Elliðaey pays the elves tab and then walks out of the Beckon and is looking furtively contemplative. Zaphi is not where to be found and the monk joins her companions.
"Lucas said Niska is in the back garden. Pearl lives just behind and grows most of the produces used in the tavern," she explains soft tone but the monk is not her usual jovial self. "Zaphi...won't be joining us to seek out Vermillion. We should find Niska. Lucas Saya Pearl had a claim woth her husband Keen Deepdelver near Vermillion or so she says. Maybe Niska went for information," she adds with a shrug walking towards the back of the tavern and inn passed the stables to the only light ahead shinning from a small cobbled together hut that the monk is going to have a hard time standing up straight under its roof!
"Hey," Niska says to the party sheepishly. "I was coming back to find you. Just had to makr sure Pearl was up to having guests. The ranger explains holding up her hands. They have bright green wool between them outstretched as a thread breaks off leading to an old gnomish womak who rocks rhythmically in a chair spinning the wool onto a large whorl.
The green matches that in Niska's cloak!
"She's ready to meet you all," Niska quickly adds!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
"Pleased to meet you Mrs. Deepdelver," Elliðaey says bowing to the old gnome. "I'm Elliðaey Nygaar. I represent the Scholars of Allsight, " she adds coming up from her bow.
"I...I smell smoke, " Pearl exclaims as Niska chuckles looking at Elliðaey who's still smoldering from the altercation with the elves!
"I'm a fire genasi ma'am on my mother's side," Elliðaey begins proudly. Her voice then quiets slightly. "My father was an orc," she adds then turns to the group to introduce themselves!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Eila's reassurance to Millicent doesn't provoke much of a response from Jade, but at the sight of Millicent's reaction the Half-Elf flushes visibly. It's obvious that she wants to say something but this is clearly not the time.
If Katarina and Eila don't balk at Millicent's breach of protocol, Jade follows her lead.
"Jade Tanthalos, ma'am, Initiate of the Order of the Golden Cup."
The reason Eila didn't take the fore as she usually does is because she, like Pearl, also picks up on the smell of smoke and feels the heat coming off the Genasi. Taking a deep breath really just isn't helping in this situation at all so instead she breathes rapidly and shallow and Ilmater help her that isn't working either. She squares her shoulders and forces herself to walk stiffly up to the gnome.
"P-painbearer Eila Forthall, cleric of, um, Ilmater," she says as she pulls the glove from her unburnt hand to extend it for Pearl to shake. Her rattled brain catches up a moment later. Pearl is knitting and cannot shake a hand. She puts the glove back on. "I do apologise, haha, I need to step outside for a moment. Just a second. I'll be right back." Eila then turns, pointedly avoiding looking in Elliðaey's direction, and takes a step outside into the cool fresh evening air just by the doorway.
"I know. I know, it's just Elliðaey, I- no, it's not her, I know it's not her fault, that's just the way she is." She curses quietly under her breath and stops talking long enough to take in some of the clear air so she can rein in the nauseating mix of fear and now guilt for blaming Elliðaey for it.
"It's just the scent. Arcane fire, it's different to woodsmoke. That in there's too similar. Makes me remember... things. Like I'm back there." She puts her hand over her mouth and nose, thumbing idly at the roughened edge of the scarring over the left side of her jaw, "I'll be fine. I only need some fresh air for a minute. No need to fuss."
Jade keeps her hand on Eila's back a bit longer, concern etched on her face, before turning her body to face Eila. Her hand moves towards the burn on Eila's jaw, stopping to hover akwardly near her shoulder.
She takes a breath and her face is once again the impassive mask of the Paladin...
Except for her eyes.
"If you need anything," she offers, giving Eila a light squeeze on the upper arm.
Eila shakes her head and regards the hand on her arm impassively. A minute or so passes while she stands there, eyes closed, willing her lungs and heart to slow while murmuring a short repetitive verse to occupy her mind.
Once the worst of the anxiety has passed over and through, she quirks her head silently at Jade back toward the house and re-enters, offering a tight smile and a mouthed 'Sorry' to the occupants. She opts to tuck herself right at the back of the little room by the door away from Elliðaey, arms folded tight and protective, gaze fixed down on her boots, quite content just to listen in for now.
When asked to introduce herself, Katarina gives a curtsey for their host. Her ear twitches slightly as Elia leaves in a bit of a hurry, but the feline does not otherwise react.
"Katarina Spring Blossom," she says, gesturing to herself. "Daughter of Grand Duke Proud Shadow of the Mystic Paws. Katarina is very pleased to meet you, madam."
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"Ah," Pearl says to Elliðaey then looking at Eila the cleric can see now Pearl's cataract scarred eyes. The gnomish weaver is obviously blind! "Everyone is welcome," she adds smiling. "Niska tells me you're heading to Vermeillon, " she adds moving in her chair as a small owl flutters down from the rafters of the porch the old gnome is seated on and lands on the back of her chair. The owl then mimics Pearl's head movement.
"We came from Candlekeep Pearl and we were hoping you could tell us a bit more that you remember about your time on thw mountain, " Niska explains looking at the party qnd gesturing for them to seat themselves on various objects that double as seats logs, a walorn stone that makes a seat, and a stone bench.
"Yes, please make yourselves comfortable," Pearl says making a somatic motion and ignites a fire pit for the party as the evening passes with a slight chill in the air.
"It...it was a long time ago," Pearl begins as the fire beginning to crackle. "But ask your questions, " she says finishing wrapping her whorl of wool.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
"Yes, please make yourselves comfortable," Pearl says making a somatic motion and ignites a fire pit for the party as the evening passes with a slight chill in the air.
Jade casts a quick, discrete, glance in Eila's direction, concern for her friend matched by a desire not to embarrass her by drawing unnecessary attention.
Millicent looks around then ventures, " Yes, I was wondering if you had any notion where the town might lie within the mountains, or at least the area it is likely located in...we have some knowledge gleaned from Candlekeep but it is nothing compared to a first person account."
"I'm afraid I can't recall the exact location, " Pearl replies to Millicent. "I was a traveller in my youth but my last husband was a miner in the area," she trails off.
"Millicent I think Eila and Niska have the location pretty well sorted," Elliðaey replies looking at Niska then realizing Eila is standing awkwardly by the entrance of the porch.
In the open air the smell of the camp fire far out weights the lingering ozone that often comes off Elliðaey after a heightened emotional state! Whatever is cooking in the pot that Pearl set out also smells hearty!
"Amongst the usual animals on the mountain is there anything we should look out for," Elliðaey asks curiously.
"Ah..." Pearl begins tucking her whorl away. "There's the lights," the gnome says shifting in her chair as Niska adjusts the knitted blanket on Pearl's lap. "Soul's sent back from the dead to do penance, but instead attacks people for vengeance," she adds. "They prey on lone travelers but favor the righteous," the gnome says pointedly looking towards Eila with her milky eyes. "Rumours too of a shadow that staked the mountain too," she adds.
Niska looks to Eila with a soft expression and then at Elliðaey with a shrug.
"Becareful on your travels. Following a terrible accident in the platinum mine I remember my husband saying survivors and other villagers began disappearing. Eventually Vermeillon's population all vanished or fled, leaving the village abandoned," Pearl adds as Niska rises from her seat at Pearl's feet.
"Thank you Pearl. We much appreciate the information and are glad of the place to stay," Niska adds.
"Help yourselves to the stew and I hope the fire keeps you warm tonight," Pearl calls out as Niska helps the old woman inside.
Moments later Niska comes out of the house with a few odds and ends gesturing for everyone to come to the pit for their supper.
OOC we'll move forward with a travel roll for tomorrow!
Moving from a hearty breakfast around Pearl's fire the old gnome parts with the party giving everyone 5 goodberry (s) which translates to 5 temp HP. You all they make your way up the mountain on your various modes of transport. The cart however isn't going to make it all the way there but considerably far. The horses and mule can make it relatively close to where the party has surmised Vermeillon to be located. The journey isn't too hard the first few hours. The road snakes it's way up the mountain from Maren but then the small village disappears from sight as the party makes its way into the heart of the mountainside.
Then the party comes to a crossroads, one path looks much steeper while the other is wider but looks longer than the steep path buy the cart will be hard going on either.
Eila please make an investigation roll with advantage from Niska at which path is best.
Also can I get a perception check from everyone!
OOC Anyone can make rolls for anything they think is relevant.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
During her morning prayers before the party set out on to the road, knowing the risk of dangers ahead, Eila prayed for Vigilant Blessing.
Eila steps up to the crossroads, conferring quietly with Niska over the maps they drew up at the library together as to the correct route. [ Investigation = 12 ]
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Katarina takes a few moments to look around as the party approaches the crossroads. Her ears twitch as she simultaneously listens for any out-of-place sounds.
Perception: 12
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Elliðaey pays the elves tab and then walks out of the Beckon and is looking furtively contemplative. Zaphi is not where to be found and the monk joins her companions.
"Lucas said Niska is in the back garden. Pearl lives just behind and grows most of the produces used in the tavern," she explains soft tone but the monk is not her usual jovial self. "Zaphi...won't be joining us to seek out Vermillion. We should find Niska. Lucas Saya Pearl had a claim woth her husband Keen Deepdelver near Vermillion or so she says. Maybe Niska went for information," she adds with a shrug walking towards the back of the tavern and inn passed the stables to the only light ahead shinning from a small cobbled together hut that the monk is going to have a hard time standing up straight under its roof!
"Hey," Niska says to the party sheepishly. "I was coming back to find you. Just had to makr sure Pearl was up to having guests. The ranger explains holding up her hands. They have bright green wool between them outstretched as a thread breaks off leading to an old gnomish womak who rocks rhythmically in a chair spinning the wool onto a large whorl.
The green matches that in Niska's cloak!
"She's ready to meet you all," Niska quickly adds!
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
"Pleased to meet you Mrs. Deepdelver," Elliðaey says bowing to the old gnome. "I'm Elliðaey Nygaar. I represent the Scholars of Allsight, " she adds coming up from her bow.
"I...I smell smoke, " Pearl exclaims as Niska chuckles looking at Elliðaey who's still smoldering from the altercation with the elves!
"I'm a fire genasi ma'am on my mother's side," Elliðaey begins proudly. Her voice then quiets slightly. "My father was an orc," she adds then turns to the group to introduce themselves!
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Jade, ever conscious of protocol, waits for the others to speak in turn.
Millicent had raised an eyebrow at Ailas turn of phrase then paid close attention as Niska and Pearl spoke.
Millicent introduced herself as Elliðaeys protege.
Eila's reassurance to Millicent doesn't provoke much of a response from Jade, but at the sight of Millicent's reaction the Half-Elf flushes visibly. It's obvious that she wants to say something but this is clearly not the time.
If Katarina and Eila don't balk at Millicent's breach of protocol, Jade follows her lead.
"Jade Tanthalos, ma'am, Initiate of the Order of the Golden Cup."
The reason Eila didn't take the fore as she usually does is because she, like Pearl, also picks up on the smell of smoke and feels the heat coming off the Genasi. Taking a deep breath really just isn't helping in this situation at all so instead she breathes rapidly and shallow and Ilmater help her that isn't working either. She squares her shoulders and forces herself to walk stiffly up to the gnome.
"P-painbearer Eila Forthall, cleric of, um, Ilmater," she says as she pulls the glove from her unburnt hand to extend it for Pearl to shake. Her rattled brain catches up a moment later. Pearl is knitting and cannot shake a hand. She puts the glove back on. "I do apologise, haha, I need to step outside for a moment. Just a second. I'll be right back." Eila then turns, pointedly avoiding looking in Elliðaey's direction, and takes a step outside into the cool fresh evening air just by the doorway.
Jade, concerned for Eila but a not quite grasping the reason for her distress, follows her.
"You okay," she whispers, placing a gentle hand on Eila's shoulder.
"I know. I know, it's just Elliðaey, I- no, it's not her, I know it's not her fault, that's just the way she is." She curses quietly under her breath and stops talking long enough to take in some of the clear air so she can rein in the nauseating mix of fear and now guilt for blaming Elliðaey for it.
"It's just the scent. Arcane fire, it's different to woodsmoke. That in there's too similar. Makes me remember... things. Like I'm back there." She puts her hand over her mouth and nose, thumbing idly at the roughened edge of the scarring over the left side of her jaw, "I'll be fine. I only need some fresh air for a minute. No need to fuss."
Jade keeps her hand on Eila's back a bit longer, concern etched on her face, before turning her body to face Eila. Her hand moves towards the burn on Eila's jaw, stopping to hover akwardly near her shoulder.
She takes a breath and her face is once again the impassive mask of the Paladin...
Except for her eyes.
"If you need anything," she offers, giving Eila a light squeeze on the upper arm.
Eila shakes her head and regards the hand on her arm impassively. A minute or so passes while she stands there, eyes closed, willing her lungs and heart to slow while murmuring a short repetitive verse to occupy her mind.
Once the worst of the anxiety has passed over and through, she quirks her head silently at Jade back toward the house and re-enters, offering a tight smile and a mouthed 'Sorry' to the occupants. She opts to tuck herself right at the back of the little room by the door away from Elliðaey, arms folded tight and protective, gaze fixed down on her boots, quite content just to listen in for now.
Millicent watch the two of them leave with an expression of mild concern but turned back to focus on Pearl.
The two holy women could take care of themselves she knew for a fact....even if she thought their chosen deity needed a damn good talking to.
When asked to introduce herself, Katarina gives a curtsey for their host. Her ear twitches slightly as Elia leaves in a bit of a hurry, but the feline does not otherwise react.
"Katarina Spring Blossom," she says, gesturing to herself. "Daughter of Grand Duke Proud Shadow of the Mystic Paws. Katarina is very pleased to meet you, madam."
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
"Ah," Pearl says to Elliðaey then looking at Eila the cleric can see now Pearl's cataract scarred eyes. The gnomish weaver is obviously blind! "Everyone is welcome," she adds smiling. "Niska tells me you're heading to Vermeillon, " she adds moving in her chair as a small owl flutters down from the rafters of the porch the old gnome is seated on and lands on the back of her chair. The owl then mimics Pearl's head movement.
"We came from Candlekeep Pearl and we were hoping you could tell us a bit more that you remember about your time on thw mountain, " Niska explains looking at the party qnd gesturing for them to seat themselves on various objects that double as seats logs, a walorn stone that makes a seat, and a stone bench.
"Yes, please make yourselves comfortable," Pearl says making a somatic motion and ignites a fire pit for the party as the evening passes with a slight chill in the air.
"It...it was a long time ago," Pearl begins as the fire beginning to crackle. "But ask your questions, " she says finishing wrapping her whorl of wool.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Jade casts a quick, discrete, glance in Eila's direction, concern for her friend matched by a desire not to embarrass her by drawing unnecessary attention.
Millicent looks around then ventures, " Yes, I was wondering if you had any notion where the town might lie within the mountains, or at least the area it is likely located in...we have some knowledge gleaned from Candlekeep but it is nothing compared to a first person account."
"I'm afraid I can't recall the exact location, " Pearl replies to Millicent. "I was a traveller in my youth but my last husband was a miner in the area," she trails off.
"Millicent I think Eila and Niska have the location pretty well sorted," Elliðaey replies looking at Niska then realizing Eila is standing awkwardly by the entrance of the porch.
In the open air the smell of the camp fire far out weights the lingering ozone that often comes off Elliðaey after a heightened emotional state! Whatever is cooking in the pot that Pearl set out also smells hearty!
"Amongst the usual animals on the mountain is there anything we should look out for," Elliðaey asks curiously.
"Ah..." Pearl begins tucking her whorl away. "There's the lights," the gnome says shifting in her chair as Niska adjusts the knitted blanket on Pearl's lap. "Soul's sent back from the dead to do penance, but instead attacks people for vengeance," she adds. "They prey on lone travelers but favor the righteous," the gnome says pointedly looking towards Eila with her milky eyes. "Rumours too of a shadow that staked the mountain too," she adds.
Niska looks to Eila with a soft expression and then at Elliðaey with a shrug.
"Becareful on your travels. Following a terrible accident in the platinum mine I remember my husband saying survivors and other villagers began disappearing. Eventually Vermeillon's population all vanished or fled, leaving the village abandoned," Pearl adds as Niska rises from her seat at Pearl's feet.
"Thank you Pearl. We much appreciate the information and are glad of the place to stay," Niska adds.
"Help yourselves to the stew and I hope the fire keeps you warm tonight," Pearl calls out as Niska helps the old woman inside.
Moments later Niska comes out of the house with a few odds and ends gesturing for everyone to come to the pit for their supper.
OOC we'll move forward with a travel roll for tomorrow!
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
11
Moving from a hearty breakfast around Pearl's fire the old gnome parts with the party giving everyone 5 goodberry (s) which translates to 5 temp HP. You all they make your way up the mountain on your various modes of transport. The cart however isn't going to make it all the way there but considerably far. The horses and mule can make it relatively close to where the party has surmised Vermeillon to be located. The journey isn't too hard the first few hours. The road snakes it's way up the mountain from Maren but then the small village disappears from sight as the party makes its way into the heart of the mountainside.
Then the party comes to a crossroads, one path looks much steeper while the other is wider but looks longer than the steep path buy the cart will be hard going on either.
Eila please make an investigation roll with advantage from Niska at which path is best.
Also can I get a perception check from everyone!
OOC Anyone can make rolls for anything they think is relevant.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
During her morning prayers before the party set out on to the road, knowing the risk of dangers ahead, Eila prayed for Vigilant Blessing.
Eila steps up to the crossroads, conferring quietly with Niska over the maps they drew up at the library together as to the correct route. [ Investigation = 12 ]
Katarina takes a few moments to look around as the party approaches the crossroads. Her ears twitch as she simultaneously listens for any out-of-place sounds.
Perception: 12
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Provide feedback!