World: Weskeilia Continent: Aelira Kingdom: Whiteridge Kingdom Location: Grand Historian Ozemon's Estate, Whiteridge Date: Calsera 8th, 1419 U4
My posting key
OOC -> (OOC:) This should always be at the bottom of my posts, though sometimes there will be one at the top. Character names -> Khessa NPC chatter -> "Hi, I'm Ozemon." NPC thoughts -> "Let's hope these folks can cut it." My NPCs won't have inner thoughts often (typically my NPC inner thoughts is used for telepathy). I do however wish for your characters to have inner thoughts, so that I can better appeal to you and write a better story as we go. If there is a spoiler with a player character's name above it, that spoiler is information specifically for said character. If you read it and it's not your character's name, you're only ruining the fun for yourself. If there is a spoiler with a skill and number above it (typically only applies to passive perception) if your skill reaches or succeeds it, that spoiler contains information for you. Information in spoilers, you are free to share with the group. Either OOC tell them they may open your spoiler and read it, or share the information organically through roleplaying.
Posting Key Updates Beginning with Post #49 NPC Chatter was changed from italics to bold and NPC thoughts was changed from bold to italics. Beginning with Post #457 spoilers are no longer used for personal information.
The 4th era has been an amazing time to be alive on Weskeilia. The ice age of the 3rd era is over. The Council of Aelira has been created, and they've made life easy on Aelira, for the most part.
Dimitri
Three days ago, you took a simple breaking and entering gig. Small crew, you knew them, though not well. The job went south. There wasn't suppose to be anyone there, but the shop owner was still there, working late. One of your crewmates took the extra step, and killed the shop owner. You snuck outside the city walls, and have been laying low for the past two days. While attempting to get back in, one of the guards began harassing you. You started getting twitchy, thinking something happened and perhaps the guards are looking for someone matching your description. Before things could go too far, you were approached by a well dressed tiefling. Ozemon offered great coin, if you'd be willing to do a job for him. Plus, he'd get you past the guards and into town. You accept his offer, he puts you up in a local tavern for the night, you rest, and when you wake up in the morning, you gather your belongings and head off for the Ozemon Estate.
Hadi
Eight months ago, you were sent away by your family. You were left alone on your family property high up on the Axel Peak mountain ridge. Your only rule; not to leave until you're sent for. You found a strange book tucked away, talking about and teaching a lost art your family once new. You spent the next six months studying the book, practicing its teachings, and trying the best you can to reconstruct the missing pages on your own. You eventually gave up, remembering your family had a connection in Whiteridge, you disobeyed your families demands, packed up your belongings, plus a few other things from the house, and you spent the next two months making the trip to Whiteridge, where you finally found Ozemon. He offered to try and find more on this very secretive art, if you're willing to help him retrieve something. You accept his offer, he puts you up in a local tavern for the night, you rest, and when you wake up in the morning, you gather your belongings and head off for the Ozemon Estate.
Khessa
Ten months ago, Khessa, Twarden was raided by drow in the midst of the night. Not all of the villagers survived, but those that did wound up deep within the Underdark. Through some dumb luck and an extreme desire to get free, you managed to to break free with a small group of other surviving villagers. You and your small group of followers spent the next eight months wandering aimlessly through the Underdark. Somehow, you managed to break out of the Underdark and return to the surface. You spent the next two months traveling the roads, saving helpless traveling merchants from thieves and goblin raids, until you found yourself at the gates of Whiteridge. While being harassed and hassled by one of the gate guards, you were approached by a well dressed tiefling, who introduced himself as Ozemon. He offered complete access to the city, should you be willing to help him in return. You accept his offer, he puts you up in a local tavern for the night, you rest, and when you wake up in the morning, you gather your belongings and head off for the Ozemon Estate.
T'bitha
You look at D’gardron with pleading eyes. D’gardron clenches the chain necklace tighter, pulling you closer to him as he vehemently examined the silver symbol of The Dark Maiden. The longsword, standing vertically against a full moon, surrounded by a nimbus of filaments representing The Dark Maiden's hair dangled just under his fist.
“Please. We can have such a better life.” You spoke subduedly as tears well out of your eyes.
“Lloth is the only true Goddess. I must take you to the high priestess herself so she can reap judgement upon your vile and traitorous belief.” D’gardron seethed.
D’gardron yanks the necklace breaking it free of your neck. You turn to make an escape, but he grabs your wrist, throwing your arm behind your back, forcing you to submit and be pushed away from your room. “I cannot believe that I was betrothed to a traitorous Drow such as yourself. The high priestess will reward me nicely.”
He continues to push you through the dark corridors and caverns of the Underdark passages of Neriak. You notice you're preparing to pass the 'Light Within', a small area where daylight manages to penetrate the Underdark. As he pushes you along, you valiantly struggle and kick your foot back landing true on D’gardron’s shin. This being just hard enough to make him lose his grip on your wrist and let you go. He reached out, but the sunlight affected his vision and giving you just enough time to escape to the world above, while he stood there clutching your necklace with the symbol of The Dark Maiden dangling from the chain.
That was three months ago. You found your way to Whiteridge seeking sanctuary, and you've spent the past two months hiding within the walls of The Ozemon Estate. However, yesterday while the two of you were enjoying supper, Ozemon spoke up "T'bitha, my dear. The time has come. Tomorrow, I need you to leave and lead a team for me. I need you to travel to the Veiled Forest. Within the forest, somewhere there is a crypt. I need you to find the crypt, find the urn inside, and bring it back to me." He waits a moment before speaking up again "I know it will be dangerous for you, but this urn is extremely important, and I need someone I trust to lead the adventurers I've rounded up. I need you to lead them. This is your payment for my providing sanctuary to you. When you return, my Estate is yours for as long as you wish. You never have to leave again, if you don't want to." You head to bed, wake up the next morning, and await the arrival of these adventurers Ozemon has gathered up.
Tristan
Four months ago, you woke up. Darkness, a damp feeling, wood, and insects crawling across your body were the only thing you could feel. As you regained your consciousness, the living tree tomb you were entombed in, opened itself, spitting you out onto the dark forest floor below it. You laid there for what felt like hours before regaining the strength to stand. You wandered aimlessly through this dark forest listening to absolutely nothing. Dead silence. Unlike anything you've ever heard while in a forest. Eventually, you stumbled out of the forest itself, where you regained your eyesight. Moving to the present, you've managed to figure out the basics of living in this world, similar, but so extremely unlike the one you're familiar with. You found, or rather, Ozemon found you after hearing about this strange person traveling the local roads. He offered to attempt to help you, if you help him. You accept his offer, he puts you up in a local tavern for the night, you rest, and when you wake up in the morning, you gather your belongings and head off for the Ozemon Estate.
As morning comes to all of you Dimitri, Hadi, Khessa, and Tristan, you make your way to the Ozemon Estate. As you approach the door and knock, the large wooden doors swing open. You're immediately greeted by a silver haired older human gentleman "Greetings master adventurers. Master Ozemon should be out momentarily, for now, please do not stray from the foyer." Looking around the foyer, it's well decorated. Lining the walls are portraits of men and women of a multitude of different races, below each portrait, sits a bust with a name placard. In the middle of the foyer, there is a pond with a small rock fountain. You can see a few turtles lounging on the edge of the pond, and several koi fish swimming around. There is a half spiral staircase leading to the floor above; where you all notice a drow looking over the railings looking down upon all of you as you enter.
After a few minutes you all watch as Ozemon walks into the foyer. He's wearing an elegant brown robe that drags two feet behind him. His red skin shines in the light of the house, his black horns protrude from the edges of his forehead, swinging back behind his head. Slightly behind him you spot another drow, dressed in black leathers, he has a pair of goggles hanging around his neck, hanging on his waist is the symbol of The Dark Maiden, his visible body is covered in scars, as well as a few tattoos, his ashen hair hangs halfway down his back in a half braid, and his crimson eyes pierce you as he looks in your direction. Walking beside him is a human. She is dressed in blue robes with silver and white trimmings, wears a white crystal necklace, as well as a holy symbol of The Moonmaiden. Her long, wavy, brown hair hangs down to her waist, and the flames from the candle on the wall dance in her deep cobalt blue eyes. Sitting, or riding, depending on how you look at it, on the end of Ozemon's dragging robes, is a young half-drow, no older than two winters.
"Ah! You're all here. T'bitha! Are you here?" Noticing you are in fact in the foyer, T'bitha, "Now that you're all here. You are all here to do a job for me. The same job. Each and every one of you will be receiving a reward of 100 gold a piece, for the return of an urn. Deep in the Veiled Forest lies a crypt. Inside the crypt is an urn. Simply retrieve the urn and bring it to me. Should you succeed, you will receive your payment, and potentially another job offer, should you like." Ozemon turns towards the human next to him "Khashana and Malekith here have agreed to help transport you to the Veiled Forest, once you are ready." Looking towards the drow at the top of the stairs "She will be leading all of you. Once you find the crypt and get into it, she knows what the urn looks like."
(OOC: Take this time to introduce your character to us, and describe what they look like. T'bitha, the drow upstairs is you. Feel free to interact with each other, Ozemon, the butler, or anyone else in the room. Of course, do anything else your character might do. Welcome to The Crypt of the Blood Witch!)
Hadi takes his time coming down. 'Never be the first to arrive at a party,' as his father had told him. He's a young elf, in human years he'd look to be in his mid 20s. He stands taller than most of his kind, though still not quite up to man height, he's only an inch or two shy. His hair is a clear silver of the stars, with light blue streaks through it. He's carrying surprisingly little gear, mostly a backpack that seems rather heavy, though rather small, indicating something rather solid inside. He wears no armor, and has a dagger at his waist, as well as a whip coiled up. He wears a, clearly well made, cloak with the white fur of some beast from Enesh. On his left hand is a large ring with the Elvish B character in fine calligraphy, clearly indicating the well known Benotto family.
Sitting down at the table he raises a hand to call over the server and orders himself a breakfast, as well as some wine and juice ((think mimosa~)). Once it arrives he puts his hand on the cup as it suddenly frosts over before he takes a sip, and then looks to the breakfast. Taking small bites as he watches the others around he then listens carefully to Ozemon, the man he'd met only the day before. His family knew of the man, and he hoped that help would be forth coming, though it seems he'll need to run some errands first. Ah well, it will give him a chance to practice what he'd learned.
He was about to reply that 100 gold is quite small, and then realized that he is currently cut off from his family's funds, so quietly closes his mouth to see how the others respond to their task at hand.
Dimitri’s fingers flexed, relaxed the grip on his cane, tightened again.
They were long, slender lockpicker’s fingers, with callus and fading pink ropes of scars on the pale skin. Dimitri wore his black leather armour, two shortswords on his belt, two daggers tucked in the chestpiece, and one paring knife in the boot of his good leg. He walked with a mild limp, slightly leaning on his right side, which might be imperceptible if he weren’t using his cane. He had long dark hair falling down his back, the front portion teased back. He had a mask, covering half of his face. Only looking at his profile, he looked to be around 20, handsome, elegant. On the other side of his face, the slightless, milky blue eye stared out, unblinking, and the flesh around the eye was wrinkled, charred sallow.
As he entered the Ozemon Estate, as usual, first thing he did was to look for all the possible exits. The foyer was grand and airy, smelled of sandalwood and fresh water. There was the wooden doors he came in, of course; there’s a hallway leading down deeper into the mansion; a second floor; a window with carved wooden casement on the east wall that was a little tall, but he should be able to make it with a jumping start. He felt the appraising gaze that fell onto him from above, he looked up, locked eyes with the drow. He felt the corner of his mouth twitched up into a grin, then kept going. It was unlikely this is all part of some elaborate scheme, though after the botched job three days ago, he wasn’t about to let go his paranoia just yet. He made mental notes of all the portraits and names hanging on the wall, then, all the items and decorations that could make a pretty sum on the market. Celestial globe, bronze brasier, ceramic vase. Then, he straightened up as Ozeman and his followers walked in.
He patiently waited for Ozeman to finish, then eyed T'bitha meaningfully, before turning back the well dressed business. “What’s the catch?” He asked, “Why not tell us the prize looks like? That would be more reasonable, wouldn't it. But you’re afraid of us taking off with it.” And it means much more to him than the 500 gold he was paying them. Now he turned to the drow, with the slightest mocking smile. “She’s not there to help us. She’s there to babysit us.”
T’bitha looked down at the group and thought, ”Eilistraee, grant me the wisdom to lead for I am no leader!”
She passes by the two male Drow Elves flanking her and walks down the sweeping stair case towards the group. Her long silvery-white hair cascades and spills over her shoulders and back like a waterfall painted by the moonlight while wispy tendrils of hair dance in small drafts like watery mist rising. A thin crown braid adorns the top of her hair, adding to her sophisticated beauty. She wears tight, black leggings that disappear under a knee-length skirt that flows with her every step. Leather armor adorns her breast and torso with a small symbol over the right breast. An upturned sword surrounded by a circle of wispy white tendrils representing Eilistraee’s hair. Her boots are thigh high, but with almost no heels so as not to twist an ankle if she needed to run. Her lilac-colored skin is in stark contrast with her white hair; however, she is still a striking figure to look at.
”Contrary to what you think, I am no babysitter.” she eyes Dimitri, taking him in. ”There is no catch that I am aware of. I have been here, under the mentorship of Ozeman and have read nearly every book pertaining to this urn and where it might be. I am here to help show you the way so we might acquire this item for him.”
She pauses and looks over the rest of the group. ”But where are my manners? I am T’bitha Xiltyn, priestess of Eilistraee, and here at your bidding to help lead you all.”She slightly bows to the party respectfully.
Tristan's eyes flit from person to person, appraising each in turn. Starting conflict already? This one may be a handful.He thinks to himself in his native tongue.
Tristan appears to be a young elf, tall and slender, but with a decent build. His hair is an almost bleached white, which turns into a dark lilac at the tip, matching his eyes. He wears dark clothing which contrasts his pale skin. Atop his clothing is leather armor, reinforced with strips of a strange white metal carved with runes that are unfamiliar. It is ornamental in places, more fitting for a formal ceremony than the battlefield, but still functional. At his left hip, his gloved hand clutches the hilt of a cavalry saber with a bone handle. Strapped over his cloak is a round shield made of the same metal as his armor.
He had been awake for months now, but the differences between his time and this were still starkly apparent. People talk a lot, but say very little, and almost never what they actually mean. The idea of venturing back into the Veiled Forest so soon unsettled him, but he had little choice. How can a place be so similar to my home, yet so far from what I knew?He only hoped that Ozemon made good on his word to help...
"Now, now, play nicely. Unless you can navigate the forest, we will need someone that can." Turning from Dimitri towards T'bitha, Tristan gives her a short bow. "A pleasure to meet you, priestess. My name is Tristan."
(OOC: Tristan speaks with a soft Icelandic-esque accent)
“I work better with no supervision.” Dimitri gave a shrug with one shoulder, unconvinced, but turned his gaze away from T’bitha. “Business is business, Mr… Tristan. This is not a dating show. It’s best to lay the dirty laundry all out before a job. Niceties won’t do when we’re in the bowels of danger.”
“I suppose the benefit of Mr. Ozemon sending one of his own with us means that he’s not planning send us to our death. Well. Not until we’ve done the job, anyway.” Something dangerous glinted in his dark blue eye, as he gave Ozemon a cordial smile. Or it would’ve been a nice smile, if not for the one corner of his mouth fixed slightly downturned in burned scars.
T’bitha steps back from Dimitri, giving him space. She could sense that he was confrontational and wanted nothing of it. She did give pause, though, thinking to herself, Ozeman never did say why he wanted the urn.
T’bitha looked at Dimitri, “I promise not to supervise. I am merely here to guide the way. I am not here to tell you what we should do. This is going to require all of our talents and skills. Separately, we are like a stick. We can easily be broken; however, if you put a bunch of sticks together, it is much more difficult to break. I sense some distrust issues and I do not know what I, or any of us needs to do to gain your trust. We are in this together so I hope we can all begin to rely on each other sooner rather than later when something ugly confronts us.”
She turns to Tristan, smiling appreciatively, “I appreciate your support, Tristan.”
Khessa arrives farstriding at the Ozemon Estate, eager to get started with her assignment. To be able to do what matters to her so much, she knows she needs help. This Ozemon appears to be an influential individual in Whiteridge; he could help her gather information... maybe even organize an expedition... Oh sure, she looks a little out of the ordinary, with that oddly colored skin and horns, but Khessa doesn't care. At least he's not a drow! Plus, she would be willing to cooperate even with a devil from the hell, to eventually succeed in that task which is practically her reason for living.
"But first I'll have to win his trust" thinks the tall blonde adventurer "so, let's focus on the mission".
So the woman knocks on the door with determination and enthusiasm. Tall, athletic, tanned for her life often led in the open air, in her 20s, she seems almost not to feel the weight of either her chain mail armor she wears, nor the heavy weapons resting on her back, a maul and a greatsword. To be recognized more easily, she is not wearing her helmet, but she is holding it in one hand and her long weavy blond hair falls free on her back and shoulders.
At the welcome of the silver haired older human gentleman who makes her sit in the foyer, Khessa smiles brighly and holds out her hand: "Thank you! Nice to meet you, I'm Khessa! How are you?" and her blue eyes really show interest in the condition of the person who greeted her with such kindness...
After talking to the man for a while (obviously if he talks to her - if he ignores her she doesn't bother him), the blonde adventurer looks around int the room in amazement. For her, born and raised in a tiny provincial village, the works of art in the house are a mystery not too dissimilar to magic...
Then she spots HER! The drow up the half spiral staircase! Anger? Fear? Contempt? Horror? An alchemy of emotions all of a sudden struggle on Khessa's face to control her expression.
"Easy, Khessa..." she tries to calm herself down "That drow... Is only one... Not a band... And is doing nothing wrong... AT LEAST SO FAR! Maybe she means no harm... AND SHOULD SHE WANT TO DO IT, I'LL MAKE SURE SHE CAN'T!".
The blonde adventurer retreats to a part of the foyer where the drow cannot see her and focuses on the others entering as well. Maybe they're here for the same job.
He introduces herself to both Dimitri and Hadi, trying to make conversation while they wait for the host: "Hi! I'm Khessa, pleasure to meet you! How are you? Ozemon hired you too?"
But soon Ozemon arrives and... Drow again!? Khessa tries to hide the shock, because she doesn't want to judge too hastily, but... this tiefling seems to have a real passion for dark elves! Is it REALLY a good idea to work for him? But her mind works fast and calms her down. This is a big city. The drow can't easily destroy it. Perhaps the drow who inhabit it have no evil intentions. If they have them... working close to them, she might realize it and be able to stop them. And if they don't have any... then, maybe, one day, they could help her get back to the Underdark... help to infiltrate... help to...
"Focus!" she orders (menatlly) to herself.
As Ozemon explains the details, Khessa pays attention.
Then, Dimitri speaks, and the blonde warrior does not understand what the masked man is trying to accomplish. Those words could raise doubts in the tiefling's mind! And this for sure nobody needs it. She gently places her hand on the man's arm: "I think Tristan and T'bitha have a point here" (meanwhile, she is thinking: "But I REALLY have to be the one taking the side of a drow!? But I'll keep an eye on her too, that's for sure"). "Like Tristan said, if T'bitha knows how to guide us and what the urn looks like, she seem to be definitely helpful. Think about it, man: if we have been called in so many, the task must be dangerous... So also T'bitha is right: it will be important that we all try to help ech other at our best. Or not only the urn may not return... but we may not return either!"
Finally, she turns to Ozemon, her blue eyes shining with interest, and asks: "What do we know about the dangers of the Veiled Forest and the crypt? Do we have any informations? Or will we have to find out all there?"
Dimitri felt something touch his arm and looked down. He stared at the hand at his arm, brows burrowed, the same expression as if someone were looking at a rare spider, like he couldn’t fathom how it came to be and how it got there. Slowly, he looked up again, at the blonde warrior, still talking. He remembered her name was Khessa.
He eyed T’bitha again. It was a good thing, that she was irreplaceable - Ozemon wouldn’t send her, with her knowledge, into a death trap if he wouldn’t want them to succeed. It certainly helps, if T’bitha was on their side. He could use some insurance.
He let his arm slide out of Khessa’s touch, cocked his head toward her. “You’re right.” He said, conceding, though he wasn’t really listening. He gave her a doting smile. “But please don’t touch me again, Khessa.”
...He let his arm slide out of Khessa’s touch, cocked his head toward her. “You’re right.” He said, conceding, though he wasn’t really listening. He gave her a doting smile. “But please don’t touch me again, Khessa.”
"Sure, as you wish" the blonde warrior gives a bright smile back. "I beg your pardon, I didn't mean to do something... that you didn't like. Quite the contrary, in fact: if during our mission someone or something tries to do something unpleasant to you, I'll try to find a way to make it change its mind, right?" and she points with her thumb at her two-handed arms hanging behind her back.
Then, turning to everyone else, she adds: "And obviously the same goes for all of you".
"T'bitha too?" Khessa does NOT say aloud, just thinking it, when her blue eyes meet the ones of the drow priestess "I will have to, it seems... I can't talk about collaboration and then start discriminating. As long as she doesn't do anything... bad, I'll have to treat her... like a good person".
After that, she returns her attention to Ozemon, waiting for him to reveal what he knows (if he knows anything).
T’bitha looks to Ozemon and quietly slips away from the party and approaches the Tiefling, pulling him aside for a private conversation.
“I’m feeling anxious over this. I cannot help feeling that I am bringing a lot of tension to these folks. I presume it is because I am drow and it is not customary for us to leave the Underdark. I’m aware this is not going to be a simple walk in the park. I trust that you would not intentionally place me in harm’s way. You’ve been so thoughtful allowing me to stay here and I’m extremely grateful. I will do my best to bring back the urn you want.”
T’bitha quietly returns to the group. ”Whenever all of you are ready to leave, we may begin our journey.”
Khessa, the butler does indeed introduce himself to you as you speak with him "Hello Mistress Khessa, I am Major Cedric. I'm doing well, thank you for asking." He returns to his post however, continues opening the door as others enter, and announces Ozemon as he enters the foyer.
"First of all, thank you all for arriving today." Ozemon looks towards you Dimitri as you're the first to speak up "There is no catch, just limited knowledge. The journals I've collected that speak of this crypt and urn are cryptic and vague at best. The urn is simply nondescript. If you manage to find this crypt there could be thousands of urns in it, or a sole urn." Listening intently as you continue to speak Dimitri; Ozemon speaks up again "Fear not. I have no intentions on sending you to your death. I do expect there to be danger however. So I am sending you head first into danger, but I do believe together, you are all capable of overcoming whatever danger may lay ahead of you. T'bitha has been preparing for this trek for a month now. She's prepared to lead the way, and get you near where I believe to crypt to be."
As you speak up and ask your questions Khessa, Ozemon doesn't speak up, but Malekith, the drow, does "I've scouted much of the edges of the Veiled Forest and have done my best to scout the inner forest. It's unlike a normal forest. Once you breach the veil of the forest, even with eyes like mine -" you all notice as his eyes flicker every so quickly with a demonic glow before returning back to their crimson color "your sight is drastically smothered. You can't see anything more than ten feet from you. The forest is also eerily silent -" he pauses "most of the time. You won't hear a single bird chirping. You won't hear deer barking, wolves howling, nothing. But late at night, you may hear trees breaking and crashing to the ground, or a strange, deep, guttural sound. Unlike anything I've ever heard before." Ozemon takes place as Malekith finishes speaking "Whatever things lives in the forest, seem only active at night. The forest itself, also, isn't natural. By all surviving accounts, prior to the 3rd era, the forest was home to many elven towns. There is no mention of this dark veil that smothers it now."
T'bitha
"Worry not my dear. I have every intention of you making it back. I've promised to help a few of these others with the things that ail them as well. I would like to see all of you return, but at least you."
Tristan looks grim as the drow speaks about the forest, and as Ozemon concludes his eyes gleam with shadowed pain, although his face remains stony. "Yes. Yes there were." He says softly. After a few moments, his dark cloud seems to disappear and he speaks again, with more enthusiasm this time "I am ready as soon as the others are. We can discuss our assets as we travel, it would be...useful to know our strengths and weaknesses."
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“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
Khessa, the butler does indeed introduce himself to you as you speak with him "Hello Mistress Khessa, I am Major Cedric. I'm doing well, thank you for asking." ...
"You are welcome Cedric!" Khessa replies "And I am no one's mistress, that's for sure," she smiles "so Khessa will suffice. Maybe we will become friends, if I keep working for Ozemon! You know, I come from a village that was so much, much smaller than this... We all knew each other there! Here everything is very big and very beautiful but... I feel out of place, if you understand what I mean. There are so many people, but I don't know anyone... In the meantime we could get to know each other, when we have a moment. If you have lived here for a long time, you must know a lot about this city. " but as soon as the next guest knocks on the door "Oh, but I don't want to distract you, I see you have to work. And soon me too! But when I come back, if you feel like it, maybe we could meet and talk a bit".
...T’bitha quietly returns to the group. ”Whenever all of you are ready to leave, we may begin our journey.”
Khessa slowly approaches the drow priestess: "Ready when you are, T'bitha! Just one last thing... Excuse my ignorance, but I already know very little about divinities in general, let alone those worshiped by your people. I could ask you a question about your goddess, this... Eilistraee you mentioned?"
Then, if the drow priestess agrees, the tall warrior approaches even more, bending over her and placing his hand on her shoulder in a conspiratorial manner: "You know, most of the drow I met were terribly obsessed with the veneration of... kind of a spider goddess... Lolth was the name. Could I know the relationship between Eilistraee and Lolth? Are they... friends? Allies? Do they have similar religious precepts?"
Khessa slowly approaches the drow priestess: "Ready when you are, T'bitha! Just one last thing... Excuse my ignorance, but I already know very little about divinities in general, let alone those worshiped by your people. I could ask you a question about your goddess, this... Eilistraee you mentioned?"
Then, if the drow priestess agrees, the tall warrior approaches even more, bending over her and placing his hand on her shoulder in a conspiratorial manner: "You know, most of the drow I met were terribly obsessed with the veneration of... kind of a spider goddess... Lolth was the name. Could I know the relationship between Eilistraee and Lolth? Are they... friends? Allies? Do they have similar religious precepts?"
T’bitha leans back as Khessa bends over her small 5-foot frame, placing a hand on the drow’s shoulder and speaking to her about Eilistraee and Lloth. ”I feel that you have strong emotions about this. If it is any consolation… there is a relationship between the two; however, it is not one that I would call amiable. Perhaps I’ll feel more comfortable to discuss my Goddess to you, Khessa after we all get to know each other a little better. I’m feeling slightly uncomfortable right now. I will say this. Eilistraee is beautiful, loving and free, the way life ought to be.”
T’bitha forces herself to stand up straight, and looks Khessa in the eyes with her own purple irises. She takes her slender forefinger and “boops” Khessa on the forehead. ”You may think about that for a while.” . She smiles pleasantly and sidesteps the female warrior and heads towards the door beckoning the others to follow.
T’bitha leans back as Khessa bends over her small 5-foot frame, placing a hand on the drow’s shoulder and speaking to her about Eilistraee and Lloth. ”I feel that you have strong emotions about this. If it is any consolation… there is a relationship between the two; however, it is not one that I would call amiable. Perhaps I’ll feel more comfortable to discuss my Goddess to you, Khessa after we all get to know each other a little better. I’m feeling slightly uncomfortable right now. I will say this. Eilistraee is beautiful, loving and free, the way life ought to be.”
T’bitha forces herself to stand up straight, and looks Khessa in the eyes with her own purple irises. She takes her slender forefinger and “boops” Khessa on the forehead. ”You may think about that for a while.” . She smiles pleasantly and sidesteps the female warrior and heads towards the door beckoning the others to follow.
"Thank you for what you felt like telling me for now," Khessa smiles back. "What you told me reassured me more than you can imagine. You know, even on the basis of some experiences I have had, I have no great love for vermins... even more for those vermins who try to be worshiped as a divinity and, for some obscure reason, they manage to convince a significant amount of drow to do it. I am very pleased that Eilistraee is different. I will not need to 'make you feel uncomfortable' again".
As the others introduce themselves, Hadi stands up and says, "since we are doing introductions." He then looks to those around him, "T’bitha, Khessa, Tristan, and...?" gesturing to the slender human at his side. Then, placing a hand on his chest in a formal greeting appropriate to his station, says, "I am Hadi Benotto."Pausing slightly after saying his family name.
Noting the distrust that his darker cousin is receiving, not without warrant of course, Hadi says, "We are all here at the behest of Ozemon. Our... benefactor... for the time being. And perhaps we will form a profitable team in the future. For now though..." Looking to T'bitha he then says, "As our guide, would you be able to tell us more of this urn or crypt? History is a bit of a hobby of mine, so I'm curious to hear more."
"Actually, T'bitha, I've brought Khashana here today to save all of you some trouble. She's going to attempt to get you as close as possible to the Veiled Forest. If you'd all follow me, and please do stay close, do not wander off." Ozemon motions for you all to follow before turning around, still dragging the young half-drow child on the tail of his robes. Malekith and Khashana turn as well. You all follow as he leads you down a hall, where he opens a reinforced wooden door that opens up to a descending stone staircase. Moving down the staircase, you appear to be in a basement, or a dungeon of some sort. You continue traveling down the stone corridor before you come to a black iron door. It is a heavily locked door, the door has runic sigils marked all across it. Ozemon unlocks the door, it swings outward, towards all of you, where you're instantly met with a heavy iron bar, prison style, door, also locked. As he unlocks it Khashana leads everyone into the room. This is a simple stone room, with the exception of in 13 points along the wall, there are large amethyst inset in these points. The ground has about a dozen chalk circles of different sizes with a larger circle in the center. For those of you who are magically inclined, or perhaps of noble blood, this is a heavily modified, permanent teleportation circle.
Khashana begins marking the floor with chalk, overlaying some older markings, and creating brand new ones. "Malekith dear, will you prepare our adventurers?" She asks in a honeyed tone and as she does Malekith begins silently ushering each of you to the smaller circles, as he leads each of you to the circles, you hear in the back of your head "stand here. Don't move." in Malekith's voice, it's not an angered tone, it's just short and stern. After all of you take your place in the circle, Khashana says a few arcane words and you all feel this retching feeling in your gut as you appear in the middle of a field.
Looking around, it's still morning, the sun isn't quite overhead yet. The field continue on in one direction beyond your sight, nearby is a dark forest, and in another direction, you see another forest, though it's much further away than the dark one in front of you.
(OOC:Dimitri appears to be the only one who hasn't said they were ready to go, so I took the step. If there is anything you wish to do in the house still, you're welcome to do so. Don't forget about Hadi's questions he had asked prior to being teleported.)
”Most of what I have read and studied while living in Ozemon’s estate have mostly been journals of previous explorers who have either come across the urn or have heard through hearsay from other people. I take what I have read with some skepticism. However, I find that rumors, whether they be true or false, can oftentimes be revealing. For example, I have read one letter from a human named Jornas to a friend of his in Noubourg City. That’s up in the Bowen Kingdom. He mentioned that he came across this urn that a traveling merchant owned. Jornas asked the merchant what it held and the merchant informed him it held a magical liquid inside that could imbue the drinker with immortality; however, opening the urn casts a curse.”
T’bitha pauses to let that sink in a moment before continuing, ”I guess you can see some of the issues here. It’s a third-hand account from a letter detailing Jornas’ conversation with a merchant. Jornas never acquired the urn and left the merchant who was supposedly on his way to Whiteridge Kingdom.There was another library entry I read from a historical account that ashes from burnt trees were gathered by Druids of Ulisk and placed into the urn. Who knows what is really in the urn. Whatever it is, it is important.”
She looks to Hadi and continues, “As far as the crypt goes. It is the crypt of Ambriel, who is known as the Blood Witch. Maliketh has done most of the scouting and only has an idea of where the crypt might be. We’ll have to go to the area and prod around to find the actual location itself. I believe it may be…below ground, but I am unsure.” She instantly goes quiet after her last sentence and looks downwards a moment, her hand crossing over and rubbing her arm to self-console. She speaks again, but softly this time, ”Just a couple of examples of how conflicting it can all be.”
T’bitha changes subject, ”How did you get so interested in history? You say it is a hobby of yours?”
(OOC:Dimitri appears to be the only one who hasn't said they were ready to go, so I took the step. If there is anything you wish to do in the house still, you're welcome to do so. Don't forget about Hadi's questions he had asked prior to being teleported.)
This was because I noticed Dimitri was the only one to not actually introduce himself in character. Easy enough of course.
As it seems the group has decided to work together, Hadi picks up his pack and looks towards the door, but then is surprised when he is directed inside instead. Before following the others he lets out, but short whistle ending in a quick trill which is nearly immediately followed by a medium sized snowy owl silently flying through an open window to perch on his shoulder. "Laza. It appears we're headed inside."Hadi says to the owl, picking a small morsel of meat from his plate to give the owl. He then quickly finishes his drink before following the others. In the room with the teleportation circle Hadi makes note of the runes used to inscribe it, silently impressed at the craftsmanship which he did not expect in such a place.
T’bitha changes subject, ”How did you get so interested in history? You say it is a hobby of yours?”
Hadi chuckles to himself and then answers, "Honestly, studying was never something I much was into. Why bother burying yourself in books when there are so many beautiful women and amazing foods and drinks to enjoy eh? But life seems to find ways to surprise me, and it seems my ancestral memories, now quiet, were correct. Not long past I found a tome left by one of my ancestors detailing some fascinating arcane arts!" As he pauses he takes a breath and whistles a short tune. As he does so you can feel a small bit of arcane energy start to gather around, but quickly fades as the melody finishes. "But there is still more I need to learn."
"Regarding the urn. Perhaps those accounts are not as contradictory as they seem. Depending on the method, immortality itself could be seen as a curse." Hadi says, thinking it over as if it were a puzzle to be solved. "Do we know how it came to be placed in this crypt? Will there likely be guards? Or had it simply been lost to time?"
Simple background
World: Weskeilia
Continent: Aelira
Kingdom: Whiteridge Kingdom
Location: Grand Historian Ozemon's Estate, Whiteridge
Date: Calsera 8th, 1419 U4
My posting key
OOC -> (OOC:) This should always be at the bottom of my posts, though sometimes there will be one at the top.
Character names -> Khessa
NPC chatter -> "Hi, I'm Ozemon."
NPC thoughts -> "Let's hope these folks can cut it."
My NPCs won't have inner thoughts often (typically my NPC inner thoughts is used for telepathy). I do however wish for your characters to have inner thoughts, so that I can better appeal to you and write a better story as we go.
If there is a spoiler with a player character's name above it, that spoiler is information specifically for said character. If you read it and it's not your character's name, you're only ruining the fun for yourself.
If there is a spoiler with a skill and number above it (typically only applies to passive perception) if your skill reaches or succeeds it, that spoiler contains information for you.
Information in spoilers, you are free to share with the group. Either OOC tell them they may open your spoiler and read it, or share the information organically through roleplaying.
Posting Key Updates
Beginning with Post #49 NPC Chatter was changed from italics to bold and NPC thoughts was changed from bold to italics.
Beginning with Post #457 spoilers are no longer used for personal information.
The 4th era has been an amazing time to be alive on Weskeilia. The ice age of the 3rd era is over. The Council of Aelira has been created, and they've made life easy on Aelira, for the most part.
Dimitri
Three days ago, you took a simple breaking and entering gig. Small crew, you knew them, though not well. The job went south. There wasn't suppose to be anyone there, but the shop owner was still there, working late. One of your crewmates took the extra step, and killed the shop owner. You snuck outside the city walls, and have been laying low for the past two days. While attempting to get back in, one of the guards began harassing you. You started getting twitchy, thinking something happened and perhaps the guards are looking for someone matching your description. Before things could go too far, you were approached by a well dressed tiefling. Ozemon offered great coin, if you'd be willing to do a job for him. Plus, he'd get you past the guards and into town. You accept his offer, he puts you up in a local tavern for the night, you rest, and when you wake up in the morning, you gather your belongings and head off for the Ozemon Estate.
Hadi
Eight months ago, you were sent away by your family. You were left alone on your family property high up on the Axel Peak mountain ridge. Your only rule; not to leave until you're sent for. You found a strange book tucked away, talking about and teaching a lost art your family once new. You spent the next six months studying the book, practicing its teachings, and trying the best you can to reconstruct the missing pages on your own. You eventually gave up, remembering your family had a connection in Whiteridge, you disobeyed your families demands, packed up your belongings, plus a few other things from the house, and you spent the next two months making the trip to Whiteridge, where you finally found Ozemon. He offered to try and find more on this very secretive art, if you're willing to help him retrieve something. You accept his offer, he puts you up in a local tavern for the night, you rest, and when you wake up in the morning, you gather your belongings and head off for the Ozemon Estate.
Khessa
Ten months ago, Khessa, Twarden was raided by drow in the midst of the night. Not all of the villagers survived, but those that did wound up deep within the Underdark. Through some dumb luck and an extreme desire to get free, you managed to to break free with a small group of other surviving villagers. You and your small group of followers spent the next eight months wandering aimlessly through the Underdark. Somehow, you managed to break out of the Underdark and return to the surface. You spent the next two months traveling the roads, saving helpless traveling merchants from thieves and goblin raids, until you found yourself at the gates of Whiteridge. While being harassed and hassled by one of the gate guards, you were approached by a well dressed tiefling, who introduced himself as Ozemon. He offered complete access to the city, should you be willing to help him in return. You accept his offer, he puts you up in a local tavern for the night, you rest, and when you wake up in the morning, you gather your belongings and head off for the Ozemon Estate.
T'bitha
You look at D’gardron with pleading eyes. D’gardron clenches the chain necklace tighter, pulling you closer to him as he vehemently examined the silver symbol of The Dark Maiden. The longsword, standing vertically against a full moon, surrounded by a nimbus of filaments representing The Dark Maiden's hair dangled just under his fist.
“Please. We can have such a better life.” You spoke subduedly as tears well out of your eyes.
“Lloth is the only true Goddess. I must take you to the high priestess herself so she can reap judgement upon your vile and traitorous belief.” D’gardron seethed.
D’gardron yanks the necklace breaking it free of your neck. You turn to make an escape, but he grabs your wrist, throwing your arm behind your back, forcing you to submit and be pushed away from your room. “I cannot believe that I was betrothed to a traitorous Drow such as yourself. The high priestess will reward me nicely.”
He continues to push you through the dark corridors and caverns of the Underdark passages of Neriak. You notice you're preparing to pass the 'Light Within', a small area where daylight manages to penetrate the Underdark. As he pushes you along, you valiantly struggle and kick your foot back landing true on D’gardron’s shin. This being just hard enough to make him lose his grip on your wrist and let you go. He reached out, but the sunlight affected his vision and giving you just enough time to escape to the world above, while he stood there clutching your necklace with the symbol of The Dark Maiden dangling from the chain.
That was three months ago. You found your way to Whiteridge seeking sanctuary, and you've spent the past two months hiding within the walls of The Ozemon Estate. However, yesterday while the two of you were enjoying supper, Ozemon spoke up "T'bitha, my dear. The time has come. Tomorrow, I need you to leave and lead a team for me. I need you to travel to the Veiled Forest. Within the forest, somewhere there is a crypt. I need you to find the crypt, find the urn inside, and bring it back to me." He waits a moment before speaking up again "I know it will be dangerous for you, but this urn is extremely important, and I need someone I trust to lead the adventurers I've rounded up. I need you to lead them. This is your payment for my providing sanctuary to you. When you return, my Estate is yours for as long as you wish. You never have to leave again, if you don't want to." You head to bed, wake up the next morning, and await the arrival of these adventurers Ozemon has gathered up.
Tristan
Four months ago, you woke up. Darkness, a damp feeling, wood, and insects crawling across your body were the only thing you could feel. As you regained your consciousness, the living tree tomb you were entombed in, opened itself, spitting you out onto the dark forest floor below it. You laid there for what felt like hours before regaining the strength to stand. You wandered aimlessly through this dark forest listening to absolutely nothing. Dead silence. Unlike anything you've ever heard while in a forest. Eventually, you stumbled out of the forest itself, where you regained your eyesight. Moving to the present, you've managed to figure out the basics of living in this world, similar, but so extremely unlike the one you're familiar with. You found, or rather, Ozemon found you after hearing about this strange person traveling the local roads. He offered to attempt to help you, if you help him. You accept his offer, he puts you up in a local tavern for the night, you rest, and when you wake up in the morning, you gather your belongings and head off for the Ozemon Estate.
As morning comes to all of you Dimitri, Hadi, Khessa, and Tristan, you make your way to the Ozemon Estate. As you approach the door and knock, the large wooden doors swing open. You're immediately greeted by a silver haired older human gentleman "Greetings master adventurers. Master Ozemon should be out momentarily, for now, please do not stray from the foyer." Looking around the foyer, it's well decorated. Lining the walls are portraits of men and women of a multitude of different races, below each portrait, sits a bust with a name placard. In the middle of the foyer, there is a pond with a small rock fountain. You can see a few turtles lounging on the edge of the pond, and several koi fish swimming around. There is a half spiral staircase leading to the floor above; where you all notice a drow looking over the railings looking down upon all of you as you enter.
After a few minutes you all watch as Ozemon walks into the foyer. He's wearing an elegant brown robe that drags two feet behind him. His red skin shines in the light of the house, his black horns protrude from the edges of his forehead, swinging back behind his head. Slightly behind him you spot another drow, dressed in black leathers, he has a pair of goggles hanging around his neck, hanging on his waist is the symbol of The Dark Maiden, his visible body is covered in scars, as well as a few tattoos, his ashen hair hangs halfway down his back in a half braid, and his crimson eyes pierce you as he looks in your direction. Walking beside him is a human. She is dressed in blue robes with silver and white trimmings, wears a white crystal necklace, as well as a holy symbol of The Moonmaiden. Her long, wavy, brown hair hangs down to her waist, and the flames from the candle on the wall dance in her deep cobalt blue eyes. Sitting, or riding, depending on how you look at it, on the end of Ozemon's dragging robes, is a young half-drow, no older than two winters.
"Ah! You're all here. T'bitha! Are you here?" Noticing you are in fact in the foyer, T'bitha, "Now that you're all here. You are all here to do a job for me. The same job. Each and every one of you will be receiving a reward of 100 gold a piece, for the return of an urn. Deep in the Veiled Forest lies a crypt. Inside the crypt is an urn. Simply retrieve the urn and bring it to me. Should you succeed, you will receive your payment, and potentially another job offer, should you like." Ozemon turns towards the human next to him "Khashana and Malekith here have agreed to help transport you to the Veiled Forest, once you are ready." Looking towards the drow at the top of the stairs "She will be leading all of you. Once you find the crypt and get into it, she knows what the urn looks like."
(OOC: Take this time to introduce your character to us, and describe what they look like. T'bitha, the drow upstairs is you. Feel free to interact with each other, Ozemon, the butler, or anyone else in the room. Of course, do anything else your character might do. Welcome to The Crypt of the Blood Witch!)
Hadi takes his time coming down. 'Never be the first to arrive at a party,' as his father had told him. He's a young elf, in human years he'd look to be in his mid 20s. He stands taller than most of his kind, though still not quite up to man height, he's only an inch or two shy. His hair is a clear silver of the stars, with light blue streaks through it. He's carrying surprisingly little gear, mostly a backpack that seems rather heavy, though rather small, indicating something rather solid inside. He wears no armor, and has a dagger at his waist, as well as a whip coiled up. He wears a, clearly well made, cloak with the white fur of some beast from Enesh. On his left hand is a large ring with the Elvish B character in fine calligraphy, clearly indicating the well known Benotto family.
Sitting down at the table he raises a hand to call over the server and orders himself a breakfast, as well as some wine and juice ((think mimosa~)). Once it arrives he puts his hand on the cup as it suddenly frosts over before he takes a sip, and then looks to the breakfast. Taking small bites as he watches the others around he then listens carefully to Ozemon, the man he'd met only the day before. His family knew of the man, and he hoped that help would be forth coming, though it seems he'll need to run some errands first. Ah well, it will give him a chance to practice what he'd learned.
He was about to reply that 100 gold is quite small, and then realized that he is currently cut off from his family's funds, so quietly closes his mouth to see how the others respond to their task at hand.
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
Dimitri’s fingers flexed, relaxed the grip on his cane, tightened again.
They were long, slender lockpicker’s fingers, with callus and fading pink ropes of scars on the pale skin. Dimitri wore his black leather armour, two shortswords on his belt, two daggers tucked in the chestpiece, and one paring knife in the boot of his good leg. He walked with a mild limp, slightly leaning on his right side, which might be imperceptible if he weren’t using his cane. He had long dark hair falling down his back, the front portion teased back. He had a mask, covering half of his face. Only looking at his profile, he looked to be around 20, handsome, elegant. On the other side of his face, the slightless, milky blue eye stared out, unblinking, and the flesh around the eye was wrinkled, charred sallow.
As he entered the Ozemon Estate, as usual, first thing he did was to look for all the possible exits. The foyer was grand and airy, smelled of sandalwood and fresh water. There was the wooden doors he came in, of course; there’s a hallway leading down deeper into the mansion; a second floor; a window with carved wooden casement on the east wall that was a little tall, but he should be able to make it with a jumping start. He felt the appraising gaze that fell onto him from above, he looked up, locked eyes with the drow. He felt the corner of his mouth twitched up into a grin, then kept going. It was unlikely this is all part of some elaborate scheme, though after the botched job three days ago, he wasn’t about to let go his paranoia just yet. He made mental notes of all the portraits and names hanging on the wall, then, all the items and decorations that could make a pretty sum on the market. Celestial globe, bronze brasier, ceramic vase. Then, he straightened up as Ozeman and his followers walked in.
He patiently waited for Ozeman to finish, then eyed T'bitha meaningfully, before turning back the well dressed business. “What’s the catch?” He asked, “Why not tell us the prize looks like? That would be more reasonable, wouldn't it. But you’re afraid of us taking off with it.” And it means much more to him than the 500 gold he was paying them. Now he turned to the drow, with the slightest mocking smile. “She’s not there to help us. She’s there to babysit us.”
T’bitha looked down at the group and thought, ”Eilistraee, grant me the wisdom to lead for I am no leader!”
She passes by the two male Drow Elves flanking her and walks down the sweeping stair case towards the group. Her long silvery-white hair cascades and spills over her shoulders and back like a waterfall painted by the moonlight while wispy tendrils of hair dance in small drafts like watery mist rising. A thin crown braid adorns the top of her hair, adding to her sophisticated beauty. She wears tight, black leggings that disappear under a knee-length skirt that flows with her every step. Leather armor adorns her breast and torso with a small symbol over the right breast. An upturned sword surrounded by a circle of wispy white tendrils representing Eilistraee’s hair. Her boots are thigh high, but with almost no heels so as not to twist an ankle if she needed to run. Her lilac-colored skin is in stark contrast with her white hair; however, she is still a striking figure to look at.
”Contrary to what you think, I am no babysitter.” she eyes Dimitri, taking him in. ”There is no catch that I am aware of. I have been here, under the mentorship of Ozeman and have read nearly every book pertaining to this urn and where it might be. I am here to help show you the way so we might acquire this item for him.”
She pauses and looks over the rest of the group. ”But where are my manners? I am T’bitha Xiltyn, priestess of Eilistraee, and here at your bidding to help lead you all.” She slightly bows to the party respectfully.
Tristan's eyes flit from person to person, appraising each in turn. Starting conflict already? This one may be a handful. He thinks to himself in his native tongue.
Tristan appears to be a young elf, tall and slender, but with a decent build. His hair is an almost bleached white, which turns into a dark lilac at the tip, matching his eyes. He wears dark clothing which contrasts his pale skin. Atop his clothing is leather armor, reinforced with strips of a strange white metal carved with runes that are unfamiliar. It is ornamental in places, more fitting for a formal ceremony than the battlefield, but still functional. At his left hip, his gloved hand clutches the hilt of a cavalry saber with a bone handle. Strapped over his cloak is a round shield made of the same metal as his armor.
He had been awake for months now, but the differences between his time and this were still starkly apparent. People talk a lot, but say very little, and almost never what they actually mean. The idea of venturing back into the Veiled Forest so soon unsettled him, but he had little choice. How can a place be so similar to my home, yet so far from what I knew? He only hoped that Ozemon made good on his word to help...
"Now, now, play nicely. Unless you can navigate the forest, we will need someone that can." Turning from Dimitri towards T'bitha, Tristan gives her a short bow. "A pleasure to meet you, priestess. My name is Tristan."
(OOC: Tristan speaks with a soft Icelandic-esque accent)
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
“I work better with no supervision.” Dimitri gave a shrug with one shoulder, unconvinced, but turned his gaze away from T’bitha. “Business is business, Mr… Tristan. This is not a dating show. It’s best to lay the dirty laundry all out before a job. Niceties won’t do when we’re in the bowels of danger.”
“I suppose the benefit of Mr. Ozemon sending one of his own with us means that he’s not planning send us to our death. Well. Not until we’ve done the job, anyway.” Something dangerous glinted in his dark blue eye, as he gave Ozemon a cordial smile. Or it would’ve been a nice smile, if not for the one corner of his mouth fixed slightly downturned in burned scars.
T’bitha steps back from Dimitri, giving him space. She could sense that he was confrontational and wanted nothing of it. She did give pause, though, thinking to herself, Ozeman never did say why he wanted the urn.
T’bitha looked at Dimitri, “I promise not to supervise. I am merely here to guide the way. I am not here to tell you what we should do. This is going to require all of our talents and skills. Separately, we are like a stick. We can easily be broken; however, if you put a bunch of sticks together, it is much more difficult to break. I sense some distrust issues and I do not know what I, or any of us needs to do to gain your trust. We are in this together so I hope we can all begin to rely on each other sooner rather than later when something ugly confronts us.”
She turns to Tristan, smiling appreciatively, “I appreciate your support, Tristan.”
Khessa arrives farstriding at the Ozemon Estate, eager to get started with her assignment. To be able to do what matters to her so much, she knows she needs help. This Ozemon appears to be an influential individual in Whiteridge; he could help her gather information... maybe even organize an expedition... Oh sure, she looks a little out of the ordinary, with that oddly colored skin and horns, but Khessa doesn't care. At least he's not a drow! Plus, she would be willing to cooperate even with a devil from the hell, to eventually succeed in that task which is practically her reason for living.
"But first I'll have to win his trust" thinks the tall blonde adventurer "so, let's focus on the mission".
So the woman knocks on the door with determination and enthusiasm. Tall, athletic, tanned for her life often led in the open air, in her 20s, she seems almost not to feel the weight of either her chain mail armor she wears, nor the heavy weapons resting on her back, a maul and a greatsword. To be recognized more easily, she is not wearing her helmet, but she is holding it in one hand and her long weavy blond hair falls free on her back and shoulders.
At the welcome of the silver haired older human gentleman who makes her sit in the foyer, Khessa smiles brighly and holds out her hand: "Thank you! Nice to meet you, I'm Khessa! How are you?" and her blue eyes really show interest in the condition of the person who greeted her with such kindness...
After talking to the man for a while (obviously if he talks to her - if he ignores her she doesn't bother him), the blonde adventurer looks around int the room in amazement. For her, born and raised in a tiny provincial village, the works of art in the house are a mystery not too dissimilar to magic...
Then she spots HER! The drow up the half spiral staircase! Anger? Fear? Contempt? Horror? An alchemy of emotions all of a sudden struggle on Khessa's face to control her expression.
"Easy, Khessa..." she tries to calm herself down "That drow... Is only one... Not a band... And is doing nothing wrong... AT LEAST SO FAR! Maybe she means no harm... AND SHOULD SHE WANT TO DO IT, I'LL MAKE SURE SHE CAN'T!".
The blonde adventurer retreats to a part of the foyer where the drow cannot see her and focuses on the others entering as well. Maybe they're here for the same job.
He introduces herself to both Dimitri and Hadi, trying to make conversation while they wait for the host: "Hi! I'm Khessa, pleasure to meet you! How are you? Ozemon hired you too?"
But soon Ozemon arrives and... Drow again!? Khessa tries to hide the shock, because she doesn't want to judge too hastily, but... this tiefling seems to have a real passion for dark elves! Is it REALLY a good idea to work for him? But her mind works fast and calms her down. This is a big city. The drow can't easily destroy it. Perhaps the drow who inhabit it have no evil intentions. If they have them... working close to them, she might realize it and be able to stop them. And if they don't have any... then, maybe, one day, they could help her get back to the Underdark... help to infiltrate... help to...
"Focus!" she orders (menatlly) to herself.
As Ozemon explains the details, Khessa pays attention.
Then, Dimitri speaks, and the blonde warrior does not understand what the masked man is trying to accomplish. Those words could raise doubts in the tiefling's mind! And this for sure nobody needs it. She gently places her hand on the man's arm: "I think Tristan and T'bitha have a point here" (meanwhile, she is thinking: "But I REALLY have to be the one taking the side of a drow!? But I'll keep an eye on her too, that's for sure"). "Like Tristan said, if T'bitha knows how to guide us and what the urn looks like, she seem to be definitely helpful. Think about it, man: if we have been called in so many, the task must be dangerous... So also T'bitha is right: it will be important that we all try to help ech other at our best. Or not only the urn may not return... but we may not return either!"
Finally, she turns to Ozemon, her blue eyes shining with interest, and asks: "What do we know about the dangers of the Veiled Forest and the crypt? Do we have any informations? Or will we have to find out all there?"
Dimitri felt something touch his arm and looked down. He stared at the hand at his arm, brows burrowed, the same expression as if someone were looking at a rare spider, like he couldn’t fathom how it came to be and how it got there. Slowly, he looked up again, at the blonde warrior, still talking. He remembered her name was Khessa.
He eyed T’bitha again. It was a good thing, that she was irreplaceable - Ozemon wouldn’t send her, with her knowledge, into a death trap if he wouldn’t want them to succeed. It certainly helps, if T’bitha was on their side. He could use some insurance.
He let his arm slide out of Khessa’s touch, cocked his head toward her. “You’re right.” He said, conceding, though he wasn’t really listening. He gave her a doting smile. “But please don’t touch me again, Khessa.”
"Sure, as you wish" the blonde warrior gives a bright smile back. "I beg your pardon, I didn't mean to do something... that you didn't like. Quite the contrary, in fact: if during our mission someone or something tries to do something unpleasant to you, I'll try to find a way to make it change its mind, right?" and she points with her thumb at her two-handed arms hanging behind her back.
Then, turning to everyone else, she adds: "And obviously the same goes for all of you".
"T'bitha too?" Khessa does NOT say aloud, just thinking it, when her blue eyes meet the ones of the drow priestess "I will have to, it seems... I can't talk about collaboration and then start discriminating. As long as she doesn't do anything... bad, I'll have to treat her... like a good person".
After that, she returns her attention to Ozemon, waiting for him to reveal what he knows (if he knows anything).
T’bitha looks to Ozemon and quietly slips away from the party and approaches the Tiefling, pulling him aside for a private conversation.
“I’m feeling anxious over this. I cannot help feeling that I am bringing a lot of tension to these folks. I presume it is because I am drow and it is not customary for us to leave the Underdark. I’m aware this is not going to be a simple walk in the park. I trust that you would not intentionally place me in harm’s way. You’ve been so thoughtful allowing me to stay here and I’m extremely grateful. I will do my best to bring back the urn you want.”
T’bitha quietly returns to the group. ”Whenever all of you are ready to leave, we may begin our journey.”
Khessa, the butler does indeed introduce himself to you as you speak with him "Hello Mistress Khessa, I am Major Cedric. I'm doing well, thank you for asking." He returns to his post however, continues opening the door as others enter, and announces Ozemon as he enters the foyer.
"First of all, thank you all for arriving today." Ozemon looks towards you Dimitri as you're the first to speak up "There is no catch, just limited knowledge. The journals I've collected that speak of this crypt and urn are cryptic and vague at best. The urn is simply nondescript. If you manage to find this crypt there could be thousands of urns in it, or a sole urn." Listening intently as you continue to speak Dimitri; Ozemon speaks up again "Fear not. I have no intentions on sending you to your death. I do expect there to be danger however. So I am sending you head first into danger, but I do believe together, you are all capable of overcoming whatever danger may lay ahead of you. T'bitha has been preparing for this trek for a month now. She's prepared to lead the way, and get you near where I believe to crypt to be."
As you speak up and ask your questions Khessa, Ozemon doesn't speak up, but Malekith, the drow, does "I've scouted much of the edges of the Veiled Forest and have done my best to scout the inner forest. It's unlike a normal forest. Once you breach the veil of the forest, even with eyes like mine -" you all notice as his eyes flicker every so quickly with a demonic glow before returning back to their crimson color "your sight is drastically smothered. You can't see anything more than ten feet from you. The forest is also eerily silent -" he pauses "most of the time. You won't hear a single bird chirping. You won't hear deer barking, wolves howling, nothing. But late at night, you may hear trees breaking and crashing to the ground, or a strange, deep, guttural sound. Unlike anything I've ever heard before." Ozemon takes place as Malekith finishes speaking "Whatever things lives in the forest, seem only active at night. The forest itself, also, isn't natural. By all surviving accounts, prior to the 3rd era, the forest was home to many elven towns. There is no mention of this dark veil that smothers it now."
T'bitha
"Worry not my dear. I have every intention of you making it back. I've promised to help a few of these others with the things that ail them as well. I would like to see all of you return, but at least you."
Tristan looks grim as the drow speaks about the forest, and as Ozemon concludes his eyes gleam with shadowed pain, although his face remains stony. "Yes. Yes there were." He says softly. After a few moments, his dark cloud seems to disappear and he speaks again, with more enthusiasm this time "I am ready as soon as the others are. We can discuss our assets as we travel, it would be...useful to know our strengths and weaknesses."
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
"You are welcome Cedric!" Khessa replies "And I am no one's mistress, that's for sure," she smiles "so Khessa will suffice. Maybe we will become friends, if I keep working for Ozemon! You know, I come from a village that was so much, much smaller than this... We all knew each other there! Here everything is very big and very beautiful but... I feel out of place, if you understand what I mean. There are so many people, but I don't know anyone... In the meantime we could get to know each other, when we have a moment. If you have lived here for a long time, you must know a lot about this city. " but as soon as the next guest knocks on the door "Oh, but I don't want to distract you, I see you have to work. And soon me too! But when I come back, if you feel like it, maybe we could meet and talk a bit".
Khessa slowly approaches the drow priestess: "Ready when you are, T'bitha! Just one last thing... Excuse my ignorance, but I already know very little about divinities in general, let alone those worshiped by your people. I could ask you a question about your goddess, this... Eilistraee you mentioned?"
Then, if the drow priestess agrees, the tall warrior approaches even more, bending over her and placing his hand on her shoulder in a conspiratorial manner: "You know, most of the drow I met were terribly obsessed with the veneration of... kind of a spider goddess... Lolth was the name. Could I know the relationship between Eilistraee and Lolth? Are they... friends? Allies? Do they have similar religious precepts?"
T’bitha leans back as Khessa bends over her small 5-foot frame, placing a hand on the drow’s shoulder and speaking to her about Eilistraee and Lloth. ”I feel that you have strong emotions about this. If it is any consolation… there is a relationship between the two; however, it is not one that I would call amiable. Perhaps I’ll feel more comfortable to discuss my Goddess to you, Khessa after we all get to know each other a little better. I’m feeling slightly uncomfortable right now. I will say this. Eilistraee is beautiful, loving and free, the way life ought to be.”
T’bitha forces herself to stand up straight, and looks Khessa in the eyes with her own purple irises. She takes her slender forefinger and “boops” Khessa on the forehead. ”You may think about that for a while.” . She smiles pleasantly and sidesteps the female warrior and heads towards the door beckoning the others to follow.
"Thank you for what you felt like telling me for now," Khessa smiles back. "What you told me reassured me more than you can imagine. You know, even on the basis of some experiences I have had, I have no great love for vermins... even more for those vermins who try to be worshiped as a divinity and, for some obscure reason, they manage to convince a significant amount of drow to do it. I am very pleased that Eilistraee is different. I will not need to 'make you feel uncomfortable' again".
And with that, she follows.
((catching up, morning here))
As the others introduce themselves, Hadi stands up and says, "since we are doing introductions." He then looks to those around him, "T’bitha, Khessa, Tristan, and...?" gesturing to the slender human at his side. Then, placing a hand on his chest in a formal greeting appropriate to his station, says, "I am Hadi Benotto." Pausing slightly after saying his family name.
Noting the distrust that his darker cousin is receiving, not without warrant of course, Hadi says, "We are all here at the behest of Ozemon. Our... benefactor... for the time being. And perhaps we will form a profitable team in the future. For now though..." Looking to T'bitha he then says, "As our guide, would you be able to tell us more of this urn or crypt? History is a bit of a hobby of mine, so I'm curious to hear more."
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
"Actually, T'bitha, I've brought Khashana here today to save all of you some trouble. She's going to attempt to get you as close as possible to the Veiled Forest. If you'd all follow me, and please do stay close, do not wander off." Ozemon motions for you all to follow before turning around, still dragging the young half-drow child on the tail of his robes. Malekith and Khashana turn as well. You all follow as he leads you down a hall, where he opens a reinforced wooden door that opens up to a descending stone staircase. Moving down the staircase, you appear to be in a basement, or a dungeon of some sort. You continue traveling down the stone corridor before you come to a black iron door. It is a heavily locked door, the door has runic sigils marked all across it. Ozemon unlocks the door, it swings outward, towards all of you, where you're instantly met with a heavy iron bar, prison style, door, also locked. As he unlocks it Khashana leads everyone into the room. This is a simple stone room, with the exception of in 13 points along the wall, there are large amethyst inset in these points. The ground has about a dozen chalk circles of different sizes with a larger circle in the center. For those of you who are magically inclined, or perhaps of noble blood, this is a heavily modified, permanent teleportation circle.
Khashana begins marking the floor with chalk, overlaying some older markings, and creating brand new ones. "Malekith dear, will you prepare our adventurers?" She asks in a honeyed tone and as she does Malekith begins silently ushering each of you to the smaller circles, as he leads each of you to the circles, you hear in the back of your head "stand here. Don't move." in Malekith's voice, it's not an angered tone, it's just short and stern. After all of you take your place in the circle, Khashana says a few arcane words and you all feel this retching feeling in your gut as you appear in the middle of a field.
Looking around, it's still morning, the sun isn't quite overhead yet. The field continue on in one direction beyond your sight, nearby is a dark forest, and in another direction, you see another forest, though it's much further away than the dark one in front of you.
(OOC: Dimitri appears to be the only one who hasn't said they were ready to go, so I took the step. If there is anything you wish to do in the house still, you're welcome to do so. Don't forget about Hadi's questions he had asked prior to being teleported.)
T’bitha walks alongside Hadi.
”Most of what I have read and studied while living in Ozemon’s estate have mostly been journals of previous explorers who have either come across the urn or have heard through hearsay from other people. I take what I have read with some skepticism. However, I find that rumors, whether they be true or false, can oftentimes be revealing. For example, I have read one letter from a human named Jornas to a friend of his in Noubourg City. That’s up in the Bowen Kingdom. He mentioned that he came across this urn that a traveling merchant owned. Jornas asked the merchant what it held and the merchant informed him it held a magical liquid inside that could imbue the drinker with immortality; however, opening the urn casts a curse.”
T’bitha pauses to let that sink in a moment before continuing, ”I guess you can see some of the issues here. It’s a third-hand account from a letter detailing Jornas’ conversation with a merchant. Jornas never acquired the urn and left the merchant who was supposedly on his way to Whiteridge Kingdom. There was another library entry I read from a historical account that ashes from burnt trees were gathered by Druids of Ulisk and placed into the urn. Who knows what is really in the urn. Whatever it is, it is important.”
She looks to Hadi and continues, “As far as the crypt goes. It is the crypt of Ambriel, who is known as the Blood Witch. Maliketh has done most of the scouting and only has an idea of where the crypt might be. We’ll have to go to the area and prod around to find the actual location itself. I believe it may be…below ground, but I am unsure.” She instantly goes quiet after her last sentence and looks downwards a moment, her hand crossing over and rubbing her arm to self-console. She speaks again, but softly this time, ”Just a couple of examples of how conflicting it can all be.”
T’bitha changes subject, ”How did you get so interested in history? You say it is a hobby of yours?”
(OOC: Dimitri appears to be the only one who hasn't said they were ready to go, so I took the step. If there is anything you wish to do in the house still, you're welcome to do so. Don't forget about Hadi's questions he had asked prior to being teleported.)
This was because I noticed Dimitri was the only one to not actually introduce himself in character. Easy enough of course.
As it seems the group has decided to work together, Hadi picks up his pack and looks towards the door, but then is surprised when he is directed inside instead. Before following the others he lets out, but short whistle ending in a quick trill which is nearly immediately followed by a medium sized snowy owl silently flying through an open window to perch on his shoulder. "Laza. It appears we're headed inside." Hadi says to the owl, picking a small morsel of meat from his plate to give the owl. He then quickly finishes his drink before following the others. In the room with the teleportation circle Hadi makes note of the runes used to inscribe it, silently impressed at the craftsmanship which he did not expect in such a place.
Hadi chuckles to himself and then answers, "Honestly, studying was never something I much was into. Why bother burying yourself in books when there are so many beautiful women and amazing foods and drinks to enjoy eh? But life seems to find ways to surprise me, and it seems my ancestral memories, now quiet, were correct. Not long past I found a tome left by one of my ancestors detailing some fascinating arcane arts!" As he pauses he takes a breath and whistles a short tune. As he does so you can feel a small bit of arcane energy start to gather around, but quickly fades as the melody finishes. "But there is still more I need to learn."
"Regarding the urn. Perhaps those accounts are not as contradictory as they seem. Depending on the method, immortality itself could be seen as a curse." Hadi says, thinking it over as if it were a puzzle to be solved. "Do we know how it came to be placed in this crypt? Will there likely be guards? Or had it simply been lost to time?"
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM: