And yes, finding Caron and/or the High Road Company's location is definitely on the agenda today. The hope was that we'd make direct contact with the Harpers or Gauntlet people and talk to them directly, but we may have to figure this out on our own.
Soar will also share that she heard that there was a half dragon sighted in the Field Ward, trying to figure out if that was a half dragon that Elspeth saw in the wagon in Baldur's Gate.
She'll also say to the group, "this Alatus will have to earn our trust, too. We're not going to just send a sensitive message to Ontharr through anyone. I hear you, Nate. I think it's perfectly reasonable to try the black antlers codephrase with Alatus, see what they say, and insist we be able to read the letter as well, before we agree to tell them to send Ontharr a message like 'Arrived in Waterdeep. Caron followed wagons. Went to Coral. Further instructions? Where do we meet you and yours? Do we follow cultists with Company?'. That's just one possibility, but it's an example to show we don't want to have someone we don't trust send a message like that. If we can't trust Alatus, I'd rather just go look around for Caron."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Jalt would take a watch. Perception: 15
I understand all your concerns. Jalt says But in war sometimes you have to work with those you don’t fully trust for the greater good. If these people wanted us dead, I believe they are capable of having done so already. Trust the enemy of our enemy. Remember we are new to this fight. It is they who should be weary of us.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
Okay, so, first stop is the Temple of Lathander. Second stop will be the magic shop. We'll take it piece by piece, but you should have time to get everything done.
Waterdeep Interlude Part One: The Temple of Lathander.
You spend a peaceful night in the tavern, and rise in the morning to a decent breakfast - more baked goods and less porridge and fruits than you've had on the road, but that's life in the big city.
You head out, and it's not hard at all to find the Temple of Lathander, a curious building that seems to have been designed to be imposing at first, but then decorated and dressed to make it as welcoming as possible. The interior is a long rectangle, brightly lit on this sunny autumn day, and the pews face the front where a large woven symbol of the Morninglord hangs from the ceiling.
There are not many people about, but you do see a priest, a halfling man, standing near the front talking amiably with a few people; it doesn't seem to be a ceremony, as people are coming and going, and there isn't a hushed air in the temple - people talk and laugh loudly. The halfling notices you as you arrive: Welcome, friends, he calls across the room, and waves you over to him as those he was talking to make their way through a door further into the temple.
When they see the priest at the temple, she smiles warmly. "Hello, my friend. We seek the Dawnmaster Alatus, is she available? We have mutual friends, and would ask her to work with us on a sensitive matter. I am Soar, a Doomguide of Kelemvor, though I am not currently working on matters directly pertaining to the Lord of the Dead."
Nate is quite content from the rest as well as the breakfast. When the group arrives in the temple, Nate watches intently as Soar inquires about Alatus. He is anxious to see if the group will get to see what's written in the letter before it's sent. Even with Jalt's wise words the night before.
He is a bit uncomfortable in this building as well. He's uncomfortable in most religious-ish type of buildings.
Latty's around here somewhere, the halfling replies. I think I saw...
I'm coming, I'm coming comes a voice from behind the altar. How's about you clean this silverware while I chat with these young folks. A woman stands and tosses a rag to the halfling, who catches it skillfully and looks, suddenly rueful. Well, I suppose I could...
And no listening in, the woman says as she walks towards you. Did you not hear the lady say 'sensitive'? She says all this in a loud voice that carries throughout the building, but no-one seems to be paying any attention. You'd better all come with me.
Two minutes later, you are all standing in a simple office, with a desk and wooden chairs. The woman closes the door. Dawnmaster Alatus Penrit at your service. What can I do for you?
Soar bows in whatever manner she's been taught to do as a Doomguide to be proper around those of other faiths. She looks at her friends in a "here goes nothing" sort of fashion.
"Dawnmaster, I am Soar, a Doomguide newly back in town from a long journey that is frankly not over. We have a mutual friend, Coral, who said you might be able to help send a message to someone who fancies black antlers. Anyhow, this person is not in town. Did Coral lead us astray?"
(Assuming she replies positively about messaging Untharr, Soar will say, "Coral also wrote a letter, sealed per your expectations. We've been kept in the dark recently and I'm a believer in transparency and trust among good people. Here's the letter. I would consider it a sign of goodwill if we could read it after you are done. I firmly believe we are on the same side here, as it is in no one's interest to have the dragon cult achieve their ends.")
Here's the draft message Soar came up with earlier to send to Ontharr if we want to keep or change it: "Arrived in Waterdeep. Caron followed wagons. Went to Coral. Further instructions? Where do we meet you and yours? Do we follow cultists with Company?"
Alatus would have been moderately positive, but cautious until you mentioned the letter. She looks resigned rather than happy, but replies:
Well, let me see the letter, please. I'll show it to you if I can, but... really, if it's transparency and trust you're looking for, you're working with the wrong people.
At this point, Nate feels that Alatus's reaction could've been a lot worse... and besides, ever since Jalt spoke his words, Nate has surrendered to the fact that they are likely not going to be able to read it, no matter how odd that might seem to him. Although it still annoys him to no end that apparently according to this woman, he can't trust the ones that have them on this hunt.
I should just go kill them myself...
After Alatus says her piece, Nate will say under his breath ".....awesome." His eyes roll, likely noticeable by everyone.
Nate then nods to Soar in an annoyed but approving way for her to hand the letter to Alatus, like a "at this point, whatever" type of nod.
Jalt produces the letter from his pouch and extends it in Alatus' direction before stopping for a brief second. As a child of Lathender, I can hope to be optimistic about your intentions and character. Just as I am a child of Bahamut and follow his teachings. We are here to help put an end to the Cult and will help or seek others who wish the same. He then hands over the letter.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
Edit: forgot Soar doesn’t have the letter at all because I am a doof!
Soar shows Nate the palm of her hand in a “believe me, I get it” gesture. She looks at Jalt and Elspeth and unless they stop her, she hands over the letter.
Dawnmaster Alatus takes the letter, breaks the still intact seal, opens it and reads it.
And then she laughs. Shaking her head in apparent disbelief, she says: Well, you certainly made an impression, or so it seems. Here you are.
She hands the letter back to Jalt. It reads as follows:
Latty dear,
These young ones have got themselves involved with Ontharr, and apparently the old goat isn't getting any better at making a lick of sense. If you're not too busy singing songs about sunrise or whatever it is that you do, please Send their message on to him, and give them his reply. That's another one I owe you.
C
P.S. I bet five silver the mouthy half-elf wants to see this letter. If so, just show it to her. I think she means well, and for all his faults, Ontharr was always a good judge of character.
Now, she continues, what's the message you want delivered? Twenty-five words only, I'm afraid, so make it short and clear.
Soar takes the letter with only a bit of trepidation. She nods in agreement and then gets to the postscript and her eyes widen. She... guffaws. Real, sudden snort-laugh.
She looks up and hands the letter to Nate with a thoughtful expression.
Once Elspeth has also read it, she turns back to Alatus. “How much do you know of the Dragon Cult, and does Ontharr have any big-gloved friends in town we could coordinate more directly with? Kelemvor is no fan of Tiamat, and I assume Lathander isn’t either. Bahamut, well, that’s obvious. I deeply appreciate your time and your trust, and we will absolutely take you up on the offer to send Ontharr a message. But we seem to be moving out tomorrow and if we can coordinate with anyone else here, we need to move quickly.”
She tries a new draft message and reads it aloud to the group.
"In Waterdeep. Caron followed wagons yesterday. Went to Coral, now Alatus. Further instructions? Where do we meet you and yours? Follow cultists with Company?"
I know about the Cult of the Dragon in general, Alatus replies after a moment's thought. They've been making trouble since, well, long before I was born into this world. As to what they're up to right now, not a thing. I suppose if Ontharr wants you to meet others members of his Order, he will tell you himself. We're old friends, but I don't get involved much in all of that. Anyways, give me the message and I'll send it.
(Once three of you have confirmed that you're happy with the message, Alatus will send it. She won't comment as you discuss it though.)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
(Just pausing a bit to let Jalt and Elspeth catch up on a lot of posts!)
Guessing/hoping Jalt and/or Elspeth takes a watch shift, here's Soar perception: 9
And yes, finding Caron and/or the High Road Company's location is definitely on the agenda today. The hope was that we'd make direct contact with the Harpers or Gauntlet people and talk to them directly, but we may have to figure this out on our own.
Soar will also share that she heard that there was a half dragon sighted in the Field Ward, trying to figure out if that was a half dragon that Elspeth saw in the wagon in Baldur's Gate.
She'll also say to the group, "this Alatus will have to earn our trust, too. We're not going to just send a sensitive message to Ontharr through anyone. I hear you, Nate. I think it's perfectly reasonable to try the black antlers codephrase with Alatus, see what they say, and insist we be able to read the letter as well, before we agree to tell them to send Ontharr a message like 'Arrived in Waterdeep. Caron followed wagons. Went to Coral. Further instructions? Where do we meet you and yours? Do we follow cultists with Company?'. That's just one possibility, but it's an example to show we don't want to have someone we don't trust send a message like that. If we can't trust Alatus, I'd rather just go look around for Caron."
Jalt would take a watch. Perception: 15
I understand all your concerns. Jalt says But in war sometimes you have to work with those you don’t fully trust for the greater good. If these people wanted us dead, I believe they are capable of having done so already. Trust the enemy of our enemy. Remember we are new to this fight. It is they who should be weary of us.
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
"Ive heard it both ways."
Okay, so, first stop is the Temple of Lathander. Second stop will be the magic shop. We'll take it piece by piece, but you should have time to get everything done.
Waterdeep Interlude Part One: The Temple of Lathander.
You spend a peaceful night in the tavern, and rise in the morning to a decent breakfast - more baked goods and less porridge and fruits than you've had on the road, but that's life in the big city.
You head out, and it's not hard at all to find the Temple of Lathander, a curious building that seems to have been designed to be imposing at first, but then decorated and dressed to make it as welcoming as possible. The interior is a long rectangle, brightly lit on this sunny autumn day, and the pews face the front where a large woven symbol of the Morninglord hangs from the ceiling.
There are not many people about, but you do see a priest, a halfling man, standing near the front talking amiably with a few people; it doesn't seem to be a ceremony, as people are coming and going, and there isn't a hushed air in the temple - people talk and laugh loudly. The halfling notices you as you arrive: Welcome, friends, he calls across the room, and waves you over to him as those he was talking to make their way through a door further into the temple.
Soar eats ALL of the baked goods she can find.
When they see the priest at the temple, she smiles warmly. "Hello, my friend. We seek the Dawnmaster Alatus, is she available? We have mutual friends, and would ask her to work with us on a sensitive matter. I am Soar, a Doomguide of Kelemvor, though I am not currently working on matters directly pertaining to the Lord of the Dead."
Nate is quite content from the rest as well as the breakfast. When the group arrives in the temple, Nate watches intently as Soar inquires about Alatus. He is anxious to see if the group will get to see what's written in the letter before it's sent. Even with Jalt's wise words the night before.
He is a bit uncomfortable in this building as well. He's uncomfortable in most religious-ish type of buildings.
Latty's around here somewhere, the halfling replies. I think I saw...
I'm coming, I'm coming comes a voice from behind the altar. How's about you clean this silverware while I chat with these young folks. A woman stands and tosses a rag to the halfling, who catches it skillfully and looks, suddenly rueful. Well, I suppose I could...
And no listening in, the woman says as she walks towards you. Did you not hear the lady say 'sensitive'? She says all this in a loud voice that carries throughout the building, but no-one seems to be paying any attention. You'd better all come with me.
Two minutes later, you are all standing in a simple office, with a desk and wooden chairs. The woman closes the door. Dawnmaster Alatus Penrit at your service. What can I do for you?
Soar bows in whatever manner she's been taught to do as a Doomguide to be proper around those of other faiths. She looks at her friends in a "here goes nothing" sort of fashion.
"Dawnmaster, I am Soar, a Doomguide newly back in town from a long journey that is frankly not over. We have a mutual friend, Coral, who said you might be able to help send a message to someone who fancies black antlers. Anyhow, this person is not in town. Did Coral lead us astray?"
(Assuming she replies positively about messaging Untharr, Soar will say, "Coral also wrote a letter, sealed per your expectations. We've been kept in the dark recently and I'm a believer in transparency and trust among good people. Here's the letter. I would consider it a sign of goodwill if we could read it after you are done. I firmly believe we are on the same side here, as it is in no one's interest to have the dragon cult achieve their ends.")
Here's the draft message Soar came up with earlier to send to Ontharr if we want to keep or change it: "Arrived in Waterdeep. Caron followed wagons. Went to Coral. Further instructions? Where do we meet you and yours? Do we follow cultists with Company?"
Alatus would have been moderately positive, but cautious until you mentioned the letter. She looks resigned rather than happy, but replies:
Well, let me see the letter, please. I'll show it to you if I can, but... really, if it's transparency and trust you're looking for, you're working with the wrong people.
Soar looks to the others before handing it over.
(Trying not to railroad here!)
At this point, Nate feels that Alatus's reaction could've been a lot worse... and besides, ever since Jalt spoke his words, Nate has surrendered to the fact that they are likely not going to be able to read it, no matter how odd that might seem to him. Although it still annoys him to no end that apparently according to this woman, he can't trust the ones that have them on this hunt.
I should just go kill them myself...
After Alatus says her piece, Nate will say under his breath ".....awesome." His eyes roll, likely noticeable by everyone.
Nate then nods to Soar in an annoyed but approving way for her to hand the letter to Alatus, like a "at this point, whatever" type of nod.
(FYI Jalt has the letter)
Jalt produces the letter from his pouch and extends it in Alatus' direction before stopping for a brief second. As a child of Lathender, I can hope to be optimistic about your intentions and character. Just as I am a child of Bahamut and follow his teachings. We are here to help put an end to the Cult and will help or seek others who wish the same. He then hands over the letter.
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
"Ive heard it both ways."
(right! sorry)
Edit: forgot Soar doesn’t have the letter at all because I am a doof!
Soar shows Nate the palm of her hand in a “believe me, I get it” gesture.
She looks at Jalt and Elspeth and unless they stop her, she hands over the letter.Dawnmaster Alatus takes the letter, breaks the still intact seal, opens it and reads it.
And then she laughs. Shaking her head in apparent disbelief, she says: Well, you certainly made an impression, or so it seems. Here you are.
She hands the letter back to Jalt. It reads as follows:
Now, she continues, what's the message you want delivered? Twenty-five words only, I'm afraid, so make it short and clear.
Jalt quickly skims the letter and a smile creeps on his face. He looks to Soar and passes the letter to her.
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
"Ive heard it both ways."
Nate's eyes go from the letter, to Jalt's face, then watches him hand it to Soar, then watches her reaction...
Soar takes the letter with only a bit of trepidation. She nods in agreement and then gets to the postscript and her eyes widen. She... guffaws. Real, sudden snort-laugh.
She looks up and hands the letter to Nate with a thoughtful expression.
Once Elspeth has also read it, she turns back to Alatus. “How much do you know of the Dragon Cult, and does Ontharr have any big-gloved friends in town we could coordinate more directly with? Kelemvor is no fan of Tiamat, and I assume Lathander isn’t either. Bahamut, well, that’s obvious. I deeply appreciate your time and your trust, and we will absolutely take you up on the offer to send Ontharr a message. But we seem to be moving out tomorrow and if we can coordinate with anyone else here, we need to move quickly.”
She tries a new draft message and reads it aloud to the group.
"In Waterdeep. Caron followed wagons yesterday. Went to Coral, now Alatus. Further instructions? Where do we meet you and yours? Follow cultists with Company?"
I know about the Cult of the Dragon in general, Alatus replies after a moment's thought. They've been making trouble since, well, long before I was born into this world. As to what they're up to right now, not a thing. I suppose if Ontharr wants you to meet others members of his Order, he will tell you himself. We're old friends, but I don't get involved much in all of that. Anyways, give me the message and I'll send it.
(Once three of you have confirmed that you're happy with the message, Alatus will send it. She won't comment as you discuss it though.)