Zanryn turns to the stone-seller with a smile. "You think that because rocks cannot move that they cannot sense? Rocks more patient than any mortal. They drink from the radiance of the sun and moon and stars, the living essence of rainwater, and touch the souls carried on the winds. But, shh, don't let on!" He glances around quickly, then in a conspiratorial tone "Would you like to know what I asked your rose?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Zydalia looks across to the impeccably dressed gnome, suddenly feeling very shabby in her old dress. The cerise Tiefling tries not to be too obvious about her eavesdropping*. She hears him ask the dwarf a question, and thinks 'I would very much like to know what he asked...and what it answered!'
Durmatl pauses at the mention of a thousand gold, but decides against an immediate entry into the conversation. They appear the sort that would not look kindly to any of his kind encroaching on their conversation, even if it was to offer help for exchange of a part of the prize.
He looks around, spotting the Tiefling near the door. Such a one, on the other hand, would be familiar with being treated as an outcast. On approach, he notices the rose resting in her hands. He steps up close to her, hoping to catch some of her body heat as they talk, "Hello, Tiefling. I see you bought one of these roses. You have many?"
Zydalia eyes the lizardfolk adventurer, clasping her fingers around the stone rosebud and pulling it closer to her person. She looks him up and down, takes half a step back. It's not common for others to stand in such close proximity to her, so while she appreciates him not treating her with outward mistrust, she is uncomfortable with having a stranger so near.
"Just one," she returns, keeping her hands over the petals. "Why? Do you have one?" She casts her mind back to the words of the leaflet in her pocket. "I might consider partnering with you if you'd agree to split the spoils..."
"I have none." Durmatl replies, his shoulders having sagged a little after being rejected. "But you are clever. I agree. I will get roses and we will split the reward." He pulls his leaflet out of his pocket, tracing the listed rose colors with his claw."Which one do you have?"
"Excellent," Zydalia returns, pleased to hear the response. "This is the pink one." She tentatively withdraws her hand, reveals the carefully constructed stone petals. "Pretty, isn't it?"
She pauses, considering whether to offer a hand out. Do lizardfolk shake hands? "I'm Zydalia. It's a pleasure to be partnering with you. Now, have you been here before? Any ideas where we ought to be looking?"
Out of the corner of his eye, Zanryn notices a slightly awkward interaction between the cherry-red Tiefling who he'd earlier observed beguiling the Dwarf merchant out of one of her carved rocks and a nervous looking Lizardfolk.
Nox nods at the baker and hands over the 2 gold for the rose before walking over to the gnome and his stall. "It seems that you are having some difficulty Master Gnome. Perhaps a bit of gold would brighten your day? How much for the rose?"
The dwarf smiles and sets her current project down. "Follow me and i can tell you that." She leads you all into the inn and picks a table where the card players had departed. Setting out glasses and pouring mead for each she sat down and said. "You all seem to not know our lore of the black rose." In the beginning there was no gods. No stars no heavens just life in her eternal beauty and her lover death forced to stay away for all he touched would die. Life so loved death that she gave him gifts and sent them on to him. He kept these things forever after. The relationship carried on like this until one day on the hills outside our town he crafted a roses from his black coat and it was said the dew were stars about to flash out of existence to join him and left it for her. She cherished this rose and blessed the place with fertility. This is why our town can grow roses all year long it is said." She took a sip from her mead and glanced at the group. "Now the black rose is said to appear to true lovers meant to be together forever and only if they prove their love. IT has never been found but magic inhabits this land because we never put the black rose on the list its impossible to find. IT just writes itself in." The dwarf wipes a tear away and stands with her glass. If you find 6 roses by night fall ill give each of you a room and consider your debt paid tiefling. If you cannot find me just ask for Merri and one of my workers will fetch me."
Nox nods at the baker and hands over the 2 gold for the rose before walking over to the gnome and his stall. "It seems that you are having some difficulty Master Gnome. Perhaps a bit of gold would brighten your day? How much for the rose?"
THE gnome dusts himself off and looks you over and smiles. 5 gold they turn into a random animal if you press a thorn and count as the yellow on the paper you were given. He looks at his exploded dragon and mutters, "Too much fire spell it seems."
"I'll take one," Nox says as he hands over the gold. "Pleasure doing business with you." He tucks the rose away and walks towards the tavern. Perhaps inside he could learn more about these roses.
Zydalia listens with fascination as Merri spins the tale of the black rose. She sips at the mead and wonders if she and her late husband would have been able to summon the black rose. They had been passionate at the start, but that had dwindled into just companionship a few years after their son had come along. They fought a lot too, of course. That's why his family had been so sure she was the one that killed him.
She shakes her thoughts away with a larger swig of the mead.
"Merri, thank you for your kindness." She places her palm over her heart. "I'm Zydalia." She turns to the others sitting with her. "Would you like to join me searching for the other roses? We'd be halfway towards getting that prize money, too."
Despite the obvious contrast between his impeccable attire and regal bearing and that of the other patrons of the inn, Zanryn looks perfectly at ease. He bows lightly towards Zydalia and introduces himself, "Zanryn Beren, at your service".
The Lizard nods at each introduction, then finds a moment to make his own."Durmatl is my name." he pauses, then locks eyes with the Tiefling, "Zydalia. I think we should go to this hill. We find the black rose."
A wry smile creases Zanryn’s face. “I have every confidence in us finding all the colours of the rose, especially the black. But perhaps we should gather the more, ah, mundane varieties first?”
”Once one has tasted the Gogondy”, he continues, referencing the wine drunk by Svirfneblin on special occasions and said to contain powdered ruby (among other mysterious ingredients), “any other wine is but a pale substitute”.
"I agree with Zanryn," Zydalia nods, though she doubts they will be able to find something as elusive as the black rose. Still, she knows it's frowned on to be so outright pessimistic.
"Perhaps we should continue on through the town? I bet we'll spot some other folk with the other colours."
As you exit the inn you bump into Nox heading into the bar. The town is in full swing games are going on and you can see that some Vendors have roses others are won from games. Everything seems to be rather inexpensive but you can tell they are making money because of sheer volume this festival brings in. You overhear people talk about the crowning of the Life Bringer and even the local problem children are behaving. Its about 2 o clock so you have a few hours to track some roses down and learn more about the town.
Mechanics
IF you wish to learn more of the local trouble makers make a perception check.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Zydalia casts her eye over the crowds, looking for troublemakers*. Every town has them, after all.
She stretches her arms out and cracks her knuckles. "I'll start winning us some roses on these stalls. I do love a good game." She's strong, dexterous and deceptive. And there's always intimidation if things don't go my way, she thinks.
Zanryn turns to the stone-seller with a smile. "You think that because rocks cannot move that they cannot sense? Rocks more patient than any mortal. They drink from the radiance of the sun and moon and stars, the living essence of rainwater, and touch the souls carried on the winds. But, shh, don't let on!" He glances around quickly, then in a conspiratorial tone "Would you like to know what I asked your rose?"
Zydalia looks across to the impeccably dressed gnome, suddenly feeling very shabby in her old dress. The cerise Tiefling tries not to be too obvious about her eavesdropping*. She hears him ask the dwarf a question, and thinks 'I would very much like to know what he asked...and what it answered!'
*Rolled stealth in case DM wants to use it:
12
Zydalia Quexx - Level 2 - Tiefling/Barbarian
Fouder Amberbreaker - Level 4 - Mountain Dwarf/Tempest Cleric
DM - The Children of Hadal
Durmatl pauses at the mention of a thousand gold, but decides against an immediate entry into the conversation. They appear the sort that would not look kindly to any of his kind encroaching on their conversation, even if it was to offer help for exchange of a part of the prize.
He looks around, spotting the Tiefling near the door. Such a one, on the other hand, would be familiar with being treated as an outcast. On approach, he notices the rose resting in her hands. He steps up close to her, hoping to catch some of her body heat as they talk, "Hello, Tiefling. I see you bought one of these roses. You have many?"
Lynn-Marie Verine-Wintercleaver, Human Bloodhunter - Adventures in Esyldien
Finan Caible, Human Bard - Joys of Balance
Yroc Grumbak, Orc Fighlock - Pizazz's ToA
Arell Peroan, Half-Elf Warlonk - Scattered Gods
ESC! | 10|33|5~
Without waiting for an answer, Zanryn continues earnestly, "I asked where the black rose lies".
He whispers a few unintelligible words and looks steadily at the Dwarf, knowing that the stone in her hand is now feeling warm to the touch.
Casts Druidcraft: "...You create an instantaneous, harmless sensory effect"
Zydalia eyes the lizardfolk adventurer, clasping her fingers around the stone rosebud and pulling it closer to her person. She looks him up and down, takes half a step back. It's not common for others to stand in such close proximity to her, so while she appreciates him not treating her with outward mistrust, she is uncomfortable with having a stranger so near.
"Just one," she returns, keeping her hands over the petals. "Why? Do you have one?" She casts her mind back to the words of the leaflet in her pocket. "I might consider partnering with you if you'd agree to split the spoils..."
Zydalia Quexx - Level 2 - Tiefling/Barbarian
Fouder Amberbreaker - Level 4 - Mountain Dwarf/Tempest Cleric
DM - The Children of Hadal
"I have none." Durmatl replies, his shoulders having sagged a little after being rejected. "But you are clever. I agree. I will get roses and we will split the reward."
He pulls his leaflet out of his pocket, tracing the listed rose colors with his claw. "Which one do you have?"
Lynn-Marie Verine-Wintercleaver, Human Bloodhunter - Adventures in Esyldien
Finan Caible, Human Bard - Joys of Balance
Yroc Grumbak, Orc Fighlock - Pizazz's ToA
Arell Peroan, Half-Elf Warlonk - Scattered Gods
ESC! | 10|33|5~
"Excellent," Zydalia returns, pleased to hear the response. "This is the pink one." She tentatively withdraws her hand, reveals the carefully constructed stone petals. "Pretty, isn't it?"
She pauses, considering whether to offer a hand out. Do lizardfolk shake hands? "I'm Zydalia. It's a pleasure to be partnering with you. Now, have you been here before? Any ideas where we ought to be looking?"
Zydalia Quexx - Level 2 - Tiefling/Barbarian
Fouder Amberbreaker - Level 4 - Mountain Dwarf/Tempest Cleric
DM - The Children of Hadal
Out of the corner of his eye, Zanryn notices a slightly awkward interaction between the cherry-red Tiefling who he'd earlier observed beguiling the Dwarf merchant out of one of her carved rocks and a nervous looking Lizardfolk.
Nox nods at the baker and hands over the 2 gold for the rose before walking over to the gnome and his stall. "It seems that you are having some difficulty Master Gnome. Perhaps a bit of gold would brighten your day? How much for the rose?"
The dwarf smiles and sets her current project down. "Follow me and i can tell you that." She leads you all into the inn and picks a table where the card players had departed. Setting out glasses and pouring mead for each she sat down and said. "You all seem to not know our lore of the black rose." In the beginning there was no gods. No stars no heavens just life in her eternal beauty and her lover death forced to stay away for all he touched would die. Life so loved death that she gave him gifts and sent them on to him. He kept these things forever after. The relationship carried on like this until one day on the hills outside our town he crafted a roses from his black coat and it was said the dew were stars about to flash out of existence to join him and left it for her. She cherished this rose and blessed the place with fertility. This is why our town can grow roses all year long it is said." She took a sip from her mead and glanced at the group. "Now the black rose is said to appear to true lovers meant to be together forever and only if they prove their love. IT has never been found but magic inhabits this land because we never put the black rose on the list its impossible to find. IT just writes itself in." The dwarf wipes a tear away and stands with her glass. If you find 6 roses by night fall ill give each of you a room and consider your debt paid tiefling. If you cannot find me just ask for Merri and one of my workers will fetch me."
THE gnome dusts himself off and looks you over and smiles. 5 gold they turn into a random animal if you press a thorn and count as the yellow on the paper you were given. He looks at his exploded dragon and mutters, "Too much fire spell it seems."
The rose colors on the pamphlet are as follows.
Red X
White
Yellow X
Pink X
Orange X
peach
Burgundy X
Purple X
Green X
Blue
Cream X
Black
"I'll take one," Nox says as he hands over the gold. "Pleasure doing business with you." He tucks the rose away and walks towards the tavern. Perhaps inside he could learn more about these roses.
Zydalia listens with fascination as Merri spins the tale of the black rose. She sips at the mead and wonders if she and her late husband would have been able to summon the black rose. They had been passionate at the start, but that had dwindled into just companionship a few years after their son had come along. They fought a lot too, of course. That's why his family had been so sure she was the one that killed him.
She shakes her thoughts away with a larger swig of the mead.
"Merri, thank you for your kindness." She places her palm over her heart. "I'm Zydalia." She turns to the others sitting with her. "Would you like to join me searching for the other roses? We'd be halfway towards getting that prize money, too."
Zydalia Quexx - Level 2 - Tiefling/Barbarian
Fouder Amberbreaker - Level 4 - Mountain Dwarf/Tempest Cleric
DM - The Children of Hadal
Despite the obvious contrast between his impeccable attire and regal bearing and that of the other patrons of the inn, Zanryn looks perfectly at ease. He bows lightly towards Zydalia and introduces himself, "Zanryn Beren, at your service".
The Lizard nods at each introduction, then finds a moment to make his own. "Durmatl is my name." he pauses, then locks eyes with the Tiefling, "Zydalia. I think we should go to this hill. We find the black rose."
Lynn-Marie Verine-Wintercleaver, Human Bloodhunter - Adventures in Esyldien
Finan Caible, Human Bard - Joys of Balance
Yroc Grumbak, Orc Fighlock - Pizazz's ToA
Arell Peroan, Half-Elf Warlonk - Scattered Gods
ESC! | 10|33|5~
A wry smile creases Zanryn’s face. “I have every confidence in us finding all the colours of the rose, especially the black. But perhaps we should gather the more, ah, mundane varieties first?”
”Once one has tasted the Gogondy”, he continues, referencing the wine drunk by Svirfneblin on special occasions and said to contain powdered ruby (among other mysterious ingredients), “any other wine is but a pale substitute”.
"I agree with Zanryn," Zydalia nods, though she doubts they will be able to find something as elusive as the black rose. Still, she knows it's frowned on to be so outright pessimistic.
"Perhaps we should continue on through the town? I bet we'll spot some other folk with the other colours."
Zydalia Quexx - Level 2 - Tiefling/Barbarian
Fouder Amberbreaker - Level 4 - Mountain Dwarf/Tempest Cleric
DM - The Children of Hadal
As you exit the inn you bump into Nox heading into the bar. The town is in full swing games are going on and you can see that some Vendors have roses others are won from games. Everything seems to be rather inexpensive but you can tell they are making money because of sheer volume this festival brings in. You overhear people talk about the crowning of the Life Bringer and even the local problem children are behaving. Its about 2 o clock so you have a few hours to track some roses down and learn more about the town.
Mechanics
IF you wish to learn more of the local trouble makers make a perception check.
Zydalia casts her eye over the crowds, looking for troublemakers*. Every town has them, after all.
She stretches her arms out and cracks her knuckles. "I'll start winning us some roses on these stalls. I do love a good game." She's strong, dexterous and deceptive. And there's always intimidation if things don't go my way, she thinks.
*Perception check:
6 - my third 12 in a row. Weird!
Zydalia Quexx - Level 2 - Tiefling/Barbarian
Fouder Amberbreaker - Level 4 - Mountain Dwarf/Tempest Cleric
DM - The Children of Hadal