Jarovbees
Approved
Playing: Solstice (Paladin 6)/Umbrae (Sorcerer 1/Warlock 4)/Avren Wands (Rogue 2/Sorcerer 1)
Posts: 706
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Post by Jarovbees on Apr 30, 2019 19:19:10 GMT
That's fine, Solstice wasn't expecting too much from guards who probably never had to deal with anything like this before. Neither did she, but she was a paladin, and confronting the unnatural was part of her calling in a way that guard (even for a place such as this) couldn't match. She frowned as that damnable orb began to brighten, compressing in on itself. Since she didn't want to let her guard down, especially when she was on her own, Solstice instead sheathed her blade and withdrew a javelin to throw.
Attack: H3D_zfZQ1d20+3 Bless: 1d4
Damage: 1d8+31d20+3·1d4·1d8+3
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Post by Kai Wren on May 1, 2019 8:03:37 GMT
The javelin struck the sphere, but where before the weapons had simply passed through it, this time, it seemed to encounter some resistance. At least, that's how it looked initially. Solstice would likely have difficulty seeing what exactly was happening, as blackened charcoal and ash emerged from the other side of the brilliantly-flickering orb.
She could hardly fail to see the explosion, though.
The detonation was impressive. A twenty foot radius of roaring flame which expanded outwards in a rush of roaring heat and fire. It was a staggering explosion, one which briefly lit up the whole graveyard against the night - though, luckily, only the Paladin and some of the aready-singed and frostbitten plantlife were in immediate danger.
And when the flash faded, Solstice might be pleased to see that there was no longer any sign of the sphere, whatever it had been. Whilst the graveyard hadn't escaped unscathed, it was far from the total devastation she had witnessed in her dream.
(DC 12 dex save please!
Damage: 4rrfDjFw8d6
1/2 on success)8d6
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Jarovbees
Approved
Playing: Solstice (Paladin 6)/Umbrae (Sorcerer 1/Warlock 4)/Avren Wands (Rogue 2/Sorcerer 1)
Posts: 706
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Post by Jarovbees on May 1, 2019 14:42:58 GMT
Dex save: apf48fTc1d20 Bless: 1d41d20·1d4
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Jarovbees
Approved
Playing: Solstice (Paladin 6)/Umbrae (Sorcerer 1/Warlock 4)/Avren Wands (Rogue 2/Sorcerer 1)
Posts: 706
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Post by Jarovbees on May 1, 2019 14:47:16 GMT
Solstice cried out as the explosion sped towards her, and only her shield plus the divine favor she had invoked prevented her from succumbing to the worst of the blast. She took a moment to breathe, wincing, then forced herself to stand as she placed a hand at her chest. Her spells were spent, but she still had a pool of divine healing available to her and used it now, breathing easier as the energy coursed through her body. Only afterward did she have a better look around at the immediate area and think to retrieve her javelin...if it was in any state to be recovered. She had doubts, but considering it helped end the threat, she didn't begrudge its current state.
(Lay on Hands for 15)
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Post by Kai Wren on May 1, 2019 19:17:26 GMT
In the aftermath of the devastation, the graveyard was returned to stillness. There was no noise, the guards seeming to be reluctant to leave their post to approach the woman - perhaps just as fearful of the giant who had withstood the detonation as they were of the strange, fiery orb itself. But, the danger seemed to have passed, and whilst there was no sign of the javelin, perhaps that was a fair trade to put an end to such a bizarre threat.
A few moments in the searching, however, and a snow white cat emerged from behind a patch of overturned gravestones, cocking its head to regard Solstice with an eerily curious expression.
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Jarovbees
Approved
Playing: Solstice (Paladin 6)/Umbrae (Sorcerer 1/Warlock 4)/Avren Wands (Rogue 2/Sorcerer 1)
Posts: 706
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Post by Jarovbees on May 1, 2019 20:42:49 GMT
As long as the fiery orb was no more, that was all that mattered to Solstice. She would need rest to regain what was lost, but that was all...a sacrifice she had been prepared to make from the start. Failing to find the javelin, she rubbed her neck and was trying to decide what to do next when the snow white cat had appeared. All of a sudden, she had remembered the crow said something about white cats. What was it?
Crouching down, Solstice peered back at the snow white cat and smiled. "You're a messenger, aye? A crow told me of you. You can let your friends know that the orb of fire won't be bothering this place again." Where it had come from and other details eluded her, but its demise seemed final enough, at least. She hoped that would put some minds at ease, those with a similar calling to preserve the wild in a vast stretch of civilization.
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Post by Kai Wren on May 3, 2019 7:03:50 GMT
The cat seemed to ponder Solstice as though she were a riddle for a few moments longer. The feline cocked its head the other way, and as the silence of the graveyard deepened around them, it seemed to reach its decision.
“You should come to the Emerald Enclave for answers and an offer. Follow me.”
It wasn’t the cat’s voice; it was the voice of an older man, and it wasn’t spoken, it simply seemed to flow from the cat and into Solstice’s mind without the necessity for the animal to fumble words or, indeed, make any noise whatsoever – the message was for her, and her alone, now that the cat had decided that she was worthy of hearing it.
Turning smartly about, the feline began to saunter across the graveyard – and if Solstice followed, she would find herself being led on a long, winding path through Waterdeep’s city streets, though the cat was at least kind enough to ensure that it never fell out of sight.
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Jarovbees
Approved
Playing: Solstice (Paladin 6)/Umbrae (Sorcerer 1/Warlock 4)/Avren Wands (Rogue 2/Sorcerer 1)
Posts: 706
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Post by Jarovbees on May 3, 2019 16:07:24 GMT
Well. Solstice's eyebrows raised sharply at hearing a voice that definitely didn't belong to the cat itself. More to the point, she wasn't expecting any sort of offer to begin with. Mielikki had given her a task, and she gladly saw it through for the sake of her goddess and what her goddess represents. That there might be more to it than that hadn't entered her mind, but...perhaps the Forest Queen had arranged for this, too? It was an interesting thought, and for all Solstice's weariness, her curiosity along with her desire to serve won out. It would do no harm to listen to what was offered, at the very least.
She nodded at the cat and followed after placing her shield on her back, actively keeping it within sight even as it didn't purposely elude her. Between that and her long strides, the firbolg figured that would be enough. The city had given her weirder than a messenger cat, and at this point she was just going to roll with it and hope for the best. It would be an interesting story for when she returned home to the boy, at least.
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Post by Kai Wren on May 3, 2019 20:48:08 GMT
Phaulkonmere Estate was a beautiful expanse situated in the heart of the South Ward, the bustling heart of trade within the City, where goods move out and are received.
It was unusual for a walled estate to exist in such a place, but Phaulkonmere was well-known and well-loved by the people, for the Phaulkon family had been good to Waterdeep, and Waterdeep was good to them in turn. Two houses - the main manor and the servant's quarters - dominated the estate, with a sizeable area of gardens that have been carefully tended and restored from what was, once, merely another part of the City.
It was like walking into a little slice of the country brought right into Waterdeep, and when she arrived, guided by the cat through wrought-iron gates which opened at her presence, it was not long before she was greeted by a half-elf in the soft brown and greens of a dedicated groundskeeper, apparently not at all put off by the late hour - indeed, something in the way he approached her made it seem as though he had been expecting her.
"Greetings, friend." He said, "My name is Melannor Fellbranch. If my friend has brought you here, I take it that you are the one who took care of our ... fire situation?"
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Jarovbees
Approved
Playing: Solstice (Paladin 6)/Umbrae (Sorcerer 1/Warlock 4)/Avren Wands (Rogue 2/Sorcerer 1)
Posts: 706
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Post by Jarovbees on May 3, 2019 21:13:18 GMT
Expecting the white cat to lead her to the Shrines of Nature, Solstice followed with increasing bafflement and curiosity as they continued south instead. Quickly, she tried recalling any other public sites of greenery within the walls of the city, but the only one that came to mind was the Heroes' Garden in the Sea Ward...in the opposite direction. Her limited knowledge of the city's locales didn't help at all in this matter, and she privately resolved later to find a guidebook. Even if it gave her the air of a tourist, she would feel more comfortable having it on her person than potentially missing out on good details.
Upon reaching the walled estate, Solstice's eyebrows shot up and she peered at everything while continuing to keep pace. Subconsciously, she had already begun to relax due to the abundant plant life. That was one thing the city at large was sorely lacking, and she appreciated the exception even more so now. Upon spotting the half-elf, she smiled warmly and tipped her head in a polite nod.
"I have, yes. My name is Solstice. I've not been long in the city, but a threat to the places of nature within can't be ignored. It's a pleasure to meet you, Melannor...or Mister Fellbranch?" Formality wasn't her strong suit, even as a firbolg with an atypical upbringing, and she struggled to remember how to address beings that weren't of the Summer Court.
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Post by Kai Wren on May 4, 2019 9:04:17 GMT
The half-elf gave a dip of his head in respect of her achievement. "Melannor is fine, Lady Solstice." He said, apparently not too concerned with the formalities one would expect from nobility himself. Whilst the estate was grand, he was also clearly not one of the Lords of the Manor himself. His modest dress and demeanor was so far from the flashy elegance of even the most staid nobility that he could not possibly be confused for one of the Gentry.
"I'm pleased that you chose to come here." He said, as the white cat purred and rubbed against his ankles. He didn't pay the animal much heed; focused as he was on the far more important guest that had been brought back with them. "The Goddess told us to expect a champion. It is rare, these days, that She provide us with such a clear vision. It is my Lady's opinion that you must be of great import. May I ask what it is that has brought you to our fair City?"
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Jarovbees
Approved
Playing: Solstice (Paladin 6)/Umbrae (Sorcerer 1/Warlock 4)/Avren Wands (Rogue 2/Sorcerer 1)
Posts: 706
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Post by Jarovbees on May 4, 2019 15:06:08 GMT
Solstice smiled down at the cat, and resisted the urge to pet it; as much as she wanted to, it seemed rude when Melannor was speaking directly to her so she refrained...for now. Her attention soon returned to the half-elf, taking in his appearance and retaining her manners whatever his actual station. She chuckled softly at mention of a clear vision, then blushed with pleasure at the compliment. She had always hoped to do the Forest Queen proud, so hearing that from him meant more than any physical reward.
"Believe me, I wasn't expecting my own vision to be so...literal, though I didn't have it until I had already settled here. It's a long story, but I felt that I could be of better service here than where I was originally. It's less wild, to be sure, but...more people, more opportunities to help. The vision Mielikki granted me was disturbing, but all the same I was relieved that she seemed to agree with me. There was work for me to do here, so I took it."
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Post by Kai Wren on May 4, 2019 16:53:46 GMT
Melannor nodded his head, though his expression didn’t change at all as the cat seemed to get bored and pad off deeper into the grounds. Its work, after all, was done; it was not needed any further. The Paladin’s explanation seemed to be roughly what the groundskeeper had expected, though.
“These are unusual times.” He said, “The City of the Dead is not where I would have expected to find new life flourishing within Waterdeep, but as the City brings itself back together after the trials and injuries of the past, perhaps it is only natural that it finds new ways to heal, rather than returning to the same shape which led to its downfall in the past.”
He gave the barest of shrugs, before he continued.
“So. If your path has brought you here, I presume that you will not be leaving now that you’ve encountered your first Fire Vampire? If you are to stay a while, I daresay my Lady might have an interest in … supporting your work, as you clearly support Hers.”
Even as uncertain of etiquette and custom as she was, Solstice couldn’t help but hear the capitalisation in Melannor’s speech; the person whom he was speaking of was clearly no mere Lady of the Court, but someone of truly profound importance – to him at least.
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Jarovbees
Approved
Playing: Solstice (Paladin 6)/Umbrae (Sorcerer 1/Warlock 4)/Avren Wands (Rogue 2/Sorcerer 1)
Posts: 706
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Post by Jarovbees on May 4, 2019 18:13:14 GMT
"Fire Vampire, eh? I'll have to remember that one. I'd like to ask more about those, especially if they're a regular threat of any kind. Perhaps knowing more about them will help me defeat the next one a bit more efficiently." Solstice hadn't expected an easy fight, but nonetheless she didn't relish ignorance. It was time she learned more thoroughly about what threatened the wild areas of the city, whatever form it might take. "But no, I have no plans to leave. One threat is gone, but I've no doubt others remain."
But the subject of Fire Vampires was one that could probably wait a bit, as that seemed a lesser priority than the lady Melannor mentioned. Again, she didn't want to be rude by ignoring such a cue. Solstice tilted her head, curiosity in her eyes. Indeed she had noticed the importance he placed on this Lady, and if they might be able to help each other...well, that sounded exciting. "I would be very honored to meet your Lady, if she's available...?" There was a question in her voice as she trailed off; she had been invited here, the current hour threw that into question. This lady could still be resting, after all.
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Post by Kai Wren on May 5, 2019 9:55:15 GMT
“They are, thankfully, very rare.”
Melannor seemed about to speak again, when a woman’s voice manifested from the air around them. It was a curious thing; impossible to tell precisely where the voice was coming from, it was as though the gardens themselves were what was talking.
“I am always available for the faithful.”
Melannor’s jaw tightened just the slightest degree, a faint trace of annoyance, before it was smoothed over. Whilst he would have preferred to have made the introductions in order to avoid the questions now no doubt buzzing in Solstice’s mind, such was the prerogative of a demi-god.
“Lady Jeryth Phaulkon.” He says, lightly. “My Lady ascended under the auspices of The Forest Queen some time ago. She has taken these gardens as her demesne.”
That, he hoped, would offset some of the inevitable questions.
“And you have done all of Waterdeep a great favour, Champion of Mielikki.” Jeryth broke in, her voice rustling the grass beneath Solstice’s feet. “My gardens will always be open to you. You are a friend to the Emerald Enclave.”
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