Vailin's face went an exceptional shade of red and his grin went extra wide and extra stupid as Aelina complemented him.  "Uh. . .um. . .Ael. . .Aelina.  It's. . .um. . .so nice to see you."

All focus on the guards was immediately lost.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:01, Sat 04 Mar 2023.

As Vailin offered forward his pack, the other guard, this one a tall woman with long curly brown hair took the pack and opened it, rifling through the contents.  After a minute's inspection, she handed the pack back and gestured.  "You may pass," she said tiredly.

The first guard answered Aelina's question.  "A holy artefact was stolen from the vault in Haven," he said.  "We're searching for it, or any information on its whereabouts."

Just then, a small cart pulled by a stocky pony rounded the corner.  A grizzled old dwarven woman with a shocking mohawk of white hair leaned on a walking stick as she walked next to the pony.  With a deep sigh, she pulled on the pony's halter to guide it to a stop, apparently unaware that the animal had already stopped moving.

"Hold," the first guard said.  "You'll need to submit for inspec--"

"You do what you gotta do, sonny!" the old dwarf shouted a little bit louder than was needed.  "But be quick about it!  I mean to be back in Solace before nightfall and the road's not getting any shorter!"

The guardswoman moved to take the younger guardsman's place.  "You go check the cart, I'll take her," she said.  She looked up at Aelina.  "Your pack, mistress?"

The younger guard headed to the back of the cart, pulling the tarpaulin back to expose the contents.  Immediately he began removing several long-handled tools -- a hoe and pitchfork came off before the dwarven woman could react.

"Hey!" she crowed, turning back to face the guard.  "What do you think you're--"

"These need to be inspected--"

"The bloody blazes they do!  You've got eyes, you can see what they are!"

"--by the order of the Holy Seekers--" the guardsman spoke louder, trying to talk over the woman's protests.  A shovel and a pick followed the hoe and the pitchfork.

"The Holy Seekers couldn't find their own arseholes if someone spread their cheeks for them!  You can't take that, that's my livelihood--"

Vailin had accepted his pack and was waiting for Aelina to finish when the trouble with the dwarf kicked in.  He hadn't been invited into the conversation, but always the peacemaker, the young warrior stepped in anyway.

To the dwarf he said.  "Good lady, I'm sure these people are just doing their job and will not overly delay you."

He moved beside the guard making a mess.  "Is there a problem?  Perhaps you would let me start reloading these tools once you finish searching that part of the cart."  Vailin assumed the guard was young and overenthusiastic, making a mess where the more experienced guard had been respectful in searching his pack.

He began carefully putting the tools in a pile, ready to reload.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:01, Sat 04 Mar 2023.

The half elf smiled sweetly to the young warrior when he stammered as the cat started rubbing itself on the man's boots. The guard told her that they were looking for an artefact as the dwarf made a commotion about her tools being confiscated. The bard's eye lit up with interest as gave her pack for inspection.

"An artefact you say? And judging by the pile of staves you have confiscated you are looking for a staff." Remembering the rumors she had been tracing for the last year, she also had a good idea what they were looking for and she made a flourish with her dusty red travelling cape, eyes gleaming, a big smile on her lips. " This is your lucky day then, sergeant... as you have before you a member of the Tower of High Sorcery, and the light of Lunitari will shine to reveal the truth about those items you are taking. If you will allow me a few minutes to prepare, I will tell you if there is any magic present here."

Without waiting for an answer, she opened the leather case protecting her lute and started to sing a balad about a traveling red wizard out to discover the wonders of the world. As she sang, her blue eyes took a purple sheen and when she was done, she looked at the dwarf's pile first, before looking at the instruments on the cart.

ritual casting detect magic
This message was last edited by the player at 12:26, Sat 04 Mar 2023.

Vailin's ears pricked up as he heard Aelina's conversation with the other guard.  He kept quiet though, continuing to make some order out of the clutter.

"Hold," the mounted man spoke, sidling his horse closer.  The was bald, and ckin the colour of rich loam, and he carried himself with an air of experience.  The guardswoman at the front accepted Aelina's pack, but then stepped to one side, rifling through the contents.

The horse clopped forward under his rider's instruction, and the man handled it with practiced ease as he addressed the half-elf.  "While we... appreciate your assistance, whatever you discover here will not change the outcome.  These items must be inspected by one of the Seekers."

Turn to address the dwarven woman -- whose expression hadn't changed one bit, he said, "Madam, after their inspection, you can collect your belongings from the temple of Omalthea in Haven."

"Haven!  That's two days journey!  I've got crops in the ground now!  I cannae spend four days traveling to Haven and back!"

"Then I suggest you purchase additional equipment in Solace," the man said implacably.

Vailin reflexively came to attention as the rider approached, quickly dropping any implements he was holding.

He could understand the dwarf woman's concern but he could also appreciate this group couldn't just trust the word and magic of some random stranger.

"Understood sir.  I assume the lady here will receive a promisory note of some sort?  I mean how else does she reclaim her equipment?"  He looked to the wagon already full of farm implements.  He couldn't believe they all came from one traveller.

The older man sighed and nodded.  "Aye, we can do that.  Dunhall!"

The younger man stiffened on the spot.  "Yessir!"

"Itemise everything taken from this goodwoman, ensure she receives the receipt.  Two copies, one for us and one for her."

"Promisory note?  You can stick your promisory note--" the dwarven woman's tirade was cut off as guardsman Dunhall grabbed her walking stick.  "Now see here!!"  She pulled the stick from his grasp, prompting the guardsman to grab for it again.

"All items must be inspected--" he began again.

OOC: Contested Strength Roll
DM ROLL: Guardsman Dunhall rolled 2 using 1d20 ((2)).
DM ROLL: Dwarven woman rolled 21 using 1d20+2 ((19)).

The bard was stunned when no one seemed to be listening to her ballad and stopped it after a few measure, something she shook her head over, the red tresses flying. The guard seemed in a loop, repeating the same inspection line, and that didn't fly with the dwarven farmer. This had the potential to degenerate quickly, and she had a flash of the lessons her mentor had instilled on her, teaching her about balance and why Lunitari's pupils were, usually, highly regarded as mediators. She approach the mounted man, that seemed to be the leader.

"If I may offer a solution here, Captain, I can cast this spell much faster. I am a tower trained magic user, I can see magic with this spell I much prefer to sing for, but I don't think your man over there can overcome a enraged dwarf.

So what if I quickly cast my spell, determine that the agriculture instruments are not magical, and I give you where your necessarily tower trained inspector can find me to ask questions if he feels like it. I swear on Lunitari's that I will tell you the truth regarding any magic I will see with my spell. Will that be acceptable to you? " She looked at the tug of war near the chariot.

"Or do you prefer to have one of your men injured?"

Today: Secret Roll: Aelina rolled 19 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 13.  persuasion.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:14, Sun 05 Mar 2023.

The mounted guard shook his head.  "We are searching for a holy artefact," he countered, his hand dropping to the hilt of the sword at his waist.

"If you have issue with the matter, I suggest you take it up with the temple in Haven.  Now.  Step aside, and let us continue our duty."

The bard was not phased by the man's reaction. If a magic spell would not sway him, maybe others means would. "Captain, I respect you have your orders, and mean no harm. An holy artefact is a pretty vague description though. What does it look like and what does it do? Surely this poor woman's tools can't be it.

In my studies, I have heard of artifacts, only the most powerful magical items are called as such. And who says magic says a magical aura, that can be detected. I am willing to bet that your inspector is using the same spell I propose to use to do his inspection. You are a man of faith, can't a little faith in our honesty can be spare here?"

The guard shook his head.  "Above my pay grade to know that," he said.  "All I know is we're told to come out here, inspect any travelers on the road, and take anything long-handled, from staves to pikes to shovels to brooms.  Bring 'em all back, and the Seekers will sort them out."

He glared hard at Aelina.  "Now, are you going to step aside and let us do our jobs, or are you going to continue to be... difficult?"

Vailin watches as the note was given.  "I appreciate it's not ideal ma'am, but these people have a job to do."

He seemed surprised when they took the dwarf's walking stick.  He turned to the mounted officer, who seemed to be in charge.  "Isn't that a bit short to be a concern?  You said you're after a staff.  That stick seems too short to be considered a staff.  Is there a minimum length you're commandeering?"

His tone was respectful and inquisitive with the mounted soldier.  When he was in the military he had been used to giving and receiving specific orders.  He had no doubt if he was told to collect staves he would be given a minimum length.  I mean, the hadn't taken his bolts and any of them was still essentially a stick.

He kept out of the conversation Aelina was having for now.  He could see her desire to help but completely understood why the guards would not accept it.

"I didn't say a staff," the guardsman explained, the frustration beginning to show in his tone.  "Clean our your ears, son.  I said we were told to take anything long-handled -- staves, polearms, shovels, even gods-damned brooms!"

The creak of leather told of the tightening of his grip on the pommel of his sword.  "Now.  You've wasted enough of our time.  Step away and let us do our duty, for face the consequences."

The two guards were now watching all of you intently, and there was a certain pressure in the air.

Ailena sighed and shook her head. This was another of the situation her mentor had warned her could happen, where obstinate persons would not deviate from their single-mindedness and where diplomacy would fail.

And where balance was impossible to achieve.

Approaching the dwarven farmer, she put her hand in her belt pouch and took some coins out. "I am sorry milady, but they will not listen to reason. Unless you leave with them what they want, I fear there will be blood spilled and I would rather avoid this fate. It is not much, but please take these, you can buy back what they confiscated here today."

Taking the rugged hand in hers, she dropped the coins in the farmer's hand. She would need to start working again in Solace to compensate for this lost, but gold could be regained, a life not.

Give 1/5 of my fortune to the dwarf, 2 GP

Vailin bristled under this man but military discipline kicked in.  He'd never physically impeded a guard, in fact he'd tried to help.  He'd only asked questions.  "Sorry sir.  I guess my idea of a 'long' handle is longer than yours."  He gave the soldier a lude wink then moved off to join Aelina and the dwarf.

He'd met soldiers like this before, addicted to what little power they had.  He wasn't bothered by the man grasping his sword hilt, he doubted it would come to blows.  He just thought it was a failing when a soldier thought threats were better than words.  For him he'd seen it as a failure in his troops.  A sign of a bully.  Someone not to be promoted.  But he wasn't in the military anymore.  Sometimes he missed it.  Days like today he definitely did not.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 03:35, Mon 06 Mar 2023.

If the guardsman was phase by Vailin's comment, he was too professional to let it get to him, beyond the down-turning of the corner of his lip.  Vailin thought he heard the ghost of a snicker from the guardswoman as she handed Aelina's pack back to her.

"You're clear," she said.

The dwarven woman grumbled furiously as the guards searched through the rest of her cart with ruthless efficiency.  Everything was unloaded, and anything with a long, straight piece of wood was added to the pile.  When they were done, all the rest was loaded back onto the cart, and the items for inspection were added to the pile on the guards' cart.  When Aelina offered the farmer gold for her confiscated tools, she accepted gratefully, calling the half-elven woman a "blessing" and a "good child."  "Unlike these whore-sons and dung-stains upon the heap of the world!"

After the guards gave the farmer clearance to leave, she climbed back up onto her cart and took up the reins.  She paused and looked back at the two of you.  "If you're heading to Solace, climb aboard.  You can rest your feet on the way."

Now that the drama was over, Ailena pointedly ignored the single minded seekers and gratefully smiled to the farmer. "We are indeed going to Solace, and your offer is most welcome. It has been a long year on the road."

Vailin was surprised the dwarf extended the offer to him.  He knew this was likely a case of good soldiers following bad orders, but from her perspective, a bunch of guards had taken her livelihood and provided a scrap of parchment.

"Thank you ma'am." he said with a half bow.  He slipped in the back of the wagon, using his pack as a backrest as he had done many times before.

The half-elf took her lute and tuned it, turning to the farmer and warrior. "Do you mind if I play? I have this song I have been working on, an adaptation of a dwarven saga I heard during the last year, I think you will like it."

"Never turn down free entertainment, child," the dwarven woman said, "whether it's a song or a tale, or watching two men make fools of themselves over a woman!"

Aelina nodded and continued tuning her work tool for a few minutes, while doing some vocal exercises to prepare her throat to what was coming. Ready, she started with a somber rhythm  on her lute, before switching her voice to a deeper tone, like a dwarf would.

T'was the time of the gods
T'was the time of the dwarves
Listen to the tale of the Ironfist
Listen to the tale of Princess Freya

Dwarven Princess, so strong and brave
Leading her people, fighting for what is right
Bravely standing, never to wave
Dwarven Princess, a noble sight

King Gundrun, beloved leader,
King Gundrun, beloved father,
Such a fool, King Gundrun
Trusting into the witch-queen

Dwarven Princess, so strong and brave
Leading her people, fighting for what is right
Bravely standing, never to wave
Dwarven Princess, a noble sight

Enslaved by magic, the Ironfist
Toiled to death in their mine
Gundrun enchanted, never doubting
Blissed ignorance, the fool King

Dwarven Princess, so strong and brave
Leading her people, fighting for what is right
Bravely standing, never to wave
Dwarven Princess, a noble sight

Blessed of Dumathoin Freya was
Dwarven princess out to learn
Learned in way of war
Learned in way of magic

Dwarven Princess, so strong and brave
Leading her people, fighting for what is right
Bravely standing, never to wave
Dwarven Princess, a noble sight

To the Ironfist, Freya came back
Distraught the princess was
To see her people slaving, dying
To see Gundrun the fool father

Dwarven Princess, so strong and brave
Leading her people, fighting for what is right
Bravely standing, never to wave
Dwarven Princess, a noble sight



She cleared her throat, coming back to her normal singsong voice.

This is what I have so far, the saga continues on for quite a while, but I still need to put it in verses. I am also working on the arrangement of the music with the lute, maybe a more upbeat rhythm during the chorus, what do you think?

Today: Secret Roll: Aelina rolled 15 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 9.  performance

The old dwarven woman said little as Aelina sang, but there was a snap in the rhythm  of her reins as she coaxed the horse along the road.

"Ye've got the gift," she said after the song finished.  "Gift like that could take you far.  Maybe snap up some noble husband if you're lucky."

Aelina plucked a few notes on her lute, the tone sounding amused. She moved her hair away from her ear, clearly revealing her previously hidden elven heritage. "I do not think I'll be that easy to marry, us half-elves do not have it easy to fit in. Neither humans or elves want of us, just by my birth, I am a pariah." Idly plucking more notes, she continued after a moment "Solace is the one place that accepted me, after I left the tower to further my studies."

The dwarven woman scoffed.  "Ye've a pretty face, and a hole betwixt your legs.  That's enough for most men.  Add your voice, and you could have them wrapped around your finger quick-smart.  Best get to it girl, before you're old and wrinkled like me!"