While Thia is leading you, quick and vivacious as always, without ceasing for a moment to congratulate you on how kind, brave and good you have been in agreeing to help her mistress, you come across an elf in a corridor. His clothes, practical like those of ranchers, but also elegant and well kept, are in various shades of brown that make little contrast with his copperish skin. Seeing you, he winces, betraying surprise (and perhaps annoyance too?) at the bottom of his impenetrable black eyes and slightly curls his fine nose: "Sellers of false hopes, I suppose" and, in a gesture of ironic false courtesy, raises his hat from the short straight black hair. "The pleasure is all yours. So you, instead of helping Martha to accept reality, have given her to understand..." he looks you up and down each one of you, with evident contempt "that you can bring that scoundrel back to life?"
"Bravo," he begins to clap his hands slowly, in a parody of sarcastic applause, "bravo... You must be really proud of yourselves and your actions".
Thia seems to be seething with anger - and with the desire to argue, but she's holding back...
"First of all... we didn't come here to sell anything; the woman requested aid and we answered her call," the half-orc growls as he takes a step towards the elf. "We only found out what she wanted when we got here. And second, we live in a land full of magic that we mere mortals can barely fathom. To think that it is outside of the realm of possibility that the dead could be brought back seems to me a greater denial of reality than to undertake a quest that some jackass elf deems foolish. I'm not going to pretend that I think the outcome the lady wants is especially probable, and I already told her as much, but I would rather give her some hope than crush it right before the birth of her child."
“She could use more kindness and less sarcasm “ lashes out Aidwyn directly “It was her need for you as a family, for you are family I presume, that lead her to this position. Now in her state she needs more care, for the shake of herself and her child, than lessons… specially if they come form a higher morality. She could be in denial but we at least give her one thing she needs, hope. We have agreed to look into it. We haven’t asked nothing in exchange, we haven’t asked for a single silver piece. So take your assumptions and drink them with your best wine, and go back there and help her grieving… and let us be”
She turns and storms away without waiting a reply from the elf
While storms away, Aidwyn hears Thia whisper to her: "Well said!"
The elf, meanwhile, comments instead: "Oh, look, a heroine who flees from a verbal battle ... I just hope she doesn't do the same in a real one".
(OOC: Up to you, Frandal, whether you prefer Aidwyn to be still in hearing range of this last remark or not. What follows, anyway, she can't hear unless she changes her mind and comes back)
Then he surveys those of you who are left, one by one, saying: "Of course... Heroes... You look just like people capable of working miracles... Especially" looking at Rash "Gruumsh's disciple here..." then, turning to Thia and raising an eyebrow "Are you too really proud of them, half-breed?"
Thia seems on the verge of exploding, but finds an unsuspecting demeanor in a young half-elf of her age and replies: "I am perhaps only a humble half-breed servant, Mr. Liadon, but allow me to observe that you are disrespecting the guests of Miss Martha, your wife Tharby's cousin".
"Oh, so it's not about paid fortune seekers," the elf smiles ironically "but about esteemed guests. Oh, apologies then. Maybe then I could do the courtesy of providing some information to these esteemed guests... Something that could open their eyes on the qualities of the person they are about to bring back from the grave... Are you by any chance interested in learning the details on the sad passing of that little parasite, Dobbian?"
...and with a sad expression Martha answers: "That I can't, sorry... My family is already unconvinced enough of what I'm doing... They are sonewhat supporting me in this attempt of mine... but most think it is a wasted effort, I know - they allow me some freedom just out of respect of my sorrow. Almost nobody really believes in what I'm doing. So I can't anticipate horses to unknown adventurers - not even to unknown adventurers I redpect and trust. I'd risk losing the few trust and support I have from my family".
The woman turns to the young half-elf girl: "You know what? I think Thia is the only one that really believes in me; but, sadly, priceless as her support is, she does not own any horses. I'm sorry, Obadiah, among the reward for success, horses will also be given - and quite valuable ones, but I can't anticipate them. You'll have to do this on foot".
Wiyj an answering sad look of her own, Spira rises to follow Thia out. "I'm sorry. I know what that feels like, for certain. But I do believe in you also, and I think everyone here does too.", she says, giving a firm look in passing to anyone in the group she senses might be harboring some doubts. "We'll find this arch and learn what Colin meant by the 'means' as quickly as we can."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
Antar al'Barmeqi - goblin warlock (The Genie: Marid) 1, THE MOON OF THORNS
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 - Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Theris Dionte, shadar-kai rogue 1, Born of Stormmount
While storms away, Aidwyn hears Thia whisper to her: "Well said!"
The elf, meanwhile, comments instead: "Oh, look, a heroine who flees from a verbal battle ... I just hope she doesn't do the same in a real one".
(OOC: Up to you, Frandal, whether you prefer Aidwyn to be still in hearing range of this last remark or not. What follows, anyway, she can't hear unless she changes her mind and comes back)
Then he surveys those of you who are left, one by one, saying: "Of course... Heroes... You look just like people capable of working miracles... Especially" looking at Rash "Gruumsh's disciple here..." then, turning to Thia and raising an eyebrow "Are you too really proud of them, half-breed?"
Thia seems on the verge of exploding, but finds an unsuspecting demeanor in a young half-elf of her age and replies: "I am perhaps only a humble half-breed servant, Mr. Liadon, but allow me to observe that you are disrespecting the guests of Miss Martha, your wife Tharby's cousin".
"Oh, so it's not about paid fortune seekers," the elf smiles ironically "but about esteemed guests. Oh, apologies then. Maybe then I could do the courtesy of providing some information to these esteemed guests... Something that could open their eyes on the qualities of the person they are about to bring back from the grave... Are you by any chance interested in learning the details on the sad passing of that little parasite, Dobbian?"
Spira looks the elf directly in the eye. "I am more accustomed to verbal battles, it is true, but if you would prefer some other form you only need utter the challenge. I saw many self-righteous priests in Berdusk just about as judgemental as you are. When I invited them to put their holy asses on the line in a properly and legally constituted duel against a properly and duly contituted, if humble, member of the Berduskan Watch ... and therefore in some sense an adjunct to the Companions and the Hellriders ... and back up their mouths with their maces, however, I noticed a resounding silence quickly descend." Without waiting for the elf's response, she mutters briefly under her breath to herself and then goes on. "'To hear the insect on the leaf pronouncing upon the too much life among its hungry brothers in the dust.', is also an apt quotation that comes to mind. The details of Dobbian's death would be useful, yes, but I'm not sure your pronouncements on the subject would favor us with terribly much more useful information than we had already. But if you want to drivel them at us while we continue to look for someone who can give us actual information, by all means proceed."
===========================
OOC: (Thaumaturgy cantrip effect "Your voice booms up to three times as loud as normal for 1 minute." after she says, 'a resounding silence quickly descends"; then
While storms away, Aidwyn hears Thia whisper to her: "Well said!"
The elf, meanwhile, comments instead: "Oh, look, a heroine who flees from a verbal battle ... I just hope she doesn't do the same in a real one".
(OOC: Up to you, Frandal, whether you prefer Aidwyn to be still in hearing range of this last remark or not. What follows, anyway, she can't hear unless she changes her mind and comes back)
Then he surveys those of you who are left, one by one, saying: "Of course... Heroes... You look just like people capable of working miracles... Especially" looking at Rash "Gruumsh's disciple here..." then, turning to Thia and raising an eyebrow "Are you too really proud of them, half-breed?"
Thia seems on the verge of exploding, but finds an unsuspecting demeanor in a young half-elf of her age and replies: "I am perhaps only a humble half-breed servant, Mr. Liadon, but allow me to observe that you are disrespecting the guests of Miss Martha, your wife Tharby's cousin".
"Oh, so it's not about paid fortune seekers," the elf smiles ironically "but about esteemed guests. Oh, apologies then. Maybe then I could do the courtesy of providing some information to these esteemed guests... Something that could open their eyes on the qualities of the person they are about to bring back from the grave... Are you by any chance interested in learning the details on the sad passing of that little parasite, Dobbian?"
Spira looks the elf directly in the eye. "I am more accustomed to verbal battles, it is true, but if you would prefer some other form you only need utter the challenge. I saw many self-righteous priests in Berdusk just about as judgemental as you are. When I invited them to put their holy asses on the line in a properly and legally constituted duel against a properly and duly contituted, if humble, member of the Berduskan Watch ... and therefore in some sense an adjunct to the Companions and the Hellriders ... and back up their mouths with their maces, however, I noticed a resounding silence quickly descend." Without waiting for the elf's response, she mutters briefly under her breath to herself and then goes on. "'To hear the insect on the leaf pronouncing upon the too much life among its hungry brothers in the dust.', is also an apt quotation that comes to mind. The details of Dobbian's death would be useful, yes, but I'm not sure your pronouncements on the subject would favor us with terribly much more useful information than we had already. But if you want to drivel them at us while we continue to look for someone who can give us actual information, by all means proceed."
===========================
OOC: (Thaumaturgy cantrip effect "Your voice booms up to three times as loud as normal for 1 minute." after she says, 'a resounding silence quickly descends"; then
Intimidation 14
Whatever the results may be, she fixes the elf with her eye again and finishes. "I don't want even you to waste your time unnecessarily though. I and my brother met Dobbian before any of you did, so I am quite aware what he was. Just like I am quite aware of the rogue my brother was .. or devil if you like, you needn't bother trying to poke in that particular pin either. And I am aware that peoplecan change." Then, as she turns on her heels, "I don't know yet about sneering elves who think they're more-eladrin-than-thou just because of the lucky chance of who they happened to marry."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
Antar al'Barmeqi - goblin warlock (The Genie: Marid) 1, THE MOON OF THORNS
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 - Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Theris Dionte, shadar-kai rogue 1, Born of Stormmount
Roxana holds her tongue at first at this elf's comments. Finally though she feels she must comment. "Mr. Liadon, I believe we all know your position, so there is no need for pointless words from you. I can only guess you are here because your opinion lost out amongst the rest of the family and now you wish to thwart their decision."
She continues to head off after Aidwyn. "Thank you sir, but we actually have things to do."
Rash (somehow) manages to refrain from snapping the elf's neck right then and there. The last thing that he needs to do is play into orc stereotypes... as tempting as it may be to do so.
"If you choose to believe we're a bunch of fools on an impossible mission, that is your right," the half-orc says with a glare at the damned elf. "Miss Spira, let's not listen to him blabber a moment further. Beating him into a paste isn't worth your effort."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
With the series of insults thrown at them from the arrogant elf, the white-haired warrior clenches his teeth, struggling to not be overcome by his raging curse, then finding himself somewhat relieved with the others quick retorts. Not being a man for any verbal engagements he himself instead gives the scrawny elf a forceful elbow as he passes him to send him sprawling to the corridor floor. "Sorry, didn't see you there elf." He grunts as he marches by with no intention of stopping or listening to any more of the elf's vitriolic words.
Spira looks back over her shoulder long enough to observe, "And according to your own words, you believe you need to inform us as to the qualities of the person we are ""about to bring back from the grave." So much for the skepticism you affected when you were still pretending you were concerned about our raising false hopes for Martha." I think you're really afraid we'll succeed, and you will have to face the full consequences of your own boorishness in causing his death in the first place."
"Oh, right. Actually I'd say that this motley crew was missing a visually impaired old man..." the elf coughs, getting up while holding his stomach "I guess I should thank you..." he says, addressing Obadiah "...and you..." and smirks at Spira (but it's a crooked smile, it's clear he was at least partially intimidated by the attitude of the taciturn human and belligerent tiefling) "...Thia was almost making me feel ashamed of my behavior, before you decided to walk the path of plain discourtesy and barbaric physical oppression".
"However," he bows blatantly to all those who are still in sight "it is clear that today is the day in which prodigies are prophesied... People will be resurrected... Dobbian will change... Who knows if I, thanks to my long life as an elf, will I still be alive when all this happens? I can't wait to find out..."
With that said, 'Mr Liadon' finally goes his way.
Thia, in an euphoric mood, keeps complimenting you all, while escorting you out: "Bravo! You showed him, that fart-inflated pig's bladder Adran! Ooooppps, sorry lords, I usually moderate my language better..." she looks really ashamed for a moment, as if you could blame her for what she said - but she then goes on "If he hadn't offended poor Dobbian so meanly and cruelly at that dinner, perhaps all this would never have happened!"
Once outside, where the snow has not yet begun to fall again, but a cold, uninviting wind is now blowing, the braided half-elf young girl starts jumping and waving vigorously, wishing you all: "Good luck! Do your best, save Dobbian, please... mostly for my lady... but also to make Adran eat back some of his boast! Come on! I believe in you!"
The white-haired warrior can't help but give the excited half-elven girl a small smile before turning away and setting forth through the snow, looking to the human girl Roxana to lead the way to the place of the Harpell wizards, or preferably straight to the hill with the white marble arch. He glanced at the others as he walked in silence. They had all somewhat grown on him already, all standing up for the soon to be mother in her despair. They would see this through all right, together, he felt sure about that now.
Led by Roxana, you climb a hill in the west of Longsaddle and arrive without difficulty in sight of the mythical residence of the Harpells, the Ivy Mansion.
There is an ever so faint metallic taste of electricity in the air, thrumming with magical potential. Two barns seem tremendously out of place when compared to the third, a massive structure with no coherent plan or architectural style. It consists of sharp, angled rooms expanding outward and three dozen spires protruding from it at different heights and angles. The Ivy Mansion is truly a whinsical sight to behold!
And it is there, that mansion, just across the river. A river that flows upwards. Crossed by a bridge without a handrail or other lateral protection. It must be the Overbridge/Underbridge Martha told you about.
The wind continues to blow, not too strong, but annoyingly cold, to the point that the warmth of the fireplace in Martha's room is already a pleasant distant memory. Maybe that's one of the reasons why there aren't any people out in the open or on the bridge right now.
"Oh, right. Actually I'd say that this motley crew was missing a visually impaired old man..." the elf coughs, getting up while holding his stomach "I guess I should thank you..." he says, addressing Obadiah "...and you..." and smirks at Spira (but it's a crooked smile, it's clear he was at least partially intimidated by the attitude of the taciturn human and belligerent tiefling) "...Thia was almost making me feel ashamed of my behavior, before you decided to walk the path of plain discourtesy and barbaric physical oppression".
"However," he bows blatantly to all those who are still in sight "it is clear that today is the day in which prodigies are prophesied... People will be resurrected... Dobbian will change... Who knows if I, thanks to my long life as an elf, will I still be alive when all this happens? I can't wait to find out..."
With that said, 'Mr Liadon' finally goes his way.
...
Spira allows Mr. Liadon to think he's gotten the last word. Then, just as he has committed to leaving, she snorts.
"Well, I think more of the intelligence of Grummsh's disciple than yours. He knows when the use of a few well chosen words is a more appropriate response to a situation than opening your mouth wider, inserting both feet and twisting one until they face in opposite directions. And if you think it is a discourtesy to give an overinflated hanger-on by marriage a chance to slightly reform of his idiocy by telling him the TRUTH about himself .... well, why don't you go tell Torm you think someone telling the TRUTH about you is an insult, rather than a final chance." She pauses. "I wonder why Dobbian bothers you so much? Perhaps he's not the only individual to try and marry up from a roguish past he'd prefer to leave behind? That's not my affair, however. But your cousin IN LAW is my employer, and you will treat her with more genuine kindness and civility, or we will discuss the matter on the field when I return."
Thia, in an euphoric mood, keeps complimenting you all, while escorting you out: "Bravo! You showed him, that fart-inflated pig's bladder Adran! Ooooppps, sorry lords, I usually moderate my language better..." she looks really ashamed for a moment, as if you could blame her for what she said - but she then goes on "If he hadn't offended poor Dobbian so meanly and cruelly at that dinner, perhaps all this would never have happened!"
Once outside, where the snow has not yet begun to fall again, but a cold, uninviting wind is now blowing, the braided half-elf young girl starts jumping and waving vigorously, wishing you all: "Good luck! Do your best, save Dobbian, please... mostly for my lady... but also to make Adran eat back some of his boast! Come on! I believe in you!"
She smiles at the half-elven girl bouncing on the doorstep as the group takes their leave. "Don't worry, Thia, I think you handled that very well. He is a fart-infested pig's testicle, and the only reason I felt so free in telling him so is because I won't have to deal with him after this. You and your mistress are both good, kind people, and the sort of grown-up child Adran is can't bear the reminder of their own hollowness compared to that decency. He wanted nothing more at that moment than to make you lose your temper, and some of your dignity, and you didn't let him win. You only shared your opinion of him with us later, in private, and no one can blame you for that. I trust you to keep him well frozen till we get back." She winks and joins Roxana and the white haired warrior in following Aidwyn's slowly fading footsteps in the snow ... towards the place where the diviner might be found who seemed to be the only other individual in the settlement with constructive information, she hoped and trusted. Aidwyn had seemed to have a pretty good head on her shoulders, but she hadn't quite said outright that's where she was headed.
"Glad to be out of there," Roxana remarks as they all head off for the mansion of the Harpell's. She of course knows the way. "I've never had any business with these folk, but certainly know the place. But I don't know much about going under the bridge."
Led by Roxana, you climb a hill in the west of Longsaddle and arrive without difficulty in sight of the mythical residence of the Harpells, the Ivy Mansion.
There is an ever so faint metallic taste of electricity in the air, thrumming with magical potential. Two barns seem tremendously out of place when compared to the third, a massive structure with no coherent plan or architectural style. It consists of sharp, angled rooms expanding outward and three dozen spires protruding from it at different heights and angles. The Ivy Mansion is truly a whinsical sight to behold!
And it is there, that mansion, just across the river. A river that flows upwards. Crossed by a bridge without a handrail or other lateral protection. It must be the Overbridge/Underbridge Martha told you about.
The wind continues to blow, not too strong, but annoyingly cold, to the point that the warmth of the fireplace in Martha's room is already a pleasant distant memory. Maybe that's one of the reasons why there aren't any people out in the open or on the bridge right now.
What do you want to do?
Spira looks at the river and the bridge with a bemused smile. Compared to the Companion that shone eternally over Elturgard this was a cute little parlor trick, but it also showed that this family of wizards was confident enough of their position and power to make such a blatant display of their magic. Wizards tended to be either fiercely clannish or fiercely competitive, but they were never fools. If the Harpells feared no magical challenger to the degree they were willing to show their hand with this open display of still fairly impressive magical prowess, they should be approached respectfully on that basis alone. She carefully begins to approach the bridge, calling out in Common as she does, "We are visitors who wish to speak to the Harpells on a matter of business. This young lady knows at whose recommendation we have come." She gestures towards Roxana as she walks forward, pausing every ten feet to listen for any response from an invisible or animated bridgekeeper. "We were told to cross by the Under-bridge?"
...She carefully begins to approach the bridge, calling out in Common as she does, "We are visitors who wish to speak to the Harpells on a matter of business. This young lady knows at whose recommendation we have come." She gestures towards Roxana as she walks forward, pausing every ten feet to listen for any response from an invisible or animated bridgekeeper. "We were told to cross by the Under-bridge?"
More than a minute has passed since Spira used a kind of magic to enhance her voice... so now her voice is back to normal and either the wind is perhaps dampening it too much or too much is the noise near potential listeners... Be that as it may, the words of the tiefling, this time, seem to go unheard.
Aidwyn waits for the others jusst outside the room, and when they all are outside and after saying her goodbyes to the little Thia, she waits to speak again until they are far from the house.
"I am sorry for my outburst with that elf... but I do pity Lady Martha. I do not know what are your ideas about this but I will speak my mind about this. I have a lot of concerns. It seems to me that this diviner had taken advantage of the pain of Lady Martha to gain access to the Harpells... and they probably know about it but had decided to take the coin and gain a favor with Martha's family anyway... The poor woman is on denial, but I do understand her reasons. I rather go outthere and come back empty handed that break his hope and heart once again. This way at least she had tried. For all we know, the bard could be in colusion with the rest of the family, had accepted some coin to feing his own death and leaved to run from the responsabilities of fatherhood... or we could go to that hill, find some ancient artifact and thanks to Tyr bring him back to live so he can raise his child... I do not know but I must be honest, I do have few hopes for a happy ending... what do you guys think?"
Once in the bridge she waits and looks interested, amazed and a little bit apprehensive about the whole under-bridge situation.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PbP Character: A few ;)
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While Thia is leading you, quick and vivacious as always, without ceasing for a moment to congratulate you on how kind, brave and good you have been in agreeing to help her mistress, you come across an elf in a corridor. His clothes, practical like those of ranchers, but also elegant and well kept, are in various shades of brown that make little contrast with his copperish skin. Seeing you, he winces, betraying surprise (and perhaps annoyance too?) at the bottom of his impenetrable black eyes and slightly curls his fine nose: "Sellers of false hopes, I suppose" and, in a gesture of ironic false courtesy, raises his hat from the short straight black hair. "The pleasure is all yours. So you, instead of helping Martha to accept reality, have given her to understand..." he looks you up and down each one of you, with evident contempt "that you can bring that scoundrel back to life?"
"Bravo," he begins to clap his hands slowly, in a parody of sarcastic applause, "bravo... You must be really proud of yourselves and your actions".
Thia seems to be seething with anger - and with the desire to argue, but she's holding back...
Rash is a bit taken aback by the elf's words.
"First of all... we didn't come here to sell anything; the woman requested aid and we answered her call," the half-orc growls as he takes a step towards the elf. "We only found out what she wanted when we got here. And second, we live in a land full of magic that we mere mortals can barely fathom. To think that it is outside of the realm of possibility that the dead could be brought back seems to me a greater denial of reality than to undertake a quest that some jackass elf deems foolish. I'm not going to pretend that I think the outcome the lady wants is especially probable, and I already told her as much, but I would rather give her some hope than crush it right before the birth of her child."
“She could use more kindness and less sarcasm “ lashes out Aidwyn directly “It was her need for you as a family, for you are family I presume, that lead her to this position. Now in her state she needs more care, for the shake of herself and her child, than lessons… specially if they come form a higher morality. She could be in denial but we at least give her one thing she needs, hope.
We have agreed to look into it. We haven’t asked nothing in exchange, we haven’t asked for a single silver piece. So take your assumptions and drink them with your best wine, and go back there and help her grieving… and let us be”
She turns and storms away without waiting a reply from the elf
PbP Character: A few ;)
While storms away, Aidwyn hears Thia whisper to her: "Well said!"
The elf, meanwhile, comments instead: "Oh, look, a heroine who flees from a verbal battle ... I just hope she doesn't do the same in a real one".
(OOC: Up to you, Frandal, whether you prefer Aidwyn to be still in hearing range of this last remark or not. What follows, anyway, she can't hear unless she changes her mind and comes back)
Then he surveys those of you who are left, one by one, saying: "Of course... Heroes... You look just like people capable of working miracles... Especially" looking at Rash "Gruumsh's disciple here..." then, turning to Thia and raising an eyebrow "Are you too really proud of them, half-breed?"
Thia seems on the verge of exploding, but finds an unsuspecting demeanor in a young half-elf of her age and replies: "I am perhaps only a humble half-breed servant, Mr. Liadon, but allow me to observe that you are disrespecting the guests of Miss Martha, your wife Tharby's cousin".
"Oh, so it's not about paid fortune seekers," the elf smiles ironically "but about esteemed guests. Oh, apologies then. Maybe then I could do the courtesy of providing some information to these esteemed guests... Something that could open their eyes on the qualities of the person they are about to bring back from the grave... Are you by any chance interested in learning the details on the sad passing of that little parasite, Dobbian?"
Wiyj an answering sad look of her own, Spira rises to follow Thia out. "I'm sorry. I know what that feels like, for certain. But I do believe in you also, and I think everyone here does too.", she says, giving a firm look in passing to anyone in the group she senses might be harboring some doubts. "We'll find this arch and learn what Colin meant by the 'means' as quickly as we can."
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
Antar al'Barmeqi - goblin warlock (The Genie: Marid) 1, THE MOON OF THORNS
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 - Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Theris Dionte, shadar-kai rogue 1, Born of Stormmount
Spira looks the elf directly in the eye. "I am more accustomed to verbal battles, it is true, but if you would prefer some other form you only need utter the challenge. I saw many self-righteous priests in Berdusk just about as judgemental as you are. When I invited them to put their holy asses on the line in a properly and legally constituted duel against a properly and duly contituted, if humble, member of the Berduskan Watch ... and therefore in some sense an adjunct to the Companions and the Hellriders ... and back up their mouths with their maces, however, I noticed a resounding silence quickly descend." Without waiting for the elf's response, she mutters briefly under her breath to herself and then goes on. "'To hear the insect on the leaf pronouncing upon the too much life among its hungry brothers in the dust.', is also an apt quotation that comes to mind. The details of Dobbian's death would be useful, yes, but I'm not sure your pronouncements on the subject would favor us with terribly much more useful information than we had already. But if you want to drivel them at us while we continue to look for someone who can give us actual information, by all means proceed."
===========================
OOC: (Thaumaturgy cantrip effect "Your voice booms up to three times as loud as normal for 1 minute." after she says, 'a resounding silence quickly descends"; then
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
Antar al'Barmeqi - goblin warlock (The Genie: Marid) 1, THE MOON OF THORNS
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 - Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Theris Dionte, shadar-kai rogue 1, Born of Stormmount
OOC: Oh dear, I thought the quote box would protect the roll. I remember it was 16 but I'm willing to redo it if you would like
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
Antar al'Barmeqi - goblin warlock (The Genie: Marid) 1, THE MOON OF THORNS
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 - Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Theris Dionte, shadar-kai rogue 1, Born of Stormmount
Whatever the results may be, she fixes the elf with her eye again and finishes. "I don't want even you to waste your time unnecessarily though. I and my brother met Dobbian before any of you did, so I am quite aware what he was. Just like I am quite aware of the rogue my brother was .. or devil if you like, you needn't bother trying to poke in that particular pin either. And I am aware that people can change." Then, as she turns on her heels, "I don't know yet about sneering elves who think they're more-eladrin-than-thou just because of the lucky chance of who they happened to marry."
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
Antar al'Barmeqi - goblin warlock (The Genie: Marid) 1, THE MOON OF THORNS
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 - Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Theris Dionte, shadar-kai rogue 1, Born of Stormmount
Roxana holds her tongue at first at this elf's comments. Finally though she feels she must comment. "Mr. Liadon, I believe we all know your position, so there is no need for pointless words from you. I can only guess you are here because your opinion lost out amongst the rest of the family and now you wish to thwart their decision."
She continues to head off after Aidwyn. "Thank you sir, but we actually have things to do."
Rabbit Sebrica | Skarai | Katryl Brightfury | Rylia Lionrage | Roxana Raincrest | Janek Whitmor | Lokilia Vaelphin
Rash (somehow) manages to refrain from snapping the elf's neck right then and there. The last thing that he needs to do is play into orc stereotypes... as tempting as it may be to do so.
"If you choose to believe we're a bunch of fools on an impossible mission, that is your right," the half-orc says with a glare at the damned elf. "Miss Spira, let's not listen to him blabber a moment further. Beating him into a paste isn't worth your effort."
With the series of insults thrown at them from the arrogant elf, the white-haired warrior clenches his teeth, struggling to not be overcome by his raging curse, then finding himself somewhat relieved with the others quick retorts. Not being a man for any verbal engagements he himself instead gives the scrawny elf a forceful elbow as he passes him to send him sprawling to the corridor floor. "Sorry, didn't see you there elf." He grunts as he marches by with no intention of stopping or listening to any more of the elf's vitriolic words.
Athletics: 21
Spira looks back over her shoulder long enough to observe, "And according to your own words, you believe you need to inform us as to the qualities of the person we are ""about to bring back from the grave." So much for the skepticism you affected when you were still pretending you were concerned about our raising false hopes for Martha." I think you're really afraid we'll succeed, and you will have to face the full consequences of your own boorishness in causing his death in the first place."
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
Antar al'Barmeqi - goblin warlock (The Genie: Marid) 1, THE MOON OF THORNS
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 - Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Theris Dionte, shadar-kai rogue 1, Born of Stormmount
"Oh, right. Actually I'd say that this motley crew was missing a visually impaired old man..." the elf coughs, getting up while holding his stomach "I guess I should thank you..." he says, addressing Obadiah "...and you..." and smirks at Spira (but it's a crooked smile, it's clear he was at least partially intimidated by the attitude of the taciturn human and belligerent tiefling) "...Thia was almost making me feel ashamed of my behavior, before you decided to walk the path of plain discourtesy and barbaric physical oppression".
"However," he bows blatantly to all those who are still in sight "it is clear that today is the day in which prodigies are prophesied... People will be resurrected... Dobbian will change... Who knows if I, thanks to my long life as an elf, will I still be alive when all this happens? I can't wait to find out..."
With that said, 'Mr Liadon' finally goes his way.
Thia, in an euphoric mood, keeps complimenting you all, while escorting you out: "Bravo! You showed him, that fart-inflated pig's bladder Adran! Ooooppps, sorry lords, I usually moderate my language better..." she looks really ashamed for a moment, as if you could blame her for what she said - but she then goes on "If he hadn't offended poor Dobbian so meanly and cruelly at that dinner, perhaps all this would never have happened!"
Once outside, where the snow has not yet begun to fall again, but a cold, uninviting wind is now blowing, the braided half-elf young girl starts jumping and waving vigorously, wishing you all: "Good luck! Do your best, save Dobbian, please... mostly for my lady... but also to make Adran eat back some of his boast! Come on! I believe in you!"
The white-haired warrior can't help but give the excited half-elven girl a small smile before turning away and setting forth through the snow, looking to the human girl Roxana to lead the way to the place of the Harpell wizards, or preferably straight to the hill with the white marble arch. He glanced at the others as he walked in silence. They had all somewhat grown on him already, all standing up for the soon to be mother in her despair. They would see this through all right, together, he felt sure about that now.
Led by Roxana, you climb a hill in the west of Longsaddle and arrive without difficulty in sight of the mythical residence of the Harpells, the Ivy Mansion.
There is an ever so faint metallic taste of electricity in the air, thrumming with magical potential. Two barns seem tremendously out of place when compared to the third, a massive structure with no coherent plan or architectural style. It consists of sharp, angled rooms expanding outward and three dozen spires protruding from it at different heights and angles. The Ivy Mansion is truly a whinsical sight to behold!
And it is there, that mansion, just across the river. A river that flows upwards. Crossed by a bridge without a handrail or other lateral protection. It must be the Overbridge/Underbridge Martha told you about.
The wind continues to blow, not too strong, but annoyingly cold, to the point that the warmth of the fireplace in Martha's room is already a pleasant distant memory. Maybe that's one of the reasons why there aren't any people out in the open or on the bridge right now.
What do you want to do?
Spira allows Mr. Liadon to think he's gotten the last word. Then, just as he has committed to leaving, she snorts.
"Well, I think more of the intelligence of Grummsh's disciple than yours. He knows when the use of a few well chosen words is a more appropriate response to a situation than opening your mouth wider, inserting both feet and twisting one until they face in opposite directions. And if you think it is a discourtesy to give an overinflated hanger-on by marriage a chance to slightly reform of his idiocy by telling him the TRUTH about himself .... well, why don't you go tell Torm you think someone telling the TRUTH about you is an insult, rather than a final chance." She pauses. "I wonder why Dobbian bothers you so much? Perhaps he's not the only individual to try and marry up from a roguish past he'd prefer to leave behind? That's not my affair, however. But your cousin IN LAW is my employer, and you will treat her with more genuine kindness and civility, or we will discuss the matter on the field when I return."
She smiles at the half-elven girl bouncing on the doorstep as the group takes their leave. "Don't worry, Thia, I think you handled that very well. He is a fart-infested pig's testicle, and the only reason I felt so free in telling him so is because I won't have to deal with him after this. You and your mistress are both good, kind people, and the sort of grown-up child Adran is can't bear the reminder of their own hollowness compared to that decency. He wanted nothing more at that moment than to make you lose your temper, and some of your dignity, and you didn't let him win. You only shared your opinion of him with us later, in private, and no one can blame you for that. I trust you to keep him well frozen till we get back." She winks and joins Roxana and the white haired warrior in following Aidwyn's slowly fading footsteps in the snow ... towards the place where the diviner might be found who seemed to be the only other individual in the settlement with constructive information, she hoped and trusted. Aidwyn had seemed to have a pretty good head on her shoulders, but she hadn't quite said outright that's where she was headed.
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
Antar al'Barmeqi - goblin warlock (The Genie: Marid) 1, THE MOON OF THORNS
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 - Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Theris Dionte, shadar-kai rogue 1, Born of Stormmount
"Glad to be out of there," Roxana remarks as they all head off for the mansion of the Harpell's. She of course knows the way. "I've never had any business with these folk, but certainly know the place. But I don't know much about going under the bridge."
Rabbit Sebrica | Skarai | Katryl Brightfury | Rylia Lionrage | Roxana Raincrest | Janek Whitmor | Lokilia Vaelphin
Spira looks at the river and the bridge with a bemused smile. Compared to the Companion that shone eternally over Elturgard this was a cute little parlor trick, but it also showed that this family of wizards was confident enough of their position and power to make such a blatant display of their magic. Wizards tended to be either fiercely clannish or fiercely competitive, but they were never fools. If the Harpells feared no magical challenger to the degree they were willing to show their hand with this open display of still fairly impressive magical prowess, they should be approached respectfully on that basis alone. She carefully begins to approach the bridge, calling out in Common as she does, "We are visitors who wish to speak to the Harpells on a matter of business. This young lady knows at whose recommendation we have come." She gestures towards Roxana as she walks forward, pausing every ten feet to listen for any response from an invisible or animated bridgekeeper. "We were told to cross by the Under-bridge?"
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
Antar al'Barmeqi - goblin warlock (The Genie: Marid) 1, THE MOON OF THORNS
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 - Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Theris Dionte, shadar-kai rogue 1, Born of Stormmount
More than a minute has passed since Spira used a kind of magic to enhance her voice... so now her voice is back to normal and either the wind is perhaps dampening it too much or too much is the noise near potential listeners... Be that as it may, the words of the tiefling, this time, seem to go unheard.
Aidwyn waits for the others jusst outside the room, and when they all are outside and after saying her goodbyes to the little Thia, she waits to speak again until they are far from the house.
"I am sorry for my outburst with that elf... but I do pity Lady Martha. I do not know what are your ideas about this but I will speak my mind about this. I have a lot of concerns. It seems to me that this diviner had taken advantage of the pain of Lady Martha to gain access to the Harpells... and they probably know about it but had decided to take the coin and gain a favor with Martha's family anyway... The poor woman is on denial, but I do understand her reasons. I rather go outthere and come back empty handed that break his hope and heart once again. This way at least she had tried. For all we know, the bard could be in colusion with the rest of the family, had accepted some coin to feing his own death and leaved to run from the responsabilities of fatherhood... or we could go to that hill, find some ancient artifact and thanks to Tyr bring him back to live so he can raise his child... I do not know but I must be honest, I do have few hopes for a happy ending... what do you guys think?"
Once in the bridge she waits and looks interested, amazed and a little bit apprehensive about the whole under-bridge situation.
PbP Character: A few ;)