Zamar extends his hand to Zindar. "You have my thanks as well. It has only been a short time, but I have grown fond of your niece. I am glad to see that she will be safe now. We are staying at the Thundering Lizard for the next day if you need witness against these men. We of the Scarlet Dawn are adventurers, but we are honorable ones." He pauses, contemplating some of their deeds. "Well, at least we try to be. We are at your service whenever we are in town."
“That’s great. If we’re all settled here then we should make our way to the Thundering Lizard. We don’t want to keep Woe and the others waiting do we. I’d also like to check out the market place for some cherries.”
Perrin says eager to feed the tabaxi something he’s never had before.
Dapple has little to add to the testimony offered by the members of the Scarlet Dawn, having been still under the effects of the stasis while the entire encounter had taken place. As Zindar's gaze lingers on him while discussing the ownership of the pocket dimension's contents he frowns. When the half-dragon's attention returns to him, he speaks up. "Do I misunderstand your meaning? You seem to be implying I might be considered someone's property, having been discovered trapped inside that place? Are my people enslaved in this city? I've seen others who are seemingly freely walking the streets outside."
Woe realises, that she struggles to carry any more weight. So she hands the money back to Koll, who stores it safely in his backpack. Woe walks silently for a while. The effects of the drug slowly fading. The whole episode feels more like a dream than anything else. "Should we get a bite to eat? I would like to ask around a bit, maybe Ymezra has a reputation! She seemed to have quite a following!"
She asks a couple of bar tenders and a couple of merchants, selling fine goods about who Ymezra is..... The answers she receives are fascinating - at first.
Ymezra is the daughter of Jessamine, the merchant prince of plants, poison, and assassination. She died during the death curse and was training her daughter to take over. I decided her daughter took a more direct and were-panther approach to her new position. Her followers (assassins) are all were-panthers.
When Woe puzzles this together from her investigation, she turns white, pure shock on her face.
"Koll, how are you feeling, your injury? I... I am not sure how to ask, but I think, Ymezra and her followers might all be were-panthers. Like were-wolves, you know? And.... and she bit you, didn't she? ......" Woe is not able to speak her last thoughs. What if Koll turned into a were-panther.
"But it was not a physical bite - it was psychic - in the shared Mind realm, or whatever we are going to call it. But maybe Perrin could see if there's anything wrong, in case. I believe he can detect disease. Werepanthers, huh? I guess that's why I couldn't hurt her." Koll seems surprisingly controlled hearing Woe's results.
Woe tells him: "I am hoping you're fine, so scary to find out afterwards! ...though somehow I could see you being a were-panther!" She winks at him. Then smiles: "But probably Perrin would smite you in a second."
"Ha! He could try!" Is Koll's bone dry reply.
Woe smiles at the picture in her head: Koll in were-panther form fighting a radiating Perrin. Then she frowns again. Joking about it is one thing. But reality might come to bite them. She whispers to Koll so that noone can eavesdrop: "So, the drugs are gone. Now you're walking around with the money - you'll have to take it to Lantan and all the way back to Baldur's Gate again. Do you have a plan?"
"I'm a poor planner. I should've planned for docking at the port and getting the drugs through. It's only thanks to you and Zamar that we did. Hmmm, can I trust a money lender (banker) to hold onto it for me?"
"Thank you, we were happy to help. But it's true, we should have had a plan in place before disembarking. I very much doubt that you can trust a money lender here. Maybe we could get it changed into a more portable value - like a gem of some sorts, then you could sew it into your clothes or your backpack..." Woe replies
Koll thinks about the options. "Maybe we have time for that before meeting at the Lizard. Let's find someone who will trade gold for gems....but there were lots of shenanigans and dirty tricks going on at the Counting House in Baldur's Gate. I'm not sure I'd want to go to such a place here."
After a bit of enquiries, the two find out a few things. The Thundering Lizard is in the heart of the marketplace. They realise that the major currency in this place seems to be gemstones. Gemstones of 100gp or more are often times directly handled by one of the merchant princes. Possibly by exactly the lady who they passed in her room in the Goldenthrone.
"I can imagine that there is always people trying to rip you off. Let's go to the Inn, we're almost there and count the money first. Tomorrow we can find a place where we can get it changed. Maybe even go back to the Goldenthrone if we have to. I mean, we could visit our new friends again!" At the last sentence, Woe's voice becomes surprisingly eager to go back...
"Friends? Yes, you did make a friend, didn't you? For my part, I do not wish to let my desires overcome me, so I will avoid temptation when I can. Seeking gratification is a sure way to miss out on true happiness."
Woe contemplates Koll's words. "I, well, I guess I enjoyed the setting. Even the purple mist. I have never had such an experience!" Somehow she doesn't seem that interested in seeing the man again...
And after a while of silence she adds in a soft tone: "I am not as strong as you... "
Koll replies: "I am not as strong as you may think... but I've already been able to draw strength from you and the others. I don't think it's a good idea right now for you to return to the Goldenthrone. Let's discuss the matter with the others."
"I wasn't suggesting to return right now. But maybe tomorrow!" Woe is not giving up on the idea so quickly. But of course Koll's words of wisdom planted a little seed.
“He’s talking about all the gems and other cool stuff we found. Nobody would consider you a slave,” Lera messaged Dapple. “Oh shite, I forgot you’ve never seen me do this. It’s me, Lera, the one who gave you cinnamon rolls. You can whisper back if you want to talk to me, and nobody else will hear you.”
”Would anyone else like a cinnamon roll for the road before we head to the inn?” Lera offered the open box to everyone gathered.
As Lera's voice pops into his head, Dapple jumps, startled. Eyes wide, he turns to catch her eye, then relaxes again, but clearly embarrassed at his reaction. "That is rather surprising if you are unused to it, but seems rather handy, I must admit. As to goody, I'm not so sure. Did you see the way he looked right at me as he said that?"
He also is not shy about helping himself to another cinnamon bun when they are offered.
Zindar shakes his head at Dapple and says, "Slavery is not permitted nor legal, no. But from the looks of it, you were the property of a wizard and that indicates there may be more to you than your new friends realize. Do you really believe this wizard, one with an Imp, would leave you frozen for hundreds of years just to look at?" He turns his attention back to the others, "I would be weary," he says to them.
He returns his focus on Singe, "Either way, you may find more information about your new friend in these texts. I will note anything I see that might be of interest and send them out. You have my word."
"Thank you." Singe bows slightly, he plucks a roll out of Lera's outstretched box of cinnamon rolls. "Let's go meet Grasalfan at the Thundering Lizard!"
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
“Well, obviously, Perrin, but I couldn’t very well buy a cherry pie that wasn’t yours,” Lera smiled, starting to walk in the direction she thought was the right way.
Although they all split up, the Scarlet Dawn all begin making their way to the the Market Ward via the Red Bazaar. The gutters in this area are all stained red, likely due to the constant flow of dinosaur blood from the butcher's stalls in the area. This section of the Market Ward sells everything any normal person would need, such as locally produced meat, vegetables, tropical fruit, tej, light tropical clothing, insect repellent, rain catchers, and other household goods. The hawkers call out to the group as they pass, and the smell of spices and meat is stronger here than any other place in Port Nyanzaru.
The Thundering Lizard looms ahead, the beats of a drum heard within. As the group gets closer, the beat gets louder, forcing their heartbeats to beat in tune. By the time the Scarlet Dawn opens the doors, it's already late in the afternoon and the party has just gotten started. Exotic dancers weave between the tables, hips moving with each beat. The Tej flows freely here, as locals and visitors to Chult drown away their concerns. A massive pig-like dinosaur rests in the middle of the inn, occasionally turned on a spit as the chef pulls and carves bits of meat for the patrons. Between each beat of the drum, the hum of voices is heard as games are played and deals are struck.
Polly can't help but bounce with each beat, smiling at the scene before her and clapping her hands excitedly.
The Scarlet Dawn eases themselves in to the scene, and after they're settled the rest of their group begins to trickle in. First Woe and Koll enter and join the rest of the group at their table, then Shanolia finally makes an appearance.
Once everyone has settled in Perrin speaks up saying “Umm...everyone this is Dapple” Perrin points at the Tabaxi. “We found him in a wizards pocket dimension frozen in time. Dapple this is Woe, Koll, and Shanolia.” He gestures to each person respectively as he says their names. “They are our friends and also part of the Scarlet Dawn.”
"We also found his life's work! Shanolia, I found a potions box that I need your help opening and a very nice cloak for you." Singe produces the locked potions box and the cloak of elvenkind. He turns to Woe and Koll "Was it delivered?"
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
"It was delivered," replies Koll, "and there is much that we need to discuss." He eyes Dapple suspiciously, thinking that he may be a werepanther. "Are you a follower of Ymezra?" he asks him.
Dapple nods to each as he is introduced. "A pleasure to meet all of you. I owe your friends a great debt for freeing me, that I hope to be able to repay some day." At Koll's question he shrugs his shoulders. "I do not know this Ymezra you speak of, friend Koll. I only follow my clan ancestors and the Cat Lord, as do all my people."
"Thank you."Shanolia eyes the Tabaxi warily as she takes the cloak from Singe, draping it over her shoulder. Next, she takes the box and sets it before her on the table, pulling her multi-tool from her pocket and making swift work of the lock. "Child's Play." She gloats in Abyssal, a soft chuckle escaping the otherwise emotionless Elf. The box clicks open, and she spins it around to reveal four potions marked in an unfamiliar language.
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
"Ymezra was the buyer," Koll explains to the others. "It seems that she is a werepanther, as were her followers. I thought you were such a creature, Dapple, but now that I look closely you are some other kind of cat-like person. My apologies. I have never encountered any of your kind before. Or werepanthers, for that matter. Chult is a very strange place."
Koll then goes on to describe to everyone what happened at the Goldenthrone, their meeting with Ymezra, the drugs and his psychic battle with the werepanther. "This drug is very powerful. In that realm, distances do not matter - Woe saw someone she knows from Baldur's Gate. And there you are either a master or a slave, and what happens there, affects you here. Woe thinks it's possible that I may have somehow contracted lycanthropy when Ymezra bit me." He looks to Perrin. "I hope you can help me find out."
"We haven't quite felt anything yet, but the drug is probably very addictive and there may be withdrawal symptoms." He gives Woe a concerned look.
“I don’t know I’ve never tried it.” Perrin says before thinking for a second. “Here, let me try something. I’ll be able to tell tomorrow for sure if you have something but I think this might help.” Perrin then goes over to Koll and uses Lay on Hands and dumps 5 Points in to cure any disease he might have.
"I have never encountered one, but there were tales among my clan of the skinchangers. They were not seen in a positive light. I do not blame you for your caution." Dapple listens to Koll and Woe's tale with interest. "The shamans of my people used various herbs to alter their conscious and seek a closeness to the spirits, but drug you describe seems far more... consuming. It does not sound a good thing. If this Ymezra is a werepanther as you suspect, it seems wisest to avoid meeting her again."
Zamar extends his hand to Zindar. "You have my thanks as well. It has only been a short time, but I have grown fond of your niece. I am glad to see that she will be safe now. We are staying at the Thundering Lizard for the next day if you need witness against these men. We of the Scarlet Dawn are adventurers, but we are honorable ones." He pauses, contemplating some of their deeds. "Well, at least we try to be. We are at your service whenever we are in town."
Zamar Zahuv - Level 4 Aasimar Bard in Whispers of Dissent
Golos - Level 1 Halfling Barbarian in Night's Dark Terror
Jerrok Flametongue - Level 6 Human Barbarian in Zendikar - Whispers of the Aeons
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“That’s great. If we’re all settled here then we should make our way to the Thundering Lizard. We don’t want to keep Woe and the others waiting do we. I’d also like to check out the market place for some cherries.”
Perrin says eager to feed the tabaxi something he’s never had before.
Dapple has little to add to the testimony offered by the members of the Scarlet Dawn, having been still under the effects of the stasis while the entire encounter had taken place. As Zindar's gaze lingers on him while discussing the ownership of the pocket dimension's contents he frowns. When the half-dragon's attention returns to him, he speaks up. "Do I misunderstand your meaning? You seem to be implying I might be considered someone's property, having been discovered trapped inside that place? Are my people enslaved in this city? I've seen others who are seemingly freely walking the streets outside."
Team - scary revelations
“He’s talking about all the gems and other cool stuff we found. Nobody would consider you a slave,” Lera messaged Dapple. “Oh shite, I forgot you’ve never seen me do this. It’s me, Lera, the one who gave you cinnamon rolls. You can whisper back if you want to talk to me, and nobody else will hear you.”
”Would anyone else like a cinnamon roll for the road before we head to the inn?” Lera offered the open box to everyone gathered.
PBP: DM of Titans of Tomorrow
PBP: Lera Zahuv in Whispers of Dissent
PBP: Evaine Brae in Innistrad: Dark Ascension
PBP: Cor'avin in Tomb of Annihilation
As Lera's voice pops into his head, Dapple jumps, startled. Eyes wide, he turns to catch her eye, then relaxes again, but clearly embarrassed at his reaction. "That is rather surprising if you are unused to it, but seems rather handy, I must admit. As to goody, I'm not so sure. Did you see the way he looked right at me as he said that?"
He also is not shy about helping himself to another cinnamon bun when they are offered.
Zindar shakes his head at Dapple and says, "Slavery is not permitted nor legal, no. But from the looks of it, you were the property of a wizard and that indicates there may be more to you than your new friends realize. Do you really believe this wizard, one with an Imp, would leave you frozen for hundreds of years just to look at?" He turns his attention back to the others, "I would be weary," he says to them.
He returns his focus on Singe, "Either way, you may find more information about your new friend in these texts. I will note anything I see that might be of interest and send them out. You have my word."
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"Thank you." Singe bows slightly, he plucks a roll out of Lera's outstretched box of cinnamon rolls. "Let's go meet Grasalfan at the Thundering Lizard!"
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Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
“Yes. Let’s go. And thanks for the Cinnamon Rolls but I prefer Cherry Pie, Lera.” Perrin says as he takes a cinnamon roll and takes a bite out of it.
“Well, obviously, Perrin, but I couldn’t very well buy a cherry pie that wasn’t yours,” Lera smiled, starting to walk in the direction she thought was the right way.
PBP: DM of Titans of Tomorrow
PBP: Lera Zahuv in Whispers of Dissent
PBP: Evaine Brae in Innistrad: Dark Ascension
PBP: Cor'avin in Tomb of Annihilation
Although they all split up, the Scarlet Dawn all begin making their way to the the Market Ward via the Red Bazaar. The gutters in this area are all stained red, likely due to the constant flow of dinosaur blood from the butcher's stalls in the area. This section of the Market Ward sells everything any normal person would need, such as locally produced meat, vegetables, tropical fruit, tej, light tropical clothing, insect repellent, rain catchers, and other household goods. The hawkers call out to the group as they pass, and the smell of spices and meat is stronger here than any other place in Port Nyanzaru.
The Thundering Lizard looms ahead, the beats of a drum heard within. As the group gets closer, the beat gets louder, forcing their heartbeats to beat in tune. By the time the Scarlet Dawn opens the doors, it's already late in the afternoon and the party has just gotten started. Exotic dancers weave between the tables, hips moving with each beat. The Tej flows freely here, as locals and visitors to Chult drown away their concerns. A massive pig-like dinosaur rests in the middle of the inn, occasionally turned on a spit as the chef pulls and carves bits of meat for the patrons. Between each beat of the drum, the hum of voices is heard as games are played and deals are struck.
Polly can't help but bounce with each beat, smiling at the scene before her and clapping her hands excitedly.
The Scarlet Dawn eases themselves in to the scene, and after they're settled the rest of their group begins to trickle in. First Woe and Koll enter and join the rest of the group at their table, then Shanolia finally makes an appearance.
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Once everyone has settled in Perrin speaks up saying “Umm...everyone this is Dapple” Perrin points at the Tabaxi. “We found him in a wizards pocket dimension frozen in time. Dapple this is Woe, Koll, and Shanolia.” He gestures to each person respectively as he says their names. “They are our friends and also part of the Scarlet Dawn.”
"We also found his life's work! Shanolia, I found a potions box that I need your help opening and a very nice cloak for you." Singe produces the locked potions box and the cloak of elvenkind. He turns to Woe and Koll "Was it delivered?"
Tooltips | Snippet Code | How to Homebrew on D&D Beyond | Subclass Guide | Feature Roadmap
Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
"It was delivered," replies Koll, "and there is much that we need to discuss." He eyes Dapple suspiciously, thinking that he may be a werepanther. "Are you a follower of Ymezra?" he asks him.
Dapple nods to each as he is introduced. "A pleasure to meet all of you. I owe your friends a great debt for freeing me, that I hope to be able to repay some day." At Koll's question he shrugs his shoulders. "I do not know this Ymezra you speak of, friend Koll. I only follow my clan ancestors and the Cat Lord, as do all my people."
"Thank you." Shanolia eyes the Tabaxi warily as she takes the cloak from Singe, draping it over her shoulder. Next, she takes the box and sets it before her on the table, pulling her multi-tool from her pocket and making swift work of the lock. "Child's Play." She gloats in Abyssal, a soft chuckle escaping the otherwise emotionless Elf. The box clicks open, and she spins it around to reveal four potions marked in an unfamiliar language.
Dungeon Master - LSoL
Kaori - Battlemaster Fighter 5 / Paladin 2 (Kenku) - TSR
Cherna Godhari - Grave Cleric 4 (Human) - TW
Breena Mahi'ai - Divination Wizard 8 (Halfling) - WoE
Sharyn Savonath - Open Sea Paladin 4 (Triton) - PoPI
Zephyr - Four Elements (Revised) Monk 4 (Air Genasi) - IO
Takeshi - Mercy Monk 6 (Protector Aasimar) - TBW
Avrui Sirsash - Genie Warlock 2 (Wildhunt Shifter) - WotBS
"Thank you," Singe takes the box from Shanolia, "Let's see what these say..."
He mutters arcane phrases for the next ten minutes. The group watches him intently for one minute before the conversation moves on.
Tooltips | Snippet Code | How to Homebrew on D&D Beyond | Subclass Guide | Feature Roadmap
Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
"Ymezra was the buyer," Koll explains to the others. "It seems that she is a werepanther, as were her followers. I thought you were such a creature, Dapple, but now that I look closely you are some other kind of cat-like person. My apologies. I have never encountered any of your kind before. Or werepanthers, for that matter. Chult is a very strange place."
Koll then goes on to describe to everyone what happened at the Goldenthrone, their meeting with Ymezra, the drugs and his psychic battle with the werepanther. "This drug is very powerful. In that realm, distances do not matter - Woe saw someone she knows from Baldur's Gate. And there you are either a master or a slave, and what happens there, affects you here. Woe thinks it's possible that I may have somehow contracted lycanthropy when Ymezra bit me." He looks to Perrin. "I hope you can help me find out."
"We haven't quite felt anything yet, but the drug is probably very addictive and there may be withdrawal symptoms." He gives Woe a concerned look.
“I don’t know I’ve never tried it.” Perrin says before thinking for a second. “Here, let me try something. I’ll be able to tell tomorrow for sure if you have something but I think this might help.” Perrin then goes over to Koll and uses Lay on Hands and dumps 5 Points in to cure any disease he might have.
"I have never encountered one, but there were tales among my clan of the skinchangers. They were not seen in a positive light. I do not blame you for your caution." Dapple listens to Koll and Woe's tale with interest. "The shamans of my people used various herbs to alter their conscious and seek a closeness to the spirits, but drug you describe seems far more... consuming. It does not sound a good thing. If this Ymezra is a werepanther as you suspect, it seems wisest to avoid meeting her again."