Playing dumb may be safer but I doubt the Duke would fall for it (at least unless you wait a couple of moments so it's less obvious that you heard the conversation).

Interrupt, but try not to come off as too hostile. You were simply investigating an issue of song where there was not meant to be, and that investigation led you here. You would like an explanation for the kobold's actions.

>>1098837
Yes, play the dumb functionary.

N'Thar 2024/11/02(Sat)09:25 No. 1099286 ID: 0d1c28
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N'Thar enters the exhibition hall, the floor is polished to a mirror shine yet no one ever seems to slip.
the hall is filled with monuments to the Duke's many triumphs, or at least that's what the mighty lord calls theme. this is the Arch-Duke's favored room.

Midas Multero lazily looks to the advisor following him as he approaches 'Hello N'Thar.'

N'thar give a deep bow 'Your grace, please forgive the intrusion.'

'You are forgiven', is the duke's curt response.

The first acolyte feels his confidence fading 'I was investigating a song you see'

'the song you sent me, curious that it's right where you had it delivered' Multero smiles as if amused but N'Thar sees only a predator barring it's fangs.

The Arch-Duke radiates danger, N'thar knows the Duke has no love for him. and could crush him should his mood take that turn.

Explain that you actually hadn't sent the song. That is why you were investigating.

>>1099286
So, we should probably get those pages away from him.

You did have those pages delivered to Multero, as well as Kalez. You tasked Eeyful with informing them of the situation.

Explain that you are surprised, not that he has the pages, but that he's chosen to sing the songs from them despite knowing their source. Clarify further that you're concerned of potential charms hidden within them, either to affect the reader of the page or those listening to the melody.

>>1099323
this

I agree that you should say you didn't send him the song.

N'Thar 2024/11/22(Fri)21:54 No. 1100230 ID: 0d1c28
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N'Thar can't claim he didn't send the parchment to Midas.
He did send them and Niffle will verify that.
'Well I didn't expect you to read them'

The Vizier approaches his lord, and the lord raises a mask to conceal his twisted face 'Are songs not meant to be sung? how else would you know it's tune.' the smile he gives and the words her speaks are meant to be warm, but Midas is no longer capable to inflect his old charms.

N'Thar's clears his throat 'Ah well you see this song is charmed and-'

'I know' Midas widens his smile but the bones under his flesh don't move the way they should, he is tainted, heavily so and by all right should be locked in the dungeon with Via Vardek and her ilk.

'Y-You know?'N'Thar stammers

Midas shifts his position, armor bulges and strains across his right arm'I'm doing research of my own, finding out how this magic works' Midas's armour is not for his protection, it's to protect others from him.'how it is corrupting my people'

N'Thar tries to calm Midas 'You're grace, you should be resting, It is my task to find-'

'You are taking too long, you must Work quickly Aebin, every day that passes her plans threaten ours.' Midas places a large hand on Niffle, a hand that could effortlessly destroy the small kobold

N'Thar Pleads'Forgive my your grace I-

'You are forgiven, now find Diavola Channler, destroy her again, don't force me to handle this myself' Midas takes the Parchments from Niffle and offers them to N'Thar.

Bow, tell him you'll take care of it and quickly get out of there.

Take the papers and leave quickly.

N'Thar 2024/12/21(Sat)16:53 No. 1101479 ID: 0d1c28
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N'Thar bows'I will not fail you' then approaches to gather the parchments.

Midas raises his hand 'Niffle carry these to N'Thar's chambers'

Niffle doesn't waste any time and follows the First Acolyte.

N'Thar plans for the confrontation to come.

Oragatt 2024/12/21(Sat)16:54 No. 1101480 ID: 0d1c28
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Far to the north on the upper foothills of the Ivera province
Kalez' third acolyte Oragatt Ruingarth stalked her pray.
Oragatt has been doing so for weeks hiding inside rocks, but she had learned all she coul so now was the time to take action.

her prey was the Harbinger group led by inquisitor Sabria, they'de been tailing Kalez' giant Herocea
there was nine of them now, the Harbinger sisters had supplemented their number in the village of Itan with hardened miners and workmen

Oragatt couldn't let Herocea fall into the hands of the Harbingers
she had some ideas
A) Throw them off course (Oragatt has been doing that, and though it buys time Oragatt would like a more definitive end to her mission)
B) Bury the Harbingers in a rock slide, (Sabria is a powerful warrior, would this work?)
C) Set up and Ambush with Herocea
D) Help Herocea cross the nearby border into the kingdom of Globala
E) something else? Oragatt wants to impress Kalez and show that she's so much more than a forge slave

E. Get the new hardened men to drop their agreement with the sisters and instead get them to try and take the ladies for their own playthings. They will lose probably, but the distraction will break moral and also make the sisters have misgivings about their work and who to trust.

C. What if you hid in a rock that she tossed into the camp, and attacked them from the rear?

Go for a good old reliable ambush.

C, Prepare an ambush and be ready to cover Herocea's weaknesses. Don't let them run her off again.

C sounds best to me.

D. Herocea's failed to overcome these harpies before, your job is considered complete if they cannot pursue her.

>>1101480
C. Justice for Herocea.

Oragatt 2025/01/08(Wed)14:18 No. 1102102 ID: 0d1c28
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An ambush Oragatt decides, it's only a matter of time until something as large as a giant is found, better to focus on what happens when she is.

The third acolyte leaves her hiding place within the boulder.

Oragatt needs to get back to Herocea, she could focus on speed and fly there, but might be spotted and followed. Instead she could walk it would however take more time that could be spent on ambush perpetration.

how does Oragatt make it back to Herocea?

If both possibilities could lead to less time to prepare an ambush, then stay low and remain unnoticed.

The best ambush is the one that comes fast and hits hard, so go with that approach.

Fly. Being followed would only draw them into your known turf for a better ambush.

Walk it out. Your best tool here is surprise.

Walk!

I'd say fly while staying as close to the ground as possible, or walk if she can't do this to try to keep the element of surprise when the ambush happens.

Oragatt 2025/01/24(Fri)16:33 No. 1102798 ID: 0d1c28
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Oragatt knows her red wings would fly like a flag, she'll travel by foot, stealth and secrecy have always served the pentacled cult well.

it won't be as quick on foot, but Oragatt could scout out possible ambush locations before meeting up with Herocea.


A) Scout locations first
B) go to Herocea as quickly and directly as possible

Go see Herocea first. She could know some spots already.

B. No time to waste.

I have to agree with he consensus of B, lest Herocea blow the ambush while we aren't looking. She's not exactly subtle.

B is Best

I agree with B.

Oragatt 2025/02/10(Mon)20:37 No. 1103614 ID: 0d1c28
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Oragatt has no time for detours, she's taking enough extra time as it is walking.

* * *

The village of K'lov, such as it is.
it's a small settlement of Rachnids that Kalez placed as a reserve in case she ran out.
They should believe in the cause but that was fifty years ago.
At least they seem willing to hide the giant for now.

A peasant sits outside.

Should Oragatt...
A) Walk in with authority
B) find a back way to sneak in
C) address the peasant.
D) something else?

Walk in with authority, as you do.

A, Carry yourself with authority. Whether or not they actively believe in the cause, you don't want to leave any openings for them to needle you with any concerns or doubts they may have. A firm opening will make only the more resolute in their disagreement willing to speak up.

A, swagger in

I vote for A.

A) We are far too powerful for any other action choice.

Oragatt 2025/03/16(Sun)22:06 No. 1104985 ID: 0d1c28
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Oragatt Strides into the mining village of K'lov with authority.

The mining folk gather and look up at the rare outsider.
One of the miners ventures a question 'What brings a warrior to our doorstep?'

Oragatt 2025/03/16(Sun)22:07 No. 1104986 ID: 0d1c28
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'Cower servants, I am armorer to the golden lord!' Oragatt bellows

the congregation kneels before the third acolyte, she is delighted, she almost never gets to do this.
'Who speaks for this village? she adds

Oragatt 2025/03/16(Sun)22:10 No. 1104987 ID: 0d1c28
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A portly rachnid appears under the overhang
I'm foreman Baphora, I speak for K'lov.
Oragatt slams the base of her staff to the ground 'The King of Pentacles looks to your village this day.'

Baphora frowns 'So you're here to collect the giant then?'
Oragatt nods'The giant is of interest to me'
The foreman sighs 'good. we've done our part sheltering her but we'll be happy to lose the heat'
Oragatt doesn't like the casual nature of this woman.

Does Oragatt have further business with the foreman or does she go to the giant?

Don't comment on her tone, even if it's a bit casual, there's no explicit disrespect in her words. If it helps, just assume she's ignorant on how she's meant to behave. Let someone else correct her at a less critical juncture.

Go collect Heroeca.

>>1104988
Yeah! Agreed.

How fares the giant in your care, denmother?

Ask for the location of the giant but give a firm reminder to the forewoman as to who she is talking to.

>>1104987
On the hand, K'lov has been perfectly obedient, our giant is apparently in good condition, and Baphora is casual but not disrespectful.

On the other hand, we are on a power trip here and dressing down Baphora, possibly literally, would be in character. Maybe just, casually strip her a little as we ask questions about how our giant is doing, see if she dares to struggle

I'd say just collecting the giant and leaving ASAP seems to be the best course of action.

Collect the giant, tempting as it would be to stop and strip Baphora for such a small offense, those Harbingers need to be taken out of the picture. Kalez needs the breathing space given all the other failures that have happened so far.