Sir Beauregard runs to the closest crewman following the song, pointing up at the mist shrouded pillar as he goes. “A winged enchantress sits atop that rock!” he shouts. The knight grabs the crewman and attempts to drag him back to someplace solid on the deck where he can lash him in place.
Vinn, his eyelids heavy with fatigue, felt himself succumbing to the haunting lullaby drifting through the air. But just as he was about to surrender to its enchantment, the sounds of shouts jolt him awake. Blinking, he refocuses on reality—the warmth of the room, the smell of the salty air, and the strange noise of chaos among this seasoned crew.
With a look of longing at the cutlery before him, Vinn sighs and mutters, "It's always something!" before rushing upstairs.
Autumn's ears prick at the sound of the Voice, the enchanting, arcane melody tugging at a myth (fairytale? history? it all becomes the same thing eventually) in her memory, unearthing a story of a woman scorned and brokenhearted, cursing the wind and the sea and the gods themselves over her broken heart.
"HARPY-" Autumn's voice cuts through the chaos as she covers her own ears and charges towards the pillar Beauregard pointed at to get a closer look. "PLUG YOUR EARS."
Sir Beauregardthe enticing song still calls to you, but the magical pull on your psyche seems to fade as you wrap your arms around the maddened crewman. He tries to break free, but his weak flailing is no match for your strength. Within a few moments you feel his resistance starting to weaken as he grows calmer, still heaving with exhaustion. He looks around, confused as if he just woke from a terrible dream.
Ephraim grips hold of the staircase, steadying himself as he resists the enchanting song, but it takes all of his might...
Autumn's warning comes too late for Crewman 2 who, having just stepped onto the deck to investigate the commotion, immediately diregards all sense of duty, races toward the port beam and starts clambering over it, dropping over the side into the watery brine below...
Meanwhile, Crewman 4 continues crawling out the the very edge of the bowspirit before looking down at the rushing water and shaking his head to free himself of the enchantment. He shouts in terror when he realizes his precarious position... Mastering his fear, he's able to dexterously maneuver his way back to the comparatively steady deck of the ship... but he's still a good 15' from the nearest mast, thus unable to assist in getting the ship back under control...
Drawn by the chaos, three other crew members emerge to assist. One from the forecastle (Crewman 6) and two from below deck (Crewmen 4 & 5).
Crewman 5 shakes off the enchantment and races to the mast to help Crewman 3 get it under control.
Crewman 6 does the same with the main sail.
Crewman 7, however, falls under the sway of the song and uses her full movement to hurry towards it... but looking over at Beauregard holding onto her mate triggers something inside of her, bringing her to her senses. She shakes away the enchantment, but isn't able to reach a mast in time to help steady the ship.
Captain deGray barely even winces at the sound of the wicked song as he races up to the quarterdeck and tries to take hold of the helm... It's a challenge for him overcome the force of the wind pulling against the relatively unmanned sails, but he manages to steer the ship clear of a massive outcropping of rock.
"Man the sails, ye swabs!" He shouts, looking around at all of you, the call of adventure bringing out his deepest sailer's brogue. "Every last one of ye! Less ye wanna see our ship become part of this reef!"
As he calls this out, a wave of water crashes against the side of the ship, drenching him with water. The desperate creeking of the ship creating a strange contrast to the eerie haunting sound of the still singing voice.
THE PARTY IS UP!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM - Classic Adventures Reborn
Rylan - L1 Human Paladin - Barty's "Princes of the Apocalypse"
Sir Beauregard releases his iron grip and heads for the mast. He says a quick prayer for those who lept overboard, he cannot save them in chainmail but asks Sune to grant them strength of limb, for drowning is an ugly death. Arriving at the sails he looks to see if there are any obvious things to do, such as tying off flapping ropes. He calls out over his shoulder to the seaman he saved, “Command me! What must I do?” and considers whether climbing up the mast might help.
Vinn reaches the top of the deck and immediately bends his knees to find his center of gravity as the ship rocks. Captain deGrey's voice booms loud and clear, but he's confused as to why the crew were scattered.
He joins his fellow passengers as well as Crewmen 5 and 3 at the main mast, looking up at the whipping sails. Vinn begins to regret not really paying attention to how the men worked the ship.
"Where's that singing coming from?" He asks, finally recognizing it to be a charm spell.
If the ropes are difficult to grab hold of because of the gusts of wind, Vinn will cast his cantrip thorn whip to grasp and pull it towards them.
If the ropes are within reach, Vinn will follow Ephraim's lead, casting guidance on Sir Beauregard by giving his shoulder a squeeze. Strange as that man may be, he was large, and would be much more effective than Vinn himself.
As she watches Crewman 2 step overboard, Autumn seems to almost catch the wind, her fey step effortlessly carrying her to edge of the ship where he stepped off. She quickly casts feather fall, trying to help him regain control of himself so he can land somewhat safely in the water.
Just before Crewman 2 hits the water, his momentum suddenly shifts... not so much falling as gently drifting toward the turbulent waves. Autumn watches as he slips into the churning water and disappears from view.
The remaining crew members race to positions to manage the sails. The captain calls out orders to Beauregard, directing him to bring down the mizzenmast sail. The crewman he just rescued races with him to help show him how it's done. Working together, you and the crew are able to bring the ship through the worst of the danger.
Seeing that the song has failed to bring about the ship's demise, the humanoid figure perched on the rock extends its wings and flies off in the opposite direction, disappearing from view.
END INITIATIVE
Give yourselves each an Inspiration for successfully helping the crew of the Platinum Plume guide the ship past the harpy's ambush.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM - Classic Adventures Reborn
Rylan - L1 Human Paladin - Barty's "Princes of the Apocalypse"
Sir Beauregard feels a sense of deep satisfaction at having had the opportunity to help thwart the evil temptress. He is pleased that his companions stood courageously beside him and the crew did not waver. Still, it is no day for revelry as Crewman 2 was lost to a watery death before he really got to know the fellow. The knight stands on the quarterdeck and gazes back past the wake of the ship saying a silent prayer of thanks.
Sir Beauregard takes the rabbit’s foot and tucks it into his belt pouch. He fishes in his priest’s pack to produce the alms box, which he gives to the sailor. “Sune put me in your path. Take this aboard and leave her a carving or flower from time to time. A crew favored by the goddess of love and beauty would be lucky indeed! Farewell, friend!” Turning to follow the Postulate he mutters to himself, “Varnoth, Varnoth…”
Sir Beauregard places a hand on Ephraim’s shoulder. “Only a dwarf would call Postulate Varnoth, ‘Miss’, for to the stout folk all men and women are children. But I think those scars have earned some other title. May I ask, Postulate, if once you held a rank?”
Varnoth continues walking forward, looking at the path ahead, seemingly without missing a step as she answers, "You may ask, and I will answer, but it means little..."
She pauses for a moment, weight in her breath as she summons the memories. "A decade ago I commanded an army. I ordered and personally committed countless acts violence. Th army I commanded stole the lives of others in exchange for coin and boons and political influence... For that dubious honor, I was revered as an important person... I was given a title of "General"... but it was an empty honor... a veil of respectability used to mask the horror of what I truly was... and all that I was a part of...
"I would love to tell you the person who committed those atrocities is gone... but it would be a lie... Sins of that scale can be absolved, but never truly forgotten... Not if one, indeed, hopes to walk the path of enlightened justice... That is what Bahamut, Lord of the North Wind teaches us...
"Redemption is available to all but those who refuse to accept it..." She slightly inclines he head back, checking on the four of you through the side of her eye. "I wonder, welcome travelers, whether you will find it here yourselves." And with that she keeps walking in silence, as you make your way closer to what appears to be a cliffside settlement midway along the path toward the temple...
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM - Classic Adventures Reborn
Rylan - L1 Human Paladin - Barty's "Princes of the Apocalypse"
Throughout the remainder of the ship's journey, Vinn remained cautious, shocked that all the chaos alone was caused a lone creature. Vinn felt some guilt-- he had been downstairs, deliberating about cutlery, while others fell into the ocean and are, possibly, lost forever.
Vinn gives his thanks to Captain deGrey when they make their goodbyes. When the sailors rowed them to shore, Vinn mostly kept to himself, alternating his gaze between the vast expanse of the ocean and the temple perched upon the cliffside. It was a sight unlike any he had seen before, and it looked almost otherworldly. Vinn can understand why others would think of this place myth or mystery. Maybe Sir Beauregard would find his roses. Hopefully Ephraim would find his missing wife waiting for him. His curiosity turned to Autumn, who had missed Captain deGrey’s questions. What did she want from this island?
The postulate they soon meet has Vinn curious, and he listens intently when she answers Sir Beauregard’s questions. “I’m glad your more permanent injuries and scars aren’t because of dragons.” Vinn comments. “Though, knowing a survivor of one would make me feel a lot better about possibly running into one here.” He wondered if the woman considered her missing legs and scars well-just punishments or consequences for what she did.
Autumn is quiet as they hike, weighing Varnoth's words about redemption against the loss of the crewman she just failed to save. What place does redemption have in the natural cycle of life? What place does justice? People live. People die. Seasons change. Stories are forgotten, or if they are very lucky, passed down to the next season. But only if they are very lucky. Perhaps there is justice found there. In choosing the stories we save and pass down, when we can. Or maybe not. Stories are just stories, after all.
When Vinn asks about dragons, Autumn perks up slightly. "...I'd be interested in meeting one. If there are any still in this part of the world-"
A long path leads from the rocky shore up the side of the cliff, with occasional stairs to ease the ascent. Here and there along the lower part of the path, well-tended garden plots hold flowers, herbs, and vegetables. After about an hour spent ascending the switchback path to the cloister, a series of structures soon become visible... About a half-dozen toors appear to be carved into the side of the mountain beneath the larger temple you saw from below.
Eventually, the path widens into a long plaza. Halfway along the plaza, a stone statue of a dragon gazes serenely down the path.
Your arrival quickly draws the attention of the entire population of the place—which consists mostly of kobolds. These small, reptilian folk eye you curiously while a couple of humans watch from a distance. All the cloister’s residents are dressed in simple clothes, and no one carries a visible weapon. One of the kobolds pipes up with, “What’s your name?”
At that, all the kobolds begin barraging you with questions—“Where are you from?”“What’s that?”“Why are you here?” and more that are lost in the din...
The chattering kobolds fall silent as a new figure comes into view, descending gracefully from the upper part of the cloister. She’s an elderly human woman with weathered brown skin, white hair in tight braids, and kindly hazel eyes, dressed in a simple white robe. She smiles as she draws near and extends her arms in greeting.
“Welcome to Dragon’s Rest,” she says with a slight bow of her head. “May Bahamut’s guidance lead you to whatever you seek..."
She looks to you all, patient but expectant... She hasn't said as much directly... But you get the sense she's waiting to hear why you've all come to this sanctuary...
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM - Classic Adventures Reborn
Rylan - L1 Human Paladin - Barty's "Princes of the Apocalypse"
Sir Beauregard seemed somewhat nervous at the appearance of kobolds, but quickly relaxed in response to their childlike friendliness, chatting with them happily. After being addressed by the woman he presumes to be Abbott Runara, Sir Beauregard glances at his companions. Seeing none leaping forward, he steps up and kneels.
”Abbott Runara, I presume. I am Sir Beauregard Bonecrusher of the Brothers and Sisters of the Ruby Rose. My Knight Commander bids me present you with this scroll and to fulfill whatever tasks you set for me.” He lowers his head and holds the bone scroll tube with the red wax seal up for her to receive.
Sir Beauregard runs to the closest crewman following the song, pointing up at the mist shrouded pillar as he goes. “A winged enchantress sits atop that rock!” he shouts. The knight grabs the crewman and attempts to drag him back to someplace solid on the deck where he can lash him in place.
Vinn, his eyelids heavy with fatigue, felt himself succumbing to the haunting lullaby drifting through the air. But just as he was about to surrender to its enchantment, the sounds of shouts jolt him awake. Blinking, he refocuses on reality—the warmth of the room, the smell of the salty air, and the strange noise of chaos among this seasoned crew.
With a look of longing at the cutlery before him, Vinn sighs and mutters, "It's always something!" before rushing upstairs.
Autumn's ears prick at the sound of the Voice, the enchanting, arcane melody tugging at a myth (fairytale? history? it all becomes the same thing eventually) in her memory, unearthing a story of a woman scorned and brokenhearted, cursing the wind and the sea and the gods themselves over her broken heart.
"HARPY-" Autumn's voice cuts through the chaos as she covers her own ears and charges towards the pillar Beauregard pointed at to get a closer look. "PLUG YOUR EARS."
Sir Beauregard the enticing song still calls to you, but the magical pull on your psyche seems to fade as you wrap your arms around the maddened crewman. He tries to break free, but his weak flailing is no match for your strength. Within a few moments you feel his resistance starting to weaken as he grows calmer, still heaving with exhaustion. He looks around, confused as if he just woke from a terrible dream.
Ephraim grips hold of the staircase, steadying himself as he resists the enchanting song, but it takes all of his might...
Autumn's warning comes too late for Crewman 2 who, having just stepped onto the deck to investigate the commotion, immediately diregards all sense of duty, races toward the port beam and starts clambering over it, dropping over the side into the watery brine below...
Meanwhile, Crewman 4 continues crawling out the the very edge of the bowspirit before looking down at the rushing water and shaking his head to free himself of the enchantment. He shouts in terror when he realizes his precarious position... Mastering his fear, he's able to dexterously maneuver his way back to the comparatively steady deck of the ship... but he's still a good 15' from the nearest mast, thus unable to assist in getting the ship back under control...
Drawn by the chaos, three other crew members emerge to assist. One from the forecastle (Crewman 6) and two from below deck (Crewmen 4 & 5).
Crewman 5 shakes off the enchantment and races to the mast to help Crewman 3 get it under control.
Crewman 6 does the same with the main sail.
Crewman 7, however, falls under the sway of the song and uses her full movement to hurry towards it... but looking over at Beauregard holding onto her mate triggers something inside of her, bringing her to her senses. She shakes away the enchantment, but isn't able to reach a mast in time to help steady the ship.
Captain deGray barely even winces at the sound of the wicked song as he races up to the quarterdeck and tries to take hold of the helm... It's a challenge for him overcome the force of the wind pulling against the relatively unmanned sails, but he manages to steer the ship clear of a massive outcropping of rock.
"Man the sails, ye swabs!" He shouts, looking around at all of you, the call of adventure bringing out his deepest sailer's brogue. "Every last one of ye! Less ye wanna see our ship become part of this reef!"
As he calls this out, a wave of water crashes against the side of the ship, drenching him with water. The desperate creeking of the ship creating a strange contrast to the eerie haunting sound of the still singing voice.
THE PARTY IS UP!
DM - Classic Adventures Reborn
Rylan - L1 Human Paladin - Barty's "Princes of the Apocalypse"
Sir Beauregard releases his iron grip and heads for the mast. He says a quick prayer for those who lept overboard, he cannot save them in chainmail but asks Sune to grant them strength of limb, for drowning is an ugly death. Arriving at the sails he looks to see if there are any obvious things to do, such as tying off flapping ropes. He calls out over his shoulder to the seaman he saved, “Command me! What must I do?” and considers whether climbing up the mast might help.
Ephraim runs to one of the unmanned sails and casts Guidance on himself, knowing his own natural strength may not be enough to help.
Vinn reaches the top of the deck and immediately bends his knees to find his center of gravity as the ship rocks. Captain deGrey's voice booms loud and clear, but he's confused as to why the crew were scattered.
He joins his fellow passengers as well as Crewmen 5 and 3 at the main mast, looking up at the whipping sails. Vinn begins to regret not really paying attention to how the men worked the ship.
"Where's that singing coming from?" He asks, finally recognizing it to be a charm spell.
If the ropes are difficult to grab hold of because of the gusts of wind, Vinn will cast his cantrip thorn whip to grasp and pull it towards them.
If the ropes are within reach, Vinn will follow Ephraim's lead, casting guidance on Sir Beauregard by giving his shoulder a squeeze. Strange as that man may be, he was large, and would be much more effective than Vinn himself.
Sir Beauregard points out the direction of the Harpy to Vinn.
As she watches Crewman 2 step overboard, Autumn seems to almost catch the wind, her fey step effortlessly carrying her to edge of the ship where he stepped off. She quickly casts feather fall, trying to help him regain control of himself so he can land somewhat safely in the water.
Just before Crewman 2 hits the water, his momentum suddenly shifts... not so much falling as gently drifting toward the turbulent waves. Autumn watches as he slips into the churning water and disappears from view.
The remaining crew members race to positions to manage the sails. The captain calls out orders to Beauregard, directing him to bring down the mizzenmast sail. The crewman he just rescued races with him to help show him how it's done. Working together, you and the crew are able to bring the ship through the worst of the danger.
Seeing that the song has failed to bring about the ship's demise, the humanoid figure perched on the rock extends its wings and flies off in the opposite direction, disappearing from view.
END INITIATIVE
Give yourselves each an Inspiration for successfully helping the crew of the Platinum Plume guide the ship past the harpy's ambush.
DM - Classic Adventures Reborn
Rylan - L1 Human Paladin - Barty's "Princes of the Apocalypse"
Sir Beauregard feels a sense of deep satisfaction at having had the opportunity to help thwart the evil temptress. He is pleased that his companions stood courageously beside him and the crew did not waver. Still, it is no day for revelry as Crewman 2 was lost to a watery death before he really got to know the fellow. The knight stands on the quarterdeck and gazes back past the wake of the ship saying a silent prayer of thanks.
DM - Classic Adventures Reborn
Rylan - L1 Human Paladin - Barty's "Princes of the Apocalypse"
Sir Beauregard takes the rabbit’s foot and tucks it into his belt pouch. He fishes in his priest’s pack to produce the alms box, which he gives to the sailor. “Sune put me in your path. Take this aboard and leave her a carving or flower from time to time. A crew favored by the goddess of love and beauty would be lucky indeed! Farewell, friend!” Turning to follow the Postulate he mutters to himself, “Varnoth, Varnoth…”
"Ready to serve, Miss Varnoth!"
Sir Beauregard places a hand on Ephraim’s shoulder. “Only a dwarf would call Postulate Varnoth, ‘Miss’, for to the stout folk all men and women are children. But I think those scars have earned some other title. May I ask, Postulate, if once you held a rank?”
Varnoth continues walking forward, looking at the path ahead, seemingly without missing a step as she answers, "You may ask, and I will answer, but it means little..."
She pauses for a moment, weight in her breath as she summons the memories. "A decade ago I commanded an army. I ordered and personally committed countless acts violence. Th army I commanded stole the lives of others in exchange for coin and boons and political influence... For that dubious honor, I was revered as an important person... I was given a title of "General"... but it was an empty honor... a veil of respectability used to mask the horror of what I truly was... and all that I was a part of...
"I would love to tell you the person who committed those atrocities is gone... but it would be a lie... Sins of that scale can be absolved, but never truly forgotten... Not if one, indeed, hopes to walk the path of enlightened justice... That is what Bahamut, Lord of the North Wind teaches us...
"Redemption is available to all but those who refuse to accept it..." She slightly inclines he head back, checking on the four of you through the side of her eye. "I wonder, welcome travelers, whether you will find it here yourselves." And with that she keeps walking in silence, as you make your way closer to what appears to be a cliffside settlement midway along the path toward the temple...
DM - Classic Adventures Reborn
Rylan - L1 Human Paladin - Barty's "Princes of the Apocalypse"
Throughout the remainder of the ship's journey, Vinn remained cautious, shocked that all the chaos alone was caused a lone creature. Vinn felt some guilt-- he had been downstairs, deliberating about cutlery, while others fell into the ocean and are, possibly, lost forever.
Vinn gives his thanks to Captain deGrey when they make their goodbyes. When the sailors rowed them to shore, Vinn mostly kept to himself, alternating his gaze between the vast expanse of the ocean and the temple perched upon the cliffside. It was a sight unlike any he had seen before, and it looked almost otherworldly. Vinn can understand why others would think of this place myth or mystery. Maybe Sir Beauregard would find his roses. Hopefully Ephraim would find his missing wife waiting for him. His curiosity turned to Autumn, who had missed Captain deGrey’s questions. What did she want from this island?
The postulate they soon meet has Vinn curious, and he listens intently when she answers Sir Beauregard’s questions. “I’m glad your more permanent injuries and scars aren’t because of dragons.” Vinn comments. “Though, knowing a survivor of one would make me feel a lot better about possibly running into one here.” He wondered if the woman considered her missing legs and scars well-just punishments or consequences for what she did.
Autumn is quiet as they hike, weighing Varnoth's words about redemption against the loss of the crewman she just failed to save. What place does redemption have in the natural cycle of life? What place does justice? People live. People die. Seasons change. Stories are forgotten, or if they are very lucky, passed down to the next season. But only if they are very lucky. Perhaps there is justice found there. In choosing the stories we save and pass down, when we can. Or maybe not. Stories are just stories, after all.
When Vinn asks about dragons, Autumn perks up slightly. "...I'd be interested in meeting one. If there are any still in this part of the world-"
Varnoth makes no comment to Vinn and Autumn's mention of dragons. As if she hadn't heard, but you know she must have...
Dragon's Rest
(Late Morning)
A long path leads from the rocky shore up the side of the cliff, with occasional stairs to ease the ascent. Here and there along the lower part of the path, well-tended garden plots hold flowers, herbs, and vegetables. After about an hour spent ascending the switchback path to the cloister, a series of structures soon become visible... About a half-dozen toors appear to be carved into the side of the mountain beneath the larger temple you saw from below.
Eventually, the path widens into a long plaza. Halfway along the plaza, a stone statue of a dragon gazes serenely down the path.
Your arrival quickly draws the attention of the entire population of the place—which consists mostly of kobolds. These small, reptilian folk eye you curiously while a couple of humans watch from a distance. All the cloister’s residents are dressed in simple clothes, and no one carries a visible weapon. One of the kobolds pipes up with, “What’s your name?”
At that, all the kobolds begin barraging you with questions—“Where are you from?” “What’s that?” “Why are you here?” and more that are lost in the din...
The chattering kobolds fall silent as a new figure comes into view, descending gracefully from the upper part of the cloister. She’s an elderly human woman with weathered brown skin, white hair in tight braids, and kindly hazel eyes, dressed in a simple white robe. She smiles as she draws near and extends her arms in greeting.
“Welcome to Dragon’s Rest,” she says with a slight bow of her head. “May Bahamut’s guidance lead you to whatever you seek..."
She looks to you all, patient but expectant... She hasn't said as much directly... But you get the sense she's waiting to hear why you've all come to this sanctuary...
DM - Classic Adventures Reborn
Rylan - L1 Human Paladin - Barty's "Princes of the Apocalypse"
Sir Beauregard seemed somewhat nervous at the appearance of kobolds, but quickly relaxed in response to their childlike friendliness, chatting with them happily. After being addressed by the woman he presumes to be Abbott Runara, Sir Beauregard glances at his companions. Seeing none leaping forward, he steps up and kneels.
”Abbott Runara, I presume. I am Sir Beauregard Bonecrusher of the Brothers and Sisters of the Ruby Rose. My Knight Commander bids me present you with this scroll and to fulfill whatever tasks you set for me.” He lowers his head and holds the bone scroll tube with the red wax seal up for her to receive.