Arisa says “We can leave the sword for now, if no one in our group has need for it, we can just remember it is here. I agree with Zyllith- let’s get back to the Gate and finish clearing the village with these guards. I fear we are taking too long here. And tomorrow perhaps we can journey to the caves?”
Returning to the guards, Belkas says, "My good guardsmen. We have noticed that Lady Nandar had a wondrous sword. We have not touched it, of course. However, our noble paladin here would be served greatly by it as we go to rescue the villagers from the many dangers they must now be facing. It could make the difference between success and failure, and there are no better hands to in which to place this remarkable blade, I can assure you."
One of the guards says with a frown, "I'd prefer if you did not take down that sword. And even if you do, I doubt you'll find it to be useful for your needs. You see, it is indeed wondrous, but not in the way you might imagine it is. Better to leave that one alone."
When you are finished searching the keep, Alara says, "Should we proceed, or wait until morning? You are welcome to rest the night here in the guest bedrooms if you wish. Otherwise, we are ready when you are."
"I'd rather have a bed. We're not going to have an easy time securing the town in the dark," Vernon glances at the people without dark vision, "And I don't feel like another night in a guard tower when there are better options."
"Might want ta' split up then? Ah' dun mind staying in tha' guard tower, so long as thar's enough joinin' me. But comfy bed won' do much good if we wake to hordes of gobbies what come inta' town. 'Specially now tha' we made a bridge for 'em ta' reach tha' keep."
Arisa says” ok, I think we should leave the sword then.” To Vernon, she says “I won’t sleep knowing the gate is unwatched, I am sorry Vernon, I think we should go to the gate. But Zyllith and I and the guards can go, with the others if they like. We don’t know how many more goblins might be coming.”
"Danger may be close, best that we stick together. Strength in numbers yes?"
Osmord follows to where ever the group are resting and once they are settled he sends worm up to the roof to keep watch. "If goblins approach, you will fly back down to us... warn us of danger."
He seats himself and lights a candle before fixing it atop an overturned bucket. Then reaching into his shell he brings out his book on religion. He reads quietly while eating his pickles.
"Jergal, final scribe. The pitiless one. The Bleak Seneschal.
Ancient god of death. The holy lord of murder and bringer of strife.
Myrkul... Bhaal... Jergal... to each he gave his power. An interesting read...."
Belkas will also go along with the rest of the group.
When they settle down to rest, he watches Osmord reading and moves a little closer. Belkas asks a little hesitantly, "Sorry to bother you Osmord, but is there any information on Glasya in your books?"
Arisa will stay with the group at the keep if Vernon insists, while she's pretty uncomfortable about goblins storming the gate while we sleep. She will ask if the guards can go to the gatehouse or if they want to stay with us as well.
Once we settle in, she reads some of the histories she picked up and draws a copy of a local map in her notes.
With plenty of room in the den, library and in Lady Nandar's room, you have no trouble finding places to settle in and get comfortable for the night inside the keep.
In reading some of the history books, Arisa learns that the beauty of Ardeep Forest and the mystique of its elven ruins have long attracted nobles from Waterdeep. The nobles of House Nandar had a hunting lodge in the forest two centuries ago, but elves forced them to abandon it. Ten years ago, members of House Nandar — Lord Drezlin Nandar and Lady Velrosa Nandar — decided it was time to return.
They built a new motte-and-bailey settlement south of the Ardeep Forest and began making forays into the woods with friends to hunt and explore. As it often happens when different societies cross, the interests of the wood elves that inhabit the Ardeep forest and the Nandars were at cross purposes. A year ago, the conflict came to a head, and the elves attacked Nightstone. Drezlin was among the many slain — shot and killed by elf arrows while standing on the roof of his keep. His widow, Lady Velrosa Nandar, made peace with the elves and promised to make no further incursions into the Ardeep Forest — a promise she kept for the rest of her life.
And as you know, sadly, the Lady Velrosa was mortally wounded when the cloud giants bombarded Nightstone, leaving the village without a lord or lady to govern it.
The night passes uneventfully, and you're able to relax, read, and rest up as you contemplate the events of the past day and what may lie ahead for you, the inhabitants of Nightstone, and for all peoples of the Sword Coast if these giant attacks spread to other towns and cities.
You sleep well, and in the morning you wake up to the light of the sun streaming into the windows of the keep, feeling refreshed and even a little bit more confident.
Zyllith seems only slightly disappointed when in the end no one opted to head to the watch towers for the night, but she didn't complain about taking advantage of the more comfortable rooms available and happily curled up in a corner for the night. The comfortable sleep did wonders for her and her companions it seemed as everyone was full of energy when the new day arrived, and Zyllith hoped to take advantage of that.
"Rioght, Now's every-kin ready, whot say we head out in groups an' clear out tha' rest of town of any rats, green skinned or not. We'd best be served makin' sure we got a safe place for tha village folk what we go an' rescue afterwards. Though we won't want ta' spend more then today on this. I'd say have some folk keep watch here in tha' keep, and some keep watch at tha' town draw bridge, while all tha' rest scourin' tha' town fer any gobbies."
Osmord pours over his tome considering the question from Belkas. At last he looks up and shakes his head. "It would appear not. The name does not appear here. The library holds more?"
As Osmord settles down for the evening he considers what he has learned about the pitiless one, the final scribe and ancient god of death. If he were to serve a god, this is the one he would choose. He is no priest and the pursuit of knowledge would always be his first and only desire, but still... as the old Tortle drifts off to sleep he mutters the first prayer he has ever spoken and somewhere deep within the bowels of sheol an answer came.
Morning...
Osmord wakes with a new sense of purpose, ready to begin his search anew. His thirst for knowledge greater than ever but now there was something more... something larger than himself that drives him on...
Arisa Says" I do feel much better, thank you for suggesting staying here Vernon!" She does her morning prayers, puts on her armor, and prepares to head out. "Shall we accompany some of the guards to the gate towers and clear the remaining areas of the village? I think this keep should be pretty secure, if we can ensure the other gate is". When the others are ready, she will crawl back across the bridge, double check her things, and then we will continue our exploration. We will stop by the mill to check on our captives and give them some food and water.
"Aye, might have two guards stay here at tha' keep while two of 'em move ta' the draw bridge guard towers an' keep an eye out fer trouble." She looks at the guards as she adds, "Makin' sure to look fer trouble on both sides o' tha' gate! Cannae be sure sum green wankar won't sneaks up behind ye till we got 'em all cleared out. Hells, thar's tha' one las who seemed might odd in tha' inn, cannae be sure what the hells she'll do. Should probably wrangle 'er up at sum point ta' make sure everyone's safe."
Zyllith will join Arisa as she heads out, with luck pushing out at least two of the guards to take up stations at the draw bridge. Even suggesting that they head there just to make sure it's still up.
During the night, Vernon has competing dreams that keep cutting each other off. One shows calm, healthy trees; the other, metal sparking against metal. Both contain the same sequences of words, but the volumes shift as each dream gains and loses power.
To Arisa: "You're welcome. I always have better dreams when I have a good bed, although they can get confusing. Last night, for instance, I kept seeing calm trees alternating with sparking metal. The other weird part was the words that kept repeating: Ikkileim, Ladnalf, Ikkileim'Rajom, and Nik'Sle'Est. I'm certain they mean something, but I haven't figured out what."
To the planning: "I agree, we should clear the rest of the town. I feel ready for anything those goblins can throw at me."
Belkas woke, drenched in sweat and breathing heavily, with the feeling he had been running to escape someone or something. He had a vague memory of flames and being held down while they sliced his arms with knives, or perhaps talons. He pulled up his sleeves and saw that his tattoos now extended past his elbows. He flexed and felt the flow of dark power move, stronger now than it had been yesterday.
He washed up and then donned his black leather armor, cleaning dirt from the stylized spiderwebs that adorned it.
Belkas saw that everyone else looked rested and happy, whereas he felt a burning unease in his stomach, but he put on his smile and walked over. "Good morning to you all. I would be glad to join you, ensuring that there are no more goblins within the walls, then we can perhaps head out to the caves and see if we can bring back the villagers."
Osmord will be up and out early with anyone else who is clearing the village. (Not sure which ones we have not taken a look at yet DM?) Worm will scout ahead as usual. Besides ensuring we are leaving none of the dangerous little goblin critters behind, he will also be keeping an eye out for the usual trinkets...as well as a new thought that has occurred to him during the evening. He would like to find a simple shield.
"Once the town is clear, we may freely leave this place... to find the goblins."
The guards rise early, and they offer you some provisions they salvaged from the destroyed kitchen. After a quick breakfast, they all agree to join you, and after watching you cross your makeshift ladder bridge, they cross as well, crawling a bit awkwardly, but safely over the drop. once you’re on the other side, two of them head to the front gate to man the watchtowers, and the other two, Torem and Alana, await your orders/guidance.
(As of right now, you have only searched one of the houses, and you have not searched the stable, or any of the other guard towers.)
Arisa says " lets go to our right (map east) and check the walls and towers on that side of the village, and the houses along the way. Then we should go to the stables and ensure nothing is there, as it is one of the larger buildings we have not searched. Alana and Torem, you can stay with us and help however you can. Osmord- can your owl check to ensure the drawbridge is still up and let us know? "
Arisa says “We can leave the sword for now, if no one in our group has need for it, we can just remember it is here. I agree with Zyllith- let’s get back to the Gate and finish clearing the village with these guards. I fear we are taking too long here. And tomorrow perhaps we can journey to the caves?”
Returning to the guards, Belkas says, "My good guardsmen. We have noticed that Lady Nandar had a wondrous sword. We have not touched it, of course. However, our noble paladin here would be served greatly by it as we go to rescue the villagers from the many dangers they must now be facing. It could make the difference between success and failure, and there are no better hands to in which to place this remarkable blade, I can assure you."
--
Persuasion check:1d20+3, 10
One of the guards says with a frown, "I'd prefer if you did not take down that sword. And even if you do, I doubt you'll find it to be useful for your needs. You see, it is indeed wondrous, but not in the way you might imagine it is. Better to leave that one alone."
When you are finished searching the keep, Alara says, "Should we proceed, or wait until morning? You are welcome to rest the night here in the guest bedrooms if you wish. Otherwise, we are ready when you are."
"I'd rather have a bed. We're not going to have an easy time securing the town in the dark," Vernon glances at the people without dark vision, "And I don't feel like another night in a guard tower when there are better options."
"Might want ta' split up then? Ah' dun mind staying in tha' guard tower, so long as thar's enough joinin' me. But comfy bed won' do much good if we wake to hordes of gobbies what come inta' town. 'Specially now tha' we made a bridge for 'em ta' reach tha' keep."
Arisa says” ok, I think we should leave the sword then.” To Vernon, she says “I won’t sleep knowing the gate is unwatched, I am sorry Vernon, I think we should go to the gate. But Zyllith and I and the guards can go, with the others if they like. We don’t know how many more goblins might be coming.”
"Danger may be close, best that we stick together. Strength in numbers yes?"
Osmord follows to where ever the group are resting and once they are settled he sends worm up to the roof to keep watch. "If goblins approach, you will fly back down to us... warn us of danger."
He seats himself and lights a candle before fixing it atop an overturned bucket. Then reaching into his shell he brings out his book on religion. He reads quietly while eating his pickles.
"Jergal, final scribe. The pitiless one. The Bleak Seneschal.
Ancient god of death. The holy lord of murder and bringer of strife.
Myrkul... Bhaal... Jergal... to each he gave his power. An interesting read...."
DM - Caves of the Kobold Slave Masters
Belkas will also go along with the rest of the group.
When they settle down to rest, he watches Osmord reading and moves a little closer. Belkas asks a little hesitantly, "Sorry to bother you Osmord, but is there any information on Glasya in your books?"
Arisa will stay with the group at the keep if Vernon insists, while she's pretty uncomfortable about goblins storming the gate while we sleep. She will ask if the guards can go to the gatehouse or if they want to stay with us as well.
Once we settle in, she reads some of the histories she picked up and draws a copy of a local map in her notes.
With plenty of room in the den, library and in Lady Nandar's room, you have no trouble finding places to settle in and get comfortable for the night inside the keep.
In reading some of the history books, Arisa learns that the beauty of Ardeep Forest and the mystique of its elven ruins have long attracted nobles from Waterdeep. The nobles of House Nandar had a hunting lodge in the forest two centuries ago, but elves forced them to abandon it. Ten years ago, members of House Nandar — Lord Drezlin Nandar and Lady Velrosa Nandar — decided it was time to return.
They built a new motte-and-bailey settlement south of the Ardeep Forest and began making forays into the woods with friends to hunt and explore. As it often happens when different societies cross, the interests of the wood elves that inhabit the Ardeep forest and the Nandars were at cross purposes. A year ago, the conflict came to a head, and the elves attacked Nightstone. Drezlin was among the many slain — shot and killed by elf arrows while standing on the roof of his keep. His widow, Lady Velrosa Nandar, made peace with the elves and promised to make no further incursions into the Ardeep Forest — a promise she kept for the rest of her life.
And as you know, sadly, the Lady Velrosa was mortally wounded when the cloud giants bombarded Nightstone, leaving the village without a lord or lady to govern it.
The night passes uneventfully, and you're able to relax, read, and rest up as you contemplate the events of the past day and what may lie ahead for you, the inhabitants of Nightstone, and for all peoples of the Sword Coast if these giant attacks spread to other towns and cities.
You sleep well, and in the morning you wake up to the light of the sun streaming into the windows of the keep, feeling refreshed and even a little bit more confident.
Level up, everyone!
Zyllith seems only slightly disappointed when in the end no one opted to head to the watch towers for the night, but she didn't complain about taking advantage of the more comfortable rooms available and happily curled up in a corner for the night. The comfortable sleep did wonders for her and her companions it seemed as everyone was full of energy when the new day arrived, and Zyllith hoped to take advantage of that.
"Rioght, Now's every-kin ready, whot say we head out in groups an' clear out tha' rest of town of any rats, green skinned or not. We'd best be served makin' sure we got a safe place for tha village folk what we go an' rescue afterwards. Though we won't want ta' spend more then today on this. I'd say have some folk keep watch here in tha' keep, and some keep watch at tha' town draw bridge, while all tha' rest scourin' tha' town fer any gobbies."
The previous night...
Osmord pours over his tome considering the question from Belkas. At last he looks up and shakes his head. "It would appear not. The name does not appear here. The library holds more?"
As Osmord settles down for the evening he considers what he has learned about the pitiless one, the final scribe and ancient god of death. If he were to serve a god, this is the one he would choose. He is no priest and the pursuit of knowledge would always be his first and only desire, but still... as the old Tortle drifts off to sleep he mutters the first prayer he has ever spoken and somewhere deep within the bowels of sheol an answer came.
Morning...
Osmord wakes with a new sense of purpose, ready to begin his search anew. His thirst for knowledge greater than ever but now there was something more... something larger than himself that drives him on...
DM - Caves of the Kobold Slave Masters
Arisa Says" I do feel much better, thank you for suggesting staying here Vernon!" She does her morning prayers, puts on her armor, and prepares to head out. "Shall we accompany some of the guards to the gate towers and clear the remaining areas of the village? I think this keep should be pretty secure, if we can ensure the other gate is". When the others are ready, she will crawl back across the bridge, double check her things, and then we will continue our exploration. We will stop by the mill to check on our captives and give them some food and water.
"Aye, might have two guards stay here at tha' keep while two of 'em move ta' the draw bridge guard towers an' keep an eye out fer trouble." She looks at the guards as she adds, "Makin' sure to look fer trouble on both sides o' tha' gate! Cannae be sure sum green wankar won't sneaks up behind ye till we got 'em all cleared out. Hells, thar's tha' one las who seemed might odd in tha' inn, cannae be sure what the hells she'll do. Should probably wrangle 'er up at sum point ta' make sure everyone's safe."
Zyllith will join Arisa as she heads out, with luck pushing out at least two of the guards to take up stations at the draw bridge. Even suggesting that they head there just to make sure it's still up.
During the night, Vernon has competing dreams that keep cutting each other off. One shows calm, healthy trees; the other, metal sparking against metal. Both contain the same sequences of words, but the volumes shift as each dream gains and loses power.
To Arisa: "You're welcome. I always have better dreams when I have a good bed, although they can get confusing. Last night, for instance, I kept seeing calm trees alternating with sparking metal. The other weird part was the words that kept repeating: Ikkileim, Ladnalf, Ikkileim'Rajom, and Nik'Sle'Est. I'm certain they mean something, but I haven't figured out what."
To the planning: "I agree, we should clear the rest of the town. I feel ready for anything those goblins can throw at me."
Belkas woke, drenched in sweat and breathing heavily, with the feeling he had been running to escape someone or something. He had a vague memory of flames and being held down while they sliced his arms with knives, or perhaps talons. He pulled up his sleeves and saw that his tattoos now extended past his elbows. He flexed and felt the flow of dark power move, stronger now than it had been yesterday.
He washed up and then donned his black leather armor, cleaning dirt from the stylized spiderwebs that adorned it.
Belkas saw that everyone else looked rested and happy, whereas he felt a burning unease in his stomach, but he put on his smile and walked over. "Good morning to you all. I would be glad to join you, ensuring that there are no more goblins within the walls, then we can perhaps head out to the caves and see if we can bring back the villagers."
Osmord will be up and out early with anyone else who is clearing the village. (Not sure which ones we have not taken a look at yet DM?) Worm will scout ahead as usual. Besides ensuring we are leaving none of the dangerous little goblin critters behind, he will also be keeping an eye out for the usual trinkets...as well as a new thought that has occurred to him during the evening. He would like to find a simple shield.
"Once the town is clear, we may freely leave this place... to find the goblins."
DM - Caves of the Kobold Slave Masters
The guards rise early, and they offer you some provisions they salvaged from the destroyed kitchen. After a quick breakfast, they all agree to join you, and after watching you cross your makeshift ladder bridge, they cross as well, crawling a bit awkwardly, but safely over the drop. once you’re on the other side, two of them head to the front gate to man the watchtowers, and the other two, Torem and Alana, await your orders/guidance.
(As of right now, you have only searched one of the houses, and you have not searched the stable, or any of the other guard towers.)
Arisa says " lets go to our right (map east) and check the walls and towers on that side of the village, and the houses along the way. Then we should go to the stables and ensure nothing is there, as it is one of the larger buildings we have not searched. Alana and Torem, you can stay with us and help however you can. Osmord- can your owl check to ensure the drawbridge is still up and let us know? "
Belkas says, "That sounds like a good plan to me."
Then he looks at Worm, with its greasy black plumage and whispers to Arisa, "I don't think that is an owl."