Dev begins to play, then, creating music illusions which continue in harmonic accompaniment, he sings. The song is somber at first, in the Dorian mode, but moves to quiet awe in the Lydian mode for the refrain, and it tells this story:
LEGENDS SAY THAT BEFORE THE CASTLE WAS BUILT, THAT THE JOURNEY INTO THE VALLEY WAS TREACHEROUS AND STORMY, AND THE ORIGINAL BUILDERS OF WHITESTONE CASTLE FEARED THEY'D DIE. THIS ONE GREAT TREE STOOD IN THE VALLEY, AND IT WAS UNDERNEATH IT THAT THEY TOOK SHELTER, AND AS THEY BEGAN TO TAKE SHELTER, THE STORM BROKE, AND THE STORM DID NOT RETURN UNTIL THE CASTLE WAS COMPLETED.
Lokilia focuses on Dev as he starts to perform his song. It's such an interesting sound and she listens eagerly to the words. She doesn't say anything not wanting to interrupt. As it gets towards the end she starts to glance around a bit, trying to see if anyone is responding to their presence.
Normont listens to Dev's songs, recognising the tale of the founding of Whitestone, the city so dear to his heart. His eyes glisten a little, as he becomes enraptured by the song, almost forgetting their purpose as he dwells on the distant past.
Amber shifts around on his shoulder, bringing him out of this reverie, and he looks around to see if anyone has shown themself. He keeps the green bound pass visible.
There is no response to the song at first but Lokilia hears a bird call from the roof of a fairly intact building that looks like it was planned to be a temple......but her time among the Air Ashari tells her that it is not a bird but an imitation of a birds call...
Dev hears the same call as an ordinary bird call but then realized the last dozen or so notes are mirroring those of the song.....
Amber alerts Normont to unseen presences on both sides....
Quinn notes scuff marks on the upper wall of the nearest tumbled dwelling as if it has been climbed regularly, following upwards he sees that someone could move across the top of the ruined walls remaining out of sight from the ground...
Oh. Wow, Dev thinks. He keeps singing but brings the song to a natural close. He lowers his pan pipes and looks to Normont. Our move, his eyes seem to say.
When Dev stops playing, Lokilia asks in a very soft voice. "Should I go up to the roof where the fake birdcalls came from?" She looks to Normont for a plan.
"It seems we have been spotted. I am not sure we have to chase them, perhaps I will simply call out", Normont replies.
He stands and holds up the green pass, calling out loudly, "I was hoping to talk to someone in charge. Or if possible, the person in charge. We have information regarding one of your own who left the city. I am Normont Fizzlepeak of the Pale Guard, and these are my companions".
"It looks like we should be looking at the canopy. I will keep young Dev safe until we know what we are working with." Quinn stands in front of Dev with his shield at the ready.
Oh. Wow, Dev thinks. He keeps singing but brings the song to a natural close. He lowers his pan pipes and looks to Normont. Our move, his eyes seem to say.
When Dev stops playing, Lokilia asks in a very soft voice. "Should I go up to the roof where the fake birdcalls came from?" She looks to Normont for a plan.
"It seems we have been spotted. I am not sure we have to chase them, perhaps I will simply call out", Normont replies.
He stands and holds up the green pass, calling out loudly, "I was hoping to talk to someone in charge. Or if possible, the person in charge. We have information regarding one of your own who left the city. I am Normont Fizzlepeak of the Pale Guard, and these are my companions".
A young human woman in a grey cloak appeared on the wall above Normont though he could have sworn there was no one there a moment ago, " You've been gone a while Normont. One of our own? Who?"
( Normont recognised the young woman as Ascera Numa, she had been a member of the Pale Guard but had....he had thought.....left the Guard to take care of an ailing parent...apparently there had been a different reason....)
Lokilia nods silently to Normont, looking back up to the top of the building. She tries to see if she can spot anything. (Perception: 16)
Lokilia sees Ascera shimmer into view and spots a tanned looking dwarven man with shaved head and jawline at the base of the wall blending almost perfectly in with the moss and lichen, he nods to her as he notes she has seen him.
"It looks like we should be looking at the canopy. I will keep young Dev safe until we know what we are working with." Quinn stands in front of Dev with his shield at the ready.
Seeing the woman appear above Quinn proved right with his deduction.
"I have. It is good to see you, Ascera. I assume your mother recovered. Or was it your father?", Normont replies with a smile.
He holds up the badly bent rifle they found outside the Far Realm portal, "Exactly who, we will need some help determining. But who else but a member of the Grey Hunt would own a rifle such as this? There is a story to be told of how we came upon it, but I would rather not shout it out".
Dev thanks Quinn with a glance for his protection. He takes in the exchange with interest, and through careful interjection if necessary, will give Normont 1d6 bardic inspiration for any roll he might need to make.
After Normont seemed to indicate she should wait to see what happened, Lokilia decided to stay quiet. Normont would know what to say to these people. Though when the woman seemed to disregard everyone but the Pale Guardsman of their group, she felt the need to speak up. "While I am sure he would vouch for us, I am more than able to speak for myself. I'll take responsibility for myself, and you have my word that I will honor your words while we are here."
Ascera span on a heel and took in Lokilia, " Indeed you are, and you will.", the words were stern but there was a slight grin pulling at one corner of her lips.
She led the way through the ruins deeper into the trees until they reached the temple doors beneath the Timberland canopy.........as they moved, the dwarf began to follow and two other figures emerged from shadowed doorways and joined them in a loose circle around the companions.
Approaching the door Ascera let out a series of sharp whistles as her hands traced symbols across the wood, the aged but subtly reinforced doors swung inward and she entered.
Acera took a torch from the wall and lit it descending down some spiral stairs into what had once been the crypts but now seemed to be a warm and homely barracks and offices with a number of doors leading off to other rooms.
She turned as she approached the desk and leaned up against it, " Grand Mistress isn't in town currently and both the next ranking officers are on extended patrols......so its either me or Klarron to take your report.", she jerked a thumb towards the dwarf.
She reached over the desk and retrieved a blank scroll and quill and inkwell, " At your leisure."
Normont had simply nodded when asked to vouch for the others, but felt proud as Lokilia stood up for herself.
He follows in silence as they are led into the temple and down into the crypt, Amber perched on his shoulder.
"That is a shame", he says at the news the Grand Mistress is not in town. He is a little surprised that Ascera didn't cut straight to the chase to find out who they had information on, but on reflection getting the whole story from the start was probably the best way to proceed.
And so for the second time in two days, he recounts the story. At least this time it was verbally, with someone else doing the writing. And at least it was fresh in his mind from writing the report for the Pale Guard.
He starts with the purpose of their travel, the mission of their now deceased friend and member of the Cobalt Soul, Magnus. He then skips to the relevant details of the corrupted animals and their investigation into the source of the black ichor. Of the attack by the mutated creature, and how he spotted the shred of Grey Hunter uniform on it and how they released it from its torment. Even the final words of the creature.
At this point, he not only takes the damaged rifle from his back and places it on the desk, but also retrieves the amber cameo of the young man out of his bag. He places that down with the initials M. K. facing Ascera.
"We found these things near him, and further into the cave there was a metal and stone obelisk. It turned out to be a frame of basalt holding an adamantine ring some 6' in diameter. Within the ring was a scintillating blue field that occasionally sputtered letting a small amount of black liquid spill out from the base and drip out. When that happened we could see through the ring into a vast chamber composed of raw bleeding flesh, and a great form, some three stories high, lay against a bone and sinew altar with a black metal barbed spike some 50' long transfixing it in place. The form was still and its tendrils and too many limbs were slumped against the floor of the chamber, a floor composed of teeth and cartilage....from it a black liquid slowly seeped and pooled upon the floor, trickling through the portal whenever it sputtered open for a fraction of a second".
"If I may have a blank sheet of paper?", he says, and if provided he takes out his tinker's tools and uses his magical tinkering to create a picture of the image they saw. "It won't last long, but gives you an idea. Have someone copy it if you like, I can maintain it for a few days".
He watches Ascera as he speaks and shows the picture, wondering if this is normal for Grey Hunters.
"We managed to fix the portal to stop it opening, but the corruption was already vast, and impacting nearby wildlife and tribal communities. It also ran in small amounts into the river, which could be problematic".
He then digs into his pack and withdraws the parchment on which he wrote the location of the Far Gate Portal.
"And we also brought samples", he says, retrieving those from his bag next and placing them down.
"And that concludes the report. So, do you know the Grey Hunter?".
Dev follows Normont and Lokilia into the old temple and listens as the gnome recounts events with envious clarity and completeness. The tiefling glows with pride! So there!, he thinks, watching the woman’s—Ascera’s — reaction, I bet you didn’t expect to hear the best report, ever,this morning!
Quinn will follow in the back of his group, making sure nothing bad happens. While Normont recants our recent adventures, Quinn will be amazed so much has happened in such a short period of time.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Dev begins to play, then, creating music illusions which continue in harmonic accompaniment, he sings. The song is somber at first, in the Dorian mode, but moves to quiet awe in the Lydian mode for the refrain, and it tells this story:
LEGENDS SAY THAT BEFORE THE CASTLE WAS BUILT, THAT THE JOURNEY INTO THE VALLEY WAS TREACHEROUS AND STORMY, AND THE ORIGINAL BUILDERS OF WHITESTONE CASTLE FEARED THEY'D DIE. THIS ONE GREAT TREE STOOD IN THE VALLEY, AND IT WAS UNDERNEATH IT THAT THEY TOOK SHELTER, AND AS THEY BEGAN TO TAKE SHELTER, THE STORM BROKE, AND THE STORM DID NOT RETURN UNTIL THE CASTLE WAS COMPLETED.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Quinn will want to stand next to Dev as he plays, since he is a hard being to hide.
Lokilia focuses on Dev as he starts to perform his song. It's such an interesting sound and she listens eagerly to the words. She doesn't say anything not wanting to interrupt. As it gets towards the end she starts to glance around a bit, trying to see if anyone is responding to their presence.
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 || Satina Cindermark, Fighter || Meira Dheran, Rogue
Normont listens to Dev's songs, recognising the tale of the founding of Whitestone, the city so dear to his heart. His eyes glisten a little, as he becomes enraptured by the song, almost forgetting their purpose as he dwells on the distant past.
Amber shifts around on his shoulder, bringing him out of this reverie, and he looks around to see if anyone has shown themself. He keeps the green bound pass visible.
There is no response to the song at first but Lokilia hears a bird call from the roof of a fairly intact building that looks like it was planned to be a temple......but her time among the Air Ashari tells her that it is not a bird but an imitation of a birds call...
Dev hears the same call as an ordinary bird call but then realized the last dozen or so notes are mirroring those of the song.....
Amber alerts Normont to unseen presences on both sides....
Quinn notes scuff marks on the upper wall of the nearest tumbled dwelling as if it has been climbed regularly, following upwards he sees that someone could move across the top of the ruined walls remaining out of sight from the ground...
Oh. Wow, Dev thinks. He keeps singing but brings the song to a natural close. He lowers his pan pipes and looks to Normont. Our move, his eyes seem to say.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
When Dev stops playing, Lokilia asks in a very soft voice. "Should I go up to the roof where the fake birdcalls came from?" She looks to Normont for a plan.
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 || Satina Cindermark, Fighter || Meira Dheran, Rogue
"It seems we have been spotted. I am not sure we have to chase them, perhaps I will simply call out", Normont replies.
He stands and holds up the green pass, calling out loudly, "I was hoping to talk to someone in charge. Or if possible, the person in charge. We have information regarding one of your own who left the city. I am Normont Fizzlepeak of the Pale Guard, and these are my companions".
Lokilia nods silently to Normont, looking back up to the top of the building. She tries to see if she can spot anything. (Perception: 16)
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 || Satina Cindermark, Fighter || Meira Dheran, Rogue
"It looks like we should be looking at the canopy. I will keep young Dev safe until we know what we are working with." Quinn stands in front of Dev with his shield at the ready.
A young human woman in a grey cloak appeared on the wall above Normont though he could have sworn there was no one there a moment ago, " You've been gone a while Normont. One of our own? Who?"
( Normont recognised the young woman as Ascera Numa, she had been a member of the Pale Guard but had....he had thought.....left the Guard to take care of an ailing parent...apparently there had been a different reason....)
Lokilia sees Ascera shimmer into view and spots a tanned looking dwarven man with shaved head and jawline at the base of the wall blending almost perfectly in with the moss and lichen, he nods to her as he notes she has seen him.
Seeing the woman appear above Quinn proved right with his deduction.
"I have. It is good to see you, Ascera. I assume your mother recovered. Or was it your father?", Normont replies with a smile.
He holds up the badly bent rifle they found outside the Far Realm portal, "Exactly who, we will need some help determining. But who else but a member of the Grey Hunt would own a rifle such as this? There is a story to be told of how we came upon it, but I would rather not shout it out".
Dev thanks Quinn with a glance for his protection. He takes in the exchange with interest, and through careful interjection if necessary, will give Normont 1d6 bardic inspiration for any roll he might need to make.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Quinn stays tense, prepared for this exchange to go in any direction
Asceras eyes narrowed and she nodded to Normont, " You vouch for you companions and take responsibility for their actions?"
She turned and started walking toward the ruined temple...
After Normont seemed to indicate she should wait to see what happened, Lokilia decided to stay quiet. Normont would know what to say to these people. Though when the woman seemed to disregard everyone but the Pale Guardsman of their group, she felt the need to speak up. "While I am sure he would vouch for us, I am more than able to speak for myself. I'll take responsibility for myself, and you have my word that I will honor your words while we are here."
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 || Satina Cindermark, Fighter || Meira Dheran, Rogue
Ascera span on a heel and took in Lokilia, " Indeed you are, and you will.", the words were stern but there was a slight grin pulling at one corner of her lips.
She led the way through the ruins deeper into the trees until they reached the temple doors beneath the Timberland canopy.........as they moved, the dwarf began to follow and two other figures emerged from shadowed doorways and joined them in a loose circle around the companions.
Approaching the door Ascera let out a series of sharp whistles as her hands traced symbols across the wood, the aged but subtly reinforced doors swung inward and she entered.
Acera took a torch from the wall and lit it descending down some spiral stairs into what had once been the crypts but now seemed to be a warm and homely barracks and offices with a number of doors leading off to other rooms.
She turned as she approached the desk and leaned up against it, " Grand Mistress isn't in town currently and both the next ranking officers are on extended patrols......so its either me or Klarron to take your report.", she jerked a thumb towards the dwarf.
She reached over the desk and retrieved a blank scroll and quill and inkwell, " At your leisure."
Normont had simply nodded when asked to vouch for the others, but felt proud as Lokilia stood up for herself.
He follows in silence as they are led into the temple and down into the crypt, Amber perched on his shoulder.
"That is a shame", he says at the news the Grand Mistress is not in town. He is a little surprised that Ascera didn't cut straight to the chase to find out who they had information on, but on reflection getting the whole story from the start was probably the best way to proceed.
And so for the second time in two days, he recounts the story. At least this time it was verbally, with someone else doing the writing. And at least it was fresh in his mind from writing the report for the Pale Guard.
He starts with the purpose of their travel, the mission of their now deceased friend and member of the Cobalt Soul, Magnus. He then skips to the relevant details of the corrupted animals and their investigation into the source of the black ichor. Of the attack by the mutated creature, and how he spotted the shred of Grey Hunter uniform on it and how they released it from its torment. Even the final words of the creature.
At this point, he not only takes the damaged rifle from his back and places it on the desk, but also retrieves the amber cameo of the young man out of his bag. He places that down with the initials M. K. facing Ascera.
"We found these things near him, and further into the cave there was a metal and stone obelisk. It turned out to be a frame of basalt holding an adamantine ring some 6' in diameter. Within the ring was a scintillating blue field that occasionally sputtered letting a small amount of black liquid spill out from the base and drip out. When that happened we could see through the ring into a vast chamber composed of raw bleeding flesh, and a great form, some three stories high, lay against a bone and sinew altar with a black metal barbed spike some 50' long transfixing it in place. The form was still and its tendrils and too many limbs were slumped against the floor of the chamber, a floor composed of teeth and cartilage....from it a black liquid slowly seeped and pooled upon the floor, trickling through the portal whenever it sputtered open for a fraction of a second".
"If I may have a blank sheet of paper?", he says, and if provided he takes out his tinker's tools and uses his magical tinkering to create a picture of the image they saw. "It won't last long, but gives you an idea. Have someone copy it if you like, I can maintain it for a few days".
He watches Ascera as he speaks and shows the picture, wondering if this is normal for Grey Hunters.
"We managed to fix the portal to stop it opening, but the corruption was already vast, and impacting nearby wildlife and tribal communities. It also ran in small amounts into the river, which could be problematic".
He then digs into his pack and withdraws the parchment on which he wrote the location of the Far Gate Portal.
"And we also brought samples", he says, retrieving those from his bag next and placing them down.
"And that concludes the report. So, do you know the Grey Hunter?".
Dev follows Normont and Lokilia into the old temple and listens as the gnome recounts events with envious clarity and completeness. The tiefling glows with pride! So there!, he thinks, watching the woman’s—Ascera’s — reaction, I bet you didn’t expect to hear the best report, ever,this morning!
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Quinn will follow in the back of his group, making sure nothing bad happens. While Normont recants our recent adventures, Quinn will be amazed so much has happened in such a short period of time.