Woe holds her head in between her hands. She is not feeling too well. When introductions start, she glances quickly at the catlike person. "Hi, Dapple." Then she turns away again.
After a while listening to the conversation and watching how they opened the box with the potions, she excuses herself and gets up from the table. She approaches the bar.
"I would like to get a room, please. Also, can you please give me a bottle of the strongest alcoholic drink that you have? What would that be? I'll be able to pay you in an hour. I just need some privacy to get my affairs in order."
Koll followed Woe to the bar. She jumps as he addresses her: "Are you ok?" Then: "The doses that you bought - I think it was a good idea for us to have some, in case we need to confront someone in the mind realm, but I'm not sure it is a good idea for you to have them. You did succumb to its effects and I think the temptation for you to use it again might be too much. For me too, perhaps. Maybe you could entrust them to another of the party? Perrin, perhaps. For safe keeping is all."
The bartender returns from looking into the books: "It's 5sp per room. And there's only two rooms left. And Tej is 4cp."
Woe nods to her and takes one room and a pint of Tej. Then she turns back to Koll, making sure neither the bartender nor the other patrons are able to listen in to their conversation. "I think you're right. I don't know Perrin very well, we haven't really spoken yet. But I trust Zamar. I can ask him to take care of the drugs for now. Also, they seem to have only two rooms left. I was thinking we should go upstairs and count the money. To be honest, I spent my last cent on the drugs" Woe thinks for a moment: "Actually, Koll, if you could lend me a couple of GPs, then I could pay for the room and the drink right now?"
Koll whispers back to Woe: "How much did you pay for the Thraul?" She replies: "Not that much, but I had only 23GP on me for the 4 portions. He wanted 40... " Koll simply replies: "Then here is 12gp and we'll call it even." "You're paying half of it? You didn't need to!! But thank you!"
With the money Woe pays for the room and the bottle of Tej. Koll pays for the second room. Then, before leaving the bar, Woe looks around. She is trying to see if she knows anyone (specifically Captain Segred or Lady Evelyn) [perception 9]. But Woe's headaches are strong. And the Inn is loud. She just wants some quiet. "Should we go count the money? Then we can come back and tell the others about the Thraul."
It isn't until late in the afternoon that Grasalfan finally enters, his smile wide as he makes his way past the dancers to the Scarlet Dawn's table. "How Exciting!" He beams. "This place is far more impressive than I thought it would be." He finds himself at breast level to a dancer as she wiggles her way past the table, delivering tej to the table next to yours. "The flying machine was unloaded successfully!" He adds, his voice drowned out by the occasional drum. "We should be set to leave at noon tomorrow!"
He coughs upon seeing Dapple. "I see you've made friends with a local!" His smile widens at the sight of the tabaxi.
"Actually, he is a... contractor working with the Scarlet Dawn. His situation is unusual, but it seems to be agreed upon that once we see Lord Viscardi next he will become a full member of the group. Also, have you arranged a room for us here or should we find our own lodging?"
"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
“That reminds me if you’ll excuse me I’m going to go secure a room for myself; I have a friend coming over later.” Perrin says before leaving the table and going towards the barkeep to inquire about a room.
After a while of counting the gold pieces, they reach an exact total of 2000GP. "It's all here. Koll, do you want to split the money? I could carry half the amount for safekeeping if you wanted? In any case, I can come with you to change the coins into more portable valuables tomorrow morning." Realising how heavy the coins are she asks Koll: "Oh, also, I have some torches that I don't need, you see, as half-elf I do have dark vision. Do you want to have them? Otherwise I am carrying too many things around!!"
Koll replies: "Well I suppose, I did take some torches out of my pack to make room for the contraband. Sure we can split the money but I don't mind carrrying the weight. Also,I think we'd be safer to have some of the others come with us."
"Here." Woe hands Koll 10 torches. "Also, have some Tej!" Woe finds two glasses and shares the drink she just bought. glug, glug! Aahhh! Koll suggests: "Don't put all your eggs in one basket, they say. So yes, we'll split the load." Then he gets up to join the others.
Woe stops Koll from leaving the room. "There is something else I wanted to talk to you about..."
"What do you think about having Polly with us as an adventurer?" Woe is silent for a moment. Then she continues: "I have been able to make contact with Baldur's Gate. I know a captain here who would be able to take her back tomorrow morning."
Koll pulls a face. "I was hoping to stay out of that discussion. I know Lera has strong feelings on the matter. I do think Polly is a remarkably resourceful little girl, and she will have all of us watching over her. Nor do I feel any particular loyalty to Viscardi. But at the same time she is only six and who knows what dangers we will face. I will back you if it comes to a vote."
Then he adds: "You mean on the Memory? If you feel comfortable sending her back in the company of those salts..."
"To be honest, any sea journey would include the company of sailors. I was hoping I could speak with Lady Evelyn, the wife of the dead diplomat, to find out if she was planning to return to Baldur's Gate soon. I do trust the captain of 'The Memory'. I am expecting to see him in the Inn tonight. Maybe I can find out more. Thank you for your support. Please know that I am not taking this decision lightly."
As they exit the room to return to the others, Woe sees Captain Segred exiting a room ahead of theirs, a dancer in each arm as he makes his ways downstairs.
She calls out to him "Captain! How are you? Did 'The Memory' arrive here before the storm?" "Ah! M'lady," he says, gesturing for the dancers to continue the trek downstairs alone. "I was wondering if you'd made it. Aye, we beat the storm," he responds. "I see you're enjoying your stop-over. When are you leaving back to Baldur's Gate?" "The morrow, of course," he replies. "And I've been told you have a package for me." Woe becomes suspicious: "Who told you that?" "A little bird, if you will believe it. But I have seen stranger ways to send messages," he says. Woe tries to figure out what his motives are. She doesn't believe he has any reason to lie (rolled 5 insight). She still tries to probe more however. "Please tell me more about your little bird, I feel very uneasy about the whole situation."
"Lets just say that I've been given the task of delivering your package to the Lord Eltan. There did not seem to be much choice in this matter if I am to continue doing business with him." He approaches to keep the conversation private. "So do you have this package?" He asks. Meanwhile, Koll is eavesdropping (rolled 8 insight).
"To Lord Eltan, you say? That is your specific mission?" Woe considers her approach. "I don't have the package with me at the moment. I'll get back to you tomorrow morning."
"Very good," he says. "I will meet you downstairs in the morning." Woe waves quickly at the captain while he descends the stairs, then turns back to Koll. "I didn't know he has been contacted. This makes the situation more difficult. What do you think of him?"
As the night grows late, and Shanolia begins to consider retiring for the night, she spots Sana, the Chultan woman who gave her her very first massage: one she’ll never forget. Sana spots her, but lingers near the door of the tavern. Shanolia leaves the table, walking towards the masseuse.
“Ello, dere,”she says as Shanolia approaches.“Ya didn’t tell me which inn ya were in. I’m glad I caught ya here!”
"I was just thinking the same thing,"Shanolia responds, awkwardly shifting from one foot to the other."I was just so embarrassed that I wanted to get out as soon as possible."
"Ya was cute, runnin' away like dat!" Sana giggles, while Shanolia’s blush creeps up over the edge of her mask.
"R- Really?"Sana nods, also shifting awkwardly.
“Ya intrigued me."
"How so? Wasn't I just another customer with a big mouth?" Sana laughs.
"Most of my customers try ta grab my ass. Ya seemed truly int'rested in me."
"I am, though my way of showing it may seem a bit off. I'm not really that good with other people, unfortunately."She pauses for a moment. "I was afraid I truly messed up earlier, it's a relief to see you again."
Sana smiled and stepped a little closer. "I'd like ta get ta know ya."
"I am an open book; any questions you have will be answered."Shanolia responds nervously, afraid to go too far.
"D'ya have a room here? Somewhere private we can talk?"
"We've yet to secure a room, though I doubt it will be too expensive. Shall I buy one for us?"
"It would be nice," Sana said, blushing.
Shanolia walks over to the barkeep and asks if there are any vacant rooms, but she’s informed that the last two vacancies were just bought out for the night.
“Damn,”Shanolia curses in Abyssal, walking back towards Sana before overhearing Grasalfan mentioning that he secured four rooms for their group. An idea clicks in her head, and she walks over towards him. "Is there any way a friend and I could secure one of those rooms for ourselves? It seems all others were recently bought out."
"Oh! Yes, of course, my dear!"Grasalfan glances around her at Sana and smiles."Have yourself a good night!"
Shanolia winks at Grasalfan."Might I ask which room we are referring to? So we are not... disturbed."
"Oh, quite right!"He thinks for a moment, before fishing through his pocket and handing the Elf a key."Why don't you take the room at the top of the stairs, first on the right. Don't forget, we're leaving in the afternoon!"
"I will not forget."She turns and walks over to Sana, holding the key so she can see it."Shall we go?"
Sana nods."Lead da way!"Shanolia timidly offers her hand to Sana, leading her to their room so they could 'get to know each other better'.
Once they're finished, Shanolia cuddles the Chultan woman, deciding not to risk waking her climbing out of bed to meditate. For the first time in over a century, she allows sleep to overtake her.
^-^
Late in the night her sleep is disturbed. She finds herself in complete darkness, surrounded by her brothers and sisters. They number in the billions, all confined to this small cloister they’ve learned to call home. One of the siblings screams as she’s assaulted by her brother. Others join in, eventually tearing her limbs from her body and devouring her. Shanolia feels a strong urge to join in, as only one sibling is allowed to survive and they’ve all been left to starve. Immediately, the cloister is a thing of chaos as brothers and sisters begin killing and devouring each other.
^-^
Shanolia awakens with a start, struggling through her mask to gasp for breath. Sana rolls over, mutters something unintelligible, then goes back to sleep, leaving Shanolia to cuddle her again and slip back into a dreamless sleep for the rest of the night.
After having some dinner and ensuring that Polly is suitably entertained, but not inappropriately so, though he is starting to wonder what is inappropriate for a six-year old who slays monsters, Zamar approaches Grasalfan about the rooms. "Would it be possible for me to take a room for Polly, Lera, and myself? I think it best if the child gets some rest. It has been quite a stimulating day for her."
They get a room and head upstairs. Once settled in, Zamar and Lera tell Polly a bedtime story and watch over her until she falls asleep. It is then that they discuss what is to come.
"We'll give you one room, and everyone else has wandered off so Dapple and I will take the final room." Singe says. Once in the room, Singe gestures to the bed, "Yours." Singe unrolls his bedroll and sits on it, scribbling in his spellbook; ships are not good places to improve ones magic.
Ending a phrase he nods, "This should work." He then falls promptly asleep.
"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
"We're all out of rooms, I'm afraid," the barkeep tells you. "But... yes... you look like the halfling that the Flaming Fist described. He told me to give you a key when you got in." He points at a room upstairs at the end of the hall. "Guess that one is yours," he says.
“Oh. I guess he beat me here. Thanks. Also, I have to ask for the future. Is it always this busy here?” Perrin inquires.
"Sure is!" He says. "We're a favorite to visitors, adventurers, and crew."
“Okay, thanks again.” Perrin takes the key says good night to his friends and then makes his way to the room.
Fist Talle is waiting for Perrin in the room, his clothing all bundled up in a corner. Unfortunately, it looks like he has already dozed off. At the sound of your entrance, he stirs.
Perrin will take off his armor and such and then join him in bed and whisper “I’m sorry I’m late. You won’t believe what happened.”
"Tell me," he says, pulling you closer.
Perrin and Frank spend the night together. Perrin telling Frank all about his adventures at the wizard dimension and them getting intimate for the last time before they go their separate ways for a while.
“Ow…” Frank says, waking you from your slumber the next morning. “Stop poking me with that thing.” You wake, not holding the warm body of Fist Talle, but that of the cold steel of your shortsword. There’s a sense of rightness about it. A bond that seems to have grown throughout the night. The sword is important, and so are you. You have the feeling that something major will be happening soon, and that this shortsword is the only thing that will save you and your companions in the future. You’re not sure how it found itself in your bed last night, but you’re positive it is exactly where it should be.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know how it got here. I found it in that wizards dimension. I think it might be magic of some kind. I feel like it’ll save me one day soon.” Perrin apologizes to him.
"A magic sword?" He asks. "Does it have a name? All magic swords should have a name." He lies across from you looking at you and the sword. "The pommel almost looks like a face, doesn't it?"
“Does it, I never noticed. As for a name, I don’t know if it has one but back home I served as a town guard for a little bit. There they taught you to keep your weapons clean and in good conditions because they might be what saves you from an Orc. In order to remind you to take care of your weapons they had you name them. Back then I named my sword after my family farm but I’ll name this one after you. So that way I’ll always take care of it.” Perrin says without really thinking about what he’s saying or how cheesy it sounds.
"Meet Frank," Frank smiles. "Slayer of demons and decapitator of heads." He laughs a bit at the sound of it. The cold steel seems to warm at the mention of slaying demons.
“Let’s just stick with slayer of demons. So do you have to go right away or can we stay here a little longer.” Perrin says setting the sword down beside the bed.
"A little long sounds good." He pulls you close once the sword is no longer between you two.
Once they have to leave Perrin will promise to meet Frank back up at Baldurs Gate and hopes Frank picked up on his little hint he dropped by naming his new sword after him. Perrin also makes a mental note to ask Singe if he has ever heard of a sword heating up at the mention of slaying demons. He also gives his sword a curious smell, using his divine sense, and he picks up no sense of celestial, fiend, or undead from it. However, Perrin gets the idea that it might be probing and trying to figure him out, which is the same that Perrin is doing to the sword. Not really knowing what else to do about it he just sheaths it and continues downstairs to hopefully see the others.
The rest of the evening was a blur, but eventually Lera found herself a moment of quiet in the room. Polly had fallen asleep not long ago, leaving her to have a private conversation with her father.
"Lera, now that she is asleep, we need to talk about Polly. I know Lord Viscardi wants her sent back, but am concerned that there is not a safe way to do it that does not involve us abandoning our mission here," Zamar said softly, sitting across from her on the bed she had claimed.
“I refuse to send her back," Lera hissed stubbornly. "You and I both know that she will try to return to us, which will be more dangerous. Besides, we’ve seen Mr. Drippy in action in combat.”
"I know. But if Lord Viscardi commands it, then what?" Why did her dad always have to be the damn voice of reason? "And if the rest of the group takes a vote and decides to send her back, how do we respond? I refuse to send her back if I do not believe the way is safe. But would you sacrifice your dreams of adventure to escort her home?"
“I would sooner smuggle her in my suitcase," the teenager replied, unwilling to admit that defeat may come. Knowing, however, that her father wouldn't accept that as an answer, she softened slightly. "But, if it came to it, yes.” The revelation came with a flood of emotions. She had been looking forward to this adventure her whole life. She had long dreamed that she would be able to go somewhere as exciting and exotic as Chult, and to give that up would be the hardest thing she would ever do. But to abandon Polly and endanger her safety? That would be far worse.
"Ok. So our plan is that if they insist on sending her away, we go with her and tell her we are going on our own adventure?" Zamar said slowly, as if giving her time to feel the full weight of her choices.
“I guess. To me, that is the only option," she sighed. Lera couldn't accept defeat though, not yet. She gave her father a smile. "But, I think I can insist harder.”
Zamar chuckled a little. He had been dealing with Lera's methods of insistence for seventeen years. "All right then. I cannot promise that I will support you no matter what you say. But I will consider your words." He smiles. "How badly will I be punished if I go against you?"
Lera considered her options for a few moments. "Not worse than the snakes-in-the-bed-for-a-month incident.”
Since Grasalfan had provided rooms for the group, Koll ends up alone in the room he had rented. He is grateful for some solitude. Even though he can enjoy the comfort of the bed, he prefers to sleep on the floor. During the night Koll's dreams are vivid, lifelike, yet surreal. In front of him stands Ymezra in a hybrid panther form. Her grin is somewhat unnerving as she says, "We are not finished, broken one." Looking down, Koll sees his hands are that of claws with jet-black fur. She lunges forward to attack. The battle continues throughout the night and blows are exchanged by both. Ymezra manipulates the environment as they fight, attacking through pitch black in a way that Koll has only ever seen his mentor, Eeneko, fight. Her movement is similar and it's only a matter of time before Koll is able to mimic her and fight the way she does. In the end, they both stand bloodied and battered, but her grin remains. “I knew there was more to you than you let on,” she says, fading into the darkness.
Koll wakes early the next morning, his stomach wracked in pain and his head pounding. His mind tells him that everything around him is still an unreal dream, but he's able to push that feeling away as he commences his meditations and exercises. He senses within himself an urge to return to the dream-world that only the drug Thraul provides. He spends an hour of meditation in front of a flickering candle, withstanding the pain of its heat burning his outstretched arms, in order to banish his base desires. He still feels, though, the presence of a panther stalking in his thoughts, and he resigns himself to an uneasy alliance with it. It is a spiritual guide, showing him his way forward. He looks at his hands and still sees an ethereal afterimage of claws on his fingers, which do not go away. He feels even more in tune with his ki, filled with a sense of greater awareness and a stronger affinity for the shadows. Ymezra tested him and left her mark.
It is then that he thinks of Woe. How is she dealing with the withdrawal? He leaves his room quickly to go find her and see how she's doing.
When Koll and Woe return downstairs, the Scarlet Dawn seems to have retired into their rooms. Woe enquires at the bar about the tall, good-looking singer with the long hair, who was travelling with his beautiful daughter and a 6 year old child and is promptly pointed towards his room. Woe knocks quietly at Zamar's door. "Zamar, it's me."
Zamar answers the door. "Ah, Woe. Are you all right? You look a bit pale." "Can I talk to you out here for a moment?"
"Of course." He turns back for a moment. "Lera, I'll be right back." He steps into the hall and closes the door.
Woe looks around to make sure no one is listening in. Even though she cannot see anyone, she still whispers to Zamar: "Koll's handover of the 'spice' - and us ending up having to try it - was shocking and confusing, but also interesting and mind-altering! Even though I had to give up all control of my mind, I loved being there. My mind could fly as far as Baldur's Gate!" Woe still marvels at her experience.
"Baldur's Gate! That's astounding. That sounds incredibly powerful." He pauses. "I sense a 'but' though."
"Not a real 'but', more a confession." Woe takes a deep breath. "As soon as I dropped out, and I saw one of the men packing away the bricks. Koll and Ymezra were still under the influence. I approached the man and I bought 4 doses of the drug. I am sure, one day we will be able to use it to do good! But right now, I am afraid I cannot keep it in my possession. Koll and I have both been fighting with our inner demons, our minds are trying to go back to that phantasy. Would you please keep it safe for us? I trust you. But make sure neither Lera or Polly get it in their hands. It would be a disaster if they went in without knowing what was happening! ..... The more I think about it, maybe it is not safe in your room. What are your thoughts?"
"I can keep it safe. Polly is asleep and is generally more interested in adventures than snooping. And Lera only really wants to do things if they are forbidden. I just won't tell her."
Woe hands over an envelope with 4 small wrapped paper parcels. "Thank you, again, Zamar. Please be careful with it!" Woe puts her hand on Zamar's, who is holding the envelope. Then she locks eyes with him for a moment.
"I will." He smiles at her and squeezes her hand. "Good night." Woe smiles back.
Zamar watches her leave, slips the envelope into his tunic, and goes back into his room.
Then Woe retires into her room. She feels uncomfortable. Somehow, she would have liked some company tonight. Her headache is pounding, but she tries to sleep. She wakes and tosses frequently. With a feeling of foreboding. And when she wakes up the next morning, Woe has cramps in her abdomen and the head is still pounding. She can feel how her brain is trying to return to the dream-land that Thraul provided, but it can't. She feels a strong urge to take Thraul and she is very happy that she handed it to Zamar the night before. But somehow she also realises, that she is able to resist, that she has control over the 'want'.
She wakes early and gets ready for the trip. Just as she leaves her room, she bumps into Koll, who looks concerned. "How are you feeling this morning?" Woe looks at him "I had a rough night, I woke often. And I have some physical pain in my stomach and my head. It feels like the drug is calling me back. But I can resist, I finally feel in control." Then she turns. "Is everybody else awake? I would like to call a group meeting. Let's go downstairs. We need to make a decision about Polly's return."
At Singe's offer, Dapple follows the wizard to the room that's been offered, and when he insists, sets aside his belongings and climbs onto bed. Before doing so, he pulls out the gloves that were found with him in the wizards stash. He recognizes them as a pair once worn by the chief of his clan and wonders how thry came to be here. Putting them on, he sits back and tries to settle his mind and make sense of all that's occurred. Mind drifting, he half watches the wizard go about his studies.
When Singe finishes, Dapple is no closer to sleep. "The bed is your if you desire, I'll get no use of it tonight, I don't expect. I'm going for a walk to clear my head." The tabaxi plucks his pack from the floor, slinging it over his shoulder, and grabs his sword-belt as well before slipping from the room and finding his way back out yo the street...
Outside in the street, Dapple looked up into the night sky. Seeing the familiar stars overhead at least made him feel a bit more grounded amid the confusion that whirled in his brain. This strange city around him, so many people - it was so far removed from what he remembered as if it was yesterday that he still almost believed he had to be dreaming it all. He looked up and down the street, trying to decide what to do next. Somehow, he needed to find out if his clan still existed, somehow, somewhere. He moved off down the street, seeking out any others of his kind. He’d seen a handful earlier, and with patience, he was eventually successful. Time after time, as he questioned them, not a single tabaxi had heard of the Misty Glade, and Dapple finally gave up, feeling in his heart that he had his answer, as painful as it was. NO, he thought, I can’t give up so easily. His village had been situated only a few hours journey from where the harbor fort had been situated in his own time. There was only one way to be sure. He stopped, considering the people who’d freed him, but rather than waste more time going back to the inn, he decided to get it over with. He’d be back sometime in the morning - they wouldn’t really miss him before then, and if his people were still out there, he wouldn’t be back anyway and they’d move on without him.
Using the stars to guide him, the young ranger slipped out of the city and off into the dense Chultan jungle, almost immediately feeling much more at home. Periodically, he scaled the bole of a large tree to get a clear glance at the stars so as not to lose his way. The sounds of the night surrounded him and Dapple made good time. After a few hours travel, he began to recognize other landmarks and recognized that he’d crossed into his clan territory. Hoping against hope, he pushed on to where his village stood.
Dapple stood, silent and all but invisible in the night, sadness and loss weighing on his soul. He knew he stood in the right spot, and there were even the remains of a building here or there, but where once his home had stood there was now nothing but jungle, overgrown and wild. It was obvious that no one had lived here for generations. It was all gone. He searched around, taking time to locate what he believed was the exact spot is own family’s house had stood, seeking for anything that might remain, but there was nothing. He even located the hearthstones, now cold and moss-covered, and with some digging, was able to find and remove a stone that had once covered a small cache of family wealth. It too was empty - either when the clan had left, or long-since ransacked and plundered. Dejected, he slumped down onto the ground and let tears flow as he grieved for the loss of family and friends he’d not been able to say goodbye to, who had no idea what had happened to him either. To him, they had been here just yesterday. TO them, he was just gone - spirited away without a trace. Finally, the rising sun began to tint the eastern horizon and he shook himself from his grief. It would accomplish nothing to sit here in the jungle and he had to get back. He began to retrace his path through the jungle.
Silence. He’d slipped into his thoughts again, but the lack of normal jungle noises penetrated his subconscious and alerted him to something wrong. Dapple stopped where he stood, listening. No birds, no sound of the small creatures normally scurrying through the mouldering vegetation littering the jungle floor. He tapped into his connection to the jungle around him, reaching out with all his senses to find what was wrong. Finally it came to him - he could sense the wrongness of something ahead. Silently drawing his rapier from it’s sheath, he crept onwards, blending unseen and unheard into the shadows. It wasn’t long before he found them, 5 shambling, rotting figures moving through the trees. He could smell them long before he saw or heard them. Normally, he might have avoided them completely rather than take a risk while alone as he was now, but after the pain of the night’s revelations, he didn’t care - the warrior in him only wanted to kill and visit the same pain he felt upon something else. Creeping closer, he approached, a deadly shadow and burst from hiding into the midst of the zombie pack. Darting, stabbing, slicing - he moved and fought, making no more noise than the dead he fought. He was reckless at times, their claw-like fingers and weapons catching on his armor, or narrowly missing him, one or two of their attacks even finding their way past his defenses. When it was over, Dapple stood victorious, now-inanimate corpses laid out on the jungle floor around him. He stood panting, blood trickling from an assortment of minor wounds, but nonetheless, he stood and they did not. He bellowed his victory to the sky, challenging, but nothing more emerged to face him. So be it, he thought - time to go, then. Cleaning it carefully, he resheathed his weapon and resumed his journey.
Morning comes, and eventually everyone finds themselves waking and begin to prepare for the day. Individuals, couples, and groups file their way downstairs where they find the barkeep and server ready for morning customers. Grasalfan is already sitting at a table, eating a hearty breakfast. Sun shines through the windows, and looking outside, it looks like it's going to be a beautiful day. As Woe steps down the stairs, she can see Captain Segred waiting for her, and he motions her over.
Perrin comes down fairly late. Attempting to spend as much time as possible with Fist Talle. He’ll then eat a healthy big breakfast and is ready to travel when the others are.
It was mid-morning before Dapple made it back to the city, no other trouble having slowed his journey. He made his way through the growing crowds, oblivious to the looks his bloodied appearance brought. At last finding his way back to the inn, he pushes his way though the door to find the group still gathered over the remains of their morning meal. "They are all gone," he says in a quite voice. "I am the last."
Once Shanolia begins to hear the bustle of others outside of the room, she climbs out of bed and begins preparing for the journey; donning her clothes and armour, checking her pack to insure she has everything she needs, and buckling her weapon belt around her waist. When she is sure everything is in it's proper place, she reaches for the knob on the door - stopping just short of grabbing it - before turning back to look at Sana's still-sleeping form.
'I suppose I shouldn't just disappear. She doesn't even know my name.' With a sigh, she crosses the room once more and leans down to lightly shake her awake. Sana rolls over, blinking against the sun filtering through the window. When she sees Shanolia, she smiles.
"Mornin! Ya dressed?"
"Morning. I, uh..."She pauses for a moment, unsure if she should mention that she was just going to disappear."Yeah. My group and I are going to be setting off soon, 'twas only supposed to be a quick stop. I wanted to say goodbye."Sana looks the Elf up and down, then sighs.
"I unda'stand."She sits and begins to locate her clothing. Shanolia sits down on the bed beside her, taking a deep breath and swallowing a lump in her throat.
"Shanolia."The Elf nearly whispers her name, barely loud enough for Sana to catch it. Sana pauses, seemingly deep in thought. Finally, she turns to Shanolia and smiles, putting a hand to her face, touching the fabric of the mask.
"People, dey come an go here. Dats life. Nice ta meet ya, Shanolia."Shanolia backs away from her hand at first, before relaxing and letting Sana touch her mask. Slowly, she pulls out a scrap of paper from her pack and jots down the address of the guild house. She folds the paper in half and holds it out to Sana.
"I know it's quite a bit away, but if you're ever in the neighbourhood..."
Sana backs away from the paper."Nev'r been out of da Port,"she says, then hesitantly takes it."Maybe some day."
"I can always come back to Chult after this job. We're supposed to be getting a flying machine for payment..."She looks away and mutters to herself;"If we survive, that is."
"I... tink we should admit what dis is. A fleeting moment."She reached to touch Shanolia, then pulled back."A nice moment, fa sure. I'm grateful for it."She opened her mouth to continue and closed it."I'm sorry, let me start ova."This time, she placed her hand on the Elf's."Please, stay safe. I'd like ta see ya again."
"Where can I find you? When I'm in the Port next, I mean. If for nothing else, then to let you know I'm still safe."
"Da same place ya found me b'fore."A few minutes of silence go by, before Shanolia stands and lets out a small sigh.
"I should go. Any longer, and I may end up staying in Chult forever."She gives a lighthearted chuckle, though her sorrow is evident.
"Na, ya a traveler."Sana also stands."Do ya travelin' and stay safe."They walk together to the door."I'm happy ta have met ya, Shanolia." She hugs Sana one final time.
"I'm glad I met you. Of all the places I've traveled, Port Nyanzaru is by far the nicest. Maybe I'll find a place here to settle down, once my business is sorted."Sana hugs her back, then leads her down the stairs, where they see the other Scarlet Dawn members beginning to gather.
"Be safe,"she says, giving Shanolia's hand one last squeeze. She opens the outside door, and smiles up at the sky."It's gonna be a good day."Then the door closes, and she's gone, off into the now bustling streets of Port Nyanzaru.
Shanolia watches her leave from the base of the stairs, out of sight of the rest of the Scarlet Dawn. Once the door closes, she makes sure her hood is up to hide her hair and her mask is tied to hide her face before going over and sitting with the rest of the Scarlet Dawn that is currently present, watching them eat and remaining completely silent. In an effort to drown out the unfamiliar emotion filling her head, Shanolia lets her mind drift back to her dream, trying to piece together what it could mean with a sorrowful look in her eyes as everyone enjoys their meal.
"Polly, I've been meaning to teach you a little magic." Singe says through mouthfuls of breakfast.
Polly looks up from her breakfast excitedly. "Really?"
Start her with fire bolt! Lera messaged Singe. Or don’t. Actually, now that I think about it, I could have saved my dad a lot of pain and eyebrows if that wasn’t the first spell I knew. On second thought, don’t teach her fire bolt.
"Yes, when do you want to start?"
"Can we start now?" Polly asked, bouncing in her seat. "What kind of magic are you going to teach me? Will I be able to shoot fireballs?"
Singe smiles, with a look of fear in his eyes, "Not yet, not even I can do that. But beginning magic is a dangerous business, let's go away from the tables."
Polly nods, a serious look on her face. "Okay!" Turning to Lera, she says, "I want a cinnamon roll when I'm done!"
As he walks away from the table, Singe looks at Woe and Zamar and messages back to Lera, Is Polly coming with? Decide. Now.
"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
When Woe is coming down the stairs, she sees the captain. She goes over to him.
He stands when she approaches. "I would like to get this done as soon as possible. Losing a contract with Lord Eltan would be a bad thing."
Woe is still wary: "What exactly did he tell you? Did he make a threat? Did he say what you are to do if I don't give you the package?"
"He just said that if I am ever to do business with the house, I need to make this delivery a priority," He responds. "I don't plan on failing in this. Do you have it?"
"Do you know what the delivery is?" Woe asks him.
He shakes his head. "I imagine it's important," he says.
[1d20+1 #insight to see how far he would go to get the parcel and if he can be trusted to take care of Polly = (15)+1 = 16]
Woe listens very carefully to try and pick out any lies, and if Captain Segred can be trusted with Polly. "It is a person. A child to be exact. Can you swear to me that she will be safe on your ship? Safe from your men?"
"Aye," he says. "She'll be safe." His expression changes partially when he learns that the package is a person, but you get the feeling all he wants to do is get this done with as soon as he can. "She'll be at my side at all times."
"Will you have any other passengers on board for this trip?" Woe is still torn.
"No," he responds. "We're not typically a transport ship. But The Memory is fast. One of the fastest I've ever been in."
Woe enquires: "How long for you to get to Baldur's Gate?""Five days," the Captain says.
"I have to speak with my group. Please give me some time."
"Woe," he says before you leave. "This is important. A contract from Lord Eltan would put The Memory is a class of ships that Chult has never seen. We need this."
Woe sighs. "Captain, we are in the same boat, so to speak. If I don't send the girl with you, I will lose my connections with Lord Eltan as well, it might destroy my livelihood. But this girl's safety is paramount. I will be back with my decision."
“Okay, he bought us some time. How do we handle this?” says Zamar after Polly and Singe leave the table.
"It isn't a choice," Lera said softly. "She has to come. We need to be able to take care of her, mentally and physically. Consequences be damned."
"I'm worried about her traveling without us or Whistler. I'd rather not let her out of our sights so, I guess she comes with us." Perrin says not really knowing of another solution.
Lera messenged Singe quietly. Hey, real quick, do you have a vote?
Yeah, don't have her die. Also, I taught her my one non-flame based cantrip, If you could finish up, please? he replies.
Super helpful. Is Lera comeback.
"So, everybody. I have just spoken to the captain of The Memory. He has also been contacted by the Patriars of Baldur's Gate to bring Polly home. He is absolutely trustworthy. If something would happen to her, he would lose everything, his contacts, his livelihood. He is going to protect her. This is our chance. Polly needs to be with her family. Even if she doesn't see it that it is best for her. And to be honest, I am a bit wary of the flying machine.... this is getting much more dangerous than just a boat trip!!" Woe says trying to explain her side of things.
"She's going to try and ditch him as soon as she can," Lera objected. "Polly has already smuggled herself away on one ship, you can be sure she'll do it again. Also, if we make her feel like she is being abandoned, she will be emotionally crushed. When kids are emotional, they make even more dumb decisions. I get that you trust this random dude, but the only people I truly trust are in this room. And again, even if he is trustworthy, this whole plan hinges on Polly cooperating." Lera counters.
"Why don't you introduce us to the captain so everyone can see for themselves that he is someone in whom we can entrust Polly's safety." Koll speaks up.
"That's why your opinion is so important, Lera. If you can explain to her that we love her, that we are not abandoning her, then she will listen! I am sure of it!" Woe turns to Koll. "This is a good idea." Woe waves Captain Segred over.
"I can't say something I don't believe," Lera said, scathingly. "Besides, platitudes won't work on her. Why won't you listen to me?" Lera says back.
"It's true that the child is headstrong and petulant, but why should we encourage that? She is a child and we should not be cowed by the chance that she'll be upset." is Koll's counterpoint.
Woe looks deeply into Lera's eyes. "Because you cannot legally make any of these plans or suggestions. Lord Viscardi is her brother. He died together with their parents and was resurrected. When he 'returned' he put his life on the line to rescue Polly from her abductors and have her living with him. You have only known her for a little more than a week! You are a friend. A great friend. But you are not family. I know you don't want to hear it. I would take her with us if it was an option. But I don't think it is a clear option. Please talk to Captain Segred and find out for yourself."
“I am concerned with her being out of our sight. And I am concerned with her not listening, even to Lera. Polly has proven herself resourceful. How do we stop her from running off after us? I agree with all those points, but we can’t control her.” Zamar offers.
The Captain begins to walk over to the table at Woe's gesture. He's young for a captain, but his eyes show experience. His clothing looks like a cross between Chult and Baldur's Gate fashion, like a man living in-between both worlds. "Lady Woe," he says nodding. "These are your friends?" He asks, taking everyone in.
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Woe holds her head in between her hands. She is not feeling too well. When introductions start, she glances quickly at the catlike person. "Hi, Dapple." Then she turns away again.
After a while listening to the conversation and watching how they opened the box with the potions, she excuses herself and gets up from the table. She approaches the bar.
"I would like to get a room, please. Also, can you please give me a bottle of the strongest alcoholic drink that you have? What would that be? I'll be able to pay you in an hour. I just need some privacy to get my affairs in order."
Koll followed Woe to the bar. She jumps as he addresses her: "Are you ok?" Then: "The doses that you bought - I think it was a good idea for us to have some, in case we need to confront someone in the mind realm, but I'm not sure it is a good idea for you to have them. You did succumb to its effects and I think the temptation for you to use it again might be too much. For me too, perhaps. Maybe you could entrust them to another of the party? Perrin, perhaps. For safe keeping is all."
The bartender returns from looking into the books: "It's 5sp per room. And there's only two rooms left. And Tej is 4cp."
Woe nods to her and takes one room and a pint of Tej. Then she turns back to Koll, making sure neither the bartender nor the other patrons are able to listen in to their conversation. "I think you're right. I don't know Perrin very well, we haven't really spoken yet. But I trust Zamar. I can ask him to take care of the drugs for now. Also, they seem to have only two rooms left. I was thinking we should go upstairs and count the money. To be honest, I spent my last cent on the drugs" Woe thinks for a moment: "Actually, Koll, if you could lend me a couple of GPs, then I could pay for the room and the drink right now?"
Koll whispers back to Woe: "How much did you pay for the Thraul?" She replies: "Not that much, but I had only 23GP on me for the 4 portions. He wanted 40... " Koll simply replies: "Then here is 12gp and we'll call it even." "You're paying half of it? You didn't need to!! But thank you!"
With the money Woe pays for the room and the bottle of Tej. Koll pays for the second room. Then, before leaving the bar, Woe looks around. She is trying to see if she knows anyone (specifically Captain Segred or Lady Evelyn) [perception 9]. But Woe's headaches are strong. And the Inn is loud. She just wants some quiet. "Should we go count the money? Then we can come back and tell the others about the Thraul."
"Ok."
1....2....3...4....5...6...7...
It isn't until late in the afternoon that Grasalfan finally enters, his smile wide as he makes his way past the dancers to the Scarlet Dawn's table. "How Exciting!" He beams. "This place is far more impressive than I thought it would be." He finds himself at breast level to a dancer as she wiggles her way past the table, delivering tej to the table next to yours. "The flying machine was unloaded successfully!" He adds, his voice drowned out by the occasional drum. "We should be set to leave at noon tomorrow!"
He coughs upon seeing Dapple. "I see you've made friends with a local!" His smile widens at the sight of the tabaxi.
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"Actually, he is a... contractor working with the Scarlet Dawn. His situation is unusual, but it seems to be agreed upon that once we see Lord Viscardi next he will become a full member of the group. Also, have you arranged a room for us here or should we find our own lodging?"
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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
“That reminds me if you’ll excuse me I’m going to go secure a room for myself; I have a friend coming over later.” Perrin says before leaving the table and going towards the barkeep to inquire about a room.
Team upstairs
After a while of counting the gold pieces, they reach an exact total of 2000GP. "It's all here. Koll, do you want to split the money? I could carry half the amount for safekeeping if you wanted? In any case, I can come with you to change the coins into more portable valuables tomorrow morning." Realising how heavy the coins are she asks Koll: "Oh, also, I have some torches that I don't need, you see, as half-elf I do have dark vision. Do you want to have them? Otherwise I am carrying too many things around!!"
Koll replies: "Well I suppose, I did take some torches out of my pack to make room for the contraband. Sure we can split the money but I don't mind carrrying the weight. Also,I think we'd be safer to have some of the others come with us."
"Here." Woe hands Koll 10 torches. "Also, have some Tej!" Woe finds two glasses and shares the drink she just bought. glug, glug! Aahhh! Koll suggests: "Don't put all your eggs in one basket, they say. So yes, we'll split the load." Then he gets up to join the others.
Woe stops Koll from leaving the room. "There is something else I wanted to talk to you about..."
"What do you think about having Polly with us as an adventurer?" Woe is silent for a moment. Then she continues: "I have been able to make contact with Baldur's Gate. I know a captain here who would be able to take her back tomorrow morning."
Koll pulls a face. "I was hoping to stay out of that discussion. I know Lera has strong feelings on the matter. I do think Polly is a remarkably resourceful little girl, and she will have all of us watching over her. Nor do I feel any particular loyalty to Viscardi. But at the same time she is only six and who knows what dangers we will face. I will back you if it comes to a vote."
Then he adds: "You mean on the Memory? If you feel comfortable sending her back in the company of those salts..."
"To be honest, any sea journey would include the company of sailors. I was hoping I could speak with Lady Evelyn, the wife of the dead diplomat, to find out if she was planning to return to Baldur's Gate soon. I do trust the captain of 'The Memory'. I am expecting to see him in the Inn tonight. Maybe I can find out more. Thank you for your support. Please know that I am not taking this decision lightly."
As they exit the room to return to the others, Woe sees Captain Segred exiting a room ahead of theirs, a dancer in each arm as he makes his ways downstairs.
She calls out to him "Captain! How are you? Did 'The Memory' arrive here before the storm?" "Ah! M'lady," he says, gesturing for the dancers to continue the trek downstairs alone. "I was wondering if you'd made it. Aye, we beat the storm," he responds. "I see you're enjoying your stop-over. When are you leaving back to Baldur's Gate?" "The morrow, of course," he replies. "And I've been told you have a package for me." Woe becomes suspicious: "Who told you that?" "A little bird, if you will believe it. But I have seen stranger ways to send messages," he says. Woe tries to figure out what his motives are. She doesn't believe he has any reason to lie (rolled 5 insight). She still tries to probe more however. "Please tell me more about your little bird, I feel very uneasy about the whole situation."
"Lets just say that I've been given the task of delivering your package to the Lord Eltan. There did not seem to be much choice in this matter if I am to continue doing business with him." He approaches to keep the conversation private. "So do you have this package?" He asks. Meanwhile, Koll is eavesdropping (rolled 8 insight).
"To Lord Eltan, you say? That is your specific mission?" Woe considers her approach. "I don't have the package with me at the moment. I'll get back to you tomorrow morning."
"Very good," he says. "I will meet you downstairs in the morning." Woe waves quickly at the captain while he descends the stairs, then turns back to Koll. "I didn't know he has been contacted. This makes the situation more difficult. What do you think of him?"
As the night grows late, and Shanolia begins to consider retiring for the night, she spots Sana, the Chultan woman who gave her her very first massage: one she’ll never forget. Sana spots her, but lingers near the door of the tavern. Shanolia leaves the table, walking towards the masseuse.
“Ello, dere,” she says as Shanolia approaches. “Ya didn’t tell me which inn ya were in. I’m glad I caught ya here!”
"I was just thinking the same thing," Shanolia responds, awkwardly shifting from one foot to the other. "I was just so embarrassed that I wanted to get out as soon as possible."
"Ya was cute, runnin' away like dat!" Sana giggles, while Shanolia’s blush creeps up over the edge of her mask.
"R- Really?" Sana nods, also shifting awkwardly.
“Ya intrigued me."
"How so? Wasn't I just another customer with a big mouth?" Sana laughs.
"Most of my customers try ta grab my ass. Ya seemed truly int'rested in me."
"I am, though my way of showing it may seem a bit off. I'm not really that good with other people, unfortunately." She pauses for a moment. "I was afraid I truly messed up earlier, it's a relief to see you again."
Sana smiled and stepped a little closer. "I'd like ta get ta know ya."
"I am an open book; any questions you have will be answered." Shanolia responds nervously, afraid to go too far.
"D'ya have a room here? Somewhere private we can talk?"
"We've yet to secure a room, though I doubt it will be too expensive. Shall I buy one for us?"
"It would be nice," Sana said, blushing.
Shanolia walks over to the barkeep and asks if there are any vacant rooms, but she’s informed that the last two vacancies were just bought out for the night.
“Damn,” Shanolia curses in Abyssal, walking back towards Sana before overhearing Grasalfan mentioning that he secured four rooms for their group. An idea clicks in her head, and she walks over towards him. "Is there any way a friend and I could secure one of those rooms for ourselves? It seems all others were recently bought out."
"Oh! Yes, of course, my dear!" Grasalfan glances around her at Sana and smiles. "Have yourself a good night!"
Shanolia winks at Grasalfan. "Might I ask which room we are referring to? So we are not... disturbed."
"Oh, quite right!" He thinks for a moment, before fishing through his pocket and handing the Elf a key. "Why don't you take the room at the top of the stairs, first on the right. Don't forget, we're leaving in the afternoon!"
"I will not forget." She turns and walks over to Sana, holding the key so she can see it. "Shall we go?"
Sana nods. "Lead da way!" Shanolia timidly offers her hand to Sana, leading her to their room so they could 'get to know each other better'.
Once they're finished, Shanolia cuddles the Chultan woman, deciding not to risk waking her climbing out of bed to meditate. For the first time in over a century, she allows sleep to overtake her.
^-^
Late in the night her sleep is disturbed. She finds herself in complete darkness, surrounded by her brothers and sisters. They number in the billions, all confined to this small cloister they’ve learned to call home. One of the siblings screams as she’s assaulted by her brother. Others join in, eventually tearing her limbs from her body and devouring her. Shanolia feels a strong urge to join in, as only one sibling is allowed to survive and they’ve all been left to starve. Immediately, the cloister is a thing of chaos as brothers and sisters begin killing and devouring each other.
^-^
Shanolia awakens with a start, struggling through her mask to gasp for breath. Sana rolls over, mutters something unintelligible, then goes back to sleep, leaving Shanolia to cuddle her again and slip back into a dreamless sleep for the rest of the night.
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
After having some dinner and ensuring that Polly is suitably entertained, but not inappropriately so, though he is starting to wonder what is inappropriate for a six-year old who slays monsters, Zamar approaches Grasalfan about the rooms. "Would it be possible for me to take a room for Polly, Lera, and myself? I think it best if the child gets some rest. It has been quite a stimulating day for her."
They get a room and head upstairs. Once settled in, Zamar and Lera tell Polly a bedtime story and watch over her until she falls asleep. It is then that they discuss what is to come.
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
R'thr Ka'ri - Level 5 Paladin in The Adventures of Bubbles (every other Wednesday)
Johnathan Moonspeaker - Level 6 Druid in Web of Lies (every other Friday)
DM of Something Wicked This Way Comes - D&D Modernverse (every other Tuesday)
"We'll give you one room, and everyone else has wandered off so Dapple and I will take the final room." Singe says. Once in the room, Singe gestures to the bed, "Yours." Singe unrolls his bedroll and sits on it, scribbling in his spellbook; ships are not good places to improve ones magic.
Ending a phrase he nods, "This should work." He then falls promptly asleep.
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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
"We're all out of rooms, I'm afraid," the barkeep tells you. "But... yes... you look like the halfling that the Flaming Fist described. He told me to give you a key when you got in." He points at a room upstairs at the end of the hall. "Guess that one is yours," he says.
“Oh. I guess he beat me here. Thanks. Also, I have to ask for the future. Is it always this busy here?” Perrin inquires.
"Sure is!" He says. "We're a favorite to visitors, adventurers, and crew."
“Okay, thanks again.” Perrin takes the key says good night to his friends and then makes his way to the room.
Fist Talle is waiting for Perrin in the room, his clothing all bundled up in a corner. Unfortunately, it looks like he has already dozed off. At the sound of your entrance, he stirs.
Perrin will take off his armor and such and then join him in bed and whisper “I’m sorry I’m late. You won’t believe what happened.”
"Tell me," he says, pulling you closer.
Perrin and Frank spend the night together. Perrin telling Frank all about his adventures at the wizard dimension and them getting intimate for the last time before they go their separate ways for a while.
“Ow…” Frank says, waking you from your slumber the next morning. “Stop poking me with that thing.” You wake, not holding the warm body of Fist Talle, but that of the cold steel of your shortsword. There’s a sense of rightness about it. A bond that seems to have grown throughout the night. The sword is important, and so are you. You have the feeling that something major will be happening soon, and that this shortsword is the only thing that will save you and your companions in the future. You’re not sure how it found itself in your bed last night, but you’re positive it is exactly where it should be.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know how it got here. I found it in that wizards dimension. I think it might be magic of some kind. I feel like it’ll save me one day soon.” Perrin apologizes to him.
"A magic sword?" He asks. "Does it have a name? All magic swords should have a name." He lies across from you looking at you and the sword. "The pommel almost looks like a face, doesn't it?"
“Does it, I never noticed. As for a name, I don’t know if it has one but back home I served as a town guard for a little bit. There they taught you to keep your weapons clean and in good conditions because they might be what saves you from an Orc. In order to remind you to take care of your weapons they had you name them. Back then I named my sword after my family farm but I’ll name this one after you. So that way I’ll always take care of it.” Perrin says without really thinking about what he’s saying or how cheesy it sounds.
"Meet Frank," Frank smiles. "Slayer of demons and decapitator of heads." He laughs a bit at the sound of it. The cold steel seems to warm at the mention of slaying demons.
“Let’s just stick with slayer of demons. So do you have to go right away or can we stay here a little longer.” Perrin says setting the sword down beside the bed.
"A little long sounds good." He pulls you close once the sword is no longer between you two.
Once they have to leave Perrin will promise to meet Frank back up at Baldurs Gate and hopes Frank picked up on his little hint he dropped by naming his new sword after him. Perrin also makes a mental note to ask Singe if he has ever heard of a sword heating up at the mention of slaying demons. He also gives his sword a curious smell, using his divine sense, and he picks up no sense of celestial, fiend, or undead from it. However, Perrin gets the idea that it might be probing and trying to figure him out, which is the same that Perrin is doing to the sword. Not really knowing what else to do about it he just sheaths it and continues downstairs to hopefully see the others.
The rest of the evening was a blur, but eventually Lera found herself a moment of quiet in the room. Polly had fallen asleep not long ago, leaving her to have a private conversation with her father.
"Lera, now that she is asleep, we need to talk about Polly. I know Lord Viscardi wants her sent back, but am concerned that there is not a safe way to do it that does not involve us abandoning our mission here," Zamar said softly, sitting across from her on the bed she had claimed.
“I refuse to send her back," Lera hissed stubbornly. "You and I both know that she will try to return to us, which will be more dangerous. Besides, we’ve seen Mr. Drippy in action in combat.”
"I know. But if Lord Viscardi commands it, then what?" Why did her dad always have to be the damn voice of reason? "And if the rest of the group takes a vote and decides to send her back, how do we respond? I refuse to send her back if I do not believe the way is safe. But would you sacrifice your dreams of adventure to escort her home?"
“I would sooner smuggle her in my suitcase," the teenager replied, unwilling to admit that defeat may come. Knowing, however, that her father wouldn't accept that as an answer, she softened slightly. "But, if it came to it, yes.” The revelation came with a flood of emotions. She had been looking forward to this adventure her whole life. She had long dreamed that she would be able to go somewhere as exciting and exotic as Chult, and to give that up would be the hardest thing she would ever do. But to abandon Polly and endanger her safety? That would be far worse.
"Ok. So our plan is that if they insist on sending her away, we go with her and tell her we are going on our own adventure?" Zamar said slowly, as if giving her time to feel the full weight of her choices.
“I guess. To me, that is the only option," she sighed. Lera couldn't accept defeat though, not yet. She gave her father a smile. "But, I think I can insist harder.”
Zamar chuckled a little. He had been dealing with Lera's methods of insistence for seventeen years. "All right then. I cannot promise that I will support you no matter what you say. But I will consider your words." He smiles. "How badly will I be punished if I go against you?"
Lera considered her options for a few moments. "Not worse than the snakes-in-the-bed-for-a-month incident.”
"I can live with that."
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
Since Grasalfan had provided rooms for the group, Koll ends up alone in the room he had rented. He is grateful for some solitude. Even though he can enjoy the comfort of the bed, he prefers to sleep on the floor. During the night Koll's dreams are vivid, lifelike, yet surreal. In front of him stands Ymezra in a hybrid panther form. Her grin is somewhat unnerving as she says, "We are not finished, broken one." Looking down, Koll sees his hands are that of claws with jet-black fur. She lunges forward to attack. The battle continues throughout the night and blows are exchanged by both. Ymezra manipulates the environment as they fight, attacking through pitch black in a way that Koll has only ever seen his mentor, Eeneko, fight. Her movement is similar and it's only a matter of time before Koll is able to mimic her and fight the way she does. In the end, they both stand bloodied and battered, but her grin remains. “I knew there was more to you than you let on,” she says, fading into the darkness.
Koll wakes early the next morning, his stomach wracked in pain and his head pounding. His mind tells him that everything around him is still an unreal dream, but he's able to push that feeling away as he commences his meditations and exercises. He senses within himself an urge to return to the dream-world that only the drug Thraul provides. He spends an hour of meditation in front of a flickering candle, withstanding the pain of its heat burning his outstretched arms, in order to banish his base desires. He still feels, though, the presence of a panther stalking in his thoughts, and he resigns himself to an uneasy alliance with it. It is a spiritual guide, showing him his way forward. He looks at his hands and still sees an ethereal afterimage of claws on his fingers, which do not go away. He feels even more in tune with his ki, filled with a sense of greater awareness and a stronger affinity for the shadows. Ymezra tested him and left her mark.
It is then that he thinks of Woe. How is she dealing with the withdrawal? He leaves his room quickly to go find her and see how she's doing.
When Koll and Woe return downstairs, the Scarlet Dawn seems to have retired into their rooms. Woe enquires at the bar about the tall, good-looking singer with the long hair, who was travelling with his beautiful daughter and a 6 year old child and is promptly pointed towards his room. Woe knocks quietly at Zamar's door. "Zamar, it's me."
Zamar answers the door. "Ah, Woe. Are you all right? You look a bit pale." "Can I talk to you out here for a moment?"
"Of course." He turns back for a moment. "Lera, I'll be right back." He steps into the hall and closes the door.
Woe looks around to make sure no one is listening in. Even though she cannot see anyone, she still whispers to Zamar: "Koll's handover of the 'spice' - and us ending up having to try it - was shocking and confusing, but also interesting and mind-altering! Even though I had to give up all control of my mind, I loved being there. My mind could fly as far as Baldur's Gate!" Woe still marvels at her experience.
"Baldur's Gate! That's astounding. That sounds incredibly powerful." He pauses. "I sense a 'but' though."
"Not a real 'but', more a confession." Woe takes a deep breath. "As soon as I dropped out, and I saw one of the men packing away the bricks. Koll and Ymezra were still under the influence. I approached the man and I bought 4 doses of the drug. I am sure, one day we will be able to use it to do good! But right now, I am afraid I cannot keep it in my possession. Koll and I have both been fighting with our inner demons, our minds are trying to go back to that phantasy. Would you please keep it safe for us? I trust you. But make sure neither Lera or Polly get it in their hands. It would be a disaster if they went in without knowing what was happening! ..... The more I think about it, maybe it is not safe in your room. What are your thoughts?"
"I can keep it safe. Polly is asleep and is generally more interested in adventures than snooping. And Lera only really wants to do things if they are forbidden. I just won't tell her."
Woe hands over an envelope with 4 small wrapped paper parcels. "Thank you, again, Zamar. Please be careful with it!" Woe puts her hand on Zamar's, who is holding the envelope. Then she locks eyes with him for a moment.
"I will." He smiles at her and squeezes her hand. "Good night." Woe smiles back.
Zamar watches her leave, slips the envelope into his tunic, and goes back into his room.
Then Woe retires into her room. She feels uncomfortable. Somehow, she would have liked some company tonight. Her headache is pounding, but she tries to sleep. She wakes and tosses frequently. With a feeling of foreboding. And when she wakes up the next morning, Woe has cramps in her abdomen and the head is still pounding. She can feel how her brain is trying to return to the dream-land that Thraul provided, but it can't. She feels a strong urge to take Thraul and she is very happy that she handed it to Zamar the night before. But somehow she also realises, that she is able to resist, that she has control over the 'want'.
She wakes early and gets ready for the trip. Just as she leaves her room, she bumps into Koll, who looks concerned. "How are you feeling this morning?" Woe looks at him "I had a rough night, I woke often. And I have some physical pain in my stomach and my head. It feels like the drug is calling me back. But I can resist, I finally feel in control." Then she turns. "Is everybody else awake? I would like to call a group meeting. Let's go downstairs. We need to make a decision about Polly's return."
At Singe's offer, Dapple follows the wizard to the room that's been offered, and when he insists, sets aside his belongings and climbs onto bed. Before doing so, he pulls out the gloves that were found with him in the wizards stash. He recognizes them as a pair once worn by the chief of his clan and wonders how thry came to be here. Putting them on, he sits back and tries to settle his mind and make sense of all that's occurred. Mind drifting, he half watches the wizard go about his studies.
When Singe finishes, Dapple is no closer to sleep. "The bed is your if you desire, I'll get no use of it tonight, I don't expect. I'm going for a walk to clear my head." The tabaxi plucks his pack from the floor, slinging it over his shoulder, and grabs his sword-belt as well before slipping from the room and finding his way back out yo the street...
Outside in the street, Dapple looked up into the night sky. Seeing the familiar stars overhead at least made him feel a bit more grounded amid the confusion that whirled in his brain. This strange city around him, so many people - it was so far removed from what he remembered as if it was yesterday that he still almost believed he had to be dreaming it all. He looked up and down the street, trying to decide what to do next. Somehow, he needed to find out if his clan still existed, somehow, somewhere. He moved off down the street, seeking out any others of his kind. He’d seen a handful earlier, and with patience, he was eventually successful. Time after time, as he questioned them, not a single tabaxi had heard of the Misty Glade, and Dapple finally gave up, feeling in his heart that he had his answer, as painful as it was. NO, he thought, I can’t give up so easily. His village had been situated only a few hours journey from where the harbor fort had been situated in his own time. There was only one way to be sure. He stopped, considering the people who’d freed him, but rather than waste more time going back to the inn, he decided to get it over with. He’d be back sometime in the morning - they wouldn’t really miss him before then, and if his people were still out there, he wouldn’t be back anyway and they’d move on without him.
Using the stars to guide him, the young ranger slipped out of the city and off into the dense Chultan jungle, almost immediately feeling much more at home. Periodically, he scaled the bole of a large tree to get a clear glance at the stars so as not to lose his way. The sounds of the night surrounded him and Dapple made good time. After a few hours travel, he began to recognize other landmarks and recognized that he’d crossed into his clan territory. Hoping against hope, he pushed on to where his village stood.
Dapple stood, silent and all but invisible in the night, sadness and loss weighing on his soul. He knew he stood in the right spot, and there were even the remains of a building here or there, but where once his home had stood there was now nothing but jungle, overgrown and wild. It was obvious that no one had lived here for generations. It was all gone. He searched around, taking time to locate what he believed was the exact spot is own family’s house had stood, seeking for anything that might remain, but there was nothing. He even located the hearthstones, now cold and moss-covered, and with some digging, was able to find and remove a stone that had once covered a small cache of family wealth. It too was empty - either when the clan had left, or long-since ransacked and plundered. Dejected, he slumped down onto the ground and let tears flow as he grieved for the loss of family and friends he’d not been able to say goodbye to, who had no idea what had happened to him either. To him, they had been here just yesterday. TO them, he was just gone - spirited away without a trace. Finally, the rising sun began to tint the eastern horizon and he shook himself from his grief. It would accomplish nothing to sit here in the jungle and he had to get back. He began to retrace his path through the jungle.
Silence. He’d slipped into his thoughts again, but the lack of normal jungle noises penetrated his subconscious and alerted him to something wrong. Dapple stopped where he stood, listening. No birds, no sound of the small creatures normally scurrying through the mouldering vegetation littering the jungle floor. He tapped into his connection to the jungle around him, reaching out with all his senses to find what was wrong. Finally it came to him - he could sense the wrongness of something ahead. Silently drawing his rapier from it’s sheath, he crept onwards, blending unseen and unheard into the shadows. It wasn’t long before he found them, 5 shambling, rotting figures moving through the trees. He could smell them long before he saw or heard them. Normally, he might have avoided them completely rather than take a risk while alone as he was now, but after the pain of the night’s revelations, he didn’t care - the warrior in him only wanted to kill and visit the same pain he felt upon something else. Creeping closer, he approached, a deadly shadow and burst from hiding into the midst of the zombie pack. Darting, stabbing, slicing - he moved and fought, making no more noise than the dead he fought. He was reckless at times, their claw-like fingers and weapons catching on his armor, or narrowly missing him, one or two of their attacks even finding their way past his defenses. When it was over, Dapple stood victorious, now-inanimate corpses laid out on the jungle floor around him. He stood panting, blood trickling from an assortment of minor wounds, but nonetheless, he stood and they did not. He bellowed his victory to the sky, challenging, but nothing more emerged to face him. So be it, he thought - time to go, then. Cleaning it carefully, he resheathed his weapon and resumed his journey.
Morning comes, and eventually everyone finds themselves waking and begin to prepare for the day. Individuals, couples, and groups file their way downstairs where they find the barkeep and server ready for morning customers. Grasalfan is already sitting at a table, eating a hearty breakfast. Sun shines through the windows, and looking outside, it looks like it's going to be a beautiful day. As Woe steps down the stairs, she can see Captain Segred waiting for her, and he motions her over.
A dwarf with a canoe on his back? What could go wrong?
Perrin comes down fairly late. Attempting to spend as much time as possible with Fist Talle. He’ll then eat a healthy big breakfast and is ready to travel when the others are.
It was mid-morning before Dapple made it back to the city, no other trouble having slowed his journey. He made his way through the growing crowds, oblivious to the looks his bloodied appearance brought. At last finding his way back to the inn, he pushes his way though the door to find the group still gathered over the remains of their morning meal. "They are all gone," he says in a quite voice. "I am the last."
Once Shanolia begins to hear the bustle of others outside of the room, she climbs out of bed and begins preparing for the journey; donning her clothes and armour, checking her pack to insure she has everything she needs, and buckling her weapon belt around her waist. When she is sure everything is in it's proper place, she reaches for the knob on the door - stopping just short of grabbing it - before turning back to look at Sana's still-sleeping form.
'I suppose I shouldn't just disappear. She doesn't even know my name.' With a sigh, she crosses the room once more and leans down to lightly shake her awake. Sana rolls over, blinking against the sun filtering through the window. When she sees Shanolia, she smiles.
"Mornin! Ya dressed?"
"Morning. I, uh..." She pauses for a moment, unsure if she should mention that she was just going to disappear. "Yeah. My group and I are going to be setting off soon, 'twas only supposed to be a quick stop. I wanted to say goodbye." Sana looks the Elf up and down, then sighs.
"I unda'stand." She sits and begins to locate her clothing. Shanolia sits down on the bed beside her, taking a deep breath and swallowing a lump in her throat.
"Shanolia." The Elf nearly whispers her name, barely loud enough for Sana to catch it. Sana pauses, seemingly deep in thought. Finally, she turns to Shanolia and smiles, putting a hand to her face, touching the fabric of the mask.
"People, dey come an go here. Dats life. Nice ta meet ya, Shanolia." Shanolia backs away from her hand at first, before relaxing and letting Sana touch her mask. Slowly, she pulls out a scrap of paper from her pack and jots down the address of the guild house. She folds the paper in half and holds it out to Sana.
"I know it's quite a bit away, but if you're ever in the neighbourhood..."
Sana backs away from the paper. "Nev'r been out of da Port," she says, then hesitantly takes it. "Maybe some day."
"I can always come back to Chult after this job. We're supposed to be getting a flying machine for payment..." She looks away and mutters to herself; "If we survive, that is."
"I... tink we should admit what dis is. A fleeting moment." She reached to touch Shanolia, then pulled back. "A nice moment, fa sure. I'm grateful for it." She opened her mouth to continue and closed it. "I'm sorry, let me start ova." This time, she placed her hand on the Elf's. "Please, stay safe. I'd like ta see ya again."
"Where can I find you? When I'm in the Port next, I mean. If for nothing else, then to let you know I'm still safe."
"Da same place ya found me b'fore." A few minutes of silence go by, before Shanolia stands and lets out a small sigh.
"I should go. Any longer, and I may end up staying in Chult forever." She gives a lighthearted chuckle, though her sorrow is evident.
"Na, ya a traveler." Sana also stands. "Do ya travelin' and stay safe." They walk together to the door. "I'm happy ta have met ya, Shanolia." She hugs Sana one final time.
"I'm glad I met you. Of all the places I've traveled, Port Nyanzaru is by far the nicest. Maybe I'll find a place here to settle down, once my business is sorted." Sana hugs her back, then leads her down the stairs, where they see the other Scarlet Dawn members beginning to gather.
"Be safe," she says, giving Shanolia's hand one last squeeze. She opens the outside door, and smiles up at the sky. "It's gonna be a good day." Then the door closes, and she's gone, off into the now bustling streets of Port Nyanzaru.
Shanolia watches her leave from the base of the stairs, out of sight of the rest of the Scarlet Dawn. Once the door closes, she makes sure her hood is up to hide her hair and her mask is tied to hide her face before going over and sitting with the rest of the Scarlet Dawn that is currently present, watching them eat and remaining completely silent. In an effort to drown out the unfamiliar emotion filling her head, Shanolia lets her mind drift back to her dream, trying to piece together what it could mean with a sorrowful look in her eyes as everyone enjoys their meal.
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
"Polly, I've been meaning to teach you a little magic." Singe says through mouthfuls of breakfast.
Polly looks up from her breakfast excitedly. "Really?"
Start her with fire bolt! Lera messaged Singe. Or don’t. Actually, now that I think about it, I could have saved my dad a lot of pain and eyebrows if that wasn’t the first spell I knew. On second thought, don’t teach her fire bolt.
"Yes, when do you want to start?"
"Can we start now?" Polly asked, bouncing in her seat. "What kind of magic are you going to teach me? Will I be able to shoot fireballs?"
Singe smiles, with a look of fear in his eyes, "Not yet, not even I can do that. But beginning magic is a dangerous business, let's go away from the tables."
Polly nods, a serious look on her face. "Okay!" Turning to Lera, she says, "I want a cinnamon roll when I'm done!"
As he walks away from the table, Singe looks at Woe and Zamar and messages back to Lera, Is Polly coming with? Decide. Now.
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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
“Okay, he bought us some time. How do we handle this?” says Zamar after Polly and Singe leave the table.
"It isn't a choice," Lera said softly. "She has to come. We need to be able to take care of her, mentally and physically. Consequences be damned."
"I'm worried about her traveling without us or Whistler. I'd rather not let her out of our sights so, I guess she comes with us." Perrin says not really knowing of another solution.
Lera messenged Singe quietly. Hey, real quick, do you have a vote?
Yeah, don't have her die. Also, I taught her my one non-flame based cantrip, If you could finish up, please? he replies.
Super helpful. Is Lera comeback.
"So, everybody. I have just spoken to the captain of The Memory. He has also been contacted by the Patriars of Baldur's Gate to bring Polly home. He is absolutely trustworthy. If something would happen to her, he would lose everything, his contacts, his livelihood. He is going to protect her. This is our chance. Polly needs to be with her family. Even if she doesn't see it that it is best for her. And to be honest, I am a bit wary of the flying machine.... this is getting much more dangerous than just a boat trip!!" Woe says trying to explain her side of things.
"She's going to try and ditch him as soon as she can," Lera objected. "Polly has already smuggled herself away on one ship, you can be sure she'll do it again. Also, if we make her feel like she is being abandoned, she will be emotionally crushed. When kids are emotional, they make even more dumb decisions. I get that you trust this random dude, but the only people I truly trust are in this room. And again, even if he is trustworthy, this whole plan hinges on Polly cooperating." Lera counters.
"Why don't you introduce us to the captain so everyone can see for themselves that he is someone in whom we can entrust Polly's safety." Koll speaks up.
"That's why your opinion is so important, Lera. If you can explain to her that we love her, that we are not abandoning her, then she will listen! I am sure of it!" Woe turns to Koll. "This is a good idea." Woe waves Captain Segred over.
"I can't say something I don't believe," Lera said, scathingly. "Besides, platitudes won't work on her. Why won't you listen to me?" Lera says back.
"It's true that the child is headstrong and petulant, but why should we encourage that? She is a child and we should not be cowed by the chance that she'll be upset." is Koll's counterpoint.
Woe looks deeply into Lera's eyes. "Because you cannot legally make any of these plans or suggestions. Lord Viscardi is her brother. He died together with their parents and was resurrected. When he 'returned' he put his life on the line to rescue Polly from her abductors and have her living with him. You have only known her for a little more than a week! You are a friend. A great friend. But you are not family. I know you don't want to hear it. I would take her with us if it was an option. But I don't think it is a clear option. Please talk to Captain Segred and find out for yourself."
“I am concerned with her being out of our sight. And I am concerned with her not listening, even to Lera. Polly has proven herself resourceful. How do we stop her from running off after us? I agree with all those points, but we can’t control her.” Zamar offers.
The Captain begins to walk over to the table at Woe's gesture. He's young for a captain, but his eyes show experience. His clothing looks like a cross between Chult and Baldur's Gate fashion, like a man living in-between both worlds. "Lady Woe," he says nodding. "These are your friends?" He asks, taking everyone in.