[IC] Expeditions in Exandria: The Noble Novice [Nobodyman123]

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

It has been about a month since you decided to go and travel, and to make a name for yourself, due to the unfortunate circumstances. You're pretty sure that you traveled very far from Neverwinter...and that at some point, you got lost and very turned around. Why do you think this is so? It's because at some point, you found yourself in a swampy town that went by the name of Stilben, sitting at the edge of K'Tawl Bay. At first, you recognized none of those names, and you found that the people of Stilben had never heard of Neverwinter or the Sword Coast!

If you didn't know better, you would have said you ended up in a different world somehow! But that just can't be...! Can it?

Regardless, you have been stuck in this swamp for about a day now, and the sun finally rises. The sunlight rouses you from your slumber, and the day is ahead of you.

So, Hero! What would you like to do now?

[Nobodyman123]

Being from the Frozen North, Reynault had never felt so hot and muggy in his entire life. Where the hell am I? How come I've never heard of Stilben? he thought to himself as he walked through the town. The townsfolk he ran into generally kept a wide berth, but some looked at him with predatory eyes.

Keeping a strong hand on his money pouch, Reynault looked to the sun, gently rising over the bay and lighting up the masts of many docked ships in the harbor. At least the mornings here are nice. That already makes this place better than Luskan. While walking, Reynault felt the all too familiar pangs of hunger. Maybe this place had a tavern, preferably open for breakfast.

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Reynault easily finds his way to the Sunset Stride tavern. As he enters, he finds that not many people are here. It’s pretty quiet and the few that are here are simply eating breakfast before they leave for the day. Other than the patrons, there are a couple of waiters and waitresses, and the bar is tended to by a dwarf. The dwarf looks to Reynault as he enters, and he greets, “Ah! Hello, laddie! Welcome to the Sunset Stride, what can I get ya?”

[Nobodyman123]

"Whatever the special is, thank you." Reynault said before dropping a gold coin on the bar and sliding it towards the dwarf. "And maybe some information."

Reynault, despite never being an adventurer, knew well enough that bartenders and tavern owners are infamous gossipers. A nudge in the right direction, and maybe this dwarf can tell Reynault exactly where the hell was he and how could he get home? If not, then maybe he could help him find a way to make money.

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

The dwarf looked at the coin, and he took the coin, before calling to the back "OI! ONE PO'BOY WITH FRITES AND AN ALE!" He then turned his attention back to Reynault and he asked, "What kind of information are ya lookin' fer, laddie?" He then seems to realize something as he groans silently, and he mentions, "Jus ta warn ya now, laddie, if yer here to ask about Vox Machina as well, yer not the first. Ye can ask Runescribe about dem, I'm sure he's around Stilben somewhere"

[Nobodyman123]

"Vox what now?" Reynault said, trying to keep his voice down. The last thing he wanted was for people to know that he wasn't from around here. He rubbed the bridge of his nose in exasperation. "Okay then, let's start simple, and lets pretend for the sake of argument that I'm an idiot with no clue about what's going on."

His ale arrived and Reynault took a drink. Tastes normal enough. he thought before putting it back down on the bar. "This town is called Stilben, I gathered that, but where am I?"

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

The dwarf raises an eyebrow at the question. He answers you, "You're in Stilben..." He then continues, "Along the Lucidian Coast? Surrounded by the K'Tawl Bay and the K'Tawl Swamp? Near the Summit Peaks? Ya follow the Silvercut Roadway from here to Westruun? In the country of Tal'Dorei?" As he mentions those clarifications, he seems to study your face for any sign of recognition in regards to those names.

Unfortunately, none of those names were ringing any bells...

[Nobodyman123]

Reynault shook his head and quickly drained his ale. "So no one around here has ever heard of Neverwinter? Or Faerun?" Reynault set his now empty tankard back onto the bar and wondered if this bar had anything stronger than ale.

"So that Runescribe fellow, he sounds like a magic expert, right? Maybe I should go talk to him next and find out how in the nine hells I got here." As he spoke, he could smell the aroma of his meal from the kitchen. Well, maybe not on an empty stomach. Now would be a good time to start stress eating.

"Okay, easier question. What can a man with sword do for work around here?"

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

The dwarf shook his head and answered "'Fraid not, laddie. At least...not around here," He then stroked his beard and commented "Perhaps someone among the Lorekeeper Society might know what yer talkin' about lad," When Reynault asked about Runescribe, the dwarf chuckled and answered "Nah. He's a junior member of the Lorekeeper Society. He's more focused on Vox Machina,"

When Reynault asked about work, the dwarf gestures to the large job board hanging against the wall with numerous postings and he answers, "Many mercenaries come by here, so I'm sure ya can find somethin' to do fer pay here,"

Soon enough the meal comes out. It's a sandwich with fried catfish and greens in it, and next to that are a pile of sliced potatoes deep fried in some grease. It's actually pretty good.

[Nobodyman123]

Reynault didn't actually realize how hungry he was until the sandwich was in front of him. He ate the sandwich with a gusto that would have horrified his family's old manservant. I wonder what that old rooster is up to now that I'm gone. I'm sure he's got his hands full with the baby. Between him and mother, that kid is going to grow up spoiled rotten.

After finishing the last of his potatoes, he stood up from his stool. "Thanks for that, and for the conversation." With that, he walked over to the job board, hoping for something that paid decently well.

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

There are so many posters to choose from! He has no idea where to begin!

Just before he can get overwhelmed by the numerous posters, a female voice cleared her throat, and spoke, "Sorry, excuse me? Kinda need to post something up here,"

She maneuvers past you, and posts up a notice herself. She is a strange looking girl. She has blue skin with gray eyes, and yet the rest of her features seemed to contrast against the blue skin. She is wearing leather with green and red cloth. The red cloth appears to be singed at the edges. Her hair is as black as a raven's feathers, tied into a long single braid, decorated red and orange feathers.

She was posting a job notice!

"Help wanted!

Griffin eggs are disappearing from nests in the Summit Peaks! Operatives selling eggs in Stilben black market suspected! Please help, if nothing is done than the griffins will go extinct!

Signed,

The Voice of the Tempest"

[Nobodyman123]

Reynault quickly read over the job notice. A potentially heroic quest? Sounds like just the thing I need! Before the young woman turned to leave, he tried to get her attention.

"Excuse me. Perhaps I can help with this." he said to her. He wasn't sure of her race, but she was certainly cute. Maybe she could help him figure out how the hell he got here, and why he's so far from home. If nothing else, a friend would certainly be welcome right about now.

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

The girl looks to Reynault when he speaks up and she looks to him surprised and she answers him, "Oh-Oh, really?" She muttered to herself "Huh! That was fast!" She clearly hadn't expected anyone to immediately jump up and offer their assistance. But then she looked at the letter again, and seemed to have mentally come up with a reason why Reynault did. She turned her attention back to him and she greeted, "Well, uh...Th-Thank you! I'm sure the Voice of the Tempest will appreciate this!"

She then introduced herself, "I'm Pele! I'm of the Fire Ashari. Nice to meet you,"

[Nobodyman123]

"Reynault, of the de Lyons." Reynault responded instead of asking what an Ashari was. He figured he would try and gain their trust first before hitting her with the heavy questions. Lets keep it simple for now.

"I just arrived here, so I'm not exactly familiar with these places. Are the Summit Peaks far? Do we need anything while we are here?"

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Pele answered him shaking her head, "Not really. If we take the Silvercut Road, we can make our way through the K'Tawl Swamp pretty quickly. But even so, you should prepare for at least a couple days of travel," She then adds, "If we head to Zephrah right away and speak with The Voice of the Tempest, I'm sure she'll let us stay with her and the rest of the Air Ashari while we help with the Griffin problem,"

[Nobodyman123]

"Right." Said Reynault, who tried his best to pretend what any of those foreign words meant. If he told this girl anything about whats been happening to him, she might think he's crazy and look for help elsewhere. Maybe he could try and learn more about this place by asking the right questions.

As they prepared for their journey, he tried asking her a few things. "So, you have a good relationship with Voice of the Tempest, then?" He tried his best to make it sound completely natural, almost non-nonchalant.

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Despite Reynault’s attempt at sounding natural, his question seemed to have sounded weird anyways if Pele’s reaction was anything to go by. She answered laughing hesitantly, “Th-That’s...That would be arrogant of me to assume! I mean, sure, she’s been my mentor during my time with the Air Ashari, but to say that we have a good relationship...”

Reynault could see that she was getting flustered over the thought, and from the sound of her words, there’s clearly some worship there.

She then looks at him and she asks...
“You’re...not from around here, are you?”

It just became apparent that she has a strong sense of Insight.

[Nobodyman123]

"Am I really so transparent?" asked Reynault, trying not to cringe. He knew the game was up, so he might as well admit to it now. "No, I'm from... far away. I don't really know what an Ashari or a Tempest is, let alone what a Tempest's Voice sounds like."

Well, you idiot. You're in it now. Hopefully she doesn't think your insane. he thought to himself, hoping she didn't tell him to get lost. Reynault didn't want to face the prospect of going back to square one.

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Pele had an apologetic look as she answered him, “Unfortunately, yes,” After Reynault admitted his lack of knowledge, Pele reassured him, “Don’t worry, I can answer any questions and explain along the way,” Pele seems to be more empathetic than judgmental towards Reynault.

She then suggested to him, “I’m already prepared for the journey to the Summit Peaks. Do you need anything before we head out?”

[Nobodyman123]

Reynault did a mental checklist of everything he owned. His arms and armor, his pack, his family ring. All was in good order. Hopefully it wouldn't be too cold up the mountain, as Reynault's cloak was starting to become a little threadbare.

"No, I'm fine. Let get going." he said. Here's hoping my luck begins to turn. he thought to himself as he walked with the mysterious young girl.