(OOC: I must have missed the post where there was a fire inside... Ednyss probably wouldn't have realized during the battle, but when he went to retrieve his shield, he would have noticed it so I will let the DM arbitrate this... If Ednyss saw a fire inside, he would have run to check on Tama instead of retrieving his shield.)
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“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Py zips away after the man — farther than 100’. Auger loses contact.
Ednyss finds Tamazaert and Sura in their bedroom. They are all right. He can then get his shield and give healing.
Auger knows there is a pitcher of wash water and a smsll basin in each bedroom, and there was a pitcher of water with dinner which was knocked off the living room table by the first blast of the first cultist.
The flames cover the southern living room wall and threaten to spread farther. “Flock!,” says Benita, “I just didn’t want any more bees in here!”
The downstairs door to the suite swings open — someone had a key — and the manager, the calico cat, enters, followed by two strong humans, a man and wife, carrying pails of water. They run up the stairs, coughing, and assail the growing fire, to little effect.
What does Auger (and anyone else) do to put out the fire (post rolls for any activities)?
Varielky leaves the fire for others to deal with. At first, at least. The first thing she does is making sure Sura and Tamazaert leave the suite safely, using her shield and body to cover them from the flames (or, if the flames are too strong to pass through, she directs them to the terrace, as far from the flames as possible). Then, she'll pick the unconscious man and bring him to the same place where Tamazaert is. She worries he might wake up, but she can't bother to tie him at the moment. "Watch him, don't let him surprise you. If he wakes up before I come back, immediately shout as loud as you can." Then, Varielky goes to help with the flames as best she can. She could use her strength to carry large containers of water if she can find any, or protect others from the heat of the flames. If nothing else, she at least watches that everyone is alright, and runs in to carry someone out if they breathe too much smoke and fall unconscious.
When the owner shows up with two people carrying buckets, Auger tries to reach out and control some of the water from their buckets to no avail (we'll just say they were out of range?).
"Bring more - keep them coming!"He yells to them as their efforts create little progress. Thinking quickly about fires he has faced in the past Auger wonders how much they can actually do. To Benita he yells, "Gather as much water as you can from the basins and bring it here - don't throw it in, let me control it so I can try to use it as a mass." Meanwhile he starts clearing things that might combust faster away from the flames like rugs, wall hangings or broken bits of furniture.
(Assuming Benita brings the water)
When all the water is gathered Auger looks at the flames and thinks how the buckets had little effect and he decides to try something different. He uses his powers to take the water and form it into a sheet of water 1/2" to 1" thick and tries to smother sections of the fire by enclosing it with water. If possible he reuses water in this fashion as much as he can. When or if the bucket brigade returns he also attempts to use the water they bring to do something similar.
(OOC: Shape Water has two relevant abilities to 'You instantaneously move or otherwise change the flow of the water as you direct, up to 5 feet in any direction' and 'You cause the water to form into simple shapes and animate at your direction'. I am hoping to adapt these into forming water by shaping it as a smothering blanket of water and then moving it 5'/round over sections of flames. If there is enough water then Auger might be able to maintain 2 such blankets within 30'.)
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DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Varielky and Ednyss help shield helpers from the fire as they go downstairs for more water as Auger turns his attention to shaping it to extinguish the flames by robbing them of oxygen. He also finds that he can pull water out of the rugs and steam from the first two buckets, and reuse it. It is slow going, and you can see that the hotel manager is beside herself with anger at the situation. However, in five minutes, the fire is out — there was not time for it to expand past the southern wall of the suite. (There was no fire brigade.)
The cat looks at Auger appraisingly.
“Youuu have saaaved mmmee a lotta mmonnneyyy,” she says. “But!,” she continues to everyone, “this fire cost plenty already! I will add it to your bill! And now I have to find someone to rebuild the doors and Windows! So much gold!”
She sees the dead bodies and glares at you all, not without fear, “Amboule police are comminng ssooonn. Much to explain!”
Shouting obscenities, the cat woman motions to the man and wife, and they start cleaning up, leaving the bodies on the terrace untouched.
Varielky doesn't really have an idea why any of this happened, so she doesn't bother with explanations. Rather, she has proof. Varielky ties the unconscious man with a rope, making sure he can't move his arms. Then, she stays near and watches. She doesn't want him to try anything when he wakes up.
Ednyss notices Varielky tying the man up and his eyebrows shoot up. "You left one alive?" The dwarf is surprised but inwardly, he realizes the value of having one alive to question. With Auger finishing the fire off, the war priest takes the chance to catch his breath. As he pauses, he remembers something that the intruders mentioned. Something about a Wandering God. Ednyss starts to rack his memory to see if he has ever heard of the name in reference to Demsha, who he assumes the masked men were referring to. Had he ever read anything about how she got the name? Once he is done thinking, he turns back to the shieldmaiden, and says, "I imagine the one that got away will tell whoever sent him here that they failed, but do you think they'll come back with reinforcements tonight?" Ednyss didn't think it was very likely given the beating that these intruders got, even when they had the jump, but he wanted to ask Varielky for confirmation.
Your captive remains unconscious for about 15 minutes. He groans a bit as Varielky ties up his hands and legs, but doesn’t awaken quite yet. He’s on the terrace with Tamazaert and Sura at the other end of the terrace watching him, and Varielky is sitting in front of him some 10’ away as his eyelids flutter, a look of agonized pain crosses his face, his eyes open and wildly take in his surroundings, he discovers he is bound, and finally, sees Varielky, and he visibly breaks into a cold sweat as his circumstances sink in.
“Who are you?,” he asks, his voice shuddering. “Why am I here?”
Ednyss recalls that there was mention made of Ritha Demsha and the Wandering God at the ancient dwarven temple where he won his shield. It will take time for him to remember exactly what was said, as it was part of an extensive monologue by Granophyre. (OOC: I will post this when Ednyss has had some time to rest and collect his thoughts. But at the moment he doesn’t seem to remember the exchange clearly.)
(OOC: What exactly were Auger’s instructions to Py? Should he follow the man into a building if he enters one?)
Auger nods to the cat and mentions that he can perhaps assist with some of the repairs. He watches them begin to clean up for a moment as he catches his breath and feels his injuries take hold of his movements.
Auger moves over to the closest body, wincing as he kneels and without touching it, examines it, looking in particular for any markings such as tattoos, pendants or symbols on their clothing. If he sees such a symbol he attempts to commit it to his memory.
While looking he tries to remember anything he might have come across in his past, whether the recent readings in the archives (Investigation: 11), his past religious studies (Religion: 18) or other knowledge and travels (History: 3) that might help him understand who the... adherents(?) of the Red Cypress are and what they stand for, and why they might be after Strewn or Ednyss. He also thinks about his wanderings through the city, particularly if he found a symbol, has he seen it somewhere in Kalahata?
(OOC: All rolls are there for convenience, I do not expect you to credit three separate attempts in a relatively short time)
Finally he approaches Varielky, Ednyss and Benita along with Tamazaert to quietly state, "When these... police... arrive... I do not think we should make the Strewn name public. Perhaps we think they were here to kill and then rob us? We had not heard of the Red Cypress until today."
"Yes." Varielky answers. "I've been searching for information since we arrived in Kalahata. I guess I was guided by... ah... Idiwala, to learn more about my enemies. Well, that along with other things. Though I enjoy fighting, I don't like fighting animals. Crabs, lizards, bees... I didn't think much of it before, but when they attacked at the same time with these men, I knew I need to end this. If someone is sending all these animals towards us, it's time we face them head on and find out why." She indicates the unconscious body as she tightens the rope. "This one is the only lead we have, as far as I know." Varielky might not be particularly smart, but she's not stupid either. Though she despised it and had never done so before, even Varielky knew the benefits a side can gain in war from taking prisoners of war.
"Maybe. I don't know." Varielky answers when Ednyss returns. "What I can say is that now is both their best time to strike, as well as their worst. If they bring reinforcements now, we'll have a hard time dealing with them. I'm wounded and tired, and so seem most of you. On the other hand, Amboule police is coming here, as the cat said. That might deter them from attacking." She stops for a moment, thinking a bit more. "It depends on the kind of battle they're trying to fight. Maybe this one could shed some light on that." She indicates the unconscious man. "The qiestion is whether we should prepare for an attack or not. Donning armour before the police arrives will not look good for us, but we don't want to be caught unprepared again."
(OOC: Auger's quick orders for Py were to follow the man and see where he comes from. I would think depending on the circumstances Py might circle the building to determine things like its purpose and to get a general sense of the floors and layout before returning, but we're getting into the grey zone where I am not fully in control. I do not think Py would enter a building and follow, but if for example the person was to enter a gated estate, Py might cross the threshold above the gate and observe which building the person enters.)
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DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
"By our contract, we're forbidden from mentioning him." Varielky answers Auger, and nods to his plans. "They attacked us. As far as the police should know, we shouldn't know why they attacked. The simple truth is we were acting on self-defence."
When the man wakes up, Varielky shifts her attention completely to him. "That's what I want to know. Why don't you start explaining who you are and why you attacked us? Don't make me regret sparing your life earlier. I can still correct that." Varielky taps the hilt of her sword.
Re: tattoos, pendants or symbols on their clothing. If he sees such a symbol he attempts to commit it to his memory.
The men all wore black pants and vests, and red scarves over their heads and mouths. The back of each vest is embroidered in red with the likeness of a cypress tree. They all seem to be men in the prime of health, spoke Shian, and their eyes glowed, subtly, red. One of them wears a guild ring, Auger notices. Rancher’s guild, about which Auger knows very little.
Varielky
The man, Varielky notes, seems quite confused for a moment, then his expression hardens, becomes stoic. He gulps. “And so…,” he says softly, almost to himself, in Shian, “I was called, at last. And so was Mehhul, may Ritha Demsha plant his soul again in happiness after his sacrifice,” he says dolefully, between groans, his eyes now latched onto the beheaded corpse near him. “Alas, alas.” He stifles a sob, then closes his eyes and breathes deeply.
“Why. Why have you drawn her anger? What have you done?”
To Varielky’s question, he answers, “Who I am is not important. I have answered the Cypress’ call. She is our teacher, our leader, our solace. When she awakened from her winter slumber, she sent us to stop Strewn.” He looks at Ednyss. “But…that…is not him. Is it.” He looks confused that these words are coming from his own mouth, as if he knows they are true but does not understand their meaning.
Auger notes the symbol for later reference and then starts wondering about Py and decides to give it at least an hour before starting to worry about it.
Hearing something of the questioning with the attacker Auger decides to leave Varielky and Ednyss to it while he steps over to talk with Tamazaert for a moment and provide any reassurance that things will be alright, if needed.
If the police do not present themselves quickly Auger settles down to deal with his wounds and perhaps to try and eat any food that survived the attack. At this point Auger was getting used to the way the piercing headache would affect him after rigorous contact with the Sea of Stars, but that did not mean the discomfort is easy to handle. After eating a little bit Auger tries to find a place in the suite to sit, close his eyes and relax.
(OOC: Auger needs a short rest)
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DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ednyss remains still as the group waits for the man to awake. Once he awakens though, Ednyss just remains beside the shield-maiden, letting her do the talking. However, he will offer any guidance that he can in trying to extract information from the captive. When the man mentions Ednyss not being Strewn, Ednyss does his best to keep a straight face and let Varielky give whatever explanation she chooses.
(OOC: It will be about an hour before the amboule police arrive. You will have had time for a short rest, and Py has returned by then. ‘He left Kalahata through the north city gates,’ the fey alyasub sends to Auger. During this time, your prisoner will drift in and out of consciousness, but you may continue asking him questions if you wish.)
(OOC: No one has ever seen or heard of the red cypress symbol before.)
The cat says that, because of the number of travelers still in Kalahata for the Spring Festival, there are no other rooms available in her hotel; she will hire a carpenter tomorrow to repair the damage. (Does Auger recommend anyone for the carpentry work?)
The cat glides downstairs once the fire is out, glaring at you until she is out of view. “Inspector will want to look at them,” she yells up the staircase on her quiet way down, leaving only you, the bodies, your prisoner, and the two cleaners. And Tamazaert and Sura on the terrace.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(I'm pretty sure Varielky doesn't know about Ednyss' business with Demsha, right?)
"Ritha Demsha, The Cypress, are they the same one?" Varielky asks, trying to remember if she had ever heard the goddess being referred to this way. (Religion: 13.) "How did she call you? Was the magic you used to fight us yours, or one granted by her? You said 'our leader', whom does she lead? How many of you are there?" Varielky tries to look for signs of feelings other than confusion in the man's words. Is he just faking it, or was he really "called" by someone? Who else could that someone call? (Insight, using Ednyss' Guidance: 23.)
Auger does decide to mention Rags and his crew as a good reliable set of carpenters who could do this work. It is only after the Cat has left that Auger realizes Rags may come to know Auger as something other than a southern trader and carpenter, should he accept the work.
Eventually Auger does join the questioning of the Red Cypress attacker and will ask the following things, giving time for replies:
"So it's all mistaken identity, you were after some dwarf and thought it was my friend here. Why were you looking in the bedrooms? Were you after some object?"
"Tell us more about this Cypress, you answered her call, wrongly it turns out. She teaches, gives solace... slumbers through the winter. Tell us more about her."
"Given we were the wrong people for this, is there a way we could avoid these attacks in the future? Would you lead us to her so we could assuage her fears?"
Re: "Ritha Demsha, The Cypress, are they the same one?"
“Yes. Our leader speaks for Ritha Demsha.”
Re: Varielky...trying to remember if she had ever heard the goddess being referred to this way.
(OOC: No.)
Re: "How did she call you?
“I heard her call in my heart.”
Re: Was the magic you used to fight us yours, or one granted by her?
“Hers.”
Re: You said 'our leader', whom does she lead?
“The Red Cypress.” (OOC: You make out that it is a cult of religious followers, and he does not know how many. Perhaps, hundreds?)
Re: How many of you are there?
“I do not know.”
Re: Varielky tries to look for signs of feelings other than confusion in the man's words. Is he just faking it, or was he really "called" by someone?
(OOC: Varielky can’t tell. Ednyss thinks he is being honest.)
Who else could that someone call?
“The Red Cypress.” (OOC: In other words, the rest of the cult members.)
Re: "So it's all mistaken identity, you were after some dwarf and thought it was my friend here.
“Strewn was here.”
Re: Why were you looking in the bedrooms? Were you after some object?
“We were looking for Strewn. He was here.”
Re: "Tell us more about this Cypress, you answered her call, wrongly it turns out.
“We were right.”
Re: She teaches, gives solace... slumbers through the winter. Tell us more about her."
“She speaks to us on the mountain. In the Vale.”
Re: "Given we were the wrong people for this, is there a way we could avoid these attacks in the future?
“You were not the wrong people. Even I know you are lying. The Cypress sees through you so easily. Strewn must stop. I do not know if you have already committed unforgivable acts.”
Re: Would you lead us to her so we could assuage her fears?"
[He looks Auger long in the eye. Long. He just shakes his head ruefully and is silent. You see that your group does not have his trust. He says no more.]
(OOC: I must have missed the post where there was a fire inside... Ednyss probably wouldn't have realized during the battle, but when he went to retrieve his shield, he would have noticed it so I will let the DM arbitrate this... If Ednyss saw a fire inside, he would have run to check on Tama instead of retrieving his shield.)
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Py zips away after the man — farther than 100’. Auger loses contact.
Ednyss finds Tamazaert and Sura in their bedroom. They are all right. He can then get his shield and give healing.
Auger knows there is a pitcher of wash water and a smsll basin in each bedroom, and there was a pitcher of water with dinner which was knocked off the living room table by the first blast of the first cultist.
The flames cover the southern living room wall and threaten to spread farther. “Flock!,” says Benita, “I just didn’t want any more bees in here!”
The downstairs door to the suite swings open — someone had a key — and the manager, the calico cat, enters, followed by two strong humans, a man and wife, carrying pails of water. They run up the stairs, coughing, and assail the growing fire, to little effect.
What does Auger (and anyone else) do to put out the fire (post rolls for any activities)?
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Varielky leaves the fire for others to deal with. At first, at least. The first thing she does is making sure Sura and Tamazaert leave the suite safely, using her shield and body to cover them from the flames (or, if the flames are too strong to pass through, she directs them to the terrace, as far from the flames as possible). Then, she'll pick the unconscious man and bring him to the same place where Tamazaert is. She worries he might wake up, but she can't bother to tie him at the moment. "Watch him, don't let him surprise you. If he wakes up before I come back, immediately shout as loud as you can." Then, Varielky goes to help with the flames as best she can. She could use her strength to carry large containers of water if she can find any, or protect others from the heat of the flames. If nothing else, she at least watches that everyone is alright, and runs in to carry someone out if they breathe too much smoke and fall unconscious.
Varielky
When the owner shows up with two people carrying buckets, Auger tries to reach out and control some of the water from their buckets to no avail (we'll just say they were out of range?).
"Bring more - keep them coming!" He yells to them as their efforts create little progress. Thinking quickly about fires he has faced in the past Auger wonders how much they can actually do. To Benita he yells, "Gather as much water as you can from the basins and bring it here - don't throw it in, let me control it so I can try to use it as a mass." Meanwhile he starts clearing things that might combust faster away from the flames like rugs, wall hangings or broken bits of furniture.
(Assuming Benita brings the water)
When all the water is gathered Auger looks at the flames and thinks how the buckets had little effect and he decides to try something different. He uses his powers to take the water and form it into a sheet of water 1/2" to 1" thick and tries to smother sections of the fire by enclosing it with water. If possible he reuses water in this fashion as much as he can. When or if the bucket brigade returns he also attempts to use the water they bring to do something similar.
(OOC: Shape Water has two relevant abilities to 'You instantaneously move or otherwise change the flow of the water as you direct, up to 5 feet in any direction' and 'You cause the water to form into simple shapes and animate at your direction'. I am hoping to adapt these into forming water by shaping it as a smothering blanket of water and then moving it 5'/round over sections of flames. If there is enough water then Auger might be able to maintain 2 such blankets within 30'.)
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Varielky and Ednyss help shield helpers from the fire as they go downstairs for more water as Auger turns his attention to shaping it to extinguish the flames by robbing them of oxygen. He also finds that he can pull water out of the rugs and steam from the first two buckets, and reuse it. It is slow going, and you can see that the hotel manager is beside herself with anger at the situation. However, in five minutes, the fire is out — there was not time for it to expand past the southern wall of the suite. (There was no fire brigade.)
The cat looks at Auger appraisingly.
“Youuu have saaaved mmmee a lotta mmonnneyyy,” she says. “But!,” she continues to everyone, “this fire cost plenty already! I will add it to your bill! And now I have to find someone to rebuild the doors and Windows! So much gold!”
She sees the dead bodies and glares at you all, not without fear, “Amboule police are comminng ssooonn. Much to explain!”
Shouting obscenities, the cat woman motions to the man and wife, and they start cleaning up, leaving the bodies on the terrace untouched.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Varielky doesn't really have an idea why any of this happened, so she doesn't bother with explanations. Rather, she has proof. Varielky ties the unconscious man with a rope, making sure he can't move his arms. Then, she stays near and watches. She doesn't want him to try anything when he wakes up.
Varielky
Ednyss notices Varielky tying the man up and his eyebrows shoot up. "You left one alive?" The dwarf is surprised but inwardly, he realizes the value of having one alive to question. With Auger finishing the fire off, the war priest takes the chance to catch his breath. As he pauses, he remembers something that the intruders mentioned. Something about a Wandering God. Ednyss starts to rack his memory to see if he has ever heard of the name in reference to Demsha, who he assumes the masked men were referring to. Had he ever read anything about how she got the name? Once he is done thinking, he turns back to the shieldmaiden, and says, "I imagine the one that got away will tell whoever sent him here that they failed, but do you think they'll come back with reinforcements tonight?" Ednyss didn't think it was very likely given the beating that these intruders got, even when they had the jump, but he wanted to ask Varielky for confirmation.
Religion: 11
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Your captive remains unconscious for about 15 minutes. He groans a bit as Varielky ties up his hands and legs, but doesn’t awaken quite yet. He’s on the terrace with Tamazaert and Sura at the other end of the terrace watching him, and Varielky is sitting in front of him some 10’ away as his eyelids flutter, a look of agonized pain crosses his face, his eyes open and wildly take in his surroundings, he discovers he is bound, and finally, sees Varielky, and he visibly breaks into a cold sweat as his circumstances sink in.
“Who are you?,” he asks, his voice shuddering. “Why am I here?”
Ednyss recalls that there was mention made of Ritha Demsha and the Wandering God at the ancient dwarven temple where he won his shield. It will take time for him to remember exactly what was said, as it was part of an extensive monologue by Granophyre. (OOC: I will post this when Ednyss has had some time to rest and collect his thoughts. But at the moment he doesn’t seem to remember the exchange clearly.)
(OOC: What exactly were Auger’s instructions to Py? Should he follow the man into a building if he enters one?)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Auger nods to the cat and mentions that he can perhaps assist with some of the repairs. He watches them begin to clean up for a moment as he catches his breath and feels his injuries take hold of his movements.
Auger moves over to the closest body, wincing as he kneels and without touching it, examines it, looking in particular for any markings such as tattoos, pendants or symbols on their clothing. If he sees such a symbol he attempts to commit it to his memory.
While looking he tries to remember anything he might have come across in his past, whether the recent readings in the archives (Investigation: 11), his past religious studies (Religion: 18) or other knowledge and travels (History: 3) that might help him understand who the... adherents(?) of the Red Cypress are and what they stand for, and why they might be after Strewn or Ednyss. He also thinks about his wanderings through the city, particularly if he found a symbol, has he seen it somewhere in Kalahata?
(OOC: All rolls are there for convenience, I do not expect you to credit three separate attempts in a relatively short time)
Finally he approaches Varielky, Ednyss and Benita along with Tamazaert to quietly state, "When these... police... arrive... I do not think we should make the Strewn name public. Perhaps we think they were here to kill and then rob us? We had not heard of the Red Cypress until today."
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
"Yes." Varielky answers. "I've been searching for information since we arrived in Kalahata. I guess I was guided by... ah... Idiwala, to learn more about my enemies. Well, that along with other things. Though I enjoy fighting, I don't like fighting animals. Crabs, lizards, bees... I didn't think much of it before, but when they attacked at the same time with these men, I knew I need to end this. If someone is sending all these animals towards us, it's time we face them head on and find out why." She indicates the unconscious body as she tightens the rope. "This one is the only lead we have, as far as I know." Varielky might not be particularly smart, but she's not stupid either. Though she despised it and had never done so before, even Varielky knew the benefits a side can gain in war from taking prisoners of war.
"Maybe. I don't know." Varielky answers when Ednyss returns. "What I can say is that now is both their best time to strike, as well as their worst. If they bring reinforcements now, we'll have a hard time dealing with them. I'm wounded and tired, and so seem most of you. On the other hand, Amboule police is coming here, as the cat said. That might deter them from attacking." She stops for a moment, thinking a bit more. "It depends on the kind of battle they're trying to fight. Maybe this one could shed some light on that." She indicates the unconscious man. "The qiestion is whether we should prepare for an attack or not. Donning armour before the police arrives will not look good for us, but we don't want to be caught unprepared again."
Varielky
(OOC: Auger's quick orders for Py were to follow the man and see where he comes from. I would think depending on the circumstances Py might circle the building to determine things like its purpose and to get a general sense of the floors and layout before returning, but we're getting into the grey zone where I am not fully in control. I do not think Py would enter a building and follow, but if for example the person was to enter a gated estate, Py might cross the threshold above the gate and observe which building the person enters.)
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
"By our contract, we're forbidden from mentioning him." Varielky answers Auger, and nods to his plans. "They attacked us. As far as the police should know, we shouldn't know why they attacked. The simple truth is we were acting on self-defence."
When the man wakes up, Varielky shifts her attention completely to him. "That's what I want to know. Why don't you start explaining who you are and why you attacked us? Don't make me regret sparing your life earlier. I can still correct that." Varielky taps the hilt of her sword.
Varielky
Auger
Re: tattoos, pendants or symbols on their clothing. If he sees such a symbol he attempts to commit it to his memory.
The men all wore black pants and vests, and red scarves over their heads and mouths. The back of each vest is embroidered in red with the likeness of a cypress tree. They all seem to be men in the prime of health, spoke Shian, and their eyes glowed, subtly, red. One of them wears a guild ring, Auger notices. Rancher’s guild, about which Auger knows very little.
Varielky
The man, Varielky notes, seems quite confused for a moment, then his expression hardens, becomes stoic. He gulps. “And so…,” he says softly, almost to himself, in Shian, “I was called, at last. And so was Mehhul, may Ritha Demsha plant his soul again in happiness after his sacrifice,” he says dolefully, between groans, his eyes now latched onto the beheaded corpse near him. “Alas, alas.” He stifles a sob, then closes his eyes and breathes deeply.
“Why. Why have you drawn her anger? What have you done?”
To Varielky’s question, he answers, “Who I am is not important. I have answered the Cypress’ call. She is our teacher, our leader, our solace. When she awakened from her winter slumber, she sent us to stop Strewn.” He looks at Ednyss. “But…that…is not him. Is it.” He looks confused that these words are coming from his own mouth, as if he knows they are true but does not understand their meaning.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Auger notes the symbol for later reference and then starts wondering about Py and decides to give it at least an hour before starting to worry about it.
Hearing something of the questioning with the attacker Auger decides to leave Varielky and Ednyss to it while he steps over to talk with Tamazaert for a moment and provide any reassurance that things will be alright, if needed.
If the police do not present themselves quickly Auger settles down to deal with his wounds and perhaps to try and eat any food that survived the attack. At this point Auger was getting used to the way the piercing headache would affect him after rigorous contact with the Sea of Stars, but that did not mean the discomfort is easy to handle. After eating a little bit Auger tries to find a place in the suite to sit, close his eyes and relax.
(OOC: Auger needs a short rest)
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Ednyss remains still as the group waits for the man to awake. Once he awakens though, Ednyss just remains beside the shield-maiden, letting her do the talking. However, he will offer any guidance that he can in trying to extract information from the captive. When the man mentions Ednyss not being Strewn, Ednyss does his best to keep a straight face and let Varielky give whatever explanation she chooses.
Deception: 13
(OOC: I was actually hoping for a long rest given that we were about to go to sleep... But a short rest would help with healing as well.)
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
(OOC: It will be about an hour before the amboule police arrive. You will have had time for a short rest, and Py has returned by then. ‘He left Kalahata through the north city gates,’ the fey alyasub sends to Auger. During this time, your prisoner will drift in and out of consciousness, but you may continue asking him questions if you wish.)
(OOC: No one has ever seen or heard of the red cypress symbol before.)
The cat says that, because of the number of travelers still in Kalahata for the Spring Festival, there are no other rooms available in her hotel; she will hire a carpenter tomorrow to repair the damage. (Does Auger recommend anyone for the carpentry work?)
The cat glides downstairs once the fire is out, glaring at you until she is out of view. “Inspector will want to look at them,” she yells up the staircase on her quiet way down, leaving only you, the bodies, your prisoner, and the two cleaners. And Tamazaert and Sura on the terrace.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
(I'm pretty sure Varielky doesn't know about Ednyss' business with Demsha, right?)
"Ritha Demsha, The Cypress, are they the same one?" Varielky asks, trying to remember if she had ever heard the goddess being referred to this way. (Religion: 13.) "How did she call you? Was the magic you used to fight us yours, or one granted by her? You said 'our leader', whom does she lead? How many of you are there?" Varielky tries to look for signs of feelings other than confusion in the man's words. Is he just faking it, or was he really "called" by someone? Who else could that someone call? (Insight, using Ednyss' Guidance: 23.)
Varielky
Auger does decide to mention Rags and his crew as a good reliable set of carpenters who could do this work. It is only after the Cat has left that Auger realizes Rags may come to know Auger as something other than a southern trader and carpenter, should he accept the work.
Eventually Auger does join the questioning of the Red Cypress attacker and will ask the following things, giving time for replies:
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
An Interview With A Cultist
Re: "Ritha Demsha, The Cypress, are they the same one?"
“Yes. Our leader speaks for Ritha Demsha.”
Re: Varielky...trying to remember if she had ever heard the goddess being referred to this way.
(OOC: No.)
Re: "How did she call you?
“I heard her call in my heart.”
Re: Was the magic you used to fight us yours, or one granted by her?
“Hers.”
Re: You said 'our leader', whom does she lead?
“The Red Cypress.” (OOC: You make out that it is a cult of religious followers, and he does not know how many. Perhaps, hundreds?)
Re: How many of you are there?
“I do not know.”
Re: Varielky tries to look for signs of feelings other than confusion in the man's words. Is he just faking it, or was he really "called" by someone?
(OOC: Varielky can’t tell. Ednyss thinks he is being honest.)
Who else could that someone call?
“The Red Cypress.” (OOC: In other words, the rest of the cult members.)
Re: "So it's all mistaken identity, you were after some dwarf and thought it was my friend here.
“Strewn was here.”
Re: Why were you looking in the bedrooms? Were you after some object?
“We were looking for Strewn. He was here.”
Re: "Tell us more about this Cypress, you answered her call, wrongly it turns out.
“We were right.”
Re: She teaches, gives solace... slumbers through the winter. Tell us more about her."
“She speaks to us on the mountain. In the Vale.”
Re: "Given we were the wrong people for this, is there a way we could avoid these attacks in the future?
“You were not the wrong people. Even I know you are lying. The Cypress sees through you so easily. Strewn must stop. I do not know if you have already committed unforgivable acts.”
Re: Would you lead us to her so we could assuage her fears?"
[He looks Auger long in the eye. Long. He just shakes his head ruefully and is silent. You see that your group does not have his trust. He says no more.]
(OOC: anything else, before the police arrive?)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Auger woefully shakes his head at the man's insistence that Strewn had been here and steps away to wait upon the police arrival.
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory