“Good then,” Morwen states. She takes you all on a brisk tour, taking the scenic route first northward, pointing out the Guildmaster's hall, which prompts her to explain that, like Waterdeep, the city council is composed of the city's most prominent guild masters and temple high priests. Then she points out the various permanent shops, temples, and city buildings as they come into view. On arriving at the north entrance to the city, the one by which most of you came by, she explains that it is called Farmer’s Gate, due to the preponderance of farmlands around the north end of the city - which is what most of its some 400 residents do for a living.
From there she turns southward, cutting a path in between buildings, continuing to explain their purposes, occasionally mentioning some factoid about their history, etc., until eventually reaching the southernmost gate to the city, the one that anyone that took a ferry came in by, explaining that, for obvious reasons, it is called the River Gate. You arrive in time to find it open, allowing you to step out just beyond it and revealing the small harbor area for receiving boats coming in from either direction on the Delimbyr river. She explains that only longboats, skiffs, and the smallest of sailing boats can arrive directly to its piers, and only from the east, as the river to the west is blocked by the bridge across the river that opens into the road known as the Trade Way, so named because it is the widest, safest, and most wagon-friendly road connecting it to its larger neighbors, and thus the one which trade caravans, like the caravan Hnefa arrived with, come to Daggerford by, entering through the town's westernmost gate, which is why it's called the Caravan Gate.
She adds that the bridge across the Delimbyr used to be a ford in the river and is supposed to be the location where the town's famed 'founder' successfully fended off a group of lizardmen with only a dagger, giving the city its name. She smiles while admitting that she harbors doubts as to the veracity of the tale, as these sorts of tales tend to grow bigger with age and especially given that many of the towns earlier dukes would claim to be a direct descendant of the boy, 'Tyndal', with no previous surname or any records to support it. It seemed a convenient and deliberate omission for him to have had no previous surname, Morwen muses, almost rambling again. Then she seems to remember herself and her company and returns to more current information that is demonstrably true. Regardless of its historical significance, its current significance is clear - the ford has become a stone bridge that is impossible to pass on ships larger than rowboats. Any ships from its larger neighbors, including the ferries from Waterdeep, as well as larger ships, such as warships and galleys, have to dock at a set of piers nearly a mile and a half due west from the gate, allowing for trade with larger vessels, but making an invasion by naval forces near impossible.
In the piers directly in front of the city, there is now just one still receiving a longboat, probably the reason the River Gate is uncharacteristically open, with the few remaining dockworkers on-duty hurriedly unloading its cargo so they can be finished for the day, a fact that seems to have caused its dwarven captain some degree of consternation, as he repeatedly barks at the workers, reminding them that the crates they are hauling with carts and pulleys are full of expensive spirits, for use in the upcoming Midsummer’s Festival.
From the River Gate, Morwen leads the group up the main south to north road cutting through the center of the entire town that, if not for the incline followed by a sharp turn, it would almost allow you to see the northern wall of the city from River Gate. But alas, the hill it straddles is too steep to see past the large, imposing outer gate to the castle at the top of the hill, on your right coming up from the south. The road, aptly named Hill Road, first leads past a ship builder, then the main stables for the city, and then all that can be seen to your right is the ducal castle, Castle Daggerford, some distance beyond a towering wall that is passable by the upcoming gate on the hilltop. However, just before the gate, Dawn is excited to notice the city’s temple to Lathander. Morwen needs not point it out, as she is unable to stop herself from saying “Oh, that’s a temple of Lathander!”, the moment that the hill has leveled enough for it to come into view.
“Exactly so,”Morwen smiles.“It’s closed now, but I’m sure they’d be more than happy to receive you for morning prayers - being the Morninglord and all,” she suggests. "As you can probably see, it was built well before the Second Sundering, when Lathander was only known as Amaunator, hence the difference in its architecture from more modern temples to the Morninglord that you may be more familiar with."
During the tour, Reyna is noticeably quiet. Dawn, Bree, and Eltra note that she is trying but failing to conceal a rising level of apprehension, one that Morwen remains oblivious or willfully ignorant to. Whenever she addresses the group, Morwen speaks with elegance and a practiced grace that makes each of you feel respected; there’s not a hint of surprise for her to be discussing her city with such an eclectic group, as if she had met a thousand harengons, asimars, and goliaths before - and indeed, she probably has met a thousand gnomes. It’s hard not to feel a certain degree of admiration for the woman, who by all accounts and rumors has had anything but an easy life. That she has clear admiration and respect for Reyna only serves to deepen your own sense of curiosity, if not respect, for her as well, despite the fact that she’s a lot more difficult to read than Morwen. If someone like Morwen trusts and respects her, then it seems reasonable to do so as well. That said, the more any of you find Morwen to be admirable, the more her distaste for ‘Mr. V’ is unsettling. Those of you (if any) that find Reyna to be more interesting, if not admirable, however, are comforted by her assessment of her own employer.
During the remaining journey there, Morwen has likewise gone quiet - perhaps out of breath from the incline, or perhaps just out of things to say. She is walking abreast of Reyna and the rest of the group, however, so anyone with questions for either of them senses that this would be a good time to ask them, as even though they are nearing the castle gate, the actual castle is a fair distance beyond, behind another gate.
(OOC: +20XP for getting a tour of Daggerford from its Duchess. A map of the city of Daggerford, complete with labels now, is to follow below - feel free to ask details about any of the buildings with labels, as they represent buildings that were pointed out by Morwen. If I'm going too fast let me know - I'm going to be unable to post for a lot of the day, so I'm posting more quickly than I will normally - I'll try to match all of your speeds generally. If there was something you wanted to do or say at any point prior, drop it in here and we'll make it work).
(OOC: Oh, and Merry Christmas, to those of you that celebrate Christmas :)).
(You’re adding exp points and money to our sheets or should we? Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays!)
Eltra follows along feigning interest with “uh huhs” and “fascinating”. He is more interested in the mission, Reyna, and finally meeting V. Although Eltra has received help from V in the past, he’s never actually met the person. “Thanks for the tour. What a wonderful little town. So, now that we’ve seen the town…..” Eltra trails off looking at the others.
(You’re adding exp points and money to our sheets or should we? Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays!)
Eltra follows along feigning interest with “uh huhs” and “fascinating”. He is more interested in the mission, Reyna, and finally meeting V. Although Eltra has received help from V in the past, he’s never actually met the person. “Thanks for the tour. What a wonderful little town. So, now that we’ve seen the town…..” Eltra trails off looking at the others.
OOC:
I'm adding the XP and money or have been so far. If it gets to a time when I'm getting overwhelmed setting these kinds of things, I'll specify - eg; everyone please add X amount of gold pieces or XP to your characters.
I've no objection with your character having had some previous interaction with Mr. V, I quite like the idea actually, but could write a little about it in your backstory? I'm not seeing much to your history. The more you all write about your characters, the more ways I'll be able to find to bring them directly into the plots and subplots.
(You’re adding exp points and money to our sheets or should we? Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays!)
Eltra follows along feigning interest with “uh huhs” and “fascinating”. He is more interested in the mission, Reyna, and finally meeting V. Although Eltra has received help from V in the past, he’s never actually met the person. “Thanks for the tour. What a wonderful little town. So, now that we’ve seen the town…..” Eltra trails off looking at the others.
Sensing your impatience, the Duchess smiles a little, but not nearly as much as Reyna, slightly to her rear such that she doesn't notice.
Morwen: "My, my, you're an eager sort - a useful quality, but best when measured with equal proportions of patience. I know you're eager to get going on whatever this... thing... Mr. V. has set you to do, but it's far too late to begin a journey anywhere now. Besides, any friend of Ms. Nydlar is a friend mine, and I'd be remiss not to treat a friend to a bed for the night when I've got so many to spare these days. All I ask in return is that you keep an old woman company for a brief supper - As I mentioned, I have something to ask of your little adventuring party as well. Something with almost certainly less strings than the master of puppets, Mr. V., has undoubtedly secretly attached to his tasks."
Reyna's smile vanishes. She seems about to protest, but stops short, biting her tongue, and instead gives the back of Morwen's head a mockingly goofy face, imitating her regal bearing but comically amplifying it to the point of ridiculousness. Morwen seems to sense she's being mocked somehow, and turns her head toward Reyna - but alas, Reyna is too quick for the older woman and has resumed a completely somber and respectful expression. She even manages to arch an eyebrow with slight indignance, as if to say, "what? What did I do?"
Morwen frowns a little, her suspicion not fully abated, but with no proof to go on, she turns back in time to give a nod of greetings and thanks to the gate guards, who had just opened the outer gate, revealing the castle courtyard and castle beyond.
Instantly, Reyna resumes her regal parody of the Duchess, now adding with it an overly regal walk. Only this time it is observed by one of the guards, who is unable to stop himself from laughing. As a result, Morwen spins her head around far faster than anyone would have thought possible, this time catching the last vestiges of the silly face Reyna wasn't able to remove completely in time. Knowing she's busted, she plays into it instead, and sneezes, making as if her expression had just been due to an oncoming bit fit of sneezing. It's such a compelling sneeze that once again, Morwen frowns, but seems to have bought the deception. Not pushing her luck any further, Reyna instead glares at the guard who laughed, hard, until he lowers his gaze to his feet in shame. Satisfied, Reyna resumes her normal posture and expression.
In contrast to Eltra, Dawn in genuinely interested in the tour. This is her first time out of Waterdeap, and even in Waterdeep, she had seldom been outside the temple grounds, and when she was, she was on an errand with no time for sightseeing. So she follows along intently, taking it all in. But seeing another temple to Lathander was the highlight of the tour!
Bree enjoys the tour, seeing the town and how it differs from her own small village of only 80 people. Seeing how the people interact, noticing it's not much different than her own home village or the other small cities she's been to on her travels.
Gus follows along, taking note of the shops and the church, making his way next to Bree, he clears his throat a bit, "madame Bree, I understand you're a sorcerer? Reyna mentioned it's like a wizard but you don't train for your spells? Might I inquire, how does that work?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Geren can't help but feel a measure of respect for Feydon the Cold. Even captured and facing execution the pirate's managed to keep his cool.
On the tour of the city Geren feels a surge of resentment. He grew up on the edges of the nobility and was even allowed in the same circles as them until the fateful duel that saw him blacklisted. And now his only hope of achieving the position he deserved lay with either the Zhentarim or the mysterious "Mr. V." He should have been allowed to rise on his own merits, but birth decided far too much.
Lathander (or Amaunator)'s temple was another sore spot. The god was supposed to represent hope, but Levistus had been the only one to reach out to Geren. That aid might only have been a few spells, but it was more than any other divine being had given him. And with them, his skill with the blade, and the rest of the his talents Geren would achieve his ambitions.
Geren sees no reason not to take advantage of Morwen's offer of food, shelter, and possibly taking on an additional task. And she might be a useful contact. He turns on the charm.
"Thank you for the invitation, we'd be happy to accept your hospitality."
Morwen explains that the castle was based on the first building in Daggerford, but it has changed quite a lot since the old days. For a while, it was the only building, a simple wooden structure surrounded by a palisade fence.
After it was burned down in an orc raid from the High Moor, it was rebuilt in stone, and the people of the castle began building this outside wall of the castle, which are now the city walls, paving way for the town as it stands today.
Beyond the first gate to the castle grounds is a sizable courtyard, which contains a blacksmith shop, and stables for the duchess’s animals. She notes that larder is well-stocked with preserved food, enough for a year’s siege.
Dawn had noted that while on the town side of the Temple of Lathander, the dome on top was decorated with rosy stones and glittering quartz, creating the image of a shining sun in homage to then Amaunator, and now Lathander, and is still thinking of that beautiful mosaic when, after getting clear enough into the castle courtyard, Morwen bids for her to turn around and look again. As Dawn does so, she sees that the other side had been a facade, and the eastern wall is entirely absent, leaving a half-domed structure open to the rising sun, a clear vestigial quality from its Amauntor days that nevertheless still seems appropriate in the worship of Lathander. Morwen smiles as Dawn takes it in; she is clearly proud of the town and its history.
Geren can't help but feel a measure of respect for Feydon the Cold. Even captured and facing execution the pirate's managed to keep his cool.
On the tour of the city Geren feels a surge of resentment. He grew up on the edges of the nobility and was even allowed in the same circles as them until the fateful duel that saw him blacklisted. And now his only hope of achieving the position he deserved lay with either the Zhentarim or the mysterious "Mr. V." He should have been allowed to rise on his own merits, but birth decided far too much.
Lathander (or Amaunator)'s temple was another sore spot. The god was supposed to represent hope, but Levistus had been the only one to reach out to Geren. That aid might only have been a few spells, but it was more than any other divine being had given him. And with them, his skill with the blade, and the rest of the his talents Geren would achieve his ambitions.
Geren sees no reason not to take advantage of Morwen's offer of food, shelter, and possibly taking on an additional task. And she might be a useful contact. He turns on the charm.
"Thank you for the invitation, we'd be happy to accept your hospitality."
Persuasion: 28
Morwen nods and smiles. "Good, I'm glad - you'll certainly find our food and board to be at least a notch or two higher than the inns in town. I'll lead you to some of my finest, allow you time to freshen up, and we can reconvene in the dining hall. I'll send someone to escort you there in a short while, yes?"
Reyna nods - her apprehension seems to have been replaced with calculation. Of what, it's impossible to say. "Of course, your grace," she answers.
Gus follows along, taking note of the shops and the church, making his way next to Bree, he clears his throat a bit, "madame Bree, I understand you're a sorcerer? Reyna mentioned it's like a wizard but you don't train for your spells? Might I inquire, how does that work?"
Bree smiles at him warmly, glad to be asked about something other than how much like a rabbit she is.
"As a sorcerer, I learn my spell more by instinct than study. I do study magic to a degree, my grandmother is a druid and taught me that at first. It was actually while I was trying to learn the cantrip druidcraft that I learned prestidigitation. My grandmother seeing the signs tried to help me learn how better to open myself up to the weave. As I get stronger I learn more spells. I do know a couple of druid spells. We think my magic might come from one of my ancestors contact with a dragon. It's not clear what the relationship between the two was, it was just a story passed down in my family."
Dawn had noted that while on the town side of the Temple of Lathander, the dome on top was decorated with rosy stones and glittering quartz, creating the image of a shining sun in homage to then Amaunator, and now Lathander, and is still thinking of that beautiful mosaic when, after getting clear enough into the castle courtyard, Morwen bids for her to turn around and look again. As Dawn does so, she sees that the other side had been a facade, and the eastern wall is entirely absent, leaving a half-domed structure open to the rising sun, a clear vestigial quality from its Amauntor days that nevertheless still seems appropriate in the worship of Lathander. Morwen smiles as Dawn takes it in; she is clearly proud of the town and its history.
Dawn looks the the temple and says, "I definitely want to be there in the morning..."
Dawn had noted that while on the town side of the Temple of Lathander, the dome on top was decorated with rosy stones and glittering quartz, creating the image of a shining sun in homage to then Amaunator, and now Lathander, and is still thinking of that beautiful mosaic when, after getting clear enough into the castle courtyard, Morwen bids for her to turn around and look again. As Dawn does so, she sees that the other side had been a facade, and the eastern wall is entirely absent, leaving a half-domed structure open to the rising sun, a clear vestigial quality from its Amauntor days that nevertheless still seems appropriate in the worship of Lathander. Morwen smiles as Dawn takes it in; she is clearly proud of the town and its history.
Dawn looks the the temple and says, "I definitely want to be there in the morning..."
Morwen nods. "I'll have someone knock on your door an hour ahead of morning prayers, which are of course at sunrise," she offers. Then she gestures for the party to follow her past the final gate, inside the castle, the doors to which two more guards had already opened for their Duchess and her guests. Inside, the party first comes into an antechamber that precedes the throne room / main hall, and is lined with chairs where subjects desiring to see the Duchess for matters of justice must sit and wait on days when she is holding court - clearly not at the moment, and as such there is only one occupant to the antechamber, other than two guards posted at the door. The butler. Or at least, its what everyone presumes he is, based on the way he seems to instantly appear before the Duchess as she comes in, ready to receive instruction.
Butler (Herdan): "Ah, good evening, your grace," he says, oozing deference and bowing.
Morwen: "Good evening, Herdan. As you can see, there will be seven more guests for late supper. They will also be staying the night - please see them to the suites in the East wing so they may settle in, and freshen up before supper," she instructs.
Herdan's eyes widen slightly. "The suites?" he says as he looks over the eclectic group, a look of confusion plain to see for just a moment before he remembers himself and resumes his look of deferential obedience. "Of course, your grace," he nods. He looks to the group, settling on Reyna as the only familiar sight to him, and continues. "Ms. Nydlar, and guests, please allow me to escort you."
Reyna: "Yes, hello Herdan. If it pleases you, though I know the way," Reyna responds. Herdan looks to Morwen, who simply shrugs as she's already halfway out the room through a strange little side exit leading into a dark corridor - perhaps a shortcut of some kind to her own quarters or some place else in the castle. "She has leave of the castle, Herdan, as do her guests. Just be sure to call on them in time for supper," she calls to him after disappearing into the passageway.
Herdan: "Very well, your grace," Herdan calls back. Then he looks to the group before settling on Reyna. "Well? I'll see you in about an hour then. If you get lost.. well... just... scream, or something," he mumbles as he himself departs through a separate exit from the antechamber. Once they are both gone, the party is alone in the antechamber with Reyna for a moment - other than two guards posted at the entrance that look nearly catatonic, and are so still that Bree is filled with the desire to poke one, just to see if he's real. She refrains (I assume).
Reyna sighs audibly. "Well, shit," she says finally to herself. "This complicates things." She looks over the group and seems to be contemplating asking something. She seems torn, going back and forth between about to speak, and then stopping herself as she looks at each of you briefly. Seemingly deciding against it, she sighs. "Well, you may as well follow me to your rooms, so you can 'freshen up', as she instructed. You won't be disappointed in the rooms, that's for sure. Why she's putting us up in rooms she normally reserves for dignitaries is beyond me," as she says this last bit, she looks at Geren, and you get the sense that its far from beyond her. Given the charming way in which he asked (OOC: high persuasion roll), and the fact that Morwen mentioned 'her finest rooms' right after, it seems clear to her that you're getting special treatment at least in part because of him. "Anyway, shall we adjourn?"
(OOC: +15XP to everyone for humoring the Duchess on her tour and persuading her to give you better rooms - I'll add it).
Eltra has never said no to a little pampering. "Well you are quite the charmer Geren. You practically charmed the castle right from her....Always good to have a smooth operator amongst traveling companions." He turns his attention to Reyna "Say Reyna, seems you and the duchess have a bit of history yes? You have been here before? Does she have a library and not one of those public ones with story books...no I want to see the good books of the realm."
Eltra has never said no to a little pampering. "Well you are quite the charmer Geren. You practically charmed the castle right from her....Always good to have a smooth operator amongst traveling companions." He turns his attention to Reyna "Say Reyna, seems you and the duchess have a bit of history yes? You have been here before? Does she have a library and not one of those public ones with story books...no I want to see the good books of the realm."
(OOC I wrote a backstory finally lol)
Reyna begins to lead you all up one of two sets of stairs, leading upward toward the eastern portion of the castle, followed by a short hall and then another staircase upward to the third and top floor, while she responds to Eltra. "Books, hmm? You share my employer's interests in texts - though admittedly his interests are extremely... niche. Other than maps, of course, which are one of his two main businesses, but not his main interest. What areas of interest are yours? Because, to answer your question, each of the suites we'll be staying in has a small library's worth of books - shelf after shelf of books covering both sides of the walls next to the fireplace. Oh, and each suite has its own fireplace," she laughs, shaking her head. "I've been here before, yes, but never stayed in one of these rooms. So, I can't say what kind of books they are. Morwen isn't much of a reader, herself. The books in these rooms are meant to impress foreign dignitaries. As such, they're each named after a region of Faerun of particular interest to her, either because of trading ties, historical ties, alliances, or rivalries. There's the Amn suite, the Tethyr suite, the Moonshae suite, the Dessarin suite, the Dalelands suite, the Far North suite, the High Forest suite, and of course the Lord's Aliance suite - which used to be called the Sword Coast suite, until Daggerford joined the Lord's Alliance - those are the main ones anyway, and the ones I presume she means for us to use. There are others, but they're smaller and less impressive. I expect each suite will have books of interest to the region its named for?" She shrugs. "As for a main library, I've never seen one, but there are many places to this castle I've yet to see." Arriving at the top, you soon see what she meant as the first doors leading to the suites are encountered. Following a corridor down, and after making two turns to the left, it finally has covered each of the suite names she mentioned. Further down is a door leading into the western wing, where she mentions the smaller rooms are, generally with only small bookshelves in them."So, anyone have any preference? Because I sure as hells don't. I guess I'll take the Amnian suite, unless someone else wants it. I can stare at reminders of why I left Amn," she laughs ruefully. "Once everyone's settled, and if there's time, come meet me in my quarters before supper," she indicates the guards posted at each of the corners of the corridors, as if to imply she can say no more within their earshot. She stands by the Amnian suite but waits for everyone to state any preference they may have first before entering.
(OOC: your backstory has a very interesting possibility for a mind-blowing twist. Should be good :) But it won't be revealed for a while).
As we make our way to the rooms, Gus will try to continue in side conversation with Bree, "how interesting. A couple of years ago, during a rather bad storm blowing in, the wind blew out ma's lantern. Before I knew it I had lite a candle next to us with a thought. Shortly there after I found myself apprenticed to master Orbos. Anyways, I have an idea that may help our scouting assignment that I would like your input on."
As we make our way to the rooms, Gus will try to continue in side conversation with Bree, "how interesting. A couple of years ago, during a rather bad storm blowing in, the wind blew out ma's lantern. Before I knew it I had lite a candle next to us with a thought. Shortly there after I found myself apprenticed to master Orbos. Anyways, I have an idea that may help our scouting assignment that I would like your input on."
Bree nods. "I would be glad to help. With my experience in tracking and cartography I'm sure I could be of some help."
Gus smiles at Bree, then listens as Reyna continues talking about the rooms. He turns to Cleo resting on his shoulder, "perhaps madame Cleo would like to pick our room?" he watches as the cat leaps down, making their way down the hall until she stops at a door, "ah, an excellent choice." ((DM choice of which room it it)). Gus opens the door and they enter.
Bree, having seen eyes filled with hate and anger like the pirate's before in bandits, feels no sympathy to him. She turns to Morwen
"I for one would like a tour of the city. That is, if the rest of us are agreeable."
She turns to the rest of the group with a questioning look.
“Good then,” Morwen states. She takes you all on a brisk tour, taking the scenic route first northward, pointing out the Guildmaster's hall, which prompts her to explain that, like Waterdeep, the city council is composed of the city's most prominent guild masters and temple high priests. Then she points out the various permanent shops, temples, and city buildings as they come into view. On arriving at the north entrance to the city, the one by which most of you came by, she explains that it is called Farmer’s Gate, due to the preponderance of farmlands around the north end of the city - which is what most of its some 400 residents do for a living.
From there she turns southward, cutting a path in between buildings, continuing to explain their purposes, occasionally mentioning some factoid about their history, etc., until eventually reaching the southernmost gate to the city, the one that anyone that took a ferry came in by, explaining that, for obvious reasons, it is called the River Gate. You arrive in time to find it open, allowing you to step out just beyond it and revealing the small harbor area for receiving boats coming in from either direction on the Delimbyr river. She explains that only longboats, skiffs, and the smallest of sailing boats can arrive directly to its piers, and only from the east, as the river to the west is blocked by the bridge across the river that opens into the road known as the Trade Way, so named because it is the widest, safest, and most wagon-friendly road connecting it to its larger neighbors, and thus the one which trade caravans, like the caravan Hnefa arrived with, come to Daggerford by, entering through the town's westernmost gate, which is why it's called the Caravan Gate.
She adds that the bridge across the Delimbyr used to be a ford in the river and is supposed to be the location where the town's famed 'founder' successfully fended off a group of lizardmen with only a dagger, giving the city its name. She smiles while admitting that she harbors doubts as to the veracity of the tale, as these sorts of tales tend to grow bigger with age and especially given that many of the towns earlier dukes would claim to be a direct descendant of the boy, 'Tyndal', with no previous surname or any records to support it. It seemed a convenient and deliberate omission for him to have had no previous surname, Morwen muses, almost rambling again. Then she seems to remember herself and her company and returns to more current information that is demonstrably true. Regardless of its historical significance, its current significance is clear - the ford has become a stone bridge that is impossible to pass on ships larger than rowboats. Any ships from its larger neighbors, including the ferries from Waterdeep, as well as larger ships, such as warships and galleys, have to dock at a set of piers nearly a mile and a half due west from the gate, allowing for trade with larger vessels, but making an invasion by naval forces near impossible.
In the piers directly in front of the city, there is now just one still receiving a longboat, probably the reason the River Gate is uncharacteristically open, with the few remaining dockworkers on-duty hurriedly unloading its cargo so they can be finished for the day, a fact that seems to have caused its dwarven captain some degree of consternation, as he repeatedly barks at the workers, reminding them that the crates they are hauling with carts and pulleys are full of expensive spirits, for use in the upcoming Midsummer’s Festival.
From the River Gate, Morwen leads the group up the main south to north road cutting through the center of the entire town that, if not for the incline followed by a sharp turn, it would almost allow you to see the northern wall of the city from River Gate. But alas, the hill it straddles is too steep to see past the large, imposing outer gate to the castle at the top of the hill, on your right coming up from the south. The road, aptly named Hill Road, first leads past a ship builder, then the main stables for the city, and then all that can be seen to your right is the ducal castle, Castle Daggerford, some distance beyond a towering wall that is passable by the upcoming gate on the hilltop. However, just before the gate, Dawn is excited to notice the city’s temple to Lathander. Morwen needs not point it out, as she is unable to stop herself from saying “Oh, that’s a temple of Lathander!”, the moment that the hill has leveled enough for it to come into view.
“Exactly so,” Morwen smiles. “It’s closed now, but I’m sure they’d be more than happy to receive you for morning prayers - being the Morninglord and all,” she suggests. "As you can probably see, it was built well before the Second Sundering, when Lathander was only known as Amaunator, hence the difference in its architecture from more modern temples to the Morninglord that you may be more familiar with."
During the tour, Reyna is noticeably quiet. Dawn, Bree, and Eltra note that she is trying but failing to conceal a rising level of apprehension, one that Morwen remains oblivious or willfully ignorant to. Whenever she addresses the group, Morwen speaks with elegance and a practiced grace that makes each of you feel respected; there’s not a hint of surprise for her to be discussing her city with such an eclectic group, as if she had met a thousand harengons, asimars, and goliaths before - and indeed, she probably has met a thousand gnomes. It’s hard not to feel a certain degree of admiration for the woman, who by all accounts and rumors has had anything but an easy life. That she has clear admiration and respect for Reyna only serves to deepen your own sense of curiosity, if not respect, for her as well, despite the fact that she’s a lot more difficult to read than Morwen. If someone like Morwen trusts and respects her, then it seems reasonable to do so as well. That said, the more any of you find Morwen to be admirable, the more her distaste for ‘Mr. V’ is unsettling. Those of you (if any) that find Reyna to be more interesting, if not admirable, however, are comforted by her assessment of her own employer.
During the remaining journey there, Morwen has likewise gone quiet - perhaps out of breath from the incline, or perhaps just out of things to say. She is walking abreast of Reyna and the rest of the group, however, so anyone with questions for either of them senses that this would be a good time to ask them, as even though they are nearing the castle gate, the actual castle is a fair distance beyond, behind another gate.
(OOC: +20XP for getting a tour of Daggerford from its Duchess. A map of the city of Daggerford, complete with labels now, is to follow below - feel free to ask details about any of the buildings with labels, as they represent buildings that were pointed out by Morwen. If I'm going too fast let me know - I'm going to be unable to post for a lot of the day, so I'm posting more quickly than I will normally - I'll try to match all of your speeds generally. If there was something you wanted to do or say at any point prior, drop it in here and we'll make it work).
(OOC: Oh, and Merry Christmas, to those of you that celebrate Christmas :)).
(You’re adding exp points and money to our sheets or should we? Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays!)
Eltra follows along feigning interest with “uh huhs” and “fascinating”. He is more interested in the mission, Reyna, and finally meeting V. Although Eltra has received help from V in the past, he’s never actually met the person. “Thanks for the tour. What a wonderful little town. So, now that we’ve seen the town…..” Eltra trails off looking at the others.
OOC:
I'm adding the XP and money or have been so far. If it gets to a time when I'm getting overwhelmed setting these kinds of things, I'll specify - eg; everyone please add X amount of gold pieces or XP to your characters.
I've no objection with your character having had some previous interaction with Mr. V, I quite like the idea actually, but could write a little about it in your backstory? I'm not seeing much to your history. The more you all write about your characters, the more ways I'll be able to find to bring them directly into the plots and subplots.
Sensing your impatience, the Duchess smiles a little, but not nearly as much as Reyna, slightly to her rear such that she doesn't notice.
Morwen: "My, my, you're an eager sort - a useful quality, but best when measured with equal proportions of patience. I know you're eager to get going on whatever this... thing... Mr. V. has set you to do, but it's far too late to begin a journey anywhere now. Besides, any friend of Ms. Nydlar is a friend mine, and I'd be remiss not to treat a friend to a bed for the night when I've got so many to spare these days. All I ask in return is that you keep an old woman company for a brief supper - As I mentioned, I have something to ask of your little adventuring party as well. Something with almost certainly less strings than the master of puppets, Mr. V., has undoubtedly secretly attached to his tasks."
Reyna's smile vanishes. She seems about to protest, but stops short, biting her tongue, and instead gives the back of Morwen's head a mockingly goofy face, imitating her regal bearing but comically amplifying it to the point of ridiculousness. Morwen seems to sense she's being mocked somehow, and turns her head toward Reyna - but alas, Reyna is too quick for the older woman and has resumed a completely somber and respectful expression. She even manages to arch an eyebrow with slight indignance, as if to say, "what? What did I do?"
Morwen frowns a little, her suspicion not fully abated, but with no proof to go on, she turns back in time to give a nod of greetings and thanks to the gate guards, who had just opened the outer gate, revealing the castle courtyard and castle beyond.
Instantly, Reyna resumes her regal parody of the Duchess, now adding with it an overly regal walk. Only this time it is observed by one of the guards, who is unable to stop himself from laughing. As a result, Morwen spins her head around far faster than anyone would have thought possible, this time catching the last vestiges of the silly face Reyna wasn't able to remove completely in time. Knowing she's busted, she plays into it instead, and sneezes, making as if her expression had just been due to an oncoming bit fit of sneezing. It's such a compelling sneeze that once again, Morwen frowns, but seems to have bought the deception. Not pushing her luck any further, Reyna instead glares at the guard who laughed, hard, until he lowers his gaze to his feet in shame. Satisfied, Reyna resumes her normal posture and expression.
In contrast to Eltra, Dawn in genuinely interested in the tour. This is her first time out of Waterdeap, and even in Waterdeep, she had seldom been outside the temple grounds, and when she was, she was on an errand with no time for sightseeing. So she follows along intently, taking it all in. But seeing another temple to Lathander was the highlight of the tour!
Bree enjoys the tour, seeing the town and how it differs from her own small village of only 80 people. Seeing how the people interact, noticing it's not much different than her own home village or the other small cities she's been to on her travels.
Gus follows along, taking note of the shops and the church, making his way next to Bree, he clears his throat a bit, "madame Bree, I understand you're a sorcerer? Reyna mentioned it's like a wizard but you don't train for your spells? Might I inquire, how does that work?"
Geren can't help but feel a measure of respect for Feydon the Cold. Even captured and facing execution the pirate's managed to keep his cool.
On the tour of the city Geren feels a surge of resentment. He grew up on the edges of the nobility and was even allowed in the same circles as them until the fateful duel that saw him blacklisted. And now his only hope of achieving the position he deserved lay with either the Zhentarim or the mysterious "Mr. V." He should have been allowed to rise on his own merits, but birth decided far too much.
Lathander (or Amaunator)'s temple was another sore spot. The god was supposed to represent hope, but Levistus had been the only one to reach out to Geren. That aid might only have been a few spells, but it was more than any other divine being had given him. And with them, his skill with the blade, and the rest of the his talents Geren would achieve his ambitions.
Geren sees no reason not to take advantage of Morwen's offer of food, shelter, and possibly taking on an additional task. And she might be a useful contact. He turns on the charm.
"Thank you for the invitation, we'd be happy to accept your hospitality."
Persuasion: 26
Morwen explains that the castle was based on the first building in Daggerford, but it has changed quite a lot since the old days. For a while, it was the only building, a simple wooden structure surrounded by a palisade fence.
After it was burned down in an orc raid from the High Moor, it was rebuilt in stone, and the people of the castle began building this outside wall of the castle, which are now the city walls, paving way for the town as it stands today.
Beyond the first gate to the castle grounds is a sizable courtyard, which contains a blacksmith shop, and stables for the duchess’s animals. She notes that larder is well-stocked with preserved food, enough for a year’s siege.
Dawn had noted that while on the town side of the Temple of Lathander, the dome on top was decorated with rosy stones and glittering quartz, creating the image of a shining sun in homage to then Amaunator, and now Lathander, and is still thinking of that beautiful mosaic when, after getting clear enough into the castle courtyard, Morwen bids for her to turn around and look again. As Dawn does so, she sees that the other side had been a facade, and the eastern wall is entirely absent, leaving a half-domed structure open to the rising sun, a clear vestigial quality from its Amauntor days that nevertheless still seems appropriate in the worship of Lathander. Morwen smiles as Dawn takes it in; she is clearly proud of the town and its history.
Morwen nods and smiles. "Good, I'm glad - you'll certainly find our food and board to be at least a notch or two higher than the inns in town. I'll lead you to some of my finest, allow you time to freshen up, and we can reconvene in the dining hall. I'll send someone to escort you there in a short while, yes?"
Reyna nods - her apprehension seems to have been replaced with calculation. Of what, it's impossible to say. "Of course, your grace," she answers.
Bree smiles at him warmly, glad to be asked about something other than how much like a rabbit she is.
"As a sorcerer, I learn my spell more by instinct than study. I do study magic to a degree, my grandmother is a druid and taught me that at first. It was actually while I was trying to learn the cantrip druidcraft that I learned prestidigitation. My grandmother seeing the signs tried to help me learn how better to open myself up to the weave. As I get stronger I learn more spells. I do know a couple of druid spells. We think my magic might come from one of my ancestors contact with a dragon. It's not clear what the relationship between the two was, it was just a story passed down in my family."
Dawn looks the the temple and says, "I definitely want to be there in the morning..."
Morwen nods. "I'll have someone knock on your door an hour ahead of morning prayers, which are of course at sunrise," she offers. Then she gestures for the party to follow her past the final gate, inside the castle, the doors to which two more guards had already opened for their Duchess and her guests. Inside, the party first comes into an antechamber that precedes the throne room / main hall, and is lined with chairs where subjects desiring to see the Duchess for matters of justice must sit and wait on days when she is holding court - clearly not at the moment, and as such there is only one occupant to the antechamber, other than two guards posted at the door. The butler. Or at least, its what everyone presumes he is, based on the way he seems to instantly appear before the Duchess as she comes in, ready to receive instruction.
Butler (Herdan): "Ah, good evening, your grace," he says, oozing deference and bowing.
Morwen: "Good evening, Herdan. As you can see, there will be seven more guests for late supper. They will also be staying the night - please see them to the suites in the East wing so they may settle in, and freshen up before supper," she instructs.
Herdan's eyes widen slightly. "The suites?" he says as he looks over the eclectic group, a look of confusion plain to see for just a moment before he remembers himself and resumes his look of deferential obedience. "Of course, your grace," he nods. He looks to the group, settling on Reyna as the only familiar sight to him, and continues. "Ms. Nydlar, and guests, please allow me to escort you."
Reyna: "Yes, hello Herdan. If it pleases you, though I know the way," Reyna responds. Herdan looks to Morwen, who simply shrugs as she's already halfway out the room through a strange little side exit leading into a dark corridor - perhaps a shortcut of some kind to her own quarters or some place else in the castle. "She has leave of the castle, Herdan, as do her guests. Just be sure to call on them in time for supper," she calls to him after disappearing into the passageway.
Herdan: "Very well, your grace," Herdan calls back. Then he looks to the group before settling on Reyna. "Well? I'll see you in about an hour then. If you get lost.. well... just... scream, or something," he mumbles as he himself departs through a separate exit from the antechamber. Once they are both gone, the party is alone in the antechamber with Reyna for a moment - other than two guards posted at the entrance that look nearly catatonic, and are so still that Bree is filled with the desire to poke one, just to see if he's real. She refrains (I assume).
Reyna sighs audibly. "Well, shit," she says finally to herself. "This complicates things." She looks over the group and seems to be contemplating asking something. She seems torn, going back and forth between about to speak, and then stopping herself as she looks at each of you briefly. Seemingly deciding against it, she sighs. "Well, you may as well follow me to your rooms, so you can 'freshen up', as she instructed. You won't be disappointed in the rooms, that's for sure. Why she's putting us up in rooms she normally reserves for dignitaries is beyond me," as she says this last bit, she looks at Geren, and you get the sense that its far from beyond her. Given the charming way in which he asked (OOC: high persuasion roll), and the fact that Morwen mentioned 'her finest rooms' right after, it seems clear to her that you're getting special treatment at least in part because of him. "Anyway, shall we adjourn?"
(OOC: +15XP to everyone for humoring the Duchess on her tour and persuading her to give you better rooms - I'll add it).
Eltra has never said no to a little pampering. "Well you are quite the charmer Geren. You practically charmed the castle right from her....Always good to have a smooth operator amongst traveling companions." He turns his attention to Reyna "Say Reyna, seems you and the duchess have a bit of history yes? You have been here before? Does she have a library and not one of those public ones with story books...no I want to see the good books of the realm."
(OOC I wrote a backstory finally lol)
Reyna begins to lead you all up one of two sets of stairs, leading upward toward the eastern portion of the castle, followed by a short hall and then another staircase upward to the third and top floor, while she responds to Eltra. "Books, hmm? You share my employer's interests in texts - though admittedly his interests are extremely... niche. Other than maps, of course, which are one of his two main businesses, but not his main interest. What areas of interest are yours? Because, to answer your question, each of the suites we'll be staying in has a small library's worth of books - shelf after shelf of books covering both sides of the walls next to the fireplace. Oh, and each suite has its own fireplace," she laughs, shaking her head. "I've been here before, yes, but never stayed in one of these rooms. So, I can't say what kind of books they are. Morwen isn't much of a reader, herself. The books in these rooms are meant to impress foreign dignitaries. As such, they're each named after a region of Faerun of particular interest to her, either because of trading ties, historical ties, alliances, or rivalries. There's the Amn suite, the Tethyr suite, the Moonshae suite, the Dessarin suite, the Dalelands suite, the Far North suite, the High Forest suite, and of course the Lord's Aliance suite - which used to be called the Sword Coast suite, until Daggerford joined the Lord's Alliance - those are the main ones anyway, and the ones I presume she means for us to use. There are others, but they're smaller and less impressive. I expect each suite will have books of interest to the region its named for?" She shrugs. "As for a main library, I've never seen one, but there are many places to this castle I've yet to see." Arriving at the top, you soon see what she meant as the first doors leading to the suites are encountered. Following a corridor down, and after making two turns to the left, it finally has covered each of the suite names she mentioned. Further down is a door leading into the western wing, where she mentions the smaller rooms are, generally with only small bookshelves in them. "So, anyone have any preference? Because I sure as hells don't. I guess I'll take the Amnian suite, unless someone else wants it. I can stare at reminders of why I left Amn," she laughs ruefully. "Once everyone's settled, and if there's time, come meet me in my quarters before supper," she indicates the guards posted at each of the corners of the corridors, as if to imply she can say no more within their earshot. She stands by the Amnian suite but waits for everyone to state any preference they may have first before entering.
(OOC: your backstory has a very interesting possibility for a mind-blowing twist. Should be good :) But it won't be revealed for a while).
As we make our way to the rooms, Gus will try to continue in side conversation with Bree, "how interesting. A couple of years ago, during a rather bad storm blowing in, the wind blew out ma's lantern. Before I knew it I had lite a candle next to us with a thought. Shortly there after I found myself apprenticed to master Orbos. Anyways, I have an idea that may help our scouting assignment that I would like your input on."
Bree nods. "I would be glad to help. With my experience in tracking and cartography I'm sure I could be of some help."
Gus smiles at Bree, then listens as Reyna continues talking about the rooms. He turns to Cleo resting on his shoulder, "perhaps madame Cleo would like to pick our room?" he watches as the cat leaps down, making their way down the hall until she stops at a door, "ah, an excellent choice." ((DM choice of which room it it)). Gus opens the door and they enter.
Eltra doesn’t wait for the others to choose. He chooses the "Far North" room wondering what histories and curiosities he can find in the books.