After hearing your plan for reaching the Vale, Alavin gives an approving nod. "It doesn't sound like the worst idea, just take care not to get too close to anyone else on the road when your spell might run its course." He grabs two scrolls from the shelf, unfurling one on the table for you all to look at it. It's a more detailed and close up map of the Vale, marking the place of the temple. "I can't give this to you. We don't want it falling into the wrong hands...but take all the time you would like in memorizing it."
Once your party is satisfied he gives you the second scroll, which is a map of the Vale, but bereft any markings that would notate where the Halls of Eternity are hidden. "Now, I can get that wagon procured for you, even by the morning if necessary. We don't have a great many supplies here, but if you think of anything else you might need, I can try to find it."
Ulf will look over the two maps, making sure they match, then try to measure the distance from the left and top of key features using his spyglass, recording the details on another piece of paper. Those present might note that as he extends the spyglass, the metalwork is ornately marked with repeating geometric patterns. He is apparently using these to measure. "I'll burn this before we get far; just need time to remember them all." he says.
“Here.” Ramiro pulls out a delicate glass bottle of fine ink and places it in front of Ulf, seeing him spreading out a parchment and setting up his spyglass. He taps on the bottle, the ink the same shade of black as his painted nails. “Use this. We can take it with us. Others won’t be able to read it.”
He watches as Ulf works his spyglass, scrutinizing over the tiniest map dimensions, much like how elderlies would adjust their reading glasses for newspapers. He couldn’t hold it back: “That thing makes you look like a real old man. You know that?”
He will cast Illusory Script on the parchment. If people outside of the group read it, they will only see a nonsense story of the nautical adventure of Tammy the magical magnificent pig.
Ulf nods absently at Ramiro's jibe, "I am an old man." He nevertheless takes the proffered items, nodding in thanks, and returns to his deliberations, using the items as instructed.
(( It might be that Ramiro has to do the writing, in which case Ulf will dictate...or Ramiro can copy them afterwards ))
Ulf glances up as he makes a final note, "Don't worry lad, it'll be a few decades yet before I become as slow as you. Assuming we survive this little venture, that is."
Ramiro opens his mouth in feigned disbelief and hurt, "I'm not slow. I've just got a bad back." He huffs.
"Relax, you've still got many fine long elven years ahead of you." Ramiro laughs, raising one prettily shaped eyebrow mysteriously and cocking his head towards Ulf. "Because I said so. And people usually listen when I say things."
Ulf folds the paper and looks directly at the young man, the faintest hint of a smile on his lips. "Then, by all the forbidden gods, I pray that you and your inner voices are correct. For if you are, then it means that we shall succeed."
He glances around at the others, seemingly invigorated to have a single clear path ahead and by the pronouncement made by the strange young man. "We should prepare to leave as soon as we can. Is there anything else that we need to discuss?"
Thalia offers a slight shrug, a bit disappointed that she won't be flying, but glad they have a plan nonetheless. "I have everything I need. Are you wanting to leave tonight or in the morning, after a nice restful sleep?"
"I don't think leaving tonight nets us any benefits." Eleriel says, though she considers something for a moment then adds. "Unless you want to sleep through the middle of the day and do our traveling in the evening through the early morning."
"We would probably run into less people that way."
"I don't think the wagon will be available until the morning; and traveling only by night might attract more attention. Best we look like adventurers or mercenaries."
"We are adventurers. That part is going to be easy."
"Hey Alavin," Ramiro calls out, with a bright smile, "Any chance you could get some nice cushions for the wagon? On that, some fur coats will be lovely too. I heard it gets cold in the mountains. My fingers get stiff when it's cold, and that is not very good for playing."
"I'll have to remember that. Adventurers. It has been a long time since I thought that way of myself."
Ulf looks at the bard and nods thoughtfully, "Here I was thinking that I was a holy warrior on a quest to save the known world. Is this part of what you call 'inhabiting the part'?"
"Saving the world with a few extra amenities." Ramiro says, the corner of his lips quirks up in a playful smile. His fingers playing with his hair, his black nails tangled with the blonde locks. "How do you like my part, Brother Ulf?"
"So long as those 'extra amenities' do not involve you corrupting the youth of every hamlet and village we travel through, then we might make it to our objective undetected. Do you think you can manage that?" He looks at the others in the group, then back to the bard, his expression curious more than critical. "There is more at stake here than your eternal indulgences. A little forbearance, perhaps, in return for the prospect of a world full of grateful...admirers?"
"For what it's worth, I wouldn't complain about cushions for the wagon either." Aiden adds, rubbing the back of his neck."Sleeping on your pack murders your neck after a few years you know."
"Either or though. I take it I'll see you all in the morning thing?"He says, wandering close to the doorway.
Ulf's attention turns from Ramiro to Aiden, shaking his head, "Did he put you up to this? I wouldn't put it past him. You should know that this fine and noble gentleman will turn anything into a cross between a bordello and music hall given half a chance. But..." he sighs and lifts his hands in surrender, "...if the wagon is covered, the risk should be small. And...I suppose my old bones might be thankful of small comforts at the end of the day, though I had been thinking of hay."
"A wagon by morning I can do. Cushions and fur..." You can see Alavin making effort to maintain a serious and straight face, and he continues "...You'll have to rob that from a priest perhaps."
If you're all ready to break for the night, he motions towards the door. "If you can think of anything else you might need." He pauses, glancing towards Ramiro. "Necessary needs, let me know."
“Thank you, Brother Aiden.” Ramiro turns to give Aiden a bright smile with genuine appreciation. Someone understands. “I don’t corrupt the youth.” He says in a spirited way, undiscouraged by Ulf’s moralizing, lacing his fingers together, “Youth with similar philosophies and prospects naturally find their ways together.”
To Ulf, “Why so uptight?” Ramiro asks, raising a curious eyebrow, seeming to find the root of the problem, “When was the last time you got some?”
At Alavin’s reply Ramiro sighs softly, he stands up with a slight bow. “That is all for me, signor. I’ll have to get some blankets for myself.” He says.
After hearing your plan for reaching the Vale, Alavin gives an approving nod. "It doesn't sound like the worst idea, just take care not to get too close to anyone else on the road when your spell might run its course." He grabs two scrolls from the shelf, unfurling one on the table for you all to look at it. It's a more detailed and close up map of the Vale, marking the place of the temple. "I can't give this to you. We don't want it falling into the wrong hands...but take all the time you would like in memorizing it."
Once your party is satisfied he gives you the second scroll, which is a map of the Vale, but bereft any markings that would notate where the Halls of Eternity are hidden. "Now, I can get that wagon procured for you, even by the morning if necessary. We don't have a great many supplies here, but if you think of anything else you might need, I can try to find it."
Ulf will look over the two maps, making sure they match, then try to measure the distance from the left and top of key features using his spyglass, recording the details on another piece of paper. Those present might note that as he extends the spyglass, the metalwork is ornately marked with repeating geometric patterns. He is apparently using these to measure. "I'll burn this before we get far; just need time to remember them all." he says.
“Here.” Ramiro pulls out a delicate glass bottle of fine ink and places it in front of Ulf, seeing him spreading out a parchment and setting up his spyglass. He taps on the bottle, the ink the same shade of black as his painted nails. “Use this. We can take it with us. Others won’t be able to read it.”
He watches as Ulf works his spyglass, scrutinizing over the tiniest map dimensions, much like how elderlies would adjust their reading glasses for newspapers. He couldn’t hold it back: “That thing makes you look like a real old man. You know that?”
He will cast Illusory Script on the parchment. If people outside of the group read it, they will only see a nonsense story of the nautical adventure of Tammy the
magicalmagnificent pig.Ulf nods absently at Ramiro's jibe, "I am an old man." He nevertheless takes the proffered items, nodding in thanks, and returns to his deliberations, using the items as instructed.
(( It might be that Ramiro has to do the writing, in which case Ulf will dictate...or Ramiro can copy them afterwards ))
"Well," Ramiro smiles, "You're not doing too bad for an old man."
Ulf glances up as he makes a final note, "Don't worry lad, it'll be a few decades yet before I become as slow as you. Assuming we survive this little venture, that is."
Ramiro opens his mouth in feigned disbelief and hurt, "I'm not slow. I've just got a bad back." He huffs.
"Relax, you've still got many fine long elven years ahead of you." Ramiro laughs, raising one prettily shaped eyebrow mysteriously and cocking his head towards Ulf. "Because I said so. And people usually listen when I say things."
Ulf folds the paper and looks directly at the young man, the faintest hint of a smile on his lips. "Then, by all the forbidden gods, I pray that you and your inner voices are correct. For if you are, then it means that we shall succeed."
He glances around at the others, seemingly invigorated to have a single clear path ahead and by the pronouncement made by the strange young man. "We should prepare to leave as soon as we can. Is there anything else that we need to discuss?"
Thalia offers a slight shrug, a bit disappointed that she won't be flying, but glad they have a plan nonetheless. "I have everything I need. Are you wanting to leave tonight or in the morning, after a nice restful sleep?"
"I don't think leaving tonight nets us any benefits." Eleriel says, though she considers something for a moment then adds. "Unless you want to sleep through the middle of the day and do our traveling in the evening through the early morning."
"We would probably run into less people that way."
#edbd00 - Gold
"I don't think the wagon will be available until the morning; and traveling only by night might attract more attention. Best we look like adventurers or mercenaries."
"We are adventurers. That part is going to be easy."
"Hey Alavin," Ramiro calls out, with a bright smile, "Any chance you could get some nice cushions for the wagon? On that, some fur coats will be lovely too. I heard it gets cold in the mountains. My fingers get stiff when it's cold, and that is not very good for playing."
"I'll have to remember that. Adventurers. It has been a long time since I thought that way of myself."
Ulf looks at the bard and nods thoughtfully, "Here I was thinking that I was a holy warrior on a quest to save the known world. Is this part of what you call 'inhabiting the part'?"
"Saving the world with a few extra amenities." Ramiro says, the corner of his lips quirks up in a playful smile. His fingers playing with his hair, his black nails tangled with the blonde locks. "How do you like my part, Brother Ulf?"
"So long as those 'extra amenities' do not involve you corrupting the youth of every hamlet and village we travel through, then we might make it to our objective undetected. Do you think you can manage that?" He looks at the others in the group, then back to the bard, his expression curious more than critical. "There is more at stake here than your eternal indulgences. A little forbearance, perhaps, in return for the prospect of a world full of grateful...admirers?"
"For what it's worth, I wouldn't complain about cushions for the wagon either." Aiden adds, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sleeping on your pack murders your neck after a few years you know."
"Either or though. I take it I'll see you all in the morning thing?" He says, wandering close to the doorway.
Ulf's attention turns from Ramiro to Aiden, shaking his head, "Did he put you up to this? I wouldn't put it past him. You should know that this fine and noble gentleman will turn anything into a cross between a bordello and music hall given half a chance. But..." he sighs and lifts his hands in surrender, "...if the wagon is covered, the risk should be small. And...I suppose my old bones might be thankful of small comforts at the end of the day, though I had been thinking of hay."
"A wagon by morning I can do. Cushions and fur..." You can see Alavin making effort to maintain a serious and straight face, and he continues "...You'll have to rob that from a priest perhaps."
If you're all ready to break for the night, he motions towards the door. "If you can think of anything else you might need." He pauses, glancing towards Ramiro. "Necessary needs, let me know."
“Thank you, Brother Aiden.” Ramiro turns to give Aiden a bright smile with genuine appreciation. Someone understands. “I don’t corrupt the youth.” He says in a spirited way, undiscouraged by Ulf’s moralizing, lacing his fingers together, “Youth with similar philosophies and prospects naturally find their ways together.”
To Ulf, “Why so uptight?” Ramiro asks, raising a curious eyebrow, seeming to find the root of the problem, “When was the last time you got some?”
At Alavin’s reply Ramiro sighs softly, he stands up with a slight bow. “That is all for me, signor. I’ll have to get some blankets for myself.” He says.
"I can't think of anything else." Eleriel says, also moving to leave the room before pausing. "Do we have a meeting place in the morning?"
#edbd00 - Gold