Guldar Strongarm |
Guldar stands in back doorway taking everything in. Many onlookers have been staring at him since Grombar's explanation started, looking for his reaction.
"I have...unfinished business with those elves. I need closure."
He looks down at his daughter.
"I cannot let another fall to their poisons. I cannot."
When Bill or Lord Haven return, I will be ready to go.
Ol' Bill Wiseman |
Bill walks through the door.
"Uncle Bill will watch Cassandra. Uncle Edward will be back from Blasingdell anytime now too." He reaches out his arms to Guldar's daughter.
"We can eat cakes and pies until we're stuffed to the gills!"
She laughs and runs to embrace Bill.
Bill looks up, holding Cassandra. "It's alright Guldar. You need to do this. You'll find the last of your peace. You can swallow your guilt finally."
He leaves with Cassandra with a reassuring smile.
"I have a great big bowl of pudding waiting for you! I got the first batch from Ulumpha as soon as I got back."
"Before you go, I have a shortcut to show you. Come to my library when you're ready for your rescue mission."
Florr |
Florr watches the exchange of the Deepflagons with intense interest. Her half-eaten second bowl of fisherman's stew lays abandoned as she is frozen in concentration.
As Rurik makes his Oath, she feels a chill to her bone. It reminds her of her own determination when she fought the storms that threatened her family's boats, standing up to Umberlee and discovering her strength like Valkur. She admires his devotion to his family.
She feels a pull to help, worried about her archery mentor Grit. She stands and is ready to declare that she is willing and ready to go when Bill walks in. After he finishes talking, she holds up a hand quickly.
"Mr. Bill! Mr. Bill, wait!"
She grabs the grain sack with the grimoire and staff wrapped inside and rushes to his side.
"I have two things, very important, to tell you. Has anyone told you about what happened in the temple?"
She holds out the bag.
"Please take this. I'm happy to tell you what I know, but I've been guarding these for two days. Can we go somewhere quieter to talk? This is urgent, especially if you don't know about Mal--" She stops herself before finishing his name.
She casts a longing glance towards Rurik, wanting to talk to him and offer her help. "Here," she says, thrusting the bag into Bill's hands, "I'll be right back."
She runs to Rurik. "Rurik, I will go with you to get Grit back. He has been an important mentor to me, and no one deserves to be tormented by another."
She rushes back to Bill. "Okay, can we talk now?"
Ol' Bill Wiseman |
Bill nods.
"Come up to my library. I'd like anyone invovled to come to."
He carried the small girl upstairs. She tugs on his beard playfully.
"Ouch!" he cries, playing along.
They arrive at the top of the tower, unlock the door and she runs inside, going straight for a pair of dolls on a low shelf she can reach. She whispers a practiced phrase "Let's play!" The dolls begin to dance and she mimics them laughing.
Bill sits, smiling at her. Then he turns to look at you.
"So what's this all about?"
Nikolai Barleyburrow |
"So what's this all about?"
Nikolai begins immediately spewing word after word out of his mouth the moment they reach his thoughts:
"Some mud ploughing acolyte is what this is all about! Blonde kid knows some powerful illusions and I've seen a few in my day. Paralyzed me and Florr here. Pulled me into the basement to meet the ugliest sodding creature I've ever seen. Sounds like it was interested in drinking my brain. Mouth was surrounded with tentacles and filled with sharp teeth. He had a forked tongue like a snake. It's face was flat, not much of a nose on him. We were almost done for-"
Nikolai stops abruptly, somewhat frozen. Without facing her he looks at the girl playing with the dolls out of the corner of his eye, trying to see if she picked up on anything he said.
He makes a face that looks a cross between "sorry about that" and "but it's the truth."
Florr |
"Mallark Buckman," Florr adds, "It was Mallark Buckman. We had met him when we first visited the Guild. Oleksandre had an interaction with him, I think. I was at the temple to deliver incense from the herbalist who lives in the western swamplands, and I was knocking on a door in the back of the temple, hoping to find the high priest and give it to him. I heard someone on the other side of the closed door, saying things that didn't quite make sense. That's where Nikolai's tale picks up," she says.
"We took this grimoire and staff from him. I've kept them safe for a couple days. Thought you'd want to have them."
Ol' Bill Wiseman |
Quote:"So what's this all about?"Nikolai begins immediately spewing word after word out of his mouth the moment they reach his thoughts:
"Some mud ploughing acolyte is what this is all about! Blonde kid knows some powerful illusions and I've seen a few in my day. Paralyzed me and Florr here. Pulled me into the basement to meet the ugliest sodding creature I've ever seen. Sounds like it was interested in drinking my brain. Mouth was surrounded with tentacles and filled with sharp teeth. He had a forked tongue like a snake. It's face was flat, not much of a nose on him. We were almost done for-"
Nikolai stops abruptly, somewhat frozen. Without facing her he looks at the girl playing with the dolls out of the corner of his eye, trying to see if she picked up on anything he said.
He makes a face that looks a cross between "sorry about that" and "but it's the truth."
Bill's eyes go from calm to surprised.
"I don't understand, where did this happen? The basement of where?"
He stops to ponder "tentacles...brain..."
He get's up and rummages through books and finally settles on a very old tome.
"I believe we may be dealing with an 'Illithid'..."
He reads to himself quietly while scanning pages.
"I don't think these have been seen in centuries. They come from a plane far beyond all the others. They once infiltrated our planet and built a great underground city but that was definitively destroyed by an alliance of great heroes almost 900 years ago."
"I'm not sure how that creature go here, but it's a powerful foe. It's capable of reading thoughts and attacking your mind directly. I'd imagine it's controlling the mind of this other sorcerer you've mentioned. Where is this creature now?"
Ol' Bill Wiseman |
"Mallark Buckman," Florr adds, "It was Mallark Buckman. We had met him when we first visited the Guild. Oleksandre had an interaction with him, I think. I was at the temple to deliver incense from the herbalist who lives in the western swamplands, and I was knocking on a door in the back of the temple, hoping to find the high priest and give it to him. I heard someone on the other side of the closed door, saying things that didn't quite make sense. That's where Nikolai's tale picks up," she says.
"We took this grimoire and staff from him. I've kept them safe for a couple days. Thought you'd want to have them."
"Mallark? Hm."
He reaches and takes the staff and Grimoire from you.
"This staff is made from a glassy amethyst stone I'm unfamiliar with, but it's very powerful. I do find it unlikely that this creature is stupid enough to come try and retrieve it here."
"This grimoire is something used by particular arcanists known as witches and warlocks. The keep their spells inside, but they also keep....gifts granted to them by a powerful beings. In a way, they're a hybrid . They make pacts and contracts and need to provide for these patrons or be punished harshly. I've heard of warlocks making pacts with devils and demons...perhaps this creature is Mallark's patron...this grimoire is written in language I'm unfamiliar with. Deep speech I believe...I used to have a book on it here somewhere..."
Florr |
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Florr is floored.
"This is... really deep information. We have these powerful magical objects and a mind controlling creature is on the loose."
Florr motions to the book. "Mr. Bill, is there a way to destroy the grimoire, or at least to disable the 'gifts' or void the contracts a warlock has made? If this is what Mallark has done, perhaps we can weaken the creature or at least weaken their bond, and then destroy it. This creature - this illithid - sounds like something that should NOT be in this world."
She points to the clawlike object tied to the top of the staff. "Do you know what animal this is from? Could this be used to summon an illithid? Maybe we could destroy this object. Is the staff inherently evil? Can you keep it safe?"
She leans back and thinks. "Is there a connection between Umberlee and this hidden city? The tablet we found, this grimoire, this creature. I'm wondering if there is a common something that links it all together."
Knowledge History: 1d20 ⇒ 8
Ol' Bill Wiseman |
Florr is floored.
"This is... really deep information. We have these powerful magical objects and a mind controlling creature is on the loose."
Florr motions to the book. "Mr. Bill, is there a way to destroy the grimoire, or at least to disable the 'gifts' or void the contracts a warlock has made? If this is what Mallark has done, perhaps we can weaken the creature or at least weaken their bond, and then destroy it. This creature - this illithid - sounds like something that should NOT be in this world."
She points to the clawlike object tied to the top of the staff. "Do you know what animal this is from? Could this be used to summon an illithid? Maybe we could destroy this object. Is the staff inherently evil? Can you keep it safe?"
She leans back and thinks. "Is there a connection between Umberlee and this hidden city? The tablet we found, this grimoire, this creature. I'm wondering if there is a common something that links it all together."
[dice=Knowledge History]1d20
"Hm, an interesting idea Florr, but these books are like a spellbook or a familiar. Losing one is VERY inconvenient but a new one can be made. If we could figure out how to read it, it could definitely give us a view into these two.."
He looks to what you've pointed out on the staff and his eyes widen and he looks at each of you.
"I'll admit I wasn't paying much attention. I assumed it was some silly fetish to some sort of dark power but... it seems to have a tiny hollow...channel in the middle..like a straw."
"I'm certain there's a connection. I believe it's likely one of these two were the rival that Karl was speaking of."
Florr |
"Oleksandre went on and on about Karl. Have you heard any news from him? Seems like he's a key to this puzzle too. Nikolai knows him," Florr says. "I'm not much with books, but you said you had a book on deep speech? Maybe we could work together and translate the book."
She wrinkles her nose at the mention of the bone. "Like a straw for sucking brains? So gross."
"I really think Olek would want to know of these developments... I wonder when he'll be back? I guess I could try to send a message to him at Blasingdell. I'll keep an ear out for someone travelling that way."
Ol' Bill Wiseman |
"Oleksandre went on and on about Karl. Have you heard any news from him? Seems like he's a key to this puzzle too. Nikolai knows him," Florr says. "I'm not much with books, but you said you had a book on deep speech? Maybe we could work together and translate the book."
She wrinkles her nose at the mention of the bone. "Like a straw for sucking brains? So gross."
"I really think Olek would want to know of these developments... I wonder when he'll be back? I guess I could try to send a message to him at Blasingdell. I'll keep an ear out for someone travelling that way."
"Hm, no, I don't believe I have a book on Deep Speech, but I've forgotten far more books that sit on the shelves than I remember.
No, I don't think this is for removing brains. The anatomy of the illithid does that just fine on it's own.
I can send magical messages if you'd like. We could also use a pigeon from the roof. We have a few that call Blasingdell home. It'll be there tomorrow."
Nikolai Barleyburrow |
"Has Olek been in here? If he saw a book on some dead language I'm sure it caught his eye. Always has his nose in a book and learning another language just lets him read more and more. Wouldn't be surprised if he borrowed it. Spent the whole trip here reading some book about goblins. Who would want to talk to a goblin?"
Ol' Bill Wiseman |
"Has Olek been in here? If he saw a book on some dead language I'm sure it caught his eye. Always has his nose in a book and learning another language just lets him read more and more. Wouldn't be surprised if he borrowed it. Spent the whole trip here reading some book about goblins. Who would want to talk to a goblin?"
"Olek has, yes..perhaps you're right."
"Well, I'm confident these two wont be stupid enough to return here to recover these items, though they may target you later. They seem to have powerful allies if theyre the ones behind the killing of Karl and the tablet.."
Haven's Cross GM Kris |
Erazire jumps from the bar when he hears about the purple mist. He confronts the man who saw it, standing menacingly.
"What did you say?!?!" His face is filled with hateful anger.
After finding out more, he finds Florr. "When do we leave?"
The man's eyes bulge out "I...it wasn't me...he...the staff.." he runs.
You get stern looks from a few guardsmen.
Florr |
"Yes, I'll send a pigeon. Any other news you'd like to include?"
"Make a note about what happened, and a note to Olek about the book. And ask for news!"
Florr tells Erazire, "We leave as soon as we can. Meet by the gates ready for a couple of days journeying there and back. And we'll probably be fighting too."
Florr returns to her room and packs quickly, taking rations and fish jerky for 8 days. She takes a bundle of differently shaped arrows, her bow, and clothes and packs them messily into a pack. On the way to the gate she stops by the stable to ask Constance to watch over Storm Surge while she's away. Once at the gate she stashes her bow on her back. "Ready!"
Friar Aengus Deepflagon |
Aengus rolls a barrel of ale between his shoulders, wrapping loops of ropes around his arms attaching it firmly to his back.
He hefts a hammer you've never seen before. It's of a smaller head than the giant's tooth Maul but equally handed. It's made of a dark, dusty stone that looks like black iron.
"To the woods then. Here, have a drink for the road." he passes around a resplendent tankard intricately carved with scenes of dwarven histories. It gentle hums in your hands.
If you have a drink, you'll find yourself with advantage on the next save vs fear you make in the next 24 hours.
Guldar Strongarm |
Guldar is wearing a breastplate embossed with the image embossed with the image of a Rose laid through two interlocked silver rings. It's edged with a similar overlapping rings.
His hammer matches this motif, it hands free at his belt.
He mutters over a loaf and bread. "Blessed be our breakfast. Thanks to the Revered Mother. Please grant us your protection."
He hands the loaf around the group.
Grombar Deepflagon |
Grombar walks with a confident stride that seems far more measured than the Grombar that left town a few weeks ago. His steps are surefooted and he takes you off path regularly but following his route helps you to make fantastic time. You take short rests in the afternoon and make simple camp once the daylight is gone. The day after you leave town you come across the outskirts of the forest and slowly enter.
The forest is ancient. The trees tower over you like mountains. The roots of some trees are taller than Khazhan. Thick vines and mossy wrap and cover everything. The sun disappears behind a canopy of overlapping tree limbs far above your head leaving everything in a warm, gentle, yellowy light.
Grombar hops from rocks to roots conquering the completely pathless forest easily, though his eyes are wary and paranoid. Following where he steps your make short work of the deciduous obstacles. You're growing concerned you might become lost.
"Almost everything here is dangerous. Be careful. We'll need to make camp when we come to the river. The day after we'll cross the river and be to Grombar by morning."
Florr |
He hands the loaf around the group.
Florr gratefully accepts the beer and bread. She pulls out a satchel of fish jerky and will offer it to anyone interested. (She is not offended if the dwarves are still not too eager to try it.)
"Perhaps we should vote."
"I agree with Rurik, and I think we should keep going. But Grombarr, could you tell us more about what is so dangerous so we can be on our guard?"
Nikolai Barleyburrow |
Nikolai eyes up everyone in the party.
"Pack of stout dwarves, a holy woman, and a..."
He pauses while looking at Erazire
"...him."
"I like our odds out here. Your friend doesn't have that advantage. We should probably keep going."
"I might be able to scout ahead a bit without being seen. Getting dark though."
Grombar Deepflagon |
Guldar Strongarm wrote:He hands the loaf around the group.
Florr gratefully accepts the beer and bread. She pulls out a satchel of fish jerky and will offer it to anyone interested. (She is not offended if the dwarves are still not too eager to try it.)
Friar Aengus Deepflagon wrote:"Perhaps we should vote.""I agree with Rurik, and I think we should keep going. But Grombarr, could you tell us more about what is so dangerous so we can be on our guard?"
"The age of this forest is not to be overstated. An ancient wilderness has no motivations..except hunger."
"But you seem to all agree that we should cross tonight."
"My vision lead me to believe the Gritnarr was being kept alive...though he's in very poor condition."
He looks to the Dragonborn.
Florr |
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Florr swallows the beer with gusto. "Delicious brew! My compliments!" She gives Aengus a quick bow, grinning.
"I am very willing to help heal Gritnarr if we find that he needs it." She wiggles her fingers. "I'm ready to help him in this way."
In the forest Florr keeps her bow in her hand as she walks. It is strung, but she isn't holding an arrow (those are ready in her quiver on her back).
She will keep an eye out as they walk for any signs of wildlife, human or not. She is unusually silent, thinking about the dangerous forest they are in and wondering if they would be meeting danger soon or later on.
Survival: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Haven's Cross GM Kris |
Florr swallows the beer with gusto. "Delicious brew! My compliments!" She gives Aengus a quick bow, grinning.
"I am very willing to help heal Gritnarr if we find that he needs it." She wiggles her fingers. "I'm ready to help him in this way."
In the forest Florr keeps her bow in her hand as she walks. It is strung, but she isn't holding an arrow (those are ready in her quiver on her back).
She will keep an eye out as they walk for any signs of wildlife, human or not. She is unusually silent, thinking about the dangerous forest they are in and wondering if they would be meeting danger soon or later on.
[dice=Survival]1d20+2
The forest is slightly alien to you, both due to the fact that it is clearly much older and more....wild, then you remember any other forest you've visited but also due to the fact that most of your life you've been on boats.
The forest however seems to have lots of brightly colored sticky looking plants, mosses that seem to glow a bit in the shadier areas and mushrooms and fungus that send yellowish clouds of dust into the air.
Nikolai Barleyburrow |
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Nikolai leaves camp before the rest of the party with an intent to scout out a circle ahead of them and see if there are any hints of danger ahead or to the sides. He tries to keep his companions within earshot.
Before leaving he mutters something in halfling and his fine studded leather armor darkens to black and melts into a plain shirt and trousers.
stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14