PC Central - Homecoming: Kith and Kin
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Player Actions - Homecoming: Kith and Kin
[OOC: This thread concerns the in-character actions and conversations of your player characters concerning the following plot: Homecoming: Kith and Kin. A summary of public information and progress concerning that plot is contained in the plot thread.
This thread is meant for you to volunteer and describe actions, as well as discuss amongst yourselves the plan for the next session. Please feel free to role-play with one another using this thread, as well as take any actions. I will be paying attention to this thread as the DM involved in this plot.
All posts should be in-character. The characters can be in any one of the safe-houses that are available to the party, such as George's ship, Cormac's ship or his home, Isolde's detective agency, Reyhenna Jorino's military quarters, the Druid's glenn (via Aoth), the Bard College, or an inn room.
[DM Xanatos Gambit]
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See: https://toton.ie/forum/topic/31986/george-the-queen-at-the-royal-estate
[DM Xanatos Gambit]
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George has been visiting the Estates on the regular, looking to meet with his Queen when she is free.
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Salin produces a copy of the ritual cast upon the king's text for the team to verify:
From the Book of Rituals:
"[PRIMEVAL REVIVIFICATION]
A royal or divine-blooded vessel, cast upon thrice with necromancy, enchantment, and Zhengyian blood magic
Kill and bloodlet two royal blooded. Use the blood to draw the symbol џ , upon the temple of the vessel. Incant the True Name of the undying for revivification.
The incanter must then herself bleed, and her blood mingle with the two sacrifices, for channeling.
If cast in error, use the incanter's blood once more, to cancel the channeling.The channeling will put the vessel in a dreamless slumber for three months, before revivification takes place, and the undying's return."
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@flom Magistrate. Thank you for your visit. It is an honor to have you here. Unfortunately, I am unable to disclose anything further, as I am not privvy to any of the sensitive information on this matter. I do know I can count on your discretion on this. Your inquisitor, however, is cause for concern. I don't rightly know what sort of stunt he was trying to pull, but that sort of maverick behavior will reflect poorly in your conviction rates. If he botched a simple inquisition with cooperating subjects, what will he do with uncooperative ones? You may want to keep a close eye on that one.
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"Ahoy there, Grant. No need to do anything rash. Not unless their case of the stupid turns into 'bless their hearts' levels of idiocy. If they drag me off to be executed, that might be a good time interfere. Until then, she'll be right. I'm scarier than anything we've got down in gaol.
It's good to know I've got a guardian angel, though."
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Aoth writes a letter to Cerulean Captain Lycka Zomasdottir:
Captain,
As I’m sure you’ve been informed, individuals in Cerulean uniforms purchased the so-called obsidian portal from house Kildarn and replaced it with a nonfunctional copy. If you are at liberty to do so, would you mind penning a statement, to be presented to the magistracy, on whether these individuals were acting under your or another officer’s orders to the best of your knowledge and records?
In faith,
Aoth Sepret
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Salin is met by Vlana Borodin, who is waiting for him in the Seafarer Offices, namely the library. Her eyes rest on him as she speaks, like two dark and swirling whirlpools. They have the gaze either of a snake looking at its next meal, or of an artist admiring a fine work:
"Lord Ashald. How well it is that you've returned from Waterdeep. Your cousins and nephews must be very pleased." She notes, gently twirling a be-ringed finger to indicate the premises and vicinity of the Seafarer Offices.
"I read my Inquisitor's report, as well as your letter and the written argument," she notes, her eyes narrowing above her small, focused smile. "The 'Golden Geese' are lucky to have you."
"I visit to see if you have anything to add. Verbally." Her eyes finally breaking their gaze to allow her to examine her ring, which she turns and adjusts. Salin knows this is a rare occurrence.
She listens to anything further Salin might add. It is clear she is interested in details too private or sensitive to have put to writing or even on the public register of the court.
Whether he adds anything or not, she notes, before departing:
"Thank you. You can expect my decision shortly."
[DM Xanatos Gambit]
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Hrresh sends Lieutenant Grant, George's peer, with a verbal message to George:
"Allo, George. I bring word from the Captain, and the Queen. You can move freely as you please. And if the Magistracy tries to gaol you for it, our troops will send notice to the regiment. The gaoling won't last a day. That's a promise, says the Captain. That's not something the General or anyone else can stop us from doing."
If George insists otherwise, the soldier says he'll report back to the Captain and Queen.
If not, the soldier salutes, and stays on in the city, along with a few other of Hrresh's troops.
[DM Xanatos Gambit]
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From her interview with the Bravickus staff, Aoth learns the following:
The head servant, a woman that Aoth met before, is loyal to the house, answers as follows, which Aoth notes down:
- "The inquisitor was a meddlesome gnat, who should mind his own business."
- "The simple truth. Which is to say, that this House was utterly uninvolved. We were duped by a fraudulent version of Enenan Snydders to enlist our caravan driver who, during the fateful night, knew nothing of his actual cargo."
- "Some people think the only reason the mage is still about is thanks to Analisea Bravickus. But he is a loyal servant, just as me."
- "Besides yourself, the so-called 'Golden Geese,' and the inquisitor proper? You're each strange to me."
The caravan driver responds:
- "Oh, well, he was just doing his job, I'd say. That's what I'd say."
- "What happened! I was asked by my Lord to go down to the crossroads, in the dead of night. That's when I found the fellow, a hooded fellow. He had the chest with him. Loaded up the caravan and then started making my way back to the city. That's when we were waylaid by bandits."
- "I hear he appears much younger than he actually is. And he don't appear that young, if you catch my meaning."
- "Just the one servant who up and quit after you lot came the first time."
The employee who quit, i.e. the one the Golden Geese previously bribed, responds:
- "A fine officer of the law, on the lookout for the common man. An elf of principle, clearly."
- "My Lord Bravickus conspired with Enenan Snydders to import those dangerous weapons. No, I don't have any documents or anything of that sort. Doesn't matter. Everyone knows it. Everyone says it. It was obviously a plot to dispose of their enemies. I'm glad I no longer work for such a tarnished house."
- "Old crone Bravickus is the one who keeps that mage on. Everyone else thinks he's an occultist, involved in dark dealings. Don't trust him."
- "Everyone who visits House Bravickus is strange."
[DM Xanatos Gambit]
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@Flom
A packet is sent to magistrate Vlana Borodin.Within is a letter, along with the documentation provided by Rey.
The letter reads:"Most honorable Magistrate Vlana Borodin,
Inquisitor Fenmeron accosted Reyhenna Jorino, Isolde Garibaldi, and George Longcloak, for an informal conversation outside the Dancing Mermaid inn, whereupon he began questioning about the matters relegated to the accusation against these persons. Multiple times was he told that the setting he chose for the inquiry was inadequate given the current dangers that lurk within the city, and multiple times was it suggested a different setting be chosen for answering any questions that the inquisitor deemed necessary. In any moment did the accused withheld information they were at liberty to disclose from the inquisitor. Two of the accused are under the direct employ of the Peltarch military, with the third being cleared as an aide, and as such have access to classified information that is not meant to be shared in such a public location.
In fact, the Peltarch Military code specifically punishes unauthorized disclosure of information, so had the accused divulged the information requested by the Inquisitor in these terms, they would be breaking military law. Even Isolde, despite not holding any military rank, could possibly face charges had she chosen to disclose any information gathered in the service of Peltarch.
Had the Inquisitor followed the proper channels, this situation would not have happened.Further, his line of enquiry strayed very far from the breath of knowledge that the accused are obliged to have, namely the intentions and actions of House Bravickus, which the accused are not privvy to, nor are they expected to be.
Which is to say that the current accusations of obstruction of justice, withholding information and fabrication of facts are, frankly, preposterous and show immense irresponsibility from your inquisitor in regards to such sensitive matters, as he was repeatedly told.
I am unaware of what Inquisitor Fenmeron wrote in his report, but the reality is that his blatant disregard of even such basic notions of security shows that he is not at all concerned with the safety of Peltarch's people, which is among the highest duties anyone in the legal profession has to observe.
Therefore, I respectfully request your honor order Inquisitor Fenmeron redo his inquiry, this time following the proper channels and ensuring the privacy of the information to be collected.
On behalf of the accused, and with the highest regards,
Lord Salin Ashald, the Fifth"
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George abides the order to remain in the city, taking up tasks in City Hall and Defender HQ as they arise. On his time off, he is working in the shipyard, helping to repair the damage to the Wisp.
He seems mostly unconcerned with the charges, noting only that Salin will prove exactly what sort of circus act it is.
He does write one letter to H'resh, to be delivered by one of his marines passing through the city."Hey cap'n.
By the time you read this, I will assume word of the charges against me has reached you. I have chosen to abide by this farce, for now. Can you do me a favour and tell the boys that they should, too? Even if they end up throwing me in jail, let the dance continue. Give Salin the time to show what a sham this is. Gom is antsy enough as it is, don't let them do anything that might be taken as sedition.
That said, I will not let me keep this from fulfilling my oaths. If you need me, send word, and I will come. That sniveling little social climber will learn exactly what his scribbled on rag is worth in the face of duty.
Give Martha my best. Tell her not to worry. I'll get through this, same as I have gotten through all that came before. Thanks, Renius.
- George"
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Following her morning in the library, Aoth returns to the Bravickus house. She gives the crowd a royal wave and deflects their insults with unearthly calm. “I hear they have hired a fool for a barrister. With any luck you can all return to your families soon.” The wind circles to shield her against stray rocks, and if need be, she will summon a harmless gust to clear a path.
Once inside, she requests a room to meet with the staff, one by one. If she can procure a list of who’s known to have spoken with the inquisitor, she will focus on those names. “I would prefer only predictable surprises at the hearing,” she explains to the family and head servant, “and I do hope you agree.”
She conducts the interviews with a breezy tone, as one less invested in the affair than bemused by it. She opens each with casual questions (“what is your role in the house?”, "what is the furthest you've been from Peltarch?", “have you ever eaten Shou cuisine?”), and disarmingly, she takes up her pen only to record such minutiae. All the while her keen eyes are watching for nervousness and other tells until eventually each interview lands on the gritty details:
- What did they think of the inquisitor?
- What did they share with him?
- What are the wildest rumors they’ve heard about the house mage, Ilius Obsidia?
- Have they seen any strange visitors (herself excluded) or usuals acting out of character?
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In the window of the Ladies No 1 Detective Agency hangs a fanciful paper crane - or possibly a goose - neatly folded out of fine official documents from the Magistracy. Past this, the silhouette of a curly-haired woman can be glimpsed seated by the desk. Though, if one stands there for a prolonged time, one might notice the figure isn't moving at all. In fact, is it just a painted outline, a mannequin, a prop? Isolde herself may or may not have left the city, but the stealthy bardess is as ever only found when she so chooses.
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@Karnivor @WouldBeBard @Caoimh
Isolde, George, and Rey are each approached by Peltarch Guards, who give them envelops enclosed under the seal of the Magistracy, specifically Inquisitor Aimon Fenmeron. Within the envelopes are official documents from the Magistracy.
These documents state and order the following:
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First, criminal charges have been leveled against each of them.
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Second, each is ordered to remain in the city, and under no circumstances leave the city, pending further investigation into and a hearing to address the foregoing charges.
[OOC Note: Feel free to leave the city for other DM events or for outings to hunt. The assumption will be that those events or outings occurred prior to the above order. Feel free also to RP the restriction when RPing with others - in that case the RP will take place after the order.]
[DM Xanatos Gambit]
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Edwin Ashald replies to the sending - his tone at first jovial, though growing more serious after the greetings: "Cousin Salin! Been a while. I'll be back in Peltarch very soon. As for the Moonsea... we should talk once I return."
Frewin Ashald notes, with amusement: "Oh, don't worry about me, Uncle S. I don't have very much interest in the day to day of our dear family shipping business. I have an upcoming tournament in Kront to worry about, along with my new champion. Have you met her? She's quite good."
"Oh, and let me know if you need anything from me with regard to that Royal Council business. I'm more than happy to let you handle that, though. Thanks, Uncle!"
[DM Xanatos Gambit]
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Aoth learns of the following charges:
- Those against House Bravickus, namely Aaron and Analisea Bravickus;
- Those against the Golden Geese, namely Isolde Garibaldi, Reyhenna Jorino, and George Longcloak.
[DM Xanatos Gambit]
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Following the developments with Frewin and Gom, Salin heads over to Spellweaver Keep to prepare a Sending towards Edwin: "Edwin, Frewin's not cutting it. I'm taking care of business in the homefront. Do you need backup in Phlan? Are you safe?"
After that, he goes back to Seafarer HQ and talks to Frewin about the handling of paperwork and all boring stuff, suggesting that he handles the morale boosting and social side of the Guild instead as it would probably suit him better.
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Following the death of the Unreal and the proper disposal of its remains, the gray druid shifts her attention toward the upcoming Bravickus trial. She inquires with the courthouse as to the specific charges and then spends two mornings perusing the city library for similar cases. The windrider carries with her a fragrant sack of oranges, purchased in Gheldaneth the day before.
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OOC: We will spend 10-20 minutes prior to the event confirming the outcome of the preparations here that were not conclusively decided.
Event begins in 40 minutes.
DM Xanatos Gambit
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"If we can have the teleportation be say... into the heart of a living volcano, I'd say we might aswell all know about it to give the bastard proper pause. If not, it's best only one of us or even none knows where to. Ought we set it to trigger in the event of us all ending up dead, near death, or even just one party member dead though? If he tries to pick us off one by one, perhaps the latter has merit. Something to consider."
