Triäsa shakes her head at Ludolf. "No. Rest. It's my watch. I will continue it," she says gruffly as she goes and sits back near her tent where she was before. "I shall be sure to alert everyone a bit more quickly should anything else happen."
After listening to everyone discuss, Pardot has no intention of ending the creature. Giving death is not his decision to make, and it was no longer currently a threat. But, he also doesn't want to leave his friend alone, so quickly begins to follow Klin through the bushes, simply to ensure that he is ok. ((if needed to track, though he's mostly just following Klin: survival: 11))
As the minutes drag on before Klin and Pardot return, Daventry begins to worry. Pacing the edge of the camp, she curses to herself, wishing she had the speed to keep up with Klin's surprising spryness, or even just the capability to have definitively struck when it mattered most.
Ludolf is about to say something to Triäsa but just nods at her and walks over to his bedroll, trying to get it in order after quickly getting out of it just moments ago. "Try to get some rest Daventry, Klin can take care of himself, and Pardot is soon there to keep him company. We will need your sharp blade and wits when we reach Baldur's gate." Ludolf says, but he too is staying awake to see that their friends come safely back from the wererat hunt.
As Triäsa sits continuing her watch, if she is aware of Daventry's pacing or others that are still sleepless she gives no indication. Absently she grabs her lute. Not really playing, she seems to just practice various finger positions, only making the faintest of sounds as she touches the strings.
She continues in this way for some time, keeping a watchful eye about their encampment while practicing on her lute.
If he's close enough, and it appears that the rat is about to bite out at Klin, Pardot will shoot another star bolt from his shield, worried more about protecting his friend than keeping the thing alive.
star form lasts only 10 minutes, and even though there was a long post discussion, I'm not sure if 10 minutes have passed. If it has passed, simply retcon to shooting a stone instead, it's a d6 instead of d8, but otherwise the same. Attack: 13 Damage: 6 ((d6 in case going with stone: 5))
Klin smashes down with the book and it lands heavily on the helpless rat crushing it beneath the weight of the tome. You hear a sickening noise as blood starts to pour from under the cover. As you lift the book you see the rat crushed like a simple bug, dead. As the blood continues to pour from it's wound the rat slowly morphs and transforms back into the wiry human you had tied up before. All of his bones are broken as if he were stepped on by a giant. There are no signs of life and the man lies dead in the weeds.
(I'll give you all bit once you get back to camp and then move you along to the next morning a bit later today)
As Klin and Pardot eventually gets back to the camp Ludolf gets up from his bedroll again. "So he got away? That was maybe for the best. Now let's rest, we need to refocus to our mission, other lives may be at stake if we don't solve the mystery of these nefarious books soon."He says to the others, going back to his bedroll, trying to get some more sleep. Before going back to sleep he thought about what had transpired this night, how he almost had become an executioner, but was saved from that fate. He hoped the fracture within the group would soon heal. It had to. Too much was at stake. He looked around at the others before drifting into sleep. They were his friends now, his family even, they made him want to be a better person, she made him want to be a better person.
"Oh." Daventry looks at him a moment, biting her lip, before continuing in a sympathetic tone. "It may not be the end you set out to make..." She puts a hand on his shoulder. "But I think it was one that will result in less woe in this world, even just a bit. Take solace in that."
"Killed him..."Ludolf says, slowly rising from his bedroll again. "What, Why?"But he sees the deep remorse of the monk and realizes now is not the time for why. "I'm sure you didn't mean to Klin, he might have been destined for a violent end. Try to get some rest now."Ludolf says calmly, laying a hand on Klins shoulder, trying to comfort him.
Triäsa listens quietly to Klin and remains sitting silently. Her eyes follow Ludolf as he rises, speaks, then returns. She shows no interest in joining thr conversation and soon returns to focusing on her finger work on her lute.
She is determined to keep watch the rest of the night, so she stays where she is at. Only after the others get settled might she stand to slowly pace about to keep herself from falling asleep.
You lie down for a restless sleep. Triäsa keeps watch over the last few hours which thankfully pass without incident. As you all rise with the sun there is a certain solemn eagerness to start the day. It is a cool, cloudy morning with rain in the air as you march to the North toward your final destination. After about two hours you start to reach the edge of civilization. Civilization might be a strong word for the Outer City as it is a chaotic conglomeration of shanties and poorly maintained structures. You pass numerous stables, blacksmiths , leatherworkers and food vendors. Despite the early morning the streets are busy with people trying to secure some of the little fresh fruit, vegetables and bread. As you walk the streets you cross the great bridge at Wyrm's Crossing you are asked to pay 5 silver each to continue on. The second half of the Outer City is even more crowded with tired, dirty people asking you for food and money. Finally, you reach the gates leading toward the Lower City where hundreds of people living in poverty are clamoring to enter. The guard spots your group as a relatively affluent group and offers you all to skip the line and enter for a single gold piece each. You get the impression that without paying the bribe you are very unlikely to ever get through the crowd. As you pass through the gates Daventry and Triäsa are struck in the pack of the head by rotten tomatoes which were hurled by small gnomish children sneering from behind a couple of barrels.
You pay your tribute and are led into the Lower City. While not clean it is a stark contrast to the depravity of the Outer City. Tall stone buildings are crowded next to each with dark foreboding alleyways between with shady silhouettes staring out at you, watching you carefully. The people here seem slightly more refined and clean, the shops are a variety of goods in fact you feel like you might be able to find anything your heart desires here with enough effort. There are quite a few taverns and even at this early morning you see a few drunkards stumbling into the street and vomiting in the gutters before passing out only to be roughly escorted out the gates by what appear to be guards wearing a red-blue crest with flaming fist in the center. It does not take too long to reach the old wall that separates the Upper City from the Lower City. The only point of passage being the legendary, ancient Baulder's Gate.
For all the stories the Gate is rather plain. A simple stone archway with multiple guards. While there are a few seeking passage there is not the urgency or chaos you witnessed at the main gate a short while ago. You approach the guards who question your intentions briefly but given your comparatively harmless looks and they offer you admittance to the Upper City for a mere 2 gold pieces each. Despite any protests they won't be dissuaded, it's pay or go home. Perhaps reluctantly you each handover your toll and are given passage to the Upper City.
What you see beyond the walls is nearly unbelievable after passing through the other two wards. The decadence and elegance is extraordinary. It is almost as if you entered another pocket dimension full of beauty and splendor, where magnificent public sculptures stand alongside historic manors, upscale theaters and boutiques, and tiny stone-walled gardens tucked among the streets like hidden jewels. Flowers bloom along the tree-lined streets, ushering away any stray miasma that escapes from the less fortunate quarters below. Silks and velvets, gold braid and mink, water-clear diamonds and luminous pearls are common place.
Your destination in the wide is easy to find. It is the city's main civic space and only official fresh air market. There are stalls and merchants everywhere peddling fine goods to a vibrant crowded market. The crowd is shoulder to shoulder and the market spans as far as your eyes can see. Your destination should be here.... somewhere...
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM -- The Candlekeep Mysteries 1 & 2Discord PCs -- Christian Dembele Forum PCs -- Edryd Breckon, Fizzlebit Forton Thornberry the Fourth
During the trek to Baldur's Gate, maybe an hour after breaking camp and hitting the road, Daventry and Triäsa fall a bit behind as the two women have a quiet conversation. Eventually, tension is replaced with laughter, and the pair rejoin the group, arms over shoulders like old friends.
Pardot:
With your keen ear and calm, observant nature, you can hear their conversation decently enough to get the jist of it. They discuss the wererat, Daventry's tome, and the way forward as friends, ending their conversation in laughter and jokes, though the exact subject of which you don't catch.
Approaching Wyrm's Crossing, Daventry nods to the others. "Eyes up, and keep a hand on your coin purse if you want to keep it. It starts now."
As they travel through each ward, Daventry points out some places of interest. Little Calimshan, in the Outer City, where she suggests the absolute best lamb one can find is in a small street stall just off the main thoroughfare. She points out the way to the Elfsong Tavern, and the Low Lantern - one a tavern well-known for the ghostly singing elf and the other a floating ship, respectively. She also points out the pinnacle of the Sorcerous Sundries, in the distance, saying that she's window-shopped at the famous home of magical goods in the city, but never once had the gold to even contemplate entering.
After getting pelted by the gnomes, she does ask Triäsa to help clean her up with her magic. She sticks her tongue out at the children, and makes a rude gesture common only to dwarven traders from the far north.
In the Wide, though, she notes she'd never had the coin to really explore the Upper City. She'll help Triäsa or Ludolf ask around for directions to the storefront they seek.
Triäsa shakes her head at Ludolf. "No. Rest. It's my watch. I will continue it," she says gruffly as she goes and sits back near her tent where she was before. "I shall be sure to alert everyone a bit more quickly should anything else happen."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
After listening to everyone discuss, Pardot has no intention of ending the creature. Giving death is not his decision to make, and it was no longer currently a threat. But, he also doesn't want to leave his friend alone, so quickly begins to follow Klin through the bushes, simply to ensure that he is ok. ((if needed to track, though he's mostly just following Klin: survival: 11))
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
As the minutes drag on before Klin and Pardot return, Daventry begins to worry. Pacing the edge of the camp, she curses to herself, wishing she had the speed to keep up with Klin's surprising spryness, or even just the capability to have definitively struck when it mattered most.
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
Ludolf is about to say something to Triäsa but just nods at her and walks over to his bedroll, trying to get it in order after quickly getting out of it just moments ago.
"Try to get some rest Daventry, Klin can take care of himself, and Pardot is soon there to keep him company. We will need your sharp blade and wits when we reach Baldur's gate." Ludolf says, but he too is staying awake to see that their friends come safely back from the wererat hunt.
As Triäsa sits continuing her watch, if she is aware of Daventry's pacing or others that are still sleepless she gives no indication. Absently she grabs her lute. Not really playing, she seems to just practice various finger positions, only making the faintest of sounds as she touches the strings.
She continues in this way for some time, keeping a watchful eye about their encampment while practicing on her lute.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
If he's close enough, and it appears that the rat is about to bite out at Klin, Pardot will shoot another star bolt from his shield, worried more about protecting his friend than keeping the thing alive.
star form lasts only 10 minutes, and even though there was a long post discussion, I'm not sure if 10 minutes have passed. If it has passed, simply retcon to shooting a stone instead, it's a d6 instead of d8, but otherwise the same.
Attack: 13 Damage: 6 ((d6 in case going with stone: 5))
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
Klin smashes down with the book and it lands heavily on the helpless rat crushing it beneath the weight of the tome. You hear a sickening noise as blood starts to pour from under the cover. As you lift the book you see the rat crushed like a simple bug, dead. As the blood continues to pour from it's wound the rat slowly morphs and transforms back into the wiry human you had tied up before. All of his bones are broken as if he were stepped on by a giant. There are no signs of life and the man lies dead in the weeds.
(I'll give you all bit once you get back to camp and then move you along to the next morning a bit later today)
DM -- The Candlekeep Mysteries 1 & 2 Discord PCs -- Christian Dembele Forum PCs -- Edryd Breckon, Fizzlebit Forton Thornberry the Fourth
Daventry looks relieved as you reemerge from the woods. "You alright? What happened?" She looks him over. "He didn't bite at you, did he?"
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
As Klin and Pardot eventually gets back to the camp Ludolf gets up from his bedroll again. "So he got away? That was maybe for the best. Now let's rest, we need to refocus to our mission, other lives may be at stake if we don't solve the mystery of these nefarious books soon." He says to the others, going back to his bedroll, trying to get some more sleep. Before going back to sleep he thought about what had transpired this night, how he almost had become an executioner, but was saved from that fate. He hoped the fracture within the group would soon heal. It had to. Too much was at stake. He looked around at the others before drifting into sleep. They were his friends now, his family even, they made him want to be a better person, she made him want to be a better person.
"Oh." Daventry looks at him a moment, biting her lip, before continuing in a sympathetic tone. "It may not be the end you set out to make..." She puts a hand on his shoulder. "But I think it was one that will result in less woe in this world, even just a bit. Take solace in that."
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
"Killed him..." Ludolf says, slowly rising from his bedroll again. "What, Why?" But he sees the deep remorse of the monk and realizes now is not the time for why. "I'm sure you didn't mean to Klin, he might have been destined for a violent end. Try to get some rest now." Ludolf says calmly, laying a hand on Klins shoulder, trying to comfort him.
Triäsa listens quietly to Klin and remains sitting silently. Her eyes follow Ludolf as he rises, speaks, then returns. She shows no interest in joining thr conversation and soon returns to focusing on her finger work on her lute.
She is determined to keep watch the rest of the night, so she stays where she is at. Only after the others get settled might she stand to slowly pace about to keep herself from falling asleep.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Daventry gathers the wererat's possessions, except for the clothing, which she tosses into the fire. She heads to bed shortly after.
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
You lie down for a restless sleep. Triäsa keeps watch over the last few hours which thankfully pass without incident. As you all rise with the sun there is a certain solemn eagerness to start the day. It is a cool, cloudy morning with rain in the air as you march to the North toward your final destination. After about two hours you start to reach the edge of civilization. Civilization might be a strong word for the Outer City as it is a chaotic conglomeration of shanties and poorly maintained structures. You pass numerous stables, blacksmiths , leatherworkers and food vendors. Despite the early morning the streets are busy with people trying to secure some of the little fresh fruit, vegetables and bread. As you walk the streets you cross the great bridge at Wyrm's Crossing you are asked to pay 5 silver each to continue on. The second half of the Outer City is even more crowded with tired, dirty people asking you for food and money. Finally, you reach the gates leading toward the Lower City where hundreds of people living in poverty are clamoring to enter. The guard spots your group as a relatively affluent group and offers you all to skip the line and enter for a single gold piece each. You get the impression that without paying the bribe you are very unlikely to ever get through the crowd. As you pass through the gates Daventry and Triäsa are struck in the pack of the head by rotten tomatoes which were hurled by small gnomish children sneering from behind a couple of barrels.
You pay your tribute and are led into the Lower City. While not clean it is a stark contrast to the depravity of the Outer City. Tall stone buildings are crowded next to each with dark foreboding alleyways between with shady silhouettes staring out at you, watching you carefully. The people here seem slightly more refined and clean, the shops are a variety of goods in fact you feel like you might be able to find anything your heart desires here with enough effort. There are quite a few taverns and even at this early morning you see a few drunkards stumbling into the street and vomiting in the gutters before passing out only to be roughly escorted out the gates by what appear to be guards wearing a red-blue crest with flaming fist in the center. It does not take too long to reach the old wall that separates the Upper City from the Lower City. The only point of passage being the legendary, ancient Baulder's Gate.
For all the stories the Gate is rather plain. A simple stone archway with multiple guards. While there are a few seeking passage there is not the urgency or chaos you witnessed at the main gate a short while ago. You approach the guards who question your intentions briefly but given your comparatively harmless looks and they offer you admittance to the Upper City for a mere 2 gold pieces each. Despite any protests they won't be dissuaded, it's pay or go home. Perhaps reluctantly you each handover your toll and are given passage to the Upper City.
What you see beyond the walls is nearly unbelievable after passing through the other two wards. The decadence and elegance is extraordinary. It is almost as if you entered another pocket dimension full of beauty and splendor, where magnificent public sculptures stand alongside historic manors, upscale theaters and boutiques, and tiny stone-walled gardens tucked among the streets like hidden jewels. Flowers bloom along the tree-lined streets, ushering away any stray miasma that escapes from the less fortunate quarters below. Silks and velvets, gold braid and mink, water-clear diamonds and luminous pearls are common place.
Your destination in the wide is easy to find. It is the city's main civic space and only official fresh air market. There are stalls and merchants everywhere peddling fine goods to a vibrant crowded market. The crowd is shoulder to shoulder and the market spans as far as your eyes can see. Your destination should be here.... somewhere...
DM -- The Candlekeep Mysteries 1 & 2 Discord PCs -- Christian Dembele Forum PCs -- Edryd Breckon, Fizzlebit Forton Thornberry the Fourth
During the trek to Baldur's Gate, maybe an hour after breaking camp and hitting the road, Daventry and Triäsa fall a bit behind as the two women have a quiet conversation. Eventually, tension is replaced with laughter, and the pair rejoin the group, arms over shoulders like old friends.
Pardot:
With your keen ear and calm, observant nature, you can hear their conversation decently enough to get the jist of it. They discuss the wererat, Daventry's tome, and the way forward as friends, ending their conversation in laughter and jokes, though the exact subject of which you don't catch.
Approaching Wyrm's Crossing, Daventry nods to the others. "Eyes up, and keep a hand on your coin purse if you want to keep it. It starts now."
As they travel through each ward, Daventry points out some places of interest. Little Calimshan, in the Outer City, where she suggests the absolute best lamb one can find is in a small street stall just off the main thoroughfare. She points out the way to the Elfsong Tavern, and the Low Lantern - one a tavern well-known for the ghostly singing elf and the other a floating ship, respectively. She also points out the pinnacle of the Sorcerous Sundries, in the distance, saying that she's window-shopped at the famous home of magical goods in the city, but never once had the gold to even contemplate entering.
After getting pelted by the gnomes, she does ask Triäsa to help clean her up with her magic. She sticks her tongue out at the children, and makes a rude gesture common only to dwarven traders from the far north.
In the Wide, though, she notes she'd never had the coin to really explore the Upper City. She'll help Triäsa or Ludolf ask around for directions to the storefront they seek.
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag