The story begins in Liam's Hold. Home to artisans and crafters. It is a walled hamlet which is a popular stop for caravans on the Trade Way. Waterdeep to the north and Baldur's Gate to the south. It is surrounded by farm land and pastures for livestock. The elves from the Misty Forest are seen on occasion trading mead and honey.
In a 2 story lopsided stone building is the Black Ford Adventuring Guild. It has been raining all day and the paths have become quite muddy. A covered wagon parks near the stables and lets out passenger who pay the driver a silver each. In front hanging over the front door is a wooden sign with rusted crossed swords. It has definitely seen better days. Once inside, there is a feeling of warmth as there is a roaring fire in the fireplace and tables with mismatched chairs. On the west wall is a large cork quest board with an assortment of quests. Some are written on parchment and others on dried hide of some unknown beast. There is a mounted owlbear on the east wall with much of its fur faded with time. At the entrance are weapon racks and a sign that reads. Leave your weapons here or you will meet Drundar.
By the counter is Mauvia the guild master. She is oiling her trusted Maul which she calls Drundar. There are several patrons here for her famed drinks and liquors. Many are fellow adventurers playing cards, telling bawdy tales, and boasting about their feats of strength or magic. Behind her are massive casks of ale and wine. In the back is a sizable kitchen where you can hear chuckles and squawks. Your not sure if Brum the dwarven chef is preparing dinner or torturing a goose.
In the corner sits an elderly man talking softly with 2 pixies and nursing a cup of wine. On the table is a large pumpkin. Every once and a while he looks to a gilded notice on the quest board. It says Adventurers wanted. A lifetime of treasure as reward upon completion. See Madryck Roslof for more information. He wonders if any would accept his quest.
A Kobold, charcoal grey in color and barely 3ft in height peaks into the guild before walking inside. They takes a deep breath as Hisashi, walks in curious about the new surroundings, unsure of standard protocol the young Kobold carefully reads the sign by the weapons rack and places delicately a tribal spear of rustic craft with the assorted arms and then finds the nearest seat and plops down unapologetically like a child clinging to their security blanket
she looks curiously over at the old man noticing his glances towards the posting on the board. “Uh is dat yours?”
The waxing crescent, the human knight in silvery armor thinks to herself, acutely aware of it's presence despite being hidden by cloud and rain and the stone of the guild building. She ruminates about it over her drink, which appears to be as yet untouched. A break from the old. Light returning after a period of darkness. A time for new opportunities, new burdens, new relations. She holds her amulet, a symbol of the goddess Selune, as she thinks.
Eudith is so caught up in her thoughts that she doesn't notice the charcoal kobold until she hears the tiny voice with an unfamiliar accent asking the old man with the pixies at the table one over about a notice on the board. Kobolds have a bad reputation in much of the surface world, and Eudith can't help but have an automatic sense of unease. She catches herself thinking this, and reflects on Selune's teachings. Many that look monstrous are not, and many that do not look it are. Even a true monster can change, like all things do. The knight takes a sip of her drink, and attempts to listen in on what the old man has to say to this small, strange inquirer.
A few moments after the Kobold enters, a small, brown-furred harengon walks into the guild building. She's not quite 3 feet tall, standing just a bit shorter than the Kobold. Her ears stand up nearly a foot above her head, and she wears a lopsided wreath of white and yellow flowers on her head, ringed around one of her ears. Once the door closes behind her, she stands absolutely still, only her ears swiveling in reaction to the sounds of the room. Her brown robe is patched in a few places, and the bottom 2 inches of the robe are mud-stained. Raindrops drip from the robe and make a small puddle on the floor around her bare feet. She spots the Kobold's spear and hops over to the weapons rack. She unbuckles a scabbard for a curved sword from her waist and leaves it next to the Kobold's spear. The scabbard is easy to spot since the belt has a couple of black-and-white striped feathers hanging from it, too.
The harengon then walks to the counter and stands uncertainly in silence. She eventually bounces up once to look over the top of the counter at the proprietor, saying "I like your ribbons, miss", mid-hop. As Mauvia leans forward to look over the counter at her, the harengon steps back a bit but summons the courage to order two small mugs of mead and then walks carefully across the room to where the kobold is sitting. She hands the kobold one of the mugs, saying, "I thought that you might also be thirsty after the journey." She smiles kindly and sits next to the kobold, waiting for her to take a drink. Then she starts sipping her own mead, sitting very still while her eyes and ears take in the room. She looks startled when the kobold suddenly starts talking to the man near the board.
Eudith, of course, notices the familiar-looking harengon woman who joins the kobold's table. She blinks, surprised. Is that who it seems?
Her thoughts go back to the small, shy, rabbit-like girl she met in Waterdeep years ago while running an errand in the Dock Ward late one cloudless night. The girl was sitting on a bench on the pier with paper and pen, spyglass up to her eye, gazing up at the sky. Eudith, curious, introduced herself, and asked if she could see what the harengon was drawing. The shy girl nodded, showing a map of the stars visible that night, constellations marked by thin straight lines of ink connecting the stylized points of light. Eudith smiles a bit, recalling that the girl offered her a look through the spyglass. It was the first time she had seen the moon so clearly: waning gibbous, she recalls fondly.
Eudith continues to listen in, more curious than before.
The harengon then walks to the counter and stands uncertainly in silence. She eventually bounces up once to look over the top of the counter at the proprietor, saying "I like your ribbons, miss", mid-hop. As Mauvia leans forward to look over the counter at her, the harengon steps back a bit but summons the courage to order two small mugs of mead and then walks carefully across the room to where the kobold is sitting. She hands the kobold one of the mugs, saying, "I thought that you might also be thirsty after the journey." She smiles kindly and sits next to the kobold, waiting for her to take a drink. Then she starts sipping her own mead, sitting very still while her eyes and ears take in the room. She looks startled when the kobold suddenly starts talking to the man near the board.
Hisashi nods joyfully then looks at the mead curiously as she sticks her tongue into the beverage first to test it before taking a large sip. “Danks, it’s gud stufff.”
Pom has been hanging out and drinking for a while now and eyeing the man and quest board for just as long. Thats the moment. Now, im not the first and probably wont have to do it alone. She approaches the small group. Well looks like something is about to start afterall
Looks like that tables' becoming the place to be, Eudith thinks to herself. She downs her drink for some liquid courage, stands, and walks over to join Pom in approaching the group. "Is it too late for me to inquire as well?", she asks with a faint smile.
A purple skinned Tiefling woman makes her way into the building, puffing on a tobacco pipe. She wears torn and dirty clothes, and the rest of her seems to be equally caked in dirt, even her long dark hair and one horn - as the other is missing. She smiles as she recognizes Pom and rushes to her friend, wrapping an arm around her neck. “Pommy!” She squeals out happily… before looking at Eudith and squeaking in surprise. “Oh, um, I mean… hail friend Pom!”
Looks like that tables' becoming the place to be, Eudith thinks to herself. She downs her drink for some liquid courage, stands, and walks over to join Pom in approaching the group. "Is it too late for me to inquire as well?", she asks with a faint smile.
As Eudith approaches, the harengon freezes mid-sip of her drink. She sets the cup down with a quick motion and hops to her feet on top of her bench, turning toward Eudith. Standing on the seat, she is almost your height. She stands with her head turned a little to your side -- a quirk that Eudith remembers from before. (Something about how the harengon's field-of-vision is larger than that of humans?) Her expression is uncertain but excited. She stands a moment, aquiver with nervous energy, her mouth agape. She looks like she's about to speak more than once before she finally says, "Do I...do I know you, miss? Your eyes are so pretty: like starlight or the moon! I've only ever met one human with such eyes!"
Eudith freezes, on recognizing the tiefling woman who just wrapped her arm around the human woman beside her... And smiles. Good, she's managed to move on. Good for her. Good for me. She gives the tiefling a 'don't mind me' thumbs up.
Madryck Roslof gestures for the muddy newcomer to take a seat as their is enough for everyone. His adventuring days are behind him, and he looks quite old and frail. Nevertheless, he is delighted to make your acquaintance. "Yes that is my notice"
“I’ve acquired many treasures and made important contacts during my lengthy adventuring career,”says Madryck.“I would like to pass the treasures I possess and the favors I am owed to you. In exchange, I ask that you travel to Prismeer, a domain in the Feywild, and find out what fate has befallen the archfey that rules it. This archfey, Zybilna, is my patron and inspiration—the source of my power.
“I have been unable to contact Zybilna for the better part of a year, and I fear something terrible has happened. My adventuring days are over, but Zybilna has been good to me, and I would like to know she is well before I take my leave.
“Every eight years, our world is visited by a traveling extravaganza called the Witchlight Carnival. It recently returned and is camped three days’ travel from here. I’m asking you now because this carnival might pack up and leave in a week or two, and it contains your only route to Prismeer—a fey crossing, if you will.
“Seek out Zybilna of Prismeer, help her if you can, and return with proof that she is alive and well. Upon your return, all the hard-won earnings of my adventuring career shall be yours.”
Eudith then turns to the small harengon. So it really is her. "Waterdeep. Dock Ward? I think you might," she says with a grin.
"Yes! That's right! We looked at the moon through my father's spy-glass!", she says, hopping in place with excitement as she holds out her hands to squeeze yours in welcome.
When Madryck starts to speak, she stops bouncing and promptly becomes mute. She plops back down on the bench and scooches closer to the kobold to leave room for Eudith. She thinks that the name Zybilna sounds familiar.
OOC: How does WeatherVision want to handle rolls and skill checks? Should we just add them to our posts speculatively to help move things along? Any preference for putting those game mechanics in parentheses or separating them from the other content in the post?
Since the name Zybilna is connected to the Feywild, would that be Arcana20?
(Yes, just curious what Valrieth already knows before she starts asking questions. I thought that she might recognize the name since her parents were originally from the Feywild.)
“Uhg sounds more complicated than a fight. Hmmm whatchu call it, this fey person is Uber strong but missing? Ya gots some ideas on the how or the why?” The Kobold turns to the group unsure of if her questions were the right ones….
Absinthe has been listening but seems distracted. She folds her arms and doesn’t seem to notice that her devil tail is swishing. “So… you need us to find some lady for you? I’m sure we can do that. What’s the payment? Is it tobacco? I love tobacco.” She smiles wide as she removes her pipe that she has been puffing on from her mouth and holds it to the group. “Anyone want some~?”
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The story begins in Liam's Hold. Home to artisans and crafters. It is a walled hamlet which is a popular stop for caravans on the Trade Way. Waterdeep to the north and Baldur's Gate to the south. It is surrounded by farm land and pastures for livestock. The elves from the Misty Forest are seen on occasion trading mead and honey.
In a 2 story lopsided stone building is the Black Ford Adventuring Guild. It has been raining all day and the paths have become quite muddy. A covered wagon parks near the stables and lets out passenger who pay the driver a silver each. In front hanging over the front door is a wooden sign with rusted crossed swords. It has definitely seen better days. Once inside, there is a feeling of warmth as there is a roaring fire in the fireplace and tables with mismatched chairs. On the west wall is a large cork quest board with an assortment of quests. Some are written on parchment and others on dried hide of some unknown beast. There is a mounted owlbear on the east wall with much of its fur faded with time. At the entrance are weapon racks and a sign that reads. Leave your weapons here or you will meet Drundar.
By the counter is Mauvia the guild master. She is oiling her trusted Maul which she calls Drundar. There are several patrons here for her famed drinks and liquors. Many are fellow adventurers playing cards, telling bawdy tales, and boasting about their feats of strength or magic. Behind her are massive casks of ale and wine. In the back is a sizable kitchen where you can hear chuckles and squawks. Your not sure if Brum the dwarven chef is preparing dinner or torturing a goose.
In the corner sits an elderly man talking softly with 2 pixies and nursing a cup of wine. On the table is a large pumpkin. Every once and a while he looks to a gilded notice on the quest board. It says Adventurers wanted. A lifetime of treasure as reward upon completion. See Madryck Roslof for more information. He wonders if any would accept his quest.
A Kobold, charcoal grey in color and barely 3ft in height peaks into the guild before walking inside. They takes a deep breath as Hisashi, walks in curious about the new surroundings, unsure of standard protocol the young Kobold carefully reads the sign by the weapons rack and places delicately a tribal spear of rustic craft with the assorted arms and then finds the nearest seat and plops down unapologetically like a child clinging to their security blanket
she looks curiously over at the old man noticing his glances towards the posting on the board. “Uh is dat yours?”
The waxing crescent, the human knight in silvery armor thinks to herself, acutely aware of it's presence despite being hidden by cloud and rain and the stone of the guild building. She ruminates about it over her drink, which appears to be as yet untouched. A break from the old. Light returning after a period of darkness. A time for new opportunities, new burdens, new relations. She holds her amulet, a symbol of the goddess Selune, as she thinks.
Eudith is so caught up in her thoughts that she doesn't notice the charcoal kobold until she hears the tiny voice with an unfamiliar accent asking the old man with the pixies at the table one over about a notice on the board. Kobolds have a bad reputation in much of the surface world, and Eudith can't help but have an automatic sense of unease. She catches herself thinking this, and reflects on Selune's teachings. Many that look monstrous are not, and many that do not look it are. Even a true monster can change, like all things do. The knight takes a sip of her drink, and attempts to listen in on what the old man has to say to this small, strange inquirer.
A few moments after the Kobold enters, a small, brown-furred harengon walks into the guild building. She's not quite 3 feet tall, standing just a bit shorter than the Kobold. Her ears stand up nearly a foot above her head, and she wears a lopsided wreath of white and yellow flowers on her head, ringed around one of her ears. Once the door closes behind her, she stands absolutely still, only her ears swiveling in reaction to the sounds of the room. Her brown robe is patched in a few places, and the bottom 2 inches of the robe are mud-stained. Raindrops drip from the robe and make a small puddle on the floor around her bare feet. She spots the Kobold's spear and hops over to the weapons rack. She unbuckles a scabbard for a curved sword from her waist and leaves it next to the Kobold's spear. The scabbard is easy to spot since the belt has a couple of black-and-white striped feathers hanging from it, too.
The harengon then walks to the counter and stands uncertainly in silence. She eventually bounces up once to look over the top of the counter at the proprietor, saying "I like your ribbons, miss", mid-hop. As Mauvia leans forward to look over the counter at her, the harengon steps back a bit but summons the courage to order two small mugs of mead and then walks carefully across the room to where the kobold is sitting. She hands the kobold one of the mugs, saying, "I thought that you might also be thirsty after the journey." She smiles kindly and sits next to the kobold, waiting for her to take a drink. Then she starts sipping her own mead, sitting very still while her eyes and ears take in the room. She looks startled when the kobold suddenly starts talking to the man near the board.
Eudith, of course, notices the familiar-looking harengon woman who joins the kobold's table. She blinks, surprised. Is that who it seems?
Her thoughts go back to the small, shy, rabbit-like girl she met in Waterdeep years ago while running an errand in the Dock Ward late one cloudless night. The girl was sitting on a bench on the pier with paper and pen, spyglass up to her eye, gazing up at the sky. Eudith, curious, introduced herself, and asked if she could see what the harengon was drawing. The shy girl nodded, showing a map of the stars visible that night, constellations marked by thin straight lines of ink connecting the stylized points of light. Eudith smiles a bit, recalling that the girl offered her a look through the spyglass. It was the first time she had seen the moon so clearly: waning gibbous, she recalls fondly.
Eudith continues to listen in, more curious than before.
Hisashi nods joyfully then looks at the mead curiously as she sticks her tongue into the beverage first to test it before taking a large sip. “Danks, it’s gud stufff.”
Pom has been hanging out and drinking for a while now and eyeing the man and quest board for just as long. Thats the moment. Now, im not the first and probably wont have to do it alone. She approaches the small group. Well looks like something is about to start afterall
Olloray Dim - Limbo's Pit
Gunther Korroden - Nightmares in the Mist
Looks like that tables' becoming the place to be, Eudith thinks to herself. She downs her drink for some liquid courage, stands, and walks over to join Pom in approaching the group. "Is it too late for me to inquire as well?", she asks with a faint smile.
A purple skinned Tiefling woman makes her way into the building, puffing on a tobacco pipe. She wears torn and dirty clothes, and the rest of her seems to be equally caked in dirt, even her long dark hair and one horn - as the other is missing. She smiles as she recognizes Pom and rushes to her friend, wrapping an arm around her neck. “Pommy!” She squeals out happily… before looking at Eudith and squeaking in surprise. “Oh, um, I mean… hail friend Pom!”
As Eudith approaches, the harengon freezes mid-sip of her drink. She sets the cup down with a quick motion and hops to her feet on top of her bench, turning toward Eudith. Standing on the seat, she is almost your height. She stands with her head turned a little to your side -- a quirk that Eudith remembers from before. (Something about how the harengon's field-of-vision is larger than that of humans?) Her expression is uncertain but excited. She stands a moment, aquiver with nervous energy, her mouth agape. She looks like she's about to speak more than once before she finally says, "Do I...do I know you, miss? Your eyes are so pretty: like starlight or the moon! I've only ever met one human with such eyes!"
Eudith freezes, on recognizing the tiefling woman who just wrapped her arm around the human woman beside her... And smiles. Good, she's managed to move on. Good for her. Good for me. She gives the tiefling a 'don't mind me' thumbs up.
Eudith then turns to the small harengon. So it really is her. "Waterdeep. Dock Ward? I think you might," she says with a grin.
Madryck Roslof gestures for the muddy newcomer to take a seat as their is enough for everyone. His adventuring days are behind him, and he looks quite old and frail. Nevertheless, he is delighted to make your acquaintance. "Yes that is my notice"
“I’ve acquired many treasures and made important contacts during my lengthy adventuring career,” says Madryck. “I would like to pass the treasures I possess and the favors I am owed to you. In exchange, I ask that you travel to Prismeer, a domain in the Feywild, and find out what fate has befallen the archfey that rules it. This archfey, Zybilna, is my patron and inspiration—the source of my power.
“I have been unable to contact Zybilna for the better part of a year, and I fear something terrible has happened. My adventuring days are over, but Zybilna has been good to me, and I would like to know she is well before I take my leave.
“Every eight years, our world is visited by a traveling extravaganza called the Witchlight Carnival. It recently returned and is camped three days’ travel from here. I’m asking you now because this carnival might pack up and leave in a week or two, and it contains your only route to Prismeer—a fey crossing, if you will.
“Seek out Zybilna of Prismeer, help her if you can, and return with proof that she is alive and well. Upon your return, all the hard-won earnings of my adventuring career shall be yours.”
"Yes! That's right! We looked at the moon through my father's spy-glass!", she says, hopping in place with excitement as she holds out her hands to squeeze yours in welcome.
When Madryck starts to speak, she stops bouncing and promptly becomes mute. She plops back down on the bench and scooches closer to the kobold to leave room for Eudith. She thinks that the name Zybilna sounds familiar.
OOC: How does WeatherVision want to handle rolls and skill checks? Should we just add them to our posts speculatively to help move things along? Any preference for putting those game mechanics in parentheses or separating them from the other content in the post?
Since the name Zybilna is connected to the Feywild, would that be Arcana 20?
(You can question Madryck about Zybilna)
Eudith scooches in onto the bench, and lets the others question Madryck for now.
(Yes, just curious what Valrieth already knows before she starts asking questions. I thought that she might recognize the name since her parents were originally from the Feywild.)
(no you do not know her)
“Uhg sounds more complicated than a fight. Hmmm whatchu call it, this fey person is Uber strong but missing? Ya gots some ideas on the how or the why?” The Kobold turns to the group unsure of if her questions were the right ones….
Absinthe has been listening but seems distracted. She folds her arms and doesn’t seem to notice that her devil tail is swishing. “So… you need us to find some lady for you? I’m sure we can do that. What’s the payment? Is it tobacco? I love tobacco.” She smiles wide as she removes her pipe that she has been puffing on from her mouth and holds it to the group. “Anyone want some~?”