold the two parties apart! Before the fight can break out in earnest however a blinding flash of light sweeps over the entire area. It then lingers in a glow that surrounds all parties, even yours...
OOC: Everyone please roll a WIZ save DC 18; as hold person is cast over the group including the two actual groups combatants!
White robes and golden armored paladins of the Lightbringer arrive in all manner of races. The two most important amongst them a human man and a female aasamir who is slightly raised above the crowd hands out with gentle flapping golden wings. These two are wearing brilliantly crafted full plate armor with flowing golden cloaks emblazon with the Lightbringer's symbol. They look like they are wearing some sort of ceremonial dress that is not practical for fighting but their hard expression shows their disapproval of the current situation!
"Hold! What is the matter here?" A human man's thunderous voice calls louder than normal as he scans the crowds between parties coming forward.
Trailing behind him aloft on golden wings a brilliant aasimar holds her hands out over the crowd.
"It seems...forgive me mi'lord," an elderly looking gnomish man shuffles forward averting his eyes from the human and aasimar as he continues to speak. "There have been all sorts of rumors flying about the city mi'lord. That is to say each family, in turn, was attacked coming to Ospel. Some says it was the humans and dragonborns that done it all but they was attacked by the dwarves, gnomes, and halflings! While folks have said even the dwarves had been attacked by halflings, elves, and gnomes..." the gnomish man explains frowning as he worries his hat looking at the parties about to fight that all seem to stand still at the paladin's commands. "It seems no one has come to the city without losing someone on the roads mi'lord," he adds as the human man nods. "Some sort of beasts were spotted too....each...each group seemed to face a horrible monster! Bards are singing and telling tales of all manner of creatures! From hobgoblins, orcs, gnolls, and the like...you know all those beasts that have no masters but hunger for blood," he says bowing his head. "Shall the Light deliver us all mi'lord? Can we have peace in the city with all these new folk coming in for this grand tournament? Shall our country not be torn apart while our high king lays dying in that tower and us common folk having no answers only these wild rumors to haunt us," he adds motioning his head towards the palace at a grouping of towards, even in total, stand tall over the immense palace itself before looking to the party.
“But no living man am I! You look upon a woman...You stand between me and my lord and kin. Begone, if you be not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you, if you touch him.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
Ran takes a deep breath and lets out a sigh. “It would seem we were not the only ones attacked,” he says quietly to Petal.
He makes a point of keeping his hands visible and open.
”Aye,” Ran calls back. “If you call losing over 20 good guards in an ambush trouble.”
He pauses, thinking quickly.
”From your tone I venture you ran into something similar. Did the attackers have insignia from the other houses?”
Wisdom Save 21
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
As the wave of energy passes over Varen, she grits her teeth. Not too different than what Father showed me, she thinks, and the binding magic passes without effect.
She looks to the different House members, then to the heavily armored holy warriors and the little gnome. She sees an opening, approaching the paladins slowly with hands raised clear of the sword at her side.
"The gnome speaks some truth, M'lord! I am Lady Varen Delisse of Deephallow Keep, vassal to House Firstforge. We were accosted outside Grambler by what I can only assume to be..." she pointedly looks to the Caelano and Dahkr groups, "former members of House Turco, Caelano, and Marshfield! No doubt these brigands were cast from their houses and someone has seen opportunity to organize them and bring discord to the seven kingdoms!"
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
Kiran moves to stand at Varen's shoulder, his amulet of the Lightbringer in full view, "It is as she says. I would swear it on the Lightbringer in the Cathedral itself! We were on our way there to bring this foul plot to the attention of the church in person, so that they may lay these vicious rumors to rest and maintain the unity of the Empire in this time of need."
Wis save: 15
Petal, excited to tell Ran her story, is suitably miffed to be interrupted by the man. Seeing him reaching for his sword, she keeps her hand on her yew wand, ready for trouble, standing at Rans side trying to puff out her chest to look tough, and to mimic the stares they are receiving from the group. “Take your hand off your sword sir! We don’t want things to get heated.”
Catching the eye of the female Gnome, she is thrown by her expression, but still tries to look tough as she waits for their response to Ran.
Gilgin Hardhammer - Mountain Dwarf Cleric (Forge Domain) - Icewind Dale
Petal - Forest Gnome Druid (Circle of the Land - Forest) - Unsung Heroes of Embera
Ronegan WIS save: 11
Ronegan stares in wonder as some of both groups seem to seize up in place. He looks them over a couple of paralyzed individuals carefully, grunting as he makes mental notes, carefully coming to the dwarf who tried to stare him down and taking a careful look at his face.
Ronegan Perception: 5
Then as the Paladins appear and the gnomish man and Varen and Kiran both speak to them, Ronegan does not avert his eyes, but instead, looks at the Paladins directly.
"Indeed! It is not just the common folk who are searching for answers. We are all on our way to see if we can err...bring Light and answers for our King and Queen as they seek information on who perpetrated these horrible and vicious attacks upon our household."
In a lower voice he will add just to Varen and Kiran. "Seems like we've got at least one of our answers. Be good to know if any heirs to the houses got taken, like those gnolls tried with Opal.
Varen gives Ronegan a quick nod, before resuming her focus on the human and aasimar paladins, her green eyes meeting the golden ones of the aasimar.
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
OOC: party 1 is Ran/Petal. Party 2 is Elavor/Ronegan with Kiran/Varen for now who will become party 3. Let's give Josh a chance to check in party 2.
Party 1
Still sneering at you both the human stands his ground.
"We lost some guards and...the heir's brother our prince Joss was taken," the human retorts fingers never leaving the hilt of his blade. "As if you didn't know..." he adds scoffing his tone and expression disgusted!
The female gnome the entire time however focuses on each of you in turn. Silently and subtlety casting detect thoughts hoping to gain a deeper insight into you both.
Ran/Petal what are your surface thoughts?
OOC: I need both Petal and Ran to make WIZ saves DC 15; on a failure the gnome gains a deeper insight into your subconscious thoughts/feelings which you remain unaware. If you succeed however the spell ends and your PC will know, for a lack of a better term, their minds we're probed for insight.
Party 2
"We've been on the council all this day after the first reports of the attacks reach us," the human male paladin replies. "House Firstforge we were dispatched and were coming to inform you..." he begins again solemnly as he comes nearer to the party speaking in a lowered tone. "Your king is dead," he says next curtly but not without remorse.
He says this news in a low tone only to the ears of your party.
The female aasimar remains aloft her golden pupiliess eyes probing each of you in turn in her silently vigilance backing up the human paladin.
"You may pass about your business of mourning this evening but know you will come to the cathedral tomorrow to submit to questioning about events on the road," the male human paladin then adds to your party before turning back to the warring groups who nearly drew blood in the streets of the Holy City! "This will not stand," his begins again his voice booming as he returns his attention and authority to the crowd. "Chaos is the food of Darkness! Whatever the root cause is it has yet to be determined! I will not abide strife and hatred in my city," he adds with a slashing motion of his golden gauntlet covered hand. "You will stay you blades and come with us without protest," he adds as the warring parties still seem held by a greater force against their wills!
"Yes...yes...I will lay down arms...." seems the responses of the dragonborn and elven groups to the human paladin's instruction.
After a consensus of peace is reached the parties begin to disperse as paladins and clerics of the Lightbringer become visible scattered throughout the crowds at the docks wearing subtle robes and plain armor. They lead the dragonborn and elven groups who follow the holy warriors to boats leaving the palace isle.
OOC: Everyone please roll history checks. Ronegan, Elavor, and Kiran would get advantage.
“But no living man am I! You look upon a woman...You stand between me and my lord and kin. Begone, if you be not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you, if you touch him.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
WIS save: 4
As the initial light covers them, Elavor manages a "Oh this is some bullsh-" before being silenced.. his body froze in mid stride...
He listens, and watches through all of it, glad that his party fared far better than him in resisting whatever paralysis held him.... after the dire news and the Paladin speaks, and Elavor is able to move, he shakes his head, then his limbs, getting the tingling sensation out as much as possible...
"The king is gone....this changes things quite drastically..." looking to those of his party around him... "Ronegan, are you still wanting to visit your sister?"
HISTORY CHECK: 16
22 Petal wis save
Petals thoughts : “What a rude man, and this gnome.... staring at me like that! I knew there was a noble house of gnomes, but how did they become so different from me... all of their history thrown away, their connection to the land severed, left only with a pelt, washed to the point of losing all character - just like them I suppose...”
Gilgin Hardhammer - Mountain Dwarf Cleric (Forge Domain) - Icewind Dale
Petal - Forest Gnome Druid (Circle of the Land - Forest) - Unsung Heroes of Embera
Ran for Party 1:
Wisdom Save: 15
"You have my condolences," Ran says to the clearly angry warrior. "Losing comrades in battle is never an easy thing."
He keeps hands visible, palms facing the other group, showing he isn't interested in a fight.
"I don't expect you to take my word, but we had nothing to do with the ambush on our group. Someone is trying to pit us against each other. We," he gestures to Petal, "were on our way to try and find out more about what was going on."
Whoever this Dark Wanderer is, this is likely exactly what they wanted to achieve, Ran thinks to himself. In fighting between the houses will accomplish nothing except provide the perfect background for them to act without anyone watching. The palace was going to end up with a civil war on their hands if this wasn't shut down quickly.
Sensing the gnome's probing of his mind, Ran looks straight at her.
"Find anything that troubles you?" he asks. "You don't need to probe further. Everything is usually pretty close to the surface."
History: 23 (adv if fey, fiend, or undead related: 19)
Party 2
Varen's hands tighten into fists at the news. A pained look crosses her face, which is apparent to the other three party members around her.
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
Party 1
As Ran gestures towards her, Petal grabs his hand getting close like a child needing protection. “Mister swordsman, you are scaring me! If you want to go around intimidating people and using heretical magic to invade their minds then I’m sure you’ll make yourselves very good suspects yourselves! Now.. take your hand of your sword or I’ll scream for help, and you’d better pray it’s the city guard who come and not an agent of the church!”
Gilgin Hardhammer - Mountain Dwarf Cleric (Forge Domain) - Icewind Dale
Petal - Forest Gnome Druid (Circle of the Land - Forest) - Unsung Heroes of Embera
Kiran history check 8
Ronegan history check: 10
Ronegan looks stricken and stammers. "I don't know...I-I-i." He trails off for a second, thinking, and his countenance turns even more pained. "Oh, those poor children."
Petal deception 3
Gilgin Hardhammer - Mountain Dwarf Cleric (Forge Domain) - Icewind Dale
Petal - Forest Gnome Druid (Circle of the Land - Forest) - Unsung Heroes of Embera