The Windspell Adventurers' Guild - Forum RP

[Theodore01]

Mim came at the inn with a sour expression.

"An ale, nay make it two." She turns to her comrades.

" You won't believe what happend right before.
I found a huge pile of trunks and chests in a nearby cave and they were all plundered and emptied. Not a single coin left.

And a man collapsed, as i immediately triggered my wand of healing - it fizzled ! - and the poor sod perished right in front of me.

For sure the luck has abandoned me. " With that, she finished her second ale and almost slipped from her chair.

[Steve]

Caed sees the forlorn look upon the halfling's face. He steps closer to her, then, he begins to start to move his arm, as if he would place it upon her shoulder with care...but he stops before reaching her, and lets his arm drop to his side.

"Extremely strange, Mim...your people are born with luck in their blood. Perhaps...all of our luck has run out, here, in and near the Friendly Arm! And if we do not soon make a move...that luck will start to shift into a dreadful sphere."

Caed places his hands across his chest.

"Which is why I think that priestess over there...."—Caed nods towards Barbura, assuming she is still within the Inns bar room—"...could very well add prayer against further poor luck. As long as her offers do not become possessing acts of greed, I think this will benefit us."

[burbles]

"All the Coins should be given, together, to the banner under which they were forged,"

That sounded like divination.
"It lacks the 'or else' part...", - Babura noticed, - "Their reason is unclear too."
"Word 'luck' means little to me now." - she stated, - "Aside from enchantments, anyway. Maybe there are patterns with the coins (or other effects) you missed."
As Caed shared more of his feelings, Babura reflected: "What you call madness my be just signs of chaotic nature of this magic."

If you, priestess, can bring your powers to equal out luck that appears to swing from high to low by the day...

She remembered a recent game of dice with Darius brothers and company, where she was rolling 4, 5 or 6 out of 12 consistently. Mean*. Come to think of it, 'they' always seem to think of her as not exceptional a priestess too. Even looks don't seem to count when it matters. Damn!
Frowning at those thoughts, she said: "If that's how the coins work, you have to deal with it if you want to keep them. Not staying in one place for long should help."

* - like average, middle

//Friday 20:00 GMT+0 time - that's my 24:00, too late, even if I didn't need to be up early.

[Vermilion]

When Caed rises the following day, he finds a hastily scribed note pinned to the dressing table with a dart.

[parchment]Caed,
It is with great regret that I tender my resignation as a member of the Windspell Company. Our goals are not aligned, given the lack of ambition I have identified.
As such, I have taken the Coins and intend to head to Selgaunt, or Marsember, or Athkatla, or Neverwinter - maybe even Luskan - to find a buyer. When I am rich beyond imagining, perhaps I will grant you a few coins by way of good feeling.

Fare thee well,
Elspeth Dharvoon[/parchment]

The Coins are sitting innocently on the tabletop next to the letter, as though they had never left. Presumably it would be a while before the treacherous wench noticed they had left her possession at the first opportunity.

[Steve]

Caed rises and finds the scroll left for him upon his dresser—he pales a bit, and the thought that someone has entered his room at night, though locked and sleeping alone as he was.

Grasping at the note, he tears it from being fixed to the dresser by the dart, and with half-open eyes , begins to read it in full. As he reaches the end, he exclaims, in a uncharacteristic yet in-the-moment, heartfelt reaction:

"That untrustworthy bitch! I knew it!"

Caed rubs his eyes once more, and then sees that upon the dresser top, lay the two coins he was carrying, in the last days—though not all the Coins that the Windspells have acquired.

"So then...treachery is not the road you wish to travel, is it?" Caed says, obviously, to the Coins themselves, as if they had ears and a mind to listen.

"Elspeth...who were you really?" Caed asks now of no one and nothing, as he lays back into the bed, now bringing the scroll up and above his prone head, to read it once again.

"Perhaps...I shall find us a ranger of some skill, and track you down...eventually...and get my answer." A small smile crosses his face.

Caed rises again to a sitting position, and with a certain carefree throw, lets the scroll left by Elspeth fall of its own weight, to the floor. He then turns his attention to the Coins.

"The Windspells will take you to the Lady's Hall, and there, let chance or fate decide the next turn. Let not fanaticism come to possess you, nor apathy. Perhaps...when you are placed as a bet in a great gamble...your luck will truly shine."

[Steve]

Some Times You Gamble...and You Lose...Or Do You?

Starring: Castyl Devillars, Caed Wynter-Rose, Mimosa and Yasmeena of Tethyr

Special Guests: DM Spartacus

The Windspells packed and prepared quickly, to leave the Friendly Arm Inn, for the north. At least one of them, Caed, was cautious to the first steps of the path—he anticipated the mad man Teris to be in wait for them...but it was not the case, to Caed's satisfaction.

It was that soon after heading north upon the Tradeway, that the Windspells met with a new face in the region, a Yasmeena of Tethyr, who was tracker of some skill, and currently upon her own quest to find a man that had had a band in a betrayal of her people, her family.

The lines of Yasmeena and the Windspells crossed, then aligned...and it would be that Yasmeena joined in the group on the return to Baldur's Gate...and to deliver the Coins to the Lady's Hall, a gamble there, to be made.

Arriving at the Temple of Tymora, the Windspells encountered the High Priestess Leeta, who was able to confirm the Coins divine nature under the banner of Tymora, however...the Priestess would make no effort to either accept of deny the Coins, into her possession.

And so, both the Temple and the Windspells, sat in wait...inviting Fate to arrive.

And it did...in the form of a potion merchant, who with a boldness, took up the two Coins that were offered by the Windspells to the Temple, and pocketed them without much affair!

The Priestess Leeta let the action be—her words expressed that her way was to let things happen as they do.

Caed, on the other hand, attempted to inform the merchant of what he had "unknowlingly" done and now acquired—two divinely forged Coins of artifact—but the merchant could not understand what Caed was getting at...and when the merchant unloaded his pockets for all to investigate the Coins as they were, it was that the merchant only had normal coins in his possession.

The two Seven Sons had vanished into the world, again...as it would and must be, their nature.

In an attempt to either expand or close the knowledge related to the greater Quest the Windspells understand they have been put on by forces greater than their own willingness, Caed Wynter-Rose asked the Priestess about any divine visions or dreams, such that maybe were similar to what the Watchers of the Vigilant, Helm's Temple priests, had experienced—and had communicated to the Windspells some time ago.

The Priestess had not, it seemed. She had only heard rumors of these visions, herself...and she added, it was her way to "...There have been dreamers, worried, but i have not been so blessed, i trust to luck, and pray for it."

And so, the gamble that Caed had played, to return the Coins to a divine house from the faith that they were blessed, did not reward them with a next action to take, in their wide ranging quest.

As the Priestess Leeta left the Windspells in the main room of the temple, the Windspells momentarily stood their ground, pensive.

Castyl Devillars speaks now: "I get the feeling we haven't seen the last of those Coins...." He chuckles a bit. Caed turns to speak to Castyl. "We never asked for the Coins, in the first place, nor did we ask of them to leave us, either. So it is simply the winds of fate....and they may return...which perhaps, I also fear that!" Caed replies, as he uncomfortably smiles.

"Well, Castyl....my pockets are lighter, but my conscious not."

"Is the something troubling you?" asks Castyl.

Caed replies: "I had gambled on the Coins being...talismanic, or sorts. And able to guide us further, in our quest. But alas...they are but fickle things...not that they ever were any different, since they came into our lives."
Caed looks now, again, upon the large tome displayed within the Temple, for all to read when entering. "There is at least a lesson to be learned...but that does not make any thing easier, from it."

Castyl interrupts Caed's thoughts: "Shall we head to the inn for a drink?"
"Aye, that is a fine idea." replies Caed.

As the Windspells are about to leave the Temple, Castyl approaches the altar to Tymora, and rubs the statue. "Can't hurt..." he mutters with a smile.

[Steve]

Foreboding hanging figures warn the Windspells and Compatriots, as they make a foray deep into the caves belonging the Wood of the Sharpteeth.

Hours later, carrying a number of Orc heads in satchels, the group exits the cavern system, many a member of this adventuring group breathing deeply of the fresh forest air—a relief and a reward...after much effort expended.

Though victorious in their quest, and their hands dirty in layers of shed Orc blood, who knows...if any surviving Orcbloods from this tribe, would spread the word of their adventuring group, among other Orcs...and thus, the Windspells, gain an infamous label...and marks, for revenge....

[Steve]

Caed Wynter-Rose arrives at the Blade & Stars Inn, on Windspell street, in Baldur's Gate—namesake to the adventurers guild he stands in as a member, promoter, guide.

This day, arriving late in the afternoon, he has two parcels under his arms, and, a pleasing smile upon his face. As he enters the Inn, he catches the eye of Hesper, the innkeeper, and Hesper sees Caed with these two parcels, and they both share a nod, in recognition, of what is to come...as it would seem to any others, within the main hall.

Walking calmly to near the hearth, that region of the Blade & Stars where the Windspells so regularly hold congress, he pauses near the mantle, placing one parcel on the mantle, and the other, he slowly begins to unwrap. It takes not long for him to set free a small sculpture, an upright left hand made of shining silver, the lower wrist fading into a subtle base that appears carved to represent rippling clouds, and the hand itself, palm out and up with the fingers together.

He carefully places it upon the mantle of the hearth, admiring its position and stature in the light. He adjusts its angle once, before satisfied.

Caed takes the second parcel, unwraps it from the light binding in cloth, to then place another hand sculpture, next to the first. It is as well, a left hand, more noticeably human than the first, and different in that it appears to be carved from stone, unclear what type, but with an interesting blue reflection, a nimbus of sorts, that almost glows enough to create a hazy blue background behind it. The hand is with closed fingers, except the index finger, that points skyward.

Two lefts hands, oddly, stand next to each other upon the mantle, and the one that has placed them there, stands before them in silence, in clearly visible admiration. In time, it would seem he is pleased with the arrangement, but remains standing before the two idols, finally crossing his arms, as if waiting.

It is at this very moment that the front door of the Blade & Stars opens, bringing forth a runner of deliveries, who quickly scans the room until finding the profile of Caed's face before the hearth, and with haste, brings to Caed a third parcel. With a fair thanks, Caed receives the parcel and sends the runner off again, slowly beginning another round of unwrapping some small object in slightly large size than the other two that have come before—the object finally unwrapped, it catches light and is clearly a gauntlet, made of polished steel.

Caed approaches the mantle close, and with care, pushes the silver hand to the left a few marks, and the stone hand with raised finger, he slides to the right, making just enough room, to between the other two, deposit a third object, a left-hand war gauntlet with palm open and out, displaying therein a carved and color-stained, staring eye with a blue pupil, in outline.

Three left hands, lined up in short, tall, short order, each clearly displayed in a triadic meaning...that remains to be defined, other than in symbolic abstraction, in this moment and place, in time.

With some moments past, from a pouch upon his waistbelt, Caed Wynter-Rose pulls a number of stocky, round candles to place near the three hands, and lights the wicks.

He has, in slight gestures, created what can only be reasoned to be an altar. "Manus Triune....," he exclaims.

Caed takes a seat upon the bench in front of the hearth, and relaxes back into the cushion, crossing one leg over the other...and for a time, stares deeply in to the fire burning brightly there.

[Steve]

A contingent of White Order Knights were encountered by the Windspells, near the Friendly Arm Inn. The Knights stated firmly—though without fact—many things regarding the Horde of Pol, and the Lich named Polvich. All was linked...yet separate entities, both with sinister goals.

The Windspells felt neither better informed, nor secure in truth. Thus, they set out to retrace steps where last they encountered tangible fact of their own senses.

The Cave of Hags was again housing greater ghouls and other minions of an Undead nature, however...the previous Undead controllers were not residing there anymore. That seemed...a positive case, to the Windspells.

But other caves presented themselves to the group now exploring further within the Cloakwood. Perhaps...the Undead had simply sought out another hideaway....

Encountering many beasts of the legendary minotaur race, the Windspells searched diligently through the constructed maze. There, they found something that reminded them of one of the Five Secrets of Polvich...the Portal.

Though solid in construction, this portal did not seem activated...yet. The Windspells made good note of their exploration of the maze of minotaurs...would they perceive or acquire further information, regarding the Undead controlling priests, or the Horde of Pol.

[Tsidkenu]

A woman wearing highly polished and detailed armour entered the Friendly Arm Inn with a notice in hand, proceeding straight to Bentley and asking him if he knew the whereabouts of a fellow named Caed or his apparent accomplice Garlic. She showed Bentley the notice she had, a warning about entering the Cloakwood due to the abnormal presence of worgs and hill giants with an addendum to seek out 'Caed' & 'Garlic' at the Friendly Arm Inn. She further asked if Bentley knew who had written it or where they could be found at the Inn. She gave her name as one Pryat Mae yr Machshikhah yi Calim, a priestess in the Watcher's service.

[Steve]

As the woman in full and polished armor of great detail speaks with Bentley, Caed Wynter-Rose, the self-described Windspell Knight of the Manus Triune, descends the stairs form the upper floor of rooms.

Bentley has but to notice this, jab a thumb in the air in Caed's direction, and take his leave knowing he has once again, done his job as Host with the utmost of skill and...luck.

Caed notices the woman, and seeing in her hand a parchment, his curiosity lures him to her position at the bar, for...he was so recently involved in a parchments placement within the Friendly Arm.

"Good knight...for this must be your profession...do you come seeking more information regarding what has besieged the Cloakwood? I am Caed Wynter-Rose, of the Windspell Adventurers' Guild, and yes...my companion Garlic did place those notices here and there, for...we felt it necessary to warn the population, that dire beasts of demon eyes and hound-like form, were infesting the Cloakwood. I myself, nearly lost my life, save not for Garlic and his abilities in the Art."

After a short monologue, Caed takes a breath, and speaks again to the woman: "Please tell me what brings you bearing this notice, and...are you willing to lend your skills to the cause of whatever Evil grows within those woods?"

[Tsidkenu]

"That seems to be the pressing question on everyone's lips at the present, yes," she replied as she analysed the fellow's appearance, attire and mannerisms as he conversed. "I did scour much of the forest for clues, but I have been searching for trustworthy eyewitnesses to give a detailed account of what transpired therein before I press my investigation further."

She paused to hear his reply, leaving the question of lending her specific aid to the Windspell Adventuring Company entirely unanswered. For now.

[Steve]

She paused to hear his reply...

"Careful planning always defeats rushed actions in the end," replies Caed. "Come, let us sit for a moment, and I can speak more clearly of what was experienced."

Caed takes a chair nearby, and speaks in short: "What clues are you expecting to find, good knight? Have you taken your watch after finding the written words of Garlic, or...perhaps, you have arrived to investigate further upon other rumors? Nonetheless, what the Windspells have learned, and have seen with our own eyes, and have fought against with our own blades, is that two forces seem to have descended upon the Sword Coast, both perhaps manifesting within the Cloakwood itself.

It has been stated by another order of knights, the White Order, that the two forces are Cultists under Polvich—though we know not if they seek to bring Polvich to life, or simply unravel the Secrets attributed to Polvich—and the Horde of Pol, which is a banner that is recruiting certain individuals that wish to gain through destructive acts against the people of the Sword Coast.

There is more to say, good knight...but...*Caed looks around, carefully*...I have learned that not all ears and eyes that frequent the Friendly Arm, are not...for vigilance. Instead, for violence. It has been rumored that a rise of palemasters that have powers to walk among us undetected, and...it is only through promise and aid to the defense of the people, that any of use should trust one another."

Caed looks the knight over, not judging, but obviously showing caution.

"I seek a calm and caution with the actions of the Windspells...but I fear that inaction, as well, allows these evil powers to grow...."

Caed waits for the good knight's response.

[Tsidkenu]

"All my knowledge of these cultists comes from hearsay alone. I hope you understand the importance with which I undertake acquiring information directly from the source and from eyewitnesses when it might prove too dangerous for me to seek out a source of evil directly. While I did sweep the Cloakwood and found the snow there most unseasonable, based on reports of the typical inclement weather, without an eyewitness account of what actually transpired I am only able to base my conclusions upon mere assumption, a very dangerous foundation at the best of times," she replied, taking a brief pause before continuing.

"This is the first I have heard of this 'White Order' in association with the Horde of Pol, although clear intelligence is lacking on both accounts. The more accurate the report, the better basis I have to assess their relative dangers to the common folk, pilgrims and travellers upon the Trade Way, my primary charges at the current time, although I am aware that the threat level is already critical with several caravans having been assailed with significant, and indeed gruesome, loss of life."

"Thus, while I may not be able to directly assist you and your adventurers at this time, being bound by my present duties to my church, I am willing to attempt to render indirect assistance by requesting Everwatch intervention if the other local forces remain disinterested. So much depends on what I know, and can know, about these matters. The more the better, obviously, because like yourself I have little intention of wading into a potential conflict unprepared and unaware."

((sorry for the delay, been a really busy week))

[Steve]

"... I have little intention of wading into a potential conflict unprepared and unaware."

Caed Wynter-Rose listens to the knightly woman speak, giving her his patience and attention. Thoughtful for a few silent seconds after she finished, he comes to a response.

"My good knight...you know me not, but it was my earliest studies in the clergy, under the most devote to the Vigilant One...and those lessons have remained, in my desire to know they enemy, through the wisdom of patience, insight and...well, some may say observation and care is not action, and I too have seen my inner faith challenged, to remain ever vigilant yet ride the winds of Fate...how to be both the guard and the protector, but also the guide...."

Caed almost gets lost in his words, but recovers himself quick enough, avoiding the debate of dogma.

"But perhaps...I shall be as clear as I can, to you, as such an eye witness, that I may sway you own energies and any force that you may represent.

The White Order present themselves as knights following the light-filled ways set as faith by a Pieter the White. They act and speak to preserve his work...but they seem to conduct themselves as the guardians against the darkness, that which may be either or both of the Horde of Pol, and the Lich Polvich, be it him directly or his rising cultists.

The White Order though...who do they answer to, and from where do they come? I know not, as they themselves seem more conditioned to speak than to listen and answer, from the curious and those that are in need to know more.

I can also say with you in certainty, that in these few weeks that I have given attention to the areas surrounding the Friend Arm, and attention given by all the members of the Windspell Adventurers' Guild, it would seem the influence of darkness is spreading within the Cloakwood...and nothing we have done has abated it, nor gained insight into avenues to change that shift.

I myself, with my own eyes, have seen strange yet tangible changes. For one, we have seen the Cave of Hags be both what it is, and further, a center of activity for cultists raising the dead. I have seen even further west, that of the woods that is home to disagreeable trees and spiders of instant movements, also become the haunt of vampires. This is not normal occurrence for a wood.

And the last even of note, that which my fellows Garlic the Gnome and Castyls the Faithful also witnessed, was to be attacked by a great host of dire wolves, led by an giant of extreme means and strength, such an event that I suffered a near death and, to this day, remain haunted myself over the visions I did see while unconscious. For days, now, that I still live, I thank whatever and all Gods that grant Garlic the powers to have saved my soul from a final fate of eternal suffering....."

The good knight may see in Caed's countenance a sincere worry of these "visions" he now mentions.

"As I have been told, if it were not for a few masked beings that spoke of a Master '...not in need of these corpses, at least now...., I might not be able to be here to speak with you, this day. It is all confusing and wicked, I must say."

"If you deem in necessary, good knight, to collect all that my empower your actions, I ask you now to further your investigations by seeking out my colleagues in the Windspells, such as Garlic, Castyl and also the one called Gon, for all can be witness to my witness, and double down on the truths I do now speak.

And moreso, I say look to find one priestess named Charisa of House Flomeigne, and one Aeric of Oghma, both whom themselves seem to have acquired pieces to the puzzle, to say, for lack of better words. There is also a wild eyed fighter whom has recently made great inquiry into the machinations of Polvich, and he too, may have pieces to the puzzle.

If you are the one that may bring a clearer picture to bear, I can only support you in any way, as I can.

For now...this is all I can openly say to you. Perhaps...there is more, but I will end now for I have entrusted some who are willing but shy to be open about their knowledge in these matters...and I must find the will to protect them, as they may be the only ones who can acquire more knowledge, in the ways that I myself, am uncomfortable to do.

So please, good knight...tell me that we shall share in this great work to a clearer path of action, and...that we shall do this with a haste, because I do not imagine that either force, that of the Horde of Pol nor the cultists of Polvich, sit and wait for us to act or not...no, I fear they develop further as we speak, and soon—if we are not prepared in defense, at the least—we shall see their unholy researches bear fruit...a terrible day to be witnessed on the Sword Coast."