Arty Fox

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 03 HP: x / 24 Armor Class: 15 Conditions: N/A Location: Outside Silversmith -> Bed & Breakfast Action: N/A Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 3/3

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Blackberry followed after the group without stopping. He no longer needed, or wanted, to guess that the noises he still heard surrounding them belonged to the rats scuttling outside the party’s zone of light.

Marita confirmed what he had feared; the ‘Camp’ was now completely out of the question.

“Then just where could we go?” He moved alongside Marita and matched her strides. “Wandering the streets all night is hardly a sound idea, even without our…audience. I worry a decision may be made for us before too long.”

The scream splintered the nigh. BlackBerry nearly jumped out of his scales, the unease churning in his stomach boiled into a moment of panic. His gaze snapped towards it, somewhere further down the road and out of sight. He took a few steps forward, past the sliver o flight coming from the openening door, and past the party before he checked himself just at the edge of the party’s circle of light. He wanted to help. His fingers began tap, tap, tapping upon the hilt of his sword betraying the churning anxiety he was trying to hide. Two other scream quickly went up from another direction, he couldn’t pinpoint it even as he turned his head this way and that.

Kathryn slipped into the building, pushing past the child that had opened it. From what he had overheard the child was possibly all alone at the moment. He pushed down the flabbergasted anger that rose in him; someone had left the poor child alone on a night like this? In a town filled with were-rats? Whomever her guardian was had better have a bloody good reason for wandering off. Through the open door he could hear Kathryn trying to console the child. She sounded young, and it made his heart twist at the thought of her all alone, in a place like this.

Following the example of the others, he slipped into the building, and let out a breath at the relief now being awayy from their unwanted audience. At least for now.

“Guests?” He had caught the Victoria's comment just as he came in. “Guests as in…” He gestured with his chin towards the door, hoping she understood what he left unsaid.

Guests like our audience outside?

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 03 HP: x / 24 Armor Class: 15 Conditions: N/A Location: Outside Silversmith Action: Checking if Rats are likely to to attack (nature): 19 Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 3/3

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Nature, see if they’re looking to attack or just following: 19
The rats are massing in the open, which isn't normal under usual circumstances. Many of them appear to be very curious about you guys, but they don't seem to be massing to attack, so far as you are aware.

“Hm, wonderful.” Victoria confirmed his worst fears and BlackBerry near chewed upon his feigned happiness, dripping with sarcasm. “Always a pleasure to have happy guests dropping in unannounced.”

He let Kosara to do her work to apply the spell; twisting around slightly to avoid being in the way of her movements. This time, he learned not to look at the object as the light burst from it. Staring down at it he couldn’t help but think to himself, with a small smile.

I have a magic weapon. How delightful. The others will be so pleased to hear of this back home.

BlackBerry knew the effect was temporary but while it lasted it did make him a little be happy nonetheless. He just didn’t realise how temporary it would be as he watched, feeling somewhat disappointed, Kosara quickly move the magical light over to Maritas shield. The light disappearing from his shortsword as it bloomed from the shield. It made more sense though as Marita could still wield the shield for light and defence in a fight, which would be a darn-sight more useful that he could have done with the sword against their foes.

Wanting to stay useful he turned back again towards the fog behind the group to where Lady Kathryns thrown torch had landed, loudly, a few moments ago. His stomach dropped in time with his jaw. That was a lot of rats. In the spluttering torch light there was no where for them to hide. No Mercy from the sight of their writhing, scurrying, bodies crashing over each other.

A strained whisper escaped. “Oh no.” He dropped into his usual fighting stance and grabbed his shortsword ready to fight.

But when nothing more came from the rats, aside from the panicked squeaks or argumentative squeals to each other, they hopped in and out of the circle of light from the torch he came to realise something.

“I…I would wager they’re not here to attack us. At least, not yet anyway.” BlackBerry locked eyes with one, that squealed and then ran back into the darkness. Repressing a shiver he continued. “Rather more likely keeping an eye on us, for now. Reporting back to their masters, no doubt.”

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 03 HP: 24 / 24 Armor Class: 15 Conditions: N/A Location: To the Silversmiths -> Outside Silversmith Action: N/A Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 3/3

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BlackBerry nodded along to Lady Kathryns assessment, and possible wishful thinking. He sent a few silent prayers out towards the unseen folk of the down wishing for their safety for the evening, and beyond hopefully. He was glad to hear however that there was an intention to ‘hammer out the plan later’.

“We can only wish for their safety at least.”

Following after the party, again Blackberry felt something stir at the back of his neck, a feeling he assumed to be like hairs rising on end. He kept stopping every few steps trying to pinpoint the noise of scuttling feet, or claws, or what have you, cocking his head to the side in a futile attempt to hear better, he glared down the side passages and at the shadows trying to pick out anything from the abyss. But frustratingly, worryingly, each time he tried to listen to the noises, or pull apart the shadows with his eyes they all stopped. It was like trying to hold sand between his fingers so that each time he thought with triumph, or horror, he had seen something only for his eyes to then adjust and reveal that it had simply been a rag or piece of litter. He sneered at his latest imagines monster, a collection of stray cobbles, and then hastened after the party again. He had only fallen a few paces behind but anxiety made him hurry to stay within sight of them all.

While he arrived in time for Lady Kathryn to begin banging feverishly upon the Silversmiths door, looking as stoic as ever and leaking an orange glow from the cracks, it was Kosara’s casting of magic that held his attention. He hadn’t had the chance to witness properly earlier, in the midst of the skirmish, to notice her gestures she weaved in the air.

“Ah how wonderful. Thank you, Kosara.” Blinking away the spots in his eyes, he had been looking at the sword when light had burst from it. “I could take charge of one, if that is agreeable? Perhaps using my own sword as a light source as well? If it cannot cause harm to others, then it may as well bring light to us.”

Looking to Lady Kathryn confirmed he wasn’t the only one on edge. The circle of light he huddled in with the others provided some meagre sense of safety for him.

“Has anyone else the notion they are being watched?” BlackBerry again turned to look down the way they had come.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 03 HP: 24 / 24 Armor Class: 15 Conditions: N/A Location: To te Silver Smiths Action: N/A Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 3/3

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Without any apparent word from Lea Blackberry assumed she had either not heard him or otherwise busy at the moment in the kitchen. Part of him wanted to go in and check, he bounced back and forth on his feet as his thoughts wrangled with each other, just to make sure the woman was okay and that she knew they had head off but with everyone else leaving he felt it would be best to follow after.

Lea would realise they had left whenever she came back into the room. Probably. Hopefully.

The door ‘clunked’ close behind him, and the cold air hit him like a brick wall snatching the breath from his lungs. The horrid chill would have brought up a rash of goose-bumps if he were a creature of skin instead of scales. He sucked on his teeth and let out a chattering ”ooh” and his breath, turned to vapour, joined the darkening fog.

“Gods above!” He unravelled his scarf a turn attempting to cover his shoulders and arm. “I swear, the weather worsen by the hour.”

He trotted along with the party. His eyes turned this way and that over the eerily empty streets decked in garland and streamers hanging forlornly in the still air. The whole place seemed a world away from the town in the middle of it’s celebrations he had enjoyed the previous days, and more like one abandoned and left to rot. He narrowed his eyes at a nearby shadow his mind tried to turn into a monster.

“It may make us stand out but a touch of light would do wonders just now. If it is no trouble, of course. I must admit that I can’t dark.” Piping up, he did a quick spin mid step to again see no one else about. “It has become rather lonesome out here all of a sudden, hasn’t it?”

The discussion of the plan still rattled in his skull; while they had all settled on an idea of what to do for now there was still the question of what to do after. Or perhaps he had missed it? Regardless, BlackBerry had noticed the discussions earlier bouncing rapidly between the two main sticking points; to lure the ratmen out OR to go straight to them.

“Pardon me if it had been decided earlier, I may have missed it. But was there a plan for tomorrow?” BlackBerry lamented, rubbing his brow. “If we had yet to decided then perhaps a vote, later? Best not discuss details in the open but I simply wished to double check.”

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 03 HP: 24 / 24 Armor Class: 15 Conditions: N/A Location: Public house Action: N/A Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 3/3

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Having said his piece BlackBerry let the party discuss the finer points of the plan, as he slunk into the background as quietly as he could. While normally he would have been more inclined to do some meditation somewhere a bit more private, he had thrown a glance towards the door to the backroom that been pointed out to them all earlier in the evening, but he wanted to stay near to the fire as much as he could where it was warm and dry. Standing around and talking had given him some time to relax after the fight, and the warmth, food, and conversion about sandwiches had done it’s work to rejuvenate him giving weight to the phrase ‘Food for the Soul’.

He settled towards the southern corner of the building out of the way, and where he had enough room to at least do a few movements. He could feel the conversation around him drawing to a close as the others finished up their own meals so decided against doing a full routine, he didn’t feel like he need to to at this point anyway, and instead chose a few quick ones he run though without much effort.

Closing his eyes he settled into a simple standing pose as he began his movements. Others at home found their centre through prayer, humming tunes, or otherwise sitting still for a period of time, BlackBerry found his ‘centre’ through slow and controlled movements following forms and positions he had seen in old texts or taught by passing travellers. He begun by tilting forward from the hips, reaching down to his toes and feel a good, warm ache start in his lower back and ham strings. He liked Lady Kathryn's idea of instead luring out the ruffians on a wild goose chase. And her kindness extending to offering the L’Roses a place to stay impressed him further, it seemed whoever these folk were had left a lasting impact on the other members of the party.

He continued through the movements; back up to standing, down into a plank, a low lunge, and then up into a warriors pose pushing his arm high up to the ceiling and titling back a little bit to get a good stretch across his stomach. After a few breathes he switched to lunge through his opposite leg. He could feel it now, the energy that moved across the world as part of it’s endless journey, constantly ebbing and flowing as steady as the tide. His eyes stayed closed so he could focus on letting in that energy, pulling it into his core to replenish his reserves. Another movement brought him back up to standing and then to a simple Tree pose balanced on his right leg. Still listening in on the others, he begrudgingly nodded in agreement to the idea of laying low for the evening and holing up at their ‘camp’.

BlackBerry’s concentration was shattered then, smashed to smithereens by Kosara shouting, and he toppled out of the pose and to the floor.

“And we are all happier for it.” BlackBerry grumbled to her comment on learning to heal and pulling himself back up by the tables edge. “Bluntly put, Kosara, I shudder to think of the damage you could cause if you leaned into more…violent schools of magic.” The very thought cast an image of burning ruins into his mind, and Kosara dancing gleefully at the centre as she spun a wicked web of destruction around her, blasting beams of solid light from between her horns. He banished the nightmare with a shake of his head.

“Right well, It does appear that we’re making out move at the very least. Should we take any food with us at all for later?” He eyed what remaining food was left on the table and wondered what of it could be taken with them.

BlackBerry dusted himself off and straightened out his robes, glad that relatively thin fabric now that it had mostly dried off again. While he tried to not practise vanity of any sort he did like to think the warm colours of the burning red and warm orange, crisscrossed by small patches of varying similar shades and tracks of stitching from years old repairs, complimented nicely with his blue scales. He gave a few of the fastenings and knots testing tugs to make sure they were all still secure. Then he secured the short sword he had back onto his hip, sitting it upon a chair to be at roughly the right height and then secured the buckle with practised grace with his one hand. Lastly, with his back strapped to his back he was ready.

“Pardon me, Miss Lea?” BlackBerry called towards the bar as he spent a moment stacking some of the cutlery, bowls, empty plates and cups into a neat pile. He wasn’t sure where the Bar maid had disappeared to. “We’re about to head off now. Will you be all right by yourself?”

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 03 HP: 22 / 24 Armor Class: 15 Conditions: N/A Location: Public house Action: History (11) Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 1/3

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BlackBerry frowned, and grumbled. “Good point. Good point.” He could almost see the Cheese on the table laying waste to the Apple, making their valiant last stand against the onslaught. He opened his mouth to continue but noticed that Kosara had bolted from her seat to the fire. It took him a moment to find his thoughts again. “Presumably not all the buildings in this town have rooftop windows from which to shoot from.”

BlackBerry scowled at the notion of just leaving Avonshire, leaving the innocent people of this place to fend for themselves while thugs and ruffians turned their home into a nightmare. His opinion of Victoria soured slightly, but he caged a comment behind clenched teeth. He had to remind himself that this party was working for Sheriff Gregory Arbalest with a specific goal in mind and with that goal met, according to Victoria, there really wasn’t much reason for them to stick around and risk their lives. It left a sour taste in his mouth and he began to wonder what his own next move would be should they choose to leave; stay and fight? Or follow after his current trail for help?

He shot a glance backwards Lea hoping she either hadn’t heard or hadn’t been listening to that part of the conversion.

At the very least some semblance of a plan was coming together to tackle the Constable and his cohorts head on, if not tonight then sometime tomorrow once the group had had some time to finish tying up any loose ends. Absently he chewed a knuckle in thought and with worry about how much time it would take, and all the while their enemy was no doubt doing the same, building themselves back up and devising their own schemes.

“Well.” A momentary breath to calm himself, setting his emotions aside for the moment. “I suppose that would just leave attacking the municipal building directly. Regardless I do think we need to get a move on and at least try to lend a hand were we can.” Casting his mind back into his memories of books, bookshelves and many meandering lessons he recalled some snippet of information, and couldn’t hold back a worried grimace. “If these rodent-thropes are anything like lycanthropes then these next few nights will be…difficult. Stories and tales suggest having consecutive full moons tend to make such beings more active.”

Listening to Maritas explanation of her own powers was a fairly informative, and confirmation of her being a woman of faith answered his question about the amulet she wore proudly on her chest; a symbol of the god she followed. But it was an entirely different symbol than the symbol of Tyr he had expected, the Balanced scales resting on a warhammer were missing. He made a note to ask later.

“Agreed, staying at the camp would be safest. Moving on though, I do worry how much time we actually have to find the answers to those questions like ‘who's really been pulling the strings’” He repeated with his attention focused on Marita, but did flutter towards Kosara still kneeling in front of the fire for his next words. “It could perhaps somebody who taught him magic? But anyway, let us not forget the enemy will be doing the same thing were are; licking their wounds and gathering their forces so time could well be of the essence. If the Sheriff could lend a hand that could give us the edge we need to fight.”
He nodded towards Lady Kathryn having heard her suggestion to send someone with word outside of the Town for help. Even if any attack they attempted were to fail then at least the troubles in Avonshire could be revealed to someone else with more power than themselves to do some.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 03 HP: 22 / 24 Armor Class: 15 Conditions: N/A Location: Public house Action: N/A Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 1/3

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The overall air and conversion was justifiably grim, aside from discussing the particulars of what makes a sandwich. The idea Lady Kathryn brought up of the other guards being on the look out for them all brought a horrid twist to his stomach. He wasn’t used to be on THIS side of the law but given their leader he wasn’t feeling very conflicted about it. Kosara’s suggestion to set the place on fire made him wince at the very thought of the damage it could bring. While most of the buildings he had seen were predominantly made of stone, cobble, and brick, he had no doubt that there was still enough wood and other flammables that would happily take to flame. The last thing Avonshire needed was to be burned to cinders, on top of having a Rodent-thrope infestation.

“Now, now.” BlackBerry held up his hand to Kosara. “I doubt setting something on fire would end well any for us, or the surrounding buildings. Plus it has been raining for much of the day so I imagine anything that could be kindling has become unusable by now. Although admittedly I, myself, would not argue against charging ‘Head on, into the fray! To glory!’” He cried out the phrase as if he were a legendary fighter, complete with a flex and confident grin. “Some unsavoury types understand only one thing; violence. Pure and simple, much as it would be ill-advised to do so.”

The other idea that Kosara brought up hopped into his mind demanding attention. He turned and stepped away from the table for a moment to consider it; drawing the enemy out somewhere for an ambush? Lady Kathryn seemed to be of the same mind as well, and no one else had voiced a particular want to go charging head first into the enemy. As much as BlackBerry enjoyed a good fight he liked it even more when he knew his opponent, and if he could win. Perhaps charging in wasn’t the best idea?

He paused mid-turn back towards the party to note the Barmaid Lea helping herself to a tankard of drink. It made him frown, everyone needed their wits about them and drinking at a time like this was just as likely to make people stupid as it was to calm them down. Lady Kathryn and Marita appeared to be handling the situation and attempting to prop the woman’s spirits up. He silently wished them luck and prayed to Tymora in their endeavour. He took the last few bites of the apple as his thoughts lined up into place.

“Both ideas have merit, and drawbacks.” He put the apple core on the table and picked up one of the bowls laden with slices of apple and cheese. “Firstly, let us imagine that this bowl is the Municipal building. If we were to go charging in we have no idea how many of those brutes may be lying in wait or how well armed they may be, and before we do get ahead of ourselves with considering actually fighting them is there even a way in?” His eyes hopped away from the apples and cheese to Kosara for an answer to this after mentioning the building had been boarded up.

“The idea of luring them out is not without similar dangers either, as we have no idea how many may turn up or when, even. Including your dear friend the Constable.” He put the bowl back down, and plucked several bit of apple and cheese from it only to place them in a heap on the table top. “But it does give us some control over the battle field; we could lure them into an alley way? Or a dead end? Somewhere they wont be able to use the high ground to attack from afar at the very least.” He grabbed an empty bowl to block one end of an alleyway of utensils he made, with the Cheeses at the centre. Trapped. A chuckle escaped him.

“I would wager Cavendish is feeling mighty sore after losing his little toy. A perfect bit of bait if there ever was one.” A piece of Apple took stage between the bowl and the group of Cheese. “Once the brutes are in we then need to make sure they stay there and don’t escape. Kosara, Victoria and yourself may be the best for the case with your magic to catch any trying to make a run for it.” Two pieces of Apple brought up the rear behind the Cheeses as he looked to the two. He ‘hmmed’ quietly in thought down at the little battle of Apple and Cheese. “I suppose someone will need to be with whomever carries the hammer, that will likely be Lady Kathryn at this point. And then that just leaves another to again bring up the rear as well?” A piece of Apple by the bowl and then another to the rear of the Cheeses.

BlackBerry rubbed his chin as he gazed down at the little battle plan he devised. The delicious battle between the Apples and the Cheeses. He left the scene for the others to check over and consider, but in the meantime there were other times for him to consider such as the information Marita and Victoria has been given, and again the Three Harvest Moons. The timing was either a happy coincidence or Cavendish was planning something big.

“On a brighter thought, however, there are still some good folk around the place.” Hopping onto another train of though, he followed the other example placing his backpack on the floor. “Mr, Mallard for one seemed to have all his wits about him. As do our gracious hosts, and your friends L’Roses I’m assuming? If you’re wanting to check in on them I could lend a hand and tag along in case trouble does decide to turn up. Meanwhile, everyone else could take refuge back at your camp where for easy access to any gear or supplies you have and to prepare.”

He pointed to his bag lying beneath the table. “I have all my possession with me already so I would be happy to head off whatever the time suits everyone. After a little while to recover and recenter myself. If that would be acceptable?”

BlackBerry took the moment then to look inwards, his eyes snapping up and somewhere to the left, focusing on the energy flowing around and through him, feeling it pulse in time to the gaps between his heartbeats to fill in the void. He knew he was running low on Ki and felt it as a lethargic tiredness that made his limbs feel heavier, similar to having gone for a very long walk on a winters day where the cold and distance took everything out of you.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 03 HP: 22 / 24 Armor Class: 15 Conditions: N/A Location: Public house Action: N/A Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 1/3

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Giving a shrug, BlackBerry supposed he may as well indulge in some of the less urgent discussions taking place whilst they all rested. He had to agree with Victoria’s thoughts on Avonshire, and it sounded like she had really grown attached to the place despite being here only a short time. It really spoke of her character. But a sense of unease did grow as she continued, and explained her own magic with words of ‘death’, ‘the fallen’, ‘necromancy’.

The polite half smile slipped to the floor, along with his stomach. Suddenly he felt very cold despite the fire crackling nearby.

“Ah.” He said. “Oh.” He continued. “I see.”

His eyes snapped over to Morty, wrapped in bandages and standing happily to attention seemingly without a care in the world, or thought in his head. A moment of dawning, horrible realisation struck BlackBerry like a frying pan to the face. His eyes grew wide as they hovered over the mummified pig.

He was glad that Victoria took a moment to talk to Lea, and head into the kitchen to lend a hand as it gave him enough time to pull his thoughts together. He had been several tall tales told of Necromancer from ages past, and none of them good between taking over the world or causing general misery. But Victoria didn’t strike him as either of those things, in fact she seemed overall a nice person and clearly had all her faculties together. BlackBerry pinned a smile back into place.

“Necromancy? Well. Waste not, want not I suppose.” He snapped his mouth shut but failed to catch the words. A small cough and apologetic grimace followed, hurriedly he continued. “I must admit I haven’t ran across any other bards with magical skills like that…but first time for everything.”

Kosara, thankfully provided an avenue of discussion for him to hide behind and let the others other talk over. He didn’t like the idea that the were-rats could only be damaged by magic given that it made him damn-near useless in such a fight. He furrowed his brows hard at the thought. Holy water might be a plausible idea for attacking but again, unless a whole barrel full of the stuff were to suddenly land in his lap he was damn-near useless. BlackBerry’s Ruminations were broken by the arrival of food and the smell of it wafting up from the bowls and trays Victoria and Lea brought out to the party. He thanked them both, stepping momentarily backwards out of the way, before he plucked a particularly tasty looking apple from the pile of fruit.

“My apologies, Victoria, I realise I have yet to answer your question; but no, ummm, it’s not really a common skill; only two of my Brothers know the same skill as I, shared to us by a group of Adventures passing through. They were even kind enough to lend a hand with a ravenous bunch of giant spiders.” A momentary pause for a violent shiver at the memory of them. “However, some others back home have garnered similar skills through their own training.”

He finished with a small sigh and a smile thinking back on his home; the tidy courtyards with pathways winding through lovingly cared for beds of herbs and fruit, the carved stones holding up the vaulted ceilings of the church, and the smell of the shelves upon shelves of books within the cold library.

“I would not describe it as a spell as such. More of a…” He paused, eyes flashing upwards and skittering across the ceiling trying to see if the words were there. A moment to bit into the apple with a satisfying crunch and he nodded with approval, and continued talking around the apple. “…more of another part of myself. Yes, that’s it; ‘another part of myself’. The physical body is simply one aspect of a person and the rest being an energy that, with training and meditation, one can tap into and give form.”

His eyes roved as he spoke before resting on the sight of Lea sitting alone nearby staring intently at a note in her hand. His heart went out to her, supposing it couldn’t be easy right now stuck here with unfamiliar people while such nightmares prowled the streets of her home. He wondered if she had any family or friends she would be thinking about. He thought about going up to her and lending some support but the look from the woman in the town square earlier popped into his mind, and held him back.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 03 HP: 22 / 24 Armor Class: 15 Conditions: N/A Location: Public house Action: N/A Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 1/3

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Now knowing Robert was under some sort of enchantment the signs of it were now obvious; the stilted movements and short, sharp, sentences he spoke. The poor man was likely fighting every part of the spell laced throughout his mind to give them all at least a few morsels of information, and BlackBerry catalogued them as best he could.

The obvious being the first sentence hinting that maybe Robert was a were-rat as well which could explain the shackles if he were trying to protect, or maybe he could use magic also? But no…he said he couldn’t do magic so then why was he saying as if he did? Unless he wasn’t talking about himself and he was referring to someone else instead; perhaps Cavendish? BlackBerry’s eyebrows hopped and jumped as he tried to follow Roberts lines of speech, trying to examine every word and sentence for a hidden meaning. He had never been very good at riddles

“You could wrap the bacon around the cheese?.” His eyes roved toward Lady Kathryn and Kosara as he latched onto their conversation. “I suppose that might count as a sandwich.” He then frowned at himself for getting easily distracted at such a time.

BlackBerry then, after declining the offer of food from Lea with a polite shake of his head, waited until the barmaid had left the party to tend to their requests. Despite how calm and patient a face he put on, the constant shifting from side to side betrayed his anxious impatience.

“Well I suggest that in the meantime you may as well share some information, Marita.” Despite motioning to the table nearby, he remained standing. “You and Victoria were in there with Mr. Mallard for a little while, and you did mention he had shared some information with you.”

His face turned somewhat grim and he tried to figure out the best way to word his next sentence. It took him a few seconds with his fingers tap, tap, tapping against his thumb before he spoke.

“Despite us only having relatively few injuries from the skirmish earlier.” His hand drifted to wear the arrow had been earlier, and a quick glance over to Kosara. “I worry that next time we may not be so lucky. As it was I fear we were at a disadvantage. Anything we can learn about the enemy will help us at least even then odds.”

If they were to be resting here for a little while he might as well get his questions answered now.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 03 HP: 22 / 24 Armor Class: 15 Conditions: N/A Location: Public house Action: N/A Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 1/3

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“Glad to hear you all are still in high spirits.” He couldn’t keep the sarcastic edge from his voice.

BlackBerry could still feel his heart threatening, still not quite recovered from the falling boxes moments before had had him jumping out of his scales. Even the follow up bellows from Mr. Mallard had done little to reassure him. He followed after the party as they all scurried hastily through the cold, spartan streets of Avonshire with its squat buildings looming over them all and boxing them in through tight corners and streets.

The distinct feeling of playing Cat and Mouse came to him often and it made him through suspicious glances over his shoulders and down the streets they passed but there wasn’t enough time to stop and investigate, or leap, at every shadow.

He impatiently waited, bouncing his foot frantically, for Lady Kathryn to deal with the Guard as she felt fit. He was somewhat surprised that she had actually taken his suggestion, a raise of the eye brows when she had dashed off with a hushed tone, as he had made it half in jest. Only half in jest though.

It wasn’t until he had stepped back into the Tavern and the door had shut soundly behind the last customer that he let out a sigh.

“By the Gods, what a day.” Another exaggerate sigh and a slouch. “I would seriously consider whether this place may have a rodent infestation."

He moved past the group and returned back to the fire once again, happy to see that it hadn’t diminished in either brightness or the warmth it gave off. It gave him a chance to (yet again) dry off somewhat from the downpour outside as Lady Kathryn gave Roberts a quick explanation. He watched the dancing flames flickering past his outstretched hand with a quick flex to try and encourage some warmth back into it. At this rate he was going to catch a cold, he was certain of it. The moment though did give him some time to mull over what he knew…

… There were were-rats running amock in Avonshire and at the same time the Harvest Moon festival. The ring leader, most likely suspect Cavendish had an enchanted hammer that had a secondary, unknown enchantment on it. Was the timing important? If so, why?

He scratched his brow in thought, there was some important detail there but he couldn’t quite see them all or the common thread between them. Maybe he was still missing some pieces ot the puzzle? The Hammer could be a key piece though but for what?

“At the very least we sent them packing.” He piped up, turning to the others. “Granted, not quite with their tails between their legs, unfortunately. But never the less they’ll think twice before ambushing us again.”

He had more questions he wanted to ask of the others, but refrained for now. He wanted to ask Victoria and Marita about what had happened whilst they were in the Silversmiths; they had been in there for a while before the battle and perhaps had managed to get some information from Mr. Mallard. His eyes darted between the two of them wondering what they knew but rest assured that they were looking to spread their knowledge.

“My arms?” He raised his stump in Victorias direction with a puzzled frown at her question for a moment, before realisation dawned. “Oh yes, my arms, of course. Yes, I would be delighted to. I must admit I am curious about your own magic, if I may?”