Rybaer
First Post
Session #11.3 - The Countess of Vineyard Pass
The servant Linnea summoned the group back downstairs and led them to a parlor where the Countess was waiting for them. Lohna Goldenoak Graeble, as she introduced herself to the four she had not previously met, was a sight to behold. Her long, golden yellow hair was tied back in a single braid to her waist. Deep blue eyes matched the color of her elegant yet simple gown. Everything she did, from walking to speaking to sipping wine, was done with a cultured grace.
Nigel thanked Lohna for tolerating their unannounced arrival so long after her invitation had been offered. He then proceeded to introduce each of his companions - Zalman, Rurik, Amblin, and Kisty. Chilled wine was provided and everyone found comfortable seats. Lohna led the pre-dinner conversation, asking each pointed questions about some portion of their adventures that Nigel had mentioned during their previous meeting. By and large, most of the group opened up to the elf maiden's inviting personality. Rurik, a bit sullen, was more interested in his wine.
At some point, Zalman broached the subject of the magnificent mirror in the foyer. She told them that during the war, when Water Break fell, she and her husband were among the refugees that fled south. (Nigel's ears perked up at the word 'husband.') During their time there, she had come across a master craftsman who made these remarkable mirrors. She had commissioned this one to be made a couple years ago and had it shipped up. It was placed in the foyer so that all her guests would see themselves in her house before they even entered the door, as a sign of welcome. She also admitted that there were few other suitable walls in the house on which to hang such a large mirror.
Another awkward subject was also addressed in a somewhat subtle manner - her unusual sleeping habits.
"Ah yes," Lohna said. "I suppose you haven't heard the stories, not being from around here. Well, to begin with, have you heard about the magical diseases that struck this area over the last year or so?"
They nodded that they had heard something of them.
"Well, the diseases came in waves, and each had different and unusual symptoms. Many people died, and of those who survived, many were were left with unusual scars. Anyway, I fell victim to one of these diseases and was completely incapacitated for weeks. My husband Rondel, a paladin of Heironeous, was protected by his devotion and he stayed by my side throughout the ordeal.
"Now, before Rondel took the title for this land, we were frequently adventuring across the land. We made many friends and many enemies. One of these old enemies of ours apparently chose this opportunity, with me incapacitated, to strike at us in retribution for perceived wrongs we had caused him. Standing together, he could not face us, but forced to stand alone, Rondel was slain. I have only a vague recollection of that night, so delirious I was. However, it is my belief that my husband's dying prayer was to protect me and see me through my disease.
"The next morning, my fever broke. The disease was gone, but my body was not unscarred. Somehow, the disease's magical nature had left my skin incredibly sensitive to sunlight. I burn in moments and would die very quickly if left exposed. I've sought cures from several priests, but so far none has been able to rid me of this curse.
"As you can imagine, the tale of a noble who rises at the setting of the sun quickly spread far and wide. Within months, several separate groups of vampire hunters came calling, each ready to slay me. Fortunately, I've been able to convince each of my unique situation without having to resort to bloodshed...though it's been close on a number of occasions."
Just then, Linnea poked her head in the door. "Mistress, you have two more guests." She opened the door fully and allowed two unusual figures to enter. Both had the height and build of a dwarf, but their heads were vaguely lional and both had golden brown fur. They were dressed in unusual but stylish clothing and carried themselves proudly. Zalman, an accomplished study of the Planes, believed them to be Leonals, highly intelligent beings native to Elysium, a plane where Goodness was the rule. If his suspicions were correct, they had little to fear from these newcomers, and if they were acquaintances of Lohna, it bumped up his opinion of her as well. Rurik, who had spent several weeks of his life with a lion's head, also took a keen interest in the pair.
Lohna warmly welcomed the Leonals and made introductions all around. The Leonals, Lura and Diazmo, proved to be polite and interesting conversationalists, eager to ask questions of the group and their interesting travels. Before long, Linnea interrupted again to announce that dinner was ready.
The dining hall was a medium sized room, furnished tastefully in dark wood tones. Eight settings of fine china and silver were placed about the long table and a pair of kitchen staff stood ready to begin the service. Several courses of delectable delights were served and the group was dazzled by the amazing tastes. Nothing they had ever eaten had been served so formally, nor tasted so good. Even Happy's was put to shame.
Conversation continued through dinner and at some point Zalman finally asked if the two latecomers were indeed Leonals. They confirmed his suspicion. He asked if they were traveling the Prime Material plane or how they had come to stop by for dinner. Diazmo replied that Lohna had a portal within her residence.
"Yes," Lohna said. "My adventuring career took me across many of the higher planes and I met many interesting folk. When Rondel and I finally settled here, one of our acquaintances created a permanent portal to the Inn so that we could pay frequent visits to others and they could do likewise."
"Indeed," Lura said. "Lohna is a frequent host, and was a frequent guest of many. While her place here is a bit quaint compared to some for ambiance, she somehow manages to find some of the best cooks on any of the planes to work her kitchens."
"You're too kind," Lohna said. "If Gurie hears you talking about his dinner like that he'll get a big head and start entertaining ideas of leaving me to set up shop in some snobbish king's court."
"This Inn you mentioned," Zalman said. "That's the World Serpent Inn?"
"Yes," Lohna said. "You're familiar with it?"
"A bit," Zalman replied. "I've studied the planes some, but have never had the opportunity to travel to any of them."
"Well, perhaps you'll get the chance before long," Lohna said, smiling. "Parts of the planes are dangerous beyond imagining, but others are so beautiful and peaceful as to leave you weeping for joy."
Dinner concluded and the Leonals thanked Lohna for dinner and parted ways. Lohna then offered to give the others a tour of the gardens. As she led them outside, she explained that since she was stricken with the inability to venture into the sun, she had started collecting plant specimens that favored the dark. Several of the plants in the gardens were varieties that only bloomed in the dark.
The gardens, which the group had only glimpsed upon their arrival, were indeed magnificent. Gravel paths wove haphazardly through a variety of well-tended plants, flowers, and trees. Fragrant blossoms were in abundance. Lining the trails were a countless small spheres that magically glowed in soft blues, greens, and violets, providing enough gentle illumination to give the gardens a mysterious and enchanting appearance.
The tour ended at the gazebo, where everyone found comfortable seats and relaxed in the warm summer breeze. Talk returned to the mission of the group. They told Lohna that they had to return to Water Break early the next morning to seek an audience with the Duke. Lohna expressed disappointment that they couldn't stay longer, but urged them to return whenever they wished. Eventually, everyone turned in for bed except for Nigel.
Nigel and Lohna remained in the gazebo, sharing more intimate conversation and enjoying a private, quiet moment between elves. Lohna abruptly broke off from Nigel mid-kiss and cocked her head ever so slightly.
"Did you head that?" she asked in a whisper.
Nigel strained his acute elvish ranger hearing, but could discern nothing from the ordinary sounds of the night. "No, what?"
"Something in the gardens," she whispered. She motioned for him to follow. Quite as a cat, she slipped along the paths toward the back corner of the house and looked out over the dimly lit gardens. Nigel shadowed her and peered over her shoulder. He could see nothing.
After a few moments, Lohna silently pointed across the gardens into the darkness. Nigel strained and finally caught a hint of motion in the dark, though what it was he could not determine.
"I'm going to rouse what guards there are," Lohna whispered. "Keep an eye on them and be careful." With that, she quickly and quietly jogged back around the house toward the front door.
Nigel marveled at how Lohna was able to so easily make out something moving toward her gardens, nearly silent and invisible at this distance. He returned his focus to where she had pointed and now, as a pair of figures entered the limits of the ghostly garden lights. He immediately didn't like their appearance - giant, four-armed ape-like monstrosities (what he would later learn were girallons). He also didn't like the fact that he was armor and weaponless.
Next session: Halfling and friends in the garden.
The servant Linnea summoned the group back downstairs and led them to a parlor where the Countess was waiting for them. Lohna Goldenoak Graeble, as she introduced herself to the four she had not previously met, was a sight to behold. Her long, golden yellow hair was tied back in a single braid to her waist. Deep blue eyes matched the color of her elegant yet simple gown. Everything she did, from walking to speaking to sipping wine, was done with a cultured grace.
Nigel thanked Lohna for tolerating their unannounced arrival so long after her invitation had been offered. He then proceeded to introduce each of his companions - Zalman, Rurik, Amblin, and Kisty. Chilled wine was provided and everyone found comfortable seats. Lohna led the pre-dinner conversation, asking each pointed questions about some portion of their adventures that Nigel had mentioned during their previous meeting. By and large, most of the group opened up to the elf maiden's inviting personality. Rurik, a bit sullen, was more interested in his wine.
At some point, Zalman broached the subject of the magnificent mirror in the foyer. She told them that during the war, when Water Break fell, she and her husband were among the refugees that fled south. (Nigel's ears perked up at the word 'husband.') During their time there, she had come across a master craftsman who made these remarkable mirrors. She had commissioned this one to be made a couple years ago and had it shipped up. It was placed in the foyer so that all her guests would see themselves in her house before they even entered the door, as a sign of welcome. She also admitted that there were few other suitable walls in the house on which to hang such a large mirror.
Another awkward subject was also addressed in a somewhat subtle manner - her unusual sleeping habits.
"Ah yes," Lohna said. "I suppose you haven't heard the stories, not being from around here. Well, to begin with, have you heard about the magical diseases that struck this area over the last year or so?"
They nodded that they had heard something of them.
"Well, the diseases came in waves, and each had different and unusual symptoms. Many people died, and of those who survived, many were were left with unusual scars. Anyway, I fell victim to one of these diseases and was completely incapacitated for weeks. My husband Rondel, a paladin of Heironeous, was protected by his devotion and he stayed by my side throughout the ordeal.
"Now, before Rondel took the title for this land, we were frequently adventuring across the land. We made many friends and many enemies. One of these old enemies of ours apparently chose this opportunity, with me incapacitated, to strike at us in retribution for perceived wrongs we had caused him. Standing together, he could not face us, but forced to stand alone, Rondel was slain. I have only a vague recollection of that night, so delirious I was. However, it is my belief that my husband's dying prayer was to protect me and see me through my disease.
"The next morning, my fever broke. The disease was gone, but my body was not unscarred. Somehow, the disease's magical nature had left my skin incredibly sensitive to sunlight. I burn in moments and would die very quickly if left exposed. I've sought cures from several priests, but so far none has been able to rid me of this curse.
"As you can imagine, the tale of a noble who rises at the setting of the sun quickly spread far and wide. Within months, several separate groups of vampire hunters came calling, each ready to slay me. Fortunately, I've been able to convince each of my unique situation without having to resort to bloodshed...though it's been close on a number of occasions."
Just then, Linnea poked her head in the door. "Mistress, you have two more guests." She opened the door fully and allowed two unusual figures to enter. Both had the height and build of a dwarf, but their heads were vaguely lional and both had golden brown fur. They were dressed in unusual but stylish clothing and carried themselves proudly. Zalman, an accomplished study of the Planes, believed them to be Leonals, highly intelligent beings native to Elysium, a plane where Goodness was the rule. If his suspicions were correct, they had little to fear from these newcomers, and if they were acquaintances of Lohna, it bumped up his opinion of her as well. Rurik, who had spent several weeks of his life with a lion's head, also took a keen interest in the pair.
Lohna warmly welcomed the Leonals and made introductions all around. The Leonals, Lura and Diazmo, proved to be polite and interesting conversationalists, eager to ask questions of the group and their interesting travels. Before long, Linnea interrupted again to announce that dinner was ready.
The dining hall was a medium sized room, furnished tastefully in dark wood tones. Eight settings of fine china and silver were placed about the long table and a pair of kitchen staff stood ready to begin the service. Several courses of delectable delights were served and the group was dazzled by the amazing tastes. Nothing they had ever eaten had been served so formally, nor tasted so good. Even Happy's was put to shame.
Conversation continued through dinner and at some point Zalman finally asked if the two latecomers were indeed Leonals. They confirmed his suspicion. He asked if they were traveling the Prime Material plane or how they had come to stop by for dinner. Diazmo replied that Lohna had a portal within her residence.
"Yes," Lohna said. "My adventuring career took me across many of the higher planes and I met many interesting folk. When Rondel and I finally settled here, one of our acquaintances created a permanent portal to the Inn so that we could pay frequent visits to others and they could do likewise."
"Indeed," Lura said. "Lohna is a frequent host, and was a frequent guest of many. While her place here is a bit quaint compared to some for ambiance, she somehow manages to find some of the best cooks on any of the planes to work her kitchens."
"You're too kind," Lohna said. "If Gurie hears you talking about his dinner like that he'll get a big head and start entertaining ideas of leaving me to set up shop in some snobbish king's court."
"This Inn you mentioned," Zalman said. "That's the World Serpent Inn?"
"Yes," Lohna said. "You're familiar with it?"
"A bit," Zalman replied. "I've studied the planes some, but have never had the opportunity to travel to any of them."
"Well, perhaps you'll get the chance before long," Lohna said, smiling. "Parts of the planes are dangerous beyond imagining, but others are so beautiful and peaceful as to leave you weeping for joy."
Dinner concluded and the Leonals thanked Lohna for dinner and parted ways. Lohna then offered to give the others a tour of the gardens. As she led them outside, she explained that since she was stricken with the inability to venture into the sun, she had started collecting plant specimens that favored the dark. Several of the plants in the gardens were varieties that only bloomed in the dark.
The gardens, which the group had only glimpsed upon their arrival, were indeed magnificent. Gravel paths wove haphazardly through a variety of well-tended plants, flowers, and trees. Fragrant blossoms were in abundance. Lining the trails were a countless small spheres that magically glowed in soft blues, greens, and violets, providing enough gentle illumination to give the gardens a mysterious and enchanting appearance.
The tour ended at the gazebo, where everyone found comfortable seats and relaxed in the warm summer breeze. Talk returned to the mission of the group. They told Lohna that they had to return to Water Break early the next morning to seek an audience with the Duke. Lohna expressed disappointment that they couldn't stay longer, but urged them to return whenever they wished. Eventually, everyone turned in for bed except for Nigel.
Nigel and Lohna remained in the gazebo, sharing more intimate conversation and enjoying a private, quiet moment between elves. Lohna abruptly broke off from Nigel mid-kiss and cocked her head ever so slightly.
"Did you head that?" she asked in a whisper.
Nigel strained his acute elvish ranger hearing, but could discern nothing from the ordinary sounds of the night. "No, what?"
"Something in the gardens," she whispered. She motioned for him to follow. Quite as a cat, she slipped along the paths toward the back corner of the house and looked out over the dimly lit gardens. Nigel shadowed her and peered over her shoulder. He could see nothing.
After a few moments, Lohna silently pointed across the gardens into the darkness. Nigel strained and finally caught a hint of motion in the dark, though what it was he could not determine.
"I'm going to rouse what guards there are," Lohna whispered. "Keep an eye on them and be careful." With that, she quickly and quietly jogged back around the house toward the front door.
Nigel marveled at how Lohna was able to so easily make out something moving toward her gardens, nearly silent and invisible at this distance. He returned his focus to where she had pointed and now, as a pair of figures entered the limits of the ghostly garden lights. He immediately didn't like their appearance - giant, four-armed ape-like monstrosities (what he would later learn were girallons). He also didn't like the fact that he was armor and weaponless.
Next session: Halfling and friends in the garden.
