Chapter 23 - Bissel Again

[greyarea]

As you approach the gates, the birds are chirping and the east begins to lighten as the sun threatens a new day.

After the polite knocks are ignored, Dandy bangs the wooden doors with Whelm and thunder fills the air. From within the gates, Ye gods, what was that?

I've no idea. You should probably check.

To hell with that, you check!

Meanwhile, Castinus, from his perch atop the wall, sees two guards arguing amongst themselves. There is a fresh pool beneath their feet.

You report to me, you want a job come the morrow, you check.

Castinus sees one of the two, visibly shaking, turn to the gates.

Who goes there?

Dieter's reply makes the two guards look at each other and then the boss nods and the shaken one opens the gate. It takes him a while since he's shaking so badly. When the gates finally open, the boss says, Why didn't you say so in the first place? We were gonna open the gates soon enough as it is, but for you... He seems deferential, embarrassed even. I can escort yee to Llywelyn Monastery if you like.

Just don't let no merchants or farmers in til morning breaks, he adds to his employee. Looking around, you see not another soul waiting at the gates.

The other guard fingers the massive dent Whelm left in the gate as they await your reply.

Actions?


Hit points and marching order
Grimes 63/69
--Dandy 37/40 <Bless, Hold Person x2, Find Traps, Augury, Silence 15'r, Glyph of Warding, Remove Curse, Dispel Magic, Speak With the Dead, Protection from Evil 10' radius, Cure serious wounds x2, Raise dead >
Castinus 38/39
--Furuk 74/78
Dieter 40/42 < Magic Missile x 2, Otiluke's Smoky Sphere, Sleep, Auditory Illusion, Continual Light, Flaming Sphere, Stinking Cloud , Fireball, Monster Summoning I, Slow, Charm Monster, Evard's Black Tentacles, Rary's Mnemonic Enhancer, Monster Summoning III , Otiluke's Radiant Sphere, Teleport >
--Acquaire

Ulster
Algrim

[Zhym]

Ulster sighs wistfully. No sooner has he curled up and begun his nap than the city doors are opened. He shrugs, stands, and follows the others into the city.

[merias]

Dandy grins, hefting Whelm onto his shoulder. "Aye, that's more like it." He follows to the monastery.

[GreyWolfVT]

Algrim "Coulda done that last night when I came knockin but no coulda see me down here from yer high up peephole eh? Good help stlarned hard ta find these days eh?" the dwarf comments to the man closely resembling being in charge at the gate.

[spanningtree]

Dieter - Mage

The monastery would be fine, my thanks. Dieter will say to the guard as he starts to follow. Come on gents...

[badams30]

Grimes - Fighter

Grimes smiles and taps his beloved trident on the ground a couple of times before moving forward, patting their new colleague Algrim on the shoulder. "Let's go, you look like you could use a good drink - me too. But not before we see these tight-asses who sent us to our certain death. I look forward to giving them a little surprise."

With that, Grimes winks at the guards and shouts "Hello, Bissel! Weeeere baaaack!"

OOC: Let's go see the super holy smart dudes. And we probably need to see the druid guy to give him his temperature control thingy back.

[tumblingdice]

Castinus shrugs his shoulders at the futility of his actions, then sheepishly climbs back down. "Remember, you own a castle," he says to himself. "Act as if." He'll make his way with the rest of the group, trying not to say anything too foolish.

[Zhym]

If Grimes says anything out loud about the weather control thingy, it will definitely get Ulster's attention.

[Craigers07]

Furuk - Fighter

Furuk proceeds with the others to the monastery.

[greyarea]

Llywelyn Monastery has oaken doors at least two stories tall, although they look different to your eyes without the frost painting them hoary white. One door is open a bit and you enter without challenge. The guard who lead you here takes his leave, almost without you knowing.

There is no one at first but a chanting to the east. A woman approaches from that direction in the accouterments of Belenus: with breastplate and a long war hammer, which appears to be burning with an orange-yellow flame.

He face is set as a school-marm, It is time for matins and you are disturbing us so you must leave and come back... but then recognition sets in, she smiles, claps with delight, runs and hugs Dandy, bending her elfin figure to his dwarfish height. O praise Belenus, o joyous day! You must have done it! You shattered the Heart! Please tell us how.

The chants stop. You then realize that there are others beginning to gather, although all clerics of Llywelyn and Belenus: the motley group that had gathered here in the cold has left and there is a heterogeneousness to the group that remains. It seems that the building is again functioning as a monastery. Leea waves to some of those gathered and two sprint off in one direction and another runs out the door and into the streets.

He will fetch Zissou and the others. I have some bringing food now. We will feast with the rising sun. O praise Belenus. O praise his rays of light.

Once you have eaten we will hear your story. You were gone so long we thought you had failed too.

Actions?

Hit points and marching order
Grimes 63/69
--Dandy 37/40 <Bless, Hold Person x2, Find Traps, Augury, Silence 15'r, Glyph of Warding, Remove Curse, Dispel Magic, Speak With the Dead, Protection from Evil 10' radius, Cure serious wounds x2, Raise dead >
Castinus 38/39
--Furuk 74/78
Dieter 40/42 < Magic Missile x 2, Otiluke's Smoky Sphere, Sleep, Auditory Illusion, Continual Light, Flaming Sphere, Stinking Cloud , Fireball, Monster Summoning I, Slow, Charm Monster, Evard's Black Tentacles, Rary's Mnemonic Enhancer, Monster Summoning III , Otiluke's Radiant Sphere, Teleport >
--Acquaire

Ulster
Algrim

[merias]

There is no one at first but a chanting to the east. A woman approaches from that direction in the accouterments of Belenus: with breastplate and a long war hammer, which appears to be burning with an orange-yellow flame.

He face is set as a school-marm, It is time for matins and you are disturbing us so you must leave and come back... but then recognition sets in, she smiles, claps with delight, runs and hugs Dandy, bending her elfin figure to his dwarfish height. O praise Belenus, o joyous day! You must have done it! You shattered the Heart! Please tell us how.

Dandy reflexivity flinches at the embrace of Leea, then relaxes and returns the hug. "Aye, it's good ta be back, Leea. Was a bit touch-n-go fer a bit there, I had ta call on Belenus hisself ta destroy the heart," Dandy says, smiling. His stomach gives an embarrassing grumble. "But yer right, we can give ya the details later. A good meal sounds like a fine idea."

[greyarea]

Her eyes widen at the notion that Belenus himself did the deed. Although he's interacted with us before, I've never seen him, only the miracles in his name. Yes, I must know more.

The two acolytes who disappeared return with plates full of good stuff for all. You are directed to a large meeting hall which also appears to serve as a dining room. It is recalled that this was the planning room when you last were here. The food is set and breakfast eaten.

As you tuck in, the third acolyte reappears with Zissou, the smell of the sea and sea creatures wafting in with him. He looks at Poseidon's warrior with a gleam in his eye, Ye did it, lad! You somehow recovered Blackrazor and used the three Items of Power to destroy the Heart of Shakak. I prayed that you would!

Actions?

Hit points and marching order
Grimes 63/69
--Dandy 37/40 <Bless, Hold Person x2, Find Traps, Augury, Silence 15'r, Glyph of Warding, Remove Curse, Dispel Magic, Speak With the Dead, Protection from Evil 10' radius, Cure serious wounds x2, Raise dead >
Castinus 38/39
--Furuk 74/78
Dieter 40/42 < Magic Missile x 2, Otiluke's Smoky Sphere, Sleep, Auditory Illusion, Continual Light, Flaming Sphere, Stinking Cloud , Fireball, Monster Summoning I, Slow, Charm Monster, Evard's Black Tentacles, Rary's Mnemonic Enhancer, Monster Summoning III , Otiluke's Radiant Sphere, Teleport >
--Acquaire

Ulster
Algrim

[badams30]

Grimes - Fighter

Seeing all the Dandy-love, Grimes snorts loudly and says "Ahem! The Champion of Belenus had some help, ya know?" He loudly taps Wave on the ground and says "Where's the party, eh? EH?" Grimes chuckles until Zissou enters, and he snaps to and waves at him, and sheepishly says "Yes, sir. We did. Although at great cost. And we certainly couldn't have done it without all of us working together. I trust things are getting back to normal?"

Grimes approaches Zissou and bows slightly, quietly saying to him "although this danger has passed, there seems to be something else that requires our attention that could impact the region. Perhaps after all of these reunions are concluded we can talk?"

OOC: Grimes will hang back, waiting for the assemblage of super powerful dudes, hoping that there is the obligatory call out of "What can we ever do to repay you?".....

[Zhym]

Ulster enjoys the food, though he doesn't touch the meat. When the time comes for congratulations and self-congratulations, he clears his throat loudly. "I wasn't with them when they unfroze the sun," he says between bites. "Been pretty busy cleaning up the mess, though."

"I'm Ulster Maidinros," he adds, wiping some food off his beard. "I've taken Rhosgobel's position on the Druid Council. Poor man."

[spanningtree]

Dieter - Mage

Happy to see a table of food Dieter grabs a seat and digs in, truly relaxing for the first time in a while.... not taking it easy on the wine.

[GreyWolfVT]

Algrim shrugs "Dunno why I followed yah here but free eats is free eats." the dwarf settles in and starts eating a bit sloppy and fast as dwarfs do.

ooc: he looks like Dwalin eating at Bilbo's in the Hobbit

[greyarea]

Leea looks at Ulster grimly, Yes, it's sad that Rhosgobel passed. He was rarely seen here but he will be missed nonetheless. I've heard of you but it is nice to finally meet you, Druid.

He coulda bathed more, pipes in Zissou, buuuut he was a good man, even if he pretended neutralness. Course, I've never understood that aspect of druidism. Poseidon requires us to take sides. I heard he had a run in with a cockatrice or basilisk or somesuch. Is that true?

Leea looks kindly at Algrim and says, I've not seen you before. You suggest you are not as much a part of this group, yet you travel with them. What is happening with you then?

Actions?

Hit points and marching order
Grimes 63/69
--Dandy 37/40 <Bless, Hold Person x2, Find Traps, Augury, Silence 15'r, Glyph of Warding, Remove Curse, Dispel Magic, Speak With the Dead, Protection from Evil 10' radius, Cure serious wounds x2, Raise dead >
Castinus 38/39
--Furuk 74/78
Dieter 40/42 < Magic Missile x 2, Otiluke's Smoky Sphere, Sleep, Auditory Illusion, Continual Light, Flaming Sphere, Stinking Cloud , Fireball, Monster Summoning I, Slow, Charm Monster, Evard's Black Tentacles, Rary's Mnemonic Enhancer, Monster Summoning III , Otiluke's Radiant Sphere, Teleport >
--Acquaire

Ulster
Algrim

[spanningtree]

Dieter - Mage

Never seen a dwarf turn down a good meal. Dieter says winking at Algrim between bites. Maybe you should join us, we have a quest that should prove interesting and likely have some booty attached to it.

[Zhym]

"I do hope Rhosgobel didn't just pretend to be neutral!" answers Ulster with a gentle laugh. "It is a job requirement, after all!"

He considers explaining Neutrality—that it doesn't mean never taking sides. That sometimes it means taking the losing side to preserve the balance. Or taking a side when it would help avoid a destructive battle. Unless destruction is needed. That sometimes a fire must burn to make room for new growth. How the cycle of birth, growth, death, and rebirth is greater than the whims of the gods. How even Poseidon is but one god.

He decides that now is not the time for a religious debate.

"He tried to stop a fight between a cockatrice and basilisk," Ulster continues, shaking his head. "Bad idea. I hope he reincarnated as something pleasant."

Ulster turns to Grimes. "Speaking of Rhosgobel—do you still have the item he loaned you?"

[GreyWolfVT]

Dieter - Mage

Never seen a dwarf turn down a good meal. Dieter says winking at Algrim between bites. Maybe you should join us, we have a quest that should prove interesting and likely have some booty attached to it.

Algrim raises an eyebrow showing his interest after a good burp he responds "Go on Dieter the promise of booty be it the female companion or the gold kind you have my interest. No offense ladies. Just been a long while since me wife passed."

Leea looks kindly at Algrim and says, I've not seen you before. You suggest you are not as much a part of this group, yet you travel with them. What is happening with you then?

Then turning to answer Leea "I met these fellows at the gate and some of em impressed me right off, I only had but one errand to run here an ended up followin them ta see what excitement they were off to. Pardon if I invited myself to dine I can clean dishes as payment er offer me services ta yer temple if that be the case."