As Ravnar contemplates this question, he tries to find the previous smell he felt from on the street level.

18:47, Today: Story Weaver, on behalf of Ravnar, rolled 6 using 2d6+2 ((3,1)).

But try as he might, he just can't pick it up at all in the cacophony of covcay noise and the intermingling madness of her room. Picking out anything was basically impossible and in fact, filled the head of the cleric with a mental fog that wouldn't lift.

Ravnar has -1 Ongoing while the magic component aroma mingles unpleasantly with his divine power

This isn't lost on Abrisham as she closes a door or two on a cupboard and moves up to Ravnar spouting incoherent apologies and looking more frazzled then before.

Ravnar catches Abrisham up on everything the party has learned so far, and then explains about the smell that seems to be driving the covcays crazy. "I think it might be one of your spell ingredients, but I can't tell for sure in this confined space with all those birds flapping around out there. But we could use some more magical might to deal with what's going on in Wasat, so I hate to have you just leave your ingredients behind... can anyone think of a way to get Abrisham out of here without losing her spellcasting stuff?"

"Where are we even going from here?" Nimol asked.

"...To the palace, I think," said Ravnar. "I'm hoping we can explain that those same magical ingredients are driving the birds to steal things from all over the city... this can't go on... I'm hoping it's time to confront whatever mage is there..."

"I don't know... shouldn't we find the missing court wizard first?" said Syrio. "Abrisham, what do you think?"

While Ravnar is explaining the smell bringing the covcay to her, Abrisham has a look of recognition on her face. It also holds a fear, a consequential fear rather than the grips of avoiding pain or death. "I think, you could really benefit from Azuah if we have the time to find him. I'm sure the smell will be from my attempt to get the birds to leave me be. All it did was cause a big stink." She stifled a chuckle at the joke, she wasn't at the date anymore, she had no right to enjoy herself. "I don't know what anyone at the palace has to do with these birds, but I know why they are involved with me. I have to be honest with you, it's my fault."

With that, she moves towards one of those cupboards she closed before, some occasional feathers are moved aside as she walks. When she opens it, the group can see it. Though some would know it by name, it's Ravnar who recognizes it by appearance. There it hung, green winding branches of an vine with flowers of silvery petals patterned in spirals. It was a silvine, a plant found in some of the jungle regions of Zakhara which shared some properties with silver.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:26, Thu 03 May 2018.

"Hold it! Stop right there!" said Ravnar. "I-- I have taken a religious vow to avoid certain medicinal plants and herbs..." he said, thinking fast... "Please don't bring that any closer to me...! Just... please... tell me... what does that... that you're holding... have to do with the problem at hand...?"

She shifts several ingredients she thinks might be the religiously offensive, before removing one flower from the cupboard bound vine and closing the cupboard doors again.
"The reason this is relevant is because lycanthropes, are considered prime examples of the animal species they are cursed to become. Another layer to the curse for some. It's not the common animal's fault, those birds have no idea how to handle what they feel. It's so exaggerated and all encompassing.
I thought I might have it under my control and contained, something that was mine and not merely afflicted onto me. At least before, well, before all this." She gestures around the barricades and to the insane gathering of thieving birds. She looks in particular to Syrio with self directed disappointment. "But that's not how I was fated to be I guess... So I'm ending the problem." She silently added the word permanently onto the end of the sentence, as she readies herself to consume the plant despite the dire consequences.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:36, Sat 05 May 2018.

Syrio quickly steps forward and stops her. "I don't care what you are, I'm not going to allow you to deal with this problem that way," he says. He takes what she's holding from her, and goes and puts it back in the cabinet.

"Well, anyone else got any ideas...?" Nimol says. He looks at Abrisham. "Miss, those birds want to please you. They're just too enthusiastic about it. Can't we turn that to our advantage somehow...? Maybe some magic you could do...?"

"I agree," says Ravnar. "What's more, I think there's someone like you at the palace... probably this sorceress Nifeema... Surely there's no need to let her out-magic you, not with us to help you..."

Abrisham is hesitant to just let it get taken off of her, nothing else seems to work. There was a bit of resistance in her arms, but could she really say no? He was willing to deal with danger for his sake, how could she be worth the effort? She would have to find the answer somehow. She let go, because hurting others was not the way she wanted to go. So quiet she was sure no one could actually hear, she said to herself _{"I'm not worth the effort."}

Remembering the particular fact that Ravnar and his nose brought up on something else being made to influence her attraction.
"That is one thing that really doesn't add up in my mind, why would someone want my... scent amplified? What could be gained by having people's expensive valuables taken?" If they are like me then wouldn't it be easier to just do it themselves?" Abrisham couldn't tell if she was under or over thinking the situation. "I want to help the situation, I guess I can still lend that hand."



"If I could make it work for me, I wouldn't have to deal with them. Then again I've only been trying to make it go away. Maybe..." With that she quickly gets one or two things, causing the tinkling of glass against instruments, moving to another area for a short while. It must have been only minutes, but she comes back with a few tiny bottles that have an odd smell to them and seem to have gray hairs within. "If I've done my work right, this should make the subject seem to be akin to me, so I guess there is a diversion option or something. Just don't throw badly - or worse yet drop or spill it. That would be really counter intuitive..."

Zand has looked through the gap of a window defences from some measure of boredom, turns to the group to say "Um, should we be concerned that the amount of men out there looks like another Bird Tower situation?" A quiet but strong profanity leaves Sai's mouth when he seemingly confirms through observation.

But Syrio heard. "You are," he whispered to her.





Syrio had a thought. "...What if the someone wants something specific that happens to be small and shiny... like, say, a magic ring... and is hoping to get the covcays to bring it to her...?"

"...Seems a little haphazard..." said Ravnar... "But it would mean that Abrisham is this person's enemy, if the birds want to bring things to her just as much..."




"So it's like the sticky honeyed balls we were given," said Nimol, "but much, much more potent. Hm. Better hand that stuff over to me."

(How many bottles are there exactly...?)





"Sounds like some good subjects to try this stuff out on," said Nimol. "But if we open a window up here, the birds'll all come in immediately. Let's all go back downstairs..."

"That would make sense, can't blame someone if it's just covcays I suppose. Still, to answer what for, we would have to look into it."

"If you really wanted to simplify it, sure it could be seen that way. but whereas the honey orbs would be used to lure them away temporarily, these would be used to really attract them at the target you throw them at."

Looking at the bottles there in hand, there were a scarce few. Likely caused by the quick improvisation just now.

Sai turns to Nimol on his suggestion of down stairs "Are we really sure on this guys? I mean, they weren't exactly patient before and what were the chances we would come across them twice?"

Jagga makes a reply to his companions point. "Sai, if these men have a problem with us, we will face them one way or another. I say we go down there and stand proud, for if the source of this madness is demonic, then our bravery will be rewarded by Kali against them."

Seeming to meet consensus, the group start moving down and the sound of a sizable group of horse hooves gallop on the street floor. The whining tone can be just heard over the birds.
"They say the place was around here, but I don't like that crowd of birds."
A more mellow toned voice can be barely heard as he doesn't put the effort in to be heard that well over the birds "...no need to... opportunity will come...weapons enough..."

One or two are being patient like Zand, while others like Abrisham are giving a look of what do we do?
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:14, Thu 10 May 2018.

As the plan is for Nimol to change the birds targets, he is the one to see the situation first through the crack of the open doorway. This is what greets him.

There were numerous horses which Nimol can see, somewhere between 8 and a number just shy of a dozen men could be seen from this angle. All ready for some form of conflict and all looking to one who had a more ornate setup, likely denoting high position.
Except for one or two who seemed to be looking at the calm elephant, with recollection or curiosity, Nimol couldn't quite tell. But he knew they wouldn't approach him, the size of an elephant can be intimidating to the uninitiated.

While this quick survey was being made, Jagga had a look of utter embarrassment as he was not looking at Abrisham while using his presence to cover her modesty. To give her a chance at dabbing a piece of treated cloth on some areas like forehead, neck and other places. "Thanks, that should give a small reprieve." Abrisham whispered towards Jagga and then tapped his shoulder to inform she was modest again. She grabbed Syrio's wrist with to try and let what she said next sink in, though the tone was quiet again. "If my calm doesn't hold, the curse will overtake me, especially fear. That's why I left when that squished giant gave me a chance. I'm sorry."

How did Nimol and the rest respond to their predicament? Act with gusto or take their time to gather for the likely conflict?

TIME OUT--

So the guy Ravnar and Nimol met earlier isn't there?

Do these people look more like the palace guard, the city watch, or just a bunch of hired mercenaries?

The captain of the watch from earlier currently is there, but he isn't the one leading the effort. That leader has an attire that was even more suited for palace watch on both visual and effectiveness.

It looked like the palace guard was supplemented with a few of the city watch. So the safety of the city must be important on this matter.

TIME IN

Before Abrisham and the rest of the back of the group steps outside, Nimol wants to hold the attention of who's running this show. "Say, what's going on here?" Nimol asks loudly. "What're all you people gathered here for? I hope you're here to do something about these annoying birds...? It barely feels safe to step outside...!"

The fancy dressed guard is the one to reply to Nimol, or rather reply to Nimol while making it quite clear he wants anyone around to hear.
"Why yes we are, worry no more citizen! For we'll capture the person responsible for these birds before they bring harm to anyone else! As is our duty!" He has a moment where he silently clears his throat before carrying on.

If there are other people inside the buildings who can hear him, they are not replying, or too scared of the birds breaking in to open up.
"We are here for one Abrisham Krissa. A young maiden, about up to here, dressed in plain attire with - wait gray hair?" He seems to have read the description from a scroll he has in hand. While he stumbled on himself, he rolled with it to ask at Nimol "You wouldn't have seen her would you?" He leans a little on his horse towards where Nimol is talking from, hoping Nimol states his name to the clear superior figure in the area.

Through clenched teeth and low breath Jagga is cursing the captain. Abrisham is shifting slowly away from the door, more cautious of her scent escaping and alerting the birds to her proper location. They really wanted her? She thought to herself.

"Well, you're at the wrong place," Nimol says loudly, still playing up his hard-of-hearing shtick. "We've just checked this building out-- it's a frame-up, or at least a distraction to decoy people away from the real problem. The person who's really controlling the birds is at the palace... how did you follow the birds here but ignore the fact that they're also trying like crazy to get into a certain part of the palace?" He points to the correct part of the palace.



"A young woman with gray hair? You sure you're after the right person?" Nimol asks loudly. "There's a room upstairs that's been affected by this stuff... here, see for yourself."


17:54, Today: Nimol rolled 5 using 2d6 ((4,1)) plus 2 for dex bonus = 7. Successful (with possible complication).


Nimol throws the prepared bottle of stuff at the leader of the men, so that the birds would be attracted to the man... and he was successful... but...

On hearing this, the watch captain has a look on his face, recognition? Worry? Doubt? Which one was hard to tell, but it looked like he was trying to contain the concern in front of the palace captain.

That same palace captain who is completely ignoring the pointing of Nimol.
"Clearly because this Abrisham wants the valuables of our great Calpih."



"Why yes we are, and it would be prudent to - wait, how dar-." He tries to deflect the bottle with his sword, but it doesn't work and shatters, leaving him safe from shards, but not its contents and drenching him in the terribly effective scent.
Sputtering he orders his men. "Get him!



There is a few moments of the bird flapping before it dawns on Nimol. In getting this throw to work, Nimol had to be outside the door arch to angle the throw right - leaving him exposed in the path of the covcays he was trying to lure. He had moments to either evade or defend against their avian enthusiasm.

Nimol jumped to his left, in the direction of Sannang, attempting to get out of the birds' way in time...

(12:23, Today: Nimol rolled 6 using 2d6 ((2,4)) +2 for dex bonus = 8. Successful, but possibly with some sort of complication...)


...and he was successful... but...

But when dodging their flying, Sannang is distracted by them flying by, not intimidated but irritated by their presence, the elephant is momentarily unable to focus.

From diving out, the door was left open and one or two guards can see some of the party inside the building. While some are occupied with the birds, a handful - including the guard captain (who has a look of recognition) from back at the bird tower move towards the entrance to question. Though much more likely detain individuals who surely must be working with Nimol.

Nimol orders Sannang to lift Nimol up to Sannang's back. (Will Sannang do it right away? We'll find out...)

Meanwhile, as per the plan, the entire rest of the group runs out of the building and over toward Sannang... if they have time, they run past Sannang in the direction of the palace... everyone is psychologically ready to defend themselves.

The current plan is to let the birds distract the guards and get away... and then maybe go try to get to whoever or whatever is in the palace that's attracting the birds...

From all the chaos that ensued and the exploited efforts made, some headway was made of at least a few building lengths by the main group.
Nimol however had a few moments taken up in being placed on his elephant companion thanks to the avian annoyances.

Orders could be heard barked by the leading man now, with men responding with movement as directed.

After the chaotic moment, the situation was this.

-Nimol and Sannang had some 5 people - including the watch captain - on horses around them both with their weapons ready.
"Of course your group kept her from us, how could I have been so blind to that?" The watch captain said, though he said it like something was occupying him.

-The rest had gotten a lead on the other soldiers, some 8, maybe 10 of them chasing after. The Royal guardsman proclaims at the fleeing group "You're under arrest for the vandalizing of numerous property and grand theft on a city wide scale. The rest of you for aiding and abetting. It would be best if you come quietly before you make things worse." When the fleeing carried on he ordered them to fire and the arrows started darting for the group.

Defy danger of some sort for Ravnar and Syrio. Then however they try to evade their pursuers, by their own capacity or otherwise. Nimol will have to face his enemies alone or find a way to have his slower beast outpace them.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:00, Fri 01 June 2018.

"Because you know there's something wrong with this whole set-up!" shouted Nimol. "Abrisham isn't the person behind all this! What, she's been content with working at the Bird Tower all this time, and then all of a sudden the birds go nuts one day and trap her in her small apartment? How does that get her anything? Who's magical and new in town that's benefiting from all this...? From the court magician disappearing...?"






TIME OUT

THE Royal Guardsmen guy? Shouldn't he still have a face full of covcays right now? That was the whole point of throwing the bottle at him, was so he wouldn't be able to give orders (well, and also to draw the birds away from Abrisham when we made a run for it)...

[5 blank lines suppressed]




Will get back to these issues after the above question is dealt with...

I had the thought it might be the temporary thing to give you the head start with little consequence. But I'll do you one better for how you aimed to affect the situation. If that appeals to you.

Yeah, some of the guards might decide "maybe we should try to stop them from getting away" on their own, but I was expecting the leader to be giving NO commands about us, and for at least some of his men to try to help him...


I really thought we would stand a chance of temporarily getting away (until someone started asking people if they'd seen an elephant pass by recently).



Okay so as long as we're talking, let's talk about NON-LETHAL DAMAGE. Just knocking opponents unconscious, or "subduing" them, as they sometimes used to call it in D&D.

How do we want to do that? Can we say "we want to just deal knock-out damage in this particular fight" or what? Is it harder to deal than normal damage? Easier? (I could make an argument either way)...

Well, while there might have been an attempt at communication from THE Royal Guardsman, but it cannot be heard over the disturbance that the covcay makes. Lost and without proper direction, the rest of the guards from the city watch to the palace guard are trying to deal with the birds breaking their formation.
The few left on the edges of the disturbance are the only ones to see the one who assailed the Palace captain ride onto an elephant, probably to get away like they "know" such delinquents to do.
When the group looks back, they can't see anyone giving proper pursuit. They are greatly delayed in catching up.
While Nimol has only the attention of some (Around 5) at the current moment, that could change if he gets too close to the covcays occupied guards.



"I'm not the most magically inclined, maybe her plot backfired? I just need to keep things peaceful, and that is not peaceful." He points to the chaos of the birds affecting the group. "It's not my area to deal with, politics." He shivers a little at the thought of the needlessly convoluted workings of the higher ups, the need the play games several steps ahead of yourself and often for the sake of power itself seemed wrong to him.
"I don't like Nifeema myself, always in everyone's business. I much preferred Azuah al-Jawwaf, though he was mainly kept to himself. But she hasn't done wrong by the city so far."
He shakes his head, realising the daftness of talking to a possible criminal. "But you're merely delaying the inevitable. Why would I believe your word over anyone else?"
Nimol was onto something that unnerved the captain, but he would need to be careful to sway the man from his station.

"You just refuse to see it. Admit to yourself that if I'm right, and it's not Abrisham, that it's Nifeema. Why do you think that the covcays are beating their brains out trying to get into wherever she is in the palace?"



"For one thing, because I just got here this morning. You living here has kept it all from seeming sudden. To an outsider, it all seems clear... this is all just too convenient for Nifeema. For another thing, though, I know what kind of person Abrisham is-- she was ready to die to protect us. What do you really know about what kind of person Nifeema is? Does she seem to you to be the kind of person who would be willing to die to protect anyone else? ...Let me get out of here without fighting you and your people, and the truth about all this will be revealed even faster."