"Someone please pick up those swords, or throw them over the edge." Morg says after dropping them, not wanting to be even slower amoungst all the longshanks.

"We're not ready for a fight. I don't like charing in like this," she hissed to the slow Morg as he lightened his load.

The knight in the Great Hall sets down her tankard, then takes a half-step in Asano's direction.

"You lost, bro?" she says in a slow, lazy tones.

---

What's everyone doing now - keep climbing the stairs?

BTW you all know there are a total of 5 levels in the Spire - Stables, Ground, Level 2, Level 3, and Pinnacle.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:08, Tue 05 June 2018.

Asano glances momentarily at the approaching knight. "I am not," he says, striding confidently up the stairs. "I have business with Lord Thurl and Knight Savra."

Tessa continues to follow.

Zora moved in beside Asano and waited, not knowing what came next.

Mayon follows quietly, his familiar scouting ahead invisibly.

Morg follows Asano and the rest up the stairs.

Jak smiled at the knight in a wide and dazzling display. "No, thank you, we are good, but you keep on keepin' on! Save some drink for the rest of us though, yah?"

He hurried after the stupid, impulsive half-elf sorcerer, trying to catch him and grab his arm to stop him for a moment, at least so they could all be together rather than so staggered out. "Asano, STOP for a second!"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:30, Tue 05 June 2018.

"Right on," the woman says, nodding at Asano. She stands curiously watching as the remainder of the group hurries up the steps. She nods at Jak, taking an absent sip from her tankard.

Asano reaches the lip of the third floor just as one of the four doors around the landing opens. Two initiates and a knight spill out of the doors and look surprised to see Asano standing there.

"That's him! One of them what killed Cyclone!" one of the painfully thin Initiates yells, drawing a dagger.

"Hold," a deeper voice says from within the chamber beyond the door. Thurl Merosska steps into the doorway, his forehead creased. "At least give the murderer a chance to speak. What is the meaning of this unprovoked attack on the Society?"

---

Map updated.

Asano is at level 3, everyone else is making their way up behind.


This message was last edited by the GM at 22:33, Tue 05 June 2018.

Tessa waved to Zephyr as they ran by.  "Can't talk now.  Back soon!"  And she dashed up the stairs hoping her little tiger legs would catch her up in short order.

Up ahead she heard a booming and familiar voice.

"If you consider theft and offered violence and menace unprovoked, I would hesitate to consider what you consider provoked," Asano replies loudly, his voice tight with anger. "After your knights, Savra and Huet, were ordered above, the robed man, this Cyclone, took the head of Qarbo from us and ordered the his knights to ensure we remained below while he took credit for our endeavor. We offered every means of non-violent appeasement, but were given violence in return. Yes, we killed him, but we left those knights in his thrall alive, bound below in the stables." He approaches the door, eyes daring the armed initiate to stab at him again. "We entered this Spire in peace and have been offered nothing but veiled aggression and unprovoked violence. Is that the legacy this 'Society' intends to create?"


OOC:
Persuasion(?)- 21
This message was last edited by the player at 03:56, Fri 08 June 2018.

The initiates and the knight tense for a moment while Thurl considers. "The Feathergale Society is about strength and power," the Lord Commander muses, "and justice of course. But if it really was you who killed Qarbo then you have strength at least."

"You succeeded in killing Qarbo, even if you did have help from disobedient knights. That counts for something, at any rate." As others of the party approach up the stairs he gives the gathering group an appraising look. "If you wish to discuss the further use you could be to the Society - and the rewards I am willing to provide - then we should proceed down to the Great Hall for further discussion."

---

Map updated.

Hearing Thurl from the level above, Morg asks "Can we get back the tokens we left here?"

She let Morg speak for her on the request for their items back, never forgetting that Thurl treated them with such disrespect before. But she was willing to hear him out.

up down, up down...  Tessa's already hot under the collar and she doesn't want to release true power... she refrains from speaking and merely waits to follow.

"Perhaps I can be persuaded to return your tokens," Thurl calls after the dwarf. "Shall we discuss it in the Great Hall?"

"Qarbo was dead by the time your knights arrived," Asano corrects gently. "They were, however, instrumental in our swift return to the Spire itself. I do not know the circumstances of their aid, but they were brave in the face of danger and showed great strength in facing down the mistress of the monastery herself."

Tessa wondered about the whole 'disobedient knights' phrase.  Her own welcome to participate in the order was -shall we say- mixed.

"You're certainly keen on getting us into the hall," she observed in a toying fashion, smiling. But at the same time wondering if it was a trap. But then what choice did they have? Start a fight here, or maybe have a fight started there. It was the same for her. They were in no position to fight, so she went along for now.

Thurl's face darkens at Asano's words of praise for Savra and Huet. "Your 'knights in shining armor' are being disciplined, but that is an internal matter. I will speak no more of it."

Thurl shrugs at Zora. "This is an awkward place for a conversation, but so be it."

Stepping forward, he glances down the stairs at Jak, holding the grim head of Qarbo in one hand. "You have proven useful after all," he begins thoughtfully. He crosses his arms. "If you want your tokens back, there are some other errands I might send you on."

"There are some troublesome paladins at Summit Hall that you might take care of for us - they have been asking after us of late, I have heard, and I don't appreciate meddlers. Particularly meddlers who are armed and handy with weapons."

He unfolds his arms, and begins counting on his fingers. "Secondly, there are the Helvenblades. Troublesome family, from Waterdeep. I've had run-ins with them during my time in the city. You could secure their house, just north of Westbridge, and wait for them to arrive from the city. They visit several times a year, so you shouldn't have long to wait. When they arrive, simply murder them all and I'd be most grateful."

Thurl scratches his chin. "There are probably more uses I could find for you - clearing out Krpytgarden Forest comes to mind actually - but regardless, I'm afraid I'm not fully able to trust you since you just murdered several of the Society when you returned to the Spire. I think I might have to demand another token from you all, as a means of guaranteeing your loyalty."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:11, Fri 08 June 2018.

Tessa stops just short of spitting on the ground at his feet.  She decided she didn't have to stoop to his level.  She'd let her words define her feelings.  "This tiger's not on a chain and I'm no murderer.  You've known that since the minute I came here.  Its one thing to hunt prey or kill an enemy, but murder for pay is something only mercenaries and assassins do.  I won't be part of it."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:09, Sat 09 June 2018.

Jak shook his head at the audacity and cold-bloodedness of the bastard. He glanced at Tessa with an approving glance, but then whipped back and pointed a finger at Thurl. "Hey, consid'rin' how your so-called Knights treated us an' attacked us when we came back from the task YOU gave us, you're lucky we're still even here listenin' t'ya! Don't try t'make it sound like we bloody walked in an' went on a killin' spree!" He was angry and tired of the assholes today.

 He tossed the head towards the speaker. "Can't speak for the others but I'm no assassin. I kill when I must, an' not simply because people're 'askin' about your order' or you don't like 'em - that's seriously messed up!" He stepped out of the way of the others coming up and shook his head. "The more I hear about you an' your lil' club, the less I like it. I don't think I like this group, but havin' fought our way through one 'order' already today, I really would prefer not t'do it again. Give us our stuff an' we'll leave quietly." There was not really a threat there, more a request, but it was sort of implied that if he denied them or tried to imprison them, it would be a fight.


Yeah. That's about right. Par for the course, lol.
09:14, Today: Jakrynn Redgate rolled 8 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 2.  Persuasion check?

"Your usefulness has ceased it seems," Thurl says coldly.

He gestures to the other doors around him on this floor. "If you wish, you may remain here for the night. The knights quartered on this level will be relocated until tomorrow. I will have your tokens returned to you before the night is out, and your doors will be guarded until your departure in the morning."

"That's fine.  And we should bunk together tonight so we can plan for tomorrow."
...and for safety.

This message was last edited by the player at 13:00, Mon 11 June 2018.