[Game Thread] The Coming Storm

[Darkshard]

Claudia was both pleased and relieved. That went easier than I expected - or feared. "Disperse!" was the order given sharply to the gathered crowd of peasants. "Let this be a lesson to you to not be so easily fooled." Then she spoke in a hasty aside to the Lady Chancellor. "Let me know if you spot any more of them hidden in the crowd."

Then, "Move up and surround the traitors!" Claudia cried, issuing her command to the captain of the guard and gesturing to the wagon. Then she narrowed her beady eyes.

"Fall!" she Converting Bless to Command. Unless he is out of range, and she will move forward herself to be in range if possibe, she is casting this at the escaping rebel. He will have to make a Will save at DC 15 or fall prone for one round.intoned, bringing her arm down stiff and straight in a gesture of power at the fleeing man. Her voice sounded oddly choral and harsh, as though, just for a moment, more than one person was speaking through her.

[TristineEndelwood]

"It would appear there are more than the few in the centre"

She replies absently as her eyes flicker around she unsheathes her curved blade and gestures towards the main antagonist while addressing the closest guards.

"I want to see that that man in chains within our dungeon walls."

Although she rarely bore people ill will, this man had openly fired upon them, one man had already been injured. She Detect Alignmentstudied the unfortunate rebel with cold eyes before taking steps towards him.

[HuaiXin]

The crowd disperses; the watchmen comb the crowd the large numbers conceal any other rebels smart or lucky enough to not be on the wagon/pulpit unfortunately. The fleeing rebel is struck down by Claudia, two watchmen seize him. The other two were brave if anything, they draw shortswords and prepare to defend themselves. The watchmen close in encircling them, seeing the circle of spear points the leader makes the decision to avoid questioning, “FOR BRECHT!” he shouts before leaping into the ring. He impales himself on two spears. The other crouches in the wagon not possessing the courage or foolhardiness to follow.

[Darkshard]

Claudia gritted her teeth to control her irritation. In chains, we said, not 'on spears'. She moved forward, but the circle of spears barred her way. "Take them alive!" she repeated, for the benefit of the apparently dense, then roared in a manner worthy of her long-deceased ancestors. "By Casting Forbid Action, Combat, for 1 round, on one of the swordsmen. Will save DC 15 or he cannot make attack rolls or use targeted spells.Odvroute! You will not resist Her judgement!

 

How exactly did the leader fall? Did he run onto the spears or did the guards stab him? Also, how easily would his corpse be reached?

[HuaiXin]

The lone swordsmen falters in his attack due to Claudia’s command, the watchmen seize him and wrench the sword from his grip. The two rebels are dragged away, the bleeding rebel leader lies still on the ground the 2 watchmen back away bowing and apologizing profusely for their mistake.

 

he jumped off the wagon atop 2 of the watchmen who raised their spears in defense, however, he can be reached easily as the watchmen refrain from getting in an angry Claudia's way.

[Darkshard]

Nodding with a sweeping gesture that accepted their apology, Claudia pushed past the two guards and knelt down beside the leader. "My Lady, we are not done with him yet," she murmured by way of apology and plea, before Casting Stabiliselaying a hand on his shoulder. Paying no attention to the guards at present, Claudia Heal check: Diagnosis of HP loss

Dice Heal check:

1d20+9

(15)+9

Total = 24

studied the man, trying to determine how bad his injuries were.

[TristineEndelwood]

As the guards bowed in apology to Claudia, Aria speaks sternly to them.

"If this man survives I want you to personally see to his arrest, escort him yourselves is you have to."

With that she turned to the others and stated

"Spread out and try to find any trace of these war mongers, I will be incredibly disappointed if you do not bring at least one more before me"

[HuaiXin]

Claudia kneels by the wounded rebel, he is now stabilised but breathing shallowly. He is barely conscious, “Why? Why does the Crone favour you so… why does she side with the enemy?” he breathes. The watch captain runs to the two nobles’ side, “It will be done my lady,” he replies. His men are already setting up checkpoints at the entrances of the market. The watchmen are also leading the 2 captured rebels away.

[Darkshard]

Claudia shook her head. She would not be drawn into debate with this man - not now. "I am no enemy of Gryzevlakte," was all she said, before drawing back to allow the guard to move him on stretchers. She

Dice Perception check:

1d20+5

(4)+5

Total = 9

looked about to her check if the watchman that Odvroute had spared was up and about again, then followed the procession back to the keep. It would be the Chancellor, she knew, that would be leading the interrogation, but she certainly hoped to be present.

[TristineEndelwood]

Aria addresses the watch captain her eyes constantly scanning the crowd still present;

"Make sure they're made 'comfortable' before I decide when to question them"

She turns to leave meeting is eyes briefly and meaningfully as she does. While she isn't happy to chain people to walls like dogs, given the current 'sensitivities' she wishes to be thorough in her investigation of them. Their actions during the incident seemed to indicate to her that all that was needed was a good push in one direction and they'd crack.

"Opening fire in the middle of a crowded street, Foolish Cowards."

She hoped no innocent had been injured or trampled and made a note to deploy someone form of healer later that afternoon. Thinking back to the meeting that morning, the cogs in her mind begin to turn again, her mind back in the intricate game. In a productive silence she makes her way swiftly back...

[HuaiXin]

Later…
Down in the Grauhafen dungeon, two watchmen stood guarding the two rebels bound to heavy wooden chairs ready for questioning. The dank interrogation chamber was attached to a spiral staircase and corridors of cells. The watchmen bow as the two noblewomen enter, “The injured one is in his cell, my lady” one informs.

[TristineEndelwood]

Aria inclined her head to the side in acknowledgement of the watchman’s words.

“Good. I can assume he has a five man guard surrounding his bedside at any given time then?”

While awaiting his reply she turns her Stern Gaze bonus baby!

Dice Intimidate:

1d20+11

(3)+11

Total = 14

merciless gaze upon the two captives, her face impassive. Her intent, all too clear, made so by the frosty aura she seemed to exude. For a long time Aria says nothing, letting the stifling silence fill their ears. She doesn’t blink even once.
“So...”

Her dangerously soft voice shatters the tension.

“Your attempt at disruption earlier caused harm to almost a dozen innocents today, one of which was a young boy. I have no doubt that if Lady Von Grief had not stepped in when she did, a great many more citizens’ blood would be on your hands this evening Gentlemen.”

She stood before them her posture straight proud and practiced.

“You claim to be sent from Jakob Brecht, who only recently requested that we join his cause and as such I am finding it rather difficult to imagine that he instructed your group to open fire upon members of the Duke’s court, let alone his family.”

She paced between them, standing so that one could not see the other’s face, her light steps reverberated ominously through the chamber.

“So.”

She repeated, this time sounding decisive.

“Has the self proclaimed Stadtholder-General truly been imbecilic enough to open fire upon our state? or…”

Her eyes narrowed and her pupils travelled from one face to the other.

“Who is the puppeteer who clenches your strings in his fist?”

She shot the question suddenly.

“Tread cautiously.” She warned. “If you twist your tongue I will know and I can make things very…uncomfortable for you.”

OOC Using discern lies on both!

[Darkshard]

Claudia stood by,

Dice Sense Motive:

1d20+10

(11)+10

Total = 21

listening carefully, her arms behind her. She frowned as the Chancellor spoke, but she didn't speak, not yet. The Chancellor had it well in had, so far. Hopefully soon they would learn if these men were simply addled fools, or something more sinister. She waited for the man's answer.

[HuaiXin]

The two captives listen to the chancellor in silence until one speaks (the man who had to be taken from the cart rather than running away) “Lord Brecht would never invite the blutten to his cause, you are all invaders on our land,” he growls, “our orders are our own, to ease the path of our brethren when they march to defeat you. You may have fooled the people!” he now turns his eyes to Claudia, “But you beguile them into complacency so they do not know their true leaders!”

ooc: he is genuine in his convictions

[Darkshard]

"As I told you before. I am not blutten, I am Gryzevlaktan. This land is in my blood and bones. Why would you believe that I was? and who gave you these 'orders'? Claudia asked, tersely.