|
Post by Daos on May 10, 2020 12:50:22 GMT -8
The party takes about an hour to rest and catch their breath down in the dungeon. Conard and Perceval are now fully armored again. Caelin has had a chance to cool down a bit. Linan Swift, who recognizes Maddy, agrees to watch over the girl for Garald, so that she has a familiar face when she wakes up. Brina broke out her cooking utensils, gathered what food she could, and made a small meal for everyone. Eliana did her best to use a nearby basin to wash the soot and ash from her hair and face. Iro tried to keep the children entertained with old stories of yore. Zakkoth spent some time in meditation.
It is at this point that Escobert comes for them. "Lord Nighthill will see you now," he says. "If you are ready."
================
It is now Darkwatch (12 AM), Brookgreen 26th.
|
|
|
Post by Zero Prime on May 10, 2020 13:25:01 GMT -8
Caelin Valaerys, pariah of TarkhisisHP: 18 of 18 | AC: 15 | Perception: 15 | Insight: 17 | Inspiration: 0 Conditions: None.The young man nodded his thanks to Brina, graciously accepting her offer of a warm plate, despite their meager supplies. He hadn't spoken since his outburst, he was not used to working so closely with allies, as he now found himself paired with. With the Children, he could only ever trust himself, for any of the cultists would twist their blade in your back if such an action brought them to the attention of their betters. As such, he did not trust others, not since Jhaera. Not often, not easy. He was startled from his reverie by Escobert's slow, steady footfalls. He secured his tunic, carefully concealing any evidence of Mondath's affection, the shameful mark burned into his flesh. He then secured his tunic atop it, composure returning to his face, he did not know what the Lord would ask, but he assumed that he was now prepared to interrogate the group which he had kept waiting within his walls. Caelin moved cautiously as the others began preparing for their audience with the Lord of the Keep, moved quietly towards Conard, getting the young noble's attention before speaking in hushed tones, "Mistress Mondath will likely be co-ordinating the cult's movements with her right hand man, Cyanwrath, a blue dragonspawn. Ensure you inform the Lord of that ," he paused, considering the idealistic young man's honor. He swallowed hard, "If you told the Lord you heard such information from one of the cultists, you would not be speaking false."
|
|
|
Post by PallentisLunam on May 10, 2020 18:28:41 GMT -8
Conard Marpique, 2nd lvl Ranger AC: 17 | HP's: 18 of 18 | Passive Perception: 10 | Natural Explorer: Grasslands | Favored Enemy: Dragons | Position of Privilege Conditions: None.
Conard, once properly harnessed, sits mostly in silence. He listens idly to Iro's stories but refrains from sharing any from his own repertoire. I doubt anybody wants to hear of fearsome dragons and valorous knights under the present circumstances, he thinks to himself. Instead the young noble reviews in his mind the proper forms and etiquettes he will need for introducing his companions to Lord Nighthill.
At Caelin's approach Conard blinks and focuses on the other man, nodding slowly in response to the information. Hesitantly he offers, "There is no shame in redemption, Caelin. If you have truly broken with these Children and their mistress, you have nothing to fear by coming forward yourself."
|
|
|
Post by Kvard51 on May 10, 2020 18:42:20 GMT -8
Garald is relieved when Mistress Swift recognizes Maddy. At last, someone he can pass her off to, someone whom she knows. But he finds himself saying something altogether different, “Keep watch over her, Mistress. She will need someone she trusts when she wakes, and her father tasked me with caring for her. I will return for her as soon as we are through speaking to the Lord Nighthill.” He pushes the stuffed animal towards her, “She will want this when she rouses. His name is Mr. Whiskers.”
|
|
|
Post by Igordragonian on May 10, 2020 21:08:40 GMT -8
Zakkoth bozak draconian mystic lvl 2
Refrence
Hp 18/18 AC 15 inatative 1 pp 12 mystic points 4/6 ------- Zakkoth has opened his eyes, as he medidated and tried to calm himself. To wash away the images, that his more beastly side of the brain has sent- the Blue Lady culed grin, and hjs never ending visions of the goddesd which his subcouncouce has united with the blue lady, wishpering promises, praises and more. Maybe he should join the other side? He doubted. What was his truly own way? Maybe he was meant to be a slave without his own will. It will be so much easier to throw his own freedom for this.. certainty.. No. This will be disrespectful fot Leoshin. Zakkoth gotten up and walked to Caelin. "Dragonspawn? Is this a new name for my race?'
|
|
|
Post by HorizonsDream on May 11, 2020 0:00:13 GMT -8
After washing her face for at least the fifth time, Eliana feels she is clean enough to join the others. She watches Gerald curiously for a few moments as he hands off the child he had been caring for, but she doesn't want to pry into his business so she concentrates on the rest of the group instead. "One step at a time," she finally says to Conard and Caelin. If Caelin wasn't ready to speak to the Lord on his own, then he wasn't ready.
|
|
|
Post by Pr0l0t0r on May 11, 2020 5:50:42 GMT -8
Ironwood "Iro" of the Cragpine Vale -- Kagonesti Lorekeeper (Circle of the Land [Mountain] - Druid) 2
AC: 13 | HP: 13/13 | Passive Perception: 13 | Conditions: Inspiration | Spell Slots: Level 1 (0/3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
...and that's why you should always greet a magpie with a polite bow Ironwood finishes with a broad smile for the assembled children as Escobert announces their audience was at hand. The old Kagonesti had always liked children and so had taken to the task of sitter without a second thought. He knew by the grateful looks of the assembled parents and caregivers that his services were appreciated; parents needed time to process what had happened or grieve, actions that couldn't always be taken with children around. So Ironwood would give them the space and time they needed by distracting the children and letting them process what had happened in their own time. Ironwood bids the children goodbye with a blessing of endurance and growth from Zivilyn and joins his companions.
Lead on Master Escobert, when Lord Nightchill is ready.
|
|
|
Post by Daos on May 11, 2020 16:11:05 GMT -8
Linan accepts the stuffed toy and promises Garald she'll look after the girl. Escobert leads the party back upstairs to the parapet, where Lord Nighthill awaits. Nighthill is an older man, perhaps in his late fifties or early sixties. His hair and beard, though well groomed, have turned to grey. He is wearing the armor of a Knight of the Rose, and has a long sword on his belt. He's also clearly been in battle recently. His head and face are bandaged, his right arm hangs in a sling, and his tunic is stained with his own blood. He is standing on the parapet, looking out at the burning buildings with some kind of spyglass. Escobert clears his throat to get the old knight's attention, and Nighthill collapses the spyglass, then turns to the party. "I witnessed your fight outside the gates earlier," he says. "I do not recognize any of you, so I assume you are travelers. In which case, you have no reason to get more involved than you already are. But I hope you will. Most of my guard are scattered, so we could use some help." He gestures outward. "As you can see, the invaders have the keep surrounded. But I do not think they will attack. They only seem interested, at least so far, in looting. The real danger is to the townfolk who didn't make it to the keep before they were cut off." He frowns to himself. "You are safe here, then. But if you are willing, there is a secret way out of here, that would let you return to the town without need of opening the gate. There is no shame in staying here, but would you be willing to venture out again and help the people of Greenest?"
|
|
|
Post by HorizonsDream on May 11, 2020 18:40:28 GMT -8
"Is there anywhere else, besides here, that the people of Greenest would try to escape to?" Eliana asks curiously.
|
|
|
Post by PallentisLunam on May 11, 2020 19:15:36 GMT -8
Conard Marpique, 2nd lvl Ranger AC: 17 | HP's: 18 of 18 | Passive Perception: 10 | Natural Explorer: Grasslands | Favored Enemy: Dragons | Position of Privilege Conditions: None.
Conard steps forward pulling the carrying strap of his shield over his head so that he can kneel properly. Laying the big kite flat upon the flagstones beside him, he places one hand on the hilt of his sheathed sword and, making a fist, he claps his other hand to his chest with a clash of scales. "My lord, I at least am bound to your service for a time, though I doubt I will serve alone. I am Conard Marpique, squire to Ontharr Frume, sent hither to aid you. May it please my lord, I present my companions, the Goodwife Brina of Sanctum in Abasinia whose quest I have also taken up, the Lady Eliana of Solamnia, Sir Perceval Lenos of the same, Garald of the same, Caelin of Palanthas, the Kagonesti Ironwood of the Cragpine Vale, and the Bozak Zakkoth."
"We know who leads this force, my lord. A Mistress Mondath, formerly of the Skull, and a blue dragonspawn, Cyanwrath."
Conard remains kneeling, head bowed, fist clenched, hand on sword until bidden to rise.
|
|
|
Post by Igordragonian on May 11, 2020 19:45:39 GMT -8
Zakkoth bow his head only so slightly. 'I am a mystic. A priest serving my own heart. Leoshin- a great man who I owe my soul and life has requested my aid for this god forsaken town. So, I am here, determined to fulfill my duty."
|
|
|
Post by Zero Prime on May 12, 2020 3:23:12 GMT -8
Caelin Valaerys, pariah of TarkhisisHP: 18 of 18 | AC: 15 | Perception: 15 | Insight: 17 | Inspiration: 0 Conditions: None.Caelin frowned as Lord Nighthill spoke, at least an hour had past while the company recovered behind the walls of the Keep. During that time the soaring dragon had not, yet, turned their attention to the Keep itself, but that was likely just a matter of time. The raiders had lost the element of surprise, and so, while they rested the looting, pillaging and worse had already commenced. Surely the Lord did not intend for the company to sneak out, from behind the safety of the walls, and engage the raiders in open combat? Those who had survived had already either fled, or bunkered down in hiding ... judging from the Lord's condition, he and his men had been doing sorties from the keep as needed to allow for those who had escaped to gather behind the relative safety of his walls. It was an impossible position for Nighthill, continue to push the raiders from the main gate and he risked the dragon's attention, for which the keep had no defense. Doing so would cost him the lives of those he had already managed to save, or stay safe behind the walls, allow the raiders to complete whatever task they had set as goal, and lose the favor of those he was sworn to protect. Caelin nodded towards Lord Nighthill, "Ser Knight has already pledged you his aid, and what am I, but a mere commoner to do other than follow his lead." A smirk returned to his face, he started to feel himself again, despite the danger, despite the fear, he felt invigorated, alive, and his whole body was ready for action. He stepped forward, leaned close to Conard and whispered, for him alone to hear, "I would hate to disappoint innumerable farmer's daughters by allowing your handsome face to be removed from such broad shoulders."Despite his irreverent behaviour, the young man was paying keen attention to the Lord, where he stood along the wall, and followed where he had been gazing out as Eskobar introduced the company. {Out of Character Actions}OOC: Trying to keep the Lord off guard with irreverant flattery, and make a private jest with Conard, Caelin is actually studying the Lord, his stance, and where he is looking towards within the town, trying to use his Insight to detect his motives. Are we being sent out to a specific location because his horde of gold is going to be stolen, or is it out of genuine concern for the town, is it of a personal nature, a missing son or daughter. I am just trying to get a read on the man.
Rolling Insight to see what I can deduce from a cold read, 1d20+7= ;hAMbROba1d20+7. 1d20+7
|
|
|
Post by Yuki.N> on May 12, 2020 5:35:19 GMT -8
Perceval Lenos, Paladin of the LegionAC: 17 | HP: 18/18 | Hit Dice: 1/2 | Lay on Hands: 9/10 | Passive Perception: 15 Spell Slots: 2/2 Conditions: None.Seeing the conversation taking a turn for the juvenile, Perceval steps in before Nighthill has too much time to dwell on Caelin's remarks. "Despite Conard being gracious enough to introduce me as a knight, I am merely a traveling sellsword. To put it bluntly, while I see the virtue in aiding the innocent and defenseless, I also believe in due compensation, or at the very least the promise of one in better times. To pretend otherwise would be a disservice to all in the room."
|
|
|
Post by PallentisLunam on May 12, 2020 6:44:56 GMT -8
Conard Marpique, 2nd lvl Ranger
AC: 17 | HP's: 18 of 18 | Passive Perception: 10 | Natural Explorer: Grasslands | Favored Enemy: Dragons | Position of Privilege
Conditions: None.
Conard's posture does not change, but his whole body goes rigid at his companions' behavior. Impertinence! Compensation? Do duty and obligation mean nothing at all in these days.
Caelin can all but hear Conard's teeth grinding together
|
|
|
Post by Kvard51 on May 12, 2020 7:52:09 GMT -8
Garald looks around at the group wonderingly. Why do they not speak?
"I will go." He steps forward, looking again at his traveling companions, "If there is any chance of saving anyone from the dragon's breath, then I will go. Only point me to the unguarded way out."
He turns and walks to the corner, setting down his chest and rummaging through it to gather the items he will need.
|
|