“I was born and raised in the greatest library of Faerun, a place called Candlekeep,” Abraxas says. “Faerun is the name of my real world. My parents were two of the Avowed, the caretakers of Candlekeep. I was extremely happy there and would have followed after my parents, becoming a Sage.”

He stirs the ashes of the fire and the flames increase. “But my father appeared one night covered in dust. He held a tome, covered with tiny skulls and the face of a balor.” He pauses and looks into the faces of those sitting around him. “Not long after, I needed to leave Candlekeep. I still love books, but that one I’d like to find and destroy.” Abraxas stirs the ashes again and orange sparks drift skyward.

“Searching for it took me to a city called Waterdeep. I had great adventures there," he smiles, but then frowns, "including one in a rare book shop in a place called Skullport. But eventually, the rest of my life eclipsed my search for the tome. I helped the City Watch to pay for my daily bread. And one night I went to bed. The next morning, I woke up here. Here, expected to serve the gods of this place.”

Harmony had gotten ready for bed, dressed in a nightgown and her hair up and braided when she heard Bir ask all of them questions. She already knew her answer but let Simeon speak first as he talked about the gnome that raised him. She listened to his story, again feeling so sad and sympathetic for him. "Po sounds like a wonderful gnome. I'm so sorry to hear about your parents, no one would want their own family to be undead. I really hope that you can recover your memories and be able to stop the evil so your parents can finally move on in peace." she had said to him, patting Simeon's shoulder gently and reassuring him. Then Abraxas spoke about what he did, nodding in agreement to the name of their world and how they went to bed and woke up here the next morning before she looked to Bir as it was her turn. "I was a traveling idol, singing and dancing all across the different towns and cities, bringing joy and happiness to the people while helping out too. I had even performed with a famous Aasimar bard before coming here." Harmony said with a smile before realizing that very likely people here wouldn't know what an Aasimar even is, never mind having any here in this world. "Oh, an Aasimar is basically like me but the opposite as instead of demon blood, they have celestial and angel blood or ancestry in them, having wings as well." she would have said, making a motion with her arms stretched out like wings before getting back to the rest of her explanation. "But it is as Abraxas said, we had gone to sleep one night and the next morning we ended up here. Apparently the reason for why Abraxas and I are here, well we were kind of called here by accident. It was our friend who had been originally called here to this world by the goddess Gabrielle, he stayed behind in Ruskivek. He's a little odd but can do magic with his orb. But because me and Abraxas had gotten to know him and became friends with him in our world, we ended up here by accident along with him as well." Harmony then said back to Bir, smiling. It feels like it has been forever since they first came to this world of Rikirta, wondering how their world is doing right now.

Simeon, deeply intrigued, listens to the tales being told by his new acquaintances. He thinks to himself, "I hope to learn more of the place called Faerûn."

(OCC: Harmony never mentioned Toril and thinking about it, she would also be from Faerun too.)

OOC: Moving on for now, Garu feel free to answer Mro Jus Bir in the next post if you would like.

Removed 7 days of rations from each character's inventory for the journey thus far. Also catching up on feed purchases, 14 days for the five mounts = 350 copper pieces. I've removed this from Garu's inventory for the purchase before you left town.

"It is so unbelievable, yet so much is in this world, no? Fate-touched heroes, summoned by gods and goddesses...it is if you are all doing my exaggerating for me," Mro Jus Bir says once he listens intently to Abraxas and Harmony tell their stories.

The air warms after a few more days; the snow has melted from the edge of the tundra, and it gradually gives way to more arid land over the next week. Still following the coast, the dry plains take on an almost dead look, and through the midst of a cracked, leafless forest, you set eyes upon the citadel of Turmaether fourteen days after departing Lyrikav's gates.

Turmaether is a sprawling stone fortress nestled into the reed-covered coast. Surprisingly, the place does not seem abandoned, as a series of tents set up around the citadel's entrance indicate otherwise.

OOC: Night has fallen when you catch your first glimpse of Turmaether. There is still time to approach before you rest for the night, or you can set camp in the forest and approach the following morning if you would prefer.

Garu responds “I am likely highly boring. Growing up on the farmland, I learned an appreciation for balance in life. My parents still work the fields. Some of my kin are more appreciative of the random and trickster ways. From time to time, I would have to defend my folks against those who wanted to take that which didn’t belong to them or more often, didn’t like my cousins’ sense of humor. 

 I learned to be more in tune with the light, finding beauty in all that the light shine upon. My calling is Love, Beauty, and Light. I find intense joy in music, hence why Harmony’s light is so exquisite to me. I don’t try to enforce the way upon others as with the paladins of old. I try to be the example. And when I have to, as you have seen, I can certainly manage threats.”

Simeon studies the large fortress that now lies before him and his companions, to whom he says, "What do we know of that place, friends? And what exactly do we wish to accomplish there?'

"I believe this is simply a matter of exploration and discovery, no?" Mro Jus Bir imparts in the silence that follows Simeon's question. "The one known as Aisha seemed to believe there is powerful weaponry within, but who can say? Many rumors swirl about this place; the only thing I am certain of is not all of them can be true. Legend speaks that one day a great leader will master the citadel and lead the forces of light. Other tales say that the last person to enter Turmaether became a deity and ascended to godhood. In any case, not many attempt to find truth in these rumors, but I decided if I am to write a song about it, I must see it for myself. I came to the Order of Skogyr with my request, and they arranged for me to meet with these fine adventurers that you now find yourself in company with as well."

OOC: How and when to approach the citadel is up to you. As I mentioned, it is currently late at night, so you can approach now or rest and approach in the morning.

Garu pipes up, "As a matter of general civility, I never like knocking on someone's door at night. I would suggest we camp and knock on the door tomorrow."

Simeon nods. "A knock at night may not be the best course of action. If, however, anyone has a mind to do a bit of reconnaissance under cover of dark, then I am game as well." 

Garu grins, "Well then, that sounds inviting"

"A night of rest sounds good to me," Abraxas says, "and it might be best if I stayed at camp. I'm not especially skilled at nighttime reconnaissance. But I am curious about the fortress and what we might discover there."

Harmony had heard Bir, nodding back even though she knew that they were not exaggerating at all. She then heard Garu, surprised to hear that she finds her light exquisite as she grinned. "Really? Thank you! I hope to continue to live up to your and everyone's expectations of me." she happily said back. Finally after the two weeks, they had made it to Turmaether but it was late at night. She nodded in agreement with everyone about resting and waiting until morning to go knock on the door. "Yeah, it would be rude to go knock and wake the people up." she had said back to everyone, nodding. She had heard Simeon, thinking that she maybe could do it, but didn't want to get into trouble if something happened and she was caught.

"Well, Garu, the two of us don't make a majority," says Simeon. "No sneaking about in the dark tonight it seems." 

"Unless we're off to pub, probably not", Garu smirks. "I much prefer to keep this company safe." 

OOC: Removed 7 days of rations and the last of the horse feed from each character's inventory for the second leg of the journey. Garu was 1 day of rations short, and Simeon was 4 days short, so they will need to borrow rations from someone. Be sure to have someone forage on the trek back to Lyrikav, as it looks like rations are running low.

The weather has grown warmer, though chilly at night, and your watches pass peacefully. Throughout the night, you each note small humanoid figures milling about the tents that are set up outside of the citadel.

By the time the sun rises in the morning, those forms have retreated to their tents, and are nowhere to be seen.

Garu, clumsily moves about, surveying the tents around the citadel. "Everyone ready to head over and figure why we're here?"

Simeon looks at Garu and gives a nod of assent. "Ready." 

"Yes," Abraxas says. He tucks the book he has been studying in one of his shoulder bags and prepares to follow either Simeon or Garu toward the tents. He also lets the others know he is happy to share his rations.

As you break camp and approach the citadel, you can see two massive hooded statues that mark the entrance. The tents are set up in a protective ring around the entrance, and as you get closer, a kobold emerges from the tent nearest the entrance, squinting in the bright sunlight. Around this kobold, a dozen more circle around; they carry daggers, spears, and slings, but none are wielding them toward you as they walk forward.

"Greetings! You have come to explore?" the apparent leader asks in surprisingly good Common.