Tor nodded. Finally a sensible decision from the Sergeant. The Mere to the south was a hive of hidden dangers. Mostly the creatures there stuck to the swamp, but it didn't pay to be blasé around a place like that.
"Well, the Mere is so pleasant this time of year, perhaps they just decided to camp out, have a little picnic? Just a joke private. No one in their right mind would 'lollygag' along that route."
He didn't name Yorrum directly, but in using his word Tor hoped his feelings were clear. If Yorrum thought anyone would spend longer than absolutely necessary in the Mere or even passing by it, he was more of an idiot than Tor had thought.
"I'll gather the Swords, and we'll make sure nothing's wrong. But if Corporal Rather is just taking his time and I end up in the Mere for nothing, you both owe me a drink."
Lost in his meanderings about the soon-to-be temple/brewery grounds, Brother Siegfried needs a moment to collect his thoughts when Breltora Red-Eye brings her concerns to him. A lost patrol? That... requires more than a prayer and a blessing.
"Pardon my absent mindedness, friend. Now when did you say they were due back? And has Sgt. Yorrum looked into the matter?" Sigi starts to gather his things, thinking this may be something he needs to bring to Tor's attention.
Breltora, her red eyes full of worry, shrugs uncomfortably. "They were to be back two days ago. I did go to Yorrum but, he has little time for the likes of me." She grunts in exasperation, "Pardon my saying so, Brother, but that Yorrum is a lazy bastard. He seemed to think they were just 'takin' their damn time.'" She says in a gruff impression of Yorrum's voice. She growls deep in her throat, finding anger at Yorrum easier to carry than worry for her partner.
Then she sighs, "I hope I am just fretting over nothing. I hope my Vester comes walking through the gates and laughs at me worries. But I can't shake this feeling that something's happened."
Rawlings finds herself smiling in spite of herself as the proprietor goes into his spiel as a way of introduction. As he reaches out his hand, she takes it and gives it a firm shake, "I am Rawlings. Nice to meet you, Aubrey. May I call you Aubrey? Or would you prefer Mr. Silverspun?" She finds herself a tad more chatty than normal with this man. She is almost amused as she looks around in this intriguing little shop with this funny little man, dressed up for no one in particular.
"I guess I'm not really shopping for anything, I just stumbled upon your shop and was drawn in... a strange thing, that doesn't usually happen to me. Does this usually happen to your customers?" She looks around in her direct vicinity for something that might catch her eye. This place puts her in the mood to fidget with something as she converses with the man.
"Rawlings, a pleasure to meet you." He says shaking her hand, "Oh, strong handshake! Rawlings, Rawlings... Why do I know that name? ...Oh, yes! You're one of the new Swords of Leilon! Welcome again, in that case!" He said, still shaking her hand. He looked down, realizing what he was doing and released her hand. "Oh, sorry about that, I'm just excited to meet you."
"Please, have a look around! I have something from the old Swords that may interest you, I'll just go and grab it and be right back!."
(Give me an Investigation check, just to see what all you see)
Tor nodded. Finally a sensible decision from the Sergeant. The Mere to the south was a hive of hidden dangers. Mostly the creatures there stuck to the swamp, but it didn't pay to be blasé around a place like that.
"Well, the Mere is so pleasant this time of year, perhaps they just decided to camp out, have a little picnic? Just a joke private. No one in their right mind would 'lollygag' along that route."
He didn't name Yorrum directly, but in using his word Tor hoped his feelings were clear. If Yorrum thought anyone would spend longer than absolutely necessary in the Mere or even passing by it, he was more of an idiot than Tor had thought.
"I'll gather the Swords, and we'll make sure nothing's wrong. But if Corporal Rather is just taking his time and I end up in the Mere for nothing, you both owe me a drink."
"Th-thank you, sir. I'll gladly buy you a whole barrel of ale if that's the case, sir." The private says in evident relief.
Rawlings finds a number of oddities--a simple knife blade made of obsidian missing a handle, the skull of a small rodent with what seems like a small unicorn horn on its forehead, a mummified mouse that has batwings, and a simple copper ladle that is warm to the touch.
As she looks, she can hear Aubrey in the background, moving boxes and shelves and items and mumbling to himself, "Now where was that? ...I thought I left it... But, no, I remember I moved it over here... what about under... AHA!"
With the last, a cry of success, he comes back out to the front, carrying a small wooden box. He blows dust off the box and coughs. "Well, that was silly." He opens the box and offers it to Rawlings. Inside, there is a large brooch, fist-sized and in the shape of a shield. Upon it, is engraved a threesome of crossed swords--a rapier, a longsword, and a saber. He says, "That is the crest of the original Swords of Leilon." He says, pointing at the three swords. "The brooch itself is said to have been owned by one of the original Swords of Leilon, and was imbued with some of their power to offer protection and good luck. It is also said to only function for one of the Swords. As that is now you, please, take it with my blessing, it will do me no good here. I only ask that you remember Aubrey's Peculiarities if you come across any items of question, I would be happy to purchase, or if you are ever in need of any such items yourself. As you can see, I have a large variety! And please, I'd love to meet the other Swords as well!"
As Rawlings looks around, she is intrigued by what she sees, but doesn't decide to purchase anything at the moment. The finding of this curious shop makes her happy in its own right for the moment. She knows she'll definitely be back.
As the proprietor returns from his hunting and shows Rawlings the brooch, she takes it out of the box and starts looking it over as he describes it. "I, I thank you sir. I will definitely remember you and your shop. I am sure we'll see each other again, soon. Ah yes, the other swords? I shall have them swing by. Thank you again."
And she nods her head to Aubrey and she does another quick look around on her way out of the shop, carrying the large brooch.
Breltora, her red eyes full of worry, shrugs uncomfortably. "They were to be back two days ago. I did go to Yorrum but, he has little time for the likes of me." She grunts in exasperation, "Pardon my saying so, Brother, but that Yorrum is a lazy bastard. He seemed to think they were just 'takin' their damn time.'" She says in a gruff impression of Yorrum's voice. She growls deep in her throat, finding anger at Yorrum easier to carry than worry for her partner.
Then she sighs, "I hope I am just fretting over nothing. I hope my Vester comes walking through the gates and laughs at me worries. But I can't shake this feeling that something's happened."
Sigi listens but does his best not to outwardly agree with Breltora's assessment of Sgt. Yorrum. "I will speak to the other Swords." Before he departs, he places a gentle hand on her shoulder. "We will soon get to the bottom of this."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Almost missed, sitting as it is among three shelves and assorted miscellanea, are three ivory figurines carved in the shape of goats. They're carved in such a way that their horns interlock but, almost like a blacksmith puzzle, they can be slipped around to unhook from one another.
Breltora, her red eyes full of worry, shrugs uncomfortably. "They were to be back two days ago. I did go to Yorrum but, he has little time for the likes of me." She grunts in exasperation, "Pardon my saying so, Brother, but that Yorrum is a lazy bastard. He seemed to think they were just 'takin' their damn time.'" She says in a gruff impression of Yorrum's voice. She growls deep in her throat, finding anger at Yorrum easier to carry than worry for her partner.
Then she sighs, "I hope I am just fretting over nothing. I hope my Vester comes walking through the gates and laughs at me worries. But I can't shake this feeling that something's happened."
Sigi listens but does his best not to outwardly agree with Breltora's assessment of Sgt. Yorrum. "I will speak to the other Swords." Before he departs, he places a gentle hand on her shoulder. "We will soon get to the bottom of this."
"Oh, thank you, Brother!" She says gratefully. "Please, if you can bring back my Ves, I'll devote myself to the Lady Chauntea."
"Tor! Lady's blessings upon you,"Brother Siegfried says as way of greeting when he sees Tor step out into the street. "I was just on my way to find you."
Sigi explains how he was approached by a nervous citizen about a patrol that is several days overdue.
"She was gravely concerned, and felt that... well... that Sgt. Yorrum wasn't taking the matter seriously enough. She asked if the Swords would look into this. I thought you might be the best of us to ask around for information on this patrol, and where they may have gone missing?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
One corner of Tor's lips curls up. "Are you a coincidence man, Brother, or are you more about the hidden hand of Fate and all that? I was just on my way to find you following a little chat with one Private Danforth, who happens to be very worried about his good friend Corporal Rather. His patrol is two days late, and doesn't feel Sergeant Yorrum is taking it seriously. Sound familiar?"
He adjusts his new maul, hanging over his shoulders on a leather strap. It wasn't pretty, being essentially a big lump of metal on a stick, but Tor had never had that much time for pretty. He'd grown up around too much alleged beauty, and he'd seen the damage it, or the love of it, could cause.
"Come on, let's find the others. We're heading south for the Mere of Dead Men. And if just one of those soldiers doesn't make it back, I'm going to give Yorrum a solid kick up the arse."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Hah! 'There are no coincidences; all events are blessings from which we are to learn,'"he recites. Then his look sours. "It is to be the Mere, then? Well... then come what may. The Mere of Dead Men holds no terrors we cannot endure. Lead on, Tor, and the Swords will follow."
[DM, History check for knowledge of the Mere? 4 ]
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
"Hah! 'There are no coincidences; all events are blessings from which we are to learn,'"he recites. Then his look sours. "It is to be the Mere, then? Well... then come what may. The Mere of Dead Men holds no terrors we cannot endure. Lead on, Tor, and the Swords will follow."
[DM, History check for knowledge of the Mere? 19 ]
Everyone knows that the Mere is a cold, saltwater swamp that stretches nearly 100 miles south of Leilon and nearly to Waterdeep. In terms of width, it spread all the way from the sea to the High Road. It is known to be full of monsters, lizardfolk, undead, and other dangers to travelers. In fact, one of the explicit reasons Lord Neverember wanted to reestablish Leilon was to create an easy outpost to patrol the High Road from.
Brother Siegfried knows:
The Mere of Dead Men takes its name from the thousands of dead humans, dwarves, and elves from the ancient kingdom of Phalorm (known colloquially as the "Fallen Kingdom") that fell almost a thousand years ago to an orc invasion. In a strange, three-way battle, the orc horde attacked the warriors of the Fallen Kingdom near a lich's tower. The lich, annoyed by the armies on its doorstep, caused the sea to rise around his tower, creating the Mere and killing or dispersing both armies. As a result, the noble warriors of fallen Phalorm still haunt the mere, as do the corrupted orc spirits.
Around 150 years ago, during the Time of Troubles, before Kelemvor attained godhood, the presence of the evil god of the dead at the time, Myrkul, caused many of the dead bodies there to rise as undead. These undead still occasionally plague travelers. In addition, legends speak of liches, yuan-ti slavers, corrupt aberrations, and even a black dracolich making their homes in the Mere, but there's no confirmation of these. More recently, people have complained of seeing hulking forms following them along the road and hearing sibilant voices in the dark.
As Rawlings heads towards the door, she notices an interesting set of figurines. The horns of the goats, in particular, catches her eye as they are shaped similar to her own. She turns back towards Aubrey, "What can you tell me of those?" pointing to the three ivory goat shaped figurines.
Tor will lead Sigi to the dwellings of Van and Rawlings to collect them, and will update them on the situation. If Rawlings is still out he will ask neighbors if they saw which way she went. If they don't know, they will simply wait by her front door.
(Is Tyrel still playing? He came back but I haven't seen anything from him lately.)
Tor nodded. Finally a sensible decision from the Sergeant. The Mere to the south was a hive of hidden dangers. Mostly the creatures there stuck to the swamp, but it didn't pay to be blasé around a place like that.
"Well, the Mere is so pleasant this time of year, perhaps they just decided to camp out, have a little picnic? Just a joke private. No one in their right mind would 'lollygag' along that route."
He didn't name Yorrum directly, but in using his word Tor hoped his feelings were clear. If Yorrum thought anyone would spend longer than absolutely necessary in the Mere or even passing by it, he was more of an idiot than Tor had thought.
"I'll gather the Swords, and we'll make sure nothing's wrong. But if Corporal Rather is just taking his time and I end up in the Mere for nothing, you both owe me a drink."
DM - Storm King's Thunder
DM - Torosevia (WIP homebrew world)
Kelytha Meliamne - Matti Silverstorm - Silver - Star-Setting-In-The-East - Tor Baltos
Breltora, her red eyes full of worry, shrugs uncomfortably. "They were to be back two days ago. I did go to Yorrum but, he has little time for the likes of me." She grunts in exasperation, "Pardon my saying so, Brother, but that Yorrum is a lazy bastard. He seemed to think they were just 'takin' their damn time.'" She says in a gruff impression of Yorrum's voice. She growls deep in her throat, finding anger at Yorrum easier to carry than worry for her partner.
Then she sighs, "I hope I am just fretting over nothing. I hope my Vester comes walking through the gates and laughs at me worries. But I can't shake this feeling that something's happened."
**By the Light of the Sun, you will burn!**
Previously BENEFICENCE
DM: Storm Lord's Wrath || Syr Valor Dayne: Sleeping Gods || tooltips | guides | dice |
"Rawlings, a pleasure to meet you." He says shaking her hand, "Oh, strong handshake! Rawlings, Rawlings... Why do I know that name? ...Oh, yes! You're one of the new Swords of Leilon! Welcome again, in that case!" He said, still shaking her hand. He looked down, realizing what he was doing and released her hand. "Oh, sorry about that, I'm just excited to meet you."
"Please, have a look around! I have something from the old Swords that may interest you, I'll just go and grab it and be right back!."
(Give me an Investigation check, just to see what all you see)
**By the Light of the Sun, you will burn!**
Previously BENEFICENCE
DM: Storm Lord's Wrath || Syr Valor Dayne: Sleeping Gods || tooltips | guides | dice |
"Th-thank you, sir. I'll gladly buy you a whole barrel of ale if that's the case, sir." The private says in evident relief.
**By the Light of the Sun, you will burn!**
Previously BENEFICENCE
DM: Storm Lord's Wrath || Syr Valor Dayne: Sleeping Gods || tooltips | guides | dice |
Rawlings Investigation 6
Rawlings finds a number of oddities--a simple knife blade made of obsidian missing a handle, the skull of a small rodent with what seems like a small unicorn horn on its forehead, a mummified mouse that has batwings, and a simple copper ladle that is warm to the touch.
As she looks, she can hear Aubrey in the background, moving boxes and shelves and items and mumbling to himself, "Now where was that? ...I thought I left it... But, no, I remember I moved it over here... what about under... AHA!"
With the last, a cry of success, he comes back out to the front, carrying a small wooden box. He blows dust off the box and coughs. "Well, that was silly." He opens the box and offers it to Rawlings. Inside, there is a large brooch, fist-sized and in the shape of a shield. Upon it, is engraved a threesome of crossed swords--a rapier, a longsword, and a saber. He says, "That is the crest of the original Swords of Leilon." He says, pointing at the three swords. "The brooch itself is said to have been owned by one of the original Swords of Leilon, and was imbued with some of their power to offer protection and good luck. It is also said to only function for one of the Swords. As that is now you, please, take it with my blessing, it will do me no good here. I only ask that you remember Aubrey's Peculiarities if you come across any items of question, I would be happy to purchase, or if you are ever in need of any such items yourself. As you can see, I have a large variety! And please, I'd love to meet the other Swords as well!"
(The "shield" is a Brooch of Shielding).
**By the Light of the Sun, you will burn!**
Previously BENEFICENCE
DM: Storm Lord's Wrath || Syr Valor Dayne: Sleeping Gods || tooltips | guides | dice |
As Rawlings looks around, she is intrigued by what she sees, but doesn't decide to purchase anything at the moment. The finding of this curious shop makes her happy in its own right for the moment. She knows she'll definitely be back.
As the proprietor returns from his hunting and shows Rawlings the brooch, she takes it out of the box and starts looking it over as he describes it. "I, I thank you sir. I will definitely remember you and your shop. I am sure we'll see each other again, soon. Ah yes, the other swords? I shall have them swing by. Thank you again."
And she nods her head to Aubrey and she does another quick look around on her way out of the shop, carrying the large brooch.
(Give me a perception check as you leave)
**By the Light of the Sun, you will burn!**
Previously BENEFICENCE
DM: Storm Lord's Wrath || Syr Valor Dayne: Sleeping Gods || tooltips | guides | dice |
Rawlings perception. 23
Sigi listens but does his best not to outwardly agree with Breltora's assessment of Sgt. Yorrum. "I will speak to the other Swords." Before he departs, he places a gentle hand on her shoulder. "We will soon get to the bottom of this."
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Almost missed, sitting as it is among three shelves and assorted miscellanea, are three ivory figurines carved in the shape of goats. They're carved in such a way that their horns interlock but, almost like a blacksmith puzzle, they can be slipped around to unhook from one another.
**By the Light of the Sun, you will burn!**
Previously BENEFICENCE
DM: Storm Lord's Wrath || Syr Valor Dayne: Sleeping Gods || tooltips | guides | dice |
"Oh, thank you, Brother!" She says gratefully. "Please, if you can bring back my Ves, I'll devote myself to the Lady Chauntea."
**By the Light of the Sun, you will burn!**
Previously BENEFICENCE
DM: Storm Lord's Wrath || Syr Valor Dayne: Sleeping Gods || tooltips | guides | dice |
As Tor leaves the former butchery, he only travels a few streets before he runs into Brother Siegfried heading towards him in the street.
**By the Light of the Sun, you will burn!**
Previously BENEFICENCE
DM: Storm Lord's Wrath || Syr Valor Dayne: Sleeping Gods || tooltips | guides | dice |
"Tor! Lady's blessings upon you," Brother Siegfried says as way of greeting when he sees Tor step out into the street. "I was just on my way to find you."
Sigi explains how he was approached by a nervous citizen about a patrol that is several days overdue.
"She was gravely concerned, and felt that... well... that Sgt. Yorrum wasn't taking the matter seriously enough. She asked if the Swords would look into this. I thought you might be the best of us to ask around for information on this patrol, and where they may have gone missing?"
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
One corner of Tor's lips curls up. "Are you a coincidence man, Brother, or are you more about the hidden hand of Fate and all that? I was just on my way to find you following a little chat with one Private Danforth, who happens to be very worried about his good friend Corporal Rather. His patrol is two days late, and doesn't feel Sergeant Yorrum is taking it seriously. Sound familiar?"
He adjusts his new maul, hanging over his shoulders on a leather strap. It wasn't pretty, being essentially a big lump of metal on a stick, but Tor had never had that much time for pretty. He'd grown up around too much alleged beauty, and he'd seen the damage it, or the love of it, could cause.
"Come on, let's find the others. We're heading south for the Mere of Dead Men. And if just one of those soldiers doesn't make it back, I'm going to give Yorrum a solid kick up the arse."
DM - Storm King's Thunder
DM - Torosevia (WIP homebrew world)
Kelytha Meliamne - Matti Silverstorm - Silver - Star-Setting-In-The-East - Tor Baltos
"Hah! 'There are no coincidences; all events are blessings from which we are to learn,'" he recites. Then his look sours. "It is to be the Mere, then? Well... then come what may. The Mere of Dead Men holds no terrors we cannot endure. Lead on, Tor, and the Swords will follow."
[DM, History check for knowledge of the Mere? 4 ]
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Everyone knows that the Mere is a cold, saltwater swamp that stretches nearly 100 miles south of Leilon and nearly to Waterdeep. In terms of width, it spread all the way from the sea to the High Road. It is known to be full of monsters, lizardfolk, undead, and other dangers to travelers. In fact, one of the explicit reasons Lord Neverember wanted to reestablish Leilon was to create an easy outpost to patrol the High Road from.
Brother Siegfried knows:
The Mere of Dead Men takes its name from the thousands of dead humans, dwarves, and elves from the ancient kingdom of Phalorm (known colloquially as the "Fallen Kingdom") that fell almost a thousand years ago to an orc invasion. In a strange, three-way battle, the orc horde attacked the warriors of the Fallen Kingdom near a lich's tower. The lich, annoyed by the armies on its doorstep, caused the sea to rise around his tower, creating the Mere and killing or dispersing both armies. As a result, the noble warriors of fallen Phalorm still haunt the mere, as do the corrupted orc spirits.
Around 150 years ago, during the Time of Troubles, before Kelemvor attained godhood, the presence of the evil god of the dead at the time, Myrkul, caused many of the dead bodies there to rise as undead. These undead still occasionally plague travelers. In addition, legends speak of liches, yuan-ti slavers, corrupt aberrations, and even a black dracolich making their homes in the Mere, but there's no confirmation of these. More recently, people have complained of seeing hulking forms following them along the road and hearing sibilant voices in the dark.
**By the Light of the Sun, you will burn!**
Previously BENEFICENCE
DM: Storm Lord's Wrath || Syr Valor Dayne: Sleeping Gods || tooltips | guides | dice |
As Rawlings heads towards the door, she notices an interesting set of figurines. The horns of the goats, in particular, catches her eye as they are shaped similar to her own. She turns back towards Aubrey, "What can you tell me of those?" pointing to the three ivory goat shaped figurines.
Tor will lead Sigi to the dwellings of Van and Rawlings to collect them, and will update them on the situation. If Rawlings is still out he will ask neighbors if they saw which way she went. If they don't know, they will simply wait by her front door.
(Is Tyrel still playing? He came back but I haven't seen anything from him lately.)
DM - Storm King's Thunder
DM - Torosevia (WIP homebrew world)
Kelytha Meliamne - Matti Silverstorm - Silver - Star-Setting-In-The-East - Tor Baltos
Van is at home, and gathers up his belongings, strapping on arms and armor before following Tor and Brother Siegfried.
"I'm looking forward to seeing how my work performs."
Paladin - warforged - orange