3) Undermountain: Life and Death

[LibraryLass]

Hermia stares wistfully at the others' beef, wondering why she didn't get any, but content to enjoy her veggies all the same.

"Yes and no. It's not bad luck, as such. It's just normal to wait to be invited. Professional courtesy, you might say. And in accordance with that, I'd like to invite you to join our next trip, if you like, so long as you can pull your weight."

As Durnan makes his announcement, Hermia nudges Oypeen. "The Band of the Hand," she whispers. "Isn't that the group Jysteen said were the last owners of the key? Maybe we should talk to them before they go down."

[Jandolar]

A passing barmaid glances at the table and sighs. My apologies miss to Hermia The cook said the female is a vegetarian so I made this for her. She then switches out Quistines plate for Hermias, placing a pile of steaming beef that's rare in the center and garlic crusted on the edges in front of the cartographer. I swear you can't buy good help these days.... and she wades her way back amongst the throng of semi drunken men.

((DM's mistake. I knew that one of you was a veggie person... my apologies. )

[LibraryLass]

Hermia scoops a couple potatoes onto Quistine's plate to replace the several forkfuls of vegetables she'd already enjoyed by the time the mistake was corrected.

[Jandolar]

At Hermias offer Maephina brightens up. Really?! Oh yes please. I'll pull my weight for sure. I've got some skills that you will probably find really useful although some of them are.... ahem..... slightly underhanded... Um. I'm a thief by profession although I swear I only take things from those that have too much already. I don't even take things that often my real love is picking locks, disabling traps, opening the unopenable..... and maps. But you know about the maps. Hermia I'm yours! She sticks out her hand for a shake on it.

(LibrayLass you have a follower/henchman. As a DM I like to make exceptions for followers vs henchmen. i.e. If you hire Bob the sword guy to help he gets exp as a henchman as per the core rules, if you gain a follower and he/she is part of the group then full share exp is awarded to the follower. Let me know if you feel she is a "hired hand" or "one of the group". A grace period is allowable of course. You can run her as a henchman for a few combats and see how she fares, I'll determine her actions as a henchman while in the grace period. If you decide she is a follower then you will be, in effect, running two characters in this.)

[Jandolar]

Seeing the interplay between Hermia and Mae Quistine slumps in her chair with a smile of sadness and joy. She addresses the group. Now that you have an honest to goodness artist of the Touch to help out I'd like some time away from it all. I've got some studies that I've been neglecting and things that need to be done without distraction. If it's ok with all of you, I'll sit this one out for a while.
I'll remain here in town and stop in at the inn to check on you from time to time and of course I'll always be ready to help out. I was thinking I'd help Prydwyn out with some of his research and I can keep an eye on the trading post with Lysander while you guys go make a fortune for all of us to enjoy in our old age.

(I'll use Quistine as an NPC for a while and she'll gain exp up top, as well as knowledge, so that if MM comes back he still has a ready character to play. Don't worry you'll see her again often.)

[Hywaywolf]

Oypeen studies the 3 men and then looks back at Hermia, "Looks like they are going down now, not sure we have time to talk to them. I am sure that I don't want to let them know that we found The Key." Oypeen muses for a moment, "Well, now if we really wanted to talk to them, catching them down below would give us options of communication that aren't available to us up here in front of all these other eyes, if you know what I mean."

[Jandolar]

Soon the trio disappears from sight. Older adventurers offer up a toast to the departed three while younger ones strut around as if awaiting a chance to descend as well. In a few minutes the pulley stops as the platform reaches its 140 foot deep destination. Durnan calmly turns a small hour glass over on the bar and watches as the sand runs out a minute or so later. The pulley reverses it's rotation and the platform is brought up. Those below are now on their own for the time being.

[LibraryLass]

I think Mae and Hermia are instant friends. I'll treat her as a follower, if that's alright with you.

[Jandolar]

I think Mae and Hermia are instant friends. I'll treat her as a follower, if that's alright with you.

(Sounds awesome to me! I'll have to get a character sheet built for her and once done I'll post it in the character sheets area for your use. It might take me a couple of days due to long hours at work so please be patient.)

[Jandolar]

((Hermia this is the last time I'll speak or action for Maephina. From here on out she belongs to you. Hope you don't mind.)

As the evening winds down and patrons are off to bed Mae reaches into her back pack and produces a scroll. This is something I picked up a while back. I'd like to offer it to the group as a way of "buy in" so that you don't think I'm just in it for the money. Laying the small roll of heavy parchment on the table it unrolls and Opyeen and Ryyken can read that it contains two arcane spells. As it comes to rest and before either of the magic users can pick it up a delicate hand reaches into the circle of friends and plucks the scroll up. Turning to look at the newcomer the CoS sees a full elf in very very expensively trimmed robes standing there. Behind him stands another equally gaudily dressed elf. The first holds the scroll up at arms length and proclaims. Oh look! the Carnage of Steel brings back minor cantrips and tricks from below! Oh they must be great grand adventurers. As silence settles in the tavern the first elf gently lays the scroll on the table, on the lower part of the wrist can be seen a tattoo of a shaded hand, and he leans in close to Opyeen It's been a long time little brother... time to come home and accept your place as the serving boy you always were. Father is dying and he has soooooo missed you. Followed by a sarcastic laugh.

Looking up the companions see an older likeness of Opyeen. As for himself Opyeen sees his eldest brother towering over him just as he did for his entire adolescent life.