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: 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.”

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: Persuasion (8) Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 5/5

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BlackBerry’s attention returned to Lady Kathryn for a bit as the knight came back to herself. He stood beside her with concern and worry for the poor knight who seemed very shaken by her experience for a moment, even nearly dropping her mug of ale. But then the moment passed and Lady Kathryn seemed her usual chipper self again by the time she had hopped off the table. BlackBerry shrugged off his concerns deciding it probably wasn’t best to press anything.

“Oh no Dear Lady Kathryn it has been many centuries in fact.” The joke, made in poor taste, slipped out before he could stop it.

“Before you go good sir, I must say I do hope we have not caused you too much concern with our Bard and Ladys’ performances of magic extraordinary.” Patting the mans shoulder reassuringly he then whispered in a conspiratorial manner to the man. “Please do pass on our apologies to you partner as I believe she may have ran half way to the next county by now. We had hoped to simply impress Young Lizbeth as thanks for all her work though I do admit we may have done so in a less than exemplary manner.”

BlackBerry then let the poor man escape to his cleaning duties, though likely trying to find his wife first. The mans departure was then very quickly followed by the arrival of Madame L’Rose who BlackBerry greeted politely, “Good Morning, Madame L’Rose. Do make yourself comfortable. We were just discussing when best to return your young niece to you.”, and then closing the door behind her in an effort to let the room warm up again.

Like a bolt from a crossbow, Young Lizbeth jumped in to answer her Aunts questioning with feverish excitement. It was rather charming actually to see the young girl so excited to share what she had seen. But this was cut short by Madame L’Rose herself to instead inform them of a change of plans for the morning.

Just as BlackBerry opened his mouth to reply a horrid gust of wind heralded the opening of the front door, again, and the arrival of Master Urmdrus.

“Piss buckets?” BlackBerry repeated, and then echoed. “Piss buckets? Piss buckets!”
Slapping his forehead, BlackBerry remembered with crystal clarity the deal the party had struck on the evening before. Natures Call returned to him and made it very clear that it would not be ignored a second time without consequences.

“Dreadfully sorry Master Urmdrus but it has been a rather exciting morning. I have yet to ah, fulfil my end of the arrangement, which I shall do so presently. Do excuse me everyone. I shan’t be too long. Lady Kathryn, the other bucket, where is it?”

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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BlackBerry watched Victorias movements intently, eyes jumping between the various tools and materials the bard employed to weave her spell and bend the order of the world to her desire. He had seen the way her magic manifested less than a handful of times and seeing the rivulets of black pour from her eyes he was reminded of the phrase ‘The eyes are windows to the soul’ and silently hoped it was nothing more than poetry. He took in an involuntary gasp, his stomach dropped, as the air in the room became suddenly heavy, stifling, suffocating in its closeness swirling with arcane energies. As their necromatically-inclined-bard continued her magic it seemed all eyes and attentions had been caught in her grasp, Only Kosara was safe by busying herself with ferrying buckets in and out of the kitchen which BlackBerry had little care or time to pay attention to at that moment.

For all his protesting against this trick of Victorias he had to admit, part of him was morbidly curious. Victoria was right in a way; Death was the ultimate equaliser of all without thought for ones station of upbringing. The idea that Music somehow helped her to better understand the apparent magic around Death, a downward turn of his mouth and brow mirrored his lack of understanding, meant she only somewhat met his mental image of a Necromancer wielding bones from gods knew where. When at last the spell had been placed and Lady Kathryn had let out her last breath BlackBerry was right alongside the other two peering over the large woman's body and watched Lizbeth raise the arm only for it to drop limply back to the table. Even after on of the cleaners had fled in abject terror, Lizbeth continued to pour over Lady Kathryns semi-corpse state with enthusiastic wonder. Clearly the young lady’s curiosity and insatiable appetite for knowledge knew no bounds. BlackBerry wondered if this was something he’d have to prepare for or if it was just Lizbeth.

Humouring Lizbeths questions, Victoria explained that while Lady Kathryn looked as dead as a door nail she was actually alive. Mostly alive anyway but the state she was probably in didn’t sound much more appealing. He let out a breath he hadn’t realised he had been holding, and then promptly retook it at the ‘Yet’ Victoria added around actually bringing people back.

“Perhaps keep that last bit to yourself, Miss Victoria.” BlackBerry said, his attempt at a whisper, from the opposite side of the not-quite-dead Lady Kathryn. “Let us just settle for waking the not-quite-dead first. Yes?”

As Victoria continued to answer Young Lizbeths questions, BlackBerry instead took it upon himself to pick up the drink Lady Kathryn had dropped earlier, and replaced it with a mug of ale fresh from the barrel for her. If the Knights sacrifice hadn’t earned her at least one drink for the morning the mighty slap from Victoria, BlackBerry witnessed on his return from the bar certainly did it.

“Welcome back.” He would say to Lady Kathryn with the drink ready for her. “I do say you have earned this and then some.”

“I do believe, Young Lizbeth, we may wish to get you back to your Aunt sooner rather than later. Especially sooner given the ah…” He paused, mouth still open as he pawed at the air for the right word. Facing the other cleaner currently clinging onto the door frame as if it his last shred of bravery, BlackBerry then found the word he was after. He applied a hopefully reassuring smile. “Reception, to our Bards party trick. I would hate for word to get around wich may tarnish our reputation.”

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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BlackBerry blinked several times at Lady Kathryn so that to anyone elese it would look as if he was trying to send a message in blinks. In actuality he was trying to figure out if he had slipped down the stairs and knocked himself out, and everything happening now was just a dream. He decided it probably wasn’t.

He was relieved though to see Kosara arrive fully clothed though still slightly damp from her bath earlier and give Lizbeth an apology. While Lizbeth obviously seemed a bitthrown off from the whole ordeal she seemed quite happy to set about ordering the Cleaners onto their task, adding onto Lady Kathryns own words from earlier for the Cleaners to start their work upstairs.

BlackBerry couldn’t say he was entirely surprised by Lady Kathryns response, the woman seemed to be happy to offer her services and evidently her very being to anyone who needed even the slightest bit of help. On its own the trait was exemplary but in the face of being temporarily killed just to show off a neat trick it left something to be desired.

But then again BlackBerry was also admittedly a little bit curious as to what this trick of Victorias could be. Playing with his scarf with a churning sense of excitable dread in his stomach, he crept forward a few steps after Lizbeth towards the table that was offered to Victoria. He still, overall ,wasn’t too happy about the whole ordeal.

He rolled his eyes with a sigh. “Very well, but only if you are certain Lady Kathryn. So, Victoria. You have your audience,” He gestured then to the Cleaners, and then to Lady Kathryn herself “And willing assistant. Do you need anything more? No Ritual Daggers or Bones of The Damned? This had better not be at all…graphic.”

As an after thought, he then commented more towards Lizbeth than anyone else. “I shan’t dare to wonder what your Aunt would say about all this.”

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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"Ah! Good morning Young Lizbeth.” BlackBerry chirped back “I trust you slept well then to be up at such an hour as I did hear a small crash. But it appears that no harm was done?”

He followed her, after she came from around the counter, towards the hearth with her tray filled with various breakfast stuffs. Bread, butter, and various spread jostle for room around the teapot and mugs that rattled when the tray was put down on the table. He let out an appreciative ‘ooh’ and smacked his lips. Another one of natures calls sounded from his stomach.

“A veritable feast for the eyes! And soon for the body as well. You do far too much much Young Lizbeth, I insist on doing the washing up afterwards. And I will not hear a word otherwise.”

Lady Kathryns unmistakable voice then began to drift over from beyond the not-quite-closed kitchen door sounding strained, almost pleading, to whomever she was talking to. While Blackberry couldn’t hear the all of what was being said he did overhear a few choice words like ‘jail’, ‘nefarious’, ‘not be shared’, and ‘castration’. He kept tilting his head slightly with each barely heard snippet, and he frowned felling utterly confused about the whole thing he was only overhearing half of. BlackBerry took a few steps trying to catch a glimpse through the gap of kitchen door but only a thin slice of the kitchen hearth visible to him.

“Well, it certainly sounds as if something interesting is happening.” He addressed Lizbeth as he returned to stand near the Hearth. “Should I even ask?”

BlackBerry could only assume that Young Lizbeth had decided to try and finish her cooking out here to escape whatever strange event was taking place in the Kitchen. He let her continue in peace and soon the smell of cooked breakfast began to fill the room, making his stomach rumble with anticipation.

Standing beside the hearth, his attention was then quickly taken by the Raven sitting atop the mantel. Its feet clacked quietly against the stone mantel as it shuffled under BlackBerry’s roving eyes. He was somewhat taken by the birds feathers which at first glance where a simple black where actually iridescent in shades of deep purple and rich cobalt.

“Hello there handsome fellow. You are Victoria's little bird, are you not?” Tentatively, he reached out his hand to the bird roughly the size of his head. “Yes, I thought I recognised you.”

At that moment, Lady Kathryn and Victoria came traipsing into the taproom both. His chipper morning greeting once again died in his throat when he caught sight of them both wearing long, drawn faces. Lady Kathryn then advised the just arrived cleaners to begin their work upstairs.

“Out of their bath?” BlackBerry repeated. He looked at Victoria, then Lady kathryn and then back to the former as she gave an explanation of sorts to Young Lizbeth decreeing the beauty of different songs. His eyes widened in abject horror while his facial scales did an impressive job of becoming several shades lighter. “Say it not so.”

Hearing Victorias offer to show Young Lizbeth a fun, family friendly trick of temporarily killing someone, his head snapped towards Victoria so quickly it damn near broke the sound barrier. For another rare, but becoming regular, moment Blackberry stood still in sheer flabbergasted astonishment watching Victoria then call Lady Kathryn over.

“N-n-n-now hang on, hang on just a moment.” He just about managed to pick his jaw off the floor. “Victoria. Would, would you mind explaining a bit further this uh…’interesting’ bit of magic? It is safe, yes? After all, Lady Kathryn's behaviour last night doesn't deserve such a punishment as death.” Forcing a laugh he endeavoured to convince himself this was a joke on Victoria's part. “Perhaps an animal would do just as well for the trick such as uh…rabbit or duck?”

The following moment came a clarity that surely Victoria wouldn’t kill someone, least of all one of the group, right in front of their hosts child. Especially after the last two incidents that had taken place this would easily, simply be, an illusion the talented bard with a penchant for necromancy would cast to entertain Young Lizbeth. Lady Kathryn would not be killed, she would not die and then come back to life. BlackBerry chose to ignore the part of him mind reminding him there was an undead swine standing by the wall.

In the wake of all this happening his original reason for coming downstairs had been momentarily forgotten.

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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BlackBerry fought hard against waking up. He pulled the blanket over his head and curled up tight to shield himself from the light clawing in from the cracks between the curtains, and the very, very cold world outside his little warm bubble. It worked…for all of ten minutes until a loud crash from below jolted him back awake.

Bracing himself against the cold cold he peeked his head out from his warm cocoon and listened intently to the world below. The cold of the night had managed to slink into his room and was now turning his breath to fog in front of his face. His hearing strained to hear a small voice, unmistakably Lizbeth, say something he couldn’t make out but nothing more. Whatever she had said didn’t sound to him to have been in any pain or distress. Plus his bed was still very nice, warm, and very comfortable making it a very nice change of pace from sleeping under trees or whatever inn he could usually afford.

More signs of life continued to emerge; he could hear someone emerging from Victoria and Kosaras room, and then someone else several minutes later. In his comfortable doze he waited to see if he could hear any movement from Lady Kathryns room. He could hear more voices and movement coming from downstairs suggesting that the others were already awake for the day, leaving him as possibly the last to emerge, other than Lady Kathryn who he still couldn't hear anything off from her room.

He then remembered, just as nature decided to call, the deal he and the rest of the party had made. BlackBerry tried to fight it. He tried to turn over and hide from the oncoming call but it was of no use, no matter how cosy and warm he got nature continued her battle cry that all creatures, man and beast felt in the rising rays of dawn. The party had made a deal and nature was going to make certain the deal would be upheld.

He needed to piss.

With begrudgment rivalling winds against mountains he left the warm safety of the blanket and set about dressing himself in all his clothes, comprised only of his robes, shirt and jacket, in an effort to ward off the cold. He could hear someone singing outside and he paused in his morning routine to appreciate the formless but pleasant vocalisations confirming his suspicion of who had just gone outside. This followed by a splash of water, and a brush of the teeth to ready himself for the day. His bag was left alongside the swords leaning against the dresser.

Stepping outside he was greeted by the small gust of wind, bringing with it promise of colder days to come. He shivered and pulled his jacket closer in protest against the weather. His feet crunched upon the thin layer of ice that had formed on the stairs during the night. He made sure as he descended the icy stairs that he had a good hold of the hand rail.

“Good morning everyone! I do hope you all slept…” Stepping inside his joyful greeting quickly faded in the empty room, save for the undead swine dutifully standing to one side. “I shan’t say how you likely slept.” He closed the door behind him. “Hello? Anyone around?”

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 Inn (taproom -> back bedroom) Action: Going nap nap Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 3/5

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BlackBerry nodded politely to the Master Craftsmans explanation, and then appreciatively took a mental note of the Shoecrafter in Southmoor thinking that once they had all settled and gathered their barrings over the coming days a little excursion could be planned. While Madame L’Rose had said their stock would be refreshed weekly there would undoubtedly be something they would need over the coming weeks. He had, of course, chuckled good naturedly as at the comments around old tales of dragons, knights, bards, and princess’s escaping such, quietly intrigued by the various tales the others had heard over their lives. But it would be a conversation for another day, possibly after his and Lady Kathryns sparring match, which he was delighted to hear her wholeheartedly agree to.

“I would daresay a good deal more than just a bottle and a glass.” His eyes drifted towards the undoubtedly now lighter barrel of ale Lady Kathryn had been enjoying earlier.

Master Urmdrus’s departure, stressing beyond just general insistence that only piss be in the buckets, triggered and almost exodus from the taproom as the others began to file away to bed. While he had originally planned and even begun to volunteer to lend a hand with clean up it became quickly apparent that Lizbeth, with Lady Kathryns help, had everything in hand. Young Lizbeth was a marvellous host indeed, he would have to commend the young girls behaviour to her Aunt when the party returned her in the morning.

Waving away Victorias apology for not answering his question earlier, he said. “No need to worry at all, Victoria. I am glad to hear you did not take my questioning the wrong way. Now, off with you to bed and we may continue our conversations in the morning when we are all refreshed. Sleep well, same to you as well Kosara.”

The tale-tale thud-thud-thud of the cart wheel being pulled up the stairs by Morty soon came after Victoria and her undead swine had left the room, with Kosara following shortly after. Each time the door opened a small gust of the cold wind slipped into the taproom and BlackBerry wasn’t quite ready just yet to face it on his own journey to his room. There was still one matter of business left.
“Well until then, it seems Young Lizbeth you do have several options for accommodation available to you. I would assume Victoria and Kosara would not say no to you bunking with them in the same room though if you prefer?” Turning in his chair to face Lady Kathryn he then answered, “Myself? The bedroom at the back will do me well as it appears none are against the arrangement.”

The idea of staying here, in Avonshire, on the L’Rose estate finally started to settle on BlackBerry. A whole Winter. A few weeks at least, possibly more depending on how blocked the roads became with snow. Sitting at the now empty table he drummed without any rhythm or pattern with his claws upon the wood. An entire Season here.

“Time marches on, yet still I am forced to be.” His heavy thoughts tumbled out quietly and apparently without his own notice. “Still, may as well make the best of it.”

Not that he had any leads, or any of anything really. All he had was a restless, frantic energy boiling beneath the dread of the future and tiredness of the day. Slapping the table to break himself out of his spiralling thoughts, BlackBerry took a breath as he stretched up from the chair with a popping of joints and a small sigh.

“Well, Lady Kathryn, I hope you don’t mind but I shall excuse myself as well. I must admit it has been not an overall eventful day but certainly a long one. I shall be much glad to rest my head somewhere warm and dry for the evening.” He commented as he headed towards the door, intent on making his own way to bed. “We certainly must find some way to repay this kindness during our stay. A meal or two certainly would not go amiss either I say.”

His foot tapped against the other bucket sitting empty on the floor. BlackBerry, with his hand still on the door handle, looked down at the empty bucket and then back towards Lady Kathryn. Victoria had taken the other bucket with her leaving the obvious even split of both buckets and party members.

“If you do not mind I shall provide my share of the payment in the morning. Goodnight!”