Gudrune has been quiet since hearing what has become of the Rockseekers. Old friends. Lost, trapped, or dying... or already dead.
She doesn't intend to, but she drinks heavily, somberly staring into the hearth.
"I wish to set out for this Wave Echo Cave at once, but if it holds such dangers, I cannot go alone."
She drains another drink.
"We must protect this village... so... I will pledge my strength to whatever path this company may choose, if it serves that end. It's... It's the right thing to do..."She nearly polishes off another ale, but stops and sets it down. Instead, she closes her eyes and murmurs a giants song for the fallen.
Jayson nods in agreement. He takes a long swig from his mug of ale. "Ahhhhh. I'm in as well. I'm all for tracking down some bad folk and setting things right."
He slices some cheese and rips some bread from the loaf to take a bite of each. "Mmmm, tasty. We have a guide it seems and to be honest I'm thinking first light might be the better part of valor here. No since risking night creatures after a bit of a fuss with the goblins and a dragon. I will of course yield to a group decision to move out now if you prefer."
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Signature
Levi Flint - DM - Mad Mage; Korvin - DM - Tyranny of Dragons; Player Lucan - The One Breath, Player Gildor Surion - Balder's Gate-Decent;
((Gudrune can roll History check for the pin on the orchard keeper’s breast.))
History: 20
The orchard keeper wears the symbol of the Order of the Gauntlet.
The Order of the Gauntlet shares the Harpers’ dedication to justice and equality, but their methods and attitude are quite different. Bearers of the gauntlet are holy warriors on a righteous quest to crush evil and promote justice, and they never hide in the shadows. Evil must be opposed openly and vanquished in the light of day, so that all can see and be emboldened by its destruction.
Members of the order are driven by religious fervor and by devotion to the principle of justice for all. Whether a member places more emphasis on one or the other of those ideals is an individual choice. Camaraderie and esprit de corps run high within the order, and an individual member will risk anything to save a fellow member or to complete an important mission.
The Order of the Gauntlet is a young organization, and it is eager and restless for action. It does not take orders from any government or temple, although the opinions of holy figures are greatly esteemed within the order. When evil threatens, the gauntlet strikes.
Lorken finally tears himself away from the food and drink to rejoin the discussion. He looks at Faith, considers the treasures he has offered and the sacrifices they represent.
"We thank you, Faith. i'll wager you had to go through a lot to get these. It sounds like we're going to be going through a lot as well, and these will help."
Capone agrees, "First light. Oh, in the morning? Yes we can wait, or, uh, sleep right, we need sleep?"He shifts topics suddenly. "Why do we think this Iarno fellow was originally sent here? Or... was he? Did anyone check with Neverember or was it simply trusted because of documents? It would seem he holds some responsibility for this situation if he sent the man."
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I'm probably laughing.
It is apparently so hard to program Aberrant Mind and Clockwork Soul spell-swapping into dndbeyond they had to remake the game without it rather than implement it.
The town council takes its leave, the Aasimar travelling with them. By his own choice, he will sleep in the cells in fear of his own mind.
Sildar explains before he leaves that Iarno was sent under orders that he witnessed personally. None of the alliance were aware of his betrayal, and Sildar himself was the contact the wizard was supposed to regularly check in with.
Though his reason, as he states, "is more in anticipation that my medical services may yet be required before the night is through." With that, he indicates to several inebriated men in the corner, nursing both minor wounds and bruised egos.
Gradually as various townsfolk leave and Gudrune's dirge finds its solemn conclusion, Lorken is able to turn the mood to something more ... cheering. Though you have all come together less than a twelve-hour earlier, it looks as if you have known each other half a month or more.
Oskar Ninebough takes his leave to prepare and to pack, ready to return before first light, to guide you to the cave.
Eventually you all make your ways to your rooms. In view of the actions you undertook for the town (and the lack of other patrons at present), when Toblen Stonehill returns he declares that for tonight at least there is no cost for your accommodation.
Before she sleeps, Alaina turns her senses out across Phandalin, searching for the telltale clues that hint of stationary planar portals. There is nothing of note.
If there are any things which your characters would want to discuss with the others in the party, or things which your character would want to disclose to the others before undertaking the trip to Wave Echo cave, feel free before the next section happens.
Dawn comes more quickly than yesterday, now you are past the peak of winter, and the party finds themselves ready for the 15 miles ahead of them. Sister Garaele and Sildar Hallwinter are there to wave the party off. Daisy the Cow chews the cud and lumbers up onto her feet on the Town Green and watches you pass by with dull eyes.
With only a few nervous glances to the sky, you cross the fields to the east and reach the treeline. The bodies of the goblins are gone. The web on the trees is the only clue of the spider that was previously here.
Oskar Ninebough finds his place in the middle of the group as you look to the trail that will take you through the forest to the foot of the mountain. "It won't take long if we go quick."
The expedition to the lost Forge of Spells begins...
I presume you're travelling at a normal pace unless you advise otherwise. You can choose to travel at a fast march for a -5 to perception, and get there quicker. Or you can travel more slowly for the ability to travel more stealthily as a group.
As the party gets underway, Lorken shoulders his greataxe and falls in behind Gudrune. He whistles a cheerful tune as they head out of the town, but he lets it fall as he reaches the tree line. Keeping an eye on their surroundings, he nevertheless can't resist a bit of conversation. After all, they might all be dead soon, and his companions were so interesting.
"Since I got here, I've usually been the odd one. Next to some of you, though, I feel downright mundane!" He looks back over his shoulder at Broma and Capone. "No offence."
He thinks a moment more, wondering how best to phrase the question. Then he shrugs.
"I hope you believe me when I say I would die for any of you. So I hope you won't mind if I ask," and again he looks at Broma and Capone. "What... are you?"
Broma takes a moment to consider this, before answering as matter-of-factly as he can, his voice one of cheer.
"I know not of our smaller associate here, but as for me, there are a number of ways to answer you. For one, if by what, you refer to my race, I am but simply human. No greater mystery there!"
He then places a hand on his chest.
"If, perhaps, you instead refer to my various proclivities, which seem to draw significant scrutiny in my wake whenever I act -- that, good sir, is the consequence of my work. I gather and retain knowledge for CRO's continued progression efforts. No small detail is insignificant, and thus information becomes a key source of power in our work. Naturally, such efforts would lead to some unorthodox behavior."
He then taps his helm.
"If instead you refer to a number of my abilities, sir, then my simplest answer is that my armor is a specialty of CRO's research division. We all wear, maintain and peruse armor such as this, and our brothers all carry similar uniforms."
Broma then turns to address Lorken directly.
"Does that answer your question, my good man?"
His voice rings sincere and genial within the metallic timbre of his helm.
With Jaysonplaying a soft melody on his flute, and Caponemulling over what he might say to Lorken in the wake of the typically forthwright answer from Broma, the adventuring band travel under the forest canopy, along a winding trail over and around hillocks that turn to hills that thenclimb to join truly with the mountain range. Their guide leads them true, calling ahead to Alaina and deftly leading them tracks that fork and a path that is more suggestion than well-trod.
The sun rises and the way gets easier to see, and after four hours and twelve miles they are within touching distance of their goal.
"The path will go down from here," says Oskar Ninebough. "It's on the first true mountain, but it's in a vale -- a cleft, hidden around the back of the mountain. No wonder no one's stumbled upon it for a century or more."
You all set off over one final rise and begin descending, but before you get very far, you become aware of a snarling noise and a great howl as if a gale is turning in every direction, the sound echoing strangely. There comes a crackle and then the sound of distant thunder, and you turn a corner in the path to see...
A large pale dragon is snapping at what looks like storm clouds and dust devils given form.
A small spring emerges around an island with what looks to be a small shrine or monument made from a pale crystal, while a brook flows outward and under a tree that forms a stable bridge across the water.
It would be idyllic if not for the snapping and snarling of the elementals and the silvery-white dragon fighting them.
The elementals and the dragon are so caught up in their own fight that they don't seem to have noticed you. What do you do?
Broma takes a moment to consider this, before answering as matter-of-factly as he can, his voice one of cheer.
"I know not of our smaller associate here, but as for me, there are a number of ways to answer you. For one, if by what, you refer to my race, I am but simply human. No greater mystery there!"
He then places a hand on his chest.
"If, perhaps, you instead refer to my various proclivities, which seem to draw significant scrutiny in my wake whenever I act -- that, good sir, is the consequence of my work. I gather and retain knowledge for CRO's continued progression efforts. No small detail is insignificant, and thus information becomes a key source of power in our work. Naturally, such efforts would lead to some unorthodox behavior."
He then taps his helm.
"If instead you refer to a number of my abilities, sir, then my simplest answer is that my armor is a specialty of CRO's research division. We all wear, maintain and peruse armor such as this, and our brothers all carry similar uniforms."
Broma then turns to address Lorken directly.
"Does that answer your question, my good man?"
His voice rings sincere and genial within the metallic timbre of his helm.
Lorken's eyebrows raise in surprise.
"You're human, truly? Wonderful! I didn't think humans would surprise me, but here you are. The seelie fey sometimes instil armour with life to prank unwitting mortals, and I thought you might be something like that. Thank you for indulging my curiosity."
Is Alaina aware of the general trend that metallic dragons are good? [[Intelligence: 18]]
((1. The campaign is set 2 to 3 years post Tyranny of Dragons. A relatively low history DC check will reveal what you know of dragons.
2. The dragon in front of you — to determine how it differs from the dragon you met earlier would be I think a Nature check, but I want to double check that and may edit to Survival if it’s more a ‘trail/tracks’ identifying feature thing. Is it White or Silver or Crystal?
3. You rolled an Int check 18. Sorry I misunderstood if you read what I wrote here first before I checked. Yeah, it would fall under a skill, and Alaina doesn’t have proficiency in any INT skills so choose an answer from either History, Nature, Investigation or Arcana, having beat the DC 5, 10, 15 and 10, respectively))
Broma takes in the more sinuous form of this dragon. It is lithe, its scales a little more pearlescent than that of the White Dragon seen yesterday. Its wings fan backwards, unlike the ambush predator Cryovain, and its teeth are not rank and stained by old bones and trapped carrion.
This dragon appears to be a young female dragon. Rather than a White chromatic dragon, this is a rare Silver Dragon. Famously friendly to shorter lived races, gregarious and personable. Or so the books say, Broma’s eyes see no sign of amiability now.
Jayson Arcana Check 10 (11):
Elementals are a type being commonly summoned by arcane and divine spellcasters alike. However, few have quite so many planes of origin as elementals.
While most elementals arise from elemental planes and find themselves in the Material Plane thanks to a natural planar portal, or the forgetfulness of an absent minded summoner, there are native elementals that spawn in places of high ambient elemental energy combined with positive or negative arcane energies.
In the last years, the harper has been hearing of more and more elemental encounters. Across the sword coast, elementals seem to spawn with more ease than they have in decades.
At least two of the elemental whirlwinds before you are ‘common’ air elementals — spinning turbulent air with a barely visible face and form, defined by the dust that they carry in their form. The third elemental, however, resembles a small thundercloud in the shape of an eagle, and its eyes are crackling lightning.
Alaina is just trying to get a read on whether my "It's a whitish dragon, different than the one we just saw so probably good." intuition is not metagaming. Wasn't sure that was a nature check.
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Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards. DM - The Old Keep
Alaina is just trying to get a read on whether my "It's a whitish dragon, different than the one we just saw so probably good." intuition is not metagaming. Wasn't sure that was a nature check.
((Yeah no worries. I get it. Broma and Jayson had made rolls in the log for two checks so have answered those which may inform your choices of roll more. Feel free to choose checks that have already been chosen if you want more information about something specifically. Just let me know what))
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Alaina turns to her companions and says, "Dragons are easy, silver means good, lets help out." She moves over to the tree on the right, below the dragon, as stealthily as she can.
Stealth: 7
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Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards. DM - The Old Keep
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Gudrune has been quiet since hearing what has become of the Rockseekers. Old friends. Lost, trapped, or dying... or already dead.
She doesn't intend to, but she drinks heavily, somberly staring into the hearth.
"I wish to set out for this Wave Echo Cave at once, but if it holds such dangers, I cannot go alone."
She drains another drink.
"We must protect this village... so... I will pledge my strength to whatever path this company may choose, if it serves that end. It's... It's the right thing to do..." She nearly polishes off another ale, but stops and sets it down. Instead, she closes her eyes and murmurs a giants song for the fallen.
Where is the warmth of the fire?
Why has the feast disappeared?
You have taken them with you into the cairn,
And handed me all that I feared...
Jayson nods in agreement. He takes a long swig from his mug of ale. "Ahhhhh. I'm in as well. I'm all for tracking down some bad folk and setting things right."
He slices some cheese and rips some bread from the loaf to take a bite of each. "Mmmm, tasty. We have a guide it seems and to be honest I'm thinking first light might be the better part of valor here. No since risking night creatures after a bit of a fuss with the goblins and a dragon. I will of course yield to a group decision to move out now if you prefer."
Signature
Levi Flint - DM - Mad Mage; Korvin - DM - Tyranny of Dragons; Player Lucan - The One Breath, Player Gildor Surion - Balder's Gate-Decent;
Lorken finally tears himself away from the food and drink to rejoin the discussion. He looks at Faith, considers the treasures he has offered and the sacrifices they represent.
"We thank you, Faith. i'll wager you had to go through a lot to get these. It sounds like we're going to be going through a lot as well, and these will help."
To the others, Lorken simply says:
"I'm in. We leave at first light?"
Capone agrees, "First light. Oh, in the morning? Yes we can wait, or, uh, sleep right, we need sleep?" He shifts topics suddenly. "Why do we think this Iarno fellow was originally sent here? Or... was he? Did anyone check with Neverember or was it simply trusted because of documents? It would seem he holds some responsibility for this situation if he sent the man."
I'm probably laughing.
It is apparently so hard to program Aberrant Mind and Clockwork Soul spell-swapping into dndbeyond they had to remake the game without it rather than implement it.
"I'm eager to get going but we're gonna have to sleep sometime, might as well be with a solid roof.'
Alaina stays up in the common room talking with anyone who wants to.
Alaina also uses her Detect Portal ability to see if there are any extraplanar portals within 1 mile.
Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain
Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards.
DM - The Old Keep
Broma will remain awake as well, for a time.
Though his reason, as he states, "is more in anticipation that my medical services may yet be required before the night is through." With that, he indicates to several inebriated men in the corner, nursing both minor wounds and bruised egos.
Gradually as various townsfolk leave and Gudrune's dirge finds its solemn conclusion, Lorken is able to turn the mood to something more ... cheering. Though you have all come together less than a twelve-hour earlier, it looks as if you have known each other half a month or more.
Oskar Ninebough takes his leave to prepare and to pack, ready to return before first light, to guide you to the cave.
Eventually you all make your ways to your rooms. In view of the actions you undertook for the town (and the lack of other patrons at present), when Toblen Stonehill returns he declares that for tonight at least there is no cost for your accommodation.
Before she sleeps, Alaina turns her senses out across Phandalin, searching for the telltale clues that hint of stationary planar portals. There is nothing of note.
Dawn comes more quickly than yesterday, now you are past the peak of winter, and the party finds themselves ready for the 15 miles ahead of them. Sister Garaele and Sildar Hallwinter are there to wave the party off. Daisy the Cow chews the cud and lumbers up onto her feet on the Town Green and watches you pass by with dull eyes.
With only a few nervous glances to the sky, you cross the fields to the east and reach the treeline. The bodies of the goblins are gone. The web on the trees is the only clue of the spider that was previously here.
Oskar Ninebough finds his place in the middle of the group as you look to the trail that will take you through the forest to the foot of the mountain. "It won't take long if we go quick."
The expedition to the lost Forge of Spells begins...
As the party gets underway, Lorken shoulders his greataxe and falls in behind Gudrune. He whistles a cheerful tune as they head out of the town, but he lets it fall as he reaches the tree line. Keeping an eye on their surroundings, he nevertheless can't resist a bit of conversation. After all, they might all be dead soon, and his companions were so interesting.
"Since I got here, I've usually been the odd one. Next to some of you, though, I feel downright mundane!" He looks back over his shoulder at Broma and Capone. "No offence."
He thinks a moment more, wondering how best to phrase the question. Then he shrugs.
"I hope you believe me when I say I would die for any of you. So I hope you won't mind if I ask," and again he looks at Broma and Capone. "What... are you?"
Broma takes a moment to consider this, before answering as matter-of-factly as he can, his voice one of cheer.
"I know not of our smaller associate here, but as for me, there are a number of ways to answer you. For one, if by what, you refer to my race, I am but simply human. No greater mystery there!"
He then places a hand on his chest.
"If, perhaps, you instead refer to my various proclivities, which seem to draw significant scrutiny in my wake whenever I act -- that, good sir, is the consequence of my work. I gather and retain knowledge for CRO's continued progression efforts. No small detail is insignificant, and thus information becomes a key source of power in our work. Naturally, such efforts would lead to some unorthodox behavior."
He then taps his helm.
"If instead you refer to a number of my abilities, sir, then my simplest answer is that my armor is a specialty of CRO's research division. We all wear, maintain and peruse armor such as this, and our brothers all carry similar uniforms."
Broma then turns to address Lorken directly.
"Does that answer your question, my good man?"
His voice rings sincere and genial within the metallic timbre of his helm.
Jayson plays his flute softly providing a nice rhythm for their pace with an upbeat tune to help keep folks alert and focused.
Signature
Levi Flint - DM - Mad Mage; Korvin - DM - Tyranny of Dragons; Player Lucan - The One Breath, Player Gildor Surion - Balder's Gate-Decent;
With Jayson playing a soft melody on his flute, and Capone mulling over what he might say to Lorken in the wake of the typically forthwright answer from Broma, the adventuring band travel under the forest canopy, along a winding trail over and around hillocks that turn to hills that thenclimb to join truly with the mountain range. Their guide leads them true, calling ahead to Alaina and deftly leading them tracks that fork and a path that is more suggestion than well-trod.
The sun rises and the way gets easier to see, and after four hours and twelve miles they are within touching distance of their goal.
"The path will go down from here," says Oskar Ninebough. "It's on the first true mountain, but it's in a vale -- a cleft, hidden around the back of the mountain. No wonder no one's stumbled upon it for a century or more."
You all set off over one final rise and begin descending, but before you get very far, you become aware of a snarling noise and a great howl as if a gale is turning in every direction, the sound echoing strangely. There comes a crackle and then the sound of distant thunder, and you turn a corner in the path to see...
A large pale dragon is snapping at what looks like storm clouds and dust devils given form.
A small spring emerges around an island with what looks to be a small shrine or monument made from a pale crystal, while a brook flows outward and under a tree that forms a stable bridge across the water.
It would be idyllic if not for the snapping and snarling of the elementals and the silvery-white dragon fighting them.
Lorken's eyebrows raise in surprise.
"You're human, truly? Wonderful! I didn't think humans would surprise me, but here you are. The seelie fey sometimes instil armour with life to prank unwitting mortals, and I thought you might be something like that. Thank you for indulging my curiosity."
Is Alaina aware of the general trend that metallic dragons are good? [[Intelligence: 18]]
Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain
Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards.
DM - The Old Keep
((1. The campaign is set 2 to 3 years post Tyranny of Dragons. A relatively low history DC check will reveal what you know of dragons.
2. The dragon in front of you — to determine how it differs from the dragon you met earlier would be I think a Nature check, but I want to double check that and may edit to Survival if it’s more a ‘trail/tracks’ identifying feature thing. Is it White or Silver or Crystal?
3. You rolled an Int check 18. Sorry I misunderstood if you read what I wrote here first before I checked. Yeah, it would fall under a skill, and Alaina doesn’t have proficiency in any INT skills so choose an answer from either History, Nature, Investigation or Arcana, having beat the DC 5, 10, 15 and 10, respectively))
Alaina is just trying to get a read on whether my "It's a whitish dragon, different than the one we just saw so probably good." intuition is not metagaming. Wasn't sure that was a nature check.
Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain
Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards.
DM - The Old Keep
((Yeah no worries. I get it. Broma and Jayson had made rolls in the log for two checks so have answered those which may inform your choices of roll more. Feel free to choose checks that have already been chosen if you want more information about something specifically. Just let me know what))
Alaina turns to her companions and says, "Dragons are easy, silver means good, lets help out." She moves over to the tree on the right, below the dragon, as stealthily as she can.
Stealth: 7
Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain
Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards.
DM - The Old Keep