While the girl from Longsaddle abandons herself to his caresses, Gaer speaks to her in a low and calm voice: "Oh, yes, I understand you... Quspira and I have always had to get by without a real family behind us, supporting us with each other. It's nice that you want to be there for your loved ones".
"I could tell you that Olivia and Quinn will grow up - probably quicker than you think" he sighs. "I could tell you that between one adventure and another you could always find time to pop over to the farm to see how things are going - and you've seen how much more profitable this life is... leaving them even just a small part of it what you earn, you would probably contribute more to the family economy than you could ever hope to do with a more ordinary job. I could... but it would seem that I wanted to influence you to convince you to come away with me! And I would like..." the eyes of the starless night are looking into hers "I would really like you to come... I can't remember the last thing I would have liked so much..."('Unless, maybe Adresti? No, no way! That cheating b... bad girl can not even compare. Not even close. Now I can see it. This... this is something so different...')"But I also want you to be convinced".
"In a few years, after having experienced all sorts of things, after having saved each other's lives, after having resolved desperate situations, visited places that most people didn't even suspect existed, eliminated dangers that would otherwise have sown desolation, oppression, blood oh death... looking into your eyes, I will see the fun of adventure, the pleasure of what we have shared and the pride in yourself... not the regret of something left behind, sweet girl of mine" he has not stopped caressing her yet... "I'm sure you'll find the best decision. You're good at this, Roxana, better than me. And remembering this, I will accept your decision, whatever it will be".
Aidwyn - the Lathander's Temple
(OOC: Just waiting to see if Aidwyn accepts Spira's company - I'll assume she does, if no reply, then the 'gang of four' will be on its way!)
"Oh that would be even better Zentromya!" replies Aidwyn to the celestial creature "That would save us a lot of time! Teleportation you say? how does work? Never heard of it before..."
While the little elephant tells the rustic girl about that complicated magic Spira came and asked if she could go with them.
"But of course!! It would be my pleasure if you come with us! Is that ok for that teleportation of yours Zentromya?"Aidwyn asks. Then she aks to Spira. "I was thinking on riding with Solitude but perhaps is better if she has her own horse...even if we ride on the same one for a little bit... " she blushes a little "Do you think they would rent us one to our trip to Waterdeep?"
"Teleportation is quite simple to explain: one moment you are here, next moment you are elsewhere" Zentromya smiles. "It's something quite useful, to an Elysium herald like myself! I can do this just once in a day... but it works for me plus many other willing travelers - the return trip will be a matter of just a moment. And yes, I can include Spira too".
Balfby, informed of the journey, replies to her mistress: "I couldn't be at your side during the day, mistress... I would be forced to join you at night - but at night you would sleep, rather than hunt with me. I will wait for you among the wild nature of the surrounding hills to Longsaddle, mistress, since you grant me the choice... Also because, the day after tomorrow there is the trial of the two morsels that you handed over to the authorities! And you pointed out to the judges that I could be... 'instrument of the gods'... if they were stupid enough to accept. I want to at least wait for the verdict! If they agreed to try to escape my hunt... I wouldn't want to miss an opportunity like this!" and her mouth is watering at the thought...
When Aidwyn begins to look for a borrowed horse to provide to Solitude, Adran Liadon approaches her, leading a fleet-footed red roan. The elf's eyes go to his gift bracelet, which the young heroine is still wearing. Aidwyn notices that the elf is now wearing a very similar one.
"I have heard of your purpose, Aegiskeryn" he greets the other with a hint of a smile. "If you once brought light to me, helping me understand my mistake, it seems only right that I can now help you reach the light you are looking for, the morning light. Your soulmate can ride Fete, if you wish" and he offers the reins to Aidwyn. "Like all Sharnshield horses, you can completely rely on this mare. She will not get scared, she will not get angry and will do her best to ensure that her rider reaches destination safely".
"Yea, of course Olivia and Quinn will grow up. Very nearly are grown up. And... Ah! I just worry about them." Roxana again gazes at Gaer. "I'd miss them," she says, while it's clear she'd probably miss the Tiefling she's now looking at just as much. Her eyes close and she simply sits there, breathing slowly for a bit.
"How does an 'adventurer find work? Just wait for a Lady Martha to send out the call? Is there a special signal?" she asks with a grin. "I guess I'm asking how we would do it. Is there somewhere we'd travel to?" She relaxes into his caresses, eyes still closed. 'What would a life as an adventurer be like? I'm sure I would quite enjoy spending my days and nights with Gaer.'
Adran half-smiles: "I am sure, Aegiskeryn. I would never lend one of my horses to a person in whom I did not have complete trust. May you find the light you seek" and he simply goes away.
And so the 'Gang of Four' soon begins their journey on horseback southwards along the Long Road. Over the course of the first few days they should reach Triboar a crossroads town located amidst a number of prominent settlements in the middle of a fertile landscape well-suited for agriculture.
Roxana & Gaer:
"Oh, we usually follow the rumors..." Gaer continues to rock her with a low and calm voice, apparently very satisfied with how the conversation (and complementary activities) is unfolding. "Voices of need, or danger, or strange occurrences... In Martha's case, Quspira and I didn't even know of her needs... we were coming to Longsaddle to see how Dobbian was doing! In this circumstance, the fate helped us find work. At the moment, I haven't heard any rumors of particular problems... to find the next job, we could wait for news for a while... but then we would do well to move, to travel".
"We could just choose a place you've always liked to visit and go there..." the tiefling begins to imagine in his mind, while his fingers continue to run through Roxana's hair, sometimes following the soft path of her cheeks or features "So, for now one place is as good as another. And, while waiting to find a job or, at least, news about a promising destination, we could simply enjoy the visit. On the one hand, usually, the larger cities are those where it is more It's easy to get news of suitable assignments - but on the other hand it's not always like this, in fact this time we found work in Longsaddle, which, despite being an important town - it's no coincidence that it's also part of the Lord's Alliance - is certainly not large".
"Is there someplace nearby that you've always wanted to see but never had the chance?" Gaer is happy to start planning - even if nothing in him for now reveals the slightest trace of haste "The mysterious Neverwinter Wood perhaps? Or the wild village of Griffon's Nest? The rustic town of Triboar? Or maybe the reborn Neverwinter, aka the Jewel of the North? Did you know that the winter there is made milder by a warm river that passes through the city?"
After having disappeared for some time, Zentromya flies excitedly to reach Aidwyn and, once close to the young fighter, announces to her: "I spoke to Dobbian! You know, he has traveled around a lot... he knows the geography of these places much better than me! He told me that in Waterdeep there is a famous temple of Lathander... 'The Spires of the Morning' is its name! According to him, by traveling on the horses that the Sharnshields provided us, we should be able to cover the distance in just over 10 days. Now, even if you wanted to attend the trial of the two Zhentarim... which will be held the day after tomorrow... by leaving immediately after, we should still have time to reach the temple and return in time for the wedding by Martha and Dobbian. What do you say, Aidwyn?"
Aidwyn's eyes sparkle with excitement as she hears Zentromya's news. "The Spires of the Morning in Waterdeep! That sounds amazing! Let's go for it! We can attend the trial and still make it back in time for the wedding. And as a special gift for Martha and Dobbian, I'll craft a personalized set of enchanted wedding rings. They'll love it!"
"Neverwinter Wood! Yes, that isn't even all that far from Longsaddle. I remember reading of a magical tower that one of the Harpell's used to have in the forest, though I'm unclear if it is even still there. But to see the forest might be a wonderful journey. Not to mention Neverwinter itself. My sister Samira is there, studying at some school. I didn't know about the river," Roxana replies. Fully relaxed, she continues thinking. "I recall once reading of the Shining Falls, on the River Delimbiyr. It's a long way from here, past the High Forest. It sounded so magical, falling hundreds of feet down. Now that would be something to see."
She stirs a bit but doesn't move away from Gaer. She looks at him closely. "If we were looking for an adventure, do you think we could travel through the Neverwinter Wood all the way to Neverwinter? I know it's not the easiest path - folks usually take the road through Triboar around the forest. But for just a small group. Perhaps with our fine riding horses, it might work wouldn't it?" She smiles, "It would take a bit of luck to find a job within the forest, but surely a city like Neverwinter would be full of options!" There's an excitement to her voice as she asks her questions.
During the trip Solitude and Aidwyn share Feralof from time to time but they also enjoy the ride on each horse.
She looks around the countryside and sighs.
"You know?" she says "This place is very much as my own home. Mine is up north, closer to Neverwinter, but it is pretty close. Even more with all this snow. Part of my always wanted to travel the world but what really made me move away and left my village was the attack of the goblins. I was so lucky that night... " she stares to the horizon, remembering it "The screams... the smell of the burning houses... of the fresh blood spilled in the mud. They were merciless. One entered our home and I... I ambushed them, hitting in the back of their skull with my father's hoe. Then I heard the screams of the Rootvilles, our neighbors. I grabbed the goblin's curved sword and ran to their house. I was too late. I... I don't remember much, there was blood everywhere and I heard someone yelling while I charged and attacked the two goblins who had slaughtered them. It took me a while to acknowledge that it was me who was yelling... when... when they were dead and I was still hitting them. It was no bravery... you could call it rage but the only feeling I remember was fear. Fear for my family, fear for all... I saw this goblin out of the window. She loked like their leader, was wearing a bear's head and had this weird staff full of marks and runes painted with blood. She was laughing. I jumped out of the window and fell upon her. My idea was to stab her.. to... kill her... I... I was thinking clearly. We rolled down and we fell a small embankment towards the river that crosse the village. That's were I was most lucky. She broke her neck against one rock. I stood and looked up. Other goblins saw it and started screaming. I guess that losing their leader made them lose their temper too and they fled."she keeps quiet for a few seconds. "The survivors called me a hero, but I didn't felt like one. I felt like... a failure. Few weeks later, after talking with my parents, I knew what I had to do, I had to go outside and look for a formal training. I need to know how to protect people so that never happens again... at least not if I am nearby... I hope they allow me in this Temple and that Lathander could give me the strength to do it... "
“I really like what you're proposing, Roxana!” the excitement in Gaer's voice matches that in the voice of the girl from Longsaddle "Nature... even more so if wild and uncontaminated... has always exercised such a great fascination on me! Do you think that Quspira often reproached me for the fact that I seemed to show more empathy towards animals than towards people... Although perhaps," he smiles at her "the point was that I didn't have the right person in front of me".
“Neverwinter Wood, from what you tell me, is a wonderful idea!” the tiefling is so excited at the prospect, it wouldn't be too surprising to see him leave at that very moment. "It seems like we have a certain affinity for finding abandoned Harpell complexes," he winks "so, if that magical tower exists, maybe we would have a better chance than others of finding it. And visiting it should be both interesting and profitable. But even if we didn't find it, the journey into that wild and mysterious forest would still be magnificent. Above all" he looks into her eyes, admiring "with you!"
"I could sense that you were a very special person..." Gaer lowers his voice a little further, maintaining a calm and deep tone... it's as if he was caressing Roxana with that too "No one had ever suggested a project so suitable for me, for what I like, for what I feel... And also the way you talk about the Shining Falls, on the River Delimbiyr! It's clear that nature has its charm for you too! I'm starting to realize..." he has come a little closer... he can even just whisper, now, to speak to her "that you have even more in common with me than I thought. And this is in addition to all the remarkable qualities you have... the same qualities that led you to contribute to the miracle of Martha and Dobbian... I love the wonders of nature, Roxana... But you... you too seem a wonder of human nature to me. Do you know that I think I might even fall in love with you, Roxana?"
Aidwyn - the Lathander's Temple
“As I've seen happen often since I've known you,” Solitude sighs “you've been incredibly stupid and incredibly lucky. Indeed, if you began your career by running around opposing goblin raids on your own, perhaps I shouldn't be surprised by your tendency to end up within range of Devils, Demons, or possible magical traps. A failure,” she shakes her head, while there is obvious irony in that voice of hers and in the way those solid-gold eyes look at the young heroine “yeah, sure…”
"I wonder why you don't send Balfby on nocturnal visits to the most troublesome - or nearest - goblin gangs..." the ex-prisoner tiefling muses aloud "It shouldn't take many nights, to eliminate or mitigate the problem of their dangerous presence... What's the problem? That it wouldn't be fair? Or that your sweet little girl's heart even softens for goblins? Mind you, as you've personally experienced, raiding goblins kill... Why then don't you return the favor? Maybe they would stop raiding... either because scared, or because dead!"
“I'm not criticizing you, mind you…” Solitude's voice softens “Actually, you're not stupid - it's just me who's worried. In fact, you're awesome - and probably in this temple we're going to they will realize it even better than me. It's not you who has to learn from me, it's the opposite. But it is precisely to learn, to fully understand what you think and what you feel, that I ask you these questions".
(OOC: Obviously the conversation can continue - in the meantime I will continue the narration of the journey)
The first day of the journey ends without events and without difficulties - indeed, every time the wind gets too cold or the threat of snow seems to loom, a shy sun comes out of the clouds for a while and the weather improves.
“I think Lathander approves of your trip!” Zentromya comments on the phenomenon.
On the second day, however, a cold rain mixed with sleet begins to fall around mid-morning and continues to bother you for a long time... so much so that, noticing a group of trees in the nearby forest whose trunks seem to have naturally come closer, during the their growth, to form a natural rudimentary hut, you decide to stop, partly to rest, eat something and dry off, partly to see if the weather improves.
Inside the shelter, however, Aidwyn, removing a stone to throw it out and prevent Solitude from tripping over it, discovers that underneath it there is... a gem-like egg! Similar to a chicken egg, but shiny like a gem and colored with shades of amber and topaz... At the moment, none of the four of you can think of what it could be.
"Good heavens!," Spira exclaims when she sees the egg. "What have you found there, Aidwyn? It's beautiful. But doesn't it just figure we never find an egg until right after we leave Gaer behind?" She chuckles ruefully. "He'd know what kind of creature laid this in a heartbeat ... or if we're being silly and it really is just a round piece of topaz."
===========================
Nature 10
Arcana 17
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
Roxana nods as Gaer talks. "Well of course! Sometimes animals are far better company than people!" She laughs slightly, seeming to deflect the focus from herself. As Gaer seems to agree with her thoughts for a journey through the Neverwinter Wood, she's practically beaming. Shifting slightly, she looks at Gaer straight on, leaning in to give him a quick peck on the cheek. "As soon as Martha and Dobbian's wedding is done we should go!"she says enthusiastically.
As Gaer continues his caresses, Roxana seems to melt against him, clearly enjoying his touch. She feels herself enthralled by his voice and the lovely words he describes her with. "Ah Gaer, you are too kind to me. But we do seem to have rather similar thoughts." But then he says he might fall in love with her. The comment causes her to stiffen ever so slightly, though she doesn't move away. 'Was that a question? Does he expect me to answer him? This is so nice, but...'
The pause is longer than perhaps expected. She replies with a joking quip. "You might be? Oh my, is the condition contagious?" It was perhaps meant to be teasing, but it comes off as a tiny bit forced.
“As I've seen happen often since I've known you,” Solitude sighs “you've been incredibly stupid and incredibly lucky. Indeed, if you began your career by running around opposing goblin raids on your own, perhaps I shouldn't be surprised by your tendency to end up within range of Devils, Demons, or possible magical traps. A failure,” she shakes her head, while there is obvious irony in that voice of hers and in the way those solid-gold eyes look at the young heroine “yeah, sure…”
Aidwyn blushes "It was... weird. I mean heroes doesn't hesitate or have fear while fighting demons and dragons and horrible monsters... right? And I was scared to death " she chuckles "Still... it felt like the right thing to do. And about that demons we faced... well... we couldn't let them free to terrorize the village, right?"
"I wonder why you don't send Balfby on nocturnal visits to the most troublesome - or nearest - goblin gangs..." the ex-prisoner tiefling muses aloud "It shouldn't take many nights, to eliminate or mitigate the problem of their dangerous presence... What's the problem? That it wouldn't be fair? Or that your sweet little girl's heart even softens for goblins? Mind you, as you've personally experienced, raiding goblins kill... Why then don't you return the favor? Maybe they would stop raiding... either because scared, or because dead!"
"Well... in fact... I do think that she found them and hunted some of them... she told something in that line but I didn't wanted to pry much and.. in fact... " she lower her shoulders " In fact I was avoiding to think about it. Believe me... I... I thought about it. Part of me... think that the world would be a better place without that horrible creatures... I had to hold my own hand when we found that goblin outside the ruins you were... don't even cared to learn his name... but, but deep inside me I feel that it is not right. They are... what they are, evil, devious creatures than only know how to kill and plunder and destroy. But what if we let our actions being led by vengeance? what would be the cost to our hearts? to our souls? If we ride into their dens with steel and fire, killing their families, their children... what would difference us from them? Woudln't we turned into the very same thing we were trying to fight? My grandmother used to say that you do not do to others what you don't want to be done to you..." she kees quiet for a moment "And Balfby I do not know what to do with her. She sees the world in a particular way... as hunters and prey... what happens when there's no suitable prey around? I hope she decide to go back to the Feywild then...We will see... "
“I'm not criticizing you, mind you…” Solitude's voice softens “Actually, you're not stupid - it's just me who's worried. In fact, you're awesome - and probably in this temple we're going to they will realize it even better than me. It's not you who has to learn from me, it's the opposite. But it is precisely to learn, to fully understand what you think and what you feel, that I ask you these questions".
Aidwyn puts a hand over Solitudes.
"I am sorry I worry you... I didn't meant to. As you say I have a lot to learn, either under the guidance of Lathander or by myself... But please, I do love your questions. And I do not mind if you call me stupid if I do stupid things " she giggles.
(OOC: Obviously the conversation can continue - in the meantime I will continue the narration of the journey)
The first day of the journey ends without events and without difficulties - indeed, every time the wind gets too cold or the threat of snow seems to loom, a shy sun comes out of the clouds for a while and the weather improves.
“I think Lathander approves of your trip!” Zentromya comments on the phenomenon.
On the second day, however, a cold rain mixed with sleet begins to fall around mid-morning and continues to bother you for a long time... so much so that, noticing a group of trees in the nearby forest whose trunks seem to have naturally come closer, during the their growth, to form a natural rudimentary hut, you decide to stop, partly to rest, eat something and dry off, partly to see if the weather improves.
Once they are under the cover of the trees Aidwyn says to Zentromya while whipping her cloak of rain
"Well, it seems that today Lathander may have second thoughts" her tone and smile states that she is trying to make a joke and lift their spirits a little bit.
Inside the shelter, however, Aidwyn, removing a stone to throw it out and prevent Solitude from tripping over it, discovers that underneath it there is... a gem-like egg! Similar to a chicken egg, but shiny like a gem and colored with shades of amber and topaz... At the moment, none of the four of you can think of what it could be.
"Good heavens!," Spira exclaims when she sees the egg. "What have you found there, Aidwyn? It's beautiful. But doesn't it just figure we never find an egg until right after we leave Gaer behind?" She chuckles ruefully. "He'd know what kind of creature laid this in a heartbeat ... or if we're being silly and it really is just a round piece of topaz."
===========================
Nature 11
Arcana 9
"I... I honestly have no idea but it was under a rock. " She looks up to the canopy of the trees and then around to see if they are in some kind of nest.
"Do you think... do you think that we've entered a nest of some creature? we should leave then..."
Spira turns the egg over in her hands... and even she continues to have no idea who could have laid it (since she has never heard of either Amber Hens or Topaz Roosters) however, her sensitive fingers, the fingers of a healer, of a cleric, of a handmaid of life, tell her that the object is not cold enough to be a gem... there is a faint residual heat inside... she therefore hypothesizes that it is the egg of an unknown creature.
Struck by the same suspicion, Aidwyn begins to look around, looking for traces of a possible nest... and, from some details, like the grass more flattened in some places than in others and like some small branches, which should have protruded from the interior, which were broken, he suspects that this may have been the nest of a creature. However, the signs are a few days old... so either the creature has abandoned the nest, or it only goes there sporadically.
Solitude is starting to worry when she sees the two traveling companions investigating... but then Zentromya comments: "And yet there is a sense of peace here..."
And, in fact, now that you have spent some time there and that the celestial points it out to you, you too feel unmotivatedly calm, irrationally safe... as if some sort of 'lingering goodness' remained in this place.
Roxana & Gaer:
"Contagious?" Gaer smiles "I personally, I really hope so..." then he looks at her more carefully "Did I say something wrong?" he doesn't lose his calm tone, even if he has evidently caught something... different in the attitude of the girl from Longsaddle "I did not mean to. Am I... rushing too much? I know we haven't known each other for a few days, but... what can I say? Many times, when life was hard, Quspira and I were trying to make a living in a world where tieflings are still often called 'devilspawn', and I felt anger, frustration, the desire to rebel and to simply take with strength what fate and discrimination denied us... to control myself, I left civilization behind and surrounded myself with nature alone. You know, nature doesn't call you 'devilspawn'... Its berries are there for you , as they would be for a man, a dwarf, an elf, a deer... It's difficult to get angry with the chirping of birds, with the whispering of streams, with the glimpse of life in spring, with the autumn leaves that swirl around you around in a colored rain..."
"It's the same with you" his eyes, those pools of darkness, seem to harbor so much heat inside them... "When I'm with you... How can I explain it to you? I feel good... they might even have just shot me an arrow in the shoulder and I'd probably still smile. So yes, of course I could fall in love with you..."
"Or maybe..." Roxana didn't move away... Nor Gaer did. So the two are still very close... and the tiefling is continuing to cuddle her, as if she could go on forever... his lips seek hers "Maybe it's happened already. I so really hope it is contagious..."
The trial of the Zhentarim:
The trial is held in the public square and, despite the few slowly falling snowflakes, most of the citizens of Longsaddle seem to have decided to participate! After all, in the harsh daily life of common folk, made up of hard work to earn a living, in extraordinary events it inevitably brings a bit of relief and distraction - although perhaps not for the two Zhentarim.
Four Sharnshield squires, two per prisoner, hold the defendants firmly and make them stand, without too much ceremony, in front of the elderly woman, with short gray hair, sitting on a kind of specially brought throne, who will judge their misdeeds... and the hard gaze of his icy eyes leads one to think that he will do it without letting herself be too moved.
"Maureen Sharnshield will not be kind..." there are murmurs among the crowd, as all interested and curious gather. "She doesn't like slavers." "Furthermore, it appears that those criminals risked compromising the happiness of a member of the Sharnshield family!" "The heroes! if the heroes hadn't been there to capture them..."
Yes, the heroes... Four of them are far away... but the others? Are they here to attend?
Rash will attend the trial (as long as Blinn doesn't need him too badly that particular day), mostly to discuss the sentencing options with the judge once a verdict has been rendered.
"Anita... I think it might be best for you to sit this one out," he tells his beloved. "You got your pardon and you gave your statement to the court... I don't think we need to risk making a scene if those two decide to try to take you down with them by pointing your former allegiance out to the crowd."
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Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
When Gaer asks if he'd said something wrong, Roxana barely whispers out her answer. "No... I..."
She listens to the rest of what he says, unable to not smile at the words. As his lips seek hers they find them. Roxana wraps an arm around him, pulling him close. Her only answer to his him is a mumbled, "Mhm."
By the time you've finished resting and drying off a bit, the precipitation has eased and it seems like a good time to resume your journey. Does anyone intend to take the egg with them? Or do something about it? Or do something else in the shelter before leaving again, for that matter?
Roxana & Gaer:
[[ OOC: @Culuril: The 'Mhm' post seems to me to be excellent for closing the scene in an allusive but at the same time discreet way; but I'm at your disposal if you prefer otherwise - by now you should have noticed that it doesn't take much to convince me to role-play something. If you like to continue playing in detail that night, just tell me and I'll continue narrating it. ]]
The trial of the Zhentarim:
"Yes, Rash..." Anita agrees "You're right. I'll wait at the Sharnshield Mansion".
So Rash arrives alone... and finds himself placed next to Roxana and Gaer who, close and completely at ease next to each other, show an understanding not unlike that perceivable between the half-orc wizard and the ex-Zhentarim.
Shortly afterwards, a page with a long trumpet emits a long and sharp note which reduces everyone to silence (perhaps also out of fear that he will feel obliged to repeat it) and which signals the beginning of the trial.
The solemn elderly woman by the name of Maureen Sharnshield (as you learned from those present and as Roxana already knew about her) stops for a moment to stare with her icy gaze at the two Zhentarim and quickly scrolls through some parchments that are brought to her.
"Kenzo and Kunnari" she addresses them in a cold and detached tone. "You have been summoned to my presence to answer serious charges".
"Does the fact that we responded to the summons count as mitigating circumstances?" Kenzo tries to be witty.
In response, the squire on his left elbows him in the ribs, but Maureen, who has stopped talking and considering the two and is picking up one of the parchments she has just read, waves her hand and says: "Let him speak... The accused has the right to speak" she is meanwhile starting to write an addition on the parchment. "And stupidity is not a crime..." having finished writing, she puts the parchment away again "...But insolence before the court, yes. I have just added the new charge to those contested to Kenzo here".
"And who judges when it is insolence and when it is not?" Kenzo asks, provocatively, even though his face is still contorted from the pain of the recent elbow.
"The judge, obviously" Maureen takes the parchment back in her hand, unperturbed. "That is me. And recidivism is an aggravating circumstance" she adds a further note to the document. "Does the accused have anything else to say, or can I proceed to list the charges?"
This time the accused, probably believing he has already sufficiently demonstrated his contempt (or his stupidity), remains silent, so the judge continues: "You are both accused of having taken part in activities on behalf of the Zhentarim within the territory of Longsaddle, of illegal occupation of other people's property, of smuggling, of theft, of robbery, of assault, of slavery, of murder, of resisting arrest by personnel acting on behalf of and on behalf of the Sharnshield family (therefore in name of the law), of cruelty towards animals, of disturbing the peace..."
“What do animals have to do with anything?” Kenzo is indignant "And when would we have been able to disturb the public peace, if our base was in the hills, far from everything and everyone?!"
"Within the jurisdiction of Longsaddle," explains Maureen, "given the great importance of livestock and farming to the city's economy, unjustified animal abuse is prohibited".
"And what animals would we have mistreated!?" insists Kenzo.
"A wolf" the judge consults her notes.
"A wolf is not livestock!" Kenzo protests
"But the legislator, either out of a desire for generality or mere oversight," sighs Maureen "wrote 'animals' in the text of the law, not 'livestock'. Therefore, I have decided that you are also guilty of this crime".
"But not disturbing the peace!" Kenzo tries to win at least on one point.
"Once we arrived in the city," the judge was unperturbed, "in the cell, you repeatedly made annoying screams".
"But... what are you referring to!?" Kenzo feels like his eyes are about to pop out of their sockets. "When did we scream in pain from the beatings?!"
"Interrogations, accused" Maureen corrects the other. "Those were regular interrogations - during which the use of coercion is lawful, in the most serious cases".
"This is all a farce..." Kenzo mutters, before resigning himself to silence again "You have already condemned us".
Maureen retrieves her faithful parchment and writes...
“Hey, what did I do this time?” Kenzo seems genuinely surprised.
"Slander, accused" the judge ruled. "I have not already condemned you. I will do so after I have finished reading the charges to you".
And so it is that, when Maureen finally manages to finish listing all the infractions of the two unfortunate Zhentarim, the snow, which falls sparsely, was able to accumulate, partly on the heads of the two accused - and Kenzo was able to earn several more charges than Kunnari, who instead did not say a word, resigned, apparently crushed by the quantity of charges against him - in the end even in tears.
"The punishment is death" the judge then announces.
"We can't even defend ourselves?!" Kenzo protests.
"We have testimony and evidence for each of the charges against you" Maureen stares at the other with an icy gaze "and it's starting to get cold out here. If you think you can say something to exonerate yourself, do it quickly. I'm curious to hear from you".
Kenzo, in the absence of useful arguments, becomes furious, protests, and insults, while Kunnari continues to remain with his head bowed, apparently destroyed, tears continuing to flow copiously down his cheeks. The heroes are in a privileged enough position to hear him murmur: "Anita... Anita was right".
"No valid argument in your defense. You have no idea how much this surprises me" Maureen allows herself to be ironic. “So, you are condemned to death”.
"Unless..." the judge's eyes scan the crowd "I knew of two alternative options... Lady Aidwyn? Sir Rash? Are you here? Would you like to join me and explain to the condemned the alternative sentences you proposed?"
Roxana & Gaer:
While the girl from Longsaddle abandons herself to his caresses, Gaer speaks to her in a low and calm voice: "Oh, yes, I understand you... Quspira and I have always had to get by without a real family behind us, supporting us with each other. It's nice that you want to be there for your loved ones".
"I could tell you that Olivia and Quinn will grow up - probably quicker than you think" he sighs. "I could tell you that between one adventure and another you could always find time to pop over to the farm to see how things are going - and you've seen how much more profitable this life is... leaving them even just a small part of it what you earn, you would probably contribute more to the family economy than you could ever hope to do with a more ordinary job. I could... but it would seem that I wanted to influence you to convince you to come away with me! And I would like..." the eyes of the starless night are looking into hers "I would really like you to come... I can't remember the last thing I would have liked so much..." ('Unless, maybe Adresti? No, no way! That cheating b... bad girl can not even compare. Not even close. Now I can see it. This... this is something so different...') "But I also want you to be convinced".
"In a few years, after having experienced all sorts of things, after having saved each other's lives, after having resolved desperate situations, visited places that most people didn't even suspect existed, eliminated dangers that would otherwise have sown desolation, oppression, blood oh death... looking into your eyes, I will see the fun of adventure, the pleasure of what we have shared and the pride in yourself... not the regret of something left behind, sweet girl of mine" he has not stopped caressing her yet... "I'm sure you'll find the best decision. You're good at this, Roxana, better than me. And remembering this, I will accept your decision, whatever it will be".
Aidwyn - the Lathander's Temple
(OOC: Just waiting to see if Aidwyn accepts Spira's company - I'll assume she does, if no reply, then the 'gang of four' will be on its way!)
"Oh that would be even better Zentromya!" replies Aidwyn to the celestial creature "That would save us a lot of time! Teleportation you say? how does work? Never heard of it before..."
While the little elephant tells the rustic girl about that complicated magic Spira came and asked if she could go with them.
"But of course!! It would be my pleasure if you come with us! Is that ok for that teleportation of yours Zentromya?" Aidwyn asks. Then she aks to Spira. "I was thinking on riding with Solitude but perhaps is better if she has her own horse...even if we ride on the same one for a little bit... " she blushes a little "Do you think they would rent us one to our trip to Waterdeep?"
PbP Character: A few ;)
Aidwyn - the Lathander's Temple
"Teleportation is quite simple to explain: one moment you are here, next moment you are elsewhere" Zentromya smiles. "It's something quite useful, to an Elysium herald like myself! I can do this just once in a day... but it works for me plus many other willing travelers - the return trip will be a matter of just a moment. And yes, I can include Spira too".
Aidwyn - the Lathander's Temple
Balfby, informed of the journey, replies to her mistress: "I couldn't be at your side during the day, mistress... I would be forced to join you at night - but at night you would sleep, rather than hunt with me. I will wait for you among the wild nature of the surrounding hills to Longsaddle, mistress, since you grant me the choice... Also because, the day after tomorrow there is the trial of the two morsels that you handed over to the authorities! And you pointed out to the judges that I could be... 'instrument of the gods'... if they were stupid enough to accept. I want to at least wait for the verdict! If they agreed to try to escape my hunt... I wouldn't want to miss an opportunity like this!" and her mouth is watering at the thought...
When Aidwyn begins to look for a borrowed horse to provide to Solitude, Adran Liadon approaches her, leading a fleet-footed red roan. The elf's eyes go to his gift bracelet, which the young heroine is still wearing. Aidwyn notices that the elf is now wearing a very similar one.
"I have heard of your purpose, Aegiskeryn" he greets the other with a hint of a smile. "If you once brought light to me, helping me understand my mistake, it seems only right that I can now help you reach the light you are looking for, the morning light. Your soulmate can ride Fete, if you wish" and he offers the reins to Aidwyn. "Like all Sharnshield horses, you can completely rely on this mare. She will not get scared, she will not get angry and will do her best to ensure that her rider reaches destination safely".
"Yea, of course Olivia and Quinn will grow up. Very nearly are grown up. And... Ah! I just worry about them." Roxana again gazes at Gaer. "I'd miss them," she says, while it's clear she'd probably miss the Tiefling she's now looking at just as much. Her eyes close and she simply sits there, breathing slowly for a bit.
"How does an 'adventurer find work? Just wait for a Lady Martha to send out the call? Is there a special signal?" she asks with a grin. "I guess I'm asking how we would do it. Is there somewhere we'd travel to?" She relaxes into his caresses, eyes still closed. 'What would a life as an adventurer be like? I'm sure I would quite enjoy spending my days and nights with Gaer.'
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
"That's ok Balfby Take care of yourself while we are away. It shouldn't take long." she replies to the fey hound.
"You honor me again Adran " says Aidwyn accepting the reins " We will take her back safe and sound soon enough. I thank you!"
PbP Character: A few ;)
Aidwyn - the Lathander's Temple
Adran half-smiles: "I am sure, Aegiskeryn. I would never lend one of my horses to a person in whom I did not have complete trust. May you find the light you seek" and he simply goes away.
And so the 'Gang of Four' soon begins their journey on horseback southwards along the Long Road. Over the course of the first few days they should reach Triboar a crossroads town located amidst a number of prominent settlements in the middle of a fertile landscape well-suited for agriculture.
Roxana & Gaer:
"Oh, we usually follow the rumors..." Gaer continues to rock her with a low and calm voice, apparently very satisfied with how the conversation (and complementary activities) is unfolding. "Voices of need, or danger, or strange occurrences... In Martha's case, Quspira and I didn't even know of her needs... we were coming to Longsaddle to see how Dobbian was doing! In this circumstance, the fate helped us find work. At the moment, I haven't heard any rumors of particular problems... to find the next job, we could wait for news for a while... but then we would do well to move, to travel".
"We could just choose a place you've always liked to visit and go there..." the tiefling begins to imagine in his mind, while his fingers continue to run through Roxana's hair, sometimes following the soft path of her cheeks or features "So, for now one place is as good as another. And, while waiting to find a job or, at least, news about a promising destination, we could simply enjoy the visit. On the one hand, usually, the larger cities are those where it is more It's easy to get news of suitable assignments - but on the other hand it's not always like this, in fact this time we found work in Longsaddle, which, despite being an important town - it's no coincidence that it's also part of the Lord's Alliance - is certainly not large".
"Is there someplace nearby that you've always wanted to see but never had the chance?" Gaer is happy to start planning - even if nothing in him for now reveals the slightest trace of haste "The mysterious Neverwinter Wood perhaps? Or the wild village of Griffon's Nest? The rustic town of Triboar? Or maybe the reborn Neverwinter, aka the Jewel of the North? Did you know that the winter there is made milder by a warm river that passes through the city?"
Aidwyn - the Lathander's Temple
A few rolls for the 3 days to Triboar...
7 4 10 19 12 12 15 8
9 5 18 9 5 1 8 17
9 18 17 2 6 5 10 4
...While I decide what happens because of the rolls, you can of course role-play with each other during the trip if you want.
Aidwyn's eyes sparkle with excitement as she hears Zentromya's news. "The Spires of the Morning in Waterdeep! That sounds amazing! Let's go for it! We can attend the trial and still make it back in time for the wedding. And as a special gift for Martha and Dobbian, I'll craft a personalized set of enchanted wedding rings. They'll love it!"
"Neverwinter Wood! Yes, that isn't even all that far from Longsaddle. I remember reading of a magical tower that one of the Harpell's used to have in the forest, though I'm unclear if it is even still there. But to see the forest might be a wonderful journey. Not to mention Neverwinter itself. My sister Samira is there, studying at some school. I didn't know about the river," Roxana replies. Fully relaxed, she continues thinking. "I recall once reading of the Shining Falls, on the River Delimbiyr. It's a long way from here, past the High Forest. It sounded so magical, falling hundreds of feet down. Now that would be something to see."
She stirs a bit but doesn't move away from Gaer. She looks at him closely. "If we were looking for an adventure, do you think we could travel through the Neverwinter Wood all the way to Neverwinter? I know it's not the easiest path - folks usually take the road through Triboar around the forest. But for just a small group. Perhaps with our fine riding horses, it might work wouldn't it?" She smiles, "It would take a bit of luck to find a job within the forest, but surely a city like Neverwinter would be full of options!" There's an excitement to her voice as she asks her questions.
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
During the trip Solitude and Aidwyn share Feralof from time to time but they also enjoy the ride on each horse.
She looks around the countryside and sighs.
"You know?" she says "This place is very much as my own home. Mine is up north, closer to Neverwinter, but it is pretty close. Even more with all this snow. Part of my always wanted to travel the world but what really made me move away and left my village was the attack of the goblins. I was so lucky that night... " she stares to the horizon, remembering it "The screams... the smell of the burning houses... of the fresh blood spilled in the mud. They were merciless. One entered our home and I... I ambushed them, hitting in the back of their skull with my father's hoe. Then I heard the screams of the Rootvilles, our neighbors. I grabbed the goblin's curved sword and ran to their house. I was too late. I... I don't remember much, there was blood everywhere and I heard someone yelling while I charged and attacked the two goblins who had slaughtered them. It took me a while to acknowledge that it was me who was yelling... when... when they were dead and I was still hitting them. It was no bravery... you could call it rage but the only feeling I remember was fear. Fear for my family, fear for all... I saw this goblin out of the window. She loked like their leader, was wearing a bear's head and had this weird staff full of marks and runes painted with blood. She was laughing. I jumped out of the window and fell upon her. My idea was to stab her.. to... kill her... I... I was thinking clearly. We rolled down and we fell a small embankment towards the river that crosse the village. That's were I was most lucky. She broke her neck against one rock. I stood and looked up. Other goblins saw it and started screaming. I guess that losing their leader made them lose their temper too and they fled." she keeps quiet for a few seconds.
"The survivors called me a hero, but I didn't felt like one. I felt like... a failure. Few weeks later, after talking with my parents, I knew what I had to do, I had to go outside and look for a formal training. I need to know how to protect people so that never happens again... at least not if I am nearby... I hope they allow me in this Temple and that Lathander could give me the strength to do it... "
PbP Character: A few ;)
Roxana & Gaer:
“I really like what you're proposing, Roxana!” the excitement in Gaer's voice matches that in the voice of the girl from Longsaddle "Nature... even more so if wild and uncontaminated... has always exercised such a great fascination on me! Do you think that Quspira often reproached me for the fact that I seemed to show more empathy towards animals than towards people... Although perhaps," he smiles at her "the point was that I didn't have the right person in front of me".
“Neverwinter Wood, from what you tell me, is a wonderful idea!” the tiefling is so excited at the prospect, it wouldn't be too surprising to see him leave at that very moment. "It seems like we have a certain affinity for finding abandoned Harpell complexes," he winks "so, if that magical tower exists, maybe we would have a better chance than others of finding it. And visiting it should be both interesting and profitable. But even if we didn't find it, the journey into that wild and mysterious forest would still be magnificent. Above all" he looks into her eyes, admiring "with you!"
"I could sense that you were a very special person..." Gaer lowers his voice a little further, maintaining a calm and deep tone... it's as if he was caressing Roxana with that too "No one had ever suggested a project so suitable for me, for what I like, for what I feel... And also the way you talk about the Shining Falls, on the River Delimbiyr! It's clear that nature has its charm for you too! I'm starting to realize..." he has come a little closer... he can even just whisper, now, to speak to her "that you have even more in common with me than I thought. And this is in addition to all the remarkable qualities you have... the same qualities that led you to contribute to the miracle of Martha and Dobbian... I love the wonders of nature, Roxana... But you... you too seem a wonder of human nature to me. Do you know that I think I might even fall in love with you, Roxana?"
Aidwyn - the Lathander's Temple
“As I've seen happen often since I've known you,” Solitude sighs “you've been incredibly stupid and incredibly lucky. Indeed, if you began your career by running around opposing goblin raids on your own, perhaps I shouldn't be surprised by your tendency to end up within range of Devils, Demons, or possible magical traps. A failure,” she shakes her head, while there is obvious irony in that voice of hers and in the way those solid-gold eyes look at the young heroine “yeah, sure…”
"I wonder why you don't send Balfby on nocturnal visits to the most troublesome - or nearest - goblin gangs..." the ex-prisoner tiefling muses aloud "It shouldn't take many nights, to eliminate or mitigate the problem of their dangerous presence... What's the problem? That it wouldn't be fair? Or that your sweet little girl's heart even softens for goblins? Mind you, as you've personally experienced, raiding goblins kill... Why then don't you return the favor? Maybe they would stop raiding... either because scared, or because dead!"
“I'm not criticizing you, mind you…” Solitude's voice softens “Actually, you're not stupid - it's just me who's worried. In fact, you're awesome - and probably in this temple we're going to they will realize it even better than me. It's not you who has to learn from me, it's the opposite. But it is precisely to learn, to fully understand what you think and what you feel, that I ask you these questions".
(OOC: Obviously the conversation can continue - in the meantime I will continue the narration of the journey)
The first day of the journey ends without events and without difficulties - indeed, every time the wind gets too cold or the threat of snow seems to loom, a shy sun comes out of the clouds for a while and the weather improves.
“I think Lathander approves of your trip!” Zentromya comments on the phenomenon.
On the second day, however, a cold rain mixed with sleet begins to fall around mid-morning and continues to bother you for a long time... so much so that, noticing a group of trees in the nearby forest whose trunks seem to have naturally come closer, during the their growth, to form a natural rudimentary hut, you decide to stop, partly to rest, eat something and dry off, partly to see if the weather improves.
Inside the shelter, however, Aidwyn, removing a stone to throw it out and prevent Solitude from tripping over it, discovers that underneath it there is... a gem-like egg! Similar to a chicken egg, but shiny like a gem and colored with shades of amber and topaz... At the moment, none of the four of you can think of what it could be.
"Good heavens!," Spira exclaims when she sees the egg. "What have you found there, Aidwyn? It's beautiful. But doesn't it just figure we never find an egg until right after we leave Gaer behind?" She chuckles ruefully. "He'd know what kind of creature laid this in a heartbeat ... or if we're being silly and it really is just a round piece of topaz."
===========================
Nature 10
Arcana 17
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
Roxana nods as Gaer talks. "Well of course! Sometimes animals are far better company than people!" She laughs slightly, seeming to deflect the focus from herself. As Gaer seems to agree with her thoughts for a journey through the Neverwinter Wood, she's practically beaming. Shifting slightly, she looks at Gaer straight on, leaning in to give him a quick peck on the cheek. "As soon as Martha and Dobbian's wedding is done we should go!" she says enthusiastically.
As Gaer continues his caresses, Roxana seems to melt against him, clearly enjoying his touch. She feels herself enthralled by his voice and the lovely words he describes her with. "Ah Gaer, you are too kind to me. But we do seem to have rather similar thoughts." But then he says he might fall in love with her. The comment causes her to stiffen ever so slightly, though she doesn't move away. 'Was that a question? Does he expect me to answer him? This is so nice, but...'
The pause is longer than perhaps expected. She replies with a joking quip. "You might be? Oh my, is the condition contagious?" It was perhaps meant to be teasing, but it comes off as a tiny bit forced.
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
Aidwyn blushes "It was... weird. I mean heroes doesn't hesitate or have fear while fighting demons and dragons and horrible monsters... right? And I was scared to death " she chuckles "Still... it felt like the right thing to do. And about that demons we faced... well... we couldn't let them free to terrorize the village, right?"
"Well... in fact... I do think that she found them and hunted some of them... she told something in that line but I didn't wanted to pry much and.. in fact... " she lower her shoulders " In fact I was avoiding to think about it. Believe me... I... I thought about it. Part of me... think that the world would be a better place without that horrible creatures... I had to hold my own hand when we found that goblin outside the ruins you were... don't even cared to learn his name... but, but deep inside me I feel that it is not right. They are... what they are, evil, devious creatures than only know how to kill and plunder and destroy. But what if we let our actions being led by vengeance? what would be the cost to our hearts? to our souls? If we ride into their dens with steel and fire, killing their families, their children... what would difference us from them? Woudln't we turned into the very same thing we were trying to fight? My grandmother used to say that you do not do to others what you don't want to be done to you..." she kees quiet for a moment "And Balfby I do not know what to do with her. She sees the world in a particular way... as hunters and prey... what happens when there's no suitable prey around? I hope she decide to go back to the Feywild then...We will see... "
Aidwyn puts a hand over Solitudes.
"I am sorry I worry you... I didn't meant to. As you say I have a lot to learn, either under the guidance of Lathander or by myself... But please, I do love your questions. And I do not mind if you call me stupid if I do stupid things " she giggles.
Once they are under the cover of the trees Aidwyn says to Zentromya while whipping her cloak of rain
"Well, it seems that today Lathander may have second thoughts" her tone and smile states that she is trying to make a joke and lift their spirits a little bit.
Inside the shelter, however, Aidwyn, removing a stone to throw it out and prevent Solitude from tripping over it, discovers that underneath it there is... a gem-like egg! Similar to a chicken egg, but shiny like a gem and colored with shades of amber and topaz... At the moment, none of the four of you can think of what it could be.
"I... I honestly have no idea but it was under a rock. "
She looks up to the canopy of the trees and then around to see if they are in some kind of nest.
"Do you think... do you think that we've entered a nest of some creature? we should leave then..."
Perception or Survival (same mod): 17
PbP Character: A few ;)
Aidwyn - the Lathander's Temple:
Spira turns the egg over in her hands... and even she continues to have no idea who could have laid it (since she has never heard of either Amber Hens or Topaz Roosters) however, her sensitive fingers, the fingers of a healer, of a cleric, of a handmaid of life, tell her that the object is not cold enough to be a gem... there is a faint residual heat inside... she therefore hypothesizes that it is the egg of an unknown creature.
Struck by the same suspicion, Aidwyn begins to look around, looking for traces of a possible nest... and, from some details, like the grass more flattened in some places than in others and like some small branches, which should have protruded from the interior, which were broken, he suspects that this may have been the nest of a creature. However, the signs are a few days old... so either the creature has abandoned the nest, or it only goes there sporadically.
Solitude is starting to worry when she sees the two traveling companions investigating... but then Zentromya comments: "And yet there is a sense of peace here..."
And, in fact, now that you have spent some time there and that the celestial points it out to you, you too feel unmotivatedly calm, irrationally safe... as if some sort of 'lingering goodness' remained in this place.
Roxana & Gaer:
"Contagious?" Gaer smiles "I personally, I really hope so..." then he looks at her more carefully "Did I say something wrong?" he doesn't lose his calm tone, even if he has evidently caught something... different in the attitude of the girl from Longsaddle "I did not mean to. Am I... rushing too much? I know we haven't known each other for a few days, but... what can I say? Many times, when life was hard, Quspira and I were trying to make a living in a world where tieflings are still often called 'devilspawn', and I felt anger, frustration, the desire to rebel and to simply take with strength what fate and discrimination denied us... to control myself, I left civilization behind and surrounded myself with nature alone. You know, nature doesn't call you 'devilspawn'... Its berries are there for you , as they would be for a man, a dwarf, an elf, a deer... It's difficult to get angry with the chirping of birds, with the whispering of streams, with the glimpse of life in spring, with the autumn leaves that swirl around you around in a colored rain..."
"It's the same with you" his eyes, those pools of darkness, seem to harbor so much heat inside them... "When I'm with you... How can I explain it to you? I feel good... they might even have just shot me an arrow in the shoulder and I'd probably still smile. So yes, of course I could fall in love with you..."
"Or maybe..." Roxana didn't move away... Nor Gaer did. So the two are still very close... and the tiefling is continuing to cuddle her, as if she could go on forever... his lips seek hers "Maybe it's happened already. I so really hope it is contagious..."
The trial of the Zhentarim:
The trial is held in the public square and, despite the few slowly falling snowflakes, most of the citizens of Longsaddle seem to have decided to participate! After all, in the harsh daily life of common folk, made up of hard work to earn a living, in extraordinary events it inevitably brings a bit of relief and distraction - although perhaps not for the two Zhentarim.
Four Sharnshield squires, two per prisoner, hold the defendants firmly and make them stand, without too much ceremony, in front of the elderly woman, with short gray hair, sitting on a kind of specially brought throne, who will judge their misdeeds... and the hard gaze of his icy eyes leads one to think that he will do it without letting herself be too moved.
"Maureen Sharnshield will not be kind..." there are murmurs among the crowd, as all interested and curious gather.
"She doesn't like slavers."
"Furthermore, it appears that those criminals risked compromising the happiness of a member of the Sharnshield family!"
"The heroes! if the heroes hadn't been there to capture them..."
Yes, the heroes... Four of them are far away... but the others? Are they here to attend?
Rash will attend the trial (as long as Blinn doesn't need him too badly that particular day), mostly to discuss the sentencing options with the judge once a verdict has been rendered.
"Anita... I think it might be best for you to sit this one out," he tells his beloved. "You got your pardon and you gave your statement to the court... I don't think we need to risk making a scene if those two decide to try to take you down with them by pointing your former allegiance out to the crowd."
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
When Gaer asks if he'd said something wrong, Roxana barely whispers out her answer. "No... I..."
She listens to the rest of what he says, unable to not smile at the words. As his lips seek hers they find them. Roxana wraps an arm around him, pulling him close. Her only answer to his him is a mumbled, "Mhm."
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
Not really having other things to attend to, Roxana attend the trial, wanting Gaer to be there alongside her.
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
Aidwyn - the Lathander's Temple:
By the time you've finished resting and drying off a bit, the precipitation has eased and it seems like a good time to resume your journey. Does anyone intend to take the egg with them? Or do something about it? Or do something else in the shelter before leaving again, for that matter?
Roxana & Gaer:
[[ OOC: @Culuril: The 'Mhm' post seems to me to be excellent for closing the scene in an allusive but at the same time discreet way; but I'm at your disposal if you prefer otherwise - by now you should have noticed that it doesn't take much to convince me to role-play something. If you like to continue playing in detail that night, just tell me and I'll continue narrating it. ]]
The trial of the Zhentarim:
"Yes, Rash..." Anita agrees "You're right. I'll wait at the Sharnshield Mansion".
So Rash arrives alone... and finds himself placed next to Roxana and Gaer who, close and completely at ease next to each other, show an understanding not unlike that perceivable between the half-orc wizard and the ex-Zhentarim.
Shortly afterwards, a page with a long trumpet emits a long and sharp note which reduces everyone to silence (perhaps also out of fear that he will feel obliged to repeat it) and which signals the beginning of the trial.
The solemn elderly woman by the name of Maureen Sharnshield (as you learned from those present and as Roxana already knew about her) stops for a moment to stare with her icy gaze at the two Zhentarim and quickly scrolls through some parchments that are brought to her.
"Kenzo and Kunnari" she addresses them in a cold and detached tone. "You have been summoned to my presence to answer serious charges".
"Does the fact that we responded to the summons count as mitigating circumstances?" Kenzo tries to be witty.
In response, the squire on his left elbows him in the ribs, but Maureen, who has stopped talking and considering the two and is picking up one of the parchments she has just read, waves her hand and says: "Let him speak... The accused has the right to speak" she is meanwhile starting to write an addition on the parchment. "And stupidity is not a crime..." having finished writing, she puts the parchment away again "...But insolence before the court, yes. I have just added the new charge to those contested to Kenzo here".
"And who judges when it is insolence and when it is not?" Kenzo asks, provocatively, even though his face is still contorted from the pain of the recent elbow.
"The judge, obviously" Maureen takes the parchment back in her hand, unperturbed. "That is me. And recidivism is an aggravating circumstance" she adds a further note to the document. "Does the accused have anything else to say, or can I proceed to list the charges?"
This time the accused, probably believing he has already sufficiently demonstrated his contempt (or his stupidity), remains silent, so the judge continues: "You are both accused of having taken part in activities on behalf of the Zhentarim within the territory of Longsaddle, of illegal occupation of other people's property, of smuggling, of theft, of robbery, of assault, of slavery, of murder, of resisting arrest by personnel acting on behalf of and on behalf of the Sharnshield family (therefore in name of the law), of cruelty towards animals, of disturbing the peace..."
“What do animals have to do with anything?” Kenzo is indignant "And when would we have been able to disturb the public peace, if our base was in the hills, far from everything and everyone?!"
"Within the jurisdiction of Longsaddle," explains Maureen, "given the great importance of livestock and farming to the city's economy, unjustified animal abuse is prohibited".
"And what animals would we have mistreated!?" insists Kenzo.
"A wolf" the judge consults her notes.
"A wolf is not livestock!" Kenzo protests
"But the legislator, either out of a desire for generality or mere oversight," sighs Maureen "wrote 'animals' in the text of the law, not 'livestock'. Therefore, I have decided that you are also guilty of this crime".
"But not disturbing the peace!" Kenzo tries to win at least on one point.
"Once we arrived in the city," the judge was unperturbed, "in the cell, you repeatedly made annoying screams".
"But... what are you referring to!?" Kenzo feels like his eyes are about to pop out of their sockets. "When did we scream in pain from the beatings?!"
"Interrogations, accused" Maureen corrects the other. "Those were regular interrogations - during which the use of coercion is lawful, in the most serious cases".
"This is all a farce..." Kenzo mutters, before resigning himself to silence again "You have already condemned us".
Maureen retrieves her faithful parchment and writes...
“Hey, what did I do this time?” Kenzo seems genuinely surprised.
"Slander, accused" the judge ruled. "I have not already condemned you. I will do so after I have finished reading the charges to you".
And so it is that, when Maureen finally manages to finish listing all the infractions of the two unfortunate Zhentarim, the snow, which falls sparsely, was able to accumulate, partly on the heads of the two accused - and Kenzo was able to earn several more charges than Kunnari, who instead did not say a word, resigned, apparently crushed by the quantity of charges against him - in the end even in tears.
"The punishment is death" the judge then announces.
"We can't even defend ourselves?!" Kenzo protests.
"We have testimony and evidence for each of the charges against you" Maureen stares at the other with an icy gaze "and it's starting to get cold out here. If you think you can say something to exonerate yourself, do it quickly. I'm curious to hear from you".
Kenzo, in the absence of useful arguments, becomes furious, protests, and insults, while Kunnari continues to remain with his head bowed, apparently destroyed, tears continuing to flow copiously down his cheeks. The heroes are in a privileged enough position to hear him murmur: "Anita... Anita was right".
"No valid argument in your defense. You have no idea how much this surprises me" Maureen allows herself to be ironic. “So, you are condemned to death”.
"Unless..." the judge's eyes scan the crowd "I knew of two alternative options... Lady Aidwyn? Sir Rash? Are you here? Would you like to join me and explain to the condemned the alternative sentences you proposed?"