"Oh, so you're a priestess!" Lymmura is interested "Who is this tolerant goddess to whom you have consecrated yourself? Perhaps she is already venerated in the shrine... and if she is not, you could add her symbol to those already present, for the benefit of her next faithful who come here ... if you like, of course. I really like tolerance and inclusion too!"
In the meantime you have entered the town center and almost everyone you meet greets the priestess of Sune with a broad smile. Most also nod their heads at Imdarr, but it is clear that Lymmura seems particularly well-liked.
“Tolerance and inclusion are also highly valued in Elysium!” exclaims Zentromya enthusiastically, in the minds of all of you - startling the two priests who do not know her and therefore were not expecting trelepathic communications "From what many of the heroes who live there have told me about their eternal life, solidarity and cooperation have always played an important role in their feats... So, why shouldn't the gods cooperate too? I'm sure Lathander blesses this initiative".
Imdarr and Lymmura look at you one by one in amazement, then their eyes stop on the most exotic creature of the group... the winged gold-furred miniature she-elephant...
"Yes, I was the one who spoke with telepathy!" the little creature confirms, correctly interpreting their perplexity "Sorry, I hadn't introduced myself yet; Zentromya, ambassador of Elysium, at your service!"
As you continue your walk towards the shrine, Imdarr looks Spira in the eye and declares: "You realize, I hope, that I will not let you leave before I hear you tell in detail the story of how you brought love and joy back to where before there was only sorrow and death and how you associated yourself with an ambassador of this kind... right?"
"We heard sounds of trouble but never get to find them so we decided to continue our travel "replies Aidwyn to Imdarr "And I agree with you, news are important to everyone"she smiles and nods to the man.
"Thank you Lymurra"replies to the priestess when she offers tp lead them. She keeps quiet when Spira introduces herself and walks grabbing Solitude's hand.
" Zentroymia is a wonderful being, we were lucky to find her. " assures Aidwyn when they finally met the celestial being. "In fact, she has been too kind to come along with me in this journey to Waterdeep. You see, I pretend to enter Lathander's service, and she has been teaching me about Him during the journey. I guess that I can start praying to Him in your shrine before going to the inn and get some rest... if that's ok" she aks both clerics.
"It must have been our archers confronting the orc raiders!" the man is pleased "I would have liked it if you could have brought us news of the outcome, but I am convinced that they will have been able to make Tempus proud of their deeds".
"Lathander is just one of the many deities venerated in the Allfaiths Shrine!" Lymmura exclaims, excited, later, as the morning god is mentioned "You certainly won't be the first of his followers to pray to him there!"
While you reach the place, the increasingly intrigued Imdarr continues to ask about Spira's deeds and your meeting with Zentromya and the celestial willingly answers him, summarizing Lady Martha's initial predicament, your intervention and her subsequent liberation.
"So you are the heroes of Longsaddle!" the priest of Tempus seems decidedly impressed "I had heard vague rumors about your feats, but I was far from knowing the details. It's an honor to meet you - as it will be to pray with you".
"And offer you hospitality..." adds Lymmura, with a smile "The shrine includes two humble rooms to house any passing priests... but sacred heroes like you are certainly equally welcome, if you like".
Meanwhile, you have arrived at the Shrine, which from the outside resembles a grand stone mansion. Its entrance consists of two wide wooden doors, each painted with the holy symbols of numerous gods. Lathander is one of those. The interior is rather plain and had a simple stone altar... with the two already mentioned rooms for visiting priests in the back.
Soon you immerse yourself in prayer, supporting each other's intentions. Once you have finished, you feel your soul actually pervaded by the sacredness of the place.
"You are too kind... and we weren't alone there was more friends with us, helping with resolving Lady's Martha predicament" says Aidwyn, blushing when they mention their deeds.
"Once again " she replies to Lymurra "you are too kind, it would be our honor to spend the night here, right Spira? "
Telepathycally she ask Zentromya "Would you ask Spira if she wants to show the egg to these clerics? Maybe they know what it is..."
“So, yet another demonstration of the importance of cooperation!” Lymmura playfully raises an eyebrow when Aidwyn mentions the other friends who contributed to the success.
Zentromya, in response to the shield maiden's invitation, responds to her and Spira: "Yes, they seem like good people... We shouldn't have anything to lose by showing them the egg. The worst that can happen is that they don't know anything either".
If in the meantime the Sergeant of Arvandor has revealed that she venerates Angharradh, since the symbol of this goddess is not yet present in the Shrine, Imdarr reminds her: "I see that your divinity, which was generous enough to send you in your time of need , is not yet duly represented here... As Lymmura offered you before, if you wish we can have her symbol added to the door and inside... if you leave me an accurate drawing and 50gp for the expenses, I could have the work done while you continue your journey… in a few days, your goddess will also be officially worshiped here, among all the others”.
"I would really appreciate your adding Angharradh's symbol to the shrine. Thank you so much!," Spira replies with a warm smile. She pulls out her necklace with the symbol that her companions have only seen as a depiction of the moon, and begins somehow folding and stretching the silver into an entirely different shape.
T
"This represents Her full union as Triple Goddess.," Spira explains while she is busy tracing the symbol on a sheet of parchment she borrows from Lymurra. "She was born from the union of the three greatest elven goddesses in response to the threat the betrayal of Lolth posed; and since, she has guarded against corruption with the strength that comes from combining unity and diversity. Much like the union of many aspects in your own goddess, Lymurra." She smiles warmly at her fellow priestess before going on. "Some think her only concerned with elves, but she's been quietly reaching out into the world and working with other forces for good. As, again, I'm sure I don't have to tell you. Our goddesses have been known to work quite closely together, after all ... " The warmth of her smile increases a few degrees at this, though that didn't seem possible before.
"Even if that weren't the case, I would add to what Aidwyn just said that it would be not only an honor but a delight to accept your hospitality. And it would give me a chance to ask your advice." She carefully draws the egg out of her pack and gently cradles it in her palm. "We accidentally disturbed a nest on our way here; and we realized the mother might likely abandon the nest so we took the baby with us. But I've not seen an egg like this in my life! I'll have no clue how to care for the chick when it hatches."
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
"Quite closely indeed!" Lymmura laughs at Spira's words "It's only right that they share the Allfaiths Shrine too!"
When the egg is shown, both the Priest of Tempus and the Priestess of Sune examine it with interest for a while...
"Never seen anything like it..." admits Imdarr "It's definitely not a common animal egg".
"But like all eggs," Lymmura reasons "it probably needs heat to hatch... so you're preserving it well, Spira". Then it comes to her mind "But I've heard of some breeders who have hatched eggs by keeping them warm between their breasts... Maybe you could try, for a few days..."
"And as for taking care of the chick when it hatches," the robust cleric of Tempus shrugs "it is likely that from such a special egg will come a special creature... Perhaps it will soon be able to take care of itself".
Soon, people from the village bring food to the shrine for the two usual priests... and, noticing that you are guests, some is brought for you too. These are mostly vegetable soups with the addition of a few pieces of meat, but, at Imdarr's request, a supply of unfamiliar loaves is also brought as provisions for you to continue your journey tomorrow.
"Those are 'Crumblecakes'..." explains the cleric of Tempus "Moist loaves from nuts, chickpea mash, chopped roots and greens, turkey and wildfowl scraps, all baked together. A not too refined local food, but nourishing indeed!"
After dinner, your two hosts are happy to have a chat with you, if you still have something you'd like to talk about... otherwise, after some mutual exchange of news, they retire to their quarters, leaving you the two guest rooms available.
Aidwyn admires the drawing and the explanation of Spira and certainly enjoys the hospitality of the two clerics. She brings out some Longsaddle cheese that she has left from their own provisions to the dinner. She really enjoys hearing from everyone's tales of their own divinities and ask a few questions.
Later, in her shared room with Solitude she remains laying in the bed, staring at the ceiling. Seeing her a little bit concerned, Solitude asks if there is something wrong.
" No no, nothing. But... after the dinner, I do not know if I am being too naive with this journey towards Lathander Temple. I mean... there are so many things I have no idea. I've never studied or have a formal education. Maybe the clerics at the Temple will see that I am only a farm girl with delusions of grandeur... I do not know if I am ready for this..."
Solitude's solid-gold eyes sparkle in the dim starlight filtering through the window, as they fixate on the young heroine.
"Yes, of course, I understand..." the tiefling sighs, then speaking in a clearly ironic tone, as she begins to count on her fingers "You were ready to defend your farm from the invading goblin" and she raises a finger. “You were ready to take down a gang of Zhentarim” and she raises a second finger. “You were ready to save me and take care of me” and she raises a third finger. "You were ready to grant Balfby her freedom, striving to channel her lust for prey towards targets who deserved her attentions" and she raises a fourth finger. "You were ready to free Zentromya and thus ensure that a person who had died unjustly could return to the living - and in fact even here in Red Larch, several days' journey away from Longsaddle, there had been an echo of this deed" and raise a fifth finger. "But you don't know if you are ready to receive the blessing of the church of Lathander! Aidwyn, Aidwyn..." she shakes her head "You do not have the 'delusion of grandeur'; you have grandeur, period".
"You see how Zentromya appreciates you..." Solitude's voice now becomes sweeter and more patient, as she approaches Aidwyn, lies down next to her and gently takes her face in her hands, bringing it so close to her own... "And she is a celestial, someone who perhaps had breakfast together with Lathander in Elysium! Do you think the mortal representatives of the church of Lathander will appreciate you any less? If so... it would certainly be a shame, but not for you; for them".
Aidwyn listen to Solitude and closes her eyes momentarily when she touches her face. She chuckles when Solitude mentions that Zentromya could had have breakfast with a God and finally she kiss the tiefling with delicacy in her lips.
"Thank you"she says "Could you please just hold me tonight?" then she rest her head in Solitude's chest and fall asleep hearing her heart beating and feeling her warmth embrace.
"Rubybreeze is a wonderful name," Roxana says as she admires the hawk. "I do hope this other girl will not keep you away from me though!" she says, with a bit of fake indignation. She doesn't manage to maintain the pretense for long and soon laughs at her jest. "Ruby I am sure will be a very helpful companion."
As Gaer turns the conversation to her family's reaction to meeting him, she nods her head. "Yea, I expected a bit more resistance. Olivia was always going to be thrilled with anything hinting of adventure. She's just upset that she's not coming too. It was odd though with Quinn. He actually told me he thought it was good I was getting out of Longsaddle. Said he felt like the life of a cook in a little tavern didn't suit me any more after that whole Roland business."
She pauses a moment, looking at the deep black pools of Gaer's eyes. Lost for a moment, she almost forgets what she was going to say. But she eventually collects her thoughts. Slowly she says, "I haven't really told you about Roland, have I? I suppose I should."
Gaer was about to size the chance to 'reassure' the oh-so-worried girl from Longsaddle with a deep kiss, but Roxana laughs before he manages to. He then agrees with her last words: "Indeed! It seems I'm incredibly lucky with my 'fellow adventuresses'..."
After dinner, at the mention of the name: "Huh? Roland? No, I guess we did never find the time to speak of this guy. Maybe we had something more pleasant to care about!" he smiles jokingly "But if it is important from me to know," he assures, now more serious "I'm listening... you can tell me anything, you know".
Roxana takes a deep breath. "Lord Roland Frindos," she begins. "He was quite the mysterious figure when he first arrived in Longsaddle. He stayed for some time, and when he did depart, he would return rather promptly. Thus, he became a bit of a regular about town. Though that air of mystery always remained." She stops a moment, glancing to Gaer to make sure she's not boring him.
"It took some time, but I got to know him. He seemed generous, very well-educated, and was quite charming. I was well aware of just how charming he was, but I fell for his words, and his advances. We were close, and I thought we'd eventually be married." As she tells what seems a romantic tale, Roxana seems disturbed, almost angered. "It ended though after just less than a year together. Unexpectedly, on my part at least, the beginning of the end was my being arrested. They had all these documents that seemingly showed I was skimming money from Lord Frindos. Sure, he had spent money on me, but mostly lavish meals. But they said things like the sheep I had got for my parents was using ill-gotten money." She looks intently at Gaer. "I saved for months and months to be able to do that! It was my money! And through it all, they kept pointing to many of my friends from my childhood. Yea, many of them had gotten on the wrong side of the law now and then. But never for anything major. They were generally good-hearted people! But because I knew them they assumed I was guilty!"
She sighs, "I was furious. I did manage to get released until the trial. My friend Solaina came to me with some rumors that maybe Roland was dealing with some shady folks. She and I started... working on it. We might have... managed to find ourselves in places we weren't normally admitted to. Over time we found evidence that Roland was nothing but a charlatan. He had a million schemes, all set to cheat people out of their money. And he'd shamelessly used my name to try to pin it all on me!"
She then smiles slightly. "With all the evidence we recovered. And a few pieces we left and let others discover them after we pointed the way. Everything clearly implicated Lord Frindos and exonerated me. Roland would have duped many of the townsfolk of Longsaddle out of money, so people were quite pleased with what I had done. But... you were the first person I've been close to at all since... all that."
Gaer follows the first part of the narrative with interest, curious as to what the girl from Longsaddle is actually about to confide to him. The interest veers slightly towards concern, upon hearing about Roxana being in love with someone else and even about past dreams of marriage... But finally indignation forcefully undermines every other emotion, when Roland's dishonesty is revealed: "What a b4stard!" the tiefling gnashes his teeth "Taking advantage of a good person like you like this, trampling on your feelings, trying to rob you, ruin you financially and finally even frame you! This guy... I wouldn't have minded at all to see him hunted by Balfby..."
"I've heard a lot of 'wise' people, the kind who are great at giving advice after things have already happened, say 'never put you trust in a con man'(*)..." Gaer is staring with his solid-black eyes Roxana's blue ones, while the tiefling tail wags nervously behind him "But I believe that only the coldest and most insensitive people manage to never trust anyone. It's not the person who can be induced to trust someone every now and then who is wrong. The person who is wrong is the one who takes advantage of the trust of others. You... you were yourself. Sensitive, as always..."
"...But also smart and resourceful, as always!" he adds, finally smiling, at the thought of how the girl from Longsaddle still managed to get the upper hand. "If Roland hadn't chosen the wrong victim, you would have just been the first of a long series! You... you really have something more, Roxana! I thank you for wanting to confide this part of your past to me".
"Just that?" Solitude raises an eyebrow, while she welcomes Aidwyn's cheek to her breasts and caresses her. After all, the heroic adventuress seems determined to devote herself to Lathander, but in the temple where they are now resting, Sune is also venerated... wouldn't it be appropriate to honor her too?
But the young heroine finds sleep almost immediately, so the tiefling sighs, in a wishper: "Guess so" and continues to rock her, until Solitude also falls asleep, with a smile, hugging her.
The next morning, the group of archers that Imdarr had spoken of is back and Zentromya, to everyone's curiosity and amazement, is helping him and Lymmura to treat the wounded. Apparently, leveraging the longer range of their weapons and their superior discipline, Red Larch's soldiers managed to drive out the orc raiding band without suffering major casualties. Indeed, as for losses... when a couple shows up with their fallen archer daughter to arrange for a funeral, the Emissary of Elysium invites Imdarr, Lymmura, Aidwyn and Spira to pray with her on the body... and in the meantime she repeats the same miracle performed, days before, at the Sharnshield Mansion, giving the girl back to new life.
The citizens are thrilled by the miracle and celebrate for a long time, but in the end you manage to leave again, riding along the Long Road towards the south, while a light fog veils the view and, behind you, you leave a village where you will certainly always be welcomed from now on.
Your next stop will be Amphail, named after one of Waterdeep's early warlords, Amphail the Just, who had estates there!
During the day of travel in which you leave the cheering Red Larch behind you, you proceed without problems and, during the afternoon, the fog gives way to an uninviting leaden sky, but without snow or wind rising to hinder you.
In the evening, as soon as you have lit your campfire, the egg that Spira took care to keep warm finally hatches! A small snake comes out... but it has feathered wings, like those of a bird, and very colourful! They look like miniature rainbows of feathers.
The little head of the newborn creature turns towards the Sergeant of Arvandor, and she hears a telepathic infantile voice in her mind:
"Never trust a con man is great... if you can just figure out who's the con man!" Roxana replies with a chuckle. "Anyhow, I hope you understand if I'm slow sometimes to trust."
"I understand indeed!" Gaer smiles at the girl from Longsaddle "To tell you the truth, after having had such a bad experience with a quite charming guy..." he winks "...I don't understand how you managed to trust another quite charming guy, like me!"
"But," the tiefling passes a slow caress through Roxana's hair, under the complicit gaze of the stars from the clear winter sky "I'm glad you did!"
During the day of travel in which you leave the cheering Red Larch behind you, you proceed without problems and, during the afternoon, the fog gives way to an uninviting leaden sky, but without snow or wind rising to hinder you.
In the evening, as soon as you have lit your campfire, the egg that Spira took care to keep warm finally hatches! A small snake comes out... but it has feathered wings, like those of a bird, and very colourful! They look like miniature rainbows of feathers.
The little head of the newborn creature turns towards the Sergeant of Arvandor, and she hears a telepathic infantile voice in her mind:
"Mom? Are you my mom?"
"I will be your mom, little one.," Spira replies soothingly to the little creature. "The mom who laid you was careful to leave you where I could bring you with me and keep you safe. I don't know why it wasn't safe for her to stay and raise you herself, but she must have loved you very much to make sure of that. And these ladies here are like your stepmoms; they'll help me take care of you too." She gently strokes the little creature with the tip of her little finger, if it will allow her. In the process she compares it to other snakes and birds she has known, hoping it shares the general symptoms of health or illness common to such creatures.
===========================
Nature 16
Medicine 9
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
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Party of Four - Lathender Temple:
"Oh, so you're a priestess!" Lymmura is interested "Who is this tolerant goddess to whom you have consecrated yourself? Perhaps she is already venerated in the shrine... and if she is not, you could add her symbol to those already present, for the benefit of her next faithful who come here ... if you like, of course. I really like tolerance and inclusion too!"
In the meantime you have entered the town center and almost everyone you meet greets the priestess of Sune with a broad smile. Most also nod their heads at Imdarr, but it is clear that Lymmura seems particularly well-liked.
“Tolerance and inclusion are also highly valued in Elysium!” exclaims Zentromya enthusiastically, in the minds of all of you - startling the two priests who do not know her and therefore were not expecting trelepathic communications "From what many of the heroes who live there have told me about their eternal life, solidarity and cooperation have always played an important role in their feats... So, why shouldn't the gods cooperate too? I'm sure Lathander blesses this initiative".
Imdarr and Lymmura look at you one by one in amazement, then their eyes stop on the most exotic creature of the group... the winged gold-furred miniature she-elephant...
"Yes, I was the one who spoke with telepathy!" the little creature confirms, correctly interpreting their perplexity "Sorry, I hadn't introduced myself yet; Zentromya, ambassador of Elysium, at your service!"
As you continue your walk towards the shrine, Imdarr looks Spira in the eye and declares: "You realize, I hope, that I will not let you leave before I hear you tell in detail the story of how you brought love and joy back to where before there was only sorrow and death and how you associated yourself with an ambassador of this kind... right?"
"We heard sounds of trouble but never get to find them so we decided to continue our travel " replies Aidwyn to Imdarr "And I agree with you, news are important to everyone" she smiles and nods to the man.
"Thank you Lymurra" replies to the priestess when she offers tp lead them. She keeps quiet when Spira introduces herself and walks grabbing Solitude's hand.
" Zentroymia is a wonderful being, we were lucky to find her. " assures Aidwyn when they finally met the celestial being. "In fact, she has been too kind to come along with me in this journey to Waterdeep. You see, I pretend to enter Lathander's service, and she has been teaching me about Him during the journey. I guess that I can start praying to Him in your shrine before going to the inn and get some rest... if that's ok" she aks both clerics.
PbP Character: A few ;)
Party of Four - Lathender Temple:
"It must have been our archers confronting the orc raiders!" the man is pleased "I would have liked it if you could have brought us news of the outcome, but I am convinced that they will have been able to make Tempus proud of their deeds".
"Lathander is just one of the many deities venerated in the Allfaiths Shrine!" Lymmura exclaims, excited, later, as the morning god is mentioned "You certainly won't be the first of his followers to pray to him there!"
While you reach the place, the increasingly intrigued Imdarr continues to ask about Spira's deeds and your meeting with Zentromya and the celestial willingly answers him, summarizing Lady Martha's initial predicament, your intervention and her subsequent liberation.
"So you are the heroes of Longsaddle!" the priest of Tempus seems decidedly impressed "I had heard vague rumors about your feats, but I was far from knowing the details. It's an honor to meet you - as it will be to pray with you".
"And offer you hospitality..." adds Lymmura, with a smile "The shrine includes two humble rooms to house any passing priests... but sacred heroes like you are certainly equally welcome, if you like".
Meanwhile, you have arrived at the Shrine, which from the outside resembles a grand stone mansion. Its entrance consists of two wide wooden doors, each painted with the holy symbols of numerous gods. Lathander is one of those. The interior is rather plain and had a simple stone altar... with the two already mentioned rooms for visiting priests in the back.
Soon you immerse yourself in prayer, supporting each other's intentions. Once you have finished, you feel your soul actually pervaded by the sacredness of the place.
"You are too kind... and we weren't alone there was more friends with us, helping with resolving Lady's Martha predicament" says Aidwyn, blushing when they mention their deeds.
"Once again " she replies to Lymurra "you are too kind, it would be our honor to spend the night here, right Spira? "
Telepathycally she ask Zentromya "Would you ask Spira if she wants to show the egg to these clerics? Maybe they know what it is..."
PbP Character: A few ;)
Party of Four - Lathender Temple:
“So, yet another demonstration of the importance of cooperation!” Lymmura playfully raises an eyebrow when Aidwyn mentions the other friends who contributed to the success.
Zentromya, in response to the shield maiden's invitation, responds to her and Spira: "Yes, they seem like good people... We shouldn't have anything to lose by showing them the egg. The worst that can happen is that they don't know anything either".
If in the meantime the Sergeant of Arvandor has revealed that she venerates Angharradh, since the symbol of this goddess is not yet present in the Shrine, Imdarr reminds her: "I see that your divinity, which was generous enough to send you in your time of need , is not yet duly represented here... As Lymmura offered you before, if you wish we can have her symbol added to the door and inside... if you leave me an accurate drawing and 50gp for the expenses, I could have the work done while you continue your journey… in a few days, your goddess will also be officially worshiped here, among all the others”.
"I would really appreciate your adding Angharradh's symbol to the shrine. Thank you so much!," Spira replies with a warm smile. She pulls out her necklace with the symbol that her companions have only seen as a depiction of the moon, and begins somehow folding and stretching the silver into an entirely different shape.
"This represents Her full union as Triple Goddess.," Spira explains while she is busy tracing the symbol on a sheet of parchment she borrows from Lymurra. "She was born from the union of the three greatest elven goddesses in response to the threat the betrayal of Lolth posed; and since, she has guarded against corruption with the strength that comes from combining unity and diversity. Much like the union of many aspects in your own goddess, Lymurra." She smiles warmly at her fellow priestess before going on. "Some think her only concerned with elves, but she's been quietly reaching out into the world and working with other forces for good. As, again, I'm sure I don't have to tell you. Our goddesses have been known to work quite closely together, after all ... " The warmth of her smile increases a few degrees at this, though that didn't seem possible before.
"Even if that weren't the case, I would add to what Aidwyn just said that it would be not only an honor but a delight to accept your hospitality. And it would give me a chance to ask your advice." She carefully draws the egg out of her pack and gently cradles it in her palm. "We accidentally disturbed a nest on our way here; and we realized the mother might likely abandon the nest so we took the baby with us. But I've not seen an egg like this in my life! I'll have no clue how to care for the chick when it hatches."
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
Party of Four - Lathender Temple:
"Quite closely indeed!" Lymmura laughs at Spira's words "It's only right that they share the Allfaiths Shrine too!"
When the egg is shown, both the Priest of Tempus and the Priestess of Sune examine it with interest for a while...
"Never seen anything like it..." admits Imdarr "It's definitely not a common animal egg".
"But like all eggs," Lymmura reasons "it probably needs heat to hatch... so you're preserving it well, Spira". Then it comes to her mind "But I've heard of some breeders who have hatched eggs by keeping them warm between their breasts... Maybe you could try, for a few days..."
"And as for taking care of the chick when it hatches," the robust cleric of Tempus shrugs "it is likely that from such a special egg will come a special creature... Perhaps it will soon be able to take care of itself".
Soon, people from the village bring food to the shrine for the two usual priests... and, noticing that you are guests, some is brought for you too. These are mostly vegetable soups with the addition of a few pieces of meat, but, at Imdarr's request, a supply of unfamiliar loaves is also brought as provisions for you to continue your journey tomorrow.
"Those are 'Crumblecakes'..." explains the cleric of Tempus "Moist loaves from nuts, chickpea mash, chopped roots and greens, turkey and wildfowl scraps, all baked together. A not too refined local food, but nourishing indeed!"
After dinner, your two hosts are happy to have a chat with you, if you still have something you'd like to talk about... otherwise, after some mutual exchange of news, they retire to their quarters, leaving you the two guest rooms available.
Aidwyn admires the drawing and the explanation of Spira and certainly enjoys the hospitality of the two clerics. She brings out some Longsaddle cheese that she has left from their own provisions to the dinner. She really enjoys hearing from everyone's tales of their own divinities and ask a few questions.
Later, in her shared room with Solitude she remains laying in the bed, staring at the ceiling. Seeing her a little bit concerned, Solitude asks if there is something wrong.
" No no, nothing. But... after the dinner, I do not know if I am being too naive with this journey towards Lathander Temple. I mean... there are so many things I have no idea. I've never studied or have a formal education. Maybe the clerics at the Temple will see that I am only a farm girl with delusions of grandeur... I do not know if I am ready for this..."
PbP Character: A few ;)
Party of Four - Lathender Temple:
Solitude's solid-gold eyes sparkle in the dim starlight filtering through the window, as they fixate on the young heroine.
"Yes, of course, I understand..." the tiefling sighs, then speaking in a clearly ironic tone, as she begins to count on her fingers "You were ready to defend your farm from the invading goblin" and she raises a finger. “You were ready to take down a gang of Zhentarim” and she raises a second finger. “You were ready to save me and take care of me” and she raises a third finger. "You were ready to grant Balfby her freedom, striving to channel her lust for prey towards targets who deserved her attentions" and she raises a fourth finger. "You were ready to free Zentromya and thus ensure that a person who had died unjustly could return to the living - and in fact even here in Red Larch, several days' journey away from Longsaddle, there had been an echo of this deed" and raise a fifth finger. "But you don't know if you are ready to receive the blessing of the church of Lathander! Aidwyn, Aidwyn..." she shakes her head "You do not have the 'delusion of grandeur'; you have grandeur, period".
"You see how Zentromya appreciates you..." Solitude's voice now becomes sweeter and more patient, as she approaches Aidwyn, lies down next to her and gently takes her face in her hands, bringing it so close to her own... "And she is a celestial, someone who perhaps had breakfast together with Lathander in Elysium! Do you think the mortal representatives of the church of Lathander will appreciate you any less? If so... it would certainly be a shame, but not for you; for them".
Party of Four - Temple of Lathander.
Aidwyn listen to Solitude and closes her eyes momentarily when she touches her face. She chuckles when Solitude mentions that Zentromya could had have breakfast with a God and finally she kiss the tiefling with delicacy in her lips.
"Thank you" she says "Could you please just hold me tonight?" then she rest her head in Solitude's chest and fall asleep hearing her heart beating and feeling her warmth embrace.
PbP Character: A few ;)
Roxana & Gaer
"Rubybreeze is a wonderful name," Roxana says as she admires the hawk. "I do hope this other girl will not keep you away from me though!" she says, with a bit of fake indignation. She doesn't manage to maintain the pretense for long and soon laughs at her jest. "Ruby I am sure will be a very helpful companion."
As Gaer turns the conversation to her family's reaction to meeting him, she nods her head. "Yea, I expected a bit more resistance. Olivia was always going to be thrilled with anything hinting of adventure. She's just upset that she's not coming too. It was odd though with Quinn. He actually told me he thought it was good I was getting out of Longsaddle. Said he felt like the life of a cook in a little tavern didn't suit me any more after that whole Roland business."
She pauses a moment, looking at the deep black pools of Gaer's eyes. Lost for a moment, she almost forgets what she was going to say. But she eventually collects her thoughts. Slowly she says, "I haven't really told you about Roland, have I? I suppose I should."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric
Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
Roxana & Gaer
Gaer was about to size the chance to 'reassure' the oh-so-worried girl from Longsaddle with a deep kiss, but Roxana laughs before he manages to. He then agrees with her last words: "Indeed! It seems I'm incredibly lucky with my 'fellow adventuresses'..."
After dinner, at the mention of the name: "Huh? Roland? No, I guess we did never find the time to speak of this guy. Maybe we had something more pleasant to care about!" he smiles jokingly "But if it is important from me to know," he assures, now more serious "I'm listening... you can tell me anything, you know".
Roxana takes a deep breath. "Lord Roland Frindos," she begins. "He was quite the mysterious figure when he first arrived in Longsaddle. He stayed for some time, and when he did depart, he would return rather promptly. Thus, he became a bit of a regular about town. Though that air of mystery always remained." She stops a moment, glancing to Gaer to make sure she's not boring him.
"It took some time, but I got to know him. He seemed generous, very well-educated, and was quite charming. I was well aware of just how charming he was, but I fell for his words, and his advances. We were close, and I thought we'd eventually be married." As she tells what seems a romantic tale, Roxana seems disturbed, almost angered. "It ended though after just less than a year together. Unexpectedly, on my part at least, the beginning of the end was my being arrested. They had all these documents that seemingly showed I was skimming money from Lord Frindos. Sure, he had spent money on me, but mostly lavish meals. But they said things like the sheep I had got for my parents was using ill-gotten money." She looks intently at Gaer. "I saved for months and months to be able to do that! It was my money! And through it all, they kept pointing to many of my friends from my childhood. Yea, many of them had gotten on the wrong side of the law now and then. But never for anything major. They were generally good-hearted people! But because I knew them they assumed I was guilty!"
She sighs, "I was furious. I did manage to get released until the trial. My friend Solaina came to me with some rumors that maybe Roland was dealing with some shady folks. She and I started... working on it. We might have... managed to find ourselves in places we weren't normally admitted to. Over time we found evidence that Roland was nothing but a charlatan. He had a million schemes, all set to cheat people out of their money. And he'd shamelessly used my name to try to pin it all on me!"
She then smiles slightly. "With all the evidence we recovered. And a few pieces we left and let others discover them after we pointed the way. Everything clearly implicated Lord Frindos and exonerated me. Roland would have duped many of the townsfolk of Longsaddle out of money, so people were quite pleased with what I had done. But... you were the first person I've been close to at all since... all that."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric
Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
Roxana & Gaer
Gaer follows the first part of the narrative with interest, curious as to what the girl from Longsaddle is actually about to confide to him. The interest veers slightly towards concern, upon hearing about Roxana being in love with someone else and even about past dreams of marriage... But finally indignation forcefully undermines every other emotion, when Roland's dishonesty is revealed: "What a b4stard!" the tiefling gnashes his teeth "Taking advantage of a good person like you like this, trampling on your feelings, trying to rob you, ruin you financially and finally even frame you! This guy... I wouldn't have minded at all to see him hunted by Balfby..."
"I've heard a lot of 'wise' people, the kind who are great at giving advice after things have already happened, say 'never put you trust in a con man'(*)..." Gaer is staring with his solid-black eyes Roxana's blue ones, while the tiefling tail wags nervously behind him "But I believe that only the coldest and most insensitive people manage to never trust anyone. It's not the person who can be induced to trust someone every now and then who is wrong. The person who is wrong is the one who takes advantage of the trust of others. You... you were yourself. Sensitive, as always..."
"...But also smart and resourceful, as always!" he adds, finally smiling, at the thought of how the girl from Longsaddle still managed to get the upper hand. "If Roland hadn't chosen the wrong victim, you would have just been the first of a long series! You... you really have something more, Roxana! I thank you for wanting to confide this part of your past to me".
(*)
Party of Four - Lathender Temple:
"Just that?" Solitude raises an eyebrow, while she welcomes Aidwyn's cheek to her breasts and caresses her. After all, the heroic adventuress seems determined to devote herself to Lathander, but in the temple where they are now resting, Sune is also venerated... wouldn't it be appropriate to honor her too?
But the young heroine finds sleep almost immediately, so the tiefling sighs, in a wishper: "Guess so" and continues to rock her, until Solitude also falls asleep, with a smile, hugging her.
The next morning, the group of archers that Imdarr had spoken of is back and Zentromya, to everyone's curiosity and amazement, is helping him and Lymmura to treat the wounded. Apparently, leveraging the longer range of their weapons and their superior discipline, Red Larch's soldiers managed to drive out the orc raiding band without suffering major casualties. Indeed, as for losses... when a couple shows up with their fallen archer daughter to arrange for a funeral, the Emissary of Elysium invites Imdarr, Lymmura, Aidwyn and Spira to pray with her on the body... and in the meantime she repeats the same miracle performed, days before, at the Sharnshield Mansion, giving the girl back to new life.
The citizens are thrilled by the miracle and celebrate for a long time, but in the end you manage to leave again, riding along the Long Road towards the south, while a light fog veils the view and, behind you, you leave a village where you will certainly always be welcomed from now on.
Your next stop will be Amphail, named after one of Waterdeep's early warlords, Amphail the Just, who had estates there!
Party of Four - Lathender Temple:
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Party of Four - Lathender Temple:
During the day of travel in which you leave the cheering Red Larch behind you, you proceed without problems and, during the afternoon, the fog gives way to an uninviting leaden sky, but without snow or wind rising to hinder you.
In the evening, as soon as you have lit your campfire, the egg that Spira took care to keep warm finally hatches! A small snake comes out... but it has feathered wings, like those of a bird, and very colourful! They look like miniature rainbows of feathers.
The little head of the newborn creature turns towards the Sergeant of Arvandor, and she hears a telepathic infantile voice in her mind:
"Mom? Are you my mom?"
"Never trust a con man is great... if you can just figure out who's the con man!" Roxana replies with a chuckle. "Anyhow, I hope you understand if I'm slow sometimes to trust."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric
Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
Roxana & Gaer
"I understand indeed!" Gaer smiles at the girl from Longsaddle "To tell you the truth, after having had such a bad experience with a quite charming guy..." he winks "...I don't understand how you managed to trust another quite charming guy, like me!"
"But," the tiefling passes a slow caress through Roxana's hair, under the complicit gaze of the stars from the clear winter sky "I'm glad you did!"
"I will be your mom, little one.," Spira replies soothingly to the little creature. "The mom who laid you was careful to leave you where I could bring you with me and keep you safe. I don't know why it wasn't safe for her to stay and raise you herself, but she must have loved you very much to make sure of that. And these ladies here are like your stepmoms; they'll help me take care of you too." She gently strokes the little creature with the tip of her little finger, if it will allow her. In the process she compares it to other snakes and birds she has known, hoping it shares the general symptoms of health or illness common to such creatures.
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Nature 16
Medicine 9
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