(Casual D&D) A Game of Trust

[National Acrobat]

OOC: This is where being a bit daft (low wisdom) get's gnomes in trouble.

IC: Merrim looks at the priest of Wee Jas. "You know, it is a pleasure to meet you, but I must say that you are not what I expected. Pardon me, I mean no offense, but the stories that I have heard about her servants are more, um, weird, you should be a bit spookier looking I believe. At least that is what I have heard." She has a totally innocent look on her face.

 

[dpdx]

[I miss you guys! Where did you go? ]

Fendric winces at Merrim's comments, but doesn't make any effort to stifle or discourage them. Ouch! By the Glory of Pelor, that will have left a scorch mark. Ah, well, Father Brewek used to say that the first step toward understanding is questioning, and she does have a point - why DOESN'T he look more like a mortician?

"Forgive me, Br... Elasris, but this is Merrim, my comrade. I should have introduced you to my group."

Fendric will go on to introduce the others by name, referring to them only as comrades, companions, and such, with no mention of their abilities.

 

[Uriel]

Niccolo turns to the Priest 'Greetings, friend Elasris, well met. The Gnome seems a bit out of sorts, as he is usually quite verbose. Perhaps Niccolo senses that things in this town require a bit of tact and subtletly, rather than his usual loquaciousness and overt Bardic flashiness.

 

[wings]

Tact indeed.

Aerda nods his hello, removing the cowl and hood. He assumes that his abilities have been guessed already, and that was fine with him. He didn't see anything wrong with Merrim 's statement, she was just uneducated, and made him wonder how she ever took magic seriously. but anyways.

He crossed his arms over his chest, and waited, to be questioned.

 

[Guilt Puppy]

Elasris smiles at Merrim's comment, taking no apparent offense. "I don't know what stories you've heard about my discipline, but it seems they have been exaggerated by the common imagination -- when you've seen much of the world, you quickly understand that there are many ways to live a life, and those which seem abhorrent at first" -- a sideways glance at Fendric -- "are often completely valid, and deserving of respect."

He nods at each introduction, offering his hand to all in turn. "Well met, all of you."

Meanwhile, another horseman can be seen poking under the hoods of the other gatekeepers; after your introductions, he comes trotting over. Elasris looks on, a little anxious.

The rider calls out: "There are no other intruders in our ranks, at least none near the gate. The others are being expected..." He waits until he is close enough to speak quietly before continuing: "Shall I go and rouse Kethra?"

Elasris merely nods... Down the street, the sound of clanking footsteps can be heard, and the guardsman of Heironeous is waving and calling hails, just a little frantically.

The man of Wee Jas watches intently, his right hand clutching his cloak across his chest. He whispers to you quietly, but firmly: "If they do not heed his warning, you may not wish to stand between our ranks."

(BTW: Sorry about the delay on posting... I'm in the midst of finals, and have moving to do to boot, so my time and access is a little limited... I may be off for a while because of it, but I'll try to pop in when I can.)

 

[dpdx]

Fendric heeds the warning, and moves aside to climb atop his horse, "Then we should move, my companions." Nodding toward Elasris, "May your God be with you."

Fendric trots his horse roughly 40 yards to the side, and roughly between Elasris' group and the oncoming guard, facing the path between the two bands. He motions his comrades to do likewise.

"Here's what I understand. The one who attacked us was merely masquerading as one of them. When the guards came to our aid, they did not know this, and expected to fight Elasris and his group. When they did not draw, and Aerda disposed of our problem," Fendric nods toward Aerda, "they settled down, and then left to get guardsmen. Aerda, did you happen to recognize the spell Elasris cast on our assailant?"

 

[wings]

A necessary lie

Bluff 12+3

Aerda lowers his eyes, and shakes his head. [/COLOR]"When do they want us to be questioned? Should we find an inn?"

He looked down at his hand, "I wonder why the ring did not respond to this attack..." He seems slightly sad and awed, something strange has come over him. "I think i will let you guys deliver the letter as I cast spells of identification on this ring."

 

[dpdx]

"Well, I imagine the guardsmen will want to question us once they've decided what to do with Elasris and his group. I'd hate to see this turn ugly; I only just met the man, and it'd be a shame if I had to destroy his legion of undead."

 

[Guilt Puppy]

(Apologies for the delay -- I wasn't expecting to be so strapped for time, but finals or over now and the move is more-or-less complete... I'll be going on vacation for a week or so soon, so it will be a while before the game resumes full pace -- hopefully we'll all be ready to go when it does.)

After a brief delay the knights of Heironeous are here -- large numbers for such a short notice, but then that seems less than surprising. There's some fuss over the man on the ground: A cage is placed over his head, and when he again awakens he is marched down the street... A tall man with loose white hair and a close-cut beard shares a few harsh words with Elasris, while a younger man makes his way over to you, asking a few basic questions about the attack.

After a piece, the bearded man makes his way over to you -- "Are these the ones who were attacked?" On confirmation, he addresses you directly, a broad, booming voice:

"I must apologize for this mess, good visitors... If you are not from these lands, and pardon that assumption if indeed you are, let me assure you that this is not the normal way of things in Bethel, and things will be cleared shortly... May I first ask your names?"

On introduction he bends or reaches as needed to give each of you a firm handshake, should you accept, confirming each name heard -- quite adept, you'll notice, at capturing some of the odd nuances of dialect.

He resumes a more formal posture, once you have all been properly recognized. "My own name is Milos Premule, and my duty lies to the law of Bethel. Our order is not the only organization which will be interested in your telling of tonight's events, I'm sure... But well, the story is still fresh, I would like to hear it personally. I ask that you stay with us tonight, but if you have other plans I would like at least if we could accompany you" -- he motions to the four brightly-armored young guards who have replaced him in interrogating Elasris, three men and one woman -- "for your protection, and to talk about what has happened tonight. What say you?"

He looks from face to face, awaiting an answer.

 

[dpdx]

After formal introductions, Fendric's eyes light up when the captain says who he is.

"You have my utmost acceptance and gratitude, Father Premule. We should very much like to stay, I would think. It's just a shame that we didn't hold onto a letter we were supposed to deliver to you." Fendric shifts nervously atop his horse.