The man pauses, lips opening and closing a few times in rapid succession, as if he's a fish caught out of water. Beholding the incredulous looks, it looks as if for a moment he realizes he is crazy. But under Oren's persuasion, and a lot of stares now aimed back at him, he eventually speaks.
"There was... A giant eye. It- It was there! It was looking at us! How did no one see it?!"
"...Are you sure you did not look at the clouds wrong, my good man?"
"No! Nonono! It- I... I'm not crazy!"
---
"Oh, I'm one of the lucky ones, likely," the man admits to Slick, lowering his voice for a moment as if wanting to make sure he wasn't "bragging" to everyone around him. "I am in fact returning to Mezzra. I was travelling in name of my employer, so while I did lose many things, including the important contract... At least I should have something to go back to."
"I'm glad you like Mezzra, then! It is nice, isn't it? A bit overwhelming at times, but you see so many people pass through here, it's really nice!'
---
"Ah, not a passenger, but one of the heroes! In that case, the city of Mezzra thanks you for your service, my good man," the man speaks, his smile widening again for a moment, before dimming as he looked over the centaurs side at the now empty ship, barring the sailors.
"Still, one of the first ships back, and no one on board? Were things that dire..? Ah, regardless, I will not keep you too long then. But a single mere question from me," he spoke, his voice almost seeming to fill with a hint of glee toward the end.
Nuria stares at the sailor. This entire time she's been sitting in shocked silence trying to contemplate why she was here. Why did she think she could help in this situation? She had to stab someone! And there was that music. What was that? Where was it coming from? And now this man thinks he saw a giant eye in the clouds? What is going on? Magic isn't real! It's not! Her hands grip the fabric of her pants as she shrinks into herself, shivering. What has she gotten herself into.
"We had a few on board. But there was something odd about the latest we'd brought aboard, a tiefling, he seemed very much in a rush to make it to land, and after he went and spoke to the captain, his rush was the ship's."
The question of what happened makes Khond scratch the back of his head, "I've no clue, really. Those I spoke to after we brought them onboard didn't have much to say about it."
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Active Characters: Ernos, Tiefling Warlock in Tests and Trials | Khond Stardancer,Centaur Rogue in The Forgotten Wish | Blumeria "Bolt" Sirgula,Dragonborn Fighter/Sorcerer in Forged In Chaos
Oren is not sure what to say to the statement of 'an eye in the sky' and just frowns slightly and keeps quiet.
Instead he keeps watch on the people who where acting so odd, and if they begin acting up again, he will restrain them forcibly on the way back to the harbor.
The man seems perhaps not completely convinced by Slick's optimism, but at least somewhat reassured, before he raises a more than just curious brow.
"A horse man? A centaur? Small? You mean like a child? Well, then today must have been a strange day for you!"
Slowly, their rowboat is arriving on shore, now. It seems several guards are there, waiting to receive them...
---
The man's smile never completely fades, as he nods to Khond's initial statement, before listening as he explained he had no clue. Even though that lazy smile stuck to his face, it was more than obvious that the man was disappointed by the answer.
"Tsk, nothing? Ah, you've not even gone on board, have you? I suppose it'd be a bit difficult, but..." the man spoke, noting Khond's physique for a moment, and then shrugged.
"Oh well. Thank you for your help citizen, off you go," he spoke, practically waving off the centaur. It appeared whoever the man was, he had lost all interest in the centaur now.
---
Captain Gilgamesh, for his own part, seems just as stunned as the people that surround him at the moment. His head slowly turns left, noting Nuria and Tuck's confused glances, then the other side to Breldo and Oren... And with a last glance toward the sailors confirming they also have no clue what the man is talking about, and if there truly had been something SOMEONE would have noticed, he quickly speaks.
"Yes. Of course sir. There was, in fact, a giant eye there, and we all saw it. Do not worry, and rest some," he says, standing back up... And now addresses the others without seeming to care the madman in question would obviously be able to hear him.
"I do not think that any of these men are lucid. Maybe they took some of that Ghurna root to be in this state?"
"Perhaps. Maybe just sleep deprived and stressed? Some contaminant in the food or water stores? Though that would probably be more widespread...", Breldo adds a couple suggestions.
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DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Nuria continues to fiddle with the fabric of her clothing, thoughts racing through her head. "B-but I know I haven't had any Ghurna r-root, and I heard the music too." She says quietly then ducks her head. Fool. Why had she said that out loud?
"Can you describe what you heard?", Breldo asks gently (for him at least).
The girls dark eyes turn towards Breldo. She can't tell if he's genuine, or if he's treating her like the madmen. Nevertheless, she tries to explain what she experienced. "It sounded like a music box. It was a soft, soothing tune that makes you feel at ease. It-it was beautiful."Her eyes dart back down to look at her hands and she shivers.
"Those lads seemed anything but 'at ease'. Didn't make you feel like doing a murder, did it? You certainly didn't hold back by much on that fellow you stuck. You feeling any different now? If you're feeling stabby, maybe handing over some of your kit for the time being?"
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DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
"Maybe. I'm just hoping whatever it is passes eventually, so we can get some reliable intel out of these folks," Gilgamesh states that it might have been a contaminant in the food or water. Pausing for a moment at the statement that would probably mean it'd be more widespread, before adding "Maybe some other folks got affected too, just not as bad? There was a lot of talk from a lot of them which made honestly little sense, either."
Then he falls silent for a moment as Nuria explains that she heard the music too, before she and Breldo have a quick chat with each other. By the end of it, he does end up looking to Nuria with perhaps a bit of worry... But it doesn't seem as if he's planning to put her in cuffs "just in case". Instead, his eyes dart back to the sinking ship, as if considering, the remains of the last mast slowly sinking underneath... Before shaking his head.
"A music box? As in those gnomish devices? I... Suppose it's not impossible that was still in the hold, maybe floating? It is madness to suggest it'd be the cause, of course," he says, quite confidently. "But perhaps these folks in their already delirious minds somehow grew attached to it?"
---
Rick's new friend seems... Strangely disappointed by the knowledge that centaur are, apparently, small. No, can't be... It must be just this one centaur. But before he gets the chance to ask further, Slick has decided it is his time to leave- Grabbing a hold of the deck, and shimmying along the side a bit before pulling himself up, looking to make a sneaky retreat that way while his friend looks on in confusion. And for a moment, it looks like he gets away scot-free. The guards aren't really expecting to have to catch a sneak, and it looks like they might not even be detaining people or anything; just making sure that everyone is alright and gets on dry land safe. Still, better safe than sorry, and not have anyone ask what's in that bag of his... As he climbs onto dry land.
And finds himself face to face with someone who offers him a lazy smile that widens just ever so slightly. The bald man in questions wearing a set of simple, yet regal robes, an voice with honey-like qualities speaking up as it seemed no coincidence he ended up standing there.
"Ah, you must be a very busy man, I presume? I understand, wanting to skip the queue..."
"I-I'm fine! I don't like stabbing people! I generally don't do that unless they try to hurt me." She replies quickly to Breldo, "That man...I was just scared. I didn't know what else to do." She grips her knees and ducks her head farther. "I'm not going to stab anyone here. You don't need to take my things."Great now they do think she's mad, and they want to take her weapons. No, she can't let them do that, if they do, she may never get them back. She could do without the rapier, but the daggers were the only things that kept her safe.
When Gilgamesh speaks again, Nuria glances at him before looking down again. She won't argue with him. The more she denies his reasonable theories, the more she will sound insane best to keep her mouth shut. Perhaps he was right. Perhaps the music was from some device floating somewhere in the ship, but that's not what it sounded like. Normal music doesn't make you feel those kinds of intense feelings. And the fact that it made her of all people feel safe.... What is she thinking? It had to have just caught her off guard. Magic isn't real. There are no such things as spells or enchantments so the only answer to the madness these men have fallen to must be the result of drugs. Yes, Gilgamesh must be right. Perhaps when she walked over to them she somehow inhaled some of it?
Khond nods to the man, though he does do a brief scan for the man he'd first hauled aboard, who provided the ship's name, to see if he can point him out as a better option to ask.
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Active Characters: Ernos, Tiefling Warlock in Tests and Trials | Khond Stardancer,Centaur Rogue in The Forgotten Wish | Blumeria "Bolt" Sirgula,Dragonborn Fighter/Sorcerer in Forged In Chaos
"Oh yes, Rick was just out rescuing people on the ship! Now Rick needs to find a small ponyman that abandoned Rick, and many others, to sail away in fright!"
Rick looks around the man to see if it is just the fat man he will need to handle/flee from or guards too. Oh, and the ponyman.
"Rick honestly didn't think the line was for Rick since Rick just came from here! People call Rick Rick,"
He extends a hand to the man.
"Have you seen a very short centaur? Rick should have known better than leave him in charge."
As Khond points out the other man, still on board of the ship, does the dressed man's interest seem immediately reinvigorated. He does give what seems to be a genuine thanks to Khond for that particular bit of info, off to question the man.
With the problem resolved and the troublemaker tiefling disappeared... Well, even if it's for his story, Khond doesn't want to harass the people who've just been rescued, so he'll head back to the inn he's booked a stay with.
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Active Characters: Ernos, Tiefling Warlock in Tests and Trials | Khond Stardancer,Centaur Rogue in The Forgotten Wish | Blumeria "Bolt" Sirgula,Dragonborn Fighter/Sorcerer in Forged In Chaos
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The man pauses, lips opening and closing a few times in rapid succession, as if he's a fish caught out of water. Beholding the incredulous looks, it looks as if for a moment he realizes he is crazy. But under Oren's persuasion, and a lot of stares now aimed back at him, he eventually speaks.
"There was... A giant eye. It- It was there! It was looking at us! How did no one see it?!"
"...Are you sure you did not look at the clouds wrong, my good man?"
"No! Nonono! It- I... I'm not crazy!"
---
"Oh, I'm one of the lucky ones, likely," the man admits to Slick, lowering his voice for a moment as if wanting to make sure he wasn't "bragging" to everyone around him. "I am in fact returning to Mezzra. I was travelling in name of my employer, so while I did lose many things, including the important contract... At least I should have something to go back to."
"I'm glad you like Mezzra, then! It is nice, isn't it? A bit overwhelming at times, but you see so many people pass through here, it's really nice!'
---
"Ah, not a passenger, but one of the heroes! In that case, the city of Mezzra thanks you for your service, my good man," the man speaks, his smile widening again for a moment, before dimming as he looked over the centaurs side at the now empty ship, barring the sailors.
"Still, one of the first ships back, and no one on board? Were things that dire..? Ah, regardless, I will not keep you too long then. But a single mere question from me," he spoke, his voice almost seeming to fill with a hint of glee toward the end.
"What do you think happened?"
Slick pats the man on the back,
"Rick welcomes you home and is sure your employer is clever and wise and had everything insured!"
Rick looks back to Mezzra and nods enthusiastically along,
"Rick enjoys see many new faces! Today Rick saw a small horseman! More of a pony-man! Never has Rick seen such a thing before!"
Nuria stares at the sailor. This entire time she's been sitting in shocked silence trying to contemplate why she was here. Why did she think she could help in this situation? She had to stab someone! And there was that music. What was that? Where was it coming from? And now this man thinks he saw a giant eye in the clouds? What is going on? Magic isn't real! It's not! Her hands grip the fabric of her pants as she shrinks into herself, shivering. What has she gotten herself into.
"We had a few on board. But there was something odd about the latest we'd brought aboard, a tiefling, he seemed very much in a rush to make it to land, and after he went and spoke to the captain, his rush was the ship's."
The question of what happened makes Khond scratch the back of his head, "I've no clue, really. Those I spoke to after we brought them onboard didn't have much to say about it."
Active Characters:
Ernos, Tiefling Warlock in Tests and Trials | Khond Stardancer, Centaur Rogue in The Forgotten Wish | Blumeria "Bolt" Sirgula, Dragonborn Fighter/Sorcerer in Forged In Chaos
Oren is not sure what to say to the statement of 'an eye in the sky' and just frowns slightly and keeps quiet.
Instead he keeps watch on the people who where acting so odd, and if they begin acting up again, he will restrain them forcibly on the way back to the harbor.
The man seems perhaps not completely convinced by Slick's optimism, but at least somewhat reassured, before he raises a more than just curious brow.
"A horse man? A centaur? Small? You mean like a child? Well, then today must have been a strange day for you!"
Slowly, their rowboat is arriving on shore, now. It seems several guards are there, waiting to receive them...
---
The man's smile never completely fades, as he nods to Khond's initial statement, before listening as he explained he had no clue. Even though that lazy smile stuck to his face, it was more than obvious that the man was disappointed by the answer.
"Tsk, nothing? Ah, you've not even gone on board, have you? I suppose it'd be a bit difficult, but..." the man spoke, noting Khond's physique for a moment, and then shrugged.
"Oh well. Thank you for your help citizen, off you go," he spoke, practically waving off the centaur. It appeared whoever the man was, he had lost all interest in the centaur now.
---
Captain Gilgamesh, for his own part, seems just as stunned as the people that surround him at the moment. His head slowly turns left, noting Nuria and Tuck's confused glances, then the other side to Breldo and Oren... And with a last glance toward the sailors confirming they also have no clue what the man is talking about, and if there truly had been something SOMEONE would have noticed, he quickly speaks.
"Yes. Of course sir. There was, in fact, a giant eye there, and we all saw it. Do not worry, and rest some," he says, standing back up... And now addresses the others without seeming to care the madman in question would obviously be able to hear him.
"I do not think that any of these men are lucid. Maybe they took some of that Ghurna root to be in this state?"
"Perhaps. Maybe just sleep deprived and stressed? Some contaminant in the food or water stores? Though that would probably be more widespread...", Breldo adds a couple suggestions.
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Nuria continues to fiddle with the fabric of her clothing, thoughts racing through her head. "B-but I know I haven't had any Ghurna r-root, and I heard the music too." She says quietly then ducks her head. Fool. Why had she said that out loud?
"Can you describe what you heard?", Breldo asks gently (for him at least).
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
"Not a child, just a tiny ponyman! Rick knows, he could barely believe it himself!"
Rick spots the guards and decides it's time to make a dignified, undectected departure.
He gives his new friend a pat on the shoulder as they go to depart, sliding to the side to grip the dock and climb stealthly away from the guards.
Stealth: 13
The girls dark eyes turn towards Breldo. She can't tell if he's genuine, or if he's treating her like the madmen. Nevertheless, she tries to explain what she experienced. "It sounded like a music box. It was a soft, soothing tune that makes you feel at ease. It-it was beautiful." Her eyes dart back down to look at her hands and she shivers.
"Those lads seemed anything but 'at ease'. Didn't make you feel like doing a murder, did it? You certainly didn't hold back by much on that fellow you stuck. You feeling any different now? If you're feeling stabby, maybe handing over some of your kit for the time being?"
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
5
"Maybe. I'm just hoping whatever it is passes eventually, so we can get some reliable intel out of these folks," Gilgamesh states that it might have been a contaminant in the food or water. Pausing for a moment at the statement that would probably mean it'd be more widespread, before adding "Maybe some other folks got affected too, just not as bad? There was a lot of talk from a lot of them which made honestly little sense, either."
Then he falls silent for a moment as Nuria explains that she heard the music too, before she and Breldo have a quick chat with each other. By the end of it, he does end up looking to Nuria with perhaps a bit of worry... But it doesn't seem as if he's planning to put her in cuffs "just in case". Instead, his eyes dart back to the sinking ship, as if considering, the remains of the last mast slowly sinking underneath... Before shaking his head.
"A music box? As in those gnomish devices? I... Suppose it's not impossible that was still in the hold, maybe floating? It is madness to suggest it'd be the cause, of course," he says, quite confidently. "But perhaps these folks in their already delirious minds somehow grew attached to it?"
---
Rick's new friend seems... Strangely disappointed by the knowledge that centaur are, apparently, small. No, can't be... It must be just this one centaur. But before he gets the chance to ask further, Slick has decided it is his time to leave- Grabbing a hold of the deck, and shimmying along the side a bit before pulling himself up, looking to make a sneaky retreat that way while his friend looks on in confusion. And for a moment, it looks like he gets away scot-free. The guards aren't really expecting to have to catch a sneak, and it looks like they might not even be detaining people or anything; just making sure that everyone is alright and gets on dry land safe. Still, better safe than sorry, and not have anyone ask what's in that bag of his... As he climbs onto dry land.
And finds himself face to face with someone who offers him a lazy smile that widens just ever so slightly. The bald man in questions wearing a set of simple, yet regal robes, an voice with honey-like qualities speaking up as it seemed no coincidence he ended up standing there.
"Ah, you must be a very busy man, I presume? I understand, wanting to skip the queue..."
"I-I'm fine! I don't like stabbing people! I generally don't do that unless they try to hurt me." She replies quickly to Breldo, "That man...I was just scared. I didn't know what else to do." She grips her knees and ducks her head farther. "I'm not going to stab anyone here. You don't need to take my things." Great now they do think she's mad, and they want to take her weapons. No, she can't let them do that, if they do, she may never get them back. She could do without the rapier, but the daggers were the only things that kept her safe.
When Gilgamesh speaks again, Nuria glances at him before looking down again. She won't argue with him. The more she denies his reasonable theories, the more she will sound insane best to keep her mouth shut. Perhaps he was right. Perhaps the music was from some device floating somewhere in the ship, but that's not what it sounded like. Normal music doesn't make you feel those kinds of intense feelings. And the fact that it made her of all people feel safe.... What is she thinking? It had to have just caught her off guard. Magic isn't real. There are no such things as spells or enchantments so the only answer to the madness these men have fallen to must be the result of drugs. Yes, Gilgamesh must be right. Perhaps when she walked over to them she somehow inhaled some of it?
Breldo awkwardly reaches out and hesitantly pats her on the shoulder.
"Ummm... stabbing folks that might hurt you is a fine instinct... errr... you did just fine. Umm. Glad you're not feeling violent."
He makes a bit of a grimacing face as she looks away before stepping back and clearing his throat.
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Khond nods to the man, though he does do a brief scan for the man he'd first hauled aboard, who provided the ship's name, to see if he can point him out as a better option to ask.
Active Characters:
Ernos, Tiefling Warlock in Tests and Trials | Khond Stardancer, Centaur Rogue in The Forgotten Wish | Blumeria "Bolt" Sirgula, Dragonborn Fighter/Sorcerer in Forged In Chaos
"Oh yes, Rick was just out rescuing people on the ship! Now Rick needs to find a small ponyman that abandoned Rick, and many others, to sail away in fright!"
Rick looks around the man to see if it is just the fat man he will need to handle/flee from or guards too. Oh, and the ponyman.
"Rick honestly didn't think the line was for Rick since Rick just came from here! People call Rick Rick,"
He extends a hand to the man.
"Have you seen a very short centaur? Rick should have known better than leave him in charge."
As Khond points out the other man, still on board of the ship, does the dressed man's interest seem immediately reinvigorated. He does give what seems to be a genuine thanks to Khond for that particular bit of info, off to question the man.
(So where is Khond off to now?)
With the problem resolved and the troublemaker tiefling disappeared... Well, even if it's for his story, Khond doesn't want to harass the people who've just been rescued, so he'll head back to the inn he's booked a stay with.
Active Characters:
Ernos, Tiefling Warlock in Tests and Trials | Khond Stardancer, Centaur Rogue in The Forgotten Wish | Blumeria "Bolt" Sirgula, Dragonborn Fighter/Sorcerer in Forged In Chaos