The Chaos of Cannith [3.5]

[Jade_Tarem]

Konnor sighs, and his demeanor has shifted to "all business." "It happens, sometimes... don't worry about it. Now, I'm obligated to tell you a few things before you talk to me. First, since this was a House Cannith-Sanctioned project we can't persecute or prosecute you for anything you had to do with it, so you can speak freely - but others might take a philosophical objection to it, so speak softly when you speak freely. Second, I have to ask that you tell me everything, for the sake of completeness, so that we can clean up this mess and try to avoid a situation like this in the future - if all goes well you won't ever hear from us again, save indirectly. Finally, you are not required to give us your name, although it might help, and I'm not allowed to ask for it."

Konnor reaches into his pack and pulls out some papers, an inkpen, and an inkwell so he can take notes.

"So let's begin at the beginning. When did you first hear about Cannith's project, what did you hear, and what was your reaction at the time?"

OOC:

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This is also a bunch of stuff Konnor made up, although he isn't technically lying to his knowledge. It's lying through negligence and omission (deliberately so) - mostly Konnor just wanted to make the gnome feel better about spilling the details. My question is this: do I need a new Bluff check or are we just continuing with the old "I'm from House Cannith and you're answering my questions" result?

[Geneticist]

Soren pops his back, rotating to the extent the armor will allow him.
"A boy gave me word that a woman matching her description was here, but I was unable to find her in this confounded maze masquerading as a hall of learning." He grumbles, but then gets a thought, and brightens. "I have no direction for my quest, and lack the funds I require to expand my search. Mayhaps you would accept me as a protector? I know little of House politicking, nor of the magics behind weaponry, but I know how to remain stout on the battlefield, and perhaps putting my life in the way of yours would serve to calm the spirits of my dead brethren. I require little, but offer much. What say you, good sir?"

[Iron Mongler]

Konnor:

The gnome speaks up, "I'll keep my name anonymous...for now. I had heard of D'Cannith's project he was creating on about Dravago the 12th, I believe. It was to be a joint project between all three of the Cannith houses and House Lyrandar, with the base of operations being in Cannith South. To ensure that this would not be used to elevate any of the house leaders' statuses, Merrix D'Cannith of South Cannith along with Jorlanna D'Cannith of West Cannith and Zorlan D'Cannith of East Cannith were not allowed to participate in the project nor gain any credit for it."

"I was a bit surprised, to be sure, when I'd found out the details of the weapon - for you see, it cannot function without the help of House Lyrandar. This meant that credit for the project would go to both of them normally, but Lyrandar was not given any recognition in today's announcement. I believe the reason behind this has to do with the fact that House Lyrandar was starting to become unwilling to supply Cannith South with the proper transports they needed to use the weapon, but I can't be sure."

The gnome jumps in fear when a person walks by you both. Apparently, telling you this story is making him quite afraid on his end.

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That doesn't seem like it'd be a Bluff check - you aren't exactly lying or anything of the sort.

Also as an FYI, Dravago is the equivalent to May. You'll recall that the current date in-game is Nymm the 4th (June 4th).

---

The Lord Mayor escorts you out of Azure Gateway and to a nearby hotel, standing as tall as any of the mile-high towers within Sharn. He leads you through a lobby about as large as your home's foyer (which is to say quite large) and steps on an elevator with you. He takes you up to Floor 15 and heads down a hall with a lovely red carpet leading to his room.

[Jade_Tarem]

That's a very short time to be working on the weapon - can't ask him about it until later, though, since I'm supposed to be an "insider" in all this.

"Alright. What were the details of the weapon as they were described to you at the time?"

[Minstrel Wyrm]

He grumbles, but then gets a thought, and brightens. "I have no direction for my quest, and lack the funds I require to expand my search. Mayhaps you would accept me as a protector? I know little of House politicking, nor of the magics behind weaponry, but I know how to remain stout on the battlefield, and perhaps putting my life in the way of yours would serve to calm the spirits of my dead brethren. I require little, but offer much. What say you, good sir?"

For a few heartbeats, the warforged's eyes flicker. Then he starts to speak, and even though his face-plate does not betray emotion, the surprise is obvious. "... A human as protector of a warforged?" For a few moments, he seems to wrestle with a concept completely alien to him.

"I ... I would welcome you as a comrade, Soren." There is a subtle, but also vaguely desperate stress on "comrade". "I cannot offer much knowledge of House politics myself, and neither can I offer competent leadership ..." The last words are tinged with that subtle desperation again.

"And thirdly, I don't know whether anyone would offer us a reward for what we would do." He hesitates once more. "But I would be honoured to have you at my side in this, if that does not deter you."


@ Geneticist:

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Glad to have you back, Geneticist!

Just to make sure, as not only Kamiel was thrown off his guard there (): You didn't forget for a moment that Kamiel is a warforged ... did you?

I don't really think that it was an oversight or something, but I was a bit too uncertain to not offer this: Should you want to change what he said, I would of course be willing to edit my response accordingly.

Else I'll be looking forward to a very intriguing relationship between the two!

[Meek]

Marsh follows quietly, trying her best to look pretty.

[Iron Mongler]

He considers his answer very, very carefully before speaking, and even glances around the room. When he speaks, it is in a very low whisper, and he seems very frightened.

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Spot check.

"...It's important to realize that the reason the weapon is to be feared is not because of a particular power or ability it has, but rather due to the revolutionary design of it. It's a creative feature that was applied to multiple weapons on the vessel House Lyrandar supplied, which was allegedly so redefining that it would break any siege."

"Essentially, the 'weapon' is not so much a 'weapon' as it is a redesign of an existing weapon. So because of this, the titling of 'prototype weapon' is a bit misleading."

---

The Lord Mayor leads you into his room. It is extremely well decorated, and the view of a lit-up tower against the night sky fills the window on the other side. A large queen-sized four-post bed rests against the right wall, with a bathroom door and dresser on the left.

The mayor locks the door behind you.

[Meek]

Marsh turns around to face him.

"Surprise!"

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Cast Charm Person, DC18 thanks to Beguiler bonuses against flatfooted people.

[Iron Mongler]

He is unaffected by your spell.

"What? What are you doing, Leblanche!? I've got to get out of here!"

He turns around and fumbles at the door's lock, spending the round opening it.

[Meek]

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21 Initiative.

Marsh grits her teeth and tries a Charm again.

[Iron Mongler]

The Lord Mayor fails this time, turning around and shutting the door again.

"Sorry for that, m'dear. I can get so jumpy at times..."

[Meek]

Marsh sighs. I underestimated him, vastly. I can't let that happen again. Ever. This is the last time I try something like this blindly.

"Come sit with me by the window here, milord. I'd like it if you could tell me what you know about Cannith's lost weapon. It's such a fascinating subject!" She says carefully.

[Iron Mongler]

He walks over to you and has a seat beside you. "The weapon itself? I was not told too much of it. It is a secret to everyone but Cannith and the Brelish Crown. I did, however, have some men look into who was building it. He's one of the top artificers of Sharn, no, Khorvaire."

[Meek]

"Who is this person? And despite not knowing a lot, whatever you could tell me would be good." She asks.

Damn, he doesn't know much.

[Iron Mongler]

"Cerveth D'Cannith." He says simply.

[Meek]

Who...I might have heard...

"Alright Mayor," She opens the window, "Would you mind sitting here on the sill? You'll get fresher air this way. These next questions might be weird."

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Local Knowledge 20

[Iron Mongler]

He scoots closer.

[Meek]

"Alright."

She breathes out, as though it is hard for her to ask.

"Who arranged for the murder of Marissa D'Cannith and her daughter, Latin D'Cannith? I know perfectly well you know who arranged this, because the inquiry after the fact was facilitating the destruction of evidence."

[Iron Mongler]

"Merrix D'Cannith contacted me prior to the assassination attempt and told me what he wanted to do. He had me remove Menya and the Darkwood Watch to send them out on an easy mission while Cerveth gathered the information relating to where Latin and Marissa were staying."

He seems a bit surprised. "Why did you ask me that, anyway? It seems rather out of the blue for a Leblanche woman to care."

[Meek]

Marsh draws her wand of Combust, pointing at him. She runs her hand across her face slowly, breaking the Disguise. A rush of emotions goes through her, but she knows at least that she can die somewhat peacefully now knowing that Merrix was really the one who did it. But still her lust for revenge exists. She reveals her real appearance.

"Why did you let them kill me, Uncle Cathan?"

[Iron Mongler]

"L-Latin!? You're Latin D'Cannith!? You were tortured and thrown into the sewers! They guaranteed you'd be dead! How is this possible!?"

[Meek]

"The reason I did not die Cathan is quite simple. As a child, I was water, a pond. Precious, delicate, and curious, encroaching upon everything I set my eyes upon. I enjoyed the company of many of the most important people in Sharn right now. I enjoyed love and ignorance in a world that was at war with itself. The Last War never touched me. It was your war, the war after the war, that touched me." Latin D'Cannith says, laughing somewhat, "The juxtaposition is almost exquisite. Now, Lord Mayor, Cathan ir'Demell, there is no war, and I enjoy no love, and far too much ignorance from others as opposed to my own far too intelligent self."

"In this new world, I burn. My eyes are flame. My heart is flame. My spirit is the phoenix, resurrected as a creature of ash and magma." Her face twists into a grin. "Mayor, you are looking upon the person who in these times of peace, will burn everything that besmirched upon that once fair pond. You are looking at the woman who will take back House Cannith. My very soul is FLAMES!"

She ignites her combustion wand, hoping to blow him through the window.

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Natural 20 combustion, 19 confirm, 55 damage, 7 charges left

[Iron Mongler]

"No! There's no way you could still be-" The mayor is utterly annihilated by your combustion spell, and is blasted through the window, broken glass raining on him as he falls from Skyway down to the lower wards of Sharn he so despised.

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Cerveth D'Cannith is a human member of House Cannith South who, as the stories go, was found as he fell from the sky mysteriously as a child. He took to the job of being an artificer quite naturally and showed excellent talent within the field, developing many devices during the Last War of benefit to Breland.

You also realize that the investigation teams in Sharn will be able to track you down with ease if you don't assume a new identity.

[Meek]

In a rush, Latin draws her rapier, and slashes "Cyre" into the bedsheets.

People who want to, will find meaning in that.

She turns around, erects a new Disguise with her last Level 1 spell of the night, this time as a rather plain-looking girl with glasses and brown hair. She will cast invisibility before leaving the room, leave, and use the spell again to get past any crowded areas. Before getting to the lobby, she makes sure to be visible, and exits normally. Once out, she'll find somewhere uncrowded to end her disguise, and will then hail a sky coach.

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She has 4 castings of Invisibility. If you need some hides and move silently, and I rolled as many as I have invis castings:

33 Hide, 19 Move Silently
27 Hide, 16 Move Silently
23 Hide, 17 Move Silently
30 Hide, 15 Move Silently

Taking into account the +20 hide bonus from Invisibility.

[Geneticist]

@Minstrel Wyrm

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I didn't actually forget, and neither did Soren, but he is without any friends in the area, and sees his place as a man-at-arms and bodyguard.

Soren stands tall, stretching to his full height. "Friend" he says, a light showing behind his eyes, "I swear to you that I will follow where you lead and protect you as best as I am able. You may have been built, not birthed, but you have more honor than many who can lay claim to a biological origin. This gives me the confidence I need to know that you will not lead me into a un-chivalrous path."

[Minstrel Wyrm]

Mutely, Kamiel looks at the crusader for a long time. Then he nods. "Thank you, Soren ... I hope I will measure up to that. Then we should see that we are in Morgrave's library tomorrow, at mid-morning, and meet Konnor Greystaff of Fairhaven there."

He looks around the plaza. "As I don't know how events will unfold from that point on, it may be prudent to take care of any things and preparations we would want to make. Do you have any ideas? Or any business you would like to finish beforehand?"


@ Geneticist:

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All right, then! It was just completely unexpected to see a human offer to protect a warforged, who was, after all, built to protect and serve humans, and sacrifice his existence for them ... But I like that twist! That could become quite intriguing!

[Jade_Tarem]

OOC:

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Spot Check: 16 + 5 = 21

Konnor jots down some notes from what the gnome just said. "Indeed. What were the details of the project as it was described to you at the time, and who told you of it?

[Iron Mongler]

"Where to, miss?" Asks the man on the skycoach as you arrive at the station.

---

Konnor, you see a man nearby sitting at a table (who recently came in), watching you both intently. He has a trench coat and fedora on now to conceal his appearance, but you do clearly make out the dagger he's drawing.

The gnome looks around for a moment and seems too petrified to speak.

[Jade_Tarem]

What's this, now? He looks like a private eye from a bad drama.

Konnor gets another look.

With a dagger. Konnor gives an internal sigh, then looks about the room.

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1. Does the man seem to know that we (Mr. Gnome and I) have seen him?

2. Does this place feature a back door?

Konnor leans close to the gnome, and speaks very quietly. "If you will look over that way, you will find that there is a very unfriendly looking man with a dagger who seems interested in us. You might not believe this, but if you do what I say you have a better chance of surviving the next thirty seconds than I do. Listen closely..."

[Iron Mongler]

He seems to know that at least the Gnome has seen him. There is a backdoor to the tavern behind the counter, 15 feet away. The shady man holds the knife in his hand, in a position suggesting he intends to toss it, but he waits.

The gnome leans in to hear what you're saying, trying with all his might not to look at the one behind him.