Just before the group had decided to meet up at the bathhouse, Zephyr decided to do some shopping around to see what they could possibly get in terms of magical items for the gold the group had acquired. It wasn't much, and surely the changeling could find something within the price range he had, but once his eyes laid upon a certain shopkeepers cloak, he was willing to throw in a few extra gold. Thing was, the shopkeeper would not budge from his three hundred gold price tag and the last thing he wanted to do was to ask for extra gold from his teammates. They all wanted something to give them an edge for their upcoming adventures, and the prices were about the same for the magical items they (most likely) wanted, so Zephyr had to get... Creative.
In the baths, using their red-headed Carrhae form, Zarrhae's eyes did wander a little bit, just enough to take note of the birthmark Carrhae had, and any other scarring and marks the others might have under their clothes to try to create the 'perfect' mask. Since it was only the group in the waters, Zephyr wasn't afraid to shift in the open (usually utilizing their cloak to hide the obvious), to let their skins and muscles relax for the first time in what seemed to be ages. They listened intently at the words spoken by Strife and Carrhae all the while they changed form, and gave them both appreciative smiles. She admitted that she didn't have too much to say, but thanked them all for accepting them for who they were and that they couldn't have been more blessed than they already were to be included in such a group as theirs.
As they made their way out of the baths, Zephyr had requested they stay in Waterdeep just a little while longer (the cults weren't going anywhere), letting them be aware that he had certain business to attended to back in their home and that it wouldn't take anymore than a week for them to finish.
And thus, that was the night Zephyr became a business.
The idea came to them as they were soaking in the waters. Zephyr had read countless of books on how to make money, but they all took time and investment. Who had time for that? Not them. Robbing a bank definitely wasn't an option and they were more than determined on getting that cloak as its enchantments would be more than useful if the group continued on the path of stealth and deception. Zephyr mainly needed a slight boost in the sneaking department and they were sure the girls would understand if the cat ever got out of the bag of what they were going to do to get some extra spending coin. They were doing it for the sake of the team after all and to prove a point to the ****er of a DM we have. love u
Zephyr was a being of many faces and who wouldn't want to pay for a night with the person of their dreams?
The first night was fairly easy: You hang around a whore house wearing something scandalous as a pretty woman (preying on mainly the drunk as they paid more), extend the offer (they'd pay even more), and then they were like putty in your hands. Take them to another plane, and they wouldn't remember the night once you've finished and made their pockets lighter.
Rinse and repeat.
On the final day, Zephyr counted up their total coin, showed back up to the magics shop and slammed down the gold on the table.
"Gimme that ****in' cloak AND broom, old man."
Donning their new Cloak of Elvenkind and hovering down the streets with their Broom of Flying as a cute little witch (with a hat!), Zephyr honestly couldn't have been happier. They should've thought of this sooner! Then everyone would be more than prepared for the journey ahead. She beamed when the others came to view, and waves her hand excitedly at them. She came to a stop, just before the girls, to slightly show off her new items.
"This cloak will help me stealth better! Aaaand this broom was an added bonus!" She smiles wide, doing twirls with the broom. "I have some extra cash if any of you need it by the way! Besides that, everyone ready?"
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\
Carrhae gives Strife's hand one last squeeze before letting go and getting out of the bath. "As lovely as this is, I can't stay in here forever or I'll turn into a prune."
When Zephyr implores the group to stay in Waterdeep for another week so that they can make money for the group, Carrhae doesn't raise any objections. The air cultists had already been holding their prisoner for a few weeks, what's one more? And it's not like the dead knight from the Order was going to get any more dead in a week. Carrhae would spend the majority of the week training her body and spirit to be more ready for the next battle, but she would let the party know where her home was in case any of them wanted to speak with her.
At some point before they left,Carrhae would visit Mercy to collect her armor that Mercy's friend re-designed for her. "Thank you for this. It's even better than I could have hoped for." She resists the urge to hug Mercy without permission and just gives her a friendly handshake. She also takes 10 minutes to cast Find Steed and summon a white celestial horse with a golden mane.
When Zarrhae showed up at the end of the week dressed as a cute witch on a broom, Carrhae lets out a little laugh. "How lovely. All you need now is a hat."
(Retcon via group OOC discussion: Zephyr stayed behind to do further work/shopping while we started traveling toward the tower we first found out about at the shallow graves, promising they would catch up with us in Red Larch. We stopped at Red Larch to wait for them and start scouting out the best route to the tower.)
At the start of the next day, Carrhae visits Zephyr at their tower before she heads off to Red Larch with the rest of the party. "I think your idea of staying here for an extra week is a wonderful one, but Strife is right and the rest of us can't remain idle while you do so. We'll be waiting for you in Red Larch and I assume that once you have your broom, you'll be able to fly there quickly without any problems. Maybe when you buy your broom you can get a hat so that you'll be a cute little witch. Could you also purchase a lyre for me, if it's not too much of an inconvenience? We'll try not to get in trouble while we're waiting for you!"
And with that Carrhae gives Zephyr a hug, gets on her magically summoned steed, and leads the Zephyr-less Jingle Belles down to Red Larch. While they're waiting for Zephyr, Carrhae invites Trini and Strife into her room at the inn their staying at. "It has been an honor and a privilege to travel with bards as lovely and talented as yourself. I hope that you will do an even greater honor by instructing me on how to be a Bard. Strife, you have such a talent with words and instruments, and Trini, you're such a lovely dancer. I'd love it if the two of you could give me a few pointers."
Zephyr had done their week of work and set out to meet up with the rest of the girls at Red Larch, happily using their new Broom of Flying to take them there faster and donning their Cloak of Elvenkind. Just before they set out, the changeling had done some additional shopping, remembering a few things that the girls had said they had wanted but didn't have the coin for. Their heart swelled in delight catching a glimpse of them at Red Larch, waving at them on their broom with a beaming smile and a frantic wave.
Despite their new face (as a witch with a hat included), they were sure the girls would recognize them in a heart beat, wasting no time in hopping off their hovering broom to pull Strife into a big hug and slips something in her back pocket.
"I missed you guys!" She says with a smile, moving onto hug Trini, then Carrhae. "I hope the trip over wasn't too taxing on you all!" As she moves to Mercy (no hugging!), she digs into her bag to pull out the prisoner and disguise kit she had said she wanted. "For you, my dear, I hope they're the ones you wanted!" She gives Daewen a pat on the head, not entirely sure if the ranger was okay with hugs or not (if so, she would proceed to hug her). "Thanks for giving me the time, you guys, I got my broom, and my cloak! Are we ready? Any business we needed to attend to here?"
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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 first thing you noticed upon coming close to Feathergale Spire was the wind. Gusty winds buffet you from all sides. The wind sighs through rock formations in the canyon. The Spire rises from a pillar of rock high into the air, the tallest point for miles. Built from white limestone and embellished in marble, the spire resembles a gleaming sword that pierces the sky.
The gatehouse faces the opposite cliff, its drawbridge the only apparent point of entry. Tall, wide windows encompass the bottom level of the tower, absent only upon the gatehouse side. A circle of open stalls rings the tower’s foundation where it meets the rock. Above each stall, the sculpture of a hippogriff in flight leaps from the tower’s base.
A steep trail leads to the drawbridge over Feathergale Moat and to the keep’s main entrance. Two Knights on flying vultures are slowly patrolling, flying around the tower at all times. From their vantage point, it's clear that they could spot visitors from a great distance, due to the position of the Spire.
While they were waiting on Zephyr to arrive, Mercy had slipped away to spend more time among the people of Red Larch, seeking out a particular artist. Finding the tiny shop at the edge of town, she went inside to get a small memento tattooed on the back of her right hand in glamoured ink.
Constitution (Please let that needle be clean...): 4
When an oddly enthusiastic little witch joined the party at the inn (where Mercy and Daewen were sat going over the map of the terrain that they'd sketched over the past few days' scouting, checking for any inconsistencies in their notes), it took her a moment to realize she must be Zephyr. Arching an eyebrow at their ever-changing friend's new form, she thanked them quietly for the gift with a small smile, the glove of her right hand noticeably more snug than that on her left.
Later:
As the party made their way up the trail on foot, Mercy was grateful for the wind that cooled her heated forehead, even as it made the trek forward more tiring than it needed to be. She let her hood fall back, not wanting to bother holding on to it in these conditions. "Wonder when those patrols are going to swoop down on us?"
Daewen, trying to play up the innocent and helpful assistant guise, periodically waves to the flying patrol members and acts excited as if to say 'we're saved! we're rescued!'. She won't try to hide or act like the ranger/rogue that she is. However, once they're near the tower, she'll grab Mercy by the hand and let her lead here down the trail while she closes her eyes and concentrates, casting:
Primeval AwarenessPHB92
As an action, you can expend one ranger spell slot (1 minute per level of spell slot) to sense whether any aberrations, celestials, dragons, elementals, fey, fiends, or undead are present within 1 mile of you (or within up to 6 miles if you are in your favored terrain). This feature doesn’t reveal the creatures’ location or number.
After carefully camouflaging the carriage using lots and lots of branches at the edge of the closest woods, the group set out on an extended hike to reach the tower.
When they were challenged by guards, Strife spoke. "Hello! Good day to you. We are traveling entertainers and we have heard from the locals that there are knights in residence who can give flying lessons. We have long dreamed of what it might be like to soar through the sky, to gaze great distances from incredible heights! We are hoping that in exchange for our musical song and dance performance, we might be offered a demonstration. That would inspire us creatively! Is there some kind of club or organization that we can join? Though we are highly skilled artists, we feel called to the air."
"Oh, really! A likely story!" One of the two guards yells from above, swooping down on his giant vulture. "Begone! We're not interested in what you're looking for, and we DON'T offer flying lessons..or..whatever, or membership to our "club". It's exclusive. Travelling entertainers, my FOOT."
The second sentry comes swooping down, they point their spears at you. One second guard fires a flare into the air, most likely alerting someone, or something.
Mercy saw the disbelief in the guards' eyes and went to grab her crossbow, but flinched as her hand throbbed. Instead, she readied herself to cast Inflict Wounds if they were attacked.
Mercy smiled at the guard who spoke, her voice calm. "I'm not planning on doing anything stupid...as long as you take that same course of action. I'll only hurt you, if you hurt us. See? I've been hurt enough in the past that I don't take that shit lying down." She relaxed her stance and motioned to the others to step back. "Honestly, we aren't here to hurt anyone, and a number of our group are bards who travel. So that bit about travelling performer's true, 's far as it goes. Some friends of ours were attacked by some Sacred Stone Monks, so we've been trying to figure out what happened to them. That's the truth. I'm sorry for the lies, but we've had hard luck getting cooperation from the locals when we've told them what we're after. It's like they're afraid of angering the people at the Sacred Stone Monastery by aiding us."
Sighing, Mercy started to turn away. "Again, we're sorry for troubling you. Looks like just another place where the people are too afraid of those earth cultists to help..."
"Ha!" the one guard barks. "I KNEW you ladies were lying, especially the brave stupid one. Hope you like spear up your a-"
The other guard looks you all over, turns to the other guard. "Wait a minute, Stuart. The ugly one with the horns said Sacred Stone monks. We hate those guys." He ponders over an idea for a moment. "Come with us." He waves you all to follow him. The other guard just glares at you all.
A gap of twenty feet separates the ledge where the path ends from the closed drawbridge on Feathergale Spire. The space between the cliff’s edge and the gatehouse drops several hundred feet to the bottom of the canyon. Near the ledge, a brass bell hangs from a wooden post. The guard escorts you to the main door across the moat, bangs on the door.
An attractive female knight answers the door, sees you all, and smiles. "Ah! Visitors! Hello! I am Savra. What brings you all here?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"We have been trying to learn the fate of some friends of ours. I don't know if you are familiar with the Sacred Stone monastery, but we can tell you the monks there are not what they pretend. Based on the eyewitness account of a trapper we met, we fear these monks have abducted our friends. But wherever we go, there is a conspiracy of silence about what is taking place out there. People are too frightened to lay the responsibility for this region's growing miseries where it belongs, which is around the necks of those duplicitous ascetics.
"So, we are looking for anybody with the courage to share what they know about their machinations, anybody willing to take a stand against this injustice. We had hoped that since there are a multitude of knights here who regularly fly over areas nearby the monastery, perhaps you have seen something suspicious. We would be grateful for any help you might offer.
"In return, we are adept performers who would be pleased to entertain you! Song, dance, prose, and stories. And traveling around as we do, we would be happy to convey a message of warning, if we but knew what it is that we should say."
"I see.." Savra says, nodding her head in approval. "Come inside. There is much time to talk. But first.." she says as she leads you into the tower proper, "..It is time for celebration!"
The entrance is a thirty-foot-long hall of white stone. At the opposite end of the hall are two twelve-foot-tall doors like those of the entry gate.
An eagle carved from a massive timber hangs from the far side of the ceiling, suspended on strong chains. Slender wings of steel sweep close to its sides. Its head is also fashioned of steel.
Savra says, "Your timing is excellent! I invite you all to join us in the knights’ feast this evening, commemorating the tenth year of the Feathergale Society! I will introduce you to our captain, Thurl. This way."
At the apex of the tower, the stairs terminate at a round stone gazebo that continues upward in a needle-like minaret. Beyond this enclosure, a small lawn grows upon the top of the tower. Four paths paved with white stones point the directions of the compass, each path ending in a pointed stone crenellation. At the pinnacle’s edge is a spyglass on a tripod, pointed downward. From this vantage point, you can see a supreme view of all that transpires in the nearby canyon and the Sumber Hills beyond.
The commander of the Feathergale Knights is a well-built male human in his early fifties. Embossed feather patterns ornament the plates of his armor, and his kingly cloak boasts a feathered mantle. He smooths his white-blond hair into place, then bows low before you as if he were only a lowly courtier.
"Welcome to Feathergale Spire, retreat of the Feathergale Society. I am Thurl Merosska, the lord commander."
“Thank you for your hospitality, sire. The view here is magnificent! We are honored to be here. I am Veracity, and this shy one here is Dawn. I will permit my other friends to introduce themselves.”
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Just before the group had decided to meet up at the bathhouse, Zephyr decided to do some shopping around to see what they could possibly get in terms of magical items for the gold the group had acquired. It wasn't much, and surely the changeling could find something within the price range he had, but once his eyes laid upon a certain shopkeepers cloak, he was willing to throw in a few extra gold. Thing was, the shopkeeper would not budge from his three hundred gold price tag and the last thing he wanted to do was to ask for extra gold from his teammates. They all wanted something to give them an edge for their upcoming adventures, and the prices were about the same for the magical items they (most likely) wanted, so Zephyr had to get... Creative.
In the baths, using their red-headed Carrhae form, Zarrhae's eyes did wander a little bit, just enough to take note of the birthmark Carrhae had, and any other scarring and marks the others might have under their clothes to try to create the 'perfect' mask. Since it was only the group in the waters, Zephyr wasn't afraid to shift in the open (usually utilizing their cloak to hide the obvious), to let their skins and muscles relax for the first time in what seemed to be ages. They listened intently at the words spoken by Strife and Carrhae all the while they changed form, and gave them both appreciative smiles. She admitted that she didn't have too much to say, but thanked them all for accepting them for who they were and that they couldn't have been more blessed than they already were to be included in such a group as theirs.
As they made their way out of the baths, Zephyr had requested they stay in Waterdeep just a little while longer (the cults weren't going anywhere), letting them be aware that he had certain business to attended to back in their home and that it wouldn't take anymore than a week for them to finish.
And thus, that was the night Zephyr became a business.
The idea came to them as they were soaking in the waters. Zephyr had read countless of books on how to make money, but they all took time and investment. Who had time for that? Not them. Robbing a bank definitely wasn't an option and they were more than determined on getting that cloak as its enchantments would be more than useful if the group continued on the path of stealth and deception. Zephyr mainly needed a slight boost in the sneaking department and they were sure the girls would understand if the cat ever got out of the bag of what they were going to do to get some extra spending coin. They were doing it for the sake of the team after all
and to prove a point to the ****er of a DM we have. love uZephyr was a being of many faces and who wouldn't want to pay for a night with the person of their dreams?
The first night was fairly easy: You hang around a whore house wearing something scandalous as a pretty woman (preying on mainly the drunk as they paid more), extend the offer (they'd pay even more), and then they were like putty in your hands. Take them to another plane, and they wouldn't remember the night once you've finished and made their pockets lighter.
Rinse and repeat.
On the final day, Zephyr counted up their total coin, showed back up to the magics shop and slammed down the gold on the table.
"Gimme that ****in' cloak AND broom, old man."
Donning their new Cloak of Elvenkind and hovering down the streets with their Broom of Flying as a cute little witch (with a hat!), Zephyr honestly couldn't have been happier. They should've thought of this sooner! Then everyone would be more than prepared for the journey ahead. She beamed when the others came to view, and waves her hand excitedly at them. She came to a stop, just before the girls, to slightly show off her new items."This cloak will help me stealth better! Aaaand this broom was an added bonus!" She smiles wide, doing twirls with the broom. "I have some extra cash if any of you need it by the way! Besides that, everyone ready?"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\
Before gathering together for their next trip out, Mercy tried again to better line her pockets.
Sleight of Hand: 14
Carrhae gives Strife's hand one last squeeze before letting go and getting out of the bath. "As lovely as this is, I can't stay in here forever or I'll turn into a prune."
When Zephyr implores the group to stay in Waterdeep for another week so that they can make money for the group, Carrhae doesn't raise any objections. The air cultists had already been holding their prisoner for a few weeks, what's one more? And it's not like the dead knight from the Order was going to get any more dead in a week. Carrhae would spend the majority of the week training her body and spirit to be more ready for the next battle, but she would let the party know where her home was in case any of them wanted to speak with her.At some point before they left,Carrhae would visit Mercy to collect her armor that Mercy's friend re-designed for her. "Thank you for this. It's even better than I could have hoped for." She resists the urge to hug Mercy without permission and just gives her a friendly handshake. She also takes 10 minutes to cast Find Steed and summon a white celestial horse with a golden mane.
When Zarrhae showed up at the end of the week dressed as a cute witch on a broom, Carrhae lets out a little laugh. "How lovely. All you need now is a hat."Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
(Retcon via group OOC discussion: Zephyr stayed behind to do further work/shopping while we started traveling toward the tower we first found out about at the shallow graves, promising they would catch up with us in Red Larch. We stopped at Red Larch to wait for them and start scouting out the best route to the tower.)
At the start of the next day, Carrhae visits Zephyr at their tower before she heads off to Red Larch with the rest of the party. "I think your idea of staying here for an extra week is a wonderful one, but Strife is right and the rest of us can't remain idle while you do so. We'll be waiting for you in Red Larch and I assume that once you have your broom, you'll be able to fly there quickly without any problems. Maybe when you buy your broom you can get a hat so that you'll be a cute little witch. Could you also purchase a lyre for me, if it's not too much of an inconvenience? We'll try not to get in trouble while we're waiting for you!"
And with that Carrhae gives Zephyr a hug, gets on her magically summoned steed, and leads the Zephyr-less Jingle Belles down to Red Larch. While they're waiting for Zephyr, Carrhae invites Trini and Strife into her room at the inn their staying at. "It has been an honor and a privilege to travel with bards as lovely and talented as yourself. I hope that you will do an even greater honor by instructing me on how to be a Bard. Strife, you have such a talent with words and instruments, and Trini, you're such a lovely dancer. I'd love it if the two of you could give me a few pointers."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Zephyr had done their week of work and set out to meet up with the rest of the girls at Red Larch, happily using their new Broom of Flying to take them there faster and donning their Cloak of Elvenkind. Just before they set out, the changeling had done some additional shopping, remembering a few things that the girls had said they had wanted but didn't have the coin for. Their heart swelled in delight catching a glimpse of them at Red Larch, waving at them on their broom with a beaming smile and a frantic wave.
Despite their new face (as a witch with a hat included), they were sure the girls would recognize them in a heart beat, wasting no time in hopping off their hovering broom to pull Strife into a big hug
and slips something in her back pocket."I missed you guys!" She says with a smile, moving onto hug Trini, then Carrhae. "I hope the trip over wasn't too taxing on you all!" As she moves to Mercy (no hugging!), she digs into her bag to pull out the prisoner and disguise kit she had said she wanted. "For you, my dear, I hope they're the ones you wanted!" She gives Daewen a pat on the head, not entirely sure if the ranger was okay with hugs or not (if so, she would proceed to hug her). "Thanks for giving me the time, you guys, I got my broom, and my cloak! Are we ready? Any business we needed to attend to here?"
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\
FEATHERGALE SPIRE
The first thing you noticed upon coming close to Feathergale Spire was the wind. Gusty winds buffet you from all sides. The wind sighs through rock formations in the canyon. The Spire rises from a pillar of rock high into the air, the tallest point for miles. Built from white limestone and embellished in marble, the spire resembles a gleaming sword that pierces the sky.
The gatehouse faces the opposite cliff, its drawbridge the only apparent point of entry. Tall, wide windows encompass the bottom level of the tower, absent only upon the gatehouse side. A circle of open stalls rings the tower’s foundation where it meets the rock. Above each stall, the sculpture of a hippogriff in flight leaps from the tower’s base.
A steep trail leads to the drawbridge over Feathergale Moat and to the keep’s main entrance. Two Knights on flying vultures are slowly patrolling, flying around the tower at all times. From their vantage point, it's clear that they could spot visitors from a great distance, due to the position of the Spire.
While they were waiting on Zephyr to arrive, Mercy had slipped away to spend more time among the people of Red Larch, seeking out a particular artist. Finding the tiny shop at the edge of town, she went inside to get a small memento tattooed on the back of her right hand in glamoured ink.
Constitution (Please let that needle be clean...): 4
When an oddly enthusiastic little witch joined the party at the inn (where Mercy and Daewen were sat going over the map of the terrain that they'd sketched over the past few days' scouting, checking for any inconsistencies in their notes), it took her a moment to realize she must be Zephyr. Arching an eyebrow at their ever-changing friend's new form, she thanked them quietly for the gift with a small smile, the glove of her right hand noticeably more snug than that on her left.
Later:
As the party made their way up the trail on foot, Mercy was grateful for the wind that cooled her heated forehead, even as it made the trek forward more tiring than it needed to be. She let her hood fall back, not wanting to bother holding on to it in these conditions. "Wonder when those patrols are going to swoop down on us?"
Daewen, trying to play up the innocent and helpful assistant guise, periodically waves to the flying patrol members and acts excited as if to say 'we're saved! we're rescued!'. She won't try to hide or act like the ranger/rogue that she is. However, once they're near the tower, she'll grab Mercy by the hand and let her lead here down the trail while she closes her eyes and concentrates, casting:
As an action, you can expend one ranger spell slot (1 minute per level of spell slot) to sense whether any aberrations, celestials, dragons, elementals, fey, fiends, or undead are present within 1 mile of you (or within up to 6 miles if you are in your favored terrain). This feature doesn’t reveal the creatures’ location or number.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
After carefully camouflaging the carriage using lots and lots of branches at the edge of the closest woods, the group set out on an extended hike to reach the tower.
When they were challenged by guards, Strife spoke. "Hello! Good day to you. We are traveling entertainers and we have heard from the locals that there are knights in residence who can give flying lessons. We have long dreamed of what it might be like to soar through the sky, to gaze great distances from incredible heights! We are hoping that in exchange for our musical song and dance performance, we might be offered a demonstration. That would inspire us creatively! Is there some kind of club or organization that we can join? Though we are highly skilled artists, we feel called to the air."
Deception (with Advantage, +10): 24
Insight: 20
Insight: 19
AUuhhhh....Strife I am so sorry..
"Oh, really! A likely story!" One of the two guards yells from above, swooping down on his giant vulture. "Begone! We're not interested in what you're looking for, and we DON'T offer flying lessons..or..whatever, or membership to our "club". It's exclusive. Travelling entertainers, my FOOT."
The second sentry comes swooping down, they point their spears at you. One second guard fires a flare into the air, most likely alerting someone, or something.
Mercy saw the disbelief in the guards' eyes and went to grab her crossbow, but flinched as her hand throbbed. Instead, she readied herself to cast Inflict Wounds if they were attacked.
"Don't do anything stupid, pretty." One of the guards warns you, ready to shove a spear in your chest. "We've got you all covered."
More guards are coming from the tower. Soon, you will be overwhelmed.
Mercy smiled at the guard who spoke, her voice calm. "I'm not planning on doing anything stupid...as long as you take that same course of action. I'll only hurt you, if you hurt us. See? I've been hurt enough in the past that I don't take that shit lying down." She relaxed her stance and motioned to the others to step back. "Honestly, we aren't here to hurt anyone, and a number of our group are bards who travel. So that bit about travelling performer's true, 's far as it goes. Some friends of ours were attacked by some Sacred Stone Monks, so we've been trying to figure out what happened to them. That's the truth. I'm sorry for the lies, but we've had hard luck getting cooperation from the locals when we've told them what we're after. It's like they're afraid of angering the people at the Sacred Stone Monastery by aiding us."
Sighing, Mercy started to turn away. "Again, we're sorry for troubling you. Looks like just another place where the people are too afraid of those earth cultists to help..."
Persuasion: 21
"Ha!" the one guard barks. "I KNEW you ladies were lying, especially the brave stupid one. Hope you like spear up your a-"
The other guard looks you all over, turns to the other guard. "Wait a minute, Stuart. The ugly one with the horns said Sacred Stone monks. We hate those guys." He ponders over an idea for a moment. "Come with us." He waves you all to follow him. The other guard just glares at you all.
A gap of twenty feet separates the ledge where the path ends from the closed drawbridge on Feathergale Spire. The space between the cliff’s edge and the gatehouse drops several hundred feet to the bottom of the canyon. Near the ledge, a brass bell hangs from a wooden post. The guard escorts you to the main door across the moat, bangs on the door.
An attractive female knight answers the door, sees you all, and smiles. "Ah! Visitors! Hello! I am Savra. What brings you all here?"
Daewen plays up the innocent youth and cowers behind Strife.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
OOC: @Crispy, did Daewen's Primeval Awareness spell result in anything, from back up in post #711?
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
"We have been trying to learn the fate of some friends of ours. I don't know if you are familiar with the Sacred Stone monastery, but we can tell you the monks there are not what they pretend. Based on the eyewitness account of a trapper we met, we fear these monks have abducted our friends. But wherever we go, there is a conspiracy of silence about what is taking place out there. People are too frightened to lay the responsibility for this region's growing miseries where it belongs, which is around the necks of those duplicitous ascetics.
"So, we are looking for anybody with the courage to share what they know about their machinations, anybody willing to take a stand against this injustice. We had hoped that since there are a multitude of knights here who regularly fly over areas nearby the monastery, perhaps you have seen something suspicious. We would be grateful for any help you might offer.
"In return, we are adept performers who would be pleased to entertain you! Song, dance, prose, and stories. And traveling around as we do, we would be happy to convey a message of warning, if we but knew what it is that we should say."
Deception (with Advantage, +10): 23
"I see.." Savra says, nodding her head in approval. "Come inside. There is much time to talk. But first.." she says as she leads you into the tower proper, "..It is time for celebration!"
The entrance is a thirty-foot-long hall of white stone. At the opposite end of the hall are two twelve-foot-tall doors like those of the entry gate.
An eagle carved from a massive timber hangs from the far side of the ceiling, suspended on strong chains. Slender wings of steel sweep close to its sides. Its head is also fashioned of steel.
Savra says, "Your timing is excellent! I invite you all to join us in the knights’ feast this evening, commemorating the tenth year of the Feathergale Society! I will introduce you to our captain, Thurl. This way."
At the apex of the tower, the stairs terminate at a round stone gazebo that continues upward in a needle-like minaret. Beyond this enclosure, a small lawn grows upon the top of the tower. Four paths paved with white stones point the directions of the compass, each path ending in a pointed stone crenellation. At the pinnacle’s edge is a spyglass on a tripod, pointed downward. From this vantage point, you can see a supreme view of all that transpires in the nearby canyon and the Sumber Hills beyond.
The commander of the Feathergale Knights is a well-built male human in his early fifties. Embossed feather patterns ornament the plates of his armor, and his kingly cloak boasts a feathered mantle. He smooths his white-blond hair into place, then bows low before you as if he were only a lowly courtier.
"Welcome to Feathergale Spire, retreat of the Feathergale Society. I am Thurl Merosska, the lord commander."
“Thank you for your hospitality, sire. The view here is magnificent! We are honored to be here. I am Veracity, and this shy one here is Dawn. I will permit my other friends to introduce themselves.”