The party spends the next hour resting in the throne room of Axeholm. Zephyros sits upon the throne puffing on his pipe while the rest of the group gathers around and gives the battle-hardened veteran some good-natured grief for it. Even Lyra joins in on the fun. She runs up to the throne before offering a formal curtsy, saying, "Milord Ironheart, your majesty is honorable and noble... and and... oh, I can't help it!" She runs and jumps on Zephyros' lap and continues, "I would like a pony, and some more of those delicious potions Adabra makes... and hmm, oh I know, a..." She whispers into Zephyros' ear. She glances at Meira before turning back to the warrior, and ends with a laugh and jumps down off the warrior's lap.
Zephyros,
"...a really nice handheld mirror for Meira. She's super awesome and always has nice hair, but after battle, well..." She stops to glance at Meira before turning back to you. "...It can get a little messy."
Everyone,
You have benefited from a short rest. While resting, please give me a perception check.
"You did well. I was impressed." Alisande nods courteously as Meira lowers her voice, her lips quirking into a small smile. "If mountain-shaking dragons are as amenable to your gifts of oratory as doleful undead knights, we may not require Axeholm at all."
During the respite in the party's campaign to secure the fortress, the mage sits down and pores over her spellbook, a hefty white tome bound by some peculiar shell-like material whose conch-like spiral patterns are interrupted by several golden stars.
Zephyros smiles as the others joke about him being a lord. "Heh... no way. I'm a grunt. Always was... always will be."He says in response. Though the last word is muffled by the "Oof." he lets out as Lyra jumps into his lap. He laughs with her as she whispers in her ear, giving a smile to Meira as well. 'It's nice laughing again.' the warrior thinks after the recent events had been so sad.
As Zephyros begins to feel better, he looks around the throne and the rest of the room for anything of value. Once the search is complete. The bearded warrior wearing a red cloak begins opening the doors around the throne room to get his bearings in the fortress and help determine their next direction.
Meirasmiles at Alisande'spraise. "Thank you. I only wish that were the case. I'm afraid that the times we've had a chance for face-to-face discussion with the dragons we were not afforded much opportunity for oration."She does catch sight of Lyrajoining Zephyrosat the throne then jumping on his lap. She laughs softly at the antics. Although. when the halfling starts to whisper and looks in her direction, Meira does look a bit disconcerted as she wonders what it was about.
As everyone takes time to rest, she pulls her dulcimer from her back and finds a place to sit, back up against a wall. Quietly she plucks the strings of her instrument, humming to herself now and then. Other times singing a few lines softly to herself. It's unclear what she is doing, more starting and stopping than actually singing. Anyone coming close to her might catch a hint of the song Vyldara had sung. Though it's not the same. Finally, she starts to strum her dulcimer more firmly, the music now quite clear. And then she begins to sing in a clear voice. The song seems to borrow from the sad melody from before, but the tone is changed to a bit more upbeat. And those listen carefully might catch how the words are borrowed from that but cast anew:
'Remember old Lord Kithrin, And Vyldara, elf maiden fair. In Axeholm their love did begin, Though sorrow enveloped the pair.
Wakened now the dwarven dead, Their grief unchained, they now will fade. We who now enter where they bled, Find safe harbor in halls they made.
Stone and star, the lovers' hearts, Chains now unbound and each departs. Ash and ember, heart and flame, They now move past what they became.
O silver moon, remember her, In mountain's heart, beneath the sea. Let no soul lost to sorrow's keep Lie alone in endless sleep.
And though he broke his honored vow, May his redemption be earned now. And fires blaze as stone halls fill, For life endures - it always will.'
Rasziel finds a seat by himself in the large throne room, seeming content with the team's progress so far, even allowing himself a small chuckle as the mirthful halfling hops into the bearded lord's lap. He then finds Meira's song quite soothing with it's rewritten message of hope. It remained to be seen if the fallen paladin would indeed earn his redemption though, or if he would once more be led astray. He occasionally finds himself casting curious glances over at the red-haired lady and her hefty white tome .
((I had forgotten who had actually tied the rope LOL))
Gareth is amazed that the encounter with Lord Kithran hadn't turned into a fight. "You could charm a miser out of his last coin. Should we start calling you Meira Silvertongue now?" says the ranger with a grin. "Well done. And you as well, Lady Alisande."
Although the healing potion from earlier had done much to restore him, Gareth doesn't say no to a quick rest and he finds a spot to sit cross-legged with his back to one of the pillars. As Meira begins to sing, the ranger smiles. It was a lovely song with a hopeful tone. Perhaps Lord Kithran could indeed earn redemption for what he had done. "Meira, what are you doing running around with us? You should be a star in Neverwinter by now," Gareth says, only slightly teasing.
Even as he rests, Gareth keeps glancing around the throne room. He's not entirely convinced Kithran's skeletal warriors won't make another appearance and with much less friendliness than before.
Lady Alisande pauses in the revision of her spells, watching Meira's performance along with the rest of the company. Ozymandias glides around, orbiting the dulcimer player, rapt by the moving ballad.
When eventually the song reaches its conclusion, Alisande claps delicately and nods in firm agreement with Gareth. "I quite concur. I daresay when your adventuring days are behind you, the noble houses of Neverwinter will be tripping over one another to offer you patronage."
Finishing her song, Meira slowly stands as others come over to speak with her. She shares Gareth's grin as he praises her persuasive ability with Lord Kithrin. When he mentions she should be a star in Neverwinter, she stands a bit taller. "Oh? Really?" she starts to say. She seems quite pleased.
Then, after Alisande offers her comment, she is positively beaming. "Nobles offering patronage? Do you really think?" It's hard for Meira to hide how impressed she is with all this. "I mean, I just threw that together. And it wasn't my best performance."
While taking a break from studying your book, you can't help but notice a signet ring near your foot covered in dust and grime.
Zephyros,
As you stand from the throne, you notice a golden bangle in the seat of the throne that appears to be worth a bit of gold. While exploring the various doors attached to the throne room, you see a dinning room to the west with a large stone-carved table in the center flanked by two wooden benches on either side. Above the table hangs two iron chandeliers. Heading further in, you see an additional door leading to an attached kitchen. The kitchen has all the trappings one expects to find in a dwarven kitchen, including metal dishware, utensils, and drinking mugs. A stone sink is equipped with a faucet that seems to still be in working order. Back in the throne room, you see two doors in the northern wall that flank the double doors used by the undead as they left. They lead to defensive rooms on both sides of the hallway. Each room has two ballista aimed at arrow slits that overlook the central hallway to the throne room.
While resting with the amulet around your neck, you automatically attune to the Moon-Touched Amulet of Evereska. I have added it to your inventory. Once per day, you can cause the amulet to flare with moonlight, shedding dim light for 30 feet. Undead within that light have disadvantage on attack rolls.
Meira,
Lyra walks over to join you as you begin to pluck the strings of your instrument. She sits next to you and rests her head against your side as you sing. As you finish, Lyra says, "How wonderful! I really like your version of the song. Maybe it can be the second verse to Vyldara's song and I agree with the others. You are going to be famous someday. Just don't forget about us little people when you do."
When the song is over, you glance around the room and spot a small leather pouch nestled under a discarded shield.
Rasziel,
While the group rests, you can't help but see a curiously out of place stick of wood resting on the mantle of the fireplace. Upon closer inspection, you believe it to be some kind of wand.
Gareth,
You don't see any undead warriors returning, but among the discarded weapons that litter the floor of the throne room, you see a longsword still in its scabbard leaded against the corner of the room. It appears to still be in great condition compared to the other rust covered weapons that lie ruined around the room.
Everyone,
You all feel rested and are ready to continue your exploration of Axeholm. Where would you like to go next?
Everyone,
The party spends the next hour resting in the throne room of Axeholm. Zephyros sits upon the throne puffing on his pipe while the rest of the group gathers around and gives the battle-hardened veteran some good-natured grief for it. Even Lyra joins in on the fun. She runs up to the throne before offering a formal curtsy, saying, "Milord Ironheart, your majesty is honorable and noble... and and... oh, I can't help it!" She runs and jumps on Zephyros' lap and continues, "I would like a pony, and some more of those delicious potions Adabra makes... and hmm, oh I know, a..." She whispers into Zephyros' ear. She glances at Meira before turning back to the warrior, and ends with a laugh and jumps down off the warrior's lap.
Zephyros,
"...a really nice handheld mirror for Meira. She's super awesome and always has nice hair, but after battle, well..." She stops to glance at Meira before turning back to you. "...It can get a little messy."
Everyone,
You have benefited from a short rest. While resting, please give me a perception check.
What would you like to do now?
DM for Tyranny of Dragons and Phandelver and Below, two in-person campaigns that meet weekly on Friday and Saturday nights. DM for Dragons of Icespire Peak Pbp
"You did well. I was impressed." Alisande nods courteously as Meira lowers her voice, her lips quirking into a small smile. "If mountain-shaking dragons are as amenable to your gifts of oratory as doleful undead knights, we may not require Axeholm at all."
During the respite in the party's campaign to secure the fortress, the mage sits down and pores over her spellbook, a hefty white tome bound by some peculiar shell-like material whose conch-like spiral patterns are interrupted by several golden stars.
Perception: 20
ACTION: Arcane Recovery. Restoring one level 2 spell slot.
ACTION: Ritual cast Detect Magic.
Zephyros smiles as the others joke about him being a lord. "Heh... no way. I'm a grunt. Always was... always will be." He says in response. Though the last word is muffled by the "Oof." he lets out as Lyra jumps into his lap. He laughs with her as she whispers in her ear, giving a smile to Meira as well. 'It's nice laughing again.' the warrior thinks after the recent events had been so sad.
As Zephyros begins to feel better, he looks around the throne and the rest of the room for anything of value. Once the search is complete. The bearded warrior wearing a red cloak begins opening the doors around the throne room to get his bearings in the fortress and help determine their next direction.
Perception from earlier: 19 or new roll 7 =(
Meira smiles at Alisande's praise. "Thank you. I only wish that were the case. I'm afraid that the times we've had a chance for face-to-face discussion with the dragons we were not afforded much opportunity for oration." She does catch sight of Lyra joining Zephyros at the throne then jumping on his lap. She laughs softly at the antics. Although. when the halfling starts to whisper and looks in her direction, Meira does look a bit disconcerted as she wonders what it was about.
As everyone takes time to rest, she pulls her dulcimer from her back and finds a place to sit, back up against a wall. Quietly she plucks the strings of her instrument, humming to herself now and then. Other times singing a few lines softly to herself. It's unclear what she is doing, more starting and stopping than actually singing. Anyone coming close to her might catch a hint of the song Vyldara had sung. Though it's not the same. Finally, she starts to strum her dulcimer more firmly, the music now quite clear. And then she begins to sing in a clear voice. The song seems to borrow from the sad melody from before, but the tone is changed to a bit more upbeat. And those listen carefully might catch how the words are borrowed from that but cast anew:
'Remember old Lord Kithrin,
And Vyldara, elf maiden fair.
In Axeholm their love did begin,
Though sorrow enveloped the pair.
Wakened now the dwarven dead,
Their grief unchained, they now will fade.
We who now enter where they bled,
Find safe harbor in halls they made.
Stone and star, the lovers' hearts,
Chains now unbound and each departs.
Ash and ember, heart and flame,
They now move past what they became.
O silver moon, remember her,
In mountain's heart, beneath the sea.
Let no soul lost to sorrow's keep
Lie alone in endless sleep.
And though he broke his honored vow,
May his redemption be earned now.
And fires blaze as stone halls fill,
For life endures - it always will.'
Performance for song: 16
Perception: 6
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric
Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
Rasziel finds a seat by himself in the large throne room, seeming content with the team's progress so far, even allowing himself a small chuckle as the mirthful halfling hops into the bearded lord's lap. He then finds Meira's song quite soothing with it's rewritten message of hope. It remained to be seen if the fallen paladin would indeed earn his redemption though, or if he would once more be led astray. He occasionally finds himself casting curious glances over at the red-haired lady and her hefty white tome .
Perception with help from Azazel: 18
((I had forgotten who had actually tied the rope LOL))
Gareth is amazed that the encounter with Lord Kithran hadn't turned into a fight. "You could charm a miser out of his last coin. Should we start calling you Meira Silvertongue now?" says the ranger with a grin. "Well done. And you as well, Lady Alisande."
Although the healing potion from earlier had done much to restore him, Gareth doesn't say no to a quick rest and he finds a spot to sit cross-legged with his back to one of the pillars. As Meira begins to sing, the ranger smiles. It was a lovely song with a hopeful tone. Perhaps Lord Kithran could indeed earn redemption for what he had done. "Meira, what are you doing running around with us? You should be a star in Neverwinter by now," Gareth says, only slightly teasing.
Even as he rests, Gareth keeps glancing around the throne room. He's not entirely convinced Kithran's skeletal warriors won't make another appearance and with much less friendliness than before.
Perception - 21
"Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere." ~ Albert Einstein
Pronouns: She / Her
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf (Phandelver and Below) ♦ Gareth Blackwood (Dragon of Icespire Peak)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus & Phandalin Adventures
Lady Alisande pauses in the revision of her spells, watching Meira's performance along with the rest of the company. Ozymandias glides around, orbiting the dulcimer player, rapt by the moving ballad.
When eventually the song reaches its conclusion, Alisande claps delicately and nods in firm agreement with Gareth. "I quite concur. I daresay when your adventuring days are behind you, the noble houses of Neverwinter will be tripping over one another to offer you patronage."
Finishing her song, Meira slowly stands as others come over to speak with her. She shares Gareth's grin as he praises her persuasive ability with Lord Kithrin. When he mentions she should be a star in Neverwinter, she stands a bit taller. "Oh? Really?" she starts to say. She seems quite pleased.
Then, after Alisande offers her comment, she is positively beaming. "Nobles offering patronage? Do you really think?" It's hard for Meira to hide how impressed she is with all this. "I mean, I just threw that together. And it wasn't my best performance."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric
Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
Alisande,
While taking a break from studying your book, you can't help but notice a signet ring near your foot covered in dust and grime.
Zephyros,
As you stand from the throne, you notice a golden bangle in the seat of the throne that appears to be worth a bit of gold. While exploring the various doors attached to the throne room, you see a dinning room to the west with a large stone-carved table in the center flanked by two wooden benches on either side. Above the table hangs two iron chandeliers. Heading further in, you see an additional door leading to an attached kitchen. The kitchen has all the trappings one expects to find in a dwarven kitchen, including metal dishware, utensils, and drinking mugs. A stone sink is equipped with a faucet that seems to still be in working order. Back in the throne room, you see two doors in the northern wall that flank the double doors used by the undead as they left. They lead to defensive rooms on both sides of the hallway. Each room has two ballista aimed at arrow slits that overlook the central hallway to the throne room.
While resting with the amulet around your neck, you automatically attune to the Moon-Touched Amulet of Evereska. I have added it to your inventory. Once per day, you can cause the amulet to flare with moonlight, shedding dim light for 30 feet. Undead within that light have disadvantage on attack rolls.
Meira,
Lyra walks over to join you as you begin to pluck the strings of your instrument. She sits next to you and rests her head against your side as you sing. As you finish, Lyra says, "How wonderful! I really like your version of the song. Maybe it can be the second verse to Vyldara's song and I agree with the others. You are going to be famous someday. Just don't forget about us little people when you do."
When the song is over, you glance around the room and spot a small leather pouch nestled under a discarded shield.
Rasziel,
While the group rests, you can't help but see a curiously out of place stick of wood resting on the mantle of the fireplace. Upon closer inspection, you believe it to be some kind of wand.
Gareth,
You don't see any undead warriors returning, but among the discarded weapons that litter the floor of the throne room, you see a longsword still in its scabbard leaded against the corner of the room. It appears to still be in great condition compared to the other rust covered weapons that lie ruined around the room.
Everyone,
You all feel rested and are ready to continue your exploration of Axeholm. Where would you like to go next?
Updated map of explored locations:
DM for Tyranny of Dragons and Phandelver and Below, two in-person campaigns that meet weekly on Friday and Saturday nights. DM for Dragons of Icespire Peak Pbp