"If you're a druid maybe," Elra agrees. "And you made that," Elra seems a bit late to seeing Ethan's fire maker but she doesn't seem to care. "That's fascinating. I've heard of people who can imbue magic into objects. Not just enchantments but actual spells. Wands and staffs are easy but something like that looks so much harder. Do you have anything else you've made?"
Vincent, with a loud Hoot, speads his wings and takes to the air, flying towards Elra and landing on his shoulder. "Sorry Vincent," she laughs. "Yes, owls turn their heads like that because their eyeballs are fixed in place, unlike our own." She rolls her eyes as an example. "Vincent can't do that, so he would have to look up and around. So when he needs to look at something that we could simply move our eyes to see." She pulls a piece of jerky from one of her rations and holds it to the side of his head. Vincent turns his head all the way to the left and bites at it. "He has to move his entire head." She gives him the rest of the jerky before petting him and looking at the party. "I was rambling again... wasn't I?"
Sildar turns and puts a hand on Ethan's shoulder as he continues to inquire about the job and asks flatly "do you and I need to have a chat outside?" He turns Ethan's head a bit with his hand to show him a shy looking young woman apparently listening in on their conversation and staring at Ethan's gauntlet. She turns and runs off once she realizes she's been spotted.
To Ethan Gundren replies "no worries, my boy, we'll find you something!" "On that note, are there any other supplies people will need for..." he looks at Sildar cautiously "you know, general adventuring and all of that good fun?"
Gundren stands and awaits replies before stating "I need to go check in on our provisions anyhow, so ol' Gundren will see what he can cook up for you. I'll see you all, ah, in the morning." He winks and gives you all a big smile before encouraging you to "drink up and enjoy!"before departing.
Tarja catches Sildar looking her over a bit at which time he leans over and whispers to her "we're meeting in the stables around back at 2am. Be there if you want to help each other in Phandalin." He then moves over in front of the table again and announces "I must go keep our friend out of trouble, as you can see." He looks to 'Zeke' and adds "do keep them out of trouble as well, would you?" "Especially this one" as he nods towards the talkative Ethan. At that Sildar gives a small bow of his head to the party and takes his leave.
Madame Rosene makes her way to the table to check on the group and ask if they need anything. She smiles at each of you and expresses that she hopes they are pleased with their food and drink and tells you that there are plenty of accommodations for everyone, courtesy of Mr. Rockseeker.
"Oh, it was great, thank you," Elra says with a smile. She turns back to Ethan, "Looks like you're in trouble," she jokes. "Anyways, do you have any other things like the one you showed us? They look fascinating and I'd love a chance to study them."
Zeke nods at Sildar as he admonishes the group. He was planning on sticking near Ethan for the rest of the evening in any event, but will be more vigilante now in the wake of the warning of the grizzled warrior.
Fae would listen attentively when Gundren and Sildran would address the group. She’d do a quick review of her items in her bag before figuring she’d be good to go when the time came. She’d look up to Sildran before he’d take his leave, and she’d simply nod to him as a greeting and confirmation that she will catch up with them at the 2am meeting. Fae would go back to her journal, continuing to take down some notes from the conversation, but occasionally she’d flip to another portion in her book where she would jot down short notes as if she just remembered something, but also begin sketching out a banner with a lion crest on it, before flipping back to the earlier spot in her book to jot down more conversation notes. Can’t blame the others for not wanting to strike up more of a conversation with me... at least Maxie was friendly enough... maybe too friendly? He does excuse himself a lot... Fae would just shrug to herself as she finished up her notes and begins packing everything back up to tuck in her bag. She’d abruptly stand up from the table and go to walk away. As if she just remembered her manners she’d stop and turn back to face everyone at the table, “I’m going to order something before I retire for the night. Can I get anything for any one while I’m up?” She’d fidget as she waits for someone to hopefully respond.
"Well, mes amies, I am off to get some sleep. See you all in zee morning." *wink*
Maxiegathers his things and heads off to his room.
Entering his room, Arveljams the door with a chair. He moves to the window and cracks it open, checking the drop to the alley below.
Preparing for a short nap so he can be ready for the rendezvous at 2am, he washes his face. As he dries off, his mustache fades away. His dark hair lightens to blonde. And his blue eyes glow for a moment and return to their molten gold color.
He smiles to himself about his success in another day of charlatanism, but as he looks himself in the eyes in the mirror he feels a tinge of guilt over fooling people who could very easily be friends...
"Oh yeah I have a few bits and pieces of equipment, some of it is still in the process of being completed."
"My most advanced design, the one I am most excited about, is only half way done. Uh, here lit me show you something else."
Ethanpulls out a pocket watch like device from his belt.
"This is a little beauty. I made it with the help of a very kind wizard in Waterdeep. He had a spell called Prestidigitation, and he agreed to let me study him casting it over and over, until I could record out all the sigils. See, if I use my magic visualiser (Detect Magic), I can see the patterns for a second or two when he cast the spell."
"This spell was extra complicated, even though it only uses the weakest "cantrip" level magic source to power it. It has something like 20 or more sigils in its design, but some of them only come into play when the desired effect is chosen."
"Anyway, one the sigils I have seen and used before, it is related to the creation of physical "stuff" from pure magic."
Ethanturns some components around the edge of the "watch" and then presses the main release button, causing the flash of light and the device to open.
Ethanthen takes out a small white semitransparent gel like disc from within. Holding the disc Ethanconcentrates for a fraction of a second and the disc dissolves away, leaving a small fork in his hand.
"So this is the part that's so exciting. I'm not just creating a disc from magic, I'm infusing the disc as it is created, giving it the ability to receive the remaining magic and produce an effect."
A moment later, the fork dissolves away just as the disc did.
"So this device creates these discs, and then programs them with the specified magical outcome from the Prestidigitation spell."
"I have a really awesome design in the works that uses this tech, but I want to keep it under raps until I am sure its going to work."
"I have also integrated this programmed magical matter design into the glove of my gauntlet, so I can just connect a controller with the right design, and the glove can produce it."
Ethanflexes his hand, looking at the wires and cut stones, embedded in the glove.
"Of course none of this is usable by anyone else, unless they have learned the art of artificer "casting". Its very different to normal spell casting, its more of an infusion, then casting. You dump a portion of magic into the correct part of the device, and the systems come to life with the magic."
"The wizard that helped me, tried, but was unable to get the magic to flow into the device correctly, most of the time it would just spill out into the air."
Ethangoes back to finishing off his meal.
Looking up, his mouth still half full of food, Ethanremarks,
"Its nice to have people to talk to about this stuff, most people just loose interest and walk away."
Tarja retires for the evening as well, thanking her hosts and saying goodnight to the rest of the guests and declining Faes offer. She’s not at her most comfortable in these crowds anyway. She’s ready for the trip back to more familiar grounds.
"Fascinating," Elra leans closer to get a better look at it when Ethan holds it out. "I've heard of people like you before but I've never actually gotten to meet one before. An Artificer..." she trails off. "If you need any help with anything I be glade to assist." She looks up at him, "You probably want to get some rest, and I could spend the next several hours talking your ear off. So um... goodnight?" she says it more like a question as she stands up. Vincent stares at Ethan with unblinking eyes as she leaves the bar area and heads up to her room.
As Elra enters her room, she makes a makeshift perch for Vincent out of a chair. A sudden realization hits her as she smacks herself in the forehead. "Oh, good job Elra. Now he's going to think you're just a weird as everyone in this town does."
Sitting down on the bed, Elra looks up at the ceiling. "Well, on the bright side," she says to Vincent, "I met an actual artificer. They're never going to believe me when I go back to the temple. Not like they ever believe me in the first place." She pulls her notebook out of her bag and starts writing. About everything she learned that day, mostly the things she saw. While writing she begins to talk out loud to no one in particular. "So I guess this means I'm going on the right path, this Gundren Rockseeker. I'm not asking for you to tell me everything. I know that's not how you work. I'm not even asking for confirmation that I'm right... I think." She stops writing. "Sometimes I don't know if what I'm thinking is... well... correct."
At 2am, there is a small lantern lit inside the stables behind the inn. It illuminates a ladder to the hay loft where another light can be seen once one is close. Sildar stands quietly at the entrance to the stables smiling and nodding as you each go by and taking count. At two minutes past the hour if everyone is not there Sildar will go start knocking on the doors Rosene had assigned to the group.
Will insert more at this point if for any reason any of the characters have not made it to the meeting.
Gundren is waiting in the hay filled loft and is pacing, brimming with excitement. He tries to give each of you a hug as you join him for the meeting.
"Welcome my good friends! I am glad you have all come to hear about the opportunity you have all been waiting for your entire lives! I hope you're ready to do the last job you'll ever need to do in fact! Perhaps you've heard of Phandalin? Wave Echo Cave? The great dwarf Falgrim Thunderheart, no doubt? SURELY you've heard of the legendary Forge of Spells! I know, I know, the Forge was lost centuries ago and you've heard it is impossible to find, lost to the depths forever! That might be true, IF you weren't now in business with the Rockseeker brothers, that is! We've discovered the lost mine and the entrance to the Forge, and together we will all go down in history as those who resumed the great work of Falgrim and restored the mine to it's former glory! I can't wait to see all of your faces when we get there!"
You all hear a bit of clambering as Sildar's head and shoulders pop up at the top of the ladder. He says with a bit of sarcasm "so much for just hiring them for the trip to Phandalin, to start. Perhaps they'd like to know where the greatest of adventures begins, Gundren?" As Gundren resumes Sildar returns to the ground to keep an eye out.
"Oh right, yes yes. That Sildar, he loves to pester so. He's always right though, you know. Good man, that one. It's just that, you all deserve to know the magnitude of what we are about to achieve! Shouldn't be much trouble, really. Supplies are being put together currently and we should be ready to depart by noon tomorrow. No later I told them! The arrangements have been made and everything will be brought right here then so we can get right to it! With all of you along I'm sure the typical ruffians along the road with give us no trouble and beyond that perhaps they'll be some traversing of the hills and the mine and we should be able to find the spot!"
Gundren pauses as if he might be finished and there is another loud clearing of the throat from down below.
"Right, right. You want to know about the finer points of the job. We'll be taking two wagons south along the The High Road to the Triboar Trail and then on to Phandalin. When we deliver them to Barthen's Provisions you'll each be paid twenty gold pieces for your services, at which point you are of course free to take your leave if you choose." Gundren chuckles. "Boy wouldn't that be a curious choice when on the doorstep to the Forge of Spells, eh?! Don't worry, there will be plenty of coin for continued help from there on in. My brothers will be there to fill us in on the details. In fact, everything should be all squared away already!" He smiles proudly and waves Tarja's still unopened letter about before stuffing it back in his pocket.
Elra looks very excited, "The Forge of Spells! That's amazing, how did you manage to locate it? Where I'm from all the priests agreed that it was nothing more than a legend that needed to be wrote down. If it is real then that means we're about to see something truly historic. Why all the secrecy behind it then? This should be something to celebrate." Elra continues to ramble on for a few more minutes before stopping suddenly, "...sorry, I was rambling again."
Tarja arrives just a minute late, but looking more well-groomed than she did before. She's taken the time since the get-together to clean off some travel grime.
She listens to the tale of Wave Echo Cave and the Forge of souls with a mix of reverence and skepticism.
Falgrim's work was incredible - and yet doom befell him and his companions. Restoring it will be a monumental task. I will honor my forebears and do my best to aid you in this quest.
But I agree with Sildar - let's not get ahead of ourselves. Your brothers warned of trouble in Phandalin for foreigners, so we will need to proceed with caution.
She cracks a smile.
But 'ey, we'll have good company on the way there, at least! eh, Vincent?
Fae thought about arriving early, but decided to wait a little for the others. She could hear some shuffling from the other rooms and decides to finally head down. As she’s greeted at the door by Sildar, she’d pull her hood down this time, revealing raven black hair and piercing violet eyes. “My apologies for the rudeness inside. Crowds make me extremely uncomfortable. It’s good to see you old friend.” She’d bow her head in respect to Sildar before entering to be greeted by Gundren. As Gundren hug her in greeting, she’d stiffen up like a board before giving him two gentle pats on the back. When he releases her she’d scurry over to a quiet corner to listen to Gundren’s grand speech.
Fae would get goosebumps at the multiple mentions of the Forge of Scrolls in this room. “If it is true, I agree, it would be a grand historical find. Though I’m with Maxie, start with the escort trip Phandalin and go from there. It is legend for a reason...” she said that part at the end, almost trying to convince herself that’s all it is, legend.
A sigh would escape her lips before looking over to Tarja, listening intently as she speaks with pride about honouring her forefathers. Fae would close her eyes and nod, agreeing that it would be a monumental task. She’d open her eyes to meet with Tarja’s, “I too will do all I can to assist in this quest.”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Zeke dozed lightly in a chair in the hallway between Ethan and Elra's rooms. When he heard the crash from inside Ethan's room, he lept to his feet and moved towards the door, just in time to greet Ethan as he stepped into the hall.
Falling in step behind the two humans, Zeke followed them at a discreet distance towards the stables. Catching sight of Sildar as they approached, Zeke relaxed ever so slightly with the knowledge that the venerable warrior had secured the meeting space in advance of their arrival. Even still, he dropped further back from his companions and made a quick sweep of the stables before finding some shadows near Sildar at the base of the ladder to listen to the conversation above.
Stealth 13 Perception 14
While Gundrun speaks, Zeke nervously shifts his weight from foot to foot - barely perceptible to most, but a clear tell to an experienced warrior like Sildar. This whole enterprise feels dangerous and reeks of ill-conceived risk. He's in, of course, he's just sure it will end badly for all those involved. Things like this Forge belong in the legends - not in the here and now.
Tarja nods at Fae, who seems to appreciate the gravity of the situation.
She addresses Ethan:
I couldn't tell you what it did, that has also been lost. Falgrim and everyone with him perished, taking the details with him. Scattered letters that remain tell of how he could harness the power of the forge and imbue items with it, and how the cave would be a center for scholarly study of the arcane. Those who treat it irreverently, who impatiently look for a quick shortcut to power instead of communing and careful study, will not do well there; it must be treated with respect.
"That's what makes it so fascinating," Elra agrees. "Everything was kept so secret to people who had nothing to do with the Forge of Spells that we know very little of what happened. That's why everyone thinks it's nothing more than a story and a legend. Ya they're never going to believe me when I go home."
"If you're a druid maybe," Elra agrees. "And you made that," Elra seems a bit late to seeing Ethan's fire maker but she doesn't seem to care. "That's fascinating. I've heard of people who can imbue magic into objects. Not just enchantments but actual spells. Wands and staffs are easy but something like that looks so much harder. Do you have anything else you've made?"
Vincent, with a loud Hoot, speads his wings and takes to the air, flying towards Elra and landing on his shoulder. "Sorry Vincent," she laughs. "Yes, owls turn their heads like that because their eyeballs are fixed in place, unlike our own." She rolls her eyes as an example. "Vincent can't do that, so he would have to look up and around. So when he needs to look at something that we could simply move our eyes to see." She pulls a piece of jerky from one of her rations and holds it to the side of his head. Vincent turns his head all the way to the left and bites at it. "He has to move his entire head." She gives him the rest of the jerky before petting him and looking at the party. "I was rambling again... wasn't I?"
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
Sildar turns and puts a hand on Ethan's shoulder as he continues to inquire about the job and asks flatly "do you and I need to have a chat outside?" He turns Ethan's head a bit with his hand to show him a shy looking young woman apparently listening in on their conversation and staring at Ethan's gauntlet. She turns and runs off once she realizes she's been spotted.
To Ethan Gundren replies "no worries, my boy, we'll find you something!" "On that note, are there any other supplies people will need for..." he looks at Sildar cautiously "you know, general adventuring and all of that good fun?"
Gundren stands and awaits replies before stating "I need to go check in on our provisions anyhow, so ol' Gundren will see what he can cook up for you. I'll see you all, ah, in the morning." He winks and gives you all a big smile before encouraging you to "drink up and enjoy!" before departing.
Tarja catches Sildar looking her over a bit at which time he leans over and whispers to her "we're meeting in the stables around back at 2am. Be there if you want to help each other in Phandalin." He then moves over in front of the table again and announces "I must go keep our friend out of trouble, as you can see." He looks to 'Zeke' and adds "do keep them out of trouble as well, would you?" "Especially this one" as he nods towards the talkative Ethan. At that Sildar gives a small bow of his head to the party and takes his leave.
Madame Rosene makes her way to the table to check on the group and ask if they need anything. She smiles at each of you and expresses that she hopes they are pleased with their food and drink and tells you that there are plenty of accommodations for everyone, courtesy of Mr. Rockseeker.
"Oh, it was great, thank you," Elra says with a smile. She turns back to Ethan, "Looks like you're in trouble," she jokes. "Anyways, do you have any other things like the one you showed us? They look fascinating and I'd love a chance to study them."
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
Zeke nods at Sildar as he admonishes the group. He was planning on sticking near Ethan for the rest of the evening in any event, but will be more vigilante now in the wake of the warning of the grizzled warrior.
Fae would listen attentively when Gundren and Sildran would address the group. She’d do a quick review of her items in her bag before figuring she’d be good to go when the time came. She’d look up to Sildran before he’d take his leave, and she’d simply nod to him as a greeting and confirmation that she will catch up with them at the 2am meeting. Fae would go back to her journal, continuing to take down some notes from the conversation, but occasionally she’d flip to another portion in her book where she would jot down short notes as if she just remembered something, but also begin sketching out a banner with a lion crest on it, before flipping back to the earlier spot in her book to jot down more conversation notes. Can’t blame the others for not wanting to strike up more of a conversation with me... at least Maxie was friendly enough... maybe too friendly? He does excuse himself a lot... Fae would just shrug to herself as she finished up her notes and begins packing everything back up to tuck in her bag. She’d abruptly stand up from the table and go to walk away. As if she just remembered her manners she’d stop and turn back to face everyone at the table, “I’m going to order something before I retire for the night. Can I get anything for any one while I’m up?” She’d fidget as she waits for someone to hopefully respond.
just an unstable unicorn.
"Well, mes amies, I am off to get some sleep. See you all in zee morning." *wink*
Maxie gathers his things and heads off to his room.
Entering his room, Arvel jams the door with a chair. He moves to the window and cracks it open, checking the drop to the alley below.
Preparing for a short nap so he can be ready for the rendezvous at 2am, he washes his face. As he dries off, his mustache fades away. His dark hair lightens to blonde. And his blue eyes glow for a moment and return to their molten gold color.
He smiles to himself about his success in another day of charlatanism, but as he looks himself in the eyes in the mirror he feels a tinge of guilt over fooling people who could very easily be friends...
...if only he could let them know.
DCI: 3319125026
Ethan seems dumbfounded by Sildar words, and he is lost in thought until Maxie stands and says good night.
"Oh, uh yeah, see you later Maxie."
Ethan looks over at Elra, after some more thinking
"What did I do? And who was that lady, I don't understand."
Ethan looks to Zeke,
"He seems to like you Zeke, what did I do wrong? Things are so strange here I sometimes don't understand."
Suddenly remembering Elra's question, Ethan responds,
"Oh yeah I have a few bits and pieces of equipment, some of it is still in the process of being completed."
"My most advanced design, the one I am most excited about, is only half way done. Uh, here lit me show you something else."
Ethan pulls out a pocket watch like device from his belt.
"This is a little beauty. I made it with the help of a very kind wizard in Waterdeep. He had a spell called Prestidigitation, and he agreed to let me study him casting it over and over, until I could record out all the sigils. See, if I use my magic visualiser (Detect Magic), I can see the patterns for a second or two when he cast the spell."
"This spell was extra complicated, even though it only uses the weakest "cantrip" level magic source to power it. It has something like 20 or more sigils in its design, but some of them only come into play when the desired effect is chosen."
"Anyway, one the sigils I have seen and used before, it is related to the creation of physical "stuff" from pure magic."
Ethan turns some components around the edge of the "watch" and then presses the main release button, causing the flash of light and the device to open.
Ethan then takes out a small white semitransparent gel like disc from within. Holding the disc Ethan concentrates for a fraction of a second and the disc dissolves away, leaving a small fork in his hand.
"So this is the part that's so exciting. I'm not just creating a disc from magic, I'm infusing the disc as it is created, giving it the ability to receive the remaining magic and produce an effect."
A moment later, the fork dissolves away just as the disc did.
"So this device creates these discs, and then programs them with the specified magical outcome from the Prestidigitation spell."
"I have a really awesome design in the works that uses this tech, but I want to keep it under raps until I am sure its going to work."
"I have also integrated this programmed magical matter design into the glove of my gauntlet, so I can just connect a controller with the right design, and the glove can produce it."
Ethan flexes his hand, looking at the wires and cut stones, embedded in the glove.
"Of course none of this is usable by anyone else, unless they have learned the art of artificer "casting". Its very different to normal spell casting, its more of an infusion, then casting. You dump a portion of magic into the correct part of the device, and the systems come to life with the magic."
"The wizard that helped me, tried, but was unable to get the magic to flow into the device correctly, most of the time it would just spill out into the air."
Ethan goes back to finishing off his meal.
Looking up, his mouth still half full of food, Ethan remarks,
"Its nice to have people to talk to about this stuff, most people just loose interest and walk away."
David Gearlock | Human | Artificer | Revenge Heist
Knox | Warforged | Cleric | Shadowthorn's Out of the Abyss
Tarja retires for the evening as well, thanking her hosts and saying goodnight to the rest of the guests and declining Faes offer. She’s not at her most comfortable in these crowds anyway. She’s ready for the trip back to more familiar grounds.
"Fascinating," Elra leans closer to get a better look at it when Ethan holds it out. "I've heard of people like you before but I've never actually gotten to meet one before. An Artificer..." she trails off. "If you need any help with anything I be glade to assist." She looks up at him, "You probably want to get some rest, and I could spend the next several hours talking your ear off. So um... goodnight?" she says it more like a question as she stands up. Vincent stares at Ethan with unblinking eyes as she leaves the bar area and heads up to her room.
As Elra enters her room, she makes a makeshift perch for Vincent out of a chair. A sudden realization hits her as she smacks herself in the forehead. "Oh, good job Elra. Now he's going to think you're just a weird as everyone in this town does."
Sitting down on the bed, Elra looks up at the ceiling. "Well, on the bright side," she says to Vincent, "I met an actual artificer. They're never going to believe me when I go back to the temple. Not like they ever believe me in the first place." She pulls her notebook out of her bag and starts writing. About everything she learned that day, mostly the things she saw. While writing she begins to talk out loud to no one in particular. "So I guess this means I'm going on the right path, this Gundren Rockseeker. I'm not asking for you to tell me everything. I know that's not how you work. I'm not even asking for confirmation that I'm right... I think." She stops writing. "Sometimes I don't know if what I'm thinking is... well... correct."
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
Ethan wave goodnight to Elra,
"See you later Elra, it was nice to meet you."
Ethan turns to Zeke,
"We should probable head to our rooms as well. We may not get much sleep considering."
Ethan taps the hatch on his gauntlet, indicating the envelope inside.
"Um, could I ask, if I haven't gotten up at the agreed upon time, could you wake me? I will do the same with you, in case you don't wake either."
"Hopefully if we're both vigilant, we both wont sleep passed the time."
Ethan stands from the table, and catches the eye of Madame Rosene, giving her a nod of thanks, indicating the food and drink that has been consumed.
Then clapping Zeke on the back Ethan makes his way upstairs to his room.
Ethan takes his gauntlet off laying on the bed, and then undresses from his scale mail, laying it out on a chair for later.
Ethan looks out the window seeing its dark, and then tries to calculate how late it is, and if he could maybe fit some tinkering in before a snooze.
"I really should make myself one of those clocks Professor Horace was always making."
"I think I should be able to fit in some work."
Ethan open the gauntlet and pulls out a rolled up leather mat and lays it out flat on the bed.
Ethan then starts to extract various tools and device from his gauntlet until the mat is completely covered.
Ethan then proceeds to completely loose track of time and forgets to have any sleep at all, tinkering away on his equipment.
David Gearlock | Human | Artificer | Revenge Heist
Knox | Warforged | Cleric | Shadowthorn's Out of the Abyss
At 2am, there is a small lantern lit inside the stables behind the inn. It illuminates a ladder to the hay loft where another light can be seen once one is close. Sildar stands quietly at the entrance to the stables smiling and nodding as you each go by and taking count. At two minutes past the hour if everyone is not there Sildar will go start knocking on the doors Rosene had assigned to the group.
Will insert more at this point if for any reason any of the characters have not made it to the meeting.
Gundren is waiting in the hay filled loft and is pacing, brimming with excitement. He tries to give each of you a hug as you join him for the meeting.
"Welcome my good friends! I am glad you have all come to hear about the opportunity you have all been waiting for your entire lives! I hope you're ready to do the last job you'll ever need to do in fact! Perhaps you've heard of Phandalin? Wave Echo Cave? The great dwarf Falgrim Thunderheart, no doubt? SURELY you've heard of the legendary Forge of Spells! I know, I know, the Forge was lost centuries ago and you've heard it is impossible to find, lost to the depths forever! That might be true, IF you weren't now in business with the Rockseeker brothers, that is! We've discovered the lost mine and the entrance to the Forge, and together we will all go down in history as those who resumed the great work of Falgrim and restored the mine to it's former glory! I can't wait to see all of your faces when we get there!"
You all hear a bit of clambering as Sildar's head and shoulders pop up at the top of the ladder. He says with a bit of sarcasm "so much for just hiring them for the trip to Phandalin, to start. Perhaps they'd like to know where the greatest of adventures begins, Gundren?" As Gundren resumes Sildar returns to the ground to keep an eye out.
"Oh right, yes yes. That Sildar, he loves to pester so. He's always right though, you know. Good man, that one. It's just that, you all deserve to know the magnitude of what we are about to achieve! Shouldn't be much trouble, really. Supplies are being put together currently and we should be ready to depart by noon tomorrow. No later I told them! The arrangements have been made and everything will be brought right here then so we can get right to it! With all of you along I'm sure the typical ruffians along the road with give us no trouble and beyond that perhaps they'll be some traversing of the hills and the mine and we should be able to find the spot!"
Gundren pauses as if he might be finished and there is another loud clearing of the throat from down below.
"Right, right. You want to know about the finer points of the job. We'll be taking two wagons south along the The High Road to the Triboar Trail and then on to Phandalin. When we deliver them to Barthen's Provisions you'll each be paid twenty gold pieces for your services, at which point you are of course free to take your leave if you choose." Gundren chuckles. "Boy wouldn't that be a curious choice when on the doorstep to the Forge of Spells, eh?! Don't worry, there will be plenty of coin for continued help from there on in. My brothers will be there to fill us in on the details. In fact, everything should be all squared away already!" He smiles proudly and waves Tarja's still unopened letter about before stuffing it back in his pocket.
"Any questions?"
Elra looks very excited, "The Forge of Spells! That's amazing, how did you manage to locate it? Where I'm from all the priests agreed that it was nothing more than a legend that needed to be wrote down. If it is real then that means we're about to see something truly historic. Why all the secrecy behind it then? This should be something to celebrate." Elra continues to ramble on for a few more minutes before stopping suddenly, "...sorry, I was rambling again."
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
Maxie arrived precisely on time and impeccably styled, as usual. Even after only a short nap.
He hugs Gundren warmly and takes in the information, passing his walking stick from hand to hand while he considers.
When Elra mentions secrets:
"It is a se-cret per'aps because zey 'aven't found it yet?"
"But we will 'ave plenty of opportunities to discuss zat at length on zee trip to Phandelin. At least zat sound like a simple escort job."
"I am in for Phandelin...at zee very least."
DCI: 3319125026
Tarja arrives just a minute late, but looking more well-groomed than she did before. She's taken the time since the get-together to clean off some travel grime.
She listens to the tale of Wave Echo Cave and the Forge of souls with a mix of reverence and skepticism.
Falgrim's work was incredible - and yet doom befell him and his companions. Restoring it will be a monumental task. I will honor my forebears and do my best to aid you in this quest.
But I agree with Sildar - let's not get ahead of ourselves. Your brothers warned of trouble in Phandalin for foreigners, so we will need to proceed with caution.
She cracks a smile.
But 'ey, we'll have good company on the way there, at least! eh, Vincent?
Ethan accidental drops a component and it bounces off the bed and rolls to the door.
As Ethan gets up to recover the item, he notice's light under his door.
Quietly opening his door and peering out, Ethan catches sight of Elra heading out.
Whispering, Ethan asks,
"Is it time already?"
Getting a nod, Ethan head back into his room and packs away all his things and dons his armour.
Ethan remembers to check in on Zeke before heading out.
Ethan arrives not long after Tarja,
After listening to Gundren, Ethan remarks,
"Wow, the Legendary Forge of Spells, what a great name."
"What does it do? Does it help people develop new spells? Or is it a crafters forge that runs on spells instead of coals and fire?"
Looking at Tarja and Elra, Ethan asks,
"You two seem to know something about it, what does it do, is it as amazing as it sounds?"
David Gearlock | Human | Artificer | Revenge Heist
Knox | Warforged | Cleric | Shadowthorn's Out of the Abyss
Fae thought about arriving early, but decided to wait a little for the others. She could hear some shuffling from the other rooms and decides to finally head down. As she’s greeted at the door by Sildar, she’d pull her hood down this time, revealing raven black hair and piercing violet eyes. “My apologies for the rudeness inside. Crowds make me extremely uncomfortable. It’s good to see you old friend.” She’d bow her head in respect to Sildar before entering to be greeted by Gundren. As Gundren hug her in greeting, she’d stiffen up like a board before giving him two gentle pats on the back. When he releases her she’d scurry over to a quiet corner to listen to Gundren’s grand speech.
Fae would get goosebumps at the multiple mentions of the Forge of Scrolls in this room. “If it is true, I agree, it would be a grand historical find. Though I’m with Maxie, start with the escort trip Phandalin and go from there. It is legend for a reason...” she said that part at the end, almost trying to convince herself that’s all it is, legend.
A sigh would escape her lips before looking over to Tarja, listening intently as she speaks with pride about honouring her forefathers. Fae would close her eyes and nod, agreeing that it would be a monumental task. She’d open her eyes to meet with Tarja’s, “I too will do all I can to assist in this quest.”
just an unstable unicorn.
Zeke dozed lightly in a chair in the hallway between Ethan and Elra's rooms. When he heard the crash from inside Ethan's room, he lept to his feet and moved towards the door, just in time to greet Ethan as he stepped into the hall.
Falling in step behind the two humans, Zeke followed them at a discreet distance towards the stables. Catching sight of Sildar as they approached, Zeke relaxed ever so slightly with the knowledge that the venerable warrior had secured the meeting space in advance of their arrival. Even still, he dropped further back from his companions and made a quick sweep of the stables before finding some shadows near Sildar at the base of the ladder to listen to the conversation above.
Stealth 13
Perception 14
While Gundrun speaks, Zeke nervously shifts his weight from foot to foot - barely perceptible to most, but a clear tell to an experienced warrior like Sildar. This whole enterprise feels dangerous and reeks of ill-conceived risk. He's in, of course, he's just sure it will end badly for all those involved. Things like this Forge belong in the legends - not in the here and now.
Tarja nods at Fae, who seems to appreciate the gravity of the situation.
She addresses Ethan:
I couldn't tell you what it did, that has also been lost. Falgrim and everyone with him perished, taking the details with him. Scattered letters that remain tell of how he could harness the power of the forge and imbue items with it, and how the cave would be a center for scholarly study of the arcane. Those who treat it irreverently, who impatiently look for a quick shortcut to power instead of communing and careful study, will not do well there; it must be treated with respect.
"That's what makes it so fascinating," Elra agrees. "Everything was kept so secret to people who had nothing to do with the Forge of Spells that we know very little of what happened. That's why everyone thinks it's nothing more than a story and a legend. Ya they're never going to believe me when I go home."
Elra Skylash - Human Cleric | Vanzaren Tanidoni - Half Elf Wizard
Mindartis Liadon - Eladrin Barbarian | Naivara Siannodel - Half Elf Ranger
Arrila Evenwood - Half Elf Paladin | Callaphe of Setessa - Human Rogue
Katernin Nemetsk - Aasimar Cleric | Melody - Tiefling Bard
"You said 'noon tomorrow'. Being zat it is aftair midnight, does zat mean will be leaving later today? Or do we 'ave a full day to wait?"
DCI: 3319125026