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Post by Aileen on Apr 5, 2020 12:52:45 GMT -5
As I regain my bearings, shaken from being battered and nearly drowned by a giant tentacle, the sound of combat comes from further up ahead. I bestow darkvision to the whole crew (at least those that don't have it), and we move up towards the fighting.
We come into a chamber with two giant, flying octopuses... octopeese? Octopi? They're antagonizing what looks like a little baby dragon trapped under some rubble. We rush in, and immediately Sleep ends up with an octopus on her head. Drexler moves into the room and also gets his own living hat. The others seem to have Sleep's under control and I don't want anything happening to Drexler's handsome face, so I run to his aid. I whack at it with my hammer over and over as he escapes it, and with Layton's assistance I finally kill it.
Satisfied Whip Boy is alive, I run to the dragon's aid. I cast light on the rubble, and can see it's a baby brass dragon. He looks up at us coughing, begging for help, and a few of us lift the rocks off of him. I can tell he is pretty badly injured.
"Hold still, little guy." I tell him, and cast a spell of healing. Some of his wounds close but he still looks pretty beat up.
"Did you just do magic?"
"Yes. I'm a healer."
"Do you know anything about dragons?" He asks me.
"You're one." I say with a shrug.
He says his name is Basheeba, Bahabah or something, and he claims he is awesome.
"He's kind of a big deal, you guys." I announce to the group.
The little baby dragon tells us that his mom and siblings were attacked by a green dragon and that he escaped, coming here to Waterdeep for safety. That brought him down here, but the rocks fell on him, probably during the earthquake. He also saw a female soldier walk down a tunnel, and he stayed quiet so as not to be harmed by her.
Little guy quickly becomes enamored with Penelope. I mean, who of us isn't? We love her already and we've only known her a day. All of us want the wyrmling to come with us, but he is apprehensive. He is a baby, afterall.
"There is treasure and shiny things in it for you if you come with us." I tell him.
His little eyes light up slightly, but he is still unconvinced. Dungeons are scary places for little creatures.
"How about this. You join us, and we will help you get vengeance on the green dragon that attacked your family."
That and Penny's praising him convince him to come with us, only if we keep him safe.
"This place isn't too dangerous," I tell him. "I've only been unconscious four times today!"
"Do you specialize in narco-mancy?" He asks.
We take a rest in the cavern while the wyrmling keeps watch. He thinks he is a big strong dragon, despite the fact he needed us to save him. He doesn't even thank me for using the last of my good healing spells on him!
Slightly refreshed, although I'm still feeling very beat up, we move on down the corridor that Baby Dragy saw the soldier lady go. I light up Drexler's whip for him and the others to see. Soon we find a chamber with some weird statue of a maul above an alter. A body lies there, looks like a dwarf.
We head in and find a muscular female Waterdeep Guard standing to the side with her eyes closed. Looks like she fell asleep standing up. As we approach the dead dwarf, the Sergeant draws her weapon. I know her type, I was in the Neverwinter Guard for five years and two years ago got to go to war at the Well of Dragons with some Waterdhavians. A Guard would never attack common adventurers unprovoked!
"We're here to help you!" Kerata announces. "We were sent by the city!"
The Sergeant says nothing. This is one of the guards we are looking for, Sergeant Teeshe.
"We're here, everything's cool!" Shouts Sleep.
I follow closely behind Drexler heading for Sgt. Teeshe. He holds his hands up in a sign of peace.
"Are you okay, ma'am?" He asks.
She lunges forward, attacking him with her mace. Okay, so that's how we're playing. I may not be out of Waterdeep but I still outrank her.
"Stand down, Sargeant!" I order her. She looks at me, and I can tell she is not in control of her mental faculties.
I see the large maul start moving out of the corner of my eye, and it comes right down on Arkenfeld's head. He drops like a bag of sand. Looks like my help is needed, but I need to deal with this lady first.
"She's, not in control of herself!" I announce. "She didn't respect my authority!"
"Nobody does!" Growls Drexler.
I want to keep fighting this lady, but I can see our own dwarf is in a bad way. Sleep calls out, a wicked smile on her face.
"Hey Sergeant Confused- what's the spell for divorce? Remove curse!"
Teeshe falls to the ground laughing uncontrollably. Drexler uses the distraction to dash over to the others fighting the wall maul. Layton is getting hit by it now, but soon destroys it. I move away from the Sergeant just as she stops laughing, and she swings her mace at me barely missing me. I make it to Arkenfeld and cast spare the dying before going back to fight Teeshe, whacking her just as she stands up. Kerata blasts her off her feet and then Sleep hits her with a spell. I go to heal her but she is beyond my help.
I wake up Arkenfeld as the others are messing around with some pieces of metal. It starts reforming into an object right before our eyes. Gorko comes in and starts eating the dead dwarf, which was his friend he came in with. Drexler announces that it seems a powerful magical pulse centered right here was what caused the earthquake. It potentially had to do with this very object.
"Miss Cleric, can you smash it?" Layton asks.
"Oh, so now I'm wanted?"
They only notice my presence when someone needs healing or brute strength is wanted. I'm a big strong girl afterall. Just as I go to smash it, Layton has a change of heart and tells me not to. What the hells? So, I slam my hammer down on it. Nothing happens. I hit it again to the same result. Drexler picks it up and puts it in his pack- whatever it is is beyond us.
We start leaving, Layton dragging the dwarf behind him as Drexler carries Teeshe's body. Everything seems great until we get to the spider cavern. I'm in the lead, ready to get out of here, when the giant spider drops down next to me.
"Ahh!" I scream. Its webs shoot out, covering me and pinning me to the floor.
"Well, if no one's going to do anything I'm going to nibble on this dwarf a little." Announces Gorko.
The spider jumps on top of me and bites me right in the shoulder. I can feel poison injecting in, but the pool I dunked myself in earlier seems to be helping me not die. I try to escape, but I can't until Layton tears the webbing open.
"Thank you!" I gasp, getting to my feet.
Drexler stabs it right in the thorax, Arkenfeld does some crazy dwarf alchemy, and it retaliates by attacking me.
The next thing I know I'm waking up to Layton helping me up. That makes five times today I've gone unconscious. This is absolutely not a good track record for a cleric.
"Thanks, Layton." I pat him on the back, and stagger onward. The spider corpse lays smoking on the ground, and I give it a kick for good measure.
We take a rest, and then leave, dragging the bodies with us. The elf guard captain is the only one left at the top, and greets us in her typical annoyed manner.
"Sergeant Teeshe didn't make it out?" She says.
"Well, technically she did make it out," I say. "But she's dead."
"We here in the Guard call that not making it out."
She is all business as she presents paperwork. Apparently we need to sign the affidavit from Aquisitions Inc, signing away everything we found in the dungeon and preventing any lawsuits for damages sustained by us. I sign my name The Other One, and Drexler puts down his fake name as well. If they think we are another group, we need to act as them. Right?
Some of the others sign their own names, and the guard catches onto it. She's pissed! They're made to sign the other names, for legal purposes, and then there is a whole mess of explaining that we are incognito and using fake names blah, blah, blah. Luckily she let's us off, and we head back to Headquarters to collect our pay.
"I need a drink. We're going to the bar tonight to celebrate!" Announces Drexler.
"Yeah, I love... beer and stuff." I say. Really I hate it, but I want to look cool for these people.
"I could go for some tea." Layton says.
"Tea? Really?" Drexler scoffs.
"I mean, it's in the name," I add. "Yuan-ti."
Layton stiffens. He doesn't realize we all know what he is, although he seems to be still pretending to be a normal human.
"Huh?" Drexler looks confused.
"You-want-tea. Yuan-ti."
Layton scowls as the rest of us laugh. This is going to be a fun night after we get paid. I just hope we don't get jumped.
~ Alastrine K.
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Post by Stephen on Apr 5, 2020 16:54:28 GMT -5
I retch again as I try to clean myself up from the poo tentacle. Alls well the ends well I guess.
The others are really great! Full of life and spirit despite the perils of this cavern. Moving on we hear fighting up ahead. One of Alastrine’s powers grants us the ability to see in the dark. She does that and just like before I can see everything. It trying is amazing.
Two weird floating octopus things are attacking something. I move off on my own as the others hit one from range. Predictably, the second one floats my way. I shiver and brace thinking a tentacle attack is coming but instead the octopus moves quick and covers my head!
I panic! I can’t breathe. It’s slimy. It stinks. I can’t hear anything. I feel something slam it and I nearly loose me balance and fall. Now it’s tentacles whip me. I pry it off me. Panting for air and wiping me eyes clear of goo I try and draw my rapier. Blade halfway out the octopus lunges for my head again and hits me hard. Nearly a minute goes by this time. Panic raising for I cannot get it off my head this time. I feel the others trying to hit it. Finally I feel it go limp and it slides off my head and onto the floor with a sickening wet slurp sound.
Alastrine and the others find a baby brass dragon named Basheeba. His family got killed by a green dragon and he fled here. Gorko comes stumbling in and scares the dragon. I offer Gorko the octopi. He eats well.
We free the dragon from the debris that trapped him. Alastrine healed him and Penny pretty much won the dragon over. Who doesn’t like the cheery halfling? I can’t help but to smile when I glance over at her. I have a feeling that anyone messing with Penny well have a small brass dragon to contend with.
After resting we move on. This room we see a dead dwarf in the center and Sergeant Teeshe in the corner. It’s clear something ain’t right. Gears and cogs litter the floor. Approaching and calling out to Teeshe she doesn’t respond at first. She snarls and attacks! Alastrine and I go in! We make a good pair.
I hear the sound of metal on metal and a slam. The well opened up and a mechanical maul on a long arm is moving about smashing the others. Basheeba unfurled his wings protecting Penny. I see her under a wing holding her cross bow. They both look adorably fierce. Sleep cast a spell and Teeshe drops laughing uncontrollably. I dash to the maul and strike it’s gears with my rapier hoping to damage it. The maul swings around toward me. I roll out of the way and feel the ground shake as it slams down where I just was.
Might and magic finally take its toll and the maul drops. We turn our attention to the Sergeant. She clearly is out of her mind. Trying not to kill her I pull my strikes but Sleep is stronger then she looks and literally melts her brain with a spell she calls Mind Sliver. I try to imagine what it feels like and almost piss myself.
Layton finds something in a pile of gears and cogs. Pieces of metal begin to draw themselves together to form a pyramid. Layton panics at first and then wants Alastrine to destroy it. I call Layton out, since he has a magic sword and all. Alastrine is pissed but tries to break it with her hammer. She cannot. Getting upset I take the item and stow it into my pack pack.
Gorko begins to eat the dwarf, goblins.
We make our way out of the cavern but get jumped by that giant spider from before. Poor Alastrine...it webbed and knocked her out. We kill it, wake the green cleric up and move on.
Just the elf captain waiting outside the warehouse for us. She is not happy and all business. Layton thinks we don’t know he is not a snake guy. Come on it’s all in the eyes guy! And the teeth. Anyway we get asked questions and are forced to sign paperwork using the fake names.
Hope all this turns out ok, I just want to try and run a franchise and make money!
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Post by kylacreepslayer on Apr 5, 2020 18:57:27 GMT -5
PRAISE BE TO THE LIGHT THEREIN OUR MOST MAGNIFICENT FATHER INCREASE SUGARBAKER! HOW YOU GRANT ME THE HONOR AND PRIVILEGE AND DELIGHT TO ACQUAINTANCE MYSELF WITH A FULL BLOODED DRAGON. OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS AND STEADFASTNESS BREAKS THE CHAINS OF DARKNESS AND DISHEVELRY. A real-life, breathing, flying, and incredibly charming dragon. It has been shown - PROVEN - that the Light is within me and REAPS the BLESSINGS siphoned from our Father Sugarbaker. While they may not be physically with me, it is OBVIOUS that the undeniable power of our faith has lead me to find this dragon. How else can you explain its presence in all places? Dragons are not subterranean creatures like Halflings and the Horned Ones. He raised his powerful wings to protect me from the ills that we discovered in this tunnel - naturally, the dragon knew to withstand the evils in darkness nearest myself, given that the Light will shield us both. Was I not nearly drowned in filth before meeting the dragon? After acquiring this companion, no harm came to me. I should do something special for the dragon. Balhama? Bahama? Basheebee? I should confirm his title before I develop a sweet serenade for this delightful wormling.
I am forever grateful, dedicated, indebted to our Father Increase Sugarbaker, if only I had a glimse into some form of explanation of their whereaboutness. The dragon's presence must be a sign that I am on the right path. These comrades that I have found myself with are obviously a part of my journey. Whether that journey brings me to my family or some kind of explanation of their celestialation, I do not know. What I do know is that these folks are my family at this point. I continue to appear as a petite Halfling - maybe we did not always get our fill and resorted to rodent cuisine. But we instead ensured our spiritual bellies were full, and it has EVIDENTALLY paid off. This collection of miscretions need the faith-full power of the word of Father Increase, and I clearly have a destiny connected to these individuals.
We at some point found other individuals in this cavern, who appeared to be in no right mind to grant us an explanation of the events that transpired. We found some rather bulky, unattractive objects from a pile of refuse, and proceeded to vacate. Oh we did defeat that big spider eventually, and then we found that crotchety elf again. My silly self was so preoccupied with delight and comfort from the dragon's presence that I signed my Pelorian name. What folly, I seemed to misremember the previous name we gave this individual in order to progress into the crevace. With some persuadingness, they eventually abandoned their inquiry. Praise be again to the power of the Light! What a gift it is to know the power of Father Increase Sugarbaker. Back to that big, fancy building, I guess.
Light be With You, <3 Penelope Beauregard Honeycutt, dedicated patron to our Father Increase Sugarbaker
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Post by dragonforgotten on Apr 6, 2020 1:29:44 GMT -5
Brave and fearless we are Abby blesses the fumbling blind to see in the dark once Drexler stops expelling his stomach contents into the cess pool of suffering. Carrying along we stumble upon a pair of flying celphlapodes attacking a young wyrmling pinned under a collapse structure. The moment we step into the threshold they immediately charge our merry band, made not so marry when one wraps itself around Drexler's and Sleeps head. With the efforts of everyone we cut them down to size and Abbys heals the young dragon. Penny showers him with worship and praises and the wyrmling immediately has her wrapped around his talons. Oh course dragons would give into their base desires. That’s why we serpents are superior. We are not moved by honeyed words. I ask where the officers have run off to and he helpfully points is in the right direction. A dragon could be a nice edge in battle so we kindly offer his service to our noble cause. He agrees if hesitantly in the desire to escape these tunnels and seek revenge for his dead mother. Why would a dragon wish to seek revenge for a mother? All mammal seem to have a bond for their mothers, I did not take dragons to share that bond. It seems like such a trivial thing to seek revenge for. I do not understand the hassle. Everyone is a little worn out form the fight so we retire and catch our breath while the little dragon and halfling keep watch. Abby seems rather off put by the dragons blatant dismissive of her healing. Tis a thankless job after all. I sit down besides her and hang my arm over her. “I can’t believe him. Not even a thank you.” She grumbles. “Chin up my dear. You’ll prove you'r worth yet.” She shivers and pulls my arm off her. “Umm, thanks... Layton.” “Tis no trouble.” Can’t have the cleric in bad humors after all. I feel Drexler glare burn through me. I do not understand his petty annoyance with me. And I thought we were becoming such good friends. After all we are a powerful force when we are working as a cohesive whole. I’m starting to understand why my pro-generators abandoned their humanity and their emotions. So much is not properly done when weighed by emotions. Why my lady keep assuming that I am in need of them I’ll never understand. We carry on back the tunnel deeper and find our missing persons, at least one of them. Theirs a dead fello in the middle of the room. A Dwarf. There all comfy cozy in this little alter room, some mechanical nonsense in the corner. I go to the dead dwarf while the rest of my chaps continue to talk sense into the woman guard. She seems to be out of her mind. Caves can have that effect on the human mind. Small rooms breaks it like glass windows. I can’t make hide or hair of how this dwarf dies when our alchemist dwarf steps around me. His mere presences awakens the mechanical maul and effiencently pummels him into submission before swerving back to its place behind the alter. Altercations have gone sour on Drexlar and Abbys side of the mess. I should disable this contraption. It is a deadly nuisance that I will not permit to harm my comrades. I march towards it and cut it through with my blade. It clanks and whirls and does one back to me as I hiss. A blast slams into the maul and I tilt my head to see Drexlar at my back as he whips it. “My friend. It appears I may fall with this next strike so I am going to focus my holy power in one finial strike. Brace yourself.” I grasp the hilt of my sword and it begins glow with a biting energy. I reel back and bring my might down upon the maul. It shatters to bits as the whirls and clanks silence. I chuckle. “Well, look like I still live for one more day.” He doesn’t pay my banter much mind. He turns back to the crazies guard as everyone hacks away. The warlock slams a savage blast into her sternum as I watch her wheeze and struggle for air. “May I recommend not using our ranged offense. You may kill her.” I speak too late. Sleep puts too much ‘umph’ into her spell attack and our target expires. This is not satisfactory. I do not like dealing with bodies. Everyone examines the alter as I pick through the pile of gears and sprockets. I start coming upon pieces and I’m reminded of the puzzle boxes in my office back in my ladies apartments. I begin fitting the pieces back together till it begins to take shape. I’m very satisfied with myself till the prices start putting themselves together as arcane energy flows from its heart. “This room. It looks like an explosion went off here. Something magical in nature.” Announces Drexlar as I look back to my find. Oh dear. “I believe I may have started something.” All attention is drawn to me as everyone begins to hover around me. I don’t know what to do. Destory it? Turn it off? Sadly to only ones who knew about it just took the secret to their coffins. I haven’t even asked if Abby should do the honors. Speaking of. “Would you care to do the honors?” I ask her as Drexlar prickles. “Why don’t you do it Mr Paladin.” “Oh good sir, I most certainly will. I simply was offering a token of respect to dear Abby.” “Fine! Stand back!” It then dawned on me that the very thing We suspect could trigger the moment it is attacked. I lay hands on myself. “Oh second thought dear Alastrine, wait-“ too late. Her hammer strikes the object. Thankfully it does not splatter about our organs across the walls but her hammer bounces off. She tries the same with similar results. Drexlar then scoops the device off the ground and pockets it. “Do you not fear it shall explode?” I ask him. “If it explodes I’ll be in the back.” “You are aware that such force of that magnitude would require you to be about a few yards throw away in the back in order of minimal amount of damage to occur to us.” “Just get the dead dwarf, at least what remains of him.” He huffs an puffs picking up the names guard as I barter the dwarf from our various goblin companion, slinging a dead rotting dwarf over my nice green stained cloths. We tralump along when Abby is webbed by the same man eating spider that cowered away from our first assault upon it. It appears the beast has not learned. It delivers a nasty bit to our white cleric. Dropping the preverbal dead weight off my shoulder I march to the wriggling bundle as I watch her try to break free with no success. Grasping upon the sticky webbing I tear it open quite nicely and pull our injured cleric free. I don’t wait to receive gradituted. I rap my sword against my wooden and iron bond shield trying to draw its focus. Drexler flanks Abbys right as we both harasse the the aracnide. It pays us no heed because it simply bits the unfortunate cleric again and she falls twitching on the ground. Through combine might if everyone we remove the pest and I take a knee to Abbys side laying the last of my hands upon her person. She coughs and gasps as I help her sit up. “Apologies that j can not give more. I had believed a explosion was to go off by now.” She stares as me long and hard. “I recommend apologizing to a spider god. They seem to have fancied you despite having two healthy young men drawing its attention.” I Stand as I lean against the wall for a breather I then hear from her. “Layton. Thank you.” I smile tilting a head and I have to withhold the impulse to flick my forked tongue. “Think nothing of it.” ———
We emerge back into the light with two corpses, a wyrmling and a goblin without a keeper. We’re stopped by the guard once more and I am throughly bothered to be stopped. Of course paper work must be done. It is a matter of importance’s after all. It is what binds laws and men together. I sigh my name, rather nicely but then I get an ear full about it. I’ve honestly forgotten the name I was suppose to be prading as now. I do not care honestly. I was assigned the name Layton, I was not assigned whatever that last name was. If I was to be assigned a new identity it should have been filed to be and explained before hand. No matter. Penny with her small charms and the fact she is riding a small brass dragon elevates her authority and the matter is settle. We do have to inform her if any treasures we have found and we go with the best of our knowledge. If they wanted to take them it’s not like we could do much to stop them with the state we are in. I don’t after all care too much by worldly possessions. We move along and theirs talk of drinks back at the tavern curtsey of Drexlar. “I need a drink. We're going to the bar tonight to celebrate!" "Yeah, I love... beer and stuff." say Abby with a hint of disgust and hesitation. I fix the cuffs of my sleeves trying to scratch at the green staining my skin. "I could go for a hot cup of tea. Maybe some bread with a hint of marmalade. It’s very nice during this time of day and I already have missed mid noon tea.” "Tea? Really?" Drexler scoffs. “Why of course. It’s always a delight.” "I mean, it's in the name. Yuan-ti." I can’t help the shifting of my scales. Foolish people. I flip the collar of my cloths with a hmph. “spouting such frivolous nonsense in good company Alastrine. How very improper of you.” I tell her. I have had ideas they have caught on. Of course it is hard to pass myself off with adventurers who most certainly have heard the stories and tales. My euthisasim for my fellow serpents must have given me away. Well if they had wanted to stone me they would have to try very very hard at this point. I have friends in high places. The empire sees all and knows all and I have a few favors I could collect on. "Huh?" Drexler looks confused, raising an eyebrow. She begins cackling to herself, once she gathers her baring she spells it out for him "You-want-tea. Yuan-ti." I allow a snicker for clever word play. I have not heard of this one before. I think I’ll share that with any pure ones next time I across them; while I consume their flesh of course. It’s a pity, they would not appreciate clever word play if it killed them. It took me many many years to learn the sophistication of a well timed joke. To learn how to laugh, cry, smile, the like as well. It is the reason I am out here. During this delightful talk we are interrupted by not so delightful company.
Layton von Sepra
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Post by Aileen on Apr 10, 2020 15:14:36 GMT -5
We leave the obnoxious guard after signing paperwork and head back to the Aquisitions Incorporated headquarters. Our poor baby dragon friend unfortunately could not come up out of the hole with us. Damn Waterdeep and their absolute zero-tolerance policy for dragons. Brass Dragons are not evil! Unfortunately we have absolutely no way of getting him past the dragon wards.
"I can get out the way I came in. Will you promise to visit me?" He asks. "I will miss you!"
We promise to meet him outside of the city, and reluctantly leave him behind. I'm completely out of healing and feeling awful as we pass through the dock ward, but I'm sure once we get to HQ and get paid I can get some rest. Unfortunately, we don't get very far. Passing down a street we are jumped by 15 or so thugs, led by one that states they've been waiting for us to come out of the hole. Smart move on their part, too bad we didn't find very much worthwhile down there.
If I get hit, I'm going to drop, so I stand amidst my crew and channel the power of selûne to create a dome of soothing twilight over all of my friends. I'm green and glowing, protecting them as best I can.
Penny and Drexler keep getting jumped, and eventually Penny drops. She does not look good! A ranger looking elf comes running in, and I half expect her to start shooting us but she fights against the thugs. I go to Penny and spare the dying on her, but unfortunately cannot do anything else for her save drag her out of the fray. I stand over her as a fog cloud surrounds us courtesy of Sleep. It's an absolute lifesaver.
Layton keeps telling the crew to protect me while I have the sanctuary up, which is extremely appreciated. The bad part of being a cleric is bad guys always want to kill you. I end up killing three of the thugs, and soon it is all over. The elf ranger introduces herself after Drexler wakes her up, and she apparently can keep changing colors. Very cool. I'm stuck green for the time being. I pick up Penny, and we head to headquarters with the body of the thug leader to interrogate later.
Upon entering Aquisitions Incorporated we are stopped by the secretary who does not allow us to bring bodies in. We have to convince him that they are our friend and a prisoner.
"Are you a franchise?"
"Yes, we are." I reply.
"What is the name of your franchise?"
"Ugggghhhhh...." I stare with a gaping mouth at the secretary, unsure what to say. We haven't gotten that far!
"And how many g's in that?" He writes something down.
"Seven."
"Right. Now why are you here?"
"We are here to see Omin Dran, we just completed a task for him and he owes us money."
The secretary laughs long and loud.
"Yeah, I'm sure."
We keep trying to butter the secretary up but he still doesn't want to let the bodies in.
"You look lovely today, ma'am." I snarl as nicely as possible.
"My name is Kevin!"
Finally we are led to the boardroom, and seated at a nice big table overlooked by a portrait of Omin Dran. I keep Penny on my lap, listening to her muttering in her sleep about the light.
"That Jim Darkmagic, though!" I whisper to Kerata. She grins. "And Omin Dran, he's the hottest. And I work with tons of clerics, he takes the cake!"
Our dear Drexler finally remembers he has a healing potion when I ask around about getting Penny healed, and we get her conscious just in time for Omin Dran to come bursting in with our gold. He recognizes the mistake in our identities, but gives us our earnings plus extra from his own pocket for our new friend.
We are asked to go to Phandalin to check in on a franchise that has apparently gone missing, and given a note authorizing us to travel on behalf of Aq Inc. He believes in us and wants us to appreciate the opportunity we've been given since we have skipped some steps in the hiring process. We are just that good.
I spend the week with the ranger and Arken going to visit our little dragon friend. Bahahbah or whatever his name is is so happy to see us, and appreciates all the doting and snuggles I offer him. I give him a message from his friend Penny, who stayed behind to serve the church of Pelor. She is such a good little halfling.
We get back to the city and regroup with the others, having a night in the tavern before we set out the next day. I don't drink but it's fun to watch my compatriots getting drunk and crazy. Drexler drunkenly asks Arkenfeld about setting him up with a bearded dwarven woman, and I immediately feel a weird sense of... anger? Jealousy? What in the hells! I jokingly tie my long hair under my chin and show Drexler my "beard" but he just laughs at me and gets back to Arkenfeld.
"Alright, I'm going up to the roof. The moon is lovely tonight and it's time to pray."
"You pray to the moon?" Kerata asks.
"Yes. I take off my clothes and bath in the moonlight. It is quite relaxing. Anyone is welcome to join."
"I want to see the moon!" Penny exclaims.
"You'll see more than one if you go up there!" Arkenfeld laughs. "Now, Drexler- I know a dwarf woman witha beard as fine as spider silk..."
I roll my eyes, taking deep calming breaths, and head up to the roof. The moon is waxing crescent tonight, heading into a new moon in just over a week. The day of my birth approaches, and we should be reaching Phandalin by then. I'll be twenty six, I'm getting old for someone just starting a new career.
Layton joins me on the rooftop for a relaxing evening, our last one before hitting the road. Who knows what we will run into on the way. I'm happy I have a new greatsword and friends, and I think this will be a wonderful adventure! We are now called Dragon Associates (Dragon Ass.) and we are ready to take on the franchise world!
~ Alastrine
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Post by kylacreepslayer on Apr 10, 2020 15:48:11 GMT -5
Light shine my way, for I pay very little mind to the going ons of this town. Nothing quite intrigues me like the comforting dankness and continual darkness like my home, in That Mountain Over Yonder. My new-found troop seems comfortable and familiar with the societal behaviors around me, and I do my best to pick up beneficial sayings and expectations. I am perpetually the oddball in this troop of talented individuals, but they seem to relish in my cultural habitations. They are consistently kind and considerate, and yet I think they see me as a novice, some ignorant creature! Just because I “have no knowledge of any basic cultural interactions” and “may be in a brainwashing cult” and “don’t seem to know who I’m actually worshipping”. All minor considerations! I know once they see the truth in the power of the Light, they may witness my truthinations!
And what do we experience next?! A collection of ruffians! See how the Light and the energy of our precious wyrmling perpetuated a shield of safety?! See how as soon as we left the dragon, I got shot by a crossbow and fell unconscious? By the Light of Father Increase, I could set my sundial to it. Luckily for me, my fellow faithful comrade kept particular care to keep me safe - I am indebted to her. Adavan? Albuteral? I should remember to clarify the pronounciation of her name. I clung to her leg like a scorpion on a stalagmite! When the party brought me to consciousness, it was a delight to see their faces.
I think that same stuffy man spoke to us about something involving travel and exploration. I am mildly hesitant to further my distance from That Mountain Over Yonder - I had suspected that my kindred would be somewhat close to our home, somewhere in this vicinity. And yet, I do believe I am mistaken. I wonder if we must travel onward, fulfilling some favor of that man again. I do suppose if I take some time with another domicile of worship, would I feel more relief. We did stumble upon a church of Pelor! And though their practices are a bit off and not quite accurate, it was a comforting environment to lay my head. How I miss our dragon friend, I do hope he is not cross with me.
And while I lie there, I heard the name of a powerful, celestial body demanding to speak to my... manager? Does she mean Pelor? What might, what sophistication. An intoxicating aroma of large orange gourds, a melody of autumnal spices, and a dark, caffeinated beverage. I heard a name whispered to me moments before I woke... Carol? Kansas? Karen! My eyes instantaneously open, to my dark bed chamber and silence. What a bizarre experience in a place of worship. I do wonder if the voice of Karen will again probe my subconscious - she will be met with a steadfast faith in the Light!
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Post by dragonforgotten on Apr 13, 2020 18:02:48 GMT -5
We’ve run into a wee snag. It appears the city itself will not let our young dragon exit above ground. How curious and bothersome. Sadly we have to part way, promising to meet again with many tears and mournful laments, aside from me we depart to fill our pockets with oodles of gold and assorted riches. We’re making it briskly down the streets when we decide the quickest way to our destination is down this spooky alley way of scum and villainy. Unsurprising we find scum and villainy of the mugging sort. There’s one man saying he has been waiting for us. How flattering. I would love to honor of beating this man with his own limbs. One does not stop a gent before he’s had his afternoon cup of tea. I am already in a foul mood for being so terribly late. “My dear what time is it?” Abby looks at the sun then the shadows stretching across the floor. “About 1am or something.” “Ah ha. We are terribly late as is.” I roll up my sleeves. More goons begin to pour in as I glance amongst my comrades. I call order between my compatriots in all the languages I’ve heard spoken between the group. Abby and Drexler act like withering daisies hearing the harsh tin of infernal so I console their fears by speaking to Abby in Celestial. I call everyone to form the protective circle around our wounded members and our dear white priests as more goons fill the tight alleyway. Abby summons a dome of sparkling energy as we all suddenly are filled with moxy. Drexler breaks formation to my cringe, leaving a massive hole in our defense as he is swarmed by ruffians. He does rather well for himself over there in my surprise but he is careless it seems. He does not think of Our wounded preistess who he has abandoned to be assaulted for I can not change positions without exposing her front. I order Kerrata to fill the void and she does so dutiful and post haste. A new comer shows up but she is horribly maimed by the ruffians and falls along with dear penny. Warn Abby about stepping out of line when she goes to retrieve the halfling. She left herself exposed. If she shall fall then we will fold next. Suddenly the green child summons up a chant, pulling the scroll from her bag as fog fills the alleyway. The fools in front of me try desperately to cut me but one necks a blade on my scaled neck. I roll my eyes to him bored, my black forked tongue flicks the air. I can smell him. I can smell his sweat and fear. “Is that all?” I then cut him down. The other fumbled over his feet and falls to the ground. I taste the air and find him with supernatural grace. I cut him down while he crawls long the ground like a vole. I notice that Abby requires some aid so I charge in on her foes but theirs a heavy odor saturating the air and blinding my senses along with my eyes. The battle soon concludes with many scum dwellers mucking the streets with their decayed bodies. I help Kerrata tie up and carry the leader of their violent mob. We should honestly deposited this degenerate to the nearest authority but my time is short and periouse. We arrive at the office and sadly the company does not have prober containment cells of our prisoner so we carry him into our meeting with Omin Dran with both me and Kerrata flanking the slumped prisoner. I also finially can enjoy my tea as we wait. The man of the hour arrives and he pays us our due dispite not being the people he thought we were. He also gives us a deal. He shall hire us to start a new franchise but we much do alittle check up on his previous employees. It seems they have gone mysteriously missing and expects us at their head of operations once we collect our barring and settle any affairs in the city. Fair enough. The man then looks at the slumped prisoner between us. “You do know he is dead, correct?” This makes us sit up alittle. “He is?” I put my fingers against the mans neck. “Oh, what do you know. He is.” ———-
My band goes their separate ways as we each prepare for the long journey. Many of the group has gone to see the young dragon in the swamp lands while Drexlar and sleep have taken trying to discover more of the strange artifact I discovered. I’ve taken to go back underground to investigate the alter. The new ranger tries to join me but I turn her down as I take only the goblin and myself and a picnic basket filled with neatly trimmed sandwiches and some tea into its depths. I use the goblin more as a small helping hand in retrieving small items and bounce ideas off him. It appears this alter is in dedication to a being called “one that endures.” A neutral or evil god of entropy depending on who you ask. It is not clear but it is worshiped by goblinoid like creatures. I shall have to diguest this knowledge when I meet the others again. As I am shifting through the ruins I allow some rumination of my own person. I am Paladin only in name. I have spent many years in thought and contemplation on the nature of my existence and it has become clear the more I experience life. The empire has been my life. I have served faithfully. I have been a model of perfect and yet I am hollow inside. I have not progress. I have stagnated. My people have stagnated. In their decay they wish to bring this upon other races. I have lived in both societies, of the pure bloods and the humans and I question the effectiveness of the empires rein. I think if my lady back home... the fact I co smider it my home is thought provoking. I should not be asking these questions nor should I question them. And yet I do. I have the goblin pour me some tea as I share my sandwiches with him. I continue to correct his manners through the slapping of wrists as I ruminate some more. ———-
Soon the time comes when we will depart soon but one more night of merry making among friends is nesscary. Drexlar and the dwarf make fools of themselves as I enjoy watching them muck about. Abby asks if anyone would like to join her on the roof but no one bits. I climb onto the roof to see she is naked, smoking deep from her pipe. “Care if I join?” “Knock yourself out.” I clamber onto the roof And cross my legs under me. “It is lovely tonight isn’t it?” I ask her unbothered by her lack of disrobe. “It is. Sulnune knows all after all.” I lean back watching the moon. “Forgive me but I shall keep my cloths on. Can’t be comfortable with out them.” “Whatever works for you.” I stare up to the moon enjoying the company even if her appearance is very unorthodox.
-Layton von Sepra
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Post by Stephen on Apr 19, 2020 16:21:34 GMT -5
We had to leave the little brass dragon behind. The girls, Including Layton, were saddened by it. I offered to escort him back the way he came but it involves flying. We agreed to meet him in a meadow when we had the time.
Making our way back to Acquisitions INC we get jumped by thugs and their leader. I break off and head toward an ally knowing that more than a few will follow thinking me an easy target. I hear Layton hiss a disapproving sigh as I finish moving and wound a thug with a throwing ax. Perhaps the paladin forgets I worked with a mercenary group before I joined them. Not all of us had the luxury of tea time in Court before beginning an adventuring career. I draw four thugs away from the main group and a very wounded Alastrine, just like I knew I would.
The street fight rages on. Penny gets knocked out. Layton tries to take charge but I ignore him, I’m pretty sure the others do to. Arkenfeld tried to join me in the ally but the ally fills with fog! sLeeP used a scroll! The fog turned the tide for us.
Back at Acquisitions INC Omin Dran figures out we are not the franchise we said we were. But all was forgiven our deception and cleverness paid off! We impressed him, he paid us and we get a week of down time.
sLeeP and I study the Orrery. Well sLeeP does most of the work I help getting food and fresh linens. But the Orrery appears to be a very powerful magic item that has something to do with time. But it isn’t fully functional yet.
We get summoned by Omin and he has a job for us. A franchise Acquisitions INC sent to Phandalin has not reported in weeks. I get the impression that’s a huge no no. Our group gets a once in a life time opportunity to work for Acquisitions INC and skip several steps in the whole franchise start up process.
Donkeys and supplies are purchased. Off we head to Phandalin! Toward the end of the first day we spot two swarms of snakes on the road. Layton being a snake thing tries to charm the snakes. It didn’t work and they swarm him! Battle commences! Spells are cast! Some snakes fall A-sLeeP! Some a frozen! Some a whipped and slashed and pounded and burned! Oh and Penny shot me with her crossbow in the leg.
After the fight we rest and make camp. Layton comes back with many skinned snakes and begins to cook them. I rationalize that snake are like long fish and have a several snakes on sticks for dinner.
The next day Alestrine and Penny see a couple of large Shire horses in a meadow. They manage to semi-tame both of them! Sugar and Baker are now members of the party. Ribs and and Mule-ton have friends! I take an immediate liking to Sugar.
That night we meet a teenage couple. A human boy and half elf girl. They left Phandalin because of racism and wanting to start a new life Waterdeep. Reminded me of one my older brothers. He fell madly in love with a common girl when he was a young man. He is many years older than I and I don’t remember much. Just that Father was furious that one of Cold-Pepper sons would run off with a common girl. I wonder how Burkhardt and his lady are these days?
I teach the teens how to use a dagger in self defense for an hour or so and in the morning I give them enough money to keep a roof over their heads and food in their tummies for at least three weeks. I hope the have what it takes to make it.
We wake up and ohhhhh boy do my guts hurt! Looking around at the others...Dammit Layton!!
About halfway through the next day we come upon an odd sight. A human man with Bugbears surrounding a lizard folk female. Some words are spoken among them. She looks toward us, pleading for help. We try to talk this guy down but he orders his bugbears to beat the woman and well...it doesn’t go so good for him and his thugs. Oh...and Penny shoots me in the leg with her crossbow.
This fight was tougher than a pile of snakes. This time I take a good bashing from a couple of bugbears. But between the parties combined skills we kill them all. The lizard lady is very thankful and tells us of a deal that she tried to make with the human, a member of the Zhentarim! The lizard folk harvest algae and we’re going to sell it to make water breathing potions, until the Zhentarim altered the deal.
My mercenary company, the Purple Flames, used to fight creatures around Darkhold a nearby stronghold of the Zhentarim, but that was well over 100 years ago. The Purple Flames have since stuck out on their own.
We buy the algae from her and move on toward Phandalin. Later this day we come across a naked man sitting at a cross road holding a weird medallion. He creakily spouts the words of a riddle...before I can even begin to process the riddle Layton says “Lighthouse!” As if he knew the answer to the riddle before the old man finished saying it. Layton looks proud. Standing tall and smug. Layton looked at us expecting thanks. The rest of us looked at each other in silence. The old man jumped up and starting running away proclaiming he was free! Out of the brush a several large led by a very large wild boar 🐗 boared through the old man before any of us could react.
Layton shudders and shivers and looks crestfallen. “Oh no! I’m cursed!”
- Drexler Cold-Pepper -
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Post by Aileen on Apr 19, 2020 16:36:50 GMT -5
Leaving Waterdeep has been a lovely time. The first day we run into some snakes, and I announce to Layton that some of his cousins have shown up to say hello. Unfortunately, they're not nice ones. We have a fearsome battle, and soon escape with our lives and dinner for tonight.
As we head to make camp, we accidentally interrupt two young lovebirds trying to enjoy some alone time. Turns out they are coming from Phandalin, and are extremely excited that we are from Waterdeep. The girl is a half-elf and the boy a human, and they're running away because Phandalin sucks and they want to be together in Waterdeep.
We invite them to camp with us, which they're iffy about, but they decide to stay for extra protection. I don't think they realize how dangerous the world is outside of their hometown, and they're going to he in for a nasty surprise when they realize what the big city is really like. I myself grew up in Neverwinter, the cleanest and best city on the Sword Coast, but I spent time in the temple in Waterdeep when I was their age. The city will eat them alive.
We have a delicious dinner of grilled snake, and chat about stuff with the lovebirds. The next morning they part ways with us.
"Good luck! May the blessings of Father Increase Sugar Baker go with you!" Penny calls to them.
"You're a lovely couple, I wish you all the best. Be sure to practice safe s- everything!" I tell them.
I'm willing to bet if they even make it to Waterdeep that they're going to end up with a crappy apartment, no jobs, she will be knocked up and both of them will come crying back to Phandalin within months. It's usually how it goes.
The rest of day we get some good distance in, encounter some elves who lost an ogre, and then come across two beautiful draft horses running around in a field. No tack, no people... and all we have is our asses.
I approach the horses slowly, crouching down and waiting calmly for them to notice me. One stops, turning her head to look at me and blowing, nostrils flaring. The other keeps trotting, but slows when she sees her friend checking me out. I inch closer, and they start walking toward me. Ten minutes later I have two very friendly and gentle giants nuzzling me, and they follow me back to the group. Penny is delighted, she is so tiny next to them and they are curious about her.
"Alright, Penny- name them!"
"Can we keep them?" Layton asks.
"According to the Law of Findies Keepies, yes." I say.
Penny takes a good long look at the horses as they sniff her, hands on her hips.
"This one is Sugar," she points at the one with the white feathers on her legs. Then she pets the darker bay one. "And this one is Baker!"
Ah, yes, the infamous Father Sugarbaker. I help Penny up on Baker's back, and she holds onto her mane as I walk beside her. Drexler gets on Sugar, looking suave up on horseback. We continue on, coming to the town of Thornhold.
The second we come into the town proper, we are greeted with the scream of a woman. My attention snaps to a lady with a box of cake just as she drops it, pointing at Gorkoh in horror.
"Aaaah! A goblin!"
"Caaaake!" Gorkoh shouts, running forward as the box falls. It lands on top of him, spattering him in frosting.
"My cakes! My cakes!" She fans herself frantically as the crowd draws in around us.
Drexler cracks his whip, earning more noises of satisfaction from us ladies of the group. Layton steps in front of him, nearly getting whipped himself. Paladins always think they're in charge. Always.
Layton manages to make peace, giving the lady a gold to purchase new cakes. We approach Gorkoh, and following Penny's lead I run my finger through some of the frosting and eat it. A group of grown adults, adventurers, eating cake off a goblin is definitely not the weirdest thing I've experienced, but it definitely is new for this small town.
We put the horses and donkeys up in a stable at the inn, purchasing saddles and bridles for the drafts before going in to the tavern. Layton gets a pitcher of wine for us all to share, as the others drink ale. Drexler already is deep into his own wine pitcher. I don't really drink, but I have some wine to be friendly. I find myself wanting to go buy some cake after sampling off Gorkoh, but then I remember dairy and I are not friends.
After a good nights sleep in real beds we take off for another day of traveling. It is an uneventful, pleasant day. We are skirting the Mere of Dead Men, which can be sketchy, so I never truly let my guard down. There were cultists in the marsh a couple years ago, and a dragon. I keep that info to myself, but I'm sure others know.
That night I take watch during the darkest hours, as I can see everything in the dark. I tend to forget others can't see as far as I can, and sometimes I'm glad they can't. Ever try to pee in the woods when you think nobody can see you? Well, I can. As I'm sitting soaking up the light of the moon, four swarms of ravens flies into camp. I just wave, and watch them peck around looking for scraps. They find Gorkoh, still rather covered in cake, and peck at him. I have no issue with birds, so I let them do whatever they want. Eventually they leave, and Kerata relieves me from watch.
The next morning I wake up feeling terrible, and judging by the sullen faces and groans around camp, I'm not the only one.
"Alastrine, my stomach is killing me!" Drexler groans, gearing up for the day.
"Mine too, I don't think I can do anything to help. What did we eat?"
"Tavern food, but that was fine... we had those snakes Layton made the other- that bastard!"
Drexler turns to Layton, angrily pointing.
"You said you removed the poison glands!" He growls.
"I took their heads off! I thought they would be fine!"
"We're not all poison resistant like you, Layton!" I snap, grabbing my aching stomach. "I'm never eating your food again!"
We are all exhausted and feeling bad, but we trek on anyway. Eventually we come across a scene that we probably were not meant to see. A man in leather stands in front of a lizardfolk woman, begging and pleading, as bugbears surround them. She looks at us, and I can tell she is terrified. The man in black snarls, putting his hand up at us.
"Stay your distance, this has nothing to do with you!"
Layton gives me a pat on my back as I approach, and the others give me the go ahead to talk. I've done my time in the military, I know how to deal with thugs like this.
"Don't mind my intrusion, but that lizardfolk looks an awful lot like the one that killed my entire family. I'll give you a gold to let me take her off your hands."
"Hah! A measly gold for this? Why don't you go..." he begins graphically describing an incredibly crude sex act, in greater detail then necessary. I raise an eyebrow as he finishes. "And move along. Have a nice day, sweetheart."
He winks, and turns back to the lizardfolk woman. That gets our group moving, and we attack. I focus on the guy in leather, sacred flaming him a few times. He tries to shoot me with his crossbow, but misses, and I rush him with my greatsword. The fool runs away, but I'm not giving up that easily. Gorkoh helps me go after him, and soon I finish him off with another sacred flame. As interesting as the things he described to me were, I am still a lady and he was rude.
The rest of the crew finishes off the bugbears, and we talk to the lizard woman. Her name is Vestiss, I think she says, and apparently she was collecting plant ingredients for making potions of water breathing. The guy and his bugbear thugs were trying to take her stuff and beat her down, but we came just in time. The guy in leather was one of the Zhentarim, a group of people I've had some not so great run ins with in my time in the Guard. She then sells the stuff to us for half off what we would pay in Waterdeep, and we part ways. I'm just glad we saved her from those thugs.
On the fifth day since leaving Waterdeep, we come across a strange older man sitting on the side of the road, completely naked other than a necklace or holy symbol around his neck. He spouts off some prophetic nonsense, and then a riddle. Somehow Layton knows the answer is a lighthouse, and the guy curses him. I only know of one lighthouse and it's in Waterdeep, so I'm not sure how Layton knows what one even is if he's not from there. Oh well, I'm not the one that's cursed.
We move along after the crazy old man runs away, and camp that night. Layton is mad about being cursed, but there's not anything anyone can do. The next morning I wake up excited that it's my birthday, but it ends up being a boring day of traveling. We make plans to celebrate me being 26 when we get to Phandalin, and I can only hope that it's not as bad as the kids told us it is there.
Two days later we finally reach the road to Phandalin, but come across a gruesome sight. Two dead draft horses lay in the road, as well as a ruined cart. Penny says there are dead goblins in the woods, and she hesitantly approaches the dead horses. The horses scramble to their feet, flesh and blood sloughing away from their bones, and they charge her.
🌙 Alastrine
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Post by kylacreepslayer on Apr 19, 2020 18:30:57 GMT -5
My compatriots and myself begin our journey to this town that I know nothing about. Phannypack? Phantomnal? These bizarre human names, they continue to be difficult to remember. I am merely following the path laid out to me by the powers of the Light. I still hold hope that I may find someone - anyone - from my family. Especially Reginald. Sweet, gifted Reginald. While we cannot make decisions about our life partners, everyone knew Reginald and I had quiet, sweet feelings for each other. As the head of the Blazing Maids, our task was to uplift and inspire our missionaries and host celebrations with our half-dragon and affiliated parties through enthralling singing and divine musical presentation. Reginald always found time to bring me treats or trinkets as a token of his appreciation. When I sang or played, his eyes were more enraptured than anyone else in the clan. He did not lack talent was well! Reggie was one of the more talented orators in the clan - easily outwitting his own father, Father Increase. What twisting lines of fate, the Light illuminates. His own father in charge of his marital destiny, with no regard to his preference. And the more unexciting option? Father Increase could require me to join his pride of brides, becoming a quasi-step mom to my darling Reggie. I would of course oblige the opportunity to rise the ranks in the clan, though I would not be particularly amused. I am thankful the maritial assignments failed to take place before my clan’s disappearance.
But other exciting events passed on our journey! Layton attempted to speak to snakes in a most unsuccessful manner, which was quite amusing! Though the indigestion afterwards resulted in a less than fortunate circumstance. Abby and myself acquired two incredible horses! They stood bigger and more muscular than any I have interacted with! Abbs asked me to name them. How undeniably sweet - I sense a warmth from her that radiates a sisterly bond. Naturally I choose the most inspirational name I know! Sugarbaker! The lighter one takes Sugar, and I gravitate to Baker. Drexie takes a quick liking to Sugar, which is most enjoyable. I’m sure there is no more bizarre image than a lil’ ol’ Halfling aboard such a ginormous equine!
In between two love birds wandering the countryside, our goblin covered in cake, And hitting Drexie with my crossbow, I killed a bugbear! Those dimwitted furballs often barged into our clanhome! Thank goodness our dragon friends provided such excellent protection. And later, a bizarre exchange occurred in the road ahead of us. An unclothed gentleman proposed an unusual riddle to be solved. As I inquired with our party of the importance of this clearly I’ll man, Laytie interjects an answer! Firstly, I’m not sure what a lighthouse is. But secondly, I did not think providing this gentleman an answer was our priority! It’s almost as if Laytie received some divine guidance of the answer, whether an appropriate moment to do so or not. While the man went on to be quickly killed by boars, Latte shrugged off this exchange as no consequence. It became obvious that Latte was affected by some sort of curse. I repeatedly tried to inquire as to why he felt so unbothered, with no luck. I naturally felt that he truly was ruffled by this result, but aired on the side of appearing apathetic. In his attempts to save face, this may be an incredible disadvantage to our progress. I surely hope Laytie sees some reason and clarity soon, before the Light decides to address his misfortune.
With love and light, Penelope Beauregard “PB” Honeycutt, Dedicated Chanteuse of the Light
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Post by donaldado on Apr 20, 2020 10:25:59 GMT -5
Arkenfeld surveyed the street once more. His bones were aching in the way they only did when trouble was comming. Then he saw them. Bandits! what nerve they have.
"Quickly lads to the alley funnel them in!" he cried.
Instead his compatriots scattered like cats when released from a bag. Only Drexler was smart enough to understand the tactics the situation required. Uhhhg, these savage Faerunians and their lack of proper education! Gods what must I do to escape this fresh hell! Sacrifice a chicken? A goat? Slay an Aboleth? This isn't the time to debate the finer points of atonement with myself, I got to save these grown children from themselves!!! "AAAAAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!", Arkenfeld shrieked in horror as he found himself watching PB get cut down just as a cloud from the nine hells covered the area. He dashed his way into the alley. A couple foolish bandits followed him into his deathtrap. The alley was soaked in the blood of his enemies. "Not again! Im too old for this and the paperwork. Oh wait these uncivilized rubes probably have no knowledge of such things. Let me clean myself off, thats the way Arky! I I don't care what mother always said to me, I've always been a clever one. Okay stroll naturally. Look bored". As he suspected their casual murder was rewarded with a business franchise! Huzzah!!!
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Post by dragonforgotten on Apr 20, 2020 23:41:53 GMT -5
(Past) It was foggy when the carriage stops as I adjust my collar and straightened out my sleeves. As the driver opens my door I step out as I’m greeted by the estates butler. Just as customary he bows and escorted me through the expansive gardens. I’m lead through the double doors of the villa and it’s grand display of wealth and power. I wonder the massive reception hall till I come across a impressive painting of a knight fighting a swarm of red dragons. Fold my hands behind my back admiring the exquisite artistry of the painter. It is while I am admiring that I feel a presences next to me. “Beautiful no. Had that one in commissioned by a dear friend in the waterdavian courts.” I turn to the lord of this house. “It is. The artist certainly captured the finer details of this peice.” I turn to face him. The man is tall and well dress, his eyes cutting but smiling as his greying hair stands out against the dark blonde. I bow to him, straight kneed and the image of perfect decorum. “It is a pleasure to finally met you sir Arthur of house Sepra.” He gives the subtle motion to rise and extends his hand which I gratefully take. “I am glade you made it safely to my estate lord Layton. I assumed the worst when you did not arrive on time.” “Apologizes my lord. I was harassed by bandits along the way. They will not bother anyone anymore.” Of course this is a half truth. A Layton did arrive fashionably late. Just not the one he had hired. All for the glory of the empire It is Jarant’s will that I am here. He laughs amused as I join in with him. “I would hope so being a paladin of Elturgard. How is your mother doing?” “Very well, she’s been bundling up for the coming fall. By winter I certainly will certainly not be short on sweaters.” This earns me another laugh from him. “Now I hate to cut our conversation short but I have had a long journey and would like to settle into my new accommodations and begin my duties.” He then touches my shoulder and I worry that he will feel my scales but they go unnoticed. He leads me throughout his house as the butler carries my bags. “Of course. I shall introduce you to your charge right away. I do have to worn you, she is as they say ‘difficult’. She has sent many Couriters running out of my estate in varying array of emotions.” I raise a hand confident. “You have nothing to fear my lord. I have much experience in dealing with any hinderance I’ve stumbled upon. She will not be one of them.” “I certainly hope so. I trust you understand how embarrassing this has been for me. She hasn’t even taken any of her suitors seriously. She ages me by the day with worry with no regards to her dear farther.” We stop infront of a large towering door as I take my bag from the butler. “I shall take this from here. I shall have her in attendance for supper at the directed time we have discussed.” The lord of the house beams and smile. “I trust you will. Good luck son.” With that he continues on proably to share the goodness with the lady of the house. I dismiss the butler as he scurries off like a rat. So here I am. Let’s begin shall we. I give a courtesy knock and wait. And wait. I give her another one but still I get satisfying answer. “Madam, since I have not received a answer I will be entering now.” I open the door and I see her. Her apartment is just as sprawling and just a lavished as expected. I spy her sitting in a recliner chair reading, a disgruntled poised on her face. Her face changes as the book lower. Her boredom replaces with suspicion. “Good evening madam.” I bow respectfully. “I am Layton of Elturgard and I will be your attendant in the foreseeable future.” I take my bag and begin exploring the apartment as I continue to explain my purpose here, her eyes never stop following me. “My duty is to serve and protect you as well as organize your affairs and tend your you needs as you see fit. In normal cases you’d have the freedom to dismiss me from your service but due your fathers conditions only he will have that luxury.” I smile at her and I expect her to become flustered but she simply rolls her eyes. That’s new. “I assume this shall be my new dormacide?” I ask her as I I open a offhand door to find my small study and apartment, simple in design but just as accommodating. I place my bags into the bed as I approach my desk feeling the fine wood. I feel her eyes burning into me. “Why do you have such a heavy scarf, it’s still summer.” “I’m afraid I have a terrible skin condition on my back my lady. It shall not interfere with my duties.” I catch her form the corner of my eye leaning against the opening of my door. “Guess hell hire anyone now.” “It appears so madam. Fear not. I shall not be intrusive in your life style.” “You know that’s not what I’m talking about. I didn’t know my own father would hire snakes now to watch me.” Instantly I stiffen. I have been compromised. The neutral, polite smile does not leave my face. “Oh, is that so?” She is unaware as a dagger leaves it sheath under my cloak. Despite her shrewdness she isn’t afraid as I thought. She simply sighs and shakes her head amused. “I bet you are wondering how I found out. Well what’s else does a bored bible do put catch up on their reading and learn who to avoid. Unlike my father I make it my goal to know all about my enemies.” I don’t move yet, watching her every move through as she sits in the arm chair by the fireplace, kicking her feet up. “I feel sorry for you. Your people sent you here to die. When I heard of my father hiring a new courtier I did some digging. Had to know what new sap my father sent and started to send letter back and forth with the real Sir Layton. Didn’t think anything was amiss till the letters suddenly changed.” “So you knew of my all along?” “Oh no. I’m not a divination after all. Your appearance confirmed my hypothesis. I’m not as gullible as my father. Your tricks will work on him but not me, I know what you are. Your race has the characteristic narrow eyes and even as you speak you soft hiss your vowls.” She then crosses her legs, resting her chin in her hand. “And you know why I am here.” She shrugs once again bored. “Probably to claim my fortune, uses me a tool to get why you want and then kill me and claim it all. I assume now your just going to skip to plan B now that I’ve ruined everything.” She must notice me stiffen because she straights up in her chair “Oh relax. It’s not like I’m going to tell anyone. I still want you after all. I’d like to make a deal This makes my eyes widen if slightly. I had not expected that. “Why?” “Simple. Will both benefit from this relationship. My father keeps throwing men at me and I’m sick of it. There all some sort of monster under all that charm and class, least I know what you are. I can trust you since I hold your life in my hand just you hold mine. I can trust a man who’s motives are clear as day. As they say rather have the devil I know then the ones I don’t.” She then holds out her hand. “So, do we have a deal.” I subtlety sheath the dagger... ———-
(Present) I wake up bright and early and set about finishing my affairs before the long trip to Phillidran. I bought a mule to carry extra food and water. Such reliable beasts. If it stops being reliable then I have more food for the trip. I’m not the only one who thought of this for Kerata has also bought a donkey. Together we make plans on keeping them in line and find rope will do a satisfactory job. One just needs to tie them to tree and they shall not run. Bright eyed we tread the open trail but it’s not long till we are stopped by a pile of snakes. Who would leave snakes on the road? Could be spawning period for them. I try to use my innate charms but the mass over weighs my influence. They swarm my feet, amusing me in their feeble attempts to bit through my grieves. I warn everyone to stay back as I pull out my sword. Pity, would have preferred one as a pet but these are highly poisonousness. I can not hold back with the unblooded members of my troop among me. Unfortunately Kerata is too close, a spawn of them descend upon her and bit her viscously. She must escape. Thankfully Sir Drexlar has culled the numbers of my group and I take my chance to replace Kerata as the serpents target. It does not take long till the swarms are dispersed and exterminated and I’m satisfied that much injury was avoid. This certainly won’t be the last of our troubles. I gather the dead snakes and earn a few raised eyebrows. “What are you doing?” Asks Drexlar. “I am gathering them to eat later. It’s a shame to waste good meat.” The party gocks at my confused. “But your... isn’t that cannibalism?” Penny voice trails off as I shrug. “In a sense you could consider it. Back in my home country we often consume serpents in hard times. They are quiet plentiful in the wrym woods. We’ve also have eaten each other as well so I am under no revulsion in this.” This seems to disturb poor Penny and the questions stop. Setting up our camp I begin flaying and preparing the snakes making sure to remove the heads. They maybe poisoness but the venom is concentrated in the head. It should be safe after. As I’m seasoning the serpents and placing them on sticks around the campfire a young couple approaches the group. They become unnerved by the devil speak of Kerata and Penny. I consol the couple but I am sent a series of complaints and protests of my hypocrisy. I remind them I merely speak the tongue if the situation is necessary and should not judge so harshly. Eventually the young couple is coaxed back into ease and I fall back into the motion of cooling, my favorite past time. This couple are planning to start a new life in waterdeep. I offer absentminded that I know a few nobles who would be interested in secretary work but they pay me no mind with their grandeur of fame and fortune in the arts. Once the snakes are done I share amongst the group the grilled snake to conserve our rations. The meat is tough and chewy but the seasoning makes it semi palatable. I can only regret that I had forgot to purchase lemon as we settle down to bed. After curing the rest of the meal into snake jerky for the trail I turn in for the night. ——
The next morning we are stopped by woodland elves. They warn of an orger harassing travelers on the road and ask if we have seen it. Fortunately we have not. Soon after Abby finds a and tamed two draft horses running wild through the fields. I can’t help but raise a brow. Could a farmer have lost them? Could this be the fault of the Orger. It’s hard to say but I take this a the gods warnings and keep it in mind as we travel. We finially reach the town and it’s all grand till a robust woman screams, dropping her cakes right on top of our goblin. She shrieks from the top of her lungs about our goblin, drawing a larger and larger crowd. Drexlar snaps his whip silencing the crowd as I step forward. “Remain clam. He is merely a travel companion.” “But my cakes! What about my beautiful cakes!” “How much was it madam?” “A solid gold peice!” I dig through my pockets and hand her the currency. “I hope this will cover your lost goods. It’s a shame. They looked deliouse.” She huff and puffs and then stomps back to her shop. I wouldn’t mind some biscuits but I shed keep a tighter rein on my purse. Later on after paying the inn I a treat the party to a pitcher of wine. We each go to our separate rooms as we bed in for the night. The next morning I’m greeted with insults and complaints. It’s appears I made a grave error in my cooking the other night. Half the party is doubled over in pain as the poison from the snakes twists their stomachs. What a ameuter error I’ve done. In the court it seems they have stronger stomaches then adventures. Interesting. I have learned my lesson and shall wash my hands of this and never make such a mistake again. I feel I should be sadden that Abby tells me she’ll never eat my cooking again. When my lady asked if I am truely void of emotions I told her yes. The close I can describe it is there sealed up behind a wall. That I feel echoes of them if I concentrate hard enough to pay them mind. I hope they eat my food again even if I poisoned them.
Soon we enter the marshes. Some of the group stiffens as we march with care. There was rumors of two mated pairs of black dragons nestled in these marshes. There’s no arguments that we should move quick from this area. It’s not long till trouble finds us. A human man and four bugbears are harassing a female lizardfolk Ah, them. I forgot they live here as well. I’m pleased that regardless of race my companions all defend the lizardwoman and my fellow reptile. We leave no one alive, they are Zentarum after all. Never up to any good. She thanks us profusely and tells us her sad story. How they had offered to sell to the Zentarium and that one day they got too big for their britches and decided that making slaves is more profitable then a means of paying them for their algae. She offers to sell some to us at a bargain and I see Drexlar is interested and add to his founds. Selling this back in town could techniquely be worth more down the road. We move out of the marsh and find a less moist place to sleep for the night.
The next day we come upon a strange sight. There’s a barely clothed man sitting in the cross roads, a golden necklace of black antlers hang from his neck. My first impulse is to ignore his mad ravings till his pendent strikes a cord with me. Squinting it comes to me from my hazy recollection. This is the symbol of the lady of misfortune. To even speak or give the time to any of her worshipers could invite her wraiths. The wise part of me tells me that I should continue with my first though if dismissing the man and moving on but the man offers a riddle. This complexes the group but completely enthralls me. I enjoy riddles. Me and my lady share them with each other all the time between parties. I listen carefully to every word as the group bickers and debates. The answer comes to me as I review the last part of the riddle. To be lost could be either death or physically lost and the meantion of light cues me in. A lighthouse. I look to the group answer in my head. “I know the answer.” I tell them. They pay me no mind still bickering like old hens. I’m not sure what to do but I look back at the man. How long has he waited for someone to free him of his plight? I step forward, straightening my collar. “The answer is a lighthouse.” The group silences with wide eyes as the man laughs. “Ah you are right!” He locks eyes with me and I feel a black hand squeeze my heart as I shutter, scales raised up the back of my neck as his mad laughter echos. “I am free! Now you have it!” He screams and cackles running down the road only to be trampled furiously under the hooves of boars. The golden necklace dangles from one of its tusks as it vanishes over the horizon. None of us feel willing to stop them to take the gold. No one wants to be affiliated with the lady of misfortune. Penny immediately at my side asking if I am ok so I inform her of the curse that I have unknowingly freed from the man. Normal humans would feel the sense of dread and fear of having misfortunes eye but I only feel a weariness and annoyance to my new state. No one besides Penny seem to really care of my new vulnerability much to my disappointment. Sleep and your archer laughs, Abby is busy with her horses, Drexlar snears and berates, and Kerata is indifferent with our goblin. I should not worry the ones around me anyway. I shrug with a sigh. “It is what it is. There is no need to worry of things that are beyond control. Least I gave have him one shred of joy before his demise.” “Are you sure your going to be ok?” “I’ll live for now. It is better this way. I am not burden by fears after all.” We gather the animals to continue align the trail but we are quickly stopped by a dreadful sight.
-Layton von Sepra
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Post by Aileen on Apr 24, 2020 21:11:40 GMT -5
Our arrival to Phandalin after destroying the undead horses is less than a warm welcome. We are all friendly looking folk, for the most part, and come bearing a cask of Luskan Ice Meade so I half expected people to be excited to see us. Sadly, we were made an example of by some jackwagon running for political office. Turns out this town is pretty turned off by adventurers. One guy comes to our defense, and he doesn't seem so bad, but also is clearly running against the douchecanoe.
We go to the inn first to put up the horses and donkeys for the night and pay for our rooms. Just in case we get drunk and non-functional later. The family running the inn is extremely kind and welcoming, and when I announce that it's my birthday they have their boy bring out what is called a Cup-cake. It's quite literally a cake, in a cup.
"Thank you!" I smile at them, hoping my current greenness doesn't scare them. "Penny, would you like some?"
There isn't much to share, but I'm pretty sure it has dairy in it, and for all our sakes I really should not eat it all. Penny and I engulf it as we listen to Drexler questioning the innkeepers. I only half listen to the conversation, eager to check out the tavern across the street.
"Okay, sorry for all the questions-" Drexler finally says. "Come, Alastrine, it's drinking time!"
I blush as he grabs me by the arm and escorts me out of the inn and across the street with the party joining us. The Sleeping Giant is horrible. It literally looks like nobody has cleaned in a decade, everything in disrepair and gross. Sometimes the diveyest places are the most fun, so I hold out hope as we approach the bar.
"No elves!" The female dwarf behind the bar announces.
"No elves?" Drexler raises an eyebrow. "We don't have any- oh. Right."
"Absolutely no elves!" She says firmly. "We have a song about it."
"Oh? I want to hear this!" I say.
"Nooo elves, nooo elves! No elves, no elvessss."
"That's not very original," Penny grumbles. "A bit pitchy."
"Listen here, ma'am," I feel myself growing angry, and have to remember to breathe. "It's my birthday and we were about to spend a lot of gold here. But then you were a racist b****!"
"No green ones, either!" She spits.
"Gorkoh is a nice goblin!" I snap.
"I said NO GREEN anyone! Get out of here, greeny!"
I look down at my hands. Sh**. I am green.
We hurriedly leave before we get thrown out, and go back across the street. I'm doing my breathing exercises as I sit down at a table, trying not to go back across the street and set the place on fire.
"I'll take whatever's on tap, and another for the pretty green lady." Drexler says, putting money on the bar.
I blush as the others jeer at Drexler for what he just let slip. He thinks I'm pretty?! He sets a beer in front of me, and then reaches into his bag.
"Happy birthday, Alastrine. Here's a silver necklace I found back in Waterdeep."
"Oh! I have one of those!" I show him the twin one I'm wearing. I immediately mentally kick myself.
"Oh. Well, I have to use the privy."
He walks off with Layton following, and I put my head in my hands in shame. I can't believe how rude I was to Drexler when we were finally getting somewhere!
"Someone likes you!" sLeeP says sliding into the seat next to me.
"Well, I blew it," i take a sip of my beer and since. How do people enjoy this? "Beer?"
She takes it from me, and we talk with Penny for a bit. Arkenfeld and Kerata are playing a rather aggressive game of darts. Drexler, a bit drunk already, and Layton come back and we all gather round the table to discuss our next course of action. We also get to try some local spiked apple cider made at Edermath Orchard, which I like a bit more than the beer.
"We should probably go tell the Orchard guy that we saw his daughter." I say.
"Should we, though?" Says sLeeP. "They wanted to leave, do we really want to tell him where she went?"
"Well... we could say they went North to Neverwinter," I suggest. "All he has to know is she's safe."
"Guys... I don't know if any of you have kids, or family. But I come from a big family, and if one of us went missing or ran away, my father would want to know we were safe. So I think we should really let him know."
"We can do that tomorrow," says Penny. "Tonight is about Abby. So, Abs, what do you want to do?"
"Well, the mansion could be spooky and fun if we go at dark!"
"Yeah! I like spooky." Says sLeeP. "Let's do it!"
We wait until nightfall to leave the inn, some of us drunker than others, and head up to the mansion on the hill. As we enter, it's clear that a lot of the place got burnt down and destroyed, but there are still some wooden structures up.
"Anyone else hear that?" Penny whispers.
"What?" I stop walking, and close my eyes to hear better. "Puppies?"
"Alastrine, you could go do your animal taming thing if it's a dog!" Penny says with a wide grin on her face.
"I must insist we be cautious, that could be wolves or something worse." Says Layton.
"Oh, Layton, where is your sense of fun? It will be fine!" I tease.
Everything is not fine. The courtyard is full of jackals. An animal I'm not familiar with, I thought they were just really fancy coyotes. They attack, and one bites me but doesn't even leave a mark! I kill a couple, and they all seem to converge on Layton. Soon the rest are dead except one that apparently looked at Layton wrong and was also wearing a satchel. We try to chase it, but it gets away.
As we are looking about, we hear groans coming from under a pile of rocks that the jackals had been digging at. I start moving the rubble, and the groans get worse, so I slow down. Eventually I uncover a half-orc woman, who is making muffled screaming noises.
"Ma'am, I'm a doctor!" I tell her. "Let me help you."
I start examining her, opening her mouth as sLeeP assists. Looks like there is some kind of clockwork mechanism in there. As sLeeP works at getting it out, it starts going further back and threatening to go down her throat! I tip her head forward, and sLeeP gets it.
We get the scoop from the half-orc lady. She is part of the Acquisitions Incorporated franchise we were sent here to find. They found this device, that sLeeP and Drexler walked off to look at, and were attacked. She said one of their crew used the device and disappeared, but she doesn't know where the others went. She hid and ended up getting stuck under the rubble.
I take a look around as she talks to the others, and open up one of the more in tact wooden structures.
"Woah- guys, I found so many rations!!!" I call.
Everyone comes running over and we go through the stockpile. There are even kits of adventuring supplies! What a score.
I go to another structure, and see some kind of carving in the wood. Casting light on it I see a logo of some sort, DD.
"Did this used to be a Duncan Doughnuts?" I ask the half-orc.
"That's Dran Enterprises!" Says Drexler.
"Like Omin Dran?"
Hmmm. He does have a sister. I wonder if it's an affiliate, or a competitor.
We decide to come back and load up on the goods tomorrow, but there are potentially lives on the line. Some of the bad guys went to the basement according to the half-orc, so we decide to check it out before bed tonight.
We head downstairs, and come to a room with a big pool of water. Drexler opens a door into another room, and moments later comes running out completely engulfed in flames. Others start getting caught on fire, but soon the panic is over when the fire goes out. I help search the fire/storage room as others hang back in the other room. And then I hear shouting. What now? This has been a birthday for the books.
🌔 Alastrine 🌙
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Post by Stephen on Apr 26, 2020 16:53:46 GMT -5
My whip fractures ribs of the skeletal horse and the resounding crack is amplified by the empty rib cage. Kerata’s warhammer is much more effective against the undead horse. The fight is over quick. We move on.
Most of the town is gathered in the towns square and up on stage is a fat man, nicely dressed and an older gentleman politicking against each other. The fat guy calls us out as we approach blaming people like us for the smoking ruin of a mansion. Turning my head I see it is indeed still smoking. Looks like we are in the right place. We try to talk our way out of adventures always bring trouble but the fat man isn’t having it.
Alastrine made it clear earlier that today is her birthday and we shall celebrate it.
Putting the animals up and heading to the inn we make arrangements for next few days and make small talk with the owners. I try to get a lay of the land and the locals. The green Alastrine is getting anxious to celebrate so I lock arms with her and head out to the Sleeping Giant.
The Sleeping Giant is....gross. Dirty dwarven miners grumpily drink away their worries, pickaxes close at hand. The owner promptly tells us to leave, sings a song about “No Elves” and without further contestation we leave. The grumbling dwarves want back to their drinks. One even put his pickaxe down.
The inn was much cleaner and even offers Alastrine a Cup-Cake for her birthday. I drank three wine goblets fast, built up courage and offered the “Pretty Green Lady” a silver necklace as a birthday gift. She wasn’t all that impressed for she already owns one from our Waterdeep Tunnel Excursion. I politely excused myself to the privy. I am used to the walk of shame, never having much luck with the lady’s. Layton follows me to make sure I do not fall in.
After relieving and composing myself I return to the party. I’m a little wobbly but I move a candle onto an empty table. Getting everyone’s attention I draw my whip.
“Hold your breath and watch the flame of the candle.....” I say
Crack! The candles flame goes out. The candle didn’t move! I got lucky I am really starting to feel the wine.
My friends clap and cheer but suddenly the flame reappears! I rooster my head and whip the flame again. Thankfully it goes out a second time much to everyone’s amusement.
We have supper. After it gets dark we take the party outside to explore the smoking ruins of a mansion. During our briefing I recall being told that ACQ INC owns the mansion but the deed for the land belongs to the fat man from earlier.
Hearing “puppies” the girls and Layton move into the courtyard to investigate. The puppies are jackals! Acting first I throw a dagger at a jackal! It drops dead. Drawing my whip the others attack and more jackals move in mostly going after Layton. A few minutes and whip cracks later it is all over.
Kerata attacked a jackal wearing a satchel. Odd. Odder still was that it didn’t seem to be hurt by the hit. She tried to track it but only tracked Layton who also went off to investigate. The rest of us found poor Hilda nearly dead buried under some rubble. Hilda was the majordomo for mansions previous occupants. She also had a clock work device stuck in her mouth. Once removed, it resembled the Orrery in construction and color.
Hearing Gilda’s harrowing of being attacked and using a device to escape and stuffing this little thing down her throat I pull sLeeP aside and we talk about the Orrery. Clearly this little clockwork device is part of it. sLeeP keeps the device Sitting she begins to cast detect magic. Alastrine finds a wooden structure still standing....I see she is wearing the silver necklace I gave her....one of the only none green things on her and tells us she found many rations and supplies.
I stand guard over sLeeP and the others find DD etched on a wall. Alas not the fabled Duncan’s coffee, we think it could be the symbol for another mercenary company.
We send the half-orc Hilda to the inn to eat and rest. We find stairs leading to the basement and take them down. As I am now mostly on the sober side of the line the door I come to is clearly not trapped or locked. It opens into a room with a pool of water and another door beside it. To my right is a wall that has had work done to it recently.
Moving to the door beside the pool I look around nearly jumping at the sound of my friends coming in behind. I thought for a second it was something invisible. I am terrified of invisible things. If given a choice I would fight the poo tentacle daily then deal with anything invisible ever again.
The door opens into a storeroom. Looking around trying to find markings on the crates or barrels I knock over something in the near darkness. Flames erupt around me! I am on fire! Great I set off a trap! Panicking I run back into the pool room (key word, pool) and scream about fire and burning and traps. I think I put myself out? Maybe Penny did? While I panicked the others definitely put the fire out and looked around the room some more.
Trying to regain some cool points I entered the Smokey room but before I could do much I heard sLeeP call out to us that there are hanging people in here!
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Post by dragonforgotten on Apr 28, 2020 11:01:05 GMT -5
Two nightmarish rotting horse encounter later we reach our destination only to find the masses of the town working themselves into a rabble. Now what is all the fuss about? I take the time to straighten my collar higher over my neck and straighten my sleeves hiding my green stained ebony scales. The moment they see us the mob turns on us baying like rabid lawless heathens. the speaker, a rotund man on the stage accusing us of causing destruction and chaos and how it follows our heels such as adventurers bring. “Now that is uncalled for sir. I will not be slandered so mercilessly. You see we have just stepped into your small town just five minutes ago.” “Oh so you admit it! The burning of the manor is yours to blame!” “My good sir, I will happily sort this out in the house of law and not in the open air.” “Speak for yourself!” Exclaims Sleep as I sigh. Honesty, now is not the time dear. It seems to go south to one man comes to our aid and pacifies the town. It’s only when two men step forward to defend us do the masses calm down but we leave to find a proper tavern to celebrate Abbys birthday, feeling like we are simply the pawns played in another’s political gains. How interesting. Hopefully for his sake he does not wish to incite me. I know the games of law and order very well. We leave our animals in the care of a charming couple and their spawn. I’d much rather stay here but everyone is determined to drink elsewhere which I fail to understand. I just pray they do not drink the Lusakan wine we have for I may need it’s fund to remove the curse clinging to my essence. The sleeping giant turns out to be a frightfully unpleasant place with a racist dwarf behind the bar filled with nothing but drunken dwarfs. The barkeep is frightfully forthright in him? Hers? Hatred of the elven folk. The ranger takes great offense. Me and Abby attempt to make peace but we are nearly shunned. I feel the draw to fall back in my instincts to charm and deceive but I remember my ladies code. The law is the stone work of society. To cause disorder is shameful and using my gifts seems a waste in the likes of her. Of course me and my cursed lips fail to address her as her proper sex and promptly turns against the green members of the group as well. I couldn’t be more plead leaving such a gutter well if an establishment. We settle out rooms for tonight with the cozier family inn and I receive some looks at wanting to share of Drexler. “It is not proper for a gentleman to share the same space as a lady.” I get the childish giggles from the member around me as a amused hiss escapes under my breath of questions of my preference in partners. Sir Drexler is not my type much to their denial. He lacks scales and he is male. Those who are not scaled are flawed for i am the most beautiful but I shall keep that too myself. It even though my poor lady lacks in beauty she radiates power. The celebrations go underway as everyone drinks and is merry. I’m content with my sweet tea as Alastrine sips with me and shares my neatly perpared meal and tea between the booze. I’m offered the local cider, shrugging and drink as well. I am greatly disappointed. “It is bitter and lacks in taste.” I tell Kerata feeling the unpleasant burn in my throat. As the drinks go around I watch everyone start to grow a little more stupider as I remain unchanged. The family of innkeepers tells us the nature of the rotund man who is not only the towns banker but he appears have everyone under his thumb or pocket one way or the other. I’m not pleased in the slightest to hear this perversion of the law. The equality is staggeringly despaired between the mans and the towns life style. I question if he is truly working within the laws. We then learn that the man who defended us before was actually the farther of the runaway girl and her half elven mate. The discussion goes around about whets her we should tell them as I shake my head. “We should not. They are grown adults. If they she wish to be out of hand if her father we should not poke our noses where they don’t belong.” “But he’s her father.” Be cries Penny. “Just because you share blood relation does not mean you are beholden to your parental figures. For instance my father had tried to eat me I’d have you know. Should I have let him if he was my father?” The conversation moves along as talks of birthdays and childhood go around. I do not have much to say. I do not think of my hatching. My childhood was very typical of my kind and I was trained to serve and die for the empire and lord Jarant. Not much has changed since. Drexler then beings to put in a marvelous display of skill and foolhardiness as he whips a lit candle winking at Abby. He presents her with the gentleman’s gift but sadly I think he has forgotten that she already possess one. The poor man then proceeds to let slip his heart desire as I watch behind my cup of tea as he stumbles and staggers his words. I watch him with interest remember my lady. Would she had wanted me to act in such a way? Possibly, she asks the impossible. The roguish fighter then staggers uneven greener then my dyed skin as I get up and follow him to the loo recognizing the signs. He proceeds to empty his stomach sobbing about his embarrassments and insecurities of confessing to Abby as I hold his hair and prevent him from passing out in his own vomit. Upon returning I had plans of putting the man to bed till adventure calls us. The burnt mansion needs exploring but not before bring the birthday celebrations to a close. ——-
We protrol the grounds till the baying of wild dogs brings our attention. Jackles descend upon us, mostly me though. They must pile the feel of my chain mail between their teeth or the taste of my shield. One memorable mutt gives me a stare cold as ice the feels like it penetrates my cursed. Eventually we drive them off, the one with the chilling eyes escape but our attention is drawn to other matters. Moms echo under the rubble the hounds were scratching that. A orc woman is trapped under, a metal object lodged in her mouth. Upon its remove and a bit of food and water she recants the series of events that lead to her state. She was part of the unfortunate franchise but more seems to be afoot besides late pays and missing secutataries. Alastrine has found hints of our rivial competitors hands in this affair. This does not board well but we now have another peice to the strange metal puzzle sphere in our possession. What could this all mean?
Layton von Sepra
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