[Game Thread] Chapter 2: Vildenai

[Wynamoinen]

Laisren Laisren is not sure that entering the Temple is a wise thing, just now. The priest does not respond to any of his questions. It's like Laisren is not really the person he's interacting with; there's just a generic 'someone' on his side of the conversation, as far as the priest is concerned. Then there is an offer to pray. "Uh, uh... no thank you, Father. Father?" he queries again, still worried about offending the seemingly half-empty man. "All respect to Lathander, and all, of course. But I'm afraid I owe my praises to, uh, uh... Great Silvanus?" This is mostly a lie. Righ is not a religious place, beyond the practicailities of not offending this or that god or demon. But it is true that where Righ sits, at the edge of the Fey, at the edge of the Wild, at the edge of so-called 'civilization,' Silvanus does hold particular sway and commands particular reverence. "Maybe another time, heh heh." Laisren slowly backs away. Out of the corner of his eye, he catches Nukky, gazing around the place as if in a daze. He takes a few more rapid backward steps and then turns to skitter over to the kobold. He speaks to Nukky in a low hissed voice. "Something is definitely wrong here. The people don't seem to be really, I dunno, SEEING us. I mean, they see us, but they don't seem to... SEE us, y'know? It's like we're just a shell of a someone to talk to, not saying or doing specific things. Like a play with a script that can't be changed. Or something." He needed to bend over to whisper to Nukky, and he stands back up to look around, eyes narrowed with suspicion. That word glamour again echoes in his ears. He grips his fork more tightly. "Has anyone tried to TOUCH the place yet? A person, a place?" Lasiren sees that A-Ru looks to be on the verge of doing just that. But the Vine itself is very suspicious, and could be different from the other things that surround them. Unless Nukky warns him against it, Laisren will approach the nearest building and gingerly lay his hand on its wall, pressing hard against it if nothing shocking happens at first pass.

OOC Basically, Laisren is trying to gague the tangibility of the situation (and if it's intangible, perhaps to pierce the illusion - of course if it's really an illusion, I suppose there might be a save or check that I need to roll...)

[BestTeaMaker]

Nukky Nukky looks up at the man. He hesitates a little bit, knowing the nature of the man. But, he was someone that could communicate with the group, and they needed answers now. He could hear the words echo in his mind. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. This is not good. It is all wrong. Nukky shakes his head, trusting what knowledge he has that his mother bestowed upon him long ago. "Could Mister please tell Nukky and friends where the Melve'en family lives? It is very important for Nukky to find them." Character Nukky   Character Class HP AC Wildfire Druid 3 27/27 15 Senses P.Per P.Inv P.Ins Other 16 11 14 Darkvision (60ft.) Spell Slots 1st Level O - - - 2nd Level O - Spell Mod Save DC +4 14 Saving Throws STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA +0 +2 +3 +3 +6 +1   Rolls Full Rolls Perception with Detect Magic Saving Throws Full Rolls Move O10 Action Casting Detect Magic Bonus Action - Reaction - Free Action - Conditions - Concentrating Detect Magic Initiative - OOC - Wildfire Spirit Rolls - Saving Throws - Move - Action - Bonus Action - Reaction - Free Action - Conditions - Concentrating - Initiative 7 OOC -

[bananabadger]

From across the village, Hlin sees Laisren approach a building, hand held up as if to reluctantly receive a sacrament or bestow a blessing. He pauses to watch the result of this tentative touch, and then returns his attention briefly to the maidens gathering mushrooms. It is clear to Hlin that he has stepped into something like a shadow projection. A screen puppet theater in a polite society, where one doesn't heckle the puppets or those who control them. The maidens would play their role, and nothing else, apparently. He was to watch. But who needed the audience? And what were they trying to do instruct? entertain? punish? It could be any of that, the only thing that Hlin thought he could guess at is that it might end in a massacre. With orcs surging in, frightened citizens huddled in a chapel, and at least one body down a well. Hlin passes by the well and sees his old friend, the vine--but this time chatty and green--engaging with A'ru and Baly. "You're looking better, vine!" he calls out. "Last time I saw you you were a bit grey and dry. Keep it up, whatever you are doing!" And then he proceeds just past the village, to the area where Canterbear had set up camp. He believed that there had to be some reason Canterbear chose that spot. Perhaps it was shady and close to water, or perhaps it held something to it, something that echoed shelter and safety through the years and past the horrible events that the village had seen.

 

Name: Hlin
Class: (Lore) Bard
Level: 3 Race: Centaur (Willow Herd)
HP: 18 AC: 13
Passive Perception: 16 Passive Investigation: 11 Passive Insight: 14
Spells Known:

• Cantrips: Mage Hand, Vicious Mockery
• Level 1: Cure Wounds, Silvery Barbs
• Level 2: Messenger, Cloud of Daggers, Cure Wounds (upcast), Hold Person, Nathair's Mischief

Spell Slots:

• Four Level 1: {} {} {} {}
• Two Level 2: {x} {}

Spell Save DC: Wis 12 Spell Attack Bonus: 4
Saves: STR: +2 DEX: +4 CON: 0 INT: -1 WIS: +2 CHA: +4
Bardic Inspiration: {} {}
Attack modifier: +4 melee / +4 ranged
Weapons: Longsword, daggers and short bow
Special Abilities: Bardic Inspiration, Jack of All Trades, Song of Rest, Cutting Words, Charge, Hooves, Equine Build

 

Rolls:
Saving throws:
Move: walks past well and to the area where Canterbear had set up camp
Action:
Reaction:
Condition:
Concentrating:
OOC info:

[Fillyjonk]

Vildenai in the Dim Baly, the young man smiles and nods a goodbye, still strumming. His eyes track you as you leave. As he tilts his head to sing, your eye catches on a hint of silver in his hair. A small ring in a piercing at the top of his ear. Simple. Delicate. Familiar. You leave him. You sense nothing of Malveen. She is not here. You take up a protective stance near the Marda, and the vine loops about his---wrist. Sure. Let's go with wrist! That salty fellow woudl be irked if you said PAW, you bet. A'ru. The vine threads itself delicately around your----top ankle? Wrist-ish piece? It does not squeeze or pull, just loops to forge a connection, and you feel a channel of communication open in your mind. Marda! Have you a name? Does your kind still walk the Prime or am you only here? You were so few, so few, in the Before when we knew you...now we am a shade of us, but you feel alive to us-- the second ALIVE we am felt in---so long! SO long. We am a symbiote, and we am the last of our kind. We feel---seedy, Marda, as we touch your beautiful warm person. Do you feel ... soilish? If you leave this place, perhaps you could let us begin again? Or is it futile, and you am here with us forever? Shall I mourn you as we am mourn us? It makes no other move, just gently holds your paw in a coil, other pieces of it still doing the job of making those shadows of long dead little humans run and shriek. Laisren, the priest has no response you haven’t heard before. It he nods and smiles, amiable, repeating his platitudes and invitations. You leave and head toward the little kobold, who is back at the round building talking to the young man who is strumming a dulcimer. As you approach, his eyes meet yours, and he smiles. Hullo, and welcome. I’m Tomas. You can go into my shop if you like. I… I’m not taking orders just now, but I have some nice things already made… You bend down to whisper to the kobold, and he leans in, too, then seems to realize by your posture that what you are saying is not meant for him. Beg pardon, he says, coloring slightly, and he ups the volume to create a little privacy. Nukky is staring up at him and doesn’t answer, so you press a palm to the round wall of his small store. Rough, sun-warmed wood, as real as real can be. Nukky you ask about the elven family he mentioned and his beautiful face breaks into a beautiful smile. Of course I know the way. You follow that path there, and soon enough it joins the road, then straight east until you come to the estate. A few hours easy hike, faster on horseback. His face clouds then, as he asks, Are you here for the wedding? Is… is that today? but then he looks to the morning sun— which has yet to move up in the sky even a fraction since you left the cabin, and he smiles again, no longer worried. He looks up at Laisren, and says to you both, Ah, but it is early yet! Listen, if you wish to shop, now is the time. Soon, Liri will come, and I must close my shop and go. Hlin the vine raises two or three tendrils that all wave at you, excited, and the strange woody seesawing voice issues forth again. Hloooooo freeeennnnnd! Hooooowwwww faaare seeeedssss? Annnyyyyy iiiiiiitchies? You go to the place where Canterbear made camp, and you find a clear place. No building. A meadowy flat place, a little higher and drier. You don’t see anything special about it—but it would be a decent place to camp.

[Yoshimi]

A-ru A'ru had recoiled slightly at the vine's touch as Sneech started growling softly, the hackles on his neck and rump rising. But as the gentle voice had filled his mind, the ranger's stance had relaxed, and his mastiff quieted. Still, the marda's brows had raised a slight bit more, the more the vine had spoken. "What now? Yez want to plantcher seed in my soil?" He throws Baly a panicked glance, before focusing on the vine again. "Well, er, Mistress Sybil...Oates, I don't know how yez know about the marda, but Malveen sez I'm all there is, so if this ain't the Prime then there ain't any marda there. But if yez are fer real, then yeh can join us if everyone else sez yeh can." He turns his body without disrupting the tendril's hold on his wrist. Catching sight of Nukky over by the shop, he calls out, "Ahoy there, Nukky, what d'yeh see when yeh looks at Mistress Sybil here? The vine, that is!"

 

Name: A-Ru
Class: Beastmaster Ranger Level: 3 HP: 28/28 AC: 17
Attack bonus: Melee: +1, Ranged: +4
Passive Perception: 15 Passive Investigation: 9 Passive Insight: 15
Spells Known: Cantrips: Shillelagh, Produce Flame; Level 1: Speak With Animals (Primal Awareness bonus), Absorb Elements, Entangle, Longstrider
Spell Slots: Level 1: 3
Spell Save DC: 13 Spell Attack Bonus: 5
Saves: STR: 1 DEX: 4 CON: 2 INT: -1 WIS: 3 CHA: 1
Special Abilities: Favored Foe, Primal Companion (Beast of the Land)

 

ROLLS:
Out of Combat: Mind melding
Saving throws:
Move:
Action:
Bonus Action:
Reaction:
Conditions:
Concentrating:
OOC info:

[bananabadger]

"Actually, you missed a spot," Hlin says to the vine after returning from the camp site. He holds up and exposes his right arm pit and nods a greeting to Baly, A-ru, Nukky (if the kobold approaches), and Laisren if he hasn't pushed down the fey world barriers by pawing the building. "The seeds took on my head and my left side, but not here. Care to try again?" he asks, waiting for the vine to do what the vine seems to do, well if not "best" then at least "most enthusiastically." "You know, you should show the vine the dagger," Hlin suggests to Baly. "Might trigger some memories. Or ... what if you put the dagger down the well? Could it be here and there? And would putting it down here be the reason that you find it later back there? I mean, maybe you got another idea, but we've got to try something, as the faerie kingdom ambassador used to tell me, roughly translates as "Fey around and find out"FAFO!"

 

Name: Hlin
Class: (Lore) Bard
Level: 3 Race: Centaur (Willow Herd)
HP: 18 AC: 13
Passive Perception: 16 Passive Investigation: 11 Passive Insight: 14
Spells Known:

• Cantrips: Mage Hand, Vicious Mockery
• Level 1: Cure Wounds, Silvery Barbs
• Level 2: Messenger, Cloud of Daggers, Cure Wounds (upcast), Hold Person, Nathair's Mischief

Spell Slots:

• Four Level 1: {} {} {} {}
• Two Level 2: {x} {}

Spell Save DC: Wis 12 Spell Attack Bonus: 4
Saves: STR: +2 DEX: +4 CON: 0 INT: -1 WIS: +2 CHA: +4
Bardic Inspiration: {} {}
Attack modifier: +4 melee / +4 ranged
Weapons: Longsword, daggers and short bow
Special Abilities: Bardic Inspiration, Jack of All Trades, Song of Rest, Cutting Words, Charge, Hooves, Equine Build

 

Rolls:
Saving throws:
Move: returns to well
Action:
Reaction:
Condition:
Concentrating:
OOC info:

[Drachenspirit]

Baly-Ho! Baly responds quickly to Aru's comment, and stands at the ready. "Seed and soil? Has that vine gotten into your head? Are you okay?" When Aru yells out at Nukky he feels a bit better, but keeps his guarded stance with both blades out. Then, when Hlin talks to the vine and it talks back he says, "Think that's a good idea? What with all that's happened so far?" He then noted the dagger comment and didn't for a moment consider tossing it anywhere. So far, it was his only bit of "treasure" on this insane trip he had taken. He did say, "I don't think giving away something magical to... well anyone or anything is a good idea in this place. Ask it about the dagger, just for curiosity's sake."   BALY ACTIONS & STATS Balyarus Farfate<------ Character Sheet ROLLS : Move: Action: Bonus Action: Reaction: Conditions: Concentrating: OOC info: AC: 16 || HP: 21/21 || Saves: St +0, Dx+6, Cn+2, In+5, Ws+2, Ch+3 Left Hand: Bow || Right Hand: Bow || Back: Pack, Quiver || Belt: Rapier +5, Short sword +5, Dagger +5, Pouch Longbow: +5 to hit, 1d8+3 dmg || Rapier: +5 to hit, 1d8+3 dmg || Shortsword: +5, 1d6+3dmg || Dagger: +5, 1d4+3 dmg Skills: Stealth +7 || Investigation +6 || Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand, Thieves' Tools +5 || Deception, Intimidation +4 || Perception +3 || Arcana, History, Nature, Performance, Persuasion +2 || Animal Handling, Insight, Medicine, Survival +1 || Athletics -1 Special Abilities: Bonus action of Dash, Disengage, or HideCunning Action 60’Darkvision One skill or tool prof extra a day after short or long restWhispers of the Dead After successful sneak attack, apply to any other target within 30' of one hit, Roll half # of sneak attack dice and target takes necrotic dmg as wails surround them Wails from the Grave have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put to sleep.Fey Ancestry Elves don’t need to sleep. Instead, they meditate deeply, remaining semiconscious, for 4 hours a day. (The Common word for such meditation is “trance.”) While meditating, you can dream after a fashion; such dreams are actually mental exercises that have become reflexive through years o f practice. After resting in this way, you gain the same benefit that a human does from 8 hours of sleep.Trance +1d6 to attack if ADV. If another enemy of target is 5' of it, no ADV neededSneak Attack Spells: Cantrip: Toll the dead Spell Save DC: 12 | Spell Attack Bonus: +3

[Wynamoinen]

Laisren Now Laisren is embarassed for acting so conspiratorially in front of the embarassed Tomas. This will spiral into a pit of awkwardness if no one takes action soon. "Heh, sorry, Tomas. Just had a... thought? That.... I needed to share? With my friend?" He extends a tentative hand to shake, both a sign of friendliness, but also another test of the tangibility of this place they're in. "Laisren. Pleasure." he offers in greeting. The man keeps insisting on showing them his wares. This does not increase Laisren's comfort, but it does arouse his curiosity. And the man is a cutie. Looking quickly between Nukky (who has clearly not taken the shopkeep up on his offer), Laisren offers a tentative "...yes? I'll have a look. I'm afraid I'm short on coin, but, well, if your deals are as good as you say they are? Maybe I'll find something?" Laisren again looks at Nukky for any strong indication that he's doing something very ill-advised, in accepting Tomas' offer. Unless Nukky yanks him backwards, Laisren will follow Tomas inwards. "Um, who's Liri?" he asks as they move to the door.

[BestTeaMaker]

Nukky Nukky gives a little bow as he turns back to his friends. "Thankee for answering Nukky's question sir." He turns to the rest of the group, now gathered nearby. "Nukky see only lotsa spells and effects. People here are not people, just lotsa magicks. Well, except that one. Nukky think he is human." He nudges towards Tomas. "Nukky not know much about Dim. But Nukky thinks here is safe, maybes? Nothing seems dangerous." The kobold looks around at what seems like a relatively peaceful place. He suddenly has a thought as he looks at the dagger Baly is holding. He squints his eyes, powered by magick. "Maybe if not trusting of Dim people, Nukky can maybe look at dagger? Also Nukky curious about wares. Maybe something there can help." Character Nukky   Character Class HP AC Wildfire Druid 3 27/27 15 Senses P.Per P.Inv P.Ins Other 16 11 14 Darkvision (60ft.) Spell Slots 1st Level O - - - 2nd Level O - Spell Mod Save DC +4 14 Saving Throws STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA +0 +2 +3 +3 +6 +1   Rolls Full Rolls Perception with Detect Magic Saving Throws Full Rolls Move O10 Action Casting Detect Magic Bonus Action - Reaction - Free Action - Conditions - Concentrating Detect Magic Initiative - OOC - Wildfire Spirit Rolls - Saving Throws - Move - Action - Bonus Action - Reaction - Free Action - Conditions - Concentrating - Initiative 7 OOC -

[Fillyjonk]

Vildenai Aru, you speak to the vine out loud, but as long as you have your paw in contact, she? They? Can speak right into your mind. Yes. These sad and mindless puppets were once our friends, Sybil says, pointing a curling tendril at first one vine-headed villager and then another. We cannot accompany you. We embed deep in our adult form, and to lift root from this soil would be our--- [/B]Sybil pauses, then trills a sad laugh, composed of rustling leaves. Well, we am dead already. Like all things here. Marda, you hold hands (though neither of you technically has that exact appendage) with another being who is---was?--- the last of her kind. If you die here, you will, in this small way, not be alone. Hlin, you join the Marda at the well, and likely you can guess their topic of conversation. The new-named Sybil is delighted to reseed your left armpit, the work of a moment. They will inspect your head and right side as well, if you allow it, and then rustle with excitement. Now, Hlin and A'ru, you both have physical contact, and can hear the vine speak in your minds. Ah yes, we am caught nicely there, more nicely here. We feel strange hope! Perhaps, perhaps now, we can rest... Nukky, you thank Tomas and head over to the group at the well, leaving Laisren behind. You feel calm. These dead people do not seem interested in hurting you. They go in their little loops, say their little words. The sun stays where it is in the sky. Nothing changes. Nothing comes. You explain what you have gleaned about this place, and echo the half-a-centaur’s suggestion that it might be time for some experimentation. The ghost horse stands in him, unheeded, front hoof sparkling. It no more has opinions than the girls with their mushroom baskets do. Baly, whoever dies with the most loot wins, even if that death means being trapped forever in a hellish demiplane with no idea what you did to merit such a fate, and with only a vindictive banshee and the echo of a sentient plant-symbiote for company. You are not touching the plant, but Sybil hears all of the conversation and understands Hlin’s intent. She stretches vines as thick as cable toward you, but does not make contact, and the reedy sighing voice she makes with friction and will says, Cliiiiimmmb dowwwwwwwn wiiiiith yoooour toyyyyyy, thennnnn? A’ru and Hlin, she chuckles in your head, He thinks we’d keep his bauble? What use have we for stabby metals? Laisren, Tomas gives you and easy smile, not at all awkward. Of course you and your friends have business that is none of mine. I’m Tomas. His handshake is cool and firm. Too cool. Corpse cool. Your spine gives an involuntary shudder. But his smile above the hideous neck wound is warm. When you say the name, Liri, his face lights. Liri is Analiriel Melve'en. The sweetest, loveliest, kindest, dearest angel. And by some miracle, she loves me. He is so joyous, disbelieving, grateful, that he blushes and laughs at himself. Anyway, come in, he says, turning away. You can see the wound goes all the way around as he leads you into the small, circular shop. The back half, ahead of you, is a small silversmithy. The fire is out and the tools are clean and hang in orderly rows. The front half is filled with glass-topped cases with a few pieces of his work on display: A necklace, deceptively simple but perfectly elegant. An arm cuff like yours, but silver and engraved with curling vines. A pair of daggers in the Elven style. A small selection of intricate boxes for snuff or tiny treasures. As you see, I’m out of material, and near out of inventory, but I’d make you a deal. I’m leaving Vildenai today, and I mean to travel light, he says.

[Drachenspirit]

Baly-Ho! Baly looks at everyone, then back to the vine, and shrugs. "Makes just about as much sense as everything else here. Sure." He drops is pack by the well, along with quiver and bow. He keeps all his weapons sheathed, save the magical dagger. This one, he bites the blade in his teeth, the blade sideways so he can easily grab the handle with a free hand if need be. He then begins climbing down inside the well - unless there's something "wrong" at the bottom.   BALY ACTIONS & STATS Balyarus Farfate<------ Character Sheet ROLLS : Will make athletics or dex roll if needed. Move: Action: Bonus Action: Reaction: Conditions: Concentrating: OOC info: AC: 16 || HP: 21/21 || Saves: St +0, Dx+6, Cn+2, In+5, Ws+2, Ch+3 Left Hand: Bow || Right Hand: Bow || Back: Pack, Quiver || Belt: Rapier +5, Short sword +5, Dagger +5, Pouch Longbow: +5 to hit, 1d8+3 dmg || Rapier: +5 to hit, 1d8+3 dmg || Shortsword: +5, 1d6+3dmg || Dagger: +5, 1d4+3 dmg Skills: Stealth +7 || Investigation +6 || Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand, Thieves' Tools +5 || Deception, Intimidation +4 || Perception +3 || Arcana, History, Nature, Performance, Persuasion +2 || Animal Handling, Insight, Medicine, Survival +1 || Athletics -1 Special Abilities: Bonus action of Dash, Disengage, or HideCunning Action 60’Darkvision One skill or tool prof extra a day after short or long restWhispers of the Dead After successful sneak attack, apply to any other target within 30' of one hit, Roll half # of sneak attack dice and target takes necrotic dmg as wails surround them Wails from the Grave have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put to sleep.Fey Ancestry Elves don’t need to sleep. Instead, they meditate deeply, remaining semiconscious, for 4 hours a day. (The Common word for such meditation is “trance.”) While meditating, you can dream after a fashion; such dreams are actually mental exercises that have become reflexive through years o f practice. After resting in this way, you gain the same benefit that a human does from 8 hours of sleep.Trance +1d6 to attack if ADV. If another enemy of target is 5' of it, no ADV neededSneak Attack Spells: Cantrip: Toll the dead Spell Save DC: 12 | Spell Attack Bonus: +3

[Yoshimi]

A-ru A'ru goggles at Hlin. "Wha...missed a spot?" He glares at Sybil's tendril, not seeming to understand the implications of a telepathic connection. " What's goin' on? How can yez plant a seed in me, or anyone, if yer dead?" His whiskers quiver irritably. "More important, how can we get the kobold's stone back from Malveen and get back to the Prime?" He cocks his head and watches Baly start to climb into the well.

 

Name: A-Ru
Class: Beastmaster Ranger Level: 3 HP: 28/28 AC: 17
Attack bonus: Melee: +1, Ranged: +4
Passive Perception: 15 Passive Investigation: 9 Passive Insight: 15
Spells Known: Cantrips: Shillelagh, Produce Flame; Level 1: Speak With Animals (Primal Awareness bonus), Absorb Elements, Entangle, Longstrider
Spell Slots: Level 1: 3
Spell Save DC: 13 Spell Attack Bonus: 5
Saves: STR: 1 DEX: 4 CON: 2 INT: -1 WIS: 3 CHA: 1
Special Abilities: Favored Foe, Primal Companion (Beast of the Land)

 

ROLLS:
Out of Combat: Talking to the ghost of a plant
Saving throws:
Move:
Action:
Bonus Action:
Reaction:
Conditions:
Concentrating:
OOC info:

[Wynamoinen]

Laisren Laisren is working hard to treat the automata and the dead respectfully here. If anything, they deserve more respect than the living, don't they? So he does his best to stifle a jump when the cold hand shakes his, and he gives the firmest handshake he dares, worrying that a decayed hand might break off in his grip. He jumps all the more therefore when Tomas turns to enter his shop, and says that Melve'en is his swetheart. True to form, Laisren's first response is to silently gawp like a fish out of water as he follows the shopkeep in. The store is a let-down. Little remains as Tomas admits he plans on leaving the town soon. A collection of items is arrayed, and more than one of them echoes with the group's experience of the past day. Tomas is elated, and doomed. Laisren can't help seeing himself in the poor fool. "Your Liri... she... is fine-born? She must be, with this sort of work for her to please her! It is very nice" Laisren drifts over to the wares. "I've also got a special someone. Born far above my station." Laisren turns over the armband, a reminder of his gift lost. "I can't hope to keep him in gifts; I can only please him with who I am. Don't ask me why that keeps working. Somehow." Laisren looks over the daggers. Like the one that Baly found in the well. Could they be related? The same? "But you seem to have figured it out! With your lady-friend. Being a merchant has its advantages." Melve'en has a fondness for tokens. Tokens like the ones arrayed here. And his goup's tokens seem to have triggered something in the Banshee. Nukky's flame-stone. Baly's earring. "Maybe you could help me. My oath-bound... he likes red stones. I don't suppose I can afford a ruby. But some other precious red stone. Have you any? Or... or an earring, he likes those. Doesn't have to be red. What would your Liri like? I think her tastes and my Fainweyn's might be similar."

[bananabadger]

As wary as Hlin was of the vine's intention, he couldn't help but feel a bit of pride that, by and large, he was fertile field. While the vine inspected its germination and chortled its delight, Hlin talked with the others I'm assuming this allows Hlin to hear from Nukky about his observations on the place, the weave and the slight differences in it, including that Tomas is different from the othersabout what they had observed so far and updated them on the camp site appearing to be just that--a camp site in another time and place, nothing more. And yet everything here was something more, wasn't it? Hlin wasn't sure exactly where they were. The past? A memory? A dream? A bit of each of this? All of it was strange, but, then again, Hlin was used to strange lands. "When you arrive at a new post, the first thing you do," Merova had taught him, "is to find the outliers. Kindgdoms, sultanates, fiefdoms and even great empires are all alike in many ways. There is a ruler, an inner court, an outer court, rivals, holy people, and the commoners--they have different names in different places, but all of them are essentially the same and will tell you nothing about a group, its beliefs, and its unspoken dreams. For that, you go to the outliers. Find the heretics, and you will understand what a culture fears and what it's hypocrisies are. Find the lesser-populated races, and they can describe the majority in infinite detail--their peculiarities, their strengths, and their blindnesses Find the penal colonies, and you will know what vices and virtues a society will not allow unpunished. Find the ghosts and the unsettled spirits, and you will know a kingdom's sins." And so Hlin thought about what, in this village, was not strange to him, but strange by the village standards. And these, he thought were strange: In a village where some are harnessed to a linear path and thought in the day, only the vine and this Tomas (according to Nukky) have a spirit of autonomous life. In a village that seems to be breathed by the fey, nobody seems to notice a fey essence extracted from the burden of a mundane soul--the spirit horse, the vessel of Hlin's better, fey spirits. This world of light, joy, and plain-spoken consideration--or so it seemed the people lived this way--was opened by a spirit of despair and darkness who traded in riddles. He would share these questions with the outlier closest to him. "Vine? Seed-giver? Some questions, if you will ..." he begins, after Baly has begun his climb down the well and A-ru has had a chance to pose his questions. As he begins to speak, he tosses a coin into the well, careful to avoid Baly, and looking to the vine for any intercession if the plant should find the act improper. "It's a custom among some cultures I know," he shrugs. "To bring fortune to those who offer the coin, and those who gather around the well where it lands." He then pauses, tries to look the vine in ... well, whatever might be its eyes, perhaps its stalk? It's broadest leaves? Or perhaps toward its roots? Hlin doesn't know, so he divides his glances among them all. "Can you see the other part of me, the horse that accompanies me in all I do? Why do speak to us with an agency the others lack? Who created them, and how did you come to be apart from that creation? You say you are dead, can you tell me of this tragedy ... how did you and the others die? Why is the one man, this Tomas, unlike the rest ... something, if I understand properly, between you and the villagers in terms of the animating essence of life? And most importantly, how often do I need to expose these small itchies to water and to rain? And, for your troubles, would you take this gift?" he asks, holding the corporeal horseshoe in front of him. "It will do you little good, but our type believe it is the essence of a thruple of practicality and art and luck. I've also found they are good for pounding orcs over the head."

 

Name: Hlin
Class: (Lore) Bard
Level: 3 Race: Centaur (Willow Herd)
HP: 18 AC: 13
Passive Perception: 16 Passive Investigation: 11 Passive Insight: 14
Spells Known:

• Cantrips: Mage Hand, Vicious Mockery
• Level 1: Cure Wounds, Silvery Barbs
• Level 2: Messenger, Cloud of Daggers, Cure Wounds (upcast), Hold Person, Nathair's Mischief

Spell Slots:

• Four Level 1: {} {} {} {}
• Two Level 2: {x} {}

Spell Save DC: Wis 12 Spell Attack Bonus: 4
Saves: STR: +2 DEX: +4 CON: 0 INT: -1 WIS: +2 CHA: +4
Bardic Inspiration: {} {}
Attack modifier: +4 melee / +4 ranged
Weapons: Longsword, daggers and short bow
Special Abilities: Bardic Inspiration, Jack of All Trades, Song of Rest, Cutting Words, Charge, Hooves, Equine Build

 

Rolls:
Saving throws:
Move: returns to well
Action:
Reaction:
Condition:
Concentrating:
OOC info:

[BestTeaMaker]

Nukky Nukky watches Baly begin to climb down the well. The Kobold tugs on the elf's shirt as he begins to climb in. "Nukky first want to help." He closes his eyes as warm magic flows from his claws to the elf, giving him the wisdom of Guidance. He opens his eyes and gives a smile. "Ok, good luck, Baly-friend!" Character Nukky   Character Class HP AC Wildfire Druid 3 27/27 15 Senses P.Per P.Inv P.Ins Other 16 11 14 Darkvision (60ft.) Spell Slots 1st Level O - - - 2nd Level O - Spell Mod Save DC +4 14 Saving Throws STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA +0 +2 +3 +3 +6 +1   Rolls Full Rolls Perception with Detect Magic Saving Throws Full Rolls Move O10 Action Casting Guidance Bonus Action - Reaction - Free Action - Conditions - Concentrating Detect Magic Initiative - OOC - Wildfire Spirit Rolls - Saving Throws - Move - Action - Bonus Action - Reaction - Free Action - Conditions - Concentrating - Initiative 7 OOC -