Morgan hold up his book, you can see that it is covered in black leather. "This is my own personal book. My collection of findings. Mostly it contains information about the fauna, flora, and landscapes in Elturgard."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“The secret we should never let the gamemasters know is that they don't need any rules.” ― Gary Gygax
Damian was a bit surprised as this man seemed to have little faith even in the hellriders to stay and protect the refugees, but decides to leave the matter for now. "So, as a learned man, do you have any theories on what caused Elturel to disintegrate? And do you by any chance know anything about the current whereabouts of The High Observer?" He asked Morgan.
Seeing the conversation taking place with the refugee, Gilbert comes riding up on Ronan to check on what the problem might be. "What seems to be the matter Damian? Is there trouble?"
Quill drifted over, wiping her hands on a cloth. She'd been speaking with Anita, the pregnant woman, about her plans once she reached Baldur's Gate. As with all of them, Anita was uncertain about the future, but she was strong and determined, so Quill had no doubt that she would be well. As their conversation had concluded, Quill had found herself taking note of the circle of men conversing with a severe looking young man holding a leather-bound book. The debate appeared to be quite serious, if their expressions were any indication. Curious, she made her way in that direction, hoping to overhear some of the discussion.
"Gilbert, Quill, good of you to join us." Damian said to hellrider and the tiefling as they approached. "This learned man Morgan was just warning us about entering Fort Morninglord. It is an abandoned fort situated another day of travel to the west towards Baldur's Gate." He turned and said the last part to Quill as he assumed the hellrider would know about the old hellrider fort. "It is rumored to be cursed but I suppose you would know more about it's history Gilbert." He said turning back to the hellrider. "Surely we have no reason to enter the fort? We should stay with the people that need our protection until we reach Baldur's Gate." He said, turning to also face Harlan again. "However, I should mention that I feel obligated not only to see the refugees safely to Baldur's gate, but also to find out what lead to the disintegration of your proud city hellrider." He said, facing Gilbert as he finished.
"Of course we will not abandon these people." Gilbert replies to Damian. He then turns to Morgan and says, "I intend to see them to safety the entire way. Cursed castles and folk stories cannot dissuade us. I appreciate your candor and concern Morgan, but have no fear, we will see everyone to safety and we will alert those in authority there to see what can be done for our missing city."
Morgan thinks for a moment, "I don't really know what could have caused the whole city to disappear. It would have to be incredibly powerful though. As for the whereabouts of the high observer, he probably would have sought refuge in a nearby civilized settlement; one of the towns or cities."
Then, satisfied with your responses, he bids you all goodnight.
That night is peaceful, and you manage to get a full night's rest. You are feeling much better and managed to catch up on missed sleep.
You set off in the morning after having something to eat. Once again you arrange for people to ride on the wagons, prioritising the weakest and most vulnerable.
By the afternoon, you come across a fortress which you know to be Fort Morninglord
However, you continue on your way. Keeping the refugees safe from further possible attack, and not wanting to face the curse.
You continue on your way west heading towards Baldur's Gate. The next three days pass without incident, but on the fourth night after leaving the former site of Elturel. You are woken up by the sounds of screaming once more.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“The secret we should never let the gamemasters know is that they don't need any rules.” ― Gary Gygax
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
During their journey west towards Baldur's Gate Damian had continued to scout for dangers from the back of his pitch-black mare during the days, also letting Azrael scout ahead for threats. He also tried to be civil with the others, taking his time to converse Quill, Harlan and Gilbert in the evenings, inquiring about their plans as they reached Baldur's Gate and offering to play a game of Dragonchess with anyone who was so inclined.
He woke up, his first thought that the nightmares was back, but then he realized the screams was very real and very near. He scrambled out of the tent and looked around in the night to find the source of the screaming, sending Azreal up to help him with that.
It doesn't take long to figure out that screams are coming from the pregnant woman Anita. It seems that the stress of the travelling, the loss of her home, and the previous bandit attack have caused her to go into labour a couple of days earlier than expected.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“The secret we should never let the gamemasters know is that they don't need any rules.” ― Gary Gygax
As he realized the source of and the reason for the screaming Damian quickly turned and sought out the tiefling Quill, hoping she would know what to do, hoping that there would be no more lives lost before they reached their destination. "Quill, please hurry, the pregnant woman is screaming! I fear she might have gone into labour. Tell me if I can assist you in any way?" He said in a desperate tone to the blue-skinned tiefling.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Take a breath."Quill ordered Damian. "I hardly need you panicking as well." She hurried to Anita's side, offering quiet encouragement. "You're doing wonderfully, love. I know it hurts, but soon you'll have a healthy babe in your arms. Breathe with me now, long breath in, long breath out."Turning to Damian, who was, at the moment, the closest person to them, Quill said, "Please ask the soldiers to set up a tent for us. We'll need privacy, clean bedding and hot water. Think you can manage that?" She didn't wait on a reply, simply held tight to Anita's hand, rubbing gently at the woman's back and encouraging her to continue to breathe, looking the refugee over for any signs of unnatural distress.
Damian simply nodded to the blue-skinned tiefling, taking the recommended deep breath. He was taken aback by her orders, not being used to that other than from his father, but quickly regained his composure. This was certainly not the time for petty pride. "Yes...yes I will see to it immediately."
How in the nine hells did he end up being a midwife's assistant Damian thought as he quickly sought out one of the guards on duty and efficiently informed him of the situation and what was needed. With all the power at his disposal he felt strangely helpless now, but he had to ensure there were no more innocent lives lost on their journey to Baldur's Gate, especially not that of a newborn. Realizing he might soon witness a birth also made the complicated political machinations of his family seem so...insignificant.
(Damian will use prestidigitation to assist cleaning and warming things and heat the water. And of course help action to Quill on any checks made.)
Another night, and more dreams. Or memories? Of something like waves lapping at the sides of a mountain that plunged down into the sea. The waves wore the mountain away, and as the rock thinned something beneath was revealed, something that writhed, and whispered, and around it things that could have been seabirds called, and called louder with each new part that the waves revealed. The calling became screaming, which increased until it filled Harlan's head and he woke. The screaming continued - it was real! His head rang with it, but it was wrong. He heard the scream in the air but part of it came from inside his head, and there was a voice behind it, a tiny voice struggling to make itself heard.
Harlan stumbled across the camp site, towards the source of the screaming. His head echoed, it felt like it was stretching to encompass the screams, but at the centre was the tiny wordless voice. It was almost hopeful, and it relieved the pain but made him feel dizzy.
He saw Damian and Quill and moved towards them. The screaming got louder, and they looked active, moving around what must be the source of the screams. He gripped his hair in both hands, pulling as if trying to make room for the noise in his head.
"What is happening? Why is this happening?" He might have been shouting, he couldn't tell. As Damian and Quill looked up at his approach, they revealed the woman, laying on the mat, screaming, in pain.
Damian turned and faced the clearly unstable man coming towards them, quickly moving to intercept him. "Calm down Harlan!" He said sternly, taking him by the arms. "Anita has gone into labour..."He started to explain, lowering his voice slightly, looking Harlan in the eyes. "...it will be alright, but we can't bring more anxiety here right now. Now, can you calm down Harlan?"
Harlan at first seems not to notice that Damian has taken him by the arms, continuing in a pained voice, "The scream, it goes through and through, from her lungs and her mind, and my mind. And the small voice in the scream, can you hear it? It wants to be heard but it's trapped and hides in the scream..." Previously Damian has spoken to a far more reasonable Harlan, and the change is worrying.
He pauses, and finally seems to notice Damian's words. "Yes, calm. Calm down, calm." He sits down on the ground and runs both hands through his hair. "Calm, calm, calm."He repeats it like a mantra, while rolling a small crystal orb in his hands. A wave of stillness seems to ripple out from him, as some kind of magic takes place.
Everyone within 20 feet must make a CHA save DC 12, or allow it to happen. Failing or choosing to fail suppresses strong emotions, specifically being Frightened.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Damian allowed himself a brief smile as Harlan sat down on the ground, seemingly trying to calm himself. He turned to resume with to his duties with the birthing as he suddenly felt the wave of stillness washing over him, and instinctively he tried to resist the manipulation of his emotions. (Cha save: 10 )
Feeling calm, maybe even serene, Damian again slowly turned to the bearded man on the ground. "You possess powerful magic Harlan Mostly, perhaps you would consider helping Anita with what I can only imagine to be dreadful situation, giving birth prematurely as a refugee from a lost life in Elturel."He said in a clam and gentle tone, offering his hand to help Harlan up again.
"Excuse me, what is this book you refer to?"
DM - Storm King's Thunder
DM - Torosevia (WIP homebrew world)
Kelytha Meliamne - Matti Silverstorm - Silver - Star-Setting-In-The-East - Tor Baltos
Morgan hold up his book, you can see that it is covered in black leather. "This is my own personal book. My collection of findings. Mostly it contains information about the fauna, flora, and landscapes in Elturgard."
“The secret we should never let the gamemasters know is that they don't need any rules.” ― Gary Gygax
Damian was a bit surprised as this man seemed to have little faith even in the hellriders to stay and protect the refugees, but decides to leave the matter for now. "So, as a learned man, do you have any theories on what caused Elturel to disintegrate? And do you by any chance know anything about the current whereabouts of The High Observer?" He asked Morgan.
Seeing the conversation taking place with the refugee, Gilbert comes riding up on Ronan to check on what the problem might be. "What seems to be the matter Damian? Is there trouble?"
Quill drifted over, wiping her hands on a cloth. She'd been speaking with Anita, the pregnant woman, about her plans once she reached Baldur's Gate. As with all of them, Anita was uncertain about the future, but she was strong and determined, so Quill had no doubt that she would be well. As their conversation had concluded, Quill had found herself taking note of the circle of men conversing with a severe looking young man holding a leather-bound book. The debate appeared to be quite serious, if their expressions were any indication. Curious, she made her way in that direction, hoping to overhear some of the discussion.
"Gilbert, Quill, good of you to join us." Damian said to hellrider and the tiefling as they approached. "This learned man Morgan was just warning us about entering Fort Morninglord. It is an abandoned fort situated another day of travel to the west towards Baldur's Gate." He turned and said the last part to Quill as he assumed the hellrider would know about the old hellrider fort. "It is rumored to be cursed but I suppose you would know more about it's history Gilbert." He said turning back to the hellrider. "Surely we have no reason to enter the fort? We should stay with the people that need our protection until we reach Baldur's Gate." He said, turning to also face Harlan again. "However, I should mention that I feel obligated not only to see the refugees safely to Baldur's gate, but also to find out what lead to the disintegration of your proud city hellrider." He said, facing Gilbert as he finished.
"Of course we will not abandon these people." Gilbert replies to Damian. He then turns to Morgan and says, "I intend to see them to safety the entire way. Cursed castles and folk stories cannot dissuade us. I appreciate your candor and concern Morgan, but have no fear, we will see everyone to safety and we will alert those in authority there to see what can be done for our missing city."
Morgan thinks for a moment, "I don't really know what could have caused the whole city to disappear. It would have to be incredibly powerful though. As for the whereabouts of the high observer, he probably would have sought refuge in a nearby civilized settlement; one of the towns or cities."
Then, satisfied with your responses, he bids you all goodnight.
That night is peaceful, and you manage to get a full night's rest. You are feeling much better and managed to catch up on missed sleep.
You set off in the morning after having something to eat. Once again you arrange for people to ride on the wagons, prioritising the weakest and most vulnerable.
By the afternoon, you come across a fortress which you know to be Fort Morninglord
However, you continue on your way. Keeping the refugees safe from further possible attack, and not wanting to face the curse.
You continue on your way west heading towards Baldur's Gate. The next three days pass without incident, but on the fourth night after leaving the former site of Elturel. You are woken up by the sounds of screaming once more.
“The secret we should never let the gamemasters know is that they don't need any rules.” ― Gary Gygax
During their journey west towards Baldur's Gate Damian had continued to scout for dangers from the back of his pitch-black mare during the days, also letting Azrael scout ahead for threats. He also tried to be civil with the others, taking his time to converse Quill, Harlan and Gilbert in the evenings, inquiring about their plans as they reached Baldur's Gate and offering to play a game of Dragonchess with anyone who was so inclined.
He woke up, his first thought that the nightmares was back, but then he realized the screams was very real and very near. He scrambled out of the tent and looked around in the night to find the source of the screaming, sending Azreal up to help him with that.
Perception with help from Azrael: 16
It doesn't take long to figure out that screams are coming from the pregnant woman Anita. It seems that the stress of the travelling, the loss of her home, and the previous bandit attack have caused her to go into labour a couple of days earlier than expected.
“The secret we should never let the gamemasters know is that they don't need any rules.” ― Gary Gygax
As he realized the source of and the reason for the screaming Damian quickly turned and sought out the tiefling Quill, hoping she would know what to do, hoping that there would be no more lives lost before they reached their destination. "Quill, please hurry, the pregnant woman is screaming! I fear she might have gone into labour. Tell me if I can assist you in any way?" He said in a desperate tone to the blue-skinned tiefling.
"Take a breath." Quill ordered Damian. "I hardly need you panicking as well." She hurried to Anita's side, offering quiet encouragement. "You're doing wonderfully, love. I know it hurts, but soon you'll have a healthy babe in your arms. Breathe with me now, long breath in, long breath out." Turning to Damian, who was, at the moment, the closest person to them, Quill said, "Please ask the soldiers to set up a tent for us. We'll need privacy, clean bedding and hot water. Think you can manage that?" She didn't wait on a reply, simply held tight to Anita's hand, rubbing gently at the woman's back and encouraging her to continue to breathe, looking the refugee over for any signs of unnatural distress.
(Medicine Check: 12)
Damian simply nodded to the blue-skinned tiefling, taking the recommended deep breath. He was taken aback by her orders, not being used to that other than from his father, but quickly regained his composure. This was certainly not the time for petty pride. "Yes...yes I will see to it immediately."
How in the nine hells did he end up being a midwife's assistant Damian thought as he quickly sought out one of the guards on duty and efficiently informed him of the situation and what was needed. With all the power at his disposal he felt strangely helpless now, but he had to ensure there were no more innocent lives lost on their journey to Baldur's Gate, especially not that of a newborn. Realizing he might soon witness a birth also made the complicated political machinations of his family seem so...insignificant.
(Damian will use prestidigitation to assist cleaning and warming things and heat the water. And of course help action to Quill on any checks made.)
Another night, and more dreams. Or memories? Of something like waves lapping at the sides of a mountain that plunged down into the sea. The waves wore the mountain away, and as the rock thinned something beneath was revealed, something that writhed, and whispered, and around it things that could have been seabirds called, and called louder with each new part that the waves revealed. The calling became screaming, which increased until it filled Harlan's head and he woke. The screaming continued - it was real! His head rang with it, but it was wrong. He heard the scream in the air but part of it came from inside his head, and there was a voice behind it, a tiny voice struggling to make itself heard.
Harlan stumbled across the camp site, towards the source of the screaming. His head echoed, it felt like it was stretching to encompass the screams, but at the centre was the tiny wordless voice. It was almost hopeful, and it relieved the pain but made him feel dizzy.
He saw Damian and Quill and moved towards them. The screaming got louder, and they looked active, moving around what must be the source of the screams. He gripped his hair in both hands, pulling as if trying to make room for the noise in his head.
"What is happening? Why is this happening?" He might have been shouting, he couldn't tell. As Damian and Quill looked up at his approach, they revealed the woman, laying on the mat, screaming, in pain.
DM - Storm King's Thunder
DM - Torosevia (WIP homebrew world)
Kelytha Meliamne - Matti Silverstorm - Silver - Star-Setting-In-The-East - Tor Baltos
Damian turned and faced the clearly unstable man coming towards them, quickly moving to intercept him. "Calm down Harlan!" He said sternly, taking him by the arms. "Anita has gone into labour..." He started to explain, lowering his voice slightly, looking Harlan in the eyes. "...it will be alright, but we can't bring more anxiety here right now. Now, can you calm down Harlan?"
Harlan at first seems not to notice that Damian has taken him by the arms, continuing in a pained voice, "The scream, it goes through and through, from her lungs and her mind, and my mind. And the small voice in the scream, can you hear it? It wants to be heard but it's trapped and hides in the scream..." Previously Damian has spoken to a far more reasonable Harlan, and the change is worrying.
He pauses, and finally seems to notice Damian's words. "Yes, calm. Calm down, calm." He sits down on the ground and runs both hands through his hair. "Calm, calm, calm." He repeats it like a mantra, while rolling a small crystal orb in his hands. A wave of stillness seems to ripple out from him, as some kind of magic takes place.
Calm Emotions
Everyone within 20 feet must make a CHA save DC 12, or allow it to happen. Failing or choosing to fail suppresses strong emotions, specifically being Frightened.
DM - Storm King's Thunder
DM - Torosevia (WIP homebrew world)
Kelytha Meliamne - Matti Silverstorm - Silver - Star-Setting-In-The-East - Tor Baltos
Damian allowed himself a brief smile as Harlan sat down on the ground, seemingly trying to calm himself. He turned to resume with to his duties with the birthing as he suddenly felt the wave of stillness washing over him, and instinctively he tried to resist the manipulation of his emotions.
(Cha save: 10 )
Feeling calm, maybe even serene, Damian again slowly turned to the bearded man on the ground. "You possess powerful magic Harlan Mostly, perhaps you would consider helping Anita with what I can only imagine to be dreadful situation, giving birth prematurely as a refugee from a lost life in Elturel." He said in a clam and gentle tone, offering his hand to help Harlan up again.
(Think I'll wait to see whether the spell affects Quill or Anita, or if anyone else turns up.)
DM - Storm King's Thunder
DM - Torosevia (WIP homebrew world)
Kelytha Meliamne - Matti Silverstorm - Silver - Star-Setting-In-The-East - Tor Baltos
(Cha save: 5)
Anita continues to scream in pain as her labour continues.
“The secret we should never let the gamemasters know is that they don't need any rules.” ― Gary Gygax
(Roll was original a 20)
“The secret we should never let the gamemasters know is that they don't need any rules.” ― Gary Gygax