With the decision made as to what to do next, each person seperated into their own group. Yacob and Nym took it upon themselves to catalogue and identify the magical items, with the help of Breslin, all the while talking to the two about the place and it's wonders.

Turbalio, Johnathan, Sonori and Dezuk searched the library, noting any useful tomes and scrolls

The rest, Followed By Zell and Karbuil, searched the keep from the bottom to the top.

The bottom floor was pretty much storage and a feasting hall and kitchen. The second held small rooms from a single room to one that would suit families, enough to easily hold a decent sized clan. The items in each room varied from personal objects like jewelery (Most metal was rusted beyond repair, but some small stones were found), shreds of rotted materails, like wood and clothes and beds made of stone.

The third floor and the fourth were work areas....the third held a forge and anvil which were ong cold, the only items of worth were smithing tools that were made of mithril that stood the test of time. There was also a sealed room that held many a magical material.....pretty much materails for any spell known to the group and some they didn't know. An alchemy lab with class that was smashed was home to some foul smelling  mould.

The floors above were destroyed beyond repair and couldn't even access them.

The Group in the library found many a tome of crafting of magical items, dwarven and general lore and other topics. Johnathan, knowing Kell's interest, saves two books on smithing, one of general items, the other of armor. Johnathan himself took some books on dwarven lore, general history and such.

Yacob, Breslin and Nym worked tirelessly on the items in the vault, asking the people to leave everything it had so they could find what it was.

IT was two days later when the tasks were done. The keep had been mapped, the books mostly catalogued and items in the vault noted.

The grou prepared to leave, making their final decisions on what to take to Luskan for the dwarf Alstadin, and what few items they kept.

<OOC: The items that were identified have been updated in the groop loot thread.  you may pick one major item and one minor OR three minor items.  Post me before you post for the approval, and when i approve, you may post taking them.  Then we will move on>

Sonori was happy to help Kell find books that he wanted and to talk to Johnathan about how their god seemed to manifest slightly different aspects, being known by different names and even different emphasis on portfolios in their respective homelands. She also scanned for any books in Aquan - it was an unusual language, and one where what one found was usually quite interesting. "I suggest we put any books that we can't read in one place, to see if anyone else can read the titles." She figured that between the larger group, there would hopefully not be much that someone couldn't read.

She was as footloose as the god whom she worshiped, and so would have liked to have also been exploring the keep, but settled herself to looking at the tomes, as that seemed to be where she would be of the most use at the moment with her ability to read six languages.

When things had been identified, she noted, "If it's okay, I'd rather the boots of the winterlands than the ring. If nothing else, that will save me from preparing endure elements most days." She generally prepared endure elements as she liked to swim, and water had a way of sucking the warmth out of bodies. But she felt the dwarves should have first pick, and then the party who had gotten here first. So only if the others did not want them would she take them.

Nym keeps the armor and the wand he picked up. One of the rings he identified was one he wanted but left alone as he had lots of work to do before heading out to Waterdeep with Yacob, Nino and anyone else going with us.

"With this Elven Chain and this Ring of Invisibility, I could be the perfect scout...."

I agree Zell, You can have the ring, would you mind if I keep these boots of springing and striding. Jonathan walks over and picks up the last pair of magical boots and the ring of feather fall.

after choosing his items the young cleric sits down by Sonori and Kell, to get to know the new comers better.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:55, Wed 12 Feb 2020.

  In between identifying the lot of the trove Yacob sleeps and reads. If asked a question he merely chuckles and says "First we get out of here. Then we get to Luskan and see if we can hire a boat to take us to Waterdeep. Plenty of time for talk while traveling. Besides I can't answer questions about a topic that I haven't studied yet." he then goes back to what he was doing.

 When they finish identifying the trove Yacob says "I'm taking this staff. Something tells me it might prove useful." and he packs up his gear the next morning. He leaves his old iron staff in the place of the dragon staff. It floats there if it was a fair trade somehow.

Sonori is happy to converse with whomever wishes to speak with her. She talks about the chaotic but kind providence of Shaundakul, whom she attributes for having saved her life in the unusual manner of having first given her the ability to breath water when she had, as little more than a toddler, fallen into a raging river and nearly drowned, and then caused the waves to bring her to twin hybsil clerics, who raised her.

She also asks about what drew others into the life of adventurers - after all, people who have quiet, happy, normal lives rarely take on the mantle of risk but excitement of adventuring. And she asks about other's gods - after all, it is important to give people reasonably proper rites according to their beliefs if they died - well, assuming they didn't worship evil gods. She wouldn't provide even the nominal worship of giving rites according to the precepts of an evil god.

 "Religion is like a heart. Everyone has one and has an opinion on how much it matters. That being said I have a holy symbol inside my shirt. If I die feel free to look. Until then my shirt stays on." he says with a saucy wink at the end to let her know he was kidding about the death thing. "Let's get to know each other better first before we start discussing religion."

With everyone rested and the path clear, everyone knew what was to happen next. The doors to the Vault and keep were sealed by nino (With the texts provided up in Anthel's study, Breslin knew how to open the vault again), again with a 'ooohhh' from the dwarf, the joint group left most of the items behind.

It was decided that Breslin and the other dwarves would travel with the group as far as Miribar, where all would see Alstadin. The main group would only stay briefly and continue onto luskan and catch a ship south to waterdeep.

With everyone having chosen gear to help them on their trip, The group left the vault, cave and the history of dwarven magic. Breslin chose Several texts and scrolls as proof of the find as well as several small magical items. The other dwarves chose nothing as they were returning home.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was 3 days later when the group emerged from the caves, dirty, weary and ill used to the morning light. The trip back was uneventful except for Turbalio trying his hardest to fall down the cliff he almost fell down last time.  Luckily, Kell, being above him, tied a rope to him, stopping his fall.

The sun was bright and air was cool and despite being almost a week in the caves for the new team, their camp was relatively unmolested, with the ponies sticking to the basin, eating grass.

the group had a quick hot meal, and again left, eagre to reach the dwarven city and their next stage of adventure.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two days had passed since your arrival back in miribar. Despite Yacob's insistence on leaving the next day, his uncle overruled him, stating he would prepare ponies and word for a ship to the south, which would save them time.

Breslin and Turbalio, along with Sonori and Katala, shared their house, talked about the trip and wonders. Breslin, wanting to continue with his friend, was disappointed when Alstadin told him that the trip would not benefit him and his injury. His spirits rose when he was told he would be chief caravan master to the keep in restoring it to it's glory.

The other three dwarfs said their fond farewells, and left, only seeing them in passing in the city.

By the end of the second day, word had gotten out about the find and what it meant, and those who knew, treated the party with awe and reverence, offering them food and ale. those who knew it as a rumor heard the tales of brave adventurers risking life to find a hidden treasure beyond the dwarven imagination.

The usual Clan dinner was skipped on Alstadin's insistence and a private dinner was organised for the party in his hall. The group waited outside, again with two dwarven guards on each side of the arch (Clearly formality)

The group welcomed the rest and comfort, stocking up supplies, having warm washes and meals, but the only person who seemed to be eagre to leave was Yacob, even now pacing impatiently in the hall, his new staff in hand.

The door opened and Alstadin looked at the group, signalling them into the room. Inside was a big stone table with several copper plates with forks and knives. Off to the side, a male dwarf, old in age, tended a fire holding a whole spit pig, on the table close by was roasted vegetables, breads, cheeses, gravy and fruit, as well as several barrels of ale and two bottles of wine.

Alstadin helped himself to the food on a plate and sat down, waiting on the others. Before starting to eat himself, he spoke. "I know ye are earge to move on....yes Nephew, i'm lookin' at ye there, but trust me, the delay will save ye time. I have fresh ponies fer each of ye, as well as notified an old friend o' mine....a half elf captain aboard the phoenix Dawn. She's a merchant ship, but she'll get ye to where ye need to go.""

The dwarf took a mouthful of food, and a drink of ale, then continued. "I know most o' what ye found in th' keep, and though what breslin described was nothin' short of amazing, i want to hear what ye had to face and what ye found. Also, i wnat to know what is on me other nephew's hand there..." Indicating Nino and the gauntlet "...what that stone is always with ye priest and why by bloody moradin's beard ye in such a hurry!"

Quinn ate hungrily from the feast, smiling to himself as Yacob got scolded for always being in a hurry. Quinn was ready to travel too though, but the rest was good. He had painted his Holy Symbol on his new shield as the old one.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:37, Wed 12 Feb 2020.

  "Well it's both a long and a short story. Nino wears The Blackguard Guantlet. Yes Uncle that Blackguard. The keep was Anthel's. In the main we fought some really big spiders, but that is about it. Fact is getting into the keep and finding the truth of the place was the easy part. No the real peril started the moment Tracks got curious." he pauses indicating the priest. "World shattering magic should have the warnings before the spells. It really should. That being said the stone he carries has something to do with an old friend of the Clans. Zarmantan or The Great Old One. I believe that Anthel's Keep was razed to get to this stone. And the one who did so had control of a red dragon along with some Tuskers. The Keep was different than you could imagine. The place has memories and it shared them. I refuse to let Miribar be razed like Anthel's Keep for I have no doubt that SHE will come for that stone."

  He kept the staff nearby as was rapidly becoming his custom.

Standing and approaching where Alstadin sat, the young cleric cleared his throat and spoke as he presented the journal and scroll tubes with his maps and sketches with in. Then spoke in dwarven to the king.


[ said in Dwarven: King Alstadin these belong to you and your clan, as agreed detailed maps of both the area surrounding the lost keep and the keep itself. As well as written details and sketches of every thing we encountered.] With a bowed head Jonathan lays his work before the king, then raises his head and looks the king in the eyes. I have in my possession a few text on dwarven history, as well as the text on dwarven smithing. I would keep these to study with my companions on our journey if it please you. I would also continue to act as your historian with your permission.

As far as the stone goes, It was suggested that I examine it, I did so first with magic then picked it up for a closer look and that is when the ground shook. Yacob thinks I have bonded with it in some way and had informed me that I alone have no choice but accompany him on this adventure. The young cleric couldn't help but laugh. Little does my dwarven friend know even if he forbid me to go. I would follow him and stowaway on the ship if need be, he could not stop me if he had to.

If it please you Alstadin, I could use more mapping and Journaling materials.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:15, Thu 13 Feb 2020.

The new chainmail fit Zell like a glove as he traded Jonathan the pair of boots he was holding for the ring. Zell couldn't believe his luck! A Ring of Invisibility! Breaking into homes was going to a be cinch now! But, deep down, he was wondering what Rivka was thinking. Zell fully embarrassed himself with that ghost. He ran away screaming! He doubted she would want anything to do with him now. She probably thought he was a coward and who likes cowards? Zell figured it was his curse for murdering that man long ago...

During the trip back, Zell didn't speak much to anyone. He kept a sharp eye out for trouble, as usual, but Zell figured that this would be his only adventure and that Yacob would tell his Uncle what a failure Zell was and Alstadin would relieve him of his service. He only used the ring once, just to see if it worked, figuring that he would have to give his treasures back once in town again.

Once back in town, the only thing Zell did was rest, for he believed that he didn't deserve a fresh, warm bath and a warm meal in the presence of heroes. The chainmail he recovered was folded up nicely with the ring placed on top with the Leather Band that Alstadin gave him to the side, preparing to hand it over when the truth was told. Now that the band was off, Zell just stared at the brand on his arm in silence.

A mountain with an axe and hammer crossed in front of it and two dwarven runes either side of the peak of the mountain between the head of the axe and hammer.

Sonori was usual quite happy with chatting, including with the random dwarves who wanted to hear a bit about their adventure and what they had seen. She was a bit impatient ever since they had finished exploring the keep, but in a footloose sort of way, not with the sort of urgency that Yacob displayed.

In the downtime, she was happy to spend some time reading to Kell and teaching him Dwarven, or any of the other languages he wanted to know if he preferred.

As they traveled more, the others would have noted that she preferred to sleep under water, assuming the water wasn't moving too quickly, rather than in a normal camp. She explained it as being like an embrace that just helped soothe her.


As was polite, at the feast she waited for the host to either give an indication that they should start eating, which in this case was him starting eating. She took some food, but as a gnome, didn't need the same amount as the other, larger folks and had snacked on what locals brought in exchange for a story, so wasn't too hungry. For now she just listened - her group hadn't seen much in the ways of battle and she had mostly scanned and helped catalog book titles, and while she had perused parts of the keep, had not explored it thoroughly like Jonathan and others had. She felt that really, she was among the least qualified, therefore, to expand upon their adventures. She would wait until there seemed to be more reason to speak.

Nym is almost as eager as Yacob is to get on the move.

Whoever, or whatever razed Anthel's Keep is going to find out the stone has been moved.  They will have a good guess of where it has been moved to.  My suspicion is that Lloth is the one after the stones now.  The large number of spiders we encountered would seem to point to her.  I'm sure we will discover more accurate clues along the way to, and in Waterdeep itself.

Nym enjoys the feast and tries to talk to Zell about things not related to the undead that he ran away from.  Wanting, instead, to reassure the half elf that his contributions to the group have been invaluable, and will be continue to be so as they travel to Waterdeep and beyond if necessary.

Alstadin listened to the group without word. He raised his eyebrows at zell abd the fact he removed the wrist covering, but smiled.

He looked at Johnathan and raised a hand. " I be no king priest...just a humble merchant with good standing is all." he looked at Yacob and winked. "As fer ye offer, I will gladly accept it. Any materails ye need just write me a list and can have it within the hour"

He looked at the papers as the others spoke, smiling. "Yer talented priest, I'll give ye that."

He straightened the papers and clasped his hands in front of him. "I know not what th' stone is, never even heard o it. Th' great one I have....all dwarves know his legend.
A human Magus that saved our kin many a time. Said to be ageless, older than even elminster. What I know of him is he helped all good races....ye dig into elven, gnome, human and even halfling lore and i'd bet ye may find at least one reference."

He sighed then continue. "Last known where abouts o' him was 300 years ago. said he helped th' Harper's, so th' message yo ask th' lady of waterdeep may be a solid lead"

He looked at all of them. "As fer what raised th' keep, wether dragon or something else, I believe it will not attack us...i believe it will hunt you. My advice, find th' old one fast....he may be th' key to solving this."

He looks at you all and nods. "It's good ye claimed some of th' treasure.....given what ye told me, ye may need it."
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:00, Thu 13 Feb 2020.

 "And now you know why I am in a hurry. I believe you to be correct in the fact that the dragon will hunt us." he said to his Uncle as he followed his gaze to the arm of Zell. To which he raises an eyebrow. "The history of the stones or at least as much information as Anthel could find she wrote in a journal. One of the only texts I kept for myself.

Nino was happy to be back as he gobbled food and drank beer. If he had enough intelligence to talk to his Uncle, he would have told him that the party was trying to starve him to death! When asked about the Gauntlet, he let his Uncle see it and even demonstrated how the weapons magically appeared.

Turbalio sat quietly during dinner as he listened to the conversations with Alstadin.  There was still so much that the group didn't know about Anthel's keep and how the inhabitants within met their ultimate fate.  The bard found himself in complete agreement Yacob that such an occurrence not happen to the great Miribar.  If that met taking the danger on themselves as they traveled with the stone, then so be it.

As he ate, he found his thoughts lingering on his friends:  Breslin and his wife Katala, as well as Slag, Thaelem and Peredur.  The four baritones had taken Turbalio in that night many moons ago at the Grinning Lion tavern in Waterdeep and made him feel like family.  While he was happy for Breslin's new role, he was also saddened that the five would no longer be traveling and performing together.  He had learned much from them and his respect for all things dwarven had increased manifold in their time together.

He looked around at the group he would be traveling with now and smiled.  Each one seemed to be a person of good character.  While he would undoubtedly miss his old friends, a part of him was excited for the coming journey and the opportunity to better know these new friends.

Jonathan got up from his seat with a mug of ale in hand and moved over to where Trubalio sat pulling out a chair he sat down beside him. Good bard we have yet to be truly introduced, My name is Jonathan Tucker but my friends call me Tracks. I and Sonori worship different aspects of the same God. In the manifestation I follow he is called Fharlanghn, the God of travel and luck. My studies led me to the historian aspect of worship, my God calls on me to travel and record my journey's and experiences. To write tales of my self and those around me, to record our accomplishments and our failures. I would never dream of calling what I do a talent, no no no I simply write down all that I see.The young human pauses to drink, and relaxes as the nights festivities continue.

Rivka, while at home in the wilderness, was thrilled to get back to civilization.  Her time in the dark caverns had been more difficult on her than she'd realized.  When she'd first stepped into the sunlight, she felt glorious, despite the pain of readjusting to the brightness.  She knew that their time in the underdark was far from over, but she also knew that if she never went back underground, it would be too soon.
Still, the ranger dutifully guarded the expedition back to Yacob's uncle and their settlement, not truly relaxing until they were surrounded by friendly dwarven guards and friends.

The first thing she did was get a hot meal, a cold drink, and a hotter bath.  It embarrassed Rivka, as an outdoorsperson, how much she hated being dirty.  She had learned to tolerate it, but being clean after a long expedition was a magnificent thing.  Dressed in clean clothes, her hair brushed out and free from tangles for the first time in weeks, she enjoyed the hospitality of the dwarves.

Being fluent in the dwarven language she intermingled with all the natives, telling stories of their exploits (though she checked with Yacob to make sure she didn't tell anything that was meant to be kept secret for now).   She spent a fair amount of time in her room, playing with her new quiver.
She also checked on Zell, hoping to congratulate the man for his performance.  Though he'd had trouble with the undead (which was not, she would assure him, unusual for any normal person), he'd performed above and beyond the call of duty and had been a valuable member of the team.

Alstadin simply nodded at his nephew's logic, smiling as Nino summoned various weapons with his gauntlet....he had seemingly figured out how to use the gauntlet.

The dwarf looked at Yacob. "Keep the journal, but allow Johnathan to copy it for next time we meet. Perhaps on th' ship and it can be returned t' me. You know I want to keep abreast of thins, and it painbs me that this falls to ye nephews, and ye friends, but i see no one else suited fer it."

the older dwarf looked at each, addressing each in turn. "Kell, i understand ye have a greathammer suited to ye size....use it well. I also understand ye have taken some smithin books. Learn what ye can from them, but try bring them back fer us. Sonori, Katala sends her love and wishes ye o and keep an eye on me nephews. I hold no oath to ye to force ye.....your choice. But if what she says is true, your healing arts mat help them all. Turbalio.....You and breslin know much of th' keep, the job of th' keep falls to him now. Fer you, i'd ask ye find what ye can about these stones.."

He looks at the two dwarves. "Me nephews...Yacob and Nino...watch each other. Nino, you protect ye cousin....ye watch bub bub. YAcob, i ask much of ye, and it seems ye already have taken it on, even knowin more than any o' us. You be careful boy"

He then looks at Zell. "Your task is not yet done jeweler....your oath still stands, and despite what has been said, i hold you in good reguards. Don't lose heart boy."

"Nym, yer skills with swordplay may yet be tested, as well as ye sage advice. Rivka....keep yer bow ready and eyes sharp...if the danger ahead is true, then you will need them. And Johnathan, it seems th' stone has chosen you unless we are wron.  you are it's guardian.  Use ye wisdom and will; to help them all"

He looks at them with a smile. "An old friend will be joinin' ye...Th' druid Oler has finished his personal task and will meet ye tomorrow when ye leave."

Kell, lost in thought, nods absently to Alstadin. At the mention of the books, he focuses and says "I suspect the books hold secrets of natural enchantments. I will return this knowledge once I have absorbed it." He enjoys the food and drink as best he can, despite their unfamiliarity.

Quinn stood back and listened to all of the speeches.

Alstadin looks at Quinn with narrowed eyes. "I don't remember ye boy, but if Yacob trusts ye, so do i.  I be Alstadin....i sent him on the mission, and be his uncle."

He nods towards the paladin. "A fighter by th' look....good, if ye staying with me boys, they need a good sword by their side."

"I am Quinn, Paladin of Kelemvor. I was rescued by the group from the giant spiders."

Sonori smiled and nodded, "Thank you. Yes, I've had a little time to catch up with Katala.

I have no where else to be, so I am happy to remain with the team and add what benefit I may.

I know that Jonathan wrote a summary of all the magical items we found including who took what to help us on this quest. I am not sure if he included all of the books and everyone that took one. I found and brought along a book, written partly in Aquan and partly in Terran, I think - I don't read that language, but I think that's the lettering system. And a scroll - non-magical - in Aquan. I hoped to read them on the way back here, but I haven't finished them. Is it alright if I keep those for now as reading material during our journey, returning them when done?"

Alstadin looks at the gnome and smiles. "It's good ye saw ye old friend....she was conserned as much fer you as her husband. As fer teh book and scroll, ye can take them and return them when done."

He then looked at the paladin. "Quinn, chosen chanpion of Kelemvor, we welcome ye. May he watch you in life and protect ye in death."

Quinn nods his thanks.

Yes Sonori I did indeed make a list of all the books and scrolls taken from the library, after all I am Alstadin's historian. while the others talked Jonathan moved over by Sonori. I have given much thought and prayer to our discussion about the nature of the God we both serve and it is as you said your God and mine are one in the same. When we have the time I would learn more of the aspect of our God. My name is Jonathan Tucker my friends all call me Tracks, I would be honored if you did as well.


18:32, Tue 11 Feb: Jonathan rolled 23 using 1d20+4.  knowledge religion.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:06, Sat 15 Feb 2020.

Sonori first simply thanked Alstadin, "Thank you."

When he came to sit beside her, she smiled at Jonathan, "I wasn't sure - there were so many books to catalog. You are very quick, Tracks, in addition to being very good." She paused for a moment when he gave his full name, not really sure why he was giving it now. Over the past few days of travel, she had known him by either Tracks or Jonathan. "I don't really have a nickname," she said a bit uncertainly. If she did, she certainly wouldn't mind Jonathan using it. But she just didn't have one.

After a moment of though, she decided to continue, "I'm also happy to talk about Shaundakul, although I try not to bore those not so interested. You noted that in the aspect of Fharlanghn, he displays dominion over travel and luck. In the aspect of Shaundakul, he displays dominion over travel, the wind, and freedom. I've never really felt the call to catalog, as you do so well, but absolutely to explore."

Zell silently put the leather band on his wrist again to cover up his "brand". Then he put the ring away in his vest pocket and put on his Elven Chain, embarrassed the whole time. He didn't have anything to say to anyone and really didn't want to be in the room, so he figured this would be a good time to go take a warm bath. He cursed himself because he had to take off his armor again, but at least he would be alone.

Zell leaves and goes to the bathing area.

The fact the Jonathan is barely more then a teenage boy, is evident in his all most infectious excitement as he sits talking to Sonori Wow shaundakul has domain over freedom and the wind as well. Hearing you say that makes one of Fharlanghn's blessings make alot more sense. I've been saying may the wind be always at your back as blessing as I was taught by father Marcus and never knew why until now. Any one who actually knew Jonathan would notice the blushing and nervousness in Jonathan as spoke to the exotic mysterious woman sitting beside him as a clear sign that the young man was smitten with the gnome cleric.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:02, Sat 15 Feb 2020.

Sonori was enjoying the conversation. Some people, like Yacob, didn't really want to talk about religion. And she had no problem with that - there were plenty of other things to talk about. But she was raised by two clerics, and so grew up discussing religious topics and enjoyed such discussions and seemed excited to be discussing it with someone like-minded. She had recently spent some time with gnomes and dwarves, neither of whom usually followed Shaundakul.

"Is it one of Fharlanghn's tenants to record everything? Or is that a special calling? Kind of like how Shaundakul gave me the ability to breath water to save my life even though water's not normally something he has dominion over?

Does Fharlanghn also celebrate the Windride? Or is there another main holiday for him?"

She was barely more than an adolescent herself, but seemed to think that Jonathan's interest was in the conversation rather than anything else.

  Yacob settles into his chair after speaking with his Uncle and merely watches the interplay among his companions. Like the old man he basically was he merely enjoyed sitting for the little bit of time he had left before the journey. "The kids are full of energy today Uncle." he says as he chuckles. "If they only knew the half of the danger as I know it maybe they would be more festive or perhaps less. Would be interesting to see the effect."

  He notices the jeweler leave and the ranger watch him go. The gnome had caught the attention of his young friend Tracks which should prove interesting. Nino had found the mead and was drinking contentedly. That left the goliath, Nym, and the bard at loose ends. He couldn't have that. So he gets up and walks over to the goliath "What is the purpose of armor young master smith?" he asks quite jovially.

Kell rumbles "you're joking, right? Armor's primary purpose is to shield the wearer from harm. The materials that the armor is made from determines the effectiveness of that shielding, and sometimes the flexibity of the item. Through craft and enchantment, armor can aid one in performing physical tasks. For instance, shadowed steel can aid in visual stealth, avoiding the gaze of others. The downside is that heavier armors tend to be noisy, unless they are specially crafted to minimize sound. A favorite trick of mine is to cut long strips of cloth and interweave them in the links of a set of chainmail. The links no longer clatter with each other. The impact is cushioned by the cloth and it reduces clanking to a dull rustle. Armor can also be used to display pageantry like coats-of-arms, holy symbols, or fearsome beasts. Such art can free the hands of a cleric, or intimidate the frightened. Why do you ask?"

In reply to Zell (msg # 32):

As Zell approached the bathing area, Rivka waved him down, smiling
"Hello, my friend!  Can i buy you a drink?"

Nym retires to his room and begins to read the book that Yacob had pointed out to him in the library.  He was glad that Oler would be rejoining the group in the morning as the druid was his friend.  He knew that most people really didn't care for Half Orcs regardless of what profession they took up.  He also knew that Oler would watch his back as well as fight by his side if the need arose, just as he would do the same for Oler.

As the night goes along Nym finds himself thinking about what he had said about Lloth.  In the morning he'd have to find a Dwarven cleric to ask a few questions about Dwarven gods and who the dark dwarves worshipped and why.  He knew the "normal" dwarves and elves had been friendly to each other throughout time even whey they disagreed about things.  The dark dwarves and dark elves were something different and he needed some more information on dark dwarves and their gods as well the drow and Lloth to get a better understanding of what is happening now and what could happen in the near future.

  "The purpose of armor is an old joke. See everyone knows why you wear it. Clearly you don't want to get hurt. So as armor became better so to did the weapons involved. But what good is metal armor when I can hit you with a bolt of electricity? The joke is the purpose of armor to a mage is to call out targets. I plan on using illusions to confuse the enemy eventually. Well if I can anyway. I would like your help in the making of the materials I plan to enchant if we every have the time." he says with hope in his eye.

Zell stopped and closed his eyes and held his breath for a second before turning around to smile at Rivka. He didn't care that he was in the middle of Alstadin's complex with his workers and clansmen walking around. Being in public didn't scare him like that.

He walked up to Rivka and kissed her....and the world fell away. It was slow and soft, comforting in ways that words would never be. His hand rested below her ear, his thumb caressing her cheek as their breaths mingled. He then ran his fingers down her spine, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them and she could feel the beating of his heart against her chest.

This message was deleted by the player at 19:55, Sat 15 Feb 2020.

In reply to Quinn (msg # 41):

Oler entered into the hall where the others were, he had heard they were back. Fineli was at his side happily panting. "It is good to see you all again my friends. Fineli had worried a bit you would not return as it had been a while." he told them as he sat down. "Tell me of what happened after we parted ways at the camp. I'm interested in hearing your tales."

In reply to Yacob Stoneveins (msg # 42):

Time Warp for Nym's posts between this one and #38.

Before Oler can sit down Nym greets his friend heartily.

It is good to see you again my friend.  I've got something for you.

Oler accepts the gift and thanks Nym "Thank you Nym that is much appreciated. Where did you get this?"

The vault of Anthel's keep.  I knew we would be seeing you again and I know you will be needing it if you intend to go to Waterdeep with us.

"Waterdeep, that's the big city in the North right? How do they welcome such as I and Fineli?" Oler inquires of Nym

Rivka, a skilled hunter who prided herself on never letting her guard down or being taken by surprise, was totally caught off guard by the kiss.  Not that she minded, of course.
Though she stiffened up reflexively, she instantly relaxed and let herself be pulled in tight against the jeweler's surprisingly muscular and fit body, wrapping her arms around his waist as he held her close.
The battle hardened ranger found herself blushing like a schoolgirl, as her eyes closed so she could focus on Zell's soft lips against hers.  While not a total novice to love, she was nonetheless a bit inexperienced, and felt slightly overwhelmed by the man's passion.
But she liked it.

Coming up for air, she gasped and smiled awkwardly.
"Zell, I....wow, I didn't...I mean....that's....um.........wow...."
She blushed scarlet and let out a sound that, had she been any other woman besides a rough huntress, might have been described as a playful giggle.
"I'm....I'm not sure what inspired that...but I like it!"
She looked up at him, her warrior's face looking shy but excited, her hands running over his waist and back, almost like she couldn't believe he was really there.

Zell smiled back and thanked the gods she didn't slap him!

"I've been wanting to do that for quite some time now. I'm sorry I surprised you."

The touch of Rivka holding him passionately made Zell feel so much calmer than he has been in weeks and Zell embraced her again like he didn't want to let her go. But, he did and took her hands in his and kissed them,

"You want to get that drink now? I'm sure we can find a nice, quiet table for two."

In reply to Yacob Stoneveins (msg # 39):

Kell nods. "Yes, that is a disadvantage to metal armor. But there are far more soldiers and monsters in the world than there are spellcasters. So for certain professions heavy armor makes sense. Something I have wondered, however. I have seen the spells Mage Armor and Shield in action. They are effective even against direct attacks like rays. I assume one cannot make use of both, correct? Armor and magic? But what if a buckler or bracer were imbued with a Shield spell? It need not be a permanent enchantment, but something a warrior can call up at need. It would leave both hands free to concentrate on pressing an attack, and I believe the defensive properties of the spell are at least as effective as a heavy shield."

Like any other city. Some people are going to have their prejudices against you, me, Yacob, Nino, any other non-human or half human being.  Others won't give 2 coppers about you other than caring if you pay your bill for food or lodging or anything else you have to buy while we are there.  Some may try to kill us because of what we uncovered in the caves, others, hopefully, will try to help us on our tasks at hand.

Nym smiles at his friend.

It doesn't matter much to me.  As long as you and I are together, anyone trying to do us harm is going to have a bad day.  The same goes for Fineli.

Nym lowers his voice and continues.

I know it is late and that you are a druid, but I want you to try and remember everything you can about Lloth, Drow, and the Dark Dwarves.  I don't care if it is fact or legend.  Something in this mystery doesn't quite add up, and I'm sure it is going to affect more than just the dwarves.  We can discuss it on the way to Waterdeep.

Reply msg # 34 Sonori

I've never heard of any Holidays or special events concerning Fharlanghn. Really other then the orphanage I grew up in and a couple real small churches I've never even been in a real temple to our guard. Really until Farther Tucker and brother Marcus died I really wasn't even sure how the whole God thing worked. Then an old wise man and a young foolish one came to me in a dream for the first time. When I woke up I just new that if I prayed he would grant me powers.


Tracks sits head titled in thought for a second. Some of the followers of Fharlanghn did record their travels I use to read the stories at the orphanage. Then when I was old enough farther Tucker and brother Marcus started taking me with them on some of their less dangerous adventures. That's when father Tucker taught me how to make maps he said cartography was a real good job for a young man with a wandering spirit.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:18, Sun 16 Feb 2020.

In reply to Zell (msg # 50):

Rivka chuckled, almost hiding her face a bit as she felt blissfully awkward.
"You surprised an experienced ranger.  No small feat."
She was obviously trying to make a joke to hide her emotions, but was doing a poor job as she looked back up at Zell with almost doe-like eyes

"A nice...private...drink sounds lovely.
She blushed again and smiled at him with a silly grin that she wanted to stop using but couldn't if she tried.
She was suddenly glad she hadn't put off her bath.

Oler nods to Nym's request as he reaches and rubs behind Fineli's ear. He takes a moment to ponder what he knows about drow and duergar.

19:26, Today: Oler Bearstrider rolled 14 using 1d20+10.  Know (Nature)  legends - duergar.

19:26, Today: Oler Bearstrider rolled 29 using 1d20+10.  Know (Nature)  humanoids - duergar.

19:22, Today: Oler Bearstrider rolled 28 using 1d20+10.  Know (Nature)  legends - drow.

19:21, Today: Oler Bearstrider rolled 21 using 1d20+10.  Know (Nature)  humanoids - drow.

Sonori was surprised at their seemingly continued similarities. "Oh, interesting. You didn't grow up with your family either, then? We do have a lot in common.

I was swept away in a river when I was little more than a toddler. I should have died - but Shaundakul gave me the ability to breathe water, and had the river deposit me at the hooves of twin hybsil clerics of Shaundakul, Rangifer and Tarandus. They raised me as we wandered around. Eventually, a few years ago, we did finally find my family, but really, I'm far more close to them than to any gnome, and think of them, really, as my two dads."  She hesitated for a moment. Some of those raised by people not their family had relatively good outcomes, like she did. But some, most that she knew of, were raised by others because their parents were dead. She decided probably now was not the right time to ask.

Arm in arm, Zell slowly walked and looked for a nice place to have a drink. He didn't care if it was Dwarvish or not. As long as there was a table where they could have their drinks and have small conversation, Zell would be happy. He smiled at Rivka's blushes and remembered what his father told him.

Aye boy. When I first seen yer Ma, I knew she be the one. I felt it in me bones. I knew if I didn't go after her, I'd regret it fer the rest of me days...

Where ever Rivka and Zell end up for their drinks, Zell treats Rivka with courtesy and respect and she might notice that his social etiquette is one of his strong suits.

"Well, today has been pretty exciting. I went from thinking I was going to get fired and yelled at, to surprising the most beautiful woman on the Sword Coast. How was your day?"

  "It might be possible to do just that. In fact it would be fairly easy to do with the proper material and spells. And the scariest thing in the whole world is a mage who wears armor. Because killing him is gonna be difficult." he jokes. "The reason most of us don't wear armor is because it hampers all the fancy hand waves and gestures we need to do. So either he can do them without the gestures or he doesn't need the gestures to begin with. Both mean he is a pretty powerful mage. Doesn't mean I'm not gonna still try and kill him just means it won't be easy."

Kell answers "magic is fluid, is it not? It can be shaped in new ways?" Kell strokes his chin in contemplation. "would it be possible to stiffen cloth with magic? Make it as difficult to move in as armor? Such magic would constrain other wizards, would it not?"

OOC: Kell is theorizing that just as normal armor has ACP and ASF percentages, it might be possible to hinder wizards by making their clothing acquire ACP and ASF penalties. As clothing is rarely magical or masterwork, it would have a poor save vs the condition.

In reply to Zell (msg # 57):

Rivka was a bit overwhelmed by the courtly finesse of her dinner date, feeling like a country bumpkin compared to the smooth talking jeweler.    She blushed anew as she spoke
"I was just happy to be out in the open air again, and was planning to just be spending time teaching my new bird friend to fly and hunt.  I never expected anything like this.   Honestly, i think that you might have me mixed up with some Waterdahvian Lady of Substance or something. "
She grinned almost shyly at Zell, obviously not unhappy at his elegant behavior in any way.   The ranger obviously wanted to bask in such ladylike treatment, though was at a loss as to how to do so and was following Zell's lead, letting him set the tone of the evening.  She smiled in confusion at his talk of being fired.
"Why would you be yelled at?  You were a valuable member of the team, helping us find many details of the stronghold and helping to keep us safe"

"Nope, no mix up at all. You're REAL, Rivka. Those dressed up socialites are the fake ones. Take their money and they have nothing. They wouldn't even know how to survive. Their constant devotion to be popular in society is their tomb.

You're free to do what you wish because you can survive where they cannot. You don't hide your true-self because you don't need to. You are completely self-sufficient and because of this, people will know the real you...and that' what I like about you."



Zell smiled and stopped the social etiquette to explain. He ordered Dwarvish ales in regular clay tankards for the both of them.

"That's what I like about you, Rivka. You're not tainted like the city socialites...like me. You felt awkward and didn't know how to react while I was trying to impress you. Now you know how I feel when I was crawling through the dirt and fighting monster spiders trying to find some old, dirty ruin that might not even be there. You were out of your element here and I was completely out of my element there. I'm truly grateful that you didn't laugh at me, but instead helped to lift me up.

There are some bad things I've done in my past that come back to haunt me. Seeing undead really freaks me out. When I saw that ghost and ran away, I couldn't control it. I was in a panic and completely surprised I didn't soil myself. When that happens in my previous line of work, that doesn't happen again...if you know what I mean. So, I completely thought I was going to get yelled at and fired for not doing my part in protecting Yacob. Sure, I found a few things to help the party out, but fleeing from that ghost...I thought that was a deal-breaker. And then you followed me and wanted to buy me a drink...I can't describe how happy that made me feel. I'm still overwhelmed."

Rivka smiled and put her hand atop Zell's
 ""Silly  man...well, I'm not saying that fleeing from a battle was a good thing, but I'll admit that undead are terrifying.   That's how they're designed, after all.    If I'd been alone, i surely would have run away.   It was just my instincts to protect the people in my party that kept me there.  But i was scared the entire time.  Those things are just...unnatural "
She gave a little shudder
"But a mistake is different than a fatal character flaw.  I think Yacob and the others know that.  If you had fled from EVERY fight, perhaps they would have felt differently, but having a fear of the undead is totally understandable.   "

Zell caressed Rivka's hands and could feel the warrior in them. Not like his. Zell's hands were smoother than a baby's bottom and it embarrassed Zell a bit to think about it. But, she was right about the undead. They were scary and he doubted he'd ever get over not being afraid of them.

"Yeah, you are right. I don't back down from fights all that often, except for when I was running away from Lord Frederic's guard dogs when he caught me.....yeah..forget you heard that." Zell chuckled

Rivka gave a shy chuckle at Zell's mini confession.
"I'll admit that I'm not a fan of guard dogs either.  We rangers learn to train animal companions, who are more friends than servants.  Rich people with guard dogs treat them little better than a soldier treats their spear.  "
She shrugged, smiling wryly.
"But any good warrior knows when to run.  My mentor, Garic, always said that the option for running away was the most important part of any battle strategy."

With the official part of the dinner over, the group descends into socialism. Zell, clearly upset over something, leaves early, barely eating.  Moments later, a concerned Rivka follows after him, the two disappearing for the night.


Shortly after leaving, the half orc, Oler comes in with his huge wolf at his side. Though the group who travelled with him are pleased to see him, it is himself and Nym who get discussing things like deurgar and drow, of which the two seemed involved with.


Yacob spends his time talking the essence of magic and armour with Zell as well as his uncle, which the two whisper a bit to themselves in dwarvish.


Johnathan, Sonori and Turbalio talked religion, withSonori and Johnatahn talking about their separate aspects of the seemingly same god, with both awe and fascination of both their separate  gifts and branches.

Nino, between eating food and drinking ale, demonstrated his gauntlet and the summoning of weapons, which varied from a dagger that he sliced a piece of meat with, to a huge axe he brandished proudly while hollering 'NINO' like a warcry

Quinn sat by, listening to the group[s with a smile, talking with Turbalio, Alstadin and others

Before long, Alstadin stands. "This is where i leave ye....i will meet you in the morn at th' front gate witrh ponies and supplies.  Johnathan, th' items ye requested will be with them."

with that, the group slowlyt made their way out, some to bed, some to the main hall to drink some more, where it could be seen Rivka and Zell talking quietly to themselves in a corner.

<OOC: NExt morning post will be done in 48 hours.  If there is something you want for the truip, let me know. Now is the time for anything else done in the town before we leave.>

Sonori thanked Alstadin for the feast.

To Jonathan she said, "Let's continue to talk on the trail - I want to make sure to be rested up. But, when I'm in a city, I usually try to wander, letting the Wind Rider lead me, to those who need healing, and convert some of my spells to healing. Would you like to join me?"

Before leaving, she went to introduce herself to Oler, seeming to not be bothered by his ancestry. The pale gnome, looked up at the half orc, "It seems we will be traveling together. I'm Sonori, Cleric of Shaundakul. It's good to meet you."


After introductions, with or without introductions, she will wander the town's streets, trusting her god to lead her to those who most need healing, and convert more of her spells to healing for those who need it.

Yes I would be pleased to help you this evening put remember we need to be at the front gate early tomorrow. Jonathan leaves with the little Gnome let their god lead them where he may.

  "You could in fact do that, but there are easier ways for me to deal with a fellow spellcaster." he pauses thinking should he give away all his secrets."There are spells of silence or paralysis for instance. Rivka doesn't know it yet but she is a potent anti-mage candidate with that bow of hers. Then there is yourself and that crazy big hammer of course. No sometimes subtle is good, but more often than not brute force is best."

"Well, technically about timing, I'll leave that up to..." She paused, "Do you know of a name for our god that incorporates both aspects? Maybe she should make one? Maybe Fhardakul? Kind of sounds like "far to go" and incorporates how he is really about travel, primarily?" She happily skips out into the town as they talk, pausing sometimes to wet a finger, hold it in the air, and head the way that most closely aligns with the way the wind is blowing while looking around for those who might benefit from some healing. "Or maybe just use one of his nick names? Wind Rider? Helping Hand? Horizon? I'm thinking us calling the same god by very different names is going to start getting confusing to others. On the other hand, people outside our group might get even more confused if we call him by non-standard names." She doesn't seem to be joking, but also doesn't seem to be strongly tied to any one thing.

Oler smiled a bit at the conversation while he was finishing up his dinner. He would speak with Nym about the Drow and Duergar when they had a private moment or as the group left the next morning. He made sure to slip Fineli some meat for the wolf's good day.

"I've always found that people in general seem to dislike insects crawling on them. If need be I could prepare such though that would lose me some of my other spells related to combat. It should work well in distracting spellcasters though." Oler adds to the ongoing conversation "I will travel to Waterdeep with you, it might do well to see that blight on the land for myself."

Quinn listened to the various conversations while he ate. He said nothing to anyone though, pondering what Kelemvor had in mind for him by sticking him with this group of rescuers. He would save his money and dedicate a church to Kelemvor someday for saving him.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:58, Mon 17 Feb 2020.

In reply to Jonathan (msg # 20):

Turbalio smiled at Jonathan and replied, "Well met, Tracks, and may I say what a marvelous moniker you have!  I am called Turbalio and it is my pleasure to meet you."

He picked up his glass and sipped at the contents, unsure of how strong of a drink Alstadin might have chosen to serve.  Nodding at the mention of Fharlanghn, the bard said, "I, myself, have followed the path of Deneir the scribe who has sadly passed from the memory of many as a divine being.  A few," the young man continued with a note of melancholy, "among them my parents, still hold fast to the old teachings."

His smile grew at Jonathon's insistence that he had no talent.  "I suspect that your claim of lacking talent is not true, my friend, for even if you were able to write down all that you see you would have little time to do naught but breathe.  You write down what you see which you believe to be of import, which takes a great degree of skill and discernment.  I toast your talent, Tracks," Turbalio raised his glass to Jonathan, "for your service is often unsung and that is indeed a tragedy!"

In reply to Turbalio msg #72

I would have your help on this journey, I do most of my writing, sketching and map making after we set camp for the night. Two sets of eyes for recalling details are always better then one. Plus my writing all though thorough, some times lacks flare excitement, perhaps you could help me write something that is not so dry it suffers one to fall asleep while reading.


In reply to Sonori msg #69


I wonder what other aspects our God favor's we have Travel, Adventure, Luck, Protection and the Wind. After walking beside the Gnome for awhile Jonathan continues. Some times I find the Gods a bit confusing, That's why I follow Fharlanghn, he doesn't demand special ceremonies or holy days. He simply asks that you follow the road and do your best to help where you can.

"Well, as Shaundakul, he's also over portals, miners, chaos, and caravans. But Waukeen is the primary goddess of trade. And miners often worship one of the dwarven gods or Grumbar." Sonori responded.

OoC: She's happy to talk and heal until most of her spells are used - but there's nothing else particularly special she'd be doing - I'm happy to move on when people are ready

"Actually, Lord Frederic loved his dogs and trained them well...even the poodle! Those things are vicious and they run fast. I still have the scar on my....nevermind! Forget I said that." Zell chuckled as he was looking at the side of his butt



"My mentor, who I shall keep anonymous, taught me that not being seen was number one and running away was number two. And if you have to rely on number two, you best hope you can run faster than the one who found you in the first place. That's how I became so perceptive, to the point that my friends nicknamed me "Eagle-Eye"."

Rivka smiled  at Zell
"Perceptive is definitely a quality i admire.    As well as being pragmatic.   Someone like Nino is nice to have by your side in a fight, but his lack of restraint is probably going to get him killed one day"

The bard rose from his chair to stretch and, walking over to his friend Breslin, slapped the dwarf on the back.  "You shall be missed, dear Breslin," Turbalio said as he steered his companion toward the main hall for another drink.  "I cannot give enough thanks to you and Katala for taking me in as one of your family.  You and the other baritones plucked me from the depth of my despair and brought me up to the light of day.  You offered more than just a group to perform with, but companionship and even a home away from home," he said as he drew two large mugs of ale from one of the available casks.

"To your good future health and happiness," he said with a wide grin, raising his cup in a salute.  As Turbalio took a drink, he spied Rivka and Zell huddled close together in a corner of the hall.  He pointed out the amorous couple to his friend and bent down to whisper into the dwarf's ear.

The pair walked to the center of the hall and started to sing a cappella.

I’m a rover and so rarely sober,
I’m a rover o’ the highest degree.
And when I’m drinking, I’m always thinking
On gaining my love’s company.

Though the night she’s as dark as a dungeon,
Nay a star to be seen up above.
I will be guided with nary a stumble
Into the arms of my only true love.

I’ll quietly step up to her window,
And soundless kneel upon stone.
My soft rap will serve as my hello
As I ask her if she lies alone.

Her head will rise up from the pillow,
The moonlight will shine off of her breast.
She asks, “Who be there at my window
Disturbing me of my night’s rest?”

“It’s only me, your one true lover,
Pray open the door that I might come in.
For my journey has been only for you, love,
That my eyes may behold thine fair skin.”

My love opened the door with great pleasure
And her beauty was a sight to behold.
Our warm embrace was but the beginning
Of a night spent in love oh so bold.

In the morning the cocks were a-crowing
While the birds they whistled their song.
And I said farewell to my true love,
“I’m a rover and I’ve got to move on.”

“Over mountain and down into valley,
To climb hills and cross lands far away.
I know not where my journeys will lead me,
But to your window I shall return one day!”


08:46, Today: Turbalio Wyvill rolled 8 using 1d20+3.  Perform: singing.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:47, Wed 19 Feb 2020.

After Turbalio's song ended, Zell clapped and chuckled, still thinking about the lyrics as he went back to looking at Rivka's green eyes,

"I would say that I'm pragmatic, but also cautious. I'd only knock on your window if I knew I was welcome and you were on the first floor. I hate falling."

Zell took another swig of his drink and put it down and smiled at Rivka,

"Do you know how to dance? I've been taking lessons but haven't been able to practice lately. Perhaps we can get Turbalio to sing us another song?"

Rivka smiled wryly
"Only going where one is welcome is usually a good idea, though admittedly in our profession that goes out the window occasionally. "
She gave the bard a round of applause, and then smiled shyly at Zell
"I've never tried dancing before, but how hard can it be, right? "

Around Midnight Jonathan parts company with Sonori and heads back to the Inn and a comfortable bed. After all they leave at dawn for the next leg of the adventure.

Turbalio bowed slightly at the waist with a smile.  "Thank you, my friends," he said while reaching for the concertina on his belt, "I believe it possible to accommodate your request for dance music."

The bard slipped his hands through both ends of the instrument and, after a couple of preliminary squeezes, began to play in earnest.



OOC:  Cue the Swiss Waltz, arranged by Joseph Barbiere.
08:46, Today: Turbalio Wyvill rolled 25 using 1d20+8.  Perform: concertina.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:48, Wed 19 Feb 2020.

Zell was a poor dancer. But, he did warn Rivka that he was still learning. He only stepped on her foot a couple times...

"Like I said, I'm still learning. The first lesson my instructor told me was to go out and do it. You'd be better than the ones who don't." Zell chuckled "It also doesn't help that I've had a few drinks."

15:41, Today: Zell rolled 7 using 1d20+2.  Perform Dance.

Rivka smiled
"Don't worry, dear Zell, I've been told everything is more fun with a few drinks "
While Zell's great dexterity seemed limited to his hands, the ranger seemed to have better overall body balance.

"OK, no more drinks for me. I don't wish to do anything that would embarrass me in public." Zell said with a smile as he waved thanks to Turbalio

Going back to their seats,

"Would you like to take a walk outside?"

In reply to Zell (msg # 84):

Rivka grinned
"How about something that would embarrass you in private? "
She gave him a playful smile and took his arm so that he might escort her outside

With a cheesy grin to all the guys in the room, Zell escorted Rivka out of the main drinking hall. He'd only been to Alstadin's complex once and didn't know exactly where to go next, but figured Rivka knew where she was going...

With Rivka and zell leaving the hall (Zell having a smile like the cat that swallowed the canary), the rest of the night is rather uneventful, with Sonori and Johnathan walking while talking and healing, Sonori introducing Johnaqthan to Breslin's wife Katala (A fellow healer)

Nino and Turbalio spent their time drinking (With Nino drinking most people under the table, while others prepared for their trip.

With a night of rest (For most), the dawn brought the group back together at the entrance of the cavern...a familiar feeling for Kell, Turbalio and Sonori who were here a little over a week ago. Now the group was bigger, with each having a mount (Most had horses with the two dwarves and the gnome had ram's) and Kell on foot due to his size. There was also two extra horses with gear.

Alstadin came a short while after dawn to see you off, and personally deliver a parcel to Johnathan of a journal, ink and quills to journal the trip.

With farewell's, the group left for Luskan, the trip was uneventful with farmers greeting you along the way.  Two days ride saw you overlooking the port city of luskan, where the group went to the docks and the greyshark inn, a modest but clean inn recommended by Alstadin.

The group rested after hearing their ship, the Phoenix Dawn, would be pulling in tomorrow, Nym and Yacob studing the new spellbooks, Johnathan and SOnori offering healing, Kell reading up on dwarven armouring techniques and such.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was Mid morning when the group approached the dock overseeing a two masted ship built for speed.  They met the captian, a half orc named Tobian 'One tusk'.  The half orc smiled. "I have already recieved payment from Master Alstadin fer ye trip. All we need to do is load up and get on our way."

as your about to come aboard, a scream can be heard. "Shave me down an' call me aq gnome....if it isn't liitle Zelly! What in th' nine hells ye doin' here boy?"

Zell winces

Sonori was a good travel companion, very easy going, and willing to go with the flow.

She was happy to chat or to be quiet. She was happy to help with most chores (although being the smallest, there were some things that she just wouldn't be any good at) and was happy to help others learn just about anything she knew. She was also fine being alone and reading the Aquan book and scroll from the Dwarven Citadel. Rain or shine, day or night, she seemed cheerful just being on the road and, in the evenings, if they were beside settlements, to wander around to offer some healing where it seemed needed.

***

Sonori loved the ocean, and was happy when they reached sight of it. She had never been on a real ship before. A couple boats in rivers, but nothing like this. She was glad to hear that they wouldn't need to wait long, but would soon be on their way.

Zell was in a happy mood on the trip back to Luskan. He gave Rivka her space so she didn't feel awkward and smiled whenever she looked at him. Zell wasn't the clingy type of guy. He'd been around the block several times and figured if things got a bit more serious between the two, the best thing to do was not to rush things.

When the party eventually reached Luskan and were heading for the docks, Zell rode up to Yacob and asked him what was going on,

"I thought we were headed for Waterdeep? We're not taking a ship, are we?"

Then Zell heard a familiar voice and winced,

"You've got to be sh***** me...."

Nym was looking at the ship with interest when he heard Zell curse.  He looked over at the half elf with some concern.

[Language unknown: Ine u u?]

Nym didn't know much about Zell's past for a variety of reasons.  Only that Zell had a deeper fear of the undead than most adventurers did, but not the reason(s) for it.

The human standing at the edge of the ship looked at Zell and smiled with a cheeky gleam in his eyes. "Ye temper hasn't improved much boy....too much of ye dad in ye." the man lost his smile for a moment. "Wish ye were more like ye mum....good sort she was."

The man's smile returned as he looked at Zell, chuckled as he looked at the group then the half elf again. "New friends boy? ye not gonna introduce us?"

Oler responded to Nym

Oler looked over the rather friendly Half Orc, he had not met many half-orcs who had rejected their orcish half enough to be so friendly. Fineli sniffed in the air at the friend of Zell's trying to size him up.

 he asked of the half orc that seemed to know Zell while introducing his wolf.

Oler was always interested in hearing more about orcs and half orcs. A bit curious about his ancesters.

The captain  looked at Oler with a smile. "Greetings Oler....forgive me but my Orcish is rudematry at best. I never knew my father, rightly so....an orcish raider that took advantage of my mother. She was a serving wench who died when i was young.  Luckily My uncle, a seasoned sailor, took me in and taught me all i know."


he looked at them all. "I welcome you brother Oler, faithful of Silvanus.  May he watch and nurture you as he does his Oak's"

"Thank you, I didn't catch your name?" Oler responds "How is it that you know Zelly? Do you encounter pirates and the like on the water?"

Fineli sits down on his hind legs but keeps his fore legs stretched out. His tongue is out and he looks curiously at the other half orc
This message was last edited by the player at 13:20, Fri 21 Feb 2020.

The half orc smiles. "I am Tobian as my mother named me,  but most aboart call me captain 'one tusk'. As for your friend, i do not know hium, but my crewmate, Montgomery seems to know him. The half orc looks back over to his ship and the vocal crewmate.

"He's a tough lad, but a hard worker.  been with me for a year now." He looks at the orc. "As for pirates, there are some about.  Some of the crew, like Monty there, have sailed with a few...makes their knoledge valuable. Most pirates about these days are free-merchants...not many real pirates these days, but there be a few."

Nym shrugs his shoulders in a more human than elf gesture, but doesn't reply to Oler.  He listens to what is going on around him as he keeps a more watchful eye on Monty and Zell.  Hoping there won't be trouble between the two.

Jonathan loved being on the road, every cross road the group came to he would say a little prayer, He spent every evening sketching or writing in his journal, as well as reading the books he brought on dwarven history.

***

When they reached Luskan, Jonathan worked with Sonori to heal the locals, and when he saw the ship they would sail on his face lit up. He had always wanted to take a voyage on a ship and now he was getting his chance.

Every time they sailed by any land masses he would climb up up in the crows nest and get the birds eye view of the land to sketch later. he loved just stepping out of the crows nest and floating down to deck of the ship. While out on the open sea he would use his mending spells repairing torn or damaged sails, he decide the first day one the ship that he would have to get a spy glass as soon as possible. the ability to see the lay of the land at a great distance was a map makers dream.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:42, Fri 21 Feb 2020.

Gathering more supplies for their trip, like extra quivers or regular arrows in case of ship to ship.combat, had taken up some of the ranger's time, but she always seemed to have a smile on her face.
While Rivka.had always had the habit of keeping a close eye on her Traveling Companions, she seemed to always have Zell at least in her periphery.   And smiled often as.she did so.  But she remained professional, knowing that despite whatever personal development there was in her life, she was "on duty" as long as they were moving
She wasn't a huge fan of water travel, not.fully trusting any transportation where she wasn't in control, but she tried to keep an open mind, teusing her hosts and other dwarven friends.

When Zell.had his "reunion", she moved closer to him.  Not crowding the man, but being near, just in case he needed help, whether physically or socially.

  The trip to Luskan Yacob gets to know the new folks. He spends some time with each of them not an unusual amount of time for him but a bit.

When the newcomer starts yelling at Zelly Yacob looks at Zell and says "This should be interesting. And yes Zell quickest way to Waterdeep is by ship."

Nino had never been to Luskan before. This trip was the furthest he's ever been from the woods near Mirabar and the ocean smelled funny to him. He'd seen little boats and rafts on the river but this ship was bigger than any he'd seen before. He stayed near Bob Bob because he didn't know where he was going.

Oler satisfied with the answer headed to the boarding plank. This would be his first time aboard a ship, it would be strange not to feel the earth beneath his feet. He motioned for Fineli to foloow him and the large wolf eagerly got up and started to follow.

Fineli sniffed of the water near the boarding plank wondering about the sea as much as Oler did.

Oler thanked the captain "Thank you Tobian, may Silvanus be with us on our journey.". Oler and Fineli then boarded the ship. Oler looked over Montgomery. This was one they'd need to watch, a former pirate. Then Oler looked at Zell, perhaps him as well. Oler then moved to the forecastle with Fineli so they'd have a good view as the ship left port.

Quinn boarded and stood near the rail, he detected evil on all of the crew as well so that he could warn Yacob and the others of any one they needed warned about.

Monty has known Zell since he was born and knows every embarrassing thing about him. He was the last person who Zell thought he would see up here and that's why he cringed.

"Monty. It's good to see you again. What's it been? 4 years? And why are you up HERE?" Zell smiled "And before you even ask and embarrass me in front of all my friends, YES, I still get sea-sick."

Zell turns to his friends and introduces them to Monty,

"Everyone: This is Montgomery, Monty for short. He's about as close to an Uncle as I can get without being related. He's a smooth walker, smooth talker and has the luck of Tymora. Once I tell him your names, he'll ignore everyone and walk up to Rivka."

Zell turns around to Monty with a smile,

"I'm pretty sure you know which one Rivka is....unless you're getting old?"

Sonori smiled up at the Captain, "Nice to meet you, Tobian. I'm Sonori, a cleric of Shaundakul. This is my first time on a real ship - what should I know?"

The goliath comes over to regard the human. "Monty, who is a smooth talker? I think I've heard of you. Why do they call you 'Three Card', if I may ask?"

Monty looks at Zell and cracks a hue smile, laughing out loud. "Damn me boy....i've missed ye!" The human leaps from the edge of the ship to the deckside in one spring, landing lightly on his feet.

He walks up to zell and gives him a huge hug. He holds him at arms length and looks at him. "Saw ye father a few months back. Same ol' blackard. He misses his boy though." The human chuckled. "He found out ye have a half sister too...human girl. She's quite th' looker, but has a mind like a steel trap."

The human looks at the group, and finishes his gaze on Rivka. "I can tell ye boy....ye taste in girls has improved, as has ye luck." He looks at Rivka with a wink.

He leans in and whispers to Zell.

The human looks at the captian with a nod. "I'm assumin' these are th' cargo fer waterdeep. I Will  do what i can to help....Zell here is family."

He walked over to Rivka and hugged her, kissing his cheek. "He's a good lad girlie....just don't stand too near him on th' water, makes a hell o' a mess!"

He walks up the gangplank with a spring in his step.


Even though he's out of sight, he calls out. "C'mon boy....Maybe luck will leave me this time!"

"See? I told you. Only talks to the ladies." Zell chuckled "Oh...and don't gamble with him. You won't stand a chance."



Zell cringed at that, but was quick to respond, but not quick enough...

"Yeah...and go to me...He's not there anymore, is he?" Zell asked Rivka "Well, let's go. Might as well get this over with. I'm going to be sick the whole time and everyone is going to hear every embarrassing thing I've ever done since birth."

Zell takes off his armor and shirt and neatly folds them into his pack. "This trip is going to be horrible..."

  "Aye boy terrible, but don't feel bad it is quite likely that Nino and I will be joining you in the sea sickness. Alas it is your dwarven nature coming out." Yacob jokes.

Rivka was caught between cringing with embarrassment at Monty's familiar tone and stifling giggles at Zell's own embarrassment.   She was very sympathetic at Zell's plight, but was also enjoying the show.
She allowed Monty's hug, trying not to bristle too badly at the contact, and smiled
"Don't worry, sir.  I know full well how fine a lad he is.  And thank you. "

As the flamboyant sailor left, she gave Zell her own hug.
"I've never traveled this far by sea before, so i might be joining you and the dwarves.  But no matter.  I'm here with you until the end of the journey "

She adjusted her pack with her eagle chick and looked for a safe place to stow her.

"Hopefully, this captain will remember the old tradition that women on ships are bad luck so you and I, along with Yacob and Nino can take the road....or else we're all going to be very miserable and Monty won't help at all. He's been tormenting me since I was in diapers."

Rivka smiled and gave Zell a reassuring hug
"Sadly, I suspect that time is of the essence and is more important than comfort.  And while i am 'guilty' of being a woman..."
She gave Zell a playful smirk
"I'm also a Ranger.  And a ranger is always good luck.  And maybe we can rig up something for seasickness "

Oler looked at the two fawning humans. A smile on his face. Love was part of nature, part of the cycle of life. It was good to see two souls who had taken up the path of adventurers embarking also on the cycle of life. He wondered what they'd do if Rivka became pregnant, wouldn't be to safe to adventure carrying a baby. Still it was the cycle of life and had to be respected.

Fineli looked over at the boarding plank and yawned. He was curious when this voyage might begin. He was smelling fish and thinking fish might be for dinner which made him salivate and lick his chops.

Nym speaks quietly to Zell.  Only those close to the two of them can hear what Nym says in elven.

[Language unknown: Atiai, to ma illproeausan a ainortlar caevtrcken a thawasred arderaine?  Inedi homa ac eresomons nailme is lar roplileili.  Ntesetonethularest pro a essce ac wifo olevpr ar bleil llnefo.]

Zell chuckles and whispers back to Nym,

Nearby the men's conversation, Rivka raised an amused eyebrow

Zell continued,

[Language unknown: "Yinth travirons on reaivetio thti pa man o fo al el bleardstrain ne be mariis whiatevir ssrilo hi nde, we Tha fomo plutch...strlarain thadersta, lineenome ourterwas te n neosar, icusus leommo..nctaro ndnte t misese foroutort man se oveaveticter iopro el onsanynot ecivan for taisut...ss oume oer is ateredwit u stiateent ore load inmear n icred unek ofre somicaher atiit, is ti adlo som pl isio tedit o ntiresoun lesll. Sti roasus anywe Hewisa iveearwitiou a wi, di ec resichers pr."]

After hearing about her "expeditions" on several occasions, Zell hugs Rivka

"I will continue to learn from you about the outdoors and to survive in the wild. Your lessons have probably already saved my life. In return, when we have the proper time, I will teach you how to be a "Lady of Society". You already cause traffic jams in the market square and give old men heart attacks, but once I'm done teaching you, Upper Society won't know what to do and you will rule with an iron fist."

Rivka chuckled at the handsome jeweler's words.
"Your exaggerations are very silly, Zell, but very sweet.  And while i don't see 'High Society' as a lifelong goal, I'll admit that I can't turn down the opportunity to learn how to survive, or even thrive, in a new, hostile environment.  And with such a charming teacher as you, I should be well protected indeed"
She grinned and gave Zell a playful kiss on the cheek

Oler is unable to hear the whispered conversations among his fellow adventurers. He reaches over and scratches behind the ears of Fineli whose ears perked up a little to the noise but twitched as he didn't understand Elven. Fineli laid down stretching out over the forecastle holding his head just right so that Oler could scratch behind his ear.

Oler listened into the part that was not whispered. The druids had taught him Elven so he could understand it. Part of that great cycle of life, even animals postured before mating. Some of them had quiet elaborate routines to attract a mate. Some birds in particular had amazing dances to attract the opposite sex.

[Language unknown: Dayandwas urdipl aipeet thpead ce illen mi.  T witorevor ortlatsta ar venin hise lar n reul, omosil, ceecat, nd essinetho, n ee.]

Nym looks again at the ship, giving the wood hull a good look.  Then he speaks in common as he starts up the boarding plank.

The ship looks sturdy enough.  Shall we go aboard?

   He jokes.

"Well, if you ever meet my father and the rest of his crew, they will tell a different story. But, for now, let's be on our way so I can start being sick."

Though a bit nervous about meeting people from Zell's past, Rivka put on a brave smile amd joined him on board

The bard had stayed up far too late drinking and was slow to move about the following morning.  His belongings gathered and private farewells said to Breslin, Katala and the others, he was ready to depart.  Turbalio boarded the ship quietly and hoped that the fresh air would help to clear his head of its dull ache.

With the path confirmed by the half orc captain, he departed to the harbormaster as the group (reluctantly) boarded the Phoenix Dawn, a large merchant ship with three masts, build for speed. the crew, consists of mostly humans, with three half elves, a dwarf and some unknown race that looked mostly human but had some giant blood in him.

The crew, for the most part, focused on their tasks, with most affording a casual glance....in fact the only crew members that showed any interest were the captain and Monty, who seemed on the verge of giddiness to have Zell and his friends aboard.

The human showed Rivka and Sonori a small room with two bunks and a small desk, small but modest, while the rest were ushered downstairs to the shared hold where the crew slept, and shown to several hammocks (And a rudimentary mattress on the floor big enough for Kell). Monty purposefully placed Zell near hi9mself so as to keep and eye on his surrogate nephew (As well to ensure he was on hand to stir him). Zell also noticed there was an empty bucket under his hammock (With monty smiling all the while)

Once stowed away, the group returned upstairs to the deck. within the hour, the half orc captain and a porty human returned with a hand full of paper and flamboyant gestures.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was an hour before the captain retured to the ship, flustered but ready to sail, and it was another hour the ship was pulling away from luskan. Most of the group looked on with smiles (Except for Zell who was already showing signs of green)

....if they looked behind them they would have seen the clouds.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was early evening when the storm hit.

The novelty of sailing had worn off quickly with the winds and light rain ushering what was to come. The captain, skilled in his craft, tried to sail around the oncoming storm, but as the first signs of dusk appeared, he issued orders to skirt near the coast.  The captain found a reasonably sheltered cove and dropped anchor.

The storm that hit was fierce, causing the ship to lurch.  Most people had signs of sickness, with zell having his head overboard, all the while Monty seemed to enjoy the storm, walking on deck, yelling to nature itself.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next morning saw another ship moored close to the others, a flag of grey with a red crow holding a dagger. Monty seemed overjoyed, while Zell seemed to shrink into himself even further.

Monty mounted the rail, yelling 'AHOY',(With the captain shaking his head with a grimace, but not stopping him), moments later the same returned.

Monty turned around, looking at the group.

"....family reunions are always interestin'!"

Nym doesn't have the trouble that Zell does with sea sickness.   At the same time  Nym doesn't rub it in Zell's face or anyone else's who gets sick.

OOC: 01:45, Today: Nym Eveningfall rolled 20 using 1d20+2.  Fort Save vs sea sick.

Not only was Kell well-acclimated to the pitch and yaw of the vessel, he spent as much time as he could abovedecks, taking in the sights and sounds of the sea.

00:01, Today: Kell rolled 24 using 1d20+7.  Fort save .

00:01, Today: Kell rolled 24 using 1d20+8.  Balance.

After the storm, he came out on deck to help assess any damage and was curious about what was to unfold. He tells Zell "there's something to be said about relatives. It has to be said,  because it's unprintable. "

Rivka was very disappointed with herself when she got somewhat seasick.    Granted, trying to care for a desperately seasick Zell probably didn't help

OOC: 00:36, Today: Rivka rolled 12 using 1d20+6.  sea sickness.

Sonori loved the sea, at least swimming on it. There was something, though, unnatural about having a stiff ship surrounding her instead of the water herself. She thought it would be nearly as good as being in the sea itself and even at first went around, curiously watching the sailors. Staying out of the way, but wanting to learn how things were done. But at least by the time the storm hit, the strange feeling of neither being in the sea nor on land but somehow between them overwhelmed her. And so despite her confidence that all would be well when she boarded, at least during the storm, she was quite sick with the sharp movements of the ship.

Nino had never been on a boat before. Dwarves were supposed to be planted on the ground, not float on water. And now that he was on the ship and it magically moved on its own, Nino wasn't sure to think of the smells now. Zell Zell was sick, probably from all the ale he had, but Nino didn't understand why the boat moved around like it did.

05:25, Today: Nino rolled 14 using 1d20+8.  Sea Sickness?

08:36, Today: Quinn rolled 12 using 1d20+9.  sea sick.

Quinn was a little queasy and nauseous, but did not throw up.

The great wolf Fineli did not like this storm and there was no place for the large wolf to hide from it. He was to big to get down below and there was nothing to keep the storm from pelting him. With the sails stowed there wasn't even any shelter for him. He kept looking at Oler for relief but stuck on the ship there was no relief from the storm.

Oler himself stayed with Fineli, not affected by the storm himself he comforted the wolf best he could. He didn't want it to panic and cause damage aboard the ship. So Oler kept rubbing him and letting him know it was okay. Oler though wish there had been a land route, but it would have taken much longer to take the land but something about having the ground beneath your feet even he missed.

When the other ship is hailed the next morning he looks and sees Zell's reaction and wonders if this will be a good reunion or not. Having never had a family of his own Oler was not sure what a family reunion was entirely. Fineli was glad the storm was over, but was thinking about fish and sniffing around for something to eat.

The storm had done nothing to subside the self-inflicted pain of Turbalio.  I may go the rest of my days and never want another drop of alcohol, he thought to himself as he emptied the contents of his stomach over the side of the Phoenix Dawn during the night.  He had nothing but sympathy for Zell.

Morning brought calmer waters and for that the young man was grateful.  Though his appetite had not yet returned, sunrise found the bard on the main deck with his concertina out as he quietly attempted to play an old seafarer's ditty he had heard only once before.  He watched with detached interest as the other ship approached.


18:18, Today: Turbalio Wyvill rolled 4 using 1d20+1.  Fortitude save v. sea sickness.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:40, Tue 25 Feb 2020.

Jonathan didn't really like the violent rocking of the ship in the storm but it did not bother him much either, he could tell some of the crew did not share his felling as they were lined up at the rail emptying their stomachs into the sea.

"I'm in no condition to even understand what that means right now...Sorry."

Turning to Monty,

"I haven't seen my parents in over four years. I left in good terms and should see no reason why it would be bad now. Father will just laugh that I still can't go on a boat without barfing and Mother will give me a hug and tell me I don't eat enough."

Turning to Rivka,

"If my father is on his ship, you need to call him captain. If he's on land, you can call him Corvus. My mother's name is Aranel. They'll both like you."

Her stomach in knots, whether from the sea or from nerves, Rivka nodded
"I'm sure I'll love them. "

Even though the storm was no more than a rain in the cove, the party mostly feels a little ill (Other than Nym, oler, Kell and nino).  Ironically, even though zell warned you all about his sickness, it was the gnome Sonori who was the most ill (though Zell was still green from vomiting half the night

The captain inspects the ship, and comes up to Yacob. "The keel has a crack in it....i can sail but wouldn't want to risk it.  it will take a half day to fix."

As if on cue, Monty jumps from the rail with a smile, looking at Zell. "Isn't that lucky boy.....ye get to catch up with ye old man." He looks at the half orc with a smile. "Permission to take a boat over to the Crimson dove?"

The captain grunts his approval, looking at monty. "Ye have until dawn tomorrow, then we sail" The half orc mumbles as he walks off, something about cursed luck

Monty jumps up and down, readying one of the larger boats for the group.  Seeing the options of staying here on the ship or visiting what was zell's family, the group decides to go over.

With Monty and Nino pulling the oars (With nino smiling as much as monty), the group pull up at a smaller ship built for speed. A ladder is lowered and the group climb up.

The first thing the group notice is the ship is a hive of activity, clearly damaged in the storm like the Phoenix Dawn.  Not only repairs to the hull, but a cracked mast as well. You also notice a mix of races, with half the crew human or half elf. A few dwarves, clearly experts in ship repairs, issued orders, while overseaing them a huge half ogre and at his side what looked like an elven man in a robe of blue and green. Up on the upper rear deck, several people spoke

Monty jumped up last and whooped with joy.  The half ogre looked over and even over the din, his audible groan could be heard. "Damn ye Monty...ye always find ye way back to us!"  He looked above and called out. "CAPAIN....MONTY HAS BROUGHT YE A GIFT!"

several people on the upper deck turn and look down. One a human holding a map, looked little more than a scholar than a sailor.  The second human man looked as flamboyant as they came, with a hat wioth a purple feather. His dark hair and short beard did nothing to hide the smile on his face.  Favoring drk grey leather, the man started walking with a slight hobble, and arm in a sling.

At his side, a radiant elven woman helped him, dark hair and warm eyes, the woman wore simple clothing of brown brechers, a white shirt and sleeveless leather vest.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:57, Tue 25 Feb 2020.

The injured man walked up to the group smiling and got close to them.  he smiled, stepping up to Zell, and threw his arm around the half elf. Pulloing him at arms length, he smiled. "Damn good to see ya boy....it's been too long. Still a bit green on the water though." The man smiled as he looked at the group.

"My name is Captain Corvious Melivor, and your welome aboard the Crimson Dove, this..." indicating the woman on her left  "...is my wife Aranel."

He looked around the crew with a wave of his arm. "Tonight we feast Boys....my boy has come to see his parents!" A cheer from the entire crew could be heard, which seemed to double their efforts.

He looked at the group and smiled.

The elven woman, ignoring all protocol, ignored the captain of the ship and stepped up and hugged Zell in a huge hug. She looked at him with a frown. "You look paler than normal Zell....have you been sleeping enough?"
 Almost unconsciously, she adjusted his hair.

Captain corvius couldn't help but laugh as his wife preened their son. "Leave the boy be Aranel....he's a man now."

The human indicated for the group to follow, Monty separating to talk to the map holder on deck. He led you to a big room that held a table, several chairs and maps

"Sit my friends, tell me what in the nine hells got my son back on the water again, because nothing short of a miracle would have done that."

Within minutes, the elven robed man entered, with a platter of fruit, cheese and goblets, with monty following with a cask of wine and ale.

Monty, helping himself to an ale, looks at the captain. "Near as i can tell captain, this boy of yers has his hands deep in somethin. I highly placed dwarf managed ter get us booked and to luskan within a week. This rag tag group been th' most interesting I've seen.  If i'm not mistaken, the orc blood be a nature lover, and since I see no bow or sword, i'd say a druid. The big boy is a fighter alright, but his kind are rare....And th' dwarf with the staff, he be in charge by me guess - magic user, also rare fer his kind."

He looked at Zell with a smile. "...and ye boy looks to be right in th' thick o' it!"

Jonathan wanted nothing more then to stay with Monty and get a look at the map the man was holding on the deck. Be unsure what protocol he followed The Captain and his wife into the large cabin. when he saw all the maps and charts in the room he could no longer help himself.
He did not actually start rummaging through then all though that's exactly what he wanted to do. But he controlled himself and instead and just stood there starring at them doing his best to commit them to memory.

Rivka stood near Zell, offering silent support, but not speaking unless spoken to

Kell nods "fighter, aye, but I studied at a Hobgoblin military college, if you can believe it. Captain, I'm no sailor, but I'm not one for feasting much. Is there anything I can help with, repairs-wise? I'm both weaponsmith and armorsmith, and am comfortable with normal smithing repairs."

Sonori didn't want to be on any ship right now. She had never thought she would be seasick. "I can breathe water. I'm not that strong, but if you think I can help, I'd much rather be under the water than on it," she offered. She didn't feel feel well enough to go be meeting people - she was convinced she'd only make a bad impression. And she felt the embrace of the waves would help her get her equilibrium back.

Nym is talking quietly with Yacob about things to come when the Captain comes up and tells him about the crack.

That sounds like a wise decision to me captain.

Nym is torn between his curiosity of possibly meeting Zell's family and his desire to read the book he has gotten from the Dwarven ruins.  Finally he decides to go with Zell and Rivka but keeps his Bladesinger nature hidden behind the guise of the more normal Fighter common amongst elves.  One of the more rare times that the truly makes an effort to hide a part of his true self, but one he can do with ease.

Oler hearing the conversation confirmed his status "Yes, I am a Servant of Silvanus and in that role I am a druid." He then paused a moment and pointed to his wolf "This is Fineli, he is hungry and would like some fish to eat."

  "Just the most learned among us. Leader perhaps, but not in charge unless I need be. Yacob Stoneveins, Magus, at your service Captain. Rarity it seems is a thing for our motley group. And Zell is most definately in the thick of it as it were."

Quinn listened to the back and forth with the others and the captain and Zell. It was indeed interesting meeting Zell's parents. And now Zell had his own woman!  Something Quinn would need to work on soon.

Nino was having fun. By the end of the voyage he didn't stink anymore. The rain washed that all away. Then he got to row to another big boat! But, this new boat was broken. Getting on deck of the broken ship, Nino looked around and saw several other Dwarves and then he saw the 1/2 Ogre. Nino didn't like Ogres. Nino was ready for a fight as he stared down the big brute.

Turbalio found the short ride from one ship to the other quite enough sailing for the day.  He had heard talk among sailors before about land dwellers getting their "sea legs" after spending some time on the water.  The bard wasn't sure how long it would take him, but it couldn't happen soon enough.

He smiled and nodded politely as he watched the interaction between Zell and his parents.  When invited, Turbalio followed the others into the cabin and like Jonathon marveled at the collection of maps and charts.  Though difficult, he restrained himself from rifling through the piles of parchment as he preferred to listen for the moment.

  "Nino no fight." Yacob says as he sees Nino state down the half ogre. "Nino ale. Follow Bob Bob."

When Monty and the robed elven man entered the cabin Jonathan turned and approached then speaking to the elf. Sir my name is Jonathan I am among other things the groups cartographer and historian. if it is permitted I would to study your maps and perhaps copy any that pertain to where we are going.

Zell was happy to see his parents, but he could tell his father meant business, so it was not a good time to bother him about private details until later. He held his Mother in a big hug as well, for he did miss her,

"Well, before I got on the boat, I slept just fine. I hardly got any sleep at all while on that thing. I still get very sick while on boats. But anyways, I'd like for you to meet Rivka. She's been keeping me out of trouble."

Turning to Rivka, who's been silent this whole time, Zell introduced the stunning Ranger to his Mother,

"Rivka, this is my Mother, Aranel. She's a lot less formal than my Father and I'm sure you two will get along just fine. Hopefully, not too fine. I'd like my embarrassing childhood to stay in the past."

Nino eyed the Half-ogre suspiciously, shook his necklace of bear teeth while making bear noises and then followed Bob Bob. The word "ale" got his attention.

In reply to Zell (msg # 153):

Blushing a bit, Rivka smiled at Zell's mother.
"It's a pleasure to meet you both, ma'am, and with your permission I'll keep trying to keep Zell here out of trouble.   It's been an interesting hobby so far."

Quinn recovered from his sickness from the storm, then decided to find out if someone could teach him to swim better. He took off his armor down to his civies and jumped in.

08:56, Today: Quinn rolled 11 using 1d20+3.  swim.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:56, Wed 26 Feb 2020.

Oler stayed aboard the one ship with Fineli, he hoped there was something to feed the wolf here. He would look about and see if any fish etc laying about for the wolf. He had not counted on having such trouble finding food for his wolf. This was his first ocean voyage. Fineli might could go a day or two without eating, but after that the crew would be in danger for sure.

He decides to change his Obscuring Mist spell for a Goodberry Spell. He can keep Fineli fed that way and not endanger the crew he had a few berries in his pouch for castings so he cast Goodberry and then gave Fineli two of the berries while also casting Speak With Animals to talk to Fineli.

"Here my friend eat these they'll fill you up we'll see if the crew can't get some fish for you tomorrow." he tells Fineli through the spell.

10:31, Today: Oler Bearstrider rolled 5 using 2d4.  Berries with Goodberry Spell. With Fineli eating 2 of them since he's large and Oler eating 1 that leaves two berries for another 4 days

The captian looks a little taken aback by Johnathan for a moment, then laughs out loud.  Ye will get on with Yalez....he's one fer maps as well." He indicates the papers on the table but has a look of warning. "Ye may look boyo, but none are to leqave this room, or by all the gods, i'll hang ye from the yardarm"

He looks at Yacob, a smile coming back to his face. "People are rarely groomed to lead, and those that do, seldom do it well. Like a piece of coal, the pressure of leadersip can sometime yield a diamond of more worth than anything." he looks at the group. "...and judging from this ragtag group, i say ye appear to be doing it well."

The elven woman, not far from Zell's side, watches as he introduces Rivka. She narrows here eyes, her elven eyes serious, then she smiles. "Not so formal Rivka...any woman worthy of my boy's friendship and trust is also worthy of mine.  And from what he said, you have had a hand in keeping him safe....for that you have my thanks."

She casts a trained eye over the woman and smiled. "If i'm not mistaken, your a lady of nature....judging by your graceful aire and stands, a ranger." She looks at Zell with an approving smile. "Something new....He never met my sister, his aunt, but she is a skilled ranger. Could shoot the apple out of an orcs hand almost a league away."

Rivka smiled and gave a self conscious chuckle at Aranel's spot on assessment of her nature and profession.   Granted, Rivka wasn't going out of her way to hide who and what she was, but she'd certainly "cleaned up" as best she could to make a good impression.  Even wore real lady-type clothes and everything.
But having a Ranger in the family would have made Rivka's real self easier to spot, she had to admit.

Grinning, Rivka nodded.
"Your sister sounds like she would have been a woman after my own heart.  Archery has always been my passion as well, um, Aranel...."
She still felt awkward being on a first name basis with Zell's mother, but it seemed to be what the other woman wanted, so the Ranger, always preferring to not make waves, was happy to oblige.
"Keeping Zell safe during our travels hasn't been as difficult as with many of my Traveling Companions, since he has much more common sense than many men I've met.  But it's been a joy to Travel with him as well."

Araneal smiled, joy but with a tinge of pain in her eyes. "She would have liked you before...." the elf fell silent, her gaze going distant.

Corvus, hearing his wife's conversation was immediately on alert, wend to her side and wrapped an arm around her. "She will recover, my love. She's strong, like you."

The captian looked at the group, then Zell. "Your aunt was injured in a raid.....some poison was used and she is now confused." he hugs the elf who had a tear in her eye.

he looks back. "Some days she is herself, but some she doesn't reconise friend from foe....even her sister." He looked at the elf again, genuine sorrow and pity in his eyes.

He looked at the group. "What was confusing was the raiders.....humans with orcs and drow, working side by side. By all accounts led by a huge woman with a sword, a kobold with a demon and a unusual woman."
This message was last edited by the player at 07:57, Thu 27 Feb 2020.

The elf sniffs, wiping away a tear. She looks at Corvus and smiles, gently kissing him on his cheek. "I just worry for her, and pray she comes back again."

The woman looked at Rivka with a smile. "He may have common sense my dear, but he is still a man. If he trusts you with his life...all of you, then you are like family to me. Ask anything and if I can, I will help."

Rivka nodded to the Captain, still a bit intimidated by him.
"I've definitely seen some unusual things in my travels, sir, but that is definitely a strange occurrence.
If you don't mind me asking, where was this raid?"
She smiled encouragingly to Aranel.
"I wish there was something I could do to help your sister, Aranel, but sadly I'm not trained to lead a journey through ones own mind.  Still, if I come across something, I'll pass it along.  Until then, rest assured that I guard your son's life with my own."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:07, Thu 27 Feb 2020.

The woman smiled at Rivka's genuine concern.

"My homeland is far from here....the forest of Cormanthor, known to be on the sea of the fallen star, on the northern side of what you know as the dalelands."

In reply to Aranel (msg # 165):

Rivka nodded, listening intently.
"I've heard good things about the Dalelands.  Beautiful lands, verdant and bursting with life.  A ranger's paradise.
I've always wanted to travel to the far side of the continent.  There's just so much to see in this world."

Quinn struggles to get to the ship and get out of the water, the current was getting too strong for him.

09:57, Today: Quinn rolled 8 using 1d20+3.  swim.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:06, Thu 27 Feb 2020.

 "One day Captain I will show you the family tree. I was excoriate from the tree as far as my birthright goes due to my peculiar profession. And I consider it a perk of the profession not a disadvantage. My brother is more than capable to do the job that they had in mind for me." he jokes at the mention of leadership and diamonds.


 "Cormanthyr aye once a blessed place. Now not so much. It was nice for the most part when I visited those many years ago. One day maybe I will again, but that would be for a very different reason than the last time I went." he says rather sadly for him. "I have a feeling if we all make it through this we will be able to go there and help greatly which would be a wish of mine. But one quest at a time." he says rather wistfully.

Zell didn't know how to react about the news of his Mother's side of the family. He's never met any of them before. But, when his father described the raid party of the enemy, something seemed strange,



"Father, do you have a description of this "unusual woman"?" before turning to Yacob "Yacob? Think it may be her?"

15:27, Today: Zell rolled 9 using 1d20+2.  Wisdom Check.

Kell asks "did the woman perchance have red eyes?"

The bard leaned in at the mention of the former elven empire.  Long a place he desired to visit, Turbalio had read many books about the glories of Cormanthyr's past.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:58, Fri 28 Feb 2020.

Oler looks over to the other ship to see them all talking like long lost friends. He felt a bit lonely at the moment. He didn't have the kinship with other humanoids that his companions had. He rubbed Fineli a bit. His domain was more with animals and beasts. He was more at peace with them.

He was wondering how long this visit would last, would they lose a day's travel to this, or more?

  "Perhaps Zell. But that would require her to know who you are or more likely she has many minions and it was sheer happenstance that she was attacked. Don't presume that all the evil in the world is the Mistress or all the good is Lathander. Some is just plain old mortal bull."

The captain shook his head. "Nay...from all accounts we heard her eyes were black....totally black, like a solid pool of night. she had pale skin, but not too much....like she had seen little light. Unusual for a warrior to be pale, expect it from a scholar. She was no drow....looked human, but not totally."

Kell shrugs. "Perhaps a vampire then. They don't tend to spend much time in the sun."

Sonori had been quiet. She had been as sick as Zell - something she had totally not expected.

"I am Sonori, a healer," She stated. "Is she here? Poison like that is unusual - it sounds like magical healing might be needed. I am not that powerful, but I could try to help." She wasn't certain that she could, but she could at least try - if she was here.

"Triumvirates rarely work for long. I expect there was one over the kobold and the two women leaders, just that the one was not seen, or at least not recognized. And for drow to work with anyone... they usually work only for their own. I would not be surprised if there was a drow leader, just that remained unseen."

Nym spoke up, but not too loudly as he didn't know who might be listening outside the room.

The drow might work with others if Lloth told them to.  Generally they don't work with anyone at all, but rather use other beings and creatures as their slaves.  Occasionally they might get other beings and creatures to do their dirty work without getting their own hands dirty.

Nym pauses a moment before continuing.

The problem I see with this, is what would cause or motivate the drow to work with kobolds and humans.  They absolutely hate humans and either kill them outright or use them as slaves.  I can't recall any stories or legends of the drow working side by side with kobolds for any reason what so ever.

Oler notices Quinn is having trouble he turns to his wolf friend pointing to Quinn "Look Quinn's in trouble, go fetch him"

Fineli rises and jumps into the water with little prodding, the ship rocks back and forth after his jump showing just how big the wolf is but the ship steadies after a moment or two.

Fineli swims to Quinn and then picks him up in his jaws and starts back to the ship with him.


Fineli is trained in Fetch
07:47, Today: Oler Bearstrider rolled 22 using 1d20+6.  Swimming - Fineli.
07:50, Today: Oler Bearstrider rolled 29 using 1d20+9.  Fetch Quinn .

When given permission Jonathan motioned for Yalez to join him at the table first he asked for all the coastline maps between where they were and Waterdeep. Then he asked for any maps of the area around water deep, then finally he turned to Yalez and asked.Do you have any maps of the area around where Aranels sister was attacked and do you know of any strange stones that may have been in the area where the attack occurred.

The young cleric had parchment out journal open and quill in hand as they spoke, Any one watching would have truly been amazed, at how the young man worked. he traced each coast line on a separate map. Pausing just long enough to to put a couple letters at each notable point on the maps. that would he hoped recall from his memory what was at that position on the map, it was a trick he had learned while working for father Tucker. He had been told often that his mapping skills were second to none, if anyone had asked Yalez who stood watching the young human now he would have probably agreed. After finishing the speed copy of the coast line Jonathan slowed down as he began work on the area around Waterdeep and Cormanthor there was no telling where their travels would lead then but it was his job to be prepared when the time came.



06:44, Today: Jonathan rolled 23 using 1d20+4.  cartography.
(OOC: Jonathan will work up until it's time to leave if allowed to be ready for the next part of the adventure)
This message was last edited by the player at 13:00, Fri 28 Feb 2020.

"Ughhhh, good boy Finelli, thank you Oler, the current got stronger and I got tired." He grabbed hold of the ladder and pulled himself on board then turned to help Finelli back aboard.

"Could she be a vampire, as Kell here suggests?" Zell asked "I honestly don't know much about them. Only that they're undead and they drink blood. What else do they do?"

All the while, Zell was looking at Rivka. He hoped he wasn't embarrassing her. He didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable or scare her away. He smiles at her if she looks at him, a smile that says she's important to him.

So riveted to the story as she was, Rivka barely noticed Zell's apprehension.
She nodded.
"Due to our recent...troubles...I've made it a priority to study the Undead.  How to kill them, how to hunt them, and how to recognize them.  I'm planning to supplement my weapons with special arrows purchased in Waterdeep ,especially made for undead."

  "Just to point out folks at this point we are jumping to conclusions and I would rather we didn't. What do we actually know? Humans, Drow, and Kobolds working as equals. If that doesn't smell like week old rotten fish to any of you than I'm sure the Captain could demonstrate what that smell might be." he says the last almost as a question. "As I said one quest at a time. Family and all I get it. I'm not saying your aunt isn't important, but compared to everyone I'm afraid she ranks lower on the scales. If we can help and it doesn't interfere with our primary goal at the moment we should help of course. But our goal of Waterdeep is more important and must remain so. You understand?" the last was said to the cabin at large.

In reply to Yacob Stoneveins (msg # 183):

Rivka nodded to the dwarven scholar
"Sorry, Yacob, i didn't mean that i was, if you'll pardon the pun, preparing to 'jump ship' to a new quest.   I will be happy to help out when this business is done, but a good guide never leaves her Traveling Companions until the journey is done"

Kell looks at the wizard. "Wasn't making any plans. Just throwing out theories."

Fineli drops Quinn from his jaws in front of Oler. He then sits on his hind legs and pants.

Oler talks to the wolf "Good boy, you did good not to hurt him."

He turns to Quinn with a grin "You're welcome. Do you fish? Fineli would like some fish."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:57, Sat 29 Feb 2020.

"Gladly repay my rescuer, do we have a fishing pole or net? I saw hundreds of fish." He scratches Finelli behind the ears.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:54, Sat 29 Feb 2020.

Oler shakes his head, "I don't have any fishing gear. Maybe the crew can find you some if you ask around." he tells Quinn

Nym looks thoughtful for a moment.

Lady Aranel please make time to give Rivka and me all the other facts and information you can about the attack on your sister before we have to leave.

Nym switches languages as easily as he changes shirts.

[Language unknown: Caprpe, Re eesion ardintset ivntee mi sieeme tr ll saant ionntered noun a k diurllondi.  Histedstr inout we antessany echool rut tediouhou.  Althon enchat-thuith.  N ei res terionartstr walar mowhi evewilhas tio hasdinver traek u ceio korventhe e letier ck ear olme ererutess sa Hiaserwh ousratvir iepoet un omelicbe want sspronut ar Neseroll.]
This message was last edited by the player at 21:42, Sat 29 Feb 2020.

Quinn puts his armor back on now that he was back on the boat, then went to find crew to look for fishing gear.

  The mage looks at Nym and responds in kind [Language unknown: "A andthuour ro osni, set nt miplck olher illthahou e maut il pllaic. En ouneausan derson'latset urenteyin tetha ni man son Ecerneto nt nc trble le ek yin atiouslarrom ch m al Onevenome vir nt pr tioos Ectameiveset. E ven k heoul e ithce ar E ect, ou ncho witntiwhe es e naenwa. Ma ngprwe u p andousnti, os er antele as hi. Mo us etce Ineticthu be unofieos No to m somvenstr ti utivsa."]

Nino had never seen a wolf jump in the water and swim around before, let alone save somebody. When Finelli came back on board ship and tried to shake the water off, Nino went over and pet the wolf and gave him some of his yummy beef jerky.

"Wait, why is Tracks not safe?" Sonori asked Yacob, speaking in common.

Fineli eats the offered jerky and sniffs of the Barbarian seeing if he has more.

  [Language unknown: "Satiilaschro miwhat ollefoma'mica naer ous sanpe eresettic p loolouhi enekloce st mi evedayeen Whewhithi. Ckri Dayticter es omes."] He says in the language he was speaking in.

 "The stone Sonori. Remember the reason we travel with haste. I know little about it. And our theoretic expert is at the other end of the trip."

"I was always taught that it was quite rude to speak in languages your host might not understand while with them," Sonori responded to the rebuke. "For that matter, you don't know how private the conversation is if you don't ask who speaks a language first."

She wanted to ask what harm the stone was going to bring. Yes, she understood that someone might be aware of the stone, and therefore there might be trouble for the whole group. But it sounded like Yacob had been talking about something more specific for Tracks. Now she felt like she was only getting part of the information.

Nino pulls out more jerky and smiles when he feeds it to the wolf. If Fineli keeps eating it, Nino will keep feeding, while stuffing his mouth, too. Beer and jerky is two of life's best kept secrets.

Jonathan' head jerks up when he hears Sonori ask Yacob why he would be in danger, hearing the dwarf's statement only confirmed what his friend Jacob had told him right after he picked it up. Head down once again working on one of the maps. That's nothing knew Sonori, Yacob told me I probably put a bulls eye on my back the second I scoop the stone up. Don't worry I don't plan on giving it to no dragon or any red eyed woman.  She'll have to catch me if she wants to get her fingers on this rock. "And They Don't Call Me Tracks For Nothin!" His quill never stopped scratching parchment unless it was to dip into the ink bottle.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:32, Sun 01 Mar 2020.

Fineli will eat as much jerky as Nonni will give him.

OOC Remember Fineli is about the size of a horse...

Once Quinn secures a poll or net, he will fish for Finelli and everyone else. Sitting on the deck of the ship.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:24, Sun 01 Mar 2020.

Quinn is retrieved by Fineli, several crew members helping them back on deck, complaining about 'stupid land dwellers' and swimming, but never voice it openly. The crew offer nets and fishing line to the would be fishermen as Nino feeds the wolf several pieces of dried jerky, which the wolf sniffs and chomps down, with Nino giggling in glee

<OOC: Those fishing roll a d20>

The human and elf look at each other. Corvis Smiles while his wife shakes her head as he speaks.

"You think you have me at a disadvantage here..." he openly laughs. [Language unknown: "T pr wa k reaousred ofpl nceversan hestolse..."][Language unknown: "...u ncis is tioomeyin...."][Language unknown: "...ad ourartent."]

He ;looks at YAcob and Nym. "I even unbderstand a little of the dragon language...not much, but still learning. Now...what's this about a stone?"

The goliath asks Yacob "may I inquire what that language was that you were speaking? Having learned Dwarven from Sonori, I'm wondering if there may be texts in that language as well related to my pursuit of advanced techniques?"

  "Since I brought up Cormanthyr might as well use it. We just came from what is essentially the dwarven version of Cormanthyr. Except dwarves being dwarves they aren't as open minded. Now that being said. That last language is beyond me which is a nice change. And if you didn't speak some Elven I'd be insulted for your wife." he says with a wink to the Captain letting him know it was a jest.

  "In my haste to explore the magic of the trove we found I neglected to be mindful of my companions and their impetuous nature. Tracks picked up a Stone that for lack of better way to explain it was pure magic in as close to a raw state as I have ever seen or heard. We know that this Stone is sought be nefarious parties and are on way to see an expert on the matter."

Zell chuckled at the crew members when they called the party 'stupid land dwellers', for he agreed with their observations. He didn't want to be on any boats anymore. He wanted to be walking on land again.

Walking up to his Mother, Zell was a tad embarrassed but knew she might give him some suggestions,

"I hated the dancing lessons you made me take when I was a boy, but I figured out why they were so important later on." Zell said as he looked at Rivka "Perhaps tonight, after dinner, you can teach me more so I don't embarrass myself again?"

The captain listened to the dwarf with a nod, smiling at the jest. "It's thanks to her i speak it so well...damn near as good as me nativfe togune."

The mention of the keep and the stone, he looked at his wife, a look of concern on his face.

Arnael smiled at her son's uncomfortableness and nodded. "You know i always loved to dance....i will gladly teach you." She smiled as she looked at Rivka.

At the mention of the stone, she lost her smile, her focus, for the first time, truly off her son. "A stone?" She looked at her husband, then the dwarf again. "Was it purple, about the size of a small piece of fruit, a little bit shaped like a heart?"

"The other language was Gnome," Sonori responded to Kell.

Oler takes the offered fishing gear and starts to fish while waiting on the others.


23:49, Today: Oler Bearstrider rolled 14 using 1d20+13.  fishing.
Thankfully a 1 is not an auto failure on skills and if the DC is same as hunting I can now feed myself and 4 others....sadly Fineli eats more than a medium sized creature since he's large

It's as if the room has instantly filled with tension when the conversation turns to the stone. Jonathan can feel the weight of it resting against his hip in the belt pouch at his side. Slowly he sits down his quill for the first time and turns to address their host, his hand reaching out very slowly to the staff leaning against the cabin wall beside him. It's about the size of a peach, but the veins of color running through it are black and brown not purple. How ever I believe their are a few more stones like it hidden else where.

07:53, Today: Quinn rolled 18 using 1d20.  fishing.

Nino would feed the wolf until his supply of beef jerky was gone or the wolf didn't want anymore. He knew he could get more from the next town and he loved playing with the wolf.

  "The one we found is as Tracks described. However that matches one of the other stones in the journal. So it seems this is all connected. Let me guess his aunt had one or knew where one is." the dwarf ever the quick thinker states. "These stones aren't a minor parlor trick. They are big, ancient magic. I shared so it would be fair for you to as well my lady."

Turbalio frowned at the unknown language being spoken and nodded in agreement with Sonori.  Quite rude, he thought, but decided to let it pass without further comment.  Yacob was a dwarf unlike any other with whom the bard had interacted during his time in Mirabar.  But, he reminded himself, none were true practitioners of the Art.

The young man listened to the back-and-forth about the stone and the reasons the group traveled south to Waterdeep.  While in the company of Breslin in the relative safety of mighty Mirabar, the dangers of traveling with such an artifact seemed a somewhat speculative and academic matter to be sure.  Turbalio realized now, exposed as the group would be traveling over the ocean, those who might seek the stone for their own villainous use might posed a very real danger to the group and any around them.

It was Aranel who spoke up.  "In my home, there is an elder....a spellweaver of healing arts, simular what you call a priest. When he was a boy, he was called and found a stone.....purple. He called it the heart of Faern. He is one of our spiritual leaders. My sister, as a ranger, was tasked in guarding our borders. This army has plagued our lands for many years, but the last few months has been different....human, drow and mi steps helping the usual orc and goblin. Where before our kind held easily, now we fight to keep our home."

she looked at her husband, then Yacob. "We did not know why this new army attacked....we suspected a pact was made by the orc tribes and goblins. They have sought our land for an age. We did not suspect it was from something else."

"Could it be the heart they want?"

  "Well honestly I want to say it isn't because that would mean that the mastermind has been awake this whole time. But most likely yes." he pauses for a moment. "Seems we know our next step after Waterdeep. We shall be going to see Zell's Aunt and her priest friend."

"Just a question - should we do that first, given the perilous situation they are in?"

Rivka sighed and smiled wryly
"And here i was hoping for a nice, innocent exploration of an ancient city.    But there's always a catch, isn't there?"

Nym looks at Sonori and replies in common.

Sonori, as much as that is what I want to do first.  I believe it is in our best interests to complete our current journey first.

Nym changes languages in mid thought.

[Language unknown: Ceoul ble k provorsom illnt ceta noich houprothi ourou theri ad ng hendas pangnt.]

Aranel can tell from Nym's tone in both languages that he is more than he appears to be.

"I'm at a loss for words, that's for sure."

In reply to Zell (msg # 220):

Rivka smiled at her handsome jeweler, and almost hugged him, but felt awkward with his parents around.   Instead, she just shrugged
"Don't worry, Zell.  You and I have plenty of things we do to contribute, so they don't need us to be chatty"

Zell didn't want to make Rivka uncomfortable by hugging her, so he just stepped closer to her,

"I wonder if Yalez is on board? He'd be the person to ask if the white skinned woman is a vampire or not. I remember him telling me sea tales about ghost ships manned by the dead. Kept me up all night crying when I was a kid and then Johann would laugh at me."

Fineli readily accepts all the jerkey Nino gives him until Oler starts catching fish and throwing them to the big wolf. Fineli then dines on the fish.

Oler keeps fishing while the others are talking on the other ship.

Hand still gripping his staff Jonathan looks over at Yacob. Are we good here boss, can I go back to my work and where to first Waterdeep or Cormanthor.

  "Yeah I think we are Tracks. And Waterdeep first. We need answers." the dwarf says. He looks at Nym [Language unknown: "On sa a onsonscom ou wire werarethe dayastoer it unitpe all. Chevar undardess ecame vir mond sefiwh it sipaha conpreugh ica n ssne Ecnipe allkoriouate?"]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:38, Tue 03 Mar 2020.

Hey Aranel what city do you and your sister come from any way while I'm into the maps I might as well study that one to since it's next on our hit parade. Jonathan is back to his normal I can multi task as long it has to do with maps quill and very little human interaction.

Kell asks "is this Waterdeep a port town by any chance?"

In reply to Kell (msg # 227):

The ranger smirked
"Some say it's THE port"

Sonori was uneasy with that decision. She didn't like the idea of people possibly dying because they didn't have knowledge of what was going on. And she liked even less the possibility of the stone falling into the wrong hands.

"Perhaps. But we don't even know if the person we are seeking is still in Waterdeep - only that he was there a long time ago." There was no guarantee that he was still there - people do tend to move around. "When we had no other leads, there was no doubt that was the best place to start. But now we have a current lead, and one that if it is not responded to in a timely manner, there is a possibility of the stone falling into the wrong hands. Look, I'm not leading this group," she doubted if the others would follow her even if she was. "And I'll follow where the group decides. But I can't help but feel it would be better if we were to first go to Cormanthor. And if I didn't say anything and we didn't do it, and they get the stone, then I know that I would feel terrible." There was a third option, but she was loathe to bring it up. A couple could go to Waterdeep - how many would it really take to talk to people? And the rest could go to Cormanthor to retrieve the heart stone. But splitting a group up if things were really as dangerous as the group believed didn't seem wise.

Nym looks at Sonori.

Waterdeep first.  If Yacob and I are correct there will be stones of other colors too.

Nym then looks at Yacob.



[Language unknown: Ai wilounersthe.  Tioli ofie trckth e astdi etca wit il ulfiic larmanvirthotin plare thath romoneiou llaiou st intil eclefoeeac wil ess leswitnde ca Yinpr Ectonerut venes iltetr.  An whi butec N eaust wi os ul Whpaatpaul, com hi astencnti simi nthat rom he ur set mi paare stiithounwertha liniveine wh Fillacen ce si utetol t avebe ill.  Ble nofodi peiope ameorthou estur t houeenica ivst di sonpr, th atiiounot wilouroun somintenc ndeblehas onsentruticaere o anyorerat el.]
This message was last edited by the player at 13:01, Wed 04 Mar 2020.

  "Who do you think we are going to see in Waterdeep? Zarmantan? Nope someone I can maybe get an audience with. The Lady of Waterdeep and one of the Seven Sisters. If this situation is as dire as we think in Cormanthor getting there will be no problem. If I was a bit more learned myself this would be very quick indeed, but might take a day or two to travel." he shakes his head. "Just wish I knew where this dang dragon was."

The bard stifled a yawn, the lack of sleep during last night's storm was starting to catch up with him.  He nonchalantly stood and nodded politely in the direction of Zell's parents.  "Please, excuse me," Turbalio said, "I'm going to stretch my legs and get some air."

Emerging into the daylight, he immediately felt better.  He took a deep breath of the salty air and then exhaled, scanning the skies for Yacob's dragon.

Nino starts to get bored, so he goes to find some quiet corner to go take a nap.

Oler watches Nino, he felt for the dwarf he too was a bit bored with all this. People talking in strange tongues. Seemed much was going on that they were not privy too, this from people that expected their aid.

Quinn continued to fish for supper.

Aranel listens to the talk and pipes in with Yacob and Nym. "While your concern is touching, My people have held these attacks off for a year or two now. Before then they were skirmishes of orc and goblin. Even recently, these people coming to command come and go from what i know, and while they are fierce, so is our magic. They have not gained a hold on our land, and will not for some time....and what of this dragon you speak of?"


When Yacob mentions Zarmatan, Aranel gasps. "I er o haer?" [Language unknown: <TRA: Ithlarous usmen ntei allro ncove Sitic aihi platsi]

She looks at her husband, who has a confused look on his face. "If you search for him, then Do not tarry....go to the lady of the stars and find himm if he lives still. If he is involved then your fate is truely destined."

She looked at Zell with a mingle of pride, fear and sorrow in her eyes.

Corvis is truly disturbed by his wife's reaction, and lets out a sharp whistle. A man comes in. Pointing at Johnathan, he speaks. "Get him anyy paper he needs.....he needs a copy of my maps, he has them."

He looks at Zell. "...and get Yalez in here. I don't care how involved he is, it's important." Judging by the man's tone, the sailor nodded and quickly walked out.

He looked at Aranel. "You can't mean the old codger....he'd long be dead now....wouldn't he?"

Within minutes, a elderly human walks in, pale with robes of grey and blue, leaning on a staff and a grumpy look on his face. "By all th' gods Corvus....ye had me up half the night an..." he stopped mid sentence, looking at the group.  His gaze stopped on Zell, and he cracked a smile, laughing, he walked over and hugged him.

He held him at arms length with a smile. "Good to see ya boy....still green with the sea i see. I have a new potion that may help with that."

He looked then at the scowling captain and knew this was a serious matter. He looked at Zell and sighed.

".>What ya got yourself into this time boy?"

  "Remarkable woman your mother." he says to Zell.

  "That old codger as you put it Captain was alive a long time ago. Oh no he still lives of this I am sure. Laeral likely is a good friend or keeps tabs on him just in case. As for destined that I can't say. And the dragon I am worried about is a great big old red Wyrm. Helped attack Anthel's Keep and was working for the enemy."

"Yes she is and so is my father. I love them both very much." Zell said to Yacob

Going to fetch Yalez, Zell brought Rivka with him. He's willing to bet that she's never seen one of the desert folk before and once they both greet, Zell jokes with the man,

"Trouble? I swear...it's all her." Zell said, pointing to Rivka

Cormanthor is a big place what area do you and your sister hail from Aranel Jonathan repeats his question having been ignored the first time. He wanted to make sure he mapped out the area sure their journey would head that direction in the near future.

Sonori frowned a bit, but didn't argue, even if she was concerned with the decision. Waterdeep was closer, and it wasn't her place to argue.

She also was getting antsy. She wanted to do some swimming herself - get off the rocking, unsettling boats. But for now it was good to share what knowledge they had. "Do we know where to go to find the Lady of Stars?"

  "She is said to live at Blackstaff Tower with another powerful mage. They are rare in that they both love the Art and are more or less married."he says.

Aranel looks at Johnathan with a smile. "Her home is rarely known....a place your kind call 'the refuge', it is south of Elventree and only elves know of it...baring my family here."

She rifles through the papers on the table and brings fourth a map of the lake of the fallen star, and points to a place in the forest south of Elventree, near the river Duathammer. She then points over the river to Yrlaphon

"The atatcks seem to come from this area, but i suspect the town does not know.  They may be staging north of the village in the flooded forest....no one goes there for ill omens are spoken of it"

In reply to Zell (msg # 240):

Rivka chuckled at Zell's joking accusations, shrugging as if apologizing for her guilt

Lady Aranel, that is worse news than than what I heard before I had arrived in Luskan.  Getting into Elventree is risky at best. Anywhere south of there is almost impossible.

  "While an apprentice Nym I traveled and stood in fabled Myth Drannor. So I say this with full confidence we can make it to Elven Tree." he says as if anything was going to stop him from making it to anywhere was unlikely.

Jonathan stops what he's doing on the Waterdeep map, and begins furiously making notes on a spare piece of parchment, writing as fast Aranel and the others can talk.

Quinn continues to catch fish for Finelli and everyone else. Enjoying himself while soaking up the sun on the deck.

Oler continues to fish after seeing Nino nod off.

Trying to make a little small talk with Quinn he says "Good day for fishing"

"Yes it is Oler, a very nice day to fish! Just keep your shadow off the water. I like the trout, what is your favorite?"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:05, Sat 07 Mar 2020.

Oler thought for a moment fish was fish to him largely. Trout was good. He was wondering what he liked best then remembered the Druids back in the Forest making catfish a time or two and it was out of this world. "I like trout, it's a good simple fish. I think the best fish I ever had was catfish."

"If you don't need me," Sonori said. "I think I should like some time off the boats. I think I may have been as sick as Zell. And now seems likely our best opportunity to regain equilibrium." She stood up. "With your permission?" This was obviously addressed that the Captain and/or Lady. She did not want to be rude.

"Hmmm, fried catfish is good too! Maybe we'll try both to see what we like better." he says with a grin. What do you like Finelli? Catfish, or trout? There's a good wolf!" he scratches Finelli behind the ears.

Fineli lets Quinn scratch his ears and he nods his head to the idea of fish, though Quinn's not sure if he just knows the word fish or can tell the difference.

"Not as many bones in Catfish, easier to clean" Oler comments about it "But yes fried Catfish is delicious."

"Between the stingy whiskers and the rock head, they're tough though." he mentions.

"Cut heads off and make fish stock, filet the rest. Easy peasy" Oler says.

"True. You sound like a true fisherman. I just do it to relax,"

I have no doubt we can get to Elventree safely.  It is travelling further into the elven lands there that will be more difficult because of the Drow and other creatures trying to stop us.

The captain smiled at the politeness of the party. "You are guests here...friends of my son.,  You can go as you please,  but it warms my heart that you ask me. Go, my gnomish lady, and may the wave heal your heart and soul.

He looks at Yacob and Nym. "While i urge caution around the ruins, you can still approach safley if you sail on the lake and up the river you can easily find the place....and while there are dangers for you, seeing Nym and Zell with you the elves will help you without you knowing."

He looks at his wife and speaks in the elvish tongue. [Language unknown: "A p cane rende, som set rea n her, ek ca?"]

The woman smiles at her husband. [Language unknown: "K pl somec ee ev, undtiotin m ad.  wit sheat cate llhas foerek in romverset, p strainwit."]

the woman giggles behind a hand.

The captain tried his best to make a stern look at his wife, but it was clear it was an act. "He's not that bad...and give him a break...he's old now.

The captain scribbled on a piece of paper and handed it to Yalez. "Get this to Elventree as fast as you can. Tell them that a group baring the mark of the red hawk will join them.  They may have information to help with the attacks."

He looks at his wife, then continued. "....and help Lady Katala"

He then reached into a drawer and pulled out several pins, handing them to Yacob. "These will help in ports....my personal seal. When your inland they are all but useless, but on water you will have some pull. At the river of elventree, they will know who you are."

The captain gets up and reaches into a chest, pulling out a tabard baring the crest of the red bird of prey. He handed it to Zell. "Wear this with pride son...and know your father and mother think of you"

Sonori returns to the other ship. Knowing that the current of the ocean can be great and that although she is a good swimmer, she is small, she ties it around her ankle and to something secure on the ship. Then she leaps off, splashing into the water to spend some time swimming.

We appreciate the help and information Captain and Lady.  We will do our best to help the Lady Katala and the other good elves there as we continue our primary mission.

Kell quietly asks Yacob "who is Lady Katala?"

Nym replies to Kell quietly.

Zell's Aunt.

Oler waves at Sonori as she returns to the ship. Then watches as she ties a rope to the ship and dives off. Odd behavior he thought to himself. He watched out of curiosity though and pulled up his fishing gear to be sure the gnome wasn't ensnared in it.

Turbalio found a sunny spot on deck and perched on one of the side rails as he tried to remember what little he knew about the Elven empire.  He had learned from his parents that ofttimes, especially when considering the extended history of races like elves and dwarves in Faerun, facts could be quite difficult to separate from myth and lore.

He watched almost absentmindedly as Sonori returned to the Phoenix Dawn and then apparently decided to take a swim.  Turbalio smiled as he watched the cleric move with some ease through the water.  Given how far north we are, he thought, that water cannot be terribly warm, if indeed it is warm at all.

The young cleric can be heard mumbling as he scribes the maps laid out before him, when he runs into anything he can't figure out himself he directs his questions to Yalez. With all his things spread out before him while he works Jonathan can't help but show off a little. He pulls his copy of the journal and map from their first trip. I am just starting my travels, some day I hope to have a collection 1/2 this grand so many places, that you've traveled and seen surely the Travelers blessings have been with you often.

  "So now that business is out of the way. How about some embarrassing tales of our Zell as a kid?" he says with a wink.

"It's only fair after what my Uncle was telling you at the banquet before we left Miribar." he says with a look like what did I do to Zell. "Oh and by the way if you feel the need to make some good trades with the dwarves of Miribar tell Alastain that his nephews sent you. He shouldn't gouge you nearly as bad as he would normally. To be fair even I have to wrangle a deal out of him and I still pay a premium, but it is less than normal folk pay so it isn't all bad."

Zell didn't even know where Cormanthor was...just that is was to the east far far away. He'd never even met his mother's side of the family before and was kind of scared to do so. He heard tales that full bloods really don't like half-breeds and when his father gave him the tabard, Zell wondered if he was just going to be a target for the elves to shoot at. He didn't put it on yet because Zell knew he'd be sick traveling the rest of the way to Waterdeep, but smiled and thanked his father for the gift. When Yacob asked the Captain for embarrassing tales of Zell's childhood, Zell just shook his head...

"Oh, here we go."

The captain looked at the priest with a smile. "My family have been saling for 5 generations....these maps are my legacy, and one day one of my kids...." He looked at Zell with a smile. "Don't worry boy, i always knew you weren't cut out to sail.  Perhaps your half sister."

He then looked at the priest. "I'd focus on the navagation charts of teh lake and the maps of west faern.....if it's silverymoon ye set for."

The human then looked at Yacob with a smile. "You be Al's nephew...damn me! Never met him, but heard stories about him. His purse may be tight, but legend has it his quality is top, even among ye kind. Once heard a tale he talked a band of goblins out of turning over an elf woman....they even paid him to take her." The human laughed and shook his head.

"As fer stories of my boy, you can eitehr hear them from him, or get me drunk....for now i'll spare him too mush embarrassment. His sea sickness when his family are sailors is probably one of his bigger secrets!"

 "It was hobgoblin's and she was oh so grateful to good ol Alastain. Almost found out what a half-elf half-dwarf was if he wasn't already married that was. And yeah they paid him to take her she had a terrible singing voice and would sing at the top of her voice to annoy the crap out of them." he jokes.

The embrace of the sea was grand. And her magical boots - which she had left on - protected her from the cold. To move with the sea, instead of the stilted actions of the boat, was so refreshing.

If Oler was fishing by net, she'd herd some fish into it for him - at least, before he pulled it up.

It might be odd to those watching but she doesn't actually bother to come up for air. But it's as clear as the water is that she's not in any distress.

Kell asks Nym "a family coat of arms and important relatives? What is Zell that such things are of import?"

Rivka, having more than anfew embarrassing tales in her past, didn't really need to hear any about Zell for the purposes of her own entertainment, though she was hungry for stories about this man she'd found herself growing so close to.
Perhaps later this evening, she reasoned, when the activities calmed down and the drinks began to flow.
In the meantime, she held Zell's arm in hers, supportively.

Corvis looked at Yacob with a straight face for a moment, then slapped the table with a huge guffaw. He looked zell while pointing at Yacob. "Keep him around son....he has a sharp mind and my sorta sense if humor."

He looked as Yale's returned and spoke. "Bring me a cask of the special!" the priest raised his eyebrows but left returning with a small cask of rum.

Caramel stood and walked over to Rivka, touching her shoulder. She smiled and indicated her to follow.

The elf opened a small door off the side, noting her husband's looks.

In reply to Kell (msg # 275):

Nym explains the answer to Kell in a very quiet voice.  Listening to the others at the same time.

The elves Lady Aranel comes from will be more inclined to help us both directly and indirectly because of it.  The various races of elves have a very long of history of disagreeing like cousins, but in times of trouble those disagreements are generally set aside and they become tighter than brothers of the same family.  Even if they only help us indirectly, which we will never know that they have, it will be a great help to us on our quest.  Lady Aranel and her sister are something close to elven royalty in the land they come from.  We will be travelling to elven lands that I have heard about in stories but have never been to.  Some of those stories are true, some lore, and some legend.  What's true, what's lore and legend, I don't know exactly.  We will find that out together.  One thing that is true, Zell's and my presence will help make our quest easier in that we are elves.  No he isn't a full elf and no I'm not a wood elf from the area, but being elves and not being drow will at least let us explain to those elves in charge of a given town or area.  Otherwise we might find ourselves on the wrong end of a volley of arrows from a group of elven archers.  Trust me on that, elven archers are among the deadliest group of peoples in the world when they are defending their home.

Nym pauses a moment before continuing as he watches Zell and Rivka.

Half Elves are generally treated as third class citizens by the races of both their parents.  Those who overcome such prejudice find that they make great friends and sometimes more.  Part of the prejudice comes from the fact that Half Elves grow up faster than elves, but more slowly than humans.  Thus they have trouble fitting in with others in either society.  For example, I'm a 130 but if you didn't know that I was an elf and thought I was a human you would guess that I am about 18.

In reply to Aranel (msg # 278):

Rivka took the letter from the woman with an air of importance one reserved for royalty
"You have my word, ma'am, that I'll do everything in my power to do both.  Zell is very special to me, and I'll protect him with my life."

The majority of the day goes by smoothly.

Oler, Quinn and Nino fish off the side of the boat, with a few small catches of small ocean fish. After a time, the small form of Sonori comes up, only to eat and read, but disappears under the waves again. The sailors whisper about the gnome, and by evening the rumour is she is at least part mermaid.

The rest of the group spend their tine on the boat of Corvius and Aranel.  Yacob spends time between trading stories about himself and his uncle with the captain, and talking magic with the half elf who poped in and out, Argen....a old friend of Corvus and wizard.  He was partictularly interested in the tales of what you had been up to, the stone and Yacob's new staff....in fact the two spoke theories on it's magical properties.

Zell and Rivka, neither too far from each other, spent most of their time talking to Aranel, hearing stories of when he was a boy as well as tales from the ranger.

Johnathan rarely spoke other than to the captain or Yalez, and most between inscribing maps and notes.

Kell spent his time aiding the dwarven engineer fixing the balasta, and having a drink and enjoying their banter.

Nym flittered from group to group, sometimes adding or listening to the two mages, sometimes talking alone to Aranel, or with the group as a whole.

Turbalio, still sick from his 'big night', was quiet at first, but listened to the tales of the pirate with interest, as well as looked over Johnathan's shoulder at the maps.

Evening came and a bell rang.  Aranel and corvus led you to the deck where several tables were layed out with a wide array of food from cooked pork and venison, a stew of meat and vegetables, fruit, cheeses and bread as well as casks of ale, wine and whiskey

Eventually night fell, and Montgomery stated it was time to leave. The group said their farewells, with Zell being last to say his goodbyes.

The group climbed aboard the small boat and all waved farewells as Montgomery and Kell rowed back to the Phoenix dawn.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dawn broke clear and warm, with lots of action on deck.  The group come up slowly, noting that the other ship left earlier than the Phoenix Dawn - no more than a speck on the horizon heading north.

The Ship, though in rough shape, sailed true and the rest of the trip was uneventful (Other than Zell again being sick)

It was on the fifth day from the cove that you spot the port town of waterdeep, and though luskan was about as far from silverymoon as waterdeep, the trip from the costal port was easier and less dangerous.

The docking of the ship went smooth, and by mid afternoon, the group are unload and ready to go.

Alstadin had you all in the inn of the Sleepy dwarf, ran by a human named Tobias. Rooms were paid for three nights enough for four rooms. The innkeeper also said that a meeting had been scheduled for you with the master of the blackstaff tower in the morning.

<OOC: Alteration of plans.  You are all going to stop off at Blackstaff tower, home of the fabled Khelben blackstaff. You are scheduled to see him in the morning so if you want to do something tonight, post please.>
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:37, Fri 13 Mar 2020.

Oler and Fineli are happy to be on solid ground again. While the sea was part of nature they had bot decided they liked land better. Oler and Fineli were eager to be on their way on the road and out of the bustling city. After the days at sea and this they'll be happy to see trees. They will visit a place to get a drink and some food.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:45, Fri 13 Mar 2020.

Sonori felt so much better after hours in the water, instead of on a boat on top of it. She enjoyed swimming, seeing what animals were around, the seafloor, and just the embrace of the water.

It seemed to stabilize her. She wasn't as sick the rest of the way, though still somewhat queasy.

And so, as much as she had thought for as long as she could remember that maybe she should try her hand sometime at being a ship healer, she was glad to get to solid land again. She had spent most of her life in rural areas, be it the wilderness or small farming communities. She had visited some larger cities now and then, but never spent much time in them.

"Well, as we have an afternoon and evening, and I'm not sure what else to do, I'd like to explore the city. Would anyone care to join me?"

"I'd be interested Sonori, must watch out for thieves though."

Excited once more to be in the City of Splendors, once the work of getting all the group's gear unloaded and settled at the inn, Turbalio made his way to the Red Gauntlet Inn in the south ward.  He hoped to be able to perform for the night before moving on to the business at hand.

Recalling his last night in Miribar, he chose to abstain from spirits so that he would be fresh in the morn.

"That would be great, Quinn! We haven't had a chance to talk much. Do you have a preferred place to go? Or shall we let the wind be our guide?"

"Let the wind be our guide! I've never been here before, looks like a big city!"

Sonori grinned. The wind was an aspect of Shaundakul, and so unless there was something they needed to do, that was her general philosophy. She followed the direction of the wind, every once in a while licking a finger, holding her hand up, and checking to see if the wind had changed to follow it.

"I'd love to hear more about you, Quinn! What made you choose the path of an adventurer? It's not a normal path to take."

"It is the path Kelemvor has led me on, seeking out the undead and the irretrievably evil. No more, no less. Fight it where I find it. What makes you and adventurer?
"

"When I was little more than a toddler crossing a bridge with my nomadic family, the bridge partly collapsed. I was swept away with the spring-melt fast river, and couldn't fight the water. Then suddenly I found that I could breathe water. I was carried far, far away before the river flattened and slowed, then I was deposited on the bank of the river. Two hybsil clerics of Shaundakul found me and from then on raised me, looking for my family when they didn't have other things to do - so obviously breathing water had to have been a blessing from the Wind Rider. Eventually, we found my family. But I'm not a normal gnome, and not really a hybsil, so haven't really found a place that I feel like is really home. So I adventure." She shrugged. "So I understand that you are following Kelemvor, but what made you start following him? What made you, for example, choose him over the other gods? I mean, I chose Shaundakul because obviously he chose me. Did Kelemvor as clearly chose you?"

"He chose me. I can even detect undead, which helps me fight them. Kelemvor has given me great blessings."

"Yes, yes, I'm certain you were chosen. But when did you know it? How did you feel his chosing?"

"Hmmmm, I don't really know. I was with the church starting at age 12 and I've been in training ever since. I was orphaned by a plague disease that took my parents."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Sonori said, pausing and looking up into Quinn's eyes.

Then she was off again. She was happy to do any exploring that Quinn wanted, including any diversions. And she was interested in going into any interesting looking shops - and certainly if there happened to be one a Temple to Shaundakul. "Will you tell me more about Kelemvor? I know the basics - most clerics know the basics of other religions. But it's always interesting to hear the perspective of a devotee."

Quinn goes into great detail describing the tenets and beliefs of Kelemvor, their rights and holy days. Quinn, being a warrior, and not a priest, has trouble conveying his thoughts at times, but overall he does well.