Dragon of Icespire Peak - Campaign 1

Auric:

”Nay, Factore spoke to us of wine, not of spirits, though the cataclysmic ignition would seem to indicate the latter.  Still such eventualities happen ofttimes in the chaos of combat,” responds Auric.

After his scales shift back to their proper color, he asks, “This third shapeshifter—perchance did it take the shape of a typically inanimate object as well?“

“Mmhmm.” Joybell finishes up Pollux’s mending as the Dragonborn continued. 

It was about this time Facktoré would join Kaemgen in the hallway. “My ears are burning.” 

“No matter. There’s room for more now!” The old gnome picks herself up off the ground. Pollux would help her. Slow and steady, but with enthusiasm. Dusting herself off, Joybell would straighten her posture. “To us, this was the first shapeshifter.” She’d pat a finger on her nose for a moment. It’d take a minute, but Joybell would remember. “It was reported to me to have been a grandfather clock.” She’d gesture to the parts all around.

Auric:

”Indeed.  Hast thou any idea from whence they came?  Being vigilant about incipient attack from every inanimate object in thine dwelling is no way to live,” responds Auric.

Joybell would scratch her chin thoughtfully. “My guess is they came from outside.” She’d nod sagely, then she’d shrug. “Having anxiety about every little thing that could hurt me is no way to live either.” She’d wink. “Could always use a little excitement and an excuse to invite friends over, yeah?” 

Auric:

Relaxing a bit, Auric responds, “Mayhaps if there were a method to detect these shapeshifters—or their absence—we could set thy king’s minds at rest on this matter, then converse about the true purpose of our visit.”

     “Do the kings know about them?  Are these… things… a common problem?” Kaemgen interjects.  “We do need to talk to the kings, if we can make it there alive.”

     Meanwhile Kaemgen would inspect both wolves, once Joybell was done with her ministrations, and make sure they were good to go.  “And if we make it to and from the kings alive, I’d be curious if there was any spirits that we didn’t burn?  Sure would be nice to get a taste…”

Mr.Dark sits on the group with his back to the wall. He keeps his eyes and ears open and quietly listens to the conversation as it takes place, not adding anything.  He pulls out a bit of dried meat and chews on it. 

Joybell boops the snoots of both wolves. “These guys seem like they’d be pretty good at sniffing them out.” She’d wink, then give them both scratches behind the ears. Both Castor and Pollux flop over for belly rubs which she follows through with. They’ve bounced back from their wounds. Besides really needing a bath, they were fine. Only a really good eye could tell they’ve been in a scuffle.

The old gnome would finally answer Kaemgen’s questions after some wholesome giggles from the pups enthusiasms. “The Kings’ know about the first shifter.” She’d look up with a nod, then she’d shrug. “Strange things are common around here, considering the change in the dragonborns appearance.” Joy would remind, taking a swig from a jug. “As for the shifters specifically… They’re pretty new.” She’d admit. “Could have been a little family. Awe…” She’d muse before adding without skipping a beat. “Lots of creatures have been displaced since the dragon.” 

“Yes, if you make it to and from the kings alive.” Joybell would quirk a brow from Facktoré‘s words. “They’re a little dramatic, Joy.” The young gnome would grin. “The Kings’ are right down the hall.” She’d gesture with her thumb over her shoulder. 

Joybell would jiggle her jug at Kaemgen and wink. “Don’t let the walls close in on you!” She’d chuckle. “Off you go then!”

     Kaemgen snatched the jug from Joybell and winks at her, before taking a gulp.  He pauses, raises his eyebrows and his eye open wide.  "Niiiiiiice...  Truly a shame they destroyed your stocks!"  He pauses, thinking about keeping the jug, but then hands it back to Joybell with a wink.

     "Alright then, we're off to see the kings?  Though from what Joybell here just said, sounds as if it's for naught.  We came to warn of the Dragon and it seems they already know..."

Auric:

“Our purpose also includes procuring an item of power potent enough to increase our efficacy against the dragon once we engage in the final confrontation,” reminds Auric to Kaemgen.

Mr.Dark asks Facktore, "Is there a particular source of this....random magic...around or has it always been present in this cave system?" 

Kaemgen dares to swipe from an old lady, and expects it so easily.

Swiper no Swiping
(Fast enough? Check it!)

Roll Call: Kaemgen
Sleight of Hand Check: DC10 to successfully take the jug from Joybell.

On a fail: Joybell smacks Kaemgen’s hand and bops him on the head with the jug, shaming him for lack of manners.
On a success: He manages to take the jug from Joybell, but not without the stink eye. She’d be impressed on a Nat 20. He gets to enjoy a his swig, but needs to make a Con ST DC12 or become *Buzzed. If he gets a Nat 1, he’s *Drunk.

*Joybells Shroomshine Conditions

Buzzed – Take Disadvantage on all Dexterity based checks and saving throws. Gain Advantage on all Strength based checks and saving throws.
Drunk – Gain the inebriated condition. An inebriated creature has disadvantage on all attack rolls and ability checks, but believes they have advantage.

”Um excuse me? You’re still expected to report to the King what you saw and what you did to our storage room.” Facktoré would give Kaemgen an unimpressed look at his attempt to skip that over. Then she’d just roll her eyes.

At Mr. Dark’s question Joybell would cut in to rhyme off words as if from a text, “The founders of Gnomengarde imbued the islands in the pool beneath the waterfall with potent magics that caused unique colorful and large mushrooms to grow here, which serve as the backbone to the settlement's livelihood. Perhaps unintentionally, these magics also created a wild magic zone around the caves.”

Bottle Swiping Roll: 18

He gets a swig!  (And he's not known any hard liquor drinker who would begrudge another at least a taste!)

Fuzziness check from the alcyhall: 25

...

     "Mmmmmm, now I feel even worse about the destruction of your stores," Kaemgen says with a wink to Joybell as he passes her back the bottle.

     "But no, no, no...  I would not think of skipping out without seeing the kings!  Someone beating us to the message or not, we are in their realm and sent by the Mayor, decorum dictates we at least pay a visit and show the proper respects..." Kaemgen explained.  "And you are correct, Factore', we must explain the dreadful loss of Joybell's stash and beseech them that she be given even more space and necessities in order to replace and replenish what was lost battling those foul changers!"

“That’s the spirit!” Joybell would wink before nudging Facktoré, proud of her pun, and feeding off of Kaemgen’s burst of enthusiasm over her craft. 

Facktoré would roll her eyes. She’d deadpan. “Alright, alright.” She’d put her hands up before making a dramatic gesture towards the hallway. “Let’s go alreadayyyyyy.” The young gnome would emphasize. 

And if no one moves to take the lead, Joybell would cluck her tongue then tap a hand against her thigh. Both wolves would perk and trot over to the old gnome. Then she’d snap and point down the hall. The twins would kick off, ripping down the hallway as if racing each other, peeling and drifting around the corner out of view. Joy would giggle, completely tickled. With another swig of her jug, she’d skip off down the hall after them. 

Facktoré would pop her brow and look expectantly at someone else to follow her next.

     Kaemgen is more than happy to take the lead, but finds the wolves doing so before he can...

     "Hey, you two!  Haven't you gotten into enough trouble already?" he would growl after them, even while grabbing up his gear and taking after them in a job.  "Do you to even know where you're going?  Hey!  Hey!  Wait up, now!"

Auric:

Visibly relieved to be back in his normal form and hue, Auric moves along towards the kings’ chamber, curious as to how this will play out.

Mr.Dark picks up his backpack and slides into position at the back of the party. He's unusually quiet, his eyes open and alert as they walk. 

Kaemgen chases down the hall after the pair of wolves, passing Joybell on his way by. A happy Auric follows next along with the others. A silent Dark tails like a shadow. 

Expecting a longer hallway around the corner, the twins collide into a pair of ornate wooden double doors. They burst open revealing a large Throne Room(G14) which the puppy pair tumble forward into, coming to a stop in the middle of the area with Castor forward on his feet and Pollux upside down and backwards. Situated at the back is a stone dais that hold two squat thrones made of scrap metal and of small size. Two well dressed gnomes each with their own unique crown occupy the seats.

The Kingly gnomes blink almost in unison before exchanging a look of surprise before returning their eyes to the scene that literally just unfolded before them.

Facktoré would clear her throat, giving Kaemgen a little kick in the ankle.

     Kaemgen skids to a halt and just manages not going nuts over crown himself, all but tripping over the wolves.  Straightening himself to his full height, looking around the room while turning slowly, and finally orienting himself upon the thrones, Kaemgen finally gains his composure.  Just as he starts to bow towards the kings he instead lets out a little yelp!  

     "Hey!" He calls out, turning to look at Facktoré.  "What fore you kicking me in the ankle you pint sized....."  Oh yeah, he thinks suddenly.  Oh yeah...

     Clearing his throat once more, Kaemgen finally gives a proper bow...  Though with a sideways glare towards Facktoré as he did.

     "Your majesties, please pardon our clumsy, uncouth and all around inexcusable entrance.  It has been quite the day and your subjects..." Kaemgen sidewise glances at the your mechanic once more.  "Your subjects have been doing their best to guide us, but we are unfortunately sometimes quite unmanageable."  At this last Kaemgen leans forward and grabs both wolves and tries to pull them back into some semblance of a line with himself, to properly present themselves.  

     "I assure you both, a much more presentable and well spoken member of my party will be here momentarily and if you'll just bear with us a moment...." Kaemgen says, looking back towards the ornate wooden doors hoping to see Auric coming to the rescue.......

Auric:

As if on cue, Auric strides confidently into the room.  Nodding at Kaemgen, he bows low and says, “Greetings and felicitations, thy majesties, my companions and I are simple travelers from Phandalin, here on behalf of the illustrious Townmaster Harbin.”

”I am given to understand thee hadst trouble with a trio of shapeshifters—a grandfather clock and two casks,” he continues, emphasizing the past tense of the threat.

Persuasion:  6