NotEspi's Evergreens (Standard) (Inactive)

Game Master NotEspi

@Cypher: Eadric never says no to the offer of drinks, but that is likely as far as it goes (he has a major crush on someone in his blacksmith clique and is trying to pluck up the courage to ask them out) unless Cypher likes playing cards. Eadric is laughably bad at bluffing but is pretty good at reading people, so it all sort of evens out in the end. A night of booze and games with friends is what Eadric calls a good time :)

DAWWWWWWW!!!! That's adorable! Cypher would absolutely play cards, have drinks, and if the subject of his crush is broach, try to give advice on how to approach it.

Raman remained silent for much of the trip back to Absalom, contemplating their experience in the caves.

I do enjoy a good camping trip, but it is always nice to get back to the city

"We'll pick up whatever it is and return. I don't mind the walk and I've some purchases to pick up on the way."

Raman exchanges his axe for a masterwork version, and picks up a cold iron one as well. He also purchases a potion of cure light wounds. Total: 400gp

Ssesrandu simply observes during the exchange with the venture captain, then heads directly for the wounded wisp, hoping to get this over quickly.

"I'll be here for the better part of the day, doing ... Stuff. And things. But mostly stuff. Ta-ta!"

And with that, Dreng puts his hood back on and walks towards a nearby wall to pretend to be a beggar of sorts.

You start moving towards the Wounded Wisp again, and the rain seems to ease down on the way. Within the hour, you are on the same street where you have met each other for the first time. The smell of smoke and spilled ale assails the senses in this wide-open area. Walls of dark-stained wood make up the sides of the Wounded Wisp, while well-used wooden tables are spread throughout the space. A raised area in the back of the establishment houses several additional tables and eating areas for groups seeking more than just a good drink. An austere bar supported by kegs instead of wooden panels commands the northern end of the room. A stained-glass cabinet stands behind the bar, its dark panes cracked in several spots, yet not so opaque as to conceal the several dozen types of hard liquor within.

At this time of the day, several tables are already taken.

One older looking man is sipping from an oversized flagon of ale while reading through a large and ominous-looking tome. He is sitting alone at his table.

Sitting nearby are three people - two half-orc with similar facial features, and one keleshite man, discussing something over now-finished-lunch and a drink.

Two of the tables in the central area have the most visitors near them, and they are being entertained by a speaker in the crowd. Soon after you enter the Wisp, you hear a familiar voice calling in your directions and several heads turn towards you: "... and -THESE- guys fought off the minotaur while I was bleeding in the grass. I thought I was done for! Come in, come in! Join us!"

The young barmaid runs around with hands full of orders, and indicates she will be with you right away. She motions to a few empty tables with her head and eyes. A more mature woman stands behind the bar filling pitchers and mugs, occasionally having a shouting match with the kitchen staff.

Cypher let's out a delighted squee and runs forward.

JANIRA! DARLING!

They bend down to scoop up the little one and give them a tight hug before setting them down again.

Fancy running back into you so quickly! We just got another little mission, though thankfully we get to stay someplace civilized this time!

She puts their umbrella away into her pack and flips out their fan, holding it to their lips.

I don't suppose you know which one of these delightful people might be Heryn Gale? We're suppose to pick up a package.

The halfling still has visible bruises, but it seems she showcases them proudly to the gathered crowd. She offers a smile back and adds: "Indeed - how urgent is this? Why not sit down and take a breather? You did spend the last week hiking and fighting ... undead, and beasts, and some ooze?"

She looks around afterwards - "Errr - Helyn is right there," she points towards the woman behind the large bar in the northern section of the room - "behind the bar."

Cypher kisses her on the top of the head with a smile.

Relax sweetheart, It's just a package pick up... probably could take a drop or two before we go, but I wanna make sure that we have that package first.

They roll their eyes and grin.

You just know if we dally it'll be some big deal about a "Pathfinders Honor" or some silliness. Can't imagine any other reason for the big boss to ask us to run a courier's errand.

Mori heads for the bar as Cypher moves off to meet with Janira. He stands before the bartender. "We're here to pick up a package from Heryn Gale for Drendle Drang. The usual stuff, he said."

Biltri, however, walks over to Janira. His incorporeal form passing disturbingly through wayward chairs.

"You look a little better, Janira," the phantom says.

Helme waves hello to Janira, but gets distracted by the man sitting alone.

She approaches his table. "Good day. This is my first visit to the Wounded Wisp? Can you recommend any of the ales?" She is clearly interested in what he is reading, but trying very hard to be polite. Anyone looking can see she wants to tilt her head to see what the book says.

"My name is Helme and this is Spike." She pulls a small rocklike hedgehog out of her pack.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

The bartender measures Mori with a quick look, and glances over his shoulder.

"Dreng, you say - all seven of you?", she offers an awkward smile, and turns her head and torso in a wide arc towards the kitchen.

"Frunan! Gonna need you here for a few minutes!", she screams over her shoulder.

A man pokes his head through the door, his head decorated with something that might have been a cook's hat in its better times: "Three minutes, 'Lyn. Got stuff on the pans.", he responds and the head retreats back into the interior of the kitchen.

Helyn offers a quick sigh an a lifted eyebrow to Mori. "Take a seat. I'll be with you when he comes out. You'll get a pitcher on me for the wait.", she says as she produces a plate with a pitcher with some ale, and several cups from under the bar and puts it down in front of Mori.

@Helme, All - I would like to point out that you have already been here at least once. At the start of the Confirmation. I know the scenario states "The Pig's Paunch", but Shaine states that it all started there, so I use the Wisp in both cases. Continuation etc.

The man raises his index finger in a "One moment." gesture, takes a few seconds to finish whatever he is reading, and puts a tassel over the page. He closes the book and put is on the table. The title states 'On the Starstone Cathedral and ascensions in recorded history'. The man puts down his glasses, his short, but slowly graying beard envelops his jawline. He stands up, brushes some crumpets off his clothes, and offers Helme a handshake. "Yargos Gill. A pleasure...', he offers a chair at his table, and continues: "The owner brews their own batch - Ignis. I can only recommend it. As far as I am aware, they do have a selection of wine downstairs, but I never tried those."

He looks at the hedgehog in Helme's hand. "Spike?", he grins for a moment. "Fitting. I take it you are with the pathfinders?"

Meanwhile, at Janira's table, the halfling continues her discussion with Cypher. She puts a bent index finger to her chin, in thought. "Big boss? Which one? I don't think I saw the captains here. Not too often, anyway." After a short pause, she continues: "Anyhow - I was just telling these fine folks about your recent expedition up the mountain...", but she is interrupted by one of the listeners - "Did you really duke it out with a minotaur and a necromancer?!", the young man inquires to confirm the bard's tale.

Eadric follows Biltri into the bar without thinking and whacks his knee on one of the errant chairs the phantom just passed through "Ooph" By the time he gets over to the crowd, they are talking about necromancers and minotaurs "Janira!" He shouts out with laughter as he hugs her "It's most excellent to see you so soon!" He puts her down again and runs a hand through his damp hair to keep it out of his eyes "Nah, the necromancer was dead on arrival... his minions on the other hand..." He says to the enthusiastic young man as he glances around the bar, a little uncomfortable with so many strangers listening to him "The minotaur wasn't so bad, it like, totally ran away as soon as Ssresrandu sunk his teeth into it... Anywho, I should, like, totally check out Dreng's package." He points over his shoulder with his thumb and tentatively backs away towards Mori and the bar.

Janira quickly adds "For entertainment purposes, some events may or may not have been altered in the story." with a wide smile on her face.

"The fact is that they did fight a minotaur. As for necromancers, we all know the real problem is whatever they raise, not the necromancer themselves. Right?"

Another face joins the discussion. This time one of the half-orc twins from the table nearby. "A minotaur, huh? Now that's a feat I can raise a cup for!', he exclaims loudly as he raises his mug and starts chugging. His sister laughing from their table as half of the container ends up on the male half-orc's beard and the floor. The keleshite is looking at the floor and rubbing his forehead with his palm, semi-successfully trying to hold back the laughter.

Cypher grins and sits, lounging and waiting for a mug.

Now now big boy, unless you get it in your stomach you won't enjoy the effects as much... unless you like to be covered in ale from head to toe... once knew a guy who was into that, was quite fun, if messy.

Helme tucks Spike safely away. Some people don't like animals on their tables. She takes a seat. "Yes I'm with the Pathfinders. A fairly new agent. I just finished my Confirmation with this group of fine people, and as soon as we got back we were sent off on another mission. I at least get to see the wine."

"Can you tell me about the Starstone Cathedral. I'm sure you can tell by my skin that I'm not from Absalom." Helme asks very polity, but nearly spills some ale on his book when she gestures toward it. She is so embarrassed that she sits on her hands in order to not touch anything else.

Diplomacy if Needed: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Raman joins Mori at the bar. "I'll have a drink o' that." he says as he pours himself a glass, then scans the room before moving to stand near Janira's table.

"We've got a minute until the cook, Frunan I think, can leave his pots and tend the bar."

"Oh? Righto." Eadric, feeling more at ease now the attention has shifted to the half-orc, heads over to the bar to pour out a mug of ale. After giving Mori a pat on the back, he then heads over to the table with the twins and offers his mug to the soggy half-orc "Here, have another go at that, bro." He says with a friendly smile "I never drink on duty anyway. It totally messes with my aim."

Ssesandru looks to the halforc, "My ressspect for minotaursss hasss wained. It fled inssstead of putting up a fight. Warriorsss among my tribe have been killed for lessss."

"Anywho, I should, like, totally check out Dreng's package."

Janira lets out a sudden giggle. "Phrasing, Eadric!" The 'mature' crowd around offer their muffled laughs.

Now now big boy, unless you get it in your stomach you won't enjoy the effects as much... unless you like to be covered in ale from head to toe... once knew a guy who was into that, was quite fun, if messy.

The half-orc measures Cypher with his eyes. "Hm... Lewd. Consider it an experiment. The skin might absorb it. Who knows?"

After giving Mori a pat on the back, he then heads over to the table with the twins and offers his mug to the soggy half-orc "Here, have another go at that, bro." He says with a friendly smile "I never drink on duty anyway. It totally messes with my aim."

"Don't mind if I do!", the half-orc accepts and down the mug in the same manner.

Ssesandru looks to the halforc, "My ressspect for minotaursss hasss wained. It fled inssstead of putting up a fight. Warriorsss among my tribe have been killed for lessss."

Finishing Eadric's ale, he turns to Ssresrandu: "I know, right? Where are the values in this world if a minotaur runs away from a fight?! Mhmph..."

After a short while, he has a sudden realisation. "The name's Garl. The ugly girl over there is my sister, Shrade. The keleshite is-"

Garl is interrupted by the keleshite man at their table. "I am perfectly capable of introducing myself, Garl."

The kelish man stands up and walks to the crowded table: "Aram bin Kaleel, servant of Serenrae. Pleasure meeting you."

Helme tucks Spike safely away. Some people don't like animals on their tables. She takes a seat. "Yes I'm with the Pathfinders. A fairly new agent. I just finished my Confirmation with this group of fine people, and as soon as we got back we were sent off on another mission. I at least get to see the wine."

"Can you tell me about the Starstone Cathedral. I'm sure you can tell by my skin that I'm not from Absalom."

"I wouldn't worry about it. Absalom is quite the cosmopolitan city, from what I understand. I am not from around here, but I came to see the ascension ritual." He puts the book into the safety of his bag while continuing the debate: "The Cathedral and the Starstone itself has recently became my subjects of interest. I was informed that a certain crusader from Mendev, Reinhart of Kenabres, will attempt to ascend to godhood, so I came to observe the ceremony in person."

He starts preparing his pipe. "I am no expert on the matter, but perhaps I can share some insight. What are you interested in, exactly?"

Cypher grins at the "Lewd" comment.

Only way to find out is to pour it on you while your sober and see if you get drunk... it'd be scientific!

They giggle and relax back into their chair, the little bird on their shoulder chirping something into their ear.

No sweetsong, I don't even know if birds can digest ale. Stick to water and birdseed.

Raman looks between Garl and Shrade, then approaches the woman. "You two look capable. What's your line of work?"

He slides into a seat with a view of the group.

Janira lets out a sudden giggle. "Phrasing, Eadric!" The 'mature' crowd around offer their muffled laughs.

"Wha... Oh... Yeah..." It takes him a second to figure out what Janira is getting at, but Eadric gets it in the end and laughs "Never been good with words, sis." He says with apologetic, yet playful shrug before heading off to introduce himself to Aram "Most excellent to meet you too." He says as he extends a hand for the keleshite man to shake "I'm Eadric... I'd totally introduce you to everyone, but there's, like, so many of us that we'd probably have to leave before I finish." He smiles and looks around at the jovial gathering "So you're a servant of Serenrae? Doe's that mean you're, like, a priest or something?"

Helme settles in for a discussion. "What exactly is the purpose Starstone Cathedral? Is it made of something called Starstone? Are only those who try the Rite of Ascension allowed inside? If someone fails while inside, what happens to their remains?" A string of questions fly out of her mouth.

Mori raises an eyebrow at how quickly the tankards disappear from his tray then chuckles. "At least my compatriots know how to drink!"

The dwarf sets down the tray and remaining tankards. He pours himself a mug and moves around the crowd to listen to the half-orcs' response to Raman's question.

Ssesrandu skips the drinks, watching the room and studying faces. Although he keeps his hands off his weapons, he also seems ready to pounce into action.

Only way to find out is to pour it on you while your sober and see if you get drunk... it'd be scientific!

Garl lets out a short, hearthy laugh. "Another time. It's too late for that now. Already had a few the regular way.", he raises his mug to eye level.

Raman looks between Garl and Shrade, then approaches the woman. "You two look capable. What's your line of work?"

Shrade taps the handaxe fixed to her belt: "We fight when the society requires it. But there's not much of that kind of work for society, so we waste time in this inn. I was considering approaching some traveling merchant for protection on the road, but Garl says we'd have to bring barrels with booze for that.", she nods her head towards Garl and smiles a crooked smile.

Helme settles in for a discussion. "What exactly is the purpose Starstone Cathedral? Is it made of something called Starstone? Are only those who try the Rite of Ascension allowed inside? If someone fails while inside, what happens to their remains?" A string of questions fly out of her mouth.

Being a historian, Yargos offers some insight on the cathedral: "No, no. It's not made of starstone. It houses -the- Starstone. Supposedly, anyway. It's an old relic that fell from the sky and, based on what we know, destroyed the Azlanti and Thasillonian empires in an event known as the Earthfall. This is the most common version offered by scholars anyway. Then it laid on the bottom of the ocean, and Aroden lifted it from there and put it on Kortos - founding Absalom in the process. It's a very fascinating topic, and I could go on for hours on end, so just stop me when you need to. Now, the pit around the Cathedral is, from what we understand, a bottomless chasm. So once something falls in... Well, let's just say nobody is running a business by collecting whatever the poor souls had on them when they fell down. But now you ask - why would someone fall into it?", he raises his index finger and his eyes get that spark of a professor teaching their students something completely new - "The Starstone can turn one into a divine being. We know of 4 people that managed to become gods after interacting with it - Aroden, Iomedae, Cayden Cailean, and Norgober.

A lot of others -attempted- to use it for that purpose, but we don't know of anyone else that succeeded. This Mendev fellow will try sometime today or tomorrow, so you can experience that ritual first hand. Well - the start of it anyway."

"So you're a servant of Serenrae? Doe's that mean you're, like, a priest or something?"

Aram squints his eyes and bops his head left and right a few times,

Eadric's eyes go wide "Woah! Heavy..." he subconsciously takes a step back "So eh... it's a good job I'm the respectful type then." He flashes Aram the most innocent of smiles. After a seconds thought, Eadric leans in and starts whispering conspiratorially "Do you... do you get a lot of, like, defilers around here then? I mean, her statues are most beautiful! Who'd want to ruin them?"

Aram shows a hint of a smile when Eadric mentions that he's respectful.
"Glad to hear it. Well - defilers? We don't get a lot of those, no. At least not the ones who do it on purpose. Random drunks now and then. But it was more of a hypothetical scenario. She's one of the majorly worshiped deities in the area, so even if you wanted to do something to a temple, there would likely be witnesses. Of course, Worldbreaker worship is thing, but fortunately for us all, that worm doesn't have too many servants in these parts. As a matter of fact I did not hear about any in a few weeks. They might be up to something..."

His thoughts trail off and he goes silent. Might need a nudge to get him back, it seems.

"I'll have to go watch him try to ascend. Do people attempt the test often? I wouldn't try if failure meant falling into a pit forever in front of a lot of people."

"I believe it does," Mori informs the oread.

Heryn's replacement from the kitchen arrives within a few minutes, so she can take care of the parcel request. The woman invites you to follow her to the cellar, and wait for you to gather near the bar. She then walks into the back of the inn, and as she passes the narrow passage room, she walks over a plank on the floor: "Careful here...", she says. "The floor is a bit old and we had to put this over. If you carry heavy stuff you might fall through."

She unlocks the door towards the cellar stairs as you continue, leading you into the underground level of the establishment. A set of wooden stairs descends from the main floor into this tightly packed storeroom. Barrels, boxes, and crates of assorted foodstuffs and drink garnishes are pushed against the walls or under the stairs. The first thing that hits the eye is a large crack in the middle of the room.

"I do apologise for that.", Heryn points towards the crack in the floor with yet another plank over it. "We did have a renovation, but an earthquake pretty much tore the foundation apart. For the time being, consider it a free tour through a dangerous area. Gets the heart pumping once in a while." The wide plank seems quite dated, however, and looking at it, you get the feeling that it might snap under the slightest pressure.

Heryn leaps over the fissure, and stands next to one of the shelves filled with wine. She points towards the stack of wine bottles on the south side of the room.

"The wine Drandle mentioned last time we spoke is the one in the shelf that is 3rd from the top, 6th from the left. Go ahead and get it. I'll wait here."

Cypher looks at the plank incredulously. The bird on their shoulder tweets and they nod.

I quite agree sweetsong, that seems like a bad idea all around... oh well..

Cypher tests the plank gingerly then slowly walks across it, praying it holds their fairly light weight.

Perhaps it's best i didn't go for the second scone...

acrobatics balance: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

Cypher manages to walk across to the other side. Even if the fissure is not too deep, it looks like a fall towards the jagged stone might cause some bad scratch and maybe even cut wounds.

The weightless phantom crosses the plank with a self-satisfied chuckle.

"Really, Biltri?" Mori asks in mock affront, "You're going to make fun of my weight?"

The dwarven spiritualist crosses the plank inch by inch. Quarter speed.

Acrobatics: 1d20 ⇒ 20

Eadric looks at the flimsy board and back up to Heryn and notes that she had jumped over the chasm rather than risk the board Well if she isn't going to risk it... But whilst every fibre of his being tells him not to step on that plank, several of his team (one of whom, he suspects, weighs a hefty amount) already cross and he doesn't want to lose face by chickening out now. "Righto... Here goes nothing." He tentatively steps on the board and tries to cross ever so slowly.

212 lbs. of pure beefcake plus 78 lbs. of gear.

Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 Not that I know what's going to happen or anything ;)

Helme studies the board with doubt. She bends down and casts Mending on it hoping to strengthen the board before the 170 lb woman and all her gear cross the boards.

Acrobatics: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (17) - 2 = 15

She's a rock person.

3 things I'd like to say here:
1 - Helme, that is a great solution to the problem.
2 - Unfortunately, that plank would surely be heavier than 1 pound, which is the limit for mending use on level 1 characters.
3 - Eadric already broke the thing and fell down. Sorry, I just woke up so I couldn't make an update sooner.

Eadric carefully puts one foot on the plank, and it squeaks in several places. This does not stop him, though, and he stresess the plank with the entirety of his weight. The plank creaks again and loudly snaps in two under Eadric, who falls down the fissure.

Falling damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

"Wooooooaaah!" Eadric disappears in a flash. Seconds later, he finds himself at the bottom of the fissure, a little shaken but none the worse for wear "I'M ALRIGHT! NOTHING BROKEN..." He shouts up, between coughs as the dust begins to settle around him "JUST A FEW SCRATCHES..." He then starts climbing, more embarrassed than anything else I should've, like, totally chucked my pack across first...

Climb: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Acrobatics(jump): 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (10) + 0 = 10

Raman follows Heryn's lead and jumps over the fissure. Looking down at Eadric he asks, "Need a hand?"

Mori looks down into the shallow fissure. "You sure nothing's broken?"

The dwarf kneels down and reaches for the brawler.

Seeing the board break, Ssesrandu decides leaping across would be the better course of action. He backs up for a running start at the narrowest portion of the gap before jumping.

Take 10 for 10' clearance

Helme takes a few steps back and runs forward. She leaps across, and doesn't make it.

Acrobatics: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (8) - 2 = 6

Eadric climbs up, and joins Raman and Ssresrandu in waiting on the other side of the fissure. Helme, however, decides to experience the jagged rocks first hand, to get a feel for it.

Falling damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

"You sure nothing's broken?"

Eadric accepts Mori's help and he makes it out of the fissure without any further issues "Yea, just the board... Thanks, Bro!" He brushes off the cobwebs and turns around to see Helme drop like a stone "Woah! You alright, Sis?" he calls down "Do you need a hand?"

I don't know if your climbing is as good as your jumping, Helme. So if you need a hand, Eadric (and possibly Mori?) will reach down and pull you up... or use a rope if reach is a problem.

Cypher lets out a little squeak as Eadric falls and fawns over him.

Oh dear oh dear, are you okay? You really should be more care...

Upon hearing the Wilhelm scream of Helme falling into the same crevice, she puts her face in her palm.

Oh no.... Helme, are YOU okay?!

"At leassst nobody wasss holding the bottle when they fell in." Ssesrandu averts his gaze from the party and towards the rack of wine on the southern wall. "Ssspeaking of which, we ssshould get the bottle ssso we can end this foolisssh errand."

"Yes, go ahead," Mori says to Ssresrandu as he reaches back down to help Helme out of the crevice.

Walking to the southern wine rack, Ssesandru counts out the 3rd from the top, 6th from the left, reaching out to grab the bottle to examine it.