The chamberlain, the king, and the dragon (drobe)

[Campbell]

As Lucann emerges from a great tall oak steps away from the the grand spiral staircase he is lost in thought. His mind turns to how he discovered this bastion of the natural world while spying on the humans going into the castle. He had not found many of the answers he sought in the city and what he had found was not very pleasing.

From atop this great oak, Lucann could see a nearby forest. Perhaps there he would be able to find answers. He doubted there would be any wood elves to be found in the forest, but perhaps he could seek out answers from his reclusive kin that still resided in the forest within the forest.

Once within the old forest Lucann sought out signs of faerie rings, knowing his path back to the spiral staircase would not be overly long.

Game Mechanics
Tree Stride: 1d20+18=24 - 4 hours
Nature Roll to find fairy rings quickly: 1d20+18=31

When Lucann arrives back in the city he will intercept Thurgon and attempt to gain entrance with tidings from his Eladrin cousins. What those tidings are still needs to be discovered.

Seeking answers, Lucann adeptly navigates the, what would otherwise be bewildering, trails of the forest. His efforts take him to the top of an alpine valley with walls nearly sheer. A great Witchbark tree, craggy branch as nose and sunken nodules as eyes still prominent, dominates the overlook. Down below, its long separated spawn oversees an obvious (to Lucann at least) Fey Crossing. Something disturbing catches his eye before he prepares the communion with the spirit of the tree, asking its permission to freely enter; (your severe passive Perception check is good here - roll it for more info) someone has moved through this tree, stood on this ground and disturbed this same brush within the last several days.

When you reach the Witchbark at the bottom, the tale is the same. The soft, humanoid prints disappear at the Fey Ring. They are clearly moving away from this place and toward the way you came from; toward the city.

In short order you complete the Fey Passage and step through into the Feywild, you instantly get the sense of not being alone. You spot your company in short order; a contingent of grim-faced Eladrin, weapons brandished, looking none too amused at the arrival of an Elf. This is no chance meeting. You are certain these are sentinels and the keenness of your scrutinizing eyes tells you they are doing the same to you; scrutinizing every inch of you...for signs of...what?

Let me know of your Perception check:

1 - If passes DC 28, I want you to tell me the type of creature you believe it to be and how this comes up in your meeting with the Eladrin.

2 - If it does not pass DC 28, you know no more than you do already. I then want you to tell me how you plan to deal with the present Eladrin Guarding the Fey Crossing. Give me your full M.O. including relevant "if, then" scenarios and mechanical resolution.

Lucann is unable to discern the nature of the one whose footsteps he follows. This troubles him, but the urgency of the task before him takes precedence.

Noticing the sentinels before him, Lucann ritually places his spear to the ground blade end up. This indicates that he does not wish to engage in hostilities, but will defend himself if tested or challenged. He ensures that the chain of three silver leaves attached to his spear are plainly visible as is his necklace indicating the same.

"Brethren, I come to you as an emissary of She Who Walks the Woods of the World. As the old accords were written She promised to watch over the world beyond and it is in accordance with this duty I invoke the meeting of cousins*, as is my right. I do not do so lightly. A great host amasses to take the human city and in their path lies the ties that bind us together."

As he speaks Lucann takes stock of the sentries to discern what they are truly guarding from.

Initial Perception: 1d20+16=21
Religion to invoke the meeting of cousins and to leverage Lucann's position as a priest of Sehanine:1d20+15=34
Insight to take stock of the Eladrin Sentries: 1d20+21=28

Note: The meeting of cousins occurs between one priest of Sehanine and another of Corellan to ensure the accords are kept as they should be.

If asked to come meet with someone else Lucann will do so, but insists on keeping his spear as it is an artifact of his order.

If attacked Lucann will bring his spear to bear against the apparent leader, declaring him his Oath of Enmity Target and invoking Bound By Fate. If it must come to blows Lucann wants it to be a test of mettle between two worthy opponents. He is not trying to kill a fellow child of the forest.

1d20+17=20, 1d20+17=29
Elven Accuracy: 1d20+17=36, 1d20+17=36
Damage: 2d10+11=15

The Eladrin's heightened, wary state relaxes and their hesitation gives way to solemn good will. They speak a ritualized chant to Sehanine to firm up your bond (and likely to reconfirm that you are who you say you are...you sense that they are on such edge that trust is not easily earned, even after your sincere, formalized offerings). The priest of Correllon on patrol with them emerges from their small numbers and you know their trust is at last earned.

He hears your story and relates his own. Unseelie Fey have been moving through this, extremely well guarded and monitored, territory as of late. One such agent actually was able to use the Fey Crossings and is still in your world. The Dragon is known to them and it is believed that the Unseelie Fey, the recent breach of the Feywild crossing and the dragon's corresponding domain on your world is related...but how is yet to be known.

* You may spend a Healing Surge and invoke Enemy in Our Midst in the coming action scene. If you pass the Hard DC when you use it, your next ally to use a social skill gains a + 2 bonus to that skill. Make sure they are aware.

I thank the Eladrin priest for his time and break lembas with him for a short time.

"I will do my best to present your troubles to the human king, although I doubt he is still of sound mind and body. I will also do what I can to track down this unseelie fey in what little time I have left before I must meet with the king, although I fear they unseelie has already broached the inner sanctum of the castle. Would you happen to have any effects that would help me recognize it?"

Lucann will invoke Hunter's Blessing to track the unseelie fey by the spiritual emanations left behind by its dark magics, but even with his magic the trail has gone cold for now.

Nature: 1d20+18=20

Who is this strange elf, Lucann. He seems to come and go at will while the rest of us are trapped in the city by the besiegers? Does he know of a secret postern gate?

It seems that he is no friend to the besiegers, at least. Can he bring us allies - or even food - through his fey paths? Is that the news that he brings for the king?

"Lucann - well met! Are you here to see His Majesty also? What news do you bring? - it seems that while the rest of us are trapped here you come and go like a wisp!"

Lucann nods in greeting, hood still covering his face. "I had hoped to bring your king to account for violating the old accords and harvesting the homes of my kin, but it appears now there is much more going on than I initially assumed. I aim to find out what."

His thoughts turn to the his method of passage. "All living things have a spirit. If one is attuned to the rhythm of this world there is much that one can do. My Lady taught me such things."

 

[pemerton]

When Lucann arrives back in the city he will intercept Thurgon

See the latest edit (no 3) to my post above.

 

[Manbearcat]

Quick update. Sheadunne will likely be posting today. Still pending resolution of LostSoul.

 

[Manbearcat]

[MENTION=16586]Campbell[/MENTION] See EDIT 2 in my post for your transition scene. I'm baffled by the inconsistency of quotes and mentions working or not working as notifications on this forum. It doesn't appear to have notified you.

 

[pemerton]

Lucann nods in greeting, hood still covering his face. "I had hoped to bring your king to account for violating the old accords and harvesting the homes of my kin, but it appears now there is much more going on than I initially assumed. I aim to find out what."

His thoughts turn to the his method of passage. "All living things have a spirit. If one is attuned to the rhythm of this world there is much that one can do. My Lady taught me such things."

Cool.

You might have noticed that Thurgon has a tendency to see situations very much through the prism of his own concerns! It does him good to be reminded that others have their concerns too.

 

[sheadunne]

Player: Sheadunne
Character: Theren "The Hound"
Level 12 Half-Elf Fighter (weapon master)
Background: Broken Lands
Theme: Iron Wolf Warrior

Acrobatics +8
Arcana +7
Athletics +15
Bluff +7
Diplomacy +9
Dungeoneering +10
Endurance +14
Heal +15
History +7
Insight +14
Intimidate +15
Nature +12
Perception +14
Religion +7
Stealth +8
Streetwise +7
Thievery +8

Basic Attack
+19 Str vs AC (1d10+9)

At Will
Combat Challenge: An Enemy Marked by Theren is FUBAR
Cleave: When I hit someone, everyone gets a little bit of pain
Weapon Master's Strike: You don't get to move away when I'm beating on you

Encounter

Iron Wolf Charge: When charging someone, everyone gets a little bit of the pain
Hack and Hew: When I hit you, your friend may take a little as well
Parry and Riposte: You'd better hit or you'll be feeling the pain
Come and Get It: Says it all
Charge to Glory: It's all about who's standing at the end

Knack for Success: My friends benefit from my presence (Target makes a saving throw, shifts up to 2 as a free action, +2 on next attack, +4 on next skill)
Ignore Weakness: That all you got?
Clearheaded: My will is stronger than your pew pew
Exult in Victory: Feels good to win!

Daily

Driving Attack: I said, back the F*** up!
Rain of Steel: Anyone want a piece of me?
Jackal Strike: Finish him!

Brief Background and Motivation
Theren is the bastard son of a minor noble. Taught all his life that he was worthless and would serve no purpose in the world, he vowed to rise above it. He does not seek greatness himself, but rather to protect the greatness in others. He is looking for a man who represents what his father should have been. A man of honor. A man of conviction.

Beliefs
1: (Protection) I am not the focus of attention, I am the mistake you make in assuming his flank was weaker than his front.
2: (Service) There must be some purpose. I have yet to find anyone whose flaws do not out way their convictions.
3: (Determination) If it is living, it will decorate my spear. If it isn’t living, I will die and then it will decorate my spear.

You appear to have been a drifter, moving from one dead land to another, leaving further death in your wake. Does Thurgon’s order offer you more than a blood-soaked spear?

It is hard to tell yet. I am intrigued but I am used to having those I give service to disappoint me. Few hold their convictions when faced with death.

Are you a free agent for the God of Battle, Kord?

I am. I am searching for someone worthy of my devotion and service.

** Beyond your companions, do you have any allegiances here in this city or is there any you’ve sworn to protect…or perhaps destroy?

There is another in the city who I once served but he failed to live up to his own convictions and so I left his service.

** Who have you killed in this siege and did you learn anything about your enemy from it?

I killed a squad of soldiers who appeared from above to assault refugees fleeing into the underbelly. I learned that there is a greater threat that hasn’t yet made it’s presence known, but it provides determination and fanaticism in its followers.

 

[Manbearcat]

** Who have you killed in this siege and did you learn anything about your enemy from it?

I killed a squad of soldiers who appeared from above to assault refugees fleeing into the underbelly. I learned that there is a greater threat that hasn’t yet made it’s presence known, but it provides determination and fanaticism in its followers.

Lucann the elf emerges from seemingly nowhere as you occupy the base of the spiraling stone staircase leading up the Kingsmount. He's a difficult one to figure as he is quiet and contemplative but he wields death with a spear so you have more than just a parent's race in common. Thurgon spent some time in the triage center with the dead (or near it) and with the men who will likely die horribly this day. That gave you some time alone to consider yesterday evening's events. You haven't made anyone aware as of yet as its still something for your mind to sort out.

Near the primary entrance to the Underbelly, a few men (presumably soldiers...but these could have been sellswords as their armor was mismatched. Its difficult to say with this now ragtag standing army.), ok more than a few (6), were trying to shake down a begrieved family who were begging the aggressors to allow them to retain what little food they had. The frightened children were hiding behind their mother's torn longskirt but the eldest boy (maybe 11...12?) wasn't having it. He confronted the vandals, putting himself between them and his family, and ended up 2 teeth fewer after a mailed backhand sent him sprawling. There isn't a member of a City Watch (if there even is one at this point) to be found. These men are viscous, wanton, and clearly willing to spill the blood of children to get near nothing in return.

1 - What do you think as you behold this? Do you say anything aloud?

2 - What do you physically do; intent and actions. Give me some if/thens and the results of resource deployment. As reference, you're beyond earshot to the nearest barracks, the ramparts directly above appear to be manned only by these 6 who have beat a hasty clambering down the ladder to the opening of the Underbelly. The climb down to the Underbelly is a sheer drop of 30 feet without usage of the ladder. Ruined buildings flank you on either side.

The intent is to damage (not kill) the leader and knock the rest back. If they attempt to move foreword, Intimidation (15+7=22). "I am the wraith you have drawn upon yourselves! You only live now so that you may sacrifice yourself in the upcoming battle. If you live, I will hunt you down. I will wait one year for every man, woman, or child you help survive the siege."

If all goes well, grab one of the sellsword's weapons (A dagger or shortsword) and toss it to the boy with a, "learn to use it." And then return to Lucann.

EDIT 1 [MENTION=27570]sheadunne[/MENTION]:

All goes precisely as you say except, before you are able to turn to Lucann and say "Is Thurgon back yet?", you take note that while his eyes are aware of your presence (and likely your words, even over the cacophony of battle), Thurgon has re-emerged from the barracks across the way, the boy who pledged fealty to him as Knight Commander of the Iron Tower in tow, his family sigil adorned baldric bloodied from his assistance to the nurses in the triarge. Thurgon hails Lucann and moves to intercept him.

Meanwhile those thoughts melt from your mind. As you pick up the weapon and hand it to the boy and speak the words to him, your eyes fall upon the nape of the neck of one of the two men that are left unconscious from your fury. His greasy hair flung wide, his neck has something burned into it. Upon closer inspection, this is no gang tattoo or branding. This is some odd arcane glyph, the likes of which you are unfamiliar. The other unconscious man possesses the same. Quinn hasn't arrived yet but this stuff is his specialty (at least from what little you know of him).

You think back and there was a curiousness to these assailants (Passive Insight check is plenty good for Medium DC). Was their viciousness and purpose out of place? Not really. There was something weird with their eyes. Something like the forlorn, resigned look of a beast of burden after too many trekked miles and many more around the next bend. What was it?

 

[sheadunne]

Theren nodded at Lucann, he was a different type of beast than Theren, more refined, less wild, but all weapons had their uses. He wondered what man or god he served and the level of commitment he had towards them. Each man would be weighed by their own merits, he didn't judge others, only withheld his allegiance.

Thurgon seemed different, but he had be disappointed before. He would give his word until Thurgon failed his conviction and his service would be withdrawn. Perhaps . . .

Theren normally didn't concern himself with the lives of others. He took on the mantel of those her served, preferring not to judge himself. He watched as six sellswords harassed a family. Not unusual in this world and in this time. He would have turned away but saw the boy stand between the men and his family. He was intrigued, not because of the courage, there always seemed to be men enough of courage, but for the service to his family. He took the pain for them.

"Excuse me Lucann," Theren said with a quick glance back toward him.

Action: If the 6 are on the same level, charge the one who appears to be more vicious with Iron Wolf Charge. (Charge: 19+12=31, Damage: 5+9=14, If I hit, +10 damage, Burst 2, 10+20=30 vs will, (how do you say you rolled a 20 with it seeming like you're making it up because it would be great to succeed? lol).

If they're not, move into a position where I can do it.

The intent is to damage (not kill) the leader and knock the rest back. If they attempt to move foreword, Intimidation (15+7=22). "I am the wraith you have drawn upon yourselves! You only live now so that you may sacrifice yourself in the upcoming battle. If you live, I will hunt you down. I will wait one year for every man, woman, or child you help survive the siege."

If all goes well, grab one of the sellsword's weapons (A dagger or shortsword) and toss it to the boy with a, "learn to use it." And then return to Lucann.

To Lucann. "Is Thurgon back yet?"

 

[sheadunne]

This is some odd arcane glyph, the likes of which you are unfamiliar. The other unconscious man possesses the same. Quinn hasn't arrived yet but this stuff is his specialty (at least from what little you know of him).

You think back and there was a curiousness to these assailants (Passive Insight check is plenty good for Medium DC). Was their viciousness and purpose out of place? Not really. There was something weird with their eyes. Something like the forlorn, resigned look of a beast of burden after too many trekked miles and many more around the next bend. What was it?

I'll make note of the glyph and keep my eyes out for more. I'll mention it to the others, specifically Quinn, although those who practice magic serve two masters, and one can never be sure which one they're serving at any one time. Still, he'll probably have some insight into it and that knowledge might be valuable if this proves to be a prevalent condition with others in the city.

[on a side note. I received the mention just fine. It appeared in my notifications.]

 

[Manbearcat]

Pending resolution of LostSoul's TS and then we can Skip the Guards and Get to the Fun!