Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer Creatures
Frozen Sick
D&D Beyond Basic Rules
Basic Rules (2014)
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Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer CreaturesFrozen SickD&D Beyond Basic RulesBasic Rules (2014)Sign in to view your library & saved favorites.
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Zeltheris listens closely to the options listed by the others with a thoughtful expression and ponders for some time, an action not helped by the late hour and moderate drunkenness. Eventually, he seems to arrive at a thought, "We know the mark is related to the demon, and we know warlocks usually deal with demons, so maybe the warlock would know something about the marks?"
"Shalana cannot drink however Shalana can simulate the toast," says the shiny new metallic automaton, raising an empty glass.
Whistler - Lost Mines of Phandelver [Lvl 8 Barbarian] | Cinta Yuliani Lestari - My Island Home [Lvl 3 Fighter] | Shalana - Allansia Wildlands [Lvl 4 Monk] | Roger Durant - Storm King's Thunder [Lvl 8 Monster Hunter] | Rotthran - The Waterdeep Heist [Lvl 5 Thief]
Toasts were made and celebrations had well into the night, the companions awoke the next morning....some less well rested than others.
Gilber had put on a rich breakfast buffet for the Champions and their Herald and welcomed each in turn as they came down to break their fast.
"An unshakable urge?" Enwynn echoes in a worried tone, but then nods in understanding, and listens silently as Garet offers his knowledge of Madame Giror.
She smiles in response, and gratefully replies "If she is as you say she is, then she will not mind a polite inquiry into her intent in gathering such components, and I appreciate your aid." then glances around at the celebrations going on and concedes "Late in the morning, not early though. I would not want to lessen tonight's joy for you, and Zeltheris justly deserves his triumph of art."
The druidess listens attentively to the wider group discussion and nods in agreement, even if she frowns momentarily at the mention of a message from King Gillibran. Enwynn offers apologetically "I have not yet had a reply from Stonebridge, but I hope to have one soon. A leader has many matters to attend to that must come before those of friendship."
That said, she enters into the spirit of things, and joins in the toast to Zeltheris.
The next morning when Banzo comes down to breakfast he notices the lavish spread Gilber has prepared for them and after greeting him with a "Good morning Gilber!" he settles in to have his fill. This is a far cry from rations by the roadside and Banzo samples as many of the dishes that are within reach, occasionally stopping a passing waitress to ask her to pass him something just out of reach so that he doesn't have leave his chair.
( So...plans for the day are Tower then Goblin enquiries, correct?)
(Ok)
Enwynn greets the innkeeper with a smile and a cheerful "Good morning, Gilber." then sits down and quietly murmurs "So many choices..." in slightly bewildered approval. Unsure of where to begin breaking her fast, the elf swiftly resolves her quandary by sampling a little of the dish closest to her and working her way along the table, Corwyn eagerly snapping up the choice morsels she holds up to him.
She seems rather more intent on eating than communication, but she does make two softly voiced suggestions in the pauses between samples.
Enwyn suggests "If the markings some of you have mentioned before appeared after slaying a demon, then it may be wise to ask Madame Grior and her staff at the tower about them."
She then turns to Herman and asks him "If you were not entirely truthful in your previous offer to Orcslayer and his comrades, Herman, would you at least be willing to speak with them again today?"
After breakfast the companions rose and made their way north through Chalice to the Tower. Before them was a large stone tower, at the base of which was the labrotory/store that some of them had entered though there was no signage.
This time a young human guard leaned on the wall outside the entrance.....he came to attention as the Champions arrived and opened the door.
Entering, the group looks around, the room is fulI of tables and benches laden with bizarre pieces of equipment and scientific apparatus. Around the top of the circular wall have been painted pictures of strange mythological creatures, and the slightly domed ceiling is a , deep blue, inset with sparkling gems to form a map of the heavens. A skeleton, which some of them knew as Liam, wearing a blue robe embroidered with stars and moons waved to them from the other side of the room.
Heading up the circular stairs led up to a large open area dominated by a large dining table which was, on this occasion, rather less cluttered than usual with only a few wine glasses atop it.
As you enter there is the usual heady herbal smell in the air and a loud chime sounds, three of the wizards shimmer into existence in front of you.
Girior, the older statuesque woman known to most of you; Longrain Kelphead, who is known to Shalana and an older white bearded balding man with a large sharp eyed crow perched upon his shoulder, who Ennwyn recognises.
Shalana glows at the sight of Longrain.
Whistler - Lost Mines of Phandelver [Lvl 8 Barbarian] | Cinta Yuliani Lestari - My Island Home [Lvl 3 Fighter] | Shalana - Allansia Wildlands [Lvl 4 Monk] | Roger Durant - Storm King's Thunder [Lvl 8 Monster Hunter] | Rotthran - The Waterdeep Heist [Lvl 5 Thief]
Herman moans a little, it can be interpreted as a YES
Brocc is astride his spider mount, and waits for those with questions to ask them.
Zeltheris follows along with the group, interested to see where this next leg of the journey takes his chosen subjects.
Garet hangs back in the group feeling uncomfortable to be back at the tower, even the outcome was better than he even expected, Garet glances to his new sword. The process was not exactly pleasant even though the Baron was a vile individual spending an eternity as Madame Girors mirror slave may well be an experience that Garet wouldn't wish on anyone.
Being back in the room triggered a host of memories including the burning of Enwynn lock of hair.
Garet had stood with his comrades as the took on a rock demon, and felt no fear and yet here asking Madame Giror her intentions regarding her collection of heroes of Chalice memorabilia he felt a deep unease.
Secretly hoping that Enwynn takes the lead so he doesn't have too Garet shifts uncomfortably.
Enywnn's expression becomes less grim and more one of concern at the pained tone of Herman's reply. "Thank you." she answers followed by a considerately whispered offer of "I have some willow bark to chew on if that will help?"
OOC: Willow bark is the raw ingredient of the chemical better known as Asprin IRL. It is said to be useful in combatting some of the effects of a hangover, which is what Enwynn believes Herman to be suffering from.
Later, at the Tower...
Enwynn nods politely to the guardsman, as it is not him but his employer she seeks answers from today, and alertness is a quality she approves of in any warrior on watch. Indeed she envies him for the simplicity of his task, for her own seems to grow more complicated by the moment. A demon's marks are no simple matter, and stone demons are not a sort she has ever encountered before. What little she has been able to glean from the slates unearthed from the dwarven ruins suggests to her that she has good cause to be concerned for the welfare of her newfound comrades.
The elf glances to Garet and to Banzo as she muses on the information both have provided that has caused her much anxious thought in the quiet hours of the night not taken up in meditation. A lock of her own hair to break a sword's curse and put sunlight in place of an ancient malice seems an odd but worthy use to her, but what use could scrapings from a tortle's shell be to a mage? Suspicion and fairness fight in her head, even her arcane knowledge seems little use in dispelling her unease. Enwynn seeks to divine the intent behind Madame Girior's request to better understand it.
So it is her friends of recent meeting that she looks to before making any unwise statements based only on suspicion, and her belief that while evil may be found anywhere, it may not always be present where suspected. That particular belief is tested rather harder than she would like to admit on sighting the robed skeletal figure, but she does not suppose that a life-hating necromantic horror would wave in so friendly a fashion to a follower of one whose loathing of undead is well known, nor be attired in an untattered and apparently freshly laundered robe. As the Heroes of Chalice do not seem perturbed by the blue-robed boneman's presense, the elf nervously waves back, keeps her hands well away from her weaponry, and makes no warding gestures in Erillia's name, an effort of will that she hides by gazing in admiration of the beautiful forgery of a night sky wrought on the ceiling above them.
As her eyes wander from the architecture to the alchemical glassware and what she presumes to be many magical experiments in progress, she recalls Gareth's similar collection of mysterious retorts and crucibles, and breifly wishes to herself that he were here to make sense of this magical puzzle she feels so far out of her depth in attempting to resolve. The climb up the stairs gives her a little time to gather her courage up and sternly remind herself she's here to to help her friends.
As three figures shimmer into being, Enwynn briefly stares in shocked recognition at the elderly man, then smiles and silently wonders if she should be rather more careful in what she wishes for, but murmurs "Thank you, Bountiful Lady." in gratitude for a blessing so swiftly granted nonetheless. Corwyn seems less surprised and makes a wary bobbing motion that might be a respectful bow to either the old man, or the crow on his shoulder crow, or perhaps both. She notes the reaction of Shalana to another of the trio, one unknown to her, and takes that as a good sign.
Taking her cue from Corwyn, Enwynn also bows deeply to the three mages and crow, then respectfully offers "Greetings to you all, honoured scholars. I am Enwynn of the Forest and I have come here this morn to seek wisdom from those who know of magic far better than I, particularly of Madame Girior." She smiles wryly as she adds "I think perhaps, that you all may also wish to ask questions of your own of us in return. I will answer willingly, though I may not be able to offer wisdom as deep as your own, and there are some details that my comrades have more knowledge of than I can offer."
Girior chuckled, " Well it seems everyone else has lost their tongues......though I wager Master Yaztromo is more knowledgeable than myself and Master Kelphead."
" I believe Master Kelphead did want to ask Shalana how they were feeling after their session."
" Was there anything you needed from me? Master Yaztromo is just visiting and looking in on our True Stone experiments....and sharing a little gossip along the way...uh, information."
" Wine?"
"You are most gracious Girior, I will have some wine please."
While everyone is momentarily stationary and silent, Banzo will idle/waddle forward to accept Girior's offer. The odd and particularly unique way a tortle walks seems over pronounced under these circumstances.
After taking a big sip of wine Banzo will turn to Master Yaztromo.
"Any information you have Master Yaztromo will surely prove most useful to the 'Heroes of Chalice.' We were just debating what our next course of action might be while we await a reply from the King. Please share your wisdom with us, if we're better informed it will aid us greatly in our cause."
As drinks are had, Yaztromo frowns, " Wisdom? Always wait some time after eating before......wait...King? King who? I'm off to Kaad after this...some sort of plague or some such...."
" Zagor......I wonder if you'd all be interested in dealing with him. Insane old bugger is back......dead ten years and now he's back....if you've nothing better to do."
Kelphead moved across to Shalana, " How are you feeling after your servicing?"
"Who's this Zagor? You say he's back from the dead after 10 years, he's not a lich is he?"
Banzo looks around at everyone to see if they're interested in what Yaztromo is talking about.