"So, uh, do we know what this 'container' is that needs to be 'corked'? More importantly, do we know WHERE it is? I suppose getting in and taking it is something I have experience in, though I never would have thought that would come to a good end ever again. Or is this more a 'frontal assault' with Bell and the dwarf brothers leading the charge?" 

Falllan certainly looked like she preferred letting someone else take the lead, but stands her ground when she offers to sneak in and take whatever is needed.

To Fallan, as the group starts to move once more towards Oghmas temple putting his hands behind his back in solider fashion though far too relaxed to actually be, looking to the sky he says From what I saw of it, it looked no different than a mercury vial. Thin, Long, and had a .. normal cork. Though Barjin seemed to have warded it in such a way that only certain people could actually touch it. I don't know if such wards still exist or if he has replaced them with new ones. But .. that is part of why I am .. seemingly immune to the effects of the poison. Part of the... chaos they desire. The 'iron'y' of a relative innocent unleashing such a horrible curse or some other shite reasoning. And my little friend, if we knew where it was, we wouldn't have to look, now would we?  he says, partially teasing, partially correcting, and partially getting a smirk at her expense. 

His posture relaxed more as the temple got closer. The forest within the city disappearing behind buildings, and you all once more find yourself along the street where prior, there had been cuddly couples, were now arguments of whom 'belonged' to whom and other similarly jealous sounding conversations, though luckily there seemed to be no one harming or killing anyone else aside from the occasional slap, and one pair of women tousling over eachother for the attention of one man -much to his clear delight- when the short, squat building that was known as Oghmas Ring was within a few strides.

As for how we approach it, I leave that to you. Pikel and Ivan will likely charge in blindly as they are wont to do, I'll try to keep myself safe and will help where I can. But perhaps you can use that to your advantage if it comes down to it. Everyone has a place in the world, even if they've made some mistakes. 

Fallan continuing to hear things echoing within her head as if everyone were speaking to her telepathically, and her mind starting to feel the edging of tiring from continued use of her powers. 

Whenever you all choose to enter, you approach  some large, wooden doors that are surrounded by stone that while well crafted, looked like nothing special, aside from the windows whos frames held imagery invoking Oghma's glory and more importantly allowing light into the building. As the door is pushed open, sounds of fighting can be heard within, and as you approach through the southern door, you see several people wrestling on mats laid across the otherwise stone floor. A total of six fighters, surrounded by a score of whom you can assume to be Oghmas faithful. Sweat pouring from their faces, their Gi's soaked, and their muscles straining as they fight for dominance. On another mat, it was less grabby and more punchy, as fists flew in rapid succession, some marking their target while others were dodged or deflected. On the last mat two pole-users twirled their respective weapons in amazing displays of proficiency where they collided in vigorous assaults that seemed to move at impossible speeds.

The temple within is otherwise overly unremarkable. Its wide, open, and aside from two rooms on the north side, only seems to have a few benches and a pulpit for what you all assume is where sermons or mass or whatever these people do would take place. A few torches lit the place where the sun couldn't quite fully illuminate, and two doors on the east and west side, look like the same doors you just came in, implying they're likely additional entrances. 

Rose had never been inside the temple, but she knows that Oghmans are similar to Deneir in that they seek knowledge, but each sect has their own idea of how to pursue it and what they consider to be the proper path. Here, they pursued knowledge through physical perfection in the same vein as monks. Leading to many battle-preists, and other hand to hand / melee specialists.

The map is in discord.

Bell taps her hoof eagerly as she watches the sparing matches.  "Everybody around here is fighting... looks like so much fun... why do we have to be so busy," she complains with a momentary pout before she sighs and then starts walking forwards, looking over her shoulder at Cadderly and Rose.  "So, where do we find this Alustriel fellow.  He one of the guys sparring?"

Rose looks at Belle in shock at her seeming obliviousness to who Alustriel is. Its Lady Alustriel, and no she's not likely to be here. She's likely in the palace if she's in the city at all. I can't believe you seriously don't know Lady Alustriel. One of Mystras chosen, arguably to most talented and beautiful wizard of our time. Shes been leading Silverymoon for well over a century or more. Quite a long time for a human but as I said her wizardly powers are far beyond what most can achieve. Still her duties do occasionally take her out of the city. No one would dare make a move against Silverymoon with Lady Alustriel around to defend it so I assume she's not around, or if she is then our enemies are more powerful than we fear. 

Rose sighs. Sorry, I got a bit patriotic there. Just surprised is all. All in the North know Lady Alustriel, even orc tribes far into the Spine of the World and creatures of the underdark know and fear her. But no matter, we should press on. Let's check the right set of doors first.

Bell shrugs.  “I only really remember folks I fight beside or against.  Don’t pay much attention to big picture stuff; won’t really matter when I go back home eventually.”  Bell waves at the fighters if any pay her any mind as the group passes, and she heads towards the right doors.

Fallan, still shaking her head quite a bit every time someone talks, and wincing, as if experiencing a significant headache, risks being talked down to by Cadderly and asks: "So, is it ONLY the cork that is warded and dangerous to touch, or the whole 'mercury vial'? Can it be touched (either vial or cork) if something like a glove or cloth intervenes between the holder's skin and the vial/cork?"

Finally, tired of the echoing in her head, Fallan pulls out a loaf of bread enough to rip off an end piece. She then gouges out the doughy center of the piece and wads it up into two small moldable balls, which she then stuffs, one into each ear.

Watching the training, however, she does comment "Everybody here's Oghmen fighting? Their minds must be fast as lightning! That makes the future a little bit frightening..." and then whistles 8 notes in rapid succession (Do do do doot dooo doot do do) and then looks at her companions and shrugs her shoulders.

Bell looks concerned at Fallan as she stuffs bread in her ears and starts singing a strange but catchy tune.  "You... you alright Fallan?"

 To Bell, Cadderly shrugs and says Such is life. Always and ever the demands outweight the wants. About to answer the followup, when Rose quite humorously jumps down Bells throat, figuratively - Giving her a brief history lesson on the great Alustriel Silverhand. The exchange causing him to laugh despite himself. Though he knew only of her in the gossip and stories himself. He was smiling a bit. Well I for one am Glad that Bell was ignorant of her. It lets me know that I am not the only person here lacking in worldly experience. he says, ribbing Bell both literally and figuratively but at-least to most would be seen as obviously friendly. But Rose here is right. Attacking the city would be a suicide request, such as death-by-guard as some people seem to do.. Though at the same time, that was exactly the motive when they attacked the library. its the most powerful place in the region - so they struck there first hoping to cripple us before we were even aware there was a fight. Not that I'd have fought.. I don't like fighting much. I prefer tinkering... 

Bell Rose and Fallan begin to walk towards the upper-right room from the south entrance, passing by the second and third group, the first and second seeming heavily intent on their matches, where once a victor is decided, the loser trades out with one of the group watching and continues thus. Fallan asking Cadderly more questions that he doesn't know the answers to but he tries his best to make some guesses. I.. honestly don't know. I wasn't the first to touch it, Ivan was. That brought a flinch and a grunt from the surly dwarf as he pretended to look over at the fighting as they walked.

Pikel laughing in his silly voice Hehehee! and earning him a smack on the back of his head from his brother. Shut yer trap Pikel this almost sparking another brawl between the two brothers, but they seemed to catch themselves before it started, saving Cadderly, or anyone else from having to intervene - again. It may have only had a temporary ward on it or it may be a more permanent curse that will keep others who don't meet whatever the requirement is from touching it without great risk. Which I will volunteer to try since I have already handled it unscathed, unless one of you believes it would be better for you to do it, instead. They may also have placed additional wards and contingencies on it, but I could not know.

As Fallan makes a call back to an old song that will stand the test of time, now seeing Fallans odd behavior, after Bell calls it out And yes, are you allright or.. is this a "halfling thing"? both brothers look to Cadderly then with incredulous faces Uh oh! Pikel says swiftly, while Ivan plants his hands on his hips shaking his head Now lad, Ye can't be goin' around askin' ladies such things! I thought ye'd know better!

The first two groups seem to passively notice the group, as .. how could you not with all the talking, but they seem uninterested on anything outside their fight, despite their stomaches growling fiercely. And as the group almost reaches the pews, Bell feels a very solid grip on her forearm. Excuse me uh... he says, eyeing Bells body though not with any degree of lust as he squeezes her arm just a bit. ..Miss. You seem strong, would you like to fight us on the mat? We're always looking for strong challengers, and we can provide you with practice weapons. We allow weapons in the ring just not real ones. We'd be honored if you would fight us all, one on one.

Bell’s eyes gleam for a moment and her head instinctively nods ‘yes,’ but her mouth speaks otherwise.  “Afraid I’ll need to take a raincheck, but I would love to once our errands are done. What’s your name, warrior?”

Fallan glances back and forth at the people conversing, amazed that inside her head she could hear it all, but regularly adjusting or adding to the wads of bread dough filling her ear canals.

She "listens" intently, and to Cadderly answers, almost dejectedly: "Not a halfling thing, lucky for Rose - it's just a me thing. And I am more than ok with letting you handle the possibly cursed or warded vial. I'll stay in the back unless you all feel there's a task for me." And with that, she does seem to step back behind Rose and Bell.

Bell maintains a concerned look.  “Fallan, are your ears okay?”  The Satyr looks to Cadderly and Rose before returning her gaze to the halfling.  “Is the poison getting to ya?”

Rose considers Cadderlys words but any response or attempt to search for the posion is tossed from her mind when Belle brings up Fallans condition. Her behavior certainly seemed odd but it was also.Fallan they were talking about here. Still just to be safe Rose tries to examine Fallan to see if perhaps she is being affected by the poison.

(Insight/medicine/ perception whatever seems appropriate all are same mod) 9

 His grip tightens initially, as if he'd been slapped in offense, and he seems to be fighting with himself, but Bells words ring with extreme clarity and after a moment, he relents. ..If it must be so. But I'll hold you to that. My name is Alphonse, I am but a humble monk here, and still green, but I never cow from a challenge. Though you did not state your own name, warrior. I would hear it.." he says, turning back to the group he was wrestling with, taking a seat as two monks, whom had been waiting only to see if the ring would be taken before setting themselves up for their own spar.

The bread within Fallans small ear canal tickles, ever so slightly as she readjusts it. Cadderly answering Bells question with a negative I am effectively immune to the curse, as I stated before. That way to better torment me as I watch it ravage around me. I'm surprised that Ivan and Pikel aren't already joining the frey, though I am glad...  and looking at the brothers, they seem to be covering their eyes and ears, which would lead them to stumble and flal moments after the party started moving again, but it seemed like they were making a converted effort not to fall victim to the urge to fight before it was needed - However long that might last, leaving the question up to 'when' rather than 'would.'

Result of Rose's check in discord.

Ultimately continuing to the top right room, walking around or over the low seating, and walking past the torches. The Oghmans too occupied with their own sparring to notice or care, as they didn't try to stop you - the dwarves in tow, no longer covering their eyes to prevent worse mishaps, but still covering their ears, cadderly in the center of the group,  - regardless of who opened the door, they would see a militaristically barren room. A single chair facing what appeared to be a desk-study filled with tomes, scrolls, and books that were mostly well placed, though a few lay strewn on the desks flat-top. a single sheet of paper with no writing on it, next to an inkwell and pen that sat idle. The room was empty, though you could hear the fighting just outside  the walls easily enough.

Rose shrugs, not seeing anything really wrong with Fallan. Either she was her normal self, or if she had fallen victim to this chaos curse it at least wasn't manifesting itself in any way detrimental to the cause at had. Rose turned back towards the hall, eager to find the source so they could put an end to this madness and restore order to Silverymoon. After their bit of searching yields no results Rose turns back and seems to think to herself for a moment. This is going to take too long if we just search room by room like this. We don't even know for sure the bottle Cadderly is actually in any od the temples. But without anything else to go on...Rose pauses. Let's check the other side of the temple I suppose but I would like to check in on Selûnes temple. Some meditation and prayer might help me think more clearly, maybe we missed something that will tell us where to look.

Fallan chuckles to herself at how quickly Rose gets frustrated with random searching - thinking about how that used to be her primary source of enjoyment. Until it backfired that one day. As a result, she basically follows behind Rose and "double-checks" where her fellow halfling has looked and lets her eyes and natural inquisitiveness wander as well, flipping through odd books, in case anything falls out; checking the blank paper for indentations from previous writing on top of it, etc.

But verbally, she encourages Rose with: "You are probably right, checking another room is likely smart. The bottle could be anywhere and there are lots of 'anywheres' not here in THIS temple. Press on, I'm with you."

“Bellerain Wanderfoot.  I look forward to it!” the Satyr tells the monk.  She follows everyone upstairs, and does her best to help look for some clues as to what to do or where to go next.

Investigation 5

I will update this in the morning. And I'll need to talk with you guys soon.

Thoroughyl searching the temple, and finding nothing like a trapdoor, or hidden facility, door, etc you all ultimately wander from temple to temple, Rose likely expecting it to be under her own. Nothing being discovered out of the ordinary except the behaviors of people to varying degrees and intensities. For a while, you all get confused, as well as those with you. You picked up a few others who help keep the poisonous curses effects at bay before trying the tower where the lady herself was, whether to see if she was truly there or not, or some other reasoning. A subtle hatch is discovered in her audience chamber. Realizing the boldness of Barjin, and realizing that it was quite obvious. Barjin was ultimately repeating the same thing he had done at the Edificant library.... trying to take out those most likely to be able to oppose him first so the rest would fall like dominoes. 

The lady had indeed been in the tower, but much like her sisters, her lust was immense, and combined with the poison you realize the guard was but a portent.. intentionally or not, and she would not hear anything else. Spells availing you all naught due to the many wards she herself had placed.

Exploring the hatch, you find out it was an escape route meant for emergencies, both for her loyal staff, and if somehow she should be unable to teleport. It led to an underground complex that while large, was easily navigable as any emergency escape route should be. There, you all fought Barjin, and some of the members of the army from which he led, a mixture of orcs, giants and giantkin, goblins, and humans. Even a few spellcasters both of the preistly and sorcerous fare. During the battle, Bellerain was struck by the venomous tail of an Imp named Druzil - Barjins ally with the Chaos Curse. Having already suffered wounds, Bell fell to the poison, though Cadderly pulled through and brought her back into the fight, allowing her to drink deep of an antidote and continue the fight.

During the fighting, Fallan continued to feel a dark urge to murder those whom she had beaten but not quite killed. And while she initially resisted, sometimes her hand would move on its own, and she would feel as though another Fallan were there... filled with shadowstuff, wanting to take over her body... to swap places with her and exchange souls though in the immediate, she kept herself... herself. Though this put some degree of fear that the shadows that haunted her had never left, and had in fact taken root in the back of her mind all along. Held at bay only by circumstance and sheer willpower.

Rose felt an unimaginably evil presence below the complex but had not the time to deal with it. But she fought with all the fury of Selune that she could, nearly falling herself, as Barjin had been keeping an eye on the party (if only by extention through cadderly) and had directed his forces to focus on both her and Bell so that they could be overwhelmed with numbers, but the fury of seeing her home corrupted by this evil mage gave Rose the strength to persevere.

The fight was long, and arduous as seemingly endless waves of enemies fell upon the group before the final triumph. Barjin  nearly killing each of you once his forces had been dealt with, but with three people harrying him in all directions, he eventually found himself stabbed from multiple directions, cursing you all to the last, and promising that you all would suffer.

At this point, if the campaign had continued, the floor would have crumbled beneath your feet under the fury of Demogorgon tore through the floor. A wave of madness hitting you all as you fell into the abyss of the underdark, each landing in slightly different areas. Rose feeling selunes presence growing weak and from there the journey would continue.

As I said, borrowing from another DM at the end of their campaign, each of you will state how one of the others continues on after the battle with Barjin. In the same vein as if you were making your own characters backstory, except you are controlling a very minute portion by describing how you think the character would press on after defeating barjin and returning silverymoon to its normal self. Describe whether they stay or go, what they do there, some events you feel would fit their character for .. whatever end. In my case,  I was controlling some events that occorred with one of Cherri's characters, where i stated that their male character who had begin a flirty life with a dragon (as happened in the campaign) ended up with seven children, had almost achieved their goals, aside from a few small issues, and went on to ultimately be successful (in about 4 paragraphs of detail) So...

Rose will Control Bells Post-Game.

Bell will control Fallans Post-Game.

Fallan will control Rose's Post-Game.

The idea is ultimately to get a slightly alternative perspective of the impact your character had on the player who is controlling this final post. Its a creative, sharing excercise, that allows you to get a bit of a surprise and a hopefully interesting read before I unfortunately close this book.

Again, I'm sorry for ending it. A major reason I wanted to do this was to both expand my own understanding of the game, and better my DM skills, while also allowing Urben to not have to be a forever-DM, as well as continue a story that had concluded the starting module. But after so many compiling factors over the years, I simply can't. Atleast not in a pbp format. I may do it in an IRL situation, or voice, but I simply cannot DM on a forum.

And for that, I'm sorry for wasting your time.

All good man, this definitely wasn't a waste.  pbp isn't for everyone, and while I myself love DMing in person, I don't think I'd ever be able to perform at the same level in pbp.  Don't get down on yourself.

As for Fallan's epilogue, I'm not completely comfortable writing that, just being that we never explored her backstory or the voices in her head much, so idk what kind of resolution she'd be looking for, but I'll give it ago anyways :P

Alone in a quiet corner of the underdark, Fallan finds herself at the mercy of the voice in her head.  Without a clear goal or direction to go in, nor allies to help center her in reality, she has a much harder time keeping the voice at bay.  Losing herself for a time, she becomes something of a deadly legend, stalking the dark caves at the edges of the underdark and bringing ruin to the smugglers, traffickers and cults that call that corner of the multiverse their home.  Finally bested by some man or beast, Fallan finds salvation in the form of a wandering apothecary, making a name for themselves traveling the most dangerous parts of the world and offering medical care in places no one 'sane' would go, and with the help of this new friend, Fallan manages to come back to her senses, although in hindsight, her wrath always targeted those who could be considered less than savory folk.  The apothecary led Fallan out of the underdark.  This apothecary happened to be related to the ones in Thundertree, and their journey brings them home, where Fallan settles down and opens an inn that serves the best goddam food in the silvermarches.  The dark whispers of the 'other' are still present, though rather than pushing murderous intent, they now resign themselves to suggesting Fallan add more spicy chili pepper to the soup of unsuspecting patrons.

(Not a waste of time, it was fun. I'll post when I can but I'm not exactly comfortable posting for someone else's characters ending nor letting anyone post for my own.)