The first sensation you feel is a pounding headache which beats mercilessly inside your skulls. Cracking open your eyes, you see yourself in a hexagonal, windowless room entirely constructed of obsidian-black marble splashed with milky-white swirls. A driftglobe spirals lazily in circles throughout the air, illuminating the sight of another handful of unfamiliar individuals in the same situation as you - sprawled over the cool floor, just regaining their consciousnesses.
Six unfortunate figures - clearly from all walks of life, though there's one common denominator here; each one is armed, be it sword, dagger, or pouch of components. A dastardly, young man lies, a gleaming rapier strapped to his belt. A curled-up elven woman in studded leathers already stirs, evidently used to being more alert than others. A man clad in icy-blue attire to fit an emperor may be recognizable to some. His very sight seems to strike fear into your hearts - even more so if you know his name. Smoke wisps from the snout of an enormous, intimidating, red-scaled dragonborn, tail scraping over the stone floor beneath as dreams of something plague him. A Tiefling lies, sprawled against the floor - as does his cowl, which resembles a bat in far too many ways. And, finally, the form of a Half-Elf with traits of green scales and draconic ancestry seems almost blurred by his own cloak.
Before a word can be said, a sourceless, thunderous voice compounds the ringing sensation in your ears - seemingly emerging from the very walls itself. "Murderer, thief, wretch, and worse, Answer for your crimes you will today. Prove your valor matches your violations, Or meet the darkness of death's decay."
Take the moment to introduce yourselves and your characters. Check out the map on Discord. The room is windowless, hexagonal, and approximately 30' across from the center of one wall to the center of the opposite. The cracked stone seems weathered and ancient under your boots - the masonry holding the walls seems to have aged beyond what it should have. There are no doors; six torches burn where the walls meet.
Four stone pillars hold the level roof aloft, around 15' in height. A circular, blood-colored rug lies directly in the center of the room. A blue sphere rotates around the room at lazy intervals - it is easy enough to tell this is a driftglobe.
And, now that's been said - the ball is in your court. Introduce yourselves and react to the situation. Perhaps your characters have met before. Perhaps they have not.
Either way - you know what you have done to get here, even if the method of your arrival is still a frustrating mystery. Three questions hang in your pounding heads - who are these other people? How did I end up here? And, finally - how do I escape?
"Murderer, thief, wretch, and worse, Answer for your crimes you will today. Prove your valor matches your violations, Or meet the darkness of death's decay."
Keyleth's first thought when she awakens and hears the words is, Well, I wasn't expecting it to happen this soon.
But happening it is, apparently, so she sits up and prepares to be punished by Bahamut's sister.
Problem is, whatever she was expecting to see, it isn't what she got. There's a driftglobe, a crimson rug, some pillars, no doors or windows, six walls, and five very big problems in the forms of other people.
A tiefling. A dragonborn. A half-elf. Two humans. All armed. Either they've all angered Tiamat, or...
Or this is something else.
There are five other people in this room with no exits. And Keyleth is a ticking time bomb.
We are riding over the waves at a fast clip, standing forward hanging on to the rigging, and in the distance a nice, well stocked, slow moving galleon is just visible. "Ripe for the picking.They haven't seen us yet. Good." He hauls out his enormous great axe and takes a few practice swings, limbering up. "This is going to be a great day." Huh? What the hell?
Wulgar wakes up startled from his dream, a pounding sound in his head and hears the words. He looks around and snorts, coming awake.
Murderer, thief, wretch, and worse, Answer for your crimes you will today. Prove your valor matches your violations, Or meet the darkness of death's decay."
A large red Dragonborn pushes himself up and stands, looking around the room. He sees the others on the ground, the elf is awake and looking around. "What the hell is this? Who are you? And how the hell did we get in here? I was just dreaming.... aboard ship. My ship! What the happening to it right now? If I'm not there those ruddy bastards will do who knows what!" He says this to himself and he starts to pace, looking around the room, the appearance of a caged, dangerous animal. His hands go to his things, he feels for his axe, his whip, his cloak, and feels a little reassured. "Who are you?" he says again to the elf, looking at her in a curious way.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Murderer, thief, wretch, and worse, Answer for your crimes you will today. Prove your valor matches your violations, Or meet the darkness of death's decay."
"What is this trickery?" The tiefling snarled as he slowly got to his feet, backing up defensively to the wall, holding his black cloak tight around him while looking around the room for ways to escape. "It would seem like a reckoning masster, but not of infernal making I´m sure." followed by an eerie giggle from somewhere around the tieflings right shoulder. The tiefling then frantically unfolds a piece of black cloth on the ground, seemingly looking into it, ignoring the others in the room for now, clearly obsessed over other matters.
Perception:27 Investigation:21 to look for exits like secret doors with help from Vorax, otherwise go with first roll (OOC: Is anything missing from Avarice´s portable hole?.)
A dense cloud of confused images... falling... drifting across space... fingernails on a chalkboard and the cries of a dead man... vertigo and displacement... eventually this all coalesces into a pounding in Varan's head and he awakens on the cold stone floor....
Murderer, thief, wretch, and worse, Answer for your crimes you will today. Prove your valor matches your violations, Or meet the darkness of death's decay.
That is... sub-optimal. Eyes open now, Varan surveys the room. Around him five strangers are stirring, all of them appear as disoriented as he is... a quick glance confirms he has never seen any of them before. A large red dragonborn... looks to be a warrior, and an ill tempered one at that. An elven girl, dressed like a traveler or an explorer. A tiefling... with a familiar. So a wizard or a warlock. Two more still dreaming... one with very expensive gear. An eclectic mix of prisoners. This is bad... but it could be interesting. Still on the ground, he performs an inventory and confirms he is still in possession of all of his gear.
Like a cat he rolls slowly but effortlessly, first to his knees then to a standing position. The others see a half elf man of middle age, with piercing green eyes and just a hint of irridescent green flickering across his skin, the suggestion of scales. His hair is ties up in a bun and a neatly groomed salt and pepper beard hangs down to his mid-chest. He wears a green and gold coat, decorated with runes and strange characters and across his shoulders hangs a cloak which almost looks to be made of... tentacles? A finely crafted light crossbow hangs at his side. His entire form flickers shifts almost imperceptably, like he is an image projected from somewhere else.
"Well,"he says, his voice smooth like honeyed wine, "Our host clearly has a flair for the dramatic. Does anyone here have a guess as to why you've been invited to this little party?"
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
Keyleth stands, not even seeming to hear the dragonborn or anyone else. She begins muttering to herself in Elvish.
Looking at her, the others would see a young-looking (though that says little with elves) elven woman with tan skin, bright green eyes, and dark hair in a long braid. She wears studded leather armor and has two shortswords sheathed at her waist. And she looks like she's panicking.
"My liege, one day you will meet your judgment. Everything you've built, everything you've accomplished will turn to dust. Your penance will be twice-fold of the pain you've inflicted on innocent souls."
"Take this one to this gallows. Let him bother me no longer."
He awakened slowly from a troubled dream, though he stopped dreaming years ago. Ragnar is a tall hulking man clad in regal attire with a well-trimmed graying red beard. A thunderous voice sounded overhead.
Murderer, thief, wretch, and worse, Answer for your crimes you will today. Prove your valor matches your violations, Or meet the darkness of death's decay."
His hand went straight for the hilt ofFrost Brand, icy blue eyes scanning the five others in the room. Seeing that they have yet to draw their own arms, his grip loosens.
From the expressions in their own eyes, Ragnar has no doubt they've shed blood before."Friend or foe?"he mutters. There's a mirthless smile on his face as he watches the floating driftglobe, pondering the meaning of the thunderous voice. With that, Ragnar becomes resolute. He knew what to do.
Rising up, he approaches the elf woman while keeping a suitable distance. His voice is gruff yet there's a cultivated hint of eloquence.
"Friend, there is no need to panic. Find the courage within. Let it rule your mind."
As he says those words, a strange magical presence suffuses the air. It beckons to all those near Ragnar, promising invigorating courage and mettle to those who accept his words. However, a more menacing aura lies underneath it, like a hand wielding a veiled dagger.
(Aura of Courage, friendly creatures within 10 ft. can't be frightened. If it helps...)
The dragonborn and half-elf appeared to be more talkative so far. Turning to the half-elf, "I could venture a guess, but it would be for naught. For within every group of ten souls, half will perform crimes in the light of day, and three more will carry sedition in their hearts. There is no telling why we were chosen to languish in this place."
Varan observes Ragnar and notes the aura of influence and confidence the man exudes. "Perhaps you are correct and there is no good reason for us to be here. Yet, I suspect it is worth consideration. I care less about what it will tell me about the rest of you... but rather what it may say about our host." Varan turns his eyes from Ragnar to the driftglobe circling the room. "Someone or something went to a lot of trouble to gather us here. Why it did so may tell us more about its motivations and whether it is something that we must negotiate with..." he pauses long enough to cast mage hand to try and grasp the driftglobe and stabilize it in the center of the room, "... or destroy."
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
"Mmmmmmm, nnnnnnnngh," the human lad says with a stretch, before even opening his eyes. "That was a good night... You think we have time for more before your husba...."
Opening his eyes he stops and realizes that he's no longer where he thought he once was. "Huh," he says with a grin. "Hello!"
He pats himself down quickly first to check that he's clothed - he is - and then to check his belongings - right where they belong. "Well, that's a start then anyway, isn't it?" he asks nobody in particular and slowly climbs to his feet. He's wearing what he considers his traveling gear, basically studded leather armor, a rapier, several daggers (some visible, others hidden), solid boots, a loose cotton multicolored shirt and a leather vest above that with a flute and a tin whistle in their own scabbards. He bends to pick up his backpack and as he throws it over his one shoulder his armor... glimmers and changes. It turns out he is just wearing a loose cotton multicolored shirt with a leather vest which holds his instruments. Huh.
"It seems we're gotten ourselves into a bit of a predicament then, doesn't it?" he says to the room in general as he acts to be checking out the walls and ceiling and such but is really checking out the others here.
"Murderer, thief, wretch, and worse, Answer for your crimes you will today. Prove your valor matches your violations, Or meet the darkness of death's decay."
He breaks off singing the little ditty with a bit of a start, as if he hadn't meant to repeat it aloud. His version was a lot more musical and pleasant to the ear, if he did think so himself. "Mulligan, by the by. Mulligan McSullivan...." he says and now is actually wandering and actually checking out the room.
"Did we all just wake up or has someone been up longer than the rest?" Mulligan asks. "Anyone try anything yet?"
The affable fellow pops out some Dancing Lights to further illuminate the room, specifically whatever he is trying to examine at the time, as well as an invisible Mage Hand with which to poke and prod the walls, lift up a corner of the carpet to see if there's any reaction... After a full inspection of that then perhaps try to remove one of the torches.
"I don't suppose this could just be a dream, huh?"
When ready with checking on the contents of his black hole the tiefling wraps the cloth up again and puts it away, standing again by the wall checking it for secret doors while keeping an eye on the others. He realized they all seemed as confused as he was. No one seemed to know anyone else. Six people seemingly brought here by a powerful force to face some kind of reckoning for their wrongdoings. He was a thief, he had been all his life, stealing from the rich and the poor alike, constantly feeding the black hole, ever sensing it´s gluttonous hunger for more wealth. But why would anyone go through the trouble of getting him here to stand trial for his petty crimes?
He looked at the others and wondered what sins they commited to end up here with him. If he didn´t find a way out on his own he might have to use their help. If it came to that he was fairly confident that his own valor would match his crimes of stealing. He looked back at the room and it´s cotents. This place was clearly magical. If this was some sort of test, then there must be some clue or some instructions on how to prove your valor, but where was it? The pillars perhaps.
"We´re obviously here for our crimes." He says to the bearded warrior as he checks the pillars for inscriptions. "There´s no other explanation. I know what crimes I´m here for and I´m fairly sure you all do to. I couldn´t care less about your sins or even if you make it out of here but I still suggest we work together to find how to beat this test. And when I´m out of here I will find whoever put me here and explain how the trials of Avernus would make this look like childs play."The tiefling says, anger growing in his voice.
There's a momentary flash of anger as Ragnar glares at Keyleth- he's clearly not used to be being talked to that way. His expression quickly turns placid, however.
"There's no reason to be hostile. We are in the same boat right now. We should work together to make sure it doesn't sink. That is reason enough for me to call you a friend."
He nods as he listens to Varan.
"A logical line of questioning. You are likely more than capable of eliminating such a threat, yet if you believe you may need an extra hand, I'm here. My name is...Ragnar. And you?"
Ragnar narrows his eyes as he watches the human youth flutter around the room. The tiefling, however, seemed more sensible.
"Cooperation will ensure all of us our survival. It is the only practical way forward. I'm glad that some people can understand that."
He extends his hand to Avarice and Varan to shake.
Keyleth shakes her head. "We may be in the same boat, but as long as I'm on that boat, everyone here is in danger. And I don't say that as a threat, but as a fact."
Wulgar growls at that from Keyleth, “I’m used to being the master of my ship, what do you mean by that, exactly? Can you speak plainly, do you know something about why we are here? If so, speak up!” He turns and says “That goes for everyone. Does anyone know why we would be here?”
"I don't know a bloody thing about who brought us here, or why the rest of you are here," Keyleth spits. "But I've angered a goddess, and since I can infer that this isn't her punishment, it's only a matter of time before I get it. And she won't care about collateral damage."
Ragnar is a little confused for a second but then looks impressed. He lets out a deep belly laugh, which fills the room.
"You've angered a goddess?! Now, how in the world could you have done that? Why your crime must be ten times as grievous as anybody here as to attract the attention of a distant deity. Forgive me, I had thought you to be disrespectful, but you were just trying to protect us."
He waves his hand at the group. "As you can see, we can take care of ourselves, goddess or not."
To Wulfgar, he says, "That gives me an idea. You're the master of a ship. The elf has angered a god. I..." looking down at his regal robes, "am the ruler of a realm. While I'm not sure what crimes others have committed, it seems that all of us are people of great renown and power. In other words, we are not minor villains. Who or whatever placed us here is seeking to make a lesson of us, either to show the downfall of our egos and put our folly on display.
Whatever they intend, I will not let a single one of you fall under my watch."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DMing:
Solo Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Playing:
Baral-Coliseum of Conquest, Lazarus Vernon- Tale of Mercenaries;Bernard Lionsbane- Solo Curse of Strahd
Varan cocks an eyebrow at the mention of Tiamat, and some of the elf’s mumblings make more sense with that context.
Otherwise he continues to listen to the others conversations while he tries to snatch the drift globe with mage hand.
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
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Nope. Yep. Me! Right here. At the very WORST I am a minor villain. Hundred percent guaranteed," Mulligan chimes in, his grin seeming a bit cocky but also honest. "I claim to be no saint, mind you... But villain? Nahhhhhh... I am, at my most badass, mostly harmless."
Persuasion: 21 -- But he also believes it the truth.
"But whatever, mistaken identity or wrong place at the wrong time or what not, we're all in the same boat..."
"I'm sorry? A god? Really? Like an in person, face to face, angered a god? I MUST get that story from you!" Mulligan says, interrupting himself.
"...But yeah, we're all in the same situation here. For whatever reason. I suggest more than cooperation..."
"A realm you rule? As in a little country or as in like an inter dimensional plane of existence?"
"But yes, more than cooperate. I suggest we form a pact. Swear an oath to one another. Not just help each other out of self interest but because we have vowed to do so and our honor is tied to it. Having someone watch your back when you don't fully trust them behind your back to begin with, well that is asking for trouble. I say we all pledge that we do everything we can to ensure we all make it out of... whatever this is. And that we all pledge that not only do we all make it out, but we all make it back to where we belong safe, sound, and satisfied that this all..." Mulligan holds his arms wide and turns slowly to indicate the whole room and whatever power brought them here. "That this is all over and done with and not going to come back to hound us again."
If all agree, Mulligan suggests that he cast Zone of Truth and have all say the vow promising to help and protect one another through this ordeal and after until each is satisfied that it is over and that they are safely back where they belong... Or wish to be, if one doesn't wish to be where they belong. The wording is open to input, but he does his best to persuade all that a binding honor bound and truthful pact will do more to ensure they all survive than just an agreement to cooperate.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
To Keyleth, "Is the Dragon Queen not chained in the Nine Hells? How could she attack us here? No, I meant that we as a group are capable of handling any agents she sends our way."
Listening to Mulligan, he cocks his head. The young human's proposal wasn't a bad idea. And there may be an opportunity...
"I would support such a pact, on the condition that I go first in order to sense for any trickery or mind-manipulating magic that may have been secretly added. Just a precaution.
As for my realm, have you heard of Northumbria? Yes, that Northumbria. I am its king and founder."
Not sure how much lore I'm allowed to control here, but Northumbria's one of the world's greatest rising powers. While it's in the north, it's conquered far south enough that news of its existence has spread through a good portion of the world. Many portray it as a harsh land populated by savage barbarians, but that's far from the truth. It's a newly prosperous country, and after Ragnar attracted persecuted mages with fulfilled promises of security and well-being, it's quickly becoming one of the most magical realms in the lands. Just make sure to not criticize the government or protest...anything.
The first sensation you feel is a pounding headache which beats mercilessly inside your skulls. Cracking open your eyes, you see yourself in a hexagonal, windowless room entirely constructed of obsidian-black marble splashed with milky-white swirls. A driftglobe spirals lazily in circles throughout the air, illuminating the sight of another handful of unfamiliar individuals in the same situation as you - sprawled over the cool floor, just regaining their consciousnesses.
Six unfortunate figures - clearly from all walks of life, though there's one common denominator here; each one is armed, be it sword, dagger, or pouch of components.
A dastardly, young man lies, a gleaming rapier strapped to his belt.
A curled-up elven woman in studded leathers already stirs, evidently used to being more alert than others.
A man clad in icy-blue attire to fit an emperor may be recognizable to some. His very sight seems to strike fear into your hearts - even more so if you know his name.
Smoke wisps from the snout of an enormous, intimidating, red-scaled dragonborn, tail scraping over the stone floor beneath as dreams of something plague him.
A Tiefling lies, sprawled against the floor - as does his cowl, which resembles a bat in far too many ways.
And, finally, the form of a Half-Elf with traits of green scales and draconic ancestry seems almost blurred by his own cloak.
Before a word can be said, a sourceless, thunderous voice compounds the ringing sensation in your ears - seemingly emerging from the very walls itself.
"Murderer, thief, wretch, and worse,
Answer for your crimes you will today.
Prove your valor matches your violations,
Or meet the darkness of death's decay."
Take the moment to introduce yourselves and your characters. Check out the map on Discord. The room is windowless, hexagonal, and approximately 30' across from the center of one wall to the center of the opposite. The cracked stone seems weathered and ancient under your boots - the masonry holding the walls seems to have aged beyond what it should have. There are no doors; six torches burn where the walls meet.
Four stone pillars hold the level roof aloft, around 15' in height. A circular, blood-colored rug lies directly in the center of the room. A blue sphere rotates around the room at lazy intervals - it is easy enough to tell this is a driftglobe.
And, now that's been said - the ball is in your court. Introduce yourselves and react to the situation. Perhaps your characters have met before. Perhaps they have not.
Either way - you know what you have done to get here, even if the method of your arrival is still a frustrating mystery. Three questions hang in your pounding heads - who are these other people? How did I end up here? And, finally - how do I escape?
"Murderer, thief, wretch, and worse,
Answer for your crimes you will today.
Prove your valor matches your violations,
Or meet the darkness of death's decay."
Keyleth's first thought when she awakens and hears the words is, Well, I wasn't expecting it to happen this soon.
But happening it is, apparently, so she sits up and prepares to be punished by Bahamut's sister.
Problem is, whatever she was expecting to see, it isn't what she got. There's a driftglobe, a crimson rug, some pillars, no doors or windows, six walls, and five very big problems in the forms of other people.
A tiefling. A dragonborn. A half-elf. Two humans. All armed. Either they've all angered Tiamat, or...
Or this is something else.
There are five other people in this room with no exits. And Keyleth is a ticking time bomb.
"No," she mutters. "No, no, no."
She has to get out of here, and fast.
But how?
We are riding over the waves at a fast clip, standing forward hanging on to the rigging, and in the distance a nice, well stocked, slow moving galleon is just visible. "Ripe for the picking. They haven't seen us yet. Good." He hauls out his enormous great axe and takes a few practice swings, limbering up. "This is going to be a great day." Huh? What the hell?
Wulgar wakes up startled from his dream, a pounding sound in his head and hears the words. He looks around and snorts, coming awake.
Murderer, thief, wretch, and worse,
Answer for your crimes you will today.
Prove your valor matches your violations,
Or meet the darkness of death's decay."
A large red Dragonborn pushes himself up and stands, looking around the room. He sees the others on the ground, the elf is awake and looking around. "What the hell is this? Who are you? And how the hell did we get in here? I was just dreaming.... aboard ship. My ship! What the happening to it right now? If I'm not there those ruddy bastards will do who knows what!" He says this to himself and he starts to pace, looking around the room, the appearance of a caged, dangerous animal. His hands go to his things, he feels for his axe, his whip, his cloak, and feels a little reassured. "Who are you?" he says again to the elf, looking at her in a curious way.
Murderer, thief, wretch, and worse,
Answer for your crimes you will today.
Prove your valor matches your violations,
Or meet the darkness of death's decay."
"What is this trickery?" The tiefling snarled as he slowly got to his feet, backing up defensively to the wall, holding his black cloak tight around him while looking around the room for ways to escape. "It would seem like a reckoning masster, but not of infernal making I´m sure." followed by an eerie giggle from somewhere around the tieflings right shoulder. The tiefling then frantically unfolds a piece of black cloth on the ground, seemingly looking into it, ignoring the others in the room for now, clearly obsessed over other matters.
Perception:27 Investigation:21 to look for exits like secret doors with help from Vorax, otherwise go with first roll
(OOC: Is anything missing from Avarice´s portable hole?.)
A dense cloud of confused images... falling... drifting across space... fingernails on a chalkboard and the cries of a dead man... vertigo and displacement... eventually this all coalesces into a pounding in Varan's head and he awakens on the cold stone floor....
Murderer, thief, wretch, and worse,
Answer for your crimes you will today.
Prove your valor matches your violations,
Or meet the darkness of death's decay.
That is... sub-optimal. Eyes open now, Varan surveys the room. Around him five strangers are stirring, all of them appear as disoriented as he is... a quick glance confirms he has never seen any of them before. A large red dragonborn... looks to be a warrior, and an ill tempered one at that. An elven girl, dressed like a traveler or an explorer. A tiefling... with a familiar. So a wizard or a warlock. Two more still dreaming... one with very expensive gear. An eclectic mix of prisoners. This is bad... but it could be interesting. Still on the ground, he performs an inventory and confirms he is still in possession of all of his gear.
Like a cat he rolls slowly but effortlessly, first to his knees then to a standing position. The others see a half elf man of middle age, with piercing green eyes and just a hint of irridescent green flickering across his skin, the suggestion of scales. His hair is ties up in a bun and a neatly groomed salt and pepper beard hangs down to his mid-chest. He wears a green and gold coat, decorated with runes and strange characters and across his shoulders hangs a cloak which almost looks to be made of... tentacles? A finely crafted light crossbow hangs at his side. His entire form flickers shifts almost imperceptably, like he is an image projected from somewhere else.
"Well," he says, his voice smooth like honeyed wine, "Our host clearly has a flair for the dramatic. Does anyone here have a guess as to why you've been invited to this little party?"
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
Keyleth stands, not even seeming to hear the dragonborn or anyone else. She begins muttering to herself in Elvish.
Looking at her, the others would see a young-looking (though that says little with elves) elven woman with tan skin, bright green eyes, and dark hair in a long braid. She wears studded leather armor and has two shortswords sheathed at her waist. And she looks like she's panicking.
"My liege, one day you will meet your judgment. Everything you've built, everything you've accomplished will turn to dust. Your penance will be twice-fold of the pain you've inflicted on innocent souls."
"Take this one to this gallows. Let him bother me no longer."
He awakened slowly from a troubled dream, though he stopped dreaming years ago. Ragnar is a tall hulking man clad in regal attire with a well-trimmed graying red beard. A thunderous voice sounded overhead.
Murderer, thief, wretch, and worse,
Answer for your crimes you will today.
Prove your valor matches your violations,
Or meet the darkness of death's decay."
His hand went straight for the hilt ofFrost Brand, icy blue eyes scanning the five others in the room. Seeing that they have yet to draw their own arms, his grip loosens.
From the expressions in their own eyes, Ragnar has no doubt they've shed blood before. "Friend or foe?" he mutters. There's a mirthless smile on his face as he watches the floating driftglobe, pondering the meaning of the thunderous voice. With that, Ragnar becomes resolute. He knew what to do.
Rising up, he approaches the elf woman while keeping a suitable distance. His voice is gruff yet there's a cultivated hint of eloquence.
"Friend, there is no need to panic. Find the courage within. Let it rule your mind."
As he says those words, a strange magical presence suffuses the air. It beckons to all those near Ragnar, promising invigorating courage and mettle to those who accept his words. However, a more menacing aura lies underneath it, like a hand wielding a veiled dagger.
(Aura of Courage, friendly creatures within 10 ft. can't be frightened. If it helps...)
The dragonborn and half-elf appeared to be more talkative so far. Turning to the half-elf, "I could venture a guess, but it would be for naught. For within every group of ten souls, half will perform crimes in the light of day, and three more will carry sedition in their hearts. There is no telling why we were chosen to languish in this place."
DMing:
Solo Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Playing:
Baral- Coliseum of Conquest, Lazarus Vernon- Tale of Mercenaries; Bernard Lionsbane- Solo Curse of Strahd
Keyleth looks up at the tall human who said that to her, and she scoffs. "If you knew who you're stuck in here with, you'd be panicking too, friend."
Varan observes Ragnar and notes the aura of influence and confidence the man exudes. "Perhaps you are correct and there is no good reason for us to be here. Yet, I suspect it is worth consideration. I care less about what it will tell me about the rest of you... but rather what it may say about our host." Varan turns his eyes from Ragnar to the driftglobe circling the room. "Someone or something went to a lot of trouble to gather us here. Why it did so may tell us more about its motivations and whether it is something that we must negotiate with..." he pauses long enough to cast mage hand to try and grasp the driftglobe and stabilize it in the center of the room, "... or destroy."
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
"Mmmmmmm, nnnnnnnngh," the human lad says with a stretch, before even opening his eyes. "That was a good night... You think we have time for more before your husba...."
Opening his eyes he stops and realizes that he's no longer where he thought he once was. "Huh," he says with a grin. "Hello!"
He pats himself down quickly first to check that he's clothed - he is - and then to check his belongings - right where they belong. "Well, that's a start then anyway, isn't it?" he asks nobody in particular and slowly climbs to his feet. He's wearing what he considers his traveling gear, basically studded leather armor, a rapier, several daggers (some visible, others hidden), solid boots, a loose cotton multicolored shirt and a leather vest above that with a flute and a tin whistle in their own scabbards. He bends to pick up his backpack and as he throws it over his one shoulder his armor... glimmers and changes. It turns out he is just wearing a loose cotton multicolored shirt with a leather vest which holds his instruments. Huh.
"It seems we're gotten ourselves into a bit of a predicament then, doesn't it?" he says to the room in general as he acts to be checking out the walls and ceiling and such but is really checking out the others here.
"Murderer, thief, wretch, and worse,
Answer for your crimes you will today.
Prove your valor matches your violations,
Or meet the darkness of death's decay."
He breaks off singing the little ditty with a bit of a start, as if he hadn't meant to repeat it aloud. His version was a lot more musical and pleasant to the ear, if he did think so himself. "Mulligan, by the by. Mulligan McSullivan...." he says and now is actually wandering and actually checking out the room.
"Did we all just wake up or has someone been up longer than the rest?" Mulligan asks. "Anyone try anything yet?"
The affable fellow pops out some Dancing Lights to further illuminate the room, specifically whatever he is trying to examine at the time, as well as an invisible Mage Hand with which to poke and prod the walls, lift up a corner of the carpet to see if there's any reaction... After a full inspection of that then perhaps try to remove one of the torches.
"I don't suppose this could just be a dream, huh?"
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
-- Eleanor Shellstrop
When ready with checking on the contents of his black hole the tiefling wraps the cloth up again and puts it away, standing again by the wall checking it for secret doors while keeping an eye on the others. He realized they all seemed as confused as he was. No one seemed to know anyone else. Six people seemingly brought here by a powerful force to face some kind of reckoning for their wrongdoings. He was a thief, he had been all his life, stealing from the rich and the poor alike, constantly feeding the black hole, ever sensing it´s gluttonous hunger for more wealth. But why would anyone go through the trouble of getting him here to stand trial for his petty crimes?
He looked at the others and wondered what sins they commited to end up here with him. If he didn´t find a way out on his own he might have to use their help. If it came to that he was fairly confident that his own valor would match his crimes of stealing. He looked back at the room and it´s cotents. This place was clearly magical. If this was some sort of test, then there must be some clue or some instructions on how to prove your valor, but where was it? The pillars perhaps.
"We´re obviously here for our crimes." He says to the bearded warrior as he checks the pillars for inscriptions. "There´s no other explanation. I know what crimes I´m here for and I´m fairly sure you all do to. I couldn´t care less about your sins or even if you make it out of here but I still suggest we work together to find how to beat this test. And when I´m out of here I will find whoever put me here and explain how the trials of Avernus would make this look like childs play." The tiefling says, anger growing in his voice.
There's a momentary flash of anger as Ragnar glares at Keyleth- he's clearly not used to be being talked to that way. His expression quickly turns placid, however.
"There's no reason to be hostile. We are in the same boat right now. We should work together to make sure it doesn't sink. That is reason enough for me to call you a friend."
He nods as he listens to Varan.
"A logical line of questioning. You are likely more than capable of eliminating such a threat, yet if you believe you may need an extra hand, I'm here. My name is...Ragnar. And you?"
Ragnar narrows his eyes as he watches the human youth flutter around the room. The tiefling, however, seemed more sensible.
"Cooperation will ensure all of us our survival. It is the only practical way forward. I'm glad that some people can understand that."
He extends his hand to Avarice and Varan to shake.
DMing:
Solo Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Playing:
Baral- Coliseum of Conquest, Lazarus Vernon- Tale of Mercenaries; Bernard Lionsbane- Solo Curse of Strahd
Keyleth shakes her head. "We may be in the same boat, but as long as I'm on that boat, everyone here is in danger. And I don't say that as a threat, but as a fact."
Wulgar growls at that from Keyleth, “I’m used to being the master of my ship, what do you mean by that, exactly? Can you speak plainly, do you know something about why we are here? If so, speak up!” He turns and says “That goes for everyone. Does anyone know why we would be here?”
"I don't know a bloody thing about who brought us here, or why the rest of you are here," Keyleth spits. "But I've angered a goddess, and since I can infer that this isn't her punishment, it's only a matter of time before I get it. And she won't care about collateral damage."
Ragnar is a little confused for a second but then looks impressed. He lets out a deep belly laugh, which fills the room.
"You've angered a goddess?! Now, how in the world could you have done that? Why your crime must be ten times as grievous as anybody here as to attract the attention of a distant deity. Forgive me, I had thought you to be disrespectful, but you were just trying to protect us."
He waves his hand at the group. "As you can see, we can take care of ourselves, goddess or not."
To Wulfgar, he says, "That gives me an idea. You're the master of a ship. The elf has angered a god. I..." looking down at his regal robes, "am the ruler of a realm. While I'm not sure what crimes others have committed, it seems that all of us are people of great renown and power. In other words, we are not minor villains. Who or whatever placed us here is seeking to make a lesson of us, either to show the downfall of our egos and put our folly on display.
Whatever they intend, I will not let a single one of you fall under my watch."
DMing:
Solo Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Playing:
Baral- Coliseum of Conquest, Lazarus Vernon- Tale of Mercenaries; Bernard Lionsbane- Solo Curse of Strahd
Keyleth gives a shocked laugh. “Really? You think yourself able to defend against Tiamat?”
Varan accepts Ragnars handshake.
Varan cocks an eyebrow at the mention of Tiamat, and some of the elf’s mumblings make more sense with that context.
Otherwise he continues to listen to the others conversations while he tries to snatch the drift globe with mage hand.
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
"Nope. Yep. Me! Right here. At the very WORST I am a minor villain. Hundred percent guaranteed," Mulligan chimes in, his grin seeming a bit cocky but also honest. "I claim to be no saint, mind you... But villain? Nahhhhhh... I am, at my most badass, mostly harmless."
Persuasion: 21 -- But he also believes it the truth.
"But whatever, mistaken identity or wrong place at the wrong time or what not, we're all in the same boat..."
"I'm sorry? A god? Really? Like an in person, face to face, angered a god? I MUST get that story from you!" Mulligan says, interrupting himself.
"...But yeah, we're all in the same situation here. For whatever reason. I suggest more than cooperation..."
"A realm you rule? As in a little country or as in like an inter dimensional plane of existence?"
"But yes, more than cooperate. I suggest we form a pact. Swear an oath to one another. Not just help each other out of self interest but because we have vowed to do so and our honor is tied to it. Having someone watch your back when you don't fully trust them behind your back to begin with, well that is asking for trouble. I say we all pledge that we do everything we can to ensure we all make it out of... whatever this is. And that we all pledge that not only do we all make it out, but we all make it back to where we belong safe, sound, and satisfied that this all..." Mulligan holds his arms wide and turns slowly to indicate the whole room and whatever power brought them here. "That this is all over and done with and not going to come back to hound us again."
If all agree, Mulligan suggests that he cast Zone of Truth and have all say the vow promising to help and protect one another through this ordeal and after until each is satisfied that it is over and that they are safely back where they belong... Or wish to be, if one doesn't wish to be where they belong. The wording is open to input, but he does his best to persuade all that a binding honor bound and truthful pact will do more to ensure they all survive than just an agreement to cooperate.
We're doing one small murder-y thing for a bigger, better reason. The ends justify the means.
-- Eleanor Shellstrop
To Keyleth, "Is the Dragon Queen not chained in the Nine Hells? How could she attack us here? No, I meant that we as a group are capable of handling any agents she sends our way."
Listening to Mulligan, he cocks his head. The young human's proposal wasn't a bad idea. And there may be an opportunity...
"I would support such a pact, on the condition that I go first in order to sense for any trickery or mind-manipulating magic that may have been secretly added. Just a precaution.
As for my realm, have you heard of Northumbria? Yes, that Northumbria. I am its king and founder."
Not sure how much lore I'm allowed to control here, but Northumbria's one of the world's greatest rising powers. While it's in the north, it's conquered far south enough that news of its existence has spread through a good portion of the world. Many portray it as a harsh land populated by savage barbarians, but that's far from the truth. It's a newly prosperous country, and after Ragnar attracted persecuted mages with fulfilled promises of security and well-being, it's quickly becoming one of the most magical realms in the lands. Just make sure to not criticize the government or protest...anything.
DMing:
Solo Hoard of the Dragon Queen
Playing:
Baral- Coliseum of Conquest, Lazarus Vernon- Tale of Mercenaries; Bernard Lionsbane- Solo Curse of Strahd