(Cool, will do Sinsil and Brona first, then Ashanti and Tristan. )
Sinsil and Brona
It takes some time, but eventually a helpful shopkeeper points you in the direction of the Righteous Brand outpost. "There's some wizard types hang around with the military bigwigs. Don't hold with that spell-slinging personally- prefer a good crossbow myself."
At the southern end of the complex, a graceful tower of pale grey stone rises above the squat buildings of the city. Two guards in gleaming scale mail stand at attention outside, their long-bladed glaives reflecting the light. They cross their weapons across the entrance as you aproach. "Halt. State your business."
Ashanti and Tristan
The two of you have no trouble finding a crown's guard to point you in the right direction. Eventually, you come to a large, blocky building you take to be the barracks. On entering, you find several crown's guard finishing off paperwork, repairing equipment and drinking strong tea. You are shown through to the Captain's office, where you find a middle-aged woman poring over a map of the area. She looks up as you enter.
"Ah! Fresh meat! Excellent. We can always use extra hands, what with these things running around outside the city. Here's what we know about them- they're big, scaly, and have big claws. Oh, and they stink- bad enough to make your stomach turn. We'll pay you 25 gold for each head you bring back. We think they're coming from the east, towards the Brokenveil Bluffs. Be careful if you get out that way- things have a way of happening the closer you get to Xhorhas." Her face darkens as she mentions Xhorhas.
Mobile~ "Sinsil Fwoks of the family Fwoks, practitioner of arcane arts seeking council with like minded scholars to discuss trade and favors in exchange for arcane insights." Sinsil will stand with the most regal countenance she can.
Captain Stane grins at Ashanti. "Humanoid reptiles is right. They have some kind of language, but not one of us can understand it. They mostly seem to be attacking from ambush under cover of dark- they don't seem to come out in the light at all. Best of luck, and don't go being heroes. Here, take these." She throws you a pair of hessian sacks.
Sinsil and Brona
One of the guards nods. "Alright, I'll see if they're busy. Wait here please." He thumps a fist on the door, which opens a fraction and he speaks quietly to someone on the other side. After a few minutes, the door opens once again, to reveal a goblin in an immaculately pressed suit. "If you would kindly follow Bloodfang, the master will see you in the drawing room". Ascending the tower stairs, you come out in a large airy room that doesn't seem to fit the dimensions of the building. Several comfortable armchairs surround a low table, set with a shining tea service in front of a cheerful fire. Once you are settled and offered refreshment, Bloodfang bustles off to fetch his employer.
Before long, a tall olive-skinned man enters from a side room that definitely shouldn't exist in a tower of this size. "Ladies! Please forgive my unconscionable rudeness in keeping you waiting. I am Master Lysano Vek, of the Soltryce Academy. I hope Bloodfang has been taking care of you?" Smiling with a merry twinkle in his eye, he takes a seat and helps himself to tea. You both notice his hair and robes subtly stirring, as if moved by the breeze, though the air is still in this room. "How can I be of assistance to a fellow practitioner?"
Mobile~ Sinsil will give a curt nod at the mention of their name (ooc would she recognize the name). "I am hoping to strike a deal I have a bit of coin, but more importantly I have a collection of fools, present company excluded, that are willing to throw themselves at danger for pittances. I would ask to trade favors for spell knowledge, preferably favors needing the skills of a group of adventurers." She pauses to take a look around the room waiting for a response.
(You would likely have heard of him- he was high up in the Zadash arm of the Cerberus Assembly, before moving to Bladegarden to support the Dwendalian military.)
Lysano leans back in his chair and fixes the two of you with an amused look. "A party of bold adventurers, looking for coin and magical learning? Certainly, I can make use of your skills. As a matter of fact, one of my students- an impetuous young man by the name of Mikuel- has been missing for several days somewhere in the Ashkeeper Peaks. He believed that the remains of a pre-calamity settlement may be somewhere in the mountains." He sighs heavily before continuing."His last report was from the town of Talonstadt, to the south. He indicated he would be travelling into the mountains east of the city, to a particular valley known as the Titans' Grave. If you could locate Mikuel or his remains, I would be most grateful."
He gives Brona an arch look."Our young mage has requested spell knowledge as payment for your labour- do you think the rest of your compatriots would accept this? It seems not a reward to be split equitably. Perhaps an alternative transaction- I will pay each member of your group one hundred gold for his safe rescue, or fifty for the retrieval of his work. I will be then prepared to sell you knowledge of certain spells- fifty gold for spells of the first level, or one hundred for spells of the second level. Does this seem an acceptable compromise? "
You emerge and begin making your way to back to the Tavern. As you Make your way through the city, you see the same column of mounted soldiers returning that you had met the day before. They seem to sag wearily, and you count more than one empty saddle.
Brona listens to Lysano, keeping her face neutral, but she felt her attention waning until the man mentioned the Ashkeeper Peaks.
If we go there, that will be the closest I've been to home...
She refocuses her attention, retaining the details of where this young mage had gone."Given what you're asking that seems fair. The alternative offer should work nicely for the rest of us." As Sinsil asks her question, Brona lets out a gruff chuckle, but attempts to pass it off as a cough. She tags on, "Out of curisoty, what was his interest with that site?"
You emerge and begin making your way to back to the Tavern. As you Make your way through the city, you see the same column of mounted soldiers returning that you had met the day before. They seem to sag wearily, and you count more than one empty saddle.
" Remind me never to join the army.", Ashanti whispered to Tristan.
" So we have a job, I wonder if Grumpy Pants and Brona got one too! Two jobs. Two payments."
"I will head with Ashanti I also have no interest in magic"
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
(Sinsil is obviously going to go look for wizards)
"I'll go along with Sinsil, could be interesting."
(Cool, will do Sinsil and Brona first, then Ashanti and Tristan. )
Sinsil and Brona
It takes some time, but eventually a helpful shopkeeper points you in the direction of the Righteous Brand outpost. "There's some wizard types hang around with the military bigwigs. Don't hold with that spell-slinging personally- prefer a good crossbow myself."
At the southern end of the complex, a graceful tower of pale grey stone rises above the squat buildings of the city. Two guards in gleaming scale mail stand at attention outside, their long-bladed glaives reflecting the light. They cross their weapons across the entrance as you aproach. "Halt. State your business."
Ashanti and Tristan
The two of you have no trouble finding a crown's guard to point you in the right direction. Eventually, you come to a large, blocky building you take to be the barracks. On entering, you find several crown's guard finishing off paperwork, repairing equipment and drinking strong tea. You are shown through to the Captain's office, where you find a middle-aged woman poring over a map of the area. She looks up as you enter.
"Ah! Fresh meat! Excellent. We can always use extra hands, what with these things running around outside the city. Here's what we know about them- they're big, scaly, and have big claws. Oh, and they stink- bad enough to make your stomach turn. We'll pay you 25 gold for each head you bring back. We think they're coming from the east, towards the Brokenveil Bluffs. Be careful if you get out that way- things have a way of happening the closer you get to Xhorhas." Her face darkens as she mentions Xhorhas.
DM- Chronicles of Wildemount Campaign.
" Lizards? Humanoids? Do they talk?"
" 25 gold? Guess thats fair..."
" Brokenveil bluffs, got it."
Ashanti looked across to Tristan to see if he had anything additional to add.
he raises an eyebrow at her look "nah you have it covered"
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
Mobile~ "Sinsil Fwoks of the family Fwoks, practitioner of arcane arts seeking council with like minded scholars to discuss trade and favors in exchange for arcane insights." Sinsil will stand with the most regal countenance she can.
Brona stands behind Sinsil, "I'm Brona, just here to accompany my friend." She keeps a bland smile on her face, arms crossed.
Ashanti and Tristan
Captain Stane grins at Ashanti. "Humanoid reptiles is right. They have some kind of language, but not one of us can understand it. They mostly seem to be attacking from ambush under cover of dark- they don't seem to come out in the light at all. Best of luck, and don't go being heroes. Here, take these." She throws you a pair of hessian sacks.
Sinsil and Brona
One of the guards nods. "Alright, I'll see if they're busy. Wait here please." He thumps a fist on the door, which opens a fraction and he speaks quietly to someone on the other side. After a few minutes, the door opens once again, to reveal a goblin in an immaculately pressed suit. "If you would kindly follow Bloodfang, the master will see you in the drawing room". Ascending the tower stairs, you come out in a large airy room that doesn't seem to fit the dimensions of the building. Several comfortable armchairs surround a low table, set with a shining tea service in front of a cheerful fire. Once you are settled and offered refreshment, Bloodfang bustles off to fetch his employer.
Before long, a tall olive-skinned man enters from a side room that definitely shouldn't exist in a tower of this size. "Ladies! Please forgive my unconscionable rudeness in keeping you waiting. I am Master Lysano Vek, of the Soltryce Academy. I hope Bloodfang has been taking care of you?" Smiling with a merry twinkle in his eye, he takes a seat and helps himself to tea. You both notice his hair and robes subtly stirring, as if moved by the breeze, though the air is still in this room. "How can I be of assistance to a fellow practitioner?"
DM- Chronicles of Wildemount Campaign.
Ashanti took the bags and turned to leave, " Heard of their like before?"
She cast her mind back, but the majority of the creatures she had knowledge about were from the ocean. ( Nature: 5)
Tristan narrows his eyes "no I have not"
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
Mobile~ Sinsil will give a curt nod at the mention of their name (ooc would she recognize the name). "I am hoping to strike a deal I have a bit of coin, but more importantly I have a collection of fools, present company excluded, that are willing to throw themselves at danger for pittances. I would ask to trade favors for spell knowledge, preferably favors needing the skills of a group of adventurers." She pauses to take a look around the room waiting for a response.
Sinsil and Brona
(You would likely have heard of him- he was high up in the Zadash arm of the Cerberus Assembly, before moving to Bladegarden to support the Dwendalian military.)
Lysano leans back in his chair and fixes the two of you with an amused look. "A party of bold adventurers, looking for coin and magical learning? Certainly, I can make use of your skills. As a matter of fact, one of my students- an impetuous young man by the name of Mikuel- has been missing for several days somewhere in the Ashkeeper Peaks. He believed that the remains of a pre-calamity settlement may be somewhere in the mountains." He sighs heavily before continuing. "His last report was from the town of Talonstadt, to the south. He indicated he would be travelling into the mountains east of the city, to a particular valley known as the Titans' Grave. If you could locate Mikuel or his remains, I would be most grateful."
He gives Brona an arch look. "Our young mage has requested spell knowledge as payment for your labour- do you think the rest of your compatriots would accept this? It seems not a reward to be split equitably. Perhaps an alternative transaction- I will pay each member of your group one hundred gold for his safe rescue, or fifty for the retrieval of his work. I will be then prepared to sell you knowledge of certain spells- fifty gold for spells of the first level, or one hundred for spells of the second level. Does this seem an acceptable compromise? "
DM- Chronicles of Wildemount Campaign.
Tristan and Ashanti
You emerge and begin making your way to back to the Tavern. As you Make your way through the city, you see the same column of mounted soldiers returning that you had met the day before. They seem to sag wearily, and you count more than one empty saddle.
DM- Chronicles of Wildemount Campaign.
Mobile~ Sinsil will speak up. "That seems reasonable, would you like his corpse if he is dead? Or at least his head for questioning?"
Brona listens to Lysano, keeping her face neutral, but she felt her attention waning until the man mentioned the Ashkeeper Peaks.
If we go there, that will be the closest I've been to home...
She refocuses her attention, retaining the details of where this young mage had gone. "Given what you're asking that seems fair. The alternative offer should work nicely for the rest of us." As Sinsil asks her question, Brona lets out a gruff chuckle, but attempts to pass it off as a cough. She tags on, "Out of curisoty, what was his interest with that site?"
" Remind me never to join the army.", Ashanti whispered to Tristan.
" So we have a job, I wonder if Grumpy Pants and Brona got one too! Two jobs. Two payments."
" Do you eve miss home, Tristan?"
"never join the army" He whispers back
his eyes seem to steel over. "only when I remember it burn"
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
" Oh....."
" I didn't mean to...I'm so sorry."
OOC
(Is Sinsil grumpy pants? That's perfect! I'm glad get demeanor is not being lost over text.)