Aylo Session 2: Potents in Dark Alleys

Aylo has the previously hostile soldier rooted in place. Winds whip around them both, and he demands what the soldier knows about Gilrun and Elsena. The soldiers calls out what he knows--

We know Elsena has been seen -- has Gilrun? No.
When was Elsena last seens (does he know)? Yes, and ... she was last seen 10 days ago, just before she should have headed back.
Was she picked up because she used combat?  No
Item of interest investigating: bloodline

"I... She was last seen 10 days ago. We haven't seen her since. She was seen in the palace. That's all I know! don't kill me!"

Aylo isn't sure of how to best deal with this, but hisses at the soldier "Run!" The elf scurries away, and Aylo walks away with only a slight breeze at his back. Hirbrit returns to Aylo's side "That was less subtle than I was hoping for."

Aylo: "When they catch you in disguise, subtly isn't an option."
Hirbrit: "Where are we planning to go now?"
Aylo: "They saw her here on the last day. That means that whatever happened, it happened here. I should check a few more family contacts. Its possible that they found new friends, but on the schedule they were on, I doubt it."

Aylo checks with more contacts.

Does he find any folks that seem to have had contact? Yes
And the folks still there? (+1 to solo6) Yes, but... there's a complication
Is it a complication related to his parents staying there? (+1 to solo6) Yes, and... oh dear
What's behind the complication? Local Authorities (2), Hostile Potents (2), or Other (2) ? Hostile Potents. obviously not there, but still interfereing
How are they interfering? Left Troops (1), Injuries/ Property Damage (2), Hostile Spell (2), or something else (2)?  Injuries/Property Damage
Are these physical or mystical in nature? Mystical
Which of the following? Property damage predominates (2), Injuries Predominate (2), A mix of Both (3)? Both
Is the damage Local Magic (alternative Potent Magic)? No, and... They've seen the potent.
Group Size: Partnership
Are they still alive? Yes, but.. one is dying
Are they family (alternative business partners, solo+1). Yes
Exact Relationship (Spouses, Parent/Child, Siblings, Grandparent/child, Uncle/Aunt/Nephew, farther)? Spouses.
Race? (Goblin, Waspfolk, Elves)? Waspfolk
Which gender is injured worse? Male

Eyldan (Husband) Magic, At Work, Awkward, Auburn Red Hair, Frowns, Suprisingly talented at something trivial, Hope/Fear:Sex

Kala (Wife) Physically Active, Leggy, Golden Blonde Hair, Brushes Hair back, Richer than they seem, Hope/Fear:Family

Initial Loyalty:  6+4 (good treatment, general loyalty and these folks are in an old relationship)

Fire and Water Blaster / Summoner. Foreign, Staring into Space, Wrinkled, Reedy Voice, Frowns
World Magic Type:  Slow Healing, Wither Limb, complex illusion -- body control and illusion
Is reason for attack obvious?  No, But... its obviously related to Gilrun and Elsena

Wow that's an info dump!

As Aylo and Hirbrit approach Eyldan and Kala's home, its immediately obvious something has happened here. The wasp-mage's home is charred and blackened, having been burned to the ground. Only blackened poles stand in the place where it stood. Aylo has been there several times before. He knew something was up, but this is something of a shock. He enters a nearby shop for more information. The owner looks up? "Yes?"

  Elf, Glowing, Freindly Face, Head tilted back
  Sveigrior (wasp), Very Attractive body, Inappropriate Clothes, Frowns

Aylo: "I was looking for Eyldan and Kala's shop -- it isn't the one that burned down is it?"

Shopkeeper: "I'm sorry to say that it is. You'll need to (good vs bad -- good) check in at the paper monger, seven shops down. Sveigrior knows those two from way back, and they're staying with him at the moment."

Aylo: "What happened?"
Reaction Roll: 6
Shopkeeper: "I don't want anything to do with that mess. Ask someone else. I don't want my shop burned down"

Aylo mulls over his next step. This is quite likely related to his parents disappearance. Eyldan and Kala are still alive, but they've never been more than business acquaintances -- they are as likely to be hostile as this shopkeeper -- or more so. But they also have vital details about what happened. Not getting that information from them is not an option. He could try sneaking around and listening in on what they say, but that would take too much time and not be precise enough. And he's not particularly good at that sort of thing.

Loyalty Roll: 10 (Base Loyalty) - 4 (lost shop is worth more than a year's income) -1 (unexpected danger) vs 12 -- failure by 7.

Aylo walks up to the papermaker and looks for Eyldan. He sees only Kala, who reacts by jumping up and rushing up the stairs into the privacy of her host's living space. Aylo doesn't have much in the way of money on him, but he buys a few sheathes of paper anyways.
"Could I talk to Eyldan and Kala?"
Sveigrior : "It appears that you can't. At least not until you talk to me."

Alyo :" I'm a long term business contact looking for information about colleagues of mine I believe your friends saw. In this case my parents."

Sveigrior : "And this has nothing to do with the attempted murder of Eyldan?"

Aylo: "I don't know. Its quite possible that it does. In which case I have as much cause for concern as they do, if not more."

Diplomacy 12 vs 11

Sveigrior pauses, and his antennae and mandibles tilt down and away in a very frown-like expression. "And what if you're the only reason they were attacked?"

Aylo grimaces: "Then I owe them and I can at least apologize."

Sveigrior goes up the stairs are returns with Kala. Kala doesn't wait to get down the stairs before launching into a tirade about how Aylo and his family ruined her life, that they had no right to bring this down on her head, that Eyldan was going to die and it would be completely his fault. She hoped he fell off a mountain and was eaten alive by vultures on the way down.

Aylo listens to the tirade, then says "I'm sorry. What happened?"

Kala: "We were attacked! Attacked by a strange --- I don't know what he was. Like a wrinkly goblin with an elves skin and round ears. He dressed in black and red and he burned our house down and -- You brought this man, didn't you! This monster raining fire and death. You owe us. It will take months for Eyldan to heal. If he even survives!"

Aylo: "Yes, I owe you. We will pay you back. And your husband's best hope of recovery is for me to find Elsena."

Kala: "What does finding the witch have anything to do with anything else?"

Aylo: "She's a healer without parallel. The greatest in the world. If anyone can heal him, Its my mother."

Kala: "Your scourge bringing mother left just before we were attacked. Odd timing I'd say!"

Aylo: "Yes, strange timing. Did your monster give a name?"

Kala: "No, he just showed up and started throwing fire around."

Aylo takes out his money pouch, counts out $20 of coins, and gives the rest to Kala: "You need this more than I do."

Kala:" This is a drop in the bucket of the pain you've caused me."

Aylo: "No, that's me helping someone who just lost their home. When I decide to repair the damage, you'll know it. But first I have to find Elsena."

Kala: "Thanks for nothing!"

Aylo leaves, and Hirbrit follows. "Was that a potent that attacked?" The goblin asks? Hirbrit knows a lot about politics and people, but Aylo's training in the lore of Potents came from his parents. Hidden Lore 12 vs 12 -- success! Aylo recognizes the attacker as a potent.

Aylo: "Yes, that's a potent. We've entered a war. And by we I mean me and my parents. Nations can be used as pawns in these things. You're a good teacher, but I don't want to get you killed. Do you want to stay here or on your home world?"

It should be pointed out at this time that Hirbrit is a Hirling, not an ally. A highly trusted hireling, but he does have a loyalty score and make loyalty rolls. We're going to assign Hirbrit a loyalty of 15 (though its normally higher via circumstance modifiers). This roll is at -4 -- he was never expected to help in a war. 11 vs 10 -- his loyalty prevails! Perhaps this has to do that part of his 'pay' is companionship and protection.

Hirbrit: "I'm staying with you to make sure you don't get over your head."

Aylo: "That's... thank you Hirbrit. I will appreciate your expertise." He sighs. "There are no potents here anymore. I don't know that I'll be tracking down my parents."

Hirbrit: "I think we'll mostly be tracking down weapons for you to use. And staying ahead of this potent."

Aylo: "If they both hid, it was more than one."

Hirbrit: "Then we'll stay ahead of all of them."

And that feels like a good place to stop.  In fact, this feels like the end of the adventure. And a very lucky experience roll gives Aylo 2 experience points -- which he will save towards buying hirbrit as a proper ally.