Adventures in Everlund
Chapter 4 - Libations and Liaisons
16th of Mirtul, 1492 DR
A polished oak table stands in the middle of a private dining room with cushioned chairs around it. A fireplace crackles merrily on this chilly evening. The party sits at the table enjoying Lirael’s music drifting in from the common room.
Valeria stares at the doorway that the innkeeper has just left through, chewing on her lip. Yávië grabs her ale and moves down the table to sit closer to Nimly. She glances back out the way Darian left and laughs, “Shall we focus on the tasks at hand while those two order… dessert?”
“I suppose,” Nimly agrees, “He is a snack, though. I get it.”
Nimly toys with the map he's drawn on the back of the menu. “The bandits infiltrating the guard might be found at these locations, but we may run into them while rescuing Thorne’s family… or while escorting that merchant shipment into town.” Nimly opens his notebook to the section where he recorded the questioning of Corporal Thorne. “There’s the matter of where to keep his family safe. I could ask the Gemcutter’s Guild, though … I don’t know if they would have the ability to do so.”
After some silent moments, Yávië sighs. “For Thorne’s family, the temple is an option… but can we trust the people at the temple?”
In the silence, Nimly recalls a mentioned quest and digs around in his pack. “The temple could work. I don’t yet have an indication that the bandits have infiltrated it. My contact there is Sister Elara. I do need to speak with her, though. That’s a great idea.” He pauses a moment, and pulls out a glass ball with a swirl of muted gray and white lights moving within it. “Yávië, did you say something about an orb you were searching for?”
Yávië nods, “Yeah… I’m on a mission to retrieve an object called the Celestial Orb from this city and deliver it to a prestigious woman in Triboar.”
Nimly frowns. “I’ve not heard of a Celestial Orb. Coincidences being what they are, I happened to collect an orb last night at the abandoned mine. I’ve not yet identified its properties. It might be the one you’re looking for.” Nimly takes the magical item and carefully sets it between them on the table. “You’re welcome to it.”
“Oh wow! Thanks.” Yávië picks up the orb, takes a look, and compares it to her notes.
Darian walks back and sets a tray on the table. "For you lass, a bottle of Frost Mead." He puts an iced-covered shot glass in front of Yávië, and then turns to present a bowl of stew and a tall glass vial to Valeria. "And for you lady, the stew and the Queiker." He moves away to attend to the quickly filling tavern. The sound of the cittern drifts through the doorway.
"Ooh!" Valeria throws back the tall glass vial. As the Queiker flows through her, she closes her eyes, slamming her hand down on the table. Reflexively, she reaches out and grabs the shot glass, tossing it back as a chaser.
Yávië glares, “Hey! Was your Queiker not enough? You had to drink my shot, too?” She rolls her eyes, pouring another shot from the bottle of Frost Mead.
“You have an incredible tolerance for drink, Valeria, my dear. I’d have slid to the floor and up a wall with half of what you’ve had tonight.” Nimly sips his iced tea. “How’s that Queiker treating you?”
Valeria, after drinking both the Queiker and the frost mead, replies in a high-pitched voice, “Did I grab yours? Must've been distracted by that silver fox." She lets out a frost-laden belch and squeaks, "It's not bad!"
Yávië looks at Valeria, shaking her head. “So… we can visit the temple in the morning, but we also only have one more day before the caravan comes through and I need to make sure that’s protected. We need a plan for that, too. Even if this isn’t the orb I’m looking for, obtaining that can wait… there’s no rush there.”
“We could check the Gemcutter’s Guild and the Hall of the Moon as possible safe havens. I do need to make a visit to Robes, Rods, and Potions … and to Hilda at Ironclad Creations. Let’s plan to meet at the Silverymoon Gate at 10am in order to get Thorne’s family to safety?” Nimly gives Valeria a worried look. “Perhaps 11am?”
Valeria laughs, “I'll be up and shining with the morning sun to rescue the family. As for the caravans, they are easy. Lay out a show of force the bandits aren't expecting and they won't bother. Unless the loot is too good to pass up..."
Yávië nods, “It should just be a shipment for the store, so you may be right. So, the plan is to get his family to safety and then promptly address the caravan. Sounds good to me.” She glances at her notes, “I’d like to accompany you on your errands if you don’t mind, Nimly. I double checked my instructions from Haggard and it looks like I have another day before the shipment arrives. We are golden.”
Nimly grins, “Great! I’ll be up with the smell of food from the kitchen. We can leave after breakfast.”
Valeria smiles and takes a long draw of ale from her pitcher, "Pleasant dreams to ya!"
Nimly stands and smiles at Valeria. “If you wish to come with us, you’re welcome too. If not, see you at the gate! Good night.”
Valeria nods, "Oh, I'll probably be joining you on the morrow. Have a quiet evening, my new friends."
The group leaves the private dining area, dispersing to their own rooms and activities for the night.
Yávië bids the party farewell and heads to the bar to talk with Darian. As she comes over, he smiles. "How was your Frost Mead, lass?"
Yávië wrinkles her nose. “It was good… but funny story… Valeria drank some of it, too. She’s squeaky and frosty.”
Darian chuckles. "That tracks. She is a fiery woman! Here, have another, on the house."
Yávië drinks it slowly, “Awe thanks, you’re so sweet!”
"And… was it to your liking? I tried one myself. The frost breath is an interesting touch."
“It was definitely chilling, that’s for sure.” Wisps of frost accompany Yávië’s words.
The bar is crowded, conversations at a congenial low roar. A small commotion catches her eye. A little horned figure is on her hands and knees off to the side of the bar. Yávië seems to have forgotten everything else around her and is fixated on Fenlee, Darian’s quilldog companion. She walks over to share in the moment, understanding the cuteness overload that is Fenlee.
Yávië hands the horned girl a piece of meat and cheese she pocketed from her tray. “Hi! He really likes these”.
“Oh well, thank you very much,” the stranger says. She takes the treat and happily gives it to the strange little quilled creature, who gobbles it right up.
With a smile, the stranger asks, “Do you know what this delightful creature is?”
Yávië smiles, nods, and gives her a wink. “I love adorable creatures too. In fact, I play my pan flute for them quite often.” She pauses, “Well, Darian said he’s a quilldog… I just met him earlier this evening.”
“I also play!” The stranger gestures to the hurdy gurdy on her back. “I wonder if this little guy has ever heard one of these.”
“I’m curious, too! It would be so much fun to play for him. It was nice meeting you. Enjoy the cuddly lil’ guy! I need to speak with Darian for a bit, but we should definitely get together and make some music for Fenlee sometime!”
As she walks away, the stranger pulls out her hurdy gurdy and plays a tune for Fenlee. Yávië heads back over to Darian. Smiling, Yávië gestures around the common room. “Looks like you have a few people on staff. Are you able to step outside for a chat?”
"I’d go for a break and some conversation." They walk out into the chill evening air and Darian gives her a kind, serious look. "It's been a pleasure getting to know you tonight. What's on your mind, lass?"
Yávië studies him intently. From what she has seen and heard, she is confident that he is a reliable ally. He’s shown no signs of deceit or ulterior motives, and his actions align with someone who genuinely cares about the safety and comfort of his patrons. “I’ve got a personal quest in Everlund, and so far, it seems that there aren’t a whole lot of folk in town that can be trusted with it. But, I trust my new friends, and I trust you. I’ve been asked to retrieve the Celestial Orb from somewhere in town and I was wondering if you’ve heard anything about it. Seems you’re a central hub and tend to hear all the rumors. Have you heard what the orb does, what it looks like, or who may have it?”
Darian's eyes gleam, and he looks at her for a long moment in an attempt to judge her character. "There hasn't been a lot of ‘above board’ talk, you might say, in regards to the orb. There have been a few whispers about town. I don't know if there is any truth to them. You might have some success asking around at the Thieves Guild. Rumors suggest it might be an object that originated in the Underdark. There is also the possibility that it holds some sway regarding an ancient prophecy. I think it may somehow be tied to the bandits around the area. Many of the rumors include them. As far as what it looks like, I unfortunately have no idea. If you do find it, I'd love to see it." He smiles wanly. "Owning a bar is wonderful, but there are days that I miss the adventurer's life."
“I’ll definitely keep you in mind after I find it.” She hesitates. “How does one that’s not part of the Thieves Guild… find it?”
With a glint in his eye, he says, “It may be beneficial for you to have a chat with Lirael when you have the time.”
“I think now is a good time if she is still here. Thank you very much for chatting with me. I definitely have a good idea on where to start.”
Darian smiles and nods. “This has been a nice break. I believe I’ll get back to my patrons.” Lively sounds of a different instrument are audible from inside. “I didn’t know Lirael played a hurdy gurdy… I wonder if that newcomer spelled her for a bit. If it comes up, put in a good word for me with Valeria… she’s something else.”
Yávië laughs, “Yeah, she is! I’ll definitely put in a good word. I can already tell you’ve got a VERY good chance with her.” She finishes the sentence with a wink.
"It may be my lucky night." He returns the wink as they both walk back inside.
Yávië finds Lirael in the process of packing away her cittern, her case covered in a layer of coins and gems from appreciative patrons. “Good evening, Lirael. Thank you for making music with me earlier this evening. Do you have time for a private word?”
"It was my pleasure! Would you like to use the room we were in earlier?"
“Yes, that is a great fit.”
"Wonderful, I'll snag two Emberbrews for us." The pair head to the private dining room and sit down in the relative quiet. Lirael looks around at the room where they played together earlier in the evening. “I would like to know why the woodland creatures appeared. I got a chance to spend some time with Nimly this evening while the satyr played the hurdy gurdy. He told me how he created the beautiful backdrop of a forest sky at night.”
“My pan flute is enchanted and attracts local fauna when I play.” Yávië taps a finger on the table, her mind momentarily elsewhere.
Lirael smiles. "What is on your mind, Yávië?"
“I was thinking back to the carnival.” Yávië leans in slightly, her voice soft yet animated. “You know, I never thought I’d leave home, I hoped, for years. I was sixteen before my father finally agreed to let me travel with him and the Witchlight Carnival. Before that, the Feywild was all I’d known—my family, my quiet life—but the carnival? It was a world of its own. I couldn’t resist it. The people there… they became my closest friends.” She smiles fondly at the memory.
“There was something about the excitement, the constant movement,” Yávië continues. “It felt like freedom. But I have to admit, I’ve got a bit of a… tendency.” She hesitates for a moment, then grins. “I’ve always had a knack for picking things up. Little things, you know? I wouldn’t call it stealing, but…” She trails off, watching Lirael closely for any sign of judgment.
“And well, I’ve got this dream. One day, I’ll get my hands on a bag of holding. Just imagine all the things you could keep tucked away in there!” Yávië chuckles lightly before her tone grows more serious. “But I know I’m not there yet. I’m not a rogue, not really. But I want to be. I want to learn, to build connections with the Thieves Guild. And I was hoping…” she pauses, meeting Lirael’s eyes. “I was hoping you might help me with that.”
Lirael’s remains unphased. “Who told you that I might have a connection with a thieves guild?”
“A mutual friend sent me your way.”
Lirael raises her eyebrow. “And… who would that be?”
Yávië sighs, “Darian told me that I might have some luck speaking with you.”
Lirael nods, “I am indeed a member of the Thieves Guild.” She smiles, “Hard to make a living off a balladeer’s pay alone. The Guild is aware of the bandit problem; they would like it solved, but aren’t currently involved in it. They are also aware of the orb, and while they are interested, they do not have it in their possession.” She pauses, giving Yávië a very serious look, “I can set up a meeting with someone who may introduce you to the Thieves Guild. I myself cannot offer passage there.”
Lirael rises to leave the room, pausing before she goes. “Your chosen friends seem trustworthy. I spoke to Nimly this evening. I trust Darian’s judgment and your discretion. You are free to share with them what you have learned this evening.”
Yávië makes her way back to the common room. She spies Valeria and speaks with her for a few moments, before heading off to her room. With her collected experiences and a good night’s rest, she grows in power and achieves level four!
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!