Lokilia nods at Dev, going along with his answer. "Yea, we're bound to see him later. Let's go and see what Normont has in store." She is on her feet and ready to follow the gnome. She makes a small motion with her hand, causing a light puff of wind to muss up Dev's hair. "You ready?" she says with a grin.
Lokilia catches Dev just as his eyes are dimming with a distant longing she knows well. A surprised smile splits his face when he feels the poof of wind in his hair, and he nods, still smiling. “Ready, Teddy!”
With everyone ready, Normont heads back to their room, for which they still have one more night paid. He grabs his things, including those bits and pieces he collected from the far gate portal encounter, and heads out to lead everyone towards the Eastern Ruins.
He makes sure he has the green bound pass, which he will make sure is visible when they make it to the ruins.
Departing the Lilac Inn Normont leads the group north along the street ahead the companions can see Whitestone Castle sitting on a rise to the north of the city, they arrive at a fourway junction of sorts with the northern path leading uphill to the Castle, the southern back towards the Sun Tree and another eastern leading along the interior of the city wall towards what Normont has indicated is their destination. However immediately north of their current position to the east of the Castle approach is Forlington Square dominated in its centre by what Normont describes as The Heart of Whitestone, a magnificent three storey intricately carved clocktower....
As they pass Forlington Square there is a slight ruckus as a young human child runs out of the precinct being pursued by an older dwarven man with an angry expression.......
Dev’s first impulse is to avoid the conflict entirely. But given his youth as an urchin in the streets of Drynna, his heart automatically goes out to the child. Although too, many of his fellow urchins his age teased him relentlessly and made much of his early life miserable. Oh to heck with it, he thinks, deciding on the spot. He brings his pan pipes to his mouth and time seems suddenly to move in slow motion as a melody, sweet, supple, and impossible to ignore, blossoms in the minds of the dwarf and the child (if they are within 30’ of one another. If not, then just the child).
(Sleep - 26 HP worth of slumber in the area of effect.)
The dwarf and child pause in mid-pursuit and both immediately fall to the ground senseless a large portion of cheese and sausage tumbles out of the childs vest as they both lie on the cobbles, very slightly bruised but sleeping peacefully......
Some of the onlookers from the square come out onto the street milling about in confusion....
" What happened?"
" Are they alright?"
The companions are the closest people to the sleeping pair.
"The clocktower is the brainchild of Lord de Rolo, and is a masterpiece of artifice.....", Normont is explaining to the others as the child and dwarf appear. Crime is unusual in Whitestone, but not unheard of, and even though it takes him a moment to react to the situation, he does start to move quickly towards the child.
After only a few steps, Dev's magical melody has done it's work and the pair are both slumbering on the ground by the time he reaches them.
He addresses the concerned onlookers first. "Don't worry, I am a member of the Pale Guard, albeit off duty", he says loudly enough for the folk to hear. He turns to survey the scene, his practiced eye picking out the pertinent details of what seems like an obvious case of petty theft, even as he checks to make sure neither were hurt when they fell to the ground.
Normont is satisfied he's cracked the case.....such as it is....and no one is hurt.
As soon as the onlookers hear that he is a Guard member they all go back to their shopping and breakfasting, leaving the group to tend to the two snoozers.
Dev assesses the cost of the presumed loot and removes twice its value from his coin purse. He hides his pan pipes in his shirt, smiles lopsidedly to Normont as if to admit to a lie in advance, and then takes the sausage and cheese in hand. He gently awakens the dwarf.
“I was just coming after my little friend here,” pointing his chin at the sleeping child. “I sent him to fetch sausage and cheese and I…erm…forgot to give him money? He knows he’ll be caned if he comes back without what I sent him for,” and here he glares at the child, “so it must have seemed that he had stolen these things. Here. Take this for your troubles…,” handing him the double payment, “and maybe get some rest. The child has flare-ups of Social Sleeping Disease. Yes… he just falls asleep on his feet sometimes, and boy, what a nuisance. And you must have inhaled his erm… vapors while running after him? You’ll be fine, it passes in ummm… no more than a day. For most people. Maybe less for sturdy Dwarven people. Oh the child? Don’t worry…,” Dev’s voice takes on a firm tone. “He’ll get what he deserves.”
Lokilia, trying to focus on the wonders of the city as Normont pointed them out, had not really been paying attention to the people. Anything to keep her mind off the enclosed walls and engulfing population of the place. Finally, she realizes the pair had fallen unconscious and rushes towards them. Concerned for their health, she starts to look at them when Dev mentions 'Social Sleeping Disease.' She's confused but slowly realizes it must be a ruse of some sort. Kneeling near to the still sleeping child, she stays alert to see how this dwarf might react.
Normont notices Dev's lopsided grin, but doesn't really understand what it means until the tiefling launches into his deception. What Dev is saying makes little sense to him, but his friend somehow makes it eminently believable.
He stands for a moment watching, before interjecting himself.
"All is well then, that is good", he says with some finality. "Hello sir. My name is Normont Fizzlepeak, and I am a member of the Pale Guard. It seems reparation has been given to make up for this apparent misunderstanding. Do you have a shop or stall you need to return to?", he says to dwarf.
Dev assesses the cost of the presumed loot and removes twice its value from his coin purse. He hides his pan pipes in his shirt, smiles lopsidedly to Normont as if to admit to a lie in advance, and then takes the sausage and cheese in hand. He gently awakens the dwarf.
“I was just coming after my little friend here,” pointing his chin at the sleeping child. “I sent him to fetch sausage and cheese and I…erm…forgot to give him money? He knows he’ll be caned if he comes back without what I sent him for,” and here he glares at the child, “so it must have seemed that he had stolen these things. Here. Take this for your troubles…,” handing him the double payment, “and maybe get some rest. The child has flare-ups of Social Sleeping Disease. Yes… he just falls asleep on his feet sometimes, and boy, what a nuisance. And you must have inhaled his erm… vapors while running after him? You’ll be fine, it passes in ummm… no more than a day. For most people. Maybe less for sturdy Dwarven people. Oh the child? Don’t worry…,” Dev’s voice takes on a firm tone. “He’ll get what he deserves.”
(Deception: 17+5=22)
The dwarf is confused and discombobulated as he awakens and seems about to launch into a tirade when it is stymied by the appearance of coins in his hand, he sits there somewhat confused as Dev speaks, " vapors......ok......right....yes.....I suppose. Well thats alright then.....I think...."
Lokilia, trying to focus on the wonders of the city as Normont pointed them out, had not really been paying attention to the people. Anything to keep her mind off the enclosed walls and engulfing population of the place. Finally, she realizes the pair had fallen unconscious and rushes towards them. Concerned for their health, she starts to look at them when Dev mentions 'Social Sleeping Disease.' She's confused but slowly realizes it must be a ruse of some sort. Kneeling near to the still sleeping child, she stays alert to see how this dwarf might react.
Normont notices Dev's lopsided grin, but doesn't really understand what it means until the tiefling launches into his deception. What Dev is saying makes little sense to him, but his friend somehow makes it eminently believable.
He stands for a moment watching, before interjecting himself.
"All is well then, that is good", he says with some finality. "Hello sir. My name is Normont Fizzlepeak, and I am a member of the Pale Guard. It seems reparation has been given to make up for this apparent misunderstanding. Do you have a shop or stall you need to return to?", he says to dwarf.
The dwarven man looks up....though not far up....at Normont and levers himself to his feet, " Yes, well......no harm done I suppose. Oh, yes! Feldspars Delicatessan....if your needing a charcuterie board or cheese platter or the like come look us up."
He shook his head once more, regarded the sleeping boy for a moment then headed back into the Square.
Lokilia beams at Dev once the dwarf deli owner has left. "That was brilliant Dev!" She glances at the boy. "Do we wake him up now? Find out what his side of this story is?"
Dev takes no joy in his deception, as evidenced by the tight line his lips draw as he watches the dwarf return to his shop. But before guilt has time to derail his thinking, he turns to the child, and studies him (or her?) quietly as he kneels beside the sleeping form. (Investigation 10+3=13)
He looks up at Lokilia, grateful for her compliment. At the moment he’s not sure himself if this was a good idea, or what to do next.
“Yeah… but for a kid this young… there’s only one story usually. A growling tummy.” He lifts the cheese and sausage up toward Lokilia. “Can you hold this for a second?
“Hey,” he says, lightly shaking the child’s shoulder. “Hey big guy, you dropped this, I think.”
"You are likely right, Dev", Normont says considering the situation for a moment. "But don't worry too much, in Whitestone there is more emphasis on rehabilitation and addressing the cause of unlawful behaviour, than simply punishing offenders".
He watches as Dev wakes the child, confident that Dev will be able to find common ground and earn their trust. He takes a step back, so as not to crowd the child.
Quinn will speak up, "Normont is there anyone you know that we can take them to? In my time working as a guard, it was always helpful to get more information when I picked someone up."
The young lad shot awake with a start and looked around wide eyed as his purloined items were placed back into his hands, " Wait......what? Whats happening?"
" Wheres Feldspar? Who are you? Am I under arrest?"
To Devs eyes the child was perhaps 10 or 11 years of age and there was a very slight gray cast to his otherwise olive skin and the tips of his ears had the slightest of points..
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Lokilia nods at Dev, going along with his answer. "Yea, we're bound to see him later. Let's go and see what Normont has in store." She is on her feet and ready to follow the gnome. She makes a small motion with her hand, causing a light puff of wind to muss up Dev's hair. "You ready?" she says with a grin.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Lokilia catches Dev just as his eyes are dimming with a distant longing she knows well. A surprised smile splits his face when he feels the poof of wind in his hair, and he nods, still smiling. “Ready, Teddy!”
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
With everyone ready, Normont heads back to their room, for which they still have one more night paid. He grabs his things, including those bits and pieces he collected from the far gate portal encounter, and heads out to lead everyone towards the Eastern Ruins.
He makes sure he has the green bound pass, which he will make sure is visible when they make it to the ruins.
Departing the Lilac Inn Normont leads the group north along the street ahead the companions can see Whitestone Castle sitting on a rise to the north of the city, they arrive at a fourway junction of sorts with the northern path leading uphill to the Castle, the southern back towards the Sun Tree and another eastern leading along the interior of the city wall towards what Normont has indicated is their destination. However immediately north of their current position to the east of the Castle approach is Forlington Square dominated in its centre by what Normont describes as The Heart of Whitestone, a magnificent three storey intricately carved clocktower....
As they pass Forlington Square there is a slight ruckus as a young human child runs out of the precinct being pursued by an older dwarven man with an angry expression.......
Dev’s first impulse is to avoid the conflict entirely. But given his youth as an urchin in the streets of Drynna, his heart automatically goes out to the child. Although too, many of his fellow urchins his age teased him relentlessly and made much of his early life miserable. Oh to heck with it, he thinks, deciding on the spot. He brings his pan pipes to his mouth and time seems suddenly to move in slow motion as a melody, sweet, supple, and impossible to ignore, blossoms in the minds of the dwarf and the child (if they are within 30’ of one another. If not, then just the child).
(Sleep - 26 HP worth of slumber in the area of effect.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
The dwarf and child pause in mid-pursuit and both immediately fall to the ground senseless a large portion of cheese and sausage tumbles out of the childs vest as they both lie on the cobbles, very slightly bruised but sleeping peacefully......
Some of the onlookers from the square come out onto the street milling about in confusion....
" What happened?"
" Are they alright?"
The companions are the closest people to the sleeping pair.
"The clocktower is the brainchild of Lord de Rolo, and is a masterpiece of artifice.....", Normont is explaining to the others as the child and dwarf appear. Crime is unusual in Whitestone, but not unheard of, and even though it takes him a moment to react to the situation, he does start to move quickly towards the child.
After only a few steps, Dev's magical melody has done it's work and the pair are both slumbering on the ground by the time he reaches them.
He addresses the concerned onlookers first. "Don't worry, I am a member of the Pale Guard, albeit off duty", he says loudly enough for the folk to hear. He turns to survey the scene, his practiced eye picking out the pertinent details of what seems like an obvious case of petty theft, even as he checks to make sure neither were hurt when they fell to the ground.
Investigation (with guidance): 5+5+4=14
Normont is satisfied he's cracked the case.....such as it is....and no one is hurt.
As soon as the onlookers hear that he is a Guard member they all go back to their shopping and breakfasting, leaving the group to tend to the two snoozers.
Dev assesses the cost of the presumed loot and removes twice its value from his coin purse. He hides his pan pipes in his shirt, smiles lopsidedly to Normont as if to admit to a lie in advance, and then takes the sausage and cheese in hand. He gently awakens the dwarf.
“I was just coming after my little friend here,” pointing his chin at the sleeping child. “I sent him to fetch sausage and cheese and I…erm…forgot to give him money? He knows he’ll be caned if he comes back without what I sent him for,” and here he glares at the child, “so it must have seemed that he had stolen these things. Here. Take this for your troubles…,” handing him the double payment, “and maybe get some rest. The child has flare-ups of Social Sleeping Disease. Yes… he just falls asleep on his feet sometimes, and boy, what a nuisance. And you must have inhaled his erm… vapors while running after him? You’ll be fine, it passes in ummm… no more than a day. For most people. Maybe less for sturdy Dwarven people. Oh the child? Don’t worry…,” Dev’s voice takes on a firm tone. “He’ll get what he deserves.”
(Deception: 17+5=22)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Lokilia, trying to focus on the wonders of the city as Normont pointed them out, had not really been paying attention to the people. Anything to keep her mind off the enclosed walls and engulfing population of the place. Finally, she realizes the pair had fallen unconscious and rushes towards them. Concerned for their health, she starts to look at them when Dev mentions 'Social Sleeping Disease.' She's confused but slowly realizes it must be a ruse of some sort. Kneeling near to the still sleeping child, she stays alert to see how this dwarf might react.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Normont notices Dev's lopsided grin, but doesn't really understand what it means until the tiefling launches into his deception. What Dev is saying makes little sense to him, but his friend somehow makes it eminently believable.
He stands for a moment watching, before interjecting himself.
"All is well then, that is good", he says with some finality. "Hello sir. My name is Normont Fizzlepeak, and I am a member of the Pale Guard. It seems reparation has been given to make up for this apparent misunderstanding. Do you have a shop or stall you need to return to?", he says to dwarf.
The dwarf is confused and discombobulated as he awakens and seems about to launch into a tirade when it is stymied by the appearance of coins in his hand, he sits there somewhat confused as Dev speaks, " vapors......ok......right....yes.....I suppose. Well thats alright then.....I think...."
The dwarven man looks up....though not far up....at Normont and levers himself to his feet, " Yes, well......no harm done I suppose. Oh, yes! Feldspars Delicatessan....if your needing a charcuterie board or cheese platter or the like come look us up."
He shook his head once more, regarded the sleeping boy for a moment then headed back into the Square.
Lokilia beams at Dev once the dwarf deli owner has left. "That was brilliant Dev!" She glances at the boy. "Do we wake him up now? Find out what his side of this story is?"
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Dev takes no joy in his deception, as evidenced by the tight line his lips draw as he watches the dwarf return to his shop. But before guilt has time to derail his thinking, he turns to the child, and studies him (or her?) quietly as he kneels beside the sleeping form. (Investigation 10+3=13)
He looks up at Lokilia, grateful for her compliment. At the moment he’s not sure himself if this was a good idea, or what to do next.
“Yeah… but for a kid this young… there’s only one story usually. A growling tummy.” He lifts the cheese and sausage up toward Lokilia. “Can you hold this for a second?
“Hey,” he says, lightly shaking the child’s shoulder. “Hey big guy, you dropped this, I think.”
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
"You are likely right, Dev", Normont says considering the situation for a moment. "But don't worry too much, in Whitestone there is more emphasis on rehabilitation and addressing the cause of unlawful behaviour, than simply punishing offenders".
He watches as Dev wakes the child, confident that Dev will be able to find common ground and earn their trust. He takes a step back, so as not to crowd the child.
Quinn will speak up, "Normont is there anyone you know that we can take them to? In my time working as a guard, it was always helpful to get more information when I picked someone up."
"Possibly, Quinn", Normont says to the genasi quietly. "Let's see if Dev can find out what their circumstances are first, then we can make a plan".
Lokilia takes the items Dev handed her, staying close at hand as he wakes the youngster.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
“Thank you,” Dev acknowledges.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
The young lad shot awake with a start and looked around wide eyed as his purloined items were placed back into his hands, " Wait......what? Whats happening?"
" Wheres Feldspar? Who are you? Am I under arrest?"
To Devs eyes the child was perhaps 10 or 11 years of age and there was a very slight gray cast to his otherwise olive skin and the tips of his ears had the slightest of points..