Auron of the Sczarni |
Whose reading is whose?
The three cards I identified are the cards on Slide 2, the cards from Zeeva's reading. The last card is the one I drew myself.
Corona Merrion |
"Well, those don't sound too bad...except that first one unless you turn it upside down like you said," Corona ventures. "Maybe the rest of these can be good things too?" she asks, a hopeful note in her tone.
Korug Half-Shame |
"What makes these cards so special anyways? How do they tell the future?" Korug really struggles to understand how people could put so much weight in a simple deck of cards.
Auron of the Sczarni |
"Now let us see what you all have drawn!"
"Ah, Korug, your card is The Vision a card of sudden Insight and opportunity! Perhaps inspiration will strike you, or you will find a sudden muse? I am sure that opportunity will act upon you in masked and mysterious ways!"
"and Einn, you drew The Inquisitor, a tough card for a rough woman! It is a card of fearlessness and strength, that can cut to the core of the unfaithful, and make them quake in their boots."
"Emma, The Joke could be a representation of how you feel about the ways of my people, but sometimes we are not the only ones that laugh! The Greatest of Giants and most Fantastical of Beasts can become friends with a little understanding. Hopefully, you will be wise enough to seek it?"
"Corona! My young friend, The Snakebite is normally a card of poisoned methods and deceitful blades. Perhaps by knowing that such a thing will be coming, you might ease the sting and delay the poison?"
"And last, but not least, (well maybe least in stature, yes?) is Uldar with The Wanderer. As you can see, it is also a man with 4 legs on which to stand, with solid ground and stability! Perhaps your stability and goodwill can cause a hidden princess to discard her mask, revealing her true self?"
Auron of the Sczarni |
"Ah Korug, the Harrow is a way of life in Varisia! To wanderers and vagabonds like myself, it guides and gives us direction! Think about your weapon, yes? You put faith in it to get you through tough situations?"
As Auron speaks, he draws another card from his harrow deck, and it glistens with a faint spark of magic
"For me, the Harrow is my guide and my refuge, and that which gives me strength!"
Corona Merrion |
"You think so?" Corona perks up as Auron offers his opinion on her card. "Well, okay then...I'll do my best to be on the lookout for sneaky minds and their sneaky methods!" she declares resolutely.
"Oh...um, so now that we know more about Zeeva's three cards, I guess maybe we should start trying to figure out how they all come together?" Corona furrows her brow in thought. "It's hard since all these cards mean one thing one way and another thing if you turn them upside down," she sighs. "But maybe um...there's someone that'll show up offering some sort of help or boon but they're really going to take advantage of Zeeva or the market somehow! Someone that's really smart."
She shrugs. "Maybe? It kinda makes sense but then everything still seems so muddled. Maybe we should try tracking down the fortune-teller too and see if she'll tell us more."
Uldar The Crusader |
"I agree as well."
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Emma Greyfrost |
Emma will smile at the divination and roll her eyes at the same time.
Corona Merrion |
"Okay then!" Corona exclaims, clapping her hands together. "This will be like a treasure hunt sorta, except with a person instead of treasure. And from what new friend Zeeva says, the fortune-teller has a pretty distinctive look about her. We'll just have to ask around and see if anyone's seen where her and her friends might've got off to!"
Forgetting herself for a moment, she starts to hurry away to do just that and then stops. "Whoops. Um, I mean that's just a suggestion; I'm not always the best at these sorts of things. One of you might have already thought of ten different ideas that I never would've dreamed of!"
I'm basically good to start asking around town about our fortune-teller but didn't want to plow ahead if anyone else had a different/better idea or had something else to ask Zeeva :)
DM Beckett |
all of which figure prominently in the architecture of Kendall Amphitheater, the city’s largest performance venue.
I just want to be upfront with folks. I was working with Auron off-screen to allow her to deliver the cards meanings because of hr character's build. However, I purposefully withheld some information as well, so as not to spoil things.
One last suggestion. Take one last look at Slide 2, just in case you might spot another clue.
Einn Sparkbearer |
I can't help with the checks.
Edit: "She asked us to look "where these calamities will strike baring that track down the fortune teller." I think we're supposed to figure some of it out before we spend the time trying to track the Varisian down." Einn looks at the cards closely. "I don't know if this means anything, but there's food in all three of those cards. What do you all think?"
DM Beckett |
Ms Foxglove gasps, “I’m a fool—studying the meanings so intently, I missed what’s right in front of me. If this means that my marketplace is in danger, I should return at once." She turns to leave in a hurry, but turns to shout back, "Please, keep investigating other possibilities.”"
And with that she is gone, leaving you to look into things.
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Corona Merrion |
"Oh! Bye new friend Zeeva, we'll do our best!" Corona calls as Zeeva hurries off to return to her market. As the group turn their attention back to the cards and to the matter at hand, something seems to niggle at the back of Corona's mind...
The Betrayer (Kn. History): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
The Cricket (Kn. Religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
The Unicorn (Kn. History): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
"Huh. This may seem really random, but uh...I think I remember reading in a book somewhere that there's a place here called the Frisky Unicorn. It's a bed and breakfast somewhere in the ah...Heights District, right! Apparently noble foreigners like to go there because pseudodragons nest in one of the turrets." She shrugs. "Whatever a pseudodragon is supposed to be. Surely not an actual dragon, right? That'd be silly. Anyway, that Unicorn card made me think of it for some reason."
As she continues to look at Zeeva's three cards, something odd suddenly catches her eye. "Why is everyone in those cards eating fruit? The woman I could see...minus the blood garnish...and the unicorn, but a cricket? Do crickets eat fruit?"
Emma Greyfrost |
A house drake might be of interest in making friends with. she comments.
Korug Half-Shame |
Korug scratches his head and fidgets nervously, "Pseudodragons? I hope that's not a real dragon. I don't think I really feel ready to take down a dragon yet. But you guys do the thinking, I'll just do my best to protect you all."
DM Beckett |
It doesn't take you long at all to find your way to the Frisky Unicorn, though you are not entirely sure what you even need to look for there.
For wealthy visitors, a stay at the Frisky Unicorn in Citadel Crest is a must, if only to catch a glimpse of the famous pseudodragons who roost in the lodge’s turret. As you approach the Frisky Unicorn, you suddenly hear a cacophony of shrieks and growls from within. Periodically, tiny dragons dart out of windows in the turret before flying into other rooms to wreak havoc. Suddenly the front doors fly open, and you can see the establishment's patrons, most on the wealthier side of the line rushing out in a panic.
Pseudodragons are indeed "real" dragons, though instead of a deadly breathing attack, they instead have a scorpion-like stinger on their tail, and at lofty old ages, grow to the size of a small dog or housecat.
Emma Greyfrost |
The Chelaxian will produce a sweet treat from a bag and hold it up in the air for the pseudodragons.
Corona Merrion |
"They're so small!" Corona gasps with surprise and delight. "Like little mini-dragons. Oh...is it just me or do they seem rather cross?"
She attempts to catch someone fleeing out of the building. "Excuse me new friend! Why is everyone running away?"
DM Beckett |
They don't stop to talk, but only point back towards the small dragons that seem to be going crazy and "attacking" in their own fashion.
This spacious lobby features comfortable couches and tables laden with refreshments. Guests lounge on the couches, speculating idly about what could have pseudodragons so upset, while servants look toward the kitchen. The guests’ theories are fanciful, and none of them is remotely close to the truth. Their most popular theory is that the inn’s proprietor, Oliver Cadmion, decided to start charging them rent. A stack of flyers for the Green Market can be found on one table.
It seems not everyone has fled, and as far as you can tell, no one is being attacked directly, though you can see a tiny dragon flying here and another there, causing trouble, breaking minor objects like dishes or windows, and seem very agitated.
Korug Half-Shame |
"Aren't dragons supposed to be smart? Maybe we can talk to them. I don't speak dragon though."
Corona Merrion |
"Ooh...I don't speak dragon either," Corona sighs. "But I've heard regular dragons are really, really smart so I bet these little ones are too! Maybe they can speak Common?"
DM Beckett |
Oops, look like a portion got cut by accident.
Once inside, you can hear what seems to be some sort of argument or disagreement coming from a south-western room.
Uldar The Crusader |
Uldar goes in riding Balto on guard with Lance mounted . "What's going on in here"
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Einn Sparkbearer |
Einn quickly grabs a flyer for the Green Market to look at later. She starts in the direction she hears the argument coming from.
"What's going on?" These animals are throwing fits and not really hurting anything. Odd.
Auron of the Sczarni |
Auron slides into the Frisky Unicorn between the rapidly leaving patrons. Upon seeing the folk lounging in the lobby, he smiles widely, and has a seat at an open table, bringing out his Harrow Deck
"Could I interest anyone in a game of towers? No need to let a little ruckus interrupt good honest fun, yes?"
Looking at the creatures flying about, he thinks for a moment to identify them:
Knowledge Arcana or Planes: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
DM Beckett |
The people inside really don't seem to be paying to much attention to you, and it seems the "what's going on here" is the question they all have too.
Corona Merrion |
"Huh...looks like everyone else is just as confused as we are," Corona observes. With a shrug, she turns and follows some of the others towards the sound of the arguing, ducking as another dish whizzes past her head and crashes into the nearby wall. "Ooh, did you see that? That one cleared the whole room with that toss!"
DM Beckett |
Odd, it look like I missed a few of your posts, or Einn's case, misread one.
The small dragons continue to act out, attacking paintings, destroying dishes and intimidating the clients and staff, but not actually harming anyone, while Corona, Einn and Korug make their way towards a door on the far side of the room.
Auron thinks about the situation for a moment, realizing that these tiny dragons, called Psuedodragons are commonly friendly, peaceful, (if mischievous), good-natured dragons, generally preferring pranks and deception rather than conflict, much like some of the more friendly fey. That they would be acting out like this, even if they seem to be restraining themselves from actually hurting anyone, must mean that they are very aggravated over something.
As Corona, Einn and Korug approach the far door, they begin to hear two males arguing over what seems to be the proper way to prepare some sort of dish or meal. From the odd smells, and sounds of boiling and fire within, it's pretty clear this is the kitchen, and just as you reach to open the door, it bursts open from the other side, and a human walks out in a huff. You see a few other cooking staff hard at work within, and another man standing with his hands on his hips, an angry expression on his face. He looks at you and barks "Are you here about the beasties, or just to tell me how to do my job?"
DM Beckett |
Looks like it. Not sure how.
The Pseudodragons don't seem to notice it, or at least don't react to it as they normally would. Something must be really bothering them.
Emma Greyfrost |
The Chelaxian will attempt to send a telepathic message to one of the house drakes What has you upset little one?
DM Beckett |
Corona Merrion |
"Beasties? That doesn't seem very nice," Corona frowns as she peers around the kitchen. "But we are curious about why the tiny dragons are upset, yep. I'm not sure if any of us can cook but I'm sure we can try if you need the help though," she adds brightly.
DM Beckett |
Possibly mistaking you for someone else, the man, a cook says "Well, if you are here to fix the problem, I'd get too it quick before they go crazy and try coming in here. They come in here and destroy my kitchen, and I'll end them, I tell you." Stopping for a moment, both realizing that he is perhaps venting his anger onto you unfairly, and wanting to make up for it, but also to try to help you out, "Look. Those little pups are always banging around upstairs where they formed their little "lair" he says with a genuine smile, "but I think there is a real dragon up there too. Occasionally, I hear something up there playin' wit the others, and on the racket, it's gotta be bigger than the others."
Emma Greyfrost |
She replies
DM Beckett |
Einn Sparkbearer |
"We'll try to keep them out of your kitchen. Let's go and see what the problem upstairs is." she begins to walk away and as almost an after thought asks. "What are you preparing that you thought we would tell you how to to make it?"
Emma Greyfrost |
Sent via a telepathic message
Corona Merrion |
"They seem pretty smart," Corona replies as she peeks back out into the chaotic common room. "Do they talk? Has anyone tried asking them what's wrong?"
Emma Greyfrost |
The Chelaxian will send the same message to Corona.
DM Beckett |
Sorry, long day and still kind of working even after I'm home. I'll try to get something up later tonight, but it might have to be tomorrow. I'm going to push forward a bit as well, just to kind of get things going.
Corona Merrion |
Corona jumps as Emma's voice echoes in her mind, then peeks back out into the tavern's common room. A look of respect and awe is stamped on her face. She then ducks back into the kitchen, her face scrunched as though thinking very hard about something...or as if she's got indigestion.
"How did you do that? I want to try! Can you hear me??"
She then darts back out to the common room. "Emma! Did it work? I didn't know you could do that! Is that how you talked to the tiny dragons? They said their eggs were stolen? That's awful!"
No worries DM. I've worked every night since Thursday night except for Sunday so I've not felt super alert for posting lately either.
Auron of the Sczarni |
"Stealing Eggs? That's Terrible! Why would you steal eggs, when the Green Market is so close?"
With that, Auron stands up, sweeping up his harrow deck (including the few cards tucked into a sleeve) and heads toward the kitchen.
"Do not worry my little Winged Wonders! I will make sure we have something for breakfast for you!"