The Madness of Men in a World of Monsters (D&D 5e IC)

[purepolarpanzer]

Northwest of Dam'ess- Along the Delvus River

Lagging a few seconds behind the others, Maus steps up to address the officer as well. The lieutenant looks over those who have left the stage coach to approach, then looks over their shoulders at the stage. The sun sinks lower and lower, and the sky, which has been filled with scattered grey clouds all day, seems to be growing even more overcast. Single drops of rain begin to fall, and in the distance there is a rumble of thunder. She speaks loudly enough to address Ulu, Maus, and Mal while the others can all hear her as well. "There's been an accident in the road ahead. You're going to have to wait here while we take care of it. Don't worry, I'm sure we'll have it cleared up soon." She gives you all the once over yet again, giving Set and Ulu lingering glances. "You lot don't look like the doddering Greenies we expected to see out here. What's your business in Harumvale?"

Spoiler: DC 5 Insight

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When the ranking officer said "accident", all three of the soldiers behind her glanced at each other with uncertain looks on their faces, as though they were surprised to be hearing of this "accident" for the first time themselves.

Spoiler: DC 10 Insight

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The exchanged looks between the rank and file don't just show surprise. One of them men quivers slightly, biting his bottom lip and closing his eyes, as though he has recalled something soul quakingly horrible. The other two quickly try to regain military form when they get a backwards glance from their commander, but as soon as she turns fully to face you again they begin whispering to each other behind their gauntlets, eyes wide with fear.

Spoiler: DC 16 Insight

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The lieutenant is a bit better at hiding her feelings than her soldiers, but not by much. There was a sizeable pause between "been" and " an accident", as though she were conjuring the right excuse for why you can't pass, not relaying fact. Her eyes are bloodshot and her sword hand trembles, there's fresh vomit still wetting her boots as well as those of two of the footmen, and there was an unmistakable twitch of fear in her eye that is unbecoming in an experienced soldier, so she tries to disguise it as something of a wink. This woman recently witnessed something to shook her to her core, and now she is lying about it to all of you. More so, she is specifically trying to divert the conversation to questioning you to avoid having to give any answers herself.

Spoiler: OOC

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Greenies is a derogatory and dismissive term used as a slur against members of the Green Faith, almost exclusively by Harumites. It conjures imagery of inbred country bumpkins wasting their time talking to trees.