The Hole Thing

<enter AFKboat mode>

Hanging lanterns twinkle to the aft.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden gives an enthusiastic "Huzzah!" at the top of her voice, pumping her arms in the air.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden exclaims, "Huzzah, huzzah, huzzah!"

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden prods you in the chest.
Skuld, the Eternal Maiden narrows her eyes to thin slits.
Skuld, the Eternal Maiden huffs and puffs in outrage.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden waves her arms and poofs!

<back from afk>

"Eep!" you scream in fright.


You shout, "Skuld!"

You swear softly to yourself.

You disembark the ship via the lowered gangplank.
The harbour of Tasur'ke.
The bright sun shines down, blanketing you with its life-giving warmth. A ladder of long, soft leaves comprises a wispy Weaver's Fern along the ground. The eternal roar of the mighty ocean wreathes this elaborate marble shrine, a vivid testimony to the grace and power of He who is Lord of the Wine-Dark Sea. There are 3 brawny dockhands here.  The following ships are docked here: 9 Thalassian seastriders, 30 Windcutters, and 2 War Galleys. You may BOARD a docked ship or enter the wilderness map from here.
You see a single exit leading west.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden shouts, "Nope!""

You shout, "Oh come on, I'll buy you a puppy!"

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden's ears perk up with a sudden interest.

You give a trillingly melodic laugh.

You lean forward and plant a kiss on Skuld, the Eternal Maiden's cheek.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "Puppy?"

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Sorry for such deep meditation. It's scary in my mind, and easy to get lost."

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden nods her head emphatically.

You ask with a throaty, lyrical accent, "What can I do for you, pixie?"

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "I was bored. I thought I would go be bored with someone."

You ponder the situation.

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Boredom's a horrid situation, and one that's all too common, these days."

You pause a moment to gather your thoughts.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "You know what?"

You say to a brawny dockhand with a throaty, lyrical accent, "The lass is bored; amuse her!"

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "Hey now.."

A dockhand enters with a jaunty step.

You say brightly with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Oh look, he has friends."

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "OH LOOK."

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "Fish and chips."

Skuld strides gracefully out to the west, silvery bells chiming musically.

You stare implacably about yourself.

You blink confoundedly before quietly uttering, "What."
<chasing after Skuld to the cafe>

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden hops about madly.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "Please?"

You pay 130 sovereigns and receive a platter of fish and chips.
You give a platter of fish and chips to Skuld, the Eternal Maiden.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden breaks up the fish and crams it into her mouth, swallowing the mouthful.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "Is good."

Taraus grins wryly.

You ask with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Crunchy?"

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "Fishy."

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Well, fish tends to be that way. Good fish, anyhow."

You tilt your head to one side, rub your chin, and thoughtfully declare "Hrm."

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "What we need is some trouble, I think."

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden nods her head emphatically.

You look thoughtful and say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "You know, we had a plan just last month, could've used you on..."

You tell Sybilla, "Where are you? And more importantly, stop it. Skuld's looking for trouble, should we try again?"

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "Are you enemied to Cyrene?"

You crease your brow in a frown.

Sybilla tells you, "Try ag- The gates! Yess, I'm coming."

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "I am."

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "I'm enemied to everything, as it were."

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "Aw. I like to go there and sing about Oblivion."

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "But, 'bell and I had an idea, and we damned near strained ourselves trying to pull it off, maybe you could help."

You smile impishly and say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "If you're up for a little fun, that is."

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "What did you try n' do?"

You beckon to Skuld, the Eternal Maiden.

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Won't tell, will show."

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden begins to follow you.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden nods her head emphatically.

You beckon to Sybilla.
Sybilla beams broadly.
Sybilla begins to follow you.

<moving to Ashtan's gates>


You ask Skuld, the Eternal Maiden with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Now, see how the gates are just... propped wide open, and leaves us open to just all manner of riff-raff?"

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden nods her head emphatically.

Taraus gestures towards the gates, then nods at the statue of the Great Owl.

Sybilla says in a rich, smoky voice, "Puppy-less riff-raff, might I add."

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "Scandalous."

Sybilla nods solemnly in agreement.

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "She and I had a notion to sort of... nudge the statue over a bit."

You see Skuld, the Eternal Maiden yell, "Scandalous!"

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "You know, to..."

You have emoted: Taraus gestures vaguely.

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Tsht!"

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "Knock it over?"

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "Smash it?"

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden exclaims, "I can smash it!"

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "No, no, not smash!"

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Just, you know."

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Scoot a smidge."

Sybilla says helpfully in a rich, smoky voice, "...wedge."

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "Wedge?"

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "Potato?"

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Ahm, move."

Sybilla says in a rich, smoky voice, "Potatoes are for celebrating, once the work's done."

Sybilla asks Skuld, the Eternal Maiden in a rich, smoky voice, "Have you ever tried the Ugly
Humgii's?"

You whisper to Sybilla with a throaty, lyrical accent, "After, AFTER."

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "I never knew it was an owl. Why is it an owl?"

You ask with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Maya. You know Maya?"

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden nods her head emphatically.

You have emoted: Taraus gestures upwards.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "I liked her."

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "The owl was Her thing."

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "She was pretty."

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "So I smash the owl? I am not smart today."

You have emoted: Taraus points down at the slightly scarred ground just behind the statue's base.

You ask with a throaty, lyrical accent, "See where we managed to move it just a hair?"

Sybilla says gallantly in a rich, smoky voice, "Pretty she was, and all the better to put said
statue more... to the fore."

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Not smash!"

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "If we break it, it won't do us any good."

Sybilla nods her head at you, showing her acceptance.

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "The riff-raff will climb over the rubble."

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "Ooooh, you want me to be naughty and block your gates..."

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Naughty, no! It's for the safety of the city."

You whisper with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Keep the undesirables out."

Sybilla nods officiously.

Sybilla says in a rich, smoky voice, "We are two model citizens, you see."

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "We not allowed to do that. That is naughty. People get in trouble for it so much..."

You have emoted: Taraus clears her throat and adjusts her shoulders, standing upright.

You see Skuld, the Eternal Maiden yell, "We could blame it on Jarrod, however!"

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden shuffles her feet uneasily.

You exclaim with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Tsht!"

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden exclaims, "SHH!"

You have emoted: Taraus pats the air, making pipe-down gestures.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "Shhh."

You say agreeably with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Shh."

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "Why not dig a hole shhhhhh."

You begin to wield a hefty shovel in your right hand.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden waves goodbye.

You have emoted: Taraus glances down at the ground, one eye squinched in consideration.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden peers about herself unscrupulously.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden exclaims, "No! I have it!"

You ask with a throaty, lyrical accent, "You mean like a... a moat?"

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden waves her hefty shovel.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "Ooooh, a moat..."

You look thoughtful and say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "A moat could work, maybe."

Sybilla says pensively in a rich, smoky voice, "We -could- use a moat."

You give a hefty shovel to Sybilla.

Sybilla begins to wield a hefty shovel in her left hand.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden ponders the situation.

Sybilla holds out a hefty shovel between the gates of Ashtan, closing an eyelid to consider the
measurements.

You have emoted: Taraus suddenly slams the shovel into the ground, the point spanging against a rock as it digs into the terrain.

You say excitedly with a throaty, lyrical accent, "A moat!"

Peak arrives from the north.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "Here?"

Stopping, Sybilla turns to glance at you in exhasperation.

You say solemnly to Skuld, the Eternal Maiden with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Well this -is- how they're getting in."

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "If you do it here all this will collapse into it. And get wet."

Sybilla says to you in a rich, smoky voice, "Or we can just do it wherever!"

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "Wet."

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden shudders violently.

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Well, where then!"

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden ponders the situation.

You ask with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Maybe further down the highway?"

Pointing off into the distance, Skuld, the Eternal Maiden loudly proclaims, "Onwards!"

Skuld strides gracefully out to the south, silvery bells chiming musically.

Sybilla follows you south.
Before the gate of Ashtan (road).

Sybilla follows you south.
The approach to Ashtan (road).

Peak arrives from the north.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden peers about herself unscrupulously.

You squint suspiciously at Peak.

You see exits leading north and southwest.

Skuld strides gracefully out to the southwest, silvery bells chiming musically.

You say solemnly to Peak with a throaty, lyrical accent, "You see, and will have seen, nothing."

Sybilla follows you southwest.
On the Prelatorian Highway (road).
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----- -33:37:0 ------
The stars twinkle in the clear night sky. An obsidian eye sigil is here. Skuld, the Eternal Maiden
is here, mischief in her eyes.
You see exits leading northeast and south.

On the Prelatorian Highway (road).

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "Hm."

You tilt your head and listen intently to Skuld, the Eternal Maiden.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "Here?"

On the Prelatorian Highway (road).

You see exits leading northeast and south.

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "I'm okay with here!"

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden nods her head emphatically.

Sybilla says agreeing in a rich, smoky voice, "Here."

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden exclaims, "Here we dig!"

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Excellent!"

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden waves her shovel about in the air!

You have emoted: Taraus takes a firm hold of her shovel and thrusts it downward, sending the tip
into the dirt once more.

With renewed vigour, Sybilla puts her back into the work, sending the shovel-tip down onto the road.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden props her shovel up and leans against it.

You have emoted: Taraus pauses briefly in her effort, leaning against her shovel as she pants softly.

You say breathlessly with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Dirt's... harder... than it... looks."

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "Because it is all flattened and stuff."

Sybilla has barely managed a mole-hill before pausing.

Sybilla says dourly in a rich, smoky voice, "Much too flat."

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden kicks at the small pile of dirt around the hole.

You say encouragingly with a throaty, lyrical accent, "C'mon, ladies. We can do men's work better'n th' men can!"

Sybilla exclaims brightly to Skuld, the Eternal Maiden in a rich, smoky voice, "We need explosives!"

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden's ears perk up with a sudden interest.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden points accusingly at a hole in the road.

You clap your hands together merrily.

Sybilla nudges you in excitement, nodding towards Skuld, the Eternal Maiden.

You say gleefully with a throaty, lyrical accent, "We have a hole!"

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "That's a great moat."

On the Prelatorian Highway (road).
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The stars twinkle in the clear night sky. It is almost a joy to be travelling this road. Wide and smooth and well maintained, it is a far cry from the rough dirt tracks in less travelled areas. The air has a pleasant feel to it, even a bit of sea air tang, and occasionally you can see seabirds wheeling in the air above. Fellow travellers pass by and your eye can follow them to the south or up Ashtan way northeast. An obsidian eye sigil is here. Skuld, the Eternal Maiden is here, mischief in her eyes. A hole has been dug into the road.  Sybilla is here. She wields a hefty shovel in her left hand.
You see exits leading northeast and south.
ih

sigil140923         an eye sigil
hole325621          a hole in the road
Number of objects: 2

5145h (100%), 7045m (100%), 23400e, 29400w excb 48.1 - 18:37:42.312 -  -  p hole
This hole has been enthusiastically dig unto the road, a pile of dirt beside it.

Sybilla beams broadly at a hole in the road.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden exclaims, "Job done!"

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden gives an enthusiastic "Huzzah!" at the top of her voice, pumping her arms in the air.

You say smugly with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Behold, the hole! Be-hole?"

Sybilla lets slip a soft, smoky laugh.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden exclaims, "Be-hole? I like it!"

You flash Skuld, the Eternal Maiden a quick thumbs up.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden exclaims, "We have saved Ashtan!"

Dnarris arrives from the south.
Dnarris leaves to the northeast.

Dalran, riding a chimera, arrives from the southeast.
Dalran, riding a chimera, leaves to the northeast.

Sybilla pauses a moment, staring at nothing in particular to gather her thoughts.

Sybilla says suspiciously in a rich, smoky voice, "It doesn't seem to be keeping out riff-raff."

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "It is a sneaky hole."

You tilt your head to one side, rub your chin, and thoughtfully declare "Hrm."

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "It lies in wait."

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "Then one day..."

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden exclaims, "BAM!"

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Oh, like a trap hole?"

You beam broadly at Skuld, the Eternal Maiden.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "The last hole I made, made Eleusian's cry."

Your mouth turns up as your face breaks into a smile.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "But then, I did blow up a section of the forest."

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Maybe this hole will make Eleusians cry, too."

Isabell arrives from the south.
Isabell leaves to the northeast.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden exclaims, "Oh, that would be fun!"

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden frowns at people ignoring the hole.

Sybilla looks thoughtful and says in a rich, smoky voice, "We need a bit of rain."

You stare implacably at a hole in the road.

Sybilla says in a rich, smoky voice, "Then it can be a tricksy puddle."

You look sceptical and say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Should it be bigger?"

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "If it was bigger it wouldn't be so sneaky."

You look thoughtful and say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Hmm, good point."
-
Tharos, the Announcer of Delos shouts, "Do you know where flies are found? What about Faun? How
about Ugrach? Foozle that!"

You see Skuld, the Eternal Maiden shout, "I will Foozle your flies!"

You have emoted: Taraus stifles a snort.

The voice of the dragon Smallest Dragon Nieelensars Kio'Gema thunders, "If I foozle Ugrach I get
control of him to lead him some place. Do that and we got a deal!"

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden frowns.

You ask with a throaty, lyrical accent, "What's wrong, pixie?"

Tharos, the Announcer of Delos shouts, "If Skuld can Foozle my flies she can lead me anywhere!
Deal?"

The voice of the dragon Smallest Dragon Nieelensars Kio'Gema thunders, "Oi! What about Ugrach!"

You have emoted: Taraus laughs softly with a sad shake of her head.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "I get you in trouble?"

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Me? Trouble?"

You smile impishly and say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "I live for it."

Sybilla says conspiratorially in a rich, smoky voice, "We were never here."

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden shuffles a foot in the dirt.

Sybilla ceases to wield a hefty shovel in her left hand.

You confusedly ask with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Where?"

You have emoted: Taraus adopts an innocent expression, glancing skywards.

You say agreeably with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Lovely day, innit?"

Dnarris arrives from the northeast.

Sybilla says amiably in a rich, smoky voice, "Perfect, for a Glacian."

Dnarris leaves to the south.

You whisper to Sybilla in an excited voice, "We have a sneaky hole!"

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden exclaims, "Shhh!"

Sybilla stifles a snort.


You clear your throat.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden says, "I should go before it springs and traps me.."

You squint suspiciously at a hole in the road.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden exclaims, "Happy phase of the Maiden!"

Your mouth turns up as your face breaks into a smile.

Sybilla says in a rich, smoky voice, "I shall send along the finest celebratory potatoes!"

You say to Skuld, the Eternal Maiden with a throaty, lyrical accent, "And thank you for the help!"

Sybilla nods her head at you, showing her acceptance.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden beams broadly.

Skuld, the Eternal Maiden glances once more at the hole.

Skuld strides gracefully out to the south, silvery bells chiming musically.

You exclaim gleefully with a throaty, lyrical accent, "A hole, a hole, we have a hole!"

Sybilla excitedly asks you in a rich, smoky voice, "She's gone, shall we make it bigger?"

A hole in the road is not a container.

You crease your brow in a frown.

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "We need things in it."

You have emoted: Taraus experimentally prods at the sides of the hole with the tip of her shovel.

Sybilla looks thoughtful and says in a rich, smoky voice, "Hmm."

You say absently with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Also, we know where to look if we ever need to
foozle a hole."

Sybilla gives a half-snuff of amusement.

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "I sort of want to set up camp here now. Admire it."

Sybilla says in a rich, smoky voice, "We did that!"

You say proudly with a throaty, lyrical accent, "We sho did."

Sybilla says to you in a rich, smoky voice, "Next will be your nunnery, for wayward girls."

Sybilla brandishes a hefty shovel menacingly.

You exclaim with a throaty, lyrical accent, "With wimples and chains and blindfolds, oh my!"

You attempt to stifle your amusement but cannot help laughing aloud.

The Dragon Nieelensars thunders in from the northeast.

Nieelensars blinks.

Looking to a hole in the road in confusion, Nieelensars raises an eyebrow and exclaims, "What the foozle?!"

You have emoted: Taraus whistles innocently.

Nieelensars gives you the once-over, eyeing you suspiciously.

Sybilla clears her throat.

Sybilla takes a swallow from a glass tumbler, her breath catching slightly before a look of
satisfaction glints in her eyes at the quality of the whiskey.

Nieelensars says in an acquiescent voice, "Have you guys been digging things up again?"

You say absently to Sybilla with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Ah, and then Petra's over..."

You have emoted: Taraus gestures vaguely.

A slimy Ulangian slug suddenly lurches his abdomen into the air, slamming it to the ground and
flinging slime everywhere around him.

Nieelensars blinks.

Nieelensars says in an acquiescent voice, "I'm so confused now."

Sybilla says to you in a rich, smoky voice, "Oh, right!"

Heaving a great sigh, Nieelensars flops down upon the ground, limbs sprawled all about.

Crossing her arms over her chest, Nieelensars loudly proclaims, "FINE!" in utter defiance.

Nieelensars moves her huge bulk to the northeast with surprising grace.

Sybilla looks sceptical and whispers to you in a rich, smoky voice, "I think the slug's been on it."

You whisper to Sybilla with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Maybe after the rains, it'll..."

You have emoted: Taraus gestures vaguely.

<a bunch of people walking through>

You say threateningly with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Yea, you watch out for this hole."

You brandish your fists defiantly.

Sybilla asks you in a rich, smoky voice, "Are we the hole guardians, now?"

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "I'ma just standing here admiring the hole thing."

Overtaken by sudden inspiration, Sybilla breaks down in fits of giggles.

Sybilla breathlessly asks in a rich, smoky voice, "Taraus... T-.. guess what?"

You ask with a throaty, lyrical accent, "What, what?"

Sybilla says tittering in a rich, smoky voice, "We have made the hole of Ashtan."

Sybilla exclaims beaming in a rich, smoky voice, "The hole of Ashtan is ours!"

You begin to wield a tumbler of Black Oak whiskey in your right hand.

You say soberly to Sybilla with a throaty, lyrical accent, "To ours, the most... err... holiest?... of holes?"

Sybilla raises her glass in a toast.
You raise your glass in a toast.


You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "I'm proud of us."

Sybilla says in a rich, smoky voice, "What a holesome pursuit we engaged in."

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "I daresay we're the holemasters."

Sybilla asks in a rich, smoky voice, "What now?"

You look thoughtful and say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Well."

You look over at a hole in the road and ponder it for a moment.

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "I guess we wait for rain?"

Sybilla frowns and says in a rich, smoky voice, "It was cloudy earlier."

Sybilla says in a rich, smoky voice, "Wind and sun, what nonsense. Maybe when it ices over it'll be really interesting."

Your mouth turns up as your face breaks into a smile.

You say with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Well, we'll see."

You say hopefully with a throaty, lyrical accent, "Maybe someone will trip and break an ankle."

Sybilla says in a rich, smoky voice, "Maybe!"

<finit>