A vision of the gods

The snow blew about as Talathel made his way up the mountainside. How long had been climbing? What was even the name of the peak? He could not remember. He had only known the climb.

He looked down. He certainly was not dressed for a mountain climb. He wore the same clothes he had worn in Baldur's Gate. He was an adventurer, yes, but he had been smarter than this. He shrugged, and pressed on, using his staff to check for footing.

Talathel pushed on, not knowing his destination, until he came across a cave. He was weary from the climb, and decided that he needed to rest. Rest would allow him to clear his head, to remember his purpose.

The cave was not very large, but it would give him some reprieve from the elements at least. He pulled out some tinder and flint from his bundle and started a small fire. The fire had only been going a moment when he heard, "Talathel, do you mind if I join you?"

A man was standing at the front of the cave. He was plainly dressed. He had long, brown hair. Talathel heard himself saying, "Yes" before he could figure out who the man was.

"You seem troubled, elf."

"I cannot remember why I am on this mountain. Or who you are."

"You know who I am."

"Sorry stranger, I do not."

"Stranger?" The man gave out a laugh. "If you hadn't spent all your time in the Old Order at the bottom of a mug of ale, you'd recognize me at once."

"Kaleal?"

"The same."

"I have found you! After all these years!"

"I can not be found."

"But..."

"There is no time. I am weakened, but come with a message. In a realm that borders this one, an orange orc has assumed power. There are dark days ahead."

"And we must fight him?"

"Do not interrupt, mortal. These dark days may be made light, but only by seeking adventure once more."

"I was on one..."

"You have done nothing in months."

"True."

"The orange orc may be beyond your reach, but you adventurers can be a light in your own realm. Do not give up your searching for glory within Faerun."

"I will do what I can, O Glorious Kalaen. You say you are weakened? What can I do to aid you, and bring you back to our realm?"

"The answers you seek are not yours to know. Not yet. But, I implore you, go forth and be a light in dark times."

With that, the god faded away, and Talathel was alone once more in the cave. The elf blinked rapidly and shook his head. When his eyes refocused, he was outside of the elven camp.

"Oi! Darvin!" The half-elf turned.

"I'm coming with you. I speak elvish, you may recall. Let's go on an adventure."

Elven Camp

Darvin, Talathel, Beranhond, and a slightly amused Evelaen, made their way up along the southern side of the swollen river. After two days the river course narrowed and the water speed increased. Finally, on the third day they overheard the sounds of shovels against the soil, cussing, and a smattering of Elvish words called through the air in a opening in the trees.

Traveling

As Nym and Johan made their way to Daggerford by way of the sailing vessel the rest of the Lady Narath Company prepared to head north along the merchant road. Although the LNC had grown some, the two most recent members, Shandri and the Lady Azeline stayed behind to help prepare the vessel.

The first two days of the journey were rather quiet - the company made quick work of the road in the well worn path north of Baldur's Gate. The third day they awoke to a swollen river and a damaged bridge.

"Well, this looks troublesome." Beranhond noted as they stopped. "I'm not sure if we want to play carpenter with this type of structure. Any recommendations Darvin, Talathel?"

Onboard the Rock Hard Abs

ym and Johan set sail at first light the next morning. The small, narrow hulled, sloop, made good speed out of the harbor and hugged its way along the coast.
"Whew, good work first mate." The captain called from the aft of the ship. He then sauntered on down and introduced him to the crew. There were only fifteen on board so it didn't take long.
"We keep our numbers down in order to maximize our storage capabilities, plus, a lot of vessels keep larger crews in order to man the guns." He pointed out the four cannons along the vessel. "We've noticed that the undead don't really care about damage to their vessel."
He showed them to a set of hammocks that they could call home for the remainder of the voyage. Though hotbunking was normal for the crew, guests usually had their own assigned hammocks. Once back on deck the captain motioned off to the starboard side of the vessel.
"We will try to keep within view of the coast for much of the journey. This vessel is built for speed, not defense, so our best chance to avoid the undead pirates is to hug along the coast and outrun them."





At a late lunch Johan and Nym attempted to ask about daggerford, finally the captain relented and started to talk.
"Daggerford has gotten really strange over the last year. A really large wall is being built all around the city and even into the harbor. Visitors aren't allowed past the wharf area without special permission from the Commisar, and merchants found to be engaging in smuggling are often found with their heads set on spikes in the harbor."

On the Road Again

After a half hour of searching Johan found Nym drinking tea with the off duty guards in a well known watering hold near the main guard house. She had two more cups before agreeing to join Johan and meet with the rest of the Lady Narath Company that evening.

Darvin spent most of the afternoon examining the plans to repair the Lady Narath. Fortunately, the shipwrights in the city had a good idea of what was needed to restore the Lady Narath to shipworthiness. Shandri watched him scamper about the ship, her dark eyes examining and measuring him up.

Beranhond and Evelaen spent the afternoon putting together their gear and visiting various tailors to help gather the gear that they would need for the journey up to Daggerford.

 That evening, in Odin's shop, the Lady Narath company sat around and first listened to Nym's story of defending the city. After a few minutes of feeling embarrassed and foolish for sleeping while Nym defended the city along with hapless guards the company got down to business and made final plans for leaving for Daggerford.

<i>
It's roughly 480 miles to Daggerford.

by horse: 10 days (horse rentals will cost some substantial money, but I'd be open to an argument on how you obtained them)
walking: 24 days
Ship: There aren't many trading vessels heading north or south, so you'll have a delay as you find a vessel, plus then I'd have to do some calculations on wind and such.

Your chance until Saturday to argue about the plan!
</i>

Pause

Hi folks,

The responses from the GM will be a bit slow. I'm super busy with Easter Weekend.

Still, that being said, you can finish up your own posts if you'd like Talathel/Darvin when you have a moment.

Darvin - the ship is undergoing cleaning at the moment, so that could be a moment to reflect on the last few years as Shandri looks on.

Talathel - you've already started your little, whatever, feel free to respond to that.

Meeting at Milway's

Talathel gave a slight bow to to Beranhund and begun to weave his way through the city. It was a fairly nice day, and he took some time to enjoy it. He had not specified a time with Azeline, but he had said evening. He had time to relax and see what had changed in Baldur's Gate since he had last seen it.

Perception:

Roll(1d20)+5:
1,+5
Total:6

Not much had apparently changed. He found that odd. He had certainly changed much since then, but cities, he supposed, were harder to change.

He found himself wishing Beranhond or Darvin had accompanied him. He had been wandering alone for most of the past few years. If anything, the conversation had been nice the past few days. He hoped that Azeline would want to come, if anything because he'd have someone to talk to.

He came across Milway's. For a second, he thought of Lailsan. After all, this had been where they had met. He had roped her into his adventures then, for a similar reason. A selfish urge to have companionship. No doubt, he had shared some special moments with Lailsan, and while it had not ended bitterly, it had ended.

He waited outside the pub for a half an hour, and did not see her come. Perhaps she was already inside. He entered Millway's and looked around. No sign of Azeline.

"I am the last Azeline," had actually been her response. There might be more to Azeline than he had thought.

He settled in at a table with a view of the door. He told the waitress that he was waiting for someone to avoid ordering at the time. He would have to rectify his money situation as well. He waited and watched the door.

Eric sprinted down the streets, his pencil case clutched in his hand as Nym and Angel followed behind.
"Thy doom is at hand undead scum, I shall strike down axe upon thy head and send you back to the netherworld from which you came." Eric shouted as they ran down.
"I'm sorry." She said to Nym. "He's impossible when he gets like this. He's supposed to be solely managerial and clerical. His mother was a barbarian and his father a low level priest, so he's got some oddities."
"Eric the Red Hamersmith Thunderdor shall show you the true meaning of power!"
Angel just sighed again as several pedestrian stopped and stared in shock.

The scene at the pier stood in sharp contrast to the beauty of the day. More undead had climbed from the ocean and the small patrols were hard pressed on all the sides.
"What are we to do? There must be a dozen of them!" Angel said, her eyes enlarged, and her hands clutching the blunted sword.

The Road goes on...

The afternoon following the Equinox Ball the Lady Narath Company met in Odin's Sporting Good store. Beranhond looked rather tired as the evening had been less dancing and more politicking than he'd prefer. Talathel and Darvin appeared to be sporting stupid grins.
"Well, thanks to Nym's work we've managed to pay off a portion of the lien. Thank's to Odin's advice I went over this morning and arranged to pay an additional fee in order for more time. So, assuming our treasure recovery goes smoothly we should be in the clear very soon." He cleared his throat.
"We have the down payment on repairs thanks to Darvin and his... romancing?" Evelaen grinned at this. "Or something."
"So, that being said, repairs should begin tomorrow. So, I think we are almost all set to set off to recover some treasure and/or goes and rescue a child. I'd hate to separate the company, but it's probably time for us to decide which path we shall take."

Update 2

Hi Folks!

We're starting to get into that classic multiple timeline thing that I dislike sooo much. I'll be aiming to wrap up the party by Wednesday evening, so do try to get your final thoughts in - otherwise I'll do them for you.

Nym - I know you're a little way in the future so shoot me an email about anything you'd like to do/know about etc. before everyone catches up. That way I can feed you some more plot centric details for your next post.

Darvin - I know you're in a busy time, so we don't need to 'roleplay' everything. You can just post more direct responses.

Johan - Yes, I know, cockblocking (fangblocking?) is mean. Sorry brah. Though, as a little bit of free info, the HQ of the Syndicate is probably less busy tonight due to the massive shindig around the city, and you now know that it is the former home for the Lathanderian priests and thus sanctified ground, so if you'd like to go visit them with a bit more suave you probably could as well.

Talathel - you have some time for more back and forth, but let me know if there is more 'serious' business you want to accomplish before Wednesday night.

On Thursday we'll all be starting on the road up north, presuming that the lien is handled in some fashion, which it appears to be.

 

Day Three: The Separation of the Light from the Darkness

Nym awoke with a start, sweating. She groaned and sat up slowly feeling clammy and achy. In the predawn darkness, Nym fumbled around in her bag of holding for her waterskin and her hangover remedy, another best seller. Of course, she’d still feel like hot garbage, but the remedy would at least lessen the experience from a full on trash fire. After finding the herbs and water, she took a long drink and stuffed the unappetizing herbs in her mouth and started chewing. She laid back on the bed and stared at the dark ceiling, hating every moment the herbs were in her mouth. Finally finished, she drank the rest of her water before sneaking quietly out of her room to refill the container and bring a fresh pitcher of water back to her room from the bar. She snorted in surprise and amusement at seeing Ort and Fin passed out in the tavern. ”Well, at least I made it back to bed,” she thought, feeling an odd mixture of pride and shame.

Nym returned to her room and continued drinking water slowly as the gray of the morning was slowly overtaken by the sunrise. Her mind wandered to Illuvaen, and a knot formed in her stomach. "He’s probably just waking up now,” she thought. She pulled out her two speaking stones, rolling them in her palm for a minute before holding Illuvaen’s stone to her lips. She wasn’t really sure what to say, but finally she began softly, “I don’t want you to go.”

“Nym?” Illuvaen’s sleepy, surprised voice answered.

“I’m sorry. Did I wake you up?”

“Just a little,” he teased, chuckling. Illuvaen yawned, and asked, concern tingeing his voice, “Can’t stay asleep?”

“No…” Nym answered, her eyes unfocusing. “I-I don’t want you to go.” Her voice cracked, and she cleared her throat in frustration with herself.

“Go… to the Wasteland?” he asked, uncertain.

“Yeah… I think we should stick to the first plan. Meet in Daggerford. Then we can go find the missing child together.” Nym tried to sound confident, but she knew she just sounded worried and whiney.

Illuvaen was quiet, and Nym could hear him shifting to sit up. “I suppose the child’s not in any immediate danger…” he replied sounding uncertain. “Why the change of heart?”

A strangled, worried noise escaped Nym’s lips before she blurted out, “I can’t bear the thought of losing you! And if we go together and die that seems better.” Nym winced, realizing how strange that sounded.

There was a pause before Illuvaen answered, “Ok. I’ll go to Daggerford.” His voice concerned, he asked, “What’s wrong, Nym?”

“EVERYTHING!” Nym squeaked. She let out a long breath, calming herself, before continuing, “It’s harder to see them than I could have imagined. They remind me so clearly of so many things I just want to forget… I… I wish I’d never come here. They mean so much to me, but just being near them is so painful.” Nym closed her eyes and sighed.

“I should have come with you,” Illuvaen answered apologetically.

“I told you not to,” Nym reminded him.

“Who died and made you queen?!” he teased gently.

Nym rolled her eyes and repeated, “I told you not to.”

“I know…” he answered, “But we both knew you weren’t ready if you saw your Sword Coast companions again… I should have come.”

“You’re too kind to me,” Nym said, wiping a tear from her cheek impatiently. “I’ve behaved quite badly since… running into them again. Drinking, more drinking… mostly drinking,” she admitted flatly, shrugging.

Illuvaen was quiet. Nym knew he wanted to tell her it wasn’t healthy to numb her emotions with alcohol and that he was worried for her health and safety. “I’m sorry,” she said quietly.

“Can you make me a promise?” he asked softly.

“Depends what it is,” she replied sassily, smiling.

“Well, since I’m not dashing valiantly into the Wastelands alone, I would like you to not use alcohol to deal with your feelings brought on by your companions.”

Panic in her voice, Nym replied, “You mean you’ll go to the Wastelands alone if I drink?!”

“Gods, no! NO! Nym, I’m sorry, that wasn’t what I meant. I just…” Illuvaen sighed, frustrated.

“Deal,” Nym replied quietly. “I’m sorry I’m… a disaster.” Nym groaned, embarrassed.

“I don’t think you’re a disaster,” Illuvaen said gently. “You’re my little songbird, and you have a broken wing.” He paused before adding, “I just want to see you happy and whole, but I love every part of you just as you are.”

“Thank you,” Nym whispered. “I don’t deserve that…” A long, slow breath escaped her lips. “I love you just as you are too, but I think I have the easier end of it.” She smiled sadly.

“There’s more to love about you than you realize, Nym. I’ll see you in Daggerford in a few days.”

Nym laid back down on her bed holding Illuvaen’s sending stone. The sunshine slowly peeked over the horizon into the room, and Pipper began to stir. Nym got up, pulled together her things, and went out to the stables to feed Nesme before heading out.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Nym strolled slowly down the pier, which was largely empty. A few fishing boats were preparing to head out for the day, but otherwise the streets were quiet. Fog had come in from the sea over the night, and as Nym walked past ships, they seemed to loom out of some mystical realm. As the sun began peeking between buildings, the fog began to burn off slowly, leaving swirling pockets of mist along the pier. Ahead, Nym could see the once grand Lady Narath. It looked particularly neglected floating beside the two well-kept merchant vessels flanking it. No lights yet flickered in the ship, and Nym felt strangely relieved to not have to worry about seeing her companions quite yet.

Nym continued past the dark shops and ships, avoiding looking at the Narath as though it were a rude schoolmate she didn’t want to talk to. A bit past the ship, Nym found a tea house that was blessedly open this early. She pushed open the door and was greeted cheerfully by a middle aged human with unreasonably large glasses. The woman’s silver hair was pulled back in a loose braid, and she was standing on a ladder pulling down a tea pouch from one of what looked like hundreds of different jars. A sleepy looking half elf man with a gold front tooth nodded in approval at the tea as he yawned. He then made his way to a table and stared vacantly in front of him, clearly unhappy to be awake so early. “Have a seat wherever you’d like, miss! I’ll be with you in just a jiffy,” the woman sing-songed to Nym. Nym looked around the cafe, selecting a small table in the window where she could watch the merchant vessel out front of the shop as the crew loaded it with wares.

The human woman came over to Nym after starting a fresh pot of water on her wood stove. She handed Nym a menu. “I’m glad I’m not the only morning person around here!” she said, smiling at Nym. “What would you like to drink?”

Noting the impressive collection of teas, Nym asked, “Do you happen to have Ulgarthian coffee? I know it’s a long shot…” She smiled at the human, shrugging.

“Why, yes! Of course I do! I have the best selection of any tea house or cafe on the Sword Coast.” The human was beaming with pride. “Would you like it with the traditional spices?”

“That would be wonderful,” Nym replied, and the human nodded and hurried off to start Nym’s coffee and finish the half elf’s tea. Nym stared out the window at the busy merchant ship for a bit before her attention turned to her growling stomach and then the menu. Pipper trilled expectantly from beneath the table. “Don’t worry, I’ll get you an egg too,” Nym replied to the fox as she rubbed his neck with her foot. He huffed, pleased, and leaned into Nym’s foot.

The menu was small but hearty, featuring a variety of pastries, boiled grains, meats, fruits, and egg dishes. Nym noted that the cafe’s name was ‘Madame Dundragon’s Tea House & More’, and Nym wondered if the woman was Madame Dundragon. Nym settled on a simple plate of egg and fruit and ordered an extra egg for Pipper as well. “Are you the namesake of this tea house?” Nym asked the human woman.

“Oh, yes, but I don’t generally go by Madame Dundragon. You can call me Ena.” The human smiled and hurried off to start Nym’s order.

Nym sighed, wishing she could sit in the tea house and do nothing for the rest of her life. She smiled and continued watching the merchant crew load the ship out her window while she sipped her coffee. When Ena stopped back with Nym’s breakfast, Nym said, “The coffee is excellent. Just as I remembered it.” Ena smiled and thanked Nym, pleased, and Nym returned to staring out the window, a soft smile on her face.

Nym was startled out of her thoughts when she heard a low, sensual voice voice ask, “Are you always so interested in ships, or am I lucky you’re interested in mine?” Nym jumped and looked to the source of the voice: the half elf man. His face changed from flirtatious to apologetic, stammering, “Oh, I’m sorry miss, I didn’t mean to startle you.” He looked a bit embarrassed as the tips of his ears flushed pink.

“Oh! No, please don’t be sorry! I… startle easily. Next time, I recommend throwing bread at me to get my attention first,” Nym joked, smiling.

“I’ve never tried that before,” the half elf replied, chuckling. He looked relaxed once again. “I could give you a tour of my ship if you like,” he added, nodding toward the merchant vessel outside, a lopsided smile on his face.

Nym looked the man over. He was quite handsome, with long, dark, messy hair; gold earrings; a deep blue long coat; his simple white shirt slightly open; and a bit of scruff on his chin. Surprisingly, the gold tooth added to his charm. Nym wondered absently if all half elf men didn’t shave or if it was only the half elf men she’d met. She decided it must be all half elf men since most of her extended family were half elves, and all the men sported facial hair of some sort or another. “Your ship? Lovely! I sort of co-owned a ship once… but not anymore.” Nym replied, remembering the Narath’s glory days.

The man looked particularly pleased that Nym seemed impressed by his owning of a ship. She suspected he hadn’t owned the ship long or he’d have probably used this line on quite a few more young women. The man bowed dramatically, introducing himself with a flourish. “Name’s Errol Evenwood, and it’s lovely to meet you miss-?”

“Nym.”

“Nym who?” He smiled the standard-issue lopsided scoundrel-with-a-heart-of-gold smile Nym had seen a thousand times before.

Blushing, she replied, “Just Nym.” She shrugged. Nym really did like the scoundrel-with-a-heart-of-gold smile. She almost wished she was single. Almost.

“Aaaah, Silver Marches tribal elf bloodline then? Which side?” Errol asked, swinging the empty chair at Nym’s table around and sitting on it backwards with his crossed arms resting on the back.

Nym blinked, surprised. “Well, both sides, actually, but further back on my father’s side… I’m guessing you’re of i' Dolen Gwaith then too?”

“My mother is, so technically, yes,” he replied, smiling. “So, you’re actually called Nym en' i' Dolen Gwaith, right? I mean, at least that’s the short form.”

“Yes, that’s right. For the short form,” Nym answered, smiling. “The whole thing is a mouthful.”

“They always are,” Errol replied, laughing. “What is it?”

Nym sighed dramatically and rolled her eyes playfully. “Nym en' i' Taurn Taure ere' hin en' Ollin en' i' Taurn Taure yeste' hin en' Nymora en' i' Ithiltaure atta hin en' Nymphina en' i' Ithiltaure yeste' hin en' Nym en' i' Hith Taure en' i' Dolen Gwaith.”

“It’s always interesting to see which line and how far i’ Dolen Gwaith trace their line, isn’t it?” Errol replied, looking thoughtful.

Nym nodded, adding, “Well, ending with my great great grandmother gives it a nice symmetry, I think.”

“It does,” Errol replied. “So, how about that tour?”

Nym smiled apologetically, “I’m afraid I’m currently involved, and so I don’t think it would be wise to join you this fine morning. If we’d met only last Marpenoth, I’d be much more interested.”

“Ah,” replied Errol with a sad sigh. “Well, if you’re ever not currently involved, Nym en' i' Taurn Taure en’ i’ Dolen Gwaith, I’d be happy to give you that tour.” The half elf smiled, adding, “Just ask for Captain Evenwood and his ship, the Tempest.” Errol bowed with a flourish before giving Nym’s hand a kiss. “And if I can’t take you with me, at least let me have the pleasure of paying for your meal,” he added, winking, as he placed a small pile of coins on Nym’s table. Sporting his scoundrel smile, Errol then rushed out the door to his ship, turning at the gangplank to give Nym the traditional Silver Marches Elven goodbye gesture.

“Wouldn’t mind a tour myself!” Ena replied from behind Nym. Nym spun on her seat, suprised, and the two women giggled gleefully. “He’s a nice boy, although I suspect those goods he’s loading are… uh… borrowed, if you take my meaning.”

“Oh!” Nym replied, blushing. “So… he’s a real pirate then?” She asked, flustered and surprised.

Ena nodded, and peered out the window, adjusting her glasses as she looked at the now fully loaded cargo. “And judging from the brands on those boxes, Mr. Greycastle is not going to be pleased when he wakes up this morning.” Noting Nym’s expression, Ena patted Nym’s shoulder, adding with a chuckle, “There are worse things to be than a gentleman pirate, child.”

Nym watched the Tempest pull out of the dock, unfurl its majestic sails, and glide smoothly away from Baldur’s Gate. She watched the men and women on deck to see if she could spot Errol again, but she did not. Nym smiled to herself and watched the ship disappear out to the open sea. ”I wonder where they’re going with their ill-gotten goods,” she thought. Nym began to more heavily rethink her opinion of Johan’s plan to steal from the wealthy to pay for the lien. ”It’s better than Violet’s plan to murder people for pay any day,” she thought, wondering if she was just justifying theft because Errol had been so… pleasant. She shrugged away the thought, and continued enjoying her coffee and breakfast while watching the pier slowly wake up with the sun.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Shops all along the pier began opening their doors, and people of all races and ages busily made their ways along the pier with a variety of goods. Ena’s shop began to fill up with more customers, so Nym ordered another coffee and an egg for Pipper to make her loitering worth it for the human. Pipper ate his egg happily making weird little snuffling noises the whole time. Nym daydreamed about Illuvaen until her thoughts were interrupted by the dashing Captain Errol Evenwood, at which time Nym wondered absently how Illuvaen would feel about her marrying two men and creating herself a little man harem. Her thoughts startled her, and Nym felt her face turn beet red. ”I’ve spent too much time among philanderers and kinky magic users this week,” she thought, shaking her head. Her mind drifted to the awkward sex conversation aboard the Narath her first night in the city. If she could have turned redder, she would have, but luckily, or unluckily, Nym was already at maximum embarrassment without even talking with another person. Suddenly she remembered what Beranhond had started saying on her first night back in Baldur’s Gate about he and Evelaen looking for a third, and Nym choked on her coffee. <”Dammit,”> Nym muttered in Elvish, switching to sipping her water and trying very hard not to imagine her friends naked again. ”I’m fairly sure once was enough for the rest of my life and afterlife,” she thought grumpily.

Nym was blessedly shocked out of her thoughts when she heard angry yelling and the clang of armor down the pier. She leaned forward to try to see what what going on, and saw a group of ten city guardsmen and what she guessed were Graycastle guards by their insignia tromping down the pier. They were making quite a show of yelling at passersby for information about two dozen crates of missing silks and spices. They weren’t having any luck getting answers as no one had been awake when the goods were spirited away that morning. Well, no one other than Ena and Nym. Eventually, someone pointed to the tea house, and Nym looked down at her coffee. Three guards came barging into the shop.

“Where’s the shop owner?” A large, red-faced human man bellowed. His armor looked about two sizes two small, and Nym wondered why the city hadn’t provided him something that fit him properly.

Ena glared up at the man while cleaning plates off a table, replying, “Who’s asking?”

The man looked confused, stammering, “I - Uh - Lord Graycastle is?”

“Oh, he’s a lord now, is he?” Ena replied sarcastically. Nym shifted uncomfortably, looking from Ena to the guards and back again. She noticed that the tea house customers had gone silent, and they were all watching this interaction.

A second, shorter guard who looked to be half dwarven stepped up. She rolled her eyes at the red-faced human and sighed. Nym could clearly see the Graycastle insignia on her armor. “Ma’am, I apologize for Hogarth’s manners. He’s better suited for roughing up drunkards.” The shorter half dwarven woman glared at Hogarth, who looked down at his feet like a scolded child. The tall human behind Hogarth slapped the back of Hogarth’s head in annoyance. The woman continued, “Early this morning, the Graycastle warehouse was robbed, and we are investigating the crime. My name is Ba’ila Forgesmith, and I am employed by the Graycastle Estate.”

Ena’s face softened when Forgesmith began speaking more civilly. Ena set down the plates, and a young man on her staff took them to the backroom to wash. Ena wiped her hands in her apron. “And you’re asking local business owners if they’ve seen anything?” The half dwarf nodded. Ena looked thoughtful before replying, “I’m afraid I haven’t seen anything out of the ordinary this morning, miss.” Nym was impressed by how well the woman lied and wondered who she’d been before she was a tea house owner.

The red-faced man looked crestfallen at Ena’s reply, and Forgesmith shrugged. “If you think of anything that might be useful, please send word to the Graycastle estate.” Ena nodded, and, satisfied, the three guards left the cafe.

Almost immediately, the customers went back to their own business and the hum of conversation filled the room. Ena stopped by Nym’s table, and whispered, “You have the look of a girl who can keep a secret, so I hope you can keep mine and my nephew’s.” Nym smiled uncomfortably and nodded in agreement. “Good girl,” Ena replied, placing another coffee in front of Nym. “This one’s on the house.” Ena smiled at Nym and winked before returning to her counter to fetch tea for customers.

Nym furrowed her brows with concern as she sipped her bribe coffee. She wondered what the punishment was in Baldur’s Gate for obstructing justice. After considering it for a bit, though, she decided she didn’t much care after all. ”This IS my… third least favorite place in all the realms, after all,” she thought, finishing her coffee.

Equinox Ball - Grand Ballroom A

Talathel simply nodded at the speech. Undead pirates? He would have to practice his ki. 

He looked around for Darvin and soon found him. His date's ghastly purple dress stood out in the crowd. He wandered over to them.

"Darvin, friend. I hate to pry you away from your lovely date, but I require a private word with you." 

They stepped away from the crowd for a bit.

"I did as you asked, but Nym was already very drunk. Something is bothering her, but Evalaen took her out of Jere so she could revel and not draw so much attention to herself. I believe as of now, we are all set for your presentation."

"And you?" Darvin motioned to Talathel's mug. Once again, Talathel felt the sting of his past.

"Thanks for the reminder. I am out of milk." He gave a laugh and looked for someone new to talk to.

I posted the above so as not to cause any confusion as to where Darvin's post was starting. We may think of doing from now on. On another note here is what Shandri looks like and Darvin's outfit for the evening. Unlike the mannequin, Darvin is wearing a shirt.

Darvin nodded to Talathel as he left. He took Shandri's arm and led her into the grand ballroom. It certainly lived up to the name. It had high vaulted ceilings with ornate chandeliers hanging down. It was undoubtedly just as impressive from the outside with the floor to ceiling windows lit up.

 He looked around the room until he found Shandri's father, Orlando, standing next to the punch bowl. He was finishing up a conversation and getting dangerously low on punch.

Darvin looked to Shandri, "My dear, if you'll excuse me, I have to go talk to your father."

"Darvin, you aren't going to talk to him without me. You're going to need me if you want him to pay off your lien," she replied with an amused smirk on her face.

"How did you know about that?" Darvin asked dumbfounded.

"Darvin, sweetie, everyone in town knows about the lien. Also, everyone in town knows what you have been doing on that ship for the last three years. And if they didn't earlier they know now after that half-elf's outburst."

Darvin stared at her. He didn't know what to say. He thought she had no idea of any of it. Finally, he managed to stammer, "And yet you are helping me?"

"Well, it was once a nice ship. It deserves to be again. Plus, you're no good to me drunk and depressed."

Once again Darvin didn't know what to say. He had hardly spent any time with this woman. Yet she was trying to help him even though she was fully aware of his sordid past. "We only spent the one night together. Why are you going to all this trouble?"

She laughed at him and said, "Two reasons. One, I needed a date to the ball. You were obviously available. And two, there is a lot of good in you Darvin Amblecrown. I could see it that night. I can see it now. My father would call it untapped potential."

Darvin nodded, "Thank you for the kind words, they have been few and far between lately. And tha..."

"Don't thank me for that yet. We have yet to speak with him. My father loves nothing more than his only daughter, but his own money is a close second and getting him to part with it won't be easy."

He nodded to her. This woman had him absolutely spellbound. He was not overcome with lust, as would have been the case over the last three years. Granted, Shandri was a beauty, more than a few heads had turned as they walked in. Instead, Darvin looked at her with feelings of respect and gratitude.

He led her over to the punch bowl where he got his date and himself a glass, while also grabbing an extra one. Then he approached her father. Shandri held back but was close enough to hear the conversation and interject if need be.

"Lord Greycastle, it appears you are low on punch. Hopefully this helps," Darvin said as he offered the glass to Orlando.

"Thank you, but I doubt you came over here just to quench my thirst."

"Yes sir, I was hoping we could continue our conversation from earlier." Darvin replied.

Diplomacy
Roll(1d20)+8:
20,+8
Total:28

Holy balls! I'm doomed when we actually start fighting things.

Equinox Ball - Grand Ballroom B

Talathel watched as Johan made his way up to the balcony. He was not surprised to see that he had gone for a more secluded place. He figured the party scene was not Johan's place.

What was Talathel's place? After traveling throughout Faerun, usually by himself, he had found his transition back into Baldur's Gate to be awkward. He seemed to be a step behind everyone else, unsure of what to do.

The first ballroom seemed to be a little stuff. He didn't want to be trapped talking politics with the council. So, that ruled out Ballroom A. The revelry outside at the commoner's dance would have called to him in his past, but no more. He decided that Ballroom B would be a happy medium. He entered through the double doors and looked around.

There was a lot of merriment before him. Talathel circled the outside of the dancing. Creatures of seemingly every race were here. Talathel figured at least one half elf would be made tonight, the poor thing.

More than once he was tempted to switch to wine, but he did not. He found an open chair that had been left unattended. He sat down and watched the festivities unfold. His eyes scanned the room. He enjoyed the music. He took it all in. He had missed being around people.

Though not looking for anyone in particular, his eyes kept focusing on a human. She wore a red dress, with a material that seemed to glow. Talathel felt an urging that he had not felt in many moons.  In spite of himself, he found himself rising to and approaching her. The human seemed to be part of a group, but not attached to anyone in particular.

"Happy Equinox to you, fair maiden! I am Talathel. I could not help but notice you from across the room. May I have a dance?"

Charisma
Roll(1d20)+5:
19,+5

Total:24

To A Colored Animal Inn... and then to the Commoner's Dance

Taking a cue from Nick re-posting some context!

Nym danced clumsily into the streets. "I should have brought my lute!" She feigned strumming, and began to half hum half sing.

"Hmm HMMM HMM today that you're not mine to keeeeeep.
Hmmm hmmm hu-hmmm mmm mmmm!"

"I'm usually better at remembering this paaaart! Hmmm hmmm hmmm"

"It’s only water. It’s only fire. It’s only love."

"It’s only slaughter. We’re only liars. It’s only blood."

"They’re only thoughts that I’m having - thoughts safe within my head.
You’re only crying. You’re only dying! You’re only dead."

Nym slowed her pretend lute playing, staring off into the darkness toward the docks. <"Maybe you should take this,"> she murmured in Elvish, pulling her lien collection from her pocket and handing it to Evelaen. Still staring toward the docks, she added, "I'm going to go tttthataway," and pointed the opposite direction toward the town square where the general Equinox party was underway.

Nym stretched her back before beginning to clumsily skip toward the commoner's party. She turned back to wave at Evelaen, adding, <"Goodbye, lovely human, if we both survive the night, I hope we meet again!">

<"Nay, fair half-elf, though it is early for some, for you it is far too late. You should come with me to the Lady Narath and perhaps we can sing and create merriment that will undo the filth that has been laid bare."> She said as she hooked her arms into Nym's. <"Besides, Illuvaen wouldn't want his beloved to be companionless tonight!>

Nym allowed herself to be lead for a moment, her face defeated, before she stopped walking. "I don't want to go there... it's... I..." Tears were in her eyes as she whispered, "anywhere but there."

"Fine, we'll go to the lovely in where Beranhond and I are staying. You can tell me all about Illuvaen and sing songs!" She said pulling Nym off toward the colored animal inn.

"That's a really weird name..." Nym murmured as she was pulled along. "Is it by the docks?" she asked.

--------------------------------

After being pulled along by Evelaen for several minutes, Nym slowly began to realize that she was ruining more than her own evening. "The drinking is supposed to lead to forgetting, not drunken guilt," she thought, annoyed.

Nym slowed her steps, pulling them both to a stop. "You know, I don't even have by lute, so I'm not much for singing songs tonight," she said lamely, avoiding Evelaen's eyes. "I think I'll return to my own colored animal inn and you should return to the ball..." Evelaen seemed unconvinced, so Nym added, "Pipper hasn't been outside for a good hour at least, so I should do that..." She cleared her throat, adding quickly, "and stop making a mess of things." Nym looked through Evelaen. "Besides, Beranhond probably would appreciate your company."

Evelaen seemed uncertain, but Nym assured her she'd return to her own inn until the human let her go on her own way reluctantly.

Nym walked slowly along the docks toward the inn, enjoying the fuzzy feeling of the wine in her head. She leaned against a dock gate looking into the inky water below. "I wonder how many stones in my pockets would keep me from coming back up?" she thought. She shook her head as though the thought could be pushed away like an unwanted spiderweb even though she knew it couldn't. She kicked a few stones into the water and watched the surface ripple and then become still again, feeling oddly satisfied by it. Finally, feeling chilled in her lightweight dress, Nym finished her walk to the inn.

Nym opened the door sheepishly, and was greeted by the two half orc barbarian brothers she'd met the night before. "OY, ELF LADY! NICE DRESS!" Ort yelled to Nym, punching his brother Fin in the ribs. Their companion Kepio, a goliath warlock, rolled her eyes at them.

"FUCK YOU ORT, YA GIT" Fin yelled back, kicking at his brother.

"I already told you both, no fighting in here!" Tores, the Dwarven bartender yelled at the pair, her voice annoyed with their antics.

A plan began forming in Nym's head. "You need these two out of your hair?" Nym asked Tores, smiling mischievously. Tores just gave Nym a look of exasperation and rolled her eyes. To the half orcs and goliath, Nym asked, her eyes sparkling "You three want to escort me to the dance in the town square?"

"WE DON' DANCE, LADY ELF," Ort yelled.

"Some of us DO," Kepio grumbled, glaring at Ort.

"We don't have to dance!" Nym replied sassily. "We can eat and drink." She smiled, crossing her arms.

"WE LIKE THOSE THINGS GOOD, YA?" replied Fin.

"Thank you," Tores whispered, relieved. Nym winked at the bartender.

"Ok, five minutes!" Nym replied to Fin, Ort, and Kepio, running awkwardly up the stairs, stumbling a bit at the top and laughing at her drunk self. She changed, grabbed her lute and some money, and poked Pipper to see if he was awake and wanted to come too. He grumbled in annoyance, eyed Nym, and then scooted out of her reach to go back to sleep. "Fiiiine, I'll go spend the night with people twice as tall as me then. You were going to even out the heights with me, but I GUESS I can represent all the short people of Faerun myself." She smiled at the fox, scratching his ears, before she left her room.

"Alright!" she exclaimed excitedly to her enormous friends. "Let's get out of here!" Kepio seemed happy to have someone who wasn't a boorish idiot to talk to for the night, and the brothers seemed excited to eat and drink more. Nym found she had to jog to keep up with her three companions, but forgetting was worth it.

Equinox Ball - Upstairs Overlook

Johan ascends the stairs to the overlook, passing a few partygoers up the sweeping staircase. The music is more muted and echoing up from the grand ballroom floor, and from the large open balcony behind the distant music and cheering from the commoner's parties filters up.

He takes a glass from a passing butler, not bothering to drink it as he wanders around, his eyes scanning the much sparser crowd up here to see if anything catches his eye.

Not sure if Insight or Perception is more relevant for noticing people of interest in the overlook/balcony:
Insight(+6): Rolled a 9, so 15.
Perception(+11): Rolled a 1, so 12.

Equinox Ball - Speech

It was a moment later that Beranhond found himself pushed up a circular staircase to a platform for the formal speech that begun the ball.
"Greetings Lords, Nobles, Merchants, and Free Peoples of Baldur's Gate on this most blessed day! I wish you fair weather, fair wealth, fair justice, and always, fair wine and song. I am told that it is on this day that important announcements regarding the future are announced and I am glad, nay exuberant, that the city council has chosen me to announce them." He swallowed and looked around catching eyes.
"First, one of the pleasures of being in front of so many people is that I have a chance to present a version of myself that is straight from my mouth instead of from the mouth of others. It is true that several years ago I was a part of a group named Kilink that sought to find out the source of the earthquake that so damaged the city." There was some booing at this, but Beranond continued. "It is true that we discovered the source." Some minor booing. "Yes, we did, though, I will freely admit that we did not manage to bring it to full justice."
"Still, it is a new year, a new season, and a new one of hope. The group I am a part of is back, it is renewed, and it has the full backing of the council to seek out and harass the undead pirates that ravage our shipping, our coast, and our very lives." He slammed his hand onto the podium. This wasn't entirely true as yet, but Beranhond figured that making such a bold statement would help firm up the weaker parts of the council. Besides, they asked him to give the speech in part to humiliate him, but they should have known better.
"Yet, we shall not be alone! The city has agreed to reach out to other privateer and to sttart the active formation of a grand flotilla to actively reclaim the waters around the sea. As a city we have been far too passive in our defense, we have let the city fall into waste and that will not continue."
"Tonight, one behalf of the city council, I ask you nobles, you merchants, and you free people to join together in helping to finance and outfit this flotilla. I ask you to join your hands together so that we might make a better Baldur's Gate!" He raised his fist as clapping tumbled around him. "Though, at this moment I mostly ask that you raise your glass, that the band strike up a sound, and that we celebrate the beginning of a new dawn." The room thundered with applause. Beranhond smiled around, beaming. It wasn't his best speech, but it was good enough on short notice.
At that, the doors opened up and the grandballroom was open for the party to enter.

At this point you can spread out and move around. There will be five locations you can wander around in.

1. Grand ballroom A: City Council, Orlando
2. Grand Ballroom B: Drinking and Dancing
3. Entrance, this room we are in.
4. Upstairs overlook - a more secluded section with some darker sections.
 5. The commoner's dance

Feel free to start the posts off as you like. I'll add in the locations that not one has posted yet tomorrow.

Equinox Ball - Introduction

The Equinox Ball, one of the foremost events in the long history of Baldur's Gate, started off with a flourish. At precisely 5:49 the grand parade set forth from the harbor and made its way through the city. Although sad and tame by historic standards the grand parade still included the marshaling of the nobility, the merchant princes, and the other variety of guilds, collectives, artisans, and other such people who wished to bang drums, cymbals, and cry havoc.
It took thirty minutes to wander through the streets, in part because the historic parade route past the temple had been abandoned ever since the catacombs underneath had become a warren for the various syndicates.

 Beranhond, wearing a splendid white doublet with a blue cape followed closely behind the city council. He had been forced to join the council for the parade, much to his chagrin, and along the parade route many of the townsfolk spotted him and called out to their friends.
"Ah, the prophet, he returns!"
"Last time he came he brought a Tormish army that faltered and is now mostly zombies, what hope does he bring this time?"
"He healed the many!"
"He his a bringer of death."
Some of them called out his name others mocked him. Yet, he marched on, trying not to show his unease at the situation.
"It's a good thing Evelaen managed to skip the parade. Well, maybe. Eh, it's really that I'm mostly just jealous." He thought to himself as they marched along.

Finally, with all the pomp and splendor it stopped in front of the L'aeis de Sro, a large multiroomed pavilion made of numerous glass sheets bound together with iron. The interior of the pavilion was really boring stone work, but once a year the glassblowers competed to replace the broken sheets of glass that comprised the exterior. Large limelight were rigged to shine lights across the glass and create an intense brightness that helped illuminate the interiors.

At this point the parade split into two parties with the lower classes finding their way to the less costly, but in their minds infinitely more entertaining fest, while the upper class made their way to the ball. The council, merchants, remaining priests, and other important figures entered first, followed by the other party guests who arrived on their own schedule.

 The entrance to the ball was guarded by two richly dressed guardsmen carrying large, unwieldy, halberds that they were supposed to use to block those not invited. Naturally, this meant that the two guards held tightly to them and hopped against hope that they didn't collapse on them.
"Well done men." Beranhond said as he approached. From the shadows Evelaen stepped out wearing a flowing red dress, with a large silvery necklace.
"Hmmm, we clash a bit." He mentioned as he took her arm looking up and down her a bit possively before quickly looking back up.
She laughed. "No, red and white go splendidly together. That blue doesn't quite work, but it'll do for now."
They walked past the guards and into the ballroom Beranhond looking for a drink before having to hobknob with the council for much of the evening.

Alright folks. At this point I just want you to make your entrance and find yourself in the entry space before the opening speech starts. Feel free to add details as you like - the pavilion is designed after the Crystal Palace of industrial England, so feel free to use that as a model. Don't leave the entry room yet as after the formal speech I'll create different posts for each space in which you can wander and interact!
 

Update

Hi folks, in order to bring everyone up to date to the proper time and place the next post is going to be at the starts of the Equinox Ball. If you have any else you want to care of that isn't related to the Ball, post it here and I'll take care of it will be taken care of within this post and without RP.

Otherwise the Equinox Ball will start on Thursday!

A Proposal for the Baroness deHaville

The Baroness deHaville's estate was enormous. Nym wondered how three people could possibly use so much space as they approached the gates. Nym tried the gate handle. "Locked," Nym said before teleporting to the other side and opening the gate for Evelaen and then re-locking the gate once she was inside.

Nym walked up to the oak double doors to the front of the house and knocked. After a few moments, the door creaked open, and an annoyed young woman peered out at them. "The mistress won't be buying anything, especially at this hour," she said, frowning.

"We're here about the Baroness' missing son and husband," Nym offered, smiling. "We have a way for her to contact them directly, which should make them much easier to find."

The woman blinked, surprised. "Well, uh, come in then," she said, gesturing for Nym and Evelaen to enter. "Please wait here while I fetch the mistress."

Left alone in the entryway, Nym looked around at the opulent furniture and huge paintings. "Strange place, this," she said half to Evelaen and half to herself.