Arty Fox

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: Old Distillery Action: N/A Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 2/5

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BlackBerry glared down at the corpse. The corpse…didn’t move. It remained resolutely still even when BlackBerry quickly withdrew his finger from its socket. Unceremoniously, he wiped his hand across the dirty, dusty floor trying to get the worst of the skin and sinew stuck to his finger. His nose curled at the stench that had arisen from the corpses now much-emptier-eye socket.

“Yes, yes I am fine thank you Lady Kathryn. It is just all this dust and filth wreaking havoc is all.” He sniffed and felt a familiar warning tingle at the back of his nose. “But yes if there is nothing else here perhaps I may head outside for some fresh air, and to get a better look at whatever change has become of me and investigate those grapes as well.”

But even saying this BlackBerry didn’t move from his spot where his eyes kept jumping between the two corpses. A warning sense of dread had made itself comfortable in his stomach. Similar to their situation in the Township they were left with more questions than answers and likely not anyone around with the answers they needed.

“Bashed his head in?” He repeated Kosaras findings of the other corpse. “Possibly we have stumbled into an old crime scene? But if so it would seem a lot of effort to lock and bury this place if it were after the fact.”

BlackBerry took a breathe and stood back up with a stretch.“Well, I feel that blocking this place up again might be a wise idea actually, Kosara. We would not wish for anyone else to stumble in here in case whatever has affected us may return and affect someone else. There is no telling what harm could befall someone. On that note, I am sorry to say Victoria but perhaps our changes may not just be physical but magical as well?”

He grimaced as he spoke the thought. It was a worrying idea that they had all been so changed so easily.

“I must admit, I am likely mistaken about this corpse.” He gestured down to it, it grinned up at him still having not moved. “They are likely nothing more than simple corpses and I am simply jumping at shadows.”

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: Old Distillery Action: Perception on Corpse (4) Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 2/5

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“Well.” BlackBerry sighed at Victoria and Lady Kathryn, and dragged his hand over his face.

Lady Kathryn, yes he could see her doing this but Victoria, choice of arcane study not withstanding, he had expected at least some level of common sense or even self preservation. The withering stare from the Dragonborn lingered upon the pair of them in way that directly translated to I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed.

“I suppose as adventurers such actions are par for course. I shall take glad solace that neither of you appear worse for wear currently.” His mind played catch up and recalled the snippets of conversation he had overheard from the other side of the casks and barrels. And was just about to offer a suggestion, but Victoria beat him to it. Nodding, he then added in agreement, “You took the words right of my mouth, Victoria. No doubt it could be classed as quite a vintage by now.”
Kosaras squeal of delight bounced around the confined space.

“Well, I can see one of us may choose to keep this new change.” He smiled after Kosaras delighted squeal had finished bouncing around them. Her comparison of him to a True Dragon did draw out a small but loud chuckle. “Why thank you Kosara. Perhaps I shall should the opportunity arises.”

Stepping forwards to follow Kosaras investigation of the corpses he was thankful that enough time had passed that they no longer stank. He curled his nose up at the sight of their bodies; withered skin, eyeless sockets, twisted limbs, and rotten clothing. They were human, or at least very human-ish as far as could be figured given the state of the bodies and how time had removed many features.

“With any luck one of them might have a journal or something of the like on them, Preferably one that could answer all our questions with this whole situation. It is unfortunate that we are unable to simply ask…” His eyes settled on the furthest Corpse. “…them.”

He squinted at the corpse with suspicion as he tried to match what was seeing now with what he remembered. The problem was he hadn’t been paying the corpses a huge amount of attention but he was certain that the one at the furthest wall had not been facing them. BlackBerry grabbed Kosaras shoulder before she could get closer. He did allow Victoria to pass after her cryptic statement and he watched with a rising sense of unease in his stomach a her construct her spell, the whispers of her voice somehow refusing to echo as all their other words had done. And then…nothing happened.

“That spell you used Victoria, I can assume safely it allows you to communicate with the dead?” BlackBerry twisted moved passed Kosara and then Victoria, stepping towards the corpse in question. BlackBerry gently nudged the corpses head with his toe. It didn’t move.

He the squatted down by the corpse and eyed it as closely as he dared. His eyes narrowed as he visually inspected the corpse for anything unusual but found, in the dank darkness, nothing. But there was something very odd about this corpse, and possibly even the other one. He momentarily eyed the other corpse as well before returning his attention to the one before him. It was still dead and hadn’t moved.

BlackBerry held his chin as horrifying thought was promptly followed by a very stupid one. Victoria would see him bounce in his squat and wrestle his head side to side. Finally, after a few seconds of the odd looking dance, he then took a deep breath as if bracing himself against against a painful strike.

“You.” Jabbing a finger into an eye socket and noticably shivering in disgust when something squelched. “Were facing the other way but a few moments a go. Victoria here, is a very skilled magic user so I know her spell would have worked had you actually been…well…dead. As you have yet to attack us let us assume the best of each other shall we?”

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: Old Distillery Action: Investigate Door (6) -> Investigate Barrels (7) Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 2/5

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BlackBerry shuffled uncertainly through the darkness, following gravity’s downward pull with his hand brushing against the wall over first, rocks, and roots. Thankfully there weren't any branches to the tunnel and it was wide enough for them all to get through. At least that is what he thought,

“Careful Lady Kathryn." He threw the warning over his shoulder after hearing the unmistakable sound of metal scraping against rock.

Finally, after more shuffling and stumbling, he emerged behind Victoria into the room beyond. Casting his eyes about the room, thankfully somewhat lit by shards of sunlight that burrowed their way through cracks in the earth and between roots from the tree above, he could make out the shapes of barrels, casks, jugs, and all sorts of tools buried under years worth of dust. He deduced that it must have been a store room of some kind for the Vineyard in years gone by, somewhere they did something to the grapes and other fruit used for making wine. What exactly that would be he hadn’t he fainest idea.

Two very important question he was about to have were put to the side as Kosara and Victoria then made their observations.

“Good gracious me, I believe you are right Kosara.” He drew up to Victoria and Lady Kathryn to measure them against himself in turn. The pair had definitely grown slightly. “I shall trust your eyes and believe I have become shinier, whatever that entails, it is too dark for me to tell. Do you all feel well in yourselves however? Out of us all I am more worries for you three as you have experienced the more dramatic changes.”

Something had to have caused it. Victoria’s description put one obvious culprit in BlackBerry’s mind for if not the cause of the Wild Magic build up then at least it’s trigger. He approached the door frame and began running his hand up and down it trying to find any tale tell dents of ridges that might be…well something, he wasn’t sure what he was looking for, and in the darkness he came across nothing on the door frame that could have caused their changes. He did however admire the care that must have been taken to keep the door frame the past for it to be in such good condition now.

“While I agree it is likely Wild Magic I would say something must have triggered it to act. Whether it is just our presence or some action we took in particular I would be interested in finding out. Nothing on the door though. I suppose another question is…well…why there would be any Wild Magic to begin with? I will admit my knowledge on the subject is rather lacking beyond stories, tall tales, and the like.” He turned back to face the room and his eyes wandered over to the barrels stacked neatly onto shelves and racks in the middle. “Perhaps something in these is a source of Wild Magic?”

Approaching the barrels he gave one a sturdy knock, but couldn't tell by the sound if it was empty or full. He ran his hand over the barrels trying to see if the was anything like…well…like something to say what was in them. Instead, all he found was years upon years of dust and dirt now rising up in front of him after being disturbed for the first time in what could be several decades.

BlackBerry sneezed loudly and briefly disappeared behind a blue flash of light.

“Bless me.” He sniffled with a few stray sparks still dancing over his snout.“Nothing here eithe-what are you drinking?” He had rounded the barrels to see Lady Kathryn and Victoria drinking. His eyes jumped between the cup in Lady Kathryns hand and the newly opened cask. His jaw nearly hit the floor in horror. “Is that really wise? For all either of you know that there may be why this place was barricaded and buried in the first place.”

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: Gazebo Patio Action: Short Rest (13 hp restored), Medicine (7) Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 2/5

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BlackBerry sat beneath the gazebo while Lady Kathryn did her best to tend to his injuries from their little battle,. All the while his legs kept bouncing, protesting at having to sit still for so long. A few of the staff who had turned up to watch had had the forethought to bring some cloths, bandages, and a few herbs with them just in case of any serious injuries happened to either the combatants, or even the audience for that matter knowing these adventuring types.

“Oh! That is painful!” He squeaked. Grimacing, he held himself still for Lady Kathryn to work her best bit of healing along his now very bruised ribs. “I hear tales of lizards whom spend their days doing nothing but lounging on rocks and soaking in the warm rays of the sun. What I would not give to be one of them now. I bet you the desert Kosara is from has them.”

He winced when Lady Kathryn continued touching his ribs just in time for a gust of wind to come sailing through to add insult to injury by making him shiver. The muscles all along his sides cried in protests at having to move. But despite his grumbling the blue dragonborn endured the treatment while stubbornly refusing to fully take off his shirt, and instead pulled it up about his pits for Lady Kathryn to work.

“Thinking about it.” He said quieter than usual. It was a bit painful him to talk not that it was actually stopping him. “I think I shall take a page out of your book Lady Kathryn and begin training in more earnest than I have done. Perhaps even one day I might land a strike as strong as your ow-ah! careful, careful.” He nearly jumped out of the chair in his attempts to scoot away.

BlackBerry peered over the bundled cloth of his shirt to the splotch of dark purple scales. He grimaced then clicked his tongue. “Well, no doubt it would have been a lot worse without. And I shall say it does look anywhere near as bad as the Abominations own work the other week. I think that shall do me for now Lady Kathryn, you help is very much appreciated.” He rolled down his shirt, gladdened to be given a bit more protection from the cold. Why they hadn’t chosen to go inside was beyond him.
“Here. Allow me to check over your injuries as well. It would not do otherwise, and I do wish to check I haven’t left any serious marks on you.” He waited for Lady Kathryn to be as ready as she would be for him to check her over. Once she was ready he began his quick checks over her and continued to talk, “Gracious me, if Old Brother Rorvil saw that he would have boxed my ears and have me scrubbing all the chamber pots in the Monastery for a month. On my own no less!” A few half hearted chuckles filled with memories followed.

He spent a few minutes simply applying a cloth, dampened with very cold water, onto the worst of the burns and bruises he could find but unfortunately missed quite a few. “Yes, I think that is the last of them. I do apologise Lady Kathryn you have suffered a few minor burns but nothing that will cause you much bother. I normally find such things clear up after a few days and bit of cold water here and there.” BlackBerry spoke with the confidence of a man who didn’t quite realise scales and human skin heal differently.

“Well, I suppose with that we should go and find the other two. If I recall Kosara had found a rather interesting wall the other day and wished to go investigate, possibly with Victoria in tow. With any luck the pair will still be at the Coach House, or otherwise may have gone without us to investigate.” He stood up from his seat with a joint cracking stretch and retied the Viscous Shortsword back into place around his waist. “Unfortunately Kosara neglected to mention the exact whereabouts of this interesting wall she found. However I imagine we can find it without much trouble. Are you ready then?”

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: Coach House -> Patio Battleground Action: Breakfast Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 5/5

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The week had passed by without much comment.

For starters there had been his and Victoria's little trip to Southmoor. The pair parted soon after arriving to handle their own affairs, BlackBerry had made a beeline for a shoemaker who had understandably been surprised by ar having Dragonborn for a customer. But a customer was acustomer, and after taking the necessary measurements suggested BlackBerry return in a few days to collect his purchase. The Shoemaker understandably didn't have anything that would fit properly already made.

What followed after the little trip had been several days of hard, gruelling, thankless work both at the Coach House stable with Old Boy.

The battered Dragonborn had gotten his wish and been given many of the unglamorous jobs which needed doing before the first snow, namely mucking out the stables, cleaning various tools, counting the bags of feed. Now that Jon, the head Stableman had seen the Battered Hero could indeed pull his weight outside of ‘flashy, magic heroics’ there was now promise of more laborious tasks to come.

However, it was not all bad. While the mornings and afternoons were indeed hard work, Jon had been a man of his word, his evenings had been a change of pace going through the basics in horse-care. There had been a lot to go through and Jon was a man who adored the animals in his care. He would spend hours go

Jon taught BlackBerry mostly the basics in horse care; keeping an eye on the animals gait in case if injury, how often each year to have his shoes cleaned, how much to feed and whatnot. BlackBerry ended up asking for a lot to be written down for him so he could refer to it later.

Right now though, he was sitting around the table with the others and turning his nose up at the rancid smelling parcel Kosara had just put on the table.

“Madame L'Rose did mention some fruit was being left on the vine did she not? Perhaps these had been left on a bit too long.” Giving another sniff he then added with no small amount of disgust. “Definitely been left too long. Any longer and it very well may walk off on its own.”

He didn't dare unwrap the parcel in case what Victoria had suggested were true and he unleashed a swarm of midges, flies, or something equally horrid in the room. There were numerous songs, jokes, and cautionary tales of masterful adventurers being laid low by the smallest of creatures and he didn't want to follow them.

His leg bounced rapidly as he followed the thought. “Does the cold not kill off bugs? you tend to not see many bugs other than during the summer. Especially those horrid little midges that like to fly by your ear. Ghastly things.” BlackBerry pinched the air to illustrate the size of them.

“Though perhaps you should inform Madame L'Rose about that, Kosara. I doubt she would want any crop going to rot in the field. The wall though does also sound interesting, might prove a fun pastime to go investigate it as well. I wonder if Madame L'Rose knows of it. I bet you Lizbeth would; she continues to strive as the sort for whom exploration and wanderings come easy to. That is of course if you can convince the Girl to take a break. I do believe I have seen her asking our fair knight for as much training as she can handle. And then a fair amount more.”

“On the bright side however. It does seem we've hit a stroke of luck in a calm and benign time here seems guaranteed. the debacle with the bugs last week notwithstanding. I have had plenty of time to talk with Jon, the stablemaster here, who has yet to mention anything much of interest going on. Nothing more than a worker going places they ought not but I fail to see anything overly nefarious though.”

A thought then struck him. With an annoyed click of the tongue he said to himself “Drat. I still need to get those letters sent off. So that the rest of you know Southmoor does in fact offer a postal service shoukd anyone else have anything to send. It seem well organised to my mind.” But there wasn't time to dawdle. He had a battle to fight which was heralded by their knights arrival and departure from breakfast, armed to the nine hells and back stopping only long enough to invite Victoria and Kosara to watch.

“Was that today?” He frowned and then stood up so fast when he remembered the chair fell back. He grinned excitedly.“Goodness gracious me, I had plum forgot. Yes, one moment I shall be after you in just a moment! Oh this will be fun. Do not alarm yourselves.” He paused for a moment between stacking the plates to reassure Kosara and Victoria. “We shan't be going overboard. Just a short and friendly spar is all.”

His words trailed off. He was watching Lady Kathryn striding down the road to their agreed battleground with Lizbeth trailing behind, almost bowing under the weight of the Knight's weapons she carried.

“I believe those were training weapons young Lizbeth was carrying, were they not?”

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: Manor House Terrace Action: BREAKFAST Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 5/5

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Happy with the knowledge that everyone was quite happy with their flatbreads he turned his mind to the very important topic of Breakfast. After pouring tea for those who accepted the offer BlackBerry then served himself a small sampling of the ‘coffee’. He eyed the pitch black liquid carefully as it steamed happily and his murky reflection looked up at him carefully. BlackBerry had seen Lady Kathryns reaction and wasn’t entirely sure he wanted to try at first, b her then saying it tasted good put those worries to rest.

BlackBerry took a sip of the drink and promptly regretted it. The scalding, bitter drink assaulted his tongue and he fought to restrain a small cry of surprise and disgust. Trying his hardest to not make an absolute fool of himself or insult their host, BlackBerry swallowed the mouthful and put the cup back on the table.

“I daresay it is not to my taste either.” He shook his head trying not to squirm in his chair, and instead reached for a fresh cup, the teapot, followed by two spoonfuls of honey into his tea.

But now was time for the next important part of Breakfast; after drink it was time for food, and Madame L’Rose had arranged a most marvellous spread. But a flag flew in his mind, his hand coming to a halt just before grasping a pastry, and directed him to the various utensils gathered around the dish in front of him and around the larger dishes containing food on display. Back home, meal times were often a case of grabbing all the good stuff before everyone else could, and eating on the road didn’t have any strict rules at all. BlackBerry withdrew his claws from the pastries and instead settled for using the tongs as he had seen the others do so, the slices of bread however seemed quite happy to be handled as usual.

His plate quickly found itself stacked with; two slices of bread, a trio of fruit jam dollops, a small bowl with a handful of chopped fruits hidden beneath some yogurt, and a nice buttery pastry to finish off everything. He even politely requested two fried eggs to go on top of another slice of bread. The next issue then became the Cutlery. Serving spoons, forks, and the like were easy to know as they were just bigger versions of the usual ones, but now he was faced with multiple of each all in front of him. He stared down at the shining utensils, eyes hoping madly from one to another as they silently fought to be the one to use first.

A cup was suddenly thrust towards him by Victoria asking for another cup of coffee which he politely obliged. Whilst doing so it gave him a chance to check what utensils she was using so that once the cup had been refreshed he copied her utensil selection.

Munching happily away at his breakfast he let the conversation carry on without him for a while but turned his head to focus on each person as they spoke their plans for the next few months. His eyes did momentarily stop at Lady Kathryn who managed to eat a comically large block of cheese without unhinging her jaw. He put down his fork. Otherwise the conversation proceeded without much excitement as they all listed their plans for the season, though one lacking point in Lady Kathryns plans did catch his attention.

After wiping away a straw bit of jam from his lips BlackBerry turned to Lady Kathryn with goading grin. “And no plans for our battle then, Miss Knight? Poor show, poor show indeed. Why just last night I recall you saying ‘I get you into a good hold, or on your back and you’re pretty f-’” His mind suddenly sounded the alarm demanding a course correction. The goading look was wiped away in the sudden panic. “in-in trouble. That is what you said, and I am not a man who backs down from such challenges.”

“But before then, Victoria, may I join you to Southmoor this morning? I wish to buy a few articles of clothing more suitable for the oncoming months.” As if on cue a small breeze slipped around the Manors guard making the Dragonborn shiver and pull his jacket closer to him. “I would also see about sending off a letter or two home if possible.” He then added with a chuckle. “No dances or the like anytime there soon unfortunately, and no doubt any dances I know would pale in comparison to yourselves.”

“Before I forget, Madame L’Rose. Might I offer my services to help around the stables? I admit I am not an expert in the care of animals but I have grown somewhat attached to Old Boy, our mule, and would appreciate some tutelage on his care in return for doing any odd jobs that may need an extra hand or two before the first snow.”

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: Coach House -> Manor House Terrace Action: Food! Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 5/5

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“Ha!” His barking laughter bounced around the room at Kosaras loose bet. “Oh yes, I could very well see Young Lizbeth frightening such beasts, haha! Let them wait see her after a seasons tutelage with Lady Kathryn and yourself, then! Then! They will no doubt know true fear and think twice before attacking again.” BlackBerry continued to chuckle fondly at the thought when he was passed the second batch of dough.

The kitchen then began to fill with the sound of bread sizzling in the pan then shortly followed by the delicious spiced aroma of cooking bread and meat as Kosara worked her magic, dashing between the skillet and the other counter top she was chopping and preparing meat on. BlackBerry breathed in delightful smells of cooking shortly before his stomach sounded its own appreciation.
While kosara talked, he settled back into the motions of kneading the second batch of dough, and then snapped his head towards her when she confirmed his suspicions. But as she continued talking and explaining those suspicions seemed less confirmed and more…not quite not confirmed? His polite smile faltered while his eyes jumped around the room trying to track Kosaras line of thinking with minimal success. He settled on ‘confirmed, but wanting to be more confirmed’.

With the final set of flat-breads done, BlackBerry promptly found himself being verbally dragged from the Coach House with only just enough time to inform the cleaner they were heading out to the manor for the day. He scurried after Kosara along the path towards the manor despite stopping repeatedly, taken aback by the sheer size of the vineyard and its beauty all laid out upon the land into polite sections, and organise by neat lines of slate. On their journey the pair passed a few stout workmen heading the opposite direction, BlackBerry offering a more subdued version of Kosaras frantic waving, murmuring amongst themselves about footprints which brought him to a slow stop. He turned his head back and forth between the workmen heading towards the stable in the distance, and then to Kosara striding away towards the Manor. Mentally adding another topic to his rapidly growing list he then hurried after Kosara with one last look over his shoulder towards the workmen.

Upon reaching the Manor, BlackBerry ended up following his nose more than Cecily’s instructions around towards rear of the building and found it thankfully more shielded from the brisk wind. Much to his delight he had arrived before anyone had started eating so he saw the marvellous array of foodstuffs swarming the table while nearly blocking anyone sitting on the other side from view.

“Good Morning to you all! My goodness gracious this is a feast, and then some! Have we missed much? I see that all have arrived and we are ready to begin I do hope.” BlackBerry, ever one to think of tasty food, wasted no time in finding a spot at the table between the pastries and baked apples. His ravenous hands lunged towards the unsuspecting treats but stopped short with a sudden jerk. “My apologies, where are my manners? Would anyone like a drink of uuhh…Tea? Milk? or…I’m not entirely sure what this may be.” He listed off the drinks as he lifted lids and peered into the pots with the last being a black, very bitter smelling drink.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: x / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: Coach House (Kitchen) Action: Making flatbreads Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 5/5

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BlackBerry, ever one to lend a hand, set to his task as instructed by Kosara kneading the dough on the counter top (after being given a quick wipe down for cleanliness). It was surprising how the dough was just like…regular bread dough, he wasn’t entirely sure why he had expected otherwise but he had.

Copying the motions he had seen countless times from the cooks at home he set to work rolling and twisting the dough as best he could. The dough stretched away from him under the heel of his hand and then its top folded back over towards him again in a rhythmic motion. At first it was like a sticky paste latching onto every part it touched of his hands and the counter underneath, even the initial defensive scattering of flour had been no use!

But BlackBerry bravely persisted on in his charge.

“So, Kosara, just to clarify.” He half turned to face Kosara tending to the fire while he continued to wrestle the dough into submission. “If something did spook the Ankhegs earlier what do you suppose it might be? Perhaps the creature did not in fact hunt down the sheep but maybe even came across the animals after the fact? Someone mentioned they mostly ate dirt, did they not?”

The dough stuck to the counter top in thin sticky patches. Putting the main body of the dough to one side he tried to pull and pick at the patches but without much luck. He settled, with a grumble, for dusting his hand with flour and rubbing the patches up into little balls to join the rest of the dough. Give the counter another defensive sprinkling of flour he resumed his struggle.

“If I recall correctly Barbal and Tarace mentioned there had been some trouble for a while. But if it were anything other than Laurents sheep going missing they neglected to mention it. Perhaps we might ask some of the work hands about it all?”

He let the thought roll around in his skull as he rolled the dough across the counter top. It was a surprisingly soothing exercise; kneading the dough as if it were his worries and thoughts upon the counter top being worked from a sticky uncooperative mass, until its is smooth and soft to the touch. He was surprised to find his hands were surprisingly clean aside from a bit of residue. The dough came away from the counter top without even a trace left behind.

“I believe this is ready?” He ambled towards Kosara, and handing the dough over for her to do as she would. “Hopefully we shan’t be late to breakfast. I wonder if they’ll have pancakes, or a nice bit of porridge with baked apples.”

For the remainder of their time he was content to simply watch Kosara work her magic with a frying pan and demonstrate skills rivalling Victorias skill with her violin. But then, a thought, a question, popped into his head.

“Kosara, if it is not to forward of me to ask this…we have only known each other for a short time.” BlackBerry suddenly found a very interesting bit of the ceiling to look at whilst scratching his chin. His sense of decorum fought valiantly against his curiosity and general nosey-ness, but it was doomed from the start. “You seemed very attached to Lady Kathryn last night, and earlier you two had exchanged ‘friendship rings’. I do not intend to pry of course.” He lied. Lying through his teeth he finally looked at Kosara. “But…well…are you two?”

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: N/A Action: Insight 5 Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: x/5

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BlackBerry stared down at Urmdrus felt the mans eyes bore into his own. The moment after his joke dragged on painfully. Between the group apparently not meeting the mans standards for amounts of piss, and BlackBerry’s joke it seemed to him that they were not making the best impression. BlackBerry’s grin twitched with uncertainty as the second continued to stretch and fill with dread. And then the moment snapped to the sounds of the dwarfs laughter. BlackBerry’s grin went from wavering in fear to splitting his face with relief, even a small chuckle of his own at the Dwarf’s appreciative bumps on his arm.

As the others began to sort themselves out, Victoria and Lizbeth making to follow after Madame L’Rose out of the taproom, BlackBerry thought over the exchange he had witness moments prior which he had caught the tail end of. For a moment a less than charitable side of him wondered if there was something else going on; he had caught Lizbeth Volunteering himself and the others to lend a hand earning her a sharp look from Madame L’Rose. A shamefully less than charitable side of his wondered if Madame L’Rose was hiding something from them but thinking it over again he didn’t think that was the case and was more likely just the stress of the last few days and week was getting to the poor woman.

“Thank you kindly Madame L’Rose. We shall see you shortly!” He bid Madame L’Rose, Lizbeth, and Victoria, an excited farewell and closed the door behind them.

In the following silence he turned to look at Lady Kathryn who had answered the mystery of the wine barrels outside. “May I ask as to why you had several barrels out in the courtyard this morning.” He then blinked and tilted his head to the side. “Where did you even find those barrels?”

To the offer of joining Lady Kathryn for a walk he raise his hand and shook his head. “Perhaps, Lady Kathryn, another time I shall join you. For now though, Kosara, if I may lend a hand in making ‘flatbread’ with you? Though I will admit I am not entirely sure what it is but I can hazard a guess.” His . But they did have a time limit “If they do not take too long to make or even need any particular ingredient?”

“It does seem that Madame L’Rose has a lot on her plate at the moment. I am sure she will appreciate us making a meal or bringing some food with us.” His voice took on a seldom heard sombre tone which filled the quiet left in their visitors wake.“I think I shall reiterate my offer of a helping hand to her over breakfast whilst we are here, or until she is able to sort out her troubles.”

“Even poor Lizbeth seems left somewhat paranoid now. I would wager a hefty penny some of her eagerness to train comes from that.” The look of worry returned to his face and his gaze seemed to settle somewhere in the middle distance. “But still…I wonder…perhaps something else is happening.”

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: N/A Location: The Coach House (taproom) Action: N/A Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 5/5

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In the excitement of everything BlackBerry had been sitting down after greeting Madame L’Rose and Master Urmurdrus as they arrived respectively, even with Natures Calling ringing madly at him to get a bloody move on. As Lady Kathryn picked up and then added onto his little joke he threw her a friendly wink. Now he was back up on his feet and manoeuvring himself as quickly as he could without crossing his legs towards the door, but with a quick thumbs up of ‘thanks’ towards Kosara for answering his question in Lady Kathryns stead.

“If you two are to battle then at least allow the rest of us to watch.” BlackBerry threw over his shoulder to Victoria and Kosara exchanging, hopefully, only joking barbs at each other. “I am sure it would make a marvellous spectacle at the very least.”

Deciding to leave the rest of the conversation to the others, BlackBerry set his mind to upholding his end of the groups arrangement. Slipping out the door past Master Urmurdrus, BlackBerry stepped back out into the courtyard, closing said door behind him to keep in the warmth for everyone else, and promptly felt the brisk mid morning air give him a tender slap in the face. His breath briefly became fog in front of him as he let out an obligatory, “Brrrrr, still chilly this morning.”, in response.

Staring ahead it was then that he noticed the barrels tied to either end of a wooden stick sitting patiently in the centre of the courtyard. His brow, yet again for the nth time that morning, furrowed into mild puzzlement. He was mid turn back to open the door again before he decided against it, at least for now. Currently he had more urgent matters to attend to.

Rather frustratingly Master Urmurdrus had only provided two buckets between the four of them, and a quick check that went no further than deciding which was half full and which was half empty, Kosara and Victoria had made use of both of them separately. BlackBerry briefly considered making use of a different bucket given Kosara had said there were two clean ones in the shed.

No, he reminded himself, one should never mix lavatory and water buckets.

BlackBerry very carefully collected the half empty bucket and then found himself some privacy in one of the vacant rooms. A few minutes later, BlackBerry gingerly placed the now fuller bucket back and feeling very much relieved. Then after a quick wash of the hands with some water from the well he turned his attention back to the barrels still patiently waiting at the courtyards centre.

A brand new mystery to solve. He doubted Madame L’Rose would have been able to carry them, and he was somewhat certain he hadn’t seen the barrels on his way down this morning. But then again he had been half asleep when coming down earlier…no, it was more likely Master Urmurdrus had brought them along with him to carry the groups offerings. Just how much did the man think they could provide?

Opening the door again, BlackBerry barged across whatever conversation might have been taking place at that moment.“Master Urmdrus, I do apologise but there is simply no polite way to say this.” BlackBerry stood to the side against the stood and gestured with his stump to the barrels in the centre of the courtyard. Jokingly he said, “I suggest you might be more piss-imistic in your expectations of what we can provide.”