A gnarled ashen tree stood in the center of a grove surrounded by tall ferns. The outside tree limbs all seemed to grow away from the center ashen tree. Next to the tree stood a tall woman in deep purple almost black robes, having long raven black hair. The woman was walking around a man on his knees, the man seemed to not be fully corporeal, like he was almost a shadow. He began making motions with his hands around his face then bringing them down to his chest and making a diamond with his fingers. His movements looked very precise and deliberate, as if they were from years of practice.
"Hello Grinner, I have been watching you for some time now. Your acts for revenge, as well as your acts to repent. I have a question I must ask for I can give you vast and true power." The woman's voice sounded as if it came from everywhere but also no where. It was sultry voice that held a dark presence. "What will you do with this given power?"
Grinner shook with fear, was this a dream or a strange reality? Something compelled her to answer, that dull ember of the fire that had burned within her.
“What would I do? All I have ever wanted is to live a life free of chains. I have been slave and avenger and both chained me. “
”If this power comes with chains I will break them. “
"Chains are meant to be broken my dear. That is how you gain power, that is how you gain life, and is life not just that power over death?" The woman pauses for a moment, letting her words sink in. "This power I have will allow you to break what ever chains hold you, will allow you to avenge and be protector of the downtrodden, will allow you to be whomever and what ever you wish. A shining light to those who are to weak to protect themselves, or a dagger in the shadows for those who believe they are above you." She walks around the man some more, looking down at him. "This is just one thing I ask of you, learn my customs, seek out my legends, and all of the power you could ever imagine will be yours." As she's speaking she slowly starts to lift her hands, raising her voice. The winds around them begin to swirl forcing the trees to sway back and forth, her cloak begins to billow and wrap around her in the wind. A shadow over head begins to coalesce around the grove, coming closer and closer to the woman, and when it gets right above her head she waves her hands and everything returns to a still and quiet grove. Her eyes now on Grinner, awaiting a response.
" I am the darkness to those whom are against me, and the power for those who are with me and believe in me. My name, that is something you must find out for your self. For now you may call me the dark lady.I" Pausing, she looks down at Grinner intently and poses a question, "Can a goddess not be within your dream? Are the two exclusive?"
"Then learn my rituals. Then begin on the path to my power, then you will be granted all that you can wish and dream of." With that the woman, raised her arms and a cold black fog started billowing into the glade, getting darker the closer it got to her and Grinner. Then all of a sudden the world turned black.
Grinner awoke with a start, sweat clinging to her scales. It took her a moment to realize her surroundings. She awoke in a small cave on her bedroll, a fire that had burnt out next to her. Wiping the grogginess and sleep from her eyes she started to remember her surroundings. She was about a days journey from Deadwater, her destination, looking for work and maybe answers from the dreams, or were they nightmares, that keep coming to her at night.
Grinner spends the on the road towards Deadwater. Thinking back to her dreams of the mysterious lady. Hoping this village will provide some kind of answers or direction into where to begin her search for this power. The sun hung high over head, heating up the dirt road, causing pufts of dirt as she made her way along.
After hours, and only a few stops to eat and rest Grinner made it to the beginnings of the village. The village was made up of multiple wooden structures, a hand full being multiple stories. Villagers of multiple races were roaming the streets, not paying the traveler any mind.
This is the first time you've ever been to Deadwater. So you wouldn't know where anything is here. What would you like to do?
Uncomfortable among crowds of larger folk but still in dire need of a night’s sleep without rock and earth for a pillow, Grinner begins seeking out an inn to center her time in Deadwater.
Grinner begins to make her way down the path, looking at the different houses and shops. She makes her way to what she can assume as the center of town and notices a large wooden building. The sign out front reads as LivewaterInn. A jest on someones part obviously. Making her way inside she sees the tavern is somewhat busy, patrons at tables eating and drinking. Others up at the bar, where a few spots remained open. Like she noticed earlier on the streets, this was a diverse town. There were dwarfs, half-elves, a few halflings and a gnome as well as humans.
"It looks like we don't have many tables or booths open, you can have a seat up at the bar." A dwarven man with a long red beard told Grinner as he walked to give a patron their order.
Grinner eyes the Gnome warily and chooses a seat at the bar as far from it as possible. She shakes off her cloak, revealing a carefully patched and mended gray dress, one that looks to have been worn by a wealthy human child or halfling, and once was extremely fine material. Now however, it has passed through many years being carefully prized as Grinner’s only garment, one that looks slightly odd on her frame. Her white scales are dull from road dust, and her gray eyes heavy with fatigue. Owl wing feathers have been wired to her stubby horns as a crest that dangles down to her shoulders. She looks for the barkeep and wonders what kind of food to expect.
"Welcome to Livewater Inn. What can I get fer ya? Ale to we the throat from a long road journey? What about some food?" Another dwarf asks as he is wiping down the counter in front of Grinner. "What brings ya out this way to Deadwater. We don't get to many travelers unless they're heading to the coast and trying to ferry a ship down to Tristan and the Free Cities, a couple ships have gone up to the other isles up north but I haven't heard of any actually making it. Or are you hear about some of these bandits, you seem to have the look of an adventurer, I know that look all to well."
“Water, please, and whatever is swift to make for dinner. Are there rooms to let? I wouldn’t mind a dark room indoors for a change.”
She scratches road grime from the scales beneath her chin.
“As to bandits, that depends. I would face them if they came at me on the road, but hunting them down? I’ve had more than enough of daggers in the dark.”
"Aye water, and food. We have plenty of rooms. It's a gold a night. Ye get a bath, and breakfast and dinner as well." The dwarf says as he begins writing down an order, and handing it to a barmaid who scurries off towards the back of the tavern.
"Understand understand on the bandits. The bastards have been making trade difficult for people around here, so I was just curious. So what's yer story lass, it's not often we see the scaled folk down past the Cynd'Arith."
"Hmm... looking for a holy man. I would say your best bet is Father Myles. He's working at the Temple of the Nine, trying to rebuild it after the fire." The dwarf states after a moment of thinking. "It looks like it's getting dark out so I would assume they've called it quits for the day."
A gnarled ashen tree stood in the center of a grove surrounded by tall ferns. The outside tree limbs all seemed to grow away from the center ashen tree. Next to the tree stood a tall woman in deep purple almost black robes, having long raven black hair. The woman was walking around a man on his knees, the man seemed to not be fully corporeal, like he was almost a shadow. He began making motions with his hands around his face then bringing them down to his chest and making a diamond with his fingers. His movements looked very precise and deliberate, as if they were from years of practice.
"Hello Grinner, I have been watching you for some time now. Your acts for revenge, as well as your acts to repent. I have a question I must ask for I can give you vast and true power." The woman's voice sounded as if it came from everywhere but also no where. It was sultry voice that held a dark presence. "What will you do with this given power?"
DM - The Lost Mines of Phandelver
DM - Tales from Irileth: Korey ◆ Rook ◆ Grinner
Grinner shook with fear, was this a dream or a strange reality? Something compelled her to answer, that dull ember of the fire that had burned within her.
“What would I do? All I have ever wanted is to live a life free of chains. I have been slave and avenger and both chained me. “
”If this power comes with chains I will break them. “
"Chains are meant to be broken my dear. That is how you gain power, that is how you gain life, and is life not just that power over death?" The woman pauses for a moment, letting her words sink in. "This power I have will allow you to break what ever chains hold you, will allow you to avenge and be protector of the downtrodden, will allow you to be whomever and what ever you wish. A shining light to those who are to weak to protect themselves, or a dagger in the shadows for those who believe they are above you." She walks around the man some more, looking down at him. "This is just one thing I ask of you, learn my customs, seek out my legends, and all of the power you could ever imagine will be yours." As she's speaking she slowly starts to lift her hands, raising her voice. The winds around them begin to swirl forcing the trees to sway back and forth, her cloak begins to billow and wrap around her in the wind. A shadow over head begins to coalesce around the grove, coming closer and closer to the woman, and when it gets right above her head she waves her hands and everything returns to a still and quiet grove. Her eyes now on Grinner, awaiting a response.
DM - The Lost Mines of Phandelver
DM - Tales from Irileth: Korey ◆ Rook ◆ Grinner
Grinner stares unblinking, “Who are you, lady? Goddess or dream?”
" I am the darkness to those whom are against me, and the power for those who are with me and believe in me. My name, that is something you must find out for your self. For now you may call me the dark lady.I" Pausing, she looks down at Grinner intently and poses a question, "Can a goddess not be within your dream? Are the two exclusive?"
DM - The Lost Mines of Phandelver
DM - Tales from Irileth: Korey ◆ Rook ◆ Grinner
”Perhaps. “
“Very well, I accept this power. Perhaps this dream is the only path left to me.”
"Then learn my rituals. Then begin on the path to my power, then you will be granted all that you can wish and dream of." With that the woman, raised her arms and a cold black fog started billowing into the glade, getting darker the closer it got to her and Grinner. Then all of a sudden the world turned black.
Grinner awoke with a start, sweat clinging to her scales. It took her a moment to realize her surroundings. She awoke in a small cave on her bedroll, a fire that had burnt out next to her. Wiping the grogginess and sleep from her eyes she started to remember her surroundings. She was about a days journey from Deadwater, her destination, looking for work and maybe answers from the dreams, or were they nightmares, that keep coming to her at night.
DM - The Lost Mines of Phandelver
DM - Tales from Irileth: Korey ◆ Rook ◆ Grinner
She groggily bundles up her bedroll and belongings and prepares to set out.
“Alright then Dark Lady. Show me the way.
And she heads out down the road to Deadwater, moving alongside the road when possible to stay hidden.
Grinner spends the on the road towards Deadwater. Thinking back to her dreams of the mysterious lady. Hoping this village will provide some kind of answers or direction into where to begin her search for this power. The sun hung high over head, heating up the dirt road, causing pufts of dirt as she made her way along.
After hours, and only a few stops to eat and rest Grinner made it to the beginnings of the village. The village was made up of multiple wooden structures, a hand full being multiple stories. Villagers of multiple races were roaming the streets, not paying the traveler any mind.
This is the first time you've ever been to Deadwater. So you wouldn't know where anything is here. What would you like to do?
DM - The Lost Mines of Phandelver
DM - Tales from Irileth: Korey ◆ Rook ◆ Grinner
Uncomfortable among crowds of larger folk but still in dire need of a night’s sleep without rock and earth for a pillow, Grinner begins seeking out an inn to center her time in Deadwater.
Investigation : 3
Grinner begins to make her way down the path, looking at the different houses and shops. She makes her way to what she can assume as the center of town and notices a large wooden building. The sign out front reads as Livewater Inn. A jest on someones part obviously. Making her way inside she sees the tavern is somewhat busy, patrons at tables eating and drinking. Others up at the bar, where a few spots remained open. Like she noticed earlier on the streets, this was a diverse town. There were dwarfs, half-elves, a few halflings and a gnome as well as humans.
"It looks like we don't have many tables or booths open, you can have a seat up at the bar." A dwarven man with a long red beard told Grinner as he walked to give a patron their order.
DM - The Lost Mines of Phandelver
DM - Tales from Irileth: Korey ◆ Rook ◆ Grinner
Grinner eyes the Gnome warily and chooses a seat at the bar as far from it as possible. She shakes off her cloak, revealing a carefully patched and mended gray dress, one that looks to have been worn by a wealthy human child or halfling, and once was extremely fine material. Now however, it has passed through many years being carefully prized as Grinner’s only garment, one that looks slightly odd on her frame. Her white scales are dull from road dust, and her gray eyes heavy with fatigue. Owl wing feathers have been wired to her stubby horns as a crest that dangles down to her shoulders. She looks for the barkeep and wonders what kind of food to expect.
"Welcome to Livewater Inn. What can I get fer ya? Ale to we the throat from a long road journey? What about some food?" Another dwarf asks as he is wiping down the counter in front of Grinner. "What brings ya out this way to Deadwater. We don't get to many travelers unless they're heading to the coast and trying to ferry a ship down to Tristan and the Free Cities, a couple ships have gone up to the other isles up north but I haven't heard of any actually making it. Or are you hear about some of these bandits, you seem to have the look of an adventurer, I know that look all to well."
DM - The Lost Mines of Phandelver
DM - Tales from Irileth: Korey ◆ Rook ◆ Grinner
Grinner blinks unsteadily at the jovial dwarf.
“Water, please, and whatever is swift to make for dinner. Are there rooms to let? I wouldn’t mind a dark room indoors for a change.”
She scratches road grime from the scales beneath her chin.
“As to bandits, that depends. I would face them if they came at me on the road, but hunting them down? I’ve had more than enough of daggers in the dark.”
"Aye water, and food. We have plenty of rooms. It's a gold a night. Ye get a bath, and breakfast and dinner as well." The dwarf says as he begins writing down an order, and handing it to a barmaid who scurries off towards the back of the tavern.
"Understand understand on the bandits. The bastards have been making trade difficult for people around here, so I was just curious. So what's yer story lass, it's not often we see the scaled folk down past the Cynd'Arith."
DM - The Lost Mines of Phandelver
DM - Tales from Irileth: Korey ◆ Rook ◆ Grinner
Grinner laughs bitterly, laying out payment in assorted silver coinage.
“My business, my good dwarf, is of the Godly sort. Anyone in these parts learned in Religion?”
"Hmm... looking for a holy man. I would say your best bet is Father Myles. He's working at the Temple of the Nine, trying to rebuild it after the fire." The dwarf states after a moment of thinking. "It looks like it's getting dark out so I would assume they've called it quits for the day."
DM - The Lost Mines of Phandelver
DM - Tales from Irileth: Korey ◆ Rook ◆ Grinner
Grinner thanks the dwarf and eats her meal, seeking her room after. In the morning she will seek the priest at the temple of the nine.