Sylyra spends the next five days visiting various locations around Phlan and mentioning the Harpers to see if he can find those sympathetic and perhaps any who are interested in being helpful to the organization. He does not reveal his membership; he is simply gathering information for the future. However, if a way to earn some money presents itself that isn’t too difficult, he would take it.
His other interest is Arnald and Sly. In the evenings, he finds himself being somewhat friendly toward the fighter, and, with Arnald’s permission, engages Sly in conversation as well using speak with animals. He appreciated the man’s agreeing with his plan, and he already thought more highly of him because of Sly.
OOC: Small update to downtime, please subtract/add accordingly.
There was one more pupil Arnald got himself - not as persistent as Villonah, but as attentive: Ola. First "after the adventure" day, blue "elf" suddenly asked him for a favour: to help her to find a good light crossbow and since then was practising every minute she was not working in the Temple.She learned her lesson - not to relay only on sword.
(If for whatever reason Arnald refused to help in search of good weapon - Ola will do it herself and will learn from Arnald from a distance)
His other interest is Arnald and Sly. In the evenings, he finds himself being somewhat friendly toward the fighter, and, with Arnald’s permission, engages Sly in conversation as well using speak with animals. He appreciated the man’s agreeing with his plan, and he already thought more highly of him because of Sly.
Arnald is happy to see a friendship forming with Sylyra but when he requests to use magic to commune with the hawk he grows a bit uncomfortable but gives consent.
Sylyra and DM only
When you cast the spell, nothing happens. Arnald looks at you and grins. "I wasn't sure if it would work or not, figured it was worth the try." Looking to Sly and back to Sylyra, "Not everything is as it seems. Please keep this between us."
Looking around the room to make sure no one else was listening Arnald starts his story, "Sly was my pet hawk when I was a kid. For years we hunted together. Then... " and look of raw emotion quickly passes over the man's face, "well, let's just say he passed on. Early in my travels I came across a wizard with a familiar. After some negotiation I was able to convince him to teach me some basic magic, not enough to throw fireballs in the heat of battle or anything. But certain spells can be cast as a ritual. One of them is call Find Familiar. I poured all my memories into that ritual. All my heartache at losing my one true friend. And when the ritual was complete, Sly had returned. I've had others tell me that this isn't the real Sly. That animals don't have souls or that Sly's soul would have moved on. But I don't believe them. Perhaps I deceive myself, but this bird knew the tricks and traps that Sly and I had come up with. This is my Sly.
OOC: Small update to downtime, please subtract/add accordingly.
There was one more pupil Arnald got himself - not as persistent as Villonah, but as attentive: Ola. First "after the adventure" day, blue "elf" suddenly asked him for a favour: to help her to find a good light crossbow and since then was practising every minute she was not working in the Temple.She learned her lesson - not to relay only on sword.
(If for whatever reason Arnald refused to help in search of good weapon - Ola will do it herself and will learn from Arnald from a distance)
Arnald was thrilled to be asked for help. He admitted that he wasn't as talented with crossbows as he was with long bows but knew enough to generally hit where he was aiming. He went with Ola and helped her find the right crossbow for her. Over the next few days while teaching archery he would take the time to tell Ola how what he was teaching the others would be different with a crossbow, for example explaining the differences between an arrow and bolt or how the aiming is simpler with crossbows as there's no Archer's Paradox with crossbows.
Uragum arrives at the tavern they had all agreed to meet at after the five days. He had spoken to a few throughout that time but mostly carousing with some of the more seedy of the towns folk. Striding in, Uragum is sporting his plain clothing, but eyes are drawn to a split lip crusted over with a scab and a yellowing bruise around his left eye.
Smiling at the group he says, "Greeting battle buddies! How fairs you week? I've been... collecting money for our next venture. Dont worry it was all legal...mostly legal."
Arnald was thrilled to be asked for help. He admitted that he wasn't as talented with crossbows as he was with long bows but knew enough to generally hit where he was aiming. He went with Ola and helped her find the right crossbow for her. Over the next few days while teaching archery he would take the time to tell Ola how what he was teaching the others would be different with a crossbow, for example explaining the differences between an arrow and bolt or how the aiming is simpler with crossbows as there's no Archer's Paradox with crossbows.
And Ola even understood what he meant! Grateful for the lessons and all the help she confessed, that did learn (or tried to learn) longbow archery at some point but was so far behind everyone else around her in it, that decided to abandon the whole idea. "Not the smartest decision in my life"she admitted "may be if I chose a crossbow back then, it would be easier. Thank you for help, truly."
Knowledge of the Harpers' organization is scarce throughout Phlan, but eventually you learn that a moon elf named Olisara Lightsong is a person to speak to regarding Harper matters. However, nobody seems to know where she can be found.
Ola and Arnald:
Phlan has a fair amount of dedicated weapon shops, and it doesn't take long to find Ola the perfect crossbow, with thin band of blue-dyed metal running across the limb.
OOC: Added light crossbow, crossbow bolt case, and 20 bolts to Ola's inventory. Removed 27 gold pieces.
You were told that Madame Freona's Tea Kettle was the place where adventurers could find work and avoid the hassle associated with other places in Phlan. So far, that has been true. Madame Freona, a stout and officious halfling who runs the establishment with her five daughters, has proven an excellent hostess, and your first mission together just five days ago was a resounding success. Other than Uragum looking like he has been through some wear and tear, it has been a quiet five days.
After a peaceful night's rest, Briez, one of Madame Freona's five daughters, is serving you a delightful breakfast, which includes freshly made wildberry jam on warm biscuits.
"My sisters and I picked the berries ourselves,"says the young halfling woman, sweeping her long black hair out of her face. "Some say the wildberries in this area are--"
Before Briez can finish her thought, shrieking erupts from the street outside the Tea Kettle. While the words are mostly unintelligible, you do make out "help" and "family".
Uragum hears the cries and no sooner stands and places a hand on the edge of the table and shoves. He has the presence of mind not to flip the whole thing out of his way but gives it a good shove to move it from his path rather than walk around it. As he goes he encases his fist in electricity just in case.
Zelra almost drops her biscuit as the shrieks are heard. Shoving the rest of it into her mouth and taking a big swig of her drink, she quickly gathers her things and rushes out to see what in the nine hells is going on.
Outside, townsfolk are rushing to assist a middle-aged human woman. She has collapsed in the middle of the road, crying hysterically, clutching an infant boy in her arms.
Seeing the woman outside crying with an infant he slows down. Experience has taught him that most people do not appreciate a charging Goliath. Slowing down, he points at the woman and whispers as part of the spell.
Though he is still far from her she hears his voice as a whisper. "Calm yourself, help is here."
Seeing no immediate danger around, Ola sheathed her sword and approached the crying woman. "Breathe easy my good woman," strange greeting was softened by the calmest and kindest voice Ola could manage, "we are all here to help. What happened to you?"
Together, Uragum and Ola manage to calm the woman down as the crowd grows larger. She looks up at Ola with tear-stained eyes and explains.
"My name is Millivent Moss. My family farms peat from a bog about an hour away. Earlier this morning we were attacked by goblins. My husband and children, as well as a few of our hired hands, were..." she pauses to collect herself.
"I was able to leap on a wagon and escape with Bo, my youngest. He's still just an infant, can you imagine what they'd have...I drove away quickly. I turned just long enough to see goblins dragging them away to the east. They...it looked like they were still alive, perhaps being taken captive. Please...I need someone to come to my family's aid, or rescue them if possible, or..."
"Off the streets, you're blocking traffic! Move along." Two members of the town guard, the Black Fist, come upon the scene, ordering the crowd to disperse. Millivent repeats her story for them, and they roll their eyes and sigh. "Our jurisdiction lay only in Phlan itself. We cannot help you."
"You are adventurers, yes? Go investigate this," One hands pulls a piece of paper from a pouch and hands it to Ola.
It reads:
The Black Fist agrees and promises to pay the bearer(s) of this note 50 gold pieces from the city coffers for services hereby rendered.
Ola, already planning the expedition in her mind, did not expected such generosity from city guards and accepted the paper with a gratitude (come to think of it - goblins near city is a bad thing for the city no matter how far your jurisdiction goes).
But first things first: "We or I - will go right away, but you need a shelter, madam Moss. Let me escort you to the tavern over there." She brought the frightened woman to Madame Freona's tavern and left to her care. Then armed herself in full (including her new crossbow) and returned to the common room and made the longest speech anyone heard from her so far.
"There are goblins near the city and they attacked family of this woman over there and took her husband and children. City guards would hire any adventures willing to help. The reward is not much but I am going anyway. If someone willing to go as well - it might truly help". She turned to Madame Freona "Is there any place to rent a horse? Looks like any minute counts in this case"
Zelra watches the scene from the inn's door and listens intently. She looks down and mumbles to herself, seemingly having some conversation with herself before signing and kicking the floor. Walking towards Ola, she looks down on the piece of paper given to her and asks the guard, "Is that, like, 50 gold pieces per person ooor?"
Madame Freona is interrupted by Millivent before she can begin. "I can drive you in my wagon. We rode fast, but the horses have not begun to tire, it is not that far. I can show you where they were taking them, too. Whatever it takes for you to find them."
When Zelra questions the Black Fists, they respond, "50 gold pieces. Total. If you want more, take it from the goblins."
Not even asking if the woman can make it (probably pointless question anyway - her husband and children are there, sure she would want to go), Ola nodded and looked around one last time to see if anyone wanted to join the sudden expedition.
Uragum, smiled after the 'take it fr ok m the goblins' comment. He would have anyways but the rules here about taking from the dead was confusing, but this, this was permission given from someone in town with authority. This is a fight.
"Alright l, time to go kill some gobos a d make some coin... and saves some lives." he hollars out, adding that last part after a side glance at the woman.
Casting mage armor now, plan to rest in the wagon on the way there to regain the spell slot if okay with the DM, if not then he'll cast it 10 minutes before they reach the site and move on with 1 spell slot.
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Sylyra spends the next five days visiting various locations around Phlan and mentioning the Harpers to see if he can find those sympathetic and perhaps any who are interested in being helpful to the organization. He does not reveal his membership; he is simply gathering information for the future. However, if a way to earn some money presents itself that isn’t too difficult, he would take it.
His other interest is Arnald and Sly. In the evenings, he finds himself being somewhat friendly toward the fighter, and, with Arnald’s permission, engages Sly in conversation as well using speak with animals. He appreciated the man’s agreeing with his plan, and he already thought more highly of him because of Sly.
OOC: Small update to downtime, please subtract/add accordingly.
There was one more pupil Arnald got himself - not as persistent as Villonah, but as attentive: Ola. First "after the adventure" day, blue "elf" suddenly asked him for a favour: to help her to find a good light crossbow and since then was practising every minute she was not working in the Temple.She learned her lesson - not to relay only on sword.
(If for whatever reason Arnald refused to help in search of good weapon - Ola will do it herself and will learn from Arnald from a distance)
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Arnald is happy to see a friendship forming with Sylyra but when he requests to use magic to commune with the hawk he grows a bit uncomfortable but gives consent.
Sylyra and DM only
When you cast the spell, nothing happens. Arnald looks at you and grins. "I wasn't sure if it would work or not, figured it was worth the try." Looking to Sly and back to Sylyra, "Not everything is as it seems. Please keep this between us."
Looking around the room to make sure no one else was listening Arnald starts his story, "Sly was my pet hawk when I was a kid. For years we hunted together. Then... " and look of raw emotion quickly passes over the man's face, "well, let's just say he passed on. Early in my travels I came across a wizard with a familiar. After some negotiation I was able to convince him to teach me some basic magic, not enough to throw fireballs in the heat of battle or anything. But certain spells can be cast as a ritual. One of them is call Find Familiar. I poured all my memories into that ritual. All my heartache at losing my one true friend. And when the ritual was complete, Sly had returned. I've had others tell me that this isn't the real Sly. That animals don't have souls or that Sly's soul would have moved on. But I don't believe them. Perhaps I deceive myself, but this bird knew the tricks and traps that Sly and I had come up with. This is my Sly.
Arnald was thrilled to be asked for help. He admitted that he wasn't as talented with crossbows as he was with long bows but knew enough to generally hit where he was aiming. He went with Ola and helped her find the right crossbow for her. Over the next few days while teaching archery he would take the time to tell Ola how what he was teaching the others would be different with a crossbow, for example explaining the differences between an arrow and bolt or how the aiming is simpler with crossbows as there's no Archer's Paradox with crossbows.
Campaigns:
DM - Waterdeep Dragon Heist PbP
Uragum arrives at the tavern they had all agreed to meet at after the five days. He had spoken to a few throughout that time but mostly carousing with some of the more seedy of the towns folk. Striding in, Uragum is sporting his plain clothing, but eyes are drawn to a split lip crusted over with a scab and a yellowing bruise around his left eye.
Smiling at the group he says, "Greeting battle buddies! How fairs you week? I've been... collecting money for our next venture. Dont worry it was all legal...mostly legal."
I suspect it's the very same tavern we all are living in :)
And Ola even understood what he meant! Grateful for the lessons and all the help she confessed, that did learn (or tried to learn) longbow archery at some point but was so far behind everyone else around her in it, that decided to abandon the whole idea. "Not the smartest decision in my life" she admitted "may be if I chose a crossbow back then, it would be easier. Thank you for help, truly."
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Sylyra:
Knowledge of the Harpers' organization is scarce throughout Phlan, but eventually you learn that a moon elf named Olisara Lightsong is a person to speak to regarding Harper matters. However, nobody seems to know where she can be found.
Ola and Arnald:
Phlan has a fair amount of dedicated weapon shops, and it doesn't take long to find Ola the perfect crossbow, with thin band of blue-dyed metal running across the limb.
OOC: Added light crossbow, crossbow bolt case, and 20 bolts to Ola's inventory. Removed 27 gold pieces.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
You were told that Madame Freona's Tea Kettle was the place where adventurers could find work and avoid the hassle associated with other places in Phlan. So far, that has been true. Madame Freona, a stout and officious halfling who runs the establishment with her five daughters, has proven an excellent hostess, and your first mission together just five days ago was a resounding success. Other than Uragum looking like he has been through some wear and tear, it has been a quiet five days.
After a peaceful night's rest, Briez, one of Madame Freona's five daughters, is serving you a delightful breakfast, which includes freshly made wildberry jam on warm biscuits.
"My sisters and I picked the berries ourselves," says the young halfling woman, sweeping her long black hair out of her face. "Some say the wildberries in this area are--"
Before Briez can finish her thought, shrieking erupts from the street outside the Tea Kettle. While the words are mostly unintelligible, you do make out "help" and "family".
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Arnald rushes to the door and peaks out to see what's happening.
Campaigns:
DM - Waterdeep Dragon Heist PbP
Ols picked up her sword firs but did not delay any longer than that and run to sound of shrieking.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Uragum hears the cries and no sooner stands and places a hand on the edge of the table and shoves. He has the presence of mind not to flip the whole thing out of his way but gives it a good shove to move it from his path rather than walk around it. As he goes he encases his fist in electricity just in case.
Readying shocking grasp.
Zelra almost drops her biscuit as the shrieks are heard. Shoving the rest of it into her mouth and taking a big swig of her drink, she quickly gathers her things and rushes out to see what in the nine hells is going on.
Outside, townsfolk are rushing to assist a middle-aged human woman. She has collapsed in the middle of the road, crying hysterically, clutching an infant boy in her arms.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Seeing the woman outside crying with an infant he slows down. Experience has taught him that most people do not appreciate a charging Goliath. Slowing down, he points at the woman and whispers as part of the spell.
Though he is still far from her she hears his voice as a whisper. "Calm yourself, help is here."
Cast the whisper cantrip when within range
Seeing no immediate danger around, Ola sheathed her sword and approached the crying woman. "Breathe easy my good woman," strange greeting was softened by the calmest and kindest voice Ola could manage, "we are all here to help. What happened to you?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Together, Uragum and Ola manage to calm the woman down as the crowd grows larger. She looks up at Ola with tear-stained eyes and explains.
"My name is Millivent Moss. My family farms peat from a bog about an hour away. Earlier this morning we were attacked by goblins. My husband and children, as well as a few of our hired hands, were..." she pauses to collect herself.
"I was able to leap on a wagon and escape with Bo, my youngest. He's still just an infant, can you imagine what they'd have...I drove away quickly. I turned just long enough to see goblins dragging them away to the east. They...it looked like they were still alive, perhaps being taken captive. Please...I need someone to come to my family's aid, or rescue them if possible, or..."
"Off the streets, you're blocking traffic! Move along." Two members of the town guard, the Black Fist, come upon the scene, ordering the crowd to disperse. Millivent repeats her story for them, and they roll their eyes and sigh. "Our jurisdiction lay only in Phlan itself. We cannot help you."
"You are adventurers, yes? Go investigate this," One hands pulls a piece of paper from a pouch and hands it to Ola.
It reads:
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Ola, already planning the expedition in her mind, did not expected such generosity from city guards and accepted the paper with a gratitude (come to think of it - goblins near city is a bad thing for the city no matter how far your jurisdiction goes).
But first things first: "We or I - will go right away, but you need a shelter, madam Moss. Let me escort you to the tavern over there." She brought the frightened woman to Madame Freona's tavern and left to her care. Then armed herself in full (including her new crossbow) and returned to the common room and made the longest speech anyone heard from her so far.
"There are goblins near the city and they attacked family of this woman over there and took her husband and children. City guards would hire any adventures willing to help. The reward is not much but I am going anyway. If someone willing to go as well - it might truly help". She turned to Madame Freona "Is there any place to rent a horse? Looks like any minute counts in this case"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Zelra watches the scene from the inn's door and listens intently. She looks down and mumbles to herself, seemingly having some conversation with herself before signing and kicking the floor. Walking towards Ola, she looks down on the piece of paper given to her and asks the guard, "Is that, like, 50 gold pieces per person ooor?"
Madame Freona is interrupted by Millivent before she can begin. "I can drive you in my wagon. We rode fast, but the horses have not begun to tire, it is not that far. I can show you where they were taking them, too. Whatever it takes for you to find them."
When Zelra questions the Black Fists, they respond, "50 gold pieces. Total. If you want more, take it from the goblins."
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Not even asking if the woman can make it (probably pointless question anyway - her husband and children are there, sure she would want to go), Ola nodded and looked around one last time to see if anyone wanted to join the sudden expedition.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Uragum, smiled after the 'take it fr ok m the goblins' comment. He would have anyways but the rules here about taking from the dead was confusing, but this, this was permission given from someone in town with authority. This is a fight.
"Alright l, time to go kill some gobos a d make some coin... and saves some lives." he hollars out, adding that last part after a side glance at the woman.
Casting mage armor now, plan to rest in the wagon on the way there to regain the spell slot if okay with the DM, if not then he'll cast it 10 minutes before they reach the site and move on with 1 spell slot.