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Rash scratches his chin.
"Well... that's something,"the half-orc says. "I wonder if that's a spell or just something he can do... or maybe the form we saw was the false one and his true form is the winged serpent... Now I kind of want to ask him, but I guess that might be a bit rude, especially considering the fact that we only know about that because we were spying on him..."
Arcana (trying to figure out what the deal is with people that turn into winged snakes): 18
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Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Rash ponders a little... but no spell he is familiar with seems able to accomplish that...
An illusion could have given Bemon the appearence of a winged serpent, but not allowed him to fly...
A low level transmutation could have given Bemon fangs or gills... but not wings.
Either it was a quite powerful spell, one that Rash knows maybe by fame bur not in detail... or maybe the other assumption is right - and the winged serpent was Bemon's true form.
Roxana glances at Gaer as he tells of the stranger changing appearance. "Well, that was certainly not what I was expecting."She thinks a moment. "Perhaps he would have a chance against Balfby. It would be nice to know what he is though."
"The Harpells might know something about such a creature!" Anita exclaims, since both the half-orc wizard and the girl from Longsaddle demonstrate a certain curiosity (to which perhaps she is not immune herself) "Rash, you who are now on such good terms with them... could you ask someone, if you wanted..."
"That's actually a pretty good idea..." Rash says with an approving smile. "Colin or Blinn might know... seeing how he's a diviner, I think Colin would probably be somewhat more likely to have that info than Blinn."
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Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
The next day, therefore, Rash goes to the Ivy Mansion, trying to meet the well-known benevolent middle-aged wizard Colin. He finds him while he has just finished taking a private lesson in planar magic with the famous Penelope Harpell! Evidently, the diviner is really trying to make good use of the time granted to him by Martha's intercession (and he must have shown considerable talent, anyway, if he got someone of Penelope's caliber to give him the time for a private lesson).
The powerful Harpell enchantress smiles at Rash and greets him with pleasure, showing that she remembers him, even though they have only seen each other on one occasion.
Colin, as soon as he is left alone with the visitor, smiles, intrigued: "Rash! Oh, wonderful. Blinn bombarded me with questions and reflections regarding the spell you devised together and the implications this may have. It seems that wrestling, although it is a talent of yours, it is not the greatest! Congratulations. Anyway, to what do I owe the honor of the visit of one of the heroes that the whole region can't stop to talk about?"
"Spira?!" the sergeant's dark green eyes widen in surprise as he approaches "It's really you!" he realizes, as a wide smile instantly crosses his face "I'm Darvin! Darvin Nolaras!" he even removes his helmet, to make himself better recognized "I was also on duty in Beredusk and I remember you well! We obtained the rank of Sergeant almost at the same time... Plus, who couldn't remember you well? You were damn good, Spira! Many missed you when you left. Well, as you see, I finally left too; now I'm in the Waterdhavian City Guard. I'm really glad our paths crossed again".
Finally realizing that Spira is not the only member of the group, the sergeant, after a curious look at Zentromya, also turns to Aidwyn: "Your motivations do you credit, ladies. The road conditions are good, you will surely crown tomorrow the purpose of your journey. If for this night you want to spend the night in Rassalantar, to the east of the pond" he points with his finger "there is the Sleeping Dragon inn. You should rest well there. Afterwards, at the end of my shift, I will also pass by there to have a drink... it will be an honor to do it with all of you, if... if you're not too tired for the trip, obviously".
"Good to see you again as well," Rash says with a smile. "I won't lie... I'm kind of in shock that we actually managed to pull it off, but I'm pretty proud of the result."
He pauses a moment, then addresses the actual reason for his visit.
"Anyway, I actually had a question that I think you might know the answer to... recently, my friends and I encountered a man who apparently has the ability to turn into a giant winged serpent... or perhaps a giant winged serpent with the power to turn into a man. He seemed like a helpful enough guy when I met him briefly... but I'm not sure exactly what we're dealing with here. Would you happen to have any ideas? Oh... and if it makes any difference, he also apparently knows about Yeth hounds and assumed that the one Aidwyn brought back with her must be up to no good and was planning to hunt it down until we talked him out of it."
The usually staid Colin flinches briefly at Rash's description; but he tries to compose himself and put his attention to the problem: "A... giant winged serpent, you say? And with the do-gooder-crusader tendency, it would seem, from what you tell me... Oh, wonderful. It could be a Couatl..."
"From what I heared," the meek middle aged wizard explains "Couatls are benevolent serpentine of celestial origins, beings of great intellect and insight. It seems a by now long forgotten god created them. Given their divine origins, they usually feel invested of the role of guardians and caretakers... but tend more to support in secret, revealing itself only as a last resort. They have some morphing abilities... so it shouldn't be difficult for them to show themselves as men if they wish".
"He must have been very careless," muses the diviner "to let you discover him that easily... But I suppose these are things that can happen to even the best. Oh, wonderful. Where did you meet him, anyway?"
"Actually, he came to visit us at the Sharnshield Mansion," Rash says. "Apparently he was impressed by our recent endeavors... so, he's a celestial? Fascinating... I never really thought I would meet one celestial, let alone two in as many weeks! As for how we discovered him... well... Gaer kind of sent a familiar to watch him for a while when he left... I really hope that didn't anger our divine friend..."
The half-orc pauses, then asks another question sheepishly.
"So... what do you think of the spell Blinn and I managed to craft?"
“Oh, did you spy on him?” Colin raises an eyebrow "Oh, wonderful... Maybe it's not necessary to tell him this detail. And anyway, I wouldn't recommend frequenting him too assiduously... You understand, don't you, what certain celestials are like? Such staunch defenders of the cause of good... to the point of being, sometimes, paradoxically, not very good to those who are not up to their same high standards".
When Rash asks his opinion on the spell, the middle aged wizard relaxes, happy to devote his attention to a more congenial subject: "That spell, huh? Blinn's Unseen Warrior... Oh, wonderful. My first source of wonder, was the incredibly low amount of collateral damage caused during its development. Yet more proof of your undeniable talent for magic, Rash Bloodskull - the Harpells are brilliant wizards (and I'm very proud to study with them), but, as you may have noticed, they have an innate tendency to experiment which sometimes surpasses the level of their prudence. It is not easy to counterbalance this flaw of theirs".
"At that point," Mr. Dreekan confides "I became intrigued - to the point that I agreed to submit to the predictable quest-barrage by Blinn, just to personally examine the details of your spell... It is undoubtedly an original spell and well thought out, perhaps easily counteracted by those who know of its existence, but certainly interesting for its versatility. While the possibility of using it as a ritual can encourage its use by less powerful casters, the potential to make it permanent investing enough magical power opens up interesting uses for the more experienced too".
"And in fact," the good-natured wizard winks "that spell ended up in my grimoire".
As soon as Sergeant Nolaras removes his helmet, Spira's jaw drops in recognition. "DARVIN!!," she bellows in a voice loud enough to waken a sleeping dragon. Aedion, who was taking a nap in his favorite cradle, is startled awake, and Spira has to quickly soothe him in her thoughts. "It's all right, little one, you're safe. Mom just met a friend she didn't expect and got a little too excited. I'm sorry I scared you." Then she turns back to her former colleague. "By the fury of the river, what are you doing in the Waterdhavian Guard, and still just a sergeant yourself? I could've sworn when I left that they were grooming you for the Hellriders. Maybe even knight you into the Order. You deserve it, the way you kept that brawl in Mumblar's Misery from turning into a bloodbath. Good to see you still know your way to the best local pubs though ... probably have a deal with the owner to save you the best booze, too, same as before. You better believe that I at least will be there at the Sleeping Dragon when you get off. We'll see if we can wake it up a bit!"
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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
The sergeant's face turns slightly purple at the enthusiasm of his ex-colleague: "Well, in terms of merit you too had made a name for yourself! You managed to trap the elusive Whitechapel Assassin... Who would have ever suspected that so harmless-looking halfling? Everyone was instead inclined to investigate that suspicious tiefling instead... And the Hole in the Wall gang! Even if your superiors didn't want to admit it, I always knew that the main contribution to their arrest was yours... You've always been a both a damn insightful and a damn tough girl, Spira!"
"And so you left for a religious vocation... Thank goodness!" Darvin continues "More than one in Beredusk said that you had left because your brother was a criminal, he had done something too big, and you had wanted to help him escape justice... But I always knew that it was something absurd. Your brother... maybe at times he didn't have exactly impeccable conduct... but I always noticed the efforts you made to keep him on the right path. He was truly lucky to have a person like you at his side! I'm sure that, with you at the his side, he never crossed a certain line. You have always been such a caring person, Spira... I could see it in every your action, not just in your cute, exotic tiefling features".
"Here in the Waterdhavian Guard, I had to start again... But it was worth it! Down there in Beredusk, at a certain point, I realized that I was missing something..." he confesses, looking the cleric up and down.
"Anyway, I'm flattered to find that you remember my main qualities so well!" he laughs at Spira's final comments "Of course I have a deal with the owner of the 'Sleeping Dragon'! Yondral Horn always keeps the best alcohol aside for me... and this evening we will give it a go together! We will really wake him up, that sleepy place! Go ahead, you and the ladies who accompany you; rest your bones for a couple of hours and refresh yourselves! Then I'll be with you with the speed of lightning!"
Whistling and in a visibly improved mood, the sergeant continues to finish his shift, while you easily reach the inn, while Aedion inquires: 'Mom... will you let me meet your friend later?' Maybe he becomes my friend too...'.
The inn is equipped with stables, so you are not forced to look for separate accommodation for the horses. The interior is comfortable, the main fireplace is on the west wall. A bar with high stools runs halfway along the northern wall, with a rare large mirror behind it. The kitchen is on the east side of the building, accessible through an archway. The east wall of the main room has cloak pegs, crates, barrels and stairs up to the upper floor. Up against the southern wall there are nine long tables with benches, and the middle of the room is filled with round tables and chairs. The upper level consists of a short hallway with doors to seven rooms, and windows overlooking the entrance.
The innkeeper is a Shield dwarf, dressed in neat and elegant clothes and with an impressive volume of hair, most of which is gathered behind his head; it must be the famous Yondral Horn that Darvin told you about. He is quick to welcome you: "Oh, welcome my esteemed guests! My boys will take care of your horses right away! While I am at your disposal to provide you with everything you may need! Dinner? Something to drink? Rooms for the night?"
Rash can't help but smile as Colin reveals that he liked the spell enough to add it to his own grimoire.
"I've still got a ways to go before I really feel like an impressive wizard," Rash chuckles. "I know full well that Blinn did most of the real work to make this spell a reality... I mostly just helped him focus his ideas is all. But thank you. It really does mean a lot to hear from a veteran arcanist such as yourself."
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Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Colin looks at the half-orc wizard with a knowing smile and a penetrating gaze: "There is more to you than meets the eye, Rash Bloodskull... I know... What you have achieved in so little time (partly with the help of your companions in adventure, partly with personal initiatives) is no small matter. You know that I am a diviner, after all, right? I see on you the mark of distinction - of 'heroism', if you will. You will leave your mark on the world. Oh wonderful. Probably, one day it will be you who will be called a 'veteran arcanist'. And perhaps the day will come when the Fate will present you with challenges that seem insurmountable".
"I will send you a dream, when I run out of time here - probably around the time of Miss Martha's wedding"the good-natured diviner continues. "It will help you figure out how to contact me, when those challenging times come - they always come, for people like you... Maybe then you'll hire me and we'll actually work together".
Having exhausted what he has to say, the middle aged wizard seems ready to take his leave...
Aidyn introduces herself to Spira' old aquictamce but remain mostly silent only giving him thanks for his kind words. Once they are alone heading to the Sleeping Dragon, she says to Spira "That history of the halfling assasin sounded interesting, mind to share while we wait for your friend?"
Once she makes sure the horses are well tended, not for mistrut of the dwarf or his staff, but out of caring the loyal horses, and to increase her bond with her mount by taking care of him, she even gives the stable boy two extra gold pieces to make sure he bring some carrots and apples for them (1 gold for the foof one for the stableboy ) as a reward for riding them so fast to their destiny, she rejoins the others at the inn.
"What do we have for dinner my good sir?" she asks in a good mood. Feeling the end of the journey at their reach she feels strangely comfortable with most of her ainxety of the begining of the trip almost gone.
The stable boy's eyes widen at the sight of the extraordinary tip given by Aidwyn and, with his blue eyes shining, he looks at her and stammers: "Thank you, most noble Lady! It's nice to see an amazon who cares so much about her steed! Fear not, your horses will dine better than my troublesome little brother - a fate he in fact deserves, since he is much more troublesome and much less useful than any horse".
Once inside, Yondral, when asked for the menu, quickly lists: "I can prepare roast chicken, or roast pork... with a side dish of abundant aubergines, or courgettes, or peppers, or tomatoes, or onions... or even better mushrooms, if you like! Harvested this autumn, stored dry... ready to be simmered in milk and ready to enrich the dish! After that, tomorrow you will feel ready for any challenge! I bet you also came to explore the ruins of Rassalantar's Keep , or am I wrong? You will need energy for that feat..."
"But if you prefer salted pies," the shield dwarf continues, "no one beats my pie of meat, grains, onion and garlic! Listen to me, esteemed warrior! The elven chefs will be very good at preparing tasty snacks... but no one beats the dwarf cooks in properly feeding the stomachs of the customers!"
"Or I can bring you a warm porridge of boiled grain..." the innkeepr mentions "But personally I would recommend at least a 'pottage', that is, the same porridge I just told you about, but with the addition of a few healthy pieces of assorted meats... You need good muscles to wield the sword, right? And good muscles require good food..."
"And you can't miss some good local wine..." Yondral concludes "or, if you prefer beer, the innkeeper who owned this place shortly before me had inaugurated the tradition of serving his own brew, called 'Sleeping Dragon Dark' - a tradition that I have taken care to maintain by having the recipe passed down to me".
" Maybe your troublesome brother just need that his older brother show him how to not be so troublesome. You seem like a good boy. Fetch your little brother and make him help you. Tell him that if he behaves and our horses are groomed,fed and ready, in the morning, helping you there will be another one of these for him! Let's show him that good work and responsability pays off!"she smiles to the stableboy showing him the promised gold coin.
"My mouth is alredy watering my good sir!"says later Aidwyn to Yondral "Let's start with that porridge and when you see it coming to an end, bring that roasted pork with the mushrooms! And whatever my friends want for themselves. On the bewerages note... it wouldn't be polite to break traditions, would be? So let's start with this Sleeing Dragon. And when you come back with our order maybe you can share some knowledge about this ruins you mentioned... honestly I've never heard of them. Thank you very much! It seems that your friend pointed us to the right place! "
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PbP Character: A few ;)
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Rash scratches his chin.
"Well... that's something," the half-orc says. "I wonder if that's a spell or just something he can do... or maybe the form we saw was the false one and his true form is the winged serpent... Now I kind of want to ask him, but I guess that might be a bit rude, especially considering the fact that we only know about that because we were spying on him..."
Arcana (trying to figure out what the deal is with people that turn into winged snakes): 18
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A foreign admirer:
Rash ponders a little... but no spell he is familiar with seems able to accomplish that...
An illusion could have given Bemon the appearence of a winged serpent, but not allowed him to fly...
A low level transmutation could have given Bemon fangs or gills... but not wings.
Either it was a quite powerful spell, one that Rash knows maybe by fame bur not in detail... or maybe the other assumption is right - and the winged serpent was Bemon's true form.
Roxana glances at Gaer as he tells of the stranger changing appearance. "Well, that was certainly not what I was expecting." She thinks a moment. "Perhaps he would have a chance against Balfby. It would be nice to know what he is though."
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
A foreign admirer:
"The Harpells might know something about such a creature!" Anita exclaims, since both the half-orc wizard and the girl from Longsaddle demonstrate a certain curiosity (to which perhaps she is not immune herself) "Rash, you who are now on such good terms with them... could you ask someone, if you wanted..."
"That's actually a pretty good idea..." Rash says with an approving smile. "Colin or Blinn might know... seeing how he's a diviner, I think Colin would probably be somewhat more likely to have that info than Blinn."
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Aidwyn just nods to Spira’s words and smiles to the sergeant.
PbP Character: A few ;)
A foreign admirer:
The next day, therefore, Rash goes to the Ivy Mansion, trying to meet the well-known benevolent middle-aged wizard Colin. He finds him while he has just finished taking a private lesson in planar magic with the famous Penelope Harpell! Evidently, the diviner is really trying to make good use of the time granted to him by Martha's intercession (and he must have shown considerable talent, anyway, if he got someone of Penelope's caliber to give him the time for a private lesson).
The powerful Harpell enchantress smiles at Rash and greets him with pleasure, showing that she remembers him, even though they have only seen each other on one occasion.
Colin, as soon as he is left alone with the visitor, smiles, intrigued: "Rash! Oh, wonderful. Blinn bombarded me with questions and reflections regarding the spell you devised together and the implications this may have. It seems that wrestling, although it is a talent of yours, it is not the greatest! Congratulations. Anyway, to what do I owe the honor of the visit of one of the heroes that the whole region can't stop to talk about?"
Party of Four - Lathender Temple:
"Spira?!" the sergeant's dark green eyes widen in surprise as he approaches "It's really you!" he realizes, as a wide smile instantly crosses his face "I'm Darvin! Darvin Nolaras!" he even removes his helmet, to make himself better recognized "I was also on duty in Beredusk and I remember you well! We obtained the rank of Sergeant almost at the same time... Plus, who couldn't remember you well? You were damn good, Spira! Many missed you when you left. Well, as you see, I finally left too; now I'm in the Waterdhavian City Guard. I'm really glad our paths crossed again".
Finally realizing that Spira is not the only member of the group, the sergeant, after a curious look at Zentromya, also turns to Aidwyn: "Your motivations do you credit, ladies. The road conditions are good, you will surely crown tomorrow the purpose of your journey. If for this night you want to spend the night in Rassalantar, to the east of the pond" he points with his finger "there is the Sleeping Dragon inn. You should rest well there. Afterwards, at the end of my shift, I will also pass by there to have a drink... it will be an honor to do it with all of you, if... if you're not too tired for the trip, obviously".
"Good to see you again as well," Rash says with a smile. "I won't lie... I'm kind of in shock that we actually managed to pull it off, but I'm pretty proud of the result."
He pauses a moment, then addresses the actual reason for his visit.
"Anyway, I actually had a question that I think you might know the answer to... recently, my friends and I encountered a man who apparently has the ability to turn into a giant winged serpent... or perhaps a giant winged serpent with the power to turn into a man. He seemed like a helpful enough guy when I met him briefly... but I'm not sure exactly what we're dealing with here. Would you happen to have any ideas? Oh... and if it makes any difference, he also apparently knows about Yeth hounds and assumed that the one Aidwyn brought back with her must be up to no good and was planning to hunt it down until we talked him out of it."
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A foreign admirer:
The usually staid Colin flinches briefly at Rash's description; but he tries to compose himself and put his attention to the problem: "A... giant winged serpent, you say? And with the do-gooder-crusader tendency, it would seem, from what you tell me... Oh, wonderful. It could be a Couatl..."
"From what I heared," the meek middle aged wizard explains "Couatls are benevolent serpentine of celestial origins, beings of great intellect and insight. It seems a by now long forgotten god created them. Given their divine origins, they usually feel invested of the role of guardians and caretakers... but tend more to support in secret, revealing itself only as a last resort. They have some morphing abilities... so it shouldn't be difficult for them to show themselves as men if they wish".
"He must have been very careless," muses the diviner "to let you discover him that easily... But I suppose these are things that can happen to even the best. Oh, wonderful. Where did you meet him, anyway?"
"Actually, he came to visit us at the Sharnshield Mansion," Rash says. "Apparently he was impressed by our recent endeavors... so, he's a celestial? Fascinating... I never really thought I would meet one celestial, let alone two in as many weeks! As for how we discovered him... well... Gaer kind of sent a familiar to watch him for a while when he left... I really hope that didn't anger our divine friend..."
The half-orc pauses, then asks another question sheepishly.
"So... what do you think of the spell Blinn and I managed to craft?"
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A foreign admirer:
“Oh, did you spy on him?” Colin raises an eyebrow "Oh, wonderful... Maybe it's not necessary to tell him this detail. And anyway, I wouldn't recommend frequenting him too assiduously... You understand, don't you, what certain celestials are like? Such staunch defenders of the cause of good... to the point of being, sometimes, paradoxically, not very good to those who are not up to their same high standards".
When Rash asks his opinion on the spell, the middle aged wizard relaxes, happy to devote his attention to a more congenial subject: "That spell, huh? Blinn's Unseen Warrior... Oh, wonderful. My first source of wonder, was the incredibly low amount of collateral damage caused during its development. Yet more proof of your undeniable talent for magic, Rash Bloodskull - the Harpells are brilliant wizards (and I'm very proud to study with them), but, as you may have noticed, they have an innate tendency to experiment which sometimes surpasses the level of their prudence. It is not easy to counterbalance this flaw of theirs".
"At that point," Mr. Dreekan confides "I became intrigued - to the point that I agreed to submit to the predictable quest-barrage by Blinn, just to personally examine the details of your spell... It is undoubtedly an original spell and well thought out, perhaps easily counteracted by those who know of its existence, but certainly interesting for its versatility. While the possibility of using it as a ritual can encourage its use by less powerful casters, the potential to make it permanent investing enough magical power opens up interesting uses for the more experienced too".
"And in fact," the good-natured wizard winks "that spell ended up in my grimoire".
As soon as Sergeant Nolaras removes his helmet, Spira's jaw drops in recognition. "DARVIN!!," she bellows in a voice loud enough to waken a sleeping dragon. Aedion, who was taking a nap in his favorite cradle, is startled awake, and Spira has to quickly soothe him in her thoughts. "It's all right, little one, you're safe. Mom just met a friend she didn't expect and got a little too excited. I'm sorry I scared you." Then she turns back to her former colleague. "By the fury of the river, what are you doing in the Waterdhavian Guard, and still just a sergeant yourself? I could've sworn when I left that they were grooming you for the Hellriders. Maybe even knight you into the Order. You deserve it, the way you kept that brawl in Mumblar's Misery from turning into a bloodbath. Good to see you still know your way to the best local pubs though ... probably have a deal with the owner to save you the best booze, too, same as before. You better believe that I at least will be there at the Sleeping Dragon when you get off. We'll see if we can wake it up a bit!"
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:
The sergeant's face turns slightly purple at the enthusiasm of his ex-colleague: "Well, in terms of merit you too had made a name for yourself! You managed to trap the elusive Whitechapel Assassin... Who would have ever suspected that so harmless-looking halfling? Everyone was instead inclined to investigate that suspicious tiefling instead... And the Hole in the Wall gang! Even if your superiors didn't want to admit it, I always knew that the main contribution to their arrest was yours... You've always been a both a damn insightful and a damn tough girl, Spira!"
"And so you left for a religious vocation... Thank goodness!" Darvin continues "More than one in Beredusk said that you had left because your brother was a criminal, he had done something too big, and you had wanted to help him escape justice... But I always knew that it was something absurd. Your brother... maybe at times he didn't have exactly impeccable conduct... but I always noticed the efforts you made to keep him on the right path. He was truly lucky to have a person like you at his side! I'm sure that, with you at the his side, he never crossed a certain line. You have always been such a caring person, Spira... I could see it in every your action, not just in your cute, exotic tiefling features".
"Here in the Waterdhavian Guard, I had to start again... But it was worth it! Down there in Beredusk, at a certain point, I realized that I was missing something..." he confesses, looking the cleric up and down.
"Anyway, I'm flattered to find that you remember my main qualities so well!" he laughs at Spira's final comments "Of course I have a deal with the owner of the 'Sleeping Dragon'! Yondral Horn always keeps the best alcohol aside for me... and this evening we will give it a go together! We will really wake him up, that sleepy place! Go ahead, you and the ladies who accompany you; rest your bones for a couple of hours and refresh yourselves! Then I'll be with you with the speed of lightning!"
Whistling and in a visibly improved mood, the sergeant continues to finish his shift, while you easily reach the inn, while Aedion inquires: 'Mom... will you let me meet your friend later?' Maybe he becomes my friend too...'.
The inn is equipped with stables, so you are not forced to look for separate accommodation for the horses. The interior is comfortable, the main fireplace is on the west wall. A bar with high stools runs halfway along the northern wall, with a rare large mirror behind it. The kitchen is on the east side of the building, accessible through an archway. The east wall of the main room has cloak pegs, crates, barrels and stairs up to the upper floor. Up against the southern wall there are nine long tables with benches, and the middle of the room is filled with round tables and chairs. The upper level consists of a short hallway with doors to seven rooms, and windows overlooking the entrance.
The innkeeper is a Shield dwarf, dressed in neat and elegant clothes and with an impressive volume of hair, most of which is gathered behind his head; it must be the famous Yondral Horn that Darvin told you about. He is quick to welcome you: "Oh, welcome my esteemed guests! My boys will take care of your horses right away! While I am at your disposal to provide you with everything you may need! Dinner? Something to drink? Rooms for the night?"
Rash can't help but smile as Colin reveals that he liked the spell enough to add it to his own grimoire.
"I've still got a ways to go before I really feel like an impressive wizard," Rash chuckles. "I know full well that Blinn did most of the real work to make this spell a reality... I mostly just helped him focus his ideas is all. But thank you. It really does mean a lot to hear from a veteran arcanist such as yourself."
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A foreign admirer:
Colin looks at the half-orc wizard with a knowing smile and a penetrating gaze: "There is more to you than meets the eye, Rash Bloodskull... I know... What you have achieved in so little time (partly with the help of your companions in adventure, partly with personal initiatives) is no small matter. You know that I am a diviner, after all, right? I see on you the mark of distinction - of 'heroism', if you will. You will leave your mark on the world. Oh wonderful. Probably, one day it will be you who will be called a 'veteran arcanist'. And perhaps the day will come when the Fate will present you with challenges that seem insurmountable".
"I will send you a dream, when I run out of time here - probably around the time of Miss Martha's wedding" the good-natured diviner continues. "It will help you figure out how to contact me, when those challenging times come - they always come, for people like you... Maybe then you'll hire me and we'll actually work together".
Having exhausted what he has to say, the middle aged wizard seems ready to take his leave...
Party of Four - Lathender Temple:
Aidyn introduces herself to Spira' old aquictamce but remain mostly silent only giving him thanks for his kind words. Once they are alone heading to the Sleeping Dragon, she says to Spira "That history of the halfling assasin sounded interesting, mind to share while we wait for your friend?"
Once she makes sure the horses are well tended, not for mistrut of the dwarf or his staff, but out of caring the loyal horses, and to increase her bond with her mount by taking care of him, she even gives the stable boy two extra gold pieces to make sure he bring some carrots and apples for them (1 gold for the foof one for the stableboy ) as a reward for riding them so fast to their destiny, she rejoins the others at the inn.
"What do we have for dinner my good sir?" she asks in a good mood. Feeling the end of the journey at their reach she feels strangely comfortable with most of her ainxety of the begining of the trip almost gone.
PbP Character: A few ;)
Party of Four - Lathender Temple:
The stable boy's eyes widen at the sight of the extraordinary tip given by Aidwyn and, with his blue eyes shining, he looks at her and stammers: "Thank you, most noble Lady! It's nice to see an amazon who cares so much about her steed! Fear not, your horses will dine better than my troublesome little brother - a fate he in fact deserves, since he is much more troublesome and much less useful than any horse".
Once inside, Yondral, when asked for the menu, quickly lists: "I can prepare roast chicken, or roast pork... with a side dish of abundant aubergines, or courgettes, or peppers, or tomatoes, or onions... or even better mushrooms, if you like! Harvested this autumn, stored dry... ready to be simmered in milk and ready to enrich the dish! After that, tomorrow you will feel ready for any challenge! I bet you also came to explore the ruins of Rassalantar's Keep , or am I wrong? You will need energy for that feat..."
"But if you prefer salted pies," the shield dwarf continues, "no one beats my pie of meat, grains, onion and garlic! Listen to me, esteemed warrior! The elven chefs will be very good at preparing tasty snacks... but no one beats the dwarf cooks in properly feeding the stomachs of the customers!"
"Or I can bring you a warm porridge of boiled grain..." the innkeepr mentions "But personally I would recommend at least a 'pottage', that is, the same porridge I just told you about, but with the addition of a few healthy pieces of assorted meats... You need good muscles to wield the sword, right? And good muscles require good food..."
"And you can't miss some good local wine..." Yondral concludes "or, if you prefer beer, the innkeeper who owned this place shortly before me had inaugurated the tradition of serving his own brew, called 'Sleeping Dragon Dark' - a tradition that I have taken care to maintain by having the recipe passed down to me".
Rash says his goodbyes to Colin and returns to share his newfound knowledge with his companions.
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Party of Four - Lathender Temple:
" Maybe your troublesome brother just need that his older brother show him how to not be so troublesome. You seem like a good boy. Fetch your little brother and make him help you. Tell him that if he behaves and our horses are groomed,fed and ready, in the morning, helping you there will be another one of these for him! Let's show him that good work and responsability pays off!" she smiles to the stableboy showing him the promised gold coin.
"My mouth is alredy watering my good sir!" says later Aidwyn to Yondral "Let's start with that porridge and when you see it coming to an end, bring that roasted pork with the mushrooms! And whatever my friends want for themselves. On the bewerages note... it wouldn't be polite to break traditions, would be? So let's start with this Sleeing Dragon. And when you come back with our order maybe you can share some knowledge about this ruins you mentioned... honestly I've never heard of them. Thank you very much! It seems that your friend pointed us to the right place! "
PbP Character: A few ;)