When Auriel sees the row moving by itself he smiles and tells Carl:
- Nice one! Wouldn't mind having that spell active all the time we are on the marsh. So, Carl, someone from your family disappeared here too? A brother perhaps? Sorry to hear. I hope we find him soon enough.
The eladrin then listens to Sylyra and Uragum.
- Have to say your stories seem quite uncommon. Never heard of a city druid before - he says, looking at Sylyra - I thought they alldespised cities. Did you live in a place more attuned to nature before, or did you find your calling in Waterdeep? If you don't mind my asking. In any case - and this time he looks to Uragum, too - it's good to hear that you could follow your calling even if your families didn't agree with it.
Hex is also becomes intrigued when Sylyra and Uragum talk of their past and family. She remains quiet and simply listens to the conversation as she continues to row the keelboat through the marsh.
Sylyra nods, relating to the sentiment behind Uragum's story. He opens his mouth to respond when Auriel addresses him. The druid's inhaled breath is released as a sigh. He turns his bright green eyes on the eladrin. "Let's just say I never cease to amaze," he says, a satisfied grin spreading his lips. "The short of my story is I was forced into my 'calling' — as you put it — by my family. It's a means to an end. One day, I'll return to Waterdeep and will never have to slog through another swamp again." His eyes, now hard, waver in their sockets before glancing down at his hands. The fingers of his right hand had been turning the signet ring on the middle finger of his left hand so hard, the skin around it is enflamed. He yanks the ring off and looks as if he's about to throw it into the swamp. Reconsidering, he puts the ring back on and clears his throat. Looking out at the swamp away from the others on the keelboat, Sylyra addresses Auriel over his shoulder, "I suppose I should ask you how you found your 'calling'," he says, sounding put out. "Tyr appear to you in a dream, did he?"
Auriel blinks and lets out a short smile and a slight breath before speaking again. There really was no way to hit the spot with this man, was there?
- For what is worth, and even though I'm risking a scowl from you, Sylyra: I'm sorry for what you've been through, and I hope your wish to return to Waterdeep comes true. As for me - and he laughs quietly - you should ask only if you want to know, no need to do it out of reciprocity, specially if it's going to annoy you. But since you did, let's just say Tyr came to me when I most needed it. I... - he tries to choose his words carefully - hurt someone back in Mithrendain. Badly. Tyr made me see that I could channel the anger I felt at that time and put it to better use. And with time, I've been able to abandon my aggresive winter form into something better. I hope I won't go back to that season ever again.
He stops for a moment, and then adds:
- My family was banished from the Feywild because of my actions. And they've in turn banished me from their presence. So, well, this fine swamp will have to do for now.
Hex frowned upon hearing everyone's past being told, the common thread between them all being an unpleasant relationship with their families. She couldn't help but wonder if her relationship with her family would've been the same, had she knew them. She shook her head to free herself of such negative and unproductive thoughts, trying to focus instead on the task ahead - navigating the marsh and saving the kidnapped.
After pushing through the swamp for a few more hours, you see ahead of you a series of wooded islands in an expanse of muddy water. A slow current seems to revolve around them like a massive eddy. Waterbound trees continue the canopy over the water. There is an irregular line of crude wooden huts built partially in the water along each island's bank. Many are damaged or knocked over, and look abandoned.
Hex slows the keelboat down as they approach the wooden huts and calls out to the rest of the party. "Could these be the Ringcurrent Islands? I was expecting it to be more... lively but it just looks abandoned." From the front of the keelboat, she's tries to get a better look at the huts - specifically looking for signs of recent life.
Sylyra's head ever so slowly turns the longer the eledrin tells his tale. By the end, Sylyra's profile is visible. It's clear he has a small smirk. "I've not known any eledrin personally, though I've heard about them." He turns his body to look at Auriel, smiling darkly. "This 'winter season' sounds delicious," he says seductively. "Never say never." He gives a quick wink and then turns his back on the paladin again to watch the swamp.
Later, as the keelboat is slowed and Hex makes her observation, Sylyra gets to his feet and looks disapprovingly over the scene. "Keep sharp." He begins pouring his eyes over the area for any dangers. "We can only pull this one out of so many toads' stomachs."
Auriel opens his mouth as if to reply, but thinks again and says nothing. He scratches his forehead for a second there, gazing at the elf who now has his back turned on him. Indeed, Sylyra never ceased to amaze.
Turning to the task at hand and though there aren't any obvious signs of life he tries to check any kind of movement or sound that might alert of any danger. Then he asks:
- So ... what now? There are several islands there. Should we pick one and begin looking for tracks or clues related to the kidnapped people?
(Do any of the islands look particularly bigger or with more huts than the rest? Perhaps we could land on that one and begin investigating.
Uragum continues to row as he hears Sylyra uncharacteristically divulge some of his background. He closes his eyes and breaths deep as some memories come to the surface. "If by family you mean my mother and father. Then the answer is it's complicated. You see, Goliaths pride themselves on self-reliance and competition. Breeds strong, capable bodies. Few can use magic of any sort and the ones that can are like you. Ha. You'd actually fit well there. Hmm... if you could live past the short jokes. But I digress. My father was a traditionalist, carry only what you need, live off the land kind of thing. Felt the only good use of a book was for kindling. Ma, well she was a bit more understanding. Couldn't see how my mind worked but could see how it need more. Got me my first book with a trade. And eventually got my hands on a grimoire and figured out some magic. My father was none to please, when he found out. Tried to have it beat out of me." Uragum rowed silently for a few seconds before laughing deeply. "Convinced a few boys my age to bloody me. Should have seen the look on their faces when I buried an ice dagger into one of their legs. Priceless."
Carl looks up when a Grimoire is mentioned, he listens to the story and smiles at times, but offers nothing further, but chuckles at the end. He has a new book in his lap, every now and again, he flips through some of the pages.
- Nice one! Wouldn't mind having that spell active all the time we are on the marsh. So, Carl, someone from your family disappeared here too? A brother perhaps? Sorry to hear. I hope we find him soon enough.
Carl nods and says “Yeah, my cousin went missin in these parts, ole Fuselad, at least I got a little lead on im back there. I was last at Hawksroost, on my way to the Bloodskull Keep but I heard about some disappearances, come to find out he was missin. Maybe we are making some progress now. Finally.”
Then he drops his head and remains in respectful silence when Auriel mentions banishment, he rubs his beard and considers, staring off into space for a moment. “I know what that’s like. To be separated from family. To lose.. everything.” He fingers his battle axe, looking down into his lap.
When Sylyra comments on being pulling him out of toad’s stomach, Carl stays quiet, but when Sylyra turns his back, Carl sticks his tongue out at the elf. Then he starts watching the shore line, watching for movement, hunkering down in the skiff… he is distracted and can’t see much.
Perception : 3. 🤦♂️
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Up close, it is obvious that some of the huts have been physically knocked over or crushed, with logs snapped like twigs. However, many more of them are oddly destroyed, and the remains show signs of being dissolved or rotting away.
Further inland, you see several pairs of ragged winged shapes hanging like decorations high in the tree branches. The silhouette of a large and powerful lizardfolk appears from behind the trees. It jumps high in the air, grabs one decoration in each hand, and rips them from their ropes. It lands, throws them to the ground, and stomps them flat. The lizardfolk strides into the gloom.
The island nearest you where these huts are located is only a hundred feet or so across. On the other shore you can see more huts near the water's edge, and past that a larger island in the center of the enormous eddy.
Hex's eyes scan the broken and dissolved huts as she lets out sigh. "Looks like you were right, Uragum. From the looks of it, it was most likely a black dragon that took over."
She motions towards the large island in the center of the eddy. "That's probably the Island of the Lizard King Rolk mentioned... and it looks like the lizardfolk are none to pleased about their new leader. I wonder if we could convince them to join arms with us against it."
Sylyra's head whips around to glare at Hex. "Quit saying that," he hisses. "We don't know that." His eyes turn again to examine the ruined buildings silently. His hands rise to pull the hood of his cloak up over his head, casting his face in shadow.
Hex cocks her head curiously as Sylyra glares and scolds her, suddenly remembering his behavior the last time they had encountered a dragon as well as other times dragons had been mentioned. "What? Scared of dragons, are we? Not to say I'm not. Who wouldn't be afraid of a giant flying lizard with sharp teeth and claws that can spew whatever element out of its mouth at you... but you have to admit, after everything we've been through, it's gotta be a dragon. It's always a dragon... or at least dragon adjacent." She speaks in a lighthearted tone, a little amused but mostly curious.
The paladin looks at Sylyra and Hex as they talk. He's not sure what's happening there, but that word really seems to have struck a chord on the druid. What was that about? (Insight check: 23)
- Dragon or not, seems our first problem will be the big fellow with a passion for wing decoration - Auriel says - We should get moving there, come on.
Carl pipes up watching the island and seeing the wings destroyed, saying “Who would make wings like tha? Was that wings that a kobold might make? Or too large, I can’t tell. Have you seen any kobolds in this area, warring with the lizardfolk? Or as you say, all just lizardfolk worshippin a dragon…”. He scratches his beard and watches, listens.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
The huts do show signs of being burned partially away by a very powerful acid. You realize as you take a closer look that among the debris are signs of scaled bodies eaten away by the acid as well, some much more intact than others.
Sylyra is VERY upset at the idea of there being a dragon. You get the idea it might be a bad idea to count on him keeping it together if one presented itself.
Sylyra's obscured face turns toward Hex before pointing generally at the huts. "They were caught off guard," he says solemnly. "There are lizardfolk corpses in there." He pauses then says presumably to Auriel, "Lead the way."
Hex's eyes remain on Sylyra, her amused expression shifting to slight worry as he dodges her question. She hopes she has not offended him too deeply and keeps silent, only glancing at Auriel to follow his lead.
Auriel doesn't say anything, but shares a worried look with Hex. Something tells him that if they do end up meeting a dragon, the impact on Sylyra is going to be tough. And how are they going to defeat one such creature without them all being at full strength? He doesn't have an answer for this and only knows that now they have reached this point, they aren't just going to turn back. So the paladin looks back to Uragum and Carl, confirming that they are ready to advance too, and then begins to row towards the nearest island.
Once they land and secure the keelboat he will close his eyes for an instant, his right hand placed over his holy symbol, as he tries to sense anything unholy that could be present in their inmediate surroundings. He does this despite the fact that they haven't seen anything that could match this divine sense thus far, but one can never be too careful. Then he will try to take a closer look at the winged decorations they saw from afar, trying to determine if they could have belonged to a dragon.
(Auriel uses Divine Sense. And as for the wings, would that be an investigation roll? 20)
When Auriel sees the row moving by itself he smiles and tells Carl:
- Nice one! Wouldn't mind having that spell active all the time we are on the marsh. So, Carl, someone from your family disappeared here too? A brother perhaps? Sorry to hear. I hope we find him soon enough.
The eladrin then listens to Sylyra and Uragum.
- Have to say your stories seem quite uncommon. Never heard of a city druid before - he says, looking at Sylyra - I thought they all despised cities. Did you live in a place more attuned to nature before, or did you find your calling in Waterdeep? If you don't mind my asking. In any case - and this time he looks to Uragum, too - it's good to hear that you could follow your calling even if your families didn't agree with it.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Hex is also becomes intrigued when Sylyra and Uragum talk of their past and family. She remains quiet and simply listens to the conversation as she continues to row the keelboat through the marsh.
Sylyra nods, relating to the sentiment behind Uragum's story. He opens his mouth to respond when Auriel addresses him. The druid's inhaled breath is released as a sigh. He turns his bright green eyes on the eladrin. "Let's just say I never cease to amaze," he says, a satisfied grin spreading his lips. "The short of my story is I was forced into my 'calling' — as you put it — by my family. It's a means to an end. One day, I'll return to Waterdeep and will never have to slog through another swamp again." His eyes, now hard, waver in their sockets before glancing down at his hands. The fingers of his right hand had been turning the signet ring on the middle finger of his left hand so hard, the skin around it is enflamed. He yanks the ring off and looks as if he's about to throw it into the swamp. Reconsidering, he puts the ring back on and clears his throat. Looking out at the swamp away from the others on the keelboat, Sylyra addresses Auriel over his shoulder, "I suppose I should ask you how you found your 'calling'," he says, sounding put out. "Tyr appear to you in a dream, did he?"
Auriel blinks and lets out a short smile and a slight breath before speaking again. There really was no way to hit the spot with this man, was there?
- For what is worth, and even though I'm risking a scowl from you, Sylyra: I'm sorry for what you've been through, and I hope your wish to return to Waterdeep comes true. As for me - and he laughs quietly - you should ask only if you want to know, no need to do it out of reciprocity, specially if it's going to annoy you. But since you did, let's just say Tyr came to me when I most needed it. I... - he tries to choose his words carefully - hurt someone back in Mithrendain. Badly. Tyr made me see that I could channel the anger I felt at that time and put it to better use. And with time, I've been able to abandon my aggresive winter form into something better. I hope I won't go back to that season ever again.
He stops for a moment, and then adds:
- My family was banished from the Feywild because of my actions. And they've in turn banished me from their presence. So, well, this fine swamp will have to do for now.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Hex frowned upon hearing everyone's past being told, the common thread between them all being an unpleasant relationship with their families. She couldn't help but wonder if her relationship with her family would've been the same, had she knew them. She shook her head to free herself of such negative and unproductive thoughts, trying to focus instead on the task ahead - navigating the marsh and saving the kidnapped.
After pushing through the swamp for a few more hours, you see ahead of you a series of wooded islands in an expanse of muddy water. A slow current seems to revolve around them like a massive eddy. Waterbound trees continue the canopy over the water. There is an irregular line of crude wooden huts built partially in the water along each island's bank. Many are damaged or knocked over, and look abandoned.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Hex slows the keelboat down as they approach the wooden huts and calls out to the rest of the party. "Could these be the Ringcurrent Islands? I was expecting it to be more... lively but it just looks abandoned." From the front of the keelboat, she's tries to get a better look at the huts - specifically looking for signs of recent life.
Sylyra's head ever so slowly turns the longer the eledrin tells his tale. By the end, Sylyra's profile is visible. It's clear he has a small smirk. "I've not known any eledrin personally, though I've heard about them." He turns his body to look at Auriel, smiling darkly. "This 'winter season' sounds delicious," he says seductively. "Never say never." He gives a quick wink and then turns his back on the paladin again to watch the swamp.
Later, as the keelboat is slowed and Hex makes her observation, Sylyra gets to his feet and looks disapprovingly over the scene. "Keep sharp." He begins pouring his eyes over the area for any dangers. "We can only pull this one out of so many toads' stomachs."
Auriel opens his mouth as if to reply, but thinks again and says nothing. He scratches his forehead for a second there, gazing at the elf who now has his back turned on him. Indeed, Sylyra never ceased to amaze.
Turning to the task at hand and though there aren't any obvious signs of life he tries to check any kind of movement or sound that might alert of any danger. Then he asks:
- So ... what now? There are several islands there. Should we pick one and begin looking for tracks or clues related to the kidnapped people?
(Do any of the islands look particularly bigger or with more huts than the rest? Perhaps we could land on that one and begin investigating.
Perception: 16)
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Carl looks up when a Grimoire is mentioned, he listens to the story and smiles at times, but offers nothing further, but chuckles at the end. He has a new book in his lap, every now and again, he flips through some of the pages.
- Nice one! Wouldn't mind having that spell active all the time we are on the marsh. So, Carl, someone from your family disappeared here too? A brother perhaps? Sorry to hear. I hope we find him soon enough.
Carl nods and says “Yeah, my cousin went missin in these parts, ole Fuselad, at least I got a little lead on im back there. I was last at Hawksroost, on my way to the Bloodskull Keep but I heard about some disappearances, come to find out he was missin. Maybe we are making some progress now. Finally.”
Then he drops his head and remains in respectful silence when Auriel mentions banishment, he rubs his beard and considers, staring off into space for a moment. “I know what that’s like. To be separated from family. To lose.. everything.” He fingers his battle axe, looking down into his lap.
When Sylyra comments on being pulling him out of toad’s stomach, Carl stays quiet, but when Sylyra turns his back, Carl sticks his tongue out at the elf. Then he starts watching the shore line, watching for movement, hunkering down in the skiff… he is distracted and can’t see much.
Perception : 3. 🤦♂️
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Up close, it is obvious that some of the huts have been physically knocked over or crushed, with logs snapped like twigs. However, many more of them are oddly destroyed, and the remains show signs of being dissolved or rotting away.
Further inland, you see several pairs of ragged winged shapes hanging like decorations high in the tree branches. The silhouette of a large and powerful lizardfolk appears from behind the trees. It jumps high in the air, grabs one decoration in each hand, and rips them from their ropes. It lands, throws them to the ground, and stomps them flat. The lizardfolk strides into the gloom.
The island nearest you where these huts are located is only a hundred feet or so across. On the other shore you can see more huts near the water's edge, and past that a larger island in the center of the enormous eddy.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Hex's eyes scan the broken and dissolved huts as she lets out sigh. "Looks like you were right, Uragum. From the looks of it, it was most likely a black dragon that took over."
She motions towards the large island in the center of the eddy. "That's probably the Island of the Lizard King Rolk mentioned... and it looks like the lizardfolk are none to pleased about their new leader. I wonder if we could convince them to join arms with us against it."
Sylyra's head whips around to glare at Hex. "Quit saying that," he hisses. "We don't know that." His eyes turn again to examine the ruined buildings silently. His hands rise to pull the hood of his cloak up over his head, casting his face in shadow.
Hex cocks her head curiously as Sylyra glares and scolds her, suddenly remembering his behavior the last time they had encountered a dragon as well as other times dragons had been mentioned. "What? Scared of dragons, are we? Not to say I'm not. Who wouldn't be afraid of a giant flying lizard with sharp teeth and claws that can spew whatever element out of its mouth at you... but you have to admit, after everything we've been through, it's gotta be a dragon. It's always a dragon... or at least dragon adjacent." She speaks in a lighthearted tone, a little amused but mostly curious.
The paladin looks at Sylyra and Hex as they talk. He's not sure what's happening there, but that word really seems to have struck a chord on the druid. What was that about? (Insight check: 23)
- Dragon or not, seems our first problem will be the big fellow with a passion for wing decoration - Auriel says - We should get moving there, come on.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Carl pipes up watching the island and seeing the wings destroyed, saying “Who would make wings like tha? Was that wings that a kobold might make? Or too large, I can’t tell. Have you seen any kobolds in this area, warring with the lizardfolk? Or as you say, all just lizardfolk worshippin a dragon…”. He scratches his beard and watches, listens.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
For Sylyra:
The huts do show signs of being burned partially away by a very powerful acid. You realize as you take a closer look that among the debris are signs of scaled bodies eaten away by the acid as well, some much more intact than others.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
For Auriel:
Sylyra is VERY upset at the idea of there being a dragon. You get the idea it might be a bad idea to count on him keeping it together if one presented itself.
Sylyra's obscured face turns toward Hex before pointing generally at the huts. "They were caught off guard," he says solemnly. "There are lizardfolk corpses in there." He pauses then says presumably to Auriel, "Lead the way."
Hex's eyes remain on Sylyra, her amused expression shifting to slight worry as he dodges her question. She hopes she has not offended him too deeply and keeps silent, only glancing at Auriel to follow his lead.
Auriel doesn't say anything, but shares a worried look with Hex. Something tells him that if they do end up meeting a dragon, the impact on Sylyra is going to be tough. And how are they going to defeat one such creature without them all being at full strength? He doesn't have an answer for this and only knows that now they have reached this point, they aren't just going to turn back. So the paladin looks back to Uragum and Carl, confirming that they are ready to advance too, and then begins to row towards the nearest island.
Once they land and secure the keelboat he will close his eyes for an instant, his right hand placed over his holy symbol, as he tries to sense anything unholy that could be present in their inmediate surroundings. He does this despite the fact that they haven't seen anything that could match this divine sense thus far, but one can never be too careful. Then he will try to take a closer look at the winged decorations they saw from afar, trying to determine if they could have belonged to a dragon.
(Auriel uses Divine Sense. And as for the wings, would that be an investigation roll? 20)
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra