El finishes their song, calming as the music flows through them. Their moment of peace disturbed by the book they decide to take a look at it, starting with the cover and back before moving on to its contents.
You each gain 25xp from the end of the last encounter.
Verim begins to pray, the smell of incense fill his nose, reminding him of a more simple time. After trying to contact Mystra, he stops and listens. He listens for a voice, a sound, a change in the wind. He gets nothing.
El picks up the book, it's a hard backed book that's quite small, just bigger than pocket sized, its purple exterior looks out of place in the dark, grey and dull surroundings, there is a thin golden trim that surrounds the edges of the cover. Slowly, unsure about the book, El opens to the first page, it reads: Property of Flemidil De Ringe
El flicks through a few of the pages, most of which are either too damp and smudged to read or for some reason soaked in blood that covers the words. The three pages that seem to be the most in tact are:
The second readable page appears to be some kind of Gnomish.
Spoiler for everyone to read, Just to keep the post smaller.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
After hearing El singing to themselves, Cyndral walks over to the ledge and sits down a bit further down the ledge to try and not seem to dominate the conversation, sitting at the same level for them both to feel equal he starts in a calm voice “Did you write that? It’s pretty good, you’ve got some talent there” He waits to see what El says and even if there’s no response he moves on “Listen, about before, I’m sorry that we didn’t agree on what we should have done. On the surface I’d have had no problem agreeing with you, but down here, down here is a different place. They say it’s kill or be killed, which I know isn’t always the case but if we’d have taken her with us then we’d have always been looking over our shoulders, waiting for her to strike. I think that what we did turned out to be the right thing to do” Cyndral sits and waits for El’s response once more “What have you got there?” He points at the book.
El glances over at Cyndral as he sits, acknowledging his presence but not wishing to be the first one to words."Yes, on the road the first day. Thank you." El doesn't elaborate and waits for the half-elf to say what he really intended to before responding.
"I may be from the surface but I understand that ideal better than most. Death is also a mercy for those who live on the streets. Before you learn to steal and before you are strong enough to fight all you can do is grovel or beg for a quick end, only to have it stolen from you by the charity of others, keeping you alive enough to hate life. I would have starved in a back alley where and death would certainly have saved me much pain, but I didn't. I was given the gift of a second chance from someone who asked nothing in return. I once asked her 'why didn't you just let me die?' Believing that I would have preferred that fate. Her reply was; 'Death is an easy way out for those who gift it and those who receive it feel no pain in the end. But pain is what makes us mortal, it takes real compassion to let someone live to fight through that pain and come out stronger for it.' She believed that good and evil were horse crap and that the only things that mattered were free will, honesty and compassion. This place may be different but the rules are the same, fight to survive and for the survival of those you love. In my experience the only way to receive compassion is if you show it, likewise with mercy, love, and trust."
El takes a deep breath, having released much of what's been on their mind now and hoping Cyndral would at least empathise. "Despite my own misfortunes, and trust me, growing up on the street has been the least of them, I still aim to live by that. The person who taught me that ideal learned it first down here, in the Underdark." El looks directly at Cyndral, "I don't hate you or anyone for believing what you believe, we all choose how to live in our given situation. Had the woman asked you to end her life or agreed with you, I'd have been unhappy to let it happen and wouldn't be able to watch the infants being killed but I could have let it be. Where I draw the line is deciding someone else's fate, especially right in front of them, and deciding what it 'right'. That's why I was angry, not at your ideals but at how you were inflicting them upon others."
El holds out the book for Cyndral to take, "I'm not sure, it seems to contain some poetry but most of the pages are unreadable and one of the ones I could read is in Gnomish or something like it."
OoC: This is long af so the conversation can be going on in the background while people do whatever, if anyone needs to interrupt just do it in between paragraphs (including Masakisayz when they return) thanks! XD
While El and Cyndral have their discussion, Verim continues to stare at the orb before settling down in the right hand cave. Buppido, Drendil, Eldeth and JimJar join Shishakli in the left hand cave while Ront, Sarith, Shuushar, Stool, Topsy and Turvy join Verim. Eldeth, hearing Tobias’ question says “Do you think you could make a pickaxe? Some of the more unusual gems can be found down here and they might help us to make a bit of money in some of the cities down here”
JimJar sits down with his legs crossed and brings out a small deck of cards, dealing them between himself, Buppido and Drendil.
Shuushar goes over to a corner of the cave, finding a small dirty puddle, he proceeds to rub the moisture over his scales. Topsy and Turvy sit whispering to one another and Stool approaches Gnarls “What’s it like up there? On the surface I mean. I’ve heard stories but I’ve never known whether to believe them or not. They say that a ball of fire flies through the sky for hours, burning everything that sees it and that the only time it’s safe to go out is when the ball falls asleep”
Shuushar goes over to a corner of the cave, finding a small dirty puddle, he proceeds to rub the moisture over his scales. Topsy and Turvy sit whispering to one another and Stool approaches Gnarls “What’s it like up there? On the surface I mean. I’ve heard stories but I’ve never known whether to believe them or not. They say that a ball of fire flies through the sky for hours, burning everything that sees it and that the only time it’s safe to go out is when the ball falls asleep”
Gnarls looks at Stool with surprise, and lets out a small laugh. "The Sun! It shines bright half the day and then dwindles as night approaches, replaced by the moon, a smaller circle that reflects it's light. It makes land warm but not burning, and only sometimes. Half the year it is cold even when the Sun shines, and colder when it doesn't. It seems simple, yet I have a hard time explaining it. There is grass on the ground most places -- like the moss you see here in places, but everywhere. Shades of green, living things everywhere -- food to eat is plentiful if you know where to look and how to get it. The sky overhead is a rich blue, except when Tempus and Uthgar unleash their anger and darken it grey with storms. Storms are where great amounts of water fall from the sky, gusts of wind blow things about and bolts of energy crash down. It is like....the feel of battle. The surge. The power. The wildness. Each day is a new adventure, different from the last. I don't know what cities and such are like down here, but up above they are full of soft, pampered people who have never known true hardship." Pausing to realize how hard it is to describe the vibrancy and dynamics of the world, Gnarls thinks on the fanciful tale of the Sun Stool had. "I suppose if the stories you hear about the over-world are so exaggerated, our stories of the Underdark might be the same. Does death lurk in every chamber? Do you truly go mad if stuck in total darkness for more than one day. I heard you can get lost for eternity in the caverns without someone to guide you."
"For any of us that make our lives down here total darkness is a hard concept to grasp Gnarls. Even if we snuff all the lights here I will still see you clearly. So madness... no. Not from the darkness at least." Shishakli replies, adding "I believe you are correct, in that those from surface greatly overestimate the dangers down here, as we likely would those above. I've heard that it's also possible to get endlessly lost amongst huge areas of large plants, or sand filled areas, or huge seas that stretch for days and days. At least down here there is comfort in the walls being always near. And the sounds of water dripping, or creatures eking out a living fill many with a sense of ease. Perhaps I can help you appreciate some of the beauty while we travel." the last line said while imagining some of the more exotic areas he's explored in his time.
Although there is no real expression on Stools face/body, you can tell just how excited and confused he his by the way he talks.
"The Son? If it's the son then who are its parents? Who is the moon and why does he replace the son? Is it always just the son and the moon or is there someone else that takes their place? What happens when they die? Why does the son only do his job properly for half of the year? I have so many questions. These storms, you call them weather, right? That's where we get our water from down here, from the surface worlds weather, that's what they say. Yes, yes, Shishakli is right, it's not always dark down here, you should see the Neverlight Grove, there are luminous mushrooms there that are so so big, you can barely see the tops, oh I can't wait to visit my home again"
Verim has been listening to the back and fourth between the three companions, he smirks hearing about the sun, a very blinding light for Verim for the first time he laid eyes upon it, transfixed and also a part of him. He walks over after packing his amulet back into his robes kneels down to join the group.
”I was like you once Stool, I had never seen the sun, it creates magical power and binds us all, I like to think that the sun binds me more...” Verim opens his eyes wide, the shine and fire consuming his vision and erupting with micro explosions in solar flare cascading around where eye balls should lay, complex and whirling solar flares engulfing his eye sockets ... this is only a fraction of what the suns power has to offer, it breeds life, many on the surface worship the sun as Pelor, I’ve read many teachings and theories on its creation but it’s over swarming power only a god can be responsible. We are all small beings but I’ve spoken to them, Mystra was the one who gave me my sight , the ability to see such wonders, but horrors also. Verim takes a deep breath and gives himself a moment, shaking his head in a sort of apology he turns to the other two thinking that was a bit heavy ”Gnarls, Shishakli if you wouldn’t mind, tell me where are you from? I know the surface and under dark to some degrees from books and teachers but I want to know real experience. Verim will proceed to pull out his ink and parchment to keep notes on the answers. He will tell the others about the numbers once he feels he has more information on them, the regret of tasting the orb still on his lips.
Looking at Verrim, Gnarls answers "The Grey Work tribe, my tribe, roamed the tundra between the Lurkwood and the Spine of the World. The northern reaches of the Sword Coast. Ocassionally we would seek cover in the forest, but mostly the open plains. We lived off the land mostly, trading with occasional travelling merchants. Most avoided us, misunderstanding who we are. We do not kill without reason. It is winter 7-8 months of the year that far north. I've heard Icewind Dale is worse, but I can't imagine how."
Returning his gaze to Stool, he realizes how inadequate his explanation was. "I do not truly know Stool. The Sun is a big ball of fire in the sky. Many, like myself, believe it is a remnant of the Gods. It travels across the sky, east to west until it is out of sight. It returns again the next day. The Moon is similar but it rock, not fire. I do not know why it's heat is less effective for half the year, but it is so."
Cyndral nodded, carefully thinking over his response. There was truth to El's perspective, and he wouldn't deny it, but he still felt they hadn't yet bridged the schism that had formed that day. So far, El had proven to be a useful ally, and more, a decent person. Such was hard to come by in the dark, and Cyndral wouldn't be content not to make the effort to repair the damage done.
"My mother, for the few short years that I knew her, was a human. A priestess of Selune. I'd only ever seen her in bondage, as much a prisoner of my father and his fellow raiders as myself. They were a splinter faction, rogue Drow men who decided they would rather break from the cruel matriarchy and pillage their way around the surface, or near it at least, for a living. There's more there than I want to get into right now, but she is the one who taught me the balance of all things. Even in the darkness of night on the surface, she would say, Selune's light shines down. Even when it was missing, it would return in the nights to come. I asked her many times why she never lost hope in her horrible life. To live in chains, to see your captor's face in your own child's, what kept her going? She told me during her last days, that Selune promised more than just this life. That when she passed from here, she would walk in the tranquil night-lands forever, with the rest of the souls of the innocent who dwelt there. That the moonlight would be her home forever, no matter how wretched her life was now. This has helped my view of death as a mercy. That, if that woman was truly good at heart, something better awaited her after we would have done the deed. Selune is not the only god of good in this world, certainly, so I cannot say which of the heavens would have awaited her. But I can say that after we struck her down, her and her children would have moved on to live in a much better place."
A weighted pause followed this thought, and Cyndral stared down at his own hands, the faintest of shadow-stuff whisping between his fingers for a split second before a clenching of his fists dismissed it.
"The road I have had to walk, however. The things my father taught and made me do... I am not eager to die. Selune isn't the face waiting for me beyond the veil. I hope that helping you all back to the surface, and my further works beyond, can help sway that balance back to the light. For I am full of the darkness now, as suffused to me as your songs are to you."
El listens intently, having said their part and wishing to understand Cyndral's reasons and hear his story. Once the half-elf finishes El pauses a moment before replying "Your mother sounds like she was a wonderful person and I can see that some of that was passed on to you, despite what you may have done in the past. I have to point out though that while your sentiment is honest and true, it can so easily be twisted or cross a line."
El turns to face him, sitting cross legged and picking at the moss on the ledge. "If someone doesn't believe in life after death, which nobody stopped to ask the bandit or the children, and you enforced your ideal on them by showing them 'mercy' then, even if you were right and they were saved, brought to a better place, you still took that choice away fromthem."El is clearly no longer upset and they start to get excited thinking about the philosophy of it all, their knees are now bouncing slightly as they sit and the moss having a seriously bad day.
"I personally don't believe in life after death, at least not in same way most would. I'm sure there are Gods and Planes beyond this world but I've never much liked the thought of an afterlife where every action is judged according to the rules of some whimsical deity. If there is a heaven I hope everyone would be excepted, or at the very least by those who tried to do good, even if they failed or caused 'bad' things to happen instead. If such a place exists, I'm sure I will see you there." El smiles at Cyndral, having mostly forgotten their disagreement now. Their eyes begin to twinkle again as they speak and the corners of their mouth twitch upwards.
Cyndral nods, taking in El's more idealistic view of an afterlife and contemplating on it for a bit.
"There is certainly wisdom in this, friend. I'm sure that in either system, you'll find yourself in a good place when all is said and done. Let us hope that we get everyone out of this place before we have to deal with any sort of question like that again."
Cyndral's eyes drift into the opening of the cavern below, listening in the pause of the conversation to make certain that their cover remains intact. Once he's summarily satisfied that they are still hidden, he turns to a more casual line of questioning, one that has been nagging at the back of his mind for two days.
"This Sloobludop, the Kuo-Toa society. What do you think it will be like? I can hardly imagine a village of fish-folk will have a pleasing aroma to it. And so few of our own speak Undercommon, I imagine the translation circle will slow us down quite a bit there."
”Gnarls, Shishakli if you wouldn’t mind, tell me where are you from? I know the surface and under dark to some degrees from books and teachers but I want to know real experience.
"Like the twins I originally am from Blingdenstone..." Shishakli replies, and pauses a second before continuing "Though I haven't been back often in the last many years. I spend most of my time alone tracking or escorting those through the caves." taking another second to compose his thoughts, so as not to give fear to the group "On the surface I hear there are large beings that fly and can eat a man whole. Or other large man like creatures that would be far too large for these caves. Here in the Underdark those do not exist, yet I find myself tracking other more... fiendish... beings. They are not often around, but seem to connect to this land easier than the Surface."
”Thank you, both you, to you all, this is all fascinating... Verim jots down this information in his parchments, studying Stool also as he listens ... I promise we will venture and return to Blingdenstone at some point, you three must have stories and folklore of your area, I’d be interested to learn? I haven’t heard of Blingdenstone before but we will venture to reunite you three with your loved one’s. I do however know of the Sword Coast but not much of the North, I’m from the West, from the smaller Islands of Alaron, I lived near the Rushdown wood, I then...... he pauses for second as if in pain thinking of his past life ..... I then had to leave.... for reasons which I’d not care to mention now, I’d prefer tell you all at a time when we are clear and we are all together. I bid you all a good night... He pulls out his amulet and takes a deep sigh as if he has lost motivation and his words seem false .... may Mystra bind us and aid us in times of need, may her teaching light up areas that are dark and for us to use our power to defeat our enemies” Verim walks back over to his bedroll, lies down on the floor and rolls up his new blanket as a pillow, he sighs deeply and tries to sleep.
Everyone begins to settle in their new surroundings for the evening as JimJar takes a gold piece of Drendil and Buppido after winning the game of cards. Cyndral and El watch and listen to the sounds outside the cave with nothing catching their attention. Shishakli and JimJar then move into position as Cyndral and El retire for the evening.
JimJar looks over at Shishakli. “When did you last go back? To Blingdenstone I mean. I think the last time I went there was about 2 years ago. I bet things have changed there since then”
Stretching ready to sleep before his watch ((again, wake him for last watch)) he replies "It's been quite a bit longer for me... I was traveling with... a group... and we ran into some trouble. Since then I've learned everything I can of the fiends and things from the abyss that cause trouble to peaceful travelers in the underdark. Perhaps it'll be good to visit when we get you and the twins back."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Shishakli and JimJar both peer over the edge to see 3 pairs of small red eyes with something else glowing on top, emitting a slight red glow, they both stay still and watch 3 Cranium Rats walk into the space below, sniff around the base of the ladder and then leave. The rest of the watch goes by uneventfully and eventually, the rest of the party begin to wake and prepare for the next day of travel. Due to foraging the day before, you've managed to forage and additional 30 rations. Unfortunately 3 of the rations have gone bad. After all of the party have eaten, you are left with 27 rations.
Cyndral's eyes drift into the opening of the cavern below, listening in the pause of the conversation to make certain that their cover remains intact. Once he's summarily satisfied that they are still hidden, he turns to a more casual line of questioning, one that has been nagging at the back of his mind for two days.
"This Sloobludop, the Kuo-Toa society. What do you think it will be like? I can hardly imagine a village of fish-folk will have a pleasing aroma to it. And so few of our own speak Undercommon, I imagine the translation circle will slow us down quite a bit there."
El shrugs, "We'll have Stool with us and enough of us speak the tongue that I'd say we'll manage. And about the 'aroma'? Dunno 'bout you but I'd trade a smell for a cell any day."
They head back into the lefthand cave and take out the carving again, sitting against their pack as they focus on the task. (5 +5 Performance/+2 Survival/+4 SoH)
El finishes their song, calming as the music flows through them. Their moment of peace disturbed by the book they decide to take a look at it, starting with the cover and back before moving on to its contents.
Investigation if needed: 11
You each gain 25xp from the end of the last encounter.
Verim begins to pray, the smell of incense fill his nose, reminding him of a more simple time. After trying to contact Mystra, he stops and listens. He listens for a voice, a sound, a change in the wind. He gets nothing.
El picks up the book, it's a hard backed book that's quite small, just bigger than pocket sized, its purple exterior looks out of place in the dark, grey and dull surroundings, there is a thin golden trim that surrounds the edges of the cover. Slowly, unsure about the book, El opens to the first page, it reads: Property of Flemidil De Ringe
El flicks through a few of the pages, most of which are either too damp and smudged to read or for some reason soaked in blood that covers the words. The three pages that seem to be the most in tact are:
The second readable page appears to be some kind of Gnomish.
Spoiler for everyone to read, Just to keep the post smaller.
Dungeon Master - PBP Lost Mine Of Phandelver (Closed)
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After hearing El singing to themselves, Cyndral walks over to the ledge and sits down a bit further down the ledge to try and not seem to dominate the conversation, sitting at the same level for them both to feel equal he starts in a calm voice “Did you write that? It’s pretty good, you’ve got some talent there” He waits to see what El says and even if there’s no response he moves on “Listen, about before, I’m sorry that we didn’t agree on what we should have done. On the surface I’d have had no problem agreeing with you, but down here, down here is a different place. They say it’s kill or be killed, which I know isn’t always the case but if we’d have taken her with us then we’d have always been looking over our shoulders, waiting for her to strike. I think that what we did turned out to be the right thing to do” Cyndral sits and waits for El’s response once more “What have you got there?” He points at the book.
Lookout Perception Check - 3
Dungeon Master - PBP Lost Mine Of Phandelver (Closed)
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Dungeon Master - The Chronicles Of Dantia (Home Game)
Forbi & Dorbi - Deep Gnome - Fighter/Rogue - PBP Into The Fire
Vosdred Ironeye - Hill Dwarf - Fighter/Wizard - PBP Game of the Last Chance
El glances over at Cyndral as he sits, acknowledging his presence but not wishing to be the first one to words."Yes, on the road the first day. Thank you." El doesn't elaborate and waits for the half-elf to say what he really intended to before responding.
"I may be from the surface but I understand that ideal better than most. Death is also a mercy for those who live on the streets. Before you learn to steal and before you are strong enough to fight all you can do is grovel or beg for a quick end, only to have it stolen from you by the charity of others, keeping you alive enough to hate life. I would have starved in a back alley where and death would certainly have saved me much pain, but I didn't. I was given the gift of a second chance from someone who asked nothing in return. I once asked her 'why didn't you just let me die?' Believing that I would have preferred that fate. Her reply was; 'Death is an easy way out for those who gift it and those who receive it feel no pain in the end. But pain is what makes us mortal, it takes real compassion to let someone live to fight through that pain and come out stronger for it.' She believed that good and evil were horse crap and that the only things that mattered were free will, honesty and compassion. This place may be different but the rules are the same, fight to survive and for the survival of those you love. In my experience the only way to receive compassion is if you show it, likewise with mercy, love, and trust."
El takes a deep breath, having released much of what's been on their mind now and hoping Cyndral would at least empathise. "Despite my own misfortunes, and trust me, growing up on the street has been the least of them, I still aim to live by that. The person who taught me that ideal learned it first down here, in the Underdark." El looks directly at Cyndral, "I don't hate you or anyone for believing what you believe, we all choose how to live in our given situation. Had the woman asked you to end her life or agreed with you, I'd have been unhappy to let it happen and wouldn't be able to watch the infants being killed but I could have let it be. Where I draw the line is deciding someone else's fate, especially right in front of them, and deciding what it 'right'. That's why I was angry, not at your ideals but at how you were inflicting them upon others."
El holds out the book for Cyndral to take, "I'm not sure, it seems to contain some poetry but most of the pages are unreadable and one of the ones I could read is in Gnomish or something like it."
OoC: This is long af so the conversation can be going on in the background while people do whatever, if anyone needs to interrupt just do it in between paragraphs (including Masakisayz when they return) thanks! XD
While El and Cyndral have their discussion, Verim continues to stare at the orb before settling down in the right hand cave. Buppido, Drendil, Eldeth and JimJar join Shishakli in the left hand cave while Ront, Sarith, Shuushar, Stool, Topsy and Turvy join Verim. Eldeth, hearing Tobias’ question says “Do you think you could make a pickaxe? Some of the more unusual gems can be found down here and they might help us to make a bit of money in some of the cities down here”
JimJar sits down with his legs crossed and brings out a small deck of cards, dealing them between himself, Buppido and Drendil.
Shuushar goes over to a corner of the cave, finding a small dirty puddle, he proceeds to rub the moisture over his scales. Topsy and Turvy sit whispering to one another and Stool approaches Gnarls “What’s it like up there? On the surface I mean. I’ve heard stories but I’ve never known whether to believe them or not. They say that a ball of fire flies through the sky for hours, burning everything that sees it and that the only time it’s safe to go out is when the ball falls asleep”
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Gnarls looks at Stool with surprise, and lets out a small laugh. "The Sun! It shines bright half the day and then dwindles as night approaches, replaced by the moon, a smaller circle that reflects it's light. It makes land warm but not burning, and only sometimes. Half the year it is cold even when the Sun shines, and colder when it doesn't. It seems simple, yet I have a hard time explaining it. There is grass on the ground most places -- like the moss you see here in places, but everywhere. Shades of green, living things everywhere -- food to eat is plentiful if you know where to look and how to get it. The sky overhead is a rich blue, except when Tempus and Uthgar unleash their anger and darken it grey with storms. Storms are where great amounts of water fall from the sky, gusts of wind blow things about and bolts of energy crash down. It is like....the feel of battle. The surge. The power. The wildness. Each day is a new adventure, different from the last. I don't know what cities and such are like down here, but up above they are full of soft, pampered people who have never known true hardship." Pausing to realize how hard it is to describe the vibrancy and dynamics of the world, Gnarls thinks on the fanciful tale of the Sun Stool had. "I suppose if the stories you hear about the over-world are so exaggerated, our stories of the Underdark might be the same. Does death lurk in every chamber? Do you truly go mad if stuck in total darkness for more than one day. I heard you can get lost for eternity in the caverns without someone to guide you."
"For any of us that make our lives down here total darkness is a hard concept to grasp Gnarls. Even if we snuff all the lights here I will still see you clearly. So madness... no. Not from the darkness at least." Shishakli replies, adding "I believe you are correct, in that those from surface greatly overestimate the dangers down here, as we likely would those above. I've heard that it's also possible to get endlessly lost amongst huge areas of large plants, or sand filled areas, or huge seas that stretch for days and days. At least down here there is comfort in the walls being always near. And the sounds of water dripping, or creatures eking out a living fill many with a sense of ease. Perhaps I can help you appreciate some of the beauty while we travel." the last line said while imagining some of the more exotic areas he's explored in his time.
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
Although there is no real expression on Stools face/body, you can tell just how excited and confused he his by the way he talks.
"The Son? If it's the son then who are its parents? Who is the moon and why does he replace the son? Is it always just the son and the moon or is there someone else that takes their place? What happens when they die? Why does the son only do his job properly for half of the year? I have so many questions. These storms, you call them weather, right? That's where we get our water from down here, from the surface worlds weather, that's what they say. Yes, yes, Shishakli is right, it's not always dark down here, you should see the Neverlight Grove, there are luminous mushrooms there that are so so big, you can barely see the tops, oh I can't wait to visit my home again"
Dungeon Master - PBP Lost Mine Of Phandelver (Closed)
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Dungeon Master - The Chronicles Of Dantia (Home Game)
Forbi & Dorbi - Deep Gnome - Fighter/Rogue - PBP Into The Fire
Vosdred Ironeye - Hill Dwarf - Fighter/Wizard - PBP Game of the Last Chance
Verim has been listening to the back and fourth between the three companions, he smirks hearing about the sun, a very blinding light for Verim for the first time he laid eyes upon it, transfixed and also a part of him. He walks over after packing his amulet back into his robes kneels down to join the group.
”I was like you once Stool, I had never seen the sun, it creates magical power and binds us all, I like to think that the sun binds me more...” Verim opens his eyes wide, the shine and fire consuming his vision and erupting with micro explosions in solar flare cascading around where eye balls should lay, complex and whirling solar flares engulfing his eye sockets ... this is only a fraction of what the suns power has to offer, it breeds life, many on the surface worship the sun as Pelor, I’ve read many teachings and theories on its creation but it’s over swarming power only a god can be responsible. We are all small beings but I’ve spoken to them, Mystra was the one who gave me my sight , the ability to see such wonders, but horrors also. Verim takes a deep breath and gives himself a moment, shaking his head in a sort of apology he turns to the other two thinking that was a bit heavy ”Gnarls, Shishakli if you wouldn’t mind, tell me where are you from? I know the surface and under dark to some degrees from books and teachers but I want to know real experience. Verim will proceed to pull out his ink and parchment to keep notes on the answers. He will tell the others about the numbers once he feels he has more information on them, the regret of tasting the orb still on his lips.
Looking at Verrim, Gnarls answers "The Grey Work tribe, my tribe, roamed the tundra between the Lurkwood and the Spine of the World. The northern reaches of the Sword Coast. Ocassionally we would seek cover in the forest, but mostly the open plains. We lived off the land mostly, trading with occasional travelling merchants. Most avoided us, misunderstanding who we are. We do not kill without reason. It is winter 7-8 months of the year that far north. I've heard Icewind Dale is worse, but I can't imagine how."
Returning his gaze to Stool, he realizes how inadequate his explanation was. "I do not truly know Stool. The Sun is a big ball of fire in the sky. Many, like myself, believe it is a remnant of the Gods. It travels across the sky, east to west until it is out of sight. It returns again the next day. The Moon is similar but it rock, not fire. I do not know why it's heat is less effective for half the year, but it is so."
Cyndral nodded, carefully thinking over his response. There was truth to El's perspective, and he wouldn't deny it, but he still felt they hadn't yet bridged the schism that had formed that day. So far, El had proven to be a useful ally, and more, a decent person. Such was hard to come by in the dark, and Cyndral wouldn't be content not to make the effort to repair the damage done.
"My mother, for the few short years that I knew her, was a human. A priestess of Selune. I'd only ever seen her in bondage, as much a prisoner of my father and his fellow raiders as myself. They were a splinter faction, rogue Drow men who decided they would rather break from the cruel matriarchy and pillage their way around the surface, or near it at least, for a living. There's more there than I want to get into right now, but she is the one who taught me the balance of all things. Even in the darkness of night on the surface, she would say, Selune's light shines down. Even when it was missing, it would return in the nights to come. I asked her many times why she never lost hope in her horrible life. To live in chains, to see your captor's face in your own child's, what kept her going? She told me during her last days, that Selune promised more than just this life. That when she passed from here, she would walk in the tranquil night-lands forever, with the rest of the souls of the innocent who dwelt there. That the moonlight would be her home forever, no matter how wretched her life was now. This has helped my view of death as a mercy. That, if that woman was truly good at heart, something better awaited her after we would have done the deed. Selune is not the only god of good in this world, certainly, so I cannot say which of the heavens would have awaited her. But I can say that after we struck her down, her and her children would have moved on to live in a much better place."
A weighted pause followed this thought, and Cyndral stared down at his own hands, the faintest of shadow-stuff whisping between his fingers for a split second before a clenching of his fists dismissed it.
"The road I have had to walk, however. The things my father taught and made me do... I am not eager to die. Selune isn't the face waiting for me beyond the veil. I hope that helping you all back to the surface, and my further works beyond, can help sway that balance back to the light. For I am full of the darkness now, as suffused to me as your songs are to you."
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El listens intently, having said their part and wishing to understand Cyndral's reasons and hear his story. Once the half-elf finishes El pauses a moment before replying "Your mother sounds like she was a wonderful person and I can see that some of that was passed on to you, despite what you may have done in the past. I have to point out though that while your sentiment is honest and true, it can so easily be twisted or cross a line."
El turns to face him, sitting cross legged and picking at the moss on the ledge. "If someone doesn't believe in life after death, which nobody stopped to ask the bandit or the children, and you enforced your ideal on them by showing them 'mercy' then, even if you were right and they were saved, brought to a better place, you still took that choice away from them." El is clearly no longer upset and they start to get excited thinking about the philosophy of it all, their knees are now bouncing slightly as they sit and the moss having a seriously bad day.
"I personally don't believe in life after death, at least not in same way most would. I'm sure there are Gods and Planes beyond this world but I've never much liked the thought of an afterlife where every action is judged according to the rules of some whimsical deity. If there is a heaven I hope everyone would be excepted, or at the very least by those who tried to do good, even if they failed or caused 'bad' things to happen instead. If such a place exists, I'm sure I will see you there." El smiles at Cyndral, having mostly forgotten their disagreement now. Their eyes begin to twinkle again as they speak and the corners of their mouth twitch upwards.
Cyndral nods, taking in El's more idealistic view of an afterlife and contemplating on it for a bit.
"There is certainly wisdom in this, friend. I'm sure that in either system, you'll find yourself in a good place when all is said and done. Let us hope that we get everyone out of this place before we have to deal with any sort of question like that again."
Cyndral's eyes drift into the opening of the cavern below, listening in the pause of the conversation to make certain that their cover remains intact. Once he's summarily satisfied that they are still hidden, he turns to a more casual line of questioning, one that has been nagging at the back of his mind for two days.
"This Sloobludop, the Kuo-Toa society. What do you think it will be like? I can hardly imagine a village of fish-folk will have a pleasing aroma to it. And so few of our own speak Undercommon, I imagine the translation circle will slow us down quite a bit there."
Want more of my nonsense? Head over to https://bloodonthevine.podbean.com/ to listen to my DMing!
"Like the twins I originally am from Blingdenstone..." Shishakli replies, and pauses a second before continuing "Though I haven't been back often in the last many years. I spend most of my time alone tracking or escorting those through the caves." taking another second to compose his thoughts, so as not to give fear to the group "On the surface I hear there are large beings that fly and can eat a man whole. Or other large man like creatures that would be far too large for these caves. Here in the Underdark those do not exist, yet I find myself tracking other more... fiendish... beings. They are not often around, but seem to connect to this land easier than the Surface."
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
”Thank you, both you, to you all, this is all fascinating... Verim jots down this information in his parchments, studying Stool also as he listens ... I promise we will venture and return to Blingdenstone at some point, you three must have stories and folklore of your area, I’d be interested to learn? I haven’t heard of Blingdenstone before but we will venture to reunite you three with your loved one’s. I do however know of the Sword Coast but not much of the North, I’m from the West, from the smaller Islands of Alaron, I lived near the Rushdown wood, I then...... he pauses for second as if in pain thinking of his past life ..... I then had to leave.... for reasons which I’d not care to mention now, I’d prefer tell you all at a time when we are clear and we are all together. I bid you all a good night... He pulls out his amulet and takes a deep sigh as if he has lost motivation and his words seem false .... may Mystra bind us and aid us in times of need, may her teaching light up areas that are dark and for us to use our power to defeat our enemies” Verim walks back over to his bedroll, lies down on the floor and rolls up his new blanket as a pillow, he sighs deeply and tries to sleep.
Everyone begins to settle in their new surroundings for the evening as JimJar takes a gold piece of Drendil and Buppido after winning the game of cards. Cyndral and El watch and listen to the sounds outside the cave with nothing catching their attention. Shishakli and JimJar then move into position as Cyndral and El retire for the evening.
JimJar looks over at Shishakli. “When did you last go back? To Blingdenstone I mean. I think the last time I went there was about 2 years ago. I bet things have changed there since then”
JimJar looks out while talking. Perception 22
Dungeon Master - PBP Lost Mine Of Phandelver (Closed)
Dungeon Master - PBP Out Of The Abyss (Closed)
Dungeon Master - The Chronicles Of Dantia (Home Game)
Forbi & Dorbi - Deep Gnome - Fighter/Rogue - PBP Into The Fire
Vosdred Ironeye - Hill Dwarf - Fighter/Wizard - PBP Game of the Last Chance
Stretching ready to sleep before his watch ((again, wake him for last watch)) he replies "It's been quite a bit longer for me... I was traveling with... a group... and we ran into some trouble. Since then I've learned everything I can of the fiends and things from the abyss that cause trouble to peaceful travelers in the underdark. Perhaps it'll be good to visit when we get you and the twins back."
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
As JimJar and Shishakli sit at the top of the ladder, they both hear a noise at the same time. Scraping and scratching from down below.
Dungeon Master - PBP Lost Mine Of Phandelver (Closed)
Dungeon Master - PBP Out Of The Abyss (Closed)
Dungeon Master - The Chronicles Of Dantia (Home Game)
Forbi & Dorbi - Deep Gnome - Fighter/Rogue - PBP Into The Fire
Vosdred Ironeye - Hill Dwarf - Fighter/Wizard - PBP Game of the Last Chance
Shishakli and JimJar both peer over the edge to see 3 pairs of small red eyes with something else glowing on top, emitting a slight red glow, they both stay still and watch 3 Cranium Rats walk into the space below, sniff around the base of the ladder and then leave. The rest of the watch goes by uneventfully and eventually, the rest of the party begin to wake and prepare for the next day of travel. Due to foraging the day before, you've managed to forage and additional 30 rations. Unfortunately 3 of the rations have gone bad. After all of the party have eaten, you are left with 27 rations.
Dungeon Master - PBP Lost Mine Of Phandelver (Closed)
Dungeon Master - PBP Out Of The Abyss (Closed)
Dungeon Master - The Chronicles Of Dantia (Home Game)
Forbi & Dorbi - Deep Gnome - Fighter/Rogue - PBP Into The Fire
Vosdred Ironeye - Hill Dwarf - Fighter/Wizard - PBP Game of the Last Chance
El shrugs, "We'll have Stool with us and enough of us speak the tongue that I'd say we'll manage. And about the 'aroma'? Dunno 'bout you but I'd trade a smell for a cell any day."
They head back into the lefthand cave and take out the carving again, sitting against their pack as they focus on the task. (5 +5 Performance/+2 Survival/+4 SoH)