"I am glad to hear it," the captain says to Harmony. "I am Captain Staget. I am granting the five of you access to the Cassalanter Villa for the duration of the investigation."
"Captain, that is unacceptable," Ammalia Cassalanter interrupts. "I am sure this was simply an accident. There is no need to invade our privacy." Her husband is not far behind her, with their children in tow.
"I am sorry ma'am, but the presence of an imp is not something I can abide without a thorough investigation. I will be accompanying these adventurers, they will do nothing to disrupt your household under my watch," Staget responds.
Victoro, her husband, voices, "Please, at least limit your presence to the main compound. We wouldn't want you to wander out of sight and get hurt. The situation is bad enough as it is."
Relucantly, Staget says, "Very well. We will stay to the main compound, but I will change my mind the moment I find a reason to investigate further."
Halsen and Jove examine the piece of crumpled paper. It appears to be a page torn from a book. Some of the words on the page have been highlighted. The back side of the page has a symbol drawn onto it.
Front side:
The Wooden Girl
From The Faerûn Child’s Book of Fables
The girl’s name was Eliza and she was brought to life in the puppet-maker’s workshop. Like most girls, Eliza was equipped with limbs and a face and, of course, a heart. The puppet maker, Sophie, crafted Eliza with loving detail. Sophie perched Eliza in the window of the shop, where she could wave to the passers-by and enjoy the view of the ocean in the distance.
On the first morning of Midwinter, Eliza gazed longingly through the window, watching the white caps fold over the sea. Snow began to fall, dotting the shop windows and obscuring her vision. Eliza grew sad and wistful. She wanted to leave the shop, but knew that she could not.
Suddenly the snowdrops on the glass began to melt. A vivid orange glow filled Eliza’s sight. On the other side of the window stood an old man, face shrouded in a torn scarf, holding a candle. Elzerina was fearful, for Sophie had always told her: wooden girls must stay away from fire. Sophie told Elzerina about the wooden snake she had crafted as a child. When the snake was brought to life, it slithered toward the hearth, seeking warmth. A stray ember ignited the snake, and it withered to ashes. This was not the only warning; Sophie also told Elzerina about the set of pick-up sticks she had crafted when she was the woodworker’s apprentice. Pleased with her work, Sophie rubbed two sticks together to sand away the splinters — but the friction sparked, and the sticks burnt to cinders.
But the man’s flame was low on the wick, and he peered at her through the glass. Little wooden girl, why are you so sad?
I wish to see the sea beyond this pane of glass, she said. When it snows, the drops blur the window, and I feel trapped.
What if I took you from your mount? he said. Would you like that?
Elzerina frowned. My maker warned me not to go outside, for I could get lost. She says little girls like me get lost in big cities.
But the man persisted. Surely she did not create you just to keep you trapped here forever. What if you fetched her a gift for the holiday?
This filled Elzerina with joy. Oh, yes! I should so love to bring my maker a present. And perhaps I will get a quick glimpse of the sea.
He stepped into the shop and lifted her from her mount. He marched through the city and she reveled in the freedom. But he strode not to the sea, but toward the City of the Dead.
It was not the cool blue ocean she eventually saw before her, but a scene awash in gray. Perhaps if she blurred her sight, she could pretend that the feeble sun glinting off of the snow-slick tombstones was the white-capped surface of the sea. But Elzerina knew already that she had made a terrible mistake. She suddenly longed for the puppet-maker’s workshop, for the stoic company of alphabet blocks and sets of dice and intricately-carved spinning tops and tiny ballerinas who danced but never spoke. The man wove through the rows of stones and sat at a circle embedded in the ground, an altar unmarked and unnamed. But it had been desecrated already; Elzerina saw the remnants of a fire that once burned, the debris of used tinder.
The man pulled away his scarf and grinned at her, an evil smile matched by red eyes that glinted with sadistic pleasure. He placed her atop the ashes and pulled a matchbook from his shabby coat pocket. He had the tool but not the fuel — until he had found the wooden girl in the workshop window, made from the choicest wood for burning, the perfect size for kindle on a long winter night.
The man struck an oiled match tip and the flame roared to life, a curious gradient of deep navy and violent orange. And as the blue heart of the flame engulfed her, Eliza thought of both the azure sea she would never meet and the puppet-maker’s kind cornflower eyes, and longed for their cool, dousing touch.
Jove draws the strange circle on his right palm. He says "this is just in case something happens to the paper. It is always good to have a backup!"
Before we head to the villa, Jove is going to get a good look at the people still in the arena. "Perhaps the fiend didn't act alone. Does anyone notice any strange characters?" Perception18.
Jove says, "None of this explains why Aria was attacked. We need to make sure she is safe before we move on. We should take her to the Villa for protection. We can ask her about it; there may be more people in danger. Or worse. Celebrities in danger."
Harmony had heard the captain, nodding back and glad to hear it. "Thank you Captain Staget. I hope that we will figure this all out soon." she had said back to him, smiling. Then she looked over, seeing everyone looking over a piece of paper, going over as she found out what was going on from Halsen. She looked at the symbol hard, trying to think and tilting her head while hearing Balin, not sure at all. "But it doesn't look like any kind of map I've ever seen." Harmony said back, honestly having no idea what any of this could possibly mean. Now she remembered how Jove said that the crowd had been upset, thinking that a bit of a song could calm them down and willing to give her the starting number if she wants to try. Before she could say anything, she heard as he said that they need to make sure that Aria is safe, taking her to the Villa for protection and can ask her about it. There is a chance that more people, celebrities could be in danger, shocked. "Yes, we definitely have to make sure she is safe. That would be terrible if something or someone was targeting celebrities like Aria. We have to stop them." Harmony had then said back to him, nodding and willing to do anything to keep everyone safe.
Abraxas picks up Harmony’s cloak and joins the others on the stage. He’d like to take a turn investigating the page, looking at the quality of the paper, the ink. What can Abraxas guess about the book by looking at the page? Would it have been expensive? An old book or newer? Also, does the circle image remind him of anything he’s studied in the past?
Finally, he’d like to examine or visually investigate Aria. Was she holding the page or was the imp?
“Balin, if this is a map, could the circle on it be the circle embedded in the ground from the fable? What do you think?” Abraxas whispers to Jove and Halsen, “Do we want to ask Captain Staget about Asmodeus worship in Waterdeep? Is there a way to do that politely?”
You notice a couple of interesting people when you scan the crowd: A human man who seems quite happy despite the circumstances, and a tiefling woman who is near the Cassalanter family who looks anxious.
For Abraxas:
The rough shape of the page makes it difficult to determine anything about the book it came from. You remember Aria motioning with her hands frequently during her performance, and don't recall seeing a paper in her hands at any point.
You are certain that this drawing is an ancient sigil representing Asmodeus, but are not certain what else that might mean.
A guard by Aria shouts to get Captain Staget's attention, and he walks over to the bard, who locks eyes with Harmony and motions for her to join them.
Ammalia draws her children to her side as she returns to her husband. Her daughter lets out a squeak and clamps her hands over her mouth, staring at the party as they pore over the torn page.
the man from the crowd being dirty at all? Or anything to give the effect he has recently been to the City of the Dead? (I am imagining his knees being dirty as if he was kneeling in the cemetery.)
Balin approaches Ammalia, and with a surprisingly gentle manner says, "Sorry to disturb you, great lady but I noticed your daughter starting to say something, could I ask her what that might have been? The eyes of the young often see what the older folks cannot." Persuasion: 10
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Liarin: Against the Cult of the Reptile God Adewild: Shadows and Light 2 Brother Thaddeus: Rime of the Frostmaiden.
The man looks clean and posh, and there's nothing that stands out about his clothing, just his unusually jovial demeanor.
"Er...yes, of course," Ammalia says. She pulls the young girl gently toward her and crouches down, saying, "Elzerina, this nice dwarf is going to ask you some questions about what you saw, alright?" The young girl nods and looks up at Balin awaiting the first question.
Ammalia looks to the captain. "You will keep an eye on them, Captain Staget," she says sternly, and walks over toward a tiefling woman standing near the stage, starting a conversation.
Harmony was very surprised as she saw Aria looking at her, motioning for her to join them. So she nodded and immediately made her way over, glad that Aria is going to be okay and wanting to find out who did this so she can stop them from hurting any other innocent people.
Jove walks over beside Balin to listen to the little girl's input. He bends down to her level, to make her feel at ease. He smiles, but remains silent and attentive. Jove sends a telepathic message to Balin:
Balin, do not be alarmed. This is Jove, talking through telepathy. The little girl had the same name as the wooden girl from the suspicious paper. Be attentive to what she says.
"Captain," Abraxas says to Staget, "a man of your long experience and expertise has no doubt encountered those who worship devils. What do you know about this symbol?" While he listens to Staget, he rereads the fable and then asks, "Isn't there a part of Waterdeep called the City of the Dead?"
When Harmony approaches, Aria waves the guard tending her away. "Captain Staget tells me that you've all agreed to investigate. Thank you. I cannot say that was my best performance," she says with a pained smile. She speaks with strength behind her voice, but her wings droop, betraying her fatigue. "Here, I know this does not look like much, but I believe it can be very helpful to you all," she offers, handing Harmony a small bell with a magnificent shine to it. "This is my Bell of Silent Carols. Shake it, and one person that you choose will hear a festive carol in their mind. That person and that person alone will hear the carol. You can only do this a few times per day, however. Share this information with your friends, please. I hope that this can be of use," she explains.
"Before you go, tell me...the others seem to treat this investigation as a duty, much like the city guards, but you think differently. I sense a genuine care about you, as if you are doing this to look out for me. Can you tell me why?" she asks Harmony.
________________
Elzerina looks nervously back to her mother as Jove and Balin remain silent in front of her.
________________
Captain Staget studies the symbol for a moment before answering Abraxas, "It is a sigil. You can probably guess that this represents Asmodeus by the text. These are not uncommon in books and on walls, but I have also come across two in my time with the Watch that were also used as summoning circles. In both cases, the devil killed the summoner before the sigil had been completed. Nasty business, that...leaves the gate open until the sigil is complete."
"The City of the Dead is a section of Waterdeep, yes," he answers, "It's a popular place in the warmer months, a park as well as a cemetery."
Jove uses prestidigitation to create a little fidget toy in his hand. It is a black ball with a small cut on one side, to make it flat and sit down on a surface. "Look here, little one. My aunt gave me and my sister each one of these when I was little. When we were scared it would help calm us down." He reaches into his other pocket, and pulls out another ball of the same description, using prestidigitaion again. He sets the first on the ground. Then he spins the second.
"See here, whenever we were together, we could spin one to keep us mesmerized from the bad things around us."
The second marble sized ball revolves the stationary one, causing it to spin and pick up speed. Before long, the two are spinning together. Then they snap together at the cut off point, as if there was a magnet there. They stick together. He takes them apart and puts them back in his pockets.
"Now that I'm grown, I decided to study what makes those work. And now I have this." He pulls out a similar ball, but it is much larger, about softball sized. "Now this one is different. It lets me use magic. My sister has one just like it. Watch this.
Jove shakes the ball and flips it over to the flat side. Once again using prestidigitation, he fills the ball with swirling blue stars that then meet on the flat part, forming a small constellation.
"See? I know stuff can be scary and chaotic sometimes, like the spinning of the balls or stars, but they always calm back down and end up pretty like the night sky."
He puts his orb away. "See? Much more calm. Now, can you help us with anything, little missy? I heard you saying something to your mom, here."
Harmony nodded, smiling as Aria thanked them for agreeing to help investigate and apologizing for that performance not being her best. "Of course, it's no problem at all. It was still a wonderful performance though." she said back before hearing that the other has something for them that could be helpful. Then she was surprised as she was handed a small bell with a brilliant shine to it, listening as it was a Bell of Silent Carols. By shaking it, one person she chooses can hear a festive carol in their mind and only that person alone can hear it. But this can only be done a few times a day, telling her to share this with her friends and hoping that it can be of use. "Thank you very much. I'm sure that this will help us out in some way." Harmony thanked her for the bell, so glad to have been given this gift from such a famous bard. But soon she heard as Aria told her how everyone else is doing this out of duty except for her. She thought that she sensed a genuine care from her as if she was looking out for her and questioning why. "Well, I want to become like you, a famous bard who makes people happy and smile with my songs and dance. Your song was so beautiful, captivating everyone like that. I was shocked and scared when I saw what happened, that imp hurting you. Whoever is doing this, trying to ruin the Midwinter Gala by harming you in the middle of your performance, I just can't forgive them. Everyone should be smiling and having fun, listening to beautiful songs such as yours. That's why we'll solve this so that everyone can go back to having fun and you can finish your performance this time." Harmony had said back to Aria with a gentle smile and a determination in her eyes. She wanted to make sure that they stop whoever or whatever did this, wishing for everyone to be happy and smiling again at this event like one should be.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Jove Persuasion: 16
Elzerina watches Jove's demonstration with a mixture of confusion and wonder. When he finishes, she looks visibly less nervous than a moment ago. Still looking back and forth between Jove and Balin, she answers, timidly but rapidly.
"I accidentally brought Chernok to our home, but I still don't know how. The Wooden Girl was my favorite story and I saw my name in the story and so I knew it was a present for me but I didn't know who from but I read it all the time. He was nice, at first! He let me clean his hat because it had a smudge on it. But then Chernok and his stinky friend Brimtoe started breaking things in my room and I got scared. Is Aria going to be alright? Can I go back to Terenzio? I'm scared without him."
______________________
"I thought as much," Aria responds to Harmony with another weak smile. "I believe you are already like me; and you can prove it by writing a song with me. I am from a long line of aasimar bards. Our bloodline is said to trace all the way back to Milil. A scroll of a song called Golden Wings has been passed down from generation to generation in my family. 'Tis said to have magical properties, but alas, part of the scroll was burned when my great-grandmother Elea faced off against a dragon many years ago. I hope to restore its power by completing the end of the song, but have yet to accomplish anything magical by it." She hands the burned scroll to Harmony, which reads:
Golden Wings
Songwriter Unknown
A Like a candle, I burn (6 syllables) B In the glow of your radiance (8 syllables) A Like a plucked string, I learn (6 syllables) B The bright hum of your resonance (8 syllables)
C Like a pilgrim, I bow (6 syllables) D Humbled by your divinity (8 syllables) C Will you come to me now? (6 syllables) D I send you my prayer, my plea (8 syllables)
E Lifted voice, lowered eyes (6 syllables) D Prostrated here on hands and knees (8 syllables) E __________________________ (missing line) (6 syllables) D __________________________ (missing line) (8 syllables)
"Perhaps you and your friends will have better luck. If you can think of the lines to finish the song, bring the scroll back to me and I will sing it for you," Aria finishes.
Harmony was surprised as Aria asked her to write a song with her to prove that she is like her as well. She listened as the other said that she comes from a long line of aasimar bards, a song having been passed down from generation to generation in her family. It is magical but seems part of the scroll was burned when her grandmother faced a dragon years ago. She wants to restore its power by completing the end of the song but have yet to do so, carefully taking the scroll. Harmony looked at the song, reading it and seeing that the last two lines were blank. Then she heard as Aria hoped that they will have better luck and once they can think of lines to finish the song, to bring it back to her to sing. "That must be wonderful, to have a song passed down in the family like this. It certainly sounds beautiful. Don't worry, we will try and do our best to finish the song. Thank you for allowing me to help you with something so precious." she said back to her, nodding and smiling. Then Harmony started to go over to the others, already thinking of lines that could fit into the song but wanted to get some of the others' thoughts and opinions as well. She saw them talking to a little girl, catching her ask if Aria is going to be alright. "Aria is going to be just fine, she is feeling much better now. Don't you worry about her." she said back with a cheerful smile, trying to reassure her before looking at the others. "Aria wants our help finishing this song. I have an idea, but do you guys have any thoughts about what would fit?" Harmony then asked as she showed everyone the scroll with the song lyrics and the last two lines missing.
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"I am glad to hear it," the captain says to Harmony. "I am Captain Staget. I am granting the five of you access to the Cassalanter Villa for the duration of the investigation."
"Captain, that is unacceptable," Ammalia Cassalanter interrupts. "I am sure this was simply an accident. There is no need to invade our privacy." Her husband is not far behind her, with their children in tow.
"I am sorry ma'am, but the presence of an imp is not something I can abide without a thorough investigation. I will be accompanying these adventurers, they will do nothing to disrupt your household under my watch," Staget responds.
Victoro, her husband, voices, "Please, at least limit your presence to the main compound. We wouldn't want you to wander out of sight and get hurt. The situation is bad enough as it is."
Relucantly, Staget says, "Very well. We will stay to the main compound, but I will change my mind the moment I find a reason to investigate further."
Halsen and Jove examine the piece of crumpled paper. It appears to be a page torn from a book. Some of the words on the page have been highlighted. The back side of the page has a symbol drawn onto it.
Front side:
Back side:
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Jove draws the strange circle on his right palm. He says "this is just in case something happens to the paper. It is always good to have a backup!"
Before we head to the villa, Jove is going to get a good look at the people still in the arena. "Perhaps the fiend didn't act alone. Does anyone notice any strange characters?" Perception 18.
--- --- We want Grung! --- ---
~https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=DragonbornDoug ~
Halsen regards the page and shares the information with his fellow revelers. He explains where he picked it up.
”Anyone have an idea about the symbol? The only thing obvious is Asmodeus.”
Halsen - Human Monk - Winter Splendor
Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Barty's Blade Bizarre
Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Betrayal at Devilsfall
Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Barty's "The Hidden War" (Doom Portals Part 4A)
Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Barty's "The Whispered Word (Doom Portals Part 5)
Garu - Tabaxi Paladin - Barty's "Beyond Twilight" (Rikirta Part 3)
"X marks the spot," said Balin, "Perhaps it is a rough map of some kind?"
Liarin: Against the Cult of the Reptile God
Adewild: Shadows and Light 2
Brother Thaddeus: Rime of the Frostmaiden.
Jove says, "None of this explains why Aria was attacked. We need to make sure she is safe before we move on. We should take her to the Villa for protection. We can ask her about it; there may be more people in danger. Or worse. Celebrities in danger."
--- --- We want Grung! --- ---
~https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=DragonbornDoug ~
Harmony had heard the captain, nodding back and glad to hear it. "Thank you Captain Staget. I hope that we will figure this all out soon." she had said back to him, smiling. Then she looked over, seeing everyone looking over a piece of paper, going over as she found out what was going on from Halsen. She looked at the symbol hard, trying to think and tilting her head while hearing Balin, not sure at all. "But it doesn't look like any kind of map I've ever seen." Harmony said back, honestly having no idea what any of this could possibly mean. Now she remembered how Jove said that the crowd had been upset, thinking that a bit of a song could calm them down and willing to give her the starting number if she wants to try. Before she could say anything, she heard as he said that they need to make sure that Aria is safe, taking her to the Villa for protection and can ask her about it. There is a chance that more people, celebrities could be in danger, shocked. "Yes, we definitely have to make sure she is safe. That would be terrible if something or someone was targeting celebrities like Aria. We have to stop them." Harmony had then said back to him, nodding and willing to do anything to keep everyone safe.
Abraxas picks up Harmony’s cloak and joins the others on the stage. He’d like to take a turn investigating the page, looking at the quality of the paper, the ink. What can Abraxas guess about the book by looking at the page? Would it have been expensive? An old book or newer? Also, does the circle image remind him of anything he’s studied in the past?
Finally, he’d like to examine or visually investigate Aria. Was she holding the page or was the imp?
“Balin, if this is a map, could the circle on it be the circle embedded in the ground from the fable? What do you think?” Abraxas whispers to Jove and Halsen, “Do we want to ask Captain Staget about Asmodeus worship in Waterdeep? Is there a way to do that politely?”
Death on the Water and Baldur's Gate Bodyguard
Abraxas History/Arcana: 10
For Jove:
You notice a couple of interesting people when you scan the crowd: A human man who seems quite happy despite the circumstances, and a tiefling woman who is near the Cassalanter family who looks anxious.
For Abraxas:
The rough shape of the page makes it difficult to determine anything about the book it came from. You remember Aria motioning with her hands frequently during her performance, and don't recall seeing a paper in her hands at any point.
You are certain that this drawing is an ancient sigil representing Asmodeus, but are not certain what else that might mean.
A guard by Aria shouts to get Captain Staget's attention, and he walks over to the bard, who locks eyes with Harmony and motions for her to join them.
Ammalia draws her children to her side as she returns to her husband. Her daughter lets out a squeak and clamps her hands over her mouth, staring at the party as they pore over the torn page.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Barty, do I notice
the man from the crowd being dirty at all? Or anything to give the effect he has recently been to the City of the Dead? (I am imagining his knees being dirty as if he was kneeling in the cemetery.)
--- --- We want Grung! --- ---
~https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=DragonbornDoug ~
Balin approaches Ammalia, and with a surprisingly gentle manner says, "Sorry to disturb you, great lady but I noticed your daughter starting to say something, could I ask her what that might have been? The eyes of the young often see what the older folks cannot." Persuasion: 10
Liarin: Against the Cult of the Reptile God
Adewild: Shadows and Light 2
Brother Thaddeus: Rime of the Frostmaiden.
For Jove:
The man looks clean and posh, and there's nothing that stands out about his clothing, just his unusually jovial demeanor.
"Er...yes, of course," Ammalia says. She pulls the young girl gently toward her and crouches down, saying, "Elzerina, this nice dwarf is going to ask you some questions about what you saw, alright?" The young girl nods and looks up at Balin awaiting the first question.
Ammalia looks to the captain. "You will keep an eye on them, Captain Staget," she says sternly, and walks over toward a tiefling woman standing near the stage, starting a conversation.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Harmony was very surprised as she saw Aria looking at her, motioning for her to join them. So she nodded and immediately made her way over, glad that Aria is going to be okay and wanting to find out who did this so she can stop them from hurting any other innocent people.
Jove walks over beside Balin to listen to the little girl's input. He bends down to her level, to make her feel at ease. He smiles, but remains silent and attentive. Jove sends a telepathic message to Balin:
Balin, do not be alarmed. This is Jove, talking through telepathy. The little girl had the same name as the wooden girl from the suspicious paper. Be attentive to what she says.
--- --- We want Grung! --- ---
~https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=DragonbornDoug ~
"Captain," Abraxas says to Staget, "a man of your long experience and expertise has no doubt encountered those who worship devils. What do you know about this symbol?" While he listens to Staget, he rereads the fable and then asks, "Isn't there a part of Waterdeep called the City of the Dead?"
Death on the Water and Baldur's Gate Bodyguard
When Harmony approaches, Aria waves the guard tending her away. "Captain Staget tells me that you've all agreed to investigate. Thank you. I cannot say that was my best performance," she says with a pained smile. She speaks with strength behind her voice, but her wings droop, betraying her fatigue. "Here, I know this does not look like much, but I believe it can be very helpful to you all," she offers, handing Harmony a small bell with a magnificent shine to it. "This is my Bell of Silent Carols. Shake it, and one person that you choose will hear a festive carol in their mind. That person and that person alone will hear the carol. You can only do this a few times per day, however. Share this information with your friends, please. I hope that this can be of use," she explains.
"Before you go, tell me...the others seem to treat this investigation as a duty, much like the city guards, but you think differently. I sense a genuine care about you, as if you are doing this to look out for me. Can you tell me why?" she asks Harmony.
________________
Elzerina looks nervously back to her mother as Jove and Balin remain silent in front of her.
________________
Captain Staget studies the symbol for a moment before answering Abraxas, "It is a sigil. You can probably guess that this represents Asmodeus by the text. These are not uncommon in books and on walls, but I have also come across two in my time with the Watch that were also used as summoning circles. In both cases, the devil killed the summoner before the sigil had been completed. Nasty business, that...leaves the gate open until the sigil is complete."
"The City of the Dead is a section of Waterdeep, yes," he answers, "It's a popular place in the warmer months, a park as well as a cemetery."
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
OOC: Saw Abraxas's post after mine had been complete, edited the previous post.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Jove uses prestidigitation to create a little fidget toy in his hand. It is a black ball with a small cut on one side, to make it flat and sit down on a surface. "Look here, little one. My aunt gave me and my sister each one of these when I was little. When we were scared it would help calm us down." He reaches into his other pocket, and pulls out another ball of the same description, using prestidigitaion again. He sets the first on the ground. Then he spins the second.
"See here, whenever we were together, we could spin one to keep us mesmerized from the bad things around us."
The second marble sized ball revolves the stationary one, causing it to spin and pick up speed. Before long, the two are spinning together. Then they snap together at the cut off point, as if there was a magnet there. They stick together. He takes them apart and puts them back in his pockets.
"Now that I'm grown, I decided to study what makes those work. And now I have this." He pulls out a similar ball, but it is much larger, about softball sized. "Now this one is different. It lets me use magic. My sister has one just like it. Watch this.
Jove shakes the ball and flips it over to the flat side. Once again using prestidigitation, he fills the ball with swirling blue stars that then meet on the flat part, forming a small constellation.
"See? I know stuff can be scary and chaotic sometimes, like the spinning of the balls or stars, but they always calm back down and end up pretty like the night sky."
He puts his orb away. "See? Much more calm. Now, can you help us with anything, little missy? I heard you saying something to your mom, here."
--- --- We want Grung! --- ---
~https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?author=DragonbornDoug ~
Harmony nodded, smiling as Aria thanked them for agreeing to help investigate and apologizing for that performance not being her best. "Of course, it's no problem at all. It was still a wonderful performance though." she said back before hearing that the other has something for them that could be helpful. Then she was surprised as she was handed a small bell with a brilliant shine to it, listening as it was a Bell of Silent Carols. By shaking it, one person she chooses can hear a festive carol in their mind and only that person alone can hear it. But this can only be done a few times a day, telling her to share this with her friends and hoping that it can be of use. "Thank you very much. I'm sure that this will help us out in some way." Harmony thanked her for the bell, so glad to have been given this gift from such a famous bard. But soon she heard as Aria told her how everyone else is doing this out of duty except for her. She thought that she sensed a genuine care from her as if she was looking out for her and questioning why. "Well, I want to become like you, a famous bard who makes people happy and smile with my songs and dance. Your song was so beautiful, captivating everyone like that. I was shocked and scared when I saw what happened, that imp hurting you. Whoever is doing this, trying to ruin the Midwinter Gala by harming you in the middle of your performance, I just can't forgive them. Everyone should be smiling and having fun, listening to beautiful songs such as yours. That's why we'll solve this so that everyone can go back to having fun and you can finish your performance this time." Harmony had said back to Aria with a gentle smile and a determination in her eyes. She wanted to make sure that they stop whoever or whatever did this, wishing for everyone to be happy and smiling again at this event like one should be.
Jove Persuasion: 16
Elzerina watches Jove's demonstration with a mixture of confusion and wonder. When he finishes, she looks visibly less nervous than a moment ago. Still looking back and forth between Jove and Balin, she answers, timidly but rapidly.
"I accidentally brought Chernok to our home, but I still don't know how. The Wooden Girl was my favorite story and I saw my name in the story and so I knew it was a present for me but I didn't know who from but I read it all the time. He was nice, at first! He let me clean his hat because it had a smudge on it. But then Chernok and his stinky friend Brimtoe started breaking things in my room and I got scared. Is Aria going to be alright? Can I go back to Terenzio? I'm scared without him."
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"I thought as much," Aria responds to Harmony with another weak smile. "I believe you are already like me; and you can prove it by writing a song with me. I am from a long line of aasimar bards. Our bloodline is said to trace all the way back to Milil. A scroll of a song called Golden Wings has been passed down from generation to generation in my family. 'Tis said to have magical properties, but alas, part of the scroll was burned when my great-grandmother Elea faced off against a dragon many years ago. I hope to restore its power by completing the end of the song, but have yet to accomplish anything magical by it." She hands the burned scroll to Harmony, which reads:
"Perhaps you and your friends will have better luck. If you can think of the lines to finish the song, bring the scroll back to me and I will sing it for you," Aria finishes.
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Harmony was surprised as Aria asked her to write a song with her to prove that she is like her as well. She listened as the other said that she comes from a long line of aasimar bards, a song having been passed down from generation to generation in her family. It is magical but seems part of the scroll was burned when her grandmother faced a dragon years ago. She wants to restore its power by completing the end of the song but have yet to do so, carefully taking the scroll. Harmony looked at the song, reading it and seeing that the last two lines were blank. Then she heard as Aria hoped that they will have better luck and once they can think of lines to finish the song, to bring it back to her to sing. "That must be wonderful, to have a song passed down in the family like this. It certainly sounds beautiful. Don't worry, we will try and do our best to finish the song. Thank you for allowing me to help you with something so precious." she said back to her, nodding and smiling. Then Harmony started to go over to the others, already thinking of lines that could fit into the song but wanted to get some of the others' thoughts and opinions as well. She saw them talking to a little girl, catching her ask if Aria is going to be alright. "Aria is going to be just fine, she is feeling much better now. Don't you worry about her." she said back with a cheerful smile, trying to reassure her before looking at the others. "Aria wants our help finishing this song. I have an idea, but do you guys have any thoughts about what would fit?" Harmony then asked as she showed everyone the scroll with the song lyrics and the last two lines missing.