Sariel sighs. "Ah, poker face then... My name is Sariel, and this is my travel companion Yasmin. I know your full name, Zinnadove. But you don't like it when people call you dove, at least not strangers." Sariel looks around the room one more time before leaning in to a low whisper. "I think you and I will become close friends. and I'll let you in on a little secret, I'm a Divination Specialist. A sort of arcane Psychic if you will. That's how I know your name, I've seen it."
Sariel leans back into her seat and gives a small smile, waiting to see what Zinnadoves reaction is.
**Music links will now appear as inline with the story. Look for the links and find it**
The Elfsong Tavern is a rather bustling place for being in such a dismal place. There are patrons here and there. Some of the private rooms are in use. A few seem to have some echoed and heated conversations coming from them. As the barmaid leaves with an empty server dish --your ale delivered to your table --she leaves a "check" for 4cp as she does.
This place is steeped in mystery. The rumors surrounding the tavern itself speak of a haunting elven voice that sings a sad, sad song from time to time. It's customary to "stop talking and shut yer' trap tight" when the elven lady sings. After all, good manners makes a good citizen.
There's a fireplace roaring to the eastern end just by the stairs. The bar, located to the northern end, has a creaky old half-elf man behind it mixing drinks and occasionally yelling back at the kitchen behind him as food orders come in. The barmaids (2 on this level) go back and forth from the bar to tables and rooms serving customers. There's some games of Balder's Bones -- a popular dice game -- going on. There's also cards, drinks, meetings, happy-nights-out --all of it is here. For a moment as you're talking amongst yourselves, it becomes easy to forget with the inviting light and atmosphere that you just came in from a dismal city street. Not all the streets in Balder's Gate are like that, you gather...perhaps you just took some bad turns...
Nobody matching Tarina's description -- as vague as it was -- jumps out at you.
DM: I'd be rather interested to see how the group of you interact with each other. It seems we're onto some good role playing here. You're free to do as you like -- talk to each other, ask for rumors, for Tarina, or explore. It's YOUR game, so have fun.
GM with over 20 years of experience. I have a lot of great ideas. Some of them follow through. Others don't. Please don't take offense if I disappear suddenly. I have a life, too. Sometimes I get distra...
As we sit and drink, Sariel keeps her hands on her satchel, occasionally taking bits of food from her plate and sliding them into it. As she does, there's the occasional shifting inside. Sariel keeps her eyes on a swivel, glancing around at the different people in the tavern more out of curiosity than paranoia.
"You've seen it? Seems outlandish enough to be true," Zinnadove takes another sip of her ale, studying a deep cut in the table top, listening at the various conversations popping up around them, hoping to pick up anything of importance.
"And what of your extremely talkative friend here? You say you met her in a similar way. What makes you think the two of you can improve this dismal city?"
“What makes you think we can’t?” Yasmin says to Zinnadove. “Besides, “improve” is a flexible term. As long as we can improve the lives of a few people in the city, I’ll be satisfied.”
DM: Roleplay as you see fit or give that nudge to progress the story if you'd like. There are some interesting patrons here.
A shifty-looking half elf male and two humans play dice while loudly laughing and drinking on a table near the fireplace.
A large half-orc sits alone in a far corner drinking ale to himself, staring blankly at...nothing.
Various other tavern-goes are at tables around the main floor talking, eating, and drinking.
Sounds from above also grab your attention. A rowdy group must be up the stairs.
Remember what you agreed to come here for -to find Tarina the spy and get information on where the Dead Three are and what chaos they intend to cause.
If you're ready to move on from this little scene, I would suggest asking around for Tarina. If you want to role play some more or explore, go right ahead.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
GM with over 20 years of experience. I have a lot of great ideas. Some of them follow through. Others don't. Please don't take offense if I disappear suddenly. I have a life, too. Sometimes I get distra...
After finishing the ale in her tankard, Zinnadove pushes her chair back and stands.
"Improving the city or not, we still need to find this lass, yes?" she reaches in her pocket for her portion of the 'check'. "Let's ask around about Tarina, but bear witness to the other goings on in this inn. I have a feeling there's more here than meets the eye."
A passing barmaid, half-elf with short blonde hair and green eyes - easy on the eyes, passes by.
DM: If this is that nudge, this is your opportunity to ask. Let's keep this moving guys. Don't fall off on me.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
GM with over 20 years of experience. I have a lot of great ideas. Some of them follow through. Others don't. Please don't take offense if I disappear suddenly. I have a life, too. Sometimes I get distra...
Yasmin stands up and nods towards Zinnadove. She looks around for a bit, looking for someone nearby, and spots the barmaid. She walks up to her, intending to ask for this Tarina.
"Exscuse me, but do you have a moment?"she asks the barmaid. "Me and my friends are trying to find a person. All the information we have is that her name is Tarina."
After saying this, she realizes that she might not be full friends with Zinnadove yet, but she ignores this. It's already said, and there's no clear reason to take it back.
The barmaid, without missing a step as she goes says "Aye, she's upstairs."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
GM with over 20 years of experience. I have a lot of great ideas. Some of them follow through. Others don't. Please don't take offense if I disappear suddenly. I have a life, too. Sometimes I get distra...
Yasmin follows along behind Zinnadove, while looking and listening around in the tavern. She hears the ruckus upstairs, and instinctively reaches for her shortsword of warning, before her logical side convinces her otherwise. She watches upwards and listens closely, as she follows Zinnadove towards the stairs.
Watching Yasmin and Zinnadove take charge makes Sariel feel relaxed. Normally her powers of "insight" make her naturally take charge, but being the tag along feels good for a change. Staying silent, Sariel follows the other ladies.
(Sorry guys, I've worked 53 hours in the last 3 days. I've been really exhausted)
As you ascend the stairs, something odd happens. The very steps you're walking on seem to warp a little as if phasing in and out of reality. A dream? Perhaps those of you familiar with spirits have had similar encounters. A song rings out across the tavern. Patrons grow silent. Those that don't receive a sharp cut to the ribcage from other fellows in the tavern. An odd silence falls over the tavern as a whole. All is silent but the song sung by the ghostly voices ringing out from parts unknown - as spirits would, of course.
The song:
O sing a song of Elturel
Of water, woods, and hill
The sun dawns on her ruddy cliffs
And fields green and still.
This land of long-abiding joy
Home of the strong and brave
Renowned by all, across the realms,
And never once a slave.
O sing a song of Elturel
When foes are at her door
Her fields torn by cloven feet
From some infernal shore.
Arise the mighty Hellriders
Take up your swift, keen swords
Then charge into the hellish fray
And scatter devil hordes.
O sing a song of Elturel
And when the night does fall
Sleep safe beneath Companion’s light
Until the dawn does call.
We’re bound by mortal covenant
That only ends with death
And so we’ll sing of Elturel
Until our final breath.
When it's over, as if on cue, the tavern patrons go back to their business. The background sounds of clanking glasses and talking suddenly continues. As if yanked from a dream, you each come back to reality as you are ascending the stairs. Chatter from above and loud yelling compelling you to continue to see what's going on up there. That song though, haunting and still ringing in your ears as you go up the stairs.
GM with over 20 years of experience. I have a lot of great ideas. Some of them follow through. Others don't. Please don't take offense if I disappear suddenly. I have a life, too. Sometimes I get distra...
Did the song feel like an arcane spell? or more spiritual in nature? Would it be possible for me to role something to figure it out?
Sariel quietly follows the others up the stairs, but is constantly glancing around, looking for anything resembling arcane runes or other magical objects that might be able to make that song play.
GM with over 20 years of experience. I have a lot of great ideas. Some of them follow through. Others don't. Please don't take offense if I disappear suddenly. I have a life, too. Sometimes I get distra...
Zinnadove chances a glance back to Sariel and Yasmin, hoping they experienced the song the same way she did. She catches snippets of conversations suggesting the song had changed this time from what it usually sounded like.
Deciding they were more in need of getting their business underway, Zinnadove pushes on up the stairs, hopeful she and her companions would get answers soon.
Sariel sighs. "Ah, poker face then... My name is Sariel, and this is my travel companion Yasmin. I know your full name, Zinnadove. But you don't like it when people call you dove, at least not strangers." Sariel looks around the room one more time before leaning in to a low whisper. "I think you and I will become close friends. and I'll let you in on a little secret, I'm a Divination Specialist. A sort of arcane Psychic if you will. That's how I know your name, I've seen it."
Sariel leans back into her seat and gives a small smile, waiting to see what Zinnadoves reaction is.
**Music links will now appear as inline with the story. Look for the links and find it**
The Elfsong Tavern is a rather bustling place for being in such a dismal place. There are patrons here and there. Some of the private rooms are in use. A few seem to have some echoed and heated conversations coming from them. As the barmaid leaves with an empty server dish --your ale delivered to your table --she leaves a "check" for 4cp as she does.
This place is steeped in mystery. The rumors surrounding the tavern itself speak of a haunting elven voice that sings a sad, sad song from time to time. It's customary to "stop talking and shut yer' trap tight" when the elven lady sings. After all, good manners makes a good citizen.
There's a fireplace roaring to the eastern end just by the stairs. The bar, located to the northern end, has a creaky old half-elf man behind it mixing drinks and occasionally yelling back at the kitchen behind him as food orders come in. The barmaids (2 on this level) go back and forth from the bar to tables and rooms serving customers. There's some games of Balder's Bones -- a popular dice game -- going on. There's also cards, drinks, meetings, happy-nights-out --all of it is here. For a moment as you're talking amongst yourselves, it becomes easy to forget with the inviting light and atmosphere that you just came in from a dismal city street. Not all the streets in Balder's Gate are like that, you gather...perhaps you just took some bad turns...
Nobody matching Tarina's description -- as vague as it was -- jumps out at you.
DM: I'd be rather interested to see how the group of you interact with each other. It seems we're onto some good role playing here. You're free to do as you like -- talk to each other, ask for rumors, for Tarina, or explore. It's YOUR game, so have fun.
GM with over 20 years of experience. I have a lot of great ideas. Some of them follow through. Others don't. Please don't take offense if I disappear suddenly. I have a life, too. Sometimes I get distra...
As we sit and drink, Sariel keeps her hands on her satchel, occasionally taking bits of food from her plate and sliding them into it. As she does, there's the occasional shifting inside. Sariel keeps her eyes on a swivel, glancing around at the different people in the tavern more out of curiosity than paranoia.
"You've seen it? Seems outlandish enough to be true," Zinnadove takes another sip of her ale, studying a deep cut in the table top, listening at the various conversations popping up around them, hoping to pick up anything of importance.
"And what of your extremely talkative friend here? You say you met her in a similar way. What makes you think the two of you can improve this dismal city?"
“What makes you think we can’t?” Yasmin says to Zinnadove. “Besides, “improve” is a flexible term. As long as we can improve the lives of a few people in the city, I’ll be satisfied.”
Zinnadove makes a noncommittal noise and raises an eyebrow, taking a deep pull from her ale.
DM: Roleplay as you see fit or give that nudge to progress the story if you'd like. There are some interesting patrons here.
A shifty-looking half elf male and two humans play dice while loudly laughing and drinking on a table near the fireplace.
A large half-orc sits alone in a far corner drinking ale to himself, staring blankly at...nothing.
Various other tavern-goes are at tables around the main floor talking, eating, and drinking.
Sounds from above also grab your attention. A rowdy group must be up the stairs.
Remember what you agreed to come here for -to find Tarina the spy and get information on where the Dead Three are and what chaos they intend to cause.
If you're ready to move on from this little scene, I would suggest asking around for Tarina. If you want to role play some more or explore, go right ahead.
GM with over 20 years of experience. I have a lot of great ideas. Some of them follow through. Others don't. Please don't take offense if I disappear suddenly. I have a life, too. Sometimes I get distra...
After finishing the ale in her tankard, Zinnadove pushes her chair back and stands.
"Improving the city or not, we still need to find this lass, yes?" she reaches in her pocket for her portion of the 'check'. "Let's ask around about Tarina, but bear witness to the other goings on in this inn. I have a feeling there's more here than meets the eye."
A passing barmaid, half-elf with short blonde hair and green eyes - easy on the eyes, passes by.
DM: If this is that nudge, this is your opportunity to ask. Let's keep this moving guys. Don't fall off on me.
GM with over 20 years of experience. I have a lot of great ideas. Some of them follow through. Others don't. Please don't take offense if I disappear suddenly. I have a life, too. Sometimes I get distra...
Yasmin stands up and nods towards Zinnadove. She looks around for a bit, looking for someone nearby, and spots the barmaid. She walks up to her, intending to ask for this Tarina.
After saying this, she realizes that she might not be full friends with Zinnadove yet, but she ignores this. It's already said, and there's no clear reason to take it back.
The barmaid, without missing a step as she goes says "Aye, she's upstairs."
GM with over 20 years of experience. I have a lot of great ideas. Some of them follow through. Others don't. Please don't take offense if I disappear suddenly. I have a life, too. Sometimes I get distra...
She turns and walks back towards Zinnadove and Sariel.
Hearing the directions from the barmaid, Zinnadove gives the blonde a dazzling smile. "Thanks, love, we shall meet again."
Zinnadove glances at her two companions and with a swift nod heads towards the stairs that will lead them to the second floor.
Yasmin follows along behind Zinnadove, while looking and listening around in the tavern. She hears the ruckus upstairs, and instinctively reaches for her shortsword of warning, before her logical side convinces her otherwise. She watches upwards and listens closely, as she follows Zinnadove towards the stairs.
Watching Yasmin and Zinnadove take charge makes Sariel feel relaxed. Normally her powers of "insight" make her naturally take charge, but being the tag along feels good for a change. Staying silent, Sariel follows the other ladies.
(Sorry guys, I've worked 53 hours in the last 3 days. I've been really exhausted)
As you ascend the stairs, something odd happens. The very steps you're walking on seem to warp a little as if phasing in and out of reality. A dream? Perhaps those of you familiar with spirits have had similar encounters. A song rings out across the tavern. Patrons grow silent. Those that don't receive a sharp cut to the ribcage from other fellows in the tavern. An odd silence falls over the tavern as a whole. All is silent but the song sung by the ghostly voices ringing out from parts unknown - as spirits would, of course.
The song:
O sing a song of Elturel
Of water, woods, and hill
The sun dawns on her ruddy cliffs
And fields green and still.
This land of long-abiding joy
Home of the strong and brave
Renowned by all, across the realms,
And never once a slave.
O sing a song of Elturel
When foes are at her door
Her fields torn by cloven feet
From some infernal shore.
Arise the mighty Hellriders
Take up your swift, keen swords
Then charge into the hellish fray
And scatter devil hordes.
O sing a song of Elturel
And when the night does fall
Sleep safe beneath Companion’s light
Until the dawn does call.
We’re bound by mortal covenant
That only ends with death
And so we’ll sing of Elturel
Until our final breath.
When it's over, as if on cue, the tavern patrons go back to their business. The background sounds of clanking glasses and talking suddenly continues. As if yanked from a dream, you each come back to reality as you are ascending the stairs. Chatter from above and loud yelling compelling you to continue to see what's going on up there. That song though, haunting and still ringing in your ears as you go up the stairs.
GM with over 20 years of experience. I have a lot of great ideas. Some of them follow through. Others don't. Please don't take offense if I disappear suddenly. I have a life, too. Sometimes I get distra...
Did the song feel like an arcane spell? or more spiritual in nature? Would it be possible for me to role something to figure it out?
Sariel quietly follows the others up the stairs, but is constantly glancing around, looking for anything resembling arcane runes or other magical objects that might be able to make that song play.
It felt otherworldly. Natural for the unique setting of the tavern. Role arcana or history for more potential insight into it if you want.
Chatter from the patrons suggests the elven ghost has changed her tune this time. Odd, considering it’s always the same...
GM with over 20 years of experience. I have a lot of great ideas. Some of them follow through. Others don't. Please don't take offense if I disappear suddenly. I have a life, too. Sometimes I get distra...
Zinnadove chances a glance back to Sariel and Yasmin, hoping they experienced the song the same way she did. She catches snippets of conversations suggesting the song had changed this time from what it usually sounded like.
Deciding they were more in need of getting their business underway, Zinnadove pushes on up the stairs, hopeful she and her companions would get answers soon.
(no joke. I have the screenshot to prove it, I rolled using the dndbeyonds dice.)
Arcana roll = Nat 20, for 25 total