As the Company takes their leave of the Stormrider estate, with the sun casting long golden shadows through the Sea Ward, a gentle wind sweeps through the noble district. The gate to Stormrise closes behind them with a quiet clang, and the road ahead beckons.
Ever the artist of moment and mood, Xymox draws his bow across the strings of his violin with a sly glint in his crimson eyes. A strange, familiar rhythm flows from the instrument—dark, dreamy, and melodic. The notes drift through the air like mist, curling between cobblestones and laughter.
And then, with theatrical flair, he begins to sing in his haunting, velvety voice:
🎻“Chadwick’s in the Storm”
🎶 Chadwick’s in the storm... Chadwick’s in the storm... He’s dressed up and adorned, For a Lady highborn.
He polishes his blade, But it’s love he hopes is made, Oh Chadwick, don’t you mourn... You’re in the storm...
There's a noble knight inside, With a soft and bashful pride, Though his helm may gleam with might, His heart is open wide.
Lady Arin caught his glance, Now he’s yearning for romance, He's got wine, he's got charm, But no plan for escape or harm...
🎶 Chadwick’s in the storm... Trying not to swarm, With feelings soft and warm, In his tailored uniform...
As the final eerie echo fades into the breeze, Xymox finishes with a twirl of his bow and a low, mock-reverent bow toward Chadwick, smirking behind a curtain of silver-white hair.
"I do adore a tale of brave hearts and fair weather," he purrs, letting the last string hum like distant thunder. "But beware, dear knight—storms can be deceivingly sweet."
Xymox looks hopefully at the members of the Company, as he tries lightening the mood after a day of solemn duty and weighty farewells. And so they walk onward, the streets of Waterdeep before them and the taste of music lingering like fine wine.
Your time in the City of Splendors draws close. Final preparations are made with the acquisitions of scrolls and potions (please get that completed if you still want something) and other preparatory things. Chadwick and Kragen make a final visit to the temple of Tyr and proper reflections. Chadwick finds himself spending a part of each day with Lady Arin as well. She is quite attentive to his attentions. The gardens of Stormrise are quite expansive and seemingly require a great deal of observation to grow properly.... Yartol is found. He seems to be on edge, "I don't like cities." Your news that you are ready to leave is welcome to his ears. A ship sailing to Luskan is found. Arrangements are made for passage including the mounts. Final farewells are made with Hoid. It is a sad event for all with the parting of ways.
(( Once all of the last preparations are made, you disembark. ))
The journey north ends up being fairly quiet. Your ship, the Yasmina, is traveling with six others. Each has a contingent of three archers and three men-at-arms in case of piracy. There are a few tense days when sails are spotted on the horizon following your convoy. No attack ever comes. Luskan's harbor is seen in the morning of the 15th day of sail. The captain is happy with the progress made and is all smiles. He seems to be expecting a big payoff from this trip.
When Xymox is singing his song Chadwick goes through so many emotions so fast The Company wonders of his face might break. By the time he finishes Chadwick is laughing hard.
"I guess I wasn't as subtle as I thought I was. I told you Xymox you keep writing those and my head won't fit in my helm. Though I guess one conversation with my mom would fix that l."
He seems shocked he said that out loud, then begins laughing again.
"Thanks Xymox, as always you read the room and give us what we need. Who knows, maybe sometime in the future you can play it for her." His eyes twinkle with the thought.
/OOC Todd that really was magnificent and made me laugh.
During their time together Chadwick is attentive, polite, and and completely enchanted with Lady Arin. His social graces are surprisingly good for a guy who grew up on a farm (he's been hitting Xymox and Trolkarl up for lessons). He also spends more money on clothes, but not as elaborate as the first.
As their time together goes on he becomes less formal and more comfortable being around her. Telling stories of growing up on the farm, his journey to becoming a paladin, and even some of their battles where his faith was tested.
He tells her on how he ended up being awarded a fair amount of property outside town, and discusses his plans to set up a free protection service for the farmers and travelers in the area in addition to farming.
Chadwick is saddened when their time together ends, but promises to write as often as he can.
During the voyage north he can be seen looking wistfully off the deck of the ship and trying to write as best as he can on the rolling ship. He's seen sending off letters whenever they dock (if they do).
The Company has left the safe harbor of Waterdeep, The City of Splendors. The parents of Starker have been met and confirmed to be actual people. Very nice people actually. Dinner with them was lovely and they were very engaged in the doings of The Company and how their son came to be so welcomed into your group. A blossoming relationship between Chadwick and Lady Arin Stormrider has been left behind the wake of the Yasmina as well. None of The Company have actually seen a fjord, but, pining for one seems to be in Chadwick's wheelhouse. The journey to Luskan was without incident. The guidance of the now completed map, your memories of flying over the valley and Yartol's experience lead you deep into the Spine of the World to locate the valley you seek. A shrine by small mountain lake holds a mysterious cylinder with rotating segments and a lens speckled dome on top. Placing a light source within caused light beams to illuminate the heavenly map above. Setting the correct combination of glyphs on the pedestal highlighted the constellations of Bane and Mystra on the ceiling of the shrine. A brilliant beam of light then revealed a door in the mountainside.
Of course you went inside. The area itself radiates evil as determined by Kragen. Many traps have been bypassed, or, just plowed through by summoned beings. Several early chambers have been investigated. Flaming skulls and ogre skeletons have been met and defeated. Chadwick found an intricately crafted iron key in the remains of one of the ogre skeletons.
You now stand in a mausoleum area. The floor is black marble with gold veins running through it. The tiles are expertly fitted together. Two great statues of plate wearing warriors armed with swords are on each side of the room. Great pillars flank each of them. Three corpses lie on the floor apparently unmoved since they fell in battle. Two are in armor, the third is in tatters of robes. You notice there is no dust on them, or, anywhere here for that matter. Their flesh is desiccated and their bones showing. It is clear they have been lying here for a long time. A set of great iron doors is the only other exit from the room. They are 10 feet tall and 12 feet wide. The doors are fashioned of iron and have intricate etchings of arcane symbols and diagrams. A single, 1 foot diameter circular door pull is in the center of each door about 5 feet off the ground.
As the intrepid band, known as The Company enters the room, Kragen queitly speaks to all.
"This is a foul place, setup to worship evil, we must cleanse this unholy site!" with a grim look on his face.
Religion Check on the Moseleum. 14+3 = 17
"I suspect that those statues and those deceased on the floor of this Moseleum may be undead however unsure, let's prepare ourselves."
Kragen reaches onto his belt which is holding multiple viles containing a red liquid. He begins to distribute them accordingly.
Potion of Superior Healing - Chadwick
Potion of Greater Healing - Trolkarl
Potion of Healing - Starker
Potion of Healing - Xymox
(please add them to your inventory as i have deducted from mine)
"Sir Chadwick, i think it may be time for us to invoke Tyr's blessed Bond between followers <Warding Bond>. This will grant you greater protections against evil through me. What say you?"
Xymox steps forward, the heels of his boots clicking lightly against the immaculate black marble as he enters the mausoleum. His violet eyes scan the room—the desiccated corpses, the silent statues, the foreboding iron doors etched with secrets too proud to whisper. A hush falls over The Company as even the air seems to still in this untouched hall of the dead.
From beneath his shadow-swept cloak, he draws forth The Twisted Tune, his violin of strange blackwood and darksilver. With a soft breath, he raises the bow, and a haunting chord spills into the air, low and resonant—notes thick with old promise and terrible purpose.
“Let shadow sharpen will and heart,” he intones, voice smooth as oiled velvet. “Let glory be forged not by ease, but by what resists the blade. You who stand with me—stand taller still.”
The melody shifts into a swirling dance of minor chords and swelling resolve, vibrating like a war drum made of silk and storm. As the notes pass over each companion, they feel a strange calm rise—a conviction at their core, like armor beneath the flesh. A ghostly shimmer briefly coats them, unseen by most eyes, but felt like a hand resting gently at their backs.
He steps toward each in turn, his bow drawing a sharp accent with every name:
“Chadwick, knight of Tyr—let no oath falter.” “Starker, wielder of mind and spark—let focus pierce veil and lie.” “Trolkarl, warlock of purpose—let fire know its master.” “Kragen, hammer of justice—let shield never yield.” “Yartol, hunter of vengeance—let grief be your aim, not your chain.”
The final note trails off with eerie grace, hanging in the air like the last breath of a songbird before battle.
And then—silence. Only the distant sound of stone creaking, or perhaps breathing.
The enchantment lingers. Fortifying. Unseen… but known.
[Motivational Speech cast: Each target gains 5 temporary hit points, advantage on Wisdom saves, and advantage on ability checks if not incapacitated. The first time they are hit with an attack, they have advantage on their next attack roll.]
Kragen nods at Chadwick and begins an incantation, hearing prayers to Tyr, bringing justice and fury to those who perpetrate evil. Kragen finishes the incantation by touching Chadwick on the breastplate, you see a slight glow coming from a platinum ring on a leather thong around his neck. Eerily you see the same soft glow coming from under Chadwick’s breast plate.
Warding Bond L2 (+1 ac and savings throws to the target/Chadwick, resistance to All damage, anytime Chad takes damage Kragen does too.) 1hour duration, must stay writhing 60’. No concentration needed.
Kragen does a look about in the mausoleum. There are unholy symbols of the deities Cyric, Talos and Bane seen repetitively in the writings on the iron doors. He also discovers that the four pillars are covered from top to bottom with writing. Some of this writing is in Common. He recognizes Elvish and Draconic as well. There are other scripts he does not recognize. All four of the pillars have these etched into them from top to bottom he can see with his fancy eyewear. The writings in Common he samples detail the greatness of Illiandil and his prowess as a wizard.
The corpses have no outward signs of religions about them. But, they do appear to have died from Necrotic energy.
The statues are unadorned with writing or any symbols. Each is a warrior in plate armor and great helm. One has a long sword and shield and the other has a great axe.
Chadwick pokes the corpse, warily. Nothing happens. He pokes again, jumping back. Still, nothing happens. Starker cannot help but think that perhaps Chadwick has some feline ancestry...
Searching the very dead corpse he finds mouldy robes and silks cover the bones of this corpse. A broken staff with a cracked and burnt out crystal set in the tip lies beside it. It also has several pouches and a backpack that are moldy and rotted away. A dagger is on the belt in a rotted away sheath. A bone scroll case is underneath it.
Chadwick will pick up scroll case and see what's inside. If he doesn't understand it;
"Starker, you want to check this out?".
He'll then continue on checking out the corpses, but doesn't let his guard down. He's sure he saw that other twitch, or maybe it was just the light ...
Chadwick peers into the scroll case and finds…papers. He cannot decipher them but recognizes Draconic. Starker then examines them and finds 5 sheets of parchment are inside as well as a Scroll: Web. The parchment contains notes in Draconic about the valley and how to find the tomb. They also describe a “key” that must be found.
1 – Human. Wearing scale mail and shield. A shiny longsword lies beside him. A mouldering backpack remains. Most of the contents of the backpack are rotted away. There is a hammer, 8 iron spikes and a glass flask (now empty) remaining.
2 – Half Elf. Wearing mouldy leather armor. A rotted bow and arrows are scattered around it. Two daggers are in rotted away sheaths on its belt. Several rotted pouches are found on this corpse. Useful items that remain are thieve’s tools, 3 Zircon 50g and a potion of healing.
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Deleted.
As the Company takes their leave of the Stormrider estate, with the sun casting long golden shadows through the Sea Ward, a gentle wind sweeps through the noble district. The gate to Stormrise closes behind them with a quiet clang, and the road ahead beckons.
Ever the artist of moment and mood, Xymox draws his bow across the strings of his violin with a sly glint in his crimson eyes. A strange, familiar rhythm flows from the instrument—dark, dreamy, and melodic. The notes drift through the air like mist, curling between cobblestones and laughter.
And then, with theatrical flair, he begins to sing in his haunting, velvety voice:
🎻 “Chadwick’s in the Storm”
🎶
Chadwick’s in the storm...
Chadwick’s in the storm...
He’s dressed up and adorned,
For a Lady highborn.
He polishes his blade,
But it’s love he hopes is made,
Oh Chadwick, don’t you mourn...
You’re in the storm...
There's a noble knight inside,
With a soft and bashful pride,
Though his helm may gleam with might,
His heart is open wide.
Lady Arin caught his glance,
Now he’s yearning for romance,
He's got wine, he's got charm,
But no plan for escape or harm...
🎶
Chadwick’s in the storm...
Trying not to swarm,
With feelings soft and warm,
In his tailored uniform...
As the final eerie echo fades into the breeze, Xymox finishes with a twirl of his bow and a low, mock-reverent bow toward Chadwick, smirking behind a curtain of silver-white hair.
"I do adore a tale of brave hearts and fair weather," he purrs, letting the last string hum like distant thunder. "But beware, dear knight—storms can be deceivingly sweet."
Xymox looks hopefully at the members of the Company, as he tries lightening the mood after a day of solemn duty and weighty farewells. And so they walk onward, the streets of Waterdeep before them and the taste of music lingering like fine wine.
Xymox will check in one last time with the Dusken Glade and enquire about all that was discussed with Lady Stormrider.
Your time in the City of Splendors draws close. Final preparations are made with the acquisitions of scrolls and potions (please get that completed if you still want something) and other preparatory things. Chadwick and Kragen make a final visit to the temple of Tyr and proper reflections. Chadwick finds himself spending a part of each day with Lady Arin as well. She is quite attentive to his attentions. The gardens of Stormrise are quite expansive and seemingly require a great deal of observation to grow properly.... Yartol is found. He seems to be on edge, "I don't like cities." Your news that you are ready to leave is welcome to his ears. A ship sailing to Luskan is found. Arrangements are made for passage including the mounts. Final farewells are made with Hoid. It is a sad event for all with the parting of ways.
(( Once all of the last preparations are made, you disembark. ))
The journey north ends up being fairly quiet. Your ship, the Yasmina, is traveling with six others. Each has a contingent of three archers and three men-at-arms in case of piracy. There are a few tense days when sails are spotted on the horizon following your convoy. No attack ever comes. Luskan's harbor is seen in the morning of the 15th day of sail. The captain is happy with the progress made and is all smiles. He seems to be expecting a big payoff from this trip.
When Xymox is singing his song Chadwick goes through so many emotions so fast The Company wonders of his face might break. By the time he finishes Chadwick is laughing hard.
"I guess I wasn't as subtle as I thought I was. I told you Xymox you keep writing those and my head won't fit in my helm. Though I guess one conversation with my mom would fix that l."
He seems shocked he said that out loud, then begins laughing again.
"Thanks Xymox, as always you read the room and give us what we need. Who knows, maybe sometime in the future you can play it for her." His eyes twinkle with the thought.
/OOC Todd that really was magnificent and made me laugh.
During their time together Chadwick is attentive, polite, and and completely enchanted with Lady Arin. His social graces are surprisingly good for a guy who grew up on a farm (he's been hitting Xymox and Trolkarl up for lessons). He also spends more money on clothes, but not as elaborate as the first.
As their time together goes on he becomes less formal and more comfortable being around her. Telling stories of growing up on the farm, his journey to becoming a paladin, and even some of their battles where his faith was tested.
He tells her on how he ended up being awarded a fair amount of property outside town, and discusses his plans to set up a free protection service for the farmers and travelers in the area in addition to farming.
Chadwick is saddened when their time together ends, but promises to write as often as he can.
During the voyage north he can be seen looking wistfully off the deck of the ship and trying to write as best as he can on the rolling ship. He's seen sending off letters whenever they dock (if they do).
The Tomb of Illiandil
The Company has left the safe harbor of Waterdeep, The City of Splendors. The parents of Starker have been met and confirmed to be actual people. Very nice people actually. Dinner with them was lovely and they were very engaged in the doings of The Company and how their son came to be so welcomed into your group. A blossoming relationship between Chadwick and Lady Arin Stormrider has been left behind the wake of the Yasmina as well. None of The Company have actually seen a fjord, but, pining for one seems to be in Chadwick's wheelhouse. The journey to Luskan was without incident. The guidance of the now completed map, your memories of flying over the valley and Yartol's experience lead you deep into the Spine of the World to locate the valley you seek. A shrine by small mountain lake holds a mysterious cylinder with rotating segments and a lens speckled dome on top. Placing a light source within caused light beams to illuminate the heavenly map above. Setting the correct combination of glyphs on the pedestal highlighted the constellations of Bane and Mystra on the ceiling of the shrine. A brilliant beam of light then revealed a door in the mountainside.
Of course you went inside. The area itself radiates evil as determined by Kragen. Many traps have been bypassed, or, just plowed through by summoned beings. Several early chambers have been investigated. Flaming skulls and ogre skeletons have been met and defeated. Chadwick found an intricately crafted iron key in the remains of one of the ogre skeletons.
You now stand in a mausoleum area. The floor is black marble with gold veins running through it. The tiles are expertly fitted together. Two great statues of plate wearing warriors armed with swords are on each side of the room. Great pillars flank each of them. Three corpses lie on the floor apparently unmoved since they fell in battle. Two are in armor, the third is in tatters of robes. You notice there is no dust on them, or, anywhere here for that matter. Their flesh is desiccated and their bones showing. It is clear they have been lying here for a long time. A set of great iron doors is the only other exit from the room. They are 10 feet tall and 12 feet wide. The doors are fashioned of iron and have intricate etchings of arcane symbols and diagrams. A single, 1 foot diameter circular door pull is in the center of each door about 5 feet off the ground.
The Tomb of Illiandil
As the intrepid band, known as The Company enters the room, Kragen queitly speaks to all.
"This is a foul place, setup to worship evil, we must cleanse this unholy site!" with a grim look on his face.
Religion Check on the Moseleum. 14+3 = 17
"I suspect that those statues and those deceased on the floor of this Moseleum may be undead however unsure, let's prepare ourselves."
Kragen reaches onto his belt which is holding multiple viles containing a red liquid. He begins to distribute them accordingly.
Potion of Superior Healing - Chadwick
Potion of Greater Healing - Trolkarl
Potion of Healing - Starker
Potion of Healing - Xymox
(please add them to your inventory as i have deducted from mine)
"Sir Chadwick, i think it may be time for us to invoke Tyr's blessed Bond between followers <Warding Bond>. This will grant you greater protections against evil through me. What say you?"
Xymox steps forward, the heels of his boots clicking lightly against the immaculate black marble as he enters the mausoleum. His violet eyes scan the room—the desiccated corpses, the silent statues, the foreboding iron doors etched with secrets too proud to whisper. A hush falls over The Company as even the air seems to still in this untouched hall of the dead.
From beneath his shadow-swept cloak, he draws forth The Twisted Tune, his violin of strange blackwood and darksilver. With a soft breath, he raises the bow, and a haunting chord spills into the air, low and resonant—notes thick with old promise and terrible purpose.
“Let shadow sharpen will and heart,” he intones, voice smooth as oiled velvet. “Let glory be forged not by ease, but by what resists the blade. You who stand with me—stand taller still.”
The melody shifts into a swirling dance of minor chords and swelling resolve, vibrating like a war drum made of silk and storm. As the notes pass over each companion, they feel a strange calm rise—a conviction at their core, like armor beneath the flesh. A ghostly shimmer briefly coats them, unseen by most eyes, but felt like a hand resting gently at their backs.
He steps toward each in turn, his bow drawing a sharp accent with every name:
“Chadwick, knight of Tyr—let no oath falter.”
“Starker, wielder of mind and spark—let focus pierce veil and lie.”
“Trolkarl, warlock of purpose—let fire know its master.”
“Kragen, hammer of justice—let shield never yield.”
“Yartol, hunter of vengeance—let grief be your aim, not your chain.”
The final note trails off with eerie grace, hanging in the air like the last breath of a songbird before battle.
And then—silence. Only the distant sound of stone creaking, or perhaps breathing.
The enchantment lingers. Fortifying. Unseen… but known.
Updated the last message, not sure how i left off Xymox?!
"Thank you for the potion Kragen, seems like it's going to get used sooner than later." Chadwick says feeling the weight of the evil presence.
"I concur, let's try out the warding bond. But drop the spell if you start getting too bad through it."
Kragen nods at Chadwick and begins an incantation, hearing prayers to Tyr, bringing justice and fury to those who perpetrate evil. Kragen finishes the incantation by touching Chadwick on the breastplate, you see a slight glow coming from a platinum ring on a leather thong around his neck. Eerily you see the same soft glow coming from under Chadwick’s breast plate.
Warding Bond L2 (+1 ac and savings throws to the target/Chadwick, resistance to All damage, anytime Chad takes damage Kragen does too.) 1hour duration, must stay writhing 60’. No concentration needed.
Starker to Kragen:”Perhaps it would be wise to keep yhe Iron Flask and its inhabitant is mind. It may be time soon to decant it.”
Kragen does a look about in the mausoleum. There are unholy symbols of the deities Cyric, Talos and Bane seen repetitively in the writings on the iron doors. He also discovers that the four pillars are covered from top to bottom with writing. Some of this writing is in Common. He recognizes Elvish and Draconic as well. There are other scripts he does not recognize. All four of the pillars have these etched into them from top to bottom he can see with his fancy eyewear. The writings in Common he samples detail the greatness of Illiandil and his prowess as a wizard.
The corpses have no outward signs of religions about them. But, they do appear to have died from Necrotic energy.
The statues are unadorned with writing or any symbols. Each is a warrior in plate armor and great helm. One has a long sword and shield and the other has a great axe.
This was a casual examination of the room.
Chadwick will poke the skeleton in the robes with his halberd. If it doesn't react he'll search it.
Chadwick pokes the corpse, warily. Nothing happens. He pokes again, jumping back. Still, nothing happens. Starker cannot help but think that perhaps Chadwick has some feline ancestry...
Searching the very dead corpse he finds mouldy robes and silks cover the bones of this corpse. A broken staff with a cracked and burnt out crystal set in the tip lies beside it. It also has several pouches and a backpack that are moldy and rotted away. A dagger is on the belt in a rotted away sheath. A bone scroll case is underneath it.
Chadwick will pick up scroll case and see what's inside. If he doesn't understand it;
"Starker, you want to check this out?".
He'll then continue on checking out the corpses, but doesn't let his guard down. He's sure he saw that other twitch, or maybe it was just the light ...
Starker:”I was hoping you would ask, Sir Chadwick. Allow me to investigate.”
(investigation roll = 18)
Looks at the other corpses, overcome with curiosity:
(investigation rolls = 22, 30)
Chadwick peers into the scroll case and finds…papers. He cannot decipher them but recognizes Draconic. Starker then examines them and finds 5 sheets of parchment are inside as well as a Scroll: Web. The parchment contains notes in Draconic about the valley and how to find the tomb. They also describe a “key” that must be found.
Examining the other corpses:
1 – Human. Wearing scale mail and shield. A shiny longsword lies beside him. A mouldering backpack remains. Most of the contents of the backpack are rotted away. There is a hammer, 8 iron spikes and a glass flask (now empty) remaining.
2 – Half Elf. Wearing mouldy leather armor. A rotted bow and arrows are scattered around it. Two daggers are in rotted away sheaths on its belt. Several rotted pouches are found on this corpse. Useful items that remain are thieve’s tools, 3 Zircon 50g and a potion of healing.