This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
I should go with them. Should I go, maybe hang back some? They absolutely don't need my so-called fighting ability. But what if they need healing? If either of them failed to return while I just sat here waiting, I would never forgive myself. I can sneak okay, mostly. But what if I screw it up for them? That's just as horrible. This is intolerable.
To take her mind off the severe jeopardy her friends were risking, Strife tried to solve a puzzle that kept nagging at her. Back at Rivergard, Grimjaw had specifically asked "Shoalar" about the Dwarven tomes, seeking assurance his minion still possessed them. Why?! Strife could not fathom what possible value history books could hold for a water cultist, other than as contraband. Was it really just about pocketing the coin from their sale? Was there nothing of comparable street value taken from any of the other delegates? Even one set of plate armor was worth a small fortune, and a great deal more if it were enchanted. But Grimjaw was only interested in the books.
In Womford, Strife had done her utmost to read them with care, which wasn't hard, for she enjoyed absorbing historical accounts. If there was something out of the ordinary about them, it was subtle and hidden with care. Yet there were curious anomalies, such as the apple pie recipe, which wasn't what one expected to find in a history book. Strife was growing increasingly convinced the books were more than they seemed. They almost had to be. Grimjaw might be many things, but a devoted academic scholar of history, he was not. Strife reread the recipe. Could this be a coded message about something else? She skimmed the openings of each chapter, refreshing her memory as to the narrative. Were there any notable references to water? Floods, inundations, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, seas, or other watery features? If the books were especially valuable to Grimjaw, there had to be a reason.
Trini is wrestling with her own guilt at not feeling as useful as she'd like. She wasn't able to do much during the fight but get them away from there as fast as she could. She's glad they were able to get away from the keep safely, but now as the sneaky ones do their sneaky thing, she again doesn't have much to offer. She wonders if maybe she should put the bells away for now with all the sneaking they've been doing recently. Mercy would probably like that she thinks.
As she waits with the other less stealthy members of her group, she does begin the process of removing the bells from her costume. It's never occurred to her how much she might stand out until most recently, and she realizes she must stand out a lot. A brightly colored horned girl in a flowey costume with bells. But there's nothing wrong with standing out, right?
After putting the last of her bells in her bag, she leans over Strife's shoulder at dwarven writing. None of it means anything to her, but it apparently seems important to a lot of people. "Whatcha reading about?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"All will become equal now" | "Cause we're going to shout it loud, even if our words seem meaningless. It's like we're carrying the weight of the world"
Mercy paused, reaching for her lockpicks. A memory came unbidden to mind of another thief's misfortune. She had been eavesdropping on some guild thieves, hoping to learn a few tricks of the trade. It was probably six years ago? One mentioned a friend who had died because a magic user had lain a trap over their doors. The Tiefling frowned. There wasn't any real reason for her to remember that story now, but it felt of an ill omen. She shook her head and continued along the wall, looking for another way in.
Perception: 9
(I didn't like that one, so how about another applicable skill.)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Daewen was confused as to why Mercy refused to work her thiefery on the door, but none the less continued on and looked for another way to enter the compound.
Perception: 7
An invisible hand appears on Mercy’s shoulder, getting her attention. It’s Daewen. She’s pointing out another door she just spotted to Mercy.
Daewen walks up to the second doorway, and silent as a mouse, turns the knob quietly to see if the door is unlocked.
"What the... ?!" Strife, engrossed in pondering the mystery of the Dwarven tomes, was completely startled by Trini's question. Trini had snuck up behind her, which was very odd, since she always gave advance notice of her approach because of her...
Bells! Where had Trini's bells vanished to? Strife's innate paranoia sprang into full alert. Had Trini been attacked? How could Strife really be sure this was Trini, after all? Maybe this was some trick by Barry, or even Daewen, or somebody else in their group who had not yet disclosed their masquerade talent. Or maybe Bigdy was using an exotic courier? After making sure Carrhae and Barry were still present, and that Trini was unhurt and had simply de-belled of her own accord, she decided to answer Trini's question with all four of them together, hoping their collective genius might decipher what Strife alone could not.
She explained her theory about why the books might not just be hefty non-fiction, but the key to something more. While her Comprehend Languages spell was still active, she read aloud portions she thought might be significant, starting with the pie recipe. Then after providing an overview, she read to them anything they requested. "So, what do you think? Any thoughts or theories about whether something secret is encoded within the text? Trini, can you tell if the books are magical at all?"
When the group consultation had concluded, Strife pulled Trini aside. "Your bells, Trini: Why?! Even without those, we wouldn't be sending you on this reconnaissance, so nobody feels you are shirking your duty. Did Mercy say something to you? Don't do this for her - did you notice how she declined the wine during our toast, how she isolates herself from us in that hammock? It's not just you or your bells, trust me. She's a far grander project, but I know she is well worth the considerable effort it will ultimately require.
"While your gesture tells me a lot about how you value and prioritize our team, I feel like this detracts from your expression of Trini, your sense of who you are. For some, maybe that's not a real concern, but you're a bard - no, in fact, you're a Tiefling bard. This matters. This goes to your creativity and your ability to find your own inspiration. Let's not diminish Trini for safety and convenience. The modest risk posed by your bells is fully justified by the payoff: a joyful, sincere, and powerful artist who can help us in so many ways. Will you let me help put your bells back on?"
Carrhae quickly finishes her prayers when Strife asks for her assistance in solving any deeper mysteries that this tome might hold. "I'll give it my best shot, but unfortunately my training as a Paladin focused more on strengthening my body and spirit than my mind. But at the very least, it sounds like we have a pie recipe that I'd like to try out sometime."
Arcana:7
History:12
Religion:11
"Yeah, I got nothing. Sorry. I'll be right over there praying if you need me for something."
Maybe the books are just... Books? Regardless of what he thought though, he’ll try to make sense of it for his team.
Arcana: 19
History: 14
Religion: 16
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Aeydof the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm /ᐠ｡ꞈ｡ᐟ\
The books appear to be a very detailed account of the history of the land and it's various cultures.
Mercy/Daewen: The doors you've encountered so far are locked. You can bash them down with a STR DC10 roll, or lockpick them with a DEX DC15 roll if you want to make no noise.
Trini hums over the books, tapping her chin. Barry and Carrhae don't really think there's anything they've missed about them, but just to be sure she'll cast Detect Magic just to make sure there's nothing magical about them.
As Strife pulls her aside she'll kind of shrug a little, digging her toe into the dirt. "It's nothing anyone said."In fact it's probably everything Mercy didn't say. "I just feel like maybe I can be a little more helpful if I'm a little quieter. Besides it's not like I've put them away forever. Rest assured, my fellow tiefling bard of great repute, the bells of Sunshine will make a reappearance when we most need them." She grins.
"As for Mercy,"She glances back toward the monastery, "She wasn't with one of the factions to begin with, right? I think, mmmm, maybe, she has different priorities. I hope we can be friends with her though!"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"All will become equal now" | "Cause we're going to shout it loud, even if our words seem meaningless. It's like we're carrying the weight of the world"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
To move this along, lets say that Daewen attempts to pick the lock of the southeast building door, with Help from Mercy. Using a twig she found on the ground and a cotton ball she had in her pocket, ala MacGyver.
Turning towards the shadowy figure behind her (ninja Mercy), Daewen grabs her by the hand (startling her somewhat, since Dae is completely invisible), and quietly and gently pulls her through the doorway and into the monastery.
Stone stairs descend ten feet to a landing, turn, and continue to descend beyond your sight. Several large buckets are stacked unevenly on the landing. To the north, a staircase descends ten feet to a door.
Mercy has been trying to sort out whether the monks had seemed the sort to lay traps on their doors when she heard the click of the lock. Her flinch had been less about the ghostly hand pulling her forward than the recklessness of her invisible companion. She pressed herself against the wall, focusing her senses to decide the least dangerous route.
Stealth: 18
Perception: Unable to parse dice roll.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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I should go with them. Should I go, maybe hang back some? They absolutely don't need my so-called fighting ability. But what if they need healing? If either of them failed to return while I just sat here waiting, I would never forgive myself. I can sneak okay, mostly. But what if I screw it up for them? That's just as horrible. This is intolerable.
To take her mind off the severe jeopardy her friends were risking, Strife tried to solve a puzzle that kept nagging at her. Back at Rivergard, Grimjaw had specifically asked "Shoalar" about the Dwarven tomes, seeking assurance his minion still possessed them. Why?! Strife could not fathom what possible value history books could hold for a water cultist, other than as contraband. Was it really just about pocketing the coin from their sale? Was there nothing of comparable street value taken from any of the other delegates? Even one set of plate armor was worth a small fortune, and a great deal more if it were enchanted. But Grimjaw was only interested in the books.
In Womford, Strife had done her utmost to read them with care, which wasn't hard, for she enjoyed absorbing historical accounts. If there was something out of the ordinary about them, it was subtle and hidden with care. Yet there were curious anomalies, such as the apple pie recipe, which wasn't what one expected to find in a history book. Strife was growing increasingly convinced the books were more than they seemed. They almost had to be. Grimjaw might be many things, but a devoted academic scholar of history, he was not. Strife reread the recipe. Could this be a coded message about something else? She skimmed the openings of each chapter, refreshing her memory as to the narrative. Were there any notable references to water? Floods, inundations, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, seas, or other watery features? If the books were especially valuable to Grimjaw, there had to be a reason.
Arcana (+3): 10
History (+3): 18
Trini is wrestling with her own guilt at not feeling as useful as she'd like. She wasn't able to do much during the fight but get them away from there as fast as she could. She's glad they were able to get away from the keep safely, but now as the sneaky ones do their sneaky thing, she again doesn't have much to offer. She wonders if maybe she should put the bells away for now with all the sneaking they've been doing recently. Mercy would probably like that she thinks.
As she waits with the other less stealthy members of her group, she does begin the process of removing the bells from her costume. It's never occurred to her how much she might stand out until most recently, and she realizes she must stand out a lot. A brightly colored horned girl in a flowey costume with bells. But there's nothing wrong with standing out, right?
After putting the last of her bells in her bag, she leans over Strife's shoulder at dwarven writing. None of it means anything to her, but it apparently seems important to a lot of people. "Whatcha reading about?"
"All will become equal now" | "Cause we're going to shout it loud, even if our words seem meaningless. It's like we're carrying the weight of the world"
Mercy paused, reaching for her lockpicks. A memory came unbidden to mind of another thief's misfortune. She had been eavesdropping on some guild thieves, hoping to learn a few tricks of the trade. It was probably six years ago? One mentioned a friend who had died because a magic user had lain a trap over their doors. The Tiefling frowned. There wasn't any real reason for her to remember that story now, but it felt of an ill omen. She shook her head and continued along the wall, looking for another way in.
Perception: 9
(I didn't like that one, so how about another applicable skill.)
Investigation: 9
Daewen was confused as to why Mercy refused to work her thiefery on the door, but none the less continued on and looked for another way to enter the compound.
Perception: 7
An invisible hand appears on Mercy’s shoulder, getting her attention. It’s Daewen. She’s pointing out another door she just spotted to Mercy.
Daewen walks up to the second doorway, and silent as a mouse, turns the knob quietly to see if the door is unlocked.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Insight 13
(Check discord for updated entry spots)
"What the... ?!" Strife, engrossed in pondering the mystery of the Dwarven tomes, was completely startled by Trini's question. Trini had snuck up behind her, which was very odd, since she always gave advance notice of her approach because of her...
Bells! Where had Trini's bells vanished to? Strife's innate paranoia sprang into full alert. Had Trini been attacked? How could Strife really be sure this was Trini, after all? Maybe this was some trick by Barry, or even Daewen, or somebody else in their group who had not yet disclosed their masquerade talent. Or maybe Bigdy was using an exotic courier? After making sure Carrhae and Barry were still present, and that Trini was unhurt and had simply de-belled of her own accord, she decided to answer Trini's question with all four of them together, hoping their collective genius might decipher what Strife alone could not.
She explained her theory about why the books might not just be hefty non-fiction, but the key to something more. While her Comprehend Languages spell was still active, she read aloud portions she thought might be significant, starting with the pie recipe. Then after providing an overview, she read to them anything they requested. "So, what do you think? Any thoughts or theories about whether something secret is encoded within the text? Trini, can you tell if the books are magical at all?"
When the group consultation had concluded, Strife pulled Trini aside. "Your bells, Trini: Why?! Even without those, we wouldn't be sending you on this reconnaissance, so nobody feels you are shirking your duty. Did Mercy say something to you? Don't do this for her - did you notice how she declined the wine during our toast, how she isolates herself from us in that hammock? It's not just you or your bells, trust me. She's a far grander project, but I know she is well worth the considerable effort it will ultimately require.
"While your gesture tells me a lot about how you value and prioritize our team, I feel like this detracts from your expression of Trini, your sense of who you are. For some, maybe that's not a real concern, but you're a bard - no, in fact, you're a Tiefling bard. This matters. This goes to your creativity and your ability to find your own inspiration. Let's not diminish Trini for safety and convenience. The modest risk posed by your bells is fully justified by the payoff: a joyful, sincere, and powerful artist who can help us in so many ways. Will you let me help put your bells back on?"
Carrhae quickly finishes her prayers when Strife asks for her assistance in solving any deeper mysteries that this tome might hold. "I'll give it my best shot, but unfortunately my training as a Paladin focused more on strengthening my body and spirit than my mind. But at the very least, it sounds like we have a pie recipe that I'd like to try out sometime."
Arcana:7
History:12
Religion:11
"Yeah, I got nothing. Sorry. I'll be right over there praying if you need me for something."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Maybe the books are just... Books? Regardless of what he thought though, he’ll try to make sense of it for his team.
Arcana: 19
History: 14
Religion: 16
Aeyd of the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk
Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm
Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid
Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue
Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm
/ᐠ｡ꞈ｡ᐟ\
The books appear to be a very detailed account of the history of the land and it's various cultures.
Mercy/Daewen: The doors you've encountered so far are locked. You can bash them down with a STR DC10 roll, or lockpick them with a DEX DC15 roll if you want to make no noise.
...whenever Mercy rolls to pick one of the door locks, Daewen will Help her.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Trini hums over the books, tapping her chin. Barry and Carrhae don't really think there's anything they've missed about them, but just to be sure she'll cast Detect Magic just to make sure there's nothing magical about them.
As Strife pulls her aside she'll kind of shrug a little, digging her toe into the dirt. "It's nothing anyone said." In fact it's probably everything Mercy didn't say. "I just feel like maybe I can be a little more helpful if I'm a little quieter. Besides it's not like I've put them away forever. Rest assured, my fellow tiefling bard of great repute, the bells of Sunshine will make a reappearance when we most need them." She grins.
"As for Mercy," She glances back toward the monastery, "She wasn't with one of the factions to begin with, right? I think, mmmm, maybe, she has different priorities. I hope we can be friends with her though!"
"All will become equal now" | "Cause we're going to shout it loud, even if our words seem meaningless. It's like we're carrying the weight of the world"
To move this along, lets say that Daewen attempts to pick the lock of the southeast building door, with Help from Mercy. Using a twig she found on the ground and a cotton ball she had in her pocket, ala MacGyver.
DEX check: 12
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Before opening the door and entering the monastery, Daewen will don the mask to disguise herself as a monk.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
With a soft and very quick CLICK, the door unlocks and opens completely silently.
Turning towards the shadowy figure behind her (ninja Mercy), Daewen grabs her by the hand (startling her somewhat, since Dae is completely invisible), and quietly and gently pulls her through the doorway and into the monastery.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Stone stairs descend ten feet to a landing, turn, and continue to descend beyond your sight. Several large buckets are stacked unevenly on the landing. To the north, a staircase descends ten feet to a door.
No one, right now, is in the hallway. Where would you like to go? Be very careful around here.
Silently standing in a shadow, do I hear any noises from anywhere?
Perception: 14
Daewen will grab one of the buckets. Good camouflage to make it look like I’m assigned a job around here.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Mercy has been trying to sort out whether the monks had seemed the sort to lay traps on their doors when she heard the click of the lock. Her flinch had been less about the ghostly hand pulling her forward than the recklessness of her invisible companion. She pressed herself against the wall, focusing her senses to decide the least dangerous route.
Stealth: 18
Perception: Unable to parse dice roll.