[Game Thread] Shinoa's Game (Part 1)

[Spazztick]

All in a days work. Shinoa helps to patch up the remaining guardsmen, getting the at least in condition to travel, so they did not collapse on the way back to Tul'cadre. Among her, Edgar and a couple of the more sturdy guards gather and loot the Orc bodies. There's a handful of comments being made, about the sheer quality of the weapons they were carrying. One of the guards shows the scimitar to the White Reaper, as he swings it in the air testing it. "These weapons damn near rival the one's made by House Nesko, it's hard to believe that Orcs could have made something so well." He seems quite baffled, but is more than happy to take the weapon as his own. After a short time all of the valuables are looted and the bodies are left piled in a line, their heads removed from their shoulders and placed at the bottom of their feet. A sign should the Orc's return for their corpses, stating they are less than the scum below their boots. Edgar takes one of the Orcs chainmail, and one of the large axes, quite ecstatic about being permitted his share of the spoils. He let's Shinoa know that should she ever need his aid, he would be more than glad to join her. He also offers to work with Sypha, should she wish it. His technique was impressive enough, and his supposed knowledge of animals could prove beneficial, especially if she wished to better train her steed. It was always good to know of potential options, whether it was never to be utilized or not. With the children in tow, Shinoa goes to ride back to the city, Meno and his men taking much longer to prepare to leave. She lets it know that the days end is nearing and there is much she still needs to do, in regards of getting ready to head up to see her mother. Meno seems a bit on edge, but is willing to let her lock the children up in the dungeon at House Radoc's keep. "I expect an update as to their condition, locations of any other that may have gotten away and things of that sort before you leave. Send a messenger to the my representative at the Lift." He states clearly, and with that she spltis from the bulk of the party. She arrives at the gate with the two children in tow just about an hour later, both bound and gagged. There's a greeting from the city guard, as they keep noticeable distance from her and the children. Night is already upon her, leaving only the faint illumination of the sun off the western skies.

Huzzah! Congratulations on leveling! Because I dig this.Fake XP: +2,500 for handling the 'witches' non-lethally. +1,500 for great RP. +25 for calling the Dwarf an Orc. +500 for playing out your fumbles and critical hits well. +3,000 for surviving the Orc Raiding party, and kicking some ass in the process.

 

Item	Quantity	Value Each	Taken By	Notes
MW Scimitar	2	315 gold	Guard 2 and Guard 3	-
MW GreatAx	2	320 gold	Edgar, Shinoa	-
MW Dagger	6	302g	Shinoa	-
Shortsword	1	10g	-	-
Longsword	1	15g	-	-
MW Heavy Steel Shield	1	170g	-	-
Heavy Wooden Shield	1	7g	-	-
MW Chain Mail	1	300g	Edgar	-
Mw Scale Mail	2	200g	-	-
Studded Leather	1	25g	-	-
Leather	1	10g	-	-
26 Gold Coins	-	-	-	-
20 Silver Coins	-	-	-	-
50' of Silk Rope	3	10g	-	-
Usable once to double the critical strike range of a weapon for one combat.Sharpening Stone	2	-	-	-

[Abyssion]

Shinoa was quick to claim a Greataxe and all of the masterwork daggers. She was thinking of how she was going to clean up her costume, and upon seeing the daggers, she knew she had to find a way to strap them to the inside of her cloak. Speaking of cloaks, one of them had an anti-magic cloaks under their armor, which Shinoa took after identifying it, to the confusion of the others.

She encouraged Edgar to get a weapon and some armor from the bodies.

"Yes, I suppose Sypha and I could use more combat training. I generally just use her to get from place to place, and I can count on her to not run away."

Shinoa let the others make claims on the loot, though most of them could barely walk home, let alone carry a bag of loot on top of that. She took another longer look, finding some more well crafted items and some coinage, which she 20 gold to Edgar and the rest spread out among the peasants, most likelyquickly passed around to those that wanted it.

With everything bound up with the silk ropes and hoisted onto Sypha, Shinoa excused herself from the party.

"I expect an update as to their condition, locations of any other that may have gotten away and things of that sort before you leave. Send a messenger to the my representative at the Lift."

"Will do. By your leave, Lord Car."

(Loot has been accounted for on my character sheet)

Shinoa took the usual routes back to the Radoc estate, though she was not able to be nearly as quick with all she carried, and especially with the children. She made sure Sypha was taken care of, and made arrangements to have the loot sold, taking a loan so that she had the cash by the next morning. She arranged for a room in the dungeon to interrogate the children while insisting that they have cells with decent bedding and decent meals, citing, "These are witches, but they're also children."

With everything squared away, it was time to interrogate the children. She brought them into a mostly empty room with a few chairs and a table, locking the door behind her. She tethered their chains to their chairs, and pulled out their gags. She remained in her costume, blood stains and all, while doing all of this.

"So. I promised Meno I'd interrogate you. So here we are. Got anything to say before I start asking questions?"

[Spazztick]

House Radoc Shinoa was finally back within a safe haven, her home, House Radoc's keep, towing the children with her. Their stable hand was not in this evening, but a servant helps tend to the horse and Shinoa finds no trouble arranging to have the gear sold. As she makes her way to the dungeon, she comes across Jarvis Mulland, the captain of the house guard. "Lord Shinoa." He gives a formal bow, before returning to his relaxed posture. "Bringing your work home with you tonight eh? Shall I prepare the dungeon?" When she makes it clear they're also children, and should be treated as such, he gives a couple nods. "Okay then, the holding room it is then." He walks ahead of her and prepares a room for the two of them, well more that he commands other guardsmen to move things around to get it ready, even requesting food and drink, and blankets to be brought down to the cell. While the rooms are getting situated, Shinoa takes the children to the interrogation room, but not before being offered a glass of wine and a pitcher of the same, as well as a pitcher of water. The servant leaves them on the table within close proximity for her to get. The children both exchange glances, sore from the long walk, but also confused by Shinoa's compassion, even if she did knock them both senseless. The boy speaks up first. "I almost got you.. you know, almost knocked you o... " The girl shouts at him. "Able! Enough." Shinoa hears him say something about her not being evil. The girl continues to speak instead. "I'm sorry, we didn't expect to live through that... are... are we going to hang?" She waits for an answer, then replies solemnly. "You can ask your questions mam."

[Abyssion]

As she makes her way to the dungeon, she comes across Jarvis Mulland, the captain of the house guard.

"Lord Shi--"

Shinoa cut him off with a loud clearing of her throat. Jarvis should have known better than to call her by her real name while she was in costume in front of witches.
He gives a formal bow and apologizes, before returning to his relaxed posture. "Bringing your work home with you tonight eh? Shall I prepare the dungeon?"

"Unfortunately. Long story, but I need a room to interrogate them in. Get them cells prepared and make sure they have decent bedding and food. These are witches, but they are also children."

"Okay then, the holding room it is."

"I almost got you.. you know, almost knocked you o... " The girl shouts at him.

"Able! Enough."

"You fought pretty well, given the circumstances. Had you proper equipment, you might have been an actual threat."

"I'm sorry, we didn't expect to live through that... are... are we going to hang?"

"Make no mistake. The penalty for witchcraft is death."

"You can ask your questions ma'am."

"First. Let me get your story straight. Your names are Able and Jessi. You and three other children were in deep trouble, but a little girl named Maggie saved you and taught you magic through the power of Desna. Maggie talks to Desna directly, and you two can feel her desires. Maggie is also capable of...I suppose the word is 'miracles' and can even have Desna talk directly through her. Did I miss anything?"

 

"Where did you even learn about Desna?"
"How did this all start?"
"You have some powerful friends who summoned a giant illusionary dragon, among other things. Who were they?"
"What do you think of Meno Car?" (comes with an explanation of how that is if needed)
"What do you think of me?"

Any time they say they don't know, or try to avoid the question, she'll taking 10 for 20 to intimidationintimidate them and ask the question again.
This doesn't apply to the last 2 questions. She'll just say "No really. Be honest."

[Spazztick]

The Captain's Embarrassment As Shinoa reaches her hand up with a quickness, silencing the captain before he spilled the beans, the man stammers out an apology. Apparently he was to quick to speak seeing her arrive, that he'd overlooked what she had in tow. He looks rather distraught about his actions and moves to quickly do as she needed, handling more of it himself than he normally would have. Back with the children, Shinoa speak with them, her compliment on the way the boy handled himself leaves him stumped without words. He just sits there with his mouth open and watches, though he quickly closes his mouth when the mention of death is brought up. The girl looks solemn as well, but manages to speak, she comments in a soft voice. [b]"It's not witchcraft, it's divine magic and it's a blessing, a good thing..."[/i] ""First. Let me get your story straight. Your names are Able and Jessi. You and three other children were in deep trouble, but a little girl named Maggie saved you and taught you magic through the power of Desna. Maggie talks to Desna directly, and you two can feel her desires. Maggie is also capable of...I suppose the word is 'miracles' and can even have Desna talk directly through her. Did I miss anything?" The two of them exchange a glance, when he mentions Desna speaking through her, confusion obvious on their face. The girl responds. "You have our names right, all of us except Maggie, were left orphans from Greystone when the mine collapsed." She seems to have accepted the fact that her parents have passed, though the boy gets an even more scornful look. "We were the ones who saved Maggie, but is special... I never have heard the Goddess Desna speak through her, she just hears her... mostly when she sleeps, but she hears her messages clearer than any of us, we figured it was because she's the youngest and maybe the most pure? I don't know..." They let Shinoa ask more questions, the girl taking the lead in most of the responses. "Where did you even learn about Desna, How did this al start?" There was a moments hesitation, but Shinoa quickly asked the question again, more seriously. "Uh... We had nowhere to go, so we stayed within the church there at Greystone. While there, that's when I had the dream that led us to Rumri... I slept so well, and I could see all of the land around me, all of the roads leading here... all of the stops along the way, I could see all of us walking in the light, even when all us around us was darkness. It was like soft whispers, something so peaceful and real... Then I saw the moon, it was guiding us, and I knew we must go. I did not know who or what it was that would lead us, I just knew we must go." She pauses to catch her breath. "It took us awhile before we left, because Able wouldn't believe me... not until the night that he and all the others had the same dream. We took what supplies we could and left. Along the way we all began to feel the presence of something special within us... It wasn't until Able took a bad fall, and injured his leg, I tried to wrap it up as I'd seen those coming from the mine injured and bandaged before, but while I did so my hands tingled and the wound healed. I healed him... that was when we realized what we were feeling, it was the magic. It was the gift." She is looking directly at the masked woman, her confidence beyond what one her age would normally have. "Over time we all felt it, some more than others, but all of us felt it. We met Maggie along the way, our dreams guided us to her home, where her mother had passed and her father was abusing her, he was drunk and monster! He would've killed her!" Shinoa see's her voice raise, and eyes start to water from the memories, as she defends their actions. "I mean it, We saw her dead in our dreams, We saw her dying in our dreams. We had to go help her, and so we did." She catches her breath, then continues to speak. "Able hit the wicked man on the head and he got knocked out, we don't even know if he's even alive or not. She came with us without hesitation, like she knew we were coming, Then we all made our way to this church. Maggie didn't talk much, but she did seem happy, then one morning she told us all about Desna, explained that the goddess had spoken to her. She said she woke up to a woman sitting by our fire, with long golden hair and a pure face. She said she asked her to sit with her by the fire while everybody else was asleep, and they talked She told her that we all had an important role to play, that we would be in her graces and one day would sit with her among her palace, free from troubles and trials of this world. She didn't word it so clearly, but she knew so much.. about her wishes, her method and even what kind of magic we'd all learn. That night was when things changed, everybody felt her presence and knew that we'd been following her this whole time, it was just a fact. It was belief! ...and it is real, and it is not bad and it is not witchcraft." You have some powerful friends who summoned a giant illusionary dragon, among other things. Who were they?" "We don't know who did that, the only one who can make illusions really is Maggie, and they're so small and dismal, that they couldn't do that. Like she could make a firefly or something, that's the biggest she ever could make. None of us can make dragons... and we don't have any friends, but we did know you were all coming today, and we knew there would be pain, but we also knew that we'd be safe. Maggie told us this morning, but we did not know about a dragon or that there would be more than one group coming. We did not know that Able and I would be prisoners, but you know what... it's okay, if we have to suffer so the others can be safe, it's okay." "What do you think of Meno Car?" "We don't know him, we don't know anybody really, except for the old man who brings us food sometimes from Rumri, we have just been waiting... learning and waiting." "What do you think of me?" There's a long pause, the girl not wanting to speak up, so the boy does so. "We know you're the White Reaper, and you're the witch hunter... and you're the one that gives people nightmares who play with magic. You kill men and women that are 'monsters' and witches, but really you're the monster.... and we'll die too, because that's what people do to "witches"... they kill them." He sits back in his chair, looking scornful and saddened. The girl speaks up this time, though she does not address what Able said. "We don't know you, we know of you, but we don't know you. I think maybe you understand us better than many would, but I think you still do your job, and we are worth a lot of money, cause we can use magic, and that's against the law. I think your kind, I heard you tell your guard man to get us meals and bedding, so thank you."

[Abyssion]

"You've never seen Desna speak through Maggie?" Shinoa let out a cold laugh and poured some wine for herself. "You really missed quite a show."

Shinoa listened to their testimonies intently, Taking 10 on Sense Motive for 22assessing their honesty, but giving off the impression that she believed them.

"Tell me more about the old man who gave you food. What did he look like? What was his name, or what did he call himself?"

"You kill men and women that are 'monsters' and witches, but really you're the monster..."

That stung. Shinoa took a long sip of wine as the boy uttered these words, and replied after Jessi finshed.

"I've been at this for seven years, and I've seen the worst humanity has to offer. Everything from blood sacrifices to false saviors extorting money from the desperate to siren-like death traps. It usually starts with just some ordinary people down on their luck who would do anything just to survive. I had no reason to think you wouldn't become something abominable in time as your resentment toward the state grew. I've been merciful thus far because I know you're still idealistic children."

[Spazztick]

Another Question Shinoa is under the impression everything the girl says is truthful, she can tell the boys lashing out doesn't even really believe in what he's saying, given the way that they are currently being treated. "Tell me more about the old man who gave you food. What did he look like? What was his name, or what did he call himself?" Jessi responds in a cautious way. "He's just some old man, him and his wife used to go walking through the fields and woods all the time, they've done it for years... she passed last year and now he just does it by himself. His path took him by the church, and that's how we met him. I don't want to get anybody in trouble, he's just a really nice old man." If pressed for his name, she shares it. "Jensen is his name, and his wife was Gwen, I don't know his last name... that's all I know, honest. He just brings a loaf of bread, or things like that when he goes on his walks. Sometimes he stays and talks for a few minutes, but he's never really there long. I think his mind is starting to fail, he takes a long time to find his words to speak, but he's just a nice old man." When Shinoa explains the type of people she's dealt with, there is no end to the truth it what she speaks. While there are those out there that use magic in a completely harmless way, there are just as many if not more, who use it in a destructive manner. She personally has put an end to at least two cults, that making blood sacrifices was the least of their travesties. The children are bot quiet after she finishes saying what she did, until Able mumbles out an apology, and the girl goes on to reassure her that they are in fact, good.

[Abyssion]

"Good. That's something I can throw at Meno to prove that this was a productive use of my time. So then. You must be wondering what happens next. I have to leave first thing in the morning, but you are to remain in my custody here. Likely you'll be used to draw out your sympathizers. And if I'm being completely honest..."

Shinoa takes another long drink of wine, finishing what was in the glass. She let out a sigh that told of how much of long day it had been.

"Someone's likely to take you away before I return. Just hope it's your friends and not Meno who does it. I strongly recommend you remain good prisoners and not stir up trouble in the mean time."

[Casting Detect Good to utilze Detect Expertise. DC 14 Will save to negate.]

Once they were finished, Shinoa escorted them to their cells, using the manacles to loosly tether them to their beds. She made sure to give Jarvis some advice on detaining them away from the children's ears.

"The boy's magic is entirely focused on hitting things. Keep his manacles on and he's powerless. The girl can cast a few spells, but nothing that could break her out. Gag her if she causes trouble."

[Spazztick]

Prisoners Neither the boy nor the girl understand what Shinoa means, when he mentions throwing something at Meno, but she knows it is necessary. They both look to her when she explains what is to happen, remaining locked up in here and only hoping that he would be right about their friends saving them. Though they did not know where Maggie and the others were, the lot of them would not stand a chance freeing them from this place. The only reassuring thought was that somebody strong enough to cast powerful illusions, had come to make sure they were safe, for whatever reason. They both swear they'll behave, not wanting to draw extra attention to themselves. When Shinoa tries to learn of their abilities, but the girl seems to resist the effects and she gains nothing off of it, though she's pretty certain that her power is not very great. The boy on the other hand, he opens up like a book, suddenly she knows what he's capable of. He can not cast spells in a traditional sense, but he can conjure divine spells to heal with his hands, as well as bolster his strength against evil creatures. She gets the feeling that he can also sense evil, and it feels uncomfortably eerie, as she senses a connection in that regard. She leaves them to Jarvis, who assures her it would be handled with care. "Yes mam, I will heed that advice and keep the boy locked up, hard to believe such young ones are tampering with such things. Shame that." He returns to his duties.

[Abyssion]

Shinoa managed to hold her composure together until she made it into her bedroom. If she ran into Simon on the way, she would have told him "I need to talk to you about something after I get changed."

Once inside her room, she closed the door and quickly unraveled her costume, unfastening belts and the like as she let her clothes, weapon, and armor fall off into a big pile on the ground. She stood still for a moment, letting the duties of her persona slowly drain from the forfront of her mind. She eventually gathered up the blood stained clothes and set them aside for them to be washed and put her gear on the proper racks. She then washed her face and put on a simple, easy to put on dress before leaving to find Simon.

[Spazztick]

Brother Simon Shinoa does not cross Simon on her way to her room, though she does find one of his servants. She states that he's within his fathers work chambers, working on some paper work. She sends the older lady to deliver her message for her, stating she'll be there to speak with him shortly, she promptly does so. Shinoa goes to her room, washes up and changes, taking note to the lack of any sign upon her shield hand. In her mind though, she can see the picture in he head as clearly as if it were the moment it was burning into her. A butterfly, symbols of each of the moons cycles within beautiful design, starting with the full moon for it's head, and becoming slivers at the sides, nothing at the tail. She hadn't noticed that before, and it isn't even visible. Shinoa shakes her han and then returns to the task at hand. She then makes her way to her fathers office. Simon is sitting in the well lit room, looking over some papers as she arrives. "Shinoa, you're back. What do you need to talk about?"

[Abyssion]

"Shinoa, you're back. What do you need to talk about?"

"A few things. First of all, there's two witches in our dungeon. They're just children, too naive to understand how dangerous magic is, and they shouldn't cause any trouble, but I thought you should know right away. Don't let Meno, or any other noble house transfer them to another dungeon until I return."

Shinoa eased her nerves a bit and sat down.

"Speaking of Meno...He has me very concerned lately. For instance, when I went to meet him this morning, he had already heard about Mother's illness. I didn't think anything of it then, but as I spent the day with him, I couldn't help but feel like...maybe he was involved."

Shinoa's suspicions of Meno stemmed from the advice given in the note, from the dwarf, and of course, Desna herself apparently, but she didn't want to mention that in front of Simon.

[Spazztick]

A brothers trust Simon's eyes go a little wide when the mention of witches locked up, when it's further clarified that they're children, he relaxes noticeably. If her request was considered odd at all, Simon showed no sign of concern for it. The brother had already stated to her, that he trusted her judgement. "Very well, I will make certain that nobody transfers the prisoners from this location, you have my word sister." He looks like he's about to say something else, but Shinoa adds on her two cents about her doubts towards Meno. This time he did not show the same restraint about this conversation, looking quite concerned. "Involved? Oh sheesh. I don't know Shinoa, that's a hefty accusation. Perhaps he got the information from somebody else, while he was waiting for you..." He even takes a moment to stop and think about it, Shinoa knows he doesn't think people in their house would go out of their way to talk. "He is a powerful person from one of the upper houses, I suppose anybody would have to be wary to avoid his conversation, especially if requested... but father didn't say he had told anybody else, so... I don't know." He seems a bit stumped, but she can tell he wants to believe her. "I will keep him from taking the prisoners, but you probably want to keep those thoughts to yourself." There is a moment of pause, giving her a look that she instantly read as. "...at least until you have some kind of proof." "Is there anything else you want to throw on my already towering list of concerns?" He jests as he points at a stack of paper work.

[Abyssion]

"Right, of course. That's why I'm just asking you about it. I have a reputation to uphold, and one false claim would ruin it."

"Is there anything else you want to throw on my already towering list of concerns?"

Shinoa chucked a bit before replying. "No, that was all. It's been a long day for me, but how was yours? I guess I could talk about the orcs I killed on the way back if you'd rather not think about it."

[Spazztick]

Simon agrees with her statement, his position may give him chances to look into it a bit and so he states just that. "Good, hold on to that reputation sis, I will look into it if the opportunity presents itself." He deflects any words of caution, stating he's the bigger brother and he can handle himself.

"Oh look at me, complaining about paper work when my sister is out literally fighting for her life." He chuckles, then realizes she's being serious. "You're not kidding, Orcs? This far south, that's brazen even for them... I would love for the distraction, tell me of them." He gets up and pours the two of them a glass of wine, leaning against the desk as he gets the story from her.