Balial
Experienced Creator
Posts: 113
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Post by Balial on Feb 25, 2021 20:43:39 GMT
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coomer
Experienced Creator
Posts: 82
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Post by coomer on Feb 25, 2021 21:45:01 GMT
The road was long and hard. He has set out from Neverwinter, and the church he belonged to, many moons ago. His orders were simple ones - he was to take a cart down to Daggerford to collect a donation of supplies from the Duke. As a Paladin, he was best placed to be able to fend off any bandits that would dare to attack a religious progress - be they so bold. He was on his return journey now, approaching the town of Waterdeep. Not even a quarter of the way, but one of the few places that he could seek respite before reaching the church once more. Fatigue gripped his limbs, but he didn’t want to pause - the twins waited for him, and their needs were greater than his discomfort. As he passed the southern gate of Waterdeep however, a deep voice drew his attention. He gave it a cursory glance, but curiosity caused him to come to a complete halt. The donkey pulling his cart slowed to a stop as well, looking around with its own brand of curiosity. ”Finest instruments you say?” Simeon said, taking a step towards the Half-Orc. With the prospect of a customer, the merchant grinned broadly - a not very appealing sight given his large tusks. ”Please, take a look and see what you like,” he said politely, his raspy voice not quite matching the servile feel behind his words. Simeon nodded slowly ,stepping over. He shouldn’t be pausing on his quest… But Milil was, after all, the Lord of Song - perhaps he would find the cause of his devotion here. His eyes were immediately taken by a wooden stringed instrument, and they widened as he gazed at it. The polished wood, the shining strings - it was, if possible, the exact embodiment of what Simeon thought to be the true god. It was beautiful, it was alluring, it was perfect. ”Interested in the lute, eh? It’s a rare piece, so it’ll cost ya - but I can always arrange a special price for the clergy,” he said, offering Simeon a slight bow that didn’t seem completely insincere. ”When you say a special price… How special do you mean?”
Persuasion Roll: Lute Price EvlWrgRR1d20+5
The Half-Orc, Tharamir, chuckled heartily. ”You just so happened to look at the most expensive lute that I have for sale, friend. This one is crafted from the finest wood this side of Anauroch, and I’ve been assured that it holds its tune for years - it’s a special item, I’ll tell ya that much.”Simeon sighed, eyes lifting to the sky. He had a heavy purse beneath his cloak, but he was loath to spend it frivolously - after all, with two extra mouths to feed at home he had the feeling that every gold piece was going to count. ”Just… Tell me your best price, merchant,” he said, waving away the Half-Orc’s spiel. ”It just may be that Milil is blessing both of us today, and we can come to an agreement.”1d20+5
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Balial
Experienced Creator
Posts: 113
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Post by Balial on Feb 26, 2021 12:53:20 GMT
The boy woke before the rest, birds still sound asleep as he tip toed out from his parents house. They were too intense with their demands. 'Study this, rewrite that, memorize the runes', ugh; too much expectation. The child wanted to do more with his life that just burry his face in his studies. He wanted a life of exciting adventure, one that was plagued with danger! "T heir coming, get down." As the voice carried itself into his ear like a wisp, the boy instinctually reacted, hiding under a tipped barrel. The heavy foot falls of the Watchers came and went before he lifted from the back alley once more. " A thanks for the tip." The voice once more came in a whisper, directly into the ear of the child, which was brushed off as if it were normal to hear bodiless voices. Once more he dipped through cart and box, utilizing steal as his ally to weave through the city proper. His goal, the southern district, home of the traveling coin and better yet, adventurers. By time he made his way to the South Gate the merchants were stirring and the swallows singing. "What a great day for an adventure!" Dayne said to himself with childish glee and wonder in his voice as he began to pick up his pace. The market district had been busier than normally, serval immigrants had seemed to migrate through the south side of Waterdeep in order to find work, instead of the standard ware. Yet off in the center of the district someone caught the child's attention. A Half-Orc, wearing clothes that screamed elegance, and approaching that man was a Half-Elf. The man bore a strange marking, one that Dayne was particularly unfamiliar with, but it was clearly a symbol of devotion. A clergy member, those guys traveled all over the place! Taking his chance he rushed over to the cart, avoiding the donkey in the front. His eyes peaked around the corner slightly and he smiled. It was just his luck, the Half-Elf seemed to be looking at the lute of all things. With that Dayne leapt into the cart, shuffling himself under some of the items and remaining as still as possible. Rolls |yyQQCGF1d20+2
1d20+2
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coomer
Experienced Creator
Posts: 82
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Post by coomer on Feb 26, 2021 13:15:29 GMT
With a grumble, Simeon turned back to the cart with the new lute strapped over his shoulder. His coin purse was considerably lighter, but it seemed like a worthwhile investment - he had been searching for how to show his devotion to Milil for a long time, and something within him told him that this was it. He climbed up into the front of the cart with a grunt, pulling the lute around him as he did so. Whilst he usually walked beside the cart to spare the poor pack animal of his additional weight, he found a strange eagerness gripping him and telling him to play the lute. He plucked at the strings experimentally, and instantly a feeling overwhelmed him. This was what he was born for. A smile grew on his face as he played a small tune, his fingers moving almost with their own mind across the strings and neck of the instrument. ”Along the coast, a journey to make, Donations to bring, donations to take. In the name of the lord, the pathway is clear, For with Milil on your side, there is nothing to fear.
One Who Watches While Music Is Alive, Listen to his words, before we arrive. The Guardian of Singers, the Lord of All Songs, Come gather round, he will right your wrongs.
Milil, Milil, bless now this lute, Bless now the singer, the bearer of fruit. For all is foul, and all is fair, Keep all who hear, safe in your care.”As he moved through the streets, the people gathered to watch and listen to him sing - and, it seemed to Simeon, that they had smiles on their faces. Was this, after all, the true way to worship Milil? 07qBwa1W1d20+5
1d20+5·1d20+5·1d20+5·1d20+5
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Balial
Experienced Creator
Posts: 113
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Post by Balial on Feb 26, 2021 14:08:55 GMT
The cart tilted to one side making the child brace himself between the supplies in order to not tumble over and reveal his position. After a brief second it slammed back to center, it seems that the owner had boarded his cart once more. Dayne laid motionless, his ears far more open than his eyes at this point. He could hear the tightening of leather straps grinding against a hand. Followed by the hee-haw of the donkey. Beginning to move the two set off with one not knowing where the adventure would take them, while the other decided to test his strings. There was some shuffling at the head of the cart, but even Dayne wasn't perceptive enough to understand what he was doing so soon, was he coming back to check his supplies or make a trade? Softly a melody danced into the air. Soft and elegant, gentle and sweat, the strings sang their jovial song for all to hear. The man had a voice blessed by the gods with a tune that matched the strings of the lute perfectly. It began slow and remained at that tone throughout the entire sequence. Stringing a story along with ease and with enough simplicity for it to be refined. He was remarkable. Dayne's eyelids became heavier as the man's lullaby whisked him into the embrace of slumber. It was the first peaceful sleep that the child had achieved in years, all from the soothing song of a stranger. As the child awoke the man was still playing, no longer singing, but allowing his instrument to take the center stage. Who knew how long he had been out for. As he lifted his head it was nearly dusk and the city was barely visible over the hills behind them. A wide smile grew across the child's face and he couldn't contain his excitement. " I've made it!" He screamed and leapt into the air, his hands both toward the skies. " The adventures await!" Suddenly he remembered that he was a stowaway and his heart sank as he turned around with so much force the cart shifted with him. " Please don't send me back!" He begged, his hands clapping together as he fell to his knees and bowed his head. Rolls Persuasion yVMwyKeL1d20
1d20
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coomer
Experienced Creator
Posts: 82
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Post by coomer on Feb 26, 2021 14:25:28 GMT
Simeon was lost to the music as dusk began to settle around the cart. Hours had seemingly passed without him paying attention to them, his full concentration on the wooden instrument between his hands. It was… Intoxicating. Through all of his clerical duties he had never found such a thing that could hold his attention in worship. The thing that pulled him from his stupor was certainly unexpected. A joyous scream from behind him, seemingly coming from his cart before it shook and somebody - or something - leapt out. Simeon was quick to react. He placed the lute on the seat next to him and leapt free of the cart, pulling the longsword at his hip from its scabbard as he did so. In the blink of an eye he was a bard no more, but a paladin trained in the art of warfare. The dying light of the sun glinted off the cold steel of his blade as he pointed it at the intruder, who had now dropped to his knees. Anger rushed him to start with, but it was soon replaced with pity. The stowaway was little more than a boy, barely coming into his manhood years. Pity won the day, and Simeon slowly lowered his blade without yet placing it away. ”It is not wise to sneak up on people, boy. Why were you hiding in my cart? And why, in Milil’s name, are you groveling like that?”
Rolls Intimidation yGLv0odo1d20+5
1d20+5·1d20+5
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Balial
Experienced Creator
Posts: 113
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Post by Balial on Feb 26, 2021 14:37:43 GMT
The man lifted from the cart with a bolt that would suggest that fact he was highly trained. Dayne was looking for such a person as well! A smile crept across his face that easily showed his wild rush of emotions as he leapt up from the cart as well. Approaching the shinning blade before it could be lowered. " Is this real?" He said, his hand slowly inching closer before the Paladin moved the blade. " Woah," he gasped, his eyes watching the reflection of the tiny bit of sun against the steel. As Dayne admired the adventurers equipment he was bombarded with questions, although honestly the man was taking everything better than expected. " Excuse me, where are my manners? My name is Dayne Zedar!" He said backing away from the Singing Paladin. " Um, I just want to see the world... I'm not like my family, they only want to stay locked up in their tower, reading books, I don't like it. They force me to do it everyday, so I ran away." His voice trembled, all of it true, but parts obviously still hidden intentionally. " I can help, please just take me to where your stop is and I will leave you alone from there!" His eyes moved over the man's symbols and thought about the words he kept saying, Milil; he was sure that he had heard the name before. Rolls Religion: E5toasem1d20+5
1d20+5
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coomer
Experienced Creator
Posts: 82
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Post by coomer on Feb 26, 2021 14:44:29 GMT
The boy’s explanation seemed to be genuine, and Simeon ran his free hand light over his chin. The church had been known to take in those who had abandoned their homes - or, like the twins he had taken into his care, those whose homes had abandoned them. His eyes narrowed as he considered the boy though, sensing that there was more to him than meets the eye. ”The road to Neverwinter is long…” he said, mostly to himself. In truth it had been a boring journey, but perhaps some company - and of course his wonderful lute - would change that. ”I am on the church’s work, boy - this isn’t a journey of pleasure.”As he spoke, an unnatural wind seemed to ripple through the road that they had stopped on. The faintest whisper filled his ears, and the strings on the lute seemed to ring and hum. Surely it was a sign. ”Milil has spoken,” he said, and for some reason he felt the authority growing behind his words, much more than he had ever felt before. ”My name is Simeon Stagspeak, and I journey to deliver supplies to the church in Neverwinter. But I will not allow you to be a burden. I hope you know how to set up a camp - it’s high time that I stopped for the night.”
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Balial
Experienced Creator
Posts: 113
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Post by Balial on Feb 26, 2021 14:57:13 GMT
It was already far past dusk at this point. Dayne and the paladin worked together to gather tinder for the fire and logs to keep it going throughout the night. True to his word Simeon was not going to allow him to be dead weight, so the most of the heavy labor was on the child tonight. Dayne did not pay much mind or care to it, it was better than having his face into ancient parchment. Conversation was lacking to say the least, Simeon only speaking to Dayne when there was something he was unsure of. Luckily for the both of them, the child knew what he was doing with camp set ups. Something father had beaten into his head. Dayne, returning from his third trip with an armful of dry sticks and branches, plopped down across from the flames. He had held onto one of the thicker sticks which could have been used as a walking stick if he needed to, but he was using it to pock at the base of the flame. As he did the embers twisted and twirled against the cool breeze of the night sky. The sky was just as clear at night as it was in the morning, things were looking... Fateful. His eyes lifted slightly over the peak of the mountain of burning sticks and he looked once again at the symbol upon Simeon's garments. " Simeon... Who is Milil?" Dayne asked with curiosity. He knew that it was a god, one of song if he recalled correctly, but he didn't have any solid knowledge on the deity, only vague teachings from boring books. Rolls None
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coomer
Experienced Creator
Posts: 82
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Post by coomer on Feb 26, 2021 15:12:59 GMT
As the flames burned, Simeon let a small sigh of contentment. The satisfaction of a job well done, even a menial task such as building a fire, always brought peace to his soul. The flames danced before his eyes as he watched them, his mind far away from the small campsite that the pair had erected. Simeon almost jumped as Dayne spoke, bringing him back to the here and now. He raised an eyebrow slowly as he turned to look at his young companion. His fingers ran along the harp that appeared regularly along his armour and clothing. ”Milil is… Complicated. He is the god that I worship, the Lord of Song. He is… Hm…”He found his words lacking, as if they weren’t good enough for even he to explain who he had devoted his life to. Almost without thinking he moved his arm and picked up the lute that he had laid next to him. Without preamble, he plucked at the strings. ”Milil is the music that plays in your head, The wind through the leaves, the dreams in your bed. Milil is the light that breaks through the dawn, The cry of a babe, who has just been born.
Milil is the day, Milil is the night, The words of the song that you try to write. Milil brings wisdom, Milil brings song, There is no right, there is no wrong.
For even a boy, who hides in a cart, Can feel the touch of Milil in his art. Be he a hider, be he a fighter, Milil will make his star that much brighter.
Milil is the day, Milil is the night, The words of the song that you try to write. Milil brings wisdom, Milil brings song, There is no right, there is no wrong.
A god above, a god below, Where he lies, we will never know. But Milil will be with you, when you need him most, He needs no form, no earthly host.
Milil is the day, Milil is the night, The words of the song that you try to write. Milil brings wisdom, Milil brings song, There is no right, there is no wrong.”His chords rang out for several seconds after he stopped speaking, and he found that once more he was flashing a rare smile. He turned to Dayne, a twinkle in his eyes as they seemed to reflect the stars above. ”I hope that answers your questions, young one.”
Rolls Performance: AhhMADO11d20+5
1d20+5
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Balial
Experienced Creator
Posts: 113
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Post by Balial on Feb 26, 2021 16:20:26 GMT
The crackle of the fire set the tone before the strum of his lute. The echo of each cracking ember and fiber of the log softly began to fade as the music's tempo increased. The hum of the string was in the spotlight, only for a moment. Then Simeon began to sing. His voice was soft, his words pure, and even filled with wisdom. Dayne hung on ever syllable, clung to ever rhyme, but still he could not get enough of the performance. The song continued, pass the course and onto the second verse. Dayne turned his head in slight shame, but as the words continued he realized that the song was not to bash him, but explain the beauty of music itself. That verse would forever be burnt into his mind. The hook strummed once more, breezing by like the wind before drifting into the third verse seamlessly. It was then, under the stars in the sky and with the soothing voice of the Half-Elf, Dayne fell asleep once more. Rolls None
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Balial
Experienced Creator
Posts: 113
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Post by Balial on Feb 26, 2021 16:39:50 GMT
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coomer
Experienced Creator
Posts: 82
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Post by coomer on Feb 26, 2021 16:59:09 GMT
The cart pulled slowly into the small town, and the Paladin ran a hand through his dark hair. This certainly wasn’t the most direct route to Neverwinter, but it was a necessary evil with a laden cart - it was impossible to pass over the Sword Mountains with such a vehicle, so the Long Road beckoned to them. Dayne sat at his side, the young boy having become something of a strange constant in Simeon’s even though they had been together for but a short time. Like the lute on his back, he almost found the pull of Milil’s hand guiding him when he spent time with the boy - or at least, something that felt like His hand. A guard walked up to them as they entered the town, a broad smile on his well-weathered face. This town was evidently at peace, and the children that ran around laughing confirmed that. ”Who goes there?” the guard asked, asking through rote than a need to know. ”A servant on the Lord’s work,” Simeon said, raising an arm to display the symbol of Milil. ”Just passing through on our way to Triboar.”The guard waved them through dismissively, and the cart trundled forwards. A stable just to the side of the road pulled his attention - the road was to be long and hard, and it wouldn’t hurt to make sure the cart was properly prepared. ”We won’t stop here long,” he said to Dayne, pulling the reins of the donkey to halt him at the side of the road. ”I’m just going to check with the stablemaster that the cart is suitable for the journey - it wouldn’t do to break down on the Long Road. Do as you wish - but do not go far.”He hopped down from the cart, eyeing the children that milled around it. They were young, but still older than the twins in his care - twins that he was eager to get back to. Mind steeled, he turned in to the stable and waved a hand of greeting to the stablemaster. ”Hello, friend - I travel the Long Road from here to Triboar, and then around the Sword Mountains to Helm’s Hold and, eventually, Neverwinter. The journey is long, and it would be a great service to both me and the church if you could inspect the suitability of my cart.” As he spoke, he flashed the sigil of Milil to the man - a stablemaster was unlikely to serve the Lord of Song, but it was always worth a try.
Persuasion:8BGYqnPB1d20+5
1d20+5
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Balial
Experienced Creator
Posts: 113
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Post by Balial on Feb 26, 2021 18:26:24 GMT
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Balial
Experienced Creator
Posts: 113
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Post by Balial on Feb 26, 2021 18:40:26 GMT
This had been the first time that Dayne had ever been outside the city walls of Waterdeep. It was a simple town, farmers milling and hoeing the lands while the women cooked. Simple times and friendly people. He couldn't help but to grin in excitement when Simeon told him that he could leave. The last words he heard before he began to run off were 'don't go far'. " I won't!" Dayne reassured, running off to the first direction the wind took him. Since he had met Simeon the world had been different, it was full of life and adventure, and it was only day four! Dayne witnessed colors in trees he never thought possible, animals in the wilderness for the first time, and he wrote it all down, ever single detail. Halana Shauluth's was the first sign that he came across. A shop that scent lingered into his nose with such an inviting beckon. It was bread for sure! " Hello?!" Dayne called out as he entered the small shop. His eyes dancing as he looked around at the assortment of pots and pans that hung from the wall. "Greetings, lil'one." An elder voice called from behind the solid wood counter. "Oh, you're a new face. Parents drag you along?" She asked innocently at the realization of a new person. Dayne shook his head no rather quickly, shy at first before opening his mouth to speak. " No Ma'am, I am on my own adventure!" He said with visible excitement once more, clearly an easy to read individual. "Oh, haha, is that so?" She paused for a moment as she thought back on her young days. "I was an adventure way back when, used to be quite handy with a sword!" She gave another hearty laugh and turned toward the brick oven that was behind her. Nimbly picking up the buns and tossing them onto the counter as if she had done it a thousand times. " Can you show me?" He said back, his eyes glistening with awe. "Sure, why not! Every man should know how to hold a blade!" She said with another laugh before grabbing a longsword from beneath the shelves and weakly walking out to the front. "Follow me now," the two went outside, the elder woman teaching him how to properly hold the blade before handing him the hilt himself. It was much heavier than he thought, swaying to the left and right slightly as she told him to old it steady. His wrist began to hurt from the sheer weight of the steel alone, yet somehow she made it look easy. Sweat began to pool on his forehead as he placed his other hand against the hilt to stabilize it. " I got it!" He called out, before the tip of the sword crashed into the surface. " Urgh!" The boy grunted, trying to lift it once more, but only to fall back onto his rear. The sword was stuck into the ground and the old woman was having a blast watching him struggle with it. Rolls None
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