(Casual D&D V) The Tourne

[Sparky]

At Xiao's gift, Oliver's eyes grow wide. He feels a tingling thrill from the thing as it settles over his narrow chest. "No, I can't take this. You'll need all the luck you can get, Xiao." He lowers his voice, "Especially if you plan to leave us." He, determinedly, removes the talisman from around his neck, mussing his fly-away white hair, and puts it back into Xiao's hand. The look on his face brooks no argument. Though surely Xiao might 'misread' the expression. Oliver suspected that the outlander's ignorance was as often a mask as it was genuine.

***​

The walls of The Reige swallowed them. There was simply no other word for it. All that remains is to see if we are shat out or vomited up. He was antsy, and got antsier the longer it took to enter the fastness of the mighty fortress.

"No," says Oliver to Xiao. He puts a hand on Fendric's arm. He wakes up the old knowledge of nobles and styling and courtly non-sense that the gentry hold dear. And also tries to remember the hospitality customs of The Tourne as he read in the book. Maybe there was some guest right they could invoke... he seemed to recall something about that... something about 'bread and milk?' He shook off the thought, hoping he could stall until he remembered. He makes brief introductions of those present.

"Thank you for seeing us so promptly, Sir Arrich. Sir Vaustus will be joining us soon, I hope."

 

[doghead]

ic - Casual

He, determinedly, removes the talisman from around his neck, mussing his fly-away white hair, and puts it back into Xiao's hand.

Xiao is about to go through the well known ritual of gift giving - refusal and insistence - when he stops and allows Oliver to push the periapt back into Xiao's hand.

The stranger from a strange land bows slightly. "We talk later. Xiao can explain." Xiao then smiles broadly, to show no hard feelings.

* * *​

Happier now that he has shared his concerns, Xiao returns his attention to the Tournians in the room. The silent one is still with them. Oddly, Xiao finds that somewhat comforting, despite the fact that it makes no sense. Catching the man's eye, Xiao bows his head slightly. "Yob," he mouths, then smiles broadly.

[sblock=ooc]I think that they are possessed. Not even sure if that is possible, or how it can be done. But Xiao might know - Knowledge Arcane +7. Also, Knowledge Religion +7, just in case its a, well, religious thing.[/sblock]

 

[Guest 11456]

Cylantro : Female Human

"Thank you for seeing us so promptly, Sir Arrich. Sir Vaustus will be joining us soon, I hope."

Cylantro raises an eyebrow at Oliver's mention of Sir Vaustus. Meanwhile, Ginger has jumped down out of her mistress' arms and is traipsing about the room looking around and smell here and there. Cylantro notices her companion's actions. "Ginger! Be careful where you go." The patchwork feline ignores the young woman and continues her meandering.

 

[doghead]

ic - Casual

Once again, Xiao is struck by the feeling that it is the cat, Ginger, that is the master and not the other way around. Regardless, Xiao is happy to see that one of them, whether the master or servant, is showing some interest in their environment. An environment that Xiao is finding increasingly disturbing. Maybe the cat will sniff out trouble, Xiao thinks. He finds the thought reassuring.

 

[hellrazor111]

After the question, Cray remains fairly quiet. He only talks to the small ferret to point out things Cray sees as interesting.

In one corner, the player - a servant in fine dress - sits at a double-tiered piano, looking expressionlessly at the keys. In your corner, beside the door, another servant stands at easy-eyed attention.

As they stand in the room, those closest to Cray can hear him whisper What is wrong with the peoples? They stand and move but look to be lifeless. Cray takes a look around the room, looking for anyone "pulling strings"

[sblock=ooc]
Spot 10
[/sblock]

 

[dpdx]

Fendric replies, "The Blessing of Everlasting Light be upon You, Sir... Arrich. We are the Fellowship of the White Dove, and indeed we do bring a message. It is addressed to Sir Rienne Vaustus - might we have a brief audience with him?"

Hiritus looks around the room, staying vigilant in case Fendric's polite request causes an impasse.

[Hiritus has Detect Evil active.]

 

[Guilt Puppy]

Sir Arrich dismisses your escorts with brief gesture; the servant at the doorway closes the door behind them. Shaking his head apologetically, Arrich responds to both Oliver and Fendric. "That cannot be arranged, I'm afraid. Sir Vaustus will not be meeting with unknown parties while the Blue Sails remain a threat. For the safety of the Crest. I hope you'll understand."

[sblock=Hiritus]Sir Arrich, the pianist, and the servant at the door are all evil. The aura around Arrich is faint; around the two servants it is strong.[/sblock]

 

[doghead]

ic - Casual

"That cannot be arranged, I'm afraid. Sir Vaustus will not be meeting with unknown parties while the Blue Sails remain a threat. For the safety of the Crest. I hope you'll understand."

Xiao feels a shiver of excitement run down his spine. Now we get somewhere. For Xiao is pretty certain that Fendric, and the rest of them most like, won't understand.

"Who are Blue Sails?" Xiao says out loud, not really meaning to, but forgetting himself in his excitement.

 

[Guilt Puppy]

"Who are Blue Sails?" Xiao says out loud, not really meaning to, but forgetting himself in his excitement.

"They're a mercenary army, intent, it seems, on plundering the whole of the continent. They started in the southern kingdoms, and took part in a revolution in Dalmar, but as far as I can tell it was only out of opportunity. They broke off not long after and began working their way North up the coast... No political aim, that I can estimate. They haven't made any effort to hold territory, they've just ransacked and continued forward. They've made some ingress upon the Free Cities, but the mountains have kept that slow. Their ships have stopped at the edge of the Morel - they don't dare challenge our fleet directly." He slows down, realizing he is saying much quickly. "They are a small force, all things considered. But they've had a lot of opportunities - revolutions in Dalmar and Bethel, the heir conflict in Oreskes, and the stalemate among the Free Cities... We don't want to expose any opportunities here, so we are being very protective of the Crest. Again, I hope you'll understand."

 

[doghead]

ic - Casual

"Yes, Xiao think he is understand. Xiao not know all the places mentioned most graciously, but idea is very clear. Junk Bandits. We have same problem in Middle Kingdom. But forgive one more question from foolish stranger; What is Crest?"

 

[dpdx]

"They're a mercenary army, intent, it seems, on plundering the whole of the continent. They started in the southern kingdoms, and took part in a revolution in Dalmar, but as far as I can tell it was only out of opportunity. They broke off not long after and began working their way North up the coast... No political aim, that I can estimate. They haven't made any effort to hold territory, they've just ransacked and continued forward. They've made some ingress upon the Free Cities, but the mountains have kept that slow. Their ships have stopped at the edge of the Morel - they don't dare challenge our fleet directly." He slows down, realizing he is saying much quickly. "They are a small force, all things considered. But they've had a lot of opportunities - revolutions in Dalmar and Bethel, the heir conflict in Oreskes, and the stalemate among the Free Cities... We don't want to expose any opportunities here, so we are being very protective of the Crest. Again, I hope you'll understand."

Fendric looks disappointed, but understands.

"We certainly do, Sir Arrich. We can wait until it is safe to deliver the letter to Sir Rienne safely. But it is also possible that our message from Thedoric may be of assistance to the... Crest in their efforts against the Blue Sails."

 

[Festy_Dog]

The list of locations troubled Nurthk, who once again felt the claws of doubt in his chest regarding the nature of the letters. Now they were being prevented from personally delivering the final letter. Was it for the best?

"Music man," he addressed the man on the piano, "Can you play Ten Stones or something like it?"

He needed some thinking music.

 

[Guilt Puppy]

The man on the piano obliges at Nurthk's request, playing a rendition of Ten Stones that is a touch unnerving. Something in the tuning of the thing; the notes sound clean at first but resonate in this tinny, ascending way.

Sir Arrich, meanwhile, responds to Fendric. "I'd be more than happy to carry the message for you - unopened, if you'd wish it. If it has Thedoric's seal upon it, I'd trust it to be free of enchantment," he offers.

 

[doghead]

ic - Casual

The music grates, even to Xiao's untrained ear. And its not just that its weird foreign music. There is something off about it. A glance over to Oliver to confirm the monk's feelings.

Xiao gets a tingling in his extremities. He is overcome by a sudden and compelling urge to kick one of the Tournians in the goolies. Of course the monk resists the temptation with little difficulty - one of the benefits of a lifetime spent mastering mind and body. Still, Xiao can't help wondering if their squeals would ring truer than this music. Xiao gets the feeling that they would not. A shiver runs down the monk's spine.

 

[Sparky]

Oliver grimaces as Ten Stones is hammered out woodenly by the strange serving folk. He looks at Fendric, and then back at Sir Arrich. "I hope you'll understand that we wish to deliver the missive into his hands with our own."

 

[dpdx]

The man on the piano obliges at Nurthk's request, playing a rendition of Ten Stones that is a touch unnerving. Something in the tuning of the thing; the notes sound clean at first but resonate in this tinny, ascending way.

Sir Arrich, meanwhile, responds to Fendric. "I'd be more than happy to carry the message for you - unopened, if you'd wish it. If it has Thedoric's seal upon it, I'd trust it to be free of enchantment," he offers.

To Fendric's wooden ear, Ten Stones does not hold the creepiness it might for someone of a more discerning musical taste. Facilely, he responds to Sir Arrich:

"Your offer is very much appreciated, but Oliver is correct, Sir Arrich. We could not travel this far without seeing the letter into Sir Rienne's hands, personally, may the Radiant Light Shine Upon the deed. I also cannot vouch for the letter's lack of magical aura, although it has been my experience that the letter did contain magic such that only the addressee could read the complete contents of the letter."

Hiritus, having been silent and vigilant out of alarm at the tainted aurae of the room's occupants, moves next to Fendric, and squeezing tightly on the half-elf's arm, whispers in his ear: Perhaps it might be prudent to defer the letter's delivery and stay in town until Sir Rienne is available.

Fendric, taking this in, reiterates his request. "We would indeed be willing to wait to deliver the letter until such a time as Sir Rienne could be made available. So... may we show ourselves the door, or should we require an escort?"

 

[Festy_Dog]

Not much a musician, Nurthk wasn't entirely savvy to what was wrong with the rendition. He did however, find himself not able to think as he normally would with this particular song playing in the background.

He became frustrated, but held his tongue as he wasn't sure what the problem was.

 

[doghead]

ic - Casual

Xiao finds himself nodding vigourously in response to Fendric's suggestion.

"Yes! Go now and come back later," he blurts out before realising that his mouth is still in gear. Resisting temptation had distracted him.

Xiao blushes, and bows deeply.

"With most possible respect owing to eminent personages, of course," Xiao adds.

 

[Guilt Puppy]

Sir Arrich nods to Fendric's suggestion amiably, even cracking a smile at Xiao's addition.

"Yes, that will be fine. I'll see that you are lodged finely in the interval, seeing as you are," he pauses, looking over your various and heavily-travelled numbers, "diplomatic emissaries, of a sort. To that end, might I examine the letter's seal first? It would be a great aid in arranging a meeting with Sir Vaustus if I could vouch for its authenticity."

 

[Guest 11456]

Cylantro : Female Human

The young woman saunters over to where her feline companion has stalked off to and picks the patchwork cat up. Then she returns to the comfort of the group. "Are we ready to go, then?" She looks expectantly at Hiritus, but then turns toward Sir Arrich. "Or do we have additional business here?"