Liiros is annoyed as his gauntleted hands slip and he fails to secure Shealis' hands. But at least Korrin managed to follow through, he thinks.
"You have conspired with tyrants against the freedom Corellon wishes for us all! You endanger Shahalesti! Repent and surrender to us, that you may be forgiven and returned to the Homeland! Return what you stole from the gnome Badgerface!" the well-armored elf says angrily, in Elven.
He tries to wrestle and pin down the other male elf since Korrin has Shealis restrained at the moment.
ooc
Grapple attempt on the male elf, applying the Guidance to his touch attack. InvisibleCastle continues to hate me. 13 melee touch and 11 grapple, for 4 nonlethal damage to the male elf if I somehow succeed. For reference, Liiros threatens an area with his shield, though if he gets any AoOs later with a shield bash they'll probably miss anyway.....
Liiros has the same luck as his first grapple attempt. He grabs the male elf easily, but like Shealis did he squirms out of Liiros' grasp.
OOC:
Also, everyone who talks to the elves (as opposed to at them) from now on should include a diplomacy check, as well as whether you're rolling for yourself or trying to aid another.
With his companions grappling the two elves, Hollister dared not blast them with flame, for fear of injuring his friends. Instead, he prepared to cast magic missile, knowing it would unerringly seek out its foe without harming a companion.
AC: 16, HP: 11
Initiative: 12
Ready action: Cast Magic Missile if one of the elves attempts a spell.
"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death." -Robert Fulghum
"Get your hands off her!" the male elf shouts. He starts to rise and draw his rapier when Hollister shoots him with a magic missile.
"Larion, stop!" Shealis says. "I think our assailants are fools, not enemies. If you'll close the door so that we have some privacy, I'll explain," she says to the party.
Torrent looks at the party and then cautiously closes the door while watching the two elves. Larion sits on the bed, fuming.
Shealis says, "I don't know how you think you're helping Shahalesti. I can only assume you don't realize that we are serving King Shaaladel* with our mission. Let us go, so that we may complete our mission for His Majesty."
* You all recognize King Shaaladel as the name of the King of Shahalesti
"You'll have to do better than that, Shealis," says Hollister, his hand still held in the air, flames crackling over his fingers. "Why did this elf assault us at the depository, and why did he steal something that we need to complete our own mission?"
OOC: I really need to find a way for Hollister to get intimidate as a class skill...it would fit him! LOL.
__________________ -Rhun
"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death." -Robert Fulghum
Shealis look at Larion. He says, "Before Coaltongue died, King Shaaladel was a close companion of his, and well respected by his armies. He should have succeeded Coaltongue, not Supreme Inqusitor Leska. Instead, Leska grabbed control of the Ragesian armies and said she'd use them to punish Shahalesti and Sindaire for Coaltongue's death.
"Shahalesti had nothing to do with Coaltongue's death! Blaming Shahelesti is just a excuse for Leska to take control of Ragesia. The case contains secrets from Leska's court that might help the King defeat the Ragesian army or supplant Leska as Coaltongue's heir."
Shealis says, "Larion may have said a little too much, but he's right. Shahalesti needs what was in that case. Larion told me the only person he killed in the depository tower was an evil half-orc. We're not fighting back now. It's obvious we're on your side."
Torrent shakes her head. "And what about Sindaire? Doesn't it matter that they'll be crushed under Ragesia's boot? Or if not Sindaire, I'm sure other countries will be attacked by the Ragesian armies. The Resistance needs that case back so we can help everyone defeat Ragesia."
Liiros stops trying to apprehend the other elves and listens to their explanation. He considers it silently for a moment. His intuition tells him nothing, as he's naturally inclined to beleive the elves but conflicted with his pledge to carry out this mission to help the Resistance.
Eventually, he says "We cannot leave Gate Pass and other countries to suffer under the Scourge on the hope that you are truthful and will deliver this to the King. And that the Ragessians will even accept his claim, especially while Leska is in control of the Scourge. Perhaps the documents may be copied? It is not a preferable solution, but we cannot both take the materials. I am sure Hollister and the rest can scribe quickly after all their practice cooped up in dreary places such as this rather than enjoying the outdoors......not that there's much to enjoy of Gate Pass' outdoors......"
"I can't say I object to your plan in principle, but I wouldn't count on it working," Shealis says. "Rivereye said the case was trapped."
"It sounded like he was worried we'd destroy the case's contents," Larion interupts.
Shealis gives Larion a flat look. "Regardless, I don't want to lose what's in the case. We're taking it to Shahalesti, where more powerful mages will disarm the traps."
OOC
Yeah, Liiros doesn't get the feeling that the other elves are playing him, or anything else of interest.
Hollister looks at Torrent. "Torrent, as the only true member of the resistance here, your words would carry some weight. How would you like to handle this situation?"
__________________ -Rhun
"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death." -Robert Fulghum
Korrin turns to Hollister and asks "I have some minor training in opening trapped objects, but I can't remove magical wards. Have you some power to tell if something magical is on it?"
"Of course," says Hollister. With that, the wizard speaks a few arcane words. As he completes the spell, his eyes flare a fiery red, and Hollister turns his gaze upon the case.
AC: 16, HP: 11
Cast detect magic, concentrate for 3 rounds to learn all he may of the case, assuming it is magic.
"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death." -Robert Fulghum
OOC: The case everyone is talking about is not present, or at least you haven't seen it yet.
Torrent takes a deep breath. "I realize these are your people, Liiros. But no matter who's in charge of it, the Ragesian Empire is a bad thing. Even if your king ends up running it.
"But. Leska is the one who's attacking Gate Pass, not Shaaladel. And right now, I'm okay with pretty much anyone going after Leska, even if they want to take control themselves. So I'm fine with your plan, Liiros."
Still held down by Korrin, Shealis says, "I'm not risking what's in that case, human."
"Not an issue," Torrent says. "I can handle the trap. You know I don't want to lose what's in the case, either."
Liiros listens to Torrent and then the other elves, and says "Allow Torrent to try dispelling any magic wards on case...... We cannot bring the Resistance nothing, and those documents could be important in saving other countries from Gate Pass' fate. And who's to say the Scourge won't invade Shahalesti next, once they've moved through Gate Pass? The cowards leading this city have already capitulated with nary a fight. If Shahalesti needs aid, the information in those documents could be helpful in convincing other countries to move against Ragessia and keep the Scourge divided."
"I concur. Let Torrent open the case, and let us find out what is so important to the Ragessians."
__________________ -Rhun
"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death." -Robert Fulghum
Torrent looks at Korrin. "Huh? No, I don't know Shealis. I've heard about Shahalesti and King Shaaladel from other Resistance members, that's all."
Shealis and Larion stand up. "The scroll is in one of the elvish ghettos* in the city. We'll take you there," Shealis says.
As everyone leaves the room Diogenes enters the hallway from the kitchen. "Oh, hi, Hollister," he says. "I was hoping you'd come by the school. Do you have a minute? I've got a couple more quick questions about that fire spell we were talking about yesterday. It'll only take a second, and I'd hate to never get this worked out."
* This is exactly the term from the mod and, I think, the player's guide.
Liiros draws his longsword and faces 'Diogenes'. "Why do you greet him as though you haven't already seen him today? You already lead us inside the school to begin with. Speak! Are you another imposter?"
Hollister shakes his head at Liiros' response. Obviously the warrior didn't understand subtlety. His schoolmate just obviously didn't want Shealis to know he was part of the Resistance. Hollister pushes past the elf and grabs Diogenes by the arm. "Yes, of course...always good to see you my friend." He leads Diogenes a bit further down the hall, so that they can talk without being overheard.
__________________ -Rhun
"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death." -Robert Fulghum
Diogenes and Hollister go into the kitchen at the end of the hallway. "So, what happened?" he asks. "Where are you all going together?"
Back in the hallway, Shealis stares daggers at Diogenes as he walks away. When he and Hollister are in the kitchen, she looks back at the party. "Did Diogenes put you up to this?" she asks slowly.
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