>>16018745

"Sansa dear, what stories have you been telling them?"

To the two assassin girls: "Perhaps we should retire out of the sun for the other questions. If you would follow me?"

We still need to get the girls away from Catelina whos still hiding. Also, I guess we should bring them to a command tent. Probably an empty one.

Alright then. First thing we should ask them is what their lady's stance on this war was and if she's keen on it. Curious on if we can potentially get an ally.

>>16018792
My suggestions after this.

>>16018803
And of course have Autronius verify the twins answers.

>>16018745
"It was much more interesting to get them sharing eachother, in my opinion."

"Why has your lady instructed you to answer my questions?"

should we ask "What is your REAL purpose here?"

>>16018842

Doesn't seem like too good an idea. They seem abit simple minded.

>>16018889
It might be worth doing. I don't think it'd hurt too much if we did ask.

>>16018889
I agree, we should be discrete for now.

You continue to chuckle "It was so much fun to get them to all agree to the arrangement that I did not realize what I was creating until it already existed."

Sansa laughs "You had to have had some idea of what was happening love. It was far to well thought out to be unplanned."

You shrug, and continue "Esmerelda, Esparanza, perhaps we should continue our discussion out of the sun." and at that, you motion towards your own command tent. As you pass Sansa, you plant a kiss on her cheek, and whisper in her cheek "Of course I had an idea of what I was doing, I never thought that it would work, love. And if you would be so good as to send Autronius my way, that would be excellent." Sansa nods, returns the kiss, and heads off to find the mystic in question.

Once inside the tent, Esmeralda asks "What would you like to begin with then, Commander?"

You sigh, drop into a seat, pull your flask free, and reply "Your Ladies take on this war."

Esperanza sighs "We were quite busy before the war began, so it is hard to know."

Esmeralda looks enviously at your flask and continues "But we believe that she was against the war."

Elbowing her sister, Esperanza continues "Or at the very least wished for it to be less brutal than the most determined supporters of it were hoping for."

Esmerelda nods "Either way, she is a loyal subject of the King, and supports his decision to side with the bulk of his lords wishes."

>>16019073

>hahaohwow.jpg

Implying that the king was against the war.

"By that choice of words are you implying that the King was against this war? What then do the lords expect to gain from this war?"

Should we let them have a taste? I'm for it though.

>>16019073
Pour em a shot of the good stuff if people want to. Yes, I am paranoid about letting them have access to the flask itself.

"With the way the war has been going, has there been any change in stance of some of the nobles or has there been any pushing for peace?"

>>16019138
>Should we let them have a taste? I'm for it though.
No, not yet. I'm for letting the liquid slosh around inside the flask a little. Let them hear is swirling around, so close and yet so far.
I want some more answers from them before they can drink.

Also, the implication is odd. I was under the impression that the King of Uurlanth was very much for the war and the subjugation of all lands and peoples under his rule.

>>16019195

Fair enough. Delayed gratification works.

Well we've only heard it from the mouth of the nobles who have expressed their desire for war.

>>16019073

They said something about an organisation that had wormed itself into positions of power in Uurlanth. Ask them if they know the symbol of this organisation, and if yes, to please describe it for confirmation.

>>16019195

Also it seems that their lady doesn't like the group very much. Maybe she thinks that the group's been pushing the nobles which in turn pushed the king into war?

>>16019073
Yes, ask them if they have any other mission here other than forcing an involuntary prisoner exchange on us. We would be far too gullible if we just accepted two assassins as prisoners without even asking questions.

After we get back to DragonsReach, we should probably separate the two. One stays behind in our barracks. The other goes with us on campaign. (If they do that synchronized nodding thing much longer I'm gonna snap.)

>>16019272
I'm wondering if we should send one back to their lady with a message from us and keep the other as a hostage. I'm worried they're letting themselves be captive until they reach the capital then they'll try to escape and cause havoc. If there's only one of them with us, at least we reduce the chances of that happening and we have a potential means of contacting a supposedly more friendly Uurlanth lord we may be able to get help from on dealing with this cult.

Plus it lets us separate them and work on one without the other watching their activities.

>>16019138
We should wait until asking for clarification on the kings position until Autronius arrives.

>>16019195
>No, not yet. I'm for letting the liquid slosh around inside the flask a little. Let them hear is swirling around, so close and yet so far.
I want some more answers from them before they can drink.
Agreed

>>16019231
These both sound like good questions to me.

>>16019272
We should hold on this one until Autronius is here to verify the answers.

"So have you two ever... with eachother? Or do you do that alone?"

I find the lack of blushing women in this conversation disturbing.

>>16019318
You've just been spoiled with Lena and Catalina.

You swirl your flask about, after sipping again. when you hear Autronius enter you incline your head to the rack where additional bottles of the liquor you fill your flask with are stored. Once Autronius has his own cup of the drink, and your flask is refilled, you ask "So, your king was against the war?"

Esperanza begins to shake her head, starting to the right "No, he was in favor of going to war for years."

Esmeralda begins shaking her head at the same time, turning to the left first "But as the shadow wars were rather... obvious, the last few times, he punished the warmongers by denying them their war."

Smiling, and stopping in unison with her sister, so that both of them are looking directly at you Esparanza adds "There was only war this time because all of the foolish, or unskilled infiltrators and assassins were killed for their incompetence already."

Esmeralda glances at your flask again and finishes "That is the only reason we worded our response so. After all, what right-minded mortal hasn't wished for world domination at least once?"

>>16019318
Yes. Make the enemy underestimate you by making them think that Degnarians are into incest, and therefore are all inbred. Brilliant!

>>16019517
I mostly suggested it because the twins control this conversation, regardless of the fact that they ask no questions. We need to "pull the rug from their feet" as they say.

And their lady DID tell them to answer our questions :P

>>16019496
I repeat my suggestion to ask if there has been any change amongst the nobles about any of them trying to pursue peace. And I really want to ask them why they were sent. There's no way they were sent just to be kept by us as hostages.

>>16019496
>"There was only war this time because all of the foolish, or unskilled infiltrators and assassins were killed for their incompetence already."

"You are going to have to explain this to the big dumb Degnarian commander in front of you. I recommend using small words."

>>16019558
I agree with this.

>>16019496

"So if your King intends to conquer the known world, why then are you two here as hostages? If he really intended to trample all over Dengar, there would no respite from the war, no chance for any possible exchange of prisoners. WHY then are you two here? What does your lady intend?"

>what right-minded mortal hasn't wished for world domination at least once
Even the wisest men have stupid thoughts now and again they just choose not to act on them, thats why they're wise.
Think we should tell them about the plant monsters that one dude brought back because he thought it would help the king take over the world?

>>16019496
"Do I count as right minded? I've never wished for world domination. Sounds like a pointless series of headaches that never end, and I'd rather experience that due to my children and grandchildren, no some whiny noble's complaints from the other side of the world."
[ignore if Trentz has thought of world domination, i guess?]

also re-suggesting >>16019318

>>16019628
Make vague references to it. Part of me wants it to be a nice surprise for the jerks when they're ready to start expanding. Maybe we'll tell them more later.

>>16019642
>>16019628
If they don't already know about the Loukys then thats just too bad. It would be foolish for us to help them in any way fight something that could weaken their entire nation if they are unprepared for it.

Their country, their problem.

>>16019721

agreed. Let uurlanth be reaped by the seeds one of her own sowed.

>>16019721
>>16019740
Don't you guys realize that if the infestation gets out of control it will put in the entire world in danger? We shouldn't let some petty hatred get in the way of warning people about the threat.

>>16019810

When we're no longer at war with uurlanth, we can warn/help them with the louky. Until then, louky in uurlanth aren't our problem.

>>16019810
Yeah that's why I don't mind speaking about it eventually. I'm still wary about these two though.

>>16019810

I believed they were warned aplenty before they even started reviving those trice-damned creatures.

If Dengar is to survive, we'd need to make use of everything at our disposal.

You sigh "So, the king wants war, and we have only had peace this long because his nobles were too stupid to keep their attempts to kill the nobles who disagreed with them quiet. I take it very few nobles want peace now?"

Esperanza shrugs her shoulders "Of course Uurlanth is still eager for war."

Esmeralda again glances to your flask before finishing "Though the Lords whos lands can no longer contribute tot he war are rather disgruntled."

Esparanza again elbows her sister before finishing "And of course, the Greyrun Lords, whoever those are at the moment are unhappy about the war."

You sigh, and take another, slow, drink, letting the delicious drink linger on your tongue before swallowing. "Tell me, if you can distract yourselves from your foreplay, what your ladies true intentions for sending you to me. As the pretense of forced prisoner exchange is rather insulting."

The two sisters freeze before, in unison, jumping away from each other. Esperanza, glaring at her sister replies "To take measure of you, of course."

Esmeralda, ignoring her sisters glare, raises an eyebrow at you "Unlike your debauched folk, we... we, we do not partake, in fleshy pleasures so lightly or with, erm... relatives."

Esperanza nods, somehow ending up perfectly synchronized with her sister, for once, instead of mirrored, and after thinking adds "And, even if we did, we would not share that information with you."

Chuckling, you take another drink, before replying "But that would be against your ladies wishes."

Again, the sisters freeze, before they both reply "We should talk more of actual, and important matters."

>>16019872
"I don't believe your Lady ordered you to ask only my most intelligence questions but rather ordered you to answer my questions"

>>16019872
"I admire the loyalty the two of you have in your lady. For all she knew, I could have just had the two of you killed for releasing my captive and that would have been the end of it. Was there anything else your lady may have told you to say or do? Or were you just to answer questions and observe me? I am curious on why your lady would be so interested in me."

>>16019872
"To take measure of me? Can I expect your lady to creep into my camp one night and enjoy my company as well? I do hope she'll have the sense not to kill any of my men during her visit, though. I'd rather not listen to a noble complain about having to bury the dead."

We have them slightly off balance, and we need to KEEP them that way when we ask them questions in the hope that they'll let things slip instead of giving careful, measured responses.

>>16019963
Seconding.

>>16019963
Thirding

>>16019978
You're right we need to keep them off-balance. But hoping only that they slip up would be time-consuming.
We should combine valid questions with unbalancing ones, to make the disparity between the two greater and more unbalancing.

Autronius is checking their answers right?

>>16020064
you are correct.

>>16019963
fourthing

>>16020064
Just don't make the questions too unbalancing. We don't want them to get embarrassed and stop talking.

You take another drink, smirking as the twins finish collecting yourself, both of them now eyeing your flask greedily. Eventually you reply "I am truly amazed by the amount of faith the two of you have in your Lady. How did she know that I would not simply slay you for denying me my prisoner?" Esmarelda balks, barely containing her trepidation to any unable to read others body-language. To you of course, the tell is there however. "Aside from answering my questions and taking my measure, were there any other commands given to you by Lady Hernanda?" You take another sip from your flask "Though, I am curious as to why your Lady wishes to know more about me."

Esperanza ponders for a moment, before replying "Her exact words were 'answer his questions as best you can, and be certain to take good measure of the man'."

Esmeralda continues for her sister, as they both move in to lean their heads into their hands, elbows rested on the table "Her interest stems from her belief that, provided it is our generation that is fated to unite the world, you will be a key player, and, should we not unite the world, it will still be wise to have your measure."

You sigh "And I was so very much hoping that you would imply that she wanted my... measurement, so that she could better prepare to visit me in some future night."
>cont'd

Esmeralda topples to her right, and Esperanza falls from her stool, forwards however, barely able to catch herself on the table. the latter replies "No, most... most certainly not. Whether you save Degnar this one last time, or are one of the survivors, in which case she suspects you will be made a lord of one city or another, she feels you will continue to be a major player."

Esmeralda pulls herself up, and rights the two stools, before continuing "Whereas most Degnarian nobles are too bound by their success to be worth taking note of, and commanders too foolish to survive their nations fall."

Esperanza nods, head up when her sisters is down, and down when her twins is up "Though you may hate yourself and be crippled in some manner, our Lady does not doubt that you will survive this war."

>>16020230
let's show them the sign of the cult and see if they have any knowledge of it

>>16020230
"You've given me what I asked for, so I'll throw you a bone or two. I plan on making a bid to become Praetor Divinus once this war is done. Second, I am hunting the group your lady refused to parlay with. The ones who are spreading their influences with all countries, and bear a particular mark. No matter who wins this war, if that bunch gets their way, we'll ALL lose."

>>16020230

"I see... Are you able to contact your lady in some way from this distance? Your timing and appearance at my camp leads me to suspect that you are able to do so."

Also show the sigil of the cult "Do you two recognise this symbol? If you do, what can you tell me of it?"

>>16020230
I say pour em a glass of booze at this point.

"A woman who plans for the long term then although I'm unsure if she should put such importance on me. A commander at my level can't turn the tide of this war on his own. Was it just my success that caught your lady's attention or was there something specific?"

>>16020327
I don't think we should mention trying to become the 7th to the enemy.

>>16020346
Agreed

>>16020230
"I'm glad to hear your lady has such confidence in me, though I can't say the same for my confidence in her survival, between the cult and..." [pretend to be distracted by something]

if they take the bait, reply "I'm under no such orders to answer your questions, I'm afraid." and continue asking our questions.

Hopefully, they'll stew for a while over what we might know after this conversation, and be more willing to share information later, hoping to protect their lady by discovering our information.

>>16020375
Sounds good, and supported.

>>16020375
Sneaky and devious, I like it.

>>16020328
>>16020332

seconding


and no mentioning that we seek to become the 7th.

>>16020375
Heh. I like it. Using their loyalty to their lady against them.

You pour a pair of drinks, in tall cups, and, after sliding them to the twins reply "I am flattered that you lady has such faith in me. However, my confidence in her survival of this war, between the Cult, and..." you trail off, before taking a sip from your flask and finishing "I am so very sorry, but I am not at liberty to discuss that matter. Now, what makes your lady think that a simple commander such as myself has such weight that I will change the war?"

The twins look at each other, nervous and afraid, though clearly not for themselves, alternating taking drinks from their cups of liquor. Eventually Esmeralda replies "Oh, you are far too modest commander."

Esperanza sets her cup down as her sister takes a drink, continuing "Your tactics are already changing the way war is fought. And you are clearly at the forefront of Degnarian arcane development. Your willingness to share..."

The sisters again switch who is drinking, and who is speaking "or not share what you learn will directly affect how many more months, or wars, Degnar survives."

Esperanza adds "This cult, is their emblem that of a hammer of blood over an obsidian anvil?" as her sister whispers something into her drink, frowning seconds later.

>>16020618
It might. It might also be behind a vast conspiracy to unite the world under its rule before disposing of the lords and kings it used to get there as soon as they are no longer useful.

Possibly.

*sip*

>>16020618
"It is, actually. It's frustrating how quickly they've spread. I've deciphered several of their missives. I believe I know what their game is for the most part, But, tell me, you obviously know their symbol, what else do you know of them?"

>>16020618
"That is the same symbol I've been seeing. I'll give you one head's up - House Stant is being controlled by the cult. Hopefully your lady was already aware of that or doesn't deal too much with them. Is there something wrong with the drink Esmerelda?"

>>16020618
"Are you two ladies here to negotiate Uurlanth's surrender, then? I would finally have the time to learn to paint!"

>>16020781
That's a little too much to say at this point. Not going to really throw them off balance.

You take a sip from your flask "That would be the one. I know quite a bit myself, but would like to know what you do before I speak further. Judging by what you have told me of your lady, this cult is a mutual enemy."

Esmeralda shrugs, taking a drink as her sister sighs and speaks into her drink, frowning exactly as her sister did "They had infiltrated many noble houses of Uurlanth well before the war began, as well as the ruling structures of every other nation of the world well before this war began."

Esperanza sets her cup down and continues "Their goals involve worsening this war, and taking from nations those with arcane talent. with a preference for Necromancers."

"They are highly skilled" Esmerelda continues, before taking another drink.

Esperanza sets her cup down and finishes "And are extremely difficult to capture, or obtain any information on."

Esmeralda finishes her drink and hastily adds "And shortly before we left for this attempt to begin the final stroke in unifying the two largest nations, had gone almost completely dormant."

After a brief period of silence, you sigh, take a drink, and ask "Something wrong with your drinks?"

The girls shake their heads, again, always facing in opposite directions. "No, why do you ask?" they ask in unison.

>>16020853
"You were muttering something into your drink earlier. I thought perhaps you were displeased with the brew."

I again suggest telling them about house Stant, just to see how they react. I can't see that knowledge harming us at this point. If they're lucky, they may ask to contact their lady.

>>16020881

As long as we leave out anything about lord Helmet.

Should we disclose the missives about their long term goals?

>>16020905
Not unless we have to. Perhaps mention we've actually come across some solid information but leave it at that or really vague. And of course we don't mention Janos. We don't need to. We just need to mention the fact the cult assassinated House Stant's heir and the other was replaced by a cultist mystic.

>>16020881
seconding.


"You know nothing of their ultimate goals, then? Surely you and your... sisters(?) captured some of their messages or discovered caches with such?"

>>16020853
"We know the same things then. Where they are rooted, how they operate. Good. When this war is done, no matter who stands on top, we'll all have to deal with them next.

I'd like you to deliver a message to your lady. err, Once you've been freed, that is. Trentz will stand against the cult, even if his country is no longer his.

And another thing, since it was Janos Stant's last wish. There is a forest in the area I raided when I struck into Uurlanthi territory. My men found Janos' father and his retinue shot in the back by arrows. If she would be so kind as to offer roses to the plinth I erected for the man, I would appreciate it."

>>16020881
Second.

>>16020905
That they plan to create an army of undead? I don't see why not; anyone who knows that they're collecting as many necromancers as they can will have come to that conclusion.
About toppling the current Pantheon and instating their own? I'm a little against it. Without knowing how anti- or pro-Divine their Lady is, I don't think we should tell them about that.

>>16020949
Don't mention Janos at all. Safer that way I think.

>>16020974
Agreed

Also, if we tell them about house Stant we could also slip in something about us having reliable information that many other noble houses in Uurlanth are now working for the cult and attempting to subvert Uurlanth. We need a way to pit some of the noble houses against each other.

>>16021018
If their lady is really against the cult, she'll do that on her own and she'll verify it before doing so. Best to give her accurate info and not waste her time if we want to make a good impression on wanting to work with her to deal with the cult.

>>16021036

Indeed, we're trying to build a relation with a potential ally. The moment we give false info, the whole thing is fucked.

>>16021074
>>16021036
Good point

You nod "Then we have the same basic information. How they operate, where they are rooted, what their ultimate goals are." You pause to take a drink, before continuing "I have it on good information that House Stant, among other Uurlanthi noble houses, is deeply infected with this cult." The twins nod in agreement. You continue, after taking a long drink "Once you are returned to your lady, I would like for you to convey to her a message form me. Should my homeland fall, I will still stand against the Forge of New Divinity."

The sisters look at each other before Esmeralda replies "You have learned their name as well then?"

Esperanza finishes her drink and adds "You no doubt know that they intend to raise an undead army as well."

Again they glance at each other before saying, in unison "We will continue to fight this cult as well, should Uurlanth fall."

>>16021247
"I wonder if the cult is the reason your lady sent you. Perhaps she found out I was hunting them."

>>16021247

"Your Lady must have seen this as well. That there is a third solution. Having either of our homelands fall will mean many of our best and brightest lying dead and dying on countless battlefields. With that many people dead, the cult will no doubt have no shortage of bodies to animate against the living. You should be able to see what I am getting at."

>>16021247
"A toast to mutual enemies, then?"

if they agree:
"To mutual enemies, may they share the wrong end of our blades"

followup: "while we work towards sharing a bed." [proceed to laugh if they blush]

these two are getting far too comfortable with this conversation again

>>16021369
Sounds good.

>>16021292
>>16021346
These sound good to me along with the toast to mutual enemies.

You raise your flask "To mutual foes sharing the wrong end of our blades." When the twins raise their cups you smile, and take a drink, before adding "And that the three of us may move ever closer to sharing a bed."

To their credit, the twins manage to swallow their drinks, instead of spitting them out. And, despite the shock on their faces, Esmeralda replies "Perhaps we... we should, erm..."

Esperanza, through an even deeper blush finishes "m-move back to any other questions you have for us."

Esmerelda turns to her sister, and you can just barely hear her asking, half-giggling "are all Degnarians this forward?"

>>16021529
"I would hope not. I'm not overly fond of competition."

I'm against sharing any information with them that's not related to the cult. The cult is a mutual enemy. Anything else that we say will be used against us.

Building rapport with them through a mutual enemy is a very good start though. We will subvert them yet!

>>16021537
Telling them we took our Khalless isn't necessarily going to harm us. We can at least inform them that the cult's progress isn't completely unimpeded. Not sure if we want to mention what we know about the Duchy and the cult though.

Ask them how House Hernanda keeps managing to sneak infiltrators into our damn camp. Is there any precautions that we can take to prevent this? Or at least decrease the number of infiltrators entering the camp?

Because if this keeps up, we may have to start executing prisoners in order to prevent any more escapes, or even worse, a prisoner uprising.

Hint hint hint hint.

>>16021567
And if they balk, assure them that we would never harm them and miss out on the ransom. (We do expect to be paid Raul Vistek's ransom in exchange for the two of them by the way, after the war is over of course).

However, surely they would want to save their countrymen? We have some very handsome knights as our prisoners.

>>16021535

... glorious. seconding!

also, mutter something about them clearly not having met Kyria.

>>16021567
personally, I'd rather not try to threaten two assassins, but asking them about vulnerabilities in our guard wouldn't hurt, i guess.


We should also ask how they broke the arcane lock on the box containing the noble, and if they still possess the means to escape from the box.

>>16021535
>>16021554
These sound good. We should also make sure nobody else can sneak into the camp the same way they did. Ask them how they did it if we don't already know the full story.

You chuckle, sipping from your flask again "I would certainly hope all Degnairians arent as forward as me myself, competition is quite irksome." though as the sisters are exchanging bemused looks, you are mumbling about Kyria. Then sighing, you ask "Though, I would very much like to know how House Hernanda infiltrators keep making their way into my camp. If this keeps up, I may have to take extreme measures to ensure prisoner security."

Esperenza takes another drink from her cup, before proudly replying "It is not that your defences are inadequate."

As her sister takes another drink Esmeralda continues "House Hernanda simply has infiltrators that operate to a higher standard than the sort of rabble you are accustomed to dealing with."

>>16021699

"Well then perhaps you would care to share your expert opinion on how I could improve them?"

Play to their pride to get them to help out abit. See if they bite.

>>16021699
"Well, I guess I was bound to run into a few competent Uurlanthian infiltrators eventually."

Agree/disagree?

I think we've chatted the twins up enough for now. We should see to getting them set up with a good cell. Double security detail on them and Lord assface and see what Autronius got out of them.

>>16021699

"Fair enough, though how do you compare to the... assassin guilds, are they? Beak Crows and such? I believe I've sent a murder of them to early graves during this war."

(yes, i know it isn't Beak Crows...)

and also...
"How did you break the lock to pull off your little switch, and do you still possess the means to break such a lock?"

>>16021748
Perhaps make their cell via elementalism?
No lock that they can pick or use secreted arcana to break, just stone bars.

>>16021748

seconding for transition, as well

>>16021748
Thirding transition

>>16021699
Fuu- Don't give up! Keep pushing them. Unless you all think we'll never have to deal with House Hernanda again, which is hopelessly optimistic.

You shrug "I suppose I was bound to run up against infiltrators of worth eventually. Tell me, in your expert opinions, what could I do to improve my defenses."

Esperanza shrugs "Save hiring professional guards who have been trained to spot infiltrators, nothing comes to mind."

You sigh "And your miraculous rescue of Raul Vistyek?"

Esmeralda sighs "We used an arcana that consumed and replaced the lock. It destroyed itself on our command."

Esperanza leans back in her seat before finishing "We would be unable to escape if we wanted to at this point."

You chuckle "I will see to that, follow me." Nearly an hour later, the twins are inside a cage of stone and earth, not terribly small, but not spacious. Of course, the cage has no gate or hinges, and is kept in the tent Raul Vistyeks box had been stored in.

As soon as yourself and Autronius leave the tent, the man speaks up "They lied several times, and did attempt to contact their Lady. They are somewhat trained to resist mystics, but not strong enough to keep me completely out. Would you like form e to begin with the interesting news, or the excellent news?"

>>16021911
Start with the interesting news.

>>16021911
Interesting, then excellent. I'd like to end on a high note.

>>16021911
(Why do people keep asking us this? Does it really matter?)
"Save the best news for last, my friend."

>"We would be unable to escape if we wanted to at this point."

I'm calling this out as one of the lies.

>>16021911

interesting news first

Well, its seems interesting news first.

Triple the guards on Darin Ramon, just to be safe. We'll be returning to DragonsReach soon and don't really have to worry about combat readiness anymore.

Oh, and start using redundant locks everywhere. Pax said in IRC that the arcana they used can only be used to break and replace a single lock.

You smile "I think that we can start with the interesting news."

Autronius smiles "They truly are stuck here until prisoners can be exchanged, save the arcana they have that would allow them to communicate with their lady, they are useless to her here."

You raise an eyebrow "What arcana, where is it, and how does it work?"

Autronius shrugs "It is some piece of jewelry, though they shielded its location from me. I am not certain on the specifics, but it is a form of mental communication using a commonly possessed liquid as a medium."

You nod "Interesting to hear, my friend. What else did you learn?"

The man shrugs "I was perusing their memories while you were chatting frivolously with the two. Several other members of their Ladies ShadowGuard were slain, rather than being allowed to leave her service. apparently, the secrets about the woman that her select assassins and infiltrators learn after longer periods of service are so great that they cannot be allowed to leave her side." You nod, and motion for the man to continue. Autronius smiles "And the excellent news, is that aside from the Greyrun Lords, The Swamp Lords, and ShadowPeak Lords are militarily spent, and making noise to have the war ended. If the Praetor Militant were to learn this, he could presumably force an end to the war by taking the IronCoast lords out of the picture."

You smile, with the Greyrun Lords dead or captive, and the Duchy most likely on Degnars side, striking at the IronCoast Lords will be a simple matter. "That is indeed excellent news, my friend. Being able to pry into your foes most trusted servants minds is ever so useful."

Autronius salutes as you reach the main camp again "And I am glad to be of service, Commander"

>pax tired. pax call thread now
>someone archive please
>I'll be back tuesday at 9pm server time
>if you have any CQ/setting questions just email me at paxcomquest@yahoo.com

>"It is some piece of jewelry, though they shielded its location from me. I am not certain on the specifics, but it is a form of mental communication using a commonly possessed liquid as a medium."
>commonly possessed liquid as a medium
I KNEW IT!
It was the booze!

>>16022171

Indeed.

Don't forget to vote guys!