We open our story outside the Light of Dawn, the founding temple for Pelor in Triskele. It's a gloomy late winter day, the last snows have given way to slush and other nefarious muck on the roads. The streets this morning are cold and highly unwelcoming with few people moving about. Those who are out you do see are moving quickly through the bad weather and going about their business. You have all answered the open call to the temple of Dawn for a mission to Windstaff. A farming community a day's ride away. Suspicious happenings have spooked the local clergy and they've sent a messenger to the main temple for aid. In front of the temple standing in the early spring morning gloom your party find Caladon Cyndrial, a scar faced halfling with flaming red hair, or Cal to most of you. The halfling is the second highest priest of the temple of the Dawn. The halfling smirks from the steps of the temple talking to a half-elven woman wearing rich red and brown robes who's holding a gnarled wooden staff flecked with gemstones. You've come from your dwelling in Triskele to get the last news before embarking on your journey north from the coast into the hinterlands.
A thin, older human with long brown-gray hair stands alongside his cart in the slush and the mud. He seldom ventures this deep into the larger cities and towns, so his shivers come as much from lingering unease as from the cold weather. Still, it has been a quiet winter. Idle hands and feet lead to idle thoughts and that leads... in any event he did not hesitate when he heard the call for volunteers.
Now, standing here in the street in front of the temple of Pelor and looking up and down at the others who answered the call he began to wonder just what it was he had signed up for? These aren't common militia or hired help... these fellows look like seasoned adventurers and - is that one a minotaur? - he felt a bit out of place. He pushed those thoughts aside.
If they want my help, he thought, then it is because they have need of it. And they shall have it, all that I am fit to provide.
He cleared his throat and tried to straighten up and stand tall before addressing the group. "Hrhmmn. Good morning, lady and gents." To any - if any - he hasn't yet met in person, "I'm called Rattinger." Back to the assembled group, "I look forward to working with you all. Any news before we take to the road?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * [Sound of Cork Popping] - Kenku - Lvl 3 Lore Bard - Everasil
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Thordilgon, bundled up in furs to keep himself warm, reaches up and slaps the human as close to the shoulder as he can. "Well meet friend. Here is to hoping for an easy trip." Winks at Rattinger and looks to Cal for any last information.
Loa looks up at the temple as his breath fogged the cold morning air. Pulling his thick cloak around his shoulders, Loa muttered a prayer for guidance. This place held many memories from his time training with the church. As a young minotaur, he had walked these halls, soaking in the knowledge of Pelor. This was where he had first truly felt the Calling- the urge to serve. It was also where he had been told that his life was more suited to the sword, not the cloth. That was several years ago now, and Loa had come to see the wisdom in this decision. Now he could truly serve Pelor in a way that he never could before.
Underfoot, the mud and slush slipped slightly and Loa thought it best to move up onto the more secure footing of the stairs, where waited the disfigured halfling. The people who had gathered were clearly anxious to learn the details of the call, which was only right. If any were acting against the will of Pelor, swift action was required. "Cal, you know I am at the service of the church, simply point me in the right direction."
Arthos finishes a last minute inventory of his component pouch and re-adjusts it on his belt before sauntering over towards the group and posting up next to Rattinger's cart.
"Good morning Gents. M'lady," Arthos says, courteously nodding towards the woman with the fancy staff. His deep drawl sounds like two parts gravel and one part molasses. Glancing around at his companions he whispers, "Who is Cal's friend?"
A simply but warmly dressed human joins the rest of you at the base of the stairs. He wears no armor, but is protected from the chill by plain but well-made leathers and furs. The familiar clank of his pack and the ladle hooked into a convenient strap on the side marks him as one of the cooks who may have served with you before, but the quality of the leathers and the familiar way he rests his hand on the pommel of his sword hint at other talents as well. Black-haired and deeply tanned from a lifetime lived in the out of doors, Gareth says, "Well-met. We are to investigate the trouble in Windstaff, then?"
"Welcome acolytes....welcome," Cal announces after the party assembles. "Pleasure as always lady Danathann," he then says bowing slightly to the elven woman, "but I regret I must end our conversation now. These fine fellows are here to serve and must not keep them waiting for their assistance is greatly needed in the north," tje halfling says to the elven woman who nods then smiles at all of you.
"Blessing to you on a safe return," the elven woman says but does not linger for a reply.
OOC: You've all worked together before with a temple liaison, usually a new cleric or paladin of Pelor, on these missions to investigate church related crime or events. Any questions PM me!
"Wealthy patrons...as if the church can bail nardowells out of jail," Cal says with a lowered tone after Danathann is out of ear shot. Then Cal returns hus attention to the task at hand. "Right. We're all ready to go? The reports are sketchy at best. We still can't get much sense out of the cleric who arrived last night and the ravens have not returned with news. I'm afraid we know precious little of what awaits you other than this mysterious group's arrival in town," he explains making momentary eye contact with each of you. "Horse back is the fastest was to travel but Rattinger does have jis tryst cart," he adds motioning towards the older man. "What say you? Any other council I can offer before you get on your way," the halfling asks with a curiously cocked eyebrow.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
"I know my way around a cart, if you need me to drive it. You never know when having a bit more storage will turn out useful," offers the cook, looking towards Rattinger for direction.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Rattinger will defer to the others for any questions they may have about the senseless cleric or the mystery group. His mind is already on the road and how quickly they can be on their way.
Would he have any knowledge of what to expect on the roads between here and there? Well maintained and patrolled roads? Cart tracks through untamed wilderness? Frequent problems with certain monsters or highwaymen? Notorious bottlenecks or ambush sites? If appropriate, here's a History 6 check and/or a Survival 24 check. If he is familiar with those roads, then his attention is drifting off to good spots to rest or water the animals and areas where he will need to warn the group to keep a careful eye out for danger. He might appear lost in thought if anyone spares him a glance.
* Realizing he missed a question from Gareth, he snaps back to attention. Clearing his throat and looking a bit embarrassed, "Hrhmmn? Oh... yes yes that would be fine. I prefer to walk alongside most times, anyway." He pauses as he processes the halflings comments and another thought occurs to him. "Though, if the plan is to travel by horseback, then I suppose walking is out of the question for me."
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * [Sound of Cork Popping] - Kenku - Lvl 3 Lore Bard - Everasil
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
“Travel by horseback would allow us to move with all haste, which seems to me the word of the day given our lack of intelligence. Cal, can the temple spare any horses or will we need to procure them from the local stables?”
Loa nods in agreement as Arthos speaks. "Yes. If there has been enough need to send messages for help, we should reply with all speed. It is a days' ride away. I am sure they have a wagon we could use if we need to bring anything back with us. If not, we are close enough to return for your one."
OOC: No one has been to Windstaff before. It's not the largest town and it's as I said a day's ride north along a fairly well made road for moving corps to Triskele more than people so I'd say two carts wide.
Rattinger is pretty confident he can handle the cart and find the way to Windstaff.
"Speed is important hence why I gathered you from your warm beds at this Pelor forsaken hour," Cal grumbles against the cold. "The temple will provide any equipment you think is necessary for this task. We appreciate new devotions to our ministry and want your relationship with the Dawn Father to be rooted in trust as much as faith," Cal adds quickly realizing his bitterness in the complaint about the hour. "My old colleague is at the temple in Windstaff, Ezra Highhammer. He's a wise dwarf with a good sense for charlatans and conjurers. He wouldn't have sent for aid unless absolutely necessary. As I said the woman, the young cleric who delivered the message, is still very much in a state," he adds. "Stay on the Amber Road north and you'll quickly reach your destination off the road at a large fork and ruined mage's tower from tbe age before his light shone on us all," Cal explains solemnly holding his small hands toward the dawn's light.
OOC: PM me for anything else. Assume you all are very well acquainted. Maybe not the best of friends but you've worked together for the church before. Y'all can decided that connections seriousness.
"Thank you, Brother Cal. Unless we think there is anything more to be gained from talking to the messenger, we should head out at once, then," suggests Gareth, adding "If there is a good road, a wagon will be nearly as quick as a horse; let us go to the stables and see what is available." He starts moving that way unless the others have more questions for Cal.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Rattinger nods in agreement. "I am sure old Caliope here can keep up, so long as the horses are not set on a break-neck pace," he says while patting the mule on her flank. While he would trust the faith with her care, he would rather not stable her here in the city.
Seeing Gareth turn toward the stables, Rattinger grabs the reins and takes a step in that direction as well, eager to be moving. "In a perfect world, we would much prefer more intelligence on what it is we are walking into. But our mortal world is not perfect, and I have no skills or tricks to bring a young woman out of delirium for questioning."
Over his shoulder as a parting to Cal, "I'm a morning person, meself, so I count the early hour as a blessing. If we get a move on, we may reach Windstaff with a sliver of daylight left." Quietly to himself, he continued, "And if we don't know what's waiting for us there... better to face a nasty surprise in the light than in the dark."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * [Sound of Cork Popping] - Kenku - Lvl 3 Lore Bard - Everasil
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
"Cal, is our poor cleric conscious? I could always attempt to intuit some answers to acquire a bit more information."
OOC: I have some telepathic abilities as well as the spell detect thoughts... I'm not sure it would help, but if you all want to take a shot at asking the cleric some questions while I try to read her mind, I would be willing to give it a try. I definitely don't want to bog the game down, however. (BTW, I feel like you all would have witnessed me do this before during previous assignments).
Rattinger hesitates as he was starting to walk away. Hearing Arthos and remembering some of his unique talents, he is torn between his urge to get out of this city - filled with stone buildings, narrow streets and crowds of people - and back on the roads, with concern over their lack of intel on the threat they are investigating.
Considering for a moment, he stops the cart. "Hrhmmn,"clearing his throat, he shares, "Actually, I think Arthos should give it a try. I would hope it won't take long and delay our mission... but if the woman holds information critical to our task, we may live to rue our haste if we leave without trying to question her."
Considering further, a confused look passes over his face and he turns to Cal. "Did you say how this woman came to travel from Windstaff, in her condition? Was she capable of riding a horse, but not capable of speech when she arrived?" His brow furrows, trying to piece this together and more convinced by the moment that we should let Arthos try his magic.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * [Sound of Cork Popping] - Kenku - Lvl 3 Lore Bard - Everasil
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
"You all are more than welcome to try to speak with the cleric. She came on horseback the beast died from its efforts to reach us. She's there at the main altar just inside. She's been in prayer since not long after her arrival. She shows no signs of trauma she...she was carrying the note from Highhammer but no one here has been able to entice her to speak," he adds gesturing at the temple. "If you think you can speak with her...pleas," the priest says gesturing again inside.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
"I have no skill with such things," says Gareth humbly, volunteering, "but I can go to the stables and make sure the horses and wagon are ready for our departure as soon as you are done."
Gareth heads off to do just that, confident in his teammates' abilities (proficient in Animal Handling and Land Vehicles).
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
"Very well, I will only take a minute. Cal, would you do me the honor of introductions?" Arthos follows Cal into the temple, pulling a copper piece out of his component pouch. (OOC: casting detect thoughts.) As he passes through the temple, he softly bites down on the edge of the coin with his molars and sends his other hand through a series of gestures while muttering an incantation, finishing just in time to dip in a curt bow after Cal's introduction.
"M'lady, I hate to interrupt your prayers but I hope you will forgive me for my urgency. What do you remember about this mysterious group and what is transpiring in the town?" Arthos concentrates on reading her surface thoughts, only.
(OOC to keep things moving, my other questions are "Did you encounter anything unusual or dangerous on the road" and "Is there anything we can get for you, other than space to complete your prayers?")
We open our story outside the Light of Dawn, the founding temple for Pelor in Triskele. It's a gloomy late winter day, the last snows have given way to slush and other nefarious muck on the roads. The streets this morning are cold and highly unwelcoming with few people moving about. Those who are out you do see are moving quickly through the bad weather and going about their business. You have all answered the open call to the temple of Dawn for a mission to Windstaff. A farming community a day's ride away. Suspicious happenings have spooked the local clergy and they've sent a messenger to the main temple for aid. In front of the temple standing in the early spring morning gloom your party find Caladon Cyndrial, a scar faced halfling with flaming red hair, or Cal to most of you. The halfling is the second highest priest of the temple of the Dawn. The halfling smirks from the steps of the temple talking to a half-elven woman wearing rich red and brown robes who's holding a gnarled wooden staff flecked with gemstones. You've come from your dwelling in Triskele to get the last news before embarking on your journey north from the coast into the hinterlands.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
A thin, older human with long brown-gray hair stands alongside his cart in the slush and the mud. He seldom ventures this deep into the larger cities and towns, so his shivers come as much from lingering unease as from the cold weather. Still, it has been a quiet winter. Idle hands and feet lead to idle thoughts and that leads... in any event he did not hesitate when he heard the call for volunteers.
Now, standing here in the street in front of the temple of Pelor and looking up and down at the others who answered the call he began to wonder just what it was he had signed up for? These aren't common militia or hired help... these fellows look like seasoned adventurers and - is that one a minotaur? - he felt a bit out of place. He pushed those thoughts aside.
If they want my help, he thought, then it is because they have need of it. And they shall have it, all that I am fit to provide.
He cleared his throat and tried to straighten up and stand tall before addressing the group. "Hrhmmn. Good morning, lady and gents." To any - if any - he hasn't yet met in person, "I'm called Rattinger." Back to the assembled group, "I look forward to working with you all. Any news before we take to the road?"
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * [Sound of Cork Popping] - Kenku - Lvl 3 Lore Bard - Everasil
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Thordilgon, bundled up in furs to keep himself warm, reaches up and slaps the human as close to the shoulder as he can. "Well meet friend. Here is to hoping for an easy trip." Winks at Rattinger and looks to Cal for any last information.
Thom Everyman- Midgard One Shots
DMing- The Voyage of the Fallen Star
Loa looks up at the temple as his breath fogged the cold morning air. Pulling his thick cloak around his shoulders, Loa muttered a prayer for guidance. This place held many memories from his time training with the church. As a young minotaur, he had walked these halls, soaking in the knowledge of Pelor. This was where he had first truly felt the Calling- the urge to serve. It was also where he had been told that his life was more suited to the sword, not the cloth. That was several years ago now, and Loa had come to see the wisdom in this decision. Now he could truly serve Pelor in a way that he never could before.
Underfoot, the mud and slush slipped slightly and Loa thought it best to move up onto the more secure footing of the stairs, where waited the disfigured halfling. The people who had gathered were clearly anxious to learn the details of the call, which was only right. If any were acting against the will of Pelor, swift action was required. "Cal, you know I am at the service of the church, simply point me in the right direction."
Arthos finishes a last minute inventory of his component pouch and re-adjusts it on his belt before sauntering over towards the group and posting up next to Rattinger's cart.
"Good morning Gents. M'lady," Arthos says, courteously nodding towards the woman with the fancy staff. His deep drawl sounds like two parts gravel and one part molasses. Glancing around at his companions he whispers, "Who is Cal's friend?"
Gareth:
A simply but warmly dressed human joins the rest of you at the base of the stairs. He wears no armor, but is protected from the chill by plain but well-made leathers and furs. The familiar clank of his pack and the ladle hooked into a convenient strap on the side marks him as one of the cooks who may have served with you before, but the quality of the leathers and the familiar way he rests his hand on the pommel of his sword hint at other talents as well. Black-haired and deeply tanned from a lifetime lived in the out of doors, Gareth says, "Well-met. We are to investigate the trouble in Windstaff, then?"
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
"Welcome acolytes....welcome," Cal announces after the party assembles. "Pleasure as always lady Danathann," he then says bowing slightly to the elven woman, "but I regret I must end our conversation now. These fine fellows are here to serve and must not keep them waiting for their assistance is greatly needed in the north," tje halfling says to the elven woman who nods then smiles at all of you.
"Blessing to you on a safe return," the elven woman says but does not linger for a reply.
OOC: You've all worked together before with a temple liaison, usually a new cleric or paladin of Pelor, on these missions to investigate church related crime or events. Any questions PM me!
"Wealthy patrons...as if the church can bail nardowells out of jail," Cal says with a lowered tone after Danathann is out of ear shot. Then Cal returns hus attention to the task at hand. "Right. We're all ready to go? The reports are sketchy at best. We still can't get much sense out of the cleric who arrived last night and the ravens have not returned with news. I'm afraid we know precious little of what awaits you other than this mysterious group's arrival in town," he explains making momentary eye contact with each of you. "Horse back is the fastest was to travel but Rattinger does have jis tryst cart," he adds motioning towards the older man. "What say you? Any other council I can offer before you get on your way," the halfling asks with a curiously cocked eyebrow.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Gareth:
"I know my way around a cart, if you need me to drive it. You never know when having a bit more storage will turn out useful," offers the cook, looking towards Rattinger for direction.
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Rattinger will defer to the others for any questions they may have about the senseless cleric or the mystery group. His mind is already on the road and how quickly they can be on their way.
Would he have any knowledge of what to expect on the roads between here and there? Well maintained and patrolled roads? Cart tracks through untamed wilderness? Frequent problems with certain monsters or highwaymen? Notorious bottlenecks or ambush sites? If appropriate, here's a History 6 check and/or a Survival 24 check. If he is familiar with those roads, then his attention is drifting off to good spots to rest or water the animals and areas where he will need to warn the group to keep a careful eye out for danger. He might appear lost in thought if anyone spares him a glance.
* Realizing he missed a question from Gareth, he snaps back to attention. Clearing his throat and looking a bit embarrassed, "Hrhmmn? Oh... yes yes that would be fine. I prefer to walk alongside most times, anyway." He pauses as he processes the halflings comments and another thought occurs to him. "Though, if the plan is to travel by horseback, then I suppose walking is out of the question for me."
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * [Sound of Cork Popping] - Kenku - Lvl 3 Lore Bard - Everasil
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
“Travel by horseback would allow us to move with all haste, which seems to me the word of the day given our lack of intelligence. Cal, can the temple spare any horses or will we need to procure them from the local stables?”
OOC: How far away is our destination?
Loa nods in agreement as Arthos speaks. "Yes. If there has been enough need to send messages for help, we should reply with all speed. It is a days' ride away. I am sure they have a wagon we could use if we need to bring anything back with us. If not, we are close enough to return for your one."
OOC: No one has been to Windstaff before. It's not the largest town and it's as I said a day's ride north along a fairly well made road for moving corps to Triskele more than people so I'd say two carts wide.
Rattinger is pretty confident he can handle the cart and find the way to Windstaff.
"Speed is important hence why I gathered you from your warm beds at this Pelor forsaken hour," Cal grumbles against the cold. "The temple will provide any equipment you think is necessary for this task. We appreciate new devotions to our ministry and want your relationship with the Dawn Father to be rooted in trust as much as faith," Cal adds quickly realizing his bitterness in the complaint about the hour. "My old colleague is at the temple in Windstaff, Ezra Highhammer. He's a wise dwarf with a good sense for charlatans and conjurers. He wouldn't have sent for aid unless absolutely necessary. As I said the woman, the young cleric who delivered the message, is still very much in a state," he adds. "Stay on the Amber Road north and you'll quickly reach your destination off the road at a large fork and ruined mage's tower from tbe age before his light shone on us all," Cal explains solemnly holding his small hands toward the dawn's light.
OOC: PM me for anything else. Assume you all are very well acquainted. Maybe not the best of friends but you've worked together for the church before. Y'all can decided that connections seriousness.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Gareth:
"Thank you, Brother Cal. Unless we think there is anything more to be gained from talking to the messenger, we should head out at once, then," suggests Gareth, adding "If there is a good road, a wagon will be nearly as quick as a horse; let us go to the stables and see what is available." He starts moving that way unless the others have more questions for Cal.
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Rattinger nods in agreement. "I am sure old Caliope here can keep up, so long as the horses are not set on a break-neck pace," he says while patting the mule on her flank. While he would trust the faith with her care, he would rather not stable her here in the city.
Seeing Gareth turn toward the stables, Rattinger grabs the reins and takes a step in that direction as well, eager to be moving. "In a perfect world, we would much prefer more intelligence on what it is we are walking into. But our mortal world is not perfect, and I have no skills or tricks to bring a young woman out of delirium for questioning."
Over his shoulder as a parting to Cal, "I'm a morning person, meself, so I count the early hour as a blessing. If we get a move on, we may reach Windstaff with a sliver of daylight left." Quietly to himself, he continued, "And if we don't know what's waiting for us there... better to face a nasty surprise in the light than in the dark."
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * [Sound of Cork Popping] - Kenku - Lvl 3 Lore Bard - Everasil
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
"Cal, is our poor cleric conscious? I could always attempt to intuit some answers to acquire a bit more information."
OOC: I have some telepathic abilities as well as the spell detect thoughts... I'm not sure it would help, but if you all want to take a shot at asking the cleric some questions while I try to read her mind, I would be willing to give it a try. I definitely don't want to bog the game down, however. (BTW, I feel like you all would have witnessed me do this before during previous assignments).
Thordilgon strokes his short beard while saying, "I say we get to moving."
Thom Everyman- Midgard One Shots
DMing- The Voyage of the Fallen Star
Rattinger hesitates as he was starting to walk away. Hearing Arthos and remembering some of his unique talents, he is torn between his urge to get out of this city - filled with stone buildings, narrow streets and crowds of people - and back on the roads, with concern over their lack of intel on the threat they are investigating.
Considering for a moment, he stops the cart. "Hrhmmn," clearing his throat, he shares, "Actually, I think Arthos should give it a try. I would hope it won't take long and delay our mission... but if the woman holds information critical to our task, we may live to rue our haste if we leave without trying to question her."
Considering further, a confused look passes over his face and he turns to Cal. "Did you say how this woman came to travel from Windstaff, in her condition? Was she capable of riding a horse, but not capable of speech when she arrived?" His brow furrows, trying to piece this together and more convinced by the moment that we should let Arthos try his magic.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * [Sound of Cork Popping] - Kenku - Lvl 3 Lore Bard - Everasil
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
"You all are more than welcome to try to speak with the cleric. She came on horseback the beast died from its efforts to reach us. She's there at the main altar just inside. She's been in prayer since not long after her arrival. She shows no signs of trauma she...she was carrying the note from Highhammer but no one here has been able to entice her to speak," he adds gesturing at the temple. "If you think you can speak with her...pleas," the priest says gesturing again inside.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Gareth:
"I have no skill with such things," says Gareth humbly, volunteering, "but I can go to the stables and make sure the horses and wagon are ready for our departure as soon as you are done."
Gareth heads off to do just that, confident in his teammates' abilities (proficient in Animal Handling and Land Vehicles).
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
"Very well, I will only take a minute. Cal, would you do me the honor of introductions?" Arthos follows Cal into the temple, pulling a copper piece out of his component pouch. (OOC: casting detect thoughts.) As he passes through the temple, he softly bites down on the edge of the coin with his molars and sends his other hand through a series of gestures while muttering an incantation, finishing just in time to dip in a curt bow after Cal's introduction.
"M'lady, I hate to interrupt your prayers but I hope you will forgive me for my urgency. What do you remember about this mysterious group and what is transpiring in the town?" Arthos concentrates on reading her surface thoughts, only.
(OOC to keep things moving, my other questions are "Did you encounter anything unusual or dangerous on the road" and "Is there anything we can get for you, other than space to complete your prayers?")