Meredith engages a simple formulaic koan she learned when first gaining magic proficiency, a tool to connect to the Weave, but which also opens the senses of the more practiced arcanists to the Weave’s delicate striations, and… everything is exactly as it should be. She has read that on other planes, the Weave may invert or possess a slight fragrance or timbre different from that on the material plane. No. This is definitely the same. For a certainty, Meredith knows she is on the material plane. Erudisia feels the same thing but with less certainty and perhaps looks to Meredith for confirmation. Yet Meredith founders when she tries to recognize their location.
Scanning the stars through the thick-boughed but not dense woodland canopy, Erudisia recognizes, rising in the northeast, the constellation humans call Centaur, while the elves of Moonshae call it Eadro Anoriel, father of Merfolk. Wracking her memory, she recalls it is visible over the Sword Coast North and points inland during the summer months.
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DM for Candlekeep Mysteries //Dev Horndin Curious Critters
“We are perhaps not so far as I feared, if the constellations are those I know. That is something.”
She takes Meredith’s arm, and, with a quick look back to the others, begins to walk through the woods in the direction the Portal deposited them facing.
After ten minutes of easy walking along the well-tended path, you pass by a picturesque lily pond, dragonflies darting close over the water’s surface. Moths, too, flutter lightly in the warm, humid air made amber by the candlelight of an open gazebo that marks the pond’s far edge.
When you reach the gazebo a minute or two later, the path continues, now lined with paper lanterns guiding you toward a low, wide building. Wind chimes lightly sound from where they hang by the front door.
Another path curves away from the entrance around a small stable toward a wider road, hard to make out in the dusky half-light.
The main building’s walls are richly stained maple slats graced and adorned by subtly curved arcs, and glass windows — some stained in earthy greens and ambers — through which candlelight flickers from within.
The entry itself is slightly ajar, a wide wooden double door with inset glass panels and delicate bronze fixtures.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries //Dev Horndin Curious Critters
”If two of us enter the door, perhaps two of us should quickly look at the stable. Although the ambiance is extremely inviting I would think we should know if we have means of escape and if horses are easily … appropriated.”
“I check stable,” Little One says, carefully stepping in that direction. “If not back in five minutes, something wrong.”
As I mentioned, the entry double doors – finely carved with floral designs – are slightly ajar: one door is shut while the other is propped open by means of a short peg meant for the purpose. You pull open the doors completely and a tinkling bell atop the entry sounds, drawing the polite attention of the lobby’s sole occupant. You step inside and find yourselves in a large rectangular room, perhaps 30 feet square, luxuriously appointed, and obvious in function: a greeting space. The air is heavy with the scent of fresh lilies. A tall desk stands at the center of the room, framed by large, colorfully painted vases on bronze stands, bursting with fresh-cut lilies of the valley. A dark-haired human male, graceful and fit, in a white tunic and pants, stands up from the comfortable high chair or bar chair behind the desk as you enter the room. The word “Saeth” is embroidered in black letters just below his collarbone.
“Welcome, friends, to the Restful Lily,” he says, his voice both precise and… husky. He is… quite handsome. Clean-shaven with an almost-lantern jaw and noticeably white teeth. His biceps pop with graceful abandon. “Did you make a reservation? You are welcome regardless. Freshen yourselves in our luxurious bathhouse. Or perhaps you’d enjoy a massage? A visit with our hair stylist? Manicure? Or… pedicure? Road-tired feet simply cry out for comfort!”
“Given the hour, I shall also mention that we have several open rooms for the night or weekend. Whatever your pleasure, I am here to serve.” He folds his strong-fingered hands in front of him, and it is difficult not to imagine the pleasure of those strong hands giving a foot massage. He bows the slightest of nods in polite anticipation of your response.
Behind him, a 10-foot wide corridor 30 feet long, with a sumptuous white rug stretching the length of the floor leads to another double door at its far end. Velvet pull-curtains line the corridor walls at intervals, the kind that open upon changing rooms in dress stores or spas.
“Ah!,” the man says in welcoming surprise as Little One gingerly steps into the room behind you, a curious expression and arched ogre eyebrow taking in the scene. "Welcome, friend, to the Restful Lily."
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DM for Candlekeep Mysteries //Dev Horndin Curious Critters
The man at the desk — Saeth — smiles widely. “You are with Alana? Of course…” but then his brow crinkles and scoops and his smile turns sideways as he checks his guest book.
“It seems… there may have been a misunderstanding. We do not have a record of anyone by the name of Alana here. Did you by chance mean Adrianna? But she was here a fortnight ago and her account is closed…
“I am very sorry to disappoint… perhaps a different form of payment?”
He closes his ledger and looks at you hopefully but a line is drawn in the sand and his hopeful smile reads that he will not be intimidated by wealth or privilege.
He segues into the menu of offerings to give you time to think:
Entry to the bathhouse (the building you are in) costs 5 gp per person and includes the use of the enchanted baths, a comfortable robe, and a private changing room with a lockable trunk to store weapons and equipment.
Lodging for visitors who want to stay overnight is available at a cost of 4 gp per person. Meals cost 5 sp, and the lounge offers a wide range of beverages.
Enjoy a haircut, a shave, or a waxing for 2 gp, 1 gp, or 10 gp, respectively.
Massages can be booked for 20 gp and last for an hour.
A manicure and pedicure costs 2 sp. The pedicure might incur an additional fee depending on the cleanliness of the customer’s feet.
“Um,” says the ogre, “…maybe…? But I already do spa in Baldur’s Gate this year. One time in year enough for anyone. Right Air D?…” his eyes slide cagily to Merrdith and then back to Saeth. “But maybe massage? Shoulder sore after lifting up horse yesterday for stable hands.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries //Dev Horndin Curious Critters
Erudisia blushes faintly as her gaze lingers on Saeth’s hands also. Unconsciously she sweeps a few errant hairs back behind her ears.
“That is disappointing to hear,” she says, “perhaps she will arrive soon and we have somehow overtaken her.” Her hope being that their inquiry gives nothing away of the urgent nature in which Alana’s plans have been brought to their attention.
“Thank you, for the accommodation, perhaps once we have settled in, I might start with a pedicure?”
With her hands free, the others can receive different treatments and she can coordinate the efforts and findings with her new magic, she thinks, though she can say nothing of it yet.
(So 16gp for the night for all of us? 2gp for four meals. I’m assuming the 20gp is for Little One’s massage? Erudisia is happy to pay the checking in fees for room and board.)
"Perfect," Saeth says jovially, dimples in his cheeks forming from smile lines. "Rooms for each of you. A pedicure for the Lady," he makes a note in the ledger, "and, for her friends? Ah, a massage. You'll put me through the paces, my friend," he says, assessing Little One's shoulder with wide eyes. "Perhaps I'll call in my assistant, haha!, to help." He turns to Bell and Meredith. "There's no need to decide right now. Perhaps in the morning, once the sense of quiet and relaxation begins to seep in. Here." He hands each of you a key.
"You'll find your rooms through the doors to your right, past the lounge. Once you've had a chance to settle in, you can enjoy your meals and drinks in the lounge." To Little One, he says, "I will meet you there in ten minutes. I must find my assistant." He smiles and gestures toward the doors to your right. Beyond, you hear soft voices and the sound of quiet music.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries //Dev Horndin Curious Critters
Erudisia trades glances with the others and then follows the gentle susurrus towards it source. As she does, she pulls at a previously hard to notice section of her travelling clothes and they flex and then unfold into a relaxed, loose, long chiffon in a rich plum, with an overgown she ties around her waist.
(Very good… You’ll all need to pay 4gp for bath house privileges in addition to any other services, since you are spending the night. As for services, Meredith and Little One, massages, Erudisia and Bell, manicure/pedicures (offered as a package).)
(Who holds the book, The Price of Beauty? As a reminder, no one has yet opened it except for Valna, who paged through it briefly.)
“Please,” Saeth gestures behind him with his large, graceful hands to Meredith and Little One. “If you’ll use the changing rooms, you’ll find a robe and a keyed chest in which you may safely leave your belongings. I will find you there in a few minutes and get you started with massages.” Turning to Erudisia and Bell, he walks toward the lounge doors.
“Please, follow me,” he says, walking and talking to Bell and Erudisia. “I’m sure you’ll find our lounge to your liking. We are well known along the Sword Coast among the best houses, and offer only the best services to our exclusive clientele.” You follow him into the lounge, where large cushioned chairs are set around a larger open space. Calming music – coming from no visible source – fills the air, and as in the entry hall, the air carries a light floral scent. A bar takes up one corner of the room behind which stands a slightly less well-built but still handsome white-tunic-wearing bartender drying clean glasses with a white towel. Next to the bar stand shelves of expensive wines and spirits. Colorful baskets of fresh fruit await the hungry. Two tables stand along one wall, each set up as a manicure and pedicure station with trays holding nail files, clippers, and bottles of nail varnish on each table.
A second attendant, a human woman, wearing a white tunic like Saeth’s is just finishing up a manicure for one of the guests.
The guests are:
A drow woman wearing a thick white bathrobe, seated in a lounge chair and sipping on a huge cocktail;
Two halfling women. One is smiling gleefully at her new nail tips (the guest who just finished receiving a manicure), while the other communicates boredom to the first with a half-smile that only just keeps a heavy sigh in check.
A 60 year-old human man, scarred but clean, in a loose shirt with a flaming fist embroidered on its chest, sitting in a lounge chair reading an issue of Baldur’s Mouth. His leg is propped up, and a large though clean bandage is wound around it from thigh to ankle.
A mature dwarf male sits in a corner with an untouched mug of ale beside him. His perfect copper-gold hair, moustache, and well-trimmed beard reflect the lantern light cheerfully, in opposition to the hollow glumness in his eyes as he speaks quietly with an elf woman lightly seated on an ottoman beside him, her back to you.
Saeth gestures come here with his forefinger to the man behind the bar and the woman, whispers to each of them and they quietly lead Erudisia and Bell to the mani/pedi stations.
The conversation between the dwarf and elf ends in a hopeful nod from the dwarf. The elf woman stands and turns to see Bell and Erudisia, smiles and nods welcomingly to each, and then turns questioningly to Saeth, whose back is now to you. She is exceptionally beautiful. A slender moon elf with smooth black hair and sparkling sapphire eyes. The woman and Saeth exit the Lounge as Bell and Erudisia settle into chairs.
Bell and Erudisia, both please make Insight checks, and tell me anything you’d like to be doing.
Meredith, you find yourself in one of the 10 curtained cubicles, where you can change out of traveling clothes and armor. Each cubicle contains a wooden stool, two white robes hanging on hooks - big and small, and a large wooden trunk with a lock. You were handed a key for the lock.
Meredith changed into a robe and placed all her belongings plus the book, if she still has it, into the chest and locked it before emerging with a loud sigh as her emotions from earlier return with a vengeance.
Her neck might need a future massage as it has been on a constant swivel since their arrival. Trying to look at everything to take it all in... but with little in the way of magics she can use 'on the fly' to test things. :(
Erudisia has paid 22 gold. To cover the rooms and meals. She also already has her Tome with her, while Bell has her spell book, I assume. I think Meredith holding onto it might make it seem like we’re just for. Sub-culture where it’s fashionable to have a book on hand?)
(Also, is this the bath-house or bath-house adjacent? I assume it’d be better to swim before a pedicure?)
Erudisia turns to Bell, “Would you mind getting us some drinks? Something tall, and colourful, that takes an age to make and tastes like fruit but has fruit in no part of its concoction. I’ll start sketching” She winks at Bell, already taking out her pen and opening her journal to the page on which Bell made her mark.
Meredith engages a simple formulaic koan she learned when first gaining magic proficiency, a tool to connect to the Weave, but which also opens the senses of the more practiced arcanists to the Weave’s delicate striations, and… everything is exactly as it should be. She has read that on other planes, the Weave may invert or possess a slight fragrance or timbre different from that on the material plane. No. This is definitely the same. For a certainty, Meredith knows she is on the material plane. Erudisia feels the same thing but with less certainty and perhaps looks to Meredith for confirmation. Yet Meredith founders when she tries to recognize their location.
Scanning the stars through the thick-boughed but not dense woodland canopy, Erudisia recognizes, rising in the northeast, the constellation humans call Centaur, while the elves of Moonshae call it Eadro Anoriel, father of Merfolk. Wracking her memory, she recalls it is visible over the Sword Coast North and points inland during the summer months.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters
“We are perhaps not so far as I feared, if the constellations are those I know. That is something.”
She takes Meredith’s arm, and, with a quick look back to the others, begins to walk through the woods in the direction the Portal deposited them facing.
After ten minutes of easy walking along the well-tended path, you pass by a picturesque lily pond, dragonflies darting close over the water’s surface. Moths, too, flutter lightly in the warm, humid air made amber by the candlelight of an open gazebo that marks the pond’s far edge.
When you reach the gazebo a minute or two later, the path continues, now lined with paper lanterns guiding you toward a low, wide building. Wind chimes lightly sound from where they hang by the front door.
Another path curves away from the entrance around a small stable toward a wider road, hard to make out in the dusky half-light.
The main building’s walls are richly stained maple slats graced and adorned by subtly curved arcs, and glass windows — some stained in earthy greens and ambers — through which candlelight flickers from within.
The entry itself is slightly ajar, a wide wooden double door with inset glass panels and delicate bronze fixtures.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters
" Alright....we're still near Candlekeep.......AND Baldurs Gate.....lets rescue your friend and then get some answers."
" Assuming she needs rescuing and this isn't just a wild goose chase......"
Meredith approached and opened the door.
Yes. Assuming that. Erudisia thinks.
”If two of us enter the door, perhaps two of us should quickly look at the stable. Although the ambiance is extremely inviting I would think we should know if we have means of escape and if horses are easily … appropriated.”
“I check stable,” Little One says, carefully stepping in that direction. “If not back in five minutes, something wrong.”
As I mentioned, the entry double doors – finely carved with floral designs – are slightly ajar: one door is shut while the other is propped open by means of a short peg meant for the purpose. You pull open the doors completely and a tinkling bell atop the entry sounds, drawing the polite attention of the lobby’s sole occupant. You step inside and find yourselves in a large rectangular room, perhaps 30 feet square, luxuriously appointed, and obvious in function: a greeting space. The air is heavy with the scent of fresh lilies. A tall desk stands at the center of the room, framed by large, colorfully painted vases on bronze stands, bursting with fresh-cut lilies of the valley. A dark-haired human male, graceful and fit, in a white tunic and pants, stands up from the comfortable high chair or bar chair behind the desk as you enter the room. The word “Saeth” is embroidered in black letters just below his collarbone.
“Welcome, friends, to the Restful Lily,” he says, his voice both precise and… husky. He is… quite handsome. Clean-shaven with an almost-lantern jaw and noticeably white teeth. His biceps pop with graceful abandon. “Did you make a reservation? You are welcome regardless. Freshen yourselves in our luxurious bathhouse. Or perhaps you’d enjoy a massage? A visit with our hair stylist? Manicure? Or… pedicure? Road-tired feet simply cry out for comfort!”
“Given the hour, I shall also mention that we have several open rooms for the night or weekend. Whatever your pleasure, I am here to serve.” He folds his strong-fingered hands in front of him, and it is difficult not to imagine the pleasure of those strong hands giving a foot massage. He bows the slightest of nods in polite anticipation of your response.
Behind him, a 10-foot wide corridor 30 feet long, with a sumptuous white rug stretching the length of the floor leads to another double door at its far end. Velvet pull-curtains line the corridor walls at intervals, the kind that open upon changing rooms in dress stores or spas.
“Ah!,” the man says in welcoming surprise as Little One gingerly steps into the room behind you, a curious expression and arched ogre eyebrow taking in the scene. "Welcome, friend, to the Restful Lily."
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters
The man at the desk — Saeth — smiles widely. “You are with Alana? Of course…” but then his brow crinkles and scoops and his smile turns sideways as he checks his guest book.
“It seems… there may have been a misunderstanding. We do not have a record of anyone by the name of Alana here. Did you by chance mean Adrianna? But she was here a fortnight ago and her account is closed…
“I am very sorry to disappoint… perhaps a different form of payment?”
He closes his ledger and looks at you hopefully but a line is drawn in the sand and his hopeful smile reads that he will not be intimidated by wealth or privilege.
He segues into the menu of offerings to give you time to think:
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters
Meredith cocked her head at Erudisia and placed 20gp down on the desk.
" You do waxing? Little One? Do you want a wax?"
“Um,” says the ogre, “…maybe…? But I already do spa in Baldur’s Gate this year. One time in year enough for anyone. Right Air D?…” his eyes slide cagily to Merrdith and then back to Saeth. “But maybe massage? Shoulder sore after lifting up horse yesterday for stable hands.”
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters
Erudisia blushes faintly as her gaze lingers on Saeth’s hands also. Unconsciously she sweeps a few errant hairs back behind her ears.
“That is disappointing to hear,” she says, “perhaps she will arrive soon and we have somehow overtaken her.” Her hope being that their inquiry gives nothing away of the urgent nature in which Alana’s plans have been brought to their attention.
“Thank you, for the accommodation, perhaps once we have settled in, I might start with a pedicure?”
With her hands free, the others can receive different treatments and she can coordinate the efforts and findings with her new magic, she thinks, though she can say nothing of it yet.
(So 16gp for the night for all of us? 2gp for four meals. I’m assuming the 20gp is for Little One’s massage? Erudisia is happy to pay the checking in fees for room and board.)
(Little One will cover his own massage.)
"Perfect," Saeth says jovially, dimples in his cheeks forming from smile lines. "Rooms for each of you. A pedicure for the Lady," he makes a note in the ledger, "and, for her friends? Ah, a massage. You'll put me through the paces, my friend," he says, assessing Little One's shoulder with wide eyes. "Perhaps I'll call in my assistant, haha!, to help." He turns to Bell and Meredith. "There's no need to decide right now. Perhaps in the morning, once the sense of quiet and relaxation begins to seep in. Here." He hands each of you a key.
"You'll find your rooms through the doors to your right, past the lounge. Once you've had a chance to settle in, you can enjoy your meals and drinks in the lounge." To Little One, he says, "I will meet you there in ten minutes. I must find my assistant." He smiles and gestures toward the doors to your right. Beyond, you hear soft voices and the sound of quiet music.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters
Erudisia trades glances with the others and then follows the gentle susurrus towards it source. As she does, she pulls at a previously hard to notice section of her travelling clothes and they flex and then unfold into a relaxed, loose, long chiffon in a rich plum, with an overgown she ties around her waist.
" I'll join you in a massage I think.....", Meredith blurts suddenly.
She needs to try and get her head together and Little One is unlikely to ask any probing questions.....
(Very good… You’ll all need to pay 4gp for bath house privileges in addition to any other services, since you are spending the night. As for services, Meredith and Little One, massages, Erudisia and Bell, manicure/pedicures (offered as a package).)
(Who holds the book, The Price of Beauty? As a reminder, no one has yet opened it except for Valna, who paged through it briefly.)
“Please,” Saeth gestures behind him with his large, graceful hands to Meredith and Little One. “If you’ll use the changing rooms, you’ll find a robe and a keyed chest in which you may safely leave your belongings. I will find you there in a few minutes and get you started with massages.” Turning to Erudisia and Bell, he walks toward the lounge doors.
“Please, follow me,” he says, walking and talking to Bell and Erudisia. “I’m sure you’ll find our lounge to your liking. We are well known along the Sword Coast among the best houses, and offer only the best services to our exclusive clientele.” You follow him into the lounge, where large cushioned chairs are set around a larger open space. Calming music – coming from no visible source – fills the air, and as in the entry hall, the air carries a light floral scent. A bar takes up one corner of the room behind which stands a slightly less well-built but still handsome white-tunic-wearing bartender drying clean glasses with a white towel. Next to the bar stand shelves of expensive wines and spirits. Colorful baskets of fresh fruit await the hungry. Two tables stand along one wall, each set up as a manicure and pedicure station with trays holding nail files, clippers, and bottles of nail varnish on each table.
A second attendant, a human woman, wearing a white tunic like Saeth’s is just finishing up a manicure for one of the guests.
The guests are:
Saeth gestures come here with his forefinger to the man behind the bar and the woman, whispers to each of them and they quietly lead Erudisia and Bell to the mani/pedi stations.
The conversation between the dwarf and elf ends in a hopeful nod from the dwarf. The elf woman stands and turns to see Bell and Erudisia, smiles and nods welcomingly to each, and then turns questioningly to Saeth, whose back is now to you. She is exceptionally beautiful. A slender moon elf with smooth black hair and sparkling sapphire eyes. The woman and Saeth exit the Lounge as Bell and Erudisia settle into chairs.
Bell and Erudisia, both please make Insight checks, and tell me anything you’d like to be doing.
Meredith, you find yourself in one of the 10 curtained cubicles, where you can change out of traveling clothes and armor. Each cubicle contains a wooden stool, two white robes hanging on hooks - big and small, and a large wooden trunk with a lock. You were handed a key for the lock.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters
( Meredith will offer the book to Bell and Erudisia, but if they do not take it will carry it herself not sure if its safe to leave it in her room.)
Meredith changed into a robe and placed all her belongings plus the book, if she still has it, into the chest and locked it before emerging with a loud sigh as her emotions from earlier return with a vengeance.
Bell - Insight: 10
Her neck might need a future massage as it has been on a constant swivel since their arrival. Trying to look at everything to take it all in... but with little in the way of magics she can use 'on the fly' to test things. :(
Insight: 8.
(I suppose we’re bookish sorts for a reason.
Erudisia has paid 22 gold. To cover the rooms and meals. She also already has her Tome with her, while Bell has her spell book, I assume. I think Meredith holding onto it might make it seem like we’re just for. Sub-culture where it’s fashionable to have a book on hand?)
(Also, is this the bath-house or bath-house adjacent? I assume it’d be better to swim before a pedicure?)
Erudisia turns to Bell, “Would you mind getting us some drinks? Something tall, and colourful, that takes an age to make and tastes like fruit but has fruit in no part of its concoction. I’ll start sketching” She winks at Bell, already taking out her pen and opening her journal to the page on which Bell made her mark.
Who should we talk to first? The Halflings look friendly, the Drow intimidating, the Human like he can’t get away from us. Testing. Testing. Respond.