This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Elyham Persuasion - 20
Elyham stands up calmly, and the small elder goblin looks reassured by her words even while giving Gnippen a side-eye glare.
"Very well, Annalise. I trust you'll keep him in check!"
The goblin takes her teapot, filling several small horn cups before setting the pot down on a piece of leather on the little table. She hands each of you a cup, and takes one for herself. The smell of the tea is powerful, herby and sweet. Grimelda hobbles back over to her chair.
"Younglings from my old clan, they come to visit old Grimelda every few moons. Bring news from the forest to the north, and bring gifts of that which I cannot find in the mountains. In exchange, I give them some of the rare brews I make." She takes a sip of her tea.
"Now, you are going to the mountain ahead? Dangerous path, that. Dangerous indeed! Lots of beasties in those crags, and much more horrible things deeper in. Used to be a dragon, if the old tales were true. Set the entire mountainside on fire, he did!" She cackles as she rocks in her chair.
Elyham Nature - 6
Elyham:
You take a whiff of the tea. You don't recognize the smell of any of the herbs that went into the cup. You don't feel any different.
Elyham twirls the goblin cup in her hand before turning to face Gnippen. She raises the cup to her nostrils, and draws in the vapors from the warm brew. Lowering it ever so slightly to her lips, she flips out her pinky and takes a sip of the tea, giving Gnippen a side-eyed stare down.
The warm liquid rushes down her throat, making it feel slightly tingly as it passes through.
"Rare brews, eh? What do these brews do Grimelda?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Gnippen guardedly watches the exchange. Keeping his senses peeled for any changes in Elyham's demeanor as she drinks or sign of any other danger lurking in the area. He does not move from where he is. If offered food, Gnippen refuses to eat. If offered beverage, Gnippen refuses to drink. His shield is still held in a defensive position, but his weapon remains un-drawn. "I hope you know what you are doing Elyham."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Elyham Con Save 20
Elyham:
As you drink the herbal tea, you feel the flush of heat suffuse your body. Warmth spreads from your belly to your cheeks. Everything in the hut seems to come into sharp focus at once. Colors become extremely vivid. You are able to trace individual dust specks as they float in the air, almost mesmerized by the patterns they form as the warm air rising from the small hearth disturbs the particles. It is a euphoric feeling.
Effects: You'll find out later.
Gnippen:
You guard your friends from any percieved threats. It's hard to tell what's going on with Elyham in her disguise, though.
The old goblin cackles a bit. "Ah, your gnome even appears confused at your name, young Annalise!" She gives a knowing look at the two of you. "I see you are enjoying your tea, dearie. Very rare herbs for that, yes! Only found near the old lava flows, where the earth is black and rich. One of my favorites! There are many bounties of the Sword Mountains. Draughts to heal, draughts to harm, yes. Focus the senses or dull the pain! What you desire, old Grimelda can brew, if you've something interesting to trade!" She cackles again, her small feet wiggling as she laughs in her rocking chair.
Feredir Perception 8
Feredir:
You watch the odd exchange from your brooding corner. What a strange little creature!
"GNIPPEN!" Elyham shouts at the gnome, who is still ready to attack Grimelda. "I was trying out a new character! Ugh!" Elyham reaches up and rips the human ears off her head, taking the wig with her in a single swipe. The tea Grimelda brewed has caused quite a symphony of effects to cascade across Ely at once. Looking down at her feet, she gives a slight nudge with her foot, knocking over her backpack and spilling some of her belongings on the stone floor.
"So Grim, what say you about these draughts you can brew? Got anything that could help us explore a cave or two? Maybe something to kill a dragon perhaps?" Elyham bends down to gather her things, but for some reason her finger is stuck touching the tip of her nose.
Feredir paces the small hut, his keen eyes moving across so many strange and wonderful herbs and plants, mushrooms and foreign growing things. He takes only small notice of the interaction between his companions and the old goblin. He looks around for something useful or interesting.
Feredir Investigation - 13
He pauses here and there, running his slender fingers along the stems of branches, feeling the rough and smooth leaves of the varied plant-life both alive and dead in the humble dwelling. Talk of a dragon perks his pointed ears. "When was this dragon last seen in the mountains?"
The goblin laughs. "Ah, yes. I have a distillation of starsight, made from the same leaf as your tea! Much more potent, and lets you see in dark places as if it were day! For killing a dragon, no. I know a brew that I can make from hinterland sprigs, though. Chills you to your bone when drank, yes, but flame licks on your skin no longer! Bring me some hinterland sprigs, and I'll make you some! Or... what trade do you have for starsight?"
Feredir:
On one of the higher shelves opposite the hearth you do see three vials of various colored liquid - one a purple hue, one a cherry red, and one a sickly green.
As Feredir speaks, the goblin licks her lips, looking at Feredir with sharp eyes. "Ah, the tall, dark, and brooding one does talk, yes? Mmm hmm... Yes. The dragon. Legends were of a mighty Red, over five hundred years ago methinks. And then, no more! Hah! Tales of a mad king who brought an army to fight the dragon. Mad before or mad after though, who knows!" As if to accentuate the point, she gives another cackle.
Gnippen has become increasingly uncomfortable with the situation, "Let us finish our business and continue our journey. Once again, I do not trust greenskins. The old lady has stated that other goblins vist from time to time. Let us not tarry too long, for if we do we could be inviting conflict. I am sure even Grimelda would not want that in her home."
Sorry I haven't been posting as much, I am in the middle of a big project at work.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Feredir nods, but makes no sound in response to the haggard goblin's remarks. He paces around the shelf near the colorful vials and waits for an opportunity for Grimelda to look elsewhere, and tries to take the vial of red liquid.
Elyham fumbles around her pack, but she doesn't find anything worth trading to the old goblin. Sensing Gnippen's insistent concern is not lessening, she gathers her things and flips her backpack onto her shoulders. "Grim, its been a pleasure. I'm a little bit weary of hunching over in this place, and rather reluctant to part with any of my belongings. Perhaps some other time we shall exchange goods if we come to pass through here again? Thank you for the tea! It was quite wondrous!"
Elyham turns towards the doorway and almost smacks her forehead on a support beam for the roof - at the last second she deftly swoops below, which is a rather unusual occurrence for the somewhat injury prone bard.
I don't really have anything in my pack to give up for anything she's got at the moment, so unless you guys want to trade with her or brutally murder her in her home and ransack the place, I'm ready to move onto the next part.... I wonder what Josh has in store for us in the mountain....
I concur, I believe we played out this merchant to it's fullest. Gnippen has next to no money. Wasn't sure how Feredir was going to react to meeting a favored enemy, but we played that out too.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Was curious if you would murderhobo her. Answered that question at least!
Grimelda nods, gesturing with her hand. "Very well, very well. Thank you for stopping by! Toodaloo!" She remains in her chair, keeping one eye on the group as you turn to depart. You find the door already open. Sia is standing about fifteen yards away from the door outside.
Elyham:
Was it always so... bright, outside? You could see so clearly in the dark interior of the hut, even better than your normal darkvision. It's almost painful now.
You feel sensitive to direct sunlight.
"Find anything of interest there? Horizon's clear. We should get moving."
Random PC: 4
Gnippen Perception: 17
As she leads the party towards the next waystone, Gnippen turns back to look at the hut one last time before it disappears from view.
Gnippen:
You see an bird fly out from one of the windows of the hut. Looks like an owl, perhaps, gray-feathered with a flat round face and small beak.
You reach the next waystone about an hour before sunset. The terrain is getting quite mountainous, and more patches of snow dot the ground, especially in places where the mountain's shadow prevents full sunlight from melting the snow. The air is crisp and clean, and the only noises heard during the journey are songbirds in the trees and the clank and rattle of the Gnome cavalier's armor. You continue on until it gets dark, and set up camp.
While some of your rations are cooking over the small campfire, Sia and Feredir share stories of the mercenary band they both work for. You come to learn some of the names of the Silver Quivers. The leader, Beleg Swiftthistle, an elf from Myth Drannor who is a master swordsman and inspiring leader. Feredir tells of a daring raid on an orc stronghold in the Lurkwood to the north, where Beleg challenged the warlord to a one-on-one duel and took his head. Sia mentions Eiryn Swiftthistle, Beleg's wife, who is the heart of the band - both making sure that everyone is paid and that spirits are high while on the road. The two mercenaries briefly discuss Yala, the band's master of secrets, and how no one is quite sure where or how she learned her magic. Feredir then brings up Illara, Sia's sister. He compares how the slim and sneaky Sia is quite unlike the older sword-and-spell slinging Illara, but a look of worry crosses Sia's face at the mention of her sister and she withdraws from the camp, claiming it is her turn to take watch.
The night passes without issue or event, and you break camp the next morning and continue on, donning warmer clothes (if you have any).
Elyham:
As morning breaks, you feel much better - your vision is back to normal, and being in the sun doesn't make you feel ill any longer.
As you continue on the path laid out by the waystones, the mountain peak looms ahead of you ominously. It is mainly black and dark gray stone, capped with snow. Green moss and small evergreen shrubs are the only splashes of color on the mountain below the snowline - it seems it's too craggy for larger trees to grow. By mid-day, the path you are on is quite narrow, and seems to have only been tread by local fauna - deer and mountain goats, perhaps. You find yourself along the edge of a north-to-south running ridgeline, where a misstep could result in a fatal drop into the ravine below. Treading carefully, your pace slows.
Sia stops the group as the ridge takes a sharp turn eastward, and you see two paths ahead of you. One path widens out and descends into the base of ravine, where you see running water from a stream flowing through the moss-covered dark rocks, while a smaller and narrower path climbs up and along the side of the ravine.
"This is where we split off before - I originally climbed up this path, while the rest of the band went down to the ravine. The climbing path is difficult, but puts us into an overlook above the door. Or we can descend to the ravine itself, which would be easier to traverse. It's maybe a half hour walk further along the ravine. What do you want to do?"
The sun's position in the sky now indicates late afternoon, though still 1-2 hours of daylight remaining before the sun will dip behind a further mountain to the west.
If there was anything you wanted to do during the travels of this post, say as such and we'll handle it retroactively.
"I suspect that having the advantage of height would be beneficial as well, and personally I don't want to end up like your compatriots before! Lets head for the cliffs Gnippen, and see how well your short legs can climb!"
Can Tim climb too? Or will we have to leave him behind at this point? That could make the difference in the path we take.
"Elyham, I might have a solution for this..." Gnippen rummages around in Tim's saddlebags looking for anything that could be utilized to assist climbing and pulling Tim up the steeper slopes, but all he finds is a rope and grappling hook. "Nevermind, maybe I don't have a solution." Gnippen responds sheepishly. "Do you have anything Elyham? I may be small but I am pretty strong for a Gnome, if we had a climbers kit or maybe a block and tackle we could figure out an approach to keep Tim with us."
"How much further do you reckon the path ahead is Sia? If we leave Tim behind to scout the entrance I'd prefer to not leave my compatriot behind for too long... Perhaps he would be safe for an hour or two, but past that out here in the wilderness I would not want to chance it."
Elyham Persuasion - 20
Elyham stands up calmly, and the small elder goblin looks reassured by her words even while giving Gnippen a side-eye glare.
"Very well, Annalise. I trust you'll keep him in check!"
The goblin takes her teapot, filling several small horn cups before setting the pot down on a piece of leather on the little table. She hands each of you a cup, and takes one for herself. The smell of the tea is powerful, herby and sweet. Grimelda hobbles back over to her chair.
"Younglings from my old clan, they come to visit old Grimelda every few moons. Bring news from the forest to the north, and bring gifts of that which I cannot find in the mountains. In exchange, I give them some of the rare brews I make." She takes a sip of her tea.
"Now, you are going to the mountain ahead? Dangerous path, that. Dangerous indeed! Lots of beasties in those crags, and much more horrible things deeper in. Used to be a dragon, if the old tales were true. Set the entire mountainside on fire, he did!" She cackles as she rocks in her chair.
Elyham Nature - 6
Elyham:
You take a whiff of the tea. You don't recognize the smell of any of the herbs that went into the cup. You don't feel any different.
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
Elyham twirls the goblin cup in her hand before turning to face Gnippen. She raises the cup to her nostrils, and draws in the vapors from the warm brew. Lowering it ever so slightly to her lips, she flips out her pinky and takes a sip of the tea, giving Gnippen a side-eyed stare down.
The warm liquid rushes down her throat, making it feel slightly tingly as it passes through.
"Rare brews, eh? What do these brews do Grimelda?"
Gnippen guardedly watches the exchange. Keeping his senses peeled for any changes in Elyham's demeanor as she drinks or sign of any other danger lurking in the area. He does not move from where he is. If offered food, Gnippen refuses to eat. If offered beverage, Gnippen refuses to drink. His shield is still held in a defensive position, but his weapon remains un-drawn. "I hope you know what you are doing Elyham."
Gnippen Perception Roll: 9
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent
Elyham Con Save 20
Elyham:
As you drink the herbal tea, you feel the flush of heat suffuse your body. Warmth spreads from your belly to your cheeks. Everything in the hut seems to come into sharp focus at once. Colors become extremely vivid. You are able to trace individual dust specks as they float in the air, almost mesmerized by the patterns they form as the warm air rising from the small hearth disturbs the particles. It is a euphoric feeling.
Effects: You'll find out later.
Gnippen:
You guard your friends from any percieved threats. It's hard to tell what's going on with Elyham in her disguise, though.
The old goblin cackles a bit. "Ah, your gnome even appears confused at your name, young Annalise!" She gives a knowing look at the two of you. "I see you are enjoying your tea, dearie. Very rare herbs for that, yes! Only found near the old lava flows, where the earth is black and rich. One of my favorites! There are many bounties of the Sword Mountains. Draughts to heal, draughts to harm, yes. Focus the senses or dull the pain! What you desire, old Grimelda can brew, if you've something interesting to trade!" She cackles again, her small feet wiggling as she laughs in her rocking chair.
Feredir Perception 8
Feredir:
You watch the odd exchange from your brooding corner. What a strange little creature!
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
"GNIPPEN!" Elyham shouts at the gnome, who is still ready to attack Grimelda. "I was trying out a new character! Ugh!" Elyham reaches up and rips the human ears off her head, taking the wig with her in a single swipe. The tea Grimelda brewed has caused quite a symphony of effects to cascade across Ely at once. Looking down at her feet, she gives a slight nudge with her foot, knocking over her backpack and spilling some of her belongings on the stone floor.
"So Grim, what say you about these draughts you can brew? Got anything that could help us explore a cave or two? Maybe something to kill a dragon perhaps?" Elyham bends down to gather her things, but for some reason her finger is stuck touching the tip of her nose.
Feredir paces the small hut, his keen eyes moving across so many strange and wonderful herbs and plants, mushrooms and foreign growing things. He takes only small notice of the interaction between his companions and the old goblin. He looks around for something useful or interesting.
Feredir Investigation - 13
He pauses here and there, running his slender fingers along the stems of branches, feeling the rough and smooth leaves of the varied plant-life both alive and dead in the humble dwelling. Talk of a dragon perks his pointed ears. "When was this dragon last seen in the mountains?"
The goblin laughs. "Ah, yes. I have a distillation of starsight, made from the same leaf as your tea! Much more potent, and lets you see in dark places as if it were day! For killing a dragon, no. I know a brew that I can make from hinterland sprigs, though. Chills you to your bone when drank, yes, but flame licks on your skin no longer! Bring me some hinterland sprigs, and I'll make you some! Or... what trade do you have for starsight?"
Feredir:
On one of the higher shelves opposite the hearth you do see three vials of various colored liquid - one a purple hue, one a cherry red, and one a sickly green.
As Feredir speaks, the goblin licks her lips, looking at Feredir with sharp eyes. "Ah, the tall, dark, and brooding one does talk, yes? Mmm hmm... Yes. The dragon. Legends were of a mighty Red, over five hundred years ago methinks. And then, no more! Hah! Tales of a mad king who brought an army to fight the dragon. Mad before or mad after though, who knows!" As if to accentuate the point, she gives another cackle.
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
Gnippen has become increasingly uncomfortable with the situation, "Let us finish our business and continue our journey. Once again, I do not trust greenskins. The old lady has stated that other goblins vist from time to time. Let us not tarry too long, for if we do we could be inviting conflict. I am sure even Grimelda would not want that in her home."
Sorry I haven't been posting as much, I am in the middle of a big project at work.
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent
Feredir nods, but makes no sound in response to the haggard goblin's remarks. He paces around the shelf near the colorful vials and waits for an opportunity for Grimelda to look elsewhere, and tries to take the vial of red liquid.
Feredir Stealth - 11
Grimelda Perception 17
Feredir:
You think you have an opportunity, and when the little goblin crone is deep in her teacup, you pick up the vial.
"Ahh, yes, yes. I see you would like the potion of healing I have brewed, yes! For gold or trade!"
Feredir:
You are caught holding the potion, and though your satchel is open, you were not able to get it secure before she noticed...
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
Elyham fumbles around her pack, but she doesn't find anything worth trading to the old goblin. Sensing Gnippen's insistent concern is not lessening, she gathers her things and flips her backpack onto her shoulders. "Grim, its been a pleasure. I'm a little bit weary of hunching over in this place, and rather reluctant to part with any of my belongings. Perhaps some other time we shall exchange goods if we come to pass through here again? Thank you for the tea! It was quite wondrous!"
Elyham turns towards the doorway and almost smacks her forehead on a support beam for the roof - at the last second she deftly swoops below, which is a rather unusual occurrence for the somewhat injury prone bard.
I don't really have anything in my pack to give up for anything she's got at the moment, so unless you guys want to trade with her or brutally murder her in her home and ransack the place, I'm ready to move onto the next part.... I wonder what Josh has in store for us in the mountain....
I concur, I believe we played out this merchant to it's fullest. Gnippen has next to no money. Wasn't sure how Feredir was going to react to meeting a favored enemy, but we played that out too.
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent
Was curious if you would murderhobo her. Answered that question at least!
Grimelda nods, gesturing with her hand. "Very well, very well. Thank you for stopping by! Toodaloo!" She remains in her chair, keeping one eye on the group as you turn to depart. You find the door already open. Sia is standing about fifteen yards away from the door outside.
Elyham:
Was it always so... bright, outside? You could see so clearly in the dark interior of the hut, even better than your normal darkvision. It's almost painful now.
You feel sensitive to direct sunlight.
"Find anything of interest there? Horizon's clear. We should get moving."
Random PC: 4
Gnippen Perception: 17
As she leads the party towards the next waystone, Gnippen turns back to look at the hut one last time before it disappears from view.
Gnippen:
You see an bird fly out from one of the windows of the hut. Looks like an owl, perhaps, gray-feathered with a flat round face and small beak.
You reach the next waystone about an hour before sunset. The terrain is getting quite mountainous, and more patches of snow dot the ground, especially in places where the mountain's shadow prevents full sunlight from melting the snow. The air is crisp and clean, and the only noises heard during the journey are songbirds in the trees and the clank and rattle of the Gnome cavalier's armor. You continue on until it gets dark, and set up camp.
While some of your rations are cooking over the small campfire, Sia and Feredir share stories of the mercenary band they both work for. You come to learn some of the names of the Silver Quivers. The leader, Beleg Swiftthistle, an elf from Myth Drannor who is a master swordsman and inspiring leader. Feredir tells of a daring raid on an orc stronghold in the Lurkwood to the north, where Beleg challenged the warlord to a one-on-one duel and took his head. Sia mentions Eiryn Swiftthistle, Beleg's wife, who is the heart of the band - both making sure that everyone is paid and that spirits are high while on the road. The two mercenaries briefly discuss Yala, the band's master of secrets, and how no one is quite sure where or how she learned her magic. Feredir then brings up Illara, Sia's sister. He compares how the slim and sneaky Sia is quite unlike the older sword-and-spell slinging Illara, but a look of worry crosses Sia's face at the mention of her sister and she withdraws from the camp, claiming it is her turn to take watch.
The night passes without issue or event, and you break camp the next morning and continue on, donning warmer clothes (if you have any).
Elyham:
As morning breaks, you feel much better - your vision is back to normal, and being in the sun doesn't make you feel ill any longer.
Theme - The Sword Mountains
As you continue on the path laid out by the waystones, the mountain peak looms ahead of you ominously. It is mainly black and dark gray stone, capped with snow. Green moss and small evergreen shrubs are the only splashes of color on the mountain below the snowline - it seems it's too craggy for larger trees to grow. By mid-day, the path you are on is quite narrow, and seems to have only been tread by local fauna - deer and mountain goats, perhaps. You find yourself along the edge of a north-to-south running ridgeline, where a misstep could result in a fatal drop into the ravine below. Treading carefully, your pace slows.
Sia stops the group as the ridge takes a sharp turn eastward, and you see two paths ahead of you. One path widens out and descends into the base of ravine, where you see running water from a stream flowing through the moss-covered dark rocks, while a smaller and narrower path climbs up and along the side of the ravine.
"This is where we split off before - I originally climbed up this path, while the rest of the band went down to the ravine. The climbing path is difficult, but puts us into an overlook above the door. Or we can descend to the ravine itself, which would be easier to traverse. It's maybe a half hour walk further along the ravine. What do you want to do?"
The sun's position in the sky now indicates late afternoon, though still 1-2 hours of daylight remaining before the sun will dip behind a further mountain to the west.
If there was anything you wanted to do during the travels of this post, say as such and we'll handle it retroactively.
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
"Difficult may be better than dead. Sia, if I recall it didn't end well for your friends down in the ravine. What does everyone else think?"
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent
"I suspect that having the advantage of height would be beneficial as well, and personally I don't want to end up like your compatriots before! Lets head for the cliffs Gnippen, and see how well your short legs can climb!"
Can Tim climb too? Or will we have to leave him behind at this point? That could make the difference in the path we take.
Oh yeah, forgot this was still running too.
Tim might require some help depending on the terrain... Dog's cant scale what they can't jump.
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
"Elyham, I might have a solution for this..." Gnippen rummages around in Tim's saddlebags looking for anything that could be utilized to assist climbing and pulling Tim up the steeper slopes, but all he finds is a rope and grappling hook. "Nevermind, maybe I don't have a solution." Gnippen responds sheepishly. "Do you have anything Elyham? I may be small but I am pretty strong for a Gnome, if we had a climbers kit or maybe a block and tackle we could figure out an approach to keep Tim with us."
"How much further do you reckon the path ahead is Sia? If we leave Tim behind to scout the entrance I'd prefer to not leave my compatriot behind for too long... Perhaps he would be safe for an hour or two, but past that out here in the wilderness I would not want to chance it."
DM for Out of the Abyss | Edvord Reinholdt for Killilli's Waterdeep Dragon Heist | Sergeant Cernan for Viper's Descent