"Ye stop right there! Sto-"Redd shouts at Mihris as she approaches, Mathis looks in horror and weakly tries to raise his dagger, and as she is about to touch him, Redd grapples and shoves her back, holding her away by the cloak. However, right before being pushed away, Mihris completed the spell and her blessed touch reached Mathis, who sighed in relief as his wound closed, a mix of concern, thankfulness, and shame in his eyes. Redd, not seeing what had happened, continues to shout and drag Mihris away from his partner, but one hand holds him by the shoulder, forcing him to look at his healed husband, and hug him tenderly.
Both look at you thankfully after a brief moment, still with a mix of shame and doubt, until Redd finally breaks the silence "I- I'm sorry, lass." he fumbles at words for a moment and Mathis interrupts him, "Thank you." he purses his lips under the carefully curled mustache, "We were mistaken to imagine you were with them. I'm sure you understand our confusion, we've seen you in the caravan, talking to those two and the false Warduke. Please, accept our apologies." he extends one hand, "Tawnash, Mathis Tawnash. This is Redd Gaoch, my husband."he lets it linger for a brief moment as if pondering over something, "Harpers."
Mihris shook her head "No need to apologize. I'm glad we came in time. I am Mihris, and this is Mialee, Vanys and Red. But... you are the Harpers? We thought it were Gerard and Ionna. We found the pins in one of the wagons on the way here." She sighed. "These all so very confusing. We learned there is the cult operating in these very caves. Had fight some cultists even. And you are saying that false Warduke is somewhere here too now and attacked the caravan before... I hope the priestess is all right..." She looked at others. "What are we to do now?"
Having been slightly left behind due to the vision issues and his worry for how loud this brief moment was Red is late to the party.
"You mentioned those two.. Who? Warduke, and what others have you seen then? Warduke is a fake-but no one really trusted our statements given nebulous backgrounds. Sorry, no time for excess stories-Fast quick and quiet. If you're Harpers. Who were you fighting with? Where did they go? How did you get away-and past the ones we just took care of." Red pushes the issue, as they're exposed between the noise and the light. But the situation felt still odd. ---And it wasn't just because he is annoyed at another "Red" being around and how confusing that'll get.
"I knew it"Red exclaims grinning and looks over at Mathis, who's nodding both at his affirmation and at the others approaching, "Yes, back when the wagons skidded some days ago. Our pins fell out of our wagon along with some cargo, we weren't wearing them of course. I saw the pale girl and her boyfriend picking through the snow and rocks, those two must've picked them up and kept them in their wagon." he says sternly with closed eyes.
Mathis clears his throat, "Can't be sure if your priestess is safe, too naive for her own good, that one. Emial passed by our wagons with a blood-bathed blade in hand and a leather burlap sack on his lap. Urging his horse for the mountains, that couple accelerated—apparently under his command—and we gave chase." he looks over at Redd, who's nodding, "And damn near got ourselves killed, we did."Mathis shakes his head, "They left some miscreants to cut us off at the entrance, and I..." he indicates the slashing wound Mihris just healed.
(Are they indicating "the couple" as being Ionna and Gerard? and were they implying that was the "two" they were referring to earlier? Red was trying to clarify since they were using 3rd person pronouns and avoiding using names when they were referring to multiple folks. He's trying to piece together who is who is where~)
"You mentioned those two.. Who? Warduke, and what others have you seen then? Warduke is a fake-but no one really trusted our statements given nebulous backgrounds. Sorry, no time for excess stories-Fast quick and quiet. If you're Harpers. Who were you fighting with? Where did they go? How did you get away-and past the ones we just took care of."
"Gerard and Ionna, the wagon ahead o' us! Why do ye think we had been tailing them?"Redd exclaims to the other Red, while Mathis nods and adds, "We didn't try to change the course of the trial either. They seemed pretty set on their ways, it would take something extradordinary to change the judgements. The Warduke's scroll of allegiance even seemed authentic and beared his name, a work by the Zhent in the caravan, no doubt."Mathis sighs in frustration, "And after our pins were taken, Emial knew there were Harpers among the travelers, from there on I'm sure they worked their way towards us by elimination, then banished us." he shakes his head disapointedly, "At the end of the chase we almost had them, but Emial was further ahead with the bag. Leaving Gerard, Ionna, and some reinforcements to block our entry. We managed to wound two of them before I... slipped. Then we broke off the combat, I'm certain they rushed inside to alert their forces, we were basically at their mercy until you came along."
((Sorry, seems we posted roughly at the same time and I missed your post 🤪 The couple they refer to seems to be Gerard and Ionna indeed))
Insight check to see how believable it is; since Red is still considering the possibility of these two being in reverse-the ones who remained behindi to hold off. were wounded and escaped but the chasers prioritized the Warduke chase over finishing them off. As its surprising they were ignored after being overwhelmed and outnumbered as it sounds. Though it is possible they were ignored due to a time table and them no longer being a true threat at that point.
Mia gives Mihris the thumbs-up sign and smiles. Watching her friend easily earn the trust of the couple makes her proud. But Mia's good mood doesn't last long. The reality hit her hard with new information. " I, I think they are telling the truth. I saw Gerard and Ionna picking something from the snow…I thought they were just like me, searching for pretty stones" Mia knows her vision doesn't lie. And she remembers the cold gaze of Ionna. Yet a part of her still wished to reunite with the couple as friends. Now that hope was almost crushed. The little elf leans against the cold stone wall and drops her head low.
Vanys is just as confused as Red in this situation, but seeing Mia react to the pair's (Redd and Mathis) words in such a way, confirms in his mind, that these people are likely telling the truth. Vanys looks at both of the Harpers up and down to assess their potential abilities in battle. If it seems like they could be useful in a fight, he offers each of them one of the swords that they stole from the cultists that they defeated in the earlier chamber and says, "Well, if the two of you are willing, your assistance would be welcome in finding out exactly where in this godforsaken chamber Emial managed to hide and perhaps even getting through anybody else that tries to stop us."
"Well, if the two of you are willing, your assistance would be welcome in finding out exactly where in this godforsaken chamber Emial managed to hide and perhaps even getting through anybody else that tries to stop us."
Redd and Mathis trade glances at this, eventually nodding as a brief but determined smile cuts under their mustaches, "Wouldn't let ye fellas have all the glory."Redd eventually breaks the silence, "To think I was at death's door moments ago..." Mathis nods, "To not repay this kindness is unthinkable." he bows lightly and waves for you to lead the way as he grabs his dagger.
"Thank you." That was not an easy thing to ask and Mihris truly appreciated Redd's and Mathis's willingness to help. "Then I guess we continue? Mia, can you still move? It does not look like rest here would be wise. Which way should we go?" She was ready to follow her friend deeper into the caves.
Vanys nods and tosses the swords back in his pack if neither Redd nor Mathis needs them. When Mihris turns to Mia for direction, Vanys speaks up, "I trust you little elf, but I question whether your judgement in leadership will be able to remain sound if we encounter Gerard and Ionna. Perhaps Mihris or Red should take the lead from here." After this comment, Vanys returns to his silence in the shadows behind the group waiting until a decision is made about who should lead.
Whatever decision is made, Vanys will slink into the shadows behind the group (once they start moving) and keep an eye out ahead of them with his superior darkvision.
"Point of order there... I'm still completely blind as a bat-but iwthout the biology to hear my way instead.... Actually am I the only one who can't see here?" Awaiting responses from the newcomers. "Well its not ideal.. but if I am the only one, I could certainly light a torch-draw attention while the others ambush whomever tries to ambush me.. or bypass and stop whatever ritual it is they seem to be doing."
Redd and Mathis both accept the swords previously offered by Vanys, nodding in thanksand testing the blades' balance with a few short swings. Back at the larger open chamber, you can see all the open tunnels around you as the wind rushes by, muffling most sounds.
((Had assumed Red had his torch lit since his readied action on last combat. Aura/light is still there, Redd or Mathis can hold the torch instead, if they're not scouting ahead.))
Caves and labyrinths were not Mihris' strong suit either but she honestly tried to read the tracks. Usually even on the stone floor people leave some beaten paths to the rooms/places they visit more often. She hoped cultist were now gathering in one of those places and the group can follow.
Perception: 18 + Guidance: 1
Survival: 17 + Guidance: 4
(Anyone's trying to do the same - count Guidance too!)
(Any reason to douse the flame? Otherwise Red'll remain with it. It prevents some stuff but he is the one with a shield and decent armour. Fairly sturdy target)
Mia was still depressed when Mihris talked to her. However, seeing her friends move on, she pulls herself out of the cold wall. Mia takes a deep breath and grasps a few pebbles from her bag. She throws one of them in the air, then one more. The druid girl remembers her mentor who taught her the wisdom of nature and how to juggling stones. Once the old elf told her. "Mia,my dear. Do you know the stars are actually shiny stones? They are dancing around heaven, singing with celestial songs, weaving the fate of elves, humans, deserves and everything. Study them then you would learn your destiny, follow them then you would know how to deal with your live" The small stoneswhich she is juggling reflect the light from Red's orb, leaving the glowing lines in the air. Mia closes her eyes, makes her mind alongside the circle. Once more Mia feels she is a part of something bigger and greater. The sorrow and depression twist around her soul are diluted and dissolved in the holy void of the night sky. When she opens her eyes again, the cheerful and daring smile returns on the little elf's face. "Thank you,Miri, Van. I feel much better now. No worries. I won't make a mistake in prioritization. A lot of people and lives of the North are at stake. If Ionna and …Gerard stand in my way, then I will do what I have to do." Mia speaks with strong determination.
Mia is taking up the rear of the party with two humans(Redd and Mathis) , helping them with her dark vision. She decides to share her ammunition with the Harpers and showerMagic Missile on the cultists.
(Mia will agree to keep the torches. Now half of our party consists of humans. Darkness would only give us more disadvantages and less stealth.)
Mihris' eyes somehow sharpen in the darkness, imbued by starlight now shining through the hole on the cave cailing above. She sees the scattered powders of different colors and bits of herbs forming a loose and hurried line from the tunnel they first entered towards the southeastern bridge across the creek crevasse, and now... if she hadn't before, she makes the connection to colors and materials she had seen a few days ago, the ones that Mithann was carrying with her. And further along their way she sees another thing she had seen before, a tiny one scurrying in the darkness, trying to find a way and attracted by their torchlight, Mike the mouse struggles to cross the wodden suspension bridge. The group stands at the center of the chamber, eyeing the two bridges, while snow falls from the opening above and the low squealing of Mike echoes from the other end of the eastern bridge.
"Ye stop right there! Sto-" Redd shouts at Mihris as she approaches, Mathis looks in horror and weakly tries to raise his dagger, and as she is about to touch him, Redd grapples and shoves her back, holding her away by the cloak. However, right before being pushed away, Mihris completed the spell and her blessed touch reached Mathis, who sighed in relief as his wound closed, a mix of concern, thankfulness, and shame in his eyes. Redd, not seeing what had happened, continues to shout and drag Mihris away from his partner, but one hand holds him by the shoulder, forcing him to look at his healed husband, and hug him tenderly.
Both look at you thankfully after a brief moment, still with a mix of shame and doubt, until Redd finally breaks the silence "I- I'm sorry, lass." he fumbles at words for a moment and Mathis interrupts him, "Thank you." he purses his lips under the carefully curled mustache, "We were mistaken to imagine you were with them. I'm sure you understand our confusion, we've seen you in the caravan, talking to those two and the false Warduke. Please, accept our apologies." he extends one hand, "Tawnash, Mathis Tawnash. This is Redd Gaoch, my husband." he lets it linger for a brief moment as if pondering over something, "Harpers."
Art Portfolio
Mihris shook her head "No need to apologize. I'm glad we came in time. I am Mihris, and this is Mialee, Vanys and Red. But... you are the Harpers? We thought it were Gerard and Ionna. We found the pins in one of the wagons on the way here." She sighed. "These all so very confusing. We learned there is the cult operating in these very caves. Had fight some cultists even. And you are saying that false Warduke is somewhere here too now and attacked the caravan before... I hope the priestess is all right..." She looked at others. "What are we to do now?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Having been slightly left behind due to the vision issues and his worry for how loud this brief moment was Red is late to the party.
"You mentioned those two.. Who? Warduke, and what others have you seen then? Warduke is a fake-but no one really trusted our statements given nebulous backgrounds. Sorry, no time for excess stories-Fast quick and quiet. If you're Harpers. Who were you fighting with? Where did they go? How did you get away-and past the ones we just took care of." Red pushes the issue, as they're exposed between the noise and the light. But the situation felt still odd. ---And it wasn't just because he is annoyed at another "Red" being around and how confusing that'll get.
"I knew it" Red exclaims grinning and looks over at Mathis, who's nodding both at his affirmation and at the others approaching, "Yes, back when the wagons skidded some days ago. Our pins fell out of our wagon along with some cargo, we weren't wearing them of course. I saw the pale girl and her boyfriend picking through the snow and rocks, those two must've picked them up and kept them in their wagon." he says sternly with closed eyes.
Mathis clears his throat, "Can't be sure if your priestess is safe, too naive for her own good, that one. Emial passed by our wagons with a blood-bathed blade in hand and a leather burlap sack on his lap. Urging his horse for the mountains, that couple accelerated—apparently under his command—and we gave chase." he looks over at Redd, who's nodding, "And damn near got ourselves killed, we did." Mathis shakes his head, "They left some miscreants to cut us off at the entrance, and I..." he indicates the slashing wound Mihris just healed.
Art Portfolio
(Are they indicating "the couple" as being Ionna and Gerard? and were they implying that was the "two" they were referring to earlier? Red was trying to clarify since they were using 3rd person pronouns and avoiding using names when they were referring to multiple folks. He's trying to piece together who is who is where~)
"Gerard and Ionna, the wagon ahead o' us! Why do ye think we had been tailing them?" Redd exclaims to the other Red, while Mathis nods and adds, "We didn't try to change the course of the trial either. They seemed pretty set on their ways, it would take something extradordinary to change the judgements. The Warduke's scroll of allegiance even seemed authentic and beared his name, a work by the Zhent in the caravan, no doubt." Mathis sighs in frustration, "And after our pins were taken, Emial knew there were Harpers among the travelers, from there on I'm sure they worked their way towards us by elimination, then banished us." he shakes his head disapointedly, "At the end of the chase we almost had them, but Emial was further ahead with the bag. Leaving Gerard, Ionna, and some reinforcements to block our entry. We managed to wound two of them before I... slipped. Then we broke off the combat, I'm certain they rushed inside to alert their forces, we were basically at their mercy until you came along."
((Sorry, seems we posted roughly at the same time and I missed your post 🤪 The couple they refer to seems to be Gerard and Ionna indeed))
Art Portfolio
Insight check to see how believable it is; since Red is still considering the possibility of these two being in reverse-the ones who remained behindi to hold off. were wounded and escaped but the chasers prioritized the Warduke chase over finishing them off. As its surprising they were ignored after being overwhelmed and outnumbered as it sounds. Though it is possible they were ignored due to a time table and them no longer being a true threat at that point.
5 Shame ahwell low roll
From what Red has seen so far, anyone here could be in reverse. He remains uncertain due to so many different truth claims since the trial.
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Red's been confused for the entirty of the mission and far too paranoid for his own good.
Mia gives Mihris the thumbs-up sign and smiles. Watching her friend easily earn the trust of the couple makes her proud. But Mia's good mood doesn't last long. The reality hit her hard with new information. " I, I think they are telling the truth. I saw Gerard and Ionna picking something from the snow…I thought they were just like me, searching for pretty stones" Mia knows her vision doesn't lie. And she remembers the cold gaze of Ionna. Yet a part of her still wished to reunite with the couple as friends. Now that hope was almost crushed. The little elf leans against the cold stone wall and drops her head low.
Vanys is just as confused as Red in this situation, but seeing Mia react to the pair's (Redd and Mathis) words in such a way, confirms in his mind, that these people are likely telling the truth. Vanys looks at both of the Harpers up and down to assess their potential abilities in battle. If it seems like they could be useful in a fight, he offers each of them one of the swords that they stole from the cultists that they defeated in the earlier chamber and says, "Well, if the two of you are willing, your assistance would be welcome in finding out exactly where in this godforsaken chamber Emial managed to hide and perhaps even getting through anybody else that tries to stop us."
Persuasion: 17
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Redd and Mathis trade glances at this, eventually nodding as a brief but determined smile cuts under their mustaches, "Wouldn't let ye fellas have all the glory." Redd eventually breaks the silence, "To think I was at death's door moments ago..." Mathis nods, "To not repay this kindness is unthinkable." he bows lightly and waves for you to lead the way as he grabs his dagger.
((Redd and Mathis now accompany your party))
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"Thank you." That was not an easy thing to ask and Mihris truly appreciated Redd's and Mathis's willingness to help. "Then I guess we continue? Mia, can you still move? It does not look like rest here would be wise. Which way should we go?" She was ready to follow her friend deeper into the caves.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Vanys nods and tosses the swords back in his pack if neither Redd nor Mathis needs them. When Mihris turns to Mia for direction, Vanys speaks up, "I trust you little elf, but I question whether your judgement in leadership will be able to remain sound if we encounter Gerard and Ionna. Perhaps Mihris or Red should take the lead from here." After this comment, Vanys returns to his silence in the shadows behind the group waiting until a decision is made about who should lead.
Whatever decision is made, Vanys will slink into the shadows behind the group (once they start moving) and keep an eye out ahead of them with his superior darkvision.
Stealth: 17
Perception: 18
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
"Point of order there... I'm still completely blind as a bat-but iwthout the biology to hear my way instead.... Actually am I the only one who can't see here?" Awaiting responses from the newcomers. "Well its not ideal.. but if I am the only one, I could certainly light a torch-draw attention while the others ambush whomever tries to ambush me.. or bypass and stop whatever ritual it is they seem to be doing."
Redd and Mathis both accept the swords previously offered by Vanys, nodding in thanksand testing the blades' balance with a few short swings. Back at the larger open chamber, you can see all the open tunnels around you as the wind rushes by, muffling most sounds.
((Had assumed Red had his torch lit since his readied action on last combat. Aura/light is still there, Redd or Mathis can hold the torch instead, if they're not scouting ahead.))
Art Portfolio
Caves and labyrinths were not Mihris' strong suit either but she honestly tried to read the tracks. Usually even on the stone floor people leave some beaten paths to the rooms/places they visit more often. She hoped cultist were now gathering in one of those places and the group can follow.
Perception: 18 + Guidance: 1
Survival: 17 + Guidance: 4
(Anyone's trying to do the same - count Guidance too!)
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
(Any reason to douse the flame? Otherwise Red'll remain with it. It prevents some stuff but he is the one with a shield and decent armour. Fairly sturdy target)
Mia was still depressed when Mihris talked to her. However, seeing her friends move on, she pulls herself out of the cold wall. Mia takes a deep breath and grasps a few pebbles from her bag. She throws one of them in the air, then one more. The druid girl remembers her mentor who taught her the wisdom of nature and how to juggling stones. Once the old elf told her. "Mia,my dear. Do you know the stars are actually shiny stones? They are dancing around heaven, singing with celestial songs, weaving the fate of elves, humans, deserves and everything. Study them then you would learn your destiny, follow them then you would know how to deal with your live" The small stones which she is juggling reflect the light from Red's orb, leaving the glowing lines in the air. Mia closes her eyes, makes her mind alongside the circle. Once more Mia feels she is a part of something bigger and greater. The sorrow and depression twist around her soul are diluted and dissolved in the holy void of the night sky. When she opens her eyes again, the cheerful and daring smile returns on the little elf's face. "Thank you,Miri, Van. I feel much better now. No worries. I won't make a mistake in prioritization. A lot of people and lives of the North are at stake. If Ionna and …Gerard stand in my way, then I will do what I have to do." Mia speaks with strong determination.
Mia is taking up the rear of the party with two humans(Redd and Mathis) , helping them with her dark vision. She decides to share her ammunition with the Harpers and shower Magic Missile on the cultists.
(Mia will agree to keep the torches. Now half of our party consists of humans. Darkness would only give us more disadvantages and less stealth.)
Mihris' eyes somehow sharpen in the darkness, imbued by starlight now shining through the hole on the cave cailing above. She sees the scattered powders of different colors and bits of herbs forming a loose and hurried line from the tunnel they first entered towards the southeastern bridge across the creek crevasse, and now... if she hadn't before, she makes the connection to colors and materials she had seen a few days ago, the ones that Mithann was carrying with her. And further along their way she sees another thing she had seen before, a tiny one scurrying in the darkness, trying to find a way and attracted by their torchlight, Mike the mouse struggles to cross the wodden suspension bridge. The group stands at the center of the chamber, eyeing the two bridges, while snow falls from the opening above and the low squealing of Mike echoes from the other end of the eastern bridge.
Art Portfolio