The Windspell Adventurers' Guild - Forum RP

[Steve]

The Legacy of Lorri Liveai and the Stolen Papers of Tanithe Harfourt

Starring: Anders Tremanine, Elvawen Evriamyn, Castyl Devillars, Caed Wynter-Rose, Mim and Tanithe Harfourt.

Special Guests: DM Spartacus

Hesper the Inn Keeper calls over to the group that has congregated near the hearth: "So say are you here to meet with Lorri Liveai's group? Lori is...was a member of the Sword Coast Adventurers, met up here every year to talk on the old days..I assumed..you were they..."

Hesper the Inn Keeper looks down at a document, confused, then carries on: "I was asked to explain the Legacy for those that turned up this day...will you hear his story?"

The adventurers listen intently, though already they are geared and ready for adventure, the lingering quest from employment to Tanithe Harfourt.

"To catch a rat by Lorri Liveai

When first to Coast, and eager to be abroad on dangerous mission I chanced upon the town discussing the price of slaying rats in the sewers

The first year they, the city, sparing no expense hired the best an elite team of rangers....and specialists
Now three such experts went down silently, well equiped and professional as any
There was a hushed crossbow bolt, a sudden deadly strike for the rats it was all over
Much rejoicing in the city

The next year the rats returned the city did not want to spend quite the funds after all the problem was so quickly solved
No this time they hired an Order of Knights....
horn sounded, drumm beat, orders were shouted
down they clattered and clambered
Volleys of arrows, walls of shield..spell let fly
Long story short there was some thrashing about a rat escaped here and there but job done

The next year...
Well the job had been done quite well the rats were back the city could not be wasting money
They thought ..the City Militia, not enough to do with their time ...always eating pastries why not use them
So they put together a group drawn from across the City, so as not to incur extra expense, told them to be back before their watch was finished
Not used to working together, no planning, no cooperation ... a sorry group of adventurers they set to work
Make no mistake this was a rag tag outfit out of their depth and in the wrong sewer
Much shouting cursing, one even shot one of their own by mistake...a rat was chased
a spider claimed, and a mouse declared a rat

So Lorri's question and he asked it every year
and I for he, ask it of you
What sort of Rat Catchers will you be?"



And so it was that the "new adventurers" delved unto below the streets of Baldur's Gate, looking to discover the reality behind the rats, the loss behind the legacy and the possessors of the paperwork—two quests melding into one...which some of the group saw as fortune's blessing, and others accepted as ominous.



Oh...the "rats" were discovered! And it was not the rodent type—it was, as suspected by a few, that the rats were the criminals that feed off the underbelly of the Gate, and...they had acquired the "legacy" of Lorri—that being a fairly well-collected treasury—of which the "new adventurers" earned through a trial of combat.

Alas, the paperwork of Tarnith Harsfourt was not recovered...but the merchant did find a certain satisfaction that those that wronged him, were not very dead, rats.

Among the treasures of the "Legacy" of Lorri Leveai, were a few artifacts that seemed of no immediate value, but...seemed altogether odd to be lumped with enchanted swords, bows and such things. These items of oddness amounted to a Tymoran coin, a satchel of prayers, a tome called the Five Secrets of Polvich, and a jade object(?).

---

It is altogether possible that, later, in and about the Blade & Stars Inn, that others not of the "new adventurers" themselves, would hear rumor—or eavesdrop such—of the particular treasure(s) that were recovered.

[yinyangzealot]

Journal of Anders Tremaine


Well, what an event this has proved to be. It started simply enough, an overly garrulous merchant named Tanithe needing some deeds returned to him. Dangerous work, but well within the group's capacity. It was in preparing to set out, however, that the real mystery presented itself - the Legacy of Lorri.


Like most such things it began by happenstance, right time, right place. An innkeeper telling a tale of petty bureaucrats, rat catchers and unfulfilled promise. And a legacy, a word which had us all intrigued. As we were travelling to the sewers anyway it was decided to attempt both tasks at once.


The sewers are a miserable place, filled with large vermin and some form of humanoid I had not encountered before. But we worked our way methodically through the grime until the warlock, Elvawen, and I happened upon a heavy set of tracks. Gathering our forces together we discovered the 'rats' were a crew of brigands based in the bowels of the city, strangely heavily made up of dwarven folk.


After dispatching these 'rats' we discovered the secret of Lorri's Legacy - some powerful weapons, a ring -which I took for myself to enhance my ranger abilities- and a collection of items that was most curious indeed. Of this collection, I took a book - the Asterleys at Waterdeep- and the others shared the treasure out.


I have the most curious feeling that the book is important is some way, though in what I do not know. I have decided I will seek Caed's help out in ascertaining its value or worth, as he seems to be versed in the magical arts. Perhaps it is important or even worth something. All I know is that it is beyond my sphere of experience.


I have left the following message at the Blade in Stars:

"Caed,

Upon sharing out the various items of Lorri's Legacy, I was left with a book, the Asterleys Waterdeep. I know it was one of a pair of books in the Legacy. I'm afraid my knowledge of books or lore is quite limited. I saw that you took the companion book. Do you know if it is worth anything? Any advice you can give would be most welcome. Leave a message with the innkeep if you have any pertinent information.

Your comrade
Anders"

[CaelusKazaran]

A note was left at the Blade and Stars

"It occurs to me that we may want to keep track of who all got what from the legacy of lorri....The book that I obtained was named The Great Black. Upon reading it however it would appear the pages of the book have become blank....I do not know how or why this occurred."

Signed, Elvawen

((For real though I read the book looked at it again and it was a blank book. Dunno if it can be rewritten or what but I dont remember what all it said.)

[Steve]

I have left the following message at the Blade in Stars:

"Caed,

Upon sharing out the various items of Lorri's Legacy, I was left with a book, the Asterleys Waterdeep. I know it was one of a pair of books in the Legacy. I'm afraid my knowledge of books or lore is quite limited. I saw that you took the companion book. Do you know if it is worth anything? Any advice you can give would be most welcome. Leave a message with the innkeep if you have any pertinent information.

Your comrade
Anders"

Caed Wynter-Rose meets some of The Windspell guild at the Blade & Stars, also acquiring the note left by Anders. Hoping to speak with Anders in person, Caed immediately does not leave a message in return.

Should Anders arrive at the Blade & Stars of his own accord, finding no return message from Caed, he may inquire to Hesper the Innkeeper about the Windspellers, and learn of their impromptu meeting, and that those assembled were attempting to catalog the many artifacts they seem to now be in possession of.

[Steve]

Caed Wynter-Rose is seen entering the Wide with a hired hand following behind, manipulating through the foot traffic a single-wheel cart, loaded to the edges with contents unknown, all covered by a tightly secured woven tarp.

Caed is walking with a pride in his step, towards the known location of the master alchemist Tarent Nefzen—the Windspell company man holding a loosely rolled scroll in one hand.

Hidden: show

Below the notice is posted a flyer:

Greetings Adventurer!

Tarent Nefzen, Scribe, Wand Crafter and Master Alchemist has need of your skills!
There are many ingredients needed in order to meet the demand for his Arcane Wonders and stock is running low. So if you seek paying work in acquiring the items he needs, rare or mundane find him at his tent within The Wide!

Currently, the following ingredients are needed:
Luminescent Moss
Hide of Troll
Tongue of Mimic
Heart of Gibberling
Multiple rare plants, inquire at The Wide
Werewolf Teeth
Imp Stingers
Gauth Stalks
Mushrooms with special, anti-venom properties

*Any other items useful in the preparation of magical potions will be appraised and, if determined useful you will be compensated!

**Bonus pay is available for those who bring large quantities of useful components!

Adventuring is dangerous work, Tarent Nefzen takes no responsibility for any death, dismemberment, or other deformity or hardship brought on while in his employ to acquire components of any kind. Each man or woman is responsible for themselves and should only undertake quests for which they are qualified. By entering in to agreement with Tarent Nefzen the adventurer waives any right, perceived or actual to recompense for hardship, injury or death.

///Not all of the above items can be obtained in game, screenshots can be PM'd as evidence of components.

Arriving to the desired location and hopefully finding Nefzen present, Caed takes a moment to make his introduction, and let it be know that he arrives on behalf of the Windspell Adventurer's Guild, to deliver these ingredients, for equal and fair reward, in return.

"What I have brought you this day, is the following items, acquired at great expense and against great odds, by we that travel together under the name Windspell."

Caed lifts the woven tarp off from the single-wheeled wagon, and as he shows the master alchemist the goods, he lists them by name.

"We have a stinger of an imp, the tongue of a mimic, healing moss in three bundles total, a fairly despicable heart of a gibberling, one mushroom that cures against poison of many vile types, the venom of the Ettercap beast, juice of the brain of a Carrion Crawler, a mandible from a monstrous spider, and...as a gift to celebrate our mutual success, a platter of Elturian grey cheeses...which you enjoy now, or later, as you may wish."

Hidden: show

As the sun beats down upon the Wide, Caed Wynter-Rose covers the cart once more to shield the items from spoilage, and looks back to the master alchemist.

"Now then, sir...what shall you reward the Windspells with?"

[Steve]

A Windspell Guild decision—possibly inadvertently—sends Caed Wynter-Rose to seek guidance from the Temple of the Vigilant. He is accompanied by Castyl and Mim, who are quite curious as to why Caed has chosen this Temple for...interpretation.

For, any that would have contact with the Temple, or the High Watcher therein, or even be keen to any rumors of such, could learn that the Windspells entered the Temple with a handful of Prayers, seeking something....

Then, they left, no longer in possession of a handful of Prayers, but possibly in possession of something else—and not just the frowns and looks of general confusion or dismay, on their faces....

---

Later, the Windspells held congress near to their namesake, at the Blade & Stars. Many in the Inn, especially Hesper the Innkeeper, made vocal comments as to whether the one called Caed Wynter-Rose had had too much to drink...as he kept trying to talk to a coin that at some moments, seemed to have a life of its own....[/i]

[Steve]

...the scroll contains the following written text:

Twas myself, Castyl, Elspeth and Mim that were within the Blade & Stars when a stranger spoke from the general crowd, he be a sailor by appearance, salty in character and some sheets to the wind already, and calling himself Five Fathom...which to at least my ears seemed a most unusual name.

We all had been speaking of the next action to take with the number of prayers related to the Twins—of which we have already resolved...if that could be such a description—when this Fathom spoke to Castyl, who had been having trouble with that Coin we had acquired though Lorri's Legacy treasure. If I remember, his first words to Castyl, and us, while pointing at that Coin, were:

"Hey there friend...well well ol Five Fathoms seen it's like afore...and if you have a mind, I'll take that one off you for ol times sake..heres to Whitey!"

Speaking further, with this Fathom, was...a challenge, to be sure. The drink and our own confusion about all that was spoken, did not make the conversation take ease.

But I will make summary of what Five Fathoms spoke of, so that we all, us Windspells, may keep our ears upon the Wind, and eyes steady and Vigilant.

• Five Fathom was a sailor
• Fathom spoke of the Jade Eight coin with "...I only seen it's like once afore and Ol Whitey had that one. Part of a mighty Pirate treasure, Whitey swears one such coin..."
• Fathom spoke of this "Whitey" having long sailed on, however: "...wrote a map didnt he? Aye I did and I said it was wrote...not drawn. Color of money was his one and only ...master pie..piece. It's all in the words..the colors he wrote about colors...but they...colors were the map. The route. Smart eh?"
• Fathom spoke of the book having exchanged hands a few times: "...got taken by thieves. I hear the thieves got taken by Hellriders or their kin, and gone vanished. One o your lot likely got it. You Knights o the Thorn, Sir Rodney Oity toity whatever..." Fathom spoke of us there, as we were also "knights," but perhaps he was confused by the armor and weapons we had with us.
• When I managed to ask him the name of this book, Fathom's answer was: "...I will not reveal it ...The colour of Money will remain a secret *finger to mouth *shssh* Lucky for you I happened here...Gold is the prize, but the book is the Colour of Money, thats the name...shh...don't tell em others..."
• Five Fathoms then returned to address that Coin, in our possession: "...Someone is callin the coins. Arr callin the coins, the luck is rollin on.... Put the whole lot agether and who knows what...The Seven Sons of Tymora all as in one place...that ad be a thing.... Nightmares will come on soon enough you would be best givin it ere. Better still find the one doin the callin..."

As you can read, though I may have missed something said or heard, small threads seem to attach each riddle, that came from the mouth of Five Fathoms.

I have drawn a number of conclusions myself, since this meeting with the Five Fathoms, and, since the time Mim and I visited the Shelf of the Many Books. There, we found reference to the Seven Sons, and identified that Coin we now possess, to the Jade Eight:

As well, the book titled the Seven Sons gave us this tale, furthering the mystery (here Caed has transcribed some passages from the book):

One conclusion that I have drawn from all this, is we Windspells must be diligent and make effort to locate any other coins belonging to the set of the Seven Sons. If we are not able, at least, we should make good to contact the Temple of Tymora and offer this coin in return to reward.

However...a very strange occurrence happened to myself, Castyl and Mim at a later meeting. After dealing with the Prayers of the Twins—such that I will explain in a later letter—we sat within the Blade & Stars as usual, near the fireplace. It was during this moment of reflection that the Jade Eight, of its own will, jumped from my pocket and rolled to a position upon a piece of paper that lay near the fireplace itself. This parchment was, in actuality, a hastily drawn map of the Sword Coast, and it would seem that the Jade Eight exactly landed atop the marker for the place called the Friendly Arm Inn.

After all we have seen, so far, I am of full belief that the Jade Eight is wanting to go to this Inn. Though I have the faintest of ideas why and for what, I see little wrong in humoring the theory.

---

For it is also along our path and next action—now I extend this already long letter to inform you of the result of consultation and interpretation of the Prayers of the Twins. It was myself, Castyl and Mim that visited the Temple of the Vigilant, and spoke with the High Watcher Martin Valdore, and his two companions: Lomyril and Edarion.

Collecting from us the Prayers, the High Watcher gave to us these interpretations: "I sense this ..there is a faith wide warning here of change on the Coast...Dreams have bene quite varied and fanciful our thinking is thta reflects, the individual blessed with insight, there faith and perhaps their setting at the time. However I have spotted something ...some similarities in the description whether person or item of a twin."

It was then that Lomyril stated: "I may be more specific...I was lucky enough to recently be on an exchange visit to the Temple of Lathander and ther eheard a tlae of one of there paladins. well a Paladin there of Beregost some 350 years ago or more was held as an example he was captured and to save his friends he stepped forward to defens them giving them time to run. Well that was all he ever achieved, and was heard of no more Pietr the White they called him for his bravery I asusmed. But these descriptions well i'd say he may be one of the two twins referred...if indeed a person at all. Yes I think one is Pietr, or maybe whatever he was using but one way or the other yes."

It was a great interest, these words spoken by Lomyril. However, the High Watcher then spoke further, taking much wind from our sails: "It may be something for all the Coast to concern itself with, others likely have too. *shrugs* Things are written for different audiences, much is in the eye of the beholder."

So as you can read for yourself, and hopefully do deduce what I have myself, that this Piety the White, a Twin or wielder of such an item, is also the paladin in the tale of the Seven Sons. Thus...a three-hundred and fifty year old mystery is slowly unraveling...to us, and possibly others. Which is why Castyl, Mim and myself have decided that to travel to Beregost ourselves, and make contact with the Lathanderites, and speak more about the history we have discovered, and...what possibly to do with it.

As well, my Windspell fellows...there is more. But I not only harbor a slight fear of laying more upon your minds, but...to myself, even place the thoughts I have to paper. The information I hint at is based in factual findings, and objects in my possession.

The journey south we embark shortly upon, is long...and while on it, I shall make time to speak to each of you, of what am holding back.

And so, that is where we Windspells are headed, in the next days. Any that wish to take travel with us, shall do good to leave word with Hesper the Innkeeper.

C. Wynter-Rose

[Vermilion]

Elspeth sits in the Blade & Stars reading Caed's note with an odd expression on her face. Seemingly to nobody in particular, she speaks out loud.
"Much as there are countless people I'd rather visit than a cabal of starched-shirt dawn-priests, an adventure far to the south may lead to further profitable leads and a chance to uncover some more valuable mysteries to solve. I suppose I'd best go along to keep our fellows on the right track, lest they end up singing hymns or worse."

She gets up to find one of the others, taking the rest of her bottle of firewine with her.

///assuming I didn't miss this one!

Edit: typos!

[Steve]

Subject: DM Rumours of the Sword Coast

It has been suggested that you may wish to put up elsewhere than the Friendly Arms Inn following a spate of bad luck in the place, including water failures, food poisoning, missing guests, small kitchen fires, and rancid lizard eggs. Bentley declared Gremlins begone blaming adventurers for it all before offering free drinks. Alas the free drinks went tumbling down the stairs as guest as barkeep collided.

Caed Wynter-Rose calls together the few Windspells that came to the Friendly Arm Inn in company. It would seem their luck has fluctuated from the rewarding to the...unaccommodating. In the courtyard of the Friendly Arm, he suggests that they take again to the Tradeway, and continue southward, towards their recently decided destination: Beregost.

As they collect their belongings and purchase whatever provisions still seem untainted by the flood of mis-luck now holding strong over the Inn, Caed shares—and somewhat openly amidst the hustle and bustle of the place—a small connection of the dots of the Treasure Map mystery presented to them in many ways...or so he thinks.

Caed presents to them the first page of the recently acquired "treasure map." That which he easily speaks of aloud as the Colour of Money tale:

It is only the first page that is easily visible among them.

Then, Caed speaks aloud of the other book in the Windspells possession: The Great Black. He points out the first page...:

Caed speaks directly to the Windspells, but his voice is spoken aloud: "The colors are the keys, the directions to the treasure! The Great Black writes on and on about the Silver...do you know anything about this place? Where shall we go to possibly find the knowledge either known or written, about the Silver?"

Caed pauses for a moment, while he looks over a few more pages in the Colour of Money tome. "And there are plenty more of colors after that! I think we are going to need to take to sea soon enough...but first, the colors must be put into order!"

He furrows his brow, then looks up at his fellow adventurers, with a needy expression.

[Vermilion]

Elspeth is in poor temper, given that all the wine in her possession had changed to vinegar and something had cut embarrassing holes out of all her better dresses. To make matters worse, she simply could not get her hair to look even passable.

Considering the riddle of the colours, she applies her usual talent of saying many words without providing much context.

"A rainbow, such as it is a girdle of colours overlaid and overlapping, provides a potential ordering of some colours, but neither black nor silver feature in those bands that cross the sky. Perhaps we need refresh ourselves on the colours of the schools of magic, for I forget which is which. It was some time since I heard them discussed, and truth be told I was only half-listening, for there was a cat struggling with a pigeon outside and such things are always thrilling. How the struggle to survive is allegorical for our very own lives, though if truth be told I feel less the cat than its prey some days. Of course, there are other colours to consider as well. Silver could be treasure, but superseded by gold, though the coin we found is a mystery aside from that. Perhaps we should compile what we know? I volunteer my talents of the mind, as I am sure I am the best for that matter."

She pulls a notebook from her satchel, only to find ink has been poured on every page, and swears volubly.

[Steve]

Caed abruptly responds to Elspeth, in a millisecond after she finishes speaking—it is almost sharp, this response, but then again...it is Caed:

"The Silver is an island, or islands, Elspeth. It does say it right here...." Caed then shows her another page in the book titled The Great Black, in order to prove his point. "Colors and metals...they are the powers behind the Great Wyrms, whom themselves are born of magic. But we simply need to find he or she that knows where this Silver Isle or Islands, lies. And from that point, I do believe we shall travel in the direction of great treasure."

Caed now pauses, something else on his mind. He responds: "But yet...if we are dealing with dragons here, we had best prepare ourselves. We must look into Time itself, to envision outcomes that may befall us. Then, we can proceed to arm ourselves with the weapons of defense, to protect us on this journey."

[Vermilion]

Elspeth' face darkens for a moment before she smiles, almost a little too sweetly, and says "Would you let me look over those books again, dearest Caed? Just in case there's something that was previously missed?"

[Steve]

Elspeth' face darkens for a moment before she smiles, almost a little too sweetly, and says "Would you let me look over those books again, dearest Caed? Just in case there's something that was previously missed?"

"But of course...the Windspells share all that we have learned, among us...do we not?"

Caed's response, could just as easily be interpreted as a rhetorical question, as not....

But then he provides an outlined view of both books, to Elspeth, as well to Castyl and Mim...if they are so interested.

Any other persons in the courtyard of the Friendly Arm would see this sharing of interests among them, but be challenged to see the full pages of the books...without distracting the Windspells, in some manner.

[Vermilion]

With Caed absent, this account is drawn from Elspeth's own journal. Events described may differ in part, or totally, to reality.

Marooned for days amidst the worst dregs of sellswords and dungeon-divers at the Friendly Arm in, I sequestered myself in my room as much as was possible, managing to translate the introductory chapters of the book. While what I have learned is in its infancy, I have every belief it will be glorious.

Descending for dinner one evening, I found Castyl and Mim in urgent discussions. Caed had not been seen in a while, and the mishaps befalling guests at the Inn had continued unabated. With unrivalled wisdom and benevolence I humbly volunteered to guide those poor fools until their awkward swordmage rose from his books.

Deeming it unnecessary to draw further misfortune by using the services of any of the local hireling thugs, the Windspell Company took the Trade Way south. The Sword Coast is well-named indeed, for we encountered and vanquished wayward fauna and goblins alike. Mim, for all the quirks of her kind, found a spot where two of her compatriots had lost a key or somesuch. The Windspells were obviously able to return the misplaced item despite the clumsiness of my associates, who most often found themselves caught by shrapnel from the perishing goblins' crude alchemical devices. Nonetheless, I did not have to haul anyone's carcass back from the ruins, which was a blessing (as I'd likely have left them there! Ha!)

There was no treasure to speak of, so it was good that the trek to Beregost was short after that. As Caed still hoards all the riddle materials like an adorably charmless dragon whelp, I opted to use the gold I'd coerced from those two stupid half-lings to purchase the best room at the Risen Phoenix Inn and wait for his arrival. In the meantime, let us see what other secrets this tome will give up...

The next few pages are deeply stained, because someone has knocked over a glass of Fire-Wine onto them.

[OXHawkXO]

Excerpts from the journal of Castyl Devillars

After learning that Caed will be delayed and a rather long debate with Mim and Elspeth. The three of us decided to head south to Beregost.

*A note is left for Caed.*

Meet you in Beregost.

Castyl