"Uh, shall we continue onward to meet this king now that we know the proper way to bow?" Finley asks, doing another practice bow to Clapperclaw.
"Maybe we should see what these...heads...know first?", Valrieth suggests.
Turning to the heads again, "Excuse me, I'm sorry if it's rude to ask, but are you real heads? That is--oh--um...I mean, are you all heads from formerly living bulllywugs? Do you know who chopped off your heads and put them here?"
The Trio moves forward to see the King. A grand marble gazebo stands atop a mound of soggy earth, its white stone streaked green with algae. The support pillars have sunk into the muck unevenly so that the domed canopy now sits askew. Short steps ring the gazebo, leading to a raised floor where bullywugs dressed in shabby clothing lounge on pillows. Among them, a harpist sends forth delicate notes that mingle with the murmured croaking of the gathered nobles.
On a dais, a flabby bullywug wearing a crown of woven lily flowers sits on an ornate throne with his legs folded under him. He has a large leather-bound book open across his lap and is mouthing the words he reads on the pages. Without looking up, he says, “Have you no herald to announce your presence before King Gullop the Nineteenth?” He slams the book closed as if to punctuate his question, regarding you for the first time. Sleepy bullywug guards standing around their monarch snap to attention and ready their weapons.
King Gullop XIX is about to go into a lecture on etiquette, but stops himself when he notices the badges from Duke Ickrind "I see you have met Duke Ickrind. Come closer and tell me what brings you to Downfall?"
King Gullop XIX is surrounded by 5 Bullywug knights and has a pet baby crocodile.
A servant with a tray full of wine goblets waits by the party should anyone wishes to take a drink. King Gullop XIX gestures for the party to drink some wine.
Gan-Re steps forward and does his normal formal introduction, but even more so. He does a bow and says "Thank you your royal majesty for admitting us into your presence. I am Gan-Re of the Trio and it is my pleasure to introduce the renowned artificer Finley Stoneshaft and the wise druid Lady Valrieth."
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Gan-Re: Aarakocra Barbarian - The Wild Beyond the Witchlight | DM - Keys of Empire
"Someone, oh wise King Gullop the XIX."Finley bows in the way they were taught, "our friend Zybilna has been missing for sometime and we are worried about her."
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Finley Stoneshaft, Dwarf Artificer - The Wild Beyond the Witchlight, Falkas, Half-Elf Drow Warlock - Keys of Empire
"Noted. Now can you tell me what bringsthe Trio here? Is there something you are looking for" asks King Gullop XIX
Based on Duke Ickrind's instruction, Valrieth does her best attempt at a curtsy. She doesn't know why this bullywug is due such respect. Or kings, in general, really. But her understanding is that they are quick to take offense and often have the power to inflict harm on a whim.
Val makes an odd sight with her dirty and singed robe but still glowing in her archer starry form. She tries to focus on the King and ignore the larger crowd and says, "Good King, you could say that we are knights-errant. We have come from far way on a Quest to rescue children who are lost here in Prismeer, and we try to render aid where we can. In fact, we just helped Duke Ickrind and saved the balloon factory, where animated coals sought to burn down the building. We have also undertaken a new quest to assist Clapperclaw, one of your subjects?, in finding his missing head."
Val throws a questioning glance at Gan-Re and Finley. She omitted any mention of Zybilna since she's unsure how much they should reveal. Val wonders whether these bullywugs are in league with Bavlorna.
"Someone, oh wise King Gullop the XIX."Finley bows in the way they were taught, "our friend Zybilna has been missing for sometime and we are worried about her."
(OOC: oops. Writing posts simultaneously. 😜 For narrative clarity, we should probably think of Valrieth going second and then Finley following up with the Zybilna bit.)
"That freakish scarecrow is not one of my subjects. I have some information that could help you, but I need the Trio to do me a favor. I need you to return this book to Bavlorna secretly. I was able to procure this book from a thief and now it should be returned to Bavlorna. Though you need a change of clothing as you seem singed. Head to my palace and my servants should be able to find finer clothes that should fit." (D11) say King Gullop XIX
"OK. It might take a few days for us to find your head, but we can come back here to look for you once we find it."
Valrieth finally looks over at the heads, still unsettled by the sight. "You'll keep Clapperclaw company?"
"Of course, at least he is something new" says one of the Bullywug heads
"Uh, shall we continue onward to meet this king now that we know the proper way to bow?" Finley asks, doing another practice bow to Clapperclaw.
Finley Stoneshaft, Dwarf Artificer - The Wild Beyond the Witchlight, Falkas, Half-Elf Drow Warlock - Keys of Empire
"Maybe we should see what these...heads...know first?", Valrieth suggests.
Turning to the heads again, "Excuse me, I'm sorry if it's rude to ask, but are you real heads? That is--oh--um...I mean, are you all heads from formerly living bulllywugs? Do you know who chopped off your heads and put them here?"
"We are all the previous enemies of the king. Best mind your manners" says a bullywug head
"So what might the king find rude enough to chop off heads for?"
Gan-Re: Aarakocra Barbarian - The Wild Beyond the Witchlight | DM - Keys of Empire
"Just be deferential to the King and let the king speak first" says another severed head
Valrieth says, "Thank you. Do you whether the King is on good terms with Agdon Longscarf, the Brigand Prince of Prismeer?"
"We don't know as we have been for sometime. Best go see the king" says a severed head
(OOC: Taking the DM's hint...)
The Trio says good-bye to Clapperclaw and heads to the Gazebo to meet the King Gullop XIX.
The Trio moves forward to see the King. A grand marble gazebo stands atop a mound of soggy earth, its white stone streaked green with algae. The support pillars have sunk into the muck unevenly so that the domed canopy now sits askew. Short steps ring the gazebo, leading to a raised floor where bullywugs dressed in shabby clothing lounge on pillows. Among them, a harpist sends forth delicate notes that mingle with the murmured croaking of the gathered nobles.
On a dais, a flabby bullywug wearing a crown of woven lily flowers sits on an ornate throne with his legs folded under him. He has a large leather-bound book open across his lap and is mouthing the words he reads on the pages. Without looking up, he says, “Have you no herald to announce your presence before King Gullop the Nineteenth?” He slams the book closed as if to punctuate his question, regarding you for the first time. Sleepy bullywug guards standing around their monarch snap to attention and ready their weapons.
King Gullop XIX is about to go into a lecture on etiquette, but stops himself when he notices the badges from Duke Ickrind "I see you have met Duke Ickrind. Come closer and tell me what brings you to Downfall?"
King Gullop XIX is surrounded by 5 Bullywug knights and has a pet baby crocodile.
A servant with a tray full of wine goblets waits by the party should anyone wishes to take a drink. King Gullop XIX gestures for the party to drink some wine.
Gan-Re steps forward and does his normal formal introduction, but even more so. He does a bow and says "Thank you your royal majesty for admitting us into your presence. I am Gan-Re of the Trio and it is my pleasure to introduce the renowned artificer Finley Stoneshaft and the wise druid Lady Valrieth."
Gan-Re: Aarakocra Barbarian - The Wild Beyond the Witchlight | DM - Keys of Empire
"Noted. Now can you tell me what bringsthe Trio here? Is there something you are looking for" asks King Gullop XIX
"Someone, oh wise King Gullop the XIX." Finley bows in the way they were taught, "our friend Zybilna has been missing for sometime and we are worried about her."
Finley Stoneshaft, Dwarf Artificer - The Wild Beyond the Witchlight, Falkas, Half-Elf Drow Warlock - Keys of Empire
Based on Duke Ickrind's instruction, Valrieth does her best attempt at a curtsy. She doesn't know why this bullywug is due such respect. Or kings, in general, really. But her understanding is that they are quick to take offense and often have the power to inflict harm on a whim.
Val makes an odd sight with her dirty and singed robe but still glowing in her archer starry form. She tries to focus on the King and ignore the larger crowd and says, "Good King, you could say that we are knights-errant. We have come from far way on a Quest to rescue children who are lost here in Prismeer, and we try to render aid where we can. In fact, we just helped Duke Ickrind and saved the balloon factory, where animated coals sought to burn down the building. We have also undertaken a new quest to assist Clapperclaw, one of your subjects?, in finding his missing head."
Val throws a questioning glance at Gan-Re and Finley. She omitted any mention of Zybilna since she's unsure how much they should reveal. Val wonders whether these bullywugs are in league with Bavlorna.
(OOC: oops. Writing posts simultaneously. 😜 For narrative clarity, we should probably think of Valrieth going second and then Finley following up with the Zybilna bit.)
"That freakish scarecrow is not one of my subjects. I have some information that could help you, but I need the Trio to do me a favor. I need you to return this book to Bavlorna secretly. I was able to procure this book from a thief and now it should be returned to Bavlorna. Though you need a change of clothing as you seem singed. Head to my palace and my servants should be able to find finer clothes that should fit." (D11) say King Gullop XIX