Hino raises her mug, and then freezes like she’s a statue. Holding that pose for a few seconds, she breaks down and snickers…which leads to a full on giggle fest.
Flynt hears the tributes and toast drift out of the tavern as he heads out into the court yard. He walks around the keep showing the wanted poster to any one he meets until he is sure nobody has seen his quarry. Once satisfied that the man is not here he heads back to the ale house to find the companions a few more drinks in than when he left.
A robed dragonborn clears her throat as she approaches you. Cradled in her arms is a green book. “Please forgive the interruption,” she says. “My name is Pelk, and I speak for the Avowed. You’re adventurers, are you not?”
Orvok puts his mug down, and looks over to the new arrival. His piercing eyes take her in, then he nods 'Aye. I'm Orvok, Axebrother of Clangeddin. How may we be of service, Pelk?'
"Hello Orvok. Candlekeep has long relied on a community of grippli to the north for fresh seafood. These frogfolk capture and raise giant crabs as livestock in an offshore cluster of pens they have erected just outside their village, then trade the meat and other salvageable parts for items they can use, particularly those made of metal or glass. Candlekeep has long been a steady customer, but over the last several tendays the grippli have become less and less active, and the supply of food has been all but cut off. To make things worse, rumors have arisen about serpent creatures being seen near the Cloakwood and the grippli village.”
Flynt steps up to the companions table just as the dragonborn explains her dilemma to Orvok.
"Well if'n ya'll don't mind, I'd like to tag along. That is if you decide to go" Grabbing at the brim of his hat he gives Orvok a greeting in Dwarvish. "Names Flynt McGraw. Sherrif of Altus. Seems Garrick the Red isn't here nor has been. Sounds like this grippli village is as good as place as any to check next. Especially since he's know to attract trouble where ever he goes. Could be he's a part of whatever is going on."
“Serpent creatures? What sort of serpents are we talking about? I hope not snakes. I’ve never liked those wriggly, slimy, sick looking bastards.” Hino adds, showing her distrust and distaste for the cold blooded creatures.
Without skipping a beat, she continues “And I suppose the Avowed want to hire us to look into it? But not pay us anything for our troubles, of course. Out of the bottom of our hearts, as usual?”
"This news came by way of Mitor Jans, a ship captain who makes a living transporting crab meat to Candlekeep. He's eager for shipments to resume. He has volunteered to take you all by sea to a trading post where you can meet with the grippli leader-in-exile, if you decide to undertake the quest to help the frogfolk, of course. The Avowed are willing to pay 500 gp to each of you once the threat to the grippli village is neutralized, since apparently gold - for whatever reason - is important for some of you."
We will gladly accept the gold, and the reason mostly being adventurers. We dont plan to stay here for ever, and when we do leave we will have to repay the generosity shown to us in many ways. Gold pays for things to be shipped or built. I do agree, knowledge is worth more, but some prefer the gold.
Where are the docks from here? Farther into the city, or out the East gates along The Way of the Lion?
"Justice will be served. Have no doubt. But a man's gotta eat and a bounty's a bounty. Heh! Never been to sea. When and where do we ship out?" asks Flynt.
Pelk hands you the book of cylinders. “This book was brought to Candlekeep several years ago. The explorers who found it claimed it was not a historical text, but a warning. My superiors have authorized me to show it to you.”
It is surprisingly light, and brief examination shows it to be a cunningly contrived container. Its covering is made of supple leather reinforced with thicker strips of hide. Opening the cover reveals three intricately carved, hollow wooden cylinders and a linen bag of dry clay artfully decorated with a drop of water.
The outside of each cylinder is covered with writing and simple images, apparently telling a story in three parts. Pelk shows you how it works. The first step is to remove some of the clay from its bag and mix it with water to form a thick paste, then spread the wet clay in a thin layer on a flat surface. Rolling one of the cylinders across this surface presses the writing into the clay and makes it readable. After repeating the process for each of the cylinders, it tells a story.
The first cylinder shows and explains how the grippli became skilled at harvesting giant crabs, which are loaded onto seagoing vessels and taken away while the frogfolk celebrate their newly earned wealth.
The second cylinder’s story begins with serpent creatures lurking ominously outside the grippli village. Then the serpentfolk rush forth, capturing or killing any of the frogfolk who try to stand against them. As the village falls into disarray, the giant crabs escape from their cages and head back into the sea.
The third cylinder depicts, and briefly tells about, the aftermath of the serpentfolk’s assault. The village is vacant, most of its buildings flattened. Still standing is the grippli’s temple to their deity, which has been taken over by the snake creatures.
Hino can't read or write, so the stories make no sense to her. But the pictures tell her enough of the story to figure out what's going on. "Right. Got it. Frog people are getting slaughtered. Frog people provide food for Candlekeep. Candlekeep too lazy to peel their eyes away from their books to help out, so they hire us to clean up their mess. Sounds about right?" Hino grins as she finishes, and looks forward to their next adventure.
"We best get a move on out. But first, let's provision up for the long journey, and the eventful party to follow."
"Doesn't say 'why' the serpent people attacked. Guess that will be the first question I ask when we find this 'leader'. What's the name of this grippli leader anyway?" asks Flynt.
"Pond Mother is their leader. Before communications with the grippli tapered off, people who returned to Candlekeep from a trip to the grippli trading post reported that a small band of yuan-ti had taken up residence at an old temple site where the grippli village used to be located. These serpentfolk, unlike others of their kind, are friendly toward the grippli, and the frogfolk are helping them excavate the location. One of the last people from Candlekeep to depart from the grippli trading post reports that the place has been overrun by frogfolk fleeing their village, which was invaded by a second group of yuan-ti. These monsters are vicious and cruel, the exact opposite of the earlier visitors."
Two groups of Yuan-ti? Theres a lot to find out when we get there. Thank you very much, Pelk. If you have any other information that may be useful, we could use it sooner rather than later as i believe we will be headed that way rather promptly. Also, what do you think of the situation? Almost sounds like a type of livestock theft in other words. Arent Yuan-ti a bit savage?
"To statues!"
Skameros - Bugbear Barbarian - Out of the Abyss - By Kerrec
Follow your Arrow where it Points - Tabaxi Monk - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
Citron Pumpkinfoam - Fairy Monk - Project Point: Team Longsword
Hino raises her mug, and then freezes like she’s a statue. Holding that pose for a few seconds, she breaks down and snickers…which leads to a full on giggle fest.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Flynt hears the tributes and toast drift out of the tavern as he heads out into the court yard. He walks around the keep showing the wanted poster to any one he meets until he is sure nobody has seen his quarry. Once satisfied that the man is not here he heads back to the ale house to find the companions a few more drinks in than when he left.
**This Space for Rent**
CANDLEKEEP MYSTERIES 6: THE BOOK OF CYLINDERS
A robed dragonborn clears her throat as she approaches you. Cradled in her arms is a green book. “Please forgive the interruption,” she says. “My name is Pelk, and I speak for the Avowed. You’re adventurers, are you not?”
Orvok puts his mug down, and looks over to the new arrival. His piercing eyes take her in, then he nods 'Aye. I'm Orvok, Axebrother of Clangeddin. How may we be of service, Pelk?'
"Hello Orvok. Candlekeep has long relied on a community of grippli to the north for fresh seafood. These frogfolk capture and raise giant crabs as livestock in an offshore cluster of pens they have erected just outside their village, then trade the meat and other salvageable parts for items they can use, particularly those made of metal or glass. Candlekeep has long been a steady customer, but over the last several tendays the grippli have become less and less active, and the supply of food has been all but cut off. To make things worse, rumors have arisen about serpent creatures being seen near the Cloakwood and the grippli village.”
Flynt steps up to the companions table just as the dragonborn explains her dilemma to Orvok.
"Well if'n ya'll don't mind, I'd like to tag along. That is if you decide to go" Grabbing at the brim of his hat he gives Orvok a greeting in Dwarvish. "Names Flynt McGraw. Sherrif of Altus. Seems Garrick the Red isn't here nor has been. Sounds like this grippli village is as good as place as any to check next. Especially since he's know to attract trouble where ever he goes. Could be he's a part of whatever is going on."
**This Space for Rent**
“Serpent creatures? What sort of serpents are we talking about? I hope not snakes. I’ve never liked those wriggly, slimy, sick looking bastards.” Hino adds, showing her distrust and distaste for the cold blooded creatures.
Without skipping a beat, she continues “And I suppose the Avowed want to hire us to look into it? But not pay us anything for our troubles, of course. Out of the bottom of our hearts, as usual?”
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
"This news came by way of Mitor Jans, a ship captain who makes a living transporting crab meat to Candlekeep. He's eager for shipments to resume. He has volunteered to take you all by sea to a trading post where you can meet with the grippli leader-in-exile, if you decide to undertake the quest to help the frogfolk, of course. The Avowed are willing to pay 500 gp to each of you once the threat to the grippli village is neutralized, since apparently gold - for whatever reason - is important for some of you."
We will gladly accept the gold, and the reason mostly being adventurers. We dont plan to stay here for ever, and when we do leave we will have to repay the generosity shown to us in many ways. Gold pays for things to be shipped or built. I do agree, knowledge is worth more, but some prefer the gold.
Where are the docks from here? Farther into the city, or out the East gates along The Way of the Lion?
"The trading post is on the coast, due west of the Cloakwood and roughly 90 miles north-northwest of Candlekeep by sea."
"Is it cold there? I don't want it to ruin my manicure!" Hino honestly adds.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
"Justice will be served. Have no doubt. But a man's gotta eat and a bounty's a bounty. Heh! Never been to sea. When and where do we ship out?" asks Flynt.
**This Space for Rent**
Pelk hands you the book of cylinders. “This book was brought to Candlekeep several years ago. The explorers who found it claimed it was not a historical text, but a warning. My superiors have authorized me to show it to you.”
It is surprisingly light, and brief examination shows it to be a cunningly contrived container. Its covering is made of supple leather reinforced with thicker strips of hide. Opening the cover reveals three intricately carved, hollow wooden cylinders and a linen bag of dry clay artfully decorated with a drop of water.
The outside of each cylinder is covered with writing and simple images, apparently telling a story in three parts. Pelk shows you how it works. The first step is to remove some of the clay from its bag and mix it with water to form a thick paste, then spread the wet clay in a thin layer on a flat surface. Rolling one of the cylinders across this surface presses the writing into the clay and makes it readable. After repeating the process for each of the cylinders, it tells a story.
The first cylinder shows and explains how the grippli became skilled at harvesting giant crabs, which are loaded onto seagoing vessels and taken away while the frogfolk celebrate their newly earned wealth.
The second cylinder’s story begins with serpent creatures lurking ominously outside the grippli village. Then the serpentfolk rush forth, capturing or killing any of the frogfolk who try to stand against them. As the village falls into disarray, the giant crabs escape from their cages and head back into the sea.
The third cylinder depicts, and briefly tells about, the aftermath of the serpentfolk’s assault. The village is vacant, most of its buildings flattened. Still standing is the grippli’s temple to their deity, which has been taken over by the snake creatures.
Hino can't read or write, so the stories make no sense to her. But the pictures tell her enough of the story to figure out what's going on. "Right. Got it. Frog people are getting slaughtered. Frog people provide food for Candlekeep. Candlekeep too lazy to peel their eyes away from their books to help out, so they hire us to clean up their mess. Sounds about right?" Hino grins as she finishes, and looks forward to their next adventure.
"We best get a move on out. But first, let's provision up for the long journey, and the eventful party to follow."
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
"Doesn't say 'why' the serpent people attacked. Guess that will be the first question I ask when we find this 'leader'. What's the name of this grippli leader anyway?" asks Flynt.
**This Space for Rent**
"Pond Mother is their leader. Before communications with the grippli tapered off, people who returned to Candlekeep from a trip to the grippli trading post reported that a small band of yuan-ti had taken up residence at an old temple site where the grippli village used to be located. These serpentfolk, unlike others of their kind, are friendly toward the grippli, and the frogfolk are helping them excavate the location. One of the last people from Candlekeep to depart from the grippli trading post reports that the place has been overrun by frogfolk fleeing their village, which was invaded by a second group of yuan-ti. These monsters are vicious and cruel, the exact opposite of the earlier visitors."
Two groups of Yuan-ti? Theres a lot to find out when we get there. Thank you very much, Pelk. If you have any other information that may be useful, we could use it sooner rather than later as i believe we will be headed that way rather promptly. Also, what do you think of the situation? Almost sounds like a type of livestock theft in other words. Arent Yuan-ti a bit savage?
Barbär begins to stand and gather his things
"They can be, yes. I'm hoping you all will find more information."
“One final question….for my sensitive, squishy friends…what’s it like out on the sea and in the froggy town? Cold? Rainy? Snow?” Hino adds.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?