'I can certainly officiate, though I am regrettably unfamiliar with the rites of the Seldarine. However, I do not believe such will be necessary.' Mae answered Slove, returning from seeing to the maid and helping her out of the room. Her valet Tamae then took care of the maid.

The guards now stuffed a gag in Angel's mouth, but it didn't seem to stop her talking at all, judging by her voice echoing in some people's heads.

The priestess then turned to face the Duke. 'Your Lordship, you said yourself that you are familiar with the antics of adventurers – perhaps even engaged in such mischief yourself in your early days?' she prodded.

'I was hardly capable of such sneaking around.' the giant-kin muttered, but notably didn't disagree.

'And in Calaunt you are of course familiar with the tricks of beguilers and illusionists.' She gestured to the battle-illusionist who supported the guards. There were many in the city, but most were in service to the military and none were so high they could challenge the few ruling mages. 'To have gotten this far, Miss Angel is clearly fairly capable – though not enough to trouble the power of this city.' she clarified hastily.

'And I would estimate the note she left earlier is evidence of her good intentions and desire to help her acquaintance, Mister Tseran Tal'chiar. This surely counts in her favour. Your lordship, it is still within your power to be merciful. Such as to commute her punishment to, say, putting her energies to good use working to find and retrieve your son.' Lady Maelarra proved to be a silver-tongued diplomat of the first order.

Duke Haldyn was swayed, chewing on his thoughts before finally agreeing. 'Very well. But you and your band will keep an eye on her and keep her in line. Or else she faces Calauntan justice.'

Mae patted her purse, in which she'd placed the note. 'I believe I can do that quite handily.'

[Private to Angel: Maaaaybe it's best to just accept this and do as she says... Jack murmured in Angel's ear. He sounded almost worried...]
This message was last edited by the player at 09:09, Mon 31 July 2017.

Aerin gave Maelarra a flabbergasted look, opening and closing her jaw in wordless horror. "Uh... I errm... cannot support this suggestion. My uncle used to say 'the road to hell is paved with good intentions.' - Even if her actions were not meant to cause harm, the results were beyond funny, obviously. Are you willing to put the life of your son into the hands of somebody this careless and even reckless?" the Rashemi's eyes were still wide in disbelief. "If killing or putting her into the dungeon forever is not an option, perhaps you can just lock her away until we returned your son? That whould ensure she will not jeopardize this sensitive mission." she elaborated, hoping to make the duke change his mind.

Fighting off the effects of the Hold Person spell that had been cast on her, Angel regained the use of her body, but now found herself chained and muzzled like a rabid dog. She had spoken to the lord in his mind, but he had not even acknowledged her words. Tseran had heard what she had written to him in her note, but still seemed intent on rejecting her. And even when she did the right things; trying to make amends and telling the truth, she was characterized as reckless and careless, a risk unworthy of consideration. What good did it do to try to be a better person? All it brought was misery and heartache. In that moment and for the first time she sincerely regretted coming after Tseran. To the Nine Hells with them all! She thought to herself bitterly. And then spoke again in her mind to her god. I'm sorry Jack, I failed. When these folk send me to Death's Halls I'll wait for you, but I understand if you don't come. I wouldn't come to claim me either.  So in the face of the rejection she felt and the bitterness that was freezing over her heart, Angel remained mute and did nothing.

[Private to GM: Thank you for your efforts, but go ahead and write me out if you need to. Honestly, I'm done. No hard feelings on your part I know you did your best. ]

 "The very heavens forfend." Is all Tseran can day to that horrifying thought, a visceral shudder running through him at the very notion of trying to live a life chained to the ambulatory chaos magnet that is currently calling itself Angel.

 That said, he half-covers his eyes with one graceful, long-fingered hand and - in tones that suggest he can't believe he's dating it - voices the opinion that "Undisciplined and erratic as she is, I believe that much of the malice in her actions is unintentional. There is no particular reason to believe that she might not be of utility to this endeavour of she can only be made to understand is severity."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:14, Tue 01 Aug 2017.

It seemed like the decision had been made and would not be changed, thus Aerin sheathed her sword and leaned in to "Angel" whispering in her ear "Sorry for putting you through this, but Lady Maelarra would have been suspicious if I had agreed too easily. I feel your skills are exactly what this team is missing, we need somebody able to infiltrate the most secured places. - So, welcome to the family!" then gave her a respectful nod, only to add one more thing "If you tell anyone what I just said, I will deny it!" and winked before seating herself again.

[Private to Angel: I hope we can work with that.]

'If it helps bring back my son, then I'll put my trust in the hands of someone this careless and reckless.' Haldyn rumbled in answer to Aerin. 'Perhaps a few apple-carts need upsetting around this city...' he brooded.

'And remember our mission is to help people, now and in the future.' Maelarra noted, reminding them subtly of the secret mission to train the scions of the Calauntan tyrants to be better rulers some day. There was a parallel there, she felt.

She breathed a sigh of relief when the others seemed to relent and accept the arrangement. 'I'd wager no dungeon could hold her for long anyway... I shall lead her onto the path of Waukeen and sound investments.' She crossed over to Angel and gently removed the gag. 'Or whichever faith will have a positive effect... Tea?'

[Private to Angel: Have patience, Jack murmured softly, a smile in his voice. Wait for your opportunity and the pay-off.]

Things had escilated quite quickly and seemed to cease almost as fast. Oh the forever quick actions of the shorter lived races. When things became a but more civil Orophear once again took his seat, his eyes wandering between Haldyn and Angel.

Despite this charitable gesture, Angel remained in sullen silence, perhaps in shame at her misadventures and resignation to her fate; perhaps in shock that these people might choose to accept and trust her after all and would reach out to her. Unable to reach back, she remained frozen. Shaking his head in disappointment, Haldyn ordered his men to take her away to be dealt with later.

The Duke and the adventurers sat down in awkward silence. At last, Mae broke it, reminding 'I believe you were about to show us a sketch of your son...?'

'Aye,' Haldyn Stormkin retrieved the dropped scroll, passed it over. Maelarra unfurled it and showed them all the sketch – a man in his mid-twenties, with short dark hair, a long face, and his father's features, but carefree rather than careworn. It was clear he had his father's height too, but would not be nearly so tall. 'Keep it.'

'Perhaps you can tell us some of Orryl's habits?'

'Ah, well, he enjoys hunting, archery – a damn good shot in competition – his studies of local lore and politicking...' he began with pride.

'And less curricular?' Mae inquired knowingly.

Haldyn shuffled with ill temper to admit his son's apparent failings, but at last relented. 'He goes drinking with friends, gets into brawls and duels – so he tells me when he comes home with cuts and bruises, when he comes home at all. He had an arrow wound once! ...I blame his companions, whoever they are, but Orryl's a trusting lad. Of course, I've forbade him from dealings that would harm our position. I encourage him to show dignity and proper behaviour, and to be wary, but I fear I've spoiled him too much... Still, Orryl's a good man, and that's a precious rare thing around here.'

Orophear was genuinely saddened by the female shapeshifter's unwillingness to join them, to his surprise, but was not totally taken off guard due to the way things had gone.

Turning back to the conversation before them the elf waiting until the man was done before asking,"Do you know what establishments your son might have frequented for his....less reputable pursuits?"

In a way Aerin could understand "Angel", being forced into service was never a particularely pleasant feeling. Time would tell how it all would work out and one thing was certain: The elven infiltrator would not be kept forever. There was little sense in dwelling on the situation further and the Rashemi turned her attention back to the mission at hand.

Orophear had already raised a good question and the dragonkin wondered what other information would help to find him. "Do you have the names of friends or buddies he used to hang out with?"

Kaijn watched the discussion from afar, especially keeping an eye on the intruder.

"Lady Mae, I trust you on this decision. If something does go awry, I will not hesitate to utilize more lethal methods in subduing her next time." Kaijn said in a deadly tone. The arcanist did not seemed pleased by the clerics decision.

'We should respond appropriate to the situation, no more, no less.' Mae clarified to Kaijn.

Haldyn rumbled. 'Hmph. He's been coy about naming his companions, but I know he's been frequenting the Mocking Maiden.'
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 08:22, Tue 08 Aug 2017.

Aerin was consciously working on figuring out what she should be asking, but if Orryn hadn't told his father that the bruises and injuries were from recent adventuring, then all other questions regarding Dorn Hammerhand and their adventures, were bound to raise unwanted suspicion. "Given that the other scions have disappeared as well, can you tell us of any similarities in their behaviour? - Maybe they were getting drunk at the same inn?" she asked when she was actually wishing they could turn Dorn Hammerhand's place upside down, hoping to find any notes on where the adventure had taken the young men.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:23, Tue 08 Aug 2017.

 Tseran examines the picture thoughtfully, assessing its likeness and doing his best to commit it to memory while dimly regretting - almost for the first time - that his studies have been broad rather than deep, since the ability to truly scry would be extremely welcome at this juncture.

 "Is there anyone who would know what items he has been departing and returning with? It may be of use to know what he considered it necessary to equip himself for." he asks after a few moments, choosing to lean upon the mundane rather than the arcane for the time being.

Slove adds to the questions.

Does your son have favorite retainer.  A servant he gets on with well.
One he trusts?

'He always takes his bow and quiver, of course, for practice. And his sword and leathers – but that's just for protection, you understand. I can't tell if anything else is missing from his room.'



'I can't say if there is, but I don't think so. We keep a distance from the staff.'



'Hmph. I forbade him from fraternising with the scions of the other families. Can't trust them.' he muttered suspiciously. 'But Kallen Vyperwood is a real wastrel, known to frequent all the taverns and dives in Calaunt. So I don't doubt they crossed paths from time to time.'
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 09:19, Tue 08 Aug 2017.

Aerin tried hard to think of anything else to ask before they went looking for the young man, but came up empty. She really wasn't the brains of the merry band of adventurers.

'...He's also not been heard from.' Haldyn recalled, concerned of the implications and not liking them. 'But in his case, he may just be lying drunk in a flophouse or at the Redfires, else the Vyperwoods have finally reined him in...'

'And what of the other noble scions?' Maelarra inquired, sipping her tea to cover that she knew exactly what.

'Well, funny thing, but others have fallen out of sight too... Kara Ormsarr, but she might be focused on wizard studies; Argent Thanatar's not been seen in council when he's heir to the Supreme Sceptre; and Eltain Mintharl, my agent reports, is said to be in religious seclusion... Yet others remain – good lads like Brellen Vyperwood, who's almost running his family's house now.'

 "Hmmm, does he purchase his own goods and would it be possible to speak to the servant who tidies his rooms while inspecting them?" Tseran asks in a thoughtful, inquisitive mode that can only be described as 'the game is afoot'.

"So quite a lot of nobles are missing?" the wizard inquired curiously.  "Has there been any demands or ransoms requested?"

'Aye. He has his own money and may buy what he likes, I've not denied him that... And you may speak with the servants afterward.'



Haldyn shook his head. 'Not one, which is why I've not assumed it to be a kidnapping.'

"Any clashes with neighboring city states or fiefs of various sorts?"

Aerin patiently waited for the smarter ones in the group to ask the right questions, she knew others were more able than her in that regard. She shifted her weight, the chair creaking, and listened quietly.

Haldyn chewed on the question for a while, perhaps considering what to tell the adventurers and what to keep confidential. 'Well, the orcs are restless again.  They've been raiding outlying farms and caravans on the roads north. Survivors have been trickling into the city looking for aid. Something's gotten them disturbed up in the mountains. Still, that's the same story every few years, up and down the Vast. They'd not dare attack the city itself.'

'Zhentarim assassins are always a concern – it was the first thing I checked for, but our counterspies gave no reports of them.'

'And, well, the news is probably out now, but two of our diplomats died in Mulmaster not long ago.' The Zhentarim-controlled city of Mulmaster lay to the north, on the shore of the Moonsea. 'Our agents there say its mysterious, and we're mustering our defences in case the Mulmasterites mean to attack.'

Aerin's brow creased, orcs raiding caravans sounded like a task the young scions may have busied themselves with, or if they felt particularly curious they could have investigated the reason behind the orcs coming from the mountains. This was becoming more worrisome by the minute. They needed to talk with the Hammerhand clan, that was the feeling the dragonkin was getting. She couldn't imagine the youths would be following up on the Mulmaster killings, if there was such an enmity between the two cities it would have been foolish to risk being caught and either prosecuted or held for ransom. But she stayed quiet, hoping more interesting information would be shared.