LiLNasY

The Rise from the Ashes

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The Rise from the Ashes

I went downstairs to the smell of food. The eggs and bacon looked amazing. It wasn't quite the same as Elena's pancakes back home. But it was still a warm meal. I sat down next to Meli and started to eat.

Garrick mentioned finding jobs. I chewed slowly and nodded. It was a practical idea. We had some gold left. But it would not last forever.

"I agree, Garrick. We need the coin if we are going to stay here."

I looked at each of them. Elena, Isolde, and Garrick were not just servants. They were my family and they were skilled.

"But please be careful. Do not take work that is degrading. You are skilled people. Make sure they treat you with respect."

I finished my eggs and looked around the busy tavern. I needed to start my own task. I scanned the room for the quick Harengon. I hoped to catch Pacer between his tasks.

OOC

Cadmus agrees to the plan for the retainers to find work, provided it isn't demeaning. He then looks for Pacer. If he spots him, he intends to thank him for the breakfast and ask: "I need to speak with Chief Garou today. Could you tell me where I might find him?"

Where Wishes Fall (D&D 5e)

Garrek nods at your command. He spreads his arms to shield the shaking shopkeeper.

"Stay behind me, Miller," Garrek says firmly. He positions himself near the front entrance, keeping the exit clear. He looks ready to shout for the guards at the first sign of trouble.

---

You step into the hallway. You keep your guard up, moving carefully, your body ready to dodge an attack. You scan the shelves and corners.

The back room looks completely normal. You see piles of extra fabric, a broom, and boxes of supplies. There are no shadows hiding in the corners. There are no glowing yellow eyes. It looks like a dusty, boring storage room. You start to wonder if your mind played tricks on you after the stress of the morning.

Then the door behind you swings shut.

It clicks closed with a heavy sound, as if someone pushed it from the other side. Instantly, all sound vanishes. The noise of the street, Miller's panicked breathing, even the wind outside is gone. The silence is heavy and unnatural. It feels like the room has been cut off from the rest of the world.

You turn back toward the closed door. That is when you see it.

A creature stands there. It is small, only about three feet tall. Its body is not made of flesh but of thick vapor. The smoke shifts to form the shape of a small child with feathery arms and taloned feet. The gas is a pale blue color.

Its face is hidden by a hard, white porcelain mask with gold trim. The mask has a sharp, curved beak and a wide, painted red smile. The eye sockets are empty black holes.

It twitches with jerky, bird like spasms. It silently mimics your movement, tilting its head exactly when you do. Then it dissolves slightly into the nearest shadow, waiting.

OOC

You can roll initiative

Edit to change the image

The Rise from the Ashes

I noticed Meli sliding the roasted meat from her plate to mine. I didn't say anything, but I nodded my thanks. My body needed the food, and she seemed happier with just the bread and vegetables.

I listened to Garrick and Isolde cautioning against going out tonight. I shook my head slightly.

"I did not mean we should go tonight," I clarified quickly. "Isolde is right. Wandering into strange woods in the dark is foolish. And the Chief deserves the respect of a morning meeting, not a late-night intrusion."

I took a long drink of water, feeling the exhaustion of the last two days finally catching up to me. The warmth of the tavern was making my eyelids heavy.

"We all need rest. I am tired deep in my bones. Tonight we sleep in real beds. Tomorrow, we start the work."

I finished the last of the food on my plate.

"Let's finish up and get some sleep. We have a long day ahead of us."

OOC

Cadmus finishes his meal. Unless interrupted, he intends to go to his assigned room (presumably sharing with Garrick) to get a full night's sleep to recover from the journey.

Where Wishes Fall (D&D 5e)

Please roll an investigation check

Drowned Gods (D&D 5e)

I rolled an 18.

@rush99999

The weight of the statue's aura doesn't affect Leo, and he is immune to it's effect for the next 24 hours.

The Rise from the Ashes

I sat down at the table with my friends. The smell of the roasted meat and fresh bread was strong. I picked up my knife and fork. I moved with the grace Elena and Isolde had drilled into me for years. I kept my elbows off the table. I took small bites. But beneath the manners, a savage hunger clawed at my stomach. I wanted to tear into the meat with my bare hands. I forced myself to eat slowly and stay in control.

I took a drink of the mead and looked at the group.

"Little Happens seems like a safe place for now," I said, wiping my mouth with a napkin. "But we must be careful. We only have twenty-three gold pieces left. If we plan to stay here for a long time, we will need to find a way to earn coin."

I turned my gaze to Meli. She still looked shaken from the children outside.

"Meli, if you are feeling up to it, I think we should enter the Forests of Vestarel soon. We need to find whatever it was that Adam hid for us. It might be the key to saving your family."

I paused and looked around the busy tavern, thinking about the danger that was coming.

"But before we go into the woods, I think we should try to find the leader of this town. I heard his name is Chief Garou. You said he has opposed the Ophidian government for a long time. The Windpikes burned our orchard and took the Gathering. They will not stop there. They will likely try to expand here next. If we warn him, he might become an ally."

Where Wishes Fall (D&D 5e)

Miller leans forward to hear you. As your words land, the annoyance vanishes from his face. In an instant, all the blood drains from his skin. He turns pale, like a sheet of white linen.

He does not look toward the dark hallway. He does not even check to see if you are lying. Fear takes over him completely.

He moves fast. He scrambles out from behind the wooden counter, almost tripping over his own feet. He rushes to stand on your side of the room. He positions himself so that you and Garrek are between him and the open door to the back.

"P-please," Miller stammers. His voice shakes and cracks. "D-don't... stop making j-jokes like that. Tell m-me you are lying."

He crouches low behind you. He grips the back of Garrek's tunic with a trembling hand. He refuses to look at the darkness behind the counter.

Drowned Gods (D&D 5e)

Never said that is Zuggtmoy :D This element was planned in the first days we started discussing your character and you mentioned him being a warlock whose power's come from Kuo-toa

The Rise from the Ashes

roleplayerguild.com/rolls/29703 - 15 intimidation