Korvin and Ra'am travel to Rorschach via the portal at Harco, unfortunately Korvin wasn't able to find anyone he was looking for at Harco. Upon arrival Rorschach they are greeted at the gate by several armed grogs, but they don't immediately advance/attack Korvin's group. Also, they are within the Aegis, as Korvin can feel the telltale tingle associated with a foreign Aegis.
Awareness roll to determine how many and imitative rolls in the event negotiations become aggressive.
There are 8 men. Korvin can clearly identify who the leader and the vanguard of this trained group are as he starts talking, the leader responds to Korvin, "Harco doesn't rule here. Jareth is master here. Go back where you came from or come closer and test our steel." Korvin gets the sense that he isn't recognized for who he is. If what Ra'am says is true, he and Korvin can probably take out a good portion of these men, even after accounting for the reduction in CS due to the Aegis. It's unknown how powerful the Aegis is, but it feels stronger than the 4th magnitude one, if feelings can be trusted. ((I actually vacillate on whether a magus can sense whether an Aegis is weak/strong, and where that dividing line lies, so my description may not be trusted to be accurate to the player and is instead the best the character can reasonably guess based on the circumstances.))
Korvin will look to Ra'am and raise an eyebrow and give a little nod. If Ra'am nods back than Korvin will start casting. Korvin does not want to begin a fight if Ra'am is not confortable/ready. And I need Init for Claud and Jolanda.
Ra'am gets a 5 for intiative, and the other group has an effective 4 for initative.
One thing going on Korvin's side, is that they weren't really expecting an attack, certainly not from more than one magus. I need a CT for any spells Korvin is casting, and then I'll indicate whether they are successful based on the aura addition and Aegis subtraction.
Korvin nods to Ra'am and turns to the men and says, We do not want any trouble. We will go. Korvin turns as if to go back to the portal and uses his turn to mask his pulling a small bag with feathers sticking (casting tools) out of it and then begins to cast in a loud clear voice and exaggerated gestures.
Korvin will start with charge of the angry wind CrAu 15 Cr 27 + Au 6 + Stam 1 + 1d10=5 + voice and gestures 2 + aura = 41 (+ aura)
Jolanda will position herself on Korvin's left and Claude will move to Ra'am's right and ready their weapons and shields.
Claude: What you are going to what to do is cast some spell that swallows them whole. Or you could burn them but it would be very impressive to have the ground swallow them.
Ra'am unleashes three lightning bolts from the palm of his hand, each strike and fry a different grog. He doesn't know exactly who to target except for the apparent vanguard. He appears a bit winded from the effort, but Korvin is none the worse for wear.
Only 3 are standing, and the surprise for this round is complete. What's Korvin going to do?
Both shield grogs will hold until someone gets within range.
Claude: That was impressive but the ground swallowing them up would have been better. YOU BOYS SHOULD SURRENDER NOW BEFORE THEY HAVE THE GROUND JUST EAT YOU!.
Jolanda: (gets her morning star spinning and smiles as the closest merc.) WHAT HE SAID!
Ra'am conjures three more lightning bolts from his hand, and he's breathing really hard now, wobbles and leans against his staff for support. Two are struck and apparently killed by lightning, but one withstands the bolt but is knocked down, and in combination with CotAW.
Ra'am calls out, "Where. Is. My. Daughter." He holds his hand out as if he's ready to cast more lightning bolts. As he's speaking the sky above is turning dark, and the clouds are beginning to boil. Korvin can guess the spell with an EF of Int +MT of 6, basically not botching. What's Korvin going to do about his spell and also questioning the men; Korvin can adopt a friendlier tone, and leave Ra'am as the crazed magus/father who is ready to incinerate anyone with lightning bolts.
Korvin lets the concentration drop and the winds directed by him die off. Claude, Jolanda. Advance and make sure he does not run but do not get too close. If he does not talk I'm not sure Ra'am will withhold the lightning.Korvin glances at Ra'am and makes sure he catches his eyes.Then he advances with the shield grogs and crouches on his haunches to speaks to the wounded mercenary. I would answer my companion. He is quite distraught at Jareth. If you cooperate with us I can treat your wounds and you will live. Otherwise... Korvin glances up at the sky.
((I was looking for a skill that would be used to convince someone and I settled on Intrigue because it also used in negotiations to get your own way.))
It's definitely consistent with Clouds of Rain and Thunder. One thing that Korvin knows about Ra'am is that he has Flawless Magic, and can nearly effortlessly master spells. The spell is a concentration spell, so it's reasonable to assume that Ra'am is using his facility with Auram to enhance any interrogation efforts Korvin undertakes, especially after throwing six lightning bolt as quickly as he did.
The injured man is frankly terrified, and looks like he might say anything, so whatever information he gives is probably suspect, that he'll tell Korvin anything just to get the pain to stop and also prevent more lightning"I don't know what you're talking about. Jareth left her two days ago, and told us to watch the portal, and to send back any Redcaps that came. He said that if two groups of redcaps came through the second set would be armed and needed to be dealt with forcefully. Just an hour before you arrive, two redcaps came through not long ago with a young woman who looks like him. he points at Ra'am. "And another woman who appeared to be a redcap as well. They were arguing between themselves, but we don't speak Latin, I could just tell that they were arguing."
Korvin smiles. That is a good start. Jolanda, search him for weapons then I will do something for his pain. Now I'm not quite sure who was arguing. Was it the two women or the people escorting them?
Once the mercenary has been checked for weapons, Korvin will cast Bind wounds(CrCo10) on him to start.
"I don't know!" He looks at the ski with a certain amount of dread and then looks at Ra'am. "I swear I don't. Our orders were to watch for the second group of Redcaps, which is you." Lightning begins to flash in the sky. The man breaks down and tears stream down his face, "I don't know anymore, I swear!"
Korvin keeps his tone even so as not to send him over the edge too soon. Who might know then? What of the Redcaps stationed here? Or more of your companions?
Korvin turns to Ra'am. I do not think we are going to get any more out of him. He should be sent back to Harco and let them know we need guards for this post. Korvin gets up to go then stops and asks the mercenary, The other woman, did she look like ( describes Tria)?