Speculating Rahel

[Bevan]

I wonder when Rahel became curious about Ewen. It think Ewen's most recent revelations have helped to uncover some of this....

The most significant inhabitants of Golotha do seem to thrive on the ability to obtain knowledge. Rahel is one of those people.

I think she has been interested in the actions of the Baron for a long time. If I were her I would make sure the Baron's activities in Golotha are followed, and among those activities are the actions of Sir Felkar. Isn't it possible that Ewen was observed by one of her people when he murdered Sir Felkar? That is certainly an event worthy of reporting to Rahel along with the details of who the murderer was and the handiwork done to the body.

The man/men at arms decides it is important to learn more about the event. Speculation...we don't know she killed the the Baron, but if she did, this still does not explain the knowledge of the penny in the throat. Who knows about the penny? Sir Tovar, Ewen, the party, Boraga, and anyone associated with the same.

The night of the party at the Aerth's, Ewen feels the most curious sensation when speaking with Rahel. We do believe she has Deryni powers and suspect that a mind reading occured or was attempted. Ewen does not have Deryni in him....How strong is your aura, Ewen?

She reads enough to be intrigued and invites him to her home. The Aquavit is a tool to make him more susceptable to another, potentially more intensive, mind reading. This could be the one way she learned of the penny.

The next meeting is in the newly acquired home of Bevan Palliser. Rahel has brought the usual escort but would rather talk to Ewen. Imarë has a poor interaction with Selik. Sir Tovar approaches with a most pathetic attempt. All thumbs. What happened to that confident, suave demeanor Bevan has observed in all her encounters with him? This is not the first time he met Imarë either (he had to have met her on the initial boat trip trip to Golotha). Why all of a sudden this bumbling idiot act? Could it be that it was meant to provide another opportunity for Selik to mingle with Imarë? Who did Selik leave with? Oh wait, he didn't..... Who did Rahel leave with? Ewen. Is it possible she wanted to mind read him once again? Wow - Sir Tovar certainly pulled through in a moment when she thought she may need to go home with her escort rather than Ewen.

Now let's step back. One, Rahel is considered a friend of the Crown. Two, knowledge is a necessity for influence in Golotha. Sir Tovar is obviously a servant of the Crown. With this, a relationship between them would be mutually benefitial. An exchange of knowledge between them would explain and better advance them to their individual goals/allegiances.

This doesn't even touch on the killing the Morgathian guards et al.....

[Matt]

Isn't it possible that Ewen was observed by one of her people when he murdered Sir Felkar?

If so, said person(s) managed to evade the notice of Felkar, Ewen, Merky & friends, and Slakka (who certainly would have mentioned someone else in the vicinity).

How strong is your aura, Ewen?

Quite high. Imarë can sense high auras and their relative strength. Bevan just registers for the elf, Morgan was as high as she had ever detected including among elves, and Ewen comes somewhere in between although probably not quite so high as Imarë herself.

[Imarë]

I think, as to watching the Baron, that is very possible. Being "friendly" to the crown it would good practice with this guy's track record. Anybody merely obseving Ewen at work would not know the details of what happened. Merky knew about the slit throat and that he had "done something" to his chest. She had no clue about something in the mouth. I recall the first time this came up (in Golotha) was at Boraga's. Even if this is true, there is a leap here from finding out somebody killed the Captain of his guard to going out and capturing him (while executing his companions). To do this was not a simple "I want to know what is going on."

I will point out, we are only making a guess that Rahel is Deryni and we have no idea what somebody detecting a power being used on themself would feel. This could mean Ewen felt something else or she kind of botched the job. Nobody else who has had a meeting where thoughts were read has ever mentioned this kind of feeling (from Morgan to Darebor, to the cleric). After pointing this out, I still believe that this is the valid hypothesis that I am backing but I want to leave this open. It is also possible that the aquavit was drugged and she was trying a more mundane way of gaining information (if either she is not a Deryni or if he seems aware of something like this happening). I don't know how the mindreading goes, but I would imagine that a series of pictures is evoked from the mind of the one being read. If this is true, then the picture in Ewen's head would have been of a current penny, not a Chafin III coin.

I think that with Sir Tovar, it could be that this was a social setting, not business and he seems quite inexperienced in this arena. If Rahel wanted Selik to get together with Imarë (either to try to read her or to have an excuse to see Ewen), Sir Tovar acting this way would not be needed. I totally agree that this very well could have been a ploy on the part of Rahel to have another shot at Ewen. Adding a plot with Sir Tovar I think complicates too much. As far as Imarë is concerned, she was not looking to have a party with any individual. It was the action of Selik with his mental massage of her head that captivated her. Could the psychic power of Selik be evidence that Rahel also has powers?

I think I am on the same page of action as Bevan is, just some of the details do not jibe with my thoughts. I have been wrong enough in this adventure not to bet the farm on my thoughts.

[Matt]

Merky knew about the slit throat and that he had "done something" to his chest. She had no clue about something in the mouth. I recall the first time this came up (in Golotha) was at Boraga's.

This seems a good point - someone else would no doubt have needed to be further away than Merky, lessening the chance of actually seeing a detail like the penny. This tees up Cheryl's other point about Sir Tovar and Boraga (and said minions of same).

we have no idea what somebody detecting a power being used on themself would feel.

Sure you do. Both Bevan and Imarë have experienced known Deryni workings. In the case of Morgan and Para, the sensation was of a presence in one's mind, and a little like someone else had control of one's actions. In the case of Obiris of Ueld - who Bevan is sure read her in some fashion - there was no detectable sensation whatsoever. This may mean whatever he did was not as 'deep' as that of Morgan, or that it was of a different nature. Bevan's many readings with Sir Auram, however, conform to the description of Morgan.

Nobody else who has had a meeting where thoughts were read has ever mentioned this kind of feeling (from Morgan to Darebor, to the cleric).

This is true.

I don't know how the mindreading goes, but I would imagine that a series of pictures is evoked from the mind of the one being read. If this is true, then the picture in Ewen's head would have been of a current penny, not a Chafin III coin.

Bevan's sense is that this is partly true, but that words and thoughts are exchanged. It is obviously a different order of communication. This also seems a good place to point out that every single time Bevan has been read by Sir Auram, he has touched her in some fashion, most commonly by placing a hand on her head. Morgan and Para too touched everyone they 'protected' in Lorkin.

I think that with Sir Tovar, it could be that this was a social setting, not business and he seems quite inexperienced in this arena.

This is possible, but there does appear to be a disconnect in Tovar's behavior. The evidence up to that point suggested he was quite experienced. Recall in Coranan he was charming and flirted with the ladies. Is it conceivable that he is able to be so at ease only in a professional setting? Sure, but it seems more an aberration than not in light of his prior behavior.

If Rahel wanted Selik to get together with Imarë (either to try to read her or to have an excuse to see Ewen), Sir Tovar acting this way would not be needed.

If Selik wished to read you, that has likely been done now ...

As far as Imarë is concerned, she was not looking to have a party with any individual. It was the action of Selik with his mental massage of her head that captivated her.

Just so. In fact, he was striking out hugely until he did that.

Could the psychic power of Selik be evidence that Rahel also has powers?

Selik is a Deryni as Imarë is now sure. Although in the 'psychic' vein, she's reasonably sure nothing further happened than a 'massage.' There certainly was no sense of presence in her mind. As to his relationship with Rahel, that remains somewhat conjectural.

[Imarë]

I do recall something from our first encounter with Lord Morgan in Orbaal. I don't remember the exact circumstances but I belive we were under the impression that he could tell if the truth were being told without touch and that it would not be a good idea to try to lie just in case he was checking for truth. This could, of course, just be a story to encourage us to tell the truth but it was really not needed, fear was visiting at that point. There could also be potential for mindreading to occur at a distance if the subject were relaxed, hence the private chat at her house and the aquavit (drugged or not). It could also have been something totally different from somebody else at the party. Maybe Selik was upset that Rahel seemed to be cozying up to Ewen and tried to do something to him. It could also have been either something religous or magical of a different nature. Seems to me if Rahel were trying to mindread, contact would be the best and Ewen is not known to eschew contact...

[Matt]

I don't remember the exact circumstances but I believe we were under the impression that he could tell if the truth were being told without touch and that it would not be a good idea to try to lie just in case he was checking for truth.

This is a reputed Deryni ability, but it is not the same thing as mind-reading.

There could also be potential for mindreading to occur at a distance if the subject were relaxed, hence the private chat at her house and the aquavit (drugged or not).

My point was you have no actual evidence that such mind-reading can take place absent physical contact. Even Obiris, you may recall, briefly touched Bevan's arm.

It could also have been either something religous or magical of a different nature.

It might even have been an undigested bit of beef ...

Seems to me if Rahel were trying to mindread, contact would be the best and Ewen is not known to eschew contact...

Hmm, elves who live in glass houses ...

In any event, it seems Imarë was the only one who got 'lucky' last night.

[Imarë]

I'm only going to worry about Jacob Marley if he is burried on the hill outside of the city.

I am going to assume that, unless evidence to the contrary comes to light, touch is needed to do mind reading. This being said, it could have been something else in the Deryni vein or, like the overwhelming fear in the square, something religous. It could have even been magical. I am also remember that Rahel and her family were not the only ones at that dinner party, it was rather a large one. As we know our new target, Valgari, has been posing as a merchant, could it be that he was at the party (either in disguise or even in the open as we did not even know he existed at this point)? We are not even sure that Rahel is a Deryni, she has shown no evidence of it.

Imare is not trying to throw stones here. I would think that even if mind reading were possible over distance it would be weak and contact is best if not required. Ewen can daily be found in crowded common rooms either singing or eating or just looking for somebody to buy him an ale. Anybody who knew or had watched the group for a day or two would know he is not averse to spending the evening with a pretty girl. Touch in any of these circumstances would not be beyond the pale. Even if Rahel did manage to read Ewens mind (picture and text), that it was a Chafin III coin would have registered in his mind. If the concept of just a coin came through I would assume that the coin were one currently in use (Arren II).

I have a theory to float here. Please feel free to pick holes in it. Since our arrival in Golotha is seems somebody has been trying to stir up trouble between the three big public powers (which I identify as the Crown, the Morgathians, and the Agrikans). The murder of a noble in the city would rile up the forces of the Crown (even as disliked as the Baron was). It is a flagrant attack on the upper crust of society which backs the monarchy. Killing one and then placing a coin of a monarch which was deposed by the first of the current line and who's followers rebelled just a few years ago would, to me, put the Royal officials in high gear to look for further trouble. The second group brought to the point where Parqu felt they were just about to do something unpleasant for the city are the Morgathians. These people are happy with life (or at least as happy as they can get) and the status quo. They are in charge of the council that runs the town and are on top in a political sense here. Then somebody (or group) goes and slaughters a large portion of the guard of their temple. Then, rather than let the insult be quietly ignored, the bodies are turned over to the public undertaker pretty much assuring that the news about this attack will become generally known. The third group are the Agrikans. They are pretty happy with life in Golotha, maybe dreaming of replacing the Morgathians but thats about it. They can assault and insult most everybody they see and are the military force running the town. They get away with stunts that would not go unnoticed elsewhere (the burning of the Silk Hat and the slaughter of the patrons and staff). Suddenly one of their religous leaders (the Prophet) is murdered in an open and foul way, just like the Baron. Since this group gets out of hand if they have a few too many drinks it is safe to assume that killing the Prophet will drive them over the edge, which it does. They start attacking everything and everybody. The garrison of the castle, now watching what is going on closely due to the murder of the Baron and feeling that something really needs to be done about the city, comes out of the castle and fights with the rampaging Agrikans and, with the help of the mysterious Black Knight, end the public influence of the Agrikans in the city of Golotha. This also lessens the Morgathian influence since they have no control or influence to have the guards of the town to do what they want, the guards will just make sure peace and stablility are there and the Crown is obeyed. If my suppositions are correct, we can look for more attacks on the Morgathians. Since we know that Rahel was involved in the capture of the Baron (and to me it looks like he was never meant to gain his freedom again with the killing of the guards and the girl rather than take them into captivity also) I would connect her with whatever force is moving to consolidate power for the Crown in Golotha. If this is true, the Valgari/Stavron line is different from the Black Knight line because Valgari would not be helping the crown to defeat the Agrikans (at least I think that with his track record).

As for lucky: free, Sindar, and disease resistant.

[Matt]

I'm only going to worry about Jacob Marley if he is burried on the hill outside of the city.

Don't worry, the chains would slow him down ...

I am going to assume that, unless evidence to the contrary comes to light, touch is needed to do mind reading.

My point here has been that a leap has been made in the almost given assumption that Ewen had been read which could only have been done without touch which is contrary to what the party knows. I might also point out that Ewen never lost consciousness after drinking the aquavit, but only felt a bit light-headed and had to support himself for a time on the table.

This being said, it could have been something else in the Deryni vein or, like the overwhelming fear in the square, something religous. It could have even been magical.

All true - your knowledge of such things is limited.

As we know our new target, Valgari, has been posing as a merchant, could it be that he was at the party (either in disguise or even in the open as we did not even know he existed at this point)?

Possible. If so, one or more of the Aerths would have known about it, either his true identity or at least the guise.

I would think that even if mind reading were possible over distance it would be weak and contact is best if not required.

This is a logical conclusion.

Even if Rahel did manage to read Ewen's mind (picture and text), that it was a Chafin III coin would have registered in his mind. If the concept of just a coin came through I would assume that the coin were one currently in use (Arren II).

Quite. All other coins were of Arren II. There are virtually no old Rethemi coins still in circulation. (The reason which is obvious when you recall how debased they were.)

Since our arrival in Golotha is seems somebody has been trying to stir up trouble between the three big public powers (which I identify as the Crown, the Morgathians, and the Agrikans).

Don't forget the Lia-Kavair.

This also lessens the Morgathian influence since they have no control or influence to have the guards of the town to do what they want, the guards will just make sure peace and stablility are there and the Crown is obeyed. If my suppositions are correct, we can look for more attacks on the Morgathians.

Maybe, maybe not. It's been pretty quiet since you returned, and for that matter, since the VIII Legion defeated the Agrikans. It's possible the Morgathians might still be 'riled up' but the stirring of the pot appears to have ceased.

[Imarë]

I did not include the Lia-Kavair because it is not really a public entity. It would be, I assume, as the chapters in other cities and just takes advantage of what is available.

The Morgathians seem to be harder to rile (using my theory). I would think if this is true, they were meant to go wild with the Agrikans and be cut down to size by the VIII Legion. It could be they are hunkered down and are somewhat protected from acts right now. It could also be that whoever is doing this is biding his time. Political might in running the city might be acceptable to whomever.

[Matt]

I did not include the Lia-Kavair because it is not really a public entity. It would be, I assume, as the chapters in other cities and just takes advantage of what is available.

No, in Golotha the LK is very much a public entity. Think of Jarop as Al Capone ...

[Imarë]

I guess what I meant was that the LK was not going to openly vie for power with the Crown. If the Al Capone analogy is the one we want, he subverted the forces of government to get his way not openly fought with them.

[Matt]

I guess what I meant was that the LK was not going to openly vie for power with the Crown.

It doesn't seem so, but the Crown may not have been the intended beneficiary, and in fact may have been a pawn. Supposing someone for reasons of their own wished to take the Morgathians and/or the Agrikans down a peg or two?

One might use the tools at hand ...

[Bevan]

They are in charge of the council that runs the town and are on top in a political sense here. Then somebody (or group) goes and slaughters a large portion of the guard of their temple. Then, rather than let the insult be quietly ignored, the bodies are turned over to the public undertaker pretty much assuring that the news about this attack will become generally known.

From what I have in my notes, Boraga did not recognize the wagon that brought the bodies and I recall something to the effect that they were doing their best to be low key. We certainly never learned from Boraga that they were Morgathian - we learned that from Parqu. I can't speak for anyone else, but I have not seen evidence that Boraga goes about telling people about his latest bodies of interest. One example is the fact that we told him the first body was one Sir Felkar and that has apparently not been made public.

I do wonder what Boraga's role is in all of this, considering he is one of the people who could have potentially told the murderer of the Baron that Sir Felkar had a coin shoved down his throat.

[Imarë]

It is true that Boraga did not know who was brought to him, but by that evening everybody seemed to know about who they were (except us). The Baron would also be a quiet message as he was unknown also (maybe it was supposed a dead body in the stocks would be noticed, in which case he would not be from these parts).

Bevan's points are valid and would cast doubt upon the hypothesis. Do others think that this is a fatal doubt?

[Matt]

The Baron would also be a quiet message as he was unknown also (maybe it was supposed a dead body in the stocks would be noticed, in which case he would not be from these parts).

He did manage to go unnoticed for a whole day.

Do others think that this is a fatal doubt?

Not to the hypothesis as a whole, but perhaps to the purported 'public' nature of it. This still could have been a game of insiders.

[Imarë]

I had been thinking this point over last night. It could be the party was the reason the information did not get out. Remember, we asked Boraga to keep this quiet. We still don't know if he (or his minions) told anybody (as with Sir Felkar and the coin). I do think this message would be aimed specifically toward the VIII Legion in the castle and possibly Sir Blors too. I think the idea was to get the Agrikans and/or the Morgathians to act up and have the Royal forces in a mood to deal with any problems. If the party who robbed Sir Felkar were unknown to the party arranging to get the Baron, the sudden change in plans would throw their arrangements into chaos. One would think that they would be watching him and the fast nature of the chase could mean that Rahel is in this party. It does make one wonder if Sir Felkar would have survived the Baron or not (what happened with the guards and the girl seem to argue against it if this is the case). Sir Tovar at least knew that the Baron had been seized against his will (the capture party did little or nothing to cover up the attack save cover the bodies with a little dirt). Although this complicates my hypothesis, it could be the result of the law of unintended consequences.

[Matt]

I think you're losing sight of the sequence of events.

1 - The Baron comes to Golotha to pay £22 in tribute to the Morgathians, an amount double his apparent usual tribute to them. This basically means the Baron is in the pocket of the Morgathians either because he's an adherent or an ally who failed them somehow or both.

2 - Sir Felkar, knowing about the tribute and knowing that the Morgathians are already displeased conspires with several knowns and unknowns to seize the barony for himself.

3 - In the course of stealing the money so the Baron would not have the ability to pay the Morgathians Felkar quite unexpectedly gets himself killed. No one anticipated Ewen here. Yet someone had set up Felkar and taken the money from him - but they clearly had not planned to kill him. Said someone could be Jarop, or he could have been a front. But any plan anyone may have had did not hinge on the death of Felkar, at least not during the robbery.

4 - The thieves (Erol's Gang) give Jarop his share - £11 - and split the rest. Exit stage right. Slakka's encounter may or may not be connected, but right now no evidence does.

5 - The Baron learns of the death of Felkar and gets the hell outta Dodge. His actions strongly suggest he knew Felkar had betrayed him (the money was missing) and that he had been unaware of Felkar's nocturnal stroll. (If Felkar had been on the Baron's business he would have donned his armor - the only reason not to would be to avoid waking anyone.)

6 - The Baron's flight comes as a surprise. The Morgathians probably don't know anything yet since the date for delivery had not come, and no one else would expect the Baron to flee so quickly. However, someone must have been watching the inn and had the time to inform Rahel who sent out her boys to get the Baron. This must have been a snap decision on her part as the Baron should have been in town at least two more days. Whatever plan there may (or may not) have been could not have hinged on the flight of the Baron.

7 - Rahel's mounted troop catches the Baron before he reaches the ferry. Recall that the party followed him as far as the Smoking Meken, noted his stop at the Ostler, but did not see mounted horsemen. Therefore, they must have taken a different route - probably intending to cut the Baron off. They grab him, kill the rest, and take him into custody for as many as five days. Plenty of time to decide what to do with him, reformulate plans as necessary, interrogate him, seek higher authority, turn him over to someone else, etc. etc. ...

8 - When the Baron finally does appear, it's after nearly a day in the stocks, dead, unrecognized, and ignored. Only the party's identification at Boraga's the next morning reveals him to be the Baron. In other words, there was plenty of time for the Legion to find him.

[Edited to correct days Rahel/others held the Baron.]