[PBP] Tholestia Chapter 1: Minotaur trouble and a failed ambush

[Ravellion]

To Ilan.

(Listen 15+20-19= 16 vs. DC 5 is success)

As you trance in the relative safety of the Amstrad countryside, you are suddenly disturbed out of your trance by the sound of approaching horses, obviously carrying metal barding. Not even a second later, a bullseye lantern points your way and engulfs you in its light and you hear a young human male say: "There he is Commander!". A gruff, authoritive male voice immediatly responds: "All right Elf! Surrender and come with us to the mayor of Delarom! He demanded your presence immediatly!". Although you can't make out the exact number of horses and people due to several bullseye lanterns shining directly at you, you do see that the company is about 60 feet (18 metres away)

To Deepwinter 7: You sleep well in the Dwarf's Head Inn. However, you wake up a tad early; that is to say, it's still dark outside, with dawn still about an hour away, judging from the light shining through the cracks of your window shutters. Then the hammering on your door commences. "Delarom city guard! You are under arrest for disturbing the peace, withholding vital information from the authorities, and tresspassing on private property. Open your door now!"

Casper & Jurgen: If you don't have characters by 23:00 GMT tomorrrow (ie. when I come back from the pub), it might be hard to talk you into the party, though I'll do my best.

Tristan & Roland II: During breakfast (milk, bread & cheese) you receive a message by a courier from the city guard...

 

[Deepwinter 7]

"After slipping on his mithril chain and a cloak, Deepwinter 7 calls back to the guards at the door. Please allow me to get some clothes on and collect my personal belongings, I wouldn't want to leave them here unprotected. I'll be there in a minute. "

As far as time allows the following actions are wanted:

Spend 1 PP to grant Psicrystal self-propulsion (with the intention that it can follow me undetected)
Boost charisma with a triple empowered Animal Affinity (base score: 8, you roll the die)
Render psicrystal invisible
Stuff all my magical belongings in the bag of holding, whilst calling "on my way"
Open the door to the guards
Get my boots on and perhaps tidy up room a little

"What is this racket? I am being accused of disturbing the peace, surely there has been some misunderstanding. I have been here all night, other occupants will agree. But I'll come with you because that's what your superiours want, so we can sort out this thing right away"

The psicrystal follows on a save distance

 

[takew]

Roland and Tristan read the massage, duh...

After breakfast, we will act in respons to the letter.

OOC: Only if Mat agrees ofcourse

 

[Ilan]

I stand up and speak:
"Hail commander of Delarom, I will come in peace. I will give you no trouble. Let me gather my belongings and I will come with you."

As they approach I will hand him my bow and get on my horse.

 

[Ravellion]

Deepwinter 7:

You requested that 1 roll of a 4-sided die be rolled. The total for each roll has 1 added to it. Roll them bones ... your dice are... Roll 1: 2.

(Sorry about that . How much PP have you got left? Note: you haven't had a full nights rest yet)

About halfway through your preperations (As you start stuffing stuff in your bag), the innkeeper opens the door for the guards."Don't touch anything. If I see any spellcasting, you will learn to regret it" the honey blonde Knight commander says with a stern look on his face. "Innkeep, take care of his belongings. Squire, make an inventory of what has been given to the innkeep. Now, I would like your real name 'Deepwinter 7', while my sergeant here manacles you, and I will explain the charges further."

Ilan:"We'll pack your belongings for you. If I see any spellcasting, you will learn to regret it" They manacle you and then help you on your horse. "I don't know about the charges, but they will soon be explained to you." During the 15 minute ride you see a nearly burned out farm on the horizon. As you look at it, the greying commander says "You can actually see it from here, eh? I can't. Well, I think the charges brought forth against you might have something to do with it, though that's speculation on my part." One of the knights blows his horn when you reach the city gates, and after a few seconds you hear the chains rattle and the gate opens. You are clearly brought to the governors mansion.

Tristan & Roland: a little while longer still. I hope you can enjoy reading the thread so far

 

[Deepwinter 7]

(PP reserve around 30 - Charisma now boosted to 13)
(I wanted the crystal to be at a save distance, so it can roll saves all the time)

(I reckon that the knight commander is speaking to me)

"I insist that my staff and the bag of holding are brought with us, their value is too high to be kept in safety by a mere innkeeper"

"My real name is what my friends call me, and they call me Deepwinter 7. Since you are neither my friend and unwilling to accept that, you could refer to me as Peter. Peter Winde, a name I don't like to use very often"

"I regret your lack of faith and the need for manacles, luckily it's still dark outside. Being charged is one thing, but public disgrace quite another. If you do not want repercussions from your superiours in the future, I would advice you to lead me to whatever place you want me to go to, without manacles. I won't run away, I am fond of my belongings"

Memorize the faces and possibly the names of the guards

 

[Ravellion]

The Knight commander looks you over:

"The manacles aren't because we'll think you'll run away. They are standard procedure for apprehending suspects. Suspects might be spellcasters and make our jobs exceedingly difficult. Not all spellcasters wear pointy hats and heavy robes you know. I am afraid I can't do anything but assure you that the only honour worth anything is the honour you carry with you regardless of other people's opinions. The staff and the bag will be held by Squire Holden, although they could have just as well be kept with the innkeep. Theft with the motive for enrichment is punishable by death here, and he knows we would find him." The commander makes a gesture and says: "Harris, Smith. Flank the gentleman. To ensure his privacy, we'll take the alleyways."

You are being led to the governors ornate mansion on fountain square and straight into an ornate dining room. About 10 guards flank the walls, and two are behind the governor. The governor is a man dressed in finery, black hair and heavy moustache. He also has an impressive figure. Hmmmm... you look smarter than to actually do the thing we are accusing you of. But I run ahead of myself. Further explanation will be forthcoming when your elven travelling companion arrives."

After about 20 minutes of waiting, any attempt at discussion by you delayed, Ilan is also 'escorted' in."Ah, we are now complete. Peter 'Deepwinter 7' Winde and Ilan Moonbow it is, right? And don't start complaining about using noble titles, they lost their meaning as soon as you came into Amstrad. Well, what I am accusing you of is provoking a drow surface raid. 4 farms have been burned to the ground, with their inhabitants probably being sacrificed to Lolth as we speak. We tracked your horses to a strange spiderlike marking etched into the ground, with possible 'keyholes' at the far end of each leg. We also found a husk of a man there, which you may or may not have had anything to do with. Our clerics detected a lingering aura of Transmutation, which I have been assured is the magic that allows you to travel large distances instantaneously. A gem merchant in town here told us that someone showed up today trying to sell 8 gems, magical in nature. This is where you start giving any mitigating circumstances, because things are not looking good."

Tristan & Roland: The message reads:

Come to my manor after worship hours this Godsday. Your presence is requested in the dining room where I will impart you with a mission.

Signed:Governor Starke

 

[Ilan]

"My Lord commander, as you might know I have a companion, Deepwinter 7, I wish to talk to him before I am brought to the Mayor. I agree to come quietly but you must respect that I am a noble in your neighbouring land. I am also of a noble bloodline in the Elven kingdom, so I think my word will do if I say that I won't try to escape. And don't think I can do nothing. I offered no resistance when you came to arrest me and trust me I could have done enough. So please as one warrior to another release me of my chains."

 

[Sullaf]

After reading the note:
"Once again our help is needed! Evil does indeed not rest!"

We meet up with the Governor.

 

[Ravellion]

"My Lord commander, as you might know I have a companion, Deepwinter 7, I wish to talk to him before I am brought to the Mayor. I agree to come quietly but you must respect that I am a noble in your neighbouring land. I am also of a noble bloodline in the Elven kingdom, so I think my word will do if I say that I won't try to escape. And don't think I can do nothing. I offered no resistance when you came to arrest me and trust me I could have done enough. So please as one warrior to another release me of my chains."

"I must bring you to the governor directly. I do not have patience for any further delay. You shall come willingly, or forcibly, but you will come."