The Long Road - Game Thread

"Ah ... " Hildigrim looks a little ashamed as he glances around the room. "How long is this going to take, because we have plans ... " He trails off. His face takes on a "Are you kidding me?" look, then he shakes his head. "Never mind. So," he continues, getting down to business, "are we only to be escorts? I'm surprised the Blackstaff would require such."

Would Hildi blow off dinner with the folks for an adventure? You bet he would!

Jorin casts a glance at his halfling friend, "Hildi, does this not interfere with your plans to return home?"

Quote from DirtyDogP >>

Would Hildi blow off dinner with the folks for an adventure? You bet he would!

(OOC: This will be done by nightfall. Part of the reason to start at the crack of dawn. The trip is planned for tomorrow, which is Wintershield.

Normally I'd have a recovery day between the Sheep Chase and Wintershield, but I want to run this module before the trip to the Waterdeep docks.)

Quote from DirtyDogP >>

"are we only to be escorts? I'm surprised the Blackstaff would require such."

"You should have access to Shinebright's cellar, which we don't... Besides that, I wouldn't say escort, more like extra hands and labor for the two of them.

"I won't be there, as I have other errands to run. I'm only here to make the introduction and offer."

Hildigrim mouths "It's fine." to Jorin, trying to keep from interrupting the meeting.

"So, what, exactly will we be doing?" he asks Neverember.

Renaer shrugs. "I'm not a mage... Vajra and Tinker have a ritual which they think will extract more information from the shard, but they won't know more until they try it. Your role is to act as their hands, whatever they need done. If they need someone to get more materials, or go for lunch, then you are "gophers" for them.

"You seem reluctant to spend a day on this errand. If that is how you feel, then you can leave immediately after you get Shinebright to give them access to the cellar. You keep the 2 healing potions, I'll send the other 3 in a day or so, and that will conclude the deal." (The other payments/investments would not happen.)

Pascal claps a hand on Jorin mouth and leans in closely to Raenar, “We gonna take the job.” He nods very quickly.

Renaer is pleased. "Excellent! Then as soon as you can be ready, you should go to the Stone Dwarf Inn, get Tinker, and then proceed to Shinebright's house."

Seeing that Hildigrim is still concerned, Renaer adds, "The ritual requires skill and power, but that is why Vajra and Tinker will be casting it. From what they say, your participation in the ritual might require effort and concentration, but there is no real danger to your group."

(OOC: 2 potions of healing are handed over, who wants one?)

I'd say it makes sense for Hildigrim to get one.

Hey, DM, I've got a used shortbow and a crossbow I've never used to offload if the opportunity ever presents itself.

Quote from DirtyDogP >>

Hey, DM, I've got a used shortbow and a crossbow I've never used to offload if the opportunity ever presents itself.

(OOC: Any mundane items that you don't give to another party member can be sold for half the PHB price. That is true for everyone, if you are pruning your equipment list.

Until now, it did not occur to me that the party didn't have any healing potions... My vote would be that Pascal gets the other one.

Jorin may want to give his potion of hill giant strength to someone, since his always-on belt is better. )

“Well, no rest for the weary. City folk are certainly busy.” Quillary will retrieve her adventuring items, say goodbye to Twigroot again, and be ready.

So, no need to RP the sale?

Jorin takes the scaley hint from Pascal's hand and just silently nods at Hildigrim's agreement to the task.

Quote from DirtyDogP >>

So, no need to RP the sale?

(Not for basic items like that. Maybe at the early levels, but by 6th level getting rid of a crossbow isn't a big deal.

When the day comes that you want to sell magic items, definitely.)

(Since there were no objections, Pascal should add a potion of healing to his inventory.)

Renaer has a few more words with Vajra, then prays that all of you have good fortune. He departs.

Vajra walks parallel to your group as you walk through the streets of Waterdeep. She is stoic, not even commenting on Pascal hanging onto Jorin's shoulders and keeping a hand over his mouth.

She leads you to the Stone Dwarf Inn, and towards the room used for the bar. This early in the morning, the bar is closed, but the room is still occupied. About two dozen children sit in a semi-circle around a middle-aged gnome, who is projecting images into the air.  (OOC: No, they are not drinking beer.)

Children make Quillary sad, so she stays a little distant during this interlude.

Jorin procures a breakfast ale for himself, and then upon seeing Quillary's state, gets one for her as well.  He offers it to her, but doesn't inquire about her demeanor, rather he simply hangs back away from the group with her, drinking his breakfast ale.

Not really more than a child himself, Hildigrim is excited to see the room full of children and watches what the gnome is projecting.

Quillary smiles at Jorin, acknowledging the drink, and the kindness, but just sips it, the haunted look back in her eyes.

(OOC > She does have the Haunted One background, gotta play that up sometime or other!)

Tinker (the middle-aged gnome) is quite oblivious to your group's entry, as he is continuing the lesson. Vajra has a slight eye-twitch of impatience, but she leans against the wall and waits.

After listening a bit, Hildigrim determines that Tinker is discussing the history from the Moonsea region from a century and a half ago. He tells the story of how Dragonbait and Alias overcame the cult of Moander ("Curse of the Azure Bonds"). Pascal is a little interested, as Dragonbait was a Saurial. (But obviously if he was a lizardfolk, instead of some random scalykind, it would have been more interesting).

Since the bar is closed, Jorin makes a bit of a ruckus obtaining a breakfast ale. As he settles down on a stool, slurping his beverage, a tiny 4-year old girl makes a "shhh" gesture to Jorin, before she turns back to the lesson.

Hildigrim listens with rapt attention. If Tinker says anything that contradicts anything he's read, he'll speak up with no regard to rudeness.

History: 16