Rosie breathes in the deep, musty scent of books and sighs. She smiles at Fifi's find: she had read the book when it was first released, but to have a copy to refer to as they adventure might be useful. She's more interested however in the minotaur.
"Hello there. Sorry to disturb your reading. I'm Rosie and this is Fifi and Torwin. We just arrived and were exploring this grand house."
Before heading to the library Torwin nods to Burn. "Ri-r-right. L-later."
As soon as Torwin saw the shelves of books they immediately went over to them. At an inch under five feet tall they struggle to grab any books on the top shelf but have no problems grabbing some of the lower books. They smile seeing a couple books they recognize and put back. They rifle though the various fictional books on adventures and find one that seems to catch their attention causing them to get delayed in seeking what they really need to find. They also find a cookbook with many interesting recipes for cooking fireside when on an adventure. Having no experience with cooking by a fire, Torwin picks up that book as well as one novel book. They immediately get distracted checking out the cooking book and doesn't even notice he large minotaur at first.
When Fifi mentions the book on Volo's guide to monsters Torwin looks up from the desk with unmistaken curiosity. They go over to the satyr to look over their shoulder. "O-o-oh! Lucky, t-t-the waiting list b-b-back at the k-k-keep is v-very long on th-that one. C-can.... ummm... i-if n-not too m-much bother of c-course, can I r-r-read after you?" he asks very nervously but seems to be enjoying reading over Fifi's shoulder too. Their eyes darting around at the depictions and descriptions of various monsters, creatures and otherworldly beings on each page. Torwin was a bit enraptured with it until Rosie says something to the minotaur. Torwin looks over at them and upon seeing the big armored being they seem to duck down behind Fifi putting her between him and the scary minotaur, clearly looking to Fifi for protection. They don't say anything as they watch the minotaur from behind her clearly afraid of the big bullman.
Burn cleans up (hopefully finding a bath), takes a short rest, and does her best to care for herself and her gear after their long journey. She takes an inventory of her spell components, prepares some spells, and cleans her weapons/tools.
Burn gains the ability at 3rd level to create an eldritch cannon. Until that point, she spends much of her free time tinkering on it trying to get it to work.
She does some studying:
Cantrips: Lightning Lure, Mending
1st: Alarm, Catapult, Grease
She modifies some marbles to do the following:
3 shine a bright light when impacted with enough force (dropped from waist level)
3 play a recorded message 5 seconds after being kissed ("Hey! Over Here!")
After making preparations, she takes a dagger out of her box, holds it out so she can see the reflection of her own eyes in the polished blade, and whispers to herself. "I'm coming to get you"
The kitchen is situated on the long side of the "L" shaped building, near the high end. You can hear some people talking and laughing in what seems to be the dining room, one door away. The kitchen itself is something of a mess. Bowls of flour and chopped vegetables are strewn across various tables. A brick over is the rooms sole source of light, painting everything in its orange glow. Radu can make out was appear to be kebabs roasting on spits above the fire. Dried meats hang from the ceiling. On one counter, near the door, someone seems to have been making a large quantity of mushroom salad.
At the back of the room is a door leading to what you assume is the storage room.
A dwarf woman in a bloodstained white apron moves about the kitchen, back and forth, working on multiple activities at once. She doesn't notice the two of you in the doorway, as she is already engaged in conversation with someone else.
???: "—Oh she's doing quite well! I got a letter from her a week ago! She's made some friends up at the academy, and she likes her professors very much!"
???: "Good to hear! I considered sending my daughter there, but in the end I decided that private tutoring would suit her better."
???: "Ahhh, it seems it worked out well for her! She's quite the talented spellcaster!"
In one corner of the kitchen, elderly grey-skinned elf sits on a wooden stool, hunched over and resting his elbows on his knees. His eyes follow the cook as she moves about. He also does not look up as Radu and Geraine peak into the kitchen.
Fifi, Rosie, Torwin (in the Library)
The minotaur elegantly places a silk bookmark in the book he was reading, closes it, and sets it aside in a most gentle fashion. Then, looking up, he answers Rosie in a clear, startlingly deep voice:
???: "No need to apologize. I was just finishing up. I take it you three are here for the expedition?"
His voice is so booming that you can practically feel the vibrations.
As Fifi flips through the pages of the book, she comes across various entries describing beholders, illithids, gnolls, hags, serpentfolk, barghests, banderhobbs, and a brief entry on lizardfolk.
Burn (in her Bedroom)
Burn finds that all the bedrooms with open doors are the unclaimed ones. They all appear to be furnished exactly the same: a simple bed with cotton sheets, a side table with an unlit lantern sitting on it, a wardrobe, a lidded washtub in the corner, and a backpack sitting at the foot of the bed. As she closes the door behind her (it has a lock), she can hear Sheska returning downstairs.
As he walks down the hall towards the kitchen, Geraine can't make out any magical auras. Looking in the kitchen, he can see an aura of evocation magic wafting like smoke from a closed lantern sitting on a counter.
As he and Radu overhear part of the dwarf and the elf's conversation, Geraine senses someone casting an illusion spell in what could only be the direction of the dining room.
"What a wonderful book, so much information on so many species!" Fifi raises the book above her head for Torwin to see as the lizardfolk hides behind her, "This one's about your kind Torwin."
The satyr continues to read through the book, paying particular attention to monsters known to lurk the earth's depths. After having the book for a while, the satyr allows Torwin a chance to read through the book. Fifi turns to the Satyr and joins the conversation, "Yup, we're here to check out the canyon. The name's Fifi, and you are?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Geraine takes a mental note of the lantern, thinking briefly: "Likely just a light spell enchanted on the lantern to save the need for fuel, curious though how it is the oven lighting the room instead.. Well regardless, noted!" Arcana Check: 2(for his own confidence if nothing else.)
Sensing the illusion magic, Geraine hastily walks to the next door down to the dining room to get a good look.
When he arrived on the kitchen and saw the dwarven woman with the blood apron the first thing Radu thought about was a butcher. But not the kind that sells meet on a store down the street. The serial killer kind. If it didn’t look so farfetched, he could have considered the possibility of the food being made of failed applicants. Or troublesome adventurers. Better keep my trap shut, he reflected waiting for who he could only suppose was Breda to notice both him and Geraine. A thing that neither her neither her accomplice, er, coworker, managed to do.
“Berda?” The blood hunter asked after giving up on the wait. “Sheska told me to speak with you about alchemical supplies on the storage room. Ingredients for alchemists fire and or toxin.” His eyes wandered through the kitchen, resting on the hanging dried meat.“Out of curiosity, what kind of meat is that?”
Radu half expected her to say something on the lines of human meat and then proceed to make an attempt on adding him to the menu. It would be a shit idea, he said to himself. Beyond skin and bone I don’t have much more than some muscle and a lot of nerve. Terrible quality, but he was confident that if someone tried to eat his body he could at least leave and indigestion behind. A last “**** you’ after death
"What a wonderful book, so much information on so many species!" Fifi raises the book above her head for Torwin to see as the lizardfolk hides behind her, "This one's about your kind Torwin."
The distraction seems to work as Torwin gets right into reading the passage on lizardfolk. "Oh? I-i-interesting... ummm... a b-b-bit ummm.... It d-doesn't mention cur-current w-ways or v-various l-l-lineages. T-th-this is g-good for those from swamps. Some of this is a-accurate for my kind of lizardfolk. I hail from a desert lineage. We are a bit more in touch with emotions, typically protective of family or tribe, but strength is v-v-valued a-a-above... ummm... n-n-nevermind." Torwin was getting into the discussion and delighted to be handed the book but seemed to remember something near the end of what he was saying and looks back at the minotaur suddenly seeming scared of them again. When introductions are given they seem to cower even more and weakly say "T-t-torwin."
Rosie waits for the minotaur to introduce themself before also asking: "Will you be joining us on the expedition? Have you been down there already? Also you seem to be quite a learned individual: do you have any idea what we may find down there?" She also tries to sneak a peek at the book the minotaur was reading.
The dining room is by far the largest room Geraine has seen in the house. From the door to the back of the room it is about fifty feet. A couple long tables are laid across the room, ready for food to be placed on them.
Three people sit at one of the tables: a human woman who appears in her early twenties, wearing a slim blue dress, a young halfling fellow clad in armor, and a dragonborn in loose robes reminding Geraine of the attire worn by monks.
The human sits across from the halfling, holding out a fan of playing cards. The dragon born stands behind her, an amused expression on his face.
???: "Now tell me, Mat: which one is the illusion?"
Mat: (squinting) "Gee, I don't know! They all look real to me!"
???: "Look closely. The illusion has a slight shimmer to it."
Mat: "Hmm ok."
After considering his options for a good five seconds, he reaches out and grabs one of the cards. Geraine, through his detect magic spell, can see that he is picking the wrong one. As soon as Mat touches the card, the illusory one vanishes in a flash of violet sparks, leaving the halfling with a very real card.
Mat: "Darn!"
???: "See? You need to look closer."
Mat: "I wanna try again! I know I'll get it this time!"
The dragonborn chuckles.
???: "Maybe we should give someone else a try. You can try again later."
From what Geraine can tell, the only source of illusion magic in the room was the woman's minor illusion spell.
Radu (in the Kitchen)
The dwarf and her wizened associate pause their conversation and turn towards Radu.
Breda: "Alchemy supplies? Yep. We have 'em." (she seems oddly unphased by the fact that Radu basically asked for ingredients to make poison and explosives) "Back there." (she gestures to the pantry) "Walk into the room, turn left, and they'll be in the third drawer from the top." (when asked about the meat) "Goblin's arse." (her expression doesn't change)
???: (studying Radu carefully) "If it's antitoxin you want, I've included a bottle in each of the backpacks left in your bedrooms. However, I can understand wanting a backup supply. One can never be too prepared, after all."
Fifi, Rosie, and Torwin (in the Library)
Bruno: (to Fifi) "I am called Bruno of Thay. Until I was accepted into this expedition, I have made a living as a hired guard."
(to Rosie) "Indeed. I will be joining you in our descent. I have not yet seen what lies below, but I have spoken with Klage. He should be around here somewhere." (gesturing to the whole house) "He says that there is a forest at the bottom of the chasm, inhabited by primal reptilian creatures."
(in response to Torwin introducing himself) "What was that? I couldn't hear you."
The book, now at the minotaur's side, has the words embossed on the cover in bronze: 'Malachias' Ponderings on Sentience: A Dissection of the Soul' (very philosophical from the looks of it)
Geraine approaches the group on the side of the table as the one they called Mat.
"Good day and Salutations! What a most splendid trick that was indeed! It reminds me of a tale about Andar, an esteemed Sunmaster for Amaunator. He would raise orphans to be torch-bearers for patrolling the night - reporting unlawful things they witnessed that he might deal with under the law of the Sun. It is said that he had many, tricks, he would use to entertain the children, both for their amusement as well as to steel their minds from the terrors of the night. Simply fantastic, and I am sure you have many creative uses for such tricks.."
Taking a moment to straighten his posture, then bowing slightly to sustain a look of regality. "A apologize! I seem to have stumbled unwelcomed into your game.. I am Geraine, a Brother and Cleric of the Temple of the Glorious Sun, and by the light of Amaunator it is a pleasure to meet you all..
He straightens himself again. "Are you also here at the call of Mr.. Klage for a journey into the depths?"
After a short rest, Burn decides to head down to the smithy. While she would not consider herself a true blacksmith, she had assisted her uncle, Belden, an armor artificer, enough times to feel comfortable around a forge and anvil.
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance Bruno! I look forward to descending the cavern with you."
Fifi then turns to Torwin, "Ah, it's always good to be in touch with your emotions. To chase after what makes you happy and being able to savor new emotions through new experiences is what makes a satyr a satyr."
Widening her eyes at the idea of a forest at the bottom of a chasm, Rosie then excuses herself from the group. "Well, very nice to meet you Bruno, and perhaps discussing philosophy with you at some stage. I am going to head to the Blacksmith: I would like to get my rapier sharpened and perhaps see what other weapons they have available. Will see you all at dinner."
Rosie exits the library and heads for the blacksmith.
(If she doesn't know the way, she would have asked Bruno before leaving.)
When Bruno addresses Torwin the timid lizardfolk stands up from behind Fifi when address and seems to take it like its a trained command he was taught and, although he can't seem to stop his stutter, he says clearly "S-s-sorry B-b-bruno of T-thay! I-I am T-Torwin." after properly introducing himself he seems a bit confused as they look at the book Bruno is holding. Their eyes light up a little in interest but they seem to focus on the statement that there is a forest below filled with primal reptilian creatures. "U-umm... p-primal? L-l-like dinosaurs? F-forest, wh-what kind of forest? Is the chasm a p-por-portal? I w-would like to know more." Torwin seems nervous, curious and a bit less of a stutter comes though as they semi-ask the minotaur what they know. Their eyes seem to dart to the book he is holding a few times as well.
When Fifi turns back to Torwin and addresses them they seem a bit surprised that Fifi addressed them at all. They look between her and Bruno then back to her and says "I-I l-like l-learning new things. I-I'm not l-like my kin. I-_'m not s-s-strong or b-brave." They look down at the ground and play with their hands their scaled fingers tapping each other in a nervous gesture.
When Rosie heads out the lizardman say "Oh, umm.... okay.... s-s-see y-you a-at dinner." he then looks to Bruno and seems too curious especially since Rosie brought it up and just has to asks "Umm... B-b-bruno of Thay. D-do you l-l-like M-malachais' works? H-h-have you read any of his o-other books?"
“******* buggers.” He said at the mention of goblins. He had found more than a few of them on his way from Athkatla to the Glimmerwood. Pain in the ass didn’t start to describe them. Old Man Izzy used to saw something about their cruel nature being related to their progenitor god or something like that. Maybe I should have paid more attention to the lessons at the Order’s Keep. Radu also noticed that he was right to some degree – it was humanoid meat. “And yes, I want to make antitoxin, not poison. I heard lots of things on the Underdark use toxins of their own and more often that not the poisonous things are resistant or downright immune to poison. This is why I am considering making some fire too – as far as alchemist’s compounds go it is far more likely to be useful there, specially in comparison to something like poison or acid.”
Knowing that everyone would have one antitoxin already made the idea of producing Alchemist’s Fire all the more appealing even though he would not be able to coat his darts with the fire. If the antitoxin actually works, for all the Blood Hunter knew the toxin of the bleached elf could very well be a poison.
“What is your name, by the way?” Radu asked the elf. It was important to know the name of other people. Useful if it ever became necessary to accuse or hunt them.
The smithy is located at the inner corner of the house's "L" shape, near where you had got off Fletch's wagon. When Burn enters, she finds that Rosie has just gotten there as well.
Open to the outside, the smithy is well lit by the scorching sun. However, the heat in this room does not come from the sun, but rather, the forge. It appears to have been fed recently, as a fire roars in the stone furnace. Empty crucibles and strips of beaten metal strips litter the ground and worktables, as well as both half-finished and completed weapons of various kinds. An ornate dwarven anvil sits atop a pedestal a few feet away from the forge. In the far corner is a shelf full of rolled up parchment.
A man sits at one of the workbenches, studying what looks like a bunch of metal strips rolled up into a spherical shape, almost like a yarn ball. As the two of you enter, the man looks up.
???: "Hello there! Are you two here for the expedition?" (he thinks for a second) "Kind of a stupid question isn't it. Of course you are!"
Radu (in the Kitchen)
Breda is silent for a couple seconds, as if expecting a specific response from Radu. She then bursts into a laugh.
Breda: "Don't be so serious, boy! You almost look like you believed me! It's beef, for goodness' sake! Goblin isn't even edible as far as I'm concerned."
The elf gives a slight smile and stands up from his seat.
???: "That aside, you are right to be wary of poison in the Underdark. It seems to be a favorite tool of the subterranean domains." (at the mention of alchemist's fire, he appears impressed) "My, my! You've clearly done your research! I like that. No doubt you will have no trouble traversing the depths. As for my name, I am Eduan Klage."
He strides forward, leading Radu to notice that Klage is a few inches taller than him. He holds out his hand in expectance of a handshake.
Fifi and Torwin (in the Library)
Bruno: "Ah, Torwin! I have a cousin by that name! Good to meet you. Yes, dinosaurs was the word I was looking for. The forest is filled with dinosaurs. I haven't seen the forest, and Mr. Klage didn't say, but I'd assume it to be a jungle of sorts, based on my knowledge of dinosaur habitats. I do not think that the chasm is a portal. Klage theorizes that it was once on the surface, but somehow sunk when the chasm formed." (when asked about the book) "I can't say I am too familiar with the works of Malachias. I just discovered this book when searching the library and decided to dive in. I'm not picky in my choice of literature."
Geraine (in the Dining Room)
The three stare at Geraine as he introduces himself, somewhat puzzled at first. Then, the woman stands up.
Emilia: "A pleasure to meet you! I am Emilia Klage. These two (gesturing to the halfing and the dragonborn, who each nod in acknowledgement) were volunteers chosen by my father, much like yourself. I take it you just got here?"
Fifi lifts up VGtM for the minotaur to see and asks, "Say Bruno, are we allowed to take books from the library. Perhaps they have a check out system? It's not hard to imagine how useful a book like this would be to have while descending the cavern."
"Well met, sir. I am Burn. (looks over to Rosie to let her introduce herself)I was led to believe that the blacksmith was away. Is that you, sir? I was looking to have something cast for me or use the smithy to cast it myself. Something much like what you already hold in your hands, actually"
"Miss Klage, the pleasure is all mine. And, yes indeed, I arrived merely moments ago with my acquaintances whom are about the house currently." He responds, then begins to gesture to the scale of the room and then to the 2 volunteers. "Speaking of which, I was taking a bit of a self-guided tour of the manor.. This is quite the establishment compared to many of those camped about we witnessed on the way here. How long have you and your Father been here, and, will you also be joining us into the depths?"
Rosie breathes in the deep, musty scent of books and sighs. She smiles at Fifi's find: she had read the book when it was first released, but to have a copy to refer to as they adventure might be useful. She's more interested however in the minotaur.
"Hello there. Sorry to disturb your reading. I'm Rosie and this is Fifi and Torwin. We just arrived and were exploring this grand house."
Before heading to the library Torwin nods to Burn. "Ri-r-right. L-later."
As soon as Torwin saw the shelves of books they immediately went over to them. At an inch under five feet tall they struggle to grab any books on the top shelf but have no problems grabbing some of the lower books. They smile seeing a couple books they recognize and put back. They rifle though the various fictional books on adventures and find one that seems to catch their attention causing them to get delayed in seeking what they really need to find. They also find a cookbook with many interesting recipes for cooking fireside when on an adventure. Having no experience with cooking by a fire, Torwin picks up that book as well as one novel book. They immediately get distracted checking out the cooking book and doesn't even notice he large minotaur at first.
When Fifi mentions the book on Volo's guide to monsters Torwin looks up from the desk with unmistaken curiosity. They go over to the satyr to look over their shoulder. "O-o-oh! Lucky, t-t-the waiting list b-b-back at the k-k-keep is v-very long on th-that one. C-can.... ummm... i-if n-not too m-much bother of c-course, can I r-r-read after you?" he asks very nervously but seems to be enjoying reading over Fifi's shoulder too. Their eyes darting around at the depictions and descriptions of various monsters, creatures and otherworldly beings on each page. Torwin was a bit enraptured with it until Rosie says something to the minotaur. Torwin looks over at them and upon seeing the big armored being they seem to duck down behind Fifi putting her between him and the scary minotaur, clearly looking to Fifi for protection. They don't say anything as they watch the minotaur from behind her clearly afraid of the big bullman.
Burn cleans up (hopefully finding a bath), takes a short rest, and does her best to care for herself and her gear after their long journey. She takes an inventory of her spell components, prepares some spells, and cleans her weapons/tools.
Burn gains the ability at 3rd level to create an eldritch cannon. Until that point, she spends much of her free time tinkering on it trying to get it to work.
She does some studying:
She modifies some marbles to do the following:
After making preparations, she takes a dagger out of her box, holds it out so she can see the reflection of her own eyes in the polished blade, and whispers to herself. "I'm coming to get you"
Geraine and Radu (in the Kitchen)
The kitchen is situated on the long side of the "L" shaped building, near the high end. You can hear some people talking and laughing in what seems to be the dining room, one door away. The kitchen itself is something of a mess. Bowls of flour and chopped vegetables are strewn across various tables. A brick over is the rooms sole source of light, painting everything in its orange glow. Radu can make out was appear to be kebabs roasting on spits above the fire. Dried meats hang from the ceiling. On one counter, near the door, someone seems to have been making a large quantity of mushroom salad.
At the back of the room is a door leading to what you assume is the storage room.
A dwarf woman in a bloodstained white apron moves about the kitchen, back and forth, working on multiple activities at once. She doesn't notice the two of you in the doorway, as she is already engaged in conversation with someone else.
???:
"—Oh she's doing quite well! I got a letter from her a week ago! She's made some friends up at the academy, and she likes her professors very much!"
???:
"Good to hear! I considered sending my daughter there, but in the end I decided that private tutoring would suit her better."
???:
"Ahhh, it seems it worked out well for her! She's quite the talented spellcaster!"
In one corner of the kitchen, elderly grey-skinned elf sits on a wooden stool, hunched over and resting his elbows on his knees. His eyes follow the cook as she moves about. He also does not look up as Radu and Geraine peak into the kitchen.
Fifi, Rosie, Torwin (in the Library)
The minotaur elegantly places a silk bookmark in the book he was reading, closes it, and sets it aside in a most gentle fashion. Then, looking up, he answers Rosie in a clear, startlingly deep voice:
???:
"No need to apologize. I was just finishing up. I take it you three are here for the expedition?"
His voice is so booming that you can practically feel the vibrations.
As Fifi flips through the pages of the book, she comes across various entries describing beholders, illithids, gnolls, hags, serpentfolk, barghests, banderhobbs, and a brief entry on lizardfolk.
Burn (in her Bedroom)
Burn finds that all the bedrooms with open doors are the unclaimed ones. They all appear to be furnished exactly the same: a simple bed with cotton sheets, a side table with an unlit lantern sitting on it, a wardrobe, a lidded washtub in the corner, and a backpack sitting at the foot of the bed. As she closes the door behind her (it has a lock), she can hear Sheska returning downstairs.
Geraine's Detect Magic
As he walks down the hall towards the kitchen, Geraine can't make out any magical auras. Looking in the kitchen, he can see an aura of evocation magic wafting like smoke from a closed lantern sitting on a counter.
As he and Radu overhear part of the dwarf and the elf's conversation, Geraine senses someone casting an illusion spell in what could only be the direction of the dining room.
"Remind yourself that overconfidence is a slow and insidious killer."
"What a wonderful book, so much information on so many species!" Fifi raises the book above her head for Torwin to see as the lizardfolk hides behind her, "This one's about your kind Torwin."
The satyr continues to read through the book, paying particular attention to monsters known to lurk the earth's depths. After having the book for a while, the satyr allows Torwin a chance to read through the book. Fifi turns to the Satyr and joins the conversation, "Yup, we're here to check out the canyon. The name's Fifi, and you are?"
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
Geraine takes a mental note of the lantern, thinking briefly: "Likely just a light spell enchanted on the lantern to save the need for fuel, curious though how it is the oven lighting the room instead.. Well regardless, noted!" Arcana Check: 2 (for his own confidence if nothing else.)
Sensing the illusion magic, Geraine hastily walks to the next door down to the dining room to get a good look.
Horkur Beren in Tending the Garden
Geraine Lucineous in Onward Down
When he arrived on the kitchen and saw the dwarven woman with the blood apron the first thing Radu thought about was a butcher. But not the kind that sells meet on a store down the street. The serial killer kind. If it didn’t look so farfetched, he could have considered the possibility of the food being made of failed applicants. Or troublesome adventurers. Better keep my trap shut, he reflected waiting for who he could only suppose was Breda to notice both him and Geraine. A thing that neither her neither her accomplice, er, coworker, managed to do.
“Berda?” The blood hunter asked after giving up on the wait. “Sheska told me to speak with you about alchemical supplies on the storage room. Ingredients for alchemists fire and or toxin.” His eyes wandered through the kitchen, resting on the hanging dried meat. “Out of curiosity, what kind of meat is that?”
Radu half expected her to say something on the lines of human meat and then proceed to make an attempt on adding him to the menu. It would be a shit idea, he said to himself. Beyond skin and bone I don’t have much more than some muscle and a lot of nerve. Terrible quality, but he was confident that if someone tried to eat his body he could at least leave and indigestion behind. A last “**** you’ after death
The distraction seems to work as Torwin gets right into reading the passage on lizardfolk. "Oh? I-i-interesting... ummm... a b-b-bit ummm.... It d-doesn't mention cur-current w-ways or v-various l-l-lineages. T-th-this is g-good for those from swamps. Some of this is a-accurate for my kind of lizardfolk. I hail from a desert lineage. We are a bit more in touch with emotions, typically protective of family or tribe, but strength is v-v-valued a-a-above... ummm... n-n-nevermind." Torwin was getting into the discussion and delighted to be handed the book but seemed to remember something near the end of what he was saying and looks back at the minotaur suddenly seeming scared of them again. When introductions are given they seem to cower even more and weakly say "T-t-torwin."
Rosie waits for the minotaur to introduce themself before also asking: "Will you be joining us on the expedition? Have you been down there already? Also you seem to be quite a learned individual: do you have any idea what we may find down there?" She also tries to sneak a peek at the book the minotaur was reading.
Geraine (in the Dining Room)
The dining room is by far the largest room Geraine has seen in the house. From the door to the back of the room it is about fifty feet. A couple long tables are laid across the room, ready for food to be placed on them.
Three people sit at one of the tables: a human woman who appears in her early twenties, wearing a slim blue dress, a young halfling fellow clad in armor, and a dragonborn in loose robes reminding Geraine of the attire worn by monks.
The human sits across from the halfling, holding out a fan of playing cards. The dragon born stands behind her, an amused expression on his face.
???:
"Now tell me, Mat: which one is the illusion?"
Mat:
(squinting) "Gee, I don't know! They all look real to me!"
???:
"Look closely. The illusion has a slight shimmer to it."
Mat:
"Hmm ok."
After considering his options for a good five seconds, he reaches out and grabs one of the cards. Geraine, through his detect magic spell, can see that he is picking the wrong one. As soon as Mat touches the card, the illusory one vanishes in a flash of violet sparks, leaving the halfling with a very real card.
Mat:
"Darn!"
???:
"See? You need to look closer."
Mat:
"I wanna try again! I know I'll get it this time!"
The dragonborn chuckles.
???:
"Maybe we should give someone else a try. You can try again later."
From what Geraine can tell, the only source of illusion magic in the room was the woman's minor illusion spell.
Radu (in the Kitchen)
The dwarf and her wizened associate pause their conversation and turn towards Radu.
Breda:
"Alchemy supplies? Yep. We have 'em." (she seems oddly unphased by the fact that Radu basically asked for ingredients to make poison and explosives) "Back there." (she gestures to the pantry) "Walk into the room, turn left, and they'll be in the third drawer from the top." (when asked about the meat) "Goblin's arse." (her expression doesn't change)
???:
(studying Radu carefully) "If it's antitoxin you want, I've included a bottle in each of the backpacks left in your bedrooms. However, I can understand wanting a backup supply. One can never be too prepared, after all."
Fifi, Rosie, and Torwin (in the Library)
Bruno:
(to Fifi) "I am called Bruno of Thay. Until I was accepted into this expedition, I have made a living as a hired guard."
(to Rosie) "Indeed. I will be joining you in our descent. I have not yet seen what lies below, but I have spoken with Klage. He should be around here somewhere." (gesturing to the whole house) "He says that there is a forest at the bottom of the chasm, inhabited by primal reptilian creatures."
(in response to Torwin introducing himself) "What was that? I couldn't hear you."
The book, now at the minotaur's side, has the words embossed on the cover in bronze: 'Malachias' Ponderings on Sentience: A Dissection of the Soul' (very philosophical from the looks of it)
"Remind yourself that overconfidence is a slow and insidious killer."
Geraine approaches the group on the side of the table as the one they called Mat.
"Good day and Salutations! What a most splendid trick that was indeed! It reminds me of a tale about Andar, an esteemed Sunmaster for Amaunator. He would raise orphans to be torch-bearers for patrolling the night - reporting unlawful things they witnessed that he might deal with under the law of the Sun. It is said that he had many, tricks, he would use to entertain the children, both for their amusement as well as to steel their minds from the terrors of the night. Simply fantastic, and I am sure you have many creative uses for such tricks.."
Taking a moment to straighten his posture, then bowing slightly to sustain a look of regality. "A apologize! I seem to have stumbled unwelcomed into your game.. I am Geraine, a Brother and Cleric of the Temple of the Glorious Sun, and by the light of Amaunator it is a pleasure to meet you all..
He straightens himself again. "Are you also here at the call of Mr.. Klage for a journey into the depths?"
Horkur Beren in Tending the Garden
Geraine Lucineous in Onward Down
After a short rest, Burn decides to head down to the smithy. While she would not consider herself a true blacksmith, she had assisted her uncle, Belden, an armor artificer, enough times to feel comfortable around a forge and anvil.
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance Bruno! I look forward to descending the cavern with you."
Fifi then turns to Torwin, "Ah, it's always good to be in touch with your emotions. To chase after what makes you happy and being able to savor new emotions through new experiences is what makes a satyr a satyr."
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
Widening her eyes at the idea of a forest at the bottom of a chasm, Rosie then excuses herself from the group. "Well, very nice to meet you Bruno, and perhaps discussing philosophy with you at some stage. I am going to head to the Blacksmith: I would like to get my rapier sharpened and perhaps see what other weapons they have available. Will see you all at dinner."
Rosie exits the library and heads for the blacksmith.
(If she doesn't know the way, she would have asked Bruno before leaving.)
When Bruno addresses Torwin the timid lizardfolk stands up from behind Fifi when address and seems to take it like its a trained command he was taught and, although he can't seem to stop his stutter, he says clearly "S-s-sorry B-b-bruno of T-thay! I-I am T-Torwin." after properly introducing himself he seems a bit confused as they look at the book Bruno is holding. Their eyes light up a little in interest but they seem to focus on the statement that there is a forest below filled with primal reptilian creatures. "U-umm... p-primal? L-l-like dinosaurs? F-forest, wh-what kind of forest? Is the chasm a p-por-portal? I w-would like to know more." Torwin seems nervous, curious and a bit less of a stutter comes though as they semi-ask the minotaur what they know. Their eyes seem to dart to the book he is holding a few times as well.
When Fifi turns back to Torwin and addresses them they seem a bit surprised that Fifi addressed them at all. They look between her and Bruno then back to her and says "I-I l-like l-learning new things. I-I'm not l-like my kin. I-_'m not s-s-strong or b-brave." They look down at the ground and play with their hands their scaled fingers tapping each other in a nervous gesture.
When Rosie heads out the lizardman say "Oh, umm.... okay.... s-s-see y-you a-at dinner." he then looks to Bruno and seems too curious especially since Rosie brought it up and just has to asks "Umm... B-b-bruno of Thay. D-do you l-l-like M-malachais' works? H-h-have you read any of his o-other books?"
“******* buggers.” He said at the mention of goblins. He had found more than a few of them on his way from Athkatla to the Glimmerwood. Pain in the ass didn’t start to describe them. Old Man Izzy used to saw something about their cruel nature being related to their progenitor god or something like that. Maybe I should have paid more attention to the lessons at the Order’s Keep. Radu also noticed that he was right to some degree – it was humanoid meat. “And yes, I want to make antitoxin, not poison. I heard lots of things on the Underdark use toxins of their own and more often that not the poisonous things are resistant or downright immune to poison. This is why I am considering making some fire too – as far as alchemist’s compounds go it is far more likely to be useful there, specially in comparison to something like poison or acid.”
Knowing that everyone would have one antitoxin already made the idea of producing Alchemist’s Fire all the more appealing even though he would not be able to coat his darts with the fire. If the antitoxin actually works, for all the Blood Hunter knew the toxin of the bleached elf could very well be a poison.
“What is your name, by the way?” Radu asked the elf. It was important to know the name of other people. Useful if it ever became necessary to accuse or hunt them.
Burn and Rosie (heading to the Smithy)
The smithy is located at the inner corner of the house's "L" shape, near where you had got off Fletch's wagon. When Burn enters, she finds that Rosie has just gotten there as well.
Open to the outside, the smithy is well lit by the scorching sun. However, the heat in this room does not come from the sun, but rather, the forge. It appears to have been fed recently, as a fire roars in the stone furnace. Empty crucibles and strips of beaten metal strips litter the ground and worktables, as well as both half-finished and completed weapons of various kinds. An ornate dwarven anvil sits atop a pedestal a few feet away from the forge. In the far corner is a shelf full of rolled up parchment.
A man sits at one of the workbenches, studying what looks like a bunch of metal strips rolled up into a spherical shape, almost like a yarn ball. As the two of you enter, the man looks up.
???:
"Hello there! Are you two here for the expedition?" (he thinks for a second) "Kind of a stupid question isn't it. Of course you are!"
Radu (in the Kitchen)
Breda is silent for a couple seconds, as if expecting a specific response from Radu. She then bursts into a laugh.
Breda:
"Don't be so serious, boy! You almost look like you believed me! It's beef, for goodness' sake! Goblin isn't even edible as far as I'm concerned."
The elf gives a slight smile and stands up from his seat.
???:
"That aside, you are right to be wary of poison in the Underdark. It seems to be a favorite tool of the subterranean domains." (at the mention of alchemist's fire, he appears impressed) "My, my! You've clearly done your research! I like that. No doubt you will have no trouble traversing the depths. As for my name, I am Eduan Klage."
He strides forward, leading Radu to notice that Klage is a few inches taller than him. He holds out his hand in expectance of a handshake.
Fifi and Torwin (in the Library)
Bruno:
"Ah, Torwin! I have a cousin by that name! Good to meet you. Yes, dinosaurs was the word I was looking for. The forest is filled with dinosaurs. I haven't seen the forest, and Mr. Klage didn't say, but I'd assume it to be a jungle of sorts, based on my knowledge of dinosaur habitats. I do not think that the chasm is a portal. Klage theorizes that it was once on the surface, but somehow sunk when the chasm formed." (when asked about the book) "I can't say I am too familiar with the works of Malachias. I just discovered this book when searching the library and decided to dive in. I'm not picky in my choice of literature."
Geraine (in the Dining Room)
The three stare at Geraine as he introduces himself, somewhat puzzled at first. Then, the woman stands up.
Emilia:
"A pleasure to meet you! I am Emilia Klage. These two (gesturing to the halfing and the dragonborn, who each nod in acknowledgement) were volunteers chosen by my father, much like yourself. I take it you just got here?"
"Remind yourself that overconfidence is a slow and insidious killer."
Fifi lifts up VGtM for the minotaur to see and asks, "Say Bruno, are we allowed to take books from the library. Perhaps they have a check out system? It's not hard to imagine how useful a book like this would be to have while descending the cavern."
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
"Well met, sir. I am Burn. (looks over to Rosie to let her introduce herself) I was led to believe that the blacksmith was away. Is that you, sir? I was looking to have something cast for me or use the smithy to cast it myself. Something much like what you already hold in your hands, actually"
"Miss Klage, the pleasure is all mine. And, yes indeed, I arrived merely moments ago with my acquaintances whom are about the house currently." He responds, then begins to gesture to the scale of the room and then to the 2 volunteers. "Speaking of which, I was taking a bit of a self-guided tour of the manor.. This is quite the establishment compared to many of those camped about we witnessed on the way here. How long have you and your Father been here, and, will you also be joining us into the depths?"
Horkur Beren in Tending the Garden
Geraine Lucineous in Onward Down