Waterdeep: Camel Heist (2020)

Dekhan considers the Green Lady’s question, turning it over in his mind. Because that’s as it should be, my Lady, people must be free; from fear, from servitude, free to live and reap nature’s bounty. It is the sacred charge of all who walk in the light to defend those who need defending. Nature saw fit to bestow a strong arm and the ability to channel life’s divine energy upon me, I must use these gifts to help others. Dekhan thinks of the townspeople and his friends. We all need any help we can To keep the darkness at bay, in the world... and in our hearts. If it is within my power to help someone to walk freely in the light then I must do so. 

"Do you see that star there?" Incantis points towards the Corpse Star as it makes its vague and subtle violet streak across the sky, the one incongruence in the constant moving pattern. "That is Zhudun, whose music sings across all creation in cosmic resonance. See how it enters the pattern yet weaves it's own way? You must do the same. Close your mouth, open your mind, and speak!"

Aye then maybe you tink you've a bit o' the Shadow in ye. Sure, and everyone does. You keep learnin' from Dekhan, follow his counsel. He'll not take away a Shadow's thought, cause no-one can, but he can balance it wit the light and give ye a fair shake at an honorable decision. He'll not hold a Shadow's thought against ye, lad. He can understand yer reason and give good counsel. Like I said, after all I've done, he even tries to shine the light in my direction te keep the Shadow at bay.

Quote from MarkDmitri >>

Dekhan considers the Green Lady’s question, turning it over in his mind. Because that’s as it should be, my Lady, people must be free; from fear, from servitude, free to live and reap nature’s bounty. It is the sacred charge of all who walk in the light to defend those who need defending. Nature saw fit to bestow a strong arm and the ability to channel life’s divine energy upon me, I must use these gifts to help others. Dekhan thinks of the townspeople and his friends. We all need any help we can To keep the darkness at bay, in the world... and in our hearts. If it is within my power to help someone to walk freely in the light then I must do so. 

Dekhan, the Green Lady is silent, but other voices whisper from nowhere into your mind.

Wasteful.  Little folk with meaningless lives, sneers one voice. 

Heroic.  He can be a light in the darkness, says another. 

Selfish.  He seeks adulation. 

Compassionate.  He will not walk on by.

The four voices are joined by others, becoming a cacophony of argument, each weighing in to offer a judgement on your choice, such that you cannot make out the individual words any more.  It doesn't appear that your response to their comments is requested or required.

The world shifts again.  You stand, watching another scene play out in front of you.  A young elf woman, stands in a wooded area.  You see yourself as you kneel and offer Mistweaver your sword.  She takes it, and regards it.  And it is the Green Lady who asks:

You swore an oath to her.  Why?

Incantis, Nena looks at the star, and frowns.  People say that star is bad luck, she says.  Her mother speaks:  People say a lot of nonsense, Nenny, as you well know. 

Nena closes her mouth, and nothing seems to happen.  Not for the longest time.  Then, you feel the slightest touch, not a word or even a thought, just a presence, on the very edges of your awareness, there for half a second and then gone.

Make a Religion check.

Scupper, Nars looks at you, and nods.  Yes sir.  And thank you.  He seems to take your words very seriously, and remains silent for a long time. 

You both stand watching, as Dekhan remains motionless by the tree.

Strix weighs the money bag. Does it look like the kind of sum that might get a clerk into a whole Strix-load of trouble, or a few coppers scraped together by a desperate clerk?

Strix, you pick up and inspect the purse.  It's not very heavy.  If you open it, you'll see a mix of gold, silver and copper - around ten gold total.  It's several weeks' - maybe months' - wages for a junior level clerk, but not enough to arouse the attention this guy has.

And if ye decide the light is too bright or yer thoughts are too dark and ye feel that Dekhan can't help an' all the world seems pointin' ye to Shadow...if yer tempted by violence fer violence sake or tink the Shadow ain't so scary after all...

...That's when ye come see me.

Scupper, Nars doesn't respond.  He visibly shivers, and edges away from you, perhaps feeling the cold.  Then, in a quiet voice he says:  I'll try not to.  But I'll remember.  And... thank you.

Religion: 22

Incantis, you think back to the practices of your upbringing, of how the very young and not so young developed their telepathic abilities.  You cannot remember a time without the voices of your elders resonating in your mind, but it took time to develop your own abilities.  You know that the younger children perform many mental exercises to prepare their minds for the future skills they must learn, but they are not expected actually to project their own thoughts at such a young age.  In fact this is forbidden, because the immature mind can be damaged by such a process, as can the mind of the recipient. 

You conjecture that for those like Nena whose abilities are natural, not learned, the same might apply.  She is still too young, and it's likely her ability will just develop naturally over time as she matures.  It's also likely that the kind of mental exercises that you learned as a small child could make that process smoother and easier for her.  

Hehe. That's what I thought you'd say. Good lad.

"hmmm. Not buy many guards." Strix adds ten gold and hefts it again - "Better." - then throws it back. "Careful. Some guards can buy. Some... Some kill elf for offer. N' take gold neeways"

He settles back to wait. 

Incantis claps his hands, an expression of delight spreading across his mildly deformed face. "I felt that! Very good!" Smiling at Nena's possible confusion, he continues. "It was a long time before I was able the think my first words, and only a little younger than you when I touched another's mind for the first time. You should be proud of yourself but careful; I'm impressed one with no tutelage would have this ability developed even as little as you've had at your age." Incantis gives Nena's mother a solemn but mildly reverent look. He spends the rest of the evening teaching Nena some basic mental exercises and explaining what sort of progress she might expect, giving in and occasionally providing snippets of song and promising to return to practice. He also warns her as compassionately as possible to avoid telepathing into anyone's mind until she's had more practice; the last thing Incantis wants on his conscience is deteriorating this child's mind with his influence.  

It isn't until later when Incantis looks back on the conversation with Nena that he realizes he spent the later part of their interaction speaking exclusively with telepathy; it's been many moons since Incantis had a full conversation in his native tongue, albeit one-sided. For now though, he prattles on telepathically, blissfully unaware of the specifics of his mannerisms, as caught up as he is in his enthusiasm for finally finding a person willing to lend an open temporal lobe. 

((Only the convo continues)) Incantis departs Nena and her mother's home deeply satisfied with himself and feeling humbled by the inspiration he might have just had on Nena's life.

Strix, the elf seems confused, but picks up the coins and returns it to his coat.  You're not going to let me go, are you?  he asks miserably.  I think the guard will just take my money and laugh in my face.  He remains quietly waiting with you, and doesn't attempt to run again.

After a few hours, perhaps two hours before sunset, you see two riders coming from the west.  They notice you, and head over, dismounting.  They are both tough-looking, armoured and armed, and though you've never seen them before, you've seen plenty of similar people working for Beartrap, in the same line as you and in other, less savoury pursuits.  Both are male and human, and walk over to you.  One of them looks at the elf cowering on the ground, looks at you, and nods.  He turns to the other.  Load him up.

The other man walks over to the elf, pulling two sets of manacles from a pocket in his leather armour.  Without speaking, he closes the bands on the elf's arms and legs, leaving him barely able to walk.  Please, you must listen, there's been a... That's all the elf is able to say before a gag is forced into his mouth.  The man searches him:

36 (whoops, that should be 17)

and finds the coin purse easily.  He grins, and replaces it in the elf's coat pocket before hauling him over and tying him across the back of his horse.

Incantis, you part ways with Nena and her mother, Alrissi, late into the evening.  Alrissi thanks you again and again; Nena does too, but by now she's very tired and Alrissi hurries her off to bed.  You'll come back and visit, won't you, Incantis?, Alrissi asks.  Nena will be very happy to see you, as will I.

You return to your room at the inn and sleep the rest of the night.  You reflect on your memories of your own childhood, but also on how what you learned has made a difference to Nena's life.  You also think on the very real connection you have made today with the girl and her mother, and the power of your song to bring that about.

Incantis is now level three.

He smiles pleasantly at his new chums.

"normals, this bit where Beartrap pay Strix. Him have other plans?"