"Don't worry," Korba says quietly to his side, "First I've heard of them as well. Not room for many other gods in the Underdark..."
Hewelathan looks grateful for Korba's reassuring words. He feels a little less foolish. He's interested to ask about the gods in the Underdark, but he decides to leave that for another time.
Korba thinks for a minute and says, "If the cult is after the Akkron's land, perhaps it's just coincidence that we've run into them as well. Hopefully at least. We've got enough on our plates already to be dealing with two sets of enemies after us; more so if we don't understand why we're the target of one."
Hewelathan looks a little confused. He corrects Korba, "Baron Ryder's lands, not Lord Akkron's lands. I don't think that the cult would challenge Bridgette's master. At least not yet."
- Cheers to that!- she says, in appreciation of Jodie's gesture.
Hewelathan raises his wine glass and says, "Cheers, Jodie!" He again asks about food to see whether he can get some dinner here. It's been a long day, and he's starving.
And I really wish it was just a coincidence, Korba, but ... that sounds too good to be true. FirstJarden, then the cultists... - she doesn't end the sentence, looking worried for a moment.
Still confused, Hewelathan, ponders a moment while Rhaenys finishes talking. When she's done, he finally says, "After the conversation with Jarden, I think that we confirmed that it's just one set of enemies, right? Jarden worked for Baron Ryder until he was enchanted by Firion. From what Jarden said, it sounded like Firion's group IS this cult, the Order of the Dragon that Captain Fox warned Jodie about. Jarden told us that Firion ordered him to delay us so that the cultists could catch us."
Hewelathan looks around for confirmation. Maybe his charming friends are just too fond of talking to listen carefully? He continues, "As far as we know, the encounter at the temple of Ilmater, that cultist who had waylaid Lady Elora, the cult that tried to take Baron Ryder's lands, and the dragon-riders who attacked our ship today...they're all part of the same cult: the Order of the Dragon. And Firion seems to be its leader. Or at least one of the high-ranking members. Even the Hound of Judgement that Korba saw in the wilderness after we defeated the cultists who kidnapped Lady Elora -- it was sent by Firion to check on the cultist we killed."
Hewlathan looks almost apologetic. He says, more quietly, almost as if talking to himself, "The only trouble we've had in the last couple of weeks that does not seem directly tied to the Order of the Dragon was the gibbering mouther and that cave." He shivers at the memory of the dark sphere they saw there and the twisted, alien magic involved.
But perhaps we should leave these worries behind for now until we discuss them with Lord Akkron in the morning. Why don't we just enjoy this nice dinner and simply rest for tonight? I say we've more than earned it!
Once Hewelathan has a meal (or two!) in front of him, he's heartily seconds this suggestion! He hopes for an early bed time and an uneventful night.
Did the others want to sleep at the inn or at the Temple of Boccob? Staying at an inn seems more normal to Hewelathan, but he's happy to follow the group consensus on this one.
"Hey now, you sure you want to give Shri the chance to complain?" Bridgette chuckles.
The drider scowls at the half-orc, then answers the changeling.
"The form that I have been cursed with was my punishment for failing Lolth's test," Shri sighs. "In an instant I went from a celebrated warrior to an outcast, shunned by all the Underdark. Detested by the Drow for my failure to serve Lolth, and detested by all others for being a Dark Elf and former servant of Lolth... I wallowed in my misery for a decade until I was called upon by the matron mother of my family, who offered me a chance to win back my honor by completing an impossible mission... which was how I came to the Shaded Isle, trying to take an artifact of great power from an ancient and powerful enemy of Lolth... I knew that I would either win back my honor or die in the attempt. I did everything in my power, sneaking between shadows and destroying every shade in my path... but I made a fatal error when I reached the castle, and found myself face-to-face with Lord Akkron himself... I was powerless against him. I still don't know for sure why he decided to spare my life, but I can only assume it was because he is familiar with pathetic creatures like myself and knew that yet another failure on my conscience would be far more cruel than any death he could have concocted for me."
"...and eventually, after she spent a couple years in the slammer, we decided she'd suffered enough and let her go," Bridgette cuts in to finish the story. "Thing is, she apparently decided she liked us too much to leave."
"I 'decided' that I couldn't go back to the Underdark," Shri corrects Bridgette. "Or really anywhere else. So here I am, probably for the rest of my days."
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Jodie lets out a long sigh in listening to Shri's tale, "I do love hearing people's stories. I try to remember them in verse or song. Better chance of staying with me than my thoughts." Jodie looks off into the crowd and then back to Shri. "I don't quite know your whole song yet, but it seems you've built something here that might not be possible anywhere."
Deep in the dark, Lolth aims to test How black is your heart, that beats in your chest A demon's favor to trade, power they crave. Pay with your soul, the price to betray. Failure is no port, but hope is an Isle. Ten years in strife, Shri stayed awhile Tending bar, ten years shading a spark Finding peace, above the Underdark.
Jodie finishes her wine and lets out a yawn and parts farewell to take a room at the Inn for the night, "I'll see you all in the morning after a well-earned rest."
Rhaenyscannot help but draw a sad smile as she listens to Shri's story.
- ...drow society definitely isn't very kind, huh? - she mutters, as she looks towards the drider. Then she looks towards Korba, too - Uhm, I seem to be saying that a lot lately. Sorry- she says, apologetically - I don't mean to say there aren't unkind people where I come from, but I guess I have yet to hear a happy story originating in the Underdark.In any case - the sorceress turns to Shri again - you could also say that you have found a home here in the Shaded Isle, right? It sounds more like a home than the place you came from.
(OOC: Insight check to check how Shri really feels about this place. Maybe it is as Bridgette says and the driver has grown to like it? 17)
Rhaenys then falls silent, lost in her own thoughts as she remembers own home home back in the Feywild, which she hasn't visited in quite a while. She sips from her glass of sweet wine and listens to Jodie's song, applauding when the bard finishes and waving goodbye when she retires for the night. Then, when Hewelathanexplains everything about the cult she replies:
- You're right as always, my friend!
The sorceress then gulps the rest of her wine and looks at Shri:
- Could I have one more last glass before going to bed, please?
She is more than willing to hand out more drinks... she's been quite handsomely paid by both Bridgette and Jodie. Rhaenys, the impression you get is that she's grateful to the island's inhabitants for giving her somewhere to stay, but she resents the fact that she really doesn't have any other home to go to.
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Hewelathan listens with interest to the story. He's horrified to hear of Shri's transformation. While he's fascinated by Rhaenys's ability to change her form and is now learning to control his own shape, a forced transformation of any sort is an enormous violation. A curse to live the rest of your life as a half-spider is monstrous. "Lolth" -- he dimly remembers hearing the name from histories about pure-blooded elves. Suddenly, the epithet "Demon Queen of Spiders" pops into his head. He wonders why anyone would follow such a cruel goddess or consent to such a trial. And then to be ostracized by her family and community when she needed their sympathy and help! Shri seems to have made the best of her circumstances, but he wonders whether she still longs to prove herself to Lolth.
Hewelathan has one question for Shri and Bridgette, "It seems like you left out the most interesting detail! Ever since I was young, I've been fascinated by old stories of legendary magical items. You said that you were trying to take a great and powerful artifact. Could you tell us more about it?"
Shri taps a finger on the countertop as she looks back on the incident that brought her to the Shaded Isle.
"I believe it was a unique deck of cards," she says after a moment. "I'm afraid I was never told what powers it supposedly possessed. In all honesty, I wouldn't be surprised to find out that the deck never existed at all and I was simply sent here on a suicide mission."
She sighs and looks at the Accursed.
"I appreciate your compassion to one who doesn't deserve it... your room and board is more than covered for the night. Rest easy, travelers."
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- ...drow society definitely isn't very kind, huh? - she mutters, as she looks towards the drider. Then she looks towards Korba, too - Uhm, I seem to be saying that a lot lately. Sorry- she says, apologetically - I don't mean to say there aren't unkind people where I come from, but I guess I have yet to hear a happy story originating in the Underdark.
"For those who are favored by the gods, Lloth in particular, the underdark provides quite a nice life. And really, it is quite beautiful as well. It's actually not as dark as people think it is; and in most places there's just a beautiful ambient glow," Korba says, thinking back to his former home as he takes another drink. "But, for many others, usually outsiders, it can be a harsh place...
- Ambient glow? I like how that sounds. - Rhaenys says, nodding slowly to Korbaas she tries to imagine how that must look like. She pictures a cave made of black rock, with big crystals protruding from the walls that cover everything with a faint purple light. It really sounds beautiful.
The changeling takes a few more sips as she thinks about this, and also about that set of cards Shri has mentioned. What kind of powers must it hold for the former dark elf to have been sent to recover it, she wonders. Then, feeling the general tirendess of the day finally taking over, Rhaenys leaves the half empty glass of wine in the table and stands up, staggering a little, which causes her to laugh a little:
- Well, those cultists from before did not defeat us, but this delicious wine has clearly finished me off. Time for me to get to bed as well. See you all in the morning!
She waves goodnight and retires for whichever room Shri points her to.
Since Hewelathan has so many spell slots remaining, before he goes to sleep, he casts goodberrytwice to create a store of berries for the next day. It finally occurs to him to use the moon sickle as a focus for the spell. He's pleased to see that the berries seem even more potent than usual. (One batch restores 5 HP per berry. The other restores 3 HP per berry.)
Is there anything that anyone would like to do in town before following Bridgette to her master's abode?
Hewelathan would like to take a look around town very early in the morning, as soon as the sun is up. That is, he'll go downstairs as soon as he wakes up and go outside as soon as the sun is up (or as far as he can tell with the weird dark cloud that surrounds the island). If any of the other party members are already awake and downstairs, he'll invite them along. Otherwise, he'll go outside by himself. Note that he plans to wild shape, so he wouldn't be good company to anyone other than Rhaenys. He thinks that Tytus could also look around the town without attracting attention since he could do it while invisible.
The previous evening, when they walked into the town, did Hewelathan see any animals within the city walls? It's a remote island, but perhaps ships have brought over regular domestic animals, such as cats or lizards. If so, then he'll wild shape into something inconspicuous, like a cat (or at least something with a climb speed), so that he can look around the town in the early morning light without attracting too much attention.
Mostly, Hewelathan was just curious about the town. He had expected a weird enclave of necromancers and their servants. He didn't expect a town that seemed so "normal" as it did the previous evening. He just wants to walk around without the guidance of the mayor to see whether he spots anything or anyone unusual (like a drider for a bartender) or especially notable. He'll walk to the town wall (to see whether the gates are open) and explore some side streets. He'd also like to take another look at the Temple of Boccob to see whether there's any activity there. Perception13
(OOC: Note that when Hewelathan takes a Tiny wild shape, like a domestic cat, he absorbs all of his possessions into his form. The belt and cloak are too large for him to "wear" in such a form.)
The previous evening, when they walked into the town, did Hewelathan see any animals within the city walls? It's a remote island, but perhaps ships have brought over regular domestic animals, such as cats or lizards. If so, then he'll wild shape into something inconspicuous, like a cat (or at least something with a climb speed), so that he can look around the town in the early morning light without attracting too much attention.
You saw a fair number of cats, so transforming into a feline would be a fairly easy way to traverse the city without attracting too much attention.
In the early morning, Hewelathan notes that the gates are locked up tight, though a couple of guards are preparing to open them as the first rays of sunlight begin to peek through the fog. From his vantage point on top of the wall, he can get a view of the rest of the island...
The crumbling ruins of a once great and beautiful city fill the rocky shore as far as you can see. Even without the threat of restless spirits, the centuries of decay could make travelling through what is left of the city hazardous.
As for the town, most of the people seem world-wary, but otherwise fairly normal. If you peek into the temple of Boccob, there are indeed people there. Interestingly, the inside of the temple looks more like an arcane library than a place of worship. This seems to be where most of the settlement's arcane practitioners gather, with the gray-clad priests acting as librarians. Neither the mages nor the Clerics appear especially friendly, but they don't give you the impression that they're a bunch of power-made necromancers either.
Regarding Rhaenys' question, no, Shri is not the cook. The cook appears to be a pudgy middle-aged human. Nothing about him really stands out.
Jodie is eager to meet Lord Akron and hear his thoughts on the harp's curse. Jodie turns to Bridgette, "Can we expect any trouble along the way? What haunts the lands outside the walls?"
Hewelathan returns to the inn and returns to his half-elf form maybe 1 hour after sunrise. He joins the others for breakfast (if they've already come down from their rooms). He eats enough for two, and if Bridgette hasn't joined them yet, he'll let the others know about what he was able to see by the light of day.
Hewelathan asks (Bridgette or, if she's not there yet, Shri), "Where does Lord Akkron live? Here in the town, or...?"
Once Bridgette joins them, Hewelathan says, "That's a good question, Jodie! We sought an audience with your master, Bridgette, but we didn't know that he'd be expecting us! What is expected of petitioners like us? How should we address your master? Should we bring him some sort of a gift? Will it be OK to meet him as we are, or would it be a sign of disrespect to meet him armed as if for battle?"
Bridgette arrives at the inn a little bit after Hewelathan finishes his scouting mission.
"My Master lives a few miles outside of the town," Bridgette explains. "I really don't think you'll need to worry about offending him with your attire; he's well aware that the journey between the town and his citadel is a perilous one. Speaking of... most of the dead make themselves scarce during daylight... but not all of them. And the ones that hunt even in daylight tend to be the most dangerous ones."
If you prod her a little bit more, she'll explain that the settlement is magically warded against intrusions by the undead. The lich himself can cross the barrier if he so desires, and does so on occasion for certain festivals and to attend important meetings, but doing so is uncomfortable even to him.
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Speaking of... most of the dead make themselves scarce during daylight... but not all of them. And the ones that hunt even in daylight tend to be the most dangerous ones."
If you prod her a little bit more, she'll explain that the settlement is magically warded against intrusions by the undead. The lich himself can cross the barrier if he so desires, and does so on occasion for certain festivals and to attend important meetings, but doing so is uncomfortable even to him.
"Oh!", Hewelathan says in surprise. "Do you mean that we'll have to fight our way through 'wild' undead that hunt the ruins outside the walled town?" He glances at his companions to see whether they, like him, expected an easier road to their meeting with Lord Akkron.
If Bridgette confirms his understanding, Hewelathan looks upset and suspicious: "Is this some sort of test?! A gauntlet to discourage us from seeking his help?"
Hewelathan is also confused about the relationship between Lord Akkron and the undead on the island. If he gets a chance, he tries to clarify, "Does your master show favor to any of the undead out there? That is, if we'll be fighting our way to his -- what? a tower? -- are there any undead whose destruction would anger him? Or would he be happy for us to cleanse the taint of the undead from the island?"
The others may notice now that Hewelathan has a deep dislike for undead. It never came up when the lich was a distant goal to help them against Firion. But ever since they arrived on the Shaded Isle, his thoughts have been dwelling more and more on the Undead surrounding this town and what an Offense Against Nature they represent.
Given this news, Hewelathan votes for starting their journey as soon as possible to ensure that they reach their destination (and hopefully return back to the town) well before dark. He just to spend a few minutes in meditation and prayer to prepare himself for the day. He considers what they've learned from Bridgette and how it impacts which spells he'll want to prepare for today's hike. For example, it might be worthwhile to prepare Protection from Evil and Good even though Jodie and Rhaenys can cast it: they may may need their concentration for other spells. He also worries that his ability to assume a Wild Shape may not help much against the undead. What good is even a dire wolf's bite against ghosts and wraiths?
"Is there any way to announce our presense to him so that we may have fewer undead to deal with perhaps?" Korba asks, not relishing the idea of having to cut through armies of undead.
Hewelathan looks grateful for Korba's reassuring words. He feels a little less foolish. He's interested to ask about the gods in the Underdark, but he decides to leave that for another time.
Hewelathan looks a little confused. He corrects Korba, "Baron Ryder's lands, not Lord Akkron's lands. I don't think that the cult would challenge Bridgette's master. At least not yet."
Hewelathan raises his wine glass and says, "Cheers, Jodie!" He again asks about food to see whether he can get some dinner here. It's been a long day, and he's starving.
Still confused, Hewelathan, ponders a moment while Rhaenys finishes talking. When she's done, he finally says, "After the conversation with Jarden, I think that we confirmed that it's just one set of enemies, right? Jarden worked for Baron Ryder until he was enchanted by Firion. From what Jarden said, it sounded like Firion's group IS this cult, the Order of the Dragon that Captain Fox warned Jodie about. Jarden told us that Firion ordered him to delay us so that the cultists could catch us."
Hewelathan looks around for confirmation. Maybe his charming friends are just too fond of talking to listen carefully? He continues, "As far as we know, the encounter at the temple of Ilmater, that cultist who had waylaid Lady Elora, the cult that tried to take Baron Ryder's lands, and the dragon-riders who attacked our ship today...they're all part of the same cult: the Order of the Dragon. And Firion seems to be its leader. Or at least one of the high-ranking members. Even the Hound of Judgement that Korba saw in the wilderness after we defeated the cultists who kidnapped Lady Elora -- it was sent by Firion to check on the cultist we killed."
Hewlathan looks almost apologetic. He says, more quietly, almost as if talking to himself, "The only trouble we've had in the last couple of weeks that does not seem directly tied to the Order of the Dragon was the gibbering mouther and that cave." He shivers at the memory of the dark sphere they saw there and the twisted, alien magic involved.
Once Hewelathan has a meal (or two!) in front of him, he's heartily seconds this suggestion! He hopes for an early bed time and an uneventful night.
Did the others want to sleep at the inn or at the Temple of Boccob? Staying at an inn seems more normal to Hewelathan, but he's happy to follow the group consensus on this one.
"Hey now, you sure you want to give Shri the chance to complain?" Bridgette chuckles.
The drider scowls at the half-orc, then answers the changeling.
"The form that I have been cursed with was my punishment for failing Lolth's test," Shri sighs. "In an instant I went from a celebrated warrior to an outcast, shunned by all the Underdark. Detested by the Drow for my failure to serve Lolth, and detested by all others for being a Dark Elf and former servant of Lolth... I wallowed in my misery for a decade until I was called upon by the matron mother of my family, who offered me a chance to win back my honor by completing an impossible mission... which was how I came to the Shaded Isle, trying to take an artifact of great power from an ancient and powerful enemy of Lolth... I knew that I would either win back my honor or die in the attempt. I did everything in my power, sneaking between shadows and destroying every shade in my path... but I made a fatal error when I reached the castle, and found myself face-to-face with Lord Akkron himself... I was powerless against him. I still don't know for sure why he decided to spare my life, but I can only assume it was because he is familiar with pathetic creatures like myself and knew that yet another failure on my conscience would be far more cruel than any death he could have concocted for me."
"...and eventually, after she spent a couple years in the slammer, we decided she'd suffered enough and let her go," Bridgette cuts in to finish the story. "Thing is, she apparently decided she liked us too much to leave."
"I 'decided' that I couldn't go back to the Underdark," Shri corrects Bridgette. "Or really anywhere else. So here I am, probably for the rest of my days."
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Jodie lets out a long sigh in listening to Shri's tale, "I do love hearing people's stories. I try to remember them in verse or song. Better chance of staying with me than my thoughts." Jodie looks off into the crowd and then back to Shri. "I don't quite know your whole song yet, but it seems you've built something here that might not be possible anywhere."
Deep in the dark, Lolth aims to test
How black is your heart, that beats in your chest
A demon's favor to trade, power they crave.
Pay with your soul, the price to betray.
Failure is no port, but hope is an Isle.
Ten years in strife, Shri stayed awhile
Tending bar, ten years shading a spark
Finding peace, above the Underdark.
Jodie finishes her wine and lets out a yawn and parts farewell to take a room at the Inn for the night, "I'll see you all in the morning after a well-earned rest."
Fargen Hill Dwarf Cleric/Barbarian - Hoard of the Dragon Queen, Jodie Olwen Half-Elf Bard- Chronicles of the Accursed
Rhaenys cannot help but draw a sad smile as she listens to Shri's story.
- ...drow society definitely isn't very kind, huh? - she mutters, as she looks towards the drider. Then she looks towards Korba, too - Uhm, I seem to be saying that a lot lately. Sorry - she says, apologetically - I don't mean to say there aren't unkind people where I come from, but I guess I have yet to hear a happy story originating in the Underdark. In any case - the sorceress turns to Shri again - you could also say that you have found a home here in the Shaded Isle, right? It sounds more like a home than the place you came from.
(OOC: Insight check to check how Shri really feels about this place. Maybe it is as Bridgette says and the driver has grown to like it? 17)
Rhaenys then falls silent, lost in her own thoughts as she remembers own home home back in the Feywild, which she hasn't visited in quite a while. She sips from her glass of sweet wine and listens to Jodie's song, applauding when the bard finishes and waving goodbye when she retires for the night. Then, when Hewelathan explains everything about the cult she replies:
- You're right as always, my friend!
The sorceress then gulps the rest of her wine and looks at Shri:
- Could I have one more last glass before going to bed, please?
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
"No, it really isn't," Shri agrees.
She is more than willing to hand out more drinks... she's been quite handsomely paid by both Bridgette and Jodie. Rhaenys, the impression you get is that she's grateful to the island's inhabitants for giving her somewhere to stay, but she resents the fact that she really doesn't have any other home to go to.
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Hewelathan listens with interest to the story. He's horrified to hear of Shri's transformation. While he's fascinated by Rhaenys's ability to change her form and is now learning to control his own shape, a forced transformation of any sort is an enormous violation. A curse to live the rest of your life as a half-spider is monstrous. "Lolth" -- he dimly remembers hearing the name from histories about pure-blooded elves. Suddenly, the epithet "Demon Queen of Spiders" pops into his head. He wonders why anyone would follow such a cruel goddess or consent to such a trial. And then to be ostracized by her family and community when she needed their sympathy and help! Shri seems to have made the best of her circumstances, but he wonders whether she still longs to prove herself to Lolth.
Hewelathan has one question for Shri and Bridgette, "It seems like you left out the most interesting detail! Ever since I was young, I've been fascinated by old stories of legendary magical items. You said that you were trying to take a great and powerful artifact. Could you tell us more about it?"
Shri taps a finger on the countertop as she looks back on the incident that brought her to the Shaded Isle.
"I believe it was a unique deck of cards," she says after a moment. "I'm afraid I was never told what powers it supposedly possessed. In all honesty, I wouldn't be surprised to find out that the deck never existed at all and I was simply sent here on a suicide mission."
She sighs and looks at the Accursed.
"I appreciate your compassion to one who doesn't deserve it... your room and board is more than covered for the night. Rest easy, travelers."
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"For those who are favored by the gods, Lloth in particular, the underdark provides quite a nice life. And really, it is quite beautiful as well. It's actually not as dark as people think it is; and in most places there's just a beautiful ambient glow," Korba says, thinking back to his former home as he takes another drink. "But, for many others, usually outsiders, it can be a harsh place...
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
- Ambient glow? I like how that sounds. - Rhaenys says, nodding slowly to Korba as she tries to imagine how that must look like. She pictures a cave made of black rock, with big crystals protruding from the walls that cover everything with a faint purple light. It really sounds beautiful.
The changeling takes a few more sips as she thinks about this, and also about that set of cards Shri has mentioned. What kind of powers must it hold for the former dark elf to have been sent to recover it, she wonders. Then, feeling the general tirendess of the day finally taking over, Rhaenys leaves the half empty glass of wine in the table and stands up, staggering a little, which causes her to laugh a little:
- Well, those cultists from before did not defeat us, but this delicious wine has clearly finished me off. Time for me to get to bed as well. See you all in the morning!
She waves goodnight and retires for whichever room Shri points her to.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
(Sounds like the party is going to go ahead and get some sleep)
Percentile dice roll for no reason at all: 54
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...and the night passes uneventfully.
Is there anything that anyone would like to do in town before following Bridgette to her master's abode?
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Rhaenys is fine with going straight to Akkron's after having breakfast. She is curious as to who'll prepare it. Is Shri the cook too?
Meanwhile, the new dawn has almost fully recharged Stafford (49/50).
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Since Hewelathan has so many spell slots remaining, before he goes to sleep, he casts goodberry twice to create a store of berries for the next day. It finally occurs to him to use the moon sickle as a focus for the spell. He's pleased to see that the berries seem even more potent than usual. (One batch restores 5 HP per berry. The other restores 3 HP per berry.)
Hewelathan would like to take a look around town very early in the morning, as soon as the sun is up. That is, he'll go downstairs as soon as he wakes up and go outside as soon as the sun is up (or as far as he can tell with the weird dark cloud that surrounds the island). If any of the other party members are already awake and downstairs, he'll invite them along. Otherwise, he'll go outside by himself. Note that he plans to wild shape, so he wouldn't be good company to anyone other than Rhaenys. He thinks that Tytus could also look around the town without attracting attention since he could do it while invisible.
The previous evening, when they walked into the town, did Hewelathan see any animals within the city walls? It's a remote island, but perhaps ships have brought over regular domestic animals, such as cats or lizards. If so, then he'll wild shape into something inconspicuous, like a cat (or at least something with a climb speed), so that he can look around the town in the early morning light without attracting too much attention.
Mostly, Hewelathan was just curious about the town. He had expected a weird enclave of necromancers and their servants. He didn't expect a town that seemed so "normal" as it did the previous evening. He just wants to walk around without the guidance of the mayor to see whether he spots anything or anyone unusual (like a drider for a bartender) or especially notable. He'll walk to the town wall (to see whether the gates are open) and explore some side streets. He'd also like to take another look at the Temple of Boccob to see whether there's any activity there. Perception 13
(OOC: Note that when Hewelathan takes a Tiny wild shape, like a domestic cat, he absorbs all of his possessions into his form. The belt and cloak are too large for him to "wear" in such a form.)
You saw a fair number of cats, so transforming into a feline would be a fairly easy way to traverse the city without attracting too much attention.
In the early morning, Hewelathan notes that the gates are locked up tight, though a couple of guards are preparing to open them as the first rays of sunlight begin to peek through the fog. From his vantage point on top of the wall, he can get a view of the rest of the island...
The crumbling ruins of a once great and beautiful city fill the rocky shore as far as you can see. Even without the threat of restless spirits, the centuries of decay could make travelling through what is left of the city hazardous.
As for the town, most of the people seem world-wary, but otherwise fairly normal. If you peek into the temple of Boccob, there are indeed people there. Interestingly, the inside of the temple looks more like an arcane library than a place of worship. This seems to be where most of the settlement's arcane practitioners gather, with the gray-clad priests acting as librarians. Neither the mages nor the Clerics appear especially friendly, but they don't give you the impression that they're a bunch of power-made necromancers either.
Regarding Rhaenys' question, no, Shri is not the cook. The cook appears to be a pudgy middle-aged human. Nothing about him really stands out.
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Jodie is eager to meet Lord Akron and hear his thoughts on the harp's curse. Jodie turns to Bridgette, "Can we expect any trouble along the way? What haunts the lands outside the walls?"
Fargen Hill Dwarf Cleric/Barbarian - Hoard of the Dragon Queen, Jodie Olwen Half-Elf Bard- Chronicles of the Accursed
Hewelathan returns to the inn and returns to his half-elf form maybe 1 hour after sunrise. He joins the others for breakfast (if they've already come down from their rooms). He eats enough for two, and if Bridgette hasn't joined them yet, he'll let the others know about what he was able to see by the light of day.
Hewelathan asks (Bridgette or, if she's not there yet, Shri), "Where does Lord Akkron live? Here in the town, or...?"
Once Bridgette joins them, Hewelathan says, "That's a good question, Jodie! We sought an audience with your master, Bridgette, but we didn't know that he'd be expecting us! What is expected of petitioners like us? How should we address your master? Should we bring him some sort of a gift? Will it be OK to meet him as we are, or would it be a sign of disrespect to meet him armed as if for battle?"
Bridgette arrives at the inn a little bit after Hewelathan finishes his scouting mission.
"My Master lives a few miles outside of the town," Bridgette explains. "I really don't think you'll need to worry about offending him with your attire; he's well aware that the journey between the town and his citadel is a perilous one. Speaking of... most of the dead make themselves scarce during daylight... but not all of them. And the ones that hunt even in daylight tend to be the most dangerous ones."
If you prod her a little bit more, she'll explain that the settlement is magically warded against intrusions by the undead. The lich himself can cross the barrier if he so desires, and does so on occasion for certain festivals and to attend important meetings, but doing so is uncomfortable even to him.
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"Oh!", Hewelathan says in surprise. "Do you mean that we'll have to fight our way through 'wild' undead that hunt the ruins outside the walled town?" He glances at his companions to see whether they, like him, expected an easier road to their meeting with Lord Akkron.
If Bridgette confirms his understanding, Hewelathan looks upset and suspicious: "Is this some sort of test?! A gauntlet to discourage us from seeking his help?"
Hewelathan is also confused about the relationship between Lord Akkron and the undead on the island. If he gets a chance, he tries to clarify, "Does your master show favor to any of the undead out there? That is, if we'll be fighting our way to his -- what? a tower? -- are there any undead whose destruction would anger him? Or would he be happy for us to cleanse the taint of the undead from the island?"
The others may notice now that Hewelathan has a deep dislike for undead. It never came up when the lich was a distant goal to help them against Firion. But ever since they arrived on the Shaded Isle, his thoughts have been dwelling more and more on the Undead surrounding this town and what an Offense Against Nature they represent.
Given this news, Hewelathan votes for starting their journey as soon as possible to ensure that they reach their destination (and hopefully return back to the town) well before dark. He just to spend a few minutes in meditation and prayer to prepare himself for the day. He considers what they've learned from Bridgette and how it impacts which spells he'll want to prepare for today's hike. For example, it might be worthwhile to prepare Protection from Evil and Good even though Jodie and Rhaenys can cast it: they may may need their concentration for other spells. He also worries that his ability to assume a Wild Shape may not help much against the undead. What good is even a dire wolf's bite against ghosts and wraiths?
"Is there any way to announce our presense to him so that we may have fewer undead to deal with perhaps?" Korba asks, not relishing the idea of having to cut through armies of undead.
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM: