Tom stares at Hymnal with his mouth open for thirty seconds. “Well,” he says hesitatingly, “Me and my mother live in town, just a few miles from here. Do you want me to take you there?”
"We wouldn't have been put in the path of this fellow if we weren't meant to meet, now would we?" Hond declares, sure this is a sign that they're on the right path. "We've no where else to go, so we should go where we're lead. Plus, mothers often know what's needed, don't they?"
Tom stuffs his hands in the pockets of his overalls and begins to walk away, whistling and humming alternately. The tune is nothing you have ever heard before.
Over a rickety wooden bridge, through a dim and damp tunnel, and around a festering pond he leads you, until you finally emerge in a mushroom forest. The pale fungi loom above you, some of them reaching twenty feet in height. Scattered throughout the grove lie small thatched cottages. Pale men and women stare at you as you pass, and Tom greets them cheerily by name. He finally stops before one of the cottages and pounds on the door. “Mother, I brought visitors!” He yells.
A human woman who cannot weigh more than 100 pounds opens the door, a vacant expression on her face. “Visitors...” She mumbles. “Yes, do come in...” She steps to one side to accommodate you. “You must be from Rosethorn.”
"Thank you, dear lady, for inviting us into your home." Hond says with a cheerful smile, looking around. "And what a lovely home it is! Your most gracious son found us upon the road and offered us the honor of meeting you." Hond bows to the woman, "I am called Hond."
Perception to see if there's anything off or odd about the house, 19
The cottage is a simple abode with two beds, a rickety wooden table, and a fireplace. The woman watches Hond with a confused expression, as if she is unused to such displays. “I’m Meghan, and this ‘n is me son, Tom.” She says uncertainly. “What can I do fer you?”
“Of course, in the Castle of Amethyst.” She replies. For the first time there is life in her eyes, blue eyes that glitter with oppressed intelligence and inspiration. “Where did you say you were from, again?”
"The Castle of Amethyst, yes. That's it. Oh, we come from all over, but nowhere near here." Hond says with a wink. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Meghan." With a nonchalant air, trying not to arouse suspicion, Hond adds "Say, do you happen to know where the King's brother lives these days?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Tsk, tsk, Meghan." Hond shakes his head disappointedly. "Dishonesty is so oppressive! Free yourself from that burden. Lift your spirits with the truth. Let the light of joy and honesty back into your life."
Meghan turns to Tom. “Run along now, Tom, and pick yer ol’ mother some flowers. There’s a good lad.”
After Tom has left, she locks the door and draws the curtains. “Yer either very brave or very foolish.” She whispers. “Ye know as well as I that we’re not to speak of the King’s, mayhereignforeternity, brother. Ye could be hung in the Witching Wood merely fer thinkin’ of ‘im.” She steadies her shaking hands. “And I’ve me son to look after. What’d he do if the King’s men up and tooked me away?”
"Brave or foolish, it makes no matter." Hond says, "This place needs a bit more light, a bit more laughter, doesn't it. We've been sent here to help. But to do that we need a bit of guidance. Just a word, a place, a direction, and we can leave you and your son in peace."
Meghan sighs deeply and looks at her hands, creased and calloused from years of labor. When she speaks, the rustic words of a peasant are replaced with those of a storyteller.
“I’ve heard tell many years ago of two heroes who infiltrated the Amethyst Castle and made an attempt on our King’s life. They fought in the name of The Good Prince, but the Pumpkin King proved too strong, and they were defeated before they could land the killing blow. The stories say they lie forgotten in the dungeons of the Pumpkin King. If you asked me, I’d say you’d find them in the Screaming Tower, nearly two days’ travel from here. That’s where the King throws those who dare oppose his reign, that is to say, the few he doesn’t execute outright.”
The halfling scratches his head. “Strangers? You mean you’re from from Rosethorn across the river?”
"You can't get to where we're from no matter how far you go. We're stranger than any stranger you'll ever meet, hey?"
Chasing Hymnal - Tabaxi Bard - The Tale of the Pumpkin King
Enzo the Nightmaw - Human Blood Hunter, Order of the Lycan
"Dovie'andi se tovya sagain."
Tom stares at Hymnal with his mouth open for thirty seconds. “Well,” he says hesitatingly, “Me and my mother live in town, just a few miles from here. Do you want me to take you there?”
"We wouldn't have been put in the path of this fellow if we weren't meant to meet, now would we?" Hond declares, sure this is a sign that they're on the right path. "We've no where else to go, so we should go where we're lead. Plus, mothers often know what's needed, don't they?"
Hymnal seems uncomfortable at Hond's last statement, but says nothing.
Chasing Hymnal - Tabaxi Bard - The Tale of the Pumpkin King
Enzo the Nightmaw - Human Blood Hunter, Order of the Lycan
"Dovie'andi se tovya sagain."
Tom stuffs his hands in the pockets of his overalls and begins to walk away, whistling and humming alternately. The tune is nothing you have ever heard before.
Over a rickety wooden bridge, through a dim and damp tunnel, and around a festering pond he leads you, until you finally emerge in a mushroom forest. The pale fungi loom above you, some of them reaching twenty feet in height. Scattered throughout the grove lie small thatched cottages. Pale men and women stare at you as you pass, and Tom greets them cheerily by name. He finally stops before one of the cottages and pounds on the door. “Mother, I brought visitors!” He yells.
A human woman who cannot weigh more than 100 pounds opens the door, a vacant expression on her face. “Visitors...” She mumbles. “Yes, do come in...” She steps to one side to accommodate you. “You must be from Rosethorn.”
"Yes, indeed....Rosethorn....." Damn replies.
Skameros - Bugbear Barbarian - Out of the Abyss - By Kerrec
Follow your Arrow where it Points - Tabaxi Monk - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
Citron Pumpkinfoam - Fairy Monk - Project Point: Team Longsword
"Thank you, dear lady, for inviting us into your home." Hond says with a cheerful smile, looking around. "And what a lovely home it is! Your most gracious son found us upon the road and offered us the honor of meeting you." Hond bows to the woman, "I am called Hond."
Perception to see if there's anything off or odd about the house, 19
The cottage is a simple abode with two beds, a rickety wooden table, and a fireplace. The woman watches Hond with a confused expression, as if she is unused to such displays. “I’m Meghan, and this ‘n is me son, Tom.” She says uncertainly. “What can I do fer you?”
Before anyone can speak, Hymnal pipes up. "Do you know where the Pumpkin King lives?"
Chasing Hymnal - Tabaxi Bard - The Tale of the Pumpkin King
Enzo the Nightmaw - Human Blood Hunter, Order of the Lycan
"Dovie'andi se tovya sagain."
“Of course, in the Castle of Amethyst.” She replies. For the first time there is life in her eyes, blue eyes that glitter with oppressed intelligence and inspiration. “Where did you say you were from, again?”
"The Castle of Amethyst, yes. That's it. Oh, we come from all over, but nowhere near here." Hond says with a wink. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Meghan." With a nonchalant air, trying not to arouse suspicion, Hond adds "Say, do you happen to know where the King's brother lives these days?"
Meghan cannot hide a nervous twitch. “The king has no brother.” She replies, trying to act calmly.
"Tsk, tsk, Meghan." Hond shakes his head disappointedly. "Dishonesty is so oppressive! Free yourself from that burden. Lift your spirits with the truth. Let the light of joy and honesty back into your life."
Persuasion, 15
Damn snickers from a darker corner of the room
Skameros - Bugbear Barbarian - Out of the Abyss - By Kerrec
Follow your Arrow where it Points - Tabaxi Monk - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
Citron Pumpkinfoam - Fairy Monk - Project Point: Team Longsword
Meghan turns to Tom. “Run along now, Tom, and pick yer ol’ mother some flowers. There’s a good lad.”
After Tom has left, she locks the door and draws the curtains. “Yer either very brave or very foolish.” She whispers. “Ye know as well as I that we’re not to speak of the King’s, mayhereignforeternity, brother. Ye could be hung in the Witching Wood merely fer thinkin’ of ‘im.” She steadies her shaking hands. “And I’ve me son to look after. What’d he do if the King’s men up and tooked me away?”
"Brave or foolish, it makes no matter." Hond says, "This place needs a bit more light, a bit more laughter, doesn't it. We've been sent here to help. But to do that we need a bit of guidance. Just a word, a place, a direction, and we can leave you and your son in peace."
"Hymnal promises not to even mention you in the song he'll write about this."
Chasing Hymnal - Tabaxi Bard - The Tale of the Pumpkin King
Enzo the Nightmaw - Human Blood Hunter, Order of the Lycan
"Dovie'andi se tovya sagain."
Meghan sighs deeply and looks at her hands, creased and calloused from years of labor. When she speaks, the rustic words of a peasant are replaced with those of a storyteller.
“I’ve heard tell many years ago of two heroes who infiltrated the Amethyst Castle and made an attempt on our King’s life. They fought in the name of The Good Prince, but the Pumpkin King proved too strong, and they were defeated before they could land the killing blow. The stories say they lie forgotten in the dungeons of the Pumpkin King. If you asked me, I’d say you’d find them in the Screaming Tower, nearly two days’ travel from here. That’s where the King throws those who dare oppose his reign, that is to say, the few he doesn’t execute outright.”
"Tell us how to get to the Screaming Tower, dear lady. Perhaps these would-be heroes are still alive." Hond says, hopefully.