Its the End of the World (as we know it)

Thistle, you ask around and find out that the majority of all the hopeknives are made at Clamor, and since you already know Telly and have met Sara Morninghawk, it shouldnt be too hard to get an order put in. On one of your trips to town, you head over to Clamor. Telly is honored that you, a non native, would choose to observe their tradition. He says he will definitely make one for you, and Sarah marks it down in the registry of records - she does her best to keep Telly organized. You spy another half-orc in the back room that is a bit awkward with the hammer and anvil - Sara notices your look of apprehension and tells you they have taken on an apprentice, but that she will personally make your hopeknife for you, understanding your reasoning for choosing to take part in this tradition.

Quote from DirtyDogP >>

 

Just because I think it would be fun, here are some rolls on Yokini's ability to properly install a grappling hook in Lem's arm:

• Intelligence: 9
• Tinker's tools: 11

EDIT: Ha ha! Good luck with that grappling hook, Lem. But when are you going to need it? Potions of flying for everyone!

Maybe it's more like a hookshot -- bonus action to fire and lodge into something, and as it retracts too quickly, and pulls Lem up to 50 feet. Meant to be something with more finesse, to allow him to climb and swing and keep it out as a more useful rope, but it ends up being more crude and artless. But still fun? Just an idea...

Can't wait to hear more about the House of Wonders.

Love the worldbuilding here!!!

Yokini, the Ramblehouse (aka Yokini's estate, aka former Kamroth Estate) is roughly 100 feet by 60 feet, and  about 30 feet tall (give or take...15 foot ceilings, which would represent wealth, but in the case of your business is nice because it will allow for large guests) . Two stories above ground, visible, and of course the secret staircase down into the subterranean basement, which is roughly the same dimensions, but with 40 foot ceiling.

Now, for your arcana checks.

You are able to figure out how the potion of flying is made. You know that buying a potion like this is about 1000 gp, so if you can manufacture your own, you could save yourself some coin, or even start selling it to make some extra money. It will cost you about 500gp to create, and a month to brew, but the real problem is that it takes a special ingredient that is not in your stores. You have to find Voidroot: (which is not sold in the city - quite rare)

“This dark grey thick root is often found amongst the most extreme environments. It normally grows in either desert or arctic environments and seems to vary in growth rate per root. Herbalists tend to be very careful when they extract this root from the ground, as it seems to defy gravity and want to ‘fly’ away.”

The other three you still dont quite understand. You will keep studying them when you have the time, and you can roll again in a week's time (in game time). Assuming you are hard at work helping your family get things right with the new property, i will say that you arent able to sit down with these potions until its almost celebration day. i will be keeping track of the time, and let you know when another week passes.

Since these are potions, and may require some odd ingredients, you will need to get your hands on an herbalism kit, as well as what you currently have. I will loosely be following guidelines from DMG, XGtE, and this link (https://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/share/By_JPajBW), except the prices as written are insane for magic items, so I will be creating my own.

Thanks for those rolls for the grappling hook. Lem, when you use that grappling hook, you have a 50% chance that it will work. If you roll 49 or lower, the spring will pop out, and the hook will shoot about 6 inches and crashe to the ground - and the rope with it. Yokini could fix it, however she doesnt realize how bad it is (Intelligence roll), so neither you nor she will know it was installed improperly until you go to use it and the spring pops out.

Yokini has an herbalism kit, too. It was in Gomol's pack. :)

I am going to keep worldbuilding - I am actually building a site/document to share with the story and locations thusfar, it is just taking far longer than I anticipated.

The story continues.

At last, the day of the festival is here. It is taking place at the The Commons, the large amphitheater in Upper Fallcrest. Jubilation fills the evening air in the normally staid town of Fallcrest, for it is time to celebrate the birthday of Ruby, Lord Markelhay’s youngest daughter. Not just any birthday, mind you, this is her twelfth birthday, which means she has come of age, and will receive her very own hope knife. This is also a celebration of finishing the temple, and of the party that got rid of the evil contaminant that was Amros Kamroth. The ceremony is being officiated by Lord Markelhay, assisted by Romero and Bireal.

The townsfolk have been preparing all week for the ceremony and festivities to follow. A throng of spectators has amassed at the town Commons; the buzz of the crowd subsides as the weathered town leader, Lord Markelhay, takes the stage and begins to speak.

“Thank you all for joining us this night. I take immense pride in my responsibility as Lord Warden of Fallcrest, especially when it comes to the honor of the hopeknife ceremony. But first, I would like to take a moment to celebrate that our Sanctuary is finally complete! After years of construction, we are able to worship yet again together, as a community.”

A big round of applause goes up as Lord Markelhay singles out a few of the local workers, as well as High Priestess Tyari Varvatos.

He continues “And I would also like to highlight a few local heroes (a murmur goes up from the crowd) that I am sure you all know by now! They rescued Fallcrest from an evil that was threatening it from within! Take a chance to find them and thank them during this celebration (he gestures to the party), the Heroes of Fallcrest!”

And another cheer goes up from the crowd, this one larger than the last, as you all get pats on the backs and hugs.

Lord Markelhay raises his hands for quiet.

He continues “It is always a great privilege to bequeath Fallcrestian youths their hopeknives as they come of age.”

He stops speaking long enough to open an ornamental wooden case and retrieve a slender, ornately decorated dagger hanging from a silver chain.

“But tonight is a special occasion, for the recipient of this hopeknife is none other than my youngest daughter.”

Once again, he pauses, but this time turns to talk to the child beside him

“Ruby, by the traditions of our town, you have come of age. This hopeknife represents your responsibilities as an adult and defender of Fallcrest. You must be willing to use it on yourself, your fellow Fallcrestians, and your family—even me, should it come to that. It will be a far quicker death than that which the orcs will offer, and providing it is your duty. Do you swear to guard Fallcrest from all comers, and to use your hopeknife only for its intended purpose?”

Ruby—dusky skinned, black haired, and painfully shy—nods her head in response to her father’s question.

“If the orcs come, and there is no other option, this is where you cut—here, here, and here.” He demonstrates which arteries to sever while Ruby watches. When he is finished, Lord Markelhay sheathes the hopeknife and places the necklace around Ruby’s neck before turning back to address the crowd.

“Tonight, Ruby becomes a full member of our community! Let us welcome her, and celebrate her passage into adulthood! Fallcrest forever!”

The crowd echoes Lord Markelhay’s last words in unison, signaling what would normally be the end of the ceremony.

But tonight, Lord Markelhay raises his hands once more to signify he has more to say. He pulls out another wooden box from behind the podium.

“I know you are all looking forward to the games and food of tonights celebration, but there is one more piece of business I would like to take care of. Thistle, will you join me?”

Hopefully she does…and goes to stand up next to Lord Markelhay a bit awkwardly. Ruby, standing next to you, grabs your hand.

“One of the heroes of Fallcrest, Thistle here has requested to observe our most sacred tradition of the hope knife. I asked Ruby if she would mind sharing her special day, and she said she would be honored to share this moment with you. Thistle, we welcome you into the Fallcrest fold, and I would like to present you with your very own hopeknife. May it be a comfort to you; may you always remember us; may you always stay safe. I hope you do not have to use it, but if you need it, it will always be with you.”

And he removes from the box a gorgeous hopeknife, with your name etched into it, and a small etching of a thistle plant. The handle looks especially unique, and you can tell it is part of the dragon hide you rescued for Telly that has been heated and shaped into the handle. It is obvious the spectacular craftsmanship that went into this blade. There is a note in the box letting you know that lore of the blacksmith says a handle like this will grow warm if you are near a dragon. In mechanics, this handle will grow warm if you are within 120 feet of a dragon, and also if you stab a dragon with it, it does an additional 2d6 of damage. Lord Markelhay puts the hopeknife around your neck, and it hangs there on an elegant red strand of ribbon.

Once Lord Markelhay finishes his speech, the townsfolk waste no time transitioning to the ceremony’s more light-hearted festivities, including a number of games in which Ruby is the key player. The first such game is tug-of-war, which traditionally pits the hopeknife receiver against Fallcrest’s best defenders. For the past several years, Romero and Bireal have taken on this role alongside several other members of Fallcrest’s guard. Ruby immediately requests the help of the Heroes of Fallcrest.

Do you answer the call?

The morning of the festival, Thistle decided she wouldn't go. Deeply uncomfortable, for some reason, about being singled out and hailed as a hero, it takes the combined arched eyebrow of Yashiera, a long but sensible "conversation" from Zashier, and Raddunth basically putting her on her horse to get her to come to town.

In the end, though, come to town she did. She took some care for her appearance, which seems odd to you all. Her hair is washed and loose, not braided, running past her shoulders. She's (visibly) armed only with her twin scimitars, and dressed in a nice, if practical, outfit of grays and duns. It took a special effort from Yashiera, but Thistle has left her breastplate at the farm today. Her loose shirt makes it easy to see the tattooed hearts under her left collarbone, when the red scarf she wears shifts enough to see. It's hard to know if it is the clothes, but she seems to stand taller, more... regal? Still the same Thistle though, she punches Raddunth when (if) he makes any comments. She carries with her a small satchel (like one of those string backpacks) with a few items in it.

At the festival, and at the start of the ceremony, she is standing with the party, enjoying herself despite the lack of anonymity. But when Lord Markelhay calls her name, her eyes get big, her mouth drops open, and in the silence around her can quite clearly be heard a crude cussword.

Still, there's nothing for it but to go up on stage, and she does, smiling, and much more comfortable than any of you would have expected. She's not awkward at all, stands straight, seems to know what is expected and behaves herself well (that initial cussing notwithstanding). When she gets her knife, she admires it sincerely, and mouths a "thank you" to Ruby for sharing her special day.

She settles the knife around her neck, then later, more securely on her belt next to the scimitars and whatever else she has hiding.

When the tug of war begins, Thistle seems to have given herself over completely to the festivities. When invited to participate, she nods, but says, "I'll be on Ruby's side, but I'm not much for pulling big louts into the mud, so I'll coach her!"

Thistle will, rather than taking an action to pull, offer Ruby the Help action for whatever she will be doing.

What a week! Yokini is on cloud nine. Not only is she working side-by-side with her family again, she is starting to feel like she might could put down roots in Fallcrest due to their warm welcome. Not one to be idle, she's been working hard to help make the Ramblehouse usable as well as clean out the horrible torture equipment from the basement to make the space hers. A few citizens have sought her out for medical attention at the recommendation of the high priestess, and that has been another boon.

When the day of the festival comes, Yokini feels a bit resentful about having to take a day off. She listens to the lord, but doesn't feel like he's really talking to her. The recognition and appreciation are nice, but she knows hero worship only lasts so long. Even Ruby's ceremony seems a little silly to her. But when Thistle is brought forward and presented with her own knife, Yokini suddenly feels ... invested. While she might consider it inappropriate to present a child with a knife in order to kill themself, Yokini has heard the respect these people hold for the hope knife and what it stands for. This is a time-honored tradition, and their willingness to include an outsider speaks volumes.

Yokini watches, a smile spreading on her lips, as Thistle is blessed with the gift. Once the lord finishes, and as everyone begins transitioning to the new activity, Yokini claps and hoots. Nynoa grabs her sister's arm. "No one is clapping," she laughs.

"Wasn't that wonderful?" Yokini asks, allowing her sister to usher her along with the crowd toward the games.

Keznonon puts his arm around his wife's shoulders and says into her neck, "Maybe you can get yourself one of those sexy knives."

Yokini gives her brother-in-law a dirty look as Nynoa giggles. "Don't be crude," Dr. Nackle complains.

They arrive as Ruby is requesting the newly dubbed Heroes of Fallcrest to help her in the game. Nynoa nudges her sister with her elbow. "Go on ... hero."

Yokini looks a little dubious, but then shrugs and jogs forward, dancing through the legs of the onlookers.

Now Zashier wasn't the brightest lad, or even all that clever, as far as the man was concerned with such things. There were moments of course, and sometimes things worked out as a result. But without the drink to cloud his thoughts and chase away the "bad memories and thoughts" during the last few days, Zashier found himself self-reflect on things; especially that of the adventure. Upon reaching a troubling conclusion, he sought at first his sister's help. But wishing not to intrude on the bubble of happiness that was her finally having a friend, he was left to figure things out on his own.

Thankfully, the new free time went a long way towards the process, as his visits and observation of the locals left him becoming somewhat more self-aware of things. That, and for some strange reason, the expected withdrawals never came about since the incident. And there was still the mystery of the missing gunk... But eh, he wouldn't let it worry him too much!

(I can officially say that I took the 'Observant Feat' as part of his level up to 4)

Feeling far more himself than he ever has by the day of the Festival, Zashier actually kept from bogging down Thistle for too much during their "conversation" on what he figured to be just stage frieght. "Don't you worry, happens to the best of us, as can be the way of things. People of Fallcrest tend to be fairly easy going. And any slips are gonna be forgotten once the festival really starts, on that you can count on." He ended the conversation on alongside a wink and harty pat to the shoulder.

Zashier would later watch the opening ceremonies with a look of mixed feelings. While on the one hand he knew all too well the importance of not just the tradition, but having fought in the war, he saw enough to even justify it. The recent stirrings of the Orcs thus made it all to presently important. But at the same time, he recalled the oath he made years ago since the incidental transformation of his being. An oath that helped pushed down the sense of helplessness felt when his own body betrayed him, and allowed him to keep smiling and cheering up others in those dark times. An oath that to the day kept him walking even on days he could feel the phantom sensation of the blast of corruption sweeping through him. An oath of heroism that if shared by the others could do them better than the easy out out the knife suggested one take, pain and torture be damned.

The easy going smile would come all to easily to his lips upon some cheers being directed to he and his fellows. This wasn't the first time the debate came to mind, and it would not be the last.  But with it in mind, he accepted playing a part in the tug of war with a trumpet of approval. Even though it would mean have to awkwardly position himself to not wind up leaving Ruby dangling. "Now remember Ruby. You want to firmly plant your feet, don't burn through your strength to quickly, and watch the other side for a weak point for you to exploit."

Lem sits through the ceremony just about as uncomfortable and fidgety as you’ve expect. He certainly doesn’t see himself as a hero of the town - all he did was to go try to find some merchandise for a friend and discovered some rich guy doing bad research and trying to hurt people, and they stopped him. He’s really been trying to work out where the dragon they freed went. Any social interaction with anyone in town involves Lem asking whether the other person has heard any stories of someone seeing the dragon flying around, or a kobold having religious crises. 

He seems to be barely paying attention to the speech, absentmindedly playing with his belt and a new necklace, though he does notice Thistle get called out and begins clapping at just the hilariously wrong time, looking around in slowly-dawning confusion. 

When Lem is asked to join the tug of war game, he holds up his metal arm with a sad smile. Then the arm, working just fine now, gives a thumbs-up sign, which almost seems to surprise the dwarf.

He agrees to join in, and if given the chance, he will try to pull with his good arm and then turn around behind the pullers and see if he can fire the new grappling hook into something to help pull.

Raddunth would gladly like to participate in the tug-of-war (with his +6 Athletics).

(Have I mentioned that he is Captain Obvious?) "If we are to win the tug-of-war, we must pull harder than our opponents!"

The  party agrees to join Ruby in the tug of war game. Its obvious this is supposed to be fun, but when the guards see that Ruby has recruited the help of the heroes, they get a bit more serious. Perhaps there is an old rivalry between Romero and Zashier. 

Ruby steps up to the front of her team, and the party lines up behind her. She flashes you all a grin, and you pull with all your might, Zashier and Raddunth at the back to anchor the party.

The centerline of the rope is about 15 feet from either side. The first team to pull the other across the line wins.

I will say that Thistle’s coaching gives the Ruby a better stance, and will cancel our her -1 towards the collective athletics mod of the team.

Ruby’s team Initiative: 19

Guards team: 6

Winner gets +2 to their contested check.

Ruby and the team completely catch the guard team off their guard, surprising them with their strength when the tug of war starts! 

Ruby's team Athletics (+2, +6, -1, +6 & extra +1 for Zashier’s trunk) 30

Guards athletics 25

But they guards will not be made fools of this day! They catch their footing, and pull hard. its obvious they are strong, and they prove it right now.

They pull you five feet closer.

Ruby is hanging on for dear life, her feet likely almost picking up from the ground as each side pulls.

Round 1,  guards are winning...

Feel free to roleplay anything yuou might be saying to each other, or yelling at the other team

Lem stays quiet, still only pulling with one hand, and uses his other to cast minor illusion and makes it seem like there's a comically large snake coiled around the rope nearest the guards. They can disbelieve it with a successful investigation check, DC 15. 

(In case anyone didn’t realize the obvious.)

“If the rope moves too far to that side, we will lose the contest. We must pull harder than the others.”

Yokini giggles as she holds onto the rope, which lifts her up to where only her toes are dragging in the dirt. She hoots. "Come on, team! Win it for Ruby!"

Zashier had to bite back a chuckle, as he knew Romero was likely the true backbone behind the guards strength. Though he may not have looked like much, both he and Salazar has had trouble beating the man in any real contest of strength. Which is why while he had half a mind to take of his gauntlets for pride's sake, one look down at Ruby cancels that line of thinking. This victory wasn't for some rivalry, but for the girl.

So, the moment they were given a chance to get their footing once more, Zashier called out to Ruby. "Do not fret, little Ruby. We still have this... Just... Repeat after.. me... Okay? These are the words my father spoke whenever I began to doubt. Let them become your strength as well. Speak them from the heart and they will rue the day they underestimated you." Zashier said encouragingly between breathes. "Okay.. here we go..."

"Actions over Words. Strive to be known by deeds, not just words.
Falter, but Never Break. It's okay to be weak. To acknowledge it. But /never/ let it become the crutch keeping you from aspiring towards greatness.
Hone both Body and Mind. So that all who see me know I did not fear my potential.
Challenges are the Stone. My will, the mortar. My heart the hand that will forge an unbreakable foundation of it all."

For her sake went slow at first, just so that strain of the war wouldn't impede her, and more firmly locked himself in place for added measure. And even in the midst of it all, he stayed patient, repeating them as necessary, and matching his steps more in line with hers as they sought to fight back. But as they went along, he shortened it down to the first few words of each line, understanding that with greater conviction came in simplicity.)

(As previously discussed, helping Ruby briefly Channel divinity - Peerless Athlete to grant her advantage.)
Persuasion: 20.(Only if necessary).

As Zashier gives his advice, Lem becomes enraptured, and his illusion quickly disappears. He redoubles his efforts and tries to pull as hard as he can to Ruby, and Zashier, and Yokini, and Thistle, and Raddunth.

Thistle moves back along the line, giving encouragement as she goes. (If anyone else can use the Help action, here it is!)

Each side continues to pull, tugging for victory. 

Lem, pulling with one hand, casts a minor illusion of a snake, coiled around the rope (24). This startles the guards, and the first guard closest to the snake loosens his grip (-1 to their athletics check).

Yokini and Ruby are both barely touching the ground, having a good time, but not really contributing...until Zashier yells out to Ruby from the back of the line. His words strike a chord in her heart, and you see her, this carefree girl, grit her teeth and gain her footing. With Thistle helping, and Zashier helping her channel, she will get a +1. Zashier, your words begin to flow, and Ruby immediately catches on and repeats after you. Then the crowd begins to catch it. They begin chanting with you as well, a chorus of your Oath echoing around you as you pull against the guards.

Ruby’s team Initiative: 24

Guards team: 22

Winner gets +2 to their contested check.

The guards, feeling the heat, dig their heels in, getting a jump on you once again this round.

Ruby's team Athletics (+2, +6, -1, +6 & extra +1 for Ruby channeling) 20

Guards athletics (-1 for appearance of snake) 30

With the crowd cheering you on, and echoing Zashier and Ruby, you pull the guards, gaining back the ground that was lost. More than that, you see the ribbon marking the middle of the rope aligns back over the line on the ground, then move back towards you. (if you win a round by 10 points or more, you pull an additional 5 feet.)

Ruby's team of heros has pulled the guards 10 feet, the crowd is ecstatic, Ruby is rooted to the ground, everyone is joining in the Oath of Heroism. 

guards only have 10 feet betwen them and the center line, Ruby's team has 20 feet. 

You are winning...for now...

Zashier just had the biggest smile on his face once the crowd got into it. Even if it was only for the moment, it was as if much of Fallcrest -- nay, perhaps even all of it united in spirit. Before the tears could blind him overly much, the elephantine man willed them back into their ducts, and set his eyes back on the competition. "You're doing it, lil Ruby. Where close to the final stretch now. Keep the oath in heart now as we make this next pull, and let's show these guards they need to step up their game if their gonna be Fallcrest guardians, eh."

Lem is just pulling and pulling and pulling, eyes shut right.