Chen says, "I don't trust the Lord's Alliance to look after the common folk of this city any further than I could throw them. If we align with them, those Dragons will never make their way to the people of the Dock Ward and certainly not those in the Field Ward. I'd rather deal with Lady Silverhand herself if we could somehow gain access to her. She's no Cailyn, but she at least tries to lead the whole city, not just the nobles.
But, I agree. Our first stop needs to be Vajra. We need to tell her what we know about Meloon. She's probably the only one who knows whether he's a traitor or a spy.
Nijal contemplates everything being said and to no one in particular starts talking,
"I think we might need the Lord's Alliance to get to Lady Silverhand at least. Unless we can get to her through someone like Mirt or Ranear. The numbers of the Lord's Alliance might be nice to have if we have to fight our way through that maze Xanathar calls home. So I guess in the morning we need to get Trench started looking, go talk to Vajra and then Mirt, and the rest will depend on what we get from Vajra, Trench, and Mirt?"
Nijal's blank stare is suddenly replaced with a scowl and he actually looks at the group before talking this time,
"What the hell are we going to do about Kherek? Do we need to scrape up money to bring him back too? Is that even what he would want? He never mentioned anything like that to me. Do you think his room has any clues? Even if it doesn't we are probably going to have to sell off anything of worth up there just to keep things afloat at this rate."
Nijal sinks into a sombre quiet for the rest of the night answering in nods, grunts, and one word replies when he must.
If you're reading this I should be dead. If I am not dead put this down immediately. This document is enchanted and your brains will turn to goo and flow out of your head through your ears and noses. Fair warning.
So as I was saying, I'm dead. One of you guys probably got me killed. Probably Chen, maybe Lucien for saying something I apparently shouldn't have about his ragamuffins.
Or maybe I let my temper and pride get the best of me.
However it happened it did, and that's the way I want it to stay. I'm familiar enough with the arcane that I don't want to be ripped out of the happy hereafter. That's how imps and demons and shit hitch rides back into the material planes. So put aside your sentimentality, and respect goblin tradition of eating my remains to absorb my powers. And, if applicable slaughter whoever killed me and every last person in their tribe and hang their heads on pikes outside of the tavern.
Unless it was my kid who finally tracked me down and did what they'd vowed to do. If so I hope you didn't kill 'em. Let 'em know I'm proud they finally took out their old man and they'll make a fine chieftain.
I am not upset that I got to meet and work with any of you. You were all often dependable and rarely awful to be around.
Take whatever material possessions I left behind as you see fit. I'm dead. What do I care?
After having survived the harrowing Blue Alley, and seeing Ace pull his weight, Lucian would invite Ace back to the bar (As long as no one was opposed).
If that happens...
Once we get there, I'd like to get everyone sat down at a table and speak frankly to Ace .
"That was an excellent job everyone."
Lucian turns to Ace
"Ace... or 3 Strings... I'm still wrapping my head around that one. You've seen us around, and probably know what the Reputable Fellows are about by this point. We help each other out, accomplish tasks with efficiency, and try to earn a living in this crazy town. Unfortunately, recently that has drawn a lot of attention from unwanted sources, and we have been betrayed by those we once considered allies. As you heard while we were in the Alley, a friend of ours died just days ago in part due to this betrayal.
I would like to propose something... I will cast detect thoughts and ask you a few questions. Nothing too invasive, just enough for us to trust you. As long as you answer truthfully, and aren't hiding anything nefarious, I believe we would all be more than happy to have you join us. (Lucian looks to Nijal, Chen, and Gary to confirm). Friends are in short supply, and I personally am more than welcome to to idea of having more comrades
(just to give you guys a frame of reference, Ace is pretty much always doing a super hero pose and smiling widely. I didn't realize it until actually just tonight that in terms of appearance and demeanor he's not too far removed from All Might from My Hero Academia in hero form)
*Ace finds the nearest chair and grabs it lightly with one hand. He tips the chair onto one leg and spins it around, and in one fluid motion sits on the chair backwards like a really cool substitute teacher*
I submit myself to your questions, Reputable Fellows. I only ask you to please keep them limited to my intentions and goals.
Lucian sits down, casts detect thoughts and starts reeling off questions. He asks questions that call for short answers, that way it's harder to hide the truth. If I feel like he's being long winded to hide the truth, I'll move to the next question.
"What is your name?"
"Do you intend harm to anyone in the Reputable Fellows?"
"Are you affiliated with any factions or organizations?"
If Ace thinks something along the lines of Yes
"What organizations?"
If Lucian thinks there are multiple organizations he'll ask...
"What other organizations?"
"What are your intentions in joining this group?"
Lucian gives alittle more time on this to give Ace time to think it out more
Nijal, after having witnessed Lucian and Ace's exchange, just stares wide eyed at Ace first and then slowly turns towards Lucian. Nijal blinks a few times and without a word heads to the bar. Lif must have known that Nijal was in dire need of a strong drink and handed over a double shot of something that smelled flammable. After tossing it back, Nijal starts to pack his pipe as he heads towards the door. Just shy of the door he pauses and begins to turn around as if he had something to say but after a moments hesitation he just cocks his head to the side, puzzled, and continues out the door.
As I mentioned last night, during the downtime, Chen spent the majority of his time at the temple of Ilmater, The Hospice of Saint Laupsenn. He has been seeking spiritual counsel from the priests there. While helping them tend to the patients suffering from fiendish plagues, he has been talking to them about his frustration with his monastic training. At the Monastery of the Yellow Rose, they taught him to fight. The purpose of the Brothers' training was to alleviate suffering in the world, by stopping those who would cause it. Chen understands this, but he is frustrated that his efforts are too little, and most importantly, often too late. He talks about Caelyn and the suffering that her death is causing to his new friend, Lucian, and how all he has are words to offer to him, and words are empty and failing. He feels that there must be more to the faith than what the monks taught him. In his most transparent moments of conversation with the priests, he confesses that he sometimes feels that Ilmater must be merely a thrall of Loviatar, if the Crying God just sits idly by and does nothing to end the suffering in the world. He is hoping that the priests can teach him a different facet of the faith of Ilmater that the monks left out.
Chen leaves the tavern every morning at sunrise, and he returns to help out at the tavern during the evenings. Each evening, he returns with an additional branding mark on his arm. They are distinct lines, each about an inch long, and about 1/4 inch wide that denote each day that Caelyn has been dead. If asked about them, he says, "Lucian's pain is also mine. A small measure of what he bears on the inside, I bear on the outside. I will not forget that her time is running out, and I will not let Lucian believe that he is alone in his suffering."
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I agree with the Trench idea.
We won't really know much else until we go to Vajra.
Chen says, "I don't trust the Lord's Alliance to look after the common folk of this city any further than I could throw them. If we align with them, those Dragons will never make their way to the people of the Dock Ward and certainly not those in the Field Ward. I'd rather deal with Lady Silverhand herself if we could somehow gain access to her. She's no Cailyn, but she at least tries to lead the whole city, not just the nobles.
But, I agree. Our first stop needs to be Vajra. We need to tell her what we know about Meloon. She's probably the only one who knows whether he's a traitor or a spy.
Maybe Mirt would have a way to help us meet her, or at least tell us the best way/place to meet her?
Nijal contemplates everything being said and to no one in particular starts talking,
"I think we might need the Lord's Alliance to get to Lady Silverhand at least. Unless we can get to her through someone like Mirt or Ranear. The numbers of the Lord's Alliance might be nice to have if we have to fight our way through that maze Xanathar calls home. So I guess in the morning we need to get Trench started looking, go talk to Vajra and then Mirt, and the rest will depend on what we get from Vajra, Trench, and Mirt?"
Nijal's blank stare is suddenly replaced with a scowl and he actually looks at the group before talking this time,
"What the hell are we going to do about Kherek? Do we need to scrape up money to bring him back too? Is that even what he would want? He never mentioned anything like that to me. Do you think his room has any clues? Even if it doesn't we are probably going to have to sell off anything of worth up there just to keep things afloat at this rate."
Nijal sinks into a sombre quiet for the rest of the night answering in nods, grunts, and one word replies when he must.
Kherek's Last Will & Testament
After having survived the harrowing Blue Alley, and seeing Ace pull his weight, Lucian would invite Ace back to the bar (As long as no one was opposed).
If that happens...
Once we get there, I'd like to get everyone sat down at a table and speak frankly to Ace .
"That was an excellent job everyone."
Lucian turns to Ace
"Ace... or 3 Strings... I'm still wrapping my head around that one. You've seen us around, and probably know what the Reputable Fellows are about by this point. We help each other out, accomplish tasks with efficiency, and try to earn a living in this crazy town. Unfortunately, recently that has drawn a lot of attention from unwanted sources, and we have been betrayed by those we once considered allies. As you heard while we were in the Alley, a friend of ours died just days ago in part due to this betrayal.
I would like to propose something... I will cast detect thoughts and ask you a few questions. Nothing too invasive, just enough for us to trust you. As long as you answer truthfully, and aren't hiding anything nefarious, I believe we would all be more than happy to have you join us. (Lucian looks to Nijal, Chen, and Gary to confirm). Friends are in short supply, and I personally am more than welcome to to idea of having more comrades
Do you agree to these terms?"
(just to give you guys a frame of reference, Ace is pretty much always doing a super hero pose and smiling widely. I didn't realize it until actually just tonight that in terms of appearance and demeanor he's not too far removed from All Might from My Hero Academia in hero form)
*Ace finds the nearest chair and grabs it lightly with one hand. He tips the chair onto one leg and spins it around, and in one fluid motion sits on the chair backwards like a really cool substitute teacher*
I submit myself to your questions, Reputable Fellows. I only ask you to please keep them limited to my intentions and goals.
"Excellent, let's begin"
Lucian sits down, casts detect thoughts and starts reeling off questions. He asks questions that call for short answers, that way it's harder to hide the truth. If I feel like he's being long winded to hide the truth, I'll move to the next question.
"What is your name?"
"Do you intend harm to anyone in the Reputable Fellows?"
"Are you affiliated with any factions or organizations?"
If Ace thinks something along the lines of Yes
"What organizations?"
If Lucian thinks there are multiple organizations he'll ask...
"What other organizations?"
"What are your intentions in joining this group?"
Lucian gives alittle more time on this to give Ace time to think it out more
"What are your goals?"
Lucian gives more time here as well.
What is your name?"
Ace. *He winks and smiles, giving you finger guns*
"Do you intend harm to anyone in the Reputable Fellows?"
Not in the slightest
"Are you affiliated with any factions or organizations?"
Not at this time
"What are your intentions in joining this group?"
*he rockets to his feet and makes a fist, holding it aloft. A look of joyous determination washing over him* To crush evil-doers!
Lucian gives alittle more time on this to give Ace time to think it out more
"What are your goals?"
To douse the flames of hope for all who would bind others to their dark will
To guide with strength to a better tomorrow
And to A Always C Chase E EXCITEMENT
That's the ACE Promise!
*Ace flexes*
I hate this character sooooo much.
I cant possibly imagine why
After the questioning, Lucian will hold his head like he just came by a horrible migraine.
Do his thoughts line up with his words?
As long as he does seem to mean well from what I gather from detect thoughts I'll say...
"Well... he's extravagant, but seems to be on the up and up."
I make no apologies for my lack of "chill"
There is no "chill" so long as evil can can triumph over the common person.
"Chill" cannot flourish so long as dragons can buy a murderer out of justice
I will never "chill" because my duty
BURNS
SO
HOT!
If burning persists for more that 24 hours, please consult your doctor.
Nijal, after having witnessed Lucian and Ace's exchange, just stares wide eyed at Ace first and then slowly turns towards Lucian. Nijal blinks a few times and without a word heads to the bar. Lif must have known that Nijal was in dire need of a strong drink and handed over a double shot of something that smelled flammable. After tossing it back, Nijal starts to pack his pipe as he heads towards the door. Just shy of the door he pauses and begins to turn around as if he had something to say but after a moments hesitation he just cocks his head to the side, puzzled, and continues out the door.
When Lucian pauses in his interrogation of ACE, Chen asks, "Why do you play the lute on stage, when you are so clearly bad at it?"
*Ace picks up his lute and stares very seriously towards Chen, his voice low and conspiratorial*
"Well you see, I'm left-handed, and Threestrings...
is right-handed."
*Ace boisterously guffaws*
One of us better write a novel with all this material you guys make.
Quality story telling.
As I mentioned last night, during the downtime, Chen spent the majority of his time at the temple of Ilmater, The Hospice of Saint Laupsenn. He has been seeking spiritual counsel from the priests there. While helping them tend to the patients suffering from fiendish plagues, he has been talking to them about his frustration with his monastic training. At the Monastery of the Yellow Rose, they taught him to fight. The purpose of the Brothers' training was to alleviate suffering in the world, by stopping those who would cause it. Chen understands this, but he is frustrated that his efforts are too little, and most importantly, often too late. He talks about Caelyn and the suffering that her death is causing to his new friend, Lucian, and how all he has are words to offer to him, and words are empty and failing. He feels that there must be more to the faith than what the monks taught him. In his most transparent moments of conversation with the priests, he confesses that he sometimes feels that Ilmater must be merely a thrall of Loviatar, if the Crying God just sits idly by and does nothing to end the suffering in the world. He is hoping that the priests can teach him a different facet of the faith of Ilmater that the monks left out.
Chen leaves the tavern every morning at sunrise, and he returns to help out at the tavern during the evenings. Each evening, he returns with an additional branding mark on his arm. They are distinct lines, each about an inch long, and about 1/4 inch wide that denote each day that Caelyn has been dead. If asked about them, he says, "Lucian's pain is also mine. A small measure of what he bears on the inside, I bear on the outside. I will not forget that her time is running out, and I will not let Lucian believe that he is alone in his suffering."