Candlekeep

Jun 10, 2021 4:06 am

Africhik Inactive forever!

Quote:

"Well... good for you, then...?"

Keggruk winces.

Quote:

"I mean, I don't see what there is for you to be proud of, but go ahead."

He opens his mouth to reply.

Quote:

"And don't pretend like you're not trying to be my father, saying things like that. I haven't had one, and I've been fine without one, so don't go thinking I'm suddenly going to need one."

He sits there for a long time. Silent.

Then he quietly puts a book on the table in front of Wirrow. "This is for you," he murmurs.

Then the old orog leaves.

Tilrifturrin

Jun 10, 2021 4:08 am

yaroto98 Inactive forever!

Rift grudgingly gets to his feet, giving the strange man next to him a sideways look. It was the same man who had spoken to him before Dok had shown up. He seemed mysterious. That was kind of not boring.

Looking back at the girl, he tries not to eye the candy. He isn't a toddler. He's going to meet somebody? Ugh. That doesn't sound fun. Obviously he can't hang out here all day though. If he's going to go on an adventure, it might as well be this one.

"Okay, let's go, but only because I'm interested in meeting these people. Not because of any girl telling me what to do. Or because of treats." Standing as tall as he can, he follows Imoen out of the room.

Ossein Handel

Jun 10, 2021 4:12 am

Dark tendrils of magic swirl around each other forming runes that overlap, intertwine, then separate forming yet more complicated formulae. Startled by the little girl's outburst, the formation dissipates before Ossein can recover it.

"Oh drat, I almost had it there. It's not a very heavy spell, but it sure is awkward.

Hmmmmm? Talk to people? Why I love doing that! I was expecting the group to leave today, but it seems I missed out on some business of theirs. I suppose I have some extra time to kill. Soooo, why not? What do you say Bert, up for a pip around the ol' block?"

Bert surprisingly doesn't make any zombie noise at all.

"Are you still mad about that comment earlier about your smell? You really mustn't be so sensitive. Why I recall once when I was younger, and still alive mind you, when I hadn't bathed in a month, but neither had this farmer's daughter from down the way. Well she and I..."

Ossein realizes the young and mixed company he's in. And also that they're leaving mid story. Quickly shambling to catch up, Ossein continues.

"Respected each other enough to go back home and take baths. Oh hey drunk kid, you ever seen a dead body before?" Ossein calls out trying to change the subject.

Last edited June 10, 2021 4:16 am

Jun 10, 2021 4:57 am

Mesen sits at a table with several of his Avowed friends, all enjoying the drinks and music while sharing some light conversation. Every so often Mesen nudges a compatriot and points up to Aiwë and makes some comment she can’t make out over the noise of the Hearth.

There is another who appears to be watching with some interest. Koveras sits with his back to a corner, his solitude a sharp contrast to Mesen’s friendly table. He holds a mug of something in his hand, but doesn’t seem to show any interest in drinking it.

His other hand absently taps the cover of a book lying on the table - Keggruk’s book. The two must have spoken at some point.

When Aiwë begins her orcish lament, the noise and tumult in the tavern immediately cease. All eyes are on this ethnically-hard-to-pin-down young woman, all ears trained on her song. The drumbeats give the impression of a funeral dirge. The lyre chords paint scenery, providing context and color. But it is Aiwë’s voice that tears at the hearts of the listeners with its raw, aching grief. So intensely and artistically is the work performed that even those who do not understand Orcish are left with broken spirits and wet eyes. And those who do understand…

The door leading outside closes forcefully. Koveras is nowhere to be seen.

The abrupt sound jars the tavern back to life, and Mesen and his friends start up a cheer that quickly spreads around the room.

"A true bard, she is!"

"What was that song?"

"Was that Orcish?"

"Look! She done made Little One cry!"

"He ain’t the only one…"

For her own part, Aiwë feels a deep stirring within her creative soul, something that before had only been hinted at to her. She can do music, and she can do magic. But what has been reaffirmed to her now is that music IS magic, a universal language that can touch all hearts.

[ +- ] Extra Bardic Inspiration

Jun 10, 2021 3:51 pm

The silence feels heavier than usual. Wirrow watches Keggruk leave from the corner of her eye. Only once the door closes behind him does she turn her eyes back to the table, and the books atop it. She reaches for one of her previous tomes of study, but it's impossible to miss the new addition to the table.

'Cagebreaker'

Wirrow's arm falls slack against the table, and she lets out a slow, silent breath.

She doesn't really feel like reading any more.

Imoen

Jun 10, 2021 4:02 pm

Imoen leads the two (or, well, three counting Bert) up to the Emerald Door, which they pass through without incident. Imoen practically skips through the Inner Ward. "Just look at this place! Isn't it amazing? Very few Seekers get to see these parts of Candlekeep. Stay close now! Don't get lost!"

And it is indeed easy to get lost. Paths wind and span through gardens, between towers, across bridges. "There's where all the Avowed have their rooms. And there is where I found a cat. It turned out to be V’ziir-Ag's familiar though, so I couldn't keep it. I wish I could have a familiar."

Eventually Imoen guides them up through the levels of a slender tower. "So it's Ulraunt, the Keeper of the Tomes, who wants to see you both." Her voice is now a low whisper. "Try not to make him angry. He's the one asking you both for a favor, but, well, he can still be kind of... grumpy. It probably comes from having a beard so long. Imagine all the brushing you'd have to do to keep the tangles out of it! That's why I keep my hair short. And I'm not grumpy at all!" A pause. "I wonder how Ulraunt would look with pink hair..."

The girl stops before an ornate door near the top of the tower. "Here we are!"

She opens the door and ushers them inside.

Aiwë Shelur

gardensun

Jun 10, 2021 5:23 pm

Aiwë grins and bows with flourish, using her drum to acknowledge the praise and emphasize her gratitude. She holds out her mug of water and makes as though toasting the crowd, then downs the last of the contents and offers it to Mesen, obviously to be circulated for tips.

Before he can make it far, Aiwë rides the energy of the crowd and the high of her discovery into the next song.

"Oh-Oh-ohruuuuuuuu!" she howls an orcish war cry, beating her drum and stomping her feet. "Kio-RA!"

The song is indeed over the top, and that is what makes it a good story. To make it a good performance it must be equally dramatic.

Aiwë jumps on chairs and tables near her stage as she recounts the vigorous battle between Kiora and the sea gods. She raises her drum high as Kiora strikes and brings it low as she is bitten in turn. Her nearby gear is all percussion equipment, and the orcish war cries of her adaptation of the chorus are punctuated by the clashing of swords and rattling of armour.

When Kiora is left bloody, wounded, and finally victorious, Aiwë ends as she began, with a wailing howl and the name of the conqueror.

"Kiooooooooo-RA!"

Last edited June 10, 2021 5:23 pm

Ulraunt

Jun 10, 2021 5:49 pm

Ulraunt’s personal study, much like the Hearth far below, is definitely larger on the inside. Shelves of books neatly line the walls. Alchemical beakers and vials filled with unknowable ingredients rest in organized fashion on a long table. In one corner is an odd… box. With arms and legs. It’s currently busy dusting some shelves.

Ulraunt himself sits behind an immense desk that seems to be made of some kind of shiny metal. The desk’s feet are stylized dragon’s claws. The archmage looks up sharply from a book he is reading, then tosses his book onto the desk.

Immediately the strange box-creature scurries forward and snatches the book off the desk, then carefully places it on a shelf. Ossein thinks the book looks familiar. Still, My Beating Heart?

"Ah, yes. Just the two Seekers I wanted to see. And their... pet." Ulraunt stands.. "Imoen, please take the… erm… our dragonborn friend here down to see Miirym."

He points a wrinkled finger at Ossein. "And you. I’d offer you a seat, but I doubt your animate gets tired of standing. Still, I should like to see you without obstruction. Please have your animate place you on my desk."

Imoen

Jun 10, 2021 5:50 pm

Imoen, her face painted with a serious expression for once, nods. "Yes, Keeper. If you’ll follow me, Seeker…"

She leads Tilrifturren back out of the study and closes the door, then does a little hop and pokes Rift in the ribs. "See? That wasn’t so bad! Now, let’s go meet Miirym!"

Jun 10, 2021 7:55 pm

As Wirrow sits in silence she notices the door to her reading room open once more. It's not Keggruk this time, but an unfamiliar Avowed. He steps forward with a pile of books in his hands and shuts the door with his foot. He moves to put the books on Wirrow's table, but ends up dropping them on her lap -

- and he suddenly lunges at her with a knife!

OOC:

I believe that's a miss! You can describe how he misses, then roll initiative! If you tie or beat 21, you can take your turn! (This first round Wirrow is surprised)

Rolls

Mystery Roll - (1d20+4)

(6) + 4 = 10

Knife vs Wirrow - (1d20+4)

(9) + 4 = 13

vs Wirrow (adv) - (1d20+4)

(4) + 4 = 8

man initiative - (1d20+2)

(19) + 2 = 21

Jun 10, 2021 8:29 pm

Thankfully, the Avowed's ploy of clumsiness works against him. The books tumble into Wirrow, and in his rush of movement the man's knife embeds itself in the cover of a heavy leatherbound tome instead of the unsuspecting person in front of him.

Wirrow, initially so distracted by the fumble that she doesn't even notice the knife, jumps out of her chair and away in surprise. When she catches sight of the closed door and the glint in the Avowed's eyes, though, she puts everything together. As he pulls the knife out of the book, her eyes--golden irises rimmed barely in red; she'd spent a long time in the Pillars--widen in fear.

Then, they narrow. "Who? Why?" Wirrow asks sharply, though not expecting an answer; first in Infernal, then in Common as she realizes her error. Unused to the motion of drawing the sword pair from her belt, it takes her longer than she would like.

(Combat stuff, oh boy. Initiative of 6, so he goes first.)

HP: 12/12
AC: 14
Zoning literally doesn't matter we're in a teeny study room

Last edited June 10, 2021 8:52 pm

Rolls

Initiative, oh no! - (1d20+3)

(3) + 3 = 6

Mesen

Jun 10, 2021 8:55 pm

Catsqui1688 Inactive forever!

Mesen and his friends stare, awestruck, at the performance happening before them. And they aren't the only ones. For the second time tonight, Aiwe has the attention of the entire tavern. By the time she finishes, a handful of people in the crowd let out their own howls, doing their best to imitate the sounds that Shelur is so good at.

"Aaa-WOOOooooOOOOO! That was amazing, Aiwe! I mean, uh, Seeker!" Mesen's friends nod and add their own compliments. The Avowed opens his mouth to say something else, when one of his friends blurts out, "She should come and play Summons: The Mustering with us!"

Jun 10, 2021 9:03 pm

As I see Tulco with his fancy new saddle I can’t help but stare in shocked amazement. "I…I…I don’t know what to say, Laurëa!" I finally splutter. "This gift is… I don’t know how I can ever repay you." I shake my head and turn to Laurëa. "Thank you so much! I am indebted to you for your kindness. Please let me repay you somehow." I step forward and give her a hug(but only if she is okay with that).

Jun 10, 2021 9:29 pm

"Oh, no worries little girl. Plainly put, I have made it my mission to end your life. It will all be over soon!" He lunges forward again, but stumbles on the mess of books on the floor.

He's careful to keep himself between Wirrow and the door.

HP: 12/12
AC: 13

Rolls

Knife vs Wirrow - (1d20+4)

(3) + 4 = 7

Jun 10, 2021 10:01 pm

yaroto98 Inactive forever!

Oh gods, this is- why did I leave the house?

Wirrow manages to pull forth both of her father's swords, and with a quick twist she slashes with both at the would-be assassin's shoulders and neck. Unfortunately, her expertise is with bows, not blades, and she loses her grip on one of them after the blow. (Wirrow strains on the first attack, and marks him as Favored Foe).

(Uncool Dude takes 11 damage, Wirrow's sword is 1 foot away, between her and the assassin.)

HP: 12/12
AC: 14

Last edited June 10, 2021 10:34 pm

Rolls

Shortsword - (1d20+5)

(7) + 5 = 12

Uh oh any% - (1d100)

(58) = 58

Throw Distance (fumble chart); (distance, direction) - (1d20, 1d8)

1d20 : (1) = 1

1d8 : (2) = 2

Shortsword Damage - (1d6+3)

(4) + 3 = 7

Favored Foe - (1d4)

(1) = 1

Shortsword (Offhand) - (1d20+5)

(15) + 5 = 20

Offhand damage - (1d6)

(3) = 3

Ossein Handel

Jun 10, 2021 11:12 pm

Bert pats down his pockets searching for Ossein. "I'm over here, you nit. Come on...nope...nope again, ah yes! NO No you almost had me. Finally!" he says as Bert pulls him out of a loop in his belt and sets him down on the desk. Backing up a few steps Bert comes to a halt and stops making any movement whatever, doing a good impression of a statue before waving sadly at the departing dragonborn, he's going to miss that kid. The face he made when Bert lowered his hood was priceless. So easy to tease.

Ossein waited until the kids had left before beginning. "So, we heard that you wanted to talk to us. I couldn't figure out why until I happened to notice the book you were reading. Bert, being the sap that he is, loved that part at the beginning where Morloch gives his phylactery to Brittany. Me on the other hand thought that it was a little tropey. And I think the part where Morloch turns Brittany's best friend Raul so he doesn't die of his withering disease. Then Raul professes his undying love for Brittany was the best part. Well, not that part exactly, but right after that when the three if them go to the... Oh, hold on, you have gotten to that part, right? I'd hate to spoil what happened next. But you really should finish a book before calling on someone to discuss the implications of that massive twist at the end."

Last edited June 10, 2021 11:16 pm

Stella

Carcabob

Jun 10, 2021 11:22 pm

Quote:

[The First Reader] gives Stella a sly, playful look. "You know, you seem to enjoy seeking and discovering knowledge as much as any of Oghma's devotees. Should you ever wish it, I am sure we could find a place here for you and your talents. To peruse the books as you wish, to attend and teach classes with others, to investigate the many mysteries this sacred place holds."

The stars in Stella's flash pink, then she opens her mouth with a disbelieving smile and clasps her hands with delight.

"Ahh! That would be incredible!" Her wide eyes skitter left and right as she imagines what it would be like to live in Candlekeep.

"Kuldihar and the Icewind Dale are fine places," she says, eyes slowing to a thoughtful wander, "but it has always felt like there was only so much to be learned there...I mean, Archmage Dok had quite the library, but, well..." She gestures around, then smiles again at the First Reader.

"It's nice to be around people like me, rather than by people who want me to be more like them."

Last edited June 10, 2021 11:23 pm

Jun 10, 2021 11:40 pm

The man growls as Wirrow's blades cut him, but he presses in anyway with a wild slash of his knife that nimble Wirrow easily ducks under. Then, seeing the dropped sword on the floor, he kicks it under a chair.

HP: 1/12
AC 13

Rolls

Knife vs Wirrow - (1d20+4)

(7) + 4 = 11

Laurëa

Jun 10, 2021 11:56 pm

Laurëa gladly accepts the hug. "I do not expect repayment. But perhaps if you ever come by this way again, you and Tulco could stop by and say hello. And in the meantime, whenever you see the saddle you can think of me." She smiles. "Is it not tradition that every knight carry a woman's favor?"

Jun 11, 2021 12:14 am