Once Barnabus steps inside the library the whole veneer of happy-go-lucky teen drops from his face for a moment. In its place he seems distracted yet intensely focused more on searching the immediate surroundings for some-ONE over a particular book section. The moment passes with him abruptly shuddering in advance of turning to Alys, grinning in his usual cheerful self.
"Probably with this whole 'Master' business. At least that's where I'm think'n of start'n. Figured the whole forest thing I leave to ya'll more 'nature inclined' folk. Not that I don't like a good tree 'n all that. Excellent conversationalist if'n ya get the chance to talk wit'em. But... eh.... Anyhow! Whoever wants to join me they can. But good luck to the rest of ya. Ya'll got this, I trust." He gives a wink to those that splinter off to tackle the forest as he drifts away to start stalking the many shelves for the symbol. Whoever he does wind up linking up with for the research are offered the youth's strange telepathic bonds to keep whenever a subject happens to divide them for a while.
Barnabus: Rinn joins you in your attempt to research the Master. "We need to learn all we can about this Master and while I would not say that I am the most well-read of this group, two sets of eyes are always better than one." He helps you.
"Alys darling, would you care to assist me in researching the forest? And Kasha, perhaps you and Yvan could also research that. As a Druid, nature is your area of expertise and Yvan does seem to have an interest in fauna."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
Kasha stands up straight and salutes, mouth full of chocolate peanuts. "Aye, aye, captain, ma'am!" She takes a hold of Yvans arm, swallows, and smiles. "Shall we?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Alys would nod as she’s already thumbing through spines. When it comes to books, she’d be willing to help everyone with every subject if she could. She’d do her best to focus on the task at hand and she’d start with looking for the history of the forest.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Yvan nods down to Kasha with a small smile. “We shall.”
Truthfully, Yvan enjoyed reading about nature and flowers, however due to his upbringing he couldn’t do much of it and often got stuck at larger words. He wasn’t entirely sure if Kasha read much (raised by the wilds and all), but while gathering whatever books he could hold in his arms, he made sure to pick up a dictionary too. “Just in case,” He would say.
Nature kids history roll! 15
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Aeydof the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm /ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
Rinn groans as he turns yet another page in a tome larger than he'd care to ever read. "Barney, do you think we have what we need?" he asks pleadingly.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Corrin Kettlewhistle: Halfling Life Cleric (Curse of Strahd) Kip Dalton: Human Lore Bard (Waterdeep Dragon Heist) Debauchery Dalliance: Half-Drow Oath of Conquest Paladin (White Plume Mountain)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Stella meets the others at the library looking extraordinarily refreshed. She immediately gets to work, commandeering Furlong's help as they comb through old tomes and look at the history and stories of the area around the manor.
Furlong assists Stella with her research, but finds himself a bit distracted, spending time conversing with the librarians about the upkeep of the beautiful establishment.
"And these floors, is that authentic marble? Important to keep that nice and dry during the hotter months, you know. Remember the four Cs of marble care--condensation can cause cracks!"
Barnabus and Rinn: Having spent a year with Kasha, you of course know that Druids care about nature and protecting the balance of the world. And while they may not fully embrace the ways of humanoid civilizations, they don't outright reject it either, seeing that as another element of the world and working to keep it in balance with nature, offering counsel to not overtax our natural resources and in some cases, fending off poachers, and occasionally participating in crusades against creatures like undead, that are seen as abominations against nature. But like with any group, there are extremists. Those whose devotion take them down a darker path. You learn about Druidic cults that completely reject humanoid society and it's creations, and work to bring down the societies that they see as encroachments on the natural world. This symbol has been commonly associated with those cults.
Stella and Furlong: Furlong gets distracted while researching, instead striking up a conversation with the librarians about upkeep, marble floors, and the four Cs. You fare little better, finding all of this book work to be boring and you quickly get distracted without anyone to keep you on task.
Alys, Kasha, Vastra, Yvan: You learn that the forest is called the Ilixian Wood. Thousands of years ago this forest was the site of a battle between Mielekki and The Devourer, with Mielekki's army prevailing over the Devourer and banishing him to another plane. You read that most of his army was slain, but some of his lieutenants proved too strong and could only be sealed away. You also read that it's not uncommon for people to live in the Ilixian Wood, as Druids and other worshipers of Mielekki call that area home, so the Hartleys weren't particularly disrespecting the area by living there. You also read about there being a Sacred Grove in the Ilixian Wood, but most writings refer to that as being something of legend and not historical fact.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
"Well, my friends, it seems a fairly reasonable hypothesis that this 'Master' is in fact the very Devourer who Mielikki fought, or perhaps one of its lieutenants. As for places where powerful ancient creatures might have been sealed away, a 'Sacred Grove' could certainly fit the bill. Perhaps these are threads we could further pull with the help of Hartley, someone who's had a residence in these woods for quite some time. And perhaps he knows of cartographers in the area who might have information about where this legendary grove might be located."
Later, Furlong will find a moment of quiet and will pull Stella aside:
"I know this cult business doesn't sound like the most lucrative endeavor; certainly not as immediately rewarding as completing quick tasks off the local job board. But this quest of yours--this missions to rewrite your story, to not be bound by your family's history--this is precisely the kind of job that could do the trick. There's only so much to be said for sellswords who lend help to the highest bidder; they are no more inherently good than your common merchant doing whatever it takes to earn a quick buck. But a quest like this--a quest against an evil force making its return--now that is something that could rewrite what the Diamant name means."
"Hartley? Hmm... yea... I guess so? Ain't find all that much ourselves 'cept the gardner belonged to a greater whole. Which means we'll probably gonna run into a lot more of his ilk in the process of try'na put a stop to this whole Devourer mess." Barnabus grins sly at the others and adds, "Nnnnnot that doin' this gor the good of all ain't enough of a reward in itself. But, think there's a local druid grove or nature worshipping priests that might help us out pro-bono on this? Maybe even have a little sssside action to scoop up for some extra rewards?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Hartley has been sitting at a nearby table, watching you all work, as researching ancient evils, druidic cults, battles that happened thousands upon thousands of years ago, and sacred groves that may or may not exist are not particularly his forte and he felt that he'd be more of a hindrance to Misfit Company than anything. But still, he offers up what help he can when asked about cartographers. "To be honest, the Sacred Grove was a bedtime story for me growing up. Most people regard it as such, no one has actually been in the Sacred Grove for thousands of years, if at all. I doubt that any cartographer could help in this situation. But, there is a commune of Druids in the forest who serve Mielekki and preserve her order. If anyone would know about it, they would. I'm sure that if they knew about the situation, they would be of assistance. Let me draw up a map for you." He proceeds to create a map of the known areas of the Ilixian Wood, using the manor as a handy reference point, and clearly labeling the commune on the map.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
With your research concluded, you all set out to find this Sacred Grove, with the promise of a substantial reward from Hartley. "If this crisis is solved, I plan on restoring the manor. I refuse to allow it to remain as a monument of victory for whatever the 'Master' is. And I think that it would make an excellent reward for the lot of you, along with a significant financial boon. It's truly a beautiful place when it's in proper condition." Vastra makes a last-minute stop to pick up a Potion of Healing as well as some food that isn't chocolate covered peanuts.
Once again, you leave Cerellia, heading for the Ilixian Wood. Once again, the weather is beautiful and temperate, as it should be during the summer. You follow the path back to the mansion, which is now free of undead, with the plot where Theleus was buried remaining undisturbed. The horses once again are unable to enter the deeper part of the forest. Victor says that he and his fellow horse will go outside the forest to graze. He promises that they'll be back to pick you up once you're all finished with the mission.
One of you make a Survival check to find the path in the woods, with advantage since you have the map.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
Kasha would grab Alys by the shoulder, pull her in very cheek to cheek and wave her hand in a hugely dramatic fashion, both of them looking into the forest, as if she had some enormous reveal.
"Behold!"she said, her hand making the sweeping gesture. "The forest!"
She then paused for a long time, still cheek to cheek with Alys, looking around with just her eyes.
As much as Barnabus pouted throughout the trip over having his suggestion being ignored, the peculiar young half-orc bounced back fairly quickly after the forest came in sight. As was notoriously his way, the form of Barnabus the half-orc is traded for that of the elven woman from the last trip, Bivaris. Whenever she isn't mean mugging the local wildlife, she casually trails after the others while playing the pan flute. At least until someone asks her to stop. In which case, she gets obnoxious about playing the latest beat.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
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Once Barnabus steps inside the library the whole veneer of happy-go-lucky teen drops from his face for a moment. In its place he seems distracted yet intensely focused more on searching the immediate surroundings for some-ONE over a particular book section. The moment passes with him abruptly shuddering in advance of turning to Alys, grinning in his usual cheerful self.
"Probably with this whole 'Master' business. At least that's where I'm think'n of start'n. Figured the whole forest thing I leave to ya'll more 'nature inclined' folk. Not that I don't like a good tree 'n all that. Excellent conversationalist if'n ya get the chance to talk wit'em. But... eh.... Anyhow! Whoever wants to join me they can. But good luck to the rest of ya. Ya'll got this, I trust." He gives a wink to those that splinter off to tackle the forest as he drifts away to start stalking the many shelves for the symbol. Whoever he does wind up linking up with for the research are offered the youth's strange telepathic bonds to keep whenever a subject happens to divide them for a while.
Religion: 16. If at advantage: 25.
(@All: Whoever is leading the charge on the forest investigation gains a d6 Bardic Inspiration).
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Barnabus: Rinn joins you in your attempt to research the Master. "We need to learn all we can about this Master and while I would not say that I am the most well-read of this group, two sets of eyes are always better than one." He helps you.
"Alys darling, would you care to assist me in researching the forest? And Kasha, perhaps you and Yvan could also research that. As a Druid, nature is your area of expertise and Yvan does seem to have an interest in fauna."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Kasha stands up straight and salutes, mouth full of chocolate peanuts. "Aye, aye, captain, ma'am!" She takes a hold of Yvans arm, swallows, and smiles. "Shall we?"
Alys would nod as she’s already thumbing through spines. When it comes to books, she’d be willing to help everyone with every subject if she could. She’d do her best to focus on the task at hand and she’d start with looking for the history of the forest.
History: 22
just an unstable unicorn.
Yvan nods down to Kasha with a small smile. “We shall.”
Truthfully, Yvan enjoyed reading about nature and flowers, however due to his upbringing he couldn’t do much of it and often got stuck at larger words. He wasn’t entirely sure if Kasha read much (raised by the wilds and all), but while gathering whatever books he could hold in his arms, he made sure to pick up a dictionary too. “Just in case,” He would say.
Nature kids history roll! 15
Aeyd of the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk
Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm
Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid
Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue
Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm
/ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
Rinn groans as he turns yet another page in a tome larger than he'd care to ever read. "Barney, do you think we have what we need?" he asks pleadingly.
Corrin Kettlewhistle: Halfling Life Cleric (Curse of Strahd)
Kip Dalton: Human Lore Bard (Waterdeep Dragon Heist)
Debauchery Dalliance: Half-Drow Oath of Conquest Paladin (White Plume Mountain)
Just waiting on Stella and Furlong, then we'll see what you find out. Good rolls so far!
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Stella meets the others at the library looking extraordinarily refreshed. She immediately gets to work, commandeering Furlong's help as they comb through old tomes and look at the history and stories of the area around the manor.
History: 7
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Furlong assists Stella with her research, but finds himself a bit distracted, spending time conversing with the librarians about the upkeep of the beautiful establishment.
"And these floors, is that authentic marble? Important to keep that nice and dry during the hotter months, you know. Remember the four Cs of marble care--condensation can cause cracks!"
Long live the PCs of the Past:
Puck of the Shivering Summit -- Tabaxi Bard, College of Lore -- Lyrel's Lost Mines of Phandelver
Alus -- High Elf Cleric of Valkur, Tempest Domain -- Yet Another Storm King's Thunder
Ah'brasar -- Aarakocra Druid, Circle of Wildfire -- Yet Another Storm King's Thunder
Furlong J. Rosewood -- Human Monk, Way of the Open Hand -- The Exploits of Misfit Company
Good rolls, mostly.
Barnabus and Rinn: Having spent a year with Kasha, you of course know that Druids care about nature and protecting the balance of the world. And while they may not fully embrace the ways of humanoid civilizations, they don't outright reject it either, seeing that as another element of the world and working to keep it in balance with nature, offering counsel to not overtax our natural resources and in some cases, fending off poachers, and occasionally participating in crusades against creatures like undead, that are seen as abominations against nature. But like with any group, there are extremists. Those whose devotion take them down a darker path. You learn about Druidic cults that completely reject humanoid society and it's creations, and work to bring down the societies that they see as encroachments on the natural world. This symbol has been commonly associated with those cults.
Stella and Furlong: Furlong gets distracted while researching, instead striking up a conversation with the librarians about upkeep, marble floors, and the four Cs. You fare little better, finding all of this book work to be boring and you quickly get distracted without anyone to keep you on task.
Alys, Kasha, Vastra, Yvan: You learn that the forest is called the Ilixian Wood. Thousands of years ago this forest was the site of a battle between Mielekki and The Devourer, with Mielekki's army prevailing over the Devourer and banishing him to another plane. You read that most of his army was slain, but some of his lieutenants proved too strong and could only be sealed away. You also read that it's not uncommon for people to live in the Ilixian Wood, as Druids and other worshipers of Mielekki call that area home, so the Hartleys weren't particularly disrespecting the area by living there. You also read about there being a Sacred Grove in the Ilixian Wood, but most writings refer to that as being something of legend and not historical fact.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
"Well, my friends, it seems a fairly reasonable hypothesis that this 'Master' is in fact the very Devourer who Mielikki fought, or perhaps one of its lieutenants. As for places where powerful ancient creatures might have been sealed away, a 'Sacred Grove' could certainly fit the bill. Perhaps these are threads we could further pull with the help of Hartley, someone who's had a residence in these woods for quite some time. And perhaps he knows of cartographers in the area who might have information about where this legendary grove might be located."
Later, Furlong will find a moment of quiet and will pull Stella aside:
"I know this cult business doesn't sound like the most lucrative endeavor; certainly not as immediately rewarding as completing quick tasks off the local job board. But this quest of yours--this missions to rewrite your story, to not be bound by your family's history--this is precisely the kind of job that could do the trick. There's only so much to be said for sellswords who lend help to the highest bidder; they are no more inherently good than your common merchant doing whatever it takes to earn a quick buck. But a quest like this--a quest against an evil force making its return--now that is something that could rewrite what the Diamant name means."
Long live the PCs of the Past:
Puck of the Shivering Summit -- Tabaxi Bard, College of Lore -- Lyrel's Lost Mines of Phandelver
Alus -- High Elf Cleric of Valkur, Tempest Domain -- Yet Another Storm King's Thunder
Ah'brasar -- Aarakocra Druid, Circle of Wildfire -- Yet Another Storm King's Thunder
Furlong J. Rosewood -- Human Monk, Way of the Open Hand -- The Exploits of Misfit Company
"Hartley? Hmm... yea... I guess so? Ain't find all that much ourselves 'cept the gardner belonged to a greater whole. Which means we'll probably gonna run into a lot more of his ilk in the process of try'na put a stop to this whole Devourer mess." Barnabus grins sly at the others and adds, "Nnnnnot that doin' this gor the good of all ain't enough of a reward in itself. But, think there's a local druid grove or nature worshipping priests that might help us out pro-bono on this? Maybe even have a little sssside action to scoop up for some extra rewards?"
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Hartley has been sitting at a nearby table, watching you all work, as researching ancient evils, druidic cults, battles that happened thousands upon thousands of years ago, and sacred groves that may or may not exist are not particularly his forte and he felt that he'd be more of a hindrance to Misfit Company than anything. But still, he offers up what help he can when asked about cartographers. "To be honest, the Sacred Grove was a bedtime story for me growing up. Most people regard it as such, no one has actually been in the Sacred Grove for thousands of years, if at all. I doubt that any cartographer could help in this situation. But, there is a commune of Druids in the forest who serve Mielekki and preserve her order. If anyone would know about it, they would. I'm sure that if they knew about the situation, they would be of assistance. Let me draw up a map for you." He proceeds to create a map of the known areas of the Ilixian Wood, using the manor as a handy reference point, and clearly labeling the commune on the map.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Stella nods. "Sounds like a good place to look. Thank you, Lord Hartley."
Furlong:
Stella nods. "You're right. This...it really could make a difference." She gives her butler a small smile. "Thank you, Furlong."
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
"Glad to have been of some help, small as it might have been."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
With your research concluded, you all set out to find this Sacred Grove, with the promise of a substantial reward from Hartley. "If this crisis is solved, I plan on restoring the manor. I refuse to allow it to remain as a monument of victory for whatever the 'Master' is. And I think that it would make an excellent reward for the lot of you, along with a significant financial boon. It's truly a beautiful place when it's in proper condition." Vastra makes a last-minute stop to pick up a Potion of Healing as well as some food that isn't chocolate covered peanuts.
Once again, you leave Cerellia, heading for the Ilixian Wood. Once again, the weather is beautiful and temperate, as it should be during the summer. You follow the path back to the mansion, which is now free of undead, with the plot where Theleus was buried remaining undisturbed. The horses once again are unable to enter the deeper part of the forest. Victor says that he and his fellow horse will go outside the forest to graze. He promises that they'll be back to pick you up once you're all finished with the mission.
One of you make a Survival check to find the path in the woods, with advantage since you have the map.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Survival: 18Survival: 24
"Hello, birdie!"
"Hello, little snail!"
"Oh! Hello, squirrel!"
"Hi Joe!"
Alys would follow behind Kasha, eating a handful of chocolate nuts and waving in the direction she's greeting things in.
just an unstable unicorn.
Kasha would grab Alys by the shoulder, pull her in very cheek to cheek and wave her hand in a hugely dramatic fashion, both of them looking into the forest, as if she had some enormous reveal.
"Behold!" she said, her hand making the sweeping gesture. "The forest!"
She then paused for a long time, still cheek to cheek with Alys, looking around with just her eyes.
"I was born in one of these."
As much as Barnabus pouted throughout the trip over having his suggestion being ignored, the peculiar young half-orc bounced back fairly quickly after the forest came in sight. As was notoriously his way, the form of Barnabus the half-orc is traded for that of the elven woman from the last trip, Bivaris. Whenever she isn't mean mugging the local wildlife, she casually trails after the others while playing the pan flute. At least until someone asks her to stop. In which case, she gets obnoxious about playing the latest beat.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.