Dapple looks over at Lera, seeing the girl as less of a threat than Perrin or Singe. "His name? Truthfully I do not know. I call him Mr Bun and he seems not to object. I am called Dappled Stream of the Misty Glade clan. And you?" As he answers, he catches sight of Mr Bun and whistles him over. He hops into Dapples hands as he bends to scoop him up.
"What did you say?" He seems to have just processed Singe's words. "TWO HUNDRED years?"
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Seeing the golden palace rising high in the cityscape, Koll says, "It seems the buyer is someone of influence. Obviously, if they have so much money to spend."
He and Woe make their way north through the bustling city. Koll finds a young boy, a street urchin, and asks him, "Who lives in that golden palace?"
"It is the merchant princes," he responds, eyes wide at the sight of Koll's tattoos.
Koll gives him a few coins and a pat on the head and they continue on their way. "Well, that tells me very little," he says to Woe. "There's so much of the world that I am ignorant about. Do you know who they are, these merchant princes? Are they the rulers of Chult?"
"They're the authoritative figures here of Port Nyanzaru in Chult," Woe replies. "All locals. "But really, no, I have no idea what we're walking into. I just wish I brought my nobel clothes...""
Having their destination in sight, the two adventurers arrive at the palace before long. It's an open air golden palace with stairs that span the inside and lead to private chambers. Large shirtless guards stand at the entrance of each stairway, their muscles glistening with sweat.
Woe just stands there, in the middle of the forecourt, eyes wide, mouth open - like a proper tourist. "Look how beautiful it is!" She is looking at the palace, but also eyeing the guards.
Not knowing what he should do, Koll approaches a guard and says, "I would like to see Ymezra." He is not sure if Ymezra is a man or a woman, but he says, "I am from Baldur's Gate and they will be expecting me."
The guard looks him up and down and gestures. A young steward hurries down the stairs and he whispers to the man. The steward rushes back up the stairs. "It'll be a moment," the guard says. A moment passes and the steward returns, visibly shaken. "Follow me, please," he says, going back up the stairs. The guard moves aside without a word to allow you both to ascend. Koll and Woe exchange a look, wondering why the steward seems troubled.
They pass a couple rooms. One door is closed, preventing a view of what lies inside, but the other is wide open. Inside is a large group of people, all surrounding and speaking to an older woman. The interior is decorated with plush pillows and the occupants all wear their best finery as they petition for the woman's favor. The guard outside the room, seeing Koll and Woe peer inside, closes the door. "Come," the steward says, gesturing for them to continue following.
"Goddess Ymezra lies within," the steward says, gesturing to a closed door. The guard outside the room opens the door and they're met with a slight purple fog that creeps out of the room. It obscures all that lie within.
Koll takes a deep breath of fresh air before entering the room, and Woe follows suit. As they wade through the purple fog, the smell instantly hitsthem. It's a drug of some kind, that's for sure. The door is closed behind. On either side of this long room, braziers are lined against the wall. The occupants all lay on large pillows, some nude, others talking playfully. A large panther walks along freely in the room, playfully batting at someone on a pillow. The two can't hold their breath forever and, though Koll is able to resist for the time being (Con save 18+3=21), Woe starts to feel the effects of the drug (Con save 9+2=11); each step is long and her balance seems slightly off, but her mind feels sharper - as if she's better able to focus.
Soon they reach what appears to be a young woman sitting on a golden throne. Her chest is bare and in each hand she holds a leash. Two men, completely nude, lie next to her throne in a drugged-out daze. "You are the man?" she asks Koll. "The one with the new spice. I was told you landed over an hour ago... why did you take so long to come here?"
"It's my first time in Chult and it took some time to disembark. Your shipment is all here." To Woe he whispers, "Are you all right?"
"Show me," Ymezra commands, gesturing for Koll to come closer. Koll opens his bag revealing the wrapped bricks of drugs inside. She stands and takes a few steps forward to look. The two attached to leashes crawl forward, begging for her to return to her throne. Her smile widens as she gets a better look at Koll and the spices he brought. "No," she says simply, looking into Koll's eyes. "I will not buy this until you show me what it does."
"I don't know the first thing about it. Surely you have someone more experienced who can judge its quality."
The haze of drug smoke continues to assail them, though Koll maintains his composure (Con save 9+3=12). Next to him Woe seems unsteady. But at the same time she is filled with confidence and feels a sharpness of mind. "Yeah, yeah, I'm...fine," she says as Koll looks at her. She has an urge to take off her clothes. "Hello,... golden.... lady," she says to Ymezra, "we're new here... in the city. Would you care, beautiful creature,... to explain to us... who you are?... And what is happening... to us?"
Woe looks about her wondering if they are in danger. Her senses are sharp and as she looks around for danger she note sthat the panther moves with an unnatural grace - a grace she sees in Koll when he trains. It's the same grace that every single person in the room has. Yes, there is danger (Perception 13+1=14)
Ymezra snaps her fingers and nearly everyone stands to assist her. "You... like the purple haze, do you?" She smiles at Woe before turning back to Koll. "Him, and him." She says, pointing at two people who stood. "They will help you." She turns to return to the throne and the two people next to her crawl over to kiss her feet and praise her for returning.
The two men she pointed at approach Koll. "We will help you," one says.
"Yes. Show us," the other says.
"Show me...," says Ymezra with a sly smile, "what does Thraul do?"
The men begin to unpack a brick and put bits of the herb into a pipe. "The goddess wants to join you in this journey," one of the men says. "But first... you." He lights it and raises it to Koll's lips.
"Ilmater, when will this end?" mutters the monk. "Fine, I do this and we make our transaction and we are done. Right?"
He takes a big puff, but tries to blow most out the side of his mouth. He coughs, and blows the rest out, trying not to inhale. He goes wide-eyed and pretends to be feeling its effects.
Woe starts to giggle, secifically at Koll's performance. "Yes, I like it here! But still,.. You,... you didn't answer my question!"
The man with the pipe smiles and holds it to Woe's lips. "No, thank you," she says. "I am enjoying your purple mist too much, I don't want to mix spices." She tries to catch the eyes of the lady again and attempts to get closer to her. The man with the pipe walks in front of Woe and offers it to Ymezra. She takes a deep drag. (Koll CHA save 13+1=14)
"Ymezra, tell me more about you! I need to know... I feel a connection!" says Woe. She slowly starts to trying remove her clothes, but her hands don't seem to obey her very well. The man turns and offers Woe the pipe one more time. This time she takes a drag, inhaling the smoke and exhaling. Then again, all the while keeping her eyes on the lady. (Woe CHA save 2+5=7)
"I wonder if Mr. Bun would get along with Koll Jr.," Lera mused aloud. "I am Lera, that's my dad Zamar, and the wee one is Polly." The sorceress pointed to each person she introduced them. "How'd you get to be frozen in some wizard's attic for like ever?"
With the civil back and forth conversation, Dapple senses these people present no immediate risk and begins to relax, trying to absorb what he's been told and understand what's happened.
Shaking his head, and absently stroking Mr Bun, he muses aloud. "Two, three hundred years? It can't be possible. My family, my clan, what's become of them? I have to go..." He grows more agitated as he considers what may be lost if what he's being told is true. "How did I get here? I'm... not sure. My own foolishness seems to be the true answer. I'd been watching the wizard the jungle, to be sure he didn't venture into our territory and put my clan at risk. I... lost track of him and was caught unaware, like a stupid, young kitten. Some magic, I suppose, and I was trapped before I could escape. I don't recall anything after that. Until finding myself here."
"Yes. Well, you seem like you might need a drink and food after all that; I mean you haven't eaten in 300 years. Why don't you gather any of your things and come with us for now? We'll get some food in you. Do you like Cherry Pie?" Perrin asks, concerned for Dapple.
"Cherry pie? I have no idea. I don't know what that is." At Perrin's suggestion, Dapple does look around for his belongings, and soon enough locates them in a pile near the suit of armor. He takes a few moments to put on his armor and weapons, quickly checking to see that everything is still there. "Yes, let's go. I need to know where we are."
The drug, once breathed in and entering their sinus cavity, moves as though it has a purpose. Whether you inhale into your lungs or not, it finds its way to your brain. At first, there's a sharp pain in your head and your vision gets blurry. You immediately lose your footing, but are caught by the many hands around you. The purple haze of the room sways and moves until you feel you are no longer a part of this world. You're somewhere else... somewhere deep in your mind where you feel empathy, connections, and fate. It's a place where you're connected with everyone around you. At first you both see each other. Woe and Koll standing in a sea of purple. Then there is Ymezra. Her whole body sways as she walks, and the purple swirls around her as if it were hers to manipulate. "Come," she says. And Woe, having no control over herself, walks over to the Goddess. Her command echoes in Koll's mind, but his resolve stays strong. The purple swirls around him with the same intensity as it does the Goddess. "Come," she says again. This time she is saying it to everyone. Everyone... everyone that is currently under the influence of this drug. There are hundreds... thousands. Everyone from all over Faerun that are currently experiencing this high are here, connected by the drug. There are more like Koll and Ymezra in this horde of consciousnesses, those with a strong will that can manipulate the weak wills of those around them. Unlike Woe, Koll can control himself in this sea just as well as he can control the others. Woe has lost all control. She is only here for the ride.
Perrin is absolutely shocked that Dapple does not know what Cherry Pie. "First thing you need to know about the world now. Cherry Pie, is the food of the Gods. It is the absolute best thing in the world and I make the best cherry pie you will ever taste." Perrin says as he leads him to the portal. As he is talking and leading him Perrin is trying to see what kind of weapons Dapple has to gauge what kind of warrior he is.
"How can you not know what cherry pie is?" Lera gasped. "Was it not invented yet? Blackstaff's frilly knickers, you are lucky you've been frozen for the past three hundred years. Pastries have apparently evolved significantly."
Singe nods, he carries the pile of books out of the wizard's dimension and sets them down on the floor of the attic, he goes back into the dimension. "Zamar, could you give the gentlemen downstairs the gems and tell them to be on their way? Everyone else, I could use some help moving all these books out of here."
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
"Pastries," echoes Dapple, as if trying out a new word. "It seems much has changed from what I remember." When Singe reveals the door, Dapple dashes past, ignoring the comment about the books. He is far more concerned with getting outside and seeing what the world looks like.
"Lera, why don't you and Polly follow the cat; make sure he doesn't hurt himself. I imagine he's exhausted after everything that's happened. I'll help Singe with the books." Perrin begins carrying books out for Singe, able to carry more books at once due to his strength.
Lera, Polly, and Dapple rush down stairs past the old woman. She looks confused for a moment, then calls upstairs, "Did the cat eat the rats for me!?" She watches as the three go outside before seeing Zamar. "Those boys you sent down were rude," she says. "But Uncle Zindar sent some people and they scared them off." She raises her fist defiantly before she hears more scuffling upstairs. "You didn't get them all?" She asks.
Dapple, you're met with a colorful, massive city full of the human tribespeople you've seen in the past. When before this was a colonized fort, it now seems to be a massive ocean of activity. The sight is nearly overwhelming. Gone is the jungle, it is now roads with dinosaurs and animals all tamed to do the bidding of civilization. There are other tabaxi that you see, but they wear clothes similar to the humans that populate the area. You see one entertaining human children with colorful balls, another speaking to one of the white dwarves that used to roam the mountains. Everything is new and different. Your nose is assaulted with the smells of spices and cooked meat and your ears are buzzing with the sounds of so many people talking.
After pulling on the pipe, Woe feels a sharp pain. Then, her mind separates from her body. She cannot hold against the pull of the drug. She is conscious of everything going on, but she is controlled by those that have passed their save. But she is realising that there are many minds around. Even minds from far away. She gets excited, and starts to scan for people she might know. She is wondering who she could meet, her grandfather, maybe Viscardi, or other important people? She starts to look with her mind...
perception check under the influence of purple haze: 2d20kh1+1 = (+13)+1 = 14
Woe darts her eyes around, but it's not just her eyes. Even though this form of her body stays where it is, she moves out of its location and through every single person there until she finds something she is familiar with. It's Lord Eltan. He is currently interrogating a small group of people. These are people she doesn't recognize, but they wear the noble clothing of Baldur's Gate. They're telling him everything, even though her ears cannot hear.
This is awesome! I so wish I had control over that drug!! Woe thinks to herself.
Lord Eltan's will rivals that of even the goddess. "Woe," you hear him say. "How are you here? Leave this place."
She immediately returns to her own consciousness, back in the room with the purple haze. She exhales a white mist.
Woe sits down on a cushion for a moment. This was intense. She thinks about all she has seen. And wonders if anyone had access to her mind while she was under. But she feels, the only way to get information, is to pull it out. No one pulled on her mind, as she was expelled before anyone could. But she really enjoyed the ride. She looks around if the guy with the pipe is still around.
Koll is laying on the ground and you she can see Ymezra unconscious on her throne.
The man is packing up the remainder of the drugs.
For a moment Woe plays with the thought of stealing some drugs. But because of her extra perception, she is also aware that everybody else is super perceptive. She decides to try a different approach to get some more of the 'spice'.
"Wow, this was .... interesting!" Woe goes close to the man who offered her the pipe and who is cleaning up the product just now. "I was wondering if I could purchase a small amount of the spice."
He smiles, eyes slightly glazed. "We have not yet established a price," he responds. "So it will be high...." He thinks, "Ten gold per dose."
"Well, you know, we brought it to you. There is nothing missing. We were on a boat that almost capsized in the storm. There was about a 90% chance of this product never reaching Ymezra. But we're here. I'll pay you 5 GP per dose. And I'll take 4 doses."
persuasion: 1d20+5 = (10)+5 = 15
"Seven," he responds. "And I will throw in the pipe."
He pulls apart four doses of the Thraul and wraps them each in a small patch of cloth.
"I only have 23 GPs on me. This will have to do." Woe says sharply.
He nods, considering the exchange done. Woe pockets the 4 doses and the pipe. She is still under the purple haze influence.
She looks again around the room. Everyone here is dark of skin, as most natives of Chult are. The man who offered the drugs is well chiseled and nude. His eyes are an odd color, not typical to the normal natives you've seen, and he has the beginnings of a beard on his face. He's in his late twenties it looks like. Woe can feel the pull to enjoy this room. This room is open to all advances, saying no seems a sin...
But before Woe engages with the local, she walks over to Koll and hums in his ear. A melody of power, something that will guide him to find what he is looking for... [bardic inspiration given]
While Woe is snogging the muscular Chultan, she is trying to keep an eye on Koll every now and so often. She is more interested in the going ons of this operation. She asks the pipe-man: "So, how does this Thraul work? Have you used it before? Can you get in trouble once 'inside'?" And then "And why do you have different eyes? they are fascinating!"
She learns that this is a new drug, and that this is the first time they've actually gotten it. When questioned about his eyes, he smirks. You see them shift to those of cat eyes. "The Goddess has blessed us," he responds.
"So she is really a goddess? What are you all doing here? Do you meet regularly? Maybe I could come back some other time!"
"She is our Goddess," He responds. He does not give you an indication of how often they meet in this manner, but responds to your question about coming back by saying, "If the Goddess wishes it, it will happen."
Woe thinks about this meeting some more. She gets the feeling that there's much more to this operation than drugs and sex. Ymezra is likely a famous person around Chult. If she wants to know more, she would probably be better off to get the information from those that aren't worshipping her as a Goddess.
Ymezra awakens and both of her servants coo, hands inches from her body in praise. She wears a smile on her face as she surveys the room.
After the shock of this strange place subsides and Koll sees Woe disappear, he realizes that it is in his power to leave whenever he likes. At that moment Ymezra waves the crowd away and Koll finds himself face to face with her.
"You are a man of the Broken One... I can see," she says. Her eyes take on that of a panther and claws sprout from her hands. "Show me... broken man." She lunges at him.(attacks with claw and bite. 6+3=9 [miss] and [4+5=9 [miss])
Dodging her blows, Koll says, "Nice try. But why are you fighting me?" He then draws on his ki and delivers a flurry of blows, each of his strikes connecting.(18+5=23, 19+5=24, 8+5=13, Damage = 11) Her flesh seems much harder than it should. His last strike opens a cut on her lip and a small trickle of blood appears but she licks it away. Her grin widens and there is a bloodlust in her cat-like eyes.
She attacks again, her face shifting into that of a panther. She bites Koll on the shoulder and her teeth dig deep into his flesh. Even though he knows he can leave at any time, Koll wants to know what will happen if he is injured in this world. He feels the terrible pain as she pulls back her mouth full of his blood. (11+5=16, Damage = 12)
Since it seems that he can't hurt her, he instead tries to subdue her. He feels inspiration flowing from Woe even though she is no longer there. He will use it once he's gotten a hold of this sinister woman. He grabs Ymezra and puts his arm around her neck in a powerful hold. (Strength Athletics 13+3=16 vs 10+3=13). He asks again, "Why are you fighting me?"
"In our minds," she growls. "We are not always what we appear." She then disappears.
Koll looks about the drug induced mind-scape, holding his bleeding shoulder, trying to understand the rules of this realm (Insight 10+4=14) before leaving.
He wakes up feeling weakened and with intense pain still in his shoulder, though he is not physically wounded. Ymezra appears unscathed. Woe is enjoying intimacy with one of Ymezra's manservants. "Ahem." Koll clears his throat to get Woe's attention.
Seeing his discomfort, Woe jumps up and goes to his side. "What happened?"
Ymezra stands and approaches. "You are not what you seem," she says to Koll. "Like me, I suppose." She nods to one of her followers and he brings a large pouch over to them.
"Check the money," whispers Woe.
"Let's just get out of here." Koll hands the pouch to Woe for her to examine.
"Broken man," says Ymezra. "I will see you again."
"I hope not," says Koll. Her smile grows at his response. He wonders why she was not hurt. Was it because she was more powerful in that realm or was it because she was some kind of magical being? It could be either. It could be both.
Woe peeks in the pouch and hefts it in her hands as they are leaving. It definitely seems like at least two thousand gold. She looks back at Ymezra. "Thank you. We will be on our way now."
She gives a slight nod, then twirls her hand. Her followers all begin gathering their things to vacate the building.
When they have left, Koll describes to Woe everything that happened to him. "The power of that drug is something we need to be concerned with. Who else is using it?"
"Wow! I am sorry I dropped out," she says. "I... I couldn't control the influence.... I had no own will! But I was able to search people! To look around all the way to Baldur's Gate! It's incredible! I saw Lord Eltan - and when he saw me, he kicked me out of there... guess I was lucky...I am sorry you got hurt, and I wasn't there to help. Maybe I can help now."
"I am hurting pretty badly, but I will heal with rest, I'm sure."
Woe carefully places her hand on Koll's shoulder and a warm energy flows through his body. (Cure Wounds 7+3=10)She smiles softly. "Hope this is better."
"Thank you," Koll says sincerely. Only a mild tenderness remains in his psychic wound. "Thank you for being with me and all your help. I'm glad I didn't have to do this alone."
"Of course! Anything for a friend!"
"It seems to me that there might be some after effects - withdrawal. This drug taps a part of the mind seldom opened. Just so you're forewarned."
"Oh, I, .... it makes sense.... I wanted to jump back in right away." She averts her eyes.... "I,... actually, ... well, .... I bought four doses of the stuff while you were asleep. Thought it might be useful for us in the future!"
"It might be. I actually feel that you would normally be quite powerful there. Be careful, though. The drug is likely doubly addictive because power is also."
"You're a wise man. I won't take it alone. But please keep an eye on me in the next twenty-four hours or so..." The two of them leave the palace, en route to where they are to meet with the others. Woe says, "I wonder how the others got on chasing rats" She giggles at the thought of it.
As they walked, Polly took Dapple's paw. Giggling, she said, "Mr. Kitty, are you going to be coming with us? We're going on an adventure! Then you can come home with us and be a part of the family! I'll introduce you to Mr. Whistler and E and Mr. Piggles and I'll make sure you get your own bedroom and everything! And Perrin can make us lots of pies. I promise, they're really good." She continues to chatter away, the water in the tank on her back sloshing happily.
Dapple darts down the stairs from the attic, barely registering the presence of the old woman as he sees the door to the outside bursting outside into the riot of color and noise. He stumbles to a stop, slowly turning in a circle taking in the sight. On the one hand he recognizes the people, still familiar in look and dress, but the city... The sprawl of buildings, the dinosaurs only knew from the jungle, the mix of other races he's never seen, leave the poor tabaxi speechless. Dapple can't deny the evidence of his own two eyes - this world is not the one he remembers as if it were only yesterday.
For Lera and Polly, there is a very visible change as they see him go from anxious excitement, tail high and twitching, ears erect, to sadness as he takes this all in. His ears droop and his posture sags. Turning, he begins to slowly walk down the street, now appearing mostly lost and dejected. As Polly took his hand and began chattering at him, he slowly begins to come back out of his funk, curiosity at this new opportunity and her youthful eagerness getting the better of him. "You're kind to offer, thank you. I don't know where else I have to go now, so if the others don't mind, I might join you after all." He falls silent again, his senses still reeling from the scenes unfolding around the trio.
Pols, I’m pretty sure calling him Mr. Kitty is racist, Lera messaged the six year old. His name is Dapple.
“The fact that you have no idea what pastries are tells me that the world is a much better place now than when you went to sleep,” Lera tried to cheer up the visibly down cat. “You can stick with us for as long as you would like. You may have lost your old world, but we’ll help you figure out this new one. You’ll find a clan, don’t worry.”
“Come on, we know next to nothing about you,” the aasimar smiled. “What do you like? Have you ever killed anyone with one of those swords? What’s your favorite story?” She peppered him with questions, trying to distract from his predicament.
Dapple was saved from her rapid-fire questions when she spotted a younger woman walking through the streets. “Excuse me,” she stopped her. “Is there a bakery nearby? Preferably one with cinnamon rolls.”
Dapple looks over at Lera, seeing the girl as less of a threat than Perrin or Singe. "His name? Truthfully I do not know. I call him Mr Bun and he seems not to object. I am called Dappled Stream of the Misty Glade clan. And you?" As he answers, he catches sight of Mr Bun and whistles him over. He hops into Dapples hands as he bends to scoop him up.
"What did you say?" He seems to have just processed Singe's words. "TWO HUNDRED years?"
“Three hundred years actually,” Singe says, looking up from a scroll, “I am Singe Harown and we are one half of the Circle of the Scarlet Dawn.”
Tooltips | Snippet Code | How to Homebrew on D&D Beyond | Subclass Guide | Feature Roadmap
Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Meanwhile, team debauchery...
Seeing the golden palace rising high in the cityscape, Koll says, "It seems the buyer is someone of influence. Obviously, if they have so much money to spend."
He and Woe make their way north through the bustling city. Koll finds a young boy, a street urchin, and asks him, "Who lives in that golden palace?"
"It is the merchant princes," he responds, eyes wide at the sight of Koll's tattoos.
Koll gives him a few coins and a pat on the head and they continue on their way. "Well, that tells me very little," he says to Woe. "There's so much of the world that I am ignorant about. Do you know who they are, these merchant princes? Are they the rulers of Chult?"
"They're the authoritative figures here of Port Nyanzaru in Chult," Woe replies. "All locals. "But really, no, I have no idea what we're walking into. I just wish I brought my nobel clothes...""
Having their destination in sight, the two adventurers arrive at the palace before long. It's an open air golden palace with stairs that span the inside and lead to private chambers. Large shirtless guards stand at the entrance of each stairway, their muscles glistening with sweat.
Woe just stands there, in the middle of the forecourt, eyes wide, mouth open - like a proper tourist. "Look how beautiful it is!" She is looking at the palace, but also eyeing the guards.
Not knowing what he should do, Koll approaches a guard and says, "I would like to see Ymezra." He is not sure if Ymezra is a man or a woman, but he says, "I am from Baldur's Gate and they will be expecting me."
The guard looks him up and down and gestures. A young steward hurries down the stairs and he whispers to the man. The steward rushes back up the stairs. "It'll be a moment," the guard says. A moment passes and the steward returns, visibly shaken. "Follow me, please," he says, going back up the stairs. The guard moves aside without a word to allow you both to ascend. Koll and Woe exchange a look, wondering why the steward seems troubled.
They pass a couple rooms. One door is closed, preventing a view of what lies inside, but the other is wide open. Inside is a large group of people, all surrounding and speaking to an older woman. The interior is decorated with plush pillows and the occupants all wear their best finery as they petition for the woman's favor. The guard outside the room, seeing Koll and Woe peer inside, closes the door. "Come," the steward says, gesturing for them to continue following.
"Goddess Ymezra lies within," the steward says, gesturing to a closed door. The guard outside the room opens the door and they're met with a slight purple fog that creeps out of the room. It obscures all that lie within.
Koll takes a deep breath of fresh air before entering the room, and Woe follows suit. As they wade through the purple fog, the smell instantly hitsthem. It's a drug of some kind, that's for sure. The door is closed behind. On either side of this long room, braziers are lined against the wall. The occupants all lay on large pillows, some nude, others talking playfully. A large panther walks along freely in the room, playfully batting at someone on a pillow. The two can't hold their breath forever and, though Koll is able to resist for the time being (Con save 18+3=21), Woe starts to feel the effects of the drug (Con save 9+2=11); each step is long and her balance seems slightly off, but her mind feels sharper - as if she's better able to focus.
Soon they reach what appears to be a young woman sitting on a golden throne. Her chest is bare and in each hand she holds a leash. Two men, completely nude, lie next to her throne in a drugged-out daze. "You are the man?" she asks Koll. "The one with the new spice. I was told you landed over an hour ago... why did you take so long to come here?"
"It's my first time in Chult and it took some time to disembark. Your shipment is all here." To Woe he whispers, "Are you all right?"
"Show me," Ymezra commands, gesturing for Koll to come closer. Koll opens his bag revealing the wrapped bricks of drugs inside. She stands and takes a few steps forward to look. The two attached to leashes crawl forward, begging for her to return to her throne. Her smile widens as she gets a better look at Koll and the spices he brought. "No," she says simply, looking into Koll's eyes. "I will not buy this until you show me what it does."
"I don't know the first thing about it. Surely you have someone more experienced who can judge its quality."
The haze of drug smoke continues to assail them, though Koll maintains his composure (Con save 9+3=12). Next to him Woe seems unsteady. But at the same time she is filled with confidence and feels a sharpness of mind. "Yeah, yeah, I'm...fine," she says as Koll looks at her. She has an urge to take off her clothes. "Hello,... golden.... lady," she says to Ymezra, "we're new here... in the city. Would you care, beautiful creature,... to explain to us... who you are?... And what is happening... to us?"
Woe looks about her wondering if they are in danger. Her senses are sharp and as she looks around for danger she note sthat the panther moves with an unnatural grace - a grace she sees in Koll when he trains. It's the same grace that every single person in the room has. Yes, there is danger (Perception 13+1=14)
Ymezra snaps her fingers and nearly everyone stands to assist her. "You... like the purple haze, do you?" She smiles at Woe before turning back to Koll. "Him, and him." She says, pointing at two people who stood. "They will help you." She turns to return to the throne and the two people next to her crawl over to kiss her feet and praise her for returning.
The two men she pointed at approach Koll. "We will help you," one says.
"Yes. Show us," the other says.
"Show me...," says Ymezra with a sly smile, "what does Thraul do?"
The men begin to unpack a brick and put bits of the herb into a pipe. "The goddess wants to join you in this journey," one of the men says. "But first... you." He lights it and raises it to Koll's lips.
"Ilmater, when will this end?" mutters the monk. "Fine, I do this and we make our transaction and we are done. Right?"
He takes a big puff, but tries to blow most out the side of his mouth. He coughs, and blows the rest out, trying not to inhale. He goes wide-eyed and pretends to be feeling its effects.
Woe starts to giggle, secifically at Koll's performance. "Yes, I like it here! But still,.. You,... you didn't answer my question!"
The man with the pipe smiles and holds it to Woe's lips. "No, thank you," she says. "I am enjoying your purple mist too much, I don't want to mix spices." She tries to catch the eyes of the lady again and attempts to get closer to her. The man with the pipe walks in front of Woe and offers it to Ymezra. She takes a deep drag. (Koll CHA save 13+1=14)
"Ymezra, tell me more about you! I need to know... I feel a connection!" says Woe. She slowly starts to trying remove her clothes, but her hands don't seem to obey her very well. The man turns and offers Woe the pipe one more time. This time she takes a drag, inhaling the smoke and exhaling. Then again, all the while keeping her eyes on the lady. (Woe CHA save 2+5=7)
“Yeah something like that. By the way I’m Perrin Cherrycheeks.” He says with a smile.
"I wonder if Mr. Bun would get along with Koll Jr.," Lera mused aloud. "I am Lera, that's my dad Zamar, and the wee one is Polly." The sorceress pointed to each person she introduced them. "How'd you get to be frozen in some wizard's attic for like ever?"
PBP: DM of Titans of Tomorrow
PBP: Lera Zahuv in Whispers of Dissent
PBP: Evaine Brae in Innistrad: Dark Ascension
PBP: Cor'avin in Tomb of Annihilation
With the civil back and forth conversation, Dapple senses these people present no immediate risk and begins to relax, trying to absorb what he's been told and understand what's happened.
Shaking his head, and absently stroking Mr Bun, he muses aloud. "Two, three hundred years? It can't be possible. My family, my clan, what's become of them? I have to go..." He grows more agitated as he considers what may be lost if what he's being told is true. "How did I get here? I'm... not sure. My own foolishness seems to be the true answer. I'd been watching the wizard the jungle, to be sure he didn't venture into our territory and put my clan at risk. I... lost track of him and was caught unaware, like a stupid, young kitten. Some magic, I suppose, and I was trapped before I could escape. I don't recall anything after that. Until finding myself here."
"Yes. Well, you seem like you might need a drink and food after all that; I mean you haven't eaten in 300 years. Why don't you gather any of your things and come with us for now? We'll get some food in you. Do you like Cherry Pie?" Perrin asks, concerned for Dapple.
"Cherry pie? I have no idea. I don't know what that is." At Perrin's suggestion, Dapple does look around for his belongings, and soon enough locates them in a pile near the suit of armor. He takes a few moments to put on his armor and weapons, quickly checking to see that everything is still there. "Yes, let's go. I need to know where we are."
Team 'trippin'
Perrin is absolutely shocked that Dapple does not know what Cherry Pie. "First thing you need to know about the world now. Cherry Pie, is the food of the Gods. It is the absolute best thing in the world and I make the best cherry pie you will ever taste." Perrin says as he leads him to the portal. As he is talking and leading him Perrin is trying to see what kind of weapons Dapple has to gauge what kind of warrior he is.
"How can you not know what cherry pie is?" Lera gasped. "Was it not invented yet? Blackstaff's frilly knickers, you are lucky you've been frozen for the past three hundred years. Pastries have apparently evolved significantly."
PBP: DM of Titans of Tomorrow
PBP: Lera Zahuv in Whispers of Dissent
PBP: Evaine Brae in Innistrad: Dark Ascension
PBP: Cor'avin in Tomb of Annihilation
Singe nods, he carries the pile of books out of the wizard's dimension and sets them down on the floor of the attic, he goes back into the dimension. "Zamar, could you give the gentlemen downstairs the gems and tell them to be on their way? Everyone else, I could use some help moving all these books out of here."
Tooltips | Snippet Code | How to Homebrew on D&D Beyond | Subclass Guide | Feature Roadmap
Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
"Pastries," echoes Dapple, as if trying out a new word. "It seems much has changed from what I remember." When Singe reveals the door, Dapple dashes past, ignoring the comment about the books. He is far more concerned with getting outside and seeing what the world looks like.
"Lera, why don't you and Polly follow the cat; make sure he doesn't hurt himself. I imagine he's exhausted after everything that's happened. I'll help Singe with the books." Perrin begins carrying books out for Singe, able to carry more books at once due to his strength.
Lera, Polly, and Dapple rush down stairs past the old woman. She looks confused for a moment, then calls upstairs, "Did the cat eat the rats for me!?" She watches as the three go outside before seeing Zamar. "Those boys you sent down were rude," she says. "But Uncle Zindar sent some people and they scared them off." She raises her fist defiantly before she hears more scuffling upstairs. "You didn't get them all?" She asks.
Dapple, you're met with a colorful, massive city full of the human tribespeople you've seen in the past. When before this was a colonized fort, it now seems to be a massive ocean of activity. The sight is nearly overwhelming. Gone is the jungle, it is now roads with dinosaurs and animals all tamed to do the bidding of civilization. There are other tabaxi that you see, but they wear clothes similar to the humans that populate the area. You see one entertaining human children with colorful balls, another speaking to one of the white dwarves that used to roam the mountains. Everything is new and different. Your nose is assaulted with the smells of spices and cooked meat and your ears are buzzing with the sounds of so many people talking.
Site Rules & Guidelines --- Focused Feedback Mega Threads --- Staff Quotes --- Homebrew Tutorial --- Pricing FAQ
Please feel free to message either Sorce or another moderator if you have any concerns.
After the shock of this strange place subsides and Koll sees Woe disappear, he realizes that it is in his power to leave whenever he likes. At that moment Ymezra waves the crowd away and Koll finds himself face to face with her.
"You are a man of the Broken One... I can see," she says. Her eyes take on that of a panther and claws sprout from her hands. "Show me... broken man." She lunges at him.(attacks with claw and bite. 6+3=9 [miss] and [4+5=9 [miss])
Dodging her blows, Koll says, "Nice try. But why are you fighting me?" He then draws on his ki and delivers a flurry of blows, each of his strikes connecting.(18+5=23, 19+5=24, 8+5=13, Damage = 11) Her flesh seems much harder than it should. His last strike opens a cut on her lip and a small trickle of blood appears but she licks it away. Her grin widens and there is a bloodlust in her cat-like eyes.
She attacks again, her face shifting into that of a panther. She bites Koll on the shoulder and her teeth dig deep into his flesh. Even though he knows he can leave at any time, Koll wants to know what will happen if he is injured in this world. He feels the terrible pain as she pulls back her mouth full of his blood. (11+5=16, Damage = 12)
Since it seems that he can't hurt her, he instead tries to subdue her. He feels inspiration flowing from Woe even though she is no longer there. He will use it once he's gotten a hold of this sinister woman. He grabs Ymezra and puts his arm around her neck in a powerful hold. (Strength Athletics 13+3=16 vs 10+3=13). He asks again, "Why are you fighting me?"
"In our minds," she growls. "We are not always what we appear." She then disappears.
Koll looks about the drug induced mind-scape, holding his bleeding shoulder, trying to understand the rules of this realm (Insight 10+4=14) before leaving.
He wakes up feeling weakened and with intense pain still in his shoulder, though he is not physically wounded. Ymezra appears unscathed. Woe is enjoying intimacy with one of Ymezra's manservants. "Ahem." Koll clears his throat to get Woe's attention.
Seeing his discomfort, Woe jumps up and goes to his side. "What happened?"
Ymezra stands and approaches. "You are not what you seem," she says to Koll. "Like me, I suppose." She nods to one of her followers and he brings a large pouch over to them.
"Check the money," whispers Woe.
"Let's just get out of here." Koll hands the pouch to Woe for her to examine.
"Broken man," says Ymezra. "I will see you again."
"I hope not," says Koll. Her smile grows at his response. He wonders why she was not hurt. Was it because she was more powerful in that realm or was it because she was some kind of magical being? It could be either. It could be both.
Woe peeks in the pouch and hefts it in her hands as they are leaving. It definitely seems like at least two thousand gold. She looks back at Ymezra. "Thank you. We will be on our way now."
She gives a slight nod, then twirls her hand. Her followers all begin gathering their things to vacate the building.
When they have left, Koll describes to Woe everything that happened to him. "The power of that drug is something we need to be concerned with. Who else is using it?"
"Wow! I am sorry I dropped out," she says. "I... I couldn't control the influence.... I had no own will! But I was able to search people! To look around all the way to Baldur's Gate! It's incredible! I saw Lord Eltan - and when he saw me, he kicked me out of there... guess I was lucky...I am sorry you got hurt, and I wasn't there to help. Maybe I can help now."
"I am hurting pretty badly, but I will heal with rest, I'm sure."
Woe carefully places her hand on Koll's shoulder and a warm energy flows through his body. (Cure Wounds 7+3=10)She smiles softly. "Hope this is better."
"Thank you," Koll says sincerely. Only a mild tenderness remains in his psychic wound. "Thank you for being with me and all your help. I'm glad I didn't have to do this alone."
"Of course! Anything for a friend!"
"It seems to me that there might be some after effects - withdrawal. This drug taps a part of the mind seldom opened. Just so you're forewarned."
"Oh, I, .... it makes sense.... I wanted to jump back in right away." She averts her eyes.... "I,... actually, ... well, .... I bought four doses of the stuff while you were asleep. Thought it might be useful for us in the future!"
"It might be. I actually feel that you would normally be quite powerful there. Be careful, though. The drug is likely doubly addictive because power is also."
"You're a wise man. I won't take it alone. But please keep an eye on me in the next twenty-four hours or so..." The two of them leave the palace, en route to where they are to meet with the others. Woe says, "I wonder how the others got on chasing rats" She giggles at the thought of it.
-
View User Profile
-
View Posts
-
Send Message
InsidersAs they walked, Polly took Dapple's paw. Giggling, she said, "Mr. Kitty, are you going to be coming with us? We're going on an adventure! Then you can come home with us and be a part of the family! I'll introduce you to Mr. Whistler and E and Mr. Piggles and I'll make sure you get your own bedroom and everything! And Perrin can make us lots of pies. I promise, they're really good." She continues to chatter away, the water in the tank on her back sloshing happily.
A dwarf with a canoe on his back? What could go wrong?
Dapple darts down the stairs from the attic, barely registering the presence of the old woman as he sees the door to the outside bursting outside into the riot of color and noise. He stumbles to a stop, slowly turning in a circle taking in the sight. On the one hand he recognizes the people, still familiar in look and dress, but the city... The sprawl of buildings, the dinosaurs only knew from the jungle, the mix of other races he's never seen, leave the poor tabaxi speechless. Dapple can't deny the evidence of his own two eyes - this world is not the one he remembers as if it were only yesterday.
For Lera and Polly, there is a very visible change as they see him go from anxious excitement, tail high and twitching, ears erect, to sadness as he takes this all in. His ears droop and his posture sags. Turning, he begins to slowly walk down the street, now appearing mostly lost and dejected. As Polly took his hand and began chattering at him, he slowly begins to come back out of his funk, curiosity at this new opportunity and her youthful eagerness getting the better of him. "You're kind to offer, thank you. I don't know where else I have to go now, so if the others don't mind, I might join you after all." He falls silent again, his senses still reeling from the scenes unfolding around the trio.
Pols, I’m pretty sure calling him Mr. Kitty is racist, Lera messaged the six year old. His name is Dapple.
“The fact that you have no idea what pastries are tells me that the world is a much better place now than when you went to sleep,” Lera tried to cheer up the visibly down cat. “You can stick with us for as long as you would like. You may have lost your old world, but we’ll help you figure out this new one. You’ll find a clan, don’t worry.”
“Come on, we know next to nothing about you,” the aasimar smiled. “What do you like? Have you ever killed anyone with one of those swords? What’s your favorite story?” She peppered him with questions, trying to distract from his predicament.
Dapple was saved from her rapid-fire questions when she spotted a younger woman walking through the streets. “Excuse me,” she stopped her. “Is there a bakery nearby? Preferably one with cinnamon rolls.”
PBP: DM of Titans of Tomorrow
PBP: Lera Zahuv in Whispers of Dissent
PBP: Evaine Brae in Innistrad: Dark Ascension
PBP: Cor'avin in Tomb of Annihilation