Storm King's Thunder [CLOSED]

[ZombWie]

Bell reaches down and helps Shara up onto the wooden ramp then stands and waves to Lecuis. The Kenku attempts to communicate that he wants Lecuis to try untying the rope and swinging across the break in the ramp. He then mimes pulling a rope up to indicate that he will assist Lecuis in the climb. Once he is sure Lecuis understands Bell rotates his hands in front of his chest to indicate for Lecuis to hurry and make a decision.

 

[ZombWie]

The view is ok from the top half of the broken ramp, so Bell takes a moment to scan the parts of the town as he waits for Lecuis to make the jump. Tucked in his belt is the portion of rope left over from his makeshift rope bridge. Once Lecuis lands safley on this side Bell focuses his attention on Ruthenia far below in the water. He quickly cuts the rope carefully gauging the length so he is sure to have enough to drop down to the dwarf below. WIth a quick, but secure knot he ties the two ends together just as he would if he were retying a torn ox leader.

From below if Ruthenia looks up she will see a waving kenku leaning over the edge of the ramp. He finds a spot to affix the grappling hook then drops the length of rope down to Ruthy. With a quick wink and a smile he motions for her to begin climbing. That done, Bell crouch walks to the top of the ramp and pulls out his bow, readying an arrow in case anything nasty comes into view. Mimicking the guard from earlier, "Come on up if you can!".

 

[Ellywyck27]

Wet, spluttering, and so very sad at how things have gone today, Ruthenia clings to the bridge support and waits for rescue.

When a rope is at last dropped from above, she sees Bell motion for her to climb and she smiles. What a good friend. And what a silly bird. If she couldn’t manage hand-over-hand like a child on monkey bars, how was she supposed to pull herself straight up? Once she grabs hold, however, she finds that the bridge supports help immensely with footing.

Two minutes later, she rolls her body up on the bridge, stays flat on her back in mock breathlessness and looks up to any faces above who watched her climb. “Thanks for your help. Don’t worry, I single-handedly cleared away all the enemies who were under the bridge. No more trolls.”

With a laugh, she sits up and stands without using hands (to show she isn’t tired at all) and walks up the bridge with everyone toward the keep, leather boots swishing as she goes.

She better get out of these leather shoes and the armor and let them dry in a cool, dark place. She was sure the guards here would have some leather milk, or at least some saddle soap to treat them.

She was sad the goblins had stolen her matching leather pants, but then, her new life away from the battlefield the past several months hadn’t given her any chance to wear them. Well, it made her chuckle to imagine a goblin wearing leather pants with “Bruenor’s Battle Babe” written on the right butt cheek.

 

[Baba Luga]

The damaged hamlet before Bell appears quiet and still, apart from Lecuis' stray horse, which has wandered from the windmill over to the southern edge of the squash field, and the other two surviving horses tield up by the stable. The tiny figures of the goblins are still visible far across the moor to the northwest, but they don't seem to have come any closer to Nightstone.

While Ruth is climbing the lowered length of rope, Lecuis at last takes a running start and joins everyone else at the upper end of the ramp. The other half of the rope now hangs down from the lower part of the ramp. Just as Ruth is clambering up, the guard with the helmet who was watching from the roof emerges from the gates with a big coil of heavy rope in her arms. "Where'd you find that?" asks the bearded guard in amazement. "In the armory with everything else," she answers in a mildly exasperated tone. Seeing that the rope is no longer urgently needed, she drops it at the top of the ramp, composes herself, walks closer and salutes the new arrivals. "Captain Evenmorven at your service. Welcome to Nandar Keep."

 

[Theseiroth]

"Lucius, former Circus Bard. This is Ruthenia the strong woman, Bell the magician and Aseir the Acrobat. How can we be of service?" Lecuis point to each person in turn and ends with a flourish bow. As he looks to the guard captain with a smile he hopes he did right by Ruth and Bell.

 

[ZombWie]

Bell acknowledges the guard and jerks his head toward the open door of the keep. With his right index finger pointing like an arrow toward his head he gives a short whistle followed by a choking gurgle then moves toward the door shuffling anyone between him and the keep toward safety. "Thanks for your help... Captain Evenmorven... Bell... at your service." The mimic echoes back at her with a mix of recent statements.

As Bell passes Lecuis he gives the bard a raised eyebrow, but says nothing about the magician statement. The bard is either working on a strategy of his own or maybe he is just making a joke. Either way, Bell will not be able to perform any card tricks and if anything disappears the kenku will not likely take credit.

 

[Baba Luga]

Captain Evenmorven turns and leads the way up the remaining length of the ramp and through the open doors of the gatehouse. Shara seems content to have been excluded from Lecuis' imaginary troupe. The bearded guard brings up the rear and closes the big wooden doors after everyone is within.

The inner baily around the keep is cluttered with the huge boulders. The great stone fortification seems to have been an especial target of the attack from above. As already seen from the road along the river to Nightstone, the keep's northwest tower is terribly damaged, probably unsafe to get too close to.

In front of the doors to the keep, the captain turns and addresses the new arrivals. "Thank you. Nightstone is in your debt for routing the invaders and securing the drawbridge. Now, prepare for grief. Lady Nandar perished in the barrage. She lies in state within. You may pay your respects." With that she turns again and continues into the imposing stone structure.

Before you enter, the bearded guard gets Bell's attention, speaking so that the others can hear, but not the captain, who has already disappeared into Nandar Keep. "I saw how you put down that goblin from the top of the temple. We need to go out after the villagers. I've a good idea where they ran off to: caves in the hills north of here. They won't last long out there with those goblins roaming around."

 

[ZombWie]

The state of the keep is clearly a matter of concern for Bell as he frowns at the destruction around him. The town is in ruins and the keep heavily damaged. This place is not the safe haven he had hoped it would be. The news that Lady Nandar has been killed only adds to the stress that slowly builds in the wagon driver's craw.

Bell swivels his head toward the bearded guard who seems to have something to say. Bell stares at the guard as he makes his appeal, then for a moment after he stops talking the kenku continues to stare. Then Bell holds up the few items that he has on him and shrugs. They are not very well equipped for a rescue mission, and that should be obvious to the guard. Bell points to Ruthenia, "Ruthenia the strong woman... can... be of service." he mimics then follows the captain into the keep.

 

[Theseiroth]

"I'm all for helping. But that jump has really taken the last of my strength. Is it possible, Sir, that we could get a rest in? Sleep is calling me home." Lecuis hoped to be able to get some sleep. He wasn't exhausted per say, but he needed his spells. And sleep was gonna be the only way

 

[Ellywyck27]

“In this state, I’m afraid...” Ruthenia shakes her head, and offers, “but let us first eat and rest this night, then tomorrow we can give answer how we may be of help.”

Ms. Ironfist is willing to help, for no dwarf can abide the thought of goblins terrorizing any good person; but as the mission’s plan is already far off the mine cart rails, she makes no promises to enter new tunnels. Private talk with the whole group is first advisable— and she wishes to first hear what Shara will do. Then it may be determined if the deal for adamantine is still needed, and if time allows to help these harried town folk.

“Oh. Bye the way. Is there a place I may strip down and allow my leathers to dry in shade, and some decent substance for treating it in the morning? I’d appreciate taking care of this before paying my respects to the Lady.”

 

[ramonlimon2]

Aseir gives the guard a look. "You can't say "prepare for grief" and immediately jump into it. You need to actually give your audience time to prepare." He stretches his arms out and gives an exaggerated yawn, playing along with the rest of the group. "I could go for a nap as well. Feeling distinctly less floaty than usual."

 

[Baba Luga]

Captain Evenmorven has already entered the keep, but her bearded subordinate remains behind in the inner bailey. "You'll have to forgive the captain," he says, "She's a bit of a stickler for order and I think this has all thrown her for a loop. If you're all that tuckered out, there are some bunks in the gatehouse where you can catch your breath. Some spare clothes too if you're wanting to get out of your swimming trunks." He gazes up at the massive stone walls in whose shade you stand. "I know, it's a bit intimidating."

"Oh, I'll take a look," says Shara as she moves to enter the keep. Looking back at Ruth and Bell, she says, "Let's talk later about that thing."

 

[Ellywyck27]

“Thank you, I will first change. Then where may I find the Lady Nandar? Only after that shall I take something to eat and drink.”

Ruthenia is glad to be within the protection of the keep’s walls, though the damage done here makes it feel much more vulnerable than if it had been while. However, order and proper decorum are most important at the worst of times—like these. It is what separates men from animals. She will ignore the damage until it becomes appropriate to discuss. Until then, she will follow her military dwarven upbringing and follow proper protocol.

 

[ramonlimon2]

Aseir begins walking forward, following the captain. "Let's get this over with and call it a night. We can get an early start tomorrow and figure out where to go from there."

 

[Baba Luga]

The guard with the beard, whose name it turns out is Torem, shows Ruth and Lecuis to the eastern gatehouse, which is set up as a barracks. The ground floor is a common room and there are bunk beds upstairs. Lacking windows, it's dark and stuffy inside.

Torem indicates some articles of clothing, stored in chests with other personal possessions, that won't be missed, their owners having perished in the bombardment. Lecuis has no problem finding a suitable, if drab, set of clothes should he wish to change out of his "out on the town" outfit. Ruth, on the other hand, is hard-pressed to locate any garment here that isn't simultaneously too long and too tight for her stocky physique.

Meanwhile, Aseir, Bell and Shara have followed Captain Evenmorven into the keep's great hall, the rear half of which has collapsed in rubble. Lady Nandar, tightly wrapped in a purple shroud that only reveals her face, has been laid out on one of the tables. Another guard, introduced as Kaelen Zam, sits distraught beside his dead liege. He periodically makes adjustments to her winding cloth and brushes dirt from the table.

Checking in with Kaelen, the captain asks after a fourth guard, Alara, who Kaelen thinks is somewhere upstairs. The captain apologizes for the disorder, and mentions that there are preserved victuals in the cellar; the keep's kitchen is among the areas wrecked by the attack.

Shara lingers by a closed door towards the rear of the great hall, near the collapsed area. "What's back here?" she asks. "Lady Nandar's private library," the captain replies warily. Shara is obviously intrigued.

When Ruth and Lecuis have outfitted themselves as desired, Torem escorts then to the keep to join the others. He soon begins excitedly discussing with Captain Evenmorven his plan for sallying out in a couple of hours to kill or chase off the group of goblins seen out on the moor. "No," says the captain, "we hold the keep. And besides, we still have no way across the moat." Torem protests that if the new arrivals were able to get across with rope, it could very well be done again.

​

 

[Ellywyck27]

Ruthenia is only really concerned with her leather items— her boots, weapon belt, and scale mail. They must dry and then be treated in the next 24-36 hours so the leather doesn’t become cracked and dry.

After removing those items and doing what she can to ensure they are as dry as can be and in a cool, flat place, she turns to finding the largest shirt she can. That will hide the ill fitting leggings. She wriggles and grunts her way into the odd outfit. She considers putting her weapons, belt, and shield back on, but decides it is not necessary for paying respects.

She turns to the two men in the room.
“Very good. I’m ready to see the Lady.”

 

[ramonlimon2]

Aseir gives Torem a look somewhere between baffled and condescending. "There's four of you and a dead body sitting in a broken castle in an empty town, and your brilliant idea is to rush off and pick a fight out in the open?"

 

[Theseiroth]

Dressed in "new" clothes, Lecuis follwos Ruthenia's lead. Trying to pay respects to lady yada-yada. He looked at the mess that was the keep and thought maybe he should play a few songs to raise their spirits later.

 

[Baba Luga]

Wisps of auburn hair trace the margin where the shroud frames Lady Nandar's face. She looks to have been in her late forties or early fifties when she perished in the collapse of the keep yesterday. The fragrant rushes spread on the floor and the perfumes that have been applied mask any incipient stench of decay, but Ruth's past experience tells her that that barricade won't hold for much longer.

Acknowledging the new arrivals, Kaelen proceeds to share a brief but maudlin account of Lady Nandar's time at Nightstone. She and her husband, the late Lord, once granted this land, built the keep along the Black Raven River for the hunting nearby in Neverwinter Wood, but also with the ambition of draining the surrounding moor lands for farming and grazing. This scheme met opposition from the local Uthgardt Barbarian tribes, roving bands of goblins, and the sopping earth itself. After Lord Nandar died in a skirmish with barbarians from the Black Raven tribe, the drainage project was abandoned, and Lady Nandar's son left for parts unknown. "This is the end of Nightstone," Kaelen solemnly proclaims.

"But what about the villagers?" says Torem. "They're out there now, probably struck out for Melvin's Bunion. We need to go get them!" In his agitation, he kicks a stool, sending it skittering across the floor. "I count nine of us here, nine," he says, holding his fingers up to Aseir. Those goblins out by the Broken Hands will probably just turn and run, but not before we put some arrows in them."

"We hold the keep," the captain repeats to him, "and it's your watch soon."

"Well, until them, I'm working on the ramp." the bearded man grumbles back. "And I'll need more rope." He storms down the staircase to the cellar.

 

[ZombWie]

Bell's footsteps echo off of the stone walls of the keep as he strides across the room toward the table where Lady Nandar rests. He notes that this is twice today that he has seen still figures wrapped in cloth. The goblin female in the tavern and now the Lady Nandar. Sure, the kenku was familiar with the Lady, but only in such a way that she was the important human in charge and that she lived in the large keep atop the island. As a kenku, Bell appreciated this home that would allow him to survey the land around for prey and for danger, buts a wandering thief and caravan driver he had no desire to settle down and live a life of stagnation. This kind of existence did not appeal to Bell, but the wealth that she has amassed was a perk he could not deny. That was as far as he was able to understand the life of townspeople.

The echo of his footsteps stop as he arrives next to the table and nods at the guard who tends to the lady. A soft smile appears in the fleshy part next to the kenku's beak. Bell has certainly see regular townsfolk funerals and he has even witnessed the funeral parade of a noble or two, but this kind of experience is wholly new to him. Bell stands awkwardly at the lady's feet and fidgets. He thinks back to his orders to make nice with Lady Nandar, and assumes that means with her people by extension. He quickly pats himself down searching for an offering of some kind. If he can't pay his respects with rich words, then he will do so with a gift. His right hands stops on his coin purse with a jingle. He reaches two feathered fingers inside and plucks the first coin he touches. With a clink, Bell puts the coin on the table and bows. Looking down he realizes he placed a gold coin as an offering, but it is too late to take it back now. Standing back upright he stares at the guard for an awkward moment waiting to see if his offering of golden respect will be received in the spirit that it was intended.

 

[Theseiroth]

Lecuis puts on a dower face, and just follows everyone's lead, his mind else where, pondering the complexity of some new song or position to try on his next student. He hears them discussing the goblins, but he'd already agreed to help with them and that could wait for another day.

 

[Baba Luga]

Kaelen and the captain exchange a look when Bell clacks his coin on the table. The bald man scrutinizes Bell for a moment, wipes a tear from his eye and says, "Thank you?"

 

[Ellywyck27]

Standing between Bell and Lecuis at the table, hand on her holy amulet, Ruthenia listens respectfully to the history Kaelen shares. It is also useful to her as a soldier. Knowing the history of a place is to know the value of it.

Knowing Bell much better after these two days together, she is touched by his coin offering, as she understands his intent. She puts her free hand on his shoulder in supporting solidarity and looks up as she says, “Bless the soul of thys Lady Nandar wyth thiy light on her path. Mae you, Lady, rest in peace whyn you—.”

Ruth’s death blessings are interrupted again today, this time by a kicked stool. She turns her head and watches the end of the escalating exchange. She looks to all of her companions to assess their take, and after Torem leaves she moves to break the tension, and approach the captain. Adapting the dwarven military protocol as best she can guess for this human, she respectfully requests a private audience with him. She adds a proper bow as a Lieutenant to a Captain.

Silently curses herself for again being short and out of uniform when she most needs to be taken seriously.

 

[ZombWie]

The guard looks a bit confused, but Ruthenia's addition to the conversation gives Bell some relief from the awkward moment. He bows again and retreats to the doors where Shara stands. Their main mission is to secure the deal with this woman, so he will place himself near her.

"Thank you?" He mimics after the guard and hopes that the inflection is subtle enough so that Shara takes the message as gratitude, not confusion.

 

[Baba Luga]

After considering for a bit, and surveying the four other strangers in the great hall, Captain Evenmorven agrees to Ruth's request. "You're in charge," she tells Kaelen before escorting the veteran of the War of the Silver Marches into the library. The Captain leaves the door open a crack, so she can keep an eye on the activity in the great hall.

Shara, who had been lurking just outside the closed door to the library, takes Bell's elbow and leads him away to a table at the opposite end of the great hall. She flicks her finger and says, "ish kabibble," causing one of the candles to light.

The library is an impressive chamber, occupying the southwest tower and extending up to the second story of the keep. The lower area is decorated as a cozy den, with bearskin rugs and weapons and trophies on the walls. The books are all upstairs, where they line the wall around a circular balcony. A decorated wooden ladder connects the two levels. The Captain removes her helmet but remains standing as she addresses Ruth. "What's on your mind?" she asks.

Meanwhile, out in the great hall, Torem trudges up from below with a length of rope, some short boards and a tool belt. He drops all this stuff and begins removing his chain shirt. "Might have to get a little wet out there," he announces by way of explanation. From the sound of it, he almost relishes the prospect.