<strong>DM<br/>Tag: Ashley</strong><br/><br/>After some consideration, you realize that the Valenlands are dangerous and, much as you don't want to leave Anja alone, you even less wish to see her dead a second time. It is wiser to leave her behind, paying for an Inn's room a week in advance, and then send for her after you know this mage is trustworthy and the road relatively secure.<br/><br/>Anja seperates from you with cautious regret, but knows this is a fight you have to fight on your own. Even so, she promises to do what little she can to also look into your pact and send you what information she can.<br/>(Making Anja more of a plot npc for now, dun worry, you can still visit her later ofc.)<br/><br/><strong>DM<br/>Random Encounter<br/>Tag: Adabella</strong><br/><br/>Adabella heads out from the lush farmlands of Maldur, only to run into someone on her way!<br/>(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f6/9f/1c/f69f1ccf697b13989e9216f10d03dc10.jpg)<br/><br/>The priestess examined her briefly before smiling, deeming her non evil she declared: "Hello young miss.. I can sense that you wander a dangerous road. The blessings of light upon you." The priestess declared, raising her hand, a white glow warming Adabella.<br/>(You feel blessed! You have earned a free reroll of 1d20 which needs to be used up within the next 24 hours.)<br/><br/><strong>DM<br/>Valenland Road<br/>Tag: Adabella, Ashley</strong><br/><br/>On your road entering the no-mans land of Valen, you encounter another traveler who seems educated enough to not be a bandit. As you continue your way, it also quickly becomes evident they are following the same path as you, perhaps they even recieved the same message...<br/><br/>Your path approaches larger forest and, thanks to Ashley's foresight in creating a map, you realize that the shorter path is actually around this forest, going briefly off-road, you quickly find yourself arriving in a small valley.<br/>(https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3270/2884954549_bac9f49901_z.jpg?zz=1)<br/><br/>Within the small Valley in Valen stands a small watchtower, solid and with borded up windows, it stands at about four stories high, nothing impressive to the Maldurian and Hawken, though Ashley recognizes the military makeup of this tower, it must have been used to guard some long forgotten borders.<br/><br/>You both spot remains of an old, overgrown road, but no further details of the surroundings draw your close attention.<br/><br/>With little more to do but advance onward, you approach the tower. You spot a magical rune engraved on the door.<div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">DC 18 Spellcraft</div><div class="spoiler_body">It's a Selective Alarm ward, a more specialized version of the Alarm spell. That it was made visible might mean it was designed as a deterrent, or that other spells are hidden right now.</div></div><br/>The tower doesn't look overly inviting, on the other hand, there is no immediate reaction to your approach, alone or together either. Double-checking Ashley's map confirms that this is without a doubt the spot indicated in the light-map, so, perhaps after brief discussion, you decided to simply knock on the door, or shout, if that doesn't have any result.<br/><br/>It does, however, the door opens swiftly after just the second knock...<br/>(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/forgottenrealms/images/8/88/Spectator5e.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20171011162950)<br/>To reveal a floating head, with four eye-bearing tentacles and a large, gaping maw! Two eyestalks each focus on each of you, though one focuses on Adabella's chest more than anything else, and one on Ashley quickly loses interest and looks away and into the distance. The creature gazes at you and seems to drool just a little more at Adabella's revealing clothing, before it opens it's mouth, speaking up with a coarse, but oddly educated sounding voice:<br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Undercommon</div><div class="spoiler_body">"Greetings, would you happen to be the visitors my mistress is expecting on a delicate matter? I'm afraid there is, regrettably, bad news to deliver to you upfront, but.. delay this, on further consideration I guess I ought to address you in the language of the elves, to aid with our further communication?"</div></div>The creature seemed thoughtful, keeping you in the focus of it's eye-stalks almost penetrative gaze, it's long tongue slithering out towards you. Perhaps you should prepare for a fight? (Initiative check)<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">DM notes</div><div class="spoiler_body">Good encounter roll on Adabella and foresight on Ashley's side allowed you to advance the plot quickly!<br/></div></div>