“Figured it’d be wishful thinking.” She’d make a swatting motion with her hand as if trying to push her thoughts back into the corner of her mind.
Alys will reach for the letter to read it. She’d adjust her glasses and thumb the page for a few moment. She’d swallow back some emotion before tucking the letter away in her pocket. The cleric would slink up the stairs sheepishly to make her way to her invite.
"M'lady" Furlong will say as he's sees Alys approaching. He's been sitting for a while now on the deck of the ship, legs crossed, staring towards the horizon. He will dip his chin cordially then gesture to deck next to him, inviting her to join him.
"Can I ask...if you don't mind me being so forward. Did you bring your pipe by any chance?"
Furlongs question couldn’t help but spark a smile on Alys’ face. She’d nod and reach into her robes to pull out her pipe. She’d take her seat beside Furlong and pack it. “Good evening Furlong.”
"Thank you my dear. When I was in the military, I had many comrades who partook in this sort of thing. Not usually my cup of tea, you see, but every so often, it helped to pass a slow evening where there was no immediate threat."
He takes a big, long pull from the pipe, exhaling slowly as the smoke drifts behind them as the boat bobs along. He watches, silently for a beat, as the stars in the sky twinkle between the intermittent passing cloud.
"You know, clouds are tricky business. Sometimes they obscure something beautiful, like these stars. Sometimes they hide something far more sinister, like an impending thunderstorm or some viscious beast using them for cover before it swoops down on its prey."
He takes another hit, then passes it back.
"And sometimes..." he exhales "...sometimes clouds are just clouds."
He turns his toward Alys with a smile.
"This group we have here is very special, my dear. Like these stars. Whatever it is that faces us in the days to come--whatever clouds may gather and whatever monsters may hide within--our light will pierce through, I'm sure of it."
He nods his head down a bit, towards the pipe in Alys' hands. "Just make sure that you aren't the one trying to hide behind the clouds; it will be a lot harder for us to find you and save you if you are shrouded so."
He turns back to the horizon again, to the stars, though he notices them pulsing a bit brighter than they did before. The clouds too he notices seem a bit different. Tastier, maybe? Is that a thing?
Woah. This stuff is much stronger than I remember it.
Alys would stare up and watch Furlong's cloud drift away as he spoke. She listened with intent, an open mind and reflected on his words in silence.
The blonde would take her pipe back and return a genuine smile. "I appreciate your wisdom Furlong." She takes a deep inhale and lets out her own cloud of smoke, relaxing further. Alys would reach into her bag and pull out a bundle of cloth. She'd untie it to unfold the bundle to present some chocolate covered peanuts, dried berries from the garden, salted cashews and pretzels to Furlong. "The archaeologists I worked with used to call this trail mix. Help yourself!"
She'd grab a handful to chew on while she looked back to the horizon with him. Finally, after a while Alys would say something out loud, "This group is one of a kind" She'd agree, "and it is a bond I wish to protect." She'd then pause. "I suppose we all could have something we hide from each other with the belief that it's for the better." The wizard would lean forward, resting her arms on her knees.
"I also appreciate you reaching out to me and giving me an insight to who you are." She'd pause again, "It's funny how we all spend so much time together... and yet I can't say that I've taken the time to sit with any one to truly get to know them or where they've come from. We all have a story, and it can be easy to get lost in the fog of memories when the mind seeks closure." Alys would turn to look at Furlong, "So thank you, for seeing me through the clouds."
The cleric would take another hit off the pipe and exhale before having a couple more bites of trail mix.
The boat finally docks at Chaute Island. It's beautiful, with beaches of white sand coming out to meet the clear blue ocean. As you disembark and follow the map to the temple, it takes you through the jungle, where you see exotic wildlife that, at most, you've read about in books. You see birds with bright, multi-colored feathers, small spotted lizards whose skin changes color almost at will, fur covered creatures who make their home in the trees, and creatures that look like rabbits, except for the horn that sticks out of their head. The jungle is also significantly more humid than the forests on the continent and you find yourselves wiping the sweat off your brow multiple times over the course of your journey.
You reach the entrance to the temple as marked on the map and find a set of large stone doors that have been pulled shut. It looks heavy, like it would take multiple strong people to get it open, but fortunately you have a giant in Yvan, who is capable of opening the doors with little effort. Beyond the doors are a set of stairs that descend into darkness. Vastra casts Light on the weapon of whoever is going first so that those without darkvision can see inside the temple. Vastra herself hangs back so that she can be with Alys, giving the younger wizard an encouraging smile as they enter.
The first room in the temple has long stone benches on either side and a door at the other end. What purpose this room served is currently unknown to you, but there is something carved in a language that none of you recognize into the stone above the door leading further inside the temple as well as other, cruder carvings made on the walls near the benches.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
Alys will move forward at Vastra's encouragement running her hand along the wall as she descends the stairs into the darkness. As her eyes adjust to the space, the archaeologist would adjust her glasses, arm herself with her tools and begin her initial assessment of the temple.
When you enter a ruin or dungeon, you can correctly ascertain its original purpose and determine its builders, whether those were dwarves, elves, humans, yuan-ti, or some other known race. In addition, you can determine the monetary value of art objects more than a century old.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Barnabus is positively abuzz with excitement by the time the group reaches the temple. As interesting as the many wild life had proven to be in passing, little compared to the 'main attraction'. At least in the eyes of the Half-Orc. He largely keeps to the back as the group files in with his crossbow in hand and loaded for the first signs of danger. If Alys hadn't already beaten Barnabus to the punch, the Half Orc squats down himself to sketch a copy of the language.
Soon after, he turned his attention to the stone work around and murmured (unless told by others ahead of time to be silent), "I wonder how old this place is?"Whether an answer is forthcoming or not, he studies the immediate structures for any clues that might clue him into the age of its construction, and possibly what race might've played a part in the construction. At least going by his personal knowledge of such things.
Barnabus: You're able to determine that this temple is hundreds of years old.
Alys: You aren't too familiar with this culture, but you don't see any of the tell-tale signs of Dwarven or Elven craftmanship, so you can deduce that this was made by humans. You take a few moments and your mind is able to recognize the carvings over the door as some sort of message.
"Those who prove themselves worthy will serve their king in the next life. Those who fail will feed this temple with their flesh and blood."
You judge that from the benches and the message under the door that this was some form of waiting area, like where gladiators might stay before a fight, or more appropriately, sacrifices before a ritual. The carvings on the wall translate themselves to you as well. You can see that they were names written, saying that they were here in an effort to memorialize their existences before going on this trial that might have cost them their lives.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
Alys would translate the words over the door in her journal to share with the others."This is a waiting area...
"Those who prove themselves worthy will serve their king in the next life. Those who fail will feed this temple with their flesh and blood."
Gladiators before a fight, or more appropriately, sacrifices before a ritual." The wizard would point out their names, doing her best to translate them for her records.
"Well, I wasn't expecting that this temple would be a pleasant place, but now we know that murder is the intended purpose of this temple. Everyone stay on guard."Vastra tugs on the leather strap on her belt and casts Mage Armor. "Any preparations you need to make before we go on, I suggest you do them now friends."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
"Must've been some fairly ancient ancestors of yours, Mr. Furlong."Barnabus comments absentmindedly while still looking around at things. Then seeming to catch on to the wariness flooding through the group, he snaps to attention and waves Yvan, Kasha, and Furlong over, only to hold his fist to the two. "Put'er there, buds! And let's show these spirits that what they're up against won't be so easy to fool!" He declares, and as soon as contact is made, Yvan, Furlong, and Kasha feel the (3rd level)resolves bolstered and that much harder to break past.
He also makes sure to mentally link up with Furlong, and make certain if there's any seperating sheninigans, the two would at least be prepared.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Agreeing with Vastra, Alys would flick some holy water on the others who weren't invited to Bs pound round: Stella, Vastra and B himself, whether he wants it or not.
Casting: Bless The target can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to the attack roll or saving throw.
"Thank you darling." Vastra says to Alys. "I'd cast a spell for you too, but unfortunately I don't have anything that would be too terribly useful for you at the moment." With that, she carefully opens the door and leads the way into the next room, which widens into a larger corridor, with a floor that's decorated with weathered tiles.
Everyone make a Perception Check.
Vastra: 6
Yvan: 12
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Ack! I'm not a demon, ya know! Gosh!... always splashing me with holy water." He said, though the last part comes out more mumbled as he shuffled along after people.
“Figured it’d be wishful thinking.” She’d make a swatting motion with her hand as if trying to push her thoughts back into the corner of her mind.
Alys will reach for the letter to read it. She’d adjust her glasses and thumb the page for a few moment. She’d swallow back some emotion before tucking the letter away in her pocket. The cleric would slink up the stairs sheepishly to make her way to her invite.
just an unstable unicorn.
"M'lady" Furlong will say as he's sees Alys approaching. He's been sitting for a while now on the deck of the ship, legs crossed, staring towards the horizon. He will dip his chin cordially then gesture to deck next to him, inviting her to join him.
"Can I ask...if you don't mind me being so forward. Did you bring your pipe by any chance?"
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
Furlongs question couldn’t help but spark a smile on Alys’ face. She’d nod and reach into her robes to pull out her pipe. She’d take her seat beside Furlong and pack it. “Good evening Furlong.”
just an unstable unicorn.
"Thank you my dear. When I was in the military, I had many comrades who partook in this sort of thing. Not usually my cup of tea, you see, but every so often, it helped to pass a slow evening where there was no immediate threat."
He takes a big, long pull from the pipe, exhaling slowly as the smoke drifts behind them as the boat bobs along. He watches, silently for a beat, as the stars in the sky twinkle between the intermittent passing cloud.
"You know, clouds are tricky business. Sometimes they obscure something beautiful, like these stars. Sometimes they hide something far more sinister, like an impending thunderstorm or some viscious beast using them for cover before it swoops down on its prey."
He takes another hit, then passes it back.
"And sometimes..." he exhales "...sometimes clouds are just clouds."
He turns his toward Alys with a smile.
"This group we have here is very special, my dear. Like these stars. Whatever it is that faces us in the days to come--whatever clouds may gather and whatever monsters may hide within--our light will pierce through, I'm sure of it."
He nods his head down a bit, towards the pipe in Alys' hands. "Just make sure that you aren't the one trying to hide behind the clouds; it will be a lot harder for us to find you and save you if you are shrouded so."
He turns back to the horizon again, to the stars, though he notices them pulsing a bit brighter than they did before. The clouds too he notices seem a bit different. Tastier, maybe? Is that a thing?
Woah. This stuff is much stronger than I remember it.
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
Alys would stare up and watch Furlong's cloud drift away as he spoke. She listened with intent, an open mind and reflected on his words in silence.
The blonde would take her pipe back and return a genuine smile. "I appreciate your wisdom Furlong." She takes a deep inhale and lets out her own cloud of smoke, relaxing further. Alys would reach into her bag and pull out a bundle of cloth. She'd untie it to unfold the bundle to present some chocolate covered peanuts, dried berries from the garden, salted cashews and pretzels to Furlong. "The archaeologists I worked with used to call this trail mix. Help yourself!"
She'd grab a handful to chew on while she looked back to the horizon with him. Finally, after a while Alys would say something out loud, "This group is one of a kind" She'd agree, "and it is a bond I wish to protect." She'd then pause. "I suppose we all could have something we hide from each other with the belief that it's for the better." The wizard would lean forward, resting her arms on her knees.
"I also appreciate you reaching out to me and giving me an insight to who you are." She'd pause again, "It's funny how we all spend so much time together... and yet I can't say that I've taken the time to sit with any one to truly get to know them or where they've come from. We all have a story, and it can be easy to get lost in the fog of memories when the mind seeks closure." Alys would turn to look at Furlong, "So thank you, for seeing me through the clouds."
The cleric would take another hit off the pipe and exhale before having a couple more bites of trail mix.
In light there's hope.
just an unstable unicorn.
"In-indeed." Furlong will utter through a mouthful of trail mix, crumbs spraying everywhere.
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 boat finally docks at Chaute Island. It's beautiful, with beaches of white sand coming out to meet the clear blue ocean. As you disembark and follow the map to the temple, it takes you through the jungle, where you see exotic wildlife that, at most, you've read about in books. You see birds with bright, multi-colored feathers, small spotted lizards whose skin changes color almost at will, fur covered creatures who make their home in the trees, and creatures that look like rabbits, except for the horn that sticks out of their head. The jungle is also significantly more humid than the forests on the continent and you find yourselves wiping the sweat off your brow multiple times over the course of your journey.
You reach the entrance to the temple as marked on the map and find a set of large stone doors that have been pulled shut. It looks heavy, like it would take multiple strong people to get it open, but fortunately you have a giant in Yvan, who is capable of opening the doors with little effort. Beyond the doors are a set of stairs that descend into darkness. Vastra casts Light on the weapon of whoever is going first so that those without darkvision can see inside the temple. Vastra herself hangs back so that she can be with Alys, giving the younger wizard an encouraging smile as they enter.
The first room in the temple has long stone benches on either side and a door at the other end. What purpose this room served is currently unknown to you, but there is something carved in a language that none of you recognize into the stone above the door leading further inside the temple as well as other, cruder carvings made on the walls near the benches.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Alys will move forward at Vastra's encouragement running her hand along the wall as she descends the stairs into the darkness. As her eyes adjust to the space, the archaeologist would adjust her glasses, arm herself with her tools and begin her initial assessment of the temple.
Will cast Comprehend Languages and invoke my bg specialty:
When you enter a ruin or dungeon, you can correctly ascertain its original purpose and determine its builders, whether those were dwarves, elves, humans, yuan-ti, or some other known race. In addition, you can determine the monetary value of art objects more than a century old.
just an unstable unicorn.
Barnabus is positively abuzz with excitement by the time the group reaches the temple. As interesting as the many wild life had proven to be in passing, little compared to the 'main attraction'. At least in the eyes of the Half-Orc. He largely keeps to the back as the group files in with his crossbow in hand and loaded for the first signs of danger. If Alys hadn't already beaten Barnabus to the punch, the Half Orc squats down himself to sketch a copy of the language.
Soon after, he turned his attention to the stone work around and murmured (unless told by others ahead of time to be silent), "I wonder how old this place is?" Whether an answer is forthcoming or not, he studies the immediate structures for any clues that might clue him into the age of its construction, and possibly what race might've played a part in the construction. At least going by his personal knowledge of such things.
History: 23.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Barnabus: You're able to determine that this temple is hundreds of years old.
Alys: You aren't too familiar with this culture, but you don't see any of the tell-tale signs of Dwarven or Elven craftmanship, so you can deduce that this was made by humans. You take a few moments and your mind is able to recognize the carvings over the door as some sort of message.
"Those who prove themselves worthy will serve their king in the next life. Those who fail will feed this temple with their flesh and blood."
You judge that from the benches and the message under the door that this was some form of waiting area, like where gladiators might stay before a fight, or more appropriately, sacrifices before a ritual. The carvings on the wall translate themselves to you as well. You can see that they were names written, saying that they were here in an effort to memorialize their existences before going on this trial that might have cost them their lives.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
"Made by humans." She'd mutter out loud.
Alys would translate the words over the door in her journal to share with the others."This is a waiting area...
"Those who prove themselves worthy will serve their king in the next life. Those who fail will feed this temple with their flesh and blood."
Gladiators before a fight, or more appropriately, sacrifices before a ritual." The wizard would point out their names, doing her best to translate them for her records.
just an unstable unicorn.
"Well, I wasn't expecting that this temple would be a pleasant place, but now we know that murder is the intended purpose of this temple. Everyone stay on guard." Vastra tugs on the leather strap on her belt and casts Mage Armor. "Any preparations you need to make before we go on, I suggest you do them now friends."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
"Must've been some fairly ancient ancestors of yours, Mr. Furlong." Barnabus comments absentmindedly while still looking around at things. Then seeming to catch on to the wariness flooding through the group, he snaps to attention and waves Yvan, Kasha, and Furlong over, only to hold his fist to the two. "Put'er there, buds! And let's show these spirits that what they're up against won't be so easy to fool!" He declares, and as soon as contact is made, Yvan, Furlong, and Kasha feel the (3rd level)resolves bolstered and that much harder to break past.
He also makes sure to mentally link up with Furlong, and make certain if there's any seperating sheninigans, the two would at least be prepared.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Yvan awkwardly bumps his fist with yours, not 100% sure what the meaning of it is.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Agreeing with Vastra, Alys would flick some holy water on the others who weren't invited to Bs pound round: Stella, Vastra and B himself, whether he wants it or not.
Casting: Bless
The target can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to the attack roll or saving throw.
just an unstable unicorn.
"Thank you darling." Vastra says to Alys. "I'd cast a spell for you too, but unfortunately I don't have anything that would be too terribly useful for you at the moment." With that, she carefully opens the door and leads the way into the next room, which widens into a larger corridor, with a floor that's decorated with weathered tiles.
Everyone make a Perception Check.
Vastra: 6
Yvan: 12
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
20
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
Perception: 26
just an unstable unicorn.
Perception: 17
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!
"Ack! I'm not a demon, ya know! Gosh!... always splashing me with holy water." He said, though the last part comes out more mumbled as he shuffled along after people.
Perception: 21.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.