Ecko happily chitters back a response in piecemeal wording, thanking the jackelweres for telling their story. He is optimistic the issue with the jackelweres‘ social system will solve itself eventually.
”Ysabell, perhaps you can give Nadalia a proper burial? Prevent her from being risen? That excludes the option of raising her. Maybe we could raise money to help them, either way? At the very least, I’d like information on any of those ectoplasmic books they lent out. That should be stopped. Maybe a town crier or a notice board has something? In Hupperdook, news was always blared through a system of mechanical horns interspersed through the city!”
Seeing as how to consensus was to raise money and help, you all return to Baldur's Gate proper to look for work. You are able to find a job board that listed plenty of employment opportunities. For sake of since this adventure focuses on Candlekeep and it's books, for each side quest taken, I will list skills to roll and narrate the results.
WANTED: "OO! SHINY!" Looking to hire a group of people to find out why shiny and sometimes valuable items are going missing around the city. Reward: 250gp. Risk: LOW.
WANTED: "THE GORGING GALLEON"A living ship has been spotted eating other ships off the coast and you must find it's harbor to stop it! The ship needs to return to his harbor and be docked at dawn every day for its wizard creator to extend its animation. Destroy this threat. Reward: 500gp. Risk: HIGH.
WANTED: "DANCE MACABRE"Adventurers wanted to infiltrate a circus of the undead to get to the bottom of a murder mystery. The bearded lady from a competing circus in town was murdered, and the competitor is suspected. Reward: 500gp. Risk: HIGH.
WANTED: "A HAIRY PROBLEM" The players are paid to hunt down a crazy cat dude who has 9 familiars, all of which are cats, through which he casts spells and such. The wizard is replacing actual cats with his familiars to spy on the townsfolk. Reward: 150gp. Risk: VERY LOW.
WANTED: "BRING ME MY BACON" The Cult of Baconation is missing their magic pig idol that creates bacon. Find it. Reward: 250gp. Risk: LOW.
WANTED: "BAAAAD FOR BUSINESS" Sheep have been stolen from town, and the shepherds ask for the players’ help. The sheep were eaten by a werewolf the town doesn't know about. Reward: 500gp. Risk: HIGH.
Though still very uneasy on the entire matter, Ysabell knew she could not leave the pack to their own devices, and she'd rather not have to kill them if she didn't have to either. Thus here she was, staring at the job board in Baldur's Gate and looking for work to help revive someone that went against almost all her principals. And while she hoped that Pharasma would give her a sign one way or the other about the situation, so far she was in the dark and on her own. Suffice it to say, Ysabell was in a rather foul mood.
"I just don't understand why they won't listen to reason?" she shared with the others and to no one in particular as they approached the job board. "Don't they understand how unnatural it is to do so. They're just lucky that Pharasma hasn't marked them yet." she added a bit darkly, her scythe, normal sized, seemingly pulsing with a strange glow behind her.
Going down the list, she spotted a few jobs that seemed to match her current mood. "We should take the Danse Macabre job. If I can't stop a resurrection, I can at least exorcise some unruly undead. Might help balance things slightly though I have my doubts. Otherwise punishing a misbehaving man or stopping a ghost ship seem like worthwhile causes though I do not have a strong preference on the rest."
Ecko instinctively reaches for the 'OOH, SHINY!' sign before freezing at Ysabell's words. He nervously retracts his arm and falls back in line near the party. He was clearly intimidated by Ysabell's disposition following the meeting with the jackelweres.
"I guess people turn to drastic means when they're nervous," Ecko suggests, nodding his head. "A circus of the undead? What do...what do they mean by that? Ecko browses the list of offered jobs. Investigation and tracking things down were his preferred method of earning money - by the gods, he could even run around Baldur's Gate in search! He visibly winces. Maybe not test his luck getting lost a second time. "I'll join you, even if it isn't in my skill suit." Something else then catches his eye. That wizard and his familiars...
Ecko trails around Ysabell's back and nervously raises his shield, tracing a detect magic spell at the kitty nestled inside. Just in case.
Feeling stuck between a rock and a hard place Garmus grudgingly agrees to try to help them earn the money. He supposes it's less worse to help them with the resurrection than have them selling dangerous books. He looks over at Ysabell after her comments..."They're a bunch a jingle-brained jackanapes is why!" Garmus retorts. "What kinda idiotic jobs they got here?" He says, squinting a bit at the board. "Hmm an undead circus? That does sound right up your alley Ysabell!" Garmus says, snorting a laugh. "I'd say let's go catch that pig but they are real buggers to wrangle and if ya make squeal it'll break yer ears! What do the rest a ya think?"
"I just don't understand why they won't listen to reason?"she shared with the others and to no one in particular as they approached the job board. "Don't they understand how unnatural it is to do so. They're just lucky that Pharasma hasn't marked them yet."
Eralynn noticed Ysa's mood. She was receptive to emotions. She smiled lovingly at her. She drew. Sometimes people have different perspectives.
."They're a bunch a jingle-brained jackanapes is why!" Garmus retorts. "What kinda idiotic jobs they got here?" He says, squinting a bit at the board. "Hmm an undead circus? That does sound right up your alley Ysabell!" Garmus says, snorting a laugh. "I'd say let's go catch that pig but they are real buggers to wrangle and if ya make squeal it'll break yer ears! What do the rest a ya think?"
She looked at the bacon one and "laughed as Garmus spoke". The Cult of Baconation? Pig idol? What the?
Ecko trails around Ysabell's back and nervously raises his shield, tracing a detect magic spell at the kitty nestled inside. Just in case.
Just a kitty lol
Eralynn stood by the group, but had no preference which job they did. I like bacon!she wrote.
Eralynn noticed Ysa's mood. She was receptive to emotions. She smiled lovingly at her. She drew. Sometimes people have different perspectives.
She looked at the bacon one and "laughed as Garmus spoke". The Cult of Baconation? Pig idol? What the?
Eralynn stood by the group, but had no preference which job they did. I like bacon!she wrote.
Seeng Eralynn's kind note, Ysabell's mood seemed to brighten, if only slightly, though it was enough. "Perhaps Eralynn is right. I think we all need to discover what this Cult of Baconation is? Shall we start there?"
"Perhaps Eralynn is right. I think we all need to discover what this Cult of Baconation is? Shall we start there?"
"Never could say no ta bacon." Garmus replies to Ysabell. "Let's see what trouble we can get into." He says as he looks around. "Who here knows where we can find the Cult of Baconation." He yells out to anyone in the area, not one to wait now that they had a plan.
For 250g, the Cult of Baconation is missing their magic pig idol that creates bacon! We need to find it so the production of bacon can continue! The cultists promise us gold and lots of bacon if they get their idol back!
WHERE ARE THE CULTIST? Everyone needs to make a DC15 Investigation or Insight roll. We need 3 out of 5 successes to find the cultists. Failure means the mission is over.
WHO STOLE THE IDOL? Nalfeshnee, a wereboar, stole the magic pig idol to prevent the cultists from killing pigs and eating bacon! So rude! We need to find Nalfeshnee's hideout, and steal the bacon back! Everyone needs to make three DC15 Stealth checks and three DC15 Investigation or Insight checks. We need 12 successes to infiltrate the hideout, find the idol, and delta out. Failure means the mission is over.
PORCINE ENTOURAGE! As we escape, Nalfeshnee and his porcine entourage sniff out our trail! They attack us when we return to the cult hideout! It's a battle between pigs and cultists! Everyone go ahead and take a turn doing as much damage as you can. Those of you who cast AOE spells, imagine you are targeting up to three enemies. I will make any saves required. We're looking to do 50 damage combined. Failure means the idol is destroyed!
"Who here knows where we can find the Cult of Baconation." He yells out to anyone in the area, not one to wait now that they had a plan.
"How aboot yeh stop screaming, ya knee high nut gobbler!" someone in the crowd yells, but you can't tell where.
Eralynn's eyebrows shoot up a comical height, realizing this could go one of two ways. Bad, and badder. She stifled a snicker, because she was mute, not deaf, and wiggled her fingers behind her back - and the most amazing scent of freshly baked cookies danced in Garmus' hairy nostrils. She made a face of wonder, looking around, as if pretending to discover the smell as well, tapping him on the shoulder and turning him slightly. Let's go get something to eat! Then we look for little piggies! Or..idols..
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ecko munches on some more baked goods, wondering where another bakery could be. He was determined to visit all of them during this excursion to Baldur's Gate.
You can see Garmus tense up and his fists clench when he hears the reply to his question. He starts looking around, trying to determine the source. "Why don't ya say that ta ma face ya beef-witted coxcomb!" He yells back. He pushes through a couple of people but stops short. He sniffs the air, catching the smell of cookies. His voracious sweet tooth has overridden his desire to find the insult yelling idiot. "Alright, Lynny, we can grab a bite ta eat first I suppose. Let's find those cookies!"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
WHERE ARE THE CULTIST? - PASSED Everyone needs to make a DC15 Investigation or Insight roll. We need 3 out of 5 successes to find the cultists. Failure means the mission is over.
"Bacon is always the right answer," Raastin says, "Let's see what we can find." Eralynn nodded enthusiastically. "Alright, Lynny, we can grab a bite ta eat first I suppose. Let's find those cookies!" Eralynn "laughed" nervously. Oh god. Uh. Oh, look! There! Piggies! Let's check that strange off the wall building over there first!
WHO STOLE THE IDOL? - THIS PART IS NEXT Nalfeshnee, a wereboar, stole the magic pig idol to prevent the cultists from killing pigs and eating bacon! So rude! We need to find Nalfeshnee's hideout, and steal the bacon back! Everyone needs to make three DC15 Stealth checks and three DC15 Investigation or Insight checks. We need 12 successes to infiltrate the hideout, find the idol, and delta out. Failure means the mission is over.
PORCINE ENTOURAGE! As we escape, Nalfeshnee and his porcine entourage sniff out our trail! They attack us when we return to the cult hideout! It's a battle between pigs and cultists! Everyone go ahead and take a turn doing as much damage as you can. Those of you who cast AOE spells, imagine you are targeting up to three enemies. I will make any saves required. We're looking to do 50 damage combined. Failure means the idol is destroyed!
WHO STOLE THE IDOL? - THIS PART IS NEXT Nalfeshnee, a wereboar, stole the magic pig idol to prevent the cultists from killing pigs and eating bacon! So rude! We need to find Nalfeshnee's hideout, and steal the bacon back! Everyone needs to make three DC15 Stealth checks and three DC15 Investigation or Insight checks. We need 12 successes to infiltrate the hideout, find the idol, and delta out. Failure means the mission is over.
Ecko turns his nose to the air. Bacon it is! "I've always loved bacon! We always had cookouts on the exhaust pipes of the Omni-Smelter. Heat can't go to waste!"
Ecko is surprisingly stealthy despite the clanging of his armor and all the gear lumped inside the burlap sack of general stuff he carries. Stealth: 6 Stealth: 10 Stealth: 12 Investigation: 6 Investigation: 11 Investigation: 18
WHO STOLE THE IDOL? - THIS PART IS NEXT Nalfeshnee, a wereboar, stole the magic pig idol to prevent the cultists from killing pigs and eating bacon! So rude! We need to find Nalfeshnee's hideout, and steal the bacon back! Everyone needs to make three DC15 Stealth checks and three DC15 Investigation or Insight checks. We need 12 successes to infiltrate the hideout, find the idol, and delta out. Failure means the mission is over.
Trying his best to be quiet he misses any clues he may have seen trying to keep his armor from clanking and rattling. He should have stayed behind, damn bacon.
Ecko happily chitters back a response in piecemeal wording, thanking the jackelweres for telling their story. He is optimistic the issue with the jackelweres‘ social system will solve itself eventually.
”Ysabell, perhaps you can give Nadalia a proper burial? Prevent her from being risen? That excludes the option of raising her. Maybe we could raise money to help them, either way? At the very least, I’d like information on any of those ectoplasmic books they lent out. That should be stopped. Maybe a town crier or a notice board has something? In Hupperdook, news was always blared through a system of mechanical horns interspersed through the city!”
Seeing as how to consensus was to raise money and help, you all return to Baldur's Gate proper to look for work. You are able to find a job board that listed plenty of employment opportunities. For sake of since this adventure focuses on Candlekeep and it's books, for each side quest taken, I will list skills to roll and narrate the results.
WANTED: "OO! SHINY!" Looking to hire a group of people to find out why shiny and sometimes valuable items are going missing around the city. Reward: 250gp. Risk: LOW.
WANTED: "THE GORGING GALLEON" A living ship has been spotted eating other ships off the coast and you must find it's harbor to stop it! The ship needs to return to his harbor and be docked at dawn every day for its wizard creator to extend its animation. Destroy this threat. Reward: 500gp. Risk: HIGH.
WANTED: "DANCE MACABRE" Adventurers wanted to infiltrate a circus of the undead to get to the bottom of a murder mystery. The bearded lady from a competing circus in town was murdered, and the competitor is suspected. Reward: 500gp. Risk: HIGH.
WANTED: "A HAIRY PROBLEM" The players are paid to hunt down a crazy cat dude who has 9 familiars, all of which are cats, through which he casts spells and such. The wizard is replacing actual cats with his familiars to spy on the townsfolk. Reward: 150gp. Risk: VERY LOW.
WANTED: "BRING ME MY BACON" The Cult of Baconation is missing their magic pig idol that creates bacon. Find it. Reward: 250gp. Risk: LOW.
WANTED: "BAAAAD FOR BUSINESS" Sheep have been stolen from town, and the shepherds ask for the players’ help. The sheep were eaten by a werewolf the town doesn't know about. Reward: 500gp. Risk: HIGH.
Though still very uneasy on the entire matter, Ysabell knew she could not leave the pack to their own devices, and she'd rather not have to kill them if she didn't have to either. Thus here she was, staring at the job board in Baldur's Gate and looking for work to help revive someone that went against almost all her principals. And while she hoped that Pharasma would give her a sign one way or the other about the situation, so far she was in the dark and on her own. Suffice it to say, Ysabell was in a rather foul mood.
"I just don't understand why they won't listen to reason?" she shared with the others and to no one in particular as they approached the job board. "Don't they understand how unnatural it is to do so. They're just lucky that Pharasma hasn't marked them yet." she added a bit darkly, her scythe, normal sized, seemingly pulsing with a strange glow behind her.
Going down the list, she spotted a few jobs that seemed to match her current mood. "We should take the Danse Macabre job. If I can't stop a resurrection, I can at least exorcise some unruly undead. Might help balance things slightly though I have my doubts. Otherwise punishing a misbehaving man or stopping a ghost ship seem like worthwhile causes though I do not have a strong preference on the rest."
Zoldier’s Curse of the Crimson Throne: DM/ Redii || Zoldier's Strange Aeon's: DM
Ecko instinctively reaches for the 'OOH, SHINY!' sign before freezing at Ysabell's words. He nervously retracts his arm and falls back in line near the party. He was clearly intimidated by Ysabell's disposition following the meeting with the jackelweres.
"I guess people turn to drastic means when they're nervous," Ecko suggests, nodding his head. "A circus of the undead? What do...what do they mean by that? Ecko browses the list of offered jobs. Investigation and tracking things down were his preferred method of earning money - by the gods, he could even run around Baldur's Gate in search! He visibly winces. Maybe not test his luck getting lost a second time. "I'll join you, even if it isn't in my skill suit." Something else then catches his eye. That wizard and his familiars...
Ecko trails around Ysabell's back and nervously raises his shield, tracing a detect magic spell at the kitty nestled inside. Just in case.
Feeling stuck between a rock and a hard place Garmus grudgingly agrees to try to help them earn the money. He supposes it's less worse to help them with the resurrection than have them selling dangerous books. He looks over at Ysabell after her comments..."They're a bunch a jingle-brained jackanapes is why!" Garmus retorts. "What kinda idiotic jobs they got here?" He says, squinting a bit at the board. "Hmm an undead circus? That does sound right up your alley Ysabell!" Garmus says, snorting a laugh. "I'd say let's go catch that pig but they are real buggers to wrangle and if ya make squeal it'll break yer ears! What do the rest a ya think?"
"I just don't understand why they won't listen to reason?" she shared with the others and to no one in particular as they approached the job board. "Don't they understand how unnatural it is to do so. They're just lucky that Pharasma hasn't marked them yet."
Eralynn noticed Ysa's mood. She was receptive to emotions. She smiled lovingly at her. She drew. Sometimes people have different perspectives.
."They're a bunch a jingle-brained jackanapes is why!" Garmus retorts. "What kinda idiotic jobs they got here?" He says, squinting a bit at the board. "Hmm an undead circus? That does sound right up your alley Ysabell!" Garmus says, snorting a laugh. "I'd say let's go catch that pig but they are real buggers to wrangle and if ya make squeal it'll break yer ears! What do the rest a ya think?"
She looked at the bacon one and "laughed as Garmus spoke". The Cult of Baconation? Pig idol? What the?
Ecko trails around Ysabell's back and nervously raises his shield, tracing a detect magic spell at the kitty nestled inside. Just in case.
Just a kitty lol
Eralynn stood by the group, but had no preference which job they did. I like bacon! she wrote.
Seeng Eralynn's kind note, Ysabell's mood seemed to brighten, if only slightly, though it was enough. "Perhaps Eralynn is right. I think we all need to discover what this Cult of Baconation is? Shall we start there?"
Zoldier’s Curse of the Crimson Throne: DM/ Redii || Zoldier's Strange Aeon's: DM
"Perhaps Eralynn is right. I think we all need to discover what this Cult of Baconation is? Shall we start there?"
"Never could say no ta bacon." Garmus replies to Ysabell. "Let's see what trouble we can get into." He says as he looks around. "Who here knows where we can find the Cult of Baconation." He yells out to anyone in the area, not one to wait now that they had a plan.
For 250g, the Cult of Baconation is missing their magic pig idol that creates bacon! We need to find it so the production of bacon can continue! The cultists promise us gold and lots of bacon if they get their idol back!
WHERE ARE THE CULTIST?
Everyone needs to make a DC15 Investigation or Insight roll. We need 3 out of 5 successes to find the cultists. Failure means the mission is over.
WHO STOLE THE IDOL?
Nalfeshnee, a wereboar, stole the magic pig idol to prevent the cultists from killing pigs and eating bacon! So rude! We need to find Nalfeshnee's hideout, and steal the bacon back!
Everyone needs to make three DC15 Stealth checks and three DC15 Investigation or Insight checks. We need 12 successes to infiltrate the hideout, find the idol, and delta out. Failure means the mission is over.
PORCINE ENTOURAGE!
As we escape, Nalfeshnee and his porcine entourage sniff out our trail! They attack us when we return to the cult hideout! It's a battle between pigs and cultists! Everyone go ahead and take a turn doing as much damage as you can. Those of you who cast AOE spells, imagine you are targeting up to three enemies. I will make any saves required. We're looking to do 50 damage combined. Failure means the idol is destroyed!
"Who here knows where we can find the Cult of Baconation." He yells out to anyone in the area, not one to wait now that they had a plan.
"How aboot yeh stop screaming, ya knee high nut gobbler!" someone in the crowd yells, but you can't tell where.
Eralynn's eyebrows shoot up a comical height, realizing this could go one of two ways. Bad, and badder. She stifled a snicker, because she was mute, not deaf, and wiggled her fingers behind her back - and the most amazing scent of freshly baked cookies danced in Garmus' hairy nostrils. She made a face of wonder, looking around, as if pretending to discover the smell as well, tapping him on the shoulder and turning him slightly. Let's go get something to eat! Then we look for little piggies! Or..idols..
She did, however, forget one detail.
Ah, shit. There's no bakery around.
"Bacon is always the right answer," Raastin says, "Let's see what we can find."
Investigating: 24
Corrin Kettlewhistle: Halfling Life Cleric (Curse of Strahd)
Kip Dalton: Human Lore Bard (Waterdeep Dragon Heist)
Debauchery Dalliance: Half-Drow Oath of Conquest Paladin (White Plume Mountain)
(Wow that sucked)
Zoldier’s Curse of the Crimson Throne: DM/ Redii || Zoldier's Strange Aeon's: DM
Ecko munches on some more baked goods, wondering where another bakery could be. He was determined to visit all of them during this excursion to Baldur's Gate.
Investigation - 21
You can see Garmus tense up and his fists clench when he hears the reply to his question. He starts looking around, trying to determine the source. "Why don't ya say that ta ma face ya beef-witted coxcomb!" He yells back. He pushes through a couple of people but stops short. He sniffs the air, catching the smell of cookies. His voracious sweet tooth has overridden his desire to find the insult yelling idiot. "Alright, Lynny, we can grab a bite ta eat first I suppose. Let's find those cookies!"
WHERE ARE THE CULTIST? - PASSED
Everyone needs to make a DC15 Investigation or Insight roll. We need 3 out of 5 successes to find the cultists. Failure means the mission is over.
GARMUS: ??
RAASTIN: PASS
ERALYNN: 16 - PASS
ECKO: PASS
YSABELL: FAIL
"Bacon is always the right answer," Raastin says, "Let's see what we can find."
Eralynn nodded enthusiastically.
"Alright, Lynny, we can grab a bite ta eat first I suppose. Let's find those cookies!"
Eralynn "laughed" nervously. Oh god. Uh. Oh, look! There! Piggies! Let's check that strange off the wall building over there first!
WHO STOLE THE IDOL? - THIS PART IS NEXT
Nalfeshnee, a wereboar, stole the magic pig idol to prevent the cultists from killing pigs and eating bacon! So rude! We need to find Nalfeshnee's hideout, and steal the bacon back!
Everyone needs to make three DC15 Stealth checks and three DC15 Investigation or Insight checks. We need 12 successes to infiltrate the hideout, find the idol, and delta out. Failure means the mission is over.
PORCINE ENTOURAGE!
As we escape, Nalfeshnee and his porcine entourage sniff out our trail! They attack us when we return to the cult hideout! It's a battle between pigs and cultists! Everyone go ahead and take a turn doing as much damage as you can. Those of you who cast AOE spells, imagine you are targeting up to three enemies. I will make any saves required. We're looking to do 50 damage combined. Failure means the idol is destroyed!
"Seems we're on the right path..." Ysabell commented as they searched for the wereboar's hideout
Though she wasn't remotely sneaky, she was able to spot some clues here and there on where to go.
Zoldier’s Curse of the Crimson Throne: DM/ Redii || Zoldier's Strange Aeon's: DM
WHO STOLE THE IDOL? - THIS PART IS NEXT
Nalfeshnee, a wereboar, stole the magic pig idol to prevent the cultists from killing pigs and eating bacon! So rude! We need to find Nalfeshnee's hideout, and steal the bacon back!
Everyone needs to make three DC15 Stealth checks and three DC15 Investigation or Insight checks. We need 12 successes to infiltrate the hideout, find the idol, and delta out. Failure means the mission is over.
Stealth: 14
Stealth: 16
Stealth: 22
Investigation: 16
Investigation: 18
Investigation: 5
SUCCESSES SO FAR: 7/12
Eralynn will inspire Garmus, if he wants to come along.
Ecko turns his nose to the air. Bacon it is! "I've always loved bacon! We always had cookouts on the exhaust pipes of the Omni-Smelter. Heat can't go to waste!"
Ecko is surprisingly stealthy despite the clanging of his armor and all the gear lumped inside the burlap sack of general stuff he carries.
Stealth: 6
Stealth: 10
Stealth: 12
Investigation: 6
Investigation: 11
Investigation: 18
WHO STOLE THE IDOL? - THIS PART IS NEXT
Nalfeshnee, a wereboar, stole the magic pig idol to prevent the cultists from killing pigs and eating bacon! So rude! We need to find Nalfeshnee's hideout, and steal the bacon back!
Everyone needs to make three DC15 Stealth checks and three DC15 Investigation or Insight checks. We need 12 successes to infiltrate the hideout, find the idol, and delta out. Failure means the mission is over.
SUCCESSES SO FAR: 8/12
Trying his best to be quiet he misses any clues he may have seen trying to keep his armor from clanking and rattling. He should have stayed behind, damn bacon.
Stealth inspiration reroll 6