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Lumen eats the stew, preferring its warmth in his stomach to the burning of the drink. Prior to finishing his meal, he downs the second shot and asks for some water to wash things down. He uses the bread to soak up the last of the stew, then pushes the bowl away. "Mmmm, Odgen, that was delicious. Do you grow the mushrooms yourself or do you get them from the market?" Lumen asks as he sits back and rubs his belly.
Lumen smiles and nods in understanding. "Well, Ogden, thank you for the food and drink as well as the information. I should be going so I can find a room for the night before visiting the temple tomorrow. I was told to go to the Northlook for a room, is that accurate? Also, how much do I owe you?" Lumen says as he stands up, briefly checking if his balance was affected by the drink.
Khitt is happy to see his friends again. He’d remembered some of them mentioning the dwarves of Kelvin’s Cairn before he’d left Easthaven, but was not sure if they’d visit while he was here.
Sitting at a table with a few dwarves, Khitt smiles and stands to greet his friends when the enter the drinking hall. ”It seems our paths cross again. Did you find your dueregar?“
Baldrick checks in periodically throughout the week , if possible, looking cheerier than you've seen him in a while. The more insightful among you notice that his eyes are wider and wilder each time he returns. Still, he seems happy to see you and enjoys sharing stories, food, and drinks with the party. It's just that he then disappears after a few hours, only to return again a few days later.
During one of these moments, , Baldrick will pull out a scroll case: "So, about this map... we found it on a duergar that was holed up in the ferry. Looked like they were collecting that shards-a-lyn. The dark crystal stuff. Do you know if there's anything special about these spots that're marked?"
The eladrin enters into the portal back to the Feywild, a great smile on his handsome face.
As he manifests in the land of the fey, he is greeted by a white unicorn who bids him follow into a glade. As he looks around the glade as the unicorn disappears, a lean and muscular male elf clad in a cloak of leaves, with a bow comes from the one of the trees surrounding the glade and bids him follow. As he follows, the elf lord begins to lead them on a hunt through the Feywild. After hunting and eliminating some invaders, the elf lord leaves and on an altar with a holy symbol of an arrow marked with it, Rodlas finds a shortbow. Next to it is a medallion with the same holy symbol. He takes both and thanks the elf lord for the gift.
After he receives his gift he travels to his patronesses court and after a few days of frolicking and reporting to her, he returns through the portal to Faerun.
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Netz learns about fighters who use magic called eldritch knights who are rare among dwarves but not unheard of and begins to consider that.
While there, Netzer sees several of the clansmen sparring with a young half-orc who wields a blade while slinging spells between accurate slices of a longsword. He is introduced to the young Arc Knight, Hawkins. Netzer, though raised to hate orcs, is quick to notice that the young man is wearing the silver torc that marks him as owing allegiance to Stokley.
Netzer finds that Hawkins is barely out of beardling age, but his father was one of the Arcane Knights from Silverymoon who left when the second Luruar Wars erupted and racism against orcs hit a new height. After a miscommunication with Stokley's Boys when they were drinking at Bryn Shander, a fight broke out and Hawkins' father was killed in the resulting brawl. The young boy was destroyed by the news and grew up angry, lashing out at any dwarf he saw, until his mother (also half-orc) took him to Bremen's Run and made him meet with the dwarves of the Cairn.
They were brought before Stokley and Hawkins' mother, an accomplished hunter, stood tall and explained the situation. Stokley was impressed, not only by her eloquence, but saw a reflection of his racist thoughts in the boy. Treat all 'afore ye as a clean slate, Bruenor always told him, Make reparations when owed, and never leave a debt unpaid.
Stokley adopted the boy and his mother into the clan to make reparations for the father they had taken from him, and the husband that they took from her. It took Hawkins years to work through the anger he held, but Stokley was there every step of the way.
Hawkins, without a trace of old attitudes, offers his hand to the Hearth Keeper, Please to make your acquaintance, Netzer was it?
So, about this map... we found it on a duergar that was holed up in the ferry. Looked like they were collecting that shards-a-lyn. The dark crystal stuff. Do you know if there's anything special about these spots that're marked?
Stokley spreads out the map, moving pieces of iron slag to weigh down the edges, Din't know there was anythin' here... Looks like 'tis closest ta Caer-Konig. Found this on a Grey Dwarf, ye say?
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After singing, drinking, and drinking like a...well like a dwarf. Rodney tries out his new handmade drum.
But the magic that is within the drum surges through him. Even though to this day he is not sure how he was standing not to mention singing. He pull off a great performance that are stuff legends are made from.
Once he sobers up. Rodney decides to put the drink away and talk to the dwarfs of their history and customs to better understand what truly is to be a dwarf.
This could make a great book. He thinks to himself.
Stokley spreads out the map, moving pieces of iron slag to weigh down the edges, Din't know there was anythin' here... Looks like 'tis closest ta Caer-Konig. Found this on a Grey Dwarf, ye say?
"Yes sir, down by the ferry in Easthaven. He shrunk right down to almost nothin' -- now that was a surprise! We were trying to find out who's been collecting that shard-lyn stuff, and why. And later, we found a lot of tracks that were probably other gray dwarves but we couldn't track 'em."
"So nothing there, eh? And what about this place in the Spine -- 'Sunblight'?"
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Don't be knowin' any Sunblight... Maybe a Duergar fortress? Certainly sounds like one... the Dwarf Lord muses. Start by Caer Konig, I can give ye a host to escort ye, if'n ye wish. Though, our friend Khitt is familiar with the area, aren't ye, boyo?
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The Elf Lord looks down upon you from the crest of the hill as you prepare to leave, Mind your teachings, Rodalas, Breath of the Wind. The Queen of the Winter Court will keep an eye on your exploits and may her minstrels sing songs of your deeds for centuries to come...
He laughs Even if that is to sing about making a plant piss himself
Casually listening to their conversation, Khitt perks up when the question was directed toward him. Taking a last draw off of his pipe, ”I know most of the area up here near Ten Towns pretty well. I’m sure I can find whatever it is on yer map.” The dried mushroom smoke, much like the ale that dwarves make, has a rather potent effect. It is clear that Khitt’s demeanor is being effected by the strong substance.
Khitt over the past few days has spent some time with the dwarven deep delvers scouting the lower caves, and keeping an eye out for any trouble. He also learned from one of his mates down there that this is where you find the best mushrooms for turning into the dwarven smoke. Gathering some, he’s been able to participate in the process of its making. The drying time and prep time takes a fair amount of time and he will need to return in a few ten day to sample his foragings.
Baldrick's forehead scrunches up: "Huh... grandad used to talk about duergar slavers from way back... I wonder if Sunblight was their fortress?"
"Well, he shrugs, "maybe we worry about that another time. We're supposed to reunite with Rodalas and Lumen in Caer-Konig in a few days..." and here Baldrick looks down a corridor to the west, a pained expression on his face, like he doesn't want to cut short this visit. "Thanks, Mr. Stokley - I'm sure we can find our way if Khitt is going to come with us. I guess I'd better get back to..."
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Lumen smiles and nods in understanding. "Well, Ogden, thank you for the food and drink as well as the information. I should be going so I can find a room for the night before visiting the temple tomorrow. I was told to go to the Northlook for a room, is that accurate? Also, how much do I owe you?" Lumen says as he stands up, briefly checking if his balance was affected by the drink.
Ah, well, the Northlook is likely the best inn for ye to find a room, and... Ogden counts out the drinks and the meal, That'd be 9 silvers.
Lumen reaches into his coin pouch, pulling out the coins and placing them on the bar. "Thank you and have a good evening," he says as he heads off to the Northlook to get a room.
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Lumen reaches into his coin pouch, pulling out the coins and placing them on the bar. "Thank you and have a good evening," he says as he heads off to the Northlook to get a room.
Lumen finds an interesting conversation with the woman that heads the Temple of the Morninglord. Mithann, a woman from far to the East, spends hours in discourse explaining how Lumen's own god, Lathander, is a usurper, having stolen Aumanator's throne in the sun itself.
She never gets hostile, but has a tendency to treat Lumen as a child in need of proper instruction... whether that is received graciously, or causes offense. Regardless, she offers the young firbolg a room in the temple to stay and study.
Umikh is enjoying working with his new sword, keeping up his skills with the axe, and relishing the rest and dwarven hospitality.
[ooc]Turq set it up so we would meet at the Northern Light in Caer Konig after a tenday
I am ready to go.
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The trek to Caer Konig is as hostile a trudge as you have ever endured. The biting winds pierce your thick winter coats and tear at your exposed face, crystals of frost collecting on the beards of those of you that have one.
A sense of relief washes over you as the lights of the small town come into view. As you just enter town, the ruined keep to your left draws most of your attention, followed quickly by the house that you can only assume belongs to the speaker due to the larger nature than any other residence.
You pass along old buildings, a shop called Frozenfar Expeditions and then a tavern called the Hook, Line, and Sinker. You have almost walked the length of Caer Konig when you see the inn at the end of the road. The Northlight stands, windows lit from within.
Falling into the rhythm of the march, Baldrick's mind wanders -- thoughts of bidding farewell to friends under the mountain collide with the anticipation of rejoining the others and the adventure ahead.
A half-annoyed, half-amused voice breaks through his thoughts: "Aren't you cold??" Netzer, ice growing in his beard, gestures at Baldrick's coat, open and flapping in the wind.
"Umm..." Glancing down, he sheepishly ties his coat together: "Just don't notice the cold so much these days, I guess. How d'you think Rodalas and Lumen are doing?"
I hope they're here safely, and that there's a warm mug of anything waiting in that inn there. Brrrrr!
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As you throw open the door, you are immediately greeted by a cheerful voice, Welcome to the Northern Light! Grab yourself a table, and I will be right with you!
The young woman cheerfully delivers a tray of drinks and bowls of hot stew. She calls back to the kitchen, We have more customers!
There aren't many in the inn's common room, in fact only one table (the one just served). A silver dragonborn sits with one of the off-duty town guard, sharing a meal and they look up to regard you then go back to their meals.
As you grab a table, the young woman comes up to you, Good day to you all and welcome to the Northern Light! My name is Allie, my sister and I run this place. We have hot stew, some fresh bread, and grilled fish. We have ale and the Good Mead. What'll you be having?
Baldrick looks abashed at Netzer's chiding, but mumbles indistinctly in response. Truthfully, he hadn't noticed the cold as much recently -- he just assumed he was getting used to life above-ground.
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Stomping the snow from his boots, Baldrick sets down his warhammer and pack before sitting back comfortably in the chair. Smiling brightly at Allie: "Oh, stew and ale would be lovely! And bread too, miss."
Looking cheerfully about the room, he remarks: "Well, no sign of the others yet. Hope they had a good ten-day."
While he found the conversations with Mithann interesting, Lumen didn't care being spoken to like a child. Given her status though, he didn't say anything. It didn't take him long to determine neither of them was going to convince the other to change their beliefs and they would just have to "agree to disagree".
Since he had a longer trip to Caer Konig than the others, he made sure to give himself enough time to get there. Besides, it gave him an excuse to end the lectures. Lumen didn't have the historical knowledge that Mithann had, so he felt at a disadvantage in their debates. The books in her library weren't much help as they clearly were written by a follower of Aumanator. When it was time to go, he thanked her for her hospitality and agreed to stop by when he was in the area.
He was fortunate enough to find a caravan heading towards Caer Konig so that he didn't have to travel alone. While he would miss sleeping in a warm bed, he was happy to be back adventuring. Once in town, he headed to the inn, and found the others warming themselves by the fire with some food and drink.
"Ah, you are here. I was beginning to worry I wouldn't make it in time with the weather. The cold didn't bother me all that much, but the group I was travelling with really slowed down trying to deal with it," he says to the group as he pulls up a chair and orders some stew and mead.
Rodney walks into the inn and right to the fire place. Still shivering he just says "Yes, to anything that is hot and will warm mmmmeeee" with his teeth still chattering.
"Perhaps with a little entertainment our meals could be discounted? Don't you think my dear."
Once he has warmed up enough he pulls a chair near the fire and starts to play his lute.
But his fingers are still too cold to strum the strings well.
"" Baldrick shouts, even though the pub is nearly empty. Raising his mug over his head and waving it back and forth: "WE'RE OVER HERE!"
Jumping up to find a chair big enough for the verbeeg, Baldrick drags one over. Slapping the seat of the chair: "There you go! Hey Allie - this here's our friend Lumen. Say, what 'cher been up to? Guess what: Rodney learned some new songs under the mountain."
Umikh tucks into that warm bowl of soup, sopping it up with bread, and washing it down with some whiskey if they have any for that added warmth. Once thawed, he is all too happy to catch up with everyone and hear what they've all been up to. He muses that it seems far longer than the short time they were part.
Khitt, never having been here before is behind the others by a few minutes as he instructs Khatt to stay on the outskirts of town and to remain hidden until he can get a feel for the place. Most of these smaller towns are no stranger to wild animals but being cautious never hurts.
The fresh tracks of the large party of folk are not hard to follow to the Northern Light and he walks through the door similarly to the others, kicking off the snow. Seeing first of the tow guard sitting at the table, Khitt pauses momentarily to see if there would be any reaction to his entering the establishment.
Waving at the other he smiles and heads toward the table with the others. Seeing no negative reaction from the guardsmen, Khitt orders a hot meal and enjoys the comradary of the road.
Lumen smiles at the sight of his friends. "I travelled to Bryn Shander to visit a Temple of the Sun. It wasn't quite what I was expecting, but it was an worth while trip," he says as he waits for Rodney to warm up to play.
Rodney having his chills and not preforming up to par, moves to have a seat with his companions.
To Rodney, That's okay friend, come warm up. This ale is just as warming as the delicious food!
Baldrick is eating, drinking, and talking -- too loudly, in all cases. He's almost boisterous! It's good to see him happy, though.