The young elf looks with wide eyes at Osmord when he speaks. "I know not what kind of creature you are, and have never seen one of your kind with my own eyes, but what you say resonates strongly with me... almost as if it is fate that we have met. You talk as one who knows of death more than most. I should very much like to hear more of your insight!"
"If you let me travel with you, I promise, I will not get in your way or be a burden to you. What say you?"
Belkas says, "I have no objections if the rest would like him to come along."
To Crowley, he thinks, 'Keep an eye on him and stay invisible. I don't like him and don't trust him.''
'Because he's of elvish descent, dresses all in black, spends an unhealthy amount of time thinking about death, and likes writing poetry? Does that sound like anyone else we know, boss?"
'Fine. If he and I share some similarities, all the more reason for not liking or trusting him.'
"It seems as if I'm not the only poet in the crowd!" Elion says to Vernon.
"You are a far more interesting group of folk than most who walk these roads. I foresee some much needed artistic breakthroughs in my immediate future traveling with you. It will get me out of my rut."
"So, how long do you plan to stay in Waterdeep and where are you headed after that?"
"Imagine we be only stayin' tha' night. Past tha' well, we'll see." Zyllith replied back to Elion, happy enough to go along with whatever the group decided. There was little point to telling this man any more until she trusted him a bit more. But meeting new people was always part of the adventuring life, so it would interesting to see where this encounter would lead to.
"Just one night? Well, then let me lead you to a particularly good tavern. It's called the Blue Ewe. It's got decent food, plenty to drink and the best entertainment you can find in the city!"
Assuming there are no objections, Elion walks with you as you approach the the southern side of the city, which seems to rise like a great mountain from the shores of the harbor. After passing through the outer wall in the very southeast corner, you enter the City of Splendors via the South Gate and suddenly find yourself immersed in this huge, most magnificent metropolis, the shining star of the Sword Coast, home to every kind of folk, from lords and nobles to merchants and craftspeople, to beggars and thieves, and temporary home to adventurers, travelers and wayward traders.
Pretty much everything that can be found can be found here in Waterdeep, all kinds of clothing, weaponry, magic, music, arts, entertainment, intrigue and enough rumors to keep curious folk busy with an endless amount of investigation and adventure.
Being late in the day, and just before dinnertime, the streets are filled with people coming and going. Elion leads you along the wide street that acts as a continuation of The High Road, and you walk through the Southern Ward, passing many stables, warehouses and shops, then continuing through The Trades Ward, the center of general, day to day commerce of the city. You also pass many taverns and inns along the way... they're everywhere, catering to a wide range of clientele.
After the bend, where the High Road makes a shallow turn to the northwest before turning north again, Elion stops right at the intersection of The Waterdeep Way, which runs east/west at the southeast edge of The Castle Ward. Right on the corner you see a pair of taverns, The Jade Jug, and The Blue Ewe, with its sign painted with a funny outline of an indigo colored sheep. Elion beckons you inside.
Leading you into The Blue Ewe, you see that it's a relatively clean establishment, and one that's definitely geared towards entertainment. Along one wall is a decent sized stage, where a trio of humans are currently playing a set of jigs and seagoing ballads, with a lute, flute and viol. A relatively large crowed is already present, but there's still room at one of the tables for the six of you.
Before they enter the city of Waterdeep, Belkas says to the rest, "I am afraid I have no coin to pay for room and board, nor friends in this city with whom I could request the favor. I can find myself a place to sleep under a tree and meet up with you tomorrow along the road to Goldenfields."
At the mention of coin Zyllith pulls out a small pouch and drops it onto the table in the middle of the rest of the group, the sound of many coins within could be heard as it hit the table, "Thar's plenty fer all our rooms tonight. We neva' did split tha' loot whot we found."
Anyone who opens the leather pouch would find 45 gold in there, part of the treasure they had discovered during their adventure.
Belkas thanks Arisa and is touched again by the generosity of these people he has just recently met.
Walking through the city, he is unnerved by the number of people in the streets, the noises, and the pungent odors of animals, human waste, and baking bread. Once they enter the Blue Ewe, Belkas looks for the closest exits, including windows and back doors. If possible, he sits with his back to the wall, cloak wrapped around him to hide his distinctive armor. The sheer quantity of individuals in the room makes him anxious, but he breaths deeply and tries to enjoy the music, which is pretty good.
'Hey Crowley. Enjoy the music and food, but don't forget to keep an eye on dark-and-morbid over there. He could be setting us up.'
Vernon was hesitant about the inn while en route, but that instantly dispels once he smells the food. He checks the bag. "Thank you, Zyllith." (Slight bow, short pause.) "Waiter! Can I get that with extra cheese?"
Setting down at one of the tables, you quickly get serviced by one of the barmaids, who offers Arisa one of two choices of red wines, Berduskan Dark, a strong, heavy, sweet wine, for 4 sp for the pitcher, and Manycherries wine, a popular staple in Waterdeep, for 2 sp, and for beers, either a light summer wheat ale for 4 cp/mug & 2 sp/gallon, Wind and Wolf Farmhouse ale, a light yellow, foamy yeasty beer with a floral aroma for 5 cp/mug, and Siren Stout, a black, thick, creamy ale with its a rich, tan colored head for 6 cp mug, or 5 sp/gallon.
The food fare for the evening is roasted lamb with mushrooms and wild herbs, served with bread and Waterdhavian cheers, a common, holed cheese that's quite prevalent in this region, all for 1 gp per person. The barmaid is more than happy to give Vernon an extra smile and helping of cheese at no charge. Lodging is 8 sp per person.
As you eat, Elion seems to be enjoying the entertainment, especially when the first act ends and is followed by four different poets who recite a variety of verse. The first is a tall, rather good looking human teenage male who rambles a narrative of love and loss in free verse. The next, an old halfling woman recites a pastoral poem that tells of landscapes and nature, the third, a youngish woman in her 20s who has waist-long blonde hair recites a sonnet of love with a very exacting rhyme scheme, and the fourth, an older half elf male with the first bits of graying hair, who closes with a long, almost epic narrative called "The Air Beneath the Eagle."
All four poets are received well, but the last one earns a hearty applause from the audience, who all pay close attention to the performance with hushed talking during each one. As the next act takes the stage, a female halfling, half elf duo that plays and sings wonderful, pleasing lyrics and harmonies, Elion revels in the poems, especially the last one, the older half elf.
"That's Berio!! He's one of my biggest influences, I just love his style. Would that I could come up with verse even close to his prose. I'm hoping that by traveling with you, I can find the inspiration to raise my talents to somewhere remotely close to his level of artistry."
"So tell me, what was the last creature you killed, and what was it like to have made the stroke that took its last breath?"
Arisa gets some of the local Manycherries wine, and enjoys the food ((lamb and mushrooms is a favorite of mine you are making me hungry)) and the poetry. The wine appears to have eased some of her concerns and her usually quiet nature. “It is all a bit of a blur, but I think the last creatures I killed were some of the Orcs that were raiding the village. I don’t like killing, but they left me no choice. I offered them to yield many times. As for how it made me feel?” She pauses. “Killing has a finality to it I dislike- once dead, there is no opportunity for change- without powerful magic of legend to bring them back. I therefore think killing is always tragic, in a way. But often necessary. And perhaps they will meet glory in their afterlives, I know little of the Orc god Gruumsh, and how his followers are treated after death. They did fight bravely, if foolishly, to try to take us on. .” She silently raises her glass in a sort of toast to the dead, and then sips the wine casually and looks at rhe crowd.
Elion sips his stout in amazement at as he listens to the sound of Belkas's illusory orc drums and to Arisa's narrative about battle. He then takes a large quaff and then sets his mug down and recites a short ode.
"Muscles ache, and battle numbs the pain Swords cut skin, flesh and bone, Dying souls, blood pours like the rain One minute living, before death takes us home, Drums beating, rhythms for the gods Courage comes with fear and strength, Strong willed warrior, bright armor he dons, Fighting for his life until the bitter end Waking up in fields of green, no more shadows on his soul, We'll all go there, we just don't know when..."
"Giants?! Flying castles!!? I have not heard of such things of late in or around Waterdeep! Where you have heard such rumors, or have you encountered them yourselves?!"
The young elf looks with wide eyes at Osmord when he speaks. "I know not what kind of creature you are, and have never seen one of your kind with my own eyes, but what you say resonates strongly with me... almost as if it is fate that we have met. You talk as one who knows of death more than most. I should very much like to hear more of your insight!"
"If you let me travel with you, I promise, I will not get in your way or be a burden to you. What say you?"
Osmord looks to the others hopefully, "Perhaps for a time, we may keep his company... To exchange our thoughts?"
DM - Warlock of Firetop Mountain
Arisa says “it is ok with me.”
Belkas says, "I have no objections if the rest would like him to come along."
To Crowley, he thinks, 'Keep an eye on him and stay invisible. I don't like him and don't trust him.''
'Because he's of elvish descent, dresses all in black, spends an unhealthy amount of time thinking about death, and likes writing poetry? Does that sound like anyone else we know, boss?"
'Fine. If he and I share some similarities, all the more reason for not liking or trusting him.'
Vernon feels a bit of inspiration coming from somewhere.
"Of light more far I know,
than death the black below,
but if thy tales of death,
can spread the light to breath,
then you along can stay,
and notes may take today."
"It seems as if I'm not the only poet in the crowd!" Elion says to Vernon.
"You are a far more interesting group of folk than most who walk these roads. I foresee some much needed artistic breakthroughs in my immediate future traveling with you. It will get me out of my rut."
"So, how long do you plan to stay in Waterdeep and where are you headed after that?"
"Imagine we be only stayin' tha' night. Past tha' well, we'll see." Zyllith replied back to Elion, happy enough to go along with whatever the group decided. There was little point to telling this man any more until she trusted him a bit more. But meeting new people was always part of the adventuring life, so it would interesting to see where this encounter would lead to.
Sylnache Ashrain - 7th Sojourn
"Just one night? Well, then let me lead you to a particularly good tavern. It's called the Blue Ewe. It's got decent food, plenty to drink and the best entertainment you can find in the city!"
Assuming there are no objections, Elion walks with you as you approach the the southern side of the city, which seems to rise like a great mountain from the shores of the harbor. After passing through the outer wall in the very southeast corner, you enter the City of Splendors via the South Gate and suddenly find yourself immersed in this huge, most magnificent metropolis, the shining star of the Sword Coast, home to every kind of folk, from lords and nobles to merchants and craftspeople, to beggars and thieves, and temporary home to adventurers, travelers and wayward traders.
Pretty much everything that can be found can be found here in Waterdeep, all kinds of clothing, weaponry, magic, music, arts, entertainment, intrigue and enough rumors to keep curious folk busy with an endless amount of investigation and adventure.
Being late in the day, and just before dinnertime, the streets are filled with people coming and going. Elion leads you along the wide street that acts as a continuation of The High Road, and you walk through the Southern Ward, passing many stables, warehouses and shops, then continuing through The Trades Ward, the center of general, day to day commerce of the city. You also pass many taverns and inns along the way... they're everywhere, catering to a wide range of clientele.
After the bend, where the High Road makes a shallow turn to the northwest before turning north again, Elion stops right at the intersection of The Waterdeep Way, which runs east/west at the southeast edge of The Castle Ward. Right on the corner you see a pair of taverns, The Jade Jug, and The Blue Ewe, with its sign painted with a funny outline of an indigo colored sheep. Elion beckons you inside.
Leading you into The Blue Ewe, you see that it's a relatively clean establishment, and one that's definitely geared towards entertainment. Along one wall is a decent sized stage, where a trio of humans are currently playing a set of jigs and seagoing ballads, with a lute, flute and viol. A relatively large crowed is already present, but there's still room at one of the tables for the six of you.
Arisa says “thank you, it is nice to have a guide in the big city.”
She orders some food and a glass of red wine, and seems to be enjoying watching the crowd of people.
Before they enter the city of Waterdeep, Belkas says to the rest, "I am afraid I have no coin to pay for room and board, nor friends in this city with whom I could request the favor. I can find myself a place to sleep under a tree and meet up with you tomorrow along the road to Goldenfields."
Arisa says” I do not have much coin, but I can help cover your lodging for a night- as long as this place isn’t too expensive!”
At the mention of coin Zyllith pulls out a small pouch and drops it onto the table in the middle of the rest of the group, the sound of many coins within could be heard as it hit the table, "Thar's plenty fer all our rooms tonight. We neva' did split tha' loot whot we found."
Anyone who opens the leather pouch would find 45 gold in there, part of the treasure they had discovered during their adventure.
Sylnache Ashrain - 7th Sojourn
Belkas thanks Arisa and is touched again by the generosity of these people he has just recently met.
Walking through the city, he is unnerved by the number of people in the streets, the noises, and the pungent odors of animals, human waste, and baking bread. Once they enter the Blue Ewe, Belkas looks for the closest exits, including windows and back doors. If possible, he sits with his back to the wall, cloak wrapped around him to hide his distinctive armor. The sheer quantity of individuals in the room makes him anxious, but he breaths deeply and tries to enjoy the music, which is pretty good.
'Hey Crowley. Enjoy the music and food, but don't forget to keep an eye on dark-and-morbid over there. He could be setting us up.'
Vernon was hesitant about the inn while en route, but that instantly dispels once he smells the food. He checks the bag. "Thank you, Zyllith." (Slight bow, short pause.) "Waiter! Can I get that with extra cheese?"
Setting down at one of the tables, you quickly get serviced by one of the barmaids, who offers Arisa one of two choices of red wines, Berduskan Dark, a strong, heavy, sweet wine, for 4 sp for the pitcher, and Manycherries wine, a popular staple in Waterdeep, for 2 sp, and for beers, either a light summer wheat ale for 4 cp/mug & 2 sp/gallon, Wind and Wolf Farmhouse ale, a light yellow, foamy yeasty beer with a floral aroma for 5 cp/mug, and Siren Stout, a black, thick, creamy ale with its a rich, tan colored head for 6 cp mug, or 5 sp/gallon.
The food fare for the evening is roasted lamb with mushrooms and wild herbs, served with bread and Waterdhavian cheers, a common, holed cheese that's quite prevalent in this region, all for 1 gp per person. The barmaid is more than happy to give Vernon an extra smile and helping of cheese at no charge. Lodging is 8 sp per person.
As you eat, Elion seems to be enjoying the entertainment, especially when the first act ends and is followed by four different poets who recite a variety of verse. The first is a tall, rather good looking human teenage male who rambles a narrative of love and loss in free verse. The next, an old halfling woman recites a pastoral poem that tells of landscapes and nature, the third, a youngish woman in her 20s who has waist-long blonde hair recites a sonnet of love with a very exacting rhyme scheme, and the fourth, an older half elf male with the first bits of graying hair, who closes with a long, almost epic narrative called "The Air Beneath the Eagle."
All four poets are received well, but the last one earns a hearty applause from the audience, who all pay close attention to the performance with hushed talking during each one. As the next act takes the stage, a female halfling, half elf duo that plays and sings wonderful, pleasing lyrics and harmonies, Elion revels in the poems, especially the last one, the older half elf.
"That's Berio!! He's one of my biggest influences, I just love his style. Would that I could come up with verse even close to his prose. I'm hoping that by traveling with you, I can find the inspiration to raise my talents to somewhere remotely close to his level of artistry."
"So tell me, what was the last creature you killed, and what was it like to have made the stroke that took its last breath?"
Arisa gets some of the local Manycherries wine, and enjoys the food ((lamb and mushrooms is a favorite of mine you are making me hungry)) and the poetry. The wine appears to have eased some of her concerns and her usually quiet nature. “It is all a bit of a blur, but I think the last creatures I killed were some of the Orcs that were raiding the village. I don’t like killing, but they left me no choice. I offered them to yield many times. As for how it made me feel?” She pauses. “Killing has a finality to it I dislike- once dead, there is no opportunity for change- without powerful magic of legend to bring them back. I therefore think killing is always tragic, in a way. But often necessary. And perhaps they will meet glory in their afterlives, I know little of the Orc god Gruumsh, and how his followers are treated after death. They did fight bravely, if foolishly, to try to take us on. .” She silently raises her glass in a sort of toast to the dead, and then sips the wine casually and looks at rhe crowd.
Belkas orders a mug of Siren Stout to accompany the excellent lamb and drinks to Arisa's toast to the fallen orcs.
He uses Minor Illusion to create the sound of beating Orcish drums, soft enough that it can only be heard at the table.
Belkas says, "Roughly translated, this is what orc mothers chant to their young to put them to sleep:
Death arrives
like a shoe with no foot in it,
like armor with no orc in it,
comes and knocks, using a ring
with no stone in it,
with no finger in it,
comes and shouts
with no mouth,
with no tongue,
with no throat.
Nevertheless, her steps can be heard
and her cloak makes a hushed sound,
As she comes up from behind
and takes you."
----
Borrowed and modified from Pablo Neruda's 'Sólo la muerte.'
Belkas shrugs, a little embarrassed. "Sorry about that. It just, umm, came to mind."
He looks over at Eliot, "By any chance, have you heard anything about giants in a flying castle sweeping down and stealing giant stones or monuments?"
Belkas takes his half-finished dish and puts it down on the chair beside him so the invisible Crowley can eat without being noticed.
Elion sips his stout in amazement at as he listens to the sound of Belkas's illusory orc drums and to Arisa's narrative about battle. He then takes a large quaff and then sets his mug down and recites a short ode.
"Muscles ache, and battle numbs the pain
Swords cut skin, flesh and bone,
Dying souls, blood pours like the rain
One minute living, before death takes us home,
Drums beating, rhythms for the gods
Courage comes with fear and strength,
Strong willed warrior, bright armor he dons,
Fighting for his life until the bitter end
Waking up in fields of green, no more shadows on his soul,
We'll all go there, we just don't know when..."
After he is finished, Elion answers Belkas.
"Giants?! Flying castles!!? I have not heard of such things of late in or around Waterdeep! Where you have heard such rumors, or have you encountered them yourselves?!"