Six From Gate Pass - A War of the Burning Sky Campaign (3.5)

[fromage67]

Lars is suddenly feeling paranoid. He keeps his voice very low. "Crystin is clearly under some kind of compulsion. Domination magic, indeed. Maybe we could do something, Arnir, but I would like to bring everybody else in on it. Lars raises his voice a little. "We should check the horses before going to sleep."

Outside, near the horses, he adds to anybody who has followed. "Arnir wants to make a move against the old man. I agree. I don't like the spell he has put on the girl. I can cast a spell of inattention on the old man, but I am afraid it wouldn't work on such a powerful mage. Any suggestions?"

 

[funkmamagoat]

"Yes well... domination magic, especially from an old, obviously insane bastard like Haddin needs to be taken seriously. I could see the old coot taking over bannock and having him skewer us on his glaive. I don't like what he's doing to his daughter anymore than you do, but we will need to be quick, quiet, and ultimately vicious if we are to succeed. How is the girl likely to react if we murder her father? Do not get me wrong, I'll help, but let's be clear about what is likely to happen. Me and Arnir have some natural protection against enchantments, and my magic can enhance our attack, but will not protect us from domination."

 

[Gregor]

[sblock="for Kirio"]Kirio, despite giving the room a solid visual and aural inspection, you don't find anything of interest. [/sblock]

Hearing people leave the home, Torrent looks to Crystin and says: "Get yourself in bed Crystin, I think we're just going to step outside for some air and maybe check on the horses."

She walks outside and assembles with whoever followed Lars. "Look Lars, I know you have some kind of interest in this girl, but I'm not up for making a move against anyone. As far as I am concerned, this is Haddin's home and his daughter is his business. We also have no proof that she is being controlled by a compulsion. All we have are Kirio's rumours, a jerk of an old man and a girl with a potential screw loose. I don't want to end up dead in a creepy cottage on the edge of the Fire Forest."

 

[The Bashar]

Hrimr senses something is up and follows them outside. He listens to what everyone has to say. He understands what magical domination is, but he's never encountered it before.

"Do we have any proof that she's being dominated? Torrent is right, we need something concrete. I just see a poor girl stuck taking care off her obviously crotchy old father who's a few stones short of a load. An insane mage is not a good thing to get riled up."

 

[Adjuntive]

Alric goes to the threshold of Crystin's room, politely not walking in as he was not invited and politely bowing and thanking Crystin for her gracious hospitality. Alric knows what its like to live under harsh, regimented parenting, his own father having been a military man, and it doesn't seem unlikely that a household between father and daughter would be thus as it is. Though Kirio's warning of "domination magic" makes Alric look into Crystin's eyes and try to see if he can reconcile the presence of such magic. There does seem to be some ring of truth between her behavior of wanting so desperately to leave yet yielding so quickly to her father's will, and he attempts to look for the reasoning in her eyes.

"My lady Crystin, you have made a weary traveler and fighter feel much respited. I will remember your grace as well as your beauty. Are you sure there is nothing more we can do for you?" Alric let's the question hang a moment, studying her response.

 

[Gregor]

Crystin is brushing her hair in her room when Alric comes to the door. She listens to his words and says: "Oh you are most welcome. I am happy to help my friends from my dream. I wish I could lea-...um...I wish...uh...that you have a good sleep. I will make you all breakfast at sunrise."

Alric, you can see her vacant stare and her sluggish mind is indeed strange, but your gut tells you nothing about whether or not she is under the effect of a spell.

 

[Adjuntive]

"You are too kind Crystin, though I believe that will not be necessary. I will take my leave. Farewell." Alric bows deep and exits the room. He feels both stirred by Crystin's sweetness and beauty and saddened that she will likely die in a few days. He does meet her eyes again as he walks out.

Alric exits the farmhouse and joins the party in the fields and helps setup the tents. Walking to the parting, he makes no mystery of his confusion of the situation regarding Crystin with the scowl and furrowed brow and his head moving from side to side slightly.

"I have no good feeling of what goes on within the walls of that home. I would rather brave the cold this night than sleep in there." Alric pauses a moment and shakes his head. "There is something... odd about Crystin. I cannot say what it is. But she has stated that she will abide by her father's will and I see no reason to interfere with that, without knowing for certain that the decision to abide is not her own. I suggest we ride at daybreak without distraction."

 

[digimattic]

Arnir looks visibly fidgety "That man's nothing but a crazy old wizard...and has his fingers in her brain. I know it...well, I feel it. Look, you lot of honour bound holy rollers no doubt have your hearts in your throat at the plight of that poor girl, and I want that wizard's spellbook. I say we take the book, free the girl and hit the road. The old man can do what he wants after that."

 

[Gregor]

Torrent stops pitching her tent to look over at Arnir: "Look Arnir, this has nothing to do with being honour bound or righteous. Frankly I don't care much for laws myself. However, I think you need to put your mind to work a bit more on this idea of yours. You're a wizard right? What would you do if someone tried to steal your spellbook? It probably would not go so well for that thief. By your own admission, you said he is probably more powerful than you. Why would you want to sneak into his bedroom and rob him of his most precious possession? He'll probably fry you and the rest of us!"

 

[Adjuntive]

Alric's eyes widen at Arnir's outburst, then narrow.

When Alric speaks, his voice obtains an edge, it drips with venom he was taught to have against mages growing up in Ragesia, "Haddin has done nothing to me and I admit that I like Crystin, but not enough to go murder a man. And for a book?!?!? By Helm!! All you wizards are insane!" Alric considers a moment, visibly cooling down. "100gp wizard, and you have my vote and my sword to go in there, kill Haddin, and take his book for you. Otherwise, leave me be so I can get some sleep."