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71
As her tenure with The Watch apparently came to an end, Doctor Catriona Valaensariel Wicker had become somewhat adrift in purpose. She’d gone from studying the Spellplague alone, spelunking and researching in moderately dangerous hotspots to jumping right into the mouth of peril with her new comrades. When Mister Wolfe invited her along to the Far East lands, she resolved that there could be much to discover there on not only her own affliction (as she called it) but for science. The Doctor entrusted the REX, her in-progress battle carriage, to Father Euron Sand. She also stationed her mechanical gnomeish construct, LEROY, with the priest at Sunderwood. Euron would need all the help he can get, rebuilding that town and a tireless automaton with some useful functions could only be a boon.  Before departure, Catriona procured several texts and librams on the culture she would be encountering, to fill in the gaps in her knowledge. It would be good to seperate rumor from fact, understand nuance and customs, and, if she could, learn the regional language. Aboard the long voyage, this was what usually occupied her time. There were moments when she provided scientific insights on solving problems or increasing efficiency aboard the ship, but as she is timid, those usually came about when she had a few drinks.  The Doctor mused at some point how it was strange that both she and Mister Wolfe came from "Island Kingdoms", a fact she did not learn until the topic became central. When they made landfall, she took his comment about the environment quite literally, indicating to him that she did not need to wear her glasses here. The incoming sensory information wasn’t headache inducing as it was in the West, for whatever reason. She would find interest in the small shops and merchants found along the land journey, the exotic jewelry and colorful garments standing out. It was probably the first time she and Sera had decent moments of amicability; one could only watch the awkward Doctor Wicker try to work a kimono or tie an obi waist belt before feeling sorry enough to help a girl out. It was likely endearing in a sense that she wanted so much to respect the culture and fit in. The affair of the return of the prodigal ‘son’ and granddaughter had Catriona very quiet and not seeking to interrupt the affair years in the making. There was also the matter of taking in the incredible architecture and environment, which she could do all day if she was not summoned to speak herself. Unexpected. Being singled out in such a fashion has the kimono clad doctor, tense slightly, but her bow is deep and respectful (tons of practice!). She did her best to cover her natural uneven tenor. “An honor, Lord Protector. Your home is ..um.. remarkable.” When offered further conversation with the leader, thoughts raced through her mind as she was not prepared for anything like this. Particularly without Mister Wolfe/Hideto or even at least Sera to accompany her. “Doctor Catriona Wicker of Lantan, Lord Protector.” she adds, introducing herself. “Certainly.” she says on the tea and will take the seat offered. “I appreciate your hospitality, Lord Protector.. I have no current um... needs, I can think of.”After that, she tried to not look awkward; succeeding about 75%.
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« Last post by Wolfe on October 13, 2018, 06:39:09 PM »
It had been several years since he'd returned, and as they made landfall he felt wetness sting his eyes as he looked out upon the land he had come to love. "The air is so much fresher here, Cat. The trees so much greener. Everything just feels like.. more." He guided his friend and his daughter along the old road he had traversed many times, until several hours later they came to a large palace, ancient wood maintained by spells and ceaseless efforts to maintain its beauty. The gardens and springs that surrounded it were lush and verdant, the water crystal clear and refreshing smelling. If ever there was a paradise, this might well be it.
The banners that surrounded the palace bore the wolf's head that Wolfe once wore around his neck. He wore it no longer, having imbibed the potion that was crafted to cure his daughter, and instead she wore the pendant that held the curse at bay. Shokan, the ancient daikatana that had been gifted to him, lay secured upon his back, as did the wakazashi at his lower back, strapped and secured. The guards recognized both Wolfe and Sera, though they were obviously surprised."I've come to see to my duty." Wolfe said solemnly to the men before him who parted their glaives and let them through, albeit two armored warriors clad in oriental splint mail - similar to Wolfe's - followed behind them as their escort.
They entered a long hall illuminated by candlelight that smelled of lotus petals. The walls and pillars held banners, weapons, sculptures and metalwork that indicated the collective trophies and tributes of lifetimes. In the grand hall of the shogun, the Elf sat upon his throne, clad in armor, his bald pate shining in bright illumination of the room just as the sun was setting outside."Hideto." The Shogun's voice came out with a note of pride mingled with surprise. While he spoke common, there was a strange accentation to it, the dialect here different from the mainland of Faerun. "I did not expect to see you, nor Serafina, ever again. A pleasant and welcome surprise."Wolfe bowed his head deeply, the name spoken aloud seeming to be his. He stepped forward, slowly unclasping the straps to the hilt of Shokan. There was a moment where the Shogun's guards, all elves, tensed and reached for their weapons, but the Shogun lifted a hand and they stayed their hands. "Shogun, I apologize for my delay. It took some... time... to bring your granddaughter home." Wolfe kept his head bowed in supplication, the hard-edged and grumpy manner of the man fading to deep respect for the Elf he went to kneel before and present his weapon to with both arms, raised and outstretched in surrender. "If I have erred in my service, I surrender the weapon that you gave to me, and humbly submit myself to your judgement."The Shogun did not reach for the weapon, though he did slowly stand. He looked toward Sera first, then Catriona. Focusing his gaze to the Half-Elf specifically, the Shogun's gaze carried the weight of centuries. He did not acknowledge Wolfe's offering just yet, nor Sera. "I do not know your name. I am Shiro no Ishimoto, the Lord Protector of these lands. You have come with my family - and whatever grievances I have with them can wait until we are introduced and you are made welcome in my home.
Come." He gestured to a small table that sat to the right of the throne that sat low to the ground. Several cushions sat for obvious chairs. "Please, sit. Make yourself comfortable. Would you like some tea? I would see that your physical needs are met before I see to those who brought you here."
Wolfe didn't move from his supplicating position, his head not lifting to give Cat indication of what she should do. He trusted her to figure it out just fine, given that he had a great deal of faith in her common sense.
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« Last post by Jinharath on October 11, 2018, 11:49:17 AM »
 8
STR 20
DEX 15
CON 11
INT 17
WIS 8
CHA Class:
Monk [2] / Ranger (Hunter) [7]
Proficient Skills:
Athletics (STR), Insight (WIS),
Perception (WIS), Stealth (DEX)
Nature (INT)
Proficient Tools:
Panflute
Poisoner's Kit
Proficient Weapons:
Martial, Simple
(2x Short swords, 1x dagger, 10x darts)
Languages:
Common, Abyssal, Elvish, Dwarvish, Orc, Quori
Personality Traits:
+ I’m always picking things up, absently fiddling with them, and sometimes accidentally breaking them.
Ideal:
+ Greater Good. It is each person’s responsibility to make the most happiness for the whole tribe.
Bond:
+ I will bring terrible wrath down on the evildoers who destroyed my homeland.
Flaw:
+ Don’t expect me to save those who can’t save themselves. It is nature’s way that the strong thrive and the weak perish.
 3rd of Hammer, Deepwinter of 1385.If you do not use the things that you know, you may lose them. My mother taught me that, years ago. I was a child of poor patience and had no interest in practicing the Way of our people. She told me, over and over, that learning a thing was not enough. You must practice, she said, or you may lose what you know. I have been in this land for a long time now, and I am ashamed to say that only now has that lesson truly reached me. There are some forms that I know I learned when younger that I can no longer recall. They seemed useless to me at the time. They were not as interesting as being able to step with the wind or speak with my mind. And now, they have left me. Perhaps forever. Harath is displeased. I know this because my dreams at night have been dark and unhappy, though filled with pictures of Khorvaire. For so long it seemed that he exulted in this journey of ours, and was eager to explore this new realm and broaden our strength and experience. Now, I think he is homesick at last, and my slow forgetting of pieces of that home angers him. In that, we are well matched. It angers me, too.
74
« Last post by Levinath on October 09, 2018, 04:18:41 PM »
The Watch made their way back to Neverwinter, where their adventure began so long ago. The city crept along in the early morning, merchants staking their wares, travelers coming and going from the massive city. The sun rose from the East, chasing the shadows between buildings away. None seemed to notice the group as they returned, another set of weary travelers moving into a city crowded and busy with their own lives. Yells of vendors hawking their wears and children laughing as they began another day of adventures. The guards barely took notice as they moved through the large gates that opened an hour prior. The reconstruction from the airships, dragon, beholder, and spell scarred continued at a slow pace, though it was moving. Masons, carpenters, and other workers repaired homes in various states of construction and shouted at one another. As you passed the Blacklake district, the massive manors rose up the hill. The Morganstorm Manor came into view, and Euron and Westra noticed the restored structure in the distance. It was amazing how the structure had been restored after so many years in disrepair, but by who? The names of the new residents seemed to be at the tip of both their tongues, like a thought you just couldn’t quite grasp. The Watch was as close to home as most of the group could be, all seemingly, without any notice of the deeds they had done. Where would they go next, what would become of the unlikely heros? (You can close out your characters here or describe what actions they take during the in game break of ~6 months.)
75
Jonias remained silent and still, as best he could, against the dragon's hot breath and terrible presence. Upon being accused of deception, the elf opened his mouth as if to object before Astonaxia turned to westra and said “That is the tome of Durothil that he carries..."
"But then who is Xenemarcses?" the antiquarian began to mumble to himself, though a sharp mental nudge from Beryl warned him to pay attention.
Sensing it would perhaps be the best course of action if he simply thanked Astonaxia for sparing his life and bowing out of the cave, Jonias stepped back slowly and lowered his head, "Thank you Astonaxia, for deciding to spare us."
The elf's words were quick but steady. if allowed to leave without further incident, Jonias will exit the cave and join the Doctor outside.
76
« Last post by Levinath on October 05, 2018, 01:10:25 PM »
Her chest was puffed and poised to attack Jonias, just as Westra’s words seemed to distract her from the uncharacteristic rage. The massive spikes on the back of Astonaxia’s neck relaxed as Lady Goldbrook spoke to her, revealing the slight tempering of her rage. Her face turned to the highborn and a she gave a toothy smile. “You speak with a wisdom well beyond your years, young one.” She eyed Jonias again for a beat as her massive mouth chewing on the side of her cheek. She looked back to Atos who remained stoic and silent. A beat later she turned and lowered her head to eye level with the arcanist. Astonaxia’s head was over three times the size of the elf and her heavy breath nearly knocked him over. “Your vain attempt in deceiving our magic only hastened my rage at the revelation of the truth. We can see who you are and what is true in your heart. How are we to trust any honey covered deceits that you would offer to hide the truth?”She raised her massive head and looked to Westra again. “That is the tome of Durothil that he carries, it was said to be lost in a tomb long forgotten. We are unable to speak the true name of the betrayer bound within its covers, nor would we even if we could. To betray your own race is a sin that cannot be forgiven.”She scowled at Beryl again and watched the small dragon for several awkward silent minutes. “More likely, the foul beast has invaded the poor fool’s mind and is using him to try and free herself of the ancient magics that bind her. Though I cannot sense any malice or subterfuge, her magic is strong.” She paused for a moment, her face contorting into a few unreadable facades. “Only for gratitude of saving my spawn will I refrain from taking what should not be in mortal hands.”
77
Westra was quiet and watchful as Wolfe greeted the dragon and explained Vadim's presence. For someone she'd initially dismissed as a brainless drunkard, the half-orc had slowly won a grudging measure of respect from the paladin. It was justified then as he presented the case clearly and diplomatically to the ancient creature. He could never make a real go of a career in politics, of course, because of his ancestry. In the moment, however, Westra was quietly impressed.
She watched in respectful silence while the dragon inspected the boy. It was uncomfortable to witness the sudden understanding and remorse in the child, but Westra believed it to be for the best. All things considered, it seemed to be going well... and then it very suddenly was not.
"Lady Astonaxia, please, if I may?" Westra attempted to interject, a hand lifting in hopes of drawing the beast's attention to herself. "We have been here before, and were aware of your righteousness and power. Please believe we would never seek to bring evil into your presence. Jonias is new to us, yes, but he was instrumental in helping us resolve the evil that was plaguing Sunderwood, the very evil which kept your son bound. Whatever his origins or that of his familiar, please grant us the benefit of the doubt. If there is evil about either of them, we are all ignorant of it, Jonias included. Please, tell us of this 'betrayer', and how we might set the matter right ."
78
There was only the slightest of screeching from Beryl, who quickly disappeared into the Tome of Xenemarcses. Meanwhile the normally calm and composed elf seemed to move his mouth without making much of a sound.
"I... Beryl... and the Tome of..." Jonias stopped himself and took a deep breath. Not how he expected to go out, but then you could never tell with dragons. The elf tried to recall whatever he could of a dragon betrayer from his studies but nothing jumped to his mind.
Jonias sighed heavily. His shoulders slouched forward slightly, resigned to his fate, but still asking questions on the way out.
"Forgive me, great Astonaxia. I meant no disrespect in coming here, and more importantly my companions and the boy know even less than I do." The elf motioned to others, hoping they could step aside and be spared whatever the dragon had in store for him. Jonias reached down slowly to his belt to unclasp the Tome of Xenemarcses from his belt and held it up for all to see.
"This is the Tome of Xenemarcses. Nearly a year ago I acquired this lost book to return it to Evereska. In my travels I have tried to unlock whatever secrets may be in this tome, but I have only succeeded in deciphering very little. A few bits of history, locations, and the spell to summon Xenemarcses familiar, Beryllium."
Jonias lowered his arm and started to open the tome when out of the pages two tiny clawed hands appeared and grabbed onto the edges of the tome's cover, closing it shut.
The elf chuckled nervously.
"Upon waking her for the first time in centuries, Beryl has very little to no memory of her former master, nor how she came to be locked away for so long. For several months she has accompanied me as I search for more relics to return to Evereska," Jonias paused, and took a breath. Looking down at the book in his hands he thought fondly on his time the last few months traveling with Beryl and smiled slightly.
"She's been a wonderful companion. Inquisitive and bright, while also steering me towards helping others who came upon our paths." Jonias glanced over at his companions and continued, "I wasn't going to stick around Sunderwood if it wasn't for Beryllium wanting me to stay and search for something to help the townsfolk."
Returning his attention to Astonaxia, "So when we freed your son, and he mentioned Beryl being a betrayer... Well I had to come seeking answers. I sense nothing but fear and confusion from my familiar. Surely she isn't this 'Betrayer' you claim her to be."
79
« Last post by Levinath on October 03, 2018, 12:07:35 PM »
Both the massive Dragon and the male Elf’s liquid silver eyes locked onto Jonias as is futile attempted to resist their magic revealed what it sought. “He is the one that carried The Betrayer.” The male said softly, his voice was like a song to the group’s ears, though the pair’s eyes continue to bore into Jonias in a terrifying fashion to the arcanist. Wolfe spoke then, and diverted the pair’s attention to the boy and the remainder of the group. They listened quietly as he spoke and paused for several long seconds. Her massive body stood then, the male Elf remaining in place. “These are on the ones that returned you to me? This is the boy you spoke of?” The elf nodded. She extended her large neck and moved closer to Wolfe and Vadim, a quick inhale of her massive nostrils nearly pulled Vadim and Wolfe, who held him, off their feet. Vadim stared at her with keen interest. “Mmmm, a child’s mind is as clay, molded by those around it. Some clay is dry and rough, some smooth and flowing. Whether easy or difficult to mold, if nurtured and cared for it can become a great masterpiece or something truly horrible to behold.” She seemed to be speaking to herself more than the group as she inspected the young boy. Moving closer to Vadim, her nose to pressed on his forehead, before her massive eyelids slid closed and the crystals inside the lair glowed dimly. “Malice is not required to bring about horrible things little one, ignorance or apathy are just as dangerous. Understand the threads you have sewn on the tapestry of this land.” The boy let out a cry of pain, and tears began to well in his eyes before streaking down his cheeks. A brief moment later, the glow ceased and Astonaxia pulled her head back. Vadim continued to sob and no longer watched the dragon. She addressed Wolfe then. “He now understands the pain he has caused, though he still must learn to control his intellect and harness it without harming others. It will take time and guidance from members of your kind, he was not cruel to those captured by this Darish, he was solely lost in a mind unable to balance intellect, curiosity, and grief. I have…”Her eyes moved to Jonias quicker than a blink as Beryllim worked to bring her master from his stupor. The gentle continence of the dragon was quickly replaced with agitation and rage. “I had thought you mistaken Atos, but it seems your memories held the truth. You will not sew your chaos here Betrayer!” The ground rumbled as her massive body echoed out a growl that reverberated around the cave sending several shards crashing to the ground. She bared her teeth, the size of great swords at Jonias and [the invisible] Beryl.
80
Doctor Wicker will, similarly to before, not enter Astonaxia's dwelling, choosing to wait outside unless summoned.
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