Thank you Liwen did you find it? Berthan leaned over the shire horse and says to Vexi, I have lost a family heirloom, a soupstone, can you help me find it Vexi, we need it for the stew? I thought you'd like to ride into Vogler tomorrow on Sprite, a different way to enter the town.
What do you plan to do with the three skins? I can get the wife to tan them, makes good mittens in the winter.
He sees the magical aura as clear as day with Vexi. He walks over and says in a knowing tone "Well Vexi I can see you have something magical and perhaps it belongs to good old Berthan here. Can you kindly take it out. Afterall I am hankering for this delicious soup"
Kaelthor’s gaze slid toward the kender as the talk of a missing stone and Liwen’s knowing tone rippled through the camp. His eyes narrowed to slits, unreadable in the lower light. Without a word, he pulled his pack closer, long fingers working the knots of its ties checking through his belongings for anything missing. His motions were calm, deliberate, but the line of his mouth was hard.
Vardok wanders back into camp, with one straggly rabbit to his credit, a dejected look on his face. "I was really quiet, but it was like they knew I was there. Instinct. Or somethin." He comes wandering around to the fire, looking for any pot to throw the rabbit into. He sits down and pulls out a dagger and starts to clean his rabbit, sitting beside Vexi. Then he hears the accusation, sees everyone start to put his friend Vexi under scrutiny.
"Hey, ease up everyone! Vexi doesn't steal things. She just... borrows them. Sometimes I do too. I return them, usually, after a bit. Sometimes we just want to .. examine something. So stop giving her grief. I don't even want your salty stone if you're gonna hassle us about it...". He turns to Vexi and smiles, then turns back to his work on the rabbit.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
The paladin is pleasantly surprised when the others seem so willing to take a shift on watch. "I...Well, just wake me if you see anything amiss. To shield the innocent is my calling." He begins to smile, but it turns to concern as Vexi's and Vardok's habit of 'borrowing' is exposed.
"If you indeed plan to return these items, I suggest asking first to avoid any unintended harm. Many people will not give you the chance to explain in such situations." He crosses his arms, voice shifting to a more authoritative tone. "If you do not plan to return them, that is stealing. A shameful act that knights and those of good character will not allow. Please return the stone, Vexi, and all will be forgiven. I do not wish to dishonor our purpose here by letting petty acts divide us."
As Berthan starts talking to her, she looks up and smiles, "A family heirloom you say? Well, I found this interesting looking rock in the bottom of the vegetable wagon." She pulls it out and stares at it as Liwen talks to her as well. Her eyes widen a bit as she stares at it, "You say it's magical? Wow, that's pretty cool."
She's about to hand it over to Berthan when the knowing tone from Liwen sets in. She looks up and sees Kaelthor go through his pack, holding it a bit closer and she frowns. Vardok stands to her defense and she really appreciates it, but she stands there with the rock in her hand unsure of what to do.
Cassian then adds to it all and the tips of Vexi's ears turn red. She holds up the rock to Berthan as anger starts to build. She nods at the man, not trusting her voice and goes back to skinning the rabbits, not looking anyone in the eye.
Kaelthor’s eyes tracked the stone as it passed back into Berthan’s hands. “Good. The heirloom is found. Take better care of your relic.” The weight of his gaze lingered on Vexi as she spoke, sharp and measuring, searching her words for fracture—whether truth sat steady beneath them, or if they were mortar hastily laid to cover a crack. (Insight 11)
When the handoff was done, his eyes shifted away, the scrutiny folded back into the stillness of his face. He set his staff’s butt gently against the earth. His voice followed, level, not aimed at any one soul but at the circle as a whole. “Trust builds slow as stone cliffs. But one stray step, and it falls quick as rockslide.” After that, he said nothing more, letting the fire and the silence carry the weight of his words.
He was about to say something but stops himself as he knew in that moment, he might have been channeling his old master. No, I am not like Master, and I am no one's teacher. Once more he can hear his master lecturing on responsibly and honor. In reaction he gives Vexi a polite bow and walks away towards the food as he knew little in regard to camping. This maneuver he done often with his master and it became a habit of sorts. A polite way to leave when he was feeling unsure or needed time away from his Master who was very fond of the sound of his own voice.
True to his word, the paladin returns to a more relaxed demeanor as the stone is returned to its proper owner. He knows not if her explanation is true, but either way the situation is resolved amicably and that is good enough for him.
"Thank you, Vexi. And thanks to you and Vardok for hunting for us," he says with an approving nod, turning to begin patrolling the edges of the camp so the Kender can calm down, "I look forward to tasting the soup, Berthan!"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
| Kaelen - Shadar-kai Gloom Stalker Ranger - Old Keep| Lira - Half-elf Thief Rogue/Druid - Allansia| Teryn - High Elf Archfey Warlock - Runewarren| Zoveldra - Kalashtar Open Hand Monk - Eberron| Mavilius - Tiefling Eloquence Bard - Golden Vault| Vannithos - Shadar-kai Astral Self Monk - Von Nichts | Cassian - Human Paladin - Dragonlance |
Kaelthor's insight reveals that Vexi appears to be angry at the assumption she stole something. Whether she had or not, the elf can't quite tell (trying to go off the roll of 11).
Once done with skinning the three rabbits, she sets them by the pot and after attempting to clean the skins as well as she could, she hands them off to Berthan. Vexi then goes into the woods to cool off a bit, letting someone else deal with the rabbit meat.
When the camp began to settle, Kaelthor rose and walked toward the spring, staff in hand. He moved with the quiet patience of one who belonged among roots and stone, pausing where the brush grew thickest. There, he waited until a small life showed itself—whatever creature the Circle deemed fit for the task. (Ideally a bird I would say.)
He knelt, murmuring the cadence of another spell, soft as running water. A faint ripple of warmth stirred the air as he wove a bond of stillness and trust. (Animal Friendship WIS DC 13 or Charmed for 24h)
His eyes met the creature’s, his words pared to what beasts could hold: “You see what passes. You hear what stirs. Keep watch for those who stray—now, and through the night. Give call if danger moves close. Do this, and you will not go hungry.” (Assuming Speak with Animals is still active, if not he would have cast it before he went to the spring, D20 roll:13 or 9 if (dis-)advantage, Persuasion -1, Animal Handling +5, whichever applies)
He stayed crouched, waiting for the wild to answer, offering no more than that. After a time, Kaelthor rose and returned to camp.
The tinker moved around the campsite helping where he could. But when the mystery of the disappearing soupstone came about he was unsure what he should do. At first, he thought perhaps the farmer was simply telling a tall tale, pulling one over. He had never heard of such a thing, a soapstone sure, but a soupstone?!?
But then it got rather tense. Liwen discovered the heirloom with a type of magic. Cassian showed authority. Kaelthor displayed distrust. Vexi had taken the rock and Vardock admitted they do that all the time. He began to wonder if he himself would have thought about studying an unusual piece without permission, but would he know it belonged to anyone? Yes, trust had to be maintained, there was a way to do things, but what if there was better way as well?
As he contemplated the situation, he pulled out his music box to Ispin and began to tweak its effects. He knew it wouldn't last long after he presented it at the man's memorial, but he wanted it to be perfect when he did. But apparently perfect only comes once and mostly after failure...and that is what happened.
In a minor spectacle of showering sparks, a big pop is heard. Salty's face, blackened with soot from the malfunction. A small cloud of smoke hovering in the air before a breeze blows through. The boxes lid hanging precariously by one hinge. "Must have been distracted." he humbly offers as he too retreats back out of the immediate area.
Berthan sat next to Vexi and turned the spit. He waits a moment, I thank you for finding the stone, it must have dropped from my pocket when I put the cider casks in the wagon. Thank you for the skins, I suggest you come back this way from Vogler, my wife will make you embroidered mittens from them, and you'll need them in the cold. I'll take your hand size before we part. I was thinking that perhaps tomorrow you'd prefer to ride lookout on Sprite on our journey? I once travelled with a kender, a better friend you couldn't ask for, not seen him in years Kronin Thistleknot, have you heard of him?
He gets a wineskin out of the wagon and filled everyones mug, it was scrumpy and had enough alcohol to feel it.
Thank you too Liwen finding objects is a good use of magic.
Good, that's enough bickering everyone, we're all friends of Ispin after all we all have that in common, so we should strive to understand each other, perhaps become friends ourselves.
A large night lark comes at Kaelthors call and sits unafraid on his arm. It dips its head in agreement and flies up into the tree canopy to stand guard. Its night song breaking the silence.
Vardok seems grumpy as he sees his friend Vexi walk off, wrongly accused in his mind. Find something then just cause we’re interested, get ‘cused of stealin’. No wonder she’s pissed off. He dangles his legs over the rock he’s sitting on, eyes looking over the fire and examining his companions one by one. His mood lightens a little when Vexi returns to the campfire. He listens to Berthan thank Vexi for finding the stone. A far cry from reaching into Berthan’s pocket and taking it. He remains oddly quiet, just saying to Levna, “I can take a turn at watch, if you want me to ma’am.” He dangles his legs and kicks them back and forth, looking out to the periphery of the woods, listening. He nudges Vexi and he gets a chance tickles her, trying to lighten her mood. Later, he pulls out his bedroll and makes ready for the night.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
He nods acknowledging Berthan's thanks and takes his time to savor his supper. What lady Levna said was true we are here for Ispin. Afterwards he tries to fluff his bedroll to minimal effect and then goes to sleep.
Kaelthor ate his portion of stew in silence, setting aside the rabbit meat. Levna’s steady voice by the fire, Vexi’s angry exit and return, Salty’s sputtering contraption, even Berthan’s thanks—each drew his eyes in turn, measured and brief, before he let the noise of the camp wash past him.
When the meal was done, he left the circle and chose a place beneath an oak at the camp’s edge. Pressing his palm to the ground (casting Mend Plants), he coaxed a bed of moss to soften the soil and sat upon it cross-legged, staff across his knees. From the shadows he kept the others in sight—the paladin pacing, Liwen settling to rest, the kender whispering together, Levna tending her horse.
Now and again he lifted his head to catch the night lark’s song, inclining his head in acknowledgment. When darkness deepened, he leaned back against the oak tree trunk, eyes closing though his ears stayed open to wood and fire alike.
As the party eats, the light of Solinari lights up their camp site. Soon those not on watch head for their beds.
Kaelthor, Cassian and Salty share a vision but do not se each other in it.
You hear a dragon trumpet its attack and the Dragon army overtakes the last defenses of Kalaman. Men and Knights fall in a desperate attempt at protecting the civilians, Farmers fight with scythe and pitchfork and fall at the swords of Draconians. Each finds themselves standing over the dead, a shining amulet catches your eye, and you find yourself bending over to retrieve it.
Cassian finds a talisman of Draco Paladine on a knight, his orders patron god, The valiant Warrior.
Salty leans over a fallen gnome and picks up a finely carved hammer talisman, the symbol of Reorx the lord of craftsmen, both Dwarf and Gnome.
Kaelthor leans over a fallen beautiful elf maiden and retrieves a finely craved horn talisman, Chislev the lady of the animals and forests.
As you touch your talismans a shockwave drives the Draconians to their knees, the Dragon screams in anger. The few remaining defenders gather around you, and in this hellish darkness you call light!
The gods have returned to fight in this Dragon War and you have been chosen as champions.
When you awaken you feel the need to check you backpack. There at the bottom you each find the talismans that you received in the vision. Druid, Cleric and Paladin. No-one had been near your things. Feeling the calling within you each hold your talisman and find them warm to the touch.
As Berthan sits next to Vexi, he can tell she holds nothing against the man and as he offers to have his wife make her mittens, she looks up at him with a big grin on her face, "Really? Oh that'd be swell! And to ride on Sprite?? Yes please! I'll be the best lookout, honest!" She giggles and pushes Vardok away as her friend tries to tickle her.
She then scrunches her face up as she attempts to remember.. "Kronin Thistleknot? Hmm.. I definitely have heard of the Thistleknot family, possibly Kronin? But a good, strong family that's for sure! I ran with Violet Thistleknot a bit when I was younger, during my families travels."Vexi had definitely reverted back to herself as she greedily ate down the soup. "This is delicious! I can see why the soupstone is so precious!"
She takes her watch when it's her turn and enjoys the company of the group. Other than the elf, she's glad he is keeping his distance.
The moss beneath him had gone damp with sweat. Kaelthor’s eyes snapped open, breath sharp as if he had been running. The campfire’s glow was low, the forest close and watchful. He sat still, counting three breaths before he moved. His hand went to his pack, fingers burrowing past cord and cloth until they closed on something he had not placed there. Horn, smoothed by long carving, cool at first and then warming to his skin. He drew it out: a talisman, shaped like a curling leaf etched in flowing lines, its edges patterned in the scales of a serpent. The work was simple, but it spoke of wild growth and balance—symbols of Chislev.
The weight of it settled into him, as certain as the earth beneath. A gift, not a dream. He turned it in his hand, and power stirred—not the coaxing he had known, but a sure channel, as if the land itself leaned closer. The gods had returned, and Chislev’s voice was among them… and it reached for him. He pressed the talisman to his staff, fitting it against the whorled spiral where the grain curved like dragon-scales. With a length of leather cord, he bound it there. The ashwood drank the weight of the gift, becoming whole in a way it had not been before. This staff would carry his will, his voice, his vow.
Kaelthor bowed his head once, no words, only the silent acknowledgement he gave to river, stone, and storm. The night lark shifted in the branches above. He kept his watch through the hours that followed, staff across his knees, the talisman gleaming faintly in the moonlight. Just before the sky paled, he rose and stirred the camp with low words, steady as stone: “Up. Dawn comes.”
DM
Liwen felt his detect magic draw him to Vexi.
Thank you Liwen did you find it? Berthan leaned over the shire horse and says to Vexi, I have lost a family heirloom, a soupstone, can you help me find it Vexi, we need it for the stew? I thought you'd like to ride into Vogler tomorrow on Sprite, a different way to enter the town.
What do you plan to do with the three skins? I can get the wife to tan them, makes good mittens in the winter.
Liwen
He sees the magical aura as clear as day with Vexi. He walks over and says in a knowing tone "Well Vexi I can see you have something magical and perhaps it belongs to good old Berthan here. Can you kindly take it out. Afterall I am hankering for this delicious soup"
Kaelthor
Kaelthor’s gaze slid toward the kender as the talk of a missing stone and Liwen’s knowing tone rippled through the camp. His eyes narrowed to slits, unreadable in the lower light. Without a word, he pulled his pack closer, long fingers working the knots of its ties checking through his belongings for anything missing. His motions were calm, deliberate, but the line of his mouth was hard.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Yawning Portal || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan Shi - Liquid Swords || Syed - Drakkenheim || Kaelthor - Dragonlance ||
Vardok wanders back into camp, with one straggly rabbit to his credit, a dejected look on his face. "I was really quiet, but it was like they knew I was there. Instinct. Or somethin." He comes wandering around to the fire, looking for any pot to throw the rabbit into. He sits down and pulls out a dagger and starts to clean his rabbit, sitting beside Vexi. Then he hears the accusation, sees everyone start to put his friend Vexi under scrutiny.
"Hey, ease up everyone! Vexi doesn't steal things. She just... borrows them. Sometimes I do too. I return them, usually, after a bit. Sometimes we just want to .. examine something. So stop giving her grief. I don't even want your salty stone if you're gonna hassle us about it...". He turns to Vexi and smiles, then turns back to his work on the rabbit.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Cassian
The paladin is pleasantly surprised when the others seem so willing to take a shift on watch. "I...Well, just wake me if you see anything amiss. To shield the innocent is my calling." He begins to smile, but it turns to concern as Vexi's and Vardok's habit of 'borrowing' is exposed.
"If you indeed plan to return these items, I suggest asking first to avoid any unintended harm. Many people will not give you the chance to explain in such situations." He crosses his arms, voice shifting to a more authoritative tone. "If you do not plan to return them, that is stealing. A shameful act that knights and those of good character will not allow. Please return the stone, Vexi, and all will be forgiven. I do not wish to dishonor our purpose here by letting petty acts divide us."
| Kaelen - Shadar-kai Gloom Stalker Ranger - Old Keep | Lira - Half-elf Thief Rogue/Druid - Allansia | Teryn - High Elf Archfey Warlock - Runewarren | Zoveldra - Kalashtar Open Hand Monk - Eberron | Mavilius - Tiefling Eloquence Bard - Golden Vault | Vannithos - Shadar-kai Astral Self Monk - Von Nichts | Cassian - Human Paladin - Dragonlance |
Vexi
As Berthan starts talking to her, she looks up and smiles, "A family heirloom you say? Well, I found this interesting looking rock in the bottom of the vegetable wagon." She pulls it out and stares at it as Liwen talks to her as well. Her eyes widen a bit as she stares at it, "You say it's magical? Wow, that's pretty cool."
She's about to hand it over to Berthan when the knowing tone from Liwen sets in. She looks up and sees Kaelthor go through his pack, holding it a bit closer and she frowns. Vardok stands to her defense and she really appreciates it, but she stands there with the rock in her hand unsure of what to do.
Cassian then adds to it all and the tips of Vexi's ears turn red. She holds up the rock to Berthan as anger starts to build. She nods at the man, not trusting her voice and goes back to skinning the rabbits, not looking anyone in the eye.
Kaelthor
Kaelthor’s eyes tracked the stone as it passed back into Berthan’s hands. “Good. The heirloom is found. Take better care of your relic.” The weight of his gaze lingered on Vexi as she spoke, sharp and measuring, searching her words for fracture—whether truth sat steady beneath them, or if they were mortar hastily laid to cover a crack. (Insight 11)
When the handoff was done, his eyes shifted away, the scrutiny folded back into the stillness of his face. He set his staff’s butt gently against the earth. His voice followed, level, not aimed at any one soul but at the circle as a whole. “Trust builds slow as stone cliffs. But one stray step, and it falls quick as rockslide.” After that, he said nothing more, letting the fire and the silence carry the weight of his words.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Yawning Portal || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan Shi - Liquid Swords || Syed - Drakkenheim || Kaelthor - Dragonlance ||
Liwen
He was about to say something but stops himself as he knew in that moment, he might have been channeling his old master. No, I am not like Master, and I am no one's teacher. Once more he can hear his master lecturing on responsibly and honor. In reaction he gives Vexi a polite bow and walks away towards the food as he knew little in regard to camping. This maneuver he done often with his master and it became a habit of sorts. A polite way to leave when he was feeling unsure or needed time away from his Master who was very fond of the sound of his own voice.
Cassian
True to his word, the paladin returns to a more relaxed demeanor as the stone is returned to its proper owner. He knows not if her explanation is true, but either way the situation is resolved amicably and that is good enough for him.
"Thank you, Vexi. And thanks to you and Vardok for hunting for us," he says with an approving nod, turning to begin patrolling the edges of the camp so the Kender can calm down, "I look forward to tasting the soup, Berthan!"
| Kaelen - Shadar-kai Gloom Stalker Ranger - Old Keep | Lira - Half-elf Thief Rogue/Druid - Allansia | Teryn - High Elf Archfey Warlock - Runewarren | Zoveldra - Kalashtar Open Hand Monk - Eberron | Mavilius - Tiefling Eloquence Bard - Golden Vault | Vannithos - Shadar-kai Astral Self Monk - Von Nichts | Cassian - Human Paladin - Dragonlance |
Vexi
Kaelthor's insight reveals that Vexi appears to be angry at the assumption she stole something. Whether she had or not, the elf can't quite tell (trying to go off the roll of 11).
Once done with skinning the three rabbits, she sets them by the pot and after attempting to clean the skins as well as she could, she hands them off to Berthan. Vexi then goes into the woods to cool off a bit, letting someone else deal with the rabbit meat.
When the camp began to settle, Kaelthor rose and walked toward the spring, staff in hand. He moved with the quiet patience of one who belonged among roots and stone, pausing where the brush grew thickest. There, he waited until a small life showed itself—whatever creature the Circle deemed fit for the task. (Ideally a bird I would say.)
He knelt, murmuring the cadence of another spell, soft as running water. A faint ripple of warmth stirred the air as he wove a bond of stillness and trust. (Animal Friendship WIS DC 13 or Charmed for 24h)
His eyes met the creature’s, his words pared to what beasts could hold: “You see what passes. You hear what stirs. Keep watch for those who stray—now, and through the night. Give call if danger moves close. Do this, and you will not go hungry.” (Assuming Speak with Animals is still active, if not he would have cast it before he went to the spring, D20 roll:13 or 9 if (dis-)advantage, Persuasion -1, Animal Handling +5, whichever applies)
He stayed crouched, waiting for the wild to answer, offering no more than that. After a time, Kaelthor rose and returned to camp.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Yawning Portal || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan Shi - Liquid Swords || Syed - Drakkenheim || Kaelthor - Dragonlance ||
Salty
The tinker moved around the campsite helping where he could. But when the mystery of the disappearing soupstone came about he was unsure what he should do. At first, he thought perhaps the farmer was simply telling a tall tale, pulling one over. He had never heard of such a thing, a soapstone sure, but a soupstone?!?
But then it got rather tense. Liwen discovered the heirloom with a type of magic. Cassian showed authority. Kaelthor displayed distrust. Vexi had taken the rock and Vardock admitted they do that all the time. He began to wonder if he himself would have thought about studying an unusual piece without permission, but would he know it belonged to anyone? Yes, trust had to be maintained, there was a way to do things, but what if there was better way as well?
As he contemplated the situation, he pulled out his music box to Ispin and began to tweak its effects. He knew it wouldn't last long after he presented it at the man's memorial, but he wanted it to be perfect when he did. But apparently perfect only comes once and mostly after failure...and that is what happened.
In a minor spectacle of showering sparks, a big pop is heard. Salty's face, blackened with soot from the malfunction. A small cloud of smoke hovering in the air before a breeze blows through. The boxes lid hanging precariously by one hinge. "Must have been distracted." he humbly offers as he too retreats back out of the immediate area.
Berthan
Berthan sat next to Vexi and turned the spit. He waits a moment, I thank you for finding the stone, it must have dropped from my pocket when I put the cider casks in the wagon. Thank you for the skins, I suggest you come back this way from Vogler, my wife will make you embroidered mittens from them, and you'll need them in the cold. I'll take your hand size before we part. I was thinking that perhaps tomorrow you'd prefer to ride lookout on Sprite on our journey? I once travelled with a kender, a better friend you couldn't ask for, not seen him in years Kronin Thistleknot, have you heard of him?
He gets a wineskin out of the wagon and filled everyones mug, it was scrumpy and had enough alcohol to feel it.
Thank you too Liwen finding objects is a good use of magic.
*************************************************************************
Levna
Good, that's enough bickering everyone, we're all friends of Ispin after all we all have that in common, so we should strive to understand each other, perhaps become friends ourselves.
DM
A large night lark comes at Kaelthors call and sits unafraid on his arm. It dips its head in agreement and flies up into the tree canopy to stand guard. Its night song breaking the silence.
Vardok seems grumpy as he sees his friend Vexi walk off, wrongly accused in his mind. Find something then just cause we’re interested, get ‘cused of stealin’. No wonder she’s pissed off. He dangles his legs over the rock he’s sitting on, eyes looking over the fire and examining his companions one by one. His mood lightens a little when Vexi returns to the campfire. He listens to Berthan thank Vexi for finding the stone. A far cry from reaching into Berthan’s pocket and taking it. He remains oddly quiet, just saying to Levna, “I can take a turn at watch, if you want me to ma’am.” He dangles his legs and kicks them back and forth, looking out to the periphery of the woods, listening. He nudges Vexi and he gets a chance tickles her, trying to lighten her mood. Later, he pulls out his bedroll and makes ready for the night.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Liwen
He nods acknowledging Berthan's thanks and takes his time to savor his supper. What lady Levna said was true we are here for Ispin. Afterwards he tries to fluff his bedroll to minimal effect and then goes to sleep.
Kaelthor
Kaelthor ate his portion of stew in silence, setting aside the rabbit meat. Levna’s steady voice by the fire, Vexi’s angry exit and return, Salty’s sputtering contraption, even Berthan’s thanks—each drew his eyes in turn, measured and brief, before he let the noise of the camp wash past him.
When the meal was done, he left the circle and chose a place beneath an oak at the camp’s edge. Pressing his palm to the ground (casting Mend Plants), he coaxed a bed of moss to soften the soil and sat upon it cross-legged, staff across his knees. From the shadows he kept the others in sight—the paladin pacing, Liwen settling to rest, the kender whispering together, Levna tending her horse.
Now and again he lifted his head to catch the night lark’s song, inclining his head in acknowledgment. When darkness deepened, he leaned back against the oak tree trunk, eyes closing though his ears stayed open to wood and fire alike.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Yawning Portal || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan Shi - Liquid Swords || Syed - Drakkenheim || Kaelthor - Dragonlance ||
DM
As the party eats, the light of Solinari lights up their camp site. Soon those not on watch head for their beds.
Kaelthor, Cassian and Salty share a vision but do not se each other in it.
You hear a dragon trumpet its attack and the Dragon army overtakes the last defenses of Kalaman. Men and Knights fall in a desperate attempt at protecting the civilians, Farmers fight with scythe and pitchfork and fall at the swords of Draconians. Each finds themselves standing over the dead, a shining amulet catches your eye, and you find yourself bending over to retrieve it.
Cassian finds a talisman of Draco Paladine on a knight, his orders patron god, The valiant Warrior.
Salty leans over a fallen gnome and picks up a finely carved hammer talisman, the symbol of Reorx the lord of craftsmen, both Dwarf and Gnome.
Kaelthor leans over a fallen beautiful elf maiden and retrieves a finely craved horn talisman, Chislev the lady of the animals and forests.
As you touch your talismans a shockwave drives the Draconians to their knees, the Dragon screams in anger. The few remaining defenders gather around you, and in this hellish darkness you call light!
The gods have returned to fight in this Dragon War and you have been chosen as champions.
When you awaken you feel the need to check you backpack. There at the bottom you each find the talismans that you received in the vision. Druid, Cleric and Paladin. No-one had been near your things. Feeling the calling within you each hold your talisman and find them warm to the touch.
Vexi
As Berthan sits next to Vexi, he can tell she holds nothing against the man and as he offers to have his wife make her mittens, she looks up at him with a big grin on her face, "Really? Oh that'd be swell! And to ride on Sprite?? Yes please! I'll be the best lookout, honest!" She giggles and pushes Vardok away as her friend tries to tickle her.
She then scrunches her face up as she attempts to remember.. "Kronin Thistleknot? Hmm.. I definitely have heard of the Thistleknot family, possibly Kronin? But a good, strong family that's for sure! I ran with Violet Thistleknot a bit when I was younger, during my families travels." Vexi had definitely reverted back to herself as she greedily ate down the soup. "This is delicious! I can see why the soupstone is so precious!"
She takes her watch when it's her turn and enjoys the company of the group. Other than the elf, she's glad he is keeping his distance.
The moss beneath him had gone damp with sweat. Kaelthor’s eyes snapped open, breath sharp as if he had been running. The campfire’s glow was low, the forest close and watchful. He sat still, counting three breaths before he moved. His hand went to his pack, fingers burrowing past cord and cloth until they closed on something he had not placed there. Horn, smoothed by long carving, cool at first and then warming to his skin. He drew it out: a talisman, shaped like a curling leaf etched in flowing lines, its edges patterned in the scales of a serpent. The work was simple, but it spoke of wild growth and balance—symbols of Chislev.
The weight of it settled into him, as certain as the earth beneath. A gift, not a dream. He turned it in his hand, and power stirred—not the coaxing he had known, but a sure channel, as if the land itself leaned closer. The gods had returned, and Chislev’s voice was among them… and it reached for him. He pressed the talisman to his staff, fitting it against the whorled spiral where the grain curved like dragon-scales. With a length of leather cord, he bound it there. The ashwood drank the weight of the gift, becoming whole in a way it had not been before. This staff would carry his will, his voice, his vow.
Kaelthor bowed his head once, no words, only the silent acknowledgement he gave to river, stone, and storm. The night lark shifted in the branches above. He kept his watch through the hours that followed, staff across his knees, the talisman gleaming faintly in the moonlight. Just before the sky paled, he rose and stirred the camp with low words, steady as stone: “Up. Dawn comes.”
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Yawning Portal || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan Shi - Liquid Swords || Syed - Drakkenheim || Kaelthor - Dragonlance ||