1. The Cloakwood

Jan 19, 2024 7:36 pm

Aldous chuckles. "Oh no, good dwarf. I'm aware of my family's history. The title "Grand Duke" was taken practically in jest back in the day. However, I feel we've grown into our station a fair bit since then."

He tilts his head. "No, I was surprised by the specific mention of plunder. I didn't know there was actually a specific silver shield. Huh. I didn't expect to learn something new about my own family today."

Yeslick Orothiar

Jan 19, 2024 7:42 pm

Yeslick grins with large, square teeth. "So ye have, lad! Takin' down the Iron Throne here makes ye noble in me book." He huffs and blows out his considerable mustaches. "I can't believe I let Rieltar an' his thugs suss the location out o' me. Usin' me family home for such evil purposes! Clangeddin strike me down for a fool, but 'twas never me intention."

The old dwarf rests his hands on his belly. "But perhaps we're needin' a good meal, an' then we can trade stories, eh?"

Jan 19, 2024 8:01 pm

"We'll escort you out, don't worry about that." Aiwë looks around the group, counting. "Clothes? Yes, we can manage that. For everyone?" She tries to calculate how much that would cost. "I believe so. Ten... twenty... How? Oh, well we hunted some wyverns and... forty-five?" She holds up her hands.

"I don't count our money," she says apologetically. "But I'm sure we have enough to be helpful! For now, let's settle in to rest here for the night and take stock of supplies. In the morning we'll give what we can and escort you out of the forest."

Last edited January 19, 2024 8:06 pm

Jan 19, 2024 9:31 pm

The party and those they rescued set themselves up to spend the night in the Iron Throne's deserted camp. Many of the former slaves expected to die down in that mine. And the rest already considered themselves dead. But now they all go about their preparations with light spirits and grateful hearts. There are food and blankets enough for all, and once fed they begin to open up about their pasts, speaking of the lives left behind. And for the first time, they consider the possible futures before them, ones free of oppressive overseers and dark tunnels.

It's a satisfying change to watch, and the companions feel their weariness slip away. It's a time for reflection. A time to offer prayers to their gods. A time to recuperate from the stress of it all, and take confidence in what they've accomplished.

OOC:

LEVEL UP! I believe you're 7th level now!
Long rest achieved!
If there are any conversations you'd like to have, feel free to post those here in the color of your choice. I'll soon open up another thread for the adventure to continue!

Stella

Carcabob

Jan 19, 2024 9:35 pm

Quote:

"I can't believe I let Rieltar an' his thugs suss the location out o' me. Usin' me family home for such evil purposes! Clangeddin strike me down for a fool, but 'twas never me intention."

Stella's expression softens and her shoulders drop. "Oh, this was your family home? I'm sorry it turned into what it was...Do you have a history with Rieltar? Is there anything you can tell us that might help us if we confront him?" she asks.

OOC:

Later, Stella will go around to tend to any injuries as well as help with food preparations, once that's done.

Last edited January 19, 2024 9:36 pm

Rolls

Portent - (1d20)

(3) = 3

Cosmic Omen - (1d2)

(2) = 2

Jan 19, 2024 10:03 pm

With the attention of the refugees diverted, Aiwë looks around the camp. The rhythm tapped on her drum gets faster and faster until she finds what she's looking for. A shovel.

Just outside the walls of the mining fort she throws herself into the work of digging graves for the dead, her muscles working in time to the guttural dirge hummed in her throat.

Yeslick Orothiar

Jan 19, 2024 11:57 pm

Yeslick's mustaches droop. "Rieltar Anchev is one mean mage. After the mine flooded, I went me own way for many years. Ended up in Sembia, workin' as a smith. Came into the employ o' Rieltar. He was all honeyed words an' friendship... 'til one night a few years ago. Deep in me cups, I telled him about what happened to me home. Next thing I knew, I was chained up in his personal prison. Bah!" The dwarf spits. "He tortured me home's location outta me. Had me lead him to it. Magically drained the place, an' then he locked me up down there, just as ye seen. I was there ever since."

The old dwarf shakes his hairy head. "I'd tell ye to stay away from the evil dog, but ye seem set in yer path. When ye sees him, don't believe a word outta his mouth. He didn't need a single spell to get what he wanted from me, though he be a mighty powerful spellcaster. If'n he offers any kind o' truce or parlay... watch yer back." He holds up a scarred, crooked finger. "I've seen his collection o' knives. Hells, I made half o' them. Don't let him take ye alive. He'll kill ye anyway, eventually. After he's had his fun."

A mighty sigh leaves him, and he meets Stella's eyes with his vibrant green ones. "But today's been a good day! Let's not have any more talk o' the rat Anchev. There be food to eat!"

Jan 20, 2024 12:01 am

It doesn't take long for Koveras to join Aiwe. The half-orc seems to have little to occupy him, other than being by her side. He doesn't say anything, just stomps his shovel into the dirt and gets to it. He doesn't quite join her quiet song, but every so often his throat rattles with aimless bass tones.

Jan 20, 2024 12:55 am

Aiwë doesn't look up when Koveras gets to work, but after a few minutes she starts singing loud enough for him to hear. It's the sort of song meant to be repeated and echoed, and she gives space for Koveras to do so, if he wants.

"My breath/ Is lost./ My breath/ Is lost./ It falls (It falls)/ Onto (Onto)/ The ground.

My blood/ Is spilt./ My blood/ Is spilt./ It pours (It pours)/ Onto (Onto)/ The ground.

My strength/ Is gone./ My strength/ is gone./
They're put (they're put)/ into (into)/ the ground."

When the bodies are settled and covered Aiwë breaks out into a last verse, replacing the rhythm of her shovel with beats on her chest.

"Let Torm give them mercy,
And grant them his justice,
That they might have peace
In the ground."

Silence stretches over the graves for a time, but not for long.

"There's no 'power of the gods' in me, you know? Flowing or otherwise."

Last edited January 20, 2024 1:12 am

Jan 20, 2024 1:19 am

Koveras seems content to drone some deep notes. Perhaps the half-orc doesn't have much of an ear or talent for singing. His shovel strikes do end up falling in concert with Aiwe's, though.

Quote:

"There's no 'power of the gods' in me, you know? Flowing or otherwise."

"That you know of." He shrugs. "You've at least two mighty paladins in your family tree, as well as a cleric. Who's to say there's not something divine in your lineage? Not like Miss Melerelel, perhaps, but something."

The half-orc lays the shovel over his broad shoulders and stretches sore muscles. "All the same. I find you a special, rather intriguing, woman."He inclines his head toward her, a nod of respect. "Aiwë Shelur."

Jan 20, 2024 1:29 am

"Paladin and cleric oaths aren't hereditary," Shelur scoffs, somewhat winded as she leans on her shovel, "and I haven't made any." At his compliment—she thinks—and nod of respect she raises an eyebrow.

"A fine change from Candlekeep, Blood Koveras." She inclines her head in turn, then changes the subject.

"Ive been meaning to ask—What will you call yourself, now? Will you take Anchev for your own, or abandon it for something else?"

Last edited January 20, 2024 1:33 am

Stella

Carcabob

Jan 20, 2024 1:34 am

Quote:

"I've seen his collection o' knives. Hells, I made half o' them. Don't let him take ye alive. He'll kill ye anyway, eventually. After he's had his fun."

Stella goes pale. She bites her lip and nods. "Thank you for the warnings." She perks up a bit at the mention of food and forces a smile. "Yes! I think we're all rather hungry here and have much to be thankful for. Thank you, Yeslick."

She turns to Aldous and smiles. "After that, I can try to teach you Shape Water!"

...

Late that night, Stella stays up to study under the stars, lying serenely in some grass, casting her violet, stary-eyes between her tome and the vastness of the stars above. She casts Comprehend Languages to read more of her strange writings in her tome, feeling the fabric of possibilities open up to her, getting premonitions and divining, even more than she had before. She compares her star charts to the stars above. They were the same as they always were...but somehow conveyed new meaning to her. Things looked favorable for her companions, though something loomed over...someone. She hoped it was a misfortune for a foe, rather than her companions.

Last edited January 20, 2024 1:35 am

Jan 20, 2024 1:52 am

As Stella ponders, Aiwë slips in beside her. "What do you see?" she asks quietly, almost in respect for the song of the crickets and frogs accenting the night.

Jan 20, 2024 2:46 am

Quote:

"A fine change from Candlekeep, Blood Koveras." She inclines her head in turn, then changes the subject.

Is that a wince on his face? Yes, definitely a wince.

Quote:

"I've been meaning to ask—What will you call yourself, now? Will you take Anchev for your own, or abandon it for something else?"

He swings the shovel down and plants its tip in the dirt, leaning on it. "The Anchev name carries power. I've often considered what I might do with it. But." He leaves the shovel and comes to stand in front of Aiwe. "That power isn't what I desire. My whole life that name, that power, has felt lacking. I want something more."

Koveras looks into Aiwe's eyes, and she realizes how much time has passed since she began her burial task. Long shadows lie across the ground. The sun's last rays dip beyond sight, and Koveras' eyes take on a subtle red hue - the onset of darkvision. Aiwe's eyes must be doing the same.

He doesn't break eye contact. "Your uncle's book. I want the life it describes. I feel like... it's what my life should have been, had I not ended up with Rieltar." When had his face gotten so close? "I see it in you, Aiwe. I see it in you, Shelur. You make me want to be... more."

The half-orc gently takes her forearms. "What must I become, that you might consider such a life... with me?"

Jan 20, 2024 3:54 am

Aiwë had tried to avoid his eyes, but when he meets hers she doesn't look away. When he takes her arms she takes his in turn.

"You can have that life. You're welcome to come North with us, when we leave. The tribe will be happy to have you. You can listen to my uncle's speeches, and Chaide will nitpick your Orcish, and my parents will initiate you into the Cagebreaker order of paladins themselves if that's what you want." As she speaks she gains confidence, and the firmness in her grip and stare become rather more... confrontational than it's likely he hoped.

"You don't need me for that." She releases him and steps backwards.

Last edited January 20, 2024 4:12 am

Aldous Silvershield

Jan 20, 2024 4:28 am

Victor.Strokov Inactive for 4 months

The two women hear Aldous long before they see him. It would seem that the young nobleman hasn't mastered the subtleties of his new limb. Sure, he can walk well and even run on it. But move stealthily? It would probably help if he didn't also talk out loud to himself.

"Now where'd she go? I thought I saw her- Ouch! I swear, sometimes I think the only thing you're good for is finding tree stumps in the dark. Magic foot, indeed!"

He stumbles into view and, upon seeing Stella and Aiwe, gives a friendly wave. "I suppose you two can actually see in this light. Maybe I should get a frog eye next time! I wonder though, would it protrude from the top of my head? I'd probably bump the blasted thing on every tree branch, stone, or ceiling! And imagine the birds... Ugh, or don't. Hello!"

Aldous clears his throat and looks at the two. First one, then the other. And back. "Um, so sorry to intrude, but might I borrow Aiwë for a moment? I need to... speak with her. It's a matter of some privacy, I'm afraid." He offers the orcish elf his elbow.

Dieter

Jan 20, 2024 5:01 am

gardensun says:

"You don't need me for that." She releases him and steps backwards.

Oof Dieter thinks to himself that was a pretty smooth line…maybe Aiwë has a boyfriend or something. He was accidentally eavesdropping on them he told himself. He was writing in his book up in a nearby tree when darkness fell and they happen to start talking nearby.

Last edited January 20, 2024 5:13 am

Jan 20, 2024 5:08 am

Quote:

"You don't need me for that." She releases him and steps backwards.

Koveras' head drops as Aiwe moves away. His chest expands as he takes a deep breath. But instead of a curse or a sigh, Aiwe hears the man start to... sing? It's soft and low.

But who would sing with a voice so fine?

It's not perfectly in tune, but instantly familiar.

A voice so fine, a voice so fine
Who would sing with a voice so fine?
A beauty who’d make e’en a siren sigh,
A little bird with a song for the evening sky.

He takes a step forward and bows low, then offers his hand to Aiwe.

And who else would dance with a beast like me...?

The musical line hangs in the air, a question awaiting an answer.

Jan 20, 2024 5:36 am