Finn states “They seem scared of the guards rather than being them I think. Maybe we should camp and wait until morning before seeking entry as they suggest?”
"Yeah, that's probably wise. That little fellow was just a child. Thieving little child, but still a child," says Thom, following Finn as the two head back to camp.
"Child? Thief? Where, magus?" asks Sasso, looking around. The twins' English has improved somewhat since the first time Thom met them.
"Yes, Sasso, two trolls made of stone, though I can't quite spot them now," says the magus. "The older one had a child and that child stole my knife. The enchanted one, the Stonecutter blade. I think it hurt itself. But let's head back to camp. I think we need to speak to the day queen."
As they walk back, Thom ponders what he heard about the night queen and what he's heard about the queen they should be meeting. [Faerie Lore Roll: 16 + 1 Sidhe Specialty if applicable].
(OOC) Thom's background knowledge.
Thom knows that a Seelie and an Unseelie faerie monarch often contest the same area, holding sway at different times. Often there is a WInter and a Summer court, but why not a Night and a Day court?
You have few clues, and you realise that Ungulus records were rather incomplete. Did the old magi never learn about the Night Queen? Maybe.
Many queens reside in the water, and you heard that many sided with the Diedne, but not all of them as far as you know. Faerie Queens hold court like human lords, and other faeries tend to settle close by, even if they are not under the queen's direct command. Everybody knows the queen though, so maybe the author of the records only meant that you should ask directions from the rock trolls. That would make sense too.
Nightfall
It is completely dark when you return to camp, but you can see the warming light of the fire. The ranger looks up at you without a word, his expression impossible to read. Some meat is roasting over the fire. It is quiet except for the river. The cold breeze is intensifying a little, and when you look, it as if dark shadows hover over the beech. You are not sure if it is real or if it is just imagination.
Thom takes some time as they walk back to explain what he thinks may be happening in this area, recounting to Finn and Sasso the nature of the Seelie and Unseelie Courts.
"It's often a kind of balance between the two courts, pushing and pulling to gain dominance. I'm guessing the previous magi likely hadn't ever met the Queen of the Night Court. So we should tread carefully tonight..."
The Merinita is as curious as he is cautious, perhaps more curious than cautious even, though as a son of Sidhe, he's more aligned to the courts of Summer and Light.
"We should set a watch tonight," says Thom to the others. "I'm going to cast a spell of protection about our camp, so be mindful not to break the circle accidentally with a foot. Before I do that, I'm going to set up a little illusion of myself sitting watch just in case they want to 'try something' again. It may give a warning to whoever is on guard. I'll set up that illusion before creating the warding circle. My spell isn't terribly strong, but it may hold off some of the lesser fae of the Night Court and give pause to others. Whatever you do, do not be tempted by anything you see this night."
His preparation explained, Thom sets about casting his spells. He casts the image phantom on a rock, stump, or nearby bush and creates it as an illusion of himself standing watch over the camp. The illusion is placed just outside the Circle Ward ([ReVi 10]. He establishes that ward large enough to allow a spot for anyone who needs to relieve themselves in the night.
Finally, he casts a simple spell over the campfire to make it smokeless in an effort to keep them less noticable. [MuIg 5 Smokeless Campfire Roll: 19 Success!]
Sasso and Telsa will take watches during the night, alternating every 2 hours. In wolf shape.
The ranger takes a watch too. You see a couple of imp-like people poking at the image of Thom. They do not penetrate the ward though, and there is no reason not to sleep peacefully.
In the morning, it stops snowing, and the clouds break out just a tad. It still qualifies as overcast, just less gloomy than yesterday.
Thom works through his daily traveling spells: Parma (obviously), Doublet, Aura of Ennobled Presence from his formulaic repertoire and then a few spontaneous:
Ears of the Hare [MuCo 4 Roll Explosion: 40 /2 = 20... For group target and moon duration for the entire party. +1 perception to hearing related rolls]
Eyes of the Raven [MuCo 4 Roll: 20/2 = 10. Moon duration. +1 to perception by vision]
Eyes of the Cat [MuCo 5 Rolle: 23/2 = 10. Moon duration. See as cat at night.]
Thom attempts to also cast The Scent of Nearby Vis but it doesn't seem to work and he frowns before he sits down to rest. [InVi 5 Roll: 6 No botch confirmed]
His preparations done, Thom turns to Finn and Pomeranians.
"Let's head back to the beach and see if we can't get an introduction to the Day Queen."
“Do you want me to lead to gain us entry or just to deliver the story magus?” asks Finn
Sasso and Telsa express their anger at being given rabbit ears. Without their permission.
They're not grass-eaters.
(OOC My understanding is that there is a cosmetic side effect to such a spell.)
Mine too. It is a MuCo spell and should do what it says on the tin.
“My apologies! The spell succeeded bring my expectations. I can try to dispel it if you wish, but it should be rather helpful. And you can always wear a stocking cap.”
Thom turns to Finn.
“You lead the way. I’ll help if I can.”
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Finn leads the group back to the river area and announces “we are representatives of Ungulus covenant here to see the Queen and present her with a a fine story”
The grogs follow sullenly.
Thom looks back at the grogs.
"I can hear you grumbling back there. It could be a lot worse? You could have a pig nose for smelling stuff. I heard pigs can find truffles under the ground, their noses are so good!"
Undaunted by the negative, Thom strokes his new ears with a brief chuckle and follows along.
"You know, Finn, I bet you got the makings of a story right here in this little adventure..."
The Merinita starts to sing a little mindless ditty he's composing on the spot:
Oh, the road was long and the night was fair,
When they sought the Queen with the golden hair.
"We’ll ask her for wisdom!" they boldly declare,
But now they all hear like a jittery hare!
Flop-flop, twitch and stop!
Every whisper makes us hop!
Floppy ears and furry woes—
Now we hear the grass that grows!
Finn laughs “Magus, you should have gone to bard school instead of your magic studies with a turn of that eloquence”
Sasso snarls, "You laugh at us, magus? And expect us to risk we life for you? You the one who is..." He stops and turns his head when his sister lays a hand on his arm, shaking him. But when Thom looks at them, she is looking angrily at him, not at her brother, and it is not a friendly look.
Thom laughs at Finn. "Just a little ditty. Nothing like your work, Master Bard. But if you would be up to it, I wouldn't mind taking some lessons from you. I rather enjoy singing and song writing. It's relaxing."
Thom gestures at his own long ears after hearing Sasso and his sister.
"Not laughing at you at all. Hells bells, you two are among the most skilled people I've met so far. If the ears trouble you, I can dispel them from you. I think. And if not me, I'm sure Cath'rinne or Thadeus can when we return."
He pauses and opens his hands toward them.
"Seriously, I am sorry. Please accept my apologies. I grew up in a world of glamour and magic and I forget too easily that not every lives with six fingers on each hand and my comfort with the arcane."