Arty Fox

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 03 HP: 24 / 24 Armor Class: 15 Conditions: N/A Location: Neil & Bobs Public House Action: History on Were-Rat rumours: 13 Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A

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Were-Rats.

The ridges of BlackBerrys eyebrows rose to impressive heights.

Giant Rats, he had dealt with. Average sized bandits, he had dealt with. Supposedly, it had just been a matter of time before the Gods decided to slam the two together and throw the results at him. Thinking back on the scene from the market earlier the child did take on a more…ratty appearance, even the noises the child had made had sounded fairly rodent-like.

And Sheriff Alberlast had tasked these people to deal with them? Truly, it seemed the group had one hell of a task ahead of them.

After watching the others start their meals, (Lady Katheryn inhaling hers with a worrying speed) he finally faced the inevitable and looked to start digging into his own bowl of soup.

Tendrils of steam from the warm soup seductively wrapping around his nose with the smell of roasted butternut squash, with hints of the sharp smell of something having been slightly burnt, and something else that he couldn't place. It was a thick soup coloured to a cozy yellow-orange bespeckled by dots of brown pepper and small tufts of something green sitting below the surface. It looked wonderfully smooth and inviting.

Blackberry picked up the small bread roll he had been given and broke it into large chunks by digging his thumb in and prising it apart. To his delight the bread was soft and fresh with large, even holes throughout. He dunked a piece into the soup and idly stirred with it.

The action was something to focus on as he was lost within Robert's double speak, leading in several different directions only to end up almost exactly where he had started, and BlackBerrys eyes flicked in just as many directions as he thought it all through.

Marita mentioned Were-rats. Not were-wolves." BlackBerry corrected Robert, as politely as he could. "I suppose that would make them…Rodent-thropes?"

His eyes shot upwards as he hunted through his mind for anything he had heard about them; werewolves were common enough in stories and cautionary tales, but were-rats not so much for one reason or another.

"Thankfully I have not had any run-ins with the beasts myself." BlackBerry perked up as the memory came back to him, one from another evening spent in an open house chatting with the locals elsewhere. "However, I have heard that a city far north of here; Argentum, had the same issue, repeatedly, even."

He pulled the chunk of bread out of the soup to let the excess drain off and drip, drip, drip back into the bowl. He took the moment to shoot a glance over to Robert, then Daisy and Lea. On the one hand, he didn't want to make them worry, this was their home after all and wouldn't do any good repeating old rumours that may do nothing more than make them worry. But on the other hand, if he had any information that might help then he must have the obligation to share it, just as Victoria had done.

He continued."They were surprisingly well organised then; keeping their numbers managed, targeting the less fortunate as their victims, all so that they can stay unnoticed as long as they can, as sad as that is to say. Luckily, however, they mostly keep to larger towns, cities, and the like." Giving the locals around him an apologetic grimace, he tried to use a more upbeat tone, adding. "But, if they are organised then that also means that could be talked to, or even reasoned with. If this is the case then there might be a way to solve this problem without any bloodshed." The last bit directed at the group of adventures.

He liked Lady Kathryn's idea to try and cure the Were-Rats rather than...exterminate them.

BlackBerry plopped the now soup-soaked chunk of bread into his mouth and was wonderfully rewarded with the warm and comforting flavour of roasted butternut with sharp undertones of pepper, and no doubt several other vegetables to bulk it out. A minty taste was also in the mix, almost sour, which he figured must be from that green herb he spotted tufts of in the mix.

Victoria volunteered to go see Mr Mallard after sharing a bit more information on their current, supposed foe. Following her lead, and nodding vigorously with her compliments to the chef as he had his mouth full at that moment, BlackBerry decided on his next task.

"Well, if that's the case I would like to volunteer to try and find the Were-Rats. I imagine word has spread of Maritia and yourself regarding your employer after this morning, and any investigations you may have been doing. Other than asking around I have no affiliation with him. Although…" With second thoughts appearing, he had a spoonful of soup before continuing and deciding he may as well ask for some details at this point. "You've been doing some investigation, have you not? With the missing who have returned, how have they been changed?"

He dreaded to think of the answer, and wondered just what befell those who didn't return.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 03 HP: 24 / 24 Armor Class: 15 Conditions: N/A Location: Neil & Bobs Public House Action: Arcana Check on Geas: 4 || Insight Check on Robert: 5 Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A

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Blackberry made a face at Marita warning him against approaching another towns person.

"Granted, yes that time I did blunder, somewhat." He admitted with a shrug and a good natured smile. "You must admit, however, that her distress was not solely because of me."

He listened intently to the others as they spoke, each describing how they arrived here and their own reasons for travelling. It was an unfortunate common thread among them that they had all either lost something great, or were desperately searching for something. But as they spoke he couldn't see where they all connected before Sheriff Arbalest had employed them all.

"That is most kind of you Lady Katheryn. But for now I shall respectfully decline the offer." He spoke, and smiled with equal apology and gratitude. "As mentioned before, allowing me to accompany you all is more than enough."

The atmosphere changed with the subtlety of being smacked in the face with a dinner plate, and just like the plate, the light hearted conversation shattered.

Marita had suddenly leapt up from the table as if someone had lit a match beneath her seat. Beyond the usual noises of confusion ("Uh, bwah? What?") And snapping his head between her and the others, BlackBerry didn't even get a chance to ask what was wrong as he twisted around in his seat to follow Marita. Then Robert arrived with his task, wrenching BlackBerrys gaze back to the table. Blackberry leant forward in his seat to better see the word.

The word written on the table alone made no sense to BlackBerry, it may as well have been Dwarfish for all that he could read of it. Luckily Lady Katheryn and Victoria appeared familiar with the word and it's meanings. So what was Robert trying to get out of them with this whole stunt?

"If you were after a simple translation, you should have just asked. No need to be rude about it." The comment, to his own horror, slipped out.

BlackBerry then tried to cough to cover his blunder just as the food, mercifully, arrived. Clicking onto the table and sending up a lovely aroma of warm soup. Casting an eye towards the other bar staff, thanking them politely for the food as it arrived, he noticed that they too looked just as confused as he and the party. His appetite and the arriving soup were forgotten for the moment.

"A problem is always best solved with a full stomach and good company." He nodded in agreement to Victoria and Kosara.

But listening on as Kosara continued he felt it may have been a bit of a stretch to assume that the man before them, Robert's if he caught his name correctly, was under some sort of spell. Wasn't it?

But even so BlackBerry watched Robert as the suggestion was given. He couldn't tell if this whole thing was some sort of threat or a cry for help. To him, Robert was a firmly closed book.

"Has something of this nature happened recently, that you know of?"

Here, he was genuinely concerned. Being enchanted to do something against you will sounded absolutely awful and especially frightening if it could cause any pain or death as Victoria had described.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 03 HP: 24 / 24 Armor Class: 15 Conditions: N/A Location: Neil & Bobs Public House Action: Arcana Check on The Ring: 1 Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A

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So…there had been another member of their group who had simply left them suddenly? That didn't bode well at all.

And the more Marita explained their current situation the more questions BlackBerry had. How many people had gone missing? How long had this been going on for? Why weren't the local guards doing anything? Although, after a moment's thought, the issue of the Constable taking protection money might explain that last question.

Catching himself about to voice his own questions, he snapped his mouth close, thinking better of it. He had humbled into this situation and wasn't in much position to be asking questions the others no doubt already had had the answers to. Still…

At Maritas prompting to speak BlackBerry raised his eyebrows, almost surprised he was addressed, and replied. "Hm? Oh yes of course. I suppose I may as well."

He coughed a little to clear his throat, and to give him an extra moment to think of what to actually tell the group before him. Settling back down into his chair he began.

"Well, first and foremost I am from the Hiltoszin Monastery. Over on the Celadon Coast, if any of you know of it?."

A moment's pause to see if any in the group recognised the area. It was a large stretch of coast far off on the Eastern End of the continent, with only several fishing villages, small towns, wind battered hamlets, scenic bays and his own Monastery as its noteworthy features.

"It is a rather lovely spot, if I do say so myself. But, unfortunately, there has been some…trouble brewing, has been for quite some time actually. And my hope is to try and find someone who might be able to lend a hand, or at the very least give some direction. It's why I've been travelling out and around, lending a hand here, clearing out a group of bandits there, that sort of thing."

A buffering of rain crashed against the window, like a dark chuckle from the storm itself, made him pause. BlackBerry settled his gaze firmly on his hand resting on the table, now taping a half remembered tune softly on the stained wooden surface. He took some comfort in it whilst he took another moment to pull his thoughts together and to focus on his next breath in…and breath out. The storm would pass as all things do.

"Frustratingly though almost a year into my travels and half a continent away. I am unfortunately no closer to my goal than when I had first started." His temper flashed and slapped his hand on the table with a small bang, and his eyes returned to hopping around the party. "Every lead has been fruitless for one reason or another; no longer working, too far to travel, not enough information, wanting a frankly extortionate amount of gold both upfront and after, or has simply died in the meantime."

BlackBerry drew in a breath, sucking on his teeth, when he caught himself getting a bit too riled up with his own frustration, mixing in with embarrassment from before and the terrible unease all brewing in his stomach like the wind outside. He took another breath to steady himself.

"It was a few days ago I stumbled upon another such lead. Tales being spun in an open house and the like when someone mentioned…" For a moment he paused again. This time with a look to Marita and to consider what her own phrasing had suggested. Maybe she didn't want others to hear about them working with the Sheriff? He settled on his next words."Your employer. Apparently he had been quite an adventure in his younger years and I had hoped to meet him to ask for help."

Again Blackberrys brow furrowed deeply and pressed his lips into a thin line, clearly annoyed at the situation he had found himself in. Somewhat calmer now, he continued.

"But, alas, I may have been unwittingly led astray; being told he was in Avonshire I made my way here without knowing he was actually the next town over. No doubt you can see the source of my confusion." Motioning to Marita and Victoria he then added. "It was then that I heard Victoria mention your employer's name just after the incident. And well, now here I am."

And may the Gods please bring me some luck.

The arrival of the barmaid broke him out of his self loathing for a moment to add in his own order. "Might I also request just a bit of soup for myself please? It sounds absolutely delightful." He asked politely.

The offer of a quick job that followed caught his interest. 5 gold pieces to do a pickup. Such an amount in BlackBerry's experience carried the weight of some importance, and coupled with the generous offer of a free meal left only to accept as the one clear option in his mind.

"I'd be more than happy to lend a hand with the task as well?" he asked with a hopefully charming smile. It was a very cheeky thing to ask but there were five coins and including himself there were five people in the group.

"Oh" BlackBerry looked, surprised, from Katheryn to the others. "So did you all meet when you were asked to do this job then? And to answer your question, no I'm afraid not, I'm not familiar with Goblin Tongue." He apologised.

BlackBerry cocked his head to the side slightly towards whoever then spoke. In the meanwhile he reached back out and plucked the ring off of the table to examine it further hoping to spot any markings or runes that may suggest why the SilverSmith had apparently been so adamant they do the strange test. Tilting it this way and that, it was a handsome thing, and while BlackBerry had no experience in making such things even he could see in the way the light reflected across its smooth finish that no small amount of skill and effort had gone into making it despite how plain it looked. If he were one to wear such things, BlackBerry mused, it might have looked quite nice against his own blue scales. But even combing through remembered books and second hand tales he couldn't see anything obvious that would suggest an enchantment or spell of some kind.

After giving the ring a quick and thorough wipe on his robes, he plopped it onto his tongue to await whatever happened next. He gave it a few seconds. And then a few more. Almost a minute went by with nothing appearing to happen, he looked to the others waiting to see a reaction before he took out the ring.

"Is something supposed to happen?" He wiped the ring on his robes and then returned it to the table.

Listening to Victoria and Kosara tell their tales was heartwarming, for the most part; the former looking for adventure and to help with such enthusiasm that Blackbery couldn't help but grin as well, and the latter looking for answers for a loved one. BlackBerry felt a pang in his heart for Victoria who had lost her cousin.

"Well I do hope for the best and that you find him, Victoria. Or, at least some answers." He gave her a sympathetic smile.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 03 HP: 24 / 24 Armor Class: 15 Conditions: N/A Location: Neil & Bobs Public House Action: Drying off and introductions Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A

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Blackberry took a minute to savour the heat of the fire and work some warmth back into his hand exposed arms, savouring the bitter bitter smell which wafted up from the hearth. Casting his eyes around, he took a moment to appreciate how well put together it was inside. Despite the cold and frigid weather outside, the lashing of the rain against the windows was surprisingly quiet. The public house had clean floors and worn but sturdy furniture throughout to really cement itself as the place to be on a day such as this.

BlackBerry chewed his cheek when he spotted the price board behind the bar preaching all its wonderful and tasty sounding food that was, unfortunately, a bit out of his budget at the moment unless they had something else a bit cheaper. Maybe some nice warm soup and a slice of bread was on offer, or some cheap ale of some kind? Frankly, BlackBerry was also quite happy for anything warm and moderately fresh at this point, so long as it was edible. He cast an eye down to the small pig that had joined him by the fire and noted that it was standing very still. Rather oddly so…

Hearing Victoria talk pulled him out of the thought and he looked over just as she motioned and explained he was after their employer. He took that as his cue and stepped over and swung his bag down off of his shoulder beside another chair at the table.

"Hello there, it’s wonderful to make your acquaintance." A polite smile and a wave to the other two, with an extra nod to the Tiefling Kosara who had introduced herself outside. “My name is Blackberry. Your companions have very kindly offered to let me travel with you until you meet up with the Sheriff again."

Having now stepped up to the table, and resting an elbow upon the back of the chair, he couldn’t help but take in the rest of the conversation and wonder just what sort of mad adventure he had stumbled into this time. Looking over at the ring in Victoria's hand he couldn’t see anything particularly unusual or special about it at first glance. His eyes followed it back to the table.

“Disgusting behaviour. Especially for one of the law.” He grumbled at the mention of the Constables' behaviour. "But in any case, the rumour mill is working hard already, I see. Personally, I wouldn't go as far to say there was a monster; there was a child who changed suddenly in the middle of the street and did look rather frightful for a moment.”

He held the image in his mind for a moment; all red eyes and long teeth as the child's body writhed frantically out of his coat and then scampering away.

He looked to the woman, or so he assumed by the voice, sitting opposite him decked out in tired heavy armour. Initially he had been taken aback by her voice given her sheer height. While he didnt count himself as being tall he had gotten used to seeing over the heads of other races.

“Beg your pardon, do you require some help with your helmet?” He asked with his hand out towards her. “You appear to be having some trouble with the buckle.”

Kathryn looked over to the Dragonborn known as Blackberry. She considered his offer for help, but there was clear hesitation. She’d be vulnerable to any harm he may want to do to her, and there would be nothing to stop him if she let him. But she was stuck, and she couldn’t get the leverage to undo her near broken buckle. “That would be nice. Thank you.” She said softly trying to hide her reservations. It was nothing she had personally against Blackberry. Anyone asking she’d have a comparable reaction, she felt vulnerable easily. And the only time she let someone make physical contact with her so far was when Kosara felt her arm underneath her chainmail.

BlackBerry could hear the hesitation, possibly borderline distrust, in her voice which was completely understandable given he was a complete stranger who had introduced himself barely a minute ago. He moved around to her side of the table and Knelt down slightly to better see under her helmet so that when the woman removed her hands and tipped her head back slightly he spotted the problem immediately; the buckle's prong had bent and so was now firmly lodged in the frame leaving the poor woman trapped in her helmet.

“Ah. Worry not, I see the problem. One moment.” Using his thumb to push the strap over to the side he was able to wrap his middle finger around the prong and pull, whilst also pushing against the frame with his index and ring fingers. The Prong held defiant for a moment before popping free, letting Blackberry undo the strap.“There we are. And through the grace of the Gods, you are thusly made free!”

He moved his hand up towards the top of her helmet to grab it and pull it off for her, but then BlackBerry thought better of it before he grabbed the helmet and instead put his hand on the table to push himself back up. The ring caught his attention again as he stretched back up. Sitting there on the table's surface it looked plain as anything and without a care in the world. But it must obviously have something going on if the Silversmith really asked for it to be used for a test

“Was the test simply to place it on your tongue?” He asked, eyeing the ring and deciding to give it a closer look once Marita had done her own test. “I assume theres an enchantment of some kind upon it?”

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Kathryn's response was written by @Remipa Awesome

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 03 HP: 24 / 24 Armor Class: 15 Conditions: N/A Location: Neil & Bobs Public House Action: Drying off and introductions Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A

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BlackBerry let out a relieved sigh as apparently his fumble wasn't so severe for the other two to take back their offer.

The woman he now knew to be Marita left no room for disagreement to meet up with the rest of their companions. So he simply gave a little nod and marched after her through the now near abandoned streets.

“A pleasure to meet you both. You may call me Blackberry."

Ah so there were more of them? BlackBerry had the distinct feeling he was missing something here; depending on how many more had been sent to Avonshire it could mean something very serious was afoot.

Could it be related to the disappearances?

He pushed the question away for now. He hadn't started off on the right foot so now was not the time to be asking such questions.

"Again, I must thank you, both of you, for allowing me to accompany you. If there is anything I can do to repay you for such kindness. Please do not hesitate to ask."

The idea of a nice, warm Hayloft and the enticing drink Victoria had suggested helped keep Blackberrys mood from plummeting, and kept the bitter chill of the wind and rain mostly at bay.

"Have you and your companions had a chance to enjoy the festival?" He asked Marita in an attempt to brush away the awkwardness of meeting someone new. "There was a rather marvellous celebration the other day, around here actually, dancing all across the fountain."

Blackberry listened and continued to try to make some idle conversation with the other two while letting them both lead him to a section of the town he hadn’t yet explored yet and then on into the nearby Public House. Warmth and the welcoming smell of a food roasting somewhere out of view enveloped him like a cosy blanket when he stepped in and he couldn’t help but let out a sigh as he pulled down his hood, grateful to escape the horrid weather.

He stood off a little to the side towards the fire to try and dry himself off at least a little bit, and so the others could talk amongst themselves for a moment to discuss their own matters in private if need be. The other two people Victoria and Marita had greeted outside looked similarly battle hardened and well travelled as they did.

Yes. He thought. Definitely a group of adventurers.

So in all, now including the heavily armoured human woman and thinly veiled tiefling woman, it looked like Sheriff Arbalest had only sent four people to town. Now, either they were all very good at their work or whatever issue they had been sent to deal with wasn’t too serious. Blackberry’s eyes darted over their equipment and made him lean more towards the former option.

Hopefully he still had some money for some food and drink…

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 03 HP: 24 / 24 Armor Class: 15 Conditions: N/A Location: Township Thoroughfare Action: Pestering the locals (Persuasion) Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A

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Again, Blackberry felt that horrid horrid flush of foolishness. He should have asked for more details about Avonshire before setting off to avoid this…oh well. No use crying over spilt milk.

“Ah I see.” He nodded at the women's explanation of their employment.

Whether they worked for Sheriff Arbalest on a long term basis or not didn’t make much of a difference to him. He paused for a moment when asked what his business with Sheriff Arbalest.

Best not burden them with it all just now as I am clearing stepping on some toes. He thought.

“There's been…some trouble near my home. I’ve been travelling for a while trying to find some aid but, alas, no luck so far. So I have been forced to follow rumours of famous heroes and the like. Admittedly, the Sheriff is just the latest in a rather long line of such.” A tired sigh escaped him and he quickly turned away.

Thunder crashed overhead like a laughing crowd. Evidently, Beshaba, Goddess of Misfortune was having a wonderful day. Casting an angry glare skyward Blackberry placed his hand on his chest, feeling his heart beating like a drum beneath, and let out a deep breath.

“Absolutely!” He grinned ecstatically at the offer to accompany them. “I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate the offer. You will not regret it I assure you!”

Pushing his way forward through the crowd he aimed to leave a bit of a wake behind him so the others could follow with relative ease. He pulled up some of the fabric around his neck like a hood against the rain as he continued to explain over his shoulder.

“As for providing assistance I can hold my own in a fight, if needed.” He grinned, baring sharp teeth, and clenched his fist first emphasis before letting out a chuckle. “Although let’s hope nothing of that nature comes up.”

Catching up with the vegetable woman, Blackberry put on his calming smile again hoping not to intimidate her.

“Of course, please, you have nothing to worry about. I’m simply a concerned individual trying to understand what is happening. I shan’t take up much of your time.” He explained with an open palm. “I am curious as to how you know the child from a moment ago. The one who…changed, just now.” He pointed a finger back down the street to where the scene had taken place. “I heard you mention that you knew him.”

The lady pushing the cart looks nervous enough, and while she seems that she might be the gossiping type, she clams up fast. "You seem like a nice ...boy? Right now I'm trustin' all of two folk in this town. I'm married to one, an' the other's not you. I aim to be behind walls, quick as I'm able." The woman resumes pushing her cart away a step faster than before.

His smile dropped and was replaced with a look of panic.This wasn’t going to plan at all!

“Ah-wait, no please, just a moment...”

But no luck, and Blackberry couldn’t help but wince watching the woman leave at a furious pace. He took a step or two forward as if to give chase but then thought better of it. Last thing he needed was to draw attention to himself by harassing some poor towns person. He turned and gave the pair a reproachful look. He had well and truly stuck his foot in it just then and knew it.

“Admittedly, that did not go to plan.”

Oh dear Gods PLEASE let their offer still stand.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 03 HP: 24 / 24 Armor Class: 15 Conditions: N/A Location: Township Thoroughfare Action: Lending a hand Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A

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His smile dropped.

"Oh. Well then... That's rather unfortunate."

BlackBerry clicked his tongue in thought and tried to distract himself from his immense feeling of foolishness. As the other two described it he might have just missed the Sheriff, possibly by a few days…and by going in completely the wrong direction.

"Last person I had spoken to assured me he was in Avonshire." Muttering to himself more than anything. "Oh well. Can't be helped I suppose."

His frown only deepened as the heavens began to open in a clear indication that he had, in fact, been on the wrong path. He threw a silent curse skywards and to whichever of the gods were no doubt having a good laugh at his expense.

"From the sounds of things you work with Sheriff Arbalest? The pair of you?" He stared down at the little pig when it had trundled up to the violet clad woman. "...oh, I apologise. The three of you?" He chuckled, a gentle smile already put back into place.

It was rather strange for the little pig to be wrapped up, but then again some of the other adventures he'd seen on his travels weren't any less strange at times. He supposed describing it as the pair working for the Sheriff was a bit generous, as the way the Violet clad one explained it sounded more like she owed the Sheriff a favour. He hadn’t been able to stop himself from tilting his head a little in some surprise when she had explained. That aside, if it were true that the Sheriff had sent some of his own from Darenby then maybe things are more dire around Avonshire than BlackBerry had first thought; he'd only been in Avonshire for roughly two days, but the innkeeper had warned him to be careful with people going missing lately. Although,

"You wouldn't perhaps know when the Sheriff might return, do you? It's rather important."

It was a (very) long shot he knew that but hoped this did not show on his face. But even if they said no he could either make his own way to Darenby and await Sheriff Arbalests return, however long that might take; or possibly even try to find his cousin instead, here in Avonshire. Had he heard something about Sheriff Albelast having a cousin? BlackBerry decided to mull over that tidbit of information later.

Right now however, Blackberry needed to focus.; his first priority was getting in contact with Sheriff Arbalest which the two women before him seemed to be his best so far. On a related note, it looked like they were in the middle of an important mission so he may as well lend a hand as best he could…they were after that young boy for some reason.

"Again I apologise for taking up your time. However, I do believe that I might be able to help you if you so need." Pulling himself under some cover out of the rain, BlackBerry began to scan over the heads of the crowd.

"I was just behind the man who laid those accusations against you when the child…" he rolled his hand trying to find the word, still snapping his eyes back and forth across the moving crowd. "changed just now, for lack of a better word. And I'm certain I heard someone say that they knew him. Unfortunately, I was somewhat distracted at the time but she had a pushcart with her, filled with vegetables or possibly fruit. With a bit of luck, she might know something."

He narrowed his eyes trying to see through the gaps in the crowd of people ducking their heads or pulling up hoods against the fat raindrops splashing all about them. There! Through a break in the crowd he caught sight of her as she paused for a moment to pull her own hood.

"Ah ha!" Jabbing out a finger, he cried. "Over there! I've spotted her by the baker's stall."

He stepped forward again with the intention to follow after the stocky woman if the other two chose to do so.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 03 HP: 24 / 24 Armor Class: 15 Conditions: N/A Location: Township Thoroughfare Action: Arrival and Introductions Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A

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“Pardon me, sir. A moment of your time?”

“Sorry mate, ain’t got anything,”

“No I wasn’t go-oh, never mind.”

“Madam, sorry to bother you. Could I just ask…no? Oh okay, too busy. Very well.”

“Please may I jus-ah well, excuse me then!”

Around, and around, the blue dragonborn went through the streets and markets trying to ask for some help. Blackberry had thought at least one person would’ve been able to help him out. But frustratingly no such luck, even those kind enough to stop and listen hadn’t been much help.

He found a bit of wall to lean against in an attempt to take a bit of weight off his feet for a moment, and cast his eyes to the clouds above for a sign he was on the right track. After searching the blanket of clouds that hid the sun he pondered that maybe the overcast weather was in fact the sign he wasn’t on the right track…

“Best not to entertain such thoughts.” He told himself with a deep breath to pull himself back off the wall.

Pushing back into the roving crowd of harried parents, tourists, and locals, Blackberry hunted the crowd for a friendly looking face. Being roughly a head taller than most of the humans in Avonshire this wasn’t too difficult itself, but what was difficult was his original problem of getting anyone to even speak to him; tourists had no idea what he was on about, and locals wanted nothing to do with him thinking he was just another tourist.

Suddenly, there was a commotion somewhere behind him and his gaze followed the rest of the crowd around him that had come to a rumbling halt, to stare at what was happening in the centre of a growing hole in the mass of people. Standing only one person behind the commotion he had the perfect view to see a human woman decked in stunning chain armour with an iron grip on a child's arm who, from the sounds of it, had been caught spying. Possibly spying on the armoured woman?

The poor boy looked scared enough to die on the spot, and Blackberry tried to take a step forward to intervene. But then the boy changed; his eyes reddened, his teeth appeared to grow, and even his limbs appeared to change shape as well.

“By the gods!” His breath caught in his throat.

The crowd around him gasped in horror, and reeled back in fear and revulsion when the boy slipped out of the armoured womans grip and sprang across the ground, through the parting crowd. The boy was far too low for Blackberry to see where he went.

"What did you do to him?" A fearful cry.

The crowd shifted again to cast a furious gaze at the Armoured Woman, and Blackberry opened his mouth in an attempt to at least calm the people around him, but he needn’t have bothered as a woman he assumed to be an elf in a stunningly purple outfit arrived to defend the Armoured Woman (her companion?) and even quell the rising tension in the crowd with her words. From the sounds of it, she and the Armoured woman were working to help Avonshire and the offhand accusation from one of the townsfolk that they had done something had understandably been a bit much for her. Backberry wanted to step forward then, seeing the Elven woman cover her face to hold back a the tears.

"...Sherif Arbalest.."

Had his attention not already been hooked by the woman, her mentioning Sheriff Arbalest would have made Blackberry snap his gaze to her. Could it be? Could she know Sheriff Gregory Arbalest? Regardless, with the immediate worry of the crowd turning ugly now resolved he decided now was as good a time as any to get some answers.

He waited a few moments for the crowd to calm down a bit more before he stepped out and towards the pair. He kept his strides slow and steady to not upset his robes even as the wind around picked up for a moment. Blackberry knew his appearance could be a bit much for some so tried his best to look as non-threatening as possible; calm smile, warm eyes, low and gentle tone of voice, the works.

“Pardon me. May I trouble you for a moment? I do apologise, as I can see that you have more pressing matters but I really must ask.”

Blackberry tried to keep his smile calm and friendly but he was aware of the twinge of excitement slipping into his voice.

“You mentioned a ‘Sheriff Arbalest’. Would that perhaps be Sheriff Gregory Arbalest?; I’ve been asking around the town for him but, unfortunately, without any luck thus far.”

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

"Blackberry"

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Baronfjørd "Blackberry" Chedgusah

Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), 3

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STR: 11(+0) DEX: 18 (+4) CON: 15 (+2) INT: 11 (+0) WIS: 15 (+2) CHA: 12 (+1)

HP MAX: 40 Armor Class: 16 Movement: 40 ft Spell DC: 13
Ki: 5

Alignment: LG Defenses: Lightning

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Full Character Sheet

Feats
Piercer
-> +1 Dex
-> Once per turn, when you hit a creature with an attack that deals piercing damage, you can re-roll one of the attack’s damage dice, and you must use the new roll.
-> When you score a critical hit that deals piercing damage to a creature, you can roll one additional damage die when determining the extra piercing damage the target takes.

Description

A somewhat battered looking dark blue dragon-born appears to be in his mid twenties, missing his right arm almost to the shoulder, and his right horn as well. Despite, or in spite of it, he holds himself tall. Calm blue eyes flick about himself almost constantly, betraying his otherwise slow movements and neutral smile.

Preferring to wear loose fitting wrap around of bright reds, oranges, and otherwise bright colours but will if needed change into more suitable clothing. However, he will always wear a large piece of cloth around his neck, at first glance it's just a scarf but when unfurled it's clearly a piece of a torn sail.

As expected, he carries what little he owns upon his back.

Personality

Blackberry is a very jovial and loud person who barely pays much thought to the words coming out of his mouth sometimes, but rarely does he mean anything insulting by his words and will quickly apologise if he does cross anyone. Despite his measured and slow movements, there is an anxious energy to him; he’s always wanting to be doing something, or looking at something, or even just moving about on the spot. Even his eyes seem incapable of staying still for long.

A terrible habit he’s formed since leaving his home is spending or giving away money nearly as quickly as he gets it, wanting to try out new things, foods, and drinks, or otherwise help out someone less fortunate than himself.

Sometimes though he goes very quiet and will stare off into the distance like he’s listening to something no one else can hear. It's mostly the sound of waves that sets this off.

Unfortunately as well he can be very blunt when it comes to someone else's loss of a loved one, or even a stranger dying as well. In his own words; “They're Dead, that’s it. Nothing more, nothing less.”

Backstory

His early years were pretty standard to begin with; born to the Roving Claw Caravan, his days were spent travelling near all year round with his family, and any number of others who would come and go on the routes with the seasons. As far as Baronfjørd can remember, his early years were of peace and simple joys. That is until one day, they took a different route one bitter and frigid winter, he doesn't know why they changed route as he was too young to remember anything in great detail apart from the fear in the voices of grownups and the driving the horses very quickly through several towns.

Their destination was a little port town, and it was the first time Baronfjørd ever saw a ship. But something was very wrong that day; the grownups were rushing about packing everything they could carry in their bags, people were crying either quietly or loudly, and strange people led the horses away. Baronfjørd remembers crying in his Mothers arms as she took him up and onto the ship, and watching the land behind them grow smaller in the distance until it vanished from sight with the sun shining brightly above them.

But something went terribly wrong. Something attacked the boat. Something big tore its hull apart. Something gazed into Baronfjørdas debris pulled him down into the depths. Something lodged in his mind.

The next thing Baronfjørd remembers is waking up in a not uncomfortable bed, in a not uncomfortable room, where a human man was taking care of him. The man, he later came to know as Brother Rorvil (The Infirmarer) explained that he had been found among the remains of driftwood on the beach below the Monastery, with a death grip on a bit of sail, and had been in their care for several days. Sadly, no other survivors turned up. After the storm Blackberry had been the only one to wash up, but while he had survived his right arm unfortunately had taken most of the damage and despite their efforts it couldn’t be saved.

“It was very ‘touch and go’ for a while there lad; we thought we nearly lost you at times.” - Brother Rorvil

The child didn’t speak, he didn’t say a single word. And this would go on for a long time. Unable to get any information out of him, even his name remained a mystery to them, there wasn’t anything for the monks of Hiltoszin Monastray could do. In her Great Generosity the Abotess Conall Mirastina decided that the child may as well stay with them as he was already acting as Brother Rorvils shadow; never straying far from the man throughout the day and sometimes trying to help out, even if he would often get in the way of things.

And so the simple days went on to simple weeks and then months, and the Child settled into Monastery life with the other children. Of course there were some problems; any sighting of ships out on the sea would send the poor Child into hysterics and Rorvil noticed that on exceptionally quiet days and the sound of the ocean could carry in through open windows would leave the poor Child still as a statue, staring blindly ahead. Brother Rorvil did his best to care for the child and found the child was apparently happiest with something to do.

One day, the Child was asked to help the cooks prepare for a luxurious feast they were to hold for a holiday with the neighbouring village Calabelle. With a few other children, he helped carry ingredients from the store rooms or packed away jars, bottles, and rolls into bags to keep them fresh. Of course, they were all happily rewarded for their hard work at the end of the day being allowed to help themselves to several treats. When Brother Rorvil arrived and asked what treats the children had.

With flakes of pastry down his robe, the Child cried out, “Blackberry!”, and wiped across his mouth making the smear of fruit jam that much worse.

The years passed on, and the nickname Blackberry stuck just like the sticky jam. Much of his life before the Monastery is now forgotten as he happily continued his days with religious study and prayer, and soon enough onto battle training as well. While his lacking limb did pose a bit of a boundary, no one could say Blackberries fighting abilities were anything less than superb, and he proved himself more than capable on a few occasions when the village Calabelle, called upon the Monastery for aid.

Finally. Terribly. A horrible storm battered the coast. Curling in on himself, Blackberry stared blindly ahead of himself, both in his bed and somewhere so very far away. He could hear something, something his ears swore they couldn't hear but his mind was certain it did; a horrid voice that called but the unholy din of the wind against rafters drowned out whatever it was saying. Someone crashed through the door, casting bright light onto him, shouting a boat had been spotted going under out at sea.

The beach was wreathing with activity when Blackberry had arrived, people with lanterns squirting out to sea through the torrential downpour. A flash of lighting illuminated a shape in the distance, a ship's mast snapping under the sharp wist of a writhing mass. Someone shouted towards it as the lightning fade and luckily a visiting adventure had enough magic might to pull the ship, magical light pulling the boat out from the darkness, and what remained of it onto the beach.Bodies were pulled out of it and hurried up to the Monastery but despite best efforts they didn’t survive, either passing that night or in the following days.

All perished, but one; Blackberry was there when the young dwarf awoke from her painful slumber, he was there as she, barely older than he had been, asked where she was and where her family had gone. He was there when she went very quiet, and he was there when she started to cry.

History likes to repeat itself. The child followed Blackberry as he went about his duties, and Melody became like his own shadow. He saw first hand how, despite how she appeared fine, the experience had left its wounds on her. Melody shared his own hatred of water, and she too descended into hysterics as he had done at the sight of a sailing boat on the horizon. During storms he would have to either pull himself out his own paralyzing panic to comfort her, or otherwise arrange one of his Brothers to do so.

He hated it. He hated it. He hated it.He hated it so much the burning rage set his very soul alight with fury.

Something had to be done, someone had to destroy that creature that had caused so much agony, not just to himself but to Melody, and Gods knew how many countless others. So with the Abottess’ blessing, and some generously donated supplies, he set off to do just that.

To begin with he had trawled the Monastery itself for any information of the beast but all he found were the few stories or diary entries from years so long, long ago. The same happened when he sought out the neighboring villages, and the sailors and fisherman at ports all gave a similar answer.

"Sorry lad." The man shrugged as he gutted the fish in his hands. "The Beast don't show up much. Last time before that girl showed up was when you did. An'before then was during my grannies time."

A few months, and a few small adventures keeping local monsters in check, and Blackberry is still no closer to his goal than when he first started.There was some hope though, where there was talk of a Beast attacking boats further along the shore and following those rumors led him through other Ports and seaside towns with their own tales of the wretched Beast, appearing suddenly and seemingly at random across the years to terrorized sailors on stormy nights, only to disappear without a trace. But Blackberry wasn't just after information about the BEast,; he was also after people who could help defeat through either means or funds, and while several names cropped up along his travels there was one in particular that had caught his attention...

Sheriff Gregory Arbalest, a man of some renown for his own adventures and service to his country during a War sometime in the past, and for his efforts he had been rewarded his retirement in Avonshire. The man had apparently spent some time seafaring and fighting pirates and monsters of his own! (or at least, that's what the people at the bar had said...)

Without another lead to go on, Blackberry set back out onto the road heading towards Avonshire looking for Sheriff Gregory Arbalest in the hopes for aid in his quest.

Bestiary

None. As cute as animals are, they're a pain to take care of.

Extras

Likes:
Jams of any and all kinds.

Dislikes:
Big bodies of water like lakes, wide rivers, and the ocean in general.

Other:
The Astral Arms he summons burn like fire without heat.
He settles into a boxer's stance, using his left arm to defend against incoming attacks, whilst using his Astral arms to land his own.

Another front line fighter and possibly tank plus a bit of lightning to shock the enemies with!

Edited: 23/07/2022 hopefully corrected the numbers
Edited: Added Mythweavers CS
Edited: 01/08/2022 updated History slightly
Edited: 07/04/2022 Updated Mythweavers CS and stat block for level 5

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

@Sigil Updated the CS with changes to the text colour to one that I don't think any of the active characters are using and added a bit more to the history to tie things together :)

As for equipment I think I'll keep it to the starting equipment for now, keeps things simple and I wouldn't class the small adventures he's been on as anything that would give any cool prizes really.

Let me know what you think when you can!