Aranor sips gingerly at his pulque; he's never had the beverage before, but it tastes surprisingly good. Starved after being held captive for so long, he eagerly begins eating the tortilla and beans. He listens quietly as the others talk, but his attention is caught by the strange creature so fascinated with the cat. He's sure he's never seen a creature like that before, but then again he's never met any talking skeletons before either, at least not ones that didn't want to attack on sight. If he's learned anything living in the Radiant Citadel, it's to always expect the unexpected.
"Delicious, thank you," he says to Rufina. "I came to see if I could help in any way, because I heard there might be some sort of trouble in town, something about a plague or a disease? But so far everyone here looks healthy. Certainly those ruffians that captured me didn't lack for vitality."
Walt bids farewell to Baldar with a firm handshake followed by a bashful hug. He whispers in her ear “We must follow our own path throughout life. Whatever path your journey leads you on, I hope ours cross once again. Safe travels, my friend.” He reaches into his possibles pouch, pulls out a small red clay rock and hands it to Baldar as a momento of their adventures together.
Now that Walt is sure that no disease or plague is in their midst, he relaxes a bit. He politely accepts some pulque, beans, tortillas and cactus. He takes a sniff of the pulque, smells the alcohol and takes a tiny sip, but he knows better not to drink too much on an empty stomach. He gathers up his plate of food and drink and meanders over to the moon elf. “Hello there, did you say your name is Aranor? My name is Walter, but you can call me Walt.” Walt proceeds to sit with them in silence eating some beans and occasionally making small talk. He listens to Aranor speak to Rufina and he’s happy to hear that they, too, came to Milpazul to help.
While listening to Aranor and Rufina converse, Walt can’t help but be distracted by the large hulking creature petting Lucky. He thinks to himself “A warforged in Milpazul? I haven’t seen one of them since back home…is that a birds nest on their shoulder?” Walt politely excuses himself from the table and Walks over to the gentle giant.
“I see you’ve met Lucky. Looks like he’s taken a liking to you. He‘s a good judgment of character. My name is Walt. Pleased to meet you.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Pronouns: he/him/his
Pud - lvl 7 Human Artificer - Alchemist (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight).
Quinn - lvl 4 Human Ranger - Hunter (Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk)
"Thank you, Lucky," the creature says when the cat acquiesces to scritches. As Walt approaches and the others introduce themselves, he looks up, his blue eyes glowing. "Hello. I am Pax-two-three-eight-zero Ambassador for Peace of the Radiant Citadel. You may call me Pax. I am here to help also. I wish to find the fugitive Paloma and discover why she commits such crime. There is always a reason behind such things."
"Paloma is no criminal," responds Rufina politely but firmly. "You must understand that Paloma is seen as a hero by the poor. Her band raids the estates and caravans of corrupt landowners and shares the captured wealth with folk who need it. But she was falsely accused of a crime. Now every two-bit bounty hunter is trying to find her, like those bandits who tried to shoot you."
Rufina pauses for a moment. "I'm sorry to tell you that Xóchitl has died. Sereno got her, like it has gotten so many of our people. You should know that Sereno is an ailment seemingly spread by bitterly cold winds here. Folk who have fallen ill speak of those winds blowing mostly at night. I must give you a warning: don't stay out after dark here. So many have been sickened, so many have died."
"Do you like my murals?" Rufina adds, changing the topic and pointing to the walls brightly. "I painted them. It is an abstraction of San Citlán’s history."
Tuuli blinks, taken aback. “I didn’t mean… I mean… of course. Look, I didn’t say...” She seems to think better about protesting too much, but her face looks a little defeated. Then Rufina mentions that Xóchitl is dead, and her face falls even more. “Oh. Oh no.”
She stares at the table a moment, then slugs her drink.
Walt listens intently and takes note of the abrupt change of subject. He picks up his pulque and walks around the bar admiring the paintings sipping his drink as he goes.
“These paintings are quite nice. They tell quite the story” says Walt as he moves about the room.
He makes his way over to the candle lit altar and painting of the elderly woman. Walt looks at the painting, candles and the offerings on the altar.
With his back to Rufina and the crowd, Walt makes a gesture and whispers the incantation for guidance in the Druidic language.
“Is this ofrenda for Xochitl? Back home we create similar altars honoring the dead. It’s been some time since I’ve seen one. The last one was the one I made for my wife.”
Investigation check 11. Walt is looking to determine how old this alter is. Keying in on the condition of the paint, marigolds, candle wax, etc.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Pronouns: he/him/his
Pud - lvl 7 Human Artificer - Alchemist (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight).
Quinn - lvl 4 Human Ranger - Hunter (Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk)
"The ofrenda is dedicated to my late daughter, Carmen," answers Rufina to Walt. "We make them to commune with the dead during the Night of the Remembered festivities, which begins in the coming days and will continue for several nights." Walt finds the paintings years old, the marigolds and offerings fresh, and the candle wax a few hours old.
"Xóchitl died yesterday. Sometimes Sereno kills you in hours, sometimes in days. She succumbed quickly. She had gone outside after dark looking for a stray animal, I heard. I can show you her grave if you like. There's not much to see. We have lost so many to Sereno these past few months." Walt can sense sadness, and a sense of hard reality, in the skeleton's voice.
Aranor nods genially at Walt as he continues eating his food. He extends a hand to shake with Zartan as well.
The moon elf listens intently to Rufina and Walt speak. So it seems this Paloma is more of a vigilante with a just. Interesting.
"Did this sereno start recently?" the moon elf asks Rufina.
When she changes the subject, he glances over at the mural. It is done rather well, and the moon elf has an eye for such things, having grown up in a more rarefied circle.
"The mural is beautiful, Rufina," says the moon elf. "You are very talented indeed."
Aranor joins Walt at the ofrenda. "I'm so sorry for your loss, Rufina. Did she also pass from this sereno?"
"Thank you," responds Rufina to Aranor. "The Sereno began a few months ago. My Carmen never knew of it. She died at the age of ninety, almost thirteen years ago; her heart finally gave out. She had a good life."
Turning to the mural, she adds, "San Citlán’s history is rife with conflict. After years of failed invasions over its first century of existence, the city was overcome and occupied by a colonizing force. Colonial rule lasted for two hundred years and ended in a bloody series of conflicts called the Wars of Separation. In the aftermath, the folk of San Citlán held their first elections, finally looking forward to a time of peace. The wars have left scars, turning previously fertile lands barren and driving away the fey that once inhabited the region—some say forever."
"We should get a note to Fortino,"Tuuli says. "Though it would be better done in person... oh!"She looks for Baldar. If Baldar is still here, albeit planning to leave (but not during the night, because bad plague sickness) then she can take the news to Fortino on the next crystal.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
(Pretty sure Baldar has left already as I described her as not following the group to the pulqueria. But we could say a messenger could catch up to her to give the message to pass on to Fortino.)
"I would very much like to see the Night of the Remembered festival. Events such as these are an excellent way to experience a culture, and for the culture to share to others what is important to them. Do you fear this Sereno will effect your upcoming festival, Rufina? How will you be able to celebrate a nocturnal event of a plague claims those who venture out in the night?" Pax pauses to allow Rufina to respond before continuing. Not one for tiptoeing around social niceties, he addresses the skeleton elephant in the room. "Rufina. You are a skeleton. How did you become a sentient skeleton?" his tone is neutral, displaying no judgement, merely curiosity.
Zartan asks “What can you tell us about this Sereno? Anyone here in town learned anything about it? What are the symptoms?” (He likes to dig into a good mystery)
"I expect much of the Night of the Remembered festivities will take place privately, behind closed doors, this year," answers Rufina, soberly. "I am among those rare beings which are called 'olvidados', or 'forgotten' – a deceased person who remained behind after the Night of the Remembered. I don't know how or why I don’t pass on to the afterlife. We are sapient, yes, and we are peaceful. As to Sereno..."
Just then a door leading to the cellar opens. An old gnome emerges and approaches the party. Her gait is slow, and from her movements she seems even older than her advanced years would already suggest. She is wrapped in a rebozo, and looks pale and cold. The two dwarves seem to come to attention, and watch the party carefully, their hands on the hilts of their blades, ready to draw at any moment.
"Hello, strangers," begins the old gnome. "I understand you made quick work of those sloppy bounty hunters by the wall. I want to thank you. My name is Paloma. I can tell you about Sereno because I now suffer from it. I come humbly to ask for your help, if you would give it. It may be too late for me, but we need the help of trustworthy adventurers like yourselves to find the source of this plague and put an end to it."
"Who is this Fortino person?" Aranor asks the air genasi named Tuuli curiously.
Before she can answer though, the gnome Paloma appears from the cellar, and everyone's attention turns to her. Aranor inclines his head slightly toward the gnome woman. "Greetings, Paloma. Putting an end to this plague sounds like a worthy cause. Perhaps we may be of assistance," he says, looking toward his new companions to gauge their reactions.
Walt takes a few steps towards Paloma and positions himself so that he has a clear line of sight of the two dwarves.
“My friends and I came to help. We did not come to collect on any bounties.” Walt is clearly speaking to Paloma, but his eyes are fixed on the dwarves as he speaks. He averts his gaze to the gnome and continues “Paloma, I am skilled in medicine and natural healing remedies. I can also detect certain diseases and even cure some diseases. Would you allow me to perform a ritual and see if I can learn anything of this disease?”
(ooc: I’m assuming the first time Walt didn’t detect anything because she was either so far away or obscured by stone, wood, dirt, etc. If it still doesn’t detect anything then we might be dealing with something else altogether.)
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Pronouns: he/him/his
Pud - lvl 7 Human Artificer - Alchemist (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight).
Quinn - lvl 4 Human Ranger - Hunter (Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk)
"That is most curious, Rufina, and thank you for answering my abrupt question so candidly." With that, Pax turns his attention to Paloma. While Walt is performing his ritual (should Paloma agree), Pax asks "Hello Paloma. We have been told you are a criminal and there is a bounty on your head. I always endeavour to obtain both sides of any story before passing judgement. Why do people believe you to be a criminal, and why such a high bounty? I suggest you be entirely honest."
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Aranor sips gingerly at his pulque; he's never had the beverage before, but it tastes surprisingly good. Starved after being held captive for so long, he eagerly begins eating the tortilla and beans. He listens quietly as the others talk, but his attention is caught by the strange creature so fascinated with the cat. He's sure he's never seen a creature like that before, but then again he's never met any talking skeletons before either, at least not ones that didn't want to attack on sight. If he's learned anything living in the Radiant Citadel, it's to always expect the unexpected.
"Delicious, thank you," he says to Rufina. "I came to see if I could help in any way, because I heard there might be some sort of trouble in town, something about a plague or a disease? But so far everyone here looks healthy. Certainly those ruffians that captured me didn't lack for vitality."
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)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus & Phandalin Adventures
Walt bids farewell to Baldar with a firm handshake followed by a bashful hug. He whispers in her ear “We must follow our own path throughout life. Whatever path your journey leads you on, I hope ours cross once again. Safe travels, my friend.” He reaches into his possibles pouch, pulls out a small red clay rock and hands it to Baldar as a momento of their adventures together.
=========================================================
Now that Walt is sure that no disease or plague is in their midst, he relaxes a bit. He politely accepts some pulque, beans, tortillas and cactus. He takes a sniff of the pulque, smells the alcohol and takes a tiny sip, but he knows better not to drink too much on an empty stomach. He gathers up his plate of food and drink and meanders over to the moon elf. “Hello there, did you say your name is Aranor? My name is Walter, but you can call me Walt.” Walt proceeds to sit with them in silence eating some beans and occasionally making small talk. He listens to Aranor speak to Rufina and he’s happy to hear that they, too, came to Milpazul to help.
While listening to Aranor and Rufina converse, Walt can’t help but be distracted by the large hulking creature petting Lucky. He thinks to himself “A warforged in Milpazul? I haven’t seen one of them since back home…is that a birds nest on their shoulder?” Walt politely excuses himself from the table and Walks over to the gentle giant.
“I see you’ve met Lucky. Looks like he’s taken a liking to you. He‘s a good judgment of character. My name is Walt. Pleased to meet you.”
Pronouns: he/him/his
Pud - lvl 7 Human Artificer - Alchemist (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight).
Quinn - lvl 4 Human Ranger - Hunter (Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk)
"Hi, my names Zartan. Pleased to meet you." to the new person.
D&D since 1984
"Thank you, Lucky," the creature says when the cat acquiesces to scritches. As Walt approaches and the others introduce themselves, he looks up, his blue eyes glowing. "Hello. I am Pax-two-three-eight-zero Ambassador for Peace of the Radiant Citadel. You may call me Pax. I am here to help also. I wish to find the fugitive Paloma and discover why she commits such crime. There is always a reason behind such things."
"So, this Paloma is a fugitive?" Tuuli asks. "A fugitive from what?"
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
"Paloma is no criminal," responds Rufina politely but firmly. "You must understand that Paloma is seen as a hero by the poor. Her band raids the estates and caravans of corrupt landowners and shares the captured wealth with folk who need it. But she was falsely accused of a crime. Now every two-bit bounty hunter is trying to find her, like those bandits who tried to shoot you."
Rufina pauses for a moment. "I'm sorry to tell you that Xóchitl has died. Sereno got her, like it has gotten so many of our people. You should know that Sereno is an ailment seemingly spread by bitterly cold winds here. Folk who have fallen ill speak of those winds blowing mostly at night. I must give you a warning: don't stay out after dark here. So many have been sickened, so many have died."
"Do you like my murals?" Rufina adds, changing the topic and pointing to the walls brightly. "I painted them. It is an abstraction of San Citlán’s history."
Tuuli blinks, taken aback. “I didn’t mean… I mean… of course. Look, I didn’t say...” She seems to think better about protesting too much, but her face looks a little defeated. Then Rufina mentions that Xóchitl is dead, and her face falls even more. “Oh. Oh no.”
She stares at the table a moment, then slugs her drink.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Walt listens intently and takes note of the abrupt change of subject. He picks up his pulque and walks around the bar admiring the paintings sipping his drink as he goes.
“These paintings are quite nice. They tell quite the story” says Walt as he moves about the room.
He makes his way over to the candle lit altar and painting of the elderly woman. Walt looks at the painting, candles and the offerings on the altar.
With his back to Rufina and the crowd, Walt makes a gesture and whispers the incantation for guidance in the Druidic language.
“Is this ofrenda for Xochitl? Back home we create similar altars honoring the dead. It’s been some time since I’ve seen one. The last one was the one I made for my wife.”
Investigation check 11. Walt is looking to determine how old this alter is. Keying in on the condition of the paint, marigolds, candle wax, etc.
Pronouns: he/him/his
Pud - lvl 7 Human Artificer - Alchemist (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight).
Quinn - lvl 4 Human Ranger - Hunter (Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk)
Walt waits for a reply from Rufina before turning around and posing a few more questions.
“How long has it been since Xochitl died? We were sent here by her son, Fortino, to check in on her. He said he received word from her not too ago.
Any information on her passing would be appreciated. We need to get word to Fortino immediately.
And…would it be possible to see her grave? I would like to pay my respects.”
Insight check 11 (2+5+4(guidance)) to gauge Rufina’s reaction.
Pronouns: he/him/his
Pud - lvl 7 Human Artificer - Alchemist (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight).
Quinn - lvl 4 Human Ranger - Hunter (Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk)
"The ofrenda is dedicated to my late daughter, Carmen," answers Rufina to Walt. "We make them to commune with the dead during the Night of the Remembered festivities, which begins in the coming days and will continue for several nights." Walt finds the paintings years old, the marigolds and offerings fresh, and the candle wax a few hours old.
"Xóchitl died yesterday. Sometimes Sereno kills you in hours, sometimes in days. She succumbed quickly. She had gone outside after dark looking for a stray animal, I heard. I can show you her grave if you like. There's not much to see. We have lost so many to Sereno these past few months." Walt can sense sadness, and a sense of hard reality, in the skeleton's voice.
Aranor nods genially at Walt as he continues eating his food. He extends a hand to shake with Zartan as well.
The moon elf listens intently to Rufina and Walt speak. So it seems this Paloma is more of a vigilante with a just. Interesting.
"Did this sereno start recently?" the moon elf asks Rufina.
When she changes the subject, he glances over at the mural. It is done rather well, and the moon elf has an eye for such things, having grown up in a more rarefied circle.
"The mural is beautiful, Rufina," says the moon elf. "You are very talented indeed."
Aranor joins Walt at the ofrenda. "I'm so sorry for your loss, Rufina. Did she also pass from this sereno?"
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)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus & Phandalin Adventures
"Thank you," responds Rufina to Aranor. "The Sereno began a few months ago. My Carmen never knew of it. She died at the age of ninety, almost thirteen years ago; her heart finally gave out. She had a good life."
Turning to the mural, she adds, "San Citlán’s history is rife with conflict. After years of failed invasions over its first century of existence, the city was overcome and occupied by a colonizing force. Colonial rule lasted for two hundred years and ended in a bloody series of conflicts called the Wars of Separation. In the aftermath, the folk of San Citlán held their first elections, finally looking forward to a time of peace. The wars have left scars, turning previously fertile lands barren and driving away the fey that once inhabited the region—some say forever."
"We should get a note to Fortino," Tuuli says. "Though it would be better done in person... oh!" She looks for Baldar. If Baldar is still here, albeit planning to leave (but not during the night, because bad plague sickness) then she can take the news to Fortino on the next crystal.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
(Pretty sure Baldar has left already as I described her as not following the group to the pulqueria. But we could say a messenger could catch up to her to give the message to pass on to Fortino.)
"I would very much like to see the Night of the Remembered festival. Events such as these are an excellent way to experience a culture, and for the culture to share to others what is important to them. Do you fear this Sereno will effect your upcoming festival, Rufina? How will you be able to celebrate a nocturnal event of a plague claims those who venture out in the night?"
Pax pauses to allow Rufina to respond before continuing. Not one for tiptoeing around social niceties, he addresses the
skeletonelephant in the room. "Rufina. You are a skeleton. How did you become a sentient skeleton?" his tone is neutral, displaying no judgement, merely curiosity.Zartan asks “What can you tell us about this Sereno? Anyone here in town learned anything about it? What are the symptoms?” (He likes to dig into a good mystery)
D&D since 1984
"I expect much of the Night of the Remembered festivities will take place privately, behind closed doors, this year," answers Rufina, soberly. "I am among those rare beings which are called 'olvidados', or 'forgotten' – a deceased person who remained behind after the Night of the Remembered. I don't know how or why I don’t pass on to the afterlife. We are sapient, yes, and we are peaceful. As to Sereno..."
Just then a door leading to the cellar opens. An old gnome emerges and approaches the party. Her gait is slow, and from her movements she seems even older than her advanced years would already suggest. She is wrapped in a rebozo, and looks pale and cold. The two dwarves seem to come to attention, and watch the party carefully, their hands on the hilts of their blades, ready to draw at any moment.
"Hello, strangers," begins the old gnome. "I understand you made quick work of those sloppy bounty hunters by the wall. I want to thank you. My name is Paloma. I can tell you about Sereno because I now suffer from it. I come humbly to ask for your help, if you would give it. It may be too late for me, but we need the help of trustworthy adventurers like yourselves to find the source of this plague and put an end to it."
Tuuli jumps up and offers her chair to the gnome. "Please, sit." She eyes the dwarves, "You have nothing but friends here, I think."
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
"Who is this Fortino person?" Aranor asks the air genasi named Tuuli curiously.
Before she can answer though, the gnome Paloma appears from the cellar, and everyone's attention turns to her. Aranor inclines his head slightly toward the gnome woman. "Greetings, Paloma. Putting an end to this plague sounds like a worthy cause. Perhaps we may be of assistance," he says, looking toward his new companions to gauge their reactions.
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)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus & Phandalin Adventures
Walt takes a few steps towards Paloma and positions himself so that he has a clear line of sight of the two dwarves.
“My friends and I came to help. We did not come to collect on any bounties.” Walt is clearly speaking to Paloma, but his eyes are fixed on the dwarves as he speaks. He averts his gaze to the gnome and continues “Paloma, I am skilled in medicine and natural healing remedies. I can also detect certain diseases and even cure some diseases. Would you allow me to perform a ritual and see if I can learn anything of this disease?”
If Paloma consents, Walt will perform the detect poison and disease ritual on her.
(ooc: I’m assuming the first time Walt didn’t detect anything because she was either so far away or obscured by stone, wood, dirt, etc. If it still doesn’t detect anything then we might be dealing with something else altogether.)
Pronouns: he/him/his
Pud - lvl 7 Human Artificer - Alchemist (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight).
Quinn - lvl 4 Human Ranger - Hunter (Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk)
"That is most curious, Rufina, and thank you for answering my abrupt question so candidly." With that, Pax turns his attention to Paloma. While Walt is performing his ritual (should Paloma agree), Pax asks "Hello Paloma. We have been told you are a criminal and there is a bounty on your head. I always endeavour to obtain both sides of any story before passing judgement. Why do people believe you to be a criminal, and why such a high bounty? I suggest you be entirely honest."