It takes only a few moments to reach the Emerald Gate. Valna Oxalonthrinn is not there however, but another one of the Keepers of the Emerald Gate is, a man you have not yet met. He has been briefed, however, you quickly ascertain. “Wait here for Lady Oxalonthrinn’s return,” he tells Yalerion Highscroll, who, apparently now questioning the decisions that brought him here to Candlekeep, takes a deep breath, puts his hands in his pockets, and waits. As Meredith goes to find Bell, she hears Yalerion try to start a conversation with the Keeper, to little effect, for the Keeper, with straight-arrow posture, holding the Candlkeep gonfalon in a strong hand, answers only with dismissive grunts.
BELL
Matreus, while he still sleeps, moves his hand from his lap to his chin, apparently nibbling on a cookie in his dreams, before, with a single honking snore, he bolts upright in answer to Bell’s arm poke. “Yes, ze new one… zhey are in erm… Wait a moment,” he says, in his Yartari accent, which you now realize the violet lady also demonstrates when she speaks. Perhaps they came together from Yartar? At any rate, the white-haired man rises, brushing imaginary crumbs from his lap absentmindedly, and checks a crumpled list in his pocket. “Yes, she is waiting in the Pillars of Pedagogy, first floor study room.” The avowed guide blanches slightly as his eyes remain on the crumpled list. “Ahh ahem… yes, she asked for these books from the collection. I must go to find these texts. Good day.” Apparently, he was struck by a need to nap and the tiefling has been awaiting her books for well over an hour.
Meredith now joins Bell in the House of Rest, entering just as Matreus rushes past her to the Court of Air and then into the Keep's libraries.
ERUDISIA
The woman re-enters, ignoring Erudisia’s baggy eyes as best she can and now adopting an only slightly subdued tone.
“Lady Erudisia, I will be only a moment. It is not so much that I… we… seek knowledge exactly…” she trails off a bit, but then starts afresh. “I am called Tona. My area of research is… it is dance and culture on the Sword Coast.”
“You see, I was, perhaps you remember, one of the adjudicators present when you arrived at Candlekeep. I… witnessed your performance. It was shameful that Finos – the Elder Priest of Oghma – handled things the way he did. Please do not repeat my words, but it was shameful. To ask an artist to perform in such surroundings, and then to…” she stops herself once again, takes a breath, then continues more evenly when she notes Erudisia’s attention flagging.
“Lady Erudisia, I – several of us – would be so very delighted if you would consider sharing your talents once again. But in more appropriate circumstances. Now that you have the run of the castle, so to speak. We have a parlor, you see, for music and poetry, and with room for dance.”
Now she stops and awaits a reply.
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DM for Candlekeep Mysteries //Dev Horndin Curious Critters
Bell waves to Meredith as she watches Matreus rush out the door. She will quickly update Meredith on Matreus and how he is now the tiefling's advisor -- said tiefling who has been waiting for Matreus for over an hour now.
"We need to get over to the Pillars of Pedagogy and the first floor study room so we can talk to her before Matreus wisks her off to some hidden corner of Candlekeep."
Bell waves to Meredith as she watches Matreus rush out the door. She will quickly update Meredith on Matreus and how he is now the tiefling's advisor -- said tiefling who has been waiting for Matreus for over an hour now.
"We need to get over to the Pillars of Pedagogy and the first floor study room so we can talk to her before Matreus wisks her off to some hidden corner of Candlekeep."
Bell stops walking halfway to the Pillars of Pedagogy; turns and plants her hands on her hips. "Meredith, what is going on with you?"
"First you barked at that acolyte before we even introduced ourselves and just now you barely grunt. How can we work well together if you can not share what is on your mind?"
Meredith span about to face Bell and her entire frontal lobe seized up, leaving her gaping like a landed fish for a full thirty seconds, " Uh, sorry....sorry....I'm just....",stupid brain find something....anything......yes!..., " Um, I'm just really worried about Erudisia."
Bell's shoulders slump and she grabs Meredith into a big bear hug -- as 'big' as one might get from such a little person. "I worry too. Erudisia AND Little One. I do hope good rest helps bring them back to normalcy."
Realizing she is holding the hug too long, Bell springs backwards and blushes. "Until she is better, we can keep going and finding out what we can so this doesn't happen to anyone else."
Merediths entire brain completely shuts down as she is pulled into the hug and she barely recovers in time to go tearing after Bell......she is somewhat glad her somewhat darker complexion doesn't show redness quite so easily.......and that her gasping for air and teary eyes can hopefully be explained away by the sudden sprinting.....now she had a whole other memory to fixate on......
Even exhausted as she is, after the attack of the necrotic werebook, and the ... tutorial of her Patron, this is enough to bring a genuine smile to Erudisia'sface.
"A parlor? How often do you meet? Much was against me at our introduction, and although I seek to become a more scholarly creator and constructor of drama, much of my life was given to its performance before Candlekeep. Under the tutelage of the professors at the Academy of Arts, Moonshae, I was led to believe that I might even show some small worth. I would greatly and gratefully attend a dramatic society, if you can offer me the invitation," says the half-elf Lady.
The two rush to the first floor study room in the Pillars of Pedagogy. The door is open, and the single occupant glares at the pair as they burst in. Broad-shouldered, strong jaw scowling, the 20-something tiefling sits at a wide study table, hands upon the table-top, forefingers tapping. Her corn-rowed raven-black hair is bound in one thick braid hanging straight behind her. She is wearing the arms of a Purple Dragon Knight of Cormyr.
“If you are waiting for study materials from the Avowed, be prepared to wait a long time,” she growls. A challenge more than a welcome.
ERUDISIA
The priestess’ face lights up, plainly delighted. “That… that is splendid,” she replies, her words muted by decorum, though she continues to smile genuinely. “We meet twice a month, in the afternoon. Tea, chatting, and then sharing, whoever has something new. Our next meeting is in two afternoons, in the Parlor of Observance. It is a lovely space, plenty of room, and…,” she pulls up short. “I truly do not wish to tax you." She stands, ready to leave. "Will you come in two afternoons? And share your Perspicacity and Passion, in the Aulë, as I believe was your intention, if my Elvish is correct, poetry together with dance?”
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DM for Candlekeep Mysteries //Dev Horndin Curious Critters
Erudisia shares her delight and accord, and promises to be there in two afternoons time. Of course, this shape-changing book misadventure will be concluded by then, won’t it be? Better not to fret, and she chooses not to mention the ongoing trouble of the Scholar’s Shield.
Certainly, she vows, she would be ready to share an excerpt from an only minimally reworked draft of Perspicacity and Passion. This exhaustion can linger only so long, and this invitation has done much to restore her spirit.
Bell smiles as she takes in the tiefling. Persuasion: 7 She already feels like diplomacy is not her prime skill as she introduces herself and Meredith and gives the whole 'Book that is not a book' story.
"If you can accompany us over to the Emerald Door... the Keeper would like a first hand accounting on how such a book came into your possession." Bell hurriedly adds, "You are NOT in trouble and this no way jeopardizes your stay here. We just want to see if we can narrow down where these magicked beasts might be coming from."
"Oh. And, aboutMatreus. He was over at the House of Rest but we woke him up. He was running... yes RUNNING up the steps to go gather your books. You will probably see him as you talk to the Keeper. Matreus can be a handful but, he is really a good person."
Bell turns to Meredith, "Did I leave anything out?"
Meredith realizes that the Purple Dragon Knight has not uttered a single word throughout Bell’s description of the transforming book episode, and is completely unmoved by the thought that she may or may not be “in trouble” following the episode. Meredith also realizes that Bell, while honest and detailed in her manner, did not, at any point, connect with the tiefling.
When Bell turns to Meredith, asking if she’d left anything out, Meredith knows that it is up to her, the bard, to persuade the tiefling to divulge even a single word.
When Bell finishes speaking, Valor simply yawns, without otherwise shifting a muscle. The tiefling stares flatly at the young wizard.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries //Dev Horndin Curious Critters
Dimples form when Tona, avowed priestess of Oghma, smiles. In her rich contralto, she tells the Moonshae lady that she’ll have tea brought up by one of the acolytes. She takes her leave.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries //Dev Horndin Curious Critters
Meredith realizes that the Purple Dragon Knight has not uttered a single word throughout Bell’s description of the transforming book episode, and is completely unmoved by the thought that she may or may not be “in trouble” following the episode. Meredith also realizes that Bell, while honest and detailed in her manner, did not, at any point, connect with the tiefling.
When Bell turns to Meredith, asking if she’d left anything out, Meredith knows that it is up to her, the bard, to persuade the tiefling to divulge even a single word.
When Bell finishes speaking, Valor simply yawns, without otherwise shifting a muscle. The tiefling stares flatly at the young wizard.
Meredith shifts uncomfortably for a few seconds then clears her throat, she doesn't know much about the Tieflings Order but if they are anything like the cataphracts that hung around the miitary history section of the shop they were big on honour and doing the right thing.....
" As my esteemed colleague explained there have been injuries caused by the creature that was posing as the volume that you transported to Candlekeep.....albiet unknowingly."
" In order to prevent any further injuries or possible deaths, we are appealing to you to venture information regarding your purchase or aquisition of said volume so that we can determine the source of the infestation and whether or not this is an attack on the innocent workers and occupants of this great repository."
" I'm sure that you would want to do the honourable thing and assist us in preventing further harm.", Merediths voice remained soft and pleasant but her last sentence ended a little brittle as she was annoyed that Bell was not being properly heeded.
The word “honourable” makes the desired impression. Though the tiefling bares her teeth, she speaks. “How am I, a knight of Cormyr, to know it is a creature in disguise if the greatest scholars of the land, whose job it is to discern the authenticity of books, cannot? The problem is the Avowed’s to deal with not mine. I paid good money for my time in Candlekeep, the Avowed accepted my so-called donation. I will remain for the tenday which is my due. If anyone’s presence here should be questioned, perhaps the head adjudicator should be reevaluated for fitness.”
Yet she also reveals the facts. She purchased her book from a market stall in the Wide, a bustling marketplace in the Upper City of Baldur’s Gate. She doesn’t remember much about the stall because she didn’t want to stay in the Wide for too long. “It reeks of greed,” she says. Moreover, the store was “not in the most reputable” corner of the marketplace.
Just as the Purple Dragon knight finishes recounting this tale, Matreus stumbles in, carrying a stack of books strapped and hung over his shoulder with leather belts. His glance bounces wordlessly from Valor to Bell to Meredith several times before he surrenders the books to the study table and excuses himself.
Before Bell could raise her finger and speak, Matreus was out the door. She softly mutters, "... that man..."
Turning to Valor, Bell gives a formal bow. "Apologies for interrupting your study time. And, we thank you for the information regarding the origins of the errant book creature. We hope your stay in Candlekeep is a more pleasant time for you."
Turning on her heels, Bell goes out the door and heads to the Emerald Gate to recount Valor's clipped tale of events on how the book came to Candlekeep.
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MEREDITH
It takes only a few moments to reach the Emerald Gate. Valna Oxalonthrinn is not there however, but another one of the Keepers of the Emerald Gate is, a man you have not yet met. He has been briefed, however, you quickly ascertain. “Wait here for Lady Oxalonthrinn’s return,” he tells Yalerion Highscroll, who, apparently now questioning the decisions that brought him here to Candlekeep, takes a deep breath, puts his hands in his pockets, and waits. As Meredith goes to find Bell, she hears Yalerion try to start a conversation with the Keeper, to little effect, for the Keeper, with straight-arrow posture, holding the Candlkeep gonfalon in a strong hand, answers only with dismissive grunts.
BELL
Matreus, while he still sleeps, moves his hand from his lap to his chin, apparently nibbling on a cookie in his dreams, before, with a single honking snore, he bolts upright in answer to Bell’s arm poke. “Yes, ze new one… zhey are in erm… Wait a moment,” he says, in his Yartari accent, which you now realize the violet lady also demonstrates when she speaks. Perhaps they came together from Yartar? At any rate, the white-haired man rises, brushing imaginary crumbs from his lap absentmindedly, and checks a crumpled list in his pocket. “Yes, she is waiting in the Pillars of Pedagogy, first floor study room.” The avowed guide blanches slightly as his eyes remain on the crumpled list. “Ahh ahem… yes, she asked for these books from the collection. I must go to find these texts. Good day.” Apparently, he was struck by a need to nap and the tiefling has been awaiting her books for well over an hour.
Meredith now joins Bell in the House of Rest, entering just as Matreus rushes past her to the Court of Air and then into the Keep's libraries.
ERUDISIA
The woman re-enters, ignoring Erudisia’s baggy eyes as best she can and now adopting an only slightly subdued tone.
“Lady Erudisia, I will be only a moment. It is not so much that I… we… seek knowledge exactly…” she trails off a bit, but then starts afresh. “I am called Tona. My area of research is… it is dance and culture on the Sword Coast.”
“You see, I was, perhaps you remember, one of the adjudicators present when you arrived at Candlekeep. I… witnessed your performance. It was shameful that Finos – the Elder Priest of Oghma – handled things the way he did. Please do not repeat my words, but it was shameful. To ask an artist to perform in such surroundings, and then to…” she stops herself once again, takes a breath, then continues more evenly when she notes Erudisia’s attention flagging.
“Lady Erudisia, I – several of us – would be so very delighted if you would consider sharing your talents once again. But in more appropriate circumstances. Now that you have the run of the castle, so to speak. We have a parlor, you see, for music and poetry, and with room for dance.”
Now she stops and awaits a reply.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters
Bell waves to Meredith as she watches Matreus rush out the door. She will quickly update Meredith on Matreus and how he is now the tiefling's advisor -- said tiefling who has been waiting for Matreus for over an hour now.
"We need to get over to the Pillars of Pedagogy and the first floor study room so we can talk to her before Matreus wisks her off to some hidden corner of Candlekeep."
Meredith nods and follows along...
Bell stops walking halfway to the Pillars of Pedagogy; turns and plants her hands on her hips. "Meredith, what is going on with you?"
"First you barked at that acolyte before we even introduced ourselves and just now you barely grunt. How can we work well together if you can not share what is on your mind?"
Meredith span about to face Bell and her entire frontal lobe seized up, leaving her gaping like a landed fish for a full thirty seconds, " Uh, sorry....sorry....I'm just....", stupid brain find something....anything......yes!..., " Um, I'm just really worried about Erudisia."
Bell's shoulders slump and she grabs Meredith into a big bear hug -- as 'big' as one might get from such a little person. "I worry too. Erudisia AND Little One. I do hope good rest helps bring them back to normalcy."
Realizing she is holding the hug too long, Bell springs backwards and blushes. "Until she is better, we can keep going and finding out what we can so this doesn't happen to anyone else."
She burst forward toward the Pillars.
Merediths entire brain completely shuts down as she is pulled into the hug and she barely recovers in time to go tearing after Bell......she is somewhat glad her somewhat darker complexion doesn't show redness quite so easily.......and that her gasping for air and teary eyes can hopefully be explained away by the sudden sprinting.....now she had a whole other memory to fixate on......
Even exhausted as she is, after the attack of the necrotic werebook, and the ... tutorial of her Patron, this is enough to bring a genuine smile to Erudisia's face.
"A parlor? How often do you meet? Much was against me at our introduction, and although I seek to become a more scholarly creator and constructor of drama, much of my life was given to its performance before Candlekeep. Under the tutelage of the professors at the Academy of Arts, Moonshae, I was led to believe that I might even show some small worth. I would greatly and gratefully attend a dramatic society, if you can offer me the invitation," says the half-elf Lady.
BELL & MEREDITH
The two rush to the first floor study room in the Pillars of Pedagogy. The door is open, and the single occupant glares at the pair as they burst in. Broad-shouldered, strong jaw scowling, the 20-something tiefling sits at a wide study table, hands upon the table-top, forefingers tapping. Her corn-rowed raven-black hair is bound in one thick braid hanging straight behind her. She is wearing the arms of a Purple Dragon Knight of Cormyr.
“If you are waiting for study materials from the Avowed, be prepared to wait a long time,” she growls. A challenge more than a welcome.
ERUDISIA
The priestess’ face lights up, plainly delighted. “That… that is splendid,” she replies, her words muted by decorum, though she continues to smile genuinely. “We meet twice a month, in the afternoon. Tea, chatting, and then sharing, whoever has something new. Our next meeting is in two afternoons, in the Parlor of Observance. It is a lovely space, plenty of room, and…,” she pulls up short. “I truly do not wish to tax you." She stands, ready to leave. "Will you come in two afternoons? And share your Perspicacity and Passion, in the Aulë, as I believe was your intention, if my Elvish is correct, poetry together with dance?”
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters
Erudisia shares her delight and accord, and promises to be there in two afternoons time. Of course, this shape-changing book misadventure will be concluded by then, won’t it be? Better not to fret, and she chooses not to mention the ongoing trouble of the Scholar’s Shield.
Certainly, she vows, she would be ready to share an excerpt from an only minimally reworked draft of Perspicacity and Passion. This exhaustion can linger only so long, and this invitation has done much to restore her spirit.
Bell smiles as she takes in the tiefling. Persuasion: 7 She already feels like diplomacy is not her prime skill as she introduces herself and Meredith and gives the whole 'Book that is not a book' story.
"If you can accompany us over to the Emerald Door... the Keeper would like a first hand accounting on how such a book came into your possession." Bell hurriedly adds, "You are NOT in trouble and this no way jeopardizes your stay here. We just want to see if we can narrow down where these magicked beasts might be coming from."
"Oh. And, about Matreus. He was over at the House of Rest but we woke him up. He was running... yes RUNNING up the steps to go gather your books. You will probably see him as you talk to the Keeper. Matreus can be a handful but, he is really a good person."
Bell turns to Meredith, "Did I leave anything out?"
Concious of the admonition so recently received from Bell, Meredith remained calm and composed beside her as they fronted the tiefling.
" No....no, that about covers it."
BELL & MEREDITH
Meredith realizes that the Purple Dragon Knight has not uttered a single word throughout Bell’s description of the transforming book episode, and is completely unmoved by the thought that she may or may not be “in trouble” following the episode. Meredith also realizes that Bell, while honest and detailed in her manner, did not, at any point, connect with the tiefling.
When Bell turns to Meredith, asking if she’d left anything out, Meredith knows that it is up to her, the bard, to persuade the tiefling to divulge even a single word.
When Bell finishes speaking, Valor simply yawns, without otherwise shifting a muscle. The tiefling stares flatly at the young wizard.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters
ERUDISIA
Dimples form when Tona, avowed priestess of Oghma, smiles. In her rich contralto, she tells the Moonshae lady that she’ll have tea brought up by one of the acolytes. She takes her leave.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters
(Should Erudisia mark off a short rest and return to the group if that was interrupted long rest, or can she resume her long rest?)
(OOC: Still a long rest if you want it to be. Quiet speaking doesn't interrupt Erudisia's recuperation.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters
Erudisia gratefully returns to bed after the Sage-priestess leaves.
Meredith shifts uncomfortably for a few seconds then clears her throat, she doesn't know much about the Tieflings Order but if they are anything like the cataphracts that hung around the miitary history section of the shop they were big on honour and doing the right thing.....
" As my esteemed colleague explained there have been injuries caused by the creature that was posing as the volume that you transported to Candlekeep.....albiet unknowingly."
" In order to prevent any further injuries or possible deaths, we are appealing to you to venture information regarding your purchase or aquisition of said volume so that we can determine the source of the infestation and whether or not this is an attack on the innocent workers and occupants of this great repository."
" I'm sure that you would want to do the honourable thing and assist us in preventing further harm.", Merediths voice remained soft and pleasant but her last sentence ended a little brittle as she was annoyed that Bell was not being properly heeded.
Persuasion- 13
BELL & MEREDITH
The word “honourable” makes the desired impression. Though the tiefling bares her teeth, she speaks. “How am I, a knight of Cormyr, to know it is a creature in disguise if the greatest scholars of the land, whose job it is to discern the authenticity of books, cannot? The problem is the Avowed’s to deal with not mine. I paid good money for my time in Candlekeep, the Avowed accepted my so-called donation. I will remain for the tenday which is my due. If anyone’s presence here should be questioned, perhaps the head adjudicator should be reevaluated for fitness.”
Yet she also reveals the facts. She purchased her book from a market stall in the Wide, a bustling marketplace in the Upper City of Baldur’s Gate. She doesn’t remember much about the stall because she didn’t want to stay in the Wide for too long. “It reeks of greed,” she says. Moreover, the store was “not in the most reputable” corner of the marketplace.
Just as the Purple Dragon knight finishes recounting this tale, Matreus stumbles in, carrying a stack of books strapped and hung over his shoulder with leather belts. His glance bounces wordlessly from Valor to Bell to Meredith several times before he surrenders the books to the study table and excuses himself.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters
Before Bell could raise her finger and speak, Matreus was out the door. She softly mutters, "... that man..."
Turning to Valor, Bell gives a formal bow. "Apologies for interrupting your study time. And, we thank you for the information regarding the origins of the errant book creature. We hope your stay in Candlekeep is a more pleasant time for you."
Turning on her heels, Bell goes out the door and heads to the Emerald Gate to recount Valor's clipped tale of events on how the book came to Candlekeep.