"He's been sentenced, I'm not going to object now," Roxana says. "But this Balfby... It seemed Aidwyn wanted to save it. But can she even really hope to control it? Look. It's not a mere pet. It's a sentient - and evil - being. We can watch for now. But we can't watch forever."
She stops. She realizes no decision has been made here and now. 'But wasn't the decision made when we let Aidwyn leave with the thing as her... friend? Pet?'
...and, despite the distance, as soon as Roxana finishes speaking, the supernatural beast changes her attitude. If before she seemed to be looking at you almost... amused, now her attitude seems more threatening, as she takes a couple of slow steps towards you, growling lowly... as if she had understood the meaning of the conversation - and it didn't was particularly liked.
In an instant Gaer places himself between the girl from Longsaddle and the beast, with Sixefsag in his hand, whose blade, capturing the light of the night and the stars, begins to emanate its own luminescence.
At that point Kenzo can't help but notice you and, for once giving up his 'tough guy' attitude, he bursts into tears like a child: "Don't leave me to her! Free me! I... I'll do everything you want! Everything! But send her away!"
"It's certainly not to defend a bastard like you that I pulled out the scimitar!" Gaer growls at him.
The tiefling then tries to address Balfby: "Do you seem to understand what we're saying? If so, you probably know that Aidwyn won't be happy if you hurt us..."
The creature of darkness and the warrior wielding the starlight-clad blade square each other for long moments...
...Then, with a sudden decision, Balfby disdainfully turns her back on you, throws herself furiously at Kenzo, whose cry of terror rises disproportionately (they will even be hearing it from Longsaddle, perhaps, in the cold and silent winter night?) and, as if tired of the game, she savagely tears him to pieces.
Gaer holds Roxana close to him, with her face against his chest, as if to spare her a needlessly bloody sight, and murmurs: "Don't look... You're not missing anything".
In less than a minute, the remains of the Zhentarim no longer even appear human, just butchered biological remains of uncertain provenance. The Yeth Hound gives you one last look, apparently resentful. She seems to want to tell you: 'Happy now?!'
The next moment, the nightmare creature runs across the night sky again. It seems to be heading towards the hills, where the lairs of scattered goblin tribes are known to be...
As Balfby disappears into the distance, Roxana speaks up. "We ought to have a conversation with Aidwyn when she's back. This evil thing is clearly wary of us. I don't see how it can be allowed to just linger near Longsaddle. Perhaps she will have a solution. But we are going to have to be wary that it isn't us that it sneaks up on in the night."
And although she had allowed Gaer to hold her, in a very low voice meant for him along she says, "I don't need your coddling either." She leaves it at that, making her point then moving on. She again speaks to the others. "Are we headed back to Longsaddle then?"
"Yes..." Gaer peers thoughtfully in the direction taken by Balfby "I would say we have nothing else to do here. Let's go back to Longsaddle. And let's be careful about going out at night until we can have a chat with Aidwyn".
He sets off on the road back (unless someone finds a reason to stay), without sheathing the enchanted weapon... and without being able to avoid looking around (and especially behind him) from time to time.
Unless someone is interested in continuing the conversation, Bemon stays a little longer, then takes his leave: "I think I'll try to cover a little more ground before setting up camp..." and with a courteous bow "Thank you infinitely both for hospitality and for news. May your journey be peaceful".
The individual then resumes his journey at a good pace...
The rest of the night passes peacefully as you camp and even the next day of travel, at the end of which you reach Triboar, apart from some sporadic and brief snowfalls, is devoid of notable events.
At Triboar you come across the Northshield House, a tidy, unassuming inn, which has rooms available for the night and (unless you have reason to prefer otherwise) you stay there.
In the morning of the following day, you discover that there is a caravan company called 'The Triboar Travelers' that regularly makes trips to Everlund and Waterdeep... and, in particular, is just starting a caravan to Waterdeep!
You could choose to travel with the caravan, keeping their pace, which is slightly slower than what you usually keep with your excellent quality horses, and make the journey in company and in greater safety... or you could continue on your own, as you have done so far.
Yes, Rash is more than happy to return to town, but there is a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. Sure, Kenzo deserved it... but all three of them just let the man die a horrible death.
Roxana gives Gaer a simple nod, ready to head back as well. After they get nearer to town, she glances to Rash and Anita. "Perhaps we should share a nice round of drinks after all that? Maybe some dancing - at least listen to some music." She thinks, 'Something to get our mind off tonight's events.'
Anita did not witness Kenzo's end... she remained a bit behind, not eager to see the other die, but the horrible cries still had her shiver. She welcomes Roxana's proposal: "Sounds great to me! Someone told me that the Fuzzy Quarterstaff has an Harpell entertainer that directs an invisible orchestra..."
[[ OOC: In fact, both Roxana, who is from Longsaddle, and Rash, who works at the Ivy Mansion from some days, know that what Anita has been told is true... ]]
"Well, I don't really have anywhere else to be... so let's go have ourselves a few rounds,"he says. "Not too many, though... wouldn't want to show up at the Ivy Mansion with a hangover tomorrow... I still have an important job to do there, you know."
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As Bemon prepares to take his leave, the courteous blandnesses Spira chats back and forth with him conceal a careful system of observation that takes note of all clues about their chance acquaintance's capabilities and likely profession. And when he departs she is careful not to let him see her taking careful note of his course and actions as long as he is in sight. She even lets a decent interval go by before turning to Aidwyn with a worried frown.
"Oh, dear. Do you think he's a hunter? He seemed more eager than scared to me when I tried to warn him about Balfby. And he had a good eye to this baby ... I mean, egg ..., too. I think he knows what this little one is better than I do."
===========================
Insight 9
Perception 14
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
[[ OOC: Oh, I assumed that Bemon didn't see the egg... in fact I wrote that he wasn't peeking... but that he was just curious to see Spira checking... something. If Spira instead let him see the egg, tell me and I'll correct myself... ]]
In fact, the attentive and perceptive Sergeant Quspira Inirali notices various unusual details... Like the fact that the man was more interested in Balfby than scared... Or like the contradiction between the man's elegance and courtesy, which would suggest to a person of noble origins - or at least used to frequent high society - and the fact that instead he traveled alone and on foot, instead of with an entourage and on horseback or in a carriage...
A hunter, thinks the tiefling cleric? Maybe... but a common hunter wouldn't go around wearing elegant clothes and adorned with jewels... what use would they be to him? He could be a hunter of an exceptional type, perhaps capable of using magic (either personally, or through magical objects) - and his clothing could be the result of an illusion. But for what purpose?
Or perhaps, he may not have a 'job' at all; not an active role in society... That individual's almost total lack of worries (no worries about the weather, no travel gear with him, no obvious fears of Balfby...) could indicate someone who, after all, has little need for society and little interaction with it.
However, his admiration for the 'heroes' seemed sincere – and he apparently didn't really know that you were two of them. Or at least, Spira has not detected any signs of fiction in this regard.
[[ OOC: It remains to decide how you want to manage the journey after Triboar... Are you traveling with the caravan, a little slower but in company? Or do you travel alone, as before, making full use of your high-quality horses? ]]
The trial of the Zhentarim:
Gaer, at the prospect of listening to some music with Roxana (and maybe even dancing with her), apparently manages to chase away the worries from his soul and smiles, fixing his solid-black eyes into those of the girl from Longsaddle: "Gladly! After you followed me into a cold forest, the very least you deserve is that I in turn accompany you to a cozy inn, I think!"
Rash also accepts, but Anita, hearing him underline that he has 'an important job to do', cannot resist the temptation to make fun of him a little: "Oh, yes, do you see what an important partner I have chosen for myself? A wizard who is been chosen by the Harpell family to help develop a spell that will revolutionize magic as we know it! You knew, didn't you," she now turns to the other two "that Rash is helping Blinn Harpell develop a new spell?" from the way her eyes sparkle as she tells it, it's clear that, even if she wanted to joke about it, it seems remarkable to her...
Roxana gives Anita a smile. "Well, I don't know I had all the details. But that is really wonderful news." Her tone is polite, she truly does believe it sounds like quite an honor. She's just not able to be as enthusiastic as Anita is. "Alright, we'll make sure to not keep you up too late then Rash."
Having decided how to spend the second part of the evening, you reach the Fuzzy Quarterstaff without problems. Inside, there is a small podium beside the bar where a man with disheveled gray hair who both Roxana and, by now, Rash, know by fame: Harghondrahn Harpell. Magical-musical talent of the Harpell family, he performs as sole conductor, apparently conducting an orchestra... which is nowhere to be seen (and wouldn't even have room to stand); yet, the beautiful sounds of a fully-staffed symphony orchestra fill the chamber - at a magically controlled volume so as not to be abrasive.
You sit at a free table, whereupon Anita orders a glass of that elven wine that Roxana had introduced her to while Gaer, instead of his usual beer, asks for a glass of absinthe.
When the invisible orchestra begins to play a cheerful and lively tune, Gaer smiles and holds out his hand to the girl from Longsaddle: "Shall we dance? I don't know many dances, but this... this I danced it, a few times, in Elturel..."
Anita approves: "Way to go, Gaer!" then she looks at the half-orc wizard "Shall we dance too, Rash?"
"He's been sentenced, I'm not going to object now," Roxana says. "But this Balfby... It seemed Aidwyn wanted to save it. But can she even really hope to control it? Look. It's not a mere pet. It's a sentient - and evil - being. We can watch for now. But we can't watch forever."
She stops. She realizes no decision has been made here and now. 'But wasn't the decision made when we let Aidwyn leave with the thing as her... friend? Pet?'
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard ||
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
The trial of the Zhentarim:
Balfby, the feral creature of night and nightmare, had continued to stare at you during your verbal exchange...
The trial of the Zhentarim:
...Balfby's Perception: 12...
The trial of the Zhentarim:
...and, despite the distance, as soon as Roxana finishes speaking, the supernatural beast changes her attitude. If before she seemed to be looking at you almost... amused, now her attitude seems more threatening, as she takes a couple of slow steps towards you, growling lowly... as if she had understood the meaning of the conversation - and it didn't was particularly liked.
In an instant Gaer places himself between the girl from Longsaddle and the beast, with Sixefsag in his hand, whose blade, capturing the light of the night and the stars, begins to emanate its own luminescence.
At that point Kenzo can't help but notice you and, for once giving up his 'tough guy' attitude, he bursts into tears like a child: "Don't leave me to her! Free me! I... I'll do everything you want! Everything! But send her away!"
"It's certainly not to defend a bastard like you that I pulled out the scimitar!" Gaer growls at him.
The tiefling then tries to address Balfby: "Do you seem to understand what we're saying? If so, you probably know that Aidwyn won't be happy if you hurt us..."
The creature of darkness and the warrior wielding the starlight-clad blade square each other for long moments...
The trial of the Zhentarim:
...Gaer's Persuasion: 12...
The trial of the Zhentarim:
...Then, with a sudden decision, Balfby disdainfully turns her back on you, throws herself furiously at Kenzo, whose cry of terror rises disproportionately (they will even be hearing it from Longsaddle, perhaps, in the cold and silent winter night?) and, as if tired of the game, she savagely tears him to pieces.
Gaer holds Roxana close to him, with her face against his chest, as if to spare her a needlessly bloody sight, and murmurs: "Don't look... You're not missing anything".
In less than a minute, the remains of the Zhentarim no longer even appear human, just butchered biological remains of uncertain provenance. The Yeth Hound gives you one last look, apparently resentful. She seems to want to tell you: 'Happy now?!'
The next moment, the nightmare creature runs across the night sky again. It seems to be heading towards the hills, where the lairs of scattered goblin tribes are known to be...
Rash sighs heavily, leaning on his staff.
"Goodbye, Kenzo," Rash says solemnly. "Say 'hello' to a certain soldier of Avernus."
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As Balfby disappears into the distance, Roxana speaks up. "We ought to have a conversation with Aidwyn when she's back. This evil thing is clearly wary of us. I don't see how it can be allowed to just linger near Longsaddle. Perhaps she will have a solution. But we are going to have to be wary that it isn't us that it sneaks up on in the night."
And although she had allowed Gaer to hold her, in a very low voice meant for him along she says, "I don't need your coddling either." She leaves it at that, making her point then moving on. She again speaks to the others. "Are we headed back to Longsaddle then?"
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard ||
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
The trial of the Zhentarim:
"Yes..." Gaer peers thoughtfully in the direction taken by Balfby "I would say we have nothing else to do here. Let's go back to Longsaddle. And let's be careful about going out at night until we can have a chat with Aidwyn".
He sets off on the road back (unless someone finds a reason to stay), without sheathing the enchanted weapon... and without being able to avoid looking around (and especially behind him) from time to time.
Aidwyn - the Lathander's Temple:
Unless someone is interested in continuing the conversation, Bemon stays a little longer, then takes his leave: "I think I'll try to cover a little more ground before setting up camp..." and with a courteous bow "Thank you infinitely both for hospitality and for news. May your journey be peaceful".
The individual then resumes his journey at a good pace...
The rest of the night passes peacefully as you camp and even the next day of travel, at the end of which you reach Triboar, apart from some sporadic and brief snowfalls, is devoid of notable events.
At Triboar you come across the Northshield House, a tidy, unassuming inn, which has rooms available for the night and (unless you have reason to prefer otherwise) you stay there.
In the morning of the following day, you discover that there is a caravan company called 'The Triboar Travelers' that regularly makes trips to Everlund and Waterdeep... and, in particular, is just starting a caravan to Waterdeep!
You could choose to travel with the caravan, keeping their pace, which is slightly slower than what you usually keep with your excellent quality horses, and make the journey in company and in greater safety... or you could continue on your own, as you have done so far.
Yes, Rash is more than happy to return to town, but there is a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. Sure, Kenzo deserved it... but all three of them just let the man die a horrible death.
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Roxana gives Gaer a simple nod, ready to head back as well. After they get nearer to town, she glances to Rash and Anita. "Perhaps we should share a nice round of drinks after all that? Maybe some dancing - at least listen to some music." She thinks, 'Something to get our mind off tonight's events.'
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard ||
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
Anita did not witness Kenzo's end... she remained a bit behind, not eager to see the other die, but the horrible cries still had her shiver. She welcomes Roxana's proposal: "Sounds great to me! Someone told me that the Fuzzy Quarterstaff has an Harpell entertainer that directs an invisible orchestra..."
[[ OOC: In fact, both Roxana, who is from Longsaddle, and Rash, who works at the Ivy Mansion from some days, know that what Anita has been told is true... ]]
"An excellent suggestion Anita!" Roxana says, giving Gaer a glance. "You all will come along, right?"
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard ||
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
Rash smiles.
"Well, I don't really have anywhere else to be... so let's go have ourselves a few rounds," he says. "Not too many, though... wouldn't want to show up at the Ivy Mansion with a hangover tomorrow... I still have an important job to do there, you know."
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
As Bemon prepares to take his leave, the courteous blandnesses Spira chats back and forth with him conceal a careful system of observation that takes note of all clues about their chance acquaintance's capabilities and likely profession. And when he departs she is careful not to let him see her taking careful note of his course and actions as long as he is in sight. She even lets a decent interval go by before turning to Aidwyn with a worried frown.
"Oh, dear. Do you think he's a hunter? He seemed more eager than scared to me when I tried to warn him about Balfby. And he had a good eye to this baby ... I mean, egg ..., too. I think he knows what this little one is better than I do."
===========================
Insight 9
Perception 14
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
Aidwyn - the Lathander's Temple:
[[ OOC: Oh, I assumed that Bemon didn't see the egg... in fact I wrote that he wasn't peeking... but that he was just curious to see Spira checking... something. If Spira instead let him see the egg, tell me and I'll correct myself... ]]
In fact, the attentive and perceptive Sergeant Quspira Inirali notices various unusual details... Like the fact that the man was more interested in Balfby than scared... Or like the contradiction between the man's elegance and courtesy, which would suggest to a person of noble origins - or at least used to frequent high society - and the fact that instead he traveled alone and on foot, instead of with an entourage and on horseback or in a carriage...
A hunter, thinks the tiefling cleric? Maybe... but a common hunter wouldn't go around wearing elegant clothes and adorned with jewels... what use would they be to him? He could be a hunter of an exceptional type, perhaps capable of using magic (either personally, or through magical objects) - and his clothing could be the result of an illusion. But for what purpose?
Or perhaps, he may not have a 'job' at all; not an active role in society... That individual's almost total lack of worries (no worries about the weather, no travel gear with him, no obvious fears of Balfby...) could indicate someone who, after all, has little need for society and little interaction with it.
However, his admiration for the 'heroes' seemed sincere – and he apparently didn't really know that you were two of them. Or at least, Spira has not detected any signs of fiction in this regard.
[[ OOC: It remains to decide how you want to manage the journey after Triboar... Are you traveling with the caravan, a little slower but in company? Or do you travel alone, as before, making full use of your high-quality horses? ]]
The trial of the Zhentarim:
Gaer, at the prospect of listening to some music with Roxana (and maybe even dancing with her), apparently manages to chase away the worries from his soul and smiles, fixing his solid-black eyes into those of the girl from Longsaddle: "Gladly! After you followed me into a cold forest, the very least you deserve is that I in turn accompany you to a cozy inn, I think!"
Rash also accepts, but Anita, hearing him underline that he has 'an important job to do', cannot resist the temptation to make fun of him a little: "Oh, yes, do you see what an important partner I have chosen for myself? A wizard who is been chosen by the Harpell family to help develop a spell that will revolutionize magic as we know it! You knew, didn't you," she now turns to the other two "that Rash is helping Blinn Harpell develop a new spell?" from the way her eyes sparkle as she tells it, it's clear that, even if she wanted to joke about it, it seems remarkable to her...
Roxana gives Anita a smile. "Well, I don't know I had all the details. But that is really wonderful news." Her tone is polite, she truly does believe it sounds like quite an honor. She's just not able to be as enthusiastic as Anita is. "Alright, we'll make sure to not keep you up too late then Rash."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard ||
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
The trial of the Zhentarim:
Having decided how to spend the second part of the evening, you reach the Fuzzy Quarterstaff without problems. Inside, there is a small podium beside the bar where a man with disheveled gray hair who both Roxana and, by now, Rash, know by fame: Harghondrahn Harpell. Magical-musical talent of the Harpell family, he performs as sole conductor, apparently conducting an orchestra... which is nowhere to be seen (and wouldn't even have room to stand); yet, the beautiful sounds of a fully-staffed symphony orchestra fill the chamber - at a magically controlled volume so as not to be abrasive.
You sit at a free table, whereupon Anita orders a glass of that elven wine that Roxana had introduced her to while Gaer, instead of his usual beer, asks for a glass of absinthe.
When the invisible orchestra begins to play a cheerful and lively tune, Gaer smiles and holds out his hand to the girl from Longsaddle: "Shall we dance? I don't know many dances, but this... this I danced it, a few times, in Elturel..."
Anita approves: "Way to go, Gaer!" then she looks at the half-orc wizard "Shall we dance too, Rash?"
"Well... I won't promise that I'm any good... but I'll give it a go," the half-orc says with a smile.
He finishes off his beer and stands, extending a hand to Anita.
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