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Post by ToD Dungeon Master on Oct 12, 2020 23:19:05 GMT
Elise,Kaida Finally reuniting with each other at the request of Kaida and enjoying an afternoon lunch together, you discuss old times and the glee of finally meeting once again. The main topic of discussion is Kaida's news of something needing help in Greenest. With Elise showing a keen attitude to join, you both finally gather any needed belongings before hiring a cart and driver to take you to Greenest for a modest fee that is paid upfront.
Over the course of four tendays, the cart drives you along a well travelled road that almost parallels the Chionthar River and into the dilapidated city of Elturel before into the caravan city of Scornubel and then finally through the smaller city of Berdusk. On the final day of travel, you are finally met with the sight of Greenest. You both stand from the back of the cart and can see a small town, mainly filled with wooden buildings that either have one or two stories. Some of the building look to have windows smashed and doorways splintered. Townsfolk look to be currently working together to repair damage recently done to many buildings, calling out instructions or requests of more materials. A central keep of stone that looks untouched unlike the buildings surrounding, stands tall amongst the wooden buildings and the cart continues through the streets before pulling up to the entrance into the courtyard of the keep. An iron portcullis is raised allowing foot traffic to pass through the entrance.
The cart driver starts to guide the horses into a rotation of the cart before halting them with a short whistle. "Alright, we're here. Greenest. Looks like it's had better days. It's been a pleasure hearing you ladies chat and having your company. Good luck with whatever it is you have planned down here." He smiles and winks at you both before lightly shaking the reigns once and giving a different pitched whistle, causing the horses to neigh and then pull the cart away from Greenest keep.
More townsfolk move through the keep entrance, not paying much attention to your arrival. You notice a female human with long purple hair and soft facial features approaching you both. She is wearing a dark red corset under her hooded robe of light colours and a pair of thick and sturdy boots. She carries a quarter-staff that she uses like a walking stick, although she clearly does not need it for aid in walking. In her other hand is a book that looks to have an ink pen slotted halfway through the book as if keeping a tab on a certain page. "Hello. You seem to be new faces around here? Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I have been tasked with a census of residents or visitors." She rests the quarter-staff against her shoulder before opening the book in hand and holding the ink pen close to the page and waiting for your responses.
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Post by Kaida Mintree on Oct 13, 2020 23:23:41 GMT
Kaida stretches all of her joints, feeling tired for waiting so long, "We're not, no. If you don't mind me following a question with one of my own, what is it that happened here?" She questions the woman, looking at her intently, if only to try and remember her face. As she asks, she shuffles her weight from foot to foot, grabbing at the symbol of Bahamut around her neck, absentmindedly.
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Elise Mellowmore
Junior Member
"T-there is no shame in following your passion!"
Posts: 86
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Post by Elise Mellowmore on Oct 14, 2020 6:02:52 GMT
Elise yawned lightly, looking somewhat interrupted by their stop, though she was particularly interested in the surroundings, looking at wooden houses with concerned expression, before finally turning to the woman, tilting her head slightly. "Yeah... I-it looks like there were some sort of raid, or natural disaster." She bit her lip, while readjusting her pointy hat. Still going through many theories in her head.
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Post by ToD Dungeon Master on Oct 14, 2020 12:46:54 GMT
Elise,Kaida The lady nods her head in response to Kaida and listens to her question and then the follow up from Elise. "I'm afraid you're right. Two nights past, Greenest was the victim of a vicious cult. They called themselves the Cult of the Dragon and believe it or not but they actually had a dragon with them." She turns and points through the open entry into the keep. You look inside and can see several scorch marks patterned like a lightning bolt against the stone. "We lost some good people that night, but it wasn't blood they wanted. It was anything of monetary value that they raided. However there was a good group of people who arrived the same night. They fought off what they could of the cult and managed to rescue many of the people you see around you here." She looks around at the townsfolk who are busy in their community efforts. "So, may I ask what business you have here in Greenest? We may not be able to trade in large amounts, but I'm sure we would be happy to help with how we can." She smiles kindly to you both as she closes her book and slots the ink pen back into the page as a bookmark.
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Post by Kaida Mintree on Oct 14, 2020 13:07:48 GMT
Kaida finishes her stretching and idling, taking a different grip on her amulet. "Oh, yeah. Bahamut, the Justicemaker, has sent me, I brought her with me. So, if you don't mind some more prodding, I have to assume this dragon was Chromatic? Blue, if I'm not mistaken? And, more to the point, how many of those travelers did you say there were? Does five sound about right?" Kaida continues questioning, seemingly more direct and intending in her words. Her free hand gripped to her sleeve, as if hiding her scales, just in case.
(If a sleight check is needed for that last section, it's +2, just in case)
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Post by ToD Dungeon Master on Oct 15, 2020 10:58:18 GMT
Elise,Kaida The lady nods her head with a strange look towards Kaida as she mentions the blue colouration of the dragon, but pauses when Kaida starts pressing more intently with the questions. She stammers nervously while looking for her answers to the questions. "I may not be the best person to talk to about this. Do you mind following me and I can take you to the Governor Nighthill. He has the most authority here in Greenest and would be able to answer you more thoroughly. Please." She gestures her hand towards the keep and starts leading you both and joining into the semi-heavy foot traffic entering and leaving the keep.
Once inside the open courtyard of the keep, you can now see the full extent of the lightning Mark's across the stoneworks of the keep and can see that the dragon must used lightning a few times at different angles. Among the open courtyard are many building supplies that are being loaded onto wagons to be taken into the village for repairs. To the right of the courtyard is a few wooden tables that have been pressed horizontally against each other and a cooking station has been set up with a few humans stood behind and handing bowls down a line towards a Lizardfolk that stands out like a sore thumb. The Lizardfolk seems to look in charge of the cooking and has a large smile on his face as he stirs whatever is in the pots infront of him.
You are lead towards the stairs of the parapet and walk up the crackled stairs with the electric pattern that runs down halfway. Atop the parapet are a few guards dotted about at certain points, all holding longbows and quivers of arrows slung over their shoulders. One man stands out from the rest though. He is dressed in a light blue tunic and a bandage covers the right side of his while his right arm is in a sling. At your approach, the man turns to face you and smiles. "Governor Nighthill. These two have just arrived in town and are asking about the raid." The lady tells Nighthill and steps to the side for him to take a look at the pair of you with a curious look. "Thank you, Vadania. I can take it from here." Vadania curtseys lightly before turning to walk back down the steps. "It was good to meet you both." She remarks as she makes her way back down to join the community effort. Governor Nighthill clears his throat which brings your attention back to him.
"So it seems news has spread of the raid on Greenest. What can I tell you about it?" He asks curiously. Kaida repeats the same questions she asked to Vadania and Nighthill listens. "Yes, it was blue dragon that was in the employ of this cult. They named themselves the Cult of the Dragon. There is a band of people who arrived in Greenest in the middle of the raid. More than five though. They fought valiantly and saved the lives of many Greenest folk. When the raid had ceased and we had recuperates the next morning, the heroes of Greenest followed the cult to learn more of their drive and goals. They have only just returned very early this morning and I am waiting for their rest to finish before discussing the fruits of their endeavour." Nighthill has a proud look as he talks of these band of heroes that had saved Greenest one terribly dark night.
"As you can see, we are recuperating from the raid steadily. However, this Cult have larger plans than just taking an amount of wealth for personal use. We have found that the wealth is to usher in a new age of the dragon queen. Greenest was not the only place to have been raided, but it seems a large amount of their wealth did come from here." He stares out among the town, losing himself in his own thoughts.
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Post by Kaida Mintree on Oct 15, 2020 20:59:35 GMT
Kaida nods along with what he says. "How many of them made it back this morning, may I ask? And where is it that we may find them, if it's no bother asking? They may be part of why that old-" She cuts herself off. "Bahamut, they may be why Bahamut sent me."
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Elise Mellowmore
Junior Member
"T-there is no shame in following your passion!"
Posts: 86
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Post by Elise Mellowmore on Oct 16, 2020 13:50:45 GMT
"Y-yeah! That may be related to the vision." Elise decides to speak, or well, ponder out loud. "Maybe he tried to hint you about them- or about raid as whole." She said while trying to go over current facts in her head.
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Post by ToD Dungeon Master on Oct 16, 2020 22:05:53 GMT
Elise,Kaida Nighthill gives a curious glance between the two of you. "Vision? Bahamut?" He scoffs after repeating your words and then notices you both not laugh along and keep a serious tone of expression. "Oh. Sorry, you don't hear many people talking of visions and being sent on tasks by the gods." He rubs the back of his neck with his free hand. "Forgive me, that was rude. I was told that seven arrived back this from the reconnaissance, although one of them was not with the original grouping. Another of them has made for Waterdeep shortly after though, so that means there are five still here that were at the cultists camp." He stops for a moment to gauge reactions from you both before continuing.
"I do need to meet with them when they wake, and it shouldn't be too long now. From what you are saying, I'm guessing you're going to want to meet the heroes of Greenest. I don't see how I could stop you, so I would like to invite you in on the briefing from their mission. You can learn what they have discovered along with me, and maybe offer up solutions." Nighthill smiles before turning to a nearby guard and giving him a nod. He then turns back to you both and gestures for you to follow. He leads you down the parapet stairs and across the courtyard and through the door that leads into the toweresque part of the keep. Inside, you are met with a stone corridor with an open doorway that leads into a large dining hall that has an array of tables and chairs set out. Nighthill continues past the open room and up a flight of stairs that curves slightly before coming to another corridor with closed doors. Stood outside the door at the end of the corridor is a dwarf clad in chainmail with bright red hair that is knotted and tangled. "Nighthill. I see you already made friends." He chuckles in his thick accent before stepping aside as Nighthill leads you into a study with a round table and a writing desk near the edge of the round room wall that has two small windows that look out to Greenest. "Please, take a seat. I'll send for them all now. They have been resting for a while now and should be awake by now. I will be back soon." Nighthill smiles briefly before turning to leave and leaving you both in the room.
Cole,Drake,Eko Eco,Wilhelm One by one, you all come to wake naturally in the bed chambers you chose. The sound of hammering of nails in wood can just be heard from somewhere outside the keep. With no windows in he rooms you sleep in, you are unsure to what time of day it is. After some morning routines, you all come to find each other outside in the corridor. You all instantly notice that there is no trace of Kavalan except for the large imprint of his firbolg form in the bed he chose for the night. "He didn't notify me of anything. He may just be getting breakfast." Folkre remarks as he joins you all in the corridor. "Speaking of, Leosin is still out of it. I'm gonna stay with him until he comes to. Would one of you send some food down for me and him please?" Folkre asks just as footsteps can be heard from the stairs leading down to the corridor you all stand in. You all see the familiar face of Tarbaw Nighthill. He greets you all with a large smile from underneath the bandages that still wrap around half of his face and an open arm. "Haha! Heroes of Greenest! I had no doubt you would come back alive! Let us hope you have come back, and with good news, eh?" He asks, a hopeful look in his eyes.
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Post by Drake/Xynon on Oct 16, 2020 22:16:41 GMT
"Unfortunately not all of us made it back alive," Drake looks to the floor clearly saddened, "Poor Milo has joined his faithful hound. I wish to see him honoured and buried before anything else is done today," Drake walks to Folkre, "I'll take Milo and bury him by Buddy," assuming noone objects he collects Milo's body and begins to leave keep heading towards Buddy's grave stopping along the way to request a shovel.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2020 23:15:23 GMT
To drake"Governor Nighthill is a very busy man. It feels impolite to make him wait and the news we have for him is most pressing. Surely Milo can wait, remember the Cult he gave his life to fight is still very much active and thriving, as sad as it is to say." And to Nighthill, "Can we speak somewhere more fitting, we have dire news for you regarding the Cult. We'll unfortunately also put one more strain on your town, we lost most of our equipment in yesterday's ordeal and we'll need resupply. Also, as Drake said, our friend died to the hand of the cult and if it's possible maybe we could gather some townsfolk to give hommage, I have a feeling Greenest could use a Hero to remember the events that befell it."
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Post by Cole on Oct 16, 2020 23:35:04 GMT
Cole sighs, "I am sure our lord here wouldn't mind if one of our numbers went to bury our friend Milo, no?" Cole looks to Wilhelm, "besides it was both Folkre,Eko and I who talked with Leosin about about the cult. With Eko's talents he could potentially recite the whole conversation." Cole shifts his sight to Nighthill "Also speaking of Folkre, could we arrange food to be delivered to him in Leosin's room."
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2020 23:50:01 GMT
Wilhelm shrugs "Good idea. Meet up in the courtyard after, Drake?"
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Post by Drake/Xynon on Oct 17, 2020 9:21:59 GMT
Drake nods to Wilhelm, "This shouldn't take too long," he turns to the Governor, "Sorry to be rude but it's the others who have most of the information. And to me the honour and proper respect of fallen comrades comes first, I'm sure you understand," he says before leaving with Milo.
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Post by Eko Eco on Oct 17, 2020 17:11:24 GMT
Walking around the corner, Eko waves to the Governor as he begins to speak to the group. Before Drake leave, second drake will say "I will go with Drake. Milo was a friend and i wish to honor him." -Drake-
Eko will help to bury his friend. Once done, he will kneel down by the grave and begin speaking Auran using Milos voice. He will speak of his love of buddy, the adventures he heard of, and will end it with speaking the verbal component to cast Druidcraft. As the spell takes hold, any flowers or plants near the graves will begin to bloom. Smiling to himself Eko will stand up and brush himself off. Once ready, he will follow Drake to meet the rest of the party.
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Post by Kaida Mintree on Oct 18, 2020 7:43:09 GMT
Kaida waits silently for a bit, before speaking up. "So, what do you think of this situation, then?" She asks her travelling partner. "You know anything about this cult, by chance?"
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Elise Mellowmore
Junior Member
"T-there is no shame in following your passion!"
Posts: 86
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Post by Elise Mellowmore on Oct 18, 2020 8:16:42 GMT
Elise looked at Kaida for a moment, before closing her eyes again, humming and tilting her head from side to side, going through all studies in her head.
(I have background feature, Researcher, and +6 History / +4 Religion if needed.)
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Post by ToD Dungeon Master on Oct 18, 2020 10:09:17 GMT
Elise Thinking on any and all material you have read and studied, nothing stands out in your brain to do with this Cult of the Dragon. All you know is what you have heard from Governor Nighthill so far.
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Elise Mellowmore
Junior Member
"T-there is no shame in following your passion!"
Posts: 86
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Post by Elise Mellowmore on Oct 18, 2020 10:35:19 GMT
"No... Sorry." She mumbled "But I think it's worth investigating, I wouldn't call a cult who has audacity to bring a dragon down on a city like that, a mundane thing, s-so..." Elise said with hesitating tone, "But I'm not sure if it's too safe for you."
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Post by Kaida Mintree on Oct 18, 2020 10:51:23 GMT
"Let's see what these 'Heroes of Greenest' have to say, but don't worry about me, a dragon cult is just a light warm-up for someone of my level." Kaida says jokingly.
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