Adventure World: Caravan session 3
Summary
The party returns to camp to find that the caravan is packing up to head south to Kongasharja, travelling with the sheriff's people who were collecting harvest shares for the lord of the area. The youths share the story of their adventures and then move on to help with the preparations (at least, some do...)
Frond checks in with Kirar who is packing their wagon with the help of her brother Ugarth.
Frond meets her mother, aunts and grandmother coming back from the village with Taimi, the sheriff of Kongasharja.
Kirar accompanies Tsukav to lay to rest the bones recovered from the cavern that included worshippers of Kord.
Whisper checks in with Lis, the head of the Huinë, on his return, and goes to et some rest
Qog takes his new hammer to his mother, who relates a prophecy about it and tells him it is blessed and can grow to whatever size is needed: "Death knelled / The crown's fall / Death felled / Raise the wall / Titan sundered / The mountain's call / Storms thundered / Doom of all"
They make it to Kongasharja after a week of travelling and get a sense of the town as they roll in. Once the camp is set up, those who are well enough (not you Brauni) disperse to have their own small adventures.
Chlyde, Whisper and Tsukav go to the nearby tavern, where they find it difficult to make friends with the locals. They win some points with how they handle an attempted pickpocketing, but decide to call it a night.
Aan spends some time gleaning in the area, then comes across Certa, one of the younger Drow, playing her violin and singing. After she notices him, she keeps playing for a while and attaccts a larger audience of youngsters. Aan gives her a shell.
Qog checks up on Pica, the rescued dog, and the two of them find a young halfling, Rio Medialuna, poking around the camp. After checking with his elders, Qog bring the kid in to look around.
Kirar and Frond go to check out a temple they notices overlooking a waterfall, and find that it is a temple to Sehanine, which is unusual for the area.
Session
- Session date: 2023-08-06
- In Game date: Following on form the previous session and a week later
Back At Camp
Narrator: Last we left off, you'd all just returned from your inadvertent adventure rescuing some dwarves and looting a giant tomb. Upon arriving at the caravan with your newly acquired loot, you discovered two of the clan's outriders had returned. You'll also a pair of unfamiliar wagons with a couple of bored-looking guards just outside the village gates.
Narrator: Preparations are clearly under way for an imminent departure, with tents getting broken down, gear and supplies being stored, etc.
Aan: (what race are the guards? also orcs?)
Narrator: (No, they're a mix of gnomes, dwarves, and humans; and the wagons are much more basic than y'all's.)
Dorn: (one of Frond, Tsukaav, and Chlyde's dads) spots you all as he's getting his team of oxen hitched.)
Chlyde: Dorn! You'll never guess what we found!
Dorn: Hey, there you kids are. Your mom was expecting you back a while ago.
Dorn: Oh? What'd you find?
Chlyde: We found a giant's tomb! With treasure!
Dorn: raises an eyebrow at that. He's not the most expressive guy, so that's significant surprise coming from him.
Dorn: How did that happen?
Aan: hews close to his siblings for the moment
Dorn: Weren't you just picking up some vegetables?
Chlyde: will tell him and anyone else who will listen the story of the missing farmers and the battles with ghosts and the tomb, possibly embellishing slightly.
Frond: that's mostly right
Narrator: (Roll me Persuasion or Performance as you prefer, Tuck)
Frond: agrees to show that Chlyde isn't just making shit up ;)
Chlyde: (22)
Narrator: A couple of your youngest siblings and cousins will have gathered and listen raptly to your (mostly true) telling of your adventure. Dorn nods and looks ever so slightly impressed.
Chlyde: Man, it was awesome!
Chlyde: I'm gonna get at least three new songs out of this.
Tsukaav: Many great deeds.
Tsukaav says, apparently in agreement.
Qog: We should probably drop off this 75 pounds of coins somewhere.
Frond: or see if we can get them changed into something more portable while we're here...
Dorn: (to Frond, mostly) Best get all that stored then, we're about to be heading out. Kirar could probably use some help getting your undar ready to go, and the brukuror are...did you just say 75 pounds of coins?
Frond: it's a lot of copper... but yes
Chlyde: At least!
Chlyde: And also silver and ivory and like... magic stuff!
Aan: might slip away during the story recounting to go do Aan things before we go :x
Dorn: Okay, well, as I was just about to say, the brukuror ("mothers", meaning Verex and her daughters) are in the village finalizing some arrangements, but they'll definitely be interested in that.
Narrator: (What 'Aan things', Heather?)
Frond: I'll go help Kirar.
Chlyde: Where are we heading to?
Aan: (tidy up and add a few more little things to the little shrine he made when he was here, and collect things from various hidey holey that would need to move before the caravan takes off)
Aan: (probably some things from hideey holes can go to the shrine anyway :x)
Dorn: South, down to Kongasharja. That's their sheriff's wagons near the gate, picking up the lord's share of the harvest. We'll travel with them to help guard along the way.
Tsukaav: (I'll help however I would normally do so, but seeming perhaps a bit distracted)
Narrator: (Heather, make me a Religion check)
Chlyde: (Have we been to that area before?)
Aan: (10 ;p)
Narrator: (You (and anyone else around who would care to) can roll History)
Whisper: (2)
Narrator: (Heather, Aan puts together one of his little shrines in an out of the way place. It's calming and gives him a pleasant feeling, but he doesn't feel quite the same connection that he gets occasionally from the simple devotion.)
Tsukaav: (got you beat, 3)
Chlyde: (16)
Qog: (4)
Aan: will keep fussing with it until he is called away to help with other things
Narrator: (Chlyde, you know the caravan's been there before, a few times. Last you remember would have been six or seven years ago, when you were very much still a kid.)
Narrator: (Other folks, all these towns blend together, so who knows. 😉 )
Chlyde: Haven't been there in a while.
Chlyde: I wonder if that old woman who used to give me raisins is still there.
Dorn: Well, you can certainly look her up when we get there, I'm sure. Now leave your old man to his work, and get to yours, brukog (children, 'kids').
Whisper: slips off to ensure/help the rest of the drow be ready for departure
Chlyde: will head off to tell more people about the epic adventure and maybe do some actual work on the side... when she has time for it.
Frond Checks in With Kirar
Narrator: Frond, you can find Kirar dutifully packing up your wagon (though I get the feeling y'all don't have a ton of stuff, really, and aren't particularly messy or expansive in unpacking) with some help from your brother Ugarth.
Kirar: smiles when he sees Frond.
Frond: Everything going okay?
Kirar: Oh, hey, you're back. Everything go okay with that task your mother sent you on?
Kirar: Oh, yeah, fine here, just finishing up.
Frond: Well, it was not quite what we expected.
Narrator: Ugarth gives him a bit of a smirking look.
Frond: will relate a less-embellished version of the story
Kirar: Oh? How so?
Kirar: Wow, is everyone okay?
Frond: Yes, well, other than those raiders.
Frond: I had never seen a tomb like that, it must have been old.
Kirar: nods.
Kirar: Giants used to be a big problem all along the western coast, no pun intended. I would imagine it's got to date back to the early Imperial or before. Amazing it hadn't been Changed, though we wouldn't know if it had.
Frond: well it was underground... would they have built it like that or did it... sink down or something?
Kirar: I think it depends on the type of giant in question. Your description makes it sound like maybe a hill giant, and I think they bury their dead, though it does sound like a fancy grave for sure.
Frond: See, you are so smart 🙂 I should have brought you along but I didn't know it was going to be more interesting than picking up vegetables.
Kirar: Next time I'll be sure to tag along, work permitting.
Kirar: smiles and will give Frond a kiss, while Ugarth roles his eyes and pointedly ignores the pair.
Frond: well, what do you need help with here? it looks like you mostly have it all taken care of...
Kirar: Yeah, your brother and I have things pretty well in hand.
Narrator: Ugarth huffs, which Kirar ignores with a smile.
Kirar: I think your mom, aunts, and grandmother are just finishing up business in the village, and we'll be good to go.
Frond: nods
Frond: Maybe I'll just go and see if they need anything
Kirar: nods.
Kirar: We'll be here holding down the fort.
Narrator: Ugarth gives another very teenager-y huff.
Frond: Thanks, sweetheart.
Frond: will go and check on the brukuror
Frond Meets With The Sheriff From Kongasharja
Narrator: It's not too long before Verex, Volda, Yevelda, and Kih return from inside the village, essentially meeting Frond as they walk out of the gates with a gnomish woman of median (gnomish) height and a hawkish demeanor.
Frond: oh, hi, I was just coming to check if you needed anything before we go.
Volda: Oh, Frond, good timing. We were just about ready to head out. This is Taimi, the sheriff out of Kongasharja.
Taimi: Ma'am.
Frond: Good day, Sheriff.
Taimi: says with a nod.
Yevelda: Ceana and Floraidh said you all had quite the adventure.
Frond: It was an unexpected encounter, to be sure.
Taimi: I'm sorry to hear about all that. We get raids from the north and east around this time of year, when the harvest comes in. It's lucky I ran into your family so it'll be less dangerous on the ride back. If Lord Laukkanen would just spare me some troops...
Taimi: shakes her head, sighs, and spits.
Frond: It's no trouble. We will be able to defend against any problems we might encounter on the way.
Taimi: I'm grateful, and happy to spare the coin in any event. We should be ready whenever you all are.
Verex: Then best we get under way, hmm?
Taimi: nods politely and will head over to her wagons.
Yevelda: I'm sorry you guys had to deal with those raiders, but I'm very glad Ceana and Floraidh are safe.
Frond: I'm glad that we arrived in the time we did, so we could help.
Volda: I'm sure Tsukaav had a good time with it, and Chlyde must have a couple versions of the story by now.
Frond: I think she's writing several songs on the subject.
Narrator: That gets a smile from the group.
Volda: Did Kirar get your undar ready? I sent Ugarth to give him a hand.
Frond: Yes, they had it all in order. There was hardly anything left for me to do.
Kih: The mark of a good husband. You get another one or two, and you can live the easy life like us.
Frond: _smiles at that
Narrator: That gets another general laugh, and you'll all have made it to the camp by then.
Frond: well, I will keep an eye out
Tsukaav and Kirar Lay the Dead to Rest
Narrator: Tsukaav, there's probably a small graveyard just outside Halidun (space inside the walls being at a premium).
Tsukaav: (ok, I don't know anything about Kord/Rull funerals. Do we bury the dead?)
Narrator: (Oh, you know what, that's a good question. Now that I think about it, I think cremation or sky burial are the norm.)
Tsukaav: (all right, then instead of burying this person in the Halidun graveyard I will take them to a hilltop somewhere and, if possible, place several big stones around the body, for a sky burial. Not that there is any flesh for carrion birds, of course.)
Narrator: There are plenty of hills around Halidun, so it's easy enough to spot a suitable one nearby. As you're walking out of camp, you hear jogging footfalls and look up to see your brother-in-law Kirar approaching.
Tsukaav: Kirar, hello.
Kirar: Tsukaav, hi, sorry to bother you, but I heard you all found a body, well, several bodies, but one with a holy symbol...
Tsukaav: We did, yes.
Tsukaav: holds up a bag.
Tsukaav: I was taking them to announce their final journey. It has been very long, of course, and this soldier may already have found their path to Kord's legions.
Tsukaav: But still, the rites should be performed.
Kirar: nods.
Kirar: I thought you might want some company? Rull's not my patron, but, still, we should honor the dead...
Tsukaav: Of course, you would be welcome.
Kirar: nods and will fall into step with you.
Tsukaav: There was more than one fallen body in the tomb. This one had Kord's symbol.
Tsukaav: It was a jumble. There could be more than one person's remains here. I did what I could.
Tsukaav: seems pensive as he walks with Kirar.
Tsukaav: So many things out there could have changed. We only found it by chance. Or so it seemed at the time.
Tsukaav: But think how few followers of Rull there are, here. I do sense some purpose here, Kirar. This person, I do not know their name, but they held a magic relic of Kord, and may have been very important, once.
Kirar: ponders that.
Kirar: I think the effort matters more than necessarily the, um, accuracy.
Kirar: But it does seem providential you would have found so old a body, devoted as well to your patron.
Kirar: I'm inclined to agree with you regarding its portent.
Tsukaav: looks around.
Tsukaav: Well, this seems like a good place. Here, help me bring some stones to place around the body.
Kirar: will do so. He's content to participate and let Tsukaav lead the service, remaining respectful and solemn throughout.
Tsukaav: lays the bones down between the stones and begins the ritual.
Tsukaav: Hallowed compatriot, fallen soldier. Your struggles have ended, and the sun has fallen on your last battlefield.
Tsukaav: Now it is time for you to rejoin mighty Kord, to serve in your rest just as you did in waking times.
Tsukaav: Kord, take this servant and their strength skyward, and mark their deeds on your sword-hilt.
Tsukaav: As lightning augurs thunder, may these words signal to you that your legions shall be strengthened once more.
Tsukaav: Go now, fallen champion, and know that you are not forgotten.
Tsukaav: steps back.
Tsukaav: There, it is done.
Kirar: nods.
Kirar: Rest in strength, warrior.
Tsukaav: clasps the fallen one's holy symbol.
Tsukaav: We should get back, there is much to do before we leave.
Kirar: Right, always more work to be done.
Whisper Checks in With Lis
Lis: will be getting the horses hitched when Whisper approaches. She's tall and about as broad as possible for a drow, with short white hair and a friendly demeanor.
Lis: Everything go okay with the grocery trip?
Whisper: The dwarves we were meeting were kidnapped by Shifters. Had to track them down and free them.
Lis: frowns.
Lis: Everyone okay?
Whisper: A few bruises, nothing more.
Whisper: Chlyde is composing songs about it, if you want more details.
Lis: chuckles at that.
Lis: Shouldn't be too long before we're heading out. Horse, wagon, or feet?
Whisper: I'm one of the victims of the bruising, so I'll start in the wagon.
Whisper: Anything I should know about our traveling companions
Whisper: glances at the unfamiliar wagons
Lis: You need Marya to take a look at you?
Lis: asks, re: the bruising.
Whisper: shakes his head no in response to that
Lis: frowns and looks like she wants to argue, but lets it slide.
Lis: The locals shouldn't be a problem, and it's easy work for the caravan. No one's going to mess with a group this big, I'm sure, but we best keep our eyes out in any event.
Whisper: nods
Whisper: I'll go rest now, so I'm available to watch overnight.
Lis: I appreciate it. Let Marya know if you need a stitch or a prayer, yeah?
Whisper: I will
Whisper: will find a spot in the back of the wagon, take a few minutes to check his weapons edges, adjust his leg, say a prayer of rest to his family and spirits, and slip into a trance
Qog Talks to Yevelda About The Hammer
Narrator: (Anything in particular anyone wants to accomplish before heading out?)
Qog: would really like to get this hammer checked out by someone who knows more about magic and/or religion.
Narrator: (Okie doke. You have three choices (though obviously you can consult all of them over the course of travel): you mother Yevelda knows about magic, your aunt Volda knows about religion, and your grandpa Krusk knows about hammers. 😉 )
Qog: would probably check with Yevelda first, since the hammer is obviously magical.
Yevelda: will have just returned to camp with the rest of the brukuror and is getting the last of your family's stuff squared away.
Qog: walks over with the hammer.
Qog: Do you have a minute?
Yevelda: Hmm? Sure, sweetie, what is it?
Qog: It's a long story, but we found a tomb while we were picking up the produce, and I found this. It's DEFINITELY magic. Do you have a way to figure out what it does? Right now I just know it hits really hard and lights up when it does.
Yevelda: Oh, it lights up? Marvelous!
Yevelda: glances around.
Yevelda: Your dads and siblings have this under control. Come on, let's see what this thing can do, hmm?
Qog: nods his head
Yevelda: will go into the wagon to grab her ritual book, returning and taking you to a now-cleared spot nearby.
Yevelda: This was with the giant corpse you all found?
Qog: Yeah, and I think me grabbing the hammer might have woken it up.
Yevelda: Well, I heard you put it back to 'sleep', so alls well that ends well. I just thought a giant's hammer would be bigger.
Yevelda: starts laying out the implements and ingredients for the ritual.
Yevelda: will also take the time to explain what she's doing and involve Qog in the ritual.
Narrator: As the ritual reaches its zenith, she touches the hammer and her eyes go a solid gold color, shedding a soft radiance.
Qog: isn't sure what he should be doing, so he'll just watch quietly for now.
Yevelda: Death knelled
The crown's fall
Death felled
Raise the wall
Titan sundered
The mountain's call
Storms thundered
Doom of all
Yevelda: 's eyes return to normal, and she shakes her head.
Yevelda: Well, that was strange. What happened?
Qog: Your eyes light up gold, and you said some stuff about the crown's fall, and a titan, and 'doom of all,' which doesn't sound too good.
Qog: Is the hammer cursed or something? I figured with the Pelor symbol that is was probably all right to keep.
Yevelda: Oh, no, I don't think it's cursed at all. I think it's blessed, though I'm not sure I understand it in its entirety.
Yevelda: But it is magical, and I think is particularly dangerous to the undead, or the enemies of the gods.
Yevelda: And I think I understand why it's so small, comparatively.
Yevelda: utters a command word, and the hammer shrinks from a warhammer to about the size of a basic workman's tool. She says another, and it grows to the size of a maul, big enough you see her struggle with it momentarily. A third command word said, it returns to its 'original' shape and size.
Yevelda: holds it out back to Qog.
Qog: How did you do that?
Yevelda: Quite the find, dear, and I think it will serve you well. I'm going to want to study it some more, though.
Yevelda: can teach Qog the command words.
Qog: Yes, please.
Qog: Anything I can help with before we get on the road?
Yevelda: There's always plenty to do. Maybe go help Big Krusk get his tools and anvil loaded.
Qog: Yes, ma'am -- and thank you!
Looks down at the hammer and grins before he runs off to find Big Krusk.
Yevelda: smiles tiredly as she watches Qog run off.
Narrator: The caravan is soon packed and ready to get under way to Kongasharja.
Arriving in Kongasharja
Narrator: It's about a week's travel (the sheriff's wagons and teams aren't quite as good as y'all's) to Kongasharja. The first day's travel is across mostly grassy hills, to the edge of a large forest. The next two days are through the forest, ending up camping on the banks of the Nentir River on the other side. The fourth day you skirt the edge of a ruined settlement, its lone untumbled tower wreathed in mist despite the otherwise pleasant weather. The next day sees you through another forest hugging the banks of the river alongside which you ride. Another day and a half through gentle hills and pleasant valleys scattered with farmsteads sees you through to your destination, and the walls of Kongasharja rise ahead of you.
Aan: burrows deeper into the wagon as we approach the city
Chlyde: (So this is an actual decent sized city?)
Narrator: (It's about 1300 people or so, give or take merchants and other travelers moving through)
Narrator: Travelling with the sheriff gets you through the north gates with no problem. You get a good view of the castle on the bluff to the east, and a crumbling tower on an island in the river to the west. Taimi can direct you to a good place to camp in the lower city.
Narrator: (Can I get Perception checks from folks?)
Tsukaav: (bah, 10)
Whisper: (18)
Chlyde: (18)
Aan: (14...)
Frond: (21, natural 20)
Qog: (13)
Narrator: Your route takes you straight through from the gates to the switchback path to the lower city, eventually ending up at an open field with a few bits of rubble still scattered here and there near where the small stream cuts across and flows into the larger river. Along the way, you pass an inn proclaiming itself the Silver Unicorn and a mercantile (6 and 7), a pair of temples (Frond, Whisper, and Chlyde will note the more northern one as a little run down and bearing the sunburst, anvil, and crossed lightning bolts of Pelor, Moradin, and Kord; with the latter, bigger one sporting Erathis's stylized cog symbol). Passing into the lower city, you cross the busy market green, which is flanked by another mercantile and and alehouse, the sign of which proclaims it the "Lucky Gnome".
Frond: (what's the general makeup of the town?)
Narrator: Much like the sheriff and her guards, the town seems a mix of gnomes, dwarves, and humans, with gnomes most numerous. You also spot a few elduar, halflings, tieflings, dragonborn, and shifters here and there. It's reasonably cosmopolitan for a mid-sized town, sitting on a crossroads of the river and the east-west trail.
Narrator: You'll all have things to do, getting the camp situated, but by early evening the clan can sit down to a nice communal dinner. After that, your evening is free, though you'll all get a standard warning not to go anywhere alone.
Narrator: (I'll also say that Frond, Whisper, and Chlyde notice another tower, in much better repair, on the little steep-sided hill in the south east, and Frond spots a building to the east, on the edge of the ridge, that looks like it might be another temple. (22 and 20 respectively))
Frond: (I'll see what Kirar wants to do, but if he has no specific aims, I might go look at that possible other temple, just to see what it is)
Narrator: What might people be interested in getting up to? 🙂
Chlyde: will head to the taverns to scope out the situation and see if they are in need of performers.
Narrator: (Heading off alone or taking anyone with you? We'll assume Brauni came down with something on the trip south and isn't feeling great, much to her own dismay.)
Chlyde: will see if anyone is interested in getting a few drinks in town.
Whisper: can accompany Chlyde if there is nobody else volunteering
Tsukaav: will go into town for drinks, sure.
Narrator: Chlyde, Whisper, Tsukaav, which establishment do you want to head to, the one in the lower town like 150 feet from your camp, or the one your passed in upper town just past the north gate?
Chlyde: (I guess let's start with the closer one and see if it's worthwhile?)
Tsukaav: (sure sounds good)
Narrator: Many loud voices spill out of the open door of the Lucky Gnome Taphouse, and you have to duck slightly to get in the door. You can spot a game of cards going on in one corner, and a few people throwing knives at a target in another. A low bar sits along the left wall of the tavern, a scowling barman handing out mugs from behind it.
Tsukaav: (how well equipped is the actual inside for someone of my size?)
Narrator: (The ceiling is tall enough, though with little clearance, and there's chairs for people your size, but the space is clearly meant more for the smallfolk.)
Chlyde: will approach the barman and order a round of drinks for myself and my korúr (Kin).
Whisper: just listens to the local conversations
Tsukaav: adjusts himself to try to sit comfortably and look around the place.
Narrator: (Go ahead and roll me Perception checks, Whisper and Tsukaav)
Tsukaav: (17)
Whisper: (21)
Narrator: Chlyde, the barman frowns, but takes your coin and passes across three mugs of beer.
Narrator: Tsukaav and Whisper, you get the impression folks are keeping an eye on the three of you. Whisper, the knife-throwers are definitely watching you, though they're trying to be surreptitious about it.
Whisper: (not looking for competition?)
Chlyde: will attempt to engage the barman in some small talk and tell jokes or stories to get him in a better mood.
Chlyde: Man, this place is something. Reminds meof this one tavern we stopped at back east. We walked in and there was a live crocodile on the bar! Let me tell you...
Tsukaav: shifts uneasily but tries to not seem too threatening.
Narrator: (Chlyde and Tsukaav, roll me Persuasion. 🙂 )
Narrator: (Whisper, yeah, you get the sense of like a predator sizing up competition.)
Chlyde: (12)
Tsukaav: (7)
Narrator: The barman scowls and doesn't say anything, moving on to the next customer.
Narrator: Tsukaav, no one says anything, but people definitely give you a wide berth.
Chlyde: ...right.
Chlyde: (In orcish) You guys get the feeling we're not really... welcome here?
Whisper: shrugs
Tsukaav: I've felt more unwelcome elsewhere.
Tsukaav: Let's just have a quiet drink. Show them we mean no threat.
Chlyde: Yeah. Probably smart.
Tsukaav: As long as no one challenges me, we'll be fine.
Whisper: reaches into his belt pouch and pulls out a set of dice, giving Tsukaav a look
Tsukaav: I didn't bring much money with me.
Chlyde: grins.
Chlyde: I did. Promise I won't even cheat.
Whisper: I guess I won’t either then
Whisper: gives a sly smile
Whisper: (finds a table instead of playing at the counter)
Chlyde: will follow him and play a few friendly rounds of dice while drinking.
Whisper: will try and gauge if this is easing the crowds attitude, and see if anyone shows interest in joining
Whisper: always sets a copper aside when he wins, placing it at the side of the table
Whisper: (Tsukaav get in on this? I'm sure Chlyde would spot him)
Narrator: (Roll Insight)
Tsukaav: (sure)
Whisper: (8)
Chlyde: (15)
Tsukaav: (oh are we all rolling? I thought that was just for Whisper)
Whisper: (Im sure we could all tell if its helping put people at ease)
Tsukaav: (well I rolled an 8, regardless)
Chlyde: (Oh, sorry, I thought it was for everyone)
Chlyde: will nod to the small pile of coppers that Whisper is forming.
Chlyde: What's that for?
Whisper: says something in Sylvan
Whisper: Tithe to the spirits, in thanks for fortune. You should try it. It might help.
Narrator: (Chlyde, you think the crowd might be getting a little more used to you.)
Chlyde: Hmmm... couldn't hurt, right? I'll take whatever help I can get.
Chlyde: will start a pile of her own.
Whisper: How long did you want to stay here? There is another place to try.
Tsukaav: Up to you.
Chlyde: I think they're starting to warm up to us a little, but it'll take time. Maybe we come back again tomorrow. Familiarity breeds indifference.
Narrator: (Y'all headed out then?)
Tsukaav: All right, sister. Let's go, then.
Chlyde: nods and leaves a decent sized tip on the bar for the barman.
Whisper: pockets his winnings and the dice, leaving the copper
Narrator: (Give me one more Perception check, everyone)
Chlyde: (19)
Tsukaav: (9, jeez i'm rolling bad today)
Whisper: (21)
Narrator: A halfling bumps into Tsukaav on your way out the door, apologizing briefly and moving past you. Chlyde and Whisper, you both spot the halflings hand dart into Tsukaav's (pocket or purse, whichever he has 😛 ).
Chlyde: will put one hand on the halflings shoulder as they walk past her.
Tsukaav: (coin purse, no pockets)
Chlyde: Not bad, but you need to work on your sight angles. Give it back.
Whisper: has his hand resting on his dagger, watching the halfling
Chlyde: looks down at the halfling sternly but not overly threatening.
Narrator: (Chlyde, roll me Intimidation or Persuasion, your choice.)
Tsukaav: turns, his attention now drawn to the halfling by Chlyde.
Chlyde: (24)
Narrator: The halfling scowls for a moment, then shrugs and hands Tsukaav a handfull of coins.
Narrator: "Worth a shot. Good on you for spotting me."
Tsukaav: looks the halfling up and down.
Chlyde: pats their shoulder.
Chlyde: No hard feelings, huh?
Tsukaav: pulls one coin out from the pile and puts the rest away.
Tsukaav: Call it.
Tsukaav: holds the coin out in front of the halfling.
Narrator: "Tail
Tsukaav: (it's tails)
Tsukaav: hands the coin to them.
Tsukaav: Here. You seem like you might need it. And practice more.
Narrator: The halfling looks taken aback for a moment, then snatches the coin from your hand in the blink of an eye.
Narrator: "No hard feelings, for sure!"
Narrator: He grins and darts into the taphouse.
Chlyde: Nice one, little brother.
Tsukaav: Have to keep them wondering what would have happened if it came up heads.
Chlyde: laughs
Whisper: Far kinder than I would have been
Whisper: still has his hand near his dagger
Tsukaav: Now we have been seen to be civilized ... and merciful.
Tsukaav: But not stupid.
Chlyde: And generous
Chlyde: And not marks.
Chlyde: I think that went pretty well.
Tsukaav: Could I have pummeled the thief? Of course. But he may have friends.
Tsukaav: Some of whom surely observed what just happened.
Tsukaav: Anyway, we were just leaving.
Whisper: nods
Whisper: Other tavern, or done for the night?
Chlyde: I don't think we're gonna find the party I was looking for. At least not for a while.
Tsukaav: Agreed.
Narrator: You can make your way back to the camp, a few coins lighter and a few drinks richer."
Aan Discovers Certa Playing the Violin
Aan: will poke around in our campsite to see if there ins anything of interest previous campers left around, and maybe range to the outsirts of that f there aren't a lot of other poeple around... need more things for the next shrine :x
Aan: (assuming chores and stuff are all done, anyway)
Narrator: (Yeah, this is after chores for the day)
Qog: will hang around camp and maybe have a chat with Pica, see how he's settling in with the caravan.
Narrator: (Heather, roll me an Investigation check)
Narrator: (With advantage, lets say. Aan is plenty experienced at rummaging through trash 😉 )
Aan: (lol 13 - withadvantage. I should not have worn me 'all my rolls are trash' shirt 😅 )
Narrator: Aan finds plenty of neat stones, some worn smooth by the river, including one with a hole straight through it, as well as some shells with an iridescent sheen to them. It's not an impressive haul, but likely a pleasant one by Aan's standards.
Aan: (yeah, that will keep him happy enough - he will stash them for now in some little hideyhole)
Narrator: Aan, you hear music playing from the south side of the camp, near the stream, a soft, sweet melody on presumably some kind of stringed instrument.
Aan: (relatively close to our camp, you mean? He will try and sneak closer and see who might be making it)
Narrator: (In camp, you think, actually. Roll Stealth)
Aan: (I accidentally rolled with advantage first but -19)
Narrator: Aan, you round one of the undar and spot Certa, the youngest of the drow and Marya and Lis' daughter, sitting on a stump playing a violin and humming to herself. You don't recognize the song and can't understand the words, but it does feel you with a sense of peace, tinged with sadness.
Aan: will just sit and listen then :3
Certa: continues to play for some time.
Aan: (Do I have any ieal how old she is? or not necessarily age but like, is she a teenager or a kid or what)
Narrator: (Basically a teenager/young adult)
Aan: is probably not going to disturb her, but if she really is just off playing by herself for a long time then he might decide to just leave her be :x
Certa: pauses in her playing after she finishes the (quite lengthy) song, and, after a moment, starts as she turns and notices Aan.
Certa: Oh! Hello there.
Certa: Gave me a bit of a fright. I might have thought you were an ëala. Or I suppose and ainu, hmm?
Aan: was just in the middle of withdrawing and also starts when she notices him
Aan: gives her a nervous smile
Certa: Did you want to come listen? I wasn't bothering you, was I?
Aan: will slowly sit back down where he was
Certa: begins to sing again in Elduar, this ballad a bit more strident.
Aan: will sit and listen, leaning on his knees, tail wrapped over his feet
Certa: I wasn't sure this kind of music was to your liking.
Certa: says once she finishes the song.
Aan: points a hand at his heart and will say "nice?" in awkward common
Certa: I just meant, it's very different from your usual music. Not that I don't enjoy that as well.
Aan: different.
Aan: agrees
Certa: smiles pleasantly and will play another song, standing up to sway and turn with the music.
Narrator: You're not sure you'd heard her play or sing before, but you did know she was a dancer. She often does so for coin when her sister or cousin plays accompaniment, and she's quite talented.
Aan: doesn't really have anything to contibute to this, but can watch :3
Certa: will gladly play a few more songs, probably gathering a small audience of mostly other youngsters.
Aan: will leave her one of the shells he found earlier
Qog and Pica Make a Friend
Narrator: Qog, Pica will excitedly wait for Qog to finish the ritual, wagging his tail happily.
Qog: How you doin', buddy? Settling in OK?
Pica: Yep yep! There's so many new things and smells and people and things and smells...
Pica: turns in a circle a couple of times excitedly.
Qog: That's great! Are the other dogs being nice to you?
Pica: We had to sort things out like normal, but we're good now. We chased down a rabbit this morning, and I even got a little bit!
Pica: Oh! Should we have brought it back? It wasn't very big, but two-legs aren't the best hunters...
Qog: laughs
No, we're not, but we've got plenty of food. If you can catch it, you eat it.
Qog: I'm glad you're fitting in, and I hope this is better than where you were before. I mean, traveling can be tough, but it sounds like those shifters weren't very nice to you.
Pica: It's much better with this pack. More like me, and all the two-legs give me pets and - hmm!
Pica: turns and looks into the darkness nearby.
Qog: What is it?
Pica: Hey! Hey! Is there someone there?!
Qog: Can I see anything?
Pica: jets off into the darkness and you hear a small cry a moment after Pica bounds into a bit of overgrown bush.
Narrator: (Roll Perception)
Qog: (18)
Narrator: You think you see a small figure in the undergrowth, with Pica now standing over them barking.
Qog: pulls out the hammer and rushes toward Pica
Pica: Hey! Person! There's a person! A two-legs! Hey!
Qog: nudges Pica out of the way for a better look, hammer raised just in case
Who's there?
Narrator: "Imsorryimsorryimsorrypleaseimsorry..."
Narrator: You spot a halfling child, maybe ten or so, eyeing you and Pica warily.
Qog: drops the hammer
Oh, no! It's OK, it's OK! We're friendly! We -
Shoos Pica back a little
It's OK. What are you doing out here?
Narrator: "Isawyoucampandiwantedtosee..."
Narrator: They pause to catch their breath.
Narrator: "I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by it. I live just right there. (They point across the stream, where you see a plume of smoke rising over a good-sized stone building.) I'm an apprentice there."
Qog: Really? I'm kind of an apprentice, too. What do you do there?
Narrator: "Mostly I hold things and fetch things, but I can make nails and things. Arrowheads now, too."
Narrator: "You're still an apprentice? How old are you?"
Qog: "17. I work a lot with one of my grandpas, learning to fix wagons and take care of the livestock and stuff. I'm Qog, by the way. What's your name."
Rio: Rio. Rio Medialuna.
Qog: "Hey, Rio. This is Pica."
Reaches down to scratch Pica behind the ears.
"Sorry we scared you. I didn't realize we had company. We just got here today -- but I guess you knew that already."
Rio: eyes Pica still a bit warily, but stands and, after a moment, stretches their hand out for Pica to sniff.
Pica: glances at Qog and, after a moment, sniffs the halfling's hand and gives it a lick.
Rio: smiles.
Qog: "So you wanted to see the camp, huh?"
Glances back at camp
"Man, I don't know ... This is going to sound really weird, but I should probably check with my mom first. We're friendly, but some of us aren't real comfortable around strangers. Can you stay here with Pica for a minute?"
Rio: glances at Pica, who at this point is sitting and wagging his tail.
Rio: O-okay.
Qog: goes to find Yevelda
Yevelda: is probably sitting with a good number of the adults near one of the camp fires.
Qog: walks up to her and leans in so everybody doesn't hear.
"We have a visitor. A halfling kid. They want to see the camp. What should I tell them?"
Yevelda: Did they seem like they were spying, or just curious?
Qog: "They were talking really fast, but I think just curious. Said they lived across the stream and saw us setting up camp. I don't think they're dangerous or anything, but ... well, I wasn't sure how everyone would react if I just brought them right in."
Krusk: Across the stream, you said? Whereabouts?
Krusk: had been talking to your uncles nearby, but approached when he overheard.
Qog: "The big stone building with the smoke. They're an apprentice there."
Krusk: Oh, they must be one of Teldorthan's! I was just going to go visit him tomorrow, so, sure, they're welcome here.
Qog: sighs with relief.
"Cool. I was really worried this was going to be a big thing. I'll go get them."
Heads back to Rio and Pica (and the magic hammer he dropped and then left behind like an idiot)
Narrator: (Heh)
Rio: will be holding the hammer and looking at it curiously, but offer it up immediately upon your return.
Qog: Takes the hammer, a little sheepishly.
"It's pretty cool, right? I just found it the other day. It sounds like my grandpa knows your family, so you can come see the camp if you want."
Rio: Cool!
Rio: smiles, and will walk with Qog and Pica into the camp, asking a million questions now that they're not frightened to death.
Qog: Will do his best to answer them, but honestly he's probably a little overwhelmed
Frond and Kirar Explore the Area
Narrator: Frond, when you check in with Kirar, he says he was thinking of maybe trying his hand at some night fishing, but he'd be happy to accompany you if you wanted to check out that temple.
Frond: I was just curious what it is.. we don't need to spend a lot of time there, so fishing should still be possible after.
Frond: it might be a nice walk there anyway
Kirar: smiles.
Kirar: Sounds like a plan.
Frond: it looks like it's right near the top of that waterfall
Kirar: I bet that'll be pretty in the moonlight.
Frond: nods, smiling
Frond: will hold his hand as we walk up to the upper part of the town
Frond: it must be hard going up and down all the time for the people that live here. I guess it's a good location but why wouldn't they all be on the upper side...
Kirar: I guess people need to take cargo between the lower and upper river?
Frond: nods
Frond: it just seems like a lot of work to go to your temple or tavern or something, if it's on the other end of town.
Frond: but I suppose they must be used to it
Frond: good exercise, going up and down the paths all the time 🙂
Kirar: Don't mention that to Tsukaav. He'll try to get us all doing it multiple times a day while we're here.
Frond: grins at that
Frond: Oh, we don't have to listen to him, though.
Kirar: I try to be polite, but...yeah. 🙂
Frond: just because he likes getting out of breath and sweaty for fun doesn't mean everyone else has to.
Narrator: (Sorry, I was wrong on consulting my notes. The temple is at 16, but otherwise everything holds up fine 🙂 )
Kirar: Well, let's not be hasty. There's good and fun reasons to do both of those things.
Frond: (close enough - we can walk over to the waterfall after if we want 🙂
Frond: laughs at that.
Frond: yes but my brother only thinks about the ones that will get him bigger muscles, not the more enjoyable ones.
Kirar: laughs.
Frond: I don't think he's ever even had a girlfriend.
Narrator: You make your way up another switchback, spotting a hole in the ridge wall off to the north, the temple just above you after a turn in the other direction.
Kirar: No sweetheart during his kurún (apprenticeship/year abroad/whatever we want to call it)?
Frond: well... I guess I don't know. He never mentioned anything like that, at least.
Frond: I would guess if there was anything serious, he would have said, but maybe not.
Frond: I don't need to know all that my brother gets up to anyway, ew. But he just never had anyone that I knew about, anyway.
Kirar: nods.
Kirar: He doesn't seem like he has trouble sharing, so I imagine you'd know.
Narrator: You both crest the top of the ridge and find yourself in front of a white marble temple in an elduar style, a half-moon symbol displayed prominently over the lintel.
Frond: (do I recognize that?)
Narrator: (Roll Religion)
Frond: (13)
Narrator: (You recognize a symbol of Sehanine well enough, though you couldn't speak too much about her tenets. You just know the basics (goddess of love and the moon, etc.))
Frond: Sehanine?
Frond: looks to Kirar to see if he has more insight, he's the clever one here ;)
Kirar: nods.
Kirar: And the other Seldarine, I'd wager. I'm kind of surprised. I know we're on the border, but I wouldn't have thought they'd be the most popular of deities around here. This temple looks quite well-kept, though.
Narrator: From within the temple, you hear a faltering song played on some kind of stringed instrument.
Frond: Why not popular? there's a few elduar here, and gnomes...
Kirar: Oh, well, yes, but Nentir and all Metsamaki are sworn to Grimfarr, so I would have thought that Pelor temple would have been the major one, but it looks almost abandoned.
Frond: weird.
Frond: it sounds like there's someone in there, at least...
Kirar: Did you want to look inside?
Narrator: The song stops for a moment, then picks back up, still a bit off.
Frond: maybe just for a short while? I don't want to keep you from your fishing.
Kirar: Eh, they'll keep.
Kirar: opens the door for you.
Frond: will take a look inside
Narrator: The inside proves just as well-appointed as the outside, marble and beautifully carved wood. Near the altar in the center of the space, sitting on a pair of cushions, are an elven man and a tiefling girl. Both are holding lyres, but the latter of the two is the one (barely) playingthe song you heard.
Frond: doesn't want to interrupt, but will just look around a little
Priest: You're doing just fine Duqqu, keep going. I'll be right back.
Priest: puts down his lyre, stands, and approaches the pair of you.
Priest: Welcome to the Halfmoon Temple. How can I help you two this evening?
Frond: oh... we are just passing through, and I was curious about the temples here. if we are interrupting a lesson I apologize.
Narrator: sesmiles and glances back at his pupil.ae
Priest: In truth, she could probably use more practice without me watching her. Are you adherents of the Moon Maiden?
Kirar: Not as such, no, but we try our best to honor the gods as a whole.
Frond: nods in agreement with that
Frond: I like to pay respects when I can, if it's not unwelcome.
Priest: Everyone of good intention is welcome here. And sometimes otherwise as well. 😉
Ressilmae: My name is Ressilmae
Kirar: Kirar. A pleasure to meet you.
Frond: Frond
Ressilmae: An honor and a pleasure to meet you both. If you'll excuse me, I need to rescue all three of us.
Ressilmae: smiles and returns to instruct his student.
Kirar: (Orcish) Nice enough fellow.
Frond: nods
Frond: well... what's an appropriately respectful offering?
Frond: asks Kirar
Kirar: ponders that, then leans over to give Frond a kiss.
Kirar: Thank you, Sehanine, for the joy and love I have found.
Frond: smiles at that
Frond: Yes... thank you for a happy marriage.
Kirar: will take a few minutes to admire the temple.
Kirar: Back to camp? Or to the falls first?
Frond: let's go see the falls, since we are here anyway. then we can go back.
Kirar: walks with you over to the falls, hand in hand.
Narrator: Across the stream, there is a large, well-appointed residence. The stream itself is maybe 20 feet wide, and doesn't look particularly deep. The falls are a good 100 or more feet down, impressive in the light of the (appropriately) half moon.
Frond: pretty...
Kirar: This was a good choice; this view is amazing. You can see the camp by the river right there, and all the way to the other falls.
Frond: nods
Frond: I guess that big house is someone rich
Kirar: It would have to be, I would imagine. If I were the lord of this place, I'd live right here, but I guess it's not necessarily as defensible as the bluff.
Kirar: nods towards where the keep rises over the town to the north.
Frond: that tower over there is pretty close though. they could run over to there if they needed to, I guess.
Frond: gestures to the tower at 22
Frond: that's about the most safe place other than the keep
Kirar: nods.
Frond: I wonder if it's a watchtower or something.
Kirar: Yeah, I wonder what that is. Something we can check out tomorrow, maybe. Come see the falls again in the daytime, assuming we don't have other things to do.
Frond: nods
Frond: that's true, we should have more time to look around tomorrow. it's getting late, I guess we should get back soon.
Kirar: nods again.
Kirar: That's probably a good idea. Don't want folks to think we got lost.
