Stopping by Aundair on a Wintry Morning

Admin wrote:

"Or I could just wildshape and follow him subtly. Like maybe as a poodle again? Man alive, it's been a long time since I was a poodle!"

Gareth quickly chimes in loudly, "NO", and then quiets himself down "No. You are not following anyone. The last time you got us in a lot of trouble, but at least that was a party - this time you could breach security and get us imprisoned or dead. Besides, with House Medani you would be spotted very fast. Also, this guy is probably smart enough to avoid being found - speaking telepathically to a group of people is not that simple." Thinking for a moment, "I don't know this person, and I don't trust this person." Looking at Luna "There are only two things here. Either somebody's trying to hurt us or somebody's trying to help us. Just so you know."

Gareth wrote:

Gareth quickly chimes in loudly, "NO", and then quiets himself down "No. You are not following anyone. The last time you got us in a lot of trouble, but at least that was a party - this time you could breach security and get us imprisoned or dead. Besides, with House Medani you would be spotted very fast. Also, this guy is probably smart enough to avoid being found - speaking telepathically to a group of people is not that simple." Thinking for a moment, "I don't know this person, and I don't trust this person." Looking at Luna "There are only two things here. Either somebody's trying to hurt us or somebody's trying to help us. Just so you know."

Luna snorts, with a combination of disappointment and disgust. “Oh, please! Tell me something I don’t know, genius! Every second bloody idiot we meet is trying to hurt us, and the ones that say they’re trying to help us are also trying to hurt us half the time. Ghraagh! I’m getting sooo bored with this crappy escort job!” She glares around at the group. “You guys better hope something exciting happens at the dinner-ball, otherwise I am going to go bat-shit. Dire bat-shit!” With that, she turns and stalks into one of the rooms the group has been provided.

OOC: I think that sounds enough like her

Admin wrote:

Luna snorts, with a combination of disappointment and disgust. “Oh, please! Tell me something I don’t know, genius! Every second bloody idiot we meet is trying to hurt us, and the ones that say they’re trying to help us are also trying to hurt us half the time. Ghraagh! I’m getting sooo bored with this crappy escort job!” She glares around at the group. “You guys better hope something exciting happens at the dinner-ball, otherwise I am going to go bat-shit. Dire bat-shit!” With that, she turns and stalks into one of the rooms the group has been provided.

OOC: I think that sounds enough like her

Turning to Nameless, "Please let me know the moment you can cast forcecage." Gareth walks back to the Princess' room to see if she needs anything, and if not he will stand gaurd.

Admin wrote:

Luna snorts, with a combination of disappointment and disgust. “Oh, please! Tell me something I don’t know, genius! Every second bloody idiot we meet is trying to hurt us, and the ones that say they’re trying to help us are also trying to hurt us half the time. Ghraagh! I’m getting sooo bored with this crappy escort job!” She glares around at the group. “You guys better hope something exciting happens at the dinner-ball, otherwise I am going to go bat-shit. Dire bat-shit!” With that, she turns and stalks into one of the rooms the group has been provided.

OOC: I think that sounds enough like her

Yes it's scary.

Before she leaves, Nameless will wisper quietly to Luna "Just leave now. I will have Gareth make excuses for you. Return in a couple of hours once all the formalities are over."

Nameless wrote:

Before she leaves, Nameless will wisper quietly to Luna "Just leave now. I will have Gareth make excuses for you. Return in a couple of hours once all the formalities are over."

OOC: Did you mean she should go after the soldier, or that she should just go off and find a way to deal with her boredom and return later?

Admin wrote:

Nameless wrote:

Before she leaves, Nameless will wisper quietly to Luna "Just leave now. I will have Gareth make excuses for you. Return in a couple of hours once all the formalities are over."

OOC: Did you mean she should go after the soldier, or that she should just go off and find a way to deal with her boredom and return later?

The later. Go do something else while all the boring formal stuff is going on and return once it's all over.

Looking at Nameless in shock, "Do we really want Luna roaming the palace, or any part of the world, alone? Wouldn't it be much better to sedate her? Sleeping poison? Maybe give her a shiny bauble to play around with?"

Gareth wrote:

Do we really want Luna roaming the palace, or any part of the world, alone? Wouldn't it be much better to sedate her? Sleeping poison?

Luna's been immune to poison for 4 levels now.

Nameless wrote:

Gareth wrote:

Do we really want Luna roaming the palace, or any part of the world, alone? Wouldn't it be much better to sedate her? Sleeping poison?

Luna's been immune to poison for 4 levels now.

Oh yea....ok Shiny bauble it is.

Gareth wrote:

Oh yea....ok Shiny bauble it is.

Luna growls. “You know where you can put that shiny bauble? And yeah, that sounds like a great idea, Nameless. I could really use the chance to pop out and stretch my wings, and check out a little of this city. And relax – I’ll stay out of trouble.”

Six says, “I’ll be offering odds on that, if anybody’s interested.”

“Bah! Everyone’s a critic!” Luna shakes an admonishing finger and heads into the room.

A minute later, an inordinately fat pigeon about the size of a small goose flaps out of the window of the room and makes its slow way into the sky. Its passage is mostly unnoticed, except by the queen’s head falconer, out exercising one of her prize goshawks in a large garden some distance away. Amused and intrigued at the sight of the huge pigeon, he releases the hunting bird. Despite the distance, the goshawk rapidly catches up to and gains altitude over its slow-moving prey, which must be either blind or stupid, considering its complete lack of reaction to the predator. With a sharp cry, the goshawk descends upon it, a feathered bolt of destruction. The falconer is too far away to make out the details, but there is a single sound, seeming more like a growl than a bird’s cry, and then, amazingly, what he thinks is a small explosion. And then only the pigeon winging its way onwards, while the shape of the goshawk plummets downwards.

Horrified, the falconer rushes to the scene, to find the goshawk alive, though stunned and significantly bedraggled, with one badly torn wing and strangely scorched feathers. Clutching the dazed bird to his chest, the man hurries off towards the mews, grateful that the queen hadn’t been present to see what happened. Luckily for his continuing employment, he is able to revive the goshawk to full health eventually, though it never quite gets over a tendency to scream and huddle on the ground when a pigeon flies by.


OOC: Let me know if there are any specific spells you have up or other precautions you want to take before the dinner-ball that is to follow. I'll pop up a post about it in a day or two.

Without having my notes in front of me, currently Status and Shield Other. Gareth will also cast a Magic Circle Vs Evil on Haydith.

If there are any other long term spells you can think of then let me know

Gareth wrote:

Without having my notes in front of me, currently Status and Shield Other.

If there are any other long term spells you can think of then let me know

One that comes to mind is Freedom of Movement (on Haydith). Lasts 10 mins/level and ensures that nobody's going to be able to grab the princess. A Magic Circle vs. Evil wouldn't hurt either.

John, does Nameless put up a Telepathic Bond? If so, let me know who are the four people he includes in it.

And on we go...

* * * * * *

Nearly two hours later, the Angels – including Luna, who returned just in time, looking very satisfied with her excursion – are among a few scores of people walking, sitting and chatting in a giant hall in the palace. None of the guards from Haydith’s entourage or the Brelish contingent are present, leaving Haydith accompanied by Maddox, Theda, Gustavus, Malkom, Inara, and the Angels. A few discreetly – and distantly – placed Aundairan soldiers can be seen, but none of them close enough to jar with the surroundings. From the rich, sometimes exotic and often ostentatious, clothing of the guests, to the tables laden with the choicest delicacies from Aundair and the rest of the Five Nations (and beyond), to the various insignia imprinted on the banners hanging over the heads of the people below – there is a very conspicuous display of royal and noble splendor here.

At any other time, the Angels might have been completely out of place here, but thanks to the garb provided, they fit in fairly well – at least at first glance. Gareth, Korm and Nameless (the latter aided by his constant illusion) are all resplendent in outfits normally worn by high-ranking nobles, wearing fabrics incorporating a combination of blues, purples and other rare dyes, and including significantly more jewelry than any of them would otherwise wear. Luna looks surprisingly fetching in a long green gown, which has evidently been designed with a shifter wearer in mind. Though it is slit along the side to reveal a tanned and muscular thigh, the neckline is unusually high and serves to hide any chest hair, and a craftily made combination of hat and hairband combines to hide most of her wild mane of hair and sideburns. Even Six, though not wearing other clothes, has been provided with a large fur-lined cloak and a hat, which combine to disguise most of his bulky and martial form. The others too have been similarly attired to best advantage, even Maddox having doffed his usual bone armor for a suit that makes him look more like a burly merchant than a deadly warrior.

Naturally, Haydith and those who accompany her are the center of attention, with people constantly swirling around them, mostly just exchanging platitudes and the usual meaningless social chit-chat. After the princess, the Angels draw the greatest attention, due to the combination of their position and fame (or notoriety). They also find it difficult to stay together or near the princess, considering the amount of people talking to her and to them, and the various directions in which they are often pulled or propelled.

Eventually, Nameless finds himself rubbing shoulders with Aurala’s brother and Royal Minister of Magic Adal, while Gareth is in a three-way conversation with Lord Darro ir’Lain and Maddox. Korm has a matronly looking baroness and her twin sister talking to him about current fashions in Breland, while Luna has a trio of young nobles each trying to individually gain her attention and ply her with very obviously insincere flattery. Six is given relatively more space, until buttonholed by a short and portly lord, who is evidently very interested to know his opinions about the “warforged question,” especially in Aundair and Breland.

Admin wrote:

One that comes to mind is Freedom of Movement (on Haydith). Lasts 10 mins/level and ensures that nobody's going to be able to grab the princess.

Sounds like a good idea. Can Korm or Luna extend it so it will last for hours.

Admin wrote:

John, does Nameless put up a Telepathic Bond? If so, let me know who are the four people he includes in it.

Nameless will extend the telepathic Bond.

Himself, Korm, Gareth, Six and the Princess.

He'll have a True Seeing, Anti-magic shell and a Dimentional Anchor prepared as well.

Gareth will only give simple, short and very basic conversation to people who speak with him, and will stay close to the princess weaving and dodging between anyone who gets too much in between him and the princess.

Nameless wrote:

Sounds like a good idea. Can Korm or Luna extend it so it will last for hours.

Nope. Neither of them has the feat. But it lasts 2 hrs 10 minutes when they cast it, so that's pretty good anyway.

Quote :

Nameless will extend the telepathic Bond.

Himself, Korm, Gareth, Six and the Princess.

He'll have a True Seeing, Anti-magic shell and a Dimentional Anchor prepared as well.

Okay.

Gareth wrote:

Gareth will only give simple, short and very basic conversation to people who speak with him, and will stay close to the princess weaving and dodging between anyone who gets too much in between him and the princess.

Haydith, glowing brightly to Nameless’ arcane eye with all the protective spells that he and Gareth have placed upon her, is standing nearby, chatting with Aurala and a couple of others. Gareth sees her take a few steps away as the queen introduces her to another noble, and makes an attempt at extricating himself from the conversation with Darro and Maddox. Darro, who is speaking, frowns slightly at the obvious move and Haydith, who has been watching Gareth almost as much as he has her, quickly transmits a message over the telepathic bond that Nameless has set up between her, Gareth, Korm, Six and Nameless himself. “Gareth – try not to make any diplomatic faux pas. I seriously doubt anyone would risk something in such a gathering, even if they could get past all the security, with all the protective magic you’ve used on me and all of you nearby I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.” There is the mental sound of a giggle, as she adds, “We’ve got enough people gossiping about you following me around everywhere.”

As she finishes the message, the various people are saying:

Darro (to Gareth and Maddox): “As I was saying, all our nations, and us as individuals, have lost much in the War, which is why preventing any chance of it recurring is a very important aim to us in Aundair.” (Turning to Gareth) “I believe you lost your father at the Battle of Grace. It is a pity. I had heard good things of Marshal Byron Deneith.”

Adal (to Nameless): “I believe you are the premier mage in Sharn and one of the most skilled in Breland. That’s very impressive. Have you ever visited the Aundairan colleges of magic? Especially Arcanix? I would think someone of your skills would find it very interesting there.”

Unnamed baroness (to Korm): “Your friends and you must be getting invited to the best parties! Tell me, what are the ladies currently wearing in Sharn? Hats! What kind of hats? I’ve always wanted to go to Sharn myself, but never had the opportunity. And I’m not sure how I’d handle the heights. Is it very drafty? Do people have to wear thick clothing all the time? I mean, I’m all right with fur, but not all the time. Do you like fur? I think …”

Young noble (to Luna): “Are you doing anything after this party? I was just wondering if you might be free to do something more interesting afterwards.” (leaning closer) “These formal parties are such a crashing bore, don’t you think?”

Portly lord (to Six): “I don’t mean to be offensive, but as a warforged yourself, what do you think of the current treatment of warforged? I’m hearing that Cannith South is hiring them … I mean your people … in great numbers. Some people are quite concerned about that, saying that Cannith is trying to form a private army, but I think that’s just bollocks. Don’t you?”

Admin wrote:

Adal (to Nameless): “I believe you are the premier mage in Sharn and one of the most skilled in Breland. That’s very impressive. Have you ever visited the Aundairan colleges of magic? Especially Arcanix? I would think someone of your skills would find it very interesting there.”

Between chasing Rakshasa's, battling dragons and having tea with Vampires we've have regretably little time available for persuing academic interests. However, now that I've been here. I may return to consult on some matters that have recently arisen. What can you tell me about other alienists at the Academy?

Nameless wrote:

Between chasing Rakshasa's, battling dragons and having tea with Vampires we've have regretably little time available for persuing academic interests. However, now that I've been here. I may return to consult on some matters that have recently arisen. What can you tell me about other alienists at the Academy?

Adal emits a short and sharp laugh, drawing covert glances from a couple of people in the vicinity, and then says, "Really? I presume such events will be covered in the Chronicle too? As for alienists...," he strokes his chin thoughtfully for a couple of moments, and then says, "...that's not an area of expertise for me, of course, but I daresay at least a couple of people at Arcanix would know about such things. I believe Daumar Ronag is an alienist, though much less skilled than you. Theviana ir'Lantar, currently the leading expert on Planar Studies at Arcanix, also has some interests in that area, I believe. I believe you met one of her distant cousins in Sharn, our ambassador there who disappeared mysteriously some time ago."

The Royal Minister of Magic takes a sip from his glass and continues, "You said that you might want to visit there to consult on some recent developments? May I ask what they are? I might be able to recommend someone for you to speak to and, of course, I can provide an introductory letter and arrange for you to be given access to Arcanix."

Admin wrote:

“Gareth – try not to make any diplomatic faux pas. I seriously doubt anyone would risk something in such a gathering, even if they could get past all the security, with all the protective magic you’ve used on me and all of you nearby I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.” There is the mental sound of a giggle, as she adds, “We’ve got enough people gossiping about you following me around everywhere.”

Listening to Haydith, and telepathically replying "What gossip are you speaking of? Not that it matters - I will keep more distance, but I would be remiss if I missed something. Not all attackers use brute force".

Admin wrote:

Darro (to Gareth and Maddox): “As I was saying, all our nations, and us as individuals, have lost much in the War, which is why preventing any chance of it recurring is a very important aim to us in Aundair.” (Turning to Gareth) “I believe you lost your father at the Battle of Grace. It is a pity. I had heard good things of Marshal Byron Deneith.”

After being instructed to do so Gareth gives more attention to his speaking partners "It is important the nations work together in harmony. Take it from my experience, there are things much more grave out there then petty rivalries and self-indulgent greed to power. There are creatures I have seen that just the very mention of them would cause people to want to cower in a hole for eternity - and I guarantee you that would not help at all. There are creatures out there that can level armies at glance. I wish I could show people that we need to come together to work as one - evil has no problem using us against us."

When the conversation turns to Gareth, a moment of pain and pride fills him "Marshal Byron Deneith was a great man, and an amazing father. I was lucky to have had him train me - I was lucky to have had him save my life. I could only hope to one day be half the man that he was."

Turning to Maddox, "What made you choose the path you have taken? It is a difficult one, and takes dedication that not many can muster up."

Admin wrote:

Adal emits a short and sharp laugh, drawing covert glances from a couple of people in the vicinity, and then says, "Really? I presume such events will be covered in the Chronicle too?

Most of it. There is some information we don't divulge for reasons of either confidence or danger. As adventurers we do run across things where it is safer that they remain a secret and of course we do undertake confidential missions as well. We try to maintain a good working relationship with the authorities in Sharn. They always have uses for a powerful adventuring group and it has proved a useful way to hone our skills.

Admin wrote:

As for alienists...," he strokes his chin thoughtfully for a couple of moments, and then says, "...that's not an area of expertise for me, of course, but I daresay at least a couple of people at Arcanix would know about such things. I believe Daumar Ronag is an alienist, though much less skilled than you.

Unfortunately, someone significantly less powerful than I is unlikely to be of much help. When I encounter a problem and question that I can not solve myself, they are no longer those which any but the most skilled and knowlegeable can assist me with.

Admin wrote:

Theviana ir'Lantar, currently the leading expert on Planar Studies at Arcanix, also has some interests in that area, I believe. I believe you met one of her distant cousins in Sharn, our ambassador there who disappeared mysteriously some time ago."

What can you tell me about your ambassador's disapearence? Was it in Sharn? We might be able to investigate the matter if it was. As I mentioned we try to maintain a good working relationship with the authorities. Though it might be awhile before we have a chance to look into it.

Admin wrote:

The Royal Minister of Magic takes a sip from his glass and continues, "You said that you might want to visit there to consult on some recent developments? May I ask what they are? I might be able to recommend someone for you to speak to and, of course, I can provide an introductory letter and arrange for you to be given access to Arcanix."

I have some questions about the Far Realms that my regular sources have proved inadiquate to answer. Other sources I have sought out have proved unhelpful. I am approaching transcendance and there is more I must know.

Choose your own response

1. Six thinks, Get away from me you git, before I tear off your head and pour dire bear and bat poop down your neck. Six saids, "Whatever."
OOC. There is someone that can sneak telepathy in this royally paranoid security. I haven't found how you can make telepathy undetectable in DND, but a I don't put it past Shil.

2. Yes the warforged will be when the Dragon Prophecies are realized and all that you know is at an end. (FF2). What are your thoughts on the "sleeping problem"? After all yur spend half your life in a state that puts you very near a realm of mental horror. Filled with powerful beings that want your essessene and your only protection is the belief you are safe. If I could sleep that would keep me up.

3. I have walked the halls of the Cannith house and seen their labs. I am convinced by what I have seen that there is no such army. You have nothing to fear, everything is fine with the warforge.
OOC: This statement contains; oversimplification, misstatement of facts, unsubstanatied statements and complete falsehoods. However none of that has any bering to his originial question whose answer is, there is no such army. Let his sense motive deal with that.

4. Six: Problem !?!






Whatever the choice is and the end Six asks, "And who might you be?"


Question: How much separtation is need to get the camoflauge benfit for the terrians sky and bodies of water?

Dave W wrote:

Choose your own response

Oh lord - those were just beautiful! I almost fell off my chair laughing. Now I've got to make a choice and formulate a response. Not sure how, but I'll do it.

Quote :

Question: How much separtation is need to get the camoflauge benfit for the terrians sky and bodies of water?

I'm not sure I understand the question. What kind of physical separation do you mean?

I don't have Complete Adventurer in India with me, but I think the Camouflage ability is the same as the ranger's ("can use Hide skill in any sort of natural terrain, even if the terrain doesn't grant cover or concealment"). Right? If so, I'd say any natural body of water would work (Lake Galifar, yes; Haydith's bathtub, no) for the ability. The sky I'm a little more iffy about, since it gets a little more difficult to define (if you're in a very urban setting and fly 10 ft above the ground, is it "sky" and hence usable with Camouflage?), so I'll play that by ear. Usually, if you're a hundred feet or so off the ground and higher than those you're trying to hide from, I'll consider it usable with Camouflage.

Not sure if that answers your question. Let me know.

Gareth wrote:

Listening to Haydith, and telepathically replying "What gossip are you speaking of? Not that it matters - I will keep more distance, but I would be remiss if I missed something. Not all attackers use brute force".

“I’ll remember that,” comes the telepathic response. “As for the gossip, it’s just some silly people talking.” There’s another soft mental giggle.

Quote :

After being instructed to do so Gareth gives more attention to his speaking partners "It is important the nations work together in harmony. Take it from my experience, there are things much more grave out there then petty rivalries and self-indulgent greed to power. There are creatures I have seen that just the very mention of them would cause people to want to cower in a hole for eternity - and I guarantee you that would not help at all. There are creatures out there that can level armies at glance. I wish I could show people that we need to come together to work as one - evil has no problem using us against us."

When the conversation turns to Gareth, a moment of pain and pride fills him "Marshal Byron Deneith was a great man, and an amazing father. I was lucky to have had him train me - I was lucky to have had him save my life. I could only hope to one day be half the man that he was."

Darro says nothing, simply lifting his glass in a silent toast to the memory of Gareth’s father. Then, after a second or two, he says, “The nations working together harmoniously is obviously something most right-thinking people in Khorvaire want, but it is a difficult process. So many kingdoms, cultures and smaller groups, all of them with their individual agendas, most bearing deep scars and resentments from the War – it’s hardly surprising that there hasn’t been any unified movement among the nations since the Accords. Sometimes I wonder if it wouldn’t have been better if the War had been fought to a finish, leaving one clear victor to unite Khorvaire under her banner.”

“Or his,” says Maddox dryly, reminding Gareth that while Aundairans refer to their nation as a motherland, in Karrnath it is a fatherland that people speak of. Darro’s head snaps up at Maddox and his eyes flash for a moment, but as the bone knight calmly holds his gaze and then looks down to lift his glass, Darro nods slowly. “Yes.”

Switching his attention back to Gareth, he continues smoothly, “And sometimes I wonder if it will take some great external threat to unify the nations, by requiring them to work together against a common foe. Is that the kind of enemy and evil you were speaking of? What did you have in mind?”

Quote :

Turning to Maddox, "What made you choose the path you have taken? It is a difficult one, and takes dedication that not many can muster up."

Maddox hesitates, and then replies slowly, “I am surprised you need to ask me that question. As a paladin of the Silver Flame, you yourself must know – and carry out – tasks that require dedication beyond what the average person can, or is willing to, provide. When I left Rekkenmark, the ranks of the Bone Knights had been thinned by the War, and they were greatly needed. That was a path I was both willing and able, since I was already a paladin of the Blood of Vol, to pursue. So I did, and after the War, I continue to pursue it, since it … suits me and vice versa. There really isn’t more to it than that.” He smiles a rare smile. “I’d be happy to train you in the art, if you want,” but the tone says he knows what Gareth’s response will be.

Nameless wrote:

What can you tell me about your ambassador's disapearence? Was it in Sharn? We might be able to investigate the matter if it was. As I mentioned we try to maintain a good working relationship with the authorities. Though it might be awhile before we have a chance to look into it.

“Really?” says Adal. “Aurala would be quite pleased if you did so, and very grateful if you managed to solve the mystery. I’d have to check, but I think Helais disappeared on the 3rd of Rhaan, which makes it a month and a half now. And yes, he did disappear from Sharn. The last person to see him was his twin, the co-Ambassador, Alais, who saw him go up to his room that night. He was never seen again, and his bed was apparently not slept in, nor was there a struggle, so he was very likely kidnapped magically. We’ve used diviners to attempt to ascertain his location or situation, but there must be powerful magic protection involved, since we’ve discovered effectively nothing.”

The details that Adal mentions jog Nameless’ prodigious memory, and he recalls hearing of Helais’ disappearance before. Flim Turen had mentioned it to the Angels after their return from the Demon Wastes, among the news in Sharn during their absence. Helais had disappeared the night before their departure. Nameless also recalls Helais, a tall half-elf whom they had met at Corven’s investiture in his lordship, where the Cyran aide Tyrala had commented that he rarely attended such ceremonies and that while he was an effective diplomat and strong proponent for improved relations between the nations in a post-War Khorvaire, she did not trust him. The Angels had met him again during their visit to the Karrnathi embassy, when they had spied on Dals Nelmo, the Butcher of Eston.

Adal continues, “I believe that Helais is, unfortunately, dead, but we can’t be certain. If you could ascertain his situation, one way or the other, I’d be very pleased. There is, naturally, a significant reward for such information, and Alais has also announced a reward from their personal wealth – which is actually quite extensive – for information leading to certainty about his brother’s fate. The two were identical twins and very close.”

He pauses and then asks, “You said it would be a while before you’d be able to check on this, if you did. I presume that’s because of escorting Haydith to Karrnath and back again on her return. Or is there anything else you expect to be busy with? And, if you don’t mind me asking, are you planning to do more such work for the Brelish crown? The reason I ask is, if you’ll forgive the crassness, because people of your ability are rare, and especially so in the sort of group you and your companions form, so I’d honestly like to benefit from this meeting. Especially since, as Royal Minister of Magic, much of my work has to do with the advancement of magical study and practice in Aundair. Even though Arcanix is undoubtedly the premier arcane academy on Khorvaire, I’m sure someone of your abilities would help improve it. And conversely, the resources there would certainly be a great asset to you in your current and future endeavors, I’m sure. Such as in this movement towards transcendence, whatever you mean by it.” Adal falls silent and looks at Nameless quizzically, clearly waiting for a response.

Dave W wrote:

Choose your own response

Okay, I mixed a bunch of what you posted in one, as follows, and provided a following response:

Six, who has been steadily getting bored with the party and a little irritated at having to put up with the social encounters that he firmly believes his companions are incompetent at dealing with, thinks (in a remarkably Luna-like manner), Get away from me, you git, before I tear off your head and pour dire bear and bat poop down your neck! Not expressing the sentiment aloud, he simply says, “I agree. I have walked the halls of the Cannith South headquarters in Sharn, seen their laboratories and spoken to many people there. I am convinced by what I have seen that there is no such army. You have nothing to fear; everything is fine with the warforged situation. For a certain definition of fine, Six thinks, knowing that his reply involves a certain degree of oversimplification, misstatement of facts, unsubstantiated claims and the odd complete falsehood, but is essentially true – to the best of his knowledge – on the main subject of the original question: the existence of a warforged army controlled by House Cannith.

The big warforged runs his gleaming, lidless eyes, over the soft, pudgy figure before him and thinks cynically, And things like that are the least of your problems. After all, you spend half your life in a state that puts you very near a realm of mental horror, filled with powerful beings that want your essence and your only protection is the belief you are safe. If I could sleep, that would keep me up a lot more than thoughts of an artificer collecting a warforged army.” Again, instead of mentioning anything of what he thinks, Six asks, “And who might you be?”

The man smiles broadly and makes a clumsy bow, spilling part of his drink in the process. “I am Lord Murat. I don’t know if you have heard of me,” he beams at Six hopefully, and continues, “But I’m – if I may say so myself – regarded as one of the more progressive of my rank and I’ve been trying to lobby for greater appreciation of the various, and especially rarer, races in Aundair. Warforged, for example, are one group I’m very interested in, because I think they’re often very badly treated. It’s really wrong how you people can be treated like walking machines! I’m happy that folks like you are gaining some attention, so maybe more people will realize that warforged can be productive members of society deserving just the same rights as others!” Murat is getting quite excited by this point, turning a little red in the face and beginning to gesticulate. Realizing this when he again sprays a little wine around him, he visibly calms himself and says, “Sorry. It’s just something I feel strongly about. I’m sure you and your friends have opinions about the subject too.” He falls silent, awaiting a response.

OOC: Yes, Lord Murat was one of the names that the telepathic warning mentioned. And yes, someone communicating telepathically in this place is definitely up to something unusual. You may find out eventually how it happened.