"Katia? Hrmph! Elro sent ya, didn't he? Cursed man..." She seems to contemplate slamming the door but a massive shudder wracks her body and she hisses. She puffs her cheeks and blows out a gust of air, so cold you can feel it even in the winter air. “Fine, come in. But tell yer friends not to expect no h-h-hospitality!” She turns and hobbles toward the bed, leaving the door ajar.
The heat inside the small cabin hits like a hammer blow. A table set with neatly stacked dishes, tools, and utensils stands at the center of the room. The smell of a simmering beetroot soup comes from a pot hanging inside a roaring fireplace. Another fire burns in an iron brazier at the opposite end of the room, filling the cabin with a smoky haze. Two wolves lie in the floor near the bed. They raise their heads and growl, but a stern word from Tulgi hushes them right quick.
“Well, let’s make this quick” Shivering, Tulgi pulls herself into bed near the brazier, an obvious effort, and wraps herself in more blankets. Despite the heat from the fires, she’s ice cold, and you can now clearly see the bulging blue veins all over her exposed skin. “Not long f-f-for this world, am I. No time to waste on idle chat. Figure I come down with what killed ole Urgon. Ya don’t happen to h-h-have a cure, do ya?” She snorts.
Stepping into the cabin and smiling at the wolves for a moment Shagar turns to Tulgi "Not as of yet, what can you tell us of your last few days. Did you come into contact with Urgon or anything else strange or unusual?"
"What's this, a game 'o questions? I told ya, I got whatever killed Wenth. Unless ya got some cure, you're wastin' my ever-short'nin' time. I'll say no more 'bout it!" She glares into the fire.
(Insight DC 8):
Tulgi is grieving for her own life and is angry, defiant. It will take some form of persuasion to get her to open up.
Insight: 20 (although it seems pretty obvious what's going on)
"It's only a game if you keep playing about, Tulgi. I imagine we'd like to find a cure almost as much as you would like to have one but the only way that might happen is if we can track down the source of the problem. Now answer the question," Red Chanter says sternly with a hint of a growl in the last sentence.
"Shagar, I was in contact with Urgon until his last breath, this is not a common cold and does not spread like that."Katia sighed. Tulgi's look reminded too vividly last days of Urgon, and that was not a sweet memory. The girl did not need to ask about drawf's feelings to know what she felt - she saw it firsthand not a week ago.
"Tulgi, we need to know how it all begun. My uncle did not tell, probably he hoped the cure will be found. But it was not. Nobody knows what is happening, but we,"Katia made a gesture that included everyone in the hut, "want to try and find the source of the disease. Please, help us - and we shall do everything to save you."
Tulgi speaks matter-of-factly. “Fine! I come to Palebank Village a few years back, from Shadycreek Run, with my sis, Hulil. We took work with the Uttolot family. They sent us ‘n a few others to the village to keep an eye on treasures comin’ back from Eiselcross—to, well, to steal em. Usually they’re bein’ smuggled anyways by treasure seekers tryin’ to keep em away from the Uthodurn or Dwendalian empires.”
“When Urgon returned with relics from Eiselcross, I knew I had a chance to make good with the boss. I waited for Urgon to sell his finds to Pelc’s Curiosities, then stole ‘em all. I gave most of Urgon’s relics to Hulil, but kept one for myself.” She produces from her clothes a fine, ornate blade in a gilded sheath.
“Hulil has the other stuff stored up in Croaker Cave.”
And for the first time Tulgi appears timid and embarrassed. “Katia, it was me done wrecked your cabin, convinced that Urgon must have some magic or other secrets stored away in there. I--I’m sorry.”
(Arcana or History DC 15):
The dagger is a relic of the fallen flying city of Aeor.
(Anyone familiar with Palebank Village and its people):
The Uttolots are a family well known for their criminal activities and illicit connections.
Katia could not be angry with a dying woman and, truly, compare to everything that happened lately it was nothing. She just shook her head again: "Should he had something, he would not die of that malady. But it means Pelc is in danger too. And your sister, Tulgi. Did you touch all the relics or only that one?"
Daelnar stands quietly at the back of the group, listening to the tale Tulgi shares. Whilst Katia is talking, he moves over to the Goliath and quietly asks Hayley "Ye been living in these parts a bit ain't ye. Be ye knowin' these Uttolots or the cave? I'm thinking some folks might want t' be talking civil-like to them about things, and I be thinkin' a more direct course might be faster..."
Katia could not be angry with a dying woman and, truly, compare to everything that happened lately it was nothing. She just shook her head again: "Should he had something, he would not die of that malady. But it means Pelc is in danger too. And your sister, Tulgi. Did you touch all the relics or only that one?"
"I musta handled all of it. What, do ya think this dagger is what made us sick?"
Katia nodded "This dagger or another relic that your sister has now." She looked at the dagger not touching it, though. "I think I saw that pattern before - uncle showed some scrolls about the fallen flying city of Aeor. Do not know much about it, only that it crashed in Eiselcross. I guess this is why he was talking about it at all."
She looked at others "We should check Pelc’s Curiosities. If Pelc is fine - you need to keep a relic to get sick, if not... Anyone who kept them in their hands is in danger."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Seeing as the others have taken charge of the conversation, steering it more aggressive for in hopes for convalesce, or calm passing. Old Malik makes himself at home-in her kitchen. Brewin up a herbal tea of his own design, once finished handing her a glass "Dun ask whats in it girlie. But it'll warm you, and calm yer body. " nearly forcfully making sure she drinks a large gulp, setting a hot kettle of it to the side. Mali fussley examines her-whether she protests or not, while the others speak of such investigations.
Medicine check 14 (She's not happy with an examination apparently.)
(I'd love to roll herbalism kit20 and/or poisoner's kit 18for the tea. Effectively combining some herbs for body strengthening, and some poisons for a muscle relaxant. Add whatever stat you deem approriate; Profiency bonus accounted. The aim is to help her pain and cold. Whether that helps or hurts the conversation is not Malik's concern. )
Harley listens to the conversation, eyeing the blade. She quietly replies Daelnar, "Who hasn't heard 'bout the Uttolots? They can be a nasty group but they sure have some useful connections."(She also reveals what she knows about Croaker Cave, if she has any knowledge about what might be in it.)"Nothing wrong with a bit of civil talk, but I agree, we can't stand around yakking all day."
She then approaches Tulgi, holding up her backpack. "You better strap that blade on here. If it caused your--" she gestures to the blue veins "--then we better not leave it with you. Who knows, limit the exposure and you might just be cured after all."
Tulgi frets and fusses while Malik piddles around her kitchenette. “Now don’t--...Just settle down...You stubborn ox!” Malik finds some dried herbs and flowers collecting dust, as well as some mint and fennel seeds. To this he adds his own special blend from his pouches. Despite her protests, Tulgi accepts the piping hot cup, eagerly sipping the liquid without the slightest worry of burning her frozen tongue. “Be better with some whiskey,” she says, side-eyeing Malik.
Finishing the tea, Tulgi reluctantly relinquishes the dagger to Harley. Her eyes fall to examine her flesh. “Blast. The reddest lookin’ apples always have the worms. Well don’t go givin’ me some moral lesson ‘bout it, it’s plain enough. I made m’bed, I aim to sleep in’t!”
“But Hulil--” she jerks upright. “Ya gotta check on Hulil. She’s holed up in Croaker Cave up north. You know the way, Shagar; Malik, too, if you can get yourself turned the right direction. She ain't gonna like company, though, and may have some of Uttalot's gang with 'er. May hap that if you figure out what cause the sick, ya can figure out how to cure it, too.”
One of the wolves peeks out from under the bed, whining and licking at the blanket. Tulgi falls back, Brrrrr-ing, and pulls the blanket tight around her. “But not f-f-fer me. I’m a g-g-goner!”
"Ye be a might chilly lass, but maybe ye be a bit warmer inside with the knowin' ye may have just saved ye sis." Daelnar responds with a so far uncharacteristic modicum of sincerity and tact. "I can't be thinkin' there be too much else we needs to trouble ye for, unless you can hazard a guess at how many o' the Uttalot's gang be up there. Though I reckon some of these folks will think o' somethin' I ain't."
Looking towards the two that Tulgi mentioned, "If either o' ye be knowin' where this cave is, can ye lead us out t' it on t' morrow? I not be likin' the idea o' headin' out o'er the night, and I be doubtin' that ye set the fastest pace old boy..." The last is said directly to Malik and his false leg.
"We should and we will go there, but Pelc’s Curiosities are practically next door and we can check it right now." The speech did not seem to move anyone and Katia added "I'll go check."
Before leaving, though, she once again said in the most reassuring tone she could master in that situation: "We will do all we can, I promise. If there is a cure, we'll bring it to you."With that she went out to get to the shop and check if the owner developed the same symptoms.
"Wait up, I'll come for a stroll to this shop wit ye lassie, if'n it still be open."
With seemingly nothing more to do in Tulgi's house Daelnar heads out after Katia.
(OOC: Hopefully Shagar / Malik have time to respond before leaving the house, in which case Daelnar would wait on their answer and then head out after Katia.)
(If anyone has anything else to talk to Tulgi about, that would happen before this.)
As Tulgi lays down and some of the group turn to leave, Red Chanter begins to play her viol softly from the corner where she's posted up after realizing she approached the inquiry from quite the wrong angle. It's a slow and soothing tune that everyone seems to remember but they're unsure from where. After a while low, droning tones and harmonies begin to join the melody she plays as she begins to pace forward ever-so-slowly toward the dwarf's bed, singing quietly:
"Oh my baern, rest thee well Papa's astandin watch tonight Fairies weave a slumber spell I'll be sleeping by your side
"Out from the mines and in to bed Papa's astandin watch tonight Stones be rumblin 'neath your head I'll be sleeping by your side
"Monsters lurking in the deep But Pa's astandin watch tonight Now be layin down to sleep And I'll be sleeping by your side
"Sun behind the mountain heights Gone till morrow, took its light So settle down, baern, and close your eyes Can you hear the moon's sweet lullaby? Time t' be saying your goodnights And I'll be sleeping by your side"
Once Red Chanter is confident Tulgi is asleep, she'll silently motion to the others to join her outside.
"If Katia and Daelnar are poking around at the curio and we've gotten all the information Tulgi's willing to part with, I think it makes the most sense to provision ourselves for our trek to the cave. There was practical gear at Urgon's house which could prove helpful if Katia doesn't object to its use. Some among us would likely benefit from a grappling hook and lantern...especially if we travel at night. Would his weapon or armor benefit anyone? Although I fear those items may be too personal for Katia's taste."
"Of course." Katia waited for Daelnar to join her and walked towards the shop. "It's a bit late, shop must be closed but she - Verla Pelc, the owner - only opens when she feels like it anyway, so, who knows. I worry, though, she wasn't at uncle's funeral. Have not seen her for some time either. Not that strange, she likes to keep to herself, but combined with funeral... I do worry."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"While I am loathe to see any one using Urgons things so soon, the practicality of it makes sense. I say we move to the shop to await those two and then make our way back to Urgons, sorry Katia's to bed for the night and set out at first light. I believe I remember the way to Croakers Cave" Survival( to see If I remember the way): 22
"Katia? Hrmph! Elro sent ya, didn't he? Cursed man..." She seems to contemplate slamming the door but a massive shudder wracks her body and she hisses. She puffs her cheeks and blows out a gust of air, so cold you can feel it even in the winter air. “Fine, come in. But tell yer friends not to expect no h-h-hospitality!” She turns and hobbles toward the bed, leaving the door ajar.
The heat inside the small cabin hits like a hammer blow. A table set with neatly stacked dishes, tools, and utensils stands at the center of the room. The smell of a simmering beetroot soup comes from a pot hanging inside a roaring fireplace. Another fire burns in an iron brazier at the opposite end of the room, filling the cabin with a smoky haze. Two wolves lie in the floor near the bed. They raise their heads and growl, but a stern word from Tulgi hushes them right quick.
“Well, let’s make this quick” Shivering, Tulgi pulls herself into bed near the brazier, an obvious effort, and wraps herself in more blankets. Despite the heat from the fires, she’s ice cold, and you can now clearly see the bulging blue veins all over her exposed skin. “Not long f-f-for this world, am I. No time to waste on idle chat. Figure I come down with what killed ole Urgon. Ya don’t happen to h-h-have a cure, do ya?” She snorts.
Stepping into the cabin and smiling at the wolves for a moment Shagar turns to Tulgi "Not as of yet, what can you tell us of your last few days. Did you come into contact with Urgon or anything else strange or unusual?"
"What's this, a game 'o questions? I told ya, I got whatever killed Wenth. Unless ya got some cure, you're wastin' my ever-short'nin' time. I'll say no more 'bout it!" She glares into the fire.
(Insight DC 8):
Tulgi is grieving for her own life and is angry, defiant. It will take some form of persuasion to get her to open up.
Insight: 20 (although it seems pretty obvious what's going on)
"It's only a game if you keep playing about, Tulgi. I imagine we'd like to find a cure almost as much as you would like to have one but the only way that might happen is if we can track down the source of the problem. Now answer the question," Red Chanter says sternly with a hint of a growl in the last sentence.
Persuasion: 6
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Mis'tuv (Halfling Fathomless Warlock) - The Voyage of the Fallen Star
Meresaa (Vedalken Artillerist Artificer) - Destination Unknown
Hutton Crowcreek (Human Fighter) - Curse of the Crimson Throne
"Shagar, I was in contact with Urgon until his last breath, this is not a common cold and does not spread like that." Katia sighed. Tulgi's look reminded too vividly last days of Urgon, and that was not a sweet memory. The girl did not need to ask about drawf's feelings to know what she felt - she saw it firsthand not a week ago.
"Tulgi, we need to know how it all begun. My uncle did not tell, probably he hoped the cure will be found. But it was not. Nobody knows what is happening, but we," Katia made a gesture that included everyone in the hut, "want to try and find the source of the disease. Please, help us - and we shall do everything to save you."
Persuasion: 25
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Tulgi speaks matter-of-factly. “Fine! I come to Palebank Village a few years back, from Shadycreek Run, with my sis, Hulil. We took work with the Uttolot family. They sent us ‘n a few others to the village to keep an eye on treasures comin’ back from Eiselcross—to, well, to steal em. Usually they’re bein’ smuggled anyways by treasure seekers tryin’ to keep em away from the Uthodurn or Dwendalian empires.”
“When Urgon returned with relics from Eiselcross, I knew I had a chance to make good with the boss. I waited for Urgon to sell his finds to Pelc’s Curiosities, then stole ‘em all. I gave most of Urgon’s relics to Hulil, but kept one for myself.” She produces from her clothes a fine, ornate blade in a gilded sheath.
“Hulil has the other stuff stored up in Croaker Cave.”
And for the first time Tulgi appears timid and embarrassed. “Katia, it was me done wrecked your cabin, convinced that Urgon must have some magic or other secrets stored away in there. I--I’m sorry.”
(Arcana or History DC 15):
The dagger is a relic of the fallen flying city of Aeor.
(Anyone familiar with Palebank Village and its people):
The Uttolots are a family well known for their criminal activities and illicit connections.
Arcana: 16 History 4
Katia could not be angry with a dying woman and, truly, compare to everything that happened lately it was nothing. She just shook her head again: "Should he had something, he would not die of that malady. But it means Pelc is in danger too. And your sister, Tulgi. Did you touch all the relics or only that one?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Daelnar stands quietly at the back of the group, listening to the tale Tulgi shares. Whilst Katia is talking, he moves over to the Goliath and quietly asks Hayley "Ye been living in these parts a bit ain't ye. Be ye knowin' these Uttolots or the cave? I'm thinking some folks might want t' be talking civil-like to them about things, and I be thinkin' a more direct course might be faster..."
Bring out your inner chatacter class...
"I musta handled all of it. What, do ya think this dagger is what made us sick?"
Katia nodded "This dagger or another relic that your sister has now." She looked at the dagger not touching it, though. "I think I saw that pattern before - uncle showed some scrolls about the fallen flying city of Aeor. Do not know much about it, only that it crashed in Eiselcross. I guess this is why he was talking about it at all."
She looked at others "We should check Pelc’s Curiosities. If Pelc is fine - you need to keep a relic to get sick, if not... Anyone who kept them in their hands is in danger."
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
History: 9
Seeing as the others have taken charge of the conversation, steering it more aggressive for in hopes for convalesce, or calm passing. Old Malik makes himself at home-in her kitchen. Brewin up a herbal tea of his own design, once finished handing her a glass "Dun ask whats in it girlie. But it'll warm you, and calm yer body. " nearly forcfully making sure she drinks a large gulp, setting a hot kettle of it to the side. Mali fussley examines her-whether she protests or not, while the others speak of such investigations.
Medicine check 14 (She's not happy with an examination apparently.)
(I'd love to roll herbalism kit20 and/or poisoner's kit 18for the tea. Effectively combining some herbs for body strengthening, and some poisons for a muscle relaxant. Add whatever stat you deem approriate; Profiency bonus accounted. The aim is to help her pain and cold. Whether that helps or hurts the conversation is not Malik's concern. )
Harley listens to the conversation, eyeing the blade. She quietly replies Daelnar, "Who hasn't heard 'bout the Uttolots? They can be a nasty group but they sure have some useful connections." (She also reveals what she knows about Croaker Cave, if she has any knowledge about what might be in it.) "Nothing wrong with a bit of civil talk, but I agree, we can't stand around yakking all day."
She then approaches Tulgi, holding up her backpack. "You better strap that blade on here. If it caused your--" she gestures to the blue veins "--then we better not leave it with you. Who knows, limit the exposure and you might just be cured after all."
A completed pbp forum game:
Harley Atheonaikie in Frozen Sick
-
Current pbp forum games:
Delilah Rose in Rivulestice
Tragedy Whispers (Previously: A Deep & Creeping Darkness & Waterdeep: Dragon Heist)
Tulgi frets and fusses while Malik piddles around her kitchenette. “Now don’t--...Just settle down...You stubborn ox!” Malik finds some dried herbs and flowers collecting dust, as well as some mint and fennel seeds. To this he adds his own special blend from his pouches. Despite her protests, Tulgi accepts the piping hot cup, eagerly sipping the liquid without the slightest worry of burning her frozen tongue. “Be better with some whiskey,” she says, side-eyeing Malik.
Finishing the tea, Tulgi reluctantly relinquishes the dagger to Harley. Her eyes fall to examine her flesh. “Blast. The reddest lookin’ apples always have the worms. Well don’t go givin’ me some moral lesson ‘bout it, it’s plain enough. I made m’bed, I aim to sleep in’t!”
“But Hulil--” she jerks upright. “Ya gotta check on Hulil. She’s holed up in Croaker Cave up north. You know the way, Shagar; Malik, too, if you can get yourself turned the right direction. She ain't gonna like company, though, and may have some of Uttalot's gang with 'er. May hap that if you figure out what cause the sick, ya can figure out how to cure it, too.”
One of the wolves peeks out from under the bed, whining and licking at the blanket. Tulgi falls back, Brrrrr-ing, and pulls the blanket tight around her. “But not f-f-fer me. I’m a g-g-goner!”
"Ye be a might chilly lass, but maybe ye be a bit warmer inside with the knowin' ye may have just saved ye sis." Daelnar responds with a so far uncharacteristic modicum of sincerity and tact. "I can't be thinkin' there be too much else we needs to trouble ye for, unless you can hazard a guess at how many o' the Uttalot's gang be up there. Though I reckon some of these folks will think o' somethin' I ain't."
Looking towards the two that Tulgi mentioned, "If either o' ye be knowin' where this cave is, can ye lead us out t' it on t' morrow? I not be likin' the idea o' headin' out o'er the night, and I be doubtin' that ye set the fastest pace old boy..." The last is said directly to Malik and his false leg.
Bring out your inner chatacter class...
"We should and we will go there, but Pelc’s Curiosities are practically next door and we can check it right now." The speech did not seem to move anyone and Katia added "I'll go check."
Before leaving, though, she once again said in the most reassuring tone she could master in that situation: "We will do all we can, I promise. If there is a cure, we'll bring it to you." With that she went out to get to the shop and check if the owner developed the same symptoms.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
"Wait up, I'll come for a stroll to this shop wit ye lassie, if'n it still be open."
With seemingly nothing more to do in Tulgi's house Daelnar heads out after Katia.
(OOC: Hopefully Shagar / Malik have time to respond before leaving the house, in which case Daelnar would wait on their answer and then head out after Katia.)
Bring out your inner chatacter class...
(If anyone has anything else to talk to Tulgi about, that would happen before this.)
As Tulgi lays down and some of the group turn to leave, Red Chanter begins to play her viol softly from the corner where she's posted up after realizing she approached the inquiry from quite the wrong angle. It's a slow and soothing tune that everyone seems to remember but they're unsure from where. After a while low, droning tones and harmonies begin to join the melody she plays as she begins to pace forward ever-so-slowly toward the dwarf's bed, singing quietly:
"Oh my baern, rest thee well
Papa's astandin watch tonight
Fairies weave a slumber spell
I'll be sleeping by your side
"Out from the mines and in to bed
Papa's astandin watch tonight
Stones be rumblin 'neath your head
I'll be sleeping by your side
"Monsters lurking in the deep
But Pa's astandin watch tonight
Now be layin down to sleep
And I'll be sleeping by your side
"Sun behind the mountain heights
Gone till morrow, took its light
So settle down, baern, and close your eyes
Can you hear the moon's sweet lullaby?
Time t' be saying your goodnights
And I'll be sleeping by your side"
Once Red Chanter is confident Tulgi is asleep, she'll silently motion to the others to join her outside.
"If Katia and Daelnar are poking around at the curio and we've gotten all the information Tulgi's willing to part with, I think it makes the most sense to provision ourselves for our trek to the cave. There was practical gear at Urgon's house which could prove helpful if Katia doesn't object to its use. Some among us would likely benefit from a grappling hook and lantern...especially if we travel at night. Would his weapon or armor benefit anyone? Although I fear those items may be too personal for Katia's taste."
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Mis'tuv (Halfling Fathomless Warlock) - The Voyage of the Fallen Star
Meresaa (Vedalken Artillerist Artificer) - Destination Unknown
Hutton Crowcreek (Human Fighter) - Curse of the Crimson Throne
"Of course." Katia waited for Daelnar to join her and walked towards the shop. "It's a bit late, shop must be closed but she - Verla Pelc, the owner - only opens when she feels like it anyway, so, who knows. I worry, though, she wasn't at uncle's funeral. Have not seen her for some time either. Not that strange, she likes to keep to herself, but combined with funeral... I do worry."
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
"While I am loathe to see any one using Urgons things so soon, the practicality of it makes sense. I say we move to the shop to await those two and then make our way back to Urgons, sorry Katia's to bed for the night and set out at first light. I believe I remember the way to Croakers Cave" Survival( to see If I remember the way): 22
(not great but not horrible)