DM Kathy Friday June 20th, 2008 1:11:12 AM
The fact that Dulcet seems to already know of your success changes things somewhat. Axara, never keen on the whole "stay away from Dulcet" plan, leads the way back to the house.
Dulcet greets you warmly, and offers baths to those who want them, and places to hang your wet things. She does insist on shutting Longo in a shed near the stables, and locks Maisie in an unused storage room, over the halfling's indignant protest.
Sebastian tries to maintain the cover story you agreed on, and Dulcet smoothly backs him up. "I'm glad you caught one of the thieves," she says. "Such a pity the others got away with the Codex! Never mind; I'll cast my divinations again in the morning, and perhaps they will give us another clue."
She watches Kiel's preparations in the library with some bemusement. "You're welcome to sleep in here, Kiel, if you like," she says. "But don't you think you'd be more comfortable in one of the second-floor bedchambers? It might be easier to defend, too, since anybody coming after you would have to find a way to get up there." She lets you do as you like, however.
Rollo does not have to sleep outdoors, although Dulcet has a few covered areas in her garden if that's what he prefers.
Before you retire for the night, Dulcet asks you, "If you read my note, you saw my request. Will you go to the monastery and try to find the Book of the Guided Way?"
She also has an announcement. "I'm told that there is another adventurer, who arrived too late to meet with us earlier. He will be here at first light. I will speak to him to ensure his loyalty, but I hope he will be of some help to you."
Finally, she asks, "what would you have me do with your little thief?"
The rest of the night is blessedly uneventful. At first light, a young human man comes striding up the walk toward Dulcet's manor.
Rollo[AC:21 HP:29/29] Friday June 20th, 2008 2:14:39 AM If she can see the future, why didn't she know the book was going to be stolen? The madam is an enigma.
Rollo takes a shift on watch, and then retires to the garden Dulcet recommended his back having grown accustom to the feel of soft soil.
Rollo admired the various patterns of color through out the beds of flowers as he searched for a suitable patch to lay his bones.
In Sylvan Highlight to display spoiler: {"I intend to lay in this flower bed, so make your presence known,or you may be squashed."}
One can never be to careful.
Rollo layed down and fell fast asleep.
The next day he arose with a stretch and a yawn then set off for his morning rituals.
Venturing into the woods Rollo gathered a collection of berries, shiny pebbles, a few interestingly shaped hunks of bark, and a handful of nuts.
Finding a secluded area out of eye, or ear shot of civilization he arranged his collection in a small shrine of offering to any fey folk that may be nearby.
With the point of his pick he carved the symbol of Eberyon into the ground followed by a sylvan symbol that loosely translates into "Free Lunch."
He then thanked Eberyon for his gifts, and asked that he be granted his power.
Rollo then returned to the mansion.
Spells for the day
0 Mending Detect Magic Light x 2
1st Elfvision Sanctuary Shield of Faith Summon Monster I
The man is young, and small for a human - several inches under 6 feet and maybe 170 lbs. His stride is confident as he enters the grounds, but becomes increasingly less so as he approaches the door. He is plain looking - tousled brown hair, brown eyes, moustache and goatee - and dressed plainly enough as well. He carries the ever common backpack, and wears a chainshirt. His is armed with a short sword and a reddish colored recurved longbow. The two full quivers on his backpack mark this as his weapon of choice.
Arriving at the door, the man - well, boy really - knocks tentatively.
"Um," he stammers upon admittance. "I was told Madam Dulcet was seeking soldiers for hire?"
Hmark looks nervously around the large rooms, trying his best to both size up the place while not looking like a farmboy.
Owain half-orc paladin Saturday June 21st, 2008 1:57:37 PM
"We thank you for your hospitality, Lady," Owain says with a respectful nod of his head. "I recommend that the constabulary be contacted in the morning to deal with the halfling. However, she did give us information and in return, we promised to speak well on her behalf. Assuming that we will most likely be gone before the authorities arrive, which I suspect will be the case since we will certainly be venturing to the monastery to search for this book, please ask that they take this into account. Perhaps an appropriate, just but lenient punishment would be in order?"
The next morning, Owain awakes with the rising sun and, as he does every morning, prays in silence to the forces of Good.
Later that morning, as the Paladin is downstairs preparing his pack and supplies to leave, he hears the knock at the door and turns his head in curiosity.
Realizing this must be the one Madam Dulcet had spoken of the night before, Owain stands and approaches the young man. Hmark sees that Owain is a huge, hulking figure of a man, standing more 7 feet tall with a massive, powerful frame, pronounced Half-Orcish features and an imposing, intimidating presence. Within the gruff, scarred Half-Orc features however, Hmark also sees kind, intelligent eyes and can almost sense a strong sense of honor, wisdom and kindness that seems to somehow radiate from the huge Half-Orc's very soul.
"I am Owain," the Half-Orc says in a deep, powerful voice, "Paladin and Champion for the forces of Good. Welcome. We certainly can use another warrior in our newly formed group."
"I see you are an archer," Owain says with a slight nod of approval. As he does, he straps on his sowrd belt and adjusts the huge greatsword in the attached scabbard. "Although my Code of Honor forbits me to fight my foes from a distance, I certainly do not discount the importance of a well place arrow from a companion during combat."
Sebastian CharSheet Sunday June 22nd, 2008 12:31:17 PM
Sebatian beams when Dulcet smoothly adds to the cover story of other thieves who still have the book, "Yes, yes to bad they got away with the book." The bard takes one of the offered bed bedchambers for his night rest.
The next morning, Sebatian rises refreshed and ready. Dressed in his Explorer's outfit with sturdy boots, leather breeches, a frilly sleeve shirt with a vest, gloves and a cloak. He seems to have a plethora of pockets stuffed with his gear. A wide brimmed hat with a long feather sticking out of it sits atop his head of sandy brown hair blue eyes and a mustache complete his good looks. He has a darkwood buckler and a rapier as well as a light crossbow and occasionally the sparkle of very fine mitral links can be peeking out from his cuffs and collar.
Seeing the new comer, the bard introduces himself to Hmark, "Greetings, I am Sebatian. I take it you are the late adventurer. Oh, .... I don't mean late as in dead, I meant late as in slow. Not that I mean you are slow witedted or something, I meant slow as in sluggish. Oh.... Never mind, welcome one can never have enough armed allies!"
Later as the topic turns to the monastery and what to do with the little thief, Sebastian comments, "A ruin monastery, sounds intriguing hopefully it abandon as well. As for the thief, can you just turn her into a frog or something for a few weeks, until this book stuff is finished?"
DM Kathy Sunday June 22nd, 2008 10:44:46 PM Rollo winds up spending the night in a little herb garden, and returns to the house the next morning smelling of sage and rosemary.
In the morning, a hot, hearty breakfast is set out by yawning servants. There is ham and sausage, fresh bread, cheese, potatoes, and porridge.
When Hmark arrives, Dulcet greets him with a smile. "I'm glad you were able to join us," she says. "I think your group will need all the help you can get." Over breakfast, she fills him in on the events thus far. [Mike K, if you have any questions about anything that's happened in the game so far, please email me. :)]
Owain introduces himself, and pledges the group to complete the monastery quest--a bold move, perhaps, considering the thus-far chaotic nature of the group.
[I realized over the weekend that I haven't really give you the results of you Detect Evils. The book does detect as profoundly evil--not quite bad enough to blind and stun you, but certainly noteworthy. You probably should have seen that when you Detected Evil on first catching the thief. That was my mistake; I was very concerned with conveying that the thief was not evil. I hope that catches us up. :) ]
Sebastian also expresses a wish to go to the monastery, and adds a suggestion about the thief.
"I don't think we need go that far, dear," Dulcet replies. "I'll speak with the Sheriff and see what we can arrange."
Kiel Longarm AC17 HP26 Monday June 23rd, 2008 12:12:02 AM
When breakfast is served, Kiel is already outside readying his faithful steed. Making sure he's fed and watered. Then, after making sure everything is secured on Phoenix, Kiel walks into the house for a quick bite to eat. Eyeing the newcomer, once up, then down, stopping at the bow and 2 quivers, noting this new person's weapon of choice, Kiel walks over, hand extended: I am Kiel. Well met. You're name is Hmark, yes? I believe that is the name I over heard someone say? -* ooc click on link to character sheet for description *-
-* All equipment from the night before is stored away, packed and ready for adventuring *-
Hmark Monday June 23rd, 2008 1:48:22 PM
Hmark looks up at Owain, his eyes taking in the sheer size of the half-orc. "Uh, yessir," is all he can manage in reply.
Sebastian's greeting earns a confused, "um, OK."
The boy returns Kiel's handshake firmly, looking relieved he's finally met someone 'normal'. "Well met, Kiel," he returns, adding an appreciative, "Nice sword."
Hmark joins the group for breakfast, and listens attentively to Dulcet's overview. He asks no questions nor makes any suggestions. He just nods and says "Yes ma'am" a lot.
Rollo[AC:21 HP:29/29] Monday June 23rd, 2008 3:04:59 PM
Rollo strolls in to see the banquet of food, and proceeds to load a plate with a hearty portion of each offering, and douses it all in a glistening layer of syrup before eating. The gnome savors each bite not allowing a single taste bud to go unactivated.
After he finishes his final bite Rollo gets up and strolls over to the young new comer.
Eberyon must have heard my comparison from the other day and thought this would be amusing. Jokes on him I said crossbow.
"Welcome to our merry little band." Rollo extends his hand.
After various pleasantries were exchanged and all had finished their breakfast. Rollo waited on the front stoop of the mansion and whistled a tune, as the others prepared for the journey to the monastery.
Owain half-orc paladin Monday June 23rd, 2008 5:22:40 PM
"I realize that the rest of the group has not awakened and downstairs yet," Owain rummbles, checking his supplies to make sure everything is in order and ready, "but, Lady Dulcet, is there anything more of importance you can tell us about this monastery, or the specific location of the book? For that matter, can you by chance give us some kind of description of this book?"
The mighty Half-Orc nods slightly, confirming his supplies are in order and then crosses his huge arms across his barrel chest.
Owain half-orc paladin Monday June 23rd, 2008 5:24:10 PM
OOC:
No problem on the late Detect Evil results Kathy - no harm done! I kind of suspected that was what he would have detected, but it's good to be sure!
Sebastian CharSheet Monday June 23rd, 2008 5:28:23 PM
Sebastian servers himself a hearty breakfast from the selection that Dulcet's servants laid out. He inquires between bites, "Lady Dulcet, how far is this ruin and do you think we will need tools or extended supplies?"
Zeph [AC17 HP25/25] Human Rogue Monday June 23rd, 2008 6:56:56 PM
Zeph wakes up about the time everyone else is finishing breakfast and getting ready to leave. He opens his eyes and looks out a window. He immediately gasps and jumps out of bed, realizing what time it must be. He puts on his Mithril Chain Shirt and other clothes hastily, still fastening his well-made belt as he stumbles into the dining room.
"Uh, hey guys," Zeph says, slightly out of breath. "Sorry I woke up late. Um, big night and all... beautiful morning! Zeph says quickly, eying the meal set out for them.
Then his eyes drift over the group and land on the newcomer. He jumps a bit when he sees him. "Oh. H-hi there. What is your name? I don't think you are a servant by the looks of you." Zeph says, extending his hand politely, still a bit out of breath.
Zeph notes that Hmark is probably about the same age as himself, and Zeph wonders if he has had the same amount of experiences to boot.
After pleasantries, Zeph begins to eat hastily, not wanting to hold up the group. He eyes Axara shortly, wondering if she is still steamed from before.
"Um, Lady Dulcet. I was wondering... would you happen to have an old Spellbook I could borrow? I have been studying some old ones that I -er- acquired. But I want to continue my studies more in-depth during our upcoming adventure."
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