Castle Amber: A D&D Adventure

"Well." Lynda says. "I don't like the prospect of us splitting up the party. However, if Sephora truly is a deadly seductress of men, and these dresses won't suffice in ensuring you aren't charmed by her, then do we have much choice? The sword of Sylaire is a key item in breaking the curse, as well is the mirror that Gaspard offered to us. We can only hope now that the sword will work...that is, if we can even get it. Moriamis said that Sephora is very protective over her sword, and wouldn't even let her study it."

"Our time is running thin. If you wish not to accompany us, then that's fine. The three of us are a pretty good team, and I only hope we'll be able to handle whatever is in store for us at Lady Sephora's tower."

With that Lynda rears her horse back and turns back towards town. Lynda's skill at riding far out shines the others. Though she has trouble stying on her saddle at times, just like the others, her command over her horse is far beyond normal. She is off riding toward the city docks before a decision is firmly made, perhaps making the decision for the party through her actions.

Tammytharn conceals her disappointment that the boys have so soundly rejected the costumes.

"Well, disguises or not, I would prefer we stick together, but if you don't want to join us, then we will keep in touch with Sending."

Tammytharn rides after Lynda

Voulton follows them to the boat. "I said I wouldn't wear the dress, I didn't say I wouldn't help! I'll take my chances with any seductress! Some might call it a win-win situation!"

EDIT: On the way through town, he'll also inform whoever looks like they're dealing with defense preparations of the trees he cut down, SOMEONE oughta get some use out of 'em at least. On second thought, cutting down trees might be illegal here. Better tell 'em someone else cut 'em.

A silent plea was all Rachelle offered before riding off to catch up with the other elf girls. Kalar, Hrulgin, and Voulton exchanged glances. They had discussed splitting up but what that meant only now truly sunk in. They watched as the other three members of their group road off. As they disappeared into the city, they wondered if they would ever see them again.

Tammytharn, Lynda, and Rachelle reached docks. There they found Gaspard jumping and waving them towards the largest boat in the dock. This was the first time they saw the river. It was bigger than the map suggested. They other bank could barely be seen. The river was easily 4-5 miles across and who knew how deep. The boat they were being beckoned to was a large longboat. It was a much bigger boat than they thought they would be sailing on. Gaspard approached, "I was beginning to worry." Gaspard looked them over, "Oh, you got dressed? I suppose that's fitting since I got you the three nicest cabins on the boat. You shouldn't have to stay on board very long though. From what Helena has told me, Sylaire should be a little more than half way to Ximes. This boat only takes two days to get to Ximes. Speaking of which, they say they will drop you off, but then they're going to continue to Ximes. Then, they will return 2 days later and wait for you at the place they drop you off for 1 day. You have to get back by then or they will leave you there."
Next to Gaspard, the party noticed a very proud and old looking halfling woman. She had long grey hair, wore fantastically embroidered leather armor, and had a large eagle resting on her shoulder. On her back she had the best made bow and arrows Lynda, or any of the party, had ever seen. She had an eye patch and a stern look on her face as she looked out over the ocean. She was old. Though none of the party was very knowledgeable about the aging of halflings, they knew enough to know Helena was over a couple hundred years old, maybe more. Only after Gaspard had finished talking did she turn to address the party. "Hi," she said roughly.
Gaspard looked around, "So just you three? I purchased passage for five as you said, with each of you sharing a room with another in your group and someone sharing with Helena here. Are more coming? The ship is leaving soon."

Helena got aboard the ship first and as she did she simply said, "I'm sure you have questions. They always do."

"Averoigne leaves a lot to be asked." Lynda says. "What can you tell us about Sephora and her sword?"

"Let's wait till we're all on board at least, ok?" says Helena.

Although he's against it, Kalar decides to follow Voulton and the women.

"Hrulgin, stay behind here. I'll use a Sending to get in touch with you each day, it will be useful to us to have some eyes here. Make sure to stay in the woods and keep hidden. If, however, you can sneak around the town to get the lay of the area, then do so. But make sure to keep hidden. If confronted, get out of there and into the woods where you can hide."

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Being from the third world, I reserve the right to speak in the third person.

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Voulton and Kalar rushed to catch up with the much swifter riding elf girls. Their progress was made even slower as Voulton stopped to discuss lumber with some of the local engineers he found working on some sort of siege engine. No one in town seemed to give them more than a passing glance. They were all either too busy or didn't notice anything too remarkable about the group. They reached the docks and were able to find the very fancy dressed elf girls very easily despite the massive size of the dock. They approached and Gaspard noticed the kinship of the party members immediately. "Oh! five then? Good, the expensive quarters I purchased won't go to waste then. Well, off you go. I'll go and start preparing the dark powder right away. Good Luck to you all!"


With that everyone boarded the ship. It wasn't long before they set sail. The crew seemed very busy and they asked the party to stay in the dinning area or their quarters as much as possible. The party entered through the door to their suite. In this main area was a large dinning table with 12 chairs. 4 doors in the dining area led to 4 different rooms. At the table, the party found Helena, already munching away. Also in the room, a servant stood near the door, seemingly awaiting orders.
"I thought we were going to have this suite to ourselves, mon amour."
"Don't worry, we will have plenty of time to be alone once we get to Ximes." The party looked to see that there was a young couple sharing the suite with them. The couple appeared to be well off, most likely royals.
"Hello friends," said the man. "My name is Sean Du Lupaun and this is Cherri Du Lupaun. Are you fleeing the city as well?"

Kalar puts on the best (which is not very good) friendly smile that he can and says, "As a matter of fact, my good man, no, we are not fleeing. We're off to find a way to save the city, but unfortunately, I am not able to divulge any more than that. Secrets of state and all that, I'm sure a man of your obviously excellent breeding will understand that secrets once promised to be kept cannot be revealed."

"To make up for that rudeness though, is there anything I might help you with?"

Kalar calculates this risk, hoping that he will learn something from what the man requests. If these two are fleeing, then what they ask for will be rather telling as it will reveal what they are lacking.

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Being from the third world, I reserve the right to speak in the third person.

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Sean looks at Kalar with a puzzled look at first as he talks about their mission. As Kalar asks his last question Sean perks up. "Oh! It's a fanciful servant. Look honey, they have a midget waiter here." Helena stops eating when he says this.
Sean bends down on one knee to talk to Kalar. "Ok little guy, bring a full course dinner for the two of us. Scoot along small fry."
Helena takes her bow out and grips it incredibly hard. "Some one get rid of this guy," she demands. Sean looks shocked.

"I did try to be polite, but I implore you. Do call me a fanciful midget servant again."

Kalar puts his hand on his (brand new!) war pick, but doesn't otherwise make a move.

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Being from the third world, I reserve the right to speak in the third person.

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Voulton is confused. Who's fighting who? Is there gonna be a rumble?
EDIT: He'll keep a hold of his axe anyway and glare at everyone.

"Mon amour!" cries Cherri Du Lupaun as she leaps into Sean's arms.
"What is this aggression?" says Sean. "I had no idea we would be sharing a suite with savages! I'll alert the captain at once!"
"I am the captain," says Helena, much to everyone's shock.
"What?!" says Sean. "Nonsense, the captain would be above deck, giving orders. Or in her own captain's quarters. The captain wouldn't be a tiny old woman eating her dinner as the ship disembarks!"

Helena chuckles as she gets up out of her chair. "Well, you're right Sean. Normally captains bark orders and run around making sure everyone is doing what they're suppose to be doing." Helena gets right up at Sean at this point. "I trust my people, Sean. I've been through enough to know who I can trust and who I can't. You're right about another thing Sean, a captain would be in their captain's quarters." Helena's volume studiedly increased as she continued. "You see, though, Sean, this ship is very over booked at the moment and I owed Gaspard which meant these people over here needed to be on this ship which meant giving them some of the only rooms available. What it didn't mean was sharing my table with the likes of you two."
By this time, Helena's yelling had attract the attention of two large deckhands. They took Helena's words and tone to heart and quickly dragged Sean and Cherri away. The pair cried the whole time as if the skin on their faces was being peeled off.
Helena grinned. "So, about those questions."

Kalar bows graciously to Helena.

"Thank you my lady, I am glad we were able to avoid any violence. As for questions, I believe my companions here would better be able to ask, as they were the once who spoke with Gaspard. However, I do have a question of my own. Do you know just what sort of thing this graveyard colossus is? And how did he go about acquiring such power? I would have thought anyone attempting to do so would have been hunted down and killed in a heartbeat."

As usual, Kalar's questions serve his own interests as well. He does attempt to mask it by framing the question as if he's concerned for the well-being of the city though, and hopes it won't be obvious that he would like that power for himself.

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Being from the third world, I reserve the right to speak in the third person.

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