CF - Volo's Adventurers' Guild - PbP Campaign

Tresvar says “absolutely, Banjo” quietly to banjo, to the gnome she says “I am Tresvar, knight of the Grey Hand.  You are safe now.   Now I need to keep the peace with these kobolds and goblins.”   Sword still out she positions herself between the groups.   She says to the newly freed kobolds- in draconic first and then in common-   “Goblins are helping, we let them live if they help.”

Quote from Oberon99 >>

"Me? I'm Serena, Serena Duskleaf at your service master gnome." Serena says to Erky with a theatrical bow. "How did you find yourself in this cage Erky?"
Persuasion to make Erky realx and tell his tale: 24

Erky replies, “Months past, I was on my way to seek my fortune and took the Old Road. My bad luck that the goblin bandits caught me; I’ve been here ever since. The Watchful Protector's blessings have kept me healthy; otherwise I’m sure I’d be dead from starvation and abuse.”

Quote from Tesservett >>

Tresvar says “absolutely, Banjo” quietly to banjo, to the gnome she says “I am Tresvar, knight of the Grey Hand.  You are safe now.   Now I need to keep the peace with these kobolds and goblins.”   Sword still out she positions herself between the groups.   She says to the newly freed kobolds- in draconic first and then in common-   “Goblins are helping, we let them live if they help.”

 The kobolds look at each other, then at Meepo, then the rest of the party. One says, "Want no trouble. Meepo trust you. Is good enough. You help get back dragon? Is better.", Then looking at the goblins, whispers to Tresvar in draconic

"I'm sorry to hear that Erky. You are free to come with us now. You wouldn't happen to know anything about some adventurers coming this way some time ago, or about a tiny white dragon being kept nearby?" Serena asks Erky as she hands him some bisquits and her waterskin. Knowledge about the Watchful Protector: 12

"Erky Timbers, Jebeddo Thunderdiggles, at your service.  Delightful to meet you!  I am sad it had to be under such circumstances, though I am pleased we were here to get you out of that cage.  Bang up job, Serena.  As I said, she's a real pro.  My friends and I are part of Volo's Adventurers Guild and are here on a mission to rescue a pair of adventurers who came through here.  Two humans, young adults, part of a larger group of four... er three.  Did you by chance encounter them in your time here as a guest of the goblins?  If so can you comment on their condition when last you saw them?  Still hale and hearty?"

"For that matter, did you put together an accurate head count of the goblins who make up this tribe?  Our prisoners claim there are as many as fifty, though it would be in keeping with their nature to inflate their numbers to give the illusion of strength."

Banjo will offer one of his rations to Erky.  Once the ration is out, he will pass one to Meepo to offer among the kobold prisoners.  Banjo doubts the goblins were keeping them well fed.  (Removing two rations)

"Oh, thank you." Erky eats the rations gladly. "It is good to find another of our kind. I had almost given up all hope of escape. Glittergold be praised, he has brought me luck!" In regards to the former adventuring party, he answers, “The goblins caught three of them over a month ago, and they were captives with me in here for a while. They said their names were Talgen, Sharwyn, and Sir Braford. The goblins kept them in here only about a week before they removed them. Belak wanted them, and that’s the last I’ve heard about that.” "As for the goblins, I am afraid I cannot confirm or deny the goblins' story. I’ve heard the goblins talk about the Twilight Grove down below. A wicked old human called Belak—a spellcaster, I suspect—tends an enchanted garden and harvests fruit from something the goblins call the Gulthias Tree, but they speak of it only in the most terrified of whispers. The enchanted fruit grows on the Gulthias Tree.”, finishes Erky.

"All the more reason to visit this Belak down below then. But that will have to wait. We should try to rest now I think, but should we stay here or should we go back to Oakhurst?" Serena asks the others.

"I could go on a bit, but you're right, we have been at this for a while."  Banjo thinks for a moment... sketching out the ruins based on his notes and memory, as well as the road back to Oakhurst.  Finally he pulls out his old journal and flips through it a bit for guidance.

"Hmmn.  I don't think it would be right to leave for Oakhurst.  Even if we turned around and came right back to the Sunless Citadel I think it sends the wrong message to the client.  To see us return so soon... I think it would reflect poorly on us and on the Guild... whom we represent and whose reputation we must uphold.  Besides, we have made some progress here.  These are two defensible positions, this wall and the last one with the caltrops.  If the goblins retake them while we are away, we will have to retake them right back and they will surely be more carefully defended the second time."

"I think we should send Meepo back to deliver his kinsman to their homes and then have him meet us back here.  Erky, I'm afraid, should remain with us for now.  I would send him to shelter with the kobolds but -erm- I am not sure they would make better hosts for him than the goblins."  He looks at their three prisoners.  "I'm not sure about them.  I like having them on hand as a resource about traps and such, but if we capture too many more we will be hard pressed to control them all.  We could send them back to the kobolds for safekeeping."

Tresvar looks at the kobolds, goblins and the gnome.  “I think we should not give up what we achieved so far.  I think we stay here and rest- we keep the goblins- send the kobolds home. But I can still fight more if we want to keep moving.”   

Livia hoped to sleep on the comfy bed again, but she takes an advice from the experienced adventurers and does not object to sleeping in the citadel. "We'll need a safe spot to sleep, won't we? I do wish to wake up in the morning." She adds to the discussion. "Perhaps behind one of the doors we found a key for?" She looks around at the skeletons and other unpleasant things in the room. "One of the other doors we have a key for?"

"Ok, so we stay, sounds good, but in that case I suggest we stay right here. This position is as defensible as anyone, and we have the possibility to fall back too." Serena says and places her backpack on the south side of the crenellation. "Welcome to your first sleepover in a dungeon Livia." She says smirking to her protegé.

Tresvar says “I know it smells foul, but this area seems like we can defend iIt-  maybe lock this door. .”   She gets her bedroll out and sets up to rest, removing her armor, but keeping her sword nearby. I’ll take midnight watch”

"Are you ready to take your first own watch Livia? In that case I can take third, Livia fourth and Banjo first if everyoine is ok with that." Serena says, preparing to rest now.
Before resting Serena checks on the two remaing doors, if they are locked or if they could be locked with the right tools, with help from Tresvar.
Investigation door 1: 8 door 2: 20

"It's..." The idea of sleeping next to someone's bones, in this stench, does not appeal to her. Still, she realises, if she chooses the life of an adventurer, she won't be able to sleep in comfortable places - or even clean ones - every night. She nods silently to Serena's offer and begins to search for the cleanest looking place in the room where she'll be able to open her own bedroll.

"I'm in favor of sleeping out here," Banjo indicates the larger area with the archery targets, "Assuming Serena can lock or at least jam those other doors.  That way we don't need to sleep near the filth in the stockade, but we can still retreat in there, or back down the hall, if we should come under attack."

Banjo is happy to take first watch, splitting his time between watching the doorways, and listening for any signs of shenanigans from their goblin prisoners.  Perception: 11

(Does Meepo come back, assuming he does take his kin home first?  If so, Banjo will encourage Meepo to sit and chat with him.  Nothing of consequence... just idle chat while the watch passes.)  If no problems on his watch, he will hand off to Tresvar for the midnight watch.  Before finding a nice hard spot on stone floor to sleep, he will share a word with Tresvar.  "I did not properly thank you earlier.  When we encountered that first wave of rats near the rope climb, you charged and positioned yourself between them and myself.  You took quite a nasty series of bites that would have been meant for me otherwise.  I appreciate that and I won't forget it.  You're very brave... I hope that if the time comes, I am up to the task of repaying you you the favor.  Good night."

Serena wracks her brain trying to remember ever hearing of a deity referred to as the Watchful Protector, but to no avail.

Erky, somewhat revitalized by the rations and being able to move about better, takes a look about the room and the adjoining 'archery range'. Returning, to the stockade room a bit crestfallen he says, "They seem to have taken my things to some other part of their encampment. There are several other doors in the other room that are un-opened. Have they been checked or secured yet? Also, if someone could help me with one of those goblin bodies out there, it is not my preference, but I could use some armor, and we are about the same size."

He also pulls aside Banjo asking in gnomish,

Both the doors are unlocked with no apparent traps. They could be blocked from this side.

Meepo agrees to take his kin back. Before going, he speaks with Tresvar in draconic,  

In Gnomish:

 Banjo will assist Erky in selecting the least foul and bloodstained set of goblin armor before they settle down to rest.

Taking first watch, Banjo reflects upon this most momentous of days.  Spending most of his life in libraries and his family's various homes in Waterdeep, this adventure had been eye opening... but not nearly so unpleasant as he had feared.  If anything, this has been a near-to-perfect mission so far.  He reflects on his late cousin Jesperella.  Her journal has been both a source of wisdom and inspiration for him.  Yet he cannot help but feel he is experiencing a very different adventuring life than she did.  Her journal is full of warnings, admonitions, and lectures on various hazards and dangers.  He reaches into his pack to withdraw her viol... but then thinks better of it and places it back in the pack.

Banjo cannot help but think 'Ella's sad fate must have had much to do with the company she chose.  Banjo instead stands in awe of his companions.  You would think Serena had been at this adventuring game for years based on her cool demeanor... she always seemed to know what to do.  And Tresvar... well, what is there to think about the mighty gold dragonborn?  Her strength, her grace, her power... Banjo feels privileged to adventure beside her.  Livia seems the most like Banjo, still feeling out this adventuring life, though she does seem a bit overly cautious.  From what Banjo has seen, she is far more capable than even she seems to realize.  He's quite sure she will come into her own on this mission, and will herself become a force to be reckoned with.  Of his own performance, he feels he has performed adequately enough.  Though he wishes he could have made more progress getting the kobolds to warm up to him.  Banjo still does not like the idea of having to kill more goblins than absolutely necessary... and getting on good terms with the kobolds would have been a good first step in brokering some sort of peace between the warring factions.

He glances over at the three goblin prisoners.  Its dangerous, he knows, trying to play nice with them.  They may see it as weakness and an opportunity to try to take advantage of him.  But when the time comes to try to reach a peaceful solution to all of this, Banjo is banking on having a couple of goblins who can vouch that his allies' words can be trusted.

When his watch is done, he will share the conversation with Tresvar (#515) and then find a cozy corner of the room to sit down.  He cannot help but feel that his use of magic is coming a bit more naturally to him and in a last bit of manic engergy before bed, he pulls out his spellbook.  Sure enough, a couple of spells he had been studying but wasn't yet able to cast, suddenly click.  Eureeka!  He jots down a few additional notes, pleased as punch that he has expanded his abilities. 

He closes the book and lies down on the floor.  His mind already exhausted from his reflections during his watch and his magical studies, soon Banjo is softly snoring, lying flat on his back on the stone floor.

(When you reach 2nd level but used 0 spell slots and only half of your cantrips...)

Livia continues to search, perhaps move things around, until she can find a place that is fitting enough for her, both in cleanness and distance from bones, cages or other things she does not wish to see in her dreams.
Lying down in her bedroll, it is not simple enough to fall asleep here, and her thoughts seem reluctant to silence down in her mind. She worries about her parents and imagines how worried they are for her. Her letter couldn't have reached them yet, obviously. Moreover, Lady Kerowyn's story, and what they found out about her children so far does not let her lie at ease. They sounded the same as her - perhaps even more capable if anything. 
That leads her thoughts in a new direction. She is grateful for the companions she was grouped with. All of them, so knowledgeable, she can't imagine where she'd be if they weren't around. What if she was led astray instead of Tresvar and Banjo? What if nobody was there to carry her words over to the giants? How would she fare in this place without the awareness of traps, the skills to pick locks or the confidence to negotiate with the Kobolds and the Goblins? Her adventure would have been over long ago, and not in a good ending. She has so much yet to learn until she's a helpful member of this team; until she feels - and let the others feel - that they can trust her with their lives as she does with hers. If they weren't there, she'd go right back to Oakhurst the moment her magical defences were down. 

Serena first tries to find something to block the two northernmost doors, the cage perhaps, getting help from Tresvar to do it. She then unpacks her bedroll and places it fairly close to her protegé, just keeping her safe. Taking the third watch would give her a fair amount of time to sleep but she silently watches Livia drifting off to sleep before letting go herself. It is off course Serena's first sleep over in a dungeon as well and she is fairly certain that is the case for Tresvar and Banjo too, but Livia didn't need to know that. Serena had to be strong and confident now, and things had worked out ok so far hadn´t they? She was no stranger to danger but she had always worked alone, well, an unwitting ally had sometimes helped her with her heists against the nobility of Neverwinter. Adventuring with the others had really been something different and she had come to appreciate them all. The mighty Tresvar, calm and brave, always prepared to protect her cubs. Banjo, their font of knowledge, both resourceful and entertaining with his fascinating reflections. And then there was Livia, their beautiful enigma. Serena felt she was likely the one with the most potential. If only she would accept her gift she would soon bloom into a powerful sorcerer. They all made a good team and Serena was confident they would be able to find and reascue Lady Kerowyns children eventually. But then there was this matter with the Gulthias tree. Serena shuddered at the thought of nature corrupted that way. It had to be stopped, cured hopefully, but Serena was not sure that was even possible. She had to try though, the trees of the forest had always had a special place in her heart. She used to name them, all of them in that glen back home where she used to play with Flappy. Oh, Flappy, she had to see him again. She wanted the others to meet him, and their adventures would be even more fun with him at her shoulder.

Serena finally drifts off to sleep, whispering good night to Banjo. She dreams of the glen and Flappy, and then the friendly lady from the Feywild appears and speaks to her, quite vividly, and yet her words are soon lost again. And then came the dark looming shape of a man corrupting nature around him, threatening her friends, threatening Livia. Serena was just going to call out a warning as Tresvar wakes her up for her watch. Serena thanks her and finds a good spot with a view over the two northern doors. As she sits there she subconsciously creates an illusion of Livia, feeling her mastery over illusions have grown somewhat. She quickly dismissess the illusion to not wake anyone, looking over at the sleeping Livia. As she sits there in silence she goes through their adventures together in her mind. The journey north together with Sneeze, the Mere of dead men, the giant conundrum, Lady Kerowyn, the quaint little town of Oakhurst and now the Sunless citadel. The dangers of the rats and the goblins had been overcome with relative ease. Serena feared that what would come next would really put them to the test.

As her watch comes to an end she gently wakes Livia up and advices her to a suitable position, before catching a few more hours of sleep. This time she dreams of the nefarious Lord Protector Dagult Neverember and his men, probably still searching for her. But they wouldn't search for her in Oakhurst, would they?