Elliðaey notices Jade waiting at the edge of the party and waves the paladin over to the place Eila saved for their companion.
"Join us," Elliðaey says as a raucous applause begins for the middling bard.
It's a small town but the bard is pretty good.
The human woman returns with another round and places yet another mead in front of the gnome. Li-Anne notices nothing amiss only seemingly good, hard working people enjoying their evening!
"It's a family recipe," the human woman begins addressing Li-Anne with a smile. "The Hanged Man actually buys barrels off we every week," she says to Li-Anne in a whisper as she bends to pick up any empty dishes putting them on a large tray she's holding.
It's nothing like gnomish mead but it's really good for what it us and who's made it!
"I keep my owe bees," the human woman then says her tone normal again. "That's the key! Happy bees," she adds nodding before being called away by the barman, another human who's dark hair and brown skin match most of the humans of Greenstone.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
The words, as always, are spoken with downturned eyes and bowed head. Jade takes the seat, pulling the bowl of stew closer as she sits.
"And thank you Painbearer. And thanks to Ilmater who blesses us all through both plenitude and paucity. May we repay the gifts of this day with equal zeal."
Jade lifts the spoon to her mouth and it hovers there a moment, untouched. In her hunger she has forgotten herself. She lowers he spoon and pushes the bowl away.
"Forgive me Painbearer. I have failed to secure your lodgings. I beg dispensation to redeem myself at The Hanged Man."
"No terms of address, please. Just Eila." She's always found the titles rather extravagant, though god forbid she tell Exalted Sufferer Betrand as much. "My personal interest is not so much in this mysterious village. I was at the temple to Ioun seeking a means to enter Candlekeep for my own reasons - I've been tasked to retrieve a particular tome for..." She pauses to think a moment, seemingly searching for the correct term, "For a mentor of mine, when I met Elliðaey. She needed assistance with her investigation, and I would never refuse someone in need. It's simply providence she and I both share a path and encountered one another when we did."
As for her companion, she simply shakes her head. "Don't fret. Elliðaey has already been kind enough to secure the attic upstairs for the night with the others and we are thankful for that."
"Thank you ma'am!" Li-Anne replies "This is some great stuff!"she adds after a sip. "Would you be having a small bottle for sale perhaps? Or two?"she gives her a few pieces of silver for the drink.
"Why my money is not good here?" she asks Fay with curiosity. "She took it with no problems..."she points at the lady.
When she hears Jade's words, her eyes are getting bigger with every passing second. "Why do you do this?"she asks Jade with disbelief.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM in Tyranny of Dragons
"I don't care, I'm still free. You can't take the sky from me..."
At the mention of her mentor, Jade's eyes dart to the Painbearer, though her face reveals nothing. Upon hearing of the lodging arrangements, however, Jade's eyes turn instead to Elliðaey's. Despite her best efforts, a smouldering resentment behind them burns through the stoic mask of her face.
"Thank you, ma'am. It appears a portion of my honour now lies in your debt."
Distracted and confused by the Gnome's question, the momentary lapse subsides and the mask is restored. She's allowed herself to say and feel far too much.
The head bows again, the eyes averted, the voice not much more than a whisper. Dreading the answer, Jade asks the question.
"Begging your pardon, ma'am. What have I done that owes explanation?"
At Fay's words, Jade's stomach drops. Though she already knows the answer, her heart races with fear. It's one of her nightmares come to life...failing at the simplest of her duties while strangers rend away at her honour...taking back what she's wrongfully claimed...until nothing remains but an orphaned stable girl playing at knighthood.
The mask shatters entirely and she stands up far too quickly, toppling her chair behind her. It's impossible to hide the quiver in her voice as sweat begins to bead on her brow.
Eila turns in her seat. She knows that tone, the tension seizing hold of her guardian's shoulders, and the building panic in her eyes to do anything but acquiesce. "Of course, go ahead." She has to rise slightly to slip a hand round the back of Jade's neck to pull her low enough to whisper something in her ear, then takes the bowl of stew she'd set out for her and presses it into her hands. "Take your dinner, won't do to waste it."
When she sits down, she nods to the others with a small smile. "My apologies, she does fret over our animals. Used to be a stablehand, you see." She clears her throat then, and averts delving further by turning her attention to the scholars, "Ah, Millicent, this is your first time to Candlekeep, then? You must be excited, surely!"
At Jade's exit Elliðaey excuses herself from the table and follows the paladin out. After catching up, the monk addresses her alone with a soft tone of voice.
"I admittedly know very little about your religion, your relationship with Eila, or what purpose you together serve so for this I apologize. If I have caused any offense I hope you know no offense was intended, " Elliðaey explains her expression impassive and her voice even. "It's plain to see you are upset. I dare to ask why at the risk of possibly upsetting you further but I woul like to know to be of service to you as I hope you will endeavor to be a help to me," the monk adds her hands at her sides and her frame still relaxed.
"From my perspective it wasn't a failure. I am responsible from everyone and I provide for my companions. That is my purpose here aside from that of the Scholars of Allsight. You both seemed to have sacrificed so much. I feel if your God requires this that mine in contradiction would insist I strive to know for what purpose your suffering serves then teach you better ways to be of service. Ioun be merciful life's too short for suffering whether it's inflicted upon you or inflicted by yourself to yourself. In future I trust you take my actions as ways to help and not to usurp your position," Elliðaey explains bowing slightly to Jade. "I will return to the group now but I hope you'll return as well. We all should be able to strive for friendship. I know I could use more friends," she adds smiling softly at Jade before taking her leave.
Back inside Elliðaey sits back down at the groups table. The monk looks out at the locals and traveling folk reveling in the small pleasures of life. She then strokes her tattoos that seem to flicker with light from with in. At this Elliðaey closes her eyes as if forcing herself to focus on the task at hand as well as the goodness around her, simple things. The laughter of strangers, the song of the bard, her new companions talking. After this brief mindful meditation her smile returns and she opens her eyes. Elliðaey then takes up her tankard again and sips the mead inside of it. She even taps her booted foot to the rhythm of the bard.
"Ah, apologies Fay," Elliðaey the says realizing that the elven woman had been addressing her earlier. "I thought you were speaking to Millicent about her apprenticeship. I am a master scholar. I haven't been an apprentice for some years like when we first met. I've traveled so often and so far from Neverwinter that I did not take on my own apprentice. Then Millicent here was said to show so much promise," Elliðaey says motioning to the warlock smiling at her companion in the Scholars of Allsight. "I couldn't pass on the opportunity to mentor her," she explains to Fay whom she accidentally misunderstood not realizing the question or conversation was directed at her.
"Millicent has put up with me for nearly a year," Elliðaey replies looking for Millicent to join into the conversation with a smile. "How long have you and Li-Anne been trapping poachers in the Cloak Wood," the monk asks before taking another sip of mead.
Millicents mind was racing and her eyes flickered across the crowd and her table companions drinking in the interactions and connecting snippets of conversation with body language and micro=expressions.
She asked you a question...
Millicent ate her food and stared into the middle distance, her left hand inside her satchel. A distant smile lit her face.
Elliðaey is talking about you.
FOCUS!
Millicent suddenly gasped loudly, and looked around at the others, her eyes dipped down to the table as she met Elliðaeys eyes, " Sorry, long day..."
" A bit overtired, I'm not really used to travelling much further than the stacks or the store."
She took another mouthful, " This is really quite good."
" And yes, Elliðaey is just the best mentor. Very patient and understanding with a somewhat easily distracted protege with very bad manners."
The cleric offeres Millicent a sympathetic smile, "Travel can be quite taxing if you're unaccustomed to it, your tiredness is understandable. Be sure to rest well tonight. It's unfortunate healing magic can't do an awful lot for feeling saddlesore!"
She sips at her ale then and turns an interested ear to the ranger's reply to Elliðaey, curious to know more about their new companions.
"You judge yourself too harshly... You cannot be THAT bad..." Li-Anne says with a smile to Millicent. "Have you ever used her ingredients gathered for three years for seasoning the stew?" She takes a look at the scholar with joy. "I know I did... And what's worse - I have added too much salt"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM in Tyranny of Dragons
"I don't care, I'm still free. You can't take the sky from me..."
"Millicent has a knack for finding the meaning as well as the words on many documents that have eluded some of the other masters! She's quite a marvel," Elliðaey says before downing the rest of her tankard of mead and ordering another!
As rhe evening continues the party sees the lively tavern begin to section off. As games of chance and cards begin at opposite ends of the tavern. There's also a hedge mage discussing quite loudly his alchemy abilities that can raise the dead!
"So ladies," Elliðaey says standing up from the table. "I think I'll join the dice game there and wish you all a good evening," the monk explains before nudging Millicent and Fay on her way from the table towards a tall, handsome man overseeing a dice game.
The man had been staring at the group of women with a comely smile since they'd entered the tavern and taken seats. He wore tailored clothing but the traveling sort and seemed to be leading the dice game with roars of triumph and defeat coming from the other travelers and locals seated around him.
Jade goes into the stables to find Jordy and Esther eating with a tall and slender older man who they seem to be listening to quite intensely. The man looks to be in a tattered, traveling cloak but has nice boots and a clean shaved face.
"Jade!" Jordy exclaims seeing Jade. "Granddad this is the knight I was talking about," the boy says smiling at Jade. "Well, she says she not a knight but she has armor and a sword," he adds excitedly.
Esther and the grandfather just look at Jade with the same expression as if Jade is interrupting something.
"Can I help you, " grandfather says standing up from the makeshift dinner table the family is eating from. "If it's assistance with a mount I can get it for you. The children are eating their dinner, " the old man says.
As he comes closer Jade can see he's half-elven too.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
"My apologies...I'm interrupting. I just wanted to make she the children had eaten."
Jade realizes that she's instinctively switched to Elvish and drops her eyes. Her Elvish is even worse than her Common, spoken "as clumsy and awkwardly as a human."
Jade starts to backpeddle out of the stable.
"Again, please forgive my intrusion."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Elliðaey notices Jade waiting at the edge of the party and waves the paladin over to the place Eila saved for their companion.
"Join us," Elliðaey says as a raucous applause begins for the middling bard.
It's a small town but the bard is pretty good.
The human woman returns with another round and places yet another mead in front of the gnome. Li-Anne notices nothing amiss only seemingly good, hard working people enjoying their evening!
"It's a family recipe," the human woman begins addressing Li-Anne with a smile. "The Hanged Man actually buys barrels off we every week," she says to Li-Anne in a whisper as she bends to pick up any empty dishes putting them on a large tray she's holding.
It's nothing like gnomish mead but it's really good for what it us and who's made it!
"I keep my owe bees," the human woman then says her tone normal again. "That's the key! Happy bees," she adds nodding before being called away by the barman, another human who's dark hair and brown skin match most of the humans of Greenstone.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
"Thank you, ma'am."
The words, as always, are spoken with downturned eyes and bowed head. Jade takes the seat, pulling the bowl of stew closer as she sits.
"And thank you Painbearer. And thanks to Ilmater who blesses us all through both plenitude and paucity. May we repay the gifts of this day with equal zeal."
Jade lifts the spoon to her mouth and it hovers there a moment, untouched. In her hunger she has forgotten herself. She lowers he spoon and pushes the bowl away.
"Forgive me Painbearer. I have failed to secure your lodgings. I beg dispensation to redeem myself at The Hanged Man."
"No terms of address, please. Just Eila." She's always found the titles rather extravagant, though god forbid she tell Exalted Sufferer Betrand as much. "My personal interest is not so much in this mysterious village. I was at the temple to Ioun seeking a means to enter Candlekeep for my own reasons - I've been tasked to retrieve a particular tome for..." She pauses to think a moment, seemingly searching for the correct term, "For a mentor of mine, when I met Elliðaey. She needed assistance with her investigation, and I would never refuse someone in need. It's simply providence she and I both share a path and encountered one another when we did."
As for her companion, she simply shakes her head. "Don't fret. Elliðaey has already been kind enough to secure the attic upstairs for the night with the others and we are thankful for that."
"Thank you ma'am!" Li-Anne replies "This is some great stuff!" she adds after a sip. "Would you be having a small bottle for sale perhaps? Or two?" she gives her a few pieces of silver for the drink.
"Why my money is not good here?" she asks Fay with curiosity. "She took it with no problems..." she points at the lady.
When she hears Jade's words, her eyes are getting bigger with every passing second. "Why do you do this?" she asks Jade with disbelief.
"I don't care, I'm still free. You can't take the sky from me..."
At the mention of her mentor, Jade's eyes dart to the Painbearer, though her face reveals nothing. Upon hearing of the lodging arrangements, however, Jade's eyes turn instead to Elliðaey's. Despite her best efforts, a smouldering resentment behind them burns through the stoic mask of her face.
"Thank you, ma'am. It appears a portion of my honour now lies in your debt."
Distracted and confused by the Gnome's question, the momentary lapse subsides and the mask is restored. She's allowed herself to say and feel far too much.
The head bows again, the eyes averted, the voice not much more than a whisper. Dreading the answer, Jade asks the question.
"Begging your pardon, ma'am. What have I done that owes explanation?"
At Fay's words, Jade's stomach drops. Though she already knows the answer, her heart races with fear. It's one of her nightmares come to life...failing at the simplest of her duties while strangers rend away at her honour...taking back what she's wrongfully claimed...until nothing remains but an orphaned stable girl playing at knighthood.
The mask shatters entirely and she stands up far too quickly, toppling her chair behind her. It's impossible to hide the quiver in her voice as sweat begins to bead on her brow.
"Painbearer...your leave?"
Pleading eyes turn to Eila.
"I...I should see to our mule."
Eila turns in her seat. She knows that tone, the tension seizing hold of her guardian's shoulders, and the building panic in her eyes to do anything but acquiesce. "Of course, go ahead." She has to rise slightly to slip a hand round the back of Jade's neck to pull her low enough to whisper something in her ear, then takes the bowl of stew she'd set out for her and presses it into her hands. "Take your dinner, won't do to waste it."
When she sits down, she nods to the others with a small smile. "My apologies, she does fret over our animals. Used to be a stablehand, you see." She clears her throat then, and averts delving further by turning her attention to the scholars, "Ah, Millicent, this is your first time to Candlekeep, then? You must be excited, surely!"
At Jade's exit Elliðaey excuses herself from the table and follows the paladin out. After catching up, the monk addresses her alone with a soft tone of voice.
"I admittedly know very little about your religion, your relationship with Eila, or what purpose you together serve so for this I apologize. If I have caused any offense I hope you know no offense was intended, " Elliðaey explains her expression impassive and her voice even. "It's plain to see you are upset. I dare to ask why at the risk of possibly upsetting you further but I woul like to know to be of service to you as I hope you will endeavor to be a help to me," the monk adds her hands at her sides and her frame still relaxed.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Jade bows her head, closing her eyes and allowing a few deep breaths before answering.
"You've done me no offense, ma'am. You have aided the Painbearer where I have failed in my duties. It is a debt that I must repay."
"From my perspective it wasn't a failure. I am responsible from everyone and I provide for my companions. That is my purpose here aside from that of the Scholars of Allsight. You both seemed to have sacrificed so much. I feel if your God requires this that mine in contradiction would insist I strive to know for what purpose your suffering serves then teach you better ways to be of service. Ioun be merciful life's too short for suffering whether it's inflicted upon you or inflicted by yourself to yourself. In future I trust you take my actions as ways to help and not to usurp your position," Elliðaey explains bowing slightly to Jade. "I will return to the group now but I hope you'll return as well. We all should be able to strive for friendship. I know I could use more friends," she adds smiling softly at Jade before taking her leave.
Back inside Elliðaey sits back down at the groups table. The monk looks out at the locals and traveling folk reveling in the small pleasures of life. She then strokes her tattoos that seem to flicker with light from with in. At this Elliðaey closes her eyes as if forcing herself to focus on the task at hand as well as the goodness around her, simple things. The laughter of strangers, the song of the bard, her new companions talking. After this brief mindful meditation her smile returns and she opens her eyes. Elliðaey then takes up her tankard again and sips the mead inside of it. She even taps her booted foot to the rhythm of the bard.
"Ah, apologies Fay," Elliðaey the says realizing that the elven woman had been addressing her earlier. "I thought you were speaking to Millicent about her apprenticeship. I am a master scholar. I haven't been an apprentice for some years like when we first met. I've traveled so often and so far from Neverwinter that I did not take on my own apprentice. Then Millicent here was said to show so much promise," Elliðaey says motioning to the warlock smiling at her companion in the Scholars of Allsight. "I couldn't pass on the opportunity to mentor her," she explains to Fay whom she accidentally misunderstood not realizing the question or conversation was directed at her.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
"Millicent has put up with me for nearly a year," Elliðaey replies looking for Millicent to join into the conversation with a smile. "How long have you and Li-Anne been trapping poachers in the Cloak Wood," the monk asks before taking another sip of mead.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Millicents mind was racing and her eyes flickered across the crowd and her table companions drinking in the interactions and connecting snippets of conversation with body language and micro=expressions.
She asked you a question...
Millicent ate her food and stared into the middle distance, her left hand inside her satchel. A distant smile lit her face.
Elliðaey is talking about you.
FOCUS!
Millicent suddenly gasped loudly, and looked around at the others, her eyes dipped down to the table as she met Elliðaeys eyes, " Sorry, long day..."
" A bit overtired, I'm not really used to travelling much further than the stacks or the store."
She took another mouthful, " This is really quite good."
" And yes, Elliðaey is just the best mentor. Very patient and understanding with a somewhat easily distracted protege with very bad manners."
The cleric offeres Millicent a sympathetic smile, "Travel can be quite taxing if you're unaccustomed to it, your tiredness is understandable. Be sure to rest well tonight. It's unfortunate healing magic can't do an awful lot for feeling saddlesore!"
She sips at her ale then and turns an interested ear to the ranger's reply to Elliðaey, curious to know more about their new companions.
"You judge yourself too harshly... You cannot be THAT bad..." Li-Anne says with a smile to Millicent. "Have you ever used her ingredients gathered for three years for seasoning the stew?" She takes a look at the scholar with joy. "I know I did... And what's worse - I have added too much salt"
"I don't care, I'm still free. You can't take the sky from me..."
Jade pauses a moment to contemplate the bowl of stew before entering the stable.
" Translations and general research for the most part.", Millicent replied.
"Millicent has a knack for finding the meaning as well as the words on many documents that have eluded some of the other masters! She's quite a marvel," Elliðaey says before downing the rest of her tankard of mead and ordering another!
As rhe evening continues the party sees the lively tavern begin to section off. As games of chance and cards begin at opposite ends of the tavern. There's also a hedge mage discussing quite loudly his alchemy abilities that can raise the dead!
"So ladies," Elliðaey says standing up from the table. "I think I'll join the dice game there and wish you all a good evening," the monk explains before nudging Millicent and Fay on her way from the table towards a tall, handsome man overseeing a dice game.
The man had been staring at the group of women with a comely smile since they'd entered the tavern and taken seats. He wore tailored clothing but the traveling sort and seemed to be leading the dice game with roars of triumph and defeat coming from the other travelers and locals seated around him.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Outside....
Jade goes into the stables to find Jordy and Esther eating with a tall and slender older man who they seem to be listening to quite intensely. The man looks to be in a tattered, traveling cloak but has nice boots and a clean shaved face.
"Jade!" Jordy exclaims seeing Jade. "Granddad this is the knight I was talking about," the boy says smiling at Jade. "Well, she says she not a knight but she has armor and a sword," he adds excitedly.
Esther and the grandfather just look at Jade with the same expression as if Jade is interrupting something.
"Can I help you, " grandfather says standing up from the makeshift dinner table the family is eating from. "If it's assistance with a mount I can get it for you. The children are eating their dinner, " the old man says.
As he comes closer Jade can see he's half-elven too.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
"My apologies...I'm interrupting. I just wanted to make she the children had eaten."
Jade realizes that she's instinctively switched to Elvish and drops her eyes. Her Elvish is even worse than her Common, spoken "as clumsy and awkwardly as a human."
Jade starts to backpeddle out of the stable.
"Again, please forgive my intrusion."