Koran watches the others dance through their social interactions, a small grin coming to his face. At some point during the exchange he actual retrieved the gear from the floor, but he stayed seated until the two left to care for their animals.
"I'll wait outside. I need to spend some time practicing each day, and if we're to leave and be at risk, now seems the best opportunity I will have."
Any who give any attention to his practice see him go through some quick flexibility exercises, and then begin a strangely calm, fluid dance punctuated by sudden, sharp movements. He seems to stop and start a different dance at various points, though there seems little obvious reason for it. Martially trained people could easily assume these are combat forms of some sort, though he isn't holding any weapons, not even training ones.
"It pains me to see you so forlorn, my friend," Tarysaa speaks softly.
"I took the offer of Blinn Harpell and stayed in Longsaddle; learning all I could under the tutelage of the Harpell. They can be quite maddening in their 'teachings' - especially compared to the academics and rigor of the Silverymoon University. For all that, I think I have faired well enough. Sheltered from the worst of the winter's bite; plenty of books to read next to a warm fireplace; a bit of safety at the worst of times and, perhaps, a little freedom at the best of times."
She sighs but then smiles. "It is only now that the Harpell feel I am 'better prepared' to be their eyes and ears outside of Longsaddle. However they learned of this place - these ruins - it seems I was sent 'at the right time' to make a difference. While I was not aware of the missing boy, I too hope we can come to a satisfactory end of this 'excursion'."
Tarysaa lightly places a hand on Ardana's arm, "You do know, you would be most welcome in Longsaddle. There is more to life than endless travels on horseback and risking life and limb on someone else's causes. In Longsaddle, the air is clear and the days warm and comfortable. The Harpells - for all their eccentricities - are not such bad stewarts of the area. And, when 'the itch to move' hits hard, they seem to know of 'something' that needs looking into."
Here, Tarysaa's pale skin pinks, "And it would be nice to have a good friend around to share the peace of the area."
It would be good to have a friend. And maybe when this is over I will ride back to Longsaddle for some rest. But not for long, I am searching for something... someone, I dare not rest long.
Ardana thinks about this last for a while, and falls silent while they tend to the horses. Pondering, processing, lost in thought. When the horses are well stabled and coin is exchanged for their keep, she shakes her head and addresses Tarysaa again.
Thank you for your kind words. We must return now to start our task, can we continue this conversation later?
As promised, our heroes soon find themselves in front of the Sleeping Dragon Inn. It doesn't take long to cross the small hamlet and reach the Keep Woods on the other side...
The vegetation is lush, but not so thick as to impede passage. A soft but pleasant scent of flowers hangs in the air. Bird songs, rich in trills, rings and warbles, resonate in the air with a harmonious rhythm, suggesting, at least for now, the absence of immediate danger.
For those who pass a DC 10 Nature check:
The birds that are singing are blackbirds. Their call is melodious and pleasant, with a clear and distinctive sound.
A ten-minute walk should be enough to cross the woods and come into view of the ruins that are everyone's destination. All that remains for our heroes to do is decide on the order of march and enter...
[[ OOC: Of course, if you want role-play characters interaction even when you're at the Inn or walking through the village, go ahead! Else... time to decide on the layout and marching order ]]
Elias walked with measured steps, his long coat shifting with the gentle breeze as they passed beyond the last of the village dwellings. The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled patterns on the soft earth beneath their feet. He inhaled deeply, savoring the crisp, floral-tinged air.
"Ah," he murmured, more to himself than anyone in particular, "for all the dread and mystery surrounding the ruins, the journey there is rather pleasant, wouldn't you say?"
((Nature check 10 - barely passed))
Birdsong surrounded them, the melodies weaving together in a natural symphony. Elias listened for a moment before glancing at his companions. "I must admit, I half-expected a more foreboding atmosphere. This hardly seems the haunt of missing children and lurking shadows."
Wood looks to Ardana and the rest of the group, I can lead the way to the ruin if you'd like? He tightens the straps on his pack, checks his sword and shield.
Wood looks to Tarysaa, aye, but not so much in these woods. To the east lay the Stump Bog. During the wars of old it was a dumping ground for the dead or near dead, it's also the last resting place of the Black Claw orc tribe. The bog is full of different creatures, the worst, in my opinion, being the undead. Rumor has it that the most dishonest of Waterhavians still use it as a dumping ground for others they want to "disappear". About once a year or so we'll get a group passing through headed to the Bog for treasure hunting, sometimes they even return, but are different then when they went in. They say the Bog changes people, the foul mire and waters seeps into ya' and you never see the world the same again. As for the Keep Woods, well most creatures have enough sense to avoid it. Guess the ruins give off some sort sense to avoid the area and most of them do. He keeps an even pace while walking and talking.
Elias slowed his steps as they passed the Stump Bog, his keen eyes taking in the bleak landscape. "A grim place," he murmured, his voice quieter than usual.
He looked to Wood and hummed in agreement "A graveyard disguised as a swamp. And if the tales are to be believed, not all who were left here found their eternal rest." He turns to Tarysaa "Let us hope whatever haunts this place stays where it belongs."
For the first time that morning, Elias felt the weight of history pressing down on him—not as ink on a page, but as something real, something lingering. His fingers brushed the hilt of the old dagger at his hip, a subconscious gesture of readiness.
"Best we keep moving," he said, shaking off the chill that crept up his spine.
Indeed Elias, a grim place but still it's one thing to venture into a place with some idea on what you may encounter and a completely different like one we're on. Untold dangers, what secrets lay hidden beneath the waters of the ruin? That's something to be concerned about. Wood checks his sword again and adjusts his shield.
The motley crew of adventurers then begins to enter the pleasant woods... Woodrow is in the lead, ready for any eventuality - the others follow in no particular order.
Fortunately, no hostile presence enlivens the short journey - but as the ruins get closer, the cheerful birdsong fades away, until, after passing a final curtain of trees, here are the mysterious ruins!
They are perhaps 300' away and, seen from this distance, they appear to be nothing more than a pitiful collection of low wall stubs and piles of residual rubble, with a generic vaguely rectangular shape of about 160' by 120'. Our heroes are facing one of the 120' sides. No life forms are immediately visible. But certainly more details can be distinguished by getting closer...
As the Stump Bog faded behind them, so too did the oppressive weight that had settled over Elias. The air gradually lightened, and with it, the landscape transformed. The damp, soured scent of decay was replaced by the crisp, earthy aroma of fresh leaves and blooming wildflowers.
Elias took a slow breath, allowing himself to savor the transition. "Ahh," he mused, a small smile returning to his face. "Much better. A walk through such a forest is enough to lift the spirit."
Walking near the center of the group, he cleared his throat, drawing his companions' attention. "Before we reach the keep, there are some things you should know," he began, his tone that of a seasoned storyteller about to reveal something important. "Since its fall into ruin, Rassalantar’s Keep has rarely stood empty. For well over a century, it has been occupied by all manner of unsavory beings—tramps and outlaws, certainly, but also creatures far more dangerous."
He continued speaking as they walked, the rustling leaves and snapping twigs beneath their boots were the only interruptions.
"Monstrosities have been known to lair within," Elias continued, "twisted creatures of unnatural origin, born from failed experiments, curses, or the will of cruel gods. Then there are elementals—fragments of the chaotic forces of nature, sometimes bound to this plane by ancient magic, sometimes wandering of their own accord."
His blue eyes swept over his companions, gauging their reactions.
"Shapeshifters have also been reported within the ruins. Doppelgangers, perhaps, or worse—things that could be among us without us ever knowing. Trust will be as important as steel in there."
A gentle breeze passed through the trees, stirring Elias’ long gray hair as he pressed on. "And then there are the extraplanar entities. The nature of such beings is unpredictable—some may be remnants of forgotten rituals, others opportunistic interlopers drawn to the keep’s isolation. Regardless of their origins, none should be taken lightly."
He let a moment of silence linger before concluding, "I do not say this to instill fear, but rather to prepare you. The keep is no ordinary ruin. It has long been a haven for things that thrive in shadow and secrecy. Whatever we find inside, we must be ready for anything."
As the party continued their steady pace through Keep Woods, Elias clasped his hands behind his back, his voice carrying the weight of knowledge and experience.
"One more thing to keep in mind," he continued, his tone measured but firm. "The keep we approach is but a shadow of what it once was. Around 1470 DR, nearly a century after it first fell into ruin, most of its stones were taken—harvested and repurposed to build homes and structures in nearby settlements. The proud walls and towers that once stood as a bastion of defense are long gone. What remains aboveground is little more than crumbling foundations and scattered rubble."
The wind rustled the leaves around them as Elias pressed on. "That does not mean there is nothing left to explore. Beneath the ruins, the cellars and dungeons still remain. However, they have been flooded over time, likely from underground springs or years of neglect. Navigating them may be treacherous."
His gaze drifted ahead, where the forest thinned, the land beginning to open. "Water complicates things. It provides cover for creatures that can lurk unseen, and it makes the passage through such spaces far more dangerous. If our search leads us below, we must be cautious. Whatever secrets Rassalantar’s Keep still holds… they now lie beneath the surface."
Elias let a silence settle over the group, allowing the gravity of his words to sink in. "Steel, wits, and patience will serve us well," he finally added. "And if we're fortunate, perhaps we’ll find something—history, knowledge, or even treasure—before the keep decides to take us instead."
With that, they pressed on, the last trees of the Keep Woods parting to reveal the ruined remains of Rassalantar’s Keep before them.
To be forewarned is to be fore-armed, Wood responds as he leads the party toward what he would consider to be the entrance. I believe we can enter around this side.
As the group discusses the surprisingly pleasant walk, Koran chuckles. "People are always this close to danger, to sadness, and carry on without giving it a thought. Danger is natural. It is part of the world. Why should the world alter itself to warn you?"
As Elias tells his stories, Koran remains quiet until Elias winds down as we reach the ruins themselves. "Well, if the secrets are believed to be below, then we are unlikely to find them above. Let's check there first, regardless, but . . .."
Wood leads the party toward the Keep, trying to recognize, among the ruins, something that might resemble an entrance...
Once the group of heroes is at the edge of the piles of rubble, a living creature finally appears: a skinny gnome with bright amethyst-purple eyes and hair, gathered in numerous braids, as walnut brown as his skin, so much so that it almost seems carved from wood, is sitting cross-legged in front of a carpet on which various objects are arranged, as if he had chosen this unusual place to open a market stall!
The gnome in turn sees the characters and waves at them with a friendly smile, greeting in common: "Welcome, dear customers! Do you want to come and do business with me? They do not call me 'Good Dealer' for nothing, you know..."
[[ OOC: That's a map of the area. 1 = Gnome, Wo = Wood, Ad = Ardana, Ta = Tarysaa, El = Elias, Ko = Koran. Green = grass, light gray = rubble. dark grey = wall stubs, about 5' tall. Squares are 5'
Wood, not sure what to make of the gnome salesman, stops in his steps, well met good vendor, you've picked a rather out of the way location to setup your stall haven't you? While talking he surveys the area looking for anything else out of the ordinary, perception roll 20
Elias raised an eyebrow, a bemused smile forming on his lips as he took in the sight of the gnome and his peculiar marketplace. Of all the things he expected to find at the ruins of Rassalantar’s Keep, a merchant was certainly not one of them.
He stepped forward at an easy pace, his long coat shifting slightly with the movement, and inclined his head toward the gnome. "A merchant, here, of all places? Now that is a story I would love to hear." His tone was warm, almost conversational, as if greeting an old acquaintance rather than an unexpected trader in the middle of a ruin.
((Insight check of 12...Elias is mildly suspicious of the Gnome))
Woodrow's keen eyes see nothing out of the ordinary - except, of course, the very unusual merchant.
The gnome smiles and replies: "Out of the people's way, but I also sell goods that appeal to those who go on adventures... And what better place than here to meet customers of that kind? In fact, I would bet my last copper piece that you are adventurers come to explore the ruins!"
Elias glanced at the others before returning his attention to the gnome. "That remains to be seen. But tell me, what sort of wares does a merchant of your particular... resourcefulness have to offer?"
He folded his arms, watching with keen interest. This unexpected encounter had piqued his curiosity—after all, one never knew what treasures might be found, even in the most unlikely of places.
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Koran watches the others dance through their social interactions, a small grin coming to his face. At some point during the exchange he actual retrieved the gear from the floor, but he stayed seated until the two left to care for their animals.
"I'll wait outside. I need to spend some time practicing each day, and if we're to leave and be at risk, now seems the best opportunity I will have."
Any who give any attention to his practice see him go through some quick flexibility exercises, and then begin a strangely calm, fluid dance punctuated by sudden, sharp movements. He seems to stop and start a different dance at various points, though there seems little obvious reason for it. Martially trained people could easily assume these are combat forms of some sort, though he isn't holding any weapons, not even training ones.
Josef, his business tended to, heads back toward the inn.
It would be good to have a friend. And maybe when this is over I will ride back to Longsaddle for some rest. But not for long, I am searching for something... someone, I dare not rest long.
Ardana thinks about this last for a while, and falls silent while they tend to the horses. Pondering, processing, lost in thought. When the horses are well stabled and coin is exchanged for their keep, she shakes her head and addresses Tarysaa again.
Thank you for your kind words. We must return now to start our task, can we continue this conversation later?
As promised, our heroes soon find themselves in front of the Sleeping Dragon Inn. It doesn't take long to cross the small hamlet and reach the Keep Woods on the other side...
The vegetation is lush, but not so thick as to impede passage. A soft but pleasant scent of flowers hangs in the air. Bird songs, rich in trills, rings and warbles, resonate in the air with a harmonious rhythm, suggesting, at least for now, the absence of immediate danger.
For those who pass a DC 10 Nature check:
The birds that are singing are blackbirds. Their call is melodious and pleasant, with a clear and distinctive sound.
A ten-minute walk should be enough to cross the woods and come into view of the ruins that are everyone's destination. All that remains for our heroes to do is decide on the order of march and enter...
[[ OOC: Of course, if you want role-play characters interaction even when you're at the Inn or walking through the village, go ahead! Else... time to decide on the layout and marching order ]]
Elias walked with measured steps, his long coat shifting with the gentle breeze as they passed beyond the last of the village dwellings. The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled patterns on the soft earth beneath their feet. He inhaled deeply, savoring the crisp, floral-tinged air.
"Ah," he murmured, more to himself than anyone in particular, "for all the dread and mystery surrounding the ruins, the journey there is rather pleasant, wouldn't you say?"
((Nature check 10 - barely passed))
Birdsong surrounded them, the melodies weaving together in a natural symphony. Elias listened for a moment before glancing at his companions. "I must admit, I half-expected a more foreboding atmosphere. This hardly seems the haunt of missing children and lurking shadows."
Wood looks to Ardana and the rest of the group, I can lead the way to the ruin if you'd like? He tightens the straps on his pack, checks his sword and shield.
{game log} Nature Check: 13
Tarysaa treads softly on the path; her staff barely tapping the ground as she takes in her surroundings.
"Might I ask, what is the reason for the farms and other structures being walled in? Are there predators in these woods that skulk into the village?"
Wood looks to Tarysaa, aye, but not so much in these woods. To the east lay the Stump Bog. During the wars of old it was a dumping ground for the dead or near dead, it's also the last resting place of the Black Claw orc tribe. The bog is full of different creatures, the worst, in my opinion, being the undead. Rumor has it that the most dishonest of Waterhavians still use it as a dumping ground for others they want to "disappear". About once a year or so we'll get a group passing through headed to the Bog for treasure hunting, sometimes they even return, but are different then when they went in. They say the Bog changes people, the foul mire and waters seeps into ya' and you never see the world the same again. As for the Keep Woods, well most creatures have enough sense to avoid it. Guess the ruins give off some sort sense to avoid the area and most of them do. He keeps an even pace while walking and talking.
Elias slowed his steps as they passed the Stump Bog, his keen eyes taking in the bleak landscape. "A grim place," he murmured, his voice quieter than usual.
He looked to Wood and hummed in agreement "A graveyard disguised as a swamp. And if the tales are to be believed, not all who were left here found their eternal rest." He turns to Tarysaa "Let us hope whatever haunts this place stays where it belongs."
For the first time that morning, Elias felt the weight of history pressing down on him—not as ink on a page, but as something real, something lingering. His fingers brushed the hilt of the old dagger at his hip, a subconscious gesture of readiness.
"Best we keep moving," he said, shaking off the chill that crept up his spine.
Indeed Elias, a grim place but still it's one thing to venture into a place with some idea on what you may encounter and a completely different like one we're on. Untold dangers, what secrets lay hidden beneath the waters of the ruin? That's something to be concerned about. Wood checks his sword again and adjusts his shield.
The motley crew of adventurers then begins to enter the pleasant woods... Woodrow is in the lead, ready for any eventuality - the others follow in no particular order.
Fortunately, no hostile presence enlivens the short journey - but as the ruins get closer, the cheerful birdsong fades away, until, after passing a final curtain of trees, here are the mysterious ruins!
They are perhaps 300' away and, seen from this distance, they appear to be nothing more than a pitiful collection of low wall stubs and piles of residual rubble, with a generic vaguely rectangular shape of about 160' by 120'. Our heroes are facing one of the 120' sides. No life forms are immediately visible. But certainly more details can be distinguished by getting closer...
As the Stump Bog faded behind them, so too did the oppressive weight that had settled over Elias. The air gradually lightened, and with it, the landscape transformed. The damp, soured scent of decay was replaced by the crisp, earthy aroma of fresh leaves and blooming wildflowers.
Elias took a slow breath, allowing himself to savor the transition. "Ahh," he mused, a small smile returning to his face. "Much better. A walk through such a forest is enough to lift the spirit."
Walking near the center of the group, he cleared his throat, drawing his companions' attention. "Before we reach the keep, there are some things you should know," he began, his tone that of a seasoned storyteller about to reveal something important. "Since its fall into ruin, Rassalantar’s Keep has rarely stood empty. For well over a century, it has been occupied by all manner of unsavory beings—tramps and outlaws, certainly, but also creatures far more dangerous."
He continued speaking as they walked, the rustling leaves and snapping twigs beneath their boots were the only interruptions.
"Monstrosities have been known to lair within," Elias continued, "twisted creatures of unnatural origin, born from failed experiments, curses, or the will of cruel gods. Then there are elementals—fragments of the chaotic forces of nature, sometimes bound to this plane by ancient magic, sometimes wandering of their own accord."
His blue eyes swept over his companions, gauging their reactions.
"Shapeshifters have also been reported within the ruins. Doppelgangers, perhaps, or worse—things that could be among us without us ever knowing. Trust will be as important as steel in there."
A gentle breeze passed through the trees, stirring Elias’ long gray hair as he pressed on. "And then there are the extraplanar entities. The nature of such beings is unpredictable—some may be remnants of forgotten rituals, others opportunistic interlopers drawn to the keep’s isolation. Regardless of their origins, none should be taken lightly."
He let a moment of silence linger before concluding, "I do not say this to instill fear, but rather to prepare you. The keep is no ordinary ruin. It has long been a haven for things that thrive in shadow and secrecy. Whatever we find inside, we must be ready for anything."
As the party continued their steady pace through Keep Woods, Elias clasped his hands behind his back, his voice carrying the weight of knowledge and experience.
"One more thing to keep in mind," he continued, his tone measured but firm. "The keep we approach is but a shadow of what it once was. Around 1470 DR, nearly a century after it first fell into ruin, most of its stones were taken—harvested and repurposed to build homes and structures in nearby settlements. The proud walls and towers that once stood as a bastion of defense are long gone. What remains aboveground is little more than crumbling foundations and scattered rubble."
The wind rustled the leaves around them as Elias pressed on. "That does not mean there is nothing left to explore. Beneath the ruins, the cellars and dungeons still remain. However, they have been flooded over time, likely from underground springs or years of neglect. Navigating them may be treacherous."
His gaze drifted ahead, where the forest thinned, the land beginning to open. "Water complicates things. It provides cover for creatures that can lurk unseen, and it makes the passage through such spaces far more dangerous. If our search leads us below, we must be cautious. Whatever secrets Rassalantar’s Keep still holds… they now lie beneath the surface."
Elias let a silence settle over the group, allowing the gravity of his words to sink in. "Steel, wits, and patience will serve us well," he finally added. "And if we're fortunate, perhaps we’ll find something—history, knowledge, or even treasure—before the keep decides to take us instead."
With that, they pressed on, the last trees of the Keep Woods parting to reveal the ruined remains of Rassalantar’s Keep before them.
To be forewarned is to be fore-armed, Wood responds as he leads the party toward what he would consider to be the entrance. I believe we can enter around this side.
As the group discusses the surprisingly pleasant walk, Koran chuckles. "People are always this close to danger, to sadness, and carry on without giving it a thought. Danger is natural. It is part of the world. Why should the world alter itself to warn you?"
As Elias tells his stories, Koran remains quiet until Elias winds down as we reach the ruins themselves. "Well, if the secrets are believed to be below, then we are unlikely to find them above. Let's check there first, regardless, but . . .."
Wood leads the party toward the Keep, trying to recognize, among the ruins, something that might resemble an entrance...
Once the group of heroes is at the edge of the piles of rubble, a living creature finally appears: a skinny gnome with bright amethyst-purple eyes and hair, gathered in numerous braids, as walnut brown as his skin, so much so that it almost seems carved from wood, is sitting cross-legged in front of a carpet on which various objects are arranged, as if he had chosen this unusual place to open a market stall!
The gnome in turn sees the characters and waves at them with a friendly smile, greeting in common: "Welcome, dear customers! Do you want to come and do business with me? They do not call me 'Good Dealer' for nothing, you know..."
[[ OOC: That's a map of the area. 1 = Gnome, Wo = Wood, Ad = Ardana, Ta = Tarysaa, El = Elias, Ko = Koran. Green = grass, light gray = rubble. dark grey = wall stubs, about 5' tall. Squares are 5'
]]
Wood, not sure what to make of the gnome salesman, stops in his steps, well met good vendor, you've picked a rather out of the way location to setup your stall haven't you? While talking he surveys the area looking for anything else out of the ordinary, perception roll 20
Elias raised an eyebrow, a bemused smile forming on his lips as he took in the sight of the gnome and his peculiar marketplace. Of all the things he expected to find at the ruins of Rassalantar’s Keep, a merchant was certainly not one of them.
He stepped forward at an easy pace, his long coat shifting slightly with the movement, and inclined his head toward the gnome. "A merchant, here, of all places? Now that is a story I would love to hear." His tone was warm, almost conversational, as if greeting an old acquaintance rather than an unexpected trader in the middle of a ruin.
((Insight check of 12...Elias is mildly suspicious of the Gnome))
Woodrow's keen eyes see nothing out of the ordinary - except, of course, the very unusual merchant.
The gnome smiles and replies: "Out of the people's way, but I also sell goods that appeal to those who go on adventures... And what better place than here to meet customers of that kind? In fact, I would bet my last copper piece that you are adventurers come to explore the ruins!"
Elias glanced at the others before returning his attention to the gnome. "That remains to be seen. But tell me, what sort of wares does a merchant of your particular... resourcefulness have to offer?"
He folded his arms, watching with keen interest. This unexpected encounter had piqued his curiosity—after all, one never knew what treasures might be found, even in the most unlikely of places.