Hond looks at Elenara, "This is a troubling story indeed, and when we arrived you said you needed assistance bringing down a great evil. I can only assume that this Pumpkin King is the evil you speak of. What would you have us do, against such a foe as this?"
Elenara snaps out of her reverie, all business once again.
”You have surmised the truth, this is no mere tale. This is the history of the legendary kingdom of Avalon, lost to the short-lived memories of mortals. Once Avalon was a part of our plane, but now it dwells in a dimension of the Pumpkin King’s own creation. He warps reality with a thought, twisting the land into a dark reflection of his insane mind.”
She looks at you each in turn.
“Long have the people of Avalon suffered under the Pumpkin King’s tyrannical rule. In the name of Lathander, I ask you to venture into the Realm of Madness, find the lost prince, and overthrow the Pumpkin King. With his throne restored, I am convinced that the noble prince will have the power to return Avalon to our plane, and end this nightmare.”
Hond chuckles good naturedly at Damn's words. "Yes, overthrowing an elder-demon worshiping tyrant in the Realm of Madness should be quite simple! We've faced teapots and a fat orc, what could this insane despot who created his own twisted dimension and transported all of Avalon to it have on us! You do keep my spirits up, even if you're always knocking my mug off the table for no reason."
Then, somewhat more seriously to Elenara, "I am sworn to stand against any wickedness that would swallow good, beauty, love, and laughter in the world. Where life flourishes, I am sworn to stand against the forces that would render it barren. This Pumpkin King sits in opposition to all I hold dear. I will go to this realm and I will set things to rights."
We might not have to outright beat this guy. He gets his power from somewhere... right? Maybe we can sever his ties to whatever gives him his abilities. Then it COULD be that easy.” Morton adds in, trying to spitball ideas.
“For this purpose I have in my possession several items which may be of use to you on your quest.”
She walks across the room to the fireplace, which has died down to a few burning embers. Reaching into the chimney, she produces a simple wooden chest. She carries the chest to the table and sets it down with a thud.
“For the bard,” She says, opening the chest, “A Bag of Tricks.” (Rust color)
It does not seem possible, but Hymnal's eyes get larger, sparkling with impish delight as he takes up the bag with both hands. "Webs of Light, Hymnal will have all kinds of fun with this!" he says, then quickly adds, "But only for the thwarting of evildoers, Hymnal promises." He rises from the table and gives Elenara a grandiloquent bow which belies his ragged appearance.
Hymnal gasps and amiably punches Morton in the shoulder, bouncing excitedly. "Morton, do you know what this means? Now you can finally supplex a troll like you've always wanted! And Damn,"he points at his fellow tabaxi, "you get to stab someone with lightning! And Hond..." Hymnal's expression becomes awed, "you look even more heroic."
Hond laughs, grinning broadly, "I am a glorious beacon for all who live in despair. The light of my joy and courage will shine forth even brighter in this beauty! Especially since it makes me less susceptible to your purring, and Damn's claws. Even Morton will have trouble catching me now!"
A bit more seriously, to Elenara, "These are great gifts you have given us, but they do come at a cost. What is our first move against this evil, lady of Lathander?"
”Sleep this night, and once you have rested, you can depart as early as this morning.” She taps the moldering book on the table. “This is the gateway to the realm of the Pumpkin King.”
"Rest does sound wonderful. I was feeling near exhaustion before your froggy friends led us here. A bit of rest would do us all good. Is your home safe, or should we set up watches for the night?" Hond smiles at Elenara.
“No harm will come to you while under this roof. As I am sure you noticed, from the outside this cottage appears deserted. I have also taken other defensive measures. For now, suffice to say you are safe for the night.” Elenara replies.
“Thank you for your hospitality. I apologize for being untrusting before.” Morton dresses down as much as the group will tolerate before finding a pillow to throw on the floor by the fire to sleep for the night.
At the mention of sleep, Hymnal remembers exactly how exhausted he is, and picks a spot at the fire near Morton, saying, "Hymnal apologizes in advance if he starts reciting in his sleep again." Not even bothering to find a pillow, he curls up on the floor and is asleep in seconds.
Morton listens too the woman, trying to peacefully bring her back to the room from her thought. “Ma’am, you act as though that isn’t just a story...”
Hymnal quietly repeated her words to himself as she spoke--something you know he likes to do when he's remembering a story for later.
"Hymnal has never heard this story, before. You speak of the planes, hey? Which one did this 'Pumpkin King' come from?"
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."
Hond looks at Elenara, "This is a troubling story indeed, and when we arrived you said you needed assistance bringing down a great evil. I can only assume that this Pumpkin King is the evil you speak of. What would you have us do, against such a foe as this?"
Elenara snaps out of her reverie, all business once again.
”You have surmised the truth, this is no mere tale. This is the history of the legendary kingdom of Avalon, lost to the short-lived memories of mortals. Once Avalon was a part of our plane, but now it dwells in a dimension of the Pumpkin King’s own creation. He warps reality with a thought, twisting the land into a dark reflection of his insane mind.”
She looks at you each in turn.
“Long have the people of Avalon suffered under the Pumpkin King’s tyrannical rule. In the name of Lathander, I ask you to venture into the Realm of Madness, find the lost prince, and overthrow the Pumpkin King. With his throne restored, I am convinced that the noble prince will have the power to return Avalon to our plane, and end this nightmare.”
"Seems simple enough"
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
Hond chuckles good naturedly at Damn's words. "Yes, overthrowing an elder-demon worshiping tyrant in the Realm of Madness should be quite simple! We've faced teapots and a fat orc, what could this insane despot who created his own twisted dimension and transported all of Avalon to it have on us! You do keep my spirits up, even if you're always knocking my mug off the table for no reason."
Then, somewhat more seriously to Elenara, "I am sworn to stand against any wickedness that would swallow good, beauty, love, and laughter in the world. Where life flourishes, I am sworn to stand against the forces that would render it barren. This Pumpkin King sits in opposition to all I hold dear. I will go to this realm and I will set things to rights."
We might not have to outright beat this guy. He gets his power from somewhere... right? Maybe we can sever his ties to whatever gives him his abilities. Then it COULD be that easy.” Morton adds in, trying to spitball ideas.
Elenara smiles, hope in her eyes.
“For this purpose I have in my possession several items which may be of use to you on your quest.”
She walks across the room to the fireplace, which has died down to a few burning embers. Reaching into the chimney, she produces a simple wooden chest. She carries the chest to the table and sets it down with a thud.
“For the bard,” She says, opening the chest, “A Bag of Tricks.” (Rust color)
”For the rogue, a Javelin of Lightning.”
”For the monk, a Potion of Hill Giant Strength.”
“And for the paladin, a Cloak of Protection.”
She bows. “May they serve you well.”
Damn takes the javelin and twirls it around a bit "not something I'd normally use, but I'm sure I can find a use for it....my appreciation Elenara."
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
Hond takes the cloak reverently. "This is an incredible gift, I can give only my thanks in return, but I promise to wear it well."
Hond wears the cloak and begins attuning to it.
It does not seem possible, but Hymnal's eyes get larger, sparkling with impish delight as he takes up the bag with both hands. "Webs of Light, Hymnal will have all kinds of fun with this!" he says, then quickly adds, "But only for the thwarting of evildoers, Hymnal promises." He rises from the table and gives Elenara a grandiloquent bow which belies his ragged appearance.
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."
Swirling the bottle and looking through it in the light. “I’m sure this will be very helpful when the time is right.”
Hymnal gasps and amiably punches Morton in the shoulder, bouncing excitedly. "Morton, do you know what this means? Now you can finally supplex a troll like you've always wanted! And Damn," he points at his fellow tabaxi, "you get to stab someone with lightning! And Hond..." Hymnal's expression becomes awed, "you look even more heroic."
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."
Hond laughs, grinning broadly, "I am a glorious beacon for all who live in despair. The light of my joy and courage will shine forth even brighter in this beauty! Especially since it makes me less susceptible to your purring, and Damn's claws. Even Morton will have trouble catching me now!"
A bit more seriously, to Elenara, "These are great gifts you have given us, but they do come at a cost. What is our first move against this evil, lady of Lathander?"
Morton chuckles “yes, hopefully there will be time during our quest to track down a troll and give him the ole what for.”
Elenara’s smile fades, and she sighs.
”Sleep this night, and once you have rested, you can depart as early as this morning.” She taps the moldering book on the table. “This is the gateway to the realm of the Pumpkin King.”
"Rest does sound wonderful. I was feeling near exhaustion before your froggy friends led us here. A bit of rest would do us all good. Is your home safe, or should we set up watches for the night?" Hond smiles at Elenara.
“No harm will come to you while under this roof. As I am sure you noticed, from the outside this cottage appears deserted. I have also taken other defensive measures. For now, suffice to say you are safe for the night.” Elenara replies.
“Thank you for your hospitality. I apologize for being untrusting before.” Morton dresses down as much as the group will tolerate before finding a pillow to throw on the floor by the fire to sleep for the night.
At the mention of sleep, Hymnal remembers exactly how exhausted he is, and picks a spot at the fire near Morton, saying, "Hymnal apologizes in advance if he starts reciting in his sleep again." Not even bothering to find a pillow, he curls up on the floor and is asleep in seconds.
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."