The monk looks to Jubal and says, "I'm sure that the elders can answer any questions you may have. I have a few questions for them myself that I'd like answered too."
"Do you wish to stand out here in the storm?" Valyncia asked, "If not then we best get moving. The monastery seems like the best place to get answers right now."
A smile wrenched its way into the corner of Cailee's lips at Valycia's reply to Xinq. "I don't mind standing in the rain personally, but I want to ask the elders some questions. I suppose we could split up, and some of us could stay here to guard the site." Cailee's nose crinkled as she saw the storm draw closer. She hoped it wasn't related to the weird summoning ritual.
... You realize that the obelisk itself seems to be the focus for that protection. Looking at the hole in the tree covering above, you can see that the obelisk points directly toward the opening as if it is aiming toward the evening sky beyond the storm clouds....
((point of clarification: Is there just a hole in the trees centered around the obelisk, or is it also overcast except for a hole in the clouds centered above the obelisk? Or put another way, does it look like the obelisk might be trying to keep the clouds, and more particularly, the storm, away?))
Near a tree by a river There's a hole in the ground Where an old man of Talos Goes around and around And his mind is a beacon In the veil of the night For a strange kind of magic There's a wrong and a right But he'll never, never fight over you
Vallen looks to the obelisk and the circle then back the group, “I to feel we could answer more questions taking the monk back to the monastery.... but I also agree with the circle revealed, we probably shouldn’t just leave it unwatched.”
((point of clarification: Is there just a hole in the trees centered around the obelisk, or is it also overcast except for a hole in the clouds centered above the obelisk? Or put another way, does it look like the obelisk might be trying to keep the clouds, and more particularly, the storm, away?))
((The opening above the trees is completely covered by storm clouds. The obelisk does not seem to be affecting the sky above. Sorry for the confusion))
The cracking of lightning and the loud rumble of thunder alter the group to just how near the storm had gotten during their deliberations.
The warm draw to the obelisk continues as the structure floats in the air roughly five feet off the ground above the circle. The runes around the circle seem to shift in arcane energy slightly only making the circle that much more noticeable in the dim light.
The time has come to either make camp or leave toward the monastery.
Roll Survival and state whether you're camping or traveling.
"Something that should have been considered before digging up the obelisk." Valyncia said in response to Vallen's comment before looking up at the sky, "Regardless, there's no more time to discuss things. If you wish to head to the monastery we should start moving now. If you wish to stay here then prepare to camp in the storm."
Jubal turned to the monk and smiled. "Let's go ask those questions, shall we?"
Traveling to the monastery, Survival Check:15
He shared Xinq's concerns about leaving the circle exposed, but there didn't appear to be time to correct that at the moment. "Faster we can get answers and get back here, the better," the bard thought to himself, as he decided he would learn some sort of earth-moving spell at some point in his adventuring.
[going to move us forward a bit! If you choose to stay at the shrine, please let me know and we'll work out what happens]
The monk begins to escort those that wish to follow toward the monastery. Cailee is also able to easily track the path toward the monastery. The group moves through the dense forest away from the ominous thunder as the air grows damp with the coming rain. The hike last for several hours but the group manages to avoid the harsher portions of the storm thanks to some keep awareness by Valyncia as she finds a temporary shelter to wait out the harshest of the downfall.
The group makes it to the doors of the monastery which is made more in the style of earthen mounds between the tall trees that stretch high above. The monks standing guard see their fellow companion and quickly welcome the lot of you in. Several low level members of the order see the group and begin to prepare a place to change from the wet clothes and offer the group soups and bread to fight off any hunger they may have.
"Welcome home sister,"one of the monks says to the woman that you saved. "We were worried there was something wrong with you when you left but the elders said not to stop you. Are you feeling okay?" The monk is a younger firbolg that looks to have been born and raised among the order. It's hard to say but she's most likely around the age of thirteen. "The elders have requested your presence once you're suitable. Are these people okay to enter the temple," she asks the monk with some concern.
"They saved me. I'm sure the elders will tolerate it in this case."
Cailee would know that...
Outsiders were rarely ever allowed through the front gate of the shrine let alone into the actual temple. The elders only ever met with monks of the order as their time was very precious. To bring outsiders into the temple would be considered a very large disrespect to the order.
[WORLD KNOWLEDGE. This is information that your character most likely knows about the region and the dieties. Characters from specific regions would know more after those specific places. If you have any questions, please let me know!]
Dieties
Old Gods
Lugh. Protector of the Forest - tree with a spear as a trunk
[redacted[
Merveille, [redacted] - Leafless tree
Grusk, Master of War (Tribal) - Tusks
Sorata- The Maker, the goddess of advancement
New Gods / The Family
Shamara - Mother of the Innocent - Open hands
Talos, Father of Knowledge - Open Book
Aiden, Son of Creativity - Coin with square whole
Camiela, Daughter of Protection
Landmarks
Sunridge Mountains borders the region to the west in the Lowlands.
Glimmering Sea - borders the region to the north east.
Sunforge is the dwarven city located in the Sunridge Mountains and is the largest of the Lowland cities.
The Red Cliffs - Large cliffs that divide the Lowlands and the Highlands
Thornwood - farming community, feeds the Highlands. Lots of flowers. The small town overlooks the Red Cliffs and is responsible for providing most of the Highlands food. The town is a few days south of an area several nobles have built large castles along the Glimmering Sea. Each castle is like its own town with the staff needed to maintain and operate them. There is also a nearby monastery that has been there for centuries if the stories are to be believed.
Holden Heights - known as the crossroads of the region thanks to the lift that allows quick travel up and down the Red Cliffs. An annual festival is held here that brings the best craftspeople from all over to compete and sell wares.
Castles / Cities along the Glimmering Sea
Caterona, a large city built along the Glimmering Sea coast where much of the shipping occurs between the region and the region to the north.
Suncrest, the easternmost castle along the Glimmering Sea is the first to see the morning sun as it sits high into the mountain bluff. Lady Taliyah presides over the castle and surrounding lands.
Thousand Steps - a small keep surrounded by a larger sprawling bailey. It is built amongst steep grazing land atop the high cliffs that overlook the Glimmering Sea. It was originally the site of a beacon and a crofter's hut, around which a small settlement grew. The settlement expanded when iron and semi-precious stones were discovered in the hills. The path down to the sea was treacherous and, when the keep was built, steps were cut to link the narrow, rocky inlet with the clifftop hold. Most trade is by the High Road that connects the coastal towns to Thornwood.
[I will work on posting a sort of quest log for you all tomorrow that shows some of the possible paths that can be explored]
Vallen would look at the obelisk and frown some before he would have decided to follow the others to the monastery. He looks about the monastery in a bit of awe of the building.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Svent eats the offered food quickly and efficiently, then offers a belated "Thank you" as he has learned soft ones seem to prefer. All the while, he scans his surroundings, checking the layout of the monastery and trees for defensibly and looking for any danger currently present.
Cailee furrowed her brow in confusion. She pondered to herself, So people had watched the monk leave, some even knowing that something seemed off... but the elders told them not to mind her? I wonder if the elders had something to do with the state she was in. Cailee turned to the monk and spoke in a low voice, "I think the elders might know, or have something to do with, the ritual." She wasn't so sure that she could get an audience with the elders, even having been here for many years, let alone any of her new cohorts.
"Thank you for welcoming us here." Valyncia said to the other monk awkwardly. She looked around the monastery with some curiosity while they stood there. She wasn't sure of what was or was not expected of them in this place, so she decided to stay close to Cailee, happy to know someone that might guide them while in this place.
Having already eaten his fill, Jubal followed the monk and the others to where they encountered the firbolg requesting her presence. His ears nearly twitched as he overheard "but the elders said not to stop you"
Right then Cailee whispered to the monk; Jubal figured he had a good idea of what she was warning her about. Still, there was no evidence of anything nefarious going on. Yet. Meeting with the elders still seemed to be the most direct route to get their questions answered.
"We would be happy to accompany you to the elders," he offered the monk with a smile, attempting to sound reassuring. There was no way he'd miss this interaction!
The monk looks to Jubal and says, "I'm sure that the elders can answer any questions you may have. I have a few questions for them myself that I'd like answered too."
"I still don't think we should leave this place unguarded", says Xinq stubbornly.
"Do you wish to stand out here in the storm?" Valyncia asked, "If not then we best get moving. The monastery seems like the best place to get answers right now."
Sylnache Ashrain - 7th Sojourn
A smile wrenched its way into the corner of Cailee's lips at Valycia's reply to Xinq. "I don't mind standing in the rain personally, but I want to ask the elders some questions. I suppose we could split up, and some of us could stay here to guard the site." Cailee's nose crinkled as she saw the storm draw closer. She hoped it wasn't related to the weird summoning ritual.
((point of clarification: Is there just a hole in the trees centered around the obelisk, or is it also overcast except for a hole in the clouds centered above the obelisk? Or put another way, does it look like the obelisk might be trying to keep the clouds, and more particularly, the storm, away?))
Xinq mutters softly to himself.
Vallen looks to the obelisk and the circle then back the group, “I to feel we could answer more questions taking the monk back to the monastery.... but I also agree with the circle revealed, we probably shouldn’t just leave it unwatched.”
((The opening above the trees is completely covered by storm clouds. The obelisk does not seem to be affecting the sky above. Sorry for the confusion))
The cracking of lightning and the loud rumble of thunder alter the group to just how near the storm had gotten during their deliberations.
The warm draw to the obelisk continues as the structure floats in the air roughly five feet off the ground above the circle. The runes around the circle seem to shift in arcane energy slightly only making the circle that much more noticeable in the dim light.
The time has come to either make camp or leave toward the monastery.
Roll Survival and state whether you're camping or traveling.
"Something that should have been considered before digging up the obelisk." Valyncia said in response to Vallen's comment before looking up at the sky, "Regardless, there's no more time to discuss things. If you wish to head to the monastery we should start moving now. If you wish to stay here then prepare to camp in the storm."
Survival - 20
Sylnache Ashrain - 7th Sojourn
(( Survival 15 - Traveling to the monastery))
Jubal turned to the monk and smiled. "Let's go ask those questions, shall we?"
He shared Xinq's concerns about leaving the circle exposed, but there didn't appear to be time to correct that at the moment. "Faster we can get answers and get back here, the better," the bard thought to himself, as he decided he would learn some sort of earth-moving spell at some point in his adventuring.
Sterling - V. Human Bard 3 (College of Art) - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist (w/ Mansion) - Jasper's [Pic] - Sterling's [Sigil]
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
Svent straps his shovel back to his pack and prepares to follow wherever the others go, deferring to their wisdom.
Survival, 9
[going to move us forward a bit! If you choose to stay at the shrine, please let me know and we'll work out what happens]
The monk begins to escort those that wish to follow toward the monastery. Cailee is also able to easily track the path toward the monastery. The group moves through the dense forest away from the ominous thunder as the air grows damp with the coming rain. The hike last for several hours but the group manages to avoid the harsher portions of the storm thanks to some keep awareness by Valyncia as she finds a temporary shelter to wait out the harshest of the downfall.
The group makes it to the doors of the monastery which is made more in the style of earthen mounds between the tall trees that stretch high above. The monks standing guard see their fellow companion and quickly welcome the lot of you in. Several low level members of the order see the group and begin to prepare a place to change from the wet clothes and offer the group soups and bread to fight off any hunger they may have.
"Welcome home sister," one of the monks says to the woman that you saved. "We were worried there was something wrong with you when you left but the elders said not to stop you. Are you feeling okay?" The monk is a younger firbolg that looks to have been born and raised among the order. It's hard to say but she's most likely around the age of thirteen. "The elders have requested your presence once you're suitable. Are these people okay to enter the temple," she asks the monk with some concern.
"They saved me. I'm sure the elders will tolerate it in this case."
Cailee would know that...
Outsiders were rarely ever allowed through the front gate of the shrine let alone into the actual temple. The elders only ever met with monks of the order as their time was very precious. To bring outsiders into the temple would be considered a very large disrespect to the order.
[WORLD KNOWLEDGE. This is information that your character most likely knows about the region and the dieties. Characters from specific regions would know more after those specific places. If you have any questions, please let me know!]
Dieties
Old Gods
New Gods / The Family
Landmarks
Castles / Cities along the Glimmering Sea
[I will work on posting a sort of quest log for you all tomorrow that shows some of the possible paths that can be explored]
Vallen would look at the obelisk and frown some before he would have decided to follow the others to the monastery. He looks about the monastery in a bit of awe of the building.
Svent eats the offered food quickly and efficiently, then offers a belated "Thank you" as he has learned soft ones seem to prefer. All the while, he scans his surroundings, checking the layout of the monastery and trees for defensibly and looking for any danger currently present.
Perception, 10
Cailee furrowed her brow in confusion. She pondered to herself, So people had watched the monk leave, some even knowing that something seemed off... but the elders told them not to mind her? I wonder if the elders had something to do with the state she was in. Cailee turned to the monk and spoke in a low voice, "I think the elders might know, or have something to do with, the ritual." She wasn't so sure that she could get an audience with the elders, even having been here for many years, let alone any of her new cohorts.
"Thank you for welcoming us here." Valyncia said to the other monk awkwardly. She looked around the monastery with some curiosity while they stood there. She wasn't sure of what was or was not expected of them in this place, so she decided to stay close to Cailee, happy to know someone that might guide them while in this place.
Sylnache Ashrain - 7th Sojourn
Having already eaten his fill, Jubal followed the monk and the others to where they encountered the firbolg requesting her presence. His ears nearly twitched as he overheard "but the elders said not to stop you"
Right then Cailee whispered to the monk; Jubal figured he had a good idea of what she was warning her about. Still, there was no evidence of anything nefarious going on. Yet. Meeting with the elders still seemed to be the most direct route to get their questions answered.
"We would be happy to accompany you to the elders," he offered the monk with a smile, attempting to sound reassuring. There was no way he'd miss this interaction!
Sterling - V. Human Bard 3 (College of Art) - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist (w/ Mansion) - Jasper's [Pic] - Sterling's [Sigil]
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf