Gale nods to himself and replies, "None of us yet know what kind of trouble we've been dragged into. This riddle may be common knowledge, or it may be sought after. Knowing it may or may not be a risk to your safety. We now know Klauth is a threat. Involving yourself may be a danger. Do you still wish to help us? Do not make this decision lightly."
Irthos moves over to Gale and puts a hand on his brothers shoulder and smirks at Zoramie as he speaks. "Come on brother! The lady has come here to lend a hand after interrogating two servants of an ancient red dragon who goes by the rather interesting name of "Old Snarl". I think it's fair to say that she's happy to be involved at this point."
Moving forward to pull out a chair and offer it to Zoramie he adds: "We would love a hand thank you! Now my sister Elsewhere here will do the riddle justice. Will you Elsa?"
Zoramie looks at Gale and says, "You are correct. Oftentimes knowledge comes with a risk. I mean no offense, cleric, but my interest in this matter--and your riddle--is purely academic. I am curious to know if I might learn something about our world and, additionally, if I might be able to help you and your siblings grow in knowledge. If that knowledge helps you, then so be it. If that knowledge burdens you, confuses you, or endangers you, then that will be unfortunate. But it is a chance I am willing to take."
To Irthos, Zoramie nods and offers a smile before saying, "Involved I am, warlock, but for different reasons than yours."
The old woman then closes her eyes and, somewhat strangely, places her forehead on the top of her staff as Elsa recites the words of Kuyutha. When Elsa's voice goes silent, Zoramie raises her head, opens her eyes, and stares at the floor for a short while. She then speaks in such a way that makes the four siblings feel as if Zoramie has forgotten they are in the room. "Find five feathers. I see. A quest. Of course. Greater glory? Could it be?"
Zoramie then looks at Gale, Elsa, Preah, and Irthos. "Gruemar was the gentlest of Bahamut's seven, and during the great war he was tricked by Hrimdoth, the frost giant lord who had rallied an army of wickedness to slay one of the Seven Gold Wyrms. When Bahamut reclaimed the body of his servant, he was enraged to learn that Gruemar was missing an eye, a tooth, a claw, several scales, and a portion of one wing."
Irthos is smirking the whole time Zoramie addresses Gale, but when she turns to him and mentions the word warlock his expression changes immediately. Trying his best not to show that he was startled by her knowledge and understanding that he had indeed made a pact and was a warlock he briefly glances around the room to see if the others had noticed her comment at all.
In case you want some rolls for this:
deception:17 - to hide his reaction. perception:8 - to see if his siblings have noticed.
Clearing his mind after the unexpected comments Irthos turns his attention back to listening to what Zoramie can reveal about the situation. He is intrigued to find that she seems to understand a great deal about Gruemar and what his fate had been. Smiling with excitement as the puzzle is being unravelled he jokes about what has just been revealed.
"Frost Giants as well? We are wracking up quite a list of mighty foes in this tale aren't we! If these feathers are actually poor old Gruemar's missing body parts then this quest as it were has certainly taken a bit of a morbid turn."
Gale doesn't understand why Zoramie would think he would take offense and shrugs it off, looking at Irthos with a 'What?' gesture. Responding to Zoramie, "Ok, that gets us somewhere. If the five feathers are body parts, then who has them? Has anyone been boasting about owning gold dragon trophies? Or is it known who has the parts?"
Irthos takes stock of his siblings' reaction, or lack thereof, and receives the impression that they were too focused on the matter at hand to take much notice of Zoramie's remark.
"It is said that Hrimdoth took Gruemar's scales and had them fashioned into a shield that protected him from all foes," continues Zoramie. "The other pieces of Gruemar's body he gave to the power-hungry leaders of the groups that aided him in slaying Gruemar. We are speaking of centuries-old events. Time has a way of burying things."
Zoramie then pauses for a while, which seems to be a common part of her discourse with others. "I know nothing more of this tale about Gruemar. Toryn might be of help."
At those last words--"Toryn might be of help"--Irthos' mind immediately fills with images of an eccentric gnome scholar he encountered a few times at Candlekeep: Toryn Zinnripple.
Pleased that he hadn't noticed any reactions from his siblings Irthos finds his curiosity growing further as mention is made of Gruemar's body parts being fashioned into magical artefacts, however when he hears the name Toryn he finds his memory is instantly jogged with images from Candlekeep. Looking up at Zoramie with a curious expression he says:
If Elsa notices Irthos's discomfort it does not show, she has gone back to idly playing her lyre, but nods her head softly while making eye contact with Zoramie to show that she is actively listening. At the mention of Candlekeep, Elsa's eyes go wide and a she smiles broadly.
"I've always wanted to see the great library. It would seem that our journey will take us to great and wondrous places at the least."
Zoramie nods her head. "Yes, Toryn Zinnripple. You know of him? It seems then that we've nothing else to discuss. Thank you for allowing my intrusion. You shouldn't have any more trouble from the two fiends. I've sent them home, if you know what I mean."
Elsa nods at their guest, "Zoramie, you have our gratitude. I'm sure someday we will return to share with you a grand tale indeed. Will you be needing an escort back to the House of Knowledge?"
Smiling at Elsa Irthos says: "Ah sister, there is so much to read there! It's great! And you'll get on great with the old scholar's there, they like a good spot of music."
Turning to Zoramie he nods in confirmation: "Yeah I bumped into the Gnome a few times while I was at Candlekeep myself, guess that's where we are headed next! Thanks for the help, we would've been heading in the opposite direction without a helping hand from yourself." He finishes with a chuckle before he looks to Preah and quickly adds with a mischievous smile: "But I'm sure we'll be headed that way before we know it Preah, I'm looking forward to meeting the folk up there that you spent all those years bossing around!"
Gale reassures Preah, "Under different circumstances, we would all enjoy seeing what you've been up to these last years. But personally I'd rather go visit you with mother in hand. How about we resolve this riddle, find mother and then all live large at your place until you throw us out?"
Gale looks at Zoramie with suspicion...
Insight check: 25
Gale scrutinizes Zoramie's every movement and every word; he discerns no deceit in anything that she has said.
Gale nods to himself and replies, "None of us yet know what kind of trouble we've been dragged into. This riddle may be common knowledge, or it may be sought after. Knowing it may or may not be a risk to your safety. We now know Klauth is a threat. Involving yourself may be a danger. Do you still wish to help us? Do not make this decision lightly."
Irthos moves over to Gale and puts a hand on his brothers shoulder and smirks at Zoramie as he speaks. "Come on brother! The lady has come here to lend a hand after interrogating two servants of an ancient red dragon who goes by the rather interesting name of "Old Snarl". I think it's fair to say that she's happy to be involved at this point."
Moving forward to pull out a chair and offer it to Zoramie he adds: "We would love a hand thank you! Now my sister Elsewhere here will do the riddle justice. Will you Elsa?"
Elsewhere clears her throat and takes a deep breath. She recites the passage carefully word for word, without flair or elegance.
Thus saith Kuyutha:
Dragonborn, North Wind borne, these five are called to find,
Find five feathers, the feathers of Gruemar, and then his dishonor unbind.
End the mourn at Rays of Morn is the quest before them set.
Then dragonborn shall be dragon born and greater glory beget.
~♡~
Zoramie looks at Gale and says, "You are correct. Oftentimes knowledge comes with a risk. I mean no offense, cleric, but my interest in this matter--and your riddle--is purely academic. I am curious to know if I might learn something about our world and, additionally, if I might be able to help you and your siblings grow in knowledge. If that knowledge helps you, then so be it. If that knowledge burdens you, confuses you, or endangers you, then that will be unfortunate. But it is a chance I am willing to take."
To Irthos, Zoramie nods and offers a smile before saying, "Involved I am, warlock, but for different reasons than yours."
The old woman then closes her eyes and, somewhat strangely, places her forehead on the top of her staff as Elsa recites the words of Kuyutha. When Elsa's voice goes silent, Zoramie raises her head, opens her eyes, and stares at the floor for a short while. She then speaks in such a way that makes the four siblings feel as if Zoramie has forgotten they are in the room. "Find five feathers. I see. A quest. Of course. Greater glory? Could it be?"
Zoramie then looks at Gale, Elsa, Preah, and Irthos. "Gruemar was the gentlest of Bahamut's seven, and during the great war he was tricked by Hrimdoth, the frost giant lord who had rallied an army of wickedness to slay one of the Seven Gold Wyrms. When Bahamut reclaimed the body of his servant, he was enraged to learn that Gruemar was missing an eye, a tooth, a claw, several scales, and a portion of one wing."
Irthos is smirking the whole time Zoramie addresses Gale, but when she turns to him and mentions the word warlock his expression changes immediately. Trying his best not to show that he was startled by her knowledge and understanding that he had indeed made a pact and was a warlock he briefly glances around the room to see if the others had noticed her comment at all.
In case you want some rolls for this:
deception:17 - to hide his reaction.
perception:8 - to see if his siblings have noticed.
Clearing his mind after the unexpected comments Irthos turns his attention back to listening to what Zoramie can reveal about the situation. He is intrigued to find that she seems to understand a great deal about Gruemar and what his fate had been. Smiling with excitement as the puzzle is being unravelled he jokes about what has just been revealed.
"Frost Giants as well? We are wracking up quite a list of mighty foes in this tale aren't we! If these feathers are actually poor old Gruemar's missing body parts then this quest as it were has certainly taken a bit of a morbid turn."
Gale doesn't understand why Zoramie would think he would take offense and shrugs it off, looking at Irthos with a 'What?' gesture. Responding to Zoramie, "Ok, that gets us somewhere. If the five feathers are body parts, then who has them? Has anyone been boasting about owning gold dragon trophies? Or is it known who has the parts?"
Irthos takes stock of his siblings' reaction, or lack thereof, and receives the impression that they were too focused on the matter at hand to take much notice of Zoramie's remark.
"It is said that Hrimdoth took Gruemar's scales and had them fashioned into a shield that protected him from all foes," continues Zoramie. "The other pieces of Gruemar's body he gave to the power-hungry leaders of the groups that aided him in slaying Gruemar. We are speaking of centuries-old events. Time has a way of burying things."
Zoramie then pauses for a while, which seems to be a common part of her discourse with others. "I know nothing more of this tale about Gruemar. Toryn might be of help."
At those last words--"Toryn might be of help"--Irthos' mind immediately fills with images of an eccentric gnome scholar he encountered a few times at Candlekeep: Toryn Zinnripple.
Pleased that he hadn't noticed any reactions from his siblings Irthos finds his curiosity growing further as mention is made of Gruemar's body parts being fashioned into magical artefacts, however when he hears the name Toryn he finds his memory is instantly jogged with images from Candlekeep. Looking up at Zoramie with a curious expression he says:
"Toryn? As in Toryn Zinnripple, of Candlekeep?"
[ooc: first some checks for Irthos]
insight : 23 I think Elsa notices Irthos's discomfort about being called a warlock, but let me know if I am reading the contested skill checks wrong
deception : 15
If Elsa notices Irthos's discomfort it does not show, she has gone back to idly playing her lyre, but nods her head softly while making eye contact with Zoramie to show that she is actively listening. At the mention of Candlekeep, Elsa's eyes go wide and a she smiles broadly.
"I've always wanted to see the great library. It would seem that our journey will take us to great and wondrous places at the least."
~♡~
Zoramie nods her head. "Yes, Toryn Zinnripple. You know of him? It seems then that we've nothing else to discuss. Thank you for allowing my intrusion. You shouldn't have any more trouble from the two fiends. I've sent them home, if you know what I mean."
Gale nods, "Well then... Candlekeep is a coastal city. I can go and arrange passage by ship again if we want to get there sooner than later."
Preah nods. “That would be preferable, although I must say that I am slightly disappointed that I wont get to show you my home.”
Officially Joined the Expanded Signature Club
Will be on Hiatus: Currently Clear
Elsa nods at their guest, "Zoramie, you have our gratitude. I'm sure someday we will return to share with you a grand tale indeed. Will you be needing an escort back to the House of Knowledge?"
~♡~
Smiling at Elsa Irthos says: "Ah sister, there is so much to read there! It's great! And you'll get on great with the old scholar's there, they like a good spot of music."
Turning to Zoramie he nods in confirmation: "Yeah I bumped into the Gnome a few times while I was at Candlekeep myself, guess that's where we are headed next! Thanks for the help, we would've been heading in the opposite direction without a helping hand from yourself." He finishes with a chuckle before he looks to Preah and quickly adds with a mischievous smile: "But I'm sure we'll be headed that way before we know it Preah, I'm looking forward to meeting the folk up there that you spent all those years bossing around!"
Gale reassures Preah, "Under different circumstances, we would all enjoy seeing what you've been up to these last years. But personally I'd rather go visit you with mother in hand. How about we resolve this riddle, find mother and then all live large at your place until you throw us out?"