The story will begin around the Edificant Library. Your characters could be local to the library (visiting scholars, clerics of the Library) or the region (elves from the forest or humans from the City of Caradoon) there is also plenty of wilds / mountains in the area, or your characters could be visiting the library / passing through the region from the greater continent of Farun in the Forgotten Realms setting.
The Library is no strangers to the wider races and magics of the world. ___________________
The Edificant Library is a library located in the south of the Snowflake Mountains. It has stood for over 600 years. The building is an old, ivy-veiled stone structure strongly resembling a fortress. The huge building is more than 400 feet (120 meters) across and 200 feet (60 meters) deep. It consists of four above-ground levels and had an unknown expanse of storage tunnels and catacombs beneath. The first floor contained the library proper with unnumbered collections of mostly unique and ancient books, parchments, and artifacts. The second floor contained smaller study chambers and guest rooms for visiting scholars. It was built as a self-contained town, complete with housing, guest quarters, a large eating hall, stables, along with alchemy and herbalist shops.
The Library was erected as a tribute to Deneir and Oghma, the allied gods of knowledge, literature, and art.
The Edificant Library is open to all who wished to learn on the condition that they did not plan to use their knowledge for baneful purposes. Thus no scholars of evil religions were allowed entry to the Library. Followers of Gond were not well looked upon either, for they often strove for knowledge indifferent to its evil nature. The Library was a place for study, poetry reading, painting, sculpting, and a place for discussion of all types of unanswerable questions.
This Mug immediately shared with me a transcendental tale of an Infinite Mug that anchors the Universe and keeps it from folding in on itself. I filed this report under "illogical nonsense" and asked why its sign is in Times New Roman font, when it is basic knowledge that Arial Black is a far superior font. I wondered: How did this mug even get past the assembly line with its theistic beliefs and poor font choices?
quote from Romantically Apocalyptic byVitaly S Alexius
Merai (as she’s known around the library) is a stunningly beautiful high elven girl with purple eyes and long golden hair. She wears deep purple scholar’s robes, walks with a staff, and has a tiny elf owl (owl the size of a sparrow) on one shoulder. She’s often seen carrying around a large stack of books in the library- either for her own research or to support another’s.
She has been working at the library for a number of months.
She seems painfully shy and seldom speaks, and when she does it is with a soft voice. She is from Evereska, and rumors are she is a descendant of some of the ancient elvish archmages of the legendary city of Myth Drannor. Sent here to study and learn from other races, she is a worshiper of Deneir as well as a wizard.
Helping her around the library is a small, young gnome, with brown messy hair, tan beardless face and brown eyes, who is dressed in gaudy colors of greens, purples and pinks- who everyone calls Pox. He is mischievous and a bit of a troublemaker and prankster- often using illusions to pull elaborate pranks on the unsuspecting more serious scholars. Merai caught him sneaking in to a restricted section to steal some books- and saved him from a deadly trap. He is fiercely loyal to her now.
OOC - Awesome Merai and Pox! Once the other players finish their characters and join they can send a brief welcome note about their character as well. I will set the groundwork for the story, but I don't want us to have to many posts before we are all here and present.
______________________________________________
Spring has come to the Snowflake Mountains!
The sound of dripping water as the winter snow melts creates a drumming around the Edificant Library. During the harsh winter months, there are few guests because of the mountain passes are nearly impossible to travel, even with magical aid. That leaves the nearly 150 priests and priestesses of the Deneir and Oghma orders, the allied gods of knowledge, literature, and art to hole up with their studies and prayers for months on end. The library is fully staffed with around 50 employees, cooks, cleaners and the like.
Merai is sitting at a table in one of the 2nd floor study chambers. She is translating a rare book of magical fungi as assigned to her as part of her duties by Dean Tobius, the head of the Denirian Order and the Library. A fellow junior Cleric of Deneir, Cadderly, a bubbly and bouncing 20 year old human sits beside her scribbling out translations attempting to decipher the tome. A library messenger, a young human boy of no more than ten years drops matching ivory colored note cards before each of you. The messenger silently slips away as you read an identical note:
You have been summoned to the office of Dean Tobius immediately following the midday Canticle this afternoon.
Before you can ponder the message, you hear the notes in a high falsetto at the start the midday Canticle - a song prayer to the Gods of the Library. As Clerics of Deneir your attendance is mandatory and Cadderly starts quickly packing away the days work.
Merai and Cadderly rush to the Great Hall on the first floor. Luckily you both believe that your tardiness has gone unnoticed. Brother Chaunticleer's midday Canticle resounds off the grand stone walls of the room. The Clergy of the Allied Gods are lined against the perimeter of the small raised platform. Some are listening eyes closed, some in silent prayer, some singing along to the words which tell the tenants of their joint religions - the pursuit of knowledge and harmony. The Canticle last 20 minutes. The words and melodies are sweetened by their Divine backing. Any guests of the library are welcome to join in the grand hall, but usually mingle some distance away from the clergy.
Any in attendance for the entirety of the Canticle receives a +2 bonus to anything intelligence related for the next 24 hours.
Merai - You notice that there are new guests to the library for the first time since Fall, now that the mountain passes have started their Spring melt. To your surprise there is a Dragonborn in attendance. Although the library is no stranger to the varied races of the world, a Dragonborn is still a very rare.
OOC- I believe our Dragonborn Barbarian will be sending his character description this Evening!
Pox heads to the Great Hall right before the end of the Canticle, because he heard there were newcomers about. He moves stealthily into the section near the new people and tries to listen in to their conversations, as the Canticle ends.
(21 stealth, 7 perception in campaign log) (12 passive perception I think is the “floor” for perception in 5e.
(he doesn’t like listening to all that holy music)
Hail! Millet Ferious has arrived, but you can call him "Little Iron" as most folks do.
OOC, this is my first foray into DnD 5e and its going take some getting used to. I am not even sure that I fully created a character to be honest. Just stumbled along. Not familiar with the dieties or the class, so I will be learning. Any input is welcome.
((Ooc welcome! Happy to have you, I’ll take a look at what you’ve got so far))
Ooc edit- took a look! Great start. Looks like you can pick more Spells and cantrips and get starting equipment (usually easiest to go with equipment- not gold and buy it yourself).
big differences I’ve noticed with 5e- Advantage and disadvantage (advantage means you roll 2 d20 for a check or attack and take the best one- disadvantage means you take the worst one). Cantrips are pretty powerful. You can only concentrate on one concentration spell at a time magic items are more rare and top out at +3,- and ac is a lot harder to get higher than about 20. It’s a fun system though. Just different- and well balanced.
OOC- Welcome! We are all learning and will help each-other out. In regard to Deities, this is the Forgotten realms Setting so you can use this pantheon. The Library is dedicated to the allied Gods of Knowledge - Deneir and Oghma, however any good aligned deity would work, especially as guests travel to the library for research.
Merai and Pox - You notice that there are 7 newcomers that are attending the midday Canticle. Five of them appear standard fair - traveling scholar or merchant. The last two stand out as a Dragon Born woman and Aasimar male (OOC - I will allow the Players to describe their visual appearance).
Pox- With your 21 stealth you are able to join the bystanders without them noticing. He doesn't hear any conversation over the singing, but he infers they are not speaking (most likely out of respect). The Dragonborn seems uneasy during the performance, but you are not sure why.
Her nails rested upon the aged pages before her, lizard like eyes scanning the draconic runes and subsequent elvish translations of said runes. The dragonborne was tall, her rigged head and bright red scales making her stand out even here. Inside a tavern it looked like she might barley fit, but inside the larger library there was space enough. Her arms were covered in black tattoos. Like her books, the writings upon her body were symbols of her people, the dark ink injected meticulously one scale at a time. Her clothes were simple, ragged garb, likely spun from the fur of mountain goats, oxen or other animals that could survive harsh cold. She also wasn't wearing much. A simple tunic covered her top half, while very short trousers covered the bottom. She wore no shoes, as her dragonborne feet were clawed, calicoed and hardy with much travel. Halflings often liked her feet. They told stories, just like the wee folks' did. Her only other clothes were a pair of metal bracers on each wrist, and a type of crown atop her rigged head. The crown was made of iron, and covered with pretty, but valueless, stones, each one shimmering and complimenting her scales. At her side lay a few armaments', a whip, giant axe, and a few smaller throwing axes. The dragonborne had excellent posture, sitting upright like she was being graded on it and her demeanor kept most curious people away. A gruffness and grumpiness flowed off of her like water, and as she read, tiny plumes of smoke exited her nostrils.
As the cantor began, she respectfully closed her book to listen, although it was clear from her narrowed eyes and crossed arms she considered it an annoyance to be endured before returning to her work. She showed no interest in those around her, not seeing much use in an elf, gnome, or any other common race. She remained seated as well, not wanting to tower over others in the room, and therefore calling attention to herself. Her yellow eyes flicked back around the space. Perhaps she was nervous, or maybe just curious. Either way, she was somebody that was hard to miss, even in a place filled with as many strange things as the library.
OOC - Welcome! Looks like we got all players posting now :)
The canticle builds to its final crescendo its tempo and ferocity almost defies logic as it similarly sounds so harmonious - and then silence.
OOC - Remember all who were present have a +2 blanket bonus to INT for the next 24 hours with the blessing of the allied gods of knowledge.
Brother Chancellor takes his bow and conversations pick up once more and the crowds disperse back to their daily activities. The two newcomers, especially the Dragonborn get some sideways glances and whispers from the crowd.
Cadderly grabs Merai's hand and pulls her through the crowd towards their appointment with the Dean. His youthful features bubbling with excitement.
"I wonder what Dean Tobius could want to see us both for - I doubt it has to do with our normal assignments - in fact I would bet it had to do with the newcomer's could you believe how tall the Dragonborne was and her tatoos! "
You reach the large wooden doors ornately carved of the Dean's office and knock on the door. His assistant, Rufo, a young scribe and fellow junior Cleric of Deneir opens the door and bids you to enter. He guides you through a waiting area to the office propper. He flashes a somewhat awkward fliratious smile at Merai which causes Cadderly to grimace and stick out his tongue at him before he exits.
The Dean is sitting behind his desk and bids you both to sit.
"Welcome Merai and Cadderly. I thank you for answering my hasted summons. As you can probably surmise this does not have to do with the translation you have been working on together. "
_______________________________________________
Unnamed Dragonborn and Little Iron are both approached by a library messenger, a human boy of no more than ten. He cowers before the Dragon-borne, his knees shaking. He slips an ivory notecard into Little Irons Hand and goes to do the same to the Dragonborne, but out of fear drops into a low bow and places the card at her feat. He runs off from the Great Hall.
The card reads.
Welcome to the library. I am Dean Tobius, head of the Denerian order and would like to invite you to afternoon tea, one hour after the midday Canticle and welcome you personally.
At the bottom of the card there is a little map guiding you to the Dean's office.
As the canticle ended, the slightest change occurred in the Dragonborn's eyes. They opened more, and while her expression remained blank, it was clear the music had touched her somehow. She seemed slightly less bitter. Of course, peace was an alien concept to her that only ever seemed to last about five seconds, for as the nervous human child fumbled over her the quiet storm returned.
"For the love of the goddess, what," she spat at the poor wretch. It was at this moment, the little tyke dropped the invite at her feat. She breathed in and out a few times, eyes closed. When she opened them, she hissed something in the tongues of her people. Profanity had a way of crossing language barriers, so even those who didn't know her lingua franca could tell that what she said of the boy was far from kind. A clawed hand snatched up the invite, and her eyes scanned it. "Hmmmp," she vocalized, her tone much softer than the previous utterance.
The canticle had just ended, and it didn't seem complicated to get there. The Dragonborn considered the request for a few minutes. If she rejected it, she might be asked to leave, and therefore wouldn't be able to finish her work. She could just steal the books, and make a break for it. There were perks to people being afraid of you. However, she knew that would be wrong, and give people untrue assumptions about her species. She had no choice. Her greatest fear would have to be faced. She would have to participate in the dreaded task known as....
small talk!
"Bugger this," she hissed quietly, but then began to slowly pack up her things into an animal skin bag. Her weapons were properly and safely stowed away. Last but not least, she returned all the books she'd been using except one. A large dusty tome was carried between her arms as she trudged along the floors, slowly working her way towards the office of the dean.
Merai sits, trying to hide the excitement at being summoned to the important office, and eager to hear what the dean has to say.
Translations had been getting tedious, and while in years past, she would have enjoyed learning from the books she translated- she felt she already knew enough about magical fungi.
Dean Tobius smiles at the two of you. He has always been the older father figure of the order. You have seen him wield some of the most powerful of Clerical Magics in public ceremony and there is little doubt that he is close to Deneir.
This morning I received a dire message sent magically from a wizard colleague of mine. Its source was our neighbors to the West, the elves of Shimistra Forest.
The message stated that Prince Ebberon of Shimistra would be traveling here with urgent and dire tidings. The prince traveled with only one other companion - the Druid Newander - as his guide. I request of both of you - Merai and Cadderly on behalf of this institution and our shared God that you head up this task. I need you to travel to the Gates of Kowledge and set up base camp and act as a welcoming party for them as they will be weary from their journey.
OOC - It is common knowledge that the Gates of Knowledge are the unofficial start of the library grounds and signify to travelers that their journey is nearing its end. Once through the gates a well maintained road leads easily to the Library and is exactly 5 miles long.
Normally I would ask more senior members of our order for something of such significance, but Newander requested you by name Cadderly. Apparently when he visited the library in your youth you left a lasting impression. Merai - as one of our few elves in the order I thought wise to have you along as well and since you and Cadderly work together. You may each have a companion along - I would assume that you would bring Miss Danica, (looking to Cadderly, referring to his girlfriend a young human woman monk studying at the library) and your little friend Pox (looking to Merai).
I am sure that you saw the newcomers earlier today. I am meeting with two fo them after this discussion in hopes of purchasing their assistance to go along with you. I don't think a little extra muscle would hurt, especially after the warning we received. It is hard to say when the Prince will arrive at the gates it could at any point in the next week. I will have your travel preparations made and your party shall leave at noon tomorrow, fully supplied of course.
May Deneir bless you with his harmony. In advance thanks for taking on this task.
He puts two gems in front of each of you - each worth 75 GP. Cadderly goes to refuse, but is silenced with a wave of the Dean's hand.
As the canticle ended, the slightest change occurred in the Dragonborn's eyes. They opened more, and while her expression remained blank, it was clear the music had touched her somehow. She seemed slightly less bitter. Of course, peace was an alien concept to her that only ever seemed to last about five seconds, for as the nervous human child fumbled over her the quiet storm returned.
"For the love of the goddess, what," she spat at the poor wretch. It was at this moment, the little tyke dropped the invite at her feat. She breathed in and out a few times, eyes closed. When she opened them, she hissed something in the tongues of her people. Profanity had a way of crossing language barriers, so even those who didn't know her lingua franca could tell that what she said of the boy was far from kind. A clawed hand snatched up the invite, and her eyes scanned it. "Hmmmp," she vocalized, her tone much softer than the previous utterance.
The canticle had just ended, and it didn't seem complicated to get there. The Dragonborn considered the request for a few minutes. If she rejected it, she might be asked to leave, and therefore wouldn't be able to finish her work. She could just steal the books, and make a break for it. There were perks to people being afraid of you. However, she knew that would be wrong, and give people untrue assumptions about her species. She had no choice. Her greatest fear would have to be faced. She would have to participate in the dreaded task known as....
small talk!
"Bugger this," she hissed quietly, but then began to slowly pack up her things into an animal skin bag. Her weapons were properly and safely stowed away. Last but not least, she returned all the books she'd been using except one. A large dusty tome was carried between her arms as she trudged along the floors, slowly working her way towards the office of the dean.
OOC - Once we resolve the Dean's first meeting, we will have you and Little Iron's Tea Talk with the Dean.
Dean Tobius smiles at the two of you. He has always been the older father figure of the order. You have seen him wield some of the most powerful of Clerical Magics in public ceremony and there is little doubt that he is close to Deneir.
This morning I received a dire message sent magically from a wizard colleague of mine. Its source was our neighbors to the West, the elves of Shimistra Forest.
The message stated that Prince Ebberon of Shimistra would be traveling here with urgent and dire tidings. The prince traveled with only one other companion - the Druid Newander - as his guide. I request of both of you - Merai and Cadderly on behalf of this institution and our shared God that you head up this task. I need you to travel to the Gates of Kowledge and set up base camp and act as a welcoming party for them as they will be weary from their journey.
OOC - It is common knowledge that the Gates of Knowledge are the unofficial start of the library grounds and signify to travelers that their journey is nearing its end. Once through the gates a well maintained road leads easily to the Library and is exactly 5 miles long.
Normally I would ask more senior members of our order for something of such significance, but Newander requested you by name Cadderly. Apparently when he visited the library in your youth you left a lasting impression. Merai - as one of our few elves in the order I thought wise to have you along as well and since you and Cadderly work together. You may each have a companion along - I would assume that you would bring Miss Danica, (looking to Cadderly, referring to his girlfriend a young human woman monk studying at the library) and your little friend Pox (looking to Merai).
I am sure that you saw the newcomers earlier today. I am meeting with two fo them after this discussion in hopes of purchasing their assistance to go along with you. I don't think a little extra muscle would hurt, especially after the warning we received. It is hard to say when the Prince will arrive at the gates it could at any point in the next week. I will have your travel preparations made and your party shall leave at noon tomorrow, fully supplied of course.
May Deneir bless you with his harmony. In advance thanks for taking on this task.
He puts two gems in front of each of you - each worth 75 GP. Cadderly goes to refuse, but is silenced with a wave of the Dean's hand.
Merai says “thank you for this offer, I am most honored to accept. As for Pox, I will gladly bring him with, although I think I’ll be doing everyone a favor by getting him out of this place for a while!” She smiles and accepts the gem. “This will help with my studies”.
Welcome to this Play By Post!
THIS IS A PRIVATE FORUM CAMPAIGN and aren't accepting new players.
Starting a Session Zero post and the thread.
Few PBP bookkeeping items.
To help with backstory / character creation here is some background on the world / region.
MAP of the Snowflake Mountain Region.
The story will begin around the Edificant Library. Your characters could be local to the library (visiting scholars, clerics of the Library) or the region (elves from the forest or humans from the City of Caradoon) there is also plenty of wilds / mountains in the area, or your characters could be visiting the library / passing through the region from the greater continent of Farun in the Forgotten Realms setting.
The Library is no strangers to the wider races and magics of the world.
___________________
The Edificant Library is a library located in the south of the Snowflake Mountains. It has stood for over 600 years. The building is an old, ivy-veiled stone structure strongly resembling a fortress. The huge building is more than 400 feet (120 meters) across and 200 feet (60 meters) deep. It consists of four above-ground levels and had an unknown expanse of storage tunnels and catacombs beneath. The first floor contained the library proper with unnumbered collections of mostly unique and ancient books, parchments, and artifacts. The second floor contained smaller study chambers and guest rooms for visiting scholars. It was built as a self-contained town, complete with housing, guest quarters, a large eating hall, stables, along with alchemy and herbalist shops.
The Library was erected as a tribute to Deneir and Oghma, the allied gods of knowledge, literature, and art.
The Edificant Library is open to all who wished to learn on the condition that they did not plan to use their knowledge for baneful purposes. Thus no scholars of evil religions were allowed entry to the Library. Followers of Gond were not well looked upon either, for they often strove for knowledge indifferent to its evil nature. The Library was a place for study, poetry reading, painting, sculpting, and a place for discussion of all types of unanswerable questions.
___________________
(Working)
can i join this?
This Mug immediately shared with me a transcendental tale of an Infinite Mug that anchors the Universe and keeps it from folding in on itself. I filed this report under "illogical nonsense" and asked why its sign is in Times New Roman font, when it is basic knowledge that Arial Black is a far superior font. I wondered: How did this mug even get past the assembly line with its theistic beliefs and poor font choices?
quote from Romantically Apocalyptic by Vitaly S Alexius
could an owlfolk wizard of the scribes find his way to this Edificant Library?
Thanks for your interest, but this is currently a Private Campaign.
We had the payers selected before creating this forum.
If we have players drop out I will keep you in mind and reach out via private message.
Thanks!
Merai (as she’s known around the library) is a stunningly beautiful high elven girl with purple eyes and long golden hair. She wears deep purple scholar’s robes, walks with a staff, and has a tiny elf owl (owl the size of a sparrow) on one shoulder. She’s often seen carrying around a large stack of books in the library- either for her own research or to support another’s.
She has been working at the library for a number of months.
She seems painfully shy and seldom speaks, and when she does it is with a soft voice. She is from Evereska, and rumors are she is a descendant of some of the ancient elvish archmages of the legendary city of Myth Drannor. Sent here to study and learn from other races, she is a worshiper of Deneir as well as a wizard.
Helping her around the library is a small, young gnome, with brown messy hair, tan beardless face and brown eyes, who is dressed in gaudy colors of greens, purples and pinks- who everyone calls Pox. He is mischievous and a bit of a troublemaker and prankster- often using illusions to pull elaborate pranks on the unsuspecting more serious scholars.
Merai caught him sneaking in to a restricted section to steal some books- and saved him from a deadly trap. He is fiercely loyal to her now.
OOC - Awesome Merai and Pox! Once the other players finish their characters and join they can send a brief welcome note about their character as well. I will set the groundwork for the story, but I don't want us to have to many posts before we are all here and present.
______________________________________________
Spring has come to the Snowflake Mountains!
The sound of dripping water as the winter snow melts creates a drumming around the Edificant Library. During the harsh winter months, there are few guests because of the mountain passes are nearly impossible to travel, even with magical aid. That leaves the nearly 150 priests and priestesses of the Deneir and Oghma orders, the allied gods of knowledge, literature, and art to hole up with their studies and prayers for months on end. The library is fully staffed with around 50 employees, cooks, cleaners and the like.
Merai is sitting at a table in one of the 2nd floor study chambers. She is translating a rare book of magical fungi as assigned to her as part of her duties by Dean Tobius, the head of the Denirian Order and the Library. A fellow junior Cleric of Deneir, Cadderly, a bubbly and bouncing 20 year old human sits beside her scribbling out translations attempting to decipher the tome. A library messenger, a young human boy of no more than ten years drops matching ivory colored note cards before each of you. The messenger silently slips away as you read an identical note:
You have been summoned to the office of Dean Tobius immediately following the midday Canticle this afternoon.
Before you can ponder the message, you hear the notes in a high falsetto at the start the midday Canticle - a song prayer to the Gods of the Library. As Clerics of Deneir your attendance is mandatory and Cadderly starts quickly packing away the days work.
Merai and Cadderly rush to the Great Hall on the first floor. Luckily you both believe that your tardiness has gone unnoticed. Brother Chaunticleer's midday Canticle resounds off the grand stone walls of the room. The Clergy of the Allied Gods are lined against the perimeter of the small raised platform. Some are listening eyes closed, some in silent prayer, some singing along to the words which tell the tenants of their joint religions - the pursuit of knowledge and harmony. The Canticle last 20 minutes. The words and melodies are sweetened by their Divine backing. Any guests of the library are welcome to join in the grand hall, but usually mingle some distance away from the clergy.
Any in attendance for the entirety of the Canticle receives a +2 bonus to anything intelligence related for the next 24 hours.
Merai - You notice that there are new guests to the library for the first time since Fall, now that the mountain passes have started their Spring melt. To your surprise there is a Dragonborn in attendance. Although the library is no stranger to the varied races of the world, a Dragonborn is still a very rare.
OOC- I believe our Dragonborn Barbarian will be sending his character description this Evening!
Merai studies the newcomers with interest- keen to hear of news of the outside world.
Pox heads to the Great Hall right before the end of the Canticle, because he heard there were newcomers about. He moves stealthily into the section near the new people and tries to listen in to their conversations, as the Canticle ends.
(21 stealth, 7 perception in campaign log) (12 passive perception I think is the “floor” for perception in 5e.
(he doesn’t like listening to all that holy music)
Hail! Millet Ferious has arrived, but you can call him "Little Iron" as most folks do.
OOC, this is my first foray into DnD 5e and its going take some getting used to. I am not even sure that I fully created a character to be honest. Just stumbled along. Not familiar with the dieties or the class, so I will be learning. Any input is welcome.
((Ooc welcome! Happy to have you, I’ll take a look at what you’ve got so far))
Ooc edit- took a look! Great start. Looks like you can pick more Spells and cantrips and get starting equipment (usually easiest to go with equipment- not gold and buy it yourself).
big differences I’ve noticed with 5e- Advantage and disadvantage (advantage means you roll 2 d20 for a check or attack and take the best one- disadvantage means you take the worst one). Cantrips are pretty powerful. You can only concentrate on one concentration spell at a time magic items are more rare and top out at +3,- and ac is a lot harder to get higher than about 20. It’s a fun system though. Just different- and well balanced.
here’s a great guide to playing a 5e cleric:
https://rpgbot.net/dnd5/characters/classes/cleric/
OOC- Welcome! We are all learning and will help each-other out. In regard to Deities, this is the Forgotten realms Setting so you can use this pantheon. The Library is dedicated to the allied Gods of Knowledge - Deneir and Oghma, however any good aligned deity would work, especially as guests travel to the library for research.
Merai and Pox - You notice that there are 7 newcomers that are attending the midday Canticle. Five of them appear standard fair - traveling scholar or merchant. The last two stand out as a Dragon Born woman and Aasimar male (OOC - I will allow the Players to describe their visual appearance).
Pox- With your 21 stealth you are able to join the bystanders without them noticing. He doesn't hear any conversation over the singing, but he infers they are not speaking (most likely out of respect). The Dragonborn seems uneasy during the performance, but you are not sure why.
Her nails rested upon the aged pages before her, lizard like eyes scanning the draconic runes and subsequent elvish translations of said runes. The dragonborne was tall, her rigged head and bright red scales making her stand out even here. Inside a tavern it looked like she might barley fit, but inside the larger library there was space enough. Her arms were covered in black tattoos. Like her books, the writings upon her body were symbols of her people, the dark ink injected meticulously one scale at a time. Her clothes were simple, ragged garb, likely spun from the fur of mountain goats, oxen or other animals that could survive harsh cold. She also wasn't wearing much. A simple tunic covered her top half, while very short trousers covered the bottom. She wore no shoes, as her dragonborne feet were clawed, calicoed and hardy with much travel. Halflings often liked her feet. They told stories, just like the wee folks' did. Her only other clothes were a pair of metal bracers on each wrist, and a type of crown atop her rigged head. The crown was made of iron, and covered with pretty, but valueless, stones, each one shimmering and complimenting her scales. At her side lay a few armaments', a whip, giant axe, and a few smaller throwing axes. The dragonborne had excellent posture, sitting upright like she was being graded on it and her demeanor kept most curious people away. A gruffness and grumpiness flowed off of her like water, and as she read, tiny plumes of smoke exited her nostrils.
As the cantor began, she respectfully closed her book to listen, although it was clear from her narrowed eyes and crossed arms she considered it an annoyance to be endured before returning to her work. She showed no interest in those around her, not seeing much use in an elf, gnome, or any other common race. She remained seated as well, not wanting to tower over others in the room, and therefore calling attention to herself. Her yellow eyes flicked back around the space. Perhaps she was nervous, or maybe just curious. Either way, she was somebody that was hard to miss, even in a place filled with as many strange things as the library.
OOC - Welcome! Looks like we got all players posting now :)
The canticle builds to its final crescendo its tempo and ferocity almost defies logic as it similarly sounds so harmonious - and then silence.
OOC - Remember all who were present have a +2 blanket bonus to INT for the next 24 hours with the blessing of the allied gods of knowledge.
Brother Chancellor takes his bow and conversations pick up once more and the crowds disperse back to their daily activities. The two newcomers, especially the Dragonborn get some sideways glances and whispers from the crowd.
Cadderly grabs Merai's hand and pulls her through the crowd towards their appointment with the Dean. His youthful features bubbling with excitement.
"I wonder what Dean Tobius could want to see us both for - I doubt it has to do with our normal assignments - in fact I would bet it had to do with the newcomer's could you believe how tall the Dragonborne was and her tatoos! "
You reach the large wooden doors ornately carved of the Dean's office and knock on the door. His assistant, Rufo, a young scribe and fellow junior Cleric of Deneir opens the door and bids you to enter. He guides you through a waiting area to the office propper. He flashes a somewhat awkward fliratious smile at Merai which causes Cadderly to grimace and stick out his tongue at him before he exits.
The Dean is sitting behind his desk and bids you both to sit.
"Welcome Merai and Cadderly. I thank you for answering my hasted summons. As you can probably surmise this does not have to do with the translation you have been working on together. "
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Unnamed Dragonborn and Little Iron are both approached by a library messenger, a human boy of no more than ten. He cowers before the Dragon-borne, his knees shaking. He slips an ivory notecard into Little Irons Hand and goes to do the same to the Dragonborne, but out of fear drops into a low bow and places the card at her feat. He runs off from the Great Hall.
The card reads.
Welcome to the library. I am Dean Tobius, head of the Denerian order and would like to invite you to afternoon tea, one hour after the midday Canticle and welcome you personally.
At the bottom of the card there is a little map guiding you to the Dean's office.
As the canticle ended, the slightest change occurred in the Dragonborn's eyes. They opened more, and while her expression remained blank, it was clear the music had touched her somehow. She seemed slightly less bitter. Of course, peace was an alien concept to her that only ever seemed to last about five seconds, for as the nervous human child fumbled over her the quiet storm returned.
"For the love of the goddess, what," she spat at the poor wretch. It was at this moment, the little tyke dropped the invite at her feat. She breathed in and out a few times, eyes closed. When she opened them, she hissed something in the tongues of her people. Profanity had a way of crossing language barriers, so even those who didn't know her lingua franca could tell that what she said of the boy was far from kind. A clawed hand snatched up the invite, and her eyes scanned it. "Hmmmp," she vocalized, her tone much softer than the previous utterance.
The canticle had just ended, and it didn't seem complicated to get there. The Dragonborn considered the request for a few minutes. If she rejected it, she might be asked to leave, and therefore wouldn't be able to finish her work. She could just steal the books, and make a break for it. There were perks to people being afraid of you. However, she knew that would be wrong, and give people untrue assumptions about her species. She had no choice. Her greatest fear would have to be faced. She would have to participate in the dreaded task known as....
small talk!
"Bugger this," she hissed quietly, but then began to slowly pack up her things into an animal skin bag. Her weapons were properly and safely stowed away. Last but not least, she returned all the books she'd been using except one. A large dusty tome was carried between her arms as she trudged along the floors, slowly working her way towards the office of the dean.
Merai sits, trying to hide the excitement at being summoned to the important office, and eager to hear what the dean has to say.
Translations had been getting tedious, and while in years past, she would have enjoyed learning from the books she translated- she felt she already knew enough about magical fungi.
Dean Tobius smiles at the two of you. He has always been the older father figure of the order. You have seen him wield some of the most powerful of Clerical Magics in public ceremony and there is little doubt that he is close to Deneir.
This morning I received a dire message sent magically from a wizard colleague of mine. Its source was our neighbors to the West, the elves of Shimistra Forest.
The message stated that Prince Ebberon of Shimistra would be traveling here with urgent and dire tidings. The prince traveled with only one other companion - the Druid Newander - as his guide. I request of both of you - Merai and Cadderly on behalf of this institution and our shared God that you head up this task. I need you to travel to the Gates of Kowledge and set up base camp and act as a welcoming party for them as they will be weary from their journey.
OOC - It is common knowledge that the Gates of Knowledge are the unofficial start of the library grounds and signify to travelers that their journey is nearing its end. Once through the gates a well maintained road leads easily to the Library and is exactly 5 miles long.
Normally I would ask more senior members of our order for something of such significance, but Newander requested you by name Cadderly. Apparently when he visited the library in your youth you left a lasting impression. Merai - as one of our few elves in the order I thought wise to have you along as well and since you and Cadderly work together. You may each have a companion along - I would assume that you would bring Miss Danica, (looking to Cadderly, referring to his girlfriend a young human woman monk studying at the library) and your little friend Pox (looking to Merai).
I am sure that you saw the newcomers earlier today. I am meeting with two fo them after this discussion in hopes of purchasing their assistance to go along with you. I don't think a little extra muscle would hurt, especially after the warning we received. It is hard to say when the Prince will arrive at the gates it could at any point in the next week. I will have your travel preparations made and your party shall leave at noon tomorrow, fully supplied of course.
May Deneir bless you with his harmony. In advance thanks for taking on this task.
He puts two gems in front of each of you - each worth 75 GP. Cadderly goes to refuse, but is silenced with a wave of the Dean's hand.
OOC - Once we resolve the Dean's first meeting, we will have you and Little Iron's Tea Talk with the Dean.
Merai says “thank you for this offer, I am most honored to accept. As for Pox, I will gladly bring him with, although I think I’ll be doing everyone a favor by getting him out of this place for a while!” She smiles and accepts the gem. “This will help with my studies”.