"There's no time for this," Elliðaey says her own patience, for the first time since you've met her, obviously wearing thin. "They're coming to meet the Keeps justice, " she gestures at the two very quiet bandits that Jade bound up. "Put them all on the wagon and let's get out of this weather," she commands now not giving options which is uncharacteristic of her too.
Elliðaey walks in sync with Ozlem and looks to be speaking soft to the warforged. The metallic being nods then offers to party their aid in placing the body and peisoners on to the cart.
"We will speak once we reach the Keep," Elliðaey then says to Eila with a curt nod of her head before moving to the front of the party and beginning to led them on foot to Candlekeep.
OOC we can skip ahead unless there's other business?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
The party moves at a much slower pace. Those who were on the wagon are made to walk as the wagon now has a body and the two bound prisoners. The rain is still soaking the party. It's relentless as much as the wind now whipping their faces, a whiff of salt getting stronger with every mile ahead. Darkness falls but the party finally reaches the imposing stone walls protecting Candlekeep and all the knowledge within.
"I have a tome for the curators," Elliðaey explains to the party. "We've grown considerably in number however and I fear it might not be enough," the monk explains.
"I also have a tome if yours will not be sufficient, " Ozlem speaks up their large frame sheltering Ollie with their extended arm and cloak. "I gave it to you for safe keeping," the warforged reminds their apprentice.
OOC Ollie and Millicent give me 1d20 rolls to determine our books that will gain the party entry into Candlekeep!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
The scholar knocks on the 15ft wood and metal banded door. It's very imposing and actually bears the marks of sieges long ago. Elliðaey stands cloaked and hooded against the driving rain awaiting an answer. It's late in the evening now. The cart weighed down with prisoners and the dead body of a man the party discovered us named Regus Jeffords who is an agent of a divine temple of Kelevor, a specific sect, that is charged with hunting now and "decommissioning" the warforged of wars long ago. They broker no mercy and do not ask questions. It was the youngest man, the cleric, that spoke nervously of their order but his father the other older fighter did not silence or contridict his son. Ozlem has been silent. Their large frame trudging in the muddy road beside Elliðaey who's been the look out.
It's seems like several minutes when a small door opens, enough to hand a parcel through, and a hooded face pokes out.
"Yes, good evening and welcome to Candlekeep. I am Avowed Winters. How can I help you," a women's voice comes through to those who cannot see the Avowed of the keep speak.
"We wish to enter," Elliðaey replies handing the wrapped book that Millicent supplied as does Ozlem not seeing the point in holding the gift tome back.
"Yes, thank you!" Avowed Winters exclaims taking both parcels. "Just a moment please, " she adds closing the book that Elliðaey and Oz handed the books through to be examined for worth and entry into the keep.
"Eila," Elliðaey calls out to the cleric. "Did you bring a book for the Keep," the monk asks waiting patiently, her usual relaxed demeanor somewhat returned.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Eila rakes her fingers through her dripping wet hair to get it out of her eyes - her own cloak had been donated to keeping Regus' body covered out of respect. She removes her pack as she approaches, passing between Elliðaey and Oz to the small opening in the towering doors. The waxing on her travelling pack has, thankfully, saved her offering from suffering the worst of the elements and so only the very edges of the pages are slightly curled up from the damp.
"An illuminated manuscript of the Canticle of St. Sollars the Twice-Martyred," she explains, as she passes it over to the waiting Avowed. "The written content is traditional, but the illustration is unique."
(if desired, a d20 to determine the quality of the book: 9)
Jade cocks an eyebrow at Eila, clearly impressed by her offering.
She then turns to Millicent, leaning in and speaking softly though not quite whispering.
"I don't normally approve of using magic to pervert the free will of others, but I wanted to say that I admire the lengths you went to to avoid bloodshed today. You have my respect."
It seems like ages but the avowed comes back to the gate and a door opens that will allow everyone to pass through single file. Elliðaey gestures for everyone to enter ahead of her. The monk with the help of the warforged bring the cart closer after the party enters into the Court of Air next to the gatehouse.
As you enter the party is greeted by a show of force flanking the avowed Winters. The tall and plump elven woman seems utterly unconcerned by the Gatewardens or your party's presence but when Elliðaey brings in the first of the prisoners however the mood of the welcome decided changes!
"Ah uh welcome to Candlekeep seekers," the bubbly elven woman presses on. She's dressed in azure colored robes with ornate silver embroidery. It looks like snowflakes glinting in the arcane torch light that is now illumating the large stone courtyard. Avowed Winters glances over at a heavy plate wearer Gatewarden who nods and comes to Elliðaey side. "Yes, well please feel free to find refreshments in the bathhouse before we find you rooms at the House of Rest," Winters says to the others gesturing at the bathhouse nearest the gatehouse and then slightly off to the left of the courtyard to the large barracks know as the House of Rest. "Is there any....pressing matters," Winters then asks Elliðaey as Ozlem steps through with the dead man on their shoulder and the young cleric still bound ahead of the great mithril being.
"Trouble on our way to the keep. Seems a bounty was placed on my fellow Scholar of Allsight here, simply for their kind. Not for any misdeeds or laws broken, " Elliðaey begins but pauses to gesture to Ozlem who stands silently allowing Elliðaey to speak. "We are scholars and seek knowledge not violence but with the aid of our companions here these assailant were subdued with one causality regretfully," she explains her tone sober showing her true remorse for the dead man. "We are not law barer but will defer to the judgment of the Keep on this matter" she finishes.
Winters nods putting a few fingers to her mouth as if thinking. Then only a few seconds later waves her hand in the air as if to signal something and the Gatewardens seem to disperse.
"Well, we have dungeons here and I say it being such a late hour that we place these men there until we can get to the bottom of things," Winters explains gesturing to the heavily armored Gatewardens who take over guiding the prisoners away from the party. They even relieving Oz of their burden with the dead man. "Such an....interesting introduction to your little group," she says to Elliðaey looking over each of you however beaming a smile her tone oddly the same tennor throughout the entire discussion! "These tomes are quite fantastic and rare," she adds steering the conversation back to more pleasant things.
"Thank you for accepting our gifts," Elliðaey nods at Winters. "Shall we get cleaned up and find our lodging," Elliðaey says next looking over the party with a concerned and exhausted expression. "I for one am looking forward to a bath," she gestures at her mud caked boots, cloak, and legs!
"Yes, yes of course," Winters begins again. "Plenty of hot water and spirits to cheer you all up from your...ordeal," she adds ushering the party towards the bathhouse.
The wagon the enters through another doorway in the gate being led by a groom towards the stabling area that is also safe inside the fifty feet high and fifty feet thick walls of Candlekeep!
Winters pointedly walks the party over to the bathhouse and leaves you all at the doorway were steam pours out into the cool night air the rain having finally stopped.
"Enjoy," Winters says tomes under her arm she walks away from the party towards the Pillars of Pedagogy.
"I don't normally approve of using magic to pervert the free will of others, but I wanted to say that I admire the lengths you went to to avoid bloodshed today. You have my respect."
Millicent smiled in response, " I mean......yes, I don't like hurting people. But I'm also very bad at it.", she snickered.
She squees a little at the thought of a hot bath....life on the road really wasn't her favourite. She traced her hands down the spine then with a slight sigh closed the satchel and secured it with the oiled leather flaps to protect the contents against any moisture or humidity.
Jade catches the look on Millicent's face and starts to laugh at herself.
"I suppose it does seem silly doesn't it? But seriously, what is the purpose of a sauna? Its not for bathing. You just sit there and...sweat? The whole concept is just so odd that it seems like it must be some kind of decadence!"
Eila doesn't intervene when the Gatewardens retrieve Regus' body from Oz, respcting that the scholars have their own means of caring for the dead.
She pats Jade on the shoulder as she passes to hold the door to the bathhouse open for Millicent. "There are no rules against saunas, I believe! Sitting in a torturously hot little room ought to be encouraged, if nothing else. Besides, I think it would be worse if we disrepected their hospitality by trekking most of the Coast Way all over the floors of the keep," she jokes, "It's very generous of Avowed Winters to be so accomodating for us, given the time and the... circumstances we arrive in. I admit I thought we'd have a more difficult time with entry from what little I've heard of Candlekeep's reputation, I suppose we've you scholars to thank for that, Millicent."
"I'm certain your offering was no small consideration either, Painbearer. I'm surprised that Painbearer Eratosthenes would allow such a book to leave the temple."
Jade casts an uncomfortable glance at Eila's warhammer.
"But perhaps the book didn't come from the temple library?"
"That's right. It, and my weapon, was a gift from my mentor, Revered Sister Vestra. She had it brought from the temple in Waterdeep for this purpose when she asked me to come to Candlekeep. It is a beautiful tome though, part of me wishes I could keep it." Eila rests her hand on Confessor's hilt with a distantly fond smile, apparently finding some comfort in the vicious-looking weapon. She clears her throat and nods toward the door she's holding open for everyone, "Ah, but we ought to talk inside. You'll all catch a cold standing about out here soaking wet through. Come, come. Let's get washed up. After you."
Millicent watched the interaction between the two women with a smile, their relationship reminded her a little of her and Elliðaey though there were some distinct differences.
" Yes, now. Very much so.", she said heading in and doffing her travelling cloak and boots as she looked about.
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"There's no time for this," Elliðaey says her own patience, for the first time since you've met her, obviously wearing thin. "They're coming to meet the Keeps justice, " she gestures at the two very quiet bandits that Jade bound up. "Put them all on the wagon and let's get out of this weather," she commands now not giving options which is uncharacteristic of her too.
Elliðaey walks in sync with Ozlem and looks to be speaking soft to the warforged. The metallic being nods then offers to party their aid in placing the body and peisoners on to the cart.
"We will speak once we reach the Keep," Elliðaey then says to Eila with a curt nod of her head before moving to the front of the party and beginning to led them on foot to Candlekeep.
OOC we can skip ahead unless there's other business?
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
The party moves at a much slower pace. Those who were on the wagon are made to walk as the wagon now has a body and the two bound prisoners. The rain is still soaking the party. It's relentless as much as the wind now whipping their faces, a whiff of salt getting stronger with every mile ahead. Darkness falls but the party finally reaches the imposing stone walls protecting Candlekeep and all the knowledge within.
"I have a tome for the curators," Elliðaey explains to the party. "We've grown considerably in number however and I fear it might not be enough," the monk explains.
"I also have a tome if yours will not be sufficient, " Ozlem speaks up their large frame sheltering Ollie with their extended arm and cloak. "I gave it to you for safe keeping," the warforged reminds their apprentice.
OOC Ollie and Millicent give me 1d20 rolls to determine our books that will gain the party entry into Candlekeep!
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
17
OOC we're moving forward
The scholar knocks on the 15ft wood and metal banded door. It's very imposing and actually bears the marks of sieges long ago. Elliðaey stands cloaked and hooded against the driving rain awaiting an answer. It's late in the evening now. The cart weighed down with prisoners and the dead body of a man the party discovered us named Regus Jeffords who is an agent of a divine temple of Kelevor, a specific sect, that is charged with hunting now and "decommissioning" the warforged of wars long ago. They broker no mercy and do not ask questions. It was the youngest man, the cleric, that spoke nervously of their order but his father the other older fighter did not silence or contridict his son. Ozlem has been silent. Their large frame trudging in the muddy road beside Elliðaey who's been the look out.
It's seems like several minutes when a small door opens, enough to hand a parcel through, and a hooded face pokes out.
"Yes, good evening and welcome to Candlekeep. I am Avowed Winters. How can I help you," a women's voice comes through to those who cannot see the Avowed of the keep speak.
"We wish to enter," Elliðaey replies handing the wrapped book that Millicent supplied as does Ozlem not seeing the point in holding the gift tome back.
"Yes, thank you!" Avowed Winters exclaims taking both parcels. "Just a moment please, " she adds closing the book that Elliðaey and Oz handed the books through to be examined for worth and entry into the keep.
"Eila," Elliðaey calls out to the cleric. "Did you bring a book for the Keep," the monk asks waiting patiently, her usual relaxed demeanor somewhat returned.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Eila rakes her fingers through her dripping wet hair to get it out of her eyes - her own cloak had been donated to keeping Regus' body covered out of respect. She removes her pack as she approaches, passing between Elliðaey and Oz to the small opening in the towering doors. The waxing on her travelling pack has, thankfully, saved her offering from suffering the worst of the elements and so only the very edges of the pages are slightly curled up from the damp.
"An illuminated manuscript of the Canticle of St. Sollars the Twice-Martyred," she explains, as she passes it over to the waiting Avowed. "The written content is traditional, but the illustration is unique."
(if desired, a d20 to determine the quality of the book: 9)
Millicent is excited to finally be at THE Candlekeep...she can almost smell the books...
She bounces up and down softly on her heels as they wait to be allowed access, her hand stealing into her satchel to try and calm herself.
Jade cocks an eyebrow at Eila, clearly impressed by her offering.
She then turns to Millicent, leaning in and speaking softly though not quite whispering.
"I don't normally approve of using magic to pervert the free will of others, but I wanted to say that I admire the lengths you went to to avoid bloodshed today. You have my respect."
It seems like ages but the avowed comes back to the gate and a door opens that will allow everyone to pass through single file. Elliðaey gestures for everyone to enter ahead of her. The monk with the help of the warforged bring the cart closer after the party enters into the Court of Air next to the gatehouse.
As you enter the party is greeted by a show of force flanking the avowed Winters. The tall and plump elven woman seems utterly unconcerned by the Gatewardens or your party's presence but when Elliðaey brings in the first of the prisoners however the mood of the welcome decided changes!
"Ah uh welcome to Candlekeep seekers," the bubbly elven woman presses on. She's dressed in azure colored robes with ornate silver embroidery. It looks like snowflakes glinting in the arcane torch light that is now illumating the large stone courtyard. Avowed Winters glances over at a heavy plate wearer Gatewarden who nods and comes to Elliðaey side. "Yes, well please feel free to find refreshments in the bathhouse before we find you rooms at the House of Rest," Winters says to the others gesturing at the bathhouse nearest the gatehouse and then slightly off to the left of the courtyard to the large barracks know as the House of Rest. "Is there any....pressing matters," Winters then asks Elliðaey as Ozlem steps through with the dead man on their shoulder and the young cleric still bound ahead of the great mithril being.
"Trouble on our way to the keep. Seems a bounty was placed on my fellow Scholar of Allsight here, simply for their kind. Not for any misdeeds or laws broken, " Elliðaey begins but pauses to gesture to Ozlem who stands silently allowing Elliðaey to speak. "We are scholars and seek knowledge not violence but with the aid of our companions here these assailant were subdued with one causality regretfully," she explains her tone sober showing her true remorse for the dead man. "We are not law barer but will defer to the judgment of the Keep on this matter" she finishes.
Winters nods putting a few fingers to her mouth as if thinking. Then only a few seconds later waves her hand in the air as if to signal something and the Gatewardens seem to disperse.
"Well, we have dungeons here and I say it being such a late hour that we place these men there until we can get to the bottom of things," Winters explains gesturing to the heavily armored Gatewardens who take over guiding the prisoners away from the party. They even relieving Oz of their burden with the dead man. "Such an....interesting introduction to your little group," she says to Elliðaey looking over each of you however beaming a smile her tone oddly the same tennor throughout the entire discussion! "These tomes are quite fantastic and rare," she adds steering the conversation back to more pleasant things.
"Thank you for accepting our gifts," Elliðaey nods at Winters. "Shall we get cleaned up and find our lodging," Elliðaey says next looking over the party with a concerned and exhausted expression. "I for one am looking forward to a bath," she gestures at her mud caked boots, cloak, and legs!
"Yes, yes of course," Winters begins again. "Plenty of hot water and spirits to cheer you all up from your...ordeal," she adds ushering the party towards the bathhouse.
The wagon the enters through another doorway in the gate being led by a groom towards the stabling area that is also safe inside the fifty feet high and fifty feet thick walls of Candlekeep!
Winters pointedly walks the party over to the bathhouse and leaves you all at the doorway were steam pours out into the cool night air the rain having finally stopped.
"Enjoy," Winters says tomes under her arm she walks away from the party towards the Pillars of Pedagogy.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Millicent smiled in response, " I mean......yes, I don't like hurting people. But I'm also very bad at it.", she snickered.
She squees a little at the thought of a hot bath....life on the road really wasn't her favourite. She traced her hands down the spine then with a slight sigh closed the satchel and secured it with the oiled leather flaps to protect the contents against any moisture or humidity.
" Bath time!"
Millicent smiled in response, " I mean......yes, I don't like hurting people. But I'm also very bad at it.", she snickered.
"Me too...don't tell anyone."
Jade gives Millicent a conspiratorial wink, quickly followed by a pensive look.
"I was hoping you and I could talk some time, privately?"
" Of course, do you think they have a sauna? We could talk there....", she held her satchel close. " ...privately."
"A sauna...I'm not sure...I could ask the Painbearer if it's permitted."
Her brows furrow, deep in thought.
"I don't know of any strictures against it."
Millicent nodded with a serious look on her face, trying very hard to stop herself giggling at the thought of religious laws against sweating...
Jade catches the look on Millicent's face and starts to laugh at herself.
"I suppose it does seem silly doesn't it? But seriously, what is the purpose of a sauna? Its not for bathing. You just sit there and...sweat? The whole concept is just so odd that it seems like it must be some kind of decadence!"
Eila doesn't intervene when the Gatewardens retrieve Regus' body from Oz, respcting that the scholars have their own means of caring for the dead.
She pats Jade on the shoulder as she passes to hold the door to the bathhouse open for Millicent. "There are no rules against saunas, I believe! Sitting in a torturously hot little room ought to be encouraged, if nothing else. Besides, I think it would be worse if we disrepected their hospitality by trekking most of the Coast Way all over the floors of the keep," she jokes, "It's very generous of Avowed Winters to be so accomodating for us, given the time and the... circumstances we arrive in. I admit I thought we'd have a more difficult time with entry from what little I've heard of Candlekeep's reputation, I suppose we've you scholars to thank for that, Millicent."
"I'm certain your offering was no small consideration either, Painbearer. I'm surprised that Painbearer Eratosthenes would allow such a book to leave the temple."
Jade casts an uncomfortable glance at Eila's warhammer.
"But perhaps the book didn't come from the temple library?"
"That's right. It, and my weapon, was a gift from my mentor, Revered Sister Vestra. She had it brought from the temple in Waterdeep for this purpose when she asked me to come to Candlekeep. It is a beautiful tome though, part of me wishes I could keep it." Eila rests her hand on Confessor's hilt with a distantly fond smile, apparently finding some comfort in the vicious-looking weapon. She clears her throat and nods toward the door she's holding open for everyone, "Ah, but we ought to talk inside. You'll all catch a cold standing about out here soaking wet through. Come, come. Let's get washed up. After you."
Jade enters, her brow furrowed and chewing on her bottom lip. As she passed Eila she casts one more nervous glance at Confessor.
(Religion check 5 to see if Jade has heard of Revered Sister Vestra)
Turning back to Millicent, "So were you thinking of looking for a sauna now or later?"
Millicent watched the interaction between the two women with a smile, their relationship reminded her a little of her and Elliðaey though there were some distinct differences.
" Yes, now. Very much so.", she said heading in and doffing her travelling cloak and boots as she looked about.