Mysterious power IC thread

[CRGreathouse]

Actually, I will mark its seal (I assume it's sealed as air getting in =bad and it is just going to bust, not get opened) with the holy symbol of Pelor. Additionally, I will tie a length of silk rope around it in like a ribbon - tight enough it won't slip but with enough play I can get my fingers under it (I am looking to be able to throw it one handed discus style if I felt the urge.) I'll just take 10 on the Rope Use check (if you want one) that gives me a 17 I think?

OK, the seal is so marked. (Air getting in is bad, but not disastrous; only especially humid air, or prolonged contact, will set it off. Shock, c.f. nitroglycerin, will set it off.)

The Use Rope check is quite sufficient. It will be difficult to throw one-handed with accuracy, but that shouldn't be a major concern.

Oh - I have one more question for the Mayor. "Understand that this is primarily a scouting mission. However, it might be easier to learn there true intentions if I have an official reason for being there. May I consider my self [with a wry/bloodthirsty smile] 'Brightstone's Emissary to the Elves?' They will ask me about human intentions towards them and their forests - both militarily and commercially, in reference to logging. What would you have me say?"

"You can claim the title, if you like. I suppose it's true, if only a portion of your assignment. The elves know that I haven't the right to negotiate treaties with them, so don't expect it to count for much." (The Crown retains the exclusive right to negotiate binding treaties with foreign kingdoms. Brightstone can work with the elves, or against them, but the kingdom is to decide policy.)

Also, I am buying/requesitioning a sling and 20 bullets. The sling I will sling across my body under my cloak but over my shirt and the pouch of bullets with replace my usual pouch of pebbles. I will leave my bow, my spear, 40 arrows, my crossbow, my bolts, my stake, my dog's bolts, my flint and steel, and my oil at home - or, better yet, with Andy at the temple. (I will take the shortbow and spear and 20 arrows he gave me).

OK.

 

[Taliz]

Alrighty - I go to the Forest with my dog. I speak Elvish, but am not planning to let on unless I have too. I will have my bow slung about me and be using my spear as a walking stick, the Fire will be in my backpack. I will just walk into the forest whistling loudly.

Umm. . . what happens?

 

[CRGreathouse]

Alrighty - I go to the Forest with my dog. I speak Elvish, but am not planning to let on unless I have too. I will have my bow slung about me and be using my spear as a walking stick, the Fire will be in my backpack. I will just walk into the forest whistling loudly.

Umm. . . what happens?

(Few elves speak Common, and almost none speak Dwarven. It's good that you speak Elven.)

Almost immediately after entering the forest, you hear (Listen 6 + 8 = 14) a voice in broken Common up in the trees ahead:

"Halt: these are our woods!"

You can see three elves with their traditional longbows in a flet about 25 feet ahead, and another flet 15 feet to your side. They're well-hidden (Spot 19 + 8 = 27).

 

[Taliz]

I am going to edge up (take a few steps to stop that is) so that I am within 20 ft of both. I will look at (directly at) whoever spoke and say in Common, "I am a FRIEND of DENELMIR. Can you take me to him?"

 

[CRGreathouse]

I am going to edge up (take a few steps to stop that is) so that I am within 20 ft of both. I will look at (directly at) whoever spoke and say in Common, "I am a FRIEND of DENELMIR. Can you take me to him?"

The elves whisper to each other in Elven (Listen 5 + 8 = 13), but you can't make out what they're saying. One then speaks up, again in Common:

"What is your name that we might tell Denelmir who asks for him?"

Presuming a standard response:

Spoiler

Two elves jump down from the flet. One runs off, while the other approaches you:

"I will take you to your friend. Follow me, and stay close."

 

[Taliz]

Me and Ranger will follow him, and stay close. I'll continue using the spear as a walking stick, assuming no one objects to that. I will attempt to politely start a conversation (however one does that in Elven) and ASAP (after as few pleasantries as I can get away with, esepcially if that is none) ask if anyone has tried to penetrate their borders since the Monsters. Like, say, ORCS?

 

[Taliz]

Oh, I will also ask after if there are any general rules/procedures I should know about as an outsider (only pee on oak trees, completely no fires, keep those axes hidden) and also general comments on the woods. Taliz did this in part cause he felt restless in the city - he kind of wants to just wander in the woods and do some hunting, live of the land and whatnot. He will kind of slip that into the conversation (he will leave out the part where the mayor played into his hands by paying him to do this, and the part where he has some stuff he actually wants to find out)

 

[CRGreathouse]

Me and Ranger will follow him, and stay close. I'll continue using the spear as a walking stick, assuming no one objects to that. I will attempt to politely start a conversation (however one does that in Elven) and ASAP (after as few pleasantries as I can get away with, esepcially if that is none) ask if anyone has tried to penetrate their borders since the Monsters. Like, say, ORCS?

The elves clearly noticed the spear, but don't seem to care. Most of the elves you see are armed; you suppose it has something to do with living in a dangerous forest.

Clarification: Are you, or aren't you, talking in Elven?

(he will leave out the part where the mayor played into his hands by paying him to do this, and the part where he has some stuff he actually wants to find out)

The mayor, indeed, fell for it in the deepest way. It's said that one can convince people more easily by fear than reason; this is an excellent example.

 

[Taliz]

I will be speaking in Common - slowly and with gestures as necessary. I know I probably won't be able to manage all/most of that, but I'll try - we have a bit of a walk anyway. Bluff Checks help, I think?

 

[CRGreathouse]

I will be speaking in Common - slowly and with gestures as necessary. I know I probably won't be able to manage all/most of that, but I'll try - we have a bit of a walk anyway. Bluff Checks help, I think?

The elf seems to understand Common fairly well, certainly better than he speaks it. The others don't understand Common at all, unless they're hiding it.

I will attempt to politely start a conversation (however one does that in Elven) and ASAP (after as few pleasantries as I can get away with, esepcially if that is none) ask if anyone has tried to penetrate their borders since the Monsters. Like, say, ORCS?

"If there were orcs here, we would have shot them and fed them to the wolves. The wolves need fresh meat, and they don't mind the orc smell. If there have been any orc invaders, I have not heard of them -- and if they struck from the north, I would have."

Oh, I will also ask after if there are any general rules/procedures I should know about as an outsider (only pee on oak trees, completely no fires, keep those axes hidden) and also general comments on the woods. Taliz did this in part cause he felt restless in the city - he kind of wants to just wander in the woods and do some hunting, live of the land and whatnot. He will kind of slip that into the conversation[.]

"Rules? Don't cause problems for the elves. Don't fall off of a flet. Don't hunt animals strong enough to eat you."