The below can be unpacked by way of conversation with Dame Naquel on the way to Lucann. I'll let you and Lucann/Campbell sort out the rest together.
We don't yet know in exactly what circumstances she left the Tower on the occasion.
The knights, laborers and ranger set out after the destruction of the tower to:
a) entreat the king and his military leaders for worthy men who were willing and able to take on the burden of the Iron Tower's oaths. This was the paramount concern after the dark forces took the tower and claimed so many lives.
and
b) resupply.
This was before you intercepted her on the road and provided her instruction.
According to her, three days ago Thurgon met with her in The Great Halls of King's Long Dead beneath the King's Mount. Quinn took her down there in secret "as your envoy was to be kept hidden from the light's taint as the king's lack of temperance could not be trusted with the administration of justice" (the bit in quotes is a bit opaque to me - had Quinn kept her hidden in the tombs the whole time?)
Upon arriving on the outskirts of the city, they were again intercepted. This time by Quinn by way of Aramina. She is studying The Great Mysteries under his tutelage. Dame Naquel lets you know that she is well and is very grateful to you for the personal recommendation of apprenticeship to such an accomplished mage as Quinn.
Aramina told her of the King's disposition. He is overtaken by grief, inconsolable, and taken by fits of rage. His only concern seems to be bringing Lucann and the dryad to swift and final justice. The rest of the affairs of the city, even the intermittent attacks of the dragon's throng, are beyond him at this point. Further, as his thoughts have coalesced on the matter, his inclination toward the Iron Tower has grown disfavorable. He has even been prone to irrationally implying that they were complicit in the egress of the the two outlaws.
Despite Thurgon and Theren's actions on the battlefield in routing the dragon's forces, now is not a favorable time to beseech the king in aiding the Iron Tower. The rest of the Iron Tower envoy were stationed outside of the city's walls to go about the business of resupplying in relative anonymity. Dame Naquel was secreted away to await the response from you after Quinn sent you a magical missive relaying the situation. That response was the one she spoke of (referred to above).
She thought the usage by Quinn of "hidden from the light's tant" was an odd one. She thought it odder still when you used the same phraseology when addressing her in the tomb. But it is not for her to wonder why. It is but for her to do and die so she didn't question it.
Lucann returned to the city to find the gates closd. Dame Naquel was waiting for him, with men of the Iron Tower and a wagon ready. How did she know that Lucann would be there? How does her presence there relate to Quinn taking her into (and hiding her in?) the tombs?
The afformentioned vision predicted it.
A group of soldiers from the city, led by Master of Arms Dunderman, wanted to stop Lucann and Dame Naquel from leaving. It's not clear to me whether they also were waiting, or whether the guards on the walls alerted them.
This is mere coincidence by her reckoning of things. But not much of one. The King has set a high reward for Lucann and the dryad. Highwaymen, common soldiers, and the glory-hound Master of Arms Dunderman have been at high alert since that public pronouncement of his public enemy number one status.
I'll let you and @
Campbell puzzle over ther est because it is beyond Dame Naquel.
@
Manbearcat , with these thoughts in mind Thurgon goes to meet with Lucann. I'll deal with that bit in the next post (which also has a slight retcon - I'm hoping the modest retcon is OK, but it was only as I was trying to piece everything together that I got a proper handle on exactly what is going on).
Not only do I not mind, but its necessary now and then (especially given the format).
In character:
Dame Naquel and Thurgon reach the room where Lucann is imprisoned. At a gesture from Thurgon the guard on duty leaves his post. Thugon invites Dame Naquel to open the door - as she does so, and hence turns away from him, he uses his True Sight to try and see if she has the crystal on her person.
Assuming that Thurgon can also still see the ethereal presence of the Dark Fey with Quinn's eyes, and worried about the possibility that Quinn might be reading his very thoughts, Thurgon first blesses himself - "Oh Lord of Battle, lend me your strength of body and of mind" - and then shouts a command - "Spirit of darkness, begone! The Iron Tower is my home, not yours! Leave in peace those who dwell within it."
Moves:
By my reading of the rules, the Bless spell can't be used to help give an order, as giving an order is not a combat action. But if you are more liberal in your rules interpretation, then Thurgon's spoken blessing will also be a Blessing of himself to help with this mental struggle.
Unfortuately, even if the spell casting is permitted it fails: Cast a (Bless) spell: 2d6 + 1(WIS) -1 (True Seeing) = 6 +0 = 6
1) Through your divine sight, you can sense the crystal stowed away on her person. Its in an inner pocket of her surcoat.
2) This is certainly a mental battle of wills. Bless would be more than fair here.
Dame Naquel moves to open the door. As you hear the sounds of the locks fall away and you say the words and challenge the dark entity to face you in combat, an unbelievably powerful emotional assault assails you; the kind that would immediately lay low any normal mortal. You feel a bitter coldness but through your divine sight, you sense that this dark entity does not have enmity for this world or you...only your potential intervention in her machinations in her own world. That she will not abide.
[sblock]you take 1d10 emotional/psychic damage, no armor. This would literally outright kill everyone but the most powerful heroes of the world, such as yourself. Roll it and apply it to your HP please.[/sblock]
The attempt to drive Quinn/the Dark Fey out of the Iron Tower is the giving of an order ("I am the Law"): 2d6 +1(CHA) = 9 +1 = 10. As I read it, you (as GM) have to choose whether the dark presence flees or manifests and attacks, but either way I get +1 forward against the spirit.
If the dark presence attacks then Thurgon calls out:
Naquel, in Kord's name open that door! We need Lucann's help here!
The door flies open! Inside, through your divine sight you see...
The dark recesses of the cell's corners are teeming with shadowy substantiality. Tendrils reach for Lucann and caress him with their malevolence. At the present moment, although he may be cold, he seems unaware of this presence. When you enter, the shadow tendrils, stuff of pure darkness, animate, and fly toward you in attack!
You're going to have to Defy Danger in some way shape or form here and then you can act normally (assuming you don't get a 6-!). If you get a 7-9, I'll let you know what happens, but still act make your next Move. @
Campbell , what is Lucann doing at this abrupt action and call to arms by Thurgon? You see nothing in your chamber but a bitter cold (maybe just the harsh winds through window?) does enfold you.