Adventures in Everlund
Chapter 6 - Of Plans and Paladins
17th of Mirtul, 1492 DR
The smell of simmering eggs and strong coffee draws Nimly and Thorn to the common room, where they see Yávië recently arrived to a table near a large window. The sun streams in as they ponder the breakfast menu. The options are a hearty porridge, a fruit and cheese platter, smoked fish and an herb omelet. Thorn curls up against the wall and slumps back into a state of rest.
Nimly mentally confers with Thorn and they select their choices. He flips over a lightly glowing white stone in the middle of the table and it begins to shine with a green radiance. “I’ll take the fruit and cheese plate, a cup of coffee and the smoked fish, please. Delicious!” Thorn squeaks when the smoked fish is mentioned and stretches out languorously on the floor of the inn.
In a few moments, a voice replies through the stone and repeats the order. “Very good, sir.” Nimly pushes the stone across the table for Yávië to order. Her eyes go wide as she watches this exchange. “Woah, that’s neat. Well.. that does sound good. Smoked fish and the fruit and cheese platter, please!”
The two chat as they wait, looking around occasionally for Valeria.
Nimly taps a wand on the table idly. “We have the Hall of the Moon and the Gemcutters Guild to make inquiries at. I have a need to stop at Ironclad Creations, as well. What else do we have on the list?”
Yávië has taken out the orb and she turns it over in her hand. “We should check with Corporal Thorne to finalize preparations. He was a little scatterbrained last night. Valeria will be useful in that meeting, if she’s up by then.”
Nimly grins. “I’ll leave a message with Darian, pinned to a coffee cup. He might know where to find her.”
As if on queue, Valeria comes strolling into the common room. "Hello, friends. I had some real nice help putting my plate on this morning.” Her hair is shining and the armor is perfectly buckled. She hollers at the kitchen as she walks by, “I’ll take the fish, please and thank you!”
Yávië smirks, “You had help? What a nice service they offer here.”
Nimly looks up at Valeria, “Good to see you! I was looking at the menu here. Lotsa meat on offer.”
Valeria lowers herself gingerly into a chair. "I can always find meat and last night was no exception. That man can fuck!"
A server with a balanced tray makes their way over to the table. "Two fruit and cheese platters, a brace of coffees and three orders of smoked fish. Will there be anything else?"
Valeria chuckles, "Almost want a walk-me-down but I'll stick with this delicious brew." She inhales deeply over a mug of coffee and takes a sip. Yávië looks around the table and smiles at the server. “Nope, this is great!”
Looking around toward the bar, Darian is nowhere to be seen. “You must have really worn him out last night,” Yávië says under her breath.
Valeria yawns and mumbles, “It was mutual..."
Nimly is busy casting Mold Earth on the sawdust near them, making a small raised square platform and locking it into place. On it, using Silent Image, he causes a place setting to appear, complete with a runner and silverware and a merrily burning candle. He sets a plate of fish on it. “Here ya go, Thorn. Today is going to be a big day; eat up!”
Yávië looks down at the little table and smiles. She tosses a grape onto Thorn’s plate. He watches it fly and catches it before it hits, delivering a swift crunch to the grape and a toothy smile to Yávië. She giggles and begins to eat while also packing away a lunch for later. She wraps two chunks of salmon, two strawberries and two chunks of cheese into a napkin, stuffing it away in her bag.
The party finishes breakfast and makes their way toward the Hall of the Moon. The early morning light glitters off the silvery glass panes of the Temple’s many windows. Nimly approaches the front desk, asking for an audience with Sister Elara. The elven man at the front desk greets them warmly, directing the party towards Elara’s office.
As they walk through the temple, Valeria’s eyes are wide in wonder. She drinks in the ethereal glow of the temple walls, the large carved doors with statues of Selûne flanking either side, the prayer halls, reflecting pools and libraries. The grandeur of this place surpasses anything she had ever seen in Colton and she feels a strong pull to protect this place and the people here.
As they round a corner near Elara’s office, Valeria notes a white altar marbled with delicate veins of gold, illuminated by a shaft of light filtering through a crystal on the ceiling. The altar is bathed in a perpetual silvery glow. In a hushed voice, she says, “I must talk to the Sister about pledging my vow as a Paladin before I leave here.”
Entering the Sister’s office, Nimly approaches, “Good morning, Sister Elara. Please allow me to introduce my new companions, Yávië and Valeria. They are helping with the inquiry that I spoke to you about yesterday.”
The office is modestly decorated. There are tapestries depicting moonlit landscapes and a few small plants on a bookcase. Sister Elara stands and gives a formal bow, gesturing to the chairs along one wall. "Yes, of course. Please, everyone, make yourselves comfortable. What can I help you with today?"
Valeria stands in the doorway, overcome by the sense of reverence and duty that has welled up in her. She slowly raises her hand, her eyes wide in wonder. "Is there a way for a warrior to join this place?" Elara gives her a warm smile. "Of course, child. Our temple welcomes all who seek to serve Selûne. If you feel called to join us, we can discuss the steps to becoming an acolyte or guardian of the temple."
"Alright!" Valeria punches the air, her tension shifting into a relaxed purpose.
Sister Elara looks at Valeria's display with a quizzical smile and looks up as Nimly takes a seat. “I do apologize for holding back some details at this time, but the inquiry is ongoing and in a delicate place. I will be glad to answer all questions after we solve the problem that is in front of us.” Nimly leans forward. “Does the Temple have the ability to keep a few people in hiding for a few days? No one but a bare few must know of their presence, for the safety of all involved.”
Sister Elara shifts in her chair, her posture becoming stiff. "Well, Nimly, this is a place of sanctuary. What do these people need protection from?"
“It is an asylum claim. Their lives are actively threatened and they are currently in grave danger, which will get worse soon if they aren’t in hiding. They will die if not helped.”
She eases back in the chair, eyes widening, "Yes, we can provide sanctuary if you can get them here. When should we expect them to arrive?"
“Early afternoon, ideally. Certainly before nightfall. What is the most discreet way to bring them into the Temple?”
Sister Elara frowns. "Normally, I would say the back gardens would be sufficient. However, in a situation like this... I will give you a key to a building at the end of the alleyway near the back of the temple. Inside that building, you will find a storage room with a hidden entrance. A passageway from there will lead you to the basement under the temple proper. Someone will be there to guide you the rest of the way." She reaches into her pockets and removes a small iron key, handing it to Nimly. "Is there anything else you need before you leave?"
Nimly looks into the middle distance and taps his leather armor. “If it’s not too much trouble, could we get five sets of initiate’s robes and cloaks?”
"Of course. They should help you blend in, if needed." She moves to a small wardrobe near the back of her office to retrieve the items, handing the five small bundles to Nimly.
He puts the clothing away and pauses. “Sister, on another topic, we also were wondering if you knew anything about a silver stag… some of us have been called to help the creature in some way, but we lack details and we’re unsure where to begin looking.”
Valeria nods emphatically, "Yeah! A stag statue told me to protect a silver stag!” Yávië gives a look of concern and hugs herself.
The sister moves back behind her desk and sits. She looks at each member of the party in turn. “It appears that you three may have been called together for a shared purpose. The silver stag is a revered symbol of Selûne, often appearing as a sign of her favor. There have been many rumors recently about sightings of the silver stag. So many in fact, that this may be one of the rare times a Hunt for the Stag is included in the Mirtul Festival. I would venture to guess that perhaps there is some sort of imbalance in this time and place. The stag may indeed be seeking protection. No one else I have talked to has had a direct calling regarding the stag. Would you mind greatly describing your various interactions with me?”
Nimly looks thoughtful and recalls his written notes. “I’ve seen this creature thrice in the forest, all to the northwest, and the stag kept their distance from me, but did not act threatened. I did not pursue any of those times, though after hearing what you just said, they may have been trying to lead me somewhere.”
Valeria eagerly adds, "I first saw it as a statue and had to answer questions. After every answer, it grew and became more alive... until it was as real as you are! Then it asked me to protect the silver stag. After that, I drank from the chalice it offered and I was teleported into Thorne’s office with these two…” she looks over at Thorn, “Err, three.”
Nimly glances at Valeria, ”She was teleported to us and fell from the ceiling, much to our surprise. Quite the trick. The four of us had not met and the stag had not interacted so comprehensively with the rest of us. That was a powerful magical feat.” Thorn waddles over and leans against Valeria.
Valeria reaches down to scritch Thorn behind the ears. "Maybe it's ‘cause I'm destined to do great things! The forest itself gave me this blessing and task." Valeria beams with pride.
Sister Elara ponders a moment. "Fascinating. The northwest forest could be a significant location. The stag may indeed have tried to lead you somewhere. Very interesting.” She pauses, closing her eyes in contemplation. "You might also visit the Druid Grove just outside Everlund and see if they have had any visions or visits from the stag."
She opens her eyes, looking around at each member of the party, "I hope this information proves useful to you along your journey. Have you any other inquiries for me?"
Nimly nods. “Quite useful. Yes, I do wish to follow up on the fel crystals. Did you have a chance to learn more about the crystals and the control box?”
"I did manage to study the crystals and the control box briefly. They are strange and troubling. They have a strong dark magic aura, capable of controlling and manipulating those who come into contact with them. The box seems to amplify this effect, allowing the user to exert power over multiple individuals simultaneously."
She takes a deep breath, a shiver racking her spine, "It's important to note that creating such a control device and harnessing the power of these fel crystals would require someone with deep understanding of dark magic and the skill to use it. Ordinary bandits certainly wouldn't have the knowledge or skills to develop something like this. There must be a more powerful figure behind all of this, orchestrating their actions."
Nimly shrugs. “That makes sense… but I don’t think it changes our course.”
Sister Elara turns her attention to Valeria. "You do have a great destiny before you. Have you any questions about joining our faith before you depart?"
"Just gotta know where I sign up! Haha, I jest. But I would like more information about Selûne and her order. Particularly anything about being a Knight!”
Nimly picks up a brochure. “Anything in there about chastity?
Valeria casts a horrified look toward the Sister.
Sister Elara gives a slight chuckle. "No, we would never impose a vow of chastity. For a knight to join the temple, you must complete three tasks. I would ask that you sign the roster at the front desk and take your vow. When a task comes up that calls for your particular skills, we will summon you. Once you sign, you are considered an initiate of the temple. So long as you complete the tasks when called, you remain a member of the temple and will have full access to whatever we can provide to help in your endeavors. "
"I'm already on the way!" Valeria calls back as she hurriedly leaves the room, clanging her way toward the front desk and the sign up sheet. Nimly, Thorn and Yávië follow after, amused and happy for Valeria’s excitement. The knight quickly speaks with the clerk and begins scrawling her name into the initiate’s book. Speaking the phrases next to a moonlit altar, Valeria pledges her service to Selûne and leaves the temple a few minutes later as a paladin.
Stepping into the cool morning air, Nimly looks towards the river. “Unless someone else has business at the Gemcutters Guild, I think we can skip that. Shall we visit the blacksmith next?
Valeria frowns, "Thought we were taking out the bandits n corrupt guards?"
Nimly pulls out his journal, “Uh, yes, I have that penciled in for noon.”
Valeria smirks, "Ha! Blacksmith, it is!"
Intrepid adventurers and DMs, I hope you enjoyed this tale!
May your rolls be critically high or dramatically low, adding flavor and excitement to your campaigns!