Snoric wasn't overly interested in the mention of wealth.  Coin was useful but he didn't understand the fascinaiton in those who hoarded it.  The idea of lost ruins intrigued him more as well as another possibility.

"This Phandalin you spoke of.  Is it a big place?  How far and which direction is it from here?"

Yulin collected the coins from the table and accepted the praise and compliments with a smile, her coin purse was a little fuller but more importantly her ego was sated now. She headed to the back room and looked to another half-human as it greeted her. She didn't know the creature but of course he had heard of her, she nodded as she was addressed and replied. "It isss my pleasure." And upon the offer of comforts and seeing the meals on the table she continued, "A bowl of rice with steamed vegetablesss, no meat; and a separate bowl of raw flesh, any kind." She made to leave but stopped and held her wine glass up, "Oh, and bring the bottle of Arabellan Dry." She looked inside, "A few more glassesss too." She brushed past the purple haired hatchling as she stood there floundering and searching her pockets.

Yulin almost considered speaking up on behalf of the awkward young human however the devil saved her the necessity to get involved, her voice oddly echoing around the room. Yulin half expected the creature to sprout wings and spew forth fire with how strongly it leaned into its devilish traits. In the light of the room beside the devil, Yulin noticed a familiar face, one she had shared drinks with at a few taverns over the past few weeks; it seemed they just kept crossing paths. She sat down beside Yana however did not address her as she was deep in conversation with one of the curious burrow-creatures about some worthless trinket. The strange creatures race was slightly larger than a half-human but close enough in height that Yulin often got them mixed up, usually recognising them as just an uglier breed of half-human.

As she listened to the conversation of others her meal arrived, and she realised how long it had been since breaking fast that morning. Another creature figured it was time to eat and Yulin picked up a strip of raw venison with a pinch and held it by her shoulder. The cloth around her chest shifted and the head of a black snake poked through, it yawned wide revealing a fanged mouth and flicked its tongue towards the meat. Yulin fed the serpent before touching her own meal and it devoured the fresh flesh greedily. Having it's fill it slithered out from the fabrics and wrapped itself around one of Yulin's arms, looking around the table and tasting the air with its tongue. Yulin ate slowly, keeping an ear on the conversation and an eye on the slim human who entered and seemed familiar with the hatchling.

She was still eating as the Gundren mountain creature entered with a tall human following behind. It seemed as though the hatchling was not invited to this gathering but was here by fortune of her sire, Yulin watched Gundren and the young human but as it seemed settled that conversation would follow, she turned back to her meal. She listened to the mountain creature’s proposal and it honestly didn't sound too appealing to her. She was reluctant to leave the city for some podunk backwater she had never heard of which likely didn't have an inn worth anything or had even heard of a bath house. She sighed inwardly as Gundren continued, the gold was interesting but she had her own questions about the 'other work' proposed.

The others picked up on it as well, Yana and her sister (though Yulin gave a dubious look whenever the relation was mentioned) seemed to agree readily enough but the question from the burrow-creature made Gundren explain further. Ancient cities and dwarven ruins, gold to be taken and stories to be told. That was the draw of adventure.

Yulin looked to Yana and then back to the mountain creature, "You need to work on your pitch Gundren." Her voice was light and lyrical irrespective of the lisp.

She sat forward and moved her hands in mystique. "Thisss isss to be a fantastic adventure commencing with relaxation and paid travel, accompanying suppliesss for an expedition to agesss forgotten dwarven ruins. Ruinsss steeped in such ancient history, mystery and lost knowledge to cause the most learned wizardsss to weep. Ruinsss which hold such vast richesss and valuablesss that will buy you the earsss of noblesss and Kingsss. Ruinsss that hold such dangersss as to challenge the worthy and see them rise as heroesss. An adventure whereby storiesss of your courage would cause maidensss and bachelorsss to go weak at the kneesss and yearn for a night in your bedchamber. An adventure that would cause the Godsss themselvesss to fear and praise you, bowing down to your courage, cunning and fortune."

Solgran smiled down to the halfling, "By height I am tall, but by heart we are likely equals." Solgran took a look at the seating as well as those who had already gathered in side, as he listened to the options, "My father always said 'eat the fish, it will make you smarter'. I can't say I've followed that advice very often, so I'll honor him today by order the same. Whatever the locals prefer for drink will do fine. Thank you...?" He left off with a questioning tone, waiting for the fellow's name.

Two were already here, and before he'd even completed the thought, there were others coming in to join them. The armored tiefling drew his attention most, and he returned her nod. ~Multiple warriors.~ The other woman nearest to her bore a striking resemblance, yet seemed distinctly human. The concept challenged his assumptions of who and what tiefling were, though their apparent likeness in age and looks could also be pure coincidence. ~An admirable scar. Her hands have seen work, but different from the sister.~

Solgran's eyes went wide as the fellow next to him shifted and changed. He had no experience with gnomes, so everything about the appearance he saw before him simply fit the stereotype. Illusion magic, dark tones, likes to tinker? Everything fit. ~So that's a rock gnome in the flesh, I guess.~ He looked like just the kind of person who would make the strange devices that he had just escorted into town. ~He'd probably know what they were actually supposed to be used for, too. Illusions, and explosives, maybe?~

A flash of color caught his eye as one of the sisters began to engage the gnome in conversation. Hair in shades he had never seen before, Solgran stared a bit more than he should have. ~Another warrior, and this one aligned with The White Lady? What hell is Gundren planning to drag us through, that he needs such strength and numbers?~

Things got a bit chaotic from there, with more coming and going, conversations starting up, orders for food and drink being placed. Another man had arrived, no weapons or armor that he could see, smelling of all sorts. ~Arcanist of some flavor, I guess.~ And the musician from outside, an odd set of reptile-scale tattoos near her hairline.

More than just the sisters here were already acquainted, which was a good sign for coordination and compromise, come what may...

---

And then, mid taking it all in, Gundren had finally arrived with yet another man in tow. Solgran listened to the tale and the offer. Questions were asked, naturally, though the sisters cared not for further details, they were ready to go.

The woman with the reptile tattoos spoke with an odd sort of lisp, making it hard to distinguish accept from speech impediment, and thus impossible for him to guess where she might be from. Not that he was well travelled or well acquainted with many different cultures or regions, but all the same; she was a hard woman to read. Regardless, her job offer did sound a good deal better than Gundren's own.

Solgran pointed a finger toward where she sat, off to his side, "I'll sign up for that one."

He left it at that for a moment before adding questions of his own. "Guard duty? Sure, this group seems more than fit to handle such. I just escorted hundreds of gold worth of goods and we only had four guards. What is it we're hauling that needs so many? And what dangers are you expecting us to face? You know I'm taking the job, it's why I've come. You want the prize to be a secret, that's fine, but what is it we're getting into here?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:28, Sat 03 July 2021.

In reply to Yulin Scalesong (msg # 45):

As the serpentine lady spoke, Yana chuckled slightly
'I would agree, madam, that your recruitment speech is fundamentally better,  in almost every way,  to the one Gundren made.  The only flaw is that if Gundren, a dearf with the poetic soul of rock, had signed off on that flowery epic, i would  have assumed that he was desperately hiding something, and would have run for the door."
She raised her glass to the bard
"Still, though, a lovely job nonetheless. "

Gundren listened at Yulin spoke, a smile on his face. "Ye know Me Yulin, i say what i think.....I'm no poet. I'm just a merchant. Your tales are far more interesting, and should my suspicions be correct, this will be a tale fer ye to wow every king and pauper in th' realms for centuries ter come. People will praise th' name of Yulin, as well as th' rest o' ye."

He looked at snoric, shaking his head. "Still haven't sorted it out, huh....well, I can guarentee while with me, ye will not be harrassed, or they face me. And ter answer ye question, Phandelin is about 60 miles ride south and east. Along th' trail most o' the way. Not much danger, but reports of raiders have been about."

He looked at the group. "I'll not lie to ye, should my hunch be true, it won't be easy, but damn me, it'll be worth it. Me colegue are riding ahead tonight to confirm...so by th' time i will have more answers for ye, but fer now, 10 gold each to transport th' cart, with promise that something more will come. Ye can take it and meet back here in the morn, or walk out....you're choice."

Something the woman in beautiful silks, scales and sashes had said caused her eyes to shift her way. Nothing was said but Allura reached down two of her fingers turning a ring on her other hand so the face was now towards her palm.

Her sister knew the ring she turned it was from their mother's house.

Yana nodded to Gundren, having already agreed on behalf of herself and her sister.

"Ten gold crowns for an escort of sixty miles? I just got the same pay for three weeks of non-stop travel. I can wait sixty miles for more details."

Snoric shrugged.  He'd been planning to head inland anyway so this was as good a direction as any.

"Very well.  I shall take this job."

Yulin shrugged to Gundren, "That is why I'm invited. Spin the tales and receive the praise." She looked around the table, "Although this time it looks like both the praise and the fortune will need to be shared."

Not including herself it had appeared all but one had agreed to the mountain creature's proposal. As much as she would pine for a city it was perhaps a good idea for her to retire to some remote, unheard of town for a while. Not that she had a problem so far but it was even less likely that a particular noble's son would pursue her there. After three weeks in Neverwinter word of a yuan-ti bard surely would have reached word back to Waterdeep. Yes, perhaps a short journey was a good idea.

"I will accompany them." She stated simply.

The dwarf, Gundren arrived in the room and looked at her, frowning, but the halfling talked to him and explained, she assumed, that she was the daughter of his friend. Her new found courage was tenuous, and she barely picked at her food while the discussion erupted over the dwarf's proposal. Still it was 10 gold pieces, for only 60 miles... and her coin pouch was nearly empty.

Letting the conversations continue, she reached in her memories of her father's stories, when he himself was a sellsword. Was this how this road to adventure began? She had always pictured herself as a temple cleric, like her mother was for all she could remember, but now... Her family was gone, her hometown overrun by forces she didn't get to see and fight, where else could she go? What else would she do?

Taking her holy symbol in hand, she asked for guidance from Selune, but no warm and fuzzy feeling came forth. This one was on her, and her alone.

By then, the bard had spinned a much more heroic tale to the adventures the dwarf was proposing, and Amalia noticed her scales for the first time. While she had never seen one, her incomplete studies at the temple did teach her about Yuan-ti, and she felt another shiver go down her spine, but this time it was not fear... what was it? Excitement? Curiosity? She wasn't sure. But there was one way of knowing.

She turned her gaze towards Osmon, that hadn't said a word yet, and she did a small smile... he had that look of intense concentration she had seen him use while practicing complex spell theory... that she had the habit of disrupting, to get her laugh for the day. But now was not the time to have fun, the atmosphere way too serious and her position as an uninvited guest too fragile to risk now.

The simple facts were that she needed that gold, she had nowhere else to go... and maybe she would like living the live of a sellsword... her father had thrived in it after all and had a good life. Still clutching her holy symbol, she waited for a lull in the conversation and said, with a confident tone she barely felt herself.

If you will have me, I will bring the blessings of Selune on this proposal.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:13, Sat 03 July 2021.

Since only one had refrained from agreeing so far and that seemed likely to change with the way he was looking at the purple haired waif Allura turned back to her meal.

"Name is Allura Whitlock, this is my twin sister Yana Whitlock by way of introductions. There now were met."

She began in on her meal lest it get cold.

It is very tempting, the chance to participate in life changing events, to help restore a lost piece of history; even if it was not of his own culture. What wonders would I see and what challenges must be overcome!

Or maybe it would be a number of boring days walking alongside a plodding wagon before standing outside a heap of stones that may or may not have once been part of a garden shed in a place long lost to history because of its utter lack of significance. I do not think Gundren would waste our time and his resources on something so minor but he said himself he had yet to confirm his information.

Even as the call to adventure began to sing in my blood the guilt rose up to smother it. My parents sent me here for a reason, someone has to survive these trying times or all that they had built would be lost, only someone of the blood could access the library and continue the work. For now I am the least capable, the least able to survive such trials. Besides, I have responsibilities here, I cannot give the refugees back their homes but I can help them find their feet here.

"If you will have me, I will bring the blessings of Selune on this proposal." I close my eyes as my heart sinks hearing Amalia's words. What is she even doing here! She said the letter was for her father and she was honouring his commitments? What happened over the last year? Where is the rest of her family? What would Elliott think if he knew I let his little sister go on a dangerous adventure and did nothing! Maybe I could talk to her, convince her this is a terrible idea and she should stay clear. No, I have my talents but convincing someone as stubborn as a Firnam was not one of them. Warning her when I have no idea what dangers she will face is just as pointless. That only leaves me one option. Damn it!

"I will join you." My voice heavy, the words carried on a single long breath. "There are some things I need to settle first but this actually comes at a good time. I should be ready by the morning."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:38, Sat 03 July 2021.

Allura raised her fork slightly as Osmon spoke.
And there it was.

Allura, the tiefling warrior made introductions, and Solgran realized they'd not yet done so. His mother would have been ashamed. Then the final member of the piecemeal crew agreed as well Solgran looked at Gundren and nodded, "It seems we are settled, then."

Then he swung his gaze back to Allura once more, "My name is Solgran Farnzythe, of the now-ruined village of Thundertree."

The dwarf smiled as he looked at one and all. “Tis settled then. Th’ wagon will be here at dawn tomorrow…Isaiah here will watch it until it’s in your care….” The halfling looked about to say something, but just sighed, and the human leaning against the door chuckled. “…ye can leave anytime ye like, but we need th’ supplies as soon as possible. Take th’ wagon ter Barthen and ye gold will be paid. When that’s done I will meet ye in the tavern there - easy ter find, it’s th’ only one.”

He stood up, looking at Amalia. “Can we have a word lass?”

Yana raised a casual hand to ask a question of the dwarf.
"Just to clarify: you said that you and your associate were riding ahead to scout things out?  May we know the name of that Associate?  And who is the leader of this caravan?"

The dwarf looked at the human as he took Amalia to the side. The human stood and nodded. “My name is Sildar….I’ll be keeping an eye on him.” As Gundren moved he nodded to him and sildar continued. “…and it’s not a caravan. It’s a cart full of goods, non perishable items and tools. Any major city wouldn’t think twice but in Phandevin, necessary. There will be no driver….it will be all you.”

As Sildar speaks, Amalia and Gundren speak softly in the dwarves language, but even then it’s softly.  Emotions between the two vary, with the girl sad, the dwarf going confused then sad himself. The girl seemed to perk up in almost panic, but the dwarf calmed her, placing his hand on her arm, calming her. The two seemed to have a moment when they returned.

He looked at the group. “Seems this girl was holdin’ out in us….a faithful of the lady of th’ stars. Will be good ter have a healer.” He smiled as he ushered her to her seat, smiling.

The dwarf sighed. “Is there any questions before me and sildar leave ye? If not, I will see ye all in a day or two.”

Yulin picked at her rice but mostly ate the steamed vegetables from her bowl. When the bottle of wine arrived with the additional glasses she topped up her own glass and took another sip at the wine. "Arabellan Dry." She looked around the table, "It is quite good."

The snake around her arm seemed to be getting impatient as it started to writhe up and around her shoulders. She idly petted the serpent on the head as she ate her meal as she listened to the conversation and questions from the others. As introductions were being made she nodded to those who had given their names and offered her own, "I am Mistress Scalesong, if we are to be travelling together please call me Yulin."

She frowned slightly as Yana and the devil were announced as not only sisters, but twin sisters. "Twins?" She gave a smirk and her fingers reached to her hip. As her her fingernails plucked a chord on the lyre she whispered, "Ss'tae'net." And a pair of horns exactly identical to Allura's appeared on Yana's head. Yulin tilted her head to one side, "Ah, I see the similarity."

She did keep an eye on Gundren as he pulled the hatchling away from the table and after a few moments arched an eyebrow as the mountain creature announced the young human would be joining them as she was apparently a talented healer. Yulin had never felt the need to lean into the knowledge of healing magic, after all she had never been in such trouble as to need it, but now she did make a mental note to have a talk to the hatchling about her abilities. If she was to be travelling, or even adventuring, then knowledge of how to mend wounds would be valuable. This gathering was full of surprises. Yulin filled a glass with wine and pushed it over in front of the purple haired human, "You must try thisss, hatchling." She smiled kindly, "Welcome to our fellowship." The black snake over her shoulders paused and watched the purple haired girl as Yulin spoke to her.

She looked back to the Gundren mountain creature, "No questions from myself, though I hope you don't mind me tarrying to sample more of your generousss hospitality." She brought her wine to her lips once more and sipped.

Casting Silent Image.

Amalia smiled thinly when Osmon said he would be coming, obviously glad to have at least someone she knew along for the journey. But she lost it when she thought about her brother, his best friend, lost at sea. She would have to tell him, and the sooner the better. She was not looking forward to this, but tried to recall how her mother taught her that compassion was the way to go to announce bad news.

But how would she be able to do so when she herself was still grieving the lost of her family? Thinking about this, she was surprised when the tiefling warrior introduced herself and the cloaked figure abruptly, making it clear she didn't want to continue this discussion. Taken aback by the gruffness, the teenager was still reeling when she was approached by the dwarf, wanting a word with her. She nodded, fearful that he wanted to kick her out...

But is was not to be. The conversation, in dwarven, reassured the teenager and she was glad to have it. Gundren gave his stamp of approval to the young cleric and that apparently was enough for the bard, that introduced herself and offered a glass of wine to Amalia. She had just accepted when Allura realized the target of the illusion and exploded of rage, startling the teenager. She tried to determine the source of the new horns on Yana's brow, but all these emotions she had been living since setting foot in the tavern clouded her judgement and she failed miserably.

In the name of Selune, how did this happen?



19:47, Today: Amalia Firnam rolled 4 using 1d20.  arcana roll.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:52, Sun 04 July 2021.

Allura had been enjoying her meal.

Had been.

Then her eyes settled on Yana noting horns similar to her own and her face twisted into such anger. She stabbed the table with her knife the blade nearly snapping with the force.

"NO!" Her exclamation was accompanied by a window rattling thunderclap.

"Only me!"

Solgran paused with his fork full of fish halfway to his mouth when the thunderous sound echoed out, "Casting spells on associates you don't really know yet, without their consent, may not be the best idea, Mistress Scalesong." His eyes shifted from one woman to another, pausing for a couple of heartbeats before he resumed eating.

Yana rolled her eyes and smirked
"Yes, my scaly Traveling Companion, Consent is an important thing amongst those who may soon be depending upon each other to survive.   Please keep your spells to yourself,  ma'am, unless it's necessary for the mission "

She reached out, and putting a hand on her sister's shoulder
'Relax,  Sister.  It's all good"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:14, Sun 04 July 2021.

The outburst from the devil had Yulin extremely curious and while the anger from the creature was evident the spell remained. Yulin had continued eating and seemed entirely nonplussed by the reaction, more interested in seeing how this would play out. It would be better to know as much as she could if she was to be travelling and adventuring with these creatures. It was certainly preferrable to be aware of such volatilities now

She looked up from her meal to Solgran and gave a quizzical frown, "I have no idea what you mean." She was surprised anyone had even picked up on what she had done. But at the stare from the wild human she realised the jig was up and as she sighed the image of the horns dropped. "You're just no fun at all."

She turned back to the devil, "I did not mean to upset you Allura." Before briefly looking to Yana, "Nobody else will spontaneously grow horns anymore. I promise you." Regardless of her earlier attempts at deception her words were earnest.

11:02, Today: Yulin Scalesong rolled 6 using 1d20+5.  Deception.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:21, Sun 04 July 2021.

Hearing the discussion about spells Allura reaches out and tried to touch the horns on her sister Yana's head. When her hand passed through. There was an initial tightening then loosening of the muscles across Allura's body. She pulled her hand back and then stood yanking the knife from the table and lifting her plate.

"If someone needs killing sister, you know how to reach me."


Looking to Yulin, "I became a monster, so my sister would not have too. I won't lie and say few things anger me. Many things anger me. Seeing my sister carry my burden though only promises blood and death. It is good this get's clear between us now."

That said she leaves heading to the main inn to finish her meal.

The fire behind turns from the blue it had been to it's normal orange hue on her leaving.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:01, Sun 04 July 2021.