This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(Guess I OOC forgot about that game aspect - I am 100% good with asking Ardred about being hired as guard til the roadhouse if that’s at all what we want. Definitely don’t want to take that choice and those resources away from other players! Plus I have a feeling the cultists are going as far as the roadhouse, and maybe they will be less likely to be able to get the convoy against us if we are employed guards, now that I think about it.)
Persuasion for more info: 9
Regardless, Soar grabs her sword but doesn’t unsheathe it and peeks through the shutters.
Soar, you find two middle-aged women sitting at a table discussing family matters. They are happy to talk with you for a little while, and as one of them is from Neverwinter, she can tell you a little more. Carnath Roadhouse was once a busy inn and stopping point on the High Road to Neverwinter. However, decades ago when Neverwinter was almost entirely destroyed, trade along the road collapsed, and the Roadhouse stopped being a viable business. It was abandoned for many years, but now as Neverwinter is being rebuilt, the Charter Company is determined to repair the road, rebuild the inns along the way, clear out the dangerous wildlife that has moved in, and restore the trade route. It's debatable how achievable this is or how long it will take - the woman seems optimistic, but it's still a dangerous journey. At the moment, the Roadhouse seems to be a place where workers are based, both in reconstructing the Roadhouse and in working on the road itself.
Through the shutters, you see a familiar face - the pixie who travelled with you to Waterdeep. She has an annoyed expression on her face and taps loudly on the shutter again.
Soar thanks the women for the story of the roadhouse, and returns it with one about the battle of Greenest, where the dragon cult was sent packing and a dragon itself strafed the walls of the keep. Some embellishments and some hiding of personal details, but the idea being to plant a seed with someone that the dragon cult is bad news.
Later, she opens the shutter and window with a smile and welcomes her in, greeting her in sylvan with one of the few words she picked up, a greeting. She pats the bed next to her with an offer to sit, not wanting to wake up everyone else but also not trying to hide the visit. She’s sort of at a loss of how to talk to her but she’s glad the pixie is doing okay and somewhat mystified she was able to find Soar.
As you open the shutter, several small winged creatures clamber through. Each is about a foot tall, and you recognise two you think - one is the creature that travelled with the caravan for so long, and the other is the one you rescued. You recall their names: Princess Udays who you aided in saving the imprisoned Princess Oltara.
Oltara speaks in Elvish: Good evening to you, Lady Soar. I hope we are not intruding.
There's a flash of spoken Sylvan from Udays, which Oltara interrupts: Yes, I'm getting to that. Shush!
She turns again to look at you, trying to hide the exasperation from her face. I wanted to speak to you again before you left, and I insisted that we do so tonight so that we can return home tomorrow. The city is... astonishing, marvellous, terrifying, wondrous.
Another burst of Sylvan from Udays.
Yes, yes. Alright. You don't need to... Fine. Lady Soar, we offer our thanks in your efforts to rescue me, and for putting up with my sister's appalling lack of language skills and general dunderheadedness through this whole affair. I have insisted that she devote herself to studies of elvish when we return home, and she has taken this with her usual utter lack of grace and dignity. Oltara then says something to Udays in Sylvan, most likely repeating what she just said since the other pixe's response is to stick her tongue out.
Lady Soar, as tradition demands, I will offer you a boon, a gift of freedom for the freedom you have given me. I know you are one who fights, she shudders at the thought, with weapons and suchlike. My people know little of these things, but... I can give you this, something magical that was found in a forgotten place. May you never suffer imprisonment as I have done.
She waves, and one of the other pixies removes something from her finger. It is absolutely tiny, but as she hands it to you, it grows to become a normal-sized ring.
Both she and Udays fly over and kiss Soar lightly on each cheek.
Thank you, says Oltara.
Thank you, says Udays in terribbly-accented Elvish.
Soar expresses more sincere welcome to Oltara, the elvish coming back to her more and more quickly as she speaks to the pixies. She listens to their banter with a warm smile. "Can you tell Udays that she is extremely brave and capable, and I have no doubt that she will quickly master elvish? I'm sure you know that I would not have been able to do what I did without her patience and help. I will try to learn more sylvan as well!"
She listens to the pixie talk about fighting with weapons, and then the offer, and then the kisses. She first returns them with mirrored cheek kisses, and then a sincere, but gentle hug for each. "I'm so glad you're both safe. I would have felt awful if you'd have gone away with Lasfelro. I don't get suspicious often, but he tested my patience and finally I had to push the issue. As for this ring, I don't need a reward, but I understand the power of tradition, so thank you very, very much for your boon. May I ask what its story is? You said found in a forgotten place -- I'd love to hear which one, and how. And yes, I have been trained to fight with most weapons. They've served me well. But I can also access the arcane. First it was directly through my god, but more recently it's been... something else. Something more natural, more primal. I swore my Oath to the Ancients, to Kindle the Light, to Shelter the Light, to Preserve My Own Light, and to Be the Light. Maybe one day I could learn different kinds of magic. We're on a pressing mission to check Tiamat's cult right now, but I'd love to be able to get in touch with you one day -- if I wanted to find you, where would I look?"
And when Udays says thank you in elvish, Soar replies, "thank YOU" in terribly-accented sylvan.
Both pixies giggle uncontrollably at the terrible sylvan, but the atmosphere is warm and friendly.
I don't think you can find us, Oltara responds. We have a long journey ahead of us. But we will spread word of your name and your deed. My folk are curious, and would always want to say hello if you rest in a place that is safe for us. I know there is magic that can contact people over great distances and further, but it is not mine to know or use. Our home is, well, sometimes here, and she waves at the room and, by extension, the world around you, and sometimes our true home. And now I go to my true home. I hope you can visit us there one day. As for the ring, I do not know its story in full. Perhaps it does, and it will tell you if you listen.
Goodbye, Lady Soar. I believe we will meet again some day.
They both hug you again, and then the pixies and their attendants leave quickly through the window.
During the night, despite your various turns taking watch, you all get a chance to sleep.
Jalt, your dreams are of the enfolding protective wing of Bahamut, and you feel completely safe and secure sheltered beneath it, thinking back on your friends and family and the sense that they too know this protection. But before dawn, you feel the wing shift, and looking up, you see the dragon god turn to look at you, his eyes suddenly flashing with fury. It is a terrifying sight, though you know in your bones that the anger is not directed at you. You wake with a start.
Nate, in your dreams you are prey, hunted and chased through the Neverwinter Wood. Around you, people stand watching, but do not interfere. You recognise many who observe you and seem to revel in your terror. The bandits who enslaved you. The hunters who captured you. The doppelgangers who wanted to devour you. Their taunts follow you as you run, the forest becoming a place of horror and darkness. You find it thrilling, and in the last moments of the dream, you turn to face your unseen pursuer, and the darkness flows into you. You wake feeling that something new is beginning.
Soar, you dream of a strange place, wild green forests, huge colourful plants, mists that cover the land and strange geographies that make no sense. It is the Feywild, you are certain though you have never seen the place. You are drawn through a doorway and into a forest glade where there seems to be a party going on. Much dancing, strange and beautiful music, and at the head sits a woman on a throne. Her eyes lock on yours and she smiles and whispers into your mind: A trinket only, with my thanks as well. But there is so much more I can offer you. If you choose it. Her smiles grows wider as she seems to notice something over your shoulder. She laughs, and you also wake up, the night almost over, and the faintest hints of light in the sky indicating sunrise is not far off.
You wake in the morning, having completed a long rest. You have all reached level five.
Before heading to breakfast, Soar is once again disturbed by a knocking sound. This time, it's Elspeth. You have a conversation about your adventure so far, and all the time you have spent travelling together. Elspeth explains that she shares your concerns about how little the Harpers and others have shared with you all, and feels that she needs to remain in the city to talk to Carlon and his superiors, if she can. It may take time to win their trust, so she cannot be certain of how long she will gone. She is even considering joining the Harpers, though she hasn't made a final decision on that. She asks you to take care of the others and yourself.
At breakfast, she repeats this to you all, and says goodbye... for now. She seems sad to be leaving you, but strangely happy to have chosen a new path for herself, even though it takes her away from her friends. She stays with you during breakfast though, talking and reminiscing about your shared adventures and wishing you well on your journey ahead. You have time to talk to her if you wish.
Soar simply says, "I look forward to it, and thank you. Safe travels."when the pixies depart. During her watch, she'll spend some time listening to and looking at the ring, trying to read anything written on it, thinking about what it seems to be saying. (Can she identify it?)
She wakes up, reliving the dream, trying to commit the regal woman's appearance and voice to memory. She stretches luxuriously in a warm comfortable bed, a decadence she hadn't even had the awareness to really process the night before, and all of a sudden she realizes she's about to head on the road again. She stays in bed a bit longer and is there when Elspeth knocks. Listening to her decision, she doesn't really process it until the end and Soar pauses and with a start, almost tears up. Her companion for so long, and recently through so much. She makes her promise to come find her when she can, and refuses to say goodbye. This continues through packing up and heading down to breakfast. She gives her a few large hugs and again refuses to say goodbye, wishing her friend the absolute best, and extracting a promise to stay safe.
(Believe we have Soar and Jalt signing up as guards till the roadhouse and Nate just traveling? Should we stop by Jamna's inn to see if she's got any further communications before heading to the convoy a bit before two hours after sunrise, to check in with Ardred and look for Caron and his new addition? And should we stop to get any provisions, survival equipment, etc? Soar got that heavy cloak and she's good on rations, but maybe we need things to keep ourselves safe in the frozen north?)
Nate would wake from his dream in a cold sweat, and sit up in bed looking around frantically until he gets his bearings. Then recalls the dream and a dark grin falls over his face as he rises from the bed, dresses, and heads down to meet the others.
This morning, Nate looks... different somehow. He looks... darker. His black robe is somehow more noticeable as it drapes loosely over his face and armored body. He has dark circles under his eyes. He looks bad... and a little frail... but somehow quite strong.
He looks at Elspeth and bids her a farewell after recalling some of the more memorable moments with her and the party. "Thank you again for saving my life back at the cultist camp... you and the others did something I will never forget. Until we meet again."
Nate doesn't speak much more at breakfast at all, other than agreeing with all of Soar's suggestions as to a plan of action for the morning before we begin the next leg of the trip, including checking in with Jamna, Carlon, Ardred and also Nate would like to hit up a general store if there is one in the vicinity to purchase a tent.
As Jalt wakes up startled, he sits at the end of his bed and reaches for his equipment bag. As he sorts through it, he pulls out his vestments and the Cyanwrath inspired splint mail and dons them. He then grabs the sword he crafted with the symbol of Bahamut, raises it in the air and bows his head. Tiichi nomeno laraek mrith dout janikup itov Bahamut. He sheathes the sword onto his back and grabs a large dark cloak which he covers himself with.
At breakfast Jalt does not seem surprised with Elspeth’s announcement. She’s seemed distracted, heavy in thought the last few days. Until we see each otheragain valiant warrior.
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Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
Soar sees Jalt also sporting the armor, and his new sword. "Looks good on you, my friend. We're a bit of a pair, aren't we. Do you think the cultists will recognize the armor? They're already going to know who we are, and this will be like pouring oil on a fire. Maybe they'll be so focused on us that they won't notice Nate and whoever else Caron brings along. And they'll feel more confident with all their friends. I know we can handle it, but things will just be different. Less pretending."
You head off to the tavern where you agreed to meet Carlon. At the tavern, you wait for about half an hour before Carlon finally shows up. He joins you at your table, and with him is a rather unusual person who is attracting some stares from the other patrons. You have all seen his kind before, Soar a little more than the others though they are still rare even in Waterdeep, but it's quite likely that none of you have ever spoken to one.
(OOC: MaxandDad, would you like to introduce your character with a description? Can everyone else also give a short physical description of your character as well, of what the newcomer can see?)
Also, Soar, over the course of breakfast and waiting for Carlon, you would have had enough time to attune to your ring. It's a Ring of Free Action.
As the newcomer arrives, they see at the table a slender half elf wearing some pretty unique-looking splint mail armor heavy enough to suggest she's rather strong. The main splint pieces are a bright shiny purple, while the epaulets, knee, and elbow joints have unnerving skeleton and death imagery incorporated into the design. Creepy balancing scales. Skulls. Bones. The skulls' open mouths, however, have dried and fresh flower buds tucked inside. It'd be a hodgepodge of clashing imagery if the armor weren't constructed so well.
She wears a heavy cloak and one glove is off while her hands play with a ring, which still occupies her attention, mind elsewhere. Her gangly legs are splayed in easy comfort, a finely-crafted sword at her hip. When she realizes Carlon has arrived with someone new, her face looks up, pale eyes smiling in recognition of Carlon and taking in the new arrival. Her black medium-length hair's roots are growing in and at first it seems she's been dying it to cover up grey, but on closer look it's growing in a very pale yellow-gold color, like sunlight.
Her sincere grin comes easy to her face, and despite the flawless complexion of her elven heritage, she has very well-worn smile lines at the corners of her eyes. "Hello, and who might we have here?"
Her eyes flash green almost imperceptibly (she uses divine sense almost as an instinct now).
Coming to the table, it’d be hard for anyone to miss Jalt. The 6’7 silver skinned dragonborn would command a bigger audience if they weren’t in Waterdeep. His purple splint matches Soar’s in color but not in complex design. As over the armor you can see the platinum and blue vestments that the followers of Bahamut wear. And over that he wears a large dark cloak, trying to cover up all the colors as best he can without drawing too much attention. He’s an imposing figure but you don’t get the sense that it’s menacing. As usual he lets Soar make the initial greetings and just sits back and watches Carlon arrive with the newcomer.
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Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
Following Carlon is a large anxious looking Turtle/Tortoise humanoid. Even before he arrives at the table, you can hear him saying under his breath "Hello, pleasure to meet you, my name is Nub. Hello, pleasure to meet you, my name is Nub. Hello, pleasure to meet you, my name is Nub. Hello, pleasure to meet you, my name is Nub."
Nub arrives at the table and says "Ah... Hi-lo..." he winces "I mean hello... ah!." He comes across as a shy, somewhat awkward person. There is a pause, then he realises that he is forgotten to introduce himself. "Ah... My name is Nub. Sorry, sorry, I usually have my friend do the talking bits... Sorry." He looks at Carlin apologetically, then back to Soar, Jalt and Nate and says "Can we do this again? I'm really not as useless as the first introduction made me out to be..."
He turns away and says to himself "Hello, pleasure to meet you, my name is Nub. Get it right!" He then turns back to the table "Hello, pleasure to meet you, my name is Nub. I'm smarter than I look!"
Nub is large and heavy set. Although Tortles do not usually wear clothing, Nub has a large black robe on. The parts of Nub's shell that you can see have arcane symbols carved into the segments, though you cannot tell if these serve a purpose or are just decorative. Nub has large, puppy dog eyes, though is (obviously) terrible at talking.
This is Nub, says Carlon with slightly forced enthusiasm. He comes highly recommended by an... associate, and will be able to help a lot, I'm sure.
Elspeth grabs Carlon by the arm and takes him to another table to talk. This leaves the four of you, Jalt Soar Nate and Nub, to get to know each other. :)
Coming to the table, one would not normally notice the rather un-extraordinary looking human next to the massive dragonborn and the half elf with skulls all over her badass armor.
Although in this case, whether it be the creepiness of his appearance or just how out of place he looks with these warriors, you do. You see a rather eerie looking young man, draped with a black robe and gazing up at you coming to the table with Carlon. You can tell he is young, although from the dark circles under his eyes and his rather pale complexion, it seems perhaps this human has been through more than one might think. He's got some pretty tough looking armor underneath his robe, and has a frail yet somehow powerful physique. You may or may not feel a negative energy in his aura, if you might be inclined to feel those types of things.
When Nub introduces himself, Nate grins. "Well met, Nub. Seems we have a few things in common. One being I prefer to let my friends do the talking. Two being our taste in robes. And three, given those symbols on your robe, I assume you like magic."
Nate then says, out loud "So, are you here to help us kill the dragon cult?"
Nub responds "Hello Nate. Thank goodness, another magic user. I hate it when I'm stuck with a group of idiot meatheads who only know how to hit things..." Nub realises he may have put his leathery, clawed foot in his mouth and says, "Not that there is anything wrong with idiot meatheads who only know how to hit things." From the expression on his face, it seems like the Tortle thinks the latter comment would be enough to remedy the (accidental) insult in his first comment.
Nub answers Nate's question, though does so quietly "I have been asked by... friends... to help your group of adventurers with a dragon cult. I've been told to help keep you alive and help with your mission in any way I can, so if your mission is to kill the cultists, yes."
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(Guess I OOC forgot about that game aspect - I am 100% good with asking Ardred about being hired as guard til the roadhouse if that’s at all what we want. Definitely don’t want to take that choice and those resources away from other players! Plus I have a feeling the cultists are going as far as the roadhouse, and maybe they will be less likely to be able to get the convoy against us if we are employed guards, now that I think about it.)
Persuasion for more info: 9
Regardless, Soar grabs her sword but doesn’t unsheathe it and peeks through the shutters.
Soar, you find two middle-aged women sitting at a table discussing family matters. They are happy to talk with you for a little while, and as one of them is from Neverwinter, she can tell you a little more. Carnath Roadhouse was once a busy inn and stopping point on the High Road to Neverwinter. However, decades ago when Neverwinter was almost entirely destroyed, trade along the road collapsed, and the Roadhouse stopped being a viable business. It was abandoned for many years, but now as Neverwinter is being rebuilt, the Charter Company is determined to repair the road, rebuild the inns along the way, clear out the dangerous wildlife that has moved in, and restore the trade route. It's debatable how achievable this is or how long it will take - the woman seems optimistic, but it's still a dangerous journey. At the moment, the Roadhouse seems to be a place where workers are based, both in reconstructing the Roadhouse and in working on the road itself.
Through the shutters, you see a familiar face - the pixie who travelled with you to Waterdeep. She has an annoyed expression on her face and taps loudly on the shutter again.
Soar thanks the women for the story of the roadhouse, and returns it with one about the battle of Greenest, where the dragon cult was sent packing and a dragon itself strafed the walls of the keep. Some embellishments and some hiding of personal details, but the idea being to plant a seed with someone that the dragon cult is bad news.
Later, she opens the shutter and window with a smile and welcomes her in, greeting her in sylvan with one of the few words she picked up, a greeting. She pats the bed next to her with an offer to sit, not wanting to wake up everyone else but also not trying to hide the visit. She’s sort of at a loss of how to talk to her but she’s glad the pixie is doing okay and somewhat mystified she was able to find Soar.
As you open the shutter, several small winged creatures clamber through. Each is about a foot tall, and you recognise two you think - one is the creature that travelled with the caravan for so long, and the other is the one you rescued. You recall their names: Princess Udays who you aided in saving the imprisoned Princess Oltara.
Oltara speaks in Elvish: Good evening to you, Lady Soar. I hope we are not intruding.
There's a flash of spoken Sylvan from Udays, which Oltara interrupts: Yes, I'm getting to that. Shush!
She turns again to look at you, trying to hide the exasperation from her face. I wanted to speak to you again before you left, and I insisted that we do so tonight so that we can return home tomorrow. The city is... astonishing, marvellous, terrifying, wondrous.
Another burst of Sylvan from Udays.
Yes, yes. Alright. You don't need to... Fine. Lady Soar, we offer our thanks in your efforts to rescue me, and for putting up with my sister's appalling lack of language skills and general dunderheadedness through this whole affair. I have insisted that she devote herself to studies of elvish when we return home, and she has taken this with her usual utter lack of grace and dignity. Oltara then says something to Udays in Sylvan, most likely repeating what she just said since the other pixe's response is to stick her tongue out.
Lady Soar, as tradition demands, I will offer you a boon, a gift of freedom for the freedom you have given me. I know you are one who fights, she shudders at the thought, with weapons and suchlike. My people know little of these things, but... I can give you this, something magical that was found in a forgotten place. May you never suffer imprisonment as I have done.
She waves, and one of the other pixies removes something from her finger. It is absolutely tiny, but as she hands it to you, it grows to become a normal-sized ring.
Both she and Udays fly over and kiss Soar lightly on each cheek.
Thank you, says Oltara.
Thank you, says Udays in terribbly-accented Elvish.
Soar expresses more sincere welcome to Oltara, the elvish coming back to her more and more quickly as she speaks to the pixies. She listens to their banter with a warm smile. "Can you tell Udays that she is extremely brave and capable, and I have no doubt that she will quickly master elvish? I'm sure you know that I would not have been able to do what I did without her patience and help. I will try to learn more sylvan as well!"
She listens to the pixie talk about fighting with weapons, and then the offer, and then the kisses. She first returns them with mirrored cheek kisses, and then a sincere, but gentle hug for each. "I'm so glad you're both safe. I would have felt awful if you'd have gone away with Lasfelro. I don't get suspicious often, but he tested my patience and finally I had to push the issue. As for this ring, I don't need a reward, but I understand the power of tradition, so thank you very, very much for your boon. May I ask what its story is? You said found in a forgotten place -- I'd love to hear which one, and how. And yes, I have been trained to fight with most weapons. They've served me well. But I can also access the arcane. First it was directly through my god, but more recently it's been... something else. Something more natural, more primal. I swore my Oath to the Ancients, to Kindle the Light, to Shelter the Light, to Preserve My Own Light, and to Be the Light. Maybe one day I could learn different kinds of magic. We're on a pressing mission to check Tiamat's cult right now, but I'd love to be able to get in touch with you one day -- if I wanted to find you, where would I look?"
And when Udays says thank you in elvish, Soar replies, "thank YOU" in terribly-accented sylvan.
Both pixies giggle uncontrollably at the terrible sylvan, but the atmosphere is warm and friendly.
I don't think you can find us, Oltara responds. We have a long journey ahead of us. But we will spread word of your name and your deed. My folk are curious, and would always want to say hello if you rest in a place that is safe for us. I know there is magic that can contact people over great distances and further, but it is not mine to know or use. Our home is, well, sometimes here, and she waves at the room and, by extension, the world around you, and sometimes our true home. And now I go to my true home. I hope you can visit us there one day. As for the ring, I do not know its story in full. Perhaps it does, and it will tell you if you listen.
Goodbye, Lady Soar. I believe we will meet again some day.
They both hug you again, and then the pixies and their attendants leave quickly through the window.
During the night, despite your various turns taking watch, you all get a chance to sleep.
Jalt, your dreams are of the enfolding protective wing of Bahamut, and you feel completely safe and secure sheltered beneath it, thinking back on your friends and family and the sense that they too know this protection. But before dawn, you feel the wing shift, and looking up, you see the dragon god turn to look at you, his eyes suddenly flashing with fury. It is a terrifying sight, though you know in your bones that the anger is not directed at you. You wake with a start.
Nate, in your dreams you are prey, hunted and chased through the Neverwinter Wood. Around you, people stand watching, but do not interfere. You recognise many who observe you and seem to revel in your terror. The bandits who enslaved you. The hunters who captured you. The doppelgangers who wanted to devour you. Their taunts follow you as you run, the forest becoming a place of horror and darkness. You find it thrilling, and in the last moments of the dream, you turn to face your unseen pursuer, and the darkness flows into you. You wake feeling that something new is beginning.
Soar, you dream of a strange place, wild green forests, huge colourful plants, mists that cover the land and strange geographies that make no sense. It is the Feywild, you are certain though you have never seen the place. You are drawn through a doorway and into a forest glade where there seems to be a party going on. Much dancing, strange and beautiful music, and at the head sits a woman on a throne. Her eyes lock on yours and she smiles and whispers into your mind: A trinket only, with my thanks as well. But there is so much more I can offer you. If you choose it. Her smiles grows wider as she seems to notice something over your shoulder. She laughs, and you also wake up, the night almost over, and the faintest hints of light in the sky indicating sunrise is not far off.
You wake in the morning, having completed a long rest. You have all reached level five.
Before heading to breakfast, Soar is once again disturbed by a knocking sound. This time, it's Elspeth. You have a conversation about your adventure so far, and all the time you have spent travelling together. Elspeth explains that she shares your concerns about how little the Harpers and others have shared with you all, and feels that she needs to remain in the city to talk to Carlon and his superiors, if she can. It may take time to win their trust, so she cannot be certain of how long she will gone. She is even considering joining the Harpers, though she hasn't made a final decision on that. She asks you to take care of the others and yourself.
At breakfast, she repeats this to you all, and says goodbye... for now. She seems sad to be leaving you, but strangely happy to have chosen a new path for herself, even though it takes her away from her friends. She stays with you during breakfast though, talking and reminiscing about your shared adventures and wishing you well on your journey ahead. You have time to talk to her if you wish.
Soar simply says, "I look forward to it, and thank you. Safe travels." when the pixies depart. During her watch, she'll spend some time listening to and looking at the ring, trying to read anything written on it, thinking about what it seems to be saying. (Can she identify it?)
She wakes up, reliving the dream, trying to commit the regal woman's appearance and voice to memory. She stretches luxuriously in a warm comfortable bed, a decadence she hadn't even had the awareness to really process the night before, and all of a sudden she realizes she's about to head on the road again. She stays in bed a bit longer and is there when Elspeth knocks. Listening to her decision, she doesn't really process it until the end and Soar pauses and with a start, almost tears up. Her companion for so long, and recently through so much. She makes her promise to come find her when she can, and refuses to say goodbye. This continues through packing up and heading down to breakfast. She gives her a few large hugs and again refuses to say goodbye, wishing her friend the absolute best, and extracting a promise to stay safe.
(Believe we have Soar and Jalt signing up as guards till the roadhouse and Nate just traveling? Should we stop by Jamna's inn to see if she's got any further communications before heading to the convoy a bit before two hours after sunrise, to check in with Ardred and look for Caron and his new addition? And should we stop to get any provisions, survival equipment, etc? Soar got that heavy cloak and she's good on rations, but maybe we need things to keep ourselves safe in the frozen north?)
Nate would wake from his dream in a cold sweat, and sit up in bed looking around frantically until he gets his bearings. Then recalls the dream and a dark grin falls over his face as he rises from the bed, dresses, and heads down to meet the others.
This morning, Nate looks... different somehow. He looks... darker. His black robe is somehow more noticeable as it drapes loosely over his face and armored body. He has dark circles under his eyes. He looks bad... and a little frail... but somehow quite strong.
He looks at Elspeth and bids her a farewell after recalling some of the more memorable moments with her and the party. "Thank you again for saving my life back at the cultist camp... you and the others did something I will never forget. Until we meet again."
Nate doesn't speak much more at breakfast at all, other than agreeing with all of Soar's suggestions as to a plan of action for the morning before we begin the next leg of the trip, including checking in with Jamna, Carlon, Ardred and also Nate would like to hit up a general store if there is one in the vicinity to purchase a tent.
As Jalt wakes up startled, he sits at the end of his bed and reaches for his equipment bag. As he sorts through it, he pulls out his vestments and the Cyanwrath inspired splint mail and dons them. He then grabs the sword he crafted with the symbol of Bahamut, raises it in the air and bows his head. Tiichi nomeno laraek mrith dout janikup itov Bahamut. He sheathes the sword onto his back and grabs a large dark cloak which he covers himself with.
At breakfast Jalt does not seem surprised with Elspeth’s announcement. She’s seemed distracted, heavy in thought the last few days. Until we see each other again valiant warrior.
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
"Ive heard it both ways."
Soar sees Jalt also sporting the armor, and his new sword. "Looks good on you, my friend. We're a bit of a pair, aren't we. Do you think the cultists will recognize the armor? They're already going to know who we are, and this will be like pouring oil on a fire. Maybe they'll be so focused on us that they won't notice Nate and whoever else Caron brings along. And they'll feel more confident with all their friends. I know we can handle it, but things will just be different. Less pretending."
You head off to the tavern where you agreed to meet Carlon. At the tavern, you wait for about half an hour before Carlon finally shows up. He joins you at your table, and with him is a rather unusual person who is attracting some stares from the other patrons. You have all seen his kind before, Soar a little more than the others though they are still rare even in Waterdeep, but it's quite likely that none of you have ever spoken to one.
(OOC: MaxandDad, would you like to introduce your character with a description? Can everyone else also give a short physical description of your character as well, of what the newcomer can see?)
Also, Soar, over the course of breakfast and waiting for Carlon, you would have had enough time to attune to your ring. It's a Ring of Free Action.
As the newcomer arrives, they see at the table a slender half elf wearing some pretty unique-looking splint mail armor heavy enough to suggest she's rather strong. The main splint pieces are a bright shiny purple, while the epaulets, knee, and elbow joints have unnerving skeleton and death imagery incorporated into the design. Creepy balancing scales. Skulls. Bones. The skulls' open mouths, however, have dried and fresh flower buds tucked inside. It'd be a hodgepodge of clashing imagery if the armor weren't constructed so well.
She wears a heavy cloak and one glove is off while her hands play with a ring, which still occupies her attention, mind elsewhere. Her gangly legs are splayed in easy comfort, a finely-crafted sword at her hip. When she realizes Carlon has arrived with someone new, her face looks up, pale eyes smiling in recognition of Carlon and taking in the new arrival. Her black medium-length hair's roots are growing in and at first it seems she's been dying it to cover up grey, but on closer look it's growing in a very pale yellow-gold color, like sunlight.
Her sincere grin comes easy to her face, and despite the flawless complexion of her elven heritage, she has very well-worn smile lines at the corners of her eyes. "Hello, and who might we have here?"
Her eyes flash green almost imperceptibly (she uses divine sense almost as an instinct now).
Coming to the table, it’d be hard for anyone to miss Jalt. The 6’7 silver skinned dragonborn would command a bigger audience if they weren’t in Waterdeep. His purple splint matches Soar’s in color but not in complex design. As over the armor you can see the platinum and blue vestments that the followers of Bahamut wear. And over that he wears a large dark cloak, trying to cover up all the colors as best he can without drawing too much attention. He’s an imposing figure but you don’t get the sense that it’s menacing. As usual he lets Soar make the initial greetings and just sits back and watches Carlon arrive with the newcomer.
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
"Ive heard it both ways."
Following Carlon is a large anxious looking Turtle/Tortoise humanoid. Even before he arrives at the table, you can hear him saying under his breath "Hello, pleasure to meet you, my name is Nub. Hello, pleasure to meet you, my name is Nub. Hello, pleasure to meet you, my name is Nub. Hello, pleasure to meet you, my name is Nub."
Nub arrives at the table and says "Ah... Hi-lo..." he winces "I mean hello... ah!." He comes across as a shy, somewhat awkward person. There is a pause, then he realises that he is forgotten to introduce himself. "Ah... My name is Nub. Sorry, sorry, I usually have my friend do the talking bits... Sorry." He looks at Carlin apologetically, then back to Soar, Jalt and Nate and says "Can we do this again? I'm really not as useless as the first introduction made me out to be..."
He turns away and says to himself "Hello, pleasure to meet you, my name is Nub. Get it right!" He then turns back to the table "Hello, pleasure to meet you, my name is Nub. I'm smarter than I look!"
Nub is large and heavy set. Although Tortles do not usually wear clothing, Nub has a large black robe on. The parts of Nub's shell that you can see have arcane symbols carved into the segments, though you cannot tell if these serve a purpose or are just decorative. Nub has large, puppy dog eyes, though is (obviously) terrible at talking.
This is Nub, says Carlon with slightly forced enthusiasm. He comes highly recommended by an... associate, and will be able to help a lot, I'm sure.
Elspeth grabs Carlon by the arm and takes him to another table to talk. This leaves the four of you, Jalt Soar Nate and Nub, to get to know each other. :)
Coming to the table, one would not normally notice the rather un-extraordinary looking human next to the massive dragonborn and the half elf with skulls all over her badass armor.
Although in this case, whether it be the creepiness of his appearance or just how out of place he looks with these warriors, you do. You see a rather eerie looking young man, draped with a black robe and gazing up at you coming to the table with Carlon. You can tell he is young, although from the dark circles under his eyes and his rather pale complexion, it seems perhaps this human has been through more than one might think. He's got some pretty tough looking armor underneath his robe, and has a frail yet somehow powerful physique. You may or may not feel a negative energy in his aura, if you might be inclined to feel those types of things.
When Nub introduces himself, Nate grins. "Well met, Nub. Seems we have a few things in common. One being I prefer to let my friends do the talking. Two being our taste in robes. And three, given those symbols on your robe, I assume you like magic."
Nate then says, out loud "So, are you here to help us kill the dragon cult?"
Nub responds "Hello Nate. Thank goodness, another magic user. I hate it when I'm stuck with a group of idiot meatheads who only know how to hit things..." Nub realises he may have put his leathery, clawed foot in his mouth and says, "Not that there is anything wrong with idiot meatheads who only know how to hit things." From the expression on his face, it seems like the Tortle thinks the latter comment would be enough to remedy the (accidental) insult in his first comment.
Nub answers Nate's question, though does so quietly "I have been asked by... friends... to help your group of adventurers with a dragon cult. I've been told to help keep you alive and help with your mission in any way I can, so if your mission is to kill the cultists, yes."