The Coast Way

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Aug 31, 2021 6:44 pm
Stella gasps, pulling her hands to her chest again and frightfully turning to the noise of armor and weapons.

"...He...t-tried to kill—" Stella starts to explain to the men, then struggles to take some deep breaths. She's grateful when Aiwë steps in.

What if there were more assassins? What if these men were in disguise too?!

She turns to the ice-covered mage with a shaky hand and murmurs an arcane spell, opening her eyes to magical energies. (Stella casts detect magic to see if the mage or any of the guards have any magic covering them, specifically looking for illusion.)
Last edited August 31, 2021 6:45 pm
Aug 31, 2021 7:52 pm
The soldier puts a a gauntleted hand to his forehead and sighs. "Now look, you shouldn't take this personally. I'm supposed to ask questions. Okay, so someone has been killed. Do you know the man? Why would he be after you?" He takes a closer look at the frozen statue and grunts. "I recognize him. Tarnesh, wasn't he called? Showed up yesterday, spent most of his time in the common room downstairs. I've been telling Mirrorshade we need to do more about spellcasters. Not everyone needs a weapon to be deadly." He pokes the ice surrounding Tarnesh's chest. "As I'm sure you three are aware..."
Sep 2, 2021 1:31 am
To Stella's arcane vision, there is a faint glow around the dead mage, no doubt from the druid's own spell. Several pockets of his robes also glow, indicating something magical stowed within.

The guards, on the other hand, show no signs of magic.
Sep 2, 2021 1:42 am
"I don't know him, though I remember seeing him now that you say so. As for why... maybe revenge or spite? Our parents are powerful and important people."

Aiwë thinks out loud for the guards, but after saying it she doesn't think it's true. The target had definitely been Wirrow, and she and Stella simply collateral. Though the part about their parents may still play in. Wirrow had been protected by legendary heroes her whole life. Now she's on her own and far from them, save an aged orog she pushes away. The timing makes sense. But how long had the assassins been waiting? And how did they know she was leaving Icewind Dale?
Sep 2, 2021 2:39 am
The Flaming Fist soldier's eyebrows rise. "Powerful and important people? Seems like some days you can't throw a stone without hitting some noble's nibling. Well, if I were you I'd get back home. Sounds like you're safer there than wandering about in the middle of nowhere." His voice has fallen into a bored drone. He doesn't seem to keen on his position here.

He looks to the rest of the squad. "Well, let's get this cleaned up. And I suppose someone should file the paperwork. Any volunteers? I can't, I need to go talk to Mirrorshade. Fine. You do it." He points at a random guard. "You know how the Grand Duke likes things square. Hop to it!"
Sep 2, 2021 6:36 pm
As the guards begin carrying on with their work and the mage's body starts to thaw, Aiwë also gets to work.

"I don't know about you but I think it's probably time we get on our way." She chips the mage loose from the floor and lays him down before he falls over and becomes any more grisly than he is. "I have a small amount of shopping that needs doing, and Wirrow and I need to say goodbye to Keggruk. Any other last minute errands that need doing?" Starting with his boots, Aiwë searches the mage for valuables and clues.
Sep 2, 2021 11:14 pm
Stella's eye-stars have returned to their normal violet. She had more processing to do, but no one seemed to think killing the assassin was a bad thing. They needed to focus on getting moving and preventing any more attacks.

What could Wirrow or her father have possibly known that could be so...dangerous?

"Does he have...a spellbook on him?" Stella asks hopefully. After Candlekeep, Stella's was filled cover to cover—with many leaflets haphazardly stitched in. "If he doesn't, I'd like to buy some extra paper and ink, if we have the money..."
Last edited September 3, 2021 12:57 am
Sep 3, 2021 1:26 am
As the guards stomp off to perform their various duties, Tarnesh's corpse is easily searched. Though there is no spellbook to be found, Aiwe discovers a small handful of scrolls within the mage's deep pockets.
[ +- ] Scroll of Color Spray
[ +- ] Scroll of Mirror Image
[ +- ] Scroll of Charm Person
The last scroll Aiwe finds is mundane rather than magical, but far more intriguing.
[ +- ] Bounty Notice
Sep 3, 2021 2:36 pm
Stella takes the scrolls from Aiwë as she pulls them out and identifies them. Her eyes widen at the contents of the last one.

"So it's all of us then," she murmurs. "Us from Kuldahar, that is. But why?! And who? Also, do self-serving people really refer to themselves as 'of evil intent'?"

Stella gasps suddenly. "Wait, where's Sheemish?" She immediately heads towards Sheemish's room to look for him.
Sep 4, 2021 3:00 am
Sheemish is not in his room. A stressed search about the inn for the missing artificer reveals little of what may have befallen him.

Inquiries to Bentley Mirrorshade are met with frantic apologies. "Pardon, young misses. I've just heard about the happenings upstairs. I am horrified that such trouble befell you in my establishment! Please, let me make it up to you!" He begins searching his own pockets, pulling out an assortment of spell components. "I will find your lost blacksmith right this instant. Do you have anything of his? A lock of hair, a possession of his. Perhaps a portrait of him?"
Sep 4, 2021 3:48 am
Aiwë spins and points to the rune carved into her armour near the base of her neck. It shimmers slightly with Sheemish's power. "He made this. Will it work?"
Sep 4, 2021 2:46 pm
"Ah! Yes, most fascinating..." The gnome hops up on a chair to have a closer look at the rune. "I believe this will work."

He puts one hand on the rune while holding up a glass marble, and chants a divination spell. His eyes milk over with purple light as he gazes on some distant scene.

"Hmm... I think I see... Yes. Oh dear. He's tied up. Somewhere outside... Not much light. I'd guess within a copse or forest? I think the young man is unconscious. And... I can hear some faint voices. Ah yes! Definitely Goblin. Don't speak it myself, but I've heard it enough times..."

The little wizard continues peering through his magical sensor for a few more minutes, but garners no more useful information.
Sep 4, 2021 3:46 pm
Stella keeps a hand to her mouth, holding her breath as Bentley divines Sheemish's whereabouts. She finally takes a deep breath when the wizard determines that the artificer is alive.

"He couldn't be too far..." she says to Wirrow and Aiwë. "Maybe that goblin encampment we passed the other day? But why would he be there and if—well...why are they keeping him alive?" She groans, closing her eyes and dropping her shoulders. "Bait?" she grimaces.

She suddenly trembles and buries her face in her hands, trying to cover the onset of tears.

They shouldn't have stayed the extra day...What were they supposed do? Why were they being hunted?! This wasn't how things were supposed to be!!

The weight of everything bears down on Stella, a toppling bookcase she can't hold up any longer.

She backs up to the wall, slides down to the floor, and pulls her knees to her chest, trembling. Sparkling tears flow from dimmed eyes—eye-stars black between struggling sobs.
Last edited September 4, 2021 3:48 pm
Sep 4, 2021 5:19 pm
"Can you tell what direction?" Aiwë asks the gnome. Seeing Stella collapse and Wirrow standing awkwardly, she looks at Wirrow and jerks her head toward sobbing Stella. She turns back to the wizard. "We're going after him right away. Is there a shield I can borrow? Please sir, we have to hurry."
Sep 4, 2021 5:32 pm
reaching his hand down Dieter emerges from the background "Get up we have goblins to hunt and friends to save. Lathander watches over us we cannot fail" Dieter says bluntly to Stella but his words are deeply shadowed by care and concern.
Sep 4, 2021 5:55 pm
Bentley hops down from the chair. "Direction? Erm, no. I'm not at all sure about that. But where magic fails, keen eyes may succeed. I certainly remember that from my adventuring days. Maybe you could check the surroundings of my Inn for tracks?"

At Aiwe's request for a shield, the short wizard beckons over one of the Flaming Fist soldiers. "Give this woman your shield. Come on, man, be quick about it. I'll see that you're compensated!" The soldier hands over his shield to Aiwe. It is made of stout wood and reinforced with metal, the Flaming Fist emblem painted onto its face. There are minor scratches and blemishes, enough to show that it has withstood the test of at least one battle.
Sep 4, 2021 11:57 pm
Started by Dieter's appearance, Stella suddenly looks up at him with tearful eyes, then stares at his outstretched hand.

Dieter had been through death, yet was not hesitating to keep going, even with how blind they were. It reminded her of the stories of Mama and Papa...

"The foolish fear nothing or everything, and inevitably act accordingly," Grandpa Arannis' words echo in her mind. "The courageous fear what must be feared—and often act contrary."

The thoughts sparked anger inside. Was everything trying to turn her into her parents now?!

She sobs once more, sniffs, then magically cleans her face with a wave of one hand and takes Dieter's with the other. She looks up into his eyes as he pulls her to her feet and sees no judgement. No expectation. Just understanding, and a goal in his sights.

She breaks eye contact and pulls her hand away to hold her arms to her stomach. She gazes to the side, still unnerved as her eyes begin to flick back and forth in agitated thought.

"I'll...get my things..." she says quietly.
Last edited September 5, 2021 12:01 am
Sep 5, 2021 3:10 am
Moving to Aiwe Dieter folds his arms "she will learn that death is not to be feared, it is living which is most cruel. we should start looking for tracks."
Sep 5, 2021 11:49 pm
Aiwë watches Stella go as she settles the shield onto her arm. Finding out that they have a bounty on their heads isn't something she expected, but... can she really say she's surprised? She's been targeted before as Alalla's daughter, and she's now far from the protection of the Cagebreakers. And all this fighting, even death? Aiwë knows firsthand that the civil places of the world are protected with blood.

Stella has only ever lived in such a place, and was kept secure and safe when visiting the Blacksheafs. It's obvious Stella had expectations of this trip, and it's turning out to be far from the blissful escape from her parents she was hoping it would be.

"She will learn that death is not to be feared, it is living which is most cruel." Aiwë sighs.

"I think she's learning that right now..." Aiwë knocks on the side of her drum. "I better go with her, to be safe. Wirrow is best with tracks, anyway." She nods at the two and hurries off after Stella.

Even so, she keeps an eye out for signs and clues as she goes.
Last edited September 6, 2021 3:21 pm

Rolls

Tracking (survival) - (1d20+2)

(6) + 2 = 8

Sep 6, 2021 3:31 pm
When Aiwë catches up, she finds Stella scooping up mounds of loose pages. She pauses to briefly skim over one, then shoves it haphazardly into her pack, followed by another and another.

Dearest Stella, I hope . . . courage . . . bow . . . tremendous . . . growing up . . .

Glen's inky handprints.

. . . Halla . . . Arranis . . . Ilmadia . . . watching . . .

An ink spill.

. . . dangerous . . . watchwoman . . . learn . . .

A clean sheet of paper signed Lily.

Stella hesitates, about to read it, then notices Aiwë enter and shoves it in with the rest. She hefts her pack onto her shoulder and scoops up her bow and quiver.

"Ready..." she mumbles.
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