The Slave and Her Sovereign

[Manbearcat]

4 Successes (1 Hard DC Available)/1 Failures/1 Secondary Skills Available/2 Advantages Available)

4 Success and she tips her hand. 8 Successes and you form an alliance with Bita-Bousseh the barrister on your terms. If you get 3 failures at any point, you fail to reach whatever goal hasn't been reached and things escalate.

---

<darkbard and Nephis > Panting in labored breaths above the shattered corpse of their foe, Pa’avu turns her head very slowly to the barrister. “This … time … the … … … ven … om … wins ..." she forces out, resignedly, as her already-thick skin hardens further, taking on the quality of a finely-chiseled statue.

From a short distance away, Bita-Bousseh produces a small vial of acid from her magisterial robes. “This antidote should restore her,” the barrister proclaims.

The goliath raises an arm in slow motion. "Wait," she manages, "blood ... triumphs ... over venom!"

And she is correct. The poison in her blood dissipates and she shakes off the petrifying effect of the Stonefang Spider's venom.

---

The crowd gathers slowly with trepidation and an increasing murmur. When they realize that crisis has been narrowly averted, there is a collective cheer and coin thrown the heroes way!

Unfortunately, two of the Minotaur Stalwarts have succumbed to spider's attacks. Bita-Bouseh and the Minotaurs greave and the patrons carry the bodies overhead. After a brief exchange between Bita-Bouseh and Chanvati, its decided that the group will meet at Chanvati's estate after burial, memorializing, and grieving for the fallen.

---

XP AND LOOT

* 600 xp - 150 (Minions) xp = 450 xp. Each of you take 225 xp.

* Take 70 Gold Coins.

* @darkbard picks a level 2-4 Staff Implement to power staff up with from this conflict. Picks:

Staff of the War Mage
Level 3+ Uncommon
This staff, topped with a red crystal, enhances the size of your blast and burst spells.
Lvl 3 +1 680 gp
Implement: Staff
Enhancement Bonus: attack rolls and damage rolls
Critical: +1d8 damage per plus
Power ✦ Daily (Free Action) Use this power when using a power that has a blast or a burst effect. Increase the size of the blast or the burst by 1.

---

Later at the Chanvati estate, the Minotaurs exchange the post-battle warrior-servant rituals with Pa'avu that signify respect and exaltation in purpose. Both sides served their masters well so the custom must be observed. Blood is let, physical contests of prowess engaged, and ancient, fraternal words are spoken where entities of great power are invoked (1).

Meanwhile, Bita-Bouseh reveals the following about her law practice:

"I formerly served our Empress and advised her to make various reforms...until her inner circle closed in and cast me out. Something has happened with her and I don't have the resources to uncover it...and I doubt that I will for some time. I only hope it isn't too late by then."

She leans in close and whispers:

"I am in league with a group of dissidents, The 2nd Nation. We are performing reconnaissance on the lower castes, starting with the upper crust; the merchants. Who is with us? Who serves the Empress' inner circle that has a vested interest in...well, whatever it is they have a vested interest in...its presently unclear!

What do you know of your cousin, Amna? What do you know of your uncle? What master do they serve and is it the same? By now, you must possess the answer to these questions, yes? Know this, neither myself nor The 2nd Nation will brook incapable agents. If you wish to throw in with us, you must prove you are more than just tea-swillers and capable warriors. I can find those in any fighting coliseum of the Empire! (2)"

---

Deal with (1) or (2) or both (though if you choose both and the 1st Primary Check fails, stop there so I can change the fiction). Prove yourself. Medium DC regardless.

 

[Nephis]

* spend 3 Surges to heal: 21 HP
Pa'avu: 30/31 HP; 6/10 Surges

---

The three minotaurs form a ring, crouched with arms at the ready, eyes alertly watching the goliath. At the center of this ring, Pa'avu slowly paces a tight circle, eyes softly focused downward. She suddenly rushes the brawniest of the three and tackles him to the ground, holding her forearm to its neck and choking it out to unconsciousness (an honorable defeat of a worthy opponent). She leaps up and howls a potent and victorious war cry, the sound of which awakens the fallen opponent and sends the others stumbling backward.

---

• Athletics check vs Moderate DC 12: Roll 15 + 10 = 25 Success!
• War Cry (encounter, trigger: Your attack reduces an enemy to 0 hit points): my intent is to assert my dominance as Alpha in the warrior pack.

 

[darkbard]

Inter-scene Short Rest: Chanvati spends 1 Surge, Heals 6 HP to 24/24 HP, 4/7 Surges remaining.

---

Chanvati and the barrister sit together in the lavish apartments he occupies in his father’s estate. Several slaves scurry in activity in the background, serving thimbleful glasses of sweet liqueur and fowl roasted with fruits, nuts, and candied tubers.

“Neari,” he orders one of the slaves, “attend us.” A young girl barely into puberty jumps to his side. “You were with me this morning at the meeting of Guild Lords. Did you do as I instructed? Did you follow Amna back to my uncle’s estate? Did she meet with Tarquin? What else did you see there?”

---

I am trying to establish that Chanvati has already had suspicions about his relatives and their loyalties, even before this morning’s assassination attempt. And, further, that he is not without his own network of informants. I’m invoking Neari as an Advantage in the Skill Challenge, stepping down the DC from Moderate to Easy.

Streetwise Roll 12 +2 (using an untrained skill in an SC! Take that, doubters!) = 14 vs. 8 Easy DC. Success.

I think the most logical outcome is that Neari is able to confirm that Amna met with Tarquin, perhaps overhearing some details about his foreknowledge of the assassination attempt and their continued loyalty to the Empress’s inner circle, their attempt to prevent a schism within the family and root out potential dissident voices. Feel free to ignore or expand upon that vague outline as you see fit!

 

[Manbearcat]

6 Successes (0 Hard DC Available)/1 Failures/1 Secondary Skills Available/1 Advantages Available)

The ritual between Pa'aavu and the minotaurs, consummated in a series of howls, ends abruptly. Accepting her as a peer and deferring to her in the household of her master, when the horn of the priesthood blows and the drums beat out in the family courtyard, they take up arms next to her with Pa'avu as the point of phalanx. Chanvati's wing of the family estate is well-insulated from the exterior walls, but the mood of the minotaur stalwarts on the sandy floor of the exercise suite betrays that they expect to be assailed at any moment.

In the apartments one floor above, Neari is regaling her master of what she has learned. As was feared, Amna has seduced her father into taking sides against his brother. The thinking between Tarquin and his daughter is clearly aligned and its been so longer than suspected. The assassination on Chavanti was to coincide with the priesthood and its military attachment arresting Chanvati's father for treason against the Empress!

"Master...there is more I'm afraid..."

That is when the horn blows, the drums bellow, and the steward comes rushing into room "...sir(?)" as a herald's booming voice demands the master of the house (Chanvati's father) present himself!

Bita-Bousseh's eyes go from narrowed and interested to widened and progressively dismayed as they move from the girl and her intel to the steward and to finally settle upon Chanvati.

---

What' it going to be? A stealthy escape? A deceptive parley? A rebuke? A confrontation?

Whatever it is, its at the High DC.

 

[darkbard]

At the steward’s intrusion, Chavanti swallows hard and collects himself. “Rith,” he addresses the steward calmly, “inform the leader of this delegation that I will meet them in the antechamber to the Great Hall presently.” He turns back to his companion. “Won’t you join me in a moment of meditation to clear our minds of externalities that may interfere with our purpose here?”

Chanvati produces two sets of zills from a pouch at his sash and sweetly hums a tuneless chant in his pure tenor to the rhythmic tinkling of the cymbals. He feels whatever scruples he may have held melt away, a thousand lies flooding his imagination with the force of will to deliver them!

The two stride into the antechamber, where the leader of the delegation looking to arrest Chanvati’s father paces impatiently before their guards. Chanvati takes in the Inquisitor’s mood and the vibe of the small chamber in a nonce.

“Inquisitor,” Chanvati begins confidently, “would that my father and I could receive you properly, as befitting your station! But, alas, you know full well that our household has pledged itself to the Sect of Omthala and so our home is beyond even the Empress’s jurisdiction. It is a breach of the Accords even to meet with you here in the antechamber. Surely, the Honorable Inquisitor does not wish to incite another Holy War! With respect, I insist you leave the premises immediately, for whatever business you have can wait for the appropriate judicial chambers another time.”

---

Chanvati performs the Glib Limerick Ritual (free once/day with Bardic Ritualist Feat, Roll twice for Bluff checks for 10 minutes) in the minute he has before meeting with the Inquisitor. Utilizing a Ritual in a Skill Challenge, in this case, yields 2x Successes since it is particularly fitting to the fiction.

Secondary Skill Insight Roll 9 +10 =19 vs 8 Easy DC = +2 buff to

Primary Skill Bluff Roll b[2, 14] +7 +2 =23 vs 19 Hard DC. 2 Successes. Skill Challenge completed.

 

[Manbearcat]

SKILL CHALLENGE COMPLETE

1) 300 xp. Both of you take 150 xp.

2) You form an alliance with Bita-Bousseh the barrister on your terms.

3) You can take an Extended Rest at your estate and gain an Action Point.

4) You both complete your Minor Quests; C = Recruit Bita-Bousseh the barrister as my asset and P = Assert her dominance over Minotaurs without alienating them. 200 xp. Both of you take 100 xp.

5) Write net Minor Quests for both characters (from which we'll sort out the framing for next scene) and if you've derived enough material for a Major Quest, write that now, please.

6) Treasure: Bita-Bousseh gifts you with a small piece of art as a token of appreciation for this past day and your alliance (something portable like an elaborate hair pin or belt buckle); 250 Gold Coins worth. @darkbard , take a Ritual Scroll of your choice levels 1 or 2. @Nephis , take a level 1 or 2 Consumable of your choice.

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The Dragonborn Inquisitor (Eyo-urth-shala by name), the herald, and the guard leave the estate without further remark. The Inquisitor does, however, embed an official Imperial Standard off the premises but at the convergence point where the estate drive meets the roadway. This standard looms as an Imperial brand for investigation of heresy and treason. Its presence will warn off those who wish to do business with your father and will cause travelers to keep a wide birth (Removing this is illegal and it is imbued with magics so would be a Skill Challenge - 1).

Bita-Bousseh thanks you for the work done today, affords you her legal services and her stalwarts protections on retainer, invites you to covertly join The 2nd Nation, and grants you one request of her. She laments that, given today's affairs, unless there is intervention (2), she is likely to not be your Uncle's barrister for much longer. Surveiling your extended family will become nearly impossible for The 2nd Nation after that loss.

The Minotaur Stalwarts commemorate the day's victories with one final clash with Pa'avu and accept her as their alpha when engaging in physical conflict (given that BB has afforded you their service!).

---

If you're going to do something with either 1 or 2 that is fine. We'll frame a conflict. Otherwise, pick alternative Minor Quests and we'll frame a new scene accordingly.

Further, you gain Bita-Bousseh and her 3 x Minotaur Stalwarts (Minions all) as Companion Characters worth 1 total character of xp. Rewrite BB's primary At-Will as that was an artifact of the encounter you guys were in. Make it some kind of Controller or Leader rider to 2 or 3 damage base (depending on how powerful you want the rider to be).

 

[darkbard]

Once Eyo-urth-shala and her entourage depart the estate, Chanvati wastes no time bringing Bita-Bousseh along to his father to inform him of the present predicament and the day’s extraordinary events (excepting any mention of the 2nd Nation and the barrister’s connections thereto). If Chanvati’s apartments are decadent, extravagant, Quwaenthi’s are their opposite: spartan, austere even. His father belies the impression of his living space, however, a fat, jovial man, unflappable in his good humor, even with this dire news.

“It’s a good thing you had with you that slave I bought as bodyguard!” and “Heresy and treason! What quaint charges!” stand out among his jokes. Nevertheless, the sincerity of his appreciation for Chanvati’s cleverness in bringing the Scrolls of Xanthar to him instead of his brother (“a capital start in magnifying our fortunes a hundredfold!”) and deep grief at his brother’s betrayal (“Amna has always been a scorpion, but my own brother!”) are evident.

After a brief session of vague plan-making to deal with the Imperial Brand and the official investigation it represents, aided, when appropriate, by the barrister’s legal advice, Chanvati and Bita-Bousseh repair to the former’s chambers, where the intensity of the day’s events spills over into a kiss and passionate embrace… <<fade to black>>

---

Minor Quest: End the Imperial Investigation upon his family. (This addresses (1) above directly and immediately.)

Major Quest: Depose Tarquin as Prince of the family and bring rightful vengeance down upon Tarquin and Amna. (This seems a natural outgrowth of the developing fiction and a way to address (2) above, as Chanvati throws in his lot with the 2nd Nation—at least for now—serving as an Embedded Spy (one of my Background flags) within his own family (treacherous though they be).)

Current XP 800/1000. Extended Rest: all Daily and Encounter Powers and HP/Surges reset to full value. Reset to 1 AP. Chanvati will also take 8 hours to master the Hold Portal ritual he recovered with the Scrolls of Xanthar.

Among the extraneous papers Chanvati retrieved when stealing the Scrolls of Xanthar is a Ritual Scroll of Silent Image (L1 Deception Ritual).

The art piece Bita-Bousseh gifts Chanvati/Pa’avu is an intricately-carved jade hairpin, as much a token of her affection as appreciation.

Bita-Bousseh’s revised AW Power

Infernal Glower (At-Will), Fear
Ranged 5, Target: one creature
Attack: +5 vs Will
Hit: 3 damage, and Bita-Bousseh slides the target 1 square

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Because of the extra time (Extended Rest + Mastering the Hold Portal Ritual), I assume the next scene begins no earlier than mid-morning the next day.

 

[Nephis]

Pa’avu begins her nightly chthonic ritual sitting cross-legged on the floor of the antechamber of Chanvati’s rooms (she would prefer to be outside where her hands could connect more directly with the earth but knows she must be closer at hand, particularly now). She breathes the cleansing night air deeply into her gut to replenish her strength, her calm, and releases the staleness of the finished day in her exhale. She travels with her blood throughout her body, feeling that cherished connection to l’pahb’gin. Tonight that connection feels stronger than usual, perhaps a consequence of the earlier battle between the blood of goliaths flowing through her veins and that spider’s poison invading those veins.

---

The poison remaining in Pa'avu's blood has been transformed into one dose of Antivenom (L1 Consumable). She can either activate the blood to heal herself or cut her palm to heal another.

Minor Quest: Seek out the older goliath Gae’al who fights in the gladiator rings to learn more about Pa'avu's (possibly mythical) goliath blood.

Current XP 800/1000. Extended Rest: all Daily and Encounter Powers and HP/Surges reset to full value. Reset to 1 AP.

 

[darkbard]

Our goal for the upcoming challenge is to plant the stolen Scrolls of Xanthar on Tarquin or Amna and have them arrested by a redirected Inquisition.

Because the Imperial Standard limits our mobility, puts strain on our business ventures, and threatens Chanvati’s father (and possibly Chanvati, himself!) with charges of heresy and treason, Chanvati feels it imperative to meet with the Dragonborn Inquistor directly. And with the aid of a professional intermediary, so the first order of business is to hire on Lucent Messenger Ibhea (a former urchin who “found the way”) from the Sanctuary of Light, Omthala’s cathedral in the city.

---

Streetwise Roll 8 +2 =10 vs. Easy DC 8 and spend 72 gp for their aid throughout the present conflict; our goal here is to get another expert with trained skills for the upcoming challenge: likely Religion, Stealth, Thievery, possibly Streetwise—not sure how many of these you have in mind--three seems to be standard for Henchmen--but that would be the priority.

---

Then, we will proceed to parley with Inquisitor Eyo-urth-shala with a plea bargain: remove the Imperial Brand and investigation into Chanvati’s father and direct them instead to Tarquin and Amna, whom we "know" to have stolen Imperial property and murdered a citizen in the Undervault of the Dome of Illumination.

If Chanvati can have the effect of Glib Limerick (for roll 2x with Bluff) for one check throughout the challenge, he will perform this ritual in advance of the meeting with Eyo-urth-shala (free once/day); else he will reserve this for later use.

---

Chanvati, Pa’avu, Bita-Bousseh and her charge of Minotaurs, and Lucent Messenger Ibhea make their way to the Hanging Gardens, a public park that is testament to the great wealth of Empire, however many are trodden or exterminated in its getting.

When they greet Eyo-urth-shala beside the Great Urn in the center of the park, Ibhea, a nervous but resourceful fellow, invokes the Rites of Armistice on behalf of Chanvati’s entourage in the parley, in hopes of suspending any hostilities.

---

I don’t know what Ibhea’s training is (+9?), but the Religion Roll is 12 vs Moderate DC 13, so I assume we pass.

 

[Manbearcat]

COMPANION UPDATES

Stalwart Minotaur x 3
Medium natural humanoid
Level 1 Minion Soldier
HP 1; a missed attack never damages a minion Initiative +2
AC 17, Fortitude 14, Reflex 12, Will 12 Perception+7
Speed 5 Low-light vision

Traits
Phalanx for Master
Whenever Bita-Bousseh is adjacent to a minotaur she gains a +2 Power Bonus to all defenses.

Standard Actions
(⚔) Axe ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 1 (one creature); +6 vs. AC
Hit: 3 damage, and the target is marked until the end of the minotaur's next turn.

Triggered Actions
⚔ Subduing Gore ✦ At-Will
Trigger: An adjacent enemy that is marked by the minotaur makes an attack that does not include the minotaur.
Attack (Immediate Reaction): Melee 1 (one creature); +4 vs. Reflex
Hit: 3 damage and the minotaur takes the attack instead.

Athletics + 9, Perception +7

---

Bita-Bouseh
Medium natural humanoid, tiefling
Level 1 Minion
HP 1; a missed attack never damages a minion. Initiative Minotaurs
AC 15, Fortitude 12, Reflex 13, Will 15 Perception+5 Speed 6

Infernal Glower (At-Will), Fear
Ranged 5, Target: one creature
Attack: +4 vs Will
Hit: 3 damage, and Bita-Bousseh slides the target 1 square

There Will Be Order
Immediate Reaction (Encounter)
Trigger: Bita-Bouseh or an ally within 3 squares of Bita-Bouseh is knocked unconscious.
Effect: Bita-Bouseh or the ally heals 1d6 HP and saves against 1 ongoing effect.

Lawyer's Dodge
Move Action (Encounter)
Effect: Bita-Bouseh shifts 3 squares and can shift through difficult terrain until the end of her next turn.

Acrobatics +2 (Escape), Bluff +9, Insight +7

---

Lucent Messenger Ibhea (Rented for SC. If we need combat stats for nested challenge, we'll derive then)

Religion +9 and pick another at +7 (2 x Trained Skills for Companion Characters)

---

Alright, so this looks like 2 different conflicts to me, but we'll handle it as a multi-staged conflict just like the prior one above. Also, this is extremely difficult what you're attempting to do (the Inquisition doesn't want to be redirected and planting those scrolls will be a harrowing effort..you'll have to arrange an audience with a lot of eyes and they don't want an audience or you near them...or you'll have to sneak into their estate!), so its going to be Level +2, Complexity 5 (DCs will be for level 3 so 9, 13, 21 while ATK vs AC is 17/19 and vs NAD is 15/16):

4 Successes and you redirect the Inquisition to Amna and Tarquin. 8 Successes and you plant the Scrolls of Xanthar onto Amna or Tarquin or somewhere prominent on their estate (depending on how this resolves, some of this might be a Flashback). 12 Successes and you sever the Sect of Omthala’s religious accord with Tarquin and Amna. If you get 3 failures at any point, you fail to reach whatever goal hasn't been reached and things escalate (if you redirect the Inquisitor -<8> but can’t break the accord <12>, you’ll cause the Inquisitor a lot of grief as she deals with beaurocratic and ideological pushback which will cause her to fail. You’ll have bought yourself time with 8 successes but not permanent reprieve. When her efforts fail, she’ll come for you and you’ll have a confrontation).

Only 1 Minute Prep + 10 Minute Duration, so you can have Glib Limerick for this.

---

On the framing. You can absolutely have that framing (and a Success against Medium DC to go with it), but you're going to have to pay for it. Ibhea can arrange for a formal (there will be no informal parley) with the Inquisitor, their herald, and their retinue of guards at the Hanging Gardens no problem. But it will cost you an Offering to the Holy Order; 1/10 Gold of your Level Magic Item = 36 GP. Ibhea will see to the logistics of the offering when you hire them to help you in these affairs. Assuming you're good with this, I'm going to pick up at 2 Successes (1 for the Offering of 36 Gold and 1 for Ibhea's opening Religion move) and your situation framing in the Hanging Gardens:

2 Successes (4 Hard DC Available)/0 Failures/5 Secondary Skills Available/6 Advantages Available)

---

As the herald is about to resolve her part of The Rites of Armistice, Eyo-urth-shala places a scaly draconic hand on the shoulder of her herald and shakes her head slowly while her eyes never leave the troupe before her. She rolls her hand downward in offering (demand really) that those parleying with her sit on the stone benches or lip of the stone fountain near by so she may too sit. Her retinue of 4 (not 2!) guards will stay standing behind her, polearm butts firmly on the ground.

Draconic lips part.

"Your offering to the order this morning was unexpected. While the coins reek of desperation, this Officer of Inquisition will hear your plea.

But first. Rites of Armistice, Ibhea? You always have been a clever urchin. Very well. You will have your armistice. But know that I do not trust your fellows. As such (turns to Chanvati and Bita-Bousseh), your men-at-arms will clash with my own. One pass. No blood so no violation of the rites. If I do not feel comfortable with our present security situation after this pass, I will adjourn this meeting and meet you in an hour from now in the great transept of our cathedral's nave.

The four halberdiers raise the butts of their weapons off the ground, move in formation away from the spectators, and level those beautifully emblazoned polearms.

---

Hard DC for this obstacle. Pa'avu and the Minotaurs are going to have to either (1) Group Move clash (vs AC 19 or NAD 15) against the 4 halberdiers (2 Successes out of 4 required) to prove that you aren't a significant threat on her life (and do so without clearly pulling punches in the clash...some serious coreographed control of arms) or you're going to have to (2) somehow convince the inquisitor that this non-violent test of her security apparatus truly isn't necessary.

The cost of failure here will be significant; 1 Failure for the SC and I'm replacing 1 Medium DC of the Challenge with a Hard DC (for a total of 3).