Search Posts
Morning folks - just a wee heads up that I'm in today for lockdown overdue surgery on my sinuses. Not a major procedure but means I'll likely be out of the loop for 24-72 depending on success, pain meds and all that fun stuff. Spaz - please bot Tullowvaen/keep him in the background as necessary until I'm fit for purpose again.
Tullowvaen enters with a nod of greeting, then follows Jasper's lead in depositing the loaves and preserves he was When presented to the company he bows slightly; "Greetings once again Master Cloudkeep, I thank you for your hospitality. Good day to you both Master Kurgan and Mistress Talliree. I am Tullowvaen; proud member of the Guild of Chandlers and Lamplighters, completing what is my final act of service..." He pauses, as if mulling the gravity of the words he has spoken. The tall Sun elf reaches for a scroll case from his belt and retrieves one of two documents. "The Master of Flame bade me give you all this..." Offering it to Mitchell he succinctly explains; "A summarisation of the guild's services and goods. Candles, tallow, lamp lighting and maintenance. All abodes need illumination both inside and out do they not? Our guild offer both. Please do not baulk at the costs... The fees are befitting the exemplar service and wares our members provide." The elf's eyes take in the surroundings and décor of the tavern and he awaits a reaction... Rundown? Ramshackle would perhaps be a more befitting description. Still they seem fair folk.
For his part Tullowvaen stoically stands, having alleviated some of the loaves and preserves from Jasper. "For my part Master Halfling, I am merely here as an agent to offer my guild's services... though I am not sure bespoke tallow candles and lamp lighting is the priority for this... ramshackle... establishment." As the excitable halfling festoons him with details, the Lamplighter forces a smile; Quite the talker... Upon their sonorous announcement, he winces inwardly ...Quite the shouter also.
@Jasper: Apologies. Noted from your sheet you had Watch uniform but no other clothing, so presumed that what's you were garbed in :)
Tullovaen pauses outside Trollskull Manor, his focus solely on keeping his lip from curling in disdain; This.. "hovel"... is owned by a noble? Perhaps one that has fallen on hard times... His brow furrows as he contemplates entering, when he is aware of being hailed. The Lamplighter pivots to cast his gaze toward a halfling dressed in the uniform of the Watch, heavily laden with food and jars of preserves; "Greetings Master Halfling. Assistance? Yes; for a Serjeant of the Watch most surely..." Tullowvaen approaches the diminutive porter, attempting to lighten his burden whilst commenting on the situation; "For such small folk, your prestigious appetites never cease to surprise. Regardless, to where does this hungry friend of yours reside?"
As one neophyte trade began in Trollskull Manor, across the city, within the House of Light another was coming to an end. Inside, Tullowvaen took in the flickering grandeur within the 3 storey guildhouse of Waterdeep’s Guild of Chandlers and Lamplighters, one final time. It was a place he had come to call home, and had served dutifully for over 10 years. As the tall gold elf mulled his tenure, he inhaled the comforting scent of burning tallow and the sight of candle flames making the shadows dance. Ten years. A mere season to my folk. A lifetime to many poor souls of the city… Before him sat his Master of Flame. The guild master carefully signing two documents before he addressed his ”It is a bittersweet eve Tullowvaen. You have served us in exemplar fashion this last decade. I am truly sorry to see you leave us, I know the lads feel the same…” The old man smiled wistfully, as Tullowvaen’s keen eyes were drawn to the shadows, where other members of the guild huddled - black capped and curious. Most were mere children, few could call themselves adult. All were his family. To them he was a figure of fascination and fantasy; his skills, his magicks, the exemplar blade and craftwork he demonstrated. All had made him revered and emulated. To Tullowvaen it had always been about perfection. About the craft and duty. Until but a week ago, he achieved his end. His magnum opus - a candle delicately sculpted to resemble the Morninglord himself. At the end of his lamp-lighting shift, the tall elf had graciously presented his work at the Spires of the Morning. Such was its beauty that the priests bade the head of the temple - High Radiance Ghentilara herself receive it. When its perfection drew a smile and a tear from the priestess, Tullowvaen knew that a chapter had ended. He tendered his intent to leave that very day, and a week later his final shift was done. The Master of Flame tapped the two scrolls; ”This one is a letter of commendation. Signed by myself. Sealed with the symbol and wax of our guild. May it provide testimony to your service for any who would seek it.” ”The second is your final act as a Guilder. We have been made aware of a new tavern in the North Ward. It carries the name Trollskull Manor…” The guild master chuckled to himself as he read Tullowvaen's expression; ”I know the name will already be distasteful to you. Just remember Tullowvaen. Not all of us are refined as yourself. I know not what kind of place it is, but the fact one of the owners is of noble birth offers some hope. The Cloudkeeps of Ahm if I recall… Regardless, seek them out and present this missive detailing our services and goods. All taverns need light. All streets need illumination. Offer them good terms should they seek our services. That is all we ask.” Dutifully the elf removed his own black cap, placing it next to the flickering candles upon the Master’s table. Gathering up the two scrolls with a nod, the tall elf proudly addressed his guild; ”Know this I will do. Though I leave you all, I do not leave. I am in the flickering flame. I am in each carve of the tallow. I will watch over you all.” He bowed, and keen ears picked up more than few sniffles from the shadows. The Master presented him with one final parting boon; ”Take also these gifts. Each of your watch crafted a candle for you. May they light your path. From me this pendant…” Tullowvaen stooped as the old man pinned the silver pendant symbolising flickering flame upon his breast. ”You may be a peerless warrior, wizard and worker, but you elves are fragile too. This periapt has magic. It shall ward you from death, and afford you better healing when recovering. Wear it well.” He paused, pride clear. Then as a final farewell offered up the Guild’s maxim: ”May our light burn bright.” And with that he was gone. Reach pole slung over his shoulder. Missives and scimitar at his hip. To Trollskull Manor it is, and whatever awaits me there...
Sorry - been stymied with my creative writing and Kurgen's set the bar mighty high :)
Almost there with Tullowvaen - drew on some of the online/FR references that mentioned Sun Elves being somewhat haughty, frail, deliberate and proud. His CON is only 9 so he'll not be a damage sponge by any stretch, but if required to fight his Blade Dance tradition makes his a potent foe (for as long as he stands). With his frailty in mind I've picked Periapt of Wound Closure as his Uncommon Magic Item. Tried to select spells that only he has access to/or aren't present in the group to compliment what's already in place. Toyed with the idea of his Arcane Focus being his 10ft pole, but that would be folly and render him powerless at the first goblin warren :) Will finish him on the morrow as its creeping late here in UK...
@Adam: Good question chief. Tullowvaen is a driven creature - by day a perfectionist who crafts fantastical candles for his Guild, at night he is a dogged maintainer of the lamps and lights that provide the denizen's of Waterdeep illumination... Talliree I see as someone whose either targeted the Lamplighters (or those they guide) during her criminal days running with the Crimson Breakers... Perhaps she admired his stubborn determination to fix vandalised street lamps in the gang's territory and they have struck up an unlikely acquaintance as he undertook his shift. Mitchell is somewhat easier (in principal) as the Lamplighter's often come into direct contact with the city's nobles. I see the Guild as fashioning bespoke candles to noble or ranking patrons. Likewise the Lamplighters illuminations provide less opportunity for larceny and shadowy nefariousness, so I'm hoping a Paladin of Waukeen would see merit in their work.
With the plethora of Half-Elves, I'm tempted to rebadge Tullowvaen as a full High (Sun) Elf... Will mean some rejigging of stats etc, but makes for more diversity of races and abilities? |
