@Velshir The exterior of the book bears markings similar to the tattoos you observed on his skin, is leather bound and possibly water-resistant. Opening the book reveals detailed entries of at least 17 different spells you believe based on formatting. You cannot determine level or type of spell however. He may have been confident that his book was well hidden as nothing untoward occurred as you opened it, and it seems several of the others still didn't see the pocket until you withdrew the book out of it. You may credit your passive perception for this.
@all - Thank you Gruba, yes please, put your coinage in any denomination you prefer. I'm not counting encumbrance for coins and you are near enough to a town that it may be adjusted when you return fairly easily with a large merchant and mining operation in the area.
Velshir will show the book to the others and see if the spellcasters in the group are interested. If any of them feel it is useful to them, he will easily hand it over without a second thought. Otherwise he would not mind holding on to it for now to see if it is valuable to someone (more on an intellectual level rather than monetary) or could otherwise offer clues as to the Red Wizard's intentions here.
"It's of no interest to me thank you Velshir, my...power isn't learned"says Prentiss, eyeing the book warily. "It may be best trusted to authorities at Phandalin, or even Neverwinter"
When the group are ready to move on he suggests Thundertree as the next destination. "I have no need to return to town yet unless anyone else has a particular need to do so? From Thundertree we can take Cragmaw Castle and then back to Phandalin"
Sheyla is very quiet during the aftermath of the battle. She is pointedly not looking at Karst’s remains or the tower where the grisly work was done. When Velshir shows the book to the group, she snaps out of some reverie and asks to see it. As Velshir hands it to her, she reaches out her hands to take it but her hands begin to tremble and she withdraws them at the last moment, leaving Velshir holding the book out awkwardly.
“Sorry,” she says quietly. “Please give it to me in a sack.”
Velshir finds an old burlap sack at the bottom of his pack, now devoid of the rations it used to hold, and puts the book in it. Then Sheyla takes the sack. She straightens her back and looks almost defiantly at her group.
“I’ve made a decision. This book should not be ignored. It contains evil knowledge that cannot be tolerated. I must take the book to Neverwinter and there have it analyzed. My intention is to trace the origins of this evil, eradicate it if I can. I shall also consult my druid circle in this matter.”
Loren, as with the rest of the party, is saddened by her departure. While they had not necessarily been friendly towards one another - not having much in common to talk about will do that - she had always been kind, and they did share an appreciation for fastidiousness as a common virtue. Loren wishes her well, but soon turns his mind to other things.
"I think we can last long enough for that further trip, though it is beyond what we had originally planned. Taking Cragmaw... I would think that might take a bit more preparation. Maybe we can scout it out first, and get a sense of what we will be going in to before diving right in? There could be, I don't know, scarier things than undead and orcs in there."
"May the celestials guide you, friend" Prentiss says to Sheyla. In their short time together they have battled a variety of deadly enemies and come through intact every time. The druid was clearly skilled both as a fighter and a healer, tough enough for any challenge despite her privilege.
Knowing that an embrace would be awkward, he gives the salute of his hometown - clenching his right hand into a fist and holding it to his heart.
Prentiss agrees to Loren's proposal "So do the easy favour in Thundertree, scout Cragmaw on the way back to Phandalin and prep there to take the castle"
The day presses on as you search and decide your next steps. You hear a light flapping outside the tent and peer out. An eagle perches on the top of the ruined tower briefly surveying you, then flaps away catching the wind and soaring off into the trees. Despite the horrific smell, it seems peaceful now.
Velshir takes the eagle as a favorable omen, and Sheyla is much cheered by its appearance.
After some formal parting words to each member of the party, Sheyla makes a dramatic exit by shape shifting into an elk and then rearing up on her hind legs, pawing the air at the party as a sort of final tribute or goodbye. Then she is galloping off, shunning the road in favor of the wilderness. In a flash, she is gone.
Prentiss lets out a sigh - half satisfied, half resigned. He picks up his kit and heads out, starting the next leg of the party's journey. They had agreed to head to Thundertree, as a four or a five, and people were relying on them.
Joshua has been quiet and a seems a bit visible saddened by Sheyla's absence. He will travel second in line, casting Light on a a decent sized branch he picked up along the road.
Loren will walk abreast with Velshir, serving as a watchful guide. Perhaps in his romping evenings back in Phandalin, he spoke with some of the hunters and children in the area, and learned about the landmarks? In any case, he's in position to make a survival check if needed.
Marching order Velshir/Loren, Joshua, Prentiss. Please let me know your travel preference (Green/Blue) (Reminder of scale - one hex =5 miles, typical travel 24 miles/day.)
As he walks along, Loren recalls one child telling him of Thundertree. "Once upon a time, Thundertree was a prosperous town just on the edge of the forest with all the people chopping wood and trapping animals to sell. They made lots of gold and silver but about the time my pa was born a terrible explosion was heard and ash rained down from the sky even all the way to here. Thundertree was so close, it was devastated by the blast and the town is no longer. But the ruins are there, and some of the people had been so happy there, they didn't want to leave and wander around still." Then another silly one, about a pretty giant owl and a bear that fell in love and had odd bear cubs with Owl faces, the little girl that told this story said that she'd seen one in the forest north of the trail and just ran because they aren't pretty anymore.
Loren shares this tale with the others - a useful way to pass the time, if not a tactically thorough report. (Blue preference - cuts off a few miles of wood and skirts further from Conyberry and the banshee there who probably doesn't want to see us again unless we have more gifts.)
"Thundertree does sound like it's home to more pain than many places" says Prentiss, listening to Loren's story intently. "If we can bring someone a modicum of solace from the ruins then that's something I guess"
The day is remarkably peaceful as you travel back towards Triboar Trail along the rough path through the hills. A couple of fat rabbits chase each other across your path ahead, and deer darts away as you approach. As evening grows closer you realize that the end of the day will bring you to the main trail and you consider where to set up camp.
@Velshir The exterior of the book bears markings similar to the tattoos you observed on his skin, is leather bound and possibly water-resistant. Opening the book reveals detailed entries of at least 17 different spells you believe based on formatting. You cannot determine level or type of spell however. He may have been confident that his book was well hidden as nothing untoward occurred as you opened it, and it seems several of the others still didn't see the pocket until you withdrew the book out of it. You may credit your passive perception for this.
@all - Thank you Gruba, yes please, put your coinage in any denomination you prefer. I'm not counting encumbrance for coins and you are near enough to a town that it may be adjusted when you return fairly easily with a large merchant and mining operation in the area.
Velshir will show the book to the others and see if the spellcasters in the group are interested. If any of them feel it is useful to them, he will easily hand it over without a second thought. Otherwise he would not mind holding on to it for now to see if it is valuable to someone (more on an intellectual level rather than monetary) or could otherwise offer clues as to the Red Wizard's intentions here.
"It's of no interest to me thank you Velshir, my...power isn't learned" says Prentiss, eyeing the book warily. "It may be best trusted to authorities at Phandalin, or even Neverwinter"
When the group are ready to move on he suggests Thundertree as the next destination. "I have no need to return to town yet unless anyone else has a particular need to do so? From Thundertree we can take Cragmaw Castle and then back to Phandalin"
Sheyla is very quiet during the aftermath of the battle. She is pointedly not looking at Karst’s remains or the tower where the grisly work was done. When Velshir shows the book to the group, she snaps out of some reverie and asks to see it. As Velshir hands it to her, she reaches out her hands to take it but her hands begin to tremble and she withdraws them at the last moment, leaving Velshir holding the book out awkwardly.
“Sorry,” she says quietly. “Please give it to me in a sack.”
Velshir finds an old burlap sack at the bottom of his pack, now devoid of the rations it used to hold, and puts the book in it. Then Sheyla takes the sack. She straightens her back and looks almost defiantly at her group.
“I’ve made a decision. This book should not be ignored. It contains evil knowledge that cannot be tolerated. I must take the book to Neverwinter and there have it analyzed. My intention is to trace the origins of this evil, eradicate it if I can. I shall also consult my druid circle in this matter.”
Loren, as with the rest of the party, is saddened by her departure. While they had not necessarily been friendly towards one another - not having much in common to talk about will do that - she had always been kind, and they did share an appreciation for fastidiousness as a common virtue. Loren wishes her well, but soon turns his mind to other things.
"I think we can last long enough for that further trip, though it is beyond what we had originally planned. Taking Cragmaw... I would think that might take a bit more preparation. Maybe we can scout it out first, and get a sense of what we will be going in to before diving right in? There could be, I don't know, scarier things than undead and orcs in there."
"May the celestials guide you, friend" Prentiss says to Sheyla. In their short time together they have battled a variety of deadly enemies and come through intact every time. The druid was clearly skilled both as a fighter and a healer, tough enough for any challenge despite her privilege.
Knowing that an embrace would be awkward, he gives the salute of his hometown - clenching his right hand into a fist and holding it to his heart.
Prentiss agrees to Loren's proposal "So do the easy favour in Thundertree, scout Cragmaw on the way back to Phandalin and prep there to take the castle"
The day presses on as you search and decide your next steps. You hear a light flapping outside the tent and peer out. An eagle perches on the top of the ruined tower briefly surveying you, then flaps away catching the wind and soaring off into the trees. Despite the horrific smell, it seems peaceful now.
Velshir takes the eagle as a favorable omen, and Sheyla is much cheered by its appearance.
After some formal parting words to each member of the party, Sheyla makes a dramatic exit by shape shifting into an elk and then rearing up on her hind legs, pawing the air at the party as a sort of final tribute or goodbye. Then she is galloping off, shunning the road in favor of the wilderness. In a flash, she is gone.
Prentiss lets out a sigh - half satisfied, half resigned. He picks up his kit and heads out, starting the next leg of the party's journey. They had agreed to head to Thundertree, as a four or a five, and people were relying on them.
You all head back out onto the path that leads to the Triboar trails and then on to the forest and through. What is marching order?Joshua has been quiet and a seems a bit visible saddened by Sheyla's absence. He will travel second in line, casting Light on a a decent sized branch he picked up along the road.
Velshir first
Prentiss third, reading from his book of poems.
Loren will walk abreast with Velshir, serving as a watchful guide. Perhaps in his romping evenings back in Phandalin, he spoke with some of the hunters and children in the area, and learned about the landmarks? In any case, he's in position to make a survival check if needed.
Marching order Velshir/Loren, Joshua, Prentiss. Please let me know your travel preference (Green/Blue) (Reminder of scale - one hex =5 miles, typical travel 24 miles/day.)
As he walks along, Loren recalls one child telling him of Thundertree. "Once upon a time, Thundertree was a prosperous town just on the edge of the forest with all the people chopping wood and trapping animals to sell. They made lots of gold and silver but about the time my pa was born a terrible explosion was heard and ash rained down from the sky even all the way to here. Thundertree was so close, it was devastated by the blast and the town is no longer. But the ruins are there, and some of the people had been so happy there, they didn't want to leave and wander around still." Then another silly one, about a pretty giant owl and a bear that fell in love and had odd bear cubs with Owl faces, the little girl that told this story said that she'd seen one in the forest north of the trail and just ran because they aren't pretty anymore.
Loren shares this tale with the others - a useful way to pass the time, if not a tactically thorough report. (Blue preference - cuts off a few miles of wood and skirts further from Conyberry and the banshee there who probably doesn't want to see us again unless we have more gifts.)
(Happy with the blue route)
"Thundertree does sound like it's home to more pain than many places" says Prentiss, listening to Loren's story intently. "If we can bring someone a modicum of solace from the ruins then that's something I guess"
The day is remarkably peaceful as you travel back towards Triboar Trail along the rough path through the hills. A couple of fat rabbits chase each other across your path ahead, and deer darts away as you approach. As evening grows closer you realize that the end of the day will bring you to the main trail and you consider where to set up camp.
Velshir suggests camping a bit shy of the main trail, perhaps half-mile shy. Less likely to be disturbed that way, perhaps.
Sounds like a good plan, Prentiss agrees with the camp site Velshir suggests.