"You have our gratitude," Illmirth says to Indira and Rictavio. "The knowledge of the hags weaknesses will give us an edge in what is sure to be a difficult battle. Can I repay your generosity of information with a story? I would tell you of my first band, the F Flats, if you have the time."
Illmirth fills a goblet with wine and then offers a topper for anyone who is low.
For any who wish to listen, Illmirth will spin his tale.
The F Flats
My long journey through the Underdark was filled with horrors beyond description, yet even in the depths of despair some joy can be found, if you look hard enough.
Deep in the lightless cavern of the Underdark grow the Bloodroot mushrooms. While not sentient like the larger, mobile myconids, they have some interesting adaptations. The mature Bloodroots produce spores which are released on contact. The spores contain a powerful poison that puts creatures to sleep. Denizens of the lightless world below frequent their colonies to find easy prey. The blood they spill nourishes the fungi, hence Bloodroot. The big ones are quite poisonous if consumed, but the young Bloodroots are edible and highly nutritious.
I came upon a large colony one day. I was starving, but still had enough where-with-all to not just stomp through the adults. In frustration I threw a small pebble into the perimeter of mature fungi. When the rock hit one it emitted an interesting pop/poof sort of sound. The caps also deflated and flattened out after releasing their spores. I spent several days in that cavern, throwing stones, listening to the symphony of pops and poofs. The Fungi (F) Flats provided my backup music, and effectively became the first 'band' that I played with. I could then walk through the audience of flat tops to safely retrieve the edible ones. To this day I can't eat a mushroom without hearing those poofs and pops.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” — Elrond
Crisaryn considers what Indira, as well as Rictavio, have to tell about the hag. "So, this eye seems like the best bet. If we could just get in and find it, that would help a lot. But I don't imagine it's something that would be easy to find." She pauses to think about that while the others converse.
"I will pray to the Lord of Flames, and by his will I shall have the power to cast the protective magic," she nods with conviction. "I have never faced a hag before but surely we can purge them with fire."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
Vaelar shakes his head without looking up at Danika. He is instead focused on the blood sausage.
"This is enough, thank you."
As the plate if placed in front of him, it takes much of his self control not to stuff the food ravenously into his mouth. His hunger is great, but he restrains himself and eats at a respectable pace.
"I'm no mage nor trained in the arcane, but perhaps I can hold the hags' attentions while the rest of you search for their weaknesses,"he suggests. As he speaks, a trickle of crimson spills from the corner of his mouth.
So the Underdark is capable of great beauty if you have knowledge of it? I have never been there but you make it sound inviting, when all I've ever heard of it is its darker side. Why did you leave Illmirth, surely a bard could find a place there, especially one who could play music on mushrooms!
This coven what did they do to come to your attention? Morgantha is missing one eye, two of her daughters complete the coven, so we know who is the senior hag, she never told us what happened to it. They sometimes used to trade in potions at the apothecary, they are skilled illusionists each looking like a young woman. The missing eye however can be seen in either guise.
"There is no place for me among my people, save that of a mindless slave. The beauty my eyes and ears seek out do not fare well under the cold and pragmatic gaze of Lloth's priestesses."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” — Elrond
"No apology is needed," he says with a warm, sincere smile. "My heart is for the light of the surface world, it just took me a long time to gain that freedom."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” — Elrond
"We came across an old woman selling dream pies in Barovia. A family was in the process of giving up their child in trade. As you could imagine, we were not about to sit back and watch that happen. Vaelar's sharp eyes saw through her disguise and the child was ultimately released, but not before she cursed Crisaryn! Fortunately, Barovia's newest cleric to the Morning Lord had some experience with hags and broke the curse before things got bad.
The children of this realm will never be safe while the hags are around. She had a cage built under her cart, so clearly trades of that nature are fairly common. We intend to put an end to their spell casting."
When a quiet moment presented itself, Illmirth moved to sit near Indria. "The story of my childhood is not a pleasant one. Weakness is not tolerated among the drow of Menzoberranzan. I was neither strong enough to make an effective warrior nor intellegent enough to advance in the arcane arts. When I neared maturity Matron Mother Vae'Drynn found a way to please Lloth and be rid of the weak link in the family chain: she was to make me into a drider. So useless was I to her that only by taking my will and reforming my body could I be redeemed." It was evident that the bard still suffered deep pain from these memories. He took a deep breath and smiled weakly. "In the chappel of the Spider Queen I found music. With each note that I play or tune that I sing beauty forces back the darkness. Beauty in the Underdark..." He grew thoughtful, then offered a smile that was reflected in his eyes. "If you seek love and beauty you will find it almost everywhere in some form. If you seek hate and suffering you will find it everywhere in some form. For my part, I shall seek the beauty, and create it myself if must."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” — Elrond
She smiles while eating her oven warm bread and melted cheese. Once again thanking the fates that she ran into these people. Nothing better in the world than saving children.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
Crisaryn nods as Illmirth describes their encounter with the hags to Indira. "You can see why we think it so important to remove the threat of these hags!" she adds. She makes note of her discussion of the missing eye, though that hardly would help in finding its current location.
Here you are, meal of the day, spatchcock chicken slow roasted with vegetables. A plate for everyone, the smell of herbs and spices make you drool. She eyes the cheese toast, I would imagine that you need a good meal for keeping those muscles in form. Eat well. She and the waitress Jenny place another pitcher of wine at the table and added a pitcher of cold spring water.
I can not say that you make me want to visit the Underdark, it sounds like a beautiful place until you started talking about the drow customs. How did you escape? Or shouldn't I ask?
Tomorrow will be a hazardous battle for the five of you. It is easy to die in Barovia, more skill is needed to live.
The bard flashed her a straight up used horse salesman smile. He rose and said, "Perhsps my finest idea, short of setting out for the surface, allowed me to just walk away." Illmirth then walked to the bar and whispered, "Please excuse my intrusion, but if you allow me a moment of familiarity i would be in your debt." With that, he slid a gold piece to the bartender.
The bard flashed another grin at Indria and walked to the end of the bar. As he walked he chanted softly, plucking gently at the strands of the weave like a lute. When he reached the end of the bar he turned back to the table and leaned against the bar. A few seconds later another Illmirth popped up from behind the bar several feet away. "Ta daaaa!" he said with a grin, snapping his fingers as the Illmirth leaning against the bar vanished.
Illmirth chants softly as he walks, casting minor illusion. He leans on the bar to reduce his height to 5 ft. He casts minor illusion of himself and the edge of the bar 1 inch in front of his actual self. From there he just ducked and backed up a tad, crawling behind the bar to pop up at a different location. The illusion of himself provided the cover.
Crisaryn thanks both Danika and Jenny for the wonderful food and drink. She takes a moment to pour herself a bit of wine, then tastes a bit of the food. "Wonderful," she murmurs as she now turns to Indara. She pauses to watch Illmark's antics with a slightly disapproving look but then addresses the woman. "Do you think the hags might be too powerful of an opponent to take on?" she asks. "I daresay, there are many competent heroes in these lands, but none have seemed to take on this challenge."
Indira claps at Illmirths illusion. That could come in handy! Is that a new spell? She gestures him back to his meal.
Crisaryn's words make her wince. I think it will be a difficult fight, but good tactics should help. We can keep an eye on you with the ravens just in case things turn sour. Rhianne and the Conspiracy are at the Abbey, they won't be back in time to aid you.
Do not worry the Great Rictavio will help you perfect your illusion spell, that is my specialty in the carnival. Illusions extraordinaire and tales of heroes to match. The hags can't target what they can't see properly. Have I ever told you the tale of how I arrived here just in time to save a fair maiden from a vampyr....
The young blonde priestess would sit in and quietly listen to the advice about taking on the coven of hags in the old mill. She simply nods to Crisaryn as she is asked about the spell, she just had to remember to prepare it during her morning prayers. She breaks out in a smile as food and wine is served, quickly and unceremoniously digging into it. It did seem a bit strange that no one had tried to do anything about the child-snatching hags, but all the more reason for them to do so in the morning. It would not be easy but with all the advice she at least felt quite well prepared to face them now.
"Is anyone good with a disguise kit? My illusion magic may keep me alive for a little while, but it won't do much to injure the hags. Perhaps we could draw one out, isolate it from the others and then take it out. I was thinking about a disguise as a a lost soul desperate for a soul cake. 'I brought something to trade...' a wagon hiding the rest of the party could further the ruse with the sound of a child crying. My magic could imitate such a sound." Illmirth takes a sip of his wine, considering the flow of battle, so like a dance to his mind. "If we could restrain it in a sphere of silence we could break the coven before even setting foot inside the windmill."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” — Elrond
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Illmirth
"You have our gratitude," Illmirth says to Indira and Rictavio. "The knowledge of the hags weaknesses will give us an edge in what is sure to be a difficult battle. Can I repay your generosity of information with a story? I would tell you of my first band, the F Flats, if you have the time."
Illmirth fills a goblet with wine and then offers a topper for anyone who is low.
“Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” — Elrond
Illmirth
For any who wish to listen, Illmirth will spin his tale.
The F Flats
My long journey through the Underdark was filled with horrors beyond description, yet even in the depths of despair some joy can be found, if you look hard enough.
Deep in the lightless cavern of the Underdark grow the Bloodroot mushrooms. While not sentient like the larger, mobile myconids, they have some interesting adaptations. The mature Bloodroots produce spores which are released on contact. The spores contain a powerful poison that puts creatures to sleep. Denizens of the lightless world below frequent their colonies to find easy prey. The blood they spill nourishes the fungi, hence Bloodroot. The big ones are quite poisonous if consumed, but the young Bloodroots are edible and highly nutritious.
I came upon a large colony one day. I was starving, but still had enough where-with-all to not just stomp through the adults. In frustration I threw a small pebble into the perimeter of mature fungi. When the rock hit one it emitted an interesting pop/poof sort of sound. The caps also deflated and flattened out after releasing their spores. I spent several days in that cavern, throwing stones, listening to the symphony of pops and poofs. The Fungi (F) Flats provided my backup music, and effectively became the first 'band' that I played with. I could then walk through the audience of flat tops to safely retrieve the edible ones. To this day I can't eat a mushroom without hearing those poofs and pops.
“Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” — Elrond
Crisaryn Melkial
Crisaryn considers what Indira, as well as Rictavio, have to tell about the hag. "So, this eye seems like the best bet. If we could just get in and find it, that would help a lot. But I don't imagine it's something that would be easy to find." She pauses to think about that while the others converse.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Alerya
"I will pray to the Lord of Flames, and by his will I shall have the power to cast the protective magic," she nods with conviction. "I have never faced a hag before but surely we can purge them with fire."
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
Vaelar
Vaelar shakes his head without looking up at Danika. He is instead focused on the blood sausage.
"This is enough, thank you."
As the plate if placed in front of him, it takes much of his self control not to stuff the food ravenously into his mouth. His hunger is great, but he restrains himself and eats at a respectable pace.
"I'm no mage nor trained in the arcane, but perhaps I can hold the hags' attentions while the rest of you search for their weaknesses," he suggests. As he speaks, a trickle of crimson spills from the corner of his mouth.
DM
Indira
So the Underdark is capable of great beauty if you have knowledge of it? I have never been there but you make it sound inviting, when all I've ever heard of it is its darker side. Why did you leave Illmirth, surely a bard could find a place there, especially one who could play music on mushrooms!
This coven what did they do to come to your attention? Morgantha is missing one eye, two of her daughters complete the coven, so we know who is the senior hag, she never told us what happened to it. They sometimes used to trade in potions at the apothecary, they are skilled illusionists each looking like a young woman. The missing eye however can be seen in either guise.
Illmirth
"There is no place for me among my people, save that of a mindless slave. The beauty my eyes and ears seek out do not fare well under the cold and pragmatic gaze of Lloth's priestesses."
“Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” — Elrond
DM
Indira
Accept my apologies, my words have upset you and that was never meant to happen.
Illmirth
"No apology is needed," he says with a warm, sincere smile. "My heart is for the light of the surface world, it just took me a long time to gain that freedom."
“Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” — Elrond
Illmirth
"We came across an old woman selling dream pies in Barovia. A family was in the process of giving up their child in trade. As you could imagine, we were not about to sit back and watch that happen. Vaelar's sharp eyes saw through her disguise and the child was ultimately released, but not before she cursed Crisaryn! Fortunately, Barovia's newest cleric to the Morning Lord had some experience with hags and broke the curse before things got bad.
The children of this realm will never be safe while the hags are around. She had a cage built under her cart, so clearly trades of that nature are fairly common. We intend to put an end to their spell casting."
When a quiet moment presented itself, Illmirth moved to sit near Indria. "The story of my childhood is not a pleasant one. Weakness is not tolerated among the drow of Menzoberranzan. I was neither strong enough to make an effective warrior nor intellegent enough to advance in the arcane arts. When I neared maturity Matron Mother Vae'Drynn found a way to please Lloth and be rid of the weak link in the family chain: she was to make me into a drider. So useless was I to her that only by taking my will and reforming my body could I be redeemed." It was evident that the bard still suffered deep pain from these memories. He took a deep breath and smiled weakly. "In the chappel of the Spider Queen I found music. With each note that I play or tune that I sing beauty forces back the darkness. Beauty in the Underdark..." He grew thoughtful, then offered a smile that was reflected in his eyes. "If you seek love and beauty you will find it almost everywhere in some form. If you seek hate and suffering you will find it everywhere in some form. For my part, I shall seek the beauty, and create it myself if must."
“Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” — Elrond
Alerya
She smiles while eating her oven warm bread and melted cheese. Once again thanking the fates that she ran into these people. Nothing better in the world than saving children.
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
Crisaryn Melkial
Crisaryn nods as Illmirth describes their encounter with the hags to Indira. "You can see why we think it so important to remove the threat of these hags!" she adds. She makes note of her discussion of the missing eye, though that hardly would help in finding its current location.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
DM
Danika and Jenny the waitress
Here you are, meal of the day, spatchcock chicken slow roasted with vegetables. A plate for everyone, the smell of herbs and spices make you drool. She eyes the cheese toast, I would imagine that you need a good meal for keeping those muscles in form. Eat well. She and the waitress Jenny place another pitcher of wine at the table and added a pitcher of cold spring water.
DM
Indira
I can not say that you make me want to visit the Underdark, it sounds like a beautiful place until you started talking about the drow customs. How did you escape? Or shouldn't I ask?
Tomorrow will be a hazardous battle for the five of you. It is easy to die in Barovia, more skill is needed to live.
Illmirth
The bard flashed her a straight up used horse salesman smile. He rose and said, "Perhsps my finest idea, short of setting out for the surface, allowed me to just walk away." Illmirth then walked to the bar and whispered, "Please excuse my intrusion, but if you allow me a moment of familiarity i would be in your debt." With that, he slid a gold piece to the bartender.
The bard flashed another grin at Indria and walked to the end of the bar. As he walked he chanted softly, plucking gently at the strands of the weave like a lute. When he reached the end of the bar he turned back to the table and leaned against the bar. A few seconds later another Illmirth popped up from behind the bar several feet away. "Ta daaaa!" he said with a grin, snapping his fingers as the Illmirth leaning against the bar vanished.
Illmirth chants softly as he walks, casting minor illusion. He leans on the bar to reduce his height to 5 ft. He casts minor illusion of himself and the edge of the bar 1 inch in front of his actual self. From there he just ducked and backed up a tad, crawling behind the bar to pop up at a different location. The illusion of himself provided the cover.
“Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” — Elrond
Crisaryn Melkial
Crisaryn thanks both Danika and Jenny for the wonderful food and drink. She takes a moment to pour herself a bit of wine, then tastes a bit of the food. "Wonderful," she murmurs as she now turns to Indara. She pauses to watch Illmark's antics with a slightly disapproving look but then addresses the woman. "Do you think the hags might be too powerful of an opponent to take on?" she asks. "I daresay, there are many competent heroes in these lands, but none have seemed to take on this challenge."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
DM
Indira
Indira claps at Illmirths illusion. That could come in handy! Is that a new spell? She gestures him back to his meal.
Crisaryn's words make her wince. I think it will be a difficult fight, but good tactics should help. We can keep an eye on you with the ravens just in case things turn sour. Rhianne and the Conspiracy are at the Abbey, they won't be back in time to aid you.
**************************************************************************
Rictavio
Do not worry the Great Rictavio will help you perfect your illusion spell, that is my specialty in the carnival. Illusions extraordinaire and tales of heroes to match. The hags can't target what they can't see properly. Have I ever told you the tale of how I arrived here just in time to save a fair maiden from a vampyr....
Lorelei Dawnwarden
The young blonde priestess would sit in and quietly listen to the advice about taking on the coven of hags in the old mill. She simply nods to Crisaryn as she is asked about the spell, she just had to remember to prepare it during her morning prayers. She breaks out in a smile as food and wine is served, quickly and unceremoniously digging into it. It did seem a bit strange that no one had tried to do anything about the child-snatching hags, but all the more reason for them to do so in the morning. It would not be easy but with all the advice she at least felt quite well prepared to face them now.
Crisaryn Melkial
"Good tactics," Crisaryn repeats Indira's words. "We will have to keep that in mind."
She looks around at the others, wondering what the best approach might be. Illusions seems to be Ilmirth's plan. She just hopes that works.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Illmirth
"Is anyone good with a disguise kit? My illusion magic may keep me alive for a little while, but it won't do much to injure the hags. Perhaps we could draw one out, isolate it from the others and then take it out. I was thinking about a disguise as a a lost soul desperate for a soul cake. 'I brought something to trade...' a wagon hiding the rest of the party could further the ruse with the sound of a child crying. My magic could imitate such a sound." Illmirth takes a sip of his wine, considering the flow of battle, so like a dance to his mind. "If we could restrain it in a sphere of silence we could break the coven before even setting foot inside the windmill."
“Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” — Elrond