Prysqis studies Meredith for a moment, smiling warmly, yet… that was not the full affirmative she expected.
“…probably…?,” she echoes gamely, inviting elaboration, or a punchline…
Rather than collapse in a ragged breathless heap Meredith opted for raising her head and nodding twice vigorously......she was almost certainly going to collapse but the sheer terror of doing so in front of Prysqis prevented her knees from giving way.
She very gingerly reached out her left hand for Prysgis to take.....
Prysqis, her face a portrait of noble delight, her eyes dark and starry, reaches out to Meredith and takes her offered hand, at first touching her fingertips lightly, then entwining them in her own.
ERUDISIA and BELL
Erudisia, who may have been keeping a curious eye on the eladrin, sees this interchange and then watches as Prysqis and Meredith leave the party through the archway and up the long staircase… Looking out for her friend, Erudisia feels that while Pryqis is likely as flighty and mercurial as most of her fey kin, yet the eladrin woman utterly lacks the cruelty that sharpens the tongues and jealous glances of the worst of them…
Later…
“It began with a hummingbird chick that had fallen from its nest. Or maybe it was the smallest one and its parents decided it couldn’t survive, I figured. Well, I found it on the ground making such tiny little sounds I couldn’t let it be. I bundled it up in some spider web and cotton and brought it home. I used a tiny little toothpick and dripped sugar water into its beak to feed it. And it grew up and learned to fly. It called and other hummingbirds came. That’s when I learned they were actually sylvan spirits. No really, I'm serious. And their actual dad came and said, You’ve done a good thing so I will grant you one wish.
"I was floored. I love my family on the farm, I don’t need more than what I have. But there was one thing I wanted. You see, I had been getting bored with the days on the farm coming and going like water in a stream, passing by, all the same. And I thought, life must be more than this. And I noticed wealthy merchants on the road heading into The Gate, and thought, their lives must be so picture perfect. And if only I could just see what it was like. That’s all I needed. I don’t want my life to change, I just… wanted to see what else there was. You know? And so this woodland spirit father says, I’ll grant this wish to you.
"So… now if I want to go to a party or something… that casino, say? All I have to do is show up. And it’s like my name is on the list, and they never ask questions. And my clothes change to whatever is just right for the party. See… look. Now that we’re gone, they’ve changed back.” Russet has been quietly talking, having insisted on walking Bell and Erudisia back to the Plow and Stars because it was late and there are “scary folk” out sometimes -- his words. And indeed, his forthright manner has acted like a warm blanket to fight the chill of the swirling fogs of Baldur's Gate at night time.
And now you arrive at the Inn, well after midnight, and with a somewhat bittersweet grin, Russet stands there. “Well, here you are. It was… nice to see you again. I hope… now that you know my story, that you don’t think less of me. But I would understand if you do.”
The chill of the night air, carrying the scent of the distant bay and a city packed with humans, wrapped around them as they stood before the weathered oak door of the tavern. Lantern light spilled from the grimy windows, painting the cobbled street in a warm, inviting glow. Bell on one arm; Erudisia on the other standing before the tavern stoop. Leaning forward just a hair, the two women looked at each other. A raised eyebrow and a wink passed between the two women as they leaned back.
Bell turned to Russet, her eyes, the color of a summer blue sky, sparkling with an unspoken warmth. A soft smile played on her lips as she leaned in, her breath a sweet whisper against his ear. He felt the brush of her hair, like spun moonlight, against his cheek before a feather-light kiss landed on his cheek. It was a fleeting touch, yet it lingered, a promise whispered on the cool night air, leaving him with a sense of quiet contentment and the lingering warmth of her presence. At that same moment, Erudisia assaulted his other cheek with her own flair and style of a peck.
Then, with final, radiant smiles and a bit of a giggle at the suddenly stunned escort, Bell and Erudisia slipped into the noisy embrace of the tavern, leaving him alone with the echoes of their touch and the magical memory of their goodnight kisses.
The fog dissipates early the next morning and dawn brings golden light to all of Baldur’s Gate on this, the 14th day of Mirtul
‘Tis the very height of springtime! Starlings nest in the eaves of inns and a family of ducks crosses the road early in the morning, its matron quacking instructions with matronly self-importance. A trio of hippogryph riders launch from the Temple of Lothandar and soar southward toward Waterdeep, the calls of the strange beasts, enervating, their white wings glistening against a backdrop of blue.
Yet, despite these signals of morningtide, all the world seems reluctant to rise, having slept deeply and dreamlessly through the cool and comfortable night. Yet, the city people do rise, and when they leave their beds, windows are thrown open and the new day is welcomed with light hearts.
One such window opens to reveal Bell, who, looking out upon the Eastway from the vantage point of her second floor turret, spots Meredith coming up the road toward the inn…
A few minutes later, Bell and Erudisia are in the common room of the Blade and Stars taking their morning cups of tea when Meredith appears at the front door…
(Looking ahead, I believe the plan was to return to Candlekeep on this day?)
Erudisia is busily cutting her morning scones into small arcane patterns before apportioning them eccentric volumes of cream and jam. She is yet to eat a single piece.
Without looking up, almost as if Meredith will sneak straight past her and Bell without being noticed, Erudisia waits until she is almost beyond the parlor to speak.
“Sleep well?” She asks, a little smile at the corner of her lips. Still, she is not insensible of the tension in the air as Meredith startles and bangs her hip, nor Bell’s hard to read expression and focus on her own breakfast.
She asks the teasing question of all good friends to those the night after, to try and allow the situation to at least flow forward before the friction catches it, lest the important words never be had at all.
Erudisia hesitates, puzzled by Meredith’s whole energy. When did the poor bard finish drinking? Is the hangover yet to come?
“One shouldn’t, generally,” says Erudisia.
Meredith leaned back against the wall, " But I really must...you'll help me, right?"
If Erudisia draws closer she detects only the slightest trace of alcohol on her breath......though there is a very strong fragrance of frangipani and jasmine..
A deep sense of foreboding swells suddenly in Erudisia, as a pause fills the air like a great, growing balloon, so distended and full even a sharp word might prick it; it has been some time since she left her home, longer still since she visited the home and hearth of her Eladrin mother, and since coming to the Sword Coast and Candlekeep — where words are written down to be kept, dissected and treasured and studied, but never warped or bound. Where speech is easily given, and true thoughts easily voiced with no more risk than contravention and embarrassment as consequence — and Erudisia knows in this moment that she has perhaps … slipped.
Slipped in her offerings to the sprites and spirits that slip from the always near Feywild. Slipped in her easy promises, and offered names. Slipped in the mess of unguarded life and slipped in the guarding of her friends and the fruits of that friendship, so intangible to her and yet so succulent and ripe to those who are more wild than not.
”Oh no, Meredith. What did you offer; what did you promise?”
Meredith did not pick up on Erudisias mood change at all, " Everything!.....I..mean you read about it in the...books...and it sounds lovely but its....."
She looked at the two of them suddenly very serious, " Why didn't you tell me?"
And then she was smiling again.
" I offered all of me and all of my heart and I promised to always be hers...."
" And some other......but thats private....sorry. Oh......I forgot. How was your night?"
“Of course, of course,” Erudisia replies. “We will help solve your problem, but I believe we will need the knowledge of Candlekeep to do so. We should begin our return there today.”
(Feel free to wrap up this interaction as I shift us forward.)
Following your breakfast, you pay your bill, retrieve your mounts, and take your leave of the inn and soon, of Baldur’s Gate.
You travel a day south on the Coast Way and spend a comfortable night camped not too far from the spot where you first encountered the wererat Mushika. The day and night pass without incident.
The next morning, sunny and clear, you continue on the road south. No more than an hour has passed when you come upon a pair of teenage men beside the road. Their unkempt mops of hair poof around their heads as they sleepily break camp, rolling up their bed rolls and packing their pup tents. When they see you, they slowly stand and cast awestruck glances between themselves. One mouths the word, ‘wooowwwww.’
The other then mouths the words, ‘Ohhh… SNAP!,’ when his eyes fall on Little One. The pair exchange a fearful glance. But when the mountain of muscle behind you gives a little hand wave to the boys, they shrug and their smiles return.
“Top of the mornin’, fairest damsels!,” shouts the fair-haired one.
The dark-haired one nudges the first in the ribs and glares at him. Then the dark-haired one turns back to face you, eyes wide, and it is his turn to amiably shout.
“By what chance do three hot princesses come so early in the day, princesses?”
The other then nudges him in the ribs.
They seem like townsfolk or yeomen. The only oddity is that each of their black-dyed shirts shows a large painted image of a white skeleton head with green points as eyes.
“We are most triumphant. Thank you princess!,” answers the blonde one. “Oh this?” He gestures to the design on his shirt. “We are disciples of the most reverent Doresain, The Demon Lord of Ghouls!,” he shouts, and then they both play an excited phrase on air lute, smiling joyously at each other. “We have journeyed far to reach Baldur’s Gate, where we can join his ranks.”
“Yeah,” says the dark-haired one. “We set out a tenday ago on our quest, and we have come…” he winces, doing some mental calculations, “twenty miles!”
“We are most triumphant. Thank you princess!,” answers the blonde one. “Oh this?” He gestures to the design on his shirt. “We are disciples of the most reverent Doresain, The Demon Lord of Ghouls!,” he shouts, and then they both play an excited phrase on air lute, smiling joyously at each other. “We have journeyed far to reach Baldur’s Gate, where we can join his ranks.”
“Yeah,” says the dark-haired one. “We set out a tenday ago on our quest, and we have come…” he winces, doing some mental calculations, “twenty miles!”
“Yeah,” says the blonde one. “And my feet hurt.”
Meredith tried to recall what she could but other than Doresain being a demigod of sorts with a complicated history involving Orcus and Yeenoghu she didn't have a lot.
" Most outstanding. May I, as both princess and fellow musician, venture an opinion, Good Sirs?"
" Now myself, and I'm sure Princess Erudisia and Bell concur......believe that a better Patron for such righteous melody can be found."
" I'm sure you know of Milil, and while said god does favour the classics I propose instead Finder Wyvernspur. A Bard like yourselves who crafts art out of darkness and uses it to uplift those around him and inspire them to Be Excellent To Each Other."
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Meredith descends into abject panic.....her breath becoming shallower and faster....
" I...uh...the Sea Tower....."
She nods as if to herself.....
" Probably....", she half mumbled as she was biting her bottom lip so hard that she wa threatening to draw blood.....
Prysqis studies Meredith for a moment, smiling warmly, yet… that was not the full affirmative she expected.
“…probably…?,” she echoes gamely, inviting elaboration, or a punchline…
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Rather than collapse in a ragged breathless heap Meredith opted for raising her head and nodding twice vigorously......she was almost certainly going to collapse but the sheer terror of doing so in front of Prysqis prevented her knees from giving way.
She very gingerly reached out her left hand for Prysgis to take.....
MEREDITH
Prysqis, her face a portrait of noble delight, her eyes dark and starry, reaches out to Meredith and takes her offered hand, at first touching her fingertips lightly, then entwining them in her own.
ERUDISIA and BELL
Erudisia, who may have been keeping a curious eye on the eladrin, sees this interchange and then watches as Prysqis and Meredith leave the party through the archway and up the long staircase… Looking out for her friend, Erudisia feels that while Pryqis is likely as flighty and mercurial as most of her fey kin, yet the eladrin woman utterly lacks the cruelty that sharpens the tongues and jealous glances of the worst of them…
Later…
“It began with a hummingbird chick that had fallen from its nest. Or maybe it was the smallest one and its parents decided it couldn’t survive, I figured. Well, I found it on the ground making such tiny little sounds I couldn’t let it be. I bundled it up in some spider web and cotton and brought it home. I used a tiny little toothpick and dripped sugar water into its beak to feed it. And it grew up and learned to fly. It called and other hummingbirds came. That’s when I learned they were actually sylvan spirits. No really, I'm serious. And their actual dad came and said, You’ve done a good thing so I will grant you one wish.
"I was floored. I love my family on the farm, I don’t need more than what I have. But there was one thing I wanted. You see, I had been getting bored with the days on the farm coming and going like water in a stream, passing by, all the same. And I thought, life must be more than this. And I noticed wealthy merchants on the road heading into The Gate, and thought, their lives must be so picture perfect. And if only I could just see what it was like. That’s all I needed. I don’t want my life to change, I just… wanted to see what else there was. You know? And so this woodland spirit father says, I’ll grant this wish to you.
"So… now if I want to go to a party or something… that casino, say? All I have to do is show up. And it’s like my name is on the list, and they never ask questions. And my clothes change to whatever is just right for the party. See… look. Now that we’re gone, they’ve changed back.” Russet has been quietly talking, having insisted on walking Bell and Erudisia back to the Plow and Stars because it was late and there are “scary folk” out sometimes -- his words. And indeed, his forthright manner has acted like a warm blanket to fight the chill of the swirling fogs of Baldur's Gate at night time.
And now you arrive at the Inn, well after midnight, and with a somewhat bittersweet grin, Russet stands there. “Well, here you are. It was… nice to see you again. I hope… now that you know my story, that you don’t think less of me. But I would understand if you do.”
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
The chill of the night air, carrying the scent of the distant bay and a city packed with humans, wrapped around them as they stood before the weathered oak door of the tavern. Lantern light spilled from the grimy windows, painting the cobbled street in a warm, inviting glow. Bell on one arm; Erudisia on the other standing before the tavern stoop. Leaning forward just a hair, the two women looked at each other. A raised eyebrow and a wink passed between the two women as they leaned back.
Bell turned to Russet, her eyes, the color of a summer blue sky, sparkling with an unspoken warmth. A soft smile played on her lips as she leaned in, her breath a sweet whisper against his ear. He felt the brush of her hair, like spun moonlight, against his cheek before a feather-light kiss landed on his cheek. It was a fleeting touch, yet it lingered, a promise whispered on the cool night air, leaving him with a sense of quiet contentment and the lingering warmth of her presence. At that same moment, Erudisia assaulted his other cheek with her own flair and style of a peck.
Then, with final, radiant smiles and a bit of a giggle at the suddenly stunned escort, Bell and Erudisia slipped into the noisy embrace of the tavern, leaving him alone with the echoes of their touch and the magical memory of their goodnight kisses.
The fog dissipates early the next morning and dawn brings golden light to all of Baldur’s Gate on this, the 14th day of Mirtul
‘Tis the very height of springtime! Starlings nest in the eaves of inns and a family of ducks crosses the road early in the morning, its matron quacking instructions with matronly self-importance. A trio of hippogryph riders launch from the Temple of Lothandar and soar southward toward Waterdeep, the calls of the strange beasts, enervating, their white wings glistening against a backdrop of blue.
Yet, despite these signals of morningtide, all the world seems reluctant to rise, having slept deeply and dreamlessly through the cool and comfortable night. Yet, the city people do rise, and when they leave their beds, windows are thrown open and the new day is welcomed with light hearts.
One such window opens to reveal Bell, who, looking out upon the Eastway from the vantage point of her second floor turret, spots Meredith coming up the road toward the inn…
A few minutes later, Bell and Erudisia are in the common room of the Blade and Stars taking their morning cups of tea when Meredith appears at the front door…
(Looking ahead, I believe the plan was to return to Candlekeep on this day?)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Meredith wandered rather obliviously into the Inn with a far-away look up on her face.....
She didn't seem to process that Bell and Erudisia were present until she wandered too far to the left and banged her hip into the side table.
" Oh....uh, Morning.....", she sputtered in sudden panic.
(Yep, I think happy to return to Candlekeep)
Erudisia is busily cutting her morning scones into small arcane patterns before apportioning them eccentric volumes of cream and jam. She is yet to eat a single piece.
Without looking up, almost as if Meredith will sneak straight past her and Bell without being noticed, Erudisia waits until she is almost beyond the parlor to speak.
“Sleep well?” She asks, a little smile at the corner of her lips. Still, she is not insensible of the tension in the air as Meredith startles and bangs her hip, nor Bell’s hard to read expression and focus on her own breakfast.
She asks the teasing question of all good friends to those the night after, to try and allow the situation to at least flow forward before the friction catches it, lest the important words never be had at all.
Meredith is very much starry-eyed and suffering from an excess of bliss and infatuation bordering on obsession currently.
She marches up to Bell and pulls out a small box from her pocket and gives it to her kissing her on the forehead, " This is for you."
" How does one get to the Feywild?", she queried Erudisia.
Erudisia hesitates, puzzled by Meredith’s whole energy. When did the poor bard finish drinking? Is the hangover yet to come?
“One shouldn’t, generally,” says Erudisia.
Meredith leaned back against the wall, " But I really must...you'll help me, right?"
If Erudisia draws closer she detects only the slightest trace of alcohol on her breath......though there is a very strong fragrance of frangipani and jasmine..
A deep sense of foreboding swells suddenly in Erudisia, as a pause fills the air like a great, growing balloon, so distended and full even a sharp word might prick it; it has been some time since she left her home, longer still since she visited the home and hearth of her Eladrin mother, and since coming to the Sword Coast and Candlekeep — where words are written down to be kept, dissected and treasured and studied, but never warped or bound. Where speech is easily given, and true thoughts easily voiced with no more risk than contravention and embarrassment as consequence — and Erudisia knows in this moment that she has perhaps … slipped.
Slipped in her offerings to the sprites and spirits that slip from the always near Feywild. Slipped in her easy promises, and offered names. Slipped in the mess of unguarded life and slipped in the guarding of her friends and the fruits of that friendship, so intangible to her and yet so succulent and ripe to those who are more wild than not.
”Oh no, Meredith. What did you offer; what did you promise?”
Meredith did not pick up on Erudisias mood change at all, " Everything!.....I..mean you read about it in the...books...and it sounds lovely but its....."
She looked at the two of them suddenly very serious, " Why didn't you tell me?"
And then she was smiling again.
" I offered all of me and all of my heart and I promised to always be hers...."
" And some other......but thats private....sorry. Oh......I forgot. How was your night?"
“Of course, of course,” Erudisia replies. “We will help solve your problem, but I believe we will need the knowledge of Candlekeep to do so. We should begin our return there today.”
Meredith frowned, " I suppose.......I must write a letter immediately."
She hugged herself fiercely, " Isn't life just wonderful? But I really do want to hear about what you two got up to."
(Feel free to wrap up this interaction as I shift us forward.)
Following your breakfast, you pay your bill, retrieve your mounts, and take your leave of the inn and soon, of Baldur’s Gate.
You travel a day south on the Coast Way and spend a comfortable night camped not too far from the spot where you first encountered the wererat Mushika. The day and night pass without incident.
The next morning, sunny and clear, you continue on the road south. No more than an hour has passed when you come upon a pair of teenage men beside the road. Their unkempt mops of hair poof around their heads as they sleepily break camp, rolling up their bed rolls and packing their pup tents. When they see you, they slowly stand and cast awestruck glances between themselves. One mouths the word, ‘wooowwwww.’
The other then mouths the words, ‘Ohhh… SNAP!,’ when his eyes fall on Little One. The pair exchange a fearful glance. But when the mountain of muscle behind you gives a little hand wave to the boys, they shrug and their smiles return.
“Top of the mornin’, fairest damsels!,” shouts the fair-haired one.
The dark-haired one nudges the first in the ribs and glares at him. Then the dark-haired one turns back to face you, eyes wide, and it is his turn to amiably shout.
“By what chance do three hot princesses come so early in the day, princesses?”
The other then nudges him in the ribs.
They seem like townsfolk or yeomen. The only oddity is that each of their black-dyed shirts shows a large painted image of a white skeleton head with green points as eyes.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Meredith has not really shut up the entire time about how amazing life is and how fantastic EVERYTHING is.....especially Prysqis.....
She is a startled out of this by the two lads.
" Indeed, it is a most triumphant morning, how fare you two on this bodacious day?"
" And what's with the shirts?", she said suddenly focusing.
“We are most triumphant. Thank you princess!,” answers the blonde one. “Oh this?” He gestures to the design on his shirt. “We are disciples of the most reverent Doresain, The Demon Lord of Ghouls!,” he shouts, and then they both play an excited phrase on air lute, smiling joyously at each other. “We have journeyed far to reach Baldur’s Gate, where we can join his ranks.”
“Yeah,” says the dark-haired one. “We set out a tenday ago on our quest, and we have come…” he winces, doing some mental calculations, “twenty miles!”
“Yeah,” says the blonde one. “And my feet hurt.”
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
22
Meredith tried to recall what she could but other than Doresain being a demigod of sorts with a complicated history involving Orcus and Yeenoghu she didn't have a lot.
" Most outstanding. May I, as both princess and fellow musician, venture an opinion, Good Sirs?"
" Now myself, and I'm sure Princess Erudisia and Bell concur......believe that a better Patron for such righteous melody can be found."
" I'm sure you know of Milil, and while said god does favour the classics I propose instead Finder Wyvernspur. A Bard like yourselves who crafts art out of darkness and uses it to uplift those around him and inspire them to Be Excellent To Each Other."