Dev, who can’t remember ever seeing Lokilia caught off guard before, doesn’t quite follow, and mistakes her embarrassment for a flush of anger.
“I thought the Grey Hunters were, like, good guys. Normont thinks they are. Don’t they feel at least, like… allies? I mean they gave us those potions and everything,” Dev responds, at first confused.
”Oh…,” he suddenly pulls up short. “Wait,… it’s because… is it that they call themselves ‘hunters,’?,” he asks gently. He hadn’t been thinking. Of course Lokilia, with her incredible link to the natural world would find that disconcerting, even offensive. “I thought that was really just a name, not what they do…, or maybe that they hunted bad guys…,” he slows then stops suddenly.
”You know what? You’re right. Who do they think they are, if they’re actually just… hunting everything? What if you were in one of your animal forms and they just up and decided to hunt you?” The thought makes of the young bard a dark cloud and Dev’s eyes crackle with yellow lightning. +++++
Dev’s terror at Normont’s new creation is not immediately apparent. He pales and his mind seems to be elsewhere when he sprinkles sugar on his fried egg and salt in his tea.
”What??, oh haha, yeah I did. Oops. No Maggie is… amazing. I can’t imagine making something so amazing. It’s just… I’m a little bit scared of dogs.” The terrorizing wolf chained to a tree outside his neighbor’s cabin on the lake, and other canines in Drynna whose primary purpose seemed to be to pick on the kids.
It doesn't occur to Normont that anyone could think of Maggie as scary. After all, he has designed her to be friendly towards them. To someone who is hostile to him or his companions, that is a different story though.
"I'm sorry Dev, I didn't think. I actually modelled her a bit after Lokilia, when she transformed to fight those Cerberus assassins. She is a proper guard dog though, and certainly won't hurt you. She will actually protect us all...I hope. I haven't field tested her yet", he replies, more than a little excited.
"And the best part. She is strong enough for me to ride!", he says, hopping onto Maggie's back.
As Dev goes on about the Grey Hunters, Lokilia starts to get over her embarrassment and a smile grows on her face. By the end she can't help but let out a small laugh. "No! My goodness!" She shakes her head playfully. "I've hunted. Yea, I've got an affinity for animals. But you still hunt to get meat."
Her laughter calms as she goes on. "What I meant was, Grey Hunters, are really amazing. Think of how great Normont is, and then think about the fact that he's not wore yet one of them yet. But Ascera..." Here her cheeks turn a little pink once again as she thinks about this. "She has been one for a while! Imagine that!" It's clear Lokilia definitely was more impressed by Ascera than she'd let on.
As Dev goes on about the Grey Hunters, Lokilia starts to get over her embarrassment and a smile grows on her face. By the end she can't help but let out a small laugh. "No! My goodness!" She shakes her head playfully. "I've hunted. Yea, I've got an affinity for animals. But you still hunt to get meat."
"Ohhh...," Dev says. The lightning bolts crisscrossing his pupils calm. He smiles. "Okay, yeah, I mean I kinda have done some hunting too... or my parents and I wouldn't have... made it through the winter. I mean, mostly a set up some little traps if that even counts, haha?"
Her laughter calms as she goes on. "What I meant was, Grey Hunters, are really amazing. Think of how great Normont is, and then think about the fact that he's not wore yet one of them yet. But Ascera..." Here her cheeks turn a little pink once again as she thinks about this. "She has been one for a while! Imagine that!" It's clear Lokilia definitely was more impressed by Ascera than she'd let on.
"Oh... well, yeah... I mean, really? I didn't really know they were that skilled. Wow. But I don't know. Like, maybe Ascera just wanted to, like be friends?" He thinks about it for a minute. "Nah." He laughs, smiling at Lokilia.
"And the best part. She is strong enough for me to ride!", he says, hopping onto Maggie's back.
Normont has taken Dev by surprise again. The lad literally gapes as the gnome mounts and rides his creation. How could anyone possibly be that brilliant? The young bard's eyes are glued as the construction leaps off with Normont on its back and Dev's laugh trills merrily as he watches.
When Normont presents Maggie, Lokilia is impressed. She does seem to give the impression she thinks an actual animal would be better, but she certainly doesn't say anything about that. "It is a fabulous creation. And did you really model it after my wolf form? I do enjoy that form." She takes a deep breath and then adds, "It will serve you well when you take your new job here in Whitestone." There's an anxious pause in her tone as she says it.
Normont visited his Grandfather, introducing the others and chatting with the old man about the past and his hopes for the future, his Grandfather offered lodging to Normont and the others if the wished it for nothing more than accompanying him to the markets once a week.
He visits the Cobalt Soul representative with Quinn whilst Dev and Lokilia are on one of their excursions, the quiet reserved woman listens attentively and shakes her head as their loss is related. She pats their hands and commends them on doing their best in a bad situation, she takes down all the details they can remember and promises to honour the promises made to them.
His time spent in the workshop wrought three exquisite rewards...a new and improved Amber, the lithe and protective Maggie and the repaired and refurbished rifle.
He put out feelers regarding the Nameless Ones and received little reliable Intel back, though he did receive word from an old school mate in the Carter's guild that there were rumours of someone new in town also linked to the pawn shop...someone out of Emon. There were also several reports of weapons smuggling both in and out of Whitestone though no details that could be confirmed.
He did, at the last, receive a letter signed by Cassandra De Rolo acting in her capacity as Guardian of Woven Stone indicating that his full report both to The Pale Guard and The Grey Hunt had been distributed to the entirety of The Chamber and that they would be in contact if follow up was required. There was a small secondary note attached in less formal language that simply stated " Mother Approves. Good Hunting." He is sworn in as a member of the Grey Hunt though the official ceremony is postponed until the Grand Mistress returns to the city.
Normont is showing Maggie off to his companions when a slight figure in an ash-grey cloak appears at the edge of the workshop and whistles low under their breath......
( 50 gp, released from service as a Pale Guard member though he still has friends and contacts within, he is gifted a Bag of Holding from his Grandfather a souvenir from back in his adventuring days - there is already a bunch of stuff in it but his Grandfather has forgotten what exactly. )
Lokilia would tell Quinn all about living in Zephrah, high up in the Summit Peaks. It's a small village, quite a bit smaller than Drynna. There is of course a gate to the Plane of Air, but it's not like she's really had anything to do with that. Sometimes they might have elemental beings visit though. Most of the Air Ashsari that live there are good hunters, and that provides a lot of their food. Along with the high-altitude vegetation they can grow. The terrain around the village is pretty rugged and requires a lot of climbing to get around. She loved the area, it was so wonderful, filled with alpine animals and birds of all kinds. As a druid, obviously she spent a lot of time wandering the mountains in the vicinity of Drynna.
She also tells him about the skysails they have. She knows all about them - how they're made of either bone and leather or wood and cloth. And the air elemental magic that helps them navigate the rugged terrain around the village. She talks about how the elemental magic can help lift them up, but then you can simply glide around. Or use the magic to actually propel the skysail for a bit. While she does know how to use one, her actual time doing so was extremely limited. They aren't available to just anyone - especially not youngsters. But she's absolutely enamored of them.
She can't help but ask Quinn some questions as she talks. "You are a part of the Earth Ashari, right? Do you live in Terrah? Have you been there? The Cliffkeep Mountains sound interesting. Though I don't think I'd want to visit Kraghammer. Are there lots of genasi there? Zephrah has a few - air genasi of course!" She asks the questions - and talks - but doesn't push. A no, or a non-response and she moves on.
She mentions her family - just her and her parents. Her mother was focused on arcane studies; her father studied the natural world. "Took a bit from both of them, I guess. But neither were druids. I just love exploring too much to sit down and study all the time!" She also talks about her other relatives - evidently aunts and uncles and cousins that she has never met. She understands that some live amongst other Ashari tribes. She thinks one of them might be in Terrah, though she isn't completely sure.
Dev becomes a common sight on the street corners and in the parklands around Whitestone his upbeat musical performances popular with locals and tourists alike and he is able to bring in a tidy sum...he's unsure as to the exact cause of his popularity but he seems to have almost ' blossomed' artistically once free of Drynnas muddy, fish smelling streets.
Dev receives replies back to his letters, not as often as he writes but still quite regular....the money he is sending back home is said to be going to good use making repairs and keeping things far more pleasant than past winters. Dev and Lokilia spend quite some time together and he finds himself enjoying the wild lands far more than he thought he would....especially when there is time to relax and take it in rather than being driven to travel onwards constantly....
Quinn does some sparring with Dev and both are pleased to see signs of improvement in Devs martial skills...
Dev and Balaran grow closer though Dev does find the artist never lets his guard down when they speak, it is at a fellow artists celebration over a gallery opening that Balaran...a little into his cups....confesses to Dev that his discomfort is based on the relatively wide span between their respective ages....further disclosing an older mentor who took...advantage...of himself when he was younger...and that he wants to see Dev develop into his own person and artistic presence without any perceived untoward influence or gossip from the hangers-on. He does however convince a number of the notable musicians in Whitestone to ' jam' with Dev and allow his talent to develop further.
Dev becomes somewhat of a minor darling among the New Rich of Whitestone......and though he knows such things are usually fleeting he does manage to secure a Palace performance for the following month.
He is also gifted, from a 'secret admirer', a strange white silk fingerless glove traced in gossamer illusionary dew drops and webs that shimmer in the light. ( See Sheet).
Dev is also beginning to fill out a little physically, slowly emerging from his gawky teenage hood.....very slowly.....and he's beginning to notice that others Tieflings don't seem to have the sheer amount of body hair that's come in over the last few months....expecially on his....lower extremities....( satyr, right?)
Dev is somewhat relieved to hear after a week or so that Andrew has left Whitestone altogether, one of the people Dev effortlessly questions seems to think he left on a caravan bound for Westruun, others that he was headed for Drynna....regardless he seems to have gotten away clean from what Dev can tell. Glinnik, Dev discovers, has a distinct aversion to anyone he seems a 'busker' and would rather not talk to anyone he doesn't know.....Devs silver tongue is able to keep Glinnick from becoming suspicious of the street performers hints and waxings about the blissfulness of a simple life.....but it seems he is not to be swayed. Eventually, Dev notes some of Glinnicks " lodgers" beginning to take an interest and makes himself scarce.
Normont is showing Maggie off to his companions when a slight figure in an ash-grey cloak appears at the edge of the workshop and whistles low under their breath......
( Dev handily brings in an income of 35 gp a week in takings from his performances, he also makes a good number of contacts and friends among Whitestones artist community and may add +2 to History checks whilst in Whitestone and able to ' ask around'.)
Lokilia is offered a room at Normonts Grandfathers, though he is not offended if she does not accept.....but the little sunroom is still full of plants that once belonged to Normonts Grandmother....and a little uncared for....there is a certain charm.
Her walks of the Gardens of Whitestone leads her to discover that Lord Trinket was not infact a lordling of any sort but rather a very large bear, an enormous statue of the beast sits near the centre of the park. She discovers from asking around that the bear still lives and is a pet or possibly a companion of the Royal Family. Regardless the gardens are quite lovely, and the Timberlands outside the wall even more so.
She enjoys Devs integration and growth into both the artistic community and his own art form, she senses some sort of complications around him and Balaran but they seem to remain friends. Devs friendly needling in return regarding Ascera leads Lokilia to make her own considerations...
She speaks with Quinn on occasion and he seems very interested in the Air Ashari and Zephyr but she quickly notes he reveals little of Terrah and his own people, and she lets it drop.
Lokilia is delighted to find not only well tended herb gardens within the public parks and wild specimens within the Parchwood but that Normonts Grandmother was quite the herbalist herself.....she uncovers a number of dried and prepared concoctions as she nurses the sunroom herbarium back to health.
Lokilia assists Dev with his investigations making use of her Wild Shape to gather more information, she determines there are at least a dozen people within Glinnicks upper floors and that at least some of them are able to change their appearance or form.....she also grows increasingly suspicious of a bat that was habitually hanging under the edge of the upper floors guttering and which seemed to track her no matter her form....
Normont is showing Maggie off to his companions when a slight figure in an ash-grey cloak appears at the edge of the workshop and whistles low under their breath......
( Lokilia is able to make 60 gp selling herbs, treatment and advice at the markets, she also is able to create another Herbalism Kit, a Healing Kit, 2 vials of Antitoxin and finds an Elixir of Health hidden among the Herbalism books that Normonts Grandfather urges her to keep.)
Speaking with Lokilia Quinn learns a lot about his cousins the Air Ashari and their homestead of Zephrah, but he finds himself unable to share much in turn.
Dev seems to have grown in both confidence and martial skills during his time in the wilds.
The meeting with the representative of the Cobalt Soul is relatively short but she does confirm her thanks for their efforts and that their arrangement with the Soul will be respected.
His time taken for himself passes as he wishes....
Quinn is somewhat fascinated by the sword that has been gifted to him and finds himself looking for newer armour to try and match the beautiful weapons appearance after a couple of weeks he discovers a dusty suit of armour hanging in the rear of an old Smithy in the Southern Ward, the armourer explains it was a custom order made by his father that was never picked up and offers it to Quinn for half price. ( Feel free to determine the type of armour)
Through Normonts contacts Quinn is able to pick up quite a bit of work as a Non-Sworn Officer of the Pale Guard which basically means Guard Duty and watching the drunk tank on weekend nights.
Normont is showing Maggie off to his companions when a slight figure in an ash-grey cloak appears at the edge of the workshop and whistles low under their breath......
( Quinn makes 100 go through his work, acheives ' blank' whilst he is gone and has a lovely new sword to play with)
Normont is incredibly grateful to his Grandfather for being so kind to his friends, and also for the bag of holding. He loads it up with all his travelling things, and purchases a couple of new tool kits that he hadn't been able to carry before to help him on the road. A set of Carpenter's Tools and Smith's Tools. He also creates himself some Alchemist's Supplies.
He is very excited to now be a member of the Grey Hunt, even though the Grand Mistress has not been available to preside over an official ceremony.
He is still a little disappointed that Lord de Rolo has not returned to Whitestone. He has kept the items he retrieved from the tower safe though, not trusting anyone else with them.
Maggie comes to an abrupt halt as she, Normont and Amber, who is clinging to Normont's shoulder, all spot the grey cloaked figure at the same time.
"Oh my. Um, hello there", he says to the newcomer. He directs Maggie to wander over towards them, and dismounts, as he looks to see if he recognises them. He certainly recognises the grey cloak. At least it looks like the one he now wears.
"I was just...showing off Maggie here. Never mind that. What can I do for you?".
(OOC: Uses Right Tool for the Job to create the Alchemist's Supplies. Made sense as it was the most expensive. Thanks for all the goodies DM :-) )
He will also try to teach Dev how to fight with a sword to make sure he can protect himself better
Dev is grateful for and excited about learning from Quinn. He arrives bright-eyes and ready. But when his training begins, it seems that he cannot improve. The teenager’s reflexes, first off, are so slow it takes an entire heartbeat for him to respond to any threat. While practicing parries and ripostes he tangles his feet. He drops his rapier. He quickly tires. Dev is, in short, Quinn must finally acknowledge, a terrible student. Not for lack of trying, but for an utter, seemingly irremediable lack of talent.
At the end of the session, the lad smiles gratefully to Quinn. But it’s in the tiefling’s eyes too: he knows how bad he is… and yet, he’s not bent out of shape about it, either. Confidence in other areas allows him to accept this deficiency with a shrug and a laugh, so long as laughing doesn’t seem disrespectful to his friend, the brave genasi.
But somehow, Quinn’s patient tutelage breaks through and Dev does begin to improve!
At first, Lokilia is a bit reluctant to accept the offer from Normont's grandfather to stay, as she doesn't want to impose. But she quickly realizes it's truly not an issue for him, so she accepts. And she is glad she does as she discovers the sunroom. While she spends time tending to the plants and nurturing their growth, she does just a minimum of pruning and is quite content to allow the plants' wild hold on the sunroom to remain.
The public herb gardens are quite a surprise to her, as it was something she never expected in a big city. While she enjoyed the Parchwood most, she did spend a good deal of time in the city's gardens and parks.
Finding out Lord Trinket was a bear was a surprise for her as well. She'd immediately tracked down Dev to tell him we she first learned of it. And by the time she ran into Normont she'd learned more. "How could you not tell me Trinket was a bear? Now I get why you mentioned it to me. I thought it so strange you were telling me about some random lord!"
She probably most enjoys seeing the transformation in Dev. And enjoys listening to his music and just hanging around with him. She inquires about Balaran a lot and is always willing to listen to whatever Dev is willing to share. She doesn't push, but she does find herself relying on her insight at time to try to read between the lines of what Dev might say. She doesn't mention Ascera unless prompted. But she does think about her quite a bit. She's mostly convinced herself Dev was just teasing her and it was nothing. But she wonders.
On one occasion she does sneak off by herself and uses her Wild Shape to make her way towards the ruins in the form of a fox. She had convinced herself that she would go and try to see if she could find Ascera. But she didn't get too far before getting cold feet. Although, she convinced herself it was more out of respect for not trampling on where they were hiding. She never said anything about it to Dev, nor tried again.
Much more fun was helping Dev investigate Glinnicks. She found it rather interesting that at least some could change appearance. She readily shared the information with Dev. She did start to worry just a bit when some of them seemed to start to take an interested in Dev. And that bat did seem a bit creepy.
Lokilia isn't quite sure what to make of her time with Quinn. In a way, she feels good that they were able to spend time together. But she's also a little uncertain about how he thought about it.
Lokilia watches the grey-cloaked figure with interest as it comes in while Normont is showing off his creation. When the gnome speaks up she is fine with letting him interact with this newcomer.
Dev does not really understand Balaran’s reluctance. Reluctance toward what?, he wonders, at first, unaware of the ruddy glowing of his cheeks when his eyes were filled to overflowing with the beautiful artist’s form. But he knows how to be careful of another’s feelings and when the older tiefling breaks off a conversation or turns away physically, Dev learns his boundaries and respects them. He is used to being left out or pushed away, for any number of reasons, usually his brick-red skin or quiet sensitivity. But this isn’t the first time that his age is the hard stone of the wall someone chooses to create, either. And so, he manages the distance and thinks no less of Balaran. The older tiefling’s friendship, in itself, is golden ambrosia. And Dev learns how to take better care of his horns and learns another tiefling ability from Balaran as well…
(Tears in my eyes from laughter at the unexpected MJ glove!! ROTFL!)
Dev cherishes the glove, and wears it at all hours, even to bed.
(lol! Maybe the extra-hairy legs are a passing phase of late adolescence :()
Speaking with Lokilia Quinn learns a lot about his cousins the Air Ashari and their homestead of Zephrah, but he finds himself unable to share much in turn.
Dev seems to have grown in both confidence and martial skills during his time in the wilds.
The meeting with the representative of the Cobalt Soul is relatively short but she does confirm her thanks for their efforts and that their arrangement with the Soul will be respected.
His time taken for himself passes as he wishes....
Quinn is somewhat fascinated by the sword that has been gifted to him and finds himself looking for newer armour to try and match the beautiful weapons appearance after a couple of weeks he discovers a dusty suit of armour hanging in the rear of an old Smithy in the Southern Ward, the armourer explains it was a custom order made by his father that was never picked up and offers it to Quinn for half price. ( Feel free to determine the type of armour)
Through Normonts contacts Quinn is able to pick up quite a bit of work as a Non-Sworn Officer of the Pale Guard which basically means Guard Duty and watching the drunk tank on weekend nights.
Normont is showing Maggie off to his companions when a slight figure in an ash-grey cloak appears at the edge of the workshop and whistles low under their breath......
( Quinn makes 100 go through his work, acheives ' blank' whilst he is gone and has a lovely new sword to play with)
Quinn will be over joyed to hear the beauty of the home of the Air Ashanti and would pepper Lokilia with question about her friends, her favorite place to play and if she got into any trouble. He will also understand the desire to travel the world and make your own path away from your family. Quinn still will be silent in his talks of home but will share vague but fond memories of growing up.
With Dev, he will tell the young teifling that he too was not good with the sword at his age. He was actually the runt of his siblings and was told that he was weak. But it was those experience that pushed him to work hard on his craft and he learned to protect the weak.
His time with Normont is sad, he feels that he has failed and that if was only stronger he could have saved his friends live. He makes this clear with the cobalt soul and ask to learn some of their fighting style to grow.
He takes the odd jobs and the coin that comes with it and uses it to pay for Plate Armor that has the gold accent to play off the gold in his hair and eyes.
Dev is unsurprised that Normont’s incredible creations have drawn attention. He waits to hear what the stranger will say, ready to bask in the sun of Normont’s brilliance.
Maggie comes to an abrupt halt as she, Normont and Amber, who is clinging to Normont's shoulder, all spot the grey cloaked figure at the same time.
"Oh my. Um, hello there", he says to the newcomer. He directs Maggie to wander over towards them, and dismounts, as he looks to see if he recognises them. He certainly recognises the grey cloak. At least it looks like the one he now wears.
"I was just...showing off Maggie here. Never mind that. What can I do for you?".
The voice that issues from within the cloak is soft and measured, " I was rather wondering the same thing.......some among you seem to have been taking an interest in our affairs.....not just you of course. Others as well......like the former owner of this cloak. We simply wish to be left alone to conduct our affairs......without prejudice....official or unofficial..."
" So I was wondering if you could reach out to the....associates...of this cloaks owner, he is unharmed......uh, that is a lie.....he is...as well as can be expected.....but will remain in our care until our business is complete. Can you relay this message?"
There was a deep sigh from within the hood, " Yes, going to war with the Guard and the............Hunt?.......wouldn't have been my first option but needs must. No one needs to die......uh, that is also a lie......no one within Whitestone needs to die."
Normont's manner changes the instant he hears the cloak's real owner is in trouble. His eyes narrow and his demeanour hardens.
"Oh dear", he says as he wanders the few feet to stand next to the counter on which is perched his rifle. "That appears to be a threat, and I don't get on well with threats. Especially delivered by a stranger in my own workshop".
His eyes scan around for indications that this person is not alone, and also focusses on them looking for weaponry or signs of spell casting like a component pouch or focus of some sort.
Perception: 13+4=17
(OOC: DM - I didn't ask before as I assumed this person entered through the door, but did they actually just appear out of no-where? Is there any way to tell if they are alone? Be it through the door, window or noticing any sounds or indication of anyone invisible?)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Dev, who can’t remember ever seeing Lokilia caught off guard before, doesn’t quite follow, and mistakes her embarrassment for a flush of anger.
“I thought the Grey Hunters were, like, good guys. Normont thinks they are. Don’t they feel at least, like… allies? I mean they gave us those potions and everything,” Dev responds, at first confused.
”Oh…,” he suddenly pulls up short. “Wait,… it’s because… is it that they call themselves ‘hunters,’?,” he asks gently. He hadn’t been thinking. Of course Lokilia, with her incredible link to the natural world would find that disconcerting, even offensive. “I thought that was really just a name, not what they do…, or maybe that they hunted bad guys…,” he slows then stops suddenly.
”You know what? You’re right. Who do they think they are, if they’re actually just… hunting everything? What if you were in one of your animal forms and they just up and decided to hunt you?” The thought makes of the young bard a dark cloud and Dev’s eyes crackle with yellow lightning.
+++++
Dev’s terror at Normont’s new creation is not immediately apparent. He pales and his mind seems to be elsewhere when he sprinkles sugar on his fried egg and salt in his tea.
”What??, oh haha, yeah I did. Oops. No Maggie is… amazing. I can’t imagine making something so amazing. It’s just… I’m a little bit scared of dogs.” The terrorizing wolf chained to a tree outside his neighbor’s cabin on the lake, and other canines in Drynna whose primary purpose seemed to be to pick on the kids.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
It doesn't occur to Normont that anyone could think of Maggie as scary. After all, he has designed her to be friendly towards them. To someone who is hostile to him or his companions, that is a different story though.
"I'm sorry Dev, I didn't think. I actually modelled her a bit after Lokilia, when she transformed to fight those Cerberus assassins. She is a proper guard dog though, and certainly won't hurt you. She will actually protect us all...I hope. I haven't field tested her yet", he replies, more than a little excited.
"And the best part. She is strong enough for me to ride!", he says, hopping onto Maggie's back.
As Dev goes on about the Grey Hunters, Lokilia starts to get over her embarrassment and a smile grows on her face. By the end she can't help but let out a small laugh. "No! My goodness!" She shakes her head playfully. "I've hunted. Yea, I've got an affinity for animals. But you still hunt to get meat."
Her laughter calms as she goes on. "What I meant was, Grey Hunters, are really amazing. Think of how great Normont is, and then think about the fact that he's not wore yet one of them yet. But Ascera..." Here her cheeks turn a little pink once again as she thinks about this. "She has been one for a while! Imagine that!" It's clear Lokilia definitely was more impressed by Ascera than she'd let on.
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
"Ohhh...," Dev says. The lightning bolts crisscrossing his pupils calm. He smiles. "Okay, yeah, I mean I kinda have done some hunting too... or my parents and I wouldn't have... made it through the winter. I mean, mostly a set up some little traps if that even counts, haha?"
"Oh... well, yeah... I mean, really? I didn't really know they were that skilled. Wow. But I don't know. Like, maybe Ascera just wanted to, like be friends?" He thinks about it for a minute. "Nah." He laughs, smiling at Lokilia.
Normont has taken Dev by surprise again. The lad literally gapes as the gnome mounts and rides his creation. How could anyone possibly be that brilliant? The young bard's eyes are glued as the construction leaps off with Normont on its back and Dev's laugh trills merrily as he watches.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
When Normont presents Maggie, Lokilia is impressed. She does seem to give the impression she thinks an actual animal would be better, but she certainly doesn't say anything about that. "It is a fabulous creation. And did you really model it after my wolf form? I do enjoy that form." She takes a deep breath and then adds, "It will serve you well when you take your new job here in Whitestone." There's an anxious pause in her tone as she says it.
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
During Quinn's downtime, he will connect with Lokilia about her Ashanti experience but will not talk to much about his home.
He will also try to teach Dev how to fight with a sword to make sure he can protect himself better
He will go with Normont to the Cobalt Soul and help with any clarification needed about his fallen friend
Quinn will disappear for two days
Quinn will look for better armor so he is better protected.
Normont-
Normont visited his Grandfather, introducing the others and chatting with the old man about the past and his hopes for the future, his Grandfather offered lodging to Normont and the others if the wished it for nothing more than accompanying him to the markets once a week.
He visits the Cobalt Soul representative with Quinn whilst Dev and Lokilia are on one of their excursions, the quiet reserved woman listens attentively and shakes her head as their loss is related. She pats their hands and commends them on doing their best in a bad situation, she takes down all the details they can remember and promises to honour the promises made to them.
His time spent in the workshop wrought three exquisite rewards...a new and improved Amber, the lithe and protective Maggie and the repaired and refurbished rifle.
He put out feelers regarding the Nameless Ones and received little reliable Intel back, though he did receive word from an old school mate in the Carter's guild that there were rumours of someone new in town also linked to the pawn shop...someone out of Emon. There were also several reports of weapons smuggling both in and out of Whitestone though no details that could be confirmed.
He did, at the last, receive a letter signed by Cassandra De Rolo acting in her capacity as Guardian of Woven Stone indicating that his full report both to The Pale Guard and The Grey Hunt had been distributed to the entirety of The Chamber and that they would be in contact if follow up was required. There was a small secondary note attached in less formal language that simply stated " Mother Approves. Good Hunting." He is sworn in as a member of the Grey Hunt though the official ceremony is postponed until the Grand Mistress returns to the city.
Normont is showing Maggie off to his companions when a slight figure in an ash-grey cloak appears at the edge of the workshop and whistles low under their breath......
( 50 gp, released from service as a Pale Guard member though he still has friends and contacts within, he is gifted a Bag of Holding from his Grandfather a souvenir from back in his adventuring days - there is already a bunch of stuff in it but his Grandfather has forgotten what exactly. )
Lokilia would tell Quinn all about living in Zephrah, high up in the Summit Peaks. It's a small village, quite a bit smaller than Drynna. There is of course a gate to the Plane of Air, but it's not like she's really had anything to do with that. Sometimes they might have elemental beings visit though. Most of the Air Ashsari that live there are good hunters, and that provides a lot of their food. Along with the high-altitude vegetation they can grow. The terrain around the village is pretty rugged and requires a lot of climbing to get around. She loved the area, it was so wonderful, filled with alpine animals and birds of all kinds. As a druid, obviously she spent a lot of time wandering the mountains in the vicinity of Drynna.
She also tells him about the skysails they have. She knows all about them - how they're made of either bone and leather or wood and cloth. And the air elemental magic that helps them navigate the rugged terrain around the village. She talks about how the elemental magic can help lift them up, but then you can simply glide around. Or use the magic to actually propel the skysail for a bit. While she does know how to use one, her actual time doing so was extremely limited. They aren't available to just anyone - especially not youngsters. But she's absolutely enamored of them.
She can't help but ask Quinn some questions as she talks. "You are a part of the Earth Ashari, right? Do you live in Terrah? Have you been there? The Cliffkeep Mountains sound interesting. Though I don't think I'd want to visit Kraghammer. Are there lots of genasi there? Zephrah has a few - air genasi of course!" She asks the questions - and talks - but doesn't push. A no, or a non-response and she moves on.
She mentions her family - just her and her parents. Her mother was focused on arcane studies; her father studied the natural world. "Took a bit from both of them, I guess. But neither were druids. I just love exploring too much to sit down and study all the time!" She also talks about her other relatives - evidently aunts and uncles and cousins that she has never met. She understands that some live amongst other Ashari tribes. She thinks one of them might be in Terrah, though she isn't completely sure.
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-
Dev becomes a common sight on the street corners and in the parklands around Whitestone his upbeat musical performances popular with locals and tourists alike and he is able to bring in a tidy sum...he's unsure as to the exact cause of his popularity but he seems to have almost ' blossomed' artistically once free of Drynnas muddy, fish smelling streets.
Dev receives replies back to his letters, not as often as he writes but still quite regular....the money he is sending back home is said to be going to good use making repairs and keeping things far more pleasant than past winters. Dev and Lokilia spend quite some time together and he finds himself enjoying the wild lands far more than he thought he would....especially when there is time to relax and take it in rather than being driven to travel onwards constantly....
Quinn does some sparring with Dev and both are pleased to see signs of improvement in Devs martial skills...
Dev and Balaran grow closer though Dev does find the artist never lets his guard down when they speak, it is at a fellow artists celebration over a gallery opening that Balaran...a little into his cups....confesses to Dev that his discomfort is based on the relatively wide span between their respective ages....further disclosing an older mentor who took...advantage...of himself when he was younger...and that he wants to see Dev develop into his own person and artistic presence without any perceived untoward influence or gossip from the hangers-on. He does however convince a number of the notable musicians in Whitestone to ' jam' with Dev and allow his talent to develop further.
Dev becomes somewhat of a minor darling among the New Rich of Whitestone......and though he knows such things are usually fleeting he does manage to secure a Palace performance for the following month.
He is also gifted, from a 'secret admirer', a strange white silk fingerless glove traced in gossamer illusionary dew drops and webs that shimmer in the light. ( See Sheet).
Dev is also beginning to fill out a little physically, slowly emerging from his gawky teenage hood.....very slowly.....and he's beginning to notice that others Tieflings don't seem to have the sheer amount of body hair that's come in over the last few months....expecially on his....lower extremities....( satyr, right?)
Dev is somewhat relieved to hear after a week or so that Andrew has left Whitestone altogether, one of the people Dev effortlessly questions seems to think he left on a caravan bound for Westruun, others that he was headed for Drynna....regardless he seems to have gotten away clean from what Dev can tell. Glinnik, Dev discovers, has a distinct aversion to anyone he seems a 'busker' and would rather not talk to anyone he doesn't know.....Devs silver tongue is able to keep Glinnick from becoming suspicious of the street performers hints and waxings about the blissfulness of a simple life.....but it seems he is not to be swayed. Eventually, Dev notes some of Glinnicks " lodgers" beginning to take an interest and makes himself scarce.
Normont is showing Maggie off to his companions when a slight figure in an ash-grey cloak appears at the edge of the workshop and whistles low under their breath......
( Dev handily brings in an income of 35 gp a week in takings from his performances, he also makes a good number of contacts and friends among Whitestones artist community and may add +2 to History checks whilst in Whitestone and able to ' ask around'.)
Lokilia-
Lokilia is offered a room at Normonts Grandfathers, though he is not offended if she does not accept.....but the little sunroom is still full of plants that once belonged to Normonts Grandmother....and a little uncared for....there is a certain charm.
Her walks of the Gardens of Whitestone leads her to discover that Lord Trinket was not infact a lordling of any sort but rather a very large bear, an enormous statue of the beast sits near the centre of the park. She discovers from asking around that the bear still lives and is a pet or possibly a companion of the Royal Family. Regardless the gardens are quite lovely, and the Timberlands outside the wall even more so.
She enjoys Devs integration and growth into both the artistic community and his own art form, she senses some sort of complications around him and Balaran but they seem to remain friends. Devs friendly needling in return regarding Ascera leads Lokilia to make her own considerations...
She speaks with Quinn on occasion and he seems very interested in the Air Ashari and Zephyr but she quickly notes he reveals little of Terrah and his own people, and she lets it drop.
Lokilia is delighted to find not only well tended herb gardens within the public parks and wild specimens within the Parchwood but that Normonts Grandmother was quite the herbalist herself.....she uncovers a number of dried and prepared concoctions as she nurses the sunroom herbarium back to health.
Lokilia assists Dev with his investigations making use of her Wild Shape to gather more information, she determines there are at least a dozen people within Glinnicks upper floors and that at least some of them are able to change their appearance or form.....she also grows increasingly suspicious of a bat that was habitually hanging under the edge of the upper floors guttering and which seemed to track her no matter her form....
Normont is showing Maggie off to his companions when a slight figure in an ash-grey cloak appears at the edge of the workshop and whistles low under their breath......
( Lokilia is able to make 60 gp selling herbs, treatment and advice at the markets, she also is able to create another Herbalism Kit, a Healing Kit, 2 vials of Antitoxin and finds an Elixir of Health hidden among the Herbalism books that Normonts Grandfather urges her to keep.)
Quinn-
Speaking with Lokilia Quinn learns a lot about his cousins the Air Ashari and their homestead of Zephrah, but he finds himself unable to share much in turn.
Dev seems to have grown in both confidence and martial skills during his time in the wilds.
The meeting with the representative of the Cobalt Soul is relatively short but she does confirm her thanks for their efforts and that their arrangement with the Soul will be respected.
His time taken for himself passes as he wishes....
Quinn is somewhat fascinated by the sword that has been gifted to him and finds himself looking for newer armour to try and match the beautiful weapons appearance after a couple of weeks he discovers a dusty suit of armour hanging in the rear of an old Smithy in the Southern Ward, the armourer explains it was a custom order made by his father that was never picked up and offers it to Quinn for half price. ( Feel free to determine the type of armour)
Through Normonts contacts Quinn is able to pick up quite a bit of work as a Non-Sworn Officer of the Pale Guard which basically means Guard Duty and watching the drunk tank on weekend nights.
Normont is showing Maggie off to his companions when a slight figure in an ash-grey cloak appears at the edge of the workshop and whistles low under their breath......
( Quinn makes 100 go through his work, acheives ' blank' whilst he is gone and has a lovely new sword to play with)
Normont is incredibly grateful to his Grandfather for being so kind to his friends, and also for the bag of holding. He loads it up with all his travelling things, and purchases a couple of new tool kits that he hadn't been able to carry before to help him on the road. A set of Carpenter's Tools and Smith's Tools. He also creates himself some Alchemist's Supplies.
He is very excited to now be a member of the Grey Hunt, even though the Grand Mistress has not been available to preside over an official ceremony.
He is still a little disappointed that Lord de Rolo has not returned to Whitestone. He has kept the items he retrieved from the tower safe though, not trusting anyone else with them.
Maggie comes to an abrupt halt as she, Normont and Amber, who is clinging to Normont's shoulder, all spot the grey cloaked figure at the same time.
"Oh my. Um, hello there", he says to the newcomer. He directs Maggie to wander over towards them, and dismounts, as he looks to see if he recognises them. He certainly recognises the grey cloak. At least it looks like the one he now wears.
"I was just...showing off Maggie here. Never mind that. What can I do for you?".
(OOC: Uses Right Tool for the Job to create the Alchemist's Supplies. Made sense as it was the most expensive. Thanks for all the goodies DM :-) )
Dev is grateful for and excited about learning from Quinn. He arrives bright-eyes and ready. But when his training begins, it seems that he cannot improve. The teenager’s reflexes, first off, are so slow it takes an entire heartbeat for him to respond to any threat. While practicing parries and ripostes he tangles his feet. He drops his rapier. He quickly tires. Dev is, in short, Quinn must finally acknowledge, a terrible student. Not for lack of trying, but for an utter, seemingly irremediable lack of talent.
At the end of the session, the lad smiles gratefully to Quinn. But it’s in the tiefling’s eyes too: he knows how bad he is… and yet, he’s not bent out of shape about it, either. Confidence in other areas allows him to accept this deficiency with a shrug and a laugh, so long as laughing doesn’t seem disrespectful to his friend, the brave genasi.
But somehow, Quinn’s patient tutelage breaks through and Dev does begin to improve!
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
At first, Lokilia is a bit reluctant to accept the offer from Normont's grandfather to stay, as she doesn't want to impose. But she quickly realizes it's truly not an issue for him, so she accepts. And she is glad she does as she discovers the sunroom. While she spends time tending to the plants and nurturing their growth, she does just a minimum of pruning and is quite content to allow the plants' wild hold on the sunroom to remain.
The public herb gardens are quite a surprise to her, as it was something she never expected in a big city. While she enjoyed the Parchwood most, she did spend a good deal of time in the city's gardens and parks.
Finding out Lord Trinket was a bear was a surprise for her as well. She'd immediately tracked down Dev to tell him we she first learned of it. And by the time she ran into Normont she'd learned more. "How could you not tell me Trinket was a bear? Now I get why you mentioned it to me. I thought it so strange you were telling me about some random lord!"
She probably most enjoys seeing the transformation in Dev. And enjoys listening to his music and just hanging around with him. She inquires about Balaran a lot and is always willing to listen to whatever Dev is willing to share. She doesn't push, but she does find herself relying on her insight at time to try to read between the lines of what Dev might say. She doesn't mention Ascera unless prompted. But she does think about her quite a bit. She's mostly convinced herself Dev was just teasing her and it was nothing. But she wonders.
On one occasion she does sneak off by herself and uses her Wild Shape to make her way towards the ruins in the form of a fox. She had convinced herself that she would go and try to see if she could find Ascera. But she didn't get too far before getting cold feet. Although, she convinced herself it was more out of respect for not trampling on where they were hiding. She never said anything about it to Dev, nor tried again.
Much more fun was helping Dev investigate Glinnicks. She found it rather interesting that at least some could change appearance. She readily shared the information with Dev. She did start to worry just a bit when some of them seemed to start to take an interested in Dev. And that bat did seem a bit creepy.
Lokilia isn't quite sure what to make of her time with Quinn. In a way, she feels good that they were able to spend time together. But she's also a little uncertain about how he thought about it.
Lokilia watches the grey-cloaked figure with interest as it comes in while Normont is showing off his creation. When the gnome speaks up she is fine with letting him interact with this newcomer.
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 does not really understand Balaran’s reluctance. Reluctance toward what?, he wonders, at first, unaware of the ruddy glowing of his cheeks when his eyes were filled to overflowing with the beautiful artist’s form. But he knows how to be careful of another’s feelings and when the older tiefling breaks off a conversation or turns away physically, Dev learns his boundaries and respects them. He is used to being left out or pushed away, for any number of reasons, usually his brick-red skin or quiet sensitivity. But this isn’t the first time that his age is the hard stone of the wall someone chooses to create, either. And so, he manages the distance and thinks no less of Balaran. The older tiefling’s friendship, in itself, is golden ambrosia. And Dev learns how to take better care of his horns and learns another tiefling ability from Balaran as well…
(Tears in my eyes from laughter at the unexpected MJ glove!! ROTFL!)
Dev cherishes the glove, and wears it at all hours, even to bed.
(lol! Maybe the extra-hairy legs are a passing phase of late adolescence :()
(Re: 35gp/week, did 4 weeks pass?)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
( 4 weeks, yes.)
Quinn will be over joyed to hear the beauty of the home of the Air Ashanti and would pepper Lokilia with question about her friends, her favorite place to play and if she got into any trouble. He will also understand the desire to travel the world and make your own path away from your family. Quinn still will be silent in his talks of home but will share vague but fond memories of growing up.
With Dev, he will tell the young teifling that he too was not good with the sword at his age. He was actually the runt of his siblings and was told that he was weak. But it was those experience that pushed him to work hard on his craft and he learned to protect the weak.
His time with Normont is sad, he feels that he has failed and that if was only stronger he could have saved his friends live. He makes this clear with the cobalt soul and ask to learn some of their fighting style to grow.
He takes the odd jobs and the coin that comes with it and uses it to pay for Plate Armor that has the gold accent to play off the gold in his hair and eyes.
Dev is unsurprised that Normont’s incredible creations have drawn attention. He waits to hear what the stranger will say, ready to bask in the sun of Normont’s brilliance.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
The voice that issues from within the cloak is soft and measured, " I was rather wondering the same thing.......some among you seem to have been taking an interest in our affairs.....not just you of course. Others as well......like the former owner of this cloak. We simply wish to be left alone to conduct our affairs......without prejudice....official or unofficial..."
" So I was wondering if you could reach out to the....associates...of this cloaks owner, he is unharmed......uh, that is a lie.....he is...as well as can be expected.....but will remain in our care until our business is complete. Can you relay this message?"
There was a deep sigh from within the hood, " Yes, going to war with the Guard and the............Hunt?.......wouldn't have been my first option but needs must. No one needs to die......uh, that is also a lie......no one within Whitestone needs to die."
" Again. Can you relay this message?".
Normont's manner changes the instant he hears the cloak's real owner is in trouble. His eyes narrow and his demeanour hardens.
"Oh dear", he says as he wanders the few feet to stand next to the counter on which is perched his rifle. "That appears to be a threat, and I don't get on well with threats. Especially delivered by a stranger in my own workshop".
His eyes scan around for indications that this person is not alone, and also focusses on them looking for weaponry or signs of spell casting like a component pouch or focus of some sort.
Perception: 13+4=17
(OOC: DM - I didn't ask before as I assumed this person entered through the door, but did they actually just appear out of no-where? Is there any way to tell if they are alone? Be it through the door, window or noticing any sounds or indication of anyone invisible?)