Candlekeep

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Ulraunt

Araklusta

Jun 11, 2021 12:22 am
Jun 11, 2021 12:22 am
Re: Candlekeep
Ulraunt looks taken aback. "Raul gets turned? I thought him dying of the withering disease would spark Brittany's fear of mortality, ensuring that she look to Morloch for undying love!" The old wizard blinks and looks around. "Erm... When one reads as much as I do, one sometimes finds oneself forced to engage in subject matter that is not one's area of expertise. It's either that or go mad."

He opens up a drawer in his desk. "Now, Ossein, I have specifically asked for your help because for once in my remarkable life I am at a loss." Out of the drawer comes a case. It seems to be frosted in ice, and the study immediately feels cooler in its presence. "I have a sentient item here that in some ways is very similar to yourself. But for the life of me, I just can't seem to communicate with it. Or at least, if it understands me it does not listen."

Ulraunt mutters a command word, presumably dispelling any protective wards on the case, and then pulls forth a... torch. It is already lit and burning steadily. "Will you please talk with it? It refuses any attempts by myself to learn its properties, even with magic."

First Reader Tethtoril

Araklusta

Jun 11, 2021 12:33 am
Jun 11, 2021 12:33 am
Re: Candlekeep
Tethtoril chuckles at the mention of Dok. "You know, I quite liked Archmage Dok. When he was here, I found his presence refreshing compared to the sometimes stuffy nature of this place. But don't tell anyone I said that! Did you know he actually ate an entire Tome of Clear Thought?"
Quote:
"It's nice to be around people like me, rather than by people who want me to be more like them."
He nods at that. "Yes, I know the feeling. My own parents were cobblers. They were always looking down at people's shoes. And I would look up. They never quite understood why I would want to study the stars, bless them."

The First Reader rubs his hands together as though warding off a chill. "Well, just so you are aware, Stella, you will always be welcome here as an Avowed. But I understand if you wish to see a bit of the world before choosing to remain here. You are still so young, and some things you must learn by doing, rather than reading."

Araklusta

Jun 11, 2021 1:10 am
Jun 11, 2021 1:10 am
Re: Candlekeep
"No one to hear you scream, girl!" Bloodied and limping, the man snatches up Wirrow's shortsword and attacks again. The sword comes down on the table, marring the wood, and the knife slashes through the back of one of the chairs. Fortunately, neither of them hit Wirrow.

HP: 1/12
AC: 13

Rolls

Knife vs Wirrow - (1d20+4)

(8) + 4 = 12

Shortsword vs Wirrow - (1d20+4)

(6) + 4 = 10

Aiwë Shelur

gardensunInactive for 24 days

Jun 11, 2021 1:27 am
Jun 11, 2021 1:27 am
Re: Candlekeep
Shelur smiles at the boys. "That's so nice of you to offer!" she says, gently taking her mug back from Mesen and handing it with a flourishing bow to another patron who will begin circulating it. "Unfortunately, I'm actually not very good at cards."

Mesen

Araklusta

Jun 11, 2021 1:38 am
Jun 11, 2021 1:38 am
Re: Candlekeep
Mesen flushes considerably and smacks away his loud-mouthed friend. "That's alright! I mean, the game's not that complicated, I'm sure a smart woman like you would pick it up easily enough. Not that I'm trying to convince you to play, you just indicated that you don't really want to, I just-"

Imoen

Araklusta

Jun 11, 2021 1:42 am
Jun 11, 2021 1:42 am
Re: Candlekeep
Imoen's elbow comes out of nowhere and takes Mesen in the gut, and he stumbles away. "Shut up, Mesen! You're embarrassing yourself!"

She beams up at Aiwe. "First off, you were aMAZing. You did all of that without a lick of magic, too! Second off (is that how you say it? 'Second off'? Whatever), I had ol' Winthrop call in some favors with Drosh, and... We can totally do that 'girls' hot tub party' tonight!"

Wirrow Bloodbyrn

deoelvenmageInactive forever!

Jun 11, 2021 2:06 am
Jun 11, 2021 2:06 am
Re: Candlekeep
"No one to hear you scream either." Wirrow tenses, and then springs at the assassin, catching him fatally by surprise.

(Any amount of damage kills him)

The man's world goes black as he falls, blood pooling from the gash in his neck onto the ground of the reading room.

...

Cleaned up as best she can using previously unstained of the Avowed's robes (was he even an Avowed?), Wirrow sheathes her swords and looks at the corpse on the ground. His throat is very well slashed up; a stark contrast to her entirely unharmed self. As the rush from the events of the last minute finally start to fade, two things come to mind.

The first, she takes care of immediately, searching the assassin's body for anything--a note, a journal-- that could answer why he'd said he committed to kill her. That had been concerning.

As for the second... she opens the door to the hallway and calls out with a waver, "Erm, I-... Do you have anything... specific, you people do here, when someone's just tried to kill you?"
Last edited June 11, 2021 3:01 am

Rolls

Secret Weapon Heh Heh - (1d20+5)

(5) + 5 = 10

Inspiration Reroll - (1d20+5)

(19) + 5 = 24

Jabbbahut

Jun 11, 2021 4:19 am
Jun 11, 2021 4:19 am
Re: Candlekeep
Palms sweaty, and with a little more eyes watching him than he is comfortable with, Sheemish accepts the calligraphy tools with a grateful nod. He then pulls out his own set from his pack. While obviously much less ornate and expensive as the Avowed's set, he was much more used to his own pens. Maybe by mixing the two . . . Sheemish took a deep breath and went to work creating

Lost in thought, his blacksmith hands held a steady grip on quills before him. Instead of bending, shaping, contrasting, and connecting links of metal, Sheemish was bending, shaping, contrasting, and connecting links of lines and colors. Also similar to his metal work, Sheemish's moves were somehow focused but chaotic at the same time. His concentration on creating left him oblivious to his surroundings and around his desk were spilled ink bottles, a couple of broken quills, and a spattering of ink that also covered his robes and probably some of the robes of his onlookers.

In the end, Sheemish sat back with a sigh of satisfaction at the work before him. It wasn't just a replica of the book cover placed before him, but one that included deeper lines, colors, and imagery laced into each of the letters.

And with a little magical tinkering, this one also emitted a glow from the page, not just for performance effect, but creating paper that glowed in the dark was in fact a pretty useful ability for a poor working boy trying to practice calligraphy into late hours of the night.
Last edited June 11, 2021 5:23 am

Rolls

Performance check (Calligraphy Proficient) - (1d20+4)

(18) + 4 = 22

Ossein Handel

yaroto98Inactive forever!

Jun 11, 2021 4:48 am
Jun 11, 2021 4:48 am
Re: Candlekeep
"Well, if I'm being forthright, I honestly haven't had the pleasure of meeting another sentient item. However, I imagine if one doesn't keep things fresh with some culturally raunchy content, you'd likely take a nap. Well, hibernate might be closer to the truth. With no real sense of touch or smell, or real ears, it is quite easy to just...not...well, anything. I am willing to give it the ol' academy try."

Ossein pauses, maybe for drama, maybe to think if something momentous in this historic moment where he meets someone like him for the first time. Whatever his reason, he pauses, then continues.

"Oi! Mate! You knackered? Waddya do to getcherself in this sorry state?"

Tilrifturrin

AfrichikInactive forever!

Jun 11, 2021 4:58 am
Jun 11, 2021 4:58 am
Re: Candlekeep
Following the young girl through the winding paths, Rift tries to make sense of her babbling. At first he found it annoying, but he is liking it more and more as he realizes that she doesn't usually expect answers.

Ulraunt turns out to be exactly what he expected, thanks to Imoen's commentary and his own knowledge of grumpy old men. The beard is exactly as the girl described, but Rift doesn't buy her story about it making the man grumpy. After all, Mother has no hair at all and is the grumpiest person he knows. It is annoying when Rift is immediately sent away though. Is the strange smelly man really more interesting? He doesn't seem anything special.

"Who is Miirym?" Rift asks Imoen. "And where exactly are we going?" Despite the fact that the girl is young, he has to walk quickly to keep up with her bouncing steps, which makes him feel clumsy and rushed. He doesn't appreciate either of those feelings.

Stella

CarcabobInactive for 24 days

Jun 11, 2021 5:32 am
Jun 11, 2021 5:32 am
Re: Candlekeep
Quote:
"You know, I quite liked Archmage Dok. When he was here, I found his presence refreshing compared to the sometimes stuffy nature of this place. But don't tell anyone I said that! Did you know he actually ate an entire Tome of Clear Thought?"
Stella giggles. "I heard about that! He's almost more sorcerer than sage—I'm pretty sure his brain is in his stomach!"
Quote:
"Yes, I know the feeling. My own parents were cobblers. They were always looking down at people's shoes. And I would look up. They never quite understood why I would want to study the stars, bless them. The First Reader rubs his hands together as though warding off a chill. "
"I love the stars! she says, leaning forward and widening her eyes as she emphasizes the word 'love'. Her expression grows solemn. "I'm sorry to hear that...my parents used to go out with me to study them, actually...but it's been years. Mama taught me most of the major constellations—and made up a lot of her own! She favors nocturnal forms, so she knows the night sky well..." The stars in her eyes turn a radiant blue, as she recalls exhilarating memories of riding the winds high in the starry sky with Halla.

"Oh! She's a shapechanger." she explains, stars returning to yellow. "Druid, specifically. As for Papa, well...he likes his sleep. The militia still keeps him busy and he doesn't trance, despite his looks—'Half-elf, actually,' she says, putting hands on her hips, raising an eyebrow, and giving her best imitation of Zenithral's sardonic self. She chuckles, then the smile fades. "But he used to. I guess I had taken that for granted..."
Quote:
"Well, just so you are aware, Stella, you will always be welcome here as an Avowed. But I understand if you wish to see a bit of the world before choosing to remain here. You are still so young, and some things you must learn by doing, rather than reading."
"Thank you!" Stella nods, putting a grateful hand to her chest. "Agreed...you can only learn so much about magic, peoples, and plants from words and sketches on a page. I'll probably go to travel with my friends when they leave, but I'll study what I can now, and I'll definitely be back!"

First Reader Tethtoril

Araklusta

Jun 11, 2021 4:37 pm
Jun 11, 2021 4:37 pm
Re: Candlekeep
Sheemish's calligraphy, both true to the original art as well as innovative, draws applause from Tethtoril and the other Avowed watching.

"Excellent work, Sheemish! You remind us all of why there is an 'art' in 'artificer'. I don't know that there is much I can help you with in regards to your calligraphy itself. However..." The First Reader thinks for a moment. "With your skills in both artistry and magic, you may one day be able to perform a kind of creation that few people can. Tell me, have you ever heard of runesmithing?"

Aiwë Shelur

gardensunInactive for 24 days

Jun 11, 2021 4:41 pm
Jun 11, 2021 4:41 pm
Re: Candlekeep
"Um, what?"

Aiwë's guttural orcish reply is what greets Wirrow first. She hurries over to her friend from where she was passing down the hall. She drops the books she's holding next to the door with only passable care for their condition and looks Wirrow over.

"Are you unhurt?" Seeing that she is, Aiwë pulls the door to the room open fully and stares down at the dead assassin.

"Um, WHAT?"
Last edited June 11, 2021 4:43 pm

Happy

Araklusta

Jun 11, 2021 5:33 pm
Jun 11, 2021 5:33 pm
Re: Candlekeep
The torch flares up slightly, but doesn't respond in any words that Ossein can hear.

Ulraunt

Araklusta

Jun 11, 2021 5:36 pm
Jun 11, 2021 5:36 pm
Re: Candlekeep
"Ah! But it seems to have responded somewhat." Ulraunt peers so closely at the torch that his beard is in danger of catching fire. "Maybe it's just not as intelligent as you are?"

Imoen

Araklusta

Jun 11, 2021 6:33 pm
Jun 11, 2021 6:33 pm
Re: Candlekeep
"Oh, Miirym's a sweetheart! Most of the time. She got kind of stuck a really long time ago, and so now it's like she's part of the Candlekeep family!" Imoen leads Rift deeper... and deeper... Catacombs? "I'm not sure if she can't leave the area under the Library, or if she just prefers to stay down here. But for sure she can't leave Candlekeep. That's big magic. I don't think she's even upset about it anymore!"

Deeper still. Caverns.

"Miirym!" Imoen's call echoes through the place. "I've brought you someone! He's not a real good talker, but he likes candy! That's... about all I know of him. Oh! And he can't hold his drink!" Imoen grins triumphantly. "His name is Trippedturtlen, or something. We call him Rift!"

Araklusta

Jun 11, 2021 6:50 pm
Jun 11, 2021 6:50 pm
Re: Candlekeep
The cavern is bathed in a soft silver glow, its source a ball of light hovering in the air. "Im... Imoen...?" The voice is female and resonant, but also faint. The ball bobs closer to Imoen and Rift. "And a... visitor? It has been... such a long time... since I’ve had anyone... to talk to. Such a very... very... long... time."

The air in the cavern starts to get cold.

Imoen

Araklusta

Jun 11, 2021 6:52 pm
Jun 11, 2021 6:52 pm
Re: Candlekeep
Imoen wraps her arms around herself and shivers. "This is why I don't spend too long down here," she whispers. "I imagine the cold won't bother you too much, though!" She begins stepping back toward the stairs up. "Good luck!"

First Reader Tethtoril

Araklusta

Jun 11, 2021 7:07 pm
Jun 11, 2021 7:07 pm
Re: Candlekeep
Quote:
"I love the stars!" she says, leaning forward and widening her eyes as she emphasizes the word 'love'. Her expression grows solemn. "I'm sorry to hear that...my parents used to go out with me to study them, actually...but it's been years. Mama taught me most of the major constellations—and made up a lot of her own! She favors nocturnal forms, so she knows the night sky well..."
Tethtoril's eyes lift, and he seems to be looking into the past. "Before I became First Reader I was one of the Great Readers, and my expertise was the night sky. I could spend as much time as I wanted studying the stars and other celestial bodies." He laughs softly. "And now I have other responsibilities to occupy my attention. Still rewarding work, though not nearly so liberating."
Quote:
"Thank you!" Stella nods, putting a grateful hand to her chest. "Agreed...you can only learn so much about magic, peoples, and plants from words and sketches on a page. I'll probably go to travel with my friends when they leave, but I'll study what I can now, and I'll definitely be back!"
"I believe we all shall be looking forward to the time you return, then!" Tethtoril pats the young woman on the shoulder. "I suppose I should stop taking up your time. You need to practice that cantrip, after all! Farewell, Stella."

Mesen

Araklusta

Jun 11, 2021 7:14 pm
Jun 11, 2021 7:14 pm
Re: Candlekeep
"Oh, Aiwë! I've brought you another - Gah! What has happened?" Mesen stares down at Aiwë's disheveled pile of books on the floor outside the door. He bends down to collect them. "First that muddied copy of History of Halruaa, and now this... Look at this bent page! Oh, if Ulraunt finds out he'll have me - GAAAHH!!! WHAT HAS HAPPENED??"

He seems to have finally noticed the bloody corpse in the reading room.

Mesen stares at the body in confused shock. "Why would you kill one of the Avowed? I..." He freezes. "I don't recognize him..." He looks at Wirrow and Aiwë. "What... has happened?"
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