"You should indeed be more careful..." agrees Khessa, with her concerned blue eyes on the gnome "Weapons are not to be used lightly... you could hsve hurt someone. Think about it: if we had as eager as you to use weapons, you would be cut in bloody pieces to the floor by now. Not such a good outcome, is it?"
"Grest reflexes, Katarina..." the blonde arcane warrior smiles at her tabaxi friend "And we should definitely talk about how can you accomplish that cool tentacles thing! I did not notice you cast any spell, but still magic surged to your aid... I really must take notes about this! As soon as I'm sure we are not in danger to be shot anymore, that is".
Factoré continues to squirm under Katarina and Khessa, still desperately trying to escape. Her small face is scrunched up and almost purple with effort. She appears not to even hear the questions directed at her or is perhaps too crazed to even respond.
"What's all the commotion?!" you hear someone demand from the door.
It's the gnome woman who'd been kneading mushroom dough. She still has a rolling pin in her hand. When she sees Factoré pinned to the floor, her eyes go wide. "Factoré! What have you gotten yourself into this time?"
The gnome woman hops up onto the platform and gets close to Factoré's face. From within one of her apron pockets she removes a small vial of purple liquid. When she uncorks it, a horrific, earthy smell fills the air. Factoré squirms even harder to try and escape, but the gnome cook is determined and she manages to spill the contents of the vial down the crazed gnome's throat. Within minutes Factoré begins to calm and in another minute she appears to be fast asleep, a huge snore erupting from her mouth.
The gnome cook, Panana, claps her hands together briskly. "Sorry about that," she says in a way that suggests she's not really all that sorry. "Factoré is a bit...eccentric. I had no idea she'd try that contraption of hers out on guests!"
Jasper picks up his spear and shield.”That’s quite alright, but maybe a guide through the tunnels to the workshop would be in order so that this doesn’t happen again.” Jasper requests of the cook.
Curiously looking at the vial, Jasper asks, “What was in that vial? Interesting the liquid made the other fall asleep so quickly.”
...The gnome cook, Panana, claps her hands together briskly. "Sorry about that," she says in a way that suggests she's not really all that sorry. "Factoré is a bit...eccentric. I had no idea she'd try that contraption of hers out on guests!"
"She invented it?" Khessa (who, since Jasper has already taken care of asking for an eventual guide, feels free to simply try to satisfy her lust for knowledge) examines the apparatus "It is clever... It combines the ease of use of a crossbow but lessens the main crossbow's drawback: the need to recharge before firing again..."
The blonde arcane warrior sketches the mechanism roughly on a free spellbook page (because, well, such advanced technology appears almost as magic to her - bedides, it is still knowledge...).
Then asks Katarina, fixing blue eyes sparkling of curiosity on her: "You summoned the tentacles without any magical formula or gesture! Even Echo, who has an instinctual grasp of magic, still needs to cast a spell, to unleash its effect! How you can do this, dear? You must concentrate? Then think about the tentacles and they manifest?"
"The magic is part of Katarina," the cat says, struggling to explain her mysterious ability to use magic without the aid of spells and gestures. "She may not use sorcery like her sister, and she is perhaps not clever enough to be a wizard like her brother. But even so, in her blood and bone, is the magic. The magic has been in her family for many generations, the raw wild power that shapes the worlds. The magic comes to Katarina's aid when in danger she is, or when her feelings are too strong to be let out any other way. She does not shape it, but it comes to her when she is in need of it."
"Oh..." Khessa gasps "You do not shape it... So you didn't summon the tentacles. You summoned the power of magic! And it chose to manifest as tentacles! It could also have been something other! It's... it's wonderful! You have a wonderful gift, Katarina!" the blonde arcane warrior is writing everything on her grimoire "You are really special! You have a way to unleash magic that I didn't know yet! So... not only can magic be triggered by rationality or instinct... but apparently also by very strong emotions, like rage! Who knows then if it could also be triggered by love..." the tall adventurer meditates to herself, glancing furtively at Jasper, also noting this last personal hypothesis of hers as a point to verify in the future "Love has an intensity certainly no lower than that of anger! A magic triggered by love should really be both powerful and beautiful..."
"Yes, that's right," Katarina says with a nod. "The magic may take many forms... perhaps a spirit shall appear, or perhaps burning light will be called to strike her enemies... Katarina is never sure what will happen when she calls upon the magic."
Katarina reflects on Khessa's hypothesis that love could trigger the magic.
"Perhaps love could call to the magic, but Katarina doesn't think that it would be very helpful for the power to call an exploding sprite when trying to steal a kiss..." the cat says with a giggle.
She pauses thoughtfully for a moment, then continues.
"The power comes to Katarina when she is needing to fight. But she can also reach out to feel magic around her. Very useful, yes?"
"An exploding spirit perhaps not" conceeds the blonde arcane warrior, referring to the kiss scenario "but what about a soft music in background? Or a sudden puff of enticing scent... Or flowers suddenly growimg... Or an invigorating healing burst... Not all magic needs to be about doing harm".
"Very useful indeed!" agrees Khessa, answering Katarina's last question while putting an arm on the shoulders of the tabaxi friend "You are one of the most helpful - and nice - magic-users I've ever met!"
While also writing down the latest precious information on the powers of the magical savage, the tall adventuress is about to close her grimoire when, as if remembering something at the last moment, she adds a final footnote: --- Note to self: However, as you ponder the magical mysteries of the multiverse, remember never to completely withdraw your attention from your environment - it wouldn't be nice to realize that you are in the line of fire of a crossbow only when the bolt has already been fired! ---
After that, if no guide is granted, the blonde arcane warrior again leads the party south - or towards the bridge, as soon as it is in sight.
Panana waves off Jasper's inquiry into a guide. "You'll be fine from here," she says briskly. "There's naught more dangerous than Factoré here in Gnomengarde, unless you count Tervaround's mushroom wine." Panana cackles as if this is a fine joke. She shoos the party away while she tends to Factoré.
Heading south from the crossbow room, you run into another place where the rough-hewn walls split. One path leads further south and presumably toward the rope bridge, but there is also a path to the east. From a hallway that leads to the west you can hear the thunderous sound of the waterfall.
Echo follows behind the group, looking around at the quaint cave buildings. She hears the crunching of machinery before seeing anything. Placing a hand on the wall, she tip toes to look over everyone's shoulders, only to catch Katarina's tail tip disappear into the room in the blink of an eye. Gracelessly, she yelps when a crossbow bolt flies out soon after and ricochets off of Khessa's armour.
She quickly runs to the door, shadowy magic energy gathering in her hands, and stops shortly at the entrance. Peeking inside, Echo sighs with relief seeing Katarina uninjured with a gnome in her grasps. "That was scary! But also sort of cool? It sure looks hard to use..." She comments, picking up the stray bolt and handing it to Panana before following the rest of the group.
Since the two warriors in heavy chainmail are leading the way, Katarina will take up a position behind the rest of the party on the off-chance that the crazy gnome (or anyone else, for that matter) tries to sneak up on the party from behind.
Jasper walks along Khessa’s right side and keeps an eye out for more trouble or danger at the least.
Perception: 21
Mist from the waterfall dampens the seemingly empty cave you enter. At the south end of the cave there is a 10 foot high ledge, where Jasper is the first to notice two gnomes apparently standing guard. There is an entrance to another tunnel to the east and you can just see the rope bridge crossing in front of the waterfall outside of the cave to the west.
One of the gnomes standing on the ledge, a female, calls out in Gnomish:
"Who goes there?"
Her companion, a male gnome, repeats the same question in the Common tongue: "Who goes there? Be warned, if you are shapechangers, we won't hesitate to kill you!"
Jasper looking down the passage sees the two guards. As the gnomes call out, Jasper immediately responds. “We are not shapechangers.”Strange warning about shapechangers Jasper thinks to himself. “We are here from Phandalin under request of the Townmaster for aid. We were told to speak with Fibblestib and Dabbledob in the workshops. We would be appreciative if you could take us to them.“ Thinking about their warning and the other gnomes reaction to us, Jasper asks. “Can we help with these shapechangers?“ Jasper becomes a bit worried. The only shapechangers he knows of are beast forms. Wolves, bears, boars and rats. If these creatures are here, we must be careful and on guard.
'Shapechangers?!' is both surprised and worried Khessa 'Might those also be monsters that Cryovain has forced to move from their dens? Who knows, if we can bring them to ally with us against the dragon, like Tookrashk did... Good thing Jasper asked something about them'.
"By how how gnomes feel, Katarina isn't sure theseshape-changers will be friendly," Katarina says in response to Khessa. "But maybe best it is to talk to gnome Fibblestib first and deal with shape-changers later, if deal with them we must."
"By how how gnomes feel, Katarina isn't sure theseshape-changers will be friendly," Katarina says in response to Khessa. "But maybe best it is to talk to gnome Fibblestib first and deal with shape-changers later, if deal with them we must."
(If any Persuasion checks are needed, Katarina will take the Help action to give whoever is talking advantage on the roll).
(OOC: @Mister_Whisker: Khessa was 'thinking', not "speaking aloud" - all good anyway! A magical kitten like Katarina might as well have read her thoughts thanks to a wild-magic surge, this time, as far as I am concerned)
"Oh, did I speak aloud?" is surprised Khessa by Katarina's words "Anyway yes, our first step will be to listen to what the gnomes need. And I do not expect those shapechangers to be immediately friendly. However, if, as I imagine, they too have been disturbed by Cryovain's arrival, I hope they can be brought to reason. It would also be convenient for them to ally with us against the dragon, rather than fight with us, weakening both us and themselves, so that it would be easier for the dragon to kill or enslave us all! However, yes, this is an issue to be addressed in the future".
"Of course, we can prove it by not changing our shape!" proposes Khessa, for lack of other methods "Take us to Fibblestib and Dabbledob in the workshops, while you keep an eye on us! If you see us shapeshifting, you kill us. If we keep our shape, then it is clear we are not shapechangers. If do you not know more advanced methods already... this method is still better than none, isn't it? I bet you two had already thought about this solution, did not you? Then, thinkers like you gnomes will surely be able, in time, to develop far better methods starting with this as a basis".
"Maybe in the meantime you will even be rewarded for developing this idea as a basis!" the blonde arcane warrior gets excited "Come on, guide us! Let's put this idea of yours into action immediately!"
"You should indeed be more careful..." agrees Khessa, with her concerned blue eyes on the gnome "Weapons are not to be used lightly... you could hsve hurt someone. Think about it: if we had as eager as you to use weapons, you would be cut in bloody pieces to the floor by now. Not such a good outcome, is it?"
"Grest reflexes, Katarina..." the blonde arcane warrior smiles at her tabaxi friend "And we should definitely talk about how can you accomplish that cool tentacles thing! I did not notice you cast any spell, but still magic surged to your aid... I really must take notes about this! As soon as I'm sure we are not in danger to be shot anymore, that is".
Factoré continues to squirm under Katarina and Khessa, still desperately trying to escape. Her small face is scrunched up and almost purple with effort. She appears not to even hear the questions directed at her or is perhaps too crazed to even respond.
"What's all the commotion?!" you hear someone demand from the door.
It's the gnome woman who'd been kneading mushroom dough. She still has a rolling pin in her hand. When she sees Factoré pinned to the floor, her eyes go wide. "Factoré! What have you gotten yourself into this time?"
The gnome woman hops up onto the platform and gets close to Factoré's face. From within one of her apron pockets she removes a small vial of purple liquid. When she uncorks it, a horrific, earthy smell fills the air. Factoré squirms even harder to try and escape, but the gnome cook is determined and she manages to spill the contents of the vial down the crazed gnome's throat. Within minutes Factoré begins to calm and in another minute she appears to be fast asleep, a huge snore erupting from her mouth.
The gnome cook, Panana, claps her hands together briskly. "Sorry about that," she says in a way that suggests she's not really all that sorry. "Factoré is a bit...eccentric. I had no idea she'd try that contraption of hers out on guests!"
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf (Phandelver and Below) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan (Vecna: Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Gareth Blackwood (Dragon of Icespire Peak) ♦ Karys Velthune (Out of the Abyss) ♦ Surina Xarith (Simple, Heroic Adventure)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus
Jasper picks up his spear and shield. ”That’s quite alright, but maybe a guide through the tunnels to the workshop would be in order so that this doesn’t happen again.” Jasper requests of the cook.
Curiously looking at the vial, Jasper asks, “What was in that vial? Interesting the liquid made the other fall asleep so quickly.”
Jasper Mooncrest🌙 ~ Wood Elf Cleric Twilight Domain ~ Nyx’s Dragon of Icespires Peak: PBP
Dastion Salvi ~ Half-Elf Warlock(Genie) ~ Lost Mines of the Phandelver: D&DBeyond/Roll20/Discord (Sunday 5-8pm cst) DM canceled
Jasper of the Wandering Wood ~ Wood Elf Cleric Twilight Domain ~ Tomb of the Delian Order One Shot(13): PBP complete
"She invented it?" Khessa (who, since Jasper has already taken care of asking for an eventual guide, feels free to simply try to satisfy her lust for knowledge) examines the apparatus "It is clever... It combines the ease of use of a crossbow but lessens the main crossbow's drawback: the need to recharge before firing again..."
The blonde arcane warrior sketches the mechanism roughly on a free spellbook page (because, well, such advanced technology appears almost as magic to her - bedides, it is still knowledge...).
Then asks Katarina, fixing blue eyes sparkling of curiosity on her: "You summoned the tentacles without any magical formula or gesture! Even Echo, who has an instinctual grasp of magic, still needs to cast a spell, to unleash its effect! How you can do this, dear? You must concentrate? Then think about the tentacles and they manifest?"
Katarina grins at the warrior's question.
"The magic is part of Katarina," the cat says, struggling to explain her mysterious ability to use magic without the aid of spells and gestures. "She may not use sorcery like her sister, and she is perhaps not clever enough to be a wizard like her brother. But even so, in her blood and bone, is the magic. The magic has been in her family for many generations, the raw wild power that shapes the worlds. The magic comes to Katarina's aid when in danger she is, or when her feelings are too strong to be let out any other way. She does not shape it, but it comes to her when she is in need of it."
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"Oh..." Khessa gasps "You do not shape it... So you didn't summon the tentacles. You summoned the power of magic! And it chose to manifest as tentacles! It could also have been something other! It's... it's wonderful! You have a wonderful gift, Katarina!" the blonde arcane warrior is writing everything on her grimoire "You are really special! You have a way to unleash magic that I didn't know yet! So... not only can magic be triggered by rationality or instinct... but apparently also by very strong emotions, like rage! Who knows then if it could also be triggered by love..." the tall adventurer meditates to herself, glancing furtively at Jasper, also noting this last personal hypothesis of hers as a point to verify in the future "Love has an intensity certainly no lower than that of anger! A magic triggered by love should really be both powerful and beautiful..."
"Yes, that's right," Katarina says with a nod. "The magic may take many forms... perhaps a spirit shall appear, or perhaps burning light will be called to strike her enemies... Katarina is never sure what will happen when she calls upon the magic."
Katarina reflects on Khessa's hypothesis that love could trigger the magic.
"Perhaps love could call to the magic, but Katarina doesn't think that it would be very helpful for the power to call an exploding sprite when trying to steal a kiss..." the cat says with a giggle.
She pauses thoughtfully for a moment, then continues.
"The power comes to Katarina when she is needing to fight. But she can also reach out to feel magic around her. Very useful, yes?"
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
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"An exploding spirit perhaps not" conceeds the blonde arcane warrior, referring to the kiss scenario "but what about a soft music in background? Or a sudden puff of enticing scent... Or flowers suddenly growimg... Or an invigorating healing burst... Not all magic needs to be about doing harm".
"Very useful indeed!" agrees Khessa, answering Katarina's last question while putting an arm on the shoulders of the tabaxi friend "You are one of the most helpful - and nice - magic-users I've ever met!"
While also writing down the latest precious information on the powers of the magical savage, the tall adventuress is about to close her grimoire when, as if remembering something at the last moment, she adds a final footnote:
---
Note to self: However, as you ponder the magical mysteries of the multiverse, remember never to completely withdraw your attention from your environment - it wouldn't be nice to realize that you are in the line of fire of a crossbow only when the bolt has already been fired!
---
After that, if no guide is granted, the blonde arcane warrior again leads the party south - or towards the bridge, as soon as it is in sight.
Panana waves off Jasper's inquiry into a guide. "You'll be fine from here," she says briskly. "There's naught more dangerous than Factoré here in Gnomengarde, unless you count Tervaround's mushroom wine." Panana cackles as if this is a fine joke. She shoos the party away while she tends to Factoré.
Heading south from the crossbow room, you run into another place where the rough-hewn walls split. One path leads further south and presumably toward the rope bridge, but there is also a path to the east. From a hallway that leads to the west you can hear the thunderous sound of the waterfall.
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf (Phandelver and Below) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan (Vecna: Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Gareth Blackwood (Dragon of Icespire Peak) ♦ Karys Velthune (Out of the Abyss) ♦ Surina Xarith (Simple, Heroic Adventure)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus
Khessa leads further south and presumably toward the rope bridge.
Jasper walks along Khessa’s right side and keeps an eye out for more trouble or danger at the least.
Perception: 19
Jasper Mooncrest🌙 ~ Wood Elf Cleric Twilight Domain ~ Nyx’s Dragon of Icespires Peak: PBP
Dastion Salvi ~ Half-Elf Warlock(Genie) ~ Lost Mines of the Phandelver: D&DBeyond/Roll20/Discord (Sunday 5-8pm cst) DM canceled
Jasper of the Wandering Wood ~ Wood Elf Cleric Twilight Domain ~ Tomb of the Delian Order One Shot(13): PBP complete
Echo follows behind the group, looking around at the quaint cave buildings. She hears the crunching of machinery before seeing anything. Placing a hand on the wall, she tip toes to look over everyone's shoulders, only to catch Katarina's tail tip disappear into the room in the blink of an eye. Gracelessly, she yelps when a crossbow bolt flies out soon after and ricochets off of Khessa's armour.
She quickly runs to the door, shadowy magic energy gathering in her hands, and stops shortly at the entrance. Peeking inside, Echo sighs with relief seeing Katarina uninjured with a gnome in her grasps. "That was scary! But also sort of cool? It sure looks hard to use..." She comments, picking up the stray bolt and handing it to Panana before following the rest of the group.
(ooc: back from the trip!!)
Since the two warriors in heavy chainmail are leading the way, Katarina will take up a position behind the rest of the party on the off-chance that the crazy gnome (or anyone else, for that matter) tries to sneak up on the party from behind.
(OOC: Welcome back, guyu!)
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Mist from the waterfall dampens the seemingly empty cave you enter. At the south end of the cave there is a 10 foot high ledge, where Jasper is the first to notice two gnomes apparently standing guard. There is an entrance to another tunnel to the east and you can just see the rope bridge crossing in front of the waterfall outside of the cave to the west.
One of the gnomes standing on the ledge, a female, calls out in Gnomish:
"Who goes there?"
Her companion, a male gnome, repeats the same question in the Common tongue: "Who goes there? Be warned, if you are shapechangers, we won't hesitate to kill you!"
Updated Map:
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf (Phandelver and Below) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan (Vecna: Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Gareth Blackwood (Dragon of Icespire Peak) ♦ Karys Velthune (Out of the Abyss) ♦ Surina Xarith (Simple, Heroic Adventure)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus
Jasper looking down the passage sees the two guards. As the gnomes call out, Jasper immediately responds. “We are not shapechangers.” Strange warning about shapechangers Jasper thinks to himself. “We are here from Phandalin under request of the Townmaster for aid. We were told to speak with Fibblestib and Dabbledob in the workshops. We would be appreciative if you could take us to them.“ Thinking about their warning and the other gnomes reaction to us, Jasper asks. “Can we help with these shapechangers?“ Jasper becomes a bit worried. The only shapechangers he knows of are beast forms. Wolves, bears, boars and rats. If these creatures are here, we must be careful and on guard.
Jasper Mooncrest🌙 ~ Wood Elf Cleric Twilight Domain ~ Nyx’s Dragon of Icespires Peak: PBP
Dastion Salvi ~ Half-Elf Warlock(Genie) ~ Lost Mines of the Phandelver: D&DBeyond/Roll20/Discord (Sunday 5-8pm cst) DM canceled
Jasper of the Wandering Wood ~ Wood Elf Cleric Twilight Domain ~ Tomb of the Delian Order One Shot(13): PBP complete
'Shapechangers?!' is both surprised and worried Khessa 'Might those also be monsters that Cryovain has forced to move from their dens? Who knows, if we can bring them to ally with us against the dragon, like Tookrashk did... Good thing Jasper asked something about them'.
"By how how gnomes feel, Katarina isn't sure these shape-changers will be friendly," Katarina says in response to Khessa. "But maybe best it is to talk to gnome Fibblestib first and deal with shape-changers later, if deal with them we must."
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
(OOC: @Mister_Whisker: Khessa was 'thinking', not "speaking aloud" - all good anyway! A magical kitten like Katarina might as well have read her thoughts thanks to a wild-magic surge, this time, as far as I am concerned)
"Oh, did I speak aloud?" is surprised Khessa by Katarina's words "Anyway yes, our first step will be to listen to what the gnomes need. And I do not expect those shapechangers to be immediately friendly. However, if, as I imagine, they too have been disturbed by Cryovain's arrival, I hope they can be brought to reason. It would also be convenient for them to ally with us against the dragon, rather than fight with us, weakening both us and themselves, so that it would be easier for the dragon to kill or enslave us all! However, yes, this is an issue to be addressed in the future".
The two gnomes exchange glances.
"Well, how do we know you're not shapechangers?" the male one asks. "Can you prove it?"
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf (Phandelver and Below) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan (Vecna: Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Gareth Blackwood (Dragon of Icespire Peak) ♦ Karys Velthune (Out of the Abyss) ♦ Surina Xarith (Simple, Heroic Adventure)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus
"Of course, we can prove it by not changing our shape!" proposes Khessa, for lack of other methods "Take us to Fibblestib and Dabbledob in the workshops, while you keep an eye on us! If you see us shapeshifting, you kill us. If we keep our shape, then it is clear we are not shapechangers. If do you not know more advanced methods already... this method is still better than none, isn't it? I bet you two had already thought about this solution, did not you? Then, thinkers like you gnomes will surely be able, in time, to develop far better methods starting with this as a basis".
"Maybe in the meantime you will even be rewarded for developing this idea as a basis!" the blonde arcane warrior gets excited "Come on, guide us! Let's put this idea of yours into action immediately!"