Blood stained both carpet and wooden steps. Markham Southwell gestured for the guard to follow them down the flight of stairs, overtaking Ogden in the process. He was moving swiftly, with no intention to waste any time. "A shame," he said in his hurry. "Let us converse in my office.

"I assume matters have been handled. If not, a force has been mobilized to contend with the issue." It was a narrow, cramped area, dry and cold, torchlight dancing across the stone. But it was clean, and the doorways, furniture, and decoration were in pristine condition. A small dungeon complex made accommodating. Barrels and crates were stacked neatly, and at the landing were multiple doors leading in all directions, watched by two guards. The sight of the Wight clearly inspired curiosity in them, but with the Sheriff acting calmly, they kept steady. Through one of the doors, Mallory could see the faint shimmering of magic. Illusion magic. A blot, about the size of a crouching person. Markham let his visitors into the western room, this one containing tidy desk fitted with all the supplies a Sheriff might need and a couple of shelves containing literature. In here, yet another guard sat bandaging a young man whose guard gear had been discarded. On second inspection, the wounded man was completely unmoving, and his face, slumping away from the onlookers, wore lifeless eyes. The other guard stood in silence and Markham sighed deeply.

A momentary look of concern was given for Rhydd when Mallory noticed he seemed to become uncomfortable, though the notion of him being too warm seemed an alien concept to her when she would shiver by fireside in the north.  She moved to ask if he was alright but was cut short when their apparent host continued on and left them to keep up.  She picked up her heels to hurry down the battered hall even as her gaze momentarily lingered on what, to others, was just another of many closed doors in passing.  A flicker in her gaze bounced to and fro, but that was all of it before she continued after Ogden and Southwell.

"The immediate danger, yes, but there remain other potentials.  Plus the matter of damages to this gentleman's property." she volunteered her voice for the first time.  "There were nearly several fatalities but thankfully all were spared, and we assisted a Squire of the... the..."  The prim confidence Mallory usually maintained faltered as the environment around them grew more dire.  Bloodied stairs, battered guards, and the one seemingly most unfortunate soul of the bunch stilled her voice.  "...sir, what happened here?"

---

Meanwhile, Astre's ears flicked sharply on reflex as a voice reached him alone.  Not heard, but felt, and bade to act.  He abandoned his idle prodding around the entry to the dining hall and instead trotted quietly down the same hall his companions had passed until he came to a particular door.  The Tressym sniffed curiously along its edge and laid down flat on his tummy in an adorable flop with his snout pushed right up to the base, then arched up in a stretch propped up on his hind legs to see if there was a keyhole he could sniff as well.

---

Perception for Astre - Trying to see what he can of the inside of the room beyond the door through any gaps or the keyhole.  Sight based, so no Advantage this time.
Mallory Bonheur rolled 20 using 1d20+5
This message was last edited by the player at 22:38, Thu 03 Feb 2022.

The Sheriff, somber, glanced the way of the deceased man. "This brave man rushed to warn us of the danger. I believe the Squire you speak of encountered him as well, and frankly, I expected to see her here. I hoped to see her here."

The other guard put a hand over the guards eyes to shut them. The man had clearly suffered a slash across the abdomen since his leather armor was torn diagonally, and his companion had done his best to patch him up. But some wounds were too grievous to staunch.

"Fetch for reinforcements. At least five guards," Markham commanded the guard in the room. "And tell the gates to maintain high alert. The danger might have passed, but it might be only momentarily." The guard abode, and the Sheriff turned to Rhydd, "We'll leave the Wight in one of the cells, and I'll have some of my men see that it is restrained. Now — to whom do I owe my thanks?"

---

The lock was one of those heavy duty ones, with the large, weighty keys to accompany it. And that meant a large keyhole, perfect for peeping through. Astre could spy a series of cells on the other side. One was occupied, though the person in it remained somewhat out of view. He was gagged and bound, that much Astre could glean.

Theirs was a dangerous world at the best of times.  Even being from a metropolitan city, of noble standing, wasn't enough to fully blot away matters of violence and death that happened all around.  Mallory knew death, certainly.  But it never became any easier for her to face and she paled with the weight of realization that there were likely another two men slain nearby from what Khulekani had told prior.

"She... the Squire, I mean..." it took the young noble a moment to regather herself.  "She's at Kelvin's Comfort; she was injured during her battle with the Wight, so we came in her stead while she was tended to.  My name is Mallory and this is Rhydd.  We just arrived in Bryn Shander hardly an hour ago, and my companions and I assisted the Squire against the Undead."

In all honesty Mallory didn't quite feel right to speak for Rhydd but, given his usual brusque manner, figured he might appreciate not having to chat with an official.  She pressed on.  "The Squire said that you have a man in your custody responsible for this mayhem.  A Red Wizard?"  Even as she asked of it, knowledge filtered into her mind from Astre.  "I'm an Arcanist from Neverwinter; I hoped to offer my services, both to nullify the Wight's remains, and to identify further dangers your captive may offer.  A spellcaster, even seemingly rendered helpless, is still a very potent threat with a variety of contingencies at their disposal."

It hardly needed to be said given the bloodshed all around them, but Mallory feared even worse might come if the wizard had any further tricks up his sleeves.  And she knew by personal merit that any caster worth their wand was never without options.  "To that same end, do you recognize these?  The Wight had them and I have a sneaking suspicion I know what lock they pair to." she withdrew the blood-stained ring of keys from her satchel to offer out to the Sheriff.

---

Astre, in the meantime, dropped back down to take a seat beside the door.  There he remained, silent and patient, with ears perked to listen and remain alert of any changes that might come from within the apparent jail beyond the door.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:40, Thu 03 Feb 2022.

Rhydd glanced over at the prostrate guardsman, hoping that he might still be alive in spite of his grievous wound. But when his fellow guard gently closed his eyes, it was apparent that his spirit had left his body.

The archer slung the body of the Wight off of his shoulder and dropped it unceremoniously on the ground. "Let somebody else carry him to a cell, if that's what you want to do with him," he said to the man who seemed to be the sheriff. "I carried him here from the tavern. I'm done carrying him around."

He listened whilst Lady Mallory explained what she knew of the situation. Rhydd was glad that she had accompanied Ogden and him -- she has an easy way with words that he could not hope to match.

The wizardess's concern about the Red Wizard was plain to hear. And if she was concerned, Rhydd was doubly concerned. He had an instinctive distrust of magickers, and at this point Lady Mallory was pretty much the sole exception to that guiding principle.

He hoped that the sheriff would not muddle about with this and that. Unless the man moved quickly to allow Mallory to address her worries about the captive Red Wizard, Rhydd was going to have to step in and help him gain a better understanding of his priorities.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:51, Fri 04 Feb 2022.

"'Tis true," Ogden spoke up. He had, surprisingly, blended somewhat in to the background. Presumably due to his short stature. "Without this lot around, I would 'ave much more than a hole to contend with . . ."

When Rhydd slumped the body to floor, the Sheriff himself stepped forward and hefted it up on his shoulders. He found it was surprisingly light, clearly expecting the mass of a grown man. "You've heard correctly," he said to the Wizard. "Though I am unsure how wise it is to let just anyone near him. Yes, even someone who just helped dispose of a dire threat. As you say, a spellcaster restrained is still dangerous. Especially if said spellcaster has connections." He made no effort to mask the insinuation by the tone of his voice. "Beyond the dead . . . Undead, I mean. Dead?"

"To that same end, do you recognize these?"
"No," Markham replied. "Which means they don't lead here. I don't leave the jail cells with any of the guards stationed outside this building."

The Sheriff's overt manner was met with little more than a flat expression and critically arched eyebrow from Mallory.  "Oh, please.  Were I in league with the Red Wizard, he'd have already been freed without anyone ever knowing I existed in the first place." she countered in a deadpan tone.  There were times when she would purposefully boast of her abilities to make an impression but, in the moment, it was more to the point of ensuring the Sheriff took the matter seriously.  If he believed a caster's accomplice would be so careless as to reveal themselves with a 'walk in through the front door' bluff then it spoke poorly of security otherwise.  Not out of a lack of capability, necessarily, but simply that too many people just didn't know how to contend with magic properly.

That the key ring was not what Mallory assumed was met with a soft tone of curiosity before she tucked it away once again.  "Really then?  Questions for later in that case." Frankly, she was glad she'd not introduced herself as a Diviner that time.  "In any case, I don't expect to interview the man or anything like that.  I simply wish to confirm he's truly been neutralized.  That he still had this Wight under his control is evidence that merely binding him isn't sufficient.  An Undead of this variety is rare and difficult to conjure.  To be able to control one; either this Red Wizard is vastly more powerful than you realize and he's allowed himself to be captured for some reason, or he has magical items in his possession that are of immense danger.

Do you have a mage among your officers who could've identified any magical tools or equipment he might've carried with him?  Confiscated all clothing and accessories he was wearing?  Reviewed his grimoire to verify the scope of his spellcraft?  Sighted or slain his Familiar beast, whatever it may be?  Was he completely blindfolded and rendered unaware of his surroundings before being put in his cell, or does he know where he is?" she prattled off a string of possibilities that would need to be contended with.

---

Persuasion check w/Advantage, as requested
Mallory Bonheur rolled 13 using 1d20+3
This message was last edited by the player at 22:23, Fri 04 Feb 2022.

Lady Mallory's parade of dire possibilities relating to the Red Wizard who was close by was enough to curl the hair of a lesser man. As it was, they made Rhydd distinctly uncomfortable.

The archer leaned back against the wall of the room and fussed with the toggles on his winter coat until he could open the front to allow the free flow of air.

~~Unless this sheriff . . . what was his name? Markham? Unless this Markham is a total lackwit, he will pay heed to Lady Mallory's warnings, and grant her access to this Red Wizard magicker sooner rather than later.~~

He regarded the sheriff evenly, awaiting the man's response . . .

"No," came the Sheriff's replied staunchly. "Until further deliberation, none will be allowed into his cell. Wait here." There were no answer to Mallory's flurry of questions. Southwell went for the exit and had one of the guards follow him while one stayed behind, and made it clear that Rhydd, Mallory, and Ogden were all to remain. He closed the door behind himself, and Astre had to move aside once or risk being trampled. The gave a wordless glance toward the Tressym, expecting him to understand. Only when the winged feline was out of sight did he maneuver the Wight upon his shoulders to allow one hand free before reaching into a pocket for a set of keys and unlocked the door to the cell area.

"Don't take it to heart," Ogden chimed in. "He'll likely want to talk with Duvessa first. I know not a thing of Red Wizards and such, but I'd figure if one's to follow protocol, it'd be now."

---

Mallory's Persuasion Check to convince the Sheriff to let her visit the Red Wizards (w/ Advantage granted by Rhydd's earlier remarks) [10 13]: Fail.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:40, Sun 06 Feb 2022.

"Fool," Rhydd growled in Markham's direction after the sheriff had issued his "No Admittance" edit. He would have said it to the man's face, but Markham had already turned on his heel and was striding into the cell area, mayhap with the intent of forestalling any discussion on his decision.

"'Further deliberation' in the face of clear and present danger, once the facts have been clearly explained, gets people killed." the archer added.

He turned to Lady Mallory. "Can we afford to wait?" he whispered tp the wizardess.

"Sir, please, at least allow me to safely extract the necrotic bezoar before you--!" Mallory insisted as she followed after the Sheriff, only to have the door shut in her face.  She flustered for a moment in a red-cheeked huff and stomped the heel of her boot at such dismissal but, like Rhydd, more or less kept her criticisms from carrying further than their room.  She cast a sidelong glance at the guard who remained to keep an eye on them but left his presence without comment.

Rhydd's muttered question as she returned to his side with her arms crossed earned a rather helpless shrug and sigh.  "There's not much else we can do but wait.  I certainly can't just turn a blind eye to the danger this poses and leave, but pushing our luck and aggravating the Sheriff when his men lay slain around him is just going to get us thrown in a cell ourselves." Mallory's relationship with temperance was often shaky of late but she knew better than to poke a hornet's nest.  "No doubt the Sheriff is feeling quite overwhelmed by all this.  But he hasn't pushed us out into the snow yet, so there remains a chance."

"Don't take it to heart," Ogden chimed in. "He'll likely want to talk with Duvessa first. I know not a thing of Red Wizards and such, but I'd figure if one's to follow protocol, it'd be now."

"Duvessa?" she echoed in question.

---

Astre was still sat quietly outside the door to the cells when Markham came stomping down in the company of another guard.  While he did scoot aside so as not to be literally underfoot, he remained about where he was to idly sniff at the men and arch his side against the guard's boot in a passing rub.  Any mere look to drive him off seemed to fail entirely without recognition and it would take an actual gesture or sharp hiss through the teeth to actually make the Tressym scamper away down the hall.

Still, Astre didn't go too far.  Though he'd retreat well enough that the men wouldn't bother with him further, he still remained in line of sight to watch them at their task.  No sooner would they head inside than he'd scoot his way right back to the door once again to resume his adorable espionage.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:11, Sun 06 Feb 2022.

"The Speaker," Ogden explained. "Yer not from around 'ere, are ya? Markham doesn't strictly have to speak with her . . . but he will. He will," Ogden said, rubbing his shiny head as he found himself a chair to sit on.

---

Astre was allowed to resume his adorable antics, so long as they be conducted outside the cell area. Neither the Sheriff nor the guard left any openings for him to slip through — at least no blatant ones. Once the men were inside, his ears could pick up the clinking of metal — keys, chains, bars — as the men beyond presumably labored to properly restrain the Undead.

---

It became a test if patience. The guard kept a watchful eye on them, making sure none left the perimeters unnoticed. But if anyone tried, they would find that they weren't being kept against their will, just that the guard needed to take stock of where they were headed so they could be readily contacted if the need arose.

After what must have been at least twenty minutes, Markham finally returned to his office with his gloves in his hand. The guard from earlier did not follow him. The Sheriff allowed the silence to linger in the air briefly as he glanced upon his guests. Mallory in particular. "No grimoire was recovered. Aside from a wand, he had no items on his person save some loose change. Nor could we locate any Familiar. Could the Wight have been the Familiar?"

"No, most certainly not.  Though I was hoping to speak with the Speaker myself on matters of business, so there may yet be a serendipitous turn for the better." Mallory observed.  Though given the late hour, along with the mental and physical exhaustion of their day, she had no desire to try and manage a trade deal that evening.  Set an appointment for a later date, perhaps, but no more.

When Markham finally returned with a report, it most certainly didn't seem to sate nor impress the young noble.  Though she said it was best to be understanding of how overwhelmed the Sheriff must've been with everything, she couldn't help but give a dissatisfied sigh over his remarks and question alike.  It was only her deeply-ingrained etiquette that kept her from rolling her eyes.  "We can count ourselves quite lucky that is such an utterly preposterous notion.  No, a Familiar is a planar spirit tethered to the soul of a spellcaster by... ah... well, nevermind." she began to explain only to quickly realize it would be outright nonsense to the untrained ear.  Instead Mallory changed tracks to something more useful.  "Rather, the Familiar will be in the form of an animal of some sort.  A small creature like a raven, a rat, or such.  It acts as an extension of the spellcaster's will and body alike, and no self-respecting Wizard would be without one.  Binding this Red Wizard will not prevent him from utilizing his Familiar in the slightest."

The lack of a Familiar being witnessed meant it was likely somewhere nearby but hidden, or dismissed within its safe haven until an opportune moment presented itself to be exploited.  The lack of a spellbook on hand meant that the Red Wizard had it stowed somewhere else rather than on his person, Mallory reasoned.  There was no way he came all the way from Thay without it, after all.  "Sir, I appreciate your efforts but there are simply some matters that require a specialist.  His clothing, loose change, or even tattoos on his very flesh may be enchanted and require direct attention to verify." Mallory insisted as she gestured in the vague direct of the cells down the hall.  "When we first came down the hall, I just so happened to sense that there's an active illusion spell in one of the rooms there, about the size and shape of a man crouched over in there.  There's several things that could mean, but were you aware of that?"
This message was last edited by the player at 09:17, Mon 07 Feb 2022.

"Yes. We knew he could be disguised. We have not yet attempted to dispel the illusion, but there is overwhelming evidence pointing to him being who we think he is," Markham replied to Mallory's last question, taking time to think things through. His eyes were scrutinizing. Untrusting. "Forgive me, but I must ask — on whose behalf have you come?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:43, Thu 14 Apr 2022.

That they'd actually realized there was an illusion at play offered some small measure of reassurance, at least.  Khulekani had mentioned the captive had behaved rather calmly during his capture, so it was surely him... if he'd cast a spell on someone else to use as a decoy to be captured in his stead, the fellow would surely raise a far greater fuss.  She could only assume the guards had laid hands on him as well since his capture, so he surely couldn't have escaped already and replaced himself with an illusion to cover his absence?  At least she hoped not.

"Forgive me, but I must ask — on who's behalf have you come?"

That question drew Mallory out of her inner thoughts as she raised her gaze - at least the one eye that was still visible beneath her hair and bandage - to meet Markham's glower.  Had it just been her present she might've quailed a bit from the Sheriff or been much more deferential in her approach.  But Rhydd's presence bolstered her courage enough to not blink under scrutiny.  "In this precise moment?  His and the Squire's behalf, to deliver word and Wight." she gestured to Ogden briefly.  "In general?  My own.  Sir, I understand the position you're in and how all this must appear with the convenience of a witch like myself showing up but, I assure you, I've come only to help.  The Red Wizards are a consummate threat to all the people of Faerun; if he's truly one of their ilk then he was up to no good here, and these Ten-Towns have already endured enough strife.  My friend was nearly killed because of that Wight and who knows how many more might come to harm if things aren't given their proper care?  I couldn't just sit idly by and do nothing once I learned of this."

She paused to allow the Sheriff a moment to mull on that before she pressed once more, albeit gently.  "I'm not asking for unfettered access to your prisoner or his belongings.  If it would make things easier, I'll submit myself to any precautions you feel are fit if you would allow me to perform my appraisal.  I can detect magic at a glance and precisely define it within the hour." she urged with a softer tone. "If even that is too much for you then at least allow me to instruct your men on how to contain and dispose of the potential arcane dangers.  Please, sir."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:29, Mon 07 Feb 2022.

Rhydd was standing with his back up against a wall, with his arms crossed in front of his chest. The fact that Lady Mallory was still discussing possibilities in a rational way gave him some comfort, but the fact that she was actually pleading to be allowed to go into the cells and examine the prisoner hinted at just how serious she considered the situation to be.

Turning his attention to Markham, he said "You'd do well to pay attention to what she's saying."

"I know that I'd not care to match wits with a wizard of any stripe when it comes to matters having to do with magicks. If you've got the sense that the gods gave a turnip, you'll feel the same way -- especially since, from what I hear, these Red Wizards are much more powerful than most."

"Your best protection -- and that goes for your town and its people, as well -- is to have a knowledgeable wizard . . . ess on your side. Someone who understands what must be done in order to defeat the efforts of a Red Wizard."

Rhydd gestured towards Mallory. "There she is."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:56, Tue 08 Feb 2022.

The guard motioned away from the door as Markham leaned on his desk and remained silent for a while, considering Mallory's and Rhydd's words. "Hmm. We've had another . . . wizard instruct us on how to proceed with these matters, which I will admit have proven rather difficult. He did not, however, foresee the Wight. So there is truth to your words — we require more expertise." He paused for another moment, rubbing the trimmed, greying beard on his chin. Then he stood and opened the door. "Come with me."

Mention of another Wizard furrowed Mallory's brow with curiosity but she chose not to press on it at the moment.  Not when things were still precarious.  But when Markham finally seemed to concede she gave a small, relieved sigh.  "I'll do my utmost to be of help."

As the Sheriff tended to the door, Mallory took that quick moment where his eyes were away to cast Rhydd a grateful smile and silently mouthed the words 'thank you' to him.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:42, Thu 10 Feb 2022.

Rhydd nodded in reply to Lady Mallory silent communication. He elected to interpret Sheriff Markham's "Come with me" decision to include him as well as the wizardess, whom he followed into the cell-block.

He well knew that he would be as much use as a chocolate tea-pot when it came to matters of actual magicks. But he assumed that Markham would lock Lady Mallory and him into the cell area -- just in case something got out of hand.

And if that was the case, he suspected that he might be able to make himself useful for non-magicked tasks whilst the wizardess turned her energies and her attention to dealing with the ever-formidable Red Wizard.

Markham led the way into the jailing area. A limited and cramped place, holding at most five cells. The lack of natural light served to strengthen the feeling of claustrophobia — it was clear one currently found themselves a few paces beneath ground. Each cell was barred and contained nothing but a chamber pot and a bench. A single guard remained stationed inside the area.

The Wight occupied the nearest lefthand cell, and had been bound tightly and comprehensively to the bench with chains.

The Red Wizard was chained in the cell at the end of the corridor. His arms were raised and held in shackles that extended and attached to rings on each sidewall, and he sat kneeling, his ankles chained together as well. His head looked bandaged, though upon closer inspection it was just his nose that had been bandaged — the other cloths were a blindfold that covered his eyes and a gag that was drawn tightly to prevent him from speaking. The only sense he was left with was his hearing. He'd been allowed some modesty in the form of simple clothes, which hung loosely on his rather frail form. His brown hair laid matted against his forehead, pasty with sweat.

Mallory could see thin wisps of purple and blue magic strung from The Weave undulating and mixing around his form, wrapping him in a faint, ethereal shimmer. The visage before them was all an illusion, down to the last strand.

Markham paused, casting one last contemplative glance at Rhydd and Mallory. Then he searched his ring of keys. "He's been in custody for three days. Interrogations have been less than fruitful.  We do, however, know a few things, among them that a couple of Tendays ago, the prisoner hired a band of adventurers. They have since disappeared, and their location is unknown. You wouldn't happen to know anything of it?" he explained as he unlocked the door to the Red Wizard's cell.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:37, Fri 11 Feb 2022.

As before, Astre remained at the door's side while the others finally returned from their absence down the hall.  He fell in stride with the group when they headed into the jail, quick to trot along with the sharp clack of Mallory's boots on cold stone.  Once they arrived in the make-shift dungeon he scampered to a corner to once more hold his watchful distance.

The sight of the captive man gave Mallory pause.  Both in the sharp scrutiny of a critical eye that gauged for threats and, despite her objective knowledge, a sense of pity.  She knew full well he was allegedly a Red Wizard but to see another person in such a squalid state of capture wasn't easy to endure.  The immediate rise of empathy welled in her chest and she had to take a moment just to stifle it back down again under a weight of professionalism.

"Hm... that is an impressively dense illusion.  And it's been active for days, you say?" Mallory thumbed at her chin thoughtfully.  Even some of the more potent illusion spells couldn't stand up to direct scrutiny once their nature was revealed, so it certainly piqued her intellectual curiosity to see such a sample up close.  "This would make finding an enchanted tattoo quite unlikely.  But if one of his belongings is the spell's source and it's still been within the building all this time, he'd still be able to maintain a connection to it.  You're certain you've collected all possessions he had on his person?  All of his clothing?  Body piercings?  I'd like to examine them, if you could set them out aside."

"We do, however, know a few things, among them that a couple of Tendays ago, the prisoner hired a band of adventurers. They have since disappeared, and their location is unknown. You wouldn't happen to know anything of it?"

Mallory shook her head gently as she stepped into the cell once it had been unlocked for her.  "I'm afraid not - we've only just arrived among the Ten-Towns a day ago ourselves.  We'd have been here sooner still were it not for that inept scoundrel of a wagon master..." she bit back her ire at Niels for the moment.  "I'll require a few minutes of focus to perform my examination, during which I'll need to maintain physical contact.  Just a hand will suffice.  Is that permissible, sir?" she raised her free hand with a wiggle of her gloved fingers demonstratively for Markham's say-so.

---

Astre is keeping watch for anything amiss or suspicious.  Let me know if you need any rolls, but that's what he's up to for the time being.  Mallory, meanwhile, is ready to Ritual Cast "Identify" as soon as she's given permission.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:44, Fri 11 Feb 2022.

Markham accompanied Mallory into the cell. The Red Wizard quickened his breath in response to having company, but otherwise remained motionless. Though twitching his nose was all he was capable of in his current state. "The Wizard — a Gnome who recently returned to Bryn Shander — was here two days ago to confirm the illusion. But there's been no changes to his appearance. The brown haired, adult man before you is how he was brought in by the Radiant Squire. We're in the dark as to his real appearance. A wand, three coppers, twenty silvers and five gold was all he carried."

Mallory received a nod upon her prompt to touch the prisoner. Markham was close and armed, as was another guard. It was still a somewhat tense moment, as direct contact could be prime opportunity for an escape attempt. "As long as you don't doom us to fiery conflagration."

As a hand was laid upon him, the Red Wizard shuddered and his pulse rose once more. He bit hard on the gag, breathing laboriously. Time slowed down. The pearl on her family ring lit up dimly, barely enough to be perceptible, as she went through the rites.

Meanwhile, the Sheriff turned to Rhydd. "I'm certain you understand the reason why I'm apprehensive when it comes to who is allowed to see him. And I trust that you will not air any information carelessly."
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:17, Sat 12 Feb 2022.

As she stepped near Mallory leveled her lantern rod just behind her legs and let it go where, perhaps to Markham's disdain over potential magical surprises, it floated affixed in mid-air.  But there was nothing more nefarious than the young noble simply using it like a bench to sit on as she settled in and began the process.

The most the others would know of the casting was little more than superficial at best.  On sight, there was only Mallory's eyes set half-lidded and a dull, nearly stifled illumination from the otherwise unseen ring that she wore beneath her glove.  Soft words whispered out under her breath; nonsense to the ear, more akin to random sounds and consonants than the more poetic style of chanting she usually performed.  But to Mallory herself?  To those who could perceive magic?  The world around her was aglow with the pulsing, thrumming paths of raw arcane essence that suffused creation.  She could see the leylines of The Weave all around and, with each sound she hummed out, sought to find each individual line's resonance.  Each one needed to be identified and plucked like the string of a harp in order to secure its tone, to build the harmony one element at a time that would reveal the truth to her.

---

Mallory Ritually casts "Identify".  That's her for the next 11 minutes, so if Rhydd wants to pick the Sheriff's brain about anything, now's his opportunity.

Rhydd looked evenly at Markham as the man spoke to him. This Sheriff seemed to be the sort who enjoyed giving orders, and apparently expected them to be followed.

The outdoorsman did not reply to Markham's comments. Instead, he turned and watched Lady Mallory as the wizardess began the process of . . . whatever it was that she was doing.

"How did this one," here Rhydd nodded his head in the direction of the chained-up Red Wizard, "first come to your attention?"

Markham paused at Rhydd's question. It seemed like they would have plenty of time to talk, so he took his. "Because he raised enough hell for the entirety of Icewind Dale to take notice. Several reports of a strange wizard began to surface in Easthaven about a month ago. Simultaneously, rumors of his presence in Good Mead and Caer Koenig came to our attention. We've been cooperating with the authorities in both towns, as well as Fireshear." Markham drew a deep breath, allowing the wizard's whispers the silence to be heard. "And then, a couple of Tendays ago, some dozen townsfolk in Easthaven were murdered. We have reason to think our Red friend here was behind them. And then there's the case of the missing adventurers."
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:40, Sun 13 Feb 2022.