"Very well then. I know of a little place here that makes some wonderful quiche. Or we could go back and get some sushi, but not sake. Whichever one we go with, you'll have to put on something more than that. As much as I appreciate your figure" Something she punctuates with a poke at Camilla's navel. "I doubt that the rest of this town will be so accepting of you walking around in your underwear. They might put you in the stocks for such an offense."
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Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
"You mean I can't walk around half naked here?!"she feigned disappointment. She smiled at her joke and tied herself up. "Food, and then shopping."She picked up Bell. "Cmon, time to eat!"
Edward returns the following morning to find the ladies ready to go eat. He seems most of the way normal except that he has a black eye. Smiling like an idiot though he says, “Hello.”
Messalina takes her friends out to a nice little restaurant that serves cinnamon buns and breakfast sandwiches. She orders coffee for herself and Camilla and limits Bell to juice, because there's absolutely no way she's giving a child that much caffeine no matter how many cute faces she uses so don't even try it Cherri. Once they've eaten, Messalina goes to the store, to buy some clothing, as well as some corn chips and candy. She also helps Camilla find a new outfit, suggesting a blue top that shows off Camilla's midsection. "I think that you'll look very cute in this. Don't you agree?"
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Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
As everyone was eating, Camilla saw Edward return and join them. "Ah, the Bull of Baldur's Gate returns from his sexual con..quest?"Camilla stopped, seeing the look on Edward. "No sexual conquest."she said, shaking her head sadly, reading his face.
During shopping, Camilla tried on the shirt, looked herself over. She put her hands on her hips, her fingers through the belt loops. "I do like it!"she admitted, "You don't think it's too revealing? Ugh, i'm gonna need a belt. Or..gain a few pounds. HA!"She grabbed a pair of tight black pants that offered much more freedom to move, and had a hole in the back perfect for her tail. She also bought a long black jacket in case it got cold, which it most likely would get traveling north. The half shirt had a nice collar that made her look classy, and professional, yet sexy.
Messalina gets a jacket for herself and also buys another flower to put in her hair, replacing the one she gave to Camilla when they first met. And then she buys a new one for Camilla and one for Bell. She sighs. "As much as I would like to be here forever, we do have to go. Let's go wake up Li'riya and Astrid."
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Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
Due to her late night, Li'riya is still trancing when Messalina comes to her room. After the changeling wakes her, she comes down, giving Edward a faint smile before ghosting out the door to do some quick shopping.
(Shopping results coming later once I run some stuff past the DM)
Camilla, newly dressed, walked into Astrid's room. She felt something gnawing roughly on her tail as she walked in.
"Hey hey."she pulled her tail away from Astrid's chewing mouth. "That's not food, it's my appendage. Astrid squinted at Camilla. "I know something about you, deary." "Oh yeah?"Camilla smiled, amused. "Putting those detective skills to good use-" "You're from Hell."Astrid said. "And, you've done..horrible things down there, haven't you?" Camilla stared at Astrid silently for a moment, her smile slowly fading to a frown. They stared at each other for a long time in silence. "Yes."Camilla said, quietly, holding her gaze. "What of it?" "Plan on hurting my friends, too?"Astrid asked carefully. Camilla stared down at Astrid. "In case you forgot, I fought alongside you all for the past week or so. I would not do that." "Oh?"Astrid said, taking a step further. "I know where you're from, half-breed. People from where you're from aren't exactly..nice." Camilla's eyes were turning from blue to red, like the color of a sunset. "No we're not. That's why I ran away. I'm not like that, nor do I like you nosing in my business." "i've been alive a long time, worked with people who kill like it's second nature."Astrid said. "I'll be watching you. One false move and i'll be there." "What, with a plate of freshly baked cookies? Maybe an apple pie, or your evening diapers?"Camilla scoffed. "I've seen things back home on a daily basis that are a million times more scary than you, you..stunted elderly raisin." They glared at each other for another minute, neither of them flinching. Then Camilla rose up. "Come on. It's time to go."
Smiling Edward says, "No conquest. Quite the opposite. She was dissapointed to learn that...well....I prefer the company of men. Gave me this black eye in response." Edward then chuckles before saying, "Its not the first time I've dissapointed a woman in that regards."
The treasure looted by the Cult from the Greenfields is headed north along the Trade Way, hidden in unmarked freight wagons that are part of the regular merchant traffic of that well-traveled road. Leosin Erlanthar left town a few days ago, and he bought horses and riding gear for you all to speed your journey to Elturel. The horses are being kept at the dealer’s stables until you're all ready to leave for Elturel; all your costs are paid for.
DAY ONE - STARTING AT GREENEST
On horseback, you traveled 200 miles from Greenest to Elturel in about six days.The journey was without incident, and much time was spent talking, laughing, getting to know each other better, and forming a bond of friendship.
DAY SIX - ARRIVAL AT ELTUREL
Elturel, a large, orderly city overlooking the River Chionthar, is filled with merchants, river traders, and farmers’ markets. Its most distinguishing feature is a brilliant magical light that hovers above it, illuminating it day and night. This light is painful to undead and is visible from almost every corner of Elturgard (of which Elturel is the capital), appearing from afar as a star or distant sun. You meet with Ontharr Frume - he is a good-natured paladin of Torm, the god of heroics and bravery. You are directed to the “headquarters” of Frume’s faction, the Order of the Gauntlet, at a tavern called A Pair of Black Antlers. Leosin, the monk you freed from the cult who is investigating it, is here as well with his handful of disciples, too. Frume explains your next assignment.
“My friends, we have important business to discuss. At this point, you know almost as much about it as we do, and thanks to you, we know twice as much today as we did a tenday ago. Something rotten is afoot. We have no formal organization to oppose these rascals — not yet anyway. We’re working on that. And we need people like you, who know how and when to fight, and how and when to keep their heads down and observe. We can’t promise you anything except long days filled with danger and stress — but what could be better than that, eh?”
FRUME AND LEOSIN: THE HARPERS AND THE ORDER OF THE GAUNTLET
Ontharr Frume and Leosin Erlanthar, along with a handful of other concerned leaders and scholars along the Sword Coast, are in the early stages of organizing against the Cult of the Dragon.Leosin’s organization is the Harpers. (The Harpers are dedicated to furthering equality and justice and to keeping power out of the hands of those who don’t deserve it.) Leosin explains that the Harpers are loosely organized; agents are allowed wide freedom of action. Frume represents the Order of the Gauntlet. His order shares many of the Harpers’ principles, but the two organizations are very different. (The Order of the Gauntlet emphasizes faith, vigilance, and constant struggle against threats of evil. Many of its members are clerics and paladins, but the order welcomes anyone who shares its ideals. Discipline is key, and the order is distinctly more structured and hierarchical than the Harpers.)
The top concern of both groups is the Cult of the Dragon. In the past, the cult was more active to the east and it was focused on creating dracoliches. Its shift to the Sword Coast and new emphasis on living dragons and on Tiamat are cause for concern. The cult is on the move and it’s up to something big; the Order of the Gauntlet, the Harpers, and a third allied group known as the Emerald Enclave want to thwart the cult’s plans. You are all offered an opportunity to join one of the factions if you wish. This is completely optional.
THE MISSION: FOLLOW THE CULT NORTH
Thanks to you all, the Harpers now know that the cult is amassing treasure and shipping it north. Where exactly this treasure is going and what the cult plans to do with it are the next two questions that need answering. Frume and Leosin would like you to join the cult’s caravan and accompany it on the journey. They could get themselves hired as guards — if not by the cult’s wagon masters, then by other merchants who are traveling in the same direction at the same time. Merchants from different companies commonly join together to form larger trains for protection. Frume has contacts among the many merchants of the region and is certain he can arrange a job. If you choose to accept this mission, you guys can pick one uncommon magic item and add it to your inventory along with 1200gp.
WHERE ARE THE CULTIST WAGONS NOW?
The tracks leaving the cultists’ camp and the map from Mondath’s chamber both indicate that the wagons were heading west to pick up the Coast Way road, where they would turn north to Beregost and Baldur’s Gate, a total journey of about 550 miles. The wagons would take twenty-five to thirty days for that trip, depending on conditions. You are all going to sail ahead and be at Baldur's Gate before the Cultist wagons arrive. The River Chionthar flows directly from Elturel to Baldur’s Gate. A sailing vessel can make that trip downstream in about three days if it ties up overnight for safety, or two if it risks pushing on through the night by lamplight. Frume has already arranged for such a boat to leave at dawn the next morning.
From Baldur's Gate, the journey is long and arduous. Wagons rarely travel alone - they travel in great caravans. Once you arrive at Baldur's Gate and spot the Cultist wagons, you will all pose as caravan guards and travel with the merchant wagons that will ride along with the Cultist wagons and survey where they end up. This is a mission of subterfuge. If the cultist know they are being followed, the mission will be considered a complete failure.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE YOU TO FIGHT ANY OF THE CULTISTS OR RISK ANYTHING THAT COULD, FOR EXAMPLE, GET YOU ALL RECOGNIZED OR IDENTIFIED.
The Cult of the Dragon raided Greenest about two weeks ago. You were sent to investigate the camp to see where they were taking all the loot to. You found out where. The cult's path is indicated in blue. Your path is green. You will meet up with the cultists covertly in Baldur's Gate and follow them all the way up to Waterdeep. The trip will take about two months.
DAY NINE - ARRIVAL AT BALDUR'S GATE
Baldur’s Gate is a bustling center of trade, with goods coming from north and south by wagon along the Trade Way and by ship on the Sea of Swords, and from the east along the River Chionthar and from Cormyr and Sembia. Baldur’s Gate is situated on a prominent bluff next to the river, overlooking an excellent natural harbor. It is divided into three distinct segments: the Upper City where the richest and most influential citizens live and where the city’s marketplace (the Wide) is located; the Lower City, which surrounds the harbor and where most of the city’s merchants live and conduct their business; and the Outer City, which lies outside the walls and where most of the city’s laborers reside in conditions that vary from crowded but clean to squalid.
Frume’s contact is a human trader named Ackyn Selebon. He operates an equipage business in the Outer City north of the city wall, in a district called Blackgate. There he sells all the material needed for long-distance freight hauling: wagons, rope, netting, grease, chains, wheels, and so on. His shop also repairs wagons. He is not directly involved in the hiring of guards for caravans, but he knows people who are. With him to vouch for you all, you have no trouble getting hired on as guards for a random northbound caravan - one that will travel with the unmarked Cult caravans.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE YOU TO FIGHT ANY OF THE CULTISTS OR RISK ANYTHING THAT COULD, FOR EXAMPLE, GET YOU ALL RECOGNIZED OR IDENTIFIED.
DAY ELEVEN - BALDUR'S GATEDEPARTURE
Within a few days, you guys spot people you recognize from the cult’s camp on the plateau. A partially concealed humanoid black dragon and her bodyguards come to Selebon's yard to purchase supplies and five wagons. Their wagons are, again, unmarked, and join the other caravans ready to make the two month journey northward. Time to pose as guards and join the caravan.
The stretch of road from Baldur’s Gate to Waterdeep is a journey of 750 miles. Horse-drawn or mule-drawn freight wagons cover 15 miles per day, depending on conditions. The animals need one day off after every six days of hauling to recover from their work. All things considered, the trip is expected to take two months. The caravan leaving Baldur’s Gate contains the three wagons of the Cult of the Dragon plus six more. Not all travelers are merchants. Wagons are also carrying families relocating to the north or diplomats on a mission to Waterdeep. People and wagons join the caravan along the way, and others leave according to the dictates of business and fortune. Some travelers ride horses, some walk beside the wagons, and some pay the merchants to ride aboard their wagons. On several occasions, you notice the cult teamsters turning away passengers even though they have spare room on their wagons.
Nothing identifies the cult’s wagons as anything but typical merchants hauling northbound freight. They don’t bunch up during the day or camp together at night. As far as anyone else knows, their only connection is that they’re part of this caravan. Only you guys know the truth. The wagons travel for about eight hours per day, with a few stops to feed and water the horses and mules. Many nights are spent camping along the road. Most small towns have roadside inns if travelers want more comfort, and walled hostelries catering to wagon caravans are spread a few days apart. Animals and travelers can rest comfortably at these walled compounds while wagons are safely locked inside.
DAY THIRTEEN - THE FIELDS OF THE DEAD
The most difficult part of the journey was near the beginning. A few days’ travel north of Baldur’s Gate brought the caravan into a countryside known as the Fields of the Dead. The road twists and wanders through hills dotted with ancient battlefields, dolmens, and barrow mounds. Common wisdom holds that it’s a very bad idea to light a fire on a hilltop at night in the Fields of the Dead, because the light attracts monsters from miles around. Crossing this territory took several days, during which everyone was edgy and on watch.
When the duo woke up, Bell had been curled up into a fetal position, cooing silently as she dreamt better dreams. It would be difficult for them to have to rouse the tiny bird from her slumber (she was just too cute!) but it needed to be done. As she came to and Messalina moved to wake up the tiefling, the cleric plopped down to the floor and headed off to take the washroom first to change her bandages. Before she dressed them, she took a look at the permanent burn scars that covered her slender arms, a frown crossing her face, but she pushed herself past that and got to wrapping herself up again.
The kenku would waddle out of the room, Camilla going and taking her time, Bell just sitting on the bed waiting for the other women to finish and head over to where they were going to be going for breakfast. At the mention of the sorcerer going to replace her robe, Bell only gave her a saddened look in response, although she understood why, she glanced down at her ruined cloak and the ribbon she tied on Camilla's arm to cover the bad patchwork, realizing now that it was a pretty bad idea to do that in the first place.
At least breakfast was yummy, and Edward showed up at the table with the rest of them! That lightened up her spirits at least. She would also compliment Li'riya's work on her sword, "Teach me that when you can please!"
While the women shopped around Bell had just been hiding between the clothes until her eyes laid upon a new kind of cloak that would be a perfect replacement for the one she ripped up, so with the gold she had saved up, she purchased it all by herself! What a grown up thing to do.
Bell barely had been paying attention to the boring meetings and stuff, at most doodling in crayon on a piece of parchment that she had so kindly requested. She's seven, what else to you really expect her to do? At least she behaved herself. Jeesh. When approached about travelling and probably near death experiences she would probably go through, all the kenku would say would be, "As long as I'm with my new family, I'll be okay!" And so she was ready to set off.
As they began their new journey, Bell had been pre-occupied with picking flowers and trying to make crowns out of them. They started out really bad, but with practice came perfection and (with a hot 16) she made a pretty decent looking crown of daises and peonies. When Edward wasn't looking, the cleric would climb up on his shoulder and gently place the crown on his head. "To distract from the shiner ya got there, chap!" She grinned, and decided to stay on his shoulder (if allowed to).
(Gonna use her passive perception of 21 here if there is anything noteworthy!)
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\
Li'riya quietly refuses the offers to join any of the factions, and wraps her scimitar hilt in strips of leather to cover the Elvish script.
Before the trip, she gets her hands on a pair of elven style bracers and a new bow, as well as a small medley of other things, including an orb of direction, some clothes of mending and a few pieces of walloping ammunition.
During the trip, she proves surprisingly good with the other guards, able to easily identify their companies and joining in on jokes.
She also spends a little time each night showing Bell how to carve on scrap wood, explaining she doesn't have much experience herself, but knows enough to keep her weapon looking good-and to alter it, as she did before.
Messalina was proud that Bell had bought herself a cloak with her money and let her know with a pat on the head. When the briefing came, Messalina tried her hardest to pay attention, but kept getting distracted by the side of Camilla wearing the shirt that revealed her midriff, but she had Li'riya fill her in on whatever parts she missed. When the actual time to travel came, she mainly stayed with her friends, but was willing to engage in conversation with the other riders, although she didn't get into any personal details. Who would've thought that being a courtesan would prepare me for traveling in a caravan with some psychopathic cultists? She did notice that Li'riya was getting along with the mercenaries and smiled. I think that's the most I've seen her socialize since I've met her. She sends over a quick Message to Camilla, one that only she can hear. "Don't panic, I'm just talking to you using a little spell I know because I wanted to talk to you without the entire caravan hearing. Just think of what you want to say and the spell will do the rest."
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Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
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Camilla could tell Messalina was a little distracted during the briefing with her outfit, and pretended not to notice. Messalina was definitely checking her out, and Camilla was secretly enjoying the attention. Huh. Interesting. This one is completely unaffected that i'm from Hell, have horns, white skin, and a ******* tail. She almost laughed out loud at the notion, but instead, put her hands in her pockets, trying to lower her pants another half inch just to see if Messalina wou- Yup. She's looking at you again.
"Whoa!"Camilla "said" in reply to Messalina's spell, almost startling in her seat. "That's a neat trick! Don't read my thoughts between 2pm and 4pm, that's Camilla's time!" she joked mentally and laughed audibly -to the curious glances of commoners in the same wagon with her. They were already nervous enough with her since she was a tiefling, so the matter didn't help. She was "assigned" to guard one of the wagons, and the occupants were very wary and suspicious of her. Being a tiefling, she was used to it. She did, however, know her priorities and the mission, so she stayed at her "post" and made sure her friends were ok at all times - and that they never lost sight of the cultist wagons. They had to keep a low profile.
DAY TWENTY
Hells. We've finally made it out of the Fields of the Dead. Everyone was edgy and nervous. Luckily, we passed through it ok. Recently, i've noticed that one of the travelers, a noble looking man, is regularly seen mistreating his horses. He allows their collars and girths to chafe sores in their hide, skimps on their feed, and whips them when the aching, hungry animals don’t pull hard enough or fast enough to suit him. One day he admired the horses of the wagon I was "guarding" and offered to buy one or more to replace the “useless nags” he is stuck with. I declined his offer, and during the night, I would secretly heal the poor horses back to health. Seeing the wounds he caused to his horses gone, it vexxed him to no end, and he stopped doing it, seeing it as a sign from above. One of the children in the wagon looks at me strange, and I never get tired of winking at the child.
"Very well. Well I have a question and I hope it doesn't offend you, but is Avernus like everyone says Hell is? With fire and brimstone?"She messages back. Messalina found herself interacting with some of the children in the caravan, telling them some stories and singing some songs to them. It was a slight challenge for the bard, as the vast majority of songs and stories she knew weren't appropriate for young children. In years past, Messalina usually paid little attention to children, but since she met Bell, she felt her heart soften for them. She still didn't want to become a mother, seeing as how that would get in the way of her profession, but she was able to entertain them and not completely ignore them. The mercenaries still shot looks at her. She knew that a good part of it was because they were attracted to her, something that she relished, even if she had no intention of sleeping with them, but she also suspected that it was because they had a suspicion on how she was going to help guard the caravan, since she didn't look especially fearsome or heavily armed.
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Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
"Oh!"Camilla "said" happily, "You've never been?? Oh, it's just wonderful!! I definitely recommend a two week tour. I can hook you up with a great deal. Hope you like insane heat, a war on two fronts, horrible creatures from your very nightmares - all ruled over a fallen angel turned devil commander named Zariel. She's so kind and loving. Oh it's lovely, all wrapped up into a nice little package with fire and brimstone, pain and suffering. Honestly, it's just your thing. Don't you think?" Camilla had to step outside of the moving cart as to not explode in uproarious laughter.
DAY TWENTY THREE
Another group of adventurers joined the caravan today. They called themselves "The Unbroken". Judging by their boasting, they have bested some of the most ferocious monsters and foes Faerûn has to offer. They look prosperous, they’re filled with exciting tales, and they struck up a bond with a number of people, including the owner of the wagon i'm guarding, and one of the women. The next morning, I was told that my services were no longer needed because he has hired "more experienced guards". What the ****. Still maintaining my cover, I found my way to the cart Bell was in, and told her I had a surprise for her soon, just to take my mind off of the fact i've been laid off in exchange for high level adventurers. Plus I feel a bit bad about my robe, Bell had made an effort to fix it, and I want to do something special with it for her.
Messalina stifles a laugh at Camilla's travel ad of her home. "So it is like everyone said it was. So how is it that you come from such a harsh place, but your hair and skin are absolutely perfect? What's your secret?"
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Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
When the new adventurers arrived, Li'riya quickly identifies their company and draws them in with stories of her apparent past experiences with other members of The Unbroken. She also lets them tell their own stories, smiling and nodding along and making the appropriate noises, regardless of how ridiculous the stories are. If any show any phobias or things that startle them, she quietly passes the information along to Camilla.
Other than that, Li'riya mostly spends her time watching from her own wagon. Each night, she disappears quietly into the woods for about an hour.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Bell had been sitting in the back of the cart, practicing her wood carving at the bottom half of her new quarterstaff she managed to buy all by her self. She was trying to whittle a bell into the wood...
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Which came out so well! The kenku would have to thank Li’riya for being the best teacher! When Camilla has approached, she showed off her work with a smile. When the tiefling mentioned the robe, her happiness seemed to have dwindled a tiny bit, thinking she should have probably been practicing her sewing instead. “Sorry...”
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\
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"Very well then. I know of a little place here that makes some wonderful quiche. Or we could go back and get some sushi, but not sake. Whichever one we go with, you'll have to put on something more than that. As much as I appreciate your figure" Something she punctuates with a poke at Camilla's navel. "I doubt that the rest of this town will be so accepting of you walking around in your underwear. They might put you in the stocks for such an offense."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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"You mean I can't walk around half naked here?!" she feigned disappointment. She smiled at her joke and tied herself up. "Food, and then shopping." She picked up Bell. "Cmon, time to eat!"
Edward returns the following morning to find the ladies ready to go eat. He seems most of the way normal except that he has a black eye. Smiling like an idiot though he says, “Hello.”
Messalina takes her friends out to a nice little restaurant that serves cinnamon buns and breakfast sandwiches. She orders coffee for herself and Camilla and limits Bell to juice, because there's absolutely no way she's giving a child that much caffeine
no matter how many cute faces she uses so don't even try it Cherri.Once they've eaten, Messalina goes to the store, to buy some clothing, as well as some corn chips and candy. She also helps Camilla find a new outfit, suggesting a blue top that shows off Camilla's midsection. "I think that you'll look very cute in this. Don't you agree?"Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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As everyone was eating, Camilla saw Edward return and join them. "Ah, the Bull of Baldur's Gate returns from his sexual con..quest?" Camilla stopped, seeing the look on Edward. "No sexual conquest." she said, shaking her head sadly, reading his face.
During shopping, Camilla tried on the shirt, looked herself over. She put her hands on her hips, her fingers through the belt loops. "I do like it!" she admitted, "You don't think it's too revealing? Ugh, i'm gonna need a belt. Or..gain a few pounds. HA!" She grabbed a pair of tight black pants that offered much more freedom to move, and had a hole in the back perfect for her tail. She also bought a long black jacket in case it got cold, which it most likely would get traveling north. The half shirt had a nice collar that made her look classy, and professional, yet sexy.
Messalina gets a jacket for herself and also buys another flower to put in her hair, replacing the one she gave to Camilla when they first met. And then she buys a new one for Camilla and one for Bell. She sighs. "As much as I would like to be here forever, we do have to go. Let's go wake up Li'riya and Astrid."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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Due to her late night, Li'riya is still trancing when Messalina comes to her room. After the changeling wakes her, she comes down, giving Edward a faint smile before ghosting out the door to do some quick shopping.
(Shopping results coming later once I run some stuff past the DM)
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Camilla, newly dressed, walked into Astrid's room. She felt something gnawing roughly on her tail as she walked in.
"Hey hey." she pulled her tail away from Astrid's chewing mouth. "That's not food, it's my appendage.
Astrid squinted at Camilla. "I know something about you, deary."
"Oh yeah?" Camilla smiled, amused. "Putting those detective skills to good use-"
"You're from Hell." Astrid said. "And, you've done..horrible things down there, haven't you?"
Camilla stared at Astrid silently for a moment, her smile slowly fading to a frown. They stared at each other for a long time in silence.
"Yes." Camilla said, quietly, holding her gaze. "What of it?"
"Plan on hurting my friends, too?" Astrid asked carefully.
Camilla stared down at Astrid. "In case you forgot, I fought alongside you all for the past week or so. I would not do that."
"Oh?" Astrid said, taking a step further. "I know where you're from, half-breed. People from where you're from aren't exactly..nice."
Camilla's eyes were turning from blue to red, like the color of a sunset. "No we're not. That's why I ran away. I'm not like that, nor do I like you nosing in my business."
"i've been alive a long time, worked with people who kill like it's second nature." Astrid said. "I'll be watching you. One false move and i'll be there."
"What, with a plate of freshly baked cookies? Maybe an apple pie, or your evening diapers?" Camilla scoffed. "I've seen things back home on a daily basis that are a million times more scary than you, you..stunted elderly raisin."
They glared at each other for another minute, neither of them flinching. Then Camilla rose up. "Come on. It's time to go."
Smiling Edward says, "No conquest. Quite the opposite. She was dissapointed to learn that...well....I prefer the company of men. Gave me this black eye in response." Edward then chuckles before saying, "Its not the first time I've dissapointed a woman in that regards."
Camilla takes a look at the black eye, touching it gently. "Don't worry, my brave friend." she mentions, half giggling. "It'll heal up nicely."
ON THE ROAD
The treasure looted by the Cult from the Greenfields is headed north along the Trade Way, hidden in unmarked freight wagons that are part of the regular merchant traffic of that well-traveled road. Leosin Erlanthar left town a few days ago, and he bought horses and riding gear for you all to speed your journey to Elturel. The horses are being kept at the dealer’s stables until you're all ready to leave for Elturel; all your costs are paid for.
DAY ONE - STARTING AT GREENEST
On horseback, you traveled 200 miles from Greenest to Elturel in about six days. The journey was without incident, and much time was spent talking, laughing, getting to know each other better, and forming a bond of friendship.
DAY SIX - ARRIVAL AT ELTUREL
Elturel, a large, orderly city overlooking the River Chionthar, is filled with merchants, river traders, and farmers’ markets. Its most distinguishing feature is a brilliant magical light that hovers above it, illuminating it day and night. This light is painful to undead and is visible from almost every corner of Elturgard (of which Elturel is the capital), appearing from afar as a star or distant sun. You meet with Ontharr Frume - he is a good-natured paladin of Torm, the god of heroics and bravery. You are directed to the “headquarters” of Frume’s faction, the Order of the Gauntlet, at a tavern called A Pair of Black Antlers. Leosin, the monk you freed from the cult who is investigating it, is here as well with his handful of disciples, too. Frume explains your next assignment.
“My friends, we have important business to discuss. At this point, you know almost as much about it as we do, and thanks to you, we know twice as much today as we did a tenday ago. Something rotten is afoot. We have no formal organization to oppose these rascals — not yet anyway. We’re working on that. And we need people like you, who know how and when to fight, and how and when to keep their heads down and observe. We can’t promise you anything except long days filled with danger and stress — but what could be better than that, eh?”
FRUME AND LEOSIN: THE HARPERS AND THE ORDER OF THE GAUNTLET
Ontharr Frume and Leosin Erlanthar, along with a handful of other concerned leaders and scholars along the Sword Coast, are in the early stages of organizing against the Cult of the Dragon. Leosin’s organization is the Harpers. (The Harpers are dedicated to furthering equality and justice and to keeping power out of the hands of those who don’t deserve it.) Leosin explains that the Harpers are loosely organized; agents are allowed wide freedom of action. Frume represents the Order of the Gauntlet. His order shares many of the Harpers’ principles, but the two organizations are very different. (The Order of the Gauntlet emphasizes faith, vigilance, and constant struggle against threats of evil. Many of its members are clerics and paladins, but the order welcomes anyone who shares its ideals. Discipline is key, and the order is distinctly more structured and hierarchical than the Harpers.)
The top concern of both groups is the Cult of the Dragon. In the past, the cult was more active to the east and it was focused on creating dracoliches. Its shift to the Sword Coast and new emphasis on living dragons and on Tiamat are cause for concern. The cult is on the move and it’s up to something big; the Order of the Gauntlet, the Harpers, and a third allied group known as the Emerald Enclave want to thwart the cult’s plans. You are all offered an opportunity to join one of the factions if you wish. This is completely optional.
THE MISSION: FOLLOW THE CULT NORTH
Thanks to you all, the Harpers now know that the cult is amassing treasure and shipping it north. Where exactly this treasure is going and what the cult plans to do with it are the next two questions that need answering. Frume and Leosin would like you to join the cult’s caravan and accompany it on the journey. They could get themselves hired as guards — if not by the cult’s wagon masters, then by other merchants who are traveling in the same direction at the same time. Merchants from different companies commonly join together to form larger trains for protection. Frume has contacts among the many merchants of the region and is certain he can arrange a job. If you choose to accept this mission, you guys can pick one uncommon magic item and add it to your inventory along with 1200gp.
WHERE ARE THE CULTIST WAGONS NOW?
The tracks leaving the cultists’ camp and the map from Mondath’s chamber both indicate that the wagons were heading west to pick up the Coast Way road, where they would turn north to Beregost and Baldur’s Gate, a total journey of about 550 miles. The wagons would take twenty-five to thirty days for that trip, depending on conditions. You are all going to sail ahead and be at Baldur's Gate before the Cultist wagons arrive. The River Chionthar flows directly from Elturel to Baldur’s Gate. A sailing vessel can make that trip downstream in about three days if it ties up overnight for safety, or two if it risks pushing on through the night by lamplight. Frume has already arranged for such a boat to leave at dawn the next morning.
From Baldur's Gate, the journey is long and arduous. Wagons rarely travel alone - they travel in great caravans. Once you arrive at Baldur's Gate and spot the Cultist wagons, you will all pose as caravan guards and travel with the merchant wagons that will ride along with the Cultist wagons and survey where they end up. This is a mission of subterfuge. If the cultist know they are being followed, the mission will be considered a complete failure.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE YOU TO FIGHT ANY OF THE CULTISTS OR RISK ANYTHING THAT COULD, FOR EXAMPLE, GET YOU ALL RECOGNIZED OR IDENTIFIED.
The Cult of the Dragon raided Greenest about two weeks ago. You were sent to investigate the camp to see where they were taking all the loot to. You found out where. The cult's path is indicated in blue. Your path is green. You will meet up with the cultists covertly in Baldur's Gate and follow them all the way up to Waterdeep. The trip will take about two months.
DAY NINE - ARRIVAL AT BALDUR'S GATE
Baldur’s Gate is a bustling center of trade, with goods coming from north and south by wagon along the Trade Way and by ship on the Sea of Swords, and from the east along the River Chionthar and from Cormyr and Sembia. Baldur’s Gate is situated on a prominent bluff next to the river, overlooking an excellent natural harbor. It is divided into three distinct segments: the Upper City where the richest and most influential citizens live and where the city’s marketplace (the Wide) is located; the Lower City, which surrounds the harbor and where most of the city’s merchants live and conduct their business; and the Outer City, which lies outside the walls and where most of the city’s laborers reside in conditions that vary from crowded but clean to squalid.
Frume’s contact is a human trader named Ackyn Selebon. He operates an equipage business in the Outer City north of the city wall, in a district called Blackgate. There he sells all the material needed for long-distance freight hauling: wagons, rope, netting, grease, chains, wheels, and so on. His shop also repairs wagons. He is not directly involved in the hiring of guards for caravans, but he knows people who are. With him to vouch for you all, you have no trouble getting hired on as guards for a random northbound caravan - one that will travel with the unmarked Cult caravans.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE YOU TO FIGHT ANY OF THE CULTISTS OR RISK ANYTHING THAT COULD, FOR EXAMPLE, GET YOU ALL RECOGNIZED OR IDENTIFIED.
DAY ELEVEN - BALDUR'S GATE DEPARTURE
Within a few days, you guys spot people you recognize from the cult’s camp on the plateau. A partially concealed humanoid black dragon and her bodyguards come to Selebon's yard to purchase supplies and five wagons. Their wagons are, again, unmarked, and join the other caravans ready to make the two month journey northward. Time to pose as guards and join the caravan.
The stretch of road from Baldur’s Gate to Waterdeep is a journey of 750 miles. Horse-drawn or mule-drawn freight wagons cover 15 miles per day, depending on conditions. The animals need one day off after every six days of hauling to recover from their work. All things considered, the trip is expected to take two months. The caravan leaving Baldur’s Gate contains the three wagons of the Cult of the Dragon plus six more. Not all travelers are merchants. Wagons are also carrying families relocating to the north or diplomats on a mission to Waterdeep. People and wagons join the caravan along the way, and others leave according to the dictates of business and fortune. Some travelers ride horses, some walk beside the wagons, and some pay the merchants to ride aboard their wagons. On several occasions, you notice the cult teamsters turning away passengers even though they have spare room on their wagons.
Nothing identifies the cult’s wagons as anything but typical merchants hauling northbound freight. They don’t bunch up during the day or camp together at night. As far as anyone else knows, their only connection is that they’re part of this caravan. Only you guys know the truth. The wagons travel for about eight hours per day, with a few stops to feed and water the horses and mules. Many nights are spent camping along the road. Most small towns have roadside inns if travelers want more comfort, and walled hostelries catering to wagon caravans are spread a few days apart. Animals and travelers can rest comfortably at these walled compounds while wagons are safely locked inside.
DAY THIRTEEN - THE FIELDS OF THE DEAD
The most difficult part of the journey was near the beginning. A few days’ travel north of Baldur’s Gate brought the caravan into a countryside known as the Fields of the Dead. The road twists and wanders through hills dotted with ancient battlefields, dolmens, and barrow mounds. Common wisdom holds that it’s a very bad idea to light a fire on a hilltop at night in the Fields of the Dead, because the light attracts monsters from miles around. Crossing this territory took several days, during which everyone was edgy and on watch.
When the duo woke up, Bell had been curled up into a fetal position, cooing silently as she dreamt better dreams. It would be difficult for them to have to rouse the tiny bird from her slumber (she was just too cute!) but it needed to be done. As she came to and Messalina moved to wake up the tiefling, the cleric plopped down to the floor and headed off to take the washroom first to change her bandages. Before she dressed them, she took a look at the permanent burn scars that covered her slender arms, a frown crossing her face, but she pushed herself past that and got to wrapping herself up again.
The kenku would waddle out of the room, Camilla going and taking her time, Bell just sitting on the bed waiting for the other women to finish and head over to where they were going to be going for breakfast. At the mention of the sorcerer going to replace her robe, Bell only gave her a saddened look in response, although she understood why, she glanced down at her ruined cloak and the ribbon she tied on Camilla's arm to cover the bad patchwork, realizing now that it was a pretty bad idea to do that in the first place.
At least breakfast was yummy, and Edward showed up at the table with the rest of them! That lightened up her spirits at least. She would also compliment Li'riya's work on her sword, "Teach me that when you can please!"
While the women shopped around Bell had just been hiding between the clothes until her eyes laid upon a new kind of cloak that would be a perfect replacement for the one she ripped up, so with the gold she had saved up, she purchased it all by herself! What a grown up thing to do.
Bell barely had been paying attention to the boring meetings and stuff, at most doodling in crayon on a piece of parchment that she had so kindly requested. She's seven, what else to you really expect her to do? At least she behaved herself.
Jeesh. When approached about travelling and probably near death experiences she would probably go through, all the kenku would say would be, "As long as I'm with my new family, I'll be okay!" And so she was ready to set off.As they began their new journey, Bell had been pre-occupied with picking flowers and trying to make crowns out of them. They started out really bad, but with practice came perfection and (with a hot 16) she made a pretty decent looking crown of daises and peonies. When Edward wasn't looking, the cleric would climb up on his shoulder and gently place the crown on his head. "To distract from the shiner ya got there, chap!" She grinned, and decided to stay on his shoulder (if allowed to).
(Gonna use her passive perception of 21 here if there is anything noteworthy!)
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\
Li'riya quietly refuses the offers to join any of the factions, and wraps her scimitar hilt in strips of leather to cover the Elvish script.
Before the trip, she gets her hands on a pair of elven style bracers and a new bow, as well as a small medley of other things, including an orb of direction, some clothes of mending and a few pieces of walloping ammunition.
During the trip, she proves surprisingly good with the other guards, able to easily identify their companies and joining in on jokes.
She also spends a little time each night showing Bell how to carve on scrap wood, explaining she doesn't have much experience herself, but knows enough to keep her weapon looking good-and to alter it, as she did before.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Messalina was proud that Bell had bought herself a cloak with her money
and let her know with a pat on the head. When the briefing came, Messalina tried her hardest to pay attention, but kept getting distracted by the side of Camilla wearing the shirt that revealed her midriff, but she had Li'riya fill her in on whatever parts she missed. When the actual time to travel came, she mainly stayed with her friends, but was willing to engage in conversation with the other riders, although she didn't get into any personal details. Who would've thought that being a courtesan would prepare me for traveling in a caravan with some psychopathic cultists? She did notice that Li'riya was getting along with the mercenaries and smiled. I think that's the most I've seen her socialize since I've met her. She sends over a quick Message to Camilla, one that only she can hear. "Don't panic, I'm just talking to you using a little spell I know because I wanted to talk to you without the entire caravan hearing. Just think of what you want to say and the spell will do the rest."Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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Camilla could tell Messalina was a little distracted during the briefing with her outfit, and pretended not to notice. Messalina was definitely checking her out, and Camilla was secretly enjoying the attention. Huh. Interesting. This one is completely unaffected that i'm from Hell, have horns, white skin, and a ******* tail. She almost laughed out loud at the notion, but instead, put her hands in her pockets, trying to lower her pants another half inch just to see if Messalina wou- Yup. She's looking at you again.
"Whoa!" Camilla "said" in reply to Messalina's spell, almost startling in her seat. "That's a neat trick! Don't read my thoughts between 2pm and 4pm, that's Camilla's time!" she joked mentally and laughed audibly - to the curious glances of commoners in the same wagon with her. They were already nervous enough with her since she was a tiefling, so the matter didn't help. She was "assigned" to guard one of the wagons, and the occupants were very wary and suspicious of her. Being a tiefling, she was used to it. She did, however, know her priorities and the mission, so she stayed at her "post" and made sure her friends were ok at all times - and that they never lost sight of the cultist wagons. They had to keep a low profile.
DAY TWENTY
Hells. We've finally made it out of the Fields of the Dead. Everyone was edgy and nervous. Luckily, we passed through it ok. Recently, i've noticed that one of the travelers, a noble looking man, is regularly seen mistreating his horses. He allows their collars and girths to chafe sores in their hide, skimps on their feed, and whips them when the aching, hungry animals don’t pull hard enough or fast enough to suit him. One day he admired the horses of the wagon I was "guarding" and offered to buy one or more to replace the “useless nags” he is stuck with. I declined his offer, and during the night, I would secretly heal the poor horses back to health. Seeing the wounds he caused to his horses gone, it vexxed him to no end, and he stopped doing it, seeing it as a sign from above. One of the children in the wagon looks at me strange, and I never get tired of winking at the child.
"Very well. Well I have a question and I hope it doesn't offend you, but is Avernus like everyone says Hell is? With fire and brimstone?" She messages back. Messalina found herself interacting with some of the children in the caravan, telling them some stories and singing some songs to them. It was a slight challenge for the bard, as the vast majority of songs and stories she knew weren't appropriate for young children. In years past, Messalina usually paid little attention to children, but since she met Bell, she felt her heart soften for them. She still didn't want to become a mother, seeing as how that would get in the way of her profession, but she was able to entertain them and not completely ignore them. The mercenaries still shot looks at her. She knew that a good part of it was because they were attracted to her, something that she relished, even if she had no intention of sleeping with them, but she also suspected that it was because they had a suspicion on how she was going to help guard the caravan, since she didn't look especially fearsome or heavily armed.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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"Oh!" Camilla "said" happily, "You've never been?? Oh, it's just wonderful!! I definitely recommend a two week tour. I can hook you up with a great deal. Hope you like insane heat, a war on two fronts, horrible creatures from your very nightmares - all ruled over a fallen angel turned devil commander named Zariel. She's so kind and loving. Oh it's lovely, all wrapped up into a nice little package with fire and brimstone, pain and suffering. Honestly, it's just your thing. Don't you think?" Camilla had to step outside of the moving cart as to not explode in uproarious laughter.
DAY TWENTY THREE
Another group of adventurers joined the caravan today. They called themselves "The Unbroken". Judging by their boasting, they have bested some of the most ferocious monsters and foes Faerûn has to offer. They look prosperous, they’re filled with exciting tales, and they struck up a bond with a number of people, including the owner of the wagon i'm guarding, and one of the women. The next morning, I was told that my services were no longer needed because he has hired "more experienced guards". What the ****. Still maintaining my cover, I found my way to the cart Bell was in, and told her I had a surprise for her soon, just to take my mind off of the fact i've been laid off in exchange for high level adventurers. Plus I feel a bit bad about my robe, Bell had made an effort to fix it, and I want to do something special with it for her.
Messalina stifles a laugh at Camilla's travel ad of her home. "So it is like everyone said it was. So how is it that you come from such a harsh place, but your hair and skin are absolutely perfect? What's your secret?"
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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When the new adventurers arrived, Li'riya quickly identifies their company and draws them in with stories of her apparent past experiences with other members of The Unbroken. She also lets them tell their own stories, smiling and nodding along and making the appropriate noises, regardless of how ridiculous the stories are. If any show any phobias or things that startle them, she quietly passes the information along to Camilla.
Other than that, Li'riya mostly spends her time watching from her own wagon. Each night, she disappears quietly into the woods for about an hour.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Bell had been sitting in the back of the cart, practicing her wood carving at the bottom half of her new quarterstaff she managed to buy all by her self. She was trying to whittle a bell into the wood...
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Which came out so well! The kenku would have to thank Li’riya for being the best teacher! When Camilla has approached, she showed off her work with a smile. When the tiefling mentioned the robe, her happiness seemed to have dwindled a tiny bit, thinking she should have probably been practicing her sewing instead. “Sorry...”
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\