“Ah, the pool?,” the beautiful elf replies in her sultry tone, as Copperskald eases out of his seat to a standing position, careful not to upset his hair while doing so. “The hot spring is always open for guests. And speaking of meals, while our supper hour has already passed -- it is best for a good night’s sleep or meditation to eat early, and best for one’s relaxation and especially one’s skin, to get a good night’s sleep or meditation -- our chef d'cuisine has left extra meals in the kitchen, if you are hungry. In the morning, I will find you and we can speak more about the Temple’s... special offerings, then.” She turns with a placid expression to the dwarf who has approached. “This way, please,” she says to him, and they turn toward the doors leading to the passage Meredith and Little One exited into a while back. “Ah, your traveling companions,” she says over her shoulder to Erudisia as the door opens and Meredith, followed by Little One, in their robes, enter the Lounge. The halflings gasp once again at Little One, but the man with the wounded leg, this time, just grunts under his breath, eyes following the ogre carefully from his reclined position.
Meredith
When you enter the Lounge, with Little One behind you, you see Bell, drying her nails, and Erudisia at the manicure station, and the assorted guests you passed earlier. The beautiful slender moon elf with smooth black hair and sparkling sapphire eyes who was there earlier speaking to the dwarf is there too. She and the dwarf were, at this moment, waiting for you and Little One to enter, so as to be able to exit into the hallway leading to the massage rooms. At this time, with Little One out of the way, you notice a third door at the rear end of the hallway. You don’t know where it leads, but it seems to be the back wall of the bathhouse building.
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DM for Candlekeep Mysteries //Dev Horndin Curious Critters// Chierhy Nbenbe in Culuril's Strixhaven Adventure
“When I see you next, I will be… a new dwarf,” Giblet Copperskald promises with barely restrained excitement, almost a wildness in his eyes. “And,” he continues in a whisper to himself that only Erudisia hears, “the price of beauty I shall handle with the energy of my younger self.”
He passes out of the room with Morganna behind him.
Soon, while Erudisia’s hands and feet are the objects of excellent pampering, the lounge empties out, or begins to empty out if any of you wish to speak longer with any of the other guests…
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DM for Candlekeep Mysteries //Dev Horndin Curious Critters// Chierhy Nbenbe in Culuril's Strixhaven Adventure
Meredith moves over towards Erudisia, noting her nails, " Very nice........but I might forgo that one. I can recommend the massage. Very illuminating....."
" Your friend is not here....unless her presence has been kept from staff as well..."
Erudisia’s face betrays her disquiet, but in such public confines she dare not suggest another interpretation than that put forth by Meredith. Perhaps later, in their rooms.
Erudisia’s manicure proceeds in silence, the stylist seemingly immune to prodding of any kind, responding to any overture with a warm smile or a wry half-shrug. Meredith and Bell perhaps exchange a few pleasantries with the other guests. Soon the halflings say good night, bickering over morning plans.
The older fellow pulls up a crutch from the floor, stands, and is on the point of taking his leave when you note the flaming fist pendant he wears. Little One asks him about it and his injury. With gruff reserve, the man replies that yes, he was until recently a member of the mercenary unit the Flaming Fist. He had been on guard outside of Baldur’s Gate when a huge lion came out of nowhere down the road. He felt it was his duty to dispatch it – a lion loping along the Coast Way, so close to the many farms surrounding the city and travelers on the road was a menace! But its strength was great and its claws tore him open from hip to ankle. He nearly bled out but was saved by a new recruit who bandaged him up as the lion loped away southward. He would surely have lost the leg! But after that encounter, he decided it was time to retire. He had heard the wealthy in Baldur’s Gate for years speaking of this place as a worthy retreat. He called in a favor from a friend, a Griffon Rider from Waterdeep, who gave him a ride north, and here he is. "Sgt. Cullen Wyvernwallace, retired.” He likewise turns in.
You find your rooms and stow your belongings, Meredith collecting hers from the chest she had previously stored them in.
Morganna did not lie: there is a pot of fragrant stew and some hard-crusted bread and small sweet pies upon which you dine in the kitchen.
The music in the lounge continues, but transforms into a sort of soft ambient choral sound…
Do you rest and wait until morning to test the other offerings of the Temple of the Restful Lily?
Or perhaps discuss plans for a midnight exploration of the grounds?
Erudisia first clarifies with Little One if it was a Lion or a Lioness.
She’d then meet the other two in their rooms and ask Meredith and Bell what they’ve learned and explain what she knows in more detail.
Certainly, there was no instruction against night time wandering and it might be useful to take a look around when the staff are few, but it’s certainly risky. She’d ask the others if they want to and what ideas they have.
Erudisia first clarifies with Little One if it was a Lion or a Lioness.
(We'll say this question was asked of Sgt. Wyvernwallace by Little One before the injured man's retreat to his room. His assailant was indeed a lioness, one fitting the description and the encounter fitting the timing of the freeing of just such a beast from the Baldur's Gate area not too long ago by none other than yourselves. And, to restate it with clarity: Sgt. Wyvernwallace attacked the creature first, not the other way around.)
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DM for Candlekeep Mysteries //Dev Horndin Curious Critters// Chierhy Nbenbe in Culuril's Strixhaven Adventure
Bell takes it all in. "I heard nothing during my treatment. Perhaps I should take an 'evening stroll' about the ground for some fresh air and relaxing?"
(To help enable your exploratory plans, here is a map showing what you will have deduced about your surroundings. You haven’t searched any of the rooms in depth. There are doorways out of the lobby to the garden, from the changing room area to the Pool, and from the massage room hallway out of the building to the back lawns. This last door is where Morganna led Mr. Copperskald.)
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DM for Candlekeep Mysteries //Dev Horndin Curious Critters// Chierhy Nbenbe in Culuril's Strixhaven Adventure
((I’m so sorry, I can’t actually see it [presumably it’s on imgur which has withdrawn from the UK]. I’m happy to do whatever Bell and Meredith feels reasonable to explore based on it though))
Meredith holds an arm out for Bell, conscious that only months ago a similar action would have had her semi-catatonic, she smiled as she said, " Shall we promenade, Askim?"
Though she still had to admit Bell was breathtaking in her own way.....she.....
Meredith swallowed hard as all the emotions linked to her devastating loss......and her seeming helplessness to reverse it....came washing back over her.
Bell was practically stumble footed as she tried to tippy toe down the thick carpeted hallway from their room. She practically tripped herself until Meredith made a shushing motion and demonstrated how to carefully plant her feet to be safe and quiet. The long hall was whisper quiet though, if one passed very close to other room doors, some muffled voices could be heard.
Bell thought to herself, 'Trying to be stealthy while also looking casual was harder than she imagined -- or read in some of those adventure stories she read between classes long ago.'
Thoughts of 'those days' brought a smile to her face.
(We'll let the conversation between Erudisia and Bell with Morganna play out for a minute before Meredith and Little One reach the lounge.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Chierhy Nbenbe in Culuril's Strixhaven Adventure
Bell responds to the sending, 'None of the attendants spoke while I was worked on. Is THAT the Morganna you sent about? Should I let the mixup flow?'
“A pleasure to meet you. A pleasure. Your hair is beyond beautiful.”
Erudisia very carefully says nothing to the question of her identity.
She moves her hand slightly as the attendant directs.
“Thank you, that is very kind, I look forward to it. What times does the pool open its doors? I do like a swim after exercise.”
Erudisia and Bell
“Ah, the pool?,” the beautiful elf replies in her sultry tone, as Copperskald eases out of his seat to a standing position, careful not to upset his hair while doing so. “The hot spring is always open for guests. And speaking of meals, while our supper hour has already passed -- it is best for a good night’s sleep or meditation to eat early, and best for one’s relaxation and especially one’s skin, to get a good night’s sleep or meditation -- our chef d'cuisine has left extra meals in the kitchen, if you are hungry. In the morning, I will find you and we can speak more about the Temple’s... special offerings, then.” She turns with a placid expression to the dwarf who has approached. “This way, please,” she says to him, and they turn toward the doors leading to the passage Meredith and Little One exited into a while back. “Ah, your traveling companions,” she says over her shoulder to Erudisia as the door opens and Meredith, followed by Little One, in their robes, enter the Lounge. The halflings gasp once again at Little One, but the man with the wounded leg, this time, just grunts under his breath, eyes following the ogre carefully from his reclined position.
Meredith
When you enter the Lounge, with Little One behind you, you see Bell, drying her nails, and Erudisia at the manicure station, and the assorted guests you passed earlier. The beautiful slender moon elf with smooth black hair and sparkling sapphire eyes who was there earlier speaking to the dwarf is there too. She and the dwarf were, at this moment, waiting for you and Little One to enter, so as to be able to exit into the hallway leading to the massage rooms. At this time, with Little One out of the way, you notice a third door at the rear end of the hallway. You don’t know where it leads, but it seems to be the back wall of the bathhouse building.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Chierhy Nbenbe in Culuril's Strixhaven Adventure
Erudisia waves at Meredith and Little One.
“Until we meet again Master Copperskald,” says Erudisia, “and good fortune.”
“When I see you next, I will be… a new dwarf,” Giblet Copperskald promises with barely restrained excitement, almost a wildness in his eyes. “And,” he continues in a whisper to himself that only Erudisia hears, “the price of beauty I shall handle with the energy of my younger self.”
He passes out of the room with Morganna behind him.
Soon, while Erudisia’s hands and feet are the objects of excellent pampering, the lounge empties out, or begins to empty out if any of you wish to speak longer with any of the other guests…
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Chierhy Nbenbe in Culuril's Strixhaven Adventure
Meredith moves over towards Erudisia, noting her nails, " Very nice........but I might forgo that one. I can recommend the massage. Very illuminating....."
" Your friend is not here....unless her presence has been kept from staff as well..."
Erudisia’s face betrays her disquiet, but in such public confines she dare not suggest another interpretation than that put forth by Meredith. Perhaps later, in their rooms.
Erudisia’s manicure proceeds in silence, the stylist seemingly immune to prodding of any kind, responding to any overture with a warm smile or a wry half-shrug. Meredith and Bell perhaps exchange a few pleasantries with the other guests. Soon the halflings say good night, bickering over morning plans.
The older fellow pulls up a crutch from the floor, stands, and is on the point of taking his leave when you note the flaming fist pendant he wears. Little One asks him about it and his injury. With gruff reserve, the man replies that yes, he was until recently a member of the mercenary unit the Flaming Fist. He had been on guard outside of Baldur’s Gate when a huge lion came out of nowhere down the road. He felt it was his duty to dispatch it – a lion loping along the Coast Way, so close to the many farms surrounding the city and travelers on the road was a menace! But its strength was great and its claws tore him open from hip to ankle. He nearly bled out but was saved by a new recruit who bandaged him up as the lion loped away southward. He would surely have lost the leg! But after that encounter, he decided it was time to retire. He had heard the wealthy in Baldur’s Gate for years speaking of this place as a worthy retreat. He called in a favor from a friend, a Griffon Rider from Waterdeep, who gave him a ride north, and here he is. "Sgt. Cullen Wyvernwallace, retired.” He likewise turns in.
You find your rooms and stow your belongings, Meredith collecting hers from the chest she had previously stored them in.
Morganna did not lie: there is a pot of fragrant stew and some hard-crusted bread and small sweet pies upon which you dine in the kitchen.
The music in the lounge continues, but transforms into a sort of soft ambient choral sound…
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Chierhy Nbenbe in Culuril's Strixhaven Adventure
Erudisia first clarifies with Little One if it was a Lion or a Lioness.
She’d then meet the other two in their rooms and ask Meredith and Bell what they’ve learned and explain what she knows in more detail.
Certainly, there was no instruction against night time wandering and it might be useful to take a look around when the staff are few, but it’s certainly risky. She’d ask the others if they want to and what ideas they have.
(We'll say this question was asked of Sgt. Wyvernwallace by Little One before the injured man's retreat to his room. His assailant was indeed a lioness, one fitting the description and the encounter fitting the timing of the freeing of just such a beast from the Baldur's Gate area not too long ago by none other than yourselves. And, to restate it with clarity: Sgt. Wyvernwallace attacked the creature first, not the other way around.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Chierhy Nbenbe in Culuril's Strixhaven Adventure
Erudisia gulps.
Meredith smirks a little at the Queens reprimand of a knight taking liberties.
She quickly fills the others in about the Harper activities and her own reservations.
She has a hunch that they may find more answers in parts of the place considered 'abandoned' or derelict.
Bell takes it all in. "I heard nothing during my treatment. Perhaps I should take an 'evening stroll' about the ground for some fresh air and relaxing?"
(To help enable your exploratory plans, here is a map showing what you will have deduced about your surroundings. You haven’t searched any of the rooms in depth. There are doorways out of the lobby to the garden, from the changing room area to the Pool, and from the massage room hallway out of the building to the back lawns. This last door is where Morganna led Mr. Copperskald.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Chierhy Nbenbe in Culuril's Strixhaven Adventure
((I’m so sorry, I can’t actually see it [presumably it’s on imgur which has withdrawn from the UK]. I’m happy to do whatever Bell and Meredith feels reasonable to explore based on it though))
Meredith holds an arm out for Bell, conscious that only months ago a similar action would have had her semi-catatonic, she smiled as she said, " Shall we promenade, Askim?"
Though she still had to admit Bell was breathtaking in her own way.....she.....
Meredith swallowed hard as all the emotions linked to her devastating loss......and her seeming helplessness to reverse it....came washing back over her.
" To the Garden?"
“Perhaps I’ll explore the pool, Little One, maybe you should stay here? We have to be quick though.”
Erudisia stealth: 18
Bell Stealth... sadly... 6
Bell was practically stumble footed as she tried to tippy toe down the thick carpeted hallway from their room. She practically tripped herself until Meredith made a shushing motion and demonstrated how to carefully plant her feet to be safe and quiet. The long hall was whisper quiet though, if one passed very close to other room doors, some muffled voices could be heard.
Thoughts of 'those days' brought a smile to her face.
Passive Perception: 11
Passive Investigation: 13