This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ithelion becomes visibly angry as Krom continues to speak. She stops herself from interrupting, and by the end of his speech has seemingly regained control of herself. She takes a deep breath then speaks in hushed tones.
"That fits well. And...strangely...gives me hope."
"That the mayor should seek to betray his people for gold is abominable. He is not to be trusted, for -- if he will so easily betray his own -- how quickly would he betray us?" She glances around the room to assess her companions responses, before continuing.
"My connection to him -- his medallion -- is given to people who have performed a notable service for the Great Library. It seems that he is one such. But..." she nods in Krom's direction "...that makes sense if the Zhentarim seek to have a 'finger in all pies', as you put it. I can see how they might cultivate such a relationship, and how such a wide-ranging origanization might have been useful to the Library."
"The Library can not be held responsible for the actions of those that have helped it in the past. Nor, I hope and expect, would they take a dim view of any actions I might take against the mayor -- and if they do? So be it! He and his ilk must be opposed."
"Once, long ago, killing him would have seemed to me to be the wisest course: Strike decisively at the disease in it's early stages, and save lives in the long run. But now..."
She glances in the direction of Hecrule's offices, then back to her friends. "Now...now I think a better plan is to leave those things to the powers in Oakhurst. Aid them, most certainly, if asked, but direct action by us without consent from the townsfolk? That way lies danger: soon everyone will be asking whether, if they offend us, will they be next?"
"I think we should meet with Hecrule -- and perhaps the smith who clearly disliked the mayor -- as secretly as possible -- and explain what has happened."
"What follows should be up to them."
Edit: in case Ithelion knows any information about the Zhents, she will share it with her companions...History: 13
On hearing music Garnet stops at the foot of stairs for a moment looking back at the stranger playing music. She of course remembers the temple mother's words but she needs to discuss things with her group first. The bard will most likely be in town for at least the night, she will think on Corkie's words first.
Once in the room she listens to Krom's explanation of the Mayor's affiliations. It aligns with the knowledge she learned at the temple.
Garnet is in concurrence with Ithelion in general regard of the mayor for now. A little bit of cynicism creeps into her voice "The way this Zhent group is described. Killing him would be for nothing. He would just be replaced by another and innocent people would pay for our deeds."
"Daeymar and I went to the temple. The mother there, Corkie. She had some information about the Zhents as well. She nods at Krom "Her account matches yours. She also mentioned that she is part of another group that works to oppose them." She recounts what Corkie spoke of In summary.
Vernor is a war profiteer - skilled in the consequences of conflict, so long as that conflict is well away from him and doesn't involve him physically. He facilitates with no risk, no sacrifice but gains all rewards. Such is ever the way of his ilk." She looks weary and sighs. "I suppose I shouldn't trust you but Adathar is a being I trust, and so I will trust you. What I am about to tell you must not be repeated in the open. I and the group of people that I work with have long known Vernor Lung is a member of the Zhentarim - a group that pretends to be benign but is anything but. They are a force of avarice, greed, and hunger. Their goals are long-term dominance over trade and governance, to make themselves irreplaceable and to make others dependent and beholden to them." She looks cunningly at Daemyar, "And yes, once the Zhents show interest, they are like a stirge: difficult to shake off and sometimes more dangerous to do so. The Zhents value loyalty to the family above all else: If you agree and cross them, the organization will forever hunt you. They are not likely to be happy about your defiance, and if you agree they will use you for as long as you are profitable. Vernor himself has only become relevant due to the small but of money, trade, and information he brings to the Zhents, as Oakhurst isn't exactly the booming metropolis of the north. The Zhents tolerate him to keep them informed and to act as a safe contact in the area, nothing more. Vernor's mercenaries have likely been following you since you came into town. Luckily, they are relatively inept and know nothing of my allegiances. The people I work with are smaller in number but larger in heart than the Zhentarim and we value freedom from such tyranny above all. There are 3 of us in this town - your actions thus far have shown you to be potentially valuable members, but I leave that to you to decide..."
Corkie stops and closes her eyes, which flicker rapidly for a time. When she again opens her eyes, you notice tears within. "I have felt powerful magic just now. Your companion, the druid, has seen his destiny unveiled before him. His will is not strong enough for the task set before you but -" She closes her eyes once more before adding, "But I foresee a new force that will aid you. I-I can't make it out completely but it will be a boon for you." She smiles and leans back, reciting almost, "Under the darkling sky, whispers and song reside; A promise in a cat's eye, for the rest, the Mother provides..."
" I think our best course of action is to continue on the path Adathar set us on. Reach the fruit before it ripens and destroy the source of coruption." She waves her hands in dismissal "All of these secret groups, and secret agendas are far reaching with no easy solution. I say we tell the mayor that his offer is.. ." She ground her teeth together struggling with the word. ".. generous. But we are not traders or merchants we must complete our task and what he chooses to do after is his decision." She frowns in thought knowing this is a dangerous situation. "We can't out right deny him, but we can tell him we are merely focused and can't avoid distraction. The temple nother said he values loyalty, so we tell him that we must remain loyal to our mission."
Shere does a few more songs one about a cat dancing on a hot tin roof he finds partially funny considering his race. Seeing
Daemyar's interest with his methods he motions to a seat at his table but it was too late besides this is the first time he has seen a Hobgoblin alive and appearing to be friendly He collects the coin from his hat and hands a gold to the Barkeep for any drink that's not covered a slight purring sound can be heard.
"Who, was the creature that seemed more interested in I, Senior? The one who stopped by my hat then asked you something."
@shere - Garon furrows his brow in thought for a second, "Oh," he says, raising his eyebrow. "An adventurer, I suppose, asking about your trade. A 'hobgoblin' is what they are called and rare to see them in such good spirits in communities like ours - but not unheard of. He and his companions recovered a body of an adventurer that went missing a few tendays ago." Garon looks around suspiciously before calling a serving boy over. "Korling! Over here boy! Take me spot 'ere so I can give our artist a bit 'o food, will ye?" As soon as the boy gets there, Garon gestures to the room behind the bar. You both go into the room and Garon takes one last look out in the main room as he shuts the door. He turns and looks at you and then reaches to the side and fishes something out of a jar - a worn leather pouch. "I was told that ye might be coming. 'Ye'll know it when ye see it' they said. Aye, aye - you must be the one. Anyways, this is fer ye, ye'll need it. She says it will 'act as a sign of trust to those who require such things'. I'll be damned if I know what that means. I'm guessin' ye know what ta do with it." Garon takes a deep breath, "I did my part, I have to go back out there. There be a small room fer ye at the top of the stairs - no coin necessary but it won't be saved fer yer return, so take all yer things when ye leave. Oh! And don't ye be wearin' that pin out there! No way to tell who's watchin' " He turns to leave, quietly opening the door. You hear him grumbling under his breath, "Damned druids and magic and weird visions...I'm gonna open up a farm and be done with all this....." He leaves the door ajar and you are left alone within. You open the pouch: there are two items. One is a silver broach - a crescent moon with a harp inside it. The other: a large gem that you recognize as a cat's eye or a chrysoberyl. You snort in irony as you pick it up.....and immediately flashes enter your mind, unbidden:
You see the face of the hobgoblin and a few others you recognize from the crowd, fighting against a tall, dark terrible figure - his eyes glowing green - in the shade of a eldritch tree, skeletal branches reaching for the sky, trunk malformed and pulsing. Surrounding them an army of walking trees, hissing and rasping in a strange mimicry of life. You see them fall, one by one, you powerless to intervene. Another flash: you see the horde of walking trees with the dark human stalking the land, setting fire to everything. You see the best works of art and creation curl up and die into heaps of ash; artisans, performers, ale houses, and libraries all destroyed - the death of beauty, the destruction of hope and optimism. Another flash: the pretty faces and friends you've known all your life running, terrified into the marching crowd, only to be captured and fed to the terrible tree. Another flash: the tree pushes the body out in a sac of slimy wetness, a rebirth into a horrifying reality. The once pretty faces now marred with skin of bark, eyes dull, movements not their own. A dark and horrible figure laughing...a living tree shambles up to you and stabs you with one of its sharp limbs!
You jolt back to yourself, in the back storeroom, sweaty, dropping the cat's eye back into the leather bag.....
@ithelion - thanks to your time at Candlekeep, you remember quite a lot about this mysterious organization. Thanks to both Krom's and Garnet's prompts, you remember things written in the books about them, most of which has been covered already. Your gut feeling is that they are two-faced: feeding with one hand, stealing with the other. It's hard to reconcile their involvement with the great library. From the stories and histories you recollect, involvement with the Zhentarim tends to be beneficial. They hold grudges and will seek to collect on them - but not forever. They are nothing if not practical in their business endeavours, which is how the facade of benevolence persists...
“Garnet’s words are wise, but she left out an important part. Our druid friend has been called away. This ‘mother’ person is supposed to provide us with a new ally. One with ‘cat eyes’ or some such thing, which seems a very rare coincidence to the arrival of the cat creature in the tap room. What should we do?”
"We should talk to them; but we only have eight days left to us...we also need to talk to Hecrule, and perhaps head back to the ruins early tomorrow. Do you think Garon could arrange a quiet meeting with Hecrule? After that we talk to this wandering minstrel? I will see if that might be possible..."
With that, Ithelion leaves the room and returns to the tap room, seeking out Garon. Ostensibly arranging more wine she asks quietly if he thinks he might be able to get Hecrule -- or her captain -- to a private room in the inn, where we might meet, unseen by watchers...
(( She will also ask Elosa to look for signs of people like the mayors guards, or other suspicious types...people not doing normal "people" things ))
Ithelion nods at the tabaxi's remark, "I believe we do." She Glances in Garon's direction, and holds up a hand, "Wait here" she says.
With that she continues on to Garon and asks loudly for more wine to be sent to the room, then adds more quietly, "Can you also perhaps arrange for Hecrule or her captain to be led to a room where we might meet them away from the prying eyes that watch the inn, perhaps in half an hour?"
(( Probably need to know what Elosa saw to determine exactly what she suggests ))
When she has spoken to Garon, she returns to the Tabaxi, "I am Ithelion, by the way. And you are?" she asks, holding out her hand in greeting.
Edit:
When the introductions are done, Ithelion smiles and nods, "Follow me" she says, then leads the Tabaxi back to the room with where she left her companions. Usehering Shere throught the door, then closing it, she nods to each each of her companions in turn, making introductions all round. Finally, she turns back to the Tabaxi.
"So. You said we need to meet, urgently? Here we are", she smiles in an effort to reduce the bluntness of her words.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
He flurrishes his single feathered cowboy hat and bows
"My name Seniora is Shere of Solstice. It is a pleasurre to make yourr acquaintace"
He follows her
"How do I begin? Not moments ago I was doing my usual rroutine which makes me money and your frriend there stops and asks about me then walks away. I enquired about him to the barkeeper and he gave me this" he shows them the pin. Saying I was destined to have it
Then I had a terrible vision I saw the face of the hobgoblin and a few others that are here in this room, fighting against a tall, dark terrible figure - his eyes glowing green - in the shade of a eldritch tree, skeletal branches reaching for the sky, trunk malformed and pulsing. Surrounding them an army of walking trees, hissing and rasping in a strange mimicry of life. I saw them fall, one by one, and was powerless to intervene. Then a light filled my eyes and I saw a horde of walking trees with the dark human stalking the land, setting fire to everything. Wonderful works of art and creations curl up and withered into heaps of ash; artisans, performers, ale houses, and libraries all destroyed - the death of beauty, the destruction of hope and optimism then the vision panned to the beautiful faces of my friends I've known all my life running, terrified into the marching crowd, only to be captured and fed to the terrrible tree. And the nightmare doesn't stop the tree pushes the body out in a sac of slimy wetness, a rebirth into a horrifying reality. The once pretty faces now marred with skin of bark, eyes dull, movements not their own.
He holds his head in anguish
"The dark, horrible figure was laughing...While a living tree pierced me with one of its sharp limbs!"
;He gazes at the room not really looking at one face
"It would seem, amigo's... Ourr fate's are interrtwined But I think we need to change the outcome. Si?"
Ithelion nods, "That sounds similar to our experiences, though much more ... specific. We each have been drawn here by some foretelling of doom, I believe."
"We know little of the tree, only that it is called Gulthias, and it's corruption stems in some way from a vampire, and that it is now guarded by a druid who came here around 10 years ago. It is the source of the twig-blights and its fruit is a source of wealth for the goblins who live in the ruins."
She rubs her temples, clearly weary, "It will bloom again in eight days, and we need to stop it. One of our other companions found the commitment -- and the realities of the task -- too difficult and has returned home, but ... I think I speak for my friends..." she glances around the room, her eyes settling on Daemyar, "... you come highly recommended and would be most welcome to join us. We leave again tomorrow."
Ithelion laughs, both at the sentiment and the imitation, "Yes, he does like to send cryptic dreams, but he's no more comprehensible in person, I assure you."
@ithelion - Elosa sees someone matching your description loitering on the other side of the street, motionless, and simply watching the front door.
Garon nods at the unusual request and sends Korling out the backdoor towards the Hucrele Trading House.
@shere - several people come up to you and toast their drinks to you before gulping them down. Many are well on their way to a sharp headache in the morning.
@all - After ten minutes or so, of standing around awkwardly, you spy Korling run to Garon and say something in his ear. Garon nods and throws his head back towards the back room. You go where he indicates and Korling is there holding a floor door up. The stairs go down into a root cellar, where Garon keeps some cheeses, grows onions, and keeps the ale and wine fermenting. It's not a big space but big enough for several people to converse comfortably in secret. As you go down the stairs, Korling shows you how the mechanism to release the door works, and then closes it after you.
So, you're all standing in a damp, musty root cellar under the Ol' Boar Inn in the town of Oakhurst with Kerowyn Hucrele's right hand security person, Herka, in front of you. Kerowyn is the matriarch of the Hucrele Trading Company and she is the one who has given you the task of finding her son and daughter, who ventured into the ruins 30 or so days ago and have not returned.
Herka seems a bit impatient, "Well, what's with all this? What can't wait 'til morning?"
(( Minor note: I assume Korling comes back up to our room, since that's where Ithelion took Shere ))
Ithelion clears her throat. Be patient with this one, she reminds herself. "Apologies. But we thought it best to discuss this discretely, and we would appreciate your candid opinion."
She looks around, and spotting a barrel, stands behind it, her hands resting on the edge to keep them steady. "We have to leave early in the morning, but today we were approached by the Mayor with an offer."
She pauses to gauge the woman's reaction, then continues. "He would like us to secure the source of this....corruption...so that he can profit from the sale of the fruit. Both kinds of fruit."
At this point she waits to see if Herka (( or anyone else )) has anything to say. If not, she will continue.
Ithelion nods, "We felt you should know about this; such a betrayal is not something that I would take lightly, but he is one of yours so what is done about it rests with you. It may be that he is such a worthy and valuable citizen that you accept his ... occasional lapses?"
"We will of course not be accepting the offer, but will support you, if needed."
She then glances around the room, "Each of us..." she says, nodding thoughtfully when her gaze comes to Shere, "...has but an inkling of the power that drives the Gulthas tree, but it is enough to make use fear it deeply. Allowing it to survive will likely have ramifications well beyond Oakhurst."
Garnet listens as Ithelion speaks but grows more concerned as other allies begin to enter the room and conversation. Corkie's words that only four people knew of the temple mother's involvement. What if these people are not among the four? This whole village feels corupted.. Garnet speaks when Ithelion is finished. "I think we should all be careful what is said here. " She puts emphasis on that sentence hoping Ithelion and her companions will pick up on her meaning and be as descreet as possible.
Krom sits down on the floor with a thud and pulls out the shortsword he was given earlier, "Aye, 'bout that tree. If we all be on the same page I've got an idea fer dealin' with it. Also, this would be as good as time as any to bring Whiskers here up on everythin' too. Ye thinkin' all this talk will take 'bout an hour or so?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Be excellent to each other, and roll for initiative dudes!
Ithelion nods, "A plan would be most welcome...and talking about it here may be a good idea..." she says, looking around the area for other doors.The she turns to Herka, "But I am not sure Herka here needs to be part of that -- though her input would be welcome -- and I'd be interested to hear here insights on what we have said so far?"
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Ithelion becomes visibly angry as Krom continues to speak. She stops herself from interrupting, and by the end of his speech has seemingly regained control of herself. She takes a deep breath then speaks in hushed tones.
"That fits well. And...strangely...gives me hope."
"That the mayor should seek to betray his people for gold is abominable. He is not to be trusted, for -- if he will so easily betray his own -- how quickly would he betray us?" She glances around the room to assess her companions responses, before continuing.
"My connection to him -- his medallion -- is given to people who have performed a notable service for the Great Library. It seems that he is one such. But..." she nods in Krom's direction "...that makes sense if the Zhentarim seek to have a 'finger in all pies', as you put it. I can see how they might cultivate such a relationship, and how such a wide-ranging origanization might have been useful to the Library."
"The Library can not be held responsible for the actions of those that have helped it in the past. Nor, I hope and expect, would they take a dim view of any actions I might take against the mayor -- and if they do? So be it! He and his ilk must be opposed."
"Once, long ago, killing him would have seemed to me to be the wisest course: Strike decisively at the disease in it's early stages, and save lives in the long run. But now..."
She glances in the direction of Hecrule's offices, then back to her friends. "Now...now I think a better plan is to leave those things to the powers in Oakhurst. Aid them, most certainly, if asked, but direct action by us without consent from the townsfolk? That way lies danger: soon everyone will be asking whether, if they offend us, will they be next?"
"I think we should meet with Hecrule -- and perhaps the smith who clearly disliked the mayor -- as secretly as possible -- and explain what has happened."
"What follows should be up to them."
Edit: in case Ithelion knows any information about the Zhents, she will share it with her companions...History: 13
On hearing music Garnet stops at the foot of stairs for a moment looking back at the stranger playing music. She of course remembers the temple mother's words but she needs to discuss things with her group first. The bard will most likely be in town for at least the night, she will think on Corkie's words first.
Once in the room she listens to Krom's explanation of the Mayor's affiliations. It aligns with the knowledge she learned at the temple.
Garnet is in concurrence with Ithelion in general regard of the mayor for now. A little bit of cynicism creeps into her voice "The way this Zhent group is described. Killing him would be for nothing. He would just be replaced by another and innocent people would pay for our deeds."
"Daeymar and I went to the temple. The mother there, Corkie. She had some information about the Zhents as well. She nods at Krom "Her account matches yours. She also mentioned that she is part of another group that works to oppose them." She recounts what Corkie spoke of In summary.
Vernor is a war profiteer - skilled in the consequences of conflict, so long as that conflict is well away from him and doesn't involve him physically. He facilitates with no risk, no sacrifice but gains all rewards. Such is ever the way of his ilk." She looks weary and sighs. "I suppose I shouldn't trust you but Adathar is a being I trust, and so I will trust you. What I am about to tell you must not be repeated in the open. I and the group of people that I work with have long known Vernor Lung is a member of the Zhentarim - a group that pretends to be benign but is anything but. They are a force of avarice, greed, and hunger. Their goals are long-term dominance over trade and governance, to make themselves irreplaceable and to make others dependent and beholden to them." She looks cunningly at Daemyar, "And yes, once the Zhents show interest, they are like a stirge: difficult to shake off and sometimes more dangerous to do so. The Zhents value loyalty to the family above all else: If you agree and cross them, the organization will forever hunt you. They are not likely to be happy about your defiance, and if you agree they will use you for as long as you are profitable. Vernor himself has only become relevant due to the small but of money, trade, and information he brings to the Zhents, as Oakhurst isn't exactly the booming metropolis of the north. The Zhents tolerate him to keep them informed and to act as a safe contact in the area, nothing more. Vernor's mercenaries have likely been following you since you came into town. Luckily, they are relatively inept and know nothing of my allegiances. The people I work with are smaller in number but larger in heart than the Zhentarim and we value freedom from such tyranny above all. There are 3 of us in this town - your actions thus far have shown you to be potentially valuable members, but I leave that to you to decide..."
Corkie stops and closes her eyes, which flicker rapidly for a time. When she again opens her eyes, you notice tears within. "I have felt powerful magic just now. Your companion, the druid, has seen his destiny unveiled before him. His will is not strong enough for the task set before you but -" She closes her eyes once more before adding, "But I foresee a new force that will aid you. I-I can't make it out completely but it will be a boon for you." She smiles and leans back, reciting almost, "Under the darkling sky, whispers and song reside; A promise in a cat's eye, for the rest, the Mother provides..."
" I think our best course of action is to continue on the path Adathar set us on. Reach the fruit before it ripens and destroy the source of coruption." She waves her hands in dismissal "All of these secret groups, and secret agendas are far reaching with no easy solution. I say we tell the mayor that his offer is.. ." She ground her teeth together struggling with the word. ".. generous. But we are not traders or merchants we must complete our task and what he chooses to do after is his decision." She frowns in thought knowing this is a dangerous situation. "We can't out right deny him, but we can tell him we are merely focused and can't avoid distraction. The temple nother said he values loyalty, so we tell him that we must remain loyal to our mission."
@shere - Garon furrows his brow in thought for a second, "Oh," he says, raising his eyebrow. "An adventurer, I suppose, asking about your trade. A 'hobgoblin' is what they are called and rare to see them in such good spirits in communities like ours - but not unheard of. He and his companions recovered a body of an adventurer that went missing a few tendays ago." Garon looks around suspiciously before calling a serving boy over. "Korling! Over here boy! Take me spot 'ere so I can give our artist a bit 'o food, will ye?" As soon as the boy gets there, Garon gestures to the room behind the bar. You both go into the room and Garon takes one last look out in the main room as he shuts the door. He turns and looks at you and then reaches to the side and fishes something out of a jar - a worn leather pouch. "I was told that ye might be coming. 'Ye'll know it when ye see it' they said. Aye, aye - you must be the one. Anyways, this is fer ye, ye'll need it. She says it will 'act as a sign of trust to those who require such things'. I'll be damned if I know what that means. I'm guessin' ye know what ta do with it." Garon takes a deep breath, "I did my part, I have to go back out there. There be a small room fer ye at the top of the stairs - no coin necessary but it won't be saved fer yer return, so take all yer things when ye leave. Oh! And don't ye be wearin' that pin out there! No way to tell who's watchin' " He turns to leave, quietly opening the door. You hear him grumbling under his breath, "Damned druids and magic and weird visions...I'm gonna open up a farm and be done with all this....." He leaves the door ajar and you are left alone within. You open the pouch: there are two items. One is a silver broach - a crescent moon with a harp inside it. The other: a large gem that you recognize as a cat's eye or a chrysoberyl. You snort in irony as you pick it up.....and immediately flashes enter your mind, unbidden:
You see the face of the hobgoblin and a few others you recognize from the crowd, fighting against a tall, dark terrible figure - his eyes glowing green - in the shade of a eldritch tree, skeletal branches reaching for the sky, trunk malformed and pulsing. Surrounding them an army of walking trees, hissing and rasping in a strange mimicry of life. You see them fall, one by one, you powerless to intervene. Another flash: you see the horde of walking trees with the dark human stalking the land, setting fire to everything. You see the best works of art and creation curl up and die into heaps of ash; artisans, performers, ale houses, and libraries all destroyed - the death of beauty, the destruction of hope and optimism. Another flash: the pretty faces and friends you've known all your life running, terrified into the marching crowd, only to be captured and fed to the terrible tree. Another flash: the tree pushes the body out in a sac of slimy wetness, a rebirth into a horrifying reality. The once pretty faces now marred with skin of bark, eyes dull, movements not their own. A dark and horrible figure laughing...a living tree shambles up to you and stabs you with one of its sharp limbs!
You jolt back to yourself, in the back storeroom, sweaty, dropping the cat's eye back into the leather bag.....
@ithelion - thanks to your time at Candlekeep, you remember quite a lot about this mysterious organization. Thanks to both Krom's and Garnet's prompts, you remember things written in the books about them, most of which has been covered already. Your gut feeling is that they are two-faced: feeding with one hand, stealing with the other. It's hard to reconcile their involvement with the great library. From the stories and histories you recollect, involvement with the Zhentarim tends to be beneficial. They hold grudges and will seek to collect on them - but not forever. They are nothing if not practical in their business endeavours, which is how the facade of benevolence persists...
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
“Garnet’s words are wise, but she left out an important part. Our druid friend has been called away. This ‘mother’ person is supposed to provide us with a new ally. One with ‘cat eyes’ or some such thing, which seems a very rare coincidence to the arrival of the cat creature in the tap room. What should we do?”
Paladin - warforged - orange
"We should talk to them; but we only have eight days left to us...we also need to talk to Hecrule, and perhaps head back to the ruins early tomorrow. Do you think Garon could arrange a quiet meeting with Hecrule? After that we talk to this wandering minstrel? I will see if that might be possible..."
With that, Ithelion leaves the room and returns to the tap room, seeking out Garon. Ostensibly arranging more wine she asks quietly if he thinks he might be able to get Hecrule -- or her captain -- to a private room in the inn, where we might meet, unseen by watchers...
(( She will also ask Elosa to look for signs of people like the mayors guards, or other suspicious types...people not doing normal "people" things ))
11
Elosa can roll her perception.
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
The tavern master leaves before Shere can say What about dinner?
"Oh no, no bueno, I must talk to these people as soon as I can. Warn them."
Shere follows the instructions finding the visions disturbing starts to head upstairs after tucking the items away in his pack
He looks around the bar trying to find at least one of those he saw in the vision if not the Hobgoblin
Seeing Ithelion he approaches her with a look of shock and worry. He looks around knowing that it might sound strange to the elvin maid
"Seniora We need to talk me you and your friends the barkeep gave me a private room. Please it is urgent."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reminder for myself. Work together or fail apart. Talk with each other when necessary. Describe how, where, if, your character moved.
The sign on the trail ahead reads "DONT FEED THE DRAGON!" "Working Together" Follow this link please
Elosa perception: 23
(( Go Elosa! ))
Ithelion nods at the tabaxi's remark, "I believe we do." She Glances in Garon's direction, and holds up a hand, "Wait here" she says.
With that she continues on to Garon and asks loudly for more wine to be sent to the room, then adds more quietly, "Can you also perhaps arrange for Hecrule or her captain to be led to a room where we might meet them away from the prying eyes that watch the inn, perhaps in half an hour?"
(( Probably need to know what Elosa saw to determine exactly what she suggests ))
When she has spoken to Garon, she returns to the Tabaxi, "I am Ithelion, by the way. And you are?" she asks, holding out her hand in greeting.
Edit:
When the introductions are done, Ithelion smiles and nods, "Follow me" she says, then leads the Tabaxi back to the room with where she left her companions. Usehering Shere throught the door, then closing it, she nods to each each of her companions in turn, making introductions all round. Finally, she turns back to the Tabaxi.
"So. You said we need to meet, urgently? Here we are", she smiles in an effort to reduce the bluntness of her words.
He flurrishes his single feathered cowboy hat and bows
"My name Seniora is Shere of Solstice. It is a pleasurre to make yourr acquaintace"
He follows her
"How do I begin? Not moments ago I was doing my usual rroutine which makes me money and your frriend there stops and asks about me then walks away. I enquired about him to the barkeeper and he gave me this" he shows them the pin. Saying I was destined to have it
Then I had a terrible vision I saw the face of the hobgoblin and a few others that are here in this room, fighting against a tall, dark terrible figure - his eyes glowing green - in the shade of a eldritch tree, skeletal branches reaching for the sky, trunk malformed and pulsing. Surrounding them an army of walking trees, hissing and rasping in a strange mimicry of life. I saw them fall, one by one, and was powerless to intervene. Then a light filled my eyes and I saw a horde of walking trees with the dark human stalking the land, setting fire to everything. Wonderful works of art and creations curl up and withered into heaps of ash; artisans, performers, ale houses, and libraries all destroyed - the death of beauty, the destruction of hope and optimism then the vision panned to the beautiful faces of my friends I've known all my life running, terrified into the marching crowd, only to be captured and fed to the terrrible tree. And the nightmare doesn't stop the tree pushes the body out in a sac of slimy wetness, a rebirth into a horrifying reality. The once pretty faces now marred with skin of bark, eyes dull, movements not their own.
He holds his head in anguish
"The dark, horrible figure was laughing...While a living tree pierced me with one of its sharp limbs!"
;He gazes at the room not really looking at one face
"It would seem, amigo's... Ourr fate's are interrtwined But I think we need to change the outcome. Si?"
He thinks upon the terrible tree History
19
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Reminder for myself. Work together or fail apart. Talk with each other when necessary. Describe how, where, if, your character moved.
The sign on the trail ahead reads "DONT FEED THE DRAGON!" "Working Together" Follow this link please
Ithelion nods, "That sounds similar to our experiences, though much more ... specific. We each have been drawn here by some foretelling of doom, I believe."
"We know little of the tree, only that it is called Gulthias, and it's corruption stems in some way from a vampire, and that it is now guarded by a druid who came here around 10 years ago. It is the source of the twig-blights and its fruit is a source of wealth for the goblins who live in the ruins."
She rubs her temples, clearly weary, "It will bloom again in eight days, and we need to stop it. One of our other companions found the commitment -- and the realities of the task -- too difficult and has returned home, but ... I think I speak for my friends..." she glances around the room, her eyes settling on Daemyar, "... you come highly recommended and would be most welcome to join us. We leave again tomorrow."
Shere at the mention of Druids says to the elf
"I overhearrd barrkeeper say something "
He quotes doing his best imitation
"Damned druids and magic and weird visions...I'm gonna open up a farm and be done with all this....."
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Reminder for myself. Work together or fail apart. Talk with each other when necessary. Describe how, where, if, your character moved.
The sign on the trail ahead reads "DONT FEED THE DRAGON!" "Working Together" Follow this link please
Ithelion laughs, both at the sentiment and the imitation, "Yes, he does like to send cryptic dreams, but he's no more comprehensible in person, I assure you."
@ithelion - Elosa sees someone matching your description loitering on the other side of the street, motionless, and simply watching the front door.
Garon nods at the unusual request and sends Korling out the backdoor towards the Hucrele Trading House.
@shere - several people come up to you and toast their drinks to you before gulping them down. Many are well on their way to a sharp headache in the morning.
@all - After ten minutes or so, of standing around awkwardly, you spy Korling run to Garon and say something in his ear. Garon nods and throws his head back towards the back room. You go where he indicates and Korling is there holding a floor door up. The stairs go down into a root cellar, where Garon keeps some cheeses, grows onions, and keeps the ale and wine fermenting. It's not a big space but big enough for several people to converse comfortably in secret. As you go down the stairs, Korling shows you how the mechanism to release the door works, and then closes it after you.
So, you're all standing in a damp, musty root cellar under the Ol' Boar Inn in the town of Oakhurst with Kerowyn Hucrele's right hand security person, Herka, in front of you. Kerowyn is the matriarch of the Hucrele Trading Company and she is the one who has given you the task of finding her son and daughter, who ventured into the ruins 30 or so days ago and have not returned.
Herka seems a bit impatient, "Well, what's with all this? What can't wait 'til morning?"
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
(( Minor note: I assume Korling comes back up to our room, since that's where Ithelion took Shere ))
Ithelion clears her throat. Be patient with this one, she reminds herself. "Apologies. But we thought it best to discuss this discretely, and we would appreciate your candid opinion."
She looks around, and spotting a barrel, stands behind it, her hands resting on the edge to keep them steady. "We have to leave early in the morning, but today we were approached by the Mayor with an offer."
She pauses to gauge the woman's reaction, then continues. "He would like us to secure the source of this....corruption...so that he can profit from the sale of the fruit. Both kinds of fruit."
At this point she waits to see if Herka (( or anyone else )) has anything to say. If not, she will continue.
"I'm listening..." Herka prods...
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
(( If noone else says anything ))
Ithelion nods, "We felt you should know about this; such a betrayal is not something that I would take lightly, but he is one of yours so what is done about it rests with you. It may be that he is such a worthy and valuable citizen that you accept his ... occasional lapses?"
"We will of course not be accepting the offer, but will support you, if needed."
She then glances around the room, "Each of us..." she says, nodding thoughtfully when her gaze comes to Shere, "...has but an inkling of the power that drives the Gulthas tree, but it is enough to make use fear it deeply. Allowing it to survive will likely have ramifications well beyond Oakhurst."
Garnet listens as Ithelion speaks but grows more concerned as other allies begin to enter the room and conversation. Corkie's words that only four people knew of the temple mother's involvement. What if these people are not among the four? This whole village feels corupted.. Garnet speaks when Ithelion is finished. "I think we should all be careful what is said here. " She puts emphasis on that sentence hoping Ithelion and her companions will pick up on her meaning and be as descreet as possible.
( I'm not exactly sure what we are doing.)
Shere listens thinking it sucks to be the new guy
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Reminder for myself. Work together or fail apart. Talk with each other when necessary. Describe how, where, if, your character moved.
The sign on the trail ahead reads "DONT FEED THE DRAGON!" "Working Together" Follow this link please
Krom sits down on the floor with a thud and pulls out the shortsword he was given earlier, "Aye, 'bout that tree. If we all be on the same page I've got an idea fer dealin' with it. Also, this would be as good as time as any to bring Whiskers here up on everythin' too. Ye thinkin' all this talk will take 'bout an hour or so?"
Be excellent to each other, and roll for initiative dudes!
Ithelion nods, "A plan would be most welcome...and talking about it here may be a good idea..." she says, looking around the area for other doors.The she turns to Herka, "But I am not sure Herka here needs to be part of that -- though her input would be welcome -- and I'd be interested to hear here insights on what we have said so far?"