Recent posts

#21

Mini Game Logs / Re: Chasing Picke 019

Last post by Corwin - November 14, 2025, 12:10:54 PM

18:18 <KoFOOTBALL> OOC: Before things kick off and just as a chance after vacation, any prep to do before moving on? Purchases, gear to get, anything like that?
18:18 <Devar> OOC: I am still poor :(
18:19 <Skaya> OOC: Your nick
18:20 KoFOOTBALL → Kotono
18:20 <Kotono> OOC: Fixed. Anything for you, Skaya?
18:20 •Kotono was promoted to owner (+q) by ChanServ
18:20 •Kotono was opped (+o) by ChanServ
18:21 <Skaya> OOC: We're good
18:23 <•Kotono> Two days pass. Waiting and preparation mostly, as the castle above buzzes and bustles with noise. It's first thing the next day that you all gather for an early breakfast - or at late one for Sanda at least, who skipped sleep in favor of studying, her spells already prepared and ready - when you get a missive. Picke reads it briefly before, "We're being deployed," he announces, "We need to be
18:23 <•Kotono> ready to leave within the half hour."
18:24 <•Kotono> Rina gulps down the last of her plain breakfast of bread and hops up, "Time to do our jobs, then?"
18:25 <•Kotono> "We waited long enough, now time to hurry," Anne remarks, floating up and staying just above the ground, feet not touching the ground.
18:26 <Skaya> "Where are we headed?" Skaya asks. "Far enough that we should wait on spells like mage armor?"
18:28 <•Kotono> "Far enough," Picke agrees, "A few hours out of town on foot. Unless we get ambushed, we should have preparation time closer to matters."
18:29 <•Kotono> Sanda nabs the rest of Anne's forgotten bread and has it with hers, "In other words, be ready and enjoy these last few minutes before who knows how bad this is."
18:30 <Skaya> "Let's take our wagon," Skaya suggests. "Our horses have survived a lot, and you never know when they might come in handy."
18:34 <•Kotono> General agreement to that, as soon enough you're in the wagons and heading out. Picke leads the way, and you line up with a great many other soldiers. "For now we follow them out of Laremy," he explains, "We'll be guided along to where we're supposed to be closer to things." You can see line after line of soldiers prepare, spears, blade, maces and lances all ready. From foot soldiers to calvary,
18:34 <•Kotono> to archers and even petty mages, the forces of Laremy gather in the castle's courtyards.
18:35 <Skaya> Picke is the more visible of them all, and he is the one that needs merits to return to polite society, so Skaya is all for showing him in the leading position.
18:38 <•Kotono> As the group sets up, Anne murmurs low. "Devar, Skaya, Rina. Perhaps this would be a good ti mefor us to make an impression, and call on our patrons to protect the soldiers of Laremy. That no matter the result of this battle, that they be protected from the oncoming danger."
18:39 <Skaya> Anne has other ideas, but on reflection they are good ones. "I can do that, though I don't know if they'd like Eldath's. What do you think, Devar?"
18:41 <•Kotono> "It does seem a little questionable to invoke Eldath before a battle, but-" Rina stop a moment in thought, "I don't know all the doctrine."
18:41 <Devar> "They wouldn't, but maybe that's the point." Devar says. "Even Tempus respects Eldath's position, if he doesn't agree with it. I think we can find a way that speaks to peace without trying to make it seem like I'm judging them."
18:42 <•Kotono> Anne briskly nods, "Just so. Every soldier wishes to return home in peace, do they not?"
18:42 <Skaya> "I'll follow your lead on this."
18:45 <•Kotono> "I'll go along with everyone, I think it's a good idea," Rina admits.
18:46 <•Kotono> "Then it's just a question of that," Anne murmurs in thought, "Devar? As long as you can work out one for your end of it."
18:47 <Devar> "Focus on the people, not the war or the reasons." Devar says. "Like you said, everyone has some reason to want to return - a loved one or a life to keep living."
18:49 <•Kotono> "Then let us take to the air and raise our voices," Anne says, "Such will get attention the best."
18:50 — Skaya takes off into the air, intending to give the main spot to Anne!
18:59 <•Kotono> Anne leaps up into the air, though Rina stays down as she can't fly. Once the three of you are in the air, "Everyone!" She raises her voice loud and clear, "Know that even though you go into the face of death and danger, that Moore will protect! Good soldiers of Laremy, know that you are not alone, that you walk into danger with protection all around you!"
19:02 <•Kotono> Soldiers turn - a great many, Anne's voice carrying. At the least, attention turns to the group. She takes a moment for all eyes to turn to you and subtly motions Skaya and Devar.
19:02 <Skaya> "May your march be swift, as if you ride the wind itself," Skaya adds to Anne's blessing. "And may the Helping Hand guide you back in victory, for you are indeed not alone, honored warriors of Laremy!"
19:04 <Devar> "Know that The Quiet One wishes for your safe return to your homes, to your families, to your country." Devar echoes the sentiment. "We all live in service to see this through, make sure you stay alive and return to those you cherish!"
19:06 <•Kotono> OOC: Diplo all, +2 circumstance bonus.
19:06 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+18 Anne
19:06 <•Kotono> OOC: Oh Kobot. One moment.
19:07 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@91DE219C.2A7D546.B6E645B1.IP)
19:07 <Skaya> roll 1d20+15+2+7
19:07 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+15+2+7 --> [ 1d20=16 ]{40}
19:07 <Devar> OOC: Take 10 for 30
19:07 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+18 Anne
19:07 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+18 Anne --> [ 1d20=15 ]{33}
19:11 <•Kotono> The party's words sound loud across the courtyard. At first there's nothing, then a cheer. A second. A third. A rain becomes a storm of cheers, as the men erupt in noise. It washes over you like a steadily growing wave, strong and potent.
19:13 <Devar> Devar smiles to himself, as if in some sort of understanding.
19:13 <Skaya> Can they feel it? Can they all feel the wind? May their journey be swift and free of troubles.
19:18 <•Kotono> Anne smiles widely at those cheers, raises her hand and her holy symbol up, and then descends down.
19:19 — Skaya follows Anne, satisfied. It might have been a gamble, but it worked.
19:20 <Devar> Devar follows the others down as well. "No one can say we're protesting the war, at least."
19:21 <Skaya> "Ah, Devar, you poor soul. Of course anyone can say it if they want to."
19:22 <•Kotono> "Facts and reality don't always matter," Picke comments as he comes over, "Still, good work. It'll make it harder at least. Just don't think harder means impossible."
19:23 <Devar> "Hopefully no one tries to poison us on our way there." He adds.
19:26 <Skaya> "Embrace the healing power of 'trust but verify'."
19:29 <•Kotono> That gets some chuckles as thus, the party proceeds onward. Onwards and...OOC: Perception you two, for my reference.
19:29 <Devar> roll 1d20+11
19:29 <Kobot> Devar rolled 1d20+11 --> [ 1d20=12 ]{23}
19:32 <Skaya> roll 1d20+19
19:32 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+19 --> [ 1d20=20 ]{39}
19:39 <•Kotono> The trip begins shortly. Thef irst hour is marching out of the town and over a bridge. Further on, further ahead. To the east are plains mostly, as the soldiers march onwards. Soon tents are seen in the distance, soon you can see smoke on the horizon. As you do, a runner comes up to Picke, who leans in and listens, then nods. "Follow me," he says, "We're being summoned."
19:42 <Skaya> It's a bit strange this happens before they actually reach the battlefield or the logistical field base, but Skaya follows Picke without question.
19:43 <Devar> Devar does likewise!
19:44 <•Kotono> You're escorted to a large, fancy tent bearing guards and more. You get nods from them when you approach, "Inside," they say, "You're expected."
19:44 — Skaya enters!
19:47 <•Kotono> There are several officers here, as well as maps all about. Soldiers come and go, bringing reports. At the head of this all is an unexpected familiar face - the Count of Laremy. He meets your eyes when each of you come in, and simply gestures for you to join him in the back.
19:48 — Skaya acknowledges the command with a curt nod and approaches.
19:50 <Devar> Devar had a feeling this was where they'd meet up, but simply follows along with what everyone else is doing!
19:52 <•Kotono> In a low voice, "Her Majesty is pulling everything out she can for this," he murmurs, "So I trust you understand the gravity of this situation."
19:52 <•Kotono> "Enough to pull us aside," Picke comments, "Then let us speak plainly."
19:53 <Skaya> "We're all ears, Sir."
19:53 <•Kotono> "Let us," He agrees, "We intend to break through, shatter their center and envelop the sides. It will be bloody, brutal and costly - and it will be enough to ensure an end to this war if all goes well. Her Majesty will lead the charge herself."
19:54 <•Kotono> Rina whistles low and long, "More like throwing heaps of gold out costly, or at least it sounds. I'm not expert, but they're prepared, aren't they?"
19:55 <•Kotono> "Unless Her Majesty has something to break through," Sanda quietly adds, "I hope I'm not seeing what I want to see when I say that's statistically likely."
19:55 <•Kotono> *not a expert
19:56 <Skaya> Is this basically going all in? Except it's a war and not a card game. "Naturally, we will fully support Her Majesty," Skaya voices, keeping such thoughts to herself. "What is required of us, specifically?"
19:57 <Devar> Devar does give Picke a look when it's mentioned the Queen is going to lead the charge, but doesn't say anything else.
19:58 <•Kotono> Picke returns it with a curt jerk of his head, and a mouthed, "Later."
19:59 <•Kotono> "You've impressed Her Majesty quite a great deal," The Count says, "She'd like you there with her on the front lines, as the personal royal medics. To ensure the spearhead succeeds and pierces through the lines."
20:00 <•Kotono> Sanda's lips twist into a half frown, half grimace. After a moment she bows her head at that.
20:00 <•Kotono> Anne considers a moment, "You phrase it as if it is a request, but is such from royalty ever anything but a command?"
20:02 <Skaya> "This is actually a very good outcome for us," Skaya says quietly. "There is no chance of someone taking advantage of the fog of war to command us or to get rid of us. We'll be directly with Her Majesty."
20:02 <•Kotono> "Valuable enough to heal her, and expendable enough that should we die valiantly, it is does not overly harm Laremy," Sanda points out, "No offense, sir," She adds to the count.
20:02 <•Kotono> Anne sighs softly, "Please excuse her," she murmurs to to the Count, "We're all terribly tense."
20:04 <•Kotono> The Count smiles thinly, and it doesn't reach his eyes. "I'll not begrudge you a few errant words this close to battle. Skaya is right, regardless. ANy action against you is an action against the Queen."
20:04 <•Kotono> "Which makes sense as someone struck against us," Rina concludes, "Yeah, I'm with Skaya on this one."
20:04 <•Kotono> "We got royal attention," Picke finally says, "It's only natural we'd come to mind, and Skaya grasped the point of it immediately."
20:05 <Skaya> "Yes, plus Sanda's wrong. If that were the case, our desires would get overridden and we would be commanded to merely guard Her Majesty. Sanda, don't be too nervous." Turning her attention back to Count Laremy, Skaya asks, "Are there any special instructions for us beyond this, Sir? From Her Majesty or from you?"
20:06 <•Kotono> "From me are but two: Protect Her Majesty with your life, and barring that, return alive." He meets your gazes again, "No matter what some think of what happened in Mellanics and with that peace, you're still heroes. We can fight and blame ourselves once we are glutted on the feast of victory."
20:06 <•Kotono> "And from Her Majesty?" Anne asks, gently.
20:06 <•Kotono> "Bring all you can, hold nothing back. If Laremy loses this day, the war is lost, a nd possibly the capital as well," The Count concludes.
20:08 <Skaya> "Understood, Sir. When are we departing?"

#22

Mini Game Logs / Re: Chasing Picke 019

Last post by Corwin - November 14, 2025, 12:10:30 PM

19:05 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay then Devar, how do you plan on following up on that?
19:08 <Devar> OOC: We'll have Sil take Francis somewhere to question him. If need be we'll use Zone of Truth
19:13 <•Kotono> Thus Devar and Skaya follow as Sil takes Francis off. A nice, secure room with soldiers outside. It's lit only by a few candles on the wall, chains there to shackle his arms and legs so he can't escape. One he's set up he's shaken awake. When he sees Sil his expression turns horrified and his color pale. "Good afternoon," Sil greets, then glances to Devar.
19:15 <Devar> "I'll skip the preamble." Devar says. "If you have any chance of not being executed, you will tell us everything you know about your scheme today and who put you up to it."
19:16 <•Kotono> Sil is content to stay back, arms crossed and looking on.
19:16 <•Kotono> "A-a-anything!" Francis manages to choke out.
19:17 <Devar> "Let's start at the beginning. Who was it, and when did they contact you?" Devar asks.
19:21 <•Kotono> A gulp, "Yesterday evening," he says, "A man, he called himself Fritz. He said that he could give me so much gold if I helped him, a-and was so-so...he just knew all the right things to say."
19:21 <Skaya> "Have you done this sort of thing for him before?" Skaya interjects.
19:21 <•Kotono> Sil adds at that, "The good ones always do."
19:21 <•Kotono> A quick, vigorous headshake, "N-never! He came to me!"
19:22 <Devar> Devar frowns immediately and looks over at Skaya, then back to Francis. "What did this Fritz look like? Did they mention any particular patrons that you noticed?"
19:27 <•Kotono> "He was average height," he says, then starts to roll, "He had a mustache and black hair. 30! H-he was 30! His hair wa nice, not like a commoner, he had money. His cl-clothes were nice too," Going right on quickly, "He was missing part of his left e-ear! It really stood out!"
19:28 <Devar> "Does that match anyone you're familiar with?" Devar asks Sil.
19:29 <•Kotono> Sil hms a little at that, more of a vocalization than anything else. After mulling that, "I don't know every mercenary servant, but no, it doesn't. I doubt Fritz was his name."
19:29 <Skaya> "Where did you and Fritz meet?" Skaya asks Francis in the meantime.
19:30 <•Kotono> "In a hall, he came up to me. He kn-knew I went through the back halls to get out of the castle faster," he explains, "The one with the broken window that took so long to get fixed last year!"
19:31 <Devar> "He also could've had magic on to disguise himself." Devar admits. "Hm...and just for the record, what exactly did he ask you to do, and did he mention why he was targetting us?"
19:34 <•Kotono> "To put that in the food to give you," He answers, head bowed, "Only that you would be better to Laremy dead than alive. H-he said that you were t-traitors from Welland. T-that you were going to c-carve everything up with them!"
19:35 <•Kotono> "Was Her Majesty's pardon not enough?" Sil asks, which makes Francis sputter impotently. "She forgave them, so what aright of you to gainsay that?"
19:37 <Devar> "Once the deed was done, what were you supposed to do?" Devar asks.
19:37 <•Kotono> "He said nothing would come of it," he said, "A-and he had so much gold, and promised that the t-truth would come out!"
19:38 <•Kotono> "That and gold blinds men to reality," Sil comments, expression disgusted. "Willful ignorance, one flash of gold at a time."
19:39 <Devar> "Were you supposed to meet this Fritz somewhere to be paid? Or did he give you the money in advance?" Devar asks.
19:41 <•Kotono> "He g-gave it to me," He said, "And promised more would come afterwards."
19:43 <Devar> "Hm." At this, he turns to Skaya and Sil. "So it sounds like this person has an ear to the ground, since how would he have known we'd have been in the basement to begin with in order to receive the poisoned food?"
19:47 <Skaya> "It looks like a trail gone cold," Skaya admits. "Since it happened at the palace, we can't exactly round up all the guards that were on duty and ask for their experiences."
19:47 <•Kotono> "Someone with pull inside the castle," Sil agrees, "Resources and intelligence. That means it's a known force here, so likely a noble."
19:48 <•Kotono> "Someone who also knew to cover their tracks this far, because if caught they'd hang right with him," Sil adds afterwards, "Noble or not."
19:49 <Devar> "Do you think it's worth trying to play up that Francis was successful?" Devar asks. "We could simply spread a story that we got poisoned but Francis managed to somehow or another pass the blame? I guess it would depend on if this individual was able to keep tabs on that many things."
19:51 <•Kotono> Sil takes a few moments, "Surviving the poison does sound different," he muses, "And that Francis pushed the blame off. It would at least buy him a few more days," A murmur, keeping his voice down from the chained man's ears.
19:54 <Devar> "It'd be easy enough for someone like Skaya to keep an eye on Francis covertly and then surprise our mastermind." Devar says to the others, keeping his voice down as well. "I don't think this is something for all of us to do, just having one person do it wouldn't be easily noticed."
19:56 <•Kotono> "Skaya?" Sil asks of her then, "I've no objection to the idea, at least. If this Fritz shows his face again, all the better."
19:56 <Skaya> "Do you really think we can make it work? After going all around like that? And with the poison being a pretty nasty one?"
19:58 <Devar> "I think it's worth a try." Devar says. "It's easy enough to claim that the story got jumbled from one person to another in a place like this - unreliable narration and all that."
19:59 <Skaya> "So what would you like me to do, specifically?"
20:02 <Devar> "I'd say just tail Francis for a bit when he leaves the kitchen - it sounds like this person won't approach him when people are around, so all you'd have to do is watch him a bit and wait for that guy to show up again." Devar says. "If he never does he never does, but this feels like the easiest way to try and capture them."
20:03 — Skaya frowns. "The kitchens we visited and told the head cook to have him detained if he returned?"
20:12 <•Kotono> You see Sil consider it, "That's a good point, and the home that Skaya visited."
20:12 <Devar> "I think you could make up a story that it was a misunderstanding." Devar says. "But it was just an option to try and ensnare this guy, but we can wait for another opportunity."
20:13 <Skaya> "Next time, we can act with this in mind from the start."
20:16 <Devar> "However you all want to approach it is fine." Devar says with a nod. "It probably won't be the last time."
20:19 <•Kotono> A nod at that as, "Then is there anything else to add? This will go up and likely reach a great many ears."
20:20 <Skaya> "Let's just wait and see," Skaya proposes. "And perhaps suggest we should head for the battlefield as soon as Anne arrives? It'd be safer."
20:21 <Devar> Devar nods to that.
20:25 <•Kotono> "I'll see to him then," A look to Francis, "Go ahead and return, I'll have everything taken care of. Good work, Devar," Another nod to him and he turns back to the prisoner.
20:26 <Devar> Devar will take his exit with Skaya!
20:27 <•Kotono> Thus the party returns back and...OOC: Just going to lay low and wait for Anne, then?
20:27 <Skaya> OOC: Yes
20:30 <Devar> OOC: yar
20:32 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
20:32 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=41 ]{41}
20:33 <•Kotono> A day passes. Nothing but a holding pattern, and the next begins the same. It's in the early afternoon that you get a visitor. Anne sweeps in, air windswept and messy. "There you are," Picke looks up from his thoughts, arms crossed and sitting against the wall. "How's everything in Mellanics."
20:33 <Skaya> "It's been a while!"
20:35 <Devar> "Sorry you're getting dragged into all of this." Devar says, but he can't help but show a smile.
20:40 <•Kotono> Anne smiles and comes forward, "The city's in disbelief at the loss, but relieved at once that there will be no sacking again. People remember the last one." After that, "But I suspected I would be, after what we did. My charges are well, and quite insistent on being taken on flights." Her smile grows, "Something to look forward to when peace returns."
20:40 <•Kotono> "Welcome back," Rina agrees.
20:40 <•Kotono> Sanda looks unimpressed, but at least doesn't comment.
20:41 <Skaya> "I signed us up as healers so we don't have to be used by various nobles to kill random people on the other side. Think you're good with this plan, Anne?"
20:44 <•Kotono> "I've no objection," Anne agrees easily enough, "Better than what I feared, all said."
20:45 <Skaya> "Oh, listen! The one in charge of us right now is an elf!"
20:49 <•Kotono> "Oh?" A little murmur at that, " That's unusual, but is it that noteworthy?"
20:50 <Skaya> "Well, how many have you seen in Laremy?"
21:02 <•Kotono> "Not many," Anne concurs without an argument, "But still!"
21:03 <Skaya> "So what happened as you arrived? Were you given an audience with the Queen? Or just sent here straight away?"
21:03 <•Kotono> "Sent here," Anne answers, "Quite briskly too, no less."
21:04 <•Kotono> "Might've been the poisoning," Rina comments, "That happened too."
21:04 <Skaya> "People want to kill us wherever we go."
21:05 <Devar> "We did sort of have an audience with the Queen." Devar says. "Just... one with its own audience."
21:06 <•Kotono> Anne's eyes widen, "Poisoning? An audience with the Queen? Tell me," Anne comes over and takes a seat, "I've missed much."
21:10 <Skaya> "Someone tried to poison us. When we tracked the guy down, it seems like he was influenced and we're not even sure the guy who paid him actually looks the way he described. It was a lot of work for little benefit, alas."
21:14 <•Kotono> "Troubling," Anne concludes at that, "But none of you were hurt?"
21:14 <•Kotono> "We don't always need a walking medicine cabinet with us, though Rina did get bit," Sanda comments.
21:14 <•Kotono> "He bit me! Is till don't believe that," Rina gushes, "He bit me like he was throwing  atemper tantrum!"
21:15 <Skaya> "Rina and I are too suspicious," Skaya affirms. "As for the audience, it went as expected. We set the record straight, no one is getting executed, and we only got these lovely accommodations together with Sir Picke."
21:15 <•Kotono> At that Picke says, "It's better than many outcomes. When the next battle comes - sooner than later - we'll be there healing the injured and tending to them."
21:16 <•Kotono> "Then we'd best be ready. However, there's something else," Anne continues, "I unexpectedly crossed paths with Starre on my way here."
21:17 <Skaya> "You don't say!" Skaya exclaims, perking up. "How has she been?"
21:17 <•Kotono> Rina shifts, "Did she get the good news?"
21:20 <•Kotono> "She's alive and well, if busy," Anne confirms, attention turning to her. "Starre's of mixed opinions - thrilled that he's stopped, but unhappy it wasn't her lot to stop him. Still, she's heading towards the Petty Kingdoms. She has some task there, though she chose not to share the details of it with me. I suspect that it may be one difficult for us to know of, and best if we do not until it
21:20 <•Kotono> is done."
21:21 <Skaya> "Was it a coincidence that you ran into her, or did Starre want to pass something on to us?"
21:25 <•Kotono> "A coincidence, but she did have a message," Anne continues, "Beware of the east, because sickness incubates there."
21:25 — Skaya grimaces. "Did she mean the capital since it was to the east of  Mellanics? Or Eis?"
21:26 <•Kotono> "Eis, I suspect, but she confessed she wasn't clear on the meaning. She had a vision trance," Anne explains, "At the least, she said she didn't believe it meant Laremy."
21:27 <•Kotono> Rina mutters a few things before, "We know they have to be based somewhere. If they're in Eis, it would explain a fair few things."
21:27 <Devar> "I wonder if she means it literally or figuratively." Devar says. "But it's entirely possible someone else is causing trouble there, we did run into those Talonans that one time."
21:29 <Skaya> "Oh. Speaking of delightful things, apparently both sides have been setting fields on fire. Because we have to make the peasants miserable in a war."
21:33 <•Kotono> Anne sighs deeply at all of it, "Troubles and worse ahead," she confirms, "We'll do as best we can, and hope this war ends soon."
21:35 — Skaya nods helplessly. "We can only try our best."
21:37 <Devar> Devar nods to that as well.

#23

Mini Game Logs / Re: Chasing Picke 019

Last post by Corwin - November 14, 2025, 12:09:45 PM

19:06 <•Kotono> The door's knocked on. You hear a child crying inside, before a shout of, "Hold on!" from a woman, and then several other childish voices making noise.
19:07 <•Kotono> Sanda glances over at Skaya, "Sounds innocent," she murmurs.
19:08 <Skaya> "It won't be fun," Skaya tells her quietly. Still, they can still get information out of this.
19:14 <•Kotono> The door is opened soon after. A slightly dumpy - well no, more like frazzled and still with pregnancy weight - woman opens the door. Messy black hair tamed and tied back, a baby held in arms. "I'm sorry, whatever you want, you must have the wrong house-" The sound of something loud hitting something else, and the sound of laughter after. "And you'd best not be playing roughly in there!" she
19:14 <•Kotono> shouts back.
19:14 <•Kotono> Sanda's expression becomes tight and after a few moments, simply leaves it to Skaya.
19:15 <Skaya> "This matter concerns your husband Francis," Skaya tells the woman. "Perhaps it would be best if we stepped in for a bit more privacy, Ma'am?"
19:22 <•Kotono> A sudden, worried look, "I'll scream," she warns, "There's soldiers everywhere now, get out! You'll get your money when he can good and pay you!" She goes to slam the door, hurrying back.
19:24 <Skaya> "He owns us nothing but an explanation," Skaya responds, adapting for the circumstances. She can sympathize with the wife's situation, but at the same time.... "As opposed to the soldiers, who are out to arrest him for his crimes, we are interested in ensuring his safety while bringing him in. It is in your best interest to cooperate, but we won't force our way in."
19:29 <•Kotono> OOC: Give me a quick diplo check, it feels definitely warranted due to circumstances.
19:30 <Skaya> OOC: Taking 10 for 25
19:45 <•Kotono> At least it's enough to stop her from slamming the door in your face. "What did he do?" she hisses low, defensive.
19:47 <Skaya> "He mixed in some pretty nasty poison at his workplace. We think it's to pay off his gambling debts, since he disappeared. But if he really did ditch his family, do you think the guards will care?" Skaya purses her lips as she looks at the woman. "Cooperate with us and help us find him, and I'll do what I can to protect your family. Or don't, and if Francis manages to escape, it's not just his financial debts he'll be leaving on your
19:47 <Skaya> head."
19:48 <•Kotono> A stumble back, "N-no, no no no no," A look of horror dawns on her face, and the baby begins to cry. "I-I don't know where he is, except at work!"
19:50 <Skaya> "May we enter and search the residence? If some of the poison was left here, you don't want your children to stumble on it."
19:57 <•Kotono> Her color turns that of ashes, and with a weak croak of, "I-I'll take them out back," she says, voice starting to choke.
19:57 <•Kotono> "Good," Sanda says, "They don't need to see this."
20:03 <Skaya> With permission secured through coercion, Skaya swallows her distaste for it and heads inside. Any signs of the poison would be key to find, but if there's any documentation... perhaps evidence of a mistress? Proof of some unequal debt contract? Anything that seems hidden, she wants to discover it.
20:05 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, searching the house then?
20:06 <Skaya> OOC: Yes
20:12 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, Perception check, +1 bonus for ???.
20:13 <Skaya> OOC: Taking 10 for 30
20:19 <•Kotono> You search, search and search some more. ?You're certain of one thing - he didn't bring any of this home.
20:20 <Skaya> "Looks clean," Skaya tells Sanda, before seeking out the wife once more.
20:22 <•Kotono> "I agree," Sanda says, "Good for her and the family, at least."
20:23 <•Kotono> You head into a tiny little shared backyard space. The wife and five children total are here, all quiet and waiting. A gloomy pall has settled over things, not the least of which is because the wife's expression is teary. The children are downcast and the baby is only calm because he's being rocked back and forth.
20:26 <Skaya> "The good news is that there's nothing dangerous or incriminating," Skaya says without hiding anything. "If we did miss anything and you come upon it later, just tell the town guard and have them collect it. That's safest for everyone."
20:26 <Skaya> Upon receiving Devar's message, she nods to herself and passes eleven gold coins to the older woman. "I know it won't be easy to stand on your feet properly, but I hope you'll be strong for the sake of your children."
20:32 <•Kotono> The coins are taken with wide eyes, "T-thank you," she whispers, clunching them to herself. "I'll try. If you see him, tell him...I love him, and that he really was a fool."
20:32 <•Kotono> There's sniffles and dread from the kids, but Sanda just adds some more coins and takes the chance to leave, swiftly.
20:33 — Skaya nods, leaving after Sanda. " I feel so disconnected from ordinary people," she says all of a sudden once outside. "I'm not even sure how long that sum can last for a family of six, whether in the capital or in Mellanics."
20:36 <•Kotono> A hum, "I imagine he got paid reasonably well working in the castles, but still, that will help for the immediate future and more if she stretches it. It depends, but I suspect the oldest child will soon find work as well as the family seeking alms and charity." Sanda hurries up, "
20:36 <•Kotono> A hum, "I imagine he got paid reasonably well working in the castles, but still, that will help for the immediate future and more if she stretches it. It depends, but I suspect the oldest child will soon find work as well as the family seeking alms and charity." Sanda hurries up, "I'd rather not linger on this."
20:37 <•Kotono> Though after she glances back at Skaya, "But I can relate now. Ever since all...this started, it's like I've been in another world, and I only visit the world everyone else lives in in between travel and peril."
20:37 <Skaya> "Right. Well, Devar caught the guy, so let's go and take a look." And hopefully it's not some Talona bullshit but just terrible humans being terrible to each other over interests and politics.
20:38 <•Kotono> Thus the two of you hurry back and...OOC: One for both of you real quick, what's your game plan going to be from here?
20:39 <Skaya> OOC: Let's have Devar follow up on who got him to do it and where the poison came from. I'll back him up.
20:42 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, that sounds good. We'll pick up there Monday then,  I'm still not 100% and honestly just want to lie down.

#24

Mini Game Logs / Re: Chasing Picke 019

Last post by Corwin - November 14, 2025, 12:09:32 PM

19:09 <•Kotono> Friends are gathered up swiftly, about half a dozen people here. All men, of ages from adult to middle aged. They stand nervously, not a one seemingly comfortable under Sil's gaze. Once they're all in a simple storage room commandeered for a conversation, "Francis is a wanted man," he begins without preamble, "If you know where he is, you are duty bound to reveal it immediately. Good men
19:09 <•Kotono> of Laremy, it is time to do your duty."
19:09 <•Kotono> roll 1d20+13 (+5 circumstance)
19:09 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+13 (+5 circumstance) --> [ 1d20=15 ]{28}
19:10 <•Kotono> It hardly even takes an effort - one blurts out, "I saw him in the hall, he was hurrying off to the ponds, sir!"
19:10 <•Kotono> "Good man," A slight nod from Sil, all attention on him. "What else?"
19:11 <•Kotono> The others are still tense, btu focused on the man who spoke up as well. Twenty at most, dressed in servant's clothes. "The ponds are where he gambles sometimes, sir."
19:13 <Devar> Devar glances around at the others - do any of them look particularly nervous or like they really want to get out of there?
19:14 <•Kotono> OOC: Sense motive here then.
19:15 <Devar> OOC: Take 10 for 21
19:17 <•Kotono> No, Devar doesn't get that feel from any of them. I fanything, he can notice signs of relief.
19:18 <Devar> "Have any of you seen Francis talking with anyone new?" Devar asks. "Anyone who you haven't seen around before?"
19:18 <•Kotono> "And you mean the ponds in the back of the administrative buildings?" Sil also asks, "The ones with only one entrance?"
19:18 <•Kotono> Headshakes there. "Nothing like that, winged man sir."
19:19 <•Kotono> After that, "Yes sir," The oldest says, "You have the right of it."
19:21 <Devar> "Any idea how bad he was doing at gambling?" Devar asks those gathered.
19:23 <•Kotono> "Not so well," The same man says, "He was on a cold run I think he said, but I never paid much attention. Dice are a waste."
19:24 <•Kotono> "Smart of you," Sil murmurs, more to himself than anything. Then he turns to you, an unspoken question.
19:25 <Devar> "I asked earlier if anyone new had shown up, but how about anyone not new?" Devar asks. "Have any of you seen him spending time with anyone - especially those well-off? Or ones that perhaps he didn't normally associate himself with?"
19:30 <•Kotono> Headshakes all around, and one adds, "Unless you count the people who got well off from gambling against him."
19:31 <Devar> "Yes, especially anyone he owed anything to." Devar agrees.
19:45 <•Kotono> A few awkward laughs at that, as Sil says, "Anything else, Devar?"
19:45 <Devar> "Not from me." He shakes his head.
19:49 <•Kotono> "Then stay here. None of you are likely in any trouble, but it's for everyone's protection."A  brisk nod and Sil leads you out. After a few instructions to the guards he takes off at a brisk walk. "My hope is that Rina and Picke found him already, but if not, we can go there."
19:50 <Devar> Devar nods. "Still, knowing that this isn't likely an outside influence is helpful in its own way, it narrows the scope a great deal."
19:55 <•Kotono> "Just a fool with a weakness for dice and gold," Sil agrees, hurrying on and...OOC: More.
19:55 <•Kotono> roll 1d100 meanwhile
19:55 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 meanwhile --> [ 1d100=94 ]{94}
19:56 <•Kotono> You hurry through halls - and you hear it around a corner. A man screaming incoherently, and a shouted curse from Rina. Then cries and shouts, and, "Stay down!" Picke snaps, "You idiot!"
19:56 <Devar> Devar wastes no time in moving forward to see what's going on!
20:01 <•Kotono> Rina is cradling her hand, "You stupid-" she kicks the downed man as Picke grapples him down. He's down and out, an unremarkable looking man at first from what you can see. Average, if face swelling up and knocked out.
20:01 <•Kotono> "I told you to stop fighting," Picke grunts sourly, hefting him up over his shoulder now that he's down and out. "How bad did he get you?"
20:03 <Devar> "Are you both all right?" Devar asks, as he slowly approaches. "Is this him? He didn't get you with anything poisoned, I hope?"
20:03 <•Kotono> "He drew blood," Rina's entire voice is irritated and nothing but, "Bit down hard as he could, right on the meat of my fingers."
20:04 <•Kotono> "That's him," Picke confirms, "He fought harda s he could until I forced him to march on, then the moment he got a chance, started fighting again. Like he threw a tantrum."
20:04 <•Kotono> "Good," Sil goes around and inspects his face, "He heard he went gambling."
20:04 <•Kotono> *we heard
20:05 <Devar> "...Hm." Devar leans down to cast Detect Magic - is something influencing him somehow? OOC: Spellcraft of 30
20:06 <•Kotono> No sign of magic at all.
20:07 <Devar> "Well, I was worried that there might be some sort of magic influencing him, but I can't find anything like that." He says.
20:07 <•Kotono> As if reading your intent, "No sign of anything unusual with him. Then again, poisoning? He's a dead man and he knows it. Nothing will get him out of this once he's captured. Not a single noble or officer will tolerate it." Picke says grimly, "A dead man fights the most desperate of anyone."
20:08 <Devar> "Well, we still need to understand if this was just over gambling debts or something more." Devar says. "Hopefully that information comes out more easily..."
20:12 <•Kotono> "Let's get him somewhere. Devar, can you heal Rina?" Picke asks, already moving.
20:12 <•Kotono> Sil follows, "Good work, all of you."
20:14 <Devar> "On it." He says. He will put a hand on her to heal her! OOC: He'll use however much lay on hands is needed to heal, but if 8 isn't enough he'll just use 8.
20:21 <•Kotono> OOC: 1 HP is enough.
20:22 <•Kotono> Rina shakes her heand out after, "Thanks, Devar. He bit me. I can't believe he bit me!"
20:23 <Devar> "I've heard that you can get some bad diseases from people, so make sure you get it checked out if you start feeling weird." Devar says. Mentally, he will send a message to Skaya that they've apprehended Francis. "Do we have somewhere to take him where we can get the truth out of him?" He asks to Sil.
20:34 <•Kotono> "We do," Sil agrees, "Better magic than the alternative." A grim note in his voice.
20:34 <Devar> Devar nods. "Especially given that he knows what's likely coming."

#25

Mini Game Logs / Re: Chasing Picke 019

Last post by Corwin - November 14, 2025, 12:09:20 PM

21:34 <•Kotono> ----------
21:35 <•Kotono> Once split up, a murmured aside before anything else. "Have you managed this manner of investigation before?" Devar is asked.
21:36 <Devar> "One of the things we involved ourselves in while searching for Brachidos was plagued food." Devar responds quietly. "Just, we weren't the targets of that, technically."
21:41 → Iddy joined (uid408070@lunarnet-423F0355.irccloud.com)
21:42 <•Kotono> A slight nod, "Then you have some experience with interrogations?"
21:44 <Devar> Devar nods. "I can be diplomatic or intimidating, depending on the situation."
21:48 <•Kotono> "Be the opposite of me as needed, I find it works best to provide two different responses," Sil reckons, "And then play it as they react."
21:48 — Devar nods. "Not a problem."
21:55 <•Kotono> Thus you go on more...next time! OOC: It's just about time and I don't want to start a fresh scene here, so we'll do info gathering next time.

#26

Mini Game Logs / Re: Chasing Picke 019

Last post by Corwin - November 14, 2025, 12:09:08 PM

21:34 <•Kotono> That means leaving the castle. Fortunately luck is with you and you're able to slip out well enough. Sanda takes a deep breath of fresh air once out, "Far better," she decides, "The depths of that castle are so dark. It might work if it were an underground lake, but it's anything but."
21:35 <Skaya> "To be fair, it's a bit safer than an underground lake. More people might want us dead, though."
21:41 → Iddy joined (uid408070@lunarnet-423F0355.irccloud.com)
21:41 <•Kotono> "Statistically speaking, yes," Sanda agrees as she takes another deep breath, "But still!"
21:43 <Skaya> "Let's clean up the country, one poisoner at a time?"
21:48 <•Kotono> A nod and the two of you hurry off, and...
21:48 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
21:48 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=72 ]{72}
21:54 <•Kotono> Out of the castle and to the the city beyond. Away from the innermost ring of the temples, into the more plain houses. Plain and plainer, simple. Where the common townsfolk are packed in, street after dirty street at least stone. Here laundry hangs in between buildings and children play, while wives work hard and long. One building here is similar to another, but the one you stop before is a
21:54 <•Kotono> small house packed amid many of them. "This should be it," Sanda says.
21:55 — Skaya approaches the door and knocks on it!
21:56 <•Kotono> An answer comes...next time!

#27

Mini Game Logs / Re: Chasing Picke 019

Last post by Corwin - November 14, 2025, 12:08:59 PM

19:05 <•Kotono> ---
19:07 <•Kotono> "So we're healers," Sanda begins after a little pause in the conversation, "If we're stuck down here, how are we going to heal when not as battle supporters?"
19:08 <•Kotono> More words don't come, because there's a steady rap-rap-rap on the door. Picke side eyes it, but Rina smoothly rises and goes to answer it. At the door is a soldier, who passes over a message without comment.
19:08 <Skaya> "Is that an answer to Sanda's question?" Skaya voices, glancing at Rina and Picke.
19:09 <•Kotono> Rina unseals and reads, then, "We're going to have them brought to us if I understand this right, and a healer is going to come down here to assess our level of skill. Our roles and level of responsibility will depend on how well we acquit ourselves in this."
19:10 <•Kotono> "Acquit ourselves?" Sanda echos at that, "Like we're in trouble?"
19:10 <•Kotono> "I don't know, it's just the word they used," Rina glances at Picke. "Can you translate that?"
19:11 <•Kotono> "It means how well we perform," Picke translates, "Someone felt fancy, probably a noble officer with more learning than experience. In other words, they want to see how good we are at this."
19:12 <Skaya> "While we're pretty good, at least half of the point was rescuing people on the battlefield. How is this safe place going to simulate that?"
19:14 <•Kotono> "I doubt it will," At this, Picke rises and stretches slowly, "There's a complicated reason for it. Have you ever noticed that if one of you heals a normal peasant, what fully heals them might not heal you all the way? How stronger creatures can take more abuse? Without getting into the specific details, living creatures have life energy, and stronger creatures have more. It makes them harder
19:14 <•Kotono> to kill, but require more and more potent healing to heal by the same token. In the same way a peasant's coinbag is easily filled with a gold coin, but a noble's coin bag requires many gold coins to fill. What they probably want to know is how many gold coins our healing is worth, to continue the example."
19:16 <•Kotono> "Oh. Positive energy," Sanda says, nodding along. "It's a fancy bunch of words for how strong our healing is, if we need to heal anyone powerful and important, and how easily it heals someone normal?"
19:16 — Skaya sighs. "That's not particularly smart, either. At the core, what you want is to ensure people survive for the time being as you evacuate them. Then you can just pile the wounded together and have Anne heal them all at once."
19:17 <•Kotono> "That means we hope we get someone who isn't a complete idiot," Picke agrees, "And we can deal with them. If it's a fellow healer, our odds aren't bad."
19:20 <Skaya> "I want to do my best, but if those in charge are actively fighting against this so be it," Skaya says with another sigh.
19:20 <Devar> Devar just stays quiet for the time being since what's being said are his feelings anyway!
19:25 <•Kotono> A few nods at that, but little more. Soon enough you get another visitor. It's a tall man in heavy, well polished armor. He's only missin ga helmet, showing his scarred, weathered face. He's maybe 30 but has notably pointed ears. His hair is short and pale brown-blonde, and he wears the holy symbol of Tempus on a heavy chain around his neck. He carries a heavy mace and a heavier axe, the latter
19:25 <•Kotono> across his back. He takes all of you in for a few moments before, "Did you really fight on a ghost ship?" he asks, voice curious. "I was given a vision of such."
19:28 — Skaya visibly perks up as an elf appears! "It was a ship of undead and other abominations but there weren't any actual ghosts and the ship itself was solid."
19:28 <Devar> Devar looks over at Skaya and then back over at the man with a bit of a small smile. "I'm not sure I'd call it a ghost ship exactly, but we did fight on a ship that had undead on it, so close enough."
19:29 <•Kotono> "More a zombie ship," Rina answers, off to the side. "But deadly enough."
19:31 <•Kotono> A near, almost smile at that. "Then you've seen combat worthy of any follower of Tempus. Call me Sil," he introduces himself, "Short for Silver Arlande, servant of Tempus."
19:32 <Skaya> "Skaya, of Shaundakul," she introduces herself in turn. "A pleasure, Sil."
19:32 <•Kotono> "You don't sound like regular military," Sanda points out, "Statistically speaking, you sound more like a civilian. I expected more of a soldier from someone like you."
19:33 <•Kotono> A handshake is offered. "You're not under my command, and I'm not officially part of Laremy's army. I'm tending to matters in Laremy and not the war, so I'm not involved directly."
19:34 <Devar> "Devar, of Eldath." He follows up Skaya's introduction, then looks over at Sanda and back at Sil.
19:34 <•Kotono> A moment of consideration,
19:35 <•Kotono> A moment of consideration, "Tempus teaches us not to disrespect those of Eldath, foolish as I find your faith to be," he offers, then a handshake to Devar in particular. "Who am I to argue with that? Besides, you clearly proved yourself fighting the dead."
19:36 <Devar> "I've heard worse." Devar says with a handshake given.
19:38 <•Kotono> "You also shook up the court, and the Queen was unexpectedly forgiving of the loss of Fyner," Sil continues, "With that nd your heroism in Welland, you're the most interesting people in Laremy right now. I'll speak plainly: I'm a simple man and have no need for misdirection. I speak my mind. If I don't miss my guess, you're down here because you're too politically volitile, and the fact you
19:38 <•Kotono> want to be healers is palatable because of that."
19:39 <•Kotono> With a little grunt under his breath, "More or less," Picke concludes, "Put in time out so not to cause any more trouble."
19:40 <Devar> "It does seem like they want us to be useful, but not so much so that we are noticed." Devar agrees.
19:41 <Skaya> "This really is the best use the country can get out of us outside of diplomacy."
19:42 <•Kotono> "I'm surprised you weren't sent north to Welland," Sil admits, "But they're probably worried you'll be poached if you get too comfortable up there. Even if you're a mess right now, post war you'll be useful."
19:43 <•Kotono> Rina smiles thinly at that, "Or they're idiots who are more concerned with petty power than doing the right thing."
19:43 <•Kotono> "If you want the right thing, find a champion or paladin," Sil retorts right away, "You'll have to bargain hard for it otherwise."
19:45 <Skaya> "So how can we get this thing going?"
19:46 <Devar> "Yes, you've come to speak your mind, but I'm curious what you'd have of us, or why you came to do it?" Devar asks.
19:47 <•Kotono> "Show me your healing. I've cast a special spell to measure it directly," he explains, "If you have multiple ways, show them all."
19:47 <•Kotono> At that Sanda considers, "There's a spell that does that?"
19:48 <•Kotono> "We Tempusmen have made many spells to better understand war," Sil this time finally smiles, "All to better wage it."
19:49 <Skaya> "I'll go first then," Skaya says, channeling positive energy in a wide area around her before reaching over to touch Sil and doing it again, but focused this time.
19:49 <•Kotono> OOC: How much HP do those methods heal?
19:49 <Skaya> OOC: 4d6 30ft radius/21hp one target
19:51 <•Kotono> Healing is channeled. "Impressively capable, especially you don't have the look of a healer," Sil comments, "Very respectable, Skaya."
19:52 <Skaya> "Thank you, Sil," she responds, stepping back to not crowd him. "I also know techniques to stop people from bleeding out and a bit to treat disease, but those aren't magical."
19:54 <Devar> "I don't really have much, but I suppose it's on-demand. I have a few wands I keep on me in case of emergencies." Devar says, moving forward to put a hand on Sil's arm to channel his lay on hands onto him. "That's about half of what I can do in a day. Just keeping the rest in case someone needs to be stabilized or something today." OOC: Healing him for 8, specifically.
20:00 <•Kotono> "I've known many with that gift," Sil answers with a nod, "Not your primary talent, but a useful ability to have. And I undertsand your main healer isn't here right now?"
20:01 <Devar> "She's been royally summoned, it sounds like." Devar says.
20:01 <Skaya> "But it shouldn't be more than a couple more days at most for her to come here."
20:02 <•Kotono> "I'm aware, and waiting would have made more sense, but who passes a chance to meet heroes?" Sil answers in return, "I'll meet with her later then."
20:02 <Skaya> "I think her ability would surprise you," Skaya tells Sil. "She's had a chance to really lean into her healing powers as we traveled."
20:07 <•Kotono> "Good," Is the answer, "That's all I need." He lingers just a moment, "Is ther eanything you all need?"
20:09 <Skaya> "A say in how we'll be deployed? Because it would allow us to familiarize ourselves with the situation and integrate with the army better, if for no other reason."
20:10 <•Kotono> "Not my choice," Sil says bluntly, "But I can make recommendations." For some reason his gaze lingers on Devar, expression thoughtful. "How do you want to be deployed?"
20:13 <Skaya> A blind say isn't much better than none, but why not give it a try? "Why not try a conservative deployment for the first time? Establish a field hospital with the logistical train and have us retrieve wounded soldiers from the frontlines towards it, providing direct healing on the battlefield itself if urgently needed."
20:13 <Devar> "Our goal was to work on rescuing people who couldn't be moved easily." Devar says. "More proactive than reactive, I think we'd hope. But... well, if that isn't possible, just having someone who can speak truthfully and plainly given the other circumstances also has its benefits."
20:18 <•Kotono> A nod to Skaya and a slight smile at Devar, "I'll bear it in mind. Good luck, Picke." A little nod to him as well.
20:19 <•Kotono> "Thanks, Sil," Picke responds, going over to him. "I'll walk you out."
20:20 <•Kotono> The two go off and out. AS they do, there's a murmur to someone just out of sight. Moments later, they depart and a servant enters. "I know it's early, but food's sent early down here to avoid the rush, ma'ams and sir," A rather unremarkable looking man says, a large tray of food and drinks.
20:21 <Skaya> "Thanks! Great idea," Skaya responds as she accepts the tray.
20:22 <Devar> "Thank you." Devar says as well.
20:22 <•Kotono> "Food sounds better than moping. Thanks," Rina offers her thanks, a slight smile. She settles in to eat, and once he's gone, "At least Sil wasn't terrible. I was half afraid it was going to be some un thinking war zealot when I saw him."
20:23 <Skaya> "So I have a question here," Skaya voices once they are left alone. "Do we need to check the food? Because it's the palace."
20:23 <•Kotono> Sanda joins you and goes for some soup - it's really just soup, bread and drinks. Nothing fancy at least, and stops midway to her first bite.
20:23 <•Kotono> "We check the food," Rina doesn't even hesitate. "We just got reminded we made a huge splash."
20:24 <•Kotono> "I keep Detect Poison prepared," Sanda volunteers.
20:24 <Skaya> "Go for it!"
20:24 <Skaya> OOC: What skill can I use to check?
20:25 <•Kotono> roll 1d20 Sanda meanwhile
20:25 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20 Sanda meanwhile --> [ 1d20=17 ]{17}
20:25 <•Kotono> OOC: Anything related to poisons or poison making would do. I'd allow K:N at a higher DC as well, though no normal skill quite gets it entirely since poison sources are so varied.
20:26 <Skaya> roll 1d20+16+7 K:N
20:26 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d20+16+7 K:N --> [ 1d20=15 ]{38}
20:26 <Devar> "I should probably prepare that one just in case." Devar says. "For all that we don't really need to be worried about it."
20:29 <•Kotono> "It's poisoned," Sanda says flatly, a groan as she puts down her spoon. At the same time Skaya can notice signs of sassone leaf residue, a nasty poison that destroys the body's health. What's worse is that from the color and thickness of it, it's been enhanced to be extra deadly.
20:29 <•Kotono> Rina groans and slumps back, "Why couldn't I be wrong?" she looks up and asks.
20:29 <Skaya> "Boosted poison, at that."
20:30 <Devar> "So is this worth its own investigation?" Devar asks.
20:30 <•Kotono> Rina then hops up, "Back in a few, going to catch that servant," she announces, running off.
20:31 <Devar> "I guess that answers that." Devar says with a sigh.
20:32 <•Kotono> "Trying our first meal down here? I'm more surprised they were so quick to try," Rina comments, "Who did we anger this much for such a fast response?"
20:32 <•Kotono> OOC: Sanda, sorry.
20:33 <•Kotono> A few moments later you hear shouts of alarm outside, and a servant's loud, panicked squawk.
20:36 <Devar> Devar will at least go out to make sure there's not a bigger kerfuffle that needs interceding.
20:39 <•Kotono> A very terrified servant has his hands up, Rina's blade against his chest. Picke and Sil block his escape, as he's marched right back in. He blubbers away, "I don't know!" A near shriek, "All I know is my boss told me to take it down here! I swear on Tempus!"
20:39 <•Kotono> Sil, expression all business, goes right to the food and clutches his symbol, a few murmured words. "You'd best hope you speak truly, because I can detect poison as well."
20:40 <Devar> "I do actually have the ability to cast zone of truth, if we decide we need that at some point." Devar helpfully chimes in.
20:40 <•Kotono> "Good man," Sil nods to Devar. "I wish I had that prepared today."
20:41 — Skaya follows Devar and asks the servant, "Who is your boss?"
20:42 <•Kotono> "Francis!" An outright shout this time, raw terror on the servant's face. "He has me deliver food all the time, this was nothing differente except it was so far down and he told me why, and what to say!"
20:42 <Skaya> "And you didn't think it was strange?"
20:42 <•Kotono> "No! He's my boss!" Is the answer right away, "Not a po-poisoner!"
20:42 <•Kotono> Rina hums at that, "Well, your boss might be expanding his interests then."
20:43 <Skaya> "How do you want to handle it?" Skaya asks Sil.
20:43 <•Kotono> "Odds are he's truthful, I doubt a poisoner would be so up front about it and surrender without a fight," Sanda reflects.
20:45 <•Kotono> "Arrest him for now," A wail of despair is ignored and spoken over, "Though if he speaks all truth, he'll be freed once this can be determined. Then chase after Francis. Odds are he's either gone, dead or both, but it's possible we can catch him."
20:47 <Devar> Devar gives the young man a pat on a shoulder. "We'll get the bottom of it, don't worry." He says. "Are we allowed to go hunting for this Francis? It wouldn't do to get targeted for this sort of thing and have to stay down here."
20:47 <•Kotono> "If he did lie, he's a fool. He knows that would get him the noose, even if no other guilt was found. No one wants their food poisoned," Picke points out, "Poisonings happen, but everyone knows it's expensive because of the risk."
20:47 <•Kotono> "W-we're trained to tell only the truth if this ever ha-happens," The servant cries out, "T-thank you, kind sir!" to Devar now, "Please, mercy, I'll speak nothing but truth!"
20:49 <•Kotono> "No, but that wouldn't be worth all this trouble, would it? Besides, I'm not in the army," Sil decides, "Come with me. I have authority enough for this, and I suspect you'll be worthwhile in investigation."
20:50 <Skaya> "Sure thing!"
20:51 <Devar> "I promise we won't let you hang for doing your job." Devar says, trying to instill some amount of confidence in the poor servant before he goes to follow after Skaya and the others.
20:59 <•Kotono> "Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you," A steady stream of thanks as you all go off. Guards take away the man, though Sil mentions, "Don't be rough," he murmurs, "He's probably innocent. Secure, but nothing more. Unless he tries to escape or subvert justice."  to the guard captain, who nods in understanding and goes off. Once that's done, the party hurries up and...OOC: More.
21:07 <•Kotono> The kitchens are just one of several for a castle this size. It's still a large area, dozens of servants hard at work. A gruff looking woman runs it all, portly and maybe in her fourties. Dark hair gone gray, up tight and high. A voice that shouts rather than speaks, over the chaos of the ktichens. "Francis? He hasn't been back, was about to go send someone to find him, or if a noble borrowed
21:07 <•Kotono> his services." She answers to Sil's basic question.
21:09 <Skaya> "Did he have any visitors earlier?"
21:11 <•Kotono> "Not that I saw, but he was a little energetic today. Made sure to take orders and kept moving all the time," She answers, "He's usually happier to slack wen he can get away with it."
21:11 <•Kotono> Rina says after a moment, "Like he was nervous?"
21:11 <•Kotono> "It could be, ma'am," The woman bows her head in deference, "Or excited."
21:12 <Skaya> "How's his personal life? Any family? Debts, or a love of gambling?"
21:12 <Devar> "You said he hasn't been back, did he mention where he was off to?" Devar asks. "Sorry for the bevy of questions."
21:13 <•Kotono> "He has a wife and children, and he does like to dice," The woman frowns at that, "I know he's done extra work to help settle his scores before."
21:14 <•Kotono> After that, "Just had tasks. Hardly unusual," the woman admits, "I expect my seconds to handle things, they're not babes who need every little detail fed to them."
21:19 <Skaya> "The next logical step would be to check up on the family," Skaya muses, glancing over at Sil. "Want to do that? Or look into his friends here?"
21:20 <•Kotono> "Three prongs. His family," Picke speaks up, "HIs friends here, and the local dice games, in case he's flush and can't resist."
21:20 <•Kotono> "Three groups then," Rina says, "Who checks on what?"
21:23 <Skaya> "Sanda, want to visit the family together?"
21:25 <•Kotono> "I'm fine with that," Sanda agrees readily.
21:25 <•Kotono> Sil looks to Devar, "We can check on his friends here."
21:26 <•Kotono> "Picke and I can see to the dicing games then," Rina thirds, "Hopefully, one group of us gets lucky."
21:26 <Devar> He nods. "Sure thing."
21:28 <Skaya> Returning her attention to the woman running the kitchens, Skaya says, "Please have Francis detained if he does end up returning here and send word to Mister Silver Arlande, here."
21:28 <•Kotono> "Ma'am," Agreement to that, no argument in the slightest.
21:29 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, ready to split up then, y'all?
21:29 <Skaya> OOC: Yes, let's get directions to his house!
21:33 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, Skaya in here and Deva rin #evil then.

#28

Mini Game Logs / Re: Chasing Picke 019

Last post by Corwin - November 14, 2025, 12:08:32 PM

19:34 <•Kotono> ---
19:35 <•Kotono> It's late in the afternoon when shopping is completed. That's all nicely sorted out, purchases made for Rina at least. She has a nice new circlet, even if not worn at the moment. With that done, is ther eanything else you want to do out here, all?
19:36 <Devar> OOC: Since we're not galavanting off with Teleport, it doesn't seem so
19:36 <Skaya> "Aside from trying the local specialties, I have to wonder if there's another Guild chapter here," Skaya muses. "Want to go and take a look?"
19:41 <Devar> Devar nods. "We can at least get an idea of what's going on there, too."
19:43 <•Kotono> OOC: Asusming you're not using that. If yo uare, just say so.
19:43 <Devar> OOC: I think we decided to stick around until Anne got here anyway
19:43 <•Kotono> "I can answer that," Rina speaks up, "There is, but it's more of a branch office. Capital's different, too many crown and noble interests here."
19:45 <Skaya> "So best not to get drawn into them?"
19:46 <•Kotono> "I asked, I don't have first hand experience," Rina admits, a quick moment to clear her throat. "But in other words, there's a lot going on and it's easy to get tangled up in the wrong way."
19:48 <Skaya> "Then let's head back and wait a bit more for now?"
19:51 — Devar nods.
19:54 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
19:54 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@3A1A9A51.DE90133E.E051626E.IP)
19:54 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
19:54 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=23 ]{23}
19:55 <•Kotono> As you walk back, down a street and with as much privacy as you're going to have for some time? "And the horn we bought?" Sanda asks, "How are we going to handle that?" She keeps her voice down, just to the four of you, even as you get glances and looks of interest from the common folk.
19:56 <Skaya> "It's not important until the winter. If things drag on that long, we'll figure out what to do?"
20:00 <Devar> Devar nods to Skaya. "We can use it anytime we need to without telling anyone about it, too. If we just happen to be able to help some people with food, you know?"
20:00 <•Kotono> "Understandable," Sanda lets it go at that, and like that night falls. Come the next morning, you're summoned right after breakfast. The page salutes before, "General Laremy orders all of you to report to him to discuss your role in the coming battles."
20:01 — Skaya tilts her head as she glances at the others. He was the one who told them not to listen to anyone but the Queen's summons, wasn't he?
20:04 <•Kotono> Sanda matches that motion towards Skaya and after a moment, "He also ordered us to ignore anything but the Queen's summons. With all respect, he is not the Queen."
20:05 <•Kotono> Rina looks over from the window and adds, "Sorry, but I think you're going to have to do some more running."
20:05 <Skaya> "If the General is merely testing how well we're listening to his previous command, we wouldn't want to disappoint him right away like that," Skaya says apologetically.
20:06 <•Kotono> The page, a young man, lets out a long groan, "Tymora, Lathander and Umberlee, my legs are already tired from yesterday," he complaints at Rina's lighter words, "Fine, but I'll probably be back soon."
20:06 <•Kotono> "Throw in Helm and you have a full set," Sanda quips, as the page turns and goes off.
20:08 <Devar> "So when he comes back and has a message that says 'Unless it's me,' are we going?" Devar asks with a smile over some buttered bread.
20:08 <Skaya> "Let's sacrifice you to go and take a look first."
20:09 <Devar> "Fair enough." He agrees.
20:13 <•Kotono> That gets some chuckles from everyone, and not ten minutes later the page returns. He's sweaty and breathing hard, "He amends his orders to include himself as well as the Queen to people you should respond to," he says shortly.
20:13 <•Kotono> Rina can't seem to help but look right to Devar.
20:13 <•Kotono> After a moment Sanda even matches that, a little smile on her lips.
20:13 — Skaya laughs. "If it was a test, I think we've done our part. Let's go?"
20:14 <Devar> "See?" Devar says as he stands up.
20:14 <•Kotono> "I see, I see," Sanda says lightly as you all rise, "What are the odds of that?"
20:20 <•Kotono> With that the party heads onwa
20:20 <•Kotono> OOC: Gah.
20:22 <•Kotono> With that the party heads onwards. You're lead to meet Count Laremy. He has a tower office, up several stories of stairs. By the end your page simply sags against the wall and weakly flops an arm in the direction of the door. A pair of soldiers stand hear, weapons out but not raised. "You're expected," one says, gesturing the party in.
20:22 — Skaya leads the way, giving the page a look that is half amusement and half sympathy.
20:23 <•Kotono> Rina lingers, slipping him a few silver coins, "Have a few good drinks when you have some freedom," she murmurs in understanding, before following.
20:29 <Devar> Devar enters after the others!
20:30 <•Kotono> "Th'yu," He manaages something, glimpsed slumping down as you head in. Here is a large tower room - the top of the tower, windows open to let in a summery breeze. The Count of Laremy stands before one, hands clapsed behind his back as he takes in the view. A glimpse of a view of Laremy city, only seen in passing. On the eastern side of the city a river is glimpsed, something out of your view
20:30 <•Kotono> from your western entrance to the city. That's where his gaze lingers, on boats that travel the river. The office itself is well kept - a brass and gold map of Laremy hangs on one wall, large and opulent. A work of art, with gold and gems showing the great cities of Laremy. In one corner a great potted plant sits, mostly vines that snake up the wall and bask in the sunlight. A side table has
20:30 <•Kotono> all manner of knick-knacks, nad the wall opposite it has a glass case with medals, as well as several weapons and armor in cases as well. The only seat is the one at the Count's desk, none other here. He turns, nods briskly and goes to take it. "You gave poor Jeoffry his day's exercise," he comments.
20:33 <Devar> Devar idly wonders how many times that map has had to be updated. He nods and bows slightly towards Count Laremy. "We hope no offense was taken by our initial refusal."
20:34 <•Kotono> "A common person wouldn't think of that, but obey," The Count comments, hands folded on his desk. "Any worries about authority are subsumed by the ingrained, reflexive obedience. A noble might think otherwise, or a military man with enough experience."
20:35 <•Kotono> "And me, I see your lack of chairs and the verbal fencing, and wonder if we're being tested." Rina says, plainly. "I won't pretend I'm a normal woman anymore, so why act like it?"
20:36 <Skaya> "Is there a benefit in pointing out the obvious, Rina?" Skaya asks mildly, before facing the general. "How may we be of service, Sir?"
20:37 <Devar> Devar looks like he was going to say something to Rina but simply nods to Skaya instead.
20:40 <•Kotono> The Count considers all of you, a moment to silently observe. He inclines his head to Skaya, "It isn't personal. This is my working office. I don't want people staying to be comfortable. It's no slight or test against any of you." A moment, and Rina seems to relax. He then goes on, "Yes. My understanding is that you all wish to be healers?"
20:43 <Skaya> "We are not soldiers, Sir. While anyone can be trained up as one, for us we'll first have to unlearn a lot of what made us so effective thus far. And on the other hand, we want to help as best as we can. We have quite the skillset geared towards evacuating wounded from the battlefield or even treating them under such hostile conditions, and we have a decent healing ability as well."
20:44 <•Kotono> "Elaborate," Is the Count's command, listening along.
20:47 <Skaya> "Assuming Anne is able to join us after Her Majesty sent for her, that's three of us with healing magic. And that's also three of us who can fly. Meanwhile, Rina and Sanda can assist with first aid and with our defense or support, according to each new situation. We can also respond to just about any surprise better than most. At the same time, directly fighting humans to the death would be difficult for us after facing monsters and
20:47 <Skaya> undead for a good long while."
20:48 <•Kotono> "A difference in tactics?" The Count surmises, "I've heard that claimed before."
20:49 <Skaya> "Frankly, for soldiers capable of what we can do a special squad like that might be wasteful. But since we're not soldiers and it would bring the best results, why not give it a try, Sir? If our approach doesn't work, we can always try something else later on."
20:56 <•Kotono> "If we were in peacetime, or even had any time at all, that's what I'd do," The Count says after a long silence, "But-" he pauses, "We received more word of a coming brutal winter. Time is not on our side, and th eluxury to fix these shortcomings does not exist."
20:59 <•Kotono> "So you do what you can," Sanda concludes softly, nodding to herself, "Statistically speaking, that's what you have to do."
20:59 <Skaya> "More word, Sir?"
21:04 <•Kotono> "The divine has chosen to be unusually direct in its warnings about this," The Count answers briskly, "I leave it to the Queen if the details of this are revealed, but events have moved in the past twelve hours."
21:05 <Skaya> "Since the Divine either cannot or would not act directly against Auril in this, this is really the best possible outcome," Skaya muses.
21:06 <•Kotono> "As such, we will resolve this war shortly, and healing is needed more than ever," The Count says, "Ideally, your companion Anne will be here fast enough to participate as well."
21:07 <•Kotono> At that Rina's expression tightens, but this time she keeps quiet.
21:07 <Skaya> "Yes, Sir. May we inquire about the situation at the front? How is the balance of power at present?"
21:08 <Devar> "With respect, without the gold leaf that some might put on it to make it sound better." Devar adds.
21:10 <•Kotono> Devar gets a slight nod at that, "Without the gold leaf," he agrees, "Bloody, brutal and ugly. There's small skirmishes near constantly, but neither side has managed a decisive victory. We're both recovering from larger actions - the attrition and losses to our calvary was considerable, as was theirs. Additionally, we lost more arrow and foot than anticipated. This has been an ugly, dirty war,
21:10 <•Kotono> both were ravaged by saboteurs, and we did the same to them.."
21:13 <Skaya> "Hence the desire for a quick win, to coin a phrase," Skaya muses. "Sir, is the current plan a war of attrition until it is too cold to continue fighting?"
21:14 <Devar> Devar nods respectfully to hearing the facts.
21:18 <•Kotono> "That was the plan until yesterday," Is the admission, "At least until autumn, and win it then. We had little other choice after the initial battles."
21:18 <Skaya> "But not now?"
21:22 <•Kotono> "But not now," Is the agreement, "We have to win, or at least force as favorable a peace as possible."
21:23 <Skaya> "Sir, we heard people talk as we walked around town. Has Eis been burning down our farms?"
21:29 <•Kotono> There's a grim nod, "Yes, and we've been doing the same." Is the answer, "No one likes it, but food is the lifeblood of a nation. If your enemy doesn't bleed inwar, you lose."
21:29 <•Kotono> Sanda's expression instantly drops.
21:30 <•Kotono> Rina glances at Devar, lips tight.
21:30 <Skaya> "Can we negotiate a mutual stop to that? It would only make them more desperate as the truth about this winter comes out. Do we really want to fight a total war?"
21:32 <Devar> "It's something that causes everyone to suffer, not just soldiers." Devar adds, clearly biting his tongue on saying much more.
21:33 <•Kotono> "I suggested the same thing," The Count's expression is likewise unhappy. He lets that miserable silence stretch before, "We will continue to do so until Eis agrees to stop, because otherwise would be allowing the enemy to harm us with impunity."
21:34 <Skaya> "Has Her Majesty sent Eis a missive along those lines? Or a courtier, perhaps?"
21:35 <•Kotono> "Matters are being attended to," Is the brisk answer, "Unless you can spontaneously solve our food problems, it's a matter that will be determined above all of our heads."
21:38 <Skaya> Can they? Perhaps so. But they couldn't keep it a proper secret, and if a war heated up over possession of it? Better just nod for now and stay quiet to observe the situation.
21:40 <•Kotono> "So you'll begin training today then," he says, "Is ther eanything I need ot know about your tactics, abilities or such beyond what has been said?"
21:42 <Skaya> "I'm good at most things."
21:43 <•Kotono> Rina shakes her head, as does Sanda. After a few more moments, "Dismissed then, Jeoffry will take you where you need to go."
21:45 <Skaya> "Yes, Sir."
21:46 <•Kotono> Once out you find the poor page there, recovered at least. Once you're going down the steps, "Hopefull we don't see each other again after this, no 'fense," he adds, "I hate these stairs."
21:47 <•Kotono> Sanda lets otu a soft sigh but follows along, "I hate them too, and odds are I won't go up them again anytime soon."
21:48 <Devar> "Yes, I imagine none of us will." Devar echoes.
21:55 <•Kotono> You're taken down and into the guts of the castle. INto the basements, deep underground chambers full of all sorts of storage. Enough to be its own vast d ungeon one day, or at least you get that impression. for now it's all well kept and patrolled as you're taken along, deeper and deeper, until at last the page stops in front of a plain door. "In there."
21:56 — Skaya opens the door and steps in.
21:58 <Devar> "Cozy." Devar says as he follows.
22:00 <•Kotono> "It's like we're back under that lake all over again," Rina snarks as you go in. Here is a plain room. A table, some mismatched chairs and a single person. Picke stands here, looking half annoyed, half out of sorts and half exasperated. "I hope at least one of you expected this after you opened your mouths."
22:01 — Skaya sits down on the nicest chair there.
22:01 <Devar> "It was on a list of things, I think." Devar says as he goes to lean on the wall.
22:03 <•Kotono> Sanda joins Skaya before, "It wasn't that big a longshot," she concludes.
22:03 <•Kotono> Rina stays by the doorway, "It makes sense, solve two problems and have them work together."
22:03 <Skaya> "I'm not really upset, but I do wonder why we were given a proper tactical briefing if we were then going to be directed right here?"
22:04 <•Kotono> "Who gave it to you?" Picke asks, "There's a lot of nobles and officers who like the sound of their own voice."
22:04 <Skaya> "Count Laremy."
22:05 <Devar> "It's possible Laremy thought we were going somewhere else and the poor kid got orders from someone above him to take us here." Devar says. "You never know with politics."
22:06 <•Kotono> "No, he's not one of them. If he told you, he wanted you to know," Picke shakes his head slowly back and forth, "And this may not be what you think. He told me that I was going to help all of you with whatever task he assigned you and make it work."
22:07 <Skaya> "I just think it's a power play in poor taste, that's it."
22:07 <Devar> "We weren't really given any task except to come here."
22:11 <•Kotono> Picke pinches the bridge of his nose long and slowly, "Of all the stupid-" he mutters some unkind words, and just as he does? There's a knock on the door. He comes up short and growls, "Looks like you're right. You're getting thrown in with me and getting jerked around by association. Someone's not happy with you." He goes to the door, where another runner passes over a sealed envelope wordlessly.
22:12 <Skaya> "Another general summoned us the other day, but Count Laremy crashed that meeting and countermanded him."
22:12 <Devar> "Laremy seemed to like us, too. More than the first guy, anyway."
22:14 <•Kotono> The envelope is taken and door closed. Once done, "Then it might be that we're simply being put aside for that, to keep us from muddying the waters anymore. Or for Mellanics, or a dozen other potential reasons." The seal is undone nad the message within read, "A healing unit for emergency response," he reads aloud, "Signed by the Count himself."
22:14 <•Kotono> "He didn't seem nice, but not hostile," Rina reasons, "I didn't relax around him, but I wasn't on the edge of my seat."
22:15 <Skaya> "Do you hate the idea?" Skaya asks. "But that's the only thing I can see myself doing in a war between two nations, short of running diplomacy."
22:15 <•Kotono> "I've seen more than a few people screwed over or killed, but it was "Nothing Personal," You can hear the quotations around it as Picke goes on, "I don't hate the idea at all, it's a good one if it helps all the poor men getting mauled in this war."
22:16 — Skaya nods. "I suppose it's good that we've realized the limits of our abilities, so we were quite truthful when we said we wouldn't be able to just strike at Eis's leaders on our own."
22:17 <•Kotono> "There's attempts every war. Sometimes they even succeed. The lucky heroes usually end up dead or nobles out of it," Picke mentions offhandedly, "So your idea was accepted. No, it sounds more like we're in the way and they want us busy and out of the way. Down here, out of sight, understood to be off limits."
22:19 <Skaya> "Nobility sounds nice until you realize all of the duties that come with the title."
22:20 <•Kotono> "It's the biggest honeypot of them all," Picke almost smiles, "No woman can come close."
22:20 <•Kotono> Sanda immediately stiffens up, "Really?"
22:20 <Skaya> "Did you think you could just delegate, grab some capable people and earn money from taxes while doing your own thing?"
22:21 <•Kotono> As Sanda's back arches and she starts to resemble an irritated cat, a few hints of rain in the air, Picke ignores that and says, "Not at all. There's a mountain of social and political responsibilities. You met Earl Mellanics, you can only imagine what his life's going to be like."
22:22 <Skaya> "Ah, but in fact, if I were to become noble that's exactly what I'd do! And I'll travel all over the place via Teleport."
22:24 <•Kotono> "I wish you good luck with it," Picke offers, then has a seat. "So we're stuck down here, healers to be called on when needed. It's not the worst outcome, is it?"
22:25 <•Kotono> "Politically irrelevant, a distinct lack of heat and sunlight and on call when the broken need our help," Rina ticks off fingers. "It's not the worst outcome, but we'll be at the mercy of this next battle."
22:25 <Skaya> "No, but it's still bad. First of all, are we supposed to rush from here all the way to the battlefield every time? And where should we all sleep?"
22:26 <•Kotono> "We have a room a few doors down, and as for that I presume we'll get orders," Picke runs a hand over his head. "So rather: How do we turn this to an advantage and spin diamonds from the stormclouds?"
22:26 <Devar> "So, just to put it out there - is this what we want to do?" Devar asks, looking over at Skaya. "I've no objections to playing the role of defender and getting people to safety, but we are lucky because we have some options and exits if we want to take them - as an example, we can just go to Welland if we wanted and set some sort of way to increase their food production to make sure there's
22:26 <Devar> enough of it around - not suggesting that's what I want to do, but just putting it out there."
22:29 <•Kotono> "If we run now, at best we're deserters and at worst traitors," Picke points out, "Obvious, but if we do that, we don't ever get to come back to Laremy."
22:29 <•Kotono> "Say it like it's entirely a bad thing next time," Rina admits, "Even if the Queen was better than I expected her to be."
22:29 <Skaya> "Healing Laremy's soldiers leads to several outcomes," Skaya responds, having expected the matter to come up from seeing her friends' expressions. "We save lives, we gain the gratitude of enough people to have an influence, we prevent an even harsher mobilization of untrained peasants and we'll be in position to affect things. Alternatively, if we weren't here, what would it mean? More deaths? Perhaps an endless war and famine?"
22:31 <•Kotono> "More deaths, more loss, more blood. Even a win is worse," Sanda points out, "And we might well be what turns a loss into a draw, or a draw into a bloody victory," She looks up in thought, calming down. "The more I run the numbers, the more I think we could make a big impact healing."
22:32 <Devar> "I'm not sure we can prevent the endless war part." Devar says. "Ultimately, I'm fine with whatever you decide you want to do, I know you're not going to try and march us into the middle of Eis to kill everyone or something. Speaking of, though, if we're going to help with the famine part... we should probably test the limits of that thing before we're in a situation where we don't have the
22:32 <Devar> time do so."
22:33 <Skaya> "It's too early for that," Skaya says decisively. "I'm sorry, but given the backstabbing still going on during an active invasion on several fronts we absolutely can't reveal that right now. If I were in charge with that option, I'd double down on burning down everyone's farmland."
22:35 <Devar> "No, no, I didn't mean to reveal it to anyone, mostly to just test it in private." Devar says. "But if you think even doing that might reveal it, I'll keep it away."
22:36 <Skaya> "Once we understand where we stand a bit better, we could use some private time to prepare supplies for later. We do have some salt on hand."
22:37 — Devar nods. "It sounds like we're just waiting to see what happens for now, then."
22:38 <Skaya> "Probably waiting for either Anne to get here, something unexpected to happen on the battlefield or the Queen getting a better idea than all this," Skaya muses, before glancing over at Picke. "Speaking of all your lectures about us coming here. Do you really think we would abandon you? And if we had, did we need to abandon Anne? Because she would've never left."
22:40 <•Kotono> "It was never about abandoning you," Picke says, "It was about saving you from this. I know you could do better elsewhere, and none of youa re truly chained to Laremy like the way I am." He stands up and regards Skaya firmly, "It's what heroes do, and I know you'd say the same thing to me. It's why I tried everything I could to get you to do otherwise."
22:42 <Skaya> Even if they were callous enough, there's still Anne. She would've never abandoned Mellanics. But really, that's all excuses since they were going after Picke either way. "Do you think Milla is safe? We tried to build up her legend with the people while we were on the road, but that won't matter if someone truly has it out for her."
22:47 <•Kotono> "I don't know, but she can take care of herself," Picke says at last, as...OOC: We're a bit over and it's about time, and we can start fresh with the plot moving on more next time. Have a good vacation, Cor.

#29

Mini Game Logs / Re: Chasing Picke 019

Last post by Corwin - November 14, 2025, 12:08:06 PM

19:11 <•Kotono> "Logically speaking, every edge we get should be exploited," Sana agrees with that.
19:11 <•Kotono> "I happen to agree," Rina reasons, "And since we're stuck with this, we have to do what we can."
19:13 <Devar> "In that case, do you want to wait until Anne gets here?" Devar asks. "It may give us time to find someone who can give us some extra money."
19:14 <Skaya> "Give it a day, then see if we can go shopping here in the capital?" Skaya suggests. "Anne can't possibly arrive that early."
19:15 <•Kotono> "I suspect we may see battle before then," Rina's quiet, "There's more incentive to win fast now."
19:15 <•Kotono> "What I'm really worried about is Picke's words," Sanda goes on instead, nodding along to Rina, "I'd like to say the Queen's risen to the occasion, but you have to be concerned."
19:17 <Skaya> "Do you, though? It'd be one thing if the change happened before the war...."
19:18 <Devar> "I'd also be concerned if she were acting like a despot or something." Devar says. "But... I mean, what are the possibilities? Some sort of magical doodad that's... making her smarter or something?"
19:20 <Skaya> "Hiding yourself to flush out the traitors, being subverted by a mortal, being subverted by a higher power, being subverted by a lower power. That's the full array of options."
19:21 <•Kotono> "There are," Sanda sniffs, "Maybe Picke's just upset at his entire plan being seen through, but it's still a concern. You're right that it might be true and it's also not a threat."
19:22 <•Kotono> "Then again, how many plots have we come across?" Rinar etorts, "What's one more ball in the air?"
19:23 <Skaya> "To be fair, does this change anything for us? I still plan to act as a healer here."
19:25 <•Kotono> "
19:25 <•Kotono> "Only if the Queen's hostile to us, our interests or Laremy," Sanda reasons after perhaps a few seconds too long.
19:26 <Skaya> "In other words, if the situation changes and we must respond to it."
19:28 <•Kotono> A nod at that, "In the meantime, let's rest a little then?" Rina suggests, as...OOC: Any plans here right away?
19:29 <Skaya> OOC: If no one comes to get us for our job/opinion/anything, we can ask to tour the capital tomorrow and see if there's interesting magical gear to buy
19:31 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
19:31 <•Kotono> OOC: One second for bot.
19:32 → Kobot joined (~dunefar@FD22B51F.3A683291.484D2595.IP)
19:32 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
19:32 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=32 ]{32}
19:33 <•Kotono> You have time to rest and get a late lunch. As all of you rest a little over the remnants of it? Sanda's drowsing, sprawled out on her bed. Rina's tending to her weapons. A knock on the door disturbs all, polite but insistent.
19:34 — Skaya comes to answer the door!
19:36 <•Kotono> At the door is a runner. A teenager, a young man. He salutes, "Ma'am," he says, "Are you one of ladies Skaya, Rina or Sanda?"
19:37 <Skaya> "I'm Skaya. What's going on?"
19:38 <•Kotono> "You're ordered to report to General Eastbrook, ma'am," Is the answer, "Immediately, all of you as well as sir Devar."
19:38 <•Kotono> Rina wipes her sword clean, a little frown at the icy mist from it. "Got it. You our escort?"
19:39 <•Kotono> Sanda yawns and gets herself up, "No rest for the weary," she complains, "Statistically speaking, you beat the odds to come this fast."
19:39 <Devar> OOC: Take 10 for 24 on K:Local - what are we getting ourselves into?!
19:39 <•Kotono> "Yes ma'am," The young man answers.
19:41 <•Kotono> Devar recalls a few mentions of that name. It's a smaller noble house that serves Watch. The family' sproduced several generations of military leaders, most noteworthy in a good way.
19:41 <Skaya> "Lead the way?"
19:42 <Devar> Devar nods to himself about that and will go with the others!
19:43 <•Kotono> You go up a few stories and walk a ways. Away from living quarters to places where soldiers run about. Administration, everyone abuzz here. As you walk through, passing several pages carrying heaps of papers and documents, "Did you really eat fire?" Rina gets abruptly asked.
19:43 <Skaya> "Yes, and it was delicious. She shared some with me," Skaya asserts.
19:43 <•Kotono> Rina considers half a second and smiles, "It goes down good."
19:44 <•Kotono> With wide eyes and a little gasp, "So if I get strong enough to eat fire, I can become fire too?"
19:44 <•Kotono> Sanda snorts but keeps her opinions to herself.
19:45 <Skaya> "Probably not. You need to eat a special fire for that."
19:51 <•Kotono> A little shoulders lump and a sigh as the young man goes on, not pushing it more than that. You're lead to a large room, where a man has office. 30 or so, mustasched and black haired, professional looking. He wears a noble's finery, several rings spied on his fingers. "There you are. Dismissed, go back to your duties, page. Heroes, come in and close the door behind you."
19:56 <Skaya> "Sir," Skaya says, the first to step in.
19:56 <•Kotono> "Sir," Rina follows up as Sanda also enters.
19:57 <•Kotono> "At ease," he commands, taking a moment to wipe ink stained fingers on a cloth and rub them marginally cleaner. "Describe your capabilities to me, so we can best decide where you should be assigned."
19:59 <Skaya> "I can heal and hold my own in a fight," Skaya says in response, deciding to go with the flow for now. "I'm also pretty fast and agile."
20:00 <•Kotono> "Fast, agile attacker who strikes and keeps moving," Rina seconds away. "No magical talent." She doesn't look entirely happy, but she goes along with it.
20:01 <•Kotono> "Mage, just mastering the fourth circle, and also a warrior," Sanda answers, "Statistically improbable, but here I am."
20:01 <Devar> "I have some minor ability to heal, but I'm probably best defending a point or helping to protect people." Devar answers. "I'm also rather adept at defensive magics in general."
20:02 <•Kotono> "A well rounded team," General Eastbrook concludes as he places the cloth down. "And your missing member is a general healer and spellcaster?"
20:04 <Skaya> "She is a priestess of Moore," Skaya answers. "We've had opportunities to work together fighting evil creatures and undead and can pick up on each other's thoughts quite well. Our team may well be larger than the sum of all individual parts would suggest, Sir."
20:06 <•Kotono> "As I thought." With a slow look to each o fyou, "Yes, I can see you're a eam that's leaned to fight together well. That's invaluable, that means together you need little training to be effective."
20:07 <Skaya> "Sir, may I ask how losses have been thus far on the battlefield? At every point I saw the necessity of healers emphasized time and again, far more than I would expect to see."
20:10 <•Kotono> "Considerable, and there have been near constant skirmishes despite the stalemate. What's more, our healers are taxed keeping camp diseases at bay," He continues, "Those that can treat them effectively, that is."
20:11 <Skaya> "Would it be possible to explore the concept of a small team dedicated to extracting wounded from the battlefield safely, and treating the worst wounds right there in the field? We're fast enough and work together well enough to make that happen, and know enough about caring for wounds to succeed."
20:13 <•Kotono> "That is a promising avenue," The General states, "However, before that, I have another idea. The simple truth is, healing and defending won't win this war. What we need are precise strikes that shatter the enemy and accelerate their collapse."
20:14 <•Kotono> "And the fact that some of us can fly makes that idea even more appealing," Rina supplies, sounding unhappy.
20:16 <Skaya> "I don't know if we're capable of that. Does the general have a specific mission in mind?"
20:24 <•Kotono> "Several, the limination of high value allies and commanders for Eis. These strikes would hamper Eis's ability to wage war and overall weaken them." Is the answer, "It's better to ensure we need less healing than to budget for more healing, to solve a problem before it begins."
20:29 <Skaya> "I don't know if we have the strength to triumph under such odds," Skaya repeats. "But if we were able to take out Eis's army and civilian leadership time after time on our lonesome, would it still be a military victory for Laremy?"
20:30 <•Kotono> "Of course it wouldb e. You serve the Queen, so you're part of Laremy," The General bristles at that, "Or has weak words reached your ears?" Devar is glanced at, no subtlety at all.
20:31 <•Kotono> Sanda clears her throat softly before, "I would think that a learned nobleman such as yourself would know better than to try such a low odds play. Does that really do anything to help your cause?"
20:31 <•Kotono> Rina blinks and side eyes Sanda at that.
20:34 <Skaya> Ah, so he's an idiot. Skaya mentally nods to herself.
20:34 <Skaya> "I wish to clarify my words," Skaya voices, ignoring the byplay with Sanda. "I believe that Laremy's soldiers and its citizens draw reassurance from the successes of its army, and gain honor and glory by participating in battles defending the homeland. While there is a certain amount of national pride in any victory over a foe, where the ones who achieve such a victory are so removed from them, would the people truly feel they had a
20:34 <Skaya> part in it were we able to win it single-handedly without them? And to return to my original point, I find it incredibly unlikely that we can succeed. Not when our foes have flying cavalry and a lot more mages."
20:35 <Devar> Devar looks over to Sanda at that and back to Skaya, keeping his mouth firmly shut for now.
20:38 <•Kotono> General Eastbrook sits back at that, jaw clenched. "So little confidence in your abilities, heroes?" he asks back, "Or did that only apply in Welland?"
20:39 <Skaya> "I can't speak for everyone but I was confident we could win the war as we returned," Skaya admits without any shame. "But after clashing with the invaders in the south and learning what the opposition held, I adjusted my mentality accordingly. It's not shameful to understand what you're facing even as you don't shy away from the task ahead."
20:43 <•Kotono> "Overstepping does nothing good," Rina agrees, "We're heroes, not a miracle."
20:45 <•Kotono> Further words are stopped by the door opening. Another man. 50s or so, old and showing it. He walks with a well polished wood cane with agolden handle. He has a clean shaven face and is quite short, barely five feet tall. Stout too. Not fat, just wide bodied and built. He wears green and white finery with a cape to match. "Ah, I heard the heroes of the hour were coming this way. We haven't even
20:45 <•Kotono> met to decide how to best use their talents, but you got a head start, Olaint."
20:46 <•Kotono> Sanda turns to him as General Eastbrook scowls, "Merely not resting idly, sir."
20:47 — Skaya simply observes for now. Perhaps it was a mistake not asking their guide to introduce all the local interests as they were headed in.
20:49 <•Kotono> "Merely not rest idly doing anything else. Skaya, Devar, Rina, Sanda? If you'd spend the day resting from your journey, more information will come tomorrow. I ask that you decline any further requests to talk, unless it's from the Queen herself." The man declares.
20:51 <Devar> OOC: Does a K:L of 24 give me insight into who this person is?
20:51 <Skaya> "I admit our role was not sufficiently clear, Sir," Skaya voices. "Since we are to wait, can we tour the capital for now? At least until the Queen requires our services or Anne arrives?"
20:55 <•Kotono> Devar believes he is Count Laremy - of the city, not the royal family - a high ranking officer and nobleman. Experienced, old and notably with some dwarf blood from his grandmother's side.
20:56 <•Kotono> "By all means," A wave of his hand, "A good idea. It'll keep you out of trouble and attention in the castle," he says.
20:56 <•Kotono> "Now then, we need to talk," General Eastbrook gets a look, and his jaw clenches even tighter, but he bows his head to that.
20:56 <•Kotono> Rina takes the chance, bows slightly and quickly slips out.
20:57 <•Kotono> Sanda does the same, getting out of that entire splash zone to be.
20:57 <Skaya> With a curtsy, Skaya slips away!
20:57 <Devar> "General." Devar bows his head politely. "Your Excellency." Devar bows a little more to who he assumes is Count Laremy and departs with the others.
21:04 <•Kotono> Once out in the hall, "We just dodged politics, didn't we?" Rina reflects, "Someone saw an opportunity."
21:04 <•Kotono> "Naturally," Sanda's expression is sour, "He rolled the dice but failed."
21:04 <Skaya> "Let's just head out and refresh our mindsets."
21:07 <•Kotono> Thus you head out into Laremy in the afternoon. No one bars your way, and soon enough you're free again, at least for now. Amid all the noise of the city - now what?
21:08 <Skaya> "Let's take a look at the marketplace!" Skaya proposes. "See the sights, hear the rumors, hold on to your money bags. Fun times?"
21:10 <Devar> Devar will mention to the others who it was who 'came to their rescue' - just so they know in case they see him again. "Sure thing, though our money bags are rather light at the moment."
21:13 <•Kotono> "It wouldn't hur tto shop, though I imagine the shops are strained thanks to the war," Sanda points out, "At least the ones we're interested in."
21:14 <Skaya> "You never know! Most of the focus is on the war, but we have interests beyond it."
21:20 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay then, what sort of shopping doyou have in minds. Also give me diplo for GIing if you're looking to hear the rumors.
21:20 <Skaya> OOC: Diplo 10 for 25
21:23 <Skaya> OOC: Is there a Diplo booster for purchase? Pink ioun stone (+2 Con)?
21:23 <Skaya> OOC: Amulet of Health +2? Amulet of Mighty Fists +1?
21:24 <Devar> OOC: Devar is poor so he isn't looking for anything. :(
21:29 <•Kotono> First of all, rumors. It's all about the war. Buzz is that Mellanics negotiated a surrender of some kind. Reports vary a lot, but at the last Fyner has been lost. The people are down about it, the mood somber and angry beneath that. There's rumors that the front with Eis is about to collapse, or Eis is about to collapse, or that Girm might enter the war, or that Welland will enter the war on
21:29 <•Kotono> Laremy's side, or a dozen other variants like that. (More)
21:31 <•Kotono> There's rumors that something big happened in the throne room today. A hero fell from the Queen's favor, and others entered into it. Picke, a hero of Mellanics, was disgraced and confined to the Widow's Tower. Some say he surrendered on the southern front, others say he said something to displease Her Majesty. (More)
21:32 <•Kotono> Whispers of food shortages can be heard - that infiltrators from Eis have set farms and crops on fire. It buzzes that food will get tight and be tighter during the winter, and that prices are going to rise rapidly. (More)
21:33 <•Kotono> There was a shooting star last night,a nd everyone say it's an omen. That one nation will fall from grace soon and be defeated. Some thing it's a good sign for Laremy, some the opposite, but tension shimmers and simmers deep within.
21:34 <Skaya> "A shooting star, huh?" Skaya muses as she munches on a local confectionary. "I don't recall seeing one. Did you guys?"
21:35 <Devar> "I didn't." Devar says. "But I don't really spend a lot of time outside anyway if I can help it."
21:36 <•Kotono> "I didn't," Rina says, "I did a little stargazing last night, too."
21:37 <•Kotono> "I didn't, either," Sanda adds in, munching on some fried dough on a stick - simple but a pleasant luxury.
21:37 <•Kotono> "Doesn't mean it didn't happen," Rina says, "But sometimes rumors take life like that."
21:38 <Skaya> "Yes. It does make one wonder where the rumor originated," Skaya says with a shrug. "The rumors about crops set on fire are worse, really. We'll have to find out if that's been happening."
21:40 <Devar> "It could've been someone flying and scouting in the night." Devar suggests. "We can't assume we're the only ones who have that luxury - and there's spells to do it too." He nods to Skaya. "The good news is we're prepared for that."
21:41 <Skaya> "It won't possibly be enough if there's mass-scale sabotage like that happening."
21:42 <•Kotono> "It's also possible that's panic," Rina reasons, "But it makes too much sense if you're an amoral monster."
21:42 <•Kotono> "Or someone who knows a bad winter is coming," Sanda points out at that, a nibble of her bread after, then offering it up if anyone wants a bite.
21:44 <Devar> "I'm not sure what the limitations of it are, so best not to find out." Devar says with a nod. "But still, if we can stop that from happening, we ought to."
21:48 <•Kotono> Some general agreement to that, as, "So, magic shops next?" Rina offers.
21:49 <Skaya> "We can't be remiss!"
21:52 <•Kotono> roll 1d100
21:52 <Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=49 ]{49}
21:52 <•Kotono> OOC: Okay, besides what was listed above, any shopping priorities?
21:53 <•Kotono> OOC: Rina's good off as well if someone wants to bororw.
21:53 <Skaya> OOC: If there's anything fitting for factotums
21:54 <Devar> OOC: I think Devar's pretty set unless there's something special that turned up somehow.
21:56 <•Kotono> OOC: Sure and oh wow, it's just about session end. We'll cover this later today on boards. Cor, post your wish list and roll a d100 for each of them. I'll sort that out. Nag me if no post about it tomorrow.
21:57 <•Kotono> OOC: Pickings are going to be rough due to the current situation, just warning y'all now.
21:58 <Skaya> -----
21:58 <Skaya> Diplo booster
21:58 <Skaya> roll 1d100 diplo booster
21:58 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d100 diplo booster --> [ 1d100=31 ]{31}
21:58 <Skaya> roll 1d100 pink ioun stone (+2 con)
21:58 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d100 pink ioun stone (+2 con) --> [ 1d100=46 ]{46}
21:58 <Skaya> roll 1d100 amulet of health +2
21:58 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d100 amulet of health +2 --> [ 1d100=65 ]{65}
21:59 <Skaya> roll 1d100 amulet of mighty fists +1
21:59 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d100 amulet of mighty fists +1 --> [ 1d100=31 ]{31}
21:59 <Skaya> roll 1d100 cool factotum stuff
21:59 <Kobot> Skaya rolled 1d100 cool factotum stuff --> [ 1d100=92 ]{92}

#30

Mini Game Logs / Re: Chasing Picke 019

Last post by Corwin - November 14, 2025, 12:07:16 PM

19:03 <•Kotono> Through the streets - a thong of people and soldiers. The quiet buzz and worry of war. You pass by corners where armored men and women stand. "War! War is here! Those of good Laremy blood, come and answer the call of Tempus for WAR! Defend ourselves from Eis's aggressive treachery!" You hear this shouted as you go by, always at least a few people lingering. Melissine glances at them as she
19:03 <•Kotono> goes, and as if making conversation casually, "Her Majesty doesn't have to order them to do that, but they understand what they need to do without being told."
19:04 <Devar> Devar stays particularly silent during this part of the trip.
19:05 <Skaya> Well, it is a war. Tempus should be happy.
19:05 <•Kotono> Sanda does as well, eyes lingering. Rina shakes her head, "And it makes the Tempus's followers all the more useful to the crown, doesn't it?
19:06 <•Kotono> "Naturally," Your guide agrees as you ride past another. "Influence flows uphill towards power."
19:10 <•Kotono> Rina doesn't answer. Her expression is thoughtful as she mulls that over, but on you ride. Street after street. Each inner wall is a checkpoint to pass, guarded and maintained. From houses to shops, to guild halls and closer to the castle, temples. Each a large building, each well maintained. "This is the Castle's Shadow, and where by tradition all temples are built, then pushed out when
19:10 <•Kotono> expansion of Maldaen Castle mandates it. The greater gatherings have their own temples, and the smaller ones divide up temples for shared use."
19:10 — Skaya prevents herself from laughing helplessly, presenting only a politely curious appearance. The two who should absolutely not talk did not take that advice to heart one bit!
19:11 <Skaya> "Who belongs to the greater gatherings?" she asks.
19:11 <•Kotono> Somehow Sanda stays quiet as well. Rina hmms, "I'll have to look into this when I have some time," she says, thoughtfully.
19:16 <•Kotono> "Several. I don't know them all offhand, but I know the Warheart is here, for Tempus, with lesser wings for the Red Knight and Garagos." She gestures, "Lathander, Selune, Oghma have temples. Mystra, Waukeen. Many of those who came from the Godsrush have shared temples, as there are several groups: The Cauldron, Sylica, Hope's Landing and others. Others do not but have presence: Chauntea I
19:16 <•Kotono> understand is one. Tyr, Ilmater and the like are also well received, and there is a library-temple to one known as Erathaol.""
19:17 <•Kotono> Shaking her head in thought as she rides, "The last I only know of because I once had reason to seek entry. They are secretive, but not a secret as much as," She considers, "Quiet."
19:19 <Skaya> Maybe they should've called for Anne... but maybe that won't matter. "Because you don't want to run a nation through prophecy?"
19:20 <•Kotono> "You know of them?" A note of unhidden surprise in Melissine's voice, "I'm surprised, few do. That library, something is strange of it. Too quiet, too unnoticed even where it is. Not even the bard's whispers and innkeep's fancies about it."
19:21 <Skaya> "I'm well-read. Never met one before, though. Never even imagined I'd be able to run into one here."
19:22 <•Kotono> Melissine nods, "You know of it now, and that is enough. We are grateful, heroes." Her words are different for a moment, deeper, then she blinks and rides on, undisturbed.
19:23 <•Kotono> Rina's entire posture changes in an instant, alert. She doesn't say a word, but instead turns to Skaya and Devar. "Did she...?" she mouths to them.
19:24 — Skaya nods at Rina.
19:25 <•Kotono> Rina nods back and murmurs, "Later," and ride son.
19:25 <Devar> Devar nods as well, following along.
19:28 <•Kotono> At last, the castle gates. They open wide, a grand entrance into a court yard. Stone paths, down corridors and off horses. Deeper in yet. You walk and walk, past inner gate after inner gate. Ten minutes of walking. Fifteen. Soldiers. Pages. Maids. Workers. On the castle stretches as you go, through decorated hall. On them weapons hang primarily, many with plaques beneath them. "Weapons from
19:28 <•Kotono> past wars taken as plunder are hung here, to show the strength of the the dynasty," Meilssine commentates as you walk, "Many with a story."
19:29 <Skaya> "Magical ones, too?"
19:31 <•Kotono> "Not here,"
19:31 <•Kotono> OOC: Gah.
19:31 <•Kotono> "Not here," Melissine comments, "Too much temptation for thieves."
19:33 — Skaya nods in understanding.
19:35 <•Kotono> Deeper and deeper. A half hour of walking. Further and further in, a steady clip, until you slip from the main path and into some rooms right off of it. It looks to be a small room to several other rooms. "Rooms to wash and cleanse yourself. Bathing supplies are in each room. Partake of them," she gestures, "We will not offend Her Majesty by showing up unwashed without good cause."
19:37 <Devar> Devar will go to one of them, assuming the ladies will want to be separate for this part!
19:37 <•Kotono> "Water after all this heat, lovely," Sanda comments as she goes. Rina almost smiles, but instead lingers a moment. "Say," she murmurs to Skaya and Devar, quietly. "I'm hoping what just happened is a good sign."
19:39 <Skaya> "Our guide is trustworthy, or at least that's what I'm assuming," Skaya responds quietly before following Sanda's example and heading into a room. Cleaning up after travel is so nice!
19:40 <Devar> Devar will likewise clean himself up, and use Prestidigitation for anything that a quick wash and cleanse wouldn't fix.
19:42 <•Kotono> IT is. A chance to refresh and change clothes is good. It's not long, but enough to get things done. You find your guide is out of her armor now. She has short brown hair, a bit ragged, and a quiet look to her. She's rather plain if anything, but moves with strength and grace. She wears a dress, if one stripped down enough not to overly hinder her. "Now then, let us present ourselves to Her
19:42 <•Kotono> Majesty."
19:43 <Devar> "Besides the whole 'kneel down and wait to be called on' is there any other decorum we should be aware of?" Devar asks.
19:43 <•Kotono> "Do not speak out of turn. If in doubt of a title, defer respectfully," Is the answer, "Do what you are told without question, unless the reason is great."
19:45 <Devar> "Simple enough." Devar says.
19:45 <•Kotono> "Then I suppose I'm ready," Sanda announces, "To see the Queen. Statistically speaking, I think we have good odds."
19:49 <Devar> Devar nods, looking to the others to see if they have any questions.
19:49 <Skaya> "I'm as ready as I can be," Skaya assures Devar.
19:52 <•Kotono> With no more talk, the party proceeds onwards. To a grand, open hall. One easily three or four stories from floor to roof, all open in  beautiful, arching domes. In the domes are tiled works of art, mosaics. Here images of mightly leaders crushing all against them can be seen. A warrior-king with battle axe, leading a charge. A knight-king, who leads a thundering charge. An archer-queen, who
19:52 <•Kotono> rains arrows down.These are broken up by large glass windows in the ceiling, which let in sunlight. Far too much sunlight, leaving the entire room as bright as noon. The room itself is as long as a field, and a purple, red and blue swirled carpet, large enough for a half dozen riders to pass side by side on it, leads from door to throne. On the sides of this carpet path stand armored soldiers.
19:52 <•Kotono> There must be a hundred, easily, each at attention. All have stout shield nad weapon at ready, from short swords to massive axes, flails or blades. Past them crowds linger. Hundreds watchinga nd murmuring, most well dressed and kept. (More)
19:57 <•Kotono> Here, at the heart of Laremy's authority, stairs lead to the throne. A tall throne of white and gray stone, polished well and with deep cushions. Here sits one woman. A woman with blonde hair sits there, long and kept back in a bun. She sits, hands in her lap and a bladed scepter on her lap. She is dressed in a gown of unrelenting black and gray. None stand besides the throne as the Queen sits.
19:57 <•Kotono> "Your Majesty!" Melissine greets, taking close but not too close and kneeling. "We present ourselves to you. As requested, I have brought the heroes of Welland, save for Anne of Moore, who was not with them."
19:58 <•Kotono> Rina kneels as well, head bowed. Sanda quickly copies her, doing the same.
19:58 <Devar> Devar moves to the side to give the others room and kneels down next to the others, bowing his head all the same.
19:59 — Skaya kneels next to Sanda, lowering her head before the monarch.
20:01 <•Kotono> The Queen gazes on all of you, "I am pleased that you have come in our dark hour of need. Though I had hoped for all of you. Where is Anne of Moore? Laremy needs healers most of all, to restore her good soldiers." Say what you will, but she has a good voice. Strong, trained and it carries.
20:01 <•Kotono> "My understanding is that she stays in Mellanics to see to the orphaned, as is her calling," Your guide responds.
20:03 <Skaya> So far, so good. But since Melissine is the one responding, they clearly weren't addressed and should keep silent until they are.
20:04 <Devar> Devar continues to stay silent!
20:04 <•Kotono> A weary sigh from the Queen, "Then I decree that Anne of Moore be summoned here. Better late than never, as it is said." An unintrusive page nearby bows and immediately departs on that command. "While I am grateful you have answered Laremy's call for aid, I ask of you this: Why did you linger north so long when war had erupted? Is it not the duty of every patriot to rush to Laremy's bosom at
20:04 <•Kotono> such a time?" Her gaze alights on the party, "I wish to hear it from one of you heroes directly, as to your reasons."
20:05 <•Kotono> Sanda starts to open her mouth, but Rina subtly reaches out and pinches her side.
20:05 <Skaya> 'Do you want to answer this or should I?' Skaya thinks to Devar.
20:06 <Devar> 'I think if I do it may poison the well in some regard because they'll blame it on Eldath. I say you, unless you think it will go over better because it's me.' He thinks back.
20:09 <Skaya> 'Got it,' Skaya responds mentally to Devar, before saying, "Your Majesty, is it not as a direct result of our actions that Welland has stayed neutral in this war? Isn't it good that a monster lead by the lower planes was prevented from releasing more plagues to spread? Such things care little for national borders or human laws. We were pursuing that criminal on an official task from Laremy after many lives were lost to him here."
20:10 <•Kotono> The Queen inclines her head. Acknowledgment at least, maybe even agreement. "And vengeance as well?" A look to Rina, "Did you avenge the theft of your brother and a good man of Laremy from yourself and from Laremy?"
20:13 <•Kotono> "Yes." Rina looks up, "Brachidos started a war with us, and we ended it. Regis rests peacefully now, as do all of the victims Brachidos stole from us. I was entrusted with this mission, Your Majesty, and I tell you that we succeeded."
20:14 <•Kotono> Another inclination of her head. "And you. Sanda, common shopkeeper. You took up arms in the great tradition of Laremy and proved your martial might. Like many others, you forsook peace for the call of steel, spell and war. You have tasted the first two, are you prepared for the last?"
20:18 <•Kotono> Sanda very quietly gulps, only audible to Skaya really. "I did, and I hope I am," she answers, "But who can know war until they see it themselves? Statistically speaking, that is."
20:19 <Skaya> Ah, Sanda. So adorable! If they get through this alright, she'll buy her some delicious local desserts.
20:21 <•Kotono> The Queen seems perplexed a moment, "You are a good daughter of Laremy. The odds favor you," She finally says, and after a moment, "But we have a greater matter to discuss." There's a pause, "Are you heroes, or are you traitors worthy of the noose?"
20:23 <•Kotono> At this, the crowd nearby parts. Picke emerges - in perfectly fine health andin good clothes. He gives the group a quietly resigned look as he joins you and kneels, but murmurs softly, "I'd hoped you'd take the hint with the gate guards at Mellanics."
20:23 <Skaya> "How could we be traitors, Your Majesty?" Skaya responds since it seems they were asked, ignoring Picke.
20:25 <•Kotono> "Picke insisted that the choices to make a peace on his own initiatve was his alone. Yet the freshly returned heroes are thick with him now, and directly responsible for events as I understand them." She considers, "I have had several call for your heads, and that giving up land was a gross betrayal, but I would hear it from your own mouths, just as I have heard it from Picke's."
20:29 <Devar> Since Skaya had been talking already, he leaves it up to her - if she wants him to say anything they've talked mentally already!
20:30 <Skaya> "Of course, Your Majesty. The truth is, as always, resting somewhere in between. While Sir Picke made the decision, being the only one able of making it, the plan he followed was actually mine. With only minor changes, Sir Picke executed it successfully and prevented Laremy from being cut off in two by an invading army that neither Mellanics nor Laremy was in position to militarily stop even with our efforts. More nations would be
20:30 <Skaya> prevented from joining the war, opening yet another front. And the enemy even gave up land they had already seized, including the crucial town of Newkingsland. Now, Your Majesty could lead Laremy to deal with our main foe, Eis, without any distractions. As for the border town of Fyner, it was seized just three decades ago. Retrieving it again should prove no issue afterwards, if Her Majesty so wishes even after hearing Sir Picke
20:30 <Skaya> describe the coming draught and hunger during winter, courtesy of Auril."
20:34 <•Kotono> At that there's a murmur amid everyone. The Queen is still, but Picke takes that chance. "We have been told from above that a terrible window is coming. Auril seeks to pounce in our moments of weakness, and lay everyone in Laremy low, and all the nations around them. There is no chance to win here, and it is this revelation that helped force the Free Cities to the peace table. I could not in
20:34 <•Kotono> good conscience allow this to happen, and see Laremy risk internal revolt and collapse, or complete military defeat."
20:35 <•Kotono> *winter, not window
20:36 <Skaya> "I tend to believe the direct instructions of Shaukdakul, and in this matter there were other gods who made direct miracles in support," Skaya picks up after Picke. "Your Majesty, would it help if I were to add that I have received another augury prior to returning to Laremy? The fall of Mellanics was imminent, a matter of hours."
20:39 <•Kotono> "I see." The Queen is silent at that. A pause to think, perhaps. "Perhaps that was so, the situation was dire. Still, that is not all. You confess and accept you lied to me, Picke?" The Queen asks then. She sighs, "No. You lied so that your allies would look better when they spoke this, didn't you? So that your charges would come out of this well, even if you didn't. Let them speak of all this
20:39 <•Kotono> when they came, and be seen as good, loyal sons and daughters of Laremy?"
20:42 <•Kotono> Picke is completely still. He doesn't say a word, but perhaps that says everything. "I thought so." The Queen continues, "I'm inclined to believe your claims, Skaya."
20:44 <Skaya> "Thank you, Your Majesty," Skaya says gratefully. It helps that she is truthful, and that it shouldn't be that hard to confirm some of her claims. As for the detractors, a queen would know the politics guiding them and the military situation better than her.
20:45 <•Kotono> "Heroes do as heroes do. While some might call for you to face justice, the simple truth is that you acted in good faith and were not the one who had the authority vested in him. The blame shall not be yours. Listen, all here. By my royal right as Ellaine Laremy, I grant Skaya, Rina, Devar, Sanda and Anne a royal pardon for any deeds committed in this peace offering, unless they have lied to
20:45 <•Kotono> me and concealed other wrongdoing, at which point the pardon is nullified."
20:47 <Skaya> This is why you don't lie to your queen! But Picke and Milla are not mentioned. Perhaps Milla is not even implicated, so does that only leave her father?
20:49 <•Kotono> "For now I have no choice, no matter your motives. Picke, I order you imprisoned in the Widow's Tower until I pass further judgment." The Queen sits back, heavily, as your guide continues to stay quiet.
20:49 — Skaya glances at their guide out of the corner of her eye. Can she get away with speaking here?
20:50 <•Kotono> Melissine is quiet, head bowed and keeping her place. No help there.
20:50 — Skaya suppresses her innate desire for action and keep quiet for now. There will be a chance to speak! She's sure of it!
20:51 <•Kotono> Quietly, a murmur, "Before the war, she was never this sharp, this canny. She's changed." Picke manages, voice softly carrying. "She wasn't half this smart before. Something's changed, she's not a weak ruler now, be careful." He then rises as guards come and follows without a fuss, only the murmurs of all watching.
20:51 <Devar> Well, he also was just imprisoned and not outright given an execution sentence, so that's a plus.
20:58 <•Kotono> Once Picke is gone, "Hear this: All of you are called on in Laremy's time of need," The Queen continues, "You will participate on the war against Eis, in positions to be determined. However, I want to know more about this winter and drought first."
20:58 <•Kotono> Sanda looks down but grimaces, as Rina whispers something too quiet for anyone to hear.
21:02 <Skaya> "There has been undue interference with this world recently," Skaya responds at the obvious prompt. "From Brachidos, in service of the lower planes, to Talona's agents having a conflict with him due to his large-scale actions disrupting their own plans. The lates in this crop, Your Majesty, is Auril. The plan is simplicity itself, a harsh winter unseen in centuries, to cause great suffering, famine and death. We suspect it is only a
21:02 <Skaya> prelude for more, but even on its own should we add the difficulties of war into this equation, this winter would be difficult for your citizens to surpass. And come spring, supporting an army would be even more difficult still."
21:05 <•Kotono> "Then the war will be won or lost, for all sides, in the next month or two," The Queen reasons, "And all sides may well lose then. The only choice is to force Eis to surrender."
21:08 <Skaya> Perhaps there is more of an opening to diplomacy, but this is not the time or the place to suggest such. If Queen Ellaine wishes for Skaya to become a strategist or general, that's one thing. But offering half-assed advice during an audience such as this would be silly.
21:10 <Devar> Devar continues his silence!
21:10 <•Kotono> "Is that all, then?" The Queen looks to you, "With all that is happened, is there anything else that you wish to speak of, heroes?"
21:13 <Devar> 'I don't think my speaking up about anything is going to help here.' Devar thinks to Skaya.
21:14 <Skaya> And there it is! Now Skaya will see if she's an idiot.
21:14 <Skaya> "Your Majesty, there was one matter I wished to bring up. With your gracious permission, I will ask. Is it possible to defer Sir Picke's judgement? I too believe that a swift military victory will be best, and he was greatly feared on the southern battlefield. Would it not benefit Laremy to have him trying to regain his honor on the battlefield anew? I ask this because I believe there is a difference between a man making the wrong
21:14 <Skaya> choice that would bring rightful charges upon him, and a man truly betraying his kingdom in his heart and scheming against his queen."
21:19 <•Kotono> "This is not an unreasonable request, but I will not make further judgment until I have had more time to consider everything," The Queen declares.
21:20 <Skaya> "I thank Her Majesty for listening to this impertinent request," Skaya says, bowing her head even lower.
21:27 <•Kotono> "Then you are dismissed," The Queen commands, and your guide rises. "Follow," she murmurs to all of you.
21:28 <Skaya> After performing a curtsy, Skaya follows Melissine.
21:28 <Devar> Devar will rise after their guide does and offer a bow after Skaya before turning to follow them out.
21:29 <•Kotono> Once out Sanda sags with relief, almost toppling over. Rina lends her a shoulder as she breathes out, "So stressful."
21:30 <Devar> "You both have fought an actual dragon." Devar says with a small smile. "It wasn't that bad."
21:30 <Skaya> "It was really exciting!" Skaya admits quietly, all hyper now that they're out of that official situation.
21:30 <•Kotono> Melissine leads you along, "I'll see to some quarters for you while command figures out where you're best used," she says, "Though I overheard what Picke said. Her Majesty has risen to the occasion, as many other monarchs of her family have in times of war."
21:31 <•Kotono> "Also, by the numbers I'm absolutely furious at Picke," Sanda sniffs, "Did he plan all of this to take the blame himself and make sure we came out well?"
21:31 <Skaya> "Is there a shortage of healers?" Skaya asks her. "To the point where despite all these grand churches here, Anne would be needed?"
21:31 <•Kotono> "War demands much," Melissine says, "There's always need for more healers."
21:32 <Skaya> At Sanda's words, Skaya blinks, "That is absolutely the reason someone might claim sole responsibility over something." Such as how Skaya had just then.
21:33 <•Kotono> Rina rubs the side of her head, "You know, he sent that letter that suggested we avoid the war, and has gone out of his way to protect us from it."
21:35 <Devar> "We knew what we were getting into." Devar says.
21:36 <Skaya> "I don't think there are particularly good choices here. Except being healers?" Skaya proposes. "Devar, Anne and I can heal. Rina and Sanda learned some first aid on our journey. We can even be battlefield healers and rescue wounded soldiers to bring them back to the medical tents. How about operating a team like that? After all, there's always a need for more healers."
21:36 <•Kotono> "IF we can convince whomever makes the choice," Rina comments, "If we're in the army now, we probably don't have the choice ourselves. We might have some leeway because we're heroes, but..."
21:37 <•Kotono> Melissine looks more amused than anything, "You did know what you were getting into. Congratulations on not drowning in there."
21:38 <Devar> "My healing is rather limited. It's too bad we can't make use of that dragon's treasure, but there's nothing for it." Devar says.
21:41 <Skaya> "It's fine. A rescue squad would be so good! It'll prove its usefulness!"
21:41 <Devar> "Actually, if healing is that dire, I may have an idea, but we'd need to talk to someone who could make financial decisions." Devar says. "I guess we need permission to go anywhere now, or something like that."
21:42 <•Kotono> "I'll take you to your quarters," Melissine says, as you're lead along. OOC: More.
21:46 <•Kotono> Your quarters are nice pair of rooms. Not small but not large, enough space. "It's shared rooms at war," she explains, "But I think all o fyou want to be kept together, at least for now."
21:47 <Skaya> "It's very convenient for us. Thank you so much!"
21:48 <Devar> "Do you have any idea how long it'll be before we get some sort of assignment?" Devar asks.
21:50 <•Kotono> "A day, perhaps two." Is the answer, "Unusually long, but arguments will be had. Good luck," A nod and you're all left to your own devices. Sanda stumbles to a seat and plops down, "Well, here we go."
21:51 <Skaya> "I'm so proud of you right now!" Skaya exclaims, hugging Sanda.
21:51 <•Kotono> Sanda blinks, "For what?"
21:51 <Skaya> "For letting me be the one to say the risky stuff!"
21:55 <Devar> "Right, so I have a question, since we're all here - well, minus Anne, but I'm sure she'll get here eventually." Devar says. "There's a store - I think I mentioned this already, but it was in the underwater city we went to - I imagine they may carry something that could be helpful, if we wanted to go there. There's also the matter of the treasures I think you two could find - it's why I wanted
21:55 <Devar> to ask someone here if they'd give us some money to go and do some shopping... but ultimately I really don't want us tied up in this, but it's too late for that, so I'm not going to sit and be mopey about war."
21:55 <•Kotono> The answer comes...next time! OOC: Okay, I want to pause us before a new conversation gets going, since I'm tired and want a bit of downtime to mull over how this went. Pieces in the air.
21:55 <Skaya> "I actually think it could be a worthy cause to be healers in this war," Skaya voices, letting go of Sanda. "Certainly, the riches are interesting, but they can wait."