[LPF] Distant Relations

[Qik]

Quioan listens intently, first to Inar, then his colleagues. He's surprised by the sudden overflow of questions from the normally reserved Yoshiki, and nods in turn as each of the other three raise intelligent points and concerns. At Elenka's comments, he says, "I suppose that's the only concern, is that our autonomy is somehow threatened - well, that and being seen through, of course. What about those we saw today? Did they seem in their right of mind?"

OOC: What kind of check would I roll to see if we noticed anything "mindless" about those we saw today?

 

[jkason]

GM: Assessing behavior sounds like a Sense Motive check to me. You're all welcome to make them.

Inar begins to chuckle as Yoshiki rattles off his list of queries, and the others follow with a few more of their own. He holds up a hand, finishing the oversized bite in his mouth, then washes it back before answering. He faces the monk first:

"Well, far as I can tell, the temple doesn't have any staff. Just members. While I say interview, fact is you'll be asking to join as supplicants to the order. Other than the empty hogwash they spout during those daily street gatherings, the temple itself doesn't hold any kind of public services, though, so I don't know how the order's really ranked. Since I see by far more white robes than gray, and nearly no black ones, my best guess is that the colors mark your standing.

"I don't know for sure that you won't have an opening sooner, but given how little we know about this place, I'd rather you take more than less time to gather as much information as you can. Honestly, I've never seen a single member of the faith out and about. The buggers seem to definitely be a pack-run lot. And if I'm right about what kind of scoundrels they are, I gotta assume they've kept those secrets guarded by not giving over their trust to newcomers right away. A week's my best guess on a good amount of time to let natural suspicion wane; play good little zealots and I figure you'll either get them to drop their guard in general, or at least be able to pick up some bit of info on how you might get in and out.

"I'm afraid I have nothing on whatever pilgrimage the others went on; hells, I'm only guessing that's what it is, I'm afraid. Like I said, I've been trying to pry information out of that place for a while now, but they've managed to sabotage every effort I've made. Honestly, if I knew more, I probably wouldn't have had to send for you." the ranger's frustration at his lack of intelligence on the cult is obvious.

"There's rumors of various stripe, I suppose, but I've told you the things I can substantiate. If you're game for my plan, though, probably isn't going to hurt to ask around 'out of curiosity,' as it were. Just remember, with so much secrecy about 'em, I'd only believe about half of what you hear."

To Anna he adds, "Like I said, they don't hold public services, so it's hard to tell for sure what they're looking for. Seems most of the folk willing to convert are loners or wanderers or otherwise people without much in the way of family or local ties, but I can't say as I've heard of much of anyone turned away." Inar frowns as he considers this piece of information. "Well, unless you count the guardsman I tried to push through, but by then I'd showed my hand, I'm afraid. Which, again, was why I needed new blood."

The ranger takes a moment to drink down another swig of ale before turning to Elenka.

"Truth to tell, miss, it's damnably hard to tell who's who once they join the order, because of the masks. I've never yet seen a cultist outside the walls without one on. And with that pack instinct they have going on, I've never been able to peel any members off to even ask for a name. I don't have any kind of analyzing magics of my own, though, so I couldn't tell you for sure about charms. If you've got magical talents among you, I'd suggest hitting up the street preaching tomorrow to see if you can find any? It's the only outside activity I know the temple participates in, though even that's at different times of day."

Finally he looks to Quioan and shrugs.

"I think the whole lot of them are off, but I have obvious biases. Your instincts are probably as good as mine."

 

[Qik]

Quioan nods. "I have the ability to check them for magic. Probably a wise precaution before we head over to The River's Tears tomorrow night." The elf waits to see how the others respond to Inar's information.

 

[GlassEye]

Elenka nods as she listens to Inar's response to the multitude of questions they plied him with.

"If only I had thought to check for the presence of magic earlier when we were observing them..."

She chews her lip a moment before giving a final nod.

"Well, then. It looks as if a brief scouting tomorrow and then the River's Tears, yes?"



[sblock=Actions/OOC]
Elenka
Move --
Standard --[/sblock][sblock=MiniStats][size=+1]Elenka[/size] Human Summoner 3
Initiative: +2 Perception: +5

AC: 15 (12 touch; 13 flat-footed)
HP: 23 Current: 21
CMB: +3 CMD: 15 Fort: +1 Ref: +3 Will: +5

In Hand:
Spells:
1st level: 4/4 remaining.
Special: Summon Monster 2 6/6

[size=+1]Drevezh'Korol[/size] Eidolon
Initiative: +1 Perception: +0; Darkvision 60 ft.

AC: 15 (11 touch; 14 flat-footed)
HP: 29 Current: 28
CMB: +7 CMD: 18 Fort: +4 Ref: +2 Will: +3

In Hand:
Conditions: In the Other World[/sblock]

 

[Qik]

"That sounds about right," agrees Quioan. Turning to their host, the elf says, "My appreciation for the meal. Here's hoping we get the chance to have another one soon enough," he adds, raising his mug for a moment, the implied danger of their impending mission hanging in the air.

 

[deisenhut]

Yoshiki Akita (Human Monk 4)

Yo listens to the responses from everyone and the apparent end of the discussion for now. "Dinner tomorrow night at the River's Tears then it is." He digs into the roast before him to get his fill before everyone is done and they leave. Turning to the others, "Any ideas on what we should do before then?"

[sblock=Ministats]Initiative: +4
AC: 19 Touch 19 Flatfooted 14
HP: 28/28
CMB: +8 CMD: 23 Fort: +4 Reflex: +8 Will: +7 (+2 vs. Enchantment)
Defensive Abilities: Evasion, Deflect Arrows
Speed: 40 ft

Conditions in Effect: None
Elemental Fist: 4/4 remaining
Ki Pool: 5/5 remaining
Additional Gear: 1 CLW Potion (Not currently on him)
[/sblock]

 

[jkason]

Inar chuckles around a mouthful of food, pointing to Quioan's upraised mug. "Well, I'd say, if you're all done with questions and with eating, you're probably better off tossing that mug at me and storming off if your plan's to play this off as a confrontation," he says with a wink, acknowledging Yoshiki's earlier concerns as to the public nature of their meeting.

GM: Giving GlassEye and toasterferret a chance to confirm they've no further questions for Inar. I have a wedding to attend this weekend and the associated ancillary stuffs with that sort of thing tends to generate (also, day-after recovery ), so will probably be Monday before next update, anyway.

 

[Qik]

The elf shrugs at Yoshiki's question. "Other than test the Living God's faithful for magic tomorrow? Wait, I suppose, and prepare ourselves for what lies ahead."

At Inar's response, Quioan smiles and looks at the others. "Just say the word," he grins.

 

[GlassEye]

Elenka doesn't appear to have any further questions and continues to nibble at the food in front of her occasionally glaring at Inar for effect.

"Maybe Anna or I could slap him. That sounds fun."

Her repressed chuckles turns into more of a smirk as she considers it.



[sblock=Actions/OOC]
Elenka
Move --
Standard --[/sblock][sblock=MiniStats][size=+1]Elenka[/size] Human Summoner 3
Initiative: +2 Perception: +5

AC: 15 (12 touch; 13 flat-footed)
HP: 23 Current: 21
CMB: +3 CMD: 15 Fort: +1 Ref: +3 Will: +5

In Hand:
Spells:
1st level: 4/4 remaining.
Special: Summon Monster 2 6/6

[size=+1]Drevezh'Korol[/size] Eidolon
Initiative: +1 Perception: +0; Darkvision 60 ft.

AC: 15 (11 touch; 14 flat-footed)
HP: 29 Current: 28
CMB: +7 CMD: 18 Fort: +4 Ref: +2 Will: +3

In Hand:
Conditions: In the Other World[/sblock]

 

[jkason]

"Maybe Anna or I could slap him. That sounds fun."

Inar's guffaw is quick and loud. He points to Elenka, his face split in a wide grin.

"This one's a lady after my own heart," he says.