"I do."Misha smiled. "Thees poor young woman has seen a terrible side of my people. Torture, and purposeful harm. While bek home we fight for our survival - I never understood the need to inflict that kind of pain on someone. Perheps, truthfully, there weel be theengs I weel never understand."
Beyond the hall, a flooded chamber opens up with rough-hewn steps climbing to the south, north, and northeast. The floor buckles up above the water line in the middle of the room, forming a small island. Corpses and doused torches float in the water around the island, atop which two men circle each other with weapons bared. One of the men — a tall, unarmored brute with a greatclub and a scarred face — towers above his opponent but is gravely wounded. The smaller figure is muscular and bare-chested. He clutches a bloody dagger in one hand and a torch in the other, and has no flesh covering his skull.
The smaller man looks like a cultist, whereas the huge man with a club definitely does not.
"That smaller man looks like he's one of the cultists. We should take him out. If that larger man is fighting against him, then he is not one of the cultists and even if he proves to be our enemy, he is in no condition to face all of us on his own."
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Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
"I'd say we take out the small fry." Amelia concludes with a grimace on her face, displeased with the amount of gore around this wretched place. Then again, considering where they currently were, she should have expected this. "Big guy could help us if we help him."
Despite being exposed to a lot already, Corrin could feel her stomach churning seeing this sight in particular, so she covers her eyes to avoid seeing anymore of what was going on. Amelia gets close and begins to rub at the little tieflings back to help soothe her nerves.
Aeydof the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm /ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
Jill kneels down to comfort Corrin. "Do not worry. We are almost finished with this disgusting place and then you can leave." Not so different from me when I was her age. There is a difference between seeing dead people and this. But at least she has someone to help her get through it.
Jill walks over, electrifies her sword, and takes a big swing at the small guy.
Attack: 15 Damage: 12
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Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Knowing her strange visage would only further the fear of the rescued tiefling, Persephone hangs back near the rear of the group, content to hide in the shadows. When the group happened upon the two fighting in the next area, and noticing that others of the group started to attack the little one of the two fighters, Persephone decided to join in on the fun, but from a distance. Quickly nocking an arrow with her bow, she surprise attacks the little dude:
There is a rapid moment of confusion, being on guard, then realization that you're not attacking him, but the cultist. The cultist easily drop dead after your attacks, and the big man sighs and lowers his massive club.
"Strangers."he begins, "I am Mortlock Vanthampur, of the Vanthampur noble line in Baldur's Gate. I was betrayed. The Dead Three cultists conspired with my brothers to kill me. If you hadn’t come along, I’d be dead. I thank you for your assistance."
DESCENT INTO AVERNUS
"But first, a little history. Clearly, you are adventurers, and by your pins I can tell you have been deputized by the Flaming Fist. As you might not have known, recently the holy city of Elturel has disappeared from the Forgotten Realms and descended into Avernus, the first layer of the Nine Hells. This event came about as the result of an infernal bargain between the archdevil Zariel, who rules Avernus, and the treacherous High Overseer of Elturel, Thavius Kreeg. Zariel is capturing cities and using their citizens as fodder in the ongoing conflict between demons and devils known as the Blood War. Next on Zariel’s list of cities is Elturel’s neighbor, Baldur’s Gate."
THE DEAD THREE
"My family is paying the Dead Three cultists to murder people in the city. Our goal is to prove that the Flaming Fist can’t do its job. Once the city stops paying them, the Flaming Fist will have less of a reason to stay in Baldur’s Gate. With them gone, no one can stand in the way of my mother becoming the city’s next grand duke. If she gets her way, Baldur’s Gate will share Elturel’s fate and get dragged down into the Nine Hells. I, however, do not agree with this in the slightest."
THE COUNCIL OF FOUR
"My mother is one of the three remaining members of the Council of Four, which governs Baldur’s Gate. She was instrumental in convincing Ulder Ravengard to travel to Elturel and meet with its high overseer, Thavius Kreeg. With Ravengard gone, the Flaming Fist is leaderless and vulnerable."
AMRIK AND THURSTWELL VANTHAMPUR
"The Dead Three cultists receive regular payments from my brother, Amrik, who runs his own money lending business out of a tavern called the Low Lantern. My mother doesn’t expect much of me, but she thinks the world of Amrik. He’s always been her favorite. My oldest brother, Thurstwell, uses imps as spies throughout the city. He has the bathhouse under surveillance and probably knows you’re here. He’s very sickly and seldom leaves our mother’s estate."
Jill's heart stops for a moment when she hears of the scope of what Zariel is planning for the cities of the Forgotten Realms. To be honest, she didn't particularly care for most of the people of those cities, since they didn't particularly care about her. But there were a few people that were in her thoughts. Natasha. The husband-and-wife adventuring duo that took her in and were so kind as to offer her a place with them. She started to nervously grip her holy symbol of Kelemvor as she responded to Mortlock. "O-Obviously, I do not agree with either. It is not her place to be stealing those who are not deceased and drafting them into her war. Is there anything else in this dungeon? I would like to get to stopping this plot straight away. And of course, returning you and this poor woman to somewhere that's better than this. Of course." Jill's speech is quick, as she has suddenly become very eager to get out of this place after learning about the plot to abduct cities and their civilians.
Meep has overall been quiet this whole time, this strange scenery, while filled with water and providing her hour of submergance for the day, was creepy and disgusting to her.
Is it always going to be like this? I Have a lot to get used to... Dain would be so proud (internal sarcasm).
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Nina Wildvale|Changeling|Wild Magic Sorcerer|Rise of The Reunelords|Active
Kai Loire|Water Genasia|Life Cleric|Road To Phandalin|Retired
My brother Amrik is a money lender working out of the Low Lantern Tavern. It's is an aging, three-masted merchant ship permanently docked on the east side of the harbor. You can miss it. Amrik, Thurswell, and my mother will need to be taken care of if you truly wish to stop the attacks from the Dead Three. This was just the beginning.
Mortlock describes what his family looks like, in addition to telling you where Vamthampur Villa is located at. He suggests you go see Amrik first. Once you all depart and leave the bathhouse, he tells you that he intends to leave Baldur's Gate and never return.
Allynna raises an eyebrow upon learning the man's name, finally putting a name to the familiar face. Well, he was always...polite, I guess. She purses her lips as he tells his story. Problematic, no?
Yes. Very problematic. Guess you have some more work to get done. And you better hope you don't run into a Hhune.
Aren't you delightfully positive today?Allynna nods at Mortlock, silently hoping he doesn't recognize her without a name. "Thank you for the assistance. Stay safe, Lord Vamthampur."
Jill insists that they escort the Tiefling girl back to her home before heading off to bed for the night. She keeps her sword and shield in the bed that night and she has a difficult time falling asleep with all of the things on her mind. When she wakes up the next morning, she is quick to get ready and her responses are brief if anyone greets her this morning.
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Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
Misha did not need much sleep so she, more or less, stood guard and made sure nothing out of the ordinary occurred as everyone slept. Once again, as did years before, she kneeled and bowed her head in solemness in a circle drawn from red chalk with candles in the corner of her room and praised the Lord General silently. She could feel the power grow inside her, and in quiet acceptance, took the Oath of Conquest once more, and swore to Bane to fight in his name, for his honor, for glory. As the sun slowly rose, she opened her eyes and looked out the window.
In typical morning fashion, she smiled and greeted the new day and wore her light work out clothes and trotted downstairs where she spent about two hours in the dawn running and lifting the heaviest things she could find. This time, she found herself at the docks where she gladly helped the dockworkers load and unload heavy crates with a smile on her face. They didn't mind at all. Out of the corner of her eye, she found the Low Lantern Tavern and took note of it's location.
Sweating and panting a little bit, she returned to the others - undressed, bathed, and got ready for the day.
As the night came and the others headed off to bed -- or whatever they deemed to do, Nok Nok made his way outside, climbing the outside of the inn to sit upon the roof. There, he withdrew his book, looking over it by moonlight while speaking lowly. "This be deadly work you have Nok doing, Jubi," he says. "Perhaps, now be good time to show your favorite goblin a few new tricks, no?"
"Agreed,"came the simple, but deafening response in his mind.
As if on command, blank pages within the book began to fill with letters and symbols unleashing new knowledge that Nok Nok devoured like a feral, hungry canine. "Yes, yes," he murmured as he spent hours scanning over the pages. "This do nicely."
Afterwards, the goblin lay back upon the roof, staring up at the moon with a wide smile on his lips until he eventually dozed off, only to be awakened early the next morning by the rising hustle and bustle of the Gate. As the sun knocked the moon from its perch, he slips back down and into the inn to await his allies.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Corrin Kettlewhistle: Halfling Life Cleric (Curse of Strahd) Kip Dalton: Human Lore Bard (Waterdeep Dragon Heist) Debauchery Dalliance: Half-Drow Oath of Conquest Paladin (White Plume Mountain)
Allynna debated sneaking into her room for a night's sleep, but decided against it. Instead, she paid for a quiet single room at the inn the others were staying at and flopped down on the bed, exhausted.
Since I know some people don't want to read walls of text:A
Allynna had barely closed her eyes when she felt someone sit on the bed beside her. A slow smile appearing on her face, she opened her eyes to Gargauth's elven features. "Why hello there," she murmured, her tiredness already fleeing. "Fancy seeing you here, young sir."
Gargauth grinned at her. "I thought I'd check in on you after..." His smile faded. "The bath house. And what you found there."
Allynna sat up with a sigh. "I'm worried," she admitted. "I really can't think of anything good that could come of this, especially after Mortlock's explanation. And it would be...bad...for the Hhunes to be targeted. At least some of them," she added sourly before her features returned to their worried lines. "Not to mention that I could be a target. And then there's the business with Elturel." She sighed, bowing her head.
Gargauth wrapped his arm around her gently. "It's going to be okay, 'Lynna," he promised, pulling her against his chest, her head resting on his collarbone. "Go to this tavern, the mansion, stop these people, and there will be nothing to worry about." His voice turned melodic, and Allynna didn't even realize the mark on her back had warmed. "Listen to me, let me guide you, and it will all turn out just fine."
Allynna smiled up at him. "You always know just how to comfort me," she said softly. "I wish you could be...here, not just as a voice in my head, but really, truly here, all the time."
Gargauth smiled sadly. "I wish I could as well. But those after me never cease their hunt, and they would kill you for no reason other than the fact that I care about you." A lie, but only half of one. They'd kill her for her connection to him, not any delusion of affection. "However...there is someone I've been wanting you to meet." He held out a hand, and a pure white raven appeared on it in an explosion of red fire. "This is Cien. He was a close and loyal friend of mine before...I was betrayed, but he too was affected by the same terrible magic I was, and transformed into an imp." The raven's form shimmered like a heat wave before being replaced by that of a small imp who bowed seriously to Allynna. "Cien has asked to accompany you where possible, to keep you safe and give you someone to talk to."
Allynna smiled. "Oh Gargauth...thank you," she whispered, inclining her head elegantly to Cien. "Master Cien, it is an honor to meet you."
Cien shrugs. "You can just call me Cien, no need for titles, Allynna. I look forward to our coming journeys together." With that, he vanished in another puff of flame.
Gargauth kissed Allynna's forehead gently. "And now you must sleep," he said gently.
Allynna opened her mouth to object, but found her eyelids growing heavy. "I guess I am...very tired," she admitted before letting her eyes drift closed.
Gargauth stepped back from the bed, the elf now lying in it under the blankets. All was proceeding as planned. The imp had agreed to play his part in exchange for a promise of a high seat in Gargauth's Nine Hells. For once Gargauth intended to honor this deal-the imp would be promoted as soon as the scheme had succeeded. And little Allynna was playing her part to perfection, unaware that each new dose of his power brought her further and further under his inescapable sway. The Acheronian and her friends were the only obstacle, and he suspected with a little time and the right illusion magic (perhaps revealing his true form at an opportune time and letting the young Kelemvorite attack him?), he could turn Allynna ferociously against them. Nothing hurt more than betrayed trust, after all...
Allynna woke the next morning with a smile on her face. After practicing summoning her new imp friend a few times and a brief conversation with Cien, she made her way down to the common room, the imp on her shoulder in his white raven form.
"Come!"Misha bellowed at everyone. "Time for breakfast! Or three! HA! Keeling cultists and saving Teefleengs make Misha hungry, ya? First we eat, then we go pay veeseet to Low Lantern. I found where eet ees during morning exercise." Misha nodded approvingly, and escorted everyone downstairs to eat, should they want to.
The ringing of the breakfast bell is the only encouragement Nok needs. Just hours ago ravenous for new knowledge, the goblin shows equal zeal at the breakfast buffet.
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Corrin Kettlewhistle: Halfling Life Cleric (Curse of Strahd) Kip Dalton: Human Lore Bard (Waterdeep Dragon Heist) Debauchery Dalliance: Half-Drow Oath of Conquest Paladin (White Plume Mountain)
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"I do." Misha smiled. "Thees poor young woman has seen a terrible side of my people. Torture, and purposeful harm. While bek home we fight for our survival - I never understood the need to inflict that kind of pain on someone. Perheps, truthfully, there weel be theengs I weel never understand."
Beyond the hall, a flooded chamber opens up with rough-hewn steps climbing to the south, north, and northeast. The floor buckles up above the water line in the middle of the room, forming a small island. Corpses and doused torches float in the water around the island, atop which two men circle each other with weapons bared. One of the men — a tall, unarmored brute with a greatclub and a scarred face — towers above his opponent but is gravely wounded. The smaller figure is muscular and bare-chested. He clutches a bloody dagger in one hand and a torch in the other, and has no flesh covering his skull.
The smaller man looks like a cultist, whereas the huge man with a club definitely does not.
Nok raises an eyebrow, looking to the others. “Kill them both?”
Corrin Kettlewhistle: Halfling Life Cleric (Curse of Strahd)
Kip Dalton: Human Lore Bard (Waterdeep Dragon Heist)
Debauchery Dalliance: Half-Drow Oath of Conquest Paladin (White Plume Mountain)
Allynna shakes her head. "Let one of them win first."
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
"That smaller man looks like he's one of the cultists. We should take him out. If that larger man is fighting against him, then he is not one of the cultists and even if he proves to be our enemy, he is in no condition to face all of us on his own."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
"I'd say we take out the small fry." Amelia concludes with a grimace on her face, displeased with the amount of gore around this wretched place. Then again, considering where they currently were, she should have expected this. "Big guy could help us if we help him."
Despite being exposed to a lot already, Corrin could feel her stomach churning seeing this sight in particular, so she covers her eyes to avoid seeing anymore of what was going on. Amelia gets close and begins to rub at the little tieflings back to help soothe her nerves.
Aeyd of the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk
Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm
Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid
Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue
Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm
/ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
Jill kneels down to comfort Corrin. "Do not worry. We are almost finished with this disgusting place and then you can leave." Not so different from me when I was her age. There is a difference between seeing dead people and this. But at least she has someone to help her get through it.
Jill walks over, electrifies her sword, and takes a big swing at the small guy.
Attack: 15 Damage: 12
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Allynna sighs and throws some "fire" at the little guy.
Attack: 8 Damage: 4
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Knowing her strange visage would only further the fear of the rescued tiefling, Persephone hangs back near the rear of the group, content to hide in the shadows. When the group happened upon the two fighting in the next area, and noticing that others of the group started to attack the little one of the two fighters, Persephone decided to join in on the fun, but from a distance. Quickly nocking an arrow with her bow, she surprise attacks the little dude:
Longbow Attack: 14 Damage: 10
Sneak Attack Damage: 3
Subsequent initiative: 4
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
MORTLOCK VANTHAMPUR
There is a rapid moment of confusion, being on guard, then realization that you're not attacking him, but the cultist. The cultist easily drop dead after your attacks, and the big man sighs and lowers his massive club.
"Strangers." he begins, "I am Mortlock Vanthampur, of the Vanthampur noble line in Baldur's Gate. I was betrayed. The Dead Three cultists conspired with my brothers to kill me. If you hadn’t come along, I’d be dead. I thank you for your assistance."
DESCENT INTO AVERNUS
"But first, a little history. Clearly, you are adventurers, and by your pins I can tell you have been deputized by the Flaming Fist. As you might not have known, recently the holy city of Elturel has disappeared from the Forgotten Realms and descended into Avernus, the first layer of the Nine Hells. This event came about as the result of an infernal bargain between the archdevil Zariel, who rules Avernus, and the treacherous High Overseer of Elturel, Thavius Kreeg. Zariel is capturing cities and using their citizens as fodder in the ongoing conflict between demons and devils known as the Blood War. Next on Zariel’s list of cities is Elturel’s neighbor, Baldur’s Gate."
THE DEAD THREE
"My family is paying the Dead Three cultists to murder people in the city. Our goal is to prove that the Flaming Fist can’t do its job. Once the city stops paying them, the Flaming Fist will have less of a reason to stay in Baldur’s Gate. With them gone, no one can stand in the way of my mother becoming the city’s next grand duke. If she gets her way, Baldur’s Gate will share Elturel’s fate and get dragged down into the Nine Hells. I, however, do not agree with this in the slightest."
THE COUNCIL OF FOUR
"My mother is one of the three remaining members of the Council of Four, which governs Baldur’s Gate. She was instrumental in convincing Ulder Ravengard to travel to Elturel and meet with its high overseer, Thavius Kreeg. With Ravengard gone, the Flaming Fist is leaderless and vulnerable."
AMRIK AND THURSTWELL VANTHAMPUR
"The Dead Three cultists receive regular payments from my brother, Amrik, who runs his own money lending business out of a tavern called the Low Lantern. My mother doesn’t expect much of me, but she thinks the world of Amrik. He’s always been her favorite. My oldest brother, Thurstwell, uses imps as spies throughout the city. He has the bathhouse under surveillance and probably knows you’re here. He’s very sickly and seldom leaves our mother’s estate."
Jill's heart stops for a moment when she hears of the scope of what Zariel is planning for the cities of the Forgotten Realms. To be honest, she didn't particularly care for most of the people of those cities, since they didn't particularly care about her. But there were a few people that were in her thoughts. Natasha. The husband-and-wife adventuring duo that took her in and were so kind as to offer her a place with them. She started to nervously grip her holy symbol of Kelemvor as she responded to Mortlock. "O-Obviously, I do not agree with either. It is not her place to be stealing those who are not deceased and drafting them into her war. Is there anything else in this dungeon? I would like to get to stopping this plot straight away. And of course, returning you and this poor woman to somewhere that's better than this. Of course." Jill's speech is quick, as she has suddenly become very eager to get out of this place after learning about the plot to abduct cities and their civilians.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Persephone: "Your mother sounds like a real charmer. What does your brother, Amrik, look like? It sounds like we should pay him a visit next!"
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Meep has overall been quiet this whole time, this strange scenery, while filled with water and providing her hour of submergance for the day, was creepy and disgusting to her.
Is it always going to be like this? I Have a lot to get used to... Dain would be so proud (internal sarcasm).
Nina Wildvale|Changeling|Wild Magic Sorcerer|Rise of The Reunelords|Active
Kai Loire|Water Genasia|Life Cleric|Road To Phandalin|Retired
Willow Twilight|Swiftstride Shifter|Blood Hunter|Ebberon|Retired
Meephylia Polliwog|Grung|Dragon Sorcerer|Descent To Avernus|Retired
Ashryn Rairs|Changeling|Hexblade Warlock|Out Of The Abyss|Dead
My brother Amrik is a money lender working out of the Low Lantern Tavern. It's is an aging, three-masted merchant ship permanently docked on the east side of the harbor. You can miss it. Amrik, Thurswell, and my mother will need to be taken care of if you truly wish to stop the attacks from the Dead Three. This was just the beginning.
Mortlock describes what his family looks like, in addition to telling you where Vamthampur Villa is located at. He suggests you go see Amrik first. Once you all depart and leave the bathhouse, he tells you that he intends to leave Baldur's Gate and never return.
LEVEL UP!
Allynna raises an eyebrow upon learning the man's name, finally putting a name to the familiar face. Well, he was always...polite, I guess. She purses her lips as he tells his story. Problematic, no?
Yes. Very problematic. Guess you have some more work to get done. And you better hope you don't run into a Hhune.
Aren't you delightfully positive today? Allynna nods at Mortlock, silently hoping he doesn't recognize her without a name. "Thank you for the assistance. Stay safe, Lord Vamthampur."
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Jill insists that they escort the Tiefling girl back to her home before heading off to bed for the night. She keeps her sword and shield in the bed that night and she has a difficult time falling asleep with all of the things on her mind. When she wakes up the next morning, she is quick to get ready and her responses are brief if anyone greets her this morning.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Misha did not need much sleep so she, more or less, stood guard and made sure nothing out of the ordinary occurred as everyone slept. Once again, as did years before, she kneeled and bowed her head in solemness in a circle drawn from red chalk with candles in the corner of her room and praised the Lord General silently. She could feel the power grow inside her, and in quiet acceptance, took the Oath of Conquest once more, and swore to Bane to fight in his name, for his honor, for glory. As the sun slowly rose, she opened her eyes and looked out the window.
In typical morning fashion, she smiled and greeted the new day and wore her light work out clothes and trotted downstairs where she spent about two hours in the dawn running and lifting the heaviest things she could find. This time, she found herself at the docks where she gladly helped the dockworkers load and unload heavy crates with a smile on her face. They didn't mind at all. Out of the corner of her eye, she found the Low Lantern Tavern and took note of it's location.
Sweating and panting a little bit, she returned to the others - undressed, bathed, and got ready for the day.
As the night came and the others headed off to bed -- or whatever they deemed to do, Nok Nok made his way outside, climbing the outside of the inn to sit upon the roof. There, he withdrew his book, looking over it by moonlight while speaking lowly. "This be deadly work you have Nok doing, Jubi," he says. "Perhaps, now be good time to show your favorite goblin a few new tricks, no?"
"Agreed," came the simple, but deafening response in his mind.
As if on command, blank pages within the book began to fill with letters and symbols unleashing new knowledge that Nok Nok devoured like a feral, hungry canine. "Yes, yes," he murmured as he spent hours scanning over the pages. "This do nicely."
Afterwards, the goblin lay back upon the roof, staring up at the moon with a wide smile on his lips until he eventually dozed off, only to be awakened early the next morning by the rising hustle and bustle of the Gate. As the sun knocked the moon from its perch, he slips back down and into the inn to await his allies.
Corrin Kettlewhistle: Halfling Life Cleric (Curse of Strahd)
Kip Dalton: Human Lore Bard (Waterdeep Dragon Heist)
Debauchery Dalliance: Half-Drow Oath of Conquest Paladin (White Plume Mountain)
Allynna debated sneaking into her room for a night's sleep, but decided against it. Instead, she paid for a quiet single room at the inn the others were staying at and flopped down on the bed, exhausted.
Since I know some people don't want to read walls of text:A
Allynna had barely closed her eyes when she felt someone sit on the bed beside her. A slow smile appearing on her face, she opened her eyes to Gargauth's elven features. "Why hello there," she murmured, her tiredness already fleeing. "Fancy seeing you here, young sir."
Gargauth grinned at her. "I thought I'd check in on you after..." His smile faded. "The bath house. And what you found there."
Allynna sat up with a sigh. "I'm worried," she admitted. "I really can't think of anything good that could come of this, especially after Mortlock's explanation. And it would be...bad...for the Hhunes to be targeted. At least some of them," she added sourly before her features returned to their worried lines. "Not to mention that I could be a target. And then there's the business with Elturel." She sighed, bowing her head.
Gargauth wrapped his arm around her gently. "It's going to be okay, 'Lynna," he promised, pulling her against his chest, her head resting on his collarbone. "Go to this tavern, the mansion, stop these people, and there will be nothing to worry about." His voice turned melodic, and Allynna didn't even realize the mark on her back had warmed. "Listen to me, let me guide you, and it will all turn out just fine."
Allynna smiled up at him. "You always know just how to comfort me," she said softly. "I wish you could be...here, not just as a voice in my head, but really, truly here, all the time."
Gargauth smiled sadly. "I wish I could as well. But those after me never cease their hunt, and they would kill you for no reason other than the fact that I care about you." A lie, but only half of one. They'd kill her for her connection to him, not any delusion of affection. "However...there is someone I've been wanting you to meet." He held out a hand, and a pure white raven appeared on it in an explosion of red fire. "This is Cien. He was a close and loyal friend of mine before...I was betrayed, but he too was affected by the same terrible magic I was, and transformed into an imp." The raven's form shimmered like a heat wave before being replaced by that of a small imp who bowed seriously to Allynna. "Cien has asked to accompany you where possible, to keep you safe and give you someone to talk to."
Allynna smiled. "Oh Gargauth...thank you," she whispered, inclining her head elegantly to Cien. "Master Cien, it is an honor to meet you."
Cien shrugs. "You can just call me Cien, no need for titles, Allynna. I look forward to our coming journeys together." With that, he vanished in another puff of flame.
Gargauth kissed Allynna's forehead gently. "And now you must sleep," he said gently.
Allynna opened her mouth to object, but found her eyelids growing heavy. "I guess I am...very tired," she admitted before letting her eyes drift closed.
Gargauth stepped back from the bed, the elf now lying in it under the blankets. All was proceeding as planned. The imp had agreed to play his part in exchange for a promise of a high seat in Gargauth's Nine Hells. For once Gargauth intended to honor this deal-the imp would be promoted as soon as the scheme had succeeded. And little Allynna was playing her part to perfection, unaware that each new dose of his power brought her further and further under his inescapable sway. The Acheronian and her friends were the only obstacle, and he suspected with a little time and the right illusion magic (perhaps revealing his true form at an opportune time and letting the young Kelemvorite attack him?), he could turn Allynna ferociously against them. Nothing hurt more than betrayed trust, after all...
Allynna woke the next morning with a smile on her face. After practicing summoning her new imp friend a few times and a brief conversation with Cien, she made her way down to the common room, the imp on her shoulder in his white raven form.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
"Come!" Misha bellowed at everyone. "Time for breakfast! Or three! HA! Keeling cultists and saving Teefleengs make Misha hungry, ya? First we eat, then we go pay veeseet to Low Lantern. I found where eet ees during morning exercise." Misha nodded approvingly, and escorted everyone downstairs to eat, should they want to.
The ringing of the breakfast bell is the only encouragement Nok needs. Just hours ago ravenous for new knowledge, the goblin shows equal zeal at the breakfast buffet.
Corrin Kettlewhistle: Halfling Life Cleric (Curse of Strahd)
Kip Dalton: Human Lore Bard (Waterdeep Dragon Heist)
Debauchery Dalliance: Half-Drow Oath of Conquest Paladin (White Plume Mountain)