Naras' Vignette

[JadedDM]

"Ok Roken, that's fine. Any idea how long the armouer's workshop is likely to take to build? If it would help, I could try and do a bit of the apprenticing for you, when I get spare time, anyway."
After hearing Roken's response the dwarf leaves and returns to the temple.
***
If Leena's here, Naras queries, "Have you been able to find out where Agnas's granddaughter lives? Or Ceril's family? Or if there is a magic user around?
If Otaya is here, she queries,"How go things? An have you got a list of those of the congregation that are behind on their tithes? Any that we need me to chase?"
***
If nothing significant from either of the acolytes, Naras heads of to the wardens' place, seeking to see the head warden.

[JadedDM]

Roken answers it shouldn't take longer than a month to get the forge up and running.

Naras returns to the temple and speaks with Leena. She has the location of Agnas' granddaughter's place and the home of Ceril's family. She also wandered the docks, seeking out ships that had Storm Sorcerers who might identify the magical items. Their prices were, she felt, outrageous--numbering in the thousands of gold pieces. Leena recommends waiting until they can find a better deal.

Otaya is still compiling the list, but it has over 300 people on it so far. She's hoping to get it done soon.

[Chris1234]

The kohen thanks the pair of acolytes, acknowledging complimenting their diligence and leaves to get to the closer residence out of Agnas's granddaughter & Ceril's family.

=========

{OOC: For speed, as the other PCs look close to coming back to town, I've given a condensed version of the intended conversations. Happy to play them in full, either here or PM, or, even, here in parallel.}

=========

Upon reaching Agnas's granddaughter's abode, she knocks on the door and waits. If answered, the dwarf inquires if the grandaughter of Agnas, servant of Gonto, is in residence and, if so, requests an audience.
- If not in residence, Naras inquires when she will be back and that the granddaughter is informed that 'Naras, new kohen of Gonto, called to speak with her.'
- If in residence, Naras introduces herself, 'Naras, new kohen of Gonto,' and gets on to the difficult part, 'I regret to have to inform you that Agnas, servant of Gonto, has passed away to the beyond, doubtless joyous in the infinite crafting halls of Gonto. I am sorry for your loss. I plan to complete her internment tomorrow at noon in accordance with her wishes. If you wish to come to say goodbye to her, then I would recommend tomorrow morning."

Upon reaching Ceril's family's abode, she knocks on the door and waits. If answered, the dwarf inquires if either of the parents of Ceril is in residence and, if so, requests an audience.
- If not in residence, Naras inquires when either of them will be back and that they are informed that 'Naras, new kohen of Gonto, called to speak with them.'
- If in residence, Naras introduces herself, 'Naras, new kohen of Gonto,' and gets on to the difficult part, 'I regret that the finalisation of the internment of your late son, Ceril, was delayed by the disappearance of my predecessor. I how now completed that internment and having passed away to the beyond, is doubtless on his journey to the infinite crafting halls of Gonto. I am sorry for your loss. If you wish to come to say any final farewells goodbye to him, then I would recommend tomorrow morning, as I plan to complete and seal his internment tomorrow at noon. I would respectfully remind you that the internment fee, 500GP, is now due."

[JadedDM]

{OOC: Bored here, so I've put together the next conversation. I think all of these can pretty much proceed in parallel, each only taking minutes and being independent of the rest.}

=========

Naras moves on to the Lord's Manor, announcing herself, "Kohen Stonebreaker seeks to speak with Lady Ulvorn. Will Her Ladyship receive me?"
- If not in residence, Naras inquires when she is likely to be back and Her Ladyship 'Naras called to speak with her.'
- If in residence, Naras is happy to wait 10 minutes or so, after which she requests that an appointment be made to suit Her Ladyship and that she (Naras) be informed thereafter.
- If received, Naras, says "Your Ladyship, I think we didn't quite get off on the right footing. To be honest, I have no idea why. Some of the subtleties of the conversation, possibly all of them, went over my head. I'm just a simple, plain-speaking servant of Gonto. I've come to see you about 4 things:
the first is what I've just mentioned; that I'd like us to start anew, to be friendly if not friends.
Secondly, I no longer need to impose on you to speak with the Chief Warden about access to the mechanical spider remains as I now have another project - a temple armourer's workshop, as a tribute to Gonto that shouldn't damage any local crafters and may do a little to benefit the island's economy.
Thirdly, I have some abilities in painting.As a token of hope towards a better relationship between us, I would like you the have this quick sketch of you. Now I will not fence words with you as you are clearly far too perceptive for me to succeed, instead I will be plain speaking - I do want something from you. The temple requires some gem inlaid divination sticks to enable the casting of Auguries, a short if cryptic vision into the future. These are expensive, typically costing 1,500GP. The temple does not have that sort of money so I would like you to commission a set (for which I can provide details) and give them to the temple. By way of return, I would offer a portrait of you by my hand and credit for the casting of my Temple's spells to the value of 2,000GP.
Fourthly, it occurs to me that you actually run this island, whether people recognise that or not, so you need to know, if not already done, about a threat to this island. <Naras tells the same story that she told the Wardens about rescuing Agnas, having to defend themselves many times, and the blue-skinned guy and his proclamations.> She adds, "I'm now going to the the wardens' place to try and get the High Warden to authorise me to Speak with Dead on the late Leaguers; apparently they've been moved there from the mine; I can do this twice, and it needs to be today, and would need to ask two questions of my own and two as defined by the wardens."

=========

{OOC: Artistic Ability - Painting (17). Rolled 6 on d20. So should be a decent sketch. Happy if you choose to re-roll &/or apply modifiers as the penciled study of Lady Ulvorn was reasonably fast (I think less than 2 hours) and from memory.. Clarification of Rule, please: does degree of success at something like painting affect the quality of the product? e.g. for TN17, is 6 on d20 a better painting than 16 on d20 ? Or are they all just ok paintings unless you get a natural 1 ?}

[JadedDM]

Naras goes to meet with Agnas' granddaughter, a young woman named Deanna. The woman is quite distraught of the news, but seems to take it out on Naras. She blames the church and Naras herself for 'allowing' this to happen. After a fierce argument, she demands Naras leave her house.

The kohen then goes to see Ceril's family. They are quite wealthy, as Leena said, living in a nice house. They thank her for accepting Ceril but claim that they won't be able to pay for another few days, as their money is currently tied up elsewhere. They promise to have the gold by next week.

Naras then goes to see Ulvorn. She seems amused by the portrait and observes that most people who bribe her offer more than that, especially with such an outrageous request. However, she'll agree to commission the sticks if Naras agrees to support her in a tax increase on all of the town's commerce. The people won't object as much if the new kohen officially sticks her seal of approval on it.

Ulvorn is also already aware of the events of the mine, having been briefed by the Highwarden herself.

(OOC: Based on what's written in the PHB, it seems that only a roll of 1 produces something excellent.)

[JadedDM]

"Lady Ulvorn, I will support a small, reasoned increase. Do you wish to recommend to the High Warden that he accepts my offer to Speak with Dead Leaguers? I suspect he may say no otherwise and then the opportunity is lost," Narars responds after a moment's thought.

After Listening to any response, the kohen finishes with, "Would you be interested in trade and so on of magical items?"

[JadedDM]

Lady Ulvorn laughs. "Now you ask for a second favor? You really have no understanding of how politics work, do you?" she asks, shaking her head.

"Very well, I shall speak to the Highwarden and see that she lets you do your little...'rituals," she says, making a dismissive gesture. "But in return, you will personally stand by my side at tomorrow's announcement of the tax raise and make a small speech about how it is Gonto's will that people accept this new tax. I also want you to personally endorse me to your followers as the best leader this town could hope for."

"Magical items, you say? That depends, what do they do?" she asks.

[JadedDM]

Again Naras thinks for ten seconds or so before replying, "Frankly, one of the 'rituals', in addition to trying to help protect the island from war, was to try and find that out. Specifically command words for a wand of evocation. But if you're not interested than the command words don't matter that much. Well, I see that you and the High Warden talk so if he wants to able to ask the dead Leaguers anything bout the genasai or his plans for war, then he's got until the end of the day to contact me. Then it's too late."

The kohen stands up, ready to leave.

[JadedDM]

"Very well, suit yourself," Ulvorn says. "My servant will show you the door."

[JadedDM]

~That's one hell of a selfish b@stard,~ Naras thinks.
She heads off back towards the temple.

Then, thinking of the island's populace,she takes a backstreet or two and does a u-turn towards and then into Warden Keep.
The kohen, familiar with the routine by now, explains to the junior warden on desk duty, "I'm kohen Stonebreaker. I'm here to make an offer of help to the Chief Warden in the Leaguer investigation. Making that offer would take two or three minutes of the Chief Warden's time. So, can I see him?"
--- If not granted an audience, she requests that the desk-warden writes a note for delivery to the High Warden at the soonest opportunity today. She dictates: "Kohen Stonebreaker sends her cordial greetings to the High Warden. If you want to able to ask the dead Leaguers anything about the Leaguers' leader or his plans of discord for Narin, then you have until the end of this day to contact me. After that it will be too late. With my best regards, Naras Stonebreaker." She then returns to the temple.
--- If granted as audience with the High Warden, Naras says, "Greetings High Warden! If you want to able to ask the dead Leaguers anything about their Genasai leader or his plans for war in Narin then I can help. You define (and tell me) two questions that you want to ask. I get to ask two questions on behalf of Gonto. What do you say?"
-*-*- If the High Warden wants to ask questions and either wants to be able to ask more questions or disallows Naras's questions, then she responds, "Each question that you deny the temple or require as your own costs 500GP. How do you wish to proceed."

***

{OOC: To move things along:}
The 2 questions Naras plans to ask the former wand-wielding elf are:
a) What are the magical properties and functions of the magical ring you wore when we met?
b) Apart from the wand command word that you used to attack me, what are that wand's other command words?
She then returns to the temple.

=========
{OOC: IMO you play Lady Ulvorn as immediately dislike-able very well. She's such a selfish cow!}

[JadedDM]

Naras makes her way to the fortress and again speaks with the private there. He sends word to the Highwarden and she agrees to allow Naras a brief audience.

Naras is directed to the highwarden's office where she sits behind a very large desk that puts her several feet above Naras, meaning the kohen must look upward to even make eye contact. She is a stern looking dwarven woman with short blonde hair and lips that always seem to be in a perfect straight line. Taking one look at her, one cannot help but wonder if this woman has ever actually smiled in her life.


Listening to her question, the highwarden--one Thorola Highlaw, according to the plaque on her desk--responds. "You may ask your questions if you want, but I doubt you'll learn much. The leaguers deliberately keep their members in the dark on such things in order to avoid this very scenario. Their cells often operate on a 'need to know' basis so that no one but the higher ups have the important intel. I will not pay you for this service, though, as it is one you have volunteered. And I will insist an officer accompany you during your interrogation."

Naras is escorted downstairs by a lieutenant to where the bodies are being kept. They have been cleaned up, at least. Naras begins with the elven woman. Casting her spell, she asks two questions.

"What are the magical properties and functions of the magical ring you wore when we met?"

"I wore no ring when we met," the ghostly image responds. Indeed, Naras found the ring in the chest in the treasure room, not on the elven woman herself.

"Apart from the wand command word that you used to attack me, what are that wand's other command words?"

"The other command words are 'Fira,' 'Firaga' and 'Firaja.'"

The ghostly apparition then vanishes.

================

Naras casts Speak with Dead on the elven Leaguer woman.
Elven Leaguer woman makes a saving throw vs. spell [TN 17] (1d20): 2, fail. She is compelled to answer.

[Chris1234]

Naras turns to the lieutenant and says "what questions do you wish to be asked?"

In the ansense of any definitve answer, the kohen tries the half elven female cleric of Crizza (#10):
--- “What do you know of “Son of Crizza’s” plans for war?"
--- "What is the most influential position in Narin's bureaucracy infiltrated by a Leaguer or Leaguer-sympathiser?"

Naras turns to the lieutenant, "Thank you. Please give my compliments and thanks to the High Warden. He know where to find me if he needs Gonto's aid."

***
The Gontorian returns to the temple and tells Otaya & Leena, "Agnas's granddaughter, Deanna, was, as might be expected, distraught and currently blames us, me in particular. She may come ahere before noon tomorrow to pay her last respects. Told her that at that time I will seal the internment. Talking of which, Ceril's family have promised to have the 500GP to seal his internment by next week. i told them that I will seal his internment tomorrow noon. How's the list of tithe-debtors coming along, Otaya? If it helps, just concentrate on the top 20% by value. Right, I'm going to have some food, welcome to join me, or you can have yours later.This plus what's left over from yesterday should provide for today and tomorrow. Then I'm popping down to the vault to test the potion."

Naras wrestles out of her backpack some standard rations (4 days, 8 lbs), adding, "I'll replace this with a day's trail rations with the temple money that we're not spending on food for us all for 2 days."
=========
{OOC: *This stuff is fly-dropping detail, 1.5GP, (paid for by 2 days x 3 people standard rations that would otherwise come from temple funds), but the 8lb weight could be enough to impair Naras's movement if ever she goes on an expedition.} And the smelting stuff is fluff, but that's the next NWP
=========
After lunch, Naras goes down to the vault, taking Leena for safety, albeit at a safe distance, and writes the command words on the wand's label, then casts Detect Evil and scans the potion, ring, wand, robes and scroll.
Assuming this shows nothing, in the most fire-proof part of the temple, she cracks open the potion and smells it, and assuming it doesn't set fire to her hair {OOC: c.f. Greek fire} she sips it to try and figure out what the potion does.
Assuming nothing goes badly wrong, the dwarf then slips on the ring and says in a clear voice, "I Wish I was stronger without any other effect on the Multiverse."

Assuming nothing goes badly wrong, the dwarf spends the rest of the day with a couple of hours studying the smelting book, an hour round the market to buy 1 day of trail rations* a couple of hours praying for Divine Inspiration (spell research), and a few hours working in the weaponsmith's workshop, practicing smelting.

[JadedDM]

{OOC: How long before the Augury sticks will be ready?}
=========

Getting up early again, Naras has breakfast and then prays for some spells:
1. Cure Light Wounds, Protection from Evil
2. Cure Moderate Wounds, Cure Moderate Wounds (unless Augury sticks are ready in which case one of these spells is Augury instead.)
3. Glyph of Warding, Glyph of Warding

The dwarf discusses with the acoltyes to see if they have any better ideas on working and then pops a Glyph of Paralysation on the library doorway that affects "anyone passing out through the doorway that is not a Gontorian or does not have a Gontorian cleric's hand willingly on their shoulder".
She casts the second Glyph on Old Man Weatherby's corpse {OOC: or Ceril's if Weatheby's is already done and it's just the player having memory issues.}

Naras spends the rest of the morning either studying the smelting book or saying appropriate prayers over the relevant deceased if Agnas's granddaughter or Ceril's family turn up.

[JadedDM]

Naras then tries to interrogate the Crizzite cleric. However, the cleric refuses to answers Naras' questions and simply disappears after making a rude gesture.

After lunch, she casts Detect Evil on the items in the vault but senses nothing from them. She then tests the potion and determines it is a Potion of Electrical Resistance.

She then slips on the ring and makes a wish, but nothing happens.

The following day is Sardonx 2nd. She wakes up and prays for new spells. The augury sticks won't be ready for a few days, and even then, not until after Naras makes her endorsement of the tax hike.

Naras places a Glyph of Warding on Ceril's alcove so that the body cannot be disturbed then spends the rest of the day in study and waits. Ceril's family shows up, but Deanna does not. Naras performs the ceremony and seals the bodies of both Agnas and Ceril. Ceril's family agrees to pay in a few days.

===========

Naras casts Speak with Dead on Leaguer Cleric.
Leaguer Cleric makes a saving throw vs. spell [TN 15] (1d20): 15, pass.
Naras casts Detect Evil.
Naras identifies the potion as a Potion of Electrical Resistance (identical to a Potion of Fire Resistance, but with Lightning instead.)
Naras casts Glyph of Warding on Ceril's alcove.

(OOC: Off topic, but is Naras intentionally mis-gendering the Highwarden? She's been insistent on calling her a 'he' and even after meeting her in person, is still doing it. Just kind of odd.

The Glyph of Warding can be set "according to physical characteristics such as creature type, size and weight. Glyphs can also be set with respect to good or evil or to pass those of the caster's religion." I don't think they can be set on multiple conditions, like they must be of your faith or have someone of your faith's hand on their shoulder. If you really think people might steal books for some reason, it might be smarter to just get a lock.)

[JadedDM]

Naras tells the acolytes, "I've set a Glyph on the library doorway for anyone that's evil. Can one of you arrange to get a decent quality lock fitted and 3 keys, one for me, one for whoever of you is on library duty and a spare to keep in the vault."

Now that the risk on the large garnet and the amethyst have been actualised, and the dwarven shield revalued in line with that of the battleaxe (40GP), Naras revises the ‘shares’ from the mine adventure. She also moves the remaining risk for the small ruby (20GP) to the share assigned to Agnas which she is managing separately from the core of the temple’s funds.

In a quiet moment with just Leena, the kohen passes 22GP to Leena, commenting, "This is yours, I've been able to get a better evaluation of some of the magical items. And this is for Pearl; no rush, but can you try and make sure she gets it?". She hands over another 22GP.
Later on in the day, Naras hands over 13GP to Otaya, "This is an update to the tithes due to the temple. Please add it in to the books. I presume 13SP goes to headquarters. Can you take care of that sometime soon, please?"

{OOC: Oopps on the Glyph; first time of trying these tbh. And oops on High Warden gender.}