The slight tilt of the wagon and Zaphi's unfamiliar voice is enough to pull Eila out of her reverie - she'd been sat in the back of the wagon thumbing at the edge of the gifted scroll, mind entirely elsewhere.
"Ah, trouble perhaps, we were attacked on the way here and I doubt it will get any safer towards the mountains." She shuffles up and reaches to put a hand on Zaphi's shoulder, quietly murmuring an incantation; "Be ready and awake as the darkness comes upon you, alert for those who cause suffering." Once she senses the blessing has taken hold, she pats him on the shoulder and moves back to where she was. "That will help you react quickly should anything bad happen, much as I hope there will be no need for it."
[OOC: Zaphi, you now have Vigilant Blessing - you have Advantage on your next initiative roll, until the blessing is used or I recast it on someone else]
Seeing Eila with the scroll jogs Jade's memory and she riffles through her pack for a moment before pulling out her own scroll.
"Painbearer, I...thought you should hold on to this."
As she leans back to hand Eila the scroll she speaks softly, "I'm sorry about this morning...at breakfast. I know we try not to...it...it just slipped out."
She shakes her head. "It's fine it's just... been a while since I've heard her name, I..." Eila heaves a sigh and pushes back on the offered scroll. "Best not keep them both in the same place, just in case. Keep it."
Jade appears ready to protest but decides against it. Instead, she grips Eila's arm with her free hand and gives it a gentle squeeze.
For a moment it looks like she wants to say more, but she instead gives a Eila a nod, stows the scroll back in her pack, and takes up the mule's reins.
Hours pass, and the party traveled along Lion's Way back to the Coast Way road. They pass very few travelers and the early spring weather seems like a herald of the warmer weather. After traveling under the bright sun most retreat from its harsh rays beneath hoods or the shade cast by a larger companion giving some relief. Niska seems to keep to Katarina's side while riding but Elliðaey remains ahead of the party by 20ft in order to warn the party of danger ahead. It's early evening as the Cloud Peaks, having loomed in the distance most of the day, become more clearly defined. Steep sides, sheer cliffs, and mounds of debris that once triggered would rumble down the mountain! It will be a treacherous hike but Eila and Niska's aid will certainly help the party ahead! In the early twilight, the party comes to the base of the northern Cloud Peaks to a village named Maren. Niska mentions she has family and the inn called The Beckon will keep them warm and well-fed before they start their trek into the wild mountains beyond! Maren is located on the Coast Way, just north of the Cloud Peaks. The section of this road between Maren and Crimmor is locally referred to as the Bitten Road since it runs between the Fangs; the two sheer stone needles that mark the southern end of Fang Pass through the Cloud Peaks. The Uldoon Trail goes northeast, linking Maren with Berdusk on the other side of the pass.
The city is sometimes referred to as the Windy City or the Sloping City because of the howling winds from the mountains and how it’s slowly creeping up the slope of the mountain as it expands. The people of Maren are called Mareners.
“My great-uncle’s place is just there,” Niska says pointing to a tavern and inn just off the main road into the small but bustling city. “It’s busy but I bet he’ll have a room or two to spare,” the half-elf explains leading the party ahead.
When they reach the tavern they find a slightly more raucous atmosphere than Niska hinted. There’s a lively group dancing to a bard who’s strumming a mandolin as another plays the flute. People look up at the party curiously as they enter but return to their conversations, drinks, and food unbothered by new travelers entering the tavern! It takes a moment but before even Niska can spot him she is spotted. Her human great uncle Lucas Grosvenor waves her over to the bar where the party sees a handsome for his age wizened human man with curly gray hair, dark skin, and a large familiar smile much like Niska’s!
“That was a short trip,” Lucas calls out to her as Niska walks up to the bar ushering her new friends to come too.
“Found the friends I needed. Is Pearl around,” Niska then asks looking around the tavern as Lucas frowns looking over the party critically before returning a hazel-eyed gaze to Niska.
“Pearl is in the back garden,” Lucas answers his niece giving the party a curt nod and soft smile. “Get y’all anything? Ale’s decent and local. I’m afraid my elven guests,” he gestures to a large group of elves seated at the back of the tavern, “have drained my wine reserves until week’s end,” he explains. “Plenty of hot food for good prices too,” Lucas adds as Niska excuses herself and gestures again to the bar and towards her great-uncle.
“I’ll just be a second,” Niska says disappearing into the crowd and leaving the party to settle where they can fit.
Jade navigates her way towards one of the empty seats farther from the troupe of Elves, removing the leather thong binding back her hair and allowing it to cover her ears.
Zaphi quickly scans the elves. So they have enough coin to buy all the wine. He sits near the elves and orders a meal and some water. He studies them as he absentmindedly eats. My pockets are a tad light it would be good to get more coin.
Eila finds an empty stool at the bar and leans on her folded arms on the counter with a polite nod and a smile for Lucas. "Good evening Mr. Grosvenor, my name's Eila. My friends and I, there's seven of us, we were hoping to secure some lodging for the night as we're off into the mountains tomorrow morning to find Vermeillon. Have you heard of it?"
When Vermeillon is mentioned Eila notices Lucas's eyes widen as the conversations at some of the tables cut off abruptly!
"So, she's roped you into her wild goose case has she," Lucas exclaims shaking his head. "My great niece is a smart woman but you ask any one person here if Vermeillon is a place they'd want to go," he adds turning to the wall of hooks displaying what Eila can assume are keys but only three remain. "Got three small rooms. Might fit three in each if you like it cozy," the older man says putting them on the counter.
Elliðaey looks utterly preoccupied with a map stuck on the wall of the Cloud Peaks and doesn't seem to hear Eila or the party's plans.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Seeing many peoples attentions on his companion Zaphi makes his move and uses his short height to his advantage. He nonchalantly moves to the nearest elf and steals their coin purse. He then walks away and sits at another table near Jade.
Eila casts a slightly unnerved glance around the room when it goes quiet, worried she might have just uttered some sort of local curse word. She makes a note to have a chat to Niska later about exactly what it is her 'wild goose chase' to the village involves if this is the reaction just mentioning it gets.
"No worries, I'm sure we're all quite accustomed to sleeping in close quarters," she says as she subtly moves aside to let Millicent pay because she is flat broke. "Do you know much about Vermeillon yourself, or is there someone here who might? All we seem to have found out about it are ghost stories, it would be quite nice to know what we're heading in to."
Katarina barely seems to notice the uncomfortable air in the room as she smiles cheerfully.
"Katarina had best not take any ale," the cat says with a giggle. "Some milk or cream will be just fine. So friends, how shall the rooms be divided? Katarina does not take up too much space herself... but her sword and her armor might."
She takes a moment to look around the room curiously. She's not looking for anything in particular, just anything that looks (or smells) out of the ordinary.
Perception: 9
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Seeing many peoples attentions on his companion Zaphi makes his move and uses his short height to his advantage. He nonchalantly moves to the nearest elf and steals their coin purse. He then walks away and sits at another table near Jade.
Sleight of Hand
17 in game log
OOC OK my dude. You know the rules on assuming your PC has done a thing before checking in just because you rolled decently well. Remember everyone including NPCs have agency. You don't just take things without interacting and waiting for a response.
As Zaphi goes to take the elven purse the kobold then hears a loud whirring hissing from beneath the table! The a large bobcat comes from the shadowy reaches below. This alerts the elves to the kobold's attempted thievery!
"Lucas," the elven woman, whom Zaphi attempted to pick pocket, stands up with a grimace towards the bar and party! "Didn't know you ran a den for thieves," she adds picking up Zaphi by the scruff of his collar and hoisting him off the floor so he cannot escape.
"Oh dear," Lucas says looking at Zaphi aloft. The old man then looks from Millicent and Eila. "Is that little one with you," he asks as Elliðaey turns from the map to see what the commotion is about!
"Regardless of his actions," Elliðaey calls out holding her spear but her grip is light, more like a walking stick than a weapon, "you will release him," she adds firmly her eyes flaring as her runes and hair crackles.
The elven woman looks surprised by the half-orc's elemental command but stands her ground as her companions get up as well, five in total.
"Ladies," Elliðaey calls out to the party. "A little back up please," she adds looking at the women for aid in deeslacanting the situation!
Damn I am caught lets see how I get out of this. "Oy I me own Kobold, why are you talking to the old man. I don't even know him. Now let me down and talk civil like"
"Yes, let's!"
Jade words are cheerful enough, though her face betrays some inner conflict as she casts a sidelong glance at Eila.
The slight tilt of the wagon and Zaphi's unfamiliar voice is enough to pull Eila out of her reverie - she'd been sat in the back of the wagon thumbing at the edge of the gifted scroll, mind entirely elsewhere.
"Ah, trouble perhaps, we were attacked on the way here and I doubt it will get any safer towards the mountains." She shuffles up and reaches to put a hand on Zaphi's shoulder, quietly murmuring an incantation; "Be ready and awake as the darkness comes upon you, alert for those who cause suffering." Once she senses the blessing has taken hold, she pats him on the shoulder and moves back to where she was. "That will help you react quickly should anything bad happen, much as I hope there will be no need for it."
[OOC: Zaphi, you now have Vigilant Blessing - you have Advantage on your next initiative roll, until the blessing is used or I recast it on someone else]
Seeing Eila with the scroll jogs Jade's memory and she riffles through her pack for a moment before pulling out her own scroll.
"Painbearer, I...thought you should hold on to this."
As she leans back to hand Eila the scroll she speaks softly, "I'm sorry about this morning...at breakfast. I know we try not to...it...it just slipped out."
She shakes her head. "It's fine it's just... been a while since I've heard her name, I..." Eila heaves a sigh and pushes back on the offered scroll. "Best not keep them both in the same place, just in case. Keep it."
Jade appears ready to protest but decides against it. Instead, she grips Eila's arm with her free hand and gives it a gentle squeeze.
For a moment it looks like she wants to say more, but she instead gives a Eila a nod, stows the scroll back in her pack, and takes up the mule's reins.
Hours pass, and the party traveled along Lion's Way back to the Coast Way road. They pass very few travelers and the early spring weather seems like a herald of the warmer weather. After traveling under the bright sun most retreat from its harsh rays beneath hoods or the shade cast by a larger companion giving some relief. Niska seems to keep to Katarina's side while riding but Elliðaey remains ahead of the party by 20ft in order to warn the party of danger ahead. It's early evening as the Cloud Peaks, having loomed in the distance most of the day, become more clearly defined. Steep sides, sheer cliffs, and mounds of debris that once triggered would rumble down the mountain! It will be a treacherous hike but Eila and Niska's aid will certainly help the party ahead! In the early twilight, the party comes to the base of the northern Cloud Peaks to a village named Maren. Niska mentions she has family and the inn called The Beckon will keep them warm and well-fed before they start their trek into the wild mountains beyond! Maren is located on the Coast Way, just north of the Cloud Peaks. The section of this road between Maren and Crimmor is locally referred to as the Bitten Road since it runs between the Fangs; the two sheer stone needles that mark the southern end of Fang Pass through the Cloud Peaks. The Uldoon Trail goes northeast, linking Maren with Berdusk on the other side of the pass.
The city is sometimes referred to as the Windy City or the Sloping City because of the howling winds from the mountains and how it’s slowly creeping up the slope of the mountain as it expands. The people of Maren are called Mareners.
“My great-uncle’s place is just there,” Niska says pointing to a tavern and inn just off the main road into the small but bustling city. “It’s busy but I bet he’ll have a room or two to spare,” the half-elf explains leading the party ahead.
When they reach the tavern they find a slightly more raucous atmosphere than Niska hinted. There’s a lively group dancing to a bard who’s strumming a mandolin as another plays the flute. People look up at the party curiously as they enter but return to their conversations, drinks, and food unbothered by new travelers entering the tavern! It takes a moment but before even Niska can spot him she is spotted. Her human great uncle Lucas Grosvenor waves her over to the bar where the party sees a handsome for his age wizened human man with curly gray hair, dark skin, and a large familiar smile much like Niska’s!
“That was a short trip,” Lucas calls out to her as Niska walks up to the bar ushering her new friends to come too.
“Found the friends I needed. Is Pearl around,” Niska then asks looking around the tavern as Lucas frowns looking over the party critically before returning a hazel-eyed gaze to Niska.
“Pearl is in the back garden,” Lucas answers his niece giving the party a curt nod and soft smile. “Get y’all anything? Ale’s decent and local. I’m afraid my elven guests,” he gestures to a large group of elves seated at the back of the tavern, “have drained my wine reserves until week’s end,” he explains. “Plenty of hot food for good prices too,” Lucas adds as Niska excuses herself and gestures again to the bar and towards her great-uncle.
“I’ll just be a second,” Niska says disappearing into the crowd and leaving the party to settle where they can fit.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Jade navigates her way towards one of the empty seats farther from the troupe of Elves, removing the leather thong binding back her hair and allowing it to cover her ears.
Zaphi quickly scans the elves. So they have enough coin to buy all the wine. He sits near the elves and orders a meal and some water. He studies them as he absentmindedly eats. My pockets are a tad light it would be good to get more coin.
Eila finds an empty stool at the bar and leans on her folded arms on the counter with a polite nod and a smile for Lucas. "Good evening Mr. Grosvenor, my name's Eila. My friends and I, there's seven of us, we were hoping to secure some lodging for the night as we're off into the mountains tomorrow morning to find Vermeillon. Have you heard of it?"
Millicent accompanied Aila to the bar to assist with paying for lodgings.
When Vermeillon is mentioned Eila notices Lucas's eyes widen as the conversations at some of the tables cut off abruptly!
"So, she's roped you into her wild goose case has she," Lucas exclaims shaking his head. "My great niece is a smart woman but you ask any one person here if Vermeillon is a place they'd want to go," he adds turning to the wall of hooks displaying what Eila can assume are keys but only three remain. "Got three small rooms. Might fit three in each if you like it cozy," the older man says putting them on the counter.
Elliðaey looks utterly preoccupied with a map stuck on the wall of the Cloud Peaks and doesn't seem to hear Eila or the party's plans.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Seeing many peoples attentions on his companion Zaphi makes his move and uses his short height to his advantage. He nonchalantly moves to the nearest elf and steals their coin purse. He then walks away and sits at another table near Jade.
Sleight of Hand
17 in game log
With the others seemingly occupied, Jade flags down a server, orders a round of ale, and inquires about the menu.
Eila casts a slightly unnerved glance around the room when it goes quiet, worried she might have just uttered some sort of local curse word. She makes a note to have a chat to Niska later about exactly what it is her 'wild goose chase' to the village involves if this is the reaction just mentioning it gets.
"No worries, I'm sure we're all quite accustomed to sleeping in close quarters," she says as she subtly moves aside to let Millicent pay because she is flat broke. "Do you know much about Vermeillon yourself, or is there someone here who might? All we seem to have found out about it are ghost stories, it would be quite nice to know what we're heading in to."
Katarina barely seems to notice the uncomfortable air in the room as she smiles cheerfully.
"Katarina had best not take any ale," the cat says with a giggle. "Some milk or cream will be just fine. So friends, how shall the rooms be divided? Katarina does not take up too much space herself... but her sword and her armor might."
She takes a moment to look around the room curiously. She's not looking for anything in particular, just anything that looks (or smells) out of the ordinary.
Perception: 9
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
Millicent counts out the last of her coin to the owner, " Aila, Jade and Me as bunkmates."
" Just the four of us.", she says happily as she turns away.
OOC OK my dude. You know the rules on assuming your PC has done a thing before checking in just because you rolled decently well. Remember everyone including NPCs have agency. You don't just take things without interacting and waiting for a response.
As Zaphi goes to take the elven purse the kobold then hears a loud whirring hissing from beneath the table! The a large bobcat comes from the shadowy reaches below. This alerts the elves to the kobold's attempted thievery!
"Lucas," the elven woman, whom Zaphi attempted to pick pocket, stands up with a grimace towards the bar and party! "Didn't know you ran a den for thieves," she adds picking up Zaphi by the scruff of his collar and hoisting him off the floor so he cannot escape.
"Oh dear," Lucas says looking at Zaphi aloft. The old man then looks from Millicent and Eila. "Is that little one with you," he asks as Elliðaey turns from the map to see what the commotion is about!
"Regardless of his actions," Elliðaey calls out holding her spear but her grip is light, more like a walking stick than a weapon, "you will release him," she adds firmly her eyes flaring as her runes and hair crackles.
The elven woman looks surprised by the half-orc's elemental command but stands her ground as her companions get up as well, five in total.
"Ladies," Elliðaey calls out to the party. "A little back up please," she adds looking at the women for aid in deeslacanting the situation!
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Damn I am caught lets see how I get out of this. "Oy I me own Kobold, why are you talking to the old man. I don't even know him. Now let me down and talk civil like"
persuasion check
16 in game log
Millicent sighed deeply, " What would it take to let the tiny idiot go?", she called out.
" I can offer translation services, magical entertainment and good conversation....unfortunately I can offer no monetary compensation."
Persuasion- 11
Thaumaturgy- Booming Voice.
Jade grits her teeth audibly and removes her belt and baldric as she stands. Unarmed and with open hands she moves next Elliðaey.