Sword Coast Rambling

Slightly disappointed, Astaro begins packing away the scrolls, returning to the pile of coins on the counter. “Well, it has been a pleasure to serve you. I hope your friend outside is feeling better.... Until next time!” With a cheery wave, Astaro watches them leave, flicking her wrist and sending the coins spiralling effortlessly through the air once more with a sigh.

Gathering outside, the party make their way westwards, back towards the crowds still littering the marketplace. Merchants and traders, eager to leave with more coin than stock, slash their prices as they begin to pack away their stalls. “.... LOWEST PRICE IN TOWN!”, “LAST ONE! DON’T BE DISAPPOINTED!”, “.... BUY TWO GET TWO FREE!”

Pushing through the crowd, the companions finally find themselves in a long meandering street, climbing slowly uphill, deeper into the Protectors Enclave. Running along both sides of the road, beautifully crafted glass lanterns of every colour imaginable. Glowing red, blue and green lights guide their path as they venture further, only pausing for a moment as they reach the crest of the hill top.

Before them, floating maybe twenty foot above a deep crater, a grand building five storeys tall. The building, and the land in its immediate vicinity, tied tightly to the ground by huge chains running from all four corners. A group of townsfolk pass by barely giving the spectacle a single glance. From ground level, the party can make out the shape of the building above. Centuries old stone built into a grand stately home. A large archway shrouding the main door leads into the wide ground floor. From the centre of the building, a tall tower reaches upwards from the its base, stretching further from the ground as the hovering island bobs gently, rattling the chains.

At the edge of the crater, an intricately designed wooden sign is posted beside a large green magical portal. “Moonstone Mask”. With a bright flash, the portal spits out a drunken patron, who shakes himself before stumbling down a nearby street alone. The companions glance around at each other, and each taking a deep breath, step slowly into the magical doorway.

A bright green flash accompanied by a roar of rushing wind overwhelms them as they are instantly transported to the forecourt on the hovering mass. Below them, the city of Neverwinter lying sprawls out in all directions. A figure dressed in a sheer black gown, face hidden behind a glowing mask edged in moonstone approaches them from the front doorway. A friendly feminine voice speaks to them, “Greetings gentlemen..... and lady. Welcome to the famous Moonstone Mask. I am Lerissa, your chaperone for the evening. Kindly follow me.”

Without waiting for an answer, Lerissa leads the party through the archway into a wide bustling feast hall. A huge central staircase dominates the room, brightly lit lanterns leading the way to the upper floors. Along the right hand wall, a raging fire lights the room from an old stone fireplace.

Around the room, tables of diners laugh and talk loudly amongst each other. Each group accompanied by their own masked lady in black, joining in heartily. Lerissa leads the companions to an empty table beside the fire, seven mahogany chairs circled around. With a wave of her hand, she gestures for them to sit, “Can I get you travellers anything? We have plenty to eat and drink? Hot pies? Fish Skewers? An ale or wine perhaps? We can also provide rooms if you need them... as well as.... other services.....”

"Wow what a magnificent place...." Beetle says and takes a seat..."For now how about a round of ale for my companions and myself..." with that said Beetle gives Lerissa 5 gold pieces.  "Very good choice Serak, very good indeed."

Lerissa disappears to fetch the round of drinks, giving the party a chance to take in their surroundings. Diners of all shapes and sizes fill the tables around the feast hall - elven nobles, human sailors, even a pair of dwarves have risen from their underground city to share a meal. All round the room, the mysterious women busy themselves caring for their customers. Some carry trays of food and drink others merely provide company. Strangely none of the women talk to one another as they pass - unusual in such an establishment. 

Lerissa reappears, carrying a tray full of ale tankards. “Here we are my dears. We do offer full board for our residents... a bed and all you can eat and drink for another 4 Gold each of you’re interested?” Taking a seat beside the fire, the cloaked lady takes a tankard for herself. “Where have you all come from then?” 

"That sounds like I fine deal," Beetle says as he hands Lerissa another 16 gold...."this should cover my 3 companions and myself for the night, thank you...as for where, we are from Phandalin, we have been helping that town out and it has sort of become our residence."  Beetle decides no one here needs to know where the group is originally from so for now Phandalin will serve it's purpose.

“Phandalin? I’ve never been, although I’ve heard so much about it. There was an elf who was a regular here, often talking about the places he had travelled to - Phandalin always sounded so peaceful and pretty. Is it as he described? Mountains and rivers?” Though difficult to tell through the mask, the woman seems genuinely engaged in the conversation that she has started. Disappearing momentarily, she returns with a selection of meat pies and skewered fish for the companions, “.... and what brings you so far north? Have you business in the City of Skilled Hands?”

Completely enthralled by her guests, Lerissa plays absently with an amulet that hangs around her neck, listening intently. She plays the part of a perfect hostess, laughing politely at jokes and engaging enough to keep the conversation flowing.

Serak: Sensing immediately the exact type of establishment this is, Serak shakes his head and says, "Oh, my dear innocent Paladin. This is a house of ill repute and these ladies are... professionals. We'll just take food, drinks and rooms please, Miss." He then waves the hostess off with a smile and says, "Unwise to speak of our business in such a place. Let us rest and prepare for tomorrow's march east, my friends."

"You are much wiser than I in these matter Sir Serak and I default to your judgement here..." Beetle says starting to realize his friend may have just saved him from some very unconfortable conversations with Tyr.

OOC: I kinda feel weird wielding the staff and sword instead of shield and sword, but gonna roll with it for a little bit and see, however since I am wielding 2 weapons I can attack with both now so that is a plus.  However from how I understand it I don't get damage bonus on the second weapon.  I am not sure about adding to hit though. Anyone know?

“Very well gentlemen,” Lerissa speaks calmly as she rises from the table, “I’ll see to it that your rooms are ready upstairs when you see fit. If you need anything at all, more drinks or even a warm conversation, I will be at your beck and call for the duration of your stay.” 

Without a hint of disappointment, the masked woman removes herself from the party, heading over to a small reception area beside the staircase. 

The evening passes quickly. After easily devouring courses of pies, fish and soups, all accompanied by their own ale or wine, the companions head to their rooms for the night.

Appearing once more before them, Lerissa leads the way up the long curling staircase, to the guest quarters. Leaving the jovial sounds of the feast hall behind them, the upstairs corridors are eerily silent. Lush red carpet beneath their feet, promotes a sense of weightlessness as they float along the passageway towards their rooms. Finally stopping beside a set of doors on the fourth floor, Lerissa finally speaks again, “These are your rooms for tonight. I hope you will find them to your liking. I myself will be available at a moments notice should you need anything.” Gesturing towards a door for each of them, the masked woman smiles warmly before bidding them a goodnight.

Opening their doors almost simultaneously, the six companions make their ways inside. Each room is deftly silent, as if all sound had been erased by a powerful magic. The furnishings are lavish. Deep carpets line the floor, with richly painted red walls. A huge bay window overlooking the city takes up most of the opposite wall. To their left a luxurious four poster bed looks invitingly comfortable. As they carefully close the door behind them, they each notice a small hand sized disk hanging from a hook beside the doorframe. A square of red silk covers a round mirror in an elegantly designed golden frame. Below, a small wooden plaque, engraved with the words, “‘FOQAL’ - For Service” 

As Beetle gets ready for bed he sits on the floor and looks upwards to offer his daily prayers to Tyr.  He has his usual conversation and then gets to bed, hardly able to stay awake any longer stuffed from all the great food.  In the morning he will once again be ready to head out on the road with his companions fully refreshed.

OOC: Beetle, your to-hit should be normal for a Quarterstaff. A Quarterstaff is Versatile, so you can use it with only one hand. I know it seems strange using a Sword and Staff. Just think of yourself as a more heavily armored version of Gandalf. The extra Shield casting will more than make up for the 1 AC lost.

Also guys, I just moved to Ohio for a job. Got here yesterday, so I'm super busy, but I'll post when I can. Serak is ready to travel to where Syna's friend was last seen.

OOC: No probs Serak, hope all goes well. Ill give the others a chance to do anything they need to in Neverwinter before you guys head off. 

OOC: ok sounds interesting for the staff and I agree the extra shields are better than 1 ac not just for the defense it also opens up my spell slots for more Divine Smites.  Good luck in Ohio!!!!

In the eery silence of his room, Beetle awakens feels well rested. Quickly gathering his belongings, the paladin heads back downstairs, into the bustling feast hall. A scene much the same as the night before, tables of guests and diners, each with a masked woman beside them.

Sitting around a round table close to the kitchens, Jelenneth and Lerissa are deep in conversation. Beetle pulls up a stool and pours himself a glass of Pinewood tea, waiting for the others to join them.

”Good morning Beetle,” Jelenneth smiles broadly, “Lerissa here was just helping me to find out where these cultists might be. She really is a fountain of knowledge!”

Muffling a cough beneath her gleaming mask, an obviously embarrassed Lerissa speaks up, “.... well.... I’m only providing a service Lady Jelenneth. All part of the package here at The Mask. I trust you slept well Sir?”

"Good morning ladies...yes I slept very well thank you." Beetle greets them..."So with Lerissa's help do we have a better idea where the cultists are then?"

Excusing herself to arrange breakfast for her guests, Lerissa disappears into the kitchen.

“Well! She’s told me that the guests here all have stories to tell when they visit... and while she wouldn’t say exactly WHO told her this, she assures me that a dragon was spotted circling an abandoned town east of here. Its been buried in ash and deserted since the mountain nearby exploded a few years ago.” Barely able to contain her excitement any longer, Jelenneth blurts out, “It must be where they’re taking Dayereth! We’ve heard nothing about any dragons until now!”

"Then I guess that is where we will be headed." Beetle says and thinks about it a moment..."A dragon is going to be a challenge if we have to fight it but boy would I love to try tangling with a creature like that."  Beetle has thoughts of the base in Phandalin being fully funded off selling dragon parts, maybe enough for plate armor also.....he will definitely have to discuss this with Serak and the others. 

Serak: Preparing for another long march, Serak straps on his Studded Leather and checks his weapons before heading to the common room. Greeting the party, he says, "Good  morning! Shall we be off to find these villianous cults and rescue Dayereth?"

“By all means! Lerissa believes if we follow the Neverwinter River east we should find the village by the end of the day” Eager to get going, the fair druid Jelenneth leaps to her feet, charging straight for the door. Without so much as a word the others follow suit, leaving the masked servants behind them. 

Leaving the stifling city streets through the south western gate, the party find themselves in wilderness once more. A narrow trail leading east, guides then to the wide expanse of the Neverwinter River as it flows slowly into the city and out towards the sea. A few small boats float on its murky brown surface, small traders and fishing vessels anchored here in an attempt to avoid the harbour fees of the city. Lining the shore, fishermen of all races cast their lines, on the hunt for the salmon and catfish that lurk within the depths.

Farther out from the city, life on the river slowly decreases. Boats become slowly smaller before disappearing entirely. No rods or nets cast from the bank any longer. Only the constant trickle of water stays with them, as the river gradually narrows. 

As the sun begins to dip below the western horizon, the trail becomes an old overgrown lane, choked in vines and brush. Appearing before them, a steep hill, surrounded by dilapidated buildings, upon which stands a tall stone tower - it’s roof partially collapsed onto an adjoining cottage. From where the party stands, the dirt road least east, circling the southern base of the hill, winding its way between a number of old stone buildings - many of which are roofless ruins open to the weather. Some houses however, appear more or less intact. 

The settlement is eerily silent. A wooden sign, roughly built displays a hastily carved message - “DANJER! Plant monsters unt zombeez. Turn bak naw!” 

To the right, a narrow path leads south, splitting itself between two buildings on either side. The first, cowering in the shadow of an old tree, is an old crumbled stone cottage with no roof, weeds rampant inside its walls. The second, a set of ruined, side-by-side cottages which look as though they might have been the homes of prosperous shopkeepers or well-off farmers in their time. All that remains are collapsed walls and piles of debris. Several young trees have grown up in the midst of the ruins.

Forty feet further down the trail, to the east, a more intact building. A weathered sign hangs from its wall showing the faded image of a workhorse holding a flagon of ale. 

OOC: You will be able to see into the three ruined buildings if you get closer from your current positions, the intact buildings will require entering through the marked doors or windows. Jelenneth will be available to help if you need her. As it's our first real situation like this since Brots left, I will allow you to give Brots commands if needed, otherwise he'll just follow your lead.

Each square is 5ft as normal.

If you need any more information ask away...

Kai looks at the sign, "Plant monsters and Zombies.  Could it be this is where the Thay Wizard's friends have made a lair?  Or more poor luck for the area?  If so, I would think the ol' Tavern a better place.  But perhaps we should be sure of these ruins first?  Let's check the first to the right."

"OK" Beetle says and with weapons drawn slowly starts moving towards the 1st building on the right.  He will carefully approach the door way and try to see in, if he has to he will try the door and slowly open it. If there he will enter and search around for anything useful/interesting.  Then move on to the next building in the same manner.