Kiselina takes the pouch without really looking at it. He is a trusting soul, maybe a fault that will haunt him later. He realizes he didn’t introduce the others, but then thinks to himself, ‘we should have discussed how we were going to go about this. We had the time.’ He makes a mental note to survey his next companions about how/if they’d prefer to be introduced. ‘Perhaps they wanted to remain anonymous anyways’ he justifies his actions in his internal dialogue.
He considers Barthen’s confirmation about the saddles’ owners and what steps to take next.
“Master Barthen, you are thus confirming that you have not seen Gundren or Sildar, correct? We saw no sign of them where their horses fell. (Kis withholds the news of drag marks for now, not wanting to excite/confuse the new acquaintance. Especially since no one mentioned goblins but Barthen readily concluded the bandits were.) I ask if you would be able to hold onto the saddles for us, until we can notify the Rockseeker brothers. Where might we find them to discuss this important matter and how are they called? How will we know them?”
Kiselina finally follows up with an inquiry of shop hours and town locations. “I understand you are closed now and wish not to delay you further from your evening. You have been most informative and I thank you kindly. I will be in need of some supplies and care to know when tomorrow I may return to procure those items. Lastly, for this evening at least, where might we, er I (unsure if he’s speaking too often for the group) find a place to obtain a meal and a decent nights rest?”
vidruth seeing kiselina's unsurety gives him a cheerful thumbs up and settles back against the wagon, closing his eyes, but still listening"
ooc// not really sure what to do here ngl, seems like kiselina has it handled and he is mostly just tired
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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
As Barthen answers her question, Daphyra looks more and more confused. "My name is Mistress Daphyra, Master Barthen. Uhh.. are you sure? I was under the impression there was a proper temple here... At least there is a service for Bastet on occasion. Why else would my temple have sent me? I suppose I will need to speak to this Sister and find out what has gone awry. Maybe there is a temple out of town?"
She falls back to the outskirts of the group, still looking around her in a bewildered manner. As Kiselina asks about a place to eat and rest, she pushes forward a little and nods vigorously. "Yes, an inn would be very welcome right now. I feel a little... uhh..." She breaks off as she staggers slightly.
Barthen : “Well Mr…?, ya caught me out there t’be sure. But it’s just that from a distance I thought you were our friend Gundren, an even though I see ya aren’t him. And, with this bad news I suppose I’d hoped my eyes were fooling me an you wuz him after all.”
Nosam engages with the group style chat and asserts his comments when he can. He looks around the street and at the various building fronts that he can make out, piecing together what information he can as Barthen tells about the town.
"All good Mister Barthen. You'll have to excuse my rudeness, I jumped right to business and never bothered with the most basic pleasantries. The name is Nosam Lightfound and I do thank you for the assistance... and the gold of course. I must concur with my colleagues, if your two youngens will be handlin the cart I'm going to ramble on towards an inn, I'm spent. We can catch up later, but these little legs need some rest and my belly needs to be full. There is business to tend do in the morn."
Marten takes the pouch with a smile and a silent nod as he briefly touches the brim of his hat. He steps back into the lamplight and quickly counts the coins. Satisfied, he adds his own gold to the pouch and stows it away.
Marten hovers near Barthen, close enough to listen to the conversation, but not close enough for anyone to expect him to speak. He listens with interest to the conversation between Kiselina and Barthen. He looks up the road into town as Barthen mentions the Stonehill Inn and the shrine, trying to get his bearings in the new town.
Marten is amused by Nosam's complaint. Best not to get on the dwarf's bad side. Was it true that all dwarves looked alike? He hadn't met enough dwarves to judge. Of course, he found that people who weren't familiar with animals often couldn't tell two black horses apart even if one was a 16-hand warhorse and the other was a mere 14-hand riding horse.
She falls back to the outskirts of the group, still looking around her in a bewildered manner. As Kiselina asks about a place to eat and rest, she pushes forward a little and nods vigorously. "Yes, an inn would be very welcome right now. I feel a little... uhh..." She breaks off as she staggers slightly.
Seeing the harengon looking unsteady after the long march, Marten steps lightly forward to offer his arm or hand if she needs to steady herself, saying, "Oop! Steady there, Mistress." He glances briefly at Daphyra with a friendly smile, but his gaze shifts away almost immediately.
She falls back to the outskirts of the group, still looking around her in a bewildered manner. As Kiselina asks about a place to eat and rest, she pushes forward a little and nods vigorously. "Yes, an inn would be very welcome right now. I feel a little... uhh..." She breaks off as she staggers slightly.
"I do not know your customs, but if you were one of my people i would suggest you speak with the stone and stars. hopefully whatever you do will find you a path and way"
"All good Mister Barthen. You'll have to excuse my rudeness, I jumped right to business and never bothered with the most basic pleasantries. The name is Nosam Lightfound and I do thank you for the assistance... and the gold of course. I must concur with my colleagues, if your two youngens will be handlin the cart I'm going to ramble on towards an inn, I'm spent. We can catch up later, but these little legs need some rest and my belly needs to be full. There is business to tend do in the morn."
"I reckon i shoulld get some rest too, my back and legs are killing me"
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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
Kiselina: “Master Barthen, you are thus confirming that you have not seen Gundren or Sildar, correct?
Barthen nods his head then shakes it side to side. “That’s right. I haven’t seen him.”
Kiselina: I ask if you would be able to hold onto the saddles for us, until we can notify the Rockseeker brothers. Where might we find them to discuss this important matter and how are they called? How will we know them?”
“Yes, you should leave them with me. I’ll get them to… to Gundren.”
The place is open from sunup to sundown. Barthen takes possession of the wagon and its supplies.
Barthen also mentions that two more Rockseeker brothers, Nundro and Tharden, are camped somewhere outside town. Barthen hasn’t seen them in a tenday and expects the brothers to return “any day now” to resupply.
Barthen directs you down the main street to the Stonehill Inn for overnight lodgings.
Daphyra: “Uhh.. are you sure? I was under the impression there was a proper temple here...
“Well we’re pretty happy with the Shrine,” he says, smiling.
Daphyra: “Why else would my temple have sent me?”
Barthen shrugs good naturedly.
Daphyra: “I suppose I will need to speak to this Sister and find out what has gone awry. Maybe there is a temple out of town?"
“She lives just next to the shrine. You’ll see her there in the morning cleaning up leaves that might have blown into the shrine and getting ready for her noontime reading.
Marten: He steps back into the lamplight and quickly counts the coins.
Marten finds 10GP plus 20SP in the pouch.
At this point, Barthen wraps up the conversion, for his two apprentices arrive and help Barthen unload the wagon.
Nosam casually drifts away from the bunch and strolls toward the Inn. He takes in his surroundings for a few strides, but he drifts away. He begins internally recapping (or maybe muttering to himself) the events of the last several days and cannot help but think of just how busy it has been. It was nice; no time to dwell on the past or obsess about the unchangeable. Rest and food seem like the play here, but so does searching for the bottom of a bottle. A few drinks with my new folks would be a good time. Just get a room. Noticing the sweat and feeling his muscles constrict, he comes back to reality, standing in front of the inn.
Mumbling to himself, "damnit man, get your shit together. You look like you've lost it." Paranoid, he is unsure if any of the party happened to overhear his accidental ramblings or if they were even coherent.
Daphyra nods thankfully at Marten as she steadies herself on his arm. "My apologies, Marten. I'm not used to travelling so far and I... Anyway. Thank you."
She turns to Barthen and smiles brightly through her discomfort. "Of course! I meant no disrespect upon your excellent shrine, only surprise that a town so large has only one place of worship. I thank you for your assistance, Master Barthen." She inclines her head and makes the sign of the Cat in a blessing upon him.
As they turn towards the inn, Daphyra murmurs to Vidruth, "Yes, I will ask the Goddess for her guidance. She will set me on a true path, I know it. I was just... momentarily taken aback. We try not to anticipate Her plans, but this time I fear I had let my expectations get the better of me."
Daphyra nods thankfully at Marten as she steadies herself on his arm. "My apologies, Marten. I'm not used to travelling so far and I... Anyway. Thank you."
Marten, looking a little flustered, squints his eyes and bobs his head briefly as he murmurs something that sounds like "Yesm'm."
She turns to Barthen and smiles brightly through her discomfort.
Assuming that Daph is no longer holding his arm: Marten steps slowly back outside of the group of talky people.
Nosam casually drifts away from the bunch and strolls toward the Inn.
...and if he notices Nosam walking away (Perception 15, in game log), he follows:
Marten casts a glance around the party. Kiselina and Daphyra are still talking to Barthen, but if Marten catches Berry's or Vidruth's notice, he just points up the road, saying, "I'm gonna...", as he cocks his head toward Nosam. Then he turns and follows the dwarf at a distance, keeping at least 40' behind Nosam unless the dwarf turns or invites Marten to join him. Marten moves quietly, more out of habit than any need for stealth. (Stealth 11, in game log)
Marten wonders whether Nosam saw something or, if not, what drew him away from the group. Phandalin reminds Marten of the little farming village where he grew up, and it seems safe enough now in the fading sunset. On the other hand, a new town on the frontier like this could attract all sorts of rowdy characters. Marten just wants to make sure that Nosam doesn't run into trouble between Barthen's and Stonehill Inn.
After Barthen said that the goblins had not been taking prisoners for ransom, Marten starts to wonder whether the goblins were specifically looking for Gundren or maybe targeting dwarves in general. He hopes that Gundren is still alive and resolves to get to sleep right after dinner and head back toward the ambush spot as early as possible in the morning.
Berry happily lets Kiselina handle the shopkeeper and shyly assumes the roll of a simple guard. That's what he was, wasn't he? At first he stands still a few feet behind but quickly grows impatient with the lengthy conversation. He begins to draw with his foot in the dirt of the road, then shuffles around his original spot glancing here and there until he spotted something, a reflection maybe, in the shop's windows. He flits up to the window and inspects what's inside, not worrying anymore about, the shopkeep and Kiselina and their saddles. With the dark shop's interior, he can't really see anything and flies up to the roof of the shop to get a good look over the town of Phandalin, he observes the Main Street to the inn and the main square and tries to locate the shrine that the shopkeep mentioned. His gaze follows Nosam and, until he loses him, Marten as they approach the Inn and central square (Perception 7).
Kiselina hangs around for a few minutes after most of the group has left. He looks around and invites anyone who may remain (Vidruth or Daphyra) to the inn.
As he approaches and sees the Shrine just across the street, he makes a detour to check it out for a minute although he is road weary as well. He uses its location to say a prayer to Bahamut mostly, but does mention begging Tymora’s forgiveness and requesting her favor in finding Gundren.
He then moves to the inn for a meal and a bed. To any of the group he will mention his intention of searching for Gundren in the morning just after resupplying at Barthen’s.
Vidruth (bot #1): Vidruth follows the others down the main road to the Inn.
Kiselina: As he approaches and sees the Shrine just across the street, he makes a detour to check it out for a minute although he is road weary as well. He uses its location to say a prayer to Bahamut mostly, but does mention begging Tymora’s forgiveness and requesting her favor in finding Gundren.
The shrine is modest indeed. Curved walls of very old stone around a central dais, with only room for two or three persons to enter at once. Incense burns sweetly.
The Stonehill Inn
In the center of town stands a large, newly built roadhouse of fieldstone and rough-hewn timbers. The music you heard earlier, a flute and drum and voices, pulses lightly within.
The proprietor, a burly human male, bald, with one large golden earring and a freckled light brown complexion, introduces himself as Toblen Stonehill. A man who seems to constantly complain but never directs his complaints at you. Instead, he has a way of making you feel like a confidante with a knowing nod and arched brow.
“A fine day it’s been, aye, well except for them Redbrands – you know the type I’m talkin about don’t ye? MMM-Hmmm? Well the only thing worse is the froggin’ rains which aren’t even in season are the aches and pains I get when the weather turns. If you don’t mind my observing, you look a bit like you know what I mean, aye? Long day on the road?”
He welcomes you into an entry chamber, arranges for your rooms, and sends a wiry old man to heat bathwater for you. Toblen Stonehill continues with the kind of talk that helps unfamiliar guests feel that they’re welcome, at least according to his experience.
“I’m from the town of Triboar to the east. Came to Phandalin to prospect, but it didn’t take long to realize that I knew a lot more about running an inn than I do about mining. Come on in and get comfortable. ELSA!!,” he yells without skipping a beat.
A young woman with platinum blond hair dressed in a white cotton blouse off the shoulders and an apron over a light blue skirt comes at a run from the back room, skidding to a halt mere inches in front of Toblen.
“Wot!!,” she asks, annoyed.
“Guests, Elsa. Wot else??,” he says in a softer voice but once again catching your glance long enough to visibly sigh and roll his eyes.
“Okaaaay,” she says, “well ye didn’t have to yell, did you?” Turning to you, “Helloo! I’m Elsa. Like ‘e sez. Make yersleves comfy and I’ll be right along… we’ve mutton stew and fresh bread and ale and cider tonight fer after your bathin’. Will ya all be havin some?”
You peek into the common room, where seven or eight locals are at the moment singing along with the drummer while the flutist offers roulades and trills. The townsfolk are nursing mugs of grog, and when they see you, they stop mid-chorus, look you guardedly up and down, but after just a moment, resume singing. Though they continue to turn an eye to you with curiosity.
There are small male and female and all-gender bathrooms attached in back, and you are informed that the bath is complimentary, and that weapons aren’t allowed in the common room.
We will say that you each find reason to take a bath or collapse on your bed for a time before returning to the common room when the smell of mutton stew reaches you and your stomach growls loudly. When you arrive back downstairs to the common room, the last of the locals are saying their good nights to Toblen Stonehill. Elsa cheerily pours you drinks.
When Kiselina leaves and the conversation with Barthen obviously ends, Berry joins Kiselina on their way to the inn and specifically to the shrine. After the paladin pays his respects, Berry approaches the shrine, „To Lady Luck,“ he says and with a wide smile as tribute he places a silver coin on it.
"redbrands?" vidruth asks "What are Redbrands? and i know what you mean about the rain yes"
after bathing and leaving his staff and backpack in his room he heads down to the common room with the others, and orders a comfortable meal (another sp)
"I would like some stew and bread" he requests of elsa, leaving a gold piece on the table as payment "kiselina, how do you request help from your gods? is it not unbelievably presumptuous and imply that they are there for you not you for them?"
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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
As they walk to the inn, Daphyra eyes the shrine. She tries to hide her emotion (deception 19) and although she's not usually all that good at it, she feels like these acquaintances probably wouldn't see her dismay. She is still a little shocked and feels every day of her forty eight years.
She hands over her silver -- she takes the lodging money from the purse given to her by Barthen and retires to her room to muse. Did her temple send her here to get rid of her? To humiliate her? When they had been talking about this secondment it had sounded like a step up for Daphyra, not a slide down. What would she even do here? There was no healing clinic, no kitchens making food for the needy, not even a statue of the Goddess on display that she can see.
After a wallow in self pity for half an hour or so, she pulls herself together. Maybe that would be her vocation here -- to set up such services for any who needed it. She casts her eye over what is left in her money pouch. Probably not enough to set up any kind of clinic, but needs must. She will visit the Sister in the morning and sort this out.
Daphyra asks Elsa for a mug of cider and some bread and cheese, parting with another couple of silver.
After spending 2 out of the last 3 days walking in the rain, Marten doesn't feel that he needs a bath. He just uses some of the warm water to wash his face, hands, and feet.
The room is more expensive than Marten usually gets. He briefly thinks about asking whether there's a spot in the stables where he can sleep, but he decides against it. He has seen the looks that he has gotten in the past whenever he chooses a common room or preferably a spot in a hayloft instead of a private room with a bed. Marten doesn't want to draw that kind of attention with this new group and in a new town. He unpacks his gear to check it and then repacks everything. Weapons aren't allowed in the common room, and he stows his rapier and shortbow in the room, but maybe daggers are OK? He slides the sheaths around to the back of his belt so that they're hidden by his cloak before going down to the common room.
We will say that you each find reason to take a bath or collapse on your bed for a time before returning to the common room when the smell of mutton stew reaches you and your stomach growls loudly. When you arrive back downstairs to the common room, the last of the locals are saying their good nights to Toblen Stonehill. Elsa cheerily pours you drinks.
Marten is dismayed to see Elsa is serving table in the common room. He waits patiently in a corner of the room for the locals to drift out and then he goes up to Toblen and thanks him for the room. He asks Toblen for a pitcher (gallon) of ale for the group's table and orders the stew and a loaf of bread for himself. Hoping that he has avoided the need to talk to a strange girl, Marten goes to sit at the group's table.
Marten nods to anyone already at the table with a friendly smile and a curt, "Evenin'." When the food and drinks come, he pours a cup of ale for himself and then holds up the pitcher and says, "Fer my new friends. Help yerselves!", before setting it in the center of the table. There should be enough for everyone to have one or two pints. He has found in the past that ordering drinks after a job is a good way to make friends with the crew without having to say too much.
After a pint of ale and some food, Marten finds it a little easier to talk -- not to Elsa! -- just with his companions. He's able to engage in more smalltalk than he did during the whole three day journey from Neverwinter. But he's still fairly quiet and reserved unless the conversation turns to their immediate concerns: the Cragmaws, finding Gundren, and their plan for tomorrow.
"We need to learn more about those goblins" vidruth begins once everyone has eaten a little and is beginning to relax "they are almost certainly cragmaws, but i have only heard of the tribe in passing and im surprised they are still around, this banditry, its wierd for goblins, they seem prepared, and while that happens sometimes its not as common as some think it should be. does anyone else know anything about them, or think anything seemed wierd?"
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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
Berry shyly follows the others inside the inn, he still isn’t used to this civilized way of living. All his life had he shared the trees with the birds under an open sky but here everyone always likes to cramp into a closed space. At first he thought that’s something they do in big cities and he was relieved to have slept under the sky again on their trip but here it starts again. What do they like so much about these houses and their closed rooms?
Having paid his room just as the others he inspects the bath, amazed that they would bring hot water to an artificial pool. His enjoyment of his first indoor bath is slightly dampened by the maid’s reaction after he finished. Irritated, he wonders for what they put so much water in the pool if they don’t want that you jump in and out?
After he pays an additional silver to the maid to calm her down and dresses himself, he leaves his belongings in his room and joins the others in the tavern room. “Thanks Marten,” he says and takes a pint of ale, listening to Vidruth. After saying their part, Berry begins to describe in detail the way that he observed when he followed the goblin up to the hills before he turned around. “If I would have known that we continue our way with the wagon, I would have pressed to try and find the lair’s entrance. But I think it shouldn’t be too far from where I left the goblin and there is a path to follow.”
Nosam notices the others coming towards the inn, he gathers his thoughts, and enters with the group. Overhearing the establishment owner's introductory spiel, Nosam exchanges pleasantries when it's his turn. "Hello Mister Stonehill, I'd like to get a basic accommodation, afraid I'm not one of those upper crust folk." Toblen and his staff all give introductions as they guide the party to their various rooms and receive the brief tour. Nosam listens for any relevant information and takes mental notes, of course he interjects ill-timed attempts of cheerful banter with the staff too. "Now Mister Thornhill, you aren't going to be quizzin me on all these folks names are ya? My noggin is too tired."
Following a thank you to everyone, Nosam sits down alone. Thinking to himself "these people don't seem half bad and at least we aren't exposed on the road," Nosam looks around his modest room and feels a tinge of gratitude. "Don't screw this up."
Puzzled by a delightful smell, Nosam looks around and realizing he passed out. "Guess I was more tired than I thought." He collects his thoughts while he washes his face and proceeds to make his way towards the wonderful smell of one of his favorite dishes. Grabbing a seat near Marten, he makes sure to let it be known that he needs some of the stew. "Evening everyone. Mister Marten you must be thirsty. Mind if I pour me one? Ha, Next one or four will be on me!"
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Kiselina takes the pouch without really looking at it. He is a trusting soul, maybe a fault that will haunt him later. He realizes he didn’t introduce the others, but then thinks to himself, ‘we should have discussed how we were going to go about this. We had the time.’ He makes a mental note to survey his next companions about how/if they’d prefer to be introduced. ‘Perhaps they wanted to remain anonymous anyways’ he justifies his actions in his internal dialogue.
He considers Barthen’s confirmation about the saddles’ owners and what steps to take next.
“Master Barthen, you are thus confirming that you have not seen Gundren or Sildar, correct? We saw no sign of them where their horses fell. (Kis withholds the news of drag marks for now, not wanting to excite/confuse the new acquaintance. Especially since no one mentioned goblins but Barthen readily concluded the bandits were.) I ask if you would be able to hold onto the saddles for us, until we can notify the Rockseeker brothers. Where might we find them to discuss this important matter and how are they called? How will we know them?”
Kiselina finally follows up with an inquiry of shop hours and town locations. “I understand you are closed now and wish not to delay you further from your evening. You have been most informative and I thank you kindly. I will be in need of some supplies and care to know when tomorrow I may return to procure those items. Lastly, for this evening at least, where might we, er I (unsure if he’s speaking too often for the group) find a place to obtain a meal and a decent nights rest?”
vidruth seeing kiselina's unsurety gives him a cheerful thumbs up and settles back against the wagon, closing his eyes, but still listening"
ooc// not really sure what to do here ngl, seems like kiselina has it handled and he is mostly just tired
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
As Barthen answers her question, Daphyra looks more and more confused. "My name is Mistress Daphyra, Master Barthen. Uhh.. are you sure? I was under the impression there was a proper temple here... At least there is a service for Bastet on occasion. Why else would my temple have sent me? I suppose I will need to speak to this Sister and find out what has gone awry. Maybe there is a temple out of town?"
She falls back to the outskirts of the group, still looking around her in a bewildered manner. As Kiselina asks about a place to eat and rest, she pushes forward a little and nods vigorously. "Yes, an inn would be very welcome right now. I feel a little... uhh..." She breaks off as she staggers slightly.
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
Barthen : “Well Mr…?, ya caught me out there t’be sure. But it’s just that from a distance I thought you were our friend Gundren, an even though I see ya aren’t him. And, with this bad news I suppose I’d hoped my eyes were fooling me an you wuz him after all.”
Nosam engages with the group style chat and asserts his comments when he can. He looks around the street and at the various building fronts that he can make out, piecing together what information he can as Barthen tells about the town.
"All good Mister Barthen. You'll have to excuse my rudeness, I jumped right to business and never bothered with the most basic pleasantries. The name is Nosam Lightfound and I do thank you for the assistance... and the gold of course. I must concur with my colleagues, if your two youngens will be handlin the cart I'm going to ramble on towards an inn, I'm spent. We can catch up later, but these little legs need some rest and my belly needs to be full. There is business to tend do in the morn."
Marten takes the pouch with a smile and a silent nod as he briefly touches the brim of his hat. He steps back into the lamplight and quickly counts the coins. Satisfied, he adds his own gold to the pouch and stows it away.
Marten hovers near Barthen, close enough to listen to the conversation, but not close enough for anyone to expect him to speak. He listens with interest to the conversation between Kiselina and Barthen. He looks up the road into town as Barthen mentions the Stonehill Inn and the shrine, trying to get his bearings in the new town.
Marten is amused by Nosam's complaint. Best not to get on the dwarf's bad side. Was it true that all dwarves looked alike? He hadn't met enough dwarves to judge. Of course, he found that people who weren't familiar with animals often couldn't tell two black horses apart even if one was a 16-hand warhorse and the other was a mere 14-hand riding horse.
Seeing the harengon looking unsteady after the long march, Marten steps lightly forward to offer his arm or hand if she needs to steady herself, saying, "Oop! Steady there, Mistress." He glances briefly at Daphyra with a friendly smile, but his gaze shifts away almost immediately.
"I do not know your customs, but if you were one of my people i would suggest you speak with the stone and stars. hopefully whatever you do will find you a path and way"
"I reckon i shoulld get some rest too, my back and legs are killing me"
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
Barthen nods his head then shakes it side to side. “That’s right. I haven’t seen him.”
“Yes, you should leave them with me. I’ll get them to… to Gundren.”
The place is open from sunup to sundown. Barthen takes possession of the wagon and its supplies.
Barthen also mentions that two more Rockseeker brothers, Nundro and Tharden, are camped somewhere outside town. Barthen hasn’t seen them in a tenday and expects the brothers to return “any day now” to resupply.
Barthen directs you down the main street to the Stonehill Inn for overnight lodgings.
“Well we’re pretty happy with the Shrine,” he says, smiling.
Barthen shrugs good naturedly.
“She lives just next to the shrine. You’ll see her there in the morning cleaning up leaves that might have blown into the shrine and getting ready for her noontime reading.
Marten finds 10GP plus 20SP in the pouch.
At this point, Barthen wraps up the conversion, for his two apprentices arrive and help Barthen unload the wagon.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Nosam casually drifts away from the bunch and strolls toward the Inn. He takes in his surroundings for a few strides, but he drifts away. He begins internally recapping (or maybe muttering to himself) the events of the last several days and cannot help but think of just how busy it has been. It was nice; no time to dwell on the past or obsess about the unchangeable. Rest and food seem like the play here, but so does searching for the bottom of a bottle. A few drinks with my new folks would be a good time. Just get a room. Noticing the sweat and feeling his muscles constrict, he comes back to reality, standing in front of the inn.
Mumbling to himself, "damnit man, get your shit together. You look like you've lost it." Paranoid, he is unsure if any of the party happened to overhear his accidental ramblings or if they were even coherent.
Daphyra nods thankfully at Marten as she steadies herself on his arm. "My apologies, Marten. I'm not used to travelling so far and I... Anyway. Thank you."
She turns to Barthen and smiles brightly through her discomfort. "Of course! I meant no disrespect upon your excellent shrine, only surprise that a town so large has only one place of worship. I thank you for your assistance, Master Barthen." She inclines her head and makes the sign of the Cat in a blessing upon him.
As they turn towards the inn, Daphyra murmurs to Vidruth, "Yes, I will ask the Goddess for her guidance. She will set me on a true path, I know it. I was just... momentarily taken aback. We try not to anticipate Her plans, but this time I fear I had let my expectations get the better of 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
Marten, looking a little flustered, squints his eyes and bobs his head briefly as he murmurs something that sounds like "Yesm'm."
Assuming that Daph is no longer holding his arm: Marten steps slowly back outside of the group of talky people.
...and if he notices Nosam walking away (Perception 15, in game log), he follows:
Marten casts a glance around the party. Kiselina and Daphyra are still talking to Barthen, but if Marten catches Berry's or Vidruth's notice, he just points up the road, saying, "I'm gonna...", as he cocks his head toward Nosam. Then he turns and follows the dwarf at a distance, keeping at least 40' behind Nosam unless the dwarf turns or invites Marten to join him. Marten moves quietly, more out of habit than any need for stealth. (Stealth 11, in game log)
Marten wonders whether Nosam saw something or, if not, what drew him away from the group. Phandalin reminds Marten of the little farming village where he grew up, and it seems safe enough now in the fading sunset. On the other hand, a new town on the frontier like this could attract all sorts of rowdy characters. Marten just wants to make sure that Nosam doesn't run into trouble between Barthen's and Stonehill Inn.
After Barthen said that the goblins had not been taking prisoners for ransom, Marten starts to wonder whether the goblins were specifically looking for Gundren or maybe targeting dwarves in general. He hopes that Gundren is still alive and resolves to get to sleep right after dinner and head back toward the ambush spot as early as possible in the morning.
Berry happily lets Kiselina handle the shopkeeper and shyly assumes the roll of a simple guard. That's what he was, wasn't he? At first he stands still a few feet behind but quickly grows impatient with the lengthy conversation. He begins to draw with his foot in the dirt of the road, then shuffles around his original spot glancing here and there until he spotted something, a reflection maybe, in the shop's windows. He flits up to the window and inspects what's inside, not worrying anymore about, the shopkeep and Kiselina and their saddles. With the dark shop's interior, he can't really see anything and flies up to the roof of the shop to get a good look over the town of Phandalin, he observes the Main Street to the inn and the main square and tries to locate the shrine that the shopkeep mentioned. His gaze follows Nosam and, until he loses him, Marten as they approach the Inn and central square (Perception 7).
|| 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 ||
Kiselina hangs around for a few minutes after most of the group has left. He looks around and invites anyone who may remain (Vidruth or Daphyra) to the inn.
As he approaches and sees the Shrine just across the street, he makes a detour to check it out for a minute although he is road weary as well. He uses its location to say a prayer to Bahamut mostly, but does mention begging Tymora’s forgiveness and requesting her favor in finding Gundren.
He then moves to the inn for a meal and a bed. To any of the group he will mention his intention of searching for Gundren in the morning just after resupplying at Barthen’s.
Vidruth (bot #1): Vidruth follows the others down the main road to the Inn.
The shrine is modest indeed. Curved walls of very old stone around a central dais, with only room for two or three persons to enter at once. Incense burns sweetly.
The Stonehill Inn
In the center of town stands a large, newly built roadhouse of fieldstone and rough-hewn timbers. The music you heard earlier, a flute and drum and voices, pulses lightly within.
The proprietor, a burly human male, bald, with one large golden earring and a freckled light brown complexion, introduces himself as Toblen Stonehill. A man who seems to constantly complain but never directs his complaints at you. Instead, he has a way of making you feel like a confidante with a knowing nod and arched brow.
“A fine day it’s been, aye, well except for them Redbrands – you know the type I’m talkin about don’t ye? MMM-Hmmm? Well the only thing worse is the froggin’ rains which aren’t even in season are the aches and pains I get when the weather turns. If you don’t mind my observing, you look a bit like you know what I mean, aye? Long day on the road?”
He welcomes you into an entry chamber, arranges for your rooms, and sends a wiry old man to heat bathwater for you. Toblen Stonehill continues with the kind of talk that helps unfamiliar guests feel that they’re welcome, at least according to his experience.
“I’m from the town of Triboar to the east. Came to Phandalin to prospect, but it didn’t take long to realize that I knew a lot more about running an inn than I do about mining. Come on in and get comfortable. ELSA!!,” he yells without skipping a beat.
A young woman with platinum blond hair dressed in a white cotton blouse off the shoulders and an apron over a light blue skirt comes at a run from the back room, skidding to a halt mere inches in front of Toblen.
“Wot!!,” she asks, annoyed.
“Guests, Elsa. Wot else??,” he says in a softer voice but once again catching your glance long enough to visibly sigh and roll his eyes.
“Okaaaay,” she says, “well ye didn’t have to yell, did you?” Turning to you, “Helloo! I’m Elsa. Like ‘e sez. Make yersleves comfy and I’ll be right along… we’ve mutton stew and fresh bread and ale and cider tonight fer after your bathin’. Will ya all be havin some?”
You peek into the common room, where seven or eight locals are at the moment singing along with the drummer while the flutist offers roulades and trills. The townsfolk are nursing mugs of grog, and when they see you, they stop mid-chorus, look you guardedly up and down, but after just a moment, resume singing. Though they continue to turn an eye to you with curiosity.
There are small male and female and all-gender bathrooms attached in back, and you are informed that the bath is complimentary, and that weapons aren’t allowed in the common room.
(OOC: The Inn has six rooms available, of the “modest” variety, for 5SP per night. You can decide what you want to order in the common room, see: https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/equipment#FoodDrinkandLodging)
We will say that you each find reason to take a bath or collapse on your bed for a time before returning to the common room when the smell of mutton stew reaches you and your stomach growls loudly. When you arrive back downstairs to the common room, the last of the locals are saying their good nights to Toblen Stonehill. Elsa cheerily pours you drinks.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
When Kiselina leaves and the conversation with Barthen obviously ends, Berry joins Kiselina on their way to the inn and specifically to the shrine. After the paladin pays his respects, Berry approaches the shrine, „To Lady Luck,“ he says and with a wide smile as tribute he places a silver coin on it.
|| 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 ||
"redbrands?" vidruth asks "What are Redbrands? and i know what you mean about the rain yes"
after bathing and leaving his staff and backpack in his room he heads down to the common room with the others, and orders a comfortable meal (another sp)
"I would like some stew and bread" he requests of elsa, leaving a gold piece on the table as payment "kiselina, how do you request help from your gods? is it not unbelievably presumptuous and imply that they are there for you not you for them?"
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
As they walk to the inn, Daphyra eyes the shrine. She tries to hide her emotion (deception 19) and although she's not usually all that good at it, she feels like these acquaintances probably wouldn't see her dismay. She is still a little shocked and feels every day of her forty eight years.
She hands over her silver -- she takes the lodging money from the purse given to her by Barthen and retires to her room to muse. Did her temple send her here to get rid of her? To humiliate her? When they had been talking about this secondment it had sounded like a step up for Daphyra, not a slide down. What would she even do here? There was no healing clinic, no kitchens making food for the needy, not even a statue of the Goddess on display that she can see.
After a wallow in self pity for half an hour or so, she pulls herself together. Maybe that would be her vocation here -- to set up such services for any who needed it. She casts her eye over what is left in her money pouch. Probably not enough to set up any kind of clinic, but needs must. She will visit the Sister in the morning and sort this out.
Daphyra asks Elsa for a mug of cider and some bread and cheese, parting with another couple of silver.
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
After spending 2 out of the last 3 days walking in the rain, Marten doesn't feel that he needs a bath. He just uses some of the warm water to wash his face, hands, and feet.
The room is more expensive than Marten usually gets. He briefly thinks about asking whether there's a spot in the stables where he can sleep, but he decides against it. He has seen the looks that he has gotten in the past whenever he chooses a common room or preferably a spot in a hayloft instead of a private room with a bed. Marten doesn't want to draw that kind of attention with this new group and in a new town. He unpacks his gear to check it and then repacks everything. Weapons aren't allowed in the common room, and he stows his rapier and shortbow in the room, but maybe daggers are OK? He slides the sheaths around to the back of his belt so that they're hidden by his cloak before going down to the common room.
Marten is dismayed to see Elsa is serving table in the common room. He waits patiently in a corner of the room for the locals to drift out and then he goes up to Toblen and thanks him for the room. He asks Toblen for a pitcher (gallon) of ale for the group's table and orders the stew and a loaf of bread for himself. Hoping that he has avoided the need to talk to a strange girl, Marten goes to sit at the group's table.
Marten nods to anyone already at the table with a friendly smile and a curt, "Evenin'." When the food and drinks come, he pours a cup of ale for himself and then holds up the pitcher and says, "Fer my new friends. Help yerselves!", before setting it in the center of the table. There should be enough for everyone to have one or two pints. He has found in the past that ordering drinks after a job is a good way to make friends with the crew without having to say too much.
After a pint of ale and some food, Marten finds it a little easier to talk -- not to Elsa! -- just with his companions. He's able to engage in more smalltalk than he did during the whole three day journey from Neverwinter. But he's still fairly quiet and reserved unless the conversation turns to their immediate concerns: the Cragmaws, finding Gundren, and their plan for tomorrow.
"We need to learn more about those goblins" vidruth begins once everyone has eaten a little and is beginning to relax "they are almost certainly cragmaws, but i have only heard of the tribe in passing and im surprised they are still around, this banditry, its wierd for goblins, they seem prepared, and while that happens sometimes its not as common as some think it should be. does anyone else know anything about them, or think anything seemed wierd?"
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
Berry shyly follows the others inside the inn, he still isn’t used to this civilized way of living. All his life had he shared the trees with the birds under an open sky but here everyone always likes to cramp into a closed space. At first he thought that’s something they do in big cities and he was relieved to have slept under the sky again on their trip but here it starts again. What do they like so much about these houses and their closed rooms?
Having paid his room just as the others he inspects the bath, amazed that they would bring hot water to an artificial pool. His enjoyment of his first indoor bath is slightly dampened by the maid’s reaction after he finished. Irritated, he wonders for what they put so much water in the pool if they don’t want that you jump in and out?
After he pays an additional silver to the maid to calm her down and dresses himself, he leaves his belongings in his room and joins the others in the tavern room. “Thanks Marten,” he says and takes a pint of ale, listening to Vidruth. After saying their part, Berry begins to describe in detail the way that he observed when he followed the goblin up to the hills before he turned around. “If I would have known that we continue our way with the wagon, I would have pressed to try and find the lair’s entrance. But I think it shouldn’t be too far from where I left the goblin and there is a path to follow.”
|| 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 ||
Nosam notices the others coming towards the inn, he gathers his thoughts, and enters with the group. Overhearing the establishment owner's introductory spiel, Nosam exchanges pleasantries when it's his turn. "Hello Mister Stonehill, I'd like to get a basic accommodation, afraid I'm not one of those upper crust folk." Toblen and his staff all give introductions as they guide the party to their various rooms and receive the brief tour. Nosam listens for any relevant information and takes mental notes, of course he interjects ill-timed attempts of cheerful banter with the staff too. "Now Mister Thornhill, you aren't going to be quizzin me on all these folks names are ya? My noggin is too tired."
Following a thank you to everyone, Nosam sits down alone. Thinking to himself "these people don't seem half bad and at least we aren't exposed on the road," Nosam looks around his modest room and feels a tinge of gratitude. "Don't screw this up."
Puzzled by a delightful smell, Nosam looks around and realizing he passed out. "Guess I was more tired than I thought." He collects his thoughts while he washes his face and proceeds to make his way towards the wonderful smell of one of his favorite dishes. Grabbing a seat near Marten, he makes sure to let it be known that he needs some of the stew. "Evening everyone. Mister Marten you must be thirsty. Mind if I pour me one? Ha, Next one or four will be on me!"