Guardian Angel Haruki

Where Wishes Fall (D&D 5e)

Kalila quickly made note of the similar prefixes between Thornwood and Thornwick. Right now, she can't tell if there's a connection, or if it's just a coincidence. Naturally, the note was pushed to the back of her mind upon realizing the distance.

It was so strange sitting back down. She thought the furniture back home was comfortable, but apparently it was only in comparison to furniture set out for the public. These cushions were luxurious, fit for royalty! And they were in a tavern and inn?!

Those thoughts too were shoved aside when Miss Thornwick made her comment. She looks up at Miss Thornwick and could only answer, "Ye-Yeah..." It's clear that Miss Thornwick is a very shrewd character. But...is that it? That hum sounded odd to Kalila. Like she knew everything that was happening. Kalila shoved those thoughts aside: That was merely her nerves! She wasn't going to let paranoia make things worse.

But...calming down and breathing seems to be a difficult endeavor on its own. She isn't sure how long has passed but Miss Thornwick decided that her work was done and bids her farewell. Kalila looks up from staring at the ground at Miss Thornwick as she answers, "Of course. Thank you again,"

With that, she is alone, left to her thoughts. Kalila remains sitting as she thinks to herself. She is glad to hear that the tavern section is getting quieter. It must be close to closing time. Her thoughts race through her mind as she stares at the floor, her breathing becoming rapid, while her heartbeat pounds in her ears. Her vision blurs as she thinks further on the situation.

Over six hundred miles back to Luxiatum, and no money on her person without selling the pendant.

But...did she really want to go back home? To Luxiatum?

What waited for her there was an unwanted marriage, and her mother who would probably kill her on sight.

Her wishes ring once again in her head. It can't be...that her wishes were actually granted, right? But who would have been listening in on that argument? And how?! If they had such power to grant wishes, then they are surely dangerous.

Not to mention...someone was following her in that alleyway. Were the tavern staff able to keep such a bandit or mugger away?

Has that pursuer given up? Or are they going to keep pursuing her?

What was she going to do now? It's true she could start looking for Leila, but she wouldn't even know where to begin, other than trying to get proper traveling clothes and gear for an adventure.

And knowing what her mother has been doing for the Crown....could she really live with herself doing nothing about it? She already tried talking to her mother and this is the result.

Could her mother have sent her away to silence her?

So many unanswered questions race through her mind, and Kalila could feel herself start to get tired from the disastrous engagement party, the argument, and finding herself here. If it wasn't for her beating heart and the adrenaline, she probably would have fallen asleep amongst the cushions here.

She remains unaware of her surroundings. There's no way her pursuer could get in here without getting past the tavern staff...right?

The Rise from the Ashes

The stag simply looks at Cadmus's arm at first, and shakes its head with a huff. Well, at the very least, Cadmus can tell that he has successfully ensured that he isn't scaring off the stag. That said though, it seems like the stag is not willing to let the Lord of the Orchard touch him. It turns away calmly and starts to trot away.

But it doesn't completely disappear from Cadmus's view. Instead, Cadmus sees that the stag does stop, and turns back to look at Cadmus. It feels like the stag is waiting for Cadmus to follow him!

But...unless Cadmus had been paying attention to the children's words from the Moonpetal Gathering, this is a completely unknown creature! Who knows what he would be led to if he's careless?

OOC

Cadmus can roll a History check to try and recall the stories from the Moonpetal Gathering about this stag.

Di'Siveks: Adventure (A D&D 5E Game)

@Guardian Angel Haruki

My brain stopped working during the last post and I forgot to address all of what Cascade did. Sorry about that, Haru. I managed to get around to everything in this latest post though.

@rush99999

No worries. I understand.
Thank you! XD

The Rise from the Ashes

As Cadmus stares at this statue, he can't help but feel as though something within the statue was looking back at him. It felt like that statue was alive, but he doesn't know how that could be possible! Could this figure have actually been a victim of petrification? No, the platformed base suggests otherwise: That it was always stone, and was simply carved to look like that.

When Cadmus turns around, he sees another inexplicable sight in the Orchard. It's something he's heard children of the Moonpetal Gathering talk about, but was always dismissed as just their imaginations.

A stag with impossibly golden fur! It looks like it had been grazing, but now it is staring at Cadmus. As their eyes meet, the stag chews on the bits of grass in its mouth.

What does Cadmus do?

Where Wishes Fall (D&D 5e)

Kalila blinks at Miss Thornwick's words of denying her gratitude. Upon hearing that Gerta is the true owner instead of Miss Thornwick, she answers, "Oh! My apologies," She had never heard of a tavern owner willing to take on a customer facing job. From what she knew of businesses in Valerith at least, owners typically were in the back taking care of running business and just left customers to their employees. The fact that Gerta is so warm and friendly towards customers despite being the owner of a business is just impressive.

She listens as Miss Thornwick makes it clear that Gerta is likely to give her the job. Otherwise, she wouldn't be back here.

When Miss Thornwick answers her words about the pendant and its sentimental value, Kalila noticeably relaxed, and lowered her hand from the necklace. After she suggests getting the necklace appraised, Kalila nods and answers, "I'll think about getting it appraised. Thank you,"

Then comes the map. Kalila stands up from her seat and moves so she can study the map as well. She looks at the location of Thornwood, the Port City, which is south of Thundrastone. Then she points to the Forever Keep on a small city, where the Queen resides and rules over both cities. Kalila tries to recall her History lessons to see if she can recall anything about said Queen,

History Check

Kalila rolled a 15 on her History check, if that helps. ^_^

Then she is able to find the Kingdom of Valerith and its various cities, including her home: The Capitol, Luxiatum. She grows pale after she is able to quickly guess how far Thornwood is from the Kingdom of Valerith is in general: Over six hundred miles.

True to her wish, she is very far from home!

She can only utter a shaky, "Oh...Thank you, Miss Thornwick. I...need a moment," before she moves to sit back to her seat. She doesn't doubt that her eyes are wide again, and she could feel herself pale at the realization.

"Calm down, Kalila. That's a lot of ground to cover, but nothing that can't be handled..." Kalila thought to herself, trying to breathe and keep her composure.

The Rise from the Ashes

In his pursuit after Meli, his weeping childhood friend, Cadmus races across the Orchard and finds himself in the wilderness. He quickly loses her and he finds himself in the massive expanse of trees. It seems like all of them are looming down on him in judgment. All of the broken branches and scattered leaves look the same to Cadmus; It's hard to tell which ones are path made, and which ones were just natural foliage.

Looking around, he also notes that he's having trouble figuring out where he is, and which way leads back to the house where his retainers are. He is also having trouble figuring out which way leads to the Moonpetal Gathering's home.

In his wanderings, Cadmus does stumble upon something different; Something he's never seen before. In a clearing, he spots a statue of an elderly man in robes. Instead of being hunched and tired, like most statues would depict elderly men, this one stands tall and his expression remains stoic. Despite his age, he maintains an air of regality. Cadmus would even notice that there is a crown of thorns resting upon his brow. Rays of sunlight shine down upon this clearing as though to illuminate the statue.

Religion DC 13

There is no doubt in Cadmus's mind. This is a religious effigy of someone's interpretation of The Monarch. But...every single depiction of him that Cadmus has seen before always has the God as younger men and women, and always with a crown of fine metals and jewels upon their heads. He's never seen a depiction with a crown of thorns on their head.

Not to mention, the Moonpetal Gathering are more likely to worship The Fool and the Wild Face more so than the Monarch. So it is unusual to find this statue here.

Cadmus is about thirty feet from this clearing and the statue.

Where Wishes Fall (D&D 5e)

Kalila supposed she shouldn't be surprised by Miss Thornwick's reaction. She owns a Tavern: Of course a lot of people would be black out drunk and face this sort of situation. While she wanted to emphasize the seriousness of her situation, she realized that that would be a futile attempt. She also recalls how the Kingdom of Valerith had generally negative generalizing views of other nations outside of it. She could only imagine that people here most likely have their own views of Valerith that are just as negative.

So, she decided it was best to leave the being passed out matter alone.

At least she took her more seriously when she mentioned that she was being tailed. After she mentions that Gerta would take care of her, and that she could work to pay for her stay right now, Kalila answers her gratefully, "Thank you. I'd be happy to work and help out to pay for my stay,"

Then Miss Thornwick brought up the pendant around her neck. She knew about the quality work, but what did she mean by arcane quality? Kalila guessed she shouldn't be surprised it has arcane qualities, considering her family. But it was still frustrating that she didn't know how this pendant is arcane. At the mention of selling it for her stay, her hand rises up to the pendant, almost protectively.

She answers Miss Thornwick politely, while remaining professional, even while she's still trying to calm down, "You have a keen eye, Miss Thornwick. However, this necklace's value goes beyond the weight of gold for me. This is the only item passed down to me from my grandmother, to remember her by. I would disrespect her memory if I sold this. I hope you understand,"

She then mentions once more, "As I mentioned before, I am willing to work for my stay here, but there is one more thing I'd like to ask," She proceeds, "I don't suppose you have a map anywhere? I'd like to be able to check and see where I am in relation to where my home is..."

The Rise from the Ashes

I've edited my last message to confirm to the rolls!

@LiLNasY

Thank you! I'll go ahead and get my posts up. ^_^

The Wild Beyond Witchlight

((So five days ago, I apparently forgot that you're supposed to press the post reply button if you want to post your reply... Derp.))

Awww. But I haven't murdered cat ogres with lasers and turned Brutrumukk back into a bugbear via genie wishes yet. ) :

@rush99999

Unfortunately for Brutrumukk, this is the time when the Master of the House finally returns home.

And the winds were listening....

You'll see what I mean.

Where Wishes Fall (D&D 5e)

Kalila saw that her plea conveyed through the safe words seem to have reached Gerta. She nodded to Gerta when she suggested going to a safe place to breathe out loud. Most bartenders would have acted quietly on the request, but she wasn't going to fault Gerta for not doing so. She quickly answers her, "Of course. Thank you,"

She does indeed follow Gerta, not expecting to be led into a private room that's been ornately furnished. The gnome woman in front of her must be the proprietor of the tavern. After Gerta quickly introduced her to the proprietor, and told Kalila that she had to go back, Kalila answers her with a nod back, "Okay. Thank you again, Gerta,"

Just like that, Gerta had left, and Kalila was alone with Miss Thornwick. When Miss Thornwick offered her a seat, Kalila answers her politely, "Thank you. I'll try not to take up too much of your time..." Kalila knew how businesspeople were, at least in Valerith; Time is money, and wasted time was not appreciated.

Kalila took a deep but shaky breath to try and calm herself and slow her heartbeat while Miss Thornwick asked her what the trouble was. She thought over the answer. She isn't sure how this happened. Was it her own wishes coming true? Or was this her mother's doing? She is a powerful wizard after all. As long as that remains ambiguous, she can honestly say that she had no idea how this happened.

Kalila answers her, knowing to be concise from previous exchanges with businessmen and women. "I just woke up in an alleyway near here. The last thing I remember was being at home, speaking with my mother. I have no idea what happened or how I ended up there. Thanks to Gerta, I know I'm currently on 'this side of the Thornwood', but that's the extent of my knowledge on our current whereabouts,"

She then finishes, "I heard somebody following me in the alleyway as I made my way here, but I didn't dare to turn around and see who it was," She rubs the back of her neck, remembering the feeling of her hairs standing on end, "When you feel like you're in danger, it's not a good idea to ignore that feeling, you know?"