Berry snickers, and with a conspiratorial look and voice he says “I tell you a secret! Tomorrow, when we set out to hunt goblins, we’ll bring two of these bastards along with us! If you watch us leave town, you can see them with your own eyes.” He leans back, “that is if you have the stomach for it. Only thing I have to warn you, don’t get too close or try touching them,” he makes tip-toeing movements along the table towards the boy. “Or … they … might …“ he says slowly before, suddenly reaching out to the boy’s hand, “… bite off your fingers!” He snaps, but the fairy immediately changes to a smile and laughs amicably, “No, that’s a joke. They wouldn’t… I think. They wouldn’t, right? Would they?” He directs at Vidruth and Martthen in genuine uncertainty.
After a few moments, he says again more seriously, “No, really. Tomorrow, you’ll see them two goblins. When we leave. Come watch us.”
vidruth raises an eyebrow "no, i reckon the wouldnt, even they arent that bloody stupid. but also ask yer parents afore you try and come watch us, might be they have a problem with it, might be they dont, but its the kind of thing you ask about" he turns his back on the two and sets back to eating. solidly determined not to deal with anything else tonight. he will finish his stew, and then he will turn in for the night
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
This Mug immediately shared with me a transcendental tale of an Infinite Mug that anchors the Universe and keeps it from folding in on itself. I filed this report under "illogical nonsense" and asked why its sign is in Times New Roman font, when it is basic knowledge that Arial Black is a far superior font. I wondered: How did this mug even get past the assembly line with its theistic beliefs and poor font choices?
quote from Romantically Apocalyptic byVitaly S Alexius
Perhaps it’s Kiselina who grabs Sildar, perhaps it’s Daphyra, either way he is being attended to. The knight had hoped to assist with Master Hallwinter’s recovery, and thought of raising an objection to Sister Garaele’s dismissal. However, he knows that the Bastet priestess was tasked by her temple to work here. So, he simply departs, allowing the healers to focus on the present task. As he heads to the Stonehill Inn though, he can’t help but think that Bahamut has a hand yet to play in the fighter’s recovery.
At the inn, the Paladin will confirm his room (and any roommate) with Toblin. He requests a meal and a bottle of wine (leaving a gold coin as initial payment for the food), probably from Elsa. He drops his gear and armor in his room before returning to join the group at the table. He will offer a glass to any who wish to share.
He will gladly enjoy a hot bath when that is properly prepared after the meal, returning to the open room to see who remains. (Ooc: More to post later.)
“I’m Pip,” the lad replies to Marten, perhaps slightly less at ease. “It’s short for Philip. But people call me Pip. I didn’t mean to be rude,” he continues, still smiling, “cuz my pop says some people are easier talking when no one knows anyone’s name. But now I should ask yours too, Mister…?,” he finishes, eyes bright again.
Marten gives the boy a smile and shakes his hand. "It's nice to meet you, Pip. You must be--what--10 years old? No? 12?" In his experience, young boys like to be mistaken for older than they actually are.
If the Pip reveals that he's younger, Marten says, "Ye don' say?! Well, now. I'd never guess it. Ye seem so much older 'an that. My name is Marten Fairview."
The boy falls for, then laughs at Berry’s prank, but his eyes widen at Vidruth’s statement.
“Goblins! You’re hunting goblins? Whoooaaaa!,” he says in a conspiratorial whisper, trying to look nonchalant when his mother catches his eye. “I’ve never even seen a goblin. Are they scary?”
Marten sounds serious, "Well, goblins can be terr'ble dangerous, so best to look sharp. If ye see any about, don't get too close. Just tell yer pa'. Or come find us, if yer pa's not about. Goblins are like mice in a barn: one's not much trouble, but if ye seen one, it prob'bly means there are more hidin' about. And a pack o' goblins is a pack o' trouble."
Berry snickers, and with a conspiratorial look and voice he says “I tell you a secret!...After a few moments, he says again more seriously, “No, really. Tomorrow, you’ll see them two goblins. When we leave. Come watch us.”
Marten leaves it to Vidruth to answer Berry's question. He's ponders Berry's words and wonders whether they'll be heading right to Cragmaw Castle so quick. He had hoped to have a few days to find out more about the castle before they attempt to--he's not even sure. Sneak in and break Gundren out? Stage a raid on the castle? All by themselves? After the near disaster at the Cragmaw Cave and the hard fight with Klarg this morning, attacking a "castle" sounds like dangerous proposition. But he doesn't say anything about it now: he wouldn't want to put the cart in front of the horse, as they say.
vidruth raises an eyebrow "no, i reckon the wouldnt, even they arent that bloody stupid. but also ask yer parents afore you try and come watch us, might be they have a problem with it, might be they dont, but its the kind of thing you ask about"
Marten says, "Wise words, Vidruth! We don' want Pip to get in trouble with his parents! Speakin' of! Pip, could ye tell yer pa that we'd like a word with 'im later? After he's locked up for the night? Thanks, that's a good lad."
Once Kiselina joins them, Marten asks how Sildar is doing. He orders some food and shares the water and wine. If Daphyra does not join them shortly after the others arrive, he starts to fret a little and brings it up from time-to-time as they talk. (For example, "Did she say that she would be returning to the Inn tonight?", "Did she say how long she'd be?", and "It really has been a while now: should someone go check on her?")
Marten listens to their news about the little mob by the town green and the townmaster. He expresses surprise and asks them what they think it all means. Were the suspicious townspeople and the trouble on the town green just on account of their two prisoners? Or could something else have happened since they stayed at Stonehill Inn just two nights ago?
Marten points out the people he noticed earlier: the old farmer, the well-mannered woman with the chignon, and the coal-smudged miner woman. He's happy to listen to a conversation with any of the strangers if Berry or Kiselina wants to start one and try to learn more. He also says that he has asked for Toblen to speak with them after he locks up.
(Updated: originally cross-posted. For clarity, edited post to strike through the pieces that definitely didn't happen.)
Berry snickers, and with a conspiratorial look and voice he says “I tell you a secret! Tomorrow, when we set out to hunt goblins, we’ll bring two of these bastards along with us! If you watch us leave town, you can see them with your own eyes.” He leans back, “that is if you have the stomach for it. Only thing I have to warn you, don’t get too close or try touching them,” he makes tip-toeing movements along the table towards the boy. “Or … they … might …“ he says slowly before, suddenly reaching out to the boy’s hand, “… bite off your fingers!” He snaps, but the fairy immediately changes to a smile and laughs amicably, “No, that’s a joke. They wouldn’t… I think. They wouldn’t, right? Would they?” He directs at Vidruth and Martthen in genuine uncertainty.
“I’m eight!,” the lad answers Marten, clearly pleased to be mistaken for a twelve year-old.
Pip listens with great interest to Vidruth's, Marten’s, and Berry's advice about goblins.
His eyes go wide and he jumps back in fright when Berry grabs at his hand, and he glares for a moment, rubbing his fingers as if they actually had been bitten. At that moment he notices Berry's wings and his jaw drops, forgetting the prank.
"Are you... are you from Dragonflywingmanland?..."
At that moment, just as suddenly as the boy had appeared, the woman you assume is his mother, having quietly set down her instrument and crossed the room in a few steps, now appears next to the lad, also staring at Berry, but not with wonderment.
"Having a talk with these gentlemen, are you Pip? When I told you to work on your writing only five minutes ago?"
"But mama…,” his response is automatic, but in a moment, his mind catches up.
“Mama!, can I go and see the goblins tomorrow? Mister Marten and Mister Vidruth and, and…, they say they’ve got two of the bastards.”
"Oh they do?" She glares at the three men at the table, and then her expression softens when she turns back to Pip. "Well, you and I will speak about this later. But right now, you've had a nice break. It’s time to go to bed soon, and before that, three more pages."
The lad agrees, somewhat crestfallen, and returns to his table, looking at each of you with the eye of someone trying to memorize a moment, for he'd lived in this Inn all his life, and is used to seeing visitors once and only once. He sighs a little sigh and returns to his table.
"I never see interesting things,” he continues to himself, though not petulantly, “but I almost saw a secret tunnel…,” he trails off as he returns to his table. But before there is time for you to consider that statement, his mother cuts in.
"Now, is there anything I can get you gentlemen? I’m Trilena Stonehill, by the way, that’n’s mother and your hostess.” She directs the last at Berry, her mouth forming a lovely smile with ease, her eyes fiery. She seems not terribly pleased with Berry's having grabbed Pip's hand, even in play, never mind the question of word choice which also seems to hang in the air.
Perhaps it’s Kiselina who grabs Sildar, perhaps it’s Daphyra, either way he is being attended to. The knight had hoped to assist with Master Hallwinter’s recovery, and thought of raising an objection to Sister Garaele’s dismissal. However, he knows that the Bastet priestess was tasked by her temple to work here. So, he simply departs, allowing the healers to focus on the present task. As he heads to the Stonehill Inn though, he can’t help but think that Bahamut has a hand yet to play in the fighter’s recovery.
At the inn, the Paladin will confirm his room (and any roommate) with Toblin. He requests a meal and a bottle of wine (leaving a gold coin as initial payment for the food), probably from Elsa. He drops his gear and armor in his room before returning to join the group at the table. He will offer a glass to any who wish to share.
He will gladly enjoy a hot bath when that is properly prepared after the meal, returning to the open room to see who remains. (Ooc: More to post later.)
Kiselina arrives, holding his bottle of wine, just in time to miss what Pip, Berry, Vidruth, and Marten had said, but exactly in time to witness Trilena Stonehill's rather firm statement to the three.
Berry appears intimidated by the mother’s hard look but tries to regain his composure, “You wouldn’t hold it against me, that little play? It’s better that the lad gets some more respect for these goblins,” he offers apologetically. “That’d be better than curiosity at any rate. They’re a veritably dangerous bunch and that’s all I tried to instill. Better yet, if he sees them chained and gets paralyzed here in town, instead of that happening out in the field where he should run without a second thought.”
Kiselina returns to the common room after dropping his gear. He obtained his bottle of wine from Toblin (or Elsa) and sees the three other members seated at a table. As he makes his way across the room however, a woman joins them and then in short order a boy, whom he hadn’t noticed before, leaves.
"Now, is there anything I can get you gentlemen? I’m Trilena Stonehill, by the way, that’n’s mother and your hostess.” She directs the last at Berry, her mouth forming a lovely smile with ease, her eyes fiery. She seems not terribly pleased with Berry's having grabbed Pip's hand, even in play, never mind the question of word choice which also seems to hang in the air.
The Paladin infers that something transpired, but obviously missed most of it. He quickly decides a change of topics or redirect the flow of the tension. “Lady Stonehill, a pleasure to make your acquaintance. A fine establishment you and your husband run here. I am Kiselina, might I trouble you for an extra glass?”
”Well, (he address the others once Trilena departs) I see we are all handle goblins better than social interactions.”
The knight relays his encounter with the residents, Sister Garaele and Mistress Daphyra attending to Sildar, ending with needing to see Harbin at tea-time tomorrow.
”I believe that’s mid-morning, but I can’t be sure. Would anyone care for a cup of tea with me when I go? I’d like to see a smith about retooling the bracers as well.”
”Are we also still on board with securing the goods from the cave? Maybe speaking with Barthen for assistance? I know I need to see about another lantern as well.” He immediately takes a drink avoiding Marten’s gaze at his final statement. It’s spoken more mate-of fact than accusatory.
vidruth remains silent through the entire interaction, merely looking down abashedly.
after she leaves he agrees with kiselina about the handling goblins better than social interactions and offers to go along "dont care much for the cup of tea but i would like to come along nonetheless, see the townmaster for myself"
he hangs around a little longer, but then heads off to bed, he figures its best to sleep early if they are going to have an early start tomorrow. besides hes exhausted from all the stress of the last few days
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
This Mug immediately shared with me a transcendental tale of an Infinite Mug that anchors the Universe and keeps it from folding in on itself. I filed this report under "illogical nonsense" and asked why its sign is in Times New Roman font, when it is basic knowledge that Arial Black is a far superior font. I wondered: How did this mug even get past the assembly line with its theistic beliefs and poor font choices?
quote from Romantically Apocalyptic byVitaly S Alexius
While Marten may not have said much or anything offensive, he still feels chastened by Trilena Stonehill. He lowers head and mumbles something like, "Yes, Ma'am. Didn't mean t' offend."
(OOC: Repeating/rephrasing most of my previous post since it's relevant here.)
The knight relays his encounter with the residents, Sister Garaele and Mistress Daphyra attending to Sildar, ending with needing to see Harbin at tea-time tomorrow.
Marten asks Kiselina how Sildar is doing. He orders some food and shares the water and wine.
Marten listens to Kiselina's news about the encounter with the residents and the townmaster. He expresses surprise and asks them what they think it all means. Were the suspicious townspeople and the trouble on the town green just on account of their two prisoners? Or could something else have happened since they stayed at Stonehill Inn just two nights ago?
Marten points out the people he noticed earlier: the old farmer, the well-mannered woman with the chignon, and the coal-smudged miner woman. If anyone else wants to start a conversation with any of the strangers, he's happy to listen in and try to learn more about what's happened in Phandalin lately.
These events and their recent life-and-death encounters with the Cragmaws have left Marten in an anxious state. If Daphyra does not join them shortly after the others arrive, he starts to fret a little and brings it up from time-to-time as they talk. (For example, "Did she say that she would be returning to the Inn tonight?", "Did Mistress Daphyra say how long she'd be?", and"It really has been a while now: should someone go check on Daphyra?")
”I believe that’s mid-morning, but I can’t be sure. Would anyone care for a cup of tea with me when I go? I’d like to see a smith about retooling the bracers as well.”
”Are we also still on board with securing the goods from the cave? Maybe speaking with Barthen for assistance? I know I need to see about another lantern as well.” He immediately takes a drink avoiding Marten’s gaze at his final statement. It’s spoken more mate-of fact than accusatory.
Marten expresses his hope that the group can mostly stick together the next day. He just feels that they'll be safer from a random crossbow attack from a jumpy Phandalin resident if they're together in a group.
Marten is still on board with trying to secure the goods from the Cragmaw cave. He says, "It's good of Sildar t' pay for our rooms, but I don' wanna impose on th' man after his ordeal. But our coin'll run out eventually. We've already finished the job, and no one's payin' us to look for Gundren. But m'ybe there's a reward for returnin' the stolen goods from Klarg's chamber? Or if the proper owner can't be found, m'ybe we can trade the goods for other supplies or for room and board in Phandalin?"
Marten would plans to stay down in the common room until the local townspeople have left so that he can ask Toblen Stonehill about the Redbrands. He remembers that last time they were here, Toblen didn't want to talk about it in front of his other customers, but then they never got a chance to ask him. Marten hopes that once the rest of the customers have left or gone to their rooms, Toblen would tell them what he knows. "Forewarned is four-armed." [sic]
Marten also doesn't want to go to bed until Mistress Daphyra joins them or until they can be sure that she doesn't plan to join them at the Inn tonight.
We must now retrace our steps, turn back the clock, some fifteen or twenty minutes, to the moment Kiselina asks Trilena Stonehill to bring another glass. Vidruth was still at the table at this moment, with Marten and Berry.
In response to Kiselina’s request, the innkeeper’s wife smiles at him, reaches to the next table, which is empty of guests but set with goblets, picks up one of them, and hands it to Kiselina.
This she does, as she listens to Berry’s explanation or justification of his joking with Pip, which Trilena Stonehill takes in, her demeanor befitting her name, stone-faced. But after a moment, her mood seems to shift, and her eyes soften.
“I see you are… a traveler, Mr. Berry.” She knows Berry’s name from the guest ledger, you might surmise as she continues. “I’ve done some traveling myself and can offer this advice. Not all people in all places treat children the same way. But everywhere I’ve been, parents look out for their little ones, and sometimes not merely with firm words.” She takes a breath, almost a sigh.
“These days in particular, with the Redbrands here in Phandalin, supposedly protecting the rest of us from goblins on the Triboar, all of us parents are concerned and more likely to see ill-will from a stranger than not.”
She tells you of a recent occurrence in Phandalin, of how the Redbrands, a tenday ago, visited the shop of Thel Dendrar, a local woodcarver, demanding payment for their protection and leered at his daughter. Thel stood up to them. The ruffians murdered him. Several townsfolk saw it happen. The Redbrands grabbed Thel’s body, and now his wife, daughter, and son have gone missing too.
“So you’re welcome here, and I see you didn’t mean any harm. But be careful. And steer clear of anyone in a red cloak. That’s what they wear.
I’ve bent your ears long enough. And here’s Elsa with your meal Sir Kiselina. Enjoy.”
And she then moves back to the little stage and joins her friend in a plaintive old song from the region.
Sister Garaele enlists Daphyra’s aid in making Sildar comfortable. When his outer garments are removed, nothing is found wrong - except for the obvious mutilation of his hand. The elven cleric grills Daphyra and Sildar on his recent encounter with the goblins, and the specific details pertaining to the onset of this illness.
“A dank cave was he in,” the Sister repeats, quietly, “wet, and fetid. Ample grounds for the growth of many an ailment, and its onset. There are evils in the world, huge as mountains, and others,” she says, carefully examining the bodyguard with a large magnifying glass, “that are too small to be seen. Here,” she says, handing Daphyra the glass. “Look.” She points to the small of the bodyguard’s back, warmly lit by lamplight.
There, if she looks through the glass, the harengon notices the smallest of puncture wounds. One may have mistaken it for a freckle if viewed by the naked eye. But with the aid of the magnifying glass, she can barely make out the tiniest blackening corona around the blemish.
Sister Garaele begins a prayer casting to rid Sildar of the disease.
“The tapestry of fate is not a fixed and unchangeable design. Tymora teaches us that we have the power to influence our own threads in the tapestry, to seize opportunities when they arise, and to navigate through adversity with grace and resilience. We can align our actions with the ever-changing flow of luck and chance, creating...a more favorable path in our journey.”
The spell concludes, a tiny dot of a creature is pulled from Sildar up into the air, trailing a dark strand of necrotic energy, and it floats there helplessly for a moment. Sister Garaele looks at it closely -- but not too closely. Suddenly she utters a divine word and the creature sizzles, like a single phosphorescent spark, and is no more…, and Sildar, his back having arched up as if pulled upward by the tiny spot of darkness, relaxes, flopping listlessly to the cushioned mat upon which he lies, and the wounded man settles instantly into a deep slumber.
Garaele reminds Daphyra that she is welcome to sleep in the second bedroom here, or to return to the Inn. She offers Daphyra a glass of wine, healthy food which has been warming over a fire, and a comfortable chair at her clean table, where, if Daphyra agrees to sit for even a few minutes, the Sister inquires gracefully about Daphyra's doings these last two days.
Daphyra watches Sister Garaele at work as she assists, taking in her combinations of actions and prayer admiringly. She helps in making Sildar comfortable now he is asleep and sits down with Garaele for a meal and a debrief.
She thanks Garaele, letting her know she will stay there for the night but will pop back to the inn to let the others know of her intention and update them about Sildar later on. She tells Garaele about their encounters with the goblins, their ambush in the forest and her worries about the Black Spider. "Have you heard of anyone going by that name, Garaele? There seem to be a lot of groups calling themselves all colours of the rainbow around here. Black spider, red brands. We've been hearing a bit about them too. Anything about that lot you can tell me?"
Kiselina gratefully accepts the extra goblet, aware now what she was focused on an interaction with her son. He takes in the words of Trilena. In addition to the topics he discusses with the others after her departure is the serious mater of the Redbrands. “Have any of you seen red cloaks around town, either last time or present? I didn’t notice if any were present when we were confronted earlier this evening. Perhaps the town master Harbin can shed some light on their legitimacy.”
The Dragonborn observes the room as he eats his meal, sharing the wine with any who wish to partake.
Kiselina gratefully accepts the extra goblet, aware now what she was focused on an interaction with her son. He takes in the words of Trilena. In addition to the topics he discusses with the others after her departure is the serious mater of the Redbrands. “Have any of you seen red cloaks around town, either last time or present? I didn’t notice if any were present when we were confronted earlier this evening. Perhaps the town master Harbin can shed some light on their legitimacy.”
The Dragonborn observes the room as he eats his meal, sharing the wine with any who wish to partake.
As he mulls it over, it occurs to Kiselina that there were indeed, hovering on the edge of the green during the earlier confrontation, two men in red cloaks. The cloaks themselves were not by any means “of quality,” and other than the color, which was faded, offered little incentive to consider their connection to the Redbrands, especially given the entrance of the town master and so forth. The men, Kiselina recalls, were ordinary and non-descript. In need of a bath, perhaps, although many in this border town might merit that description according to a knight’s way of thinking.
She tells Garaele about their encounters with the goblins, their ambush in the forest and her worries about the Black Spider. "Have you heard of anyone going by that name, Garaele? There seem to be a lot of groups calling themselves all colours of the rainbow around here. Black spider, red brands. We've been hearing a bit about them too. Anything about that lot you can tell me?"
Sister Garaele chuckles in agreement about the name-color connection, but tells Daphyra that no, she has never heard of a Black Spider.
As to the Redbrands, however, the soft-copper-complexioned woman, her deep, clearwater blue-filled eyes blazing, offers an opinion that starts measured but grows more heated.
“The complex pattern of chance that brought the Redbrands to Phandalin may in time prove to be the first lines of a bright new chapter in our history. But in this moment, the presence of these ruffians is a dark shadow. All the darker for they are knowingly kept here and maintained by the very people who live in fear of their blades. And why? Fear, again. The known harm which lies close at hand is preferred to the unknown harms which might or could prove even worse, somewhere beyond sight. The Redbrands say they grant protection against the raiders on the Triboar, who stand with shining arrows just on the cusp of invading Phandalin. Then Redbrands say without them we’d all watch our children be eaten, morsel by morsel. Tortured. Enslaved and sold in foreign lands.
“I would see them torn down and soon. Their presence brings bad luck to us all.”
Daphyra's face looks more and more serious as Garaele explains.
"They sound terrible! We should do something. Do you know how many Redbrands there are? Who leads them? Where they might be based?"
She searches Garaele's face as she asks, thinking about the frightened Chrissie they'd met on the way. Were all the townspeople as scared as she'd been?
Sister Garaele holds Daphyra’s eyes, also searchingly, following Daphyra’s reaction. The elf’s mind seems to drift elsewhere for a moment as she cleans up the dining table. But she answers a moment later.
“They have turned the Sleeping Giant – you haven’t been there yet? – a speakeasy on the east edge of Phandalin, into a hangout or “office,” as I’ve heard them put it. But they have taken up lodging in the old Tresendar Manor. Up on the hill. You will have seen it during daylight hours. I do not know who leads them, but I know this. Cowards, ruffians and bullies flock to strong-willed leaders, for they do not have the wit or wisdom to think for themselves.”
We’ll say that in a few minutes, the conversation quiets down and Daphyra, according to her earlier-stated desire, returns to the Inn to update and plan with her colleagues.
ALL
Nosam, in his sleep, is suddenly awakened, at about the same time by a loud gurgling sound. His stomach. He hasn’t eaten an evening meal yet.
As guests leave the common room in the Stonehill Inn, and Triselina Stonehill accompanies little Pip to his room to see to his bedtime, the party finds itself once again in the inn’s common room, where a fire crackles welcomingly in the hearth, above which a miner’s pick and shovel hang crossed upon the wall, at perhaps 21:00 hours, alone. Nosam wolfs down the leftovers of the evening’s pot of stew, and you may plan your activities for the following day. (OOC: with one day to RP plan for the morning).
Berry snickers, and with a conspiratorial look and voice he says “I tell you a secret! Tomorrow, when we set out to hunt goblins, we’ll bring two of these bastards along with us! If you watch us leave town, you can see them with your own eyes.” He leans back, “that is if you have the stomach for it. Only thing I have to warn you, don’t get too close or try touching them,” he makes tip-toeing movements along the table towards the boy. “Or … they … might …“ he says slowly before, suddenly reaching out to the boy’s hand, “… bite off your fingers!” He snaps, but the fairy immediately changes to a smile and laughs amicably, “No, that’s a joke. They wouldn’t… I think. They wouldn’t, right? Would they?” He directs at Vidruth and Martthen in genuine uncertainty.
After a few moments, he says again more seriously, “No, really. Tomorrow, you’ll see them two goblins. When we leave. Come watch us.”
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
vidruth raises an eyebrow "no, i reckon the wouldnt, even they arent that bloody stupid. but also ask yer parents afore you try and come watch us, might be they have a problem with it, might be they dont, but its the kind of thing you ask about" he turns his back on the two and sets back to eating. solidly determined not to deal with anything else tonight. he will finish his stew, and then he will turn in for the night
This Mug immediately shared with me a transcendental tale of an Infinite Mug that anchors the Universe and keeps it from folding in on itself. I filed this report under "illogical nonsense" and asked why its sign is in Times New Roman font, when it is basic knowledge that Arial Black is a far superior font. I wondered: How did this mug even get past the assembly line with its theistic beliefs and poor font choices?
quote from Romantically Apocalyptic by Vitaly S Alexius
Perhaps it’s Kiselina who grabs Sildar, perhaps it’s Daphyra, either way he is being attended to. The knight had hoped to assist with Master Hallwinter’s recovery, and thought of raising an objection to Sister Garaele’s dismissal. However, he knows that the Bastet priestess was tasked by her temple to work here. So, he simply departs, allowing the healers to focus on the present task. As he heads to the Stonehill Inn though, he can’t help but think that Bahamut has a hand yet to play in the fighter’s recovery.
At the inn, the Paladin will confirm his room (and any roommate) with Toblin. He requests a meal and a bottle of wine (leaving a gold coin as initial payment for the food), probably from Elsa. He drops his gear and armor in his room before returning to join the group at the table. He will offer a glass to any who wish to share.
He will gladly enjoy a hot bath when that is properly prepared after the meal, returning to the open room to see who remains.
(Ooc: More to post later.)
Marten gives the boy a smile and shakes his hand. "It's nice to meet you, Pip. You must be--what--10 years old? No? 12?" In his experience, young boys like to be mistaken for older than they actually are.
If the Pip reveals that he's younger, Marten says, "Ye don' say?! Well, now. I'd never guess it. Ye seem so much older 'an that. My name is Marten Fairview."
Marten sounds serious, "Well, goblins can be terr'ble dangerous, so best to look sharp. If ye see any about, don't get too close. Just tell yer pa'. Or come find us, if yer pa's not about. Goblins are like mice in a barn: one's not much trouble, but if ye seen one, it prob'bly means there are more hidin' about. And a pack o' goblins is a pack o' trouble."
Marten leaves it to Vidruth to answer Berry's question. He's ponders Berry's words and wonders whether they'll be heading right to Cragmaw Castle so quick. He had hoped to have a few days to find out more about the castle before they attempt to--he's not even sure. Sneak in and break Gundren out? Stage a raid on the castle? All by themselves? After the near disaster at the Cragmaw Cave and the hard fight with Klarg this morning, attacking a "castle" sounds like dangerous proposition. But he doesn't say anything about it now: he wouldn't want to put the cart in front of the horse, as they say.
Marten says, "Wise words, Vidruth! We don' want Pip to get in trouble with his parents! Speakin' of! Pip, could ye tell yer pa that we'd like a word with 'im later? After he's locked up for the night? Thanks, that's a good lad."Once Kiselina joins them, Marten asks how Sildar is doing. He orders some food and shares the water and wine. If Daphyra does not join them shortly after the others arrive, he starts to fret a little and brings it up from time-to-time as they talk. (For example, "Did she say that she would be returning to the Inn tonight?", "Did she say how long she'd be?", and "It really has been a while now: should someone go check on her?")
Marten listens to their news about the little mob by the town green and the townmaster. He expresses surprise and asks them what they think it all means. Were the suspicious townspeople and the trouble on the town green just on account of their two prisoners? Or could something else have happened since they stayed at Stonehill Inn just two nights ago?
Marten points out the people he noticed earlier: the old farmer, the well-mannered woman with the chignon, and the coal-smudged miner woman. He's happy to listen to a conversation with any of the strangers if Berry or Kiselina wants to start one and try to learn more.
He also says that he has asked for Toblen to speak with them after he locks up.(Updated: originally cross-posted. For clarity, edited post to strike through the pieces that definitely didn't happen.)
“I’m eight!,” the lad answers Marten, clearly pleased to be mistaken for a twelve year-old.
Pip listens with great interest to Vidruth's, Marten’s, and Berry's advice about goblins.
His eyes go wide and he jumps back in fright when Berry grabs at his hand, and he glares for a moment, rubbing his fingers as if they actually had been bitten. At that moment he notices Berry's wings and his jaw drops, forgetting the prank.
"Are you... are you from Dragonflywingmanland?..."
At that moment, just as suddenly as the boy had appeared, the woman you assume is his mother, having quietly set down her instrument and crossed the room in a few steps, now appears next to the lad, also staring at Berry, but not with wonderment.
"Having a talk with these gentlemen, are you Pip? When I told you to work on your writing only five minutes ago?"
"But mama…,” his response is automatic, but in a moment, his mind catches up.
“Mama!, can I go and see the goblins tomorrow? Mister Marten and Mister Vidruth and, and…, they say they’ve got two of the bastards.”
"Oh they do?" She glares at the three men at the table, and then her expression softens when she turns back to Pip. "Well, you and I will speak about this later. But right now, you've had a nice break. It’s time to go to bed soon, and before that, three more pages."
The lad agrees, somewhat crestfallen, and returns to his table, looking at each of you with the eye of someone trying to memorize a moment, for he'd lived in this Inn all his life, and is used to seeing visitors once and only once. He sighs a little sigh and returns to his table.
"I never see interesting things,” he continues to himself, though not petulantly, “but I almost saw a secret tunnel…,” he trails off as he returns to his table. But before there is time for you to consider that statement, his mother cuts in.
"Now, is there anything I can get you gentlemen? I’m Trilena Stonehill, by the way, that’n’s mother and your hostess.” She directs the last at Berry, her mouth forming a lovely smile with ease, her eyes fiery. She seems not terribly pleased with Berry's having grabbed Pip's hand, even in play, never mind the question of word choice which also seems to hang in the air.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Kiselina arrives, holding his bottle of wine, just in time to miss what Pip, Berry, Vidruth, and Marten had said, but exactly in time to witness Trilena Stonehill's rather firm statement to the three.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Berry appears intimidated by the mother’s hard look but tries to regain his composure, “You wouldn’t hold it against me, that little play? It’s better that the lad gets some more respect for these goblins,” he offers apologetically. “That’d be better than curiosity at any rate. They’re a veritably dangerous bunch and that’s all I tried to instill. Better yet, if he sees them chained and gets paralyzed here in town, instead of that happening out in the field where he should run without a second thought.”
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
Daphyra nods to Sister Garaele. "Of course, Sister. I was hoping to assist you."
She welcomes Sildar in and pulls out her amulet. She asks for the goddess's Guidance.
Past characters:
Cariadne - Forest of Celador
Daphyra Fuffletail - The City of Cats
DM - Geek Legends - Wild beyond the Witchlight
Leela Steadystone - Adventures in the Sands
Mirri Goldenhorn - Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
Lola Smythe-Whyte - Larkin Expedition
Daphyra - Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver
Vanja - Binder's Hold and the Problem with the Mine
Kiselina returns to the common room after dropping his gear. He obtained his bottle of wine from Toblin (or Elsa) and sees the three other members seated at a table. As he makes his way across the room however, a woman joins them and then in short order a boy, whom he hadn’t noticed before, leaves.
The Paladin infers that something transpired, but obviously missed most of it. He quickly decides a change of topics or redirect the flow of the tension.
“Lady Stonehill, a pleasure to make your acquaintance. A fine establishment you and your husband run here. I am Kiselina, might I trouble you for an extra glass?”
”Well, (he address the others once Trilena departs) I see we are all handle goblins better than social interactions.”
The knight relays his encounter with the residents, Sister Garaele and Mistress Daphyra attending to Sildar, ending with needing to see Harbin at tea-time tomorrow.
”I believe that’s mid-morning, but I can’t be sure. Would anyone care for a cup of tea with me when I go? I’d like to see a smith about retooling the bracers as well.”
”Are we also still on board with securing the goods from the cave? Maybe speaking with Barthen for assistance? I know I need to see about another lantern as well.” He immediately takes a drink avoiding Marten’s gaze at his final statement. It’s spoken more mate-of fact than accusatory.
vidruth remains silent through the entire interaction, merely looking down abashedly.
after she leaves he agrees with kiselina about the handling goblins better than social interactions and offers to go along "dont care much for the cup of tea but i would like to come along nonetheless, see the townmaster for myself"
he hangs around a little longer, but then heads off to bed, he figures its best to sleep early if they are going to have an early start tomorrow. besides hes exhausted from all the stress of the last few days
This Mug immediately shared with me a transcendental tale of an Infinite Mug that anchors the Universe and keeps it from folding in on itself. I filed this report under "illogical nonsense" and asked why its sign is in Times New Roman font, when it is basic knowledge that Arial Black is a far superior font. I wondered: How did this mug even get past the assembly line with its theistic beliefs and poor font choices?
quote from Romantically Apocalyptic by Vitaly S Alexius
While Marten may not have said much or anything offensive, he still feels chastened by Trilena Stonehill. He lowers head and mumbles something like, "Yes, Ma'am. Didn't mean t' offend."
(OOC: Repeating/rephrasing most of my previous post since it's relevant here.)
Marten asks Kiselina how Sildar is doing. He orders some food and shares the water and wine.
Marten listens to Kiselina's news about the encounter with the residents and the townmaster. He expresses surprise and asks them what they think it all means. Were the suspicious townspeople and the trouble on the town green just on account of their two prisoners? Or could something else have happened since they stayed at Stonehill Inn just two nights ago?
Marten points out the people he noticed earlier: the old farmer, the well-mannered woman with the chignon, and the coal-smudged miner woman. If anyone else wants to start a conversation with any of the strangers, he's happy to listen in and try to learn more about what's happened in Phandalin lately.
These events and their recent life-and-death encounters with the Cragmaws have left Marten in an anxious state. If Daphyra does not join them shortly after the others arrive, he starts to fret a little and brings it up from time-to-time as they talk. (For example, "Did she say that she would be returning to the Inn tonight?", "Did Mistress Daphyra say how long she'd be?", and "It really has been a while now: should someone go check on Daphyra?")
Marten expresses his hope that the group can mostly stick together the next day. He just feels that they'll be safer from a random crossbow attack from a jumpy Phandalin resident if they're together in a group.
Marten is still on board with trying to secure the goods from the Cragmaw cave. He says, "It's good of Sildar t' pay for our rooms, but I don' wanna impose on th' man after his ordeal. But our coin'll run out eventually. We've already finished the job, and no one's payin' us to look for Gundren. But m'ybe there's a reward for returnin' the stolen goods from Klarg's chamber? Or if the proper owner can't be found, m'ybe we can trade the goods for other supplies or for room and board in Phandalin?"
Marten would plans to stay down in the common room until the local townspeople have left so that he can ask Toblen Stonehill about the Redbrands. He remembers that last time they were here, Toblen didn't want to talk about it in front of his other customers, but then they never got a chance to ask him. Marten hopes that once the rest of the customers have left or gone to their rooms, Toblen would tell them what he knows. "Forewarned is four-armed." [sic]
Marten also doesn't want to go to bed until Mistress Daphyra joins them or until they can be sure that she doesn't plan to join them at the Inn tonight.
We must now retrace our steps, turn back the clock, some fifteen or twenty minutes, to the moment Kiselina asks Trilena Stonehill to bring another glass. Vidruth was still at the table at this moment, with Marten and Berry.
In response to Kiselina’s request, the innkeeper’s wife smiles at him, reaches to the next table, which is empty of guests but set with goblets, picks up one of them, and hands it to Kiselina.
This she does, as she listens to Berry’s explanation or justification of his joking with Pip, which Trilena Stonehill takes in, her demeanor befitting her name, stone-faced. But after a moment, her mood seems to shift, and her eyes soften.
“I see you are… a traveler, Mr. Berry.” She knows Berry’s name from the guest ledger, you might surmise as she continues. “I’ve done some traveling myself and can offer this advice. Not all people in all places treat children the same way. But everywhere I’ve been, parents look out for their little ones, and sometimes not merely with firm words.” She takes a breath, almost a sigh.
“These days in particular, with the Redbrands here in Phandalin, supposedly protecting the rest of us from goblins on the Triboar, all of us parents are concerned and more likely to see ill-will from a stranger than not.”
She tells you of a recent occurrence in Phandalin, of how the Redbrands, a tenday ago, visited the shop of Thel Dendrar, a local woodcarver, demanding payment for their protection and leered at his daughter. Thel stood up to them. The ruffians murdered him. Several townsfolk saw it happen. The Redbrands grabbed Thel’s body, and now his wife, daughter, and son have gone missing too.
“So you’re welcome here, and I see you didn’t mean any harm. But be careful. And steer clear of anyone in a red cloak. That’s what they wear.
I’ve bent your ears long enough. And here’s Elsa with your meal Sir Kiselina. Enjoy.”
And she then moves back to the little stage and joins her friend in a plaintive old song from the region.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
DAPHYRA
Sister Garaele enlists Daphyra’s aid in making Sildar comfortable. When his outer garments are removed, nothing is found wrong - except for the obvious mutilation of his hand. The elven cleric grills Daphyra and Sildar on his recent encounter with the goblins, and the specific details pertaining to the onset of this illness.
“A dank cave was he in,” the Sister repeats, quietly, “wet, and fetid. Ample grounds for the growth of many an ailment, and its onset. There are evils in the world, huge as mountains, and others,” she says, carefully examining the bodyguard with a large magnifying glass, “that are too small to be seen. Here,” she says, handing Daphyra the glass. “Look.” She points to the small of the bodyguard’s back, warmly lit by lamplight.
There, if she looks through the glass, the harengon notices the smallest of puncture wounds. One may have mistaken it for a freckle if viewed by the naked eye. But with the aid of the magnifying glass, she can barely make out the tiniest blackening corona around the blemish.
Sister Garaele begins a prayer casting to rid Sildar of the disease.
“The tapestry of fate is not a fixed and unchangeable design. Tymora teaches us that we have the power to influence our own threads in the tapestry, to seize opportunities when they arise, and to navigate through adversity with grace and resilience. We can align our actions with the ever-changing flow of luck and chance, creating...a more favorable path in our journey.”
The spell concludes, a tiny dot of a creature is pulled from Sildar up into the air, trailing a dark strand of necrotic energy, and it floats there helplessly for a moment. Sister Garaele looks at it closely -- but not too closely. Suddenly she utters a divine word and the creature sizzles, like a single phosphorescent spark, and is no more…, and Sildar, his back having arched up as if pulled upward by the tiny spot of darkness, relaxes, flopping listlessly to the cushioned mat upon which he lies, and the wounded man settles instantly into a deep slumber.
Garaele reminds Daphyra that she is welcome to sleep in the second bedroom here, or to return to the Inn. She offers Daphyra a glass of wine, healthy food which has been warming over a fire, and a comfortable chair at her clean table, where, if Daphyra agrees to sit for even a few minutes, the Sister inquires gracefully about Daphyra's doings these last two days.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Daphyra watches Sister Garaele at work as she assists, taking in her combinations of actions and prayer admiringly. She helps in making Sildar comfortable now he is asleep and sits down with Garaele for a meal and a debrief.
She thanks Garaele, letting her know she will stay there for the night but will pop back to the inn to let the others know of her intention and update them about Sildar later on. She tells Garaele about their encounters with the goblins, their ambush in the forest and her worries about the Black Spider. "Have you heard of anyone going by that name, Garaele? There seem to be a lot of groups calling themselves all colours of the rainbow around here. Black spider, red brands. We've been hearing a bit about them too. Anything about that lot you can tell me?"
Past characters:
Cariadne - Forest of Celador
Daphyra Fuffletail - The City of Cats
DM - Geek Legends - Wild beyond the Witchlight
Leela Steadystone - Adventures in the Sands
Mirri Goldenhorn - Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
Lola Smythe-Whyte - Larkin Expedition
Daphyra - Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver
Vanja - Binder's Hold and the Problem with the Mine
Kiselina gratefully accepts the extra goblet, aware now what she was focused on an interaction with her son. He takes in the words of Trilena. In addition to the topics he discusses with the others after her departure is the serious mater of the Redbrands.
“Have any of you seen red cloaks around town, either last time or present? I didn’t notice if any were present when we were confronted earlier this evening. Perhaps the town master Harbin can shed some light on their legitimacy.”
The Dragonborn observes the room as he eats his meal, sharing the wine with any who wish to partake.
As he mulls it over, it occurs to Kiselina that there were indeed, hovering on the edge of the green during the earlier confrontation, two men in red cloaks. The cloaks themselves were not by any means “of quality,” and other than the color, which was faded, offered little incentive to consider their connection to the Redbrands, especially given the entrance of the town master and so forth. The men, Kiselina recalls, were ordinary and non-descript. In need of a bath, perhaps, although many in this border town might merit that description according to a knight’s way of thinking.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Sister Garaele chuckles in agreement about the name-color connection, but tells Daphyra that no, she has never heard of a Black Spider.
As to the Redbrands, however, the soft-copper-complexioned woman, her deep, clearwater blue-filled eyes blazing, offers an opinion that starts measured but grows more heated.
“The complex pattern of chance that brought the Redbrands to Phandalin may in time prove to be the first lines of a bright new chapter in our history. But in this moment, the presence of these ruffians is a dark shadow. All the darker for they are knowingly kept here and maintained by the very people who live in fear of their blades. And why? Fear, again. The known harm which lies close at hand is preferred to the unknown harms which might or could prove even worse, somewhere beyond sight. The Redbrands say they grant protection against the raiders on the Triboar, who stand with shining arrows just on the cusp of invading Phandalin. Then Redbrands say without them we’d all watch our children be eaten, morsel by morsel. Tortured. Enslaved and sold in foreign lands.
“I would see them torn down and soon. Their presence brings bad luck to us all.”
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Daphyra's face looks more and more serious as Garaele explains.
"They sound terrible! We should do something. Do you know how many Redbrands there are? Who leads them? Where they might be based?"
She searches Garaele's face as she asks, thinking about the frightened Chrissie they'd met on the way. Were all the townspeople as scared as she'd been?
Past characters:
Cariadne - Forest of Celador
Daphyra Fuffletail - The City of Cats
DM - Geek Legends - Wild beyond the Witchlight
Leela Steadystone - Adventures in the Sands
Mirri Goldenhorn - Journeys through the Radiant Citadel
Lola Smythe-Whyte - Larkin Expedition
Daphyra - Deathworld: Lost Mine of Phandelver
Vanja - Binder's Hold and the Problem with the Mine
DAPHYRA
Sister Garaele holds Daphyra’s eyes, also searchingly, following Daphyra’s reaction. The elf’s mind seems to drift elsewhere for a moment as she cleans up the dining table. But she answers a moment later.
“They have turned the Sleeping Giant – you haven’t been there yet? – a speakeasy on the east edge of Phandalin, into a hangout or “office,” as I’ve heard them put it. But they have taken up lodging in the old Tresendar Manor. Up on the hill. You will have seen it during daylight hours. I do not know who leads them, but I know this. Cowards, ruffians and bullies flock to strong-willed leaders, for they do not have the wit or wisdom to think for themselves.”
We’ll say that in a few minutes, the conversation quiets down and Daphyra, according to her earlier-stated desire, returns to the Inn to update and plan with her colleagues.
ALL
Nosam, in his sleep, is suddenly awakened, at about the same time by a loud gurgling sound. His stomach. He hasn’t eaten an evening meal yet.
As guests leave the common room in the Stonehill Inn, and Triselina Stonehill accompanies little Pip to his room to see to his bedtime, the party finds itself once again in the inn’s common room, where a fire crackles welcomingly in the hearth, above which a miner’s pick and shovel hang crossed upon the wall, at perhaps 21:00 hours, alone. Nosam wolfs down the leftovers of the evening’s pot of stew, and you may plan your activities for the following day. (OOC: with one day to RP plan for the morning).
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer