Pain. Wretched pain. It seared through his body as black, shadowy hands grasped at him from all angles, keeping him rooted in place. The hooded figure smiled as he screamed in agony. "You still say no to my offer?" the figure remarked, already knowing the man's response. Other voices, obscured by the all-encompassing blackness, laughed and snickered all around him.
He grimaced, but held his voice steady as the black tendrils skewered and squirmed within him, "You... will never find me as your ally." That wretched grin only spread evermore as the man screamed in defiance, the pain intensifying.
"Oh? really? Is that so?" the figure sneered, standing from the ebon throne and stalked towards him. Shadows parted and yet clung to his wasted robes as he drew ever closer to the man. The figure raised his left arm, allowing the robe to slide down, revealing a barren hand, replaced by a spectral claw with glowed a ghastly green. He stroked the man's face, leaving a waste of necrotic flesh wherever his finger traced. Still smiling, he drove a finger into the man's eye as it withered away, "My poor boy... I'm afraid you've been mistaken. I have lived for thousands of years, traveling countless planes and visiting places your poor, three-dimensional mind couldn't even fathom. I have bargained and destroyed creatures which could finish you with but a thought... And you think you have a choice to deny yourself as my ally?"
He cackled, plunging his spectral hand into the man's chest, removing his beating heart and stroked the top of it like one might with their favorite pet dire wolf's head. "No... I'm afraid you're wrong," he uttered nonchalantly as the man's mortal coil withered away, crumbling to ash. In its place stood his soul, tethered by black chains which sung an unholy chorus. "I have been maimed, and I will be whole. You... you mortal, will not deny me my vision."
Chapter One: The Beggar's Black Death
16th Eleint "The Fading", 1496 DR
The streets teemed with life as the cold wind blew through Neverwinter. The eastern part of the Tower District was still in heavy repair, as burly dwarves, half-orcs, and other races raced to and from the various construction sites, beams of wood strung across their shoulders or metal tools filling their hands. Neverwinter was, after all, the City of Skilled Hands, and Lord Neverember was doing everything in his power to make sure it regained that title. Even fifty years after the eruption of Mount Hotenow, its effects were still widespread. Yes, the Chasm which tore through the Beggar's District had been sealed, but the city's process of rebuilding was slow and arduous, as misfortune and poor circumstances plagued the city and its inhabitants. Still, the House of a Thousand Faces—the Harpers of Neverwinter's base of operations—stood proudly in the center of the Tower District, inviting all sorts of guests and gossip to come to the tavern and relax.
Beneath the tavern's dusty floorboards and a good three foot of stone lay a labyrinth of stone tunnels and rooms, standing as a haunting reminder of who the Harpers were. Much of the compound no longer saw use; the Harper's numbers had greatly dwindled after Cymril's betrayal and their current numbers were unknown to anyone. But, recent events beckoned for the Harpers aid, so it was this location that the Harpers had been summoned to.
Cryptograms were left inscribed on old buildings, underneath stony passageways, and hidden within every tavern, serving as silent messengers to the Harpers who still resided and new the proper deciphers to decrypt them. The faction's open face, Aejossin, an old half-elf who still stood proud and tall from years upon years of experiences, requested a meeting of all active Harpers in the city, wanting to re-establish the guild and discover just how poor its current state was.
As each Harper found their way into the compound, a series of ever-burning torches guided them to where Aejossin waited. Within the center of a large, vaulted room, Aejossin stood, his long, silver hair and unkempt beard partially concealing his face. It was a face that each Harper member knew instinctively; it was through him that each of them was introduced to the Harpers of Neverwinter in the first place. He wore simple robes, large enough to conceal anything behind its bulky frame. A small firepit burned in the center of the room, providing ample light and warmth, with twenty-four wooden chairs surrounding its flickering flame. He smiled as each Harper approached, extending a warm hand and a polite invitation to be seated while the others arrived.
Wearing a nondescript brown cloak, the hood up over her distinctive white hair, Ell slipped into the House of a Thousand Faces. Neatly dodging the patrons, she slipped through the illusion and into the tunnels, pulling down her hood the moment she was through. As she threaded her way through the maze, her ice-blue eyes glittered in the torchlight as she followed the path she'd memorized. Once she got to the hall, she gave Aejossin a rare genuine smile before heading to her seat. Sitting down, she draped her cloak over the back of her chair, revealing a dark blue long sleeved tunic and black leggings tucked into simple leather boots. A white crystal hung at her neck, reflecting the torchlight so that at times it seemed to glow a fiery red. Ell's eyes scanned the room as she watched other Harpers arrive, a small, friendly smile playing about her lips.
A dark figure slips through the shadows of the alleys in the Tower District. Rethan had seen the sign in the back room of a tavern summoning all Harpers for a meeting and immediately left to make his way to the House of a Thousand Faces. He enters through a back door, avoiding the eyes and notice of the patrons in the tavern at the front. As he stepped through the door and into the passageway down, he grimaced at the torches lining the walls. The torchlight glints off of copper colored hair as he walks quietly towards his destination. Stepping into the chamber at the end of the passageway, Rethan scowls at the fire in the center of the room, before looking to Aejossin and giving the old half-elf a nod. He nods again to the white-haired female that had arrived before him. Picking a seat, he pulls it back further away from the fire before sitting down.
Two gnomes walk down a side street, a shrub topped with red berries shuffles along, muttering something about not being seen. The male gnome stops at the side of a building, picks up the shrub, and passes through an illusory wall, the female gnome follows just behind. The shrub grumbles about being carried but stops as the female gnome coaxes it. Arriving in the chamber, the gnomes nods to Aejossin and the male gnome puts down the shrub. The shrub slides under a chair and the two gnomes sit next to each other. They both share similar faces, sporting the same prominent noses, scruffy blond hair, and deep hazel eyes. The male gnome, Warryn, has a short beard, matching his boyish hair and wears a green cloak over a brown apron. The female gnome, Oppah, wears the simple vestments of a member of the House of Knowledge. They trade glances and whispers as Warryn strokes the shrub under his seat.
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Arlanna Tylmarande swept into the room with the sort of presence that can only come from those born and bred into a place, a scrawny little halfling trailing behind her. Putting as much distance between herself and her companion, without seeming too obvious about it, she walked directly to Aejossin, smiled and bowed her head with familiarity, and seated herself as though the chair had been reserved specifically for her. She tucked her long blond hair behind her right ear, the exotic gold glint to her eyes and the slight peak to her ears betraying her half-elf heritage. Not that it was a secret. Her name alone, Tylmarande, brought to mind the betrayal of Aribeth, the legacy of Seldra, and the weight of the expectations of others. She glanced surreptitiously around, wondering who else she might see at this meeting. She’d been away for weeks training Pieter Dungar’s new little golden boy in the ways of the Harpers, and she was looking forward to being back in familiar territory. She only hoped that Falser didn’t embarrass her too badly.
Falser couldn’t stop smiling. His long strands of black hair had been freshly combed and were now straining to break free from a ragged strip of leather. Falser’s hands twirled a large ornate silver coin from one finger to another as he surveyed his surroundings. His eyes darted this way and that, wanting to soak in every minute detail. He followed close behind to Arlanna, his tiny legs alight with excitement as they traversed the city streets toward the House of a Thousand Faces. The colors seemed brighter. People of all shapes and sizes nodded and smiled in his direction. The world responded to his sense of purpose and passion. This was a brand new sensation. This feeling of walking toward a destiny radiated in him and couldn’t be contained. Reality righted itself very quickly when Falser walked through the illusory wall on the side of the inn. He found himself in a sprawling room with dancing shadows. As Arlanna bowed toward a tall figure in the middle of the room, Falser sensed this was the man to make introductions to. Striding forward, he was unable to control his voice as he shook the half elf’s hand and bellowed “Hello everyone! I’m Falser! I’m a Harper!” Beyond satisfied with his introduction, the halfing strode to the nearest seat and sat patiently. Falser couldn’t stop smiling.
A half-elf proudly walks through the streets. He's been known to be quite the entertainer but what many others DON'T know is that he also a member of the Harpers. After his band of thieves had been busted, the harpers had reached out and offered him a position. Four years later and after many successful missions he received word of an important meeting, curious about what this meeting might be about, Taliesin makes his way to the House of a Thousand Faces and weaves his way through the stone maze located underneath.
Walking into the dimly lit room is a half-elf male, approximately 6'0", looks to be in his mid 20s, and has brown hair, brown eyes, tan skin, and is VERY handsome. He wears fine brightly colored clothing, not that of a noble by any means but that of a high-end middle class citizen. He has two daggers sheathed at his side and a lyre strapped across his back almost as if he's ready to play a tune at a moments notice.
Just looking at him makes you want to smile or become friends immediately, you don't quite know what it is but he has that amiable aura around him.
Taliesin will turn and look towards Falser after his outburst and look at him with what appears to be exasperated disappointment before he refocuses and turns his attention back to Aejossin.
Mal sat in one of the small semi-private chambers within the Moonstone Mask, sipping a small glass of elverquisst as he watched the coming and going of the other patrons, occasionally offering a word of greeting or nod of recognition to one or another. He was biding his time, having seen the coded message summoning him to the House of a Thousand Faces, but it wouldn't do to be seen rushing out so soon after he'd arrived. There was more than enough time before he needed to be there in any case. The eladrin looked his part, dressed in fashionable clothes in the latest style , as befitted one of his breeding. His charcoal grey tunic was decorated with golden and scarlet embroidery that perfectly matched his auburn hair and exotic flashing golden eyes. From his shoulders hung a bright scarlet cloak trimmed in fur, keeping the fall chill at bay.
Finally he set his empty glass aside and made his way towards the exit. Outside, he glanced up at the stars shining in the clear sky, and made his way through the city streets towards the Tower District and the tavern where he'd be meeting the other Harpers. He moved among the other denizens of the city as though he were above such common beings, but still subtly cautious, the streets of the recovering city being what they were. He was no fool.
Reaching the House, he glanced about to be sure he wasn't being watched, and made his way into the tunnels of the hidden Harper network below the tavern proper. He followed the torches to the chamber where the others were already gathered, entering after most of them as was proper. He acknowledged his fellow Harpers with a nod. There were faces he did not recognize - interesting, he thought. The network continued to attract and integrate new members. He greeted Aejossin with a quiet word and took a seat, waiting to see if anyone else would be arriving before the grizzled half-elf let them all know why they had been summoned here this evening.
A small female figure slipped her way through the streets towards the House of a Thousand Faces. She kept her head low as she seemed to dance between the people still out on the streets. She reached the House without much issue, but she didn't slow down. She ducked inside and focused on the course ahead of her. The figure didn't look up at all from where she had kept her course until she entered the chamber. The torch light fell on her, and it caught off of her dark black hair and pale golden ivory skin. A book of deep emerald green, what could possibly be seen as a tome, was clutched tight against her chest as she entered. Her eyes flickered around nervously, catching pieces of faces and people, as she tried to step into a spot where she could just sit and breathe for a moment. It had only been a four weeks since she had slipped way from Luskan and into Neverwinter, closely following a lead from the Harper cell that she had hailed from there. Sionnan adjusted her grip on the green tome in her arms as she acknowledged Aejossin with a tiny nod before slipping into a seat where she could just sit and breathe.
Aejossin smiles at Sionann as she entered. "You seem out of breath, my dear. I hope the journey wasn't difficult." He glanced around the room at the various faces, smiling and nodding to the Tylmarande. "Please, get acquainted with each other while we wait for the others to arrive," he invited to everyone present. "There is food just down the hall if you are hungry," he added as an afterthought.
Sionnan only gives Aesojann another nod as she tries to keep her breathing even. Slowly, she lets go of the tight hold she had on the tome in her arms as she just watches everyone. Eventually, Sionnan places her tome down in her lap as she finally catches her breath.
Rethan's scowl lessens a bit at the mention of food. His dinner plans had been interrupted by the sight of the sign calling for the meeting. As a bonus, being down the hall meant the food would get him further from the fire in this room. He stands and walks through the doorway Aejossin had indicated.
Warryn and Oppah exchange whispers, Warryn gestures to Falser, Oppah nods to another Harper. They nod and walk their separate ways. The shrub slides out from under the chair and waddles after Warryn. "How do you do Falser?" Warryn says as he approaches the halfling "I'm Warryn and I'm also a Harper."
Falser jumps up from his seat. He pulls in Warryn for a huge hug that lifts him off the ground. Putting him down, Falser grins as he says “Damn right you are Warryn. It’s an absolute pleasure to meet you. I don’t know about you, but I’m absolutely starving.” Falser takes a few steps toward the hallway, then turns with a smirk. “You’re my first friend ever, you’re definitely coming with right? You can tell me why you’re a Harper!”
The shrub coughs as Warryn laughs, "Right you are!"
Falsers’ eyes go wide. With a run and shove, he pushes Warryn to the side, draws a rusted dagger and points it toward the bush. “The plant is alive! I heard it cough! Stand back friend!”
"No need to point that rusted thing at me, Falser." The bush pronounces, "I am Hodgy, Warryn's boon companion."
Falser looks over at Warryn. “I realize I’m a bit sheltered, I just want to double check... you hear it too right?”
Warryn laughs, "Yes, the bush talks. I tried a growth spell on Hodgy as a seedling. It did make it grow, but there were some side effects."
Falser smiles. “Oh... alright then.” With a shrug he sticks his hand toward the bush, “ You coming along Hodge Podge?”
Hodgy scoffs, "I go where Warryn goes."
Warryn rolls his eyes. "Between the two of us," He whispers to Falser, "I'm the fun one of the pair."
Falser whispered back to Warryn a devilish glint in his eye, “I’m picking up on that.” As Falser took another few steps toward the food, he stopped to yell back at the room, “ANYONE WANT US TO BRING YOU SOMETHING?”
Sionnan jumps straight out of her seat as Falser yells. Her eyes dart around wildly again as her hands grab the tome she had set in her lap and brought the book close to her chest again. When she realizes that it was just an inquiry for food, Sionnan just heavily sets herself back in her chair and works on trying to get her breathing even. Again.
Falser’s eyebrows purse as he spots a girl sitting in a seat breathing heavily. He puts an arm on Warryn’s shoulder, “One second.”
Falser walked quietly toward the girl with the tome clutched tightly to her chest. “Excuse me miss, do you know how long a time a halfling can stand on a frozen lake?”
"I'll go grab some food," Warryn says, walking into the other room.
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Sionnan's breathing isn't as heavy as it had been when Falser noticed her by the time he approaches her. She looks at him, her dark blue eyes wide, as she shakes her head a little. "No, I'm afraid I don't know how long a halfling can stand on a frozen lake." She replies softly, still clutching the tome to her chest.
Falser smiles, “Just long enough to break the ice. I’m Falser. Sorry for scaring you.” He holds out his hand to shake hers. “Would you rather stay here and read or come meet a talking bush?”
Sionnan looks at Falser a little bit as she processes the joke. As she finally gets it, a tiny smile appears on her face as she raises a hand to hide a giggle that leaves her. "I'm Sionnan," she says as she takes Falser's hand, "it's alright. I suppose I'm more jumpy than I thought I was." She shifts the tome so it can rest more easily in her one arm as she tilts her head just a little. "I... have never really met a talking bush before. There is one here?"
Falser smiles ,”I mean even for a bush he’s not very personable. Let me introduce you. “ Falser sets out for the food, staying within in reach of Sionnan. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a book like that. Granted, I haven’t seen many books.”
Sionnan smiles a little more as she sees Falser's smile. "I still would like to meet this bush, though." She follows behind Falser as close as she can, placing a hand on his shoulder a little as she does so. At the mention of her book, Sionnan glances down at the tome in her arm. "Ah, well, this isn't much of a book. It's more of a tome I believe."
Falser nods sagely, “I’m going to pretend I know the difference between a tome and a book.” Spotting Warryn and Hodgy, he walks Sionnan over to them. “Warryn and Hodgy, meet Sionnan.” He stands behind Hodgy pointing at him making broad smiling faces.
Ell picks her way over to where Arlanna sits, leaving her cloak folded over the back of her chair. She seats herself in the chair right next to Arlanna, and looks her in the eyes, head cocked slightly in curiousity. "Now who are you?"
Arlanna can be seen putting genuine effort into assuming a friendly smile as she looks at Ell. “You must be new,” she says, failing to conceal an air of haughty nobility. “That, or from out of town. I’m Arlanna Tylmarande.” She waits for the inevitable name recognition and the associated reaction of disdain or admiration, based on which of her relatives her questioner happens to remember first. “Who are you?”
"Not exactly new, just...isolated. Until a few years ago." Ell's eyebrows pull slightly into a frown in concentration. "Tylmarande...that name sounds vaguely familiar... You'll have to forgive me, it's difficult to learn an entire continent's stories in the span of five years."
Arlanna’s defenses drop a bit as her natural curiousity perks. “Five years? Where, I might ask, have you been for the rest of them? I don’t often have to remind people of Aribeth and Seldra Tylmarande.” She pauses, “though my life might be easier if people forgot the first entirely.” She composes herself, and asks again, “who are you?”
"Well, for the first hundred years, the Feywild. The other hundred..." Ell's smile becomes more forced, and the crystal at her throat glows faintly red for a moment. "...here and there. Anyway, I'm Ell. Pleasure. So, Arlanna, where are you from? I presume your family is of some notoriety here, judging by the way you talk about them, but have you explored or adventured beyond Neverwinter?"
“My responsibilities have kept me close. I haven’t had the luxury of far-travel,” she says, a touch of wistfulness creeping into her voice. “That is an... interesting... crystal,” she says, looking curiously at the gem glowing at Ell’s throat and then questioningly at her.
After getting a plate full of delicious food, Taliesin is ready to mingle. As he looks around he notices a girl with the most beautiful eye he has ever seen talking with another girl. He quickly approaches and introduces himself. "Well hello, my name is Taliesin Andrelus! Who might you two be?"
Ell glanced down at the crystal, seeming to just notice that it's glowing. She bites her lip, her smile momentarily fading, then glances back up. "A reminder. It's a little...in tune with my moods. And occasionally my memories. It's new, I'm still getting used to having it."
"That's pretty cool, where'd you get it?"
At Taliesin's question, Ell raises an amused eyebrow. "Ell. Pleasure." As questioning continues on the subject of her crystal, Ell's smile tightens, but she responds nonetheless. "A few years ago in Calimport."
Taliesin lifts Arlanna's hand to his lips and gives it a small kiss. "What a beautiful name, it's a pleasure to meet you Arlanna." After the elf tells the origin of the crystal Taliesin responds, "Well that's interesting, It's been a while since I've visited Calimport."
Ell nods. "I see. So you've traveled? Do tell." She leans back in the chair, crossing her legs neatly in an invitation for a long story.
"Yes, I've done quite a lot of traveling in my time actually. After I had turned 16 I joined a group and traveled city to city playing music and making money. Eventually my group was disbanded and we had to go our separate ways. After that I was sought out by the Harpers and have been with them ever since, completing any missions they give me." the half-elf replies. By this point he can't help but smile, he just loves getting to tell people about himself.
"So you were an entertainer? Do you still do that, or have you switched professions?"
Taliesin responds with enthusiasm, "I still do that, I was very well known for my funny jokes, great music, and amazing magic. I've even had nobles and lords seek me out to perform for them."
Rethan is busy filling his plate with food when a gnome walks up to the table. "Hi, I'm Rethan."
"Hello Rethan! I'm Warryn," Warryn says, "And this is Hodgy, please do not be alarmed, he is friendly and can't harm you. Do they have snap peas?"
Rethan nods at Warryn, then after a moment nods politely to the plant as well. He looks over the table. "Looks like there's a plate of them in the back." He grabs the plate of snap peas and moves it to where the short gnome can reach it easier.
"Thank you," Warryn grabs a handful and stuffs it into his cloak pocket. He proceeds to pile a plate high with food, stuffing more into available pockets.
"Ah, here's some food, leave some for... me." Warryn passes the plate to Falser, he sticks out a hand to Sionann, "Nice to meet you, your name is..."
Sionnan opens her mouth to explain the difference between a book and a tome just as Falser introduces her to the gnome and a bush. She coughs and goes back to holding her tome against her chest before taking Falser's hand. "Sionnan," she replies simply. "I'm assuming that Hodgy is your leafy friend?"
Falser holding Sionnan’s hand with one hand takes the plate from Warryn. Falser stops and looks at the plate. His eyes get a little glazed over and somewhat wet with tears. The thought hits him quickly with an emotional weight behind it. No one, in his life, has ever fixed him food. A feeling of warmth hits him in the gut and he feels the coin in his pocket warm up.
Warryn shakes her hand, "Yes they are! Is that a spellbook? Are you a wizard? I'm a wizard too."
Sionnan blushes a little as Warryn notices her tome. "Ah, no. I'm a Warlock. There's nothing in this book, unfortunately."
"That's unfortunate, why don't you write something in it?" Warryn pulls a piece of cheese out his pocket and begins to eat it.
"I don't know how to just yet." Sionnan answers as she watches Warryn pull a piece of cheese out of his pocket. She realizes that she's holding onto Falser's hand and sheepishly smiles at Falser. "I'm sorry, Falser, I didn't mean to take a hand away from you." She says as she lets go.
"Why don't you try?" Warryn asks as he searches his cloak pockets. He grumbles, frustrated that he can't find what he's looking for. "Ah!" He pulls a book and a quill out of his apron's front pocket, he hands Sionann the quill.
Falser looks up broken out of contemplation. “No apologies needed. It was a natural fit.” He takes the hand and wipes his eyes a bit. “Im going to bring in a plate of food to an acquaintance. Save me a seat, I still need to learn about tomes and talking bushes.” Falser hurriedly brings the plate back into the main room. Still in a daze of light and warmth, he moves toward Arlanna who has gathered a bit of an audience.
Sionnan takes the quill, but she gently returns it to Warryn. "My patron said he would teach me when I gained more power, but thank you for your concern Warryn."
"Can you not write?" Warryn asks, now looking deeply concerned, "I can teach you! It's not hard!"
"Ah, in part yes. I don't know how to write down spells." Sionnan looks taken aback by the sudden concern from Warryn. "You're too kind to offer, Warryn. We've only just met."
Warryn shrugs, "I feel good about you and everyone else here!"
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Falser looks up broken out of contemplation. “No apologies needed. It was a natural fit.” He takes the hand and wipes his eyes a bit. “Im going to bring in a plate of food to an acquaintance. Save me a seat, I still need to learn about tomes and talking bushes.” Falser hurriedly brings the plate back into the main room. Still in a daze of light and warmth, he moves toward Arlanna who has gathered a bit of an audience.
"Ah! You'll have to forgive me for not knowing of you, I've only been in this area a few years." As the small halfling comes over to Arlanna with a plate of food, Ell turns to look at him. "And who are you, sir?"
Arlanna turns haughtily away from Falser, her attention focused on Taliesin. "I thought you looked familiar. I must have seen you perform at some point."
Falser notes the turn away and just puts the plate on the ground next to Arlanna’s chair. This feels more like the life that he remembers. He turns his back to the group and begins to walk away.
"Maybe" Taliesin replies, "Do you by chance remember where?"
Arlanna glances at Falser retreating and internally sighs. "Excuse me, just a moment," she says to Taliesin. "I will return shortly." She walks over to Falser, grabbing him by the elbow and pulling him to the side.
Falser freezes and shouts loudly as his elbow is grabbed “MY LADY WE JUST MET I DO NOT WANT TO GET A ROOM WITH YOU!”
Warryn looks at Falser, "Hodgy, go say hi to Falser for me." "But we just-" Hodgy is cut short by a glance from Warryn, "Fine." Hodgy wanders up to Falser.
Ell's eyebrows shoot up at Falser's shout. "What..." She shakes her head and turns to Taliesin. "What type of music do you prefer to performs? Do you have a favorite song? Also, are walking bushes common among Harpers?"
Arlanna hesitates for a moment, anger and embarrassment showing on her face. She pulls him roughly by the elbow, her voice getting lower and losing it's noble lilt. "Listen, kid, the one thing I asked you to do was NOT to embarrass me. You may be Dungar's golden boy, but that doesn't mean I won't make your life miserable. I'm stuck with you and you're stuck with me. Don't mess this up!"
Taliesin walks out of the room. As he leaves he holds up his index finger giving the universal sign for "one minute".
Ell shakes her head at the abrupt sequence of events, then goes to get some food. Walking in, she sees the group and waves as she goes over to the table and puts some green grapes on a plate.
"Thank you for the vote of confidence, Warryn..." Sionnan trails off as she hears Falser shout, jumping a little bit and instinctively hugging her tome to her chest again.
Warryn looks at Falser, "Hodgy, go say hi to Falser for me."
"But we just-" Hodgy is cut short by a glance from Warryn, "Fine."
Hodgy wanders up to Falser.
Arlanna hesitates for a moment, anger and embarrassment showing on her face. She pullsFalser roughly by the elbow, her voice getting lower and losing it's noble lilt. "Listen, kid,the one thing I asked you to do was NOT to embarrass me. You may be Dungar's golden boy, but that doesn't mean I won't make your life miserable. I'm stuck with you and you're stuck with me. Don't mess this up!"
Taliesin walks out of the room and holds up his index finger giving the universal sign for "one minute".
Ell shakes her head at the abrupt sequence of events, then goes to get some food. Walking in, she sees the group and waves as she goes over to the table and puts some green grapes on a plate.
While everyone is busy conversing and having what is hopefully a good time, there is suddenly the sound of someone screaming followed by a loud boom and maniacal laughter.
AHHHHHHH!!!!
BOOOOM!!!!
Mwahahahahaha!!!
Rethan looks up as he hears screaming, jerking fully upright from where he had been lounging against the wall while he had been eating.
All of the sudden you see a black tiefling with wings enter the room. He has red eyes and a large flaming sword. "Hahahaha! I am the power Niseilat! Do you really think joining forces will help you defeat me!? I am unstoppable, no man has ever bested me and I plan to keep it that way! As of this moment you are all now victims!" He says this with power, you can tell by the volume of his voice drumming against your ears.
Falser fights through fear and relies on his oldest friend...sarcasm. Falser carefully looks around the room before approaching the Tiefling. “I’m sorry, who are you? Nice ass-hat? Is that how it’s pronounced?”
Seeing the flaming sword carried by the tiefling, Rethan gets a somewhat panicked look in his eye and shies away to the back wall, keeping a wary eye on the creature.
"DON'T YOU DARE BELITTLE ME!!!!" screams Niseilat as he points his fiery sword at Falser.
Sionnan holds her tome closer to her chest, as a hand flies to her dagger. She looks around wondering if now was a good time to spring into action or wait. She flinches as she hears the tiefling yell.
Warryn holds out a leaf, "Sorry Hodgy, this is no place for you." Before Hodgy responds, they are ripped apart and swirl into the leaf which trembles as Warryn stuffs it in his apron.
Ell's head whips around at the sound, and her crystal glows bright red momentarily before her hand closes around it and the glow fades as she runs for the tunnel leading to the main cave. She stops just outside the tunnel's entrance, her crystal flaring red again as she spots the tiefling. Her eyes narrow, but she says nothing.
Missing her grab for Falser as he pulls away, Arlanna looks at the Tiefling with confusion. He should not have been able to enter this space. Every cell alert, she prepares to draw her shortswords if necessary, glancing around at those around her. She notices that she does not see Taliesin...
Falser turns his back on the tiefling. “Gang. You heard him! Don’t belittle Nice Ass Hat! He’s been through a lot! Everyone be nice!”
All of the sudden the tiefling's form morphs and changes into that of Taliesin. "Damn it Falser! Why do you have to ruin everything!? I swear, you're the reason the gene pool needs lifeguards!"
Falser grabs his head and hits his knees. “Owwww. Oww. Oww”
"Excuse me sir!" Warryn says as he marches over to Taliesin, pulls out his leaf and resummons Hodgy, "What gives you the permission to do that in our safe place!"
"What, it was just a joke! You should have seen all your guys' faces, it was hilarious!" Taliesin can't help himself, he barely manages to respond back to Warryn before he bursts out laughing.
"While I have a broad range of humor, and practical jokes are a part of that, you do not hurt another Harper!" Warryn scolds the man.
"Hey he hurt me when he ruined it!" says the half-elf taken aback by his previous statement.
Sionnan just stands there in shock as she just slowly tries to find a seat to sit down in and get herself back together. She was breathing heavy again.
Ell takes several deep breaths, the red glow of her crystal slowly fading. She shakes her head, and goes back into the food room, where she picks up her plate, adds an apple to the grapes and comes back out. She fires Taliesin a slightly amused, slightly irritated look, then goes over to Sionnan and sits down next to her. "You okay? That was pretty startling."
Rethan moves away from the wall, scowling fiercely at Taliesin. "That wasn't funny. You just about got a javelin through your chest."
Arlanna looks with disgust at Taliesin as she approaches him. "That behavior is not fitting of a Harper. Perhaps you should go back to entertaining nobles or busking in the streets." Arlanna looks over at Falser as well. "I'll be back in a moment, don't go anywhere," she says, walking out of the room with annoyance.
"Alright alright, sheesh... I guess nobody can take a joke these days..." Taliesin replies, quite disappointed with the lack of appreciation for the talent to pull off an act suchh as the one he had just performed.(edited)
A single bee emerges from Warryn's apron and hovers just in front of the half-elf's nose, "Don't do that again." He walks over to Falser, "Are you ok?"
Falser gets up smiling, “I’m fine. Everyone calm down.Seriously. It wasn’t my cup of tea comedy wise but I appreciate a good prank. The only thing better than a good prank, is the retaliation. Thanks for the gift Ass hat.” He blows Taliesin a kiss.
The bee lands on Taliesin's nose.
"Thank you Falser, I seriously thought I might've been too obvious. I mean it all happened only about 30 seconds after I left the room plus I literally turn my name backwards..." Taliesin replies appreciatively.
Sionnan just stands there in shock as she just slowly tries to find a seat to sit down in and get herself back together. She was breathing heavy again.
Ell takes several deep breaths, the red glow of her crystal slowly fading. She shakes her head, and goes back into the food room, where she picks up her plate, adds an apple to the grapes and comes back out. She fires Taliesin a slightly amused, slightly irritated look, then goes over to Sionnan and sits down next to her. "You okay? That was pretty startling."
Sionnan looks to Ell and only nods a little. She takes in a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "Yeah, that was... I don't know how I'm going to process this." She replies as she rubs a hand against her face. "But, I certainly lost my appetite."
"I believe that our performer had the notion we would be doing word puzzles with the name of the tiefling who stormed our secret meeting." Ell shrugs smoothly. "I hope you regain your appetite before the meeting itself begins-the food is actually quite good." Popping a grape into her mouth, Ell gets up and sweeps up to Taliesin with the grace and poise of a hundred years of training. "And next time you want a practical joke to go over well, I wouldn't suggest disguising yourself as a large, flying thing with a big sword and storming a meeting of highly trained spies. Just a suggestion." Her smile widens and she heads for her seat.
Sionnan is going to curl up a little in her seat when Ell leaves her. She starts shaking a little as a memory washes over her, and she closes her eyes tight for a moment as she reminds herself that she was safe and okay. It was just a joke.
Ell sees Sionnan and changes course, heading back over to her. "Have history with fiends?"
Sionnan shakes her head a little. "No. Not fiends, just." She takes a breath as she uncurls. "I just got here from a warzone."'
"I see. I've got a little experience with traumatic memories. I know you said you lost your appetite, but I will say it can help to eat something bland. It helps to focus on anything other than the memories, and you've got two senses there-taste and feel. Moving around a bit can also help. What do you say we go get a little fruit, or some bread?"
Sionnan looks to Ell and nods a little. "Yeah a little bit of bread and fruit might help." She agrees as she tries to find a place to set her tome down. She knows she needs her hands to carry her plate.
"You can put that down on my chair. We won't be gone long." Ell begins to lead Sionnan towards the food. "I didn't actually catch your name-mine's Ell."
Sionnan places her her tome in Ell's chair before she gets up to follow. "I'm Sionnan, it's nice to meet you, Ell. How long have you been with the Harpers?"
"Just a few years-I joined as soon as I could find them, which was hard, I can tell you. What about you?"
"I... joined almost a few months ago. But I was from a different cell. This is my first time here in Neverwinter."
"I've only been in Neverwinter a few times. Well, one time before this, and I didn't really have time to sightsee. So we're both new here." As they arrive at the buffet, Ell hands Sionnan a plate. "I can't speak to the bread, but the grapes and apples are almost as good as they were at home, before-" Ell catches herself before she reveals more than she wants to, and grins. "And it's difficult to top where I'm from."
Sionnan listens to Ell and nods a little. "Ah, I see." She smiles a little as she's handed a plate. "Alright, I'll try at least the grapes and apples." She gives Ell another small, almost shaky smile before taking a small handful of grapes and an apple. She also manages to take a small piece of bread.
"So Sionnan, where are you from? And how much have you traveled?" Ell picks up a couple more grape bunches and starts going back to where they had been sitting.
"I'm from outside of Neverwinter, if you couldn't guess." Sionnan follows Ell. "I haven't traveled far, just... from nearby."
"What's your favorite place where you've been?"
Malquis had stayed out of the banal conversation going on around him. Watching the others, their actions and interactions, was always more instructive than interacting. At first anyway. It was a most curious gathering, he had to admit. A pair of gnomes - and a sentient bush, apparently - they could prove useful.That fool of a halfling had trailed in after the noble - it would be interesting to see what he had to offer. The woman though, she seemed to be of a higher station by the way she carried herself. Mal was about to go speak to her when the throng descended upon her. Tylmarande - of course. She had looked vaguely familiar, but now it clicked. He was certain they'd spoken once or twice in the past. he continued to watch as things git more and more interesting. The bard, slick and confident as they always were, trying to woo the poor woman, again the fool halfling interrupting his betters, the poor, scared little girl. She must have more to her story than it appeared.
“Home. But, Neverwinter’s a close second.” Sionnan nods a little. “What about you, Ell?”
Ell nibbles her lip as she thinks. "If you'd asked me a hundred years ago, I'd have said home too. Without hesitation. The Feywild is beautiful, and it's still up there, but now I'd have to say the Sunset Mountains. Or maybe the Star Mounts, in the High Forest." Ell blushes slightly, even the faint color very noticeable on her pale skin. "I've been able to travel quite a lot in the last few years." At Malquis's interjection, Ell's smile drops completely. "If you feel you should, who is anyone to stop you?" Her eyes remain cold as she smiles. "Pleasure."
“The Feywild?” And at that, a sparkle enters Sionnan’s eyes. “Oh, you’ll have to tell me more please!” Sionnan exclaims just before the Eladrin approaches and makes his introduction. Quickly the excitement fades, and Sionnan is left back to her shy self, slightly embarrassed at such an outburst from herself. She nods a little to Mal. “He, perhaps, thought it would have gone over better than it had.” She replies and dips her head in a small bow. “It’s a pleasure, Malquis.”
Ell's smile becomes more genuine, and her eyes soften at Sionnan's excitement. "I'd be happy to tell you all about it, Sionnan. Ask me anything you want."
Mal quirks an eyebrow at Ell's tone. "What's to stop me? Merely your word, lady. If you ask me to go, I shall. To do otherwise would be impolite." He takes a step back and offers a small bow to Sionann, in acknowledgement of her greeting. "Perhaps his jokes would be best saved for a more suitable time and place then, where they would be better received." He falls silent and turns his attention back to Ell when she speaks. "I, too, would like to hear more of your life beyond the veil, my lady. It's been some time since I was back there myself."
"Well it's been over a century since I've been back, so I doubt I'll know anything you don't. But please, by all mean, have a seat and listen." Ell's eyes get somehow colder before she turns to Sionnan. "The Feywild is wildly beautiful. There are few places on the Material Plane that can compare to it in that way." Ell's face becomes wistful as she remembers. "And the cities...eladrin architecture is quite a sight to behold. It blends stone and living wood together with water elements and other plants. My village was literally built into a copse of trees." Ell's wistful smile drops abruptly. "Of course, the downside of eladrin architecture is that it comes with eladrin-which is why I haven't been back in over a century."
Taking a seat with the pair at Ell's "invitation", Mal listens as she describes her home to Sionann. He smiles at her final comment. "I cannot disagree, else I may still be there myself. A beautiful, ever-changing place, but still lacking in something that draws us here on occasion. I admit, the Sword Coast is a fascinating place, as are it's people. What about you, Sionann? What led you here to Neverwinter?"
Sionnan listens to Ell and the sparkle comes back as she grabs her emerald colored tome. She could hardly believe her ears as Ell spun such a tale. Mal’s interjection only added just a bit, but at the question of why she was brought to Neverwinter, the sparkle in her eyes immediately dulled again. Sionnan, out of pure habit now, hugged the tome close to her chest. “I don’t want to talk about it.” She says softly, as tears start to form at the corner of her eyes.
"Of course you don't have to talk about it." Ell gently sets her hand on Sionnan's arm and glares daggers at Mal. "And for your information, it wasn't any sort of lack in the Feywild that drew me here. Perhaps you should make fewer assumptions-about everyone."
With a shake of his head, Mal stands. "I'm very sorry, I certainly didn't mean to upset you. It's none of my business why you came here, of course, I was merely making conversation. Perhaps we can talk another time. With more pleasant company." He turns to Ell. "I'm not sure how I've so offended you, but there is no need to be so rude, I'm quite sure. I'll leave you two to your little... chat."
Sionnan shakes her head, as if to shake away her tears. “No, no, it’s not your fault Malquis.” She takes a breath and closes her eyes. “I came here... because something terrible happened to my cell of Harpers.” Sionnan opens her eyes, and the tears start rolling down her face. “I came here because of a lead I was given.”
Mal hesitates, then turns back to Sionann. "I'm sorry for your loss," he offers in a low voice. "It must hsve been terrible indeed. Your lead, is it about what happened? About who was responsible? We all stand with each other. I'm sure it won't go unpunished."
Sionnan wipes the tears away with the back of her hand and part of her shirt's sleeve. "I don't remember much, I'm sorry. It's been a trying four weeks. I've had to get through a war zone to get here." She explains as she sniffs and tries not to start breaking out into a sobbing fit. That wouldn't do.
Ell stands as well, meeting Mal's eyes calmly, but not quite as coldly as before, her crystial glowing a faint red. "Perhaps I was quite unnecessarily rude. I apologize, I don't have a very good history with other eladrin, and I was unfairly projecting that onto you." Her crystal subsides as she sits back down and returns her attention to Sionnan. "I'm so sorry Sionnan. It sound like you've had a very difficult time lately, and I suspect Taliesin's joke didn't help after that journey."
"Let me get you something to drink. Perhaps that will help you feel a little better after such a scare. Ell is right, of course, that can't have helped at all." He turns back to the other eladrin. "Apology accepted, of course, and I apologize to you as well, if I came across poorly. We are on the same team here, so hopefully we can put this unpleasantness behind us and start fresh. If you'll excuse me." With that, Mal heads out to the table where the food is laid out, looking for something for Sionann.
Warryn looks at Falser, "Need a cracker?" He pulls three out of his cloak pocket.
“Yep. I’m a no meat guy. Crackers are a major part of my diet.” Falser brushes the dirt off of his clothes as he gets ups. Taking the cracker he rubs his temples a bit. “Sucks that I went down like a sack of potatoes. Did I at least look good as I stood up to the crazy flaming sword demon? Be honest.”
"You looked wonderful. I have some potato salad." Warryn says.
Ell pauses at Falsers's question and turns back for a moment. "You looked very heroic. And also quite suicidal."
“He looked heroic but suicidal. You know something, I can live with that! I’d love some potato salad. I may go find a place to lean up against until this inkling of a headache leaves.” Falser walks over to a seat up against the wall and rests his head up against the cool stone. “You stood up to a demon today. You badass halfling you.”
Warryn scurries over and grabs a glass of water for Falser.
"So, are you from around here?" Warryn asks Falser.
Falser, finally feeling more like himself, pulls his head away from the cool wall. “Yeah actually. I’ve spent the majority of my life working at a tiny shithole Inn not too far from here. What about you?” Reaching for the water, “Thanks by the way. For giving me food and water. That’s really nice of you.”
"Oh, no, don't mention it. I'm from Neverwinter as well. I don't think I can leave, I've," Warryn laughs, "put down roots."
Falser laughs, “I don’t get the joke. But I’m glad you’re making one.” Falser scopes out the room keeping track of the comings and goings of people. “What do you mean you can’t leave?”
"To leave Neverwinter," Warryn says, "I'd have to move all of my plants and Hodgy's the only mobile plant I like."
Falser sits up a little straighter. “Hey where is Hodgy?”
"Oh, they're with Oppah," Warryn says, waving off the question.
Falser gives a wink to Warryn. This small friendship becoming a source of light already for Falser. “Should we branch out a bit? Meet some more of our Harpers brethren?”
"I think so. There was a man in the hallway named... Rethan! And there seems to be an argument between those elves and Sionann, I'm going to go see what the ruckus is all about." Warryn points out, "There's also Oppah over there talking to... I don't recognize them, but they seem pretty lost in thought."
"I'll see you around!" Warryn waves, seeing the elf wander off from the elf and Sionann, the gnome decides to follow. "Hello sir, would you like a grape?" Warryn says to the nicely dressed elf.
Mal turns when he hears Warryn address him . "Ah, master gnome! A grape? Thank you." He takes the offered fruit, absently popping it into his mouth. "Malquis," he says in an even tone, hoping to avoid another issue as he'd had with Ell over s simple, friendly introduction. "And you? You were with another gnome. And a shrub of some sort were you not? Most curious." He spots a ewer of wine and pours a small amount for Sionann while he waits for his companion to respond.
"Yes. The name's Warryn. The shrub, more specifically the barberry bush is named Hodgy. The other gnome is my sister." Warryn pulls a cracker out of his cloak and begins nibbling on it. "Will you introduce me to that other elf? I don't believe I've met her before."
"Introduce you? I suppose so, though I only just met her myself. Come, I need to bring this drink to the younger girl anyway." Mal leads the way back to where Sionann and Ell still sit talking. "Here you are, a little wine to calm the nerves," he offers, handing the glass to Sionann. "Lady Ell, this is Warryn. He's here with his sister, and a... barberry bush, apparently. He said you hadn't been introduced yet."
Sionnan accepts the glass. “Thank you, Malquis.” She says as she sees a familiar face. “Warryn, good to see you again. Hodgy and I never did get to say hello.”
"Hello Lady Ell! Would you like a..." He rummages through Ell smiles at the offer. "Why not? But please, just Ell. I've been wondering this since I first saw it, are animated bushes common among Harpers?"
"Nope! Just me!" Warryn says, "Hodgy is socializing with Oppah, but if you wish to speak with them I can call them over."
Ell frowns in confusion. "Who's Hodgy? I just see the barberry bush over there with the other gnome."
"Hodgy is the barberry bush." Warryn explains, "Would you like to meet them?"
"Sure, why not?" Ell glances at Sionnan. "As long as you're okay? Or you could come with, if you're all right. I can tell you more about the Feywild on the way over."
"The Feywild?" Warryn gasps, "Have you been there? Are the plants really as crazy as I remember? Do you know any fey? Is it warm? I think it was fairly hot. Oh, you don't need to stand up, Hodgy's coming over already. Are there really elves that live in trees? Is it common for people to hit each other? Can you go back?" Warryn takes a long breath.is pockets, "A piece of prosciutto?"
Meanwhile Taliesin has been sitting down working on some music with his lyre. As soon as he begins to play you all hear the most beautiful song you have ever heard. The music has such power as it makes your emotions rise to the surface with very little power to conceal it. The music reminds you all of tragic loss and your most happiest of memories.
Ell blinks, rather taken aback at the sudden storm of questions. "I-alright, I'm taking this one question at a time. First, I'm from there, so yes, I've been there, although not in the last century or so. Second, the plants are quite...robust compared to the ones here, so yes? I did know fey, my entire village was made up of eladrin. And yes, we technically lived in trees, since the houses grew out of them. It's warm sometimes, depends on the area. People hitting each other isn't particularly common where I'm from, certaintly not more than it is here. I suppose I could go back if I wanted to, but I would have to find a fey crossing, and I don't anyway." As Taliesin's music begins, Ell's crystal, which had been glowing very faintly, suddenly goes totally dark. She smiles. "The Feywild is like a more fantastic version of this plane. It's amazing, and one of my favorite things to do was just pick a spot and go there, no matter how far away are hard to get to it was." Ell shakes herself out of her memories. "Ready for your next round of questions."
Warryn nods rapidly, "It's the plane of heightened emotions, a crush becomes a deep love, annoyance becomes anger, surprise or fascination can make people act like small children. Do you know where fey crossings are? I think there's one south of the city, but I don't think it still works. How do fey crossings work? Does it require a password, blood, an offering?"
"I don't know where any fey crossings are, sorry. I came through one near Calimport, and I haven't really looked for any others. The one I came through didn't appear to need any sort of offering or password, my cap-I just walked through and boom, I was in the Material Plane."
"Calimport? You may have to show me that on a map. Later though." Warryn says.
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
The conversations between the Harpers delved deeper as they continued to chatter, everyone unaware to Aejossin silently slipping out of the room. He returned later wearing a face of worry and despair. It had been nearly two hours since the first Harper had arrived, and besides these nine, no one else had shown. With a heavy heart, he spoke. "So.. *this* is what is left of the Harpers after Cymril's betrayal. Nine Watchers of Neverwinter." He chuckled at a thought. "It almost reminds me of the Neverwinter Nine during the Alagondarian reign... and *much* less of the New Nine Dagult has ushered in underneath him."
"Regardless," he continued, "this is what I feared, and yet needed to know. You nine have remained loyal to the incorruptibility and pure intents of our cause, and for that I applaud you. As many of you know, Neverwinter is in a horrible state of being. The city is in shambles, and corruption breeds within the hearts of its leaders. Perhaps some of you have heard of the Beggar's Black Death?"
Rethan nods, grimacing.
Falser nods solemnly, the faces of men, women, and children dancing at the field of his vision. People left behind by a city that couldn’t protect them. He stares at Arlanna sitting across the room.
Arlanna, who re-enters the chamber just after Aejossin, remains at the back of the room listening. She flinches slightly at the mention of Cymril’s betrayal. When Aejossin speaks of the Black Death, she inadvertently glances at Falser and catches him looking back at her. There is a momentary exchange. “I told you so,” she seems to say with her eyes.
Warryn and Oppah nod somberly. Hodgy, peaking in between Warryn and Oppah's chairs mutters in agreement.
Sionnan sits and listens, and the tears she tried to hold back earlier start rolling down her face now. Her fingers curl around the tome in her lap as she hangs her head and lets her dark hair curtain over her face. Her body language definitely shows that she knows.
He watched their reactions carefully, nodding at the verbal and bodily cues. "For those who are not aware, it only makes sense: the New Nine have made sure to cover up the situation well," he said as he stoked the flames of the fire. "Some say it's like the Wailing Death from history. Others say it's new and worse, some new machination of whatever entities lay beneath the sealed Chasm.
"About a month ago, a new plague began sweeping across the Beggar's Nest. It started with a cough, then developed into black lines tracing across the populace's neck, causing asphyxiation. The New Nine, using the wall which separated the district from Neverwinter during the Chasm's opening, have sealed them off from the outside world, placing them in quarantine in hopes the plague will die if they wait it out. While I can see the reasoning behind it: resources are just stretched too thin with the war to try and cure a plague, *I* can't just sit back and watch thousands die."
"Agreed, do we know how to stop it?" Warryn asks.
"Well. First, we need to find a way *into* the Beggar's Nest," he spoke. "Once inside, it's all in Tymora's hands."
Falser jumps up. His eyes going wide, “I KNOW A WAY IN!”
Sionnan flinches again as Falser yells. She raises a hand to wipe her face and she takes a breath to try and collect herself. Sionnan reaches over to grab her wine glass, but she realizes that it’s empty.
Ell shakes her head and mutters under her breath "Of course it's through the sewers." She glances over at Sionnan and speaks in a low voice "Just breathe. Try to eat a grape or some bread. It's okay, you're safe, we just have a rather overenthusiastic halfling here."
Sionnan nods to Ell and picks up a grape to munch on. She stays silent as she watches everyone discuss. Sionnan didn't feel like this was her kind of place to speak up about anything. She had no idea what to do.
Rethan interjects, "Getting in shouldn't be too hard.The quarantine is designed to keep people from getting OUT.Always easier to go the other way."
Falser points to Rethan smiling, “Exactly. Now it’s been a few week since I’ve used it and it does go through the sewers and it has been known to house some nasty critters and sometimes people don’t come back... but other than that it’s absolutely perfect!”
Rethan shakes his head."Why's it always the sewer..."
“Excuse me,” Arlanna says from the back of the room, “I’d like to know more of the plan before we all expose ourselves to this plague. I’m not saying what they did was right, but so far it has prevented the rest of the city from getting this disease. Is this unknown plan worth risking our lives and the lives of everyone else of the city?”
Falser looks at her incredulously. “Are you kidding me? We’re good guys now. This is what we do. This part of the city needs help and no one else is providing it. The plan used previously failed, so they’re sending in Plan B.” Falser makes a broad sweeping gesture indicating everyone in the room.
Rethan murmers under his breath, "Or maybe plan H..."
"What do we do once we're in the Nest?" Warryn asks, "I've got a range of concoctions I've mixed up, but I don't know if I have enough to do a controlled experiment, it also doesn't sound like we have time..."
“Another option... not everyone has to go. A few of us could go in and try to set up communication with the people waiting safe behind...” Falser says the last words while staring pointedly at Arlanna.
“You mistake caution for cowardice,” Arlanna says, returning Falser’s gaze, a flash of anger in her golden eyes. “Of course something needs to be done, but getting ourselves and everyone else in the city sick while we’re doing it is not going to help anyone in the long term. I know that some of us,” she stares pointedly at him, “like to rush into things without thinking, but others of us who have more experience, realize that a well-thought-out plan is better than taking unnecessary risks.”
Falser rolls his eyes, “Empires have been built and lost on the bodies of men being too cautious to do anything. I get having a plan. However, there is something to be said for getting there and trusting our instincts. Plan away.”Falser, realizing he’s still standing from his initial outburst, walks over and perches crouched on his chair. He’s too amped to sit correctly.
Unable to let this go, Arlanna’s voice raises a bit. “ You have a plan? You have a plan as to how to avoid getting the plague? I’m sorry, I didn’t realize that you were trained in medicine as well. It seems that you have a plan to get behind the wall. Lovely. What I’m asking you to do, is think beyond the immediate need to get beyond the wall and consider what might happen after that. I am merely asking you to have the foresight to have an actual plan to help these people without killing yourself, all of us, and everyone else in the city.”
“Perhaps you might consider listening to those who know better than you and allowing the more experienced people in this room to formulate a plan from beginning to end.”
Ell clears her throat lightly. "Perhaps we could remember that we're all on the same side here? I'm sure everyone here has something to contribute, so let's all take a deep breath and try to work together here."
Sionnan flinches back a little as she listens to Arlanna. Again, that green tome finds it way back in her arms and against her chest. She still doesn't speak, but she does give Ell a grateful nod. It seems she has the same thoughts.
Arlanna leans back against the wall, giving Ell a slight nod and glowering at Falser.
Falser nods solemnly “Yes Arlanna. You’re a Harper, a little decorum please. Let’s figure this out.”
Ell fires Falser a glare. "I said everybody, I meant everybody."
Falser nods at Ell. “Sorry. Mouth got away from me. It does that.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
The Threnody of Neverwinter
Prologue
Pain. Wretched pain. It seared through his body as black, shadowy hands grasped at him from all angles, keeping him rooted in place. The hooded figure smiled as he screamed in agony. "You still say no to my offer?" the figure remarked, already knowing the man's response. Other voices, obscured by the all-encompassing blackness, laughed and snickered all around him.
He grimaced, but held his voice steady as the black tendrils skewered and squirmed within him, "You... will never find me as your ally." That wretched grin only spread evermore as the man screamed in defiance, the pain intensifying.
"Oh? really? Is that so?" the figure sneered, standing from the ebon throne and stalked towards him. Shadows parted and yet clung to his wasted robes as he drew ever closer to the man. The figure raised his left arm, allowing the robe to slide down, revealing a barren hand, replaced by a spectral claw with glowed a ghastly green. He stroked the man's face, leaving a waste of necrotic flesh wherever his finger traced. Still smiling, he drove a finger into the man's eye as it withered away, "My poor boy... I'm afraid you've been mistaken. I have lived for thousands of years, traveling countless planes and visiting places your poor, three-dimensional mind couldn't even fathom. I have bargained and destroyed creatures which could finish you with but a thought... And you think you have a choice to deny yourself as my ally?"
He cackled, plunging his spectral hand into the man's chest, removing his beating heart and stroked the top of it like one might with their favorite pet dire wolf's head. "No... I'm afraid you're wrong," he uttered nonchalantly as the man's mortal coil withered away, crumbling to ash. In its place stood his soul, tethered by black chains which sung an unholy chorus. "I have been maimed, and I will be whole. You... you mortal, will not deny me my vision."
Chapter One: The Beggar's Black Death
16th Eleint "The Fading", 1496 DR
The streets teemed with life as the cold wind blew through Neverwinter. The eastern part of the Tower District was still in heavy repair, as burly dwarves, half-orcs, and other races raced to and from the various construction sites, beams of wood strung across their shoulders or metal tools filling their hands. Neverwinter was, after all, the City of Skilled Hands, and Lord Neverember was doing everything in his power to make sure it regained that title. Even fifty years after the eruption of Mount Hotenow, its effects were still widespread. Yes, the Chasm which tore through the Beggar's District had been sealed, but the city's process of rebuilding was slow and arduous, as misfortune and poor circumstances plagued the city and its inhabitants. Still, the House of a Thousand Faces—the Harpers of Neverwinter's base of operations—stood proudly in the center of the Tower District, inviting all sorts of guests and gossip to come to the tavern and relax.
Beneath the tavern's dusty floorboards and a good three foot of stone lay a labyrinth of stone tunnels and rooms, standing as a haunting reminder of who the Harpers were. Much of the compound no longer saw use; the Harper's numbers had greatly dwindled after Cymril's betrayal and their current numbers were unknown to anyone. But, recent events beckoned for the Harpers aid, so it was this location that the Harpers had been summoned to.
Cryptograms were left inscribed on old buildings, underneath stony passageways, and hidden within every tavern, serving as silent messengers to the Harpers who still resided and new the proper deciphers to decrypt them. The faction's open face, Aejossin, an old half-elf who still stood proud and tall from years upon years of experiences, requested a meeting of all active Harpers in the city, wanting to re-establish the guild and discover just how poor its current state was.
As each Harper found their way into the compound, a series of ever-burning torches guided them to where Aejossin waited. Within the center of a large, vaulted room, Aejossin stood, his long, silver hair and unkempt beard partially concealing his face. It was a face that each Harper member knew instinctively; it was through him that each of them was introduced to the Harpers of Neverwinter in the first place. He wore simple robes, large enough to conceal anything behind its bulky frame. A small firepit burned in the center of the room, providing ample light and warmth, with twenty-four wooden chairs surrounding its flickering flame. He smiled as each Harper approached, extending a warm hand and a polite invitation to be seated while the others arrived.
Wearing a nondescript brown cloak, the hood up over her distinctive white hair, Ell slipped into the House of a Thousand Faces. Neatly dodging the patrons, she slipped through the illusion and into the tunnels, pulling down her hood the moment she was through. As she threaded her way through the maze, her ice-blue eyes glittered in the torchlight as she followed the path she'd memorized. Once she got to the hall, she gave Aejossin a rare genuine smile before heading to her seat. Sitting down, she draped her cloak over the back of her chair, revealing a dark blue long sleeved tunic and black leggings tucked into simple leather boots. A white crystal hung at her neck, reflecting the torchlight so that at times it seemed to glow a fiery red. Ell's eyes scanned the room as she watched other Harpers arrive, a small, friendly smile playing about her lips.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
A dark figure slips through the shadows of the alleys in the Tower District. Rethan had seen the sign in the back room of a tavern summoning all Harpers for a meeting and immediately left to make his way to the House of a Thousand Faces. He enters through a back door, avoiding the eyes and notice of the patrons in the tavern at the front. As he stepped through the door and into the passageway down, he grimaced at the torches lining the walls. The torchlight glints off of copper colored hair as he walks quietly towards his destination. Stepping into the chamber at the end of the passageway, Rethan scowls at the fire in the center of the room, before looking to Aejossin and giving the old half-elf a nod. He nods again to the white-haired female that had arrived before him. Picking a seat, he pulls it back further away from the fire before sitting down.
Two gnomes walk down a side street, a shrub topped with red berries shuffles along, muttering something about not being seen. The male gnome stops at the side of a building, picks up the shrub, and passes through an illusory wall, the female gnome follows just behind. The shrub grumbles about being carried but stops as the female gnome coaxes it. Arriving in the chamber, the gnomes nods to Aejossin and the male gnome puts down the shrub. The shrub slides under a chair and the two gnomes sit next to each other. They both share similar faces, sporting the same prominent noses, scruffy blond hair, and deep hazel eyes. The male gnome, Warryn, has a short beard, matching his boyish hair and wears a green cloak over a brown apron. The female gnome, Oppah, wears the simple vestments of a member of the House of Knowledge. They trade glances and whispers as Warryn strokes the shrub under his seat.
Tooltips | Snippet Code | How to Homebrew on D&D Beyond | Subclass Guide | Feature Roadmap
Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Arlanna Tylmarande swept into the room with the sort of presence that can only come from those born and bred into a place, a scrawny little halfling trailing behind her. Putting as much distance between herself and her companion, without seeming too obvious about it, she walked directly to Aejossin, smiled and bowed her head with familiarity, and seated herself as though the chair had been reserved specifically for her. She tucked her long blond hair behind her right ear, the exotic gold glint to her eyes and the slight peak to her ears betraying her half-elf heritage. Not that it was a secret. Her name alone, Tylmarande, brought to mind the betrayal of Aribeth, the legacy of Seldra, and the weight of the expectations of others. She glanced surreptitiously around, wondering who else she might see at this meeting. She’d been away for weeks training Pieter Dungar’s new little golden boy in the ways of the Harpers, and she was looking forward to being back in familiar territory. She only hoped that Falser didn’t embarrass her too badly.
Falser couldn’t stop smiling. His long strands of black hair had been freshly combed and were now straining to break free from a ragged strip of leather. Falser’s hands twirled a large ornate silver coin from one finger to another as he surveyed his surroundings. His eyes darted this way and that, wanting to soak in every minute detail. He followed close behind to Arlanna, his tiny legs alight with excitement as they traversed the city streets toward the House of a Thousand Faces. The colors seemed brighter. People of all shapes and sizes nodded and smiled in his direction. The world responded to his sense of purpose and passion. This was a brand new sensation. This feeling of walking toward a destiny radiated in him and couldn’t be contained. Reality righted itself very quickly when Falser walked through the illusory wall on the side of the inn. He found himself in a sprawling room with dancing shadows. As Arlanna bowed toward a tall figure in the middle of the room, Falser sensed this was the man to make introductions to. Striding forward, he was unable to control his voice as he shook the half elf’s hand and bellowed “Hello everyone! I’m Falser! I’m a Harper!” Beyond satisfied with his introduction, the halfing strode to the nearest seat and sat patiently. Falser couldn’t stop smiling.
A half-elf proudly walks through the streets. He's been known to be quite the entertainer but what many others DON'T know is that he also a member of the Harpers. After his band of thieves had been busted, the harpers had reached out and offered him a position. Four years later and after many successful missions he received word of an important meeting, curious about what this meeting might be about, Taliesin makes his way to the House of a Thousand Faces and weaves his way through the stone maze located underneath.
Walking into the dimly lit room is a half-elf male, approximately 6'0", looks to be in his mid 20s, and has brown hair, brown eyes, tan skin, and is VERY handsome. He wears fine brightly colored clothing, not that of a noble by any means but that of a high-end middle class citizen. He has two daggers sheathed at his side and a lyre strapped across his back almost as if he's ready to play a tune at a moments notice.
Just looking at him makes you want to smile or become friends immediately, you don't quite know what it is but he has that amiable aura around him.
Taliesin will turn and look towards Falser after his outburst and look at him with what appears to be exasperated disappointment before he refocuses and turns his attention back to Aejossin.
Hello Aejossin, what's this meeting about?
Mal sat in one of the small semi-private chambers within the Moonstone Mask, sipping a small glass of elverquisst as he watched the coming and going of the other patrons, occasionally offering a word of greeting or nod of recognition to one or another. He was biding his time, having seen the coded message summoning him to the House of a Thousand Faces, but it wouldn't do to be seen rushing out so soon after he'd arrived. There was more than enough time before he needed to be there in any case. The eladrin looked his part, dressed in fashionable clothes in the latest style , as befitted one of his breeding. His charcoal grey tunic was decorated with golden and scarlet embroidery that perfectly matched his auburn hair and exotic flashing golden eyes. From his shoulders hung a bright scarlet cloak trimmed in fur, keeping the fall chill at bay.
Finally he set his empty glass aside and made his way towards the exit. Outside, he glanced up at the stars shining in the clear sky, and made his way through the city streets towards the Tower District and the tavern where he'd be meeting the other Harpers. He moved among the other denizens of the city as though he were above such common beings, but still subtly cautious, the streets of the recovering city being what they were. He was no fool.
Reaching the House, he glanced about to be sure he wasn't being watched, and made his way into the tunnels of the hidden Harper network below the tavern proper. He followed the torches to the chamber where the others were already gathered, entering after most of them as was proper. He acknowledged his fellow Harpers with a nod. There were faces he did not recognize - interesting, he thought. The network continued to attract and integrate new members. He greeted Aejossin with a quiet word and took a seat, waiting to see if anyone else would be arriving before the grizzled half-elf let them all know why they had been summoned here this evening.
A small female figure slipped her way through the streets towards the House of a Thousand Faces. She kept her head low as she seemed to dance between the people still out on the streets. She reached the House without much issue, but she didn't slow down. She ducked inside and focused on the course ahead of her. The figure didn't look up at all from where she had kept her course until she entered the chamber. The torch light fell on her, and it caught off of her dark black hair and pale golden ivory skin. A book of deep emerald green, what could possibly be seen as a tome, was clutched tight against her chest as she entered. Her eyes flickered around nervously, catching pieces of faces and people, as she tried to step into a spot where she could just sit and breathe for a moment. It had only been a four weeks since she had slipped way from Luskan and into Neverwinter, closely following a lead from the Harper cell that she had hailed from there. Sionnan adjusted her grip on the green tome in her arms as she acknowledged Aejossin with a tiny nod before slipping into a seat where she could just sit and breathe.
Aejossin smiles at Sionann as she entered. "You seem out of breath, my dear. I hope the journey wasn't difficult." He glanced around the room at the various faces, smiling and nodding to the Tylmarande. "Please, get acquainted with each other while we wait for the others to arrive," he invited to everyone present. "There is food just down the hall if you are hungry," he added as an afterthought.
Sionnan only gives Aesojann another nod as she tries to keep her breathing even. Slowly, she lets go of the tight hold she had on the tome in her arms as she just watches everyone. Eventually, Sionnan places her tome down in her lap as she finally catches her breath.
Rethan's scowl lessens a bit at the mention of food. His dinner plans had been interrupted by the sight of the sign calling for the meeting. As a bonus, being down the hall meant the food would get him further from the fire in this room. He stands and walks through the doorway Aejossin had indicated.
Warryn and Oppah exchange whispers, Warryn gestures to Falser, Oppah nods to another Harper. They nod and walk their separate ways. The shrub slides out from under the chair and waddles after Warryn. "How do you do Falser?" Warryn says as he approaches the halfling "I'm Warryn and I'm also a Harper."
Falser jumps up from his seat. He pulls in Warryn for a huge hug that lifts him off the ground. Putting him down, Falser grins as he says “Damn right you are Warryn. It’s an absolute pleasure to meet you. I don’t know about you, but I’m absolutely starving.”
Falser takes a few steps toward the hallway, then turns with a smirk. “You’re my first friend ever, you’re definitely coming with right? You can tell me why you’re a Harper!”
The shrub coughs as Warryn laughs, "Right you are!"
Falsers’ eyes go wide. With a run and shove, he pushes Warryn to the side, draws a rusted dagger and points it toward the bush. “The plant is alive! I heard it cough! Stand back friend!”
"No need to point that rusted thing at me, Falser." The bush pronounces, "I am Hodgy, Warryn's boon companion."
Falser looks over at Warryn. “I realize I’m a bit sheltered, I just want to double check... you hear it too right?”
Warryn laughs, "Yes, the bush talks. I tried a growth spell on Hodgy as a seedling. It did make it grow, but there were some side effects."
Falser smiles. “Oh... alright then.” With a shrug he sticks his hand toward the bush, “ You coming along Hodge Podge?”
Hodgy scoffs, "I go where Warryn goes."
Warryn rolls his eyes. "Between the two of us," He whispers to Falser, "I'm the fun one of the pair."
Falser whispered back to Warryn a devilish glint in his eye, “I’m picking up on that.” As Falser took another few steps toward the food, he stopped to yell back at the room, “ANYONE WANT US TO BRING YOU SOMETHING?”
Sionnan jumps straight out of her seat as Falser yells. Her eyes dart around wildly again as her hands grab the tome she had set in her lap and brought the book close to her chest again. When she realizes that it was just an inquiry for food, Sionnan just heavily sets herself back in her chair and works on trying to get her breathing even. Again.
Falser’s eyebrows purse as he spots a girl sitting in a seat breathing heavily. He puts an arm on Warryn’s shoulder, “One second.”
Falser walked quietly toward the girl with the tome clutched tightly to her chest. “Excuse me miss, do you know how long a time a halfling can stand on a frozen lake?”
"I'll go grab some food," Warryn says, walking into the other room.
Tooltips | Snippet Code | How to Homebrew on D&D Beyond | Subclass Guide | Feature Roadmap
Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Sionnan's breathing isn't as heavy as it had been when Falser noticed her by the time he approaches her. She looks at him, her dark blue eyes wide, as she shakes her head a little. "No, I'm afraid I don't know how long a halfling can stand on a frozen lake." She replies softly, still clutching the tome to her chest.
Falser smiles, “Just long enough to break the ice. I’m Falser. Sorry for scaring you.” He holds out his hand to shake hers. “Would you rather stay here and read or come meet a talking bush?”
Sionnan looks at Falser a little bit as she processes the joke. As she finally gets it, a tiny smile appears on her face as she raises a hand to hide a giggle that leaves her. "I'm Sionnan," she says as she takes Falser's hand, "it's alright. I suppose I'm more jumpy than I thought I was." She shifts the tome so it can rest more easily in her one arm as she tilts her head just a little. "I... have never really met a talking bush before. There is one here?"
Falser smiles ,”I mean even for a bush he’s not very personable. Let me introduce you. “ Falser sets out for the food, staying within in reach of Sionnan. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a book like that. Granted, I haven’t seen many books.”
Sionnan smiles a little more as she sees Falser's smile. "I still would like to meet this bush, though." She follows behind Falser as close as she can, placing a hand on his shoulder a little as she does so. At the mention of her book, Sionnan glances down at the tome in her arm. "Ah, well, this isn't much of a book. It's more of a tome I believe."
Falser nods sagely, “I’m going to pretend I know the difference between a tome and a book.” Spotting Warryn and Hodgy, he walks Sionnan over to them. “Warryn and Hodgy, meet Sionnan.” He stands behind Hodgy pointing at him making broad smiling faces.
At the same time...
Ell picks her way over to where Arlanna sits, leaving her cloak folded over the back of her chair. She seats herself in the chair right next to Arlanna, and looks her in the eyes, head cocked slightly in curiousity. "Now who are you?"
Arlanna can be seen putting genuine effort into assuming a friendly smile as she looks at Ell. “You must be new,” she says, failing to conceal an air of haughty nobility. “That, or from out of town. I’m Arlanna Tylmarande.” She waits for the inevitable name recognition and the associated reaction of disdain or admiration, based on which of her relatives her questioner happens to remember first. “Who are you?”
"Not exactly new, just...isolated. Until a few years ago." Ell's eyebrows pull slightly into a frown in concentration. "Tylmarande...that name sounds vaguely familiar... You'll have to forgive me, it's difficult to learn an entire continent's stories in the span of five years."
Arlanna’s defenses drop a bit as her natural curiousity perks. “Five years? Where, I might ask, have you been for the rest of them? I don’t often have to remind people of Aribeth and Seldra Tylmarande.” She pauses, “though my life might be easier if people forgot the first entirely.” She composes herself, and asks again, “who are you?”
"Well, for the first hundred years, the Feywild. The other hundred..." Ell's smile becomes more forced, and the crystal at her throat glows faintly red for a moment. "...here and there. Anyway, I'm Ell. Pleasure. So, Arlanna, where are you from? I presume your family is of some notoriety here, judging by the way you talk about them, but have you explored or adventured beyond Neverwinter?"
“My responsibilities have kept me close. I haven’t had the luxury of far-travel,” she says, a touch of wistfulness creeping into her voice. “That is an... interesting... crystal,” she says, looking curiously at the gem glowing at Ell’s throat and then questioningly at her.
After getting a plate full of delicious food, Taliesin is ready to mingle. As he looks around he notices a girl with the most beautiful eye he has ever seen talking with another girl. He quickly approaches and introduces himself. "Well hello, my name is Taliesin Andrelus! Who might you two be?"
Ell glanced down at the crystal, seeming to just notice that it's glowing. She bites her lip, her smile momentarily fading, then glances back up. "A reminder. It's a little...in tune with my moods. And occasionally my memories. It's new, I'm still getting used to having it."
"That's pretty cool, where'd you get it?"
At Taliesin's question, Ell raises an amused eyebrow. "Ell. Pleasure." As questioning continues on the subject of her crystal, Ell's smile tightens, but she responds nonetheless. "A few years ago in Calimport."
Taliesin lifts Arlanna's hand to his lips and gives it a small kiss. "What a beautiful name, it's a pleasure to meet you Arlanna." After the elf tells the origin of the crystal Taliesin responds, "Well that's interesting, It's been a while since I've visited Calimport."
Ell nods. "I see. So you've traveled? Do tell." She leans back in the chair, crossing her legs neatly in an invitation for a long story.
"Yes, I've done quite a lot of traveling in my time actually. After I had turned 16 I joined a group and traveled city to city playing music and making money. Eventually my group was disbanded and we had to go our separate ways. After that I was sought out by the Harpers and have been with them ever since, completing any missions they give me." the half-elf replies. By this point he can't help but smile, he just loves getting to tell people about himself.
"So you were an entertainer? Do you still do that, or have you switched professions?"
Taliesin responds with enthusiasm, "I still do that, I was very well known for my funny jokes, great music, and amazing magic. I've even had nobles and lords seek me out to perform for them."
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Rethan is busy filling his plate with food when a gnome walks up to the table. "Hi, I'm Rethan."
"Hello Rethan! I'm Warryn," Warryn says, "And this is Hodgy, please do not be alarmed, he is friendly and can't harm you. Do they have snap peas?"
Rethan nods at Warryn, then after a moment nods politely to the plant as well. He looks over the table. "Looks like there's a plate of them in the back." He grabs the plate of snap peas and moves it to where the short gnome can reach it easier.
"Thank you," Warryn grabs a handful and stuffs it into his cloak pocket. He proceeds to pile a plate high with food, stuffing more into available pockets.
"Ah, here's some food, leave some for... me." Warryn passes the plate to Falser, he sticks out a hand to Sionann, "Nice to meet you, your name is..."
Sionnan opens her mouth to explain the difference between a book and a tome just as Falser introduces her to the gnome and a bush. She coughs and goes back to holding her tome against her chest before taking Falser's hand. "Sionnan," she replies simply. "I'm assuming that Hodgy is your leafy friend?"
Falser holding Sionnan’s hand with one hand takes the plate from Warryn. Falser stops and looks at the plate. His eyes get a little glazed over and somewhat wet with tears. The thought hits him quickly with an emotional weight behind it. No one, in his life, has ever fixed him food. A feeling of warmth hits him in the gut and he feels the coin in his pocket warm up.
Warryn shakes her hand, "Yes they are! Is that a spellbook? Are you a wizard? I'm a wizard too."
Sionnan blushes a little as Warryn notices her tome. "Ah, no. I'm a Warlock. There's nothing in this book, unfortunately."
"That's unfortunate, why don't you write something in it?" Warryn pulls a piece of cheese out his pocket and begins to eat it.
"I don't know how to just yet." Sionnan answers as she watches Warryn pull a piece of cheese out of his pocket. She realizes that she's holding onto Falser's hand and sheepishly smiles at Falser. "I'm sorry, Falser, I didn't mean to take a hand away from you." She says as she lets go.
"Why don't you try?" Warryn asks as he searches his cloak pockets. He grumbles, frustrated that he can't find what he's looking for. "Ah!" He pulls a book and a quill out of his apron's front pocket, he hands Sionann the quill.
Falser looks up broken out of contemplation. “No apologies needed. It was a natural fit.” He takes the hand and wipes his eyes a bit. “Im going to bring in a plate of food to an acquaintance. Save me a seat, I still need to learn about tomes and talking bushes.” Falser hurriedly brings the plate back into the main room. Still in a daze of light and warmth, he moves toward Arlanna who has gathered a bit of an audience.
Sionnan takes the quill, but she gently returns it to Warryn. "My patron said he would teach me when I gained more power, but thank you for your concern Warryn."
"Can you not write?" Warryn asks, now looking deeply concerned, "I can teach you! It's not hard!"
"Ah, in part yes. I don't know how to write down spells." Sionnan looks taken aback by the sudden concern from Warryn. "You're too kind to offer, Warryn. We've only just met."
Warryn shrugs, "I feel good about you and everyone else here!"
Tooltips | Snippet Code | How to Homebrew on D&D Beyond | Subclass Guide | Feature Roadmap
Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Falser looks up broken out of contemplation. “No apologies needed. It was a natural fit.” He takes the hand and wipes his eyes a bit. “Im going to bring in a plate of food to an acquaintance. Save me a seat, I still need to learn about tomes and talking bushes.”
Falser hurriedly brings the plate back into the main room. Still in a daze of light and warmth, he moves toward Arlanna who has gathered a bit of an audience.
"Ah! You'll have to forgive me for not knowing of you, I've only been in this area a few years." As the small halfling comes over to Arlanna with a plate of food, Ell turns to look at him. "And who are you, sir?"
Arlanna turns haughtily away from Falser, her attention focused on Taliesin. "I thought you looked familiar. I must have seen you perform at some point."
Falser notes the turn away and just puts the plate on the ground next to Arlanna’s chair. This feels more like the life that he remembers. He turns his back to the group and begins to walk away.
"Maybe" Taliesin replies, "Do you by chance remember where?"
Arlanna glances at Falser retreating and internally sighs. "Excuse me, just a moment," she says to Taliesin. "I will return shortly." She walks over to Falser, grabbing him by the elbow and pulling him to the side.
Falser freezes and shouts loudly as his elbow is grabbed “MY LADY WE JUST MET I DO NOT WANT TO GET A ROOM WITH YOU!”
Warryn looks at Falser, "Hodgy, go say hi to Falser for me." "But we just-" Hodgy is cut short by a glance from Warryn, "Fine." Hodgy wanders up to Falser.
Ell's eyebrows shoot up at Falser's shout. "What..." She shakes her head and turns to Taliesin. "What type of music do you prefer to performs? Do you have a favorite song? Also, are walking bushes common among Harpers?"
Arlanna hesitates for a moment, anger and embarrassment showing on her face. She pulls him roughly by the elbow, her voice getting lower and losing it's noble lilt. "Listen, kid, the one thing I asked you to do was NOT to embarrass me. You may be Dungar's golden boy, but that doesn't mean I won't make your life miserable. I'm stuck with you and you're stuck with me. Don't mess this up!"
Taliesin walks out of the room. As he leaves he holds up his index finger giving the universal sign for "one minute".
Ell shakes her head at the abrupt sequence of events, then goes to get some food. Walking in, she sees the group and waves as she goes over to the table and puts some green grapes on a plate.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
"Thank you for the vote of confidence, Warryn..." Sionnan trails off as she hears Falser shout, jumping a little bit and instinctively hugging her tome to her chest again.
Warryn looks at Falser, "Hodgy, go say hi to Falser for me."
"But we just-" Hodgy is cut short by a glance from Warryn, "Fine."
Hodgy wanders up to Falser.
Arlanna hesitates for a moment, anger and embarrassment showing on her face. She pulls Falser roughly by the elbow, her voice getting lower and losing it's noble lilt. "Listen, kid, the one thing I asked you to do was NOT to embarrass me. You may be Dungar's golden boy, but that doesn't mean I won't make your life miserable. I'm stuck with you and you're stuck with me. Don't mess this up!"
Sionnan just stands there in shock as she just slowly tries to find a seat to sit down in and get herself back together. She was breathing heavy again.
Ell takes several deep breaths, the red glow of her crystal slowly fading. She shakes her head, and goes back into the food room, where she picks up her plate, adds an apple to the grapes and comes back out. She fires Taliesin a slightly amused, slightly irritated look, then goes over to Sionnan and sits down next to her. "You okay? That was pretty startling."
Sionnan looks to Ell and only nods a little. She takes in a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "Yeah, that was... I don't know how I'm going to process this." She replies as she rubs a hand against her face. "But, I certainly lost my appetite."
"I believe that our performer had the notion we would be doing word puzzles with the name of the tiefling who stormed our secret meeting." Ell shrugs smoothly. "I hope you regain your appetite before the meeting itself begins-the food is actually quite good." Popping a grape into her mouth, Ell gets up and sweeps up to Taliesin with the grace and poise of a hundred years of training. "And next time you want a practical joke to go over well, I wouldn't suggest disguising yourself as a large, flying thing with a big sword and storming a meeting of highly trained spies. Just a suggestion." Her smile widens and she heads for her seat.
Sionnan is going to curl up a little in her seat when Ell leaves her. She starts shaking a little as a memory washes over her, and she closes her eyes tight for a moment as she reminds herself that she was safe and okay. It was just a joke.
Ell sees Sionnan and changes course, heading back over to her. "Have history with fiends?"
Sionnan shakes her head a little. "No. Not fiends, just." She takes a breath as she uncurls. "I just got here from a warzone."'
"I see. I've got a little experience with traumatic memories. I know you said you lost your appetite, but I will say it can help to eat something bland. It helps to focus on anything other than the memories, and you've got two senses there-taste and feel. Moving around a bit can also help. What do you say we go get a little fruit, or some bread?"
Sionnan looks to Ell and nods a little. "Yeah a little bit of bread and fruit might help." She agrees as she tries to find a place to set her tome down. She knows she needs her hands to carry her plate.
"You can put that down on my chair. We won't be gone long." Ell begins to lead Sionnan towards the food. "I didn't actually catch your name-mine's Ell."
Sionnan places her her tome in Ell's chair before she gets up to follow. "I'm Sionnan, it's nice to meet you, Ell. How long have you been with the Harpers?"
"Just a few years-I joined as soon as I could find them, which was hard, I can tell you. What about you?"
"I... joined almost a few months ago. But I was from a different cell. This is my first time here in Neverwinter."
"I've only been in Neverwinter a few times. Well, one time before this, and I didn't really have time to sightsee. So we're both new here." As they arrive at the buffet, Ell hands Sionnan a plate. "I can't speak to the bread, but the grapes and apples are almost as good as they were at home, before-" Ell catches herself before she reveals more than she wants to, and grins. "And it's difficult to top where I'm from."
Sionnan listens to Ell and nods a little. "Ah, I see." She smiles a little as she's handed a plate. "Alright, I'll try at least the grapes and apples." She gives Ell another small, almost shaky smile before taking a small handful of grapes and an apple. She also manages to take a small piece of bread.
"So Sionnan, where are you from? And how much have you traveled?" Ell picks up a couple more grape bunches and starts going back to where they had been sitting.
"I'm from outside of Neverwinter, if you couldn't guess." Sionnan follows Ell. "I haven't traveled far, just... from nearby."
"What's your favorite place where you've been?"
Malquis had stayed out of the banal conversation going on around him. Watching the others, their actions and interactions, was always more instructive than interacting. At first anyway. It was a most curious gathering, he had to admit. A pair of gnomes - and a sentient bush, apparently - they could prove useful.That fool of a halfling had trailed in after the noble - it would be interesting to see what he had to offer. The woman though, she seemed to be of a higher station by the way she carried herself. Mal was about to go speak to her when the throng descended upon her. Tylmarande - of course. She had looked vaguely familiar, but now it clicked. He was certain they'd spoken once or twice in the past. he continued to watch as things git more and more interesting. The bard, slick and confident as they always were, trying to woo the poor woman, again the fool halfling interrupting his betters, the poor, scared little girl. She must have more to her story than it appeared.
“Home. But, Neverwinter’s a close second.” Sionnan nods a little. “What about you, Ell?”
Ell nibbles her lip as she thinks. "If you'd asked me a hundred years ago, I'd have said home too. Without hesitation. The Feywild is beautiful, and it's still up there, but now I'd have to say the Sunset Mountains. Or maybe the Star Mounts, in the High Forest." Ell blushes slightly, even the faint color very noticeable on her pale skin. "I've been able to travel quite a lot in the last few years." At Malquis's interjection, Ell's smile drops completely. "If you feel you should, who is anyone to stop you?" Her eyes remain cold as she smiles. "Pleasure."
“The Feywild?” And at that, a sparkle enters Sionnan’s eyes. “Oh, you’ll have to tell me more please!” Sionnan exclaims just before the Eladrin approaches and makes his introduction. Quickly the excitement fades, and Sionnan is left back to her shy self, slightly embarrassed at such an outburst from herself. She nods a little to Mal. “He, perhaps, thought it would have gone over better than it had.” She replies and dips her head in a small bow. “It’s a pleasure, Malquis.”
Ell's smile becomes more genuine, and her eyes soften at Sionnan's excitement. "I'd be happy to tell you all about it, Sionnan. Ask me anything you want."
Mal quirks an eyebrow at Ell's tone. "What's to stop me? Merely your word, lady. If you ask me to go, I shall. To do otherwise would be impolite." He takes a step back and offers a small bow to Sionann, in acknowledgement of her greeting. "Perhaps his jokes would be best saved for a more suitable time and place then, where they would be better received." He falls silent and turns his attention back to Ell when she speaks. "I, too, would like to hear more of your life beyond the veil, my lady. It's been some time since I was back there myself."
"Well it's been over a century since I've been back, so I doubt I'll know anything you don't. But please, by all mean, have a seat and listen." Ell's eyes get somehow colder before she turns to Sionnan. "The Feywild is wildly beautiful. There are few places on the Material Plane that can compare to it in that way." Ell's face becomes wistful as she remembers. "And the cities...eladrin architecture is quite a sight to behold. It blends stone and living wood together with water elements and other plants. My village was literally built into a copse of trees." Ell's wistful smile drops abruptly. "Of course, the downside of eladrin architecture is that it comes with eladrin-which is why I haven't been back in over a century."
Taking a seat with the pair at Ell's "invitation", Mal listens as she describes her home to Sionann. He smiles at her final comment. "I cannot disagree, else I may still be there myself. A beautiful, ever-changing place, but still lacking in something that draws us here on occasion. I admit, the Sword Coast is a fascinating place, as are it's people. What about you, Sionann? What led you here to Neverwinter?"
Sionnan listens to Ell and the sparkle comes back as she grabs her emerald colored tome. She could hardly believe her ears as Ell spun such a tale. Mal’s interjection only added just a bit, but at the question of why she was brought to Neverwinter, the sparkle in her eyes immediately dulled again. Sionnan, out of pure habit now, hugged the tome close to her chest. “I don’t want to talk about it.” She says softly, as tears start to form at the corner of her eyes.
"Of course you don't have to talk about it." Ell gently sets her hand on Sionnan's arm and glares daggers at Mal. "And for your information, it wasn't any sort of lack in the Feywild that drew me here. Perhaps you should make fewer assumptions-about everyone."
With a shake of his head, Mal stands. "I'm very sorry, I certainly didn't mean to upset you. It's none of my business why you came here, of course, I was merely making conversation. Perhaps we can talk another time. With more pleasant company." He turns to Ell. "I'm not sure how I've so offended you, but there is no need to be so rude, I'm quite sure. I'll leave you two to your little... chat."
Sionnan shakes her head, as if to shake away her tears. “No, no, it’s not your fault Malquis.” She takes a breath and closes her eyes. “I came here... because something terrible happened to my cell of Harpers.” Sionnan opens her eyes, and the tears start rolling down her face. “I came here because of a lead I was given.”
Mal hesitates, then turns back to Sionann. "I'm sorry for your loss," he offers in a low voice. "It must hsve been terrible indeed. Your lead, is it about what happened? About who was responsible? We all stand with each other. I'm sure it won't go unpunished."
Sionnan wipes the tears away with the back of her hand and part of her shirt's sleeve. "I don't remember much, I'm sorry. It's been a trying four weeks. I've had to get through a war zone to get here." She explains as she sniffs and tries not to start breaking out into a sobbing fit. That wouldn't do.
Ell stands as well, meeting Mal's eyes calmly, but not quite as coldly as before, her crystial glowing a faint red. "Perhaps I was quite unnecessarily rude. I apologize, I don't have a very good history with other eladrin, and I was unfairly projecting that onto you." Her crystal subsides as she sits back down and returns her attention to Sionnan. "I'm so sorry Sionnan. It sound like you've had a very difficult time lately, and I suspect Taliesin's joke didn't help after that journey."
"Let me get you something to drink. Perhaps that will help you feel a little better after such a scare. Ell is right, of course, that can't have helped at all." He turns back to the other eladrin. "Apology accepted, of course, and I apologize to you as well, if I came across poorly. We are on the same team here, so hopefully we can put this unpleasantness behind us and start fresh. If you'll excuse me." With that, Mal heads out to the table where the food is laid out, looking for something for Sionann.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Warryn looks at Falser, "Need a cracker?" He pulls three out of his cloak pocket.
“Yep. I’m a no meat guy. Crackers are a major part of my diet.” Falser brushes the dirt off of his clothes as he gets ups. Taking the cracker he rubs his temples a bit. “Sucks that I went down like a sack of potatoes. Did I at least look good as I stood up to the crazy flaming sword demon? Be honest.”
"You looked wonderful. I have some potato salad." Warryn says.
Ell pauses at Falsers's question and turns back for a moment. "You looked very heroic. And also quite suicidal."
“He looked heroic but suicidal. You know something, I can live with that! I’d love some potato salad. I may go find a place to lean up against until this inkling of a headache leaves.” Falser walks over to a seat up against the wall and rests his head up against the cool stone. “You stood up to a demon today. You badass halfling you.”
Warryn scurries over and grabs a glass of water for Falser.
"So, are you from around here?" Warryn asks Falser.
Falser, finally feeling more like himself, pulls his head away from the cool wall. “Yeah actually. I’ve spent the majority of my life working at a tiny shithole Inn not too far from here. What about you?” Reaching for the water, “Thanks by the way. For giving me food and water. That’s really nice of you.”
"Oh, no, don't mention it. I'm from Neverwinter as well. I don't think I can leave, I've," Warryn laughs, "put down roots."
Falser laughs, “I don’t get the joke. But I’m glad you’re making one.” Falser scopes out the room keeping track of the comings and goings of people. “What do you mean you can’t leave?”
"To leave Neverwinter," Warryn says, "I'd have to move all of my plants and Hodgy's the only mobile plant I like."
Falser sits up a little straighter. “Hey where is Hodgy?”
"Oh, they're with Oppah," Warryn says, waving off the question.
Falser gives a wink to Warryn. This small friendship becoming a source of light already for Falser. “Should we branch out a bit? Meet some more of our Harpers brethren?”
"I think so. There was a man in the hallway named... Rethan! And there seems to be an argument between those elves and Sionann, I'm going to go see what the ruckus is all about." Warryn points out, "There's also Oppah over there talking to... I don't recognize them, but they seem pretty lost in thought."
"I'll see you around!" Warryn waves, seeing the elf wander off from the elf and Sionann, the gnome decides to follow. "Hello sir, would you like a grape?" Warryn says to the nicely dressed elf.
Mal turns when he hears Warryn address him . "Ah, master gnome! A grape? Thank you." He takes the offered fruit, absently popping it into his mouth. "Malquis," he says in an even tone, hoping to avoid another issue as he'd had with Ell over s simple, friendly introduction. "And you? You were with another gnome. And a shrub of some sort were you not? Most curious." He spots a ewer of wine and pours a small amount for Sionann while he waits for his companion to respond.
"Yes. The name's Warryn. The shrub, more specifically the barberry bush is named Hodgy. The other gnome is my sister." Warryn pulls a cracker out of his cloak and begins nibbling on it. "Will you introduce me to that other elf? I don't believe I've met her before."
"Introduce you? I suppose so, though I only just met her myself. Come, I need to bring this drink to the younger girl anyway." Mal leads the way back to where Sionann and Ell still sit talking. "Here you are, a little wine to calm the nerves," he offers, handing the glass to Sionann. "Lady Ell, this is Warryn. He's here with his sister, and a... barberry bush, apparently. He said you hadn't been introduced yet."
Sionnan accepts the glass. “Thank you, Malquis.” She says as she sees a familiar face. “Warryn, good to see you again. Hodgy and I never did get to say hello.”
"Hello Lady Ell! Would you like a..." He rummages through Ell smiles at the offer. "Why not? But please, just Ell. I've been wondering this since I first saw it, are animated bushes common among Harpers?"
"Nope! Just me!" Warryn says, "Hodgy is socializing with Oppah, but if you wish to speak with them I can call them over."
Ell frowns in confusion. "Who's Hodgy? I just see the barberry bush over there with the other gnome."
"Hodgy is the barberry bush." Warryn explains, "Would you like to meet them?"
"Sure, why not?" Ell glances at Sionnan. "As long as you're okay? Or you could come with, if you're all right. I can tell you more about the Feywild on the way over."
"The Feywild?" Warryn gasps, "Have you been there? Are the plants really as crazy as I remember? Do you know any fey? Is it warm? I think it was fairly hot. Oh, you don't need to stand up, Hodgy's coming over already. Are there really elves that live in trees? Is it common for people to hit each other? Can you go back?" Warryn takes a long breath.is pockets, "A piece of prosciutto?"
Meanwhile Taliesin has been sitting down working on some music with his lyre. As soon as he begins to play you all hear the most beautiful song you have ever heard. The music has such power as it makes your emotions rise to the surface with very little power to conceal it. The music reminds you all of tragic loss and your most happiest of memories.
Ell blinks, rather taken aback at the sudden storm of questions. "I-alright, I'm taking this one question at a time. First, I'm from there, so yes, I've been there, although not in the last century or so. Second, the plants are quite...robust compared to the ones here, so yes? I did know fey, my entire village was made up of eladrin. And yes, we technically lived in trees, since the houses grew out of them. It's warm sometimes, depends on the area. People hitting each other isn't particularly common where I'm from, certaintly not more than it is here. I suppose I could go back if I wanted to, but I would have to find a fey crossing, and I don't anyway." As Taliesin's music begins, Ell's crystal, which had been glowing very faintly, suddenly goes totally dark. She smiles. "The Feywild is like a more fantastic version of this plane. It's amazing, and one of my favorite things to do was just pick a spot and go there, no matter how far away are hard to get to it was." Ell shakes herself out of her memories. "Ready for your next round of questions."
Warryn nods rapidly, "It's the plane of heightened emotions, a crush becomes a deep love, annoyance becomes anger, surprise or fascination can make people act like small children. Do you know where fey crossings are? I think there's one south of the city, but I don't think it still works. How do fey crossings work? Does it require a password, blood, an offering?"
"I don't know where any fey crossings are, sorry. I came through one near Calimport, and I haven't really looked for any others. The one I came through didn't appear to need any sort of offering or password, my cap-I just walked through and boom, I was in the Material Plane."
"Calimport? You may have to show me that on a map. Later though." Warryn says.
Tooltips | Snippet Code | How to Homebrew on D&D Beyond | Subclass Guide | Feature Roadmap
Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
The conversations between the Harpers delved deeper as they continued to chatter, everyone unaware to Aejossin silently slipping out of the room. He returned later wearing a face of worry and despair. It had been nearly two hours since the first Harper had arrived, and besides these nine, no one else had shown. With a heavy heart, he spoke. "So.. *this* is what is left of the Harpers after Cymril's betrayal. Nine Watchers of Neverwinter." He chuckled at a thought. "It almost reminds me of the Neverwinter Nine during the Alagondarian reign... and *much* less of the New Nine Dagult has ushered in underneath him."
"Regardless," he continued, "this is what I feared, and yet needed to know. You nine have remained loyal to the incorruptibility and pure intents of our cause, and for that I applaud you. As many of you know, Neverwinter is in a horrible state of being. The city is in shambles, and corruption breeds within the hearts of its leaders. Perhaps some of you have heard of the Beggar's Black Death?"
Rethan nods, grimacing.
Falser nods solemnly, the faces of men, women, and children dancing at the field of his vision. People left behind by a city that couldn’t protect them. He stares at Arlanna sitting across the room.
Arlanna, who re-enters the chamber just after Aejossin, remains at the back of the room listening. She flinches slightly at the mention of Cymril’s betrayal. When Aejossin speaks of the Black Death, she inadvertently glances at Falser and catches him looking back at her. There is a momentary exchange. “I told you so,” she seems to say with her eyes.
Warryn and Oppah nod somberly. Hodgy, peaking in between Warryn and Oppah's chairs mutters in agreement.
Sionnan sits and listens, and the tears she tried to hold back earlier start rolling down her face now. Her fingers curl around the tome in her lap as she hangs her head and lets her dark hair curtain over her face. Her body language definitely shows that she knows.
He watched their reactions carefully, nodding at the verbal and bodily cues. "For those who are not aware, it only makes sense: the New Nine have made sure to cover up the situation well," he said as he stoked the flames of the fire. "Some say it's like the Wailing Death from history. Others say it's new and worse, some new machination of whatever entities lay beneath the sealed Chasm.
"About a month ago, a new plague began sweeping across the Beggar's Nest. It started with a cough, then developed into black lines tracing across the populace's neck, causing asphyxiation. The New Nine, using the wall which separated the district from Neverwinter during the Chasm's opening, have sealed them off from the outside world, placing them in quarantine in hopes the plague will die if they wait it out. While I can see the reasoning behind it: resources are just stretched too thin with the war to try and cure a plague, *I* can't just sit back and watch thousands die."
"Agreed, do we know how to stop it?" Warryn asks.
"Well. First, we need to find a way *into* the Beggar's Nest," he spoke. "Once inside, it's all in Tymora's hands."
Falser jumps up. His eyes going wide, “I KNOW A WAY IN!”
Sionnan flinches again as Falser yells. She raises a hand to wipe her face and she takes a breath to try and collect herself. Sionnan reaches over to grab her wine glass, but she realizes that it’s empty.
Ell shakes her head and mutters under her breath "Of course it's through the sewers." She glances over at Sionnan and speaks in a low voice "Just breathe. Try to eat a grape or some bread. It's okay, you're safe, we just have a rather overenthusiastic halfling here."
Sionnan nods to Ell and picks up a grape to munch on. She stays silent as she watches everyone discuss. Sionnan didn't feel like this was her kind of place to speak up about anything. She had no idea what to do.
Rethan interjects, "Getting in shouldn't be too hard. The quarantine is designed to keep people from getting OUT. Always easier to go the other way."
Falser points to Rethan smiling, “Exactly. Now it’s been a few week since I’ve used it and it does go through the sewers and it has been known to house some nasty critters and sometimes people don’t come back... but other than that it’s absolutely perfect!”
Rethan shakes his head. "Why's it always the sewer..."
“Excuse me,” Arlanna says from the back of the room, “I’d like to know more of the plan before we all expose ourselves to this plague. I’m not saying what they did was right, but so far it has prevented the rest of the city from getting this disease. Is this unknown plan worth risking our lives and the lives of everyone else of the city?”
Falser looks at her incredulously. “Are you kidding me? We’re good guys now. This is what we do. This part of the city needs help and no one else is providing it. The plan used previously failed, so they’re sending in Plan B.” Falser makes a broad sweeping gesture indicating everyone in the room.
Rethan murmers under his breath, "Or maybe plan H..."
"What do we do once we're in the Nest?" Warryn asks, "I've got a range of concoctions I've mixed up, but I don't know if I have enough to do a controlled experiment, it also doesn't sound like we have time..."
“Another option... not everyone has to go. A few of us could go in and try to set up communication with the people waiting safe behind...” Falser says the last words while staring pointedly at Arlanna.
“You mistake caution for cowardice,” Arlanna says, returning Falser’s gaze, a flash of anger in her golden eyes. “Of course something needs to be done, but getting ourselves and everyone else in the city sick while we’re doing it is not going to help anyone in the long term. I know that some of us,” she stares pointedly at him, “like to rush into things without thinking, but others of us who have more experience, realize that a well-thought-out plan is better than taking unnecessary risks.”
Falser rolls his eyes, “Empires have been built and lost on the bodies of men being too cautious to do anything. I get having a plan. However, there is something to be said for getting there and trusting our instincts. Plan away.” Falser, realizing he’s still standing from his initial outburst, walks over and perches crouched on his chair. He’s too amped to sit correctly.
Unable to let this go, Arlanna’s voice raises a bit. “ You have a plan? You have a plan as to how to avoid getting the plague? I’m sorry, I didn’t realize that you were trained in medicine as well. It seems that you have a plan to get behind the wall. Lovely. What I’m asking you to do, is think beyond the immediate need to get beyond the wall and consider what might happen after that. I am merely asking you to have the foresight to have an actual plan to help these people without killing yourself, all of us, and everyone else in the city.”
“Perhaps you might consider listening to those who know better than you and allowing the more experienced people in this room to formulate a plan from beginning to end.”
Ell clears her throat lightly. "Perhaps we could remember that we're all on the same side here? I'm sure everyone here has something to contribute, so let's all take a deep breath and try to work together here."
Sionnan flinches back a little as she listens to Arlanna. Again, that green tome finds it way back in her arms and against her chest. She still doesn't speak, but she does give Ell a grateful nod. It seems she has the same thoughts.
Arlanna leans back against the wall, giving Ell a slight nod and glowering at Falser.
Falser nods solemnly “Yes Arlanna. You’re a Harper, a little decorum please. Let’s figure this out.”
Ell fires Falser a glare. "I said everybody, I meant everybody."
Falser nods at Ell. “Sorry. Mouth got away from me. It does that.”