Lightning cracks through the night sky. In the light of the full moon, the silhouette of a cloaked figure appears at the edge of a cliff, watching over the village below.
Another bolt of lightning, CRACK. The silhouette disappears, and the silence after the thunder is replaced by the howling of a wolf. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The inn in the town of Caerden is packed to the brim with a mix of customers and people scared to go out in the violent storm. Everyone talking over each other makes it nearly impossible to hear others, even if you're right next to them. At one table, a group of strangers are seated together, forced to do so as all other tables are too crowded.
At the table, crowded among the strangers, sits a young woman clad all in black. She wears a tight bodice, cut rather low in the front, and soft, leather trousers tucked into supple, calfskin boots. A black cloak lays about her shoulders, but the hood is thrown back to reveal long, raven hair and piercing, dark eyes set in an angular, almost feline-looking face. The look on her face is one of languorous boredom, and she sits with her legs crossed, one long, blood red nail tapping idly against the table.
As she waits, she studies the faces of the strangers seated next to her with barely concealed interest. She wonders if they are here for the same reason. Perhaps it's not such a coincidence that they are all sitting here after all...
An older gnome is perched on his compact leather backpack on top of his chair, observing the chaotic scene in the inn with displeasure. He is grey-haired and bearded. He wears a simple grey tunic. Because of the weather, he is unwilling to leave the inn. He has thought of renting a room to get some peace and quiet, but is reluctant as always to spend any money. He watches the others and the table with careful glances. A small owl is perched on his shoulder, and appears to be asleep.
At the table sits young and fairly handsome half-elf, wearing a red and black cloak over a bloodred shirt, black leather pants and boots. His curious red eyes glance over at the others at the table as he runs a hand through his wet and unruly red and black hair. As he just came in from the storm you noticed he carried a black leather backpack and had an exquisitely forged elven thin blade at his side, stopping briefly by the bar to pick up a tankard of ale and ordering a hot meal. As he is comfortably seated, he takes a swig of ale before speaking. "Blasted weather, but I suppose we're all lucky to be inside now. Forgive me if I seem straightforward. I am Adrymarchios, a traveller of the realms and hunter of monsters. And who might you all be?" He says with a curious smile, taking another swig of his ale.
The gnome looks up at the young man, and says, "I am Gnosis, and I am a student of the arcane. This is my companion, Cygnus." The small owl jerks awake, and gazes intently at Andrymarchios. "We are indeed fortunate to have this warm shelter."
"So, a wizard and his familiar then I presume?"The black-and-red-haired half-elf says with a curious smile, quickly producing some dried meat from his backpack. "Your owl Cygnus is really cute Gnosis, can I offer him a treat?" He asks with a friendly smile, tilting his head and holding up the dried meat to Cygnus.
From another seat at the table, a young halfling woman lets out a small giggle. "What a nice owl! Most birds I've seen aren't nearly as polite. Then again, I guess that's part of what distinguishes familiars from normal animals."
For a moment, she takes a peek out the window, glancing out at the storm. Her brows furrow, but she says nothing.
Then, as if just realizing she was a stranger to these people, she turns around and says, "Oh, but I never introduced myself! I'm Seraphina. I'm, um, what you'd consider a druid, I guess?"
There is uncertainty in her tone, but she smiles nonetheless.
"Good to meet you both, Gnosis and Seraphina..." The black-and-red-haired half-elf says with a friendly smile, returning to his ale. "...so what brought you both Caerden?" His continues, his curious red eyes studying the gnome and the hafling.
The dark-haired woman stirs as the others begin to introduce themselves. Her gaze lingers first on the half-elf, then the gnome, and finally the halfling. Finally, she uncrosses her legs and leans forward a bit so that the firelight better illumines her features.
"I'm Alys," she says simply. "I'm a...businesswoman."
Her eyes study Cygnus and for just a moment a look of real delight comes over her. "Nice owl," says Alys.
"That is a very pretty name you got there Alys." The black-and-red-haired half-elf says, his curious red eyes taking in the dark-haired woman clad all in black. "And forgive me for asking but what business might that be? Whatever it is I can tell you are doing quite good." He continues with a friendly smile, trying to get the attention of a waitress to order some more drinks for his new company.
Seraphina pauses, taking in what everyone else is saying, then speaks. "As for what I'm doing here, I was studying under an older druid nearby. I recently graduated, so to speak, and became a full druid, and so I came to town to look for work. Gotta make money somehow, right?"
She takes a bite of her food, still occasionally casting glances out the window at the storm. "It looks pretty bad out there. I doubt it'll die down for a while..."
After another moment of silence, she tears her gaze away from the window and smiles, albeit nervously. "Anyway, Adrymarchios, what brings you here? Are there monsters around?"
"Not that I'm aware of Seraphina, I only just arrived. In my experience every town has their monsters though. Question is only if they are bothersome enough to pay someone like me to get rid of them." Adrymarchios answers the hafling with a friendly smile. "So, if you're a druid perhaps you could give us all a forecast. How long would we have to wat for this storm to abate?"
"I know a cantrip that can sorta predict the weather. A bit. Let me see..."
Seraphina scrunches up her face in concentration, then begins to murmur a cantrip under her breath - Druidcraft. She holds out her hand, and something appears, floating above her palm. It is...
(OOC: I'm using Druidcraft, but I don't actually know what the weather will be for the next 24 hours. Is this where the DM describes the results of the cantrip? Sorry, I'm not that used to pbp)
Gnosis nods and smiles to each of the people at the table. He is enjoying listening to all they have to say. "I came to Caerden looking for books and scrolls to further my education. Also, I hope to find some work to fund my education. I've made some progress, but I only began studying a year or two ago."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Alys gives the half-elf a coy smile. "Thank you," she says pleasantly.
"As far as my business goes, that would be telling secrets," she says playfully. "Suffice to say I do well for myself, and it's all aboveboard. Mostly."
Alys watches Seraphina perform her cantrip with interest. "I so do hope the weather lets up soon. How gloomy," she says, but she's still got a faint smile on her face, as if she doesn't mind the weather that much at all.
Adrymarchios fiery eyes watches with curiosity the drudic magic performed by Seraphina. (Don't be sorry IncognitoAlbatross, I would have done it the same way at least :-)
"Oh, any idea how you will acquire those funds then Gnosis, I could use a wizard like yourself as a companion in my line of work." The black-and-red-haired half-elf says with a friendly smile, taking another swig of ale.
"Mostly aboveboard is quite good enough for me Alys, and any secrets would of course be safe with present company."Adrymarchios says, a smile tugging at his lips over the playful secrecy of the mysterious lady in black. He then produces a deck of cards from a pocket and starts to shuffle it as he glances over at the bar again for any signs of a waitress. (That deception roll definitely beats Adrymarchios' passive insight and he's not trying to actively discover Alys' dark secrets, yet ;-)
Gnosis looks to Adrymarchios, and replies, "I have heard that some people, patrons, I suppose, are sometimes looking for assistance for tasks they have in mind. I will be frank, and tell you I haven't really done this before. If you have any proposals, I would entertain them." Gnosis absently scans the room for anyone who might be a likely employer.
A woman approaches your table and tries to smoothly pull over a chair for herself, but it is obviously a little heavier than she expected. The chair makes a honking sound, hits an errant board, and nearly crashes to the floor. The young woman catches it easily, but is flushed by the time she manages to walk the chair over. She pulls out a silk handkerchief and politely coughs into it before composing a smile and looking at the group.
"Good day, one and all," she says in a refined way. "Though I suppose it is a gloomy day, but… well… Good to have some company, I should say. My name is Briara. It is very nice to meet you. I was desperately hoping someone would be inviting, but dared not begin myself. The storm makes everything seem so dreadful."
She is half-elven, slim (perhaps "frail" is more accurate), black hair, and has golden brown eyes that have trouble holding anyone's gaze for more than a moment. She is wearing a dark noblewoman's traveling dress beneath a black cloak trimmed with white ermine fur.
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Lightning cracks through the night sky. In the light of the full moon, the silhouette of a cloaked figure appears at the edge of a cliff, watching over the village below.
Another bolt of lightning, CRACK. The silhouette disappears, and the silence after the thunder is replaced by the howling of a wolf.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The inn in the town of Caerden is packed to the brim with a mix of customers and people scared to go out in the violent storm. Everyone talking over each other makes it nearly impossible to hear others, even if you're right next to them. At one table, a group of strangers are seated together, forced to do so as all other tables are too crowded.
At the table, crowded among the strangers, sits a young woman clad all in black. She wears a tight bodice, cut rather low in the front, and soft, leather trousers tucked into supple, calfskin boots. A black cloak lays about her shoulders, but the hood is thrown back to reveal long, raven hair and piercing, dark eyes set in an angular, almost feline-looking face. The look on her face is one of languorous boredom, and she sits with her legs crossed, one long, blood red nail tapping idly against the table.
As she waits, she studies the faces of the strangers seated next to her with barely concealed interest. She wonders if they are here for the same reason. Perhaps it's not such a coincidence that they are all sitting here after all...
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf (Phandelver and Below) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan (Vecna: Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Gareth Blackwood (Dragon of Icespire Peak) ♦ Karys Velthune (Out of the Abyss) ♦ Surina Xarith (Simple, Heroic Adventure)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus
An older gnome is perched on his compact leather backpack on top of his chair, observing the chaotic scene in the inn with displeasure. He is grey-haired and bearded. He wears a simple grey tunic. Because of the weather, he is unwilling to leave the inn. He has thought of renting a room to get some peace and quiet, but is reluctant as always to spend any money. He watches the others and the table with careful glances. A small owl is perched on his shoulder, and appears to be asleep.
At the table sits young and fairly handsome half-elf, wearing a red and black cloak over a bloodred shirt, black leather pants and boots. His curious red eyes glance over at the others at the table as he runs a hand through his wet and unruly red and black hair. As he just came in from the storm you noticed he carried a black leather backpack and had an exquisitely forged elven thin blade at his side, stopping briefly by the bar to pick up a tankard of ale and ordering a hot meal. As he is comfortably seated, he takes a swig of ale before speaking. "Blasted weather, but I suppose we're all lucky to be inside now. Forgive me if I seem straightforward. I am Adrymarchios, a traveller of the realms and hunter of monsters. And who might you all be?" He says with a curious smile, taking another swig of his ale.
The gnome looks up at the young man, and says, "I am Gnosis, and I am a student of the arcane. This is my companion, Cygnus." The small owl jerks awake, and gazes intently at Andrymarchios. "We are indeed fortunate to have this warm shelter."
"So, a wizard and his familiar then I presume?" The black-and-red-haired half-elf says with a curious smile, quickly producing some dried meat from his backpack. "Your owl Cygnus is really cute Gnosis, can I offer him a treat?" He asks with a friendly smile, tilting his head and holding up the dried meat to Cygnus.
I don't know if he's hungry quite yet, but you're free to try. The little owl flaps, lean towards the bit of meet and daintily plucks it from the man.
From another seat at the table, a young halfling woman lets out a small giggle. "What a nice owl! Most birds I've seen aren't nearly as polite. Then again, I guess that's part of what distinguishes familiars from normal animals."
For a moment, she takes a peek out the window, glancing out at the storm. Her brows furrow, but she says nothing.
Then, as if just realizing she was a stranger to these people, she turns around and says, "Oh, but I never introduced myself! I'm Seraphina. I'm, um, what you'd consider a druid, I guess?"
There is uncertainty in her tone, but she smiles nonetheless.
Gnosis nods to the young halfling, and says, "Pleased to meet you, young lady. Cygnus is generally well-behaved. He's also very perceptive."
"Good to meet you both, Gnosis and Seraphina..." The black-and-red-haired half-elf says with a friendly smile, returning to his ale. "...so what brought you both Caerden?" His continues, his curious red eyes studying the gnome and the hafling.
The dark-haired woman stirs as the others begin to introduce themselves. Her gaze lingers first on the half-elf, then the gnome, and finally the halfling. Finally, she uncrosses her legs and leans forward a bit so that the firelight better illumines her features.
"I'm Alys," she says simply. "I'm a...businesswoman."
Her eyes study Cygnus and for just a moment a look of real delight comes over her. "Nice owl," says Alys.
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf (Phandelver and Below) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan (Vecna: Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Gareth Blackwood (Dragon of Icespire Peak) ♦ Karys Velthune (Out of the Abyss) ♦ Surina Xarith (Simple, Heroic Adventure)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus
"That is a very pretty name you got there Alys." The black-and-red-haired half-elf says, his curious red eyes taking in the dark-haired woman clad all in black. "And forgive me for asking but what business might that be? Whatever it is I can tell you are doing quite good." He continues with a friendly smile, trying to get the attention of a waitress to order some more drinks for his new company.
"It's good to meet you guys, too!"
Seraphina pauses, taking in what everyone else is saying, then speaks. "As for what I'm doing here, I was studying under an older druid nearby. I recently graduated, so to speak, and became a full druid, and so I came to town to look for work. Gotta make money somehow, right?"
She takes a bite of her food, still occasionally casting glances out the window at the storm. "It looks pretty bad out there. I doubt it'll die down for a while..."
After another moment of silence, she tears her gaze away from the window and smiles, albeit nervously. "Anyway, Adrymarchios, what brings you here? Are there monsters around?"
"Not that I'm aware of Seraphina, I only just arrived. In my experience every town has their monsters though. Question is only if they are bothersome enough to pay someone like me to get rid of them." Adrymarchios answers the hafling with a friendly smile. "So, if you're a druid perhaps you could give us all a forecast. How long would we have to wat for this storm to abate?"
"I know a cantrip that can sorta predict the weather. A bit. Let me see..."
Seraphina scrunches up her face in concentration, then begins to murmur a cantrip under her breath - Druidcraft. She holds out her hand, and something appears, floating above her palm. It is...
(OOC: I'm using Druidcraft, but I don't actually know what the weather will be for the next 24 hours. Is this where the DM describes the results of the cantrip? Sorry, I'm not that used to pbp)
Gnosis nods and smiles to each of the people at the table. He is enjoying listening to all they have to say. "I came to Caerden looking for books and scrolls to further my education. Also, I hope to find some work to fund my education. I've made some progress, but I only began studying a year or two ago."
Alys gives the half-elf a coy smile. "Thank you," she says pleasantly.
"As far as my business goes, that would be telling secrets," she says playfully. "Suffice to say I do well for myself, and it's all aboveboard. Mostly."
Deception - 17
Alys watches Seraphina perform her cantrip with interest. "I so do hope the weather lets up soon. How gloomy," she says, but she's still got a faint smile on her face, as if she doesn't mind the weather that much at all.
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf (Phandelver and Below) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan (Vecna: Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Gareth Blackwood (Dragon of Icespire Peak) ♦ Karys Velthune (Out of the Abyss) ♦ Surina Xarith (Simple, Heroic Adventure)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus
Adrymarchios fiery eyes watches with curiosity the drudic magic performed by Seraphina.
(Don't be sorry IncognitoAlbatross, I would have done it the same way at least :-)
"Oh, any idea how you will acquire those funds then Gnosis, I could use a wizard like yourself as a companion in my line of work." The black-and-red-haired half-elf says with a friendly smile, taking another swig of ale.
"Mostly aboveboard is quite good enough for me Alys, and any secrets would of course be safe with present company." Adrymarchios says, a smile tugging at his lips over the playful secrecy of the mysterious lady in black. He then produces a deck of cards from a pocket and starts to shuffle it as he glances over at the bar again for any signs of a waitress.
(That deception roll definitely beats Adrymarchios' passive insight and he's not trying to actively discover Alys' dark secrets, yet ;-)
Gnosis looks to Adrymarchios, and replies, "I have heard that some people, patrons, I suppose, are sometimes looking for assistance for tasks they have in mind. I will be frank, and tell you I haven't really done this before. If you have any proposals, I would entertain them." Gnosis absently scans the room for anyone who might be a likely employer.
A woman approaches your table and tries to smoothly pull over a chair for herself, but it is obviously a little heavier than she expected. The chair makes a honking sound, hits an errant board, and nearly crashes to the floor. The young woman catches it easily, but is flushed by the time she manages to walk the chair over. She pulls out a silk handkerchief and politely coughs into it before composing a smile and looking at the group.
"Good day, one and all," she says in a refined way. "Though I suppose it is a gloomy day, but… well… Good to have some company, I should say. My name is Briara. It is very nice to meet you. I was desperately hoping someone would be inviting, but dared not begin myself. The storm makes everything seem so dreadful."
She is half-elven, slim (perhaps "frail" is more accurate), black hair, and has golden brown eyes that have trouble holding anyone's gaze for more than a moment. She is wearing a dark noblewoman's traveling dress beneath a black cloak trimmed with white ermine fur.