Dragon's Egg - Act III

[Legendary Sidekick]

((Gotta run out, so I'll post Baldy's entry to common room just because I like how it follows Aliron's warning to Ankari—which Baldy didn't hear.

@Keit, if you roll for Goodberries, assume Baldy sees that and you can make the call as to whether Baldhart holds some berries—just assume she'll agree however you want to divide them.

@SP, I'll PM you for Baldy's meeting with Burnbright and Gisla later, and you can have NPCs react/respond to Nissa when it's convenient for you. Since it's my characters and NPCs, it can be played by PM so it doesn't hold up the whole game.))



I move down the stairs as gracefully and ladylike as possible. My height and build normally make this feat nigh impossible, but I can't help but feel beautiful in this dress. With the ring, I don't feel the chill on my bare thighs and arms. I love how the leather—a handsome reddish brown thanks to the permanent stains from my first kill—compliments the white mini. Of course, I look forward to donning my new bronze breastplate and painting my skin. But now, my hair is down tied back in a single thick braid, and I feel light and unburdened. I'd take the cloak off, but my scabbard's attached to it. I don't dare go anywhere unarmed.

When I get to the common room, I hope to see heads turn. That's right, I'll show my companions, I am as beautiful as I am strong and efficient at monster-slaying. But… heads are turned in another direction. And I see why!

"Ankari!" I call out. I run to the man who's back from the dead. He hates this, I guess, but I pick him up and hug him anyway!

"You're alive! You're alive! Yer—"

I let him go. ((Or she simply composes herself if Ankari rolls a successful check to wrench himself free or avoid the hug.))

"Sorry. I was… worried." No small talk. He likes us focused on… whatever we're supposed to be doing. "So, um… wargs and gnolls. Did you see what happened when they realized Burnbright was rescued? Did they move as an army, or divide to search in different directions? Do they know Nissa was part of the rescue? She called herself Sinda when she pretended to be Aslaug's minion. Did you see her?"



Baldy…

Sorry, Nissa. I'm just so proud you and I are…

 

[Nihal]

"Burnbright, would you be so kind as to give me this new knife and the necklace so I can verify them?" I close the door after Baldhart. "I have a knife that gets warm too, but might be for a different reason."

"The thing I wanted to show you is what you should expect from your mother. Do not fear." I remove the eyepatch and allow her to see my eye. "She is likely to look worse than this. Not only in appearance. I am trying to learn what I can, I am looking for a way to stop this, revert this... But I can promise nothing." I sigh and hold my hand in the air.


((If she accepts to give the stuff to Mauve to verify...))

"I need a little space. Please, listen by the door." I place both items on the floor and kneel by them, concentrating and whispering the enchantment.



Something goes wrong from the start. I struggle with the enchantment, suppressing the power while I feel a drop of sweat run down the back of my neck. Odd.

The day is so cold.



I feel relieved, bending the magic to my will, forcing it to dissipate harmlessly.

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron moves upstairs to Baldharts room and knocks.

 

[Ankari]

Before the innkeeper acknowledges my attempts of attracting his attention, Aliron enters the building with a larger man at his side. His words of greeting create the sense of too many eyes watching me. What kind of trouble have they stumbled into in the short time of our separation?

His suggestion, although cunning, is sure to fail. The rest of the party have the collective instinct to survive as a newborn hare. "I will do what I can."

I shift my attention to the large man as he manages to find create a note somewhere between a frog dying, and boulders snapping. How is it that my companions attract strangers at such an alarming rate? I slide the chair out and stand to leave. There are supplies to buy, and ears to salvage.

Then I am lifted into the air and spun like a leaf in a storm. My bleeding lungs and the clean scent of a woman identify the assaulter. She has earned my suffrance, as long as I am not maimed in the process.

Baldhart settles me back on weakened feet. I grip the table for balance and allow the moment of lightheadedness to pass. So much for Aliron's precaution. "Yes, I think I'm alive."

I glance at Aliron as he heads toward the stairs. Too many unknowns, and too little time. Turning to Baldhart, I ask, "I am just arrived to this pile of sticks people call a town. Would you mind guiding me to a fletcher?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"I finished my shopping, so… yes. Only, I have no need of a fletcher, so I better ask directions." I go to Aga to ask where the fletcher is in relation to the smith, leather worker, and other places I've been.

((If directions given: Baldy says "Follow me," then walks and talks…

If no fletcher, he's closed by now, etc.: Baldy sits with Ankari saying, "Well… we can't see him now, but…"))

"So much happened in the past couple hours. You should know about… the little one. The local priest has a taste for roasted poultry. People too, if 'impure' according to his idea of religion." I mutter, "You'd think one who follows the god of courage would see the cowardice in murdering a small child. Shame the only man who seemed to follow Tyr properly was Father Harald, who I found dead, regrettably.

"But about Branwen we've had some fortune. Gisla—owner of the Maiden's Spear—follows Brynhild. I sought such a woman first thing when I arrived here ahead of the group, knowing she'd be a trustworthy ally if I met with her. She's helping us keep Branwen safe, and keeping things relatively sane. I'm sure we'll discuss more on that during dinner.

"Another interesting thing that came up when talking to Gisla. You know Calexa's underling? He was from this town. I think he was keeping tabs on Srilkind when running letters through the Tyr temple in Srilkind. Think of it. The runner could have delivered those love letters to the Tyr temple in this town. It's about the same distance. The girl is Dalla… I don't think she knows what Tommen was doing. Poor girl. I'll meet with her alone later.

"Aside from that, some new faces. Bressel you saw earlier. Alin's friend and a man from my mountain. Another big man with an axe named Masala thinks Branwen is a holy creature, so he's babysitting. Did you meet Aldar? I think he's nuts, but he and Cadell go way back, so I guess I shouldn't worry… should I?"

It occurs to me that Ankari isn't the chatty type.

"I don't mean to talk your ear off. Just thought I'd catch you up a bit. If you have any questions, I'll answer them.

"Regarding what to do about those gnolls, we're here for the night since that gropy smith'll have a breast plate ready for me in the morning, among other supplies for the others. We're organizing watches, two of us at a time. We have a map, and… well, that'll come up during dinner as well, I'm sure."

Again, I realize the poor guy can't hardly get a word in.

"Sorry… I meant to shut up so you can ask a question if you have one."

 

[Nihal]

Baldhart's Room

((Continuation of the "if Burnbright allows"))

The air is cold, shooting, nice. I breath slowly, then stretch my arms and back. That's fine, that's not the first time I've got to try to detect magic twice.

I whisper the enchantment, executing the required gestures, groaning through my clenched teeth when the energy slips out of my control, cracking around me and running through my body in a wave of pain before I'm able to suppress it.




((Yeah. I'm glad the lvl 0 spells can't give runaway anymore.))

It's a waste of time, a stupid risk. I shake my head, decided to try again after eating and resting. I must be truly tired to get such a lowly spell wrong two times in a row.

 

[Steerpike]

Mauve, Baldhart, Burnbright, and Keitsumah

As Mauve and Burnbright walk back to the Maiden's Spear, Mauve explains why boys might act the way they do. Burnbright shrugs. "I still don't like him that way. But I am glad he helped me." When Mauve makes her warning about Joffur's family getting out of town, Burnbright becomes concerned. "Why? What's happening? Are those monsters from Srilkind coming here too? Or that thing we saw riding the shark in the water? What aren't you telling me?"

They reach the Maiden's Spear and Mauve puts in an order for dinner. She and Burnbright go upstairs, Mauve seeking a bath for them both.

"Uh..." says Burnbright. "I had a bath on...no, that's not right...it was...er...maybe like the first night I was back in Srilkind?" She blushes. I guess I haven't really had time for baths.

Keitsumah has a number of berries arranged in the room, seeking to use her magic to give them healing properties. Though the spell should be no problem, something keeps going wrong and the spell fails. Baldhart helps to arrange the berries and gives Keitsumah some last minute advice before heading downstairs.

The Maiden's Spear Common Room

Ankari pushes into the inn. When he motions for the innkeeper, a talk, stern woman with her left hand severed at the elbow sets down her towel and comes out from behind the bar. A younger girl is still behind the bar, setting out plates and refilling ales.

Bressel is singing loudly, and it turns out that some of the patrons of the Maiden's Spear know the song as well, and they join in enthusiastically, raising their cups to Bressel as he sings. By the time the song is done, Baldhart is in the common room lifting Ankari up in a hug. The innkeeper cocks an eyebrow at this, then goes back to her duties.

Mauve and Burnbright

Alone in the room, Mauve shows Burnbright the physical signs of her corruption. Burnbright leaps back with a cry of alarm, then remembers herself and steps forward again. "I'm sorry, Mauve. I was just...startled. That's all." She stares at Mauve's eye, her own eyes wide. "What's that like. Does it see differently? Does it hurt."

She studies Mauve's features a moment longer, then grows excited. "Wait, Mauve. You've had these strange things happen to you, but you're still good, right? So even if my mother has some of the same stuff you have, she might still be good too!"

Muave waves the questions aside for the moment, as she wants to try again to cast her spell on the knife and necklace. She performs the correct motions and utters the correct words, but again the magic is too hard to control and it diffuses into the air around her.

Burnbright scowls. "What do you think is wrong?"

Before Mauve can answer there is a knock on the door.

((Aliron standing outside))

Aldar

Aldar remains quietly in his room, out of sight of the rest of the party, contemplating.

Cadell and Liadan

The carpenter is pleased with the sale of the drum and is gracious to the two elves. They make it back to the Maiden's Spear in peace. Cadell is heading upstairs as Baldhart is coming down. He is just heading to his room when he hears Ankari's voice. He must have missed the other elf in the common room, but the identity of the person belonging to the voice is unmistakable.

((I know some of the timeline is jumbled, but with so many posts and no real linearity between them, I have to take some dramatic license. We'll smooth things out a bit now that the shopping is done and the party is more or less together)).

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

Either Ankari hasn't noticed me, or he was distracted by Baldhart's arrival. Or he's just being his usual less-than-courteous self. I tilt my head, speaking to him again. "I hope your day wasn't as eventful as ours was."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I see Gisla's look. "Gisla," I say, "this is Ankari. Remember the six-legger I told you about that had me in its jaws? His arrow finished the beast off.

"We skinned its hide, too, but I just bought a new breast plate since I don't know how long it'll be before armor can be made from that beast."

 

[Nihal]

Baldhart's Room

I'm about to sit on the floor when someone knocks at the door. I'm on my feet in an instant, covering my eye then opening the door. It's Aliron.

"Get inside," I motion to him, closing the door after him and uncovering my eye again. I return to Burnbright's things, considering try again. Nah. I sit on the floor by then and rest my weight against the wall.

"I am sorry, girl. I wanted to examine these as soon as possible, but must be tired." I shake my head. "Don't worry, I'm fine."

I hold her gaze, finally answering some of her questions, "Changing does not mean you become evil. But it eats your mind and makes everything more dangerous. It can get much worse, girl, it is only the beginning for me.

"I am afraid Aslaug is not 'still good' anymore. Remember Darin and the people in Srilkind. I do not believe she is completely evil either." I shrug. "She has her reasons to hate these people here, damn good reasons. Her degree of corruption troubles me more than her motives. You can not allow her to get you corrupted, girl, because there is no way back." I get up again.

"The eye is creepy, isn't it? It does not hurt and I did not notice any difference in my vision yet. It is not the only possible change. My grandfather had horns." I grin. "Yeah. Your skin, nails, teeth, weird limbs, tails, pretty much everything and more. Now... Grab fresh clothes, let's bathe."

 

[Ankari]

((I'm assuming we are going to the fletcher after Baldhart introduces me to Gisla.))

One of Baldhart's greatest faults is her innocent trust. Every time my name is flung about, I cringe expecting a dagger to puncture my back. We are not in safe lands. What kind of people go about their daily lives when a neighboring village is under siege by gnolls and goblins?

"Greetings, Cadell. My few hours away have been the typical fare." Despite myself, I smile. Typical fare, indeed.

Baldhart's talk of Tommem's woman blackens my brief moment of playfulness. Great events unfold in this region, but small things like guilt and empathy hinder my ability to react to them. "Do you have her portion of our earnings to give to Dalla? I sensed her innocence from the letters. She deserves the smallest token of our sympathy."

I realize I'm making a fool of myself. The north has frozen my survival instincts. In the forming cracks, the weeds of emotion grow despite the frigid climate.

"After Dalla is settled, we need to follow the gnolls back into the taint. Unless I missed my mark, none of you have decided what to do next. From what I gathered, the gnolls came from the north, and were supposed to take their -" I scan the people for any signs of prying ears - "target back up north. That is where we will find the person who can point us in the right direction. We have grown quite good at persuading people."

Another of Baldhart's points floats to the top of my awareness. "What is this of the local priest of Tyr? After I get my arrows, I intend to pay the man a visit. I hope he will accept my offering of tithe." The smile along my lips feels odd, like a crack in my face. Tithe, indeed.

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

"The priest intends to speak with a council of Elders tomorrow to decide what is to be done with Branwen, and we are to attend the meeting as well. I believe we should send a messenger to Sir Matthew tonight, so perhaps he can reach us in time to be present too. Surely a priest of Tyr would heed the words of a fellow devotee! But if he does not, and Branwen is taken from us, I have a plan to deal with that. Gisla means to find me a map of this town after we eat, and I will show and tell everyone then."

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron
"The others seem to trust the priest will listen to reason and will not attempt to kill Branwen. I don't believe she should be in town when the counsel meets. If Branwen is in town there is only two outcomes that I see, the counsel sides with us and we are free, or they side with the priest and we have to fight our way out of town. I don't want to kill a bunch superstitious idiots, but I will not let them kill the elfbird."
Aliron looks around, "Where is she?"

Bressel
Continues to sing drinking songs. Still watching the group talking with the stranger ranger.

Aliron confronts the man as a stranger, then Baldhart rushes up and hugs him, then others speak to him as a annoying family member you have to talk to at a gathering. Of course the group actions are not the easiest to understand.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"I completely agree, Alin. No harm in you getting her out of here while we meet. Say where, and one of us can plan to tell you whether it's safe or not.

"Branwen's with Masala. I'm going up there myself to bring food. If you want to go up ahead of me, let Masala know I'm bringing his meal as well."

EDIT^ ((last sentence, above))



Huh… Ankari knows of Dalla!

"Wait… do you know of these letters? Do you have one? Or some? Could I have them to give to her? It would help her accept the death. It was hard enough to tell Burnbright Father Harald was dead. When she told me where I could find him, I did not expect to find him alive… but when I had Srilkind to myself—well, me and thirty-plus hostiles—I snuck into temple Tyr and saw Father Harald myself. He went down fighting and took four goblins and a gnoll before several others finished him. When I handed Burnbright his amulet, she stopped having false hopes.

"If the party wishes it, I'll give her some gold—maybe the 20 from the harpy room—but there's a risk it does more harm than good. 'I killed your boyfriend; have some money.' She'll know it's a portion of what he'd have given her no matter the amount, and we may come off as thieves. I'd rather tell her what I told Gisla and… given Tommen's history, it shouldn't be too great a surprise."

Cadell says we'll meet the elders.

"Oh… did you arrange that? I tried to convince Gisla to let us speak and she thought there'd be no chance. You're quite persuasive. Hopefully, we can persuade them not to kill Branwen so we don't need to sneak her out of town."

Getting to Ankari's question of a plan, I say, "Let's discuss the gnolls' destination at the table. Nissa spoke to the leader, having introduced herself as if summoned by Aslaug. We don't need to guess that they came from the north. I know where they came from. Gisla knows her way around, so she can help us estimate travel time and we can plot a course. Perhaps Drimmen-delve is on the way. Forgive me if I wait for the whole party—and a map—before I go on…

((I don't recall whether Baldy knows about Mauve's map. I think I'm the only PLAYER who knows where to go. Haaa, haaa! Some of the alpha's words to Nissa were GM-PM'd.))

"…but the gnolls won't go north without their target. I expect they'd have split, and some will come here. I warned Gisla of this, but she hasn't warned others for fear Branwen will be blamed as if she's 'evil attracting evil.'" Without speaking to the very idea of Sir Matthew helping us with Father Geralt, I simply whisper, "Is it really so hard to know both your deity and simple cause-and-effect relationships at the same time?"




EDIT -

I excuse myself, then approach Aga and Gisla,

"I believe Masala has already paid for his room. If you could prepare two meals, I'll deliver them. One is for him and the other is for my guest. Please give my guest a small portion, and keep the meat very rare, very pink. Thank you.

"As for my meal, I'll eat down here with the rest of my party."

To Gisla, I add, "I am ready for our meeting once Burnbright has had a chance to eat with us."


((At least I think Baldy should have her 1 MP back, assuming shopping took a couple hours, eating and gathering by a fire would take care of the rest.))

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron
"I will go, I would also invite Masala to come. If Mauve wishes she could go too. We will leave before dawn, and will be north of town. I don't know a place to meet, but the ranger shouldn't have a problem following Masala. I will have last watch, so I can prepare, then I will awaken Baldhart and we will leave."

Aliron leaves going to Masala's door and knocks.

"Masala, Baldhart is bringing you food and I need to talk to you."

Once inside I will tell him of my plan to leave early.

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I listen to the others' plans, and sigh. "If Branwen is taken from us to be 'purified' by the priest, I will need everyone's help to save her. Splitting the party is not always a good idea, and I would not advise it before we know what will happen regarding the child. Can you not at least wait until we speak to the elders tomorrow?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I whisper, "Normally, I prefer not to split, but if she is handed over, there's a chance that rescue becomes impossible. For Burnbright, the goal was to keep her alive and unharmed, meaning rescue was never a risk to her. But in this case, a sword can prevent us from rescuing from fire.

"Best she's not around when the elders speak of her fate, and when we speak to the elders, we do not speak of her location or our knowledge of relocation. We simply say some are watching her. If her lack of presence is discovered, we do not condemn her disappearance nor feign surprise. I hope we will do nothing to arouse further suspicion. Simply withhold sensitive information when we can, and admit to truths when discovered.

"I'm willing to hear your rescue plan, but ultimately, we need to ask if it's worth letting her would-be killer get close to her… and whether any attempt to rescue her after capture would be viewed as a hostile act, whereas her being escorted from town peacefully may not be agreeable, but it's certainly not hostile."

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I look at Baldhart and sigh again, drumming my fingers on the tabletop. "Then it appears my plan is in need of heavy revising. I was counting on letting her be taken at least to the temple before we made our rescue, to lull the priest into a false sense of security. Ideally we would take her out before any fire could touch her." Perhaps I should just tell them my entire plan now, and repeat it for the others' sake over dinner.

Gisla brings me a map, and I gratefully accept it. It is crude, having clearly been drawn with one hand, but it is quite good enough for my purposes. I thank her, poring over the map. "I should retrieve my pen and ink; I'll need to mark this up for my demonstration."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Okay… well, while you draw up the map, I'll point out the fletcher's place to Ankari then deliver the food to Masala and the kid."

 

[Steerpike]

Burnbright and Mauve

Burnbright is somber at Mauve's words about corruption. Her usual mercurial nature shines through when Mauve mentions new clothes and baths. Burnbright lays the new garments out on the bed, studying them with a smile. "These are great, Mauve! Thank you for getting them for me. Lets head for the baths. I'll ask Aga for their biggest towels!"

And with that, the two of them head for the bathtubs. It takes some time to provide enough hot water to fill two tubs, but Aga does it, mixing it in with her other duties. When the tubs are filled she hands over two thick towels, two bars of soap, and a couple of small vials of scented oil for the water.

Aliron

The barest hint of spice meets Aliron's nose as he approaches Masama's door. He knocks, and hears a deep-voiced reply from within. It might have been an invitation.

When Aliron opens the door, he feels cool air coming in through the open window. Masama has pushed all of the furniture back against the walls of the room and now kneels in the center of the floor. He has inscribed a large circle around himself and Branwen, who sits cross-legged on the floor in front of him. Her tunic has been pulled down a bit to expose her wings, but it otherwise wrapped modestly around her torso. Lines of gray have been drawn on her face in what looks like ash.

Branwen takes a chunk of dried meat out of her mouth and grins when she sees Aliron.

Masama waves at Aliron to close to the door, since Branwen is visible through it. "We are almost finished," he says.

Piles of ash are set at various points on the circle, some still smoking. It looks like he has burned some herb or spice here. Two small bowls are in front of Masama, one with herbs and one with water. A smoking stick of incense is laid across the bowls.

The man takes the herbs and makes a small mound on the perimeter of the circle directly behind Branwen. For her part, the harpy child seems as unperturbed as ever, simply watching Masama's movements with her wide eyes. Masama set this last mound of herbs smoking with his incense stick and begins mumbling in a foreign tongue.

Branwen looks up at Aliron and chews on her meat.

The Common Room

Gisla inclines her head respectfully when Baldhart introduces her to Ankari. She takes a look around the common room. "This isn't the vanguard of some elven invasion, is it? Because I don't have my sword on me." She smiles. When the fletcher is mentioned, she says "My guess is that the shop is closed already, but if I know Hafnir, he'd be sorry to lose a coin or two because of a missed sale. He lives just behind his shop, and he won't mind you knocking if you mean to buy something."

Gisla nods at Ankari, and heads back to her increasingly hectic duties as the inn is filling.

Aga is virtually dashing from the kitchen to the common room to the baths, trying to see to everyone's needs. She and Gisla work together, preparing drinks and meals, including the food requested for Masama and Branwen.