Allura casted a spell to startle the oxes, that protested and started to move. But the group was not complete.

Hey! Where's Snoric? Don't we wait for him?

Amalia grabbed the reins and following Solgran instructions, she pull on the reins to make sure the chariot would not move now, until the gnome was with them.

Please don't do that again, Allura. We are not ready to roll yet!

By Selune, that one is unpredictable! Worse than me!

In reply to Allura Whitlock (msg # 15):

Yana raised a sardonic eyebrow
"We appreciate ypur enthusiasm,  Sister, but causing a stampede in the middle of town is probably counter productive "

Allura sneared, "The toy maker, Really ? Don't you think were doing them a favor not placing their life to the test on the open road."



A light shrug and she sat down in the cart, "So be it sister, and cleric of Selune."

In reply to Allura Whitlock (msg # 18):

Yana shrugged
"One would presume that a Locksmith like myself wouldn't be needed during a routine delivery,  either.   But it seems that the dwarf has something else in mind, that he'll go into detail with later on.  So if he wanted a Toymaker to tag along, then he probably has his reasons.  Gundren has his flaws, but whimsy isn't one of them."

Looks at her sister, ""I'm not so sure." Shrugs slightly then takes out her sword and whetstone and prepares to spend some time maintaining and cleaning her weapons.

Yulin looked around the others, greeting them as her chest was loaded into the wagon. As the human porter left, she studied the wagon and what space was remaining with a small frown. Eventually she sighed, this was another problem she had not considered and likely one one of many to come; was she to walk? The Gundren mountain creature could not have expected her to walk to Phandevin; what did he say? A couple of days? On foot? Ridiculous. She had traveled from Waterdeep to Neverwinter on foot like a peasant, begging for reprieve from passing merchants and hiding under a cloak during nights at shared camps. She knew very well that traveling such way was not for her and she would do everything she could to avoid it.

Fortunately that terrible week had given her some experience in hitching rides and Yulin hopped up onto the tail board of the wagon, raising one knee before her and letting the other leg hang down behind the cart. It was a comfortable enough position for traveling being in the sun and open air and she leaned back against the corner of the wagon as she drew out her lyre and rested it in her lap. At the discussion of a wagoneer being needed Yulin made no interjection but looked to Yana as it was offered, curious as to the human's ability to drive a cart. It was again something Yulin had no interest in learning and not for the first time she dreamed of her own carriage and coachman, no need to rely on the generosity or service of others.

She was seated comfortably when the horses were spooked by some crackling energy from the devil. Fortunately she held her balance as the cart lurched forward before the hatchling took control of the beasts. Yulin gave little reaction to the jolt, leaned back again and started to play her lyre. It was a bright tune, of joyful tempo and as it reached crescendo the yuan-ti started to sing. With the song started in earnest it was clearly an elvish tune however the yuan-ti's comprehension of the language was lacking and it was only after a single verse that she ceased her song to focus on the strumming of her strings.

Yulin followed Allura with her eyes as the devil climbed into the wagon and sat down. When their eyes met she gave a shrug, she wasn't entirely following the conversation between the three other creatures; getting involved in family drama was not something she wanted. Especially after the previous night, neither creature seemed to hold any animosity towards her for her faux pas however Yulin felt it best not to press either one. At least not for the next day or two. Her fingers kept picking away at the strings of her lyre and with a small, coy grin she changed the tempo to match the steady grind of the whetstone against Allura's sword.

While the others settle their equipment and work out how we are going to manage the wagon I step away, glancing around to see if anyone is paying particular attention to us. Gundren is is not exactly subtle or discreet and if he thinks this expedition is worth this expense so will others. Puckering my lips I softly whistle a familiar note and soon Edgar is settling on my outstretched arm. Stroking the soft feathers along his back I look him in the eye and extend my will. Edgar confirms his flight feathers are properly settled before taking off to do a perimeter sweep; he is more likely spot someone watching us than I am.

As I walk back to the wagon an idea occurs to me and I pause to note it down in my journal. The book is hardly organized with various notes quickly scribbled all over the pages. Mother always told me that I should try to be organized but this works for me. I will clean it up when I have all the details worked out; right now it is just important to get the notion down on paper while it is fresh in my mind. No its not quite right yet but I think I am getting close!

I reach the wagon just as Miss Scalesong starts to sing, her voice clear and pitched to complement the gentle strumming of her lyre; unfortunately, it seems she does not know the song that well and her voice quickly falls off. I guess we all have something we are working to master.

I think I will walk the first part of the day, maybe the repetitive action will help me figure out the rest.

Perception: 19
This message was last edited by the player at 03:00, Thu 08 July 2021.

Allura for a moment is lost to cleaning and maintaining her weapons when she slowly becomes aware of the sound of the bard keeping tempo. Her glowing eyes narrow slightly and she changes the tempo of how she is sharpening her blade to see if Yulin follows suit.

Sure enough, without any reaction Yulin changed tempo to keep rhythm with the sharpening of the blade. The yuan-ti was apparently aware of Allura recognising the matching tempo as she changed the tone gracefully from the merry elven melody to a more serious song of obvious dwarven origin. Thick, clipped strings in low chords matched the whetstone and gave the impression of a song of march, an army going to war.

The slightest hint of a smile is there it doesn't remain for long but it was there if it was not some imagining. Hearing the war march she slowly starts to bob her head along to it and maintains the beat of her whetstones caress of her blade.

Yana didn't look over at the "duet" between the bard and her sister, she sighed quietly with resignation.
It was going to be a long trip.
She moved to the wagon driver's seat, familiarizing herself with the reins amd other accessories.   She looked around, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Tinker
This message was last edited by the player at 06:08, Thu 08 July 2021.

After a long enough wait Allura scowled and stood stowing her sharp blade in it's scabbard.

Her voice boomed out like a dragon, "Toy maker ! it's time to go !" As her words ended there was a boom of thunder.  Allura growled looking around for the diminutive fellow.



2 uses of Thaumaturgy
Booming Voice
Clap of Thunder

This message was last edited by the player at 06:26, Thu 08 July 2021.

Yulin ceased her playing with a frown, they were both creating such an enjoyable melody together. She sighed softly, at least there would be plenty of time for that as there would be little else to do during their travels over the next day or so. She looked to the devil curiously, what an impatient and petulant creature. Well, Yulin was not about to stand for her song being so rudely interrupted, not in the least by the tune's very composer herself.

Shortly after the tiefling loosed her magic, calling for the burrow-creature from the last evening to appear Yulin turned away from the devil and muttered, "Ss'tae'net." while again plucking her lyre.

From around a corner, 60 feet away, Snoric appeared with an exaggerated stride into the middle of the street behind the wagon. The gnome pointed to Allura, turned around and dropped his trousers, waving his pale backside back and forth before quickly raising them and started dancing a jig in the middle of the street.

Yulin accompanied the dance with a song of her own, a michievous fey melody, and cast an eye to Allura.

Casting Silent Image.

Snoric would have loved to have been the first to arrive at the wagon, he was certainly awake early enough, but his situation dictated otherwise.  His current room and board, sleeping in the storeroom of a large bakery was paid for through his work.  Well before dawn he was up working the dough he had prepared late last night and left to rise.  Now he worked feverishily to prepare the various breads, cakes, pie and other treats he did to pay his rent and board.  'Making a crust to earn a crust' the baker had jokingly said.

The owner of the establishment was lazy.  He had talent and could do so much better but his sloth meant he made few items and often they were burned as he fell asleep instead of tending his ovens.  Some days he didn't make any goods at all.  The week or so Snoric has spent in town had been good for the baker.  His wares had sold like. . .hot cakes!  The baker had earned a full coin pouch of the young gnome.  Snoric knew he could have demanded for more than the few coins and board he earned but he needed a quiet place to stay more than he needed coin.

So when he left on the final day, his pouch stuffed with various baked treats, along with several loaves of twice baked bread and other fare that would survive the roads.  Snoric couldn't help but smile as he imagined the bakers business plumetting to near zero now he had lost his 'apprentice' who actually bothered to do work.  He hadn't announced his departure, merely put his latest baked goods on the warming trays, left an 'I quit - keep my last day's pay' note, locked the doors and walked out, his satchel loaded with more baked goods worth more than he was paid in a tenday.

He was last to arrive at the wagon.  He nodded his arrival.  Pulled some fresh fruit muffins from his pack, still warm from the oven and offered them to any who desired them.  Then he popped his pack on the wagon and waited quietly.


OOC:  THose who look closely under the robe will note a lot of white powder on Snoric's clothes!
This message was last edited by the player at 06:49, Thu 08 July 2021.

Seeing two toy makers and one having a decided death wish.
[Language unknown: "Mo et essho urou !"]

The slight clinking of metal on metal as fingers closed into a fist then with a snarl a blast of deadly energy hurled at the gnome that mooned her.

"Your twin dies."



00:46, Today: Allura Whitlock rolled 21 using 1d20+5.  Eldritch Blast.

00:47, Today: Allura Whitlock rolled 4 using 1d10.  Eldritch Blast Damage.


This message was last edited by the player at 06:47, Thu 08 July 2021.

Not-Snoric collapses onto the ground before rising a few seconds later to continue his dance.

Yana sighed with exasperation and turned to the bard.
"Is there a reason you're using your illusions against your Traveling Companions,  again,  after we specifically asked you not to?"
He tone wasn't angry or irate.   Just...disappointed.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:56, Thu 08 July 2021.

Leaping off the cart and drawing her blade in a smooth motion she strides over to the gnome.
Tracing sharp pointed gauntleted fingers across the blade before gripping it in two hands.

"Steal my seat, share his fate." over one shoulder.

Her blade bursts into blue flames.

"Illusion ?" The sound that came after that was like nothing a person should be able to make as she turned her gaze fixed on the bard.

Snoric had not noticed his 'doppleganger' initially as he had approached from a different street but he noticed it as Allura made mention of it and then released her blast.

"Is it traditional in your cultures to show disrespect to people you have just met and must travel with?"  Rather than being offended, his tone sounded genuinely curious and studious as if he was an anthropologise studying basic social rituals.

The gnome wondered how such cultures could develop strong bonds that way.  He was not adverse to pranks, he'd pulled his share, but never on people he might trust with his life.  Still he didn't know many cultures outside of gnomes and humans.

Yulin gave a dry look to Yana as the Not-Snoric disappeared, "Perhapsss speak to your own sister about the invasive use of magicksss before thinking to criticise me again."

She resumed her tune as she continued, "An illusion is a minor issue to complain about when compared to deafening noises or throwing combat magicksss around in city streets." She was focused on her music, "It seems the errant use of magic is a problem for more than just I. I guess it is just a greater problem when you and yours are on the receiving end."

Irrespective of the humans intent Yulin wasn't about to be lectured in arcane responsibility when the creatures sister had shown to be the most prolific user of visible and audible magic in public and had shown no consideration for her fellows. She had been willing to ignore the fact however if this was to be a pressing issue between the group then she was happy to agree to limiting the use of magic. By everyone.

She looked to Allura as the tiefling stalked back from the illusion, "Sit down, or are you going to attempt more bloodshed in the middle of city streetsss."

The burrow-creature, she decided, had the only right to be upset and so she did not reply.

In reply to Yulin Scalesong (msg # 35):

Yana shook her head, sounding tired of the conversation.
"Yes, I'll be speaking to her as well.  But that changes nothing about what i said to you."

A very long trip indeed

"I have no problem with bloodshed in the streets of a city or in the wilderness. You had your warning Bard it seems you chose to dismiss it. Please test it again, people die of many things in this world, and at the hand of monsters is one of them."

Allura will find her place in the wagon though any semblance of peace in her form is gone.

In reply to Allura Whitlock (msg # 37):

Speaking tiredly, Yana glanced at her sister.
"Perhaps, dear sister,  you might wish to at least to delay your violence until we're away from civilization and so many witnesses?"

"They should see what happens when they incite monsters, dear sister. Why live under blissful ignorance. I will stay my hand for you."

She sheaths her sword the flames going out with a light pfff.

Closing her eyes.

[Language unknown: "Hail moacas, Thaantere Unlin, Andtraour Rietel, Outastant Wemoiv,..." utce ch u.]

Closing my eyes, as if somehow that would deafen the childish posing and pouting by Miss Scalesong and Angry Whitlock, I move my hands through carefully practiced movements and whisper the words. Opening my eyes I find both of them collapsed to the ground in blessed silence.

Shaking clear of the fantasy; if only that would solve the problem rather than make it worse. I have a feeling those two might not be worth the trouble they bring.

Stepping up to Snoric I accept one of his muffins with a nod and a, "Thank you," before returning to my place beside the wagon. I hope we can get moving soon, I want to be gone from here before one of them creates a bigger scene and the watch get involved.

Fantasy:
Sleight of Hand - 5
Cast Sleep: 24 hp