IC II Ljonarian Enigma: Imperial Affairs

[CWater]

"Don't worry, I do this all the time."

Eglantine knelt down by the door to try to listen for any voices. She felt for her lockpicking tools in case she didn't hear any.

Spoiler: CWater

Show

Poor Ivar

Listen: [roll0]

Disable Device: [roll1]

Eglantine hears nothing and starts to work on the door. The lock poses no great challenge, she's done this before and knows how to twist the picks to smooth it open. Quietly she steps inside the workshop proper, followed by an increasingly nervous Iver.

There's no one in the back room, but she hears someone is working in the front workshop that you enter through the front door. It's probably Olyvar who she saw through the window. Otherwise there doesn't seem to be anyone on the ground floor. If Vindal is around, he must be in his personal quarters upstairs or in the basement.


___________________________


Gastaraa Plains

After finishing their shopping the party goes to retrieve their horses and gather at the front gate. Walking across the camp they must to watch out for tents that are being pulled down and servants that are running around carrying tools and packages and whatnot. There are a lot more horses and oxen around as they are being loaded for the road.

Councillor Xastra arrives at the gate exactly when she said that she would, accompanied by four guards. All are wearing loose capes and no imperial insignia are visible on their clothes or armour. They ride brown horses that look as inconspicuous as fine warhorses ever can. "Are we all good to go?", asks the Councillor and she dismounts to do a final check up of her horse and gear.

All except Rowan recognise two of Xastra's guards, the catfolk Mir that Aerin crushed in the armwrestling match and the half-elf Alfdel that was running the competition. Mir nods to Aerin and makes a gesture with his right hand as if it was in pain. Alfdel snickers.

[aReallyGreatAxe]

___________________________


Gastaraa Plains

After finishing their shopping the party goes to retrieve their horses and gather at the front gate. Walking across the camp they must to watch out for tents that are being pulled down and servants that are running around carrying tools and packages and whatnot. There are a lot more horses and oxen around as they are being loaded for the road.

Councillor Xastra arrives at the gate exactly when she said that she would, accompanied by four guards. All are wearing loose capes and no imperial insignia are visible on their clothes or armour. They ride brown horses that look as inconspicuous as fine warhorses ever can. "Are we all good to go?", asks the Councillor and she dismounts to do a final check up of her horse and gear.

All except Rowan recognise two of Xastra's guards, the catfolk Mir that Aerin crushed in the armwrestling match and the half-elf Alfdel that was running the competition. Mir nods to Aerin and makes a gesture with his right hand as if it was in pain. Alfdel snickers.

Rowan nods in response to the councilor’s query. However, before leaving he makes a point to introduce himself to the guards. “Is your arm quite alright?” He asks the elf curiously.

[Kish]

Aerin grins at Mir, and suppresses a chuckle when Rowan asks his question.

[CWater]

"Oh no, such pain in the joints! It'll never make a good sword hand again!", Mir replies in over-dramatic tone and holds the hand to his chest.

Alfdel chuckles and makes a dismissive gesture. "Don't mind him, he's perfectly fine. Just a sore loser.", the half-elf grins, I'm Alfdel Saeturna, the whining cat is Miranthus and these two are Yuli Caracas and Vethir Rhodenvale." He nods towards the two other guards, a human woman and an elven man, respectively. They nod in response to the party, though their expressions stay serious.

[CWater]

Once the Councillor is finally satisfied with how her packs are arranged, the party of ten humanoids and ten horses proceeds to leave the Imperial camp. The red-haired giants are up doing combat exercise, and the clanging from their weapons or the tremor of the earth when they charge can't be missed by anyone. Xastra rises her hand in greeting as they ride past the huge figures, and two of them that are currently not engaged in the practice respond with a wave and a nod.

They take the main road this time, and travel briskly but not at full gallop. The weather is cloudy and gloomy, it's in that weird state when the Rainmaiden can't quite decide whether she wants it to pour or not. A few random drops come down, but nothing more.

A few hours pass uneventfully. They meet some fellow travellers, going in the other direction. A group of human mercenaries, an elven courier, a few poor people on foot and a carriage transporting barrels, to name a few. None of them try to initiate much of a conversation, only the typical questions about the weather, roads and bandits, until they come across a group of halflings camped by the roadside. There are about a dozen of them, with all ages represented, an extended family perhaps. A small wagon and an even smaller carriage are set to the side, and a pony and a rather strong looking goat are chewing grass nearby. Most of the halflings are minding their own business, but one woman runs over to the road when she sees the party coming, waves and wails at them.

"Please, please, good folk! Can you help us?! Kind strangers, please!"

A man runs over to her and tries to pull her away. "Elsia, stop. Leave the fine folk alone, they got no time to spare."

[Table Flipper]

During the first few hours, Hawke keeps the usual eye out for potential threats, but is otherwise preoccupied with own own thoughts.

At the appeal for aid, though, Hawke brings himself back to the present moment and responds. "What's wrong?"

[CWater]

During the first few hours, Hawke keeps the usual eye out for potential threats, but is otherwise preoccupied with own own thoughts.

At the appeal for aid, though, Hawke brings himself back to the present moment and responds. "What's wrong?"

"Thank you, sir!", the woman replies, looking up at Hawke with desperation in her eyes, "It's my brothers, they're in trouble!"

"They're not!", snaps the man, "The lazy louts just went to a party, they'll be back soon!"

"No! It's been a day already! It isn't normal, there's something weird about that troupe! That's why we didn't camp there."

"We didn't camp there because you insisted. Aunt Hesta will bring the lads back."

"She's been gone for hours! It's not that far, I'm telling you something is very wrong!", she turns back to Hawke, "Please kind sir, could you see what's going on?"

During this short argument, the Councillor has ridden over. "We are sympathetic to your plight", she says, "It is a tragedy when one's dearest succumb to the folly of drunkenness and revelry. However, we do not have time to spare. We have business of our own that cannot wait."

"Yes, yes, of course you have, good lady", says the halfling man and makes another effort to drag the other halfling away, "Don't let us bother you, she gets anxious so easily."

"I do NOT!"

[Kish]

Aerin slides down from her horse and asks, "Have your brother ever spent over a day at a party before?"

[Table Flipper]

Aerin slides down from her horse and asks, "Have your brother ever spent over a day at a party before?"

Hawke ignores the Councillor and adds a follow-up to Aerin's question. "And additionally, where's this campsite?"

[aReallyGreatAxe]

During this short argument, the Councillor has ridden over. "We are sympathetic to your plight", she says, "It is a tragedy when one's dearest succumb to the folly of drunkenness and revelry. However, we do not have time to spare. We have business of our own that cannot wait."

"Yes, yes, of course you have, good lady", says the halfling man and makes another effort to drag the other halfling away, "Don't let us bother you, she gets anxious so easily."

"I do NOT!"

Rowan directs his own mount to the group, and speaks quietly to the Councillor so as not to interrupt the others' investigation. "If we don't stay too long, we should be able to help these people. It might be nice to have us all practice being incognito with a few strangers before we try it on a whole city. You said yourself you don't like improvisation, what better way to avoid that than a dry run?

If you don't want to stick around, we could even catch up with you before you reach the City. Our 'business' doesn't have to wait, at least no more than it already has. Where's the harm in lending a hand?"

[CWater]

Aerin slides down from her horse and asks, "Have your brother ever spent over a day at a party before?"

Elsia pushes the man aside and replies quickly, "They visit taverns sure, like anyone, but never like this, not on the road. And they would leave when we asked them to! Please, good lady, look for my brothers. That was not a normal party, I saw people lying dead in the grass."

"Passed out drunks, you're being hysterical, Elsia", the other halfling protests.

"They were covered in blood!"

"Spilled wine more likely."

Hawke ignores the Councillor and adds a follow-up to Aerin's question. "And additionally, where's this campsite?"

"Not too far, just an hour on foot, less on horseback. It's by the road, you'll be riding past it anyway, if you follow the road." She gestures in the direction the party was going. "Please, good sir, I wouldn't trouble you if I wasn't serious."

Rowan directs his own mount to the group, and speaks quietly to the Councillor so as not to interrupt the others' investigation. "If we don't stay too long, we should be able to help these people. It might be nice to have us all practice being incognito with a few strangers before we try it on a whole city. You said yourself you don't like improvisation, what better way to avoid that than a dry run?

If you don't want to stick around, we could even catch up with you before you reach the City. Our 'business' doesn't have to wait, at least no more than it already has. Where's the harm in lending a hand?"

"Well I...", the Councillor hesitates, "You make a point worth considering. Perhaps it would be good to... try talking to the common people. If they are coming from Springhaven, maybe they even have news. Alright, we can stop at this 'party', but only briefly. We cannot stay, even if it turns out to be completely harmless."

[Table Flipper]

They might have news, so long as you give them a chance to speak, Hawke thinks towards the Councillor before replying to Elsia. "Alright then. We'll handle it."

[aReallyGreatAxe]

"Well I...", the Councillor hesitates, "You make a point worth considering. Perhaps it would be good to... try talking to the common people. If they are coming from Springhaven, maybe they even have news. Alright, we can stop at this 'party', but only briefly. We cannot stay, even if it turns out to be completely harmless."

”If it’s harmless, we have no reason to stay,” Rowan reassures the Councilor, then turns to Hawke and Aerin.
“Either of you want to lead the way? I don’t have much experience with either wild parties or murders.”

[Table Flipper]

”If it’s harmless, we have no reason to stay,” Rowan reassures the Councilor, then turns to Hawke and Aerin.
“Either of you want to lead the way? I don’t have much experience with either wild parties or murders.”

Hawke nods and starts to continue down the road.

[CWater]

The party bids quick farewell to the halflings and continues their journey down the road. And indeed, on horseback it doesn't take them too long to reach the celebration that Elsia was so worried about, and they hear the commotion long before they pass the last hill. Music, laughter, shouting and all the sounds generally associated with a wild party. The first living being they see is a grazing horse, all saddled up but apparently left to take care of itself for the time being. Soon they spot other beasts of burden as well, all seemingly abandoned with all their gear still on. A pair of oxen in harness are standing in front of cart full of grain, clearly annoyed at the situation.

On the left side of the road the party is in full swing. Maybe about 50 people or so are present, dancing, drinking and playfully quarreling with each other. One is performing a dance on a table, which on closer study turns out to be a cart upside down. The wind carries over the scent of sweet wine with a hint of drunken stupor. A few individuals lie down in the grass, passed out drunk one would assume, the celebrators paying them no mind.

However, a couple of things set the alarm bells ringing in the minds of the new arrivals. For one, the instruments playing the music are doing so by themselves, floating in the air above the partygoers. Also, roughly half of the attendees are fey, dressed in the same kind of togas and stolas as those that had appeared in the imperial camp. Hawke and Aerin even recognise one of them, the fey girl dancing on the cart is the very same one that had ensorcelled Mushroom.

The other half of the crowd appear to be ordinary mortals, peasants, merchants and random travellers that have stopped to join the fun. As the party approaches a few of them turn to wave. "Hey there! Care to join? There's enough booze for everyone!"

[SirCatBeard]

Relik freezes, memories of equestrian dancing flaring up. "Of course it's too much to ask for it to just be a normal party." he mutters.

[Table Flipper]

Hawke brings his horse to a halt, hesitant to get any closer for now.

"We don't have time, I'm afraid. But uh, how long's this been going on?"

[CWater]

Hawke brings his horse to a halt, hesitant to get any closer for now.

"We don't have time, I'm afraid. But uh, how long's this been going on?"

The two revelers look at each other, then shrug. "I dunno, a while", replies one of them, "Not that long though, I'll need to get going soon."

"Yeah, don't we all", says the other one, "But one more drink first?" He offers a bottle.

"Certainly!", the first one grins and takes a big swig, "Want a sip?" He offers the drink to Hawke.

These two men are dressed like travellers, one is human, the other one a half-elf. None of the other people or fey have paid attention to the group yet.

[Table Flipper]

The two revelers look at each other, then shrug. "I dunno, a while", replies one of them, "Not that long though, I'll need to get going soon."

"Yeah, don't we all", says the other one, "But one more drink first?" He offers a bottle.

"Certainly!", the first one grins and takes a big swig, "Want a sip?" He offers the drink to Hawke.

These two men are dressed like travellers, one is human, the other one a half-elf. None of the other people or fey have paid attention to the group yet.

Hawke puts one hand up in front of him. "Thanks, but I must decline. But uh, listen. Have you run into a halfing woman named Hesta by any chance? We were supposed to meet up with her and some others before moving on."

[Kish]

"Is anyone in charge here?" Aerin directs her question to the fey girl dancing on the cart.

[CWater]

Hawke puts one hand up in front of him. "Thanks, but I must decline. But uh, listen. Have you run into a halfing woman named Hesta by any chance? We were supposed to meet up with her and some others before moving on."

"No-oo, don't think so.. Have you?", the human asks the half-elf.

"Dunno", he replies, "There's some halflings over there", he points to the other side of the crowd gathered by the cart, "Didn't ask any names tho. Sure you wouldn't like a drink? It's really good stuff."

"Is anyone in charge here?" Aerin directs her question to the fey girl dancing on the cart.

The girl on the cart ignores Aerin, fully focused in her dancing, but a few others turn in her direction and one of the fey starts to approach. "Hello! Welcome to our merry gathering!", he greets. This one has very long pointy ears that curl a little at the tips, full red lips and long brown hair that almost reaches his knees. A few leaves and twigs are stuck in the long locks. "No one's in charge! This is a party! Relax! Have fun! C'mon, leave the horses and let me get you some wine!"

Spoiler: Aerin

Show

Make a Will save please.

[Kish]

Aerin draws her sword and sweeps it through the air, possibly drawing attention from the fey (or the humans, for that matter), but primarily to regain the maneuver she just used. Then she says, "We consider tampering with our minds a hostile act--and at least one among you knows we're fully capable of making sure that if blood is shed, it'll be your blood, not ours. Release those you have compelled."

[Table Flipper]

Hawke's response is cut off before it begins by Aerin's ultimatum, at which point he draws his bow and an arrow and stares directly towards the fey that had previously charmed Mushroom.

Spoiler: Sylvan

Show

"Best do what she says. Wouldn't want a repeat of before, would we?"

[CWater]

The fey's demeanour changes in an instant, the relaxed slouch turns into a feral stance and his smile widens to a wicked grin. "Oh, this what you want?" His right hand flies up and long claws come out.

The girl dancing on the cart stops moving and stares at the party with a curious look on her face. A few of the mortals and a couple of the other fey look in their direction, but most of them have not yet noticed anything is happened.

Spoiler: Time for initiative

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Aerin: (1d20+6)[14]
Rowan: (1d20+2)[14]
Hawke: (1d20+2)[20]
Relik: (1d20+4)[12]

Sandra: (1d20+2)[7]
Xastra: (1d20+1)[7]
Mir: (1d20+3)[11]
Alfdel: (1d20+4)[18]
Yuli: (1d20+2)[16]
Vethir: (1d20+2)[15]

F1: (1d20+2)[8]
FD: (1d20+1)[12]

Spoiler: Map

Show

F1 is the talking fey.
FD is the redhead dancer.
Fs are other fey.
Ms are mortals.
Squares around characters indicate horses.
Brown squares mark the road and carts.

[Table Flipper]

Hawke moves to get clearer sight lines and and fires at the menacing fey.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Move so that Hawke is at Q5 and Mushroom at Q4 and attack F1 with arrow.

Attack: (1d20+5)[19] (This includes -4 because F1 is next to a mortal that Hawke doesn't want to hit).
Damage: (1d8+3)[4]

Sorry for the delay. This week's been... busy.

[CWater]

Hawke moves to get clearer sight lines and and fires at the menacing fey.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Move so that Hawke is at Q5 and Mushroom at Q4 and attack F1 with arrow.

Attack: [roll0] (This includes -4 because F1 is next to a mortal that Hawke doesn't want to hit).
Damage: [roll1]

Sorry for the delay. This week's been... busy.

As he tries his best to make sure not to hit an innocent bystander, Hawke's arrow just scrapes the hostile fey, though enough to draw blood. The fey looks displeased and growls with rage.

Vethir and Yuli ride forward to place themselves defensively in front of Councillor Xastra. Yuli draws her sword and adjusts her shield for combat, while Vethir follows Hawke's lead and shoots at the fey in front. His arrow also draws a little blood and the fey winces.

"Back off now!", Alfdel shouts and draws his blades, glaring down at the fey, "This isn't a fight you want to get into! Release these people from your thrall and leave, then no more blood needs to be spilled!"

Spoiler: Map

Show

F1 is the talking fey.
FD is the redhead dancer.
Fs are other fey.
Ms are mortals.
X, Al, Mi, Y and V are the imperials.
Squares around characters indicate horses.
Brown squares mark the road and carts.

[Kish]

Aerin blinks out, reappearing standing on the cart directly in front of the dancing fey, her sword an inch away from her. "Boo," she says.

Spoiler

Show

Shadow Jaunt to V14.

[aReallyGreatAxe]

Rowan slides off his horse as quickly as he can, patting the animal on the side companiably, and begins running toward the cluster of mortals. Maybe there was a way to end this, if not peacefully, then with a the least amount of people dying.

Spoiler: OoC

Show

Going to attempt a fast mount/dismount, which as far as I can tell there is no negative to trying.
Ride check DC 20: (1d20+2)[3]
EDIT: I believe that is a hard no on the fast dismount
If success: double move to N19
If failure: single move to N14

[SirCatBeard]

Relik jumps down next to Rowan and, giving this slightly more diplomatic approach a chance, mutters "Clarity".

Spoiler

Show

Well, let's try to fast dismount better than Rowan 20 Ride: (d20+4)[22]
If yes: move to O14, else 5-foot to N13. In either case, activating Gauntlets of True Strike.

[CWater]

Rowan slides off his horse as quickly as he can, patting the animal on the side companiably, and begins running toward the cluster of mortals. Maybe there was a way to end this, if not peacefully, then with a the least amount of people dying.

Spoiler: OoC

Show

Going to attempt a fast mount/dismount, which as far as I can tell there is no negative to trying.
Ride check DC 20: (1d20+8)[13]
EDIT: I believe that is a hard no on the fast dismount
If success: double move to N19
If failure: single move to N14

Rowan makes a valiant attempt at a quick and graceful dismount, but unfortunately his left foot gets stuck in the stirrup and his first steps are more like hops before he gets it loose.

Relik jumps down next to Rowan and, giving this slightly more diplomatic approach a chance, mutters "Clarity".

Spoiler

Show

Well, let's try to fast dismount better than Rowan 20 Ride: (1d20+8)[13]
If yes: move to O14, else 5-foot to N13. In either case, activating Gauntlets of True Strike.

Relik's landing is more professional and quickly he moves to stand in front of Rowan. The gauntlets glow as he activates their magic.

Aerin blinks out, reappearing standing on the cart directly in front of the dancing fey, her sword an inch away from her. "Boo," she says.

Spoiler

Show

Shadow Jaunt to V14.

The horse is left behind, slightly confused, as its rider suddenly vanishes. The fey girl shrieks in surprise as Aerin appears in front of her. ”Wow! That's a really cool trick! How'd you do that!”, she exclaims in Common, "Come! Let's laugh and dance!" She reaches forward, trying to take Aerin's hand and the warrior feels a enchantment touch her mind again.

Tha catfolk Mir grabs a greataxe from his back and holds it ready to strike should this become a battle. Xastra sits very still in her saddle and lifts both of her hands up muttering arcane words. A shining purple force shield appears in front of her.

The fey with the long claws glares at the party and lets out a sudden savage howl of rage, then charges at Relik slashing with his claws. However, the elf has quick reflexes and dodges the swipe.

Spoiler: F1 attacks Relik

Show

Claw: (1d20+8)[13]
Damage: (1d4+5)[7]

Sandra rides her horse to stand near Hawke and draws a fancy bow that she didn't have before today. Looks like she's invested her reward money as well. Once she has the claw-y fey in sight she shoots an arrow at him. It's not a great hit, but the arrow leaves another scratch on the fey's back.

Spoiler: Sandra attacks F1

Show

Longbow: (1d20+7)[16]
Damage: (1d8+3)[4]

A pair of fey closest to the party look up from their conversation when their comrade howls and see him run to attack Relik. They glance at each other, share a grin and let out similar howls, then run past the confused mortals to join in the fight!

Spoiler: F2 and F3 attack Relik

Show

F2, claw: (1d20+10)[24]
Damage: (1d4+6)[9]

F3, punch: (1d20+9)[20]
Damage: (1d8+5)[7]

Still regaining his balance after the first attack, Relik isn't ready for the second strike and the second fey's claws cut his arm. The third fey's punch comes very close to connecting as well, but at the last moment his protective ring diverts the blow.

Spoiler: Map

Show

FD is the redhead dancer.
Fs are other fey.
Ms are mortals.
hs are riderless horses.
X, Al, Mi, Y and V are the imperials.
Squares around characters indicate horses.
Brown squares mark the road and carts.