PREDICTABLE PLOT TWIST DISCUSSION

06:04:06: <Benedict> Garret takes the skull back to camp and finds his own nice little corner of worship. Once again, he removes a gauntlet and cuts his hand, letting the blood drip on the skull and awaiting a response.
06:19:41: <Rainglove> Garret, you get a sort of feeling of anticipation, like something's waiting for you to talk. Shepard, your goat blinks and stares at you.
06:23:07: <Goatwright> Shepard continues his chanting. Goddammit, Glasbok, now's not the time to be a busy dick.
06:24:02: <Benedict> Garret coughs, sitting down and trying to think of the right words to say. "<What... those frog things were saying. Is it true? About what happens ta a plane when ye take a crystal?>"
06:24:26: <Rainglove> The goat blinks again, then speaks in druidic. "[You wanted something or are you just gonna keep chanting?]"
06:25:54: <Goatwright> "[Oh. I'm sorry. It's hard to tell when something's happened with the hat over my face.]"
06:26:20: <Rainglove> "[Damned silly if you ask me. Just talk, it works.]"
06:26:43: <Rainglove> "[Anyway, what'd you want?]"
06:27:05: <Rainglove> Garret, you get a sense of... affirmation? Not a happy feeling.
06:28:09: <Goatwright> "[I've been informed that the removal of a crystal from a plane effectively destroys it. Is this true
06:28:11: <Goatwright> ?]
06:29:33: <Benedict> "<A little warning about this would have helped me. Or telling the damn worshiper what happens to this world! I wasted my time here!>" Garret shouts at the skull, then holds his hands together. "<I'm sorry. I should not have shifted blame.>"
06:32:52: <Rainglove> "[Well, I wouldn't call it destruction. The thing's still there, just a lot of stuff wrong with it. I'm working on a solution.]"
06:34:52: <Rainglove> Garret, you get a sense of rising anger, then it suddenly cools itself. You get a sense of... helplessness? Of being unable to act, even though you want to.
06:35:29: <Goatwright> "[With all due respect, don't you think you should have told me about this? As a druid, I can't possibly go through with this without a solution.]"
06:36:43: <Benedict> "<Is there no solution that works for everyone? I can't go home without a crystal. The church won't accept that. I can't just... destroy a world and countless lives, either. Please! Did my... did my idea to those frogs have any... could it work?>"
06:37:22: <Rainglove> "[Well, if I find a solution, it's not a problem. You getting ahold of a crystal is important, possibly central to my finding that solution.]"
06:39:48: <Rainglove> Garret, you still get that feeling of being unable to act, but it's mixed with uncertainty. As if you could do something, but of tremendous consequences if you fail.
06:40:27: <Goatwright> "[But if it doesn't work, then we're condemning this plane.]"
06:41:23: <Rainglove> "[The plane was condemned as soon as the Rift opened onto it.]"
06:41:35: <Rainglove> "[I hope to undo that.]"
06:41:36: <Benedict> "<Not a solution at all, then. Has to be something. There's nothing you, personally, could do?>
06:43:39: <Goatwright> Shepard makes a bit of a face. "[I wish you weren't so blunt about it, my lord. But I trust in your ability.]"
06:45:24: <Rainglove> Garret, you get the feeling of searching, and a faint impression of the people you've been travelling with. That feeling of helplessness is still there, but less focused on you and more on the skull.
06:47:26: <Rainglove> "[It's generally a bad situation. Honestly wish that blasted rift hadn't been opened in the first place, but you work with what you've got, and I've got you.]"
06:47:34: <Benedict> "<Them? What could they do. They're as powerless as me. Bert keeps stepping over the line each day, Batharl is only good for fighting, Shepard has his goats, and Eelis is...>" He stops, looking behind him for the Elan. "<Well, you probably know. What can they do? What could we do?>"
06:49:57: <Goatwright> Shepard supposed that's the best sort-of compliment he'll be getting today, so he takes it. "[Do you have any idea what opened it in the first place?]"
06:52:26: <Rainglove> There's that sense of helplessness again, Garret, still focused on the skull and on the connection between you and whatever you're talking to. Something shifts inside your head, and you get a sense of strange warmth from back in the direction of the camp. A sort of comforting feeling, like that's what you need to be doing.
06:53:19: <Rainglove> "[Yeah, but that's not really important. If we figure out how to fix all this, I'll talk to you about it. There'll be time then. Right now, there's a lot going on. People aren't happy.]"
06:54:40: <Benedict> "<What...? I should talk to them? Have them talk to you?>"
06:58:29: <Goatwright> "[Alright. I have another question, which ties into my concerns regarding future challenges with the crystal we're attempting to procure. Do you know why so few groups are coming through the rift?]"
06:59:24: <Rainglove> You get a faint feeling of negativity, Garret, and the feeling shifts. It's more a feeling that that's where you belong. Where the Shaper wants you to be.
07:02:04: <Benedict> "<That... does not answer the question. How do I please the church and keep this world safe? If you expect me to stay with the group till I die, that's...>" Garret trails off, mumbling.
07:03:15: <Rainglove> The feeling of the Shaper being there withdraws, seeming almost thoughtful. Then it returns, shifted slightly. You get the impression of that camp being at the center of things. Something large.
07:05:23: <Benedict> Garret sighs. "<Very well. Could I at least ask that you contact me if you know a solution for this world? Finding and decapitating animals is hard work.>" Garret stands, bows, and walks off back to the main camp.
07:07:50: <Rainglove> "[We're cutting people off. Just dropping them when they get through. Anyone you see on your end has a god going for them. That half-orc you came through with? We missed him the first time, we didn't get him until a few days later, dropped him in a tiny port town.]" The goat chuckles, which is /really/ goddamn weird.
07:14:41: <Goatwright> Garret might see Shepard talking to a goat which is, at the moment, chuckling. "[I was wondering where he had gone.]" He lifts the hat up off his face for a few seconds to scratch at his beard. "[Does this mean the other groups are being led astray by corrupt gods?]"
07:15:28: <Goatwright> "[And what of the other three with us? I don't believe they worship.]"
07:16:17: <Rainglove> "[Enh, we're all trying to lead you generally in the right direction. We've got a lot to balance, it's not easy. Some of these guys, they'll make you jump through hoops to do anything.]" The goat rolls its eyes. "[You don't have to worship anyone to have someone going for you. You represent some kind of ideal whether you like it or not. Even the fetchling.]"
07:16:46: <Benedict> Garret small fit of depression is temporarily forgotten as he comes across a chuckling goat. "<Weird fucking things...>" Garret mumbles in Dwarven, finding a nice spot to lay down, sighing.
07:19:02: <Goatwright> "[Right, of course. What are your thoughts on them, by the way?]"
07:19:36: <Rainglove> "[Who, the others in your group?]" Garret, this goat is speaking Dwarven, holy shit.
07:20:03: <Goatwright> "[Yes.]"
07:20:09: <Gara> Eelis comes into attention.
07:20:31: <Benedict> Garret lifts his head and just stares at the goat. Holy shit.
07:21:20: <Gara> Where is everyone?
07:21:52: <Benedict> Garret is back at the camp!
07:21:52: <Goatwright> Shepard is at the camp, sitting cross-legged in front of his goat with is covered in white powder and face paint. Shepard's hat is pulled completely over his head.
07:21:56: <Goatwright> Also the goat is talking.
07:22:25: <Rainglove> Holy shit. Eelis, this goat is speaking whatever you speak natively you multicultural thing you. Holy shit. "[They're alright enough. We can't interfere directly, but we can pick who we want to represent us, and everyone you see's been picked by someone. Big things are happening right now.]"
07:25:17: <Benedict> "<Stop speaking my language. You're freaking me out.>"
07:25:45: <Goatwright> "[What's happening? You didn't stop the other parties that went through the rift the many other times. You never even let me know you were involved in this, and now I'm getting the impression you've bred me up to this point. So why now of all times?]"
07:30:39: <Rainglove> The goat gives Garret a 'Fuck you' look, then turns back to Shepard and proceeds to scream dwarven obscenities at him. Shepard, "[This place is... significant. None of us can tell you why. We need representatives, and they need to be the best we have. For me, that's you. For the Shaper, it's the paladin. You all have significance.]"
07:31:20: <Gara> "[Significance of what sort?]" She just picks a language.
07:34:33: <Rainglove> The goat eyes her. "[I'm uh, not really supposed to talk to you, but alright. And I can't tell you, I've said that. You're at the center of a lot of what is and will happen, to a lot more than just your plane. What that is exactly, I can't say.]"
07:34:42: <Rainglove> Garret, you continue to hear very very loud dwarven curses.
07:35:15: <Goatwright> "[I'm sorry they're both talking to you.]"
07:35:43: <Benedict> Garret plugs his ears. Fuck you, goat.
07:35:45: <Gara> She switches languages for shits and giggles.
07:35:46: <Rainglove> "[Enh, I'm a talking goat right now. Kind of draw attention to myself.]"
07:36:17: <Goatwright> "[I'm also quite flattered I'm your best representative.]" Shepard smiles a bit from under his hat.
07:36:21: <Gara> "[So we're important, very important, and have gods behind us, but beyond that you can't tell us anything? Okay.]"
07:38:13: <Rainglove> "[Do you need more than that? Try not to fuck up, we've got a lot riding on you.]" It looks distinctly unimpressed at Eelis, then turns back to Shepard. "[Not a whole lot of people following the crazy goatman. You're an alright group, we'll see how it goes.]"
07:38:56: <Gara> "[No, no, just making sure I'm on the same page.]"
07:40:12: <Goatwright> "[Speaking of which, I was hoping you might be able to offer a little assistance, but before we get into that, what are your thoughts on Pahana?]" Shepard looks over at the blue female goat.
07:41:57: <Rainglove> "[It's not much of a page, but there are some people who don't really want us saying much. Yours, specifically.]" It nods at Eelis. "[As for Pahana... She's not really one of mine anymore. I approve of testing boundaries, though.]"
07:42:37: <Gara> "[And what are my people? I /think/ I know, but, well, assumptions.]"
07:43:21: <Rainglove> "[Not the immortals who raised you. However much you and they might like to think they're gods, they're not.]"
07:43:24: <Benedict> "Make that goat shut up, already!"
07:43:39: <Rainglove> "[As for who specifically, they'll have to tell you themselves.]"
07:43:43: <Gara> "[Hmmmmmm. Interesting.]"
07:43:48: <Gara> "[Thank you.]"
07:43:55: <Rainglove> The goat gives Garret another 'fuck you' look, then stops screaming.
07:45:31: <Goatwright> Shepard nods at the approval. "[I suppose that sort of answers my question, then. I was hoping you could offer some assistance with the upcoming battle involving the juvenile dragon. One idea I had was to potentially aide Pahana in her magic, even though she isn't quite interested in aiding in combat.]"
07:45:32: <Benedict> Garret sighs, taking his fingers out of his ears.
07:48:44: <Rainglove> The goat nods towards Garret, speaking in Dwarven. "[Your God's a pretty cool guy. Wishes he could help more. Hopefully he'll work it out.]" It turns back to Shepard. "[Honestly, I don't know. It's up to her.]"
07:52:39: <Goatwright> "[I can call her over, she can decide for herself.]" He turns to look at the resting Chumani and Pahana. "[Pahana, come here, please.]"
07:53:11: <Benedict> "<What? You two friends up there?>" Garret lifts his head, then collapses. "<Is he going to contact me when he finds a solution? Getting skulls is hard work.>"
07:57:15: <Rainglove> "[Yeah, he'll probably figure out a way. He's got to rules lawyer everything he does, poor guy. He's pretty good at sorting things out, though.]" Pahana blinks at Shepard, then stands and heads over to him.
08:00:05: <Goatwright> Shepard gives Pahana some affectionate petting. "[Pahana, this is the Glasbok. He's my patron deity, and he's currently occupying the body of Soban. I understand you're uninterested in getting involved with religion, but Glasbok represents the species of animal you currently are: goats. He's also capable of potentially aiding you in your magic.]"
08:01:43: <Rainglove> "[... Okay.]" Soban may or may not be eyeing that hot crystal goat ass. It's hard to tell. "[So what do you want?]"
08:03:28: <Goatwright> "I was hoping you'd be willing to let Glasbok teach you a spell or two.]"
08:11:08: <Benedict> "<Rules? Why would there be rules for trying to save an entire plane or just to talk to a follower? Makes no sense.>"
08:14:31: <Rainglove> The goat nods to Garret. "[I agree, but that's how it works. He'll do what he can.]"
08:14:52: <Rainglove> Pahana shrugs. "[Seems like it's worth a shot.]"
08:15:40: <Goatwright> "[Actually, why is it like that? And why aren't you bound by the same rules?]"
08:17:14: <Rainglove> "[I'm a goat god. He at least partially helped create some of the races, and he helped make a few of the more important planes. He's a big guy, people don't want him doing whatever he wants.]"
08:19:02: <Benedict> "<He made some of the planes? Which ones? Is our side of the Rift count as a plane?>"
08:19:10: <Benedict> Does our*
08:22:00: <Rainglove> "[Yeah, he made a pretty good sized chunk of that one. Took his time on some of the landscapes, made the place look gorgeous. I'm pretty proud of how my little slice turned out, but his stuff... whew.]"
08:26:42: <Benedict> "<But what about other planes? How would I know I was in one of his planes?>"
08:28:17: <Goatwright> "[Your little slice?]"
08:34:00: <Rainglove> "[You wouldn't. He had a hand in most of them, odds are you've stepped in at least one spot he built himself on your home plane. And yeah.]" It nods to Shepard. "[I put together a nifty little section where a rift field meets a nice, thick forest. Forest is still there, despite the explosions.]"
08:35:00: <Benedict> "<Titan's Fall?>"
08:35:58: <Rainglove> "[That the place the dwarves live?]"
08:36:15: <Goatwright> Shepard makes a mental note of that description. "[Anyways, my lord, shall we move our attentions back to Pahana?]"
08:36:42: <Benedict> "<That's our city.>"
08:37:43: <Rainglove> "[Yeah, he made that place. Pretty nice view. And uh, I'm not sure what you want me to do with her.]"
08:40:22: <Goatwright> "[Can you teach her any spells?]"
08:42:44: <Rainglove> "[Uh, maybe. I don't really know.]"
08:43:49: <Goatwright> "[I would appreciate you trying. If you can't, and if it's not too much, any other form of assistance would mean a lot to me.]"
08:48:45: <Rainglove> "[Honestly I probably shouldn't have been here for as long as I have. Ah well.]" The goat circles Pahana. "[Uh, I don't know if I can do anything here. She's not got my kind of magic.]"
08:50:44: <Goatwright> Ah, yes, the infamous line between arcane and divine magic. Shepard knows it all too well. "[I wish there were a way to make that less complicated.]" Shepard sighs.
08:51:46: <Benedict> "Keep asking it questions, Shepard. I'm sleeping." With that, Garret tries to pass out.
08:57:14: <Rainglove> "[It's a hell of a distinction. There are some gods who use arcane magic, for some reason. Don't know why.]"
08:58:23: <Goatwright> "[Is there anything else you can do?]"
08:59:56: <Rainglove> "[Well, I'm a god. Just ask and we'll see.]"