"New face, but hopefully not a stranger," Shayone smiles. "Shayone of Den Daev’yana, lately out of Igrathad. I've been working my way through my anamnesis for the last few years."
Maryl's expression changes from dubious suspicion to surprise. "Shayone...? Shayone, the echo knight? Really?! HA!" She lets out a laugh and claps the hobgoblin on the back. "So, you came back, huh? Consecuted or whatever, right? Lucky dog! I'm getting on in years, and you just keep getting younger! How are you, old friend? You must be surprised to see how I've turned out. I was just a wet-eared whelp back when you passed through Bazzoxan, now I'm a battle-scarred veteran!"
Shayone's smile grows as Maryl claps her on the back. "But you are still here, which proves I taught you well -- and that you took your training to heart. And you wear those years well. I'm hardly going to have time to get used to this body before it's over and done. I don't have half the strength I used to, and I wasn't getting the training I needed sitting around the capital."
"Ha, thanks, Shayone. Liked to think I did you proud. We looked up to you, all of us back at Bazzoxan did... Sorry that your current body hasn't held up to your expectations. But hey, there's always next life, right? Maybe you'll come back as a giant!" Maryl jests, nudging Shayone with an armored elbow. "Well, it was great to chat, but I've got to get back to crushing the competition. Tell you what: if you're sticking around for the closing ceremony, I'll find you there, yeah? We can catch up. I've got some stories for you, and I'd like to hear some from you as well!"
“Ah, I’d settle for a simple drow again,” Shayone replies casually. “I’ll be here for a while yet, so I’ll find you at the ceremony. Just don’t go giving away too many more of those medals!” She punches Maryl in the arm, noting to herself the lack of heavy impact.
"No promises, boss! Why don't you go win some medals of your own, eh? Good luck!"
With that, you all head over to the baby horizonback tortoises to meet up with the rest of your group.
Meanwhile...
Nexus, Aldith, and the still-recovering Kenar move just down the street and find an elderly goblin in blue robes presiding over a set of three tables, whom Nexus recognizes as Elder Colbu Kaz, the head of Jigow's goblin clans and one of the leaders of the city. One table holds a wooden box, the second displays a glittering star map of the Exandrian sky, and on the third rests a row of colored bottles. A banner hanging over the setup reads, “Test your wit with me, against these riddles three." A handsome male drow with long white hair dressed in maroon robes appears to be taking the challenge right now, looking over the star map and pointing something out that you can't see. The goblin elder nods.
"Ah, you finally got it, friend! Well done. Here is your medal!" Colbu Kaz says, handing the drow a medal sculpted and painted to look like a fox. The drow bows slightly, accepts the medal, and takes a step back, allowing your group to stand near the riddle station. "Ah, welcome! Here to test your wit with me against these riddles three? It's two silver pieces to attempt to solve a riddle. You can pick the riddle you'd like to solve each time, and you can keep attempting to solve as long as you're willing to pay. If you solve at least two of my riddles, you get a medal! So, who is first, who is first, hm?"
Nexus absolutely adored herself a good riddle or two. A trait that her mother happened to pass to her when she was teaching her wizardly studies, and just her love for literature in general. A brief glance toward the drow who was being given a medal, but no more than a passing look. Nexus merely took it as meaning she'd need to make doubly sure not to mess up on her attempts to solve them.
When said handsome drow was finished being handed his metal, and stepped back to allow others in, she dipped into a small curtesy in greeting. Goblin or no, Colbu was still a leader of the city, and he had earned his respect. Rising back up, Nexus fished two silvers out to hand over in payment. "I hope your riddles aren't too difficult this year, Elder Kaz. I'm hoping to earn my first medal of the day. Though, I suppose if they are difficult, solving them will be all the sweeter, no?"
Elder Kaz smiles at Nexus. "Oh-ho, I think I've come up with some real noggin-scratchers this year, my girl! Let's see if you're up to the task. Which riddle would you like to try? The riddle of the box, the riddle of the star chart, or the riddle of the bottles?"
Nexus dwelled on the question for a moment, ultimately deciding that she'd start with the riddle of the bottles and, if she succeeded with that, go to the box. "Let's try the bottles first, Elder Kaz."
On the table is a row of seven small bottles filled with colored liquids, and the following riddle in Common:
Two of us are brewed from blight And always sat to purple’s right. Three are juice, one burns like flame, And no two colors taste the same. Even flasks hold naught but pain, And shade of sky will leave a stain. Though tasty are those at each end, Neither is the winner’s friend. A puzzle for the keen and wise, Drink the light to claim your prize.
"This one is probably the trickiest of the three, so you get two chances to drink from the correct bottle. After two incorrect drinks, you fail the riddle!"
From left to right:
Bottle 1. Purple bottle. Bottle 2. Green bottle. Bottle 3. Sky-blue bottle. Bottle 4. White bottle. Bottle 5. Purple bottle. Bottle 6. Green bottle. Bottle 7. Red bottle.
Nexus stood there for a moment, dwelling over the riddle she was presented with while her mind ran over what she was told and figured how best to decipher it to find her objective.
From what the riddle said, bottles after the purple ones were to be avoided. Those contain brews made from blight, which while she probably hasn't had experience drinking could not surmise it to be pleasant experiences judging from the name. The next clue was that even numbers 'brought pain' which lined up with the blight bottles being after the purple ones. Two was next to a purple, as was six. Following that line of thought, that meant four was likely the 'juice that burned' and she could cross it off her list.
'Tasty are those at each end', which meant likely that the first purple bottle, and the red bottle could both be considered 'juices', as those brews were almost always tasty. Taking out one, two, four, six, and seven left her with three and five. Three, apparently, cause 'stains', but didn't say 'glow'. And with two tries at this, she'd attempt to pick up number five first and down it's contents. Failing that, she'd go for the sky blue bottle.
Kenar sets back watching with anticipation carful not to get to close as to cause a distraction to Nexus. As the drow walks away he slips a quick “Congratulations! Well done”
And with two tries at this, she'd attempt to pick up number five first and down it's contents. Failing that, she'd go for the sky blue bottle.
Nexus drinks the fifth bottle and feels some warmth settle in her stomach. Shortly after, Nexus' skin glows slightly, casting dim silvery light out to five feet. Nexus realizes this is probably the effects of a glow potion, a relatively common alchemical brew in Jigow. Elder Kaz smiled. "You got it! That's one correct riddle for you. Only one more to win the contest!"
The drow that passed by Kenar nods. "Thank you," He says in a Rosohnan accent. "Pretty impressive of your friend to get the bottle one right on the first attempt. Let's see if her luck holds."
Kenar smiles at the drow “It’s not luck where these ladies are concerned their just that smart. I’m Kenar by the way. You enjoying the festival so far?
"Galsariad Ardyth. I'm having a decent time, I suppose. Most of these challenges are geared towards those who prefer brawns over brains, though, so this riddle challenge is the only thing that seems meant for me. My associates are much more able-bodied. And you?"
Aldith stood staring at the goblin with dismay. It cost money to enter the game of riddles as well, less than the arm-wrestling contest but still. She watched as Nexus conquered the riddle of the bottles and congratulated her on figuring it out on the first try. The drow woman stared longingly at the riddle of the star chart, the one the handsome drow had been working on, but her coin purse was just as empty as before so she stood a little away from the others and waited to see who would attempt the riddles next.
Nexus, now glowing with a faint light, turned to look at both of those that came with her, beaming with a smile near as bright as the light shining through her skin now.
Only for said smile to falter a little when she noticed they hadn't stepped forward to make an attempt at the other puzzles while she worked on this one.
"What's wrong? Did you leave your money at home or something? Or just don't feel like partaking of this particular event?"
“I’m not much inclined towards the more physically demanding challenges either but these two ladies are quite adept.” Seeing the awkward look on Aldiths face he quickly steps up to the goblin letting Nexus talk to her. I’d like to try though I’m not near as talented as my companions.” Looking at the last two test and seeing Aldith look at the maps he moves to the last one with the wooden box.
Aldith blushes as Nexus approaches her. She immediately regrets the flushing feeling in her face, turning her dusky cheeks a darker shade of grey. "I...I'm afraid I haven't much coin," she said quietly, not wanting the whole world to hear.
Nexus doesn't make a big deal about it outwardly. The blush, the quiet response. She can understand not wanting to just say that you didn't have much outloud. So she stepped closer while their companion went to try their hand at a game, pulling three gold from her coin purse, holding her hand a loft with her fist closed.
"Don't worry, I understand. Just pay me back sometime, alright?"
Her own tone is hushed now, and if Aldith made to accept the coins were deposited quickly and quietly. Arms folding after to watch their companion try their hand at a game.
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"New face, but hopefully not a stranger," Shayone smiles. "Shayone of Den Daev’yana, lately out of Igrathad. I've been working my way through my anamnesis for the last few years."
Birgit | Shifter | Sorcerer | Dragonlords
Shayone | Hobgoblin | Sorcerer | Netherdeep
Maryl's expression changes from dubious suspicion to surprise. "Shayone...? Shayone, the echo knight? Really?! HA!" She lets out a laugh and claps the hobgoblin on the back. "So, you came back, huh? Consecuted or whatever, right? Lucky dog! I'm getting on in years, and you just keep getting younger! How are you, old friend? You must be surprised to see how I've turned out. I was just a wet-eared whelp back when you passed through Bazzoxan, now I'm a battle-scarred veteran!"
Shayone's smile grows as Maryl claps her on the back. "But you are still here, which proves I taught you well -- and that you took your training to heart. And you wear those years well. I'm hardly going to have time to get used to this body before it's over and done. I don't have half the strength I used to, and I wasn't getting the training I needed sitting around the capital."
Birgit | Shifter | Sorcerer | Dragonlords
Shayone | Hobgoblin | Sorcerer | Netherdeep
"Ha, thanks, Shayone. Liked to think I did you proud. We looked up to you, all of us back at Bazzoxan did... Sorry that your current body hasn't held up to your expectations. But hey, there's always next life, right? Maybe you'll come back as a giant!" Maryl jests, nudging Shayone with an armored elbow. "Well, it was great to chat, but I've got to get back to crushing the competition. Tell you what: if you're sticking around for the closing ceremony, I'll find you there, yeah? We can catch up. I've got some stories for you, and I'd like to hear some from you as well!"
“Ah, I’d settle for a simple drow again,” Shayone replies casually. “I’ll be here for a while yet, so I’ll find you at the ceremony. Just don’t go giving away too many more of those medals!” She punches Maryl in the arm, noting to herself the lack of heavy impact.
Birgit | Shifter | Sorcerer | Dragonlords
Shayone | Hobgoblin | Sorcerer | Netherdeep
"No promises, boss! Why don't you go win some medals of your own, eh? Good luck!"
With that, you all head over to the baby horizonback tortoises to meet up with the rest of your group.
Meanwhile...
Nexus, Aldith, and the still-recovering Kenar move just down the street and find an elderly goblin in blue robes presiding over a set of three tables, whom Nexus recognizes as Elder Colbu Kaz, the head of Jigow's goblin clans and one of the leaders of the city. One table holds a wooden box, the second displays a glittering star map of the Exandrian sky, and on the third rests a row of colored bottles. A banner hanging over the setup reads, “Test your wit with me, against these riddles three." A handsome male drow with long white hair dressed in maroon robes appears to be taking the challenge right now, looking over the star map and pointing something out that you can't see. The goblin elder nods.
"Ah, you finally got it, friend! Well done. Here is your medal!" Colbu Kaz says, handing the drow a medal sculpted and painted to look like a fox. The drow bows slightly, accepts the medal, and takes a step back, allowing your group to stand near the riddle station. "Ah, welcome! Here to test your wit with me against these riddles three? It's two silver pieces to attempt to solve a riddle. You can pick the riddle you'd like to solve each time, and you can keep attempting to solve as long as you're willing to pay. If you solve at least two of my riddles, you get a medal! So, who is first, who is first, hm?"
Nexus absolutely adored herself a good riddle or two. A trait that her mother happened to pass to her when she was teaching her wizardly studies, and just her love for literature in general. A brief glance toward the drow who was being given a medal, but no more than a passing look. Nexus merely took it as meaning she'd need to make doubly sure not to mess up on her attempts to solve them.
When said handsome drow was finished being handed his metal, and stepped back to allow others in, she dipped into a small curtesy in greeting. Goblin or no, Colbu was still a leader of the city, and he had earned his respect. Rising back up, Nexus fished two silvers out to hand over in payment. "I hope your riddles aren't too difficult this year, Elder Kaz. I'm hoping to earn my first medal of the day. Though, I suppose if they are difficult, solving them will be all the sweeter, no?"
Elder Kaz smiles at Nexus. "Oh-ho, I think I've come up with some real noggin-scratchers this year, my girl! Let's see if you're up to the task. Which riddle would you like to try? The riddle of the box, the riddle of the star chart, or the riddle of the bottles?"
Nexus dwelled on the question for a moment, ultimately deciding that she'd start with the riddle of the bottles and, if she succeeded with that, go to the box. "Let's try the bottles first, Elder Kaz."
On the table is a row of seven small bottles filled with colored liquids, and the following riddle in Common:
Two of us are brewed from blight
And always sat to purple’s right.
Three are juice, one burns like flame,
And no two colors taste the same.
Even flasks hold naught but pain,
And shade of sky will leave a stain.
Though tasty are those at each end,
Neither is the winner’s friend.
A puzzle for the keen and wise,
Drink the light to claim your prize.
"This one is probably the trickiest of the three, so you get two chances to drink from the correct bottle. After two incorrect drinks, you fail the riddle!"
From left to right:
Bottle 1. Purple bottle.
Bottle 2. Green bottle.
Bottle 3. Sky-blue bottle.
Bottle 4. White bottle.
Bottle 5. Purple bottle.
Bottle 6. Green bottle.
Bottle 7. Red bottle.
Nexus stood there for a moment, dwelling over the riddle she was presented with while her mind ran over what she was told and figured how best to decipher it to find her objective.
From what the riddle said, bottles after the purple ones were to be avoided. Those contain brews made from blight, which while she probably hasn't had experience drinking could not surmise it to be pleasant experiences judging from the name. The next clue was that even numbers 'brought pain' which lined up with the blight bottles being after the purple ones. Two was next to a purple, as was six. Following that line of thought, that meant four was likely the 'juice that burned' and she could cross it off her list.
'Tasty are those at each end', which meant likely that the first purple bottle, and the red bottle could both be considered 'juices', as those brews were almost always tasty. Taking out one, two, four, six, and seven left her with three and five. Three, apparently, cause 'stains', but didn't say 'glow'. And with two tries at this, she'd attempt to pick up number five first and down it's contents. Failing that, she'd go for the sky blue bottle.
Kenar sets back watching with anticipation carful not to get to close as to cause a distraction to Nexus. As the drow walks away he slips a quick “Congratulations! Well done”
Nexus drinks the fifth bottle and feels some warmth settle in her stomach. Shortly after, Nexus' skin glows slightly, casting dim silvery light out to five feet. Nexus realizes this is probably the effects of a glow potion, a relatively common alchemical brew in Jigow. Elder Kaz smiled. "You got it! That's one correct riddle for you. Only one more to win the contest!"
The drow that passed by Kenar nods. "Thank you," He says in a Rosohnan accent. "Pretty impressive of your friend to get the bottle one right on the first attempt. Let's see if her luck holds."
Kenar smiles at the drow “It’s not luck where these ladies are concerned their just that smart. I’m Kenar by the way. You enjoying the festival so far?
"Galsariad Ardyth. I'm having a decent time, I suppose. Most of these challenges are geared towards those who prefer brawns over brains, though, so this riddle challenge is the only thing that seems meant for me. My associates are much more able-bodied. And you?"
Aldith stood staring at the goblin with dismay. It cost money to enter the game of riddles as well, less than the arm-wrestling contest but still. She watched as Nexus conquered the riddle of the bottles and congratulated her on figuring it out on the first try. The drow woman stared longingly at the riddle of the star chart, the one the handsome drow had been working on, but her coin purse was just as empty as before so she stood a little away from the others and waited to see who would attempt the riddles next.
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
Nexus, now glowing with a faint light, turned to look at both of those that came with her, beaming with a smile near as bright as the light shining through her skin now.
Only for said smile to falter a little when she noticed they hadn't stepped forward to make an attempt at the other puzzles while she worked on this one.
"What's wrong? Did you leave your money at home or something? Or just don't feel like partaking of this particular event?"
“I’m not much inclined towards the more physically demanding challenges either but these two ladies are quite adept.” Seeing the awkward look on Aldiths face he quickly steps up to the goblin letting Nexus talk to her. I’d like to try though I’m not near as talented as my companions.” Looking at the last two test and seeing Aldith look at the maps he moves to the last one with the wooden box.
Aldith blushes as Nexus approaches her. She immediately regrets the flushing feeling in her face, turning her dusky cheeks a darker shade of grey. "I...I'm afraid I haven't much coin," she said quietly, not wanting the whole world to hear.
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
Nexus doesn't make a big deal about it outwardly. The blush, the quiet response. She can understand not wanting to just say that you didn't have much outloud. So she stepped closer while their companion went to try their hand at a game, pulling three gold from her coin purse, holding her hand a loft with her fist closed.
"Don't worry, I understand. Just pay me back sometime, alright?"
Her own tone is hushed now, and if Aldith made to accept the coins were deposited quickly and quietly. Arms folding after to watch their companion try their hand at a game.