Alus raises a finger, about to speak to the blue dragonborn he fought alongside, but watches as he rides quickly out of the square and in the other direction. He then thinks to turn his attention to the strange elf-like man, but as he turns towards the last place he saw him, he's already gone. Alus shrugs, and then makes his way over to the giant woman and the robot, his arms outstretched at both sides.
"Ahoy there, ladies. Name's Alus, but you can call me Al." He clears his throat a bit, and tries to sound fancy, stumbling over his words as he does. "Uh, what...winds hath brought such talented individuals to Triboar on, uh, this...day?"
He pauses in his tracks, looking confused. Then he turns back to address the crowd.
"Oh, and also. Uh, is anybody..." he speaks up, trying (and failing) to sound authoritative, "ahem, IS ANYBODY HURT?"
When he turns back to address the crowd, Astra whispers to Genevieve. "Why is he talking to us like that? Also, take this for the next time the Dragonborn forgets who we are." She hands Genevieve the piece of parchment with the words "My Name Is Genevieve. I'm Working With You" written on it.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
Genevieve’s eyes narrow at Alus once he started speaking strangely. Whispering to Astra when she approaches, she says, “Perhaps he had been dropped on the head as a child... No, impossible, he has a symmetrical face. If I took a meat cleaver down the center on his skull, I’d have two matching halves... That is very important.” She glances down at the sheet of paper. “Do you believe that he will be able to read writing at such a distance? I can implant his tiny lizard brain with something to aid in his memory issue if this persists.” Regardless, she takes the slip of paper and turns back to Alus if no one comes forth with any injuries.
”My name is Genevieve, and this is Astra, if you do not mind my inquiry Alus, what is your purpose for being here?”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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\
Back in the pub, Zindra shrugs. "Knowing what little I know about gargoyles, I'd say they seem fairly autonomous. They're not summoned by a spell that I know of; they've just been hanging around ever since I came into town a few days ago. Probably there's been some bargain struck. I try not to get involved in town politics, though," she says evasively, in answer to Nirzeg's question. "You could talk to the Lord Protector, I suppose. She'd have more answers, as she's the one that deals with that sort of stuff."
Nirzeg half-smile at her answers. "I see... A wise decision, if nothing else. As it would be far too easy to get oneself in needless trouble."After taking a moment to study Zindra, the githyanki looks away thoughtful over something. "Still, I smell there's something to be gained from a few precious words with this Lord Protector. If you could tell me more about them, or at least point me to where I might them, it would be appreciated my dear."
Soon as he had any directions to go on, he quickly devours the remainder of his meal with gusto and heads out, leaving coin behind to pay if having already not done that.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Alus stares dumbfounded back at the robot for a second. He hadn't fully processed this before, and now, looking at Genevieve face to face, he is awestruck by this creature of metal and magic.
"Woah. You're like--woah."
He continues to stare, his expression remaining transfixed, though he slowly leans closer and closer to Genevieve. After a second or two, he realizes what he was doing and shakes his head a bit.
"Oh, uh, right. Me. The name's Alus, but you can all me Al."
Another beat--he realizes he already said that.
"Um," he clears his throat again, once more trying to sound official, "I am here on official business from the Emerald Enclave. As a Caretaker for these lands, it is my job to...uh...take...care of them. And yeah, so I'm here because of the..." he thinks for a bit, scratching the back of his head with the flat side of his spear. "Oh yeah, the giant problem! Supposed to meet a handful of kick-ass new friends here too."
He smiles and places his hands on his hips, proud of himself for being so eloquent.
As Astra speaks she shrinks down to her normal size, and an armed guard is making his way from from the east over to where you stand in the square.
The man that Astra spoke to shrugs hesitantly. “I...ah, well I didn’t say nothin’ about dealin’ with no one! I’m no expert on the law, so I don’t know when it’s been broken, like, but...ah! Maybe yous could talk to the Lord Protector! Only I seen the two of them arguing just yesterday, er...dunno what it was about.”
The man is obviously flustered. As the crowd is thinning, he is speaking to a very powerful and beautiful Aasimar and a magical feminine construct, and he obviously finds the whole experience very offputting.
The guard reaches you, says he heard some commotion, and inquires to the three of you, “What happened? Was it the gargoyles again?”
The crowd of locals is thinning somewhat as locals begin to return to their homes.
At the same time, Alus’ inquiry is met by some shakes of the head. Everyone seems fine, just a few upended carts with goods spilled on the ground, and two merchants are cleaning those up. “Nope,” one of them says to Alus, “but thanks for sticking up for us! That was some pretty interesting stuff the five of you did! Narth Tezrin’s the name, I’m an aspiring adventurer, like you!”
The robot watched Alus depart, thinking for a moment if she should grab him and get him to stay, but she decides against it. We will see him later anyways. “Perhaps we should gather the other ones before we head out?” Genevieve suggests. “One more, the lizard? Where did he go?”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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\
Back at the run-down boarding house, the Six Windows, Derrikoth finds Tolmara asleep at the kitchen table, snoring loudly. Do you wake her?
—
The half elf ranger in the Triboar Arms, Zindra, replies kindly to Nirzeg, “She’s probably still working in her office. I’ll show you where it is on my way to Northshield House. I’m friends with the owner there, always like to pay her a visit. And in fact, if you’re still looking for a place to stay, Northshield is the place to be!”
As Zindra shows you to the tower, Nirzeg sees Astra and Genny also being guided there by an armed man in a breastplate—apparently a guard on duty.
(Who all is going to see Triboar’s Lord Protector?)
Alus gets about 30 feet from the ladies, then suddenly, a lightbulb goes off, and he realizes they are two of the individuals he was meant to meet with.
"Woah."
He turns on his heels to see them being led away by a guard, and so he follows quickly after them, intent on introducing himself.
The Lord Protector’s keep is small and sparsely appointed, but functional. It has two stories and also stairs that lead underground, presumably to a jail or perhaps a cellar.
The guard asks you to wait for “Two shakes of an almiraj’s arse” and disappears into the office. Less than half a minute later, a woman walks out of the office, looking rather tired and disheveled, as if getting off a very long day of non-stop desk work. Following her is a man in rancher’s garb, his eyes sad. The woman speaks soothingly.
“I’m sorry Arn. I agree with you; it would be the right thing to do...but I can’t just send in the Twelve and force Kolstaag to be honorable.” The woman pats the rancher on the shoulder. “Give my best to Syreen and the kids.”
Arn the rancher leaves, looking pretty defeated.
Turning to you, the woman reaches out and offers a firm handshake. “Darathra Shendrel, Lord Protector, at your service. I heard you had a run-in with our recent gargoyle problem? Is there anything I can do for you?”
Aside from a casual wave to Astra and Genny along the way, Nirzeg paid no real further mind to the duo. At least until their intent became clear, eliciting a sly smile from the Gith. Just as it looks as if he might say something however, the new woman to arrive, speaking with another.
Nirzeg is quick take her hand before the others hand, though found himself taken off-guard by the firmness. "... *ahem!* Nirzeg, your friend, or so I would like be. Though failing that, at your service at least." He cracks a smile. "With that in mind, it seems you can use my -- OUR services in dealing with this. Presumeably by convincing this Kolstagg to decease -- sorry, desist with sending his goons into town to hassle the populace. Which, I don't suppose you know why he is, out of curiosity?"
“Ah, yes. Allow me to fill you in,”Darathra gestures, offering you a seat in her spartan office—a stone bench lines the stone walls, and aside from a desk and several lockboxes, there isn’t much else.
Those that belong to the Harpers will notice an understated emblem on her lapel—a silver harp inside a crescent moon.
”Kolstaag is a mage—a former adventurer who moved into town several years back,” says the Lord Protector. “With him, he brought a considerable fortune and an uncanny magnet for trouble. He’s arrogant, which doesn’t endear him to the locals, and he’s got more than his fair share of rivals and enemies. Thankfully, he rarely leaves his estate, so we don’t have to deal with him directly.
“That all changed a few weeks ago, though. A trio of assassins slipped into town one night and, as Kolstaag reported, tried to kill him in his sleep. We were woken by peals of thunder and blasts of lightning coming from the estate, and though the assassins survived, they steal horses from the Cart and Coin, and ended up murdering a stablehand to make good their escape.
That man just in here was Arn Widdens—he and his wife own the Cart and Coin, and he’s been advocating for the poor boy’s family and for his own losses. Problem is, Kolstaag never offered to reimburse the families for their losses and never admitted any responsibility for the event. And it’s obviously not wholly his fault, but the townsfolk can’t help but think that his uncaring attitude is the reason that he only chased the assassins off and did nothing to protect the Widdens or their stablehand.
“Anyway... after the attempted assassination, Kolstaag somehow enlisted four gargoyles to serve as living sentries. And from what I understand, these wicked creatures get bored, and so occasionally they’ll swoop down on townsfolk and terrify them for the sake of amusement. Kolstaag doesn’t see the harm in it, but that’s the third time it’s happened.”She pauses, looking fatigued.
"Three gargoyles!" Alus shouts, unprompted, as if an involuntary bodily function. He realizes his outburst and adjusts his tone a bit before continuing. "Uh, what I mean is, there were four gargoyles but I think we killed one so...now..." he counts on his fingers, "...now there's three."
"Thank you for providing us with this information. Now do you need us to deal with him for you?"
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Alus raises a finger, about to speak to the blue dragonborn he fought alongside, but watches as he rides quickly out of the square and in the other direction. He then thinks to turn his attention to the strange elf-like man, but as he turns towards the last place he saw him, he's already gone. Alus shrugs, and then makes his way over to the giant woman and the robot, his arms outstretched at both sides.
"Ahoy there, ladies. Name's Alus, but you can call me Al." He clears his throat a bit, and tries to sound fancy, stumbling over his words as he does. "Uh, what...winds hath brought such talented individuals to Triboar on, uh, this...day?"
He pauses in his tracks, looking confused. Then he turns back to address the crowd.
"Oh, and also. Uh, is anybody..." he speaks up, trying (and failing) to sound authoritative, "ahem, IS ANYBODY HURT?"
Long live the PCs of the Past:
Puck of the Shivering Summit -- Tabaxi Bard, College of Lore -- Lyrel's Lost Mines of Phandelver
Alus -- High Elf Cleric of Valkur, Tempest Domain -- Yet Another Storm King's Thunder
Ah'brasar -- Aarakocra Druid, Circle of Wildfire -- Yet Another Storm King's Thunder
Furlong J. Rosewood -- Human Monk, Way of the Open Hand -- The Exploits of Misfit Company
When he turns back to address the crowd, Astra whispers to Genevieve. "Why is he talking to us like that? Also, take this for the next time the Dragonborn forgets who we are." She hands Genevieve the piece of parchment with the words "My Name Is Genevieve. I'm Working With You" written on it.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Genevieve’s eyes narrow at Alus once he started speaking strangely. Whispering to Astra when she approaches, she says, “Perhaps he had been dropped on the head as a child... No, impossible, he has a symmetrical face. If I took a meat cleaver down the center on his skull, I’d have two matching halves... That is very important.” She glances down at the sheet of paper. “Do you believe that he will be able to read writing at such a distance? I can implant his tiny lizard brain with something to aid in his memory issue if this persists.” Regardless, she takes the slip of paper and turns back to Alus if no one comes forth with any injuries.
”My name is Genevieve, and this is Astra, if you do not mind my inquiry Alus, what is your purpose for being here?”
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\
Nirzeg half-smile at her answers. "I see... A wise decision, if nothing else. As it would be far too easy to get oneself in needless trouble." After taking a moment to study Zindra, the githyanki looks away thoughtful over something. "Still, I smell there's something to be gained from a few precious words with this Lord Protector. If you could tell me more about them, or at least point me to where I might them, it would be appreciated my dear."
Soon as he had any directions to go on, he quickly devours the remainder of his meal with gusto and heads out, leaving coin behind to pay if having already not done that.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Alus stares dumbfounded back at the robot for a second. He hadn't fully processed this before, and now, looking at Genevieve face to face, he is awestruck by this creature of metal and magic.
"Woah. You're like--woah."
He continues to stare, his expression remaining transfixed, though he slowly leans closer and closer to Genevieve. After a second or two, he realizes what he was doing and shakes his head a bit.
"Oh, uh, right. Me. The name's Alus, but you can all me Al."
Another beat--he realizes he already said that.
"Um," he clears his throat again, once more trying to sound official, "I am here on official business from the Emerald Enclave. As a Caretaker for these lands, it is my job to...uh...take...care of them. And yeah, so I'm here because of the..." he thinks for a bit, scratching the back of his head with the flat side of his spear. "Oh yeah, the giant problem! Supposed to meet a handful of kick-ass new friends here too."
He smiles and places his hands on his hips, proud of himself for being so eloquent.
"Okay, see ya!" He turns and begins to walk away.
Long live the PCs of the Past:
Puck of the Shivering Summit -- Tabaxi Bard, College of Lore -- Lyrel's Lost Mines of Phandelver
Alus -- High Elf Cleric of Valkur, Tempest Domain -- Yet Another Storm King's Thunder
Ah'brasar -- Aarakocra Druid, Circle of Wildfire -- Yet Another Storm King's Thunder
Furlong J. Rosewood -- Human Monk, Way of the Open Hand -- The Exploits of Misfit Company
"Hmm. Perhaps the man is simply mad. Or addicted to drugs." She says, once Alus has walked away out of earshot.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
As Astra speaks she shrinks down to her normal size, and an armed guard is making his way from from the east over to where you stand in the square.
The man that Astra spoke to shrugs hesitantly. “I...ah, well I didn’t say nothin’ about dealin’ with no one! I’m no expert on the law, so I don’t know when it’s been broken, like, but...ah! Maybe yous could talk to the Lord Protector! Only I seen the two of them arguing just yesterday, er...dunno what it was about.”
The man is obviously flustered. As the crowd is thinning, he is speaking to a very powerful and beautiful Aasimar and a magical feminine construct, and he obviously finds the whole experience very offputting.
The guard reaches you, says he heard some commotion, and inquires to the three of you, “What happened? Was it the gargoyles again?”
The crowd of locals is thinning somewhat as locals begin to return to their homes.
At the same time, Alus’ inquiry is met by some shakes of the head. Everyone seems fine, just a few upended carts with goods spilled on the ground, and two merchants are cleaning those up. “Nope,” one of them says to Alus, “but thanks for sticking up for us! That was some pretty interesting stuff the five of you did! Narth Tezrin’s the name, I’m an aspiring adventurer, like you!”
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
"Could you tell us where the Lord Protector lives?"
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
The guard straightens. “Certainly ma’am! I’ll take you there myself.” If you permit him, he will lead you to the nearby Tower of the Lord Protector.
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
"Thank you. Come Genevieve, let's go."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
The robot watched Alus depart, thinking for a moment if she should grab him and get him to stay, but she decides against it. We will see him later anyways. “Perhaps we should gather the other ones before we head out?” Genevieve suggests. “One more, the lizard? Where did he go?”
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\
"I think he went back to that tavern that was owned by the cabbage woman."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Back at the run-down boarding house, the Six Windows, Derrikoth finds Tolmara asleep at the kitchen table, snoring loudly. Do you wake her?
—
The half elf ranger in the Triboar Arms, Zindra, replies kindly to Nirzeg, “She’s probably still working in her office. I’ll show you where it is on my way to Northshield House. I’m friends with the owner there, always like to pay her a visit. And in fact, if you’re still looking for a place to stay, Northshield is the place to be!”
As Zindra shows you to the tower, Nirzeg sees Astra and Genny also being guided there by an armed man in a breastplate—apparently a guard on duty.
(Who all is going to see Triboar’s Lord Protector?)
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
Astra and Genevieve will.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Alus gets about 30 feet from the ladies, then suddenly, a lightbulb goes off, and he realizes they are two of the individuals he was meant to meet with.
"Woah."
He turns on his heels to see them being led away by a guard, and so he follows quickly after them, intent on introducing himself.
Long live the PCs of the Past:
Puck of the Shivering Summit -- Tabaxi Bard, College of Lore -- Lyrel's Lost Mines of Phandelver
Alus -- High Elf Cleric of Valkur, Tempest Domain -- Yet Another Storm King's Thunder
Ah'brasar -- Aarakocra Druid, Circle of Wildfire -- Yet Another Storm King's Thunder
Furlong J. Rosewood -- Human Monk, Way of the Open Hand -- The Exploits of Misfit Company
The Lord Protector’s keep is small and sparsely appointed, but functional. It has two stories and also stairs that lead underground, presumably to a jail or perhaps a cellar.
The guard asks you to wait for “Two shakes of an almiraj’s arse” and disappears into the office. Less than half a minute later, a woman walks out of the office, looking rather tired and disheveled, as if getting off a very long day of non-stop desk work. Following her is a man in rancher’s garb, his eyes sad. The woman speaks soothingly.
“I’m sorry Arn. I agree with you; it would be the right thing to do...but I can’t just send in the Twelve and force Kolstaag to be honorable.” The woman pats the rancher on the shoulder. “Give my best to Syreen and the kids.”
Arn the rancher leaves, looking pretty defeated.
Turning to you, the woman reaches out and offers a firm handshake. “Darathra Shendrel, Lord Protector, at your service. I heard you had a run-in with our recent gargoyle problem? Is there anything I can do for you?”
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
“Ah, yes. Allow me to fill you in,” Darathra gestures, offering you a seat in her spartan office—a stone bench lines the stone walls, and aside from a desk and several lockboxes, there isn’t much else.
Those that belong to the Harpers will notice an understated emblem on her lapel—a silver harp inside a crescent moon.
”Kolstaag is a mage—a former adventurer who moved into town several years back,” says the Lord Protector. “With him, he brought a considerable fortune and an uncanny magnet for trouble. He’s arrogant, which doesn’t endear him to the locals, and he’s got more than his fair share of rivals and enemies. Thankfully, he rarely leaves his estate, so we don’t have to deal with him directly.
“That all changed a few weeks ago, though. A trio of assassins slipped into town one night and, as Kolstaag reported, tried to kill him in his sleep. We were woken by peals of thunder and blasts of lightning coming from the estate, and though the assassins survived, they steal horses from the Cart and Coin, and ended up murdering a stablehand to make good their escape.
That man just in here was Arn Widdens—he and his wife own the Cart and Coin, and he’s been advocating for the poor boy’s family and for his own losses. Problem is, Kolstaag never offered to reimburse the families for their losses and never admitted any responsibility for the event. And it’s obviously not wholly his fault, but the townsfolk can’t help but think that his uncaring attitude is the reason that he only chased the assassins off and did nothing to protect the Widdens or their stablehand.
“Anyway... after the attempted assassination, Kolstaag somehow enlisted four gargoyles to serve as living sentries. And from what I understand, these wicked creatures get bored, and so occasionally they’ll swoop down on townsfolk and terrify them for the sake of amusement. Kolstaag doesn’t see the harm in it, but that’s the third time it’s happened.” She pauses, looking fatigued.
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
"Three gargoyles!" Alus shouts, unprompted, as if an involuntary bodily function. He realizes his outburst and adjusts his tone a bit before continuing. "Uh, what I mean is, there were four gargoyles but I think we killed one so...now..." he counts on his fingers, "...now there's three."
Long live the PCs of the Past:
Puck of the Shivering Summit -- Tabaxi Bard, College of Lore -- Lyrel's Lost Mines of Phandelver
Alus -- High Elf Cleric of Valkur, Tempest Domain -- Yet Another Storm King's Thunder
Ah'brasar -- Aarakocra Druid, Circle of Wildfire -- Yet Another Storm King's Thunder
Furlong J. Rosewood -- Human Monk, Way of the Open Hand -- The Exploits of Misfit Company