The Wildemount Irregulars (2020)

Alton turns to Silent giving him a cheesy grin and holding his hands out in a display fashion towards Balassar says, "Look, I made a Tarrasque."

(OOC: Also, being enlarged grants the following bonuses: advantage on Strength checks and Strength saving throws; and weapon attacks deal an additional 1d4 extra damage. Also, how is Ghost doing with those animal handling rolls?)

Investigation: 10. 

Ghost is not happy, but is putting up with it. You're managing to preserve your relationship with him, but not develop it or his skills.

Alton, you find a passage in one of the books you found that just seems to call to you for some reason. Or at least, the first line does: "Blue stone." There's nothing remarkable about the line, though it does appear in the middle of a recipe for pastries, but the positioning in the page is interesting, as though shapes and lines drawn in the margins are drawing your eye towards it. You look through the rest of the book, and the journal, trying to find anything that resembles it elsewhere.

Roll the third and final Investigation check.

Balassar just looks down at Alton "Think I could take one like this? Imagine the look on its face."

Alton looks up at Balassar, "Maybe, defiantly could take a dragon though. I think anyone would have a shocked look to see someone that big in a fight." He lets out a laugh, "I'm just thinking that some bandits might have second thoughts if they saw this happen." After about a minute, Alton's spell fades.

Investigation: 23

Alton, in the journal you find the same words, but written in halfling; the ink is a little smudged - it might read 'blue stone' or 'heartless blue'. The smudge looks intentional.

Elsewhere in the journal, you find three more phrases, surrounded by the same pattern of shapes and doodles that draw your eye to them.  They read:

"Three stand tall." (in halfling)

"Mirror Mirror Catsof's drow" (in common)

"Danger" written twice, once in halfling, once in common.

You feel that you've achieved as much as you can with the books by yourself, at least for the moment. You run the words through your head, wondering what Alator was trying to say, if this was a message at all, and who it was for. Or perhaps you're clutching at shadows?  No, you're certain that's not the case.  Somehow, you're quite certain.

(OOC: Not sure about anyone else, but Silent doesn't really have anything else to pursue during his downtime) 

Sounds good. Balassar and Alton, also ready to move on to the next event?

(Alton is good to go.)
Alton marks the phrases he found in the journal to be able to find them again and will prepare for their next mission. Before they take off, he will use a sending to let one of his folks know that him and his friends are heading to Zadash. 

The night before you are due to meet the Lawmaster again is the festival of the Night of Ascension. There's a large central bonfire and several smaller ones in the different parts of town, with all the folk gathered to burn effigies of the rulers of Xhorhas, or what they think those rulers might look like. There aren't any games or competitions, but there's plenty of food and people wearing strange costumes; there are also more sombre ceremonies to commemorate the dead.

Will you join in any of the public events, or spend the afternoon and evening in the inn?

Balassar will join in the drinking, he will also take note of the ceremonies and see how one goes about honoring the dead.

Silent, keeping a bit of a distance away from the proceedings, watches the burning of the effigies with some interest. He might try to strike up a conversation with a few costumed folk to get a feel for how the tradition started and what the general attitude is. 

Alton will be bouncing around to the different food stalls, a halfling can't pass up good food; especially festival food. He would also stop by Balassar and Silent every so often to drop off food for them too. 

Balassar, you stand in silence observing a solemn ceremony; a woman stands at the front of a group of halflings and recites words that she has memorised.  She may be a cleric of the Raven Queen, or so it appears. The event seems to be to remember many people, not one specific person, though it's not clear what unites them. Those in attendance seem older than the average population, though there are some younger souls mixed in. The air is very distinct from the silliness of the celebrations elsewhere in town.  Give me an Insight check.

Silent, you chat with a few teenage halflings who are interested to meet someone who might be a mercenary, or a soldier. They ask questions about battles you have fought, and monsters you have killed. The younger ones don't really understand your questions, but two of the older girls get into an argument as they answer. One is convinced that the burnings have taken place since the Calamity. The other says it's been fostered by the Empire to drum up support from the war, and that her grandmother told her that the effiges were of someone else when she was a little girl. Make a Persuasion check.

Alton, the food seems mostly to be baked goods and candy, which appeals more to children, and perhaps to the young at heart?  Nothing healthy, that's for sure, but you do find some excellent lemon-flavoured tarts decorated with ravens, skulls or both.  You find them addictive; roll 2d6 to see how many silver you can't help but spend on food for yourself and the party.

Provided no authority figures are nearby Silent will let the teenagers take a look at his greatsword and other weapons if they're curious. 

Persuasion 11 

(edit: just realized my Persuasion roll did not appear to go through on my end so I'm gonna roll again - hopefully we don't get the "manipulated dice rolls" message) 

Persuasion 7 

11 for lemon tarts.

Silent, the girl seems to lose interest, and isn't forthcoming about any of her grandmother's stories. But the other kids think your sword is cool.

Alton, you feel this to be money well spent.

Insight from Balassar, please. :)

OOC: rolling from phone and have advantage on insight.

insight check: 10

insight check: 20

Balassar, you participate quietly, or keep silent at the back. In any case, you understand the devotion of followers to the Raven Queen. If there's a deeper meaning at play, it eludes you for now.

You all eventually head back to the inn, and sleep what may be your last night in Felderwin, at least for a while.  Morning comes, and you head to the Lawmaster's house, as you have several times in the past. On your way in, you notice a large wagon parked outside the house, a group of Crownsguard keeping a close eye on it and whatever - or whoever - is inside.

The Lawmaster greets you, and hands you your advance payment - three pouches, each with eighty gold pieces. Welcome, friends. And this is farewell, I think. If you have any last questions, please ask. Otherwise, I will introduce you to your charges, who arrived during the night.

Silent rubs his hands together. Let's have a look at the poor sods. 

Balassar just takes the pouch and puts it away. He then nods placing a hand on his weapon.