Matthyse stands up and goes over to inspect it. He nods in appreciation for the trust.

OoC: Is there a need for a roll to understand what he sees?

Taking a deep breath, I stand and approach as well, interested what might change our questionable disposition to these two.

My curiosity spikes as I go to look at the object 

“What is it?” Calanin whispers.

Quote from Yalexis_09 >>

Matthyse stands up and goes over to inspect it. He nods in appreciation for the trust.

OoC: Is there a need for a roll to understand what he sees?

 (OOC: No, none needed.)

 You see a series of crude drawings that stretch down the scroll, runes next to them in an indiscernible language. Fafnir clears his throat, then begins. 

"The Legend of Valoroth: A Story." 

Before he can continue, Freytha, being helpful, pipes up. "Valoroth was the ancient name for Vecna."

"Long, long ago, there was peace. People were kind, and there were no locks on doors, for the art of robbery had not yet come into this realm. All evil was banished by great heroes in the ways you see in children's storybooks. The multiverse was open to all, the key put in the door and the door opened up. However, with good must come evil. Dark with light, yin with yang. And that evil came in the form of an old king, too proud of his work to die. Using eldritch artifacts and magicks, the king found a way to live forever- and pursued it. Through a sacrifice of his family, he became a lich- tormented but undying. However, he soon ran out of living food to sustain him- so he took up an army of beasts and set out to conquer the Many Worlds through Yggdrasil, the World Tree." Here you see a clump of stick-figures with swords following a person in a gray cloak. "However, in the crusade, his lieutenant, still unnamed, rose up, wishing for some power for himself. They met in a great battle, in which they both were slain. However, Valoroth was too great to die- a lich-god of secrets. His eye and his hand survived the fight, preserved by his cultists for his return. Many claim he is dead and will not return, for the gods still reside in the Many Worlds. But a few brave souls banded together to form the Brotherhood- an organization of spies and warriors that would fight Valoroth if he ever has the courage to return. The author of this tale warns you- he is dangerous, but there is a way to destroy him, if any are brave enough. His lieutenant's soul, along with his sword, was rumored to have survived, scattered in pieces across the multiverse. Then, you must..." 

Fafnir stops reading. "Those were the last words the author of this tale ever wrote. The great Thokei Urdhammer, Third Leader of the Brotherhood. A wise person, they were famous for their observations on many subjects. While they were finishing the tale, soldiers allied with Vecna broke into their house and killed them." 

Matthyse sits back in his chair, sore from the long journey and a throbbing headache from all the information he's had to absorb in the past hours. He sighs while massaging his temple, and after a moment, his expression shifts from an exhausted one to an expression of resolve. And as he shifts to face Saferetan and the others, he says

"The burden of knowledge is indeed heavy. But it is a burden we must bear if we are to confront the darkness that threatens the Many Worlds. However, I don't wish to speak for all of us. The Brotherhood's cause is a just and righteous one I mustn't ignore, for it would be an affront to my deity and the values I hold dear."

When he shifts his gaze at Freytha and Fafnir, he says

"Thank you for sharing this valuable information with us. I believe to have gained more of an understanding of what you want us to help with. This is about finding the soul and sword fragments of this lieutenant of Valoroth, correct? As I've already stated, you have my full support."

“Who defeated him?”

"His lieutenant," Freytha says. "A powerful being, for sure, but still not enough to fully destroy Vecna, or Valoroth, as the story calls him." 

The room seems a lot colder after the tale, even with the fire burning in the hearth. "Would you like to rest? We can provide beds for you."

"For such a lofty feat, surely his name is not lost to time?"

I still don't trust them. I'm half-tempted to push any beds they give us together. That way, if one of us gets taken, at least the others would hear or feel it...!

Quote from Weslockes >>

The room seems a lot colder after the tale, even with the fire burning in the hearth. "Would you like to rest? We can provide beds for you."

 

"I would appreciate it. Please, lead the way."

He gets up and waits to be led towards his bed. He just wants to rest. And whatever else needs to be said or discussed, he can catch up to speed tomorrow.

Matthyse is taken to a small room off of the main hall, where a few large beds are scattered. A fire glows in a small fireplace, warming the room a bit. 

 

I follow, reluctant. Waiting for our new "hosts" to leave, I look to see which bed Matthyse will take. Whichever one he does claim, I aim to move the bed I want near him. It may seem strange, it may provoke a misunderstanding, but I'm too suspicious to care. I don't particularly trust these other three much yet, but I still trust them more than the woman and the dwarf. 

Too many questions left unanswered. 

With a full stomach and an aching body, he will spend 5 minutes to doff his armor unceremoniously. And he will kneel next to the bed he has chosen, before Kuuraht moves his, to pray.

"This won't take long," he says to him. 

"Mighty Tyr, god of war and justice,

I offer my gratitude for the Brotherhood's guiding hand, which has led us safely through the trials thus far. Their aid has been a beacon of hope in the darkness, and I am thankful.

As I kneel before you, weary from the burdens of our journey, I beseech you for strength and resolve. Grant me the courage to face the looming threat of Vecna with unwavering determination. May my hammer strike true in the pursuit of justice, and may righteousness be my shield against the forces of darkness.

Grant me clarity of mind to discern truth from deception, and wisdom to navigate the treacherous path ahead. Let not fear nor doubt cloud my judgment, but instead, fill me with the certainty of purpose and the conviction to see it through to the end.

Guide my hand, O Tyr, as I stand against the tyranny of Vecna. May our actions be a testament to the values we hold dear, and may justice prevail in the face of adversity.

In your name, I pray."

He will place all of his belongings in front of the bed he chose, then helps Kuuraht move his. Matthyse then lays on his bed to rest for the evening. It takes a while for him to fall asleep.

I put a fake version of myself under the sheets of my bed after everyone else fell asleep, I put a bedroll under the bed and slept under the bed while keeping one eye open.

Quote from BoldHand22 >>

"For such a lofty feat, surely his name is not lost to time?"

I still don't trust them. I'm half-tempted to push any beds they give us together. That way, if one of us gets taken, at least the others would hear or feel it...!

 (OOC: Sorry for not responding to you - Beyond's doing some weird thing where I post and then other posts I couldn't see show up)

The night passes quietly for a while, but then a whoosh sounds from the hearth, and a humanoid shape lands in the fireplace, a jagged dagger in hand, magically quenching the flames before they land. 

Can everyone roll initiative? Humanoid- 20

OoC: Wait aren't they asleep, also can I get an advantage because I am hidden? What can I get for being hidden? I'm not rolling the initiative until I get an answer... Edit: I tried to see if hiding gave me an advantage for the initiative. oops, didn't mean to roll that yet. also don't the people who are asleep have to wake up first?

OoC: I think the DM basically described the sound that woke us up. I'll just roll two separate initiative rolls and the DM can decide whether it's at advantage or disadvantage or whatever they want.

8

1

OoC: Matthyse has no bonus (0 dex).

(OOC: Since you're asleep, just make an initiative roll with disadvantage. Saferetan, since you're hidden, the humanoid can't directly target you, and right now, they won't attack you because they can't see you.)

OoC: Oh, btw, I edited the post after rolling the dice so the rolls got messed up. It was 19 for the first and 15 for the second roll. So at disadvantage it's a 15 result.

6 (damn it)