[Audio/Visual] Dude where's our map? [Date TBD?]

[naturaltwohands]

[Drizzt's human hands are holding up some paper, his eyes focused on a note in neat Imperial Calligraphy:

I have your charts. If you want a chance of ever leaving this benighted island, bring me the Bando rebels’ box and give me safe passage back to the Empire.

K

Drizzt's gaze continues to linger on it as he speaks out loud, voice even but laced with anger. Yes, he's got a young teenager's voice. And yes, it doesn't do anger very well. Also yes, shut up.]

As the note says, our sea charts have been stolen. [You know, the ones Drizzt found after they didn't need them anymore?] I found this ransom note on the back of our charter.

Does anyone possess clues that might lead to the identity of the traitor? What course of action should we take? And where exactly would we meet this individual? They've neglected to mention a location with which to meet.

Comments

[naturaltwohands]

[Drizzt knows that Altair is giving him a chance to consider alternate solutions. It's not an attack on his thoughts. He leans back where he's sitting, not that Altair can see, and deeply considers this.]

Not I, but the man I suspect is my father's Overlay. He was able to get the jump on me--which is no small thing--and could remain hidden. Zack also knows a sort of martial arts that allows one to disable an opponent without harm, and he was able to disarm me with hardly any effort when he demonstrated his abilities to me.

... Of course, it's likely this person will be hung anyways regardless of the efforts we go to.

[theflyingone]

What of magic? I know the land of Bando was not without it. Our target may have some. I can incapacitate people as well, but disarming will do no good if this person can, say, throw fire at us.

[ He'd rather another Traveler not go through being burned alive like he did. ]

Should capture be successful, at least this person would be executed after a measuring of their crimes in as best a court as we can gather. And, an interrogation may turn up useful information, such as where our maps are.

[naturaltwohands]

Most magic in my world requires some sort of incantation, spell component, gesture, or a mixture. But we cannot rely on other magic to be the same. We would have to reliably disable magic altogether—anti-magic items are rare in my world, and the only one I know of was likely created during the Time of Troubles when gods were thrown from the heavens and almost all magic failed. If we could find something like that, it would be fairly simple. If not—knocking them unconscious is a start.

[Being burned alive sucks, yes. Also, hearing Altaïr mention a court judging the person causes waves of relief to come off of Drizzt.]

A court in any form would be better than this. Can you do anything to change their minds? I cannot; I do not have their trust.

[And then a thought occurs to him, and Drizzt almost laughs.]

There is also Faerie Fire. I can outline someone in colored flames that do not burn. I have used it before as an open threat, saying I will let the flames burn if they do not submit.

[theflyingone]

I will not go anywhere near flames.

[ This is said with more vehemence than really necessary. He regrets even mentioning fire. ]

Threats do not work anyway, when your enemy's abilities are so unknown. That would allow this person to slip away. I will not take that chance. Deadly or not, our first strike must be our last.

[naturaltwohands]

[He starts a bit in the physical world and Guenhwyvar raises her head up to look at him curiously. There's apology tinting his words now]

... No Faerie Fire, then. My apologies.

[Then, back to business.]

Which only leaves some way of disabling magic during our attack. But you are correct, we must act decisively and with a single strike. I truly do not know if t is possible to take this person alive, but thank you for at least considering it.