This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
19
The wait for Dekhan and Incantis to wake up pushed you into the afternoon, and you spend the rest of the day making yourselves comfortable, talking and recovering. The bandits' food makes for a fine meal for all of you, and you find that Soodi and Luskain have taken up a position near the cave mouth, resting not quite together, but not quite apart either. As you take turns to keep watch, you head out of the cave where you can keep an eye on the two animals, and Zhudala joins you from time to time, flitting back and forth between the cave and your position outside, but never straying too long from Incantis' side.
There's the slightest of orange glows on the horizon as you all complete a long rest and awake. You can pack up anything you wish to bring, and resume your journey if you wish. What's the plan?
Varinth, having burnt the bodies and drunk away his regrets last night, gets Soodi ready for travel and takes any left over food and drink from the Bandits Cave.
The bodies disposed of, the food secured, you all set off once again, back to the road, and onwards to Waterdeep.
The journey takes several more days, but passes by peacefully, even pleasantly. Spring is slowly turning into summer now, though still a few weeks from the true summer warmth. The skies are clear, and the countryside grows more populated as you pass near to villages and the occasional small town.
Long before you reach it, you see the tip of the mountain, rising out from the Sea of Swords. And around it, the tiny specks in the distance that are the castle, the palaces and towers, the high walls and grand temples of Waterdeep. As you continue to walk nearer, you being to make out shapes, colours, and movement - the shapes circling the skies above the city can only be the legendary Griffin Cavalry. The High Road is bustling with traffic; you cannot afford to lose yourselves in gazing at the city, even if you are so inclined, as the way is packed with carts, wagons, travellers on foot - all manner of fellow travellers arriving to or leaving from the City of Splendors.
Perhaps thirty minutes from the gate, a small rise gives you a clear view of the city walls before you. And at the gate, there is a scrum of people and parked wagons. Entry to the city is slow, and everything and everyone is being searched, it seems. You consider whether you have anything you want to lose, or hide, before you push on. It's mid-afternoon - you likely have time to make it into the city and find a tavern before sunset, if you move now.
Scupper puts his thieves tools and the black coin in his right boot. Deep in his boot. The fact he hasn't bathed today will hopefully keep guards off the...scent. He also makes sure to muddy the boots up a bit extra. No sense in showing off a pair of magic boots.
"That was quite the fight," Incantis says as he rests from the battle with the bandits. "Heroes of Phandalin we may be; dangers yet abound."
As the party nears waterdeep the warlock gapes openly at the cavalry. "Wouldn't you like to soar like that?" he asks Zhudala. Seeing the entry slow to a crawl as people ahead are being searched, Incantis decides to ditch his daggers. No sense seeming harmful, and I can't remember the last time I used these...
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Incantis, half-elf warlock (great old one) 4/bard 1 ● Thorok Earthhand, hill dwarf mountain druid 6/grave cleric 2
Cragmyre Ironseed, earth genasi ancestral barbarian 3 ● Cyrus Natriallae, aquatic half-elf warlock of the deep 3
Dekhan stares at the circling Griffin riders By the light! That’s a sight that never grows old. What a thing it must be to soar among the clouds? He pats Luskain‘s neck perhaps someday!
You walk up to the gate and get in line. The guards are not very chatty; they seem to ask one or two questions to each travelling group, conduct a brief search, and then allow passage, and you don't see anyone being turned away. Carts laden with goods exit the city with only the briefest of checks, a name written down in a book, nothing more. Ahead of you in the queue is a pair of dwarfs seated on a cart, not unlike the one you brought to Phandalin with Gundren's supplies. Behind you, just after you arrive, three armed humans wearing leather armour, all bearing a symbol you don't recognise, fall in line; they look unhappily at Soodi, and you hear muttered comments about getting slowed down behind such an exotic group. Soodi turns her head round and stares at them for a long, long time, and eventually they grow quiet and keep their eyes on the ground.
You approach the guards as a group, and get a perfunctory greeting. Welcome to Waterdeep. Give me your names and your purpose in the city. The bored human woman wearing the City Watch uniform has a large book and a pen in her hands. People move around you; it's busy but not chaotic, and the Watch are keeping a close eye on the crowds and make sure people are safe and able to move on. It all feels very routine.
Two more guards come and begin to search you; do you allow yourselves to be searched, or make any comment as they do so?
(Are we seeing bags getting searched or weapons getting confiscated? Are they taking anything off anyone? Is anyone getting pulled out of the line?)
Strix leans on his staff and ensures his spear, axes and darts are on show and easily found. When asked he cheerfully gives his purpose as "Am Strix! Am follows friend Dekhs!" and points to the paladin. While trying not to be tickled by any frisking or rummaging through his belongings, he adds "Look summin' in'restin'?"
Dekhan turns to look at the armed humans behind them, careful to keep his demeanor non threatening but firm. He makes note of the symbol they wear, committing it to memory. He then turns and smiles at the guards Well met, yes, I am Dekhan Vale, my friends and I have come to see the City of Splendors for ourselves. He smiles again and graciously acquiesces to whatever searching the guards do.
The first takes Scupper and Strix: Perception2 The second takes Varinth and Incantis: Perception21 The third takes Dekhan: Perception14
Dekhan, your guard seems a little wary of how heavily armoured and armed you are. It's a perfunctory inspection, and then he nods respectfully.
Scupper and Strix, your guard is polite and professional as they inspect Strix's pack and they don't notice all of the items buried in the bottom. Having searched only Strix, he signals to the lead guard: These two are clear. He hasn't searched Scupper and is very definitely avoiding looking at him.
The third guard apparently fancies himself a joker. This your camel sir? he asks Varinth. I assume you've got a license? The other guards roll their eyes. He begins to inspect Soodi's saddlebags as she ignores him as completely as only she can. That's a lot of grain and a lot of onions, sir. You are farmer? Bringing your crop to market, is it?
He also looks through Incantis' pack, but seems to find nothing of interest.
(What stuff at the bottom of his pack? All he's got is a bunch of humanoid bones he's been doodling on with a chisel, a desiccated human hand, tonnes of jewels, the robes of a dead terrorist and some suspicious vials.)
Strix smiles gormlessly while he's patted down, zoning out by listening to the heartbeat and breathing of the armoured man in the queue behind him (Mark the Scent!) and wanders on, though dawdles a little, making a show of savouring the sights and sounds of the gateway to the city of splendour to see how the suspicious looking armed chaps behind them fair with the guards.
"Incantis,"the warlock adds without much flourish, bowing subtly and gesturing with his flute. He makes no comment as the guards search him as he wasn't expecting to arouse any suspicion, though it takes some surreptitious maneuvering for spider-Zhudala to avoid being patted down. He follows the party into the city.
"By the stars above and below, are they all like this?"he asks the others, his normal stoicism shattered by frantic curiosity as the half-elf tries and fails to take it all in, his head darting back and forth. "I can't decide what I want to do first..." He pauses, waiting for Strix, and contacts Scupper's mind. "Don't think I didn't notice that, dread pirate." He smiles subtly and half-winks.
Incantis is beat to hell, but he can take fourth watch.
Incantis, half-elf warlock (great old one) 4/bard 1 ● Thorok Earthhand, hill dwarf mountain druid 6/grave cleric 2
Cragmyre Ironseed, earth genasi ancestral barbarian 3 ● Cyrus Natriallae, aquatic half-elf warlock of the deep 3
19
The wait for Dekhan and Incantis to wake up pushed you into the afternoon, and you spend the rest of the day making yourselves comfortable, talking and recovering. The bandits' food makes for a fine meal for all of you, and you find that Soodi and Luskain have taken up a position near the cave mouth, resting not quite together, but not quite apart either. As you take turns to keep watch, you head out of the cave where you can keep an eye on the two animals, and Zhudala joins you from time to time, flitting back and forth between the cave and your position outside, but never straying too long from Incantis' side.
There's the slightest of orange glows on the horizon as you all complete a long rest and awake. You can pack up anything you wish to bring, and resume your journey if you wish. What's the plan?
Varinth, having burnt the bodies and drunk away his regrets last night, gets Soodi ready for travel and takes any left over food and drink from the Bandits Cave.
Shall we proceed along the charted course?
To Waterdeep. Along the road, aye.
The bodies disposed of, the food secured, you all set off once again, back to the road, and onwards to Waterdeep.
The journey takes several more days, but passes by peacefully, even pleasantly. Spring is slowly turning into summer now, though still a few weeks from the true summer warmth. The skies are clear, and the countryside grows more populated as you pass near to villages and the occasional small town.
Long before you reach it, you see the tip of the mountain, rising out from the Sea of Swords. And around it, the tiny specks in the distance that are the castle, the palaces and towers, the high walls and grand temples of Waterdeep. As you continue to walk nearer, you being to make out shapes, colours, and movement - the shapes circling the skies above the city can only be the legendary Griffin Cavalry. The High Road is bustling with traffic; you cannot afford to lose yourselves in gazing at the city, even if you are so inclined, as the way is packed with carts, wagons, travellers on foot - all manner of fellow travellers arriving to or leaving from the City of Splendors.
Perhaps thirty minutes from the gate, a small rise gives you a clear view of the city walls before you. And at the gate, there is a scrum of people and parked wagons. Entry to the city is slow, and everything and everyone is being searched, it seems. You consider whether you have anything you want to lose, or hide, before you push on. It's mid-afternoon - you likely have time to make it into the city and find a tavern before sunset, if you move now.
What would you like to do?
Onwardsh and Upkards heY? Intones an only slightly inebriated Varinth. He rubs the unopened fine wine like a talisman.
Scupper puts his thieves tools and the black coin in his right boot. Deep in his boot. The fact he hasn't bathed today will hopefully keep guards off the...scent. He also makes sure to muddy the boots up a bit extra. No sense in showing off a pair of magic boots.
"That was quite the fight," Incantis says as he rests from the battle with the bandits. "Heroes of Phandalin we may be; dangers yet abound."
As the party nears waterdeep the warlock gapes openly at the cavalry. "Wouldn't you like to soar like that?" he asks Zhudala. Seeing the entry slow to a crawl as people ahead are being searched, Incantis decides to ditch his daggers. No sense seeming harmful, and I can't remember the last time I used these...
Incantis, half-elf warlock (great old one) 4/bard 1 ● Thorok Earthhand, hill dwarf mountain druid 6/grave cleric 2
Cragmyre Ironseed, earth genasi ancestral barbarian 3 ● Cyrus Natriallae, aquatic half-elf warlock of the deep 3
Dekhan stares at the circling Griffin riders By the light! That’s a sight that never grows old. What a thing it must be to soar among the clouds? He pats Luskain‘s neck perhaps someday!
Ah well...ifn you ain't keepin em...
Scupper picks up the two daggers.
A couple more isn't likely te turn heads
You walk up to the gate and get in line. The guards are not very chatty; they seem to ask one or two questions to each travelling group, conduct a brief search, and then allow passage, and you don't see anyone being turned away. Carts laden with goods exit the city with only the briefest of checks, a name written down in a book, nothing more. Ahead of you in the queue is a pair of dwarfs seated on a cart, not unlike the one you brought to Phandalin with Gundren's supplies. Behind you, just after you arrive, three armed humans wearing leather armour, all bearing a symbol you don't recognise, fall in line; they look unhappily at Soodi, and you hear muttered comments about getting slowed down behind such an exotic group. Soodi turns her head round and stares at them for a long, long time, and eventually they grow quiet and keep their eyes on the ground.
You approach the guards as a group, and get a perfunctory greeting. Welcome to Waterdeep. Give me your names and your purpose in the city. The bored human woman wearing the City Watch uniform has a large book and a pen in her hands. People move around you; it's busy but not chaotic, and the Watch are keeping a close eye on the crowds and make sure people are safe and able to move on. It all feels very routine.
Two more guards come and begin to search you; do you allow yourselves to be searched, or make any comment as they do so?
(Are we seeing bags getting searched or weapons getting confiscated? Are they taking anything off anyone? Is anyone getting pulled out of the line?)
Strix leans on his staff and ensures his spear, axes and darts are on show and easily found. When asked he cheerfully gives his purpose as "Am Strix! Am follows friend Dekhs!" and points to the paladin. While trying not to be tickled by any frisking or rummaging through his belongings, he adds "Look summin' in'restin'?"
Strix, Shifter Shadow Monk in Lost Mines of Phandelver ¦ Sihegiall Human Soulknife Rogue in In Search of Molly McGuffin
Dekhan turns to look at the armed humans behind them, careful to keep his demeanor non threatening but firm. He makes note of the symbol they wear, committing it to memory. He then turns and smiles at the guards Well met, yes, I am Dekhan Vale, my friends and I have come to see the City of Splendors for ourselves. He smiles again and graciously acquiesces to whatever searching the guards do.
Varinth dismounts/falls from Soodi when it's their turn. He splays his arms wide. He gives the female guard a cheeky smile. He raises one eyebrow.
I'm Vaz... How you *hic* doin'?
Three guards search you:
The first takes Scupper and Strix: Perception 2
The second takes Varinth and Incantis: Perception 21
The third takes Dekhan: Perception 14
Dekhan, your guard seems a little wary of how heavily armoured and armed you are. It's a perfunctory inspection, and then he nods respectfully.
Scupper and Strix, your guard is polite and professional as they inspect Strix's pack and they don't notice all of the items buried in the bottom. Having searched only Strix, he signals to the lead guard: These two are clear. He hasn't searched Scupper and is very definitely avoiding looking at him.
The third guard apparently fancies himself a joker. This your camel sir? he asks Varinth. I assume you've got a license? The other guards roll their eyes. He begins to inspect Soodi's saddlebags as she ignores him as completely as only she can. That's a lot of grain and a lot of onions, sir. You are farmer? Bringing your crop to market, is it?
He also looks through Incantis' pack, but seems to find nothing of interest.
Dekhan returns the guard’s nod with a smile. Have a good day, friend. Luskain moves forward without any physical indication from Dekhn.
Scupper walks on through and smiles to himself.
Lovely city this, eh. Very friendly, like.
(What stuff at the bottom of his pack? All he's got is a bunch of humanoid bones he's been doodling on with a chisel, a desiccated human hand, tonnes of jewels, the robes of a dead terrorist and some suspicious vials.)
Strix smiles gormlessly while he's patted down, zoning out by listening to the heartbeat and breathing of the armoured man in the queue behind him (Mark the Scent!) and wanders on, though dawdles a little, making a show of savouring the sights and sounds of the gateway to the city of splendour to see how the suspicious looking armed chaps behind them fair with the guards.
Strix, Shifter Shadow Monk in Lost Mines of Phandelver ¦ Sihegiall Human Soulknife Rogue in In Search of Molly McGuffin
"Incantis," the warlock adds without much flourish, bowing subtly and gesturing with his flute. He makes no comment as the guards search him as he wasn't expecting to arouse any suspicion, though it takes some surreptitious maneuvering for spider-Zhudala to avoid being patted down. He follows the party into the city.
"By the stars above and below, are they all like this?" he asks the others, his normal stoicism shattered by frantic curiosity as the half-elf tries and fails to take it all in, his head darting back and forth. "I can't decide what I want to do first..." He pauses, waiting for Strix, and contacts Scupper's mind. "Don't think I didn't notice that, dread pirate." He smiles subtly and half-winks.
((~what time is it? e: midafternoon, nvm))
Incantis, half-elf warlock (great old one) 4/bard 1 ● Thorok Earthhand, hill dwarf mountain druid 6/grave cleric 2
Cragmyre Ironseed, earth genasi ancestral barbarian 3 ● Cyrus Natriallae, aquatic half-elf warlock of the deep 3