(Casual D&D) A Game of Trust

[dpdx]

"I'd be happy to, good sir, but first I've got to discuss something with my friend, here."

Fendric takes Aerda aside and away from the stream of conversation. Looking down at the trueblood's hands, he spots the ring. Looking back up at Aerda, he speaks to him, softly, so as not to be overheard: "My good friend. We who remain on this quest are highly concerned about Sir Exantrius' ring. Would it trouble you terribly if we at the least, left it somewhere remote before we left for the mountains? Perhaps Astrule could drop it into a stream south of here, and let it flow somewhere, where it wouldn't haunt our dreams, or prevent us from speaking the truth to those who could help us. I beg of you to consider it, and I pray you'll find a just and compassionate decision. What say you?"

 

[Guilt Puppy]

(I have no place in this process for the time being, just posting to let you know that wings/Reiter has been emailed, so hopefully we'll be fully assembled and active again shortly...

It may yet turn out that creating this sort of group decision really was a good way to make sure everyone was back in the game again We'll see...

Also, I think there needs to be some sorting-out of continuity... Let's just say that the Fendric post which begins with "the next morning" occurs the next morning, whereas all the posts that have followed that occur on the day that Aerda met Nurthk, Fendric met Hiritus, and Niccolo met the man in black... This makes Festy's post from the tavern make sense, and dp's post from the temple make sense, although his saying hello to Nurthk there will have to be construed as a, god help me, clerical error...

As for how he figured out which tavern Aerda was in, well... Clown told him.

Hopefully things are clearer now. This leaves Niccolo at the temple, Aerda in the corner of the tavern with Fendric, away from Nurthk who is also in the tavern.)

Niccolo: Not long after Fendric leaves to find Aerda, a lanky soft-faced blonde lad drops by and introduces himself to you.

"Excuse me? You're one of Fendric's friends right? I'm Brother Hiritus," he holds out a hand in a gesture of friendship. "Fendric's invited me to come along on your quest."

Nurthk: An old half-orc seated a few seats away from you watches your exchange, his sagging eyelids almost flapping as he tilts his head to watch Aerda and Fendric confer. He turns back toward you, his words dripping colored by an old orcish accent: "Ho, are you friends with those birds? I'd be careful of my head 'round them... They've grown some trouble from the bone-men."

Fendric: There's a table in the far corner of the bar where it looks like no one will be in earshot of a careful whisper... and even if they could here, it would be a stretch to imagine that they knew elvish. You can be fairly confident that you are not overheard.

 

[Uriel]

Niccolo smiles in return, replying 'Hullo there, I'm Niccolo, Bard and Recounter of Deeds to this odd group of Companions.'

 

[Guilt Puppy]

Niccolo smiles in return, replying 'Hullo there, I'm Niccolo, Bard and Recounter of Deeds to this odd group of Companions.'

"Oh! Are you? Oh, please, if you have a moment, I'd love to hear the story of how your Brotherhood has come together... And what trials you must have come through thus far in your duties!"

His voice is laden with childlike curiosity, with just a touch exaggerated in a certain way -- the way a person might talk to a child, or the way a person might talk to an adult gnome, had they not yet caught on to the concept that an adult gnome was an adult. Not condescending, exactly, just a touch more animated than normal... Which, all things considered, might not be such a bad way to talk.

 

[Festy_Dog]

Originally posted by Guilt Puppy
"Ho, are you friends with those birds? I'd be careful of my head 'round them... They've grown some trouble from the bone-men."

Nurthk looks puzzled for a moment, then goes over and sits by the aging half-orc.

"The undead out front I'll take it? Oh, and what would you like to drink? My shout," he replies, then turns to order whatever drink his new friend wants.

 

[Uriel]

Niccolo will relate the tale of the Band <Perform only 13 total grr>, leaving out key spots and having to go back and revisit them in a flustered manner several times. it is obvious that he has something else upon his mind, though he tries for the Youth.

 

[Guilt Puppy]

Nurthk:

"I'll take a pumpkin ale, to celebrate the occasion of our acquaintance, and to wish some luck upon the young..." He grins. Pumpkin ale has always been the drink of occasion for the poor among these parts, spilled at festival and funeral alike.

"You heard what grew, haven't you? Bone-man broke rank right as they came in town, went right for 'em. They got something the boneys want, I'll say for sure. Not the men, not the leaders. Just the dead ones want it..."

He shakes his head. "Terrible times, these ones are. Terrible and true." He lifts up his drink, smiles. "But let's drink to the good ones, eh? They'll come and find us some day."

Niccolo:

Hiritus listens attentively, asking frequently that you go back and explain some detail to him...

"A fine story, that... I am pleased yet further to come into your company."

He stops, caught by a thought for a moment, then continues.

"You mentioned something in there, about a banner you made for the knight and for your fellowship... May I ask, though, now that your band has been cleaved in two, does that banner still fly overhead?"

 

[Uriel]

Niccolo frowns at the mention of his Banner. 'I was going to use it as a funerary shroud, but then i thought that perhaos a Flag was in order. I thought a White Dove, seeing as that is how we last saw Exantrius, as a Dove, presumably his Soul, winging away to the Heavens. Perhaps an Owl would suit us better, for we now seek the Road to Wisdom, though young we be. The Company of the White Owl... I like the sound of that.'

 

[Festy_Dog]

Originally posted by Guilt Puppy
"But let's drink to the good ones, eh? They'll come and find us some day."

Nurthk raises his mug in response.

"I'll definitely drink to that," he says.

He casts a look over his shoulder to Aerda and Fendric.

So they're from the party who got attacked... what would they have in their possession that those mindless undead would desire? I haven't been given an assignment lately so... I think I've sufficient time on my hands to find out whats going on.

He turns back to the old half-orc.

"Say, want to hear an interesting tale?..."

Nurthk starts to recount one of his past adventures.

 

[dpdx]

[Have we heard from Aerda's player yet, GP?]

Fendric stares at Aerda for a few seconds, waiting for an answer. Not hearing one, he turns his attention to the barkeep, and orders an ale.