"..." to register your characters.
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Dot
Dotting with holy might!
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*insert fireball*
The group had successfully completed their last adventure and are relaxing in a local tavern, drinking away some of their hard earned spoils. Tavern wenches keep the liquor flowing and a handsome bard earns his pay by singing to the patrons. The group has free board and food for as long as they want, for this small town was once saved by your exploits against a goblin raid. Every once in awhile you are cheered and greeted by other patrons as the night passes.
The tavern owner, a well endowed matron figure named Lila brings your a pitcher of ale and sits down. "My friends, I bring a message. Athena of the North wishes to see you. Knowing her, she has a quest for you. Heard tell she pays well. If you are interested, I can provide some horses in the morning to take you to her tower. It is about a half a day's ride."
Lila waits expectantly on your answer...
Athena of the North is a powerful, local wizard that has a tower in the vicinity. It is unsure how long she has been there, but grandparents in this town remember her being there when they were little kids. She comes into town once in awhile for supplies and is friendly with the locals. It is also known, that she loves mysteries and histories and will hire adventures to explore ruins and other places to gather information for her.
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Looking around and raising his mug for a deep drink Ahadiel looks to the others. It had been a long and quite successful adventure, and he was had actually planned to return to civilization for a while. His sister should have her second child by now and he wanted to give this one his blessings too. But he had made a vow, and a vow was a vow.
Looking to the others he sighed. At least the food was good, and just a few hours in the saddle.
Etna as usual when focused on something does not sense the world around her, and not hearing Lila's question.
Etna sees Ahadiel's down face from across the table and leans forward with her elbows on the table acting as support with her hands and finger like a safety net under her chin.
"Cheer Up, Ahadiel. You should be celebrating and having some fun. Especially with what we were just through."
Clara mulls it over a moment, then smiles up at the matron.
"Of course Lila, we'd be glad to help Athena. She's been more than kind to us in the past if a bit of a riddle. Her tower is only a little bit out of our way in any case if I remember right. Half a day north, turn left at the old troll bridge, follow that tiny stream until we see the tower then ride straight for it right? We'd be going that way to get to the River in any case."
Clara looks into her glass forlornly, then sighs and pushes it towards Ahadiel and Etna.
"Here you go old balance, young trouble, you can finish this. If we're going to be riding tomorrow I'm for bed. No sense embarrassing myself on horseback more than usual."
With a final wave Clara heads to the stairs.
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Sighing Ahadiel smiled at Etna. "You are right, you know. I should. But... I just remembered that it has been 4 years since I was the last time home, in Absolom. I know my sister has taken care that my room is still rented. I left her quite a purse, to make sure I had a home, when I returned, even if it was just a simple room. But then you know I have forgotten to return the library book when we had to rush out of town in pursuit of the gray slavemaster.
You know, the last time I had to go out with the head librarian, you know the one with the red pony and the grey eyes. Imagine what I have to do that she forgives me this time!"
And Ahadiel shudders with a tiny bit of mischiev in his eyes.
"The last letter told me she was pregnant again. I am quite happy for her, but I need a vacation soonish!"
Etna raises her head to think as she replies
"Oh you mean, Natty, the Half-elf librarian with a slim waist, slender arms and legs who tends to wear; outer corsets, laced up Knee high boots, and had glasses."
"As for the topic of forgiveness, I don't imagine it'll be much as there was that rush out the door which should be understandable. But then again if it was one of the rare books I can imagine it'll be something."
"At least you grew up in the city where exciting things happen, I had fun times out in a farming hamlet where nothing really changed or happened.
Though I should check back there and see if things have changed even a bit."
Upon hearing of the pregnancy she gets excited
"Oh, I should congratulate her And get her something for the baby as a gift."
Amy has picked up an apple from a heap on a nearby table, but rather than eating it she simply tosses it through the air, passing it back and forth from hand to hand. She perks up sharply when she hears Lila's message. Finally. "That sounds interesting... it should be fun to head up north for a bit, hear what Athena has to say." She grins. "Even if it does mean a hopelessly overdue library book."
Akarus gulps down the last of his drink, smiling at Ahadiel's news. A hearty congratulations friend. I'll be sure to keep the child in mind in my prayers to the Cardinal Martyr. In any case, I wouldn't mind a bit of a quest. My sword arm is getting lazy."
Etna joking quips Akarus's last words
"Funny, I thought you gave your sword arm a work out the previous night after not finding a date for your handsome self."
Fuego was drinking apple juice with the rest of the party. Yes, there was alcohol, but, no, he wasn't goinf to drink any. He still remembered what happened the last time, he got drunk. Needless to say, the results werent pretty, and it all ended in explosions. "Ahadiel, maybe this won't really take long. Besides, if you know when your sister is due, we could possibly get Amelia to teleport you in for the occasion. Stop by for a quick visit, over a day, or two, then hit the road again. I'll get her baby a Teddy bear, next time I visit Absalom."
"You're lucky you have a family. Mine's all gone. Dead in the fire set when the brigands sacked the town," He raises his burnt hands, "Long ago. I was lucky to have survived."
"We can always meet Athena. She usually has something interesting to share."
"Sure, I could teleport us over easily enough - well, with a little bit of scrying and a peek at a map."
J'Victus sits listening to the talk of family. He cringes on the inside as his hand scratches at the scars that mark his chest. Most of those scars came from his own family. The drow in his typical Elven disguise stands and walks to the bar to order more drinks. Willing to pay for the next round just to be away from such talk of family. He was happy for his friend but it still place him in a uncomfortable state.
Excuse me, I will get the next round.
As he turns to leave the table
and yes, I vote for Athena. She always has good jobs.
"I think that's a good idea, actually. We speak to Athena first, then have Amelia drop you to return your library book, and speak with your sister for a while, then we can get to the job." Fuego hands over 10 gp to Ahadiel, smiling at him. "Buy your sister's baby the biggest, fluffiest teddy bear. And send her my regards."
The conversation about family leave the bard twitching, speechless and shaking his head. But the news about the coming of the baby lightens his face up, swinging his mug around in a wild manner, scaring some patrons near their table.
"I am happy for you, Ahadiel. Early congratulations. Maybe we could arrange a celebration of song and feast after the delivery. I know a nice lady down in Absalom that can help with the setup. She's one of my relative friend."
Mihail brushes his hair.
"But let's get urgency out of the way and visit Athena first before she loses excitement to tell us what she discovered."
He turns to Amy and Lila.
"Rather than riding horseback, can't you teleport us to the tower, Amy? It is faster and time efficient."
"You're getting lazy, Mihail." Fuego clonks Mihail on the head. "For goodness sake, the tower is just half a day's travel away, and you're too lazy to ride there. There's also a limitation to the number of people Amy can teleport."
"Hmm... I can teleport no more than three times per day, and each time I can only bring along three others. I'd need to make separate trips, there and back..." Amy frowns, then her face lights up. "Ooh, this is just like that riddle! The one about the boat with the wolf and the goat and the cabbage and such? Hold on..." She pauses for a moment, eyes trailing along the ceiling, then she claps her hands. "Got it! With a bit of extremely clever shuffling, I could get us all there at once."
Amy looks around at the rest of the room, as if noticing them for the first time in a while. "But Fuego's probably right. It'd be a waste of resources when we can just ride there in the morning." She smiles. "Besides," she adds, floating a few feet off the ground, "it's not like all of us need to ride. I've been dying for an excuse to do some serious flying."
Mihail swerves his head and dodges the attempt like a monkey.
"It's a suggestion anyways. No need to get so worked up, my dear Fuego. If we have a faster mode of transportation, why not use it? We also bypass obstacles in the way which would be convenient for us."
Mihail shrugs as he hears Amy's response.
"Flying seems more fun than riding."
"Amy's teleport should be saved for longer trips. Like bringing Ahadiel to Absalom so he can visit his sister and return his libary book. Remember Amy needs to go there, and back to us, so it's two trips." Fuego replies, as he raises two burn-scarred fingers.
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Feeling heartwarmed the Paladin smiles at his companions. He walks to the bar and gets afine brand of whiskey and a glass for all, and even pours the innkeeper one. Returning to the table he fills all and offers a toast. "Well, to friends present, families and friends far home and save."Seeing Fuegos reluctance he quitly adds. " No worries, just this one and I will guard your back as I always do. Well try to do, that one time with the stupid derro does not count, I was trapped one the other side of the door and trying to jold my breath while those small beast filled the room with horse piss. It took weeks to get the smell from my hair and I had to birn a fine set of clothes. So just this one!"
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One the question of teleporting or riding Ahadiel just adds."Let us ride. JV is not really a morning person and I will need some time to be my old self from the hungover. Also we might neey the horses later." As the paladin is always modest, it is clear he means someone else but takes the blame on himself.
Etna adds
"Yeah, the last time we started something Hungover was with Korissa the Black and Franklin Jekyll.
We all ended up being captured alive, within what 30 minutes, for Franklin to experiment on later.
Wow, that was a rough week with the planning and execution of it.
It didn't help that they gagged and shackled those of the us with magic, otherwise we could of escaped sooner, but it was smart on there part.
I lost count of how many silent magic missiles I had cast to weaken the chains on everyone.
And I still feel a little sorry for seducing and knocking out their new recruit they had watch us that was the start of our escape, as he either likely didn't know better or was desperate for a job."
Lila smiles and gets up, "I'll send a message to Athena that she should expect you tomorrow. But that is tomorrow, enjoy the rest of the day. Drink, eat, and make merry." Lila gives a big smile to all of you before she returns to her duty as hostess.
"Well," replies Amy as her apple soars up to graze the ceiling, "I can certainly do one of those things!"
"Lets get Ahadiel's visit to his sister done with. His library fines are very overdue. And remember the teddy bear!"Fuego adds in.
Fuego does enjoy the food, but doesn't take any alcoholic beverages. He then goes to the library to read about combustible materials and how to make things go up with a bang.
Akarus smiles at his companions enjoyment, and joins in, allowing some fun to take priority over scourging the wicked.
"Have fun with your visitation, Ahadiel. I am going to keep our rogue company for the rest of the day."
He moves away from the table to join J'Victus in a drinking contest while winking at a barmaid with a roguish smile when they pass each other.
"I guess I'll see you all in the morning! And Ahadiel, whenever you need a lift just say the word."
Amelia follows Fuego into the nearest library and begins to leisurely browse the shelves. She picks up a book on the role of bardic tradition in the creation and enforcement of laws, curiously flipping through the pages.
As the group goes and does their own thing, the night moves along and eventually everyone heads to their room to rest. Morning arises with the smell of bacon in the air. Everyone eventually heads down to the common room where a table is already setup for the group with eggs, bacon, pancakes, and honey are stacked on their table.
Lila is seen bringing a pitcher of fresh juice to the table when she spots you and smiles, "Good morning. I thought a good breakfast would be needed before you trip to the Tower. When you are done eating, the horses are ready for you in the stables." She places the pitcher down and goes to wait on other customers.
After Etna gets up out of bed she does a bout of exercise, a quick bath, and then joins everyone for breakfast.
After stopping by the library, Amelia retires to her room at the inn and begins to prepare and cast her standard defensive enchantments. She draws the needed components out of her backpack: the sun-bleached skull of a deinonychus and an eerie eyeless mask. A strip of leather, a shard of silver, a pinch of diamond dust. Then she settles down with her newly-acquired book and begins to read.
About eight hours later, just as the first rays of sun pierce through her window, Amy sets her book aside. She's finished reading up on bardic lore and has moved on to the medicinal properties of carnivorous plants. She then retreats into her own head for almost an hour, sifting through her arcane spells and preparing them for use throughout the day. Finally, Amy soars downstairs to join the gradually assembling group below.
"Mmm, those look good," Amy comments, eyeing the bacon and eggs before sitting down in the corner and surveying the room.
After some studying of books, he asks the townsfolk for some empty ground, and if they have anything they need burnt up, so as to keep himself in practice blowing stuff up. He then goes back to the inn for a bath, and bed.
Fuego devours all the pancakes, adding extra honey on them. He's happy to leave the eggs and bacon for the rest.
Mihail wakes up earlier than the others, take a stroll around town and perform for a crowd at the square until his stomach growls. When he takes in the smell of bacon and eggs as he close in the tavern, he makes a grand entrance, doing a perfect somersault and perfectly landing at an unoccupied spot without knocking down any tables and chairs although he grabs hold of the handle of a chair for support and massages his temples.
"Ugh, shouldn't had drank that much yesterday. Now I got a little hangover."
The half-elf looks at his friends who just arrived, Lila and the food she prepared.
"Morning. I hope everyone had a blast yesterday. My, is that the smell of bacon? Don't mind if I do!
The bard sits down and grab some bacon, pancakes and eggs into his plate by fork. He cuts them into small slices before shoving the first slice of stacked pancake, bacon and egg into his mouth.
Akarus wakes up early, reciting prayers to Vildeis, sharpening his weapons, and making sure his armor and shield are well-maintained. He goes out for a run, making sure his endurance is as good as it always has been. When he returns, he sees the delicious breakfast Lila has prepared for them and smiles. Akarus mainly eats bacon and eggs, although he has a few pancakes. "Well, this is certainly the right thing to start a quest to. I am ceratinly ready to get on the road, there's nothing quite like it."
Clara wakes up early, spends tending the garden behind the inn as the sun rises, then goes to help Lila in the kitchen. She smiles as the others come down, and takes a chance to eat some fruit before picking up her pack from the corner.
"Big day ahead of us, best to be started quickly that we end early. The horses are saddled and I even remembered to grab apples."
She sets them on the table as she sits, leaning the pack against her chair, and speaks quietly.
"Just in case they aren't used to armor, eh, Ahadiel? Everyone knows the drill by now, touch my arm and don't stray too far if you want a link. I'll refresh them at lunch. Erastil bless this meal."
She murmurs a few extra words in celestial, nodding at each of her companions as the spell completes, then sets to finishing the meal. As she finishes, her pack falls over and she picks it up, brushing imaginary dust off of it.
"Sorry, I should know better. Let's get on the road soon, too many temptations for imaginary friends."
She grimaces as the empty glass edges towards her, then reaches out to set it on it's side on the tray where it won't be in trouble.
"Sure, let's head out." After accepting Clara's life link, Amy draws a piece of copper wire seemingly from nowhere, winds it around her hand, and whispers "nuntius" before stowing it once more.
Spellcasting complete, Amy slips on her pack and moves to stand by the door. "No horse for me, thanks. I'll be more comfortable in the air, and this way I can keep an eye out for trouble.
Mihail wipes his mouth with a napkin and then tags Clara's arm. He wears the straps of his backpack.
"Ready when you are."
ready
The group begins its travel toward Athena's Tower. Along the way they enjoy the view of farmlands and watching the hardworking farmers work their land. Eventually the farmland ends and turns into hills. They eventually see a tall tower in the distance and it doesn't take long to reach it's base.
At the base of the tower, you see a gate that starts to slowly rise revealing a iron door on the other side. The door cracks open invitingly.
"See? It was a perfectly uneventful trip." Fuego comments."There was no need for all that teleport business just because you were too lazy to get out of bed for a morning ride." Fuego chides Mihail.