The Phandalin Chronicles

Earlier with Rekuberk:

"A gift is hardly a gift when one expects repayment, my friend." Rhogar said mirthfully. "But, I do appreciate the sentiment nonetheless." He replied prior to business with Kazri taking him away, and leaving him fairly at a loss.

Later at the house!:

"Mn. Perhaps this would explain why Brother Vixix had been quiet these past few months. For it seems my work here is not yet done." Rhogar grins soon turns into a small frown. "Though you do mean the Icewind Dales, yes? Not Luskan? Because if it is... in either which case, let it be our business there is done swiftly, or if we must stop there, it's for no more than a day. For what I've heard of the particular city is... disquieting. Understandable to an extent, but-...." He shakes his head while growling under breath.

"Regardless, we best make what preparations we can in Neverwinter -- Which by the way is fairly warm, Chip, thanks to something to do with Hotenewy or whatever it's called." He adds, making some offhanded gesture. "Hints the name 'Never Winter'. Hoho. Those clever founders." He snorts. "I take it will be leaving at first light, I take it?"

"I am ready to go at the first light." replies Krom. The dwarf murmurs a prayer of Sending aimed to his cousin Barin "Moradin needs me and the Fellowship in the far north. I may take a while. Keep Axeholm safe and running."

"I have all my weapons and supplies with me, I will load them in our carriage as soon as we are done."

"To tell the truth Mr. Nimbatuul, I am not sure where we are heading." Kazri replies to Rhogar's question. "My understanding is that we should get more detail once we arrive at Neverwinter, and board this ship that will take us north. I believe."

"Very well." Says Kazri after Krom. "Gentlemen, if we are all in agreement, and ready, I would like to suggest that we leave at first light."

Afterwards, Kazri approaches Krom. "Master Krom. I would like to apologize for not doing this earlier. I would like to thank you for the shield you have crafted for me. As always, it is clearly made of great craftsmanship."

(@Krom. Cousin Barin?? LOL)

"Do not mention it lass, it is always a pleasure to craft items such that shield." replies Krom "I hope that it will serve you well."

"I wonder where our next adventure will take us. I am not a great fan of ships, but I will do my best to enjoy this sea trip."

"Maybe Never Winter is warm..... When I think North I think Cold... Maybe it is never...not... winter.. like always winter?" Chip would add with a shrug before tapping his claw to his chin. "Rek, is Neverwinter cold?" He would ask with genuine interest. 

Rhogar had nodded understandingly at the answer from kazri, and might've remained pensive about it if not for Chip. Both Rhogar and Ghorar facepalm. "Chip... I-.... Well, I suppose I didn't express this sooner. But, I've been Neverwinter for the past few months for the most part as well." He said, giving his fellow dragonborn a mirthful smirk towards the end. "So, I would think I would know."

"Only the docks really get cold at all, though that is to be expected." He starts and with a "Speaking of which!", he pulls from a thus far nondescript satchel slung over his shoulder a parcel of some sort. "Kazri! Before I forget-..." He called over to as he got to approach her. "For you. Sorry it took so long to return it. I had thought I might find time to further alter the design, but our old windmill friend has kept quite busy." With that, the parcel is held out for her. Within which lied the clothing she spared him, only perhaps not quite as solely practical as they once were. It someways it now seemed almost 'alive', pleasingly soft to the touch, and embroidered in some place to better fit a more nature-y theme.

(If there was time, he probably would've made more, but as it stands I figure I'd throw out  possiblities for the appearance. Though ultimately its up to Kazri/Wolfy in the end.)

The Fellowship spent the evening discussing the their plans and made last minute arrangements to head north.

Still unsure exactly where they needed to go Kazri awoke the next day determined to head for Neverwinter and figure it out along the way.

Some clarification comes in the form of a letter addressed to her. As the party gathered to leave a small boy approached.

"Miss Kazri? This is for you. Sister Garaele asked me to deliver first thing this morning."

He holds out an envelope. You take it from him and toss him a silver piece in thanks. The boys eyes light up as he looks at the coin, thanks you, and then runs off.

"Don't spend it all on sweets!" You call to him but you know he will.

Opening the letter you see it is from Sister Garaele and is written in a strong but graceful script.

To Kazri and the Fellowship of the White Cloaks,

I had hoped to meet with you again in person but last minute business has me leaving town. Enclosed you will find a Letter of Passage for the ship Icebreaker. It is currently docked in Neverwinter and is headed north in a tenday. They are expecting your party and expenses for the voyage north have been paid. Look into the rumors of trouble to the north and deal with them as you can. I wish I had more information to provide you but I trust your judgment and the skills of your companions.

Signed,

Sister Garaele

PS. Do NOT use It again, not for any reason whatever! Do not travel by night!

PPS. Make sure that it is the real Icebreaker. There are many strange ships at the docks. The captain's true name is Aragorn.

PPPS. I hope Rimmy sends this promptly. A worthy boy, but his memory is like a lumber-room: things wanted always buried. If he forgets, I shall roast him.

Chip would turn to Rhogar and hold up his hands. "Well why didn't ya say that to start!" He would say with a grin. "i'll take yer word for it then I suppose" he would add before taking out one of his lutes and strumming just a few chords as small white glowing snowflakes seemingly fall around them. 

And we can continue here

https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/play-by-post/78507-the-tales-of-the-fellowship-of-the-white-cloaks

Three months have passed since the White Cloaks — the heroes who slew Cryovain the white dragon and then journeyed north to end the Everlasting Rime — left Phandalin for Icewind Dale. They have not returned. New adventurers arrive to a town that has known real heroes, weathered a dragon, and is now quietly fraying under the pressure of Redbrand remnants and the first whispers of something wrong beneath the earth.

OOC: Rocky is still being considered. I'm hoping including him here might help the DM make his decision.

Three months.

Three months at sea is a long time. Never before has she been cooped up for that length of time. Sure, she spent at least half of every fair day on deck — enjoying the salty wind, exercising, reading, napping, and enjoying tea. She even spent some time allowing the various sailors to explain to her their jobs. She has no interest in performing the tasks necessary for sailing — the sailors are more capable — and are being paid to do the work — but she did want to truly appreciate them, and for them to know she appreciates them.

But the ship is only 80 feet long. She could walk from bow to stern in less than 10 seconds, and that accounts for climbing the steps to the quarterdeck and being tossed by the waves. She longed to run.

She also misses her family. She can't remember the last time she has been away from every member of her family for this long. And while Tutu feels like family, he is a poor substitute for her beloved brothers. She misses their mischievous grins and mighty hugs. She misses their teasing and their encouragement. While Tutu is a great listener, and while he sometimes feels like her conscience, he does not laugh at her jokes ... and he refuses to cuddle under the covers at night.

And then there is Rocky. Her loyal attendant's job is to make sure everything she needs on the journey is a fingertip away. He was ... is invaluable, but he is not family. And he is not really a friend. Her few attempts to make him one have been politely rebuffed. She hasn't completely give up, but she also doesn't want to make him uncomfortable.

Why did she spend three months on a sailing vessel bound for the Sword Coast? Because for her twenty-fourth birthday, she demanded a ship so that she could embark on a "rugged wilderness retreat." Her brothers had taken similar trips after their twentieth birthdays, but Akra's father and mother had been stubborn where she was concerned. Despite their assurances that she was no different than her brothers, they were reluctant to let her go. Well, she had been patient enough! And they finally relented.

Princess Akra of Talonara steps onto the worn and weathered planks of one of Neverwinter's docks. Despite its steadiness, she feels her strong legs wobble in response to the months she spent at sea. Still, she smiles. She reaches down and fluffs her beautiful pink dress; adjusts the flowered neckless around her thick, green neck; and then reaches up to her brow. With a little wave of her stubby fingers, new flowers bloom and adorn the top of her scaled head.

Akra is of dragonborn lineage. She is tall — six and a half feet — and strong. Her luminous, green scales fall from the top of her head to the tip of her thick tail. Nothing about her is dainty, but she still carries herself like a lady. Despite her brothers' efforts to turn her into another boy, her mother made sure she knew how to be feminine ... even if she doesn't always choose to be.

The princess turns to watch Rocky descend to the dock behind her. The orange kobold is loaded like a pack mule, and is all the happier to be. He meets her eye and gives a nod of reassurance. She does not pity him, not does she question his ability to manage the load. She returns his nod and then looks up at the deck of the ship. "Tutu!" she sings in her low alto.

A bird soars down from one of the masts and lands upon Akra's shoulder. It has a black back, white chest and neck, and a large beak the colors of a sunset. Tutu is a toucan ... an unusual toucan. If someone had been watching the bird, they would have sworn they saw it land and then land again as if there were two birds. But there is only one.

Akra turns and begins walking toward the city. Rocky follows a respectful distance behind.

The princess' eyes twinkle with delight as she observes everything around her. So much of it is so foreign to her: the people, the roads, the buildings, and even some of the animals. She feels like laughing when she sees a street vendor grilling meat right out in the open! People buy the chunks lined up on thin sticks. How quaint!

Noticing the slant of the shadows, she decides she should find a place to stay for the night. Soon, she will spend her first night in Faerûn.