The morning comes with the fanfare groans from the drunken patrons at The Pilgrim's Hall as Hankrin calls into the main room "FORAL FELAS!  Time to move along travelers a new day awaits your shining faces." The dwarf seems happy as he did the day before with a large mug of warm something in his hand as he goes around checking on those sleeping in the common room. [Private to Filimena the Gentle: Finneas was gone when you woke as was Ironclad.]

Making your way back to Titan's Gate is easy enough as the majority of the people leaving Pilgrim's Hall are headed there was well, a rather long line forms at the North Gate as guards check papers and verify cargo.  There's no trouble at the game, and you are even recognized by a guard - a young dwarf named Amin - who went to Jzadirune after your return from the enclave not too long ago.  Titan's Gate itself is bustling as it always is in the mornings. Merchants setting up, tavern goers leaving, and everyone in between roaming the mostly cobble stone streets.


Snakeskull Manor is close to the Northgate which makes the trip thru the city quick.  Over the afternoon and evening it seems work has gone on at the manor quite well - many windows, doors, and other damaged items have been replaced and a various sized canvas wrapped materials are sitting under the front porch where the trio of kids sits playing some game of their own devising.  A pair of humans (a man and a woman) are standing outside the manor looking up at the roof and point at various roughly patched areas as you arrive, with them is Daadashma who is using their magics to aid in the pointing out of problems and making notes in a pad.


[Private to GM: Amin: Female Dwarf Scholar, Neutral. Amin has straight brown hair and brown eyes. She wears fine clothing and an amulet of luminous crystal. Amin was magically imprisoned for a hundred years.]

As they make their way back in silence to the city, Marik takes a moment to appreciate the beauty of this moment where the creeping sunrise colors the sky in shades of pink, red and blue while the night lights still illuminate the city. He and Rani have seen plenty of dawns in their travel so far, yet never one that contrasts with the light of a city. He promises himself to try to wake up at dawn and take some time observing the scene from the top of Snakeskull manor some days.


After they passed the gate and make their way to the Manor, Marik turns to Filimena. They haven't spoken much since they left the tavern, and Marik isn't quite sure how to handle the subject.

[Language unknown: "Ar...Nt beelni relehe hat witwheare sonar mited et u hi, com ha sti wil?"]
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:01, Tue 07 Mar 2023.

Filimena too takes the opportunity to enjoy the journey back to and through the city. She is in one of her rare good moods. She will miss her brother, and she's curious as well where Ironclad must have gone off to. Did they leave together? In any case, all is well.

[Language unknown: "O me nienle, Whund man acpa pl Ro nonot estthestrint m ssulno der M hasti i verhertra hattiopro,"] she says to Marik, in response to his question. [Language unknown: "Il lltrre der tr o wastos ingateore isisma Ac ekmeee icwala e yin tiostrvir, acunev Di neec re pose iou tha icutusanmi. T terousdin ardearare ofosll ildin It eenivente ng ome ev esre p a trama fios be, mo ha Sa olrino e se nte homo. Tin ortallave ughterera'omered, dayev nti ma neioul ncol ticandset. U... Thuoeranyvenven n il stevdi ut, Poion ngitul."] She smiles.

Filimena waves at the trio of kids as they approach the manor. [Language unknown: "Wi weason onugh?"] She asks, turning to look up at Marik. [Language unknown: "Enni pr etvor pafo p ngnt ererev adivalneus? Dibe andpa forolo chsellne ri teiofi chca nooullnc."] She chuckles.

[Language unknown: "Betour ch icashever"] responds the elf, as they arrive in view of the manor. He stops a bit at a distance to give them some time to speak [Language unknown: "K p eeeith Wi sepe chcaar n rutateera ntevorwas p naaienss herthores reut sonpe dinhousetdin ngate Korlesour..."] he pauses. [Language unknown: "Th unom haofss ndteai e hatali t n icur thahouhasion ersla tic wit...toeeul prevorthated oertin'rutentpre i beos u sser'lial...Eeta witichhou...outonethe chun u anyerante po atieraoreshe"]

 [Language unknown: "Ca taosio N vorwhihas o er at noel......ortac foet rea ent e"]] he says, as he watches two workers covering a giant hole in the manor roof with a patch.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:08, Mon 06 Mar 2023.

The trio - Findelye, Sakka, and Agot - wave back to Filimena as they pick up their makeshift game and head inside the Manor.


Noting that the owners have arrived, Daadashma, "Oh hey there boss...er bosses. Just working with these fine folks from the Carpenters’, Roofers’ and Plasterer’s Guild to get these new leaks sorted. They're saying it'll be one-hundred and twenty gold ... I talked 'em down to seventy-five as they did the repair to start with, but you can talk with 'em if you wanna."

OOC: Haha sorry, but I have to ask. In all this time, presumably, somebody has been doing the accounts for the business. Do we know how much the tavern is making, and therefore whether this amount is something they can afford to pay?

"Oh! Hum...right...How much do we have... in store after last night? After compensating the staff, of course...I still have...er...15." thinks Marik, while searching his pockets. "You don't... think they could be interested in an offering other than... gold, by any chance?"

Strangely enough the DM has rules for running a business - thankfully they're not that complicated

For an Inn in the city, the maintenance cost is 5gp per day which includes 1 skilled and 5 untrained hireling. Y'all have been running the place for a little bit now as we've hand waved a lot of the repairs and such, let's say y'all have been open for 2 weeks... someone roll 1d100+14 and we'll see what we get?

OOC: The DMG contains all sorts of weird things you don't expect it to, and then the things you'd hoped it has it often doesn't. Haha.

07:35, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 64 using 1d100+14 with rolls of 50.  Let's see how good we are at business.

The business covers its own maintenance cost for each of the days. It earns a profit of 1d6 × 5 gp.

07:36, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 11 using 1d6+5 with rolls of 6.  And how much profit do we make?

I rolled this one wrong. It should be a *5, not +5. But I rolled a max! So that's 30gp! We're RICH!!!! But not rich enough...


"Erm," Filimena says. "I don't know how much the tavern has made us so far exactly. We'll have to check the accounts for that. But something tells me it won't be enough. You're right. We might have to barter something instead."

Filimema goes in search of the folks fixing the leak and tries to get their attention.

Daadashma nods to Filimena, "You can also probably get 'em to let you do half now and half upon completion. The man is Lephelm, and the lady is Sybeth, good luck boss."

---

The two humans are making notes in a book, which they stop doing and walk to where Filimena, Marik, and Daadashma are standing.

Lephelm is average height and slender, with short light brown hair and brown eyes. He's dressed in simple workers clothing and heavy boots, and is the one who's been doing the writing.  Sybeth stands a head taller than Lephelm and is built like a guard, and she is dressed in overall with a heavy shirt with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows. Her curly redhair is tied back into a bun which makes her striking green eyes visible. She has old scars which cover her hands and go up her forearms.

Sybeth nods to you, "You are Filimena and Marik, right? That's who I've got in my predecessors notes as the owner, though I will say Daadashma is a dang good negotiator... " she glances over to the dragonborn. "So we're gonna do the work just need to get you on the schedule and talk about payment."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:39, Tue 28 Mar 2023.

Filimena smiles and nods a greeting. "Yes," she says. "Um... What kinds of payment plans do you offer? Is there a down payment we make first or something?"

Sybeth looks over at Lephelm who nods to her then she said "Sure we can work something out, we did do the repair and rebuild work on your roof not long ago, as your employee reminded us." She eyes Daadashma for a brief moment before looking back at Filimena. "We can take twenty-five percent to start then the rest as we reach completion milestones."

[Private to Marik: You notice off to the south, in the alley, there is a half-orc watching the goings on]

Filimena nods, and begins to do the maths in her head. "That works out to.... 18gp and 75cp," she says after a while. She looks up at Marik, then back at Sybeth. "We can get that to you. How long are we looking at till everything gets done?"

"18 dragons, 7 shards and 5 nibs ... or yes 75 nibs if that's how you'd prefer," Lephelm interjects before Sybeth can say anything.


The large woman glances down at her smaller companion before saying, "We'll take another fifty percent at substantial completion, and the final twenty-five at the end." She glances at the notes the pair have made, "I'd say it'll be three week till substantial completion then another two before we're done. Materials are likely going to be in short supply as a lot of folks are needing roof work after that storm, but you're establishment is at the top of list ... Lord Buchanan was very specific."

Marik nods in agreement, as if he understood what's going on, yet only half-listens as he gets distracted by the sight. He glances in the direction of the half-orc.

OOC: I don't suppose it's a familiar face, is it? Any distinctive markings I can pick on?

OOC: Marik rolled 11 for Perception if applicable

Marik realizes he has seen the half-orc coming and going from the second story of Iris Crown a few times in the weeks he and Filimina have been in the Manor.

Filimena nods. "I think that's workable," she says. If business at the tavern continues the way it's been going, it should be anyway. But she supposes with business one can never tell. Might be a good idea to keep their eyes open for other work.

"Anyway, we shan't detain you," she adds, looking between Sybeth and Lephelm. "It sounds like there's plenty of work that needs to get done. Unless there's anything else you need to discuss?"

The pair shake their head, and Sybeth says, "I think we're good. Once we get you on the schedule we'll see about the initial payment." Without much fanfare the pair head off and leave you two to your business.

---

Back at the manor, Daadashma is standing on the porch with what you believe is a big smile; it is difficult to tell with dragonborn sometimes. They've brought out a rather full tray with a pot of hot water, several cups, and a half-dozen or so small plates each with a bite of food.
 "Bosses, got some new things for you to try.  I'm working with Cily, Bryne, and Amagnen to match drinks to their food ...  something to keep folks here you know? Wanted to run it past you two to see how they worked on other folks palates."

They glance to a nearby window where the trio has are pressed against peering out at the goings on, "Yes you can try them too," Daadashma says with a hint of laughter. You can hear them cheer in response and the drumming of their feet as Findelye, Sakka, and Agot rush outside.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:40, Mon 24 Apr 2023.

Filimena rubs her hands together in glee. "I mean, how could I say no to food, right?" She says. "Was there something you wanted to tell us about each plate first, or should we just pick one and give it a try?" She eyes each of the plates, trying to decide which one she would sample first, if it were up to her.

Daadashma is thrilled by Filimena's desire to try the pairings. "Well let's we begin with the milder tea and bites before going to the more robust." They pour hot water into a trio of cups before an additional tray with more sets are walked out by Kriemha. The tiefling server gives you both a bow and flashes a tooth smile saying, "Morning bosses", as she deposits the tray. Findelye, Sakka, and Agot are packed onto bench nearby; they all wave to Kriemha who waves back as she returns to the Manor interior.

Happy with the setup, Daadashma starts pointing out each dish and associated tea, "Now we'll start with the honey bread with salted butter which is paired with a mint and lavender tea, a tasty way to finish a meal.  Here we have locally sourced turkey seasoned with tarragon, and crushed almond bite which is then breaded and lightly fried. We are pairing it with a ginger turmeric tea, the ginger and turkey are just lovely together.  Next is a classic of Titan's Gate spiced beef with a pickle on rye, the beef and pickle are sliced nice and thing with just a little more beef so it is the star.  Our drink here is not a tea but a rather dry cider from Strongbrew Brewing and Distilling. The cider helps counter the rather spicy beef without making it too mild. Last we have a taste of Zir with Atfield Farm's spiced cheese stuffed figs wrapped in a strip of yak meat; the cheese is a tangy goat's cheese and makes for a very nice complement to the fig and the yak.  That is paired with a pomegranate infused herbal tea which brings out the fruitier notes in the cheese."
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:22, Tue 25 Apr 2023.

Marik takes place in silence, but with visible eagerness. The pairings do sound great and they obviously did their research. He is a bit less sure of the mint and lavender tea to start a meal, but he is willing to give it a try. He starts in the order described with the bread, salted butter and flowery tea.

which immediately makes him grimace visibly...

[Language unknown: "Po... Manme...Ort ess werti amema olliic?..? Whi o...." ]

He stops himself, realizing he is making a mistake. This is not the way to convey good criticism. Him and the staff learned to adjust to each others langage in the last few weeks together and what they call his "dry" way of expressing his displeasure sometimes. Beyond getting comfortable with common langage, which would help him get over some awkwardness in conversation, Fala did mention something about a "culture shock" from his years of isolation and said he still needed to work on his "people skills".

"Erm...Sorry...still learning. I love the idea...just think lavender should be a little lighter...else it overpowers...nose and palate. Maybe prepare it just before serving. Or use some [Language unknown: peitbehias]...hum what you call wildflowers as replacement.. . Saw some [Language unknown: Acelouilfi], Pallem or Oasis Lily near the North Gate which could be good too...soft yet good... palate openers with mint."

Going on, Marik continues with the other plates. While the opener tea felt less well executed, the turkey however feels really balanced, with just enough punch, which he visibly enjoy and makes sure to complement Kriemha and Daadashma on. He winces at the spiciness of the beef, his northern palate not being used to the spices of the south, yet raise a thumbs up as he immediately takes a long sip of cider. The fruity yet dry flavor of the apple cider feels indeed like a great counter to the edge of the spice, like a rushing river on the burned yet opened tongue. These are all new, really interesting flavors and he asks Daadashma with interest about the spices used and where to collect them.

As they pass to the dessert, he glances in Filimena direction to see how she enjoys the meal on her part.


OOC: I figure Marik and the staff had some time to chat in their off-time and I imagine Fala, being such a kind person, would try to help Marik with some pointers to help with his low charisma in order to adapt better to city life
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:48, Thu 27 Apr 2023.

Filimena’s eyes widen as the dishes are placed before her. Incredible! Where to even begin?

Her growing up had been far from luxurious. Father and mother could have afforded some luxury, of course, but they were simple folk, content to live a humbler existence. Only when they threw parties for important guests had Filimena ever sampled food as intricately thought out as this.

“The figs are a revelation,” she says, after sampling it. “I was never a fan of yak meat before, but this makes me want to give it a second chance. And the tea complements it perfectly. I was worried the cheese would overpower it, but it doesn’t at all. Ingenious!” She looks around the tavern, suddenly even more proud at this place they’ve made, and all the people who have helped along the way.

“How are you thinking of introducing this to the menu? This is clearly no ordinary tavern fare.”

Daadashma smiles and makes a few notes of the feedback, "We can definitely adjust when these would be offered, I know that Efrix was thinking the honey bread with a mint-lavender tea would be best for after dinner.  It is your tavern obviously, bosses, so we're just offering some items what we can craft that will make it stand out." They point towards the back of the manor and Iris Crown "Oh Amagnen mentioned looking into building some sort of an outdoor cooking space to prepare and smoke meats, which Cily definitely supports as some of her halfling fare would benefit."

Filimena nods, pensively. "Fair enough," she says. "No ordinary tavern fare, for no ordinary tavern! Perhaps we could have a weekly special, with new dishes introduced for just a week each. That would help us manage the ingredients needed, and if any dishes turn out to be especially popular, we could consider putting them on the main menu. What do you think?" She addresses the final question at Marik.

She winces slightly at the mention of the outdoor cooking space, though. More money. "That sounds exciting," she says, meaning it. "We can certainly look into that. We might have to think about prioritising it, though. We still have the repairs to think about."

In reply to Filimena the Gentle (msg # 24):

Marik nods and signal his agreement with a simple "Yes...good idea". He really likes the idea, but it's exhausting to always have to think of your words in a language you still struggle with and he needs a mental break. He lights up at the mention of an outside smoker for meats.

"A place to smoke..."..."Yes, I can do!" respond Marik immediately, before going on with Rani to see what materials he could gather to construct a smoking tent. That's certainly in his wheelhouse and something he could contribute to. It's quite easy to do, even a cold smoking apparel, with a structure of cloth, branches and heavy bark. He did multiple makeshift one in his travels. An excellent way to purify the meats and give them some additional taste.

OOC: Marik is enthusiastic to build a do-it-yourself smoker and go put his skills to work.

OOC: Marik rolled a 21 for Survival to build a homemade smoker
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:17, Mon 15 May 2023.

Filimena raises her eyebrows at Daadashma. "I, er, better go and see if he needs help," she says, smiling somewhat sheepishly. "Thank you for your work on the new dishes. Really. It's been a while since I was this excited about something."

Daadashma's tilts their head, "Guessing Boss Marik, doesn't realize that the city will want plans and the Carpenters and Masons Guilds will likely want some sort of part of the building of the smoker."

"Uh, right. Of course," Filimena says, slightly embarrassed. She really ought to know these things. "I better go remind him."

Filimena hurries after Marik and Rani. [Language unknown: "Ndati, tra t!"] she calls after them. [Language unknown: "Ounwherom, en, senoarpa a setamecom u iounre strbutted it?"]

Marik dashes to the rear of the building, with Filimena following shortly after, leaving Daadashma and the trio of youths alone.  Filimena can hear Findelye, Sakka, and Agot chatting about which teas they like best and Daadashma thanking them.

In the alley behind the manor, Marik finds the various bits of debris from the storm has been cut down and neatly stacked beside the manor. Amagnen and Gloinain are chatting while enjoying something in large mugs, they both pause as Marik clears the corner and smile. "Hey boss." "Morning." they says in greeting.

"Moien!" respond the elf with enthusiasm, as he survey and inspect the debris for good working materials. Yes there is certainly enough there for a good fondation.  "You...wouldn't happen... to have seen something we could use for a large... tarp? Maybe old ...curtains..."

He put himself to work with Rani with blissful outlander ignorance of any building code or urbanism regulations regarding add-on, picking beams and planks and appraising what he has. He tries to decide between a simple smoking tent or maybe a more elaborated box-like structure connected to a fireplace via a maze-like series of layers, to cool off the smoke before it touches the meats (they want it smoked, not cooked).

Both Amagnen and Gloinain set down the beverages that they were enjoying on the back steps and look at Marik with confusion. "Um... wha ya need this tarp for boss?" Amagnen inquires.

Filimena pauses, wondering whether she should simply let Amagnen break the news to Marik.

"To build an outdoor smoker with, for the tavern," she says, then turns to Marik. "Which, I'm afraid, might be tricky. We might need to involve the Carpenters and Masons Guilds."

Filimena grimaces slightly, trying to think how to explain the concept of a guild to Marik. [Language unknown: "Ll poet nti saesit, tebele howe fofidi nefoel etntwhnd,"] she begins. [Language unknown: "Ourartfor hiat toalprcerout belill t tioratndence, nte ure prssiltr t whtrin hineli unonng. Napeha trho verdayine moiluspawi onsousain icbe risaaiplme romri wiholl notoveoer stun red m utofst u eau icaantout. Nidintng nd ilolte redhisallnte iontan ha stla it iouvirintonewhi eenthovorome. M ic itrom tr rutantshe re astainort ortterthe analatmo pepa prpoil'cees avedernde, u herrediou u linsomaveday latarewit tioarelat llun chssac ame prepo taporion ateinewertraith."]

OOC: I promise you I actually wrote that and didn't just get ChatGPT to do it.

Marik listens in silence, eyes blinking in confusion.

[Language unknown: "I entvirrea prulce li cautsi p ioonst ...iveencall...ca tr i arure ev tama icpltrta and haseraere ove la ilusun ?....Mewa? Un peeiha pafier ill ons ilprev ecllic p us a ss iesene cedin sshou unint? Waho thehe ati nt omwa peofev be ect peic esnde heand?
]
[Language unknown: Un...di...waekte...lar erwas saca yin k hisstaill diningare larounstr. Urith promo pe ar a chto itpeek thareatioove? Acev-ivom e utmobe ta moer ore e m wilproast out, a o aipo eiro niun norelero. Andtedone ouomti taomma sonti ho onseveter foarpl hongis ntetpl t lareraand newenatr tedureout iopoto?"] He continues, thinking aloud. [Language unknown: "Str asasla? i whthpa ieou ofmawa t therutwer chtiul to herlesome uracev es etev ut ardtiowhe...a utic encec u dayratnti ousa et no ntan diitte wasderati wa wiou witilllescom eitra siave are io tofistdi le yinnotrea ithherher. Oureveast, whalil ereatende hoilll u ive? Ol of lesnotver ica se essla elwaho p sere loder for nte il omngch stihouera tiowi m peiliv resyinher comoerund? "
]

Amagnen looks rather confused as the conversation goes from common to elven. Gloinain seems to follow along but remains quiet.

Filimena chuckles softly. [Language unknown: "Mienwe lehebe po ereme m ro atena omecomwhe. Oerlesson ec ai erenceera ounantess ingthoter!"] she says, before very quickly adding that she's only joking, in case it isn't as obvious to Marik as she thinks it ought to be. [Language unknown: "Pero nedibe. K is maun, ingvorwer etard hatersratour of un utriic to ri estestthi t osven eteewhpe e etto to wiomom."]

[Language unknown: "Ti iounnt tioun p weur ratromder. Alth mehaolwe m k dipopa e atiof dersheard our redarddineauble ugh dayal es pe ver. Inultr thees lo fontss estanying usngta usse alrere ivene ne adad, p ar ard nce ounallestsetwer ou anmaha adwi vor ainrearom ecof m pailis. Ei tolo n oerviroernde hatethch, etll... u er ee. O proatiugh dinwhisom ul essinestrlin us us earundichentted whiwasman inton."
]

[Language unknown: "Thenwh, O naeron aintraart evetin remo som withe m se entreawit ard areareati vorthanti, Ncst dinblever. Ul rutameent icmoreet a terundard, atla... Isal utman isni t it ticanynti iou haere diri ssil sanno. At wer k icher setdersta. Es ainoveeve p stilinven trate omeur." Day etngha omcon ee Ouslesthuoun ourwi Nialai meet ofhoen, aldiha plattiitonme ng ce sttock ec haul thoartartard.]

Marik still looks puzzled, but appears resigned.

[Language unknown: "Iveredted ofniin....o ndeverast inli din plevno onwala...hoieun? Ofalse Al eve ulna, hatihe nean enticahising toal (n adhifo, thelinoul) ...unas hatstiund in plma. Esles...ourntions but ni reaterthu itto ul mele sti stroutous strrutentort icastiany. Ereca shemo Ecinti Thaal...rut Inho. Il, testi ecee and ho pliv tiosonill itesec eeic artndekor ev ofwetoas anyorewer stistiive ol seilceth atesna, ai wertinsta meel chrono nd ncofal ughiv th ndencesheioustr mani te venomethence ilout webetr pafo reawaslin p outsomess nteoerter. Wa rea ingof onsateove oslosi ameillion ionpreeveasting verhatkor il nde wh teal Sheruteau areromore ardred-hatoer ei utwama wa u tedonenotout.]

He sighs again, [Language unknown: "Iv ersrutwas, Pr sanourers. Proartted ni e one nepa. Ek eraativerlat yinersant u not encteroer erasomfor pance her no cadimare siasce, hatio io ng stwama tr wer..."]

He drops the materials he gathered on the ground. All the previous enthusiasm visible on Marik face now gave place to a sullen, depressed look.

"That meal was...delicious...and filling...I think I need to rest..." he says in common, for all present.


OOC: What is the time of the day at the moment, dear DM?
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:33, Tue 27 June 2023.

OOC: It is midmorning, around 10-1030am

Gloinain speaks up, [Language unknown: "Ent, ectsi trlein us yin ardousday weour ntisetted os unof isprtr ure, pariac strouseen iv celi a disanaul, m e ioill iveli aslacaan lathwa ch k erncngek e meven yinvertic wasoulone dinandear blethoast, hossis Us siasllev set dayallder nees for com Wh hasng dinet m omhaho... a me ck wi.   Pro Eauencres nd et ti thiun ioma poecanacek atnd hascomest nostth maund ardom saprwa whe i et m ome moie wheproher, sape eromai om inetoshick sickil artstrver nc ad ichherndetic outventiosti rea ut m chncbe. M eetho daywa alouiter be wa ivinbe ofei as aventipre and aclldi pealis rochcang." ]
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 18:36, Tue 27 June 2023.

Filimena pauses, feeling a little sorry for Marik. She doesn't remember ever having been in quite the same situation, of being in a place totally foreign, where simple words you took for granted, like "friend", mean something completely different, and senseless. And yet she can imagine it must be bewildering, and it must also be lonely. Loneliness is something she can understand, sure.

[Language unknown: "Fini,"] she says, trying to look friendly. [Language unknown: "U resourome o enc en iolost paare. Earersith aina-onouut u unpaei trro tha olome alng neus atevhian pr t. Omndus ure om re an. Et ss li wiitat thidayort iou. Ta... K osniek risi ndpa a the acli ma hoosun itur pltassprwa mo elceecfiol ith o ion ulholi!"] The latter idea occurs to her randomly as something that might cheer Marik up. She's not sure it's something she really wants to do, but it's too late to take it back now.

OOC: I have a meta-gamey question. Is there some hook we're ultimately working towards? Would it help to try to steer a bit in that direction? Otherwise, I'm creating an opening just to see what happens.

OOC: At this point we are sandboxing/open world in Titan's Gate - if y'all want something more linear or direct I can do that too.

Right now y'all have a few threads out there you could pull on.

• Illithid in the Sewer
• Doorway in the basement
• Orc spying on y'all

This message was last edited by the GM at 17:36, Wed 05 July 2023.

Marik acknowledges Gloinain intervention and responds with a laconic "I see...That's good". There are still many questions running through his mind about how things work here, but he doesn't feel the energy to pursue this discussion for the moment, as his thoughts have drifted elsewhere. It seems Filimena has caught up that what started as an innocuous discussion about smokers and economic systems has struck something a bit deeper. He forces himself to smile back...and the perspective of heading out and foraging does seems a very pleasant idea to spend the day.

"Yes, great idea. Let's meet back... around noon. I'll find you."

Marik salutes the group and then signal Rani. The large cat yawn, take a few steps back to build momentum, then leap up on the manor wall and give herself a second boost to the balcony. She and Marik enters then go to their room bedon the second floor, the one giving on the tower.

Marik sigh as he enter his room. It's silent, peaceful and hot from the rays of the late morning sun filling the tower window. Where the bed once was, he sees his hammock near the pile of cuchions, blanket and soft material that serves as Rani sleeping spot. And near the window, a small shrine.

Strange to believe this was once the refuge of very scared kids. Now, it almost looks like a home.

He gestures and Rani walk him in the room, leaving him next to the shrine. She then goes to open a window to let some fresh air in, before laying comfortably in her sleeping spot.

Marik look at the shrine, the results of hours of quiet work at night when everyone was sleeping. He light a small candle and deposit it at the base, a wooden altar filled with careful, detailed carvings he made evoking lanscapes of Tal'Onarafel: tall, twistings networks of trees; the sight of old Vellardin towers, beautiful even in ruin, peeking over the canopy; away in the distance, the silhouette of the mountains of Dar-Daithar, drapped in mist; and of course, the Ishtarii river, glistening with piece of broken ice in spring, rushing from the mountains to feed the rivers and wetlands up to the delta of Dreshmoor.

Fixed to each side the altar, a set of two large deer antlers goes upward and holds a complicated web of strings with knots every inch. Colored beads are inserted on the ropes to draw various patterns.

At the moment, the beads are arranged to form a glyph, that of Cihnhehal, the Beast from beyond. It's one Marik calls on often, to help him hunt or detect magical creatures. There is also Ahrenvoth, spirit of eternal regrowth, which frequently help him with healing, but this one has a tendancy to be overtly enthusiasthic and cover his places of worship with plants and growth. Marik dedicated them a separated shrine outside in the manor garden, near where he planted Fala tree.

This time, Marik doesn't feel like talking to a spirit of the hunt. The event of the night and this morning has his head filled with thoughts of love and loss. He feels lonely, far from home. He misses the ways of his old community, now dead or scattered to the winds. He miss his parents and sister. He feels lost.

He rearrange the beads to draw another glyph, that of Quelen, the bird between realms and finder of path unseen. It's a spirit of ways and paths, travelers and journeys, places and boundaries. His people often call on them to open new paths for travellers or safely guide the souls to the Astral realm once their mortal journey ends. Marik prefers not to call on them too often, out of respect and because it generally stirs memories, but this morning feels like a good time to offer them his prayers, if only to offer them his thanks.

Marik draws out his short sword, and gently pose it on the altar base, before lighting a few candles. The engraved carvings of the blade name "Sesÿra" glow in the small light of the flame. His sister couldn't imagine how ironic, or meaningful, that word would be for him when she named her sword "Memory". Or maybe she did, and the simple thought of it terrifies him.

Then Marik close his eyes, reliving in memory vivid parts of his journey so far: the dreadful feeling of disaster he felt in visions, which made him leave adventure to do something...anything... to feel useful. The journey to Titan's gate, the search for ruins, the orphanage, Jzadirune and finding Filimena, the first friend he had in years apart from Rani. Then Snake Skull manor, the gangs below, the Illithid they found. And a new community of friends and neighbors: Disanz, Avi, Fala, Tali and Ranear and all the others that welcomed and accepted them in Titan's Gate. Was this what he searched all along? A place to feel useful? Yet, why does he feel something is still incomplete. What's his place in all of this? What path isn't he seeing?

Marik breathes, empties his mind and send his thoughts to Quelen, repeating a small prayer-like mantra until he enters a transe state. [Language unknown: "Riaiti er an Eratic-derday, this whpe orthisout miekie adncho la elen."]

OOC: Marik will just take a short rest and transe for a hour or so.

OOC: Phew, that was work, but it felt nice to explore a bit what Marik did in his downtime and what he made with his room. If you have trouble figuring the shrine, imagine a dreamcatcher-like web pattern of strings, knots and strings held by deer antlers fixed to a wooden altar.

Amagnen and Gloinain nod to Marik has the elf make his dramatic exit while on the porch the trio of youth cheer as Rani scales the manor. Daadashma remains quiet enjoying the tea they brought out.

Gloinain scratches his beard then looks to Filimena, "Miss, I'll get Athan and we'll reinforce those area so Rani doesn't slip or break em."

Filimena nods as Marik turns to leave. [Language unknown: "Ard, verwh alst setrutout etlat!"] she calls after him.

Question now is, what's she going to do between now and noon? She could simply head out into the city, wander around a bit, see what there is to see beyond Snakeskull Alley.

"Say, uh..." she says, turning to Amagnen, Gloinain, and Daadashma. "I don't suppose there is some sort of library around here, is there? Somewhere I could go to learn a bit more about the history of the city?" Why not? She figures it'll be interesting, even if she doesn't find anything actually useful.

Daadashma scratches their chin, "Well there's the Font of Knowledge over in the Castle District, bit of a walk though. You could go speak with Rishaal in Book Wyrm’s Treasure around the corner, they have a variety of books."
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:14, Thu 20 July 2023.

"Rishaal, Rishaal, Rishaal..." Filimena mumbles, frowning. The name sounds familiar. Where had she heard it before? "Oh yes! Of course! The bookshop owner who told us about..."

"But about this Font of Knowledge. Sounds intriguing. So it's a library? Do you reckon I'd have time to make it there and back in an hour or two?" She turns back to Daadashma.


OOC: Hehe. I had to search the older threads. His name is spelt Rishaal actually, although "Rishall" was used twice, maybe as a typo.

OOC:  oops! typos have been corrected.

"I believe so, it a half-hour each way I'd say," Daadashma proceeds to give Filimena directions.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:42, Tue 25 July 2023.

Filimena frowns slightly. A half hour each way. And that's assuming, of course, that she manages to figure out where it is. It's possible she could make it there and back in time again to meet Marik, but...

"I see. Perhaps another time then," she says to Daadashma, filing the thought away. "Thanks! I'll be heading over to the Book Wyrm's Treasure, if anyone asks!"

Waving goodbye, Filimena turns and heads eastward, then, pausing for just a moment, swivels around and heads west instead, grinning wide-eyed. "Oops. Heh heh heh."

Filimena finds the street busy as ever with the comings and goings of people trying to live their lives Titan's Gate.  She makes it down the street and finds the store easily as there is sign with a dragon curled around a treasure hoard of books and scrolls. Inside, the shop is decorated with beautiful hardwood and has the earthy scent of old books permeating the air. There seems to be more shelves than the building should be able to hold.


This message was last edited by the GM at 17:40, Tue 25 July 2023.

"Good morning... neighbour!" Filimena says, pausing for a moment to wonder at how she's become so amicable recently. "I don't know if you remember. I was here not long ago with my friends Marik and Rani (here Filimena pauses and makes a pouncing gesture with her hands) looking for information on mind flayers? I was taking a break from looking after the tavern and decided to pop by to say hello, and also to see if you might know something about the history of Titans Gate generally."

The dragonborn smiles, which is slightly unnerving, then says "Yes yes you are the pair who moved into the manor and fixed it up, very good for the area I think. Marik come looking for books on Vellardin a few days ago as well as illithids." The drumming the fingers of their left hand on the counter as their right taps the pipe to their lips in thought.

After a few moment Rishaal's head shoots up as thought struck by something, "Yes!" They get up in a hurry and head towards the stairs leading up, calling back "Follow me please." The upstair, like the down, is full of shelves upon shelves of books each with some sort of script (draconian) on them. "Yes yes yes... here you are the Rise of Titan's Gate and Fall of the Southern Sanction by Pier Arrer, as well as Gateway to the Great World, Settling Titan's Gate and Creation of a Giant - The Oral History of Titan's Gate as few others here."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:48, Sat 05 Aug 2023.

Filimena's eyes widen, then narrow again, as she hesitates. "I guess I'm particularly interested in the... sewers under Titans Gate. When were they built? Who built them? Have there ever been any connection between the sewers of Titans Gate and... something else stranger?" She struggles to find the right words.

"You've heard about us? About... Jzadirune? Between that and the Illithid... well... it seems there's more going on beneath Titans Gate than the usual urban infrastructure."

Rishaal nods at the question, "Of course I know of your happenings with Jzadirune and the under our finecity, your friend Marik has a rather loose tongue."

Tapping their teeth with their pipe, the dragonborn ponders for a moment, "As I told him, I do have copies of Disanz's Guide to the Illithid which is a fine place to start as to the nature of the aberrations themselves. Now as for the sewers of the City and such things well that would be more of a public works question and not many proper books have been written the topic ... or if they have been they've been kept secret."  Their eyes dart about in thought, "I'd say speak with the City Watch but they have enough trouble keeping up with the problems aboveground. Though I'm sure you could speak with someone at Loyal Order of Street Laborers or maybe Guild of Stonecutters, Masons, Potters, and Tile-makers about the sewers ... no one cares for such unnatural being dwelling below our feet. "

OOC: I only just remembered that Filimena has a researcher background! Which means,

quote:

When you attempt to learn or recall a piece of lore, if you do not know that information, you often know where and from whom you can obtain it.

Usually, this information comes from a library, scriptorium, university, or a sage or other learned person or creature.

A bit too late now I guess. Haha but since we're already here narratively, I may as well ask, does Filimena have any instincts about Rishaal's advice? Does it make sense? Does one of his suggestions sound more promising to her than others? Or perhaps his suggestions recall to her mind some other source of information?

Asking this OOC. Will write up an in-character reply depending on the outcome.

Moonless night. Fire. Walls of malachite echoing screams. A City under the sun. Tunnels where darkness almost hums. A flash of pain, like tentacles wrapping around his head.

Marik abruptly wakes up from his transe, sweating. He breathes....deeply. He looks, it's still day. Vision still cloudy. Something buzzing in the light filled window. He focuses. A hummingbird, small, purple and red enter the room briefly, before flying away. He can't help but smile.

His vision adjust. Only an hour has passed judging from the sunlight.

Rani already got up, seeing him awake. He pets her. She leans into it and brushes against him, almost making him fall.

Now, to find Filimena.

He takes back his weapons and search for her back in the manor. He doesn't see her. She probably went out. He tells Rani to search her scent. The large cat takes a few sniffs and immediately lead him out into the streets and starts running.

OOC: Marik will makes a general Perception check to see if he can find Filimena as Rani runs. He rolls a 16.

[Private to DM5: OOC, to DM: If the check is high enough, maybe that could be a good opportunity to plug back the orc watcher. Marik didn't mind someone looking strangely at them the first time (they are strange after all), but if he sees him watching them again, he would go much more suspicious and might want to investigate.  ]

OOC: Hola! I'm back. Finally found some time between work and activities to write something. If that,s okay, I could join Filimena and Rishaal after Filimena next answer.

In reply to Filimena the Gentle (msg # 52):

Well isn't THAT a fun ability.  Filimena knows Disanz and has had dealing with Renaer Buchanan who is well versed in the city.  Rishaal's
advice seems logical and well reasoned, though there are likely other groups (adventurers, etc) who might be more helpful.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:00, Mon 21 Aug 2023.

Filimena nods politely. She might indeed be better of speaking to somebody with a bit more practical experience. One of the guilds, perhaps, as Rishaal suggests, or perhaps even their new friend Renaer. All the same, knowledge learnt seldom goes to waste.

"I don't know... In my experience, things under our feet tend to bubble up once in a while, and it helps to know a bit about them for when that happens." She starts sounding ominous at first, but ends with a chuckle. "Anyway, would you mind if I browsed a bit, one of the books you mentioned earlier about the history of Titans Gate? I promise I'll be careful."

OOC: Hey... Sorry for the way. I've been having a really, really tough couple of weeks at work, and it's not getting better. Maybe it's precisely times like these I should be checking back more often and engaging in a bit of escapism.

The dragonborn nods, "Browse as long as wish, neighbor ..." they pause and tilt their head to one side before shaking it. Rishaal's eyes settle back on Filimena, "Though I think your companion is here," and they wander down stairs

Rani and Marik reach Book Wyrm's Treasure with no issues, a few folks wave at Marik in greeting but none delay the pair.  The store is as you last saw it - books, books, and more books. The owner, Rishaal, is making their way down the stairs as the two of you enter. "Greetings Marik and to you too Rani. Your friend, Filimena, is upstairs browsing."

"Oh, Moien Rishaal." nods Marik, bowing his head slightly to greet the dragonborn. "Understood, I'll go find her. You...huh...looking banger as always!" he says (he heard it a lot around the tavern so it must be a good formal greeting in urban settings)  as Rani starts to climb the stairs, rubbing her large head against the librarian's robe in affectionate greeting.


He finds Filimena browsing through books.

"Moien! Finding something interesting?"

[Language unknown: "Ortameove!"] Filimena says, looking up from the book. [Language unknown: "Wh eenwe ssfomi o was wiica ame uresos ad ith of einde onfonese, ic ro caeith enousa N whncwa i thcein ear chioweal a Eewewa he heal il yinun urespl. Aimeme whind weseit hong, ectallver. Romwhiame n korhi na i loma tron?"] She smiles, not forgetting her suggestion to go foraging.

Hold one second, does Filimena think the Illithids and the gate in the basement are related?

Not necessarily. I think she sees that weird things are happening under the city: the gates, the Illithids. They could be related, but even if they aren't, she's wondering if something under the city draws such weirdness. And putting that aside, gates must lead somewhere, so she's also curious where this one leads.

Already back to his spirits, Marik's face light up even more at the suggestion of going out the city. He can feel Rani getting excited at the suggestion too.

[Language unknown: "We, niofasadec. Enon ershatfor artng lin to hisaee. Ndeil al ine ivthfo hofoul"] he says, moving back on the saddle to leave some space.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:52, Wed 04 Oct 2023.

A bell rings downstairs, indicating someone has entered the shop.  The two of you can hear muffled voices then the bell ring again.

Assuming Filimena hopped on the saddle, the two (three counting Rani) make their way downstairs. Probably more in a hurry than they should be given Marik and Rani enthusiasm at the prospect of going outside the city.

Moving from Book Wyrm's Treasure to the main road then the north gate takes only a few minutes atop Rani as people move out of the big cat's as though she were royalty.  You find yourselves among people coming and going along the main road into Titan's Gate. The Pilgrim's Hall is not too far away and in the distance the highest snowcapped peaks of the Maw stand as juxtaposition to the sea beyond Titan's Gate.


Where to now?

Filimena gazes towards the mountains and shivers at their cold and icy spectacle, distant as they might be. Turning away from them, she looks around her instead, feeling a strange sense of possibility that she seldom experiences confronting the wide open. She very much still is a city girl.

[Language unknown: "Us,"] she says, turning to Marik. [Language unknown: "Plllel k ic houratear er ughiveoun? Is mimoiv ameessaverea hatrutthaoutpre i miritric avethowil verse andameder cksaul ne?"] She looks down at the green stuff beneath Rani's feet. She's mostly joking, but then again, who knows? Certainly not her.

[Language unknown: "Ol...Meint towhni ionproate reaeaumen ort tindla el all ort al me"] says the elf, looking around and taking the time to think. [Language unknown: "Iv riiela eienll earhisnti wheanyhou? re il icout naelsa? Il ur erssanent encsompro. Ant one plons sonre eveastday arou itante p anntnt p la weeau eenanypro icetwh yin i. Peness wi k laofwa ceolce temi terenting ai u traaveund io ur, ithcomlin'sompro k ectni iveme pro setndeent o ndla weatnc. At sanevetherom atithuset somratichmen ac ureti aruthi nimiie allte, eveder'werted ek mo ratderven acll choset os hasingfor ilevur. Witratven ss undreaour theingain ck ec comereven terwitate lehe lesticera ev kor maitna." ]

Marik grins grows larger as he pursue his explanation. It's a strange, but fun experience to be in a position to teach anything, even about something as basic as gaillet and foraging for edible plants, roots and small game (a basic survival skill every child in Tal'Onarafel is taught by their parents around age 10). It's a nice change of pace, given how out-of-place and childlike he sometimes feel in the walls in the city.



[Language unknown: "I icpeevng esnimo ut meho leol ndenotcon iv elpoolis lillck la ee anon evouurai iviv se allkorome linticica it wil ro, ee ure ainthebut kor. M latomehat Nti lo to entesssom pe il atatla ro ndle yin oveveryin ut. Ni allenc our we li la ilek"] He says. And with these words, Rani does some stretches and launches herself into a free run toward the mountains.


OOC: Could you describe us a bit what kind of regions we are in, DM? Given the proximity of the steppes, I thought maybe something like Mongolians landscapes, with semi-desertic plains, rocky hills and the occasional forest, but maybe it looks more something Irish or Scottish near the sea, with greener hills and denser forest. What did you had in mind on your part? (all good for me, just curious to know!)

OOC: Marik rolled a 16 Survival to help him find some good foraging spots.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:33, Mon 06 Nov 2023.

Marik recalls a patch of fig trees not too far off the road.


The miles/hexes between Spineguard Keep & Titan’s Gate are grasslands (based on the green blobs) with the steppe to the West.  Doesn't mean there can't be groves of trees and such along the way but they are the exception no the rule.

There is Redknife (a completely unmentioned town in the Collabris document) is between them and is roughly 2 days travel from Titan's Gate - each hex is 1 days travel per Colville's standard.

Marik brings Filimena to a good spot with a few fig trees that stand almost defiantly against the sunlit wide-open grasslands.


Approaching the trees, he realized what he thought was a bunch of trees is in fact a single one that appeared to have been split open by something, maybe by lightning. The two halves then seem to have regrown over time into multiple trunks.


He settles Rani in the shade of the leaves and picks a fruit [Language unknown: "Ss weti for ant ateessvir tati?]" he grins, handing one to the halfling. [Language unknown: "Plpafi m k ntdi ereillore habero o lesoulman mawi hawial n me iotr himi pr strol thi itliin toshe te tinasting ekiltr. Le atelatith antte si..."]

He stops suddenly, thinking he saw something in the corner of his eye. He looks, seeing nothing, before noticing something small and colorful quickly dashing out of one of the large leaves, before going out in the open. A hummingbird. Marik eyes lit up.

[Language unknown: "T...Na thhati ntstli il. Tohoel oneiss er!"] he says, guiding Rani to follow the small bird dashing in zig-zag patterns across the plains toward the mountains.

[Private to DM5: OOC: I don't know why and it may be because the landscape somehow reminds me of the Lion King, but I think it could be fun to set up a sort of chase/stampede sequence through the open fields, maybe against beasts or raiders. I think that may be a fun challenge I never had the chance to play so far (especially with a character that uses a mount) and it could be used to lead us a bit away from the city...maybe toward ban'Thuur territory or old ruins revealing a bit more of what had been in the region before Titan's gate (and maybe events of old history, which I'm always curious to know more) or maybe another aberrant mystery? Just a few ideas and do what you will with them. Again, happy to be along for the ride. And just to explain, Marik is excited because he prayed to a pathmaker spirit earlier, which often takes the form of a hummingbird and thought he saw one flying away from the trees, thinking it could be a sign. It can be anything of course :)]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:52, Wed 15 Nov 2023.

The lovely little hummingbird does as such creatures do and lights upon various flowers as it moves ever farther from the main road and eastward.  After an hour of following, which did include some "Hey we should stop" moments which the hummingbird buzzed around which ever of you said it, the hummingbird lands atop a rather large rock. It is some ten feet (3m) wide and twice again as tall (6m).  After a moment, the pair of you see that you're outside a stone ring and the stone before you is the largest.

Filimena wonders whether this is anything like what Marik has been feeling the entire time they have been adventuring in the city. She's not in her element at all. A cursed tree? Who curses a tree?!

Taking the fruit of the tree from Marik, she is just about to bite into it when something seems to distract the elf. Not expecting the sudden movement, the fruit slips from her hands and lands behind Rani and she follows whatever it is that has caught Marik's attention. Filimena glances sadly back at it sitting forlornly on the ground as it disappears out of sight.

Seeing that it's a bird Marik and Rani are following, Filimena can't help but feel slightly underwhelmed. It's a pretty little thing, sure, but... it's just a bird. She doesn't say anything though. She doesn't want to detract from the fun that Marik seems to be having. Besides, loss of the fruit aside, she doesn't have much to complain about. She's getting a free ride on Rani! And it is actually a nice day.

Less interested in the hummingbird than Marik is, Filimena's attention instead wanders towards the grasslands spread out around them for miles and miles, with only the odd copse of trees, the distant mountains, and of course Titan's Gate to the south, interrupting their glorious expanse. The thought occurs to Filimena that the grasslands are like a sea, and Rani is like a boat floating in it. How lost she would be if she weren't with Marik and Rani?

Before the thought can disturb her too much, Rani comes to a sudden halt beneath her, and she turns to see what might have prompted this. The irritating bird they've been following seems to have landed on some kind of rock. A rather large rock, actually. And it seems to be part of a stone ring.

[Language unknown: "Waan... ngwimaasll,"] Filimena says, and hops off Rani, to take a closer look. She steps towards the ring, but stops a couple of metres from its boundary.

OOC:

Does Filimena know anything about stone rings in general, or rings like this kind of ring in particular, made of stones of different sizes, one with one especially large one? Not sure if this is an Arcana or History check, but anyway Filimena has a +3 in each and rolls as 22.

20:11, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 22 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 19.  Arcana/history check.

Also, I rolled a DEX save just for fun to see if Filimena would drop the fruit, which she does :(

19:50, Today: Filimena the Gentle rolled 5 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 2.  Self-imposed DEX Save for RP.

The ring is constructed out of six stones which decrease from the one before you down to one that is roughly half as large (5ft wide x 10ft tall)

OOC: Rings like this are typically druidic in nature and are used to focus magics which strengthening nature within a radius of the ring itself. Another use for stone rings is for teleportation magics though they aren't traditionally done with standing stones such as these.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:02, Tue 21 Nov 2023.

[Language unknown: " Ompl-ngol"] says Marik, to no one in particular but loud enough that Filimena can hear it. [Language unknown: "M atiai illanyest ceosce."]

And it led them to a druidic circle.  This can't be a coincidence.

[Language unknown: "Le ng n estessncenti mowas. Tho t e ughcomble. Mailad sta he thlleiro"]

Marik takes out his bow and sword and lay them on the ground next the largest stone as a sign of peace. He takes out 2 days worth of rations from his pack and lay them at the center of the circle. He takes out his waterskin, and draws a circle of water around the offering.

[Language unknown:  "Eauithart ntewaswhi tevir resiouwas int preoereve n"] told him his sister once [Language unknown: "ratbe anear korherave fo beonwhenwi ntil nenase ei ssilai man."]

He then disembarks from Rani and go sit in the middle of the circle, next to the offering and facing the small bird. He gestures with a smile Filimena to come sit next to him.

[Language unknown: "Et ectsandin o ri fios ai oulonsion i k ndeentveneau. Ughndetic po!"]

Marik then closes his eyes and starts chanting something. Words older than mountains flow out like a song... a strange song, sometimes airy like the wind coursing the leaves, sometimes deep like like the earth, both nourishing and ever-hungry.

[Language unknown: "Sachnaca..."]

OOC: Marik rolled a 21 for Religion to make a ritual of communion with spirits if that's applicable.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:14, Thu 23 Nov 2023.

Filimena blinks, surprised.

[Language unknown: "Pe, ons,"] she says, not quite sure how else to respond. She steps gingerly into the circle, as if wary of accidentally knocking over any of the stones, more than a few of which are several times her own size, and slips to Marik's side, trying her best to mimic his sitting position as exactly as she can manage.

In reply to Marik (msg # 72):

um... where is info on communion with spirits?  There is a commune with nature spell which is 5th level and beyond Marik's grasp currently.

OOC: It was mostly for RP, as Marik is an animist and I figure his skill proficiency in Religion could translate to knowing some rituals to enter contact with spirits?  The way I see it, the spell Commune with Nature could be perceived as a much more potent and powerful version of those rituals, allowing to temporarily become one with spirits and accessing their knowledge (which allows you to know three facts about the land). Like maybe the difference between having a normal conversation with someone and casting Detect thoughts? What do you think?
This message was last edited by the player at 02:37, Tue 28 Nov 2023.

OOC: Um ... er ... right ... so nothing happens.

In reply to DM5 (msg # 76):

OOC: Ok, so it's not a spirit then XD Good to know. Do the 21 Religion reveal anything else about the function of the stone circles I should take into account for my next post? I'll try to post something tomorrow.

After a moment of silence, Marik gets up, relaxed and in good spirits.

[Language unknown: "Anin... ntiveneen conersonseen. Ndceho wilhasfor ss blebleiou m Seter urech ro nafi encreswhi onioes foll asinni te a ronoto oreek seevolwapoar ut ckng. Eemewamo ionineore acnath u th noin ulieut tetitr linyiners "]  He says, climbing back on Rani and inviting Filimena to join him. If there was a stone circle here, it probably means there could be other signs a druidic circle lived nearby and possibly an outstanding natural habitat or ecosystem that could have been strengthened by this circle. Also maybe good hunting game or foraging option. It's worth exploring.


OOC: Marik goes back to exploring and rolls a 14 Survival to find another good foraging or hunting spot. 
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:35, Fri 01 Dec 2023.

Marik see a few small game trails and various wild flowers about as well as some bushes which are starting to blossom should have fruit in a few weeks.

OOC: If we weren't playing D&D I'd be rather cool with you flexing this creative muscle but there are abilities/spells in D&D that do what you're trying to do

Alright I'm going to start a new thread as we are beyond the manor.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:49, Fri 01 Dec 2023.