In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 195):

Tower in the Wall

The Inquisitor does not question, comment, or indeed even move during Ciryl's long and thorough recounting of... mostly... his activities of late.  One could be forgiven for wondering if the white armor even contained a living person, or if it were but a set of clothes sitting in the chair.

Embers crackle in the fire, punctuating the silence after Ciryl finishes.

"I believe your story," the Inquisitor's voice finally floats lazily from the white mask.

The Inquisitor stands slowly, the dim light of the fireplace glinting on various metal tools and implements at his belt.

"Thank you for your information.  It has been noted.  Dreams can be a vital window, but one must be cautious which windows one looks in, and who might be gazing back.  I do not know what sort of seeing you refer to, nor of color."

The Inquisitor turns to leave, placing a gloved hand on the door, then turns and Ciryl once again has the sense that he is being looked THROUGH not at.

"It is possible your friend Brennan knows.  You should call to him for help immediately, if you have the means.  Otherwise you will wait, and if he comes, you may be allowed to leave."

With that the Inquisitor steps quickly outside the door and slams it behind him.

Ciryl can hear him issuing orders to the guards outside.

Ciryl's eyes widen when the Inquisitor states Brennan's name, but then tilts his head curiously at the armored figure's parting, saying nothing in response to the ultimatum.  "Well," he says, setting his elbow on one knee and his chin in his palm, "I suppose at least I'm not being hanged."

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 197):

Brennan accompanies Titus to a place where they can enjoy a drink, chat, and lay low for a while. As time wears on, however, his patience grows thinner.

"Ok, that's long enough," he says at last. "Ciryl said he'd leave a sign at the inn, right? Let's go see if he's done so. Besides, I don't want to waste the daylight...not when the night is so much more dangerous."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 198):

The Guard Tower

Ciryl is left alone, but quietly listening at the door or peeking through the cracks confirms that guards have been left to keep him inside.

Slums

Quiet and a drink are easy enough to find near the docks of the slums, as few are interested in talking with such strangers as you except to sell something or beg for coin (which many grubby children do).

Once he's sure the inquisitor is gone Ciryl waits a couple minutes before banging on the door, "Hey, come on, how long am I going to be stuck in here? It's been hours!"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 21:22, Thu 09 Aug 2018.

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 200):

Guard Tower

Ciryl gets no response other than a loud thud of something heavy being set against the door.

Duck Town

Whoever chooses to venture into town is met with the same scene of paranoia and alert as Ciryl.  Almost everyone is stopped at the gate and questioned, and every person from out of town is met with suspicious stares from a populace on edge.

"Hey!  I can hear you out there!" Ciryl bangs some more and attempts to see through a crack in the door or frame to see what the thud was.

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 202):

Ciryl finds that the guards have tossed a large burlap sack of flower against the base of the door.  Though it would be possible to open it by throwing all of his weight into it, it would take time and effort and give the guards more than enough opportunity to intervene.

In reply to GM (msg # 203):

Brennan grumbles as he looks at the beefed-up security.

"I told you they'd be able to handle things themselves after we left, as we gave them ample warning..."

He frowns, trying to get a sense for how much daylight is left.

"Deev, how well do you remember the Master of the Guard's face?"

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 204):

"Well enough but why... " Deev trails off as he answers his own question and gets very nervous.

It is late morning, almost noon.

In reply to Deev (msg # 205):

"Excellent. Titus, do you still have the paladin's equipment? I still have the Inquisitor's. I have a terrible idea."

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 206):

Unfortunately I don't think it will help you in the way you want, we had the equipment defaced, so we could use it in a more general sense. Remember?  Oh and the helmet, still has a big arrow hole punched through the face.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:22, Mon 13 Aug 2018.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 207):

Brennan sighs.

"Ok then. The direct approach it is."

He takes a sip from the chalice and sighs.

"Deev, become the Master of Arms or a Paladin. Whichever you're most comfortable with. We'll just walk through the gate, and make our way to the Inn to see if Ciryl left us anything."

"Titus, put on that damaged helmet. You're the reason we're going to be in such a damn hurry."

Brennan clads himself in pilfered Inquisitorial armor. When he slips the mask over his face, he looks over at Titus solemnly.

"Well? How do I look?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:21, Mon 13 Aug 2018.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 208):

...almost convincing.

Titus says with a smile.  He fidgets with the helmet a bit wipes off some smudges of dirt here and there; straightens up his outfit to square it with his shoulders.

He will then don the full paladin's armor and grabs a few supplies from the bartender to make a red paste that he uses to stain some of the areas with blood red.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 209):

While Brennan and Titus get dressed, Deev becomes a large but plain-looking man.

He has no armor to wear, however, but does take weapons from Titus.

In reply to Deev (msg # 210):

Titus gives Deev a shield painted in the fastbender colors, as well as the paladin's sword and a knife to wear at his belt.  Titus keeps the prince of swords at his side slings his knives over his shoulder.

You know... we're probably going to die like this right?  Shall I go find Burke and establish some backup for us?

Titus smiles fatalistically.

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 211):

"I will make it to Losthelm. I have foreseen it," Brennan assures Titus. "We probably don't want to involve Burke while we look like this. Plus, I don't trust him. Come on."

He takes a deep breath and looks at the gate.

"It's time."

OOC: Pausing for any last-minute things folks want to do before we're arrested and summarily executed.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 212):

I noticed you never said anything about Deev, Ciryl or I in that last statement.

Titus laughs sardonically, and not bad natured as he preps his bracers, greaves and helmet.  He seems to thrive on this particular brand of stupidity.

So what is my role?  Look horrendously injured and get dragged into town? 

In reply to Titus Blackwell (msg # 213):

"If any harm befalls you, I will follow you to whatever dream you find yourself in and drag you back out. This is not a matter of faith -- you've seen me do it."

"As for your role -- you were attacked, and you're barely able to keep your feet. We need to get you medical attention, and we'll hopefully get whisked away to some doctor who can declare the wound superficial and luckily deflected by the ruined helmet, and then we can thank him and be on our way to the Inn. Perhaps change clothes before that just to be safe."

He waits for Titus to bloody up his armor and proceeds toward the gate once everyone is ready.

In reply to Brennan Otthild (msg # 214):

Thusly clad, an Inquisitor, and two armed men who are not paladins march toward the main gates of DuckTown.

As expected, you are met at the gate by the increased guard, though they seem unsure how to address you, instead just holding up a hand to signal you to stop.

OOC: I'm not sure I understand what your plan is here so I'll let you react to the guards

"You could at least say something!" Ciryl shouts at the door again, "He said I was to wait, not that I had to be quiet. A man goes mad sitting in silence long enough."  He huffs at the door, "Do you have names at least?"

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 216):

Guard Tower

"Inquisitor says we can't talk to..." one guard starts before being shushed by his friend.

"...idiot..." mutters the friend.

Ciryl huffs again, "So that's how it is huh?  Fine.  Fine then, didn't say I can't talk to you then.  Didn't say you can't listen, right?  Look I don't know exactly what you know but I have had a long couple of days and I'm a bit stressed right?  I'm already losing track of time and I can't stop thinking on things so I want to ask if you might do me a favor.  See when I came to town there was a tavern near the gates, I treated a rash on the fellow who owns it my first night here.  It wasn't a common rash, the ointment I gave him I hadn't made before.  I was in a hurry when I left, I never got the chance to follow up with him.  If I'm to be stuck in here I'm just going to be dwelling on things anyway.  And if I made the ointment wrong well that's terrible, but it's less terrible than other things I could dwell on.  I'm sure it worked fine," Ciryl pauses thoughtfully, "Would be quite terrible if it didn't," he mutters before returning to his more earnest pleading voice, "At least someone could go check on him.  You could even have someone write down on a bit of parchment if he's alright, wouldn't have to say a word to me.  It'd set my mind at ease.  Please, I'm just asking for someone to ask the man how his rash is doing.  No side effects, or other symptoms.  Just to settle my mind.  Just a bit.  You wouldn't even have to leave your post, just call for someone out there to run along for you, please?  I'm only even here because I tried to help."

((10, 9, 8, 3, 3, 2, 2 & 1 empathy+negotiate))

In reply to Ciryl Fontaine (msg # 218):

Guard Tower

None of the guards reply this time.  If Ciryl managed to convince one to check on the tavern owner, they don't acknowledge it.

In reply to GM (msg # 219):

Brennan glances at the guards and cocks his masked head to one side.

"Is there a problem?" he asks cooly. "I am expected, and this man is injured. If I am unduely delayed or if this man dies on your account, I shall not hesitate to recommend you personally be put to the Question. Your motivations may thus be suspect..."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 19:55, Tue 14 Aug 2018.