Once again I feel the chill run down my arm and out through my fingers into Thorn's. I give her a small smile before letting go of her hand and stepping back. "Althaea Sylvaranth, Sand we are taking the prisoner to the smithy if you wish to join us there." I call back into the room as I walk through the door.

Summary
Action: Lay on Hands for nine hp.

Hearing my name from across the room, I looked up from the gem I was examining to see Andraste and the woman with the chakrams walking toward the door of the inn with the drow over her shoulder.

I will meet you there shortly, I have a few more things to take care of here. There is no need to be so formal, please just call me Althaea.

The amulet that was taken from the strangely dressed woman seemed to be nowhere to be found. Perhaps I should speak to her and find out if there are any special properties of the amulet. Walking over to where she stood near Alaric, I said, Hello, I am Althaea Sylvaranth, but please call me Althaea. Are you injured?

I waited her her response before I continued, What is your name? One of the drow took a belonging of yours, but we cannot seem to locate it. Are there any properties of it that would prevent us from finding it?

Following the directions given me by the Dwarf leader we find the smithy easily enough. I spend a few minutes clearing an area were I can put the captive down where he will be relatively comfortable but cannot reach anything that would be a danger to himself or us. Once he is down I pull my armour out of my backpack and begin putting it on piece by piece. I glance periodically at Thorn but she remains quietly in the corner, observing. I have a lot of questions I want to ask her (Where did she get that mechanical bird? Where did she learn to use those strange rings? What else can she do?) but I think she just needs some time to herself. Finishing with my armour, I take out my waterskin and take a drink of water before offering it to her but she just shakes her head. Nodding I put it away and take out my violin before settling down on an overturned bucket where I can watch the Drow and the entrance.

"If you do not mind, this helps me relax and focus." I say to her softly. "I am not as good as the woman back in the tavern but I like to think I can string a few notes together." When she says nothing I settle in and begin to play a soft, slow tune and wait for the Drow to regain his senses.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:27, Tue 14 July 2020.

While Giltris played her strange instrument, Thorn sat down in the darkest portion of the cave with her back to the stone and began cleaning the blood off her weapons and Aisling’s feathers. As her hands moved through the familiar motions, she reflected on the skirmish. Her fear was unacceptable. Beneath her. But it had caught her by surprise and that would not happen again. She had not needed to perform mental training exercises since she was a small child, but she did so now, determined to visualize combat against a monk again and again until she found a way to survive it. She would be prepared in the future. She would not falter or fail.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:27, Tue 14 July 2020.

In reply to Althaea Sylvaranth (msg # 81):

Scared and confused, the woman looks at you, but isn't really looking at you, as if she is in some far off place.  It takes a second for her to snap out of it, but when she does, you can still see the trepidation in her eyes.

What?  Oh...no, I'm not injured I don't think.  Why, am I bleeding?

She starts looking herself over, frantically, but when she can't seem to find anything, she calms down.

I'm...I'm Alicia.  N-n-nice to meet you Althaea.  I'm Alicia.  Oh, I already said that.  Um...no...there shouldn't be anything that would prevent you from finding it.

His ritual completed, Sand’s vision changed, his eye color changing from dark purple to slightly more blueish, as he started his round of the inn. A cape here, weapons, armor, baubles… but nothing that could be the necklace that the drow took from the extravagant woman. A little frustrated, he doubled checked, expended his search radius, even going in the back rooms, feeling a slight residue in the wood of the wall, before the magic left him.

The warforged move out of the room, shaking his head, just in time to see Andresta leave with the prisoner and Thorn. Althaea approached the owner of the lost necklace and started talking to her as Sand got nearer. Flustered, the woman said her name and that there was no reason why they couldn’t find the necklace.

Sand looked for the necklace, looked at magic. Sand could not find. Is necklace not magical?

A mental signal to the familiar sent him looking again, at a wide eyed view, Scamp hooting happily to be able to look for the fascinating bauble. ( 21, 7 perception with advantage)

Preoccupied by the blood on the elf’s shirt, he started to cast his healing magic on the bard, expending the last of his magical energies for the day (Cure would, 5 HP). He then caught on that the woman had said that her name was Alicia.

Sand knew Alicia friends. Sand looking for you in Vertigo.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:46, Tue 14 July 2020.

In reply to Sand (msg # 85):

Alicia looks up at Sand, I'm sorry, you said you know my friends and that you were looking for me?  It's been quite a crazy night.  I'm not sure I know what you're talking about.  Forgive me.

Do not fret, Alicia, you are not bleeding. Not all injuries happen externally. I know several spells that hurt the mind, so one cannot always be certain. What else can you tell us about the amulet? Why might the drow want it badly enough to send a raiding party to retrieve it? Alicia was clearly unnerved by the drows appearance so I made sure to speak softly and soothingly so as to not frighten her. She might have heard the way I dealt with Sebastian and that is not the way I wanted to come across to her.

The construct's head dipped down, as if trying to express sorrow.

Short hairy friends, Xantler and Gustav. Sand sorry to say they are dead, killed by dead things that walk. Xantler told Sand Alicia is friend in Vertigo.

Unsure how to proceed, he hesitated before talking again.

Sand brought back long leg animals, with what short hairy friends found. Sand thinks Xantler and Gustav would like you to have it.

He dipped his head a little more, before looking up at Scamp, hard at work looking for the necklace.

In reply to Althaea Sylvaranth (msg # 87):

I really don't know why anyone would want it.  I mean, I found it in an old wizard's tomb years ago, far to the North from here, and could only assume it would be valuable since it laid with him.  I'm not a grave robber or anything, more of a treasure hunter you see...I..I just want to make that clear.  The things I find, I trade or sell generally, and it's a means of survival for me.  I'm not a grave robber, I swear.

I'm so sorry this happened to everyone.  I didn't mean for this to happen.

Alicia buries her head in her hands and starts sobbing.

In reply to Sand (msg # 88):

Looking up from her sobbing, only to hear that her friends are dead, she quickly buries her head back in her hands, crying more violently this time.

I glared at sand, This was probably not the best time to bring that up. She was already visibly upset and finding out her friends are dead did not help the situation any. I made sure to say this so Alicia would not hear. She seems to be easily triggered and I did not want to make things worse.

Putting my arms around Alicia I said, My aunt used to make the best tea when I was upset. Would you like a cup?

Water. Why was there water on the woman’s face? Sand was confused, and Althaea scolded him, for telling the truth. Was he not supposed to tell the truth? Why so much water?

The construct took a step back as the elf tried to console the woman. Sand had never seen someone cry before and it seemed to him like a waste of good water, not that he needed it. Maybe finding her necklace would help save the water?

Starting from where the drow had last been seen having the necklace in hand, he started another search for it. But his mind was not in the search, the mystery of the water on the face occupying his mind (perception 6… Fumble!)

In reply to Althaea Sylvaranth (msg # 91):

Alicia just nodded her head, still sobbing, but visibly less upset.

It started with a few small twitches; their captive was about to wake up. It has been such a long day but this needs to be done. Putting away my violin I draw in as much of the peace I feel while playing into my soul and ready myself for this confrontation. I look over at Thorn still quiet in the opposite corner. “I am hoping to get information but if it looks like he is attempting to cast a spell do what you feel needs to be done.”

The Drow gasps as he comes fully awake, a rare experience for an elf I am sure, and he starts to struggle with his bonds, trying to call out but the gag and the bag muffle whatever he is trying to say. I get up and move to stand in front of him before squatting down, resting my forearms on my knees. “Good evening neighbour,” I say in elvish my voice hard, “it is time you and I had a little talk. We know you have magic and have taken steps; if you attempt to use it you will be dealt with. Nod if you understand?”

Summary
Bonus Action: Emissary of Peace
This message was last edited by the player at 13:06, Wed 15 July 2020.

I begged help from Corsica to find a kettle and get it started heating over the fire. While waiting for the water to be ready, I rushed back to my room to get the tea leaves I brought from home. Once I was sure Alicia was calm and would be fine if I left, I made my way to the smithy to check on the drow captive.

The Drow's head bobs up and down under the sack. "Excellent, before we begin, I want to make sure you are aware of a few things. First, the others you came with are dead, killed by the woman now watching you and I have the distinct impression she wants you the same way. I am the only one who wants you alive so you want to give me something to argue in your favour. Second, we know that this mission was of only minor importance to your leaders; after all, they only sent expendable males. They do not care what happens to you. They will not send anyone to rescue you." I pause for a couple of seconds to let me words sink in before I lean forward and remove the sack covering his head and pull the gag down. "Now, why did you come here?"

Summary
Persuasion: 29
Insight: 20

The Drow's eyes blink a couple times, adjusting to the light.  He takes his time in looking at his surroundings, including both you and the elf behind you.

You're going to kill me anyway....well maybe not you, but the one behind you, lurking.  With no assurance of survival, there is no reason for me to talk Half-Elf Scum.

The Drow spits on you, the spittle running down your freshly donned armor.

"That is not up to us unless you force our hand. That is up to the leaders of this settlement. If you cooperate with us I will argue for mercy on your behalf."

If you are not in charge, and can't grant me any assurance, then you are worthless to me.

Unless of course, YOU promise me on your honor, Paladin, that you will not let them kill me and that I will be freed after I tell you what I know.  What say you?

"Perhaps I am but I am all you have. Given your unprovoked attack I doubt they are inclined towards mercy. If you choose not to cooperate I am certain you will die. Every moment you are still alive gives you a chance to better your circumstance. Are you sure you want to cut that short?"

I pause a moment before continuing, "What do you offer in exchange for my promise?"

It depends.  Is it a promise you will keep Paladin or just empty words?  We live in a world where the gods are gone and people consistently lie, cheat, and deceive one another.  I'm sure even if you were deceiving me, you would have no need to atone for such sin.

I will only offer you what I know, but as part of your promise, you are to release my bonds and return my belongings to me, in addition to ensuring my continued existence.

"The world is what we make it. As long as you hold to that belief it will never change. The gods may have been silent these last 50 years but they are not gone and they stand witness to our actions. I will uphold any promise I make to the best of my ability and my god will exact punishment should I willfully falter." I let my voice drift softer and quieter as I end my speech and I do my best to show my sincerity as I can. This is looking more and more like a lost cause. Still I must try.

"Would you give me your word that, if released, you will not attack any surface dwellers for the next ten years, unless it is in self-defense?"

Even if I gave you my word, you wouldn't believe me to keep it, so let's not play this game.

Whether I would want to or not, it would be impossible for me to keep that promise and you know it.  If you don't, then you are more of a fool than I gave you credit for.

I tire of this.  Either kill me or give me your promise.  Until then, this conversation is over.

"You always have choices, the cost may be high but you always have choices. I will not give you that promise without some assurance that you will not immediately return to harm others. What is ten years to one such as you? I am sure you could find other duties that would keep you in the Underdark for such a pittance of time. If not, I wish you well in your next life. Maybe you will make better choices."

I stand up and turn to Thorn making my way to the exit. "Please keep an eye on him for me. I am going to get the town leader, he is not our concern anymore." My voice low and my eyes down barely seeing the blue in the corner of my eye.