[Carrie] Chapter 6: Confrontation

[Throndir]

《Chapter 5: Chasing the Slavers

Chapter 7: Melrose 》

《Chapter 6: Confrontation》

North of Melrose
Day 4 - 9:30 AM - 1 PM

Your group had been approaching the town of Melrose at a good rate, though, it was made slightly slower due to the fact you and the rest of your group was going off-road to avoid running into Felencorp troops, or bring up rumors of a hero. Soon enough you managed to reach the town outskirts, even being able to see Donovan's lone home on the eastern outskirts of the town.

"I'm travelling with you." Donovan said. "I'm usually posted up here in Melrose, but it looks like our forest needs a little bit of straightening out. I have a bone to pick with Misophe."

[Erynn]

Yes, it certainly does.", Carrie replies to Donovan as they continue making their way toward Thura Forest, "Misophe seems to have managed to keep her followers mostly in the dark. The moment it becomes clear to them what she has done, they're liable to turn on her."

As Carrie ponders this thought, she realizes that Misophe's tenure as leader of the Lamia Priestesses could come to quite a violent end. This uncomfortable truth causes her to glance in Synithise's direction, wondering just how her friend would handle such an event. Carrie could no longer be sure of how Synithise felt about her sister, but she decides on the spot that it would be best to try for a peaceful resolution regardless.

"Synithise?", Carrie begins tentatively, "Would you be willing to try to talk your sister down from this? If we wind up having to go in after her, it's not likely to go smoothly. I have a way to allow you two to converse from here like I was doing with Eveleen earlier if you'd like."

Carrie waits to hear Synithise's response. She would simultaneously get a sense of the bond between the two, as well as how her friend now felt about her sister after recent events when she answered.

[Throndir]

"Well... If we talk, I might be able to convince her..." Synithise said.

"Wait dear." Apulia, the mershark, said. "Having them speak now, is simply revealing their their capture of the slaves went wrong. Striking them when they least expect it is the best way to go about." She flashed her array of sharp teeth as she smiled.

"My crew and I used to attack where it was least expected, when the adversary's guard are at their lowest, you see."

[Erynn]

"I'm not looking to strike or attack at the moment.", Carrie replies with a slightly disappointed smirk, "True excellence lies not in achieving victory in all of your battles, but in breaking your enemy's resistance without fighting in the first place. You see, the problem here is that our opposition at this moment isn't Felencorp or some outside enemy like slavers from various countries. The opponent is us. Fighting our way in to get at Misophe has far too high a cost in terms of potential for bloodshed, loss of life, and loss of trust to be anything other than an option of last resort. Misophe's guard isn't likely to be down anyway, given how suddenly I absconded. In fact, she's likely to be getting more paranoid by the hour the way she's essentially trapped like a rat. She may make a mistake under that sort of pressure, but the one thing we can say for sure that she will be for the moment is vigilant."

Carrie pauses for a moment to take a quick drink before continuing to explain the situation to Apulia.

"Everyone who lives in Thura Forest is basically part of one big family. Misophe may have gone and done something truly heinous, yes, but she's still Synithise's sister. If there's a way to solve this problem without using force, I'm going to pursue that option first. Right now, gambling on the bond between Synithise and her sister, however strained it might currently be, is the best option I see available. I am open to suggestions, but ultimately the final say on this rests with Synithise."

Carrie looks around at those assembled, curious if any of them might have an alternate idea. As little faith as Carrie had in Misophe at the moment, she was eager to hear any alternate option.

[Throndir]

Color change for Apulia, and Grus.

"Personally I do not tolerate traits when it comes to my crew. You see dear, my crew and I, we're family. And if one of them strays, you can be sure we'll be disciplining them at the sharp end of a trident." Apulia said.

"As much as force can help get things done as well... I very much agree with Carrie's suggestion." Aliana replied to the mershark. "The loss of life, especially to potential allies is to great a loss with what our country has lost already."

"Traitors are traitors. You make an example out of them to get everyone else to follow in line."

"And by the end of it, you're left with a broken and weaker group than you started."

Apulia didn't respond, but only shrugged. "I'm just suggesting what I'd do."

"Da enemy, kowmang, bad ke? Da best we ta kill dem." Grus said roughly, giving his own opinion, his words a harsh tone.

All of the enemies are bad, right? The best way is to kill them.

Donovan held out a calming hand, not quite understanding what the minotaur said but understanding enough from the physical tells. "Apart from the marshall arm of the Lamia priestesses. The dullahan of Thura forest are also the protectors of the priestess, the temple, and the hero, too. Our matriarch, Eveleen, do follow a code of honor to our country, so they can't openly oppose the priestesses. But Synithise's sister should know even a single dullahan is a mighty foe. I say we have Synithise speak to Misophe first. If we need to resort to storming the temple, I assure you, the dullahan will pull through ahead."

"I'm in favor with talking, personally. But I'll go with anything! I don't usually speak my mind all that often, soooo..!"

"She speaks her mind all the time." Apulia said rolling her eyes, which earned another glare from the maid.

"You're just so rude!"

"Everyone!" Synithise blurted interrupting the conversation. "Misophe is my sister!" Synithise continued as she closed her eyes while balling her fists tightly to her side at the same time. She opened them again primarily to look at both Grus and Apulia sternly. After a few moments, she turned towards you.

"Let me talk to her, please, Carrie?"

[Erynn]

As Synithise glares at both Grus and Apulia, Carrie adds her own look of disappointment.

"They're not all bad or even the enemy.", she once more informs the two, "They're friends and family who've been gone astray."

Carrie then responds to Synithise by immediately doing as requested, programming the atmosphere again.

"Program, condition: as desired, statement: Convey Synithise's words to Misophe. Statement: Convey Misophe's words to Synithise. Condition: As desired, Statement: Convey my words to Misophe Statement: Convey Misophe's words to me. Condition: immediately prior to expiration Statement: Refresh program. Save."

Carrie then turns to Synithise upon completing the program and advises her.

"The idea here may be to get your sister to surrender peacefully, but bear in mind that it may not work.", begins the young hero, "If it doesn't, the more information she gives up about the situation in the temple while you talk, the easier and less violently we'll be able to resolve the situation if we're forced to storm the place. Don't focus on it, but keep it in the back of your mind. The most important thing aside from Misophe surrendering is the release of any hostages or prisoners, if any exist, into our custody. We already know several of those who weren't escorted out with you have actively worked against your sister's goals, and I can't imagine she'd be happy about that if they're discovered. Beyond that, bear in mind that Misophe has nowhere to run or hide. She's likely feeling very cornered right now with the Dullahan watching the exits as well as horribly frustrated with how little has gone to plan. Time works in our favor here, so don't feel like you need to bring things to a close quickly. Give her all the time she needs to make the right decision. Any questions?"

Carrie takes a few moments to allow Synithise to process everything she had just said, prepared to answer any questions her friend might have. Meanwhile, Carrie takes a quick moment to inform Eveleen of what was about to transpire.

"Eveleen, it's Carrie again. I'm putting Synithise in contact with her sister so that she can attempt to talk her down from this. I'll keep you posted."

[Throndir]

Eveleen's voice immediately answered. "Carrie, I'm glad you're safe. Misophe refuses to speak with us. I hope Synithise will get through. We have our riders stationed at each of the known entrances to the tunnels, with the bulk of our troops atop the main one. If you need us for anything, just say the word." Eveleen responded.

As for the Lamia matriarch, she nodded her head.

"As desired... convert Synthise's words to Misophe..." Synithise repeated the first part of your programming.

"Umm... Misophe?" Synithise finally asked. There was a long pause as finally a response was heard.

"Synithise!" A voice hissed back through the link, heard by both you and Synithise. At this, Synithise flinched slightly. But she willed up some more courage, and much more sure of herself, she responded again.

"You have to stop what you're doing!" Synithise pleaded.

"How are you in my head?" Misophe demanded, completely ignoring Synithise's pleas. But a moment later she must have realized how. "So the hero came to get you? You would have been better off with our neighbors. You've always just been the bumbling type, never taking your role seriously! I can't believe mother gave you the position of matriarch! And now you've ruined everything!"

"The forest is the hero's. But it's not just that. The dullahan and the batfolk live there too. They don't agree with you, Misophe. Please just surrender. I'm asking this to you as your sister."

There was a long pause.

"And what does this 'surrending' even entail?" Misophe hissed back sharply.

Feel free to list down conditions. You can also roll a diplomacy for shifting Misophe's attitude first if you'd like. As we discussed, Synithise can be the primary roller for each one, all your rolls will simply be treated as Aid Anothers.

[Erynn]

"I'll grant you you're the pragmatic one, Misophe, but you've completely missed the point.", Carrie interjects, "Even I can see that your mother intended for you two to work as a team and shore up each other's weaknesses. You're a solid planner and tactician, but you lack the ability to lead as your sister does. The reason your mother named Synithise matriarch was a matter of trust, and you just proved her decision absolutely correct. A matriarch can't ever betray their own people to an enemy, Misophe. I get why you would be frustrated with your sister, but this is the worst possible course of action you could have taken short of murder."

Carrie pauses for a few moments to allow Misophe to absorb and process the rebuke she had just received.

"You're going to have to face justice for your crimes, Misophe, but both your sister and I are willing to give you a second chance.", Carrie begins, "The two of you are far better together than apart, and that tag-team is exactly what everyone needs from the two of you right now, so...."

Carrie takes a deep breath and exhales slowly several times to purge the fury that had been building toward Misophe over the past couple days. The offer she was about to make was one she personally didn't like in the slightest, feeling it far too lenient, but was also exactly what both Synithise and Misophe, as well as all the lamia priestesses needed right now.

"I have three terms for you. One, You cede your authority to your second. Two, You forfeit the right to carry weapons unless specifically authorized by either myself or Synithise. Three, three thousand hours of community service. If you're willing to agree to those terms, then the ordinary sentence for your deeds will be suspended so long as you don't do anything that ill-advised again."

Carrie then turns to Synithise, seeking to confirm that she found the offer she had made acceptable, asking, "Is there anything you want to add?"

Diplomacy to shift attitude:

Rolled 1d20+6 : 2 + 6, total 8

Diplomacy for terms:

Rolled 1d20+6 : 5 + 6, total 11

Rolled 1d20+6 : 10 + 6, total 16

Rolled 1d20+6 : 19 + 6, total 25

[Erynn]

Burning a hero point to reroll the diplomacy check to shift attitude.

Rolled 1d20+6 : 6 + 6, total 12

[Throndir]

Synithise shook her head.

"I have nothing else to add. Misophe, accept those terms, you know as much as I do you can't make more enemies than you have already. I'm your family; your sister." Synithise added, attempting to plea towards her familial bonds.

There was a long pause. The tension was palpable. The options were laid out before Misophe, defying the rightful rulers of Thura forest turned out not to be the best course of action.

"Fine!" Hissed Misophe, realizing she was backed into a corner. "I'll cede authority, but I will not let myself be unarmed!" She declared.

[Erynn]

As she hears Misophe's reply, Carrie sighs. "Of course she would.", she thinks to herself as she gives Synithise a glance that displays her astonishment at her sister's gall.

"All right, I'll hear your counteroffer.", Carrie replies wearily, "What bargaining chip do you have that will convince us to allow you to remain armed after what you pulled?"

Carrie turns to Synithise again and comments with mild amusement, "This should be good. When she replies, she'll likely be giving up her ace in the hole."

Carrie remained astonished that Misophe was still pushing her luck despite the already generous offer of mercy. Perhaps, she considered, the generous offer had been the reason Misophe was being so cheeky. Depending on the counteroffer, Carrie realized it might be necessary to remind Misophe that the offer wasn't being made from a position of weakness. Then again, perhaps Misophe truly did still have some form of 'insurance policy'. Only time would tell.

[Throndir]

"Without a way to defend myself, anyone can seek to take my life!" Misophe hissed in response. "Who is to say whether the batfolk or the dullahan would one day find me and report that I 'took my own life'. No doubt it would simply be a ploy to remove me!"

"They won't do that!" Synithise responded back. "Matriarch Jasna, and Matriarch Eveleen are both honorable!"

"I was not speaking to you!" Misophe cut in abruptly. "A way to protect myself is all I ask!"

[Erynn]

"If you're looking for sympathy, you picked the wrong person.", Carrie snaps back, "You already have a way to secure that for yourself. Simply offer an alternative term of equal value. That said, I find your mistrust of your own people quite alarming in light of your cooperation with agents of Felencorp. After all, given you're willing to cede your authority already, removing you from a position of authority will no longer be necessary. The concern you've raised seems to have little in the way of foundation, particularly given the fact that I'm interested in your cooperation rather than elimination. .....You wouldn't happen to be stalling for some reason, would you?"

Carrie's tone with Misophe had become stern and businesslike. While she was containing the full measure of her fury for the sake of her friend, Carrie's patience with Misophe was wearing thin.

Carrie turns once more to Synithise, her tone now incredulous, "Does your sister genuinely distrust the batfolk and dullahan to such an extreme degree? Is there something I'm missing here?"

[Throndir]

North of Melrose
Day 4 - 1 PM

Color change for Misophe for readability.

Synithise shook her head. She then willed it so that her next words would not be sent through the mind-like link that connected the three of you.

"Both the dullahan and batfolk tribes sided with my mother when it was announced that I would become matriarch. Sister threw a fit then, but the others didn't pay her much mind. Back then she tried to rally her own supporters against mother, but that was quelled quick, and never went as far as what's happening now. After that, she took plenty of the other Lamia priestesses with her under her own command and would journey to each of our cities to pay regards and offer services to the city lords. But... I think she only did it to keep her distance from us in the forest. She likely harbors a grudge against them still... She happened to be nearby when the Shifting occurred that took us to this world. I told her I was planning to do the hero summoning ritual, and gave her the date of when. But she never responded, and only showed up to throw me and other priestesses in the cages you saved us from."

Misophe continued responding to you, unaware of the bit that Synithise said.

"I trust my people. The lamia that I helped train to be fighters! I don't trust the ones that follow Synithise, or the dullahan, or the batfolk! I have allies, strong allies, in the remnants of this country. I'm not willing to be unarmed in case any enemy decides to take my life."

[Erynn]

 Carrie targets the ground once again and speaks, intending for Misophe to hear her words.

"Program, Condition: Misophe is subjected to lethal force. Statement: Crush Misophe's attacker. Condition: Immediately prior to program expiration. Statement: Refresh program. Save."

Carrie then edits the program, adding a few clauses that Misophe will not be aware of.

"Program, edit, Condition: Misophe attempts to harm a citizen of Darmona. Statement: Tremble under my left foot. Statement: Delete program. Condition: Misophe solicits others to harm a citizen of Darmona. Statement: Tremble under my left foot. Statement: Delete program. Save."

Carrie turns to Synithise, explaining the program, "If Misophe is attacked, she'll survive despite being unarmed. If she decides to continue being a problem, the protection this program provides will be null and void and I'll know the instant she tries it."

"If anyone tries to kill you now, the very ground beneath their feet will turn them into a bloody pulp.", Carrie informs Misophe, "You no longer need to be concerned about being killed without just cause. Not that you ever needed to be concerned in the first place."

Carrie sighs audibly before continuing, "I hate to be the bearer of bad news Misophe, but you've become completely paranoid. Nobody here wants you dead. We'd all much rather see this feud end amicably. Whatever the reason it has lasted this long, it has gone much too far. It's time to finally sit down and have a long-overdue discussion. We don't want to be your enemies."