King Asgore's Court [IC]

[Spore]

Brad hands them his polearm and holds his arms together to be bound. Intrusion on an area with restricted access. An undeserved arrest but you are just doing your job, right? Brad winks as he gauges the reaction fo the guardsmen.

[JNAProductions]

"Um... Yeah, sure," the guard says.

The other guard starts taking some of El's manacles and puts them on Brad first. Asgore sighs, but acquiesces, though he does say Eladriel has spent enough time in chains. She'll give her word that she'll behave-right, El?-but I don't think she needs to be bound again.

[WhismurWanders]

Justin sighs as Brad mentions that they are simply obeying orders, knowing full well that he would probably do the same thing in their position. Not that Asgore would ever do something like this in the first place... Once he sees Asgore relent, he follows his king's example, turning over the shortsword the guard had given to him earlier before offering his wrists to be manacled as well.

[JNAProductions]

The guards, after binding the group's wrists (with the exception of El) leads them up out of the dungeon.

As you reach a less cold and deep part of the castle, you see several other guards at watch. "Earl-you've caught them?"

"Yes?" one of the guards escorting you answers.

"Good," the first guard who spoke says. "The pixie nearly killed the queen with a poisoned dagger. But why are you bringing them out of the dungeons?"

[Spore]

I highly doubt Eladriel would do such a thing. But I trust in you giving us a fair trial to reveal the truth. Brad smiles sincerely although he somewhat doubts that the higher-ups are not plotting something sinister. These hapless minions cannot do anything other than playing along the charade.

He stops at the mere thought of correcting the guards to correctly gauge Eladriel's combat style who if really a traitor would rather have used enchantments and spells rather than a poison dagger.

[Dr.Gunsforhands]

"Yeah. Also. Ancip checked us for weapons before we got here. He'd've found it if she had it."

...

"Wait. El. You said the wards were keeping a copy of your physical form for some reason. Do you think they could have used it for an illusion or something."

Spoiler

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(El certainly rolled high enough to beat the Arcana spoiler from earlier, so I'm assuming she mentioned it as part of her explanation.)

[puzzler7]

El follows the group back up, firmly seated on Justin's shoulder to show that she has no intentions of running off or causing trouble. "You guys aren't going to throw me back down there, are you? I don't think I've been arrested before..."

When confronted with the accusation, El stands abruptly.

"I did no such thing! I've spent the last gods-know-how-long being crushed to death in your human-sized manacles in that torture chamber down there! Wait ... a poisoned dagger? Do you have the dagger? Is it, like, human sized like all the other things around here? Because I don't think I could even lift a human sized dagger - it's bigger than I am!"

Her anger disappears as she muses, perhaps unwisely, on the subject of assassination with oversized weapons.

"I'd probably cut myself on it no matter how I held it... Maybe if I balanced it between my feet, tied it there, hung on to a bird that flew over the castle, and cut the rope? No, I'd have to hold on to the bird... Maybe if I tied my hands to the bird! No, I'd still have to cut the rope..."

Realizing her situation, she flushes briefly before returning to the matter at hand. "Erm, no, sorry. You have the wrong pixie - absurd bird antics aside, not only would such an act be disastrous for my King, I could not have possibly physically committed the act."

"It's definitely possible for them to have a copy of me, even without the torture chamber - to create an illusion of someone, all you need is to see them. And I don't think we were exactly unnoticed here..."

Spoiler: OOC

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The assassins were using human-sized weaponry, I hope? Otherwise, that's one hell of a cover-up. They specifically crafted useless weaponry for the purpose of framing the foreign dignitaries from a country no one has seen for centuries. Kudos to whoever the hell planned that far in advance - he deserves to rule the country.

Ooh, but if there are pixie-sized poisoned daggers, El wants one. For magic! Probably better to pick it up on the way back to the Underground, though, after all the diplomacy rather than during.

[Spore]

I am hoping I am wrong here but I think they have found either your "longsword" near their empress or they just found the queen with a tiny stabbing wound. In any case, I hope she is alright? If not I can always remove the poison though I think you have more capable healers than me, I suppose. The dragon looks positively crushed by his findings. Or in another case of magical tampering with the mind, maybe they just 'remember' having seen you? Illusions can often be as simple as convincing the few guards the queen has around her that El was absolutely and positively there.

[WhismurWanders]

Justin chips in as well. "Mrs. Ancip and I were there when the first assassins struck, and El wasn't with them.
Even if my word doesn't count for anything, hers should."

[JNAProductions]

"Both of the elder Ancips were there when she attacked-and believe me, they aren't happy to have their trust betrayed like that. So, if I were you," the guard says, "I'd shut the hell up before you get yourselves in worse trouble."

The guards who were escorting you seem confused now, with the quieter one saying "We found her down there..."

But, as he speaks, Garrett Ancip Senior comes in. "You-" he begins, before letting out a short but brutal stream of expletives. "We gave you a chance, and this is how you repay us? How long have you been planning this? Was the bullette yours too?"

[Spore]

What are you talking about? Have you all gone mad? Brad tries to stay calm but his voice is shaking.Do not believe what they told you. Only believe what you have seen with your own eyes!

[JNAProductions]

"I saw your little friend there trying to murder my queen!" he shouts.

Spoiler: OOC

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It's clear that he's not going to listen to you. He's a reasonable man, you learned that much, but he's emotionally charged at the moment.

In order to keep the game moving, I'd like to have you decide on a course of action-try to fight your way free, or submit to imprisonment and trust that you can prove innocence being the main two I can see, but if you have another idea, of course you should feel free to do that.

[Dr.Gunsforhands]

"Hmm." Parker listens distantly to the guard shouting match, trying to work out logically what must have happened. The thing about hiding the dagger was far more useful for that end than for actually convincing anyone.

The spider looks up to the elder Ancip with the same calm and cryptic expression as always. "...I believe you. I don't really know what's going on. But I'll cooperate until we figure it out."

With that, Parker takes one step and turns around as if to join the humans' side. They might take it as a cue to throw on the cuffs, but that might prove difficult unless they brought extras. It's really more of a show of support for Ancip's cause.

[Spore]

The dragon adresses Mr Ancip: I believe you, my friend. I believe you as much as I believe _our_ Eladriel wasn't the culprit. And I hope I can trust in you following the law by the word when sentencing us? Even if things look dire for us right now, I am willing to stand before your jury and judges. Brad eyes 'Asgore' and the human entourage.

He turns to his king: Did you know about El's little ehrm adventure? What did you exactly order her to do?

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you mentioned we know Asgore so I want to see if I see guilt or any familiar emotions from him:

Insight (with advantage) (1d20+3)[21] (1d20+3)[21]
Perception if Asgore is real because at the moment I am questioning everything (1d20)[3]
My theory is that Asgore was replaced by someone with illusion or transmutation magic. Yes, currently I am that paranoid.

[JNAProductions]

Spoiler: OOC

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You know Asgore. He's one of the kindest, sweetest people you've ever met. Short of him having been replaced by a doppelganger or something, there's no way in hell he got any of you in trouble intentionally.

Everything seems normal about Asgore-your Perception reveals a perfectly ordinary goatman, and your Insight reveals that he's primarily concerned for your guys' safety, as well as being moderately confused by the situation.

I didn't fully trust the vizier-so I sent her to follow him. I'm regretting that decision immensely right now, Asgore says.

"Shut up, SHUT UP!" Garrett says.

[puzzler7]

Eladriel glances up at the skies. No crossbows. No throwing knives. You'd be free.

She looks for a moment like she's about to fly off, lifting a few inches off of Justin's shoulder before sighing and alighting on the ground. Biting her lip, she addresses the guards from far below them.

"I would like to flee. I can think of few situations worse than being thrown back in that hellish prison. I won't, though. I will stay here, willingly bind my wings, and prove my innocence."

It's been so long since you've seen the sky...

Spoiler: OOC

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Yep, good with submitting to the Indosians.

[JNAProductions]

Garrett seems to be taken aback a moment, but then his resolve steels itself and he brings the guards forward.

Before the hour is out, you're all in cells. Your hands are still bound (with the exception of El and Parker) but you're otherwise free to move around within your prison, though you can see a ward's glyphs swirling amongst the bars.

[WhismurWanders]

Justin looks around at the magically warded cell. He narrows his eyes to ask the others, "These wards aren't gonna cause us MORE trouble, are they?"

[Spore]

My best guess is that they give a hearty shock to anyone trying to cast within the confines of this cell.

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Is everyone held separately? How do you cage a spider? A large glass terrarium? A bottle with a non air tight cork? A turned over cup?

[JNAProductions]

You are all in the same cell-a rather large one. There's a few red stains in the back, sunken into the stone, but it's mostly clean, and there's a raised bed of stone covered in straw in the back.

It's not comfortable, but it could be a lot worse.

As you settle in, you see someone approach. Asgore and El recognize him-it's Vizier Kazik. He slowly walks into the hall in front of your cell.

[Spore]

Ah, our jailor is showing up. And from the posture and clothes to judge he is of high position. Could it be that the venerable Kizak attends our humble station? Normally not sarcastic at all, Brad feels deeply betrayed and shows it with his voice.

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Misspelling the name is intentional. I have not decided yet if he is disrespectful out of pettiness or general lack of intelligence

[JNAProductions]

"You'd be wise to hold your tongue, scum," Kazik says. "I could be your savior, if you let me."

[Spore]

I'm no friend of long discussions, human. Why are we kept here? What evidence do you have to incriminate Eladriel? And do you really think the first thing we would do after surfacing after such a long time is seeking out the nearest kingdom just to start trouble? If past stimuli meant Brad was fuming with a little smoke from his nostrils, his patience has now ended and no smoke comes out of Brad's throat. Instead whenever he opens his mouth you can see a faint glimmer of fire as if he holds himself back to not burn all of this down immediately.

[WhismurWanders]

We wouldn't need help if you hadn't thrown us here in the first place, no doubt... Justin thinks to himself. Catching a few glimpses of flames flickering in Brad's mouth, he reaches out and gently places one hand on the dragonborn's forearm in an attempt to calm him. The last thing they needed was the wards lashing out at them. He remains silent, unsure of what to say, but keeps a watchful eye on the cell around them. He didn't trust a reputed spellcaster to be unable to lash out at them from beyond the bars of the cell.

[Dr.Gunsforhands]

"Hi." It's the best Parker can say to greet the vizier. "So uh. You're the guy El was following when stuff went sideways right."

The one who beat her up and locked her in those copy-chains. The one who wants us as a scapegoat to help him get the throne.

The spider stops short of mentioning that part, but it'll probably come up.

"Guess you're probably managing all the evidence at this point. What's your big plan."

[JNAProductions]

"Your small companion tried to kill the queen. Chances are, if this comes to a trial... It won't end well," Kazik says. "After all, there are nearly a dozen eyewitnesses, including the king, queen, and both elder Ancips. But I believe the rest of you had nothing to do with her treachery. I could get the rest of you out of here, back home," he finishes with a smile.

Spoiler: Insight DC 10

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He seems to be playing it straight with you.

Spoiler: DC 14

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He might be telling the truth, but he's got ulterior motives too.

Spoiler: DC 18

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He's lying about something, and he knows it.

Spoiler: DC 21

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He knows for a fact El didn't do jack. That being said, he does seem to be telling the truth about getting the rest of you out.

[WhismurWanders]

Spoiler: Insight

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Rolling;(1d20+1)[17]

It just seemed too convenient. Justin crosses his arms, unconvinced that this vizier was doing this for completely unselfish reasons. "And this is just a free lunch? Didn't know those existed up here."

[JNAProductions]

"Is it so hard to believe I'm a good man? Look, I understand what it's like to be imprisoned unfairly. I have a past," he says. "I can offer some help-but not if you refuse to accept it."

[Spore]

Eladriel could not pull off an assassination even if she tried, honestly. I do not doubt you all have 'seen' her. I just doubt this all wasn't just a big trick. Brad sighs loudly. Even though this would all fit into a storybook narrative, it doesn't even necessarily have to be your plot to incriminate us for that. Maybe someone wants do pit humans and monsters against each other again. I am not asking you to trust us. Because I certainly cannot trust you currently. But maybe ally against this unknown force? Because there is one problem with us monsters being the main culprits. We got attacked too, and by human baddies. So either we have a rather exotic infestation of amalgamations and other shapeshifters or there is a human party wanting to destabilize your country.

Brad pulls Justin closer and approaches the cell door with him. If we'd planned an assassination don't you think we would have picked a brutish warrior and a knight for that? No offense, bud. You look great fighting an' all but you are not conspiracy material. Same as me. Brad smiles a sincere smile, showing teeth and all. He doubts a magic user of his caliber is surprised or impressed by his big fangs.

Spoiler

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Diplomacy to convince the Vizier:
(1d20+6)[24]
(1d20+6)[24]
Hint for other players. Maybe "help me" as in the action to get advantage or at least cut out the disadvantage.

[puzzler7]

El hasn't calmed down since they put her in the cell. Pacing back and forth between the corners of the cell (if erratic flight can be considered 'pacing'), she mutters to herself, trying to figure what to do.

She listens quietly as the vizier lies viciously, eventually lashing out at the man who all but cut off her wings.

"O my savior! He approaches! He who knows the toils of being imprisoned! Let me ask you this - do you know what it is like to fly, Vizier Kazik? No? Then let me ask you this - do you know what it is like to not fly? Hmm?"

"To answer your question - no, I do not believe you are a "good man". Asgore, Brad, Parker, Justin - I cannot urge you enough to deny the vizier. I have no doubt he could get you out of this prison. Of course, you might just end up back in chains framed for some greater crime, as our savior deems. A man does not become a political figure by taking people out of prison - he does so by putting them there. Have I said anything incorrect, Vizier?"

Spoiler: OOC

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Y'all should probably take him up on the offer - it'd be a more interesting story.